tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72000912634692065432024-03-05T04:28:54.938-08:00MDM-Grand SportsThis blog is intended to be an insight into my sports thoughts. I can be reached at mdmckinney@bsu.edu or on Twitter @Matt_D_McKinney.Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-74850556753529561372012-08-02T00:06:00.000-07:002012-08-02T00:06:26.344-07:00Colts Training Camp Preview: Running Backs<span style="color: #222222;">As a first-time reporter covering the Indianapolis
Colts training camp for the Ball State Daily News, I will be doing “research”
by writing a position-by-position breakdown and preview for the 2012 Colts
season. Today – running backs.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Currently on roster:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Donald Brown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Delone Carter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222;">Deji Karim</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Darren Evans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222;">Mewelde Moore</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #222222;">Vick Ballard</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Indianapolis is coming into camp with six
unspectacular running backs. Aside from the right side of the offensive line,
it is the biggest question mark on the offensive side of the ball. One of these
six will probably win the starting job by default.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Nonetheless, here’s a breakdown of each back, their
strengths and weaknesses and their chances of making the roster and at what
spot on the depth chart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Donald Brown is coming into 2012 with a huge target on
his back. This will be his fourth year in the league, and for a fourth-year
running back who hasn’t done much as of yet in the NFL, it’s now or never for
Brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As much as Colts
fans may scoff, rookie head coach Chuck Pagano <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/20/chuck-pagano-declares-donald-brown-to-be-an-every-down-back/" target="_blank">has been doing his best to hype Brown</a> up as Indianapolis’ answer at the position.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Donald is an
every-down back,” Pagano said in mid-June. “He is doing a tremendous job
and he is having a fantastic offseason. He understands, especially on third
down as far as protections go and all of those things. Nothing is going to be
more important than protections.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6n-Ze76E1BDQmBzEAyEadrqnxt1-2N6x8fHocjYIPFjthp2aZL3cOY_gPdnuHPblfG8K2wjigVXfikUIn_PXx1J_nO0NNdTI190MyKzkZ801Dv5bFaqBDAXPhrL5w8sbN-cCr0HEABM/s1600/BROWN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6n-Ze76E1BDQmBzEAyEadrqnxt1-2N6x8fHocjYIPFjthp2aZL3cOY_gPdnuHPblfG8K2wjigVXfikUIn_PXx1J_nO0NNdTI190MyKzkZ801Dv5bFaqBDAXPhrL5w8sbN-cCr0HEABM/s320/BROWN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donald Brown will attempt to be an <br />every-down back for the first time in his career.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite Pagano’s
claims, pass protection has always been quite possibly Brown’s biggest
shortcoming during his career with Indianapolis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peyton Manning <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_124152055"></span>even thinks so<span id="goog_124152056"></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Brown’s credit,
he led the team in rushing last year with 645 yards, but just started just two
games. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He racked up those 645
yards on 134 carries, for an average of 4.8 yards-per-carry. If those stats are
extrapolated into a “bell-cow” role, (approximately 260 carries) then Brown
would have 1,251 yards rushing, with 10 touchdowns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those look like good
numbers at first glance, but let’s delve a little deeper into Brown’s 2011
year. He played in 12 of 16 possible games. Of those games, Brown averaged less
than four yards-per-carry in half. That is clearly a mark against him. Brown wasn’t
consistent with his production. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Week 15 against
Tennessee, Brown was in the backfield heading into a late fourth-quarter drive
with a seven-point lead, looking to seal the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown took a carry to
the right, broke a tackle, reversed field and followed blocks 80 yards all the
way to the end zone. His day finished with 16 carries for 161 yards and a score.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take the touchdown
away from the season, and Brown’s numbers look much more pedestrian; he would’ve
ended with an average of 4.2 yards-per-carry. Remember, he only finished with 645
yards anyway. That run was one-eighth of his season’s production.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 80-yard carry
was a fluke. Aside from that run, Brown’s longest rush was for 24 yards. Not
exactly the epitome of explosive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown can give the
2012 Colts a level of reliability, just not a level of explosion. He doesn’t have
enough speed and athleticism to be a “bell-cow,” especially in a Pagano “ground
and pound” offense. Everything Brown does, he does it fine, but he needs more
than “fine” to be an elite NFL running back.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brown will enter the
season as the clear-cut, No. 1 halfback, but over the course of the year, he’ll
lose time and carries to the other options in the backfield.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Delone Carter, since
being drafted in the fourth round in 2011, has had an up-and-down opinion in
the eyes of Colts fans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many fans have
wanted a more physical running game since the departure of Edgerrin James, and it appeared that Carter, who is listed at 5-foot-9, 238 pounds, would
fill that role. He even <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/04/30/colts-hope-carter-adds-power-running-game/" target="_blank">said so following the draft</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8nUHL7u3V39tndixVhbEQ6R9aM2qV5ZL01eUAAkXAbCfMkDGkps6Vr68_tqE4adS5xgSI59v0qk5JI2DJ3uUHay2qaz_AhoT28IwzvFKJWQLxQH0YWK_WDVMglIfX6jAkgmt2NkKI1M/s1600/delone-carter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8nUHL7u3V39tndixVhbEQ6R9aM2qV5ZL01eUAAkXAbCfMkDGkps6Vr68_tqE4adS5xgSI59v0qk5JI2DJ3uUHay2qaz_AhoT28IwzvFKJWQLxQH0YWK_WDVMglIfX6jAkgmt2NkKI1M/s320/delone-carter.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delone Carter is trying to carve out a role <br />for himself after fumbling away opportunities in 2011.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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“I want to go in
there and stick my nose in a linebacker,” Carter said.</div>
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However, as Colts
fans learned quickly, some players sacrifice power for speed. Carter seemed to
run in slow motion all season, rarely outrunning even the defensive linemen.</div>
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Midway through the
season, another problem for Carter revealed itself – fumbling.</div>
