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Zebra Report: A Good Ejection, Bad Reviews and Seeing the Whole Play

Matt Snyder — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Buccaneers, Chargers, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, NFL Referees

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

I'll agree with the defenders of Dante Wesley on one front, but just one: he hasn't made a career out of being a dirty player. Sunday, though, he was. What Wesley did, whether intentional or not, was one of the most egregious things I've ever seen done on a football field. Honestly, I didn't even think I'd have to cover it for Zebra Report, but I've seen so many absolutely appalling arguments in defense of Wesley on comment boards across the internet, that I feel I have to. It's simply mind-boggling (and, as a football fan, a bit embarrassing) that some people seriously think his hit was, or should have been, legal.

The kick-catching interference call by the officials was a no-brainer. They'll never have to make an easier call. I want to give them kudos for ejecting him. That's a total judgment call and I believe it to be the right one. I don't care if he "didn't mean to" hit Clifton Smith before the ball arrived or not. That's like saying you didn't mean to punch someone in the face. He still did it.

Anyway, on to the rules. I can't believe I have to do this, but the fact that Smith didn't call a fair catch is irrelevant. I keep seeing Wesley defenders post some derivative of "he should have called fair catch" or "the referees called fair catch infraction" Um ... he has protection anyway and no they didn't. If that's what the official said, he misspoke. The penalty is called "kick-catching interference." Here:

Rule 10-1: Article 1 During a scrimmage kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, or during a free kick, members of the kicking team are prohibited from interfering with any receiver making an attempt to catch the airborne kick, or from obstructing or hindering his path to the airborne kick, and regardless of whether any signal was given.

Item 1: Contact with Receiver. It is interference if a player of the kicking team contacts the receiver, or causes a passive player of either team to contact the receiver, before or simultaneous to his touching the ball.

As far as the ejection, you can use these two items:

Rule 12-2-8 (it is unnecessary roughness for ... ) (e) unnecessarily running, diving into, cutting, or throwing the body against or on a player who (i) is out of the play or (ii) should not have reasonably anticipated such contact by an opponent, before or after the ball is dead; or throwing the runner to the ground after the ball is dead;

Rule 3-6 (players can be disqualified for ... ) (b) flagrant roughing of a kicker, passer, or any other opponent (12-2-6 and 12-2-12);

I know this is technically a judgment call and I've said I won't be making these statements this year, but this play was so flagrant I feel compelled to break my own rule and say it was the correct judgment.

Finally, the worst argument in the history of arguments is the whole "this is football, not soccer" one. Punt returners have always had protection against a hit like this. Go whine about how "real men" played football back in the 1970s if you want, but you need to ask punt returners from the '70s if they were protected against hits like this: because they were. This isn't an opinion, it is a fact. Thus, if you disagree, you are wrong. There are no two ways about it. Period. Are we clear?

There, now that I've got that off my chest, we can move on.

- Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch posted this paragraph on the Rams-Jags game's officiating in his post-game thoughts.

* The officiating was incoherent Sunday. They got it wrong on a couple of pass interference calls against the Rams. Even when referee Jeff Triplette had a chance to review an onfield mistake - the sideline catch by Holt - he still got it wrong and didn't reverse the ruling on the field. NFL officials, for the most part, are frontrunners. (I apologize to the many good officials out there, including my friend Joe Larrew, because I know it isn't true of all officials.) They know who is good, they know who is bad, and they know who the "name" players are. It may not be something that they're even aware of outwardly, but it's always been my belief that the zebras give the benefit of the doubt to good teams and name players. Look, the Rams didn't lose the game because of the officials. But it's hard to imagine a more poorly officiated game than the one I saw Sunday.

First of all, I'm not going to dispute or reinforce his opinion about officials subconsciously favoring the better teams. I know it doesn't happen for me in high school games, but those aren't famous players. Of the two NFL officials I've met, I don't know either one well enough to say if they do this -- especially if it is subconscious -- so we'll just leave that part alone.

I will dispute his argument on the pass interference calls -- at least the one I saw. First, remember the seven principles of pass interference, which were covered in the third incident in a past Zebra Report. The first one (a) says that it is interference when contact by a player "who is not playing the ball restricts the opponent's opportunity to catch the ball." In the fourth quarter, James Laurinaitis was called for interference. He was running toward the receiver. Without turning his head back around toward the ball, he held up his hands. The receiver tried to get back to the pass and ran into Laurinaitis. Like it or not, he restricted the receiver's ability to catch the football while he wasn't playing the ball. It's a simple call. This is the only interference call I saw, so I'll apologize in advance to good ol' Bernie (whose writing I really enjoy) if he wasn't disputing this particular call.

Of course, the replay review Miklasz mentions was egregious. It was very clear for anyone who had a television set that Torry Holt's second foot was out of bounds. It wasn't a toe, either, it was half of his foot. I'm not sure if the referee, Triplette, didn't see the same replay the fans did or what. If not, this was a mistake by the replay system as a whole. This wasn't even a judgment call, in my opinion. It was an absolute fact that half of Holt's foot was out of bounds. I'm usually a defender, of sorts, of the officials, but this is unacceptable. I would hope Triplette himself would agree with me after seeing further replays.

- Speaking of botched replays, I'm not sure how the officials could change the Brandon Stokley touchdown late Monday night and still give him a touchdown (watch it on youtube by clicking here). The initial call was clearly that Stokley didn't get into the end-zone until after he was on the ground and rolled in. That much was evident because the line judge waited to throw his hands in the air until after Stokley rolled in from the ground. If the call on the field was that he caught the ball in the end-zone, we would have seen an immediate signal.

The replay clearly showed Stokley was touched by Antonio Cromartie when on the ground and not in the end-zone. If you need conclusive evidence to overturn a call, they had it there. However, the officials then awarded the touchdown on the grounds that he caught the ball when it was breaking the plane of the end-zone. It seems as though they found conclusive evidence to call it a touchdown in a different manner than the on-field call awarded one. You can't find a single angle where the ball was conclusively breaking the plane of the end-zone on the catch, at least as far as I could tell. It seems to me the only conclusive part of the replay was the touch, thus, they should have placed the ball on the half yard line. That's my judgment, though, so I guess I shouldn't say it (damn these self-imposed rules).

- In that same game, the officials got together and got a tricky enforcement correct. There was a pass interference call in favor of Brandon Marshall, but Marshall -- being the lovable, level-headed guy he is -- went ballistic because he didn't see the flag. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Since one foul was during the play and the other was after, how could the penalties offset and mean the down should be replayed? Here you go:

Rule 14-9: If there has been a foul by either team during a down and there is a dead ball foul by the other team in the action immediately after the end of the down, it is a double foul, and all rules for enforcement of double fouls apply (see 14-3-1). Exception: If the scoring team commits a dead ball foul after a score, the score counts,
and the penalty is enforced on the kickoff.

And 14-3-1: If there is a double foul (3-11-2-c) without a change of possession, the penalties are offset and the down is replayed at the previous spot. If it was a scrimmage down, the number of the next down and the necessary line is the same as for the down for which the new one is substituted.

Say what you will about judgment calls, but it's pretty amazing how the officials rarely mis-enforce tricky stuff like this. With a 136-page rule book, that's good work to go from memory out there and always get it right.

- Finally, we don't usually cover college plays, but this was submitted to me and I thought it was a good time to talk about a general guideline for officials of all levels. In order to make a call, you have to see the entire act. You cannot get into assuming things.

For example, if you are behind a player and see his head turn to the side really fast, you cannot throw a flag for facemask. It might have happened, but it may not have. You can't just assume penalties. People in the crowd, by the way, do this with alarming frequency. It's actually a running joke among officials. If you see someone sprawling out like superman and landing on his stomach, he must have gotten blocked in the back, right? But what if he just tripped? Do you want to flag the offense for a clumsy defender?

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is that it appears in a college game this past weekend, an official violated this premise. Watch this play:

I think it pretty well speaks for itself. No. 96 for Arkansas got blocked and got flagged for unnecessary roughness -- basically for shedding a block. It's obvious the official who made the call didn't see the entire play. Thanks to reader Robin for the submission. A final note: the SEC did admit the call was incorrect -- not that it helps the Razorbacks in coping with the egregious call.

