National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

What are all y'all's thoughts on preseason? Are preseason performances and results indicative of the type of season a team will have?

Hardly. It's for coaches to evaluate players, that's about it. The only game I've seen so far that looked remotely real was Seattle-Denver, in the first half only. Both teams started with intensity. It was closely played, but the Broncos made some costly turnovers. Seattle's backup QB (Jackson) looked excellent. After that, what we saw was not reality.

Week three of the pre-season we tend to see the most starters. But it's still not all that indicative of what to expect.

Also Sam Bradford cant look off backs. cannon arm but always treading the needle.

Nice kid. Never thought that highly of him as a QB. Never thought he had that strong of an arm either. He's not Joe Flacco or Aaron Rogers. Way overpaid (but not as much as Sanchez, or Romo).

Rams should finish about 7-9 I think.

Meanwhile, Tony Gonzalez is ranting about D.J. Swearinger's hit on Dustin Keller (you can YouTube it). Swearinger said he is so leery about going to the head, he just hit low. No penalty, no fine, legal hit. Except it shredded Keller's knee. If you ask me Gonzalez shouldn't be that surprised. In the last year, and this pre-season, officials throw flags all the time for even the slightest hit to the head. Recall last year's Seattle-SF game where Kam Chancellor hammered Vernon Davis, and was penalized for it. But replays showed that helmets never touched, and Davis head didn't even hit the ground. The fact that Kaepernick through a lobbing pass to Davis left him completely exposed to getting hit hard by one of the toughest enforcers in the game. Did anyone think of fining Kaepernick for that play?

 

[zastomito]

Nice kid. Never thought that highly of him as a QB. Never thought he had that strong of an arm either. He's not Joe Flacco or Aaron Rogers. Way overpaid (but not as much as Sanchez, or Romo).

Sam was screwed from the moment he was drafted by the Rams. Kinda like Alex Smith. Rebuilding team, one legitimate receiver, changing HC and changing OC every year. Still have faith in the lad.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Good evaluation I think. Props to both for keeping headstrong through difficult times. A lot of other QB's I think would have caved. Actually, many did over the years.

Speaking of...well, not caving. He hasn't caved at all, kid still has a huge heart, but here is a tough article on Tim Tebow and his regression. I mentioned this a few posts ago, that the Tebow I saw this year for NE is not the same Tebow we saw in Denver, and that version of him had some flaws. He's somehow regressed, the Jets are perhaps to blame, but the article says it's physical as much as anything, and I think they may have a point.

Speaking of the Jets, Geno Smith will get the call to start game 3 of the preseason, which usually means he's going to get the starting job. No shock, he has a lot of topside, and Sanchez is, well, Sanchez. Hope the kid's confidence isn't shattered playing on this team though.

Colt McCoy may be out in SF, and even out of the NFL after a very poor pre-season. So many good looking young QB's, and with SF picking up vet Seneca Wallace to backup Kaep, and rookie BJ Daniels, who is undersized, but has a good arm. Scott Tolzein even looked better than McCoy, and could end up on the practice squad. A short year from competing for the starting job in Cleveland.

Speaking of the Browns, Brandon Weeden continues to impress. Trent Richardson spilled the beans before training camp that Weeden struggled to read defenses last year and was overwhelmed, but said he believed in him and he would improve. Two very hot starts in a row for Weeden who looked very sharp on a team struggling with many injuries has erased doubt about him being the starter.

Speaking of SF, I'm very curious to see how Nnamde Asomgua does in a Niners jersey. After two disastrous years in Philly, the aging star may still have something left as a nickleback.

In the trash heap, Aaron Hernandez indicted for murder, and Von Miller of Den suspended for six games (presuming he stays out of jail).

That's all football fans.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Thanks to the real experts here for all the excellent input. I am an avid reader.

 

[zastomito]

Tebow was never going to be NFL caliber starting QB. Was rather surprised that NE picked him but than again I have feeling that at this point in his career Belichick thinks of himself more as a coaching semi-god (in a "I can make anything work" kind of manner) than a human and the years keep passing by...
Can't figure out what is the problem with Sanchez. He is already beyond repair by now. I think it was a mix of playing for New York and things coming to him rather easily in first few seasons. Have no faith in Geno either. Or Weeden for that matter. Just doesn't look the part.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Interesting Tebow link to B/R. If all that is true, the regression is shocking really for a guy who came out as such a workaholic. Still, Billichick maintains he's improving. So Bill really can be a little politic.