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Carter fumbled twice
in a three-game stretch, leading to his benching in Week 12 against Carolina. Carter
then <a href="http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/6516/delone-carter" target="_blank">said he was thinking about the fumbles</a>, which is never a good sign for a running back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The coaching staff had enough faith in him a week later at New England to give
him a few carries. Carter promptly fumbled again. His ball security problems
surprised many, as he entered the NFL with a 215-carry streak without fumbling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In his defense, the Syracuse
alum did have a high point of the season – Week 7 at New Orleans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carter only received
10 carries, but ran for 89 yards and scored Indianapolis’ only touchdown of the
game on a two-yard carry. He also had a 42-yard run in the second quarter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carter could enter the
season as the No. 2 running back, but will get more chances as Brown struggles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carter is also a solid option as a goal-line and short-yardage back for
Indianapolis in 2012. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before going into
detail about Deji Karim, here is a <a href="http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2010-10-14/story/debut-was-worth-wait-jaguars-rookie-deji-karim" target="_blank">quick clarification about his background</a>. He was born in Oklahoma City, but his
parents are Nigerian. His full, legal name is Abdul-Gafar Olatokumbo Ayodeji
Lamar Karim, which means “pure happiness.” His mother shortened Ayodeji into
just “Deji,” which is what he goes by now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to on the
field, Karim was drafted by the division-rival Jaguars in the sixth round in
2010, and was claimed off waivers by the Colts in April.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karim is similar to
Carter in that he is built stockier at 5-foot-8, 209 pounds. However, he
appears to have more burst and speed than Carter. At his Pro Day at Southern
Illinois, he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds and had a 20-yard shuttle of
4.05 seconds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karim showed some
flash in his rookie season, running for 160 yards on just 35 carries in spot
duty behind Maurice Jones-Drew.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year, however, both
Karim’s opportunities and production dropped. He ran for just 130 yards on 63
carries, possibly contributing to his getting cut.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where Karim has
really excelled, however, is as a kickoff specialist. He has a career
average of 24.7 yards-per-return, Karim has shown explosion and shiftiness when
bring back kicks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To put that in
perspective, his career average would be the best that the Colts have had
returning kicks since Dominic Rhodes did it in 2004, with an average of 24.8.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karim may try to
stick via special teams, but Indianapolis has acquired many different returning
options for 2012. He’ll be among the final cuts at the end of camp.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Darren Evans joined
the team as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Evans spent the majority of the
year on the practice squad as the extra running back to be promoted in case of
injury. He had a spectacular year as a freshman at Virginia Tech, rushing for
1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns, before tearing his ACL before his sophomore
year. However, he rebounded well the following year, re-claiming the starting
job and running for 854 yards and 11 scores. Speed and durability are concerns
for Evans, and he’ll likely return to the practice squad in 2012.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of Mewelde Moore’s
biggest highlights, interestingly enough, involves the Colts. In
a 2008 game against Pittsburgh, the Indy defense <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/09000d5d80c58876/WK-10-Can-t-Miss-Play-No-Moore" target="_blank">stopped Moore on the goal-line on three straight plays</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSInJi8OxTn44WanvIvdvKttmIbay26niztLMUTsauAL0uGUQPF2jPn3FG6o6aohgaOiiWS2IDhRE3nRxbDkjFBBmEJVo8Kuty88GoThGvQemUZ0qoLNojb-G6DB_r5j-WZu4QmEYIJBM/s1600/MOORE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSInJi8OxTn44WanvIvdvKttmIbay26niztLMUTsauAL0uGUQPF2jPn3FG6o6aohgaOiiWS2IDhRE3nRxbDkjFBBmEJVo8Kuty88GoThGvQemUZ0qoLNojb-G6DB_r5j-WZu4QmEYIJBM/s320/MOORE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mewelde Moore signed with Indianapolis <br />as a free agent in 2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moore has been a
career third-down back for both Minnesota and Pittsburgh, starting just seven
career games in eight years in the NFL. Moore has 214 career receptions, which
currently stands as second-most on the team behind Reggie Wayne.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His receiving
ability can help rookie Andrew Luck as a passing outlet out of the backfield.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, Moore just
turned 30, and it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank. Most
running backs end up wearing down around age 30, but Moore doesn’t have anywhere
near the mileage as a regular running back. He only has 494 career carries,
which is what most No. 1 backs rack up in two years in the NFL.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moore will stick on
the roster as a third-down back, but will bring little to no explosion to the
team. Just reliability coming out of the backfield, and in pass protection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vick Ballard is the
biggest X-Factor at the running back position for the Colts. He’s a fifth-round
pick, and, at 5-foot-11, 217 pounds, is built bigger than the other running
backs on the roster, and looks to have more power than speed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgLZu3FSjOdnldDHevgSKn3I5nJ-BUpQkfu5nsQzOK4SeFFc1qftUPYu5GtwT0Z1-nwkM3RbVDw3VeTmh2egRBoG1IhHHvGozUfl6WKI8lp9V-63MHHtG4uv8D3l-r-YqH_x2C5-zcmo/s1600/BALLARD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgLZu3FSjOdnldDHevgSKn3I5nJ-BUpQkfu5nsQzOK4SeFFc1qftUPYu5GtwT0Z1-nwkM3RbVDw3VeTmh2egRBoG1IhHHvGozUfl6WKI8lp9V-63MHHtG4uv8D3l-r-YqH_x2C5-zcmo/s320/BALLARD.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vick Ballard was a fifth-round <br />pick out of Mississippi State.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He ran a relatively slow
40 time at the combine at 4.63, but Ballard plays faster than his timed speed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ballard rushed for 2,157
yards in two years at Mississippi State, and set a school record his first year
there with 20 total touchdowns. He’s yet another hard-nosed, power runner for
the Colts, but isn’t shifty and won’t break a ton of tackles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pass protection is
also another area in which he must improve. That is one spot where he really
struggled at Mississippi State. But that’s why he was a fifth-round pick,
