NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 11/6/06

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Friday, September 8, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scouting Matchups: Week 1


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%"><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=162 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" colSpan=2></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=3> </TD><TD width=156>Only Insiders get access to all of Scouts Inc.'s, in-depth NFL coverage, as well as insight from ESPN's stable of football analysts.
? Take the Insider tour
? Become an Insider
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NFL advance scouts watch games in person, studying everything from personnel packages to play-calling signals, and on film, looking at individual players, as well as a team's various schemes and recent trends. The goal? Provide their coaching staff with the best possible means of preparation during the week of practice. Scouts Inc. does the same thing, compiling the best advance scouting reports available and delivering them to you by Tuesday afternoon on ESPN.com Insider. On Friday, after breaking down more game film, Scouts Inc. files an updated report with a deeper look at each game, spotlighting key individual matchups and trends and predicting the final score.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD width=100>Matchup</TD><TD>Scouting</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Miami
at
Pittsburgh
Thu 8:30 PM ET</TD><TD>Dolphins at Steelers
Although they did not qualify for the playoffs, the Dolphins won their last six games last season. The only team to finish 2005 hotter than Miami was Pittsburgh, which won its last eight in a row, including three road playoff games and the Super Bowl. Now the Super Bowl champs open against an up-and-coming Dolphins team that hopes to be where the Steelers are.

Beyond the status of each team is the drama surrounding each team's starting quarterback. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had the motorcycle accident and now the emergency appendectomy, forcing the Steelers to go with backup Charlie Batch on short notice. Miami's Daunte Culpepper has impressed everyone with his preseason performance after undergoing major knee surgery, but now he has to do it in the regular season against a very good defense.

This is going to be a very physical, well-coached game. Running room will be very difficult to come by, and the team with the better quarterback play probably will end up with the victory. Expect a tight battle where special teams and field position are paramount.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Steelers are safe pick at home

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Baltimore
at
Tampa Bay
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Ravens at Buccaneers
This intriguing matchup features two teams with playoff-caliber defenses and outstanding running backs in Jamal Lewis and Cadillac Williams.

For the Ravens, the offseason was about getting a quarterback (Steve McNair) in place who could lead this organization back to the Super Bowl. The Ravens finally have a strong enough supporting cast on offense that the defense doesn't have to carry this team in 2006. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was one of the most impressive young coaches in the league last season. Let's see what he can do this year with a healthy Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

For the Buccaneers, head coach Jon Gruden is one of the best gameday coaches in the NFL when it comes to offensive playcalling. QB Chris Simms enters his first season as the full-time signal caller with a strong supporting cast at the skill positions. Again, the Buccaneers should have one of the top defenses in the NFL, led by Simeon Rice, Anthony McFarland, Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Onus on defenses, O-lines

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Atlanta
at
Carolina
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Falcons at Panthers
Winning divisional games is critical in the NFL. This critical NFC South game has all the makings of a classic showdown. Both teams have high expectations and need to get off to a fast start due to their tough schedules.

Falcons' offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will rely on the running game to set up the passing game. The Falcons will rely on a short, quick rhythm passing attack to alter the Panthers fierce pass rush. His ability to make in-game adjustments will be critical in the outcome of this game against an aggressive Carolina defense. Look for the Panthers to have their work cut out for them in containing QB Michael Vick and RB Warrick Dunn.

The Panthers will come out with their power running game and attack the Falcons' front seven with RB DeShaun Foster. The Falcons must improve their deficiencies against the run that haunted this team in 2005. With the return of Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith. the Panthers should get back on track in Week 1.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Both teams ready to run

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Denver
at
St. Louis
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Broncos at Rams
This is a showcase of two powerful running games. Running back Steven Jackson will carry the load for the Rams, with Marshall Faulk, who is out for the season. It will be interesting to see how the new-look Rams fair this season after almost a decade of Dick Vermeil and Mike Martz.

Mike Bell will be lead the way for the Broncos, who Mike Shanahan has courageously opted to start an undrafted rookie running back ahead of veteran running backs Tatum Bell and Cedric Cobbs.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Plummer must avoid mistakes

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Buffalo
at
New England
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bills at Patriots
This would seem to be a lopsided opener for the Patriots, but there are always several question marks to be answered in a team's first game. If Tedy Bruschi is suited up how will he perform not participating in any of the preseason games? How will the loss of Willie McGinest affect the defense? Who will be the go-to guy in the passing game without the presence of Deion Branch? How much will each back (Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney) carry the mail? There are few things to watch if you're a Patriot fan.

Bills fans have to be a bit nervous going into Foxborough with a new coaching staff and a young unproven quarterback. How will J.P. Losman react on the road in front of a hostile crowd? Can the Bills establish any kind of a running game vs. one of the best defensive lines in the league? How will the change in the defensive philosophy (going smaller and quicker up front) affect the Bills' ability to stop the running game? There are a lot of good reasons to watch this game if you're a fan of either team.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Game should be closer than expected

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Philadelphia
at
Houston
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Eagles at Texans
This seems to be a case of two teams heading in different directions. Houston has been a perennial doormat that seems to be getting stronger. Philadelphia, on the other hand, has been a dominant team that is heading in the other direction. Philadelphia's six-win season in 2005 was a major setback for a team that won 12 and 13 games in the previous two seasons.

Both teams need to start out well to get the bad taste of last season out of their mouths. There is a lot of excitement in Houston with new head coach Gary Kubiak, and the home crowd should be noisy. But don't expect the Eagles to roll over and play dead. They have been a good road team over the past few seasons, winning 58 percent of the time over the last three years.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Texans focused on establishing the run

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
New Orleans
at
Cleveland
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Saints at Browns
Both teams are looking to rebound and get off to fast starts in 2006. Year two of the Romeo Crennel era begins with high expectations after a very productive offseason. However, the Browns have suffered some adversity in the preseason due to the injury of prized free-agent C LeCharles Bentley. Second-year QB Charlie Frye has a lot of potential, and with the return of TE Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards, the Browns have two explosive playmakers who can hopefully get this offense back on track. The new additions of NT Ted Washington and OLB Willie McGinest should help improve a run defense that finished 30th against the run in 05.

The Saints overcame a lot in 2005. New head coach Sean Payton has the uphill battle of bringing respectability back to this organization. The Saints have some explosive playmakers on offense with WR Joe Horn and the combination of RB Deuce McAllister and the most exciting rookie of this year's draft class, Reggie Bush. Defensively, the Saints must find a way to stop RB Reuben Droughns. They finished in the bottom five last season against the run. However, they have two explosive pass rushers in defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith who will fun to watch in 2006.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Saints striving for balance

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Seattle
at
Detroit
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Seahawks at Lions
The defending NFC champions head back to the site of their Super Bowl XL loss to Pittsburgh. The Seahawks should fare much better on this trip to Ford Field as the stadium will be filled with skeptical Lions fans waiting to see the performance of Rod Marinelli's "new attitude" team. Seattle is a very balanced and talented team that will be trying to buck trends and be the first Super Bowl loser to return to the playoffs.

The Lions need to take the field with not only a new attitude but much-improved performance to garner the support of historically apathetic fans. Marinelli's troops have endured a tougher training camp and must rise to the new head coach's challenges. If they do, the Lions can give Seattle a nice opening game test and compete this season with Minnesota and Green Bay, but they are not yet ready for the Bears. Seattle is a superior team across the board, but some of Seattle's weaknesses could be exposed by the Lions on Sunday.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Kitna poised for debut

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
NY Jets
at
Tennessee
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Jets at Titans
There are so many reasons to kick your feet up and watch these two struggling football teams. The New York Jets and new head coach Eric Mangini are starting out the 2006 season with several questions that were not answered in the preseason. The Jets have struggled with being consistent on both offense and defense. The Jets have not established a running game or who will be the No. 1 back. It is interesting that they would trade their top tight end (Doug Jolley) and a reliable backup quarterback (Brooks Bollinger) before the season for future draft picks.

For the Titans, it will be very interesting to see how much rookie quarterback Vince Young will play. After acquiring Kerry Collins late in the preseason there is definitely a quarterback controversy in Nashville. Coach Jeff Fisher and his staff are on the hot seat to win now, while Eric Mangini might have somewhat of a pass in his first season. This game might be between two of the NFL's bottom teams, but there should still be plenty to watch.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Battle in trenches will be key

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Cincinnati
at
Kansas City
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bengals at Chiefs
This game pits two teams that are thinking playoffs. For the Bengals, they got Carson Palmer back from his offseason knee surgery. We know the Bengals are gong to be explosive on the offensive side of the ball, but where is the defense right now? Will this team finally be able to step up and stop the run? Speaking of running the football, the Chiefs have one of the best in the game in Larry Johnson. Had Johnson been the starter all of last season, he would have made a serious run at the NFL's single season rushing record.

The biggest position unit under the microscope in this one? It has to be the Chiefs' offensive line. Gone are the two bookend OTs, Willie Roaf and John Welbourn, who opted for retirement prior to the start of training camp. The biggest reason to watch this game? How about Bengals WR Chad Johnson. Is he making another list? And if so, will Ty Law become the first victim to earn the dreaded check mark?
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Bengals out for revenge

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Chicago
at
Green Bay
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Bears at Packers
Bears coach Lovie Smith's No. 1 goal every year is beating the rival Green Bay Packers. His defending NFC North Champions head back to the Lambeau Field to attempt to achieve that goal, repeat as division winners and then win in the playoffs aiming at Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

The No. 1 nemesis working to not let that happen will be Brett Favre. The Packers will truly have a home-field advantage with a sold-out crowd of Cheeseheads screaming for an upset. Anything is possible when Favre has the football.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Favre faces difficult test

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
San Francisco
at
Arizona
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>49ers at Cardinals
Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals are poised to make a run for the playoffs in 2006. With the addition of running back Edgerrin James and explosive weapons such as All-Pro wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals should finally take flight.

The San Francisco 49ers have a new-look offense this year, with second-year quarterback Alex Smith at the helm and the addition of WR Antonio Bryant. This should be an exciting game to watch offensively, with the potential for big points to be scored by both offenses.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Cards have decided edge

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Dallas
at
Jacksonville
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Cowboys at Jaguars
Both teams have received a lot of hype this year and are expected to challenge for division titles in 2006. There is going to be some good drama going into this game. Will Terrell Owens start vs. Jacksonville? Since both teams field solid defenses, this game could come down to field position and turnovers. Dallas has the better receiving corps, but can its offensive line protect the immobile Bledsoe against a good Jaguars' defensive front.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Dallas must keep heat off Bledsoe

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Indianapolis
at
NY Giants
Sun 8:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Colts at Giants
This is a natural. The obvious factor is the matchup of the Manning brothers, Peyton for Indianapolis and Eli for New York. Although this game will do little to determine which one will have a more honored place in football history, it will give the winner bragging rights in family gatherings.

The Colts are an obvious favorite to make it into the postseason and the Giants are on the threshold. Because of this, the Giants really want to start the season (especially at home) on the right foot. Don't expect the Colts to take this game lightly, either. They still feel the sting of their playoff loss to the Steelers and want to prove that last season's run of 13-straight wins before ending up with a 14-2 season was not a fluke.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Giants want to dictate tempo

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Minnesota
at
Washington
Mon 7:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Vikings at Redskins
The Redskins and Vikings get things started on Monday Night Football on ESPN. For the Redskins, we get to see the regular season debut of Al Saunders' offense, which wasn't very impressive in the preseason. Hopefully the 95 percent that he didn't show in preseason is more successful than the five percent he did show. The Redskins need to pull out all the stops if they are going to make a run for the playoffs. That starts with a win at home vs. the Vikings.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: 'Skins ready to unveil new offense

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
San Diego
at
Oakland
Mon 10:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Chargers at Raiders
This is a huge rivalry game. It will mark the first start for third-year QB Philip Rivers as life after Drew Brees begins. The Oakland Raiders will also have a new QB at the helm, as they signed Aaron Brooks this offseason. Oakland star receiver Randy Moss is coming off an injury plagued season, but he and Brooks really seemed to start connecting towards the end of the preseason. Oakland's defense struggled to force turnovers last season, but defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has a young, hungry and athletic group he is working with this season.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Rivers should expect rude welcome
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Friday, September 8, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scouting Matchups: Week 1


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%"><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=162 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" colSpan=2></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=3> </TD><TD width=156>Only Insiders get access to all of Scouts Inc.'s, in-depth NFL coverage, as well as insight from ESPN's stable of football analysts.
? Take the Insider tour
? Become an Insider
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NFL advance scouts watch games in person, studying everything from personnel packages to play-calling signals, and on film, looking at individual players, as well as a team's various schemes and recent trends. The goal? Provide their coaching staff with the best possible means of preparation during the week of practice. Scouts Inc. does the same thing, compiling the best advance scouting reports available and delivering them to you by Tuesday afternoon on ESPN.com Insider. On Friday, after breaking down more game film, Scouts Inc. files an updated report with a deeper look at each game, spotlighting key individual matchups and trends and predicting the final score.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD width=100>Matchup</TD><TD>Scouting</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Miami
at
Pittsburgh
Thu 8:30 PM ET</TD><TD>Dolphins at Steelers
Although they did not qualify for the playoffs, the Dolphins won their last six games last season. The only team to finish 2005 hotter than Miami was Pittsburgh, which won its last eight in a row, including three road playoff games and the Super Bowl. Now the Super Bowl champs open against an up-and-coming Dolphins team that hopes to be where the Steelers are.

Beyond the status of each team is the drama surrounding each team's starting quarterback. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had the motorcycle accident and now the emergency appendectomy, forcing the Steelers to go with backup Charlie Batch on short notice. Miami's Daunte Culpepper has impressed everyone with his preseason performance after undergoing major knee surgery, but now he has to do it in the regular season against a very good defense.

This is going to be a very physical, well-coached game. Running room will be very difficult to come by, and the team with the better quarterback play probably will end up with the victory. Expect a tight battle where special teams and field position are paramount.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Steelers are safe pick at home

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Baltimore
at
Tampa Bay
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Ravens at Buccaneers
This intriguing matchup features two teams with playoff-caliber defenses and outstanding running backs in Jamal Lewis and Cadillac Williams.

For the Ravens, the offseason was about getting a quarterback (Steve McNair) in place who could lead this organization back to the Super Bowl. The Ravens finally have a strong enough supporting cast on offense that the defense doesn't have to carry this team in 2006. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was one of the most impressive young coaches in the league last season. Let's see what he can do this year with a healthy Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

For the Buccaneers, head coach Jon Gruden is one of the best gameday coaches in the NFL when it comes to offensive playcalling. QB Chris Simms enters his first season as the full-time signal caller with a strong supporting cast at the skill positions. Again, the Buccaneers should have one of the top defenses in the NFL, led by Simeon Rice, Anthony McFarland, Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Onus on defenses, O-lines

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Atlanta
at
Carolina
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Falcons at Panthers
Winning divisional games is critical in the NFL. This critical NFC South game has all the makings of a classic showdown. Both teams have high expectations and need to get off to a fast start due to their tough schedules.

Falcons' offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will rely on the running game to set up the passing game. The Falcons will rely on a short, quick rhythm passing attack to alter the Panthers fierce pass rush. His ability to make in-game adjustments will be critical in the outcome of this game against an aggressive Carolina defense. Look for the Panthers to have their work cut out for them in containing QB Michael Vick and RB Warrick Dunn.

The Panthers will come out with their power running game and attack the Falcons' front seven with RB DeShaun Foster. The Falcons must improve their deficiencies against the run that haunted this team in 2005. With the return of Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith. the Panthers should get back on track in Week 1.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Both teams ready to run

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Denver
at
St. Louis
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Broncos at Rams
This is a showcase of two powerful running games. Running back Steven Jackson will carry the load for the Rams, with Marshall Faulk, who is out for the season. It will be interesting to see how the new-look Rams fair this season after almost a decade of Dick Vermeil and Mike Martz.

Mike Bell will be lead the way for the Broncos, who Mike Shanahan has courageously opted to start an undrafted rookie running back ahead of veteran running backs Tatum Bell and Cedric Cobbs.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Plummer must avoid mistakes

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Buffalo
at
New England
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bills at Patriots
This would seem to be a lopsided opener for the Patriots, but there are always several question marks to be answered in a team's first game. If Tedy Bruschi is suited up how will he perform not participating in any of the preseason games? How will the loss of Willie McGinest affect the defense? Who will be the go-to guy in the passing game without the presence of Deion Branch? How much will each back (Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney) carry the mail? There are few things to watch if you're a Patriot fan.

Bills fans have to be a bit nervous going into Foxborough with a new coaching staff and a young unproven quarterback. How will J.P. Losman react on the road in front of a hostile crowd? Can the Bills establish any kind of a running game vs. one of the best defensive lines in the league? How will the change in the defensive philosophy (going smaller and quicker up front) affect the Bills' ability to stop the running game? There are a lot of good reasons to watch this game if you're a fan of either team.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Game should be closer than expected

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Philadelphia
at
Houston
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Eagles at Texans
This seems to be a case of two teams heading in different directions. Houston has been a perennial doormat that seems to be getting stronger. Philadelphia, on the other hand, has been a dominant team that is heading in the other direction. Philadelphia's six-win season in 2005 was a major setback for a team that won 12 and 13 games in the previous two seasons.

Both teams need to start out well to get the bad taste of last season out of their mouths. There is a lot of excitement in Houston with new head coach Gary Kubiak, and the home crowd should be noisy. But don't expect the Eagles to roll over and play dead. They have been a good road team over the past few seasons, winning 58 percent of the time over the last three years.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Texans focused on establishing the run

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
New Orleans
at
Cleveland
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Saints at Browns
Both teams are looking to rebound and get off to fast starts in 2006. Year two of the Romeo Crennel era begins with high expectations after a very productive offseason. However, the Browns have suffered some adversity in the preseason due to the injury of prized free-agent C LeCharles Bentley. Second-year QB Charlie Frye has a lot of potential, and with the return of TE Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards, the Browns have two explosive playmakers who can hopefully get this offense back on track. The new additions of NT Ted Washington and OLB Willie McGinest should help improve a run defense that finished 30th against the run in 05.

The Saints overcame a lot in 2005. New head coach Sean Payton has the uphill battle of bringing respectability back to this organization. The Saints have some explosive playmakers on offense with WR Joe Horn and the combination of RB Deuce McAllister and the most exciting rookie of this year's draft class, Reggie Bush. Defensively, the Saints must find a way to stop RB Reuben Droughns. They finished in the bottom five last season against the run. However, they have two explosive pass rushers in defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith who will fun to watch in 2006.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Saints striving for balance

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Seattle
at
Detroit
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Seahawks at Lions
The defending NFC champions head back to the site of their Super Bowl XL loss to Pittsburgh. The Seahawks should fare much better on this trip to Ford Field as the stadium will be filled with skeptical Lions fans waiting to see the performance of Rod Marinelli's "new attitude" team. Seattle is a very balanced and talented team that will be trying to buck trends and be the first Super Bowl loser to return to the playoffs.

The Lions need to take the field with not only a new attitude but much-improved performance to garner the support of historically apathetic fans. Marinelli's troops have endured a tougher training camp and must rise to the new head coach's challenges. If they do, the Lions can give Seattle a nice opening game test and compete this season with Minnesota and Green Bay, but they are not yet ready for the Bears. Seattle is a superior team across the board, but some of Seattle's weaknesses could be exposed by the Lions on Sunday.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Kitna poised for debut

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
NY Jets
at
Tennessee
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Jets at Titans
There are so many reasons to kick your feet up and watch these two struggling football teams. The New York Jets and new head coach Eric Mangini are starting out the 2006 season with several questions that were not answered in the preseason. The Jets have struggled with being consistent on both offense and defense. The Jets have not established a running game or who will be the No. 1 back. It is interesting that they would trade their top tight end (Doug Jolley) and a reliable backup quarterback (Brooks Bollinger) before the season for future draft picks.

For the Titans, it will be very interesting to see how much rookie quarterback Vince Young will play. After acquiring Kerry Collins late in the preseason there is definitely a quarterback controversy in Nashville. Coach Jeff Fisher and his staff are on the hot seat to win now, while Eric Mangini might have somewhat of a pass in his first season. This game might be between two of the NFL's bottom teams, but there should still be plenty to watch.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Battle in trenches will be key

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Cincinnati
at
Kansas City
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bengals at Chiefs
This game pits two teams that are thinking playoffs. For the Bengals, they got Carson Palmer back from his offseason knee surgery. We know the Bengals are gong to be explosive on the offensive side of the ball, but where is the defense right now? Will this team finally be able to step up and stop the run? Speaking of running the football, the Chiefs have one of the best in the game in Larry Johnson. Had Johnson been the starter all of last season, he would have made a serious run at the NFL's single season rushing record.

The biggest position unit under the microscope in this one? It has to be the Chiefs' offensive line. Gone are the two bookend OTs, Willie Roaf and John Welbourn, who opted for retirement prior to the start of training camp. The biggest reason to watch this game? How about Bengals WR Chad Johnson. Is he making another list? And if so, will Ty Law become the first victim to earn the dreaded check mark?
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Bengals out for revenge

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Chicago
at
Green Bay
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Bears at Packers
Bears coach Lovie Smith's No. 1 goal every year is beating the rival Green Bay Packers. His defending NFC North Champions head back to the Lambeau Field to attempt to achieve that goal, repeat as division winners and then win in the playoffs aiming at Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

The No. 1 nemesis working to not let that happen will be Brett Favre. The Packers will truly have a home-field advantage with a sold-out crowd of Cheeseheads screaming for an upset. Anything is possible when Favre has the football.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Favre faces difficult test

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
San Francisco
at
Arizona
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>49ers at Cardinals
Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals are poised to make a run for the playoffs in 2006. With the addition of running back Edgerrin James and explosive weapons such as All-Pro wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals should finally take flight.

The San Francisco 49ers have a new-look offense this year, with second-year quarterback Alex Smith at the helm and the addition of WR Antonio Bryant. This should be an exciting game to watch offensively, with the potential for big points to be scored by both offenses.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Cards have decided edge

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Dallas
at
Jacksonville
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Cowboys at Jaguars
Both teams have received a lot of hype this year and are expected to challenge for division titles in 2006. There is going to be some good drama going into this game. Will Terrell Owens start vs. Jacksonville? Since both teams field solid defenses, this game could come down to field position and turnovers. Dallas has the better receiving corps, but can its offensive line protect the immobile Bledsoe against a good Jaguars' defensive front.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Dallas must keep heat off Bledsoe

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Indianapolis
at
NY Giants
Sun 8:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Colts at Giants
This is a natural. The obvious factor is the matchup of the Manning brothers, Peyton for Indianapolis and Eli for New York. Although this game will do little to determine which one will have a more honored place in football history, it will give the winner bragging rights in family gatherings.

The Colts are an obvious favorite to make it into the postseason and the Giants are on the threshold. Because of this, the Giants really want to start the season (especially at home) on the right foot. Don't expect the Colts to take this game lightly, either. They still feel the sting of their playoff loss to the Steelers and want to prove that last season's run of 13-straight wins before ending up with a 14-2 season was not a fluke.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Giants want to dictate tempo

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Minnesota
at
Washington
Mon 7:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Vikings at Redskins
The Redskins and Vikings get things started on Monday Night Football on ESPN. For the Redskins, we get to see the regular season debut of Al Saunders' offense, which wasn't very impressive in the preseason. Hopefully the 95 percent that he didn't show in preseason is more successful than the five percent he did show. The Redskins need to pull out all the stops if they are going to make a run for the playoffs. That starts with a win at home vs. the Vikings.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: 'Skins ready to unveil new offense

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
San Diego
at
Oakland
Mon 10:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Chargers at Raiders
This is a huge rivalry game. It will mark the first start for third-year QB Philip Rivers as life after Drew Brees begins. The Oakland Raiders will also have a new QB at the helm, as they signed Aaron Brooks this offseason. Oakland star receiver Randy Moss is coming off an injury plagued season, but he and Brooks really seemed to start connecting towards the end of the preseason. Oakland's defense struggled to force turnovers last season, but defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has a young, hungry and athletic group he is working with this season.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Rivers should expect rude welcome
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Updated: Sep. 8, 2006
QBs will battle top defenses


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
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By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->
In the opening week, some marquee NFL quartebacks will be going up against some top-notch defenses. Let's look at three of these matchups.
Green Bay QB Brett Favre vs. Chicago Defense
Favre has had an uneven preseason. At times he has forced the ball into coverage like he did in 2005. He faces a Bears' defense that can rush the QB, usually with only its front four, and is also able to force opposing quarterbacks to throw into tight windows in a potential Cover 2 scheme.
The biggest problem for Favre might be his protection and the most vulnerable spot in the offensive line is right up the middle. OC Scott Wells has starting experience, but most of it has been at offensive guard. He is not very powerful, but he is competitive and will battle. The same can be said for new starters Jason Spitz (LOG) and Tony Moll (ROG). These guys are high effort players, but have limited experience and lack the ability to hold up at the point of attack versus big defensive tackles.
The Bears get a great inside push with LOT Tommie Harris and NT Ian Scott, and they will collapse the middle and flush Favre out of the pocket, where he has to deal with Adewale Ogunleye (LDE) and Alex Brown (RDE), who combined for 16 sacks a year ago. If Favre can avoid the inside and outside rush, he still has to make throws on the move into a tight Cover 2 coverage, but the good news is he won't see a lot of blitzes.

The Bears' defensive backs are excellent ball hawks and close on the ball well, and if Favre hangs it up or throws into coverage, they will create turnovers. He can make some throws on the intermediate perimeter and over the deep middle versus this defense, but it takes good touch and timing -- which is tough when Favre is throwing on the run.
The key for him to be successful in this game is to be patient and dump the ball off or throw it away if the play is not there -- something the coaches have been emphasizing all offseason. He also needs the Packers to avoid getting behind early. Of his 29 interceptions a year ago, 23 came when the Packers were behind and 13 came in the fourth quarter. This is a great test for a hall of fame QB versus one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Atlanta QB Michael Vick vs. Carolina Defense
Vick faces arguably the best front seven in the NFL. They have size in the middle to collapse the pocket and stuff the run, and speed on the edges to either close on Vick or contain him if he decides to scramble. He has stated he wants to go back to making more plays with his feet and creating on the move, but that will not be easy versus this defense.
Carolina likely will play a lot of Cover 2 schemes, which means they will rush four and drop seven into coverage. As a result, the LBs and DBs will be facing Vick with the ability to close quickly if he decides to scramble. If the Carolina defense stays disciplined, it will be difficult for Vick to find good running lanes and his passes will have to be accurate in tight spots  which is not his strength.
Ironically, success for Vick might start with the run game. Atlanta was the No.1 rushing team in the NFL in 2005 and that kind of production leads to excellent play-action opportunities, although we don't think of Vick as a play-action QB. WRs Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, and even new acquisition Ashley Lelie, are vertical receivers in a West Coast offense (one of the reasons Vick struggles is he doesn't have the right personnel to fit the scheme), and should get some good one-on-one opportunities. Vick throws a nice deep pass.
Don't be surprised if Atlanta uses a lot of two-TE sets, forcing Carolina to stay in its base defensive scheme and also block the edges better versus DEs Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. Vick still doesn't make quick decisions, which is imperative in the West Coast offense.
This Carolina back seven will break on the ball quickly if Vick holds on to it too long or telegraphs his passes. Vick does not have experienced receivers who are good at breaking off their routes and coming back to the ball if he scrambles, with the exception of TE Alge Crumpler, which could add up to a frustrating day for Vick.
Baltimore QB Steve McNair vs. Tampa Bay Defense
For years, the Ravens have been forced to rely on a strong ball control run game and a stout defense to win games, while trying to hide their QB. Well, they finally have a player in McNair who can give them offensive balance and big plays, but how much gas is left in his tank?
On Sunday, he faces a strong Bucs' defense. McNair will face a very experienced Cover 2 defense, but don't be surprised to see some tweaks in the scheme, such as more man-to-man coverage and some corner blitzes off the edge to pressure McNair into quick throws and bad decisions. The Bucs might even throw in some inside twists and stunts designed to confuse Baltimore's blocking schemes.
McNair does have good targets in the passing game. TE Todd Heap is a tough matchup and if the Bucs play zone, McNair will have good chances on the intermediate perimeter and over the deep middle. If he sees man-to-man coverage, he can exploit any of the linebackers or safeties he will see. WR Derrick Mason is outstanding on crossing routes and can be a good target underneath the zone drops, and WR Mark Clayton can give them some good vertical opportunities.
The key will be pass protection. McNair still has good feet, but he's no longer a big scrambler and needs adequate time. The Ravens might even use some two-TE schemes to negate the corner blitz and neutralize RDE Simeon Rice, and we will also see a lot of three- and five-step drops -- the Ravens coaches are not going to let McNair get hit a lot. If the protection is solid, McNair will sit in the pocket and pick this defense apart, and when is the last time we said that about a Baltimore QB? The success of these three franchises rests on their quarterbacks, and how they play on Sunday will go a long way in determining what kind of a season we can expect from Green Bay, Atlanta and Baltimore
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 7 New Articles Added 9/7/06)

Updated: Sep. 8, 2006
QBs will battle top defenses


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
<!-- firstName = Gary --><!-- lastName = Horton -->
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive
<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<!-- begin text11 div -->
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->
In the opening week, some marquee NFL quartebacks will be going up against some top-notch defenses. Let's look at three of these matchups.
Green Bay QB Brett Favre vs. Chicago Defense
Favre has had an uneven preseason. At times he has forced the ball into coverage like he did in 2005. He faces a Bears' defense that can rush the QB, usually with only its front four, and is also able to force opposing quarterbacks to throw into tight windows in a potential Cover 2 scheme.
The biggest problem for Favre might be his protection and the most vulnerable spot in the offensive line is right up the middle. OC Scott Wells has starting experience, but most of it has been at offensive guard. He is not very powerful, but he is competitive and will battle. The same can be said for new starters Jason Spitz (LOG) and Tony Moll (ROG). These guys are high effort players, but have limited experience and lack the ability to hold up at the point of attack versus big defensive tackles.
The Bears get a great inside push with LOT Tommie Harris and NT Ian Scott, and they will collapse the middle and flush Favre out of the pocket, where he has to deal with Adewale Ogunleye (LDE) and Alex Brown (RDE), who combined for 16 sacks a year ago. If Favre can avoid the inside and outside rush, he still has to make throws on the move into a tight Cover 2 coverage, but the good news is he won't see a lot of blitzes.

The Bears' defensive backs are excellent ball hawks and close on the ball well, and if Favre hangs it up or throws into coverage, they will create turnovers. He can make some throws on the intermediate perimeter and over the deep middle versus this defense, but it takes good touch and timing -- which is tough when Favre is throwing on the run.
The key for him to be successful in this game is to be patient and dump the ball off or throw it away if the play is not there -- something the coaches have been emphasizing all offseason. He also needs the Packers to avoid getting behind early. Of his 29 interceptions a year ago, 23 came when the Packers were behind and 13 came in the fourth quarter. This is a great test for a hall of fame QB versus one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Atlanta QB Michael Vick vs. Carolina Defense
Vick faces arguably the best front seven in the NFL. They have size in the middle to collapse the pocket and stuff the run, and speed on the edges to either close on Vick or contain him if he decides to scramble. He has stated he wants to go back to making more plays with his feet and creating on the move, but that will not be easy versus this defense.
Carolina likely will play a lot of Cover 2 schemes, which means they will rush four and drop seven into coverage. As a result, the LBs and DBs will be facing Vick with the ability to close quickly if he decides to scramble. If the Carolina defense stays disciplined, it will be difficult for Vick to find good running lanes and his passes will have to be accurate in tight spots  which is not his strength.
Ironically, success for Vick might start with the run game. Atlanta was the No.1 rushing team in the NFL in 2005 and that kind of production leads to excellent play-action opportunities, although we don't think of Vick as a play-action QB. WRs Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, and even new acquisition Ashley Lelie, are vertical receivers in a West Coast offense (one of the reasons Vick struggles is he doesn't have the right personnel to fit the scheme), and should get some good one-on-one opportunities. Vick throws a nice deep pass.
Don't be surprised if Atlanta uses a lot of two-TE sets, forcing Carolina to stay in its base defensive scheme and also block the edges better versus DEs Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. Vick still doesn't make quick decisions, which is imperative in the West Coast offense.
This Carolina back seven will break on the ball quickly if Vick holds on to it too long or telegraphs his passes. Vick does not have experienced receivers who are good at breaking off their routes and coming back to the ball if he scrambles, with the exception of TE Alge Crumpler, which could add up to a frustrating day for Vick.
Baltimore QB Steve McNair vs. Tampa Bay Defense
For years, the Ravens have been forced to rely on a strong ball control run game and a stout defense to win games, while trying to hide their QB. Well, they finally have a player in McNair who can give them offensive balance and big plays, but how much gas is left in his tank?
On Sunday, he faces a strong Bucs' defense. McNair will face a very experienced Cover 2 defense, but don't be surprised to see some tweaks in the scheme, such as more man-to-man coverage and some corner blitzes off the edge to pressure McNair into quick throws and bad decisions. The Bucs might even throw in some inside twists and stunts designed to confuse Baltimore's blocking schemes.
McNair does have good targets in the passing game. TE Todd Heap is a tough matchup and if the Bucs play zone, McNair will have good chances on the intermediate perimeter and over the deep middle. If he sees man-to-man coverage, he can exploit any of the linebackers or safeties he will see. WR Derrick Mason is outstanding on crossing routes and can be a good target underneath the zone drops, and WR Mark Clayton can give them some good vertical opportunities.
The key will be pass protection. McNair still has good feet, but he's no longer a big scrambler and needs adequate time. The Ravens might even use some two-TE schemes to negate the corner blitz and neutralize RDE Simeon Rice, and we will also see a lot of three- and five-step drops -- the Ravens coaches are not going to let McNair get hit a lot. If the protection is solid, McNair will sit in the pocket and pick this defense apart, and when is the last time we said that about a Baltimore QB? The success of these three franchises rests on their quarterbacks, and how they play on Sunday will go a long way in determining what kind of a season we can expect from Green Bay, Atlanta and Baltimore
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Manning brothers armed and ready


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->

<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%">Why To Watch
This is a natural. The obvious factor is the matchup of the Manning brothers, Peyton for Indianapolis and Eli for New York. Although this game will do little to determine which one will have a more honored place in football history, it will give the winner bragging rights in family gatherings.

