Just one week into a very tenuous retirement, Channing Crowder is talking comeback. He's also taking some shots at his former quarterback.
Crowder played six seasons as a linebacker with the Miami Dolphins, including each of Chad Henne's three up-and-down years with the franchise. Crowder made it clear in a Tuesday radio spot that he doesn't believe Henne has the football DNA to effectively lead the Dolphins.
"He hasn't really proven anything to me while I played with him, and now being on the other side looking down as a fan, he's not impressing me either," Crowder said on WQAM-AM, where he has been a talk-show host.
Crowder is incredulous about Henne living up to his promise in Miami's new-look offense this season.
"He has all the tangibles I want to say, the arm strength -- his feet work (is) funny -- but he can make some good throws," Crowder said. "But the intangiables, the winning the game, the wanting to have everything on his shoulders like the Bradys, like the Mannings and wanting to be down by five with a minute left on the 20-yard line, let's see what happens. He doesn't have that in his heart yet.
"I think it'd be hard for him to win."
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano didn't have much to say when told of Crowder's anti-Henne sentiment.
"He's on the radio already," Sparano said of Crowder's comments on his QB, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "I'm not going to comment. You know my feelings already about Chad."
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Crowder said Tuesday that he still plans to sit out this season because his wife is about to have a baby, but he'll likely return to the NFL in 2012 or 2013.
A week ago, Crowder said he decided to call it a career after being cut by the Dolphins. His announcement was greeted with skepticism because he's just 27 and has a reputation for kidding around.
Crowder was drafted by the Dolphins in 2005. He started in each of his six seasons, but he has been slowed by injuries in recent years and missed five games in 2010.
The Miami Hurricanes football program appears to be in serious trouble after a Yahoo! Sports investigation revealing a booster’s role in a wide variety of NCAA violations. Unsurprisingly, several of the allegations involve current NFL players.
Yahoo’s Charles Robinson has uncovered an enormous amount of alleged impropriety on the part of Nevin Shapiro, who was once a wealthy Miami donor with close ties to the football program and is now serving 20 years in prison for securities fraud and money laundering. Among the allegations regarding current NFL players:
Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma allegedly got cash, drinks and meals, plus $2,250 in bounties for various hits on Florida State quarterback Chris Rix, including one hit that drew a personal foul penalty.
I have a hard time feeling any outrage about Wilfork taking money. Wilfork’s parents both died (his mom of complications from diabetes, his dad of a stroke) during his Miami career, and if he needed money and took what was offered to him, I’m not going to begrudge him that.
And that gets to the real problem in college football: As Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel writes,the allegedly amateur system of college athletics prevents players from earning money honestly and makes them more likely to turn to crooks like Shapiro when they need something. The entire college football system is corrupt. Miami is just the latest school to get caught up in that corruption.
It’s perhaps good news for Pryor, but it’s bad news for the other players like Caleb King (pictured), who would very much like to get on with their NFL careers.
The league usually handles things the right way. From time to time, the NFL stumbles. In this case, the NFL has fallen flat on its face, and it can’t get up.
Former Cardinals and Cowboys offensive lineman Leonard Davis, the second overall pick in the 2001 draft, could be the latest addition to a Lions team that is trying its best to become a contender in the NFC.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Davis is visiting the Lions tonight and tomorrow.
Davis, 32, started every game in Dallas for the last four seasons, and he made it to the Pro Bowl from 2007 through 2009. Currently weighing in at 350 pounds, we’re told that Davis is open to the possibility of signing a one-year deal.
Primarily a right guard in Dallas, Davis has played both tackle positions and left guard during his career.
This could be an early indication that the Lions are more concerned about Jeff Backus' pectoral injury than they originally let on. Which is typical of the Lions organization.
1. Mike Wallace - Wallace is one of the most under rated young playmakers in the game today. He is one of the few receivers that can truly take the top off the defense despite them designing plays just to stop it. He is a rocket, and he is quickly learning how to be a quality receiver too. As a rookie, Wallace had 72 passes thrown his way and the success rate was 54%, but by his second year those numbers rose to 98 and 61%. Normally when you see an increase like that, you would expect to see other numbers drop as the routes change or they take more dink and dunk passes. Not Wallace, his average yards per catch actually increased up to a gaudy 21.0, while only 26% of passes thrown his way were considered "short". Wallace last year boasted a nasty 1.84 PPI rating which easily ranks among the top 50 Fantasy wideouts of 2010.
Then you have to consider two facts: A. Ben Roethlisberger should play a full 16 schedule this year, unlike last year. B. Wide Receivers typically show the most improvements in year 3.