instead of an early-round selection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite Ballard’s shortcomings,
there is one NFL analyst that is still in his corner. Shortly after the draft, NFL Network’s Michael
Lombardi <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d828841a1/article/saints-raiders-others-find-good-value-with-late-draft-picks" target="_blank">listed Ballard as one of his value draft picks</a>, and recently <a href="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=7615&line=236845&spln=1" target="_blank">said that he would draft Ballard in Fantasy Football</a>, if he played it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ballard’s biggest
competition for playing time will be Carter, as they are similar players, both
looking to be the No. 2 option and possibly the goal-line back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Considering the
current regime drafted him and not Carter, that will bode well for the rookie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometime before the
start of the season, Evans will be cut and once again relegated to the practice
squad. Karim will show some promise as a return specialist, but so will other
players on the roster who also play well on offense, which Karim does not. He’ll
be cut before Week 1. Moore won’t be anything exceptional, but he’ll prove
himself as a reliable third-down option for Luck. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In training camp and
preseason, Ballard will show more explosiveness than Carter and take over the
No. 2 job from him. Depending on how many running backs Pagano decides to keep,
Carter could remain on the active roster. However, if the team only keeps three,
Carter would be cut. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barring injury or
epic collapse, Brown will start Week 1 as the every-down back, but Ballard will
start to eat into his playing time, starting as a goal-line and short-yardage
specialist, but perhaps even taking the starting job from him. Unless Ballard
or Brown show more promise in pass protection, Moore will have the third-down
back role locked up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note: Statistic projections
are very general and are rounded to reflect that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Donald Brown – 8 starts,
200 carries, 800 yards, 5 touchdowns <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Delone Carter – 2
starts, 50 carries, 175 yards, 2 touchdowns<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vick Ballard – 6
starts, 175 carries, 775 yards, 4 touchdowns<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mewelde Moore – 0
starts, 30 carries, 100 yards, 1 touchdown, 25 catches, 150 yards receiving, 1
touchdown receiving<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-3062918365825932552012-07-31T00:36:00.002-07:002012-07-31T11:27:56.915-07:00Colts Training Camp Preview: Quarterbacks<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a first-time reporter covering the Indianapolis Colts training
camp for the Ball State Daily News, I will be doing “research” by writing a
position-by-position breakdown and preview for the 2012 Colts season. Today –
quarterbacks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Currently on roster:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Andrew Luck<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drew Stanton<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chandler Harnish<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0452Z5ulZrVghE0ZCwiYRuMGr4v2nCpY1R2oz_OMbW_73LlhxdMb-OAhQG7AUR73FFtttVTL0ZT35lyUycvZZ9oNQhLwsLVwjbTyiop3kzEIpfgmJ5DZyraZxoR_xm7-g3LtfB35jHYM/s1600/andrew-luck+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0452Z5ulZrVghE0ZCwiYRuMGr4v2nCpY1R2oz_OMbW_73LlhxdMb-OAhQG7AUR73FFtttVTL0ZT35lyUycvZZ9oNQhLwsLVwjbTyiop3kzEIpfgmJ5DZyraZxoR_xm7-g3LtfB35jHYM/s1600/andrew-luck+(1).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Luck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Andrew Luck is coming into camp as the clear-cut starter,
drafted No. 1 overall to be the face of the franchise. He has a strong,
accurate arm, and, more importantly, has what is necessary above the shoulders.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Example: Last year at Stanford during the October 1 game
against UCLA, Luck <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/10/andrew-luck-calls-own-plays-out-of-the-no-huddle-offense/1#.UBdzYFSAm8A" target="_blank">called many of his own plays</a> as part of its no-huddle
offense. Remind you of anyone? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’ll start week one, no doubt about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, it remains to be seen how many quarterbacks new
head coach Chuck Pagano will keep on the active roster during the season. The
old regime (Caldwell and Polian) kept only one behind You-Know-Who. We all saw
how that turned out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that Pagano will end up keeping all three signal-callers
throughout the season. Drew Stanton will probably secure the backup job
sometime during the preseason. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m2VGt3u-kil8ZH_kg8yMNVE2HEpkKJtCY_uwQVn6OaYnwR0L4zHMfp4r-_BntGqAP6EtpUv2UeUBzspfmY4sQONvUhdAqpe_cCj3ksIjv5N8Q9PyEj_dzIm6iInra-8BHzkfWtZIl7k/s1600/82054500_10--nfl_mezz_1280_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m2VGt3u-kil8ZH_kg8yMNVE2HEpkKJtCY_uwQVn6OaYnwR0L4zHMfp4r-_BntGqAP6EtpUv2UeUBzspfmY4sQONvUhdAqpe_cCj3ksIjv5N8Q9PyEj_dzIm6iInra-8BHzkfWtZIl7k/s320/82054500_10--nfl_mezz_1280_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew Stanton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indianapolis traded for Stanton in March, giving up a 2012
sixth-round pick. He hasn’t thrown an NFL pass since 2010, though, and wasn’t real
great when he did. In three spot starts for Detroit, Stanton went 69-119 for 780
yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, not great numbers, but he should suffice as the
backup during the regular season if he needs to be called upon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A much more intriguing option behind Luck is Chandler Harnish.
Harnish, Indianapolis’ seventh-round pick in April, was a starter at Northern
Illinois. <a href="http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/harnish_chandler00.html" target="_blank">According to the team’s website</a>, he set 30 new offensive records in
his four years there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yBMaH1-reHwFuaOt8h1FfA1u3Wk4a1iM61HP2U-G50u6dpa7cWkzcY9Jz0wnEKKarxCRaXmXvZ1dWK7nxt-7lTjc34KDg3xN6aiREyFPEVuEVkFZiZRif47c-G_En61ZhT0h2VcrMy0/s1600/hi-res-143825425_display_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yBMaH1-reHwFuaOt8h1FfA1u3Wk4a1iM61HP2U-G50u6dpa7cWkzcY9Jz0wnEKKarxCRaXmXvZ1dWK7nxt-7lTjc34KDg3xN6aiREyFPEVuEVkFZiZRif47c-G_En61ZhT0h2VcrMy0/s320/hi-res-143825425_display_image.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chandler Harnish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harnish improved his passing statistics every year at
Northern Illinois, culminating in a 3,216 yard, 28 touchdown senior season. He
also threw just six interceptions in 2011.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An underrated part of Harnish’s game is his rushing ability.
