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| Thursday, October 25, 2007 |
No NFL quarterback has beaten 31 teams. That’s not surprising: There are only 32 and there were only 30 until the Cleveland Browns (2.0) and Houston Texans joined the league in 1999 and 2002. Now, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning could all achieve that number in the same weekend.
 Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have been rivals on the field for years. Now the two Super Bowl MVPs could be taking their competition into the NFL record book.
A week before the Colts and Patriots face each other in that highly anticipated showdown, Manning and Brady have a chance to set up the perfect matchup with an almost perfect scenario this weekend: If each wins, and keeps his respective team unbeaten, the NFL says they will become the first quarterbacks in league history to defeat 31 teams.
“I think it’s better for a quarterback to do it than a coach,” said Tony Dungy, the league’s first coach to beat all 32 teams. “You only play those NFC teams once every four years, so that’s tough to do.”
It’s so difficult that even the NFL’s record-setting ironman, Brett Favre, has yet to achieve the milestone. Aside from his own Packers, Favre has never beaten Kansas City, Green Bay’s opponent next week.
[...]
Scheduling changes also have made it more difficult. Before 2002, teams played one division from the opposite conference every three years; now it’s every four years. So if Manning or Brady fail Sunday, they won’t get another shot at Carolina or Washington until they’re in their mid-30s. At age 38, Favre may not get another chance at the Chiefs.
It’s an anomaly, more than anything else. Still, it’s an impressive achievement to get 31 wins as an NFL starting quarterback. Getting wins against 31 teams requires continuing to get the opportunity year after year.
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| Wednesday, October 24, 2007 |
The California wildfires have forced half a million people to flee their homes, so football is certainly low on the totem poll of concerns in the situation. Still, the San Diego Chargers have had to deal with the effects of the fire on their families, the use of their stadium as an emergency housing facility, and travel to Arizona so that they could practice for their “home” game against the Houston Texans in breathable air. Now, it looks like they’ll have to play their “home” game in Texas.
The Chargers expect to hear today from Mayor Jerry Sanders whether they can play their scheduled game against the Houston Texans in Qualcomm Stadium, and they are narrowing down contingencies for playing elsewhere. “The Chargers are working closely with Mayor Sanders and the fire and police departments to determine how best to deal with Sunday’s scheduled NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium,†the team said in a statement. “Protecting the public safety is the mayor’s top goal, and the Chargers will continue to cooperate with the mayor to achieve this goal.â€
[...]
Among the issues with playing the game at Qualcomm Stadium are air quality, the availability of police and other support personnel and the fact that several thousand evacuees are currently housed at the stadium.
The Chargers and the NFL are also considering whether playing the game in San Diego is in the best interest of the community. It appears likely the Chargers will end up playing in Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, if they can’t play at home, sources said last night. The Cowboys have a bye Sunday. Dallas makes sense because the game would likely draw more fans than would a game in Arizona, which would ease the financial losses the Chargers will incur. Also, the Chargers would count on the fact LaDainian Tomlinson is from Waco and went to school at nearby TCU, as well as Dallas fans’ acrimony for Houston, to ensure the crowd is not pro-Texans.
The Chargers do have an insurance policy that covers lost gate receipts, but the deductible is extremely high. The team can generally expect a home game to bring a gate of more than $7 million.
Team President Dean Spanos has met several times over the past two days with league Commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as other league and network executives. All are in Philadelphia for league meetings.
The commissioner said yesterday the Chargers and the league are also considering playing in Los Angeles, Phoenix or Houston.
The chief issues working against the game being in Los Angeles are the unpredictability of the Southern California fires and the logistics of staging a game in a non-NFL stadium. An NFL game requires high-definition replay equipment for game officials. The same would presumably be an issue at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Stadium. The Chargers played at ASU in 2003 when the wildfires in San Diego forced them to move a Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins, but Sun Devil Stadium was then the home of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals’ University of Phoenix Stadium is not available Sunday because it is the site of a motorcycle convention.
