In the 1980s, the San Francisco 49ers were the NFL's bell cow -- the best franchise in the league under the guidance of coach Bill Walsh and General Manager Carmen Policy.Even though Walsh left after the 1989 season, Policy kept the Niners stocked up through the mid-1990s, and then the salary cap caught up to them and turned them into a gutted also-ran for much of this decade.But now the young duo of Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan seems to be making all the right moves to turn the 49ers back into the 4 Brett Favre White jersey
playoff team they were for so long under Walsh and Policy. The 49ers went 7-9 last season, with a sweep of the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks, and many pundits are predicting that San Francisco will take command of the division this year.While that might be a bit premature -- the Seahawks are still a formidable team and 49er quarterback Alex Smith still has much to learn -- Nolan and McCloughan have continued to remake the Niners into what looks like a better team than the one that went 7-9 last season.The duo has focused largely on reshaping the defense, which was one of the league's worst in 2006 (28th in yards allowed and last in points allowed). Nolan wants to use an attacking 3-4 scheme, and he and McCloughan have spent the offseason gathering players who should fit it.First, they made it a priority to retain Bryant Young, who has been a mainstay along the defensive line since he was drafted in the first round in 1994. Then they opened free agency with a bang, signing cornerback Nate Clements, safety Michael Lewis and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin on the first day. The next day, they re-signed cornerback Walt Harris, whose 11th season in the NFL (and first in San Francisco) was perhaps his best. Nolan and McCloughan then added linebacker Tully Banta-Cain and re-signed fellow LB Hannibal Navies.And that was all just a prelude to a draft weekend that netted six more defenders. In just two months, Nolan and McCloughan have revamped their defense with 10 new faces -- with as many as five expected to be in the starting lineup when the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals in a Monday night doubleheader to open next season.While Clements was the ace catch in free agency, linebacker Patrick Willis was the main man on draft day as the 49ers got the guy many wanted and expected them to grab with the 11th pick.Armed with 10 choices, Nolan and McCloughan negotiated the draft with savvy. They appeared to give up a lot when they dealt their 2008 first-round pick to New England to climb back into the first round for tackle Joe Staley with the 28th selection. But that was a calculated risk, because if the 49ers do in fact make the playoffs next season, that pick will be pretty Dallas Cowboys jersey
low anyway.Of course, that giveaway was offset when Nolan and McCloughan shrewdly put themselves back into the first round in 2008 by giving their second-round pick in this draft to the . They also received a fourth-round pick in that deal, which replenished the fourth they had given to the Patriots in the first trade. Essentially, the 49ers found a way to get a second first-round pick at what could turn out to be almost no additional cost (unless the 49ers backslide and end up giving the Patriots a top-15 pick).Nolan and McCloughan also brought in reinforcements for the D-line, adding ends Ray McDonald and Jay Moore and tackle Joe Cohen.Beyond the first-round maneuvering, though, the best deal the duo made was to snag receiver Darrell Jackson from the Seahawks for a mere fourth-round pick. McCloughan, a former personnel guy for Seattle, took advantage of the bad blood between Jackson and Seahawks management. Now, the 49ers suddenly have a No. 1 receiver for the first time since Terrell Owens left after the 2003 season.Of course, the Jackson deal does not come without injury questions: He has missed 13 games over the past two years due to knee and toe ailments. But for a guy who caught 10 touchdown passes last season, a fourth-rounder looks like quite a steal. Jackson and Ashley Lelie (signed in March), along with Arnaz Battle and third-round pick Jason Hill, should form the best receiving corps the 49ers have had since Owens left.Just like that -- in two months -- Nolan and McCloughan have reconfigured the receiving corps and their entire defense. With 10 new defenders -- and the right kinds of defenders in the front seven -- Nolan can now install the full 3-4 scheme he has wanted to use since he arrived 4 Brett Favre White jersey
two years ago. If it all works out, Nolan and McCloughan just might become the next Walsh and Policy by ushering in a new golden era for the 49ers.Daily San Francisco 49ers coverage, courtesy of RealFootball365.comGot a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst?