The Colts are an obvious favorite to make it into the postseason and the Giants are on the threshold. Because of this, the Giants really want to start the season (especially at home) on the right foot. Don't expect the Colts to take this game lightly, either. They still feel the sting of their playoff loss to the Steelers and want to prove that last season's run of 13-straight wins before ending up with a 14-2 season was not a fluke.


When the Colts have the ball
Rushing: The Colts struggled in the preseason finale against Cincinnati with their run offense gaining only 16 yards on 12 carries Although this is not a true yardstick of how things will go once the season starts, it is a representation of how their running game has gone all preseason. They need to get Dominic Rhodes and first-round draft pick Joseph Addai rolling to at least make the Giants respect the run so Peyton Manning's play-action passes can be more effective. Rather than using the run to set up the pass, the Colts will go the other way, using the pass to set up the run. If they can score early, their ability to throw the ball will make it easier for them to run in order to use up the clock.
The Giants' run defense was mediocre last season but has shown signs of vast improvement during the preseason, holding teams to 94 yards a game on the ground. The linebacking corps has not played together as a unit all preseason and this game should be the first time we see all three on the field at the same time. Personnel wise, the Giants are set up to pressure the quarterback more than stop the run, but Tom Coughlin's philosophy leans more the other direction. They have been working extra hard to maintain their gaps and not give up run lanes and it should show against the Colts.

Passing: This is where the Colts make defensive coordinators nervous. With even minimal success in the running game, Peyton Manning can tear defenses apart with the play-action pass. In the preseason the Colts were fourth in the league with their passing yardage (and that was with Peyton playing a minimal amount of snaps). By the same token the Giants led the league in pass defense (giving up only 125 yards a game). No team is going to stop the Colts in the air but look for the Giants to pay attention to what the Steelers did in the playoffs and pressure Peyton with blitzes rather than play a lot of two-deep zone.
The Giants' defense is built to pressure the QB from the outside with LaVar Arrington and Michael Strahan leading the way. A lot of defensive coordinators studied the Pittsburgh defensive game plan and we hear that a lot of teams are going to try and pressure Manning and try to man up on his receivers. Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis came to New York from Pittsburgh, where he served as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. If the Giants find success by applying pressure, watch for the rest of the league to take notice.

When the Giants have the ball
Rushing: The Giants are always going to try and establish the run first in Coughlin's philosophy. That will be hard to accomplish, on a consistent basis, as long as Tiki Barber is their best running back. Although Barber is a very quick and elusive runner, Coughlin would rather have a big pounder who could carry the ball 20-25 times a game; smaller-type backs just don't tend to hold up as well over the course of the season. The Giants had a very good preseason running the ball, ending up fifth in the NFL with an average of 142 yards a game, while the Colts were next to last in the league giving up 169 yards a game.
Although it is a whole new ballgame once the regular season starts, those statistics are something for Indy to be concerned about. Other than backup Corey Simon, the Colts are undersized in the middle of their defensive line, so unless Simon is able to play (sore knee) the Giants will try to run the ball up the middle as the fast Colt linebackers are good at getting to the outside to stop the run. The wild card in this game could be the backup running backs for the Giants. Both Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs are huge backs with speed. If the Giants get an early lead, these horses could get a lot of carries to try and wear the Colts down.

Passing: Much like his brother, Eli Manning has a classy set of receivers to look for. Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are two fine receivers with very good size. With Burress reaching 6-foot-5 and Toomer at 6-3, they are one of the taller sets of 1-2 receivers in the league. They will have a huge height advantage over the Colts' coners, so look for the Giants to try to exploit those matchups. Tight end Jeremy Shockey will have to use his size as well as Indianapolis has very athletic linebackers. One of the keys for New York is to protect Eli in the pocket. Like Peyton, Eli is not going to be a big threat to scramble. The Giants' tackles will have a hard time sticking with the speed of Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney coming off the edge.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Manning brothers armed and ready


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->

<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%">Why To Watch
This is a natural. The obvious factor is the matchup of the Manning brothers, Peyton for Indianapolis and Eli for New York. Although this game will do little to determine which one will have a more honored place in football history, it will give the winner bragging rights in family gatherings.

The Colts are an obvious favorite to make it into the postseason and the Giants are on the threshold. Because of this, the Giants really want to start the season (especially at home) on the right foot. Don't expect the Colts to take this game lightly, either. They still feel the sting of their playoff loss to the Steelers and want to prove that last season's run of 13-straight wins before ending up with a 14-2 season was not a fluke.


When the Colts have the ball
Rushing: The Colts struggled in the preseason finale against Cincinnati with their run offense gaining only 16 yards on 12 carries Although this is not a true yardstick of how things will go once the season starts, it is a representation of how their running game has gone all preseason. They need to get Dominic Rhodes and first-round draft pick Joseph Addai rolling to at least make the Giants respect the run so Peyton Manning's play-action passes can be more effective. Rather than using the run to set up the pass, the Colts will go the other way, using the pass to set up the run. If they can score early, their ability to throw the ball will make it easier for them to run in order to use up the clock.
The Giants' run defense was mediocre last season but has shown signs of vast improvement during the preseason, holding teams to 94 yards a game on the ground. The linebacking corps has not played together as a unit all preseason and this game should be the first time we see all three on the field at the same time. Personnel wise, the Giants are set up to pressure the quarterback more than stop the run, but Tom Coughlin's philosophy leans more the other direction. They have been working extra hard to maintain their gaps and not give up run lanes and it should show against the Colts.

Passing: This is where the Colts make defensive coordinators nervous. With even minimal success in the running game, Peyton Manning can tear defenses apart with the play-action pass. In the preseason the Colts were fourth in the league with their passing yardage (and that was with Peyton playing a minimal amount of snaps). By the same token the Giants led the league in pass defense (giving up only 125 yards a game). No team is going to stop the Colts in the air but look for the Giants to pay attention to what the Steelers did in the playoffs and pressure Peyton with blitzes rather than play a lot of two-deep zone.
The Giants' defense is built to pressure the QB from the outside with LaVar Arrington and Michael Strahan leading the way. A lot of defensive coordinators studied the Pittsburgh defensive game plan and we hear that a lot of teams are going to try and pressure Manning and try to man up on his receivers. Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis came to New York from Pittsburgh, where he served as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. If the Giants find success by applying pressure, watch for the rest of the league to take notice.

When the Giants have the ball
Rushing: The Giants are always going to try and establish the run first in Coughlin's philosophy. That will be hard to accomplish, on a consistent basis, as long as Tiki Barber is their best running back. Although Barber is a very quick and elusive runner, Coughlin would rather have a big pounder who could carry the ball 20-25 times a game; smaller-type backs just don't tend to hold up as well over the course of the season. The Giants had a very good preseason running the ball, ending up fifth in the NFL with an average of 142 yards a game, while the Colts were next to last in the league giving up 169 yards a game.
Although it is a whole new ballgame once the regular season starts, those statistics are something for Indy to be concerned about. Other than backup Corey Simon, the Colts are undersized in the middle of their defensive line, so unless Simon is able to play (sore knee) the Giants will try to run the ball up the middle as the fast Colt linebackers are good at getting to the outside to stop the run. The wild card in this game could be the backup running backs for the Giants. Both Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs are huge backs with speed. If the Giants get an early lead, these horses could get a lot of carries to try and wear the Colts down.

Passing: Much like his brother, Eli Manning has a classy set of receivers to look for. Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are two fine receivers with very good size. With Burress reaching 6-foot-5 and Toomer at 6-3, they are one of the taller sets of 1-2 receivers in the league. They will have a huge height advantage over the Colts' coners, so look for the Giants to try to exploit those matchups. Tight end Jeremy Shockey will have to use his size as well as Indianapolis has very athletic linebackers. One of the keys for New York is to protect Eli in the pocket. Like Peyton, Eli is not going to be a big threat to scramble. The Giants' tackles will have a hard time sticking with the speed of Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney coming off the edge.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
Take 2: Colts vs. Giants


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->

<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)---------------------><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=9>Indianapolis at New York Matchups</TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>QB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>RB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>WR</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>OL</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>DL</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>LB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>DB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>ST</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>Coach</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>Overall</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62>
EVEN</TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)--------------------->

Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Colts and Giants. Now they're back with a second look.

The Giants want to be able to control the line of scrimmage and run effectively before they start using the pass. The Colts, on the other hand, will use the pass to soften up the defense and then run just to keep the Giants honest. This is going to be especially true early in the season as they try to figure out just what kind of a running game they are going to have without Edgerrin James. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

P. Manning
​

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? Watch New York's defense to see if they blitz more than usual. In their playoff win over the Colts last year, the Steelers played a lot of games with their defensive line trying to pressure Peyton Manning and succeeded in sacking him five times. If the Giants can get in Manning's face and force him to throw the ball earlier than he wants to, the Colts will be forced to run the ball more than they planned. That would give the Giants the advantage. The Colts had a rather anemic run offense this preseason.
? With the size advantage going to New York up front, we are apt to see the Colts go with eight men in the box to stop the power game. While Tiki Barber is far from a power running back he can break some tackles and does not need a huge seam to run through when running between the tackles. Head coach Tom Coughlin and offensive coordinator John Hufnagel are most likely going to keep trying to run the ball down Indianapolis' throat since there is such a difference in size up front. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

Shockey
​

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? If John Hufnagel is able to create one-on-one situations with his big wide receivers on the corners, it will force the Colts to try and provide help from their safeties or linebackers. That would create more space for TE Jeremy Shockey, who is already dangerous. The 6-foot-5 Shockey's size advantage over Indianapolis' linebackers could spell a long night for the Colts on defense. ? One of the more interesting aspects of this game is probably going to be the matchup between Giants defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and Colts offensive tackles Tarik Glenn and Ryan Diem. Glenn and Diem are both massive and a very good combination of pass blockers and run blockers. If Strahan and Umenyiora are able to get into Indianapolis' backfield and pressure Manning it could spell a long night for the Colts' offense. It would also mean that the Giants would not have to do much blitzing and stunting.
? Giants QB Eli Manning must play the whole season like he did at the beginning of last season. His coaches aren't planning on changing their offensive scheme to short, safe passes just to raise Manning's confidence and improve his completion percentage. They want him to throw the ball away or take a sack rather than try to force the ball into coverage. They like to take a shot downfield, now and then, to loosen up the defense. Eli's 17 interceptions and 52.8 percent completion percentage need to improve.
? With the manpower the Giants have accumulated, Manning has his choice of receivers to go to. Last year he had four players catch 50 or more balls (Plaxico Buress 76, Shockey 65, Amani Toomer and Barber 54). Now that Tim Carter is healthy and they added Sinorice Moss in the draft, the Giants should be a very productive team offensively. ? Peyton Manning is going to get his numbers. With one of the best set of three receivers in the league (Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison & Brandon Stokley) it will be impossible to stop Manning. Teams can only hope to slow him down and outscore the Colts. . And don't forget Dallas Clark, who has been getting Manning's attention more and more each year. With his knowledge of the system offensive coordinator Tom Moore has in place, Manning pretty much knows who is going to be single covered or in a mismatch early on in each play.

Special Teams
The Colts have established players at both punter and kicker. The biggest question is going to be just how healthy Adam Vinatieri is. Having sprained his left (plant) ankle after the first preseason game he missed the rest of the preseason but declared himself ready for the Giants. It won't affect his PATs or short field goals, but if the game is on the line and he needs to produce a 45- or 50-yard FG it could become shaky. The return game is solid, if not spectacular. Coach Russ Purnell has the return teams ready every week and they are solid. The Giants' special teams are coached by Mike Sweatman and are just as capable. Punter Jeff Feagles consistently is among the leaders in net average and kicker Jay Feely was a Pro Bowl alternate last year. Chad Morton handles both the kick and punt returns and can be electric in both areas. The game is not apt to be decided by either set of special teams as they are both good and cancel each other out.

Matchups
? New York LOT Luke Petitgout vs Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney
? Indianapolis WR Marvin Harrison vs New York DC Sam Madison
? New York RB Tiki Barber vs Indianapolis MLB Gary Brackett
? Indianapolis LOG Ryan Lilja vs New York DT Barry Cofield
? New York WR Plaxico Burress vs Indianapolis DC Nick Harper

Scouts' Edge
The Giants are looking at this game as one of their "must win" games and need to make a statement. The Colts are looking at this as an important game but not one of their "must win" games and, thusly, should be looser. The Colts are a veteran team and pretty much have all their pieces in place from last year, so they should be a pretty smooth running machine, especially on offense. The biggest question mark will be their running game, but their passing game is so strong that any semblance of a running game should be enough. Both teams should score, but the Colts will score more.

Prediction: Colts 27, Giants 24

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
Take 2: Colts vs. Giants


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->

<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)---------------------><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=9>Indianapolis at New York Matchups</TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>QB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>RB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>WR</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>OL</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>DL</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>LB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>DB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>ST</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>Coach</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>Overall</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62>
EVEN</TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)--------------------->

Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Colts and Giants. Now they're back with a second look.

The Giants want to be able to control the line of scrimmage and run effectively before they start using the pass. The Colts, on the other hand, will use the pass to soften up the defense and then run just to keep the Giants honest. This is going to be especially true early in the season as they try to figure out just what kind of a running game they are going to have without Edgerrin James. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

P. Manning
​

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? Watch New York's defense to see if they blitz more than usual. In their playoff win over the Colts last year, the Steelers played a lot of games with their defensive line trying to pressure Peyton Manning and succeeded in sacking him five times. If the Giants can get in Manning's face and force him to throw the ball earlier than he wants to, the Colts will be forced to run the ball more than they planned. That would give the Giants the advantage. The Colts had a rather anemic run offense this preseason.
? With the size advantage going to New York up front, we are apt to see the Colts go with eight men in the box to stop the power game. While Tiki Barber is far from a power running back he can break some tackles and does not need a huge seam to run through when running between the tackles. Head coach Tom Coughlin and offensive coordinator John Hufnagel are most likely going to keep trying to run the ball down Indianapolis' throat since there is such a difference in size up front. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

Shockey
​

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? If John Hufnagel is able to create one-on-one situations with his big wide receivers on the corners, it will force the Colts to try and provide help from their safeties or linebackers. That would create more space for TE Jeremy Shockey, who is already dangerous. The 6-foot-5 Shockey's size advantage over Indianapolis' linebackers could spell a long night for the Colts on defense. ? One of the more interesting aspects of this game is probably going to be the matchup between Giants defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and Colts offensive tackles Tarik Glenn and Ryan Diem. Glenn and Diem are both massive and a very good combination of pass blockers and run blockers. If Strahan and Umenyiora are able to get into Indianapolis' backfield and pressure Manning it could spell a long night for the Colts' offense. It would also mean that the Giants would not have to do much blitzing and stunting.
? Giants QB Eli Manning must play the whole season like he did at the beginning of last season. His coaches aren't planning on changing their offensive scheme to short, safe passes just to raise Manning's confidence and improve his completion percentage. They want him to throw the ball away or take a sack rather than try to force the ball into coverage. They like to take a shot downfield, now and then, to loosen up the defense. Eli's 17 interceptions and 52.8 percent completion percentage need to improve.
? With the manpower the Giants have accumulated, Manning has his choice of receivers to go to. Last year he had four players catch 50 or more balls (Plaxico Buress 76, Shockey 65, Amani Toomer and Barber 54). Now that Tim Carter is healthy and they added Sinorice Moss in the draft, the Giants should be a very productive team offensively. ? Peyton Manning is going to get his numbers. With one of the best set of three receivers in the league (Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison & Brandon Stokley) it will be impossible to stop Manning. Teams can only hope to slow him down and outscore the Colts. . And don't forget Dallas Clark, who has been getting Manning's attention more and more each year. With his knowledge of the system offensive coordinator Tom Moore has in place, Manning pretty much knows who is going to be single covered or in a mismatch early on in each play.

Special Teams
The Colts have established players at both punter and kicker. The biggest question is going to be just how healthy Adam Vinatieri is. Having sprained his left (plant) ankle after the first preseason game he missed the rest of the preseason but declared himself ready for the Giants. It won't affect his PATs or short field goals, but if the game is on the line and he needs to produce a 45- or 50-yard FG it could become shaky. The return game is solid, if not spectacular. Coach Russ Purnell has the return teams ready every week and they are solid. The Giants' special teams are coached by Mike Sweatman and are just as capable. Punter Jeff Feagles consistently is among the leaders in net average and kicker Jay Feely was a Pro Bowl alternate last year. Chad Morton handles both the kick and punt returns and can be electric in both areas. The game is not apt to be decided by either set of special teams as they are both good and cancel each other out.

Matchups
? New York LOT Luke Petitgout vs Indianapolis DE Dwight Freeney
? Indianapolis WR Marvin Harrison vs New York DC Sam Madison
? New York RB Tiki Barber vs Indianapolis MLB Gary Brackett
? Indianapolis LOG Ryan Lilja vs New York DT Barry Cofield
? New York WR Plaxico Burress vs Indianapolis DC Nick Harper

Scouts' Edge
The Giants are looking at this game as one of their "must win" games and need to make a statement. The Colts are looking at this as an important game but not one of their "must win" games and, thusly, should be looser. The Colts are a veteran team and pretty much have all their pieces in place from last year, so they should be a pretty smooth running machine, especially on offense. The biggest question mark will be their running game, but their passing game is so strong that any semblance of a running game should be enough. Both teams should score, but the Colts will score more.

Prediction: Colts 27, Giants 24

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scouting Matchups: Week 1


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%"><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=162 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" colSpan=2></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=3> </TD><TD width=156>Only Insiders get access to all of Scouts Inc.'s, in-depth NFL coverage, as well as insight from ESPN's stable of football analysts.
? Take the Insider tour
? Become an Insider
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NFL advance scouts watch games in person, studying everything from personnel packages to play-calling signals, and on film, looking at individual players, as well as a team's various schemes and recent trends. The goal? Provide their coaching staff with the best possible means of preparation during the week of practice. Scouts Inc. does the same thing, compiling the best advance scouting reports available and delivering them to you by Tuesday afternoon on ESPN.com Insider. On Friday, after breaking down more game film, Scouts Inc. files an updated report with a deeper look at each game, spotlighting key individual matchups and trends and predicting the final score.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD width=100>Matchup</TD><TD>Scouting</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Baltimore
at
Tampa Bay
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Ravens at Buccaneers
Head coach Jon Gruden will utilize a lot of shifting and motioning to try and create mismatches that the Buccaneers can exploit and attack. Gruden is a big stat guy who loves high-percentage completions and attacking weakness in opposing defenses based on matchups. The Buccaneers have a strong supporting cast around quarterback Chris Simms. They can pose a lot of problems with their sub offensive packages with Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton and slot receiver Ike Hilliard.
? Take 2:Onus on defenses, O-lines
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Atlanta
at
Carolina
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Falcons at Panthers
This game will be highly intense as the rivalry between these teams is heating up. The Panthers are concerned about the blocking schemes the Falcons will utilize. Last year, starting DEs Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker both suffered sprained ankles when Falcon blockers knocked them down with hits below the knees. This technique is legal as long as the defensive player isn't engaged with another blocker.
? Take 2:Both teams ready to run
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Denver
at
St. Louis
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Broncos at Rams
St. Louis Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger will be leading a new offense implemented by head coach Scott Linehan. Bulger will look to get the ball out of his hands quickly to wide receivers Tory Holt and Isaac Bruce. Having a running back behind him such as Steven Jackson will take a lot of pressure off the quarterback.
? Take 2lummer must avoid mistakes
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Buffalo
at
New England
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bills at Patriots
The opening week of the season is always interesting in many ways. How will new coaching staffs game plan, call plays, use personnel, adjust during and at half time of a game and more. Dick Juron is know as a conservative offensive coach. But he may have to let J.P. Losman take some chances and improvise if the running game doesn't get going early vs. the Patriots very tough interior line.
? Take 2:Game should be closer than expected
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Philadelphia
at
Houston
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Eagles at Texans
Last year the Eagles traveled to Denver at about the midpoint of the season. They lost 49-21. The offensive coordinator for the Broncos was Gary Kubiak, now the head coach of the Texans. The offensive coordinator of the Eagles was Brad Childress, now the head coach of the Vikings. The offense of the Texans is apt to look a lot like the offense did, last year, for the Broncos (just different personnel). The offense of the Eagles is going to look the same (except for no T.O.) as Andy Reid has always been in charge of that area. Now, don't expect the Texans to put up 49 points, as they are a far cry from the Broncos talent-wise.
? Take 2:Texans focused on establishing the run
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> New Orleans
at
Cleveland
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Saints at Browns
Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon will look to attack the interior of the Saints' defense with RB Reuben Droughns. FB Terrelle Smith will be counted on heavily as the lead blocker. Smith is a big, physical back who can be very effective.
? Take 2:Saints striving for balance
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Seattle
at
Detroit
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Seahawks at Lions
Most teams coming off a Super Bowl loss would not be as encouraged as the Seattle Seahawks are coming to Detroit. At the scene of their frustrating Super Bowl XL loss, the Seahawks will try to establish their 2006 season.
? Take 2:Kitna poised for debut
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> NY Jets
at
Tennessee
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Jets at Titans
There are a bunch of things to watch in this one. Will Jets coach Eric Mangini be conservative with so few weapons on offense? How will Titans coach Jeff Fisher and his staff handle the quarterback situation? Tennessee's coaching staff is on the hot seat this season and this may affect many decisions, including who gets the nod at QB.
? Take 2:Battle in trenches will be key
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Cincinnati
at
Kansas City
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bengals at Chiefs
Look for there to be some bad blood this week. Head coach Marvin Lewis and his staff were less than thrilled with the way former head coach Dick Vermeil and the Chiefs ran up the score up in last season's finale. The Chiefs won 37-3 and RB Larry Johnson topped the 200-yard mark and scored three TDs against Cincinnat's backups, as Marvin Lewis opted to rest his starters for the playoffs. Even though Vermeil is gone, some of the players are the same. Now it is time for a little playback and Lewis is pulling out all the stops to get his defense motivated for this one.
? Take 2:Bengals out for revenge
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Chicago
at
Green Bay
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Bears at Packers
The Bears will hope quarterback Rex Grossman can break out of his preseason funk and make both the throws and the decisions to effectively lead the offense. The dominating Chicago defense should shut down the mediocre Packers offense. If not, look for Lovie Smith to turn the offensive reins over to veteran Brian Griese, seeking the leadership to get a key division win versus Green Bay.
? Take 2:Favre faces difficult test
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> San Francisco
at
Arizona
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>49ers at Cardinals
For Arizona, there is no bigger key than getting off to a good start by establishing the run. The Cardinals have struggled mightily in recent years and they now get a chance to show their dominance over an ailing defensive line that lacks a presence in the middle and a pass rush outside.
? Take 2:Cards have decided edge
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Dallas
at
Jacksonville
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Cowboys at Jaguars
Jaguars offensive coordinator Carl Smith needs to run the football, something they got away from last year early in games. Ex-Vikings head coach Mike Tice was brought in to help get the Jaguars' running game on track. Tice will try to take advantage of the two bubbles that the 3-4 defense allows for running room. Jaguars center Brad Meester is going to have to get some guard help on Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the run game to be successful. A solid running game will take the pressure off Byron Leftwich and should open up the play-action pass.
? Take 2allas must keep heat off Bledsoe
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Indianapolis
at
NY Giants
Sun 8:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Colts at Giants
The Giants want to be able to control the line of scrimmage and run effectively before they start using the pass. The Colts, on the other hand, will use the pass to soften up the defense and then run just to keep the Giants honest. This is going to be especially true early in the season as they try to figure out just what kind of a running game they are going to have without Edgerrin James.
? Take 2:Giants want to dictate tempo
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Miami
at
Pittsburgh
Thu 8:30 PM ET</TD><TD>Dolphins at Steelers
Although they did not qualify for the playoffs, the Dolphins won their last six games last season. The only team to finish 2005 hotter than Miami was Pittsburgh, which won its last eight in a row, including three road playoff games and the Super Bowl. Now the Super Bowl champs open against an up-and-coming Dolphins team that hopes to be where the Steelers are.

Beyond the status of each team is the drama surrounding each team's starting quarterback. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had the motorcycle accident and now the emergency appendectomy, forcing the Steelers to go with backup Charlie Batch on short notice. Miami's Daunte Culpepper has impressed everyone with his preseason performance after undergoing major knee surgery, but now he has to do it in the regular season against a very good defense.

This is going to be a very physical, well-coached game. Running room will be very difficult to come by, and the team with the better quarterback play probably will end up with the victory. Expect a tight battle where special teams and field position are paramount.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Steelers are safe pick at home

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Minnesota
at
Washington
Mon 7:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Vikings at Redskins
The Redskins and Vikings get things started on Monday Night Football on ESPN. For the Redskins, we get to see the regular season debut of Al Saunders' offense, which wasn't very impressive in the preseason. Hopefully the 95 percent that he didn't show in preseason is more successful than the five percent he did show. The Redskins need to pull out all the stops if they are going to make a run for the playoffs. That starts with a win at home vs. the Vikings.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: 'Skins ready to unveil new offense

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
San Diego
at
Oakland
Mon 10:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Chargers at Raiders
This is a huge rivalry game. It will mark the first start for third-year QB Philip Rivers as life after Drew Brees begins. The Oakland Raiders will also have a new QB at the helm, as they signed Aaron Brooks this offseason. Oakland star receiver Randy Moss is coming off an injury plagued season, but he and Brooks really seemed to start connecting towards the end of the preseason. Oakland's defense struggled to force turnovers last season, but defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has a young, hungry and athletic group he is working with this season.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Rivers should expect rude welcome
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 4 New Articles Added 9/8/06)

Sunday, September 10, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scouting Matchups: Week 1


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%"><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=162 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" colSpan=2></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=3> </TD><TD width=156>Only Insiders get access to all of Scouts Inc.'s, in-depth NFL coverage, as well as insight from ESPN's stable of football analysts.
? Take the Insider tour
? Become an Insider
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NFL advance scouts watch games in person, studying everything from personnel packages to play-calling signals, and on film, looking at individual players, as well as a team's various schemes and recent trends. The goal? Provide their coaching staff with the best possible means of preparation during the week of practice. Scouts Inc. does the same thing, compiling the best advance scouting reports available and delivering them to you by Tuesday afternoon on ESPN.com Insider. On Friday, after breaking down more game film, Scouts Inc. files an updated report with a deeper look at each game, spotlighting key individual matchups and trends and predicting the final score.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD width=100>Matchup</TD><TD>Scouting</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Baltimore
at
Tampa Bay
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Ravens at Buccaneers
Head coach Jon Gruden will utilize a lot of shifting and motioning to try and create mismatches that the Buccaneers can exploit and attack. Gruden is a big stat guy who loves high-percentage completions and attacking weakness in opposing defenses based on matchups. The Buccaneers have a strong supporting cast around quarterback Chris Simms. They can pose a lot of problems with their sub offensive packages with Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton and slot receiver Ike Hilliard.
? Take 2:Onus on defenses, O-lines
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Atlanta
at
Carolina
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Falcons at Panthers
This game will be highly intense as the rivalry between these teams is heating up. The Panthers are concerned about the blocking schemes the Falcons will utilize. Last year, starting DEs Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker both suffered sprained ankles when Falcon blockers knocked them down with hits below the knees. This technique is legal as long as the defensive player isn't engaged with another blocker.
? Take 2:Both teams ready to run
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Denver
at
St. Louis
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Broncos at Rams
St. Louis Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger will be leading a new offense implemented by head coach Scott Linehan. Bulger will look to get the ball out of his hands quickly to wide receivers Tory Holt and Isaac Bruce. Having a running back behind him such as Steven Jackson will take a lot of pressure off the quarterback.
? Take 2lummer must avoid mistakes
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Buffalo
at
New England
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bills at Patriots
The opening week of the season is always interesting in many ways. How will new coaching staffs game plan, call plays, use personnel, adjust during and at half time of a game and more. Dick Juron is know as a conservative offensive coach. But he may have to let J.P. Losman take some chances and improvise if the running game doesn't get going early vs. the Patriots very tough interior line.
? Take 2:Game should be closer than expected
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Philadelphia
at
Houston
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Eagles at Texans
Last year the Eagles traveled to Denver at about the midpoint of the season. They lost 49-21. The offensive coordinator for the Broncos was Gary Kubiak, now the head coach of the Texans. The offensive coordinator of the Eagles was Brad Childress, now the head coach of the Vikings. The offense of the Texans is apt to look a lot like the offense did, last year, for the Broncos (just different personnel). The offense of the Eagles is going to look the same (except for no T.O.) as Andy Reid has always been in charge of that area. Now, don't expect the Texans to put up 49 points, as they are a far cry from the Broncos talent-wise.
? Take 2:Texans focused on establishing the run
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> New Orleans
at
Cleveland
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Saints at Browns
Offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon will look to attack the interior of the Saints' defense with RB Reuben Droughns. FB Terrelle Smith will be counted on heavily as the lead blocker. Smith is a big, physical back who can be very effective.
? Take 2:Saints striving for balance
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Seattle
at
Detroit
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Seahawks at Lions
Most teams coming off a Super Bowl loss would not be as encouraged as the Seattle Seahawks are coming to Detroit. At the scene of their frustrating Super Bowl XL loss, the Seahawks will try to establish their 2006 season.
? Take 2:Kitna poised for debut
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> NY Jets
at
Tennessee
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Jets at Titans
There are a bunch of things to watch in this one. Will Jets coach Eric Mangini be conservative with so few weapons on offense? How will Titans coach Jeff Fisher and his staff handle the quarterback situation? Tennessee's coaching staff is on the hot seat this season and this may affect many decisions, including who gets the nod at QB.
? Take 2:Battle in trenches will be key
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Cincinnati
at
Kansas City
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bengals at Chiefs
Look for there to be some bad blood this week. Head coach Marvin Lewis and his staff were less than thrilled with the way former head coach Dick Vermeil and the Chiefs ran up the score up in last season's finale. The Chiefs won 37-3 and RB Larry Johnson topped the 200-yard mark and scored three TDs against Cincinnat's backups, as Marvin Lewis opted to rest his starters for the playoffs. Even though Vermeil is gone, some of the players are the same. Now it is time for a little playback and Lewis is pulling out all the stops to get his defense motivated for this one.
? Take 2:Bengals out for revenge
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Chicago
at
Green Bay
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Bears at Packers
The Bears will hope quarterback Rex Grossman can break out of his preseason funk and make both the throws and the decisions to effectively lead the offense. The dominating Chicago defense should shut down the mediocre Packers offense. If not, look for Lovie Smith to turn the offensive reins over to veteran Brian Griese, seeking the leadership to get a key division win versus Green Bay.
? Take 2:Favre faces difficult test
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> San Francisco
at
Arizona
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>49ers at Cardinals
For Arizona, there is no bigger key than getting off to a good start by establishing the run. The Cardinals have struggled mightily in recent years and they now get a chance to show their dominance over an ailing defensive line that lacks a presence in the middle and a pass rush outside.
? Take 2:Cards have decided edge
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Dallas
at
Jacksonville
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Cowboys at Jaguars
Jaguars offensive coordinator Carl Smith needs to run the football, something they got away from last year early in games. Ex-Vikings head coach Mike Tice was brought in to help get the Jaguars' running game on track. Tice will try to take advantage of the two bubbles that the 3-4 defense allows for running room. Jaguars center Brad Meester is going to have to get some guard help on Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the run game to be successful. A solid running game will take the pressure off Byron Leftwich and should open up the play-action pass.
? Take 2allas must keep heat off Bledsoe
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle> Indianapolis
at
NY Giants
Sun 8:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Colts at Giants
The Giants want to be able to control the line of scrimmage and run effectively before they start using the pass. The Colts, on the other hand, will use the pass to soften up the defense and then run just to keep the Giants honest. This is going to be especially true early in the season as they try to figure out just what kind of a running game they are going to have without Edgerrin James.
? Take 2:Giants want to dictate tempo
? Complete advance scouting report


</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Miami
at
Pittsburgh
Thu 8:30 PM ET</TD><TD>Dolphins at Steelers
Although they did not qualify for the playoffs, the Dolphins won their last six games last season. The only team to finish 2005 hotter than Miami was Pittsburgh, which won its last eight in a row, including three road playoff games and the Super Bowl. Now the Super Bowl champs open against an up-and-coming Dolphins team that hopes to be where the Steelers are.

Beyond the status of each team is the drama surrounding each team's starting quarterback. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had the motorcycle accident and now the emergency appendectomy, forcing the Steelers to go with backup Charlie Batch on short notice. Miami's Daunte Culpepper has impressed everyone with his preseason performance after undergoing major knee surgery, but now he has to do it in the regular season against a very good defense.

This is going to be a very physical, well-coached game. Running room will be very difficult to come by, and the team with the better quarterback play probably will end up with the victory. Expect a tight battle where special teams and field position are paramount.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Steelers are safe pick at home

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Minnesota
at
Washington
Mon 7:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Vikings at Redskins
The Redskins and Vikings get things started on Monday Night Football on ESPN. For the Redskins, we get to see the regular season debut of Al Saunders' offense, which wasn't very impressive in the preseason. Hopefully the 95 percent that he didn't show in preseason is more successful than the five percent he did show. The Redskins need to pull out all the stops if they are going to make a run for the playoffs. That starts with a win at home vs. the Vikings.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: 'Skins ready to unveil new offense

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
San Diego
at
Oakland
Mon 10:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Chargers at Raiders
This is a huge rivalry game. It will mark the first start for third-year QB Philip Rivers as life after Drew Brees begins. The Oakland Raiders will also have a new QB at the helm, as they signed Aaron Brooks this offseason. Oakland star receiver Randy Moss is coming off an injury plagued season, but he and Brooks really seemed to start connecting towards the end of the preseason. Oakland's defense struggled to force turnovers last season, but defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has a young, hungry and athletic group he is working with this season.
? Complete advance scouting report
? Take 2: Rivers should expect rude welcome
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

49ers' Smith shines in defeat


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith

Wanted to kick off the season by highlighting the player who most impressed me on Sunday: Alex Smith. The guy is light years ahead of where he was last year. His numbers were good (23-of-40, 288 yards, one TD and no picks), but should have been better had he not been hurt by several drops.

