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Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills Links, 11/12

MattRichWarren, Buffalo Rumblings — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:05:20 -0000

Scott to start at LB? – Inside The Bills
Scott got some first team reps at linebacker Wednesday. Nic Harris seems to be the alternative to Scott.

Sullivan: As T.O. fades, Bills should look at Hardy : The Buffalo News
Jerry Sullivan suggests that James Hardy should get some of T.O.'s reps at wideout.

Midseason Report: Bills - AFC East - ESPN
Tim Graham breaks down the Bills at the halfway point of their year.

Bills look to James Hardy to help passing game | ProFootballTalk.com
Hardy will try to erase the memory of his disastrous rookie year after getting activated Wednesday from the physically unable to perform list.

Whitner believes he’s ready – Inside The Bills
"Felt pretty good," said Donte Whitner after Wednesday’s practice. "Did a little more than I did the other day. So it feels good."

Omon likely to return – Inside The Bills
Omon has appeared in just six career games (four in 2009), so he still has practice squad eligibility. It’s presumed that provided Omon clears waivers that the Bills will sign him to their eight-man practice squad.

Buffalo Bills NFL News Updates - CBSSports.com Rapid Reports
- Bills QB Trent Edwards will start this week against Tennessee. He has not played since suffering a concussion on Oct. 18 against the New York Jets. "Trent’s earned the right to be back in there and we’re really looking forward to seeing him play," coach Dick Jauron said.
- It looks like there's a good possibility Bills SS Bryan Scott could start in place of the injured Keith Ellison at LB this week. "We’ve been so unlucky there (with injuries) that it gives us what we think may be our best shot," coach Dick Jauron said.

Bills speak up with confidence : Buffalo Bills : The Buffalo News
Here are some reasons the Bills might be ready to play a watchable game on offense this week in Tennessee from reporter Mark Gaughan.

Owens tops Bills' injury list : Buffalo Bills : The Buffalo News
Bills receiver Terrell Owens was among several Bills not practicing fully on Wednesday. Full details here.

Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans Series at a Glance - Music City Miracles
A look at the series history between the Bills and Titans.

Video: AFC East injury update - AFC East - ESPN
ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell takes a look at injuries to Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens and other AFC East players.

Dungy: Vick to Bills 'an intriguing situation' - AFC East - ESPN
"That was just my personal opinion," Dungy said. "I didn't have anything to base that on, no conversations with anyone else. They haven't gotten consistent quarterback play in the last three or four years. That's probably been their Achilles' heel. I think it could be an intriguing situation."

Video: Midseason AFC East Report Card - AFC East - ESPN
ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton gives you his midseason grades for each team in the AFC East.

Should the Bills reinstall Trent Edwards at QB? - AFC East - ESPN
ESPN Stats & Information data digger Matt Lyon passed along some interesting stats that illustrate the differences between Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Fun with AccuScore: Playoff field and draft order - AFC East - ESPN
The Buffalo Bills are given a 1.1 percent chance at the playoffs and 0.3 percent at the division. They are currently projected to draft ninth.

POLLOCK: Do you really think Vick’s a fit for Bills? | Olean Times Herald
Chuck Pollack gives his thoughts on Vick to the Bills.

tennessean.com | Nashville Tennessee Titans | The Tennessean
The Titans page of the Tennessean website. Know they enemy.

Edwards back in starting role for Buffalo Bills | Democrat and Chronicle
Trent Edwards will be back as Buffalo's starting quarterback Sunday when the Bills travel to Tennessee to take on the rejuvenated Titans.

Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans Series at a Glance - Music City Miracles
A look at the series history between the Bills and Titans.

AFC & NFC News N' Notes - Baltimore Beatdown
AFC & NFC News n' Notes comes from the NFL and has mid season projections for players and teams in both conferences. Scroll down for Bills info.

NFL Week 10 Power Rankings: Steelers Making Themselves Heard - SB Nation
The Bills drop from 24 to 25 in this week's poll of SBN bloggers as the Titans jump from 26 to 23.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 11/12

NJ Chiefs Fan, Arrowhead Pride — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:55:23 -0000

via sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Todd Haley rattled off a bunch of statistical areas where the Chiefs rank quite well among the league’s 32 teams. But he allowed after he was done that "stats are for losers." There’s no doubt the ‘09 Chiefs are losers right now, tied for the worst record in the NFL.

Then there are all those others numbers, losers of 27 of their last 30 and 37 of their last 44.

So many fans and pundits wanted change at Arrowhead and rebuilding. It’s doubtful they remembered just how painful it can be. After eight games, the current Chiefs rebuilding job is the ugliest in franchise history.

Ultimate Rebuilding Pain … Thursday Cup O’Chiefs from Bob Gretz

The Chiefs, tangled in recent weeks in the storm surrounding the suspension and release of running back Larry Johnson, are trying to move past the controversy and find a way to win a game.
That will put things out of kilter Sunday when the 1-7 Chiefs play the 2-6 Raiders in Oakland. The Raiders have had a tumultuous season, even by their standards, but things in Oakland have been relatively peaceful the past couple of weeks.

The Chiefs aren’t strangers to controversy, particularly as it relates to Johnson, but normally that’s an area where they can’t compete with the Raiders. Oakland almost always had a drama or two keeping the Raiders occupied.

Raiders won't gloat over Johnson's departure from the Chiefs from KC Star

Chiefs guard Mike Goff was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and the shoulder injury that kept him out of Sunday’s starting lineup also will end the veteran’s season.

Kansas City signed Goff during the offseason, after he had played his first 11 seasons with Cincinnati and San Diego. Goff, 33, started the first seven games this season.

Coach Todd Haley said Wednesday that Andy Alleman probably will move into the starting role. Alleman, whom the Chiefs acquired in a trade earlier this season with Miami, started against Jacksonville.

Goff will miss remainder of season from KC Star

The Kansas Chiefs and Oakland Raiders have been making plenty of headlines the past few weeks, but not for any reasons they'd like.

In a matchup of two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Chiefs will take the field Sunday without Larry Johnson, who was released for making inappropriate comments, against a Raiders team dealing with more allegations of coach Tom Cable's history of violent behavior toward women.

Kansas City (1-7) is set to play its first game without Johnson on its roster since 2002 after the two-time Pro Bowl running back was released Monday. He was initially suspended for posting on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulting followers and questioning the competence of coach Todd Haley.

Riders vs. Chiefs from CBS Sports

A ROSE: My congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs Football Club for taking a principled stand on the actions of team members. Mr. Larry Johnson has a substantial record of disregard for the efforts of others and Missourians do not take this lightly.

Roses & Thorns from News-Leader.com

Brought in for his breakaway speed that Oakland hoped would revive the vertical passing game, Heyward-Bey has only five catches for 74 yards and no touchdowns in his first eight games as a pro.

"I haven't made the plays I wanted to make, but I've definitely been solid just looking at my grades that come out of the game. ... I've been very solid. There's always room for improvement as a whole receiving corps. We've been all right. We've been all right."

Oakland's receivers have once again been one of the worst groups in the league, catching just 28 passes the entire first half of the season.

But coach Tom Cable last week singled out Heyward-Bey's performance in the previous two games as one of the highlights of the first half. Heyward-Bey had three catches for 38 yards in those two games, hardly the production expected out of a top 10 pick but better than what he had done in the first six games.