2010年12月9日星期四
2010年12月2日星期四
Fan Pulse: "Doctor visited Vince Young, Tennessee Titans sign Chris Simms"
It's been an interesting 36 hours for Titans quarterback Vince Young. After throwing two interceptions in a row in a 10-7 win over Jacksonville, Young reacted despondently to a chorus of boos from the home crowd. Head coach Jeff Fisher had to coerce him into returning to the field. Four plays after he did, he 6 Sanchez Purple AFL50th jersey
suffered a knee injury that will likely keep him out of action for 2-4 weeks. The Titans sent a psychologist to meet with Young on Monday night; afterward, he left his cell phone at home and drove off abruptly in his Mercedes. Young's family called the Titans over concerns regarding his mental condition, which caused the team to phone the police.According to The Tennessean, the psychologist said Young was "extremely depressed and expressed concerns to the team about Young's safety." As a result of Young's physical and mental state, the Titans sign QB Chris Simms to back up Kerry Collins, Young's injury replacement. There's even whispers that Collins will remain at the helm if the team is playing well when Young returns. This has ignited Titans fans on Titans Online, who have been writing feverishly as these events unfold. The general consensus is sensible: If Young's mental state wasn't a concern at all, why did the team have psychologists [url="http://forums.titansonline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=830745&postcount=29"target="_new" title="to meet with him Monday night? "]meet with him?"Up until this point the (front office) and Fisher have vehemontly denied any 'issues' with VY. If there are no 'issues' then why did someone within the Titans Organization get the local law enforcement involved? Apparently whomever called the cops feels as though there might be more going on with Vince then what the Titans are telling us."<a target="_new" href="http://forums.titansonline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=830748&postcount=31" title="The concern among the fans is definitely there,">The concern among the fans is definitely there,[/url] as many of them are hoping Young simply can get any help he may need -- if that is what he needs -- and return to the field when he's ready. "Wow...I feel for Vince. You don't get people involved in the middle of the night over nothing. This may be deeper then we thought."Some members of Titans Online began a pledge, vowing to support Young, and stop the booing and negativity they claim to be surrounding the signal-caller.As far as the next few weeks go, fans seem to be throwing their support behind Collins over the newly signed Simms. "Chris Simms..... hes not bad but at the same 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
time hes not good, when tampa made playoffs with him they were limited, he is like young, doesnt throw alot of TD's and not alot of yds either..... collins is our best bet, he can throw for alot of yds and tds, lets hope he just doesnt throw alot of ints, throw the ball away because our defence will allow him to get more chances with having to worry bout scoring alot...."
suffered a knee injury that will likely keep him out of action for 2-4 weeks. The Titans sent a psychologist to meet with Young on Monday night; afterward, he left his cell phone at home and drove off abruptly in his Mercedes. Young's family called the Titans over concerns regarding his mental condition, which caused the team to phone the police.According to The Tennessean, the psychologist said Young was "extremely depressed and expressed concerns to the team about Young's safety." As a result of Young's physical and mental state, the Titans sign QB Chris Simms to back up Kerry Collins, Young's injury replacement. There's even whispers that Collins will remain at the helm if the team is playing well when Young returns. This has ignited Titans fans on Titans Online, who have been writing feverishly as these events unfold. The general consensus is sensible: If Young's mental state wasn't a concern at all, why did the team have psychologists [url="http://forums.titansonline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=830745&postcount=29"target="_new" title="to meet with him Monday night? "]meet with him?"Up until this point the (front office) and Fisher have vehemontly denied any 'issues' with VY. If there are no 'issues' then why did someone within the Titans Organization get the local law enforcement involved? Apparently whomever called the cops feels as though there might be more going on with Vince then what the Titans are telling us."<a target="_new" href="http://forums.titansonline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=830748&postcount=31" title="The concern among the fans is definitely there,">The concern among the fans is definitely there,[/url] as many of them are hoping Young simply can get any help he may need -- if that is what he needs -- and return to the field when he's ready. "Wow...I feel for Vince. You don't get people involved in the middle of the night over nothing. This may be deeper then we thought."Some members of Titans Online began a pledge, vowing to support Young, and stop the booing and negativity they claim to be surrounding the signal-caller.As far as the next few weeks go, fans seem to be throwing their support behind Collins over the newly signed Simms. "Chris Simms..... hes not bad but at the same 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
time hes not good, when tampa made playoffs with him they were limited, he is like young, doesnt throw alot of TD's and not alot of yds either..... collins is our best bet, he can throw for alot of yds and tds, lets hope he just doesnt throw alot of ints, throw the ball away because our defence will allow him to get more chances with having to worry bout scoring alot...."
