The Possible Future Expansion Of The NFL “Brady Rule” Is Making Me Hermatile

 

The continuous yearly rule changes are making me a bit angry, no really; it’s making me hermatile.

The NFL and all the team owners decided it was time to institute some more rules to protect the quarterback from serious harm. One of the newest rules is termed as the “Brady Rule.”

Yes, I know that quarterback salaries are expensive and everyone is only trying to protect their investments. I know it’s hard for a team to redeem a season if the quarterback gets hurt.

In basic terms, the rule implores the defensive player to refrain from trying to wrap up the quarterback once they have been blocked to the ground.

If we stop and consider the recent and current rule changes, we can extrapolate out the possible rule changes that we will see instituted in the future.

Let us skip ahead a few years, into the not too distant future when the NFL establishes the “Quarterback personal space rule”? 

The quarterbacks personal space is defined the entire area surrounding his person equal to the distance of his outstretched arms. Obviously, there will be some minor inequities in the enforcement of this rule, for those quarterbacks that don’t have as wide a wing span as others do.

The true caveat to this rule is that it carries a penalty for both the defense and the offense. Any infringement of the quarterback’s personal space by the defense will be an automatic 15-yard penalty and a first down.

The yellow flag can also be thrown on the offense. How many times have we seen the quarterback get stepped on at the line of scrimmage just after the center hikes the ball or when a running back careens over the quarterback during a flubbed hand-off? These acts will now generate an offensive infraction the personal space rule.

This version of the rule will carry a positive five offensive yard walk off. I know, I know, you’re thinking, how does that gain the offense five additional yards when it’s against the offense.

It’s all in the intent of the rule to protect the quarterback at all costs. It simply does not make sense to penalize the offensive team when the player who has been fouled is on the offense, and that is why it was decided that a less restrictive five yard version of the rule should exist.

Again, it is expected that some inequities will become apparent as the quarterback that has a lack of finely tuned motor skills will be more apt to be stepped on or run over by his own teammates. The owners are counting on recruiting those quarterbacks.

One team can pursue that superstar quarterback capable of passing for 4000 yards a season, while the next team can opt to spend far fewer of their dollars on an uncoordinated, yet fully capable, quarterback that can tighten up the positive yard production gap by receiving upwards of 1500 personal space infraction yards.

The beauty of the implementation of this rule is its direct relationship back to the NFL’s original push to create league wide “Parity.” It will be a game changing rule modification.

The genius behind this rule change is the fact that owner’s costs of signing quarterbacks will eventually come down and be comparable to many of the other team position salaries. How can you justify the cost of a superstar quality player when you can get nearly the same production out of a clumsy one?

The idea of “Parity” is to even the odds. It is in the best interest of the team owners to have the appearance of fielding a possible Super Bowl team every year.

In this way, the League and teams generate maximum revenue year in and year out. There should be no rebuilding years; the age of dynasties will have passed.

The mediocre shall reign supreme. Every year, every team should consider themselves in the hunt for a championship ring.

We can all see how this is a win-win situation for nearly all concerned.

The League will be happy that they will have finally addressed “Parity” in an observable result from a rule change.

The fans would be happy because they can always look forward to a new season and know that their team has a shot. Stadium attendance should be at an all-time high on a consistent basis.

The Owners should be happy because the days of inconsistent quarterback quality will be all but eliminated. And, of course the stadium attendance will be up.

Me? I’m going to be a little upset that I was born a couple of generations too early for this rule change.

I can stumble over my own feet as well as the best of them. With this rule to help me, in my own pedestrian way, I could have been compared to Brady or even Manning.

With the handicapping that this rule will provide, I could’ve been a football star; but now, because it’s too late for me, it makes me a little hermatile.

 

 

To Editors: Hermatile is not a real word yet. I figure if I use it often enough I’ll get it in to Websters Dictionary eventually. Hermatile: extreme and excessive bitchy behavior (not gender specific).

Additional articles in the Hermatile series:

Anquan Boldin, Why Are You Getting All Hermatile?

