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| PRO FOOTBALL . . . THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO BE. |
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
NFL 2013 Preview - San Diego Chargers
Head Coach: Mike McCoy
2012 Record: 7-9-0 (2nd in AFC West)
New Players: LB Dwight Freeney; RB Danny Woodhead; CB Derek Cox; OL Max Starks; OL Chad Rinehart.
Gone Elsewhere: CB Quentin Jammer; CB Antoine Cason; LB Takeo Spikes; LB Antwan Barnes; OL Jared Gaither; K Nate Kaeding; DL Antonio Garay; LB Shaun Phillips; DL Aubrayo Franklin; OL Louis Vasquez.
Offense: The Chargers have to be hoping that quarterback Philip Rivers snaps out of his two-year slump after he threw for his lowest yardage total in five seasons in 2012. Rivers had just 3,606 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Protecting Rivers better is a priority for the Chargers this season after allowing 49 sacks last year. The line is undergoing an overhaul as rookie D.J. Fluker (Alabama) was drafted in the first round to play right tackle.
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| QB Philip Rivers |
The running game has to get better after leading rusher Ryan Mathews rushed for 707 yards (3.8 ypc average) and scored just one touchdown while missing all or parts of five games last season. Aging veteran Ronnie Brown (220 rush yards and 49 receptions for 371 yards) provides backup along with newcomer Danny Woodhead, who ran for 301 yards and scored four touchdowns while also making 40 catches for 446 yards and three more scores with New England last year.
The wide receivers are looking to bounce back from injuries last year as Malcolm Floyd, who is recovering from a knee sprain, caught 56 passes for 814 yards and five touchdowns in 2012. Tight End Antonio Gates is a favorite target of Rivers and he caught 49 passes for 538 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Other wideouts include Vincent Brown, who showed real promise in 2011 before suffering a season ending injury in the 2012 pre-season. Rookie Keenan Allen (California) is another option along with Robert Meacham, who was a complete bust in 2012, catching just 14 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Eddie Royal is also available and also returns kicks as does Richard Goodman.
Defense: The Chargers defense ranked ninth overall last season, giving up 326 yards per game, including 96 on the ground (6th overall) and 230 passing yards, which was 18th in the NFL. The 'Bolts recorded 38 QB sacks while getting 28 turnovers, including 14 interceptions.
Up front in San Diego's 3-4 set is nose tackle Cam Thomas while Corey Liuget (seven QB sacks) and Kendali Reyes (5 1/2 sacks) play the ends. Jarius Wynn and Damik Scafe provide depth.
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| Linebacker Dwight Freeney |
The secondary is completely revamped at the corner spots with Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason leaving for free agency and being replaced by Shareece Wright and Derek Cox. The safties are Marcus Gilchrist and Eric Weddle, who had three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
OUTLOOK: New Head Coach Mike McCoy takes over for the fired Norv Turner, who in six seasons with the Chargers led the team to the playoffs three times, but not since 2009 have they made the post-season.
The offense, once upon a time the best in the NFL (with QB Philip Rivers leading the way) dropped off drastically last season to 31st in the league, averaging just 297 yards per game. The running game (27th) gained only 91 yards a game while the passing game averaged 206 yards to rank 24th in the NFL. The Chargers averaged 21.8 points per game and that must improve if the Chargers want to be taken seriously in the AFC West.
Rivers can't do it by himself, so it's vital that fourth year running back Ryan Mathews lives up to promise this season after spending parts of his first three years in the league in the trainer's room.
The wideouts have been hampered by injuries once again as Malcolm Floyd was hurt in training camp and Danario Alexander, who put up big numbers last year for San Diego, is out for the year with a knee injury. Meanwhile, on the bright side, tight end Antonio Gates appears to be one hundred percent healthy for the first time in six years.
