On a day where many NFL experts predicted the a Vikings victory and a Dolphin breakdown, the experts proved to be wrong. From the moment the Miami Dolphins defeated the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium, critics were quick to dismiss the Dolphins defense ability to stop the Minnesota offense. Adrian Peterson was supposed to break out for a big game and Farve was supposed to seal the victory with his big play arm.
As the clock read 00:00, the Miami Dolphins found themselves the victor. Starting the season in two of the most hotile environments for a road game, yet despite the doubt, they're off to a 2-0 start with two upcoming home games against the division rival New York Jets and New England Patriots. Likely favored to lose, the Miami Dolphins must continue their intensity on defense while working to get the offense in rhythm.
Mike Nolan has changed the culture on defense and his brand of play calling will surely give offensive coordinators fits. The depth on the Dolphin roster is looking stocked and the young talent on both ends of the ball are starting to blossom which means good things in the near future.
Who could have guessed that former first round bust, Jason Allen, one of the few Saban picks still with the team, would finally rise to the occasion and contribute more than special teams tackles. Brett Farve picked on Allen and he stepped up to the challenge. By game's end, Allen had recorded 2 key interceptions while having a third called back for a penalty. His level of play is making the coaching staff look genius for promoting him to the position held by 2009 second rounder, Sean Smith.
During the preseason, fans and analysts questioned the Dolphins ability to pressure the quarterback and have a effective pass rush with the departures of Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. After two season games, Cameron Wake and Koa Misi look like future corner stones to bring pressure off the edge. Wake has been relentless in his pass rush bringing consistent pressure and racking up the sacks in both games. Misi has looked sharp against the run and in coverage while playing with a non stop motor that had scouts raving during the senior bowl.
The season is young, and the offense has yet to find it;s rhythm, but fans have something to be optimistic about. The Miami Dolphins could potentially possess one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. As long as the offense contributes its share, with Brandon Marshall matching his numbers in Denver and Ronnie Brown recreating his Pro Bowl season, the Dolphins are poised for success.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
"One Time in Fins Camp"
As of July 30th, the wait is finally over as the Miami Dolphins walked onto the practice field for the beginning of training camp. This season's camp marks the third year for the Trifecta as Sparano, Ireland and Parcells hope for the "acorns" to fall into place.
In addition to mounting pressure from fans, management,coaches and the media, the Dolphins entered camp with many new faces while many of the familiar faces from past seasons have parted ways. As the Dolphins officially start training camp, the team finds itself with a few key questions going into the preseason.
1. Will Randy Starks make the adjustment to nose tackle?
Starks has six years of experience in the NFL and some familiarity with the position stemming from his days with the Tennesee Tians as Albert Haynesworth linemate. Starks has a similar build and body size to former nose tackle, Jason Ferguson, but had enjoyed much success playing defensive end in the Dolphins 3-4 defensive front.
Sparano and company envision Starks making the transition in a similar style to Dallas Cowboys' Pro Bowl defensive lineman, Jay Ratliff.
The decision to employ a hybrid 3-4 defense gives the Dolphins the same opportunity for success like the Denver Broncos had enjoyed under Nolan. Starks seemms to have been handling the transition well from the first few days of camp. If successful, he offers a combination of strength, athleticism, and size to disrupt the passer while clogging up the running lanes. In his assignments against offensive lineman such as Jake Grove, Joe Berger, and Donald Thomas, Starks quickly drew praise and recognition. Even Paul Soliai has been getting significant reptitions with the first team and has been consistently disruptive thus far. If Soliai can take some of the load from Starks, he could offer Nolan more flexibility in formations and line fronts.
2. Do the Dolphins have the pass rushers to take over for the departures of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor?
The Dolphins pass rush still features two familiar faces in camp, with both Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake returning for another season. In 2009, Anderson and Wake both offered glimpses of their ability and potential with the limited action they were given during the season. In addition to this group, second round pick, Koa Misi looks to be a solid part of the rotation with 2008 holdover, Quentin Moses back for a third attempt to make his mark.
In training camp both Misi and Camerson Wake have taken the reps with the first team units while Charlie Anderson and special teams standout, Erik Walden started with the second team unit. However, one suprise in camp has been Ikaika Alama Francis, the Lions' former second round pick of 2007. When OTAs began Francis found himself listed as third or fourth on the depth chart as a defensive end. One day during OTAs linebackers coach, Bill Sheridan came to Sparano with the idea of experimenting with "Ike" shifting to linebacker to see if the move could offer more roster flexibility.
Four days into training camp and the former Hawaii standout and "Ike", as Tony Sparano nicknamed him, has pushed himself up the depth charts. Francis finds himself slimmed down from his 6-5 290 pound frame to a sleeker, 275 pounds at the atart of camp. In linebacker drills Francis has displayed the ability to drop back into coverage while offering more size in the linebacking corps. In just a short time, he has drawn praise from the coaching staff and may offer a stouter presence for stopping the run and coverage, should Wake not set himself apart from the pass rushing specialist label that was assigned to him.
From what I have seen, Cameron Wake and Misi have a dangerously quick first step to pair with a relentless motor that can make a offensive lineman's day a nightmare. Jake Long had even commented that Wake displayed a skill set similar to the Colts, Dwight Freeney, because of his ability to twist and bend to swim around blockers and get to the quarterback. Misi has had the task of challenging Jake Long and Vernon Carey in camp and has impressed coaches and teammates alike. He bulked up to 255 pounds and looks stronger than he did when he arrived to OTAs in the spring. If Misi, Wake , and Francis take the next step in their development, the Dolphins could have a nice group of outside linebackers to rotate and keep players fresh while offensive coordinators sweat their next move.
Charlie Anderson has not done much to stand out in camp thus far, but Erik Walden has been getting his reps ahead of Quentin Moses and 7th round pick, Chris McCoy, which threatens their chances of earning a spot on the 53 man roster.
