Oakland Raiders Changed Receivers Coaches In ’09. Did It Help?

Following the 2008 season, James Loften was demoted from the Oakland Raiders receivers coaching position.  At the time, the media thought Loften was fired and it was theorized the reason for the termination was because he did not get the most out of the Oakland receivers.

It was a tough year for the Raiders, as usual in this day and age.  Though looking at things realistically, the Raiders had gone through two head coaches and three play callers (Lane Kiffin, Greg Knapp and Tom Cable).  Keeping a consistent passing game is a tough chore, no matter the talent level.  Loften could hardly be blamed.

If you recall, Loften had been previously interviewed for the Raiders head coaching position that ultimately went to Lane Kiffin.  This was not to satisfy the Rooney rule so minority candidates got a shot. Loften is fully qualified to be head coach of an NFL team.  His reputation has him painted as demanding and he works his players hard. 

Not only was Loften’s removal a surprise, no one was quite sure what to make of Loften’s presence still hanging around the Raiders facility in 2009.  In what capacity, we still don’t know. He is not listed on the team’s web site or media guide.

My guess is he is simply being allowed to serve out his contract in some administrative capacity.

At the beginning of the 2009 season the question was posed if Sanjay Lal was going to make a bigger impact as the Oakland Raiders receivers coach than Loften did.

Let’s look at the statistics for the receivers and tight ends.  We’ll leave the receiving stats for the running backs out of the mix for clarity’s sake.

2008

Zach Miller 56/778

Johnnie Lee Higgins  22/366

Chaz Schilens 15/226

Ashley Lelie 11/197

Javon Walker 15/196

Ronald Curry 19/181

Tony Stewart 11/91

 

2009

Zach Miller 66/805

Louis Murphy 34/521

Chaz Schilens 29/365

Johnnie Lee Higgins 19/263 

Darrius Heyward-Bey 9/124

Todd Watkins 8/90

Tony Stewart 10/78

 

Not a lot of difference with the exception of the emergence of rookie Louis Murphy and Schilens stepping it up, coming back from a foot injury to collect more yards in eight games than he did all of last season. New passing game coordinator Ted Tollner also played a significant role in designing plays.

As far as coaching the receivers, it is obvious where the strong points are (Miller, Schilens, Murphy), where the mid-range is (Higgins) and where the weak spot is (Heyward-Bey).

So a good question is, would Loften have made a difference in helping DHB grow as a professional receiver?  Maybe, but in all probability, what we are dealing with is a very raw talent in DHB.  He came into the league unprepared to deliver anything but sub-par numbers.

Even though to the rest of us, it seems clear DHB’s consistent playing time has amounted to very little growth as a professional receiver, Sanjay Lal would probably argue against that notion and insist DHB has made tremendous strides.

That would be the company line, but considering all DHB has to show for his efforts is nine total catches on the season, it is hard to make a case for his development.

The explanation that DHB “clears space” as the X receiver is ridiculous.

Bottom line is Lal doesn’t really have much leverage so he just does what the boss (Al Davis) expects.  That would be to nominate his first round draft pick to get the most playing time available regardless of where he truly is in terms of the pecking order of roster talent available.

This is why James Loften was demoted.  He did the right thing to do in ’08, which was play the best talent he had available.  If he was receivers coach in ’09, my bet is he would recommend to the head coach that DHB not start.

If starting and playing DHB so much was really what Lal wanted, who knows.  We can fault him for being a company man to preserve his job. Ultimately, the decision to play him so much did not help our bad QB in Jamarcus Russell, nor did it help the team in the majority of cases.

No Oakland Raiders fan lacks an opinion on the weak performance of rookie DHB.  The fact is the Raiders really lacked depth at receiver in ’09, opting to start two rookies (DHB and Louis Murphy). Veteran speedster Jonnie Lee Higgins played intermittently and Javon Walker played so sparingly he had barely noticeable stats.  Journeyman Todd Watkins filled in admirably for the few random plays he was utilized.

Top threat, Chaz Schillens, took a while to get going after recovering from injury most of the season but came on strong to finish on a good note.  Training camp favorite Nick Miller was injured all season and never got to show what he can do.

Javon Walker, while not the talent he once was, would have at least given the team more options had he been allowed to play. The reason Walker was not allowed to play was because he upset Al’s applecart by getting off-season surgery without informing the team.

So Al’s version of punishment was to simply bench Walker.  His two-million in ’09 salary went unearned. 

Some punishment.

Rookie Louis Murphy, a bargain in the $300,000 range, was the most productive receiver on the team all season to compliment tight end Zach Miller.

Still, we have to ask if starting rookies over veterans at the receiver spots was a good strategy.  Typically, rookie receivers in the NFL need to ease into the role and benefit from mentorship.