Tennessee Titans Baltimore Ravens "The smart money"
Though increasingly misnamed, what with a bankroll which would have evaporated had a few dollars not been pitched at the Buffalo Bills minus-10.5 last Sunday, a column titled ;The dumbass money ; just simply wouldn ;t sell as well to the boss here .Commentary: In preparation for 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
Week 5 and the desperate ploy to avoid the desecration of what little rep remains, then, this edition of ;The Smart Money ; features the employment of that greatest addition to behavioral philosophy in the 20th century, namely ;Doing the Opposite. ;To get things started in the counterintuitive manner, we ;ll begin not with a really easy game a reasonably intelligent invertebrate could call minus any number of points (Cincinnati at Dallas comes immediately to mind, while Chicago and Detroit chases quickly thereafter), but rather the most challenging, tough-to-call, Game of the Week slugfest of Tennessee at Baltimore.The money line. Whoa, do some of us have no right to be making this bet, eh? (Opposite, Os, do the opposite ...) History tells us that Jeff Fisher ;s Titans teams have gone 2-5 against the Ravens since 2000, though are 1-0 in the playoffs in that time. The caveat here is that 1-3 of said record came in four games in 2000 and 2001, the last of the NFL ;s six-division format and interestingly the two seasons in which the Titans and Ravens were defending AFC champions.The most recent meeting was in 2006, a memorable 27-26 squeaker in which Steve McNair led a 20-point comeback; nevertheless, the contest triggered a six-game winning streak for Fisher ;s men and a mad late-season rush for a playoff spot. In 2005, the Titans won handily over the Ravens, 25-10, in Week 2 ; one of few highlights in a dismal 4-12 season.But that was then and this is now. The Baltimore defense may be better than ever with Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis playing out of their minds early, while Haloti Ngata and Dawan Landry are blossoming into the All-Pro forces we ;ve been expecting since their rookie seasons. Plus, they ;re playing at home. The bet: Tennessee.Over/under. The Tennessee-Baltimore matchup figures to be a knockdown, drag-out, smash-mouth 60 minutes of football. We ;re talking about two of the top four defenses (alongside Buffalo and the New York Giants) in the leagueDallas Cowboys jersey
right now. The Ravens are No. 1 statistically in overall defense and pass 'D' while perched in second against the run; rookie Chris Johnson may be a fantasy football darling right now, but he ;s yet to see a defense like this one. Meanwhile, possibly even lower watt than the Titans with the ball is the Joe Flacco-led 31st-ranked passing attack in Baltimore, which is producing a weak 293 yards per game in total offense. From the University of Delaware to facing off against an all-star front four of Jevon Kearse, Tony Brown, Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch ... hmm, think Flacco can engineer a single trip to the red zone? Everything points to a grind-it-out contest that defense-lovers will adore. The bet: Over 33.Pointspread. Figure it ;ll be a close one as well, eh? Me too. The bet: Tennessee, minus-3.Fantasy Football Impact. At this point, probably Tennessee ;s and certainly Baltimore ;s DSTs are penciled in as your starter throughout the season. So, you ;ll probably want to bench them this week while figuring Kerry Collins to have a particularly huge game. In all seriousness, two items: 1) The biggest fantasy ripoff of last week was the way the Ravens' defense was statistically penalized in many leagues for ;allowing ; two touchdowns that were directly or indirectly the result of offensive errors; 2) Thank the gods my teams don ;t have any of these players this week.Injury Watch. For Baltimore, Samari Rolle is out and Willis McGahee is best described as day-to-day at this point. And while LenDale White and Justin Gage did not practice with the Titans on Wednesday, Vince Young did. Fan Pulse. While Dirty Bird watchers at Extreme Ravens exhume memories of Collins in Super Bowl XXXV, Titans fans appear generally a bit more confident 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
about their present-day team and its QBs. And has PitBull of GoTitans.com created the new Nashville mantra? "**** the ravens. **** the ravens. **** mcnair for becoming McRaven. Mason and Sumari rolle are sellouts. **** em both. and **** their enitre organization from their owner to their team to their fans... **** em all!"Meanwhile, I ;ll have a chicken salad on rye ; untoasted! ; a side of potato salad and a cup of tea.
