Redskins Roundtable: One-on-One with Rocky McIntosh

WASHINGTON—While the linebacking corps was the strongest part of the 2008 Redskins defense, they did not avoid the financial overhaul the Washington front office conducted in the offseason.

Marcus Washington was released after five years with the team as a causality of the salary cap. An energetic presence on and off the field, Washington leaves a hole not only in defensive schemes, but also as a locker room leader.

Looking to step up into that hole is Rocky McIntosh.

Heading into his fourth year, McIntosh is looking to step into the vacancy left by Washington and assert himself as a key cog in a defense already loaded with All-Pro talent. Despite questions about his health, McIntosh will look to use 2009 to prove he can be a crucial part of an elite defense.

A relative unknown outside of the Beltway, the following questions would give fans an inside look to a player that could become a household name by the time the 2009 season comes to a close.

Do you feel you have what it takes to be a leader on the Redskins’ defense?

In the past two years, you have finished second in tackles to London Fletcher. Seeing the way he plays on the field, how has he helped you develop into a better player?

How do you feel the additions to the defensive line will help benefit you on the playing field?

How do you feel Greg Blache has helped you improve and progress? Do you like his schemes more or less than Gregg Williams’ schemes?

You scored a 27 on the Wonderlic and you’re working on gaining your second and third college degrees. How much of this game, do you find, is a testament to having a strong ability to study and analyze the game rather than only relying on raw physical ability?

You have been nominated in years past for the Walter Payton Award, participating in a slew of Redskins charities. What drives you to be so engaged with the fans?

You’ve recently signed Drew Rosenhaus as your agent as you head into a contract year. Are you hoping to ink a deal before camp starts or plan to use the season as an example of your ultimate value?

The NFC East has a strong case to be the best division in the NFL.  Who in this division impresses you the most of the offensive side of the ball? The Defensive side?

Finally, do you feel this defense has the ability to be a championship defense?

Can the Colts return to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV?

The NFL offseason is a special time of the year when the teams and their legions of followers are invigorated with renewed optimism.  Players and coaches endure mini-camps and toil in the hot summer sun, coming together in pursuit of a championship. 

 

Expectations can run as rampant as the crazed fans that love their teams.  Every team is undefeated and working with a clean slate—and so are the fans.  We can tout our team and even taunt others with our prognostications. 

 

Unfortunately there will always be those creepy fans who wield their predictions like a baseball bat with the intent of demoralizing and pummeling their opponents’ self-esteem.  Misunderstood enthusiasts or just bloodthirsty heathens, we’ve all encountered these fans at one time or another and there will be no escape from them this year either.

 

Since the arrival of Peyton Manning, Indianapolis fans have had realistic expectations to reach the Super Bowl in most years, and this one is no different. 

 

The shake-up in the coaching staff has grabbed most of the headlines this offseason but even with these massive changes, the Colts appear to have gotten stronger on paper.

 

Hall-of-Fame-caliber coaches Tony Dungy, Tom Moore, and Howard Mudd are gone, replaced by the untested Jim Caldwell, Clyde Christensen, and Pete Metzelaars.  Larry Coyer takes over as defensive coordinator and Ray Rychleski on special teams.

 

Coaching continuity has been disturbed, especially on offense where Peyton Manning has worked with the same offensive coordinator and line coach his entire career.  The Colts have anticipated this event and have had their successors in mind for some time now.

 

If the Colts are still going to be championed as Super Bowl contenders towards the end of the season, they will need vast improvement from the offensive line.  Last season was marred by inconsistency and young players forced into starting roles. 

 

The Colts loaded up on offensive linemen in the 2008 draft, but only Jamey Richard really stood out, starting at left guard and center when Jeff Saturday was injured.  Saturday has resigned after flirting with several teams in free agency and his importance to the line can’t be understated.  He is a veteran and former Pro-Bowler who has the complete trust of Manning. 

 

Right tackle Ryan Diem is the stalwart of the line and has shown remarkably consistency when healthy in his eight NFL seasons.  The jury is still out on opposite bookend Tony Ugoh.  Ugoh has been inconsistent and somewhat unimpressive for a high draft-pick. 