From the looks of things, no mentorship emerged and of the two rookie receivers, only Murphy was able to handle the adjustment to the pro game.

With Walker a candidate not to stick for another season and Higgins not a fully bona fide threat to defenses at this point, the most obvious course of action would be to bring in some new blood to challenge for playing time in 2010.

It would not be surprising if Al drafted another receiver or two, brought in a few free agents to challenge in camp but come next season, we can expect DHB (2.4 million in ’09) to once again resume his starting role.  There is no way Al will give up on him after one lackluster season.

If Sanjay Lal is still the receivers coach we can expect his “yes sir” recommendation for starting DHB yet again.

 

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Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall: “I Love Being a Bronco”

Brandon Marshall–“I love being a Bronco…I am blessed to be a Bronco…I will do anything in my power to be part of this team…I have the utmost respect for Coach McDaniels…I’m going to be a Bronco until someone ELSE tell me otherwise.”

I will remember you said that, Brandon.

In an interview on Denver radio 104.3 FM “The FAN,” Marshall had an interview that lasted over half an hour, and those are just some of the things he had to say.

Honestly, I really hope Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall receives this article and contacts me somehow, though I know it’s a long shot and he probably has better things to do. But I want him to tell me straight. Man to man. I want Brandon Marshall to open up to a FAN of the team.

I want Marshall and McDaniels to stop this nonsense.

Honestly, Brandon, us Bronco fans have defended you through numerous arrests, petty, childish acts in training camp, slipping on McDonald’s bags, and now this. Now we have to put up with it again.

Will it ever stop?  When can Brandon Marshall and the Denver Broncos co-exist, or can they at all?

From what Marshall has said, they most certainly can, and he will do “everything in his power” to remain part of this team. So what gives?

Why are we having this discussion? In case you have been under a rock the past week, you know that Marshall was recently benched for being late to physical therapy and “miscommunicating” with his head coach, Josh McDaniels.

Marshall recently suffered a pulled hamstring in practice, and decided he wasn’t physically able to play this Sunday, and admitted that in the aforementioned interview.  He also stated he wishes he could take back what he said about head coach Josh McDaniels not knowing what it’s like to play in the NFL.

It would seem as though Marshall is pulling a huge “B.S.” card on the Broncos and their fans, but how can you ever tell? The guy has been great to the fans, and as far as we’re concerned, we have no reason not to believe what he is saying is true.

Marshall also went on to say how much he has learned from McDaniels this year, and how even things he thought he already knew, McDaniels taught to him and grew his knowledge anyway.

Give all the credit in the world to “D-Mac”, Oren, and Mark Schlereth for getting all this information out of Marshall. 

At least we know one place Marshall will not go. When revealing his list of goals, he said the number one “team” goal was to “beat the hell out of the San Diego Chargers.”

When asked if Marshall were given a lucrative offer by another team like the Redskins and the same offer from the Broncos, he said, “Let me say this–hats off to coach McDaniels…The opportunity I had to play for coach and this staff, I am very grateful for. Whenever you’re in a situation when you can become a better player, coach McDaniels is a similar guy to me, have a lot of emotion when you touch that field, a lot of passion about what he [does]. We’re similar. I couldn’t ask for a better coach.”

Only time will tell Marshall’s fate with the Broncos, and whether or not he is telling the truth.

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NY Giants Need A Monster To Play The Middle

Not in any particular order I have accumulated a list of names….

Harry Carson, Junior Seau, Zack Thomas, Ray Lewis, Jack Lambert, Patrick Willis, Mike Singletary, Sam Mills, Jon Beason, Chris Spielman, Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher. What do they all have in common?

They all played middle linebacker.

Whatever decade they played in…they played the position angry.

They lived to stuff running backs and deliver punishment.

This is what the Giants need anchoring their defense…anger, dedication, and athleticism!

Remember the days when Giants defense was stout and the man in middle was Harry Carson? I can picture Carson and his blood stained white pants as he swallowed up running backs right at the line of scrimmage. 

How about one of the best NFL hits of all time…when No. 55 Gary Reasons, having the best game of his career, flies through the air crushing Denver Broncos running back Bobby Humphrey on a 4th and goal?  Bam!  John Madden raved about this hit as Humphrey’s ear piece flew out of his helmet because he got hit so hard.

I enclosed the video for you.

http://newyorkfootballgiantstalk.com/2009/11/gary-reasons-hit.html

I am not sure where you find this guy…whether it be in the draft or free agency; however, the Giants need a guy that can set a tone from the opening drive.  An guy who plays with anger, passion and heart.   A guy that can get in the face of Osi Umenyiora telling him when he needs to step up and still be smart enough to tell Fred “way too Big Daddy” Robbins to move his big butt out of the “A” gap.

