The Atlanta Falcons: Five “Musts” for a Successful 2009

There’s a lot of talk about the Falcons right now.

Will they have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history?

Will Matt Ryan suffer the dreaded sophomore slump?

Will the defense be worse or better after the postseason purge that sent Keith Brooking, Michael Boley, and Domonique Foxworth in search of new jerseys?

Will Tony Gonzalez make the team substantially better?

So many questions.

However, as the season begins it’s approach, let’s just skip to the end and lay it all out there—let’s forget the questions and just go straight to the answers.

The road will not be easy—the Falcons will enter next season boasting one of the toughest schedules this side of hell.

However, it’s not impossible, improbable, or unlikely that they will emerge victorious.

After all, the games are played on the field—not on paper.

Here are five things that must happen if the Atlanta Falcons are going to win the NFC South and contend for an NFC Championship.

 

1. Matt Ryan has to play like Matt Ryan.

Say what you will about Matt Ryan’s inaugural season.

Contend that he benefited from the presence of a stellar run-game in Michael Turner.

Bring up the fact that Roddy White played better than most thought he could.

Remind us that the offensive line played unexpectedly well and likely won’t duplicate that performance again—and when you say that, please do so in front of Harvey Dahl.

I am sure he may have a thing or two to say about that.

Bring all that up and more and the response will be the same: Matt Ryan is the truth.

He’s not a flash in the pan quarterback who got lucky and won a few games.

No.

Matt Ryan is mature beyond his years with the poise and precision of a guy who has been in the league a lot longer.

He’s confident in the system and knows how to make plays.

He only got better down the stretch and with the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, he will only get better.

He was good last year and the Falcons were an 11-5 team who nearly made it to the second-round of the playoffs.

He’s only going to get better with a year of experience under his belt and a new weapon to catch his passes.

 

2. Peria Jerry needs to live up to his draft pick.

Recent injury questions aside, we need to see Peria Jerry bring his A-game this season.

John Abraham was the lone bright spot last year on an otherwise forgettable starting defensive line.

Jamal Anderson is still trying to figure out how to play his position, but there is some hope that in this, his third-year, he may finally live up to the hype of the top ten pick the Falcons used on him in 2006.

Jerry brings the attitude, the work-ethic, and the technique you need to see in a good pass-rusher.

He is poised to be the big time guy the Falcons need to bolster the pass rush and put more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks in the league.

If he can stay healthy and be the guy he’s thought to be, the defensive line will be a nasty bunch this coming season.

 

3. Tony Gonzalez has to play well.

The Falcons lacked an efficient tight end last year.

We didn’t have weapons…We had guys filling a space on the field.

Matt Ryan made his money on Roddy White and Michael Jenkins and that meant wherever they went…so went the passing game.

However, the glaring hole that was the tight end spot has not only been filled by a sure-fire Hall of Famer, but by a guy who is a team player and a phenomenal leader.

Last season in Kansas City, Tony Gonzalez racked up 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He won’t likely do that again as offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey favors the power-running game, but Gonzalez will give Mularkey the multi-dimensional player he covets in executing a gadget play or two—adding yet another aspect to what promises to be an explosive offense.

Gonzalez also brings with him a will to win and a whole lot of experience to impart to a rather young team.

If he can instill some of that competitive drive into a few of our guys, watch out!

4. They have to beat the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints are a dangerous team.

They lacked a good defense to go with that potent offense and got burned more often than not last year.

The Falcons get the Saints on Monday Night Football this season, and this game will likely determine who truly rules the dirty south.

By the time the two teams meet, the Falcons will either be 4-2 or 2-4, either way the game will turn the tide for the remainder of the season.

The Saints look like they have found their playmaker in Malcolm Jenkins—add to that a healthy Marques Colston and a re-dedicated defense, and you have all the makings of a team that is ready to march on some foes.

The rest of the south isn’t slouching either, but the quarterback questions in Tampa Bay coupled with the Julius Peppers saga in Carolina make me wonder if either of those teams will be worthy opponents this season.

No, for the money the real showdown is between the Saints and the Falcons.

They split the matchups last season, but with the way these teams are setting themselves up this year, it would not surprise me if either swept the other.

 

5. They have to maintain their focus as a team and not get caught up in the hype.

Coach speak is easy.

“Take it one play/game at a time,” “Protect the ball,” “Play smart, don’t make mistakes that can come back and hurt you,” etc.

Coach speak is also true.

The Falcons cannot afford to buy into the hype. They have to take it one game at a time.

The birds have a tremendous shot at being successful this year, despite the schedule.

Both Pittsburgh and Baltimore, respectively, had two of the toughest schedules in the AFC last season and all they did was meet up in the AFC Championship game.

Sounds pretty good to me.

