The Raiders Need to Find Another Nose Tackle………Quickly

Outside of Jamarcus Russell’s maturity and pass protection from the offensive line, nothing perplexes the rest of what is called the Raider Nation as does the situation with the run defense. It is common knowledge the key to stopping the run starts with the defensive line.

All critics have stated time and time again the team passed up worthy run stoppers in the past draft. It is almost Napa time and although more optimism is high for the defense overall, becoming a championship defense in Oakland will demand the signing of a free agent nose tackle.

I am sure Bleacher Report readers viewed the article predicting the defensive tackles will step up this year. This article isn’t to bash them by any means. I really like the top three guys on the depth chart because their skills compliment each other very well. The dilemma the Raiders have is the fact that Terdell Sands happens to be the one true Nose Tackle on the squad.

Tommy Kelly played nose tackle in 2006, and it was determined that wasn’t the best spot for him to succeed. Gerard Warren played nose tackle last season, but is a much better pass rusher than he is a run stopper. William Joseph is a first round bust, but isn’t a nose tackle either, Ryan Boschetti is known for his hard nose play, but can you count on him if one of the starters goes down to injury?

With such a limited free agent pool for quality nose tackles, the Raiders will be forced to make some difficult decisions in the next few weeks. Hollis Thomas has been mentioned on this site and seems like a logical choice, but the Raiders will be better served if a younger veteran gets cut in training camp.

Even if Terdell steps up like I expect him to, a valuable pickup to help plug the holes is mandatory. I’m willing to bet Al Davis doesn’t make a move unless an unexpected release happens before September.

The hope for many is that Oakland’s run issues will not be discussed next summer. Regardless of what sort of production is seen this season, next year’s draft will demand a selection of a nose tackle to anchor the defense for the next decade.

Filling The Leadership Void: The Key To a Successful 2009 and Beyond

After years of watching pre and post game specials, reading various articles, and listening to countless interviews, I’ve come to a conclusion regarding team leaders in sports: the more sports cliche’s attached to a guy, the better leader he likely is in the locker room.

You take into consideration guys like Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward for the Steelers, Tom Brady and Tedy Bruschi for the Patriots, and even young Matt Ryan for the Falcons, and you realize that the same old clichés you hear every year about leaders in the locker room are likely applicable to these aforementioned players.

Bell Belichick, on more than one occasion, has probably said about Brady and Bruschi that they’re like “coaches on the field.”

When describing Roethlisberger and Ward, their teammates have probably described them as “the heart and soul of the team.”

And at some point last year, I’m sure someone on the Falcons mentioned that Ryan was “among the first at practice and one of the last to leave.”

But whatever cliché is used to describe a team leader, the evident truth in the NFL is this: team leaders might be the most important players in the locker room and their presence might be the best indicators of a team’s success.

Take a look at the 2007-2008 Dallas Cowboys. Here was a team that owned some of the most notable names in the league and featured elite talent at several key positions. However, despite having guys like Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, and DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys failed to reach the playoffs and were terribly inconsistent despite being a team of their considerable skill and promise.

In fact, last season’s Cowboys aren’t just an example of a team that is void of leadership, but one that is plagued by whatever it is that could be considered the polar extreme of it (e.g., selfishness, immaturity, Terrell Owens).

On the other end of the spectrum, we have a team like the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers who have always seemed to have key players on their teams who have taken on leadership roles, and as a result, have been able to maintain an extended period of winning and success.

A quick glance at the rest of the league will reveal much of the same. The teams that are predicted to do well in 2009 have great leadership while the other teams who don’t own such an optimistic outlook are likely lacking in it.

Which brings me to the Oakland Raiders.

This upcoming season, the Raiders have a chance to make a splash and take a step back into national relevance. Talent is abound, and with the way last season ended, the Raiders hope to carry that momentum on into the 2009-2010 season.

And while there are plenty of obstacles the Raiders have to overcome, the best thing head coach Tom Cable and his staff can hope for is that a few leaders emerge on this young team.

On defense, the situation isn’t desperate as the Raiders already feature a couple guys who have credibility in the league and the respect of their teammates in the locker room.

