PFW whispers 9/1

[TecmoBeast]

* While speculation continues that Bears star DT Tommie Harris is far from 100 percent recovered from the hamstring injury that prematurely ended his 2006 season, it’s a much different story regarding the team’s other key defender coming back from a season-ending injury, Mike Brown. Dispelling fears that he might not have enough range to adequately handle the FS position he has switched to from strong safety, where newcomer Adam Archuleta now resides, Brown has looked extremely frisky. New Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich told team sources that Brown lately has “looked as good as I’ve seen him look.”

 

* Even though Bears second-round DE Dan Bazuin finally began to display some flashes with his sack in the team’s recent preseason victory over the Niners, don’t be surprised if the Central Michigan product ends up on the injured-reserve list. Bazuin still appears to be dragging the injured leg that limited him earlier this offseason, and with the depth the Bears have on the edges, team insiders believe the possibility of stashing him for the season is very real.

 

* Expect the Lions to troll the waiver wire for linebackers and defensive backs. It has become obvious that the team is short in these areas, and the loss of FS Daniel Bullocks — arguably their best defensive back this summer — really cripples an already shorthanded secondary.

 

* Though we did not see much of it during the preseason, the plan remains for Vikings RBs Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson to be on the field at the same time. Peterson’s receiving ability largely went unused at Oklahoma, but the Vikings appear to like what he brings to the passing game, making it tougher for defenses to treat one RB solely as a runner and one as a receiver when they play at the same time.

* The heel injury to Cowboys CB Terence Newman might not prevent him from playing against the Giants next Sunday, but it was enough of a red flag for the Cowboys to be concerned about their depth there. Aaron Glenn has struggled at times this preseason and carries a hefty salary, and the young corners have not stepped up recently.

 

* The Giants’ backup QB situation bears watching. Jared Lorenzen has thrown the ball very well this preseason, but his penchant for taking sacks (12 this preseason, including seven in 23 dropbacks in the fourth game) is angering head coach Tom Coughlin. Anthony Wright has come on of late and could steal Lorenzen’s job.

 

* The Eagles think DT Brodrick Bunkley is ready to break out. He has remained quiet and out of trouble this preseason, letting his play do the talking. Bunkley has had a nice performance to date and could maximize his value in the Eagles’ four-man inside rotation the coaches prefer up front.

 

* If Redskins SLB Marcus Washington (dislocated elbow) can’t go in Week One, a real possibility, look for special-teams star Khary Campbell — not newly acquired Randall Godfrey — to be the replacement. Campbell has played since Washington went down and has the trust of the coaching staff.

 

* Talk of ex-Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter signing with the Buccaneers has heated up in the last week as Trotter is rumored to have made a second visit to Tampa, according to our sources. We hear the Buccaneers, who are roughly $15 million under the salary cap, are unhappy with their depth at the MLB spot and are eyeing Trotter to serve as Barrett Ruud’s backup. Trotter isn’t an ideal fit for the Tampa-2 defense because he struggles when dropping into coverage, but he is a sure tackler and stout vs. the run.

 

* Saints OLT Jammal Brown returned to practice this week for the first time since suffering a bone bruise in his right knee Aug. 7. While he’s still not 100 percent, we hear Brown is expected to be in the starting lineup in Week One.

 

* Sources in Charlotte tell us the Panthers are expected to go with two quarterbacks for the second straight season after No. 3 QB Brett Basanez was placed on the injured-reserve list with a hand injury. Jake Delhomme will start and David Carr, whom the Panthers signed in the offseason, will serve as his backup. We hear the Panthers likely will keep undrafted rookie QB Dalton Bell on their practice squad.

 

* The Falcons’ top option to replace injured QB D.J. Shockley as their third-string quarterback is Giants backup Anthony Wright, who may be cut when the Giants cut their roster down to 53. We hear the Falcons liked Wright before they signed Joey Harrington and Chris Redman, but they didn’t sign him because he wanted more money.

 

* We’re told undrafted rookie Tony Taylor has won the backup MLB job in Atlanta, which likely means Jordan Beck, a third-round pick in 2005, will be cut. Taylor, who played for Falcons LB coach Brian VanGorder at Georgia, will back up Keith Brooking, who moved from the WLB spot to the middle in the offseason.