2. Hakeem Nicks - Eli Manning is not one of my favorite QBs, but he does offer his receivers some nice potential. He has thrown the ball over 500 times 5 of his last 6 years. Factor in 4,000 yards two years in a row with a 62% completion rate and his receivers will have no shortage of opportunities. Enter Hakeem Nicks. Nicks had a break out sophomore season with 79rec, 11 TDs and over a 1,000 yards, while only playing in 13 games. Expect Nicks to improve on those numbers as Eli targets the young stud receiver.
3. Calvin Johnson - Megatron looks to have something he has not had for any length of time in his young NFL career. A starting caliber NFL quarterback for a full season. Stafford has to silence the critics by staying on the field and if he can, watch out. The young duo have really started to form an impressive chemistry from all the time they have spent together in the off season. They both look like they trust each other and are not playing with hesitation. Titus Young's presence will not eliminate double teams from Johnson, but they will relax some of the defensive focus towards him giving him some freedom, and a healthy Jahvid Best will do more of the same. Expect around 80 catches and double digit TDs from CJ.
4. Greg Jennings - Jennings is the Alpha dog in this Pack. But there are a lot of other dogs fighting for that top spot. James Jones re-signed, Driver is still playing at a high level, Jordy Nelson is a solid target, Jermichael Finley should be healthy and commanding attention, and then you have upstart rookie Randall Cobb who has been nothing but impressive thus far. Jennings boasts a top 5 ranking PPI of 1.574. So expect Jennings to have a similar performance to last year, making the most out of only 125 balls thrown his way.
5. Andre Johnson - I love watching Andre Johnson play, he is an imposing figure at the wideout position. He uses his body well to box out and shield defenders and has been an excellent target for Schaub. Last year his numbers dipped a little bit in part to time missed and also the emphasis on the new found running game. I anticipate his reception numbers to climb back over 90 this year. However, Andre still typically produces only around 13.6 yards per catch and about 8 TDs per year.
6. Larry Fitzgerald - Let's face it, the Cardinals were awful last year. Larry only scored 6 times and averaged a paltry 12.6 yards per reception, but the dude hauled in 90 receptions and 1,137 yards. Most people couldn't name every quarterback that contributed to that (Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Max Hall, and Richard Bartel). I don't have to believe in Kevin Kolb to know that things are going to be better in the desert in 2011 than in 2010.
7. Vincent Jackson - Vjax decided that he was more concerned about the payoff than the playoffs last year. When he finally gave in and joined his team, he was a beast catching 14 of 23 pass for 248 and 3 scores. This leaves him with a Mike Wallace like 1.84 PPI, but obviously the sample size is tiny. So with that in mind, we have to look at that in light of his previous years performances. We should expect to see around 70 catches and around 1,200 yards with about 8 scores.
8. Miles Austin - A healthy Tony Romo helps Miles Austin get back to his 2009 production. Austin's production did drop a bit in 2010, but so did his opportunities with only 119 passes his way. Look for him to get more chances next year, and Austin should have over 75 receptions with 1,200 yards and close to 10 trips to pay dirt.
9. Dwayne Bowe - DeBo is an interesting player to me. Last year he got all kinds of attention, but it wasn't the first year he had good production. In fact DeBo put up over 150 catches, 2,000 yards, and 12 TDs in his first two years. But that was before he hunkered down in Hailey's dog house. His 2009 campaign was one to be forgotten. Todd Hailey said ole DeBo decided to grow up and that is what we saw last year. The change wasn't just the production, but it was the production when the defense was expecting it. There is no question that KC is still a running team, but defenses still could focus their coverage efforts to one threat. Yet Bowe still performed, expect him to have a solid follow up effort in 2011 but realize with added weapons like Breaston and second year players McCluster and Moeaki that his opportunities should drop a bit.
10. Roddy White - I am not a Falcons fan, but Roddy White is one of my favorite players in the game right now. Not because of big numbers or his physical attributes, but because of his motor. This guy doesn't take plays off, He busts his butt on each snap no matter what the play is. Want to see one of the best blocking receivers in the league, watch Atlanta play. Want to see someone who runs all his routes like he is the primary option, watch Atlanta play. Want to see a guy run half way down the field after an interception and strip the ball from him to get it back to the offense, watch Atlanta play. I think you get it! White will continue to produce and help this team be successful, and a lot of that is due to his work ethic and motor. I do think that Julio Jones will steal some passes from him, and that is the reason we see a drop for him here. But if for any reason Jones is not on the field, expect similar production as 2010.
