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

Hache Man · Aug 17, 2006

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Jets considering Jackson
</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>Wednesday, August 16</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>

Grady Jackson
Packers
</TD><TD>Jets?
</TD><TD>Jets considering Jackson
<Aug. 16> The Jets will bring in Jackson for a visit on Wednesday, The Star-Ledger reports. Jackson is the best free-agent nose tackle/defensive tackle on the market and would fill a huge hole in the middle of the Jets' new 3-4 defense.
"Grady is coming off a pretty good season a year ago and he's the last quality defensive tackle available who can also play the nose," said his agent, Angelo Wright.
"He has been working out. People always criticize his weight and age (33) but his production has been consistent. Everywhere he has been he's been a key clog in the middle of the defensive line. He has done it time and time again in the trenches." Wright, who indicated that several teams are interested in Jackson, said his client weighs roughly 355 pounds and is ready to get into a camp and go to work.

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Hache Man · Aug 17, 2006

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Jets considering Jackson
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>You are signed into Insider

and have access to this premium feature.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Wednesday, August 16</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>

Grady Jackson
Packers
</TD><TD>Jets?
</TD><TD>Jets considering Jackson
<Aug. 16> The Jets will bring in Jackson for a visit on Wednesday, The Star-Ledger reports. Jackson is the best free-agent nose tackle/defensive tackle on the market and would fill a huge hole in the middle of the Jets' new 3-4 defense.
"Grady is coming off a pretty good season a year ago and he's the last quality defensive tackle available who can also play the nose," said his agent, Angelo Wright.
"He has been working out. People always criticize his weight and age (33) but his production has been consistent. Everywhere he has been he's been a key clog in the middle of the defensive line. He has done it time and time again in the trenches." Wright, who indicated that several teams are interested in Jackson, said his client weighs roughly 355 pounds and is ready to get into a camp and go to work.

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

Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006, 5:03 PM ET
Browns need healthy Edwards and Winslow

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
BEREA, Ohio -- Here are six observations on the Cleveland Browns, gleaned from the training camp practice of Aug. 16:
1.
Much has been made about the rehabilitation of tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. from extensive knee surgery, and justifiably so, given the importance of the Browns' star-crossed 2004 first-round draft choice to the progress Cleveland needs to make in the passing game. Of course, the Browns, whose passing game ranked 23rd in the league in 2005, need second-year veteran quarterback Charlie Frye, who started five games as a rookie in 2005, to grow up quickly. No doubt, his learning curve will be accelerated if Winslow and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, the team's top pick in 2005 who's also coming off knee surgery, are whole.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Braylon Edwards</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide Receiver
Cleveland Browns

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">YAC</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>32</TD><TD>512</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>16.0</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>202</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The question that begs for an answer: How close are the two potential Pro Bowl pass catchers, each of whom would add a big-play dimension to the offense, to being 100 percent?
Of the two, Edwards is inarguably the bigger surprise at this point in camp because, given the timing of his injury and the fact he had surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee only seven months ago, even the most optimistic reports from Cleveland officials were that he might not return until October. That still might be the case, but based on Wednesday's practice, the timetable could be shortened considerably. Edwards moved pretty well in the practice and caught the ball effortlessly, but we didn't observe him make any really hard cuts yet. There is some whispered optimism that Edwards could play in September, perhaps even in the season opener, but that remains to be seen. The third overall selection in the '05 draft, Edwards was just beginning to hit his stride last season when he was injured, and he had 25 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns in his seven starts. In four of those starts, the former University of Michigan star posted 60 or more yards, with 86 or more in three of them.
It's not easy yet getting a good read on Winslow, touted as a prospect who, like his father, might redefine the position but has played in just two games in two seasons. Winslow conceded to local reporters that, given the scope of the damage to his knee, an injury suffered when he flipped his motorcycle over a curb, he might never be the player he was projected to be. But team officials say that Winslow, whose brusque and bodacious persona might have been taken down several pegs in the last year, has worked diligently this spring and summer to come back and he is a far more mature individual.
In practice, he certainly seems to be a presence in the middle of the field and appears to have retained the innate ability to locate an open spot and nestle into it. But it was notable that there were times, when the Browns were moving between practice segments, that Winslow seemed to have a bit of a hitch in his gait. There was no pronounced limp, nothing especially alarming, but rather just a subtle indication of fatigue. It looks as though Winslow will still be a terrific red zone option for Frye, but we didn't see enough of him in one practice to know whether he still has the explosive athleticism and run-after-catch ferocity that marked his college career.
There is one receiver of whom we are more certain: Veteran Joe Jurevicius, signed as a free agent in the spring, will provide a nice safety net for Frye and raise the leadership level in the Browns' locker room.
2.
Here's all you need to know about the Cleveland offensive line: Just a little more than three weeks into camp, the Browns are, amazingly, working on their fourth starting center. Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the dean of beat writers here, put it best: The tenuous situation on the offensive line, a product of incredible misfortune, could negate a lot of the good things general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel have accomplished.
The litany of woe at center: Two-time Pro Bowl performer LeCharles Bentley, signed away from the New Orleans Saints and a player some felt was the prize catch in free agency, ruptured a patellar tendon the first day of workouts. His replacement, Bob Hallen, retired with a mysterious back ailment. Then, on Wednesday, Alonzo Ephraim was suspended by the NFL for four games for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
That leaves fifth-year veteran Ross Tucker, acquired from New England only last week, as the starter. Tucker is a smart, try-hard guy, but his r?sum? includes just 24 starts. Unless the Browns can swing a deal for a more experienced snapper, such as former Philadelphia starter Hank Fraley or maybe John Wade of Tampa Bay, who is being challenged for the No. 1 job, Tucker will be the guy.
But the problems on the line, and the streak of poor luck, extend beyond the center position. Right tackle Ryan Tucker, who started all 16 games in 2005, had arthroscopic knee surgery in camp. The bet is that Tucker, a tough guy, will be back for the start of the season but will have missed significant practice time. On Wednesday, the No. 1 right tackle was Kirk Chambers, a two-year veteran with no career starts. The starting guards, Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman, have thick medical dossiers.
The guy the Browns hoped to groom to replace one of them, probably a year from now, fourth-round pick Isaac Sowells, is injured. And the team's other big free-agency acquisition on the line, former Atlanta starting left tackle Kevin Shaffer, is coming off a 2005 season in which his pass protection skills regressed. A self-made player, Shaffer, a 2002 seventh-round pick, might actually be a more effective run blocker, which might not be good news for Frye.
The line woes could slow the progress of a Cleveland team whose growth in 2006 might not necessarily have been reflected in the win column. The Browns have closed the talent gap a bit in the AFC North, but the injuries on the blocking unit might obscure the progress.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Leigh Bodden</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Cornerback
Cleveland Browns

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>57</TD><TD>47</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>3.
OK, so maybe loquacious Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson, who recently referred to Cleveland's best young defensive player as "Lehigh" Bodden, might not have gotten his name right. But if fourth-year cornerback Leigh Bodden continues his emergence, he won't be anonymous around the league for much longer.
A former star at well-known football factory Duquesne University, and signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003, Bodden is definitely an ascending talent. He started 11 games in 2005, replacing injured Gary Baxter (pectoral), and played well enough that the Browns wisely rewarded him with a contract extension. Good move because, had Bodden continued to improve and hit the free-agency market, he would have been a pretty hot commodity.
Nothing against Baxter or Daylon McCutcheon, but Bodden already might be the team's best corner. People talk about his future, but the guy can play right now. And with Baxter sidelined again by a pectoral injury, and McCutcheon (knee) also missing practice time in camp, Bodden is taking advantage of his opportunities. Bodden has prototype size (6-foot-1, 192 pounds), runs really well, and is strong enough to jam receivers and redirect them. On consecutive pass plays Wednesday, he just knocked receivers completely off their inside routes by muscling them. We didn't see him have to turn and run deep, but he certainly demonstrated terrific burst closing on balls in front of him. A really good young player worth watching closely in 2006.
Cleveland officials expect Baxter to be ready for the start of the season, although there has to be some concern about his durability, and McCutcheon should be ready to roll, too. Assuming everyone is indeed healthy, the Browns will have a nice trio and the position could be one of relative strength for them. The best combination probably would be Bodden and Baxter as the starters with McCutcheon as the nickel corner.
There is some depth at safety, too, with the trio of Brian Russell, Sean Jones and Brodney Pool. Right now, it appears Jones has an edge over Pool in the battle between second-rounders for the starting strong safety spot. Of course, as potentially solid as the secondary might be, the Browns are going to have to generate some pass rush after a 2005 season in which they rang up a league-low 23 sacks.
4.
A rookie linebacker seems to have secured a starting job, but it's not the one everyone anticipated. While first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley is still running with the second unit in the 3-4 base defense, second-rounder D'Qwell Jackson is working with the starters at inside linebacker.
The former Maryland standout, who finished his college career with 447 tackles, looks like a good fit to team with Andra Davis, the human tackling machine, at inside backer. Jackson doesn't have as much bulk as you might expect from an inside linebacker in the 3-4, but he seems to get off blocks quickly and finds the football. He might not be all that flashy but, like Davis, is simply a solid football player.
It's probably just a matter of time until Wimbley, a classic 3-4 hybrid edge player, supplants Matt Stewart as the weakside starter. A college defensive end, Wimbley is a great character kid and hard worker and, maybe most important to this team, he can rush the passer. The strongside spot will be manned by venerable Willie McGinest, who appears to be using camp just to ready himself for the rigors of the season.
In their two years on the job, Savage and Crennel have concentrated on trying to improve not only on the field but also in the locker room, and McGinest is a prime example of that initiative. He's expected to bring a winner's mentality born of three Super Bowl rings, to serve as a mentor of sorts to Wimbley and to collect maybe 8-10 sacks. McGinest will be an interesting guy to watch, though, from the sack standpoint, because his former New England coaches felt as though he couldn't bring much anymore on the speed rush. The Patriots felt McGinest, who is 34 and entering his 13th season, had become more of a power rusher. The Browns need him to be a difference maker if they are to improve their limp pass rush.
5.
Cleveland has to start home-growing some defensive linemen. Of the 11 linemen currently on the camp roster, the lone one who began his NFL career as a Browns draft choice is Babatunde Oshinowo of Stanford, a sixth-round selection in this year's draft. No one is from here, and -- even in a 3-4 front, where linemen tend to be anonymous pluggers -- that shortage has to be rectified.
Of the 11 linemen, five came into the NFL as undrafted free agents. Just one, veteran run stuffer Ted Washington, was drafted before the fourth round, having been chosen by San Francisco in the first round in 1991. Sure, we know that on third down Cleveland will use linebackers as rush ends. But you still have to have bodies up front on first and second down to stop the run. No matter how good a coach Crennel is, it might be tough to win with a line of such collectively dubious pedigree. End Orpheus Roye is a solid player, but he's 33 and entering his 11th season. Washington, 38 and going into his 16th year, is a stopgap.
6.
Given Trent Dilfer's preference to move on after only one season in Cleveland, it's tough to quibble with the decision to trade the quarterback. However, the Browns had better hope Frye stays upright for 16 games. Beyond the reality that the depth chart lacks a veteran to help mentor Frye is the sobering fact that the Browns simply don't have a quality backup. Ken Dorsey, acquired from San Francisco in the Dilfer swap, has 10 starts, but he can't play. The other three quarterbacks on the roster -- Derek Anderson, Lang Campbell and Darrell Hackney -- have combined for zero regular-season pass attempts.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006, 5:03 PM ET
Browns need healthy Edwards and Winslow

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
BEREA, Ohio -- Here are six observations on the Cleveland Browns, gleaned from the training camp practice of Aug. 16:
1.
Much has been made about the rehabilitation of tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. from extensive knee surgery, and justifiably so, given the importance of the Browns' star-crossed 2004 first-round draft choice to the progress Cleveland needs to make in the passing game. Of course, the Browns, whose passing game ranked 23rd in the league in 2005, need second-year veteran quarterback Charlie Frye, who started five games as a rookie in 2005, to grow up quickly. No doubt, his learning curve will be accelerated if Winslow and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, the team's top pick in 2005 who's also coming off knee surgery, are whole.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Braylon Edwards</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide Receiver
Cleveland Browns

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">YAC</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>32</TD><TD>512</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>16.0</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>202</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The question that begs for an answer: How close are the two potential Pro Bowl pass catchers, each of whom would add a big-play dimension to the offense, to being 100 percent?
Of the two, Edwards is inarguably the bigger surprise at this point in camp because, given the timing of his injury and the fact he had surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee only seven months ago, even the most optimistic reports from Cleveland officials were that he might not return until October. That still might be the case, but based on Wednesday's practice, the timetable could be shortened considerably. Edwards moved pretty well in the practice and caught the ball effortlessly, but we didn't observe him make any really hard cuts yet. There is some whispered optimism that Edwards could play in September, perhaps even in the season opener, but that remains to be seen. The third overall selection in the '05 draft, Edwards was just beginning to hit his stride last season when he was injured, and he had 25 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns in his seven starts. In four of those starts, the former University of Michigan star posted 60 or more yards, with 86 or more in three of them.
It's not easy yet getting a good read on Winslow, touted as a prospect who, like his father, might redefine the position but has played in just two games in two seasons. Winslow conceded to local reporters that, given the scope of the damage to his knee, an injury suffered when he flipped his motorcycle over a curb, he might never be the player he was projected to be. But team officials say that Winslow, whose brusque and bodacious persona might have been taken down several pegs in the last year, has worked diligently this spring and summer to come back and he is a far more mature individual.
In practice, he certainly seems to be a presence in the middle of the field and appears to have retained the innate ability to locate an open spot and nestle into it. But it was notable that there were times, when the Browns were moving between practice segments, that Winslow seemed to have a bit of a hitch in his gait. There was no pronounced limp, nothing especially alarming, but rather just a subtle indication of fatigue. It looks as though Winslow will still be a terrific red zone option for Frye, but we didn't see enough of him in one practice to know whether he still has the explosive athleticism and run-after-catch ferocity that marked his college career.
There is one receiver of whom we are more certain: Veteran Joe Jurevicius, signed as a free agent in the spring, will provide a nice safety net for Frye and raise the leadership level in the Browns' locker room.
2.
Here's all you need to know about the Cleveland offensive line: Just a little more than three weeks into camp, the Browns are, amazingly, working on their fourth starting center. Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the dean of beat writers here, put it best: The tenuous situation on the offensive line, a product of incredible misfortune, could negate a lot of the good things general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel have accomplished.
The litany of woe at center: Two-time Pro Bowl performer LeCharles Bentley, signed away from the New Orleans Saints and a player some felt was the prize catch in free agency, ruptured a patellar tendon the first day of workouts. His replacement, Bob Hallen, retired with a mysterious back ailment. Then, on Wednesday, Alonzo Ephraim was suspended by the NFL for four games for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
That leaves fifth-year veteran Ross Tucker, acquired from New England only last week, as the starter. Tucker is a smart, try-hard guy, but his r?sum? includes just 24 starts. Unless the Browns can swing a deal for a more experienced snapper, such as former Philadelphia starter Hank Fraley or maybe John Wade of Tampa Bay, who is being challenged for the No. 1 job, Tucker will be the guy.
But the problems on the line, and the streak of poor luck, extend beyond the center position. Right tackle Ryan Tucker, who started all 16 games in 2005, had arthroscopic knee surgery in camp. The bet is that Tucker, a tough guy, will be back for the start of the season but will have missed significant practice time. On Wednesday, the No. 1 right tackle was Kirk Chambers, a two-year veteran with no career starts. The starting guards, Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman, have thick medical dossiers.
The guy the Browns hoped to groom to replace one of them, probably a year from now, fourth-round pick Isaac Sowells, is injured. And the team's other big free-agency acquisition on the line, former Atlanta starting left tackle Kevin Shaffer, is coming off a 2005 season in which his pass protection skills regressed. A self-made player, Shaffer, a 2002 seventh-round pick, might actually be a more effective run blocker, which might not be good news for Frye.
The line woes could slow the progress of a Cleveland team whose growth in 2006 might not necessarily have been reflected in the win column. The Browns have closed the talent gap a bit in the AFC North, but the injuries on the blocking unit might obscure the progress.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Leigh Bodden</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Cornerback
Cleveland Browns

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>57</TD><TD>47</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>3.
OK, so maybe loquacious Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson, who recently referred to Cleveland's best young defensive player as "Lehigh" Bodden, might not have gotten his name right. But if fourth-year cornerback Leigh Bodden continues his emergence, he won't be anonymous around the league for much longer.
A former star at well-known football factory Duquesne University, and signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003, Bodden is definitely an ascending talent. He started 11 games in 2005, replacing injured Gary Baxter (pectoral), and played well enough that the Browns wisely rewarded him with a contract extension. Good move because, had Bodden continued to improve and hit the free-agency market, he would have been a pretty hot commodity.
Nothing against Baxter or Daylon McCutcheon, but Bodden already might be the team's best corner. People talk about his future, but the guy can play right now. And with Baxter sidelined again by a pectoral injury, and McCutcheon (knee) also missing practice time in camp, Bodden is taking advantage of his opportunities. Bodden has prototype size (6-foot-1, 192 pounds), runs really well, and is strong enough to jam receivers and redirect them. On consecutive pass plays Wednesday, he just knocked receivers completely off their inside routes by muscling them. We didn't see him have to turn and run deep, but he certainly demonstrated terrific burst closing on balls in front of him. A really good young player worth watching closely in 2006.
Cleveland officials expect Baxter to be ready for the start of the season, although there has to be some concern about his durability, and McCutcheon should be ready to roll, too. Assuming everyone is indeed healthy, the Browns will have a nice trio and the position could be one of relative strength for them. The best combination probably would be Bodden and Baxter as the starters with McCutcheon as the nickel corner.
There is some depth at safety, too, with the trio of Brian Russell, Sean Jones and Brodney Pool. Right now, it appears Jones has an edge over Pool in the battle between second-rounders for the starting strong safety spot. Of course, as potentially solid as the secondary might be, the Browns are going to have to generate some pass rush after a 2005 season in which they rang up a league-low 23 sacks.
4.
A rookie linebacker seems to have secured a starting job, but it's not the one everyone anticipated. While first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley is still running with the second unit in the 3-4 base defense, second-rounder D'Qwell Jackson is working with the starters at inside linebacker.
The former Maryland standout, who finished his college career with 447 tackles, looks like a good fit to team with Andra Davis, the human tackling machine, at inside backer. Jackson doesn't have as much bulk as you might expect from an inside linebacker in the 3-4, but he seems to get off blocks quickly and finds the football. He might not be all that flashy but, like Davis, is simply a solid football player.
It's probably just a matter of time until Wimbley, a classic 3-4 hybrid edge player, supplants Matt Stewart as the weakside starter. A college defensive end, Wimbley is a great character kid and hard worker and, maybe most important to this team, he can rush the passer. The strongside spot will be manned by venerable Willie McGinest, who appears to be using camp just to ready himself for the rigors of the season.
In their two years on the job, Savage and Crennel have concentrated on trying to improve not only on the field but also in the locker room, and McGinest is a prime example of that initiative. He's expected to bring a winner's mentality born of three Super Bowl rings, to serve as a mentor of sorts to Wimbley and to collect maybe 8-10 sacks. McGinest will be an interesting guy to watch, though, from the sack standpoint, because his former New England coaches felt as though he couldn't bring much anymore on the speed rush. The Patriots felt McGinest, who is 34 and entering his 13th season, had become more of a power rusher. The Browns need him to be a difference maker if they are to improve their limp pass rush.
5.
Cleveland has to start home-growing some defensive linemen. Of the 11 linemen currently on the camp roster, the lone one who began his NFL career as a Browns draft choice is Babatunde Oshinowo of Stanford, a sixth-round selection in this year's draft. No one is from here, and -- even in a 3-4 front, where linemen tend to be anonymous pluggers -- that shortage has to be rectified.
Of the 11 linemen, five came into the NFL as undrafted free agents. Just one, veteran run stuffer Ted Washington, was drafted before the fourth round, having been chosen by San Francisco in the first round in 1991. Sure, we know that on third down Cleveland will use linebackers as rush ends. But you still have to have bodies up front on first and second down to stop the run. No matter how good a coach Crennel is, it might be tough to win with a line of such collectively dubious pedigree. End Orpheus Roye is a solid player, but he's 33 and entering his 11th season. Washington, 38 and going into his 16th year, is a stopgap.
6.
Given Trent Dilfer's preference to move on after only one season in Cleveland, it's tough to quibble with the decision to trade the quarterback. However, the Browns had better hope Frye stays upright for 16 games. Beyond the reality that the depth chart lacks a veteran to help mentor Frye is the sobering fact that the Browns simply don't have a quality backup. Ken Dorsey, acquired from San Francisco in the Dilfer swap, has 10 starts, but he can't play. The other three quarterbacks on the roster -- Derek Anderson, Lang Campbell and Darrell Hackney -- have combined for zero regular-season pass attempts.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006, 4:51 PM ET
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

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

Tucker is center of attention

By KC Joyner
ESPN Insider
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
The big story coming out of Cleveland's training camp has been all the problems surrounding the center position. The season-ending injury to LeCharles Bentley was compounded by the retirement of Bob Hallen and suspension of Alonzo Ephraim. The Browns are now starting Ross Tucker, a player who has been with the team for less than two weeks.
Playing a fourth-string center would figure to severely hamper the Browns' running game, but a closer look shows the situation might not be quite as bad as initially feared.
First of all, the rest of Cleveland's run-blockers are quite good. All but one of the other starting linemen had a run-blocking success percentage of less than 80 (80 percent being the benchmark of a good blocker). Kevin Shaffer was the only lineman not to top the mark, and he missed it by only 0.5 percent.
It wasn't just the offensive linemen who had good metrics. Starting fullback Terrelle Smith had a success percentage just over 85, 13th in the league among fullbacks. Blocking tight end Steve Heiden's success percentage (91.5) was the second-highest among tight ends last year.
The other silver lining for the Browns is that the center position is often the weakest link of even the most successful offensive lines. The Chargers' offensive line was able to run block quite effectively last year despite Nick Hardwick's 75.3 percent success rate.
San Diego was able to do this because the rest of the linemen had success percentages at or near 80. Other examples of offensive lines able to hide their center effectively with top-notch blocking elsewhere include the Seahawks with Robbie Tobeck's 74.5 percent success rate and the Redskins with Casey Rabach's 71.1 percent.
Another reason Cleveland fans shouldn't despair is that Reuben Droughns does his best running on plays that often don't involve the center at the point of attack. Droughns' most effective running plays last year were the off tackle and the counter. Both plays are run at the edges of the offensive line, and the center's responsibility usually is limited to blocking back-side pursuit.
The Browns can also be thankful these issues occurred early in the preseason, giving Tucker ample time to get into a groove. The schedule is also somewhat favorable, as Cleveland's first two opponents -- New Orleans and Cincinnati -- had trouble stopping the run last year. The schedule does get a bit rougher after that, but at least Tucker will have a few games under his belt. There is no question playing a fourth-stringer on the offensive line can be a problem. The center usually calls all the line blocks and plays an integral part in pass blocking. The Browns also don't have any quality depth behind Tucker, so one more injury at this position could have a devastating impact. Having said that, the metrics do show this type of situation is one teams are often able to plan around, at least from the standpoint of the running game.
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Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006, 4:51 PM ET
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Tucker is center of attention

