Pigskin Paul’s Place

Weekly College Games 2010

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:03:48 -0500

It’s here folks... Football 2010, with the first week of College match-ups. As I have for the past 4 seasons, we’ll highlight 5 or 6 televised games each week and give you a heads-up on who the top Pro Prospects are who will be on the field. And just for the heck of it I’ll give you my game outcome predictions.

PURDUE @ NOTRE DAME by 8 SAT/2:30CT/NBC
We don’t want to jump to any conclusions based on one game, but a home win over an in-state rival is a must for BIRAN KELLY to begin his restoration of Fighting Irish glory. The Domers have the horses to win this one, but Purdue has enough talent and experience to push them to the limit. If ND can control the clock on offense and force some turnovers on the defensive side then they should post a solid win. They’d better... the schedule gets much tougher for the rest of September.
#94 RYAN KERRIGAN/DE/6’4/265*** #59 CHRIS STEWART/OG/6’5/340**
#8 KEITH SMITH/WR/6’2/225/** #9 KYLE RUDOLPH/TE/6’6/260/JR***
#72 JUSTIN PIERCE/OG/6’4/310* #3 MICHAEL FLOYD/WR/6’3/220/JR****
#58 BRIAN SMITH/OLB/6’3/235**
#95 IAN WILLIAMS/DT/6’2/300*

WASHINGTON @ BRIGHAM YOUNG by 2 SAT/6CT/CBS
The expectations are fairly high for the Huskies, while BYU may be in a rebuilding mode. Both teams are expected to be fighting to sneak into the TOP 25 this year. I think that neither of them will. I love JAKE LOCKER, and believe that SARKISIAN is well on his way to bringing the Washington program back to respectability, but I just have a tough time picking against BYU at home.
#10 JAKE LOCKER/QB/6’3/225**** #70 MATT REYNOLDS/OT/6’6/330/JR***
#15 JERMAINE KEARSE/WR/6’2/200/JR*** #22 ANDREW RICH/SS/6’3/225*
#40 MASON FOSTER/OLB/6’2/245**

OREGON STATE @ T.C.U. by 5 SAT/6:45CT/ESPN
Pay attention here folks, this could be one of the most exciting games of the weekend. TCU feeds off of their Defensive unit, but has one of the best, most experienced college QBs in ANDY DALTON. On the other end of the spectrum, the Beavers are primed to contend for a PAC 10 title, led by the explosiveness of the RODGERS brothers. I am taking the Horned Frogs because of their stout D, the play of DALTON and of course home field advantage. Watch this game, but keep your blood pressure pills handy.
#1 JACQUIZZ RODGERS/ATH/5’7/190*** #14 ANDY DALTON/QB/6’3/215***
#8 JAMES RODGERS/WR/RS/5’7/185** #85 JEREMY KERLEY/WR/5’10/190**
#54 STEPHEN PAEA/DT/6’1/300*** #76 JAKE KIRKPATRICK/OC/6’3/305***
#99 GABE MILLER/E/LB/6’3/240* #3 TEJAY JOHNSON/FS/6’1/210/*

L.S.U. by 6 @ NOTH CAROLINA SAT/7CT/ABC
What once looked like a key early showdown has lost a lot of its luster because of potential suspensions of about half of the Tar Heels starting Defensive unit, which is the team’s backbone. If this becomes a scoring contest because of a depleted UNC D, then it could be a blowout win for LSU. The UNC Offense is a mediocre group at best. I am making this pick in anticipation of a lot of missing UNC starters, including most of the players listed below.
#8 TERRANCE TOLIVER/WR/6-4/205*** #8 GREG LITTLE/WR/6’3/215**
#11 KELVIN SHEPPARD/LB/6’3/235/JR*** #9 MARVIN AUSTIN/DT/6’3/305****
#7 PATRICK PETERSON/CB/6’1/210**** #42 ROBERT QUINN/DE/6’5/270/JR****
#4 JAI EUGENE/FS/5’11/180** #54 BRUCE CARTER/OLB/ 6’3/230****
#78 JOSEPH BARKSDALE/OT/6’5/315* #27 DEUNTA WILLIAMS/FS/6’2/210***

BOISE STATE by 6 vs. VIRGINIA TECH MON/7CT/ESPN
Huge, huge game... and it should be exciting. It’s almost a home game for the Hokies since it takes place in Maryland, but that won’t be enough to give them the win. I just don’t think a rebuilding Hokies D will be able to slow down the Broncos explosive Offense for the entire game. The best bet for TECH is for TYROD TAYLOR and their stable of excellent RBs to grind out yardage on the ground and eat as much clock as possible. It should be close for a while, but I sincerely think the Boise Offense will wear out the Hokies D. If not, watch for the pollsters to drop Boise like a rock down a well in the rankings.
#2 AUSTIN PETTIS/WR/6’3/200*** #8 TYROD TAYLOR/QB/6’1/215**
#4 TITUS YOUNG/WR/5’11/170** #32 DARREN EVANS/RB/6’0/220/JR***
#98 RYAN WINTERSWYK/DE/6’4/265*** #91 JOSH GRAVES/DT/6’3/285**
#23 JERON JOHNSON/SS/5’11/195** #21 RASHAD CARMICHAEL/CB/5’11’19**
#11 KELLEN MOORE/QB/6’0/190/JR** #88 ANDRA SMITH/TE/6’5/270**

Enjoy the first exciting week of College Football and be prepared to fall in love all over again with the overall pageantry of the spectacle.

PACKERS STUFF 2010

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:48:03 -0500

As I mentioned last week, it’s time to give some progress reports on the 2010 PACKERS Rookie Class. So here they are with thumbnail observations, and whether I think they remain in Green Bay or not.

BRYAN BULAGA/OL It’s just a matter of time before BULAGA is starting at one of the OT positions. His minor injury may be the only reason he didn’t beat COLLEDGE out at LG.

MORGAN BURNETT/S He’s going to get beaten a few times, but I don’t think BIGBY is getting his starting job back even when he is finally proclaimed healthy.

CHRIS CAMPBELL/OT He has shown excellent potential and athleticism, but is not ready to play in the NFL. I expect the team to re-sign him as a Practice Squad player.

SHAWN GORE/WR His potential and athleticism are tantalizing, but he is so raw it is frightening at times. He too would look very nice on the Practice Squad to learn for a year, but he may go play in the CFL this season, which would also be good.

ALEX JOSEPH/ILB He shows excellent pursuit and Special Teams aptitude, but may be caught up in a numbers game if everyone is healthy at LB. He is on the bubble but may also be headed to a Practice Squad, especially if BRAD JONES looks like he can also play on the inside.

ANTHONY LEVINE/S He is who they thought he was, minus productivity on the field. He looks too raw to me to contribute much for a Play-Off team right now. Is the Practice Squad full yet?

NICK McDONALD/OG A Camp guy/roster filler had his moments, but his best bet is to try to latch on in the UFL and play a lot of snaps. Good bye for now Nick.

MIKE NEAL/DE Looks to be everything that the team thought he was when grabbing him in the 2nd Round. He is a solid part of the DL rotation already and should only continue to get better. One of the few Rookies who need to contribute this season. His strength and athleticism clearly indicate he is a future starter, and sooner rather than later.

MARSHALL NEWHOUSE/G/T This is a tough one to call because of OL depth, but NEWHOUSE has held his own in this Camp, and has great size and athleticism. I say he makes the roster, because if not some other team will claim him on waivers if he is cut. He’s a better long term keeper than BARBRE or GIACOMINI for my money.

QUINN PORTER/RB If his ankle injury is minor then he has a great chance to make this roster. He has been very solid and his skills are a little more advanced than many thought they would be coming from a D2 program. At worst, he will be sought after to be signed to their Practice Squad.

ANDREW QUARLESS/TE I think he has looked good overall, but is in a very crowded TE picture. I could see him filling DONALD LEE’s roster spot if the team can trade LEE for a late round Draft Pick in the next week. Good receiving skills and a willing, almost effective blocker. If they cut him I am sure he will be lost to a waiver claim.

SAM SHIELDS/CB With his blazing speed and ball skills he has already made this roster. He is also a potential stud as a gunner on Special Teams. With AL HARRIS not ready any time soon, SHIELDS is in the running for a Nickel Corner spot. He has long tern return potential, but not this year please.

JAMES STARKS/RB Seems to me that he is headed for a spot on the PUP list, which gives the team 6 weeks into the regular season to have him ready to play or IRed for the season. With his lack of participation in the Pre-Season sitting out all of 2010 may be the best option for both parties.

CHASTIN WEST/WR/RS I have been a bit non-plussed at his lack of playing time this pre-Season. The answer I keep coming up with is raw-raw-raw. He has shown flashes of Return ability, but the Coaches have not put him out on the field much. Looks like a guy they are trying to hide, for now, so they can get him onto the Practice Squad.

I. J. WILSON/DE After a surprisingly slow start he as begun to show progress and contribute on the playing field. He would seem like a solid member of the DE rotation in 2010, and a nice Value Pick for a 7th Rounder.

FRANK ZOMBO/OLB Probably the nicest surprise of their Rookie Class, considering he was a Free Agent signing. He has been nothing but productive once overcoming a minor early injury. In fact, he started against the COLTS and was more than productivity against their starting lineup. He may be so solid as an OLB back-up that his play is the main reason BRAD JONES is now getting some looks on the Inside.

If you lost track I am basically projecting the following for the 16 true Rookies on the roster after the COLTS win...

On Roster: BULAGA, BURNETT, NEAL, NEWHOUSE, QUARLESS, SHIELDS, WILSON, ZOMBO.
PUP/IR: STARKS
PS/ROSTER: PORTER
PRACTICE SQUAD: CAMPBELL, GORE (CFL), JOSEPH, LEVINE, WEST
GONE: McDONALD

8/24/2010 Since Pre-Season games are such a conglomeration of disjointed circumstances, and the actual on-field performance of the team is an obscure, often misleading composite of disparate parts, I always wait until two games have passed before even attempting to put my finger on the pulse of the team. Said two games are in the books, with a fast approaching Thursday-nighter. So here are some impressions of the Green-and-Gold half way through the Pre-Season.

THE GOOD

Is it possible that there is anyone out there in Packerland who does not realize that AARON RODGERS is the real deal, and in fact one of the elite QBs in the NFL? Evidently there are (primarily FAVRE cult followers), but their knowledge of NFL football is obviously severely lacking. A-RODGE is literally carving up opposing defenses with near perfection so far this Summer. There would seem to be no reason to think he won’t carryover his current level of play into the regular season. In limited playing time so far A-RODGE is completing passes at an 83% clip with 2 TDs and NO INT.

The ballyhooed battle between JAMES JONES & JORDY NELSON for the No. 3 WR slot has been highly competitive so far with DINGO seeming to have a slight edge for now. Perhaps the most important aspect of the battle is that both of these young receivers now look like they belong on an NFL field and understand the big picture. RODGERS seems to be comfortable with looking for both players on any down. No doubt in my mind that RODGERS will find both receivers more this year than he did last season. With the continued emergence of TE/JERMICHAEL FINLEY can there be enough throws to go around with all these capable targets? Isn’t that a nice issue to face?!

It sure looks like BRYAN BULAGA is the real deal as an NFL lineman. He has been competing with COLLEDGE at LG, and taking over for CHAD CLIFTON at LT when the venerable vet makes his way to the bench with most of the first unit sometime before halftime. It’s not time to nominate him the the NFL All-Rookie Team quite yet, but he seems to keeping mistakes at a minimum, while putting some major hits on defenders with regularity. It is also clear that he is football smart and assignment sure a large percentage of the time for a Rookie. His days as a starting OL in the NFL are just a matter of exactly where (G or T?), and when.... not if. BULAGA seems to be leading the charge of some serious position battles along the OL, including the SPITZ/WELLS competition at Center.

THE BAD

Injuries in general are the nagging pro football version on mosquito bites here in Wisconsin. But the spate of them at the LB position has been very disconcerting. At one time or another BARNETT, HAWK & MATHEWS have spent about half of their potential game time sitting rather than playing over the first two weeks of the Pre-Season. On the assumption that they will all be healthy by September this is not an all bad thing. Right now the injuries are providing an opportunity for the PACKS young LBs to show what they can do. In particular both FRANK ZOMBO & CYRIL OBIOZOR showed flashes of their athleticism and potential in the SEA HAWKS game.

Similarly, the RB position is in a state of flux because of nagging injuries right from the start of Camp. There is little if any challenge being mounted by anyone to take away BRANDON JACKSON’s job as the No. 2 RB. In fact, conversation after the game in Seattle was that after watching JOHN KUHN pound through the SEA HAWKS third string DL for 30 yards Saturday night the team might consider him as the No. 3 RB on the Depth Chart. That would mean the team would in essence carry 3 FB again, though KUHN might be listed as a RB as well. It’s looking now like Draftee JAMES STARKS/RB will start the season on the PUP List with hope that he can be fully healthy by October and join the roster then.

It’s not a disaster area, or it would be listed below in the “UGLY” segment, but the DL is still leaving a lot to be desired right now. I am highly skeptical of RYAN PICKETT playing outside in place of JOHNNY JOLLY. PICKETT is a team guy and is losing weight to improve his quickness and pursuit, but it has to be remembered that the DL in a 3-4 Scheme does not regularly generate a lot of pass rush. B.J. RAJI is showing flashes, but he’s still not playing like a TOP 10 DRAFT Pick yet by a long-shot. I still believe the key to improvement up front lies clearly in the development of Rookie MIKE NEAL, who is already demonstrated his unique combination of strength and athleticism by lining up in both the 2-man and 1-man DL formations CAPERS is using more and more often in long yardage situations. There is still hope that fellow Rookie C.J. WILSON may be “getting it” after 3 weeks in Camp. For right now, I think it would be optimistic to say this group is a ‘work in progress’.

THE UGLY

Here we go again... talk about beating a dead horse. But then again if you don’t get rid of the carcass what else is there to do. The first name that comes to mind again this Summer is JARRETT BUSH. He continues to get plenty of playing time as a CB (back there so far in Camp) and on Special Teams. And if I were to describe his play in a nutshell, I would say... coverage mistakes & penalty prone. It is clear that the sideline is a better pass defender than BUSH is, and his two consecutive penalties on the final SEA HAWKS possession Saturday night pretty much sum up his inability as an NFL DB in my eyes. (Though I am prone to give him a mulligan on the first Personal Foul penalty.) Add that fun moment in time to his earlier errors on Special Teams, including a penalty, and once again BUSH ends up being a player who most consistent stat-line is for penalties.

Even more ugly than BUSH individually is the continued poor play of PACKERS Special Teams in general. In particular, the return game has once again been almost non-existent through two games. SAM SHIELDS has the speed and elusiveness to make an excellent KR candidate. But his hands of stone make him a constant risk to fumble, as he has amply displayed since Camp opened. In fact it is time for the coaching staff to end the SHIELDS as a returner experiment, at least for this year. It is the staff’s job to put players in a position to succeed and build their skills. For now SHIELDS need to protected from himself and his kick fumbling.

The continued poor play of the Special Teams units puzzles me on another level. TED THOMPSON, signed as a RFA, forged a ten year NFL career with the Houston Oilers, making his mark primarily as a Special Teams demon. JOHN DORSEY played ST during his brief NFL career. West Coast Scout SAM SEALE was a ST player with good return skills. So my question is... with so many key talent evaluators on board, how is it that the PACKERS cannot accumulate a solid corps of good Special Teamers? I’m sure I am being too simplistic in my look at the situation, but it puzzles me greatly.

Despite lip service for the umpteenth year in a row, this teams propensity for committing penalties continues and is maddening to the point of distraction. In the opener against Cleveland the PACK suffered 6 accepted penalties for 40 total yards. That is an acceptable number, and a definitive improvement from last season. Then things regressed in Game Two in Seattle, when the team incurred 8 penalties for 64 yards. Do not look past the fact that there were another half-dozen declined penalties in those two weeks. It may be just this man’s opinion, but this lack of focus and discipline is a reflection on MIKE McCARTHY and his Coaching Staff. They may excel at X’s & O’s, but player discipline is not a strong teaching point for this staff.

Early next week I’m going to take a look at the progress, or lack thereof, of PACKERS Rookies after 3 Pre-Season games.

7/05/2010 The OTA segment of the PACKERS 2010 season is over and all there is left to do is sign DRAFT Picks and get ready for the opening of Training Camp. Here are some thoughts that Pigskin Paul has as we hit that Dark Hole of the NFL season.

If ATARI BIGBY continues to play the hardball/holdout game into Training Camp, despite two mediocre/injury filled seasons immediately behind him, he may find himself on his way out of the door in Green Bay. MORGAN BURNETT looked good in all of the OTA sessions, and seems to have progressed rapidly in the Rookie learning curve. If he gets a week or two into Camp and further establishes his potential to start beside NICK COLLINS it can only diminish BIGBY’s value to the team. It is also important to remember that THOMPSON/McCARTHY embrace the concept of the team’s own Draft Picks being their key players. BIGBY has not been the hell-for-leather, big time hitter he came to town as, once he got his first real NFL contract.
God forbid that BIGBYs potential exit could lengthen the PACKERS career of JARRETT BUSH, but what the heck. It is clear that BUSH is going to make this team until someone finds those picture negatives he has hidden.

I must confess I was a bit surprised to see the pre-Training Camp cut of RFA TIM KNICKY/LB. No doubt he was going to be a project as a potential NFL’er, but normally that is an intriguing challenge to PACKERS Brass. I am still thinking that part of the issue with his play was the fact that he is so leggy, and plays high coming out of his stance, that he ends up on the ground too often.
Let us also hope that his departure is at least in part a testament to the further development of two 2009 Rookie OLB prospects: CYRIL OBIOZOR & BRAD JONES. The move may also speak highly of RFA/ILB ALEX JOSEPH from Temple. He is the slightly undersized (6’2/240), but very active type of athlete the PACK prefers in their 3-4 Scheme. He could have a very solid shot at making the final roster this Summer if he excels on Special Teams, and if the PACK does indeed slide BARNETT outside in certain pass-rush situations. Because of the multiple player/position options, and their importance in a 3-4 scheme, the LB corps competition should be intense when Camp opens.

Sorry to see RFA/QB/NOAH SHEPARD have such a brief stay in Green Bay this Spring. I think he is a solid athlete and a smart young man, whose name may resurface a few times over the next couple of years either in the CFL, UFL and/or Arena League. But I am anxious to see how the signing of GRAHAM HARRELL plays out. He is a decent athlete, with an average arm, and my guess is he is the kind of project that may interest McCARTHY/CLEMENTS. If he shows enough, but can’t make the final roster he is eligible to be signed to an NFL Practice Squad and the team might be able to hide him there for the 2010 season.
Back during Senior Bowl Week 2009, I had a chance to sit with HARRELL over a bowl of gumbo at the Media Night dinner. He was soft spoken, but articulate. He was humble, but quietly confident of his overall abilities and his chances of finding a place in the NFL given some time to adjust to the pro offensive schemes. There is no reason to think that he won’t get a chance to prove a few things to PACKERS Brass during Training Camp.

It will be very interesting to see how the all-out Punting battle goes between MASHTAY & BRYAN. The team is obviously well aware of how costly their poor Punting game was last season. It was refreshing to hear MIKE McCARTHY speak bluntly about the need for improvement at the position for the 2010 season. During a press Conference during June OTA, he clearly stated that the team’s 2010 Punter may not yet be on the roster. If neither of their current roster candidates can show distance, hang time and directional punting consistency in Pre-Season games it sounds like the team will not hesitate to bring in new candidates, sooner rather than later. The leash on both Punters seems to be pretty short right now.
I think this situation now plays out under the oft-stated McCARTHY tenet of accountability.

The other McCARTHY tenet that we hear during Pressers, to the point of ad nauseam, is that of availability. The simple principle that a player has to be on the grass, not in the hut tub, seems to be basic to life in the world of pro football. If that is to truly be the case in the Green Bay organization, then I can think of three players who have to be at the absolute end of the line if they have an injury plagued Training Camp.
I have to start the list with JUSTIN HARRELL/DE, who may soon be asked to pay rent for his time in the PACKERS Training Room and hot tub. The sad reality is that this hopeful thinking about his recovery from a bad back by the organization may be nothing more than a smoke screen. The team may just be waiting for the day when HARRELL can pass a physical and be waived. You can’t cut a player who is injured without an injury settlement package or a potential lawsuit. I am now firmly in the camp that thinks that’s the game of cat-and-mouse underway between HARRELL and the team.
My second suspect in this category is PAT LEE/CB. This will be his third NFL season, and it is well past time for him to be healthy enough to progress in his development as an NFL Corner. There is no doubt in my mind that he was basically Redshirted as a Rookie after only 1 year as a full-time starter in college. But I also suspect that the team was counting on him to at least win a sub-package job in 2009. If he is to stay, he must be able to play in 2010.
The most painful player that I feel I must place on this list is ROLANDO BLACKMON/DB/RS. His ability to stay healthy in his first 4 years in the League has been abysmal. This has been doubly painful for the team because he has DB ability, and he is a game breaking RS when whole. Despite the potential two-headed help he could bring to the team we have to be getting precipitously close to the fish, or cut bait point with WILL.
It would be a serious talent boost to the PACKERS roster if these three players could stay healthy and be available to play for 16 games in 2010. But history indicates to me that the probability of that happening would be a fool’s bet.

HARRELL PAT LEE BLACKMON
Can MIKE McCARTHY count on these guys being AVAILABLE in 2010?

6/12/2010 Given TED THOMPSON’s penchant for building his team through the DRAFT, and retention of his own young players who have shown progress in their development as Pros, this time of year is generally pretty quiet in PACKERS Country. But primarily thanks to some unsettling off-field activity things have been a little more active within the PACKERS organization this June. Let’s take a look at some situations drawing attention right now.