The Cardinals were under the most pressure to win Sunday. New team, new stadium, first home opener in 18 years. Arizona had to have this one. The Cardinals' top-10 D was supposed to crumple the 49ers' offense easily.
Remember Smith's 2005 stats? As bad as they get: 1 TD and 11 INTs. Playing with some talented skill position guys who are either getting their first crack as full-time starters (Frank Gore) or vets who are talented but enigmas (Antonio Bryant), Smith was as resourceful as he was determined. And the 49ers ­- aided most by Smith ­- nearly pulled it out.
As he was being toppled he improvised to Gore in the fourth quarter. Under some serious duress he hit Bryant for 46 yards with about as pretty a deep fade as you'll ever see. After the Niners recovered an onside kick, Smith put them in position to win: With 14 seconds left and everyone in the stadium knowing he had to go end zone, Smith fired into triple coverage, aiming for Bryant on a post. If the ball was two feet more in front of Bryant, it's a touchdown and the 49ers send the game into OT. But Smith's pass was just a little behind Bryant, and it was batted away.
"There were some exciting things to see, glimpses of what we can do," Smith told reporters after the game. "I was very anxious to wipe away all those memories of last year."
Smith showed Elway-Favre-Marino type ability in carrying the 49ers Sunday. If he keeps this up and the rest of the Niners follow, he won't need to make too many more desperation passes at the end of games.
Random stuff

? I like the Manning family and all, but I was on extreme burnout from all the coverage surrounding the Manning Bowl. Even though it's the press asking for the interviews and the Mannings just being decent people and complying, it got really old.

? The Browns have waited three years for the type of impact -­ both on the game and the team -­ that Kellen Winslow brought on Sunday. He woke Cleveland up with his hands and attitude.

A lot of attention was paid to how Winslow had been humbled by all his problems -­ including an article in ESPN The Magazine by yours truly ­- but as fellow blogger Bruce Feldman pointed out to me over email on Sunday while I was flipping between the Pats-Bills, Falcons-Panthers and Rams-Broncos, his attitude might just be what the Browns need.
? The Cowboys' last drive against the Jags was about as un-clutch as it gets. To recap, Dallas took over at its 20 with just under a minute left, Jacksonville leading by a touchdown. Drew Bledsoe picked apart the Jags' defense on the previous drive. First play, Bledsoe throws deep into double coverage to T.O., where it's intercepted by CB Brian Williams. A lousy decision when the guy's job is reportedly in trouble. But he's bailed out by replay -- mistakenly I think -­ which overrules the interception. So Bledsoe gets another crack at it with 45 seconds to go. It's a longshot, but not impossible. Keep in mind Bledsoe is 34 and has played in 189 NFL games. He was sacked on the next play -­ which wasn't all his fault ­- and followed that by throwing right to linebacker Mike Peterson.
? I don't know what exactly it is, but there are times when you watch Peyton Manning and you just know something bad is going to happen. Take his interception to R.W. McQuarters. He was hyper from the snap. He didn't sell his play-action fake, he set up too quickly, was jittery in the pocket and fired a pass that let's characterize as ill-advised: Dallas Clark in double coverage, down the middle, making him catch over the shoulder.
? What happened to Tampa? Just one of many questions facing Chris Simms, according to Martin Fennelly. The one I would have asked is this: What can Jon Gruden do to keep so many of Simms' passes from being batted down?

? Reader Justin in Atlanta asks: Is the Rams' D that good or are the Broncos that bad? Both, at least one week into the season. Denver's O-line was simply manhandled by St. Louis' defense line in pass protection, which no one thought could happen. Denver called many bootlegs for Jake Plummer last year not just because Plummer was good on the move but also because its pass protection was uneven. When it played a good 3-4 team, like Pittsburgh, it struggled. Indy suffered exactly the same way, and has suffered the same way against the Steelers and Pats.
People assume that because Indy and Denver have been great running teams that their O-line is equally potent as pass blockers. Not so, at least not all the time.
What keyed the Rams' D -­ and what probably got the unpacked crowd at the Dome excited ­- was that four turnovers were forced by newcomers: Will Witherspoon, Fakhir Brown, Corey Chavous and Tye Hill. Throw in Leonard Little being amped and destroying Denver's lousy blocking schemes and that's why the Rams whipped the Broncos. ? Chad Pennington throwing for 313 yards and two TDs in his first game in nearly a year set himself up nicely as the Comeback Player of the Year frontrunner

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

49ers' Smith shines in defeat


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith

Wanted to kick off the season by highlighting the player who most impressed me on Sunday: Alex Smith. The guy is light years ahead of where he was last year. His numbers were good (23-of-40, 288 yards, one TD and no picks), but should have been better had he not been hurt by several drops.

The Cardinals were under the most pressure to win Sunday. New team, new stadium, first home opener in 18 years. Arizona had to have this one. The Cardinals' top-10 D was supposed to crumple the 49ers' offense easily.
Remember Smith's 2005 stats? As bad as they get: 1 TD and 11 INTs. Playing with some talented skill position guys who are either getting their first crack as full-time starters (Frank Gore) or vets who are talented but enigmas (Antonio Bryant), Smith was as resourceful as he was determined. And the 49ers ­- aided most by Smith ­- nearly pulled it out.
As he was being toppled he improvised to Gore in the fourth quarter. Under some serious duress he hit Bryant for 46 yards with about as pretty a deep fade as you'll ever see. After the Niners recovered an onside kick, Smith put them in position to win: With 14 seconds left and everyone in the stadium knowing he had to go end zone, Smith fired into triple coverage, aiming for Bryant on a post. If the ball was two feet more in front of Bryant, it's a touchdown and the 49ers send the game into OT. But Smith's pass was just a little behind Bryant, and it was batted away.
"There were some exciting things to see, glimpses of what we can do," Smith told reporters after the game. "I was very anxious to wipe away all those memories of last year."
Smith showed Elway-Favre-Marino type ability in carrying the 49ers Sunday. If he keeps this up and the rest of the Niners follow, he won't need to make too many more desperation passes at the end of games.
Random stuff

? I like the Manning family and all, but I was on extreme burnout from all the coverage surrounding the Manning Bowl. Even though it's the press asking for the interviews and the Mannings just being decent people and complying, it got really old.

? The Browns have waited three years for the type of impact -­ both on the game and the team -­ that Kellen Winslow brought on Sunday. He woke Cleveland up with his hands and attitude.

A lot of attention was paid to how Winslow had been humbled by all his problems -­ including an article in ESPN The Magazine by yours truly ­- but as fellow blogger Bruce Feldman pointed out to me over email on Sunday while I was flipping between the Pats-Bills, Falcons-Panthers and Rams-Broncos, his attitude might just be what the Browns need.
? The Cowboys' last drive against the Jags was about as un-clutch as it gets. To recap, Dallas took over at its 20 with just under a minute left, Jacksonville leading by a touchdown. Drew Bledsoe picked apart the Jags' defense on the previous drive. First play, Bledsoe throws deep into double coverage to T.O., where it's intercepted by CB Brian Williams. A lousy decision when the guy's job is reportedly in trouble. But he's bailed out by replay -- mistakenly I think -­ which overrules the interception. So Bledsoe gets another crack at it with 45 seconds to go. It's a longshot, but not impossible. Keep in mind Bledsoe is 34 and has played in 189 NFL games. He was sacked on the next play -­ which wasn't all his fault ­- and followed that by throwing right to linebacker Mike Peterson.
? I don't know what exactly it is, but there are times when you watch Peyton Manning and you just know something bad is going to happen. Take his interception to R.W. McQuarters. He was hyper from the snap. He didn't sell his play-action fake, he set up too quickly, was jittery in the pocket and fired a pass that let's characterize as ill-advised: Dallas Clark in double coverage, down the middle, making him catch over the shoulder.
? What happened to Tampa? Just one of many questions facing Chris Simms, according to Martin Fennelly. The one I would have asked is this: What can Jon Gruden do to keep so many of Simms' passes from being batted down?

? Reader Justin in Atlanta asks: Is the Rams' D that good or are the Broncos that bad? Both, at least one week into the season. Denver's O-line was simply manhandled by St. Louis' defense line in pass protection, which no one thought could happen. Denver called many bootlegs for Jake Plummer last year not just because Plummer was good on the move but also because its pass protection was uneven. When it played a good 3-4 team, like Pittsburgh, it struggled. Indy suffered exactly the same way, and has suffered the same way against the Steelers and Pats.
People assume that because Indy and Denver have been great running teams that their O-line is equally potent as pass blockers. Not so, at least not all the time.
What keyed the Rams' D -­ and what probably got the unpacked crowd at the Dome excited ­- was that four turnovers were forced by newcomers: Will Witherspoon, Fakhir Brown, Corey Chavous and Tye Hill. Throw in Leonard Little being amped and destroying Denver's lousy blocking schemes and that's why the Rams whipped the Broncos. ? Chad Pennington throwing for 313 yards and two TDs in his first game in nearly a year set himself up nicely as the Comeback Player of the Year frontrunner

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006

Whispers from around the NFL


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
Pro Football Weekly

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? Look for FS Brian Dawkins to move up closer to the line of scrimmage in some of the defense's nickel packages. The coaching staff wants him to act like a pseudo-linebacker in some passing situations.
? We hear that Miami could have interest in free-agent WR Charles Rogers, who would fit the low-cost, high-risk profile of other Dolphins acquisitions during Nick Saban's tenure. Saban is familiar with the second overall pick of the 2003 draft, having recruited him to play at Michigan State.
? After Jets rookie Brad Smith played wide receiver throughout training camp and through most of the preseason, he was inserted into the final preseason game at quarterback and produced two scoring drives. We hear his performance proved to the coaches that he could run the team effectively if called upon, and he has the Jets plotting ways to use Smith, now listed as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart, as a situational QB at times this season.
? The Browns' backup QB situation remains unsettled. We hear the Browns aren't sold on No. 2 QB Ken Dorsey as even a short-term option if starter Charlie Frye were to miss any games. In such a scenario, No. 3 QB Derek Anderson might get the call. However, they believe Dorsey would fare better than Anderson if asked to relieve Frye during the course of a game.
? The Steelers signed former Packers RB Najeh Davenport on Sept. 8, meaning third-string back Duce Staley could be in a fight to be on the active roster from week to week if Davenport is a quick study.
? The Texans have been pleasantly surprised with reserve G Fred Weary, who earned a start in Week 1 with RG Steve McKinney nursing a groin injury. The new coaching staff thought Weary was only a backup-caliber player when it first started evaluating its players, but when the coaches took a second look over the summer, Weary was "as consistent as anyone," said OL coach John Benton. "[He] moved up a notch, in our minds."
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Eric Moulds</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> Wide receiver
Houston Texans

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=5>2006 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>6</TD><TD>68</TD><TD>11.3</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
? There's a school of thought that Texans WR Eric Moulds will benefit as much from the presence of Andre Johnson as Johnson will benefit from Moulds, the 11-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler. Said one league evaluator: "[Moulds] might go back to that dynamic guy he was."
? Bengals WR Kelley Washington was seemingly on the bubble entering training camp, and there seems to be little doubt he'll exit Cincinnati in free agency next offseason. But Washington's versatility and playmaking ability have allowed him to carve out a niche as a reserve wideout. Washington isn't a great special-teams player, but he knows how to play each of the WR positions in the Cincinnati offense. With injuries racking the WR corps early this season, Washington is as valuable as he's ever been to the Bengals.
? After underperforming in 2005, Jets DE Shaun Ellis had an impressive training camp and preseason and was rewarded by being elected as one of the team's six captains for this season -- a sign of respect from his teammates and head coach Eric Mangini.
? The Patriots are concerned about their special-teams coverage after losing ace special-teamers Mel Mitchell, Tebucky Jones and Barry Gardner to season-ending injuries in the preseason. The onus is on aging vets Larry Izzo and Don Davis to lead a young special-teams corps.
? We hear the Patriots believe they got a steal in surrendering a reported fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft to the Raiders for WR Doug Gabriel. New England believes Gabriel will be a big-play, downfield weapon this season. The Pats also love his size -- at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he's bigger than departed WR David Givens.
? Word is the rustiness shown by QB Daunte Culpepper in the season opener was a bit of a surprise after he had such a positive preseason, and that the Dolphins understand it will take some more time before he is 100 percent.
? We're told to expect a fair amount of blitz packages out of Kansas City that involve four linebackers, as the team has been experimenting with promising backup Keyaron Fox on the outside, with Kendrell Bell shifting to the ILB role he played in Pittsburgh.
? His release came as a bit of a surprise, considering the team's lack of talented depth at the WR position, but nagging injuries limited Craphonso Thorpe's availability in his two years with the Chiefs and prevented them from getting a good look at how he fit in their system.
? Don't be surprised to see LaDainian Tomlinson and his backup, Michael Turner, in the same backfield for the Chargers on occasion this season. The coaching staff is looking to get the productive Turner on the field more without limiting Tomlinson's impact, and the thinking is the duo should be able to create plenty of mismatches for defenses.
? Raiders WR Ronald Curry told PFW that he sees more confidence in CB Fabian Washington as the former first-round pick enters his second season. "He's more aggressive at the line of scrimmage and more fluid with his reads," Curry said. "And technique-wise, he's gotten a lot better and is playing with more patience. He played well last year, but I know this year he's going to be even stronger."
? Despite previous published reports suggesting the contrary, the Chargers' brass has not ruled out paying OLB Steve Foley his $775,000 salary for 2006 despite the fact Foley was placed on the non-football injury list after being shot three times by an off-duty cop on Sept. 3. General manager A.J. Smith has said the club is taking a "wait-and-see approach until all the facts are in" about the incident before deciding whether to withhold Foley's game checks or possibly even recoup a sizable roster bonus he was paid in March, the latter of which wouldn't figure to sit well with his teammates.
? It came as a mild surprise to see the Broncos dump WR Darius Watts, a former second-round pick, on the final cutdown day, but the emergence of David Kircus and the potential of highly touted rookie Brandon Marshall had more to do with the decision than Watts' performance.
? There are rumblings in Denver suggesting the coaching staff is experimenting too much with rookie pass-rush specialist Elvis Dumervil by playing him inside on passing downs at around 260 pounds instead of just letting his speed loose on the outside.
? We're told not to assume that the Raiders' trade of WR Doug Gabriel to New England meant Jerry Porter was getting back in the good graces of head coach Art Shell. Porter opened the season fourth on the depth chart, as speedster Alvis Whitted was named the starter opposite Randy Moss.
? Bill Parcells would like to avoid letting one of his regular players return punts on a regular basis, which is why WR Jamaica Rector opened the season there. If Rector can't handle the job, Parcells is inclined to let either WR Patrick Crayton or CB Terence Newman take over.
? The Redskins believe that rookie DT Kedric Golston can develop into an inside rusher, despite the fact that he had only 3? sacks in his 44-game college career. He showed good quickness in the preseason and beat out veteran Cedric Killings for a job. The team might use Golston in some passing-situation subpackages if he continues to develop.
? Eagles OLG Todd Herremans told PFW that ORG Shawn Andrews is ready to embark on a Pro Bowl-caliber season. "He has been absolutely mauling people all summer. It's kind of unfair, really, the way he takes [defenders] out of plays."
? The Titans' nickel back situation is a fluid one entering the season. Rookie Cortland Finnegan will get the first crack, but you also might see reserve S Vincent Fuller in that role. If those two fail, recently signed CB Eric King would be the next in line to get a chance.
? The way we hear it, the Jaguars will combat the loss of starting FB Greg Jones, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the preseason, by going without a fullback much of the time and, instead, using more two-TE packages.
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Doug Jolley</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> Tight end
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=5>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>29</TD><TD>324</TD><TD>11.2</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
? Sources close to the Buccaneers tell us the addition of TE Doug Jolley in a trade with the Jets was done to bring relief to Anthony Becht, who is expected to have his hands full helping out the weakened offensive line in pass and run blocking. Jolley is a better receiver than blocker, like second-year starter Alex Smith, and he and Smith are expected to rotate while Becht becomes almost strictly a blocker.
? We hear the Panthers aren't entirely sold on their starting offensive line, which has two new starters, C Justin Hartwig and second-year ORG Evan Mathis. The most likely change would come at right guard, where they aren't sure exactly what they've got in Mathis, who played sparingly as a rookie.
? We're told Falcons WR Ashley Lelie has picked up the Falcons' West Coast offense very quickly, and that they intend to get him the ball a lot. Lelie remains third on the depth chart, but we hear his blazing speed is a good fit for QB Michael Vick's strong arm.
? It looks like CB Jason Webster will be joining TE Alge Crumpler on the sideline for at least one practice per week during the early part of this season. We're told Webster is suffering from chronic pain in his left foot that becomes aggravated when it's overworked. Crumpler has sat out at least one practice each week since training camp began while he recovers from offseason knee surgery.
? Word out of Saints camp is that it won't take long for LB Danny Clark to ascend to the starting lineup. Clark was signed by the Saints days after he was cut by the Raiders. He immediately becomes the Saints' most accomplished linebacker in what is otherwise a weak unit.
? It's been assumed for some time now that Seahawks 36-year-old starting ORG Chris Gray was on his last legs, but the way we hear it, Gray entered the 2006 campaign playing better than he did five years ago. Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren said Gray had the best training camp of any of the team's offensive linemen and graded out the highest in preseason games.
? All eyes are on the three Packers newcomers on the interior line, but we're told there is quiet concern about OLT Chad Clifton. The 30-year-old veteran, who had both knees scoped this offseason and sustained a severe pelvis injury in 2002, certainly wasn't moving well when he was whistled for two penalties and beaten on more than one occasion in the team's preseason debacle at Cincinnati. Clifton's health is critical because rookie OGs Tony Moll and Jason Spitz, while game for the challenge, aren't ready for the elite interior defensive linemen of the NFC North.
? The Bears were hopeful that promising WR Mark Bradley would contend for the No. 2 role. However, after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 8 of last season, Bradley is physically prepared to handle only approximately 30 snaps for the first 2-4 weeks of the season.
? Given his track record, any injury to Lions WR Roy Williams draws scrutiny, but we're told that his preseason groin injury isn't the type of malady that has hindered him far too frequently in his first two seasons. Williams was not listed on the Week 1 injury report and remains in tip-top shape after dropping weight while running in the Odessa, Texas, heat this summer. Williams has pledged to become the Torry Holt in this Mike Martz offense and has developed extremely solid chemistry with QB Jon Kitna.
? WR Troy Williamson is coming along in his second season, picking up Brad Childress' offense nicely and developing into more than just a deep threat. We're told the next test is to prove he can battle No. 1 corners and potential double-teams as the Vikings' top threat out wide.
? Second-year RB Ciatrick Fason missed a golden opportunity to distinguish himself in preseason play with Chester Taylor saving himself and backup Mewelde Moore missing time with a knee injury. Despite Moore's fragility and his value in the return game, Fason's three yards per carry landed him third on the depth chart. The Vikings also signed Lions castoff Artose Pinner to bolster their backfield depth.
? Word is that, with a lot of depth at defensive tackle to play with, the Seahawks are planning on using a rotation that will limit each tackle to roughly 20 snaps. Rocky Bernard, Chuck Darby, Marcus Tubbs, free-agent addition Russell Davis, Craig Terrill and Chris Cooper (who can also play end) all figure in the mix.
? More than a few Rams Park regulars were surprised at the releases of return specialist Brad Pyatt, who appeared to be a better option in their minds than recently acquired J.R. Reed, and CB DeJuan Groce, a serviceable performer who started 15 games last season and was quickly snatched off the waiver wire by the Saints.
? Our sources in the desert are having a hard time determining the actual condition of injured starting ORT Oliver Ross, who sat out last week's opener with a knee injury and has adamantly refused to discuss his status with the local Arizona media. One thing that became clear right away, however, is that newly acquired ex-Viking Chris Liwienski, who played previously for both Dennis Green and new Cardinals O-line coach Steve Loney, is expected to see major action from the get-go and could challenge a healthy Ross for playing time as a starter.
? We hear the arrow continues to point way up for Cardinals second-year S Aaron Francisco, a big hitter whose confidence is sky-high after surviving this year's final roster cutdown. Considered the heir apparent to aging Robert Griffith at strong safety, Francisco excelled on special-teams kickoff coverage in the preseason.
? Look for the Niners to frequently rotate Tony Parrish, Mike Adams and newcomer Mark Roman at the two starting safety spots. We hear that, although the veteran Parrish remains the consummate professional, he appears to have lost a step and had noticeable difficulty with route recognition in the preseason.
? We hear the Niners are confident that third-year pro Keith Lewis will effectively replace the departed Terry Jackson as the team's designated special-teams ace. Lewis has proven himself to be well-suited for the role. As was the case with Jackson, he has demonstrated a knack for always being around the action when the special teams are on the field. ? Don't be surprised if lengthy weekly injury lists become the norm for the Colts, who listed a whopping 26 players -- almost half of their roster -- on the Week 1 injury report. We hear the overreaction to PK Adam Vinatieri's left foot injury involving Vinatieri's mother, who told the Indianapolis Star there was a broken bone in the foot, has left a bad taste in the mouth of head coach Tony Dungy, who could opt to release intentionally exaggerated injury lists a la Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for the foreseeable future.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006

Whispers from around the NFL


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Pro Football Weekly

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? Look for FS Brian Dawkins to move up closer to the line of scrimmage in some of the defense's nickel packages. The coaching staff wants him to act like a pseudo-linebacker in some passing situations.
? We hear that Miami could have interest in free-agent WR Charles Rogers, who would fit the low-cost, high-risk profile of other Dolphins acquisitions during Nick Saban's tenure. Saban is familiar with the second overall pick of the 2003 draft, having recruited him to play at Michigan State.
? After Jets rookie Brad Smith played wide receiver throughout training camp and through most of the preseason, he was inserted into the final preseason game at quarterback and produced two scoring drives. We hear his performance proved to the coaches that he could run the team effectively if called upon, and he has the Jets plotting ways to use Smith, now listed as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart, as a situational QB at times this season.
? The Browns' backup QB situation remains unsettled. We hear the Browns aren't sold on No. 2 QB Ken Dorsey as even a short-term option if starter Charlie Frye were to miss any games. In such a scenario, No. 3 QB Derek Anderson might get the call. However, they believe Dorsey would fare better than Anderson if asked to relieve Frye during the course of a game.
? The Steelers signed former Packers RB Najeh Davenport on Sept. 8, meaning third-string back Duce Staley could be in a fight to be on the active roster from week to week if Davenport is a quick study.
? The Texans have been pleasantly surprised with reserve G Fred Weary, who earned a start in Week 1 with RG Steve McKinney nursing a groin injury. The new coaching staff thought Weary was only a backup-caliber player when it first started evaluating its players, but when the coaches took a second look over the summer, Weary was "as consistent as anyone," said OL coach John Benton. "[He] moved up a notch, in our minds."
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Eric Moulds</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> Wide receiver
Houston Texans

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=5>2006 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>6</TD><TD>68</TD><TD>11.3</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
? There's a school of thought that Texans WR Eric Moulds will benefit as much from the presence of Andre Johnson as Johnson will benefit from Moulds, the 11-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler. Said one league evaluator: "[Moulds] might go back to that dynamic guy he was."
? Bengals WR Kelley Washington was seemingly on the bubble entering training camp, and there seems to be little doubt he'll exit Cincinnati in free agency next offseason. But Washington's versatility and playmaking ability have allowed him to carve out a niche as a reserve wideout. Washington isn't a great special-teams player, but he knows how to play each of the WR positions in the Cincinnati offense. With injuries racking the WR corps early this season, Washington is as valuable as he's ever been to the Bengals.
? After underperforming in 2005, Jets DE Shaun Ellis had an impressive training camp and preseason and was rewarded by being elected as one of the team's six captains for this season -- a sign of respect from his teammates and head coach Eric Mangini.
? The Patriots are concerned about their special-teams coverage after losing ace special-teamers Mel Mitchell, Tebucky Jones and Barry Gardner to season-ending injuries in the preseason. The onus is on aging vets Larry Izzo and Don Davis to lead a young special-teams corps.
? We hear the Patriots believe they got a steal in surrendering a reported fifth-round pick in the 2007 draft to the Raiders for WR Doug Gabriel. New England believes Gabriel will be a big-play, downfield weapon this season. The Pats also love his size -- at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he's bigger than departed WR David Givens.
? Word is the rustiness shown by QB Daunte Culpepper in the season opener was a bit of a surprise after he had such a positive preseason, and that the Dolphins understand it will take some more time before he is 100 percent.
? We're told to expect a fair amount of blitz packages out of Kansas City that involve four linebackers, as the team has been experimenting with promising backup Keyaron Fox on the outside, with Kendrell Bell shifting to the ILB role he played in Pittsburgh.
? His release came as a bit of a surprise, considering the team's lack of talented depth at the WR position, but nagging injuries limited Craphonso Thorpe's availability in his two years with the Chiefs and prevented them from getting a good look at how he fit in their system.
? Don't be surprised to see LaDainian Tomlinson and his backup, Michael Turner, in the same backfield for the Chargers on occasion this season. The coaching staff is looking to get the productive Turner on the field more without limiting Tomlinson's impact, and the thinking is the duo should be able to create plenty of mismatches for defenses.
? Raiders WR Ronald Curry told PFW that he sees more confidence in CB Fabian Washington as the former first-round pick enters his second season. "He's more aggressive at the line of scrimmage and more fluid with his reads," Curry said. "And technique-wise, he's gotten a lot better and is playing with more patience. He played well last year, but I know this year he's going to be even stronger."
? Despite previous published reports suggesting the contrary, the Chargers' brass has not ruled out paying OLB Steve Foley his $775,000 salary for 2006 despite the fact Foley was placed on the non-football injury list after being shot three times by an off-duty cop on Sept. 3. General manager A.J. Smith has said the club is taking a "wait-and-see approach until all the facts are in" about the incident before deciding whether to withhold Foley's game checks or possibly even recoup a sizable roster bonus he was paid in March, the latter of which wouldn't figure to sit well with his teammates.
? It came as a mild surprise to see the Broncos dump WR Darius Watts, a former second-round pick, on the final cutdown day, but the emergence of David Kircus and the potential of highly touted rookie Brandon Marshall had more to do with the decision than Watts' performance.
? There are rumblings in Denver suggesting the coaching staff is experimenting too much with rookie pass-rush specialist Elvis Dumervil by playing him inside on passing downs at around 260 pounds instead of just letting his speed loose on the outside.
? We're told not to assume that the Raiders' trade of WR Doug Gabriel to New England meant Jerry Porter was getting back in the good graces of head coach Art Shell. Porter opened the season fourth on the depth chart, as speedster Alvis Whitted was named the starter opposite Randy Moss.
? Bill Parcells would like to avoid letting one of his regular players return punts on a regular basis, which is why WR Jamaica Rector opened the season there. If Rector can't handle the job, Parcells is inclined to let either WR Patrick Crayton or CB Terence Newman take over.
? The Redskins believe that rookie DT Kedric Golston can develop into an inside rusher, despite the fact that he had only 3? sacks in his 44-game college career. He showed good quickness in the preseason and beat out veteran Cedric Killings for a job. The team might use Golston in some passing-situation subpackages if he continues to develop.
? Eagles OLG Todd Herremans told PFW that ORG Shawn Andrews is ready to embark on a Pro Bowl-caliber season. "He has been absolutely mauling people all summer. It's kind of unfair, really, the way he takes [defenders] out of plays."
? The Titans' nickel back situation is a fluid one entering the season. Rookie Cortland Finnegan will get the first crack, but you also might see reserve S Vincent Fuller in that role. If those two fail, recently signed CB Eric King would be the next in line to get a chance.
? The way we hear it, the Jaguars will combat the loss of starting FB Greg Jones, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the preseason, by going without a fullback much of the time and, instead, using more two-TE packages.
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Doug Jolley</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> Tight end
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=5>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>29</TD><TD>324</TD><TD>11.2</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
? Sources close to the Buccaneers tell us the addition of TE Doug Jolley in a trade with the Jets was done to bring relief to Anthony Becht, who is expected to have his hands full helping out the weakened offensive line in pass and run blocking. Jolley is a better receiver than blocker, like second-year starter Alex Smith, and he and Smith are expected to rotate while Becht becomes almost strictly a blocker.
? We hear the Panthers aren't entirely sold on their starting offensive line, which has two new starters, C Justin Hartwig and second-year ORG Evan Mathis. The most likely change would come at right guard, where they aren't sure exactly what they've got in Mathis, who played sparingly as a rookie.
? We're told Falcons WR Ashley Lelie has picked up the Falcons' West Coast offense very quickly, and that they intend to get him the ball a lot. Lelie remains third on the depth chart, but we hear his blazing speed is a good fit for QB Michael Vick's strong arm.
? It looks like CB Jason Webster will be joining TE Alge Crumpler on the sideline for at least one practice per week during the early part of this season. We're told Webster is suffering from chronic pain in his left foot that becomes aggravated when it's overworked. Crumpler has sat out at least one practice each week since training camp began while he recovers from offseason knee surgery.
? Word out of Saints camp is that it won't take long for LB Danny Clark to ascend to the starting lineup. Clark was signed by the Saints days after he was cut by the Raiders. He immediately becomes the Saints' most accomplished linebacker in what is otherwise a weak unit.
? It's been assumed for some time now that Seahawks 36-year-old starting ORG Chris Gray was on his last legs, but the way we hear it, Gray entered the 2006 campaign playing better than he did five years ago. Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren said Gray had the best training camp of any of the team's offensive linemen and graded out the highest in preseason games.
? All eyes are on the three Packers newcomers on the interior line, but we're told there is quiet concern about OLT Chad Clifton. The 30-year-old veteran, who had both knees scoped this offseason and sustained a severe pelvis injury in 2002, certainly wasn't moving well when he was whistled for two penalties and beaten on more than one occasion in the team's preseason debacle at Cincinnati. Clifton's health is critical because rookie OGs Tony Moll and Jason Spitz, while game for the challenge, aren't ready for the elite interior defensive linemen of the NFC North.
? The Bears were hopeful that promising WR Mark Bradley would contend for the No. 2 role. However, after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 8 of last season, Bradley is physically prepared to handle only approximately 30 snaps for the first 2-4 weeks of the season.
? Given his track record, any injury to Lions WR Roy Williams draws scrutiny, but we're told that his preseason groin injury isn't the type of malady that has hindered him far too frequently in his first two seasons. Williams was not listed on the Week 1 injury report and remains in tip-top shape after dropping weight while running in the Odessa, Texas, heat this summer. Williams has pledged to become the Torry Holt in this Mike Martz offense and has developed extremely solid chemistry with QB Jon Kitna.
? WR Troy Williamson is coming along in his second season, picking up Brad Childress' offense nicely and developing into more than just a deep threat. We're told the next test is to prove he can battle No. 1 corners and potential double-teams as the Vikings' top threat out wide.
? Second-year RB Ciatrick Fason missed a golden opportunity to distinguish himself in preseason play with Chester Taylor saving himself and backup Mewelde Moore missing time with a knee injury. Despite Moore's fragility and his value in the return game, Fason's three yards per carry landed him third on the depth chart. The Vikings also signed Lions castoff Artose Pinner to bolster their backfield depth.
? Word is that, with a lot of depth at defensive tackle to play with, the Seahawks are planning on using a rotation that will limit each tackle to roughly 20 snaps. Rocky Bernard, Chuck Darby, Marcus Tubbs, free-agent addition Russell Davis, Craig Terrill and Chris Cooper (who can also play end) all figure in the mix.
? More than a few Rams Park regulars were surprised at the releases of return specialist Brad Pyatt, who appeared to be a better option in their minds than recently acquired J.R. Reed, and CB DeJuan Groce, a serviceable performer who started 15 games last season and was quickly snatched off the waiver wire by the Saints.
? Our sources in the desert are having a hard time determining the actual condition of injured starting ORT Oliver Ross, who sat out last week's opener with a knee injury and has adamantly refused to discuss his status with the local Arizona media. One thing that became clear right away, however, is that newly acquired ex-Viking Chris Liwienski, who played previously for both Dennis Green and new Cardinals O-line coach Steve Loney, is expected to see major action from the get-go and could challenge a healthy Ross for playing time as a starter.
? We hear the arrow continues to point way up for Cardinals second-year S Aaron Francisco, a big hitter whose confidence is sky-high after surviving this year's final roster cutdown. Considered the heir apparent to aging Robert Griffith at strong safety, Francisco excelled on special-teams kickoff coverage in the preseason.
? Look for the Niners to frequently rotate Tony Parrish, Mike Adams and newcomer Mark Roman at the two starting safety spots. We hear that, although the veteran Parrish remains the consummate professional, he appears to have lost a step and had noticeable difficulty with route recognition in the preseason.
? We hear the Niners are confident that third-year pro Keith Lewis will effectively replace the departed Terry Jackson as the team's designated special-teams ace. Lewis has proven himself to be well-suited for the role. As was the case with Jackson, he has demonstrated a knack for always being around the action when the special teams are on the field. ? Don't be surprised if lengthy weekly injury lists become the norm for the Colts, who listed a whopping 26 players -- almost half of their roster -- on the Week 1 injury report. We hear the overreaction to PK Adam Vinatieri's left foot injury involving Vinatieri's mother, who told the Indianapolis Star there was a broken bone in the foot, has left a bad taste in the mouth of head coach Tony Dungy, who could opt to release intentionally exaggerated injury lists a la Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for the foreseeable future.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006, 12:03 PM ET

Three main guys for Chargers-Raiders


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By Joe Theismann
ESPN Insider
Archive
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The opening week in the NFL is great because every team has great expectations. Every player has the potential to have a record-breaking season and every fan has hope. This week is no different, so I'm taking a look at the San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders matchup to look at three players from each team who have to have breakout games not just this week, but this season for their teams to win the game and eventually make the playoffs.
Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery: The Raiders made this kid the No. 2 pick in the draft a few years ago and now is the time for him to step up and make his presence felt in this league. He's a physical specimen with a ton of talent, but he hasn't quite reached the expectations the Raiders had for him when they drafted him.
This is going to be the season debut of a new quarterback (Aaron Brooks) for the Raiders, and the best way for an offensive lineman to get on the good side of a new coaching staff and quarterback is to keep the quarterback off his back. To add to the pressure, he's now playing for head coach Art Shell, one of the best offensive linemen in the game when he played. Gallery's not playing for someone who doesn't understand the position or what he should be doing out there. He has to get the level of his play up or he's going to really feel the scrutiny of these Raiders fans and the coaching staff. Tonight's performance isn't just about this week, but about this entire season.