3. Do the Dolphins have the talent at Free Safety to replace the disappointing Gibril Wilson?
From what I have seen in camp, Chris Clemons seems to still have a hold to the spot with the first team unit, but look for 5th round pick, Reshad Jones(former Georgia standout) to challenge for playing time and the opporunity to start. So far, Jones has had a pretty good camp with a couple near interceptions in the first few days, while intercepting a pass today and breaking up another play. The game seems to be slowing down for him and he looks to be getting a grasp on the intracacies of the defense as training camp moves forward. Clemons has been pretty quiet in camp both by not making any outstanding play while not getting beat deep in coverage. Clemons offers the defense more range and athletiscism for the position but he has not shown the ballhawking skills that has brought Reshad Jones all of his attention. In the end, it will come down to who offers the most upside by the conclusion of training camp.
4. Who will earn the trust of Sparano and Company for the two, open offensive guard spots in the starting lineup?
From the observattions made in training camp, the Dolphins have been mixing and matching the offensive line rotation in search of the best possible chemistry. The only apparent locks on the line seem to be tackles, Jake Long and Vernon Carey, while Jake Grove has to prove he can shake off the injury bug and the competition of backup center, Joe Berger.
Third round selection, John Jerry and free agent addition, Cory Procter have retained the first team spots as of now, but Donald Thomas and Richie Incognito are making the competition anything but easy. In all likelihood, John Jerry will probably earn his time as a rotational player unless he stuns coaches beyond their expectations. On day four of camp, Procter found himself with the second team, as the Dolphins continued to experiment with moving Donald Thomas to the open, left guard position. Richie Incognito has yet to start with the first team unit, but look for him to heat things up as camp progresses. Incognito is strictly a right guard and offers incredible strength and mean streak, which can be a bonus if he is able to avoid unnecessary penalties along the way.
With all the questions lingering as the Dolphins go through training camp, look for clarity as the exhibition games wrap up and roster cuts eliminate some of the longshots to make the team. One area of certainty has been the free agency splashes that brought Karlos Dansby and Brandon Marshall to the team. Both players have been consistent effort and a glimpse into the potential effects they could have on the team.
As the season gets closer and Madden 2011 prepares for launch, Dolphins fans have much to be excited about.
Keep posted as I will continue to update you on any moves, depth chart shifts and training camp observations from the next camp sessions.
In addition to mounting pressure from fans, management,coaches and the media, the Dolphins entered camp with many new faces while many of the familiar faces from past seasons have parted ways. As the Dolphins officially start training camp, the team finds itself with a few key questions going into the preseason.
1. Will Randy Starks make the adjustment to nose tackle?
Starks has six years of experience in the NFL and some familiarity with the position stemming from his days with the Tennesee Tians as Albert Haynesworth linemate. Starks has a similar build and body size to former nose tackle, Jason Ferguson, but had enjoyed much success playing defensive end in the Dolphins 3-4 defensive front.
Sparano and company envision Starks making the transition in a similar style to Dallas Cowboys' Pro Bowl defensive lineman, Jay Ratliff.
The decision to employ a hybrid 3-4 defense gives the Dolphins the same opportunity for success like the Denver Broncos had enjoyed under Nolan. Starks seemms to have been handling the transition well from the first few days of camp. If successful, he offers a combination of strength, athleticism, and size to disrupt the passer while clogging up the running lanes. In his assignments against offensive lineman such as Jake Grove, Joe Berger, and Donald Thomas, Starks quickly drew praise and recognition. Even Paul Soliai has been getting significant reptitions with the first team and has been consistently disruptive thus far. If Soliai can take some of the load from Starks, he could offer Nolan more flexibility in formations and line fronts.
2. Do the Dolphins have the pass rushers to take over for the departures of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor?
The Dolphins pass rush still features two familiar faces in camp, with both Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake returning for another season. In 2009, Anderson and Wake both offered glimpses of their ability and potential with the limited action they were given during the season. In addition to this group, second round pick, Koa Misi looks to be a solid part of the rotation with 2008 holdover, Quentin Moses back for a third attempt to make his mark.
In training camp both Misi and Camerson Wake have taken the reps with the first team units while Charlie Anderson and special teams standout, Erik Walden started with the second team unit. However, one suprise in camp has been Ikaika Alama Francis, the Lions' former second round pick of 2007. When OTAs began Francis found himself listed as third or fourth on the depth chart as a defensive end. One day during OTAs linebackers coach, Bill Sheridan came to Sparano with the idea of experimenting with "Ike" shifting to linebacker to see if the move could offer more roster flexibility.
Four days into training camp and the former Hawaii standout and "Ike", as Tony Sparano nicknamed him, has pushed himself up the depth charts. Francis finds himself slimmed down from his 6-5 290 pound frame to a sleeker, 275 pounds at the atart of camp. In linebacker drills Francis has displayed the ability to drop back into coverage while offering more size in the linebacking corps. In just a short time, he has drawn praise from the coaching staff and may offer a stouter presence for stopping the run and coverage, should Wake not set himself apart from the pass rushing specialist label that was assigned to him.
From what I have seen, Cameron Wake and Misi have a dangerously quick first step to pair with a relentless motor that can make a offensive lineman's day a nightmare. Jake Long had even commented that Wake displayed a skill set similar to the Colts, Dwight Freeney, because of his ability to twist and bend to swim around blockers and get to the quarterback. Misi has had the task of challenging Jake Long and Vernon Carey in camp and has impressed coaches and teammates alike. He bulked up to 255 pounds and looks stronger than he did when he arrived to OTAs in the spring. If Misi, Wake , and Francis take the next step in their development, the Dolphins could have a nice group of outside linebackers to rotate and keep players fresh while offensive coordinators sweat their next move.
Charlie Anderson has not done much to stand out in camp thus far, but Erik Walden has been getting his reps ahead of Quentin Moses and 7th round pick, Chris McCoy, which threatens their chances of earning a spot on the 53 man roster.
3. Do the Dolphins have the talent at Free Safety to replace the disappointing Gibril Wilson?
From what I have seen in camp, Chris Clemons seems to still have a hold to the spot with the first team unit, but look for 5th round pick, Reshad Jones(former Georgia standout) to challenge for playing time and the opporunity to start. So far, Jones has had a pretty good camp with a couple near interceptions in the first few days, while intercepting a pass today and breaking up another play. The game seems to be slowing down for him and he looks to be getting a grasp on the intracacies of the defense as training camp moves forward. Clemons has been pretty quiet in camp both by not making any outstanding play while not getting beat deep in coverage. Clemons offers the defense more range and athletiscism for the position but he has not shown the ballhawking skills that has brought Reshad Jones all of his attention. In the end, it will come down to who offers the most upside by the conclusion of training camp.
