9/24/04
- Despite their shaky start in Philadelphia, the Giants are
plus five in the turnover category and that has to make coach
Tom Coughlin a happy camper. If Kurt Warner would get off his
fumble a game pace, we might even get to see Coughlin smile a
time or two.
- Although rookie running back Julius Jones is expected
to miss eight to ten weeks after breaking his left shoulder
blade, don't look for the team to place him on injured reserve.
Jones drew the ire of coach Bill Parcells when he tapped his
helmet to come out of a pre-season game but the coach knows the
team is desperate at running back. Veteran Eddie George looks
anything but rejuvenated or motivated to prove the Titans were
wrong in releasing him and Parcells is unlikely to place a heavy
load on rookie free agent ReShard Lee. As a result, the team will
hope for a speedy recovery by Jones.
- Keeping with the Cowboys, the general consensus seems to be
that the offense will focus on the running game more in coming
weeks because that's the coach's style. However, Parcells has been
successful because of his ability to adapt his team's offensive
and defensive philosophies to the players he has. With three solid
wideouts in Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn and Antonio Bryant and
excellent receivers in tight end Jason Witten and running back
Richie Anderson, look for the Cowboys to continue with a heavy
emphasis on passing unless George or Lee prove to be effective
running the ball.
- Despite the speculation the New York Jets are destined to trade
disgruntled and upcoming free agent running back LaMont Jordan, don't
look for it to happen unless one of two things happen. The first is
the team getting bowled over by a great offer for Jordan, which seems
unlikely given that it hasn't happened yet. The second is for a team
to make a decent offer for Jordan that includes a respectable running
back coming the other way. The Jets are encouraged by their 2-0 start,
have a weak schedule over the next weeks and therefore feel they are
legitimate playoff contender that needs a good backup running back in
case veteran Curtis Martin is injured. With Oakland seemingly not
satisfied with Tyrone Wheatley's performance, perhaps they could tempt
the Jets with an offer of a 3rd round pick and reserve back Amos
Zereoue. Another team that should be after Jordan is Philadelphia where
retread Dorsey Levens is backing up Brian Westbrook. With the team
spending big to get Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse, it won't be a surprise
if they extend their win at all costs philosophy and make a pitch for
Jordan.
- Remarkable as it is that a Joe Gibbs coached team could have an
NFL-leading eight turnovers in two weeks, the numbers could be worse.
The Redskins have recovered four of their own fumbles and things don't
look to get any better in the turnover department with Patrick Ramsey
replacing Mark Brunell at quarterback.
- The Cardinals have asked former starting left tackle L.J. Shelton
to learn the guard positions so he can be the top backup at guard and
tackle. However, coach Dennis Green has never been sold on right guard
Cameron Spikes so it won't be a surprise if Shelton is eventually
inserted into the starting line-up there. Shelton and right tackle
Anthony Clement would form a considerable run blocking duo on the right
side of the Cardinals offensive line.
- With running back Edgerrin James questionable with a hamstring injury,
it's worth taking a look at the Colts record without him in the line-up -
6-9. With him, they are 46-21. That's worth remembering when the end of the
season rolls around and the team having to decide whether they can afford
to shell out for James and wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who will be
restricted free agents.
- With cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Jerry Azumah as well as free
safety Mike Brown out of the line-up, the Bears will be missing three-quarters
of their starting secondary for this week's game against the Vikings and
for the foreseeable future. Relegated to the nickel back role in training
camp, R.W. McQuarters becomes the team's top cornerback while Todd Johnson,
a 2003 4th round pick, becomes the team's starting free safety. The only
conceivable way the team can offset these losses is for their young defensive
line to step up in a pass rushing role. The role of defensive end Adewale
Ogunleye obviously becomes much more important for the Bears defense and
look for him to have a big game this week against a Vikings offensive line
missing right tackle Mike Rosenthal, out with a broken foot. Adam Haayer
stepped in for Rosenthal and was torched by Jevon Kearse of the Eagles
last week.
- With the recent acquisition of defensive tackle Ellis Johnson from
the Falcons, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan continued his trend of bring in
retreads to help out along the team's defensive line. With Johnson's
acquisition, the team now employs six players along the defensive line
that have been in the league for seven seasons or longer. The others
are Trevor Pryce, Raylee Johnson, Darius Holland, Luther Ellis and Marco
Coleman. A murderer's row indeed - back in 1998. As for Johnson, he's a
player that puts up great sack numbers but has a reputation for not taking
his run defense responsibilities seriously enough.
- Chargers reserve offensive tackle Courtney Van Buren will miss the
rest of the season with a right knee injury, more or less depleting the
team's depth along the offensive line. Once center Jason Ball takes over
for rookie Nick Hardwick, the team's remaining reserve offensive linemen
will have 21 career starts.
- Keeping with the Chargers, the team lost their best special teams
player when linebacker and special teams captain Carlos Polk was placed
on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Polk was the team's Special
Teams Player of the Year for the past two seasons.
- The Rams linebacker corps is quickly becoming depleted because of
injuries. Reserve Trev Falk went down in the season opener and top backup
Tommy Polley dressed last week but didn't play because of a rib injury.
The injuries forced the team to re-sign Tony Newson who briefly held a
starting spot in training camp before tailing off. To make room, the team
was forced to cut rookie safety Jason Shivers who impressed in the preseason.
The team expected big things from Polley in 2004 because he's headed toward
unrestricted free agency, however his development has been slow since his
rookie season in 2001.
|
