fontaine
08-03-2006, 04:31 AM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5834838
3. Chargers
The team spent the off-season trying to trade Donnie Edwards, who led all linebackers in pass tackles (72) and finished second in the NFL in Stops (94). Edwards is apparently too big for his britches, or something. He and fellow old-timer Randall Godfrey stay at home in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme, allowing Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips to rush the passer. Merriman is a star in the making, an exceptional athlete with multiple moves when blitzing and the ability to disrupt running plays. Philips is a situational pass rusher with a good mix of speed and pop. If Edwards gets traded or Godfrey can no longer cut it, Steve Foley and Matt Wilhelm are capable replacements.
8. Broncos
Ian Gold, Al Wilson, and D.J. Williams don't produce eye-popping tackle or sack totals because they are constantly dropping into coverage in Larry Coyer's defense. But all three are top athletes who excel at what they are asked to do. Gold and Wilson can cover most running backs and tight ends, and both are quick off the edge when they do blitz. D.J. Williams is the best athlete of the trio but is still learning. Veteran reserves Nate Webster and Keith Burns can start if they are called upon. Undrafted rookie Cameron Vaughn, a three-year starter at LSU, was a surprise in minicamps.
20. Chiefs
Gunther Cunningham built this unit to attack the line of scrimmage. But with Herm Edwards emphasizing a Cover-2 scheme, Cunningham will ask his linebackers to drop into coverage more often. Derrick Johnson, coming off a fine rookie season, should make the transition smoothly: he's a read-and-react player with great range. Kawika Mitchell, a gap shooter in the Jeremiah Trotter mold, may have a harder time adjusting. Kendrell Bell had an off year in 2005 and may have been a system player in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme. Coverage has never been his strong suit. Speedy Keyaron Fox will be the first linebacker off the bench if he can stay off the IR.
>>Interesting, if worm edwards asks his LBs to drop back in coverage more often which might not be their strong suits then we could very well see a problems in that D.
26. Raiders
Depth was such an issue for coordinator Rob Ryan last year that he switched to a 4-2-5 base defense. Ryan hopes with rookie Thomas Howard starting, he won't have to play mad scientist with his alignments. Howard is a quintessential Raiders rookie, an uber-athlete who's a little lacking in the preparation department. He faces a big jump from UTEP to the pros. Danny Clark, the team's best defensive player in 2004, revealed his limitations last year: he's tough and aggressive, but he can be blocked or beaten in coverage. Rookie Kirk Morrison was picked on in coverage last year: he tackled receivers an average of 9.5 yards downfield, the worst figure in the NFL for a starter. Morrison was much better against the run, and he learned a lot from his baptism under fire. Depth? The Raiders don't need no stinkin' depth!
And oh yeah, we'll start the season off against the Rams so here you go:
25. Rams
Free agent acquisition Will Witherspoon finished seventh in the league in Passing Stops and can handle most running backs and tight ends in pass coverage. Pisa Tinoisamoa is a converted safety who was asked to do too much last year but can also take care of himself in coverage. Dexter Coakley, Brandon Chillar, and Raonall Smith will battle for the Sam position. Chillar is the best pure run defender of the trio, and the Rams may need the 250-pounder on the field to complement 230-pound (when wet) Witherspoon and Tinoisamoa.
3. Chargers
The team spent the off-season trying to trade Donnie Edwards, who led all linebackers in pass tackles (72) and finished second in the NFL in Stops (94). Edwards is apparently too big for his britches, or something. He and fellow old-timer Randall Godfrey stay at home in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme, allowing Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips to rush the passer. Merriman is a star in the making, an exceptional athlete with multiple moves when blitzing and the ability to disrupt running plays. Philips is a situational pass rusher with a good mix of speed and pop. If Edwards gets traded or Godfrey can no longer cut it, Steve Foley and Matt Wilhelm are capable replacements.
8. Broncos
Ian Gold, Al Wilson, and D.J. Williams don't produce eye-popping tackle or sack totals because they are constantly dropping into coverage in Larry Coyer's defense. But all three are top athletes who excel at what they are asked to do. Gold and Wilson can cover most running backs and tight ends, and both are quick off the edge when they do blitz. D.J. Williams is the best athlete of the trio but is still learning. Veteran reserves Nate Webster and Keith Burns can start if they are called upon. Undrafted rookie Cameron Vaughn, a three-year starter at LSU, was a surprise in minicamps.
20. Chiefs
Gunther Cunningham built this unit to attack the line of scrimmage. But with Herm Edwards emphasizing a Cover-2 scheme, Cunningham will ask his linebackers to drop into coverage more often. Derrick Johnson, coming off a fine rookie season, should make the transition smoothly: he's a read-and-react player with great range. Kawika Mitchell, a gap shooter in the Jeremiah Trotter mold, may have a harder time adjusting. Kendrell Bell had an off year in 2005 and may have been a system player in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme. Coverage has never been his strong suit. Speedy Keyaron Fox will be the first linebacker off the bench if he can stay off the IR.
>>Interesting, if worm edwards asks his LBs to drop back in coverage more often which might not be their strong suits then we could very well see a problems in that D.
26. Raiders
Depth was such an issue for coordinator Rob Ryan last year that he switched to a 4-2-5 base defense. Ryan hopes with rookie Thomas Howard starting, he won't have to play mad scientist with his alignments. Howard is a quintessential Raiders rookie, an uber-athlete who's a little lacking in the preparation department. He faces a big jump from UTEP to the pros. Danny Clark, the team's best defensive player in 2004, revealed his limitations last year: he's tough and aggressive, but he can be blocked or beaten in coverage. Rookie Kirk Morrison was picked on in coverage last year: he tackled receivers an average of 9.5 yards downfield, the worst figure in the NFL for a starter. Morrison was much better against the run, and he learned a lot from his baptism under fire. Depth? The Raiders don't need no stinkin' depth!
And oh yeah, we'll start the season off against the Rams so here you go:
25. Rams
Free agent acquisition Will Witherspoon finished seventh in the league in Passing Stops and can handle most running backs and tight ends in pass coverage. Pisa Tinoisamoa is a converted safety who was asked to do too much last year but can also take care of himself in coverage. Dexter Coakley, Brandon Chillar, and Raonall Smith will battle for the Sam position. Chillar is the best pure run defender of the trio, and the Rams may need the 250-pounder on the field to complement 230-pound (when wet) Witherspoon and Tinoisamoa.