The game could be played at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. That would likely guarantee a big gate, but the Chargers are concerned about the competitive disadvantage in making the Texans the home team and “would like to avoid†playing there.
A wag at Football Outsiders wonders, “Is there any way we can get the NY Giants an extra home game out of this situation?”
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| Wednesday, October 10, 2007 |
There are still three undefeated teams going into Week 6 of the NFL season: the New England Patriots, defending champion Indianapolis Colts, and the surprising young Dallas Cowboys. They top this week’s Power Rankings as determined by the analysts at ESPN.
| 2007 Power Rankings: Week 6 |
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RK (LW) |
TEAM |
REC |
COMMENT |
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1 (1) |
Patriots |
5-0-0 |
The Pats and Cowboys have met just nine times, so history doesn’t figure to influence Sunday’s game. But if it means anything (OK, it really doesn’t), Bill Belichick is just 1-3 vs. Wade Phillips. |
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2 (2) |
Colts |
5-0-0 |
Raise your hand if you figured Kenton Keith and Craphonso Thorpe (hey, no snickering!) would be integral parts of the Colts’ pummeling of the Bucs. Indy has made a habit of these 5-0 starts. |
 |
3 (3) |
Cowboys |
5-0-0 |
Can a kicker be rookie of the year? Not only did Nick Folk nail the 53-yarder (twice) to beat Buffalo but his execution of the onside kick was flawless. His only missed FG this season was a block by the Bears. |
 |
4 (6) |
Steelers |
4-1-0 |
Want to see a textbook example of how to protect a lead? Check out what the Steelers did Sunday, holding the ball for nearly 25 of the 30 second-half minutes in their 21-0 win over the Seahawks. |
 |
5 (4) |
Packers |
4-1-0 |
The Packers, like most teams, aren’t good enough to turn the ball over five times, commit 12 penalties and still win. ‘We’re not a bad football team, but we’re not great either,’ said Brett Favre after the loss to the Bears. |
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6 (8) |
Jaguars |
3-1-0 |
QB David Garrard is doing the things that make coaches sleep easier — basically, he’s not screwing up. Garrard has yet to throw an interception this season, which helps explain why he ranks 4th in QB ratings. |
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7 (7) |
Titans |
3-1-0 |
For the fourth time since Jeff Fisher became head coach, the Titans have started 3-1. Good news for Tennessee: On those three previous occasions, they made the playoffs. |
 |
8 (13) |
Redskins |
3-1-0 |
The 144 yards allowed to Detroit was the lowest total given up by a Redskins defense in 15 years. It helped that Washington enjoyed a nearly 10-minute edge in time of possession. |
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9 (11) |
Ravens |
3-2-0 |
For the first time since their 2000 Super Bowl season, the Ravens won a game despite scoring only field goals. Injuries to the offensive line might force Baltimore to keep relying on Matt Stover for all its points. |
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10 (5) |
Seahawks |
3-2-0 |
Will having a new lead blocker get Shaun Alexander untracked? Leonard Weaver will be the new lead blocker for Alexander now that 15-year vet Mack Strong is retiring after suffering a herniated disc in his neck. |
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11 (9) |
Buccaneers |
3-2-0 |
If the Bucs are going to be playoff contenders in the second half, they must find a solution (re: trade) to their RB injury woes. Names being mentioned by the Tampa Bay media: Vikings’ Mewelde Moore, Chargers’ Michael Turner, Broncos’ Mike Bell. |
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12 (16) |
Chargers |
2-3-0 |
There are confidence boosters. And then there are CONFIDENCE BOOSTERS. The Chargers got the latter in routing the Broncos and can now move into at least a tie for the AFC West lead by beating the Raiders on Sunday. |
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13 (15) |
Cardinals |
3-2-0 |
With Matt Leinart out and 36-year-old Kurt Warner now the full-time QB, the Cards need a solid backup. But The Arizona Republic reports that it won’t be ex-Cardinal Jake Plummer, who has retired. |
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14 (18) |
Giants |
3-2-0 |
The Giants go into Monday night’s game at Atlanta having won three straight. Inconsistent play is still a troubling sign, though. Eli Manning on Sunday: 22 yards passing in first half, 164 in second half. |
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15 (20) |
Bears |
2-3-0 |
Although the Bears knocked the Packers from the ranks of the unbeatens, just how impressive was the win? The Chicago defense was steamrolled in the first half, and the rushing game produced only 82 yards on 33 attempts. |
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16 (17) |
Texans |
3-2-0 |