The Falcons might not waltz through this season, but there’s nothing wrong with a little two-step—I hear Tony’s a pretty good dancer.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ New Fitness Regimen Takes Aim at Injury Bug

The Jacksonville Jaguars faced a serious problem during the first game against the division rival Tennessee Titans in 2008. By the end of that game, the team was facing the loss of two starting offensive linemen to season-ending injuries.

It was another season where the team suffered significant injuries at key positions, setting the table for more struggle and disappointment. 

Injuries are always a curious problem, and in many instances it can be nearly impossible for a team to determine where the problem lies. Football is a violent game where injuries are simply a part of the sport. Still, the past few years it seemed like the Jaguars were being dealt more than their fair share of significant injuries.

In an effort to resolve this matter, the Jaguars made the move this offseason to go in a different direction with their strength and conditioning.

Head coach Jack Del Rio fired Mark Asanovich, the long time strength and conditioning coach, near the end of last season. Luke Richesson was brought in as his replacement, and to fit his style the team immediately went about making significant changes to the weight room and training equipment.

Richesson, the self-proclaimed “movement specialist” was hired away from a combine training institute in Tempe, Ariz. His goal for every exercise, whether it is weight training, running, or anything else, will be to keep his players healthy and properly conditioned for the type of movement they are required to perform in the NFL.

Each player was evaluated to determine his mobility and stability. Richesson has a seven-stage test that grades each player from 0 to 21. For those players that score below 14 on the test, the risk of injury is considered to be higher than it would be for those who score in the upper third of the scale. 

Richesson has a solid track record to stand behind. As the head of the program that prepared several players for the NFL combine, he worked with Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs, and Brady Quinn, helping them to improve their power in sprints and in their overall game. 

Richesson is confident that he can turn around the rash of injuries that have become a fact of life in Jacksonville. By catering his training program to raise the mobility and stability scores of his players, he hopes to be able to prevent the same type of nagging injuries that have plagued the Jaguars in recent years, including a high number of hamstring and knee injuries. 

The strength, conditioning, and movement programs are all integrated to help players improve not only in strength and mobility, but also with their overall conditioning and endurance. Preparing for training camp and the demands of the 16-game NFL season will make it imperative that the players are at their peak and ready to go, and Richesson is prepared for the challenge.

It all sounds positive, and the hope is that things will turn around quickly for the jaded Jaguars. It is one of the most difficult issues to identify a cause, and even more challenging to find a fix. The new philosophy sounds effective in theory, but only time will tell.

Fantasy Football Roundtable: NFC East Edition

Now, just a day away from June, it is time to really start gearing up for the up and coming 2009 fantasy football season. Over here at Bruno Boys headquarters that means discussions of events happening around the NFL are in full-force. Today, Bruno Boys Whooley and Bruno Boys Ziza are discussing the NFC East as the Bruno Boys continue to break down the NFL division by division.

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NFC East Burning Questions!

 

1. How will the departure of wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer affect the rest of the New York Giants fantasy value wise?

 

Bruno Boys Whooley: In cutting ties with wide receiver, Plaxico Burress, the New York Giants were already looking thin at the wide receiver position. Add to that, the team’s decision to not bring back Amani Toomer, who had spent all of his 10-year career with the team, and things look even bleaker. With both Burress and Toomer gone, the Giants will hope that their young batch of receivers, consisting of Domenik Hixon (24), Steve Smith (24), Mario Manningham (23), Sinorice Moss (25), and David Tyree (29), can mature rapidly and pick up the receiving load.

 

However, that is a gamble as the young wide outs are sure to suffer from some growing pains during the year.

 

Those growing pains will not only effect quarterback, Eli Manning, and his fantasy value, but they will also hurt both Brandon Jacobs’ and Ahmad Bradshaw’s fantasy value as opposing defenses will be able to focus more on stopping the run than they were in previous years.

 

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: I think the departure of these two receivers will have a prominent affect on the New York Giants as a whole. Let’s start with what many people won’t think of, and that is their DST. If the offense can’t stay on the field as long as in prior years, the defense will have to be out there more.

 

If they have to be out there more, they will wear down more as games goes on, most likely resulting in points scored upon that would not have been there in the past. That will weigh heavily on their fantasy value, dropping them from being one of the top DST to one that now becomes a lower DST1 and possibly even worse.

 

As far as the QB position goes, Eli Manning will be Eli Manning. He will fight for everything that he gets, which is a good trait to have as he will need it as all of his wide receivers are pretty young and unexperienced, with 3rd year man, Steve Smith, becoming the possible WR1 on the Giants, which may or may not translate well for the team.

 

I am going to guess that the Giants become more of a running team, and that will allow opposing defenses to stack the box, which will hurt Brandon Jacobs’ value as well.