Heyward-Bey remains confident despite struggles from MercuryNews.com

PewterReport.com is issuing a correction about a comment from Charlie Campbell's PI Quick Hits article posted on November 2. After the 2009 NFL Draft the Bucs had some change over in the Bucs scouting department.

In the article it stated that the Bucs "dropped" former scout Dom Green. Since publication of the article, Pewter Report has learned that Green was offered a contract to stay with the Buccaneers, but he chose to take a position with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Correction: Scout Dom Green Chose KC over TB from PewterReport.com

THIS SUNDAY, the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League will honor Native American Heritage Month at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Native American Heritage Month recognizes the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.

I commend the Raiders organization for honoring the contributions of Native Americans, but I question their choice of opponent — the Kansas City Chiefs.

Is it possible to be any more insensitive in the selection of an opponent for an event that began with, what I view, as good intentions?

Byron Williams: Good to honor Native Americans, but Raiders opponent is an insensitive choice from The Oakland Tribune

Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year created a spoof of The Office to send up their front office operations, now they're bringing again with a riff on 30 Rock.

For the most part, it's spot on, especially in the production values. The moments where it seemed the most strained are when the two guys impersonating Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan are on screen. But given that those are the two most talented performers on 30 Rock, it's a forgivable misstep. That and the KC Wolf character is kind of annoying, but then they have to work in the mascot somehow, I guess.

The video is after the jump, as it's one of those annoying ones that starts automatically when you open the page. A commendable show of humor, especially for a franchise that employs a coach who clearly takes everything way too seriously.
Chiefs Better at TV Spoofs Than Football from The Sporting News

Lance Long. You know, that smurfy slot receiver in his first year from Mississippi State? He’s not a rookie, technically, but Long might as well be.

The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Detroit native has experience in this offense and familiarity with head coach Todd Haley. As you may remember (like it was eons ago or something), Haley called the plays for the Arizona Cardinals‘ high-flying passing attack last year. What you may not have known is Long spent that entire year on Arizona’s practice squad.

Fantasy owners need to start going Long from KFFL.com

No Player Tweets

Media and Fans

Fake_J_Russell: Been real busy this week ... loading up on calories for the game against the #chiefs Lots of burgers and fries. #raiders

Slimlicious99: @superdj56 Come on DJ you gotta get on the field more. Im a Chiefs and a Longhorn. You are my favorite player for sure.

amandarykoff: Let's face it, when the Raiders play the Chiefs, there really are no winners.

SI_JimTrotter: OAK more talented on field, KC is superior in the front office. RT @SportsJunkie854 How long till Raiders or Chiefs make playoffs?

Jon Runyan wants to run for congress

JasonB, Bleeding Green Nation — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:00:21 -0000

Yesterday, former Eagle Jon Runyan confirmed via a press release that he's considering a run for congress in South Jersey.

"I am seriously considering becoming a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. Our great country is headed in the wrong direction, and it’s clearer every day that career politicians are incapable of solving the problems we face.

I am grateful for the tremendous support and encouragement I have received while talking to people throughout South Jersey about running for Congress and I look forward to having more to say on this subject in the weeks ahead."

I have to say... I hope he doesn't do this. Everyone in our area likes big Jon now, but as soon as he inevitably joins some party half of everyone will hate him. He'll cease to be the personable, fun guy we've all come to know. If you don't believe that... just re-read that antiseptic press release, did that sound like Jon Runyan to you? Not really...

Plus, you just know we'll be hearing corny lines like "I'm going to protect our country's blind side!" I also have to wonder how good of a politician he'd actually make. From what I remember his biggest issue was trying to get Andy Reid to run the ball more... needles to say he was unable to influence the guy in charge. I kid... but seriously don't do Jon.

Now if Runyan does insist on running, maybe we can get Michael Strahan to run against him. Get the old rivalry started up again...

Golden Nuggets: Win or bust

Ninjames, Niners Nation — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:00:17 -0000

Mooorning, folks. I'm writing this a couple hours early as I have to get plenty of sleep for the game today. I'll be showing up quite a few hours early, as usual, just long enough to actually begin thinking positively for this game. Don't get me wrong, I haven't given up on this team and I don't think I ever will, but I just don't feel so good about this season anymore. Still, as always, I should be yelling until my throat gives out. I want it to be like the Rams game or the Seahawks game, when not only could I not speak but I also found it hard to grip anything--the guys surrounding me give pretty vicious high fives, ya know? On Sunday I didn't get many opportunities to do that, my hand was left un-fived. I'm getting more and more tired so I'm just going to get to your links.

Ex-49ers offensive coordinator and Rams head coach Mike Martz isn't sold on Alex Smith or Shaun Hill as good quarterbacks for the future of the Niners. (SacBee.com)

Isaac Bruce wont be suiting up today--but WR Jason Hill will. Bruce allegedly hurt his ankle in practice, but methinks the 49ers just want Hill. (PressDemocrat.com)

Some good notes, quotes and a preview of today's game from Maiocco. (PressDemocrat.com)

Today's game will speak louder than Vernon Davis' words. (PressDemocrat.com)

I don't really follow how this is getting weird, but I guess it is. I sort of figured confidence was a given before a game? Guess not. (SFGate.com)

Vernon Davis' comments have him on the defensive now. (ESPN.com)

Here's yesterday's edition of Singletary's Notebook. (49ers.com)

The 49ers are prepared for the spotlight. (49ers.com)

Chargers by the (Jersey) Numbers: #41

Andy (allfield), Bolts From The Blue — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:08:50 -0000

41 could easily be subtitled "The Battle of the Backs." No less than three solid running back choices and one of the greatest pure fullbacks of all time vie for the coveted Golden Jersey.

The Runner Up

Terrell Fletcher, RB

I hereby anoint T-Fletch to be the sacrificial lamb Running Back to go up against the mighty valiant Fullback that would slaughter him or Earnest Jackson or Bo Matthews.

The fact is that in 8 seasons with the Bolts, Fletcher was a pretty nice option, especially on 3^rd down. Good quickness – if not straight-ahead speed – and an ability to grind out tough yards if it meant getting the 1^st down.

Fletcher was one of those all-around versatile backs who did just about everything for the Chargers. He ran the ball, caught the ball, picked up blitzing linebackers, played special teams, returned punts, even threw a touchdown pass.

His statistics were never much to shout about, but that probably had more to do with the lousy teams he was on and coach’s he played for. It’s too bad Fletcher didn’t get to experience the good times of the Schottenheimer years. But the fact that he played his entire career with the Chargers is certainly worth more than any other Honorable Mention.

The Winner

(looking for someone to hit)

Lorenzo Neal, FB

Although I don’t really like to consider guys who could contend for some other team’s Golden Jersey, there’s no denying what Neal meant to this team, and in a weird way, still means.

The Chargers never had a true blocking fullback the caliber of Neal until Neal. Although he caught an occasional pass (and it was usually a pretty ugly sight), and sometimes ran the ball (anyone who knew anything about the Chargers during his time knew that 3^rd or 4^th and 1 meant Neal time), but his primary purpose for being was to lead block for LT. Sacrifice his body for the glory of someone else. But in the process, team glory.

Neal’s stats as a Charger are laughable – almost as laughable as the times he would actually run back (while carrying the ball) to hit an opponent, like he was blocking for himself. He never totaled more than 250 yards from scrimmage. He never scored more than 1 touchdown in a season for the team. But obviously what he meant to the team goes well beyond statistics – even LT’s statistics. The question remains: was LT a better running back with Neal blocking for him? Statistically speaking, not as much as you might think (see chart below). Would LT be doing better now if Neal were still blocking for him? Probably not. But because we as fans saw what a high quality fullback can bring to the table, we will forever question the lack of one.