Unfortunately, BRANDON UNDERWOOD has put himself in some minor legal trouble, and perhaps a bit bigger trouble within the team’s infrastructure. It could be said he allowed the little head to think for the big head while spending time in the Wisconsin Dells area, ostensibly to help in a golf-outing, fund raising event. Let’s just say it is never a good thing when a family man, with two children at home, decides to pay for sex with some local ladies, in his spare time. There was some baggage that came along with BRANDON to Green Bay when he was Drafted last year. But the feeling was that his main issues dated back to his late teen years and he had matured, and learned from his youthful indiscretions. For now it appears he has escaped legal prosecution, but may face some serious scrutiny within the team organization. The team may be in a quandary dealing with the situation, since UNDERWOOD seems to have made solid progress on the field, at a position where the team cannot afford to discard talented players. Right now, I would project some kind of ‘minor’ discipline for UNDERWOOD from the team, with perhaps a more aggressive disciplinary approach from the League.

He’s the leader of the Defense. He’s the reigning Defensive PLayer of the Year in the NFL. He’s a solid Locker Room presence in Green Bay. So how do the PACKERS respond to noises from CHARLES WOODSON that he wants a new contract? How does the team respond to such a situation when the player happens to be 33-years old, and plays the CB position, which traditionally is considered to be ‘no country for old men’. This is the kind of position that professional sports franchises dread getting into. Nothing can cripple your team long term more severely than tying up a satchel of money in player contracts for guys who have most likely hit the peak of their performance upside. On the other hand, turning your back on a team leader who is playing at a high level, can do irreparable damage to your team on the field and in the Locker Room. Good luck on this one THOMPSON/MURPHY/McCARTHY.

If you have been watching the weekly shuffling of the JOHNNY JOLLY trial date deep on the heart of Texas, I would suggest you begin thinking of he 2010 PACKERS season moving forward without his presence on the team. I am hearing that the rash of postponements has more to do with his attorneys continuing to try to cut a deal with Prosecutors than anything else. it is looking more and more like there is no way JOLY skates away from this situation with just a slap on the wrist. The situation cries out for Rookies MIKE NEAL & C.J. WILSON to step up and contribute significantly at DE this season. I think it will be a step back in many ways if JOLLY’s absence forces RYAN PICKETT and/or B.J. RAJI to take very many snaps at the DE position.

The pursuit of statistics/numbers is way down the list of priorities for DONALD DRIVER in his professional career. But I think it should be noted that he is now closing in on very lofty numbers beyond just team receiving records, after his team-leading reception season in 2009. With 53 receptions this year, DRIVER would hit the lofty figure of 700 career catches. With 950 receiving yards he would also crack the 10,000-receiving yards mark. Here’s hoping that one of the team’s hardest working, best attitude players puts up big numbers this season, and inches himself towards consideration for Hall of Fame induction when he retires, a few years down the road.

And while we’re touching on stats for a moment, did you realize that AARON RODGERS just missed out on being the top rushing QB in the NFL last season, trailing DAVID GARRARD/Jacksonville by only 7 yards, 316/323. But he averaged 5.4-ypc, compared to GARRARD’s 4.2-ypc. He also scored 5 rushing TD, compared to GARRARD’s 3 TD. Even though MIKE McCARTHY has been quick to point out A-RODGE’s value because of his ability to tuck the ball and run when needed, you can bet he’d be OK if RODGERS ran a little less in 2010... I think.
While touching on RODGERS’ 2009 stats for just a paragraph longer I think it also worth pointing out that he was one of only 5 NFL starting QBs to rack up a Passer Rating of at least 100.0. His 103.2 rating was 4th best in the League. Not to be a name-dropper, but he finished behind a guy named FAVRE (107.2), but ahead of MR. PEYTON (99.9).

Another stat that stood out to me in pouring over some 2009 numbers was the fact that the PACKERS end-of-season starting secondary amassed a total of 23 Interceptions, which was by far the most for a starting unit in the League. Individually, I will remind you of the ball hawks who patrolled the field for the Green-and-Gold: WOODSON- 9; COLLINS-6; TRAMON WILLIAMS-4; ATARI BIGBY-4. Their 30 team INT led the League.
Surprisingly, perhaps, the 6-10 BILLS were a close second with 28 Picks. As a quick aside, maybe that INT mark in Buffalo may help you understand why the new Head Coach, CHAN GAILEY, specializes in Offense. It might also help explain why the GIANTS were so quick to snap former BILLS DC/PERRY FEWELL so quickly.

That’s gonna have to satiate your PACKERS appetite at this site for another week or so friends. I’ll be back at you from Florida next week.

DRIVER RODGERS WOODSON

5/14/2010 Let’s follow up on more of the PACKERS Rookie Free Agents today. I put on the tape of the TEXAS Vs. NATION All-Star game and checked out several players who ended up signing with the PACK. So here are my observations based on their play in that venue.

TIM KNICKY/OLB/S. F. AUSTIN/6’4/251
KNICKY was without a doubt the best overall performer of the new PACKERS, in this game. He played extensively, as a stand-up OLB for the TEXAS team. He is long and lean, looking taller and lighter than his listed numbers. He has a BRYCE PAUP type body to my eyes. He also appears to have very long legs, which begs the question as to whether or not he can be tied up in knots, like a pretzel, trying to change direction multiple times to cover potential receivers in his pass coverage area. Having raised that question, let me note that he seemed to be very fluid in his coverage duties during much of this game. He looked comfortable in his back pedal, and was able to change direction well. I was particularly impressed with the way he jammed the TE at the line of scrimmage several times knocking that player off his route immediately. He also appeared to have a nose for the ball, and a willingness to pursue through the whistle. He stayed on his feet well, which is a big issue for a LB. He seems to have decent functional strength, but I am guessing he can add some muscle to his upper body in an NFL weight room.
This guy looks like a football player, and I can’t help but believe that more than a few other NFL teams had him on their watch lists. The challenge for the PACK may be figuring out how to hang onto this player and get some usefulness out of him this coming season. My fear would be that if he is cut some team with a 4-3 scheme will sign him quickly with the thought of bulking him up a bit and putting him back at a DE position. In essence, I am saying he reminds me quite a bit initially of AARON KAMPMAN, and may indeed be best suited for a 4-3 scheme.
Only time will tell, but based on what I saw of KNICKY in this particular game he will be a guy well worth watching for his progress (or lack thereof) during OTAs and Training Camp in Green Bay.

CHRIS CAMPBELL/OT/EASTERN ILLINOIS/6’5/328
This player rose up draft Boards rapidly once Pro Days got well under way. I was a bit surprised that he was not Drafted in Round 7, but he was probably a victim of the overall strength of this year’s Draft Class. IN 2009 he would have been Drafted late. He alternated time at LT in this All-Star Game with NIC RICHMOND, MARSHALL NEWHOUSE’s teammate at TCU.
The first thing that struck me about CAMPBELL was his quick, agile feet for his size. He did a great job of getting to the second level for blocks on the LB/DB in the running game. His strength looks good, and his body certainly looks like he could add some additional functional muscle. His arms are long and he uses them well... most of the time. He is not overpowering, but once he locks onto his man there is no way to escape. And I do not mean to imply he was holding.
His style of play, and size seem very well suited for the PACKERS zone-blocking scheme. He dropped very nicely into his pass pro stance, without standing upright immediately, most of the time. He looks like a natural knee-bender. I think he gave a bit too much ground, too quickly on some occasions, but that should be a minor correctable coaching situation.
In essence, I saw a very athletic player, who looks to have the talent needed to clean up some of his minor technique flaws with pro coaching. It will be a matter of want-to, hard work and desire on CAMPBELL’s part in making the jump in competition from small school to the NFL. Here’s an interesting dilemma for the PACK potentially: if CAMPBELL comes on strong, would the team part with all of their back-up vets at OT (BARBE & GIACOMINI) and go to war with both BULAGA and CAMPBELL as their OT back-ups.
Once again I am fearful that CAMPBELL may be too talented to risk losing if placed on the Practice Squad. Remember the team was burned twice last season when BROHM & MEREDITH were both grabbed by the BILLS. THat stung, and the Personnel Department was not pleased by that development.

It is way too early for serious speculation, but give some thought to the following players actually being the 2010 OL group come September:
CLIFTON (T), TAUSHCER (T), BULAGA (T), CAMPBELL (T), SITTON (G), SPITZ (G/C), NEWHOUSE (G/T), WELLS (C), LANG (G/T).

That would mean cutting/trading the following players currently on the roster:
COLLEDGE (trade), BARBRE, GIACOMINI, DIETRICH-SMITH, DANIELS, McDONALD.

Just had to throw that last segment at you. it seems risky to be that inexperienced, but hey TED THOMPSON loves that young, cheap talent to work with, doesn’t he?

5/10/2010 Time to get into some analysis of the Rookie Free Agents signed by the PACK in what we in the trade commonly refer to as Day 4 of the DRAFT.
One of the mystery men, who won a contract after his audition as an unsigned invitee to the 2010 Rookie Camp last week, was SHAWN GORE, who played his prep and college ball north of the border. So who better to give us a scouting report on GORE than our good friend COLIN LINDSAY @ www.gbnreport.com . Here is his synopsis in evaluating GORE coming out of college.

SHAWN GORE/WR/BISHOP’S U/ 6’0/200

When word leaked out that Green Bay had a WR in for a tryout from little Bishop’s University in Canada, just about everyone assumed it was Stephen Turner who put on a remarkable athletic performance at this year’s Canadian league draft combine where he ran the 40 in just over 4.30 seconds. The former Gaitor signed by the Packers, though, was actually the less heralded, but ultimately more polished Shawn Gore. In fact, when the picks were in at the CFL draft earlier this month, Gore was selected 10th overall by British Columbia, whereas Turner lasted into the 4th round. And while he lacks the jets that put former teammate Turner on notice, Gore is no slouch. Indeed, he’s a pretty good athlete with a respectable 40 time of 4.50 seconds of his own run at the CFL combine. What caught pro scouts attention, though, was the fact that the 5-11.5, 198-pound Gore was quicker than that with a 1.44 second time for the first 10-yards, while he also posted very athletic leaps of 39.5-inches in the vertical and 10-3 inches in the broad jump, both of which would have been among the top 5 figures at the position at the NFL combine. Gore is also a decent receiver who had 37 catches in 9 games in 2010 despite playing in an offense that didn’t throw the ball all that well; he also has a 21-game streak with at least one reception. Gore has good hands, but tends to let the ball get into his pads too often; he is also a decent route-runner who can find the soft spot underneath, but has never been asked to read coverages at the speed he'll need to make it in the NFL. He also uses his body well to shield defenders away from the ball and is a physical receiver who wins his share of jump ball type situations. Gore also has a quick first step after receiving the ball and averaged 16.5 yards per catch last fall while scoring 5 TDs, but lacks that extra gear when the ball is in the air. For good measure, Gore is also a solid special teams cover guy. Certainly, Gore has the physical skills to play at the next level including the NFL, but it is a very long way from the CIS to the NFL. College football in Canada is the equivalent of DIII or even NAIA. Teams play a somewhat limited schedule, there is no spring practice and the weight training and technical aspects of the game are very rudimentary compared with that which characterizes U.S. football programs. Canadian players simply don't face the kind of pure aggression and athleticism like their counterparts in the U.S. do ever day in practice and on game days. (CL)

Thanks a bunch to friend Colin for his insight.

I spent time over the weekend watching game tape of the TEXAS vs. NATION game which featured RFA signees ALEX JOSEPH/ILB, SAN SHIELDS/CB/RS, CHRIS CAMPBELL/OT, TIM KNICKY/OLB. I’ll be adding some reports on them in this space in the next couple of days... so stay tuned.

4/28/2009 It’s time to break down, Pick by Pick, the 2010 PACKERS DRAFT. So let’s get rolling...

ROUND 1 PICK 23 BRYAN BULAGA/OT/IOWA/6’5/315 PPP RANK #11
So did the PACK get the steal of the DRAFT when BULAGA fell to them at PICK 23? Probably not. Did they get great value at the Pick? Sure did. Is he the next FORREST GREGG in Green Bay? No, he’s more likely to be the next CHAD CLIFTON. And that’s something they have been trying to find and Draft for the past 5 years. He has more technique and athleticism than BARBRE. He is more ready to step in and produce than BRENO.
A big part of the job for Personnel People is to find good replacements for aging, quality players. BULAGA will play LT, and do so very well, for a decade in Green Bay. He certainly has as much talent (if not more) than CLIFTON, who has been good enough to fashion a ten year NFL career, and even get to the Pro Bowl. He does not have as much athleticism, or upside as BRUCE CAMPBELL, the COMBINE Wonder Boy, but he is much more of a sure thing to play, and play well, soon. Great value at the Pick!

ROUND 2 PICK 56 MIKE NEAL/DE/PURDUE/6’3/295 PPP RANK #128
NEAL may be the guy to make, or break the PACKERS 2010 DRAFT. He was a solid college player, on a mediocre defensive team at PURDUE. He is a cut, physical specimen who is weight room strong, but with a maxed-out frame. It will be the task of the PACKERS strength and conditioning staff to increase his stamina, and translate more of that pure strength into functional, football strength.
After the PICK I pulled out tape of both the SHRINE and SENIOR BOWL games to watch NEAL. The Coaches must have liked his work because he played as many, or more, snaps than any other DL in both games. He is incredibly quick off the ball, and it doesn’t look like he is guessing all the time. His biggest weakness was getting overwhelmed and buried when double-team blocked on the inside. I think the PACKERS Scouting Staff projected his talent outside to the 5-technique and they believe they have a potential starting player. I like the fact that he stays on his feet, and will pursue the ball downfield. He also seems to have a good feel for where the play is going. I had him ranked as a Round 4 Prospect as a 4-3 scheme, 3-technique DT, but I can see more value from him in the move outside.

ROUND 3 PICK 71 MORGAN BURNETT/S/GA TECH/6’1/210 PPP RANK #90
BURNETT is far from a finished prospect, and is going to look bad at times as a Rookie. But he has the talent and skills of COLLINS/BIGBY combined. The job of the PACKERS Coaching Staff will be teach this guy the discipline needed to play effectively in the NFL. We may not se a lot of BURNETT in September (assuming BIGBY/COLLINS are healthy), but he will need to earn the trust of DOM CAPERS and find his way onto the field by October.
Fans will love his big hits, and his ball-hawing INTs, but will have to live with him getting beaten deep on occasion. Hopefully, he will develop into a DARREN SHARPER-type player, but with more desire to tackle and may receivers pay the price for catching the ball in his area of the field. He was a solid Round 3 value, and fills another PACKERS roster need.

ROUND 5A PICK 154 ANDREW QUARLESS/TE/PENN STATE/6’4/250 PPP RANK #164
TED, and some of his aides, must have been really impressed with his play and measurables to even consider taking him. More than a few teams had him off their Draft Boards, because of drinking and discipline issues in Happy Valley. I don’t think he enters the League, already in their Drug Testing program, but he has pretty much admitted he had drinking issues early on at Penn State.
I think his selection means two things for the team, assuming he is on the roster in September. DONALD LEE, with his contract and multiple dropped balls, could be a likely roster cut. Such a move would replace a 30-year old journeyman, with a more talented 21-year old, at a much more economical cost. Though QUARLESS’ main talent is as a tall, long armed receiver, he looks to have the frame and temperament to be a solid inline blocker, especially compared to LEE or FINLEY. This is undoubtably the riskiest Pick in the 2020 DRAFT for the PACK. But as ron wolf used to say... ‘I can’t build a team with only Boy Scouts on the roster’.

ROUND 5B PICK 169 MARSHALL NEWHOUSE/OL/TCU/6’4/320 PPP RANK #157
This is one of my favorite Picks in this DRAFT. I got to see NEWHOUSE do his thing at the SHRINE WEEK in Orlando back in January. Believe me when I tell you this is one of those guys who looks even bigger than his height and weight would indicate. He has a massive frame. He is a tad too slow with his feet to play OT in the NFL in my opinion, but he should make a massive brawler on the inside, and his footwork would be better than many of his peers at OG. WHITEY was watching this guy up close and personal during line drills at SHRINE GAME practices.
I think he really helped himself with his work at the COMBINE. He was the third fastest OL in the 40-yard dash with an amazing time of 5.00 seconds. He also had the fastest 3-Cone time of 7.40 in the OL group. Those work-out numbers alone do not make you an elite player, but they certainly indicate athleticism not typical of a player with his size numbers. We’ll find out if JAMES CAMPEN is a good NFL OL Coach, based on his success, or lack thereof, in developing this guy into an NFL starter.
I almost forgot... as a big believer in quality genetics, I think it worth mentioning that his cousin is ROBERT NEWHOUSE who was a starting FB for the COWBOYS.

ROUND 6 PICK 193 JAMES STARKS/RB/BUFFALO/6’2/218 PPP RANK #134
STARKS missed his senior year in college after opting for major shoulder surgery last Summer. Assuming that he passed all his medical exams with flying colors over the past three months, and can return to his previous playing levels, he could be a real steal here in Round 6. He’s a bit tall for the RB position, making him a large target for tacklers if he is running upright, but he seems to have that forward lean that the Scouts are always looking for.
He’s a bit more athletic than many folks think. He had the 7th fastest 40-time at the COMBINE timing at 4.50 just behind HARDESTY. He also had the 5th best 3-Cone drill time in Indy, again just behind HARDESTY, who was selected in Round 2 by the BROWNS.
I’ve heard some fans question whether his skills fit the 3rd-Down NFL RB job description. Maybe many of those questioning him don’t realize that he averaged over 40 catches per year in his 3 seasons at BUFFALO. I sense very good value at this Pick . Notice the trend here?

ROUND 7 PICK 230 C.J. WILSON/DE/EAST CAROLINA/6’3/285 PPP RANK #123
My mouth fell open for two reasons when I heard WILSON’s name called in Round 7. I had lost track of the fact that he was still on the Board. Then I realized it was E.J. WILSON from UNC who had gone to the SEA HAWKS back in Round 4. My first thought was that Seattle had DRAFTED the wrong WILSON back at Pick 127. No one is going to admit the possible mistaken identity, but folks it wouldn’t be the first time in the history of the NFL DRAFT that name confusion had altered an actual Pick. I had C.J. ranked as my 123rd best overall player on my final Regardless List. And I wasn’t alone in that value opinion. The GBN Report had him Ranked @ 118, and PFW slotted him @ 145.
WILSON has nice size and athleticism for a 5-Technique job in the League. The biggest knock on him as a 4-3 DE for the Pirates was that he showed minimal pass-rush ability. That is much less of a factor in the 3-4 alignment. Mark this down as a major steal, with C.J. being a regular in the DE rotation this coming Fall.

It may not have been a sexy DRAFT for the PACKERS, but I am very impressed at the Value-at-the-Pick quotient this year. A team never finds answers for all their needs in one DRAFT. But the PACK seem to have come up with some serious talent to plug into the majority of their apparent roster holes.
In the next week I will also take a detailed look at the Rookie Free Agent class that Green Bay has signed, on the perverbial 4th Day of the DRAFT.

NFL DRAFT 2011

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:11:16 -0500

With Training Camps just opening, and a handful of 2010 DRAFTEES still unsigned it seems a bit early to me to start a detailed 2011 DRAFT Prospects list. Then again how can it ever be too soon to initiate some DRAFT TALK. So let’s start out preliminarily with my TOP 20 Prospects whose impact on the field and on Football Odds will be significant. I am including Underclassmen who will be DRAFT eligible.

1) ANDREW LUCK/QB/STANFORD/6’4/235/SO Somehow this stereotype of the ideal NFL QB was Redshirted as a freshman. So even though he shows as a Sophomore on the roster he will be eligible for next year’s DRAFT. Barring unforeseen circumstances I fully expect him to go zooming past LOCKER in the eyes of NFL Scouts this season.

1) JAKE LOCKER/QB/WASHINGTON/6’3/225 If he shows the improvement this season that he did last under HC STEVE SARKISIAN’s guidance he will be a hot commodity in NFL DRAFT Rooms. He has all the tools to weave the kind of magic JOHN ELWAY did in the NFL. Now he just needs to mature and hone those skills as a senior.

1) A. J. GREEN/WR/GEORGIA/6’4/210/JR His size, speed, leaping ability and productivity in a pro style offense make GREEN a highly seductive prospect. Right now I would say he has CALVIN JOHNSON potential and is a surefire TOP 10 prospect if he decides to come out early.

1) ADRIAN CLAYBORN/DE/IOWA/6’4/285 His only reason to return to college for his senior season was love of the college game and loyalty to his Coaches and teammates. He was NFL ready this year and would have been a Round 1 Draftee. He absolutely dominated in their Bowl win over GA TECH. He has the size and skills to excel in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. He has a JARED ALLEN type motor and great physical tools.

1) MARK INGRAM/RB/ALABAMA/5’10/215/JR He reminds me so much of EMMITT SMITH that it scares me. That may not translate to quite the productivity of SMITH in this different NFL offensive era. But his balance, toughness and work ethic will be irresistible to a team in need of a No.1 RB to tote the pigskin 20-25 times a game.

1) ROBERT QUINN/DE/UNC/65/270/JR How about a player with the skill set and athleticism of JULIUS PEPPERS and the work ethic and energy of JARED ALLEN (there’s that name again). If he has another big season in 2010 he becomes a potential premium Pick next Spring. He’s that good and productive. Just ask the UNC coaches about his attitude both on and off the field.