Week 5 and the desperate ploy to avoid the desecration of what little rep remains, then, this edition of ;The Smart Money ; features the employment of that greatest addition to behavioral philosophy in the 20th century, namely ;Doing the Opposite. ;To get things started in the counterintuitive manner, we ;ll begin not with a really easy game a reasonably intelligent invertebrate could call minus any number of points (Cincinnati at Dallas comes immediately to mind, while Chicago and Detroit chases quickly thereafter), but rather the most challenging, tough-to-call, Game of the Week slugfest of Tennessee at Baltimore.The money line. Whoa, do some of us have no right to be making this bet, eh? (Opposite, Os, do the opposite ...) History tells us that Jeff Fisher ;s Titans teams have gone 2-5 against the Ravens since 2000, though are 1-0 in the playoffs in that time. The caveat here is that 1-3 of said record came in four games in 2000 and 2001, the last of the NFL ;s six-division format and interestingly the two seasons in which the Titans and Ravens were defending AFC champions.The most recent meeting was in 2006, a memorable 27-26 squeaker in which Steve McNair led a 20-point comeback; nevertheless, the contest triggered a six-game winning streak for Fisher ;s men and a mad late-season rush for a playoff spot. In 2005, the Titans won handily over the Ravens, 25-10, in Week 2 ; one of few highlights in a dismal 4-12 season.But that was then and this is now. The Baltimore defense may be better than ever with Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis playing out of their minds early, while Haloti Ngata and Dawan Landry are blossoming into the All-Pro forces we ;ve been expecting since their rookie seasons. Plus, they ;re playing at home. The bet: Tennessee.Over/under. The Tennessee-Baltimore matchup figures to be a knockdown, drag-out, smash-mouth 60 minutes of football. We ;re talking about two of the top four defenses (alongside Buffalo and the New York Giants) in the leagueDallas Cowboys jersey
right now. The Ravens are No. 1 statistically in overall defense and pass 'D' while perched in second against the run; rookie Chris Johnson may be a fantasy football darling right now, but he ;s yet to see a defense like this one. Meanwhile, possibly even lower watt than the Titans with the ball is the Joe Flacco-led 31st-ranked passing attack in Baltimore, which is producing a weak 293 yards per game in total offense. From the University of Delaware to facing off against an all-star front four of Jevon Kearse, Tony Brown, Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch ... hmm, think Flacco can engineer a single trip to the red zone? Everything points to a grind-it-out contest that defense-lovers will adore. The bet: Over 33.Pointspread. Figure it ;ll be a close one as well, eh? Me too. The bet: Tennessee, minus-3.Fantasy Football Impact. At this point, probably Tennessee ;s and certainly Baltimore ;s DSTs are penciled in as your starter throughout the season. So, you ;ll probably want to bench them this week while figuring Kerry Collins to have a particularly huge game. In all seriousness, two items: 1) The biggest fantasy ripoff of last week was the way the Ravens' defense was statistically penalized in many leagues for ;allowing ; two touchdowns that were directly or indirectly the result of offensive errors; 2) Thank the gods my teams don ;t have any of these players this week.Injury Watch. For Baltimore, Samari Rolle is out and Willis McGahee is best described as day-to-day at this point. And while LenDale White and Justin Gage did not practice with the Titans on Wednesday, Vince Young did. Fan Pulse. While Dirty Bird watchers at Extreme Ravens exhume memories of Collins in Super Bowl XXXV, Titans fans appear generally a bit more confident 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
about their present-day team and its QBs. And has PitBull of GoTitans.com created the new Nashville mantra? "**** the ravens. **** the ravens. **** mcnair for becoming McRaven. Mason and Sumari rolle are sellouts. **** em both. and **** their enitre organization from their owner to their team to their fans... **** em all!"Meanwhile, I ;ll have a chicken salad on rye ; untoasted! ; a side of potato salad and a cup of tea.