There are numerous questions surrounding the new faces on offense and defense as well as the new coaching staff and system being implemented. All that said, the Chargers appear to be in rebuilding mode as Rivers looks to get his team back to the post-season for the first time in four years.
Perhaps better days are ahead as they look to get back to the basics and revamp the team to challenge once again in the AFC West. But don't count on it this season as the Chargers appear to be headed for yet another 7-9 finish in the 2013 season.
2013 SCHEDULE
Sept. 9- vs. Houston
Sept. 15- at Philadelphia
Sept. 22- at Tennessee
Sept. 29- vs. Dallas
Oct. 6- at Oakland
Oct. 14- vs. Indianapolis
Oct. 20- at Jacksonville
Oct. 27- BYE WEEK
Nov. 3- at Washington
Nov. 10- vs. Denver
Nov. 17- at Miami
Nov. 24- at Kansas City
Dec. 1- vs. Cincinnati
Dec. 8- vs. NY Giants
Dec. 12- at Denver
Dec. 22- vs. Oakland
Dec. 29- vs. Kansas City
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
NFL 2013 Preview - Oakland Raiders
OAKLAND RAIDERS Head Coach: Dennis Allen
2012 Record: 4-12-0 (3rd in AFC West)
New Players: QB Matt Flynn; S Charles Woodson; RB Rashad Jennings; LB Nick Roach; LB Kevin Burnett; CB Tracy Porter; P Chris Kluwe.
Gone Elsewhere: QB Carson Palmer; DL Tommy Kelly; WR Darrius Heyward-Bey; S Michael Huff; TE Brandon Myers; LB Philip Wheeler; DL Richard Seymour.
Offense: The Raiders will have a new quarterback this season as Matt Flynn comes over from Seattle after being expected to be the starter there last season only to watch rookie sensation Russell Wilson take the team over and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Flynn will be expected to lead the team with Terrelle Pryor backing up. Rookie Tyler Wilson (Arkansas) will hold the clipboard.
Darren McFadden is the top running back after going for 707 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games a
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| Darren McFadden |
The wide receivers are Denarius Moore (51 receptions for 741 yards and seven touchdowns), Rod Streater (39, 584, three TD) and Juron Criner, who had 16 receptions for 151 yards and one score.
Jacoby Ford is expected to be a starter after missing the entire 2012 season with a foot injury. The tight end spot is up in the air as Richard Gordon, David Ausberry and rookie Nick Kasa (Colorado) are looking to earn the starter's role.
The line is manned by tackles Jared Veldheer and rookie Menelik Watson (Florida State) and guards Tony Bergstrom and Mike Brisiel. The center is Stefen Wisniewski.
Oakland was 18th in total offense last season averaging 344 yards a game. The running game was 28th, getting only 89 yards per game. The passing game had a 4,000-plus yard passer in Carson Palmer (gone to Arizona this season) so last season's eighth ranked passing game is a moot point. The Raiders averaged just 18 points a game in 2012 as they scored 290 points.
Defense: While they employ the 4-3 set on defense, the Raiders will be without main man Richard Seymour up front as he departed for free agency in the off-season. Tommy Kelly also left in the off-season.
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| Charles Woodson |
The linebackers are Kaluka Maiava in the middle with Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett manning the outside.
The secondary will have veteran safety Charles Woodson returning to the Raiders after spending the past seven seasons in Green Bay. Along with Woodson is Tyvon Branch as the strong safety. The corners will be Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins. Top draft pick D.J. Hayden (Houston) will provide good depth in the secondary.
Oakland gave up a lot of points (443) last season as only three other teams allowed more scoring. In addition, the Raiders finished 18th overall on defense, giving up 355 yards per game, including 119 on the ground and 236 passing yards per game.
OUTLOOK: With a new quarterback taking over this season, expect some growing pains for the offense as Matt Flynn becomes familiar with the system the team wants to run.
Head Coach Dennis Allen would like to see running back Darren McFadden return to full strength after another season confounded by injuries.
