Week 12
11/26/06
- Pretty hard to believe the Broncos were so incensed at the
league for fining starter center Tom Nalen $25,000 for cutblocking
Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky, who had knee surgery
four weeks ago, on a spike play near of last Sunday's game between
the two teams. Olshanky was lined up at defensive tackle on
the play, didn't make a move to the quarterback and Nalen proceeded
to cutblock him as quarterback Jake
Plummer spiked the ball. The Broncos offensive linemen generally
don't speak to the media so his teammates were left to defend
him. Unnamed Broncos told the Denver Post that Olshansky had
punched Bronco players and grabbed running back Damien
Nash by the face mask on previous plays. Perhaps in Broncoland
that makes it okay to try and ruin a player's career. The Broncos
offensive linemen have long had a reputation for dirty play
and Nalen's efforts on this play and offensive tackle George
Foster's cutblock that ended Bengals defensive tackle Tony William's
2005 season (some would say ended his career) do nothing to
dispute that notion.
- Here's why defensive end Simeon Rice has played his last
game for the Bucs after being placed on injured reserve this
week. Teams don't pay pass rushers that generate two sacks in
eight games $7.25-million, particularly when they have major
salary cap problems. Rice's last season on his current contract
is 2007 and his salary cap hit for next year is scheduled to
be over $10.5-million so his release will result in the team
having $3.25-million in dead cap for him in 2007. Given that
Rice isn't the guy of guy to renegotiate, he's finished in Tampa
Bay.
- The Texans were in dire need of many things heading into
the 2006 rookie draft and shocked the world by picking defensive
end Mario Williams over running back Reggie Bush. After that
stunning moment, a number of commentators mused that if the
Texans were going to pick somebody other than Bush that it should
have been left tackle Brickashaw Ferguson, which would have
filled a glaring need for the team. This week when the Texans
face off against the Jets, expect Williams to line up opposite
Ferguson for much of the game, providing an intriguing match-up
and the first chance to determine if the Texans took the right
non-Bush prospect.
- If you own any Rams in your FF leagues, it might be time
to manage your expectations in terms of what kind of production
you can expect to get from the team's offensive skill position
players. The Rams offensive line, which looked horrible against
the Panthers, looks like it might take another hit this week
in the team's game with the 49ers. Right guard Adam Timmerman
has bruised ribs and is listed as questionable on the team's
injury report. If Timmerman can't go, the Rams will likely lineup,
from left to right, an offensive line consisting of Todd Steussie,
rookie 7th round pick Mark Setterstrom, 2nd year center Richie
Incognito, Adam Goldberg and Alex Barron. This unit lacks experience
and continuity and can't be expected to achieve even mediocre
results. None of the players was with the team in 2004 and,
removing Steussue, the unit's four other potential starters
have combined to start 51 games in the league. Setterstrom has
played nine plays from scrimmage. Things might not be pretty
for the Rams this week against the 49ers.
- Looks like the Vikings have finally made the decision to
reduce wide receiver Troy Williamson's role in the offense.
After a promising start to the season when the 2005 1st round
pick had 10 receptions for 179 yards over the team's first two
games, Williamson has regressed lately, largely the result of
his inconsistent hands and head coach Brad Childress made the
move to bench him in favor of veteran Marcus Robinson for last
Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Williamson has only 17 receptions
for 178 yards over his last eight games and has yet to record
a touchdown this season. Williamson's confidence seems shaken
and it appears that he won't get an opportunity to turn things
around until 2007.
- Can you believe the NFL Network hired Bryant Gumbel to call
its first regular season televised game? He sounded bored, disinterested
and his call added no excitement to the game. Not to mention
he appeared at times to not understand rather basic rules. In
the fourth quarter when Paul Ernster's punt bounced into the
end zone and a Broncos player ran into the end zone before swatting
the ball back to the three-yard line, Gumbel didn't seem to
know if it was a touchback or not, leaving color commentator
Cris Collinsworth to remark that it was a touchback. There are
too many guys out there available to call a game for the league
to use Gumbel. As for Collinsworth, he did an outstanding job
of providing fans with thoughtful insight and analysis on plays
and never shying away from criticizing players or coaches. He
should be doing this every week.
- The Packers have suffered some growing pains at the linebacker
position in 2006 but the recent strong play of the unit suggests
the payoff is beginning sooner than expected and the current
group could see major improvements in 2007. With former 1st
round picks Nick Barnett (2003) and A.J. Hawk (2006) in the
line-up, the team has two players with solid talent at the position
but strongside linebacker Brady Poppinga has also picked up
his play of late. The 2005 4th round pick was converted from
defensive end and struggled early this season, particularly
in pass coverage. The trio combines to provide strength and
speed to the unit and Barnett and Hawk are also known for their
intensity and leadership skills. The coaching staff feels that
it's only a matter of time before the team's linebackers contribute
big plays on a consistent basis.
- Rams wide receiver Torry
Holt generally goes about his business in a quiet manner
so his accomplishments often go unnoticed. However, this weekend
against the 49ers he has an opportunity to accomplish something
that might make fans sit up and take notice. Holt is 22 receiving
yards shy of surpassing 49er great Jerry Rice for the most receiving
yards in a player's first eight seasons in the league.
- The Jets have had a two-headed FF monster at running back
for much of the season with Leon
Washington and Kevan
Barlow alternating big games and touches. The team has received
relatively decent production from the pair and now it appears
that Cedric Houston will bite into the playing time situation
at running back, making it a three-headed FF monster at running
back for the Jets. Over the team's past three games, Washington,
Barlow and Houston have alternated leading the team in rushing
and it's safe to conclude that rookie head coach Eric Mangini
is following the philosophy of Bill Belichick in assembling
the Jets roster. Basically, he's going to utilize every back
with each having certain plays in the playbook and a defined
role based on who the team is playing.
- The Titans have lacked depth at cornerback since parting
ways with Samari Rolle but the team should be on solid footing
at the position in 2007. Pacman Jones, the team's 1st round
selection in 2005, has displayed game breaking skills, although
his numerous off the field issues bring into question whether
he will ever realize his full potential. Reynaldo Hill, picked
in the 7th round in the 2005 draft, started as a rookie and
has held onto the starting role this season. Rookie Courtland
Finnegan, a 7th round pick, was expected to challenge for playing
time at free safety but has played well at corner subbing in
for an injured Hill and when Jones was suspended. With the team
in a rebuilding mode, it's unlikely the Titans will target the
position in free agency or the draft.
- Bears wide receiver Mark Bradley has done a commendable job
replacing the injured Bernard Berrian over the past two games,
however the 2005 2nd pick is expected to have his role reduced
as soon as Berrian returns from his rib injury, likely this
week. Bradley has eight receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns
over the past two games, displaying the game breaking speed
he was drafted for. With the team expected to continue utilizing
the somewhat disappointing Rashied Davies in the slot, Bradley
will only see occasional duty spelling Berrian and in the four
wide receiver package.
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