Got a rules-related question? Whether it's elementary, high school or NFL, email TZR and he'll see what he can do.

Zebra Report: A Good Ejection, Bad Reviews and Seeing the Whole Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguars Player Reportedly Causes Two Car Wrecks, Tries to Flee Scene

Matt Snyder — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:50:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, AFC South, NFL Police Blotter

Friday, Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quentin Groves was headed to the airport to catch his team's chartered flight to Seattle -- where they'd eventually get their teeth kicked in, 41-0. On the way, though, he wasn't exactly what you would call a cautious motorist.

According to reports from the Jacksonville area, Groves did some damage to two different vehicles with some careless driving. Reportedly, Groves clipped one car while changing lanes -- sending it spinning -- and then abruptly changed lanes again before slamming on the brakes. This caused another car to end up wedged under Groves' car.

When Groves stopped to confer with the driver of the vehicle under the back of his car, he simply said that he was "a Jaguar" and had "a plane to catch." So, he just took off, the reports said.

A good Samaritan-type in the area ended up following Groves and blocked his car about a quarter-mile away until police arrived. Reports late Sunday night on the Florida Times-Union's Web site indicate Groves was not charged with fleeing the scene. He was only given a warning, which is totally the police officer's discretion, for an improper lane change. There was ambiguity whether Groves was actually charged with causing both crashes, as a full police report had not been completed yet, according the the Times-Union's report.

Groves' actions, however, could be construed as hit-and-run and leaving the scene of an accident, which is a felony in many states, including Florida.

Groves was uninjured in the accident and his vehicle -- a Cadillac Escalade -- was apparently working well enough to still get him to the airport, but the others involved weren't so fortunate. One driver is still in the hospital with a concussion and back pain, and has around $5,000 worth of damage to his car, according to reports. The other has a totaled car and initially visited the hospital with back and arm pain, reports also said.

After all that, Groves still missed the chartered flight and had to fly commercial to Seattle.

Jaguars Player Reportedly Causes Two Car Wrecks, Tries to Flee Scene originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Sims-Walker Out of Jaguars Lineup For Team Rules Violation

Chris Burke — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, Seahawks, NFL Injuries

Jacksonville has suspended Mike Sims-Walker, the team's leading wide receiver, for Sunday's game at Seattle for an unspecified violation of team rules, Michael C. Wright reported on Twitter.

Sims-Walker, a second-year player out of Central Florida, has been a surprise star through four weeks -- he's made 19 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns, and has developed into one of the Jaguars' most consistent offensive threats.

Rookie Mike Thomas will start in Sims-Walker's place.

After starting the season 0-2, Jacksonville has bounced back with a pair of wins -- at Houston and against Tennessee -- to pull back into the playoff race in the AFC. Sims-Walker caught nine passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns against the Titans.

Mike Sims-Walker Out of Jaguars Lineup For Team Rules Violation originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL's VP of Officiating: Refs Blew Touchdown Call in Jags-Titans Game

Chris Burke — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:15:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, Titans, NFL Referees

It's hard to blame one play for the Titans' embarrassing 37-17 loss at Jacksonville in Week 4 -- a loss that dropped Tennessee to 0-4. But that doesn't mean Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher is ready to let the game's referee crew off the hook for a botched call that gave Jacksonville a touchdown.

With less than 30 seconds to play in the first half, Jaguars quarterback David Garrard threw a pass to Mike Sims-Walker in the end zone. Sims-Walker initially hauled the pass in, but Titans cornerback Jason McCourty batted the ball out as the two players fell to the ground. It was ruled an incompletion on the field.

But the replay booth buzzed head referee Alberto Riveron -- per protocol in the final two minutes of a half -- to take a second look. Riveron then reversed the call on the field, giving the Jags a touchdown and a 27-3 halftime lead.

Fisher was livid at the time, and remained incensed about the play days later, according to The Tennessean.

"It was an incomplete pass, it should have never gone to review," Fisher said. "And I don't believe there is any excuse for that. It wasn't the difference in the ball game but it was an error in judgment on behalf of the replay system and I believe it was an error in judgment on behalf of the referee.''

The NFL's vice president of officiating, Mike Pereira, agreed with Fisher. On NFL Network's Total Access, Pereira said that the wrong call was made after the replay, and that Sims-Walker should not have been awarded a touchdown.

FanHouse's resident referee Matt Snyder touched on the topic in this week's Zebra Report, reminding us all about the rule in question -- which states that a player making a catch while going to the ground must maintain possession after hitting the ground. The same rule came into play during Oakland's Week 1 loss to San Diego. In that game, Raiders receiver Louis Murphy made a grab in the end zone for an apparent score, but lost control of the ball after making contact with the ground. In that case, Murphy was awarded a touchdown initially, then had it overturned after.

Here's Sims-Walker's "touchdown" from Week 4:

It's a tricky call, no doubt, but by the letter of the law, it definitely looks like an incompletion. McCourty is tackling Sims-Walker as he attempts the catch, Sims-Walker lands on McCourty so he's not down, and in the process McCourty punches the ball out.

And if you still believe it's a touchdown ... well, you can take it up with Pereira.

NFL's VP of Officiating: Refs Blew Touchdown Call in Jags-Titans Game originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Orlando Jaguars? Owner Says Team Will Consider Moving Games

Chris Burke — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, NFL Rumors

Jacksonville's attendance woes have reached rather dire straits; the team likely won't sell out a single game in 2009, and sold less than 50,000 tickets for its home opener in Week 2 (with less than 40,000 people showing up). So, perhaps not surprisingly, Jaguars team owner Wayne Weaver is talking about moving the team -- at least on occasion.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Weaver said that, if the NFL expands to an 18-game schedule in the near future as expected, the Jaguars would seriously consider playing some home games in Orlando.

"There's certainly the possibility that we would play some out-of-market games," Weaver told the Sentinel. "If it happened, Orlando would be the best option and most reasonable location.

"In the past, we have reached out to try and cultivate that market and haven't had as much success as we would have liked. We probably need to do a better job. That's a given. We are looking at a long-term strategy and thinking out of the box on how we can build a fan base in Orlando."

If this strategy sounds familiar, it's because the Bills have employed a similar plan using Toronto. Prior to the 2008 season, the Bills agreed to play eight home games in Toronto between 2008-12, one regular-season game per year plus a few preseason contests -- the Bills beat Pittsburgh in the 2008 preseason, and lost to Miami last regular season in games played at Rogers Centre. They will "host" the Jets on Dec. 3 north of the border to fulfill their 2009 obligation.

Jacksonville might not be the only team to explore moving games to other markets -- both to build up an extended fan base and to ensure sellouts -- if the NFL has the type of attendance woes that have been forecast. Should the regular-season schedule expand to 18 games, the need to find people willing to buy tickets would only increase.

"We know that we can't be a viable NFL city if we only sell 46,000 seats in a 66,000-seat stadium," Weaver said.

Even if the Jaguars follow through with this idea, Weaver did not indicate that the team would look into permanently relocating from Jacksonville to Orlando. Still, a strong show of support from the Orlando area would definitely open some eyes within the Jacksonville organization.

Orlando, too, would be quite an attractive spot for the NFL to setup shop -- Jacksonville has already hosted a Super Bowl, and the city of Orlando would no doubt be a contender to do the same if it landed an NFL team.

The Orlando Jaguars? Owner Says Team Will Consider Moving Games originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zebra Report: Another Texan Controversy

Matt Snyder — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Jaguars, Raiders, Seahawks, Texans, Titans, NFL Referees

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

For the second straight week, the Houston Texans' offense was involved in a controversial call on a would-be touchdown. In Week 2, many thought they were the beneficiary of a bad call. In Week 3, the proverbial shoe was on the other foot. Let's get right to it.

