The Tiger Report: 10/15/11

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Talk is that Rams are in play for Brandon Lloyd

Posted by Mike Florio on October 15, 2011, 7:12 PM EDT

With the Broncos dangling receiver Brandon Lloyd and the trade deadline coming in less than 72 hours, there’s talk in league circles that the Rams could make a play for the veteran wideout.

Making such a deal make sense is the fact that the Rams don’t have much at the receiver position. Making such a deal seem like a stretch is the reality that trading for Lloyd won’t do much to keep the 0-4 Rams from sliding to 0-7 over the next 15 days, via games against the Packers, Cowboys, and Saints.

But here’s where Lloyd could make a difference. Once the schedule softens, Lloyd could help the offense score points, which could help the Rams win enough games to avoid a postseason housecleaning.

That could make Lloyd well worth whatever mid-round pick it takes to get him, especially if a full-blown disaster could mean that the guys trading the picks in 2011 won’t be the guys using the picks come 2012.

The challenge will be to properly gauge Lloyd’s value. He was largely ordinary from 2003 through 2009. Then, in 2010, Lloyd racked up 1,448 receiving yards. (In the prior five seasons combined, Lloyd generated only 155 more than that.)

The fact that the light finally went on for Lloyd in Josh McDaniels’ offense serves only to make a move to the team that now employs McDaniels make even more sense.

Stay tuned. If a deal doesn’t happen by 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, it won’t happen at all, and Lloyd will become a free agent after the season.

Michael Lombardi: Palmer has been in direct contact with Mike Brown

Carson Palmer - QB - Bengals

According to NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, Carson Palmer has recently been in "direct contact" with Bengals owner Mike Brown.

However, Lombardi reports Brown's stance remains as hardline as ever. "Those phone calls have proven to be fruitless. Each phone conversation they get further and further apart." Palmer's power play appears destined to go down as an abject failure.

Source: NFL.com

Eagles players reportedly not embracing Mudd's coaching style

Posted by Mike Florio on October 15, 2011, 1:46 PM EDT

When dissecting the offseason decisions made by Eagles coach Andy Reid, most of the attention focuses on Reid’s choice to move Juan Castillo from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator. Apart from the challenges Castillo would face in changing to the other side of the ball (especially during a season in which a looming lockout threatened to — and ultimately did — reduce the window for preparation), the move forced Reid to hire a new offensive line coach.

Reid hired Howard Mudd, who most recently coached the offensive line in Indianapolis from 1998 through 2009. Though Mudd has a great reputation and years of experience and accomplishments, a source with knowledge of the situation tells us that some of the players on offense aren’t embracing Mudd’s methods.

As the source explained it, it’s a classic old-school/new-school generation gap. The players on the Philadelphia offensive line, along with the rest of the offense, are predominantly young. Mudd, 69, has been involved in the NFL since before all of them were born. Then there’s the fact that the unit is struggling, which serves only to create and/or increase tensions between the position coach, the offensive linemen, and the other players on offense.

Complicating matters is that Mudd and the players have had limited time to get acquainted, due to the lockout. They’ll been together for roughly 2.5 months, and the team’s struggles surely have made it hard for everyone to come together they way they should.

Our advice to the Eagles players? Buy quickly what Mudd is selling. The guy knows what he’s doing, and if it’s not getting done, it’s not because his techniques and strategies don’t work.

Andrew Luck: Suck for Luck campaign is stupid

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 15, 2011, 1:19 PM EDT

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck knows that some fans of some of the worst teams in the league are openly rooting for their teams to lose this season if it means getting the first pick in the draft, and therefore getting Luck.

But Luck says those aren’t the kinds of fans he wants to play for.

“I am aware of it,” Luck told the New York Times. “A couple of guys told me about it. I think it’s stupid. Simply put.”

Luck might not like it, but the “Suck for Luck” campaigns aren’t going away: They’re only going to heat up in the final weeks of the season, with fans of the worst teams actively cheering for their teams to lose, and win the right to take Luck with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

One way to eliminate the unseemly thought of teams intentionally tanking games to get the top pick would be to do away with the practice of awarding the top pick to the team with the worst record and instead implement an NBA-style draft lottery. Peter King and Mike Florio discussed that idea on NBC SportsTalk:

Video Debate: Is Wes Welker a top 5 receiver?