 

Granted, it is only May and there is plenty of time before the season starts, but from this Bruno Boys’ point of view, I think the departures will hurt the Giants at least fantasy football wise more than one may think.

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2. How do you see the departure of Terrell Owens affecting the passing game in Dallas?

 

Bruno Boys Whooley: Measuring the affect T.O.’s departure will have on Dallas is bit complicated. On the one hand, the wide out possesses incredible skill while on the field, evident by his three straight seasons with Dallas of 1,000+ yards and 10+ TDs. On the other hand, though, he is a clubhouse cancer that causes teammates more headaches than needed. So, what is the ultimate impact of his departure?

 

Truth be told, while the Cowboys will miss T.O. on the field, especially in the red zone, I believe they have the talent to weather his departure. Roy E. Williams and Patrick Crayton are more than viable options on the outside, while Jason Witten is one of the premier tight ends in the league.

 

Throw in Marion Barber and Felix Jones catching balls out of the back field, and Tony Romo has plenty of options to turn to in this post-T.O. era. Enough so that the Cowboys could very well remain one of the top 10 passing teams in the league – a distinction they held every year T.O. donned the Dallas star.

 

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: The thing that sticks out at me for the most part is that Terrell Owens was by far the biggest red-zone target that Tony Romo possessed on the team. But, that does not mean that Romo’s value will suffer as much as one may initially think. Even without T.O., Dallas still has a great crop of talent; talent that is more interested in winning rather than putting themselves before the team.

 

Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton along with Jason Witten will do more than enough on the field to lessen the loss of Owens.

 

Add in the fact that Felix Jones and Marion Barber can both be efficient as receivers out of the backfield, and it starts to look like the fantasy values of pretty much everyone on the field will go up; however, note that Romo may take a hit somewhat in his touchdown totals.

 

Even with less TDs though, Romo is sure to enjoy the season a lot more as he will be without the constant headache that is T.O., barking in his ear.

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Fantasy Football Preference – NFC East (Based on 12 team, standard scoring leagues)

 

1. Clinton Portis vs. Brian Westbrook vs. Marion Barber vs. Brandon Jacobs

Bruno Boys Whooley: WESTBROOK. In turning 30 prior to the season’s opening, coming off a knee injury, and running behind a revamped line, many experts will warn fantasy owners to stay away from Brian Westbrook; however, I’m not declaring the man a has been just yet.

 

After all, the Eagles’ back has totaled at least 1,233 total yards and 7 TDs in each of his last 5 seasons. With his knee expected to be fully recovered by training camp, Westbrook will be healthy to start 2009, and with the Eagles drafting Jeremy Maclin to play alongside DeSean Jackson, Westbrook should find a few more holes than in years past as the Eagles will boist one of the strongest passing games they have had in recent years.

 

Throw in the addition of LeSean McCoy to keep Westbrook a tad fresher, and 2009 should yield big numbers for Westbrook.

 

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: WESTBROOK. All four of these running backs suffered through injuries the past few seasons, and all four are no doubt gamers as they will be questionable come game day, yet most times they are there starting and excelling week-to-week.

 

The man with the best all around talent though is Westbrook, who will be able to help the Philadelphia Eagles in both the running game and receiving game, making him an object that gives nightmares to most opposing defensive coordinators all season long.

 

I see Westbrook having some of his workload taken from him from rookie LeSean McCoy, a running back that has the same attributes that Westbrook possesses.

 

This will hopefully enable Westbrook to be able to stay a tad bit healthier this year, which could result in Westbrook becoming a top-notch fantasy football running back once again.

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2. Most Improved from 2008 – Tony Romo vs. Donovan McNabb

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: MCNABB. While Tony Romo is undoubtedly the better fantasy football option at quarterback at this point of the year, I think with the addition of solid offensive talent in wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and in left tackle Jason Peters, McNabb has a possibility of becoming a top-notch fantasy football quarterback once again in 2009.

 

He has always had the talent to be a top-play every week when he is in the lineup, but that is his problem, he is usually banged up pretty good. If you remember a few years ago though, McNabb was having as good of a fantasy season as anyone in the game.

 

Now, I am not predicting that, but I am predicting that McNabb finally could have everything at his helm to shoot up the charts and rival others in finishing in the top-5 this year, possibly trumping Romo when all is said and done.

 

Bruno Boys Whooley: ROMO. Had Romo played a full season in 2008, then, without a doubt, I’d be going with Donovan McNabb here. After all, while Romo lost big time target, T.O. this off-season, McNabb received a new toy to play with in dynamic rookie wide out, Jeremy Maclin.

 

However, Romo is the one with the most room to improve on his 2008 numbers as the 3,448 passing yards and 26 TDs he notched came in just 13 games as he missed three games with a broken pinkie. As long as Romo stays healthy for the whole season, he should see an increase in his overall numbers, even with T.O. not in the picture.