- Kevin Walter is called for offensive pass interference, nullifying what would have been a game-tying touchdown. You can watch the replay by clicking here at the 2:30 mark and beyond. Walter appeared to be running a route over the middle of the field. As he looked back to Matt Schaub, he appeared to inadvertently run into a defensive player, who, in turn, was knocked into the umpire. A few seconds after this happened, Schaub found Joel Dreessen for an apparent touchdown. It was called back for OPI on Walter, under this rule.

(8-5-2, page 56) Prohibited Acts by both teams while the ball is in the air. Acts that are pass interference include but are not limited to: ... e) Cutting off the path of an opponent by making contact with him, without playing the ball.

and (emphasis mine)

(8-5-4, page 57) Other Prohibited acts by the offense. Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to a pass being thrown is offensive pass interference. Note: It is also pass interference by the offense to block a defender beyond the line while the pass is in the air, if the block occurs in the vicinity of the player to whom the pass is thrown.

In this case, the word "block" is a generic term to cover any contact a player makes on an opposing player, impeding his progress. Don't get confused by the wording. Walter most certainly "blocked" the defender on this play. His intent doesn't matter, nor does where he's looking (at the ball or the defender). Also, I've seen on some Texans message boards that people are claiming head coach Gary Kubiak said this call is almost never made when the defense in in zone coverage. That doesn't matter, either. The officials aren't there to make a consideration based upon what defense is being playing. By letter of the law, this would be offensive pass interference, unless he's not in the vicinity of the player to whom the pass is thrown.

So, how do we define vicinity? That's judgment. My personal judgment would be that "vicinity" meant the act had an actual effect on the outcome of the play. What do you readers think? Did Walter's block come within the "vicinity" of the reception? We've included a poll for your vote.

Here are Kubiak's thoughts on the play from a press conference, after he had viewed the game film, just for what it's worth:

"I'm disappointed in that, but the call is what it is. They're playing zone coverage, they're playing quarters. Kevin's running a shallow cross and he actually runs into a linebacker and an official in there, so we sent it into the league. We'll see what happens. I was disappointed. We had a chance to overcome it. We basically had a chance to score twice down there, but we hurt ourselves both times with the call and the fumble."

- In Week 2, some thought the Raiders fans now had a right to be upset about the correct call in Week 1 on Louis Murphy's would-be touchdown -- which was ruled incomplete by rule. The scapegoat calls for Week 2 were a Jacoby Jones touchdown and a Dante Rosario touchdown. First of all, the call on the Murphy touchdown was correct. Thus, any calls Raider fans deem incorrect for the rest of the season still shouldn't bother them. Where's the logic in that? It's like getting a speeding ticket for going 20 miles per hour over the limit and then complaining that someone else was doing it and didn't get caught. Yeah, it sucks, but you were still speeding.

(For the record, I think Mike Florio -- who wrote what I linked above -- was just trying to drum up traffic with the title. He's far too logical to really believe those calls make a difference to the Raiders.)

Anyway, the Jones play is really, really close. Click here to watch the video, and the play in question is at about 1:55 on the highlight package. The official word from the league is that Jones maintained possession through hitting the ground one time, and then only lost it when he spun around and hit the ground a second time. It's true that if someone hits the ground once and keeps control, that's a catch and nothing that happens afterward matters. In this case, though, I could definitely see where people would question the judgment. Was Cortland Finnegan under Jones on the first hit? If so, he hadn't yet hit the ground. Also, was the spinning over the defender all one motion, in which case Jones would have to maintain possession the entire time? I'm fine with the call standing, but can definitely see where there's an argument from Titans fans (but not Raiders fans).

On the Rosario play, it was clearly two different motions. He made the catch in the field of play, and then turned upfield and extended the ball across the plane of the goal line (which would constitute a "football move") before losing control of the ball. One action was making the catch and turning upfield -- which means he now has fully completed the catch and has possession of the ball -- and the next was breaking the plane of the end zone. Touchdown. Case closed.

I can see from my inbox and from comments sections on past reports that this is an issue that won't be going away this season. Let us all just remember that every single play in every single game is unique. What happens in Week 5 doesn't have anything to do with a call in Week 1, especially as far as the judgment of human beings is involved.

- Jay Cutler was called for an illegal crackback block against the Seahawks, nullifying a sizable gain. The announcers attempted to compare it to the Brett Favre cheap shot (sorry, when you dive into the back/side of someone's knees downfield, I'm calling it a cheap shot for the rest of my life) on Eugene Wilson in the preseason. Once again, I can't find any good videos for the Cutler block, so I'll attempt to narrate without bias. The Bears ran a reverse to Devin Hester. Cutler appeared to stumble before blocking the defender around the midsection of his body. The defender was blindsided, in that he didn't see Cutler, but the hit was directly in the front of the defender. Here's the portion of the rule that applies:

(12-2-10, page 84) ... nor may he contact an opponent below the waist if the blocker is moving toward the position where the ball was snapped from, and the contact occurs within an area five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage.

and

Note 2: If runner (passer) scrambles on the play, significantly changing the original direction (broken play), the crackback block is legal.

Now, this wasn't a broken play, but it was a reverse -- which significantly changes the direction of the play. The main key to this call, though, was whether or not Cutler made contact with the defender below the waist or not. It doesn't matter that he meant to hit the defender high and the fact that he lost his footing took him lower on the defender's body. The only thing that really matters on judging this call is where he made contact with the defender. It was definitely close. What do you think? If you saw the play, vote in the poll and feel free to leave comments.

Got a rules-related question? Whether it's elementary, high school or NFL, email TZR and he'll see what he can do.

Zebra Report: Another Texan Controversy originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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O-Line Notes: 49ers Can Run, But Struggle to Pass Block

JJ Cooper — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Jaguars, Vikings, NFL Analysis

Every week we're logging each and every sack to determine who was to blame, how long it took for the sack to happen and how the sack happened. Here are the notes pulled from watching Week Two's sacks.

It's worth throwing in a disclaimer. It's not always easy to determine who was responsible for a sack, especially if there is a line twist or blitz pickup involved. But these are logged as best as can be done without knowing the line protection calls.

o. The 49ers' offensive line did manage to block well enough to free up Frank Gore for 207 yards rushing, but they haven't solved their pass blocking problems at right tackle. San Francisco signed ex-Jaguars tackle Tony Pashos to give Adam Snyder some competition. Snyder started against the Seahawks but they split time at right tackle, and both gave up sacks.

MOST SACKS ALLOWED
Sacks allowed by offensive linemen making no account for time the quarterback held the ball
Player	Sacks Allowed
Adam Snyder, San Fran.	5
Anthony Collins, Cincinnati	4
Daryn Colledge, Green Bay	3
Demetrius Bell, Buffalo	3
John St. Clair, Cleveland	3
Floyd Womack, Cleveland	2.5
Max Starks, Pittsburgh	2.5
ADJUSTED SACKS ALLOWED
Sacks allowed by offensive linemen after subtracting sacks that can be blamed on a quarterback holding the ball
Player	Sacks Allowed
Adam Snyder, San Fran.	4
Anthony Collins, Cincinnati	3
John St. Clair, Cleveland	3
Floyd Womack, Cleveland	2.5
Many tied with	2

Pashos gave up one sack when he was beaten by Lawrence Jackson on a speed rush. But that's still better than Snyder. Snyder gave up two more sacks and now has given up an NFL worst five sacks in two games. Four of those sacks came on plays where the quarterback was hit in less than 2.7 seconds.

Expect to see Pashos take more and more of the playing time as he learns the 49ers playbook, Snyder's not that bad in run blocking, but his pass blocking woes are simply too much to take.

o. Packers fill-in left tackle Daryn Colledge is a little more famous than he would like to be this week after Antwan Odom picked up five sacks against Green Bay, but Browns right tackle John St. Clair struggled just as much in Cleveland's loss to the Broncos.