LT’s Rushing statistics (shaded years are with Lorenzo Neal)

Year	Attempts	Yards	TDs	Yds/Att	Yds/Game
2002	372	1683	14	4.5	105.2
2003	313	1645	13	5.3	102.8
2004	339	1335	17	3.9	89.0
2005	339	1462	18	4.3	91.4
2006	348	*1815*	28	5.2	*113.4*
2007	315	*1474*	15	4.7	92.1
2008	292	1110	11	3.8	69.4

The Rest

Charlie Flowers, RB

Earnest Jackson, RB

Bo Matthews, RB

Booker Russell, RB

King Simmons, S

Phil Tuckett, WR

Nat Whitmyer, DB

Catching Up With The Raiders: Raider History Revealed

saint, Silver And Black Pride — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:15:51 -0000

When I thought of the questions that I posed in Yesterday's Segment, Oakland Raider Trivia, I was struggling to think of question that were pertinent and gave me hope. I didn't know the answers to 4 of the questions, but I wanted to know, and tonight I will know.

Here are the answers:

1) Which team loaned the Raiders 400k in order to continue playing football? What was the owner's name?

That team was the Buffalo Bills. Ralph Wilson was the means to this end. Without Upstate New York, there would be NO Oakland Raiders. And to think that without without Marshawn Lynch and Langston Walker there would be NO...Well...On Second Thought...Nevermind!

2) What is the Current Value of the team?

In 2008, the Oakland Raiders were valued at $861 Million Dollars. In 2009, their value has fallen to $797 Million. That is not bad, especially considering that the team was bought for 180k by Al Davis in 1966!

3) Who is the Raider Fanchise Leader in Tackles? Sacks?

This question is more of an "Opinion Section". Tackles were not counted as an official stat in the NFL until 2001, so Tatum is my choice..Followed by Stuart Schweigert.

As for the sacks, they weren't official until 1982, there is no way to say who the Raider leader really is. I mean how many times did our defensive line, linebackers or defensive backs get the opposing QB behind the line of scrimmage before there was a stat for it?

I'd have to say Sean Jones, but I am probably WAY off.

4) Who played the most seasons in an Oakland Raider Uniform?

Jim Otto played in the silver and black for 15 years. From 1960-1974, he was the backbone of the team, and to this day is Mr. Raider. I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Otto, and he is class...pure class.

5) How many Raiders have won the NFL MVP while playing for the organization? Names?

The answer is 3, and, none of them repeated.

Kenny Stabler was the first Silver and Black MVP in 1974.

Marcus Allen stepped up in LA 11 Sseasons later, in 1985 and won the MVP.

Rich Gannon picked up the hardware in 2002.

So, there is some history, I feel much better now. Just being able to throw around the names of past and bask in past glory makes me proud to be a Raider fan and it is good to have this new knowledge.

Go RAIDERS!!!!

A Statistical Look at the St. Louis Rams Offense

Saintsational, Canal Street Chronicles — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:26 -0000

Season Stats

St. Louis

Total First Downs 133

Rushing 39

Passing 81

Penalty 13

3rd Down: Made/Att 33/103

3rd Down Pct. 32.0%

4th Down: Made/Att 3/10

4th Down Pct. 30.0%

Possession Avg. 27:57

Total Net Yards 2301

Avg. Per Game 287.6

Total Plays 477

Avg. Per Play 4.8

Net Yards Rushing 929

Avg. Per Game 116.1

Total Rushes 204

Net Yards Passing 1372

Avg. Per Game 171.5

Sacked/Yards Lost 16/101

Gross Yards 1473

Attempts/Completions 257/145

Completion Pct. 56.4%

Had Intercepted 7

Scoring

Touchdowns	8
Rushing	1
Passing	6
Returns	1

Score By Periods	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Pts
Rams	13	34	6	24	0	77

Team Ranking and Comparison

Team	Yds / Game	Yds / Play	Rush Yds / Game	Rush Yds / Play	Pass Yds / Game	Pass Yds / Play	Intercept. Rate	Sacks / Pass Att.	First Downs / Game	Punt Return Avg	Kickoff Return Avg	Field Goals Made	3rd Down Pct	4th Down Pct	Red Zone Pct	Goal to Go%	Avg Time of Poss.	Pts / Game
SL	287.6	4.82	116.1	4.55	171.5	5.34	2.72%	6.23%	16.6	8.0	22.4	70.00%	32.04%	30.00%	23.53%	16.67%	27:57	9.6
Rank	26	25	13t	7	25	26	18	14	24	17	19	28t	26	27	32	32	27	32
NO Defensive Rank	16	11	19	22	16	8	1	19	9t	27	28	--	3	18	3	3	--	--

Individual Stats

Passing	Att	Cmp	Yds	Cmp%	Yds/Att	TD	TD%	Int	Int%	Long	Sack	Lost	Rating
M.Bulger	170	95	956	55.9%	5.6	3	1.8%	4	2.4%	50	9/	56	68.2
K.Boller	86	49	481	57.0%	5.6	2	2.3%	3	3.5%	35	7/	45	66.1
J.Brown	1	1	36	100.0%	36.0	1	100.0%	0	0.0%	36t	0/	0	158.3
Team	257	145	1473	56.4%	5.7	6	2.3%	7	2.7%	50	16/	101	69.4

Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
S.Jackson	165	784	4.8	58	1
K.Darby	11	57	5.2	13	0
K.Boller	9	37	4.1	13	0
S.Gado	9	23	2.6	11	0
M.Bulger	6	12	2.0	6	0
M.Karney	2	8	4.0	8	0
D.Avery	1	8	8.0	8	0
D.Amendola	1	0	0.0	0	0
Team	204	929	4.6	58	1

Receiving	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
K.Burton	25	253	10.1	25	0
S.Jackson	24	186	7.8	38	0
D.Avery	22	286	13.0	50	2
R.McMichael	20	201	10.1	35	0
D.Amendola	15	128	8.5	14	0
L.Robinson	13	167	12.8	45	1
D.Fells	13	160	12.3	36t	3
M.Karney	5	15	3.0	9	0
K.Darby	4	21	5.3	9	0
B.Bajema	2	43	21.5	27	0
S.Gado	1	7	7.0	7	0
T.Carter	1	6	6.0	6	0
R.Martin	0	0	0	0	0
B.Gibson	0	0	0	0	0
Team	145	1473	10.2	50	6

Packers Preview: Packers Offer Fuzzy Target to Cowboys

Rafael Vela, Blogging The Boys — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:01:41 -0000

More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Cowboys rushers hope to repeat this scene often Sunday afternoon. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Browse more photos »

Who are these guys?

The Green Bay fans are still trying to figure it out. Cowboys fans hope the Packers continue their identity crisis at least until next Monday. The Packers enter their matchup with Dallas at 4-4. A shaky, flawed 4-4 and yet, a dangerous, explosive 4-4. The Cowboys can avoid the blowup, but they must proceed with caution.

When Green Bay Has the Ball

When the Packers were 13-3 in '07, they liked to play, high-wire, spread formation football. They played a lot of three and four wideout sets, with RB Ryan Grant in the backfield with Brett Favre. They stretched secondaries with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Donald Lee and James Jones. They could go without a tight end or fullback much of the time because their line protected Favre well.

