SoCalBronco
10-29-2007, 01:05 PM
Whispers
Oct. 26, 2007
While it would be premature to say Rams head coach Scott Linehan has lost all of his players — considering that the defense has at least continued to play very hard in spite of the team’s miserable season — team insiders agree wholeheartedly that he appears to have lost the team’s offense, most notably QB Marc Bulger, whose relationship with Linehan has grown increasingly tense. As for the popular rumor that defensive coordinator Jim Haslett could be first in line to replace Linehan should the Rams decide to make a change, we hear Haslett very well could be a viable candidate — but only if his defense continues to show improvement the rest of the season.
According to our Vikings sources, Brad Childress has not lost the team yet, but there definitely are some frustrated veterans. Much of the frustration has come from the fact that QB Tarvaris Jackson has received much of the blame unfairly, and the team thinks it has better talent than its record suggests. The players haven’t turned on their coach, but they might need to see results quickly.
The slow start by the Chiefs’ offensive line has been disappointing for everyone involved, especially considering four of the five starters up front were there last season, when RB Larry Johnson rushed for 1,789 yards. “The key in offensive line play is consistency and trying to have the same guys there week in and week out so they know how to cover up each other’s weaknesses and promote their strengths,” Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson told PFW. “The other thing is, we’ve played some pretty good defensive fronts, and defensive coordinators are smart. They’re not going to let No. 27 (Johnson) run on you and wear you out. The continuity has not been there, and it’s been frustrating because the signature of the Chiefs, specific to the offense, for as long as I’ve been here, has been the rushing offense.”
Although the Broncos would only say he would miss up to six weeks after knee surgery prior to Week Seven, we hear there is a decent chance WR Javon Walker could miss the remainder of the year, depending on how his knee responds and whether it still has fluid remaining behind the knee after rehab.
John Lynch isn’t exactly known for his range in the Broncos’ secondary, but word out of Denver is the team is more concerned with the other safety, Nate Ferguson, and his inability to make up ground.
The linebackers are supposed to be the stars of a Jim Bates-led defense, but so far, the Broncos’ LB corps has definitely underachieved in Bates’ first season in Denver. D.J. Williams is finally starting to come around in the middle, but it’s believed SLB Nick Webster would have been benched by now if the Broncos had better depth, and WLB Ian Gold has really disappointed with a lack of instincts and a bad habit of overpursuing plays.
A noticeable difference in strength and leg speed for Raiders PK Sebastian Janikowski is being linked to a loss of nearly 35 pounds in the offseason. Janikowski has spent a lot of time in the weight room and feels like he has more flexibility and energy.
On the horizon for the Raiders as the year progresses is the start of the negotiation process with CB Nnamdi Asomugha and DE Derrick Burgess, the two most irreplaceable members of the defense, both of whom will be unrestricted free agents in 2009. Asomugha can opt out of his deal after this year. Look for the Raiders to try to get something done this offseason, especially with Asomugha.
Falcons WR Roddy White has always had the physical tools, but he’s finally developed the concentration and commitment it takes to succeed this season. In his third pro season, he has 33 catches — three more than his career high. A source said WRs coach Paul Petrino has a drill sergeant-like approach and rode White all through training camp and early this season. The hard work is paying off.
We hear despite his clear superiority to RB Warrick Dunn in the running game right now, RB Jerious Norwood will not get to start until he improves his pass-blocking skills.
Carolina’s offensive line is rarely getting to the second level of defenders, and RB DeShaun Foster is struggling because of it. The Panthers are unhappy with the performance of their blockers, as they’ve already lost two quarterbacks to injuries stemming from the opposing pass rush getting past the porous protection.
The offseason acquisition of TE Eric Johnson has turned out to be a solid one for the Saints. Our source said he is QB Drew Brees’ favorite bailout option and can help get the team out of jams when wide receivers are covered.
Tampa Bay’s special teams were already struggling after losing RB Earnest Graham, who was taken off several units once he became the starting running back. The loss of KR-PR Mark Jones for the season stung even more.
We hear Jon Gruden’s main goal is simply to find a player who can catch and secure the ball. Jones was really the only prototypical returner on the roster.
Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is begging his defensive front for more pressure. The squad is right around the league average in terms of sacks, but in the cover-2, a better-than-average rush is required in order for the scheme to be effective.
