Minnesota Vikings Game-by-Game Predictions for 2009

This is a slide show for the predictions and games stuff with the actuall games for 2009 season. At the end will be the overall record guess for the season. Just to mention that the Vikings might get a new QB by the end of the year. Before we do this I will make my prediction and I say 10-6 so shall we continue

Bears to Open 2009 Season Against Packers on Sunday Night Football

Bears to open 2009 season against Packers on Sunday Night Football

I am glad to pronounce that the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers rivalry will be put on display in prime time next season.

The Bears will open the 2009 season in Green Bay against the Packers Sept. 13 on Sunday Night Football, the NFL announced today.

The Bears open the season last year on Sunday Night Football and crushed the Indianapolis Colts, 29-13.

In five seasons as Bears coach, Lovie Smith has compiled a 7-3 record against the Packers.

By comparison, former Bears coaches Dave Wannstedt (1-11) and Dick Jauron (2-8) combined to go 3-19 versus Green Bay.

The Bears lead the all-time series, 90-80-6.

Luke McCown: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Starting Quarterback?

Under the new regime of Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers new offense under Jeff Jagodzinski is set to be more aggressive, smash-mouth, and full of big-play, down-field threat.

Such a system requires a certain kind of quarterback, and the Buccaneers have something of a quandary at the position, as it is less than apparent in who will lead the team on opening day.

Though nothing is set in stone for the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-year-old Luke McCown feels he is definitely part of the plan.

“We are getting rolling with the offense,” said McCown. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities. We are getting acquainted with the offense and [Jeff Jagodzinski], and his way of doing things. There is a lot of open, real good communication going on right now as far as the offense and his installation of it, and how we the players perceive it.

“Having been through [Jon] Gruden’s offense for five years and having that ingrained, there needs to be that communication of translating things. I think of the guys that are here, the receivers, the running backs, have done a really good job. We’ve have had some time together to pick up on his philosophy of offense.”

The Bucs re-signed McCown to a two-year, $7.5 million contract before the free agent signing period began in late-February. The decision to re-sign McCown was one of the factors that led to the decision to not re-sign Jeff Garcia, whom McCown backed up for the majority of the 2008 season.

Moving away from former head coach Jon Gruden’s version of the West Coast offense, McCown likes the concepts of Jagodzinski’s system.

“Yeah I think so, everybody talked about the complexity of Coach Gruden’s system and it was at times, but the volume of it was what made it tough to grasp sometimes,” McCown said.

“It was how much he had going into a game plan, and from the installation that we’ve had with coach Jags we kind of get an understanding that the volume as far as game plans, and overall, is going to be cut down. We can still do all the same things that we did. We can still match up personnel wise in the same ways that we did in previous years. It is just the verbiage and the volume of memorization is not going to be as much, and I think that is going to help.”

McCown has a 1-6 record as a starter in the NFL (1-2 in Tampa) and has a career quarterback rating of 75.2. However, he owns a 91 QB rating in the seven games (three starts) with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay currently has three quarterbacks on its roster in McCown, veteran Brian Griese and untested Josh Johnson, but head coach Raheem Morris and Jagodzinski plan to bring four signal-callers to training camp. 

Tampa Bay could still draft a quarterback in April, but McCown feels the Bucs are allowing him to compete for a starting job in 2009. While the Bucs haven’t expressed much interest in free agent quarterbacks, they have been linked to rumors and reports that suggest Broncos QB Jay Cutler is on his way out of Denver.

“All anybody ever needs is a chance,” McCown said. “A lot of people wanted to cut Matt Cassel after the preseason last year and go with Kevin O’Connell, the guy they drafted, as the two. All he needed was a chance, and he did a hell of a job last year, so all anybody is ever looking for is a chance.

“I feel as much or more skill, athletic ability, ability to throw the ball, and accuracy as anybody in the league. I just need that opportunity to grow into being a proven experienced guy. You can’t go out and buy it. You don’t get it coming out of college.

“You have to wait your turn, if that is sitting on the bench for five years, six years, then that is just kind of the way it goes. I’m ready. I feel like I’m ready, if I’m not ready now after six years, I don’t know when you will be ready. I’m going to take my lumps as everybody does, but I’m going to get better through them.”

Despite the Jay Cutler saga, McCown is not disheartened. He feels he is the man to lead the new-look Bucs.