 

* Word out of Atlanta is the left knee strain FS Chris Crocker suffered in the Falcons’ third preseason game has opened the door for second-year FS Jimmy Williams to seize the starting job. Our sources believe Williams is still a long way from being ready to be an effective starter, but the former college cornerback is definitely the Falcons’ top choice as the long-term solution at the FS spot.

 

* Sources in Tampa tell us Jon Gruden has been praising backup OT Donald Penn in practice recently in an effort to light a fire under struggling second-year ORT Jeremy Trueblood. Trueblood is also battling a minor foot injury, but he is expected to start in Week One.

 

* The Rams’ decision to name Brett Romberg the starting center over veteran Andy McCollum didn’t surprise too many people close to the team. Romberg is a decade younger than McCollum and has a big booster in current O-line coach Paul Boudreau, who coached Romberg in Jacksonville. The big question now becomes whether McCollum will make the final roster cut. The fact McCollum provides potential depth at both center and guard makes that possibility a long shot, but stranger things have happened.

 

* After the weekend trade of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to Cincinnati, another Rams holdover who may be in danger of moving on is FB Madison Hedgecock, whose somewhat sloppy preseason play (particularly a costly fumble vs. San Diego) could seal his fate.

 

* Word is the Rams will waste little time raiding the waiver wire for help at cornerback, where the ranks have been thinned to a dangerous extent due to starter Fakhir Brown’s four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. In the battle for the nickel job in Brown’s absence, we hear newly acquired veteran Lenny Walls appears to have an edge on rookie Jonathan Wade.

 

* Our Cardinals insiders wonder about the wisdom of releasing P Scott Player, who was with the team nine years, longer than any player on the roster. Player’s anticipated replacement, waiver pickup Mike Barr, has been cut each of the past four seasons by the Steelers and has never punted in an NFL regular-season game. It’s also very much worth noting that Player was the holder the past four years for PK Neil Rackers, who credits Player for being a big reason behind his kicking success. Whether or not newly acquired Sean Morey can effectively replace Player remains to be seen.

 

* We hear the Cardinals could have a pretty hard time keeping reserve DL Chris Cooper off the field. Word is the scrappy Cooper always seems to be making plays and has flourished so far this season in the team’s defensive system. It would hardly be a shock if he sees more action at defensive end than originally anticipated.

 

* One problem that we hear Cardinals QB Matt Leinart continues to have is with his footwork. The second-year signalcaller’s tendency to pull his left foot directly behind his right foot on his drops instead of dropping straight back has been a pretty steady source of irritation for new head coach Ken Whisenhunt and his staff. Not only have Leinart’s drops been too shallow, but we hear Cardinals coaches think it affects his throwing.

 

* Daily Niners observers think it will be very interesting to watch the ongoing relationship between newly acquired No. 1 WR Darrell Jackson, who is far from being a workout warrior, and WR coach Jerry Sullivan, who likes his receivers to lift weights and train hard all the time. Jackson still appears to be bothered a bit by the toe injury that limited him at the end of last season, but as always seems to be the case, when he has been on the field in games, Jackson has looked good.

 

* Don’t be fooled by the fact that bowlegged, pigeon-toed Niners DT Sam Rayburn could have the funniest-looking body in pro football. The way we hear it, the fifth-year pro’s versatility and surprisingly strong pass-rush skills make him a virtual cinch to make the final cut and, beyond that, provide an impact once the show starts for real.

 

* With the Seahawks continuing to say they will be keeping only six linebackers on the final roster, we hear the odd man out will either be second-year pro Lance Laury or fifth-round rookie Will Herring. Since both of them have had strong camps, the odds that the odd man out will land on the practice squad are very strong.

 

* We couldn’t help but do a little dot-connecting when we heard the rumor that the Dolphins might be putting WR Chris Chambers on the trade mart and quickly surmised that Green Bay would seem to be a nice fit for the Wisconsin graduate. Not only do the Packers have a clear need for more help at wide receiver, the team also has plenty of dough to make such a deal happen. But when we asked our No. 1 Packers source what he thought of our conjecture, he brushed us off quickly with a two-word response: Ted Thompson. There’s no way, our source said, Thompson would go that route, with his preference for sticking with homegrown talent.