He ran for 2,983 yards in his career as a Huskie, including 1,379 in his senior
season. He also scored 11 touchdowns rushing last season for Northern Illinois.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, Harnish is not without problems of his own. His
throwing motion is a little funky; it takes him too long to get the ball out of
his hands. He also has a tendency to scramble too soon at the sign of pressure,
which is perfectly fine against Mid-American Conference competition, but wouldn’t
work against the superior athletes in the NFL. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barring a colossal face-plant, Harnish should take hold of the third
quarterback job and stay there for the 2012 season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luck will take every possible snap for the Colts in 2012. If
things go right for Pagano and company, nobody will ever see Stanton or Harnish
on the field when the live bullets are flying during the regular season. <o:p></o:p></div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-23225104783540333952011-12-02T14:26:00.000-08:002011-12-02T14:26:03.196-08:00Aaron Maybin: How Rex Ryan Will Turn the Former Bust into Terrell Suggs<div class="article-body"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0bbtJZ9AZoUz9kQpjZYHCxJj9whgR3GIlyFhvbqXNhAmHMBz8ARxO-dKww8AZb6pCO9J8Rb1wKVghmTeWC48-odYUpmSlm6idam3s4m0QuPVk7470cQMZ3kuCVZ_9tpDGelcS6pdw4A/s1600/Aaron%252BMaybin%252BSan%252BDiego%252BChargers%252Bv%252BNew%252BYork%252BG47-JWg3MnUl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0bbtJZ9AZoUz9kQpjZYHCxJj9whgR3GIlyFhvbqXNhAmHMBz8ARxO-dKww8AZb6pCO9J8Rb1wKVghmTeWC48-odYUpmSlm6idam3s4m0QuPVk7470cQMZ3kuCVZ_9tpDGelcS6pdw4A/s320/Aaron%252BMaybin%252BSan%252BDiego%252BChargers%252Bv%252BNew%252BYork%252BG47-JWg3MnUl.jpg" width="233" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">When the Buffalo Bills released Aaron Maybin on August 15, many (<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/788196-buffalo-bills-training-camp-weight-shocker-should-be-aaron-maybins-last-straw" target="_blank">including myself</a>) thought that would be the end of his career.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Maybin was drafted by the Bills 11th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Penn State pass rusher spent two seasons on the Buffalo roster without recording a single sack before being cut.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">However, he was signed by the New York Jets just two days later. The general thought around the NFL was that if anybody could turn his career around, Rex Ryan could. Ryan had a similar project when he was in Baltimore in Terrell Suggs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Suggs was a first-round draft pick in 2003 and he came onto the field strong with 12 sacks as a rookie. In 2004, Ryan was promoted to defensive coordinator and took It upon himself to turn Suggs into a more well-rounded player. Suggs was a talented pass rusher, but Ryan took it upon himself to make him into a more complete player.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In his second year in the league, Suggs started all 16 games for the Ravens and intercepted one pass. Suggs has credited Ryan for making him tough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">“If he’s Michelangelo, I was his Sistine Chapel,” Suggs said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If Suggs was the Sistine Chapel, Maybin must be the Statue of David. Maybin’s transformation may prove to be a much more difficult task for Ryan. Suggs’ first year was a success, winning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Maybin’s first two NFL seasons were spent in the wallows of Western New York, collecting zero sack as a Bill.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Maybin has turned his career around in 2011, collecting five sacks as a Jet without starting a game. He achieved his first multi-sack game of his career last week against his former team.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If Maybin continues to progress, he will fill a need that has been missing for all of Ryan’s tenure and could become what John Abraham was way back when he donned the green – a yearly threat for double-digit sacks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-84091004505736215182011-11-18T14:25:00.000-08:002011-11-18T14:26:58.449-08:00My NFL Quarterback Power Rankings<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Rodgers </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Brees </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Brady</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>P. Manning</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Roethlisberger</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Romo</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Rivers </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Schaub</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Cutler</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>E. Manning</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Vick</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Ryan</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">13.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Fitzgerald</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">14.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Stafford</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">15.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Flacco</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">16.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Bradford</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">17.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Hasselbeck</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">18.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Palmer</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">19.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Kolb</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">20.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Dalton </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">21.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Newton</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">22.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Tebow</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">23.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Freeman</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">24.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Smith</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">25.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Ponder</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">26.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Henne</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">27.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>McCoy</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">28.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Jackson</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">29.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Cassel</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">30.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Gabbert</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">31.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Sanchez</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">32.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Grossman</div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-21274388967875941352011-08-01T19:49:00.000-07:002011-08-01T19:49:07.429-07:00Buffalo Bills Training Camp: Weight Shocker Should Be Aaron Maybin's Last Straw<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When the Bills released their roster for the 2011 training camp, eyebrows were raised when third-year outside linebacker, Aaron Maybin, weighed in was listed at a very slight 228 pounds (see photo below), just three pounds heavier than kicker (that's right, kicker), Rian Lindell.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPZAgTWhY7dGT7LjXK5Ua-2SdG8q4x5biMuOOmjx_E_eVkntbXYHcDeZ36I-Hfd43GNLURLaFINBTAliLIF6XikpfNwtCOvAjnA4qFRwf9iPiv3qsVdqbTnmjA9i0nzND5R6lY_D4oqA/s1600/Aaron+Maybin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPZAgTWhY7dGT7LjXK5Ua-2SdG8q4x5biMuOOmjx_E_eVkntbXYHcDeZ36I-Hfd43GNLURLaFINBTAliLIF6XikpfNwtCOvAjnA4qFRwf9iPiv3qsVdqbTnmjA9i0nzND5R6lY_D4oqA/s320/Aaron+Maybin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Photo credit goes to Joe Buscaglia. Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeB_WGR. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After Maybin left Penn State early to declare for the 2009 NFL Draft, his production quickly vaulted him to first-round status.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As a redshirt sophomore at Penn State, Maybin exploded for 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, after having four the previous year.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, Maybin came into the NFL with only 10 college starts under his belt and many experts were skeptical that he could produce at a high level as he did in college.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Top draft analyst Mike Mayock thought Maybin should have stayed in college another year to refine his <a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2011/04/kiper-offers-th.html" target="_blank">skills</a>.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Nevertheless, Maybin declared for the draft and Buffalo thought it was filling a need by selecting him at 11th overall, just two spots before Pro Bowl alternate outside linebacker Brian Orakpo.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After an extended holdout that forced Maybin to miss all of training camp, he signed a five-year, $25 million contract.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Maybin's rookie season was a complete bust; he did not start a single game for the Bills in 2009. His pass rushing prowess also failed to translate to the pro game, as he didn't register a sack all season.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A coaching change in Buffalo meant a fresh start for Maybin in 2010. He got a chance to play in a 3-4, a system that is a much better fit for his skills.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, it didn't take head coach Chan Gailey long to find <a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/article231060.ece" target="_blank">fault</a> in Maybin.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">"He has to continue to improve his all-around play, and that includes special teams," Gailey said after Maybin's benching. "To be honest with you, it gets harder and harder."</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Maybin's 2010 season ended as disappointing as his first. He appeared in 11 games, finishing with only six tackles and zero sacks.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now, as Maybin enters his third year in the league, the pressure is on to do something, anything, for the Buffalo. However, weighing in at 228 may have been his last straw with the Bills. Many expect Maybin to become one of the Buffalo's first cuts this preseason.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bills fans can only hope.</div><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-85896704135342580042011-07-30T22:05:00.000-07:002011-07-30T22:05:25.986-07:00NFL Free Agency: Joseph Addai's Resigning Drastically Improves the Indy Offense<div class="article-body"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If you told 100 Colts fans that Indianapolis has re-signed Joseph Addai, 50 of them would say, “Great!” while the other 50 would say, “Not him.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's happened. Addai re-signed with the Colts late Saturday night.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Addai is a lightning rod for Colts fans; some love him, others can't stand him.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ever since being drafted 30<sup>th</sup> overall in 2006, he has had an up-and-down career. Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 40 passes his rookie year, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Throughout the next two years, Addai's career took a tailspin. His rushing yards and yards-per-carry both dropped.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons, Addai's YPC increased, but he missed time in each year.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Addai has also drawn criticism for not running hard enough and being too injury prone.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Some Colts fans have never forgiven Addai for those things.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, they don't realize that Indianapolis' offensive line has been a revolving door of junk since the Colts Super Bowl win in 2006.</div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now with a revamped offensive line with two new high draft picks on it, Addai will get his best opportunity to shine since 2006.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Addai is the best running back in the league... for the Colts.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Indy's pass-heavy offense requires its back to be involved in pass blocking more so than other teams. Addai is one of the best at that skill.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">His ability to pick up a blitzing linebacker is matched by few backs in the league.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Also due to the Colts' offensive scheme, their running backs must catch the football well. Addai could move to slot wide receiver right now and be productive for most teams. He runs crisp routes and makes smooth catches, even in traffic.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As far as the actual running of the ball goes, Addai is no slouch there either. He is extremely shifty and can make even the most consistent tacklers miss. When his blocking gives him a decent hole, he can burst through it as well as anybody.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Addai also falls forward on almost every touch, giving Indy that extra yard or two when needed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If Addai and his line stay healthy for 16 games this season, he has a chance to be the MVP not named Peyton Manning of the Colts.</div></div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-44071688478439564852011-07-30T17:09:00.000-07:002011-07-30T17:09:40.296-07:00Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens Team Questions: Wide Receiver and Mount Cody<div class="article-body"> <strong>Offense – Will a legitimate deep threat emerge for Baltimore? </strong><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Answer: Not as much as it hopes.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Baltimore's offense was tremendous in 2009, it finished 9<sup>th</sup> in points scored and 13<sup>th</sup> in yards. After adding star wide receiver Anquan Boldin via trade from Arizona, most thought the Raven's offense would only improve. But surprisingly, it took a step backward in 2010, finishing 16<sup>th</sup> in points scored and 22<sup>nd</sup> in yards gained. Some thought Joe Flacco regressed in his third year, but he threw more touchdowns, less interceptions and had a higher yards per attempt in 2010 when compared to 2009. Could it be that Boldin didn't fit in as much as Baltimore had hoped he would.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Boldin's style is a bruising, physical slower one. He plays wide receiver like a running back with a chip on his shoulder. Boldin's physical nature forces him to play slower than most wide receivers.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What Baltimore needs is to make its offense more explosive. To do that, they need a fast wide receiver to complement Boldin.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Ravens thought they had that last season when they signed Donte Stallworth to a one-year deal. Stallworth turned out to be worthless for Baltimore, catching only two passes for 82 yards. He won't return to Baltimore in 2011.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Ravens also drafted Maryland's Torrey Smith in the 2011 draft. Smith, a six-foot one, 204 pound speed demon ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. Smith can provide exactly what Baltimore needs–someone to stretch the opposing defenses.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But Smith is just a rookie, and a raw one at that. His route-running needs to improve before he can fulfill his potential.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So unless Smith learns extremely quickly or a unknown free agent comes into play, Ravens' fan will be forced to watch Baltimore's fail to live up to expectations.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong>Defense – Can Terrence Cody emerge as a dominant force?</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Answer: Yes.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What makes Raven's GM Ozzie Newsome so great at his job is that he doesn't overreact to needs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Baltimore's biggest needs going into the 2010 draft were cornerback and tight end.