Will Kris Brown’s 5-FG performance go down as the greatest kicking day in NFL history? It should. He nailed three from 50-plus yards, including the winner from 57 with one second left to beat the Dolphins. |
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17 (14) |
Panthers |
3-2-0 |
The Panthers are in a precarious state at quarterback. Jake Delhomme is out for the rest of the season. David Carr is banged-up. Undrafted rookie Matt Moore is now the backup. The phone lines will be heating up in Charlotte. |
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18 (12) |
Lions |
3-2-0 |
Take away the fourth-quarter, 34-point explosion against the Bears, and this much-ballyhooed Lions offense has been held out of the end zone in its past 10 quarters. But hey, it can’t be Mike Martz’s fault. After all, he’s an offensive genius. |
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19 (10) |
Broncos |
2-3-0 |
Life figures to get worse before it gets better for the Broncos. They’ve been humiliated at home, have lost three straight and will come out of the bye week with games against Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Detroit. |
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20 (24) |
Raiders |
2-2-0 |
Don’t look now, but your AFC West leaders are … the Raiders, the only team without a losing record. The next two games (San Diego, Kansas City) should provide a better picture of just how seriously we should take Oakland. |
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21 (19) |
49ers |
2-3-0 |
The 49ers rank last in the league in time of possession, and with QB Alex Smith hurt, it doesn’t figure to get better. RB Frank Gore ranks 36th in the league in yards per carry (3.6). |
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22 (22) |
Eagles |
1-3-0 |
Only Detroit (27) has allowed more sacks than the Eagles’ 19, but despite facing intense pressure, quarterback Donovan McNabb has thrown just one interception this season. |
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23 (23) |
Bengals |
1-3-0 |
The Bengals hope to repeat their post-bye-week success of 2003 (when they won six of seven after going into the bye 1-4) and 2004 (when they won five of eight after going into the bye 1-3). |
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24 (25) |
Browns |
2-3-0 |
The last time the Browns won two consecutive games was 2003, and they sure weren’t going to do it Sunday at New England. But give the Browns credit for putting up a fight, even though, as 16-1/2 point underdogs, they still failed to beat the spread. |
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25 (21) |
Chiefs |
2-3-0 |
How bad has it gotten in K.C.? Tight end Tony Gonzalez is hoping the final-play TD the Chiefs scored to avoid being shut out by the Jags is ‘something we can build from.’ Well, might be easier if the Chiefs had a running game. |
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26 (30) |
Bills |
1-4-0 |
The Bills fortunately have a bye week to deal with the anguish of losing a game they should’ve won. But as many big plays as Buffalo made against the Cowboys, Dick Jauron correctly pointed out that it needed just one more. |
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27 (27) |
Vikings |
1-3-0 |
A tough stretch awaits the Vikings coming out of their bye week. They face four consecutive playoff teams from 2006, starting with Sunday’s game at Chicago, then must travel to Green Bay in Week 10. Minnesota needs to improve in a hurry. |
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28 (26) |
Jets |
1-4-0 |
Is Chad Pennington on a short leash? The Jets quarterback has thrown five interceptions in the past two weeks, prompting some discussion that backup Kellen Clemens should start warming up. The Jets need a turnaround. Quick. |
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29 (28) |
Falcons |
1-4-0 |
Warrick Dunn is expected to reach the 10,000-yard career rushing mark this season. But at this rate, it won’t be anytime soon. He gained just 27 yards in the loss to Tennessee, giving him 9,710 for his career. |
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30 (29) |
Saints |
0-4-0 |
Odds are against the Saints’ returning to the playoffs this season. Since the NFL increased the playoff teams to 12 in 1990, just one team — the ’92 Chargers — has made the playoffs after an 0-4 start. |
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31 (32) |
Rams |
0-5-0 |
If St. Louis loses at Baltimore on Sunday, this squad will tie the ’62 Rams for the worst start (0-6) in franchise history. And 0-7 is a distinct possibility, given that the Rams must travel to Seattle in Week 7. |
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32 (31) |
Dolphins |
0-5-0 |
How soon will the John Beck era begin Miami? Trent Green is out, and his career might be over. Cleo Lemon is now the starter, but it’s Beck, the second-round draft pick from BYU, who’s pegged as Miami’s future QB. The future might be now. |
For the second year in a row, the Miami Dolphins are changing starting quarterbacks after playing the Houston Texans.