Aaron Brooks: Talk about the beginning of a new start. Brooks needed a new place to play after six seasons with the New Orleans Saints. This was a change of venue that he needed. This is a great opportunity for him with WR Randy Moss catching his passes. Brooks has one of the prettiest deep balls in the league and now he has a guy he can toss them to at any moment of the game. Under Shell, a ball-control proponent, Brooks isn't going to be relied upon as much for those deep balls, but he's going to have to connect on them when he's given the green light.
Brooks must protect the ball, take advantage of the defense with his legs when it blitzes heavily and not make mistakes under this new offense. As we know from the past, those aren't Brooks' strong suits, but hopefully for him a change of address will result in a change of play, or he's going to be watching instead of playing.
This week he has to take advantage of the Chargers in short bursts. He can't try to get greedy and toss the long ball whenever he gets the chance. He needs to start this game throwing slants, hitting the intermediary receivers and working on forcing the safeties to cheat up so he can hit Moss on the deep bomb when they least expect it, like in a third-and-short situation.
LaMont Jordan: Now is the time for Jordan to step up and start making things happen for his team. The new coach is going to start emphasizing the run more, so he must take advantage. He's a very good north-south runner, but he's shown a tendency to not be as patient as he should be when following his blockers. He has to get better at that, and I'm sure the Raiders' staff has told him that.
Jordan is a very talented running back who has the potential to be fantastic in this league and now he's going to have to step it up, because the onus is on him.
San Diego Chargers



Philip Rivers: The Chargers let go of a quarterback (Drew Brees) who led them to the playoffs in 2004 and who was a Pro Bowl-caliber performer to start Rivers. So, yes it's obvious why he's on this list. The Chargers need him out there making things happen on a regular basis. He's not a rookie and he can't play like one if the Chargers are going to continue to be a playoff-caliber team. There is even more pressure this season because the Chargers are in a division that actually found a way to get tougher; every team in the division got better on paper through offseason moves. Rivers wanted this job, and now we get to find out if he has what it takes to keep it and if he really earned it.
Quentin Jammer: There's no doubt that he is a great talent, but he hasn't been everything the Chargers anticipated when they drafted him in the first round. He still looks like he takes plays off and lacks intensity at times, which is not something a team wants to hear about a starting cornerback.
The Chargers need him to show that fire and passion that they know he has on a consistent basis, and what better way to start than against Randy Moss and the Raiders? There's no better guy to have to match up against if a cornerback wants to keep his focus for a full game, because if even half a play is taken off, then Moss' hand will go up signaling a go route, and the next thing you know, that cornerback is being laughed at on "SportsCenter." I don't think he wants to be that guy this week, so I expect to see the type of focus that he's going to have to show for the entire season. Antonio Gates: Obviously this guy has shown how good he is as a player, but with a young quarterback this season, the Chargers need him to be great yet again. He is going to be the safety valve for Rivers this season, and I suspect a great deal tonight as well. I don't expect him to go vertical downfield as much as he has in the past, but he's going to own the middle of opposing defenses to give Rivers a constant target he can see when he gets in trouble or if his No. 1 option is double-covered.
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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006, 12:03 PM ET

Three main guys for Chargers-Raiders


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By Joe Theismann
ESPN Insider
Archive
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->
The opening week in the NFL is great because every team has great expectations. Every player has the potential to have a record-breaking season and every fan has hope. This week is no different, so I'm taking a look at the San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders matchup to look at three players from each team who have to have breakout games not just this week, but this season for their teams to win the game and eventually make the playoffs.
Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery: The Raiders made this kid the No. 2 pick in the draft a few years ago and now is the time for him to step up and make his presence felt in this league. He's a physical specimen with a ton of talent, but he hasn't quite reached the expectations the Raiders had for him when they drafted him.
This is going to be the season debut of a new quarterback (Aaron Brooks) for the Raiders, and the best way for an offensive lineman to get on the good side of a new coaching staff and quarterback is to keep the quarterback off his back. To add to the pressure, he's now playing for head coach Art Shell, one of the best offensive linemen in the game when he played. Gallery's not playing for someone who doesn't understand the position or what he should be doing out there. He has to get the level of his play up or he's going to really feel the scrutiny of these Raiders fans and the coaching staff. Tonight's performance isn't just about this week, but about this entire season.

Aaron Brooks: Talk about the beginning of a new start. Brooks needed a new place to play after six seasons with the New Orleans Saints. This was a change of venue that he needed. This is a great opportunity for him with WR Randy Moss catching his passes. Brooks has one of the prettiest deep balls in the league and now he has a guy he can toss them to at any moment of the game. Under Shell, a ball-control proponent, Brooks isn't going to be relied upon as much for those deep balls, but he's going to have to connect on them when he's given the green light.
Brooks must protect the ball, take advantage of the defense with his legs when it blitzes heavily and not make mistakes under this new offense. As we know from the past, those aren't Brooks' strong suits, but hopefully for him a change of address will result in a change of play, or he's going to be watching instead of playing.
This week he has to take advantage of the Chargers in short bursts. He can't try to get greedy and toss the long ball whenever he gets the chance. He needs to start this game throwing slants, hitting the intermediary receivers and working on forcing the safeties to cheat up so he can hit Moss on the deep bomb when they least expect it, like in a third-and-short situation.
LaMont Jordan: Now is the time for Jordan to step up and start making things happen for his team. The new coach is going to start emphasizing the run more, so he must take advantage. He's a very good north-south runner, but he's shown a tendency to not be as patient as he should be when following his blockers. He has to get better at that, and I'm sure the Raiders' staff has told him that.
Jordan is a very talented running back who has the potential to be fantastic in this league and now he's going to have to step it up, because the onus is on him.
San Diego Chargers



Philip Rivers: The Chargers let go of a quarterback (Drew Brees) who led them to the playoffs in 2004 and who was a Pro Bowl-caliber performer to start Rivers. So, yes it's obvious why he's on this list. The Chargers need him out there making things happen on a regular basis. He's not a rookie and he can't play like one if the Chargers are going to continue to be a playoff-caliber team. There is even more pressure this season because the Chargers are in a division that actually found a way to get tougher; every team in the division got better on paper through offseason moves. Rivers wanted this job, and now we get to find out if he has what it takes to keep it and if he really earned it.
Quentin Jammer: There's no doubt that he is a great talent, but he hasn't been everything the Chargers anticipated when they drafted him in the first round. He still looks like he takes plays off and lacks intensity at times, which is not something a team wants to hear about a starting cornerback.
The Chargers need him to show that fire and passion that they know he has on a consistent basis, and what better way to start than against Randy Moss and the Raiders? There's no better guy to have to match up against if a cornerback wants to keep his focus for a full game, because if even half a play is taken off, then Moss' hand will go up signaling a go route, and the next thing you know, that cornerback is being laughed at on "SportsCenter." I don't think he wants to be that guy this week, so I expect to see the type of focus that he's going to have to show for the entire season. Antonio Gates: Obviously this guy has shown how good he is as a player, but with a young quarterback this season, the Chargers need him to be great yet again. He is going to be the safety valve for Rivers this season, and I suspect a great deal tonight as well. I don't expect him to go vertical downfield as much as he has in the past, but he's going to own the middle of opposing defenses to give Rivers a constant target he can see when he gets in trouble or if his No. 1 option is double-covered.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Branch to Seattle


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Fantasy NFL

As Deion Branch just proved, sometimes when you take a stand and wait for the outcome you want, you get your way. Neither the Patriots nor the Seahawks looked particularly smooth on offense in Week 1, but it was Seattle making the choice to improve things, sending a first round draft pick to New England for a former Super Bowl MVP, and for our purposes, a potential top 20 fantasy wide receiver.

Branch's preseason draft status was all over the board as fantasy owners first assumed he'd cave in on his contract demands and play with Tom Brady, then when it became obvious the situation wasn't improving Branch dropped from being a safe No. 2 fantasy receiver to outside most leagues' top 10 rounds.
Now Branch looks pretty good in Seattle's colors, potentially better than he would have in New England. The fact the Seahawks only managed field goals in Detroit is irrelevant and too small a sample size to panic; the defending NFC champs led the NFL in scoring points last season, and have much of the key personnel back.
Darrell Jackson and Nate Burleson started on Sunday, with Jackson overcoming knee woes to catch five passes, and Burleson hauling in a 36-yarder. It's likely that Branch will need a few weeks to acclimate himself to this new offense, but when he does, he'd step right in to a large role, likely pushing Burleson to No. 3 status, and Bobby Engram even farther away.
While Branch's fantasy status took a hit the last month, good luck finding him on free agency in any leagues. Fantasy owners who drafted him realized it would take some time for the pick to pay off. Branch comes off his best season, with 78 catches and 998 yards for a team that generally spreads the ball around. While Jackson remains the first aerial option for Matt Hasselbeck, Branch should be able to post solid No. 2 receiver numbers anyway. Fantasy owners will just need to wait a few weeks. As Branch showed, it should be worth it.

​

New fantasy stars


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Fantasy NFL

The biggest fantasy football story coming out of Sunday's games is probably that your first-round pick didn't do much for your team. Look at the scoring leaders, and you'll see only one running back topping 20 points, and that was Frank Gore, generally a third-round pick.
Who were the other high-scoring running backs? Well, we don't see Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander near the top, that's for sure. Does that mean that Gore or Brian Westbrook or Travis Henry should have been first-round picks? Of course not! It's just one game.
For the record, the top running backs in Week 1 (performance scoring):
Gore, 26 points
Westbrook, 19 points
Ronnie Brown, 18 points
Fred Taylor, 17 points
Henry, 16 points
Julius Jones, 16 points
Rudi Johnson, 15 points

OK, so there are two running backs out of that group of seven who generally were first-round picks. Note that at 14 points are Edgerrin James and Larry Johnson, so let's not let panic set in, but still. Plenty of owners who had early first round picks are not going to be real pleased. Johnson, for example, had a streak of nine straight games with 100 yards broken. When's the last time Alexander didn't even have five fantasy points in a game? Ridiculous or just one of those days? You thought they were going to go nuts every week?
Since the feedback from the Friday blog was positive, let's go game by game to recap the Sunday games as well.
Seahawks 9, Lions 6: OK, so Alexander had his worst game in a long time, with 51 yards and no touchdowns. Is this all Steve Hutchinson's fault? I just don't see it. It's a bad game. For the record, Alexander had two games last season, his record-breaking season, in which he did not score a touchdown. One was opening weekend against the Jaguars (14 rushes, 73 yards), the other in Week 7 against Dallas (21 for 61). OK, so how is this game different? Don't trade the guy. Don't panic. He'll do better next week.
There were actually no touchdowns in this game, so unless you had a kicker, you're not pleased (and even then, Josh Brown and Jason Hanson were only 5 of 8 on field goals!). But that doesn't mean you need to start kicking aside Kevin Jones. One game.
Notes: Darrell Jackson was kind of iffy before this one, but he played, and helped Matt Hasselbeck to a very accurate 25-of-30 day. Nate Burleson caught a 36-yarder early, but nothing else. I thought he'd do more. Kevin Jones still has a pair of games left on the schedule with Green Bay. That's good news, right? Overall, I figured the Seahawks would score a lot here, and they didn't. But I don't think this is enough of a sample size to assume they won't score all season.
Bengals 23, Chiefs 10: As a multiple Trent Green owner for years, I was first concerned about his health. He got hit hard, and you never want to see a stretcher. It's not being called a significant head injury, but still, don't expect him to play next week. He got the Chiefs on the board first, threw a pick, and then it was Damon Huard time. Can't really evaluate him too well, but the absence of Green sure didn't help Johnson, who expects to rush for 2,000 yards.
Of course, it's just one game and Johnson could still do it. Just reread the above Alexander paragraph. Johnson was a factor in the passing game, which helped him to a 14-point day, far better than Alexander. Tony Gonzalez also bounced back with nice numbers, 10 catches and a touchdown. Backup quarterbacks tend to stick with what they know, the big names, so Huard's entrance might have helped Gonzo.
Carson Palmer didn't need to do much here, because Rudi Johnson carried the ball 28 times, and the Bengals had a two-touchdown lead at the half. Again, Palmer didn't look bad, it was just how the game went. Don't be surprised if Palmer has a similar game next week against the Browns. Last year he had a game against Cleveland with only 93 yards passing. Rudi Johnson should enjoy Week 2 more.
Notes: T.J. Houshmandzadeh did not play, and Chris Henry didn't have that breakout game, with only one catch, and for negative five yards. Palmer completed only 13 passes, so Chad Johnson couldn't have done much. He will.
Eagles 24, Texans 10: This went pretty much as I expected. Donovan McNabb looked terrific, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Brian Westbrook scored his touchdown through the air, which is actually his most popular way. Donte' Stallworth had a career game with 141 yards and a touchdown, scoring uncovered on a terrific play fake by McNabb. And Philly's defense did torture David Carr with five sacks. Only thing that surprised me was Philly using Westbrook to return punts. Look, the guy isn't the most durable cat around. Can't someone else return punts?
Carr ended up with 208 yards, which isn't too bad considering the pressure he was under. The acquisition of Eric Moulds was probably just what Andre Johnson needed. Johnson caught six passes for 101 yards, with Moulds getting most of his six catches early on, which opened things up a bit. Look for Johnson to gain from this new partnership. Really, can you recall a solid No. 2 receiver in Houston the last few years?
Notes: There was plenty of things I predicted wrong Sunday, but Wali Lundy wasn't one of them. There was nowhere to run, and Vernand Morency got nearly half the carries. This could become a timeshare real soon. And really, look for Ron Dayne to figure into this situation at some point.
Saints 19, Browns 14: The big story here is Reggie Bush, who got a decent amount of carries, about two thirds of what lead back Deuce McAllister received, but more importantly was a huge asset through the air. Bush is talented. Nobody denies this. He could do what Tatum Bell did last season, get close to 1,000 yards on the ground and add some 50 receptions. Hey, he might get more. He got 119 yards rushing and receiving, and you know he's going to break a punt return or two this season. McAllister looked good gaining 90 yards, though he lost a fumble and didn't score a touchdown.
Bad day for Reuben Droughns. I'm surprised he could only gain 27 yards against that defense. Might be a smart time to try to trade for him on the cheap.
Notes: Nice comeback game for Kellen Winslow, who clearly is a fine athlete and capable of leading this team in receptions. Charlie Frye completed half his passes to Winslow. I'd add Winslow this week if you're in a league in which he was undrafted. For the Saints, Joe Horn wasn't 100 percent coming in, and other than a 20-yard reception he didn't do much. Don't cut him yet. He gets the double coverage, which is why Marques Colston and Devery Henderson caught more passes.
Falcons 20, Panthers 6: Stunner here as the Panthers are the vogue NFC Super Bowl pick by many, but couldn't even score a touchdown. Last season Carolina dominated Atlanta. It's obviously a new year. Give the Falcons credit, but one has to wonder how much the absence of Steve Smith was a factor. Jake Delhomme threw for 186 yards and a pick. Drew Carter looks like a pretty solid No. 3 receiver, someone Carolina has to get into the action more.
Warrick Dunn carried the ball 29 times, which is a lot. Just like the Willie Parker game from Thursday seemed like too many carries, I doubt we'll see Dunn overused like that too often. But he was the top ball carrier of the day for yards, with 132 of them, and still rookie Jerious Norwood received 10 carries. Michael Vick was opportunistic with a pair of touchdown passes and 48 yards rushing, and only three quarterbacks in Sunday's day games had a better fantasy day. Now if Vick can do this every week, we've got something.
Notes: Didn't expect DeShaun Foster to have fewer yards than Norwood. I'll stick with him next week. Look, the loss of Steve Smith affects him, too. Good work from John Kasay, who kicked two field goals, 100 yards worth. Those 50-yarders always help.
Jets 23, Titans 16: When you get two bad teams together some crazy things can happen. Like Chad Pennington and Travis Henry having the big games. Not that I expected anyone in this one to do anything special. Pennington had an accurate day, and Laveranues Coles a monster day, but can you see them doing this in New England, or Miami? Who knows, I shouldn't rule it out. Pennington's shoulder might be healthier than we think. The Jets running game did enough, I suppose, but Derrick Blaylock hardly distinguished himself. Look for Kevan Barlow, who scored in this game, to get more carries, maybe twice as many, starting next week.
So I check in on this game with the Jets up 16-0, and figure it's about over. It was strange. Jeff Fisher starts Kerry Collins, as expected, but what is Vince Young doing in there early on? Doesn't make sense. I'm all for getting him some playing time, but doesn't that happen late in games? Collins drove the Jets in the fourth quarter, with both drives ending in Henry touchdowns. Henry didn't have a great day by any means, but if he's going to get the goal line looks, you've gotta pick him up. At least play keep away from others. Can he be this year's Stephen Davis, with few yards but lots of touchdown love? Hard to believe.
Notes: David Givens had a lost preseason, but he did play, catching three passes. Drew Bennett had the bigger day, topping 100 yards. And to think, most fantasy owners thought the only way Bennett would have success was if Billy Volek was slinging it.
Ravens 27, Buccaneers 0: I feel good about my initial reaction to rank the Baltimore defense No. 3 overall, behind only Chicago and Carolina. Yep, that's what I did a few months back, and the only change I made was moving them to fourth behind Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. The talent is there. Ray Lewis is healthy. Chris McAlister is a playmaker. And Chris Simms didn't have a chance.
I'm surprised Tampa Bay offered so little in a home game. No points? Carnell Williams did nothing. I'm still waiting for Joey Galloway to catch a pass. Pathetic. I don't want to overrate one game, especially against a top defense, but I have concerns Simms can be in the top 20 of quarterbacks. I'll stick with Cadillac next week, and the receivers.
Notes: Musa Smith got a carry early on, which I thought would be a precursor to a three-headed time share. It wasn't. Smith got only two carries total. Jamal Lewis wasn't overworked at all, getting only 18 carries, one of them a 27-yard jaunt and another a 4-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Lewis owners will certainly take that. Mike Anderson was the fullback.
Rams 18, Broncos 10: OK, Jake Plummer, are you stepping back in time here to the Phoenix days when you'd throw the ball straight up and hope one of your guys would come down with it? You know, like what Favre does now? All the pieces were in place for the Broncos to move the ball with ease, but Plummer threw three interceptions and fumbled another all away. The big wide receivers weren't big at all, with Javon Walker and Rod Smith each catching three passes only. Very disappointing game for Denver. This team is going to win 12 games?
Mike Shanahan again messed around with who was starting at running back and who wasn't, but does it really matter who starts? I thought Mike Bell would get more carries than Tatum Bell, but he didn't. Look for Shanahan to go with the hot hand. Tatum Bell got a third more carries, topped 100 yards, but also fumbled, didn't catch a pass, and didn't get the goal line plunge. Mike Bell did. Neither had a great day. Take away Mike Bell's 36-yard jaunt and he had a Travis Henry-like nine carries for 22 yards. Tatum did better. Shanahan's going to keep platooning them. Third running back Cedric Cobbs didn't even dress.
Steven Jackson wasn't on my list of top plays, but he had no issue with Denver's line, going for 121 yards. Of course, the Rams will need to do better when they cross the opponent's 35-yard line, and not depend on seven field goal tries for Jeff Wilkins. He made six, and could be in line for what Neil Rackers did last season. Six field goals is a lot. Jackson's yards are great, let's see him get into the end zone now. And enough with the Mike Martz factor. Jackson is Jackson no matter who the offensive coordinator is.
Notes: Torry Holt looked fine, and Marc Bulger a workmanlike 217 yards. Denver didn't pressure him as much as I figured, though he was sacked three times.
Patriots 19, Bills 17: Kind of a bad omen when your quarterback gets popped on the first play from scrimmage, and the road team picks up the fumble and scores. But Tom Brady persevered, ultimately throwing a pair of touchdown passes, doing what he always does and spreading the ball around. Old-timer Troy Brown caught the first one, but then barely got looked at the rest of the way. Old standby Kevin Faulk caught the other one. Honestly, it's possible neither catches another touchdown for months. Brady always shares, especially with Deion Branch nowhere to be found. I guess Doug Gabriel just wasn't ready to play. New England deactivated him. Not that I would have played him, but most people figured he was a sleeper. This game he could have actually slept.
Laurence Maroney got more carries and more yards than Corey Dillon, which certainly will scare off Dillon owners. Could be a sign of things to come, but I wouldn't overrate it and make Maroney a definite start next weekend.
J.P. Losman just didn't look good, did he? Looked pressured, nervous, didn't know where to throw the ball. His sack in the end zone cost his team the game, and he couldn't drive the team after that. Lee Evans is going to have to do more, get open more. He's a game-breaker, can average 20 yards per catch, but he needs to get open more.
Notes: Willis McGahee did OK, reaching 70 yards on 20 carries. Not quite a big game, but in line with the 1,200 yard season I think he'll get. McGahee was on the sideline getting an ankle taped when Anthony Thomas rambled to the end zone for an 18-yard score. Don't read into things. It's not a platoon, and it was not a one-yard touchdown.
Jaguars 24, Cowboys 17: Two of the top running backs of the day were in this one, with Julius Jones certainly more popular on draft day than Fred Taylor. They had very similar stats, each scoring a touchdown and looking spry. Yeah, Taylor looked spry. Had some bounce in his legs. Good to see him get so many touches. And who knew Julius would get 17 carries, but only three for Marion Barber? Dallas did have that fourth down play and Barber got the carry, and the Jones touchdown was a 23-yard run. I definitely think Barber is the goal line back for Dallas, so don't forget about him.
Those who sat Terrell Owens won't be pleased, and you know who you are, but I can't fathom why you would sit him. I saw quite a few e-mails, even Sunday morning on the Fantasy Focus radio show on ESPN Radio, from people asking if they should play Owens. I figured he'd be an end zone threat even with only five catches. He got six and scored on a pretty play in the final minutes. Now he just needs to stay healthy, and out of trouble.
Notes: Like Plummer in the Rams game, Drew Bledsoe was messy, throwing three interceptions, mainly on poor decisions when the pressure was coming. The Jaguars can definitely rush the passer. Down 10-0 early, they didn't allow another point until two minutes were left. And finally, Dallas must do something about the kicking game. Mike Vanderjagt is probably overrated, but he needs to get healthy fast.
Bears 26, Packers 0: What a joke. Everyone loves the Bears defense, of course, but for Brett Favre to get a 100-yard game from Ahman Green and still not get his team a single point is tough to do. Favre threw the obligatory two interceptions and killed drives whenever possible. I wouldn't run out and sign Aaron Rodgers, because there's no way the changeover happens this fast, but Favre has to show more in the first half of the season. Green did have a strong preseason, and averaged 5.5 yards per carry against the Bears without breaking a long run. That's impressive, though ultimately it went unrewarded.
I figured Thomas Jones would do better, but the Packers kept him in check for the most part. Jones got twice as many carries as Cedric Benson, and nearly twice as many yards, but consider that opportunity lost. He needed to do better. Benson could get more looks than Jones next week.
Notes: Not that I thought the Bears would lose, but a road shutout? Two in one day? Look at the scoreboard, only four home teams won Sunday! Nice game for Rex Grossman, who had a brutal preseason, but he picked apart the Packers nicely. Don't expect Muhsin Muhammad to top 100 yards each week. He never did it last season once!
Cardinals 34, 49ers 27: This is the kind of game Kurt Warner lures the fantasy owner in with, topping 300 yards and scoring all these points. And then, he's not there and his backup is in there. Hopefully Warner can stay healthy all season. He led the Cards on three short touchdown drives in the first quarter, then it was the Edgerrin James show. The Cards should move the ball. The presence of James should help Warner and the fabulous receivers. On this day, the Cards looked like a top five offense, and that's with three receivers other than Larry Fitzgerald scoring. But Kurt, the fumbles, three of them, they have to stop.
But kudos to Alex Smith as well. He had to throw the ball 40 times, but he looked every bit ready to do so, nearly reaching 300 yards. Again, he wasn't doing that last season. We still need to see Smith do this against a different defense, just like it would be nice to see Warner and the gang against the Seahawks, for example. Frank Gore looked terrific in having the biggest fantasy day, scoring on a few short runs and being a weapon for Smith to throw to. Gore was a popular sleeper this season, this could be the start of something big.
Notes: Impressive day for Antonio Bryant, but again, we need to see Smith do this on a consistent basis first. It's more likely that Vernon Davis can sustain a game like this, as he impressively took a pass near the sideline, eluded a defender and scored on a 31-yard play. Davis is the highest paid tight end in the game, and if Smith can find him, he's a weekly play for sure. OK, that's all the games leading up to the brother matchup in the Meadowlands. More on that one Tuesday. Enjoy, and remember, it's just one week. Shouldn't be too many points being scored in Oakland and Washington tonight.

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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Branch to Seattle


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Fantasy NFL

As Deion Branch just proved, sometimes when you take a stand and wait for the outcome you want, you get your way. Neither the Patriots nor the Seahawks looked particularly smooth on offense in Week 1, but it was Seattle making the choice to improve things, sending a first round draft pick to New England for a former Super Bowl MVP, and for our purposes, a potential top 20 fantasy wide receiver.

Branch's preseason draft status was all over the board as fantasy owners first assumed he'd cave in on his contract demands and play with Tom Brady, then when it became obvious the situation wasn't improving Branch dropped from being a safe No. 2 fantasy receiver to outside most leagues' top 10 rounds.
Now Branch looks pretty good in Seattle's colors, potentially better than he would have in New England. The fact the Seahawks only managed field goals in Detroit is irrelevant and too small a sample size to panic; the defending NFC champs led the NFL in scoring points last season, and have much of the key personnel back.
Darrell Jackson and Nate Burleson started on Sunday, with Jackson overcoming knee woes to catch five passes, and Burleson hauling in a 36-yarder. It's likely that Branch will need a few weeks to acclimate himself to this new offense, but when he does, he'd step right in to a large role, likely pushing Burleson to No. 3 status, and Bobby Engram even farther away.
While Branch's fantasy status took a hit the last month, good luck finding him on free agency in any leagues. Fantasy owners who drafted him realized it would take some time for the pick to pay off. Branch comes off his best season, with 78 catches and 998 yards for a team that generally spreads the ball around. While Jackson remains the first aerial option for Matt Hasselbeck, Branch should be able to post solid No. 2 receiver numbers anyway. Fantasy owners will just need to wait a few weeks. As Branch showed, it should be worth it.

​

New fantasy stars


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Fantasy NFL

The biggest fantasy football story coming out of Sunday's games is probably that your first-round pick didn't do much for your team. Look at the scoring leaders, and you'll see only one running back topping 20 points, and that was Frank Gore, generally a third-round pick.
Who were the other high-scoring running backs? Well, we don't see Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander near the top, that's for sure. Does that mean that Gore or Brian Westbrook or Travis Henry should have been first-round picks? Of course not! It's just one game.
For the record, the top running backs in Week 1 (performance scoring):
Gore, 26 points
Westbrook, 19 points
Ronnie Brown, 18 points
Fred Taylor, 17 points
Henry, 16 points
Julius Jones, 16 points
Rudi Johnson, 15 points