1) MARCELL DAREUS/DE/ALABAMA/6’4/305/JR He was arguably the best DL on the Alabama national championship team in the 2009 season. He has excellent strength and good quickness. He can power rush or put on an effective spin move. He plays the run and/or the pass. He can fit either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

1) RYAN MALLETT/QB/ARKANSAS/6’6/240/JR The kid RICH RODRIQUEZ ran out of Michigan blossomed nicely under BOBBY PETRINO last season. And there is no reason to think he won’t look even better after another year under PETRINO’s tutelage. He’s large and not exactly a roll-the-pocket guy, but some teams in the NFL still love a big armed, accurate passer. He has BIG BEN potential, and I expect him to come out because I think he has been in college football for about 5 years already.

1) PATRICK PETERSON/CB/LSU/6’1/210 NFL teams salivate at the thought of guys with his size/speed combo starting on the Corner for them. He has some rough edges, but I expect him to pick up the pace as a cover man this season. He should rank as the top CB prospect by the end of this season.

1) CAMERON HEYWARD/DE/OHIO STATE/6’5/290 We may be looking at the prototype of a 3-4 DE here. CAMERON, son of IRON HEAD, is an adequate pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme, but his length, strength and athleticism are ideal for a standard 3-4 scheme. Coming back for his senior season in Columbus was a great decision (barring injury). If he steps it up just a bit this season he propels himself into TOP 12 DRAFT status, instead of a late R1, early R2 prospect.

The next 10...

11) JONATHAN BALDWIN/WR/PITT/6’5/225/JR Does the kinds of things LARRY FITZ did at PITT last decade.
12) PRINCE AMUKAMARA/CB/NEBRASKA/6’1/200 Big time athlete who is being nurtured nicely by PELINI boys.
13) ALLEN BAILEY/DE/MIAMI (F)/6’4/285 Fine, productive athlete who may be best in 4-3, but can play 3-4.
14) MARVIN AUSTIN/DT/UNC/6’3/305 Has elite talent and potential, but his productivity is only good not great.
15) VON MILLER/OLB/TEXAS A&M/6’3/240 A sack master who will need to convert to stand-up OLB.
16) GREG ROMEUS/DE/PITT/6’5/270 Long, lean natural pass-rusher who should thrive in a 4-3 pro scheme.
17) BRUCE CARTER/OLB/UNC/6’3/230 All-over-the-field tackling machine best suited for 4-3 WIL position.
18) SAM ACHO/OLB/TEXAS/6’3/260 He follows in the footsteps of ORAKPO & KINDLE. Any more questions?
19) GABE CARIMI/OT/WISCONSIN/6’7/315 Should be good fit @ OT for West Coast O scheme.
1) MIKE POUNCEY/OC/FLORIDA/6’4/310 His Draft status may hinge greatly on how his twin does for STEELERS.
2) ANTHONY CASTONZO/OT/B.C./6’7/300 A polished, pass blocking expert. Only lack f bulk scares me.
3) AARON WILLIAMS/CB/TEXAS/6’1/190/JR The best athlete in the best secondary in college football.
4) JULIO JONES/WR/ALABAMA/6’4/210/JR Talent is superior, but separation & productivity need work this year.
5) MCHAEL FLOYD/WR/NOTRE DAME/6’3/220/JR Has the size and desire to be great pro, but stats may drop.
6) RAHIM MOORE/FS/UCLA/6’1/190/JR Wide ranging ballhawk, who has a nose for the ball & mucho talent.
7) NATE SOLDER/OT/COLORADO/6’8/300 See comments on CASTONZO above. Very athletic big man.
8) STEPHEN PAEA/DT/OREGON ST/6’1/300 Probably the functionally strongest player in the country with attitude.
9) TRAVIS LEWIS/OLB/OKLAHOMA/6’2/232/JR Is a JR & has already led team in tackles twice... monster talent.
10) TERRELLE PRYOR/QB/OHIO ST/6’5/230/JR He is the new VY, and has more pro potential than TEBOW.
11) GREG LITTLE/WR/UNC/6’3/215 Not a speedster, but is big with good hands and a nose for the big play.

This should be another season of exciting, upset prone games, with lots of future NFL players starting their stuff on Saturday one more year. And rest assured some guys not on this list will emerge and push their way into Round One of the 2001 NFL DRAFT. I can hardly wait for next weekend and the start of the season.

Rookie Report

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:19:44 -0500

The NFL Pre-Season is rolling through Week 2, and players are winning and losing roster spots with every game. Nothing is a sure thing at this stage, but I would like to comment on some Rookies who are making strong early impressions on their Coaches. They will also be garnering scrutiny from other teams’ Personnel Departments in anticipation of cuts and injuries in the weeks to come. Here are some guys who have gotten my attention early on.

DEXTER DAVIS/OLB/ARIZONA ST/6’1/244 #58 Round7/Pick 236 SEA HAWKS
DAVIS had a stellar college career, at times, but did not show much other than the ability to rush the passer from the outside. He is technically fighting the conversion battle to playing standing up in the NFL. But the SEA HAWKS Coaching Staff has seen enough of his pass rush talent to find ways to use him already. He has been a real weapon in the first two games totaling 10 Tackles and posting a Sack in both games. Only time will tell if he can convert to a full-time OLB slot, but as long as he pushes himself on Special Teams duty some NFL team will find a place on a 53-man roster for a guy who crank out Sacks on a regular basis.

GARRETT GRAHAM/TE/WISCONSIN/6’3/241 #88 Round 4/Pick 118 TEXANS
Slightly undersized to be a true in-line NFL TE, it seemed to me that he was more of an H-B receiving weapon similar to another former Badger OWEN DANIELS (who also happens to play in Houston now). The jury is still out on the long term prognosis, but in DANIELS absence GRaham has stepped up and looked like that dependable pass-catching option for the TEXANS. This week he had 3 catches, for 32 yards & 1 TD in the Houston loss to the SAINTS. he has the ability to continue this productivity, but the question becomes what the TEXANS do when DANIELS comes back healthy and ready to play. My thinking is they will find a way to get this receiving weapon on the field enough to help their attack.

ADRIAN TRACY/OLB/WM & MARY/6’2/248 #98 Round 6/Pick 184 GIANTS
Once again we see a natural athlete, from a small school, trying to translate his game to the NFL. In TRACY’s case this means learning to play standing up as an OLB. In my opinion this change is complicated by the fact that the GIANTS play a 4-3 D, which arguably forces the OLB to have a more complete skill-set than a 3-4 scheme does. After his performance against the STEELERS on Saturday night TRACY looks like he is making great strides in the conversion process. He jumped on the STEELERS for 9 total tackles with a mix of run stuffing and dropping into pass coverage. The best news at this point for GIANTS fans is that he shows more natural athleticism than many of the OLB candidates currently on their roster.

GREG HARDY/DE/OLE MISS/6’4/277 #76 Round 6/Pick 175 PANTHERS
For now it looks like the PANTHERS have struck gold in the enigmatic Ole Miss star. He has 8 tackles in two games including 2 Sacks in the opener with Baltimore. He is a superior athlete with size and athleticism, and natural pass rush moves. He has been dogged by foot and head problems. And I mean between the ears not concussions. The tease is on, and perhaps only HARDY himself can tell you if he can sustain this level of play and become a good NFL player, or be derailed by his “issues” both on and off the field. Stay tuned for further developments here.

DEVIN McCOURTY/CB/RS/RUTGERS/5’10/195 #32 Round 1/Pick 27 PATRIOTS
Some personnel people thought DEVIN was a “safe” Pick for the PATS at their slot in the First Round. Some of us thought he was a great athlete, determined and smart player who had a chance to be great. After 2 Pre-Season Games, can you say Instant Starter?! In two games he is already responsible for 8 tackles, 1 pass-defensed and a forced fumble. It seems like just a matter of time until he gets the first INT of his pro career. He is already showing that he is a complete player and truly understands the CB position. He is also a threat if the PATS decide they need his elusiveness in the return game.

VICTOR CRUZ/WR/UMASS/6’0/200 #3 RFA GIANTS
Often the stage on which you do your best work is just as important as the work itself. It doesn’t get any better for a RFA like CRUZ to steal the receiving spotlight on the evening the brand new GIANTS/JETS Stadium is opened with an intra-city showdown for the championship of NYC/NJ. Oh yeah... the game was also on national television as well. Did I also mention he is from nearby Patterson, N.J.? That is exactly the backdrop for a great breakout performance for the college teammate of the JETS Rookie OL/VLAD DUCASSE. CRUZ is a good sized receiver, with decent speed, good hands and a strong feel for finding the ball in the air, and responding to it. He translated those attributes into a 6 catch-145 yard- 3 TD catch performance. He burned every CB the JETS put out there in place of M.I.A./CB DARRELLE REVIS. There is a long road to travel from this game to a September roster spot, but it could happen if CRUZ can follow up with more strong work in the coming weeks. Watch this guy in upcoming games if you’re on the prowl for surprise Rookies to make NFL rosters this Fall.

GENO ATKINS/DT/GEORGIA/6’1/290 #97 Round 4/Pick # 120 BENGALS None of us doubted ATKINS’ athleticism and productivity as a college football player. But there were significant questions about his ability to translate his game to the NFL at 6’ tall, and under 300 lbs. After 3 Pre-season games it looks like ATKINS will be able to hold his own, and then some, as a quick, penetrating 3-Technique DT in a 4-3 scheme. He has been outstanding, if not dominant, through 3 games thus far. His quickness off the ball and ability to penetrate through blocking gaps reminds me of a young WARREN SAPP right now. He has totaled 14 tackles, including 3.5 Sacks (at least 1 in each game), while disrupting opposing teams’ backfields play after play. He looks to have already staked a claim to an inside slot in the BENGALS DL rotation.

AARON HERNANDEZ/TE/H-B/FLORIDA/6’1/245 #85 Round 4/Pick 213 PATRIOTS
HERNANDEZ is another example of a college player without the perfect size/skill set needed to play his listed college position at the pro level. But just like ATKINS above, he does have the athleticism and football acumen to play with the big boys. That seems to be exactly what the PATS are discovering this Pre-Season. He is lining up in multiple spots, while establishing himself as a valuable new weapon for QB/ TOM BRADY. In two games he has caught 7 balls, for 72 yards and 1 TD. HIs hands, coordination and ball skills were on full display with his turning/twisting TD catch against Atlanta. He is not likely to win a starting slot, but I will be shocked if he doesn’t see the field a lot, and not as a decoy.

JAMAR WALL/CB/TEXAS TECH/5’10/202 #30 Round 6/Pick 196 COWBOYS
Maybe spending all his time in practice in college trying to stop the MIKE LEACH aerial circus prepped this guy better than most to deal with the NFL passing attacks. He has looked good, by all reports, since the first post-DRAFT OTA. He was a surprise starter in the HOF Game. He has shown good coverage ability ( 2 PD) and as advertised he has been a very aggressive and solid tackler. He has 9 Tackles in 2 games thus far. His strength and aggressiveness will serve him well on Special Teams, and he looks like a good early bet to make this team and play in some coverage sub-packages right away.

JAVARRIS JAMES/RB/MIAMI (F)/6’0/215 #35 RFA COLTS
I was very surprised in April when JAMES was not Drafted. So I was watching closely to see where he landed as a RFA. The COLTS are a good team for his skill set as a versatile RB who can also catch the ball in space. He faces a very crowded backfield and is realistically fighting with MIKE HART & DEVIN MOORE for the 3rd and final RB slot on the roster. MOORE is making an impression with his return skills, but JAMES is looking the part of an NFL player three weeks into Training Camp. He has amassed 46 yards on 12 carries through 2 games, as well as catching 3 passes. He has an uphill battle, but as many of us suspected he certainly looks like he has a chance. It would only take an injury to one of the other combatants to propel him into strong contention for a roster spot.

For those you PACKERS fans looking for my take on some of their Rookies just be patient a day or two. i will be posting a new edition of PACKERS STUFF now that they have played 2 games.

10/07/2010 For those of us who are avowed DRAFTNIKS at heart, following the progress of each year’s Rookie Class is a major part of our NFL study. This section of my site will be devoted to tracking developments of the current crop of Rookies as they begin their NFL careers. We will of course look at non-Drafted Rookies as well.

The big news of the day is obviously the contract agreement between MICHAEL CRABTREE and the 49‘ers today. Now the question becomes how soon he gets on the field and contributes. See you in November MICHAEL.

I sat down Tuesday and ran through the official NFL Media list of game starters for all games played in Week 4 of the current season. I also went back to Week 3 to check out the starters for the Week 4 Bye teams. I am including K, P & LS in my listings as starters because of their significance to the games.
There were 37 Rookie starters for the 32 NFL teams. Two former Rookie starters, JASON SMITH/OT/RAMS and PERIA JERRY/DT/FALCONS were missing from the ranks because of injury. Unfortunately, JERRY is out for the season. SMITH may be back in November from what I have heard.
The highest Draftee to start is of course No.1 overall Pick matthew stafford, who suffered a knee injury in the BEARS game and may now be out of action for a while. Under the category of “quite a coincidence” the lowest drafted player to start is MR. IRRELEVANT RYAN SUCCOP/K/CHIEFS. He was selected with the 256th and final Pick of the DRAFT.
The lowest Drafted starting position player was actually JASON McCOURTY/CB/TITANS who was drafted in Round 6 at Pick 203.
There are currently no Undrafted Rookies starting for their NFL teams.

The list of starters does not include another 2 dozen plus players who are big contributors to their teams, despite not actually starting... yet. You may have heard of some of these players before...
PERCY HARVIN/WR/RS/VIKES
DONALD BROWN/RB/COLTS
AUSTIN COLLIE/WR/COLTS
KENNY BRITT/WR/TITANS
KNOWSHON MORENO/RB/BRONCOS
JEREMY MACLIN/WR/EAGLES
SEBASTIAN VOLMER/OT/PATRIOTS
DARIUS BUTLER/CB/PATRIOTS
VONTAE DAVIS/CB/DOLPHINS
etc...

I think you catch my drift here. As I had said on multiple occasions as the DRAFT approached last Spring, all the moaning and groaning by NFL Personnel People about the lack of talent in the Draft Pool was the usual CYA that they always engage in. Next year always looks better until it arrives. Then they spend months yearning for the following year’s talent pool. I see plenty of Rookies contributing to their teams in 2009, and that number will increase when CRABTREE is ready to go, and guys like ANDRE SMITH, JASON SMITH, B.J. RAJI. et al get fully healthy and into game shape.

Power Rankings

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:50:33 -0500

NFL POWER RANKINGS 2010

I’ve given you my entire POWER RANKINGS list over the past month (or so). Here it is in recap form from 32 thru 1.

The BOTTOM FEEDERS

1) ST. LOUIS RAMS Let’s throw out some good news first. This team is getting better. I am still thinking that SPAGS is going to develop into a fine NFL Head Coach. I also like their last two DRAFTS. They are now adding players who have the talent to be successful in the NFL. I also like the fact that the franchise may soon be out of the clutches of the FRONTIERRE family. Having said all of those things this roster still cannot compete from week-to-week with the vast majority of the NFL’s teams. The team won only 1 game last year, and I think they can build that up to a 4-12 if things go very well. But they are counting on so many young players to lift them up (i.e. BRADFORD, GILYARD, LAURINAITIS, AVERY, SAFFOLD, SMITH, etc.) that it is truly unrealistic to expect too much, too soon. Another good DRAFT in 2011 and this team could avoid this slot next summer.

1) TAMPA BAY BUCS It’s never a good situation when team ownership is a family affair, and the financial roof may be falling in on the parent company. It was clear going into the 2009 season that the GLAZER’s were in a cut and slash mode with their roster and payroll. And they head into 2010 in a League that has no Salary Cap, on either end of the spectrum. The BUCS are well into the process of seeing how little they can commit to their payroll for 2010. Like the RAMS, there is a solid young base of talent building here, but it is doubtful that the combination of inexperienced players and Coaches that currently reside in Tampa are going to put it all together and improve much, if at all, over their 3 Win total from 2009. They are building up a young talent base, but not quickly enough to offset the payroll purge of the past two years.

1) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS The 2009 JAGS managed to wrack up 7 wins, and contend for their division title into December. I am still surprised they were almost able to play .500 with their roster. I have a gut feeling that 2010 is the year the bottom falls out. They did very little to improve the team for the 2010 season. I feel they had a weak DRAFT effort (worst in the NFL in fact). Even some of their better Picks (LANE & KARIM) may not help much for another season or two. More often than not Draftees from D2 competition need more time to adjust to the talent level step-up of the NFL. With their Secondary and LB crew I can see lots of points being surrendered, and I am not a big DAVID GARRARD fan as a starting NFL QB. This could be at least a 10-loss season in Jacksonville with ugly economic consequences for the franchise. California here they come!

1) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Things aren’t getting better fast enough to keep CHIEFS fans happy.. and I can’t blame them. Half of this year’s DRAFT Class are specialists more than potential starters. The roster is still in need of serious upgrading, and that begins with players who better fit the team’s schemes, which all changed last season. They have a caretaker QB, who does not have enough weapons to work with to overcome his own limitations. Depth is pretty much non-existent at many positions. Expect a third of their roster to be new, but don’t expect it to be markedly better than the 2009 players. Let it also be said that I am still not sold on TODD HANEY as an NFL Head Coach. It seems safe to anticipate another 10 loss season in the city of barbecue tailgating. They may improve their record by 1 or 2 Wins, but those projecting a .500 record are looking at things very differently than I am.

1) SEATTLE SEA HAWKS Consider this projection to be a wake-up call for those folks who think that PETE CARROLL is going to come back to the NFL and turn this team into an overnight sensation. It just won’t happen folks. This team has so many holes that it could be mistaken for an overripe slice of Swiss Cheese. Unless most of their DRAFT Picks end up starting (and playing at a high level) and CHARLIE WHITEHURST becomes the next AARON RODGERS, this team cannot avoid a 10-loss season. For every bit of progress they made with adding players through the DRAFT they took a hit with vet losses like WALTER JONES, PATRICK KERNEY, NATE BURLESON, et al. DRAFT Picks are the way to build your team, but it takes time for those players to blossom in most cases. CARROLL can’t recruit his roster and this year may require a lot of stiff Espresso in the land of coffee for real SEA HAWKS fans.

1) BUFFALO BILLS This is a team that really could surprise, because there are spots on the team that have some serious young talent. But there are also some very big holes to fill that do not seem to have an answer right now... like QB & OT. If CHAN GAILEY can turn around the once promising career of TRENT EDWARDS/QB, and open the Offense a bit this team could approach .500. But in the tough AFC East that looks like a daunting task. The switch on Defense to a 3-4 scheme looks like a solid move overall, but it requires adjustments from almost every player on the field and could cost them several TDs a game for a month or two. Mark it down for another 10-Loss effort, and a pending move to Toronto looming larger than ever before.

1) DENVER BRONCOS I’ve changed my opinion on the future of TIM TEBOW in Denver. Looking over the BRONCOS roster I think they will throw in the towel by November, and TEBOW will begin his NFL starting career with a severe dose of “hard knocks”. If McDANIELS and his assistants can coach this group of players to anything approaching 8-8, he may be well on his way to being proclaimed the next LITTLE BILL. Their 2010 roster will look nothing like the one that came up on the team website in January of 2009. In the long run that is probably a good thing, but over the short haul there is not enough pro-ready talent to win right now in Denver. How would you like to be KYLE ORTON (or TEBOW) and realize your current receiving options are guys named DECKER(R), GAFNEY, LLOYD, STOKLEY, ROYAL & THOMAS(R)? Those guys caught a combined 118 balls in the League in 2009. The departed BRANDON MARSHALL alone caught 101 balls last season. PAT BOWLEN may have a really tough year, watching his former Coach (MIKE SHANAHAN) win more games in Washington this season than his present Coach does.

25) CLEVELAND BROWNS This could be a very cruel season for long-suffering BROWNS fans. The team showed signs of life during the latter part of the 2009 season, winning their final 4 games. But new Emperor MIKE HOLMGREN decided he needed to tear his new team apart, starting with the QB position. So, gone are ANDERSON & QUINN, and in is JAKE DELHOMME, at age 35. OPIE has been a turnover machine for the past 2 seasons in Carolina, and that’s with a team that has a ground game featuring WILLIAMS/STEWART, who rushed for 2,250 yards at over 5.0 ypc in 2009. I doubt his runners /OL in Cleveland will provide him with that kind of ball control to hide behind. The overall roster looks improved, a bit, but it will not translate into any more than last season’s 5 Wins. And to make matters worse, such a performance probably means that HOLMGREN will bring in a new Coach in 2011. And that will extend the rebuilding process for another couple of seasons... at least.

The PRETENDERS

1) DETROIT LIONS When you consider that this franchise suffered the ignominy of a winless season just 2 years ago, saying they are no longer a bottom feeder is significant progress. They continue to add talent and balance to their roster. Their two 2010 First Rounders, SUH & BEST, should be significant contributors to their improvement. If the revamped OL can protect STAFFORD better this season, expect him to make significant strides as an NFL starting QB (although I think INTs are going to be a struggle for him). The coaching staff led by JIM SCHWARTZ seems like the real deal at this point in time. The hibernating LIONS may finally be awakening to prowl in the NFC North.

1) CAROLINA PANTHERS Methinks the Play-Off contending run is over in Charlotte. There are internal management issues within the franchise and the FOX/HURNEY tandem is probably down to their last go-round unless they make big Play-Off noise. The talent base on this team is eroding and ownership does not have the deep pockets to ride out the economic downturn. They should be better off overall at QB with OPIE out of town, but a lot of higher priced vets have been sent away (PEPPERS/DIGGS/LEWIS) and their roster spots have been filled with no-names who play cheap right now. They will get some wins against teams that cannot stop their running tandem of WILLIAMS/STEWART, but the horsepower seems lacking to beat the good teams like Atlanta & New Orleans, within their own division.