4. Who will earn the trust of Sparano and Company for the two, open offensive guard spots in the starting lineup?
From the observattions made in training camp, the Dolphins have been mixing and matching the offensive line rotation in search of the best possible chemistry. The only apparent locks on the line seem to be tackles, Jake Long and Vernon Carey, while Jake Grove has to prove he can shake off the injury bug and the competition of backup center, Joe Berger.
Third round selection, John Jerry and free agent addition, Cory Procter have retained the first team spots as of now, but Donald Thomas and Richie Incognito are making the competition anything but easy. In all likelihood, John Jerry will probably earn his time as a rotational player unless he stuns coaches beyond their expectations. On day four of camp, Procter found himself with the second team, as the Dolphins continued to experiment with moving Donald Thomas to the open, left guard position. Richie Incognito has yet to start with the first team unit, but look for him to heat things up as camp progresses. Incognito is strictly a right guard and offers incredible strength and mean streak, which can be a bonus if he is able to avoid unnecessary penalties along the way.
With all the questions lingering as the Dolphins go through training camp, look for clarity as the exhibition games wrap up and roster cuts eliminate some of the longshots to make the team. One area of certainty has been the free agency splashes that brought Karlos Dansby and Brandon Marshall to the team. Both players have been consistent effort and a glimpse into the potential effects they could have on the team.
As the season gets closer and Madden 2011 prepares for launch, Dolphins fans have much to be excited about.
Keep posted as I will continue to update you on any moves, depth chart shifts and training camp observations from the next camp sessions.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
T.O. Bringin' the popcorn to Cincinnatti
Waiting for most of the offseason to see if he would find work, Terrell Owens has finally signed a one year 2 million dollar contract with the Cincinnatti Bengals. After a one year experiment playing with the Buffalo Bills, Owens finds himself playing for a former AFC North Division Champion with Super Bowl aspirations. Owens avoided controversy and negative attention despite playing for one of the NFL's more disappointing organizations. Patience finally paid off for the outspoken receiver, as he found himself being recuited for his services, drawing attention from the Rams, Jets and Bengals. In the end, winning, and a chance to play with his good friend, Ochocinco, Owens agreed to bring the popcorn to Cincy.
Cincinnatti was one of the biggest suprises of the 2009 season. Cedric Benson finally earned his first round status by rushing for career highs and Pro Bowl caliber play. The offensive line gelled, which provided the holes needed for Benson to use his aggressive, brash style to churn yards upfield. Benson's elevated play earned him praise across the league after washing out for the Chicago Bears.
Despite a solid running game and a stingy, run stuffing defense, Cincinnatti found itself eliminated by the New York Jets, who luckily managed to sneak into the playoffs with a 9-7 record and odds stacked against them. Nonetheless, even though the Bengals were able to win the AFC North and make the playoffs, the lack of a strong passing game and consistent pass rush led to a early exit.
During the offseason, the Bengals tried to bolster the passing game with the signing of Antonio Bryant, who came off a inconsistent stint in Tampa Bay. Bryant's addition gave Carson Palmer another target to look for when Chad Ochocinco found himself facing the secondary's attention. The 2010 NFL draft brought in Texas standout, Jordan Shipley, Kansas star Dezmon Briscoe, and Oklahoma tight end phenom, Jermaine Gresham. However, even with the talent added in free agency and the draft, the Bengals were determined to return the passing game to elite form.
Terrell Owens may be 36 and in the twilight of his Hall Of Fame contending career, yet still brings instant yards to any offense looking for his services, so long as the headaches don't outweigh the benefits and kill locker room chemistry. Owens combined with OchoCinco, Bryant, Shipley and Gresham provide Palmer all the necessary weapons to keep defenses honest.
Owens will likely contend for the number two spot opposite of Ochocinco and should help Ochocinco face less double teams. If Owens keeps his cool, and the Bengals are winning, the situation looks to benefits both parties. Only time will tell how the marriage will work out, but on paper, defensive coordinators will have plenty to plan for.
Cincinnatti was one of the biggest suprises of the 2009 season. Cedric Benson finally earned his first round status by rushing for career highs and Pro Bowl caliber play. The offensive line gelled, which provided the holes needed for Benson to use his aggressive, brash style to churn yards upfield. Benson's elevated play earned him praise across the league after washing out for the Chicago Bears.
Despite a solid running game and a stingy, run stuffing defense, Cincinnatti found itself eliminated by the New York Jets, who luckily managed to sneak into the playoffs with a 9-7 record and odds stacked against them. Nonetheless, even though the Bengals were able to win the AFC North and make the playoffs, the lack of a strong passing game and consistent pass rush led to a early exit.
During the offseason, the Bengals tried to bolster the passing game with the signing of Antonio Bryant, who came off a inconsistent stint in Tampa Bay. Bryant's addition gave Carson Palmer another target to look for when Chad Ochocinco found himself facing the secondary's attention. The 2010 NFL draft brought in Texas standout, Jordan Shipley, Kansas star Dezmon Briscoe, and Oklahoma tight end phenom, Jermaine Gresham. However, even with the talent added in free agency and the draft, the Bengals were determined to return the passing game to elite form.
Terrell Owens may be 36 and in the twilight of his Hall Of Fame contending career, yet still brings instant yards to any offense looking for his services, so long as the headaches don't outweigh the benefits and kill locker room chemistry. Owens combined with OchoCinco, Bryant, Shipley and Gresham provide Palmer all the necessary weapons to keep defenses honest.
Owens will likely contend for the number two spot opposite of Ochocinco and should help Ochocinco face less double teams. If Owens keeps his cool, and the Bengals are winning, the situation looks to benefits both parties. Only time will tell how the marriage will work out, but on paper, defensive coordinators will have plenty to plan for.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Trifecta Round Three: Preview of 2010 Miami Dolphins
The 2009 season was a rollercoaster ride for most Miami Dolphin fans. Inconsistent pass rush, inability to generate turnovers, and the lack of a true receiving option left Dolfans wondering when things would turn around.
