Michael Vick As a San Francisco 49er? Hold That Thought

With rumors swirling around the San Francisco 49ers as a team possibly in the Michael Vick sweepstakes, I got one thing to say: hold that thought.

As much as it would be great to see Vick wearing the red and gold of the 49ers, is he worth the gamble and deserving of a second chance?

Vick, who was released Wednesday from the Leavenworth State Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan, will serve the final two months of a 23-month prison term for operating an illegal dogfighting ring in Hampton, VA.

For those two months in which he will be wearing an electronic monitor as part of his probation, Vick will be working a construction job making $10-an-hour. A far cry from the millions he earned as an NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.

During his up-and-down six-year NFL career, the former Virgina Tech Hokie thrilled fans with his breathtaking running ability and cannon-like arm strength. In 67 career games, Vick has passed for 11,505 yards with 71 touchdowns and 52 interceptions. Vick also has 3,859 rushing yards, ranking him third in the NFL all-time by a quarterback.

As a quarterback who was blessed with the rarest of athletic abilities, the suspended Vick owns several records.

These include the most rushing yards in a single season by a quarterback (1,039 in 2006), highest average per carry in a season (8.45 in 2006), 100-yard career rushing games by a quarterback (eight), best two game rushing yards (225 in 2004), and rushing yards in a single game (173 in 2002).

If the 49ers do decide to add the two-time Pro Bowler to the roster (who have a total of zero Pro Bowlers), not only are they giving him a second chance in the NFL, but a second chance at life.

“Obviously, I feel that everyone deserves a second chance,” said Singletary.

“You look at guys around the league, there are some guys that you just don’t know what they did. They just got lucky… Obviously, I believe guys should have a second chance. So hopefully, he gets a second chance somewhere.”

When asked if Vick could get that second chance with the 49ers, Singletary couldn’t guarantee that but kept the possibility open.

“Don’t know right now. That’s something going forward you never know. I don’t want to say absolutely not, because I’m not there,” said Singletary.

“But, I’m certainly not going to say yes. I’m just saying it’s one of those things that Scot [McCloughan] and I will continue to talk about. But, we like the guys we have here. Very excited about Shaun [Hill], very excited about Alex [Smith] and we’ve got enough on our plate right now.”

The possibility of  Vick being on the 49ers’ roster or any team’s roster, is squarely in the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vick must convince Goodell that he has learned his lesson from the dogfighting incident.

Vick definitely deserves an opportunity to resume his NFL career. Even though he hasn’t played an NFL game in nearly two years, Vick will only be 29 – prime age in the NFL.

If you think that Vick won’t be on an NFL roster this season, then you don’t know the NFL. The NFL is full of guys who were given second chances, just ask Adam Jones and Tank Johnson.

Not only could Vick be on an NFL roster, but barring a major quarterback injury or inconsistent play (pay attention Shaun Hill and Alex Smith), will see action.

Vick would become the feel good story in the NFL this season. Networks are going to be salivating at the possibility of airing a game with Vick dazzling fans once again. 

If the 49ers do sign Vick, it could help them in their efforts into building a new stadium. Vick could help boost the fan base, while repairing his image with the public.

Between now and the next two months, Vick’s situation will be intensely magnified, leaving us to ponder.

Tough Times for Rex, but Does Jay Cutler Change His Chicago Legacy?

Rex Grossman…His name alone brings about a staggering variety and range of emotions that just might match the peaks and valleys in his play. He is the most polarizing Chicago sports figure of the new millennium, and maybe any millennium for that matter.

Not an easy task when you consider that Sammy Sosa went from helping the Cubs get to within five outs of a World Series to more or less run out of town after the following season.

His fall from grace might have been one of the roughest and most brutal ever for an athlete who didn’t break a rule, law, or get involved in some sort of crime/sex scandal.

As one of the last off the Rex bandwagon I can personally attest it was a bumpy ride.

How did he go from NFL Offensive Player of the Month for September 2006 and starting Super Bowl XLI to:

• Having his agent twitter about him just to make sure everyone knows he’s still around and didn’t secretly retire or give up football.
• Watching Kyle Boller, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dan Orlovsky, Patrick Ramsey and Joey Harrington all find jobs before him.
• And have his name surface as a possible try-out candidate for a new four-team football league that might last slightly longer than the XFL.

Where exactly is the rock that stops this bottoming out?

