With Jay Cutler, anything can happen, good or bad. He could play like he did the final two weeks of the season, accumulating a total of 519 passing yards, eight touchdown passes, and just one interception. However, he can also play like he did before that, compiling a ratio of 19 touchdowns to 25 interceptions. As a whole, the velocity and accuracy with which Cutler throws the deep ball while on the run is outstanding, but he is careless in his reads and mechanics on quick underneath routes. Until he improves in this area, he will continue to be a talented but inconsistent quarterback. His development will be accelerated if his offensive line improves upon its 2009 performance, when Cutler was brought to the turf 35 times, hit 79 times, and often hurried into making an ill-advised pass before the pass rush got to him. Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice was brought to Chicago as the Bears' new offensive line coach, and he has shuffled around some of his starters to help bring about the change the Bears wish to see on the line.
For most of 2009, the Bears' starting offensive lineup had Orlando Pace at left tackle, Frank Omiyale at left guard, Olin Kreutz at center, Roberto Garza at right guard, and Chris Williams at right tackle. Towards the end of the year, Williams was moved to his old college position of left tackle in lieu of Pace, with veteran backup Kevin Shaffer manning the right tackle spot. This year, new offensive coordinator Mike Martz has confirmed that Williams will start at left tackle, and Omiyale, who spent time playing tackle for the Carolina Panthers, will be the team's starting right tackle. Martz's offense frequently employs seven-step drops, which means that if the line couldn't protect Cutler when he was taking three-step drops last year, he's going to get killed by the pass rush if the Bears' pass-blocking doesn't improve. Williams and Omiyale are more athletic linemen, so at tackle they are a better fit Lance Briggs for Martz's plans to move the pocket with Cutler this season.
Garza and Kreutz were the bright spots on the line last year, and it is a likely bet that their jobs are safe for at least this year. At left guard, though, it is unknown who will be the Bears' starter. Currently, there is an open competition between Johan Asiata, Kevin Shaffer, and possibly Jonathan Beekman, who's been playing center at minicamp while Kreutz recovers from a minor bone spur removal. Shaffer, meanwhile, has been playing second-team right tackle in camp. Asiata, born in New Zealand, never played football until he was 19 years old, but he has the early edge, as he has been lining up as the first-team left guard, meaning he's the only player of these three who was been receiving practice reps at the position for which the three men are competing. To further solidify the line, the Bears signed San Diego tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, a six-foot-two, 295-pound mauler who will be a major asset in improving the Bears' running game. .
Running back Matt Forte suffered a major drop in performance last year due to an MCL sprain suffered in Week 3 that caused him to lose a lot of speed and all of his cutback ability. In early January, Forte had his knee cleaned out, and from all accounts is progressing well in his recovery. If Forte has permanently lost a step thanks to the MCL sprain, he will not be very effective in the Bears' new offens sive scheme. Martz's offense relies on lots of cutback runs and pitches to the outside, which will not work unless Forte is back up to full speed. Former Viking Chester Taylor was signed to be paired with Forte, but Taylor lacks the quick first step necessary to get to the hole before defenders do, and his contributions will lie mostly in pass-blocking and receiving checkdown passes on third downs. Harvey Unga, picked in the supplemental draft out of Brigham Young University, lacks the speed necessary for the Bears football jerseys to consistently run the ball effectively, and doesn't look to factor into the game plan except in the occasional goal-line situation. Forte is going to have to carry most of the load and return to his pre-injury level of performance.
At receiver, the Bears have better options than you would think. Devin Aromashodu doesn't have the speed of a deep burner and cannot be effective as the target of a screen pass, but he has phenomenal instincts for catching the ball, maintains excellent body control near the sidelines, and does a great job of holding onto the football while taking a hit. Similar to Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt in Martz's "Greatest Show on Turf" offense, Johnny Knox is a small but speedy receiver who runs extremely precise routes, and he makes great adjustments to the path of the ball. Although Devin Hester isn't the best route-runner and lacks physicality, his speed still makes him a threat because he is capable of outrunning the entire defense on any given play. Cutler has great chemistry with his former Vanderbilt teammate Earl Bennett, and Martz insists that tight end Greg Olsen is still going to be a component in the passing game. As a whole, the Bears' receiving corps is in much better shape than it gets credit for, and the offense's success will hinge on the play of the line and the running backs.