2010年12月1日星期三
Eight curveballs you could see in 2008
There are two fun elements to every NFL season: Predicting what will happen throughout the year and then watching it happen (or, most likely, not happen).Chances are, if you look back at your ‘08 fantasy football draft in Week 17, for example, you’ll laugh. No one player is ever a sure thing (though some come very close) and no week is ever predictable. There are always curveballs.With less than three weeks before the hit the field on ‘Monday Night Football’ against the Denver Broncos, let’s take a look at eight of these curveballs that could 4 Brett Favre White jersey
occur in 2008.? Stanford Routt leads the team in interceptions. No quarterback wants to throw the ball Nnamdi Asomugha’s way, and first-year Raider DeAngelo Hall already has ligament damage in his right hand. And, let’s face it, he’s not the most consistent cover man. The 25-year-old Routt doesn’t have the big name, but he’ll make plenty of big plays in 2008.? Michael Bush leads the team in rushing touchdowns. As of now, Yahoo! has Bush owned in only five percent of all active fantasy leagues run through its site. Not surprising. The 24-year-old, though, has more carries this preseason than any other rusher on Oakland’s roster and also has the only ground TD. Just as former powerhouse running back Zack Crockett led the Raiders in rushing TDs from 2001 to 2003, don’t be surprised if Bush does the same in 2008.? Zach Miller leads the team in receiving yards. See here.? Paul McQuistan finishes as a starter somewhere on the O-line. Aside from center, it seems the 25-year-old has the ability to play anywhere along the offensive line. And although the former third-rounder has never put together a full season as a starter, he always seems to end up finishing as one. McQuistan has 12 career starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard in his two short years in the NFL. Chances are, he’ll finish ’08 starting at right tackle.? Tommy Kelly records 10 sacks. Kelly, the $50.5 million man, will do what ex-Raiders D-lineman Warren Sapp did four times in his 13-year career with Oakland and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- reach double-digit sacks. The 27-year-old has never recorded more than 4? sacks in a single season, but has plenty to prove in 2008 and not much room for error. This is Kelly’s year.? Javon Walker gets benched by Week 8. It already appears head coach Lane Kiffin has had enough of Walker’s $55 million, zero production arrangement with the team. It’s only been two preseason games and the young head coach has already claimed he’s “concerned” about the 29-year-old wideout, 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
who earlier this summer had to be talked out of retiring from football all together. A bad start to the Walker saga could mean a bad ending.? Stuart Schweigert gets cut by the New York Giants midseason and re-signed by the Raiders. Never mind. I don’t want to make anyone mad.? The Raiders win in Week 1. For the first time in six years.Anthony Carroll can be contacted at (28)
occur in 2008.? Stanford Routt leads the team in interceptions. No quarterback wants to throw the ball Nnamdi Asomugha’s way, and first-year Raider DeAngelo Hall already has ligament damage in his right hand. And, let’s face it, he’s not the most consistent cover man. The 25-year-old Routt doesn’t have the big name, but he’ll make plenty of big plays in 2008.? Michael Bush leads the team in rushing touchdowns. As of now, Yahoo! has Bush owned in only five percent of all active fantasy leagues run through its site. Not surprising. The 24-year-old, though, has more carries this preseason than any other rusher on Oakland’s roster and also has the only ground TD. Just as former powerhouse running back Zack Crockett led the Raiders in rushing TDs from 2001 to 2003, don’t be surprised if Bush does the same in 2008.? Zach Miller leads the team in receiving yards. See here.? Paul McQuistan finishes as a starter somewhere on the O-line. Aside from center, it seems the 25-year-old has the ability to play anywhere along the offensive line. And although the former third-rounder has never put together a full season as a starter, he always seems to end up finishing as one. McQuistan has 12 career starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard in his two short years in the NFL. Chances are, he’ll finish ’08 starting at right tackle.? Tommy Kelly records 10 sacks. Kelly, the $50.5 million man, will do what ex-Raiders D-lineman Warren Sapp did four times in his 13-year career with Oakland and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- reach double-digit sacks. The 27-year-old has never recorded more than 4? sacks in a single season, but has plenty to prove in 2008 and not much room for error. This is Kelly’s year.? Javon Walker gets benched by Week 8. It already appears head coach Lane Kiffin has had enough of Walker’s $55 million, zero production arrangement with the team. It’s only been two preseason games and the young head coach has already claimed he’s “concerned” about the 29-year-old wideout, 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
who earlier this summer had to be talked out of retiring from football all together. A bad start to the Walker saga could mean a bad ending.? Stuart Schweigert gets cut by the New York Giants midseason and re-signed by the Raiders. Never mind. I don’t want to make anyone mad.? The Raiders win in Week 1. For the first time in six years.Anthony Carroll can be contacted at (28)
Is Contra Costa Times trying to get Lane Kiffin fired?