If McFadden can stay on the field, he is one of the better offensive players in the league, but only time will tell this year. The wide receivers are decent and Flynn will have to keep things moving for the offense, which has to do better than 18 points per game.
On the bright side, any time the Raiders cross midfield, they are in field goal range for one of the best in the business with kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who made 91 percent of his field goal attempts last year.
The defense must have a better pass rush after getting just 25 QB sacks a year ago. Likewise, turnovers have to improve as the Raiders had just eleven interceptions and eight fumble recoveries in 2012.
Playing in the AFC West is tough enough with Denver dominating these days while San Diego and Kansas City always play the Raiders tough. So division games will be crucial for the team once again this year. The overall schedule is pretty tough as well, so don't expect too much from the Raiders this season with all the new faces in key spots on both sides of the ball.
A 3-13 finish is likely this year for the Raiders as they simply have too many questions surrounding them in the upcoming season.
2013 SCHEDULE
Sept. 8- at Indianapolis
Sept. 15- vs. Jacksonville
Sept. 23- at Denver
Sept. 29- vs. Washington
Oct. 6- vs. San Diego
Oct. 13- at Kansas City
Oct. 20- BYE WEEK
Oct. 27- vs. Pittsburgh
Nov. 3- vs. Philadelphia
Nov. 10- at NY Giants
Nov. 17- at Houston
Nov. 24- vs. Tennessee
Nov. 28- at Dallas
Dec. 8- at NY Jets
Dec. 15- vs. Kansas City
Dec. 22- at San Diego
Dec. 29- vs. Denver
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
NFL 2013 Preview - Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Head Coach: Andy Reid
2012 Record: 2-14-0 (4th in AFC West)
New Players: QB Alex Smith; QB Chase Daniel; WR Donnie Avery; WR A.J. Jenkins; TE Anthony Fasano; DL Mike DeVito; LB Akeem Jordan; CB Sean Smith; CB Dunta Robinson; OL Geoff Schwartz.
Gone Elsewhere: QB Matt Cassel; QB Brady Quinn; TE Kevin Boss; WR Jon Baldwin; RB Peyton Hillis; DL Glenn Dorsey; OL Ryan Lilja; OL Eric Winston.
Offense: Gone are quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn and in their places are Alex Smith (1,737 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions with the 49ers) and backup Chase Daniel, who held the clipboard for the New Orleans Saints the past few seasons while QB Drew Brees was setting new passing records.
The running back is Jamaal Charles, who came back strong from a knee injury in 2011 to gain an AFC best 1,509 yards last season with a 5.3 ypc average and scored five rushing touchdowns. He also caught 35
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| RB Jamaal Charles |
Wide receivers include Dwayne Bowe (59 receptions for 801 yards and three TD), Dexter McCluster (52, 452, one TD), Donnie Avery (60, 781, three TD with Indianapolis) and tight end Tony Moeaki, who made 33 receptions for 453 yards and one touchdown. Moeaki was recently injured in pre-season, meaning Anthony Fasano (41, 332, five TD with Miami in 2012) will likely be the starter once the season kicks off. Rookie pick Travis Kelce (Cincinnati) provides depth.
The offensive line has center Rodney Hudson, guards Jeff Allen and Jon Asamoah along with Branden Albert at left tackle and Number-One NFL Draft pick Eric Fisher at right tackle.
The Chiefs have nowhere to go but up after last season's anemic offensive production, particularly in the passing game, where they ranked dead last in the NFL with just 169 passing yards per game. Overall, thanks in large part to the number-five ranked rushing attack (150 yards per game), the Chiefs finished 24th in total offense and were last in the league in scoring with 211 points, which was a paltry 13.2 points per game.
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| LB Tamba Hali |
The linebackers are led by outside men Tamba Hali (nine QB sacks) and Justin Houston (ten sacks) while Akeem Jordan and Derrick Johnson are the inside linebackers.