First, the most obvious candidate for team leader, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha, now entering his seventh year in the league, has established himself as the Raiders’ marquee player and is arguably the league’s top corner. As an established veteran on the team, Asomugha is one of the few guys that all players, regardless of what side of the ball they play on, can look to for guidance on and off the field.

Not only is Asomugha an elite player on the field, he is also one of the league’s better men off of it, as evidenced by his various philanthropic endeavors. In a sports media climate where players like Michael Vick, Chris Henry, and Dante Stallworth are highlighted for their legal troubles, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is surely relieved to have guys like Asomugha who represent the league with class and character.

Another player the Raiders hope will assume a larger role on the team is fifth year linebacker Kirk Morrison. Morrison, who again led the team in tackles for the fourth straight year, has established himself as one of the team’s most consistent players and has become one of the league’s better linebackers.

Perhaps it’s because the Raiders haven’t had much success that Morrison’s name hasn’t yet become a household one across the league, but that’s exactly the type of leader Morrison is. Some players lead by being vocal in the locker room, but Morrison is one of those guys who lead by example (yet another sports cliché).

While Asomugha and Morrison might simply be the de facto leaders on defense, they’re also the most qualified and exactly what a young Raiders team needs. There’s nothing wrong with being vocal or emotionally charged, but Cable and staff have set out to establish a tough, business like approach in practices, and Asomugha and Morrison are prime examples of what the coaches want out of their players: guys who show up, don’t complain, and get the job done.

On the other side of the ball, the situation isn’t as clear as the offense has been inconsistent in recent years, and there’s no one guy that has clearly established himself among the group.

Of course, the one guy on offense, or rather, on a team as a whole, that is looked upon to lead is the quarterback. For this reason, it is the quarterback position that is generally regarded as one of the toughest positions to play in all of sports because it goes beyond skill and performance, but mental fortitude and the ability to lead.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, the quarterback situation isn’t set in stone despite what the staff has said publicly. The team brought in veteran Jeff Garcia this offseason, and there is some uncertainty among the fan base as to what kind of role he will play.

Through the media, Cable and the team have gone on to say Garcia was brought in as a backup to provide competition and veteran tutelage to third year quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

However, due to Russell’s slow development and inconsistent performances during OTA’s, there have been rumblings that Garcia has a legitimate shot at being at the top of the depth chart come the end of training camp. To further complicate matters for Cable, Russell’s off the field antics haven’t been indicative of the kind of leader a coach would like to have in his quarterback (SFGate).

With all that said, Russell is still young and there is yet time to shape up his act. The 2009 training camp might prove to be the most pivotal one for Russell and the Raiders. While there are many questions that have yet to be answered regarding the talent surrounding him, it is imperative that Russell takes the next step in his development and become the leader on offense.

Perhaps more so than fine tuning his accuracy and poise in the pocket (although it certainly is important), Russell must assume a larger, more prominent role on the team because the team cannot afford to fall back on the excuse that he is still young and maturing.

If the Raiders want to have a successful 2009 campaign, they have to hope that Russell embraces on the sports clichés on leadership, and that he leaves up to those lofty expectations.

In other words, Russell has to learn to be a “coach on the field”. He’s got to be “the first one in practice and the last one out.” And finally, in order for the young Raiders to take a step forward in 2009, JaMarcus Russell must learn and become “the heart and soul of the team.”

Mangini Handling Quarterback Situation Correctly

If there’s one message that Browns head coach Eric Mangini is sending his players, it’s this: No one will be handed a starting job, even at quarterback.

 

Mangini and general manager George Kokinis have improved the depth at a number of positions, including the offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive line. 

 

This new regime is hoping that more competition for starting positions in training camp will make the players hungrier to prove that they belong on an NFL team.

 

The competition topic brings me to the Browns’ quarterback position.

 

Derek Anderson struggled last season due to a number of factors, including a preseason concussion and injuries to the offensive line and skill-position players. He also made a number of mental errors himself, resulting in a forgettable 4-12 season.