Two years on, the Packers are still playing down the field, but their protection has crumbled. Aaron Rogers has already been sacked 35 times this year, leading one national pundit to dub the Packers line, the "baby swiss." They're been especially weak against the better defenses on their schedule. Mike Zimmer's Bengals bagged Rogers six times. The Vikings sacked him eight times in their first meeting and six more times in the rematch. The lowly Bucs got him six times in their upset this past week. That's 26 sacks in four losses, numbers that probably had Wade Philips ready to call the blitzes first thing Tuesday morning.

To be fair, the Packers have suffered many injuries here. Their regular tackes, Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, were not ready for the season opener. Tauscher had been released after tearing an ACL late last year but was hastily re-signed when the injuries piled up. Swingman Jason Spitz went on IR a few weeks ago.

Clifton and Tauscher both started last week but offered no clear improvement in protection. Of equal concern was the poor protection by the interior line. I saw one Bucs tackle walk RG Daryn Colledge right back to Rogers to record a sack. The line looks even shakier this week, on the news that Tauscher is again injured. Rookie T.J. Lang will take his place at right tackle and will no doubt see lots of Demarcus Ware and lots of games by Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff when Dallas goes to a four-man line in the nickel.

Spencer has become very good at working the front half of a stunt and last week he crashed down on Eagles RT Winston Justice, knocking him off of Ratliff, who promptly looped in to sack Donovan McNabb.

Dallas can't go too blitz crazy, because the Packers are a decent running team. Grant is rotating with Ahman Green and the Packers would love to find an early rhythm for their runs. It will take some pressure off Rogers. I say some. Six sacks per game is bad, any way you look at it.

When Dallas Has the Ball

There are five one-win teams in the NFL right now, and Green Bay has played four of them. They've supplied three of the Packers four wins, the other coming opening day against Chicago. The Packers defense had slammed these weaklings, allowing just 35 points against the Bears, Rams, Browns and Lions, a tidy 8.8 points per game.

Then came Tampa. The Bucs hit the Packers for 38, raised the Packers average to a still-respectable 14.6. The problem has come against winners. Green Bay is 0-3 in two contests with the Vikings and one with the Bengals. What's worse, the seemingly stout D has allowed 99 points in those games, a not so tidy 33 point average.

Green Bay has struggled with power backs. Cedric Benson hammered them for 141 yards and Stephen Jackson added 117 the next week. The Packers did contain Adrian Peterson in the two Vikings contests, but left themselves open to Minnesota's passing game.

Playing eight man fronts is a dare the Packers rarely make because they don't rush the passer well -- they have just 13 sacks. Tthree players, DE Cullen Jenkins and LBs Aaron Kampman and Clay Matthers, have 9.5 of those 13. Kampman will miss the game, further weakening the Green Bay rush.

DC Dom Capers does not have many savory options. If he blitzes Tony Romo heavily, his coverage becomes vulnerable to short passes. Minnesota made several big plays on short tosses to Chester Taylor and on short crosses to Percy Harvin, who tortured the Packers safeties and nickel corners.

Dallas has the players to call a similar game. Felix Jones would welcome some short tosses in the open field. So would Sam Hurd, who scored a touchdown against Seattle by turning a short cross past Seattle's linebackers into a long romp up the sideline. Patrick Crayton hit the Eagles with a 62 yard seam route just before the half last week when he got behind their linebackers.

On the other hand, if Capers sits back, Jason Garrett will hammer Barber, Jones and Choice at his front seven repeatedly. The Packers do have good starting corners, so I don't expect lots of quick strikes up field. If the Dallas line can protect Romo, we should see a methodical, ball-control game plan.

Special Teams

I've harped on this matchup all week because I feel special teams could win the game this week. Dallas has been every effective covering kicks and has had exceptional punt return teams. Their one shortcoming has come on kickoff returns, where Joe DeCamillis has been unable to find the right blocking combination for his returner rotation of Felix Jones, Miles Austin and Kevin Ogletree.

If Joe D can crack the code, he can demolish the Packers coverage team. They gave up 77 and 48 yard returns to Percy Harvin in the Vikings loss two weeks ago and a critical 82 yard return when they were ready for an early knockout against the Bucs.

The Packers have a big-legged kicker in Mason Crosby, but they really suffer when Crosby can't hit touchbacks. Crosby had kicked four to open the Tampa game but left his fifth short and had it returned inside his team's red zone.

The Cowboys must practice bounced kickoffs and short directional kicks, especially if the weather reports call for cold weather. Crosby began hitting bouncers and popups against the Vikings after Harvin showed his big return skills. The Vikings didn't get great returns, but they were fielding the ball at their own 20 and 25 and therefore got field position around their 35 or 40. If the Cowboys up men can field these cleanly (and this IS something they practiced regularly in camp, so I assume they work on it a lot) the team should get great field position after any Packers kickoff.

Dallas also has the suddenly explosive Patrick Crayton returning punts at a 16 yard average. DeCamillis may eschew returns and go after a punt or two; Tampa got an early score last week blocking a Green Bay punt, which Ronde Barber returned or a score. The Packers units have been ragged in all areas. Look for maximum Dallas pressure on all special teams downs.

Overall

Despite their protection problems, the Packers can score and probably will score. Nobody has held them under 21 points this year. Aaron Rogers is a quality quarterback and he has three quality receivers in Driver, Jennings and Jones. The keys for Dallas are the same ones they took to Philadelphia: keep the big play receivers in front of you, and deny Rogers the big throw; put heavy pressure on his patchwork line; protect the football when you have it, assuring Green Bay has to make long drives, and exploit the serious advantage on special teams.

If Dallas protects the football, it should win. But as we all know, who can predict turnovers? Green Bay's defense has at least one takeaway in every game this season and 18 total this year. Dallas can't lose its concentration, or it can lose the game.

Week 10 Player Profile: QB Josh Freeman

Craig T, Buc 'Em — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:06:27 -0000

Coming off a season-saving victory, who else should we choose to profile except our young gunslinger, QB Josh Freeman? After months and months of overanalyzing his selection in the first round and listening to the talking heads in the media and the Bucaneer fans debate the merits of the pick, Josh Freeman came out and silenced the critics for at least one week, throwing for 205 yds and 3 TDs. Most impressively, with the game and possibly the season on the line, Josh showed the poise few first-time starters show, making huge throws to Clayton and Stroughter en route to a go-ahead score late in the 4th quarter.

Kudos to Niko on the sweet video highlights:

Although I didn't get to watch the game, I did get to go back and watch some video of his performance...

1st half notes:On his first TD pass to Ward, The play was a two-back shotgun bunch formation right. Clayton ran a drag, drawing the RILB to step up; Winslow ran a seam, drawing CB Al Harris with him. This cleared out the right side of the field for Ward on an out route, which coverage-challenged ROLB Aaron Kampman was slow getting over to pick up. A genius call for a brand-new QB, who made a perfect throw in stride to Ward that allowed him to catch and run to the pylon. Simple, but smart and effective.

Trailing 14-7, Freeman made another set of key plays. On 2nd and 10 from the 20, Freeman play fakes nicely and rolls out left, finding Kellen Winslow on the run in stride for a 15 yard gain. Earnest Graham's block on the edge on Al Harris let Freeman roll out of the pocket, and he delivered a hard, straight-lined rope into Winslow's gut as he raced past the first down marker. Just a beautiful, effortless-looking throw on a dime from Josh and executed to perfection by the offense. Two plays later, Green Bay brought an inside blitz from both ILBs, but Josh side-stepped the rush and delivered another strike to an in-stride Derrick Ward, who split the safeties for a 39-yard gain, setting up an eventual touchdown.