Posted by Mike Florio on October 15, 2011, 1:10 PM EDT

Last night’s edition of NBC SportsTalk on VERSUS included Peter King and yours truly listing our top five receivers in all of football. (Since it worked so well for Cris Carter, we decided to give it a whirl.)

We agreed on the first one. After that, it got interesting.

The debate focused on the proper position of Pats receiver Wes Welker. King had Welker third; I left him off the list.

You can watch it below, and since we ran out of time before I could chime in with one last point, and since I can make as many points as I want to make right here, I’ll write what I would have said if I’d had one more crack at this one.

Tom Brady won three Super Bowls without Wes Welker. Wes Welker has won zero Super Bowls with Tom Brady. Welker, though skilled, benefits from playing with the best quarterback the game has ever seen. If Welker wasn’t on the team, someone else would be catching all of those passes.

TTR's Week 6 - Start em Sit em

Start em

Darren Sproles Darren Sproles #43 of the New Orleans Saints returns a punt for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter during the season opening game at Lambeau Field on September 8, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

New Orleans Saints - Darren Sproles - The Bucs have a good young pass rush and they will be trying to get after Drew Brees all day long. I think Sean Payton and Drew Brees will involve mighty mite in the game plan a lot to get the ball out quickly. I expect Sproles to have over 120 all purpose yards and at least 1 score in this game.

Washington Redkins - Ryan Torain - Torain had a huge game in Week 4 and he is currently the lead back in Washington. When the Eagles come to town they can expect a heavy dose of the running game. They have been unable to stop anyone's ground attack this year, and the Skins one cut zone blocking scheme is ready to go. It is deadly to a team whose linebackers get caught out of position. You also have to figure that the Skins will want to get in and out of this game quickly, because the Eagles despite their struggles, have the talent to stay in any game. Shanahan will want to secure the win and get off the field quickly in this matchup.

St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford - Bradford is a sleeper pick for me this week. He has been battered and beaten, and most of his weapons are banged up. He has had a terrible start to the year, but the bye week helped them get some things worked out and some players on the field. Green Bay has had an excellent defense under Dom Capers the last couple years, but this year they haven't played that well. The Packers are allowing over 8 yards per passing play, which ranks near the worst in the league. Bradford will be throwing all game because they will be behind. The Rams won't win, but Sam could have a nice day as a bye week fill in.

New York Giants - Eli Manning - I expect Eli to have a bounce back week against a Bills defense that isn't that good. They had a huge game against Philly last week, but everyone is having a big week against Philly. Eli will rebound from the 3 pick game and lead the Giants to a win over their Northern rivals.

Sit em

Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Vick - It is no secret that the Eagles are playing poorly. It is no secret that Vick just threw 4 picks, but most owners are probably not ready to give up on him yet, because he still produces points. However I think this week poses a dangerous threat to Vick's potential. The Redskins have a stout defense with Orakpo and Kerrigan come off the edge. I also as I mentioned in our Week 6 picks, the Redskins have had 2 weeks to study the Eagles and prepare a game plan. I think gameplan + talent = another bad day for Mike Vick and the Eagles.

Houston Texans - Arian Foster - I realize that probably no one would actually take Foster out of their lineup now that he is healthy, but he has a terrible matchup this week agaisnt the Ravens on the road. This Ravens defense is flying around making plays all over the field. This could be a championship defense when all is said and done this year. Foster looks great, but he won't this week. Especially when they don't have Andre Johnson to help stretch the field for him. Foster will probably get less than 6 points this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ernest Graham - Some people might be inclined to grab Ernest off waivers to fill in for the injured LeGarrette Blount. I think Graham can hold some fantasy value, but he will not be a big factor this week against the Saints. This Saints defense is going to get better each week now that Jonathan Vilma is getting closer to being full speed. Graham is not explosive enough to warrant a play against this Saints D.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vince Wilfork's response to Phil Costa's remarks

Posted by Mike Florio on October 14, 2011, 11:08 PM EDT

Vince+Wilfork+San+Diego+Chargers+v+New+England+M0Piq2xAfgxl

Getty Images

Cowboys center Phil Costa, whose list of football-related problems has expanded this week from “snap the ball only when it’s time to snap the ball” to “figure out how to blockVince Wilfork,” inexplicably called Wilfork a “speed bump.”