By KC Joyner
ESPN Insider
Archive

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The big story coming out of Cleveland's training camp has been all the problems surrounding the center position. The season-ending injury to LeCharles Bentley was compounded by the retirement of Bob Hallen and suspension of Alonzo Ephraim. The Browns are now starting Ross Tucker, a player who has been with the team for less than two weeks.
Playing a fourth-string center would figure to severely hamper the Browns' running game, but a closer look shows the situation might not be quite as bad as initially feared.
First of all, the rest of Cleveland's run-blockers are quite good. All but one of the other starting linemen had a run-blocking success percentage of less than 80 (80 percent being the benchmark of a good blocker). Kevin Shaffer was the only lineman not to top the mark, and he missed it by only 0.5 percent.
It wasn't just the offensive linemen who had good metrics. Starting fullback Terrelle Smith had a success percentage just over 85, 13th in the league among fullbacks. Blocking tight end Steve Heiden's success percentage (91.5) was the second-highest among tight ends last year.
The other silver lining for the Browns is that the center position is often the weakest link of even the most successful offensive lines. The Chargers' offensive line was able to run block quite effectively last year despite Nick Hardwick's 75.3 percent success rate.
San Diego was able to do this because the rest of the linemen had success percentages at or near 80. Other examples of offensive lines able to hide their center effectively with top-notch blocking elsewhere include the Seahawks with Robbie Tobeck's 74.5 percent success rate and the Redskins with Casey Rabach's 71.1 percent.
Another reason Cleveland fans shouldn't despair is that Reuben Droughns does his best running on plays that often don't involve the center at the point of attack. Droughns' most effective running plays last year were the off tackle and the counter. Both plays are run at the edges of the offensive line, and the center's responsibility usually is limited to blocking back-side pursuit.
The Browns can also be thankful these issues occurred early in the preseason, giving Tucker ample time to get into a groove. The schedule is also somewhat favorable, as Cleveland's first two opponents -- New Orleans and Cincinnati -- had trouble stopping the run last year. The schedule does get a bit rougher after that, but at least Tucker will have a few games under his belt. There is no question playing a fourth-stringer on the offensive line can be a problem. The center usually calls all the line blocks and plays an integral part in pass blocking. The Browns also don't have any quality depth behind Tucker, so one more injury at this position could have a devastating impact. Having said that, the metrics do show this type of situation is one teams are often able to plan around, at least from the standpoint of the running game.
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Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006
Hits keep on coming for beleaguered Browns

By Jeremy Green
Scouts Inc.
Archive

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When Browns fans saw the offseason that GM Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel put together, expectations were on the rise for this organization and its fan base.
Three weeks of training camp and one preseason game later, everyone associated with the Browns has to be wondering why this team can't seem to catch a break. The Browns have played only one preseason game, but if that game (a listless 20-7 loss to the Eagles) was any indication of what to expect this season, their fans better buckle up for another extremely bumpy ride.
The Browns have been cursed with bad luck on the injury front since they reentered the league, and this preseason has only continued that disturbing trend. The season-ending knee injury to center LeCharles Bentley, Cleveland's prized offseason acquisition, was the biggest setback, but not the only one. Starting cornerbacks Daylon McCutcheon (knee) and Gary Baxter (shoulder) are likely to miss the entire preseason. Right tackle Ryan Tucker, who's batting a knee injury, probably won't be ready until the season opener.
The team has also had to deal with the unexpected retirement of center Bob Hallen and the controversial way in which Savage handled the entire situation.
In their haste to fix the issues at center, Savage and his staff failed to do their homework on Alonzo Ephraim. The Browns signed Ephraim on July 29 without knowing he would eventually be served with a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to a source in the organization, he was the top center on the Browns' emergency list even though they knew he had some character issues.
The Browns can't wait to put this preseason behind them and move on, but are they ready to do that?
The task at hand will be difficult. The Browns are now down to their fourth center in Ross Tucker, whom they acquired just over a week ago. Though the center is not the highest-profile offensive lineman, he is the most important player on the line. He is the player who is the glue in the middle. If you find a great one, he can make everyone around him better.
With the inexperience the Browns now have at the position, second-year quarterback Charlie Frye will have to set the line and make the line calls. Frye already has enough on his plate trying to figure out all the nuances of the offense as he prepares for his first season as the full-time starter.
The running game is also going to suffer because of the lack of continuity up front. Reuben Droughns is coming off a 1,200-plus-yard season, but he too has had a miserable offseason with two off-the-field arrests. Droughns could find it tough sledding this season behind the patchwork offensive line the Browns are trying to piece together.
Although the Browns put a lot of effort into getting better on offense, at the end of the day this team is going to look extremely similar to last year's version.
If the Browns are going to take a step forward it will have to come from the knowledge that Crennel brings to the defense. Crennel has an excellent defensive mind and the team went out and added veterans on that side of the ball. Nose tackle Ted Washington, outside linebacker Willie McGinest, cornerback Leigh Bodden and inside linebacker Andra Davis are going to have to rise to the occasion and become one of the stingiest units in the NFL.
After a solid offseason, this was supposed to be a big year for the Browns. However, with the regular season right around the corner, they don't appear equipped to improve on last year's results. This is a team that will need to play conservatively on offense by trying to take care of the ball and playing low-scoring games. The Browns will look to keep games close and hope someone on either side of the ball can make a play to change the outcome. Expectations are high in Cleveland again this season, but too many similarities to past years appear to be creeping to the surface
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Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006
Hits keep on coming for beleaguered Browns

By Jeremy Green
Scouts Inc.
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
When Browns fans saw the offseason that GM Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel put together, expectations were on the rise for this organization and its fan base.
Three weeks of training camp and one preseason game later, everyone associated with the Browns has to be wondering why this team can't seem to catch a break. The Browns have played only one preseason game, but if that game (a listless 20-7 loss to the Eagles) was any indication of what to expect this season, their fans better buckle up for another extremely bumpy ride.
The Browns have been cursed with bad luck on the injury front since they reentered the league, and this preseason has only continued that disturbing trend. The season-ending knee injury to center LeCharles Bentley, Cleveland's prized offseason acquisition, was the biggest setback, but not the only one. Starting cornerbacks Daylon McCutcheon (knee) and Gary Baxter (shoulder) are likely to miss the entire preseason. Right tackle Ryan Tucker, who's batting a knee injury, probably won't be ready until the season opener.
The team has also had to deal with the unexpected retirement of center Bob Hallen and the controversial way in which Savage handled the entire situation.
In their haste to fix the issues at center, Savage and his staff failed to do their homework on Alonzo Ephraim. The Browns signed Ephraim on July 29 without knowing he would eventually be served with a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to a source in the organization, he was the top center on the Browns' emergency list even though they knew he had some character issues.
The Browns can't wait to put this preseason behind them and move on, but are they ready to do that?
The task at hand will be difficult. The Browns are now down to their fourth center in Ross Tucker, whom they acquired just over a week ago. Though the center is not the highest-profile offensive lineman, he is the most important player on the line. He is the player who is the glue in the middle. If you find a great one, he can make everyone around him better.
With the inexperience the Browns now have at the position, second-year quarterback Charlie Frye will have to set the line and make the line calls. Frye already has enough on his plate trying to figure out all the nuances of the offense as he prepares for his first season as the full-time starter.
The running game is also going to suffer because of the lack of continuity up front. Reuben Droughns is coming off a 1,200-plus-yard season, but he too has had a miserable offseason with two off-the-field arrests. Droughns could find it tough sledding this season behind the patchwork offensive line the Browns are trying to piece together.
Although the Browns put a lot of effort into getting better on offense, at the end of the day this team is going to look extremely similar to last year's version.
If the Browns are going to take a step forward it will have to come from the knowledge that Crennel brings to the defense. Crennel has an excellent defensive mind and the team went out and added veterans on that side of the ball. Nose tackle Ted Washington, outside linebacker Willie McGinest, cornerback Leigh Bodden and inside linebacker Andra Davis are going to have to rise to the occasion and become one of the stingiest units in the NFL.
After a solid offseason, this was supposed to be a big year for the Browns. However, with the regular season right around the corner, they don't appear equipped to improve on last year's results. This is a team that will need to play conservatively on offense by trying to take care of the ball and playing low-scoring games. The Browns will look to keep games close and hope someone on either side of the ball can make a play to change the outcome. Expectations are high in Cleveland again this season, but too many similarities to past years appear to be creeping to the surface
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Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Brady story blown out of proportion

posted: Friday, August 18, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tom Brady, New England Patriots

One note off the news in New England, and lots of random thoughts from the press box on Thursday night's Giants-Chiefs 17-0 classic.

I listened to sports radio on the way over to the game, and the hosts devoted a good 20 minutes to the news that Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' trainer who the feds are investigating, once had a phone conversation with Tom Brady. They asked over and over, what does it mean?
Nothing, fellas. It means nothing.
Let's look at the facts here. Both Brady and Anderson say it was one discussion, by phone, years ago. Brady recalls it as being five to six years ago. It was a different time for both those guys then. Brady was just starting his career, and the one thing Bill Belichick told him was that he had to gain weight. He went back to California to work out. If you're Tom Brady, a sixth-rounder fighting to make the team, and you hear that Barry Bonds' trainer could talk to you about working out, aren't you going to make that call?
Remember, Bonds wasn't that Barry Bonds back then. He hadn't hit 73 homers, hadn't been linked to this mess. BALCO wasn't a household name. So Brady and Anderson talked, Brady didn't go with him (thankfully). End of story.
I don't think anyone in a healthy mind-set could accuse Brady of taking steroids. Tom Brady Sr. used to give his son a tough time that he was the only Men's Health cover boy who posed with his shirt on. Brady handled the news of his conversation with Anderson well: by clearly explaining what happened.
"I wanted to work out for a day, and I knew he had a gym," Brady said.
That's it. End of story. I want my 20 minutes back.
Notes from Giants-Chiefs

? N.Y.'s first-teamers sure look better than KC's first-teamers. On the Chiefs' first possession, two runs went nowhere and Trent Green's third-down pass was tipped. On the Giants' first possession, they ran a Tim Carter reverse for a first down, followed by a Tiki Barber screen for close to a first down. A few plays later, Eli Manning hit Amani Toomer on a slant for a 5-yard TD. The Chiefs would end the half with 26 rushing yards - not what they're used to in K.C.

? I watched a lot of Kyle Turley against Osi Umenyiora for a few reasons. One, you don't get a lot out of preseason games, but for Turley, he needs these games. He's not half-assing it. Playing left tackle is hard; it's harder when you're playing against a guy who had 14? sacks last year; it's even harder when you've been out of football for most of two years and lost and put back on 60 pounds.
Turley more than held his own, especially in pass protection -- except, of course, for the one play he missed Mathias Kiwanuka, who also forced a fumble. But Turley generally handled things well. He flattened Umenyiora on one first-quarter, third-down conversion, and he kept him away from Green's back.
It's amazing how much power Turley packs. He's 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds but doesn't look as chubby and swollen as most linemen. He's lean and athletic.
? Maybe it's the Giants' reconfigured secondary, but the Chiefs' starting receivers didn't do a great job of getting open. That position is the weak point for the Chiefs' offense. Then again, it has been for years and yet K.C. still leads the league in offense every year.
? The AC was fully cranked in the press box. It might have been the coldest press box I've ever been in. I think I've been truly cold only a few times in my life:
(1) Skiing in Alaska in 1988. (I remember this well because it was Super Bowl Sunday, Broncos versus Redskins. There was a dry-erase board with continual score updates at the top of the mountain where you exited the chairlift. I remember it being 10-0 Broncos before I skied down. The next time I got off the lift it was 35-10 Skins.)
(2) My freshman year in college, when my roommate opened the window at night in our dorm and the temperature dropped to 0.
(3) A few weeks ago while visiting my friend Phil in D.C. I was really hot before I went to sleep and turned the AC down to 52 degrees by mistake. This press box is the first one I've seen where coffee was in higher demand than hot dogs.
? I sat next to about 10 scouts from various teams. They barely looked at the game while the starters were in there. Once the first-teamers started to sift out of the game, they picked up their pencils like they were caught napping in class. It hit me: They're looking for young guys who their teams once had rated high but never drafted, just in case the subs are cut in the next few weeks.
? I have an NFL pal who believes that the Jets flunked RB Lee Suggs on purpose because they found out they could get 49ers RB Kevan Barlow after the Suggs trade had gone down. Everyone knows it's not hard for a team to find a way to fail a physical. Interesting conspiracy theory.
? The BALCO bit on the drive over reminded me of a question I get a lot when I'm a guest on radio: Are football players juicing? Obviously, a known small percentage is. How far it goes beyond that is anyone's guess. As someone who spends a lot of time in NFL locker rooms during the season, I can attest that not many bodies are fat-free and pure muscle. I don't see a lot of back acne. I'm sure there are some who we don't know about, but I doubt that a high percentage of players are juicing.
? I got lots of e-mail from You The Reader about ESPN's Monday Night Football debut, and I've read a lot of the critiques of Tony Kornheiser's performance. I think Tony was a little shaky - granted, I didn't watch all of Monday night's game - but I think he'll be better in the long run than Dennis Miller. Kornheiser has spent his life making jokes about sports. Once he gets used to doing it off of live games he'll be fine. But I do think having Wilbon in the booth would help.
? My top five Giants Stadium moments:
(5) Bon Jovi, July 2001: I admit it, I like Bon Jovi. I mean, they don't take up 30 percent of my iPod or anything, but I appreciate their staying power. They were the first concert I ever saw: I was in fifth grade and they came to Alaska. (Anchorage isn't exactly the Red Rocks.) I saw Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium with ESPN.com scribe Wright Thompson on that summer night, and it was a great show. I remember some dude from Wisconsin was so drunk he was That Guy during all the opening acts: screaming, belching, annoying all of us. I was worried he'd torment us during the show, but remarkably he passed out before it started.
(4) Colts-Jets 2003 wild-card game: Seems like awhile ago, but remember the story lines coming out of the Jets' 41-0 win? Chad Pennington was the next great QB and Peyton Manning still couldn't win a playoff game. Times have changed. I shared a cab home with then-SI writer Josh Elliott and we seriously thought the driver might pull a gun on us.
(3) October 2005: Last October I was here for a Giants-Redskins game, researching a story on Santana Moss. New York won 36-0, and I had to go into the Washington locker room after the game and get players to tell me what makes Moss so good.
(2) Monday Night Football, 2000, Jets versus Dolphins: This was my first game at Giants Stadium, having just been hired by ESPN The Magazine. The Jets trailed 30-7. With 5:43 to go, N.Y. had cut it to 30-23. The Jets tied it, Miami went back on top 37-30. Then, on fourth-and-1, Vinny Testaverde threw into the end zone to tackle Jumbo Elliott, who made a juggling catch falling down for a touchdown with 42 seconds left. The Jets then won in OT.
(1) Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, July 2003: This was one of the many shows I attended on The Rising tour. First time I'd ever seen "Rosalita" live. Also spotted Suzy Kolber in the parking lot before the show.
? A few mailbag questions before I'm off to the Pats-Cardinals game on Saturday night:
Rob (Naperville, Ill.): How can you forget about Da Bears? They are returning all 22 starters. I know there are questions with Rex Grossman staying healthy but he will, and this is the first time in the NFL he doesn't have to learn a new offense.
Also, we have a proven winner in Brian Griese as backup. Let's not forget what Kyle Orton did. We have one of the best running games in Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. The receivers will be 10 times better this year with Grossman throwing to them. We still have all starters at defense, which I might say is the best in the league! We play in a division where there are three new head coaches. We have the easiest schedule in the league this year. There is no reason why we shouldn't be considered one of the best teams.
Seth: That's a good take. I think the Bears will have a pretty easy sail through the NFC North. I didn't include them on my "best teams" list because of the QB situation. Too unstable. Grossman reportedly struggling isn't good. As I noted months ago, Griese always beats out whomever is in front of him, but that doesn't always mean the team is a playoff lock.
Keith (Jacksonville, Fla.): Are my Jags ready to take the next step and make a deep playoff run? The D is in top shape, but the O still struggles. Will Leftwich just be an average NFL QB?
Seth: I'm not too high on Byron Leftwich after witnessing his performance against the Pats last year. But I'm curious and willing to give him more of a chance after reading KC Joyner's recent column.
Harold (Novi, Mich.): Has there been a bigger bust at WR than Charles Rogers? Seems like a once-promising career has gone down the tube. Whispers around the Lions have him not making the final roster. Your thoughts? Seth: It's more than whispers, Harold. Some more hateful types might have Rogers eclipsing Ryan Leaf as the worst No. 2 overall pick. In four years he's never had a reception of more than 40 yards. Leaf at least had a few decent games.

Hache Man · Aug 18, 2006

Brady story blown out of proportion

posted: Friday, August 18, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tom Brady, New England Patriots

One note off the news in New England, and lots of random thoughts from the press box on Thursday night's Giants-Chiefs 17-0 classic.

I listened to sports radio on the way over to the game, and the hosts devoted a good 20 minutes to the news that Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' trainer who the feds are investigating, once had a phone conversation with Tom Brady. They asked over and over, what does it mean?
Nothing, fellas. It means nothing.
Let's look at the facts here. Both Brady and Anderson say it was one discussion, by phone, years ago. Brady recalls it as being five to six years ago. It was a different time for both those guys then. Brady was just starting his career, and the one thing Bill Belichick told him was that he had to gain weight. He went back to California to work out. If you're Tom Brady, a sixth-rounder fighting to make the team, and you hear that Barry Bonds' trainer could talk to you about working out, aren't you going to make that call?
Remember, Bonds wasn't that Barry Bonds back then. He hadn't hit 73 homers, hadn't been linked to this mess. BALCO wasn't a household name. So Brady and Anderson talked, Brady didn't go with him (thankfully). End of story.
I don't think anyone in a healthy mind-set could accuse Brady of taking steroids. Tom Brady Sr. used to give his son a tough time that he was the only Men's Health cover boy who posed with his shirt on. Brady handled the news of his conversation with Anderson well: by clearly explaining what happened.
"I wanted to work out for a day, and I knew he had a gym," Brady said.
That's it. End of story. I want my 20 minutes back.
Notes from Giants-Chiefs

? N.Y.'s first-teamers sure look better than KC's first-teamers. On the Chiefs' first possession, two runs went nowhere and Trent Green's third-down pass was tipped. On the Giants' first possession, they ran a Tim Carter reverse for a first down, followed by a Tiki Barber screen for close to a first down. A few plays later, Eli Manning hit Amani Toomer on a slant for a 5-yard TD. The Chiefs would end the half with 26 rushing yards - not what they're used to in K.C.

? I watched a lot of Kyle Turley against Osi Umenyiora for a few reasons. One, you don't get a lot out of preseason games, but for Turley, he needs these games. He's not half-assing it. Playing left tackle is hard; it's harder when you're playing against a guy who had 14? sacks last year; it's even harder when you've been out of football for most of two years and lost and put back on 60 pounds.
Turley more than held his own, especially in pass protection -- except, of course, for the one play he missed Mathias Kiwanuka, who also forced a fumble. But Turley generally handled things well. He flattened Umenyiora on one first-quarter, third-down conversion, and he kept him away from Green's back.
It's amazing how much power Turley packs. He's 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds but doesn't look as chubby and swollen as most linemen. He's lean and athletic.
? Maybe it's the Giants' reconfigured secondary, but the Chiefs' starting receivers didn't do a great job of getting open. That position is the weak point for the Chiefs' offense. Then again, it has been for years and yet K.C. still leads the league in offense every year.
? The AC was fully cranked in the press box. It might have been the coldest press box I've ever been in. I think I've been truly cold only a few times in my life:
(1) Skiing in Alaska in 1988. (I remember this well because it was Super Bowl Sunday, Broncos versus Redskins. There was a dry-erase board with continual score updates at the top of the mountain where you exited the chairlift. I remember it being 10-0 Broncos before I skied down. The next time I got off the lift it was 35-10 Skins.)
(2) My freshman year in college, when my roommate opened the window at night in our dorm and the temperature dropped to 0.
(3) A few weeks ago while visiting my friend Phil in D.C. I was really hot before I went to sleep and turned the AC down to 52 degrees by mistake. This press box is the first one I've seen where coffee was in higher demand than hot dogs.
? I sat next to about 10 scouts from various teams. They barely looked at the game while the starters were in there. Once the first-teamers started to sift out of the game, they picked up their pencils like they were caught napping in class. It hit me: They're looking for young guys who their teams once had rated high but never drafted, just in case the subs are cut in the next few weeks.
? I have an NFL pal who believes that the Jets flunked RB Lee Suggs on purpose because they found out they could get 49ers RB Kevan Barlow after the Suggs trade had gone down. Everyone knows it's not hard for a team to find a way to fail a physical. Interesting conspiracy theory.
? The BALCO bit on the drive over reminded me of a question I get a lot when I'm a guest on radio: Are football players juicing? Obviously, a known small percentage is. How far it goes beyond that is anyone's guess. As someone who spends a lot of time in NFL locker rooms during the season, I can attest that not many bodies are fat-free and pure muscle. I don't see a lot of back acne. I'm sure there are some who we don't know about, but I doubt that a high percentage of players are juicing.
? I got lots of e-mail from You The Reader about ESPN's Monday Night Football debut, and I've read a lot of the critiques of Tony Kornheiser's performance. I think Tony was a little shaky - granted, I didn't watch all of Monday night's game - but I think he'll be better in the long run than Dennis Miller. Kornheiser has spent his life making jokes about sports. Once he gets used to doing it off of live games he'll be fine. But I do think having Wilbon in the booth would help.
? My top five Giants Stadium moments:
(5) Bon Jovi, July 2001: I admit it, I like Bon Jovi. I mean, they don't take up 30 percent of my iPod or anything, but I appreciate their staying power. They were the first concert I ever saw: I was in fifth grade and they came to Alaska. (Anchorage isn't exactly the Red Rocks.) I saw Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium with ESPN.com scribe Wright Thompson on that summer night, and it was a great show. I remember some dude from Wisconsin was so drunk he was That Guy during all the opening acts: screaming, belching, annoying all of us. I was worried he'd torment us during the show, but remarkably he passed out before it started.
(4) Colts-Jets 2003 wild-card game: Seems like awhile ago, but remember the story lines coming out of the Jets' 41-0 win? Chad Pennington was the next great QB and Peyton Manning still couldn't win a playoff game. Times have changed. I shared a cab home with then-SI writer Josh Elliott and we seriously thought the driver might pull a gun on us.
(3) October 2005: Last October I was here for a Giants-Redskins game, researching a story on Santana Moss. New York won 36-0, and I had to go into the Washington locker room after the game and get players to tell me what makes Moss so good.
(2) Monday Night Football, 2000, Jets versus Dolphins: This was my first game at Giants Stadium, having just been hired by ESPN The Magazine. The Jets trailed 30-7. With 5:43 to go, N.Y. had cut it to 30-23. The Jets tied it, Miami went back on top 37-30. Then, on fourth-and-1, Vinny Testaverde threw into the end zone to tackle Jumbo Elliott, who made a juggling catch falling down for a touchdown with 42 seconds left. The Jets then won in OT.
(1) Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, July 2003: This was one of the many shows I attended on The Rising tour. First time I'd ever seen "Rosalita" live. Also spotted Suzy Kolber in the parking lot before the show.
? A few mailbag questions before I'm off to the Pats-Cardinals game on Saturday night:
Rob (Naperville, Ill.): How can you forget about Da Bears? They are returning all 22 starters. I know there are questions with Rex Grossman staying healthy but he will, and this is the first time in the NFL he doesn't have to learn a new offense.
Also, we have a proven winner in Brian Griese as backup. Let's not forget what Kyle Orton did. We have one of the best running games in Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. The receivers will be 10 times better this year with Grossman throwing to them. We still have all starters at defense, which I might say is the best in the league! We play in a division where there are three new head coaches. We have the easiest schedule in the league this year. There is no reason why we shouldn't be considered one of the best teams.
Seth: That's a good take. I think the Bears will have a pretty easy sail through the NFC North. I didn't include them on my "best teams" list because of the QB situation. Too unstable. Grossman reportedly struggling isn't good. As I noted months ago, Griese always beats out whomever is in front of him, but that doesn't always mean the team is a playoff lock.
Keith (Jacksonville, Fla.): Are my Jags ready to take the next step and make a deep playoff run? The D is in top shape, but the O still struggles. Will Leftwich just be an average NFL QB?
Seth: I'm not too high on Byron Leftwich after witnessing his performance against the Pats last year. But I'm curious and willing to give him more of a chance after reading KC Joyner's recent column.
Harold (Novi, Mich.): Has there been a bigger bust at WR than Charles Rogers? Seems like a once-promising career has gone down the tube. Whispers around the Lions have him not making the final roster. Your thoughts? Seth: It's more than whispers, Harold. Some more hateful types might have Rogers eclipsing Ryan Leaf as the worst No. 2 overall pick. In four years he's never had a reception of more than 40 yards. Leaf at least had a few decent games.