Riddle me this: What do a successful touchdown strike and a negative news non-story have in common? Answer: It’s all in the spin.The seriously sided case in point came to light in reportage of Friday night’s Tennessee Titans- game. Though the Raiders' running game and JaMarcus Russell-Zach Miller battery put on 43 Polamalu white jersey
a nifty show, the Contra Costa Times chose instead to resurrect speculation of Lane Kiffin’s coaching demise.Sunday saw something of a frankly bizarre piece titled Is Lane Kiffin trying to get fired? in the California newspaper. Rather than lead with a nicely placed and infinitely more accurate “Yeah, surrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre,” writer Cam Inman instead stokes the Raider Nation’s fire of contention that the media are generally aligned against them. If not for a few more sober heads within the mainstream press, one would be more than tempted to agree.In insisting that Kiffin’s recent press appearances “suggest that he’s begging to get fired,” a handful of half-quotes and lines we’d accept as mere truisms from a Tom Coughlin or Jon Gruden are made material for the apparently beleaguered coach’s dismissal. Beginning with the premise of that mysterious, never-proven story of Al Davis asking for Kiffin’s voluntary stepping down in January, the Times calls out the coach on a number of issues, including:The bottom of the roster. Writes Inman: “You've got to be willing to release [marginal players] and live with it, and pick other people up for more competition.”His position as coach. "When you take this job you realize who the owner is and you realize most guys don't last really long, so that is what it is." Tommy Kelly. “He's got a lot to prove now with that contract.”Johnnie Lee Higgins. “I really don't have anybody to look at [to replace him as punt returner]: That's the problem. There isn't anybody there that's very dynamic with the ball."Javon Walker's performance in preseason games. "[It's] discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays."Anybody see any problem with any of these lines? No? Hmmm ...In fact, if Kiffin were a Mike Shanahan, he’d be getting kudos in the Rocky Mountain-area (and probably national) media for his tight analysis of the situation. The truth is that Kelly does have much to prove, that the situations at punt returner and wide receiver are far from positive, and that there are issues with depth in Oakland.And despite the prevailing opinion among sensationalists that Davis is crazy and/or senile, surely the man’s love for the Kellys and Walkers of the world isn’t so blinding as to prevent him from observing the adequate-at-best (in the former) and brutally ugly (in the latter) performances of these two thus far in 2008.Meanwhile, over at the Mercury News, the post-game of the same contest against the Titans showed a completely different Kiffin, one who stated: "There was nothing to point at [JaMarcus Russell] as far as not doing things right. It was either things weren't there or a guy wasn't making plays for him. I thought he played extremely well when you look at his composure, his energy, his excitement.” As well, the coach took time to praise Miller and Chaz Schilens for their performances.Translating line for line into Contra Costian, it might even be said that Kiffin was praising the Raider owner for his excellent draft picks and prescient knowledge in filling some troublesome spots. Even though potentially depending on Schilens to cover an $11 million man today feels like 43 Polamalu black jersey
a wacky gamble at most generous, reading the Mercury News clip might even lead one to believe that the Raiders played well in Tennessee, look improved over the 2007 edition already and, depending on Russell – still a fairly large-sized question mark – even optimistic about the team making the playoffs.Of course, that’s just the spin at . We could be wrong. But there’s no way we’re picturing Kiffin barreling down some highway to hell in a lemming-like drive to quit the Raiders. And what does Cam Inman have against this guy?Fantasy Playbook: An entirely new kind of fantasy game! (23)
a nifty show, the Contra Costa Times chose instead to resurrect speculation of Lane Kiffin’s coaching demise.Sunday saw something of a frankly bizarre piece titled Is Lane Kiffin trying to get fired? in the California newspaper. Rather than lead with a nicely placed and infinitely more accurate “Yeah, surrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre,” writer Cam Inman instead stokes the Raider Nation’s fire of contention that the media are generally aligned against them. If not for a few more sober heads within the mainstream press, one would be more than tempted to agree.In insisting that Kiffin’s recent press appearances “suggest that he’s begging to get fired,” a handful of half-quotes and lines we’d accept as mere truisms from a Tom Coughlin or Jon Gruden are made material for the apparently beleaguered coach’s dismissal. Beginning with the premise of that mysterious, never-proven story of Al Davis asking for Kiffin’s voluntary stepping down in January, the Times calls out the coach on a number of issues, including:The bottom of the roster. Writes Inman: “You've got to be willing to release [marginal players] and