The 2010 offseason has given fans and the organization a reason to smile with the additions to Brandon Marshall, Karlos Dansby, and defensive mastermind, Mike Nolan. Parcells and company traded away precious draft picks in order to acquire Marshall, but the glaring weakness at receiver left management with little to consider. Karlos Dansby has been a consistent force in the Arizona defense. He brings a tougher, athletic, playmaking ability to a linebacking corps plagued by mediocrity. The frustration with former defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, prompted Miami to sever ties and bring in Nolan. Nolan has been creditied for turning around the 49ers, Broncos, and Ravens during his short tenure in Baltimore. Playing in a division with such a high level of competition gives Miami little room for error.
The following is a breakdown of additions, questions and players to watch during the 2010 season:
Miami Dolphins:
Free Agency: The Miami Dolphins used the free agency period to make a aggressive push to acquire and sign MLB Karlos Dansby and FS Antrel Rolle (formerly of the U) to help improve their inability to stop the pass during the 2009 season. The Dolphins ranked in the bottom of the NFL for passing yards allowed, leaving little debate for changing the status quo. The Dolphins were fortunate enough to ink Karlos Dansby, to one of the richest contracts signed by a linebacker,who brings playmaking ability to the inside of the 3-4 defense. Dansby should help improve the coverage on tight ends while bringing pass rushing pressure up the middle. When the Dolphins traded with San Diego to move back in the draft, Miami was able to add underrated linebacker, Tim Dobbins,who has the potential to be a fulltime starter.
On offense Miami added receiver Brandon Marshall who should help Chad Henne in his development as Miami's franchise quarterback. Marshall adds a dimension to the offense which should help the other receivers on the roster while forcing opponents to reconsider stacking the box against the run.
Draft: The Miami Dolphins used the draft to help add youth and speed to a defense in need of restructuring. First rounder, Jared Odrick was a highly touted prospect from Penn State, and the third ranked defensive lineman behind Suh and McCoy. His presence allows for Miami to experiment with the line, shifiting former end, Randy Starks to take over at Nose Tackle. In the second round, Miami added Koa Misi from Utah, who brings speed, intelligence, and a high motor to the outside of Miami's 3-4 defense. Former Iowa standout, A.J. Edds was added to help with coverage on passing downs. Edds will compete with Dobbins to supplant Channing Crowder because of his inability to move in coverage. In attempt to fill the spot vacated from the release of safety, Gibril Wilson, the Dolphins drafted Georgia star, Reshad Jones, who displayed a nose for the ball while in college.
On the Rise: Look for Chad Henne to build on his 2009 effort and show the Dolphins that they made the right choice with this former second round selection. Henne has the moxie, arm stregnth, accuracy, and intelligence to do it all, and the presence of Brandon Marshall only makes his life easier. Another player on offense who should benefit from the addition of Marshall is second year receiver, Brian Hartline, who showed a ability to make the highlight reel catch and possess the yards after catch ability that the coaching staff speaks preaches during practice and at game time.
Defensively, linebackers Cameron Wake and Charlie Anderson are on deck to assume the vacancies left from the release of Joey Porter and failure to resign Jason Taylor, two of Miami's more experienced pass rushers. Anderson and Wake shined in limited playing time and both possess the speed, long arms and tenacity to get to the passer. Wake is a bit more of a question mark because he has yet to prove to be more than a pass rushing specialist. In the secondary, Chris Clemons looks to be in the lead to take over at free safety. It's hard to know whether he offers much more of an upgrade from the departed, Gibril Wilson, but he offers more athleticism and sure tackling ability that Wilson lacked. If Clemons proves to be the answer, the pass defense should drastically improve.
Questions Marks: Newly added Defensive Coordinator, Mike Nolan faces the challenge of turning around one of the league's most inconsistent defneses in 2009. Nolan is widely known for his ability to turn around a defense, with Denver providing the most recent example of his success. The Dolphins need to find the answer at outside linebacker, nose tackle and free safety in order to make the climb back up. Will Randy Starks make a successful transition to nose tackle, similar to Jay Ratliff? Does Miami have the answer at free safety, with both Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons competing to start. Will Koa Misi, Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake fill the void left from the departures of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor? If these questions are answered with the personnel on hand, Miami has alot to be optimistic about and a division title to compete for.
The 2010 offseason has given fans and the organization a reason to smile with the additions to Brandon Marshall, Karlos Dansby, and defensive mastermind, Mike Nolan. Parcells and company traded away precious draft picks in order to acquire Marshall, but the glaring weakness at receiver left management with little to consider. Karlos Dansby has been a consistent force in the Arizona defense. He brings a tougher, athletic, playmaking ability to a linebacking corps plagued by mediocrity. The frustration with former defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, prompted Miami to sever ties and bring in Nolan. Nolan has been creditied for turning around the 49ers, Broncos, and Ravens during his short tenure in Baltimore. Playing in a division with such a high level of competition gives Miami little room for error.
The following is a breakdown of additions, questions and players to watch during the 2010 season:
Miami Dolphins:
Free Agency: The Miami Dolphins used the free agency period to make a aggressive push to acquire and sign MLB Karlos Dansby and FS Antrel Rolle (formerly of the U) to help improve their inability to stop the pass during the 2009 season. The Dolphins ranked in the bottom of the NFL for passing yards allowed, leaving little debate for changing the status quo. The Dolphins were fortunate enough to ink Karlos Dansby, to one of the richest contracts signed by a linebacker,who brings playmaking ability to the inside of the 3-4 defense. Dansby should help improve the coverage on tight ends while bringing pass rushing pressure up the middle. When the Dolphins traded with San Diego to move back in the draft, Miami was able to add underrated linebacker, Tim Dobbins,who has the potential to be a fulltime starter.
On offense Miami added receiver Brandon Marshall who should help Chad Henne in his development as Miami's franchise quarterback. Marshall adds a dimension to the offense which should help the other receivers on the roster while forcing opponents to reconsider stacking the box against the run.