 

Brady Quinn stepped in midway through the season and started three games before being pulled out of the Houston game due to a broken right index finger.  He did not put up staggering numbers, completing 50 percent of his passes and throwing only two touchdowns.

 

Now put yourself in Mangini’s shoes.  You inherit a football team with two quarterbacks who have failed to prove that they can perform at a high level on a consistent basis.

 

Granted, Quinn was never given an adequate chance to start until last year, but he never gave coaches a reason to put him in ahead of Anderson. 

 

Mangini didn’t tell Kokinis to pick Anderson off the waiver wire, and he didn’t draft Quinn in 2007, so why would he just hand the position to either player?  He has no favorites and is not emotionally attached to either Quinn or Anderson like the fans are.

 

In 2006, do you remember when the Browns had Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson on the roster, and Romeo Crennel named Frye the starter before training camp even began?

 

I’m not saying that Quinn or Anderson will perform as poorly as Frye did that season, but he had no reason to look over his shoulder and knew he would only be replaced because of injury.

 

Mangini’s decision to declare an open competition at quarterback will also increase the trade value of either quarterback.

 

Any team can lose a quarterback for an extended period of time during training camp and preseason. 

 

Michael Vick was injured in a preseason game in 2003. He missed the first 11 games to a fractured right fibula, and their season was virtually lost. 

 

If a team loses a quarterback and is searching for a possible replacement, the Browns could be one of the first teams they call. 

 

If Mangini named Quinn the starter, teams will know that they have no intention of starting Anderson, and the Browns won’t be able to get a mid-round draft pick in return for him. 

 

By giving each quarterback a chance to claim the starting job, it gives the Browns more leverage in trade talks if another team comes knocking on their door.

 

I will say this: Whoever wins the quarterback job will have earned it because you can count on Mangini to scrutinize every decision that each quarterback makes. 

 

I’m not saying Quinn will be the starter, but the new offense is going to feature short, intermediate passes with the ability to manage longer drives.  It may be an easier transition for Quinn to make and could be more difficult for Anderson because he’s better suited for Rob Chudzkinski’s offense. 

 

I also believe Mangini is going to utilize running backs Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison, with James Davis possibly contributing as well.

 

As much as Browns fans would like Quinn to be named the starter right now, Mangini is going to make Quinn prove that he can indeed handle the offense, which will make the team better off when the season begins.

Matt Wilhelm Cut by the San Diego Chagers

According to Chargers.com, veteran linebacker Matt Wilhelm has been released from the team.

Now, normally I would never take pleasure in a man losing his job, but this is different.

Wilhelm was one of the most inept players to ever dawn a Chargers uniform.

Calling him a poor tackler would be an understatement. When Stephen Cooper was suspended for the first four games of the regular season in 2008 and Derek Smith (who was cut later during the 2008 season) was forced into his starting spot, the Chargers had the worst starting inside linebackers in the league. That was a major reason for the poor start of the season.

According to general manager A.J. Smith, Wilhelm was cut due to the signing of Kevin Burnett. But I think Wilhelm sealed his fate when he “high-fived” Santonio Holmes during last year’s playoff game against the Steelers after Holmes scored a touchdown on a punt return, which changed the tempo of the entire game and enraged fans.

Linebackers are supposed to be some of the toughest men in the league. Wilhelm was afraid to make the most simple tackle, and even when he tried, he failed more often then not. He is slow, weak, and in over his head. He would be lucky to be a special teams player.

I have met Wilhelm in the past, and he seems like a really nice guy and I truly wish him the best, but I could not be happier that he is not longer a Charger.

Misquoted and Misconstrued, Brennan Nails It On Andrews Videotape

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The sports frat house and their cadre of minions who hear only what they want to hear have taken on the wrong person this time.

“USA Today” sports reporter Christine Brennan has been on the front lines of these battles over female sports reporters for almost thirty years, and not even being misquoted or mocked by infantile talk radio Neanderthals will cause her to back down.

I won’t waste a lot of time here rehashing this contrived controversy, rather address some of the more salient points which are, of course, lost amidst the mad media rush to sensationalized judgment.

Brennan’s original opinion posted on her Twitter account was spot-on correct. “Women sports journalists need to be smart and not play to the frat house. There are tons of nuts out there”.