This is the end result of all the injuries, fumbled snaps, interceptions, constant media and fan scrutiny. A player with obvious talent, that once exuded unshakable and infectious confidence, being so broken that he can’t find a job in a league that employs the likes of Brock Berlin, Ken Dorsey and Marques Tuiasosopo.

But it’s easier to look back on Rex’s tenure in Chicago now, now that we’ve got Jay Cutler.

What was once a painful nightmare, an open wound, is instead just scar. Something fans can look back on with the confidence of someone who’s climbed the mountain and has a begrudging respect for all the trials and stumbles along the way.

The way Red Sox fans can embrace Bill Buckner.

The way Cubs fans will apologize to Steve Bartman—and they will once the Cubbies win it all.

Fans can look at Rex Grossman now and with wistful sympathy say, ‘He was simply over-matched.’ Injuries that derailed his development left him unprepared for the pressure of filling the most important position for the most important team in Chicago, especially during a title run.

Kyle Orton couldn’t do that. Jay Cutler can.

Jay Cutler makes it possible for a fan to suggest bringing Grossman back to be the veteran back-up this team needs and having people in the room pause just long enough to escape without bodily harm.

The Bears may never bring him back for an opening coin toss or to make an appearance at the fan expo, but at least people won’t go out of their way not to mention his name. Jay Cutler has done that.

And whether he plays in the NFL this season—as Rosenhaus insists he will—or not Rex will be remembered differently this year than anyone expected. Maybe he should send Jay a thank you card.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: A 2009 NFC North Preview

After a disappointing 6-10 campaign in 2008, the Green Bay Packers are looking to return to the top of the NFC North in 2009.

The climb will be arduous however, with the defending NFC North winner Minnesota Vikings looking poised to make another playoff run, and the Bears adding the talented  Jay Cutler to an already solid team.

With the Bears, Vikings, and Packers all looking like potential playoff clubs on paper, the division appears to be as tough as it has been in many years.

Of course, the Lions are still in the division to beat up on, but they have to win a game sometime right?

Here is a look at each team in the division and the threat they pose to the Packers as they look to rebound in 2009.

The Good: Detroit Lions

The good news for Green Bay Packers fans is that the Lions are still around for everyone in the division to kick around, and in spite of a regime change in Motown, that is unlikely to change next year.

While new head coach Jim Schwartz is well-respected in football circles, and the Lions did add some solid talent in the offseason, Detroit is still a few years away from making much headway in the North.

The additions of Larry Foote, Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew, and the bounty of draft picks Detroit received by trading Roy Williams should ensure that the Lions actually win a few games this season. However, Detroit will be hard-pressed to steal more than a game within the division.

Their defense is still woefully short on talent, and the Lions will find it difficult to stop the likes of Cutler, Rodgers, and Adrian Peterson as they continue to rebuild.

The Lions haven’t defeated the Packers in Green Bay since the elder George Bush was our nation’s president, and that doesn’t appear likely to change next year. The Packers do tend to make things interesting in Detroit, however, and will have to avoid a slip-up in the Motor City to keep pace in the division.

Remember, the score of that 48-25 drubbing in Detroit last season was slightly misleading, as the Packers were actually down at one point in the fourth quarter, before a flurry of turnovers and defensive touchdowns provided the final margin.

The Lions will be improved, but when you go 0-16, that isn’t saying a whole lot.

The Bad: Chicago Bears

Uh-oh.

For the first time since Jim McMahon was doing the Super Bowl Shuffle, the Chicago Bears have a bona-fide star at quarterback in Jay Cutler.

While Cutler may have some maturity issues, he is an immensely talented young quarterback who should stabilize the position for years to come.

Pairing Cutler with a solid running game, led by 1,300-yard rusher Matt Forte, and a normally stout defense means that Chicago will be a formidable obstacle for the Packers in 2009.

The Packers played perhaps their finest game of 2008 in a 37-3 home drubbing of Chicago last season, but they failed to put the Bears away at Soldier Field and will now have to deal with a more balanced offensive attack from the Bears.

The defense also had a surprisingly poor year in 2008, mostly due to being ravaged by injury. If Urlacher’s back holds up and the unit avoids another rash of injuries, it should be ferocious once again.

Overall, Chicago is better than they were a year ago and will pose a serious threat to Green Bay’s playoff aspirations.

The Ugly: Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings won the division a season ago with a 10-6 mark, riding All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson and their traditionally stout rush defense to the playoffs in 2008.