St. Clair was beaten for three of Elvis Dumervill's four sacks. On two of them Dumervill ran past St. Clair on the outside. On the third, Dumervill had spooked St. Clair enough with his speed to get leverage for a power rush, even though St. Clair outweighs Dumervill by nearly 60 pounds. Dumervill's fourth sack came on a play where safety Brian Dawkins flushed Brady Quinn and Dumervill picked up the sack that Dawkins forced.

o. The Jaguars gave up four sacks against the Cardinals last week, but don't blame their young offensive line too much. Rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton were each beaten for one sack. On the Jaguars' third sack, quarterback David Garrard had four seconds to throw the ball despite a seven-man rush. But because of the Jaguars' inept group of receivers, Garrard couldn't find anyone open and was pulled down for a sack 4.2 seconds after the snap.

Giving a quarterback four seconds to throw against a seven-man blitz is outstanding protection, but it didn't matter. The Jaguars' fourth sack allowed was similar as Garrard couldn't find anyone to throw to so he tucked and took the sack from a six-man blitz 3.2 seconds after the snap.

There was a comment over on the Jaguars.com Ask Vic column questioning whether Garrard holds the ball too long. To give a little more detail to answer that question Garrard has held the ball for 3.2 seconds or longer on three of his six sacks. On one of the other three he was hit just 1.8 seconds after taking the snap, which is barely enough time to get set in the pocket. And the other two sacks came 2.6 and 2.8 seconds after the snap. Considering how rarely Jaguars receivers get open, that seems like a decent performance on Garrard's part.

Monroe has now given up two sacks in two games and Britton has given up one which isn't bad for a team that is starting a pair of rookie tackles.

o. Vikings rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt had a very solid NFL debut against the Browns. He struggled a little more in week two to give up a pair of sacks. One of them was clearly his fault when defensive end Jason Hunter ran right past him for a sack. Loadholt's other sack is more accurately charged to Brett Favre. The Vikings quarterback held the ball for more than 3.5 seconds while trying to make something happen on a third down play.

O-Line Notes: 49ers Can Run, But Struggle to Pass Block originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not Much Hope Left in Jacksonville

Chris Burke — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, AFC South

The Jaguars finished a disappointing 5-11 in 2008, cleaned out a bunch of players in the offseason, and entered 2009 hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Instead, the situation in Jacksonville looks as dim as ever.

The Jaguars opened the season with a Week 1 loss at Indianapolis, then got smoked in their home opener on Sunday -- in front of an announced crowd of less than 47,000. Things only got worse on Monday, with the announcement that veteran wide receiver Troy Williamson is likely out for the season with a shoulder injury.

"I was sick," receiver Mike Sims-Walker said of learning about Williamson's situation. "I didn't wake up prepared for that. ... That's a bad loss for us."

And just to make sure Monday was totally miserable in Jacksonville, the Jags also cut a pair of players.

One was wide receiver Nate Hughes, who dropped a fourth-down pass in the end zone with Jacksonville trailing Arizona by 14. Tight end Greg Estandia, who committed a costly illegal motion penalty Sunday, was the other player handed a pink slip.

It's hard to imagine the situation getting much worse for Jacksonville -- which is almost certain to go without selling out a game this entire season -- but the schedule might pile it on. Jacksonville heads to Houston in Week 3, hosts Tennessee in Week 4, and travels to Seattle in Week 5 before welcoming in the Rams for what could be one of the most poorly-attended NFL games in recent history.

As it often does, the blame for this complete meltdown -- remember, Jacksonville finished 11-5 in 2007 and won a playoff game at Pittsburgh -- will almost certainly land on the head coach, in this case Jack Del Rio. The axe could fall sooner rather than later, too. It's one thing to be a losing team. But to be a losing team that's not generating any fan interest is the kiss of death.

Heck, even the Lions sold out their home opener, a game that marked their 19th-straight loss.

There's really no way around a major rebuilding project at this point for the Jaguars. There are some pieces here and there, most notably stud running back Maurice Jones-Drew. But the AFC South is quickly turning into a beast -- Indianapolis is 2-0 with Peyton Manning at QB, the Texans still have the look of a sleeper, and Tennessee is the best 0-2 team you're going to find. Quite simply, the Jaguars just don't have the talent to stack up against any of those teams.

Worse yet, their fans appear to realize what a lost cause this looks like. When there's ineptitude on the field and apathy off it, you can bet significant changes aren't far behind.

Not Much Hope Left in Jacksonville originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saints Top Worst-to-First Power Rankings

Dan Graziano — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Browns, Chiefs, Jaguars, Lions, Rams, Redskins, Saints, NFL Power Rankings, NFL Analysis

Amid all these NFL predictions flooding the web this week there are few certainties. But if recent history is any indication, we know for sure that at least one of this year's division winners will be a team that finished in last place a year ago. At least one team has turned the trick every year since the NFL went to the current eight-division format -- 10 teams total in six seasons. The Dolphins did it last year, the Buccaneers the year before, and the Eagles and Saints the year before that.

The reasons for this phenomenon are obvious -- overall parity, four-team divisions, a scheduling system that (basically) makes life easier for the teams at the bottom and tougher for the teams at the top. The only question as the 2009 season dawns is which of last year's last-place finishers will be among this year's division winners. We ranked all eight of them in order of their chances to continue the trend:

1. New Orleans Saints (8-8 in 2008): First place seems like an easy call. The Saints weren't bad last year. They have a big-time offense (assuming Pierre Thomas gets healthy and holds up). And you can see where each of the other three teams in the NFC South could take steps backward. Many are even picking New Orleans as division champ this year.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Those who like the Jags point to upgrades on the offensive line and at wide receiver, their two trouble spots from a year ago. Those of us who aren't buying it point to the Colts, Titans and Texans all also playing in the AFC South. But hey. You never know.

3. Washington Redskins (8-8): If Jacksonville's AFC South is a meat grinder, then Washington's NFC East is a bone-crusher. It takes a lot to imagine the Redskins being better than the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys. But if Clinton Portis can hold up all year and Jason Campbell takes that big leap forward and Albert Haynesworth plays as well in the first year of a contract as he did in the last...that's how these things work.

4. Buffalo Bills (7-9): The idea that anybody but New England can win the AFC East is predicated on the assumption that the Patriots somehow fall apart. Even if that happens, it's hard to see the Bills, who have spent the past couple of weeks in roster and coaching disarray, being the team to jump up and swipe the division title. But nobody saw the Dolphins coming a year ago, either. Now, if only the Bills can think up some dazzling new offensive scheme that tricks the entire rest of the league and becomes the hot trend a year from now...

5. St. Louis Rams (2-14): They were abominable a year ago, and in spite of our high opinion of Steve Spagnuolo, there's no reason to think they'll be any better this year. But the NFC West was won with nine wins in 2008, so the Rams don't have to make much of a jump to get into contention. This ranking says more about the Cardinals, Seahawks and 49ers than it does about the Rams.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Everything's new in K.C., which is great. And if the Chargers don't take off the way everybody's expecting them to, the AFC West will be there for the taking. The problem is, thanks to their offensive line, so will the Chiefs' quarterbacks. All year.

7. Detroit Lions (0-16): We believe they will be better this year. This is not a difficult prediction to make. They only need to win one freaking game, and they'll be better. But in an NFC North that might feature the three best teams in the conference, their chances of going worst-to-first look pretty dismal.

8. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Both of last year's AFC Championship Game combatants play in the AFC North. The Browns' new coach is a paranoid whack-job. They didn't know until four days before the season started who was going to play quarterback, and they still don't know who's going to catch the ball when that guy throws it. We say they're the worst team in the league. But again, the whole point of this exercise is...you never know.

Saints Top Worst-to-First Power Rankings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 Preview: It's a Long Way to the Top

Chris Burke — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, AFC South, FanHouse Previews, NFL Analysis

Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews . " We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Remember Jan. 5, 2008? The Jaguars probably do -- it's the last real positive moment for the franchise. On that day, Jacksonville marched into Heinz Field, took a 28-10 lead, and eventually took down the Steelers 31-29 in a playoff game. Jacksonville lost at New England the next week, went 5-11 last season, and here we are. This is a big season for the Jags, but they face a substantial uphill battle in the AFC South. Indianapolis and Tennessee will be stout again, while Houston appears primed to be a major riser. That doesn't leave a lot of room for Jacksonville.