Stories of Steroid Usage in Sports is Making Me a Little Hermatile

A NASCAR Fan Is Reborn, but I’m Still a Little Hermatile

 

 

NFL Pick-By-Pick Analysis of the Last 10 Years: 29-27

With the 2009 NFL Draft so close that we can almost taste the “next Barry Sanders,” I think it’ll be fun to look back at previous year’s picks.

I will go through every selection, declare the hits and busts, and grade the selections. Today: picks 27, 28, and 29.

(Note: It’s hard to grade guys in the 08 and 07 drafts, so there won’t be official grades. Also, the grade will be based on how well the player played for the team that drafted him, so if the player ended up having success elsewhere, he will have a lower grade.)

 

29th pick

2009 – New York Giants

2008 – Kentwan Balmer – DT – San Francisco 49ers

2007 – Ben Grubbs – OG – Baltimore Ravens

2006 – Nick Mangold – C – New York Jets – Grade: A

2005 – Marlin Jackson – CB – Indianapolis Colts – Grade: B-

2004 – Michael Jenkins – WR – Atlanta Falcons – Grade: B+

2003 – Nick Barnett – LB – Green Bay Packers – Grade: A

2002 – Marc Colombo – OT – Chicago Bears – Grade: C

2001 – Ryan Pickett – DT – St. Louis Rams – Grade: B

2000 – R. Jay Soward – WR – Jacksonville Jaguars – Grade: F

1999 – Dimitrius Underwood – DE – Minnesota Vikings – Grade: F

Analysis: Two simply awful picks in 1999 and 2000. Underwood walked out on his team one day into training camp, was cut less than a month later, and tried to commit suicide two times. Not to mention, he never did anything productive in the NFL.

Soward’s substance abuse problems were too much for him to overcome and he only spent one year with the Jags. Picking the bigger bust out of these two is like choosing whether you want to burn to death or freeze to death.

On the brighter side of things, there were some very good picks at the 29 slot. The best of the bunch is probably Nick Barnett who may just be the most underrated linebacker in the NFL. He has been great for the Packers since they drafted him. Also, Mangold has been an excellent leader of the Jets’ offensive line.

Jenkins broke out this season with Matt Ryan at quarterback, Jackson hasn’t been bad for the Colts but his play leaves some to be desired, and Colombo didn’t do very well with the Bears but has rebounded nicely with the Cowboys.

Ben Grubbs is looking like a future star at the guard position in Baltimore. Overall, there were mostly solid picks at the 29 slot.

 

28th pick

2009 – Philadelphia Eagles

2008 – Lawrence Jackson – DE – Seattle Seahawks

2007 – Joe Staley – OT – San Francisco 49ers

2006 – Mercedes Lewis – TE – Jacksonville Jaguars – Grade: B+

2005 – Luis Castillo – DT – San Diego Chargers – Grade: B

2004 – Chris Gamble – CB – Carolina Panthers – Grade: A-

2003 – Andre Woolfolk – CB – Tennessee Titans – Grade: D

2002 – Jerramy Stevens – TE – Seattle Seahawks – Grade: C

2001 – Derrick Gibson – S – Oakland Raiders – Grade: C

2000 – Rob Morris – LB – Indianapolis Colts – Grade: B-

1999 – Andy Katzenmoyer – LB – New England Patriots – Grade: D

Analysis: Katzenmoyer, by all statistical accords, was a complete bust. However, serious neck injuries negated his chance of really being effective in the league (he only played three seasons in the NFL, most of the time in IR) so that makes his grade a D instead of an F.

Woolfolk never had many injury problems, he just wasn’t very good.

Gamble has been very good for the Panthers and has recently emerged as possibly the best player in their secondary.

Morris had some good years with the Colts, but injuries shortened what could have been a much better career. And Jerramy Stevens is better known for his trash-talk with Joey Porter before Super Bowl XL than anything he ever did on the football field.

Overall, it wasn’t a very good pick history at No. 28 since 1999. However, with further research, the 28th picks in the 98, 97, and 96 draft were R.W. McQuarters, Trevor Pryce, and Jerome Woods. So maybe the Eagles will turn it around again this year.