Dolphins starting quarterback Trent Green suffered a Grade 3 concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans and there is no timetable for his return, according to coach Cam Cameron.
Cleo Lemon, a fourth-year veteran who filled in for Green during Sunday’s 22-19 loss, was named the starter for Sunday’s road game against Cleveland, and will likely keep the job as long as he performs at a high level.
When asked why Green, a 14-year NFL veteran who has a history of suffering bad concussions, should prolong his career instead of retiring, Cameron sidestepped the question by pointing out there are too many unknowns at this time.
“I don’t think we really know the full extend of [the injury]. There are some ongoing tests that are going to take place,” Cameron said. “That’s probably a good question to answer, but there’s probably a legitimate time to answer that question. Right now, I just think there’s too many unknowns, and I don’t see a reason to go there at this point.”
Green laid unconscious on the field for less than five minutes after his head collided with the knee of Houston defensive tackle Travis Johnson while making a legal cut block on a botched reverse.
Cameron’s announcement that he isn’t giving up on Green coming back doesn’t surprise me. A coach always(or should always) expresses confidence in a player after they suffer an injury through no fault of their own.
My opinion- Green won’t play a down at QB until Miami’s bye week(November 5th) has passed or till Buffalo plays at Miami on November 11th. Considering the severity of Green’s concussion and last year’s injury, I say it is only 50-50 he ever plays another down with the Dolphins.
Miami Dolphin Quarterback Trent Green was injured trying to throw a block on a busted play.
HOUSTON — Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green suffered a concussion and was taken off the field on a stretcher Sunday after trying to throw a block against Houston.
The 37-year-old Green was sidelined for more than half of last season for the Kansas City Chiefs after sustaining a concussion in the opener.
The Dolphins had the ball at the Texans 25-yard line when Green tried to pitch the ball to Ted Ginn Jr. The rookie fumbled, then picked the ball up and reversed field as the defense chased him.
Texans defensive tackle Travis Johnson hit Green in the head with his knee before Ginn was tackled by Anthony Weaver. After the play ended, Johnson stood over Green and taunted him, drawing a 15-yard penalty.
Green lay still for several seconds as medical staff rushed to check on him. The Dolphins gathered near midfield and kneeled to pray a few feet away.
While I hope Green has a speedy recovery, you have to wonder if this second concussion could end the veteran’s career. Green is thirty-seven-years-old and was showing his age even before today’s incident.
Two comments on the play
1- What happened was 100% accidental. Green was attempting to throw a block and took a knee to the head.
2- While Ginn scurried around the field on the play, I was yelling for the WR to throw the ball. He has thrown passes in the past. I seem to remember reading somewhere Ginn having the ability to throw the ball.
At half-time Miami is up 16-10. I will be happy if the Dolphins’ prediction I made earlier today turns out to be wrong.