OK, so there are two running backs out of that group of seven who generally were first-round picks. Note that at 14 points are Edgerrin James and Larry Johnson, so let's not let panic set in, but still. Plenty of owners who had early first round picks are not going to be real pleased. Johnson, for example, had a streak of nine straight games with 100 yards broken. When's the last time Alexander didn't even have five fantasy points in a game? Ridiculous or just one of those days? You thought they were going to go nuts every week?
Since the feedback from the Friday blog was positive, let's go game by game to recap the Sunday games as well.
Seahawks 9, Lions 6: OK, so Alexander had his worst game in a long time, with 51 yards and no touchdowns. Is this all Steve Hutchinson's fault? I just don't see it. It's a bad game. For the record, Alexander had two games last season, his record-breaking season, in which he did not score a touchdown. One was opening weekend against the Jaguars (14 rushes, 73 yards), the other in Week 7 against Dallas (21 for 61). OK, so how is this game different? Don't trade the guy. Don't panic. He'll do better next week.
There were actually no touchdowns in this game, so unless you had a kicker, you're not pleased (and even then, Josh Brown and Jason Hanson were only 5 of 8 on field goals!). But that doesn't mean you need to start kicking aside Kevin Jones. One game.
Notes: Darrell Jackson was kind of iffy before this one, but he played, and helped Matt Hasselbeck to a very accurate 25-of-30 day. Nate Burleson caught a 36-yarder early, but nothing else. I thought he'd do more. Kevin Jones still has a pair of games left on the schedule with Green Bay. That's good news, right? Overall, I figured the Seahawks would score a lot here, and they didn't. But I don't think this is enough of a sample size to assume they won't score all season.
Bengals 23, Chiefs 10: As a multiple Trent Green owner for years, I was first concerned about his health. He got hit hard, and you never want to see a stretcher. It's not being called a significant head injury, but still, don't expect him to play next week. He got the Chiefs on the board first, threw a pick, and then it was Damon Huard time. Can't really evaluate him too well, but the absence of Green sure didn't help Johnson, who expects to rush for 2,000 yards.
Of course, it's just one game and Johnson could still do it. Just reread the above Alexander paragraph. Johnson was a factor in the passing game, which helped him to a 14-point day, far better than Alexander. Tony Gonzalez also bounced back with nice numbers, 10 catches and a touchdown. Backup quarterbacks tend to stick with what they know, the big names, so Huard's entrance might have helped Gonzo.
Carson Palmer didn't need to do much here, because Rudi Johnson carried the ball 28 times, and the Bengals had a two-touchdown lead at the half. Again, Palmer didn't look bad, it was just how the game went. Don't be surprised if Palmer has a similar game next week against the Browns. Last year he had a game against Cleveland with only 93 yards passing. Rudi Johnson should enjoy Week 2 more.
Notes: T.J. Houshmandzadeh did not play, and Chris Henry didn't have that breakout game, with only one catch, and for negative five yards. Palmer completed only 13 passes, so Chad Johnson couldn't have done much. He will.
Eagles 24, Texans 10: This went pretty much as I expected. Donovan McNabb looked terrific, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Brian Westbrook scored his touchdown through the air, which is actually his most popular way. Donte' Stallworth had a career game with 141 yards and a touchdown, scoring uncovered on a terrific play fake by McNabb. And Philly's defense did torture David Carr with five sacks. Only thing that surprised me was Philly using Westbrook to return punts. Look, the guy isn't the most durable cat around. Can't someone else return punts?
Carr ended up with 208 yards, which isn't too bad considering the pressure he was under. The acquisition of Eric Moulds was probably just what Andre Johnson needed. Johnson caught six passes for 101 yards, with Moulds getting most of his six catches early on, which opened things up a bit. Look for Johnson to gain from this new partnership. Really, can you recall a solid No. 2 receiver in Houston the last few years?
Notes: There was plenty of things I predicted wrong Sunday, but Wali Lundy wasn't one of them. There was nowhere to run, and Vernand Morency got nearly half the carries. This could become a timeshare real soon. And really, look for Ron Dayne to figure into this situation at some point.
Saints 19, Browns 14: The big story here is Reggie Bush, who got a decent amount of carries, about two thirds of what lead back Deuce McAllister received, but more importantly was a huge asset through the air. Bush is talented. Nobody denies this. He could do what Tatum Bell did last season, get close to 1,000 yards on the ground and add some 50 receptions. Hey, he might get more. He got 119 yards rushing and receiving, and you know he's going to break a punt return or two this season. McAllister looked good gaining 90 yards, though he lost a fumble and didn't score a touchdown.
Bad day for Reuben Droughns. I'm surprised he could only gain 27 yards against that defense. Might be a smart time to try to trade for him on the cheap.
Notes: Nice comeback game for Kellen Winslow, who clearly is a fine athlete and capable of leading this team in receptions. Charlie Frye completed half his passes to Winslow. I'd add Winslow this week if you're in a league in which he was undrafted. For the Saints, Joe Horn wasn't 100 percent coming in, and other than a 20-yard reception he didn't do much. Don't cut him yet. He gets the double coverage, which is why Marques Colston and Devery Henderson caught more passes.
Falcons 20, Panthers 6: Stunner here as the Panthers are the vogue NFC Super Bowl pick by many, but couldn't even score a touchdown. Last season Carolina dominated Atlanta. It's obviously a new year. Give the Falcons credit, but one has to wonder how much the absence of Steve Smith was a factor. Jake Delhomme threw for 186 yards and a pick. Drew Carter looks like a pretty solid No. 3 receiver, someone Carolina has to get into the action more.
Warrick Dunn carried the ball 29 times, which is a lot. Just like the Willie Parker game from Thursday seemed like too many carries, I doubt we'll see Dunn overused like that too often. But he was the top ball carrier of the day for yards, with 132 of them, and still rookie Jerious Norwood received 10 carries. Michael Vick was opportunistic with a pair of touchdown passes and 48 yards rushing, and only three quarterbacks in Sunday's day games had a better fantasy day. Now if Vick can do this every week, we've got something.
Notes: Didn't expect DeShaun Foster to have fewer yards than Norwood. I'll stick with him next week. Look, the loss of Steve Smith affects him, too. Good work from John Kasay, who kicked two field goals, 100 yards worth. Those 50-yarders always help.
Jets 23, Titans 16: When you get two bad teams together some crazy things can happen. Like Chad Pennington and Travis Henry having the big games. Not that I expected anyone in this one to do anything special. Pennington had an accurate day, and Laveranues Coles a monster day, but can you see them doing this in New England, or Miami? Who knows, I shouldn't rule it out. Pennington's shoulder might be healthier than we think. The Jets running game did enough, I suppose, but Derrick Blaylock hardly distinguished himself. Look for Kevan Barlow, who scored in this game, to get more carries, maybe twice as many, starting next week.
So I check in on this game with the Jets up 16-0, and figure it's about over. It was strange. Jeff Fisher starts Kerry Collins, as expected, but what is Vince Young doing in there early on? Doesn't make sense. I'm all for getting him some playing time, but doesn't that happen late in games? Collins drove the Jets in the fourth quarter, with both drives ending in Henry touchdowns. Henry didn't have a great day by any means, but if he's going to get the goal line looks, you've gotta pick him up. At least play keep away from others. Can he be this year's Stephen Davis, with few yards but lots of touchdown love? Hard to believe.
Notes: David Givens had a lost preseason, but he did play, catching three passes. Drew Bennett had the bigger day, topping 100 yards. And to think, most fantasy owners thought the only way Bennett would have success was if Billy Volek was slinging it.
Ravens 27, Buccaneers 0: I feel good about my initial reaction to rank the Baltimore defense No. 3 overall, behind only Chicago and Carolina. Yep, that's what I did a few months back, and the only change I made was moving them to fourth behind Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. The talent is there. Ray Lewis is healthy. Chris McAlister is a playmaker. And Chris Simms didn't have a chance.
I'm surprised Tampa Bay offered so little in a home game. No points? Carnell Williams did nothing. I'm still waiting for Joey Galloway to catch a pass. Pathetic. I don't want to overrate one game, especially against a top defense, but I have concerns Simms can be in the top 20 of quarterbacks. I'll stick with Cadillac next week, and the receivers.
Notes: Musa Smith got a carry early on, which I thought would be a precursor to a three-headed time share. It wasn't. Smith got only two carries total. Jamal Lewis wasn't overworked at all, getting only 18 carries, one of them a 27-yard jaunt and another a 4-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Lewis owners will certainly take that. Mike Anderson was the fullback.
Rams 18, Broncos 10: OK, Jake Plummer, are you stepping back in time here to the Phoenix days when you'd throw the ball straight up and hope one of your guys would come down with it? You know, like what Favre does now? All the pieces were in place for the Broncos to move the ball with ease, but Plummer threw three interceptions and fumbled another all away. The big wide receivers weren't big at all, with Javon Walker and Rod Smith each catching three passes only. Very disappointing game for Denver. This team is going to win 12 games?
Mike Shanahan again messed around with who was starting at running back and who wasn't, but does it really matter who starts? I thought Mike Bell would get more carries than Tatum Bell, but he didn't. Look for Shanahan to go with the hot hand. Tatum Bell got a third more carries, topped 100 yards, but also fumbled, didn't catch a pass, and didn't get the goal line plunge. Mike Bell did. Neither had a great day. Take away Mike Bell's 36-yard jaunt and he had a Travis Henry-like nine carries for 22 yards. Tatum did better. Shanahan's going to keep platooning them. Third running back Cedric Cobbs didn't even dress.
Steven Jackson wasn't on my list of top plays, but he had no issue with Denver's line, going for 121 yards. Of course, the Rams will need to do better when they cross the opponent's 35-yard line, and not depend on seven field goal tries for Jeff Wilkins. He made six, and could be in line for what Neil Rackers did last season. Six field goals is a lot. Jackson's yards are great, let's see him get into the end zone now. And enough with the Mike Martz factor. Jackson is Jackson no matter who the offensive coordinator is.
Notes: Torry Holt looked fine, and Marc Bulger a workmanlike 217 yards. Denver didn't pressure him as much as I figured, though he was sacked three times.
Patriots 19, Bills 17: Kind of a bad omen when your quarterback gets popped on the first play from scrimmage, and the road team picks up the fumble and scores. But Tom Brady persevered, ultimately throwing a pair of touchdown passes, doing what he always does and spreading the ball around. Old-timer Troy Brown caught the first one, but then barely got looked at the rest of the way. Old standby Kevin Faulk caught the other one. Honestly, it's possible neither catches another touchdown for months. Brady always shares, especially with Deion Branch nowhere to be found. I guess Doug Gabriel just wasn't ready to play. New England deactivated him. Not that I would have played him, but most people figured he was a sleeper. This game he could have actually slept.
Laurence Maroney got more carries and more yards than Corey Dillon, which certainly will scare off Dillon owners. Could be a sign of things to come, but I wouldn't overrate it and make Maroney a definite start next weekend.
J.P. Losman just didn't look good, did he? Looked pressured, nervous, didn't know where to throw the ball. His sack in the end zone cost his team the game, and he couldn't drive the team after that. Lee Evans is going to have to do more, get open more. He's a game-breaker, can average 20 yards per catch, but he needs to get open more.
Notes: Willis McGahee did OK, reaching 70 yards on 20 carries. Not quite a big game, but in line with the 1,200 yard season I think he'll get. McGahee was on the sideline getting an ankle taped when Anthony Thomas rambled to the end zone for an 18-yard score. Don't read into things. It's not a platoon, and it was not a one-yard touchdown.
Jaguars 24, Cowboys 17: Two of the top running backs of the day were in this one, with Julius Jones certainly more popular on draft day than Fred Taylor. They had very similar stats, each scoring a touchdown and looking spry. Yeah, Taylor looked spry. Had some bounce in his legs. Good to see him get so many touches. And who knew Julius would get 17 carries, but only three for Marion Barber? Dallas did have that fourth down play and Barber got the carry, and the Jones touchdown was a 23-yard run. I definitely think Barber is the goal line back for Dallas, so don't forget about him.
Those who sat Terrell Owens won't be pleased, and you know who you are, but I can't fathom why you would sit him. I saw quite a few e-mails, even Sunday morning on the Fantasy Focus radio show on ESPN Radio, from people asking if they should play Owens. I figured he'd be an end zone threat even with only five catches. He got six and scored on a pretty play in the final minutes. Now he just needs to stay healthy, and out of trouble.
Notes: Like Plummer in the Rams game, Drew Bledsoe was messy, throwing three interceptions, mainly on poor decisions when the pressure was coming. The Jaguars can definitely rush the passer. Down 10-0 early, they didn't allow another point until two minutes were left. And finally, Dallas must do something about the kicking game. Mike Vanderjagt is probably overrated, but he needs to get healthy fast.
Bears 26, Packers 0: What a joke. Everyone loves the Bears defense, of course, but for Brett Favre to get a 100-yard game from Ahman Green and still not get his team a single point is tough to do. Favre threw the obligatory two interceptions and killed drives whenever possible. I wouldn't run out and sign Aaron Rodgers, because there's no way the changeover happens this fast, but Favre has to show more in the first half of the season. Green did have a strong preseason, and averaged 5.5 yards per carry against the Bears without breaking a long run. That's impressive, though ultimately it went unrewarded.
I figured Thomas Jones would do better, but the Packers kept him in check for the most part. Jones got twice as many carries as Cedric Benson, and nearly twice as many yards, but consider that opportunity lost. He needed to do better. Benson could get more looks than Jones next week.
Notes: Not that I thought the Bears would lose, but a road shutout? Two in one day? Look at the scoreboard, only four home teams won Sunday! Nice game for Rex Grossman, who had a brutal preseason, but he picked apart the Packers nicely. Don't expect Muhsin Muhammad to top 100 yards each week. He never did it last season once!
Cardinals 34, 49ers 27: This is the kind of game Kurt Warner lures the fantasy owner in with, topping 300 yards and scoring all these points. And then, he's not there and his backup is in there. Hopefully Warner can stay healthy all season. He led the Cards on three short touchdown drives in the first quarter, then it was the Edgerrin James show. The Cards should move the ball. The presence of James should help Warner and the fabulous receivers. On this day, the Cards looked like a top five offense, and that's with three receivers other than Larry Fitzgerald scoring. But Kurt, the fumbles, three of them, they have to stop.
But kudos to Alex Smith as well. He had to throw the ball 40 times, but he looked every bit ready to do so, nearly reaching 300 yards. Again, he wasn't doing that last season. We still need to see Smith do this against a different defense, just like it would be nice to see Warner and the gang against the Seahawks, for example. Frank Gore looked terrific in having the biggest fantasy day, scoring on a few short runs and being a weapon for Smith to throw to. Gore was a popular sleeper this season, this could be the start of something big.
Notes: Impressive day for Antonio Bryant, but again, we need to see Smith do this on a consistent basis first. It's more likely that Vernon Davis can sustain a game like this, as he impressively took a pass near the sideline, eluded a defender and scored on a 31-yard play. Davis is the highest paid tight end in the game, and if Smith can find him, he's a weekly play for sure. OK, that's all the games leading up to the brother matchup in the Meadowlands. More on that one Tuesday. Enjoy, and remember, it's just one week. Shouldn't be too many points being scored in Oakland and Washington tonight.

​

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006
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Vanderjagt off to bad start


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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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No one in Dallas will ever admit it publicly, but a lot of people in the Cowboys' front office trace the lingering problems in the team's kicking game to early in the spring, when the team felt it had a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent Matt Bryant of Tampa Bay, and then the fifth-year veteran reneged on it to re-sign with the Bucs.
The feeling was that Bryant, coming off a resurgent season in which he converted 21 of 25 field goal attempts, would provide stability on placements and kickoffs. Cowboys' officials felt Bryant was perhaps ready to emerge as a very dependable kicker and that, while he would cost the team more than it had invested on kickers in recent years, he still wouldn't break the bank.
But when the Cowboys didn't close the deal with Bryant, things spun out of control, as they often have with the Dallas kicking game of late. The Cowboys didn't jump into the Adam Vinatieri or Ryan Longwell pursuits, and ended up signing Mike Vanderjagt, the most accurate field goal kicker in league history, but a guy who hasn't handled kickoffs for three years and who has been a lightning rod of sorts. And they did something owner Jerry Jones has never done, shell out big money, including a $2.5 million signing bonus, for a kicker.
And how has that worked out? Well, Vanderjagt missed considerable time in camp and preseason with a groin injury, probably won't be able to kick off this year, and didn't even make the trip to Jacksonville for Sunday's opener. That means Dallas has to carry an additional player to handle kickoffs, Shaun Suisham, something that coach Bill Parcells desperately wanted to avoid.
The Cowboys' roster now includes four players -- two kickers, a punter and a deep snapper -- who contribute to no positions other than their special teams spots. And that's got to be driving Parcells absolutely crazy.
By the way, people who would know insist that, at no time in camp was Vanderjagt ever in anything resembling a solid kicking rhythm -- he struggled even in the daily special teams sessions -- and fear his slump could continue into the season.
Bryant, 31, is five years younger than Vanderjagt. His career average on kickoffs, 61.3 yards, is only about one yard more than Vanderjagt's lifetime mark. But he registered five touchbacks in 2005, three more than Vanderjagt has for his entire career, and, after knocking around with different teams for a few years, seems to be emerging as a late-bloomer.
Around the league

• Because nine teams entered the season with only two quarterbacks on their roster, there is a glut of signal-callers, from young developmental-type guys to rehabilitating veterans like Jay Fiedler, in the free agent market and seeking jobs. Many of those quarterbacks will be getting auditions in the coming weeks as teams continue to monitor them.
One unemployed quarterback who could soon have a job is Drew Henson, who was released by Dallas, but will work out for Indianapolis coaches and team officials early next week. If the audition goes well, the Colts, who have played the past three seasons with only two quarterbacks on the roster, likely will sign the former Michigan star. The other position at which there is a logjam of solid, but out-of-work players is wide receiver. It appears the guy garnering the most interest there is former Denver No. 3 wideout Darius Watts. Several teams have the three-year veteran at the top of their "ready" lists, and he could land a job soon.
• Oakland wide receiver Jerry Porter, a talented but enigmatic pass-catcher who seems to have a philosophical difference with the methodologies of Raiders coach Art Shell, spent much of the offseason lobbying for a new address. Well, he got one, but not necessarily the one he wanted. Porter will start his seventh season squarely in Shell's doghouse, no better than No. 3 on the depth chart, and not in a new NFL city.
How bad is the situation for Porter? Consider this: Even after the Raiders traded wide receiver Doug Gabriel to New England for a fifth-round draft choice last week, it wasn't enough to elevate Porter into the starting lineup opposite Randy Moss. Instead, the No. 2 wideout for Monday night's opener against San Diego will be the eminently forgettable Alvis Whitted.
Nothing against the eight-year veteran receiver, but Whitted, who has enough speed to run past even the league's fastest cornerbacks, possesses incredibly inconsistent hands. In 109 appearances, the guy has just 47 catches, 731 yards and six touchdowns. He has never had more than 14 catches, 227 yards or three touchdowns in a single season. Those numbers tell you about all you need to know regarding the abysmal state of the Porter-Shell relationship.
• It didn't take Pittsburgh coaches very long, one game, in fact, to determine they needed to get a bigger tailback onto the depth chart, someone who might be able to fill the role of short-yardage guy and fourth-quarter "closer" that Jerome Bettis held last season. So on Friday, the day after a season-opening victory in which starter Willie Parker logged a career-high 29 carries, the Steelers signed former Green Bay backup Najeh Davenport, who, at 247 pounds, might fill the bill. Davenport has rushed for only 1,068 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons with the Packers, and is coming off a 2005 campaign truncated by a broken right ankle, but he definitely has talent.
One reason why the Steelers might have waited until after the first game to sign Davenport, who they had been monitoring since he was released by the Packers, is that he is a vested veteran and his salary would have been guaranteed were he on the opening game roster. Two others: The team continues to be less than satisfied with veteran Duce Staley and realizes the speedy Parker, at only 209 pounds, could become physically eroded unless he gets some help. Beyond Parker, who rushed for 115 yards on Thursday night, the only Pittsburgh tailback to register a rushing attempt was Verron Haynes, with one carry for three yards. And Haynes is more valuable to the team as a third-down back. Bettis carried 110 times in 2005, and while Parker will absorb some of those rushes, the team needed another back, and is hopeful Davenport can regain some of the form he exhibited before the broken ankle shelved him last season.
• Teams continue to lock up their starting left offensive tackles with lucrative long-term deals, with Minnesota emerging young star Bryant McKinnie the latest beneficiary. The fifth-year veteran agreed on Friday to a new, seven-year contract with a base value of $48.5 million and more than $18 million in guarantees. The deal simply continues a trend in which teams are not about to allow their left tackles to get into the free-agent market.
There were three upper-echelon left tackles who went into this spring set to become unrestricted free agents next year -- McKinnie, Levi Jones of Cincinnati and Detroit's Jeff Backus -- and all of them netted lucrative, long-term deals. As it now stands, the only starting left tackle of note who is eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring is Mike Gandy of Buffalo. Of course, not many teams need left tackles, because they've locked up their own guys.
As noted in the past in this space, the 32 starting left tackles in the league are now under contract for an average of nearly four more seasons, counting this one. That means most teams are secure at left tackle through at least the 2009 campaign. The left tackle spot has essentially been elevated to "skill position" status and teams simply don't want to be caught short looking for a premier weakside pass protector. So if they've already got a good one, most clubs are ensuring they keep him.
• Although it is still very early in the recovery process, NFL scouts monitoring the status of Louisville star Michael Bush, who broke his right leg last week in the team's season opening victory over Kentucky, expect the tailback to be in the 2007 draft and to be ready for campus auditions next spring. Bush, who has rushed for 2,514 yards and 39 touchdowns, is regarded, along with Kenny Irons of Auburn and Alabama's Ken Darby, as one of the top senior backs in the country.
Even factoring underclass backs such as Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch of California into the 2007 draft, Bush is still seen as a likely first-rounder. Bush can apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt, which would earn him an addition season of eligibility if successful, but most NFL people see that as a long shot. Bush is 22 now, and if he played another college season and didn't enter the draft until 2008, he would be just two months shy of his 24th birthday by the time that lottery came around.
Running backs tend to age in dog-years, and every NFL season bypassed brings a runner one year closer to retirement. At 247 pounds, Bush has terrific size and speed and, working in the sophisticated Bobby Petrino offense at Louisville, he is a decent pass protector. Unless there is some complication in his rehabilitation, NFL people expect to be working him out in advance of next year's draft.
• It won't transform the Tennessee Titans into a playoff contender in 2006, but the re-acquisition of defensive tackle Robaire Smith, after he was stunningly released by the Houston Texans, was easily one of the best moves of the week. Smith is a very good 4-3 tackle who took the big money to go to Houston as an unrestricted free agent in 2004, leaving the Titans after the first four years of his career, and then found out that he really wasn't cut out to play end in a 3-4 alignment.
The return to Tennessee will allow Smith to return to tackle where, along with fellow starter Albert Haynesworth and reserve Randy Starks, he will give the Titans one of the league's best interior rotations. The Titans, who battled bids from Cleveland, Jacksonville and San Francisco, actually got Smith on the cheap. He signed just a one-year, $1 million deal, with a signing bonus of $415,000 and a base salary of $585,000. The one-year contract means Smith will have a season to re-establish himself as a standout 4-3 tackle this season, and then go out into the unrestricted free agent market next spring.
• A pelvic injury that kept Mitch Berger off the field for all of training camp forced New Orleans to finally place its standout punter and kickoff man on injured reserve, ending his season. That unfortunate move was made out of necessity, since there were no indications that Berger would be able to punt any time soon. The Saints also considered, to some degree, making a change, this one out of choice, to the placement game. ESPN.com has learned that the Saints' staff on Tuesday auditioned four kickers -- Todd Peterson, Billy Cundiff, Nick Novak and Kurt Smith -- as possible alternatives to John Carney.
The Saints' staff decided to stick with Carney for now, but the 16-year veteran, who converted three of five field goals in the preseason, could be a guy whose performance is closely monitored every week by the first-year staff. It's further indication that no one, not even a guy who has converted 81.3 percent of his career field goal tries and who had four-straight 100-point seasons in New Orleans before falling three points shy of the century mark in 2005, is beyond scrutiny.
By the way, according to a person who witnessed the New Orleans kicker auditions, Cundiff, displaying a powerful and accurate leg, had the best overall workout. Peterson, who the Atlanta Falcons chose not to retain despite his 92.0-percent success rate in 2005, had a solid performance as well.
• Bill Cowher sure didn't look on Thursday night like a guy who can't wait to take a few years off from the coaching grind and is ready to retire to his new digs in Raleigh, N.C. But if Cowher somehow does walk away from the Pittsburgh Steelers after this season, his 16th as a head coach, the smart money is on current Steelers' offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as his likely successor.
Whisenhunt is young (44), bright, articulate and accessible. Like Cowher, he is a former player, and the Steelers veterans seem to appreciate that. What they appreciate just as much is that, as he did on Thursday night, Whisenhunt has a knack for dialing up the right play at a critical time. With the Steelers' offense sputtering a bit, and coming off a series in which it squandered a scoring opportunity when Charlie Batch lost a fumbled snap at the Miami one-yard line, Whisenhunt consulted with his quarterback about a play that might jump-start the Steelers, even though they were backed up to their own 13-yard line. The result: The game-winning 87-yard TD pass to tight end Heath Miller.
The other guy on the current Pittsburgh staff who would merit consideration if Cowher walked away is offensive line coach Russ Grimm, who has had several head coach interviews with other clubs the past three years. And, of course, the Steelers would have to interview minority candidates. The minority interview guidelines, after all, were drawn up in large part by Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney and their unofficial nickname, the "Rooney Rules," bear his surname. Still, if Cowher departs, it sure looks like the popular Whisenhunt would be the odds-on favorite to become only the Steelers' third head coach since 1969.
• To criticize Houston coach Gary Kubiak for taking defensive end Mario Williams and not tailback Reggie Bush with the first overall selection in the draft would define the term hindsight. After all, no one could have envisioned that the arthroscopic knee surgery Domanick Davis underwent in December, and then the bruised knee he sustained early in camp, would force the Texans' starting tailback onto injured reserve for the entire season.
But it might also be a little shortsighted for Houston officials to be so confident that Kubiak can magically create a 1,000-yard rusher from sixth-round pick Wali Lundy the way his former team, the Denver Broncos, did with tailbacks like Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns, all guys taken outside the first round. Sure, the zone-blocking scheme the Texans will employ is ripped straight from the pages of the Denver playbook. But to suggest the Houston offensive line is comparable to the unit behind which those tailbacks ran is na?ve.
The projected starters include no players who started more than seven games in 2005 at the positions they will man this season. The Texans will have a rookie, third-round pick Charles Spencer, starting at left tackle. Chester Pitts, who has bounced back and forth between tackle and guard his entire career, goes back to left guard. The new center is former Green Bay starter Mike Flanagan, a one-time Pro Bowl performer who is beginning to show some age.
Right guard Fred Weary played in only four games in 2005 and was re-signed as an afterthought, when no one else showed any interest in him in the free-agent market. Zach Wiegert, the right tackle, began the '05 season as the right guard. The pundits might want to wait a few weeks to see how the cobbled-together Houston unit performs, before automatically penciling in Lundy for 1,000 yards.
• The Indianapolis Colts invested second-round picks in 2003 and 2004 on safeties, Mike Doss and Bob Sanders, respectively, and the young tandem permitted the team to be able to effectively play the Cover 2 scheme that coach Tony Dungy prefers. But while Sanders has emerged as one of the elite free safeties in the league, a guy who hits like a torpedo, Doss continues to lag behind. And now, it seems, he has lost his starting job to rookie Antoine Bethea, a sixth-round pick from Howard University. Bethea has been the hit, both literally and figuratively, of camp.
A physical youngster who has picked up the scheme faster than coaches thought he could. There is a feeling that Doss, who seems to always be nursing some sort of nagging injury, is a guy who can't always be counted on. Doss has missed eight starts in three years, but it seems like he's been off the field a lot more, and the fact that Bethea so quickly supplanted him in the lineup isn't a good sign for his long-term future in Indianapolis.
• It isn't often that a player is demoted from the starting lineup and sees his situation actually improve, but that might be the case for Cincinnati Bengals third-year defensive end Robert Geathers in 2006. Geathers started all 16 games at left end in 2005, but has been bumped from the lineup by the position switch of Bryan Robinson, a former tackle who, with the addition of Sam Adams to the interior, has moved outside where he should provide the Bengals with a more solid anchor defender against the run. Having never ranked better than 20th versus the run in coach Marvin Lewis' three seasons with the franchise, playing better run defense is a big-time priority for the Bengals in '06.
So how will the demotion benefit Geathers, a fourth-round choice in the '04 draft? Cincinnati coaches are privately convinced that, with fewer snaps, and playing primarily on nickel downs, Geathers can emerge this season as a double-digit sack threat. Given that the former Georgia standout has only 6.5 sacks in two seasons, that projection might seem a bit of a stretch. But the 264-pound Geathers, coaches feel, won't erode as much physically by getting fewer snaps, and his explosive first step into the backfield should be even quicker if he is fresher. The belief is that Geathers, who has great closing speed, can out-quick most of the power-type right tackles against whom he is aligned on passing downs.
• Much has been made of the fact the Cleveland Browns, prompted by the season-ending patella tendon injury to LeCharles Bentley on the first day of camp, were forced to acquire nine different centers in the offseason. But it's often overlooked that the rebuilding New Orleans Saints have, with the addition this week of former Oakland starter Danny Clark, acquired nine veteran linebackers since the end of the 2005 campaign.
OK, it's an apples-and-oranges comparison, for sure, given that Cleveland signed nine guys trying to fill one spot and the Saints were trying to address three linebacker positions. But nine players at any position is a lot of additions. Of the six linebackers who finished the 2005 season on the New Orleans roster, just two, Albert Fincher and Terrence Melton, remain with the team. In an effort to rebuild the unit, the Saints either signed or traded for nine 'backers in the offseason, but just four of them are on the current roster.
The veteran linebacker additions: Scott Fujita (unrestricted free agent, current starter), Anthony Simmons ("street" free agent, retired), Tommy Polley (urestricted free agent, injured reserve), Jay Foreman ("street" free agent, released), Cie Grant ("street" free agent, waived), Nate Wayne ("street" free agent, released), Scott Shanle (acquired from Dallas via trade, current starter), Mark Simoneau (acquired from Philadelphia via trade, backup), Danny Clark ("street" free agent, projected starter). The Saints, who continue to seek upgrades at the position and are still trying to trade for Donnie Edwards of San Diego, might not be done yet.
The list: Sunday will mark the eighth season opener for the Cleveland Browns since they were reincarnated as an expansion team in 1999, and Charlie Frye will become the sixth different quarterback to start in those games. The list of previous starters: Ty Detmer, Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia and Trent Dilfer.
Stat of the week: In his three seasons with the Detroit Lions, wide receiver Charles Rogers, the second overall choice in the 2003 draft, earrned $16.2 million in bonuses and base salaries. The final "unit-pricing" cost to the Lions for taking Rogers, who was released last weekend: $1.08 million per appearance, $1.8 million per start, $450,000 per catch, $36,818 per receiving yard, $4.05 million per touchdown catch. And, oh, yeah, $8.1 million per broken collarbone.
Punts: Thanks to their new, retractable-dome stadium, the Arizona Cardinals play their first-ever season-opening game at home on Sunday, against the San Francisco 49ers. Arizona had played 18 straight season openers on the road, ever since relocating from St. Louis in 1988 … Indianapolis will open on the road for a seventh consecutive season … It doesn't seem like the Philadelphia Eagles have turned over their roster so dramatically in the last couple years, but nine of the 22 position players who started for them in Super Bowl XXXIX, including six of 11 starters on offense, are no longer with the team. In fact, only 22 of the Eagles' 53 players on the roster for the championship game loss to New England are still with the club … Atlanta second-year veteran Michael Koenen, the team's punter in 2005, will become the first player to handle all three kicking chores -- kickoffs, placements and punts -- since Frank Corral in 1982 … A lot of teams are still seeking backup offensive tackles and Mike Peterson, a former starter in Jacksonville, recently released by Miami, is attracting some attention and should have at least two or three workouts next week … Brett Favre has thrown 396 touchdown passes. His counterpart in the Packers' opener on Sunday afternoon, Rex Grossman of Chicago, has registered 195 pass attempts in his career … Former Dallas starting quarterback Quincy Carter, who was released by the Montreal Alouettes this spring, is said to be back in the Dallas area, working out and trying to figure out his next move in resurrecting his career … Baltimore, which opens the season at Tampa Bay on Sunday, has lost 11 straight road games by an average of 11.6 points … New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington has never thrown a "red zone" interception in his career. Pennington has 41 "red zone" touchdown passes … Veteran wide receivers Rod Gardner and Peter Warrick worked out for multiple teams this week … Miami defense end Jason Taylor this week restructured his contract to create nearly $2 million worth of cap room for the Dolphins. Even with the so-called "simple" restructuring, in which a portion of his base salary was converted into signing bonus, Taylor still has a 2006 salary cap charge of nearly $9.5 million. The last word: "Nobody picked us to go 12-4 last year. No one picked Pittsburgh to win (the Super Bowl). If these guys were so smart and can predict stuff, they would be playing the 'Powerball' and 'Megamillion' and hitting the lottery. Nobody knows this stuff for certain. I wish they did know for sure, because I could ask them for the winning lottery numbers. I would play them this weekend. It's just like psychics. How can you be a psychic if you are charging people $2 or $5 a minute? You call the psychic line and the first thing they do is ask you for your name. They are supposed to already know that." -- Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich on the predictions by some pundits for the 2006 season.
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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006
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Vanderjagt off to bad start


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ESPN.com
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No one in Dallas will ever admit it publicly, but a lot of people in the Cowboys' front office trace the lingering problems in the team's kicking game to early in the spring, when the team felt it had a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent Matt Bryant of Tampa Bay, and then the fifth-year veteran reneged on it to re-sign with the Bucs.
The feeling was that Bryant, coming off a resurgent season in which he converted 21 of 25 field goal attempts, would provide stability on placements and kickoffs. Cowboys' officials felt Bryant was perhaps ready to emerge as a very dependable kicker and that, while he would cost the team more than it had invested on kickers in recent years, he still wouldn't break the bank.
But when the Cowboys didn't close the deal with Bryant, things spun out of control, as they often have with the Dallas kicking game of late. The Cowboys didn't jump into the Adam Vinatieri or Ryan Longwell pursuits, and ended up signing Mike Vanderjagt, the most accurate field goal kicker in league history, but a guy who hasn't handled kickoffs for three years and who has been a lightning rod of sorts. And they did something owner Jerry Jones has never done, shell out big money, including a $2.5 million signing bonus, for a kicker.
And how has that worked out? Well, Vanderjagt missed considerable time in camp and preseason with a groin injury, probably won't be able to kick off this year, and didn't even make the trip to Jacksonville for Sunday's opener. That means Dallas has to carry an additional player to handle kickoffs, Shaun Suisham, something that coach Bill Parcells desperately wanted to avoid.
The Cowboys' roster now includes four players -- two kickers, a punter and a deep snapper -- who contribute to no positions other than their special teams spots. And that's got to be driving Parcells absolutely crazy.
By the way, people who would know insist that, at no time in camp was Vanderjagt ever in anything resembling a solid kicking rhythm -- he struggled even in the daily special teams sessions -- and fear his slump could continue into the season.
Bryant, 31, is five years younger than Vanderjagt. His career average on kickoffs, 61.3 yards, is only about one yard more than Vanderjagt's lifetime mark. But he registered five touchbacks in 2005, three more than Vanderjagt has for his entire career, and, after knocking around with different teams for a few years, seems to be emerging as a late-bloomer.
Around the league