However, his performance was not without some warts. Trailing 21-14 with 3 minutes left, Freeman threw a lollipop towards the sideline that SS Nick Collins pulled in for an interception. GR was in a zone coverage rolled to the right and the Bucs ran two WRs left on deep out and corner routes, and the pass was underthrown on the corner route and snared by Collins.

The FG drive before halftime was highlighted Freeman's scramble out of a collapsing pocket inside the 40 for a first down, which stopped the clock. He didn't take the sack and showed surprising speed for a big guy. Heady play. The preceding in route to Stovall was a rocket that was perfectly placed.

2nd half notes: I think his most impressive play all day was his TD pass to Winslow to make the score 28-23. Again in a two-back strong right shotgun formation, the exact same play... WR drag/WR seam/RB out... as the first TD, except Winslow and Clayton traded routes. As the pocket collapsed to his right, Freeman instinctively avoided the rush by rolling to his left while looking down the field the entire time. He put the ball high to Winslow, but in the only place that only Winslow could catch it, and his big receiver made a fine play for the TD. Just amazing he had the instincts and ability to slide away from the rush so quickly at the moment the pocket was breaking on him and maintain his reads. That's an innate skill you just don't teach. That was an encouraging sight.

On the 29-yard pass to Clayton to set up the winning score, Clayton ran a go route that Al Harris covered pretty well, taking away the sideline and remaining deeper. However, more likely by mistake than design, the pass was thrown short and Clayton made the adjustment coming back to the ball for the catch. Kudos to Caddy for picking up the blitzing linebacker up the middle that let Freeman get the pass off.

On the 4th down play to take the lead, the Bucs ran again in the shotgun set...one back, 4 WRs, strong right. Stroughter froze the DB on a hitch and go and Freeman lobbed a great ball to the corner of the end zone for the go ahead score. Appeared to be a tad bit high, but again Freeman put the ball in a place only his WR could get it and Stroughter made a solid catch. For a first-time rookie starter with the game on the line with under 5 min to play, that was as gutsy and clutch as it gets. Nerves of steel.

Overview for Week 10: Cautious optimism. My knock on Freeman coming out of school was his accuracy based on his low career completion percentage, but funny things happen between college and the pros, both for players with high expections who fail and underdogs who prove doubters wrong. It's too early to tell what we're looking at here, but you have to be encouraged by the poise and pocket awareness Josh showed, as well as the nice touch he had on several of his deeper throws along the sidelines and short throws in the back and corners of the end zone. The Dolphins boast one of the worst pass defenses statistically in the NFL, and with Olson's offensive tendencies going towards throwing the football this year, I look for Josh to have more opportunities to make some big plays down the field and continue to build the confidence of his teammates and the Buccaneer fans.

10 MINUTES UNTIL BCC RADIO

FSBlueApocalypse, Big Cat Country — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:50:09 -0000

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BigCatCountry/2009/11/12/Big-Cat-Country-Radio

Potent Quotables - The Wednesday Washington Warm-up

John Bena, Mile High Report — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:12:02 -0000

More photos » AP

2 days ago: Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton walks off the field at the end of the NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. The Steelers won 28-10. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Browse more photos »

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS

On the offense's performance the past two weeks

"I think we haven't sustained our ability to stay balanced in both games. We didn't run the ball very effectively in the Baltimore game (and) didn't run it very effectively in the Pittsburgh game. That always puts more pressure on your pass protection (and) more pressure on your passing game in general. It is not really an effective formula to win any games in this league. I don't care what offense you are playing with. We have got to do a better job of being able to run the ball, stay in positive situations (and) stay out of third-and-longs, which we found ourselves in too many times the other night in the second half. If we do that-that is really kind of the formula that we played with for the first six games, and we have got to make sure that we sustain that going forward."

On why the Broncos have had difficulty running the ball the past two weeks

"We've played against two good defenses, and that's not an excuse that we are going to use. We have got to do better than what we have done, whether it be execution, whether it be mistakes (or) whether it be just somebody made a nice play on defense. We are playing against physical teams, and that's what we play against every week. We've got to do better at the point of attack. We've got to do better with the ball in our hands. We've got to do better in terms of scheming something if we can do that to help ourselves, but we haven't lost faith in our ability to run the football or play good offense here. We've just got to go back to work and do better."

On starting RB Correll Buckhalter against Pittsburgh

"We made a decision to do that. (There was) no huge reason. We're going to play both of them. They know that. It just so happens that that's what we started with the other night."

On the offensive line's performance against Pittsburgh

"Any time you give up pressures and sacks and don't run the football well, you always say, ‘Well, we didn't play very well up front," but I think it is a lot of things. We have got to work together as a group. We have got to work together as an offense. Our backs have got to compliment them in the running game. Some of the pressures that we gave up the other night had nothing to do with the offensive line, and then, yet, some of them did. We've got to work better as a group. We've got to play better in every area on offense, and that is not just the offensive line. That's everybody involved in playing good football on that side of the ball. I know we can play good football, and that is what our goal is going to be. We've got to get back to work and make sure that we start doing that this week."

On his interactions with QB Kyle Orton have been more intense in the past two games

"It was probably less heated the last two weeks than it had been the first six weeks. I think I've coached the same way in every game we have played. He knows that I want him to play as well as he can possibly play. I want everybody to play that way. (I am) just trying to get the best out of the guys, and if there are some mistakes that need correcting, sometimes you've got to pay attention to what people are saying and not how they're saying it. I think he has got extremely thick skin. He knows that. I'll handle him the same way going forward."

On his relationship with Washington LB London Fletcher after playing together at John Carroll University

"I have coached against him a number of times. It is always great to see him. London Fletcher is a great person, first and foremost. I think he is the leading tackler in this decade in the National Football League. I'm proud of him for what he's been able to accomplish in this league coming from John Carroll. We kind of all knew when we were playing with him that he was a special player, a special person and would have a bright future ahead of him. It's always great to see him, and I'll look forward to seeing him in pregame and talking to him after the game, also."

On Orton's interceptions against Pittsburgh

"There were a couple-I'm not going to make excuses for it. We threw three interceptions. The first one, obviously, we hit the umpire, and I don't know if that ball gets intercepted 10 out of 10 times, but we've got to keep the ball down over the middle. Any time you're trying to throw into the middle of the defense, which the Steelers were playing some coverages where they dictated that that is where we go with the football, we have got to make sure that we keep the ball down. Those are the kind of balls that either get tipped or sail over someone's head and end up with somebody else carrying the ball. We've got to go back to playing good mistake-free football and being aggressive like (Orton) was in the first half and just taking care of the football when we have the opportunities to do that."

On needing to throw more deep passes to have the opponent's safeties drop into deeper coverage

"It's easy to say that when (Pittsburgh S) Troy Polamalu and (Pittsburgh S) Tyrone Carter are 35 yards deep during the course of the game and you threw for 190 yards in the first half or whatever it might have been. We were having success doing what we thought we should do to win the game, and there were plays that we have in our offense, and we always will, that if nobody is back there, that is where we are going. If somebody is back there, we are not going to go there. We're going to continue to coach and do the things we have done to be successful. We're not going to change that."