 

* Jets first-round rookie CB Darrelle Revis has been so good in his limited action this preseason that the team is dangling presumed starter Andre Dyson as trade bait, our Jets sources indicated. They’re hoping to land someone to fill the OLG spot Pete Kendall had occupied, as Adrien Clarke and rookie Jacob Bender have struggled in their auditions for the starting job.

 

* RB Thomas Jones stands as the Jets’ marquee offseason acquisition, but coach Eric Mangini doesn’t want to overuse him. Expect Jones to average around 15 carries per game, with Leon Washington spelling him more often than most had initially believed.

 

* In Buffalo, rookie RB Marshawn Lynch will get most of the carries, but Anthony Thomas’ role will be increased after rushing for 378 yards in ’06. Thomas played for coach Dick Jauron in Chicago, and Jauron has always held Thomas in high esteem — as both a player and a person. Any leftover carries look to be going to Fred Jackson, who has beaten out Dwayne Wright and Shaud Williams for the No. 3 job.

* The most prized pupil in Miami coach Cam Cameron’s career may well be RB LaDainian Tomlinson, but Dolphins fans will see why Cameron’s reputation was built largely through the passing game. Cameron’s offensive playbook calls for substantial route-running from a bevy of positions, including fullbacks and “F-backs” (Cameron’s name for H-backs).

 

* Don’t be surprised if you see the Dolphins’ offense stay on the field in more than a few 4th-and-short situations. Cam Cameron prides himself on taking measured gambles and likes to test his offense in these pressure scenarios.

 

* CB Asante Samuel may indeed have attracted top dollar if the Patriots hadn’t franchised him, but there remains skepticism about his value to teams that employ more man-to-man coverage. The majority of his league-high 10 interceptions in 2006 came in zone coverage, and we hear there are some inside the club who feel the more athletic Ellis Hobbs is the team’s best man-to-man cover corner.

 

* Chiefs RB Larry Johnson, who got three carries in Thursday’s preseason finale, admits that despite a vigorous workout schedule in Arizona during his lengthy holdout, he’s not yet in game shape and that it may take him a few regular-season games to feel acclimated to the rigors of the NFL again. Head coach Herman Edwards also acknowledged he won’t overuse Johnson in the first month while he works his way back into the mix. “You can run sprints all day,” Johnson said. “But if you’re not out there running plays, cutting and dodging and accelerating — that stuff can tire you out quickly. I’m really going to push myself this next week and see where my body is after that.”

 

* Inconsistency continues to plague Chiefs first-round draft pick Dwayne Bowe, which is a bit troubling because no receivers really stepped up in training camp or the preseason besides veteran Eddie Kennison. Bowe will enter the season third on the depth chart behind Kennison and Samie Parker, but the feeling is with more concentration during the game and with the playbook in his hand, he could surpass Parker at some point this season.

 

* Two players we hear the Broncos will have a hard time cutting will be TE Nate Jackson and undrafted rookie RB Selvin Young. Jackson caught everything in sight during training camp when given a chance behind Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham, and Young has made the most of his opportunities with his speed and hard-running style.

 

* New Chargers defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell recently called Jamal Williams “the best nose tackle I’ve ever coached.” High praise indeed, considering the fact he coached Pat Williams and Ted Washington in Buffalo. The biggest difference for Cottrell was the upfield push Jamal Williams gets and the way he’s “always changing the line of scrimmage.”

 

* The emergence of rookie Legedu Naanee and the fact Eric Parker could miss much of the first half of the season leaves the sure-handed Greg Camarillo likely on the outside looking in, as far as San Diego’s WR corps is concerned. If the Chargers try to place Camarillo on the practice squad in the next week, don’t expect him to stay there. Several teams would be interested, most notably the Dolphins, where former Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is strapped for talent.