Indeed there are. And those nuts, for the most part, are the ones who not only create but flock like Viagra-starved lemmings to every list of “Hottest Babes” or “Slinkiest Sexy Sportscasters” lists polluting the Internet and radio station web sites.

The ones most sought after by radio and TV advertisers because of their youth, their buying power, desire for things that go fast in the night, and conveniently absent morals. You know the type.

The ones who actually believe that woman in the shower with Danica Patrick would desire their manly ability to name all the hobbits in “Lord of the Rings”. First and last names, of course.

At no time, even reading between the lines with an electron microscope, did Brennan at any time indicate nor even hint that Erin Andrews’ “deserved” to have a video taken of her by some peephole smut merchant that undoubtedly saw either dollar signs or the much coveted “You Tube” hit meter heading north.

Even the hint of such an allegation is laughable and, as is usually the case in these matters, spit out by those who have not a shred of knowledge about the actual situation or the person involved.

I have known and worked alongside Christine Brennan in the neighborhood of thirty years, beginning with our membership in the Miami press corps. Back then, when I was about 12 or 13, we were all squeezed into an Orange Bowl locker room the size of a modern NFL player’s bathroom trying to get those milliseconds of post game brilliance from the players.

Christine was one of the very first female sports reporters in the country to gain access to the all-male football frat house, and the movement could not have been represented better. She stood her ground and was every second a professional as players and even some fellow media members of the male persuasion snickered and joked.

That’s just part of what to this day has kept her held in extremely high regard by everyone in the sports reporting trade. She remains one of the very best this business has to offer, and paid her dues to get there.

There are far too many female sports journalists who believe the road to respectability is paved with push-up bras and snuggling up to athletes with more than an interview in mind. In the same breath, there are far too many TV station and network executives who force female reporters in both news and sports to accentuate their positives, and I don’t mean writing skills.

I have watched from the insider’s perspective as some very good female reporters careers were derailed thanks to consultants and demographics experts who made them repeat the mantra, “Style over substance”, instead of the proper manner in which it was long taught.

Women sports journalists do have be a lot smarter than their male counterparts, though I have encountered more than a few male sports reporters who wouldn’t know the difference between a double-dip and a dipstick. Brennan has remained tireless in her efforts speaking to younger woman and impressing upon them that very same concept, not playing to the “frat house”.

Any of these bellowing Internet ranters who bothered to take a few seconds to look into Brennan’s background will easily discover she has used that phrase for many years, each time in educating a new generation in how to respect not only a profession, but themselves first and foremost.

Christine Brennan is a good friend and a respected journalist. She doesn’t need my help in convincing anyone of her professionalism and devotion to her craft.

She also doesn’t deserve the criticism heaped upon her by the single-digit IQ Internet fraud “journalists”. The ones who use something like this the same way television executives use those young female reporters unfortunate enough to have their job depend on cleavage tape and tight jeans.

Playing to the original nuts in the frat house.

 

Veteran network sportscaster & journalist Ed Berliner’s exclusive interview with Christine Brennan can be heard at “Stone Cold Sports”.

Why Jerry Reese Is The Best GM In The NFL

The recent success of the New York Giants can largely be attributed to the foundation of young talent General Manger Jerry Reese has put together.

Once considered to be undisciplined and lacking focus, the Giants have bought in to the team concept that Head Coach Tom Coughlin has been preaching since their Super Bowl winning season of 2007.

Jerry Reese began working for the Giants in 1994 as a scout. Learning under the GM at the time, Ernie Accorsi, would leave a profound effect on Reese. Reese developed a logic, a system of evaluating players, and rules by which he would follow closely throughout his career.  

From 2002 to the time he was named General Manager of the Giants in January 2007, Reese was the Director of Pro Personnel for the Giants. He learned that the key to success was building a team through the draft.  

That is why, just this past offseason, when Jerry was forced to make a decision on whether he would pursue a veteran receiver to replace Plaxico Burress, he shied away from dealing too many valuable draft picks to rival teams.

A true testament to what Reese has done to change the mold of the franchise has been evidenced over the past two seasons. 