1) OAKLAND RAIDERS Don’t look now, but the joke may be over in Oakland. The RAIDERS have actually made some smart football moves over the past 12 months, and appear poised to be respectable again... almost. They seem to be developing some heart under the CABLE GUY, and have stopped overpaying for every over-the-hill, problem veteran in the League who becomes available. Now that JaMarcus has been sent packing they can actually have a valid QB competition between CAMPBELL & GRADKOWSKI. If their revamped OL can open some holes they have a strong rotation at RB in McFADDEN & BUSH. Thanks to a very solid 2010 DRAFT they should have a nice blend of youth and vet experience. They have a decent chance to avoid a double-digit loss season in 2010.

1) TENNESSEE TITANS I have the ultimate respect for JEFF FISHER as an NFL Head Coach, but he does not seem to have improved the team’s personnel since gaining more control a few years back. Losing vets like VANDEN BOSCH, BULLUCK & FAT ALBERT has really taken a toll on their talent pool on the Defensive side of the ball. And I think the jury is still out on VINCE YOUNG as a Franchise QB. CHRIS JOHNSON is a superb weapon, but I am wondering how long a 5’11/200 lb. RB can touch the ball over 400 times from scrimmage, and keep on ticking. The roster is thin, and lacking in impact players overall. Expect this to be a tough year in Nashville, with the TEXANS moving past them in the AFC South.

1) WASHINGTON REDSKINS The ill-fated JIM ZORN era is over in D.C. and the franchise is in the previously successful (elsewhere) hands of MIKE SHANAHAN & BRUCE ALLEN. They kept DAN SNYDER from overspending for every VFA in the League, and actually conducted a DRAFT that netted some functional talent to improve the roster. There is talent on the team, but there are also some serious holes (like OL). It is also highly questionable in my mind as to how impactful DONOVAN McNABB is really going to be surrounded by decent, but not exceptional offensive weapons. This season could go either way for the ‘SKINS, but I am thinking this is a .500 club, not a serious Play-Off contender.

1) CHICAGO BEARS If this team does not make the Play-Offs in 2010 many feel heads will roll. Heads will roll! This team is being turned upside down to try to accommodate the talents of JAY CUTLER. A MIKE MARTZ Offensive scheme in Chicago, in the franchise of PAPA BEAR HALAS?! This kind of heresy could end up being a recipe for disaster when all is said and done. The team did next to nothing to shore up a poor OL, and the D is beginning to show it’s age. Former unit leaders URLACHER & HARRIS have been hurt more often than healthy the past few seasons. I also have serious questions about the value of new DE JULIUS PEPPERS, who was the picture of inconsistency during his PANTHERS career. Unless MARTZ can pull off a miracle in changing CUTLER from a turnover machine into an offensive efficiency machine this team has no chance to be anything more than mediocre in 2010.

1) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES ANDY REID and JEFF LAWRIE have rolled the dice and decided that in order to win that elusive Super Bowl title they needed to end the old McNABB-era and move forward with a new cast of characters. Teams do reach that stage at some point, but the new talent brought in this past off-season does not exceed the overall talent level of the old roster. Their DRAFT does not appear to have added much potential immediate impact to the roster. All of a sudden this team may be too young, and inexperienced to seriously compete with the GIANTS & COWBOYS. KOLB may be the best long term QB option for the EAGLES, but their Defense looks to me to be seriously undermanned. If this team posts a winning record it could be REID’s strongest coaching effort to date.

17) ARIZONA CARDINALS The franchise that has improved by leaps and bounds the past two years appears to be poised to take a giant step backwards this season. The list of roster subtractions this off-season has been astounding: WARNER, BOLDEN, ROLLE, DANSBY, RACKERS, BERRY. The players they have brought in to replace the departing guys are a notch below in talent, and up in years... RHODES, FANECA, PORTER, FEELY. They aren’t sliding back to a double-digit losses, but I doubt they win the weak NFC West. The biggest question in town is whether or not a guy named LEINART is up to the challenge of leading a contending team to their division title. I say no!

The CONTENDERS

1) HOUSTON TEXANS 2009 marked the first time this franchise has had a winning season, 9-7. Their next goal is double digit wins and a Play-Off spot. This might be the year, but I have several serious concerns about the team before I’m ready to consider them a solid contender. I like their passing game and consider their Defensive front-7 to be top notch. But I do not see them being able to run the ball consistently to execute clock/ball control, and I still see serious deficiencies in the secondary. I am still waiting to see two solid Safeties emerge for this team, and now they are without their best CB in the departed DUNTA ROBINSON. We’ll also find out this season how effective GARY KUBIAK and his staff really are. They should finish second in the AFC South, but I can’t see them touching the COLTS yet.

1) NEW YORK GIANTS TOM COUGHLIN needs to regroup the troops and get more consistent performances out of almost everyone than he did in 2009. Fairly or not, it begs the question as to whether he can still push the right buttons with his players after 6 seasons on the job in NYC. I think unless the team returns to the Play-Offs and wins a game or two there, COUGHLIN could feel the heat. Despite some detractors, I think ELI ranks as one of the TOP 10 QB in League. He has a solid (if unspectacular) corps of young receivers. When everyone is healthy they still have an adequate running game to rely on. The real key to the season should lie on the Defensive side of the ball. New DC/PERRY FEWELL should re-energize the troops as long as guys like UMENYORA, TUCK & PHILLIPS are healthy. The list of newcomers on the D who must contribute on a weekly basis is headed by PIERRE-PAUL, JOSEPH, BULLUCK, ROLLE & GRANT. This team is a notch below the COWBOYS overall, but should leap-frog the retooled EAGLES.

1) SAN FRANCISCO 49‘ERS Don’t be sleeping on this team folks. They have built a solid talent base and are a serious, determined team on Sundays under HC/MIKE SINGLETARY and his staff. The key will once again be the ability of ALEX SMITH to be a smart, consistent driver of the Niner’s bus. The running game should be outstanding with three quality parts in GORE/COFFEE/DIXON. Their Defense is a nice balance of youth and vets who fit their scheme well and compliment each others’ skills nicely. With the key losses in Arizona this team has a solid chance to capture the NFC West and make a Play-Off appearance for the first time since 2002.

1) CINCINNATI BENGALS 2009 was a very successful season for the BENGALS who were not even on the Play-Off radar at this time last year. And now the challenge is to show that last season’s performance was not an aberration. They have the talent to contend, but are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. How do they finish ahead of the RAVENS & STEELERS? Perhaps the most logical cause for optimism is the fact that they won 10 games last year without CARSON PALMER having a stellar season. His 83.6 Passer Rating placed him 16th in the League, just behind KYLE ORTON & JASON CAMPBELL. If he can rediscover his pre-injury performance levels he may enjoy some of his new weapons: T.O., JERMAINE GRESHAM, ANTONIO BRYANT, MATT JONES, JORDAN SHIPLEY. To me this team is on the tightrope, able to repeat their 10-win season, or just as easily lose 10 games.

1) MIAMI DOLPHINS While the JETS were ascending last season in the AFC East the DOLPHINS slid back below the .500 mark. The PARCELLS rebuilding job continues in South Florida, and despite a few set backs I am impressed mightily by the leadership of the PARCELLS/IRELAND/SPARANO triumvirate. They have once again jettisoned some older vets, and under-achieving big names in favor of younger players who better fit their scheme designs. Also, do not discount the positive impact of new DC/MIKE NOLAN on the Defense. If everyone is healthy I am greatly impressed by additions like BRANDON MARSHALL, DANSBY, INCOGNITO, ODRICK, MISI & JERRY. A critical piece of the puzzle will be the healthy return of RONNIE BROWN to key their running game. If the newcomers and younger players can turn it up a notch this team could be nipping at the heals of the currently more glamorous JETS & PATRIOTS this December.

1) PITTSBURGH STEELERS The 2009 season seems to have exposed some serious holes in the STEELERS squad. Once HAIR TROY was deleted from the secondary teams began to put up huge passing yards and scores. The running game was OK, but not on 3rd Down and short yardage situations. So has the team plugged their holes... or at least some of them? Perhaps. Uncharacteristically, the team went out and signed multiple VFA, including former STEELERS RANDLE-EL, FOOTE, McFADDEN & LEFTWICH. These guys should have enough left in the tank to contribute to the cause. When WILLIE COLON went down they even brought in FLOZELL. A key to their DRAFT may be 6th Rounder JONATHAN DWYER/RB and his ability to pound the rock in those short yardage situations. And can TROY be counted on to stay healthy? If LEFTWICH can keep the team from a losing record in September, they should be good for 10 wins and a Wild Card birth.

1) ATLANTA FALCONS The rebuilding of the FALCONS roster under the capable supervision of GM/THOMAS DIMITROFF and HC/MIKE SMITH is progressing nicely. Almost all of the the teams key players are under the age of 30. Most of last year’s team returns with the notable additions of DUNTA ROBINSON/CB/T, SEAN WEATHERSPOON/LB/R and the healthy return of PERIA JERRY/DT/IR to bolster their Defense. If the SAINTS skip a few beats this team could be poised to move past them, but for now I see them being a Wild Card Play-Off entrant. They must stay healthy because they still have a ways to go in building up some roster depth. Can a healthy MATT RYAN truly emerge as a Franchise QB?

9) NEW YORK JETS There needs to be some caution in evaluating this self-anointed hot pick to go to the Super Bowl this season. Drinking too deeply from the REX RYAN Cool-Aid jug can be hazardous to your mental health. This team is talented, and has a swagger about them, but careful scrutiny reveals questionable depth in spots and a heavy reliance on the continued rapid growth of young players like SANCHEZ & GREENE. The team has also brought in some key vets like CROMARTIE & SANTONIO, who will have more than ample opportunity to get themselves into serious off-field problems in the Big Apple. I like this team in general, and consider them to a legit Play-Off team, but I’m not buying into elite status for them quite yet.

The ELITE EIGHT

8) GREEN BAY PACKERS After 4 straight seasons as the youngest roster in the League it seems only fair to assume that a solid talent base has been established and this team should now be a Play-Off contender for the immediate future. With a 7-1 record in the second half of the 2009 season they might indeed be on that threshold. It is now time for some good young players to emerge as true Pro Bowlers beyond AARON RODGERS. CLAY MATTHEWS was their only Rookie last year to make a significant impact on the team all season. In fact the Rookie Class of 2008 has also failed to make a large positive impact on the roster. If more players from the last three DRAFTS don’t step forward this season then this team could slide back instead of move forward. 2010 is a critical year for this team as young promise/potential players need to produce on a weekly basis out on the grass.

1) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Despite protestations to the contrary by LITTLE BILL the rebuilding process is well under way in New England. And like the PACKERS, the PATS need a serious number of their youngsters to step up and play like men against NFL competition. Losing LOGAN MANKINS to contract squabbles, and not adding a serious RB to the roster would seem to imply that TOM TERRIFIC is going to have to fill the air with even more passes than his League 3rd highest total of 565 pass attempts of 2009. And a lot of young guys will really have to step it up on the Defense to keep a lid on opponents’ scoring. The smallest Coaching Staff in the NFL has a lot of work to do, but don’t count them out. In spite of all of the hot air blowing up the coast from NYC the PATS are still the AFC East defending champs.

1) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS A month ago when I began compiling this list I had the BOLTS as my number one team. Then GM A.J. SMITH got embroiled in contract disputes with 3 key players: JACKSON, McNEIL & MERRIMAN. Two weeks into Camp only MERRIMAN has rejoined the team. This development is a major issue in this day and age when NFL roster depth is not strong enough to just move on without your top WR and the LT who protects your Franchise QB. They are still a talented team and I really think L.T. will be a forgotten man once RYAN MATHEWS shows his stuff as their starting RB. But they no longer look like the almost sure thing for a Super Bowl appearance that they might have been. They still look like a lock in the AFC West and have a good shot to go all the way. RIVERS will shoulder a huge amount of pressure to perform at an elite level for this team to go all the way now.

1) BALTIMORE RAVENS No team in the NFL has done more to try to upgrade their roster than the RAVENS. They have really juiced up the O with additions like BOLDEN, STALLWORTH, DICKSON, PITTA & BULGER. It may be time to cut loose JOE FLACCO/QB a bit, even though the running game will again be the basis of the offensive philosophy. They also added some key pieces to their Front 7 on D as well. Right now their biggest question is whether or not they can suit up two healthy, NFL caliber CBs or not. And they need S/ED REED back healthy and starting sooner rather than later. But there can be no doubt the overall talent, and attitude to go all the way is preeminent in Baltimore right now. Everyone in this franchise is ‘all-in’ for a Super Bowl run this year.

1) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS You can tell by this ranking that I think the SAINTS are for real coming off their first Super Bowl win as a franchise. They have quality talent sprinkled all over the roster and one of the most creative, dynamic young Head Coaches in the League in SEAN PEYTON. As long as they don’t spend too much time reading their press clippings and partying in the Big Easy, they are serous threats to make noise in the Play-Offs again. They are thin at the RB position, and a bit light in the pants along the DL. They really need a couple of their young LBs to step up and fill the shoes of SCOTT FUJITA. The spread-the-field attack as engineered by BREES wears down opposing defenses and keeps their small, quick D fairly fresh. There is not a lot new talent on the roster that figures to have an impact in 2010 other than DE/ALEX BROWN who takes CHARLES GRANT’s old job as a pass-rush specialist.

1) MINNESOTA VIKINGS Gee, would it surprise you if I said that this projection is based on the assumed return of BRETTT FAVRE, at least before the end of September? This is still a well balanced team, with a nice blend of youth and experience. They’ll miss a few guys like CHESTER TAYLOR & ARTIS HICKS, but in this day and age that’s not a lot for a top team to lose in the off-season. TARVARIS JACKSON can lead this team to a few wins over the short term, but not to Play-Off success over the long haul. The continuing migraine problems of PERCY HARVIN have to be a big concern. If FAVRE can’t play in September, and the WILLIAMS WALL has to finally serve their Substance Abuse Suspensions theVIKES could be in a hole too big to climb out of. Right now, on paper this is one of the NFL’s elite teams.

1) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS This is a backhanded compliment for the COLTS. I just don’t see anybody else in the AFC strong enough to knock them off this year. They will have to stay healthy. It would also be a good thing if their revamped OL was able to help establish a consistent running game so MR. PEYTON doesn’t have to pass a whopping 571 times (2nd in theLeague) again. On the Defensive side of the ball, a healthy BOB SANDERS/s and the emergence of young players like MOALA, HUGHES(R), ANGERER(R) & LACEY would go a long way in holding down the scores in a few games. Above all else, this team is thin in many places and must avoid a rash of injuries to succeed yet again. In all honesty, despite ranking them this high, I think the window of opportunity is closing for this team and they better be “all-in” for making a Super Bowl push this season.

1) DALLAS COWBOYS After looking at some of the issues of the other teams I concluded that JERRY JONES might indeed have his franchise in a position to host the upcoming Super Bowl and have his team playing in the game. Despite seemingly being the annual scapegoat when the COWBOYS fail to get to the SB, TONY ROMO is one of the TOP 10 QBs in the league in my opinion. DEZ BRYANT should be a big boost to the Offense in the second half of the season, but they have enough weapons to get by without him for a while if needed. Their 3-headed RB monster of BARBER/JONES/CHOICE is the deepest in the League. Replacing the aging, over-rated FLOZELL with a LT combo of FREE/BARRON should not be that big of a deal. It looks like their Front-7 on Defense will wreak havoc on most passing offenses. The key is putting enough pressure on opposing QBs that they can’t take advantage of deep coverage issues at the S position for the ‘BOYS. The biggest question for this team may be the ability of DAVID BUEHLER to handle kicking duties with NFL level accuracy.

That’s it folks! And I have one strong observation after spending hours of time checking rosters and stats from last season to make these rankings: none of these teams is a sure thing... especially at the top. Other than some bad bottom feeders the NFL s closer than ever to parity. Just a few key injuries can turn a 10-Win team into a below .500 also-ran. I do not expect anyone to be undefeated at the end of October this year. Be ready for a wild roller coaster ride.

NFL POWER RANKINGS 2009

PART FOUR 7/21/09 We’re only a few days away from the BILLS being the first team to open 2009 Training Camps. So let’s get on with ranking the Top 8 teams for the 2009 NFL season.

1) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS The biggest reason to slot this team at the top is the return of TOM BRADY. Everything points to him being healthy and 100% rededicated to football. This team was 11-5 last year without him. With all due respect for the stellar work of MATT CASSEL, the PATS should be much more effective in the Red Zone this year, and balance their attack with a revived deep throwing threat. THe PATS 5 top RBs had a combined 2,158 yds rushing in ’08, with only 93 from an injured MARONEY. They spent money and Draft Choices to bolster their D and make it younger. Barring a rash of significant injuries (again) this is a very talented, deep roster, which is motivated to win it’s fourth Super Bowl of the decade.

1) PITTSBURGH STEELERS There is no logical reason not to slot the STEELERS as the AFC’s other dominant team. They return most of their key players, and are fundamentally sound and motivated to sustain their success this decade. Their biggest weakness in ’08 was their Return Game work, where they ranked 29th and 31st, in Kick and Punt Returns respectively. They may have helped those areas tremendously with the Drafting of MIKE WALACE and JOE BURNETT. They finally Drafted along OL and DL to bring some youth into the roster picture. ‘FAST WILLIE’ PARKER doesn’t look so fast anymore, but if MENDENHALL is recovered physically, and mentally, from the broken shoulder he suffered from a RAY LEWIS hit, then the running game will have depth and versatility. No one looks forward to playing the physically and mentally tough STEELERS!

1) NEW YORK GIANTS The GIANTS are the most solid team in the NFC... again. Their Defense ranked in the top half of every statistical category, other than 3rd down efficiency last season. So, they went out and signed CHRIS CANTY, MICHAEL BOLEY, ROCKY BERNARD & C.C. BROWN to bolster the D. Most importantly, they expect a healthy OSI UMENYORA back to bring even more pass rush pressure. Their running game should carry the O despite the loss of DERRICK WARD to Free Agency. Watch for Draft Pick ANDRE BROWN to pick up that slack. My only concern for this team is the lack of top notch, established targets for ELI. Only 145 catches return to the roster at the WR/TE positions. Ex-GIANTS BURRESS and TOOMER combined, take away 83 catches. So unless HAKEEM NICKS comes on quickly in his Rookie season the GIANTS could be “challenged” in the passing game. But they are fundamentally solid, and battle tested as a team.

1) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS I think the string of 12-win seasons by the COLTS may end this season. But I think the pieces are in place for another Play-Off run. After finishing 24th in rushing yards allowed in ’08, and 31st in third-down defensive efficiency, the team has added some bulk to the Defensive front. Bad-Boy DT EDDIE JOHNSON was re-signed at 295 lbs., and they Drafted FILI MOALA (305) and TERRANCE TAYLOR (315) who should seriously beef up their DL. Expect more blitzing from the Defense this year. MR. PEYTON is healthy and will have a whole Training Camp to adjust to the absence of MARVIN HARRISON and TOM MOORE. REGGIE WAYNE and DALLAS CLARK could both have a shot at 100 catches if they stay healthy for 16 games. The best news for MANNING could be the possible emergence of Rookie DONALD BROWN (who rushed for over 2,000 yds. at UCONN last season), who could be the running threat that the EDGE was 6 years ago. They will miss DUNGY, but there is overall consistency to draw from in the Coaching Staff.

1) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES There have been some major changes on this roster... most of them positive. Their OL may be one of the best it has been in years with the addition of ANDREWS & PETERS, but if WESTBROOK has lingering ankle/leg issues there will be little to no running game, which really puts the heat on McNABB. Their traditionally solid D will be seriously challenged with the leadership loss of BRIAN DAWKINS/S and D-Coordinator JIM JOHNSON, who is fighting cancer right now. It is possible that the ultimate success of this team will hinge greatly on the development and contributions of ROOKIES MACLIN/WR/PR, CORKY INGRAM/TE & LeSEAN McCOY/RB. They could come through, but that’s a lot to ask in the NFL for a team trying to win a Super Bowl. This is a 10-win team that will not go very far come January.

1) DALLAS COWBOYS Part of me thinks this ranking is way too high and this team is primed for a very disappointing season. There is no one to replace drama-queen T.O., but the new game plan seems to be run, run and run some more. If everyone is healthy the troika of BARBER/FELX JONES/CHOICE, running behind one of the biggest OL in the League, could be very successful. WITTEN may have to grab 100 balls this year, because the WR corps is at the least unproven. The team is undisciplined under WADE, as evidenced by their 32nd place penalty differential ranking last season. Do we really think that ROMO-minus-SIMPSON makes TONY a premier QB? Their D has some big playmakers, like WARE/NEWMAN/RATLIFF, but the unit gave up 30 points or more 6 times in ’08. If the injury bug hits hard, this team has very little depth. They may get their 10-win season, but still miss the Play-Offs this year.

1) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS PHILP RIVERS has arrived as one of the premier QBs in the NFL. His 105.5 Passer Rating was the best in the League, and he has been accepted by his teammates as their unquestioned leader. L.T. claims to be healthy and ready to return to form as one of the workhorse RBs in football... we’ll see. On Defense the biggest question is how healthy MERRIMAN is. If back to full strength, he represents one the elite impact defenders in the NFL. Depth will be a major issue if major injuries strike again in ’08. This team seems to be coming together, but I think they are a bit shy of overall roster talent and depth.

8) TENNESSEE TITANS This team’s placement in my TOP 8 is based primarily on my respect for JEFF FISHER as an NFL Head Coach. I would not normally put much stock in a team with KERRY COLLINS as their starting QB, the leading receiver being a TE with 58 catches in ’08 and coming off the loss of the League’s biggest name VFA in ALBERT HAYNESWORTH. FISHER’s teams are fundamentally sound and conservative. They count on their opponent making more mistakes than they do. The TITANS were ranked No. 2 in the turnover differential category in ’08. They have enough talent, and continuity to win 10-plus games, but will finish as a Wild Card entrant and fall away in the Play-Offs.