Draft: The Miami Dolphins used the draft to help add youth and speed to a defense in need of restructuring. First rounder, Jared Odrick was a highly touted prospect from Penn State, and the third ranked defensive lineman behind Suh and McCoy. His presence allows for Miami to experiment with the line, shifiting former end, Randy Starks to take over at Nose Tackle. In the second round, Miami added Koa Misi from Utah, who brings speed, intelligence, and a high motor to the outside of Miami's 3-4 defense. Former Iowa standout, A.J. Edds was added to help with coverage on passing downs. Edds will compete with Dobbins to supplant Channing Crowder because of his inability to move in coverage. In attempt to fill the spot vacated from the release of safety, Gibril Wilson, the Dolphins drafted Georgia star, Reshad Jones, who displayed a nose for the ball while in college.
On the Rise: Look for Chad Henne to build on his 2009 effort and show the Dolphins that they made the right choice with this former second round selection. Henne has the moxie, arm stregnth, accuracy, and intelligence to do it all, and the presence of Brandon Marshall only makes his life easier. Another player on offense who should benefit from the addition of Marshall is second year receiver, Brian Hartline, who showed a ability to make the highlight reel catch and possess the yards after catch ability that the coaching staff speaks preaches during practice and at game time.
Defensively, linebackers Cameron Wake and Charlie Anderson are on deck to assume the vacancies left from the release of Joey Porter and failure to resign Jason Taylor, two of Miami's more experienced pass rushers. Anderson and Wake shined in limited playing time and both possess the speed, long arms and tenacity to get to the passer. Wake is a bit more of a question mark because he has yet to prove to be more than a pass rushing specialist. In the secondary, Chris Clemons looks to be in the lead to take over at free safety. It's hard to know whether he offers much more of an upgrade from the departed, Gibril Wilson, but he offers more athleticism and sure tackling ability that Wilson lacked. If Clemons proves to be the answer, the pass defense should drastically improve.
Questions Marks: Newly added Defensive Coordinator, Mike Nolan faces the challenge of turning around one of the league's most inconsistent defneses in 2009. Nolan is widely known for his ability to turn around a defense, with Denver providing the most recent example of his success. The Dolphins need to find the answer at outside linebacker, nose tackle and free safety in order to make the climb back up. Will Randy Starks make a successful transition to nose tackle, similar to Jay Ratliff? Does Miami have the answer at free safety, with both Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons competing to start. Will Koa Misi, Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake fill the void left from the departures of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor? If these questions are answered with the personnel on hand, Miami has alot to be optimistic about and a division title to compete for.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
"Raiders of the Lost Ark" of Davis
When the 2009 season came to a close, the Oakland Raiders found themselves lost in NFL limbo with a abysmal close to their season. The run defense was atrocious down the stretch, with the Ravens and Browns exposing them for nearly 600 yards rushing. Tom Cable found himself facing heat from his apparent beating of a assistant coach and quarterback Jamarcus Russell continued to eat himself into oblivion. When the season ended, Raiders' fans had little to be optimistic about.
The 2010 offseason has brought a sense of hope to the organization with ths signs pointing towards progress and improvement. The acquisition of quarterback Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins finally gives the Raiders a legitimate passer with a strong arm and ability to maneuver in the pocket. The addition of Campbell and signing of Kyle Boller indicated that Jamarcus Russell had worn out his welcome with management and teammates. Russell was released shortly after the draft, which proved that the Raiders were willing to cut their losses and move forward.
The move to bring in quarterback and offensive guru, Hue Jackson, to assume the play calling duties should help put more points on the board. Jackson has been known for his work with quarterbacks, Joe Flacco and Ben Rothlisberger, and his expertise cannot be downplayed. Jackson has the tough task of developing receiver, Darius Heyward-Bey and tailback, Darren McFadden, who have both fallen short of expectations. The offensive line is everything short of spectacular but having a seasoned veteran, like Campbell, with his ability to get rid of the football, should help improve those numbers. Robert Gallery has been the only standout player on the line, but the additions of Bruce Campbell and Jared Veldheer at tackle, and speedster Jacoby Ford, out of Clemson, should make the competition harder on the holdovers from 2009.
On defense the Raiders are loaded with talent and promise, led by veterans, Nmandi Asomugha(CB) and Richard Seymour(DL). The Raiders weakness during the 2009 season was their inability to stop the run, but the additions of draft picks,Rolando McClain(MLB) and Lamar Houston (DT)bring toughness and run stopping ability that the Raiders desperately need. Veteran lineman, John Henderson was brought in to compete at tackle, with both his size and strength needed to clog up running lanes. Al Davis traded for former FSU standout linebacker, Kamerion Wimbley to take over on the strongside. Wimbley adds size, speed, and a pass rushing threat to help improve the defense. If McClain lives up to expectations and Henderson brings consistency to the defensive line, expect the Raiders to make a considerable step forward.
The additions made through free agency and the draft look great on paper, but only time will tell if the Raiders are close to contention. Jason Campbell gives the Raiders a true passer, one they sorely lacked since Rich Gannon's retirement. Look for Jackson and Campbell to work hard to improve the passing game, while the running game attempts to take charge. Tight End, Zack Miller has been consistent in his receiving and blocking abilities and should develop a strong chemistry with Campbell.
Should the run defense improve and the offense put up the points needed to compete against pass heavy teams such as San Diego and Denver, the Raiders have a legitimate shot at competing for a playoff run, and a possible division title. San Diego finds itself transitioning at key positions while Pro Bowlers, Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeil threaten to hold out if contract negotiations do not progress. Denver is rebuilding and still has questions marks on both sides of the ball, with the departures of Brandon Marshall taking away a huge component of the Broncos offensive success. Kansas City has as many, if not more questions marks coming into the season ,than their division rival, Oakland Raiders. A division in flux, solid draft, free agency, and another year with Tom Cable leave Raider fans with a little more to be optimistic about than past offseasons. Time will tell, but be on the lookout for Silver and Black to be the subject of conversation around the league in 2010.
The 2010 offseason has brought a sense of hope to the organization with ths signs pointing towards progress and improvement. The acquisition of quarterback Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins finally gives the Raiders a legitimate passer with a strong arm and ability to maneuver in the pocket. The addition of Campbell and signing of Kyle Boller indicated that Jamarcus Russell had worn out his welcome with management and teammates. Russell was released shortly after the draft, which proved that the Raiders were willing to cut their losses and move forward.