The corners will once again be Brandon Flowers (three interceptions) and Sean Smith while Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis are the safties.
The Chiefs were 20th in total defense last year, allowing 357 yards per game (136 rushing and 221 passing yards) while giving up 425 points, including 30-plus points in seven games. The Chiefs totaled only 13 turnovers (six fumble recoveries and seven INT) which led to a woeful minus-24 on the turnover charts, which tied Philadelphia for worst in pro football.
OUTLOOK: Improvement on both sides of the ball is definitely the agenda for new Head Coach Andy Reid as he looks to get the team back into the playoff hunt in the AFC.
The Chiefs were awful in 2012, going 2-14 while being doubled up in points (425-211) for the season and that must change if the team wants to be competitive in the AFC West, let alone talk about getting back to the AFC Playoffs for the first time in three years.
Alex Smith was the starting QB in San Francisco before suffering an injury and then losing the starting spot to Colin Kaepernick as the 49ers went to the Super Bowl.
Smith would love to show what he can do and the Chiefs may be just the tonic for that in 2013. BOTH have points to prove to doubters around the NFL.
As long as Jamaal Charles stays healthy again this season, look for the breakaway back to continue to lead the way on offense.
The defense took a huge step back last season and the key ingredient to their success the previous two seasons was turnovers, which were very far and few between last season. That must improve along with better run defense (KC was 27th against the run last year) and better pressure on opposing quarterbacks as the Chiefs had just 27 sacks last year.
There is a lot of room for improvement in Kansas City in 2013 as they attempt to chase down the division champion Denver Broncos while battling San Diego for second place. The playoffs may be pushing the envelope for this team this season.
Andy Reid had better talent in Philadelphia the past two years and they did poorly, missing the playoffs and costing Reid his job after last season's 4-12 disaster. That being said, Reid does have a proven track record and can turn this team around quickly as long as the offense comes together with Smith running the show.
Look for a 8-8 finish this season from the Chiefs, which would be a six-game improvement from 2012 as they get back to .500 and look to a better future with Reid and Smith leading the way.
2013 SCHEDULE
Sept. 8- at Jacksonville
Sept. 15- vs. Dallas
Sept. 19- at Philadelphia
Sept. 29- vs. NY Giants
Oct. 6- at Tennessee
Oct. 13- vs. Oakland
Oct. 20- vs. Houston
Oct. 27- vs. Cleveland
Nov. 3- at Buffalo
Nov. 10- BYE WEEK
Nov. 17- at Denver
Nov. 24- vs. San Diego
Dec. 1- vs. Denver
Dec. 8- at Washington
Dec. 15- at Oakland
Dec. 22- vs. Indianapolis
Dec. 29- at San Diego
Monday, August 26, 2013
NFL 2013 Preview - Denver Broncos
DENVER BRONCOS Head Coach: John Fox
2012 Record: 13-3-0 (1st in AFC West)
New Players: WR Wes Welker; CB Quentin Jammer; LB Shaun Phillips; CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie; DL Terrance Knighton; OL Louis Vasquez.
Gone Elsewhere: DL Elvis Dumervil; RB Willis McGahee; WR Brandon Stokley; CB Tracy Porter; DL Jason Hunter; S Jim Leonhard; LB D.J. Williams.
Offense: The Broncos were 4th in the NFL in total offense last season, averaging 398 yards per game (115 rushing and 283 passing) with quarterback Peyton Manning leading the way.
Manning threw for 4,659 yards with 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while showing no real ill effects from multiple neck surgeries that kept him out for the entire 2011 season.
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| QB Peyton Manning |
In addition to Welker, Denver has Demaryius Thomas (94, 1,434, ten TD) and Eric Decker, who had 85 receptions for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns. The tight end combination of Joel Dreesen (41, 356, five TD) and Jacob Tamme (52, 555, two TD) is solid.