Offense: 2008 was an offensive mess for the Jaguars. After being a top-10 team in both points scored and yards in 2007, they plummeted to No. 24 and No. 20 in those two respective categories last season. This will be Maurice Jones-Drew's show this season -- he rushed for 824 yards and 12 touchdowns last year while splitting time with Fred Taylor, and with Taylor now in New England, those numbers could shoot through the roof. They might have to with David Garrard struggling to become an elite quarterback. He had just 15 touchdown passes in 16 starts last season and tossed 13 interceptions. Both of those stats have to improve in 2009 -- but who is he throwing to? The Jags gutted their receiver corps, sending Reggie Williams, Matt Jones and Dennis Northcutt packing. In are Torry Holt and rookie Mike Thomas and Jarrett Dillard. Troy Williamson and high-potential Mike Sims-Walker are still around, too. The O-line may feature two rookie tackles: Eugene Monroe will be the starter on the left -- eventually, if not in Week 1 -- and Eben Britton could win the right tackle spot. Whoever it is will be charged with finding Jones-Drew lots and lots of room. Heat Index: 6

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Jacksonville Jaguars Photos

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Brian Williams #29 of the Jacksonville Jaguars collides with teamate Reggie Nelson #25 during the game against the Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Williams;Reggie Nelson

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Jacksonville Jaguars Photos

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Reggie Nelson #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars makes an entrance to the stadium during the game against the Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Reggie Nelson

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rushes for yardage during the game against the Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Thomas

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Sean Considine #37 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks over the offense during the game against the Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sean Considine

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Antwaan Randle El #82 of the Washington Redskins runs for yardage during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Antwaan Randle El

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Chase Daniel #10 of the Washington Redskins hands the ball off during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chase Daniel

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars calls a signal during the game against the Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Garrard

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Chase Daniel #10 of the Washington Redskins attempts a pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chase Daniel

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Defense: Jacksonville has a new defensive coordinator in Mel Tucker, formerly of the Browns. Can he improve things? It won't be easy -- the Jags were very, very average on defense last year, and haven't really improved. John Henderson has to be a force at tackle, at least much more so than when he recorded just two sacks last season. Reggie Hayward, Derrick Harvey and Rob Meier are back to round out the front four. That trio combined for 10 sacks in 2008. The linebackers are all returners as well -- Daryl Smith, Justin Durant and Clint Ingram -- though veteran Mike Peterson has moved on to Atlanta. The remaining guys have to step up their play for them sticking around to be a good thing, as that was an underwhelming unit in 2008. The Jags added Sean Considine at strong safety, but Reggie Nelson may be the key in the secondary after retaking his free safety spot. If he plays up to his potential, the defensive backfield gets much stronger. Rashean Mathis and Brian Williams, the starting corners, totaled six interceptions in 2008. Heat Index: 6

Special Teams: Both Jacksonville's return teams and their punt unit all ranked in the middle of the pack last season. All the players here are the same, so it's hard to see those numbers bumping up too much. Brian Witherspoon is the returner, Adam Podlesh at punter and Josh Scobee at kicker. Scobee was 19 for 25 on field-goal attempts last season, missing three of less than 40 yards. With Jones-Drew handling almost all of the team's carries, too, the possibility of using him as a return weapon is just about gone. Heat Index: 5

Coaching: It's been six seasons, but the jury's still out on Jack Del Rio. After a last-place finish in 2008, he's closer to the hot seat than he'd like to be. Del Rio's 50-46 in those six years with Jacksonville and has never managed to get over the hump for a division title. He has Mike Tice to lean on as an assitant, but the coordinators are underwhelming. Tucker has to prove himself, and offensive coordinator Dirk Koettner obviously didn't get the job done last year. Heat Index: 5

Intangibles: Well, there's clearly a desire to make last year's 5-11 debacle a thing of the past, but that only gets you so far. Del Rio knows he's under fire and Garrard has to feel that heat as well. One interesting subplot: the Jags don't look like they'll sellout any home games this season. The lack of juice in the fan base can't be good for morale. Heat Index: 4

Total Heat Index: 26/50 -- It's a low score for a team that's been successful in the not-too-distant pass and has some big-play guys. But let's be honest: What team in this division is Jacksonville better than? At least in perception, the Jaguars aren't superior to any of the Indianapolis-Tennessee-Houston group. They could change that in reality, of course, but it doesn't look promising.

Jacksonville Jaguars 2009 Preview: It's a Long Way to the Top originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Twitter Mailbag: Blackouts

Michael David Smith — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, Redskins

The Jacksonville Jaguars might not sell out a single home game this season, and the Washington Redskins might be selling tickets directly to scalpers. NFL teams' ticket sales, and the league-wide blackout policy of refusing to show games on local TV if they're not sold out, are grist for our latest NFL Twitter mailbag.

Your questions and comments, and my responses, are below.

ThunderingBlurb: Until fans stop paying scalpers $200 for a $90 ticket franchises will try to milk the cow to death. Clearly we have money. ... I meant that last part sarcastically. It's just when it comes to tix the usually savvy owners appear blinded by green.
This is an interesting issue: Some franchises, like the Jaguars, can't sell out their games. But other franchises, like the Redskins, sell out their games so easily that thousands of them are scalped for prices far above face value.

Ultimately, you're right: The owners are going to charge whatever they need to charge to maximize their own profits, and if that means some of the loyal fans can't afford to attend the games, so be it. But it is a shame that if those loyal fans live in a place like Jacksonville, they won't get to see any of their favorite team's home games in 2009.

BlogAndTackle: Pressure from other owners to keep the "NFL avg" tix price up - usually cited in releases about club tix increases - "at avg"
This came in response to my tweet about why teams like the Jaguars should lower their ticket prices. BlockAndTackle raises another interesting point: NFL teams sometimes talk about "average ticket prices," but the reality is those "averages" are meaningless. In some cases a few extremely expensive premium seats inflate the average price, and in other cases inexpensive seats that the general public never get a chance to buy bring down the average price. The average price of all tickets doesn't really matter to the average fan; what matters is whether some tickets are affordable and available.

ish45: I'd rather just watch on the dish and my plasma than shell out a few hundred$$ to see in person.
I agree with you. The combination of HD TV and DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket package have made Sundays on the couch an experience that is in many ways superior to Sundays in the stands. The NFL is thrilled with the success of Sunday Ticket and its other TV programming, but the league is also concerned about the inability of many franchises to sell out stadiums.

That's why the folks in the league office feel more strongly than ever that they shouldn't lift the blackout rule: They still want the in-stadium experience to be a big part of their sport, and they think the blackout rule is the best way to protect that experience. Blackouts aren't going anywhere.

Want to be part of our next NFL Twitter mailbag? Post a question or comment on Twitter.com, and be sure to start it with @MichaelDavSmith.

NFL Twitter Mailbag: Blackouts originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguars Trying to Trade for Chiefs' Backup QB Tyler Thigpen

JJ Cooper — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:15:00 EST

Filed under: Chiefs, Jaguars, AFC South, AFC West, NFL Rumors, NFL Training Camp, NFL Quarterbacks

Tyler Thigpen went from third-team quarterback to the first team in the span of one week last year. But even after he put together a pretty solid season as the Chiefs fill-in starter, it looks like he's gone from starter back to the third team this fall.

With Matt Cassel installed as the team's new franchise quarterback, and Brodie Croyle apparently beating Thigpen out for the No. 2 job, Thigpen is slated to be one of the most experienced No. 3 quarterbacks in the league, which is why he's drawing plenty of trade interest.

The Kansas City Star is reporting that the Jaguars have offered the Chiefs a fifth-round pick for Thigpen. The Ravens are also apparently interested.in acquiring the 25-year-old. Thigpen would be a nice fit for the Jaguars -- Todd Bouman has not been impressing too much this preseason (he was 8-of-14 for 59 yards and touchdown on Thursday) -- but the Jags and other teams in need of a backup could also see which quarterbacks (like Luke McCown) will be hitting the waiver wire next weekend.

But Thigpen will be better than the quarterbacks who are waived. NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora makes the case for why he's a young quarterback worth taking a chance on.