WOW! King Kong Kuechly crapped all over the Raves last night, and even made Fla$$o look a little bad at times. Funny, Kuechly is going to get razzed at the film review and beforehand for his failed "juke" of Fla$$o. I would rather have seen him truck Fla$$o.

Lions front 4 have teeth! And the Pats better find a cure @ RT, or Brady's a dead man. Lion left DEs were beneficiaries of poor blocking. Jason Jones lead the charge with 2 sacks and 2 QB hits. In total, Lions defense had 2 sacks and 7 QB hits. (Hmmm... something wrong in Seattle for replacing Jones with Avril, who has not seen the field yet?)

Nice job by Kellen Moore against the backups. 9/12, 2 TDs, no picks, and rating of 156. Not a bad night's work. I sense a crow dinner for me in the future if he keeps that up for my lack of confidence in him following the combine in 2012.

 

[Tom T.]

Lions did this to the Pats in the 3rd preseason game in 2011. Pats then went 13-3. I'm not saying getting drubbed 40-9 is a good thing but I wouldn't read too much into it. This was Detroit's Super Bowl, they were super amped for this game. Now they can go back to being a 6-10 team.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Which team has the worse QB situation? Raiders (Pryor may be winning the job over Flynn), Jets, or Bills (EJ Manuel out with minor knee procedure, Kolb out with what may be career ending concussion, so for reinforcements the sign FA Matt Leinart and trade with Lions for Thad Lewis)?

I'm thinking Raiders still have hope with either Flynn or Pryor, as does Bills with returning Manuel. Jets Geno Smith performance at times rivals or outdoes Sanchez (not good) & Sanchez is now hurt in part thanks to Rex blunder.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

And possibly will be. With the Bears and Packers in that division, and the improving Vikings...

Kuechly is undoubtedly impressive, but I still worry he plays with such reckless abandon he's going to get hurt.

Rex Ryan should be canned. He starts Geno Smith last night, and Geno shows he's not ready to start. Wild, inaccurate, missed reads. Poor performance. So what's Rex do? Pull Smith and have the now defacto starter Sanchez play with the scrubs, and Mark promptly gets injured.

Vick named starter in Philly. And promptly had a terrible int (though otherwise adapting well to Kelly's system). Still think Philly's defense will be porous. I can't see them topping NY or Wash in that division.

After a rough outing at Chicago, Matt Flynn will sit next game and Terrell Pryor will get the start. This may be deja vu all over again for Flynn, who a year ago this week had the same issue in Seattle. Now, Pryor is not Russell Wilson, but Oakland's OL is so sketchy, having the mobile Pryor run a lot of pistol offense and read-option may give the Raiders a better chance of winning, especially if the OL can't protect the QB.

Props to Vince Young for getting his head on straight enough to make the Packers roster, so much so that he's now cemented as the primary backup to Aaron Rodgers.

Tebow may make the Pats simply to be a distraction. The only way he's going to play a down at QB is if both Brady and Mallett are hurt in the same game.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Rex Ryan should be canned. He starts Geno Smith last night, and Geno shows he's not ready to start. Wild, inaccurate, missed reads. Poor performance. So what's Rex do? Pull Smith and have the now defacto starter Sanchez play with the scrubs, and Mark promptly gets injured.

After a rough outing at Chicago, Matt Flynn will sit next game and Terrell Pryor will get the start. This may be deja vu all over again for Flynn, who a year ago this week had the same issue in Seattle. Now, Pryor is not Russell Wilson, but Oakland's OL is so sketchy, having the mobile Pryor run a lot of pistol offense and read-option may give the Raiders a better chance of winning, especially if the OL can't protect the QB.

Props to Vince Young for getting his head on straight enough to make the Packers roster, so much so that he's now cemented as the primary backup to Aaron Rodgers. .

Good analysis of those situations. Add this... the clock is ticking for Rex. As unimpressed as I was with his decision-making, that goes double for the post-game interview (Rex loses cool with media).

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

First round of player cuts to get down to 75-man roster include these former big names: NFL.COM LINK. Not any surprises there. The list shows how bad a team's draft can be, ahem, Seattle under Holmgren and Mora (Lawrence Jackson and Aaron Curry). Not many who get cut in the first round to the 75 player limit ever get picked up by another team and amount to much.