However, their playoff run was cut short by their traditionally lousy quarterback play. 

Starter Tarvaris Jackson went 15-for-35 in the game and threw a crucial interception that Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel returned for a touchdown in a disappointing home loss to Philadelphia.

In the offseason, the Vikings looked to address their quarterback situation by adding veteran signal-caller Sage Rosenfels, while also reportedly looking into adding some guy named Favre to stabilize the position.

They also added perhaps the best playmaker available in the draft in Florida’s Percy Harvin. This gave the Vikings another vertical threat to compliment all-world running back Adrian Peterson.

Considering the fact that nobody can run on the Vikings, few can stop the freight train that is Peterson, and pass-rushing terror Jared Allen and solid corner Antoine Winfield are still wearing purple, the Vikings look poised to make a strong run at the divisional crown again in 2009.

Protecting the home field within the division will be crucial, and the Packers will need to go at least 4-2 against their counterparts to secure the north.

Minnesota appears to be the strongest threat to the Packers ascending to the top of the division, but the Packers have an offense to compete with anyone.

That said, the division will likely come down to how effectively the Packers make the transition to the 3-4 and if they can hold the Bears and Vikings down just enough to outscore them.

The NFC North race figures to be a tight three-team battle that should go down to the wire in 2009. The Packers certainly have their work cut out for them in a strong division.

 

 

 

Why the NFC West’s No Longer the Worst

For some time now, the NFC West has affectionately been referred to as the ‘NFC Worst’.

Long considered a ‘free pass’ to the playoffs for whichever team wins the division, is it time to dump the nickname?

Arizona’s run to the Super Bowl and fresh starts for the other three teams has given cause for optimism.

Could this division surprise a few people in 2009?

Here are some reasons why the west may no longer be the worst in the NFC.

Why Brett Favre In Purple Is Better for the Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre will play for the Minnesota Vikings, to the shock and dismay of loyal Favre and Packers fans, in 2009. Donning the purple and yellow won’t intimidate or cause Brett one moment of discomfort because it will help him reach his last remaining goal.

For Brett, that goal clearly transcend professional football, “legend” edict, and common decency.  That goal is to humiliate the Green Bay Packers organization in general and embarrass Packers’ General Manager Ted Thompson personally, during a time when Packers fans remain bitter and visibly divided, not only over Ted’s decision, but the general chaos of the ensuing and disappointing 2008 season.

Brett’s last burning desire to reach that goal, by risking his reputation, his health, and the esteem of million of fans, continues without apparent regard for the intended and unintended consequences of his actions.

Brett clearly believes that being in the league will cause Packers fans to question Ted Thompson’s decision-making ability.  It is intended to destabilize the loyal fan base further and create turmoil for both the players and organization, as long as Brett remains a visible character in the NFL. 

From this misguided notion, Brett will enter the 2009 season ready to play his role. 

However, it will be that of Marcus Brutus and not that of the returning, age-defying hero.  Brett’s decision, as poor as it may be, will only solidify support for Ted  Thompson and the Green Bay Packers.

Reactionary fans will not appreciate having their legends insult them, which will trigger an up-swell of support, not only for Ted, but also Aaron Rodgers.  Bloggers around the league will wholeheartedly support the Packers while distancing themselves from Brett’s falling and tarnished reputation.     

Brett’s last season played in the NFL with Minnesota will give Packers fans many reasons to forget their past differences in support of the common good.  This unintended blessing bestowed by Brett may be the only true “catalyst” the team needs to return to the playoffs and perhaps the NFC championship game. 

Purple and yellow could just be the best color for the Green Bay Packers this season.    

 

Offensively Challenged: Jets Roster Weaknesses

Despite the Jets high-profile off-season acquisitions, the roster is still far from perfect. 

The most glaring weaknesses exist on the offense. With the much-ballyhooed arrival of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, some obvious deficiencies have escaped the scrutiny of the public eye.

First, the quarterback position is riddled with inexperience. Regardless of whether you anticipate Sanchez being a franchise player, he is an unproven commodity at the NFL level. 

Even though he is lauded for his leadership ability, Sanchez has questionable arm strength. He has a stronger arm than Chad Pennington, but will not be confused with Jay Cutler anytime soon.

Growing pains are a package deal with the position, and the Jets will need to endure struggles from their quarterback, whether it is Sanchez or Kellen Clemens. 