The running game will be tweaked with rookie Montee Ball (Wisconsin) set to join Knowshon Moreno (525 rushing yards and four TD) and Ronnie Hillman (330 yards and one TD) as the primary backs following the departure of Willis McGahee, the team's leading rusher the past two seasons.
The O-Line is solid, allowing just 21 QB sacks last year while keeping the team respectable in the running game. The center is J.D. Walton, the guards are Zane Beadles and Louis Vasquez and the tackles will be Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin.
Defense: The Broncos will be without their best defensive player, linebacker Von Miller for the first six games while he serves a league mandated suspension.
That being said, the team also no longer has Elvis Dumervil, who went to Baltimore in the off-season. Miller had 18 1/2 quarterback sacks last season and will be missed with the first six games featuring some tough opponents.
Playing up front in the team's 4-3 set are ends Robert Ayers and Derek Wolfe (six sacks) along with tackle
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| Broncos LB Von Miller |
The linebacking unit will be led by Miller on the outside along with Wesley Woodyard (5 1/2 sacks and three interceptions) and middle linebacker Nate Irving.
In the secondary are veterans Champ Bailey and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at the corners while Rahim Moore and Mike Adams are the safties. Chris Harris (three picks) and Quentin Jammer (three INT with San Diego in 2012) add depth to the secondary.
The Broncos finished tied for the league lead with 52 QB sacks last year while finishing second in the NFL in total defense, allowing 291 yards a game. They were third overall against both the run (91 yards allowed per game) and pass (200 yards allowed) while giving up 289 points, which ranked fourth in the league.
OUTLOOK: After finishing the regular season 13-3, the bitter taste of a first game (Divisional Round) playoff defeat to Baltimore in overtime will be a motivating factor for the Broncos entering the 2013 season.
With Peyton Manning leading a high powered offense, expect the Broncos to light up the scoreboard once again after finishing second in the NFL last year in scoring with 481 points.
The running game was productive last year to go with the high octane offense that Manning likes to run. It will be interesting to see how the running attack is this year with some of the changes made in the off-season.
On defense, the team has to overcome the loss of Von Miller for the first six games. There is plenty of talent here to hold the fort until Miller serves the suspension. The big question will be whether the Broncos can muster up the fierce pass rush they had last year with Miller out and Elvis Dumervil no longer on the team.
As long as Manning stays healthy and the Broncos continue to pile up the yardage and points each week, they will be a force to be reckoned with and Head Coach John Fox knows this very well.
A 12-4 season looks to be in order for the Broncos this season as they appear to once again be head and shoulders above the rest of the AFC West.
Once the playoffs begin, they (and Manning in particular) must forget about last year's collapse in the final minute of regulation when they allowed the Baltimore Ravens to steal the game from them which eventually ended in a double overtime loss.
The time is now for the Broncos and they know it... now they must go out and prove it.
2013 SCHEDULE
Sept. 5- vs. Baltimore
Sept. 15- at NY Giants
Sept. 23- vs. Oakland
Sept. 29- vs. Philadelphia
Oct. 6- at Dallas
Oct. 13- vs. Jacksonville
Oct. 20- at Indianapolis
Oct. 27- vs. Washington
Nov. 3- BYE WEEK
Nov. 10- at San Diego
Nov. 17- vs. Kansas City
Nov. 24- at New England
Dec. 1- at Kansas City
Dec. 8- vs. Tennessee
Dec. 12- vs. San Diego
Dec. 22- at Houston
Dec. 29- at Oakland
Sunday, August 25, 2013
NFL 2013 Preview - New York Jets
NEW YORK JETS Head Coach: Rex Ryan
2012 Record: 6-10-0 (3rd in AFC East)
New Players: LB Antwan Barnes; RB Chris Ivory; RB Mike Goodson; OL Willie Colon; S Dawan Landry.