live with it, and pick other people up for more competition.”His position as coach. "When you take this job you realize who the owner is and you realize most guys don't last really long, so that is what it is." Tommy Kelly. “He's got a lot to prove now with that contract.”Johnnie Lee Higgins. “I really don't have anybody to look at [to replace him as punt returner]: That's the problem. There isn't anybody there that's very dynamic with the ball."Javon Walker's performance in preseason games. "[It's] discouraging because he was paid an awful lot of money, paid like one of the top five receivers in the NFL. We need him to make those plays."Anybody see any problem with any of these lines? No? Hmmm ...In fact, if Kiffin were a Mike Shanahan, he’d be getting kudos in the Rocky Mountain-area (and probably national) media for his tight analysis of the situation. The truth is that Kelly does have much to prove, that the situations at punt returner and wide receiver are far from positive, and that there are issues with depth in Oakland.And despite the prevailing opinion among sensationalists that Davis is crazy and/or senile, surely the man’s love for the Kellys and Walkers of the world isn’t so blinding as to prevent him from observing the adequate-at-best (in the former) and brutally ugly (in the latter) performances of these two thus far in 2008.Meanwhile, over at the Mercury News, the post-game of the same contest against the Titans showed a completely different Kiffin, one who stated: "There was nothing to point at [JaMarcus Russell] as far as not doing things right. It was either things weren't there or a guy wasn't making plays for him. I thought he played extremely well when you look at his composure, his energy, his excitement.” As well, the coach took time to praise Miller and Chaz Schilens for their performances.Translating line for line into Contra Costian, it might even be said that Kiffin was praising the Raider owner for his excellent draft picks and prescient knowledge in filling some troublesome spots. Even though potentially depending on Schilens to cover an $11 million man today feels like 43 Polamalu black jersey
a wacky gamble at most generous, reading the Mercury News clip might even lead one to believe that the Raiders played well in Tennessee, look improved over the 2007 edition already and, depending on Russell – still a fairly large-sized question mark – even optimistic about the team making the playoffs.Of course, that’s just the spin at . We could be wrong. But there’s no way we’re picturing Kiffin barreling down some highway to hell in a lemming-like drive to quit the Raiders. And what does Cam Inman have against this guy?Fantasy Playbook: An entirely new kind of fantasy game! (23)
"Ellis strengthens Raiders; pass rush and run defense"
With defensive end Derrick Burgess rumored to be on his way out of Oakland, the Raiders prepared for his departure by signing 11-year NFL veteran Greg Ellis -- whose pass-rushing skills will help mentor a young group of defensive linemen in the trenches; he should also boost a run defense that struggled Jets 6 Sanchez Jersey
mightily a year ago.While the Raiders; most glaring need remains improving a dismal run defense, upgrading the team;s pass-rushing unit was also a priority. Oakland addressed both of these voids after signing Ellis to a three-year contract. Although his explosiveness isn;t what it used to be, Ellis remains a viable threat off the edge. He compiled eight sacks a year ago with the Dallas Cowboys and has totaled at least that many in all but four of his pro seasons.In addition to his pass-rushing skills, Ellis is an adequate run-stopper. He has extensive experience at defensive end and should help improve the Raiders; 31st-ranked run 'D' from a year ago. Oakland allowed nearly 160 yards per game on the ground and will need to reduce that number in order to experience any success on the defensive side of the ball in 2009.The Cowboys; recent decision to part ways with Ellis had more to do with their young talent on the horizon, not necessarily a big decline in Ellis; abilities. Dallas has the reigning NFL sack leader in DeMarcus Ware and the emergence of third-year linebacker Anthony Spencer made Ellis dispensable.Prior to his release, Ellis had spent his entire professional career with the Cowboys. He was the 2007 Comeback Player of the Year and was voted to his first Pro Bowl after compiling a career-best 12.5 sacks. If Ellis can stay healthy, he could produce a similar output in the Bay Area. After missing only four games during his initial eight seasons, Ellis has been held out of 10 contests in the past three years.Aside from injuries, the other main concern regarding Ellis has been his transition to the 3-4 defense. He was utilized primarily at linebacker in Dallas but will need to adjust back to defensive end in the base 4-3 that the 4 Brett Favre White jersey
Raiders deploy. However, Ellis; ability to play both positions will allow him to be used in a variety of ways by defensive coordinator John Marshall.Not only will Ellis upgrade Oakland;s entire defensive unit, he;s expected to provide tremendous leadership in the locker room. Furthermore, Ellis; experience should prove to significantly benefit the younger players around him.