This middle linebacker has to have the combination of size, speed and skill.  A Giant leader.

It’s time that the Giants find and secure the middle linebacker of the future.  The Big Blue Wrecking Crew always had that “cog” in the middle of the defense inspiring great play from those around him. 

I was in full support of Jonathan Goff being granted the opportunity to see playing time at the middle linebacker spot, with a chance to win the position. However, after watching the footage over and over the last two weeks, I see a young, athletic linebacker who lacks the ability to make the play at point of attack.  Goff either gets swallowed up in the interior frenzy or he scrapes too slow to make a play.

A great Middle Linebacker has the ability to bring enough pressure up the middle that he keeps the center and the guard honest while the outside linebackers or defensive ends come free.

A great Middle Linebacker meets the running back in the hole, not as the running back is cutting back against the grain and springing free for 24 yards. 

A great middle linebacker can read an offense with in seconds, communicate with the rest of the defense, allowing them to make a great play. 

Am I asking too much?   I don’t think so.  There was Huff, Carson, Kelly, Reasons, P. Johnson, M. Barrow and Pierce.  They did…we now have room for the next guy.

2010 off season…here we come!

 

 

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Al Davis Contacts Texas Tech’s Mike Leach, Continues Plot To Destroy NFL

Al Davis is at it again.

The skeletal owner of the Oakland Raiders is supposedly courting former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach for the Raiders head coach position. Before I reveal how Mike Leach, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Bruce Gradkowski are all related in a complex and heinous plot, let us review the history of Al Davis.

Al Davis was not always the man we now see on television. Scriptures tell us that years ago, Al Davis was actually young. Not only was he young, but he was an established offensive line coach at esteemed programs such as USC, before beginning an illustrious career with the AFL’s Oakland Raiders. And, believe it or not, Al Davis won games.

In fact, Davis won almost twice as many games as he lost. Astounding, considering the team has gone 29–83 since 2003.

Yet the details concerning Davis’ professional life become murky around April 1966—coincidentally, the same time he was appointed commissioner of the American Football League. According to inside source Wikipedia.com, Davis aggressively snagged the NFL’s top players with lucrative contracts, and basically hated the NFL’s guts.

Unbeknownst to Davis, other AFL owners struck a deal with the NFL, and the two leagues merged. Al Davis’ first grey hair appeared on this day.

More importantly, Davis swore that the NFL would one day collapse in flames.

Davis bided his time, and slowly gained power in the Raiders organization. Stealing majority control from his partners, he forced his way to the top, and never let go. To this day, Davis manages all aspects of his team, including football operations.

Some portray Davis as an idiotic, crotchety old man. I beg to differ. Al Davis is at the peak of his career, slowly implementing a plan to bring down the NFL, and recreate his beloved AFL—with the Raiders as the flagship team.

Why else would he sign Darrius Heyward-Bey before Michael Crabtree? Not because he wants to see the Raiders succeed, but because he wants to mess with the 49ers. If Davis can skew the rookie salary scale, he can negatively impact other teams’ success.

Why else would he rely on quarterbacks with the names JaMarcus and Gradkowski? Because he realizes that paying for talent would only help the NFL, thus ruining his master plan. 

Mike Leach is just the next part of the puzzle. In order to create his AFL, the Raiders must be removed from the NFL. The only way for Al Davis to accomplish this is to create a team so detrimental to the league that they have to be forced out. 

People tell me that Davis was satisfied with Cable, especially after the coach-punching incident.

That is, until Cable started winning games. With Leach at the helm, players will be too afraid to even show up to practice. Or they might beat the you-know-what out of Leach. Either way, negative publicity for the Raiders. Or, as Al Davis would consider it, the best publicity.

So go, criticize Al Davis’ genius tactics. But don’t expect this to end anytime soon. Davis has some pretty awesome genes, and should have about 25 more years to fulfill his plan to bring the AFL back to power.

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NFC Playoffs: Ranking the Biggest Threats for the New Orleans Saints

Okay, so the New Orleans Saints didn’t exactly end the season on high note as they enter the playoffs.

You’ve probably seen the stat by now: No team has ever won the Super Bowl when they enter the playoffs on a three-game losing streak.

Who. Cares.

At least they’re not the New York Giants.

Or the Denver Broncos.

Up until ten years ago, no dome team had ever won the Super Bowl. Since then, the St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts both have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

There’s a first for everything.

Officially, the road to Miami for the NFC, host of Super Bowl XLIV, goes through the venue which has hosted the most Super Bowls (six), the Louisiana Superdome.

Owners of the conference’s best record at 13-3, the Saints are afforded the chance to rest their players who are nursing a variety of injuries and host one and possibly two playoff games.