Hache Man · Aug 19, 2006

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<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>August 19</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>

Jerry Porter
Raiders
</TD><TD>Trade
</TD><TD>Porter in limbo
<Aug. 19> While the Raiders claim they are willing to deal the disgruntled Porter, they are certainly making it very difficult, the Contra Costa Times reports.
It's unknown what the Raiders want in compensation, but they have been presented several trade proposals and have nixed every one.
Unless the Raiders lower their asking price or a team that loses a front-line receiver feels compelled to up the ante, it appears Porter is stuck in Oakland for the next two seasons. Porter can opt out of the five-year contract extension he signed before last season after the 2007 season. Until then, he runs the risk of being kept on ice by the Raiders.

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

Hache Man · Aug 19, 2006

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Porter in limbo
</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>August 19</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>

Jerry Porter
Raiders
</TD><TD>Trade
</TD><TD>Porter in limbo
<Aug. 19> While the Raiders claim they are willing to deal the disgruntled Porter, they are certainly making it very difficult, the Contra Costa Times reports.
It's unknown what the Raiders want in compensation, but they have been presented several trade proposals and have nixed every one.
Unless the Raiders lower their asking price or a team that loses a front-line receiver feels compelled to up the ante, it appears Porter is stuck in Oakland for the next two seasons. Porter can opt out of the five-year contract extension he signed before last season after the 2007 season. Until then, he runs the risk of being kept on ice by the Raiders.

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

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006
Pats bringing Gostkowski along slowly

By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Here are five observations on the New England Patriots, based on their Aug. 19 preseason game against Arizona:
1.
Let's be clear: No one is going to come in and truly replace Adam Vinatieri. But someone is going to kick field goals for the Patriots. Although Martin Gramatica hasn't kicked since 2004 and hasn't been any good since 2002, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Patriots -- considering they have only two quarterbacks worth keeping -- carry two place-kickers on the active roster rather than immediately entrust the kicking duties to rookie Stephen Gostkowski. Maybe have the more experienced Gramatica handle field goals and PATs for now while the rookie kicks off.
Gramatica has been more accurate in practice and made both his field-goal attempts in the preseason opener against Atlanta. Gostkowski has made all four of his attempts, including three Saturday night against Arizona, and his kickoffs consistently travel into the end zone or near the goal line. The Patriots spent a fourth-round pick on Gostkowski, who over his last two seasons at Memphis made nearly 86 percent of his field goals, so there is no way they'll let him go. Either it's his job or they carry two kickers. If New England decides to go with the rookie off the bat, he'll make his rookie mistakes, but in the long run he should be a good one.

2.
Watching first-round pick Laurence Maroney's highlights from his debut against Atlanta last week, and then watching him burst for 12 yards on his first carry Saturday night, it's easy to tell why he had a Minnesota-record streak of 16 games with at least one run of 20 yards or more and why he has runs of 80 and 93 yards on his college r?sum?. The kid is flat-out explosive.
The Patriots would be wise to use Maroney as more than just relief for Corey Dillon, who is clearly on the downside of his career. They should be transitioning to Maroney as the primary ballcarrier. He hits the holes more quickly than Dillon does at this point and is more of a threat to take it the distance. And Maroney runs with power. Maroney needs to get a minimum of 10 to 15 carries per game. However the Patriots divvy up the workload among Dillon (who still runs with attitude), Maroney and Kevin Faulk, New England should be much better running the ball this season.

3.
Tully Banta-Cain had a sack (he nearly had a second) along with a couple of QB pressures Saturday night, giving him two sacks in as many preseason games. A seventh-round pick who has been primarily a special teamer his first three seasons, Banta-Cain is having a strong training camp/exhibition season. That's big for the Patriots, who are thin at linebacker because of Willie McGinest's defection to Cleveland and Tedy Bruschi's wrist injury that threatens his availability for the regular-season opener.
New England can play Mike Vrabel inside or outside depending on whether it can find someone else to step up outside opposite Rosevelt Colvin. Banta-Cain, who played defensive end in college, may just be that guy. The Monty Beisel experiment inside just isn't working out; he's hurt and some observers don't expect him to make the team.
Obviously, the Patriots were desperate to lure 37-year-old Junior Seau out of retirement, but there aren't many Pro Bowl inside linebackers chilling at home right about now. If Seau can stay healthy, the Patriots will find the right role for him, probably as a first- and second-down run-stuffer. Look, it might take a minute for the Patriots to figure out the configuration of the "4" in their 3-4 alignment, but eventually they'll figure it out. They have options in their personnel and can switch to the 4-3 at any time.

4.
The Patriots' talent up front and their depth in the secondary will help compensate for their issues at the second level. In Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, New England has a trio of defensive linemen that is second to none, and reserve Jarvis Green might be good enough to start for some teams. New England, however, doesn't have its usual depth along the D-line.
The key in the back end is how well Rodney Harrison recovers from the knee injury he suffered in the fourth game of last season. He stabilizes the secondary. Ellis Hobbs, who started eight games and both playoff games as a rookie last year, has the potential to be a quality starter. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay have started a lot of important games for the Patriots, and free safety Eugene Wilson can come down and cover at corner in a pinch. Artrell Hawkins came in late and played surprisingly well switching from corner to safety.
The Patriots like James Sanders (second year) a lot. Tebucky Jones is back, though mostly to play special teams. Veteran corner Chad Scott is seeing some action at safety. Free-agent pickup Eric Warfield (Kansas City) appears to be on the bubble. It's a deep group, the defensive backs. If they can avoid injury perhaps the Patriots won't hemorrhage big plays the way they did last season.

5.
While no one in the Patriots' camp wants to see him play any meaningful minutes for the Patriots, as that would mean an injury to Brady, backup QB Matt Cassel is having a strong preseason. He leads the league in preseason passing yards (421), attempts (46), completions (27), and touchdown passes (three) in two games, with a quarterback rating of 110.9.
So far it's been enough to keep the Patriots from bringing in a more experienced veteran. He just has to work on not fumbling so much. He may turn out to be a real find in the seventh round of last year's draft. "When I'm watching Matt out there, he's making great reads," Brady said. "In the coverages, he's going to the right spots. He's a smart kid and very talented."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006
Pats bringing Gostkowski along slowly

By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Here are five observations on the New England Patriots, based on their Aug. 19 preseason game against Arizona:
1.
Let's be clear: No one is going to come in and truly replace Adam Vinatieri. But someone is going to kick field goals for the Patriots. Although Martin Gramatica hasn't kicked since 2004 and hasn't been any good since 2002, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Patriots -- considering they have only two quarterbacks worth keeping -- carry two place-kickers on the active roster rather than immediately entrust the kicking duties to rookie Stephen Gostkowski. Maybe have the more experienced Gramatica handle field goals and PATs for now while the rookie kicks off.
Gramatica has been more accurate in practice and made both his field-goal attempts in the preseason opener against Atlanta. Gostkowski has made all four of his attempts, including three Saturday night against Arizona, and his kickoffs consistently travel into the end zone or near the goal line. The Patriots spent a fourth-round pick on Gostkowski, who over his last two seasons at Memphis made nearly 86 percent of his field goals, so there is no way they'll let him go. Either it's his job or they carry two kickers. If New England decides to go with the rookie off the bat, he'll make his rookie mistakes, but in the long run he should be a good one.

2.
Watching first-round pick Laurence Maroney's highlights from his debut against Atlanta last week, and then watching him burst for 12 yards on his first carry Saturday night, it's easy to tell why he had a Minnesota-record streak of 16 games with at least one run of 20 yards or more and why he has runs of 80 and 93 yards on his college r?sum?. The kid is flat-out explosive.
The Patriots would be wise to use Maroney as more than just relief for Corey Dillon, who is clearly on the downside of his career. They should be transitioning to Maroney as the primary ballcarrier. He hits the holes more quickly than Dillon does at this point and is more of a threat to take it the distance. And Maroney runs with power. Maroney needs to get a minimum of 10 to 15 carries per game. However the Patriots divvy up the workload among Dillon (who still runs with attitude), Maroney and Kevin Faulk, New England should be much better running the ball this season.

3.
Tully Banta-Cain had a sack (he nearly had a second) along with a couple of QB pressures Saturday night, giving him two sacks in as many preseason games. A seventh-round pick who has been primarily a special teamer his first three seasons, Banta-Cain is having a strong training camp/exhibition season. That's big for the Patriots, who are thin at linebacker because of Willie McGinest's defection to Cleveland and Tedy Bruschi's wrist injury that threatens his availability for the regular-season opener.
New England can play Mike Vrabel inside or outside depending on whether it can find someone else to step up outside opposite Rosevelt Colvin. Banta-Cain, who played defensive end in college, may just be that guy. The Monty Beisel experiment inside just isn't working out; he's hurt and some observers don't expect him to make the team.
Obviously, the Patriots were desperate to lure 37-year-old Junior Seau out of retirement, but there aren't many Pro Bowl inside linebackers chilling at home right about now. If Seau can stay healthy, the Patriots will find the right role for him, probably as a first- and second-down run-stuffer. Look, it might take a minute for the Patriots to figure out the configuration of the "4" in their 3-4 alignment, but eventually they'll figure it out. They have options in their personnel and can switch to the 4-3 at any time.

4.
The Patriots' talent up front and their depth in the secondary will help compensate for their issues at the second level. In Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, New England has a trio of defensive linemen that is second to none, and reserve Jarvis Green might be good enough to start for some teams. New England, however, doesn't have its usual depth along the D-line.
The key in the back end is how well Rodney Harrison recovers from the knee injury he suffered in the fourth game of last season. He stabilizes the secondary. Ellis Hobbs, who started eight games and both playoff games as a rookie last year, has the potential to be a quality starter. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay have started a lot of important games for the Patriots, and free safety Eugene Wilson can come down and cover at corner in a pinch. Artrell Hawkins came in late and played surprisingly well switching from corner to safety.
The Patriots like James Sanders (second year) a lot. Tebucky Jones is back, though mostly to play special teams. Veteran corner Chad Scott is seeing some action at safety. Free-agent pickup Eric Warfield (Kansas City) appears to be on the bubble. It's a deep group, the defensive backs. If they can avoid injury perhaps the Patriots won't hemorrhage big plays the way they did last season.

5.
While no one in the Patriots' camp wants to see him play any meaningful minutes for the Patriots, as that would mean an injury to Brady, backup QB Matt Cassel is having a strong preseason. He leads the league in preseason passing yards (421), attempts (46), completions (27), and touchdown passes (three) in two games, with a quarterback rating of 110.9.
So far it's been enough to keep the Patriots from bringing in a more experienced veteran. He just has to work on not fumbling so much. He may turn out to be a real find in the seventh round of last year's draft. "When I'm watching Matt out there, he's making great reads," Brady said. "In the coverages, he's going to the right spots. He's a smart kid and very talented."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006

Whispers from around the NFL

Pro Football Weekly

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
? Our sources tell us that Dolphins DE Jason Taylor's sore back won't force him to miss the regular-season opener at Pittsburgh. However, after injuring the back early in camp and being sidelined for 12 practices, Taylor is taking things slowly and will play sparingly in the remaining preseason games.
? With Tedy Bruschi out until September and with Monty Beisel ailing with an injured hand, word is the Patriots' signing of recently retired Junior Seau is an indication of how concerned they are about their ILB depth. Though the 37-year-old Seau has played in only 15 games the past two years because of injury, the team believes his experience and ability are an upgrade over the reserves on the roster.
? Word is the Jets' medical staff made the determination that RB Lee Suggs' surgically repaired knee would not hold up over the long haul. That resulted in the failed physical, voiding the trade that had sent CB Derrick Strait to Cleveland for Suggs. Interestingly, while Suggs has had myriad injuries (ankle, thumb, neck, toe, shoulder) during his short NFL career, the knee injury is an old one, suffered when he was at Virginia Tech. He hadn't missed a practice with the Browns this summer.
? Even though the failed trade with the Jets sent Strait back to New York, we hear the Browns like Strait so much that they might try to trade for him again.
? The Browns are continuing to try to move Suggs, who was sent back to the team after failing the Jets' physical. Suggs doesn't have a role in Cleveland after the emergence of rookie Jerome Harrison.
? Ravens QB Steve McNair's command of the huddle has been a breath of fresh air. The way we hear it, former starter Kyle Boller simply was too excitable in pressure situations. McNair is more even-keeled.
? With strong competition both at the DL and LB positions, don't be surprised if the Bengals release a couple of veterans with potential. At linebacker, 2004 third-rounder Caleb Miller could be the odd man out, while DLs Shaun Smith or Jonathan Fanene could be on the bubble.
? The way we hear it, Bengals RB Chris Perry's injuries continue to be a source of frustration to the club. Perry has been out with an ankle injury and could miss the start of the season.
? Word from Pittsburgh is that rookie QB Omar Jacobs has struggled in his transition to the pro game and is being pushed by Shane Boyd for the No. 3 QB job.
? What has impressed people in San Diego the most with Philip Rivers is that he never seems to have an off practice, which is rare for a young quarterback. His accuracy has been excellent, but expect the Chargers to keep things on the conservative side early on, much as they did when Drew Brees took over the reins from Doug Flutie.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Jerry Porter</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide receiver
Oakland Raiders

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>76</TD><TD>942</TD><TD>12.4</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
? Sources in Oakland say the Raiders are not actively shopping disgruntled WR Jerry Porter, but they are allowing him and his agent to seek a trade. The good news for the Raiders is that a couple of young receivers, Johnnie Morant and Will Buchanon, have stepped up in training camp and the preseason. Buchanon, a college defensive back who went undrafted, has really turned heads with some acrobatic grabs.
? Replacing retired OTs Willie Roaf and John Welbourn will be a tall order for the Chiefs, but so far Kyle Turley and Kevin Sampson have fared well despite some difficulties keeping the Giants' DE tandem of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora out of the backfield in the second preseason game. Concerns, however, lie with Turley's ability to hold up over the course of the year at around 280 pounds (some 25-30 pounds lighter than he played at two years ago) and Sampson's ability to handle speed on the edge.
? The Chiefs are eager to get rookie QB Brodie Croyle some work to see if he can elevate himself to the backup role behind Trent Green, but a shoulder injury has kept him out of action since the first week. Croyle said he was happy with his progress in the system prior to the injury. Another concern is the fact that RB Michael Bennett hasn't been able to play since his late-July trade from the Saints. A tender hamstring has prevented him from getting acclimated to the new offense. He is expected to spell Larry Johnson and serve as a change-of-pace option.
? Second-round choice Bernard Pollard out of Purdue has been solid in Kansas City's practices, but another safety, seventh-rounder Jarrad Page out of UCLA, has been the talk of camp; he has been willing to hit, has covered well and has deciphered a lot of information quickly while playing several roles. He could see immediate action in nickel and dime situations and surely will be a force on special teams out of the gate, along with Pollard.
? Darren Sproles' move to injured reserve with a broken leg may have opened the door for undrafted rookie CB Cletis Gordon to make the Chargers as the primary return specialist. If he falters, the Chargers would look to WR Eric Parker or possibly CB Drayton Florence for punt-return duties and backup RB Michael Turner or possibly rookie CB Antonio Cromartie to bring back kickoffs.
? Observers say the athleticism shown by rookie CB Antonio Cromartie in San Diego is impressive, and his long stride makes it look easy to make up ground when he finds himself out of position.
? Word out of Panthers camp is that the team is trying to steer superstar WR Steve Smith away from returning punts. We hear the Panthers are hesitant to expose Smith, who missed the first two weeks of training camp with a left hamstring strain, to further injuries while doing extra duty on special teams.
? We hear that Panthers DT Kris Jenkins, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 1 last season and missed the final 12 games in 2004 with a shoulder injury, has been on the practice field regularly in training camp, but he appears overweight and doesn't seem to be in football shape just yet.
? Our Falcons observers tell us veteran S Allen Rossum could be on his way out of Atlanta. Rossum battled injuries most of last season and hasn't come close to returning to his Pro Bowl form of 2004. Complicating matters for Rossum is that rookie WR Adam Jennings has excelled in training camp returning punts and kicks and is also competing for the No. 3 WR job. RB DeAndra Cobb, drafted last year as Rossum's eventual successor, had a forgettable rookie year and is sidelined with a high ankle sprain. We hear it's only a matter of time before Cobb gets waived.
? We hear that Falcons rookie QB D.J. Shockley, a Georgia native, holds a slight edge over second-year QB Bryan Randall in the competition for the No. 3 QB job behind Michael Vick and Matt Schaub. We're told the Atlanta coaching staff loves Shockley's intangibles -- his leadership, huddle presence, ability to manage the clock -- and fear that if Shockley were put on the practice squad, another team would sign him.

? Word out of Buccaneers camp is backup QB Tim Rattay has looked bad for most of training camp and didn't help his case to become Tampa's No. 2 quarterback with his dismal performance in the Bucs' preseason opener. That game was the first chance for the coaching staff to see Rattay, who was acquired in a trade with San Francisco last season, in a game situation in the Bucs' system. Rattay's struggles have opened the door for rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski to earn the No. 2 job if veteran Jay Fiedler (shoulder) isn't healthy when the season begins.
? Sources in Jacksonville tell us diminutive WR Chad Owens is moving up the Jaguars' depth chart after a strong start to the preseason that included a 62-yard touchdown grab in the opener. We hear Owens, drafted in the sixth round last year largely for his skills as a returner, is facing plenty of competition in the return game, so his best chance to make the team will be as a receiver.
? Our sources close to the Saints tell us starting C Jeff Faine has been a stabilizing presence on the team's revamped offensive line. The Saints acquired Faine in a draft day trade with the Browns to replace Pro Bowl C LeCharles Bentley, who left New Orleans to sign a huge free-agent contract with Cleveland.
? In addition to outplaying QB Todd Bouman in the Saints' first preseason game, we hear there's another sign QB Jamie Martin has a leg up in the competition for the No. 2 QB job. Martin is now the team's top holder, a role Bouman had handled for the past few years.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>David Patten</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide receiver
Washington Redskins

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>22</TD><TD>217</TD><TD>9.9</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
? The Redskins' trade of WR Taylor Jacobs to San Francisco almost guarantees that David Patten will make the roster. The team wants to carry five capable receivers because it will use many four- and five-WR sets. Because James Thrash and Antwaan Randle El are key special-teamers, Patten should get a chance.
? The Redskins' OL depth could be a season-long concern, but the team liked what it saw when Mike Pucillo played center and Tyson Walter handled left tackle better than anyone expected.
? The Cowboys, armed with depth at linebacker, and the Patriots, who have some extra offensive linemen, have been talking. Sources say the Patriots could be interested in Cowboys reserve Scott Shanle, who has experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses but could be caught up in a numbers game in Dallas.
? How bad has it gotten for Drew Henson in Dallas? On the day the team signed free agent Matt Baker, he -- not Henson -- got all the work with the third team. Henson is pretty expensive to keep as a third QB, especially if the team doesn't believe he has made much progress.
? Despite the late arrival, it appears that Eagles DT Brodrick Bunkley is going to be a force. Our sources tell us that the rookie is built as solidly as any defensive lineman the team has had in recent memory and that Bunkley has routinely found his way into the backfield during drills.
? Cowboys LB Bradie James told PFW that DE Chris Canty is going to break out into stardom. "He's a classic 3-4 end," James said. "He looks like he is going to have a big season."
? Word is the Seahawks have been satisfied with the steady progress of first-round CB Kelly Jennings, who got picked apart pretty good by the Cowboys in the preseason opener. But while Jennings is expected to see plenty of action this season -- we're told one thing he needs to do is finish his plays a bit better -- it could be a while before he earns a starting role over Kelly Herndon, who we hear might have had a better training camp than any Seahawks player this season.
? Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom, who underwent shoulder surgery following the Super Bowl, recently revealed to our sources that he played most of last season with a torn labrum that worsened with each game. Wistrom concealed the injury to prevent opponents from taking advantage.
? It's only a matter of time, our sources in the desert believe, before Gerald Hayes takes over the Cardinals' starting MLB job from James Darling. Hayes, we hear, finally looks fully recovered from the knee problems that sidelined him last season. But while the Cardinals couldn't be happier with his resurgence, we hear they continue to be extremely frustrated with fellow LB Karlos Dansby, who continues to fall further into Dennis Green's doghouse the longer he stays off the field due to health issues.
? In addition to being a leading candidate as the Cardinals' primary punt returner, we hear free-agent addition Troy Walters has looked good enough as a pass catcher in the slot to possibly overtake promising LeRon McCoy as the team's No. 4 wide receiver.
? Don't expect new Rams head coach Scott Linehan to be shy when it comes to using starters on special teams in an effort to improve what has been a steady weakness the last few seasons. We hear key starters such as MLB Will Witherspoon and FS Corey Chavous could see more than a little action on special teams this season.
? We hear the more mellow approach by new Rams D-line coach Brian Baker -- as opposed to the tough-love style of his predecessor Bill Kollar, who dropped F-bombs seemingly with every other word -- has received mostly positive reviews from the Rams' linemen, who believe they may be benefiting from a bit more work on technique under Baker.
? We're hearing good things about Niners second-year backup DL Ronald Fields, whose motor was somewhat of an issue in his rookie season. Fields apparently has become good friends with second-year RB Frank Gore, and our sources believe Gore's all-world work ethic and intensity have rubbed off on Fields, who appears a great deal more mature this season.
? Word is the supposed two-way battle for the Colts' starting RCB job between Jason David and Marlin Jackson has become a four-way battle, with first-year pro Kelvin Hayden and versatile third-year pro Von Hutchins entering the mix. Jackson, the Colts' first-round pick last year, played badly enough in the team's preseason opener to actually receive public criticism from head coach Tony Dungy, who rarely singles out any of his players.
? We hear Colts second-year OL Dylan Gandy has played so well as the starter at left guard in place of the injured Ryan Lilja that he could end up giving Lilja a real run for his money for the starting job in Week 1.
? Second-year Lions CB Stanley Wilson had an impressive training camp and might wind up with more than the nickel CB job. Wilson outplayed Keith Smith to claim the nickel spot, but he'll need to be more consistent to overtake Fernando Bryant. Smith's ball skills and instincts made him a nice fit in the newly implemented Cover 2 defense.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Charles Rogers</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide receiver
Detroit Lions

