Battles of Mankato: Vikings Training Camp 2009

With time winding down until the beginning of Vikings training camp August 1st at Minnesota State in Mankato, now would seem to be the perfect time to take a look at the position battles that will be resolved heading in camp.

The Vikes find themselves standing on a razor’s edge at the moment.

The team has locked up a solid core of a run dominated offense with All-Star Adrian Peterson and one the largest lines in the NFL. Their defense is one of the most stout in the NFL and is the best at stopping the run behind both Kevin and Pat Williams at the Tackle Positions.

With only one or two more pieces needed this training camp may be one of the most important ones the Vikings have ever held, as its results will determine if the franchise will progress towards contention of a NFC title and possibly a Superbowl or continued mediocrity

So let’s take a look shall we?

NFC: Conference Rankings

For the next article in my team rankings, the NFC Conference will be covered. The division winners are the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals. The two teams I have chosen for wild card teams are the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.

The four teams in the first round of the playoffs will most likely be Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Carolina. I believe that both wild card teams are good enough to advance to the next round. Carolina will beat Chicago, while New York easily beats Atlanta.

So the second round teams are Carolina, New York, Arizona, and Philedelphia. Since I’m not sure who will play who, I will just give the best team in the conference.

The team will win will probably be New York. Philadelphia lost because they still have a few weaknesses, primarily on the defensive side. Arizona may have a top offense, but is also weak in defense. Carolina made it only because the played a questionable team in Chicago. They are not as explosive as the other teams.

The New York Giants are the most likely team to go to the Super Bowl. They are well rounded and have enough talent to beat the other teams.

I’m sure you have opinions. If so, let’s hear them. Leave comments to prove why your team is the best in the Conference. Speak your mind.

Nate Davis’s ‘Learning Disability’ Is One Of His Strengths

I’ve seen a range of commentary that ranges from bizarre to pedestrian to stereotypical with the signing of Nate Davis by the 49ers. Some border on prejudicial.

Even though he has yet to take to play in an NFL game, Davis exemplifies character in a sport when character is more important ever.

Davis has already shown an ability to be successful at each stage of his football career.

And that’s no mistake, nor is it luck, or the result of slick publicity.

This kid is the real deal.

Starting as a Ball State freshman speaks not only to Davis’ physical skills, but it also shows that he has a maturity not always typical of star players.

While some fans and professional writers voice concern over Davis declaring for the NFL draft as a junior, I see his decision as a wise move.

It allows him a few years to learn the NFL game.

The 49ers were also wise in choosing him.

If he develops, Davis may surprise naysayers and become an extremely good NFL quarterback.

I would be surprised if he remained a backup, but this young man has a few years to develop.

The 49ers know how important it is to develop quarterbacks.

The franchise also knows how important backups were to its glory years.

Fans, as well as fan and professional writers, often overlook the key contributions of backups during the Joe Montana and Steve Young eras.

While Young could have been a starter when he was a backup, that’s not a necessary ingredient for a backup.

Competence and ball control are the ingredients.

With that comes preparation. That is something Davis has had success, and struggles, with.

His team’s loss in the Mid-American Conference championship to Buffalo was sobering.

However, Davis made no excuses.

In the aftermath, he noted that games are not only lost on the game-day field.

They are also lost on the practice field.

In team meetings.

In individual preparation.

In mindset; a singleness of purpose; focus.

If all pre-game variables are not operating in unison, the breakdown will be apparent.

Loss is likely.

Clearly, Davis did not lose the game against Buffalo.

It’s a team win or loss.

The officials don’t lose it for you.

You cannot help but wonder if Ball State may have been a bit overconfident with a 12-0 record and nearly everyone believing they would go 13-0.

Davis said the team should have prepared better and he included himself.

Unlike many Ball State fans and some sports writers who blamed officials’ poor calls, this young man shouldered the responsibility.

That’s character.

Davis has unfairly received criticism because of a so-called learning disability because he has noted that he is a visual learner.

Well, he is on a team where Montana spoke of the necessity of visualization, and the importance it played in his success.

In the right environment, which the ‘Niners have with Jed York and Mike Singletary, Davis could excel.

If I were able to talk to him, I would tell him to view his “disability” as a strength.

The X’s and O’s will come.