TTR's Sleeper - Mario Manningham - Mario has been in the league a few years and he has had small stints with good production, but he has not been mistaken as an elite fantasy wideout in the past. I still think he is the second best fantasy receiver on the Giants squad, but that he will be better than most think. Let's examine the situation. We know that a healthy Hakeem Nicks is Big Blue's top choice, but with Steve Smith gone from the fold, Manningham slides into that #2 spot and produces immediately. Last year Mario only had 92 passes thrown his way and still generated nearly 150 fantasy points. That equates to a hefty 1.576 PPI. More than Mike Williams, DeSean Jackson, Steve Johnson, and Reggie Wayne to name a few.
That alone is impressive, then take into account that former Giant, Steve Smith soaked up 75 passes from Eli last year. Consider what even a portion of those passes in his direction could have produced. At a rate of 1.576 PPI, if only 25 of those 75 passes went his way, you can extrapolate out that he would have produced at least another 39 points! This could have put him in elite company, and I expect this year he moves closer to that.
Not Top 10 - Brandon LLoyd & Reggie Wayne -
Let me first start off by saying that I think both Lloyd and Wayne will have good years, but I don't see their production matching that of 2010.
Let's start with Reggie first. He has been an all pro caliber receiver for the Colts and Manning has enjoyed his services. He has been highly productive and consistent in everything. Last year he snagged 111 of 175 passes for 1,355 yards. Impressive, but if you look at the fact that his yards per catch has declined steadily the last few years to his career low of 12.2. Wayne generated a PPI rating of 0.968 giving him the lowest score in the top 15 wide receivers of last year. There are a few other factors to keep in mind as well. First, do not expect Wayne to have 175 passes his way again this year, 2010 was an aberration due to injuries. Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon should all be healthy and getting looks. Lastly, if Peyton Manning's neck is not healthy, they are relying on Curtis Painter. Enough Said.
Brandon Lloyd is a player that landed in a perfect spot in Denver with Orton and the pass happy Broncos. He was able to show that he does have legitimate no.1 receiver talent. His talent has not gone anywhere, but the pass happy broncos have. Yes Orton is still the quarterback and I think he is underrated, but John Fox is also in town now. Now don't get me wrong, I think Fox is a good coach. But Fox is a run first, defensive minded coach. If you take a look, history suggests that Orton and company will not get as many opportunities to have the spread em out success they have recently had. Fox's Panthers only had two of the last six seasons in which they threw the ball over 500 times. I do think Lloyd will have a good year, but he will not get 152 passes his way again. Because of this, his will production suffer.
Since Rex Grossman started the Redskins preseason opener, it’s no surprise that Mike Shanahan announced John Beck will get the start this Friday now that he’s fully healthy.
Beck returned to the practice field over the weekend, although he’s looked a little rougharound the edges. Beck’s start against the Colts is a big one for the preseason.
Beck, meanwhile, is clearly the favorite of the coaching staff. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com’s NFC East blog wrote a compelling piece on Beck Tuesday where Beck compared himself to a sculptor chiseling himself into a complete quarterback.
Mike Shanahan on Beck: “I’ve been doing this for a few years. I know people that can play.”
Kyle Shanahan on Beck: “He believes in himself, and he should, because he’s a talented guy who should be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Now, we’ve got to see how he plays when the lights come on. We’ll put him in the game and see how he handles the pressure of being the guy. ”
It’s only the preseason, but the lights come on for Beck Friday night.
Without question, the rule moving the kickoff point from the 30 to the 35 has generated more discussion and debate than any other rule. It’s arguably caused more reaction and analysis than most other rules changes, combined.
Here’s the latest, courtesy of Tom Curran of CSNNE.com.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday that the league wants to eliminate the kickoff. And that’s not an expression of opinion. Belichick says that the league told him this.
“[Chairman of the Competition Committee] Rich McKay and [NFL Vice President] Ray Anderson say that’s not accurate,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Curran via e-mail. “They said the Competition Committee’s position was that they wanted to ‘shorten the field’ and that the movement of the kickoff line would potentially reduce the number of kickoffs to be returned. They said they are unaware of anyone saying that it was intended to ‘eliminate’ the kickoff return.”
It could be a matter of semantics. The league wants to make the play safer by having the play unfold less frequently. Each iteration of the play remains just as dangerous; the thinking is that, by running the play fewer times, the total number of injuries will drop. And so if the rule change results in no kick returns, the play will be completely safe.
NBC’s Al Michaels said on Tuesday’s PFT Live that he doesn’t like the rule, and that he doesn’t think it will last. Belichick explained that, for now, it will impact the decisions made when shaping a roster.