Cleveland's rookies reported to training camp last Friday, but the veterans don't report until late this week. So Hardesty, who the team announced signed a multi-year deal on Monday, will have plenty of time this week to show what he can do before the rest of the squad arrives.
While exact figures weren't immediately available, a source said Hardesty signed a four-year deal worth over $3 million. Last year's 59th overall selection (S Sherrod Martin Carolina Panthers) signed a four-year deal worth a maximum value of $3.2255 million with $1.4755 million guaranteed. Martin's deal included a signing bonus worth $944,000, a source said.
Hardesty, who NFL Films' Greg Cosell called the second best feature back available for this year's draft, will compete for playing time this season against veteran Jerome Harrison and second-year pros James Davis.
My Official new Chicago Bears jerseys Garden Gnome got broken today. I felt like I'd lost a member of the family. Well, not my immediate family but like that cousin you met that one time at the big reunion and you kind of hit it off with but then you never saw each other again. That family member. My poor gnome was gone. The wind blowing in the curtains knocked it off the shelf. At least it didn't take the bobble heads with it. They survived the zephyr. Then I started to take a long look at the "collection." I have too much Bears crap.
2010年7月22日星期四
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore's house
Alex Smith - Yes, that's right. The number one reason the 49ers will make the playoffs will be because of Alex Smith. The question is, will Smith be ineffective and benched early on opening up the door for David Carr or Nate Davis? Or will Smith build upon the progression he showed towards the end of 2009? Well, Smith finally has the same offense for the second straight year, and he finally has talent surrounding him. The team went out and added a couple of humungoids to the OLine, which could pay off sooner rather than later. Regardless of immediate impact as starters, the two shiny new linemen at least provide the 49ers will something valuable at the OLine position: depth. With all the stars aligning for Alex Smith, the 49ers will make the playoffs.
The Secondary - This offseason was quite quiet for the 49ers defense, aside from drafting superstar-in-waiting Taylor Mays. Last year's unit was impressive and dominant at times, boasting one of the league's best red zone and rush defenses. The secondary could be an issue, but Shawntae Spencer, Nate Clements and Tarell Brown are a reliable trio when healthy. Dashon Goldson came on strong in the second half, and Michael Lewis (when not concust) is as reliable as they come when stacking the box. With the addition of Mays, the 49ers now have some depth in case Lewis goes down to injury. Hopefully Curtis Taylor and Reggie Smith can mature into solid back-ups as well. Call me crazy, but I think Nate Clements will be playing the 2010 season with a giant chip on his shoulder which could mean a season that finally lives up to the giant contract he signed as a free agent in 2007. San Francisco's secondary is going to be a big reason why the 49ers make the playoffs.
Ahmad Brooks - I'll try to keep this brief, because the 49ers boast one of the best front sevens in all of football (and that's not being a homer). Ahmad Brooks will see an increased role in 2010, and we could see a 49er reach double-digit sacks for the first time since Andre Carter way back in 2002 (guess when the 49ers last playoff appearance was). San Francisco's linebacking corps is a strong unit, and not one individual will need to get 10+ sacks for the unit to have success, much like 2009. However, Brooks is the guy that will do it, and the 49ers will be in the playoffs because of it.
Brandon Jones - Before your eyes fall out of their sockets, take a second and relax. Brandon Jones makes this list because he's going to a key component to San Francisco's success. Why? Because Brandon Jones will be cut before the regular season, opening the door for rookie Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn to take the reps and run. One of the most important ingredients will be one that's not even with the team. If I had any say, the team would send Brandon Jones a "49ers NFC West Champs" hat just for being bad enough to get cut. Maybe even a blinged out sixth Super Bowl ring too, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
new San Francisco 49ers jerseys defensive lineman Ray McDonald has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence.
San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Karen Guidotti said Thursday that McDonald's lawyer entered the plea on the player's behalf on Monday.
