The Dallas Cowboys: Preseason Week Two Review

Sorry I’m late. School just started for me and it was hectic this past week.

Did I see the game though? I’d rather miss a wedding than miss a Cowboys game. With that said, let the analysis begin…

The Dallas Cowboys dominated ball control for the first half yet still only had 14 points to show for it. That makes me concerned because if we go up against a team with a high power passing attack that can score quick, we will need to score faster than the other team to counter it.

That brings me concern as to who will be that very deep guy? I’m starting to accept Terrell Owens being gone now, but I will say that I wish that Jerry Jones had given the Owens/Williams pairing a real year to see what they could do.

Now that Owens is gone, the Cowboys need a legitimate speed guy who can run deep routes. Who is that guy? Miles Austin? Kevin Ogletree? Felix Jones?

Check out the rest here:

http://www.nfltouchdown.com/preseason-week-2-review-for-dallas/

Dallas Cowboys Lose, but Learn at Preseason Game One

I didn’t watch the game. I was spending time with two buddies whose interests are not those that relate to a pigskin ball.

However, we are in the day and age where TiVo exists and I recorded the game in its entirety.

And I did what some of my colleagues do not do. I watched three hours worth of film.

Stats are facts written on a piece a paper that tell one the end result of a certain play. Basically like a plot summary of a movie that you find on its back cover.

When David Tyree made the most amazing catch in Super Bowl history, a statbook will tell you if the catch made a first down or how many yards were gained.

However, film tells a story, and the film will portray how awkwardly the ball was held against his head, and how it almost touched the ground or how Rodney Harrison, the safety, could have taken it away.

I don’t know about the majority, but I prefer film because I can eat some popcorn while watching.

Now…I’m going to tell you, the fans, what I saw from the film and give you my analysis of what Dallas learned thus far.

Want more? Check it out at http://www.nfltouchdown.com/dallas-loses-but-learns-at-preseason-game-1/

 

Kevin O’Connell Sacked: Third Round Draft Pick Released by New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have released second-string quarterback Kevin O’Connell, solidifying the QB depth chart of Tom Brady, Andrew Walter, and rookie Brian Hoyer.

O’Connell was drafted in the third round (94th overall) out of San Diego State by the Patriots in the 2008 NFL Draft. O’Connell was very successful at San Diego State, as he was Second Team All-MWC in 2007.

O’Connell was released after coming in for an injured Tom Brady during the preseason game against the Washington Redskins. The Patriots gave no explanation for waiving O’Connell.

O’Connell played in just one career regular season game, passing for 23 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions; he finished with a passer rating of 73.6.

When O’Connell came into the draft, several experts said that O’Connell could be a great player.

Maybe O’Connell was just drafted to the wrong team.

Marcus Mason vs. Rock Cartwright

If there is one preseason battle that deserves a lot more attention out of Washington, it is the quiet competition between Marcus Mason and Rock Cartwright for the third-string tailback position.

Much has been made about Marcus Mason’s lack of special teams expertise, but no one can question his title of King of Preseason around these parts. Most fans have been brainwashed to believe that Rock Cartwright is the end all and be all of special teams proficiency, and 25.1 yards per kick return certainly justifies the argument.

But no one ever questions his lack of appearance or productivity in the Washington offense, which is the center of controversy following a couple of anemic outings this preseason.

The question becomes one of what’s most important in winning a football game; big play potential on special teams, or big play potential from the line of scrimmage.  Devin Thomas certainly didn’t look horrible at kick returner in the last preseason game, and Cartwright’s injury may just be enough for Washington to look in another direction for roster spot exclusivity reserved for special teams.

 

But there is a reason that Mason has never appeared in an NFL regular season game, and the hope is that Jim Zorn is competent enough to see a glaring fault that isn’t easily obvious in his outings against second and third-string competition in the preseason.

My sense? You take a chance on Mason. He could be the compliment to Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts that Darren Sproles has been to the San Diego Chargers, and Reggie Bush will eventually be to the New Orleans Saints; not a regular contributor to the offense over 16 games, but someone that can make the most of six to eight touches per game.

Washington has enough weapons in the running and passing game that Mason’s entry on early downs could wreak havoc on linebackers and safeties. You may want to make the same claim about Cartwright, but you can’t; even if he is in the top five in the league at returning kicks.