 

27th pick

2009 – Indianapolis Colts

2008 – Antoine Cason – CB – San Diego Chargers

2007 – Robert Meachem – WR – New Orleans Saints

2006 – DeAngelo Williams – RB – Carolina Panthers – Grade: A

2005 – Roddy White – WR – Atlanta Falcons – Grade: A

2004 – Jason Babin – DE – Houston Texans – Grade: C-

2003 – Larry Johnson – RB – Kansas City Chiefs – Grade: A-

2002 – Mike Rumph – CB – San Francisco 49ers – Grade: D

2001 – Michael Bennett – RB – Minnesota Vikings – Grade: B

2000 – Anthony Becht – TE – New York Jets – Grade: B-

1999 – Aaron Gibson – OT – Detroit Lions – Grade: F

Analysis: Out of Gibson and Rumph, Gibson was the bigger bust due to the hype surrounding a player of sheer size (at one point, he weighed 440 pounds) with a relatively impressive 40 time (5.35).

He only played in 11 games through three years and was out of the league within a few years.

Johnson would have been the best player of the bunch (and probably is talent-wise) if he wasn’t such a headache for the Chiefs over the last few years.

Williams and White both had breakout seasons in 2008 and have emerged as among the best at each of their respective position.

All in all, there were some solid picks and some busts. A few, such as Bennett, looked like stars early on but faded out, but it has been solid overall.

 

Next edition: Picks 26, 25, and 24

The Chicago Bears Offseason Analysis: The Linebackers

When you think of linebackers for the Chicago Bears, your mind can’t help but think of players like “Samurai” Mike Singletary to the most feared linebacker in NFL history Dick Butkus.

For the younger generations, many fans think of Briggs, to the face of the Bears franchise Brian Urlacher as the new “Monsters of the Midway.”

In our next session of the Bears offseason analysis, we will take a look at the linebacker position.

Chicago is a running back/linebacker city that will look to carry that tradition over into the 2009 season.

In 2008, the Bears defense ranked 16th in Points allowed per game, 30th in passing yards, 21st in total yards and 5th against the rush.

2009 will no longer be under the defensive play calling of Babich but under the head coach Lovie Smith.

Lovie will be looking to stick to his Tampa cover-2 scheme, but it is not determined if the linebackers will be more aggressive with any added blitz packages or if he will continue to backpedal the linebackers into zone for from the line of scrimmage.

With all the players at the linebacker position coming back for next season, the Bears will possibly draft a linebacker in the later rounds to add depth to the strong side.

Starting on the WLB is four-time Pro Bowler Lance Briggs. Briggs was a third-round pick for the Bears in the 2003 NFL draft.

Lance is a two-time All-Pro selection and has proved to be a solid linebacker for the Bears. 

Lance is a player not afraid of contact delivering some of the hardest hits all season forcing many fumbles and can stuff the run with the best of them.

His three interceptions in 2008 proves that he also has a nose for the ball not only for the run but the pass game as well.

Briggs has 685 total tackles with six sacks and nine interceptions.

At only 28, Briggs will look to contribute his abilities in a Bears uniform for years to come and be the new face of the franchise when Urlacher retires.

Despite his past complaints towards the Bears organization and saying “I’ll never play another down for Chicago again,” Briggs signed a six-year contract in 2008, making him a Bear throughout the 2013 season.

Barring any injury Briggs will continue to have success in 2009 and will be looking to make the pro bowl for the 5th year in a row.

Moving on to the MLB of the linebacker corps is none other then the anchor of the defense Brian Urlacher.

Urlacher is a defensive captain and will be entering his 10th season as a Chicago Bear.

Urlacher quickly made a name for himself with the defensive rookie of the year and earning the defensive player of the year in 2005.

Urlacher is coming off a lackluster year in 2008 with a career low 93 total tackles while playing a full season.

Urlacher has battled back problems and neck surgery in recent years and has received criticism from fans for not looking like his “old self” again.

2009 will look to be a bounce-back year for Brian.

He has been seen frequently in the weight room in the early off season and will return with a clean bill of health.

Brian will definitely have numbers in the sack column next year and should prove to be back to a dominant force in the middle again.

Finally on the strong side are a couple of players that could possibly be fighting for a starting spot in training camp.