The move to bring in quarterback and offensive guru, Hue Jackson, to assume the play calling duties should help put more points on the board. Jackson has been known for his work with quarterbacks, Joe Flacco and Ben Rothlisberger, and his expertise cannot be downplayed. Jackson has the tough task of developing receiver, Darius Heyward-Bey and tailback, Darren McFadden, who have both fallen short of expectations. The offensive line is everything short of spectacular but having a seasoned veteran, like Campbell, with his ability to get rid of the football, should help improve those numbers. Robert Gallery has been the only standout player on the line, but the additions of Bruce Campbell and Jared Veldheer at tackle, and speedster Jacoby Ford, out of Clemson, should make the competition harder on the holdovers from 2009.
On defense the Raiders are loaded with talent and promise, led by veterans, Nmandi Asomugha(CB) and Richard Seymour(DL). The Raiders weakness during the 2009 season was their inability to stop the run, but the additions of draft picks,Rolando McClain(MLB) and Lamar Houston (DT)bring toughness and run stopping ability that the Raiders desperately need. Veteran lineman, John Henderson was brought in to compete at tackle, with both his size and strength needed to clog up running lanes. Al Davis traded for former FSU standout linebacker, Kamerion Wimbley to take over on the strongside. Wimbley adds size, speed, and a pass rushing threat to help improve the defense. If McClain lives up to expectations and Henderson brings consistency to the defensive line, expect the Raiders to make a considerable step forward.
The additions made through free agency and the draft look great on paper, but only time will tell if the Raiders are close to contention. Jason Campbell gives the Raiders a true passer, one they sorely lacked since Rich Gannon's retirement. Look for Jackson and Campbell to work hard to improve the passing game, while the running game attempts to take charge. Tight End, Zack Miller has been consistent in his receiving and blocking abilities and should develop a strong chemistry with Campbell.
Should the run defense improve and the offense put up the points needed to compete against pass heavy teams such as San Diego and Denver, the Raiders have a legitimate shot at competing for a playoff run, and a possible division title. San Diego finds itself transitioning at key positions while Pro Bowlers, Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeil threaten to hold out if contract negotiations do not progress. Denver is rebuilding and still has questions marks on both sides of the ball, with the departures of Brandon Marshall taking away a huge component of the Broncos offensive success. Kansas City has as many, if not more questions marks coming into the season ,than their division rival, Oakland Raiders. A division in flux, solid draft, free agency, and another year with Tom Cable leave Raider fans with a little more to be optimistic about than past offseasons. Time will tell, but be on the lookout for Silver and Black to be the subject of conversation around the league in 2010.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
2010 NFL Season Right Around the Corner
The 2010 NFL season is almost under way, with training set to start at the end of the month. With a new season comes new hope. All teams are in contention and no one has a losing record, but that will all change once the first game begins.
Will the 2010 season bring a new champion to the frontlines? Can the Saints defend their title and possibly bring home a second Lombardi trophy? Will Peyton Manning add another ring? Also, who can forget the drama and saga that is Brett Farve, putting ego personal gain ahead of team and sport.
Every team feels like they have a equal chance at competing for a spot in the playoffs,with the ultimate reward being a championship. Draft picks are signing and some may hold out, some stars are returning from severe injury and the question marks keep coming. Biggest question of all is if the labor dispute between the owners and players union will be settled before the 2010 season comes to a close.
With all this in mind, one cannot forget the controversy that has surrounded the NFL this offseason. First off, let's look at maligned quarterback, Jamarcus Russell who was finally cut from the Raiders after three seaons of inconsistency, lack of growth and more importantly, a lack of passion for the game. The news did not stop with his release, as Russell found himself in the facing charges for possession and possible distribution of liquid codeine. After the huge investment Al Davis made with the controversial QB, he slaps the organization and the teammates in the face with his lack of desire to learn and improve, while embarassing himself with his arrest.
Though Russell is arguably the biggest story from the offseason, there's plenty more to go around. Michael Vick, only a year removed from serving jail time and suspension from the NFL, found himself the target of criticism for a birthday party bash that included a former associate in his dog fighting scandal, with shots being fired somewhere in the evening. Vick should have used better judgement and avoided letting his ego control the shots. Drawing such negative attention to himself while the country has a fresh memory or his dog fighting scandal proves that Vick still could do some growing up.
In a less controversial light, former NFL castoffs and problem children, Adam "Pacman" Jones and Matt "Powder" Jones are both staging a comebacks with the orphanage for NFL troublemakers, the Cincinnati Bengals. These signings offer less controversy in comparison to the actions of Russell, Vick and Green Bay's Johnny Jolly, but still they attract controversy and attention. In Baltimore, receiver Donte Stallworth is working on getting back to football with a team that needs the help and speed at receiver. If Stallworth can return to form, he offers a discounted talent, capable of stretching the field and using the cannon, QB, Joe Flacco calls a arm.
The only redundant story that gets older than the quarterback himself is the Brett Farve drama that is plaguing the Minnesota Vikings. One would assume that after three years of indecision and dragging coaching staff, management and teammates around, that Farve would have the decency to make a decision and stick to it. The standard used for Farve in addition to the slack Childress gives him in Minnesota has to create tension in the locker room. If history has taught us something, Farve loves attention and stops at nothing to get it. Even his agent, Bus Cook was in the news critizing his prized client for the way he is dragging the whole process out. Time will tell what happens, but I assume he comes back and throw a interception to help lead his team out of the playoffs and into the offseason.
With all this in mind, there is definitely alot of news to catch up on and stories to share. Keep posted and there is more to report as the days go by. The next entry will focus more on some key position battles in the AFC and NFC, and some of the rookies that may have a dramatic impact on their organization.
Will the 2010 season bring a new champion to the frontlines? Can the Saints defend their title and possibly bring home a second Lombardi trophy? Will Peyton Manning add another ring? Also, who can forget the drama and saga that is Brett Farve, putting ego personal gain ahead of team and sport.