Mason has worked hard and proven himself to be a speed back in the open, and a competent back running between the tackles. There are questions about the Washington offense, but there’s no question that Marcus Mason gives the offense a far better chance at impacting games than Cartwright does through special teams.

Technorati Tags: Clinton Portis, Marcus Mason, Rock Cartwright

Cleveland’s Elephant in the Corner

The last thing anyone needs is another Cleveland quarterback article.

Having said that, it takes the wind out of your comment sails doesn’t it?

Moving on.

The phrase moving on, is the theme of the 2009 Cleveland Browns this season. After coming in, Eric Mangini started cleaning house. Trading away the often injured, attitude plagued superstar, Kellen Winslow for a second and fifth round pick. Drafting a replacement center, Alex Mack, for the aging Hank Fraley.

Drafting a replacement for thirty year old Jamal Lewis, in the form of James Davis. And releasing Shaun Smith, the man who caused so much drama in the locker room.

We keep moving on, but what we’ve yet to move on from, is 2007 Pro Bowler Derek Anderson.

I’m not saying Derek Anderson is a poor quarterback, he just isn’t in the right system. Anderson’s play-calling and decision-making are better suited for a west coast offense, a series of slants and long ball options. Somewhere in the NFC West perhaps, where the defenses are a lot more weak.

In the AFC North, the black and blue division known for their hard hitting lines and even harder hitting secondaries, these kind of decisions just aren’t possible. The North boasts some of the best safeties in the league in players like Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, and Roy Williams. This just isn’t the division you can thread the needle 30 yards down field on into double coverage.

Which leads me to Brady Quinn. Is he Joe Montana, no, and he probably never will be. Sure, he’s from the same system and alma mater, although that’s where the similarities end. Brady Quinn may never be an elite passer, but that’s not what we need, not in the North.

Quinn commands a great huddle presence, has the leadership ability to play when behind, doesn’t turn the ball over, and makes smart plays.

He doesn’t have the big arm, but this isn’t Green Bay and it isn’t Denver. This is Cleveland, in the North division. Here, with the exception of Carson Palmer, quarterbacks are simply expected to move the chains and avoid turnovers, while the defense smashes the opposition’s offense into picks, fumbles, and punts.

Players great at moving the chains, were and are Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, Neil O’ Donnell, Trent Dilfer, and Jon Kitna. With the exception of Ben, probably not a hall of famer in the bunch, but they moved the chains and got their teams to the playoffs and Superbowl.

This brings us to the elephant in the corner, defense. It’s easy to say the quarterback is the missing piece, the reason Cleveland remains in the cellar year after year. This isn’t the case.

Historically all great teams have a great defense, the ’76 Steelers, the ’85 Bears, the ’00 Ravens, the ’71 Vikings, the list goes on and on. If they expect to win and become competitors, it comes down to defense. Like every great war, it has to start in the trenches.

The middle isn’t the problem, Shaun Rogers is potentially the best in the game at nose tackle. He’s backed by top 15 NFL leading tacklers D’Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton, very little will get through this season. The starting young corners, McDonald and Wright have been causing turnovers all preseason and are tight in coverage.

The edges, pass rushers, and safeties are where the work needs to be put in. If any success is to happen, the defensive ends need to become dominant, the outside linebackers need to constantly get into the backfield, and the secondary needs to be lock-down and threatening.

The potential shown by the new rookie class is a step in the right direction. David Veikune, Kaluka Maiava, and Coye Francies are hard hitting bruisers, and will be impact players in the coming years. Maiava is already a threat on special teams, Veikune is always on the play, and Francies has been almost lights out at corner this preseason.

The work needs to continue to be done, building through the draft and avoiding the temptations of free agency. This off-season was solid, but for now Wimbley, Hall, Williams, Coleman, Elam, and Pool need to step up.

If they don’t, it doesn’t matter how well Quinn, Anderson, Ratliff, or Bartel does. If the chains are going to be moved, it has to start with the defense and special teams first.

Wake Me Up When Week One Starts

Can we cut it out with all this preseason crap already?  I’m tired of people making a big deal of preseason games, stats, holdouts, mistakes, etc.

 

None of it matters.

 

The only thing that matters in the preseason is the position battles. And, if your team is having a battle for who will start at a certain position that isn’t determined until week three of the preseason, then chances are either person that wins that battle isn’t going to make that much of a difference on your team, anyways.