First is SLB linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer.

Hillenmeyer will be looking for the starting job at the Strong side position for the 09 season.

Hillenmeyer played 13 games in 2008 with only one sack and 18 total tackles.

Hillenmeyer was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft.

He was picked up by the Bears at the end of the 2003 preseason after he was cut by the Packers.

Hillenmeyer became the starter for the Bears at the strong side position in 2004 after registering 76 tackles and a career high 2.5 sacks.

Hillenmeyer’s abilities have been overshadowed with names like Briggs and Urlacher but all three have combined to be one of the best linebacker tandems in the league.

Hillenmeyer spent most of last season contributing on special teams and will look to solidify his starting role for 09.

Hunter can prove to be the starter but his lack of speed in the man coverage has been his downfall. Hillenmeyer has played his best when he covers the zone or blitzes free from the outside.

The player he will be battling for the staring position is SLB Nick Roach.

Roach was an undrafted player who had a career high 38 tackles in 2008 filling in for Hillenmeyer.

If Nick shows promise in the offseason training camps and pre-season games he could easily find himself in the starting position lining up with Urlacher and Briggs.

Most likely Hillenmeyer will end up at the SLB but whoever does will contribute to a linebacker corps that looks to be re-energized in 2009.

2009 NFL Draft Stories: The Time is Now for the Patriots to Re-load

Since 2001 the Patriots have been the league’s model franchise.  In an eight year period they won three Super Bowls (2001, 2003, and 2004) and were the Super Bowl Runner Up once (2007’s 19-1 season).   In the book “The Blueprint” author Christopher Price detailed how the head coach Bill Belichick, and VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli created a salary cap era dynasty through the draft and signing inexpensive veteran free agents. Their 2003 (DE Ty Warren, S Eugene Wilson, CB Asante Samuel and C Dan Koppen) and 2005 (Logan Mankins, Ellis Hobbs, Nick Kaczur, James Sanders and Matt Cassell) drafts  among the best drafts in the past decade.   In addition, the 2000 selection of QB Tom Brady in the 6th round is one of the all-time best draft picks. 

Yet in recent years the Patriots have veered from the build through the draft strategy signing big ticket free agent LB Adalius Thomas and trading for Randy Moss in 2007 (Moss was then signed to a lucrative contract before the 2008 season).  Neither of these moves were bad moves but were they the beginning of a trend. Recently, their have been rumors of the Patriots using their bounty of first day picks in a possible trade for Julius Peppers.  Sounds great on paper and could instantly make the Patriots the team to beat in 2009.  It also sounds more like the “Yankee Way” than the “Patriots Way”.  A trade for Julius Peppers while an excellent move for 2009 could also signal the end of the Patriots dynasty.

Ok, the last statement may be a little over the top but when you look at the Patriots roster a crack in the foundation has been found.  After the 2009 season the following players will be free agents:  NT Vince Wilfork, DE Richard Seymour, CB Ellis Hobbs, G Logan Mankins, G Stephen Neal, T Nick Kaczur, TE Ben Watson, TE David Thomas and K Stephen Gostkowski.  The team has made little progress thus far in re-signing this group of players.  A trade for Julius Peppers would likely using a large chunk of the team’s $14 million in salary cap space making re-signings even more difficult not to mention upsetting the team’s locker room culture.

In addition to the multitude of potential free agents on the roster the Patriots as a team are getting old.  LB Tedy Bruschi is nearing the end at 35 years old, LT Matt Light is slowing down at 30, WR Randy Moss is 32 as is RBs Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk.  LB Adalius Thomas is no spring chicken at 31.  Free agent acquisitions RB Fred Taylor and WR Joey Galloway have also seen better days.  The team has also jettisoned veteran linchpins Mike Vrabel and Rodney Harrison.  All of these players are not washed up but in the NFL the years can sneak up on you fast and the Patriots are using more stop gaps with each passing season as they have not been as prepared to replace many of their aging players with young talent.