“My job is go out and prove that I’m the franchise guy,” McCown said. “I have a year or two to prove that. What they feel like they need to do is what they feel is best for the organization. I love the Bucs. I love being here. I’m glad to be here. I want the Bucs to succeed.

“Mark wants to be the best [general manager] that he can be, Raheem was to be the best head coach that he can be, they have to do their jobs and their jobs is to put together the best team that they can put together.

“If they feel like that is another option, I can’t blame them for it. I wouldn’t agree with it. I have the opportunity to prove now that I’m the franchise guy that they are looking for. The guy that is going to be the quarterback here for the next seven, eight, nine years, and I’m going to do my very best to prove that.”

Houston Adds Free Agent; Not From Denver

Inside the NFL Annual Meeting

Evaluating The Philadelphia Eagles’ 2008 and Assessing 2009: Running Back

The Eagles’ running game was one of the more frustrating parts of the 2008 season. 

From starting the season without a fullback, to playing most of the season without a healthy Brian Westbrook, throw in an almost complete failure to even utilizethe run, and it made for a tough season.

When Westbrook is healthy, he is arguably the most dynamic player in the NFL.  In 2008, Westbrook had his most disappointing season since his rookie campaign in 2003. 

He spent most of this past season battling injuries, and unlike previous years, he wasn’t able to remain effective. 

After totaling 195 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in the first two games, Westbrook only managed to play in two of the next four games, racking up just 45 yards on 17 carries when he did play.

After the bye week, things looked to be improving after a 22-carry, 167-yard, two touchdown performance against Atlanta. 

Unfortunately, it was around this time when the offense got a little too pass happy, and went south. The Eagles won just one of their next four games, and Westbrook averaged just 15 rushes and 46 yards per game, and failed to score a touchdown in that span. 

Following the worst four-game stretch of the season came the best five-game stretch.

Westbrook played a pivotal role in the first two games, in wins over the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants.

Westbrook scorched the Cardinals with 110 yards on 22 carries, and two rushing TDs, plus two receiving touchdowns. 

The following week he helped wear down the Giants with 131 yards on a career-high 33 carries, and added another rushing and receiving touchdown to his season stats.

After the Giants game, however, Westbrook was never the same.  He rushed for no more than 53 yards in any game the rest of the season and scored no more touchdowns.

In the playoffs, outside of a brilliant 71-yard touchdown reception in Minnesota, Westbrook was a non-factor.  He rushed for just 119 yards in three games, averaging just 2.4 yards per rush.

The down year by Westbrook was compounded by the fact that the Eagles simply refused to use backup Correll Buckhalter.  Buckhalter rushed for 369 yards for the season, averaging 4.9 yards per rush.  He also had 24 receptions for 324 yards, averaging over 12 yards per catch. 

While Westbrook toiled in mediocrity, Buckhalter showed a penchant for making big plays.  In just 102 touches, Buckhalter gained 20 or more yards 10 times. 

By comparison, in 287 touches, Westbrook had just seven such plays. 

In the postseason, Buckhalter inexplicably touched the ball just 15 times.  On those 15 touches, Buckhalter picked up 86 yards and converted on three big third downs.

The biggest problem with the Eagles’ running game was a failure to use it. 

Just 37 percent of their offensive plays were running plays.  Some make the argument that the running game was ineffective, but it was never given the proper chance.

A running game tends to have an accumulative affect, and can wear down a defense.  In games where the Eagles ran more than 37 percent of the time, they posted a 6-1 record. 

When you raise it to 40 percent runs, their record was 6-0.

In games where the Eagles ran the ball less than 37 percent of the time, they were just 3-5-1.  When they ran the ball on less than 33 percent of their plays, they went 0-5-1.

Another huge factor in the disappointing rushing attack was the lack of a fullback.  The original plan was to use halfback Tony Hunt, but that didn’t work so well, so plan B was to use Dan Klecko.

How did Klecko fare at fullback? 

Let’s just say for a fullback, Klecko is a really good defensive tackle. 

He showed some improvement later in the year, but he is not a fullback.  Klecko missed some key blocking assignments on short yardage plays gone wrong.

Last week, the Eagles added a real NFL fullback to the roster.  Leonard Weaver has a chance to make a real impact on this team.  He is a decent blocker, and is better than most fullbacks with the ball in his hands.

A converted tight end, Weaver is 6’0, 242 pounds.  He has great athletic ability, and is a very good pass catcher.  He averaged 11.1 yards per reception in Seattle in 2008, and also averaged 4.3 yards per rush.