Guidotti says a pre-trial conference has been set for Sept. 28 and a jury trial for Oct. 18, if he does not resolve the case.
McDonald was arrested June 12 after a California Highway Patrol officer pulled him over in his black BMW on Interstate 280 for allegedly driving 94 m.p.h. His blood-alcohol content was not released.
The big South Beach pool party that the NCAA is looking into was held at San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore's house, according to the Sports Business Journal.
The NCAA is investigating if agents, financial advisers or runners paid for trips for college football players, including North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus and South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders, to Miami.
Per the report, there were multiple trips to South Florida, including a pool party at Gore's house and a party at a nightclub.
Gore told the Sports Business Journal he had the party, but didn't know Nate Davis whether those specific players were there.
The Secondary - This offseason was quite quiet for the 49ers defense, aside from drafting superstar-in-waiting Taylor Mays. Last year's unit was impressive and dominant at times, boasting one of the league's best red zone and rush defenses. The secondary could be an issue, but Shawntae Spencer, Nate Clements and Tarell Brown are a reliable trio when healthy. Dashon Goldson came on strong in the second half, and Michael Lewis (when not concust) is as reliable as they come when stacking the box. With the addition of Mays, the 49ers now have some depth in case Lewis goes down to injury. Hopefully Curtis Taylor and Reggie Smith can mature into solid back-ups as well. Call me crazy, but I think Nate Clements will be playing the 2010 season with a giant chip on his shoulder which could mean a season that finally lives up to the giant contract he signed as a free agent in 2007. San Francisco's secondary is going to be a big reason why the 49ers make the playoffs.
Ahmad Brooks - I'll try to keep this brief, because the 49ers boast one of the best front sevens in all of football (and that's not being a homer). Ahmad Brooks will see an increased role in 2010, and we could see a 49er reach double-digit sacks for the first time since Andre Carter way back in 2002 (guess when the 49ers last playoff appearance was). San Francisco's linebacking corps is a strong unit, and not one individual will need to get 10+ sacks for the unit to have success, much like 2009. However, Brooks is the guy that will do it, and the 49ers will be in the playoffs because of it.
Brandon Jones - Before your eyes fall out of their sockets, take a second and relax. Brandon Jones makes this list because he's going to a key component to San Francisco's success. Why? Because Brandon Jones will be cut before the regular season, opening the door for rookie Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn to take the reps and run. One of the most important ingredients will be one that's not even with the team. If I had any say, the team would send Brandon Jones a "49ers NFC West Champs" hat just for being bad enough to get cut. Maybe even a blinged out sixth Super Bowl ring too, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
new San Francisco 49ers jerseys defensive lineman Ray McDonald has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence.
San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Karen Guidotti said Thursday that McDonald's lawyer entered the plea on the player's behalf on Monday.
Guidotti says a pre-trial conference has been set for Sept. 28 and a jury trial for Oct. 18, if he does not resolve the case.
McDonald was arrested June 12 after a California Highway Patrol officer pulled him over in his black BMW on Interstate 280 for allegedly driving 94 m.p.h. His blood-alcohol content was not released.
The big South Beach pool party that the NCAA is looking into was held at San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore's house, according to the Sports Business Journal.
The NCAA is investigating if agents, financial advisers or runners paid for trips for college football players, including North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin, Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus and South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders, to Miami.
Per the report, there were multiple trips to South Florida, including a pool party at Gore's house and a party at a nightclub.
Gore told the Sports Business Journal he had the party, but didn't know Nate Davis whether those specific players were there.
2010年7月20日星期二
Improvement made by the 49ers last season
As though he wasn't beat up enough from that catch, he rips at himself as he heads into the 2010 season with high hopes. He knows he has to stay healthy, as he says "I don't feel like I did too good last year, looking at the whole season. As a team, we started off 0-6 and couldn't recover. And when I finally started to make a move, I never felt like I got into that groove and into position to be explosive and make things happen. And that is what this offseason has been about for me, to get myself into position to do more. I just want a career-best in every category. That's what I am shooting for. Whether it's touchdowns, receptions, reception yards, yards per catch, I just want to make this season a personal best, all the way across the board. I feel like I am poised to definitely excel toward the middle to end of training camp, heading into the season."