 

I do understand the importance of getting guys in shape for games, and getting them used to the pace of the game, but aren’t these guys professionals? Haven’t they played football their entire lives? Haven’t they just had three to four months off to relax their minds and bodies, and/or to get into shape for the upcoming season?

I tell you what, why don’t they have a training camp and preseason scenario in the business world, as well. I’d love to get a few months off in the winter/spring months, come back for a training camp atmosphere, where we ease our way back into work, only working three to four-hour shifts until we get used to the pace of a nine to five again. 

 

We should also have some new guys/girls “trying out” for our job, as well, so that we have to prove our worth to the company. I don’t know why more companies don’t do this.  It might help weed out the slackers.

 

But, I digress.

 

Everyone always makes the point that “it’s just preseason” or “these games don’t really matter,” yet they talk about them like it’s the Super Bowl. And because guys look good against the other team’s third stringer/next-to-get-cut guys, they’re ready to appoint them the next big thing in the NFL.

 

As a man, I love watching football. That is a given. But, for some reason, I just can’t get down with preseason football. It’s not the game. It’s not the way they play. It’s just because I know it’s preseason and the games don’t matter. 

 

Everyone is free to enjoy them on their own, but we all don’t want to hear about how this guy is going to be the next big deal, or how this team is going to have a great year because they went 4-0 in the preseason.

 

Can’t we agree just to let them play the preseason games and not talk about it so much until week one starts?

 

Nobody likes to watch games (or make a big deal about games) with the likes of Gibran Hamdan, Isaac Redman, Lynell Hamilton, and Marcus Mason leading the way. Do you get excited watching them have good games knowing they won’t see any playing time during the regular season?

 

What good does it do us to talk about games that involve players that won’t ever be mentioned again?

 

I know I will receive hate mail from those few people out there who still care about the preseason. All I will say to you is stop buying what the media is selling. They HAVE to care about preseason football. They are being paid to care about it.

 

You, however, have the option to change the channel or to skim over the box score the next day, rather than waste your time watching the game and making them believe people still care.

 

Let’s put an end to all this preseason football mania. Even the commissioner discussed shortening the preseason. Maybe he is one of us. 

 

Preseason football is such a tease. And, nobody likes teases. Unless, of course it pays off in the end. And, preseason football does not pay off in the end.

Tom Brady Shoulder Injury Update: Expects to Play in Season Opener

It seems somewhat oxymoronic to see “Tom Brady” and “injury update” placed next to each other. If there is one thing we have come to learn about the New England Patriots and injuries, it’s that there are rarely any updates worth listening to.

(And Browns fans, get used to it…its how things will be with Mangini in charge.)

But there is at least one source of information that you would have to assume is somewhat credible: the player himself.

If you are like me, and expect a big season from Tom Brady in 2009 (so much so that you drafted him high in a couple of fantasy leagues this year), you cringed when Brady got flattened by Albert Haynesworth in the Patriots’ recent preseason game against the Redskins.

Brady left the game shortly thereafter, although Bill Belichick said that Brady was not removed because of any injury concerns.

Still, worry has lingered in New England and in fantasy football circles about the health of Brady’s shoulder. This morning, on his weekly Boston radio show, Brady did his best to assuage the concerns of Pats fans and Brady fantasy owners.

Tom Brady injury update via ProFootballTalk:

“I certainly am expecting to [play],” he said. “A lot of players have bumps and bruises. I’m expecting to play this week if coach lets me. Anyone that plays this game needs to be ready to play at less than 100 percent of perfect.”

As Tom Curran points out, implicit in Brady’s statement is an acknowledgement that he is indeed hurt. We obviously will never know the extent of the injury until we see whether or not it affects him in Week 1 against Buffalo.

For now though, it appears safe to keep Brady penciled into your Week 1 lineups. However, the risk associated with drafting him, which was already high considering he still has to prove there will be no lingering effects of the knee injury, did just go up a bit.

It might not be a bad time to float some trade offers, especially if there are any known Brady lovers in your league. Though he has looked good in the preseason, that’s now two injury issues with a guy you need be a star for your team to win.

Don’t give him up for nothing, obviously, but it might be prudent to see if someone is willing to give you really good value to take the risk off of your hands.