On the need for an explosive play to open up the Broncos' offense and build its confidence

"If you need that and you're looking for that, you are in trouble because those plays are few and far between a lot of times in this league. If you're sitting there trying to play offense hoping for one big play, you're going to have a long day. You better be able to execute against good defenses. These teams know what they want to try to take away. When they try to take those things away and you try to force the ball in spots, you could end up turning it over four or five (or) six times in the game. It's always great when you get big plays, but I think the biggest thing is you can't force things like that to happen. If you do, then you play bad offense. Would we love to have a bunch of explosive plays every week? Sure, but you have got to try to do the smart thing. Those explosive plays will come, but you can't do it where the risk is going to significantly outweigh the reward."

On OLB/DE Robert Ayers' progress

"He is playing better each week. He did some good things in the running game, which I know doesn't really get a lot of focus and attention. He's doing a better job of setting the edge in the running game and playing a lot in our nickel packages and doing a decent job in the pass rush, too. He scooped that ball up the other night and scored with it. He is doing his job. He's learning how to fit in in terms of our schemes. Each week, he works hard to try to get better, and I hope that's true of all of our rookies."

On CB Ty Law

"We rested him a little bit off and on just to try to make sure if we needed him at the end, obviously, in some nickel packages that he would be available for us, but he played a good portion of the game in our sub defense and did a nice job. That's what I would expect of Ty, and I would expect that going forward. He's a smart player (and) understood the defense. It took him a few days to learn it, and he'll continue to learn it and understand in more than he did on Monday night. I would just expect his performance and his play and the number of plays that he's capable of being in the game to go up as we go on."

On Law's ability playing inside

"He's been a matchup guy a lot of his career, so if the matchup took him in the slot, he went in there plenty. He's played in there extensively at different times in his career. With the (New York) Jets last year, sometimes they used him inside. Sometimes they used him outside. They matched up (New York Jets CB Darrelle) Revis last year sometimes on a specific receiver and then Ty kind of balanced off of him sometimes. If you've played in there and had to learn how to play in there because you've played in a matchup style of a defense, I think it's-hopefully for a guy like Ty, it is like riding a bicycle. You get back in there and you understand what you're dealing with. There are a few things that happen inside that don't happen outside, but Ty can handle that, and we expect him to play well."

On Law's adjustment to the defensive system

"This system is different than the system he's played in before, but some of it is similar and carries over. For the most part, the terminology and just the understanding of the words and those kinds of things are slightly different than the system that he grew up in, I would say, but he's learned a few different defenses in the last so many years here. I don't think that's a big task for him."

On defensive adjustments following the Pittsburgh game

"We need to play better longer. That's across the board. Defensively, we did a decent job in the first half of containing (Pittsburgh QB Ben) Roethlisberger in the pocket (and) pretty much handled the running game for what we wanted to do and get done there, and then we let some big plays happen. I think (Pittsburgh RB Rashard) Mendenhall had four carries that ended up being over 100 yards on those four plays. Any time you give up big plays as the game wears on, you sense that is that a loss of focus or concentration, is it some kind of assignment (or) is it a coaching thing or a strategy where we can make an adjustment and help ourselves, but it is all of those things. We've played good defense for four quarters a bunch so far this year. We're not discouraged by the fact that we played well for a significant portion of the game and then all of the sudden, made some errors that gave them some big plays. We have just got to do a better job of executing over the course of 60 minutes against teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and if we do, then the games will be competitive just like the first half of the season has been. That's the kind of game that we are going to play in. That's the kind of team we are."

QB KYLE ORTON

On what the Broncos' offense needs to do to get back on track

"We have got to score points. That is obvious. We are moving on from the last couple of weeks, but we have got plenty of areas to improve on. It is just critical to come out and have a good week of practice like we did last week (and) come out and have a great week of practice and find a way to play for 60 minutes."

On if the Washington game is the start of a new season

"Really, from week to week, all you can do is focus on that week. On a short week like this, we have got so much to do in three days to move on to Washington. Really, all of our thoughts are behind us for Pittsburgh and Baltimore and all those games. We have got enough to worry about with Washington to come out and play a good game."

On if his interactions with Head Coach Josh McDaniels have changed in the past two games

"We strive for perfection in a win and in a loss, so it has really kind of stayed the same from week to week."

On analyzing defenses' success against the Broncos' offense

"You have got to look at what they've done to us and you have also got to look at what we've done to ourselves. I think it goes both ways. We have played two good teams, two good defenses, and they have done some good things against us, but really, the most important thing for us is to look at the things we've done to ourselves and try to correct those as fast as possible."

On what corrections the Broncos have to make

"We've got to stay balanced. We've got to find a way to run the ball. We've got to find ways to make plays in the passing game. We made chunk plays, I think, in the passing game last week, the 20- and 25-yard plays, but we have also got to find a way to make some bigger plays, no question about it. It's tough to always rely on eight, 10-play drives to score points, but it would be great to find ways to score in three- or four-play drives. When it gets down to it, it's based on execution. You have got to find ways to be able to carry that over through an entire drive. I thought we moved the ball inside the 35's halfway-well. Then, we'd get to the 35 or the 40-yard line and find ourselves in second-and-long. It's tough to do that against good teams."

On taking shots down the field

"Yeah, you've got to take shots. You don't want to force the ball, no question about that. We're not looking to force the ball. We've got plenty of weapons. We've got plenty of ways to move the ball down the field to not have to force things, but certainly when they are there, we would like to be able to take them."

On why the Broncos haven't thrown more deep passes

"Everybody wants to say, ‘Throw the ball 50 yards down the field.' Well that's all great. You can say it, but there are a lot of things that go into that: coverage, you have got to have time to throw it down the field (and) you've got to have the run, hopefully, to set up the coverage that you want to throw it against. We had a couple called (against Pittsburgh). We didn't get the looks that we wanted, and we didn't throw them."

On the importance of the running game

"We'd love to get balance. It's tough when you have 20 yards rushing or whatever we had. It's tough. Saying that, there are games where it is going to happen and you have got to rely on the passing game. The pass game has got to come through in a big way, and we've done that. We've won games throwing the football, so it's not like we can't do it, but I think just in our offense, getting the run game going, I know the guys up front like to come off the ball and be able to pound on the other team for 25, 30 carries. That makes a big difference, rather than always trying to catch them and pass for the entire time, as well."

On if defenses have played closer to the line of scrimmage

"Maybe a little bit, but like I said, I don't think it's been all what teams have done against us. It's looking back at what we've done against ourselves. We've got plenty of things to fix and we'll get back on that today."

On his response to the Pittsburgh loss

"It's been fine. I've moved on from Pittsburgh. There are a couple of throws that I would like to have back, (but) I don't think (any) reads for the most part. I thought I saw the field pretty well. That's a good thing. The couple of throws that were errant or whatever may be the case-I'm hard on myself. When the offense isn't going, I put that on me."

On playing an early game in the eastern time zone

"We'll be fine to play at whatever time it is. I'm excited for the short week, just to move on, and you're forced to move on and get on to a good football team in Washington."

On what Washington's pass defense does so well

"They get a lot of pressure with their front four. They bring five people to get one-on-one blocks, and they have good guys in the secondary as well, so we've got to get the ball out quick. (We've) got to get open quick and have got to protect up front."

S BRIAN DAWKINS

On the biggest issue defensively against Pittsburgh

"(They are) the things that we will try to fix this week. I can't tell you the things we talked about, but we saw some things that we need to concentrate on to get better at. Those are the things that we'll work hard in practice (on) as much as we can and be very, very aware of that late in games to not allow the things that have happened the last couple of weeks to become a trend."