The team has lost such stars as Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan, just to name a few. But each time a player has been lost to injury (Osi Umenyiora comes to mind) or been traded/released/retired, Reese has had an answer and replacement.

The depth and young talent on the Giants this season is the product of Reese’s genius. 

When Tiki retired, Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw not only stepped up, but became an even more effective triple-threat, benefiting from each other’s unique styles. 

When Shockey demanded a trade, a young Kevin Boss filled his role nicely with solid production and a quiet confidence on the field, unlike his former teammate. And when Strahan retired, Justin Tuck proved why he is one of the best defensive ends in the league, earning a trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl last season.

The point is, the best franchises in sports have depth and can overcome adversity. A great example last year, was how the Patriots were able to overcome losing the reigning NFL MVP at the time, Tom Brady, to a season-ending knee injury in Week One and finish with an 11-5 record with quarterback Matt Cassel. 

Jerry Reese has changed the identity of the Giants and is the mastermind you never hear about. He is a 21st century mad scientist, expertly crafting a gem of a team each offseason. 

His body of work speaks for itself. The 2007 rookie draft class consisting of Steve Smith, Kevin Boss, Jay Alford, Aaron Ross, Michael Johnson and Ahmad Bradshaw helped carry the Giants to the Super Bowl that season.

This year’s draft class looks to do the same, with the notable additions of receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, H-back Travis Beckum, stud linebacker Clint Sintim and right tackle of the future William Beatty. 

Obviously, these guys are going to have to produce on the field first before they receive the same distinction as the ’07 draft class.

Make no mistake, Jerry Reese isn’t done yet, and still has something to prove. This is only the beginning of what may soon become a dynasty. The key will be consistency. For now, we will just have to wait and see.

Dead Man Walking? Gerris Wilkinson’s Last Chance

In about ten days’ time, Gerris Wilkinson will begin his fourth and, in all likelihood, final training camp as a New York Giant.

He is currently third on the depth chart behind Michael Boley, an offseason acquisition from the Atlanta Falcons, and Bryan Kehl, a second-year player who enjoyed a very successful rookie season.

For Wilkinson, this state of affairs must be hard to stomach. When the Giants drafted him in the third round of the 2006 draft, Wilkinson wasn’t just some anonymous project or enigmatic roll of the dice.

He was the first player drafted to fix the Giants’ dreadful linebacking corps, the team’s oldest, weakest unit and one of the primary reasons the Giants had lost to the Carolina Panthers in the playoffs a few months earlier.

Wilkinson was meant to be a cornerstone, and initially, he looked the part. He played in every game of the rookie season, displaying the remarkable athleticism and versatility that had made him a star at Georgia Tech.

The following season, free agent signee Kawika Mitchell played well enough to keep Wilkinson stuck on the sidelines, but he made the most of his opportunities. In the pivotal regular season finale against the Patriots, Wilkinson played masterfully in coverage, breaking up a sure touchdown pass intended for Randy Moss, and he notched eight tackles the following week in the divisional playoff win over the Buccaneers.

After the Giants completed their improbable championship run, and Mitchell left for Buffalo in free agency, it looked like Wilkinson would get every chance to prove his worth in 2008.

He was named the team’s opening day starter at weak side linebacker, but knee injuries effectively ruined his season: He played in just eight games, and made only 11 tackles.

Under different circumstances, it’s likely that Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin would have given Wilkinson more of a chance to regain his starting job this year.

But with his team poised to make another serious run at the Super Bowl, Reese decided he couldn’t afford to be patient, and signed Michael Boley in the off-season.

Even though he will miss out training camp as well as the first week of the season, the economics of the situation dictate that Boley (making $2.5 million this season) is now the starter.

And though neither Coughlin nor Reese would admit to such a thing, it seems obvious that Wilkinson no longer figures into the team’s long-term plans.

The Giants’ official team website recently did a miniature profile on Bryan Kehl, and none of their training camp previews have mentioned any competition for the weak side position.

Wilkinson is sure to catch on somewhere else next year. At 26, he is entering his athletic prime, and teams are always on the lookout for inexpensive young talent.