Thigpen is a pretty solid quarterback -- throwing 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2008 which, with the line and receivers the Chiefs fielded, was a pretty impressive feat -- but this is a deal that could make sense for both teams. Thigpen seems to have been shoved aside by the new regime in Kansas City, while the Jaguars could pick up a back-up plan in the unlikely event that David Garrard's 2007 season proves to be a one-year wonder.

Jaguars Trying to Trade for Chiefs' Backup QB Tyler Thigpen originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jacksonville Jaguars Don't Expect Any 2009 Sellouts

Michael David Smith — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars

Fans in Jacksonville will not be able to see any Jaguars home games without buying a ticket this season, as the team has already said it doesn't expect any sellouts, which means all home games will be blacked out on local television.

The Jacksonville Times-Union reports that the team has already announced all 10 games -- two preseason and eight regular season -- will be blacked out. Although the Jaguars have always had trouble selling tickets, this season will be the first in team history without any local TV presence for home games.

Obviously, the economy is playing a huge part in this: Fans have less disposable income, and that means they're less likely to plunk down the cash for Jaguars home games. But the Jaguars have never had much drawing power in Jacksonville, and the fact that the Jaguars have already capitulated and aren't even holding out hope that a big start to the season could energize the local fan base doesn't speak well for the long-term viability of the franchise in Jacksonville.

As for the players, they don't seem too concerned. quarterback David Garrard told the Times-Union:

"It doesn't matter. It's still game night. If it's game night and there's another team out there ready to play, then that's all the excitement we need. We love our fans, and we love to have them out there, so I know whoever is out there is going to be excited and will be cheering as loud as they can."

That's the right attitude for the players to have. For the franchise as a whole, however, it's a very troubling sign that the team is saying in August that it knows for sure it won't be able to sell out any games in December.

What do you think? Can the Jaguars sell out any games? Should they move out of Jacksonville? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Jacksonville Jaguars Don't Expect Any 2009 Sellouts originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What to Watch for in Monday's Games That Don't Count

Chris Burke — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Dolphins, Jaguars, Giants, Panthers, FanHouse Previews

There's no use pretending that a preseason Monday night can match the excitement of the NFL regular season's start to the week. We shouldn't even try to ramp up the excitement, to be honest.

In fact, I'll propose that Hank Williams Jr. and his "Are You Ready for Some Football?!" be replaced by Billy Ray Cyrus crooning "Hey, What Else Are You Watching?" for these practice contests. At least then we're not trying to kid ourselves.

But preseason football is better than no football, by a large margin, and at least this year's first Monday night features a pair of interesting matchups.

More Coverage: Live NFL Scoreboard

Jacksonville at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Eastern

Jacksonville

The Jags' top draft pick, Eugene Monroe, just signed his rookie contract before the weekend, so he's unlikely to see any action yet. Without him in the lineup, the focus shifts to a two other offensive newcomers: Torry Holt and Eben Britton. Holt, whom the Jags added in the offseason, is expected to help stabilize the team's troublesome wide receiver position and become David Garrard's favorite topic. Britton, meanwhile, the No. 38 overall pick in this year's draft, has had a good camp thus far and is pushing Tony Pashos for the starting right tackle spot. If he wins it, Britton-Monroe could form an amazingly young tackle duo.

Miami

It's hard to say there is a quarterback competition in Miami, given Chad Pennington's resurgence last year, but it's at least safe to say that there is intrigue at the position. Chad Henne hasn't been flawless in camp, but he's looking capable of eventually taking over the QB spot -- perhaps sooner rather than later, if Pennington can't repeat his 2008 effort. Of course, the other guy people are anxious to see take a few snaps is Pat White, the Dolphins' athletic, Wildcat-special quarterback out of West Virginia. He gets unveiled tonight.

Carolina at New York Giants, 8 p.m.

Carolina

He won't be on the field for very long, but Jake Delhomme is scheduled to make his first appearance since throwing 2,301 interceptions in the Panthers' playoff loss to Arizona last season. Despite that meltdown, Delhomme got a cushy new contract in the offseason. He'll only be on the field for a few minutes tonight, and the game's just a preseason opener, Delhomme getting in and out of the game without turning the ball over would be nice to see.

New York Giants

Plaxico's gone -- he's not coming back. But unlike last year, when Burress' actions caught the Giants off-guard, they're well prepared to replace him in 2009. The league gets its first game look at the New Yorkers' revamped receiving corps tonight. Hakeem Nicks is the headlining newcomer, but don't forget about Mario Manningham, who could play a key role down the line. Super Bowl hero David Tyree needs to play well, too -- his roster spot may be on the line.

What to Watch for in Monday's Games That Don't Count originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Garrard's Early Struggles Aren't Entirely His Fault

Ryan Wilson — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, NFL Training Camp

Two years ago, David Garrard had his best season as an NFL quarterback. He started 12 games, tossed 18 touchdowns to just three interceptions, and completed 64 percent of his pass attempts. And according to Football Outsiders, he was the league's third-best quarterback in terms of total value (behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning).

It confirmed head coach Jack Del Rio's decision to release 2003 first-round pick and one-time franchise quarterback Byron Leftwich, and it also led to the club giving Garrard a six-year, $60 million extension last offseason.

But 2008 didn't go well for Garrard or the Jags. The offensive line was decimated by injuries during the preseason and it only got worse from there. Garrard threw 15 touchdowns and 13 picks, was sacked 42 times, and was just the 15th-ranked quarterback in terms of total value.

Five wins later, Del Rio was suddenly on the ol' hot seat, and there was speculation that Jacksonville might take a quarterback with their first-round pick.

They didn't -- offensive tackle Eugene Monroe was still on the board and the team drafted him -- but through the first week of camp Garrard has been inconsistent. Via the Florida Times Union's Michael Wright:

So far at camp, Garrard hasn't looked especially sharp in drills. Tyron Brackenridge stepped in front of an errant Garrard throw for an interception during Friday's morning workout that would've gone for a touchdown. ...

"Mechanically, he's been very sound, making good decisions," Del Rio said. "It's about building that trust with him and the receivers, getting on the same page."

It's way too early to panic, and as Del Rio told Wright, a lot of the early struggles have to do with Garrard developing a rapport with the new pass-catchers. Giving him time in the pocket won't hurt, either.

"We have to play better around him," Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter told Wright. "We have to protect him better. We have to make more plays for him and around him. We're trying to get Dave, based on certain coverage looks and matchups, to throw the ball and trust the other guys to do their jobs. But sometimes a quarterback has a tendency to try to overthink it and not do only his job, but other people's jobs, too. That's dangerous. We always talk about how the quarterback gets too much credit when things go well, but he can get too much blame when things don't go well."

There's little reason to panic (for now, at least); Garrard has proven that he can succeed as a starter, and there were mitigating circumstances last season. But if the Jags start slow and Garrard slower, freaking out can be expected. Todd Bouman and Paul Smith are currently behind Garrard on the depth chart, which makes Leftwich seem like Earl Morrell or Don Strock by comparison.

David Garrard's Early Struggles Aren't Entirely His Fault originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Which NFL Team Will Defy PC Logic and Take Michael Vick? Anyone?

Nancy Gay — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, NFL Police Blotter, NFL Rumors, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL Analysis

When Michael Vick was sitting behind bars in Kansas, it was politically correct for NFL teams to swear off any interest in the disgraced former Falcons quarterback. Heck, it was practically de rigueur to Just Say No to Mike Vick.

Now that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has declared Vick eligible to sign with a team and join that team in training camp, will it become more about good football business and less about social acceptability to consider a proven playmaker? Will team owners, general managers and coaches actually make room for this guy on their rosters?

"I would not be surprised at all to see a team come out this week and sign him,'' said one NFL executive, who asked to speak off the record and then quickly added that his team would not be the one taking on Vick. " A lot of teams are asking, 'If I bring in this guy, just what could he do for me?' ''

One scenario being floated about by various NFL executives: A team may latch onto Vick immediately by signing him to a one or two-year contract, keep him on the training camp roster until the second preseason game, then waive him and bring him back in Week 2 of the regular season. That way, a team is not fully guaranteeing his 2009 salary.