• Because nine teams entered the season with only two quarterbacks on their roster, there is a glut of signal-callers, from young developmental-type guys to rehabilitating veterans like Jay Fiedler, in the free agent market and seeking jobs. Many of those quarterbacks will be getting auditions in the coming weeks as teams continue to monitor them.
One unemployed quarterback who could soon have a job is Drew Henson, who was released by Dallas, but will work out for Indianapolis coaches and team officials early next week. If the audition goes well, the Colts, who have played the past three seasons with only two quarterbacks on the roster, likely will sign the former Michigan star. The other position at which there is a logjam of solid, but out-of-work players is wide receiver. It appears the guy garnering the most interest there is former Denver No. 3 wideout Darius Watts. Several teams have the three-year veteran at the top of their "ready" lists, and he could land a job soon.
• Oakland wide receiver Jerry Porter, a talented but enigmatic pass-catcher who seems to have a philosophical difference with the methodologies of Raiders coach Art Shell, spent much of the offseason lobbying for a new address. Well, he got one, but not necessarily the one he wanted. Porter will start his seventh season squarely in Shell's doghouse, no better than No. 3 on the depth chart, and not in a new NFL city.
How bad is the situation for Porter? Consider this: Even after the Raiders traded wide receiver Doug Gabriel to New England for a fifth-round draft choice last week, it wasn't enough to elevate Porter into the starting lineup opposite Randy Moss. Instead, the No. 2 wideout for Monday night's opener against San Diego will be the eminently forgettable Alvis Whitted.
Nothing against the eight-year veteran receiver, but Whitted, who has enough speed to run past even the league's fastest cornerbacks, possesses incredibly inconsistent hands. In 109 appearances, the guy has just 47 catches, 731 yards and six touchdowns. He has never had more than 14 catches, 227 yards or three touchdowns in a single season. Those numbers tell you about all you need to know regarding the abysmal state of the Porter-Shell relationship.
• It didn't take Pittsburgh coaches very long, one game, in fact, to determine they needed to get a bigger tailback onto the depth chart, someone who might be able to fill the role of short-yardage guy and fourth-quarter "closer" that Jerome Bettis held last season. So on Friday, the day after a season-opening victory in which starter Willie Parker logged a career-high 29 carries, the Steelers signed former Green Bay backup Najeh Davenport, who, at 247 pounds, might fill the bill. Davenport has rushed for only 1,068 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons with the Packers, and is coming off a 2005 campaign truncated by a broken right ankle, but he definitely has talent.
One reason why the Steelers might have waited until after the first game to sign Davenport, who they had been monitoring since he was released by the Packers, is that he is a vested veteran and his salary would have been guaranteed were he on the opening game roster. Two others: The team continues to be less than satisfied with veteran Duce Staley and realizes the speedy Parker, at only 209 pounds, could become physically eroded unless he gets some help. Beyond Parker, who rushed for 115 yards on Thursday night, the only Pittsburgh tailback to register a rushing attempt was Verron Haynes, with one carry for three yards. And Haynes is more valuable to the team as a third-down back. Bettis carried 110 times in 2005, and while Parker will absorb some of those rushes, the team needed another back, and is hopeful Davenport can regain some of the form he exhibited before the broken ankle shelved him last season.
• Teams continue to lock up their starting left offensive tackles with lucrative long-term deals, with Minnesota emerging young star Bryant McKinnie the latest beneficiary. The fifth-year veteran agreed on Friday to a new, seven-year contract with a base value of $48.5 million and more than $18 million in guarantees. The deal simply continues a trend in which teams are not about to allow their left tackles to get into the free-agent market.
There were three upper-echelon left tackles who went into this spring set to become unrestricted free agents next year -- McKinnie, Levi Jones of Cincinnati and Detroit's Jeff Backus -- and all of them netted lucrative, long-term deals. As it now stands, the only starting left tackle of note who is eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring is Mike Gandy of Buffalo. Of course, not many teams need left tackles, because they've locked up their own guys.
As noted in the past in this space, the 32 starting left tackles in the league are now under contract for an average of nearly four more seasons, counting this one. That means most teams are secure at left tackle through at least the 2009 campaign. The left tackle spot has essentially been elevated to "skill position" status and teams simply don't want to be caught short looking for a premier weakside pass protector. So if they've already got a good one, most clubs are ensuring they keep him.
• Although it is still very early in the recovery process, NFL scouts monitoring the status of Louisville star Michael Bush, who broke his right leg last week in the team's season opening victory over Kentucky, expect the tailback to be in the 2007 draft and to be ready for campus auditions next spring. Bush, who has rushed for 2,514 yards and 39 touchdowns, is regarded, along with Kenny Irons of Auburn and Alabama's Ken Darby, as one of the top senior backs in the country.
Even factoring underclass backs such as Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch of California into the 2007 draft, Bush is still seen as a likely first-rounder. Bush can apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt, which would earn him an addition season of eligibility if successful, but most NFL people see that as a long shot. Bush is 22 now, and if he played another college season and didn't enter the draft until 2008, he would be just two months shy of his 24th birthday by the time that lottery came around.
Running backs tend to age in dog-years, and every NFL season bypassed brings a runner one year closer to retirement. At 247 pounds, Bush has terrific size and speed and, working in the sophisticated Bobby Petrino offense at Louisville, he is a decent pass protector. Unless there is some complication in his rehabilitation, NFL people expect to be working him out in advance of next year's draft.
• It won't transform the Tennessee Titans into a playoff contender in 2006, but the re-acquisition of defensive tackle Robaire Smith, after he was stunningly released by the Houston Texans, was easily one of the best moves of the week. Smith is a very good 4-3 tackle who took the big money to go to Houston as an unrestricted free agent in 2004, leaving the Titans after the first four years of his career, and then found out that he really wasn't cut out to play end in a 3-4 alignment.
The return to Tennessee will allow Smith to return to tackle where, along with fellow starter Albert Haynesworth and reserve Randy Starks, he will give the Titans one of the league's best interior rotations. The Titans, who battled bids from Cleveland, Jacksonville and San Francisco, actually got Smith on the cheap. He signed just a one-year, $1 million deal, with a signing bonus of $415,000 and a base salary of $585,000. The one-year contract means Smith will have a season to re-establish himself as a standout 4-3 tackle this season, and then go out into the unrestricted free agent market next spring.
• A pelvic injury that kept Mitch Berger off the field for all of training camp forced New Orleans to finally place its standout punter and kickoff man on injured reserve, ending his season. That unfortunate move was made out of necessity, since there were no indications that Berger would be able to punt any time soon. The Saints also considered, to some degree, making a change, this one out of choice, to the placement game. ESPN.com has learned that the Saints' staff on Tuesday auditioned four kickers -- Todd Peterson, Billy Cundiff, Nick Novak and Kurt Smith -- as possible alternatives to John Carney.
The Saints' staff decided to stick with Carney for now, but the 16-year veteran, who converted three of five field goals in the preseason, could be a guy whose performance is closely monitored every week by the first-year staff. It's further indication that no one, not even a guy who has converted 81.3 percent of his career field goal tries and who had four-straight 100-point seasons in New Orleans before falling three points shy of the century mark in 2005, is beyond scrutiny.
By the way, according to a person who witnessed the New Orleans kicker auditions, Cundiff, displaying a powerful and accurate leg, had the best overall workout. Peterson, who the Atlanta Falcons chose not to retain despite his 92.0-percent success rate in 2005, had a solid performance as well.
• Bill Cowher sure didn't look on Thursday night like a guy who can't wait to take a few years off from the coaching grind and is ready to retire to his new digs in Raleigh, N.C. But if Cowher somehow does walk away from the Pittsburgh Steelers after this season, his 16th as a head coach, the smart money is on current Steelers' offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as his likely successor.
Whisenhunt is young (44), bright, articulate and accessible. Like Cowher, he is a former player, and the Steelers veterans seem to appreciate that. What they appreciate just as much is that, as he did on Thursday night, Whisenhunt has a knack for dialing up the right play at a critical time. With the Steelers' offense sputtering a bit, and coming off a series in which it squandered a scoring opportunity when Charlie Batch lost a fumbled snap at the Miami one-yard line, Whisenhunt consulted with his quarterback about a play that might jump-start the Steelers, even though they were backed up to their own 13-yard line. The result: The game-winning 87-yard TD pass to tight end Heath Miller.
The other guy on the current Pittsburgh staff who would merit consideration if Cowher walked away is offensive line coach Russ Grimm, who has had several head coach interviews with other clubs the past three years. And, of course, the Steelers would have to interview minority candidates. The minority interview guidelines, after all, were drawn up in large part by Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney and their unofficial nickname, the "Rooney Rules," bear his surname. Still, if Cowher departs, it sure looks like the popular Whisenhunt would be the odds-on favorite to become only the Steelers' third head coach since 1969.
• To criticize Houston coach Gary Kubiak for taking defensive end Mario Williams and not tailback Reggie Bush with the first overall selection in the draft would define the term hindsight. After all, no one could have envisioned that the arthroscopic knee surgery Domanick Davis underwent in December, and then the bruised knee he sustained early in camp, would force the Texans' starting tailback onto injured reserve for the entire season.
But it might also be a little shortsighted for Houston officials to be so confident that Kubiak can magically create a 1,000-yard rusher from sixth-round pick Wali Lundy the way his former team, the Denver Broncos, did with tailbacks like Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns, all guys taken outside the first round. Sure, the zone-blocking scheme the Texans will employ is ripped straight from the pages of the Denver playbook. But to suggest the Houston offensive line is comparable to the unit behind which those tailbacks ran is na?ve.
The projected starters include no players who started more than seven games in 2005 at the positions they will man this season. The Texans will have a rookie, third-round pick Charles Spencer, starting at left tackle. Chester Pitts, who has bounced back and forth between tackle and guard his entire career, goes back to left guard. The new center is former Green Bay starter Mike Flanagan, a one-time Pro Bowl performer who is beginning to show some age.
Right guard Fred Weary played in only four games in 2005 and was re-signed as an afterthought, when no one else showed any interest in him in the free-agent market. Zach Wiegert, the right tackle, began the '05 season as the right guard. The pundits might want to wait a few weeks to see how the cobbled-together Houston unit performs, before automatically penciling in Lundy for 1,000 yards.
• The Indianapolis Colts invested second-round picks in 2003 and 2004 on safeties, Mike Doss and Bob Sanders, respectively, and the young tandem permitted the team to be able to effectively play the Cover 2 scheme that coach Tony Dungy prefers. But while Sanders has emerged as one of the elite free safeties in the league, a guy who hits like a torpedo, Doss continues to lag behind. And now, it seems, he has lost his starting job to rookie Antoine Bethea, a sixth-round pick from Howard University. Bethea has been the hit, both literally and figuratively, of camp.
A physical youngster who has picked up the scheme faster than coaches thought he could. There is a feeling that Doss, who seems to always be nursing some sort of nagging injury, is a guy who can't always be counted on. Doss has missed eight starts in three years, but it seems like he's been off the field a lot more, and the fact that Bethea so quickly supplanted him in the lineup isn't a good sign for his long-term future in Indianapolis.
• It isn't often that a player is demoted from the starting lineup and sees his situation actually improve, but that might be the case for Cincinnati Bengals third-year defensive end Robert Geathers in 2006. Geathers started all 16 games at left end in 2005, but has been bumped from the lineup by the position switch of Bryan Robinson, a former tackle who, with the addition of Sam Adams to the interior, has moved outside where he should provide the Bengals with a more solid anchor defender against the run. Having never ranked better than 20th versus the run in coach Marvin Lewis' three seasons with the franchise, playing better run defense is a big-time priority for the Bengals in '06.
So how will the demotion benefit Geathers, a fourth-round choice in the '04 draft? Cincinnati coaches are privately convinced that, with fewer snaps, and playing primarily on nickel downs, Geathers can emerge this season as a double-digit sack threat. Given that the former Georgia standout has only 6.5 sacks in two seasons, that projection might seem a bit of a stretch. But the 264-pound Geathers, coaches feel, won't erode as much physically by getting fewer snaps, and his explosive first step into the backfield should be even quicker if he is fresher. The belief is that Geathers, who has great closing speed, can out-quick most of the power-type right tackles against whom he is aligned on passing downs.
• Much has been made of the fact the Cleveland Browns, prompted by the season-ending patella tendon injury to LeCharles Bentley on the first day of camp, were forced to acquire nine different centers in the offseason. But it's often overlooked that the rebuilding New Orleans Saints have, with the addition this week of former Oakland starter Danny Clark, acquired nine veteran linebackers since the end of the 2005 campaign.
OK, it's an apples-and-oranges comparison, for sure, given that Cleveland signed nine guys trying to fill one spot and the Saints were trying to address three linebacker positions. But nine players at any position is a lot of additions. Of the six linebackers who finished the 2005 season on the New Orleans roster, just two, Albert Fincher and Terrence Melton, remain with the team. In an effort to rebuild the unit, the Saints either signed or traded for nine 'backers in the offseason, but just four of them are on the current roster.
The veteran linebacker additions: Scott Fujita (unrestricted free agent, current starter), Anthony Simmons ("street" free agent, retired), Tommy Polley (urestricted free agent, injured reserve), Jay Foreman ("street" free agent, released), Cie Grant ("street" free agent, waived), Nate Wayne ("street" free agent, released), Scott Shanle (acquired from Dallas via trade, current starter), Mark Simoneau (acquired from Philadelphia via trade, backup), Danny Clark ("street" free agent, projected starter). The Saints, who continue to seek upgrades at the position and are still trying to trade for Donnie Edwards of San Diego, might not be done yet.
The list: Sunday will mark the eighth season opener for the Cleveland Browns since they were reincarnated as an expansion team in 1999, and Charlie Frye will become the sixth different quarterback to start in those games. The list of previous starters: Ty Detmer, Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia and Trent Dilfer.
Stat of the week: In his three seasons with the Detroit Lions, wide receiver Charles Rogers, the second overall choice in the 2003 draft, earrned $16.2 million in bonuses and base salaries. The final "unit-pricing" cost to the Lions for taking Rogers, who was released last weekend: $1.08 million per appearance, $1.8 million per start, $450,000 per catch, $36,818 per receiving yard, $4.05 million per touchdown catch. And, oh, yeah, $8.1 million per broken collarbone.
Punts: Thanks to their new, retractable-dome stadium, the Arizona Cardinals play their first-ever season-opening game at home on Sunday, against the San Francisco 49ers. Arizona had played 18 straight season openers on the road, ever since relocating from St. Louis in 1988 … Indianapolis will open on the road for a seventh consecutive season … It doesn't seem like the Philadelphia Eagles have turned over their roster so dramatically in the last couple years, but nine of the 22 position players who started for them in Super Bowl XXXIX, including six of 11 starters on offense, are no longer with the team. In fact, only 22 of the Eagles' 53 players on the roster for the championship game loss to New England are still with the club … Atlanta second-year veteran Michael Koenen, the team's punter in 2005, will become the first player to handle all three kicking chores -- kickoffs, placements and punts -- since Frank Corral in 1982 … A lot of teams are still seeking backup offensive tackles and Mike Peterson, a former starter in Jacksonville, recently released by Miami, is attracting some attention and should have at least two or three workouts next week … Brett Favre has thrown 396 touchdown passes. His counterpart in the Packers' opener on Sunday afternoon, Rex Grossman of Chicago, has registered 195 pass attempts in his career … Former Dallas starting quarterback Quincy Carter, who was released by the Montreal Alouettes this spring, is said to be back in the Dallas area, working out and trying to figure out his next move in resurrecting his career … Baltimore, which opens the season at Tampa Bay on Sunday, has lost 11 straight road games by an average of 11.6 points … New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington has never thrown a "red zone" interception in his career. Pennington has 41 "red zone" touchdown passes … Veteran wide receivers Rod Gardner and Peter Warrick worked out for multiple teams this week … Miami defense end Jason Taylor this week restructured his contract to create nearly $2 million worth of cap room for the Dolphins. Even with the so-called "simple" restructuring, in which a portion of his base salary was converted into signing bonus, Taylor still has a 2006 salary cap charge of nearly $9.5 million. The last word: "Nobody picked us to go 12-4 last year. No one picked Pittsburgh to win (the Super Bowl). If these guys were so smart and can predict stuff, they would be playing the 'Powerball' and 'Megamillion' and hitting the lottery. Nobody knows this stuff for certain. I wish they did know for sure, because I could ask them for the winning lottery numbers. I would play them this weekend. It's just like psychics. How can you be a psychic if you are charging people $2 or $5 a minute? You call the psychic line and the first thing they do is ask you for your name. They are supposed to already know that." -- Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich on the predictions by some pundits for the 2006 season.
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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Second-guessing Branch trade?


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks

I have to say upfront that I am a big Deion Branch fan. He played at my Alma Mater (Louisville) and I had the opportunity to see him throughout his college career. When the Patriots drafted Branch (No. 65 overall in the 2002 draft) I remember thinking what a great pick it was for New England. Branch is a great person who brings more than just his numbers and a Super Bowl MVP to a team. He is always upbeat with a smile on his face and is a very positive influence in the locker room.

The Patriots front office has a plan and a philosophy on how they approach personnel decisions. Vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli and coach Bill Belicheck have done a superb job of putting together and developing their talent. With the success of the New England organization over the past five seasons it's hard to question their decisions. There has been and will be a lot written about the loss of Branch, but only time will tell if the Patriots made a mistake. If Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown, Doug Gabriel or second-round pick Chad Jackson has a breakout season, most Pats fans will forget the loss of Branch. But if the Patriots struggle to move the ball in the air and lose their edge in the AFC East, there will be a lot to second-guess about the Patriots' decision.
Both the Jets and the Seahawks had contract offers on the table to Branch that the Patriots weren't going to match. One bright spot it that they let Branch go to an NFC team on the West Coast.
He probably won't say anything publicly, but I'm sure Tom Brady is not happy. He's now down his top two receivers (Branch and David Givens) from last season. The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but without Branch and Givens, it is going to be harder. If Branch falls on his face out in Seattle and New England wins big in 2006, then the first-round pick the Patriots received will look great to Patriot Nation. Time will tell who really wins with the Branch trade.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Second-guessing Branch trade?


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks

I have to say upfront that I am a big Deion Branch fan. He played at my Alma Mater (Louisville) and I had the opportunity to see him throughout his college career. When the Patriots drafted Branch (No. 65 overall in the 2002 draft) I remember thinking what a great pick it was for New England. Branch is a great person who brings more than just his numbers and a Super Bowl MVP to a team. He is always upbeat with a smile on his face and is a very positive influence in the locker room.

The Patriots front office has a plan and a philosophy on how they approach personnel decisions. Vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli and coach Bill Belicheck have done a superb job of putting together and developing their talent. With the success of the New England organization over the past five seasons it's hard to question their decisions. There has been and will be a lot written about the loss of Branch, but only time will tell if the Patriots made a mistake. If Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown, Doug Gabriel or second-round pick Chad Jackson has a breakout season, most Pats fans will forget the loss of Branch. But if the Patriots struggle to move the ball in the air and lose their edge in the AFC East, there will be a lot to second-guess about the Patriots' decision.
Both the Jets and the Seahawks had contract offers on the table to Branch that the Patriots weren't going to match. One bright spot it that they let Branch go to an NFC team on the West Coast.
He probably won't say anything publicly, but I'm sure Tom Brady is not happy. He's now down his top two receivers (Branch and David Givens) from last season. The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but without Branch and Givens, it is going to be harder. If Branch falls on his face out in Seattle and New England wins big in 2006, then the first-round pick the Patriots received will look great to Patriot Nation. Time will tell who really wins with the Branch trade.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Winslow could shine without Jurevicius


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns will be without Joe Jurevicius for four to six weeks after he broke his ribs against the Saints on Sunday. While Jurevicius is a fine player and a valuable offseason pickup, this could really open the door for both Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards to take control of Cleveland's passing game.

Against the Saints, Edwards dropped a crucial pass late in the game. Drops were one of the few knocks on him coming out of Michigan. But Edwards is a big-time talent, as evidenced by his 74-yard touchdown catch on the Browns' first play of the game that was called back by a Kevin Shaffer holding call. He should rebound from this disappointment and make a lot of plays in Jurevicius' absence.

Winslow and Charlie Frye had a nice rhythm going this weekend, one of the few bright spots in Cleveland's performance. Winslow finished the day with eight catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, and those are the type of statistics he is capable of week in and week out. He is tall and very physical for his build, with a rare snap in his hips that he uses as a blocker and to inflict a blow on would-be tacklers. He is a match-up nightmare for most safeties, due to his size and physicality, but he still has the speed and skill to run by most linebackers or lose them quickly with sound route-running. Fantasy players, pick up Winslow now if you still can, he is a rare talent and has the trust of his young quarterback.
Josh Cribbs should now act as the third wide receiver, and this opportunity could also be good for the long-term success of Cleveland's passing game. Cribbs, a quarterback in college, is a fine return man who shows no fear and attacks up the field without hesitation. While very much a work in progress as a wideout, Cribbs has good size, is a fluid athlete and should also help out as a blocker on the edge. Keep an eye on him to see how he reacts to this opportunity.

Staley's days numbered?
If Najeh Davenport can make his presence felt with the Steelers as a backup to Willie Parker, a short-yardage runner and a viable special teams player, Duce Staley's days in Pittsburgh could be numbered. Both players are bigger runners, but Staley was inactive in Week 1, much like most of last season, because he does not play on special teams. With the present NFL roster rules, teams cannot afford to dress a player who may not even get his uniform dirty on game day, and Staley has done little to distinguish himself as a valuable enough runner to overlook his lack of special teams value.
The Steelers' offense is getting an awful lot of production out of three players who were not drafted out of college. Between Parker, starting FB Dan Kreider and now third WR Nate Washington, Pittsburgh is getting a lot of bang for its buck. Parker just signed a long-term deal and has a bright future as the feature back. Kreider is among the best pure lead-blocking fullbacks in the game, and Washington, from tiny Tiffin University, gets better every time he steps on the field. Of course there is some luck involved in grabbing these three (along with third OLB James Harrison and PK Jeff Reed), but all in all, that is just fine scouting. Finds like these can be the difference between a good and great football team.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Winslow could shine without Jurevicius


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns will be without Joe Jurevicius for four to six weeks after he broke his ribs against the Saints on Sunday. While Jurevicius is a fine player and a valuable offseason pickup, this could really open the door for both Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards to take control of Cleveland's passing game.

Against the Saints, Edwards dropped a crucial pass late in the game. Drops were one of the few knocks on him coming out of Michigan. But Edwards is a big-time talent, as evidenced by his 74-yard touchdown catch on the Browns' first play of the game that was called back by a Kevin Shaffer holding call. He should rebound from this disappointment and make a lot of plays in Jurevicius' absence.

Winslow and Charlie Frye had a nice rhythm going this weekend, one of the few bright spots in Cleveland's performance. Winslow finished the day with eight catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, and those are the type of statistics he is capable of week in and week out. He is tall and very physical for his build, with a rare snap in his hips that he uses as a blocker and to inflict a blow on would-be tacklers. He is a match-up nightmare for most safeties, due to his size and physicality, but he still has the speed and skill to run by most linebackers or lose them quickly with sound route-running. Fantasy players, pick up Winslow now if you still can, he is a rare talent and has the trust of his young quarterback.
Josh Cribbs should now act as the third wide receiver, and this opportunity could also be good for the long-term success of Cleveland's passing game. Cribbs, a quarterback in college, is a fine return man who shows no fear and attacks up the field without hesitation. While very much a work in progress as a wideout, Cribbs has good size, is a fluid athlete and should also help out as a blocker on the edge. Keep an eye on him to see how he reacts to this opportunity.

Staley's days numbered?
If Najeh Davenport can make his presence felt with the Steelers as a backup to Willie Parker, a short-yardage runner and a viable special teams player, Duce Staley's days in Pittsburgh could be numbered. Both players are bigger runners, but Staley was inactive in Week 1, much like most of last season, because he does not play on special teams. With the present NFL roster rules, teams cannot afford to dress a player who may not even get his uniform dirty on game day, and Staley has done little to distinguish himself as a valuable enough runner to overlook his lack of special teams value.
The Steelers' offense is getting an awful lot of production out of three players who were not drafted out of college. Between Parker, starting FB Dan Kreider and now third WR Nate Washington, Pittsburgh is getting a lot of bang for its buck. Parker just signed a long-term deal and has a bright future as the feature back. Kreider is among the best pure lead-blocking fullbacks in the game, and Washington, from tiny Tiffin University, gets better every time he steps on the field. Of course there is some luck involved in grabbing these three (along with third OLB James Harrison and PK Jeff Reed), but all in all, that is just fine scouting. Finds like these can be the difference between a good and great football team.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Seattle needs what Branch brings


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were in need of a big-play wide receiver and they got their man in Deion Branch.

Against Detroit in Week 1, the Seahawks' leading receiver was fullback Mack Strong. Despite his size (5-foot-9, 193 pounds), Branch brings great hands and speed to the position. He is a player who has earned Super Bowl MVP honors, despite not having a 1,000-yard season to his credit.
Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram are solid possession receivers, and offseason acquisition Nate Burleson is a deep threat the Seahawks have been missing. Branch is a player you want to get the ball to quickly so he can use his speed and quickness to create yards after the catch.
The addition of Branch might also be an indication that Jackson (offseason knee surgery) is not back to full strength. Jackson was hampered the entire preseason and never got into rhythm. With key players such as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander and left tackle Walter Jones, not to mention head coach Mike Holmgren, all locked up to long-term contracts, the Seahawks are set up for another deep playoff run. The addition of Branch is more proof that their sole focus is returning to the Super Bowl and winning it.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Seattle needs what Branch brings


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were in need of a big-play wide receiver and they got their man in Deion Branch.

Against Detroit in Week 1, the Seahawks' leading receiver was fullback Mack Strong. Despite his size (5-foot-9, 193 pounds), Branch brings great hands and speed to the position. He is a player who has earned Super Bowl MVP honors, despite not having a 1,000-yard season to his credit.
Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram are solid possession receivers, and offseason acquisition Nate Burleson is a deep threat the Seahawks have been missing. Branch is a player you want to get the ball to quickly so he can use his speed and quickness to create yards after the catch.
The addition of Branch might also be an indication that Jackson (offseason knee surgery) is not back to full strength. Jackson was hampered the entire preseason and never got into rhythm. With key players such as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander and left tackle Walter Jones, not to mention head coach Mike Holmgren, all locked up to long-term contracts, the Seahawks are set up for another deep playoff run. The addition of Branch is more proof that their sole focus is returning to the Super Bowl and winning it.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Dolphins considering Rogers?
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
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<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Monday, September 11</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>INTERESTED</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>
Charles Rogers
Lions
</TD><TD>Dolphins?
</TD><TD>Dolphins considering Rogers?
<Sep. 11> Pro Football Weekly is hearing that Miami could have interest in Rogers, who would fit the low-cost, high-risk profile of other Dolphins acquisitions during Nick Saban's tenure. Rogers was released by the Lions on Sept. 2 after three seasons of injuries and inconsistency. Saban is familiar with the second overall pick of the 2003 draft, having recruited him to play at Michigan State.

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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 3 New Articles Added 9/10/06)

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Dolphins considering Rogers?
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
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<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Monday, September 11</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>INTERESTED</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>
Charles Rogers
Lions
</TD><TD>Dolphins?
</TD><TD>Dolphins considering Rogers?
<Sep. 11> Pro Football Weekly is hearing that Miami could have interest in Rogers, who would fit the low-cost, high-risk profile of other Dolphins acquisitions during Nick Saban's tenure. Rogers was released by the Lions on Sept. 2 after three seasons of injuries and inconsistency. Saban is familiar with the second overall pick of the 2003 draft, having recruited him to play at Michigan State.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006
Raiders must get Moss involved


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By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive
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After watching a lot of film on both the Chargers and Raiders, talking to coaches and scouts and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their game on Monday (ESPN 10:15 p.m. ET).
San Diego Chargers

• The coaches are very concerned about their left tackle position. Veteran Roman Oben is still out with a foot injury and actually may not be ready all season. Rookie Marcus McNeill looked good early and will begin the season as the starter, but Leander Jordan will challenge him because he has more experience (eight starts in 2005). If the Chargers struggle in pass protection early (which is likely), they can put blocking TE Brandon Manumaleuna next to McNeill in a six-man OL blocking scheme or bring Jordan in as a blocking TE (much like the Packers did in their "Jumbo" package with Kevin Barry). San Diego has used this formation in the preseason. While it ensures better pass protection for Philip Rivers, it also makes the passing game somewhat limited and more predictable.
• San Diego must really believe in Rivers because his backup is now the talented but untested rookie Charlie Whitehurst. That is not much experience heading into the season. For a playoff- caliber team, this is a precarious QB situation. The Chargers waived their only veteran, A.J. Feeley, last week. Everybody expected Whitehurst to be on the practice squad -- not one injury away from the field.
• Marty Schottenheimer will try to avoid asking Rivers to win games. The Raiders can give you a lot of complex fronts and blitzes, and the Chargers will counter with a conservative, low-risk passing game. Look for a heavy dose of LaDainian Tomlinson running the ball and a passing game that features dump-offs and three- and five-step drops, with quick-hitting routes that don't lead to interceptions. Confidence is a big deal for Rivers and his coaches will try to develop it early.
• Rookie first-round pick Antonio Cromartie has had an uneven training camp but has flashed enough skills to play as the third corner in the nickel package. Starting RDC Drayton Florence will move inside to cover the slot receiver and Cromartie will cover a perimeter receiver in the nickel, taking advantage of his speed and natural cover skills. The Chargers are desperately looking for more turnovers and big plays from this unit, which should be improved from a year ago.
• Based on what they did in the preseason and the inexperience of Rivers, the Chargers will likely have a mostly intermediate and underneath passing game. WR Keenan McCardell and TE Antonio Gates will be his primary targets, but this will be a low-risk passing game with a minimum of vertical throws.
• There is some concern about the return game with the loss of Darren Sproles for the year. WR Eric Parker may have to assume the role of punt returner, but he is a big part of the San Diego offense and also gets banged up a lot. That leaves backup RB Michael Turner and DC Cletis Gordon as candidates. This is a position of some unrest.
• Pass protection in this game is critical for the Chargers. The Raiders have an excellent pass rush off the edge (DEs Derrick Burgess and Tyler Brayton) and San Diego is somewhat vulnerable at the tackle position. Rivers showed us in the preseason that he is capable of coughing the ball up when pressured.
• OLB Steve Foley, who is out for the season (shooting incident), will be replaced by Shaun Phillips, who is an excellent pass rusher with good sideline-to-sideline range. Foley was expected to post double-digit sacks in 2006 and take some double teams away from fellow OLB Shawne Merriman, but now Phillips will have to pick up that slack. Phillips will do a good job, but the problem now will be depth at the OLB position.
• The more you watch him on film, the more you like backup RB Michael Turner. He gets little publicity because he plays behind Tomlinson, but he could start for a lot of NFL teams. He averaged almost 6 yards per carry in 2005, and he can run inside and outside with good balance. The Chargers are trying to figure out ways to get him on the field more often (maybe as a KOR).
• Chargers NT Jamal Williams does a great job of eating up space and occupying two blockers, freeing up the other defensive linemen in single-blocking matchups. In this game, look for Williams to attack backup OC Corey Hulsey and rookie ROG Paul McQuistan. He can cause havoc inside and totally disrupt the Raiders' interior run game, possibly freeing DE Luis Castillo to have a big game.
• Rivers is capable of making all the throws. More importantly, he seems to have good leadership skills for a young guy. He may struggle with his consistency in the first month of the season. The Chargers will play conservatively until Rivers gets comfortable, and if they can survive the first month of the season (at Oakland, Tennessee, at Baltimore and Pittsburgh), they will be a strong Super Bowl contender.
• There has not been a wider gap in recent memory between the front office and the coaching staff of a team. Schottenheimer and GM A.J. Smith do not hang out together and operate independently. Schottenheimer does not have final say in personnel decisions. While he is a veteran coach who loves veteran players, Smith is a GM who builds through the draft and does not overspend in free agency. Can the two coexist? The answer is yes, but this is a frosty relationship.
• In 2005, the Chargers had a brutal road schedule, with a lot of East Coast trips. In 2006, the schedule is much more favorable and their only long trips are to Buffalo and Cincinnati.
Oakland Raiders

• This will likely be a run-oriented offense in 2006 under Art Shell. RB LaMont Jordan averaged only 19.4 carries a game in 2005. Jordan will be asked to increase his workload dramatically to give the Raiders better ball control. Wth no clear-cut backup, if Jordan isn't up to the task or he gets hurt, the Raiders' offense is in trouble. It faces a Chargers run defense that was No.1 in the NFL a year ago.
• Oakland led the NFL in penalties again in 2005 (147). The Raiders have continued to look somewhat sloppy and undisciplined in this preseason. The challenge for Shell is to get this team to play tough but under control, which hasn't been a Raiders trademark. This team is not good enough to overcome a lot of penalties. Many of the preseason penalties have been false starts by the offensive line.
• It is important for offensive coordinator Tom Walsh to get WR Randy Moss involved early. Moss has had a tendency throughout his career to disappear from games and lose interest if he doesn't get some early touches. When he is away from the ball his effort is usually marginal. We have seen those tendencies throughout the preseason, as Shell has been very conservative with Moss. The one weakness of the Chargers' outstanding defense is the secondary and the Raiders should test it early with a couple deep shots to Moss from Aaron Brooks.
• Look for the Raiders' defense to put eight defenders in the box, not only to stop Tomlinson but also to force Rivers to throw the ball. That sounds good in theory, but the reality is that San Diego has averaged over 170 yards rushing against the Raiders in their last four games. Defending the run on first and second downs in this game is critical for Oakland. The more third-and-long situations the Raiders can get Rivers in, the better chance they have for turnovers.
• This looks like a good rookie class for the Raiders. They will start three rookies in 2006: First-round pick Michael Huff will start at SS, second-round pick Thomas Howard will start at WOLB and third-round pick Paul McQuistan will start at ROG.
• This is a young secondary with a lot of speed and athleticism, but it is a work in progress. DC Fabian Washington has had a lights out preseason and looks like the true shutdown corner the Raiders have been looking for. They will play Huff all over the field, including lining him up in the box. He will blitz and the Raiders love his versatility. This is an organization that has made a lot of mistakes in the draft when selecting defensive backs. The Raiders have chosen a DB in the first round in five of the last six drafts, and they still don't have it right -- but they are getting better.
• On defense, the Raiders will try to confuse Rivers with a variety of 4-3 and 3-4 fronts, along with an aggressive blitz package. Rivers will have to make good reads, but the real question here is whether the Raiders really believe in their defensive scheme or are trying to cover up personnel weakness with exotic defensive looks.
• PK Sebastian Janikowski was under a lot of pressure heading into training camp. He converted only 7-of-15 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in 2005, and his kickoffs were short. However, he has had a good preseason and looks like he is ready for a solid season.
• Oakland's offensive line is definitely a work in progress. There is a lot of shuffling going on and the biggest concern is on the edges, where former first-round pick Robert Gallery (LOT) continues to struggle with false starts and slow reactions to speed rushers. Langston Walker (ROT) is moving from the LOG position he played a year ago, but his tenure at ROT has been rocky to say the least. They also have rookie McQuiston starting at ROG. The Chargers have an excellent edge pass rush provided, and they can attack from a lot of directions. The Raiders are very nervous about their perimeter pass protection in this game.
• Look for the Raiders' TEs to have a lot more production in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Tom Walsh. They will be used extensively in third-down situations, and this offense will attack the middle of the field with a group of TEs who can all catch the ball. We could see at least 50 receptions from this unit in 2006. The one big problem could be pass protection. If the Raiders' tackles struggle, as anticipated, TEs Courtney Anderson and Randal Williams may be forced to stay at home and block, and that will obviously adversely affect the intermediate passing game.
• Surprisingly, the Raiders traded WR Doug Gabriel to the New England Patriots last week, but the remarkable recovery of Ronald Curry (Achilles tendon) made it possible. A trio of Moss, Curry and the disgruntled Jerry Porter gives the Raiders a good vertical passing game, and the thing that Brooks does best is throw the deep ball. If you add Alvis Whitted to the mix, the Raiders have four guys who can stretch the field, but there is not a lot of margin for error. • For a team with marginal personnel, you would expect the Raiders to have a lot of room under the salary cap, but they don't have the money available to make wholesale changes. They will have to rebuild this team slowly, but they do have some good young players.
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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006
Raiders must get Moss involved


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox --><!-- firstName = Gary --><!-- lastName = Horton -->
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive
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After watching a lot of film on both the Chargers and Raiders, talking to coaches and scouts and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their game on Monday (ESPN 10:15 p.m. ET).
San Diego Chargers