Coach Jeff Fisher added "The injury set him back. He made some great catches for us. I am very pleased with what he did...Justin has had a really good offseason, so he's ready to contribute again."
Justin finished last season with 28 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns, his lowest production as a Titan. In 2008 Justin had 651 receiving yards and six scores, after hauling in 55 catches and 750 yards in 2007.
Justin is an eighth-year pro and adds competition during training camp should be great for all the Titan receivers. Veteran Nate Washington will work on consistency. Throw into the mix promising rookie Damian Williams, who could very well turn some heads. These guys have great size, speed and mental capacity and all are taking great pride in their job Gage added.
There were doubts initially if Mike Singletary's intense approach would have staying power with today's NFL athletes. Judging by the improvement made by the 49ers jerseys last season, it looks as if the answer is yes. Reflecting the personality of their head coach, the 49ers are a tough-minded, no-nonsense team, with an underrated defensive line and an emerging pair of receivers in TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree.
As long as RB Frank Gore stays healthy, the 49ers should have a productive albeit conservative offense. The offensive line is adequate at best unless first-round draft picks Anthony Davis (T) and Mike Iupati (G) have an instant impact. The secondary could be suspect, especially if corners Nate Clements or Shawntae Spencer go down with injury.
But after years of failed drafts and poor front-office decisions, the 49ers Nate Davis finally seem to have a clue, a game plan, and a shred of continuity. To wit, the underrated pickup of Ted Ginn Jr., a dynamic punt returner who should fix an area that has been sub par for years, and a player who brings a speed dimension as a No. 3 or No. 4 wideout.
With the Cardinals in a transition phase minus Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin, there are lots of reasons to pick the 'Niners to win the West. But the one area that still makes you think the 49ers football jerseys are pretenders rather than contenders is quarterback where despite some improvement last season, Alex Smith has yet to show he is an above-average QB.
Coach Jeff Fisher added "The injury set him back. He made some great catches for us. I am very pleased with what he did...Justin has had a really good offseason, so he's ready to contribute again."
Justin finished last season with 28 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns, his lowest production as a Titan. In 2008 Justin had 651 receiving yards and six scores, after hauling in 55 catches and 750 yards in 2007.
Justin is an eighth-year pro and adds competition during training camp should be great for all the Titan receivers. Veteran Nate Washington will work on consistency. Throw into the mix promising rookie Damian Williams, who could very well turn some heads. These guys have great size, speed and mental capacity and all are taking great pride in their job Gage added.
There were doubts initially if Mike Singletary's intense approach would have staying power with today's NFL athletes. Judging by the improvement made by the 49ers jerseys last season, it looks as if the answer is yes. Reflecting the personality of their head coach, the 49ers are a tough-minded, no-nonsense team, with an underrated defensive line and an emerging pair of receivers in TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree.
As long as RB Frank Gore stays healthy, the 49ers should have a productive albeit conservative offense. The offensive line is adequate at best unless first-round draft picks Anthony Davis (T) and Mike Iupati (G) have an instant impact. The secondary could be suspect, especially if corners Nate Clements or Shawntae Spencer go down with injury.
But after years of failed drafts and poor front-office decisions, the 49ers Nate Davis finally seem to have a clue, a game plan, and a shred of continuity. To wit, the underrated pickup of Ted Ginn Jr., a dynamic punt returner who should fix an area that has been sub par for years, and a player who brings a speed dimension as a No. 3 or No. 4 wideout.
With the Cardinals in a transition phase minus Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin, there are lots of reasons to pick the 'Niners to win the West. But the one area that still makes you think the 49ers football jerseys are pretenders rather than contenders is quarterback where despite some improvement last season, Alex Smith has yet to show he is an above-average QB.
2010年7月18日星期日
What the 49ers need now more than ever is a quarterback
Otherwise he may be forced to trade his second round pick, check that; if Kyle Orton emerges to break-out status by Week 6, Singletary will more than likely need to break out a first-round selection from next season's NFL draft.