Goodell's strict ground rules set forth for Vick toward full reinstatement may be enough to attract a fence-sitting team. One slip-up, and Vick is gone, per NFL rules. No loss of investment there.

Then again, any team that takes a chance on Vick also may protect itself with a split contract -- in other words, Vick would earn a certain amount of money if he makes the 45-man game day roster, or a lesser amount should he find himself among players 46 through 52 on the inactive list.

Of course, if Vick has more than one team interested in him and he can be selective, these contract caveats likely go out the window.

The negative publicity stemming from Vick's admitted acts of barbaric animal cruelty are nauseating enough that every NFL city will have picketing fans and animal rights' groups standing firm at stadium entrances. They'll make life miserable for Vick on the field and off.

Is Vick even worth it?

"He's a great athlete,'' one NFL source said, "but he's not the smartest player out there. Can he learn a new offense and a new system in a matter of weeks? Can he play quarterback in an offense that wants him to stay in the pocket? Those are big questions."

Said another executive, who also did want his name used, "There aren't many teams that can afford to hold onto a roster spot for a player who may or may not work out long-term." Other NFL sources suggested a small market such as Jacksonville might be a less distracting destination for an NFL player certain to attract negative press and attention wherever he goes. Plus, the Jaguars' backup quarterback options include 36-year-old Todd Bouman.

All this said, which teams may throw diplomacy to the wind and sign Vick? Here are some destinations that have been mentioned in league circles -- how some make sense and others don't.

o. Miami Dolphins: Multiple NFL sources say that Bill Parcells, Dolphins' Executive Vice President for Football Operations, is openly contemplating bringing Vick into his organization. The Dolphins need playmakers, and the Miami offense already makes good use of the "Wildcat" option, which featured Ronnie Brown lining up in the shotgun, and determining whether to run for the end zone off direct snaps, hand off or pass.

Vick's skillset would be perfect for the Dolphins' scheme. But there are a lot of influentual dog owners in South Florida who may not be as welcoming.

o. New England Patriots: Bill Belichick's structured football operation was instrumental in turning a wayward Randy Moss into a model teammate and the NFL's single-season record holder for touchdown receptions (23). Belichick worked wonders with Corey Dillon, too. Why not Vick?

While Belichick's disciplined environment might help Vick assimilate quickly back into an NFL-structured lifestyle, the Pats don't have a lot of open roster spots to waste on a player that may not be available until Week 6 of the regular season.

o. Oakland Raiders: It's just too easy to automatically say every troubled NFL player can find a home in the arms of owner Al Davis in Oakland. Not so this time. Other NFL mavericks, rebels and bad boys have worn the Silver and Black. But it's important to note this fact: As long as Amy Trask, the Raiders' groundbreaking chief executive officer, remains in the organization, you will not see Vick in a Raiders uniform.

Trask is heavily involved in several animal rights, animal adoption and animal support groups. She is on the board of directors of Tony La Russa's ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) organization. Trask would never stand for a confessed animal abuser, torturer and killer in the Raiders' organization.

o. San Francisco 49ers: New head coach Mike Singletary has been vocal in his desire to serve as a sort of "Father Flanagan" mentor and counselor to NFL players. The 49ers don't exactly have a solidified quarterback plan in place, with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith set to openly battle for the starting job in training camp. Players there have expressed support for the one-time Falcons star.

Could Singletary open a West Coast "Boys Town" for Vick?

Forget it, the 49ers insisted Monday. "We've been pretty clear on this. The organization is not interested in Michael Vick,'' 49ers spokesman Bob Lange reiterated.

Latest Michael Vick Images

NEW YORK - JULY 27: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions from the media after reinstating Michael Vick on a conditional basis on July 27, 2009 at the InterContinental Hotel in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roger Goodell

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a news conference to announce that former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick would be reinstated into the NFL in New York, July 27, 2009. Vick had been suspended indefinitely since August of 2007 after pleading guilty to federal criminal charges relating to his involvement in an interstate dog fighting enterprise. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

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Which NFL Team Will Defy PC Logic and Take Michael Vick? Anyone? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Summer Scramble: AFC South Burning Questions and Prediction

Dan Graziano — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans, AFC South, FanHouse Previews, NFL Predictions, NFL Analysis

It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it the Summer Scramble, and today we look at some burning questions in the AFC South and offer a ridiculously early prediction.

Is it too much change too fast in Indianapolis?

Lots of the furniture is going to look different when the Colts open camp. Longtime wide receiver mainstay Marvin Harrison is gone. Super Bowl champion coach Tony Dungy is gone. Venerable assistants Tom Moore and Howard Mudd...well, they'll be around, but they're consultants now, stripped of the hands-on, day-in, day-out coordinator and coaching duties in which Colts longtimers were accustomed to seeing them. That's a lot of change in a place that's had a lot of stability, and it's fair to wonder what kind of effect it will have on the Colts' chances.

Harrison's loss isn't likely to be devastating, as Reggie Wayne has been Peyton Manning's go-to guy for a while now. Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez are the top two wideouts, and somebody from the Austin Collie/Pierre Garcon/Roy Hall group is likely to emerge as a reliable third WR option. The running game will improve with the help of top draft pick Donald Brown, and personnel-wise the offense should be fine. The questions in Indy are about leadership, and whether new head coach Jim Caldwell and all the other new personnel can continue to set the winning tone that has become the hallmark of this organization. Having Manning in place will help, but these questions can't be answered until the season gets underway and we start to see how the team handles its ups and downs under the new staff.

Can the Texans' defense step up in support of one of the league's top offenses?

The Saints and the Broncos were the only two teams in the NFL that outgained the Texans in 2008. They have an elite receiver in Andre Johnson, a star-in-the-making running back in Steve Slaton and a quarterback, Matt Schaub, who's as reliable as it gets when he's able to stay healthy. Assuming that health, the Texans shouldn't have a problem moving the ball or scoring points. It's the defense that always lets them down. Year in and year out. And in spite of the brilliant young talent of Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans, there are question marks all over the defense. Newcomers Antonio Smith and Connor Barwin should help the line, and rookie linebacker Brian Cushing looks like he could be an impact talent, but they're counting on a lot to go right in the front seven, and they're really holding their breath in the secondary -- especially if Dunta Robinson continues to pout about his contract. The frustration in Houston will only end once the defense is good enough so that the offense doesn't have to do it all on its own. That should happen one of these years, and 2009 could be it.

Will the Titans be able to open up the offense? Will they want to? Should they?

The biggest issue facing the Titans is how to replace Albert Haynesworth on defense. There are people in place on that side of the ball to try, but one thing that would help is if the Titans could find ways to score more points. There is potential for the passing game to be more dynamic this year, with Kerry Collins set at quarterback and Nate Washington and Kenny Britt added to the receiving corps. They could also look for ways to utilize Chris Johnson's speed at running back by getting him into open space more. But the Titans thrive on a conservative approach that protects the ball, and loosening things up on offense could put that at risk. The question is whether Tennessee will try it if it has both the ability and the need to score points quickly.

Can an old WR and a couple of young offensive linemen fix the Jaguars' offense?

The hope is that veteran Torry Holt will help quarterback David Garrard to flourish. The concern is that Holt is 33 and not as good as he used to be. The hope is that top draft picks Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton will help solidify the offensive line. The fear is that they're both rookies, and may not be able to make the transition smoothly while they learn on the job. The hope is that Maurice Jones-Drew is ready to handle the running back load as the only option in the absence of veteran Fred Taylor. The fear lies in reducing depth at such a key position. Jones-Drew is likely to be the strength of the offense, but that leaves a lot of question marks on the offense overall. And that doesn't even address the issues on the defensive line, where Jacksonville has to be solid or else it will sink.

RIDICULOUSLY EARLY PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Colts (10-6): They can make all the changes they want, but as long as Peyton Manning is there, they're still a playoff team.