 

* Chargers backup RB Michael Turner believes he’ll be ready to go for the season opener with the Bears after suffering a high ankle sprain in the team’s third preseason game. Turner had the ankle taped and was walking gingerly three days after the sprain, but the fact it wasn’t in a protective boot spoke volumes.

 

* With WRs Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry and impressive rookie TE Zach Miller sure to get plenty of attention from defenses in Lane Kiffin’s new offense, there will be some pressure on Travis Taylor, who has a lock on the No. 3 role, and Mike Williams, whom the team has big plans for in the red zone. Rookie Johnnie Lee Higgins and veteran Alvis Whitted are expected to fill out the WR corps because of their special-teams abilities. The explosive Higgins is pushing Chris Carr for the punt-return job in Oakland.

 

* Keep an eye on the Texans’ safety play in the coming weeks. The way we hear it, FS C.C. Brown’s play in coverage is an ongoing concern, and SS Jason Simmons’ primary contributions throughout his Texans career has been on special teams.

 

* The way we hear it, Texans ORT Eric Winston’s improvement from his rookie season to his second NFL campaign has pleased the team.

 

* Even as Titans rookie CB Michael Griffin continues to make strides at his new position, there are some who wonder if the strongest Tennessee secondary would be with Griffin at free safety, where neither Lamont Thompson nor Calvin Lowry has impressed in the preseason. However, don’t expect the Titans to suddenly move Griffin back to safety at this late stage.

 

* Our sources believe the Jaguars’ recent additions of two aging veterans, DT Seth Payne and SS Sammy Knight, is a clear sign the team realizes it needs to win now to save head coach Jack Del Rio’s job.

 

* Jaguars QB David Garrard has been impressed with the preseason performance of 31-year-old RB Fred Taylor, who is 487 yards short of 10,000 yards for his career: “He’s looked great. He’s looking young, fresh legs. He’s running hard,” Garrard told PFW. “I think he’s going to take right off and rack up some more yards. Hopefully, he can get close to 1,300, 1,400, 1,500 yards this year and have another breakout season for himself.”

 

* The Ravens could again keep five running backs on the regular-season roster, as P.J. Daniels has battled a hamstring injury and Musa Smith has struggled to stay healthy throughout his NFL career. The back on the bubble appears to be 5-foot-6 Cory Ross.

 

* Two Bengals players to watch this season: FS Madieu Williams and OLG Stacy Andrews. Both are in the final seasons of their contracts, and both have impressed in the preseason. Williams is a known commodity, but Andrews, a backup throughout his Cincinnati career until this season, appears to be a natural at guard.

[spamicus]

Very good info!

[i_am_the_swammi]

""* Jaguars QB David Garrard has been impressed with the preseason performance of 31-year-old RB Fred Taylor, who is 487 yards short of 10,000 yards for his career: “He’s looked great. He’s looking young, fresh legs. He’s running hard,” Garrard told PFW. “I think he’s going to take right off and rack up some more yards. Hopefully, he can get close to 1,300, 1,400, 1,500 yards this year and have another breakout season for himself.”"

 

Wow....not music to MJD owner's ears, for sure. If Fred Taylor can "get close to 1300, 1400, or 1500 yards this year", it will only mean MJD was on the field less than anticipated/. He's another guy I let someone else over-draft.

[Wide-Eyed]

Great reports. Thanks for sharing.

[Avernus]

""* Jaguars QB David Garrard has been impressed with the preseason performance of 31-year-old RB Fred Taylor, who is 487 yards short of 10,000 yards for his career: “He’s looked great. He’s looking young, fresh legs. He’s running hard,” Garrard told PFW. “I think he’s going to take right off and rack up some more yards. Hopefully, he can get close to 1,300, 1,400, 1,500 yards this year and have another breakout season for himself.”"

 

Wow....not music to MJD owner's ears, for sure. If Fred Taylor can "get close to 1300, 1400, or 1500 yards this year", it will only mean MJD was on the field less than anticipated/. He's another guy I let someone else over-draft.

 

maybe they use MJD more in the passing game?

[TDFFFreak]

maybe they use MJD more in the passing game?

Exactly.

 

MJD will get his. In PPR leagues, MJD should be a beast. And if Taylor goes down, MJD should be a a top 10 RB. I'll take my chances with MJD as a RB2.