Redskins PK Shaun Suisham might be on a short leash. He started his career in Washington off right, making 13 straight field goals at one point, but since then, he has made only two of his past five kicks and could be on the verge of being replaced. The Redskins pay a lot of attention to their special teams and have been less than pleased with the units’ performance this season.
Giants rookie SS Michael Johnson replaced starter James Butler in Weeks Seven and Eight because of Butler’s hamstring issues in the second half, but there are some who feel this could become a sign of things to come. Johnson, a seventh-round pick, has shown good tackling ability, especially on special teams, and brings rare size (6-2, 207 pounds) to the position.
All signs point to Cowboys CB Anthony Henry returning to play against the Eagles after the bye. He has done some work on his ankle, and sources feel good about his chances to play next week.
RB Tatum Bell will remain on the roster for the duration of the season, but it’s almost a certainty he’ll be playing elsewhere next season. He has no special-teams value and is no more than a No. 3 back in the Lions’ eyes. Bell was inactive in Week Eight.
Don’t be shocked if Eagles rookie DE Victor Abiamiri soon joins the rotation up front. The team has worked him in very slowly, a la LB Omar Gaither last season, but likes what it sees from Abiamiri, a more natural right end. He should replace Darren Howard, who has been a bust in Philadelphia, and could challenge for a starting spot next season.
We hear that the Bills have been a bit disappointed with the play of DE Chris Kelsay. Believed to be the team’s most complete end, he’s recorded 24 tackles but just a single sack through Week Eight.
With rookie OLT Tony Ugoh sidelined for much of the Colts’ Week Seven Monday-night victory over the Jaguars, second-year pro Charlie Johnson stepped in with no noticeable drop-off. Johnson was expected to be named the starter at left tackle when Tarik Glenn announced his retirement on the eve of training camp, and the word from Colts camp is that the team is very confident Johnson can step in seamlessly at a variety of OL spots.
Despite putting up pedestrian numbers, we’re hearing the Colts’ coaching staff has been quite pleased with what they’re seeing from rookie WR Anthony Gonzalez. Drafted out of Ohio State to replace the departed Brandon Stokley in the slot, Gonzalez has impressed with his ability outside, as well, when filling in for Marvin Harrison.
A quadriceps injury to Jacksonville PK Josh Scobee has hampered the Jaguars more than they’re letting on. Forty-three-year-old replacement John Carney has lost a lot of power over the years and cannot be counted on for any field goals longer than 45 yards.
Upon his return from the physically-unable-to-perform list, we hear the Patriots will find a spot for longtime WR Troy Brown. The consummate team player, Brown is a reliable possession receiver and a locker-room favorite. His return, however, could spell trouble for fellow WR Kelly Washington. He stands as the most likely to be cut with Brown’s return.
Despite a regression in the O-line’s run blocking, there’s little chance the Jets will shake up their personnel. After singing the praises of rookie Jacob Bender in training camp, coach Eric Mangini has yet to give him a chance in the regular season. We also hear the New York media is growing increasingly irritated with Mangini in that it believes he purposely misleads them.
Our Cardinals insiders tell us QB Kurt Warner can be expected to play with a brace on his non-throwing elbow for the rest of the year, but that he should be able to at least use his left arm to make handoffs — which he wasn’t able to do in his last game against the Redskins — in the Cardinals’ next game against Tampa Bay on Nov. 4.
One move new Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt made that clearly hasn’t worked out was his decision to release veteran P Scott Player in favor of Mike Barr, who has been nothing short of terrible in recent weeks. Not only was Player’s steady punting far superior to that of Parr, whose net average in the Cardinals’ last game was 30.8 yards, but Player was also a much more reliable holder. Parr fumbled a snap that caused an extra-point attempt to be blocked in the Washington game. Unless he quickly shows some improvement, don’t be surprised if Parr is given the boot.
Our Rams sources tell us veteran OT Todd Steussie, who has been out all season with a knee injury, will be eligible to return to the team in time for the Week 11 game at San Francisco.
Niners rookie starting ORT Joe Staley has been very solid for the most part, but there was no denying the extent to which he was taken to school by Giants DLE Michael Strahan in the Niners’ Week Seven loss. That said, we’re told the team considers Staley the only bright light on a line that has experienced a baffling drop-off. Niners OLT Jonas Jennings and ORG Justin Smiley were replaced late in the third quarter in Week Seven by Adam Snyder and David Baas, respectively, and team sources expect the shuffling to continue moving forward.