Clemens at least has had a sampling of starts in the league, though his performance was uneven. Granted, the offensive line was a shambles when he started eight games in 2007. It is exceedingly difficult to evaluate a quarterback when he is running for his life after every snap.

This year, if he gets an opportunity, Clemens will have adequate protection with D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody at the tackles, and Alan Faneca, Nick Mangold, and Brandon Moore on the interior line.

An uninspiring receiving corps will not provide any government-size bailouts for the neophyte quarterbacks. Jerricho Cotchery is the only established pass catcher of the bunch. 

While Cotchery is certainly serviceable, he is ideally a No. 2 receiver. On this roster, he is clearly the top option and that is cause for concern.

The supporting cast is not much better. David Clowney, Brad Smith, and Chansi Stuckey have fewer combined career receiving yards than Cotchery’s 858 last year alone.

Prior to the blockbuster Sanchez trade, wide receiver was a position the Jets had targeted in the draft. Now, aside from flirting with the beleaguered Plaxico Burress, there are no immediate plans to ink a game-breaker.

Burress still faces possible jail time for the shooting incident in a Manhattan club that ended his tenure with the other New York football team. If he does end up in the big house, any fantasies of a quick fix are unrealistic.

Brett Favre’s departure predictably fascinated the media, however, the loss of tight end Chris Baker garnered meager attention.

Baker, the most complete tight end on the roster, signed with New England as a free agent and joins Bill Belichick’s perpetual stable of effective tight ends. Baker is being portrayed as a blocking tight end, but he is an underrated pass catcher as well. 

Considering the lack of weapons in the Jets receiving corps, Baker’s soft hands could have been a tremendous asset for Sanchez and Clemens. Without him, they will need a more consistent season from the highly touted Dustin Keller. 

General Manager Mike Tannenbaum has failed to install a true blocking tight end behind Keller. Bubba Franks was recently resigned and will open training camp as the backup, but he is known more as a receiving tight end than a blocker.

The Jets anticipate that the ferocious defense they have assembled can aid in overshadowing some of the offensive deficiencies and pray that they see rapid development at the quarterback position.

Ryan will lean heavily on his three-headed running game as well with Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene. 

If the ground game is ineffective, it will be a long year for the Jets offense.

Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong Lead Young Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers

It may not be the second coming of the “Gang Green” defense, but a group of largely under-the-radar defensive players look to emerge in 2009.  The Eagle linebackers held their own in 2008, but this season, they have their sights set on making game-changing plays. 

At times last season, the Eagle linebackers were maligned for failing to create turnovers and record sacks.  Bradley, Gocong, Gaither and Jordan only accounted for 5.5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles.   

Despite the lack of big play making, the Eagle linebackers were a big part of earning the third ranked overall defense.  In critical situations, they did what they had to do.

The primary role of Jimmy Johnson’s linebackers in 2009 was to provide support in coverage and run stop.  That’s really all they were asked to do and they pulled it off pretty well. 

The 4-3 defense designed by Jimmy Johnson looks to generate pressure from all angles.  The front four are expected to collapse the pocket with change up pressure and support from all areas of the secondary and linebacker groups.  The traditional linebacker pass rush is therefore a more shared duty with the secondary. 

Nonetheless, as these linebackers mature, expect them do a better job with more opportunities in getting to the quarterback and mixing it up with turnovers.

The linebacking crew is founded with two converted players in Chris Gocong and Stewart Bradley, both of whom figure to start in 2009 with little competition.

Gocong is a converted defensive end playing the hybrid role at strong side linebacker.  Bradley is an outside linebacker moving nicely to the inside.

Bradley and Gocong have adjusted pretty well and have consistently improved.  It’s time for them to step up to the next level: making more plays, forcing fumbles, intercepting passes, sacking the quarterback and not missing tackles if they are to sell the fans on their longevity as core players.

Both Bradley and Gocong are getting comfortable with their responsibilities and they are playing more instinctively. 

They are strong, reasonably fast, and explosive players who might end up being great linebackers that win some close games for the Eagles with a superior effort.

The weak-side linebacker position is set up as a contest between Omar Gaither and Akeem Jordan, with varying opinions as to who is the better player. 

If neither player looks like what the Eagles want when it’s go time, there must be an outside chance to see Bradley play the weak side with with Joe Mays playing middle.

 

Starting Middle Linebacker: Stewart Bradley

Stewart Bradley has the character the coaching staff looks for in a field leader.  They will be looking to him to step up into an administrative a motivational role player on the field.