With Buckhalter leaving for the Denver Broncos, the Eagles are a little thin at the running back position.  Westbrook will be 30 years old at the start of the season, which is never a good milestone for a NFL running back. 

Behind Westbrook on the depth chart is only Lorenzo Booker, who didn’t look like he even belonged on an NFL roster a year ago, and former Chargers practice squad player, Eldra Buckley.

Weaver could possibly fill the role of the big back fans have craved for so long, but with Westbrook’s future in doubt, a big back to compliment him isn’t the biggest need. 

It is time to find the heir apparent to No. 36.

The Eagles decided to pass on Derrick Ward, along with every other free agent running back, so the only option is to find someone in the draft.

If Westbrook can bounce back from a disappointing 2008, the position should be a strength.  Weaver is a more capable lead blocker than anyone the team has had since Jon Ritchie.

If the successful five-game stretch, and the addition of a fullback are any indication, the Eagles may be more dedicated to the running game next season.

If the Eagles are going to get back to the NFC Championship game, and take the next step to reach the Super Bowl, the running game will need to play a big part.

Eagles fans need to hope 2008 wasn’t the start of Westbrook’s decline. 

If it was, 2009 could be a long year.

 

Donte Stallworth Frustrated with QB, Attempts to Join Prison League with Vick

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth must have been disappointed with his 17 catches last season, and as a result he’s trying to catch something other than a pigskin; a case.

If you haven’t heard, Stallworth hit and killed a 59-year-old crane operator with his Bentley in Miami. According to Donte Stallworth’s attorney, authorities have yet to release blood tests which will determine the WR’s future, but the Miami Herald reports his blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit. Getting lit and driving around in his high-profile Bentley must appeal to the well-traveled receiver, who already has one DUI under his belt.

Odds are the reports of Stallworth being over the legal limit are accurate, and Stallworth might be catching something other than a football or a criminal case; a ‘cockmeat sandwich.’ If convicted, Stallworth is going to do a good chunk of time in the slammer, where he will have plenty of time to perfect his balls-hand coordination.

Although it is a tragedy a 59-year-old man trying to provide for his family lost his life, Browns’ fans can count this as a blessing. If accused, the Browns can dump Stallworth’s 35 million dollar contract. Although five million a year is not too pricey, it is not worth 17 catches and one TD a season. The Browns receiving corps is an immense problem. [Read more about Donte Stallworth]

Jay Cutler Has Much To Learn from the Cleveland Browns’ QBs

Many times we hear the word “professional” associated with the National Football League. Often it is stated that “it is a business,” and it should be known by now that player movements are very common.

Coaches prefer “their guys” that fit “their system”, and sometimes even very talented players find themselves being moved to new teams.

All of this, apparently was lost on Jay Cutler.

New Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels upon taking the job probably had no intention of trading his pro-bowl face-of-the-franchise quarterback. At the scouting combine however, he was approached about the possibility of acquiring the QB he has spent the last two years grooming in Matt Cassel.

The issue was explored, but nothing came of the discussions.

Cutler, meanwhile, already stewing that a coach he liked playing for was fired, further enraged that his offensive coordinator was not retained catches wind of the trade murmurs and has a hissy fit.

Upon Shanahan’s release, he hinted that maybe he should be released as well, and that negative sentiment boiled over into a full on temper-tantrum with the star QB stamping his feet and pounding his fists screaming “I WANT TO BE TRADED!”

A meeting set to “calm the waters” seemed to only throw gas on the fire, and rather than mending fences Cutler placed his Denver home for sale.

McDaniels and the Broncos ownership seem fairly stunned at Cutler’s reaction, and why shouldn’t they? Every player is trade-able for the right price, and a QB that the new coach is already familiar with is in many cases the right price.

Still, the deal wasn’t done, it wasn’t more than an idea, and isn’t Cutler over-reacting just a tad?

Juxtapose to the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room for a moment.

Cleveland is also housing a new coaching regime, and has a fan favorite Quarterback that the front office hasn’t publicly endorsed as of yet in Brady Quinn.

Quinn has been involved in several trade-for-Cutler scenarios, as well as being battered by NFL Network’s Mike Lombardi in several recent stories saying everything from “Quinn will have to compete for job” to “Quinn is not accurate enough to succeed in the NFL”.