But it must be strange for him to think that one magical season will may have cost him the opportunity to experience another one.

Roethlisberger’s Effect on a Sports Family

There have been many articles written to date on the Ben Roethlisberger alleged rape situation.  I’m not here to debate Ben or Andrea McNulty’s claims, or the situation itself.

Instead, I wish to shed light (for those of you who may not have families) on how these situations affect families.  The repercussions are far different than on sports fans who are single.

I have two sons.  One just turned 10, the other will turn 7 in September.  They will be in fourth and first grades respectively.  They, like me, are already both avid Steelers fans. My oldest son has already been to multiple Steelers games, one in Philadelphia (that is an entirely different story). 

Both own Roethlisberger jerseys and idolize him as young kids have a habit of doing. And both have seen him and the Steelers up close and personal.  I took them to the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII victory parade in Pittsburgh in February.  All of the players passed within mere feet of us, including Roethlisberger who we have on video.  Troy Polamalu did his infamous crowd dive 10 feet from where we stood near the grandstand.  They were, needless to say, in awe.

When the Roethlisberger story broke earlier this week, my first thought was, “The boys are going to find out…but I am going to try to keep it from them as long as possible.”  The best laid plans…as they say.

They overheard me listening to Sirius NFL Radio, and the alleged rape story came up in the radio discussion.  The oldest immediately chimed in, “What’s going on with Ben daddy?”

The cat was out of the bag (yes, I should have been more judicious about where and when I was listening to “The Afternoon Drive”).

It’s one thing to explain to children that someone broke the law.  To explain to them that a player was caught speeding and killed a person (aka Donte Stallworth) is one thing.  To explain to them that someone allegedly raped a woman is altogether different.

At their ages, they are aware of death, murder, and even drug usage.  However, only my oldest is aware of sex education, understanding the basics only at this point.  My youngest still believes in The Stork.

The youngest is now confused.  “What is rape daddy?”

My stomach turned.  “Now is not the time for you to learn about all of this,” I thought.

I was left with a precarious situation to tread.  I asked the oldest, “Do you remember how we discussed where babies come from and how they are made?”

“Yes Daddy,” he replied.

The youngest just looked bewildered.

I replied, “Well, a woman claims, and it’s not proven, that Ben may have forced her to do that with him.  She says she didn’t want to.  If a man forces a woman to do ‘this’ and she does not want to, it is very, very bad.  That is called rape.  And a person who does this to a woman can and will go to jail if they find out he did this.”

There was complete silence from him, trying to grasp what I’d just explained. The youngest still had the completely bewildered look.

A minute later the oldest asked the question I expected.  “Do you think he did this daddy?”

“I don’t know yet,” I replied.  “It looks suspicious and I don’t think he did.  It will take time to figure out and we may never know the real answer.  But if he did, he did a very bad thing and I will have lost all respect for him.”

Silence again for a minute.

“Me too daddy.  I won’t like him anymore. I just can’t believe he did it though.”

“Neither can I.  We just have to wait to find out,” I replied.

When I was single, I used to hear the stories about how athletes are role models and how they affect children.  I never considered it that much because I always felt I judged them fairly, or was lucky in idolizing players that were clean. 

This situation however shed a whole new light on the effect athletes can have on families for me.  Whether the allegations are true or not, the story forced a discussion on a subject with my children that was too mature for them to handle, let alone understand.  It accelerated their maturation curve, something I’ve always hoped to hold in check. And I’m sure it’s tainted their view of a man they idolized, rightfully or wrongly.

I grew up in a world where media coverage was but a small percentage of what it is today.  In many ways, my parents could have shielded me from news like this.  The pervasive media coverage that exists today wouldn’t have allowed me to keep this from my children for long.

Welcome to life today kids.

What Brett Favre Means to the Green Bay Packers In 2009

I don’t think there are 10 people that watch NFL football right now that think Brett Favre is not going to be playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.

After the initial, “will he play, won’t he play” circus that has become the norm in the NFL offseason, things look like Favre will be playing for the Vikings.

But now there is a catch.

Favre is now saying that he might not play due to the shoulder injury that he suffered playing for the Jets last year.