As a player, Bradley is the best looking prospect out of the bunch, recording over 100 tackles in 2008.  Bradley is expected to make a bigger all-around contribution this season.  He just missed being a real Pro Bowl candidate in 2008. 

If he can generate a few turnovers and contribute with the same kind of heavy hitting as he did on Brandon Jacobs, Bradley may be Pro Bowl bound. 

If we have seen the best Bradley has to offer, he may someday switch to an outside linebacker position, as he is experienced in all three linebacker duties.

Overall, Bradley has good open-field running speed at 4.7-type 40-yard times, but his explosion is evident in his combine 20-yard shuttle time of 4.17 which would have ranked him second in the 2009 combine for linebackers, quicker than Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, and Aaron Curry.  Bradley also showed athleticism with a 36-inch vertical leap.

At 6’4″ and 255 pounds, the 25-year-old Bradley has great size for a middle linebacker.  He plays with his heart as you would expect from a Nebraska product.  Philadelphia fans want an all-heart prototype at middle linebacker and Bradley fits the mold.  

Bradley had the only interception among linebackers in 2008 and one forced fumble.  The Eagles need three or four interceptions from him in 2009, along with two or three forced fumbles to make this defense realize the potential that appears to be there. 

 

Starting Strong Side Linebacker: Chris Gocong

Chris Gocong is expected to develop into a better pass rusher as the right outside linebacker and defensive end hybrid.

Gocong has had to work on his pass coverage and showed great improvement through the season.  Pass rushing, run stopping, and coverage are dynamically challenging for one person to master at this level. 

The expectations and need from Gocong is increasing his play making.  That’s the story of the linebackers.  More than looking for his first NFL interception, Gocong needs to get to the quarterback more than twice and force more than one fumble. 

Gocong did record his first NFL touchdown in 2008 when he recovered a fumble in the end zone against Dallas in their first meeting.

Gocong is a similar athlete to Bradley.  He’s a big linebacker at 6’2″, 263 pounds.  He also has average linebacker straight-line speed being in the 4.7 40 yard dash range. 

His explosion is evident with his 39-inch vertical leap which would surpass even the best mark in the 2009 draft by Aaron Curry at 38 inches. 

His 10′ 3″ broad jump would have tied him for second in this year’s combine just behind Curry again at 10′ 4″.  Gocong also ran a 4.08 20-yard shuttle that would have ranked him first among 2009 linebacker prospects.

Gocong was second to Gaither in sacks recorded last season with two.  He needs to put up seven to 10 sacks this season and jar the ball loose in the process.  An interception or two would be nice, but if he can get to the quarterback, he will be a success. 

 

Starting Weak Side Linebacker(s): Omar Gaither and Akeem Jordan

Gaither and Jordan are competing for the weak side.  Gaither started the season well, showing to be a better play maker, but Jordan was a quicker coverage backer and took the duties over.  When Jordan was injected, the defense looked better.

Jordan has run 40 times in the 4.6 to 4.7 range as compared to Gaither who has run more 4.7 to 4.8 times.  Last season the speed in coverage made a big difference in the defensive scheme. 

If Gocong can create pressure from the strong side, Jordan will work nicely in coverage on the weak side.

In order to lock the job up, Jordan will need to show he can make plays.  He recorded no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions. 

What Jordan did well, was cover space and tight ends, recording 61 tackles in six starts with six stuffs for a loss.  That does not show up as well on SportsCenter, but it does the trick on the scoreboard.

Jordan did showed a nose for the football, recovering two fumbles, but he still needs to initiate some turnovers.  With a little less than half a season under his belt, I think we can expect Jordan to pick up his game this year.

Gaither looked like an emerging linebacker in 2007.  Although he started weak side in early 2008, he slipped out of favor for coverage concerns as Akeem Jordon took the job. 

Gaither led the team in sacks by a linebacker with two and half, despite only starting in 10 games.  He was also credited for a forced fumble.

Gaither is a quality football player and sure tackler.  He can line up in any position: weak, middle or strong.  He is strong enough and fast enough to compete.  Gaither can contribute on special teams as well.

 

Best Depth at Linebacker: Joe Mays

Mays has looked like a great middle linebacker in camp and preseason.  Undersized at 5’11” and 246 pounds, Mays didn’t get on the field with defensive unit.  He stood out as a special teams player.