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>14</TD><TD>197</TD><TD>14.1</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
? Unless injuries hit the team's receivers, Lions WR Charles Rogers is very likely to be released, according to our moles in Motown. Rogers is working harder but, unable to claw higher than third string on the depth chart, hasn't found his way into the good graces of the new regime. He's running out of time and, unless someone stumbles in front of him, Rogers appears a lock to get the boot before the regular season begins.
? Our sources indicate the Bears are monitoring the waiver wire for WR help but likely won't make a trade to acquire help at the position.
? Sources in Green Bay are stunned that fifth overall pick A.J. Hawk hasn't been more of a steady presence this summer. In fact, there are some who believe third-round pick Abdul Hodge might be a better starter at this time than the ultratalented Hawk.
? Team observers say the Bears are excited by the performance of rookie FS Danieal Manning. Manning, thrust into regular work since Mike Brown's Achilles injury at San Francisco, has been able to learn on the job and excels in coverage. If he makes more of an effort to arrive early in run support, the Bears will really have something. ? Word out of Detroit is LB Ernie Sims' size could be a major detriment. Already the Lions consider him too aggressive for a third-down or nickel LB role. Sims should start on the weakside, but the big-hitting linebacker can be pushed around by bigger bodies.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006

Whispers from around the NFL

Pro Football Weekly

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
? Our sources tell us that Dolphins DE Jason Taylor's sore back won't force him to miss the regular-season opener at Pittsburgh. However, after injuring the back early in camp and being sidelined for 12 practices, Taylor is taking things slowly and will play sparingly in the remaining preseason games.
? With Tedy Bruschi out until September and with Monty Beisel ailing with an injured hand, word is the Patriots' signing of recently retired Junior Seau is an indication of how concerned they are about their ILB depth. Though the 37-year-old Seau has played in only 15 games the past two years because of injury, the team believes his experience and ability are an upgrade over the reserves on the roster.
? Word is the Jets' medical staff made the determination that RB Lee Suggs' surgically repaired knee would not hold up over the long haul. That resulted in the failed physical, voiding the trade that had sent CB Derrick Strait to Cleveland for Suggs. Interestingly, while Suggs has had myriad injuries (ankle, thumb, neck, toe, shoulder) during his short NFL career, the knee injury is an old one, suffered when he was at Virginia Tech. He hadn't missed a practice with the Browns this summer.
? Even though the failed trade with the Jets sent Strait back to New York, we hear the Browns like Strait so much that they might try to trade for him again.
? The Browns are continuing to try to move Suggs, who was sent back to the team after failing the Jets' physical. Suggs doesn't have a role in Cleveland after the emergence of rookie Jerome Harrison.
? Ravens QB Steve McNair's command of the huddle has been a breath of fresh air. The way we hear it, former starter Kyle Boller simply was too excitable in pressure situations. McNair is more even-keeled.
? With strong competition both at the DL and LB positions, don't be surprised if the Bengals release a couple of veterans with potential. At linebacker, 2004 third-rounder Caleb Miller could be the odd man out, while DLs Shaun Smith or Jonathan Fanene could be on the bubble.
? The way we hear it, Bengals RB Chris Perry's injuries continue to be a source of frustration to the club. Perry has been out with an ankle injury and could miss the start of the season.
? Word from Pittsburgh is that rookie QB Omar Jacobs has struggled in his transition to the pro game and is being pushed by Shane Boyd for the No. 3 QB job.
? What has impressed people in San Diego the most with Philip Rivers is that he never seems to have an off practice, which is rare for a young quarterback. His accuracy has been excellent, but expect the Chargers to keep things on the conservative side early on, much as they did when Drew Brees took over the reins from Doug Flutie.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Jerry Porter</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide receiver
Oakland Raiders

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>76</TD><TD>942</TD><TD>12.4</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
? Sources in Oakland say the Raiders are not actively shopping disgruntled WR Jerry Porter, but they are allowing him and his agent to seek a trade. The good news for the Raiders is that a couple of young receivers, Johnnie Morant and Will Buchanon, have stepped up in training camp and the preseason. Buchanon, a college defensive back who went undrafted, has really turned heads with some acrobatic grabs.
? Replacing retired OTs Willie Roaf and John Welbourn will be a tall order for the Chiefs, but so far Kyle Turley and Kevin Sampson have fared well despite some difficulties keeping the Giants' DE tandem of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora out of the backfield in the second preseason game. Concerns, however, lie with Turley's ability to hold up over the course of the year at around 280 pounds (some 25-30 pounds lighter than he played at two years ago) and Sampson's ability to handle speed on the edge.
? The Chiefs are eager to get rookie QB Brodie Croyle some work to see if he can elevate himself to the backup role behind Trent Green, but a shoulder injury has kept him out of action since the first week. Croyle said he was happy with his progress in the system prior to the injury. Another concern is the fact that RB Michael Bennett hasn't been able to play since his late-July trade from the Saints. A tender hamstring has prevented him from getting acclimated to the new offense. He is expected to spell Larry Johnson and serve as a change-of-pace option.
? Second-round choice Bernard Pollard out of Purdue has been solid in Kansas City's practices, but another safety, seventh-rounder Jarrad Page out of UCLA, has been the talk of camp; he has been willing to hit, has covered well and has deciphered a lot of information quickly while playing several roles. He could see immediate action in nickel and dime situations and surely will be a force on special teams out of the gate, along with Pollard.
? Darren Sproles' move to injured reserve with a broken leg may have opened the door for undrafted rookie CB Cletis Gordon to make the Chargers as the primary return specialist. If he falters, the Chargers would look to WR Eric Parker or possibly CB Drayton Florence for punt-return duties and backup RB Michael Turner or possibly rookie CB Antonio Cromartie to bring back kickoffs.
? Observers say the athleticism shown by rookie CB Antonio Cromartie in San Diego is impressive, and his long stride makes it look easy to make up ground when he finds himself out of position.
? Word out of Panthers camp is that the team is trying to steer superstar WR Steve Smith away from returning punts. We hear the Panthers are hesitant to expose Smith, who missed the first two weeks of training camp with a left hamstring strain, to further injuries while doing extra duty on special teams.
? We hear that Panthers DT Kris Jenkins, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 1 last season and missed the final 12 games in 2004 with a shoulder injury, has been on the practice field regularly in training camp, but he appears overweight and doesn't seem to be in football shape just yet.
? Our Falcons observers tell us veteran S Allen Rossum could be on his way out of Atlanta. Rossum battled injuries most of last season and hasn't come close to returning to his Pro Bowl form of 2004. Complicating matters for Rossum is that rookie WR Adam Jennings has excelled in training camp returning punts and kicks and is also competing for the No. 3 WR job. RB DeAndra Cobb, drafted last year as Rossum's eventual successor, had a forgettable rookie year and is sidelined with a high ankle sprain. We hear it's only a matter of time before Cobb gets waived.
? We hear that Falcons rookie QB D.J. Shockley, a Georgia native, holds a slight edge over second-year QB Bryan Randall in the competition for the No. 3 QB job behind Michael Vick and Matt Schaub. We're told the Atlanta coaching staff loves Shockley's intangibles -- his leadership, huddle presence, ability to manage the clock -- and fear that if Shockley were put on the practice squad, another team would sign him.

? Word out of Buccaneers camp is backup QB Tim Rattay has looked bad for most of training camp and didn't help his case to become Tampa's No. 2 quarterback with his dismal performance in the Bucs' preseason opener. That game was the first chance for the coaching staff to see Rattay, who was acquired in a trade with San Francisco last season, in a game situation in the Bucs' system. Rattay's struggles have opened the door for rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski to earn the No. 2 job if veteran Jay Fiedler (shoulder) isn't healthy when the season begins.
? Sources in Jacksonville tell us diminutive WR Chad Owens is moving up the Jaguars' depth chart after a strong start to the preseason that included a 62-yard touchdown grab in the opener. We hear Owens, drafted in the sixth round last year largely for his skills as a returner, is facing plenty of competition in the return game, so his best chance to make the team will be as a receiver.
? Our sources close to the Saints tell us starting C Jeff Faine has been a stabilizing presence on the team's revamped offensive line. The Saints acquired Faine in a draft day trade with the Browns to replace Pro Bowl C LeCharles Bentley, who left New Orleans to sign a huge free-agent contract with Cleveland.
? In addition to outplaying QB Todd Bouman in the Saints' first preseason game, we hear there's another sign QB Jamie Martin has a leg up in the competition for the No. 2 QB job. Martin is now the team's top holder, a role Bouman had handled for the past few years.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>David Patten</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide receiver
Washington Redskins

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>22</TD><TD>217</TD><TD>9.9</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
? The Redskins' trade of WR Taylor Jacobs to San Francisco almost guarantees that David Patten will make the roster. The team wants to carry five capable receivers because it will use many four- and five-WR sets. Because James Thrash and Antwaan Randle El are key special-teamers, Patten should get a chance.
? The Redskins' OL depth could be a season-long concern, but the team liked what it saw when Mike Pucillo played center and Tyson Walter handled left tackle better than anyone expected.
? The Cowboys, armed with depth at linebacker, and the Patriots, who have some extra offensive linemen, have been talking. Sources say the Patriots could be interested in Cowboys reserve Scott Shanle, who has experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses but could be caught up in a numbers game in Dallas.
? How bad has it gotten for Drew Henson in Dallas? On the day the team signed free agent Matt Baker, he -- not Henson -- got all the work with the third team. Henson is pretty expensive to keep as a third QB, especially if the team doesn't believe he has made much progress.
? Despite the late arrival, it appears that Eagles DT Brodrick Bunkley is going to be a force. Our sources tell us that the rookie is built as solidly as any defensive lineman the team has had in recent memory and that Bunkley has routinely found his way into the backfield during drills.
? Cowboys LB Bradie James told PFW that DE Chris Canty is going to break out into stardom. "He's a classic 3-4 end," James said. "He looks like he is going to have a big season."
? Word is the Seahawks have been satisfied with the steady progress of first-round CB Kelly Jennings, who got picked apart pretty good by the Cowboys in the preseason opener. But while Jennings is expected to see plenty of action this season -- we're told one thing he needs to do is finish his plays a bit better -- it could be a while before he earns a starting role over Kelly Herndon, who we hear might have had a better training camp than any Seahawks player this season.
? Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom, who underwent shoulder surgery following the Super Bowl, recently revealed to our sources that he played most of last season with a torn labrum that worsened with each game. Wistrom concealed the injury to prevent opponents from taking advantage.
? It's only a matter of time, our sources in the desert believe, before Gerald Hayes takes over the Cardinals' starting MLB job from James Darling. Hayes, we hear, finally looks fully recovered from the knee problems that sidelined him last season. But while the Cardinals couldn't be happier with his resurgence, we hear they continue to be extremely frustrated with fellow LB Karlos Dansby, who continues to fall further into Dennis Green's doghouse the longer he stays off the field due to health issues.
? In addition to being a leading candidate as the Cardinals' primary punt returner, we hear free-agent addition Troy Walters has looked good enough as a pass catcher in the slot to possibly overtake promising LeRon McCoy as the team's No. 4 wide receiver.
? Don't expect new Rams head coach Scott Linehan to be shy when it comes to using starters on special teams in an effort to improve what has been a steady weakness the last few seasons. We hear key starters such as MLB Will Witherspoon and FS Corey Chavous could see more than a little action on special teams this season.
? We hear the more mellow approach by new Rams D-line coach Brian Baker -- as opposed to the tough-love style of his predecessor Bill Kollar, who dropped F-bombs seemingly with every other word -- has received mostly positive reviews from the Rams' linemen, who believe they may be benefiting from a bit more work on technique under Baker.
? We're hearing good things about Niners second-year backup DL Ronald Fields, whose motor was somewhat of an issue in his rookie season. Fields apparently has become good friends with second-year RB Frank Gore, and our sources believe Gore's all-world work ethic and intensity have rubbed off on Fields, who appears a great deal more mature this season.
? Word is the supposed two-way battle for the Colts' starting RCB job between Jason David and Marlin Jackson has become a four-way battle, with first-year pro Kelvin Hayden and versatile third-year pro Von Hutchins entering the mix. Jackson, the Colts' first-round pick last year, played badly enough in the team's preseason opener to actually receive public criticism from head coach Tony Dungy, who rarely singles out any of his players.
? We hear Colts second-year OL Dylan Gandy has played so well as the starter at left guard in place of the injured Ryan Lilja that he could end up giving Lilja a real run for his money for the starting job in Week 1.
? Second-year Lions CB Stanley Wilson had an impressive training camp and might wind up with more than the nickel CB job. Wilson outplayed Keith Smith to claim the nickel spot, but he'll need to be more consistent to overtake Fernando Bryant. Smith's ball skills and instincts made him a nice fit in the newly implemented Cover 2 defense.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Charles Rogers</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide receiver
Detroit Lions

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>14</TD><TD>197</TD><TD>14.1</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
? Unless injuries hit the team's receivers, Lions WR Charles Rogers is very likely to be released, according to our moles in Motown. Rogers is working harder but, unable to claw higher than third string on the depth chart, hasn't found his way into the good graces of the new regime. He's running out of time and, unless someone stumbles in front of him, Rogers appears a lock to get the boot before the regular season begins.
? Our sources indicate the Bears are monitoring the waiver wire for WR help but likely won't make a trade to acquire help at the position.
? Sources in Green Bay are stunned that fifth overall pick A.J. Hawk hasn't been more of a steady presence this summer. In fact, there are some who believe third-round pick Abdul Hodge might be a better starter at this time than the ultratalented Hawk.
? Team observers say the Bears are excited by the performance of rookie FS Danieal Manning. Manning, thrust into regular work since Mike Brown's Achilles injury at San Francisco, has been able to learn on the job and excels in coverage. If he makes more of an effort to arrive early in run support, the Bears will really have something. ? Word out of Detroit is LB Ernie Sims' size could be a major detriment. Already the Lions consider him too aggressive for a third-down or nickel LB role. Sims should start on the weakside, but the big-hitting linebacker can be pushed around by bigger bodies.
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Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Too early to pull plug on Grossman

posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Chicago Bears, Rex Grossman

Yeah, I know. I wrote back when Brian Griese signed that he's never stayed on the bench long. But, in this case, I think he should.

There was a lot of buzz over the weekend about whether Griese should take over for Rex Grossman, who has yet to lead the Bears to any points in his 10 preseason possessions. Then you have Griese, who's had some success and has out-QB-rated Grossman 154.4 to 40.4.
Griese hasn't had any snaps with the first-team O yet, and doesn't even think it's a big deal if he's anointed the starter. "I don't think it's imperative," he told Bears reporters over the weekend.
The Bears have to stick with Grossman - for now. As my friend Steve noted when I was talking with him this weekend, Grossman's ceiling is potentially higher than Griese's. The Bears will be in games during the first month because of their defense. Give Grossman five games. Unless the Bears are on a terrible slide, they should be able to experiment with Grossman during the first month and still easily win the NFC North.
If Grossman is terrible, make the switch. But Grossman deserves the chance to prove what he can do now that he's healthy.
Random stuff

? Saturday night's game against New England wasn't very exciting if you're a Cards fan. True, who knows what you can gauge from preseason. But the O-line is a mess. And Kurt Warner didn't look very comfortable back there. No wonder Dennis Green said afterward that there was nothing about the game he was happy with.

? My nomination for Previously Unknown Pats Player Who Pisses Off Opposing Fans Who Wonder, "Why can't my team find those guys?": Bam Childress. If New England starts the season without Deion Branch - and that is feasible - Childress might have gained Tom Brady's trust with a couple nice catches against the Cardinals on Saturday night.
? If he stays healthy, I have little doubt that Laurence Maroney will lead the Pats in carries. He's averaging 6.3 yards a pop. Maroney is no scat back (6-feet, 216 pounds) but he adds that type of spark to the Pats' offense because Corey Dillon seems to have almost no explosiveness left.
? Good news that Carson Palmer is suiting up against the Packers this weekend. From the things he's been saying during camp, Palmer needs this to test his mind as much as his knee. If he waited until the regular season to try it, this injury might have psyched him out.

Here are the answers to a few mailbag questions before I depart for Jets camp.
Rob Thompson (Goshen, Ind.): For you to tell me and the rest of the world that Tom Brady has never done steroids is amazing. I never thought that Marion Jones had done steroids, then I read "Game of Shadows."
Mad Mike (Houston): Seth: I completely agree with you on the Brady/Anderson subject, it means nothing. But, the guys on the talk radio shows (which I avoid like the plague) were getting people all worked up to get the phone lines burning up ? a waste of time in my opinion.
Seth: I wrote what I think, Rob. I'd be shocked if Brady was ever found guilty of taking steroids. Considering the circumstances of the conversation between Anderson and Brady, I doubt he did.
Kate Petaluma (Calif.): I am sick of these players signing one-day contracts so that they can retire as a member of the team they are so synonymous with. Guys like Emmitt Smith, Tim Brown and now Jerry Rice should have their Hall of Fame eligibility delayed by one year. Do you agree?
Seth: No, I think it's harmless. If both sides are willing to agree to a one-day deal, I'm cool with it.
Lee (Fort Myers, Fla.): What should the Dolphins do with DT Manny Wright? Is he following the tragic path of another former USC DT (Darrell Russell)? Does bringing in Dan Wilkinson mean Wright will be gone? Seth: I think they need to give him some space. Being clinically depressed is nothing to mess around with. If Nick Saban needs a blueprint, follow what the Bucs did with safety John Howell, as my pal Eric Adelson so perfectly detailed it a few years ago.

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Too early to pull plug on Grossman

posted: Monday, August 21, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Chicago Bears, Rex Grossman

Yeah, I know. I wrote back when Brian Griese signed that he's never stayed on the bench long. But, in this case, I think he should.

There was a lot of buzz over the weekend about whether Griese should take over for Rex Grossman, who has yet to lead the Bears to any points in his 10 preseason possessions. Then you have Griese, who's had some success and has out-QB-rated Grossman 154.4 to 40.4.
Griese hasn't had any snaps with the first-team O yet, and doesn't even think it's a big deal if he's anointed the starter. "I don't think it's imperative," he told Bears reporters over the weekend.
The Bears have to stick with Grossman - for now. As my friend Steve noted when I was talking with him this weekend, Grossman's ceiling is potentially higher than Griese's. The Bears will be in games during the first month because of their defense. Give Grossman five games. Unless the Bears are on a terrible slide, they should be able to experiment with Grossman during the first month and still easily win the NFC North.
If Grossman is terrible, make the switch. But Grossman deserves the chance to prove what he can do now that he's healthy.
Random stuff

? Saturday night's game against New England wasn't very exciting if you're a Cards fan. True, who knows what you can gauge from preseason. But the O-line is a mess. And Kurt Warner didn't look very comfortable back there. No wonder Dennis Green said afterward that there was nothing about the game he was happy with.

? My nomination for Previously Unknown Pats Player Who Pisses Off Opposing Fans Who Wonder, "Why can't my team find those guys?": Bam Childress. If New England starts the season without Deion Branch - and that is feasible - Childress might have gained Tom Brady's trust with a couple nice catches against the Cardinals on Saturday night.
? If he stays healthy, I have little doubt that Laurence Maroney will lead the Pats in carries. He's averaging 6.3 yards a pop. Maroney is no scat back (6-feet, 216 pounds) but he adds that type of spark to the Pats' offense because Corey Dillon seems to have almost no explosiveness left.
? Good news that Carson Palmer is suiting up against the Packers this weekend. From the things he's been saying during camp, Palmer needs this to test his mind as much as his knee. If he waited until the regular season to try it, this injury might have psyched him out.

Here are the answers to a few mailbag questions before I depart for Jets camp.
Rob Thompson (Goshen, Ind.): For you to tell me and the rest of the world that Tom Brady has never done steroids is amazing. I never thought that Marion Jones had done steroids, then I read "Game of Shadows."
Mad Mike (Houston): Seth: I completely agree with you on the Brady/Anderson subject, it means nothing. But, the guys on the talk radio shows (which I avoid like the plague) were getting people all worked up to get the phone lines burning up ? a waste of time in my opinion.
Seth: I wrote what I think, Rob. I'd be shocked if Brady was ever found guilty of taking steroids. Considering the circumstances of the conversation between Anderson and Brady, I doubt he did.
Kate Petaluma (Calif.): I am sick of these players signing one-day contracts so that they can retire as a member of the team they are so synonymous with. Guys like Emmitt Smith, Tim Brown and now Jerry Rice should have their Hall of Fame eligibility delayed by one year. Do you agree?
Seth: No, I think it's harmless. If both sides are willing to agree to a one-day deal, I'm cool with it.
Lee (Fort Myers, Fla.): What should the Dolphins do with DT Manny Wright? Is he following the tragic path of another former USC DT (Darrell Russell)? Does bringing in Dan Wilkinson mean Wright will be gone? Seth: I think they need to give him some space. Being clinically depressed is nothing to mess around with. If Nick Saban needs a blueprint, follow what the Bucs did with safety John Howell, as my pal Eric Adelson so perfectly detailed it a few years ago.

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006, 1:00 PM ET
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Questions and answers on bad decisions

By KC Joyner
ESPN Insider
Archive

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In the past two weeks, I have received dozens of e-mails about my Aug. 8 bad decision metric article. Most of the e-mailers asked that I go into greater detail as to what constitutes a bad decision or explain some seeming discrepancies in the metric. These e-mails generally can be split into a few topics I will detail below.
Explain why a quarterback's bad decision total is sometimes lower than his interception total.
The best question along this line came from an e-mailer named JK who asked why Tom Brady had only four bad decisions when he threw fourteen interceptions. The problem with this line of thinking is that it assumes the quarterback is always responsible for an interception. This obviously isn't the case, as there are many things outside a quarterback's decision making that can cause interceptions. The best way to illustrate this is to detail what caused each of Brady's fourteen interceptions last year:
? Three of Brady's interceptions were a direct result of bad decisions on his part.
? Two interceptions happened because a defensive lineman tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage.
? One interception came after a defensive back tipped a pass as it reached a Patriots receiver.
? Another interception occurred because a receiver tipped a pass into the air while trying to catch it.
? Four interceptions came as a result of inaccurate passes.
? Three other interceptions happened because of poorly run routes by the receiver.