Part Three 7/07/2009 Time to dig into the upper half of the NFL Power Rankings . By and large many of these teams could range from 9-7 to 7-9 for the season.

1) CAROLINA PANTHERS If we can assume that JAKE DELHOMME’s Play-Off meltdown was just a star-crossed game, and not the dissolution of his career as a competitive NFL QB, then this team still looks very solid. Guys like WILLIAMS/RB, STEWART/RB, STEVE SMITH/WR and MUHAMMAD are formidable NFL weapons. They have some premier talent defensively with PEPPERS, BEASON, GAMBLE, KEMOEATU. They also have Cap and financial issues that will make them one of the thinnest rosters in the League. The entire bottom third of their roster will be their Draftees and RFA, who will have to develop and contribute right away. If the injury bug moves to Charlotte this fall the team will be in big trouble and fall fast and far.

1) CHICAGO BEARS JAY CUTLER was the highest impact roster addition of the off-season, bar none. But this was already a solid team before he came on board. MATT FORTE heads one of the best and deepest RB groups in the NFL. If the WRs don’t step up, JAY still has two premier TEs to in OLSEN & CLARK to throw to. JERRY ANGELO got busy to rebuild the OL and may have actually improved it overall. And if healthy, their D is still potentially dominant, especially when cold weather rolls around. This team is the most talented in the NFC North, which is improving as a group. Watch out for these guys if they stay healthy and the new players mesh with the incumbent talent base.

1) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS There are only a few questions to be answered about the Offense; like how to replace franchise mainstay DEUCE McALLISTER/RB and is REGGIE BUSH healthy? But Defensively this team will need some big time magic from new Coordinator GREGG WILLIAMS to do their part for the team’s overall success. Last season the SAINTS D ranked in the top half of the League in only one category (INT at slot 14). They are counting on a rebuilt secondary to spark them, but they are not very beefy or athletic in their Front 7. SAINTS games may look like old-time AFL shootouts, but as exciting as that may be on Sundays, most Play-Off teams need a solid Defense. The SAINTS can’t be serious contenders with only half of a team.

1) BALTIMORE RAVENS JOHN HARBAUGH and his staff pushed all the right buttons last season, and got the team to outperform its talent base. They’ll have to do so again because this team has as many weaknesses to hide, as it does strengths to exploit. How can FLACCO grow his game when 35-year old DERRIC MASON is still his top target? How do you replace the energy and aggressiveness of REX RYAN? Can CAM CAMERON find a way to integrate the TE position into his passing game scheme. RAVENS’ TEs caught a whopping 40 balls in ’08. You would expect that the new combo of HEAP/L.J. SMITH could be attractive options for FLACCO to check down to more often than that. I sure don’t expect 11 Wins again this year, let alone 10.

1) MINNESOTA VIKINGS So the biggest question about the VIKES in my mind is whether or not the presumed FAVRE presence enhances their Play-Off chances this season. He may make a difference for part of the season, but I am skeptical about what transpires from Thanksgiving on. He is not the premier QB he was three seasons ago, nor is this team as strong as it was at that time. They will miss SHARPER & BIRK more than they think, mainly because the replacement pieces are not proven. If the WILLIAMS WALL does have to sit out the first month of the season the hole will be too deep to dig out of. FAVRE may get his revenge by finishing ahead of Green Bay at the end of the year, but they will finish behind DA BEARS and have a brief Play-Off run.
2) ARIZONA CARDINALS I am seriously worried about a significant letdown in Arizona this fall. 2008 was a magical season in the desert, but I’m not sure I see a trend here yet to change the franchise’s overall fortunes. The talent base is solid, but too many coaching changes have transpired, and now some key vets are very unhappy about their contract situations. Their running game will depend on BEANIE WELLS, a Rookie, and BOLDIN’s status with the team is tenuous right now. They should be a contender for the NFC West and have an overall winning record, but they come up short compared to most serious PLay-Off contenders. See the teams listed above them here.

15) ATLANTA FALCONS Just like the DOLPHINS this team soared to respectability under new Head Coach MKE SMITH last season. Also, like the DOLPHINS, I do not expect a repeat performance of their win total in 2009. The Offense will be even better this year because of the addition of TONY GONZALEZ and the anticipated growth of MATT RYAN. But their Defense is highly suspect, especially as they try to rebuild the LB group after allowing BOLEY and BROOKING to leave in Free Agency. They are trying to get younger on D but they may miss vets like MLLOY, GRADY JACKSON, and the aforementioned LBs. They lack depth on D and don’t have any established impact players there, beyond ABRAHAM. If they have to outscore people every week that will undermine the basis of their Offensive Scheme.

16) MIAMI DOLPHINS The SPARANO/IRELAND/PARCELLS regime got off to a great start in 2008. I do not expect them to slip back into oblivion, but BRADY is back in New England and ready to knock the DOLPHINS down a notch in the AFC East. They play the AFC South this year and that is a daunting task. There cause was helped greatly last season when they played the AFC and NFC West. They are going to have to fight hard to go 8-8 this year. Rebuilding the roster with young talent is well under way, but the D may be relying a bit to much on 30+ guys like JOEY PORTER, JASON TAYLOR, JASON FERGUSON & WILL ALLEN.

Part Two 6/28/2009

1) GREEN BAY PACKERS The PACKERS have the overall talent and roster continuity to have a winning season. But two things play heavily against them this year. They have a schedule that requires them to get off to a quick start. They will be trying to achieve that fast start while converting their underachieving Defense to a 3-4 scheme. They also have some work to do on Offense, where they are strong at the skill positions, but may have new starters at 3 of 5 OL positions. Look for 8-8 as their likely finish. They will be competitive, but not ready for the Play-Offs this year.
2) NEW YORK JETS Sorry to disappoint all the JETS fans who think everything is fine because of the addition of REX RYAN and MARK SANCHEZ. Life in the League is not that simple or easy. With all the wheeling and dealing on DRAFT Weekend the roster is very thin, and hoping for no injuries is a wet dream in the NFL. Even if SANCHEZ blossoms quickly and starts right away exactly who will he throw to? Add to the scenario the reality that BRADY is back up the Interstate in Boston and this team also will do well to go 8-8. Sorry MATT, but their strong line-play will not be enough to get them into the Play-Offs. They needed to beef up the receiving weapons for MARK.
3) HOUSTON TEXANS This team is better than the average fan realizes with some nice personnel additions in recent years to fill roster holes. They were 8-8 in both of the last two seasons, but making the giant step to another 1-2 wins looks like a very difficult one. How do you move ahead of two teams in your own division when they are named the COLTS & TITANS? MATT SCHAUB can’t stay healthy for a full 16 game season. There is no real talent to spell last year’s Rookie sensation RB STEVE SLATON. And they still need better talent in the deep secondary. Chalk up another 8-8 season.

1) SEATTLE SEA HAWKS Can this crew bounce back from their 4-12 2008 record? Yes, if HASSELBECK is really recovered from his back injury. Can they re-capture the NFC West title? Yes, but mostly because the division is mediocre. How do you establish a run-oriented O with JULIUS JONES & T. J. DUCKETT? You don’t. They should squeeze out a 9-7 season, but primarily because of their division. There success will depend heavily on their head-to-head match-ups with the CARDINALS. So, on a pure Power Ranking basis they fall below their possible winning record.

1) BUFFALO BILLS This team should have a chance to be better than this with so many good young players on both sides of the ball. But they have some major holes that do not appear to have been properly addressed. Their OL has plenty of young talent, but OT looks worrisome to say the least. Their Defensive Front still looks to be light in the pants (beyond STROUD), and unless MAYBIN provides serious pass rush pressure right away their secondary will face severe pressure. And to be brutally honest, I do not expect nice-guy Coach DICK JAURON and his staff to win any games with their collective genius. If they loose 3 of 4 (as expected) while LYNCH serves his suspension to start the season there will not likely be a recovery.

1) WASHINGTON REDSKINS CERRATO & SNYDER have just not gotten the job done with stocking this roster. SNYDER is not afraid to spend his money, but the value per dollar spent is low. They have all but forsaken the DRAFT, which is not all bad because under Vinny their college talent evaluation has not been a strength. And to add insult to injury, they spent the entire off-season flirting with every QB acquisition possible. Now JIM ZORN has to convince JASON CAMPBELL he is really their man. I get very tired of hearing the player battle cry of “disrespect”, but in this case I would side with CAMPBELL if he used it. This team cannot expect to compete over a full season in a division with the GIANTS, EAGLES & COWBOYS. Say hello to a frustrating, losing season.
1) CINCINNATI BENGALS This is a tough peg for me, because I think the BENGALS did their best off-season work in quite some time. Their DRAFT was very good, with some potential impact guys (A. SMITH & MAUALUGA). Their VFA signings were useful, if not flashy, with COLES, TANK & ROY WILLIAMS. And they get back arguably their best Offensive and Defensive players from injury in CARSON PALMER/QB & KIETH RIVERS/LB. But they just don’t seem to develop enough of their young players and hold on to them. I guess I am still not in love with the overall work of MARVIN and his staff, nor have I changed my mind that the organization gets no positive energy from its owner. They might avoid 10-losses, but they are not a threat to Pittsburgh or Baltimore in their division.

1) SAN FRANCISCO 49‘ers If this team had an established, quality QB they could be considered a candidate to fight for the NFC West title. But ALEX SMTH & SHAUN HILL are journeymen at best at this stage of their careers. Overall the team has upgraded personnel almost everywhere else on their roster in the past two years. The potential of a receiving corps led by BRUCE, CRABTREE, VERNON DAVIS & BRANDON JONES could be exciting. They face a tough road schedule against good teams and some trips late in the season to cities you don’t want to visit, like Green Bay in November, and Phily in December. With some luck and good QB play they could flirt with 8-8. Don’t count on it.

2009 NFL POWER RANKINGS Part One 6/17/2009
The bulk of significant roster permutations have taken place. There are a handful of veteran Free Agents still out there for last minute signings, like FAVRE, THE EDGE, PLAXICO & BROOKS, but the bulk of these players are role players or have serious warts to overlook for the teams signing them. The more significant issues revolve around players already under contract who are looking for new deals and represent hold-out issues for the immediate future. But chances are good almost all of these players will end up back with their current teams... eventually. So, it seems relatively safe to judge the teams’ strengths and weaknesses based on what they currently have for personnel, and Coaching Staffs.
As usual, lets start with the lower end of the power rankings. I do not see anyone as an immediate threat to the LIONS inverted perfect record of 2008. But it seems possible that entire bottom quarter of the League’s teams don’t have much of a chance to avoid the cursed 10-loss season in 2009. Here are the hapless, if not hopeless, bottom eight for 2009.

1) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Once again I will subscribe to the theory that you are what you are, until you prove otherwise. DEL RIO and other JAGUARS folks would maintain that ’08 was a blip on the radar and this team will bounce back to Play-Off contention. I will believe it when I see it! THanks to the work of ex-GM JAMES HARRIS this team is light in the pants, when to comes to talent. Too many troubled players, whose talents never translated to the NFL, is his legacy to the team. And now, those left in charge of the JAGS have to rebuild that talent base... good luck folks. This should be the year that they realize they are the weakest team in the tough AFC South. New head man GENE SMITH made some nice roster additions and had a solid, if unspectacular DRAFT. But no matter what his weight, I am not sold on DAVID GARRARD as an elite NFL QB. If JONES-DREW (who I like a lot) goes down there is no proven replacement in town with FRED TAYLOR now in New England. MEL TUCKER becomes the 3rd D Coordinator in 3 years, but he doesn’t have enough to work with to improve that side of the ball very much. This is a double-digit loss team, and the next sacrificial lamb to leave JAX with be DEL RIO after this season.

1) DENVER BRONCOS It was time for the SHANAHAN era to end in Denver. He had been band-aiding his roster for the past 3-4 years and had failed to bring in and develop enough quality young talent to sustain the franchise’s success. SHANAHAN had become like the Little Dutch Boy with not enough fingers to plug all the holes in the crumbling dike. What the team didn’t need was for JOSH McDANIELS to come in and demonstrate the BELICHICK-like arrogance that caused the team to end up parting ways with a young QB like JAY CUTLER. Now instead of concentrating on MIKE NOLAN rebuilding the D, they also have to retool the O. Illustrative of that point is the use of 6 of the teams 10 DRAFT Picks on Offensive players, and only 4 on defenders. KNOWSHON MORENO had better be the second coming of LT (as I have prophesied) or this Offense under the direction of KYLE ORTON (yea-gads) will be a disaster. And now BRANDON MARSHALL wants out. This season could be butt-ugly in the Mile High City. A repeat of an 11-loss season may be hard to avoid.

1) CLEVELAND BROWNS The rebuilding job has begun (again) for the BROWNIES. And at first blush it appears that GEORGE KOKINIS and ERIC MANGINI look to be off to a good start in that process. The DRAFT, and related trades, has provided them with a good base of younger talent to start the process. Add in some VFA signings and this team may have 20+ new players when the 2009 season starts. But until the team decides on, and develops, a starting QB they will flounder through 10-loss seasons. MANGINI and O.C. BRIAN DABOLL need to name their starter at the end of Training Camp and stick with that decision for the 2009 season. ROB RYAN needs to find a way to amp up the D with a significant increase in their pass rush pressure. Most folks point to their Secondary as their defensive achilles heel, and yet that group led a D that was second in the League with 23 INT. The bigger area of concern for RYAN to work on is pass-rush pressure on opponents. The League average for sacks by a team was just over 32 in ’08. The BROWNS D only recorded 17 sacks last season. Can the new talent, and new Coaching Staff make a difference this season? Yes... but not enough to avoid 10 losses.

1) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CLARK HUNT, pulled the plug on the unsuccessful PETERSON regime, and brought in BELICHICK disciple SCOTT PIOLI, who in turn brought in TODD HALEY to be his field general. HALEY is vocal and edgy. How that persona will play out with a young rebuilding team remains to be seen. Based on their DRAFT it appears PIOLI is determined to convert the Defense to the 3-4 Scheme, whether it fits his personnel or not. Even though I think the CASSEL/VRABEL trade was genius in principle, I think it is safe to say this season will be a real test for CASSEL as he tries to be “the man”. Much of his 2008 success with New England was based on kid-glove handling by JOSH McDANIELS and a toned down Offensive game plan. He has some nice weapons in KC right now with LARRY JOHNSON, DWAYNE BOWE, BOBBY ENGRAM & JAMAAL CHARLES, but it’s not quite equal to his previous overall cast. Like most young QBs he struggled in the long passing game, and the Red Zone. That should continue in KC. It also appears to me that the 3-4 D scheme change puts some of their better young defensive talent out of position. I am thinking of DORSEY at DE, and TAMBA HALI learning an OLB slot. If things come together and some of the younger guys develop they might manage 6 wins... tops

1) TAMPA BAY BUCS The GLAZER family decided it was time to start over and dumped many of their big names, like GRUDEN, BROOKS, GARCIA, JUNE, DUNN, GALLOWAY, etc. I can’t argue with the concept that the team was too old and mediocre to get better without major change, but this was a purge. They will pay for that approach for at least a couple of seasons. How worried do you think opposing team Defenses will be facing an offensIve attack headed by LEFTWICH, McCOWN, GRAHAM, MICHAEL CLAYTON et al. There best bet may be to turn the team over to JOSH FREEMAN in October if the OL looks like it can keep him whole. The D will look very different without MONTE KIFFIN around to scheme, and a field leader like DERRICK BROOKS to lead by example. NFL retread JIM BATES takes over the D, and has had some successful stops along the way in a long NFL coaching career. There could be at least 5 new starters on D, including S JERMAINE PHILLIPS trying to fill BROOKS’ shoes at OLB. RAHEEM MORRIS as the 32-year old, next-TONY DUNGY, is quite the gamble as the new Head Coach. Look for a lot of empty seats at Raymond James Stadium after PACKERS fans fill the seats for an early November match-up. By the way, I don’t think they did much beyond FREEMAN to upgrade the talent in this year’s DRAFT, either.

1) OAKLAND RAIDERS The best aspect of this team may be Head Coach TOM CABLE, a no-nonsense, hard-nosed leader, who seems to be gaining respect from his troops. It could also be said that the team showed some intelligence, and restraint, in not signing every 30-year old plus available VFA this off-season. The bad news is that AL DAVIS continues to screw up his DRAFTS, with his own unique scouting style. If BARNES and PEARS can earn the starting OT slots this might be a functional OL, which might open some holes for the best part of the current roster in the RB trio of FRAGAS/McFADDEN/BUSH. But it doesn’t look like QB/RUSSELL has much of a receiving corps to throw to, and he still looks grossly overweight to me. The heat is on new D-Coordinator JOHN MARSHALL. He has a mixed bag to work with, and I have heard CABLLE state on several occasions that the D will be better because of his presence. Old DAVIS favorite ROB RYAN just joined the ranks of ex-RAIDERS Coaches SHANAHAN and KIFFIN, who went from being geniuses to incompetents, because they couldn’t turn DAVIS’ collection of players into winners. Good luck to MARSHALL, because the talent on D looks average overall, and very thin. They also get the tough NFC East on their schedule to propel them to another 5 win season... at best.

1) DETROIT LIONS I have two pieces of “good news” here for LIONS’ fans. I do not see them losing all their games this year, and by slotting them here, it means I see one team being worse than them this season. I know that’s somewhat of a back-handed compliment, but it’s the best I can do. The good news comes in three parts for LIONS fans: MATT MLLEN is gone; JIM SCHWARTZ should be the right guy for the Head Coaching position; MATTHEW STAFFORD will become your best QB since BOBBY LAYNE. The sobering news is that none of these factors will turn this thing around for a few more seasons. This is probably a 4-12 team. It was a good, if not great DRAFT. The team traded for and signed some serviceable vets, who can give them a couple of seasons to bridge the team to integrating the young talent into the lineup. Expect about half of the 22 starting positions to feature new players come September. Expect GUNTHER CUNNINGHAM to put some toughness, and wrinkles into the D side of the ball. Also, be ready to see if CULPEPPER has enough left in the tank to take advantage of some solid weapons like KEVIN SMITH/RB, CALVIN JOHNSON/WR (A STAR), BRYANT JOHNSON/WR, BRANDON PETTIGREW/TE for at least half of the season. They should be prepared to hand the starting QB job to STAFFORD by late October.

1) ST. LOUIS RAMS This is not going to be pretty in ST. LOUIS, even as they try to find a local buyer for he team. The best news is that they have a Head Coach, in JOHN SPAGNUOLO who will demand toughness and maximum effort out of his team. Watch for a very high turnover rate on the roster during Training Camp. Expect some GIANTS’ cuts to end up in RAMS uniforms, especially on Defense. They had a solid DRAFT and need to play the youngsters. Can MARC BULGER stand up to the beating he may take? Will some of the young WRs step up and establish themselves as solid targets for him? The OL should be better with BROWN and SMITH (both JASONS) starting. The Defense will be bigger, stronger and tougher under SPAGS. When you cut your teams leading tackler because he is an athletic, pursuit tackler, but not strong enough to hold up at the point of attack, that should send a strong message to all that things will be changing. Good luck though SPAGS, because you don’t have enough talent to work with. Gear up for the first pick in the 2010 DRAFT, and a franchise move back to L.A.!
, so here are my top Fantasy Players, effective with the opening of NFL Training Camps. It will be up to you to watch their health status through the Pre-Season. It should also be noted that as the Fantasy world expands more and more Leagues are developing more complex scoring systems. My list below is based on two primary factors: recordable stats like Yards Per Game and Points scored. If your League gets much more detailed than that you’d better subscribe to a strictly Fantasy info service.