It’s been quite a while since New Orleans has had all if it’s key players healthy at the same time.

Running back Pierre Thomas and tight ends David Thomas and Jeremy Shockey have all missed time recently with an assortment of injuries.

Sunday’s game against the Panthers marked the first time in eight weeks that Saints played a game with both starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. Outside linebackers Scott Shanle and Scott Fujita combined to miss seven games during the second half of the season.

All seven of these players are expected to be close to or at full strength for the playoffs.

That’s the good news.

The bad news (or newz if you’re Mike Vick) is that New Orleans has some obstacles in its path through the playoffs.

Each of the other five NFC playoff teams are very capable of beating the Saints.

Here, I will rank each team according to how well the Saints match up against them. The higher the number, the better the matchup is for the Saints.

 

5. Philadelphia Eagles

New Orleans beat the Eagles in Philadelphia in week two, 48-22. While the Eagles were without Donovan McNabb, defense was the main issue for the Eagles in this game.

The Saints scored five offensive touchdowns as Brees connected with nine different receivers.

While Eagles have a respectable running game, they don’t run with the consistency needed to bleed to clock and keep Drew Brees off the field. Philly possessed the ball on average three and a half minutes fewer than their opponents.

Defensively, the Eagles rank 17th against the pass and just 19th in points allowed.

The Saints and Eagles will have a divisional round rematch if Philadelphia beats Dallas in the wild card round.

New Orleans defeated Philadelphia in the divisional round during the 2006 season.

 

4. Arizona Cardinals

The NFC’s fourth seed has the worst conference record (8-4) of the six playoff teams and won four of its ten games against two division opponents which are among the worst in the NFL.

The Cardinals, like the Eagles, aren’t going to run keep the Saints offense off the field with their rushing attack as they only run the ball 37 percent of the time.

Arizona has had trouble holding onto the ball as they have a league-high 18 lost fumbles and an overall minus seven turnover ratio.

For all the fuss over receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, neither has a yard per catch average this season that ranks in the top 100 in the NFL. Fitgerald’s longest reception this year is just 34 yards while Boldin’s is 44 yards.

 

3. Minnesota Vikings

Every Vikings’ loss came on the road. In fact, Minnesota’s 4-4 road record is the worst among NFC playoff teams.

At first glance, Adrian Peterson against the Saints’ front seven seems like a mismatch. However, he went six straight games (weeks 11-16) without a 100-yard game or four yards per carry, including a 19-yard effort in a 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.

If these two teams meet in the NFC championship game, look for the Saints’ running backs and tight ends exploit matchups against Vikings’ backup linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Brinkley is filling in for the injured E.J. Henderson and has struggled in pass coverage.

Defensive end Jared Allen has 14.5 sacks on the year but has just two in the past five weeks.

Speaking just schematically,the Vikings’ 4-3 alignment should be easier for the Saints’ offensive line to block than a more unpredictable 3-4 alignment.

 

2. Green Bay Packers

Speaking of unpredictable 3-4 defenses, the Packers have made a remarkable transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Rookie linebacker Clay Matthew has emerged as a leader in the front seven and cornerback Charles Woodson has matched Saints safety Darren Sharper’s numbers with nine interceptions and three touchdowns.

The Packers as a team are second in yards allowed and seventh in points allowed.

Aaron Rodgers is the unquestioned leader of the offense and has explosive play-makers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings at his disposal. Rookie tight end Jermichael Finley is also sure to give the Saints’ linebackers fits.

 

1. Dallas Cowboys

The first team to beat the Saints this season is also the Saints biggest roadblock to the Super Bowl.

The Cowboys, maybe the NFC’s most talented team, have the ability to exploit the Saints’ two biggest weaknesses: consistency in the run defense and pass protection against 3-4 defenses.

The Cowboys’ dynamic rushing attack tore up the Saints’ front seven for 145 yards in week 15.

Linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer each got to Brees multiple times as they too often got through the line with little or no resistance.

Dallas has shut out its last two opponents and held the Saints to three points through three quarters.

Fortunately, Dallas won’t face New Orleans until possibly the NFC championship game.

 

 

 

 

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Attention, Mike Shanahan: Daniel Snyder’s Desires End with a Fatal Attraction

When I heard the news early this morning that Washington Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen fired Jim Zorn at 4:00 AM Eastern Time upon the team’s arrival at Dulles Airport, I couldn’t help but feel sad for the much maligned former coach.

 

Then, I hear he was escorted from Redskins Park by security as if he were a disgruntled postal worker.  Did you watch how this went down, Mike Shanahan?  Is that how you want to be remembered in what will likely be your last coaching stop?