Making matters more urgent is the team’s struggles in the draft the past three seasons. Despite drafting defensive rookie of the year Jerod Mayo in last year’s draft the Patriots have little to show from the last three drafts in terms of replenishing the talent on the roster.  Yes, the trades for Randy Moss and Wes Welker were excellent moves but the team has struggled to find players in the draft itself to groom for the future (esp. in the later rounds).

From the 2006 draft only K Stephen Gostkowski has established himself (1st rounder Laurence Maroney is nearing bust status and three other players are role players).  Only two players remain from the 2007 draft with only first round pick Brandon Merriweather receiving meaningful playing time.   Aside from Mayo, only two other 2008 draft picks played in more than six games.  The most common thread from these past three drafts is the Patriots have traded down time and time again to position themselves for extra late round picks and future drafts but the philosophy has not worked as well as it has in previous years.

All is not bad however as the team’s trading prowess has also positioned them to be major players in the 2009 draft with four day one selections.  In Bill Belichick’s first draft without Scott Pioli, he and his staff  the Patriots putting them in the perfect position to re-stock the shelves prior to roster’s expiration.

For example, with those four first day picks they can add a young skill position player on offense, an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, and a rush linebacker (think Percy Harvin/Knowshon Moreno, Jamon Meredith/Eric Wood, Ron Brace/Jarron Gilbert, and Connor Barwin/Clay Matthews).  In addition the Patriots will need to hit on some of their mid-late round picks to find a tight end, inside linebacker and offensive/defensive line depth.  This is not the year for the Patriots to get cute with multiple trade downs.  The Patriots 2009 draft needs to be about adding talent for the near future.  They need to duplicate the success of the 2003 or 2005 drafts and find multiple players who can be starters within two years.  Without a strong draft the Patriots dynasty may go from Super Bowl contender to playoff contender or worse in a rapidly improving AFC East.

Chris Maier is senior editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be reached at cmaier@nfldraft101.com

Top Five Worst Draft Choices by the Lions

Lions fans are once again in a very familiar situation, a top five pick in the NFL draft. The Lions go into the 2009 season trying to totally rebuild after the first ever 0-16 season in the history of the NFL. So what lead to the winless year? You could argue the failure of all those first round draft picks did not make the team any better. Since 2000 of the nine first round picks by the Lions only three are still with the team. So who was the worst draft pick in recent history?

Michael Vick Still Believes He Is Worth Big Time Dollars To Play in the NFL

Michael Vick has stated that he believes he is still worth a ten million dollar per year contract. Not for nothing, and believe me, I say this with as much respect as I can muster but, “what the hay are you smokin’, Mr. Vick?” 

Let’s forget the fact that you have been in jail for the last eighteen months or so. Let’s forget that you are the most polarizing figure in the NFL right now. Let’s sweep aside the matter that some people despise you so much that vendors had to pull your No. 7 jersey off the racks.

Yes, let’s forget all of that, and just go straight to the fact that you were never worth a big-time contract.

That’s right, I said it.

I understand that you put a face to a franchise that had long since been forgotten. And, I do admit, you were the most exciting player on the field when you played the game at your position.

However, for all your excitement, here is what your resume looks like: 40-40 as a starter/games appeared, A career quarterback rating of 75.7 (which makes you a little better than average), a 71:52 TD:INT ratio, and a 53.8 percent completion rating.

Now, I understand he’s got legs that makes the game hinge on a dime, but so what. That’s why you have running backs.

Further, for all his running and juking, he’s also got 1,153 sack yards and 55 fumbles to his credit. How does that help your team’s bottom line?

That’s not the kind of production you want out of your quarterback. I assure you, for all the excitement he can create on the field, it will still come down to one thing for the fan; winning games and getting in a position to play for a Super Bowl.

No way is Michael Vick worth ten million dollars a year. Why should he be?

More to the point, if you opt to pay him that kind of money, you may lose that much and then some in revenue because you will lose those fans who love dogs, hate Vick, and hate any team who thought it prudent to give him any money to play the sport on the public stage again.

I know there are those who will disagree and you have a right to, but as a once proud fan of Michael Vick and his exciting play, I say this; he was a running back with a big arm and no idea how to use it.

His legs got him out of trouble. However, they also got him in a lot of trouble.