 

If Ugoh can come into his own as a force at left tackle and the young guys show improvement, the line should be in great shape for Pete Metzelaars. 

 

If the offensive line can improve, the running game should follow.  New running back Donald Brown was drafted in the first round to help last year’s pathetic running attack.  Joseph Addai faced a lot of criticism last year, but I expect the Brown pick to light a fire under his behind. 

 

The Colts were forced to be one dimensional last season and Donald Brown’s injection into the lineup should make the running game powerful again—a two-headed monster with plenty of kick. 

 

Peyton will need a good running game but the passing attack has proven it can carry the team and win games on its own.  Peyton has always been able to choose the right play and scatter his wide receiver around like well placed grenades. 

 

The only question is, who will step up at wide receiver?

 

Somebody must step up behind studs Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and tight end Dallas Clark.  The Colts didn’t go for one of the big-name receivers early in the draft, waiting until the third round to grab last year’s NCAA receiving leader, Austin Collie. 

 

I fully expect Collie to become an invaluable part of the receiving corps, but it might be a little too much to ask for him to be vital in his rookie campaign.

 

Pierre Garcon and Roy Hall are the most likely candidates and have experience in the system though neither has impressed and Garcon looked downright awful at times last year.  If these players don’t come through, the Colts will look to their free agent and undrafted signees, and they have a great track record for finding gems in the rough.

 

Perhaps the most important piece in the quest for another Super Bowl will be improved run defense.  Giving up 122.9 yards a game is abysmal and unacceptable, and the team has taken steps to correct it.  Last year, the Colts were just too small up front and the tackles were pushed around like rag dolls. 

 

The team has made a concerted effort to get bigger up front through the draft and free agency.  There are now six defensive tackles close to or over 300 lbs on the roster.  GM Bill Polian drafted Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor, both over 300 lbs in this years draft.

 

The bigger defensive tackles should stop teams from running up and down the field at will.  The Colts have had a lot of misfortunes with their DTs and even if only a few of the new big men pan out, it should pay dividends. 

 

The Colts also addressed a long time thorn in their side in the much maligned special teams department.  Long time special teams coordinator Russ Purnell was dismissed in favor of Ray Rychleski.   

 

Purnell was well-liked but just didn’t get the job done.  The Colts were simply dismal and painful to watch on special teams.  There were too many times where I hurled both the remote and obscenities at the TV after watching them give up field position after scoring drives.

 

The AFC south has become one of the leagues most competitive and exciting divisions, and the Colts will need improvements in all of these categories if they expect to reclaim their spot at the top of the division.  

 

I never thought I would say such a thing, much less watch the Tennessee Titans win the division with 90-year-old Kerry Collins at the helm. The division has become a force to be reckoned with. 

 

The Houston Texans have become the trendy pick to claim the division. They have been picking at the top of the draft since they came into the league, especially on defense.  They also have a good head coach and a decent quarterback, so most pundits figure it’s only a matter of time before they put it all together.   

 

Jacksonville will be the wildcard in the division.  You never know what you will get with the Jaguars.   They have always been a worthy adversary and if they can solve the team chemistry problems and get consistent play from their receivers, the Jags will be dangerous.

 

Expectations will be high for all the AFC South teams.  If the Colts can reclaim their spot on top of the division it will go a long way in helping them return to Miami and the Super Bowl. 

 

The Colts remain one of the premiere teams in the league. They might take a back seat to the Steelers, Pats, and Giants in most preseason polls, but with a better running game, run defense, and improved special teams play, a Super Bowl victory is not out of the question. 

The Game That Defined the Season!

Miami Dolphins 2008; my, my, my how do we sum up such a spectacular year in just five major plays. How can we determine the best five plays through 950 minutes of action? Sixteen games each and every one unique in their own right to be defined by just five plays? It’s impossible right? Wrong. As a matter of fact you’re dead wrong. Although there are several plays through out the season I can point out (which my colleagues probably already have) that dictated the outcome of several games, I’ll show you 4 pivotal plays (Plus one more) in ONE game that defined an entire season; might I add that it all came from ONE formation. Within the next couple of slides I’ll breakdown the play and how it worked.