Buccaneers Say Goodbye to Dexter Jackson

He was a mistake by the Bruce Allen-Jon Gruden administration.

It was no secret that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seemingly made a huge draft mistake in April of 2008 when they selected Dexter Jackson from Appalachian State in the second round with the 58th overall pick.

Jackson was a complete and total bust and the Buccanners admitted it Monday when they released him to get to the NFL-mandated 75 players roster limit.

Head coach Raheem Morris told us early that Jackson wasn’t his kind of player.

The knock on Jackson was that he was contact-shy, a fatal disease for an NFL football player.

Draft experts declared him a “reach” when Allen and Gruden went for him. They were blinded by Jackson’s 40-time.

“I want to know who scouted him?” WDAE radio host and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer player Ian Beckles asked.

Beckles’ question has been asked by many since the day Jackson was drafted.

Jackson also showed an inconsistency when it came to pass-catching. You could see that during the Buccanners training camp. Dropped passes doom NFL hopefuls.

The release of Jackson shows that the new regime has no attachment to the players they did not select, although new Buccaneer GM Mark Dominik was on Allen’s staff and it is uncertain if he had any input with those high draft decisions.

Jackson is gone and 22 more players will be on their way out of the organization before the start of the regular season.

This one came as no surprise. 

Oakland Raiders and the Quest for 53: The Wide Receivers

On the team, this is a key component. Useful should the running game bog down, the wide receivers help keep defenses honest and protect the offense from teams’ “stacking the box”. Sometimes teams design the offense to run exclusively around these players or a coach might try a more balances approach.

For the Oakland Raiders, JaMarcus Russell’s maturity is going to be measured on how well these players respond and if needed, can help out the team as a whole.

With one day remaining before the first cutdown of rosters, it will be interesting to see if any of the players mentioned are done early. As of right now the Raiders.com web site is showing 10 total players fighting for a number of positions. One still listed, Samie Parker, was recently released.

Our first candidate, Chaz Schilens is a frustrating choice. Not because of what he does, but because he had all the earmarks of a WR option for the Raiders. But because he will be missed, as he was injured in practices with the 49ers. Breaking a bone in his foot, at the time the diagnosis was four to six weeks out, he will be sorely missed.

As of right now, his position on the roster is pretty secure, as the team awaits his return.

Our second player, Darrius Heyward-Bey, was our much talked about draft pick. While showing he does have some speed, getting open and making the catches seems to be the next step up for him. Granted you won’t expect him to catch everything or beat double coverage, but I have hopes he can mature quickly.

If injuries haunt us again, he’ll be asked to step up and deliver. I can imagine his roster spot is secure as well, as Al’s new toy is going to be on prime time TV in week one. If he starts or not, is a different question entirely.

Our third player, Javon Walker is hoping to put an ugly season behind him. Javon arrived in Oakland with a large contract but thinks quickly went south. First was the incident in Las Vegas, then came the information he wanted to retire in which Al Davis talked him out of.

Then injured, he would end the season on the IR and many fans felt he was deserving of the worst free agent signing in history. Javon came back this offseason, having a mystery medical procedure, and finally saw some action in sunday’s loss to the Saints. With a healthy contract, odds are good he will be on the team for week one.

Starting depends on who else makes up the options, as he could play the number one spot.

Our fourth player, Johnnie Lee Higgins had a nice coming out season last year. As a punt returner and wide receiver, he proved to be able to score from both places and helped energize the fans for this season. So far in preseason though, his numbers haven’t been huge.

A number of passes have been thrown in his direction, but not have been completed. Some could attribute this to the team concentrating on testing out other players, or teams locking in on him, after his speed was showcased on several clubs last year. Odds are good, Higgins will be with the Raiders, and may start depending on how deep the field is.

Our fifth player, Johnathan Holland is a second year player for the Raiders and so far has been lightly used. On Sunday, he provided the best highlight for the Raiders when he broke loose for a 43 yard touchdown.

It might give him a break on the first round of cuts, but I think the Seattle game will determine if he’s with us on the first week. Odds are against him right now.

Our sixth player, Louis Murphy I think has some good promise in the NFL. Determined to get yardage, right now he leads the team with 158 yards and the WR group with seven catches. The primary issue that needs to be worked on is hanging onto the ball, as witnessed on Sunday.