2. Texans: (9-7): They don't need the defense to be great -- just good. The guess here is that it's good enough to get Houston a wild card spot.

3. Titans (8-8): Tough team to doubt, but Albert Haynesworth is just too big a loss.

4. Jaguars (5-11): Too many question marks on both lines.

Tuesday: NFC West Position Battles
Wednesday: NFC West Burning Questions and Prediction
Thursday: AFC West Position Battles
Friday: AFC West Burning Questions and Prediction

Summer Scramble: AFC South Burning Questions and Prediction originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Summer Scramble: AFC South Position Battles to Watch

Dan Graziano — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans, AFC South, FanHouse Previews, NFL Analysis

It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it the Summer Scramble, and today we look at the AFC South's looming position battles.

-- Colts running backs: The Colts were the second-worst running team in the NFL last year. Now, that sounds bad...until you realize that the only team worse was the team that lost the Super Bowl. So yeah, it's possible that Peyton Manning is enough to carry the offense. But you'd better believe the Colts coaching staff will spend a good chunk of training camp looking for somebody to whom Manning can reliably hand the ball off. Joseph Addai is the incumbent starter, but he's coming off of offseason knee surgery and only rushed for 544 yards last year after topping 1,000 in each of the two prior seasons.

Enter Donald Brown, first-round draft pick out of the University of Connecticut. The rookie will get a chance, and remember -- this was a guy a lot of people were raving about just before the draft. He was a fast mover -- a guy teams liked better the more they got to know him. His style fits what the Colts like out of their ballcarriers, and if Addai isn't all the way healthy, Brown's going to get a lot of chances to run with the first team and show what he can do.

PREDICTION: Manning and the veterans on the Colts' offense create a perfect nurturing environment for a rookie running back who's willing to learn. Donald Brown leads the Colts in carries in 2009.

-- Titans defensive tackle: Tennessee's biggest mission in training camp will be figuring out how to replace departed free agent star Albert Haynesworth. Since there's no single player they can plug into Haynesworth's spot and expect the same production, the solution is likely to lie in the coaching staff's ability to find the right combination or rotation of players at the position. For instance, Tony Brown started next to Haynesworth and looks locked in as a starter for this year. But did Brown benefit from having Haynesworth lining up next to him? Or is he a good enough player in his own right to flourish in the big man's absence. And even if Brown's spot is solid, who takes Haynesworth's? Is second-year man Jason Jones, who was spectacular while filling in for an injured Haynesworth last year, good enough to slide in as a starter? Is free agent Jovan Haye, a pass-rushing specialist during his time in Tampa Bay, a safer veteran option? Can second-round pick Sen'Derrick Marks muscle his way into the competition for playing time? Lots of questions for Tennessee to answer at DT.

PREDICTION: Jones showed enough in his fill-in role last year to earn the first shot at the starter's spot alongside Brown. But Marks emerges as a threat to somebody's playing time by late November.

-- Texans weak side linebacker: Projecting first-rounder Brian Cushing as the starter on the strong side and DeMeco Ryans in the middle leaves one spot open in the Texans' linebacking corps. The job could go to Zac Diles, who is trying to come back from a broken leg, but he's going to face competition from Xavier Adibi and Cato June for that spot. Diles is a hard hitter with good speed, but there are questions about his ability to shed blockers and some of his technique. Adibi has more speed than Diles and showed flashes of ability when he got into games in 20008. And June could be a real benefit in pass coverage due to his quickness and experience there.

PREDICTION: Adibi wins the Willie spot, relegating June and Diles to backup duty. But as Diles gets healthier and stronger, don't rule him out as a candidate for plenty of snaps at the Sam spot if the rookie Cushing struggles.

-- Jaguars defensive end: Jacksonville selected Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves in the 2008 draft, and neither impressed the team very much with his pass rushing skills as a rookie. Harvey is the better regarded of the two, and got something of a pass last year based on the traditional difficulty even the best DEs have making the transition from college to the pros. Groves is said to have added weight this offseason in hopes of being an every-down player even as new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker varies looks and implements the occasional 3-4 alignment into the Jags' base 4-3 scheme. And veteran Reggie Hayward, who has it all over both of these guys in the experience department, remains a factor as he continues to work his way back from the injury problems that have limited him since he signed in Jacksonville. It's a key spot to watch, because the pass rush has been a real weak spot for the Jags, and it needs to improve.

PREDICTION: The starters are Harvey and Groves, mainly on their potential. Hayward looms as a reliable backup for either spot.

Friday: AFC South Burning Questions and Prediction
Tuesday: NFC West Position Battles to Watch
Wednesday: NFC West Burning Questions and Prediction

Summer Scramble: AFC South Position Battles to Watch originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jags Trade Northcutt to Detroit for Gerald Alexander

Chris Burke — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:20:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, Lions

Multiple sources are reporting that Jacksonville has agreed to send wide receiver Dennis Northcutt to Detroit in exchange for safety Gerald Alexander.

The Jaguars were rumored to be shopping Northcutt recently -- a notion confirmed by Northcutt's agent (who, incidentally, is also Alexander's agent). The 31-year-old receiver is scheduled to make $2.75 million in 2009. But it was the presence of rookies Jarret Dillard, Mike Thomas and Tiquan Underwood, along with the free-agent signing of Torry Holt, that made Northcutt expendable for Jacksonville.

In fact, despite his 44 catches for 545 yards last season, the Jags were prepared to release Northcutt if a trade partner could not be found.

Jacksonville avoided that scenario with Friday night's move -- both the Detroit Free Press and ESPN.com's John Clayton reported that Jacksonville and the Lions had reached the one-for-one deal.

Detroit suddenly found itself a bit overloaded with safeties after drafting promising rookie Louis Delmas in April. The Lions also return 2008 starters Daniel Bullocks and Kalvin Pearson, who replaced Alexander in the lineup last season after Alexander suffered a fractured vertebra.

Alexander may get the chance to challenge Sean Considine in Jacksonville's defensive backfield.

For the Lions, meanwhile, this is likely an indication that third-round draft pick Derrick Williams is not yet ready to assume the No. 3 receiver role behind Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson. Detroit's depth chart also currently houses Ronald Curry and Keary Colbert, but it's safe to presume that Northcutt leapfrogs both of them.

Report: Jags Trade Northcutt to Detroit for Gerald Alexander originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Matt Jones Avoids Suspension

Chris Burke — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:40:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguars, NFL Police Blotter, NFL Free Agency

The stagnant and seemingly dried-up free-agent wide receiver market looks like it will receive a jolt. According to a published report, Matt Jones, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, will avoid league suspension for violating terms of a court-ordered drug program.

The NFL did suspend Jones for the final three games of 2008 after he was charged with cocaine possession. Jones then violated his subsequent probation by drinking alcohol, landing him in jail for five days. Now, more than two months later and after Jacksonville released Jones, he apparently is at liberty to resume his playing career.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the NFL told Jones last week that his punishment would be a $50,000 fine and nothing more.

"That's the main message, that Matt will be available to any team looking for a proven receiver," Jones' agent Dave Butz told ESPN.

With that news, Jones immediately becomes the best available free agent at the WR spot. Consider some of the other names still out there -- guys like Marvin Harrison, Plaxico Burress, Jerry Porter and Reggie Williams. All have major off-the-field issues or concerns about on-field performance. Assuming Jones' problems outside the lines are resolved, there should be plenty of interest in what he can do on Sundays.

Jones had a rocky 2007 season, but in 2008, he bounced back with 65 catches for 761 yards in just 12 games. At 26 years old, he's still got room to get better, and his 6-foot-6 frame makes him an ideal red-zone threat.

He's a bit of a wild card, but one that looks worth taking a gamble on -- especially if he can use his dishonorable discharge from the Jags as motivation to perform in 2009. Any number of teams could come calling, including the Giants in an effort to replace Plaxico, or the Bears in hopes of getting Jay Cutler another weapon. Don't rule out a Washington, Baltimore or St. Louis, either, a group of teams that could all use a talented pass-catcher.

Report: Matt Jones Avoids Suspension originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 26 May 2009 19:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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