 

Don’t do it!  Just don’t do it!  I know, Mike, your confidence factor is high and failure never crosses your mind.  Good for you! 

 

The reality of the situation at Redskins Park delves much deeper than football strategy and NFL combine results.  A culture has developed over the last decade, one that resembles the Oakland Raiders organization over the last 25 years.

 

But who am I to tell you about the Raiders and dealing with a dysfunctional franchise?  After all, you lived it with the Los Angeles Raiders for a year and half in 1988-89 before you were fired by Al Davis.

 

Mike, do you really want to live the Al Davis nightmare all over again some 20 years later with the Raiders of the East?

 

I hear you’re in town to meet with Daniel Snyder and Bruce Allen.  I’m sure you guys are having some good laughs and enjoying the Washington nightlife as Snyder attempts to wine and dine you.  Let me tell you a little story about the previous coach in Washington.        

 

I was fortunate enough to observe Jim Zorn on a daily basis at Redskins Park.  Zorn was a strong man internally.  You could tell he had a purpose outside of football.  Beliefs that were stronger than Snyder’s will to win.  He wasn’t going to change who he was or his approach for anyone.  He was going to succeed or fail his way.

 

Believing that professional athletes were not in need of motivation was perhaps his biggest mistake.  It is human nature to become complacent, no matter the success or money you have accumulated. 

 

But Zorn refused to challenge his players, at least publicly.  Maybe he believed he was?  Just because the players liked him, didn’t necessarily mean they respected him. 

 

He ran very soft practices with little or no contact.  Although he claims that is the norm in today’s NFL, I’ve heard from my counterparts with the Ravens and Steelers—two of the most physical teams in the league—that they have some sort of physical/live contact daily whenever the players are in helmets and shoulder pads.

 

Missed tackles and injuries were the results of “Camp Zorn” and his team’s walkthrough practices.  Even at the high school level, coaches understand building mental toughness and training their players’ bodies to absorb bone-crushing blows come from grueling physical practices.

 

Indulge me for a moment, as I try to relatively compare Zorn’s approach to the rough and violent sport of professional football with the survival instincts of a lion roaming the African plains. 

 

When approaching a potential meal, the lion plans and calculates its attack.  Patiently the hunter waits, ever so slowly creeping toward its prey.  It waits for a sign of weakness or a momentary lapse by the unsuspecting prey.  With great violence it pounces on its victim, tackling it to the ground.  Survival is the ultimate motivator.

 

Now you take that same lion, and place him in a created habitat like a zoo.  Feed and provide it shade, maybe throw in a watering hole and a few hundred pounds of meat on a regular basis.

 

Although that lion still maintains the ability to hunt and catch its meals to survive, it no longer utilizes those skills.  The lion becomes slower, weaker, and susceptible to complacency.  Before long, a glazed look ensues, as the once mighty and powerful lion has lost its thirst to follow its instincts and attack.

 

Snyder and Zorn together (and sprinkle in a little Vinny Cerrato) made for a lethal  combination as a franchise killing machine.  Together, they slowly stripped the players of their instinct to perform with an emotional fire.  The hunger to succeed dissipated with every game.  Snyder unwillingly did so by rewarding the players financially, Zorn by taking their natural aggressive behavior away on the practice field. 

 

Honestly, I witnessed tougher practices at the youth league level when compared to what took place at Redskins Park in August.  I understand they have to protect their million dollar investments, but football isn’t a coddle sport. 

 

A change in philosophy going forward must take place by the incoming regime.  They have to add depth to the roster, build toughness through physical practices, and accept and prepare for the fact that players will be injured. 

 

Sound familiar?  That‘s exactly what Marty Schottenheimer brought to this team in 2001.  It was a difficult adjustment for the players at first.  The Redskins started the season 0-5, but the mentally tough coach built an even stronger team.  Refusing to quit, Schottenheimer’s squad would finish the season winning eight of their final 11 games. 

 

Narrowly missing the playoffs despite the 0-5 start, momentum was building heading into the 2002 season.  But Snyder opted to fire Schottenheimer rather than allow him to continue to build. 

 

Some believe Snyder hired Schottenheimer to embarrass him.  After all, Schottenheimer was very outspoken when it came to the Redskins’ young new owner. 

 

On a national NFL pregame show, Schottenheimer was highly critical of Snyder and the way he handled the firing of Norv Turner.  Ironically, Turner would replace Schottenheimer as the San Diego Chargers coach in February of 2007.    

 

So Mike Shanahan, do you miss coaching football that much?  You’re still making $7 million a year through 2011 from Denver Broncos and owner Pat Bowlen. 

 

Daniel Snyder may be fascinated with your coaching record and history with the Broncos, but it’s likely his desire for you will ultimately end with a fatal attraction. Why would you want to be the next guy escorted by security from Redskins Park?  Before your Denver contract expires, it is likely you’ll suffer the same fate as Jim Zorn. 