Miami plays at the Houston Texans this afternoon. These two teams have met twice before, in both cases the Texans came out on top but narrowly. Last year’s final score was 17-15. It was the last game Daunte Culpepper played a down for the Dolphins.
Miami’s defense is banged up. Vonne Holliday and Donovin Darius are out.(There is still no sign despite all the injuries that the Dolphins will start Jason Allen. Why doesn’t the team just cut this expensive bust?) The good news, Zach Thomas and Channing Crowder COULD play. All these injuries doesn’t help a team that’s last in the NFL stopping the run and 30th in the league in points allowed. Miami is 3rd against the pass, but that’s a mirage. Neither the Jets or Raiders threw the ball much against Miami. Why should they? Both teams could run the ball down the Dolphins throat at will.
The Texans don’t have a very good running game. Ahman Green is also coming off an injury and will be a game day decision whether he plays or not.
Houston on the other hand has a good young defense, that has been tougher against the run than both Dallas and Washington, two teams Miami struggled against. Ronnie Brown was good the last two weeks but I’m expecting less from him this week. That means the Dolphins chances are liable to ride on the arm of Trent Green. An aging 37-year-old QB who has thrown more INTs than TDs this year.
Can Miami beat Houston? Yes, but I have no confidence in the team at present. A Miami loss today could mean an 0-8 start for the team this year. The schedule isn’t getting easier. My prediction- Houston 24, Miami 17.
Yesterday’s 35-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders was embarrassing on several fronts.
*- Oakland rushed for 299 yards. Backup Justin Fargas rushed for 179 after Raider starter LaMont Jordan was injured late in the first half.
In all honesty, Miami has injury problems on defense at the moment. Zach Thomas missed his second straight game, Vonnie Holliday was also out and Channing Crowder got injured during the game. Still Miami seems good for at least 150 yards a game rushing as long as the opposing team has a halfway decent running back.
Note- Next week’s opponent, The Houston Texans, lack a running game so far this year. Rushing for just 89 yards per game so far this season. That’s 24th in the NFL.
*- Trent Green’s 55.1 passer rating for the game, which included two interceptions and one touchdown throw. That makes 7 INT and 5 TD for the year, at that rate Green will throw 28 by year’s end. Can anyone again tell me why Miami traded for this bozo? Don’t tell me he knows the system Cam Cameron uses. This little bit of news leaves you wondering about that.
Will Cameron keep sending Green out there? You got to remember Miami could have to cough up a fourth round pick instead of a fifth. If Cameron costs Miami a higher pick with the Trent Green futility show, the coach deserves to be fired.
*- Former Dolphin Daunte Culpepper has to be feeling good. He only threw two touchdown passes and ran for three more against Miami.
Granted Culpepper was just 5 for 12 passing the ball. I don’t think Culpepper is playing at his pre-2005 injury ability and doubt the QB ever will.
*- Ted Ginn is still MIA so far as catching passes goes.(Missing in Action not Miami) Anyone think he could be the new Johnny Lam Jones besides me?
*- TE David Martin continues to stink up the field. How Miami management could think Martin was a quality TE is beyond me. Look at his stats prior to 2007. He caught less than 100 passes in six NFL seasons. Injuries or not, that does not make for a good football player.
*- Ethan Skolnick at the Sun-Sentinel’s Season Ticket blog wrote-
For all the talk of Brady Quinn, is it possible that the Dolphins will most regret passing on Amobi Okoye and Patrick Willis?
Compare that with what I wrote in this blog post from last April.
I stick to what I said before, the Dolphins should not draft Brady Quinn. Rather the team should either pick
1- DT Amobi Okoye
or
2- LB Patrick Willis
or
3- Trade down
Miami has the oldest starting defense in the NFL. Its time to upgrade it.
All those paid geniuses in the MSM are finally catching on to how old the Dolphin defense is. Note every single Dolphin prognosticator in yesterday’s Palm Beach Post picked Miami to win. Talk about a bunch of ostriches.