On if fatigue has affected to the defense's performance in the second half of the past two games

"Sometimes, trying to do a little too much can always be a problem, getting out of your gap to try to do a little too much. Fatigue should never be an issue, regardless, because both teams are on the football field the same amount of time. If you are on the offensive or defensive side of the the ball, so that should never be an excuse, and we will never use that as an excuse. Our job remains the same. We have got to get off the field when those opportunities present themselves, be disciplined to do our responsibilities early in games and be more detailed late in games to make sure those things, like I said earlier, do not become a habit (by) allowing teams to do what has happened in the last couple of weeks."

On adjusting the no-huddle offense during the past two games

"That's not an adjustment. (It is) just the fact that if that is something that teams are going to do, we just have to prepare for it and stop it. It's kind of point blank, to tell you the truth. It's not anything you can adjust to. If it's going to happen, we have to be detailed in our work. We have to get the calls in, get the calls across the board and line up and play football and get off of the field. The thing that you do as a team, any time that anybody presents the same thing over and over again, is you have to stop those things. Until we do it, I'm pretty sure teams are going to do it."

On stopping the run when having a nickel package on the field defensively

"Every individual has to do their job, regardless. The personnel on the field, we still have the talent to be sound in our jobs to get off the field. We've done it before. Why, all of the sudden, is this a problem now? We're not going to make excuses. We have to make sure we detail our work, period. That will be the thing that you are going to hear echo from me the whole time we talk. We have to detail our work. Whoever is on the field, if your responsibility is to do a specific thing, do that specific thing and count on your guy inside of you to be in his position. If those things happen, then we can do what we do what we do defensively, and that's get off of the football field."

On CB Ty Law playing against Pittsburgh after signing with the team on Saturday

"Obviously, that is a tough, tough position to be in. Give him props big time for being able to come in and do what he did as many snaps as he did in that game. We tried to do our best the couple of days we were in there with him to communicate with him and to make sure in the game we were over-communicating, if you will, (and) just make sure he knows where he is, but it's a tough position to be in because even though you are being told and you kind of understand where to be because of years of playing, it is different from stepping in there and now ‘I know where I am supposed to be so I can sit on some stuff and jump some stuff and make some plays.' The reason why I say that is because that's what he does. He knows where he is supposed to be. Then, he can jump some things and pick some balls off and take some balls to the ‘house.' That's really what he brings to the table, that playmaking potential in that slot position to get the ball into his hands and take it to the ‘house.'"

On having veteran experience in the secondary

"I have said this from the jump: the communication that we have most of the time-we do make our mistakes, obviously, but for the most part, the communication and anticipation of things to come-is a huge benefit for us, and to have as many guys in the secondary that have been through the war, so to speak. I use that term very loosely, but to have been in those battles, there is no panic. There is no panic. Even though they moved the ball this past week and got in the red zone, we still had opportunities to get off the field. We just didn't do it. There is no panic when you have the guys that have been in those situations so many times."

On playing his former NFC East rival at Washington

"I just know what to expect when I play these teams I have played them so long. I know this is going to be a-every time that I have played the Redskins, it has been a physical battle (and) I come out of the game a lot sorer, if that is a word, because of those big bodies that they have. They pound (Washington RB Clinton) Portis at you, (and Washington RB Ladell) Betts at you (and) take shots up top with these quick receivers they have. This has just been something that has been bred in me to anticipate certain things when I play the Redskins."

On responding to consecutive losses

"One of the things that I kind of live by, my biggest sermon can be the way that I approach things, not so much by what I say, but what I do. If I'm walking around panicking, pouting, then that is what I'm going to preach to others. If I'm working (and) I'm diligent in my study in the classroom, if you will, and if I'm busting my hump in practice, then that is the sermon that I'm also going to preach. It's not so much what needs to be said. We've said what we needed to say. (Head Coach) Josh (McDaniels) has said what he needed to say, (Defensive Coordinator) Mike (Nolan) and down the line. We know what we need to do. It's just about doing it now."

On Washington RB Clinton Portis' influence on Washington

"He has been a huge, huge weapon, to say the least, for that team over the years. You know that you have to be prepared to stop this cat for four quarters before stepping in there and sticking your nose in and bringing something with you when you do, because he does. Even in pass protection, he's one of the, if the best chip blocker there is on the ends. He's trying to do damage. If you blitz, you know you better have your chin strap buckled up (and) your mouthpiece in because he is going to try to take your head off. That is the type of mentality he's brought to that offense."

On the toughest adjustment for young safeties

"I know for me it was the speed, the speed in which things happen. You have to be able to anticipate motions and shifts and be able to put yourself in the next position and still be able to play fast. That's a tough, tough thing to do. The length of the season, your body is going to tell you that the bowl game is over with and it's time to chill out, and we're still playing football in the pros, so your body is kind of telling you mentally to shut it down and you've got to push through that wall. Then, the expectations that are put on you, guys that are drafted high, to be able to produce right away a lot of times, especially on special teams, and then you can't let that fatigue allow you to not make the plays that you need to make for your teammates, so there's a lot of pressure in that respect. It's a lot of pressure on young guys, but when you have guys that have been through it and then are open to be able to talk to them, which we all are, to help them out as much as we can, it helps them out."

On the development of younger players in the Broncos' secondary

"They understand their roles. If anything happens, they are able to step in right away. You saw when (S Darcel) McBath stepped in right away against the (San Diego) Chargers and played some pretty good ball, I thought. I think they're doing an excellent job."

On the origin of his ‘Weapon-X' nickname

"It was just my love for the character ‘Wolverine' and what he is called. He is called ‘Weapon-X.' When that kind of came out that I liked him so much, people kind of put two and two together and that's what I became."

On the Wolverine figures in his locker

"I probably purchased maybe four and all the rest of them have been gifts from either my family or my kids, rather, or fans."

On the atmosphere playing at Washington

"You play for so long, they're all hostile environments. There are a couple of fans that I recognize from behind our bench that have been pretty fun over the years to listen to as they try to get after you. He's pretty good at it, too. I don't know his name, but he's pretty good sitting behind the bench. It can be a very intimidating place if you allow it to (be), just like every opposing team that has passionate fans. This is no different."

On S Renaldo Hill's performance

"I didn't know a lot about him, obviously, going from the NFC to AFC. The thing that has jumped off on me is he is the quarterback of this defense... If he says something, we all believe what he is saying as far as his checks are concerned. He's a very, very smart guy. Every day I'm coming in saying, ‘Hey, did you see this? Watch the film. What did you see? Let me know some secrets. Stop keeping secrets from me,' in a playing fashion. He's a very, very smart guy, so that helps us in so many ways. Then, his potential to get the ball in his hands, he's always baiting, trying to get his hands on the ball."

On Hill's influence on his play

"We communicate, don't get me wrong. If I see something, I'll let him know, but any time you have someone, your counterpart, beside you that is that smart, that intelligent to be able to say things and help in that respect, that definitely allows me to line up and just do what I do."

On his initial impression of Hill

"There is only so much you can be impressed by a guy by talking to him one day. I was just excited at the fact of us coming in together and learning the scheme together and the potential going forward because I knew that he had played some pretty good ball this past year in Miami. I was excited about that."

NightLink: Payne Out, Afalava Questionable

Dane Noble, Windy City Gridiron — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:50:27 -0000

If Al Afalava cannot play tomorrow, we will see either Craig Steltz or Josh Bullocks step in, because Kevin Payne has been officially ruled out.