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3. New York Giants Defense vs. Philadelphia Eagles Defense

 

Bruno Boys Whooley: PHILADELPHIA. Fantasy owners would be happy to own either of these defenses as both landed in the top 10 among fantasy defenses in 2008; however, in having to choose one over the other, I’m going with the Eagles. Sure, they loss safeties, Brian Dawkins and Sean Considine, and cornerback, Lito Sheppard,  but they did well to fill those holes by bringing in cornerback, Ellis Hobbs, from New England, and safety, Sean Jones, from Cleveland.

 

Meanwhile, the Giants also endured a loss on the defensive side of the ball, and their’s is a bit more detrimental as the team loss defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolu, who took over the head coaching job for the St. Louis Rams.

 

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: PHILADELPHIA. No, I am not smoking anything funny. Both are very talented defensive groups, but when it comes down to it I really believe that the New York Giants offense will take a pretty solid hit in 2009, while the Philadelphia Eagles offense has improved significantly.

 

That being said, the Giants defense will be on the field longer than in years past, while the Eagles defense will most likely stay off the field more often than in the past. That swing for these two solid NFC East defenses gives the nodge to the Eagles. 

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Bruno Boys’ Quick Hits (Opinions Delivered Harder than Ray Lewis Tackles!)

1. Best addition by a team in the NFC East?

Bruno Boys Ziza:  Have you ever heard of addition by subtraction? I am sure everyone has. With that being said, I think the biggest addition was the subtraction of Terrell Owens  from the Dallas Cowboys.

His departure will most likely add fantasy football value to Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Marion Barber and Felix Jones. With that type of possible improvement from all of these players, I really believe the loss of Owens is a huge addition to the Cowboys.

Bruno Boys Whooley: In 2008, the Washington Redskins finished fourth in the league in total defense, allowing just 288.8 yards and 18.5 points per game. Still, team owner, Daniel Snyder, felt there was some room for improvement; thus, he opened up his wallet in order to bring defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth, to town.

 

Haynesworth, who had 9 sacks in 2008, should help a Redskins’ team that tallied just 24 sacks in 2008 get even more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, making them a true contender for that top defensive spot in 2009.
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2. Biggest sleeper from the NFC East?

Bruno Boys Whooley: Typically, in the world of fantasy football, we focus on the third year as being the breakout year for wide receivers, but I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that year two will be DeSean Jackson’s.

The addition of rookie wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, should take some of the pressure off Jackson, who was the team’s primary receiving threat in 2008, racking up 912 receiving yards and 2 receiving TDs. Look for those numbers to rise in 2009.

 

Bruno Boys Ziza: I wasn’t talking jibberish earlier about Donovan McNabb. I really believe that he has the opportunity to shine big time in 2009. With all the additions on offense bringing improvement to an already solid offensive group and the continued effort from a solid defense, McNabb should be on the field longer this year than in years past.

And, now that he has Jeremy Maclin to be a down the field target to go along with DeSean Jackson, I can see a lot of high yardage games coming from that time on the field this year.

I wouldn’t hesitate at all in making him my quarterback this year, but for all of those that do end up with him, do yourself a huge favor and grab a very solid QB2 as McNabb has had issues with staying on the field.
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3. Biggest possible bust for the NFC East?

Bruno Boys Whooley: Eli Manning has been solid during his time as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback, tallying at least 3,200 passing yards and 21 passing TDs in each season since 2005. But, those totals appear to be in jeopardy for 2009.

 

As discussed earlier in this roundtable, the Giants will be without both Plaxico Burress  and Amani Toomer in 2008, leaving Manning with a group of young and inexperienced wide receivers to throw to. As such, Manning could very well regress, making him no more than a low-end QB1 / high-end QB2.

Bruno Boys Ziza: I hate to say it, because I am rooting for the guy, but Brandon Jacobs is going to be targeted heavily this year, unless the New York Giants can establish a solid passing game, which is still up in the air.

Jacobs took a huge step last season becoming a touchdown machine, but if he is focused on heavily, that machine could break down. At this moment, I wouldn’t spend a high pick on Jacobs, rather looking to grab a sure-fire top-notch wide receiver instead, unless someone like Frank Gore slips further down than I expect.
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For more fantasy football insight and advice, click the link below…
Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Vikings’ Camp Review 5/31: Childress Disguised; Johnson Keeps Learning

Vikings head coach Brad Childress, who many think of as a boring, monotone kind of guy, proved that he actually might have a sense of humor during Vikings mini-camp practice on Sunday.

And if he does, it’s an interesting sense of humor.

Childress sported a visor and also a wig that resembled spiked brown hair, making him look like a different person. He addressed the media after practice.