Now that the Seahawks’ receiving corps is getting healthier with both Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett expected to return to action after the team’s bye, it’s been naturally assumed that Nate Burleson, who has had as many downs as ups as a receiver, will primarily be used as a return specialist the rest of the season. But team sources tell us Hackett must show that he has regained the form he displayed in his breakout campaign last season before Burleson is removed from the receiving mix.
While his impact in his rookie season so far has been negligible, we hear Bears
RB Garrett Wolfe deserves some credit for his defensive teammates’ performance in Week Seven against Brian Westbrook after doing an excellent imitation of the Eagles’ back in the practices leading up to the game.
Our Packers sources tell us Titans executive VP-GM Mike Reinfeldt, who negotiated contracts for Green Bay in the 1990s, wouldn’t mind being considered to succeed Bob Harlan as president of the team in Green Bay, but that Titans owner Bud Adams has no intention of releasing Reinfeldt from his long-term contract at this time.
The way we hear it, Bengals RB Chris Perry, who could return to practice this week, seems to be moving around pretty well after spending the first eight weeks of the season on the PUP list with an ankle injury. If healthy, he would bolster the team’s RB depth, and he would give them yet another weapon in the passing game.
The Titans could really miss starting FB Ahmard Hall, who is out at least another three weeks with a broken arm. Casey Cramer and Quinton Ganther will vie to replace Hall, but neither is as physical.
While Titans RB LenDale White’s yards-per-carry average is nothing to get excited about, the team is happy with his ability to wear down defenses with his physical style.
The Texans aren’t concerned with the play of CB Dunta Robinson, even after he struggled in the Week Seven loss to Tennessee. The prevailing sentiment is that if the Texans generate more of a pass rush, all of the team’s defensive backs will look better.
While the Houston defense as a whole has been in a swoon of late, the play of oft-criticized DT Travis Johnson has been a positive. Johnson has been more of a factor in recent weeks.
Ravens RS Yamon Figurs has flashed enormous potential as a returner, but the team wants him to become more mentally tough and to secure the ball better. If he improves in those areas, Figurs could become yet another AFC kick-returning star from Baltimore. Figurs was forced into the lineup when the Ravens lost B.J. Sams to a season-ending injury.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2007/whispers102707.htm
(PFW needs some editors, they flip flopped Webster and Fergy's first names)
Oct. 26, 2007
While it would be premature to say Rams head coach Scott Linehan has lost all of his players — considering that the defense has at least continued to play very hard in spite of the team’s miserable season — team insiders agree wholeheartedly that he appears to have lost the team’s offense, most notably QB Marc Bulger, whose relationship with Linehan has grown increasingly tense. As for the popular rumor that defensive coordinator Jim Haslett could be first in line to replace Linehan should the Rams decide to make a change, we hear Haslett very well could be a viable candidate — but only if his defense continues to show improvement the rest of the season.
According to our Vikings sources, Brad Childress has not lost the team yet, but there definitely are some frustrated veterans. Much of the frustration has come from the fact that QB Tarvaris Jackson has received much of the blame unfairly, and the team thinks it has better talent than its record suggests. The players haven’t turned on their coach, but they might need to see results quickly.
The slow start by the Chiefs’ offensive line has been disappointing for everyone involved, especially considering four of the five starters up front were there last season, when RB Larry Johnson rushed for 1,789 yards. “The key in offensive line play is consistency and trying to have the same guys there week in and week out so they know how to cover up each other’s weaknesses and promote their strengths,” Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson told PFW. “The other thing is, we’ve played some pretty good defensive fronts, and defensive coordinators are smart. They’re not going to let No. 27 (Johnson) run on you and wear you out. The continuity has not been there, and it’s been frustrating because the signature of the Chiefs, specific to the offense, for as long as I’ve been here, has been the rushing offense.”
Although the Broncos would only say he would miss up to six weeks after knee surgery prior to Week Seven, we hear there is a decent chance WR Javon Walker could miss the remainder of the year, depending on how his knee responds and whether it still has fluid remaining behind the knee after rehab.
John Lynch isn’t exactly known for his range in the Broncos’ secondary, but word out of Denver is the team is more concerned with the other safety, Nate Ferguson, and his inability to make up ground.
The linebackers are supposed to be the stars of a Jim Bates-led defense, but so far, the Broncos’ LB corps has definitely underachieved in Bates’ first season in Denver. D.J. Williams is finally starting to come around in the middle, but it’s believed SLB Nick Webster would have been benched by now if the Broncos had better depth, and WLB Ian Gold has really disappointed with a lack of instincts and a bad habit of overpursuing plays.