This clearly shows that most of Brady's interceptions were caused by factors other than his decision making. Even a number of the interceptions that were his fault (inaccurate passes) weren't the result of bad decisions, they were just bad throws.
Is a quarterback debited for a bad decision if he makes a checkdown pass on 3rd down and 12? Or if he throws a deep pass to a covered receiver when another receiver was open on a shorter pass?
The central theme in the bad decision metric is that a quarterback is only debited with a bad decision when he does something with the ball that leads directly to a turnover or a near turnover. I cannot emphasize that point enough.
If a quarterback throws a checkdown pass that is not intercepted or nearly intercepted, the play is not counted as a bad decision no matter what else happened on the play.
For the deep pass, let me use an example to explain. If Ben Roethlisberger forces a pass into double coverage and Hines Ward outjumps the DBs to make the catch, the pass does not count as a bad decision. If, on the other hand, one of the DBs gets his hands on the pass and either intercepts or nearly intercepts the pass, it counts as a bad decision.
Are Hail Mary passes counted as bad decisions?
Hail Mary passes do not count as bad decisions. The reason for this is that these types of passes are not mistakes on the quarterback's part. The quarterback isn't unknowingly forcing a pass into coverage, nor doing it in lieu of pursuing another option. He is in a situation where he has to throw the pass into a sea of defenders to try to win the game or successfully end a drive at the end of a half. These passes are necessary risks and are therefore exempt from being counted as bad decisions.
How is it that David Carr of the 2-14 Houston Texans can rate so well in this metric while both of the starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl XL rate poorly?
Carr ranked very high in this metric last year because all he did was throw safe passes. Houston's pass blocking was so bad in 2005 that the only types of passes Carr seemed to throw by the end of the season were the slant and wide receiver screen. Those passes are not the kinds that lend themselves to bad decisions, as the quarterback simply drops back three steps and throws the pass before the defense has time to close for coverage.
With regards to how Roethlisberger and Matt Hasselbeck can both start in a Super Bowl despite having a high bad decision percentage, I would point out that it is just one facet of their game. Roethlisberger's extremely high yards per attempt more than offset his bad decisions. Hasselbeck's yards per attempt were not quite as good as Big Ben's, but his bad decision percentages were much lower.
The other thing I would point out is that Super Bowl XL was not the first time two quarterbacks with significant weaknesses started in a Super Bowl. Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe were the starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl XXXI despite Favre's penchant for throwing high-risk passes and Bledsoe's pocket jitters. I also would be willing to bet that Terry Bradshaw, Jim McMahon and Jim Kelly all would have had fairly high bad decision percentages, but that did not stop them from taking their teams to a combined nine Super Bowls.
How can you say that Roethlisberger and Hasselbeck are bad quarterbacks?
I sometimes think that the people who write me this type of e-mail are intentionally misunderstanding the metric. I never said either of those two was a bad quarterback, but since the word "bad" is part of the name of the metric, it either gets misconstrued or is misinterpreted by oversensitive fans. The negative connotation of this metric's name has caused me to consider changing the name, but I ended up not doing so for one reason: It accurately describes what the metric measures. The metric is not intended to be used as a sole determinant for a quarterback's play, but it does effectively measure a very important aspect of a quarterback's game.
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Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006, 1:00 PM ET
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</TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Questions and answers on bad decisions

By KC Joyner
ESPN Insider
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
In the past two weeks, I have received dozens of e-mails about my Aug. 8 bad decision metric article. Most of the e-mailers asked that I go into greater detail as to what constitutes a bad decision or explain some seeming discrepancies in the metric. These e-mails generally can be split into a few topics I will detail below.
Explain why a quarterback's bad decision total is sometimes lower than his interception total.
The best question along this line came from an e-mailer named JK who asked why Tom Brady had only four bad decisions when he threw fourteen interceptions. The problem with this line of thinking is that it assumes the quarterback is always responsible for an interception. This obviously isn't the case, as there are many things outside a quarterback's decision making that can cause interceptions. The best way to illustrate this is to detail what caused each of Brady's fourteen interceptions last year:
? Three of Brady's interceptions were a direct result of bad decisions on his part.
? Two interceptions happened because a defensive lineman tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage.
? One interception came after a defensive back tipped a pass as it reached a Patriots receiver.
? Another interception occurred because a receiver tipped a pass into the air while trying to catch it.
? Four interceptions came as a result of inaccurate passes.
? Three other interceptions happened because of poorly run routes by the receiver.

This clearly shows that most of Brady's interceptions were caused by factors other than his decision making. Even a number of the interceptions that were his fault (inaccurate passes) weren't the result of bad decisions, they were just bad throws.
Is a quarterback debited for a bad decision if he makes a checkdown pass on 3rd down and 12? Or if he throws a deep pass to a covered receiver when another receiver was open on a shorter pass?
The central theme in the bad decision metric is that a quarterback is only debited with a bad decision when he does something with the ball that leads directly to a turnover or a near turnover. I cannot emphasize that point enough.
If a quarterback throws a checkdown pass that is not intercepted or nearly intercepted, the play is not counted as a bad decision no matter what else happened on the play.
For the deep pass, let me use an example to explain. If Ben Roethlisberger forces a pass into double coverage and Hines Ward outjumps the DBs to make the catch, the pass does not count as a bad decision. If, on the other hand, one of the DBs gets his hands on the pass and either intercepts or nearly intercepts the pass, it counts as a bad decision.
Are Hail Mary passes counted as bad decisions?
Hail Mary passes do not count as bad decisions. The reason for this is that these types of passes are not mistakes on the quarterback's part. The quarterback isn't unknowingly forcing a pass into coverage, nor doing it in lieu of pursuing another option. He is in a situation where he has to throw the pass into a sea of defenders to try to win the game or successfully end a drive at the end of a half. These passes are necessary risks and are therefore exempt from being counted as bad decisions.
How is it that David Carr of the 2-14 Houston Texans can rate so well in this metric while both of the starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl XL rate poorly?
Carr ranked very high in this metric last year because all he did was throw safe passes. Houston's pass blocking was so bad in 2005 that the only types of passes Carr seemed to throw by the end of the season were the slant and wide receiver screen. Those passes are not the kinds that lend themselves to bad decisions, as the quarterback simply drops back three steps and throws the pass before the defense has time to close for coverage.
With regards to how Roethlisberger and Matt Hasselbeck can both start in a Super Bowl despite having a high bad decision percentage, I would point out that it is just one facet of their game. Roethlisberger's extremely high yards per attempt more than offset his bad decisions. Hasselbeck's yards per attempt were not quite as good as Big Ben's, but his bad decision percentages were much lower.
The other thing I would point out is that Super Bowl XL was not the first time two quarterbacks with significant weaknesses started in a Super Bowl. Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe were the starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl XXXI despite Favre's penchant for throwing high-risk passes and Bledsoe's pocket jitters. I also would be willing to bet that Terry Bradshaw, Jim McMahon and Jim Kelly all would have had fairly high bad decision percentages, but that did not stop them from taking their teams to a combined nine Super Bowls.
How can you say that Roethlisberger and Hasselbeck are bad quarterbacks?
I sometimes think that the people who write me this type of e-mail are intentionally misunderstanding the metric. I never said either of those two was a bad quarterback, but since the word "bad" is part of the name of the metric, it either gets misconstrued or is misinterpreted by oversensitive fans. The negative connotation of this metric's name has caused me to consider changing the name, but I ended up not doing so for one reason: It accurately describes what the metric measures. The metric is not intended to be used as a sole determinant for a quarterback's play, but it does effectively measure a very important aspect of a quarterback's game.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Davis drawing interest
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>You are signed into Insider

and have access to this premium feature.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Monday, August 21</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>

Stephen Davis
Panthers
</TD><TD>Eagles?
Redskins?
</TD><TD>Davis drawing interest
<Aug. 21> The Eagles met with Davis on Monday, but the free-agent running back concluded the visit without a contract offer, and the club said nothing is imminent in terms of signing him.
"We had planned to bring him in here during training camp and we'll make sure to evaluate him and see if he is healthy," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said.
Davis, 32, was released by Carolina on March 1 in a salary-cap move, but also because of chronic knee problems. It is believed Monday's session with the Eagles was the first meeting Davis had with a team since his release, but there are said to be other franchises interested in bringing him in for an evaluation. With Clinton Portis sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Redskins are believed to be one of those teams. Davis played his first seven NFL seasons in Washington.

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>

Jerry Porter
Raiders
</TD><TD>Trade
</TD><TD>Porter in limbo
<Aug. 21> Although the Raiders are not actively shopping Porter, they are allowing the disgruntled wideout and his agent to seek a trade, according to Pro Football Weekly.
It's unknown what the Raiders want in compensation, but they have been presented several trade proposals and have nixed every one.
Unless the Raiders lower their asking price or a team that loses a front-line receiver feels compelled to up the ante, it appears Porter is stuck in Oakland for the next two seasons. Porter can opt out of the five-year contract extension he signed before last season after the 2007 season. Until then, he runs the risk of being kept on ice by the Raiders.

</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>

Allen Rossum
Falcons
</TD><TD> </TD><TD>Rossum expendable?
<Aug. 21> Pro Football Weekly is hearing that Rossum could be on his way out of Atlanta. Rossum battled injuries most of last season and hasn't come close to returning to his Pro Bowl form of 2004. Complicating matters for Rossum is that rookie WR Adam Jennings has excelled in training camp returning punts and kicks and is also competing for the No. 3 WR job.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Davis drawing interest
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>You are signed into Insider

and have access to this premium feature.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Monday, August 21</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>

Stephen Davis
Panthers
</TD><TD>Eagles?
Redskins?
</TD><TD>Davis drawing interest
<Aug. 21> The Eagles met with Davis on Monday, but the free-agent running back concluded the visit without a contract offer, and the club said nothing is imminent in terms of signing him.
"We had planned to bring him in here during training camp and we'll make sure to evaluate him and see if he is healthy," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said.
Davis, 32, was released by Carolina on March 1 in a salary-cap move, but also because of chronic knee problems. It is believed Monday's session with the Eagles was the first meeting Davis had with a team since his release, but there are said to be other franchises interested in bringing him in for an evaluation. With Clinton Portis sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Redskins are believed to be one of those teams. Davis played his first seven NFL seasons in Washington.

</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>

Jerry Porter
Raiders
</TD><TD>Trade
</TD><TD>Porter in limbo
<Aug. 21> Although the Raiders are not actively shopping Porter, they are allowing the disgruntled wideout and his agent to seek a trade, according to Pro Football Weekly.
It's unknown what the Raiders want in compensation, but they have been presented several trade proposals and have nixed every one.
Unless the Raiders lower their asking price or a team that loses a front-line receiver feels compelled to up the ante, it appears Porter is stuck in Oakland for the next two seasons. Porter can opt out of the five-year contract extension he signed before last season after the 2007 season. Until then, he runs the risk of being kept on ice by the Raiders.

</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>

Allen Rossum
Falcons
</TD><TD> </TD><TD>Rossum expendable?
<Aug. 21> Pro Football Weekly is hearing that Rossum could be on his way out of Atlanta. Rossum battled injuries most of last season and hasn't come close to returning to his Pro Bowl form of 2004. Complicating matters for Rossum is that rookie WR Adam Jennings has excelled in training camp returning punts and kicks and is also competing for the No. 3 WR job.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006
Pats bringing Gostkowski along slowly

By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Here are five observations on the New England Patriots, based on their Aug. 19 preseason game against Arizona:
1.
Let's be clear: No one is going to come in and truly replace Adam Vinatieri. But someone is going to kick field goals for the Patriots. Although Martin Gramatica hasn't kicked since 2004 and hasn't been any good since 2002, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Patriots -- considering they have only two quarterbacks worth keeping -- carry two place-kickers on the active roster rather than immediately entrust the kicking duties to rookie Stephen Gostkowski. Maybe have the more experienced Gramatica handle field goals and PATs for now while the rookie kicks off.
Gramatica has been more accurate in practice and made both his field-goal attempts in the preseason opener against Atlanta. Gostkowski has made all four of his attempts, including three Saturday night against Arizona, and his kickoffs consistently travel into the end zone or near the goal line. The Patriots spent a fourth-round pick on Gostkowski, who over his last two seasons at Memphis made nearly 86 percent of his field goals, so there is no way they'll let him go. Either it's his job or they carry two kickers. If New England decides to go with the rookie off the bat, he'll make his rookie mistakes, but in the long run he should be a good one.

2.
Watching first-round pick Laurence Maroney's highlights from his debut against Atlanta last week, and then watching him burst for 12 yards on his first carry Saturday night, it's easy to tell why he had a Minnesota-record streak of 16 games with at least one run of 20 yards or more and why he has runs of 80 and 93 yards on his college r?sum?. The kid is flat-out explosive.
The Patriots would be wise to use Maroney as more than just relief for Corey Dillon, who is clearly on the downside of his career. They should be transitioning to Maroney as the primary ballcarrier. He hits the holes more quickly than Dillon does at this point and is more of a threat to take it the distance. And Maroney runs with power. Maroney needs to get a minimum of 10 to 15 carries per game. However the Patriots divvy up the workload among Dillon (who still runs with attitude), Maroney and Kevin Faulk, New England should be much better running the ball this season.

3.
Tully Banta-Cain had a sack (he nearly had a second) along with a couple of QB pressures Saturday night, giving him two sacks in as many preseason games. A seventh-round pick who has been primarily a special teamer his first three seasons, Banta-Cain is having a strong training camp/exhibition season. That's big for the Patriots, who are thin at linebacker because of Willie McGinest's defection to Cleveland and Tedy Bruschi's wrist injury that threatens his availability for the regular-season opener.
New England can play Mike Vrabel inside or outside depending on whether it can find someone else to step up outside opposite Rosevelt Colvin. Banta-Cain, who played defensive end in college, may just be that guy. The Monty Beisel experiment inside just isn't working out; he's hurt and some observers don't expect him to make the team.
Obviously, the Patriots were desperate to lure 37-year-old Junior Seau out of retirement, but there aren't many Pro Bowl inside linebackers chilling at home right about now. If Seau can stay healthy, the Patriots will find the right role for him, probably as a first- and second-down run-stuffer. Look, it might take a minute for the Patriots to figure out the configuration of the "4" in their 3-4 alignment, but eventually they'll figure it out. They have options in their personnel and can switch to the 4-3 at any time.

4.
The Patriots' talent up front and their depth in the secondary will help compensate for their issues at the second level. In Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, New England has a trio of defensive linemen that is second to none, and reserve Jarvis Green might be good enough to start for some teams. New England, however, doesn't have its usual depth along the D-line.
The key in the back end is how well Rodney Harrison recovers from the knee injury he suffered in the fourth game of last season. He stabilizes the secondary. Ellis Hobbs, who started eight games and both playoff games as a rookie last year, has the potential to be a quality starter. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay have started a lot of important games for the Patriots, and free safety Eugene Wilson can come down and cover at corner in a pinch. Artrell Hawkins came in late and played surprisingly well switching from corner to safety.
The Patriots like James Sanders (second year) a lot. Tebucky Jones is back, though mostly to play special teams. Veteran corner Chad Scott is seeing some action at safety. Free-agent pickup Eric Warfield (Kansas City) appears to be on the bubble. It's a deep group, the defensive backs. If they can avoid injury perhaps the Patriots won't hemorrhage big plays the way they did last season.

5.
While no one in the Patriots' camp wants to see him play any meaningful minutes for the Patriots, as that would mean an injury to Brady, backup QB Matt Cassel is having a strong preseason. He leads the league in preseason passing yards (421), attempts (46), completions (27), and touchdown passes (three) in two games, with a quarterback rating of 110.9.
So far it's been enough to keep the Patriots from bringing in a more experienced veteran. He just has to work on not fumbling so much. He may turn out to be a real find in the seventh round of last year's draft. "When I'm watching Matt out there, he's making great reads," Brady said. "In the coverages, he's going to the right spots. He's a smart kid and very talented."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (1 New Article Added 19-06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006
Pats bringing Gostkowski along slowly

By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Here are five observations on the New England Patriots, based on their Aug. 19 preseason game against Arizona:
1.
Let's be clear: No one is going to come in and truly replace Adam Vinatieri. But someone is going to kick field goals for the Patriots. Although Martin Gramatica hasn't kicked since 2004 and hasn't been any good since 2002, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Patriots -- considering they have only two quarterbacks worth keeping -- carry two place-kickers on the active roster rather than immediately entrust the kicking duties to rookie Stephen Gostkowski. Maybe have the more experienced Gramatica handle field goals and PATs for now while the rookie kicks off.
Gramatica has been more accurate in practice and made both his field-goal attempts in the preseason opener against Atlanta. Gostkowski has made all four of his attempts, including three Saturday night against Arizona, and his kickoffs consistently travel into the end zone or near the goal line. The Patriots spent a fourth-round pick on Gostkowski, who over his last two seasons at Memphis made nearly 86 percent of his field goals, so there is no way they'll let him go. Either it's his job or they carry two kickers. If New England decides to go with the rookie off the bat, he'll make his rookie mistakes, but in the long run he should be a good one.

2.
Watching first-round pick Laurence Maroney's highlights from his debut against Atlanta last week, and then watching him burst for 12 yards on his first carry Saturday night, it's easy to tell why he had a Minnesota-record streak of 16 games with at least one run of 20 yards or more and why he has runs of 80 and 93 yards on his college r?sum?. The kid is flat-out explosive.
The Patriots would be wise to use Maroney as more than just relief for Corey Dillon, who is clearly on the downside of his career. They should be transitioning to Maroney as the primary ballcarrier. He hits the holes more quickly than Dillon does at this point and is more of a threat to take it the distance. And Maroney runs with power. Maroney needs to get a minimum of 10 to 15 carries per game. However the Patriots divvy up the workload among Dillon (who still runs with attitude), Maroney and Kevin Faulk, New England should be much better running the ball this season.

3.
Tully Banta-Cain had a sack (he nearly had a second) along with a couple of QB pressures Saturday night, giving him two sacks in as many preseason games. A seventh-round pick who has been primarily a special teamer his first three seasons, Banta-Cain is having a strong training camp/exhibition season. That's big for the Patriots, who are thin at linebacker because of Willie McGinest's defection to Cleveland and Tedy Bruschi's wrist injury that threatens his availability for the regular-season opener.
New England can play Mike Vrabel inside or outside depending on whether it can find someone else to step up outside opposite Rosevelt Colvin. Banta-Cain, who played defensive end in college, may just be that guy. The Monty Beisel experiment inside just isn't working out; he's hurt and some observers don't expect him to make the team.
Obviously, the Patriots were desperate to lure 37-year-old Junior Seau out of retirement, but there aren't many Pro Bowl inside linebackers chilling at home right about now. If Seau can stay healthy, the Patriots will find the right role for him, probably as a first- and second-down run-stuffer. Look, it might take a minute for the Patriots to figure out the configuration of the "4" in their 3-4 alignment, but eventually they'll figure it out. They have options in their personnel and can switch to the 4-3 at any time.

4.
The Patriots' talent up front and their depth in the secondary will help compensate for their issues at the second level. In Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, New England has a trio of defensive linemen that is second to none, and reserve Jarvis Green might be good enough to start for some teams. New England, however, doesn't have its usual depth along the D-line.
The key in the back end is how well Rodney Harrison recovers from the knee injury he suffered in the fourth game of last season. He stabilizes the secondary. Ellis Hobbs, who started eight games and both playoff games as a rookie last year, has the potential to be a quality starter. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay have started a lot of important games for the Patriots, and free safety Eugene Wilson can come down and cover at corner in a pinch. Artrell Hawkins came in late and played surprisingly well switching from corner to safety.
The Patriots like James Sanders (second year) a lot. Tebucky Jones is back, though mostly to play special teams. Veteran corner Chad Scott is seeing some action at safety. Free-agent pickup Eric Warfield (Kansas City) appears to be on the bubble. It's a deep group, the defensive backs. If they can avoid injury perhaps the Patriots won't hemorrhage big plays the way they did last season.