Interesting take by Mike Greenberg on the ESPN Mike & Mike show (Golic is the other Mike) on Jets HC Rex Ryan. Greenberg says he himself is a small picture guy (not a visionary type) and thinks that the Jets HC is the same, which explains why he may have blundered by re-inserting Sanchez back into the last game where Sanch was injured. Greenberg goes on to explain that all great NFL HC's are not small picture guys (in the moment thinking, excluding what really needs to be accomplished on larger scale). He thinks the great NFL HC's are big picture guys, visionaries. The implication was that if Rex can't change his way of thinking he will not last as an NFL HC.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

It's always the cut to 53 that has some surprises.

After DJ Swellinger's low hit on Dustin Keller resulted in Keller's severe knee injury, the NFL is saying they are going to crack down on hits to the knees. Not to sound like James Harrison, but soon NFL defenses may only be able to do arm tackles.

Right after I sang the praises of Weeden, he (and the Browns) lay an egg against the Colts. But here's a good analysis as to maybe why.

Speaking of those 2nd year starter QB's, here's a good Bleacher Report article on them. Predictions on who will do what. I tend to agree.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

One late cut for Seattle that was a bit of a surprise was CB Will Blackmon, who played well during preseason. Maybe 9ers will pick him up . I thought maybe Tharold Simon might go, but he ended up on the PUP list. Tough to crack that area of the Hawks roster.

Yeah, I kinda agree in general with the QB predictions there in Bleacher's, though I did not pay much attention to the numbers predicted for each QB. I paid more attention to the rationale behind it. But I don't agree with the take that Russell Wilson is going to have a worse year, which was based largely on the mistakes made by RW3 in the last preseason game where he had 2 picks and a couple overthrows. RW addressed the author's basis in a press conference where he said one was a freak tip, the other he held onto the ball too long. He knows why these things happened and has already learned from it. The bigger reason why he & Hawks might not meet expectation is if they become the Raiders and continue to rack up so many penalties, putting them in a lot of bad situations. But that's the character you like to see in a guy... admit it, learn from it, do something to prevent it, and flush it (short memory).

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

While NFL player safety has been, and is, ratcheting up on hits to the head, and now the knees, another issue that has come forth recently is outbreaks of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - a potentially fatal Staph infection that cannot be treated with conventional antibiotics due to evolved drug resistance.)
Pats Link
Bucs Link
Not only are locker rooms and indoor facilities prone to breed the bacteria, but artificial turf playing fields also have been known to breed the bacteria. These types of playing surfaces may also need treatment, which is not something that has been discussed in the recent Bucs and Pats situations. I hope they don't overlook that possibility because of the risk to visiting team players.
TURF LINK
... I know, boring.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

In less boring news, the NFL has settled with former players over concussions. A whopping $765m to be spent on care, research and more. Individual compensation to be capped at $5m for the most severe cases (such as Alzheimer's).

If you just look at the math, it comes to $170k per player in litigation. But about $42k if you count every single retired NFL player who could come forward. I honestly don't know if this is a completely fair deal or not, but several players spoke out seeming to be pleased with it. It may also be spin, but the NFL stated it's more important that they pay the money to the families than spend it on attorneys just to get the number cut in half in a decade.

I also want to give props to Roger Goddell. I've always had mixed feelings about him. He says some bone headed things, and often seems smug. But he also is an adaptive, proactive person who is able to get things done when they need to be done most, and isn't afraid of change. While the NFL has many problems still, compared to other major sports it's rudder seems to be fairly on tact with him at the helm.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

If anyone is up for watching some of two pre-season games, tonight would be the night to do so.

First, Terrell Pryor is starting at QB for Oakland and will get a lot of snaps. As I noted before, Flynn played fairly well, but Pryor has improved every week, and if he has a very good game, don't be shocked if he is announced as the starter. Not that he's better than Flynn, but running a pistol, with a weak OL at pass protection, he may be their best bet.

We should see a lot of Tim Tebow tonight. This is really sink or swim for Tim, it has to be. If he has a decent game, expect him to make the roster, if not and he plays as poorly as he has the rest of the pre-season, I'll be surprised if he makes the cut to 53.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I also give props to Goodell for the player settlement. Good move to keep the money out of lawyer hands. Ya know, $765 Mil is a cheap stadium nowadays. I can't help but think the league is rolling around in a whole lot more cash than that, but I could be wrong. I would really like to see the league offer up voluntary compensation of a certain amount annually. That just seems like the right thing to do.