A noticeable difference in strength and leg speed for Raiders PK Sebastian Janikowski is being linked to a loss of nearly 35 pounds in the offseason. Janikowski has spent a lot of time in the weight room and feels like he has more flexibility and energy.
On the horizon for the Raiders as the year progresses is the start of the negotiation process with CB Nnamdi Asomugha and DE Derrick Burgess, the two most irreplaceable members of the defense, both of whom will be unrestricted free agents in 2009. Asomugha can opt out of his deal after this year. Look for the Raiders to try to get something done this offseason, especially with Asomugha.
Falcons WR Roddy White has always had the physical tools, but he’s finally developed the concentration and commitment it takes to succeed this season. In his third pro season, he has 33 catches — three more than his career high. A source said WRs coach Paul Petrino has a drill sergeant-like approach and rode White all through training camp and early this season. The hard work is paying off.
We hear despite his clear superiority to RB Warrick Dunn in the running game right now, RB Jerious Norwood will not get to start until he improves his pass-blocking skills.
Carolina’s offensive line is rarely getting to the second level of defenders, and RB DeShaun Foster is struggling because of it. The Panthers are unhappy with the performance of their blockers, as they’ve already lost two quarterbacks to injuries stemming from the opposing pass rush getting past the porous protection.
The offseason acquisition of TE Eric Johnson has turned out to be a solid one for the Saints. Our source said he is QB Drew Brees’ favorite bailout option and can help get the team out of jams when wide receivers are covered.
Tampa Bay’s special teams were already struggling after losing RB Earnest Graham, who was taken off several units once he became the starting running back. The loss of KR-PR Mark Jones for the season stung even more.
We hear Jon Gruden’s main goal is simply to find a player who can catch and secure the ball. Jones was really the only prototypical returner on the roster.
Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is begging his defensive front for more pressure. The squad is right around the league average in terms of sacks, but in the cover-2, a better-than-average rush is required in order for the scheme to be effective.
Redskins PK Shaun Suisham might be on a short leash. He started his career in Washington off right, making 13 straight field goals at one point, but since then, he has made only two of his past five kicks and could be on the verge of being replaced. The Redskins pay a lot of attention to their special teams and have been less than pleased with the units’ performance this season.
Giants rookie SS Michael Johnson replaced starter James Butler in Weeks Seven and Eight because of Butler’s hamstring issues in the second half, but there are some who feel this could become a sign of things to come. Johnson, a seventh-round pick, has shown good tackling ability, especially on special teams, and brings rare size (6-2, 207 pounds) to the position.
All signs point to Cowboys CB Anthony Henry returning to play against the Eagles after the bye. He has done some work on his ankle, and sources feel good about his chances to play next week.
RB Tatum Bell will remain on the roster for the duration of the season, but it’s almost a certainty he’ll be playing elsewhere next season. He has no special-teams value and is no more than a No. 3 back in the Lions’ eyes. Bell was inactive in Week Eight.
Don’t be shocked if Eagles rookie DE Victor Abiamiri soon joins the rotation up front. The team has worked him in very slowly, a la LB Omar Gaither last season, but likes what it sees from Abiamiri, a more natural right end. He should replace Darren Howard, who has been a bust in Philadelphia, and could challenge for a starting spot next season.
We hear that the Bills have been a bit disappointed with the play of DE Chris Kelsay. Believed to be the team’s most complete end, he’s recorded 24 tackles but just a single sack through Week Eight.
With rookie OLT Tony Ugoh sidelined for much of the Colts’ Week Seven Monday-night victory over the Jaguars, second-year pro Charlie Johnson stepped in with no noticeable drop-off. Johnson was expected to be named the starter at left tackle when Tarik Glenn announced his retirement on the eve of training camp, and the word from Colts camp is that the team is very confident Johnson can step in seamlessly at a variety of OL spots.
Despite putting up pedestrian numbers, we’re hearing the Colts’ coaching staff has been quite pleased with what they’re seeing from rookie WR Anthony Gonzalez. Drafted out of Ohio State to replace the departed Brandon Stokley in the slot, Gonzalez has impressed with his ability outside, as well, when filling in for Marvin Harrison.
A quadriceps injury to Jacksonville PK Josh Scobee has hampered the Jaguars more than they’re letting on. Forty-three-year-old replacement John Carney has lost a lot of power over the years and cannot be counted on for any field goals longer than 45 yards.