If you doubt this young man, who once thought of not attending college because of his non-mainstream way of learning, check out this quote from USA Today in December:

“I came to Ball State {on a recruiting trip}, and the first thing they took me to was the academic part. “They showed me that I really had a chance to make it through college.”

Academics was foremost on his mind.

Character.

Maturity.

Nate Charles Davis.

Check-In With the New England Patriots: Offensive Line

I’m beginning a new series on the New England Patriots, entitled “Check-In.” My follow-up series will be “Check-Out,” which will come at the end of the regular season. Updates (as of yet untitled) will more than likely come throughout the regular season.

Today, I start with the offensive line, which has been an anomaly in the past two seasons.

In 2007, they were the most fearsome squadron in the NFL. Their grizzly facial hair earned them the nickname of the “Bearded Brothers.” Opposing defenses nearly gave up trying in their quest to get to quarterback Tom Brady in his explosive statistical season.

Then, in Super Bowl XLII, the wall came tumbling down around Brady. In 2008, things just weren’t the same; the same group of men gave up the most sacks in the league.

What people don’t understand, though, is that the quarterback plays a huge role in the production of the offensive line.

The obvious has been said time and time again: Matt Cassel is no Tom Brady. His release isn’t as quick, he’s not as quick of a decision-maker, and his instincts were dull last season, having not started since high school.

What isn’t as obvious, though, is the difference it made in the offensive lines play. Brady’s uncanny ability to read the blitz before the snap allowed him to make the necessary audibles and adjustments at the line to maximize his protection.

Although the offensive line is comprised entirely of veterans who understand the game, it’s not as easy for them to pick up a blitz from a linebacker or safety in a pinch; they’re usually face-to-face with a 270-plus pound lineman.

Speaking of the line’s veteran status, a dip in their overall athleticism could also be a reason for the surplus in sacks allowed last season. Left guard Logan Mankins is the only starter on the line below the age of 30 and even he is beginning to approach that mark sooner than later.

They haven’t done much to solve this issue as of late, drafting two offensive lineman in the entire 2009 NFL Draft (the second of which didn’t come until the fifth round). Sebastian Vollmer, the 58th overall selection out of Houston, could give right tackle Nick Kaczur a run for his money for the starting position. Vollmer’s youth and athleticism could prove necessary in neutralizing speed rushers off the edge.

Speaking of speed rushers, although the Patriots haven’t added much depth on the line, they have added a number of nimble tight ends to their depth chart. They picked up Chris Baker, formerly of the Jets, and Alex Smith, formerly of the Buccaneers, to add to incumbent starter Benjamin Watson as his back-up David Thomas.

The Patriots are clearly in need of their combined speed and strength in blocking the edge pass rush.

This should hopefully solve the major problem of a lack of athleticism that the Giants presented them in Super Bowl XLII.

Starting left tackle Matt Light is reaching the twilight of his career, and the other starters aren’t too far behind. It’s clear that the Patriots will have to do more to improve themselves in the trenches down the road. Perhaps their wealth of second-round selections in next year’s draft could come in handy in that regard.

Regardless of what they choose to do next offseason, Brady will make use of what’s given to him (as usual) and could make the line look like studs yet again in 2009.

And as always, when all else fails, in Belichick we trust.

 

Drew Bennett Signing Indicative of Newsome’s M.O.: “The Job Is Never Done”

The Ravens’ recent addition of free agent receiver Drew Bennett may appear to be a compensatory move, an effort to replace the void left by Derrick Mason should his recent retirement announcement hold true.

But a quick look at the Ravens’ history, specifically general manager Ozzie Newsome’s moves, may suggest otherwise.

The Ravens signed full back Lorenzo Neal halfway through training camp last year. They brought in tackle Willie Anderson three days before the season opener. Newsome is constantly evaluating his team, and if he believes there’s someone available who can make Baltimore a better football team, he’s shown he’s prepared to pull the trigger on such a move.

“You know my track record,” Newsome said shortly after this year’s draft. “The job is never done as far as I’m concerned.”

That strategy is consistent with head coach John Harbaugh’s way of thinking. He has insisted all offseason that the Ravens are constantly searching to improve all positions, not just wide receiver, as fans and media have speculated upon.

“We’re interested in anybody that can help our team,” noted Harbaugh during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this past spring.