[Avernus]

Exactly.

 

MJD will get his. In PPR leagues, MJD should be a beast. And if Taylor goes down, MJD should be a a top 10 RB. I'll take my chances with MJD as a RB2.

 

I have him as a RB3 in my local

[TDFFFreak]

I have him as a RB3 in my local

Love those local leagues.

[i_am_the_swammi]

I have him as a RB3 in my local

 

Thats about where I would rank him....somewhere around 18th-22nd best RB.....low RB2, high RB3. In our local, he was taken 11th off the board amongst RBs...way too high, IMO.

 

Sure, he has great upside if everything falls into place....but with Taylor the primary ball-control RB, and Greg Jones looming in some TBD role, I would take Benson, Maroney, Jones, MBIII etc. as my RB2 before MJD.

[Randall]

Thats about where I would rank him....somewhere around 18th-22nd best RB.....low RB2, high RB3. In our local, he was taken 11th off the board amongst RBs...way too high, IMO.

 

Sure, he has great upside if everything falls into place....but with Taylor the primary ball-control RB, and Greg Jones looming in some TBD role, I would take Benson, Maroney, Jones, MBIII etc. as my RB2 before MJD.

 

 

I agree. I have seen him go from late 1st to late 2nd.

[Sgt. Ryan]

considering the Minny QB cant throw a completion further than 5 yards, its a good idea to have both Chester and Adrian on the field together, with them going seperate ways just past the line of scrimmage, and maybe Jackson can hit them from that range.

[Avernus]

considering the Minny QB cant throw a completion further than 5 yards, its a good idea to have both Chester and Adrian on the field together, with them going seperate ways just past the line of scrimmage, and maybe Jackson can hit them from that range.

 

I've been saying this whole time that the Vikings need to have them out there at the same time...

 

it makes the most sense..

[Avernus]

Love those local leagues.

 

definitely.....definitely...

 

also...in regards to what swammi said...

 

I think MJD can put up Westbrook type numbers in the passing game...

 

I can see taylor being the RB and MJD being the pass catching back...

 

Taylor's strength is between the tackles and grinding it out.....but MJD's strength is when he reaches the 2nd level of the defense and has some wiggle room......and not that he can't run between tackles....it's just that his strength is in the open field..

[TDFFFreak]

definitely.....definitely...

 

also...in regards to what swammi said...

 

I think MJD can put up Westbrook type numbers in the passing game...

I can see taylor being the RB and MJD being the pass catching back...

 

Taylor's strength is between the tackles and grinding it out.....but MJD's strength is when he reaches the 2nd level of the defense and has some wiggle room......and not that he can't run between tackles....it's just that his strength is in the open field..

That actually brings up a good point: while I don't think MJD will put up Westbrook type numbers this season, he could be the next Westbrook and have a similar season to Westy's first break out. Wasn't Westbrook paired with Staley before they let Staley go? If that's the case, the Taylor/MJD tandem seems similar except I think they intend to keep taylor around for another year or 2 after this one.

 

I mean this as a positive for MJD.

 

Also, IMO there is no way I take Barber or Benson (although a lot closer) before I take MJD in a PPR league.

[Avernus]

That actually brings up a good point: while I don't think MJD will put up Westbrook type numbers this season, he could be the next Westbrook and have a similar season to Westy's first break out. Wasn't Westbrook paired with Staley before they let Staley go? If that's the case, the Taylor/MJD tandem seems similar except I think they intend to keep taylor around for another year or 2 after this one.

 

I mean this as a positive for MJD.

 

Also, IMO there is no way I take Barber or Benson (although a lot closer) before I take MJD in a PPR league.

 

exactly.....

 

and I'd like to add that I won't compare him completely to Westbrook....but in the passing game I think he can do similar damage....

 

if not just because he's an explosive playmaker....but because there's really not much else in the Jag's offense that calls for any respect other than Taylor...

[TDFFFreak]

exactly.....

 

and I'd like to add that I won't compare him completely to Westbrook....but in the passing game I think he can do similar damage....

 

if not just because he's an explosive playmaker....but because there's really not much else in the Jag's offense that calls for any respect other than Taylor...