“There’s a bunch of those guys who walked up and had no idea who [I was],” Childress said. “My wife tells me all the time, it’s the bald head that gives you away. Put a hat on.” 

He said his wife Dru-Ann purchased it for him when she was in Florida. This isn’t the first time he had fooled players and others in the football world.

“I wore it to the Senior Bowl with a little bit of a beard and some sun glasses,” he said. “I looked at probably 15 people that I know pretty well in the face and was able to fool them. They didn’t know who it was. Including members of my staff.”

But the practice portion of the day was all business.

Second-year center John Sullivan is impressing coaches with his play during this weekend’s mini-camp session. He will definitely be under the microscope this year if he is the starter after six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk signed with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that just because Sullivan has a different body type than Birk, it doesn’t mean he can’t play at a high level.

“I’m not saying he hasn’t handled himself well (physically), because he has,” Bevell said. “I just think it’s pretty easy mentally for him.”

Quarterback Sage Rosenfels also agreed with Bevell on Sullivan’s mental advantage.

“He’s a very, very smart guy,” Rosenfels said. “He grew up (with a) silver spoon in Greenwich, Conn., so they have a pretty good public-education system there.”

Another second-year player that will likely become a starter this year is safety Tyrell Johnson, who will take over for veteran Darren Sharper after he signed with the New Orleans Saints in March.

Although many have written him in as the starter going into 2009, Johnson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he still must earn his job in practice.

“I see it as being in a competition,” Johnson said. “Everybody tells me, you’re the starter, don’t get a big head. It’s impossible for me to get a big head because I always feel like I have something to prove. I always view myself as the underdog. I always feel myself needing to do better than the next guy.”

“I know it’s not an individual game, but I feel like if there are 11 individuals on the field, shoot to be the best individually and collectively we’ll be good also.”

Starting opposite of Johnson this season will be veteran safety Madieu Williams, who attended the team’s organized team activities two weeks ago so he and Johnson could work on feeling each other out.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier says it is not only important for them to be able to communicate with each other, but it is important for the success of the whole defense.

“We count on those guys to be able to communicate and get information to our corners and also help our linebackers with some information,” Frazier said. “To get those two working together is extremely important. It takes a lot of time and a lot of repetition.”

The Vikings wrapped up their first mandatory mini-camp on Sunday. The team will next hold an OTA (organized team activities) session on June 2 that runs through June 5.

 

Photo by Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune

 

 

Tennessee Titans’ Receiving Corps to Be One Of The NFL’s Most Improved

The NFL’s most elite receiving corps include that of the Arizona Cardinals, with Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and up-and-coming slot receiver Steve Breaston. You would also consider the Green Bay Packers, with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Maybe the New England Patriots with Randy Moss and Wes Welker, or the Buffalo Bills with Lee Evans and Terrell Owens.

However, one of the most fun to watch receiving corps in the 2009 season will undoubtedly feature the Tennessee Titans.

Last year, the Titans finished an abysmal 28th in the league in average receiving yards per game, with a mere 181.4. Only six teams averaged under 200 yards receiving, some including the Oakland Raiders and the Cleveland Browns. Tennessee also finished 28th in receiving touchdowns, and 26th in receptions. However, if you watched Tennessee’s last four games and have paid any attention to their offseason, you would notice that the numbers will almost certainly rise.

In the 2008 NFL season, Justin Gage was crippled with a knee injury. Therefore, his numbers were condensed to only 34 receptions, 651 yards, and six touchdowns during the regular season. Gage didn’t records statistics in five of the Titans’ seventeen regular season and postseason games. The 28-year old Gage showed what he was truly capable of though, nearly carrying the offense in the playoff game versus the Baltimore Ravens by recording 10 catches for 135 yards.

Gage plays a different style than most of the receivers on Tennessee’s roster, or even the NFL for that matter. Gage uses his height at 6-4 and weight at 212 pounds to bully cornerbacks. Most receivers prefer a finesse, speed game, but Gage brings different abilities to the table.

Gage’s biggest problems include his health and consistency. He has missed at least 15 games due to injuries, and no one still believes Gage can get it done. He figures to be the Titans’ number one option heading into 2009 with a lot to prove, but he has the ability to do it.

A free agent Tennessee picked up this offseason is Nate Washington. Formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington thrived with 40 receptions for 631 yards, and three touchdowns despite the circumstances. Such drawbacks were the fact that he was behind tight end Heath Miller, a four-time Pro Bowl selection at wideout in Hines Ward, and Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes. Throw in a quarterback running from his life behind a sub-par offensive line and you’ve got yourself a situation in which you have to work hard.