If, Brett decides not to play, he very well may be the Packers MVP for 2009.

It is being reported all over ESPN, and Internet sites everywhere, that many members of the Vikings are calling Brett, and texting Brett, wanting him to come play.

What does it mean, if he decides to call it a career?

First off, who could possibly be taking snaps for the Vikings next year?  Does it really matter?

With Jarrod Allen and Adrian Peterson begging Favre to join the team, will whoever is under center have any confidence?

Will the attitude of the team be, “well, I guess we can’t win without Brett?”

If Favre decides to stay retired, he will have done more damage to the Vikings than he ever did while wearing the Green and Gold.

He disrupted the entire off season.  He filled their heads with doubt.  He has them questioning their own team.

If Favre is really done, the only thing the Packers could do to make things worse for the Vikings, would be to bring Favre to Green Bay when they play the Vikings.

And have him as their honorary captain.

He would already be their MVP!

St. Louis Rams Schedule Full Of Obstacles

The schedule makers didn’t do the St. Louis Rams any favors.

The Rams go coast to coast in the first two weeks before a home opener that could have more fans of the visiting team than the home club.

As the team prepares for next week’s training camp, we’ll break down the schedule – week by week – and try to predict how the Rams will do in 2009.

 

Week One: At Seattle

The Rams open at NFC West division rival Seattle, which is expected to improve from last year’ 4-12 record. The Rams were 2-14, and while they should be better as well, it’s never easy opening on the road.

The selection of Aaron Curry and signing of TJ Houshmandzadeh should have the Seahawks well on their way to a win in week one. Not to mention the fact that a healthy Matt Hasselbeck is better than anything St. Louis has to offer at quarterback.

 

Week Two: at Washington

The Redskins hail from the NFC East—the only division last year that did not have a team below .500. The Redskins expect to contend for the division title this year, and the 19-17 upset loss last year to the Rams still has to sting.

Expect the Redskins to win this one going away, as the Rams will simply be overmatched in the nation’s capital.

 

Week Three: Green Bay

A recent check of Stubhub will show you that dozens of tickets for this game have already been put up for sale by Rams fans. If the Rams begin the season 0-2 as expected, dozens could become hundreds.

The Packers dominated the Rams the last time they played in St. Louis (2007, 33-14) and had more fans in the Edward Jones Dome than the home team. This year’s contest could be the same result. Green Bay was 6-10 last year, but lost seven games by four points or less.

The switch to Dom Capers 3-4 scheme with rookie BJ Raji in the middle could mean Aaron Kampman could have a field day on the outside and wreak havoc on Marc Bulger. The Rams winless start continues.

 

Week Four: at San Francisco

A trip back out to the West Coast pits the Rams against another division contender. San Francisco was right in the mix with eventual NFC champion Arizona before stumbling to a 7-9 finish. It’s pretty much a do-or-die season for quarterback Alex Smith, but the drafting of playmaker Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech should help.

With running back Frank Gore among the best in the league, if the Niners can get anything from tight end Vernon Davis, their offense could be in the top half of the league. That being said, Mike Singletary’s team is built around defense, and San Fran has one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL, led by Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes.

That could mean trouble for Steven Jackson and the Rams running game. Not to preach gloom and doom, and an 0-4 start is looking like a real possibility.

 

Week Five: Minnesota

Will Brett Favre make another appearance in the Ed or not? That remains to be seen. What is known is that Minnesota has one of the best run defenses in the league, and one of its best running backs with the dynamic Adrian Peterson.

The St. Louis offense is built around Steven Jackson, and that is not a good combo against the Vikings. It doesn’t look good for a win in week five.

 

Week Six: at Jacksonville

If the Rams are going to squeeze out their first win, it could be here. It all depends on which Jacksonville team shows up—the club that struggled to a 5-11 record last year, or the team that went 11-5 in 2007. David Garrard regressed from an outstanding season in 2007, when he threw 18 touchdowns to only three interceptions.