Now that the official injury report has been filed with the league, we know the Bears could be in trouble at the safety position Thursday night against the 49ers. Safety Kevin Payne is listed as out with a back injury. The good news is safety Al Afalava is questionable with a shoulder injury.

We need Afalava's run support against the Niners, especially with Hunter Hillenmeyer still nursing his rib injuries. I am not sure what Bullocks would bring to the table, but Steltz could at least do a decent job in run support. Luckily, we aren't facing a team that is likely to challenge us with the deep ball.

49ers-Bears on television

Fooch, Niners Nation — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:07:50 -0000

There have been some questions about viewing tomorrow's game on the NFL Network. I spoke with somebody in the NFL's media department and have news, more bad than good, at least in terms of the NFL Network. A couple of people posted a link to an NFL.com Live video, but it's not quite what people might be hoping for. It is NOT a live stream of the entire game. Rather it is a companion to the actual NFL Network feed. The details aren't all that detailed. It apparently includes "online live look-ins" and "instant analysis." So not quite what people are hoping for, but certainly a start.

For those in the Bay Area, the CW 44/Cable 12 will be simulcasting the game, so if you don't have the NFL Network, but do have a television, you've at least got an alternate option.

For those that have Sprint phones and have Sprint's NFL Mobile Live application, you can actually watch the game live on your phone. I checked out the feed and while it's not the greatest video, it's still pretty cool to be able to watch it that way. I actually will be in a class during the game tomorrow (not having to actively participate though), so I'm planning on using the NFL Mobile Live. I've got my DVR set to record the game, but I still want to watch it live, so NFL Mobile Live it will be. If people have been pondering getting it, I'll post a review of the experience.

David Hawthorne is Playing Big But Can He Play Correct?

John Morgan, Field Gulls — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:42:00 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

At ends of the spectrum: D.D. Lewis is the elder linebacker that does his job and only that. David Hawthorne is the prospect flashing great potential, but struggling with fundamentals.

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David Hawthorne has three sacks, five tackles for a loss and three interceptions in three starts. It's a line that has a few thousand Lofa Tatupu backers questioning their allegiances. Few want to say Hawthorne is better than Tatupu, but fewer still know how to prove otherwise. Hawthorne is active, making plays, making tackles, forcing turnovers, and Tatupu is on IR, on IR in his get-healthy season. If Tatupu has been Tats of old in 2008, this discussion might be more muted, but Tats of old is starting to look like, well, a player that doesn't exist anymore.

If Hawthorne had accumulated his eye-popping stats over a season, it would have inspired heated Hawthorne versus Tatupu debate. Heater had to do it in four. So how are we going to do this? Should I make rules or just hand out handguns. Field Gulls is place as any to wage this war. Let's pick sides and tear each other apart.

Ok, but really: Hawthorne is a find, but he's miles away from Tatupu when it comes to fundamental linebacker play. I gave myself a short schedule and stumbled into the most boring tape dissection I've had since Seattle at Pittsburgh in 2007. It's hard to judge an offensive line when Matt Hasselbeck pitches a tent in the pocket. It's hard to evaluate the wide receivers when they are never targeted. It's hard to evaluate a defense that started strong and then sat back and awaited the next drive ending pick. One drive was instructive, and it spoke to this debate.

Nate Burleson had committed pass interference in the end zone and still managed to drop a gimme touchdown. Detroit was back on the field, hoping to stem the comeback or at least kill some clock. It did neither, but it was close to achieving both.

What matters is Hawthorne. Seattle's linebackers are synchronized and interdependent. When Leroy Hill gets a tackle, Tatupu might have jammed the fullback and Aaron Curry contained the cutback lane. The tackle is typically the easy byproduct of team execution. On the first snap, Hawthorne jumped back and out of position. He did exactly same on the next snap, perhaps anticipating pass. His linebackers in smash did their job, but Hawthorne was sealed out by bad anticipation and a poor angle to the ball carrier. He made both tackles, the first after seven, the second after eight.

Hawthorne took a bad angle on a toss right to Aaron Brown. He couldn't bluff his way back into the action this time and Jordan Babineaux cleaned up after 19. Hawthorne didn't stand out on the next play, but he was all to apparent on the interception. Seattle got excellent pressure from its front three, and thankfully for us, Patrick Kerney shielded Stafford's vision before Stafford chucked an interception to Deon Grant. Behind Kerney, wide open in the middle stood Casey Fitzsimmons, open, open where Hawthorne had failed to drop. As the camera panned to Grant running under the pick, it was obvious a better quarterback would have found Fitzsimmons for the first.

If you're the right age, you probably remember thinking Michael Boulware was a superstar safety in the waiting. He had that Babineaux knack to be where the action was. In two seasons he had nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, three sacks and a touchdown return. His play was noticeable, electric, and terrible. Boulware couldn't read a route or defend play action. He was around tips but not in throwing lanes, he was a good blitzer, but absent in deep cover. Seattle never mustered much of a pass defense with Boulware and when Ruskell deigned to remake the secondary, Boulware was shipped out, benched by the Texans and then run out of the league.

Hawthorne is auditioning for a starting role, be it at MLB in Seattle, OLB in Seattle or LB somewhere else. His highs are exciting and his lows too subtle for most fans. His weaknesses reading an offense are apparent, but he's young. He could improve his execution and awareness with experience, and soon combine what he already has, playmaker potential, with what he needs to start. But I beg, before we pit these two young linebackers in combat, let's be sure the apprentice is good and not just bumbling his way into big plays.

Broncos Sign CB Rashod Moulton to Practice Squad

TJ Johnson, Mile High Report — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:19:34 -0000

More photos » by Ed Andrieski - AP

3 months ago: Denver Broncos assistant trainer Trae Tashiro, right, gives cornerback Rashod Moulton a drink of water during NFL football camp at the teams headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed cornerback Rashod Moulton to their practice squad, it was announced.

The open roster spot was created when the New York Giants signed cornerback D.J. Johnson to their active roster from Denver's practice squad on Wednesday.

Moulton (5-foot-11, 201 pounds) is a first-year cornerback who spent the final half of last season on the Broncos' practice squad and competed in training camp with the club this year before he was waived on Sept. 4. He entered the NFL with Jacksonville in 2007 as a college free agent from Fort Valley State University and spent his rookie year on the Jaguars' practice squad.

The cornerback competed in the Jaguars' 2008 training camp before being signed to the Broncos' practice squad on Oct. 27, 2008.

At Fort Valley State, Moulton saw time at cornerback, safety, running back, wide receiver and returner. He began his senior year in 2006 at running back, gaining 109 yards on 20 carries (5.5 avg.), before switching defensive back and totaling 29 tackles along with five interceptions.

A three-year starter at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., Moulton was born on Nov. 6, 1979.

	St. Louis
Total First Downs	133
Rushing	39
Passing	81
Penalty	13
3rd Down: Made/Att	33/103
3rd Down Pct.	32.0%
4th Down: Made/Att	3/10
4th Down Pct.	30.0%
Possession Avg.	27:57
Total Net Yards	2301
Avg. Per Game	287.6
Total Plays	477
Avg. Per Play	4.8
Net Yards Rushing	929
Avg. Per Game	116.1
Total Rushes	204
Net Yards Passing	1372
Avg. Per Game	171.5
Sacked/Yards Lost	16/101
Gross Yards	1473
Attempts/Completions	257/145
Completion Pct.	56.4%
Had Intercepted	7