5.
While no one in the Patriots' camp wants to see him play any meaningful minutes for the Patriots, as that would mean an injury to Brady, backup QB Matt Cassel is having a strong preseason. He leads the league in preseason passing yards (421), attempts (46), completions (27), and touchdown passes (three) in two games, with a quarterback rating of 110.9.
So far it's been enough to keep the Patriots from bringing in a more experienced veteran. He just has to work on not fumbling so much. He may turn out to be a real find in the seventh round of last year's draft. "When I'm watching Matt out there, he's making great reads," Brady said. "In the coverages, he's going to the right spots. He's a smart kid and very talented."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (6 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (6 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006, 3:18 PM ET
Payton looking to limit mistakes

By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
After watching a lot of film on both the Cowboys and Saints, talking to coaches and scouts, and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their Monday night game.
Dallas Cowboys

? The Cowboys will run a lot of two-tight end sets in 2006. We already know that veteran Jason Witten can play, but rookie Anthony Fasano is having an excellent camp and will be that second TE. The system in Dallas is similar to the one he played in at Notre Dame so the learning curve is not that hard. He is not a deep threat and won't stretch the field like Witten, but he has excellent hands and will be a quality target in the underneath passing game, as he will usually will be covered by a LB.
? Speaking of the two-tight end sets, this scheme should benefit both the pass blocking and run blocking for the Cowboys. They were horrible on the edge last year, especially in pass protection, and the tackles were awful. Although Flozell Adams is back from injuries at left tackle and newly acquired Jason Fabini should start at right tackle (although right now Mark Colombo is ahead of him), those two-tight end sets will give QB Drew Bledsoe maximum protection. Unfortunately, it will also bring eight defenders in the box -- which could make it tougher to run the football.
? The Cowboys have their eyes on the waiver wire, looking for a backup wide receiver. With Terrell Owens missing time with a hamstring injury and Terry Glenn not being the most physical receiver in the NFL, the Cowboys have reason to be concerned about their depth at the position.
? A big development for the Dallas defense is the preseason play of Greg Ellis, who has made the smooth transition from DE in the 4-3 to LOLB in the 3-4 scheme. As a defensive end a year ago in the 3-4, Ellis was not suited to be a run stopper and became an unhappy part-time starter. Although he wasn't wild at this stage of his career about moving to OLB, he is now at a position that allows him to do what he does best -- rush the quarterback. With youngster DeMarcus Ware starting at the other OLB spot, it will be difficult for offenses to double team Ellis and he could have a big sack year.
? With the Cowboys playing their two-tight end sets much of the time, it will force defenses to stay in their base package, requiring them to cover Witten with a linebacker or safety. That is a tough match up, maybe even tougher for defenses than a third wide receiver.
? For all of the questions about the time missed by Owens with his sore hamstring, the guys who have coached him in the past rave about his practice habits and how hard he works. Asking him to practice at less than his best doesn't really suit his mentality.
? One of the advantages of the two-tight end sets is the time it allows Bledsoe to throw the ball. Bledsoe still throws a nice deep ball and is excellent on the deep out, but a year ago he didn't have the time to get rid of the ball. Bledsoe also has a bad habit of holding on to the ball too long, which leads to a lot of problems. His coaches are working with him to get the ball out quicker and having two tight ends available for short and outlet passes should result in less sacks than a year ago.
? A big training camp battle going unnoticed is at center. Both Andre Gurode and Al Johnson are trying to be the guy who solidifies the interior offensive line. Johnson was the starter a year ago and his best assets are his instincts, intelligence and ability to make pre-snap adjustments. He rarely makes mistakes. However, he is not very physical and if you put a big nose tackle over him he can be dominated at the point of attack. Gurode is a big, tough guy who can handle power players and is a better run blocker. You get the feeling the coaching staff would like Gurode to win this individual battle.
? The right tackle spot is a real concern for the Cowboys so far in the preseason. Veteran free agent Jason Fabini was expected to start or at least be a solid backup at ROT and LOT, but he has had a very unsteady preseason and his spot on this roster might be in some doubt. Last year's starter, Rob Petitti, has been better so far in the preseason than he was in 2005, but he is still a liability in pass protection against an athletic edge rusher. Right now the starter appears to be Colombo. He hasn't played consistently in two years because of knee problems. He is tough and really works to finish, but he is not a long-term solution. This is a position to watch.
? A lot of people are wondering why Tony Romo played the entire game last week versus Seattle, basically making his backup QB battle with Drew Henson a non-story. Romo has more mobility than Bledsoe and can make quality throws on the move. Bill Parcells knows he has a potentially good offense, but the offensive line is very much a work in progress. If they struggle to protect Bledsoe and he starts taking too many sacks, Parcells wants to know if he can trust Romo as a starter -- expect him to continue to get a heavy workload throughout the preseason. Romo might be closer to the field when the regular season starts than a lot of people think.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Bradie James</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>92</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>? ILB Bradie James, a pleasant surprise a year ago, is having a solid camp and turning into a vocal leader on this defense. He is poised to have a huge year, not only as a tackler but also as a guy who can get his teammates in the right position before the snap.
? Dallas lost three games in 2005 because of the kicking game. The Cowboys will not blow out opponents. As a result, the acquisition of PK Mike Vanderjagt (the most accurate kicker in NFL history) is a big deal. He can be the difference between an 8-8 or 10-6 record.
? Dallas likes its two corners -- Terence Newman and Anthony Henry -- because both can play tight man-to-man schemes without deep help. Their play will allow SS Roy Williams to play more in the box in run support and also blitz, which is his strength. The Cowboys put a lot of pressure on their corners with some Cover 1 and even Cover 0 schemes, which means they are getting minimal or no safety help over the top.
? RB Julius Jones will play in mostly one-back sets, which plays to his strengths. Jones likes to improvise, picking his hole and hitting the seam with good quickness, but when he has to follow a fullback into the hole he is not natural. The coaching staff wants him to get a good pre- snap look at the defense and create on his own. This is a guy who has missed 11 games in the last two years -- not good enough for Bill Parcells.
? When Owens finally does get in the lineup he might not get enough touches to stay happy. Not only will Dallas run the ball (521 times a year ago), but both Witten and Fasano will get a lot of opportunities in the short to intermediate passing game. They might take catches away from Owens on crossing routes over the middle, which he loves to turn into long runs. Glenn will be the vertical target in this passing game, which could further cut down on Owens' big plays. We could see a very frustrated Owens in 2006.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Joe Horn</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide Receiver
New Orleans Saints

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">YAC</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>49</TD><TD>654</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>13.3</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>122</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>New Orleans Saints

? WR Joe Horn is having an excellent training camp and seems to be developing a good rapport with QB Drew Brees. He had an off year in 2005, but he is catching everything in sight right now. However, there are real concerns about the rest of this receiving corps and the depth is very questionable. No. 2 wideout Donte' Stallworth is struggling in Sean Payton's new offense and has been slowed by a hamstring injury, and nobody else is really stepping up, although young Devery Henderson has a chance to emerge.

? Reggie Bush has been what you'd expect him to be so far. Every time he touches the ball he gives them the chance for a big play. Even on his big play last week, there was no hole, but he bounced it back the other way and took it the distance. He can cover up the inadequacies of the offensive line by creating big plays on his own when the hole isn't there. Deuce McAllister can't do that, and there are some growing concerns about the Saints line, especially at the left tackle.

? One of the most intriguing questions that we will ask ourselves is whether coach Sean Payton will allow Bush to be involved as a return specialist because of his explosiveness.

? Although new defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs comes from a Cowboys' system that featured a 34 scheme, the Saints will continue to use a 43 scheme because it's a better fit for their personnel. Look for them to be very aggressiv in an effort to create turnovers and big plays. This is a defense that only recorded five sacks in the final six games in 2005.
? Payton's biggest job might be to cut down on the mistakes and sloppy play from a year ago. The Saints were last in the NFL with a minus-24 turnover differential. They lost 19 fumbles and had 24 passes intercepted; many of those turnovers came courtesy of departed QB Aaron Brooks. The coaches will depend on Brees to protect the football and make safer throws in a new West Coast-style offense. Payton will call the offensive plays. This team is not good enough to make mistakes and still win.
? The offensive line and linebackers were big concerns when training camp opened and they are even bigger concerns now, as the Saints get ready for their second preseason game. Not only do the Saints lack talent in these two units, they also have been plagued by a lot of nagging injuries, making it difficult to get enough guys on the field to practice -- not good during two-a-days in the hot Louisiana sun.
? The Saints were not happy with their red zone offense in last week's win over Tennessee. They only came away with two field goals in their two trips. They were a little sloppy and are working on being more disciplined and crisp when they get in scoring position. They also want to get their tight ends involved in the passing game and there is a good battle for the starting job between veterans Ernie Conwell and Mark Campbell. Neither will remind Brees of the tight end he had in San Diego, Antonio Gates, but this will be a productive position in the passing game.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Will Smith</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Defensive End
New Orleans Saints

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>60</TD><TD>48</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>? The Saints might be deepest at defensive end and that is why they will stay with a 4-3 front. Veterans, Will Smith, Charles Grant and Tony Bryant, and youngsters Jimmy Verdon and Rob Ninkovich give them a nice rotation. All these players have some pass rushing skills, but this is not a great run stopping group.
? Ex-Saints coach Jim Haslett (now the defensive coordinator in St. Louis) was a tough, hard-nosed player, yet his teams did not reflect his mental toughness for some unexplained reason. This is a team that had a ridiculous 135 penalties in 2005, to go along with their 43 turnovers. Payton is demanding better concentration by his players, and is conducting physical and grueling practices. There is a feeling the Saints were not in great physical condition in 2005, and many of their breakdowns came when they were tired. Payton is determined to make the Saints as fresh as possible in the fourth quarter.
? Although the offensive line is still a problem for New Orleans, a bright spot has been C Jeff Faine. When they lost their best offensive lineman in free agency, LeCharles Bentley, the Saints traded for the ex-Brown. He is playing well and might be the key to this entire unit. He is smart and can make all the line calls, and he has good range and movement.
? The Saints are working hard this week on their special teams, especially kickoff coverage. They had several assignment breakdowns last week, leading to two big returns by Tennessee. The Saints were 25th in the NFL a year ago in this category, and their young players must do a better job of staying in their lanes and tackling.
? The offensive line did a decent job in run blocking against Tennessee last week, but the pass protection was suspect. New left tackle Jammal Brown struggled and must improve his ability to slide and mirror against speed rushers. He will have his hands full this week against Dallas ROLB Ware, who has great quickness off the edge. Left tackle is an important position in the NFC South, as Brown will face Simeon Rice (Tampa Bay), John Abraham (Atlanta) and Julius Peppers (Carolina). ? As deep as the Saints appear to be at defensive end, they are really vulnerable inside, especially in their run defense. They are not physical enough upfront and they don't have a playmaker at middle linebacker (with average players Jay Foreman and Alfred Fincher competing for the starting job). This defense gave up 4.3 yards per rush a year ago (26th in the NFL), and it will take a beating versus teams with physical inside run games. All three teams in their division fall into that category.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 21, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (6 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (6 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Updated: Aug. 21, 2006, 3:18 PM ET
Payton looking to limit mistakes

By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
After watching a lot of film on both the Cowboys and Saints, talking to coaches and scouts, and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their Monday night game.
Dallas Cowboys

? The Cowboys will run a lot of two-tight end sets in 2006. We already know that veteran Jason Witten can play, but rookie Anthony Fasano is having an excellent camp and will be that second TE. The system in Dallas is similar to the one he played in at Notre Dame so the learning curve is not that hard. He is not a deep threat and won't stretch the field like Witten, but he has excellent hands and will be a quality target in the underneath passing game, as he will usually will be covered by a LB.
? Speaking of the two-tight end sets, this scheme should benefit both the pass blocking and run blocking for the Cowboys. They were horrible on the edge last year, especially in pass protection, and the tackles were awful. Although Flozell Adams is back from injuries at left tackle and newly acquired Jason Fabini should start at right tackle (although right now Mark Colombo is ahead of him), those two-tight end sets will give QB Drew Bledsoe maximum protection. Unfortunately, it will also bring eight defenders in the box -- which could make it tougher to run the football.
? The Cowboys have their eyes on the waiver wire, looking for a backup wide receiver. With Terrell Owens missing time with a hamstring injury and Terry Glenn not being the most physical receiver in the NFL, the Cowboys have reason to be concerned about their depth at the position.
? A big development for the Dallas defense is the preseason play of Greg Ellis, who has made the smooth transition from DE in the 4-3 to LOLB in the 3-4 scheme. As a defensive end a year ago in the 3-4, Ellis was not suited to be a run stopper and became an unhappy part-time starter. Although he wasn't wild at this stage of his career about moving to OLB, he is now at a position that allows him to do what he does best -- rush the quarterback. With youngster DeMarcus Ware starting at the other OLB spot, it will be difficult for offenses to double team Ellis and he could have a big sack year.
? With the Cowboys playing their two-tight end sets much of the time, it will force defenses to stay in their base package, requiring them to cover Witten with a linebacker or safety. That is a tough match up, maybe even tougher for defenses than a third wide receiver.
? For all of the questions about the time missed by Owens with his sore hamstring, the guys who have coached him in the past rave about his practice habits and how hard he works. Asking him to practice at less than his best doesn't really suit his mentality.
? One of the advantages of the two-tight end sets is the time it allows Bledsoe to throw the ball. Bledsoe still throws a nice deep ball and is excellent on the deep out, but a year ago he didn't have the time to get rid of the ball. Bledsoe also has a bad habit of holding on to the ball too long, which leads to a lot of problems. His coaches are working with him to get the ball out quicker and having two tight ends available for short and outlet passes should result in less sacks than a year ago.
? A big training camp battle going unnoticed is at center. Both Andre Gurode and Al Johnson are trying to be the guy who solidifies the interior offensive line. Johnson was the starter a year ago and his best assets are his instincts, intelligence and ability to make pre-snap adjustments. He rarely makes mistakes. However, he is not very physical and if you put a big nose tackle over him he can be dominated at the point of attack. Gurode is a big, tough guy who can handle power players and is a better run blocker. You get the feeling the coaching staff would like Gurode to win this individual battle.
? The right tackle spot is a real concern for the Cowboys so far in the preseason. Veteran free agent Jason Fabini was expected to start or at least be a solid backup at ROT and LOT, but he has had a very unsteady preseason and his spot on this roster might be in some doubt. Last year's starter, Rob Petitti, has been better so far in the preseason than he was in 2005, but he is still a liability in pass protection against an athletic edge rusher. Right now the starter appears to be Colombo. He hasn't played consistently in two years because of knee problems. He is tough and really works to finish, but he is not a long-term solution. This is a position to watch.
? A lot of people are wondering why Tony Romo played the entire game last week versus Seattle, basically making his backup QB battle with Drew Henson a non-story. Romo has more mobility than Bledsoe and can make quality throws on the move. Bill Parcells knows he has a potentially good offense, but the offensive line is very much a work in progress. If they struggle to protect Bledsoe and he starts taking too many sacks, Parcells wants to know if he can trust Romo as a starter -- expect him to continue to get a heavy workload throughout the preseason. Romo might be closer to the field when the regular season starts than a lot of people think.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Bradie James</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>92</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>? ILB Bradie James, a pleasant surprise a year ago, is having a solid camp and turning into a vocal leader on this defense. He is poised to have a huge year, not only as a tackler but also as a guy who can get his teammates in the right position before the snap.
? Dallas lost three games in 2005 because of the kicking game. The Cowboys will not blow out opponents. As a result, the acquisition of PK Mike Vanderjagt (the most accurate kicker in NFL history) is a big deal. He can be the difference between an 8-8 or 10-6 record.
? Dallas likes its two corners -- Terence Newman and Anthony Henry -- because both can play tight man-to-man schemes without deep help. Their play will allow SS Roy Williams to play more in the box in run support and also blitz, which is his strength. The Cowboys put a lot of pressure on their corners with some Cover 1 and even Cover 0 schemes, which means they are getting minimal or no safety help over the top.
? RB Julius Jones will play in mostly one-back sets, which plays to his strengths. Jones likes to improvise, picking his hole and hitting the seam with good quickness, but when he has to follow a fullback into the hole he is not natural. The coaching staff wants him to get a good pre- snap look at the defense and create on his own. This is a guy who has missed 11 games in the last two years -- not good enough for Bill Parcells.
? When Owens finally does get in the lineup he might not get enough touches to stay happy. Not only will Dallas run the ball (521 times a year ago), but both Witten and Fasano will get a lot of opportunities in the short to intermediate passing game. They might take catches away from Owens on crossing routes over the middle, which he loves to turn into long runs. Glenn will be the vertical target in this passing game, which could further cut down on Owens' big plays. We could see a very frustrated Owens in 2006.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Joe Horn</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Wide Receiver
New Orleans Saints

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Avg</TD><TD width="17%">Long</TD><TD width="17%">YAC</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>49</TD><TD>654</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>13.3</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>122</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>New Orleans Saints

? WR Joe Horn is having an excellent training camp and seems to be developing a good rapport with QB Drew Brees. He had an off year in 2005, but he is catching everything in sight right now. However, there are real concerns about the rest of this receiving corps and the depth is very questionable. No. 2 wideout Donte' Stallworth is struggling in Sean Payton's new offense and has been slowed by a hamstring injury, and nobody else is really stepping up, although young Devery Henderson has a chance to emerge.

? Reggie Bush has been what you'd expect him to be so far. Every time he touches the ball he gives them the chance for a big play. Even on his big play last week, there was no hole, but he bounced it back the other way and took it the distance. He can cover up the inadequacies of the offensive line by creating big plays on his own when the hole isn't there. Deuce McAllister can't do that, and there are some growing concerns about the Saints line, especially at the left tackle.

? One of the most intriguing questions that we will ask ourselves is whether coach Sean Payton will allow Bush to be involved as a return specialist because of his explosiveness.

? Although new defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs comes from a Cowboys' system that featured a 34 scheme, the Saints will continue to use a 43 scheme because it's a better fit for their personnel. Look for them to be very aggressiv in an effort to create turnovers and big plays. This is a defense that only recorded five sacks in the final six games in 2005.
? Payton's biggest job might be to cut down on the mistakes and sloppy play from a year ago. The Saints were last in the NFL with a minus-24 turnover differential. They lost 19 fumbles and had 24 passes intercepted; many of those turnovers came courtesy of departed QB Aaron Brooks. The coaches will depend on Brees to protect the football and make safer throws in a new West Coast-style offense. Payton will call the offensive plays. This team is not good enough to make mistakes and still win.
? The offensive line and linebackers were big concerns when training camp opened and they are even bigger concerns now, as the Saints get ready for their second preseason game. Not only do the Saints lack talent in these two units, they also have been plagued by a lot of nagging injuries, making it difficult to get enough guys on the field to practice -- not good during two-a-days in the hot Louisiana sun.
? The Saints were not happy with their red zone offense in last week's win over Tennessee. They only came away with two field goals in their two trips. They were a little sloppy and are working on being more disciplined and crisp when they get in scoring position. They also want to get their tight ends involved in the passing game and there is a good battle for the starting job between veterans Ernie Conwell and Mark Campbell. Neither will remind Brees of the tight end he had in San Diego, Antonio Gates, but this will be a productive position in the passing game.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Will Smith</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Defensive End
New Orleans Saints

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>60</TD><TD>48</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>? The Saints might be deepest at defensive end and that is why they will stay with a 4-3 front. Veterans, Will Smith, Charles Grant and Tony Bryant, and youngsters Jimmy Verdon and Rob Ninkovich give them a nice rotation. All these players have some pass rushing skills, but this is not a great run stopping group.
? Ex-Saints coach Jim Haslett (now the defensive coordinator in St. Louis) was a tough, hard-nosed player, yet his teams did not reflect his mental toughness for some unexplained reason. This is a team that had a ridiculous 135 penalties in 2005, to go along with their 43 turnovers. Payton is demanding better concentration by his players, and is conducting physical and grueling practices. There is a feeling the Saints were not in great physical condition in 2005, and many of their breakdowns came when they were tired. Payton is determined to make the Saints as fresh as possible in the fourth quarter.
? Although the offensive line is still a problem for New Orleans, a bright spot has been C Jeff Faine. When they lost their best offensive lineman in free agency, LeCharles Bentley, the Saints traded for the ex-Brown. He is playing well and might be the key to this entire unit. He is smart and can make all the line calls, and he has good range and movement.
? The Saints are working hard this week on their special teams, especially kickoff coverage. They had several assignment breakdowns last week, leading to two big returns by Tennessee. The Saints were 25th in the NFL a year ago in this category, and their young players must do a better job of staying in their lanes and tackling.
? The offensive line did a decent job in run blocking against Tennessee last week, but the pass protection was suspect. New left tackle Jammal Brown struggled and must improve his ability to slide and mirror against speed rushers. He will have his hands full this week against Dallas ROLB Ware, who has great quickness off the edge. Left tackle is an important position in the NFC South, as Brown will face Simeon Rice (Tampa Bay), John Abraham (Atlanta) and Julius Peppers (Carolina). ? As deep as the Saints appear to be at defensive end, they are really vulnerable inside, especially in their run defense. They are not physical enough upfront and they don't have a playmaker at middle linebacker (with average players Jay Foreman and Alfred Fincher competing for the starting job). This defense gave up 4.3 yards per rush a year ago (26th in the NFL), and it will take a beating versus teams with physical inside run games. All three teams in their division fall into that category.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Updated: Aug. 22, 2006, 1:17 PM ET
Roethlisberger ready to lead

By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
LATROBE, PA. -- Here are five observations on the Steelers based on their Aug. 16 and 17 practices:
1.
Accident? What accident? Remember when people were wondering whether Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident would keep him from starting any regular season games? Well, not only has he fully recovered from his injuries but he's had as good a camp as any Steeler, earning praises from coach Bill Cowher. He's been consistently sharp in practice, one of the stars of the Steelers' summer at St. Vincent College.
Not only is Roethlisberger talented but also he's in the best situation a young quarterback could hope for, and not just in terms of supporting personnel, which hasn't experienced much turnover in his three years. He's worked with the same coaching staff his whole career, as well. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable with what's going on," Big Ben said last week. "Things are continuing to slow down, which helps a lot out there. By no means is it easy out there but it's getting easier. I'm able to know what our guys are doing more. I can tell guys if they're supposed to go in motion and run this route and even a couple of times at practice I'll change the play and tell guys instead of running the out, run the out and up, or run the post this time, just changing things up because I feel more comfortable with what's going on."
With friend and mentor Jerome Bettis retired, Roethlisberger will be called upon to lead more, a role he embraces. "I've been slowly easing into the leadership role since I got here, just naturally as a QB, but by no means am I going to just take over the leadership role because on offense we have Hines [Ward] and we have Alan Faneca. So I'm not going to step on their toes and push them out of the way and make myself the new leader."
The way Roethlisberger handled the Bengals', Colts', and Broncos' defenses in the playoffs last year, it's probably safe to assume the passing game will assume more of the offensive load. The Steelers came out in a no-huddle attack against Minnesota on Saturday and executed well. Who knows? Perhaps Big Ben will find himself in the fantasy football conversation after this year. His concern though, is improving upon his 27-4 record as a starter.
"I'm never going to complain about winning football games," he said. "If it comes to the point where I have to throw the ball because we're losing I'd probably rather resort back to us winning the football game."
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Willie Parker</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rush</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>255</TD><TD>1202</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>218</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>2.
Fast Willie Parker is maturing into Patient Willie Parker. That development, along with Parker's quickness and size (he'll be harder to find in traffic), the Steelers believe, give the 5-foot-10, 209-pounder a chance to be effective not just in the open field but near the goal line and in short yardage, where Bettis excelled. "He watched Jerome and watched him run last year so much that he understands the patience part of it," Cowher said of his primary tailback, who came into camp last year fourth on the depth chart, got his chance because of injuries, and ran with it -- to the tune of over 1,200 yards. "He's a more patient runner and when he does see it, he hits it," Cowher said. "I just watch him run the ball inside and he's just so much further ahead than he's ever been. Just the confidence inside, and he's seeing things more clearer."
Added Roethlisberger: "Last year he just got the ball and tried to outrun everybody and be fast. This year he's really setting up his blocks, he's being more patient and he's taking the holes where he needs to take it and where it's supposed to be instead of trying to get outside as fast as he can."
Parker is driven not to be another one-hit wonder. "I've always got to keep that chip on my shoulder," he said. "I'm not satisfied so I've got to go out there and practice every day just like I'm still that fourth-string running back."
3.
Used to be the Steelers' defense was all about the front seven getting pressure and covering up for a secondary that wasn't all that good in, well, coverage. No more.
The Steelers are deep and, more important, young in the secondary. They go a good four deep at corner. Left cornerback Ike Taylor came on and played like a lock-down corner toward the end of last year and through the playoffs; the Steelers are working on locking him up long term. On the other side Bryant McFadden, last year's second rounder, is having a strong camp but not strong enough to unseat veteran Deshea Townsend. Ricardo Colclough, the Steelers No. 2 from two years ago, also is coming on.
We all know about Troy Polamalu. The only question, really, on defense is who's going to step up and replace Chris Hope (signed by the Titans)? Ryan Clark, a free agent from the Redskins, appears to have the inside track. But it looks like he's merely keeping the spot warm for rookie Anthony Smith's eventual takeover. The third-rounder out of Syracuse had two picks in the preseason opener against Arizona.
4.
It looks like wide receiver is going to be a tough cut. Ward and Cedrick Wilson are the starters. The two rookies, first-rounder Santonio Holmes and third-rounder Willie Reid, appear to be the real deal and are virtual locks to make the team. Nate Washington, an undrafted free agent last year who had several big plays in the postseason, is in.
The Steelers carried six receivers last year. If they do so again, Quincy Morgan, Lee Mays, Sean Morey and Walter Young (6-4, 220) will vie for that one remaining spot. A pretty decent player is going to be looking for work. And even with the departure of Antwaan Randle El, the Steelers should be strong again at receiver.
5.
Watching the Steelers practice, among the first things you notice is great depth. Sure, they've got their questions, such as at running back (what are they going to get out of Duce Staley?) and who's going to be the "other" safety (looks like Ryan Clark)? But beyond that, Pittsburgh's in pretty good position to handle the inevitable injuries. The Steelers' deepest positions appear to be the lines, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back. It's a testament to the fine job director of football operations Kevin Colbert and his staff have done building the team through the draft. The Steelers' on-field product is a reflection of stability and continuity in the front office. Good move by the team signing Colbert to an extension in the offseason. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Updated: Aug. 22, 2006, 1:17 PM ET
Roethlisberger ready to lead