*- 2006 1st round pick Jason Allen is still not good enough to play anything but special teams. Miami ought to either let Allen start and see what he can do, or cut the bum. Salary cap hit or not, if the player isn’t good enough to start, why keep a person on the roster?
*- Another draft bust in the making- 3rd round pick Lorenzo Booker. Miami needed him as a pass catching RB but Booker has yet to play a down this season. Why didn’t Miami use this pick on some help for their aging Defensive line instead. Oh because Dolphin coaching and managment have their heads up their anus.
*- The best part of yesterday’s game? That the start was delayed thirty minutes due to lightning?
No, not that. Ronnie Brown rushed for 134 yards.
Miami stands at 0-4. How bad could things get for Miami? They could well start the year 0-8. Their next four games are against Houston, Cleveland, New England and the New York Giants. All but the Texans average at least 99 yards rushing per game this season. Winning even one of these games may be a daunting task. Miami right now looks at best 4-12 team, and 0-16 is not impossible.
I’m inclined to think Miami can beat Houston, and could get a win versus either the Giants or Cleveland. This is going to be a long year for Miami Dolphin fans, but I been saying that all along.
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| Friday, September 14, 2007 |
The Dallas Cowboys are now the most valuable team in all of professional sports.
The Dallas Cowboys wrested the title of the NFL’s most valuable franchise from the rival Redskins, knocking Washington off the top of the list for the first time in eight years, according to Forbes magazine’s annual survey. Thanks to a new $1 billion stadium set to open in 2009, the Cowboys’ value increased by 28 percent — by far the largest jump among NFL teams this year — to $1.5 billion. They climbed from third to first in the rankings, leapfrogging the Redskins ($1.467 billion) and the New England Patriots ($1.199 billion).
The new stadium added about $350 million to the Cowboys’ value. Jerry Jones can now boast that he owns the world’s most valuable sports franchise, according to Forbes. “Our organization’s incentive has always been to have our franchise recognized as being the best, both on and off the field,” Jones said. “This is recognition of the fans and the many constituencies who have helped build the Dallas Cowboys.”
The Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles again round out the top five and remain the only other franchises worth more than $1 billion. Both New York teams also enjoyed big jumps in the rankings because of a planned stadium. The Giants moved from 15th to eighth with a 9 percent increase to $974 million. The Jets went from 19th to 10th with a 10 percent improvement to $967 million. Their jointly owned, $1.3 billion facility is scheduled to open in 2010. The stadium added about $50 million to each franchise’s value. That number is smaller than the Cowboys’ because the venue isn’t as far along. Forbes expects that the two teams’ rankings will continue to climb as the stadium nears completion. The Cleveland Browns were the only franchise whose value decreased. They rank ninth at $969 million, down from $970 million.
Since the Cowboys were already number three with a 35 year old stadium, this was inevitable. Still, Jones has to enjoy holding this coveted status again.
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| Sunday, August 26, 2007 |
While the Dallas Cowboys have high hopes for the season with the new Wade Phillips-led defense, they face the strong prospect of opening the season without two of their dominant players on that side of the ball, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
It’s difficult to imagine the Dallas Cowboys reaching the Super Bowl with Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn as their starting cornerbacks. Make no mistake. Henry and Glenn are solid players. But neither is in Terence Newman’s class.
With Newman hobbled by plantar fasciitis in his right foot, the Cowboys are facing the prospect of beginning the season without a cornerback Pro Football Weekly rates second only to Denver’s Champ Bailey.
Newman’s ailment is the same one that forced rookie receiver Isaiah Stanback to miss much of his senior season at the University of Washington and all of the Cowboys offseason work. “It is something he needs to stay off of, so that’s what we’re going to do,” coach Wade Phillips said of Newman.
But what if Newman still needs to stay off it come September? Phillips says he thinks Newman will be ready for the opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 9, but Phillips is also the same guy who said this of defensive end Greg Ellis’ bursitis the first day of training camp: “We don’t think it’s serious. It was to be expected that he would have some pain (after rupturing his left Achilles’ tendon in November). But I think (Ellis) will bounce back and do more tomorrow and the next day and the next day.”