Quinn is also in a real struggle to emerge as the starter over former Pro-Bowler Derek Anderson.

Interviewed at a Cavaliers game Saturday, Quinn downplays the rumors. He maintains the attitude that he can only control what he can, and he continues to work as hard as he can on the field. “As of now I am a Cleveland Brown, and I will continue to work to make the Browns better as long as I am a member of the team,” Quinn says.

The attitude is shared by his competition as well.

Anderson, in a word, flopped following his Pro-Bowl appearance in 2007. He was benched after eight starts in 2008 following a very lack-luster half season. Still, he remained up beat.

He remained a team player and has stated again and again that he will do everything he can to make the Browns better as long as he is on the roster. Following several trade rumors this off season, Anderson’s attitude stayed true. “I am a Cleveland Brown,” Anderson said at an Oregon golf outing. “That’s who I play for and that is who I will work hard for.”

So what is it that makes the Brown’s QB’s so humble and so quick to say the right thing? Through struggles and injuries, benching and competitions, these guys have never let an inflammatory comment fly.

They have maintained a level head throughout, and have always said exactly what you would want the leader of your team to say.

What is to be made of Cutler then? If he is a true Franchise Quarterback, shouldn’t he have just a little bit of a stiffer upper lip? Shouldn’t he be able to take a punch and wipe it off with a smile? Shouldn’t a leader set some kind of example for his team?

The answer of course is no, as the phones in Denver endlessly ring with a minimum of ten teams calling for Cutler’s services.

His arm is dazzling. He can sling it. But when the cards are down, and the pressure is on, can he take it? In this competition of composure, Cutler is coming up short.

The Current Top Five NFL Tight Ends

It is said that Kellen Winslow Sr. (above), along with Ozzie Newsome, Dave Casper, and John Mackey, helped to redefine the tight end position.
Historically, tight ends were basically just faster offensive lineman who could run a short route and catch a pass but Winslow as well as the others changed the tight end position.
Now, tight ends have to have the size and strength to block, as well as the speed and hands to catch passes.
Today, the NFL isn’t full of these guys, but there are a few and here are the top current top 5 NFL tight ends.

Cincinnati Bengals Show Interest in Chris Wells: Good Fit?

Throughout the drafting process, experts have said Chris “Beanie” Wells will be going in the middle to late first round.

They said the need for a running back wasn’t all that important in this year’s draft, just like quarterbacks.

Like usual, the Bengals beg to differ on those expert opinions.

The Bengals have expressed interest in Ohio State’s former running back, and are having the former Buckeye in for a visit in early April.

If the Bengals would pick Wells in that first round, he would leave the board as the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft.

So, are the Bengals, who were 4-11-1 last year, a good fit for the Heisman candidate?

I think they really are. Wells has grown up in Ohio, and Cincinnati isn’t that far from his hometown of Akron. He played his college ball in Columbus, which still wasn’t far from his hometown.

Location could be important to Wells.

Now, as far as football, I’ve been saying it all along that the Bengals need to draft Chris Wells. He’s a dominant player with power to plow through the front lines and he has the speed to get past the second level.

If you look at his performance at the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.59 40 yard dash and was not satisfied with it. He prepared and trained so when he gets to Ohio State’s pro day, he runs a 4.34 and a 4.46.

He’s a work horse and that’s what the Bengals need. They don’t need another Ocho Cinco who’s going to sit there and whine about his numbers, but rathern, Cincy needs someone who’s working to improve them.

That is why Wells was going from a mid-first rounder to a potential top-10 selection.

As far as fitting into the Bengals system, Wells would fit nicely. The Bengals signed Cedric Benson last season, and he played well, but they need to go for depth. Players get hurt, and running back is one of the toughest jobs in the NFL.

Wells has had some injuries, but anyone that follows him knows he tries everything he can to get on the field. Buckeyes head coach coach Jim Tressel said that Chris Wells was very upset he didn’t get any time against the USC Trojans back in September.

The Bengals need an offensive lineman, but they should be looking to solve that issue in free agency.

I’ve seen a Mock Draft that has them picking Michael Crabtree, but I don’t think that would be a smart choice, especially after taking two wide receivers in last year’s draft.

They need to draft the best at the position, and I clearly think Chris Wells is a better choice than Georgia’s Knowshon Marino.

It would be a win-win for both parties. Wells gets to be close to home, and the Bengals get a difference maker.

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