I do not deny that Falcons’ receivers had butterfingers and the offensive line was never up to par, but that excuse will only last so long when you are a quarterback.

Sacks and wide receivers who get the dropsy’s at the wrong time are no excuse for a quarterback who relies more on his legs than his arms to make a play.

In his four seasons as a full-time starter, there were always quarterbacks who were sacked more, but passed better and won more games than Vick did. Vick just wasn’t capable of making the right reads at the right times. If that first read wasn’t there, he was running. That was how he played the game.

Sure, it frustrated the defenses for a time, made them cheat up, but what good is that if you cannot execute the passing game in an efficient manner?

That’s why Vick and the Falcons only had one good season together. You have to have balance. Let the running backs do the running. Your quarterback needs to lead his team and be smart with his play.

Vick never evolved into that guy who you could be sure was your team’s leader. My lasting visual of Michael Vick isn’t the forty-yard scamper to the end zone against Minnesota. It’s not the win at Lambeau. No, it’s seeing Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank wheel him onto the field after his injury. That told me all I needed to know about Vick and his legs.

Some team will give him a shot. Some owner will take the notion of “second chances” and hope that Vick can mature into that big arm. At 28-years old, there is still a chance that he might.

However, here is the ten million dollar question, should there be any team willing to take that chance?

As a former Vick apologist, I can only say this; if you do, be sure to draft a good backup.

Plaxico Buried…Unfairly?

First of all, allow me to explain to some and remind others that I’m about as far from being a New York Giants fan as I am from being a fan of Osama Bin Laden, or even worse, a Redskins fan.

On top of that, Plaxico Burress is a knucklehead. I’ve yet to decide if the Giants are better off with or without him, but as a Cowboys fan, I’m hoping whichever state is worse for them, that’s what they get.

Having clarified the above, removed my DeMarcus Ware jersey, and moved my thinking to a more objective state, I wonder if Burress is getting a fair shake with this whole gun incident.

Don’t get me wrong…I believe that athletes and other rich and famous folks should be treated no better than the rest of us nobodies.

But I also believe that they should be treated no worse. I’m not saying for sure that Burress is, isn’t being, or will be treated unfairly, I’m just starting to wonder.

I was reading today that Burress is allegedly negotiating a plea deal…one that may include jail time.

Legally, a plea deal is a conviction, so we all know that if that happens, “Sheriff Goodell” will also bust Burress at the NFL level.

Now, I don’t support the court letting Burress of the hook. He broke the law, pure and simple. So, he should get a fine, community work, suspended sentence…whatever.

Contrary to the positions of some of my more politically-conservative friends, I support gun registration laws for reasons of public safety and accountability, while simultaneously supporting the Constitutional right to bear arms.

Heck, I wish prospective gun owners would have to pass a gun safety course and document “X” number of hours of actually being able to come close to hitting what they shoot at before they could legally own a gun.

I mean…no one (except car thieves, drug dealers, and bank robbers) complains about driver training/licensing and car registration laws, yet cars and guns are both death machines…the former as an unfortunate side effect, the latter as a far deadlier, but sometimes necessary intended consequence.

I am concerned, however, that “Ole Plaxi-Boob” is going to wind up doing time and getting suspended, pretty much for shooting HIMSELF.

If he hadn’t STUPIDLY shot himself (Yo Plax…Guns have safeties for a reason), he probably would be in no trouble right now.

Sure…he could have shot someone else, but his gun not being registered (under current registration prerequisites) wasn’t a factor in either the bullet hole in his leg or the potential for harming someone else, since would have STUPIDLY triggered it anyway.

“Big Dick Cheney” accidentally shot SOMEONE ELSE and was neither jailed or suspended…and he shouldn’t have been. It was an accident.

Plax is a first-time offender. I wonder what percent of first-time offenders wind up in the slammer or get busted on their jobs for shooting themselves with unregistered (or registered) guns?

If Plax’s name were “Herkimer Farquar” and he worked for “Cousin Earl’s Live Bait & Diner”, would he be facing jail time and a loss of wages right now?

Somehow I doubt it. What about you?

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!