• The coaches are very concerned about their left tackle position. Veteran Roman Oben is still out with a foot injury and actually may not be ready all season. Rookie Marcus McNeill looked good early and will begin the season as the starter, but Leander Jordan will challenge him because he has more experience (eight starts in 2005). If the Chargers struggle in pass protection early (which is likely), they can put blocking TE Brandon Manumaleuna next to McNeill in a six-man OL blocking scheme or bring Jordan in as a blocking TE (much like the Packers did in their "Jumbo" package with Kevin Barry). San Diego has used this formation in the preseason. While it ensures better pass protection for Philip Rivers, it also makes the passing game somewhat limited and more predictable.
• San Diego must really believe in Rivers because his backup is now the talented but untested rookie Charlie Whitehurst. That is not much experience heading into the season. For a playoff- caliber team, this is a precarious QB situation. The Chargers waived their only veteran, A.J. Feeley, last week. Everybody expected Whitehurst to be on the practice squad -- not one injury away from the field.
• Marty Schottenheimer will try to avoid asking Rivers to win games. The Raiders can give you a lot of complex fronts and blitzes, and the Chargers will counter with a conservative, low-risk passing game. Look for a heavy dose of LaDainian Tomlinson running the ball and a passing game that features dump-offs and three- and five-step drops, with quick-hitting routes that don't lead to interceptions. Confidence is a big deal for Rivers and his coaches will try to develop it early.
• Rookie first-round pick Antonio Cromartie has had an uneven training camp but has flashed enough skills to play as the third corner in the nickel package. Starting RDC Drayton Florence will move inside to cover the slot receiver and Cromartie will cover a perimeter receiver in the nickel, taking advantage of his speed and natural cover skills. The Chargers are desperately looking for more turnovers and big plays from this unit, which should be improved from a year ago.
• Based on what they did in the preseason and the inexperience of Rivers, the Chargers will likely have a mostly intermediate and underneath passing game. WR Keenan McCardell and TE Antonio Gates will be his primary targets, but this will be a low-risk passing game with a minimum of vertical throws.
• There is some concern about the return game with the loss of Darren Sproles for the year. WR Eric Parker may have to assume the role of punt returner, but he is a big part of the San Diego offense and also gets banged up a lot. That leaves backup RB Michael Turner and DC Cletis Gordon as candidates. This is a position of some unrest.
• Pass protection in this game is critical for the Chargers. The Raiders have an excellent pass rush off the edge (DEs Derrick Burgess and Tyler Brayton) and San Diego is somewhat vulnerable at the tackle position. Rivers showed us in the preseason that he is capable of coughing the ball up when pressured.
• OLB Steve Foley, who is out for the season (shooting incident), will be replaced by Shaun Phillips, who is an excellent pass rusher with good sideline-to-sideline range. Foley was expected to post double-digit sacks in 2006 and take some double teams away from fellow OLB Shawne Merriman, but now Phillips will have to pick up that slack. Phillips will do a good job, but the problem now will be depth at the OLB position.
• The more you watch him on film, the more you like backup RB Michael Turner. He gets little publicity because he plays behind Tomlinson, but he could start for a lot of NFL teams. He averaged almost 6 yards per carry in 2005, and he can run inside and outside with good balance. The Chargers are trying to figure out ways to get him on the field more often (maybe as a KOR).
• Chargers NT Jamal Williams does a great job of eating up space and occupying two blockers, freeing up the other defensive linemen in single-blocking matchups. In this game, look for Williams to attack backup OC Corey Hulsey and rookie ROG Paul McQuistan. He can cause havoc inside and totally disrupt the Raiders' interior run game, possibly freeing DE Luis Castillo to have a big game.
• Rivers is capable of making all the throws. More importantly, he seems to have good leadership skills for a young guy. He may struggle with his consistency in the first month of the season. The Chargers will play conservatively until Rivers gets comfortable, and if they can survive the first month of the season (at Oakland, Tennessee, at Baltimore and Pittsburgh), they will be a strong Super Bowl contender.
• There has not been a wider gap in recent memory between the front office and the coaching staff of a team. Schottenheimer and GM A.J. Smith do not hang out together and operate independently. Schottenheimer does not have final say in personnel decisions. While he is a veteran coach who loves veteran players, Smith is a GM who builds through the draft and does not overspend in free agency. Can the two coexist? The answer is yes, but this is a frosty relationship.
• In 2005, the Chargers had a brutal road schedule, with a lot of East Coast trips. In 2006, the schedule is much more favorable and their only long trips are to Buffalo and Cincinnati.
Oakland Raiders

• This will likely be a run-oriented offense in 2006 under Art Shell. RB LaMont Jordan averaged only 19.4 carries a game in 2005. Jordan will be asked to increase his workload dramatically to give the Raiders better ball control. Wth no clear-cut backup, if Jordan isn't up to the task or he gets hurt, the Raiders' offense is in trouble. It faces a Chargers run defense that was No.1 in the NFL a year ago.
• Oakland led the NFL in penalties again in 2005 (147). The Raiders have continued to look somewhat sloppy and undisciplined in this preseason. The challenge for Shell is to get this team to play tough but under control, which hasn't been a Raiders trademark. This team is not good enough to overcome a lot of penalties. Many of the preseason penalties have been false starts by the offensive line.
• It is important for offensive coordinator Tom Walsh to get WR Randy Moss involved early. Moss has had a tendency throughout his career to disappear from games and lose interest if he doesn't get some early touches. When he is away from the ball his effort is usually marginal. We have seen those tendencies throughout the preseason, as Shell has been very conservative with Moss. The one weakness of the Chargers' outstanding defense is the secondary and the Raiders should test it early with a couple deep shots to Moss from Aaron Brooks.
• Look for the Raiders' defense to put eight defenders in the box, not only to stop Tomlinson but also to force Rivers to throw the ball. That sounds good in theory, but the reality is that San Diego has averaged over 170 yards rushing against the Raiders in their last four games. Defending the run on first and second downs in this game is critical for Oakland. The more third-and-long situations the Raiders can get Rivers in, the better chance they have for turnovers.
• This looks like a good rookie class for the Raiders. They will start three rookies in 2006: First-round pick Michael Huff will start at SS, second-round pick Thomas Howard will start at WOLB and third-round pick Paul McQuistan will start at ROG.
• This is a young secondary with a lot of speed and athleticism, but it is a work in progress. DC Fabian Washington has had a lights out preseason and looks like the true shutdown corner the Raiders have been looking for. They will play Huff all over the field, including lining him up in the box. He will blitz and the Raiders love his versatility. This is an organization that has made a lot of mistakes in the draft when selecting defensive backs. The Raiders have chosen a DB in the first round in five of the last six drafts, and they still don't have it right -- but they are getting better.
• On defense, the Raiders will try to confuse Rivers with a variety of 4-3 and 3-4 fronts, along with an aggressive blitz package. Rivers will have to make good reads, but the real question here is whether the Raiders really believe in their defensive scheme or are trying to cover up personnel weakness with exotic defensive looks.
• PK Sebastian Janikowski was under a lot of pressure heading into training camp. He converted only 7-of-15 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in 2005, and his kickoffs were short. However, he has had a good preseason and looks like he is ready for a solid season.
• Oakland's offensive line is definitely a work in progress. There is a lot of shuffling going on and the biggest concern is on the edges, where former first-round pick Robert Gallery (LOT) continues to struggle with false starts and slow reactions to speed rushers. Langston Walker (ROT) is moving from the LOG position he played a year ago, but his tenure at ROT has been rocky to say the least. They also have rookie McQuiston starting at ROG. The Chargers have an excellent edge pass rush provided, and they can attack from a lot of directions. The Raiders are very nervous about their perimeter pass protection in this game.
• Look for the Raiders' TEs to have a lot more production in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Tom Walsh. They will be used extensively in third-down situations, and this offense will attack the middle of the field with a group of TEs who can all catch the ball. We could see at least 50 receptions from this unit in 2006. The one big problem could be pass protection. If the Raiders' tackles struggle, as anticipated, TEs Courtney Anderson and Randal Williams may be forced to stay at home and block, and that will obviously adversely affect the intermediate passing game.
• Surprisingly, the Raiders traded WR Doug Gabriel to the New England Patriots last week, but the remarkable recovery of Ronald Curry (Achilles tendon) made it possible. A trio of Moss, Curry and the disgruntled Jerry Porter gives the Raiders a good vertical passing game, and the thing that Brooks does best is throw the deep ball. If you add Alvis Whitted to the mix, the Raiders have four guys who can stretch the field, but there is not a lot of margin for error. • For a team with marginal personnel, you would expect the Raiders to have a lot of room under the salary cap, but they don't have the money available to make wholesale changes. They will have to rebuild this team slowly, but they do have some good young players.
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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006
Redskins offense has plenty to prove


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox --><!-- firstName = Gary --><!-- lastName = Horton -->
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive
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After watching a lot of film on both the Vikings and Redskins, talking to coaches and scouts and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their game on Monday (ESPN 7 p.m. ET).
Minnesota Vikings

? The Vikings' offensive line has a chance to be one of the best in the NFL, especially on the left side. LOT Bryant McKinnie, LOG Steve Hutchinson and OC Matt Birk are Pro Bowl-caliber players and should be rock-solid. There are some concerns about the right side, as ROT Marcus Johnson is talented but only in his second season and ROG Artis Hicks is moving from the left side to the right side. Look for the Minnesota run game to favor the left side, at least early in the season.
? With first-round draft pick WOLB Chad Greenway lost for the season with a knee injury, the coaches have been forced to juggle their linebacking corps. E.J. Henderson (a MLB by trade) will play WOLB and hopefully play the role in this defense that Derrick Brooks does in Tampa. The bigger concern is at MLB. Napoleon Harris has struggled since he came to Minnesota and his preseason has been uneven. This is a good defense upfront and in the secondary, but this LB unit could be an Achilles' heel.
? There is some concern in the Vikings' organization about the durability of Chester Taylor and the run game in general. Taylor was never a full-time starter in Baltimore and didn't carry the ball much playing behind Jamal Lewis. Can he be the featured back in Minnesota and give the Vikings 20-plus carries a game for a full season? He does fit well in the West Coast offense because he can find creases and run lanes, and he is also a competent receiver out of the backfield. If Taylor runs well early against the Redskins, it will bring their safeties up and give Brad Johnson good play-action opportunities. There is not a lot of depth in this unit and Taylor has had a less than spectacular preseason, so a lot of eyes are on him.
? Look for Minnesota to play a lot of its basic Cover 2 defense against the Redskins. Defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams can collapse the pocket inside and make it tough for QB Mark Brunell to step up. Also, defensive ends Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze should have success off the edge pressuring Brunell. The ability to rush only four and drop seven into coverage will force Brunell to make a lot of tight throws into small zones, and that plays right into the Vikings' strength. We will not see a lot of blitzes in this game by Minnesota.
? WR Troy Williamson is under a lot of pressure in this game. With the loss of the WR Koren Robinson, he is now the go-to receiver in this offense. Williamson has great deep speed and is a terrific vertical threat, especially off play-action, but he is also inconsistent and will drop too many balls. He will be covered one-on-one by Shawn Springs (if he recovers from a preseason abdominal injury). He must get a clean release and avoid being jammed by Springs, who is a good press corner. This individual matchup could lead to a couple game-changing plays by either team and, even if Springs doesn't play, Williamson will still get tight man-to-man coverage.
? Everybody talks about Minnesota's big offensive line and its potential to open holes in the run game, but the key to its success may be the lead blocking of free- agent acquisition FB Tony Richardson. He may be the best isolation blocker in the game (ask Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson) and does a great job of finding LBs on the second level. He is especially effective in the red zone. Taylor would be well advised to follow Richardson through the hole and make his cuts off the isolation blocks in front of him. The Vikings are also very pleased with Richardson's leadership and work ethic.
? Minnesota expects a lot of exotic blitzes and attack schemes by the aggressive Washington defense and may counter with a lot of two-TE sets and max protection schemes, disguised to give the immobile Johnson time to throw. Its passing game will consist of a lot of three- and five-step drops and quick-hitting safe passes. Any deep throws may come off play action.
? This is a big stage for two Minnesota coordinators -- Darrell Bevell (offense) and Mike Tomlin (defense) -- who have never run the show or called a play on any level. Brad Childress will probably help Bevell by calling offensive plays, but the ability of these two young coaches to handle the pressure against Joe Gibbs and the most experienced coaching staff in the NFL will be something to watch.
? Childress has had a tough time with the Koren Robinson debacle. When he took the Minnesota job last winter, he thought long and hard about cleaning up this roster and getting rid of some players, including Robinson, to establish better discipline. The biggest fear Childress had was that Robinson would be his No. 1 receiver and an integral part of his offense while also being only one mistake away from being suspended for a year. Despite all of Robinson's good intentions, he let Childress down and the Vikings will scramble to replace him.
Washington Redskins

? Washington feels like it can cover the Minnesota WRs with single man-to-man coverage and some aggressive press schemes. Because of that philosophy, look for a considerable amount of blitzes and pressure. The Redskins could bring their OLBs (Marcus Washington and Warrick Holdman) or safeties (Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta). Both Taylor and Archuleta love to attack, but that leaves them vulnerable to vertical passing plays off play action, especially by Minnesota WR Troy Williamson.
? Look for Taylor to play some center field-type schemes in a Cover 1 look, with Archuleta playing up in the box, almost like a linebacker (which he does best) -- Taylor has great range, and Archuleta is an excellent run-stuffer and blitzer. The Redskins will stack the line vs. Chester Taylor and the Vikings' run game. They will play man to man on the corners and Sean Taylor will be in position to help one of his corners over the top. Taylor must play a smart game and not gamble against Minnesota's play action.
? Something is wrong with the Redskins' offense and it's tough to pinpoint. Their first-team offense did not score one TD in the preseason or even get into the red zone. Pass protection has been shaky. Brunell looks old and weak-armed, and without Clinton Portis there has been virtually no run game. This offense should be explosive, but the timing and the creativity under offensive guru Al Saunders has been non-existent. Are the Redskins playing it close to the vest or are they an overrated team? We will know Monday. Right now you would have to consider them as the biggest disappointment of the preseason.
? Look for Brunell to attack the deep middle of the field against Minnesota's Cover 2 defense. Vikings MLB Napoleon Harris struggles in coverage, and the weakness of this defense is over the middle and between the safeties. If Brunell is sharp and accurate and if Harris struggles with his depth, there will be plays to be made.
? You had the feeling in training camp that this coaching staff really likes its depth at RB -- but everything seems different now. Ladell Betts is an excellent kickoff returner and a decent backup back, but he has been slowed in the preseason by a hamstring injury. Rock Cartwright is excellent on special teams and has looked good in limited spots in the preseason. Portis may be bothered all season by his shoulder injury, making this position dicey. That is why the Redskins traded for Atlanta RB T.J. Duckett and paid a fairly steep price. Duckett will take the pressure off Portis in short-yardage and goal-line situations. What looked like a strong position in July doesn't look that way in September.
? The Redskins need some quick-strike plays to jump start their lethargic offense and that could lead to some gadget plays involving WR Antwaan Randle El. Look for Randle El to line up at QB a couple times and maybe throw a pass. Also, look for some quick bubble-type screens to get the ball on the perimeter. This team needs to score early and not allow Minnesota to adjust and get comfortable on defense.
? If Portis isn't ready and Duckett has to carry the run load for the Redskins, look for more between-the-tackles power runs. If successful, it could force the Vikings to load up in the box to stop the run, leading to some open spots over the middle for Brunell in the passing game.
? This is an offense that is expected to be very sophisticated under Saunders, but it might not be as complex as it looks. This is a passing game that is very precise and requires tight throws into tight spots. The receivers are not asked to make a lot of sight adjustments and change their routes. They also will not have an expansive audible system, as the emphasis will be on execution and discipline. With the Vikings playing a Cover 2 defense, Brunell will have spots to throw to, but the window won't be big. His receivers will have to find the open spots and trust that the ball will be there. This is not an easy defense for the Redskins to open against.
? This game may be won or lost in the trenches and these are great matchups. The Minnesota offensive line is big and physical, but Washington can attack with exotic blitzes and has intelligent defensive players capable of adjusting to changing schemes. Washington needs a big game from RDE Andre Carter, who will be matched up vs. McKinnie. Washington's offensive line has not had a great preseason, especially in pass protection, and the unit will have its hands full with a talented Minnesota front seven. The team that controls the line of scrimmage will likely win this game.
? Although we have talked a lot in the preseason about the Redskins' new three-WR offensive scheme (which hasn't produced many big plays yet), the guy to watch in this game may be TE Chris Cooley, who was basically an H-back in 2005 when he had 71 catches and seven TDs. With three WRs, Saunders will move Cooley around and always get single coverage, usually by a LB or safety. Against this Minnesota Cover 2, look for Cooley to exploit the deep middle of the field over MLB Harris and between the safeties, who are playing the deep half of the field. It requires a tight throw with good touch by Brunell, but the openings will be there. ? If Springs misses more time than we think with his abdominal injury, it could really hinder the Redskins' defense. Springs has the versatility to play man-to-man or zone. He can blitz and make quick adjustments. His skills buy his front four time and lead to some coverage sacks. The Redskins do not have a great replacement for Springs, although veterans Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph will try to hold down the fort.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Updated: Sep. 11, 2006
Redskins offense has plenty to prove


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By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
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After watching a lot of film on both the Vikings and Redskins, talking to coaches and scouts and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their game on Monday (ESPN 7 p.m. ET).
Minnesota Vikings

? The Vikings' offensive line has a chance to be one of the best in the NFL, especially on the left side. LOT Bryant McKinnie, LOG Steve Hutchinson and OC Matt Birk are Pro Bowl-caliber players and should be rock-solid. There are some concerns about the right side, as ROT Marcus Johnson is talented but only in his second season and ROG Artis Hicks is moving from the left side to the right side. Look for the Minnesota run game to favor the left side, at least early in the season.
? With first-round draft pick WOLB Chad Greenway lost for the season with a knee injury, the coaches have been forced to juggle their linebacking corps. E.J. Henderson (a MLB by trade) will play WOLB and hopefully play the role in this defense that Derrick Brooks does in Tampa. The bigger concern is at MLB. Napoleon Harris has struggled since he came to Minnesota and his preseason has been uneven. This is a good defense upfront and in the secondary, but this LB unit could be an Achilles' heel.
? There is some concern in the Vikings' organization about the durability of Chester Taylor and the run game in general. Taylor was never a full-time starter in Baltimore and didn't carry the ball much playing behind Jamal Lewis. Can he be the featured back in Minnesota and give the Vikings 20-plus carries a game for a full season? He does fit well in the West Coast offense because he can find creases and run lanes, and he is also a competent receiver out of the backfield. If Taylor runs well early against the Redskins, it will bring their safeties up and give Brad Johnson good play-action opportunities. There is not a lot of depth in this unit and Taylor has had a less than spectacular preseason, so a lot of eyes are on him.
? Look for Minnesota to play a lot of its basic Cover 2 defense against the Redskins. Defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams can collapse the pocket inside and make it tough for QB Mark Brunell to step up. Also, defensive ends Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze should have success off the edge pressuring Brunell. The ability to rush only four and drop seven into coverage will force Brunell to make a lot of tight throws into small zones, and that plays right into the Vikings' strength. We will not see a lot of blitzes in this game by Minnesota.
? WR Troy Williamson is under a lot of pressure in this game. With the loss of the WR Koren Robinson, he is now the go-to receiver in this offense. Williamson has great deep speed and is a terrific vertical threat, especially off play-action, but he is also inconsistent and will drop too many balls. He will be covered one-on-one by Shawn Springs (if he recovers from a preseason abdominal injury). He must get a clean release and avoid being jammed by Springs, who is a good press corner. This individual matchup could lead to a couple game-changing plays by either team and, even if Springs doesn't play, Williamson will still get tight man-to-man coverage.
? Everybody talks about Minnesota's big offensive line and its potential to open holes in the run game, but the key to its success may be the lead blocking of free- agent acquisition FB Tony Richardson. He may be the best isolation blocker in the game (ask Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson) and does a great job of finding LBs on the second level. He is especially effective in the red zone. Taylor would be well advised to follow Richardson through the hole and make his cuts off the isolation blocks in front of him. The Vikings are also very pleased with Richardson's leadership and work ethic.
? Minnesota expects a lot of exotic blitzes and attack schemes by the aggressive Washington defense and may counter with a lot of two-TE sets and max protection schemes, disguised to give the immobile Johnson time to throw. Its passing game will consist of a lot of three- and five-step drops and quick-hitting safe passes. Any deep throws may come off play action.
? This is a big stage for two Minnesota coordinators -- Darrell Bevell (offense) and Mike Tomlin (defense) -- who have never run the show or called a play on any level. Brad Childress will probably help Bevell by calling offensive plays, but the ability of these two young coaches to handle the pressure against Joe Gibbs and the most experienced coaching staff in the NFL will be something to watch.
? Childress has had a tough time with the Koren Robinson debacle. When he took the Minnesota job last winter, he thought long and hard about cleaning up this roster and getting rid of some players, including Robinson, to establish better discipline. The biggest fear Childress had was that Robinson would be his No. 1 receiver and an integral part of his offense while also being only one mistake away from being suspended for a year. Despite all of Robinson's good intentions, he let Childress down and the Vikings will scramble to replace him.
Washington Redskins

? Washington feels like it can cover the Minnesota WRs with single man-to-man coverage and some aggressive press schemes. Because of that philosophy, look for a considerable amount of blitzes and pressure. The Redskins could bring their OLBs (Marcus Washington and Warrick Holdman) or safeties (Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta). Both Taylor and Archuleta love to attack, but that leaves them vulnerable to vertical passing plays off play action, especially by Minnesota WR Troy Williamson.
? Look for Taylor to play some center field-type schemes in a Cover 1 look, with Archuleta playing up in the box, almost like a linebacker (which he does best) -- Taylor has great range, and Archuleta is an excellent run-stuffer and blitzer. The Redskins will stack the line vs. Chester Taylor and the Vikings' run game. They will play man to man on the corners and Sean Taylor will be in position to help one of his corners over the top. Taylor must play a smart game and not gamble against Minnesota's play action.
? Something is wrong with the Redskins' offense and it's tough to pinpoint. Their first-team offense did not score one TD in the preseason or even get into the red zone. Pass protection has been shaky. Brunell looks old and weak-armed, and without Clinton Portis there has been virtually no run game. This offense should be explosive, but the timing and the creativity under offensive guru Al Saunders has been non-existent. Are the Redskins playing it close to the vest or are they an overrated team? We will know Monday. Right now you would have to consider them as the biggest disappointment of the preseason.
? Look for Brunell to attack the deep middle of the field against Minnesota's Cover 2 defense. Vikings MLB Napoleon Harris struggles in coverage, and the weakness of this defense is over the middle and between the safeties. If Brunell is sharp and accurate and if Harris struggles with his depth, there will be plays to be made.
? You had the feeling in training camp that this coaching staff really likes its depth at RB -- but everything seems different now. Ladell Betts is an excellent kickoff returner and a decent backup back, but he has been slowed in the preseason by a hamstring injury. Rock Cartwright is excellent on special teams and has looked good in limited spots in the preseason. Portis may be bothered all season by his shoulder injury, making this position dicey. That is why the Redskins traded for Atlanta RB T.J. Duckett and paid a fairly steep price. Duckett will take the pressure off Portis in short-yardage and goal-line situations. What looked like a strong position in July doesn't look that way in September.
? The Redskins need some quick-strike plays to jump start their lethargic offense and that could lead to some gadget plays involving WR Antwaan Randle El. Look for Randle El to line up at QB a couple times and maybe throw a pass. Also, look for some quick bubble-type screens to get the ball on the perimeter. This team needs to score early and not allow Minnesota to adjust and get comfortable on defense.
? If Portis isn't ready and Duckett has to carry the run load for the Redskins, look for more between-the-tackles power runs. If successful, it could force the Vikings to load up in the box to stop the run, leading to some open spots over the middle for Brunell in the passing game.
? This is an offense that is expected to be very sophisticated under Saunders, but it might not be as complex as it looks. This is a passing game that is very precise and requires tight throws into tight spots. The receivers are not asked to make a lot of sight adjustments and change their routes. They also will not have an expansive audible system, as the emphasis will be on execution and discipline. With the Vikings playing a Cover 2 defense, Brunell will have spots to throw to, but the window won't be big. His receivers will have to find the open spots and trust that the ball will be there. This is not an easy defense for the Redskins to open against.
? This game may be won or lost in the trenches and these are great matchups. The Minnesota offensive line is big and physical, but Washington can attack with exotic blitzes and has intelligent defensive players capable of adjusting to changing schemes. Washington needs a big game from RDE Andre Carter, who will be matched up vs. McKinnie. Washington's offensive line has not had a great preseason, especially in pass protection, and the unit will have its hands full with a talented Minnesota front seven. The team that controls the line of scrimmage will likely win this game.
? Although we have talked a lot in the preseason about the Redskins' new three-WR offensive scheme (which hasn't produced many big plays yet), the guy to watch in this game may be TE Chris Cooley, who was basically an H-back in 2005 when he had 71 catches and seven TDs. With three WRs, Saunders will move Cooley around and always get single coverage, usually by a LB or safety. Against this Minnesota Cover 2, look for Cooley to exploit the deep middle of the field over MLB Harris and between the safeties, who are playing the deep half of the field. It requires a tight throw with good touch by Brunell, but the openings will be there. ? If Springs misses more time than we think with his abdominal injury, it could really hinder the Redskins' defense. Springs has the versatility to play man-to-man or zone. He can blitz and make quick adjustments. His skills buy his front four time and lead to some coverage sacks. The Redskins do not have a great replacement for Springs, although veterans Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph will try to hold down the fort.
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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Monday, September 11, 2006
Take 2: Vikings vs. Redskins


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By Scouts, Inc.


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Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Vikings and Redskins. Now they're back with a second look.

The Redskins need to protect quarterback Mark Brunell and give him time to find his receivers. Look for offensive coordinator Al Saunders to use timing routes to get the ball quickly out of Brunell's hand (3- and 5-step drops). Brunell can't afford to hold on to the ball against a good Vikings defensive front-four. Screen passes to the wide receivers, a back or even the tight end will let them catch and run with the ball and it will also slow down the Vikings pass rush.
? Saunders could go to a no-huddle offense early in the game against the Vikings. The Steelers had success with the no-huddle against the Vikings this preseason. The Vikings looked confused. The no-huddle would allow Saunders to possible get his three wide receiver package matched up on the Vikings' regular defensive personnel. A no-huddle offense would force the Vikings into a soft zone coverage, something Saunders would love to take advantage of. This could pit Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson on Redskins wide receivers Santana Moss or Antwaan Randle El in the slot. Henderson is better against the run than he is against the pass.
? The Vikings will have trouble moving the ball against the Redskins defense. Gregg Williams should feel confident with his matchups on the outside lanes between his corners and the Vikings receivers. This would allow Williams to use his pressure package. Williams likes to spread around his defenders and bring pressure from different places so the offense can't focus on one defensive player. Outside pressure with a Cover 2 scheme behind it would work well vs. the Vikings quick-rhyme passing attack. This gets pressure to one side of the offensive formation with a flat defender to take away any hot (quick) throws.
? A key position for each team is going to be the tight end position. Both teams field good receiving TEs in Jermaine Wiggins (Vikings) and Chris Cooley (Redskins). Wiggins, the Vikings' leading receiver last year with 69 catches, could be quarterback Brad Johnson's favorite target Monday night. If the Redskins blitz a lot, which they will, Wiggins will be the quick outlet throw that Johnson will look for to beat the rush. Cooley, like Wiggins, caught a lot of balls from Brunell last year and he could be a big part of this game. The Vikings will use a two-deep zone coverage that gives up the short-middle area of the field. These are safe easy throws for a quarterback that will allow Cooley to turn up-field after the catch for good yardage.
? The Vikings defense under coordinator Mike Tomlin must do a good job of disguising their defenses to keep Brunell guessing until just before the snap. Tomlin needs to get pressure on Brunell early, mixing in a pressure package with some straight four-man rush by his excellent defensive line. The Vikings have three good pass rushers on the line in DT Kevin Williams and DEs Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze. The ends will work from outside in and force Brunell to try and step up in the packet where Kevin Williams will be waiting. ? The Vikings must get their ground game going early to set up the play-action passing game. Vikings running back Chester Taylor has struggled in preseason to effectively run the football. The Vikings offensive line needs to create lanes for Taylor to run through. Redskins strong safety Adam Archuleta is a very aggressive safety who has a tendency to bite up on play-action. If he bites on the play fake while he is the deep safety this could open up the middle of the field for speedy receiver Troy Williamson and leave the Redskins corners with no post help.

Special Teams
Special teams could be critical in this game, especially punting, because field position could be a big factor. The Redskins can ill afford to go three-and-out backed and give the Vikings offense a short field. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe averaged 47.1 yards per punt with a net of 39.1 yards in the preseason. This could be a decided advantage for the Vikings. Kicker Ryan Longwell made 7 of 9 field goals. In contrast, Redskins punter Derrick Frost has a 42.7 yard average with a net of 36.1 yards. The Redskins punt cover unit has to limit the return yardage this week if the Redskins are going to win the battle of field position. Whoever the Redskins have returning kicks -- Ladell Betts, James Thrash or Rock Cartwright -- should get some big returns vs. a Vikings kickoff cover unit that gave up some big return yardage in their preseason final against the Cowboys.

Matchups
? Vikings WR Troy Williamson vs. Redskins CB Kenny Wright
? Vikings TE Jermaine Wiggins vs. Redskins SS Adam Archuleta
? Vikings LOG Steve Hutchinson vs. Redskins RDT Joe Salave'a
? Redskins WR Santana Moss vs. Vikings CB Antoine Winfield
? Redskins TE Chris Cooley vs. Vikings MLB Napoleon Harris


Scouts' Edge
The Redskins are coming off a poor preseason. Their starting offense struggled to move the ball and score points. They face a solid Vikings defense that held the Cowboys to a field goal in the first half of their last preseason game. Al Saunders has to find ways to get the ball to his playmakers and move the chains. Brunell has to be safe with the football. He can't give the Vikings improved field position due to turnovers. The Vikings need to play great on defense and on special teams. They need to play the field-position game and take what the Redskins give them. Teams that score on defense statistically have an 80 percent chance of winning the football game.

Prediction: Redskins 20, Vikings 13

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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Monday, September 11, 2006
Take 2: Vikings vs. Redskins


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By Scouts, Inc.


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Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Vikings and Redskins. Now they're back with a second look.

The Redskins need to protect quarterback Mark Brunell and give him time to find his receivers. Look for offensive coordinator Al Saunders to use timing routes to get the ball quickly out of Brunell's hand (3- and 5-step drops). Brunell can't afford to hold on to the ball against a good Vikings defensive front-four. Screen passes to the wide receivers, a back or even the tight end will let them catch and run with the ball and it will also slow down the Vikings pass rush.
? Saunders could go to a no-huddle offense early in the game against the Vikings. The Steelers had success with the no-huddle against the Vikings this preseason. The Vikings looked confused. The no-huddle would allow Saunders to possible get his three wide receiver package matched up on the Vikings' regular defensive personnel. A no-huddle offense would force the Vikings into a soft zone coverage, something Saunders would love to take advantage of. This could pit Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson on Redskins wide receivers Santana Moss or Antwaan Randle El in the slot. Henderson is better against the run than he is against the pass.
? The Vikings will have trouble moving the ball against the Redskins defense. Gregg Williams should feel confident with his matchups on the outside lanes between his corners and the Vikings receivers. This would allow Williams to use his pressure package. Williams likes to spread around his defenders and bring pressure from different places so the offense can't focus on one defensive player. Outside pressure with a Cover 2 scheme behind it would work well vs. the Vikings quick-rhyme passing attack. This gets pressure to one side of the offensive formation with a flat defender to take away any hot (quick) throws.
? A key position for each team is going to be the tight end position. Both teams field good receiving TEs in Jermaine Wiggins (Vikings) and Chris Cooley (Redskins). Wiggins, the Vikings' leading receiver last year with 69 catches, could be quarterback Brad Johnson's favorite target Monday night. If the Redskins blitz a lot, which they will, Wiggins will be the quick outlet throw that Johnson will look for to beat the rush. Cooley, like Wiggins, caught a lot of balls from Brunell last year and he could be a big part of this game. The Vikings will use a two-deep zone coverage that gives up the short-middle area of the field. These are safe easy throws for a quarterback that will allow Cooley to turn up-field after the catch for good yardage.
? The Vikings defense under coordinator Mike Tomlin must do a good job of disguising their defenses to keep Brunell guessing until just before the snap. Tomlin needs to get pressure on Brunell early, mixing in a pressure package with some straight four-man rush by his excellent defensive line. The Vikings have three good pass rushers on the line in DT Kevin Williams and DEs Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze. The ends will work from outside in and force Brunell to try and step up in the packet where Kevin Williams will be waiting. ? The Vikings must get their ground game going early to set up the play-action passing game. Vikings running back Chester Taylor has struggled in preseason to effectively run the football. The Vikings offensive line needs to create lanes for Taylor to run through. Redskins strong safety Adam Archuleta is a very aggressive safety who has a tendency to bite up on play-action. If he bites on the play fake while he is the deep safety this could open up the middle of the field for speedy receiver Troy Williamson and leave the Redskins corners with no post help.

Special Teams
Special teams could be critical in this game, especially punting, because field position could be a big factor. The Redskins can ill afford to go three-and-out backed and give the Vikings offense a short field. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe averaged 47.1 yards per punt with a net of 39.1 yards in the preseason. This could be a decided advantage for the Vikings. Kicker Ryan Longwell made 7 of 9 field goals. In contrast, Redskins punter Derrick Frost has a 42.7 yard average with a net of 36.1 yards. The Redskins punt cover unit has to limit the return yardage this week if the Redskins are going to win the battle of field position. Whoever the Redskins have returning kicks -- Ladell Betts, James Thrash or Rock Cartwright -- should get some big returns vs. a Vikings kickoff cover unit that gave up some big return yardage in their preseason final against the Cowboys.

Matchups
? Vikings WR Troy Williamson vs. Redskins CB Kenny Wright
? Vikings TE Jermaine Wiggins vs. Redskins SS Adam Archuleta
? Vikings LOG Steve Hutchinson vs. Redskins RDT Joe Salave'a
? Redskins WR Santana Moss vs. Vikings CB Antoine Winfield
? Redskins TE Chris Cooley vs. Vikings MLB Napoleon Harris


Scouts' Edge
The Redskins are coming off a poor preseason. Their starting offense struggled to move the ball and score points. They face a solid Vikings defense that held the Cowboys to a field goal in the first half of their last preseason game. Al Saunders has to find ways to get the ball to his playmakers and move the chains. Brunell has to be safe with the football. He can't give the Vikings improved field position due to turnovers. The Vikings need to play great on defense and on special teams. They need to play the field-position game and take what the Redskins give them. Teams that score on defense statistically have an 80 percent chance of winning the football game.

Prediction: Redskins 20, Vikings 13

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[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

<!-- begin this div --><!-- begin leftcol --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- begin pagetitle -->Monday, September 11, 2006
Take 2: Chargers vs. Raiders


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By Scouts, Inc.