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When its first-round pick came around at 25, the number one tight end in the draft, Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham was already off the board.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Instead of reaching for a cornerback at 25 and “filling a need”, Newsome saw an opportunity to gather more picks by trading down with Denver.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Using their own second-round pick, the Ravens selected Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Although his stats didn't show it, Cody, or "Mount Cody" as he's sometimes known, was a dominant force at Alabama. He was the anchor for Nick Saban's 3-4 defense, which finished second in the country in 2009.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He, like all players, has flaws.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">His weight can become an issue. He weighed in at 380 pounds as recently as the Senior Bowl.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Cody's size (listed at 6'4'', 349 pounds) causes him to be stiff and slow, especially when attempting to rush the passer.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, despite the flaws, Cody has the natural talent to be one of the best nose tackles in the league.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Cody's first season with Baltimore was very disappointing. He didn't get to play much due to other veterans in front of him on the depth chart. Cody also struggled adapting to the speed of the game. With a year under his belt, he will now be able to make a significant impact on the field.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And with the Ravens' release of Kelly Gregg, Cody now has a golden opportunity to shine in Baltimore. With nobody else to challenge his roster spot, I believe he will.</div></div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-73229172341770554822011-07-30T12:55:00.000-07:002011-07-30T12:55:35.294-07:00NFL Free Agency - The Best, Worst, Overrated and Underrated SigningsThanks to the lockout, signings and trades originally planned for March had to be delayed until now, in late July. <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Going through everything that has happened as of Thursday, I will list what I think are three best, worst, underrated and overrated free agent signings and trades of 2011 and also give reasons why.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Best:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Paul Posluszny – Jaguars – 6 years $45 Million, $15 Million Guaranteed</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Posluszny has been one of the most productive linebackers in the league since 2008 with 397 total tackles in the last three years. Like seemingly most linebackers on teams switching to a 3-4, Posluszny prefers the 4-3 for his skills.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“That was a huge part of this decision for me,” he said. “I wanted to get back to a 4-3.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He will get that in Jacksonville, where Posluszny is needed after losing Justin Durant to the Lions. The cost may be a tad much ($7.5 million per year), but Posluszny will step in and instantly be the best linebacker on a team that needs one.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Kevin Kolb – Cardinals – Traded from Eagles for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick + 5 years $63.5 Million, $21 Million Guaranteed</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Franchise quarterbacks are extremely tough to come by, as is the opportunity to acquire them. Kolb has the potential to be that franchise player for Arizona. His stats don't tell the real story, but as Michael Vick's backup in 2010, Kolb looked, at worst, surefooted to succeed at managing an offense.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The contract number may look high, but if he turns out to be Matt Schaub (another former Vick backup), the money will look like pocket change to the Cardinals.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Marshal Yanda – Ravens – 5 years $32 Million, $10 Million Guaranteed</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Yanda has been a quality, versatile offensive linemen since tearing his ACL, MCL and PCL in 2008, starting 16 games at right tackle and nine at right guard for Baltimore the last two years. Head coach John Harbaugh has said he would prefer Yanda stay at right guard permanently for 2011.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Yanda isn't an elite player, but he provides something all NFL teams want – a tackle that can slide over to guard in a moment's notice. The contract is also very team-friendly, as less than a third of his deal is guaranteed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Worst: </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Sidney Rice – Seahawks – 5 years $41 Million, $18 Million Guaranteed</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">With a healthy Brett Favre at the helm of the Vikings offense, Rice put up monster numbers in 2009. 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns. The negative side? In his three other years with Minnesota, Rice has averaged 21 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns. His problem isn't talent, it's health. Committing five years and $18 million to a wide receiver with chronic knee problems isn't my idea of a wise signing.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Charles Johnson – Panthers – 6 years $72 Million, $32 Million Guaranteed</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Admittedly, yes, hyper-productive pass rushers are the second-highest commodity in the NFL (behind quarterbacks), so when you get one, hold on to him. But is Johnson a “hyper-productive” pass rusher? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Dwight Freeney and Jared Allen both signed similar deals in their respective careers. In the four years before Freeney signed his deal, he accrued 43.5 sacks. Allen racked up 43 sacks in the four seasons before his monster deal in 2008. How many sacks did Johnson have in his previous four years? 21.5.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Brad Smith – Bills – 4 years $15 Million</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Yes, the Bills need talent at wide receiver. Lee Evans is just a deep threat at this point in his career, Roscoe Parrish is a return specialist now and Stevie Johnson is the definition of inconsistent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So the Bills went out looking for a consistent, possession wideout. And all they could find was Brad Smith? This is why they're the Bills. They draft C.J. Spiller instead of a quarterback or lineman, and they sign a former college quarterback who's best skill is returning. He will do nothing but be “Josh Cribbs lite” for poor Buffalo fans.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<b>Underrated:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Justin Durant – Lions – 2 year deal</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Durant has the potential to be a stud linebacker, but he needs a productive defensive line in front of him to cover up the linemen. He never got that in Jacksonville, where its defensive line always had problems protecting its linebackers. Durant will get that in Detroit where Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley will take care of the blockers, giving Durant the opportunity to maximize his potential. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Melvin Bullitt – Colts – Multi-year deal</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bullitt went from a no-name undrafted safety in 2007, to a fill-in for Bob Sanders, to the full time starting strong safety in Indianapolis in the upcoming 2011 season. Re-signing Bullitt was key to the Colts' success. Without him, Indy is down to guys like Chip Vaughn and Al Afalava to start at strong safety - something nobody needs to see. With rumors of St. Louis gaining interest, Indianapolis had to act quickly to keep Bullitt on the squad.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Ray McDonald – 49ers – 5 years $20 Million, $7 Million Guaranteed</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The 49ers re-signing McDonald won't grab many headlines, but he is an important piece of the Niners' defense. He has been a quality reserve for the last three years in San Francisco, but looks to move up to a starting role in 2011. McDonald is an upfield penetrator at the 3-4 end spot, and with Aubrayo Franklin looking to leave, the 49ers need to keep as many players as they can.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Overrated:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Matt Hasselbeck – Titans – Multi-year deal </i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After being drafted eighth overall, Jake Locker is not ready to start day one for the Tennessee Titans due to the lockout-shortened offseason. So Tennessee needed someone to bridge the gap to Locker. It decided on 35-year-old Hasselbeck. The same Hasselbeck that threw 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. People remember the nice games he had in the playoffs last year, but not his overall body of work in 2010. Hasselbeck isn't a reliable enough option at quarterback for Tennessee, and I have a feeling Locker will get pushed into work sooner than expected.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br />