Mays is a Philadelphia kind of player that just leaves it all out there on the field.  He plays without hesitation and explodes into the thick of things. 

I think the entire Philadelphia region would love to somehow see Mays get some more time without taking Bradley off of the field. 

Maybe a little stiff at times, like a body builder, Mays is still a very fun to watch “de-cleating” tackler.

 

Possible Linebacker Conversion: DE Bryan Smith

Bryan Smith is a very quick, but undersized at right end and the Eagles are loaded with defensive ends.  Last season’s third round draft choice might fit better if he can provide a depth option behind Gocong.

Smith has tried to put on mass, but weighed in last season at 245.  That’s a fantastic weight for a speedy pass rushing outside linebacker. 

He has 4.7-type 40-yard dash speed and incredible explosion.  Smith would make a nice edge rusher playing wide of Trent Cole. 

I have read reports that put Smith in the 4.5 40 yard dash range.  If that is true, he starts to like a Lawrence Taylor/Derrick Thomas prototype at right outside linebacker. 

Coming out of college, Bryan Smith was projected to be a converted outside linebacker.  He’s just not bulky enough to hold down an end position.  Smith is really looking like a project player for 2009 as he also has no experience at any linebacker position.

 

Seventh Round Rookie Draft Choice: LB Moise Fokou

Fokou is a solid weak side linebacker who will most likely be a practice squad candidate. He has the athletic measures to be a good linebacker at the NFL level, but will definitely need to bring something special to the field. 

If Fokou can generate turnovers in camp and preseason, the Eagles may take a chance on him.

He is a bit undersized at 6’1″ and only 233 pounds.  Moise is more realistically a project that needs to put on some size before he is ready for the NFL.

Fokou ran a 4.76 40 yard dash and made a 31″ vertical leap.  His explosion showed up with his impressive 10′ 1″ broad jump. 

He fared well in the 3-cone and shuttle drills, ranking top 10 among linebackers in both.  An injury hindered his bench work at the combine, but he lifted 225, 22 times, at his pro day.

Although he brought impressive energy to the field at Maryland, one of the proven special teams veterans will probably win a free linebacker spot before Fokou gets a shot.

 

Longshot Free Agent Linebacker: Charleston Hughes

Preliminarily a middle linebacker prospect, Hughes enjoyed a great 2008 season in the CFL after playing 2007 semi-pro football in Michigan.  It would be a tremendous opportunity for this young man to make a practice squad and someday earn the chance to play on Sunday in the NFL.

 

Special Teams Linebackers: Tank Daniels and Tracey White

Daniels and White are proven special teams studs that provide depth at the thin strong side linebacker position.

Daniels, White and Mays would be incredible on the kick coverage team.  They will get their opportunity to compete for a better job in camp.

 

A Last Look at Linebacker

The starting linebackers: Bradley, Gocong, Jordan and Gaither; only produced one interception, five and a half sacks and three forced fumbles.  Without much flash, they covered and tackled fairly well.

As the 2008 season progressed, the defense continued to climb the ranking charts.  The improvement on defense is easily correlated to the improved game play of the linebackers, particularly in coverage. 

The Eagles will likely keep six linebackers on the active roster.  Bradley, Gocong, Mays, Gaither and Jordan will almost certainly all make the team.  Smith could make the team as a defensive end, linebacker or both.

An interesting point about Bryan Smith and Joe Mays is that in 2008, both players were the top rated small school outside and inside linebacker prospects respectively.

Either Tank Daniels or Tracey White are almost assured a spot for their special teams experience.  Since good special teams players are out of their minds, they are always fun to watch when they get in for a live defensive play.

Fokou and Hughes have an outside chance of earning a spot on the linebacker squad with outstanding special teams play.  It all remains to be seen. What these guys will do is completely unknown. 

Fokou’s athleticism measures well even if he is undersized and he was also fairly productive in college.

There is a lot of emerging and unrealized talent in this linebacking group, but it’s Philly and patience is a rare virtue around these parts.  The guys are young and settling-in.  They will improve, notwithstanding some more growing pains. 

If they do not really break out in 2009, there will be some serious disappointment among Eagle fans and probably coaches as well.  There will be plenty of “I told you so” and more. 

There are, however, a multitude of reasons to believe that these linebackers will fully mature as a unit in front of our eyes. 

A “Raye” of Light for the 49ers?

Jimmy Raye has spent over 30 years of coaching the offensive side of the football.