 

Think about it: Zorn had no head coaching experience two years ago and led this team to an 8-8 record.  What will be the expectations of a coach who has won two Super Bowls?  I would think an NFC Championship appearance by 2011. 

 

Can Shanahan rebuild one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL in two years, while simultaneously upgrading the defensive backs position?  Can he find a quality replacement at running back?  Can he win with Jason Campbell at quarterback, or will he draft a rookie to mold as he did with Jay Cutler? 

 

So many holes to fill, so little time will be afforded to do so.

 

Before you sign that contract Tuesday morning, Mike Shanahan, think long and hard.  Wouldn’t Buffalo be a better place to re-build a franchise, or are you in Washington to scalp Snyder of his money like everyone else?

 

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Dolphins to Draft 12th in 2010; Reid Takes UVA Job; Other Team Notes

With the 2009 regular season wrapped up and the Miami Dolphins finishing 7-9, the team now knows where they will pick in next April’s 2010 NFL Draft.

Losing a three-way tiebreaker with the other two 7-9 slotted teams—the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Denver Broncos holding the Chicago Bears’ pick—the Dolphins will hold the 12th overall pick of the next draft.

Here is the entire draft order up to Miami’s pick:
1. St. Louis (1-15)
2. Detroit (2-14)
3. Tampa Bay (3-13)
4. Washington (4-12)
5. Kansas City (4-12)
6. Seattle (5-11)
7. Cleveland (5-11)
8. Oakland (5-11)
9. Buffalo (6-10)
10. Chicago (7-9)
11. Jacksonville (7-9)
12. Miami (7-9)

The Dolphins will have a handful of possibilities at this pick, including quite a few options at need positions like wide receiver, linebacker, and safety.

All or most of receivers Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State), Arrelious Benn (Illinois), and Golden Tate (Notre Dame) should all be available when Miami picks.

Miami could also look for a pass-rushing outside linebacker such as Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) and Sergio Kindle (Texas).

My personal choice would be Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain, although I fear he might not last to Miami’s pick with Denver sitting two spots ahead.

Assistant Jim Reid leaves for UVA job

The offseason is barely underway for the Dolphins, but they’ve already lost a mention of their coaching staff.

Outside linebackers coach Jim Reid—hired two seasons ago during Bill Parcells’ first year in charge—has informed his players that he will be taking the defensive coordinator position at the University of Virginia under new head coach Mike London.

Coincidentally, London is the father of former Dolphins wide receiver Brandon London.

Hired away from the Virginia Military Institute in 2008, Reid helped guide the Dolphins’ outside linebackers for a switch to the 3-4 brought by Parcells and his assembled staff.

The Dolphins’ linebackers were highly successful under Reid’s tutelage. Joey Porter experienced a career year in 2008 with 17.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl selection, and the Dolphins finished third in the NFL with 44 sacks this season.

2010 opponents set

With the Dolphins’ season over and division standings finalized, the team now knows the final two opponents they’ll face during the 2010 season.

Having finished in third place in the AFC East in 2009, the Dolphins will host the AFC South third-place team in the Tennessee Titans. They’ll also head to Oakland to place the AFC West’s third-place Oakland Raiders.

In all, the Dolphins will have home games against the Bills, Patriots, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Bears, Lions, and Titans.

Additionally, the Dolphins will go on the road to face the Bills, Patriots, Jets, Bengals, Ravens, Packers, Vikings, and Raiders in 2010.

Practice squad contracts expire

All NFL practice squad contracts are for one season only and expire when the team’s season ends, so all seven players that finished the 2009 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad are now free agents.

Those players are:

• CB Will Billingsley
• RB Tristan Davis
• OG Ray Feinga
• WR Taurus Johnson
• TE John Nalbone
• FS Nate Ness
• WR Julius Pruitt

Nalbone and Ness are the only two who spent time on the Dolphins’ active roster this season. Rookie seventh-round pick J. D. Folsom signed a two-year contract upon being promoted to the active roster on Jan. 2, so he will be under contract this offseason.

Most players that finish a season on a team’s practice squad end up being re-signed by their team in the offseason.

Last year, all eight players that ended the 2008 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad, including running back Lex Hilliard, were re-signed the following offseason in January.

 

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Previewing the Cleveland Browns’ Offseason

The Mike Holmgren era officially began in Berea today and the next few weeks will probably be a dynamic time for the Browns organization. Holmgren will probably make a decision regarding Eric Mangini in the upcoming days. He also must hire a GM and build a scouting department for the draft and free agency.