By Michael Smith
ESPN.com
Archive

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
LATROBE, PA. -- Here are five observations on the Steelers based on their Aug. 16 and 17 practices:
1.
Accident? What accident? Remember when people were wondering whether Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident would keep him from starting any regular season games? Well, not only has he fully recovered from his injuries but he's had as good a camp as any Steeler, earning praises from coach Bill Cowher. He's been consistently sharp in practice, one of the stars of the Steelers' summer at St. Vincent College.
Not only is Roethlisberger talented but also he's in the best situation a young quarterback could hope for, and not just in terms of supporting personnel, which hasn't experienced much turnover in his three years. He's worked with the same coaching staff his whole career, as well. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable with what's going on," Big Ben said last week. "Things are continuing to slow down, which helps a lot out there. By no means is it easy out there but it's getting easier. I'm able to know what our guys are doing more. I can tell guys if they're supposed to go in motion and run this route and even a couple of times at practice I'll change the play and tell guys instead of running the out, run the out and up, or run the post this time, just changing things up because I feel more comfortable with what's going on."
With friend and mentor Jerome Bettis retired, Roethlisberger will be called upon to lead more, a role he embraces. "I've been slowly easing into the leadership role since I got here, just naturally as a QB, but by no means am I going to just take over the leadership role because on offense we have Hines [Ward] and we have Alan Faneca. So I'm not going to step on their toes and push them out of the way and make myself the new leader."
The way Roethlisberger handled the Bengals', Colts', and Broncos' defenses in the playoffs last year, it's probably safe to assume the passing game will assume more of the offensive load. The Steelers came out in a no-huddle attack against Minnesota on Saturday and executed well. Who knows? Perhaps Big Ben will find himself in the fantasy football conversation after this year. His concern though, is improving upon his 27-4 record as a starter.
"I'm never going to complain about winning football games," he said. "If it comes to the point where I have to throw the ball because we're losing I'd probably rather resort back to us winning the football game."
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Willie Parker</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Rush</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Rec</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>255</TD><TD>1202</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>218</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>2.
Fast Willie Parker is maturing into Patient Willie Parker. That development, along with Parker's quickness and size (he'll be harder to find in traffic), the Steelers believe, give the 5-foot-10, 209-pounder a chance to be effective not just in the open field but near the goal line and in short yardage, where Bettis excelled. "He watched Jerome and watched him run last year so much that he understands the patience part of it," Cowher said of his primary tailback, who came into camp last year fourth on the depth chart, got his chance because of injuries, and ran with it -- to the tune of over 1,200 yards. "He's a more patient runner and when he does see it, he hits it," Cowher said. "I just watch him run the ball inside and he's just so much further ahead than he's ever been. Just the confidence inside, and he's seeing things more clearer."
Added Roethlisberger: "Last year he just got the ball and tried to outrun everybody and be fast. This year he's really setting up his blocks, he's being more patient and he's taking the holes where he needs to take it and where it's supposed to be instead of trying to get outside as fast as he can."
Parker is driven not to be another one-hit wonder. "I've always got to keep that chip on my shoulder," he said. "I'm not satisfied so I've got to go out there and practice every day just like I'm still that fourth-string running back."
3.
Used to be the Steelers' defense was all about the front seven getting pressure and covering up for a secondary that wasn't all that good in, well, coverage. No more.
The Steelers are deep and, more important, young in the secondary. They go a good four deep at corner. Left cornerback Ike Taylor came on and played like a lock-down corner toward the end of last year and through the playoffs; the Steelers are working on locking him up long term. On the other side Bryant McFadden, last year's second rounder, is having a strong camp but not strong enough to unseat veteran Deshea Townsend. Ricardo Colclough, the Steelers No. 2 from two years ago, also is coming on.
We all know about Troy Polamalu. The only question, really, on defense is who's going to step up and replace Chris Hope (signed by the Titans)? Ryan Clark, a free agent from the Redskins, appears to have the inside track. But it looks like he's merely keeping the spot warm for rookie Anthony Smith's eventual takeover. The third-rounder out of Syracuse had two picks in the preseason opener against Arizona.
4.
It looks like wide receiver is going to be a tough cut. Ward and Cedrick Wilson are the starters. The two rookies, first-rounder Santonio Holmes and third-rounder Willie Reid, appear to be the real deal and are virtual locks to make the team. Nate Washington, an undrafted free agent last year who had several big plays in the postseason, is in.
The Steelers carried six receivers last year. If they do so again, Quincy Morgan, Lee Mays, Sean Morey and Walter Young (6-4, 220) will vie for that one remaining spot. A pretty decent player is going to be looking for work. And even with the departure of Antwaan Randle El, the Steelers should be strong again at receiver.
5.
Watching the Steelers practice, among the first things you notice is great depth. Sure, they've got their questions, such as at running back (what are they going to get out of Duce Staley?) and who's going to be the "other" safety (looks like Ryan Clark)? But beyond that, Pittsburgh's in pretty good position to handle the inevitable injuries. The Steelers' deepest positions appear to be the lines, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back. It's a testament to the fine job director of football operations Kevin Colbert and his staff have done building the team through the draft. The Steelers' on-field product is a reflection of stability and continuity in the front office. Good move by the team signing Colbert to an extension in the offseason. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Updated: Aug. 22, 2006
Steelers will air it out more often

By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
The Steelers lost Antwaan Randle El in free agency and Ben Roethlisberger was in a serious motorcycle accident in the offseason, but Pittsburgh's passing game could still be better this year than it was in Roethlisberger's first two seasons in the league.
As Roethlisberger matures, there should be new wrinkles and a higher percentage of pass plays called by offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, but they are not going to get carried away. As long as Bill Cowher's chin is protruding, his teams will run the football to set up the pass, never the other way around. They still are the Steelers.
Pittsburgh's running game traditionally draws extra defenders near the line of scrimmage and takes pressure off its receiving weapons. Cowher and Whisenhunt will exploit this with play-action, trick plays and an expanded deep passing game. The Steelers haven't gone deep often, but Roethlisberger is one of the very best deep passers in the league and his success rate is very strong. This should be a more frequent play call for the Steelers in 2006, especially with the addition of first-round pick Santonio Holmes.
How many quarterbacks in the league would you rather have running your offense? In Roethlisberger's two years as a starter, the Steelers lost the AFC Championship Game (after a 15-1 regular season) and won the Super Bowl. This guy just doesn't lose many games. His physical abilities are outstanding. He has a big arm, a tall, strong frame that can handle a pounding, very good functional mobility and is a plus athlete, as far as quarterbacks go.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Ben Roethlisberger</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Quarterback
Pittsburgh Steelers

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Comp</TD><TD width="17%">Att</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Pct</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>168</TD><TD>268</TD><TD>2385</TD><TD>62.7</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>9</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
He sees the field very well and will be given more responsibility to change plays at the line of scrimmage and utilize more multiple reads. Most important, he has the intangibles you find in a winner, and his coaches, teammates and opponents know it. He exudes confidence and makes everyone around him better. These qualities will only grow in his third season.
One area in which Roethlisberger needs to improve is decision-making. He can be a heavy risk taker, but usually gets away with it. Of course, this isn't rare for young, confident quarterbacks, but it goes against Cowher's style.
Pittsburgh's passing game will go through wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller. Everyone knows about Ward's abilities; he is one of the few players who could seriously slow down this offense if he were to get injured. An outstanding all-around player, Ward's value seems to grow every year.
Miller is on the cusp of becoming outstanding in his own right. He was quick to see the field as a rookie because the coaching staff trusted him as a run and pass blocker. Miller excels in the red zone and has fantastic size, hands and body control. He is smart, tough and a hard worker who is primed to become one of the very top players at his position. Even with Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Todd Heap residing in the AFC, Miller will be making trips to Hawaii in the near future.
Pittsburgh's group of secondary wide receivers is deep, and if Holmes can adjust quickly and surpass Cedrick Wilson as the starter opposite Ward, the receivers will be in great shape. One of the allures of Holmes is his home run ability, which meshes very well with Roethlisberger's deep accuracy.
The Steelers didn't have someone with Holmes' deep abilities last season. He is also very good with the ball in his hands and doesn't shy away from contact as a ball carrier or blocker, which will go a long way toward gaining his teammates' respect. Early in games, Whisenhunt might boost Holmes' confidence with a lot of quick slants and bubble screens. This would force defensive backs to play him close to honor his after-the-catch talents, and thus open up the deep ball.
Wilson is best out of the slot. He came on strong late in his first year with the Steelers, establishing himself as a trusted option with big-play capabilities. Wilson also throws the ball well enough to take over some of Randle El's role in gadget plays.
Nate Washington has been productive when he gets on the field and is a name that all fans may know very soon. Quincy Morgan is a fine fourth wideout and a veteran who has a lot to play for because he is now a borderline roster player. Third-rounder Willie Reid is an explosive big-play option who is great with the ball in his hands. Although very intriguing and gimmick-friendly, Reid will probably contribute only as a returner this season.
Expect the running backs to be more involved in the passing game. Duce Staley is an upgrade over Jerome Bettis as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He has just 12 catches since coming to Pittsburgh, but Staley had 273 receptions over a six-season stretch in Philadelphia and is certainly capable of being a sound outlet option on any down.
Verron Haynes has been productive as a receiver and the Steelers like what he brings to the table as a powerful dual threat. His role will expand this year.
The running back whose receiving output could increase most is Willie Parker. Parker burst on the scene last year and wasn't given a lot to digest as a first-year starter, but he did flash the ability to catch the ball cleanly and made an impression in the passing game. This season, Pittsburgh could utilize Parker's blazing speed and open-field ability by throwing him more screens, quick passes in space or even flexing him out wide occasionally to match him against a slower safety or linebacker.
No passing game can excel without solid protection and the Steelers should be solid in this area once again. Russ Grimm is one of the top line coaches in the NFL and has plenty of talent to work with. The left side is outstanding, while the right side is better than adequate and will improve with more experience. Pittsburgh returns all five starters and has accumulated depth with center Chukky Okobi and four draft picks over the past two drafts. Miller, Haynes, starting fullback Dan Kreider and second tight end Jerame Tuman are all physical, unselfish pass blockers who do a fine job as well. To make these blockers' jobs easier, Roethlisberger is fantastic at prolonging a play by sidestepping the rush or moving out of the pocket. He makes a lot of big plays after things break down and throws across his body when rolling right (a la Brett Favre and John Elway) like few others. Those abilities allow him to turn broken plays into big plays. This new, more versatile passing game can take the life out of an opponent, especially when also matched against the Steelers' physical running attack.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Updated: Aug. 22, 2006
Steelers will air it out more often

By Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
The Steelers lost Antwaan Randle El in free agency and Ben Roethlisberger was in a serious motorcycle accident in the offseason, but Pittsburgh's passing game could still be better this year than it was in Roethlisberger's first two seasons in the league.
As Roethlisberger matures, there should be new wrinkles and a higher percentage of pass plays called by offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, but they are not going to get carried away. As long as Bill Cowher's chin is protruding, his teams will run the football to set up the pass, never the other way around. They still are the Steelers.
Pittsburgh's running game traditionally draws extra defenders near the line of scrimmage and takes pressure off its receiving weapons. Cowher and Whisenhunt will exploit this with play-action, trick plays and an expanded deep passing game. The Steelers haven't gone deep often, but Roethlisberger is one of the very best deep passers in the league and his success rate is very strong. This should be a more frequent play call for the Steelers in 2006, especially with the addition of first-round pick Santonio Holmes.
How many quarterbacks in the league would you rather have running your offense? In Roethlisberger's two years as a starter, the Steelers lost the AFC Championship Game (after a 15-1 regular season) and won the Super Bowl. This guy just doesn't lose many games. His physical abilities are outstanding. He has a big arm, a tall, strong frame that can handle a pounding, very good functional mobility and is a plus athlete, as far as quarterbacks go.
<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Ben Roethlisberger</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>

Quarterback
Pittsburgh Steelers

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=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Comp</TD><TD width="17%">Att</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Pct</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">Int</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>168</TD><TD>268</TD><TD>2385</TD><TD>62.7</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>9</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
He sees the field very well and will be given more responsibility to change plays at the line of scrimmage and utilize more multiple reads. Most important, he has the intangibles you find in a winner, and his coaches, teammates and opponents know it. He exudes confidence and makes everyone around him better. These qualities will only grow in his third season.
One area in which Roethlisberger needs to improve is decision-making. He can be a heavy risk taker, but usually gets away with it. Of course, this isn't rare for young, confident quarterbacks, but it goes against Cowher's style.
Pittsburgh's passing game will go through wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller. Everyone knows about Ward's abilities; he is one of the few players who could seriously slow down this offense if he were to get injured. An outstanding all-around player, Ward's value seems to grow every year.
Miller is on the cusp of becoming outstanding in his own right. He was quick to see the field as a rookie because the coaching staff trusted him as a run and pass blocker. Miller excels in the red zone and has fantastic size, hands and body control. He is smart, tough and a hard worker who is primed to become one of the very top players at his position. Even with Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Todd Heap residing in the AFC, Miller will be making trips to Hawaii in the near future.
Pittsburgh's group of secondary wide receivers is deep, and if Holmes can adjust quickly and surpass Cedrick Wilson as the starter opposite Ward, the receivers will be in great shape. One of the allures of Holmes is his home run ability, which meshes very well with Roethlisberger's deep accuracy.
The Steelers didn't have someone with Holmes' deep abilities last season. He is also very good with the ball in his hands and doesn't shy away from contact as a ball carrier or blocker, which will go a long way toward gaining his teammates' respect. Early in games, Whisenhunt might boost Holmes' confidence with a lot of quick slants and bubble screens. This would force defensive backs to play him close to honor his after-the-catch talents, and thus open up the deep ball.
Wilson is best out of the slot. He came on strong late in his first year with the Steelers, establishing himself as a trusted option with big-play capabilities. Wilson also throws the ball well enough to take over some of Randle El's role in gadget plays.
Nate Washington has been productive when he gets on the field and is a name that all fans may know very soon. Quincy Morgan is a fine fourth wideout and a veteran who has a lot to play for because he is now a borderline roster player. Third-rounder Willie Reid is an explosive big-play option who is great with the ball in his hands. Although very intriguing and gimmick-friendly, Reid will probably contribute only as a returner this season.
Expect the running backs to be more involved in the passing game. Duce Staley is an upgrade over Jerome Bettis as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He has just 12 catches since coming to Pittsburgh, but Staley had 273 receptions over a six-season stretch in Philadelphia and is certainly capable of being a sound outlet option on any down.
Verron Haynes has been productive as a receiver and the Steelers like what he brings to the table as a powerful dual threat. His role will expand this year.
The running back whose receiving output could increase most is Willie Parker. Parker burst on the scene last year and wasn't given a lot to digest as a first-year starter, but he did flash the ability to catch the ball cleanly and made an impression in the passing game. This season, Pittsburgh could utilize Parker's blazing speed and open-field ability by throwing him more screens, quick passes in space or even flexing him out wide occasionally to match him against a slower safety or linebacker.
No passing game can excel without solid protection and the Steelers should be solid in this area once again. Russ Grimm is one of the top line coaches in the NFL and has plenty of talent to work with. The left side is outstanding, while the right side is better than adequate and will improve with more experience. Pittsburgh returns all five starters and has accumulated depth with center Chukky Okobi and four draft picks over the past two drafts. Miller, Haynes, starting fullback Dan Kreider and second tight end Jerame Tuman are all physical, unselfish pass blockers who do a fine job as well. To make these blockers' jobs easier, Roethlisberger is fantastic at prolonging a play by sidestepping the rush or moving out of the pocket. He makes a lot of big plays after things break down and throws across his body when rolling right (a la Brett Favre and John Elway) like few others. Those abilities allow him to turn broken plays into big plays. This new, more versatile passing game can take the life out of an opponent, especially when also matched against the Steelers' physical running attack.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Wimbley making early impression

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filed under: Cleveland Browns

A lot of things have gone wrong for the Cleveland Browns since they started training camp, but the addition of Kamerion Wimbley isn't one of them. It's early, of course, and yes, he is learning a new position, but he just jumps off the screen when you watch the Browns' defense. Wimbley currently is listed as Matt Stewart's backup at the right outside linebacker spot in the starting defense, but by the early look of things he will pass Stewart in no time.

Wimbley is close to the perfect specimen for a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has a very long build with big hands, long arms, good body definition and enough strength to hold the point of attack in the run game. He is both very fast and abrupt at changing directions. His run recognition still needs more time to develop, but he has fine upside in this area. Amazingly, he looks pretty natural in pass coverage -- something he rarely did at Florida State. He covers a lot of ground, is very fluid and breaks on the ball with suddenness and certainty.
What Wimbley was drafted for, though, is his pass-rushing talents, and he has surpassed expectations in that area. He explodes off the snap, has rare body control and balance and shows the rare ability to dip his shoulder underneath the offensive tackle while bending the edge without losing speed or the ability to change direction. He already is an excellent stunting pass rusher, and he closes on his target with force and passion.
The Browns had more than their share of weaknesses in 2005, but the lack of a pass rusher who inspired fear in protection schemes could have been the most glaring. If he isn't already, Wimbley very soon will be the best pass rusher on the team, and his ceiling for getting after the quarterback is extremely high. In all areas of his game, his outstanding athletic ability is apparent. He bends his knees extremely well and never looks awkward or out of place, despite playing a new position. Without a doubt, Wimbley has been by far the best-looking rookie I have seen in the AFC North, and he is just scratching the surface of what he may become. The Browns got this one right.

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Wimbley making early impression

| Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Cleveland Browns

A lot of things have gone wrong for the Cleveland Browns since they started training camp, but the addition of Kamerion Wimbley isn't one of them. It's early, of course, and yes, he is learning a new position, but he just jumps off the screen when you watch the Browns' defense. Wimbley currently is listed as Matt Stewart's backup at the right outside linebacker spot in the starting defense, but by the early look of things he will pass Stewart in no time.

Wimbley is close to the perfect specimen for a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has a very long build with big hands, long arms, good body definition and enough strength to hold the point of attack in the run game. He is both very fast and abrupt at changing directions. His run recognition still needs more time to develop, but he has fine upside in this area. Amazingly, he looks pretty natural in pass coverage -- something he rarely did at Florida State. He covers a lot of ground, is very fluid and breaks on the ball with suddenness and certainty.
What Wimbley was drafted for, though, is his pass-rushing talents, and he has surpassed expectations in that area. He explodes off the snap, has rare body control and balance and shows the rare ability to dip his shoulder underneath the offensive tackle while bending the edge without losing speed or the ability to change direction. He already is an excellent stunting pass rusher, and he closes on his target with force and passion.
The Browns had more than their share of weaknesses in 2005, but the lack of a pass rusher who inspired fear in protection schemes could have been the most glaring. If he isn't already, Wimbley very soon will be the best pass rusher on the team, and his ceiling for getting after the quarterback is extremely high. In all areas of his game, his outstanding athletic ability is apparent. He bends his knees extremely well and never looks awkward or out of place, despite playing a new position. Without a doubt, Wimbley has been by far the best-looking rookie I have seen in the AFC North, and he is just scratching the surface of what he may become. The Browns got this one right.

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Redskins eyeing Duckett
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>You are signed into Insider

and have access to this premium feature.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Tuesday, August 22</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>

T.J. Duckett
Falcons
</TD><TD>Trade?
</TD><TD>Redskins eyeing Duckett
<Aug. 22> The Falcons remain in trade talks with at least four teams regarding Duckett, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The Redskins, who are seeking help at running back with Clinton Portis out with a shoulder injury, had a scout at Atlanta's 38-10 exhibition loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Atlanta would prefer a player, or players, for Duckett rather than draft picks. Falcons coach Jim Mora would like to upgrade the depth and talent at No. 3 wide receiver, backup safety and along both interior lines.

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

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>NFL Rumor Central: Redskins eyeing Duckett
</TD><TD align=right width="30%">Other Rumors: MLB | NBA
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>You are signed into Insider

and have access to this premium feature.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=3>Tuesday, August 22</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>

T.J. Duckett
Falcons
</TD><TD>Trade?
</TD><TD>Redskins eyeing Duckett
<Aug. 22> The Falcons remain in trade talks with at least four teams regarding Duckett, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The Redskins, who are seeking help at running back with Clinton Portis out with a shoulder injury, had a scout at Atlanta's 38-10 exhibition loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Atlanta would prefer a player, or players, for Duckett rather than draft picks. Falcons coach Jim Mora would like to upgrade the depth and talent at No. 3 wide receiver, backup safety and along both interior lines.

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

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

49ers didn't need Barlow

posted: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets

A quick thought about the Jets' acquisition of Kevan Barlow: When I was at Jets camp yesterday, there were a lot of questions about Barlow's character, that he didn't fit the high-quality type of person the Jets fashion themselves building around. On the outside, there's cause for speculation: Barlow hasn't gotten along with a few teammates and coaches in the past, however most of those spats are long gone. That happened when he was younger and cockier and probably influenced a little by his best friend on the Niners: Terrell Owens.

The 49ers didn't get rid of Barlow because of character problems. They like him personally, even though they knew he'd say a few things every year that would make them scratch their heads. They shipped him because they love RB Frank Gore as a starter and Mo Hicks and rookie Michael Robinson as backups. This is a rebuilding team that doesn't need four tailbacks with so many problems on defense. For a fourth-rounder straight up, the Niners were in. (The Niners, by the way, are loading themselves with middle picks for the '07 draft.)
Why would the Jets, also in rebuilding mode, trade a fourth-rounder for a guy who can opt out of his contract after this year? Simple: They need a running back. You can't win in the NFL without one. Barlow can be a very good back. He's not LaDainian Tomlinson, but with some help Barlow can be a 1,100-1,300 rusher for the Jets.

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

Re: NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (7 New Articles Added 8/21/06)

49ers didn't need Barlow

posted: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets

A quick thought about the Jets' acquisition of Kevan Barlow: When I was at Jets camp yesterday, there were a lot of questions about Barlow's character, that he didn't fit the high-quality type of person the Jets fashion themselves building around. On the outside, there's cause for speculation: Barlow hasn't gotten along with a few teammates and coaches in the past, however most of those spats are long gone. That happened when he was younger and cockier and probably influenced a little by his best friend on the Niners: Terrell Owens.