Given Josh McDaniels' itchy trigger finger, Orton is more than likely going to be on the trading blocks this season so Tim Tebow can take the reigns in Denver for the Broncos come Week 7.
What the 49ers jerseys need now more than ever is a quarterback.
The days when a powerhouse defense could single-handedly dominate the league are over.
We are in an entirely new era. The modern game has evolved to the Michael Crabtree point that if you do not possess a top-flight passing offense in this league, you can all but hang it up, especially when you are fielding one of the worst quarterbacks in the league.
Only one team since Ray Lewis winning Super Bowl XXXV MVP, on Jan. 28, 2001,
had a defense that dominated its way to the top of the league, despite having a mediocre passing offense.
That was the Giants. The caveat is that Eli not only had the fourth-best Nate Davis QB rating in the postseason, but that Manning managed to win the Super Bowl XLII MVP.
Alex Smith, how long are the 49ers going to allow themselves to carry this ball and chain of a quarterback? Week 5? Week 6?
The deadline immediately follows Week 6 so now is the time to start entertaining how long you will force your team to have this albatross wrapped around its neck.
This reminds me of a karate movie I saw back in the day, where this fighter had about 50lbs tied to his legs and was forced to try and jump out of a four-foot hole with them on.
Right when he was just about able to leap out weeks later, he fell through the floor in the hole, and plunged 15 feet down in it. He cried for his master, and his master came and told the fighter to jump out.
The fighter claimed that it was an impossible feet, then the zen master told him to take off the weights. The fighter took off the weights, and low and behold he not only jumped out of the hole but did so while doing a gainer 10 feet in the air above the hole.
18 TD's for your season high, while going into the sixth season of your career does Patrick Willis not a starting QB make in my opinion.
As long as the 49ers defense can hold an opponent to an average of six points, you can chalk up a win for Alex Smith, because that is how everyone of his wins last season came to fruition.
With Smith at the helm for 11 games last season; 49ers only won five and lost six.
While Frank Gore by far is the go to guy for the San Francisco 49ers, a talented running back from the University of Alabama sits on the bench getting cold and flat.
No, this isn't an article to bash Frank Gore. It's to open discussion for this great prospect sitting in the shadows on the 49ers for the past few years.
Glenn Coffee was born on May 1, 1987 in Valparaiso, Florida. He grew up in a well-mannered family where he attained an interest in football.
As a teenager growing up, he started to workout and implement himself in various workout drills to improve his skills to play football. Glenn Coffee got his wish and played for Fort Walton Beach High School. In high school, Glenn Coffee achieved great numbers. He recorded 24 touchdowns and picked up 1887 yards rushing in his senior year.
In college, Glenn Coffee played for Alabama. Glenn Coffee had a progressive career at the college level, but also a slow one. He started only 12 games in his freshman year, but in his junior year he was the go-to guy for the team.
Moreover, Glenn Coffee decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft of 2009. Glenn was drafted in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers. Glenn started his career in the NFL from the bench. Watching and listening, he tried to adapt to the NFL level. He has a great mentor to learn from in Frank Gore.
Now the question remains, is Glenn Coffee the next big thing for San Francisco or will he sit in the shadows of Frank Gore? I believe it's time to brew the coffee. When he touches the ball, you see the potential he has. He's quick, soft on his feet, and can catch the ball.
He may have average 2.7 yards per carry in 2009, but he displayed bursts of talent when he got the start because of an injury to Frank Gore. When Glenn Coffee got the start, he put up solid rookie numbers. He rushed for 74 yards in week 4 against the St. Louis Rams and recorded his first touchdown the next week against Atlanta.
Given Josh McDaniels' itchy trigger finger, Orton is more than likely going to be on the trading blocks this season so Tim Tebow can take the reigns in Denver for the Broncos come Week 7.
What the 49ers jerseys need now more than ever is a quarterback.
The days when a powerhouse defense could single-handedly dominate the league are over.
We are in an entirely new era. The modern game has evolved to the Michael Crabtree point that if you do not possess a top-flight passing offense in this league, you can all but hang it up, especially when you are fielding one of the worst quarterbacks in the league.