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Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Chargers and Raiders. Now they're back with a second look.

This game will mark the debut of San Diego QB Philip Rivers. It is hard to know how much of the offense he will have at his disposal because the Chargers obviously did not show everything in the preseason. A coach on their staff mentioned that Rivers has an excellent grasp of the system. The overall offense may be a little more conservative on game day, but offensive coordinator Cam Cameron won't feel there is anything in the playbook he can't call.
? Rookie SS Michael Huff will give the Raiders a lot of versatility. He is a solid athlete who can match up in coverage, which is a huge in the tight end-heavy AFC West. The Chargers' No. 1 target is TE Antonio Gates. The Raiders play almost exclusively man coverage. That means Huff will get matched up with Gates often. Huff will have a bit of an edge athletically, but Gates has more experience and is more physical. This will be a huge matchup Monday night and many more times down the road in this rivalry. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

Hulsey
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<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? Oakland center Jake Grove (shoulder) will likely be listed as questionable this week. It came as a surprise to many that Art Shell opted to go with Corey Hulsey instead of veteran Adam Treu when Grove was injured. Hulsey is one of the most powerful linemen on the Raiders' roster and Shell wants to establish a power run game. Even though the Raiders want to pound the ball a little more inside this season, they might try to stretch the field a little more by getting LaMont Jordan out on the edges.
? There is a lot of mystery regarding the Raiders' No. 2 WR spot. Jerry Porter is healthy, but he and the team are at odds. The Raiders could go to speedster Alvis Whitted, but he has shaky hands and has always been inconsistent. Ronald Curry has been extremely productive in the past, but his injured Achilles has been an issue. We are hearing that Whitted will be in line for more playing time this week, but don't count Porter out in terms of working his way back onto the field. Al Davis is about winning, and Porter gives them the best opportunity to do that.
? The Chargers have some serious issues at left tackle. Projected starter Roman Oben will start the season on the PUP list. Marcus McNeill broke his left hand and had surgery that slowed his development. The team thought about going with Leander Jordan, but he too has had some injury issues. For now the team will entrust the job of protecting Rivers' blind side to McNeill. Look for Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to throw multiple blitzers and stunts at the rookie.
? It is hard not to be impressed with the Raiders' LB group. Kirk Morrison looks like he has made a nice adjustment to playing in the middle. Rookie Thomas Howard can flat out fly. Sam Williams is coming off a knee injury in 2005 but had a solid camp. The one area of concern is discipline, and you can bet linebackers coach Don Martindale will be preaching about it this week. Look for the Chargers to use play-action and a lot of movement and motion to try to make Oakland's young linehacking corps to think instead of react. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

Phillips
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<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? The loss of OLB Steve Foley will hurt San Diego's No. 1-ranked run defense. Shaun Phillips, who will replace Foley, has struggled to adjust to the 3-4 scheme as a stand-up outside linebacker. At times, the game seems to move too fast for him. He is primarily going to be a rush player, which suits his strengths. The run game is where he has some issues because he struggles to react quickly and gets behind the football. Phillips will give the Chargers a bigger body at the point of attack, but there is some concern that mental mistakes will hinder his ability to be a consistent run-down player.
? The Chargers' new-look secondary will definitely be put to the test this week. Offseason acquisition Marlon McCree is safety with coverage skills. First-round pick Antonio Cromartie did not win the starting cornerback job from Drayton Florence, but he will play in the nickel package. Cromartie is an excellent athlete, but he has never seen a receiver like Randy Moss. If the Raiders get some man coverage, which they will, look for them to work to get Moss matched up on Cromartie. He will get some help from the safety, but there is no receiver in the NFL who can split double coverage like Moss can.

Special Teams
The injury to special teams standout Daren Sproles has affected both the return game and the cover units for the Chargers. Rookie Cletis Gordon might also miss the game. The Chargers could use Eric Parker as the punt return man, but the team is leery of his size and the potential of him wearing down.

Matchups
? San Diego DC Quentin Jammer vs. Oakland WR Randy Moss
? Oakland SS Michael Huff vs. San Diego TE Antonio Gates
? Oakland ROT Langston Walker vs. San Diego LOLB Shawne Merriman
? San Diego ILB Donnie Edwards vs. Oakland RB Lamont Jordan
? San Diego LOT Leander Jordan vs. Oakland RDE Derrick Burgess

Scouts' Edge
You don't want to put too much emphasis on one game, especially in Week 1, but we think this is a huge game for both teams. The Chargers return to the field after a rocky 2005 season that saw them miss the playoffs despite having as much talent as any team in the NFL. The Raiders are coming off an excellent preseason. It will be interesting to see how that carries over to the regular season.
For the Raiders it is all about stopping the run this week. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson is the best in the NFL and it is very difficult to stop him. This is also an important home game for the Raiders because in terms of travel miles this team is No. 1 in the NFL. There could be a wear-down factor with their brutal schedule. Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks got better as the preseason went on. This is Rivers' first start, on the road and in an extremely hostile environment. For that reason, we like the Raiders in a mild upset.

Prediction: Raiders 24, Chargers 20

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

<!-- begin this div --><!-- begin leftcol --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- begin pagetitle -->Monday, September 11, 2006
Take 2: Chargers vs. Raiders


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By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
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<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)---------------------><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" colSpan=9>San Diego at Oakland Matchups</TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>QB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>RB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>WR</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>OL</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>DL</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>LB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>DB</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>ST</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>Coach</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #999999" align=middle width=62>Overall</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD><TD align=middle width=62> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)--------------------->

Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Chargers and Raiders. Now they're back with a second look.

This game will mark the debut of San Diego QB Philip Rivers. It is hard to know how much of the offense he will have at his disposal because the Chargers obviously did not show everything in the preseason. A coach on their staff mentioned that Rivers has an excellent grasp of the system. The overall offense may be a little more conservative on game day, but offensive coordinator Cam Cameron won't feel there is anything in the playbook he can't call.
? Rookie SS Michael Huff will give the Raiders a lot of versatility. He is a solid athlete who can match up in coverage, which is a huge in the tight end-heavy AFC West. The Chargers' No. 1 target is TE Antonio Gates. The Raiders play almost exclusively man coverage. That means Huff will get matched up with Gates often. Huff will have a bit of an edge athletically, but Gates has more experience and is more physical. This will be a huge matchup Monday night and many more times down the road in this rivalry. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

Hulsey
​

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? Oakland center Jake Grove (shoulder) will likely be listed as questionable this week. It came as a surprise to many that Art Shell opted to go with Corey Hulsey instead of veteran Adam Treu when Grove was injured. Hulsey is one of the most powerful linemen on the Raiders' roster and Shell wants to establish a power run game. Even though the Raiders want to pound the ball a little more inside this season, they might try to stretch the field a little more by getting LaMont Jordan out on the edges.
? There is a lot of mystery regarding the Raiders' No. 2 WR spot. Jerry Porter is healthy, but he and the team are at odds. The Raiders could go to speedster Alvis Whitted, but he has shaky hands and has always been inconsistent. Ronald Curry has been extremely productive in the past, but his injured Achilles has been an issue. We are hearing that Whitted will be in line for more playing time this week, but don't count Porter out in terms of working his way back onto the field. Al Davis is about winning, and Porter gives them the best opportunity to do that.
? The Chargers have some serious issues at left tackle. Projected starter Roman Oben will start the season on the PUP list. Marcus McNeill broke his left hand and had surgery that slowed his development. The team thought about going with Leander Jordan, but he too has had some injury issues. For now the team will entrust the job of protecting Rivers' blind side to McNeill. Look for Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to throw multiple blitzers and stunts at the rookie.
? It is hard not to be impressed with the Raiders' LB group. Kirk Morrison looks like he has made a nice adjustment to playing in the middle. Rookie Thomas Howard can flat out fly. Sam Williams is coming off a knee injury in 2005 but had a solid camp. The one area of concern is discipline, and you can bet linebackers coach Don Martindale will be preaching about it this week. Look for the Chargers to use play-action and a lot of movement and motion to try to make Oakland's young linehacking corps to think instead of react. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->

Phillips
​

<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? The loss of OLB Steve Foley will hurt San Diego's No. 1-ranked run defense. Shaun Phillips, who will replace Foley, has struggled to adjust to the 3-4 scheme as a stand-up outside linebacker. At times, the game seems to move too fast for him. He is primarily going to be a rush player, which suits his strengths. The run game is where he has some issues because he struggles to react quickly and gets behind the football. Phillips will give the Chargers a bigger body at the point of attack, but there is some concern that mental mistakes will hinder his ability to be a consistent run-down player.
? The Chargers' new-look secondary will definitely be put to the test this week. Offseason acquisition Marlon McCree is safety with coverage skills. First-round pick Antonio Cromartie did not win the starting cornerback job from Drayton Florence, but he will play in the nickel package. Cromartie is an excellent athlete, but he has never seen a receiver like Randy Moss. If the Raiders get some man coverage, which they will, look for them to work to get Moss matched up on Cromartie. He will get some help from the safety, but there is no receiver in the NFL who can split double coverage like Moss can.

Special Teams
The injury to special teams standout Daren Sproles has affected both the return game and the cover units for the Chargers. Rookie Cletis Gordon might also miss the game. The Chargers could use Eric Parker as the punt return man, but the team is leery of his size and the potential of him wearing down.

Matchups
? San Diego DC Quentin Jammer vs. Oakland WR Randy Moss
? Oakland SS Michael Huff vs. San Diego TE Antonio Gates
? Oakland ROT Langston Walker vs. San Diego LOLB Shawne Merriman
? San Diego ILB Donnie Edwards vs. Oakland RB Lamont Jordan
? San Diego LOT Leander Jordan vs. Oakland RDE Derrick Burgess

Scouts' Edge
You don't want to put too much emphasis on one game, especially in Week 1, but we think this is a huge game for both teams. The Chargers return to the field after a rocky 2005 season that saw them miss the playoffs despite having as much talent as any team in the NFL. The Raiders are coming off an excellent preseason. It will be interesting to see how that carries over to the regular season.
For the Raiders it is all about stopping the run this week. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson is the best in the NFL and it is very difficult to stop him. This is also an important home game for the Raiders because in terms of travel miles this team is No. 1 in the NFL. There could be a wear-down factor with their brutal schedule. Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks got better as the preseason went on. This is Rivers' first start, on the road and in an extremely hostile environment. For that reason, we like the Raiders in a mild upset.

Prediction: Raiders 24, Chargers 20

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Don't panic yet, Broncos fans


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

With half the AFC West still on tap in Monday Night Football, here's a look at the two teams that opened on Sunday:

Not time to panic yet, Denver fans

It was exactly a year ago when the Denver Broncos opened their season at Miami. Expectations were high, but the Dolphins dominated the Broncos, 34-10. Jake Plummer took criticism for that loss (two interceptions, one fumble) as he already has for Sunday's disappointing 18-10 loss in St. Louis, where he threw three interceptions.

But just like it was not time to hit the panic button last season, there is no need to panic after one game this season. The Broncos are as deep and talented as any team in the NFL. It took Plummer a little time to settle in last year, as it will this year. Mike Shanahan is a great head coach, and he knows how to coach offense and quarterbacks. Just as he did last season, he will go in to the office today and break down the film. He will see the things Plummer did well and the things that he did not. From there he will make the adjustments.
This is a veteran Denver team that has a chance to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Shanahan is not about to pull the plug on Plummer and go with rookie Jay Cutler. If Cutler were to struggle, Shanahan would be stuck. He wouldn't be able to go back to Plummer, because his confidence would be shot.
Take this game for what it was -- a disappointing opening-season loss on the road. I think I have read this script before. It is the same recipe the Broncos used last season on their way to the AFC Championship Game.
Chief Concern: Offensive Line play

It is great news to hear that QB Trent Green was back on his feet Sunday night after taking that scary hit. Green will go down as one of the classiest individuals to ever play in the NFL.

Lost in the concern over Green after he absorbed that devastating , in which his head banged into the turf, was the continued struggles of the Chiefs' offensive line. This unit has not jelled yet, and not only are they struggling to protect the quarterback (seven sacks allowed yesterday), they are not blowing open any holes either.
Larry Johnson is a north and south runner and is not going to consistently make people miss, so they need to find him some running room.
With Green expected to miss a couple of weeks, this issue is only going to deepen. With Green in the game, there was at least the threat of an explosive passing game. Backup QB Damon Huard and No. 3 Brodie Croyle do not pose that same threat.
For that reason we can expect to see Johnson running against a lot more eight-man fronts in the coming weeks.
Gates-Huff matchup should be a great one

When the Oakland Raiders selected Texas safety Michael Huff in the first round last April, they did so in part because he was a great college player. But a big reason they liked him was that he is a safety with the cover skills of a corner. The AFC West has two excellent tight ends. We saw Tony Gonzalez in action for the Chiefs on Sunday, and we will see the other on Monday Night Football in Antonio Gates.

The Raiders play almost exclusively man coverage. Gates is the type of tight end that can line up all over the field and create mismatches. The Raiders now have a player in Huff that can match up with Gates should the Chargers decide to flex him out on early downs when the Raiders don't have their nickel package on the field. Look for Huff to shadow Gates all over the field in what should be a great individual matchup.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 9 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Don't panic yet, Broncos fans


posted: Monday, September 11, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

With half the AFC West still on tap in Monday Night Football, here's a look at the two teams that opened on Sunday:

Not time to panic yet, Denver fans

It was exactly a year ago when the Denver Broncos opened their season at Miami. Expectations were high, but the Dolphins dominated the Broncos, 34-10. Jake Plummer took criticism for that loss (two interceptions, one fumble) as he already has for Sunday's disappointing 18-10 loss in St. Louis, where he threw three interceptions.

But just like it was not time to hit the panic button last season, there is no need to panic after one game this season. The Broncos are as deep and talented as any team in the NFL. It took Plummer a little time to settle in last year, as it will this year. Mike Shanahan is a great head coach, and he knows how to coach offense and quarterbacks. Just as he did last season, he will go in to the office today and break down the film. He will see the things Plummer did well and the things that he did not. From there he will make the adjustments.
This is a veteran Denver team that has a chance to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Shanahan is not about to pull the plug on Plummer and go with rookie Jay Cutler. If Cutler were to struggle, Shanahan would be stuck. He wouldn't be able to go back to Plummer, because his confidence would be shot.
Take this game for what it was -- a disappointing opening-season loss on the road. I think I have read this script before. It is the same recipe the Broncos used last season on their way to the AFC Championship Game.
Chief Concern: Offensive Line play

It is great news to hear that QB Trent Green was back on his feet Sunday night after taking that scary hit. Green will go down as one of the classiest individuals to ever play in the NFL.

Lost in the concern over Green after he absorbed that devastating , in which his head banged into the turf, was the continued struggles of the Chiefs' offensive line. This unit has not jelled yet, and not only are they struggling to protect the quarterback (seven sacks allowed yesterday), they are not blowing open any holes either.
Larry Johnson is a north and south runner and is not going to consistently make people miss, so they need to find him some running room.
With Green expected to miss a couple of weeks, this issue is only going to deepen. With Green in the game, there was at least the threat of an explosive passing game. Backup QB Damon Huard and No. 3 Brodie Croyle do not pose that same threat.
For that reason we can expect to see Johnson running against a lot more eight-man fronts in the coming weeks.
Gates-Huff matchup should be a great one

When the Oakland Raiders selected Texas safety Michael Huff in the first round last April, they did so in part because he was a great college player. But a big reason they liked him was that he is a safety with the cover skills of a corner. The AFC West has two excellent tight ends. We saw Tony Gonzalez in action for the Chiefs on Sunday, and we will see the other on Monday Night Football in Antonio Gates.

The Raiders play almost exclusively man coverage. Gates is the type of tight end that can line up all over the field and create mismatches. The Raiders now have a player in Huff that can match up with Gates should the Chargers decide to flex him out on early downs when the Raiders don't have their nickel package on the field. Look for Huff to shadow Gates all over the field in what should be a great individual matchup.

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 14 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 14 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Tuesday, September 12, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scouting Matchups: Week 2


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%"><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=162 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" colSpan=2></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=3> </TD><TD width=156>Only Insiders get access to all of Scouts Inc.'s, in-depth NFL coverage, as well as insight from ESPN's stable of football analysts.
? Take the Insider tour
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NFL advance scouts watch games in person, studying everything from personnel packages to play-calling signals, and on film, looking at individual players, as well as a team's various schemes and recent trends. The goal? Provide their coaching staff with the best possible means of preparation during the week of practice. Scouts Inc. does the same thing, compiling the best advance scouting reports available and delivering them to you by Tuesday afternoon on ESPN.com Insider. On Friday, after breaking down more game film, Scouts Inc. files an updated report with a deeper look at each game, spotlighting key individual matchups and trends and predicting the final score.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD width=100>Matchup</TD><TD>Scouting</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Buffalo
at
Miami
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bills at Dolphins
This may be one of the most important games for both teams in the first half of the season. The Dolphins had high expectations coming into the 2006 and need to bounce back after their tough loss to the Steerlers. A home loss to a division opponent may be devastating to Miami's confidence. Buffalo doesn't have the same sense of urgency, but no team wants to begin 0-2.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Carolina
at
Minnesota
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Panthers at Vikings
Many pundits predicted the Carolina Panthers to be a playoff team and even the NFC representative in Super Bowl XLI, and many question marks surrounded the Vikings. However, in Week 1, Carolina was soundly defeated at home by the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota went on the road and beat Washington on "Monday Night Football."

Look for intense John Fox to bring his players to the Metrodome with fire in their eyes after a less-than-inspiring effort against Atlanta in Charlotte. Brad Childress will look to keep his troops on an even keel preparing for their home opener against such a quality team.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
NY Giants
at
Philadelphia
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Giants at Eagles
The Giants are favored by some to win the NFC East, but for that to happen, they must find a way to win on the road against the Eagles. New York had problems on the road last year, going 4-4, and the team was 3-2 on natural grass. The Giants need a win to get back to .500 because a loss would put them at 0-2 and they have to travel to Seattle in Week 3.

The Eagles could get to 2-0 and an early lead in the NFC East if they can win at home against the Giants. A win also would silence a number of critics.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Oakland
at
Baltimore
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Raiders at Ravens
The Ravens' defense appeared to be back to its Super Bowl form, shutting out the Bucs. With their swagger back, they will be facing the Oakland Raiders, who were destroyed by the Chargers on Monday night. Baltimore's defense looked extremely tough and fast, and their offense features a premier TE (Todd Heap) and RB (Jamal Lewis).

The Raiders will have a short week to correct their many problems. This game promises to be very physical, with lots of heavy hitting and probably some extra curricular activities.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Tampa Bay
at
Atlanta
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Buccaneers at Falcons
The Falcons looked as if they were in midseason form as they dismantled the Panthers in Week 1. The Buccaneers can ill afford to start the season at 0-2.

Bucs head coach Jon Gruden must find a way to get his offense back on track against a fast and aggressive Falcons defense, which could be without two of its premier pass-rushers in John Abraham and Patrick Kerney.

Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will rely on the running game to set up the play-action pass against a Buccaneers defense that finished first in the NFL in total defense last season.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Detroit
at
Chicago
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Lions at Bears
The Bears dominated the Packers in every phase of the game last week, while the Lions valiantly held the high-powered Seattle offense without a touchdown only to lose on a last-second field goal. The Detroit defense and special teams will keep the Lions in the game until the offense gets on track. The team obviously has bought into new coach Rod Marinilli's new attitude and will compete by playing very physical football. Chicago was the class of the NFC North last season and looks to have improved both its offense and overall depth.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Cleveland
at
Cincinnati
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Browns at Bengals
This divisional battle of the two Ohio franchises is the Bengals' home opener. The last home game the Bengals played was their wild-card loss to Pittsburgh, when Carson Palmer blew out his knee. Well, Palmer is back and should cause the Browns all sorts of problems leading the Bengals' high-powered offense.

Cleveland has made great strides over the past two seasons to approach respectability, but the Browns still have their share of holes and their depth across the board is suspect -- not to mention they managed just three first downs in the first half at home vs. the Saints and were dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

The Bengals are the opposite. Few rosters have a talent level close to what Cincinnati can offer and this is a game that the Bengals need to decisively win to further establish themselves as a powerhouse in the division.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
New Orleans
at
Green Bay
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Saints at Packers
These teams, both with new head coaches, opened the season with contrasting results. Collectively, there will be a lot of growing pains due to the inexperience and depth on these rosters. Saints head coach Sean Payton will continue to utilize RBs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister in the same backfield to create mismatches. Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will look to stay aggressive this week with a variety of run blitzes to disrupt the Saints' blocking patterns.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will continue to incorporate his West Coast system by trying to get QB Brett Favre into a rhythm with a short, controlled passing attack. Defensively, the Saints must find a way to stop RB Ahman Green while disrupting the timing and rhythm of the Packers' passing game.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Houston
at
Indianapolis
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Texans at Colts
The Colts are coming off a tough win over the Giants and need to win this game that everyone expects to be a blowout. In a sense this needs to be a statement game where the Colts show they can squeak out the tough ones and easily win the ones they are supposed to win.

The Texans, on the other hand, need to prove that the Week 1 loss to the Eagles is not indicative of where they are heading. They need to find some kind of running game and develop some blocking up front to protect the quarterback.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
St. Louis
at
San Francisco
Sun 4:05 PM ET</TD><TD>Rams at 49ers
The 49ers nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win at Arizona in Week 1. The Rams pulled off an upset win against the Broncos and were able to create five turnovers in the process. Look for another powerful rushing attack by the Rams and fewer mental mistakes by the 49ers, who are playing with confidence on offense.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Arizona
at
Seattle
Sun 4:05 PM ET</TD><TD>Cardinals at Seahawks
Divisional matchups are always intriguing to watch and this game could help determine who takes an early share of the divisional lead. This is a matchup of two high-powered offenses as the Seahawks return home for their season opener in front of a sold-out capacity crowd.

The Seahawks survived a scare in Week 1 when they used a last-second field goal to secure a victory against the Lions. They were unable to get their run game going, but managed to come away with the victory. The Cardinals looked impressive in their home opener, as they moved the ball effectively against the 49ers.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Kansas City
at
Denver
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Chiefs at Broncos
Both teams are 0-1 and don't want to fall too far behind in the tough AFC West. The fans might be a little unhappy with QB Jake Plummer's performance last week, but he had the same kind of outing in the season opener in 2005 in Miami. He bounced back and had one of the most productive seasons of his career. Denver's run defense was a little suspect last week too, which is not good considering they were one of the best in the NFL in stopping the run last week. They will get a chance to redeem themselves this week vs. Kansas City offense that will be pretty one-dimensional, with RB Larry Johnson carrying the entire offense.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Tennessee
at
San Diego
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Titans at Chargers
The Chargers have the best RB in the NFL in LaDainian Tomlinson. He is a versatile runner who can also create mismatches in the passing game. QB Philip Rivers went on the road last week and benefited from a very conservative game plan, allowing him to manage the game. The Chargers should look to turn him loose a little more this week vs. a Titans' secondary that gave up 300+ passing yards last weekend to the Jets' Chad Pennington. The Chargers' defense pitched a shutout last week and may do it again this week.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
New England
at
NY Jets
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Patriots at Jets
The Jets' Eric Mangini, the youngest coach in the league, got his first win on the road in Week 1 against the Titans. The Patriots escaped with a win at home despite a subpar performance. The winner of this game will take the early lead in the AFC East. It's tough to outwit someone you know well (Mangini coached under Bill Belichick in New England), but you can bet that both coaches will have some wrinkles up their sleeves.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Washington
at
Dallas
Sun 8:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Redskins at Cowboys
This will be another good NFC East divisional matchup pitting two teams that really hate each other. Can the Cowboys protect Drew Bledsoe, and if Bledsoe plays as badly as he played last week, will he get replaced by Tony Romo? Can the Cowboys bounce back after a disappointing loss and beat an improved Redskins team? Can the Redskins' corners hold up against Cowboys receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens? Neither team can afford to go 0-2.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>MONDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Pittsburgh
at
Jacksonville
Mon 8:30 PM ET</TD><TD>Steelers at Jaguars
The Super Bowl champions are on national television for the second straight week, having defeated the Dolphins in the opening game of the NFL season. This is a matchup of two playoff teams from last season, and the Jaguars actually finished the 2005 regular season with the better record of the two.

Jack Del Rio has some striking similarities to Bill Cowher. Both coaches were hard-nosed linebackers, and Del Rio wants his Jaguars to be very physical with a very strong defense and running game, much as the Steelers have been under Cowher. Ben Roethlisberger could return to lead the Steelers' offense, but Charlie Batch played well in his stint. It also should be noted that Pittsburgh had an extra-long week to rest and prepare for this game after its Thursday night contest in Week 1.
? Complete advance scouting report
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Hache Man]

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 14 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. 14 New Articles Added 9/11/06)

Tuesday, September 12, 2006
<TABLE style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 7px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Scouting Matchups: Week 2


<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->
By Scouts, Inc.


<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<TABLE class=text11 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width=552 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="100%"><TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=162 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" colSpan=2></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=3> </TD><TD width=156>Only Insiders get access to all of Scouts Inc.'s, in-depth NFL coverage, as well as insight from ESPN's stable of football analysts.
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NFL advance scouts watch games in person, studying everything from personnel packages to play-calling signals, and on film, looking at individual players, as well as a team's various schemes and recent trends. The goal? Provide their coaching staff with the best possible means of preparation during the week of practice. Scouts Inc. does the same thing, compiling the best advance scouting reports available and delivering them to you by Tuesday afternoon on ESPN.com Insider. On Friday, after breaking down more game film, Scouts Inc. files an updated report with a deeper look at each game, spotlighting key individual matchups and trends and predicting the final score.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD width=100>Matchup</TD><TD>Scouting</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Buffalo
at
Miami
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Bills at Dolphins
This may be one of the most important games for both teams in the first half of the season. The Dolphins had high expectations coming into the 2006 and need to bounce back after their tough loss to the Steerlers. A home loss to a division opponent may be devastating to Miami's confidence. Buffalo doesn't have the same sense of urgency, but no team wants to begin 0-2.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Carolina
at
Minnesota
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Panthers at Vikings
Many pundits predicted the Carolina Panthers to be a playoff team and even the NFC representative in Super Bowl XLI, and many question marks surrounded the Vikings. However, in Week 1, Carolina was soundly defeated at home by the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota went on the road and beat Washington on "Monday Night Football."

Look for intense John Fox to bring his players to the Metrodome with fire in their eyes after a less-than-inspiring effort against Atlanta in Charlotte. Brad Childress will look to keep his troops on an even keel preparing for their home opener against such a quality team.
? Complete advance scouting report

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NY Giants
at
Philadelphia
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Giants at Eagles
The Giants are favored by some to win the NFC East, but for that to happen, they must find a way to win on the road against the Eagles. New York had problems on the road last year, going 4-4, and the team was 3-2 on natural grass. The Giants need a win to get back to .500 because a loss would put them at 0-2 and they have to travel to Seattle in Week 3.

The Eagles could get to 2-0 and an early lead in the NFC East if they can win at home against the Giants. A win also would silence a number of critics.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Oakland
at
Baltimore
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Raiders at Ravens
The Ravens' defense appeared to be back to its Super Bowl form, shutting out the Bucs. With their swagger back, they will be facing the Oakland Raiders, who were destroyed by the Chargers on Monday night. Baltimore's defense looked extremely tough and fast, and their offense features a premier TE (Todd Heap) and RB (Jamal Lewis).

The Raiders will have a short week to correct their many problems. This game promises to be very physical, with lots of heavy hitting and probably some extra curricular activities.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Tampa Bay
at
Atlanta
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Buccaneers at Falcons
The Falcons looked as if they were in midseason form as they dismantled the Panthers in Week 1. The Buccaneers can ill afford to start the season at 0-2.

Bucs head coach Jon Gruden must find a way to get his offense back on track against a fast and aggressive Falcons defense, which could be without two of its premier pass-rushers in John Abraham and Patrick Kerney.

Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will rely on the running game to set up the play-action pass against a Buccaneers defense that finished first in the NFL in total defense last season.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Detroit
at
Chicago
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Lions at Bears
The Bears dominated the Packers in every phase of the game last week, while the Lions valiantly held the high-powered Seattle offense without a touchdown only to lose on a last-second field goal. The Detroit defense and special teams will keep the Lions in the game until the offense gets on track. The team obviously has bought into new coach Rod Marinilli's new attitude and will compete by playing very physical football. Chicago was the class of the NFC North last season and looks to have improved both its offense and overall depth.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Cleveland
at
Cincinnati
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Browns at Bengals
This divisional battle of the two Ohio franchises is the Bengals' home opener. The last home game the Bengals played was their wild-card loss to Pittsburgh, when Carson Palmer blew out his knee. Well, Palmer is back and should cause the Browns all sorts of problems leading the Bengals' high-powered offense.

Cleveland has made great strides over the past two seasons to approach respectability, but the Browns still have their share of holes and their depth across the board is suspect -- not to mention they managed just three first downs in the first half at home vs. the Saints and were dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

The Bengals are the opposite. Few rosters have a talent level close to what Cincinnati can offer and this is a game that the Bengals need to decisively win to further establish themselves as a powerhouse in the division.
? Complete advance scouting report

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New Orleans
at
Green Bay
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Saints at Packers
These teams, both with new head coaches, opened the season with contrasting results. Collectively, there will be a lot of growing pains due to the inexperience and depth on these rosters. Saints head coach Sean Payton will continue to utilize RBs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister in the same backfield to create mismatches. Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders will look to stay aggressive this week with a variety of run blitzes to disrupt the Saints' blocking patterns.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will continue to incorporate his West Coast system by trying to get QB Brett Favre into a rhythm with a short, controlled passing attack. Defensively, the Saints must find a way to stop RB Ahman Green while disrupting the timing and rhythm of the Packers' passing game.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Houston
at
Indianapolis
Sun 1:00 PM ET</TD><TD>Texans at Colts
The Colts are coming off a tough win over the Giants and need to win this game that everyone expects to be a blowout. In a sense this needs to be a statement game where the Colts show they can squeak out the tough ones and easily win the ones they are supposed to win.

The Texans, on the other hand, need to prove that the Week 1 loss to the Eagles is not indicative of where they are heading. They need to find some kind of running game and develop some blocking up front to protect the quarterback.
? Complete advance scouting report

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St. Louis
at
San Francisco
Sun 4:05 PM ET</TD><TD>Rams at 49ers
The 49ers nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win at Arizona in Week 1. The Rams pulled off an upset win against the Broncos and were able to create five turnovers in the process. Look for another powerful rushing attack by the Rams and fewer mental mistakes by the 49ers, who are playing with confidence on offense.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Arizona
at
Seattle
Sun 4:05 PM ET</TD><TD>Cardinals at Seahawks
Divisional matchups are always intriguing to watch and this game could help determine who takes an early share of the divisional lead. This is a matchup of two high-powered offenses as the Seahawks return home for their season opener in front of a sold-out capacity crowd.

The Seahawks survived a scare in Week 1 when they used a last-second field goal to secure a victory against the Lions. They were unable to get their run game going, but managed to come away with the victory. The Cardinals looked impressive in their home opener, as they moved the ball effectively against the 49ers.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Kansas City
at
Denver
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Chiefs at Broncos
Both teams are 0-1 and don't want to fall too far behind in the tough AFC West. The fans might be a little unhappy with QB Jake Plummer's performance last week, but he had the same kind of outing in the season opener in 2005 in Miami. He bounced back and had one of the most productive seasons of his career. Denver's run defense was a little suspect last week too, which is not good considering they were one of the best in the NFL in stopping the run last week. They will get a chance to redeem themselves this week vs. Kansas City offense that will be pretty one-dimensional, with RB Larry Johnson carrying the entire offense.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Tennessee
at
San Diego
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Titans at Chargers
The Chargers have the best RB in the NFL in LaDainian Tomlinson. He is a versatile runner who can also create mismatches in the passing game. QB Philip Rivers went on the road last week and benefited from a very conservative game plan, allowing him to manage the game. The Chargers should look to turn him loose a little more this week vs. a Titans' secondary that gave up 300+ passing yards last weekend to the Jets' Chad Pennington. The Chargers' defense pitched a shutout last week and may do it again this week.
? Complete advance scouting report

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New England
at
NY Jets
Sun 4:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Patriots at Jets
The Jets' Eric Mangini, the youngest coach in the league, got his first win on the road in Week 1 against the Titans. The Patriots escaped with a win at home despite a subpar performance. The winner of this game will take the early lead in the AFC East. It's tough to outwit someone you know well (Mangini coached under Bill Belichick in New England), but you can bet that both coaches will have some wrinkles up their sleeves.
? Complete advance scouting report

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Washington
at
Dallas
Sun 8:15 PM ET</TD><TD>Redskins at Cowboys
This will be another good NFC East divisional matchup pitting two teams that really hate each other. Can the Cowboys protect Drew Bledsoe, and if Bledsoe plays as badly as he played last week, will he get replaced by Tony Romo? Can the Cowboys bounce back after a disappointing loss and beat an improved Redskins team? Can the Redskins' corners hold up against Cowboys receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens? Neither team can afford to go 0-2.
? Complete advance scouting report

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=2>MONDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2006</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD align=middle>
Pittsburgh
at
Jacksonville
Mon 8:30 PM ET</TD><TD>Steelers at Jaguars
The Super Bowl champions are on national television for the second straight week, having defeated the Dolphins in the opening game of the NFL season. This is a matchup of two playoff teams from last season, and the Jaguars actually finished the 2005 regular season with the better record of the two.

Jack Del Rio has some striking similarities to Bill Cowher. Both coaches were hard-nosed linebackers, and Del Rio wants his Jaguars to be very physical with a very strong defense and running game, much as the Steelers have been under Cowher. Ben Roethlisberger could return to lead the Steelers' offense, but Charlie Batch played well in his stint. It also should be noted that Pittsburgh had an extra-long week to rest and prepare for this game after its Thursday night contest in Week 1.
? Complete advance scouting report
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