Gone Elsewhere: CB Darrelle Revis; RB Shonn Greene; TE Dustin Keller; LB Bart Scott; OL Matt Slauson; S Yeremiah Bell; DL Mike DeVito; S LaRon Landry; DL Sione Po'uha.
Offense: Revamping this unit around either quarterback Mark Sanchez or rookie draft pick Geno Smith (West Virginia) is where the Jets offense is heading this season.
Sanchez was woeful last season, throwing for 2,883 yards with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
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| Jets QB Mark Sanchez |
The running game is also going through big changes with leading back Shonn Greene departing for Tennessee in the off-season.
The starting candidates are Bilal Powell (437 rushing yards with four TD), Chris Ivory (217 yards and two TD with a 5.1 ypc average in only six games with New Orleans) and Mike Goodson, who had 221 yards in limited action with Oakland last season.
The wide receivers include Jeremy Kerley (56 receptions for 827 yards and two TD), Stephen Hill (21, 252, three TD) and Santonio Holmes, who played in just four games last year while catching 20 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown. Clyde Gates and Jordan White add depth to the receiving corps. The tight end is Jeff Cumberland, who made 29 receptions for 359 yards and three scores last season.
The line has Nick Mangold at center, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Austin Howard at tackles. The guards will be Stephen Peterman and Willie Colon.
Defense: With two rookies slated to start on defense in 2013, the Jets vaunted defense is also undergoing changes.
Gone is Darrelle Revis (aka Revis Island), perhaps the best cornerback in the NFL. Also gone is linebacker Bart Scott, safties Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry and defensive linemen Mike DeVito and Sione Po'uha.
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| Head Coach Rex Ryan |
The linebacking crew has outside men Antwan Barnes and Quinton Coples (5 1/2 sacks) along with inside backers Demario Davis and David Harris. Veteran LB Calvin Pace will step up again when needed.
The secondary will have rookie Dee Milliner (Alabama) and Antonio Cromartie (three interceptions) at the corners while Dawan Landry and Josh Bush play safety. Others in the fold include Aaron Berry, Kyle Wilson, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett.
The Jets were eighth in the NFL on defense last year, including number-two against the pass, allowing 190 yards per game. They also allowed 375 points (23.5 points per game) in 2012.
OUTLOOK: The quarterback situation appears to be a huge mess at this point in time and Head Coach Rex Ryan has been testy (to say the least) when addressing the situation.
Whether it's Sanchez or the rookie Geno Smith taking the snaps this year, the Jets have to have stability at the most important position on the field.
The running back by committee will be a project as well. The line has to open the holes for the backs while also providing much better pass protection for the quarterbacks as they allowed 47 sacks last year.
The wide receiving corps is decent, especially if Santonio Holmes can stay healthy this season.
On defense, replacing cornerback Darrelle Revis and both safties is impossible. You don't replace 'Revis Island' with anyone, let alone a rookie defensive back.
The Jets struggled against the run last season (allowing 133 yards per game while ranked 26th in NFL) and that must improve. The turnovers cannot be a problem either in 2013 after the Jets were a minus-14 (18 fumbles and 19 interceptions on offense) last season.
It very well could be a long season in the Big Apple this year as the Jets re-tool and look to the future in the AFC East division. Figure on 5-11 this season as they attempt to stay out of the cellar.
2013 SCHEDULE
Sept. 8- vs. Tampa Bay
Sept. 12- at New England
Sept. 22- vs. Buffalo
Sept. 29- at Tennessee
Oct. 7- at Atlanta
Oct. 13- vs. Pittsburgh
Oct. 20- vs. New England
Oct. 27- at Cincinnati
Nov. 3- vs. New Orleans
Nov. 10- BYE WEEK
Nov. 17- at Buffalo
Nov. 24- at Baltimore
Dec. 1- vs. Miami
Dec. 8- vs. Oakland
Dec. 15- at Carolina
Dec. 22- vs. Cleveland
Dec. 29- at Miami
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