Washington was one of the team’s deep threats, which is exactly the type of receiver Tennessee lacked. Washington is averaging 16.4 yards per reception for his three-year career, more than any other Tennessee receiver. Washington’s biggest problem is size. He is only 6-1 and 185 pounds, and has taken some hard hits during his career. However, Washington can play, and is just beginning to hit his stride.

Another physical receiver on Tennessee’s roster is rookie Kenny Britt. Britt was drafted as a junior out of Rutgers who showed tremendous ability in the Big East. In his junior season, he recorded 87 receptions for 1,371 yards and seven touchdowns. He was often regarded as a physical threat with the Scarlet Knights, but has had several criticisms. Some don’t like his hands, and say he is too inconsistent. Some don’t like his attitude.

However, those close to Britt, such as head coach Greg Schiano and teammate Tiquan Underwood state that the questions about Britt’s personality are irrelevant. Schiano calls him one of the hardest workers he’s ever coached. Britt, like Gage, has a tough style of receiving. He uses his size (6-3, 218 pounds) and speed (4.4 40 yard-dash times) well together. He is also the only first-round talent (on draft day, that is) on the Titans’ roster. He figures to be solidly in the top four receiver rotation. 

While Tennessee’s wide receivers don’t run much deeper, (perhaps you could consider Lavelle Hawkins) the tight end group in Nashville figures to be one of the best in the NFL. Some of the tight ends include Bo Scaife, Alge Crumpler, Craig Stevens, and Jared Cook.

Scaife has always been a solid tight end for Tennessee. Since his entry into the league in 2005, Scaife has not recorded fewer than 29 catches. Last season was his breakout, when he recorded a team-leading 58 receptions for 561 yards and a pair of scores. Scaife is definitely a possesion receiver, as he averages just 9.6 yards per catch. However, Scaife was relied on early by Kerry Collins and Vince Young this season.

Scaife truly is underrated, and is ready for another strong season in 2009. However, the fact that he is only 6-3 and 250 pounds don’t compute very well together. Scaife relies on pure strength for yardage and touchdowns. He figures to be the top tight end on the depth chart for next season.

Jared Cook, the rookie from South Carolina, could easily be next on the depth chart. Cook is very agile and a strong receiver. He is 6-5 and 240 pounds, and is ready to catch passes. He can be streaky, but even some of the greatest receivers would be with quarterbacks like Chris Smelley and freshman Stephen Garcia. The wisdom of Collins should allow Cook for more offensive production than what he had with the Gamecocks.

Cook left South Carolina as a junior and recorded 37 receptions for 573 yards and three touchdowns. Cook needs to improve his blocking ability, so he will need to probably put on some muscle and be more versatile. However, don’t underestimate Cook. He truly was one of the best in one of the strongest group of tight end draftees in a while.

Crumpler and Stevens will most likely fight for the third spot. Crumpler’s experience gives him an edge, but Stevens’ youth and great blocking ability are better than that of the aging Crumpler. It seems unlikely that Tennessee will keep all four tight ends, so it is likely that at least one of the two is cut or traded by season’s beginning.

Though, with the five man rotation of Gage-Washington-Scaife-Britt-Cook, Tennessee seems much better off than last year’s Crumpler-Gage-Jones-Scaife-McCareins. Tennessee has added youth and speed to there other wise group of bruising receivers. Expect the Titans to boost themselves from 28th to the top half of the league. This group of receivers’ potential is endless.

My Letter To B/R In Regards to David Xaviel’s Antics

I wanted the New England Patriots community here to know that something is being done about the antics of Mr. Xaviel and that we do not have to sit back and stand for what he is doing. I have compiled the evidence against Mr. Xaviel and sent a Violation Report to the Bleacher Report requesting their consideration in the matter. 

 

I believe him to be in violation of many segments of this site’s Terms of Service and I can no longer bite my toungue as he breaks them.

 

Out of decency, I will not post the email or the results of the email publicly, but if you do wish to know the details please private message me and I will send you a copy. If you have your own complaint that you like to register with the site you can email them at TOU@bleacherreport.com

 

Here’s to hoping this is the end of the defamation, harassment, and insults from this writer.

Rex Ryan: “WE’RE GOING TO ATTACK”

“Read and react is for somebody else. We’re going to attack…” newly named Jets head coach Rex Ryan stated about his approach to defense. 

A good attitude is contagious, especially when that attitude comes from the head coach. It’s one of those intangibles that, no matter how much analysis there is, you can never put it on a stats sheet.

It’s what makes the mediocre teams overachieve, and it takes the good teams to the next level. That’s what Mike Tannenbaum hopes new head coach Rex Ryan brings to the Jets.

Jets fans were initially skeptical and impatient bringing in another defensive-minded head coach.

That all changed Coach Ryan’s first week with the Jets, as, after his first press conference as Jets head coach, he warned the league “The Jets are coming…you take a swipe at one of ours, we’ll take a swipe at two of yours.”  This had both the reporters and players salivating, counting down the hours until the start of training camp.