So enter the beginning of it all: September 21, 2008- Week 3 versus the New England Patriots.

A day that I will remember as “The Rise of The Dolphin.”

Tennessee Titans Tackle a Revitalized AFC South

In years past, the AFC South was defined by the Colts and the expansive gap between them and the other teams. In 2009 though, this dynamic shifted as the Titans ran away with the division crown after unforeseen stumbles by the Colts and Jaguars.

After personnel purges and roster reconciliations, the battle for the division title is as wide open.

Below, we examine the teams vying to topple the Titans in ’09.

Jacksonville Jaguars

After their playoff run in 2008, many expected the Jaguars to make the leap and contend for a Super Bowl in ’09. But things unraveled quickly following the arrest of Matt Jones and the tragic shooting of Richard Collier.

Their misery continued with numerous injuries along the offensive line compromising the Jaguars’ running attack. This, in turn, put undue pressure on a receiving group incapable of carrying the offense.

The signing of Torry Holt should be an effective salve to this problem, however. Though he is on the downward slope of his career, Holt is still capable of commanding defensive attention and his professionalism should rub off on the likes of Williamson, Jarett Dillard, and Mike Walker.

Jacksonville addressed the shallow depth on their offensive line with the selections of Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in this year’s draft, which should solidify the Achilles’ heel of last year.

How Does This Affect the Titans?

While the Jaguars seem to have the receiving threat they’ve been missing since Jimmy Smith, their defense is a unit in transition.

Derrick Harvey, Reggie Hayward, and Quentin Groves will be the keys at defensive end and their ability to collapse the pocket will be the biggest variable in the defensive scheme.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans march into ’09 with the same high expectations as in year’s past, but with an owner tired of waiting for results.

Steve Slaton’s emergence as a top-level running back finally gives the offense the kind of diversification needed opposite Andre Johnson.

The offensive line has been a study in patience but with the addition of Duane Brown through the draft, the Texans should be able to competently protect their quarterback for the first time since their inception.

With all that being said, the season’s prospects begin and end with Matt Schaub’s health. With Sage Rosenfels’ departure to Minnesota, the Texans now list Dan Orlovsky (cue stepping out of the back of the end zone joke) as the primary backup. The sound you just heard was a collective shudder throughout Houston.

The Texans are hoping that Brian Cushing will enable the defense to take the leap out of the NFL’s defensive ranking basement. His inclusion with DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams should help form a solid front seven.

How Does This Affect the Titans?

The Texans continue a gradual improvement, but there is no evidence that they will be making a division championship-size leap this year. The offensive line’s ability to protect Schaub will largely determine how far the Texans can go.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts enter ’09 in uncharted territory. With the losses of Marvin Harrison and Tony Dungy this offseason, the face of the franchise has changed, but its essence continues to be Peyton Manning.

After stumbling to a 3-3 start, the Colts rallied to finish with a 12-4 mark riding squarely on the back of their quarterback. The rest of the league shouldn’t hold their breath for another stumble out of the gate as the Colts have retooled and reloaded their offense through the draft.

With the departure of Dominic Rhodes, the draft yielded running back Donald Brown as the newest member of the backfield. Given Joseph Addai’s season-long slump (and savage murdering of many fantasy teams), Brown could see significant playing time if he’s a quick study on blitz pickups.

The selection of Austin Collie could provide the Colts with a much-needed infusion of talent. Should he sync with Manning early, the slot position could be his for the taking.

The defense returns mostly intact under new defensive coordinator Larry Coyer and should closely resemble the same scheme and execution of previous seasons.

Just as Manning drives the offense, Bob Sanders is equally critical to the performance of the defense. His ability to stay healthy and thus maintain his reign of terror throughout the secondary will determine how effective the defense can be in stopping the run.