The 49ers are probably hoping he can spend more than one year running the offense.

New offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye is the latest man to find ways at making the 49ers offense click heading into the 2009 season.

The organization may be hoping that he has more longevity compared to the likes of Mike Martz, Norv Turner and Jim Hostler among others.

The 49ers have been known for changing offensive coordinators in recent years, most recently replacing Mike Martz.

Martz and Singletary made clashes towards the philosophy for the offense, which led to Singletary letting the former Super Bowl coach go.

Martz preferred a pass-first offense. Singletary wanted to be hard-nosed and emphasize a running attack.

With Raye, he gets a man who knows running backs and how to make the rushing game work.

Raye has helped coach Marcus Allen, Eric Dickerson, Stephen Davis, and most recently Thomas Jones.

While at Kansas City from 1993-1997, Raye helped coach one of the league’s best rushing attacks.

In 1995, the Chiefs led the league in rushing with an average of 138.9 yards per game. From 1995-1997, Raye’s coaching helped the Chiefs rack up at least 136 yards per game.

He helped turn Thomas Jones into a consecutive 1,000-yard rusher with the Jets. While with the Redskins, Stephen Davis rushed for 1,432 yards in the 2001 season.

Even though Raye has a background with running backs and gives Singletary the running emphasis he desires, Raye will admit he doesn’t want to focus on one thing when he makes the play calls.

“This is the new millennium. This is 2009,” Raye said to the San Jose Mercury News back in January. “I don’t think you can play one-dimensional, and I never have.”

That may be good news for the offense, but the better news would be if Raye can buck the trend of offensive coordinators lasting one season for the 49ers.

Game of Inches: The Washington Redskins’ Major Issues Coming Into 2009

Ok, so Dan Snyder has finished off his annual spending spree. Holes have been filled, problems solved.

Pass rush: check. The Skins oft-criticized inability to pressure the QB has been remedied with the addition of Albert Haynesworth, gem of the 2009 free agent class.

Add in draft superman, Brian Orakpo and boom! One Madden cliché later, the ‘Skins now possess a respectable front four.

Secondary stabilization: done deal. Deangelo Hall is back in the fold and Carlos Rogers will start opposite him.

Oh, if only success on paper translated to the playing field. Unfortunately, as we in DC know from long experience, it doesn’t.

Snyder made some important upgrades, but his team still has some major problems, mostly on the offensive side of the ball.

How many times will we anxiously wait for secondary receiving targets to emerge? Will this finally be the year where we see all that potential in Jason Campbell turn into actual production on the field?

However, the biggest concern is a rather big one. In fact, it could mean the difference between making the postseason and packing up for the offseason by New Year’s Day.

Yes, the O-line is another year older and yet again the ‘Skins have done very little to patch it up.

 

Is There A Right Tackle In The House?

Jon Jansen was once a powerhouse at right tackle, but injuries have taken their toll. Jansen is a shell of his former self and there is little behind him.

Stephon Heyer impressed in 2007 and appeared to have a bright future. However, he regressed in 2008 partly due to injuries. The coaching staff continues to rave about him, and Heyer might end up being the Redskins’ best option on the right side.

Mike Williams was signed before the draft to compete for the RT position, but he must first get his weight under control. During his two-year absence, Williams’ weight ballooned to 450 pounds. He’s just below 400 now, working towards 370.

Williams’ work ethic was questioned throughout his first stint in the NFL. He has the talent to play in the league, but he lacks drive and has struggled with a bad back.

However, if he can manage his weight and focus all his energy into being a true presence on the line, Williams possesses the size and ability to contribute.

Protection wasn’t Washington’s strong suit in 2008. They ranked fourth from the bottom in sacks allowed with 38. That was largely due to injuries and age.

If the ‘Skins want to protect Campbell they will need to find a consistent option at right tackle before they break training camp.

In addition, Washington could shore up the protection with some help from the tight ends. Chris Cooley is a strong physical blocker who can chip and take on extra defenders in the box.

Protection is the biggest concern, but the defense is also searching for a standout to fill the remaining open spot in their front seven.

Left Side…Strong Side?

In training camp, Washington will look to sort out the situation at strong side linebacker.

Marcus Washington was released in wake of several injury-plagued seasons. His departure leaves the position up for grabs.

The initial replacement was thought to be third year man HB Blades, however the addition of Brian Orakpo through the draft might shake things up.