But Bennett isn’t the sort of improvement fans were looking for. The eight-year veteran only played one game last season for the St. Louis Rams, and ended the season on Injured Reserve.

Many in Baltimore were clamoring the the Ravens to make a deal for Anquan Boldin out of Arizona or Brandon Marshall out of Denver. Both are explosive receivers wanting new contracts with new teams.

Yet Newsome wasn’t willing to part with the first- and third-round draft picks either move would likely require.

After Mason announced his intention to walk away from the game after 13 seasons, trade rumors began swirling again. The Ravens have not publicly accepted Masons’ retirement, instead emphasizing their hope that he returns in 2009. After speaking with Mason, Harbaugh noted he was “optimistic and hopeful” that Mason would do just that.

Though Bennett’s arrival in Baltimore may appear to contradict that hope, it stands to reason that Newsome, Harbaugh and the Ravens are just sticking to their methods.

If Mason does return, then Bennett adds quality depth. If he does not, then a healthy Bennett could emerge as one of the candidates to take his place on the starters’ rotation. Either way, the move is consistent with Newsome’s strategy of the past. And heading into 2009, consistency is one of the things Baltimore hopes to achieve.

Are The New York Giants Bringing Back Plaxico Burress?

With recent rumors circulating that the New York Giants may still be open to bringing their former (troubled) wide receiver Plaxico Burress back into the fold, I felt the need to express my strong opinion on the matter.

When news began to spread again that this could even be a possibility, my jaw admittedly dropped.

I couldn’t believe that after Burress single-handedly sabotaged the Giants’ chances of returning to the promised land, and Jerry Reese quickly cut him from the team, that his return would be contemplated by the organization.

Psychologically, the team has moved on.

By drafting two young receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, it seemed to the fans that Plaxico was now out of the team’s long-term plans.

I commend the Giants for giving many players second chances to redeem themselves in the past, but in this circumstance, the possible destruction of team morale Burress could cause far outweighs the production he would provide on the field.

Just ask GM Jerry Jones of the Cowboys how T.O. panned out!

While I honestly believe that Plaxico Burress is not a bad person, just a person who has made foolish decisions, I am not going to attack Burress’ image or character. 

Besides, I think Plaxico has done a good job of that himself.

And let me make this clear; I am not denying the tremendous athletic ability, play-making skills and impact he had on the Giants, particularly in aiding the running game by absorbing double-teams.

This is a new season with a new team and it’s time to turn the page. Manning is now unquestionably the leader and has plenty of trust in his young, yet unproven receiving corps.

General Manager Jerry Reese needs to dismiss these rumors by coming out and making it public that the organization is not interested in Burress. Doing so would lessen the impact of any distractions lingering as a side-effect in training camp.

Additionally, Burress would do more harm than good at this point. Manning has an opportunity to prove that he can live without Tiki, Shockey and Burress. He has a chance to call the team his own, and I look for him to rise to the occasion this season.

Also, if the Giants really become so desperate for a receiver in the early quarter of the season, trade talks could be resumed with the Browns for Braylon Edwards or even, dare I say it, Brandon Marshall of the Broncos.

To put things in perspective, it’s still July! This is not the time to be panicking, considering the team hasn’t even played one regular-season game yet.

There will be plenty of options available other than Burress at receiver if it becomes a real need as the season progresses. Until then, let’s not worry too much.

No matter what, we are still the New York Football Giants. As the greatest organization in professional football, one player will not determine our future.

Learning From Mistakes: Newbie Raiders Can Learn From Vets

The New York Times recently reported that for the first time, NFL teams—namely the Ravens and the Giants—have started mentorship programs for their rookies.

William C. Rhoden of the Times wrote, “The idea is that the veterans will shepherd young players through the minefield as if they were younger brothers and even sons.”

The program, Rhoden reports, started last year when Ravens’ veterans took the initiative to develop their teammates by taking younger players under their wings, preparing them for life in the NFL both on and off the field.

The article quotes Baltimore’s director of player development Harry Swayne as saying, “We are clueless as far as what manhood really is.”

The article goes on to talk mostly about finances, how once these young players enter the real world they need to spend wisely and leave their personal troubles off the field.

“It’s going to keep you in the NFL after you win that job,” said Giants director of player development Charles Way.

The example Rhoden gives is Plaxico Burress who, if he had a guiding spirit, may not have shot himself in the leg or even carried a gun around in the first place.