Granted, his spirited play to get up after being untouched was refreshing, the fumble made you want to pull your hair out. Odds are good he will be with the team on week one.

Our seventh player, Nick Miller is at a crossroads. In training camp he looked sharp, and does have three catches for 61 yards. However a late fumble against the 49ers on a return dropped his stock somewhat.

The Raiders might place him on the practice squad, as an insurance policy if something happens during the season, if they don’t keep him on the roster. Our eighth player, Shawn Bayes, hasn’t been seen any gametime for the Raiders. Due to depth, this player probably will be gone, before the Seattle game.

Our ninth player, Todd Watkins, is in the same boat as Nick Miller and Johnathan Holland. There is talent there, but how far can it take him? He has 30 yards receiving on two catches, but looked decent in camp. He may last until the Seahawks game, but he will need more effort to secure a spot on the roster. Odds are against him right now.

Our 10th player, Will Franklin has one of our team’s touchdowns. Since then, though he has had only one more catch. He almost scored the go-ahead two point conversion against the 49ers this year, but it went incomplete.

With other players ahead of him, I don’t see him being with the club on week one. He might be around for Seattle though as an extra player.

A lot of how these players perform do hinge on how they handle JaMarcus Russell’s throwing. It also goes to the point if they can work within the system Tom Cable has in mind. You can also expect this team to keep an extra player, due to Chaz Schilens being out to start the season.

So, I see Javon Walker, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Nick Miller making the team. Johnathan Holland might make it if Miller loses favor and goes to the Practice squad. Todd Watkins also hinges on the Seattle performance, but could be placed on the practice squad as well.

Shawn Bayes and Will Franklin will probably be cut.

Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview: Offense

The Cincinatti Bengals’ offense was the worst in the NFL last season. At times, it was flat-out painful to even watch. Much of that can be attributed to quarterback Carson Palmer missing 12 games with an injured elbow.  

Can the Bengals rebound and become the offensive juggernaut they were several years ago?

 

Quarterbacks

Palmer’s elbow is strong, healthy and not a concern. However, he has not fully participated in practice in about two weeks because of a sprained ankle. He says the ankle is getting stronger, but it is still up in the air on whether or not he will see action in the final preseason game against Indianapolis.

The backup quarterback spot has greatly improved with J.T. O’Sullivan in place of Ryan Fitzpatrick. The fate of this team will be directly related to the health of Palmer, but O’Sullivan has shown that he can be a serviceable backup.  

Jordan Palmer will be the third-string quarterback.

 

Offensive Line
The Bengals’ offensive line gave up 51 sacks last year. That simply cannot happen if this team wants to be successful. They have already surrendered 11 this preseason, but only two by the starters.  

The offense is averaging 4.3 yards per carry this preseason. If that can carry over into the games that count, it would be a welcomed improvement from years past.

The Bengals have finally agreed to a deal with top draft pick Andre Smith. He has a lot of catching-up to do. I would expect him to begin the season backing up Anthony Collins.

 

Running Backs

The Bengals have pledged to emphasize the running game this year. Cedric Benson is a good, straight-ahead runner that has good acceleration once he hits the hole. If the offensive line can make a hole, he has a chance to be successful.  

Brian Leonard has shown to be a smart, reliable professional who can catch the ball out of the backfield. He should see a lot of third-down action. The coaches also seem to like rookie Bernard Scott, who rushed for 54 yards last week against the Rams.

 

Receivers
Chad Ochocinco is looking to rebound from a season in which he missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in six years. He appears to be rejuvenated, recharged and ready to show the rest of the NFL that he still has it.  

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is gone, so former New York Jet Laveranues Coles will line up opposite Ochocinco.

Chris Henry is the most talented receiver on the team. If he can continue to stay on the field and out of trouble, it would provide Palmer with a tremendous weapon down field.

Ochocinco, Coles, Henry, and Andre Caldwell provide the Bengals with a strong receiving corps.

The tight end position has taken some hits in the preseason. Reggie Kelly ruptured his Achilles tendon in the first practice and is out for the year. Ben Utecht suffered the fifth concussion of his career and has been out of action.  

Many question whether or not Utecht will ever play again. Daniel Coats and rookie Chase Coffman will need to step up and replace the injured veterans.

 

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