Evaluating the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2008 and Assessing 2009: Offensive Line

One of the biggest misconceptions of the Eagles’ 2008 season was the offensive line.  Popular belief is that the Eagles were a great pass-protecting unit and insufficient run blockers.

The Eagles gave up just 23 sacks in 2008 so they did their job protecting the quarterback.  On the other hand, they were inconsistent converting short-yardage and goal-line situations, so they can’t run block.

Truth is somewhere in the middle. 

It is true, that for a team passing as often as the Eagles do, giving up just 23 sacks is an impressive number, but that’s not the only way to judge an offensive line.

The low sack number was as much, if not more, a byproduct of Donovan McNabb’s renewed ability to escape pressure. 

There were games this season where he was kept clean, most notably in games against the New York Giants, but protection broke down far too often.

In the playoffs, McNabb was sacked five times.  The Giants, Vikings and Cardinals defenses were successful getting rushers free consistently.  On the now infamous final four offensive plays of the season, McNabb had to avoid pressure on three of them.

The Eagles were 22nd in the league in rushing, averaging just 4.0 yards per rush and were poor in short yardage situations.  To say they were incapable of run blocking is not entirely accurate.

One thing to take into consideration is the fact that the guy they were blocking for, Brian Westbrook was rarely in top form.  He had no run longer than 39 yards.  Backup Correll Buckhalter was far more productive in far fewer carries.

The short yardage woes seemed to turn around as the season wore on.  Much of it can be attributed to the absence of guard Shawn Andrews, and incompetent blocking from the tight end and fullback positions.

One of the traits of run blocking is that the more you do it, the more successful you become.  Running the football has a cumulative affect.  This offensive line rarely had the opportunity to show they could do that.

In their first 10 carries of games, the Eagles averaged a modest 3.9 yards.  On carries 11-20, it rose to 4.0 yards.  On rare occasions, they got past carry number 21, and averaged a surprising 4.6 yards. 

While they certainly were not successful running the ball in some games, they often never had the opportunity to establish success.  The Eagles ran the ball more than 21 times in just seven games.  They won all seven.

The offensive tackle positions had been manned by Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan for the entirety of the best nine season run in franchise history.  They were consummate leaders, and durable, consistent performers.

Runyan has been one of the truest leaders of this offense.  He was the mastermind behind the Westbrook kneel-down against the Cowboys.  His desire to win, and ability to play through injury was truly an inspiration to his teammates.

Leadership and toughness aside, Runyan’s play has started to slip.  He allowed seven sacks in 2008, most since 2003.  In each of the last two seasons, he has had to play through a significant injury. 

Thomas allowed only two sacks, but he was beaten around the edge numerous times.  Thomas has been a beloved player in the city, but there is a reason why Jacksonville was the only team calling during free agency.

The guard position was in turmoil for much of the season.  All-Pro right guard Shawn Andrews, the best player on the line, missed most of training camp while battling depression. 

He was able to start the season but suffered a back injury in week two that kept him out for the remainder of the year.  Andrews was sorely missed, but his replacements played admirably in his absence. 

Max Jean-Gilles started 10 games, but was injured during a dominating week 13 performance against Arizona.  Jean-Gilles’ strength lies in run blocking, and the offense clearly was not tailored to his strengths. 

Nick Cole stepped in and actually exceeded the level of Jean-Gilles.  He was strong at the point of attack, and showed an ability to make blocks at the second level.  As the backup center, he was aided by his knowledge of the blocking and protection schemes.

At left guard, Todd Herremans had his best season.  He has come into his own on the interior of the line, and after a shaky start was the line’s most consistent performer.  He has become a solid NFL starter at the guard position.

The weakness of the line was the center position.  Jamaal Jackson’s performance was sub-par for the second consecutive season.  He is a leader, and he studies more film than anyone, but at some point, your level of play has to matter.

The offensive line, more than any other area of this Eagles team is in a state of flux.  Nobody really knows who will play where.  You would be hard pressed to pick even one player whose position is set for 2009.

It is possible that the top two guards on this team could be the stating tackles.  One of the backup guards could be the starting center.  Shawn Andrews was drafted as the heir apparent to Jon Runyan at right tackle, but it may turn out to be his older brother Stacey.