Oakland would no doubt benefit from a program like this and should take the cue from the Giants, whose efforts very obviously paid off.

A San Francisco Chronicle article recently focused on what old-time Silver and Blacks had to say to the young starters in this year’s lineup.

Daryle Lamonica gave a shout-out to JaMarcus Russell warning him that defensive backs would very likely outrun Russell’s receivers and that he would have to rely more on mental strength rather than just physical strength.

All veterans in the article basically said the same thing: you can’t rely on what got you by in college, whether it be Darrius Heyward-Bey’s speed or Russell’s arm strength.

But when you can no longer depend on something that’s gotten you through all those years in college ball, how do you transition into the pros?

The answer is in the wisdom and experience of your veteran players.

Dante Culpepper had eight years under his belt in 2007 when he started for the Raiders at the age of 30.

If paired with Russell, he could provide advice from mistakes learned that season when he passed for 1,105 yards with eight interceptions and the Raiders went 4-12.

Zack Miller will be starting his third season with the Raiders at the ripe old age of 24. He had 44 catches for 444 yards in his rookie season, which he improved to 56 catches for 778 yards in 2008.

Miller continues to progress and is shaping up to be one of the leagues top tight ends in 2009.

It’s hard to imagine Miller gaining anything from the advice of Randal Williams, who played as a 28-year-old in 2006 and scored zero TDs. Miller had him beaten already in his rookie season when he scored three TDs.

But Williams was playing with five years of experience and undoubtedly knows the pro game better than Miller, even if he wasn’t able to convert that knowledge onto the field.

Finally, with zero years of experience, the 22-year-old Heyward-Bey perhaps needs a mentor more than any of the aforementioned players.

Heyward-Bey doesn’t need any help physically. He ran a 4.30 at the combine and is indisputably one of the fastest running backs in the 2009 season.

But Heyward-Bey, like so many rookies, is still looked at skeptically by critics who, as usual, wonder if this kid can make the leap into the pros. Last year’s RB LaMont Jordan might have something to say about that.

By the 2008 season, Jordan already had six years in the NFL. He had 144 rushes for 549 yards and scored three TDs. Jordan knows how to handle quick defensive backs and if Heyward-Bey is naïve enough to think he can outrun anyone he will have a rough rookie season.

I don’t presume to know about any personal troubles the young 2009 starters have. But having a mentor could be very therapeutic and crucial to keeping problems at bay and off the field.

If history tells us anything, it is that the NFL can be both physically and mentally draining. Sometimes you need a hand to hold.

Training camp starts on Wednesday in Napa Valley and it is the perfect time for these players to connect. Rookies should watch carefully, take note, and learn some lessons, whether it is football-based or otherwise.

Russell, Miller, and Heyward-Bey are still kids and we don’t want any of them to get shot in the leg, both metaphorically and literally.

Five Things I Hope To See in Green Bay’s Training Camp

As the dog days of summer come to an end and training camp is set to commence, there will finally be more to talk about than how “conflicted” Brett Favre is about trading his Wranglers in for a bright purple outfit, or how truly atrocious T.O.’s new reality show is.

That said, here are five issues that need to be resolved in Packers’ training camp.

 

Solidifying the Backup Quarterback Spot

The quarterback situation was even more precarious entering camp last season, but the Packers are still taking a huge gamble by going with second-year signal-callers Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm as the backups to Aaron Rodgers.

Flynn and Brohm both suffered through horrendous preseasons last year, and neither player looked remotely ready to step in if Rodgers had gotten hurt.

Flynn has shown promise and coaches rave about his leadership abilities, but he hasn’t proven that he has the physical tools to play in the NFL.

Brohm has yet to show anything that suggests he is an NFL-caliber quarterback, and after being overtaken on the depth chart by Flynn, he has a lot to prove in order to stick in the league.

Unless one of them takes a major step forward in their sophomore campaigns, the Packers are likely looking at a lost season if A-Rod gets nicked up.

 

Depth in the Secondary

Star cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson are getting a bit long in the tooth, and it remains to be seen whether they can be as effective in a 3-4 system that calls for more zone coverage as opposed to the savage man-to-man that they both excel in.

Both have had recent struggles with injury as well.