How Does This Affect the Titans?

Without question, the Colts will be the most serious challenger to the Titans’ hopes of repeating as division champions. Should they be found wanting in their quest to unseat the Titans, it will be because of an inability to stop that which is Tennessee’s bread and butter; the running game (with LenDale obviously representing the butter component).

A Possible Future Interview With Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell

One day soon I could be conducting an interview with a player such as JaMarcus Russell of the Oakland Raiders. Here are some prepared questions if this were to occur:

1.) JaMarcus, you are now entering your third year in the league. Do you feel you have adjusted to the game, and do you see yourself having your best season yet this year? Why?

2.) What do you make of your running back rotation? With Mcfadden, Bush and Fargas, that has to make an NFL quarterback happy knowing he has some guys to take the pressure off of him?

3.) Oren O’neal is still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. If he is healthy by September with newly added Lorenzo Neal in the mix, how does that help your offense with two powerful fullbacks? 

4.) Javon Walker has had surgery and he says he’ll be back at 100 percent this year. What do you think of him and the rest of your receiving core, including seventh overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey?

5.) You and Zach Miller are exciting to watch. How did you develop that chemistry you have with him, and is he your most comfortable target as of now?

6.) Kalif Barnes and Samson Satele are the biggest new additions to the Raiders offensive line, do you think they’ll be a better unit this year and will they keep you upright?

7.) Paul Hackett has worked with Joe Montana, Rich Gannon, and Chad Pennington to name a few players. How do you like working with him as your quarterback coach and have you learned anything new already, whether it be mechanics-wise or X’s and Os wise?

8.) How do you like Tom Cable? Why is he the man who can take you and your team to the playoffs?

9.) How is it like throwing Nnamdi Asomugha’s way during practice while you’ve been here? Has his play made you better knowing he is arguably the best corner in the game today?

10.) You’ve got a lot of speed on offense now. Do you see your arm getting loose this year with those deep balls we all know you can make?

Thank you for your time JaMarcus, and good luck to you and the Raiders this year.

Healthy Willie Parker Opens Many Options for Steelers Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very steady running attack over the last four years—thanks in part to running back, Willie Parker.

Since his first full season as the starting running back behind Ben Roethlisberger, “Fast Willie” has been nothing but exceptional.

In his first three seasons, Parker ran for over 4,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, including a Super Bowl record 80-yard rush in Super Bowl XL against the Seahawks.

Parker has also been a very good receiver in the same span, getting 620 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Unfortunately, the 2008 season was not one that Parker wants to remember.  Parker only played in 11 games due to injuries on both his shoulder and knee, finishing the season with 791 rushing yards (a career low as a starter), and five touchdowns.

The rushing attacked suffered because of the injuries, only averaging 3.7 yards per rush, which was 29th in the NFL last season.  The previous year, the Steelers tied for seventh overall in rushing, averaging 4.2 yards per rush.

With Parker injured, along with the struggles on the offensive line, that put more pressure on the Steelers passing attack to win games.  In order for the Steelers to have a very balanced offense in 2009, Parker needs to stay healthy.

Do not expect the play calling to change much with the return of Parker.  Instead, expect to see some formations where you see Parker and Rashard Mendenhall or Mewelde Moore in the backfield.

This will make the defense have to play the run a lot more, because they would not know which back will get the ball, which also plays into the hands of the Steelers because they can run play-action out of the same setup.

Parker will definitely be a factor in the passing game, especially on short-yardage situations.  He will also provide Ben Roethlisberger another check-down receiver in case Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Heath Miller are covered.

Parker can be very useful with the screen pass as well, which would get the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hands a lot quicker.

Parker has proved that he is very vital for the Steelers in each aspect of the offense, and he can provide that again if he can stay healthy.  As long has he does not get delayed due to injuries, there is no question that he can rush for 1,500 yards this season.

All the Steeler fans will find out when they host the first game of the NFL season on September 10 against the Tennessee Titans.