Every team feels like they have a equal chance at competing for a spot in the playoffs,with the ultimate reward being a championship. Draft picks are signing and some may hold out, some stars are returning from severe injury and the question marks keep coming. Biggest question of all is if the labor dispute between the owners and players union will be settled before the 2010 season comes to a close.
With all this in mind, one cannot forget the controversy that has surrounded the NFL this offseason. First off, let's look at maligned quarterback, Jamarcus Russell who was finally cut from the Raiders after three seaons of inconsistency, lack of growth and more importantly, a lack of passion for the game. The news did not stop with his release, as Russell found himself in the facing charges for possession and possible distribution of liquid codeine. After the huge investment Al Davis made with the controversial QB, he slaps the organization and the teammates in the face with his lack of desire to learn and improve, while embarassing himself with his arrest.
Though Russell is arguably the biggest story from the offseason, there's plenty more to go around. Michael Vick, only a year removed from serving jail time and suspension from the NFL, found himself the target of criticism for a birthday party bash that included a former associate in his dog fighting scandal, with shots being fired somewhere in the evening. Vick should have used better judgement and avoided letting his ego control the shots. Drawing such negative attention to himself while the country has a fresh memory or his dog fighting scandal proves that Vick still could do some growing up.
In a less controversial light, former NFL castoffs and problem children, Adam "Pacman" Jones and Matt "Powder" Jones are both staging a comebacks with the orphanage for NFL troublemakers, the Cincinnati Bengals. These signings offer less controversy in comparison to the actions of Russell, Vick and Green Bay's Johnny Jolly, but still they attract controversy and attention. In Baltimore, receiver Donte Stallworth is working on getting back to football with a team that needs the help and speed at receiver. If Stallworth can return to form, he offers a discounted talent, capable of stretching the field and using the cannon, QB, Joe Flacco calls a arm.
The only redundant story that gets older than the quarterback himself is the Brett Farve drama that is plaguing the Minnesota Vikings. One would assume that after three years of indecision and dragging coaching staff, management and teammates around, that Farve would have the decency to make a decision and stick to it. The standard used for Farve in addition to the slack Childress gives him in Minnesota has to create tension in the locker room. If history has taught us something, Farve loves attention and stops at nothing to get it. Even his agent, Bus Cook was in the news critizing his prized client for the way he is dragging the whole process out. Time will tell what happens, but I assume he comes back and throw a interception to help lead his team out of the playoffs and into the offseason.
With all this in mind, there is definitely alot of news to catch up on and stories to share. Keep posted and there is more to report as the days go by. The next entry will focus more on some key position battles in the AFC and NFC, and some of the rookies that may have a dramatic impact on their organization.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
"Social" Security for all
Moving into the 21st century, the state of economics has shifted to a global system of trade and interdependence between the wealthier and the lesser developed nations. AS the more industrialized nations of the East and West develop more innovative forms of technology, citizens of the world find themselves with increasing demands for newer gadgets, automobiles, luxurious homes, and the constant desire for more than necessity.
Is it wrong for someone to work hard and support their family and not hope for nice things? Is having a flat screen television, high tech cell phone or newly developed computer a classic example of the bourgeousise mentality that Engels and Marx poignantly criticized in the Communist Manifesto? Well it depends on the extent. Living outside of your means and diverging from the necessities for the sake of accumulating luxurious items is where the problem begins.
Individual persons are not the overwhelming reason for the amount of environmental degradation, over consumption, and decay of rich deposits of natural resrouces. In the name of profit, multinational corporations jump into the developing markets in third world nations, with promises of investment and creation of needed infrastructure. Who profits from backdoor arrangements? Does the common receive a slice of the lion's share? No, the lions share is left to the lions while the rest of the "animal" kingdom is left to fight for whatever remains. LAnd that holds ancestoral, or cultural importance to indigenious popoulations of Africa, Asia, and South America, and even in the United States have been exploited and cast aside for the greed of CEO's and corporate executives seeking methods of growth with little regard to the lives that have been turned upside down.
The need for more has led to the destruction of precious ecosystems and helped expediate the extinction of several species for the sake of that "holy" paper currency. WHat have we become? You decide. The capitalist system has brought about class struggle and the separation of people through class distinctions. Capitalism claims to thrive from the "invisible" hand of the free market, but is that market truly free? Who suffers at the hands of the few? Around the globe men, women and children are forced to work for the meager wages that couldn't even buy a day's worth of groceries in the United States.
The conservative argument to this exploitation of the disenfranchised, centers of the basis of providing jobs and income to people who lacked the resources, until corporations sought to export their operations to the third world. The argument holds little truth because for the sake of reducing operational costs, these companies export their manufacturing centers to regions where labor is cheap. Maximizing profits while keeping the worker in conditions that help to perpetuate the cycle of exploitation and class division, that is the goal. Seems that good deeds are wrapped in the most unpure of intentions these days, and in the past.
WHat is the solution? What can be done to help alleviate the problem and begin a reversal of this parasitic relationship? The solution lies in the creation of a Social Democracy with a highly regulated market where corporations do not create political policy but policy is dictated by the elected officials who dedicvate their life to social service and improvement of the conditions for their own people. Men and women for the people. That does sound appealing. Is this possible? I believe so.
The arguments to government regulation of food,drugs, vitamins, energy, finance/investment, to the basic cleaning products that are used to keep that fresh pine smell in our bathrooms and kitchens, simply make me sick. Is having the ability to kill yourself with foods containing high levels of preservatives and genetically engineered meets and produce worth the costs of personal destruction? Having the freedom to kill yourself does not mean that it is a freedom that should be exercised. But, if you so feel the need then eat yourself into oblivion with a "double down". Hummers, double downs, super sized meals, all you can eat buffets? All this while people in the third world struggle to put a single meal on the table for their families. Are the less fortunate lazy? Are they unwilling to fight to live? NO. The problem is these people do not have the resources and governments line their pockets while their people go hungry. The problem is our nation gives financial support to governments that economically oppress their people. Companies do not practice environmentally sustainable methods with the committment to "fair trade" pricing to help give back to the communities that do the work. There is some exception and there are socially and environmentally conscious corps that incorporate these approaches, and kudos to them for doing whats right.