1) ADRIAN PETERSON/RB/VIKES He gets you yards and TDs, and lots of them.
2) MICHAEL TURNER/RB/FALCONS Ditto, especially with FALCS WR issues right now.
3) MAURICE JONES-DREW/RB/JAX He is the man now in JAX and his pounding style works well in Red Zone.
4) STEVEN JACKSON/RB/RAMS He has the whole package and a beefed up OL to run behind as SPAGS installs ball-control O.
5) MATT FORTE/RB/BEARS His catches may go down, but his rushing YPC should go up once CUTLER loosens up the D.
6) ANDRE JOHNSON/WR/TEXANS The best all-around WR in the NFL with the stats to prove it. A beast when he smells the end zone.
7) LARRY FITZGERALD/WR/CARDS Just a whisker behind AJ. He may hit 100+ again if WELLS doesn’t revive running attack.
8) DREW BREES/QB/SAINTS With this O scheme, his receiving corps and a weak D, he will put up huge stats again.
9) STEVE SLATON/RB/TEXANS I was worried because of his size, but he added 15 pounds of muscle. No one to steal his carries on roster.
10) LT TOMLINSON/RB/CHARGERS Poised for a comeback year. Won’t lead League in touches, but will get the ball in Red Zone.
11) CHRIS JOHNSON/RB/TITANS He is so fast it is scary. TITANS will run 65% of time w/ him leading the way.
12) DeANGELO WILLIAMS/RB/PANTHERS Only 2 things may hold him back. HIs OL has no depth, STEWART must get some carries.
13) TOM BRADY/QB/PATRIOTS Could be scary good. He is super motivated after missing last year; weapons are good and numerous.
14) CLINTON PORTIS/RB/SKINS Never count this tough/versatile guy out. He will grind yards and get you some TDs.
15) PEYTON MANNING/QB/COLTS Unless BROWN runs wild, PEYTON will have to carry the team, which means huge numbers.
16) FRANK GORE/RB/49‘ers Lack of big time QB means lots of rushing yards for FRANK. He catches well to boot.
17) BRANDON JACOBS/RB/GIANTS With WARD gone it is JACOBS team. The only concern is his annual injuries.
18) RANDY MOSS/WR/PATRIOTS He is looking forward to deep throws from BRADY. Remember his 2007 season stats?
19) REGGIE WAYNE/WR/COLTS With Marvin gone, and running game questions, it is time for REGGIE to be the man.
20) STEVE SMITH/WR/PANTHERS They intend to run a lot, but when they pass this is the man. Big plays are his specialty.
21) RONNIE BROWN/RB/DOLPHINS He probably loses his Wildcat job, but he will carry the bulk of the running load.
22) BRIAN WESTBROOK/RB/EAGLES Injuries are the only question on BRIAN. He is the man, but watch the injury report.
23) CALVIN JOHNSON/WR/LIONS Someone will get him the ball (STAFFORD/CULPEPPER) and he will make big plays.
24) MARION BARBER/RB/COWBOYS He will share carries w/JONES, but no none is better than him inside the 10 yard line.
25) GREG JENNINGS/WR/PACKERS He should be ready to emerge as an elite receiver, & his QB should still be improving.
26) DWAYNE BOWE/WR/CHIEFS He is one of the best, young emerging WR in the League. CASSEL will look to him first.
27) RODDY WHITE/WR/FALCONS Once he settles back in, he should continue his growth as RYAN’s main man.
28) KURT WARNER/QB/CARDS My guess is they will have to pass a lot to win and he has FITZ, BOLDIN & BREASTON to chuck it to.
29) TERRELL OWENS/WR/BILLS A prideful T.O. will want to put up big numbers. If they open up the attack he should.
30) KEVIN SMITH/RB/LIONS He almost ran for 1,000 yds as a Rookie. He should only improve in a ball control O scheme.
31) RYAN GRANT/RB/PACKERS After a holdout he was injured in ’08, but if healthy he is perfect compliment to passing game.
32) LARRY JOHNSON/RB/CHIEFS They need a running game to take pressure off of CASSEL, and LJ will get plenty of carries.
33) DERRICK WARD/RB/BUCS They will want to pound the rock, and if he is healthy (big ?) his OL can open the holes for him.
34) ANQUAN BOLDIN/WR/CARDS I worry about his psyche because of contract issues, but he is a premier receiver.
35) PHILLIP RIVERS/QB/CHARGERS He is accepted leader of this team & his numbers are growing each year.
36) GIANTS-D With off-season additions and OSI on a mission after injury this unit could be dominating.
37) MARQUES COLSTON/WR/SAINTS BREES needs a No. 1 option & this big guy still has scary potential.
38) ANTONIO GATES/TE/CHARGERS The big guy should be back healthy and he is a favorite target of RIVERS when on the grass.
39) DALLAS CLARK/TE/COLTS Another guy who will see his workload increase, if only he can stay healthy for 16 games.
40) LEON WASHINGTON/RB/RS/JETS He may not lead the team in touches, but his big-play potential is key to this ranking.
41) AARON RODGERS/QB/PACKERS Had a great first season as a starter & logic says he will be even better.
42) TONY GONZALEZ/TE/FALCONS With all the problems at WR TONY could be RYAN’s new best friend w/ big numbers.
43) JASON WITTEN/TE/COWBOYS Now that T.O. is not around to yell for the ball, ROMO may throw WITTEN well over 100 balls.
44) DONOVAN McNABB/QB/EAGLES He’s the leader of a quality team with lots of pieces, if not stars, to work with.
45) ROB BIRONAS/K/TITANS Gotta have a K at some point. He has a booming, accurate leg & gets lots of chances.
46) KNOWSHON MORENO/RB/BRONCOS He is the next LT, and could be big for you, if he signs a contract soon enough.
47) SANTONIO HOLMES/WR/STEELERS He seems to be on the verge of a big leap as BIG BEN’s go-to guy. See his Play-Off numbers.
48) CHRIS COOLEY/TE/REDSKINS He has become a superior dump and run receiver for CAMPBELL, and he is big in Red Zone.
49) FELIX JONES/RB/RS/COWBOYS If he is used as a RS, as well as RB, his speed and elusiveness should provide big chunks of yardage.
50) GREG OLSEN/TE/BEARS Hey can’t run all the time and with marginal WR talent he has a chance to be a CUTLER favorite.

This list is missing some big names, because I am uncomfortable about their current status. BRANDON MARSHALL is more interested in exiting Denver than he is playing. ROMO has good career numbers, but he may be target challenged. JAY CUTLER’s numbers should drop because DA BEARS are still a run-first team. THOMAS JONES will lose carries to Rookie SHONN GREENE. I had MCHAEL CRABTREE in the mix originally, but his hold-out looks to get worse before it gets better. REGGIE BUSH is still icing his repaired knee. And on it goes...

FANTASY PFIL says... Watch the injuries, hold-outs, etc. during the Pre-Season. Some players will rise, and/or fall over the next month, and you need to be attuned to that. You don’t want to e drafting someone who is on IR... so pay attention.

Another reminder folks, we are moving in about 10 days. Our new website address will be... www.pigskinpaul.com.

I am also tweeting daily @ www.twitter.com/pigskinpaul .

Thinking Out Loud!

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:45:33 -0500

Training Camps are in full swing, and its time for PIGSKIN PAUL to opine on happenings around the League, with a few extra observations just for good measure.

1) Let’s start with something outside the world of football. Is there anyone in the media who has lost more cache’ over the Summer than JIM GRAY? First he hosts the classless LaBRON JAMES signing infomercial, which by-the-by was germinated by a call from him to LBJ’s people in the first place. Now he is embroiled in a he-said, she-said misquote accusation from COREY PAVIN about the invite, or non-invite, intentions of TIGER WOODS on the part of the RYDER CUP Captain.
2) NICH SABAN & URBAN MEYER are the first, but perhaps not the last of college coaches to ban NFL Personnel from team practices. The real target of their ire appears to be Player Agents, and their minions who have become profuse in their contact violations with college players. Now the pressure is on the NFL to put pressure on D SMITH and the NFLPA, who license Agents. Perhaps the rules and regs need to be a bit tighter on the part of the NFLPA when dealing with their licensed Player Agents.
3) One of the biggest chuckles of the recent week was the Friar Tuck hairdo given to TIM TEBOW in Denver by his new teammates. The good news is that TEBOW handled it with a smile and lots of humility. Word is that the cut was applied with a touch of love by veteran players who are quite impressed with TEBOW’s persona so far as their teammate.
4) On a sad note, sorry to see Special Teamer deluxe SEAN MOREY hang up his cleats ostensibly due to post-concussion health issues, which have plagued him for years now. Le’s hope MOREY didn’t ignore some of his symptoms too long before making his decision. He might rank just behind STEVE TASKER in the Special Teamer al-time rankings.
5) I was looking over the list of 11 (at last count) player suspensions scheduled to begin at the start of the 2010 season as handed out by Lord of Discipline, ROGER GOODELL and it still mystifies me a bit that his discipline march continues, and rightfully so, but the WILLIAMS WALL has still not served any of their suspensions from 2 seasons ago, because of politics in the Minnesota court system. What’s up with that, ROGER?If I am one of these other guys I am pissed off at the NFL.
6) It’s obviously a ways off, but watch for the excitement to begin, relative to the 2011 DRAFT, if the top college QB prospects have the kind of 2010 seasons that they are expected to. JAKE LOCKER/Washington, ANDREW LUCK/Stanford and RYAN MALLETT/Arkansas all look primed to have outstanding seasons, which could project all 3 into TOP 10 DRAFT selection spots.
7) The DETROIT LIONS continue to distance themselves as a team from the ill-fated MATT MILLEN era as their GM. With the waiving of S/DANIEL BULLOCKS just before Training Camp opened there are no longer any MILLEN Draftees on the LIONS roster. Wow... what a disaster MILLEN was in the DRAFT ROOM.
8) Conversely, welcome back to broadcasting MATT. He did some nice on-air work last season, and I expect him to continue to do so, and even improve over the coarse of the 2010 season. He’s a smart guy, who is more articulate than most former players, with a dry sense of humor. He does have some valid observations about the NFL game, and as it turned out his major failing as a GM was simply his inability to project college talent relative to its translation to the pro playing fields. That is a fatal flaw for a GM, but does not diminish his ability as a broadcaster.
9) With BOBBY BOWDEN now retired, it appears the next target of exit speculation will swirl around JOE PATERNO. JoePa had a stomach issue this past off-season and looked thin and relatively frail at the BIG TEN Media events held recently in Chicago. Many present also felt he was far from the quirky, quick quip artist he has been previously. I am hoping for the best as an unabashed PATERNO supporter over the years, but must admit the time is getting short for him in Happy Valley. I hope it doesn’t take an unraveling of the football program on, or of, the field for the Coach to walk away from his life’s work.
10) I continue to hear that with his contract situation being resolved the TITANS/RB/CHRIS JOHNSON may be a near unanimous No. 1 overall Pick in every FANTASY DRAFT in the country. I can see that happening. He ran for over 2,000 yards last season and says he wants 2,500 this year. And with what the TITANS are paying him, I’d expect them to give him a huge workload to get their money’s worth out of him. Injury would be the only major concern to his value.

6/24/2010 Time to take a look around the wide, wide world of football and opine on some things that have been catching my attention.

1) I have been just short of amazed by some of the roster moves made by the RAVENS so far in the month of June. You can catch my opinion of their DRAFT efforts in the NFL Draft section of my sight, but they have also been very aggressive this month in bringing in seasoned vets at certain positions in an attempt to provide depth and fight for jobs once Training Camp opens. The signing of guys like KEN HAMLIN/S, WALT HARRIS/CB, SHAYNE GRAHAM/K, and now MARC BULGER/QB is out of character for this franchise. As I have stated several times this off-season, it certainly appears that the organization is “all-in” now, for a Super Bowl run before RAY LEWIS & ED REED hang up their spikes.
2) The BRONCOS continue to display supreme confidence in the potential of TIM TEBOW. The waiving of TOM BRANDSTATER/QB, the other young QB on their roster, clearly indicates that JOSH McDANIELS, and kid brother/QB Coach BEN, consider more of their time is best spent working with TEBOW to accelerate his development. After making him a Round 1 Pick, I cannot argue with their logic (barring a QB injury). Their future with the franchise is clearly tied to TEBOW becoming their starting QB sooner rather than later.
3) Interesting to see the REDSKINS use their credit card again with the acquisition of JAMMAL BROWN/OT from the SAINTS for future DRAFT Choices. Assuming BROWN passes his physical and is totally recovered from his 2009 injuries this should be an astute acquisition. BROWN is still only 29-years old and has started at LT for the SAINTS since his Rookie season. Given the limited talent along the OL in Old D.C. his acquisition could go a long way toward keeping DONOVAN on the field for 12-16 games this year.
4) Speaking of solid acquisitions... nice job by the VIKES to snap up RB/RYAN MOATS after he was waived by the TEXANS. He did not fit in Houston’s new RB rotation, given that his size and skill set pretty much mirror that of STEVE SLATON. But he is still young (27) and has averaged just over 4-ypc in his limited 4 year career. He helps provide competition as the VIKES attempt to make up for the loss of CHESTER TAYLOR as A.P.’s back-up.
5) The NFL has officially lost two of its most prolific career pass-catchers this month with the announced retirements of both ISAAC BRUCE & MUSHIN MUHAMMAD. I know most of you are well aware of the carer stats of BRUCE, but did you realize that MUSHIN amassed some big numbers during his 14-year playing career. He piled up 860 catches, for 11,438 yds and 62 TD. I doubt he’s a future HOF inductee, but I would guess his name will come up for consideration once eligible.
6) It’s just PIGSKIN PAUL thinking too much perhaps, but looking at the REDSKINS crowded veteran RB situation it occurs to me that perhaps the odd man out could be CLINTON PORTIS. Sounds strange at first blush, but he’s an old 29, is their highest paid player at the position and it wouldn’t be the first time that MIKE SHANAHAN sent him packing. It was, after all, SHANAHAN who traded PORTIS to the SKINS‘ in return for CB/CHAMP BAILEY back in his Denver days. Not saying I have inside info, but just floating it out there.
7) It looks like NCAA D1 Football has avoided total chaos for the time being, at least. The TEXAS schools have saved the BIG 12, by opting to stay put... for now. Losing COLORADO & NEBRASKA, hurts the Conference, but does not mortally injure it. Now here is the most pressing dilemma for College Football in my mind. How are these institutions of higher learning going to reconcile their names with simple math. Unless they cop out based on “New Math” principles how does the 12 team BIG TEN, keep its name while the 10 team BIG TWELVE seems undersized for their current moniker. And then you have the self-proclaimed academic elite of the PAC 10 actually having 2 too many teams for their name with the addition of COLORADO & UTAH. I will give those West Coast guys credit... back when they added ARIZONA & ARIZONA STATE they changed their name from PAC EIGHT to PAC TEN. Watch for the mathematically correct Conference to soon be renamed the PAC TWELVE.
8) Nice to see URBAN MEYER back with his football program. He has had a medical diagnosis of his health issues and looks fit. The key will now be for him to not lose track of his personal health care needs as the 2010 football season draws closer. He’s too good of a Coach to be too sick to not be able to run the Florida program. Here’s hoping he finds a healthy life balance between personal health needs and professional carer demands. That is a challenge an awful lot of Coaches never seem to be able to find the answer for in their high pressure job situations.
9) Nice catch by the BIG TEN to add NEBRASKA to the Conference. The school is a good fit overall for the Upper Midwest based organization. Their presence will also upgrade the overall quality of the football programs throughout the conference. Having an even number of teams will aid scheduling and of course the twelfth team should result in a bifurcated Conference with an annual Championship Play-Off game soon to come. I’m hearing the move made economic sense for the Cornhuskers, and also soothed their sensitive nerves from feeling like second class citizens within the TEXAS dominated BIG 12.
10) I’m going to give you a program and coach to pay attention to this coming college football season; BUTCH DAVIS/NORTH CAROLINA. I am not implying that DAVIS is in any way, shape or form on the Hot Seat right now. But given the talent he has been able to accumulate, including a dozen players likely to be TOP 150, 2011 DRAFT Prospects, it is time for him to get his team into contention for an ACC Conference title, and a BCS Bowl Bid. We know he can recruit. Now we need to see that he can produce major success on the field with all that talent. He runs the risk of being compared to RON ZOOK/Illinois otherwise.

5/27/2010 I guess this month and next are as close as we can get to an Off-Season for the NFL in this day and age. But that does not mean that nothing is going on around the league, and I’d like to throw some thoughts your way as the NFL world turns.

1) Bravo to the league for awarding a Super Bowl to the New York/New Jersey area, and the new GIANTS/JETS Stadium. When you plunk down $1.6-billion for a new stadium it seems only fair that the venue receive a shot at the the Big One. Logistics could become a nightmare if a blizzard blows through the week of the game, but such a resilient area will find a way to pull it off.
2) No it’s not Miami Beach, but there is more to do in NYC than anywhere else in the world. Just tell the celebs and execs to bring, or buy, a winter coat for the little time they spend out of their hotel rooms or limos. And the game itself will be just fine if it has to be played in the snow and cold. Happens all the time up in my area of the country.
3) Have you noticed the veritable plethora (to borrow a phrase from Howard Cossell) of veterans who are choosing to boycott the voluntary team OTAs which have begun since the DRAFT ended? Get used to it. The phenomenon could reach epidemic proportions as Training Camps open in late July. With a potential 2011 lock-out by the owners every player wants to get a new contract, or contract extension, with some up front bonus money to tide them over for a no paycheck year in 2011.
4) In a related situation, it may be a while before some previously high priced vets who are Free Agents get a new team for the 2010 season. I am speaking of players like T.O., JaMARCUS RUSSELL, BRIAN WESTBROOK, MARC BULGER, et al. It seems to me that a combination of team needs and more reasonable salary demands by most of these guys will result in training Camp signings for most of them.
5) There seem to be conflicting reports already coming out of BEARS OTAs up in Lake Forest relative to the installation f the new MIKE MARTZ Offense. DA BEARS are professing that things are fine and progressing nicely. Some reporters have garnered intelligence that indicates whistles are blowing dead a lot of offensive plays in practice. My memory tells me that MARTZ is such a perfectionist that he blew the whistle constantly during all of his previous coaching stops. Sounds like business as usual to me.
6) I hate to even go down this road, but it is news that has major impact on the Play-Off chances of that team that plays in Minnesota, so I will mention that it certainly would seem that for Mr. BRETT FAVRE to undergo ankle surgery last Friday clearly indicates that he is most likely going to be the QB for the VIKINGS come September, 2010. What a shock... not!
7) I am strongly in favor of the overtime rules changes that the league pushed through for the Play-Offs. When the format becomes one-and-done I have a real problem with a team winning a coin toss and it dictates the destiny of both teams. But in a 16 game schedule I’m not so sure there needs to be a rush to judgement on instituting the new rules where the impact is usually much less significant.
8) I don’t think it means that TOM BRADY is going to fall out of the elite QB rankings, but I though some of his quotes about changing priorities (especially family/children) a couple of weeks ago to PETER KING, were quite illuminating and insightful. Other great QBs have had a semblance of balance in their lives and still been great. Coming to mind are KURT WARNER, STEVE YOUNG, PHIL SIMMS, DREW BREES, to name a few. But let’s face it the majority of the great ones live and breathe the game like PEYTON MANNING.
9) I hate to even go down this road, but we’re not far away from the frenzy starting amongst Fantasy Fans as they try to figure out which skill position players in the most recent NFL DRAFT will make a positive impact in Fantasy Leagues around the country next fall. Bet they’ll all be in love with the COWBOYS DEZ BRYANT for one.
10) Just as a preview for you, I see the RAMS as still being the weakest overall team in the League when it comes to talent. They will debut as No. 32 in my Power Rankings in mid-June, barring the miraculous addition of a half-dozen heaven sent veteran starters. I’m having a lot more trouble discerning my Top 10 teams than those at the bottom.

4/26/2010 Over the course of a long 3-day DRAFT Weekend lots of random thoughts and observations popped into my mind. After filtering out some the more trivial (I hope) here are some thoughts for your perusal.

1) JOSH McDANIELS is already too big for his britches, as folks used to say when I was growing up. He tried desperately to work his DRAFT like his mentor LITTLE BILL, but failed to stock his current roster or his cupboard for next year. He runs players off so fast that he can’t possible keep up in trying to replace them on his roster.
2) I find it very hard to understand why the JETS will cut loose ALAN FANECA today. Especially since it is my understanding that they are on the hook for his $5-million plus 2010 salary anyway. It seems similar to the Panthers getting rid of OPIE, except that FANECA can still play.
3) This week will be full of veteran cuts. Teams will cut lose players they feel are making too much money, with declining skills, based on what potential replacements they were able to draft or trade for last weekend.
4) Most NFL watchers are praising the SEA HAWKS and PETE CARROLL for their trades and Draft selections over the weekend. I want to make sure people don’t forget the NFL veteran who really guided Pistol Pete through the Process; JOHN SCHNEIDER, new GM, and former valued aide to TED THOMPSON in Green Bay. While you watched CARROLL dancing around the Sea Hawks Draft Room, it was SCHNEIDER who you saw on the phone closing the deals.
5) Everyone seems to be enamored with the glitz and glamour of REX RYAN and the veteran additions to the JETS roster, but history says a team cannot thrive over the long haul by conducting DRAFT after DRAFT with a final count of 3 or 4 Picks each year. It seems cooler to bring SANTONIO, ANTONIO, LT & JT to the Big Apple than an unknown kid from Fresno State, but the team had only 3 Picks in 2009, and only 4 this year. Be careful MIKE TANNENBAUM, you can go from a hero to a bum real quickly without enough good, young talent being infused onto your roster each year.
6) I saw several blogging jokes about AL DAVIS being dead, and the RAIDERS running their DRAFT as a ‘Weekend At Bernie’s’ operation. That is certainly not true, but something was indeed very different about this RAIDERS effort. It was not littered with strange, ridiculed Picks of athletes who can’t play once in pads. I wonder who the savant was that AL DAVIS chose to listen to this year.
7) Sticking with the RAIDERS for a moment... Can there be any question that JaMARCUS RUSSELL is a couple of conversations from being cut loose by the Silver-and-Black?! The expectation is that he will be asked as early as this week to take a major pay-cut. And once, as expected, he and his agent say no, he will be released by the team. It’s my opinion this team will be much better off to just cut ties with him and move on without him, sooner rather than later.
8) Did you notice that the GIANTS Drafted a Punter, MATT DODGE, in Round 7 on Saturday? Word is that the selection was based on a communication to the team from current Punter JEFF FEAGLES, that he was strongly considering retiring after 22 years in the League. FEAGLES was already fighting for a job in the NFL before DODGE was born.
9) The glitz machine is rolling in BIG D after the glamor Pick in Round One of DEZ BRYANT. I think BRYANT was indeed the best WR in this year’s DRAFT (sorry JOSH), and I do not think he carries as much ‘off-field baggage’ as some people want to try to pin on him. However, I think the JONES BOYS will find him difficulty and expensive to sign, and I am not impressed with the inference that NEON DEION and THE PLAY MAKER will be mentoring him with the COWBOYS.
10) This year’s seemingly Free Falling QB was JIMMY CLAUSEN who lasted until Pick 48. Hs good fortune was to land with the PANTHERS who have decent Offensive players, but a big opening at the QB position. He could be starting soon without having to take the pounding that BRADFORD will in St. Louis. But what about DAN LaFEVOUR who had TEBOW-like numbers in college yet fell to DA BEARS in Round 6, Pick 181? That’s insane, and MIKE MARTZ will develop him nicely behind JAY CUTLER.
11) I know he wasn’t TOP 100 material, but I cannot believe that MYRON ROLLE lasted until the final selection of Round 6 at Pick 207 to the TITANS. Kind of makes you wonder how much emphasis the League really puts on good character and IQ. I’m hoping he earns a starting job in a couple of years and has a nice solid NFL career for 6-7 years before he heads to medical school.
12) I think the NFL pretty much got what it wanted out of it’s new partial-Prime Time DRAFT format. Ratings were up dramatically overall, and based on the number of commercials I sat through they ought to be able to get more money from ESPN and their own network, as well as a cut of the ad revenue in the future. And lest I forget to mention it, I felt the league put on a classy, interesting product to surround the actual player selection.
13) One more direct note... a get well wish to MIKE MAYOCK with his laryngitis issues. He is a smart, had working guy who brings a lot to the NFL Network when the DRAFT rolls around. It was a shame to see him go down, and have to leave the game (so to speak) on Sunday; relegated to blogging about the Picks.
14) Conversely, how about Iron Man MEL KIPER! He is the King of the Draft, having ascended to the crown with the 2002 passing of JOEL BUCHSBAUM. His knowledge and passion are still up there with the best, and I find it hard to envision an ESPN DRAFT broadcast without him... even more so than Day One without BOOMER.