And he’s the kind of speed bump that can routinely induce a guy to create skid marks.

Costa should be feeling even more skittish based on Wilfork’s response. According to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald, Wilfork was informed of Costa’s comments earlier today.

“That’s fine,” Wilfork said. “I play on Sundays. I’m not a media guy, getting back and forth. I’ll be there Sunday. He can tell me that then. I don’t care about all that stuff.”

We’ve got a feeling Wilfork cares. But he’s not going to say he cares. But he’s going to show he cares.

10/15 Saturday morning one liners

Posted by Josh Alper on October 15, 2011, 8:14 AM EDT

Getty Images

The Bills are getting strong contributions from their rookies.

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor is looking forward to a fun game against the Jets, his team in 2010.

Said Patriots DL Mike Wright of going on injured reserve because of concussions, “It’s unfortunate, but at the same time a good thing that it wasn’t worse than what it is. It could be so much worse. Talking with my doctor today and looking at MRIs, things can be so much worse than they are and I’m very, very, very fortunate to catch this where we’ve got it.”

The Jets have plenty of problems right now, but kickoffs and kickoff returns aren’t on the list.

Stopping Texans RB Arian Foster is a top priority for the Ravens defense this weekend.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was pleased with the team’s practices this week.

Browns CB Dimitri Patterson isn’t nervous about the possibility of stepping intoJoe Haden’s shoes against the Raiders.

Steelers rookie DE Cameron Heyward is starting to flash the skills that made him a top draft choice.

WR Derrick Mason expects to be part of the offense in his first game with the Texans.

Not much has gone right for the Colts, but WR Pierre Garcon’s emergence has been a bright spot.

Jaguars DE Aaron Kampman is excited to get back on the field this Sunday.

The Titans have been bringing WR Donnie Avery along slowly.

Peter King of SI.com thinks there’s a chance the Broncos trade WR Brandon Lloyd to the Titans.

Chiefs WR Keary Colbert is doing everything he can to make the most of his second chance in the NFL.

The Raiders haven’t given any indication if QB Terrelle Pryor will be in uniform this Sunday.

A very detailed look at the Chargers roster to help you get through the bye week.

Dez Bryant expects to be returning punts for the Cowboys against the Patriots.

Giants WR Victor Cruz is struggling with ball control.

T Winston Justice has worked himself back into shape by spending time after Eagles practices with offensive line coach Howard Mudd.

Redskins TE Chris Cooley isn’t thrilled that the draining of his knee became public knowledge.

Bears CB Charles Tillman talks about the story surrounding his daughter’s heart transplant.

The Lions are making the most of RB Jahvid Best’s versatility.

According to QB Aaron Rodgers, only the Packers can beat the Packers.

RB Lorenzo Booker has worked himself into a role with the Vikings offense.

Falcons WR Harry Douglas has picked up the least yards per route run of any wide receiver with 74 routes run this season.

The Panthers have no plans to make a trade.

Saints coach Sean Payton doesn’t think his team is unfairly singled out for penalties.

Said Buccaneers TE Kellen Winslow of coach Raheem Morris, “He definitely has a special connection with the players. He relates well to us because he played the game and because he’s a real coach. He’s not fake. He keeps us in line, but he’s also just a good dude.”

Kurt Warner thinks the Cardinals are too short on playmakers this season.

The Rams are still figuring out whether WR Nick Miller will get playing time this weekend.

Clark Judge of CBSSports.com pegs the 49ers-Lions contest as the best game of the weekend.

The Seahawks claimed RB Allen Bradford, who played for coach Pete Carroll at USC, off of waivers from the Buccaneers.

The Tiger Report

Pages