I am a staunch supporter of keeping Mangini. I think he has changed the team culture and proven to the players that they can win against more talented teams by playing smart disciplined football. I certainly understand if Holmgren chooses to move on with a new head coach.

Regardless, the Browns organization and team will be quite different when they take the field next year.

Without speculating on the Mangini situation or the possible GM candidates, I predict the following things happening in the offseason.

1. Brian Daboll fired

Holmgren, an offensive-minded guru, will want to bring in a coach to run a West coast style offense. Daboll runs a ball-control, run-first offense. Even if Mangini stays, this will most likely happen.

2. Keep Rob Ryan

The Browns went from 17 sacks a year ago to 40 sacks this season. They also played with fire and passion down the stretch. The players believe in Ryan, and he is popular with the fans.

Ryan has experience with almost every form of defense and can easily switch to a 4-3 if required.

3. Jim Zorn hired as offensive coordinator

Zorn’s recent unemployment and Holmgren’s need for a coordinator are too convenient. This also leads me to my next point…

4. Sign restricted free agent Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell has run the West coast in Washington under Jim Zorn for several years now. This season, he passed for 3600 yards and 20 touchdowns. He completed 64.5 percent of his passes. His 86.4 QB rating was 15th in the league and ahead of both Carson Palmer and Matt Ryan.

He went most the year without Chris Cooley, his favorite target, and with an oft-injured and aging Clinton Portis.

5. Draft Joe Haden

I still think Sam Bradford would be an excellent draft choice, but I believe that Shanahan will use the fifth pick in Washington to draft Bradford. Haden helps shore up a secondary that needs help. Haden has the makings of a shut-down corner and has excellent tackling skills. Visions of Dixon-Minnifield.

6. Trade for Kerry Rhodes

Rhodes, who has had problems with the new coaching staff in New York, would be a great addition to the safety corps. Rhodes is the type of ball-hawk, hard-hitting safety the Browns need. Plus, he would complete the secondary transformation (Wright, Haden, Elam, and Rhodes as starters with Adams and McDonald as nickel and dime guys).

7. Sign Kevin Walter

Walter would give the receiving corps a veteran presence and a reliable set of hands.

8. Draft a right tackle in the second round

This draft class is deep in talented offensive tackles and one of the better tackles should slip to the Browns in the second round. Teams seldom use a first round pick for a right tackle.

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Wes Welker’s Knee and Patriots Playoff Hopes Have One Thing in Common

They’re shredded.

I’m not saying the Patriots can’t win the playoffs, but to do so would be a feat on par with what the 2007 Giants pulled off during their improbable run to the title.

Now, this is not a knee-jerk reaction (tell me you saw that one coming).

This is a simple fact: the Patriots, already on shaky ground to begin with entering the playoffs, now have to attempt to outscore teams without their most potent weapon.

This is for one reason and one reason only: blitz protection.

The Patriots do not have an offensive line that is so talented that it can swallow up extra pass rushers. Not many teams in the NFL do.

Most offensive lines live with the fact that if a team brings more than six rushers, there’s going to be one free guy. In an 11-on-11 sport, that means there’s an open receiver that the quarterback has to find and hit before he gets pancaked.

Teams can disguise coverages, they can use a running back or tight end to block, but generally it comes down to five or six trying to block six or seven, and it’s up to the quarterback to hit his hot read.

Wes Welker was that hot read.

Brady can get rid of the ball extremely quickly, but the issue now is that teams can blitz Brady on any and all passing downs and know that, even if Brady finds Julian Edelman, they’re going to get a nice big hit on a guy with, reportedly, three broken ribs and a broken ring finger.

Now, Belichick vehemently disputed the report today, going so far as to truly level Charlie Casserly’s reputation when asked about Brady’s ribs. The Providence Journal’s Shalise Manza Young confirmed the report, though ESPN’s Adam Schefter said his source put Brady’s broken ring finger as his biggest worry.

It’s impossible to truly know, although if Brady’s got broken ribs and the Patriots aren’t saying, that’s a big league issue. For the purposes here, we’ll just assume the ring finger is broken, and he’s banged up regardless.

Still, Baltimore’s gameplan will most likely look an awful lot like what former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan brought out in week two when the Patriots were in a similar situation: Brady looking shaky and playing hurt, the offensive line without key personnel, and no Wes Welker.

The Jets responded by doing what they’ve done most of this year. They brought bags of pressure, extra blitzers, and survived on man coverage against New England’s receiving corps.

The Ravens don’t have a Darrelle Revis to play shutdown corner on Randy Moss, but the Patriots also don’t have a potent second weapon to make the Ravens think twice about Ed Reed staying in Randy Moss’ back pocket all game.