mightily a year ago.While the Raiders; most glaring need remains improving a dismal run defense, upgrading the team;s pass-rushing unit was also a priority. Oakland addressed both of these voids after signing Ellis to a three-year contract. Although his explosiveness isn;t what it used to be, Ellis remains a viable threat off the edge. He compiled eight sacks a year ago with the Dallas Cowboys and has totaled at least that many in all but four of his pro seasons.In addition to his pass-rushing skills, Ellis is an adequate run-stopper. He has extensive experience at defensive end and should help improve the Raiders; 31st-ranked run 'D' from a year ago. Oakland allowed nearly 160 yards per game on the ground and will need to reduce that number in order to experience any success on the defensive side of the ball in 2009.The Cowboys; recent decision to part ways with Ellis had more to do with their young talent on the horizon, not necessarily a big decline in Ellis; abilities. Dallas has the reigning NFL sack leader in DeMarcus Ware and the emergence of third-year linebacker Anthony Spencer made Ellis dispensable.Prior to his release, Ellis had spent his entire professional career with the Cowboys. He was the 2007 Comeback Player of the Year and was voted to his first Pro Bowl after compiling a career-best 12.5 sacks. If Ellis can stay healthy, he could produce a similar output in the Bay Area. After missing only four games during his initial eight seasons, Ellis has been held out of 10 contests in the past three years.Aside from injuries, the other main concern regarding Ellis has been his transition to the 3-4 defense. He was utilized primarily at linebacker in Dallas but will need to adjust back to defensive end in the base 4-3 that the 4 Brett Favre White jersey
Raiders deploy. However, Ellis; ability to play both positions will allow him to be used in a variety of ways by defensive coordinator John Marshall.Not only will Ellis upgrade Oakland;s entire defensive unit, he;s expected to provide tremendous leadership in the locker room. Furthermore, Ellis; experience should prove to significantly benefit the younger players around him.
"Kirk Morrison becoming leader of Raiders; defense"
Although the feature several playmakers on defense, linebacker Kirk Morrison has assumed the role as the unit's leader. Since arriving in the Bay Area in 2005, Morrison hasn;t missed a game and has compiled nearly 500 tackles. With the Raiders poised to break a string of six consecutive losing seasons, 10 Santonio Holmes black jersey
Morrison and the Oakland defense will have to do their part in 2009.While Nnamdi Asomugha supplies the Raiders with arguably the top cornerback in the NFL, Morrison;s contributions at middle linebacker have deemed him as the heart and soul of the Oakland defense. Morrison has racked up at least 116 tackles in each of his four professional seasons and totaled a career-best 135 stops a year ago. Furthermore, Morrison;s managed to intercept seven passes.In addition to Morris, Thomas Howard has developed into a tremendous talent at linebacker. Howard;s emergence has helped take some of the focus of Morris, allowing him to patrol the middle of the field with the reassurance of Howard;s abilities on the outside. Both players are under 27 years of age and have the potential to supply the Raiders with an excellent tandem at the position for a while.The addition of veteran end Greg Ellis will also help free up Morrison in the second tier of Oakland;s defense. Ellis has proved capable at the point of attack and the team;s defensive line will need to control the line of scrimmage in order for Morrison to continue his high level of play. Additionally, the emergence of a third solid linebacker will be crucial. Ricky Brown and incoming rookie Slade Norris are two potential candidates on the roster.Although Morrison has shined since entering the NFL, the Raiders; defense has struggled of late. They;ve finished outside of the top 20 in total defense in each of the last two seasons after ranking third in 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
the league in 2006. If Oakland;s defense can revert back to its form of three years ago, a successful campaign could be on the horizon. If the team is unable to progress as needed, another losing season will likely ensue
Morrison and the Oakland defense will have to do their part in 2009.While Nnamdi Asomugha supplies the Raiders with arguably the top cornerback in the NFL, Morrison;s contributions at middle linebacker have deemed him as the heart and soul of the Oakland defense. Morrison has racked up at least 116 tackles in each of his four professional seasons and totaled a career-best 135 stops a year ago. Furthermore, Morrison;s managed to intercept seven passes.In addition to Morris, Thomas Howard has developed into a tremendous talent at linebacker. Howard;s emergence has helped take some of the focus of Morris, allowing him to patrol the middle of the field with the reassurance of Howard;s abilities on the outside. Both players are under 27 years of age and have the potential to supply the Raiders with an excellent tandem at the position for a while.The addition of veteran end Greg Ellis will also help free up Morrison in the second tier of Oakland;s defense. Ellis has proved capable at the point of attack and the team;s defensive line will need to control the line of scrimmage in order for Morrison to continue his high level of play. Additionally, the emergence of a third solid linebacker will be crucial. Ricky Brown and incoming rookie Slade Norris are two potential candidates on the roster.Although Morrison has shined since entering the NFL, the Raiders; defense has struggled of late. They;ve finished outside of the top 20 in total defense in each of the last two seasons after ranking third in 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
the league in 2006. If Oakland;s defense can revert back to its form of three years ago, a successful campaign could be on the horizon. If the team is unable to progress as needed, another losing season will likely ensue
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