FEAGLES MEL & MIKE

4/18/2010 Activity around the NFL is at a fever pitch as we head down the home stretch toward the finish line known as the 2010 NFL DRAFT. All the news, and non-news, that is flying around makes me think it’s time for PIGSKIN PAUL to do some Thinking Out Loud...

1) A mocking grin crept across my face early last week when I saw a soundbite of DREW ROSENHAUS babbling on about how he is still trying to find the right place for his client T.O. for the 2010 season. Let me give you a rough translation of that example of Agent-Speak: I’m hoping sometime shortly after the DRAFT that someone will decide they need a veteran, 36-year old No. 2, WR, who is a good teammate his first year on a team’s roster.
2) One rumor I have heard a couple of times that makes some sense to me is a trade of JARED GAITHER/LT to the COWBOYS from the RAVENS, for the ‘BOYS’ 1st Round Pick (or some other combo of choices) this coming Thursday. Nothing wrong with GAITHER, but the RAVENS aren’t going to pay both he and OHER LT money. He’d be a nice replacement piece for FLOZELL.
3) The BIG BEN in Georgia scandal is brutal and ugly. And one senses that this type of behavior may be an off-field hobby for ROETHLISBERGER. I think the STEELERS are very close to trying to trade him, but as each day passes and more info comes out I sense that BIG BEN is untouchable around most of the League: As in undesirable to bring into most other NFL cities.
4) Watching and reading about the annual April parade of Pre-Draft Press Conferences being conducted by GMs around the NFL, two impressions come to mind. Does anyone really think we can believe the gibberish being spewed as much more than mis-information? Watching the almost babbling, incoherent presentation of some of these guys, does it make you wonder how lucid your favorite team’s top decision maker really is? Most of these guys would be voted off American Idol in a heartbeat, before even singing a note.
5) Looks like the legal tender standard of the realm in the NFL right now is the Fifth Round Draft Pick. It is almost amazing to see what that item will bring to your team in trade this DRAFT season. Eight of 32 NFL teams no longer have a Pick in that Round next Saturday.
6) I’d like to know how the TV ratings folks are going to base their numbers for the Prime Time DRAFT broadcasts this week. I have a hard time believing that more than a few million folks will actually watch more than an hour or so of the coverage, with lots of channel surfing being involved in the process. So now much time watching counts as a rating point, so to speak?
7) Along those lines, don’t you think ESPN would be just as happy to broadcast NBA Play-Off games as this event on Thursday night in particular. I see this new format as another ploy for the NFL to rid itself of ESPN DRAFT coverage. If that’s the case then the League better patch up their differences with the nation’s Cable Networks soon. When was the last time you were traveling and could find NFL Network on your motel’s cable station list? My answer is... NEVER!
8) When Saturday rolls around, and the majority of the NFL DRAFT (almost 5 Rounds in reality) takes place, watch how many “small school” players are Drafted this year. The phenomenon is on the rise as non-qualifiers and transfers take their talents to these schools rather than be buried on big school depth charts. Improved quality of coaching is boosting the pro-caliber pipeline from these schools as well.
9) Two comments to COWBOYS Owner JERRY JONES in light of his supposedly private, drunken performance that hit the internet early this week. With your money JERRY, who the hell are you drinking/hanging with to put yourself in that position? Secondly, I know you think of yourself as a silver tongued devil, but please don’t try to introduce a sobriety induced spin that the comments on PARCELLS were actually complimentary, and said in a humorous vein.
10) I don’t side with whiny-butt NFL players very often, nor do I tend to pander to Ownership. So relative to the apparent dissension in Washington between millionaire ALBERT HAYNESWORTH and the REDSKINS new management team of SHANAHAN/ALLEN let me make the following observation. This is another example of how disruptive a change in regimes can be to an NFL Franchise. Changes of philosophies and schemes always reap havoc with team rosters and chemistry, which leads to more changes than many folks anticipate. Call PAT BOWLEN and ask him about his franchise since SHANAHAN was allowed to leave town.

Time to get back to the DRAFT detail elsewhere on this site.

4/03/2010 Time for some thoughts from PIGSKIN PAUL, DRAFT related and otherwise...

1) I continue to be dismayed, if not shocked, at some of the shoddy work that makes it onto the air at NFL NETWORK. I’m watching Total Access on Friday night and at the close of the show they do a piece on their selections as the top MICHIGAN STATE football players in NFL history. Their No.1 player is former PACKERS/COWBOYS HOF CB/HERB ADDERLEY. They cut to some highlight footage and the film is of GEORGE SAIMES a Spartan alum who had a nice AFL career at S for the BILLS. How in the world does that get onto the air? A total disgrace for the in-house League network.
2) It has also annoyed me at how many DRAFT publications are taking undersized TE Prospects like GARRETT GRAHAM of Wisconsin and labeling them as FB prospects for NFL teams. THat’s way out of line for the few teams (like the PACK) who still use legit FBs in their base formations. Guys like GRAHAM will be TE/H-BACK players in the NFL. Don’t be so lazy if you don’t want to list them as TEs to just throw them in erroneously as FBs.
3) Major League Baseball is getting underway and I could care less. It just seems too early, and there are too many overpaid, underperforming vets scattered around the League to grab my attention. Some of these younger, ballyhooed prospects better deliver some headlines right away.
4) I have one more retort to all those experts hating on my boy DAN LeFEVOUR/QB. If BRUCE GRADKOWSKI, another former MAC QB, can be the probable starting QB in Oakland, then don’t try to tell me LeFEVOUR is a late Round Pick later this month with little or no chance of amounting to much in the NFL. He is a lesser known TEBOW, with more productive stats. If everyone is suddenly so confident that TEBOW’s mechanics can be rebuilt that there is serious late Round1 talk, then why is DAN hopeless as a project.
5) ANDY REID is making some major noise in shuffling around his roster in PHILY. If they really do trade DONOVAN before Training Camps open then I have to read this as a total rebuilding effort, and assume there is no confidence within the organization that they can continue their current run of Play-Off appearances with the most recent cast of characters.
6) I recently gave a bad review to a USA Today Sports DRAFT mag. I stick by that review, but conversely would like to give them credit for one of the best buys you can get right now. They also have out a newspaper type edition they call their NFL DRAFT PREVIEW for a $4.95 price. Buy it if you can. This one is worth the cover price.
7) I have some serious concerns about some of the initial personnel decisions handed down in Cleveland by MIKE HOLMGREN. I still can’t believe that he thinks JAKE DELHOMME can be a winning QB in the NFL. But I will grant you that OPIE and SCOTT FUJITA will bring some quality veteran leadership to the Cleveland locker room.
8) I have one more reason why I like ERIC NORWOOD/LB/SOUTH CAROLINA in this year’s DRAFT. I am impressed by his perseverance and effort off the field and in the classroom. NORWOOD was twice rejected as a student by South Carolina, before finally gaining admittance to the school as a Special Admit. NORWOOD earned his degree from USC last December. I really respect players who take their academics seriously while playing college ball.
9) It was an off year for the Southern Cal TROJANS Football Program culminating with the departure of PETE CARROLL to the NFL. But the talent basket was far from empty last season. There is an outside chance this year’s DRAFT could feature double digit Trojans being selected... again.
10) I am still thinking that the NFL DRAFT process, as reconfigured over 3 days, will not yield the money and broadcast ratings that the NFL has envisioned. But I also think the trade activity and rumor mill machine will be in overdrive during Thursday and Friday overnights and mornings. The time for over-thinking allotted to NFL franchises with this extended format could easily lead to a record number of player/pick transactions. It may also lend itself for an unprecedented number of personnel evaluation mistakes.

3/05/2101 So the NFL COMBINE is over and we are now in the devil-may-care part of the NFL calendar that is know as the Free Agency Signing Period. I haven’t heard the word “tender” used as much as I have this week since the last time a was at a fine steak house. So, let’s ramble around the NFL ranch, as seen through the eyes of Pigskin Paul...

1) In the weeks leading up to the COMBINE all we hear is that the get-together can’t hurt a player’s Draft stock and then this week all we get is articles, and reports from inside sources, about the winners and the losers at the COMBINE. Seems like another case of media ‘double-talk’ to me.
2) JACOBY FORD’s COMBINE leading 40-time of 4.28 seconds was very impressive. But let’s remember one thing about MR. FORD and his run... JACOBY is a track man. He’s been running straight-line dashes since grammar school. I just have to believe that some of that number reflects his comfort and skill level with that type of running in shorts.
3) The boys at SCOUTS, Inc. (that’s primarily you Mr. McSHAY) seem to have been drinking some of MIKE MAYOCK’s SOONER Cool-Aid recently. I saw this morning that GERALD McCOY is their top rated DRAFT Prospect now... ahead of MR. SUH. I didn’t see anything at the COMBINE that would cause me to move McCOY to the head of the list.
4) My thanks again to Mr. MAYOCK, seriously, for expressing his disgust with the never ending TEBOW flashbacks by NFL Network, right to the finish of their coverage on Tuesday. How many times did they need to debate and discuss the same numbers and issues? There were over 300 other Prospects in Indy, and at least 50 of them are going to get Drafted before TEBOW in April. I thought the NFL Network was trying to offer a bit more to the serious NFL fans. At times they acted more like paparazzi than a football network.
5) Nice job by RICH EISEN running his 40-yard dash on Monday afternoon. I’m convinced that even though he is now 40+ years old, if he’d shed the suit he could break that 6-second mark. But then again, if he did the whole schtick might lose its appeal.
6) If you want your first taste of what the new expiring-CBA, uncapped year is going to be like watch the trading, releasing and signing of players during the month of March. Among other things you will get a good feel for which owners can actually practice the self-imposed Cap restraint that most have talked about. You will also get a pretty quick feel for which Owners are going to lowball their teams payrolls ala the PIRATES in baseball.
7) Watching JOHN FOX and MARTY HURNEY choke up during the presser to announce the release of QB/JAKE DELHOMME, I am wondering how much of their angst was for DELHOMME (always the classy good soldier) and how much was about trying to break it to Owner JERRY RICHARDSON that they still owe JAKE about $12.5-million in guaranteed money on his contract.
8) I wonder if the RAMS organization feels compelled to grab QB/SAM BRADFORD at the top of the 2010 DRAFT? There will no doubt be some fan pressure to do so. Did you realize that the last time this franchise selected a QB in the First Round was back in 1964 when they took BILL MUNSON out of Utah State. MUNSON never started an NFL game in a 16 year career. That was so long ago that MUNSON is deceased, the RAMS were in L.A. at the time and it was before the inception of the AFL/NFL Common Draft.
9) Speaking of which, I think taking SAM BRADFORD at the top might be a big mistake. I am not convinced that his body of work cries out that he is a Franchise QB. Unless they can trade down a few spots I strongly advise them to take a SUH, McCOY or BERRY with their Pick. They might be better served to grab COLT McCOY at the start of Round 2 if they feel they have to select a name QB to appease the fan base.
10) It may not happen, but if you were to ask me which NFL teams are going to open up the pocket books and sign lots of VFA my top two nominees would be the REDSKINS & SEA HAWKS. Impatient owners, with mediocre teams, deep pockets, and high profile new Coaches (SHANAHAN/CARROLL) make them my primary bingeing candidates. Conversely, I think DA BEARS will growl a lot, but when it comes time to write the big checks they may go back to hibernation in their den after a week or so.

2/08/2010 Effectively speaking, the 2009 NFL season has ended with a mild upset in SUPER BOWL 44. Here are some things I’m thinking about today, before I move on to almost total absorption in the 2010 NFL DRAFT for the next three months.

1) The SUPER BOWLs over the past decade have been for the most part exciting and compelling compared to any previous time span in the history of the game. Let’s hope that the next decade will be just as exciting for NFL fans. Let’s also hope we don’t lose a game or two to labor lock-out situations. But more on that gloomy note later on.
2) If you don’t think the NFL is the darling of the North American viewing public, then please take note that last night’s game was the most widely viewed event in TV history. It finally broke the stranglehold on that distinction previously held by the last episode of M*A*S*H set more than two decades ago. Yes, there are more viewers and TVs today than then, but there are also infinitely more viewing options than back then.
3) Glad to see the glorious thrill of victory for the Hurricane KATRINA ravaged New Orleans area and SAINTS Nation. This is much more than just a football win for that entire area and group of people.
4) However, don’t hold your breath for the SAINTS to be defending their title next season. About half of the current roster is in their final contract year, which ends on February 28th. There will be a lot of new faces playing down on the bayou next fall. Probably too many to repeat this year’s magic.
5) On the other side of the coin, I am still not convinced that there wasn’t some Black Magic/Voodoo involved in this SAINTS’ season. If there is a way to extend the spell for another year who knows what might happen way down yonder in New Orleans.
6) The COLTS may be more likely to make it back to Super Bowl 45, but it will take some serious improvement, especially on the Defensive side of the ball. MUIR/JOHNSON may have been a size upgrade this year at DT, but they were not a talent upgrade. They were man-handled by the SAINTS’ OL yesterday. And they somehow need to get a healthy BOB SANDERS back at his S position, at least for next year’s Play-Offs.
7) I forgot who said it first today, but the COLTS who have won their division and had 12 wins or more just about every year this past decade, have only one Super Bowl victory to their credit and may have now become the ATLANTA BRAVES of professional football.
8) It may not be fair, or true, but in my mind TONY DUNGY breathes a small sigh of relief this morning, because he avoids a big asterisk beside his NFL coaching record. If CALDWELL had led the COLTS to a Super Bowl victory it would have been the second time another Coach took DUNGY’s ex-team to a Super Victory the year after he left town. Remember JON GRUDEN doing it in Tampa?! I am sure Tony doesn’t really care, but he doesn’t need to deal with that factoid now.
9) It’s really only a tag line, but I have no doubt that there will a lot more press about where MICHAEL VICK plays next season, than there deserves to be. I don’t care where he lands... I think he will have minimum impact for his new team on the field of play in 2010.
10) Now we can get on with the annual FAVRE watch from Mississippi. Will he, or won’t he, return/retire? His decision makes a huge difference in the potential fortunes of the MINNESOTA VIKINGS for 2010. And my educated guess says we won’t really know for sure until July... at the earliest.
11) It will be ‘very interesting’ to watch the off-season machinations of some franchises who now have some pretty high profile people in charge of their football fortunes: PETE CARROLL, Seattle; MIKE HOLMGREN, Cleveland; MIKE MARTZ, Cutlerville; MIKE SHANAHAN, Washington.
12) Do all you NFL fans see that ominous looking, formation of black clouds on the horizon? Pay attention, because it is scheduled to arrive in NFL-land on March 1st. It is the storm know as ‘No CBA’, and it may hang around raining on your pro football parade for quite some time. And the storm it brings may get worse before it gets better.

And that’s how PIGSKIN PAUL sees the lay of the land for pro football on the morning after the Super Bowl.

01/13/2010 The College Bowl Season is over, the NFL Play-Offs are underway (with a bang) and I’m packing my bags for the SHRINE GAME in Orlando. The world of football is in a tumult right now, so what better time for PIGSKIN PAUL to do some Thinking Out Loud...

1. The departure of PETE CARROLL from SoCal does not come as a shock to me after a little consideration. 2009 was his most disappointing season with the Trojans and JOE McKNIGHT is raising Reggie-Bush like questions from the NCAA. Oh, and let’s not forget the million$ of reason PAUL ALLEN gave him to try the NFL again.
2. I am much more surprised by the KIFFIN exodus from Tennessee to L.A. MONTE, I know he’s your beloved son, but how the heck did you raise this guy. Not in the LANE KIFFIN vocabulary: credibility or loyalty.
3. Something tells me the SEA HAWKS had an inkling that CARROLL was available. Why else would they have fired MORA & RUSKELL so quickly.
4. I agree with the HOLMGREN decision to continue the MANGINI-regime in Cleveland, at least for now. But something inside tells me those two are not a personality match made in heaven.
5. Still can’t get it out of my head that the TEXAS/ALABAMA Championship Game just had no magic to it unless you were associated with the schools involved. Not going to go down as a classic in my mind.
6. A very nice hire in Lubbock, bringing TOMMY TUBERVILLE in to replace the eccentric (to say the least) MIKE LEACH. TUBERVILLE is well respected in the college coaching ranks and has a calm, understated style. And overall he has a track record of winning, with style and grace.
7. The most exciting game of the first Play-Off weekend (no make that the only one) was the CARDS/PACKERS shootout. But how in the world did DOM CAPERS not decide he needed to change his game plan at half-time. What’s that definition of insanity.
8. Most intriguing match-up this weekend may be the COWBOYS going up to Minnesota. Seeing as its played inside I don’t see much home field advantage for VIKES. If WADE dials up the pressure on FAVRE, I think the COWBOYS are my favorite to win.
9. Now that I have watched the JETS play five times since Thanksgiving I cannot believe how much holding, bumping and grabbing the Officials allow DARRELLE REVIS to get away with. No wonder he has shut down so many opposing receivers. They finally flagged him a few times against Cincy.
10. I thought the PATRIOTS/RAVENS game was an enhanced film of a 1950’s Play-Off Game. JOE FLACCO threw the ball 10 times... are you kidding me?! That won’t work against the COLTS.
11. Most of the big name College Underclassmen have declared for the 2010 DRAFT. JAKE LOCKER may be the only elite potential First Rounder to not come out. Watch for half of the 2010 First Round to be Underclassman.
12. Headed for Orlando and Mobile to scout Prospects at the SHRINE and SENIOR BOWLS respectively. I am truly anxious to watch TIM TEBOW during practices under the watchful eyes of DAN HENNING and DAVID LEE of the DOLPHINS Coaching Staff down in Mobile. The practice week will tell more about his Pro Potential than anything he does in the game itself.

12/11/09 With my MacBook acting like PC these days, I’ve had plenty of time to watch and think football, but not enough outlets to express those thoughts. So let me limp along with my laptop and try to share what I consider to be my more salient observations this week.

1) God, I hate Winter in Wisconsin. We got all the way through November still acting like Fall, then got blasted this week. There’s 10” of snow in my yard, other than the places where the wind drifted it to 3-feet deep. No I am not exaggerating. They got up to 18” in Madison. Now we are sub-zero, even without calculating the wind-chill. That plan to move to Florida seems like genius right now.
2) So that first one had nothing to do with football, but hey... this is my rant and I control the keyboard right now.
3) In my opinion NOTRE DAME has hired the best guy to try to right the Irish ship. But just wait ‘til BRIAN KELLY gets up to South Bend and realizes how little Charlie has left behind for him to work with. With CLAUSEN & TATE both taking Charlie’s advice and bailing for the NFL the cupboard is pretty thin, if not empty.
4) If KELLY can’t return the Irish to their storied place in College Football, than I would suggest that the game has morphed past the school, unless they change their attitude on things like non-qualifiers and Junior College Recruits. There’s nothing wrong with high academic standards (especially at a University), but there is also nothing wrong with the success stories, which are out there, of kids using their athletic skills to gain access to college, and then developing into solid students and actually gaining their degrees. I get worried about college athletic programs when half the roster comes from JC ranks, but to deny any opportunity for higher education to underachieving/disadvantaged high school students smacks of elitism.
5) I knew FLORIDA had some serious holes in their team this season, compared to 2008, but I did not see the decisive loss to ALABAMA coming. If you watched carefully, that game was a start-to-finish spanking of the Gators, by a better all-around Crimson Tide team.
6) I doubt that it will happen this Saturday, but do you realize that if ARMY beats NAVY to go to 6-6, then all three of the Service Academies will be in a Bowl Game? ARMY has a spot waiting to play TEMPLE in the EAGLE BANK BOWL with a surprise win. AIR FORCE is scheduled to play HOUSTON in the ARMED FORCES BOWL. NAVY has a date to appear in the TEXAS BOWL to play MISSOURI. In my gut having these 3 teams all in Bowls would feel good in these times of global conflict.
7) I am still upset that TCU and BOISE STATE are matched up in the FIESTA BOWL. I’m glad they both got into a BCS Championship Bowl. I also think this will be one heck-of-a game. But when it is over and the winner emerges, my immediate thought will still be to question how I think these teams would have fared against a traditional powerhouse like TEXAS, OHIO STATE, FLORIDA, etc...
8) Switching to the Pro Game... it is quite clear that the STEELERS are not the team we thought they were and will have no shot at defending their Super Bowl crown. If you watched them fall to the hapless BROWNS Thursday night then you realize how far the mighty have fallen.
9) Besides the fact that it’s a nationally televised game, there should be major interest in the CHARGERS/COWBOYS game in JERRY’S Palace this Sunday. One of the key questions will be whether the COWBOYS are going to bounce back from their loss to the GIANTS last week or embark upon their annual December swoon. There is incredible pressure on JERRY’s team, whether they admit or not.
10) And if the COWBOYS bite the bullet, let’s not be to quick to jump on the ‘ROMO is a choker’ bandwagon. There are plenty of potential reasons for a COWBOYS downfall if it happens, starting with personnel decisions by JERRY & STEPHEN, and an out-of-shape, cheap-shot OL headed by FLOZELL ADAMS & ANDRE GURODE.
11) I still think the odds are highly sacked against both of them, but at 12-0 the COLTS & SAINTS are both getting within serious sniffing distance of perfect 16-0 regular season records. I’ll give you two reasons for their success this season. They both have two great leaders and players at the QB position in MR. PEYTON and DREW BREES. The COLTS are one of the most well-crafted, selfless rosters in the NFL. The SAINTS just have to have some kind of effective VOODOO working for them down in the Bayou.
12) Given the fade-job currently being turned in by the HOUSTON TEXANS, I fully expect Owner BOB McNAIR to pull the plug on Head Coach GARY KUBIAK. The talent on the overall roster has improved greatly in the past couple of years, but after a November swoon the team will be fighting to finish at the .500 mark for the season, again. They also need to start looking for a new QB. MATT SCHAUB is a classic non-clutch NFL QB. Bad games, mental lapses and multiple injuries make up the greater part of his NFL resume’.