Jeremy Shockey Released After Being Found Unconscious and Rushed to Hospital

TMZ.com is reporting that Jeremy Shockey was found unconscious at around 2 PM while attending a pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

Shockey was covered up by paramedics but was identified to the press by those who found him.

Shockey was removed from the party by stretcher and transported to a local hospital.

Shockey has been a known party animal since his days at the University of Miami and later in New York but he is not in the league’s substance abuse program. Details of his condition are not known at this time or if they are substance related.

EDIT @ 8:37 EST Chris Mortensen is reporting that Shockey suffered from a “bout of dehydration” and has been released.

Add Another Ex-Con to the List for the Cowboys

Michael Irvin, Nate Newton, and Erik Williams: three of the most illustrious Cowboys ever to be arrested. It’s now time for them to move over—squeeze somebody else onto the list.

Jeffrey Lawrence Galland.

While he never suited up for the ‘Boys, ex-convict Galland was a consultant who helped Dallas when they upgraded their practice facilities last year. The same practice facility that collapsed earlier this summer, leaving 12 injured and one paralyzed.

Galland was released from federal prison in 2000 after serving a four-and-a-half year sentence. Galland pleaded guilty to charges of using a firearm during a violent crime, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. He was also arrested in 1994 and was convicted of burglary.

My question is: does Jerry Jones even know the meaning of a background check? I know that convicts deserve a second chance, but before hiring anybody, you should check their references and qualifications.

Galland’s résumé falsified information about his education. The résumé said he had earned a BS in Physics from Washington University, but he has not. It also said he had taken classes toward a master’s in structural engineering at UNLV, but he has not.

Jones and the Cowboys need to take a little more time and put a little more effort into deciding who they hire. It is possible that the hiring of Galland cost one man to lose the ability to walk for the rest of his life.

Revenge Factor: Vikings Players That Made Teams That Passed on Them Pay

With all of the rumors and talk about retired quarterback Brett Favre possibly unretiring to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, it had me thinking about recent Vikings players that got sweet revenge on former teams and teams that passed on them in the draft.

There have been a number of key free agents that have signed with the purple but never actually had the shot of haunting their former teammates.

On the other hand some players, such as former Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams and cornerback Antoine Winfield, have had their chances but couldn’t pull out a win against their former team.

In recent years, we have been able to witness some sweet revenge from Vikings players that took their pink slips from teams and shoved them right back in their faces.

These are five Vikings players that came up huge against their former teams or organizations that passed on them in the draft and made life rough for some certain general managers.

Josh Freeman: Questions To Ponder

Josh Freeman was selected in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009.

He is an amazing physical specimen, weighing in at 250 lbs, and standing six feet and six inches.

He was a better than average quarterback at Kansas State who passed for an incredible amount of yardage in his college career.

The question becomes can he succeed in the NFL, and be a great remembered quarterback? Or will he slip into obscurity like so many others before him?

Here are some questions I would have for Josh Freeman at this pivotal moment in his career:

While you were growing up, who did you look up to and pattern your play after?

What changes in workout regimens, training, and conditioning are foreseen to be better than just average in the professional rankings?

Do you expect to compete for the starting job right away against Byron Leftwich, an established starter with Jacksonville and the holder of a Super Bowl ring, as a proven back-up?

What do you think will be your most difficult challenge as you try to become an NFL quarterback?

How far can you throw a football? I had to ask.

Besides your parents and coaches, who has been your greatest influence in your life?

With a huge contract coming, whats the first thing you will buy, that you’ve always wanted, but could not afford it?

Are you single, or have a girlfreind , fiancee, or wife? Your female Florida fans want to know.

Who’s your favorite NFL player, and why?

Besides football, what is your favorite sport to play or watch?

What’s your favorite meal?

Who’s your favorite musical artist or group?

What do you plan on doing after your football career comes to an end, whenever that may be?

What the first thing you want people to think of when they hear the name, Josh Freeman?

And last, but not least, can i get some tickets for your fist home game Josh, for conducting such a friendly, non confrontational interview?

Thomas “NFL Mikee” Moreland

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