Blades is football smart, but lacks size and the speed to cover ground from an outside linebacker position. He has experience at OLB from last season and yet is better suited to the middle linebacker position.

Orakpo is a freak athlete who can apply pressure and make plays. He ran a 4.63 forty time, proving he has the speed to play linebacker if needed. Whether he will possess the instincts at a position he is unused to is another question.

Washington has been trying him out at strongside LB on first and second downs, and then moving him to his natural DE position on third downs. The change may be risky as it could leave Orakpo overwhelmed at his transition to the NFL.

So the ‘Skins have to gamble either way. Orakpo has the upside, although switching him would take away from the front four’s pass rush and could hamper his ability to make the biggest impact possible.

With some refinement, Orakpo would have the skills in coverage to play strong side and he would provide an edge rusher from a two-point stance.

The Skins haven’t had this in years. It would add a unique element to the defense, throwing in a wrinkle for opposing offenses.

Blades won’t be lights out at OLB and he will struggle to matchup against certain targets in the passing game. Still, he knows the game and will hold his own against the run. 

If he wins the position, strong side linebacker will be a weakness, but one the defense will hope to overcome due to the star power of the remaining ten players.

Failure on the strong side isn’t what the coaching staff would like to see and neither is a repeat of last year’s horrific special teams play. This year the ‘Skins may have some answers.

Not-So-Special Teams: Coming Off A Down Year, The Redskins Third Unit Looks To Bounce Back

Washington struggled in almost every aspect of the special teams game last year.

Shaun Suisham lost confidence midway through the year and couldn’t connect on field goals over 40 yards consistently. In 2008, he went 26-36 on FGs and 25-25 on extra points.

He went 12-20 from 40+ yard FGs and missed some important kicks throughout the year. That’s an issue for the ‘Skins because they don’t give themselves many scoring chances and play every game by a close margin. They need a kicker who will convert over 80 percent of his attempts.

The front office brought in Dave Rayner this offseason to push Suisham. Rayner hasn’t played a full season since 2006 where he went 26-35 with the Packers.

He has a strong leg, which is a plus especially on kick-offs. However, Rayner’s inaccuracy doesn’t help in the placekicking department.

Unless one of the two gets their act together, the kicking game may yet again be a mess in 2009.

Punting, so often a weakness for the Redskins has been remedied. The signing of former Indianapolis Colts punter, Hunter Smith, signals Washington may have a year where they control the field position game.

Smith averaged 44.2 yards a punt, which is a marked improvement from Ryan Plackemeier’s 41.5 avg. He put 23 punts inside the 20-yard line; that’s six better than Plackemeier.

Most importantly, Smith had a net average of 38.8 yards per punt, tied for 10th in the NFL. Plackemeier was third from the bottom with a 33.3 net avg.

Keep in mind that Smith posted these stats on just 53 attempts with the dynamic Colts offense. That was 23rd most in the NFL and well below Plackemeier’s 66 attempts.

So punting is improved instantly with the Smith signing, but on the flip side, the punt return game is still shaky.

Antwaan Randle El continued to languish at the bottom of every punt return category and no replacement is imminent.

Dominique Dorsey was signed in the offseason, but is a longshot to make the roster. He starred as a returner in the CFL and if he hopes to make in the NFL, he will need to duplicate his performance from up north in the preseason.

Santana Moss is a threat and will most likely return key punts in 2009, but on the whole, expectations are low for the return game. This will hurt field position and prevent the return game from providing much of a spark.

Unfortunately, the Redskins often overlook key weaknesses; this year is no exception. Hopes are high that the upgrades will overcome and disguise the holes. It’s up to the coaching staff to bring it all together.

Only time will tell if their efforts pay off.

The Top 7: Potential NFL Disappointments of 2009

In the NFL, very rarely does anything work out the way it’s supposed to.

The Miami Dolphins, a year removed from a horrendous 1-15 season, turned things around by going 11-5 while winning the AFC East. The New England Patriots would come back with a vengeance after losing Super Bowl XLII, but a season-ending injury to Tom Brady in Week 1 ended that dream.

The Arizona Cardinals should have been one-and-done in the playoffs, the Titans should have won at least one playoff game, the Colts finally fell in the AFC South and so on.

2009 will be no different for surprises.

Good teams will be bad, bad teams will be good. Washed up players will prove their worth, and superstars will fall.

What exactly is going to happen? Well, there’s obviously no way to know, but who says we can’t guess?

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