</i> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Reggie Bush – Dolphins – Traded from Saints</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ever since being drafted second overall in 2006, Bush has failed to lived up to expectations. He has been nothing but a return specialist and a scat back. Bush was set to make $11.8 million in 2011, and both sides knew something had to be done. Instead of restructuring Bush's deal, the Saints decided to get some value while they could and traded him to Miami for safety Jonathon Amaya and an undisclosed draft pick. <br />
Bush has said he wants to be the Dolphins' featured back. Miami drafted Daniel Thomas this year for that. Bush will have the same role he had in New Orleans, and to give up draft pick(s) for someone who hasn't lived up to any expectations in his time as a pro is indefensible. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Eric Weddle – Chargers – 5 years $40 Million, $19 Million Guaranteed </i> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Weddle has been San Diego's starting free safety for the last three years. With only six career interceptions, nothing he does jumps off the page stat-wise. Weddle is an above-average safety. So San Diego decides to lock Weddle up for $40 million and $19 million guaranteed? Can you say “overpaid?” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Weddle does everything well, but nothing spectacular. Giving him that much money was a mistake.</div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-62727078550997377652011-07-26T23:12:00.000-07:002011-07-26T23:17:02.973-07:00Atlanta Falcons Team Questions: Julio Jones and Dunta Robinson<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As the NFL lockout ends, every team looks at its biggest question mark on the team, both offensively and defensively. I will do the same, discussing team-by-team one of the most important issues on both sides of the ball.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Atlanta Falcons</span> </span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Offense – Was Julio Jones worth the draft picks?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Answer: Yes.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Atlanta entered the 2011 NFL Draft with one objective on its mind – Playmakers. The Falcons wanted playmakers to add to their already effective trio of Michael Turner, Roddy White and Matt Ryan. But Atlanta craved a big, physical wide receiver to play on the other side of White. So when the draft came along, Cleveland was on the clock, looking to trade, and Alabama's Julio Jones was on the board. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Falcons traded their 2011 first- (27<sup>th</sup> overall), second- (59<sup>th</sup>), and fourth- (124<sup>th</sup>) round picks, as well as their 2012 first- and fourth- round picks.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Admittedly, yes, a high price to pay for a single player. But Julio Jones is a special player.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Jones is a 6-foot 3, 220 pound wideout with almost 10-inch hands to catch the football. In his three years in Alabama's pro-style offense, Jones caught 179 passes for 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Atlanta also has a need for a player like Jones. Falcon's wide receivers not named Roddy White caught 98 balls for 1122 yards and 7 touchdowns combined. Those seem like pretty gaudy numbers, but when it is considered that those stats are spread out over five different players, they don't seem nearly as impressive. Atlanta also prefers its wideouts to be very capable blockers, and Jones fits the bill, having to block for Mark Ingram in college.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Jones may not put up quite the kind of statistics that Falcons' fans are looking for in his first year, but don't fret. Jones will be a stud wide receiver in the NFL.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Defense – Will Dunta Robinson prove he's worth the money?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Answer: No.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In 2009, the Atlanta Falcons finished 21<sup>st</sup> in total defense by yards allowed. The worst part of the defense was defending the pass. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The cornerback with the most starts for the Falcons in 2009 was Chris Houston with 10 starts in the year. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Houston, a former second-round pick, was traded to the Detroit Lions during the 2010 NFL draft for a sixth-round pick and a swap of fifth-round picks.<br />
To quell the problem, Atlanta went out in March of 2010 planning to break the bank on a top-flight cover corner. The free agent cornerbacks were a weak group in 2010, and Dunta Robinson was the best of the bunch. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Robinson was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2004 and had made himself into a valuable commodity for teams as a strong corner before becoming a free agent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Falcons set their sights on Robinson in order to shore up their secondary. Shortly after free agency opened, Adam Schefter reported Atlanta and Robinson had agreed on a contract.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Robinson's deal was a six-year, $57 million deal with $27 million guaranteed. Certainly not chump change, as he became the second-highest paid cornerback at the time, behind only Nnamdi Asomugha.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Robinson shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence as Asomugha (except this one.)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Besides simply watching the two play, the statistics also back me up. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">According to Football Outsiders, Asomugha had a 55 percent success rate in coverage during the last three years, while Robinson's was less than 44 percent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He has 14 career interceptions, but hasn't picked off more than two in a season since his rookie year.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Robinson had an unspectacular year in his first season in Atlanta. He is a solid, above average cover corner, and definitely not worth the $8.5 million he will make this year alone.<br />
<br />
