Week 11
11/18/06
- After watching Eli Manning struggle this week against the
Bears and Philip Rivers lead the Chargers to an improbable come
from behind victory on the road over Cincinnati, it's time to
revisit the Giants-Chargers trade that brought Manning to New
York. The Chargers took Manning with the first overall pick
in the 2004 draft and then swapped his rights to the Giants
in return for Rivers (the fourth pick in the draft), a 2004
third round pick and first and fifth round choices in the 2005
draft. Those additional selections were used to acquire kicker
Nate Kaeding as well as linebacker Shawne Merriman. It's pretty
easy to determine the winner of that trade.
- The Rams went into the off-season this year with the goal
of improving on the team's woeful run defense. Defensive tackle
La'Roi Glover, middle linebacker Will
Witherspoon, safety Corey Chavous and cornerback Fakhir
Brown were signed as free agents to provide leadership and improved
play on defense but the unit has stumbled after an impressive
start to the season. Nine games into the season the Rams rank
29th in run defense, surrendering 143 yards per game on the
ground and have allowed six 100-yard rushers. Included in the
group are Maurice Morris and Noah Herron, running backs who
haven't had much success against the rest of the league.
- The Titans signed former Patriots wide receiver David
Givens during the off-season to a five-year, $24-million
contract only to watch him struggle during his first year with
the team. Out for the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament
in his left knee, Givens finished 2005 with eight catches for
104 yards and no touchdowns. Worse yet for the Titans and Givens,
with a eight to nine month recovery time for the injury, he
is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2007 season. Adding
in that Givens presence took development time away from 2005
draft picks Brandon
Jones, Roydell
Williams and Courtney
Roby and it's safe to conclude that the Givens signing is
shaping up to be a disaster for the team.
- We've slammed the Texans over the years for their inept front
office so it's only fair they get some kudos for their 2006
draft. The last draft conducted by former general manager Charley
Casserly is shaping up to be the team's best draft ever by a
large margin. The first selection in the draft, Mario
Williams has silenced his critics and is up to 26 tackles
and four and a half sacks on the season while second round pick
DeMeco
Ryans has been a force at middle linebacker and looks to
be longtime starter at the position. Fourth round pick Owen
Daniels has contributed five touchdown passes and provided
quarterback David Carr with his first receiving threat at the
position since the departed Billy Miller and sixth round pick
Wali Lundy
has a 3.8 yards per rush average in four starts at the running
back position while providing more of a big play threat than
veterans Ron Dayne and Samkon Gado. Charles Spencer, picked
in the third round, won the left tackle job out of training
camp before suffering a season ending injury in week two and
fellow third round pick Eric Winston will take over at starting
right tackle this week for the injured Zach Wiegert, who is
out for the season. With six of the team's seven picks expected
to start in 2007, the 2006 draft class has to be considered
exceptional, although one can only imagine how impressive it
would look had the team selected Reggie
Bush with the first overall pick.
- Here's to Dan Snyder and the Redskins for their less than
spectacular foray into the free agent market this past off-season.
Wide receivers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd (who cost
the team third and fourth round draft choices) cost the team
about $8-million a season and have combined for 33 receptions,
404 yards and one touchdown, although Randle El does have a
punt return touchdown to his credit. Strong safety Adam Archuleta,
who signed for $5-million a season, was benched for Troy Vincent
and being continually victimized in pass coverage, a wart on
his game that was known throughout the league. Defensive end
Andre Carter has contributed two sacks for the $5-million a
season he's costing the team.
- On the heels of a three game losing streak, Eagles coach
Andy Reid handed over play calling responsibilities to offensive
coordinator Marty Mornhingweg this week. Often criticized for
abandoning the running game, Reid felt it was time for a change
and the differences between his game planning and Mornhinweg's
were quite apparent based on the Redskins game. Not only did
Mornhinweg dial up the most running plays of the season with
34, but the ratio of runs to passes was also the highest of
the season. The conclusion: look for the Eagles to utilize running
back Brian Westbrook on the ground over the remaining portion
of the season far more than they have thus far.
- With 18 touchdowns on the season and 15 in his last five
games, it's quite apparent that Chargers running back LaDainian
Tomlinson is on fire. At his current pace of two touchdowns
per game, Tomlinson would eclipse Shaun Alexander's touchdown
record of 28 in a season (set last year) by four touchdowns
and it appears he has a good chance of doing so. With seven
games to go including two against the Broncos, of the Chargers
remaining opponents only Denver ranks in the top 10 defending
the run. Included in the group are doormats Arizona and Oakland
so Tomlinson looks to be a good bet to not only get the record
but eclipse by a wide margin.
- It's looking more and more like 49ers head coach Mike Nolan's
stay in San Francisco will be a short one. Hired based on his
strength as a defensive coach, Nolan's 49er defenses have achieved
less than stellar results over the past year and a half and
the team is currently ranked last in the league in points allowed
giving up an average of 27.9 points per game. Although the team's
anemic offense could often be blamed for not helping the defense
with field position in 2005, the unit has improved to respectability
in 2006 while the defense has failed to progress. Included in
this season's results have been three games where the defense
has allowed more than 40 points as well as 38 points against
in another contest. If Nolan wants to save his job, it might
be time for him to take over the defensive play calling from
Billy Davis.
- With wide receiver Amani Toomer out for the season, Tim Carter
takes his place in the Giants starting line-up alongside Plaxico
Burress. However, don't expect Carter to be the only beneficiary
of Toomer's absence. Tight end Jeremy Shockey has been underutilized
by the team thus far in 2006 so look for him to get increased
touches in the passing game along with Burress and running back
Tiki Barber. In addition, David Tyree and Michael Jennings could
spell Carter in certain situations so the bottom line is that
Carter is unlikely to replace Toomer's production in the offense
by himself.
- Great timing by the Redskins to insert 2005 1st round pick
Jason Campbell into the starting line-up. Star running back
Clinton Portis - out for the season. Star wideout Santana Moss
- return unknown. Outstanding 2005 defensive performance - nowhere
to be found in 2006. Remaining schedule - only two games against
teams with losing records (Tampa Bay at 2-7 and the Rams at
4-5). College offensive acumen - Auburn. This has disaster written
all over it.
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