Of course, it appears more and more likely that Ellis won’t play in the opener or any other game in the season’s first half. But because they drafted Anthony Spencer in the spring and Bobby Carpenter in 2006, the Cowboys can live without Ellis. The same, however, can’t be said of Newman.
And, unlike outside linebacker, the Cowboys have depth problems at cornerback. The plan now is for the 35-year-old Glenn to fill in for Newman on the left side. But what happens if Glenn goes down? Phillips painted a bleak picture when asked Thursday about the state of the team’s corners not named Newman, Glenn or Henry, who opposing offensive coordinators like to pick on so much.
“I like some of the things they are doing certainly, but I don’t have a great feeling that we’ve got four corners or five corners that can really play,” Phillips said, making it clear he sees nothing special in Nate Jones, Jacques Reeves, Joey Thomas, Quincy Butler and rookies Alan Ball and Courtney Brown.
On the bright side, the Cowboys can compensate for Newman’s injury with a strong pass rush. That’s where Spencer comes in. “We have to whip him into shape,” linebacker Bradie James said. “He has to get out of that college mentality where you just go out and make two big plays and you are done. “But I think he has the character to do it. He will be fine.”
James said he and his defensive teammates haven’t given up on Ellis returning. “If he does return, watch out,” James said. “The sky will be the limit for this defense. If he comes back, offenses not only have to worry about another rusher coming off the edge. They have to worry about Greg Ellis.”
But if Ellis doesn’t return, Spencer is just so-so and Newman is hobbled, the defense could be in for another disappointing season.
Indeed. While Demarcus Ware is the defense’s most exciting player, Newman may well be its most critical. While he lacks the flash of a Deion Sanders and the all-around talent of Bailey, he is the proverbial shut-down corner. Opposing quarterbacks seldom throw the ball his way.
And, as Mickey Spagnola remarks on last nights embarrassing pre-season loss to the hapless Houston Texans,
Here is what the Cowboys learned here Saturday night.
They don’t want to play too many games without cornerback Terence Newman.
They don’t want to play too many more games without Greg Ellis.
And they sure as heck don’t want to play too many games without Terry Glenn.
Indeed.
Let’s start with my “Mr. Indispensable,” Terence Newman, and I will rest my case. The Cowboys were playing without their most significant defensive player, who was left behind at The Ranch to rest his strained heal, something the doctors are calling an acute injury to the plantar fascia, but not the more serious plantar fasciitis, which are two bad words to any athlete.
[...]
And when you play without Newman, there is a trickle-down effect, because now when you go to your nickel defense, there also is no Newman to move into the slot. Now, with Aaron Glenn already in the game, that means you are bringing Nate Jones in off the bench to man the slot.
Then there is playing without Ellis, which the Cowboys have all preseason and since the first practice of training camp, the veteran outside linebacker still trying to convince himself he’s able to play with the bursitis in his heel. Now maybe the Texans are very right-handed in their running game, but boy did they sure seem to have a bull’s-eye on rookie Anthony Spencer, running to the side where the rookie still is making the transition from defensive end in college to outside linebacker in the NFL.
See, everyone seems preoccupied with just who can rush the quarterback. But again, if you can’t stop the run, you can’t rush the quarterback. And the Cowboys, who gave up only 84 yards rushing in the first two preseason games, were gashed for 142 by the Texans, who made doing a better job running the ball a priority before the game. Now maybe you understand why Phillips said, and just a tad tongue in cheek, that if Ellis makes it back for the walk-through practice the day before the Sept. 9 season opener against the Giants he would start the 10th-year veteran. The Cowboys need Ellis’ ability to play the run.
Yep. Not too many teams can survive the loss of its best players unscathed.
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| Thursday, June 28, 2007 |
Who are the best wide receivers in the NFL? ESPN’s Bucky Brooks ranks his top 25.