The Jets have the players, and now they have the attitude. It’s an attitude that says “I don’t care who you are, we’re not backing down.”

This is exactly what the Jets need while facing nemesis Bill Belichick. Instead of dreading those two games every year against the Pats, Jet fans are now saying “bring ’em on!”.

There shouldn’t be a long adjustment period with the coaching change, since Ryan utilizes a seemingly interchangeable defense from last year. He plays a 3-4 defense, which is what the Jets already have in place, with monster-man Kris Jenkins in the middle and Calvin Pace right next to him. 

One change in the defensive play-calling Jets fans may see is a lot more blitzing. Whereas Mangini was conservative with blitzes, Ryan is a believer and has no problem rolling the dice in order to get quick pressure on the opposing quarterback.

It also seemed obvious at times to the average fan that Mangini was on a learning curve, figuring out certain situations by trial and error. Ryan has great defensive football genes pumping through his blood (his father Buddy was the famed defensive coordinator on the 1985 Bears).

Ryan is coming into this job much more seasoned than Mangini, who had only one year’s experience as defensive coordinator before joining the Jets. Ryan is confident in his play calling and will not second-guess himself, because he has been in all the tough situations before.

Ryan brought Mike Pettine with him from Baltimore, naming him defensive coordinator, which means they should be on the same page as far as a defensive scheme.

Pettine was formerly the outside linebackers coach for the Ravens, who employed one of the most fearsome linebacker corps in the league.

One thing to watch for is if Ryan employs the 46 defense to free up the linebackers. Ryan brought back the 46 in Baltimore, which his father made famous with the ’85 Bears.

Mangini was always a little too much of Belichick, but without the rings. His expressionless face on a failed play would sometimes anger fans more so than the play itself. 

Jet fans who bleed green and white want to see someone getting fired up after a play backfires, and Ryan just may very well be the guy for that.

Fantasy Rankings: NFC East Running Backs in 2009

The NFC East features a collection of talented runners, who also happen to rank among the elite in fantasy. Here’s how they rate in 2009.

1. Brandon Jacobs

The mammoth Giants back put up over 1,000 yards in 13 games last season and scored 15 TDs. His biggest obstacle to overcome is the injury bug, as he’s been unable to stay healthy for an entire season in each of his two seasons as the full-time starter. But with the Giants more committed to the run in 2009, look for Jacobs to have his number called 15-20 times per game and put up big numbers, especially in the six-point variety.

 

2. Brian Westbrook

Westbrook is still one of the top two or three most dangerous game breakers in the NFL, but age seems to be catching up and the injuries over the past few seasons are beginning to take their toll. The Eagles went out and drafted LeSean McCoy in the second round this year, so look for Westbrook’s load to be lightened. But he’ll still be a 1st round selection and solid fantasy threat.

 

3. Marion Barber

The Cowboys will adjust to the loss of T.O. by focusing more on the running game. And Barber will be the beneficiary of the increased carries. He seemed to wear down towards the end of last season—his first as the full-time starter—and sustained a toe injury, but we like him to bounce back with over 1,000 yards and double digit TDs in 2009. He’s also very good as a receiver out of the backfield.

 

4. Clinton Portis

Portis is still a premier back, but he was used heavily last season and began to wear down towards the end. The Skins don’t have too many weapons (outside of Portis) to put fear into opposing defenses and play in the toughest division in football, as the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles all possess top 10 defenses. Look for Portis to post solid numbers, but we expect his carries, yards and TDs to be lessened in 2009.

 

5. Ahmad Bradshaw

Bradshaw finally assumes the No. 2 role in the Giants running back rotation and should provide an excellent change of pace to the bruising Jacobs. In his limited time during the 2007 Super Bowl run, he showed flashes of brilliance. Now, he gets to show what he can do over the course of the season, and we expect he’ll put up 1,000 yards and break a few long TDs.

 

6. Felix Jones

Before injuring himself, Jones showed his tremendous speed and took a few balls—on both special teams and out of the backfield—to the house. As the complement to Barber, and with the Cowboys relying more on their running game as well, look for Jones to have the opportunity to get between 700-900 yards and take a few more to the house.

Seattle Seahawks Breakdown: Defense (2009 ed)

Gotta love Lofa Tatupu (man that guy is a beast). Now to the article. I’m sure we all remember the old saying, “defense wins championships” and considering the Pitsburgh Squeelers superbowl win last year its a hard statement to rebuff.

I’m going to breakdown the Seahawks defense for the upcoming season and see if they have what it takes to get back into the top ten in the nfl and possibly the top five. Also what that might translate to in terms of wins and losses.

With the change in coaching staff the effects could potentially thrust the defense upward or be one step forward and two steps back.