“If, instead of covering 60 kickoffs in a year you think you’re only gonna be covering 30, then is that coverage player as important, or — on the flip side of it — is the return game?” Belichick said. “If you’re going to be returning 30 instead of 60, are the guys who block on the kickoff return [as important?] If you think you’re gonna be returning more punts than kickoffs [there's a decision to weigh]. Usually you’re going to be returning more kickoffs than punts but if you think you’ll be returning more punts than kickoffs, then maybe you put more of a priority on your punt returner than your kickoff returner.”
He’s right. Kickoff returners have less value, and a kickoff specialist who can put the ball into the front row — or who can hang it high and drop it inside the five — will have greater value.
Regardless, the rule has created a bigger reaction than anyone anticipated. Peter King of SI.com pointed out in his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column that, in 2010, 16.4 percent of the kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. The number surely will go much higher in 2011.
Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, not many people are calling it a good thing.
We unveiled them during today’s PFT Live. We could withhold them so that you’ll watch PFT Livevia the on-demand function, but if the fact that the guests included Al Michael, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the guy who is trying to get Terrelle Pryor into the supplemental draft, which by the way is set for tomorrow, then teasing you with the cap numbers won’t get it done, either.
So here’s the updated cap space, as of Monday, August 15:
They mostly filled it with veterans other teams didn’t want, with former Patriot Ty Warrenbeing the centerpiece. And now they may have a big hole again.
Warren suffered a triceps injury on Monday that is believed to be serious, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Fellow starter Marcus Thomas also left practice with a strained pectoral muscle and had to undergo an MRI Monday night.
The 1-2 punch could be devastating for a shaky Broncos defense. Warren, 30, was available in large part because he missed all of last season with a hip injury. Denver owes Warren $4 million for 2011, which made him the team’s biggest free agent signing.
Broncos fans must be having flashbacks. Last year, the team spent good money on former Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green. He didn’t make the team and is now out of the league.
Coach Norv Turner reiterated Monday that the Chargers will use a two-running back system in 2011.
Turner says Ryan Mathews will be "on the field a lot" this season, but "those guys both have an awful lot to contribute to our team." Suggested RBs coach Ollie Wilson, "I think it’s more on who’s hot in the game. We get out in the first series, I say, ‘You go out and you’re hot, you stay.'" The Chargers are considering signing Mike Tolbert to to a long-term contract as "the wrecker to Mathews' speed game." It's a full-blown committee backfield.
With the folks from AEG building momentum toward the building of a new football stadium in downtown Los Angeles, the man who has a shovel-ready project in the nearby City of Industry has yet to throw in the trowel.
Ed Roski recently made his case for an open-air venue to Bill Dwyre of the Los Angeles Times. And one point Roski makes should resonate with fans who prefer their football-watching experience to include hours of pregame and postgame tailgating. Unlike Farmers Field, which would be shoehorned into the L.A. Live entertainment complex, Roski’s venue would allow for the kind of large parking lots that are conducive to SUVs full of coolers and grills and overfilled bags of grub.
“You want it outside, with big tents and room for parties, even room for things to do after the games,” Roski said. “This is Southern California. We have the weather.”
Roski, who owns a casino, says that he’d give it to his children if he were able to buy an NFL team and move it to Los Angeles.
Even though it currently looks like Roski’s bid will lose, he won’t be a sore loser. “If the downtown site wins the first thing is that I will be happy the city got a team,” Roski said. “It’s one of those things where I don’t care if it is in my backyard or your backyard — let’s just get a team back.”
It’s looking like that will indeed happen. But it’s still not clear whether the team(s) will be playing in downtown L.A. or in a remote location that would, on game days, operate more like the full football experience should.
With Browns quarterback Colt McCoy learning the West Coast offense and former Mike Holmgren protege Brett Favre having mastered it over more than a generation, McCoy reached out to Favre in the offseason. And the two men got together for several days to work on McCoy’s preparation for his first season operating the tried-and-true system.
Word of the session first emerged, as best we can tell, on NFL Network prior to Saturday night’s game between the Packers and the Browns, via Steve Mariucci’s conversation with Rich Eisen.
“Since I couldn’t get coached, it was a great opportunity to pick the brains of a guy who’s played in this system for 20 years,” McCoy said Monday, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “It was a chance for me to get a lot of questions answered. We worked on footwork, progressions, reads and things like that. It was definitely a positive trip.”
(In light of the McCoy-Favre get-together, feel free to suggest in the comments a caption for the photo of McCoy and Aaron Rodgers.)
According to the Plain Dealer, McCoy also spoke via phone with former NFL coach Jon Gruden regarding the offense.