Bleacher Report ran an article on important players (roster battles) to watch in week four (LINK).
Besides the Pryor-Flynn battle in Oakland you mentioned, here is the others they listed:
Seahawks Running Back: Christine Michael vs. Robert Turbin LINK
Cardinals Free Safety: Tyrann Mathieu vs. Rashad Johnson LINK
Broncos Running Back: Montee Ball vs. Ronnie Hillman vs. Knowshon Moreno LINK
Chargers Slot Receiver: Keenan Allen vs. Eddie Royal LINK
49ers Wide Receiver: Quinton Patton vs. Jon Baldwin LINK
Steelers Running Back: Jonathan Dwyer vs. Isaac Redman LINK
Lions Slot Receiver: Ryan Broyles vs. Patrick Edwards LINK
Jets Quarterback: Geno Smith vs. Mark Sanchez LINK

And I'll go on record to say I'm rooting for Tim. If Tim makes it does that mean Belichick's a savior?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

"One key rule change that takes effect this season bars ball carriers from using the crown of the helmet to make contact with defenders"

Finally they (NFL) get to the point i am talking of since years...

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

@Foxxy: not just ball carriers, both tacklers and ball carriers, but the rule only applies outside the tackle box. But I get the idea you were pointing out deals with the ball carrier. And you would be right in that. For the full rule change and terminology explanation >>> NFL.com LINK (if you can't stomach the first 1,5 minutes of BS propaganda, just skip ahead to the 1:30 timeline where the real explanation starts).

- Bills: Well, now that didn't take long... Bills release Leinart after less that one week.
- Shoulder injury to Jets' Sanchez will keep him on the sideline week 1. So now it is Geno Smith's job to lose. With the opportunity it is his job to keep if he doesn't screw up too badly.
- Who is going to be Seattle's 6th WR on the roster? The battle seems to be between rookie 4th round pick Chris Harper and 4-year vet Stephen Williams, who's a 6'5" target who has played well. Harper's reps have been limited due to illness/injury. But after last night's performance by Chris Harper, who had one nice catch and held on after getting rocked but later dropped a ball in the end zone and had one other drop, you might expect him to be out. Not so fast. Williams suffered a concussion last night and his prognosis is not yet known. Harper, however, gets much better separation. It will be a tough call but I would not be surprised if Williams ends up on the PUP list, giving Harper the spot and another chance to prove his worth.
- Another tough call for Seattle will be the age/experience of solid FB Robinson vs. youth of FBs Coleman or Ware. Coleman has performed well and can catch and run. With future cap issues looming in 2014, we may see them going with a youth movement to save some cap room later.
- Looks like Tebow will make the Pats roster.

 

[Amsterhammer]

I have to admit that I'm rather pleased with our pre-season, certainly by comparison with our NLE rivals. I'm quietly confident.

Shanahan will announce the final, official verdict on RG3 on Monday, but all systems appear to be go!

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

@Amsterhammer: I've heard certain experts (e.g. on ESPN radio) actually pick Dallas to take the division because they have been close recently and have made improvements. I am not so sure. Their preseason has not gone so well for the starters. But Bleacher's likes Washington to make a Super Bowl appearance. HERE'S 5 REASONS WHY. Philly is a bit of an unknown yet, but they should be competitive along with the NYGeeeeeeMen. I still like the Redskins over the other NFCE teams.

edit: oh, forgot. RGIII s/b fine provided he does not take any more chances. Slide RG, slide. Forget the extra yards.

 

[Oldman]

I also give props to Goodell for the player settlement. Good move to keep the money out of lawyer hands. Ya know, $765 Mil is a cheap stadium nowadays. I can't help but think the league is rolling around in a whole lot more cash than that, but I could be wrong. I would really like to see the league offer up voluntary compensation of a certain amount annually. That just seems like the right thing to do.

Bleacher Report ran an article on important players (roster battles) to watch in week four (LINK).
Besides the Pryor-Flynn battle in Oakland you mentioned, here is the others they listed:
Seahawks Running Back: Christine Michael vs. Robert Turbin LINK
Cardinals Free Safety: Tyrann Mathieu vs. Rashad Johnson LINK
Broncos Running Back: Montee Ball vs. Ronnie Hillman vs. Knowshon Moreno LINK
Chargers Slot Receiver: Keenan Allen vs. Eddie Royal LINK
49ers Wide Receiver: Quinton Patton vs. Jon Baldwin LINK
Steelers Running Back: Jonathan Dwyer vs. Isaac Redman LINK
Lions Slot Receiver: Ryan Broyles vs. Patrick Edwards LINK
Jets Quarterback: Geno Smith vs. Mark Sanchez LINK

And I'll go on record to say I'm rooting for Tim. If Tim makes it does that mean Belichick's a savior?