While Harris has been an iron man for most of his career, he suffered a grisly spleen injury that forced him out of four games last season, and Woodson has practiced only sparingly over the last two seasons.

If either of those two go down for a significant stretch, what do the Packers have behind them?

Tramon Williams proved to be a big-play corner for the Packers, picking off five passes last season, but corners Jarrett Bush, Will Blackmon, and Pat Lee (looking like a bust,) all struggled at times last season.

Here’s hoping that the injury-prone Blackmon, who has shown off terrific athleticism as a punt returner, can stay on the field and emerge as a reliable cover corner to pair with Williams.

 

Someone to Seize the No. 3 Receiver Spot

This figures to be a battle between James Jones and Jordy Nelson.

Jones has all of the physical tools to be a solid receiver, but his hands leave too much to be desired.

His two critical fumbles cost Green Bay a game in 2007 against Chicago, and he drops too many balls to be a trusted target for Rodgers.

This year is a bit of a put up or shut up season for Jones, who needs to be more consistent and cash in on his potential, or potentially move on from Green Bay.

Nelson isn’t really a big-play threat, but he is a big, physical possession receiver that can open up the outside for Jennings and Driver.

Look for Nelson to take the No. 3 spot and be a more reliable slot guy for Rodgers.

 

The Linebacking Corps Coming Together

The move to the 3-4 creates more questions at linebacker than any other spot defensively for the Pack.

Pro Bowl defensive lineman Aaron Kampman is still a bit disgruntled over the move to linebacker, and it remains to be seen whether he can be as effective rushing the passer standing up, and if he possesses the lateral quickness to avoid being exposed in coverage.

Likewise, the Packers need either rookie Clay Matthews or Brady Poppinga to quickly grasp the scheme and claim the other outside ‘backer spot.

Matthews has all of the physical tools and an NFL pedigree (if that really matters,) but Poppinga played in the 3-4 at BYU and should have a leg up in terms of familiarity with the system.

Oh yeah, and it wouldn’t hurt if new linebackers coach Kevin Greene can light a fire under A.J. Hawk a bit. It’s time for him to earn his draft slot and be the play-making beast the Packers expected in the new defense.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers deserves the benefit of the doubt considering his stellar track record turning around defenses in Carolina, Jacksonville, and Miami.

But the pieces still need to fit, and this inconsistent group of linebackers are going to have to gel and step up for the defense to be another Capers success story.

 

Improving the Two-Minute Offense

This is a hard thing to prove in training camp, but the Packers were atrocious in their two-minute drills a year ago.

The Packers seemingly had an opportunity to pull out every game with a late drive, but were unable to get the job done behind an offense that was otherwise potent.

In a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin called the offense “paper champions,” and that the offense was “flat-out bad” on opening drives and in the two-minute offense.

I tend to agree with Philbin.

While the offense put up lots of points, and the defense deserves some heat for many of the close losses, the fact is that the Packers simply failed to execute in their two-minute drill.

That lack of execution comes back to Aaron Rodgers.

The next step for Rodgers is to show the kind of leadership and swagger that elite quarterbacks have in leading their teams to victory late in games.

Green Bay was brutal on opening drives, finishing off the first half, and closing out games in their no-huddle offense, the three most critical times in the game.

Rodgers deserves more time to evolve in that aspect, but this offense is too skilled to repeat last season’s maddening end-of-game futility.

That confidence and belief is built as early as training camp. so look for Rodgers to show greater confidence and command in his second year behind center.

On the Road to the Super Bowl…

Everyone loves a good nickname.

Anytime somebody calls you by your nickname you know the person vying for your attention is a good and personal friend.

That philosophy goes for football fans too…don’t you think? Your favorite team, your all time favorite defense or your favorite player…they probably have nicknames too.

Some people have a made a living on the art of giving nicknames to players. Some are attention grabbing and some are completely ridiculous… but it makes things more interesting when you can root for a guy who’s nickname you know.

It’s like you’re watching your old school buddy from grade school whoop ass on the gridiron. It’s makes it personal!

Not every player needs a nickname and certainly every player does not deserve one. But over the years there has been so many stellar nicknames used to describe players, coaches, dominant defenses, flamboyant receivers, dominant O-lines, stud ball carriers and great quarterbacks.

String them all along together and get a very bizarre tale.

Green Bay Packers’ WR Corps Second to None

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