The 49ers didn't get rid of Barlow because of character problems. They like him personally, even though they knew he'd say a few things every year that would make them scratch their heads. They shipped him because they love RB Frank Gore as a starter and Mo Hicks and rookie Michael Robinson as backups. This is a rebuilding team that doesn't need four tailbacks with so many problems on defense. For a fourth-rounder straight up, the Niners were in. (The Niners, by the way, are loading themselves with middle picks for the '07 draft.)
Why would the Jets, also in rebuilding mode, trade a fourth-rounder for a guy who can opt out of his contract after this year? Simple: They need a running back. You can't win in the NFL without one. Barlow can be a very good back. He's not LaDainian Tomlinson, but with some help Barlow can be a 1,100-1,300 rusher for the Jets.

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Aug. 22, 2006, 1:14 PM

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FFL: Taylor/Williamson

By Scott Engel
ESPN Fantasy Games

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
If you're looking for a good early-round bargain running back in your fantasy football draft this season, you might have seen him if you caught any of the first half of Saturday's Steelers-Vikings preseason game, which I did in person at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field.
In what was a mostly uneventful 17-10 Minnesota victory, it became apparent that Chester Taylor is going to be a major part of the Minnesota offense this season. The ex-Raven is going to get a very healthy amount of touches as both a ball carrier and pass catcher. Taylor saw extensive first-half action, carrying the ball 10 times for 36 yards and catching three passes for 15 yards. Those aren't terrific numbers. But they certainly indicate that the Vikings will lean heavily on their new No. 1 RB this season.
"Chester is going to have a great year," Minnesota fullback Tony Richardson said. "We have a great offensive line here and he does it all well. He knows how to catch the ball out of the backfield and he does a great job of following his blockers."
Richardson, another new Viking, was certainly acquired to pave the way for Taylor after many seasons as an unsung, yet key part of the Chiefs' running game. He sees what is obvious. The Vikes are going to use Taylor a lot on offense. They continually handed the ball to him Saturday against one of the league's premier run defenses, and when QB Brad Johnson was pressured, he looked for Taylor in the flat and short-pass areas regularly. Richardson, who has blocked for superstars such as Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, confirms that Taylor is ready to assume a heavy workload after beginning his career as a backup and part-timer in Baltimore.
"He kind of reminds [me] of Priest in the way that he was mostly unknown and I think he is a very talented guy. I have a hunch he is really going to do a lot of special things this year," Richardson said.
Like Taylor, Holmes began his career as a Baltimore backup. Taylor is finally getting his opportunity to start regularly in his fifth season. Richardson doesn't expect classic Holmes-type production from Taylor, but foresees good overall production from his new backfield partner. "He's going to post some very good numbers," Richardson said.
Taylor's primary backup, Mewelde Moore, missed Saturday's game with a knee injury, and while that might seem like a prime reason for Taylor getting a lot of work early in the second preseason game, Moore's absence actually gave Minnesota a chance to get Taylor more reps as he prepares for his first full-time gig in the NFL. Taylor isn't ready to talk about big numbers, though. He hopes he just started to get into a positive rhythm by playing most of the first half against Pittsburgh.
"The coaches know what they are doing here, so I'm thankful they are giving me the opportunities" Taylor said. "It's nice to get into a groove a week after our first [exhibition] game. The offensive line played great and that's important. This West Coast style of offense is a good fit for me. We can spread people out and this is the beginning stages of showing what we can do. I just want to go out there and step up my game when my number is called."
Taylor isn't focused on statistical goals, as he just wants to make the most of his chance to to start. "I'm just really thankful for the opportunity to do this in my life," he said. "Luckily they are giving me a great chance over here."
While Taylor shies away from talking about stats and individual desires, smart fantasy owners will realize that he is going to be a centerpiece of the Minnesota offense. He's going to get a lot of touches every week, as Minnesota has strengthened their blocking crew and the team doesn't have too many ways to challenge defenses with the passing game. The Vikings will depend on Taylor to set the offensive tone and take pressure off their veteran QB. Taylor isn't going to wow too many onlookers with his speed, but he is smart, has good vision and is dependable. He's versatile and tough, and could be a lesser version of LaMont Jordan. That makes him a quality No. 2 fantasy RB.
Taylor can be a good value choice this season. While he's not quite as quick or strong inside as Jordan, he can be very reliable for solid overall numbers. He can elude tacklers, as was evidenced on his best run on Saturday night, a 17-yarder. He might not be a fantasy superstar, but Taylor can be the quality No. 2 RB you seek when the top 15 or so RBs are already off the board.
Just don't ask him to turn up his level of performance for your fantasy purposes. Taylor is only focused on helping the Vikings win this season.
"I know a lot of people play fantasy football, but I'm not paying any attention to it and I don't know much about it," Taylor said. "I'm not thinking about that. If it's not on my regular-season schedule, I'm not concerned about it"
Maybe Taylor won't care about your fantasy team. But he can certainly be a key part of your success in 2006. Don't hesitate to grab him for good all-around yardage numbers late in the second round or early in the third.
Getting up to speed
With Koren Robinson now out of the picture at receiver, second-year man Troy Williamson could be pushed into a prime role. Williamson realizes he might be asked to become the Vikings' new No. 1 receiver, and he is ready to face the challenges that come with the responsibility.
"I've been working real hard on what I need to do to get better," Williamson said. "I've been working on my route running and hand-eye coordination. Whatever they need me to do here, I'm ready to fire away."
Williamson is noted for his outstanding deep gears and open-field speed. But the knock on him as a rookie was that he ran sloppy routes and needed a lot of work on his fundamentals. Williamson is well aware of the improvements he needed to make, and has worked closely with veterans Marcus Robinson and Travis Taylor on the finer points of his game.
"When you work with guys that have been around for so long, you just take whatever they show you and put [it] in your bag to carry with you into the season," Williamson said. "I've got a great opportunity here and I couldn't ask for more."
The Vikings' receivers are a tight group, and it's clear Robinson and Travis Taylor have quickly made their young teammate into a welcomed member of their crew. While the three wideouts joke easily and warmly with each other, the two veterans think Williamson will be up to the task of facing top cover corners on a regular basis if he's asked to do so.
"Me and Marcus are getting old," Travis Taylor said with a laugh. Turning more serious, though, he noted that Williamson should improve greatly in his second pro campaign "Troy is very talented and he has learned a lot. He doesn't drop balls and he's made big progress in terms of running his routes. He's really improved his game. And anytime you have a receiver with 4.2 speed, that's going to strike fear in any defensive back."
The two veteran receivers agree that Williamson's natural speed could help him make great strides if he's pushed into a major role this season. And both of the experienced receivers are going to continue to work with Williamson to ensure he succeeds early in his career.
"We have a good group of wide receivers here, and we're only wishing for success for one another," Robinson said. "Troy is focused on running his routes and becoming more disciplined. You can see a big difference in him from last year's camp. He's a lot more confident."
Robinson said that the bond between the Minnesota receivers can ease pressure on Williamson, who doesn't need to concentrate on being a No. 1 receiver even if he is asked to do so. "We have a calm atmosphere here, and he doesn't have to put too much pressure on himself. He has great sped and we just want to help him perfect his game." Robinson said he and Travis Taylor have certainly dedicated themselves to helping Williamson improve.
With two veterans in his corner, and tremendous natural skills, Williamson could be a great late-round sleeper in fantasy leagues this season. He only lacks experience, but he certainly has upside and could have some impressive performances when the matchup is right. He finished with only two catches for 13 yards against Pittsburgh, but could post occasionally impressive numbers in 2006.
Fantasy views from the Vikings
While Chester Taylor isn't concerned about where fantasy owners draft him, his lead blocker has a great appreciation for the hobby. "It's definitely a good thing for our game," Richardson said. "I'm on the Executive Committee of the NFL Players Association and I understand how important it is to the NFL and a lot of fans. I understand that it's personally important to a lot of people. The more you play, the more you get interested in the NFL. It generates a lot of excitement."
Williamson said he doesn't know much about fantasy football. "But anything that invites more fans into the game is good," he said. "If people want to draft me, that's their decision. But I don't know much about how it works."
Travis Taylor said some of his friends play fantasy football. "I don't know much about how the game is played, but it's funny sometimes because people will talk to you about it. It's good that people get to know everyone in the game and learn their stats. Women are playing fantasy football too, and it's only raising the perceptions and awareness of the NFL." Robinson said he appreciates much of the enthusiasm of fantasy leaguers. "So many more people pay attention to the NFL because of fantasy football, and it helps us gain a bigger fan base," Robinson said. "When people tell me they drafted me, I say I'll try to do my best for them. Sometimes it makes the fans more demanding about how well you perform, but it also helps them enjoy the games even more."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Aug. 22, 2006, 1:14 PM

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FFL: Taylor/Williamson

By Scott Engel
ESPN Fantasy Games

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
If you're looking for a good early-round bargain running back in your fantasy football draft this season, you might have seen him if you caught any of the first half of Saturday's Steelers-Vikings preseason game, which I did in person at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field.
In what was a mostly uneventful 17-10 Minnesota victory, it became apparent that Chester Taylor is going to be a major part of the Minnesota offense this season. The ex-Raven is going to get a very healthy amount of touches as both a ball carrier and pass catcher. Taylor saw extensive first-half action, carrying the ball 10 times for 36 yards and catching three passes for 15 yards. Those aren't terrific numbers. But they certainly indicate that the Vikings will lean heavily on their new No. 1 RB this season.
"Chester is going to have a great year," Minnesota fullback Tony Richardson said. "We have a great offensive line here and he does it all well. He knows how to catch the ball out of the backfield and he does a great job of following his blockers."
Richardson, another new Viking, was certainly acquired to pave the way for Taylor after many seasons as an unsung, yet key part of the Chiefs' running game. He sees what is obvious. The Vikes are going to use Taylor a lot on offense. They continually handed the ball to him Saturday against one of the league's premier run defenses, and when QB Brad Johnson was pressured, he looked for Taylor in the flat and short-pass areas regularly. Richardson, who has blocked for superstars such as Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, confirms that Taylor is ready to assume a heavy workload after beginning his career as a backup and part-timer in Baltimore.
"He kind of reminds [me] of Priest in the way that he was mostly unknown and I think he is a very talented guy. I have a hunch he is really going to do a lot of special things this year," Richardson said.
Like Taylor, Holmes began his career as a Baltimore backup. Taylor is finally getting his opportunity to start regularly in his fifth season. Richardson doesn't expect classic Holmes-type production from Taylor, but foresees good overall production from his new backfield partner. "He's going to post some very good numbers," Richardson said.
Taylor's primary backup, Mewelde Moore, missed Saturday's game with a knee injury, and while that might seem like a prime reason for Taylor getting a lot of work early in the second preseason game, Moore's absence actually gave Minnesota a chance to get Taylor more reps as he prepares for his first full-time gig in the NFL. Taylor isn't ready to talk about big numbers, though. He hopes he just started to get into a positive rhythm by playing most of the first half against Pittsburgh.
"The coaches know what they are doing here, so I'm thankful they are giving me the opportunities" Taylor said. "It's nice to get into a groove a week after our first [exhibition] game. The offensive line played great and that's important. This West Coast style of offense is a good fit for me. We can spread people out and this is the beginning stages of showing what we can do. I just want to go out there and step up my game when my number is called."
Taylor isn't focused on statistical goals, as he just wants to make the most of his chance to to start. "I'm just really thankful for the opportunity to do this in my life," he said. "Luckily they are giving me a great chance over here."
While Taylor shies away from talking about stats and individual desires, smart fantasy owners will realize that he is going to be a centerpiece of the Minnesota offense. He's going to get a lot of touches every week, as Minnesota has strengthened their blocking crew and the team doesn't have too many ways to challenge defenses with the passing game. The Vikings will depend on Taylor to set the offensive tone and take pressure off their veteran QB. Taylor isn't going to wow too many onlookers with his speed, but he is smart, has good vision and is dependable. He's versatile and tough, and could be a lesser version of LaMont Jordan. That makes him a quality No. 2 fantasy RB.
Taylor can be a good value choice this season. While he's not quite as quick or strong inside as Jordan, he can be very reliable for solid overall numbers. He can elude tacklers, as was evidenced on his best run on Saturday night, a 17-yarder. He might not be a fantasy superstar, but Taylor can be the quality No. 2 RB you seek when the top 15 or so RBs are already off the board.
Just don't ask him to turn up his level of performance for your fantasy purposes. Taylor is only focused on helping the Vikings win this season.
"I know a lot of people play fantasy football, but I'm not paying any attention to it and I don't know much about it," Taylor said. "I'm not thinking about that. If it's not on my regular-season schedule, I'm not concerned about it"
Maybe Taylor won't care about your fantasy team. But he can certainly be a key part of your success in 2006. Don't hesitate to grab him for good all-around yardage numbers late in the second round or early in the third.
Getting up to speed
With Koren Robinson now out of the picture at receiver, second-year man Troy Williamson could be pushed into a prime role. Williamson realizes he might be asked to become the Vikings' new No. 1 receiver, and he is ready to face the challenges that come with the responsibility.
"I've been working real hard on what I need to do to get better," Williamson said. "I've been working on my route running and hand-eye coordination. Whatever they need me to do here, I'm ready to fire away."
Williamson is noted for his outstanding deep gears and open-field speed. But the knock on him as a rookie was that he ran sloppy routes and needed a lot of work on his fundamentals. Williamson is well aware of the improvements he needed to make, and has worked closely with veterans Marcus Robinson and Travis Taylor on the finer points of his game.
"When you work with guys that have been around for so long, you just take whatever they show you and put [it] in your bag to carry with you into the season," Williamson said. "I've got a great opportunity here and I couldn't ask for more."
The Vikings' receivers are a tight group, and it's clear Robinson and Travis Taylor have quickly made their young teammate into a welcomed member of their crew. While the three wideouts joke easily and warmly with each other, the two veterans think Williamson will be up to the task of facing top cover corners on a regular basis if he's asked to do so.
"Me and Marcus are getting old," Travis Taylor said with a laugh. Turning more serious, though, he noted that Williamson should improve greatly in his second pro campaign "Troy is very talented and he has learned a lot. He doesn't drop balls and he's made big progress in terms of running his routes. He's really improved his game. And anytime you have a receiver with 4.2 speed, that's going to strike fear in any defensive back."
The two veteran receivers agree that Williamson's natural speed could help him make great strides if he's pushed into a major role this season. And both of the experienced receivers are going to continue to work with Williamson to ensure he succeeds early in his career.
"We have a good group of wide receivers here, and we're only wishing for success for one another," Robinson said. "Troy is focused on running his routes and becoming more disciplined. You can see a big difference in him from last year's camp. He's a lot more confident."
Robinson said that the bond between the Minnesota receivers can ease pressure on Williamson, who doesn't need to concentrate on being a No. 1 receiver even if he is asked to do so. "We have a calm atmosphere here, and he doesn't have to put too much pressure on himself. He has great sped and we just want to help him perfect his game." Robinson said he and Travis Taylor have certainly dedicated themselves to helping Williamson improve.
With two veterans in his corner, and tremendous natural skills, Williamson could be a great late-round sleeper in fantasy leagues this season. He only lacks experience, but he certainly has upside and could have some impressive performances when the matchup is right. He finished with only two catches for 13 yards against Pittsburgh, but could post occasionally impressive numbers in 2006.
Fantasy views from the Vikings
While Chester Taylor isn't concerned about where fantasy owners draft him, his lead blocker has a great appreciation for the hobby. "It's definitely a good thing for our game," Richardson said. "I'm on the Executive Committee of the NFL Players Association and I understand how important it is to the NFL and a lot of fans. I understand that it's personally important to a lot of people. The more you play, the more you get interested in the NFL. It generates a lot of excitement."
Williamson said he doesn't know much about fantasy football. "But anything that invites more fans into the game is good," he said. "If people want to draft me, that's their decision. But I don't know much about how it works."
Travis Taylor said some of his friends play fantasy football. "I don't know much about how the game is played, but it's funny sometimes because people will talk to you about it. It's good that people get to know everyone in the game and learn their stats. Women are playing fantasy football too, and it's only raising the perceptions and awareness of the NFL." Robinson said he appreciates much of the enthusiasm of fantasy leaguers. "So many more people pay attention to the NFL because of fantasy football, and it helps us gain a bigger fan base," Robinson said. "When people tell me they drafted me, I say I'll try to do my best for them. Sometimes it makes the fans more demanding about how well you perform, but it also helps them enjoy the games even more."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Aug. 22, 2006, 1:50 PM

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Carroll Injury Report: Portis

By Will Carroll
ESPN Fantasy Games

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
Injuries are like the weather; everyone talks about them but no one seems to do anything about it. That's where I come in. Like the weather, injuries follow patterns and move in ways that we can both predict and forecast. We're no longer without the data and research necessary to say more than a broad range ("He's out six to eight weeks.") Every fantasy player, every fan of a team, everyone that follows the game understands that injuries can make or break the season. If you follow the metaphor, I'm your weatherman. You might know my work from Baseball Prospectus, where my "Under The Knife" column is read by thousands of readers and all 30 front offices. I brought the same approach to injury analysis to Pro Football Prospectus in 2005 and 2006, making some NFL head coaches call me "their worst nightmare." I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV; I'm a reporter and analyst, focused on using contacts, databases, and information to help the fantasy player avoid the injuries that can ruin a season. Let's get to it:
The biggest injury on the football radar right now is the shoulder of Clinton Portis. Portis had a subluxation of his right shoulder, commonly called a 'partial dislocation.' The humeral head sits in the Carson Palmer. Where Culpepper has been confident, Palmer has been tentative. It's an interesting contrast.
For fantasy players, both are excellent risks. There's seldom an immediate recurrence of the injury, players come back in better condition due to their hard work in rehab, and once returned to function, a player on a reconstructed knee is at very little additional risk compared to any other player at his position and profile. Culpepper has looked great in camp according to most reports and appears ready for Week One. He'll throw a bit more, run a bit less, but doesn't appear to have made significant changes to his style. Palmer, on the other hand, is unlikely to be ready until Week 3 or 4. If he comes back sooner, it won't be a "rush job" as some will call it, but it raises a possibility that he won't be at level. Both players have some risk of pain and soreness costing them some time, but both play on grass through Week Three, a big plus. (Minnesota visits Houston in Week 4, a FieldTurf stadium.) If you can talk up the injury in pre-draft chatter, you might just steal two of the top ten fantasy QBs. Bumps and Bruises: Another ACL survivor is Deuce McAllister, who has Reggie Bush firmly in his rear view mirror. McAllister saw his first game action on Monday and looked good, not great. He lacked burst and didn't appear to be confident in his ability to move laterally. Recovered fully or not, McAllister is likely to lose some touches to Bush ... I'm growing more and more concerned about Steve Smith. The speedy receiver isn't making normal progress after a hamstring strain. Don't overdraft Smith; this injury puts him a few slots down on the WR charts and with all the depth out there, passing up Smith might be the best way to manage roster risk ... An interesting side effect of Ben Roethlisberger's crash was that he lost 15 pounds on his enforced diet. That's good for his knees, but doesn't help his thumb. Big Ben's thumb is rapidly becoming a chronic problem ... The outlook is bleak for Domanick Davis. His knees have a bone-on-bone situation after "minor" surgery last season, something that won't change any time soon. Remember, Texans fans - Reggie Bush has no knee problems. You might remember another Davis with similar problems - Terrell Davis. Last I saw him was in Madden 2006. ... The Cowboys have two big problems. One, Terrell Owens, has been covered elsewhere and his hamstring injury isn't worth typing about. The other, Mike Vanderjagt, had a recurrence of his groin strain while warming up Monday and is doubtful for Week 1.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hache Man · Aug 22, 2006

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Re: 2NFL - ESPN Insider Writeups, etc. (5 New Articles Added 8/22/06)

Aug. 22, 2006, 1:50 PM

<SCRIPT language=javascript src="http://ai059.insightexpressai.com/adServer/adServer.aspx?bannerID=7560"></SCRIPT>

Carroll Injury Report: Portis

By Will Carroll
ESPN Fantasy Games

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top>
Injuries are like the weather; everyone talks about them but no one seems to do anything about it. That's where I come in. Like the weather, injuries follow patterns and move in ways that we can both predict and forecast. We're no longer without the data and research necessary to say more than a broad range ("He's out six to eight weeks.") Every fantasy player, every fan of a team, everyone that follows the game understands that injuries can make or break the season. If you follow the metaphor, I'm your weatherman. You might know my work from Baseball Prospectus, where my "Under The Knife" column is read by thousands of readers and all 30 front offices. I brought the same approach to injury analysis to Pro Football Prospectus in 2005 and 2006, making some NFL head coaches call me "their worst nightmare." I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV; I'm a reporter and analyst, focused on using contacts, databases, and information to help the fantasy player avoid the injuries that can ruin a season. Let's get to it:
The biggest injury on the football radar right now is the shoulder of Clinton Portis. Portis had a subluxation of his right shoulder, commonly called a 'partial dislocation.' The humeral head sits in the Carson Palmer. Where Culpepper has been confident, Palmer has been tentative. It's an interesting contrast.
For fantasy players, both are excellent risks. There's seldom an immediate recurrence of the injury, players come back in better condition due to their hard work in rehab, and once returned to function, a player on a reconstructed knee is at very little additional risk compared to any other player at his position and profile. Culpepper has looked great in camp according to most reports and appears ready for Week One. He'll throw a bit more, run a bit less, but doesn't appear to have made significant changes to his style. Palmer, on the other hand, is unlikely to be ready until Week 3 or 4. If he comes back sooner, it won't be a "rush job" as some will call it, but it raises a possibility that he won't be at level. Both players have some risk of pain and soreness costing them some time, but both play on grass through Week Three, a big plus. (Minnesota visits Houston in Week 4, a FieldTurf stadium.) If you can talk up the injury in pre-draft chatter, you might just steal two of the top ten fantasy QBs. Bumps and Bruises: Another ACL survivor is Deuce McAllister, who has Reggie Bush firmly in his rear view mirror. McAllister saw his first game action on Monday and looked good, not great. He lacked burst and didn't appear to be confident in his ability to move laterally. Recovered fully or not, McAllister is likely to lose some touches to Bush ... I'm growing more and more concerned about Steve Smith. The speedy receiver isn't making normal progress after a hamstring strain. Don't overdraft Smith; this injury puts him a few slots down on the WR charts and with all the depth out there, passing up Smith might be the best way to manage roster risk ... An interesting side effect of Ben Roethlisberger's crash was that he lost 15 pounds on his enforced diet. That's good for his knees, but doesn't help his thumb. Big Ben's thumb is rapidly becoming a chronic problem ... The outlook is bleak for Domanick Davis. His knees have a bone-on-bone situation after "minor" surgery last season, something that won't change any time soon. Remember, Texans fans - Reggie Bush has no knee problems. You might remember another Davis with similar problems - Terrell Davis. Last I saw him was in Madden 2006. ... The Cowboys have two big problems. One, Terrell Owens, has been covered elsewhere and his hamstring injury isn't worth typing about. The other, Mike Vanderjagt, had a recurrence of his groin strain while warming up Monday and is doubtful for Week 1.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"

"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"