Some notes from last night:
Pryor looked OK with good mobility. He may need it.
Seattle running back-both ran well. Seattle's got depth everywhere and they should try to keep both. Maybe one of them can kick?

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Some notes from last night:
Pryor looked OK with good mobility. He may need it.
Seattle running back-both ran well. Seattle's got depth everywhere and they should try to keep both. Maybe one of them can kick?

Haha. Now that's funny. Special teams is where they can make a case to make the roster. Coleman though (or was it Ware?), did not have good technique last night tackling on the kick off team. But he did get a hit in there. Curious though. Are you down on Hauschka?

- Pryor... as Alpe mentioned earlier, Pryor does give them a better chance with his mobility. And yes, he WILL need it.

On Pryor being chased and caught by Irvin... Irvin, when asked how he knew Pryor had the ball if he couldn't see where the ball was, quipped this, "Pryor was runnin like he was runnin from the PoLEECE, so he had to have somethin".

Seattle depth is everywhere. So what do you think about LB Alan Bradford? Any chance he might unseat Heath Farwell for the backup MLB spot? Heath has special teams value and is a capable backup MLB. But LB coach Ken Norton Jr likes Bradford a lot. Calls him explosive and hits the hole and ball carriers like a missile. But Heath did cause that goal-line fumble vs Green Bay that Browner picked up and ran back 109 yards. Tomorrow at 3 p.m. is the cut deadline for Seattle. Should be interesting at a number of positions.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

@ Oldman: Well, it has happened:
- Seahawk FB Robinson has tweeted bye to Seattle. Do Hawks keep FB Derrick Coleman (props to him for his hard work... something he has used to overcome a hearing problem almost since birth) or Spencer Ware?

A full list of roster predictions is at Bleacher Report Link. The Bleacher predictions go like this:
RELEASED:
- 9-yr vet backup MLB and special teams ace Heath Farwell. Hawks keep 3rd-year vet LB Alan Bradford instead.
- CB Antoine Winfield (the 15-yr vet offseason acquisition from the Vikes. Outstanding play by Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell could make him and his pay expendable.
- Brady Quinn if the team decides to only carry 2 active QBs as they did last year.

PREDICTED TO MAKE ROSTER:
- With Quinn's predicted release, both WRs Chris Harper (4th round pick) and Stephen Williams could make the squad.
- LB Alan Bradford
- FB Derrick Coleman

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Well, the Pats cut Tebow. A little surprised, but not a lot. Not sure what's next for Tim. Just two years removed from winning a playoff game.

Jonathan Dwyer has been cut by the Steelers in a bit of a surprise. Don't be surprised if the Ravens pick him up, they are down to just 2 RB's after cutting to 55 players.

Brady Quinn played well, but has been cut. He played fairly well, and considering all the other cuts, could be picked up elsewhere. Like Buffalo, or maybe GB.

I'll be really surprised if RG3 isn't the week 1 starter, and I like Washington in the NFC East. The Giants defense isn't what it was and Eli overrated, Cruz overpaid. The Cowboys will falter as always, and Romo overpaid, and the Eagles will show real spark on offense, but make mistakes and may have one of the worst defenses in the NFC.

My gut tells me Flynn will be the week 1 starter in Oakland. Pryor was hot/cold, and if the Raiders can run and have a lot of three step drop passes for Flynn, he should be fine. He's simply more accurate that Pryor by a considerable amount. The Raiders do have serious OL issues though.

Days after announcing Vince Young as the primary backup to Rodgers, the Packers cut him. This was days after cutting their previous #2, Graham Harrell. B.J. Coleman quietly picks up the spot now.

Greg McElroy released by the Jets in a small surprise. Played well in game 1, and that's it. I do believe the Jets will go with Geno Smith a few games, until he struggles, then put Sanchez in, and he'll struggle. They look like a 5-11 team at best.

Brian Banks released by Atlanta. For those not in the loop, he was wrongly imprisoned for nearly a decade and tried to make a comeback (of sorts).

Who's going to play QB for Buffalo? Kolb out for the season. Rookie EJ Manuel yet to play a down, and likely out several more weeks, and Matt Leinhart lasting less than a week before being cut. This means Jeff Tuel (who?) as the starter in week 1.

Predictions in a day or three.