Last year, he tossed 15 TDs to 13 picks—a big reason the Jags struggled. Jacksonville waived all-time leading rusher Fred Taylor and handed the reins to the more-than-capable Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Rams will get a look at former teammate Torry Holt, who will be donning a Jacksonville jersey after spending his entire career in St. Louis. This game is strength against strength as both squads love to run the ball. The difference could be hunger, and the Rams have to be hungry after an 0-5 start.

 

Week Seven: Indianapolis

Good thing they got that win last week, because this week Peyton Manning and company come to town, and it ain’t gonna be easy to win two straight. In fact, the Rams are outmatched in nearly every category, and many Colts fans could score tickets to this one and make the short drive from Indianapolis to St. Louis. The Rams struggle in this one and lose big.

 

Week Eight: at Detroit

If the Rams drop this one, then they might end up with the No. 1 overall pick in next April’s draft. St. Louis has to win this game simply for morale’s sake. The Lions could be dangerous, but one has to believe that the Rams can dispatch Detroit and leave Motown with a win.

 

Week Nine: BYE

 

Week Ten: New Orleans

The bye week comes at the perfect time and gives the Rams time to prepare for Drew Brees and the potent Saints air attack. The Rams secondary is not bad and they could hold their own in this one. The game will be won or lost up front.

If St. Louis can generate pressure on Brees with Chris Long, Leonard Little and James Hall, it has a chance. If not, it could be a long day. The Saints are vulnerable against the run, which plays right into the Rams game plan. I like St. Louis to win its second straight here and third of the season.

 

Week Eleven: Arizona

Kurt Warner and the NFC champs come to town. Warner is still loved in St. Louis, and it’s just hard to root against the guy. The Cardinals enter the season as the favorites in the NFC West (when was the last time that’s ever been said?) and, as long as they can keep Anquan Boldin happy, there is no reason they can’t win the division again.

Rookie Chris “Beanie” Wells and Tim Hightower give the Cards a nice 1-2 punch in the back field. They already have the best wideout tandem in the league in Boldin and Fitzgerald, but their secondary leaves a lot to be desired. No pressure here, Marc Bulger.

You’re only facing the guy you supplanted in the city that worshipped him, who just went to his third Super Bowl, and the game will rest on your shoulders. This is a pick ’em game, but Arizona will be the favorite.

 

Week Twelve: Seattle

The Rams can exact some revenge here on their home turf. I like the Rams to upend Seattle in a mild upset.

 

Week Thirteen: at Chicago

Soldier Field in December is never enviable, but the Rams are built for the cold with a solid running game. But, so is Chicago and Jay Cutler is a seasoned veteran when it comes to playing outside in December. He will be the difference in this game and the Rams will fall to 4-8.

 

Week Fourteen: at Tennessee

The Titans had the league’s best record last year, but still fell short of reaching the Super Bowl. Their defense will not be as good this year, but the offense could be even better. Second-year tailback Chris Johnson could wind up in the Pro Bowl again, and he and Lendale White are probably the best running back duo in the NFL. Johnson’s playmaking ability on the ground, and through the air, could be the difference.

Johnson and the Titans simply toyed with the Rams last preseason. While it was the preseason, that kind of dominance was probably not far from what would have happened in the regular season. Throw in the fact that this game is played in Nashville, and it gives even more of an edge to Tennessee.

 

Week Fifteen: Houston

The Rams will have to deal with another good pass rushing team in Houston, but could burn the Texans a couple times through the air with Donnie Avery’s speed. As long as the offensive line gives Bulger enough time to throw, the Rams could win what I expect to be a wildly high-scoring game.

 

Week Sixteen: at Arizona

See the reasons above, then move the game to the desert and the Cardinals complete the season sweep.

 

Week Seventeen: San Francisco

It depends what the Niners have to play for here. If their in the playoff hunt, then they will have the motivation to win. If not, the Rams could end the season on a high note with a home victory. Regardless, expect a low-scoring game and, why not, let’s predict a Rams win to close out the year 6-10.

 

A six-win season isn’t anything to write home about, but what it is, is a four-game improvement from last year. Six wins would also be more than the previous two seasons combined. As I wrote before, the Rams will be improved this year, just don’t expect them to be in playoff contention.

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