The goal of government should be to fight hunger, poverty and environmental destruction. Putting an end to excessive development and property construction is a must. One has to question the logic of building such large housing communities when they only fill to 20-30% capacity due to high maintanence fees and home costs. Forcing food manufacturers and farmers to use responsible methods with reduced use of pesticides,chemicals, and genetically altering hormones to make food look and taste more appealing than the actually ingredients would have it. Health care costs could be reduced with more government regulation in all aspects of society.
Creating the necessary infrastructure would prove costly in the beginning but if everyone made a little sacrifice and were more motivated by doing what's best for all, rather than the best for a few, we could have a society where everyone holds themselves accountable for the fate of the planet and mankind. Boundaries created by nationalism and economic motivations and desire for accumulation of wealth will always fight back against such a transition, but the hope is that in time more will see the light and accept the efforts towards a utopian-like society.
The time has come to reduce defense spending and to stop letting energy and drug companies run the show. The influence and lobbying is destroying the fabric of our so called freedoms. If it freedom for all or freedom for those who can afford it and slavery for all those lacking the necessary resources and tools to advance the lives of the less fortunate. Educating the poor and mobilizing them can force governments to employ more tactics to create a safety net for the lower classes. The bottom line is access to education, health care should be the goal. Class distinctions and separations create alot of tension and violence that stems from class struggle.
WE can hope for a better day and we can sure dream. We need to fix the current system and recent events in the gulf, the lies of the Iraq War, the financial meltdown, the bailouts, the health care debates are all great examples that the current state of a unregulated, free market create.
Is it wrong for someone to work hard and support their family and not hope for nice things? Is having a flat screen television, high tech cell phone or newly developed computer a classic example of the bourgeousise mentality that Engels and Marx poignantly criticized in the Communist Manifesto? Well it depends on the extent. Living outside of your means and diverging from the necessities for the sake of accumulating luxurious items is where the problem begins.
Individual persons are not the overwhelming reason for the amount of environmental degradation, over consumption, and decay of rich deposits of natural resrouces. In the name of profit, multinational corporations jump into the developing markets in third world nations, with promises of investment and creation of needed infrastructure. Who profits from backdoor arrangements? Does the common receive a slice of the lion's share? No, the lions share is left to the lions while the rest of the "animal" kingdom is left to fight for whatever remains. LAnd that holds ancestoral, or cultural importance to indigenious popoulations of Africa, Asia, and South America, and even in the United States have been exploited and cast aside for the greed of CEO's and corporate executives seeking methods of growth with little regard to the lives that have been turned upside down.
The need for more has led to the destruction of precious ecosystems and helped expediate the extinction of several species for the sake of that "holy" paper currency. WHat have we become? You decide. The capitalist system has brought about class struggle and the separation of people through class distinctions. Capitalism claims to thrive from the "invisible" hand of the free market, but is that market truly free? Who suffers at the hands of the few? Around the globe men, women and children are forced to work for the meager wages that couldn't even buy a day's worth of groceries in the United States.
The conservative argument to this exploitation of the disenfranchised, centers of the basis of providing jobs and income to people who lacked the resources, until corporations sought to export their operations to the third world. The argument holds little truth because for the sake of reducing operational costs, these companies export their manufacturing centers to regions where labor is cheap. Maximizing profits while keeping the worker in conditions that help to perpetuate the cycle of exploitation and class division, that is the goal. Seems that good deeds are wrapped in the most unpure of intentions these days, and in the past.
WHat is the solution? What can be done to help alleviate the problem and begin a reversal of this parasitic relationship? The solution lies in the creation of a Social Democracy with a highly regulated market where corporations do not create political policy but policy is dictated by the elected officials who dedicvate their life to social service and improvement of the conditions for their own people. Men and women for the people. That does sound appealing. Is this possible? I believe so.
The arguments to government regulation of food,drugs, vitamins, energy, finance/investment, to the basic cleaning products that are used to keep that fresh pine smell in our bathrooms and kitchens, simply make me sick. Is having the ability to kill yourself with foods containing high levels of preservatives and genetically engineered meets and produce worth the costs of personal destruction? Having the freedom to kill yourself does not mean that it is a freedom that should be exercised. But, if you so feel the need then eat yourself into oblivion with a "double down". Hummers, double downs, super sized meals, all you can eat buffets? All this while people in the third world struggle to put a single meal on the table for their families. Are the less fortunate lazy? Are they unwilling to fight to live? NO. The problem is these people do not have the resources and governments line their pockets while their people go hungry. The problem is our nation gives financial support to governments that economically oppress their people. Companies do not practice environmentally sustainable methods with the committment to "fair trade" pricing to help give back to the communities that do the work. There is some exception and there are socially and environmentally conscious corps that incorporate these approaches, and kudos to them for doing whats right.
The goal of government should be to fight hunger, poverty and environmental destruction. Putting an end to excessive development and property construction is a must. One has to question the logic of building such large housing communities when they only fill to 20-30% capacity due to high maintanence fees and home costs. Forcing food manufacturers and farmers to use responsible methods with reduced use of pesticides,chemicals, and genetically altering hormones to make food look and taste more appealing than the actually ingredients would have it. Health care costs could be reduced with more government regulation in all aspects of society.
Creating the necessary infrastructure would prove costly in the beginning but if everyone made a little sacrifice and were more motivated by doing what's best for all, rather than the best for a few, we could have a society where everyone holds themselves accountable for the fate of the planet and mankind. Boundaries created by nationalism and economic motivations and desire for accumulation of wealth will always fight back against such a transition, but the hope is that in time more will see the light and accept the efforts towards a utopian-like society.
The time has come to reduce defense spending and to stop letting energy and drug companies run the show. The influence and lobbying is destroying the fabric of our so called freedoms. If it freedom for all or freedom for those who can afford it and slavery for all those lacking the necessary resources and tools to advance the lives of the less fortunate. Educating the poor and mobilizing them can force governments to employ more tactics to create a safety net for the lower classes. The bottom line is access to education, health care should be the goal. Class distinctions and separations create alot of tension and violence that stems from class struggle.
WE can hope for a better day and we can sure dream. We need to fix the current system and recent events in the gulf, the lies of the Iraq War, the financial meltdown, the bailouts, the health care debates are all great examples that the current state of a unregulated, free market create.
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