<b>Next Team: The Baltimore Ravens </b></div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-11265580521495822942011-07-23T15:46:00.000-07:002011-07-23T15:46:40.168-07:00Arizona Cardinals Team Questions<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As the NFL lockout draws to a close, every team looks at its biggest question mark on the team, both offensively and defensively. I will do the same, discussing team-by-team one of the most important issues on both sides of the ball.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Arizona Cardinals</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <b>Offense – Will Arizona solve its QB issue?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Answer: Probably.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The quarterback position was an unmitigated disaster in 2010, with three different players starting games at different times throughout the season – Derek Anderson, John Skelton, and Max Hall.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Cardinal fans would prefer to see none of these players start any games for their team in 2011. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Arizona has been linked to Kevin Kolb, who would provide an instant upgrade over all three of last year's starters.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Kolb went 2-3 as a starter last season with the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 60.8 percent of his passes and throwing seven touchdowns to seven interceptions. The stats don't jump off the page, but Kolb's 2010 statistics are misleading. He looked quite capable of managing an offense while Michael Vick was injured, and Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt wants his quarterbacks to do just that. Kolb on his worst day is still an improvement over the Cardinals' current QB corps.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, Kolb is currently under contract with the Eagles, and would require significant compensation to Philadelphia in order to go to the desert.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Eagles reportedly want a top-flight player as well as a high draft choice, and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's name has been thrown about. Rodgers-Cromartie is a young, talented corner who had a down year in 2010, and could very easily rebound to have an excellent career. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Arizona should do everything it can to get Kolb – even get rid of Rodgers-Cromartie. Twenty-six year-old franchise quarterbacks don't come easily, and should be acquired whenever possible.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The deal with Philadelphia looks sure to happen, and when paired with Larry Fitzgerald, Kolb can lead the Cardinals back to the postseason. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <b>Defense – Will anyone step up as a leader?</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Answer: For Arizona's sake, hopefully.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Arizona had plenty of problems in 2010, and its defense was a sizable part of them. The Cardinals finished 29<sup>th</sup> in yards given up and 30<sup>th</sup> in points given up. The problem for Arizona is not a lack of talent. The team is full of talented, athletic defenders such as recent first-round picks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Dan Williams, recent mid-round pick like Alan Branch, Daryl Washington and Rashad Johnson, as well as veterans such as Darnell Dockett, Kerry Rhodes, Joey Porter and Adrian Wilson. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">How could the defense struggle with such athletic talent on the field? The answer is leadership. Arizona lacks leaders on the field, someone to fire up the troops to get a huge third down stop (something the Cardinals finished 21<sup>st</sup> in).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Who on the defense will step up as a leader? Wilson, the team's longest tenured player, should have already been the team's primary leader, but clearly the fire wasn’t there the past few years.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona's head coach, has been pleased with Wilson's improvement in that area.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“He's grown tremendously as a leader,” Whisenhunt said. It's a start.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Williams, Arizona's first-round pick in 2010, had a slow start to his rookie year, but came on strong in the latter half of the season. He began his career at Tennessee with character and weight concerns, but matured in his senior year. He needs to do the same for Arizona.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Everybody knows who Dockett is, whether that is through his famous Twitter feed (@ddockett) or his breakout 2007 season, where he finished with 43 total tackles, seven sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">However, perhaps what Dockett needs to do is stop the tweeting and take control of the locker room. He's already a great player – now it's time for him to become a great leader.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Next Team: The Atlanta Falcons</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200091263469206543.post-16723174386362999202011-07-22T23:46:00.000-07:002011-07-22T23:46:23.518-07:003-4 or 4-3?: A History Lesson on the Biggest Fad in Today's NFL<div class="article-body"> This is a post I have used for Bleacher Report and a school project. It is one of my favorite writings, so I've decided to use it as my opening blog post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Introduction</strong><br />
Dwight Freeney. Julius Peppers. Michael Strahan. These are some of the greatest pass rushers of the last 20 years.<br />
All these names are synonymous with defense, and not just any defense, but a 4-3 defense.<br />
<br />
<strong>Overview</strong><br />
If you are unsure of what the differences are between different styles of defenses, or if you have no clue about the styles, here is a rundown.<br />
The major differences between a 4-3 and a 3-4 is how many people are on the line of scrimmage. The most general, basic 4-3s have four linemen with one or both of their hands in the ground.<br />
This is where the four from the 4-3 comes in. The three is how many linebackers are behind them, standing up on both feet.<br />
The 3-4 is, as you can imagine, the opposite. There are three linemen on the ground, with four linebackers behind them. But not all linemen are created equal.<br />
In a 4-3 most of the time the linemen's duty is to get up field and wreak havoc on the quarterback or a running back behind the line scrimmage.<br />
In a 3-4, the linemen's job, plainly and simply, is to take up space.<br />
If you are reading this thinking, "Well where does the pass rush come from then?" then you are ahead of the game.<br />
If you didn't think that, then you're just fine, too, because I'm about to explain it right now. In football, the pass rush usually comes from the edge, or around the offensive tackles.<br />
That becomes part of the linebacker's job. The two outside linebackers come around the corner to make plays.<br />
<br />
<strong>Facts</strong><br />
Now that you know the differences, it is time to decide what you would prefer. But before you make your decision, think about these facts:<br />
Deacon Jones, who played in an era before sacks were kept track, claims he once had 26 in a season, which would be a still unbroken record today.<br />
In fact, the reason that they are called "sacks" today is because of Deacon Jones.<br />
He actually coined the term "sack" because when he did it, Jones wanted it to be like shoving the quarterback into a sack then beating over the sack with a baseball bat.<br />
Yeah, he was rough. <br />
<br />
<strong>Dick LeBeau</strong><br />
But that's not to say that the 3-4 doesn't have advantages. The 3-4 is becoming more and more popular today. The main reason for this, in my opinion, is Dick LeBeau.<br />
LeBeau, in addition to being a Hall of Fame caliber cornerback ranking in the top ten of all time interceptions with 62 career picks, is also arguably a Hall of Fame coach.<br />
He both created and installed the "zone blitz" into NFL history. The zone blitz is different from most blitzes because not of how many people are coming, but from where.<br />
For example, LeBeau may send a corner to blitz, but have the 300+ pound nose tackle drop into shallow coverage. It messes up the protection schemes of the offensive line because there are still four people rushing, but from different angles.<br />
Many NFL teams today, including The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins have recently been implementing 3-4 packages, if not completely overhauling their defensive schemes to make the change to a 3-4.<br />
<br />
<strong>Laurence Taylor</strong><br />
In addition to being popular with today's NFL, the 3-4 was a huge phenomenon because of a single player: Laurence Taylor. Taylor was a young, outside linebacker phenomenon for the New York Giants in the 1980's and early 90's.<br />
He played with his hand up, on both feet in head coach Bill Parcells' 3-4 defense. Many consider him not only one of the greatest defenders in NFL history, but the most gameplanned for.<br />
On every single play, before the snap, the quarterback had to say, "Where is number 56?" If not accounted for, Taylor would single-handedly change games, get quarterbacks benched, and offensive coaches fired.<br />
<br />
<strong>Conclusion</strong><br />
I've done my part, now it's your turn. Which defense do you prefer? Let me know why in the comments. Either way, they both have the same goal, to not only stop opposing defenses, but to drive them backward.<br />
</div>Matt_D_McKinneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17430630463323909541noreply@blogger.com2