It all comes down to what the Patriots can do without Welker. Edelman is a reasonable facsimile of the little slot man, and the yardage will certainly be there for him. The issue is whether or not those yards come in key situations, when the Ravens bring a third down blitz and the first down is what matters.

Edelman was productive against Houston and in his first start against the Jets, but productivity alone won’t be enough. He needs to get those yards at the right time for New England to succeed and keep his quarterback on his feet.

Long story short: the Ravens are going to try and hit Brady, and hard.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that Baltimore will walk away from Gillette Stadium with a victory, mind you. The issue here is that Brady will take a pounding on Sunday, win or lose.

The key to the Patriots going anywhere in the playoffs will rely entirely on their ability to keep the Ravens on their back foot.

They’re going to have to pull all the old tricks out of the bag: bubble and tight end screens, short slant routes, a lot of draw and delay run plays, and try and run the ball until the play action becomes an effective way to get Randy Moss the ball in space.

If they can do that, they can move the ball on this Ravens team, at a penalty. Depending on how serious the injuries to Brady are, he may wake up on Monday morning wishing they were staying home for the winter.

The key to the New England offense will end up being the success of their run game and their ability to utilize their tight ends.

Over the past few weeks, they’ve done that much more than in the past, working in more power running sets and passing out of two tight end formations.

They’ve also gotten the ball to their tight end much more in 2009 than in the previous two seasons. Benjamin Watson had just 22 receptions and two touchdowns in 14 games in 2008, yet managed 29 receptions for five touchdowns in just 12 games this season.

On top of that, New England has gotten the ball to veteran Chris Baker—an offseason acquisition who is a better blocker, though not quite as athletic, as Watson—on 14 pass plays this year, with two going for touchdowns.

But most important for this New England team may be their young defense. Brady can’t hang in there and keep getting hit, not if he’s carrying as many injuries as he seems to be.

Even though the offensive line is deeper than it seemed to be at the beginning of the year, it’s unlikely you’ll see the air-it-out four wide receiver sets too frequently this postseason.

It will be up to the young defenders like Brandon Meriweather, Jerod Mayo, and the more veteran guys like Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden to patch together a playoff run where they can’t expect to outscore every team 34-30.

With Welker likely out for the playoffs, Edelman perhaps not ready to be the same type of weapon, and Brady’s injury secret out, that may be their only chance in a playoff pool filled with great offensive teams.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Did Brett Favre Really Stick it to the Green Bay Packers This Season?

Remember at the start of the regular season, the circulating story that Brett Favre really wanted to stick it to the Green Bay Packers? 

If you don’t, here is a little reminder.

Months before the regular season started, Brett Favre was set to play for the Vikings.  The contracts were signed, the deals were made, and the playbook had been exchanged into Favre’s hands. 

Packer fans booed, Viking fans cheered, and the rest of the NFL said, “Who really cares?”

That was about the extent of it.  Except for one minor fact.  Brett Favre remained spiteful about the way things were handled in his departure from Green Bay.  Stories were made, articles were written, and Brett Favre had apparently said that he would “love to stick it to the Packer nation.”

After a while this story died down, and the season began.  Week 4 was the first scheduled meeting of the Packers and Vikings, and all fans knew it would be a heated one.  The Packers barely showed up, and got beaten 23-20. 

A month later the teams went head-to-head again, and Green Bay fell in a close but ‘too little too late’-style loss 38-26 at Lambeau Field.

With all this behind us now, and knowing that Minnesota and Green Bay are in firm control of their destiny in the playoffs, did Brett Favre really stick it to the Packer nation?

Well, in a way he did.  His team that was arguably run by him, beat Green Bay twice in the season, and did it in emphatic fashion.  As impressive as that sounds, Green Bay wasn’t exactly sound offensively or defensively, as they were going through offensive line changes that seeked much-needed attention.

Still, it is no excuse.  The Vikings beat the Packers fair and square, and Favre of course came out of the Metrodome and Lambeau Field looking the better man.

What about stats though?

This is where the real story is told.

Overall team rushing, Green Bay is ranked No. 1, followed by none other than Minnesota.  Green Bay is of course ranked a high No. 2 in team defense, while Minnesota’s defense that was considered the best in the league for a period of time, has slipped off the rankings totally.

So far Brett’s promise hasn’t really lived up to expectations.  If anything, Ted Thompson and the Packers staff has stuck it to him.  Letting Brett go marked a day where Green Bay changed their organization for the future.  That future  basically turned into Aaron Rodgers, who has made a name for himself in the league within only two seasons of play.

The Packers and the Vikings could still meet up again this postseason.  Will Brett live up to his statement and ‘stick it’ to us?  I guess he could.  If that matchup does become a reality, Brett will have to rethink his gameplan though. Green Bay isn’t the walkover team that they once were at the start of the season.

 

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