The top 10:
1. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: The ultimate offensive weapon has almost single-handedly carried the Panthers’ offense the past two seasons. Smith’s outstanding speed, quickness and leaping ability enable him to take over a game, which sets him apart from the rest of the receivers. With a league-best 13 100-yard performances in the past two seasons, Smith has proven to be a dominant force despite lacking a complementary playmaker on the offense. His dominance will continue as he and two-time Pro Bowl QB Jake Delhomme form the foundation of the Panthers’ new offensive attack.
2. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals: The flamboyant playmaker has led the AFC in receiving yards for four consecutive seasons. As a polished receiver with excellent speed and hands, he has thrived as the favorite target of Carson Palmer in the Bengals wide open offense. Still showing a penchant for getting deep, Johnson led the league with eight receptions over 40 yards last season. With Palmer rounding back to Pro Bowl form, expect Johnson to continue to post big numbers.
3. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions: As the “go-to guy” in Mike Martz’s high octane offense, Williams had a breakout season in 2006 with over 1,300 receiving yards and a league-leading 24 receptions over 20 yards. A big, physical receiver with outstanding athleticism and hands, he finally showed the dominant ability that everyone expected when he entered the league. Teaming with Mike Furrey and rookie Calvin Johnson, in the Lions’ version of “The Greatest Show On Turf”, Williams will see more single coverage this season, which spells big trouble for defenses.
4. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts: A polished route runner with excellent quickness and burst, he sets the standard for consistency at the position. As the lead receiver in one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, he has posted eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Even with the emergence of Reggie Wayne, there’s no reason to think Harrison won’t continue to be as effective in 2007.
5. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: The controversial superstar led the league in touchdown receptions in 2006, but suffered a down year by his standards. Though his season totals should have earned him Pro Bowl accolades, his high number of drops diverted attention away from his positive impact on the Dallas offense. Fully recovered from a wrist injury and playing in an offense that will accentuate his strengths, he will have a big season as Tony Romo’s favorite target in 2007.
6. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: The Texans’ "one-man show" hauled in 103 receptions without a legitimate threat on the other side. With an outstanding combination of size, speed and strength, Johnson overpowers smaller defenders in one-on-one match-ups. Though he is sure to see a lot of double coverage, he should see his production rise with new quarterback Matt Schaub under center.
7. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre‘s No. 1 target is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. An outstanding playmaker, Driver has posted over 1,200 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. After earning his first Pro Bowl nomination, he is finally beginning to get the recognition he deserves. With limited weapons in the backfield, Driver may shatter his career highs in receptions and yards in 2007.
8. Javon Walker, Denver Broncos: After posting a 1,000-yard season in his first season as a Bronco, Walker has established himself as Jay Cutler‘s favorite target. A vertical playmaker, he excels at double moves and deep routes off play action. With Travis Henry commanding attention in the backfield, Walker and Cutler should hook up for several big plays in 2007.
9. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: This two-time Pro Bowler has been a dominant force since stepping into the league. Boldin has two 100-catch seasons and three seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards in his four-year career, and few defenders have found a way to slow him down. Using his outstanding athleticism to make up for unpolished route running skills, he does most of his damage as a runner after the catch. With promising Matt Leinart directing a new wide open attack, Boldin will continue to be a force in 2007.
10. Randy Moss, New England Patriots: Once viewed as the best receiver in the league, Moss has fallen from his perch at the top. After displaying lackluster effort and sloppy route running last season, his reputation as one of the premier deep threats has been tarnished. But he is poised to bounce back with a strong season in 2007, when he’ll team with Tom Brady to form a lethal big-play combination.
It’s hard to deny any of these guys are elite receivers, although I’m hard pressed to put a Detroit Lion ahead of Marvin Freakin’ Harrison. And I’m not sure Randy Moss deserves to be considered a top 10 guy until he puts together another good year; it’s been awhile.
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