Upon his return from the physically-unable-to-perform list, we hear the Patriots will find a spot for longtime WR Troy Brown. The consummate team player, Brown is a reliable possession receiver and a locker-room favorite. His return, however, could spell trouble for fellow WR Kelly Washington. He stands as the most likely to be cut with Brown’s return.
Despite a regression in the O-line’s run blocking, there’s little chance the Jets will shake up their personnel. After singing the praises of rookie Jacob Bender in training camp, coach Eric Mangini has yet to give him a chance in the regular season. We also hear the New York media is growing increasingly irritated with Mangini in that it believes he purposely misleads them.
Our Cardinals insiders tell us QB Kurt Warner can be expected to play with a brace on his non-throwing elbow for the rest of the year, but that he should be able to at least use his left arm to make handoffs — which he wasn’t able to do in his last game against the Redskins — in the Cardinals’ next game against Tampa Bay on Nov. 4.
One move new Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt made that clearly hasn’t worked out was his decision to release veteran P Scott Player in favor of Mike Barr, who has been nothing short of terrible in recent weeks. Not only was Player’s steady punting far superior to that of Parr, whose net average in the Cardinals’ last game was 30.8 yards, but Player was also a much more reliable holder. Parr fumbled a snap that caused an extra-point attempt to be blocked in the Washington game. Unless he quickly shows some improvement, don’t be surprised if Parr is given the boot.
Our Rams sources tell us veteran OT Todd Steussie, who has been out all season with a knee injury, will be eligible to return to the team in time for the Week 11 game at San Francisco.
Niners rookie starting ORT Joe Staley has been very solid for the most part, but there was no denying the extent to which he was taken to school by Giants DLE Michael Strahan in the Niners’ Week Seven loss. That said, we’re told the team considers Staley the only bright light on a line that has experienced a baffling drop-off. Niners OLT Jonas Jennings and ORG Justin Smiley were replaced late in the third quarter in Week Seven by Adam Snyder and David Baas, respectively, and team sources expect the shuffling to continue moving forward.
Now that the Seahawks’ receiving corps is getting healthier with both Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett expected to return to action after the team’s bye, it’s been naturally assumed that Nate Burleson, who has had as many downs as ups as a receiver, will primarily be used as a return specialist the rest of the season. But team sources tell us Hackett must show that he has regained the form he displayed in his breakout campaign last season before Burleson is removed from the receiving mix.
While his impact in his rookie season so far has been negligible, we hear Bears
RB Garrett Wolfe deserves some credit for his defensive teammates’ performance in Week Seven against Brian Westbrook after doing an excellent imitation of the Eagles’ back in the practices leading up to the game.
Our Packers sources tell us Titans executive VP-GM Mike Reinfeldt, who negotiated contracts for Green Bay in the 1990s, wouldn’t mind being considered to succeed Bob Harlan as president of the team in Green Bay, but that Titans owner Bud Adams has no intention of releasing Reinfeldt from his long-term contract at this time.
The way we hear it, Bengals RB Chris Perry, who could return to practice this week, seems to be moving around pretty well after spending the first eight weeks of the season on the PUP list with an ankle injury. If healthy, he would bolster the team’s RB depth, and he would give them yet another weapon in the passing game.
The Titans could really miss starting FB Ahmard Hall, who is out at least another three weeks with a broken arm. Casey Cramer and Quinton Ganther will vie to replace Hall, but neither is as physical.
While Titans RB LenDale White’s yards-per-carry average is nothing to get excited about, the team is happy with his ability to wear down defenses with his physical style.
The Texans aren’t concerned with the play of CB Dunta Robinson, even after he struggled in the Week Seven loss to Tennessee. The prevailing sentiment is that if the Texans generate more of a pass rush, all of the team’s defensive backs will look better.
While the Houston defense as a whole has been in a swoon of late, the play of oft-criticized DT Travis Johnson has been a positive. Johnson has been more of a factor in recent weeks.
Ravens RS Yamon Figurs has flashed enormous potential as a returner, but the team wants him to become more mentally tough and to secure the ball better. If he improves in those areas, Figurs could become yet another AFC kick-returning star from Baltimore. Figurs was forced into the lineup when the Ravens lost B.J. Sams to a season-ending injury.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2007/whispers102707.htm
(PFW needs some editors, they flip flopped Webster and Fergy's first names)