Signing Stacey Andrews to a six-year contract was the only addition to the unit in free agency.  It was thought that Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross would be a target, but he never made it to the market.

Many in the media believe that the team will draft a left tackle, play Stacey Andrews at right tackle, and keep the three interior positions intact.  Some feel that either Shawn Andrews or Herremans will bounce out to left tackle, and Jean-Gilles or Cole will compete for the other guard spot.

Second-year player King Dunlap was a training camp sensation in 2008, and there is an outside chance he’ll see the field in ’09.  Dunlap stands 6’8″ and weighs in at 310 pounds.  He had an inconsistent career at Auburn, but was at one time viewed as a future star.

With a full season of coaching by Juan Castillo, one would hope that some of the inconsistency has been shaken out of his game.  He has the foot quickness and reach to be a dominant left tackle.  He just needs to put it all together.

No matter how it all shakes out, it will be interesting to see how this offensive line operates early in the season.  This will be the least continuity the unit has had in a decade. 

With any luck, the team will commit more to the run in 2009, which could help mask any shortcomings in pass protection.  If not, the caliber of Donovan McNabb’s weapons may finally become a page two story.

Up next: Defensive line.

Saints Hoping Small Ripples In Free Agency Pool Create Tidal Wave Of Success

While the Washington Redskins (Albert Haynesworth), New York Jets (Bart Scott), and Seattle Seahawks, (T.J. Houshmandzadeh) among other teams have spent their resources luring high-priced free agents away from other teams, the New Orleans Saints have focused on keeping many of their own players and adding a few lightly modestly-priced newcomers.

The signing of Jonathan Vilma (five-year, $34 million) is the only high-priced free agent the Saints have signed. Vilma should be worth every penny as he is the cornerstone of the defense and is one of the best tacklers in the NFL.

New Orleans has also re-signed Devery Henderson and Jon Stinchcomb to modest contracts. The Saints have offered tenders to Lance Moore, Jahri Evans, Zach Strief, and Leigh Torrence. 

The Saints have made a concerted effort to add players to their team to rebuild their under-performing defense.

The shiniest and most expensive import is Jabari Greer. Greer’s four-year, $22 million deal is a bargain compared deals for Ronald Bartell (four-year, $25 million), DeAngelo Hall (six-year, $55 million), and Domonique Foxworth (four-year, $27.2 million).

The Saints improved their defensive depth by signing Darren Sharper, Paul Spicer, Rod Coleman, and Pierson Prioleau to light contracts. 

During the past few years, the Saints would enter free agency with a lot of room under the cap and would not always spend wisely (i.e. throwing $15 million to Jason David and having two $60 million defensive ends).

The Saints’ salary cap restrictions this offseason may have been a blessing in disguise.  Out of necessity, they have been selective in who they re-sign and who they release.  They have been forced to make smart decisions with their limited funds. 

The Saints’ biggest decisions between now and the draft will be with restricted free agents. 

Teams must sign restricted free agents by April 17 and old clubs must exercise their first right of refusal by April 24. 

Within the next few weeks, the Saints will have either retained Moore, Evans, and Strief or will have received first day draft picks as compensation. 

The Saints will not receive compensation for Leigh Torrence because they offered him a low tender.

Regardless of what happens between now and April 25, the Saints have set themselves up well for the draft. 

By addressing nearly every position on the defensive side of the ball through smart free agent signings, the Saints have allowed themselves to either draft the best available player with the 14th pick or to trade down and acquire more picks.

While much of the rest of league is making noise with huge free agent signings, coaching changes, and player disgruntlement, the Saints, on paper at least, have quietly positioned themselves to make a run at another division title and playoff berth.

NFL Mock Draft, Picks 1-10

This is a slideshow of who I think will be picked in the 2009 NFL Draft. Draft Order; Picks 1-10-
01.) Detroit Lions
02.) St. Louis Rams
03.) Kansas City Chiefs
04.) Seattle Seahawks
05.) Cleveland Browns
06.) Cincinatti Bengals
07.) Oakland Raiders
08.) Jacksonville Jaguars
09.) Green Bay Packers
10.) San Francisco 49ers

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