The new defensive philosophy of Casey Bradley will incorporate a variation of the “tampa two” defense that has safeties each playing 1/2 of the field in deep zone, the inside linebacker Lofa Totupu playing midfield coverage, an increase in blitzing, an aggressive mindset, and a majority of pressure generated by the front four.

This new approach at defense should create more turnovers with the increased pressure on quarterbacks and runningbacks whithout giving up big plays. This will be due mainly to the coverage assignments of the safeties, cornerbacks, and inside linebacker.

The aggressive style of play should be an upgrade over the stagnent play of the overworked defense of the 2008 season.

Now to take a closer look at each position in more depth.

Tom Coughlin has Come Through for the Giants

On the heels of a devastating 2003 season with losses stemming from porous special teams, injuries, penalties, and a team flat out quitting on its coach, the Giants brass knew right away what they were looking for in a coach.

 

And they didn’t have to look far.

 

Tom Coughlin had been unemployed for only a year before the Giants came calling for him in desperate need of a disciplinarian. General Manager Ernie Accorsi was so confident he would revive the Giants bleak standing that he told Wellington Mara, “If we don’t win with this guy, I’m taking up tennis.”

 

A bold statement coming from a man whose team he had built was in complete disarray and would have to go under a rebuilding phase. But Accorsi, wise to the ebbs and flows of NFL life, knew Coughlin was the exact man to rebuild his player personnel around.

 

Coughlin’s first press conference as Giants head coach came before the inevitable changes, but his stance on transforming the Giants was clear.

 

His initial statement was to restore pride into an organization that was three years removed from a devastating Super Bowl loss that the team as a whole, seemingly, was unable to recover from.

 

Before he was even asked a question, he immediately declared that they would predicate their offense off the success of the running game, and attain defensive success as long as their big guys hold down the opponent’s rushing attack.

 

He reiterated that turnovers and costly penalties would be unacceptable by explaining that in today’s NFL, “More games are lost than are won.”

 

A short while after the press conference, he surprisingly blasted the coach he succeeded by stating the injuries suffered under Fassel’s regime were a cancer, and were more of a mental thing than anything else.

 

Tom Coughlin came into this job in 2004 with a vision. Through the majority of the next three seasons, this vision was denied by hostility in the locker room, an unwillingness to adapt from the softer Jim Fassel to the stricter ways of Tom Coughlin, and the underachieving of prize-quarterback Eli Manning.

 

Coughlin could do little more to repair the third variable in the equation. Manning was progressing at a much slower rate than the fanbase and media was expecting, and suffered through constant criticism.

 

However, the egos and hesitance to accept the new philosophies at the Meadowlands were an uphill battle for Coughlin. Mere months into Coughlin’s stint as a head coach came a controversy in which a group of anonymous players reported to the NFL Players’ Association complaining of workouts that were simply too vigorous. Clearly, the stench of Jim Fassel had not yet left the facility.

 

Coughlin’s insistence to demand all 53 players adhere to his rules protruded to even the persona of Michael Strahan, who arrived two minutes early to an 8:25 meeting, but according to Coughlin’s watch was three minutes late. The two later engaged in a heated argument and the subject was quickly put to rest

 

Nonetheless, the hostility remained. Through the next three seasons, personalities such as Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey, and Michael Strahan participated in a conflict of some sort that involved disagreement with Coughlin’s policies. The issues were typically kept quiet, but the dissension between players and coach were blatant.

 

Through all of the complaining, the benefits of Coughlin’s principles have been apparent. They are currently riding a streak of four straight playoff appearances. After stressing the importance of special teams in his introduction, the Giants led the NFL in field position in 2004. While they haven’t led the league since, they have been consistently in the top 10 in this category.

 

Through Coughlin’s first four seasons as head coach, the Giants had just 101 turnovers in 64 games. The Giants increased on this exponentially in 2008, averaging less than one turnover a game through the regular season—placing them with only seven other teams in NFL history.

 

One of Coughlin’s stated goals was to instill the confidence in his team that they could win games in the fourth quarter. In the Giants Super Bowl season, the Giants won a multitude of close games, and lost only one game by single digits: the 38-35 season finale against the Patriots.

 

The list of Coughlin coming through on his initial promises can go on. The adversity he and the team persevered through to become one of the league’s elite is a reflection of Coughlin’s confidence in his philosophies.

 

He had to alter some of his convictions as a coach to propel the Giants to greatness, but even prior to those changes he had still done a marvelous job taking a team that had lost eight straight to end a season into a playoff caliber team.

 

Coughlin’s turbulent ride as a head coach has been both frustrating and frivolous. However, it is imperative to recognize him for accomplishing his stated goals from Day One.

 

Way to go, Coach.

 

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