Something tells me (perhaps foolishly) that the Jags offense will be better than expected aside from the Taylor/MJD factor, which will further help the running game of Jacksonville. Just a hunch.

[Avernus]

Something tells me (perhaps foolishly) that the Jags offense will be better than expected aside from the Taylor/MJD factor, which will further help the running game of Jacksonville. Just a hunch.

 

the thing that scares me is Northcutt is considered a starter....

 

Garrard isn't the best passer, but he seems to be pretty good at managing games and.....staying healthy...

 

I'm not sure how the passing game will go...the only thing I'm sure of is I like both RB's and Marcedes...

[TDFFFreak]

the thing that scares me is Northcutt is considered a starter....

 

Garrard isn't the best passer, but he seems to be pretty good at managing games and.....staying healthy...

 

I'm not sure how the passing game will go...the only thing I'm sure of is I like both RB's and Marcedes...

This thread has been officially hijacked somehow to a discussion of the Jags.

 

And I agree that the WRs on the Jags seem scary in a bad way, but a hunch is a hunch as opposed to the Cleveland situation for this year. As much as I love Edwards, it doesn't matter too much because of who is throwing to him.

Edited September 2, 2007 by TDFFFreak

[Avernus]

This thread has been officially hijacked somehow to a discussion of the Jags.

 

And I agree that the WRs on the Jags seem scary in a bad way, but a hunch is a hunch as opposed to the Cleveland situation for this year. As much as I love Edwards, it doesn't matter too much because of who is throwing to him.

 

ahaha this thread is an open forum because there are so many topics covered in the opening post...

[BeeR]

As much as I love Edwards, it doesn't matter too much because of who is throwing to him.

 

Edwards racked up about 900/6 last year coming off an injury. Now a year removed plus Frye at least shouldn't (repeat "shouldn't") be any worse than last year, and if so, Quinn is waiting.....their OL is better...and while granted he's not great, Lewis should be at least a little better than what they had last year. So Edwards should be at least respectable. I think.

[Avernus]

Edwards racked up about 900/6 last year coming off an injury. Now a year removed plus Frye at least shouldn't (repeat "shouldn't") be any worse than last year, and if so, Quinn is waiting.....their OL is better...and while granted he's not great, Lewis should be at least a little better than what they had last year. So Edwards should be at least respectable. I think.

 

I think Edwards will finally break out this season regardless who is at QB....

 

of course I could just be hopelessly optimistic about this..

[TDFFFreak]

Edwards racked up about 900/6 last year coming off an injury. Now a year removed plus Frye at least shouldn't (repeat "shouldn't") be any worse than last year, and if so, Quinn is waiting.....their OL is better...and while granted he's not great, Lewis should be at least a little better than what they had last year. So Edwards should be at least respectable. I think.

 

I guess that's kinda how I feel, but there are so many 'ifs' in my mind that i've stayed away. He's one player that I have gone back and forth on about drafting. I love the player, but hate what's around him and the tough division the Browns are in. I may live to regret passing on him, but I often opted for Santonio Holmes, Branch, and V. Jackson in my drafts.

I think Edwards will finally break out this season regardless who is at QB....

 

of course I could just be hopelessly optimistic about this..

+1, but I'll pin my hopes on a few other players.

[Avernus]

I guess that's kinda how I feel, but there are so many 'ifs' in my mind that i've stayed away. He's one player that I have gone back and forth on about drafting. I love the player, but hate what's around him and the tough division the Browns are in. I may live to regret passing on him, but I often opted for Santonio Holmes, Branch, and V. Jackson in my drafts.

 

I like all those players...but I fear that VJax is already overrated...

 

he went 7.02 in my local.....

 

at that point I just said...wow...

[BeeR]

 

I guess that's kinda how I feel, but there are so many 'ifs' in my mind that i've stayed away. He's one player that I have gone back and forth on about drafting. I love the player, but hate what's around him and the tough division the Browns are in. I may live to regret passing on him, but I often opted for Santonio Holmes, Branch, and V. Jackson in my drafts.

Well I'm talking a WR3 top anyway....