Gotta go out in the frozen Wisconsin air to walk the dogs. If my laptop doesn’t freeze up on me I’ll be posting some Pro Picks this afternoon for you.

11/23/09 As an NFL wrap-up for Week 11, I thought I’d put down some random observations in this format. That’s just the way I feel this morning. It’s also a entry area that my “sick” computer functions better in right now.

1) Oh how the first month mighty have fallen. The JETS do indeed match-up well with their arch rival the PATRIOTS. But New England has a huge edge at the all-important QB position, and are used to playing in BELICHICK multiple schemes. The JETS are a team adapting to a new Head Coach and breaking in a Rookie QB. After their noisy 3-0 start the big target is now realistically on 2010 for the JETS.
2) JAY CUTLER is a total QB head-case right now. He can’t trust his OL for protection, which now has him throwing as he falls away, instead of stepping into, his throws. Thus the overthrows on long routes. He also can’t count on an inexperienced receiver corps to be where he expects them to be at all times. He has little, or no, running game to fall back on. Thus he is a mess, with no quick cure on the horizon.
3) But for some big defensive plays against an injured, and inept REDSKINS Offense, with just enough O to finally put one TD on the scoreboard, the COWBOYS were a heartbeat away from a second consecutive loss, and more cries for the head of WADE PHILLIPS. I cannot picture this team as a serious Super Bowl contender.
4) I have heartburn already in anticipation of the televised Thanksgiving Day NFL match-ups. There is some reason to believe that the PACKERS in Detroit could be mildly entertaining, considering Green Bay injury losses on D, and unless STAFFORD is too banged up to play. But the only hope for surviving the vaunted RAIDERS/COWBOYS contest may be for the overdose of turkey to result in a deep-sleep nap by mid-afternoon.
5) If mike holmgren does indeed have any interest in running the BROWNS organization RANDY LERNER had best find out exactly what HOLMGREN wants and write up the contract, with a big down payment check, yesterday if possible. The BROWNS organization is a disaster right now and even though I do not consider the emperor to be a football genius he has as much cache’ as anyone LERNER can possibly hope to lure to his pathetic franchise right now.
6) I love the pluck and athleticism of guys like BOB SANDERS and TROY POLAMALU as much as the next guy, but what good are they in the long term when their reckless abandon style of play (at their size) puts them at risk for the injured list on any given week. Do you realize that assuming SANDERS shows up at COLTS Training Camp next summer, healthy and ready to play, he will have played in 47 of a possible 96 games during his 6 year NFL career? ‘Hair-Troy’ hasn’t been out that much overall, but the past two years seem to indicate a breakdown pattern for him.
7) If you would like the definition of a “Big Play” weapon look no further than DeSEAN JACKSON of the EAGLES. He seriously wounded DA BEARS last night with a 38-yard TD catch. That TD was JACKSON’s shortest scoring play as a receiver of the 7 he has in the first 26 games of his NFL career . Conversely, I suppose that makes the little guy a non-factor in the Red Zone... at least for now.
8) Just when we thought the BENGALS had turned the corner and were a serious Play-Off contender they go into the dark-hole in Oakland and give away the game in the last five minutes of the contest. I’m still amazed that the RAIDERS have managed to win 3 games this season. And this one they captured with BRUCE GRADKOWSKI at QB, while amassing 275 yards of total offense. The BENGALS were in an early Christmas giving mood, coughing up 3 fumbles to the RAIDERS and losing the Turnover battle 2-4.
9) BRAD CHILDRESS may want to consider being brett favre’s personal chauffeur on a full time basis, after getting his lucrative contract extension. There can be little doubt that the addition, and current level of play by FAVRE, has made BRAD look like a genius... for now. We’ll see how excited Owner ZYGI WILF is when FAVRE finally does retire and he is left with CHILDRESS still at the helm of his franchise.
1) Pretty amazing that the NFL has two teams without a number in the Loss Column after 10 games. I don’t expect either the COLTS or SAINTS to make it to 16-0, but then again I’m not sure I would pick either of them to lose any weekend soon. Wanna place any bets on how much MR. PEYTON plays late in the season with the Conference home-field locked up, but an undefeated season on the line? It will be his call, not JIM CALDWELL’s, I can assure you.

*You can see my Players of the Week selections in the NFL NOTES sections as usual.*

Week 7 of the 2009 College Football season is in the books. How about a little general discussion of thoughts and observations through the TV-bleary eyes of Pigskin Paul this Sunday morning...

1) Not trying yo pick on anyone here, but despite a valiant comeback effort on their home field the NOTRE DAME loss to SOUTHERN CAL really only re-affirms that the Fighting Irish may be gaining ground, but they are still cannot beat the perennial elite teams. They need some significant upgrade work on the Defensive side of the ball in particular.
2) The most pathetic performance by a major program continues to be the bumbling ILLINI under ron zook and his staff. Seldom has a Coaching Staff done so little with so much. ZOOK has to go after this season. He is a nice guy, who will find himself a job at a major program with recruiting as his forte’. He falls in the same category as ED ORGERON as a poor Head Coach, but a great recruiter. For the record the ILLINI are now 1-5 on the season.
3) My choice as the surprisingly ‘really good’ team of the season so far is CINCINNATI. Remember they lost 5 defensive players who were Drafted last April and yet sport a perfect 6-0 record after a tough road win in Tampa against a previously undefeated USF squad last Thursday night. Now they have lost pro prospect QB TONY PIKE for a while. We’ll have to see if the magic continues.
4) Speaking of PIKE’s injury... I have two thoughts about major QB Prospects this fall.
I feel like a jinx. It seems every time I target a QB for scouting they either get hurt (PIKE,
BRADFORD) or they have a mediocre game (SNEAD, McCOY). Any NFL team looking for next
Draft’s STAFFORD/SANCHEZ, RYAN/FLACCO impact Rookie QB is in for a rude awakening.
1) ALABAMA looks like the best undefeated team to me right now, but they are going to have to get more out of their passing game on a game-to-game basis to run the table and become BCS Champs. If JULIO JONES is healthy that may just fall into place. Their D is absolutely dominant.
2) Part of me wants to jump on BOBBY STOOPS as one of the most overrated Coaches in College Football, but then I look at what injuries have done to his team I am prepared to give him a pass for this season. But, he sure has become MACK BROWN’s bitch this decade.
3) How much of a mess is the 2009 HEISMAN Race? It’s a big time scramble in my opinion. None of the front runners have been dominant. BRADFORD can chock this year up as a lost season. TEBOW is showing wear and tear, and really misses HARVIN & MURPHY in the passing game. COLT looks OK, but he has put his best numbers up against questionable competition (LA-MONROE, UTEP, WYOMING), and has thrown way too many INT already, 7 in 6 games. TEBOW and McCOY need to pick up the pace, and soon.
4) I’ll give you my legitimate dark-horse for this year’s HEISMAN TROPHY: DAN LeFEVOUR/QB/Central Michigan. You’ve read about him in these pages in the past. But let me tell you what he has done this year. His passing stats through 7 games are 140/200- 70%- 1549 yards- 14 TD- 4 INT. But wait, just like TEBOW his legs are a major weapon as well. He has also run for 395 yards and another 9 TD. And the net result of his efforts is leading his team to a 6-1 record, which includes an upset of MICHIGAN STATE at East Lansing.
5) One more note on LeFEVOUR, lest you think he is a Johnny-come-lately to success. With his 2 TD passes yesterday against arch-rival Western MIchigan he has now thrown 88 for his career and is one behind BYRON LEFTWICH & PEYTON MANNING on the college career TD list.
6) On a sobering note my sympathies go out to the UCONN Football Program and the family of Junior CB JASPER HOWARD who was murdered on campus after the UCONN win over Louisville. Details are sketchy at this time, but he was stabbed to death just hours after the game.

9/27/2009 Let’s take a spin around the world of COLLEGE FOOTBALL after the first full month of the 2009 season. Here are some random thoughts that crossed my mind as Saturday unfolded.

1) The 2009 season looks to be just as wild and chaotic as its recent predecessors with 5 of the TOP 10 teams taking a tumble as the clock struck midnight this week. I don’t like the odds for any unbeatens this season.
2) A very tough week for SUPERMAN TEBOW. A bout with a respiratory infections is followed up by a concussion from the knee of one of his blockers.
3) The hot seat has to heating up quite quickly for some big name coaches... BOBBY BOWDEN & RON ZOOK being the first two to come to my mind.
4) Big win by TCU @ CLEMSON. Death Valley is a big stage for them to win on. They play to 44, 000 fans at home and won this game in front of 80, 000 enemies in this win.
5) What is he irony of SPURRIER pulling off the first Top 210 scalping of the weekend with a GAMECOCK team that is powered by a stifling Defense, while his Offense continues to struggle?
6) MT. CODY continues to see time as a FB in the TIDE’s goal line Offense. Methinks he might get his first actual carry when ST. NICK faces his new buddy LANE KIFFIN October 24th at home.
7) TONY PIKE is having he kind of Senior season that MATT RYAN had two seasons ago at B.C. If this continues watch him vault into the upper reaches of R! in the 2010 NFL DRAFT.
8) The SOONERS catch as big of a schedule break as possible while waiting for SAM BRADFORD to return. If they can tough it out for a trip to Miami next week, he could be ready for the big showdown with TEXAS, Oct. 17th.
9) Speaking of schedule breaks... the GATORS have a BYE next weekend while TEBOW tries to recover from his illness and injury. Their next game... Oct. 10 @ L.S.U.
10) The BCS picture is going to get dicey if BOISE STATE ends the year as the only unbeaten D1 team. Their schedule is not deserving of the top spot even if they are the only perfect record team. Stay tuned for that NCAA dilemma.

9/12/09 It’s a football weekend in September. In fact the first one to include both Pro and College games. So here are some thoughts that I have heading into the weekend’s action.

1) Just when I thought DAN HAWKINS was getting the COLORADO football program back on track they lose their first two games to COLORADO STATE and TOLEDO. Perhaps the school deserves another dose of humility after trying to sweep the ills of the BARNETT regime under the carpet, but HAWKINS deserves better.
2) So we now know another thing that TOM BRADY is good at. He announced this week that wife GISELLE is indeed pregnant. This will be his second child; the couples’ first.
3) I can’t imagine how upside-down the world of RICHARD SEYMOUR is. There’s no way he could have seen this trade, particularly to the Dark Hole that is the RAIDERS, coming as NFL roster cut-down day arrived. Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse!
4) I was channel flipping Thursday nite between two really competitive games: CLEMSON/GA TECH & TITANS/STEELERS. One major conclusion I came to on the college side is that CLEMSON (even though they lost) would never have mounted their comeback effort under the TOMMY BOWDEN regime. DABO looks to have a chance to be a really good one.
5) Loved the T-Shirt spotted on some CLEMSON fans Thursday night: Yabba-Dabo-Do.
6) I felt vindicated with a couple of comments from URBAN MEYER this week saying that 4 ( or more) NFL Coaches have consulted with him regarding his Spread Offense and its potential in the NFL. No one has quite figured out how to use it as more than a change-of-pace yet, but I am still convinced it is just a matter of time.
7) How far have some top college football programs slipped in recent years? Here is another example: STEWART MANDEL, College Football Guru for SI, has projected FRESNO STATE to beat WISCONSIN by 2, in Madison today! It hasn’t happened yet, but the BIELEMA Era in Mad-Town is indeed struggling.
8) The insanity that has become FLORIDA STATE football continues. BOBBY BOWDEN is crying that he and his staff felt there was one second left on the clock after the final end zone drop sealed the home loss to rival MIAMI. And FSU President T.K. WETHERELL went public with comments that the NCAA had backed out of a “deal” that was in place regarding the latest athlete cheating scandal. The SEMINOLES have been downright embarrassing most of this decade in their football program dealings.
9) The “black-out” watch in not sold -out NFL cities is a hot topic this week. Do you think the League has gotten the message that the economic climate had changed in this country (as well as many others)? The delayed broadcast concept for games that do not sell out is a pretty good response from the League Office... for now.
10) Very strange and disappointing injury news in OKLAHOMA. They do not know when they will get a functionally-healthy SAM BRADFORD back on the field, and TE/JERMAINE GRESHAM is gone for the entire season after knee surgery. For a solid TOP 10 pre-season ranked team, and a serious BCS Championship candidate that is a lot of Offense to win without.
11) BRETT FAVRE will tie JIM MARSHALL as the NFL iron-man with his start this Sunday at 170 consecutive games.

8/31/2009 As usually happens when the football season gets really close I have more questions than I do answers about things I see and hear. So under this very convenient cover title here are some random thoughts.

1) The League will miss TEDY BRUSCHI just as much as the PATRIOTS will as the season unfolds. He had slipped some last season and it was obvious in the Pre-Season games I watched that his legs just couldn’t get him where his head told him he should be. Despite having to rehab from a stroke, he played for PARCELLS, CARROLL & BELICHICK over the course of his 14 year NFL career.
2) What’s the deal in Oakland with TOM CABLE punching out Assistant Coach RANDY HANSON and breaking his jaw? They must not bother with having a Human Resources Dept. in the RAIDERS empire. Last I heard HANSON had retained an attorney and was exploring his options. This will bear watching and could be more embarrassing to the League than the RAIDERS. They seem to be beyond embarrassment these days.
3) I wonder if BRETT FAVRE was watching Sunday night to see the “welcome” JAY CUTLER got upon his return to Denver with DA BEARS. That atmosphere was like a PLay-Off Game not a Pre-Season contest. Let’s see... that big date in GREEN BAY is November 1st, and if I were FAVRE I would not expect to be treated like the returning hero by the vast majority of the fans in attendance.
4) The G-MEN may be slipping down the Power Rankings ladder significantly in September. They have more injuries to their Defense than even their massive VFA signings can compensate for. And if they need to score buckets of points to compensate then the lack of any WR really stepping up this Pre-Season to be “the man” , and replace PLEX could mean double jeopardy.
5) What’s with the sartorial statements on the sidelines this past weekend? JOSH McDANIELS looked just like his mentor BILL with an early fall hoody on. Conversely BELICHICK himself was walking the sidelines in D.C. with a logo polo shirt on, albeit not tucked in.
6) Quite often new Head Coaches try to stock up on players they have coached with previous teams. BRONCOS head man McDANIELS is no exception. As of this morning I counted a dozen ex-PATRIOTS on the team’s 80-man roster. A little continuity goes a long way, but it would mean a whole lot more if some of the names on the list were BRADY, MOSS, WELKER, SEYMOUR, MAYO et al.
7) One of the big questions of the NCAA Football season is whether OLE MISS can carry the pressure of being touted as a pre-season Top 10 team in most publications, with a QB who could be better than either ex-MANNING to play there. This is heady stuff, the likes of which has not even been whispered about in Oxford since the days of Coach JOHNNIE VAUGHT.
8) This is the year that the find out how good a gameday Coach and developer of players PETE CARROLL truly is. He’s scheduled to play a Freshman QB (MATT BARKLEY) and returns only 2 starters on the Defensive side of the ball. Oh yeah, he also lost his OC, SARKISIAN, to WASHINGTON. If he and his staff whip this crew into a BCS Bowl Series participant he will confirm his own legend.
9) A very enlightening interview in the current (August 31) edition of SPORTING NEWS MAGAZINE between writer STEVE GREENBERG and the OL' BALL COACH, STEVE SPURRIER. Quite honest and introspective on SPURRIER’s part. Make it a point to read the article if you’re a college football fan.
10) There are some great opening weekend match-ups in College ball this Labor Day weekend like OREGON/BOISE ST, GEORGIA/OKLAHOMA ST, ILLINOIS/MISSOURI, etc. Conversely, it should be a ‘double-shame’ weekend for some major schools that feel they have to get a win so badly that they buy it, by enticing some lower level program to send their team to the slaughter for a quick $1-million pay-out. How about these games to excite you: LBERTY/WEST VIRGINIA, MONTANA ST/MICHIGAN ST, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN/FLORIDA. The NCAA needs to step in and reverse this trend of buying a victory. Shame on some of you big schools, who buy a couple of wins each year and pulverize a smaller program’s team.

THE RACY ELWAY

8/20/2009 How about if I just pose some questions to you (some might be rhetorical) about some recent scenarios in the world of Football.

1) First FAVRE thought... does it strike you, like it does me, that he gets pretty testy these days when queried a bit about his waffling, and yet he can’t live without being in front of the camera?
2) Is it just me or does BRAD CHILDRESS seem to lack a certain degree of credibility in his presentation of self, in this and other matters?
3) Second FAVRE thought... am I the only one who sees some similarities between FAVRE these days, and a guy named PALADIN from back in the TV Westerns hey-day?

ARM 4-HIRE Wire Hattiesburg? PALADIN 4-HIRE

1) Can things get much uglier in the locker room in Denver before the players just burn JOSH in his own office?
2) How many new tickets did the COWBOYS sell after they got rolled by the RAIDERS, 31-10?
3) Do you BENGALS fans sleep a little bit better knowing you are not the only team that isn’t likely to sign their Round 1 Draft PIck anytime soon?
4) Don’t you just love the signs in Phily after the VICK signing? How about; ‘Lock up your Beagles, VICK is an EAGLE!”
5) I know it’s early, but does anybody out there really think the BRONCOS won’t miss CUTLER a whole lot this season with ORTON at the controls?
6) Can I see a show of hands... How many people really think JIM TRESSEL will take off the handcuffs and let TERRELLE PRYOR be the next VINCE YOUNG of College Football?
7) Do you think LANE KIFFIN has finally quieted down because he saw his SEC schedule, and then looked at his current roster again?

Think about this stuff for a while, but don’t hurt yourself.

8/03/2009 TRAINING CAMPS are under way and I can smell the pigskin in the air. Time for some miscellaneous thoughts from around the world of football... through the eyes of PIGSKIN PAUL.

1) Good to hear that DERRICK MASON has un-retired both for the NFL and the RAVENS. Word is that his initial decision to retire was spurred on by despondency after the death of his friend and ex-teammate STEVE McNAIR.
2) Very sad news for the entire NFL world last week with the death of EAGLES Defensive Coordinator JIM JOHNSON. JOHNSON was one of the true genius-minds in the NFL coaching ranks... and a good man in general. God rest his soul. He will be missed, especially in EAGLES-land.
3) Expect a serious drop-off around the NFL this season when it comes to explosive Kick-Off returns. Perhaps the biggest change in NFL rules going into the 2009 season is the elimination of the blocking wedge on returns. No more than two blockers may bunch together in front of the returner when setting up a return. This could result in a serious shift in the starting field position for NFL offenses this year.
4) REX RYAN announced last week that vet KELLEN CLEMENS goes into Camp listed at No. 1 on the QB depth chart. Makes sense I guess, but do any of us really think SANCHEZ isn’t the man come September? That’s a rhetorical question, folks.
5) On the other hand one of the more intense, real QB battles should be taking place in BROWNS Camp right now. BRADY QUINN and DEREK ANDERSEN are in a true old-fashioned competition for the starting job. And don’t rule out BRETT RATLIFF if those two both stumble badly. RATLIFF is the most familiar with MANGINI’s system, and he was more than just a throw-in on the SANCHEZ/Draft Day trade.
6) It’ll be good to see ADAM SCHEFTER back on the airwaves this month as an NFL reporter with ESPN. He demonstrated that he is one of the best “insiders” in the industry during his time with NFL Network. I really missed his presence during the April DRAFT.
7) And speaking of media, I love the “MORT Goes to Camp” concept on ESPN. Just wondering though, if his bus is a retrofit of the one used by TONY KORNHEISER the past two seasons. Enjoy your travels Chris.
8) Based on what I have heard and read so far I expect the last Round One Draftee to sign will be MICHAEL CRABTREE with the ‘NINERS. Seems his agent, EUGENE PARKER, wants top five money even though his client was drafted at No.11. PARKER must have been schooled in some form of “new math”. So much for an impact Rookie season for Michael.
9) Would someone please get to BRANDON MARSHALL and stuff a sock in his mouth. He is too young (25), and too early in his pro career (3 years) to be sounding off like T.O. already. Even OWENS waited until he was almost 30 to start mouthing off all the time.
10) Hey JERRY JONES, love your new stadium, but buddy you have to sign your Draft Choices. I was getting worried that JERRY was too busy with other things, until they inked just about everyone Training Camp eve. The way JONES structures his roster, his dozen Draftees need to play a significant role as back-ups and Special Teamers.

One too many blockers for 2009! JIM JOHNSON CHRIS MORTENSEN Not MORT’s bus!