Only one team since Ray Lewis winning Super Bowl XXXV MVP, on Jan. 28, 2001,
had a defense that dominated its way to the top of the league, despite having a mediocre passing offense.
That was the Giants. The caveat is that Eli not only had the fourth-best Nate Davis QB rating in the postseason, but that Manning managed to win the Super Bowl XLII MVP.
Alex Smith, how long are the 49ers going to allow themselves to carry this ball and chain of a quarterback? Week 5? Week 6?
The deadline immediately follows Week 6 so now is the time to start entertaining how long you will force your team to have this albatross wrapped around its neck.
This reminds me of a karate movie I saw back in the day, where this fighter had about 50lbs tied to his legs and was forced to try and jump out of a four-foot hole with them on.
Right when he was just about able to leap out weeks later, he fell through the floor in the hole, and plunged 15 feet down in it. He cried for his master, and his master came and told the fighter to jump out.
The fighter claimed that it was an impossible feet, then the zen master told him to take off the weights. The fighter took off the weights, and low and behold he not only jumped out of the hole but did so while doing a gainer 10 feet in the air above the hole.
18 TD's for your season high, while going into the sixth season of your career does Patrick Willis not a starting QB make in my opinion.
As long as the 49ers defense can hold an opponent to an average of six points, you can chalk up a win for Alex Smith, because that is how everyone of his wins last season came to fruition.
With Smith at the helm for 11 games last season; 49ers only won five and lost six.
While Frank Gore by far is the go to guy for the San Francisco 49ers, a talented running back from the University of Alabama sits on the bench getting cold and flat.
No, this isn't an article to bash Frank Gore. It's to open discussion for this great prospect sitting in the shadows on the 49ers for the past few years.
Glenn Coffee was born on May 1, 1987 in Valparaiso, Florida. He grew up in a well-mannered family where he attained an interest in football.
As a teenager growing up, he started to workout and implement himself in various workout drills to improve his skills to play football. Glenn Coffee got his wish and played for Fort Walton Beach High School. In high school, Glenn Coffee achieved great numbers. He recorded 24 touchdowns and picked up 1887 yards rushing in his senior year.
In college, Glenn Coffee played for Alabama. Glenn Coffee had a progressive career at the college level, but also a slow one. He started only 12 games in his freshman year, but in his junior year he was the go-to guy for the team.
Moreover, Glenn Coffee decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft of 2009. Glenn was drafted in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers. Glenn started his career in the NFL from the bench. Watching and listening, he tried to adapt to the NFL level. He has a great mentor to learn from in Frank Gore.
Now the question remains, is Glenn Coffee the next big thing for San Francisco or will he sit in the shadows of Frank Gore? I believe it's time to brew the coffee. When he touches the ball, you see the potential he has. He's quick, soft on his feet, and can catch the ball.
He may have average 2.7 yards per carry in 2009, but he displayed bursts of talent when he got the start because of an injury to Frank Gore. When Glenn Coffee got the start, he put up solid rookie numbers. He rushed for 74 yards in week 4 against the St. Louis Rams and recorded his first touchdown the next week against Atlanta.
2010年7月14日星期三
The San Francisco 49ers will not sign defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin
Opinions about Football Outsiders are incredibly diverse with some swearing by them and some practically despising what they do. It always makes for spirited debate. I lean towards the former group, but I also recognize they are fallible. Their 2009 mean projection for the 49ers was 5.7 wins, which the team obviously exceeded. Of course, FO also gave them a 22% chance to get 7-8 wins, so we can't say they were completely wrong. They provide a broad range of information and we can slice Alex Smith and dice it as we see fit.
If you have any interest in purchasing this Almanac, it's available to download for $12 over at FO's store. This year's almanac includes the team and player projections, as well as fantasy football projections from their KUBIAK forecasting system, breakdowns of 75 college teams and win-loss projections for all 120 D-1A teams and research on projecting college pass rushers into the NFL, the historical impact of college conference realignment, and whether or not certain running backs truly are better at the goal line. So, head over to their store to purchase it if you're interested.
For the purposes of Niners Nation, I'll be providing glimpses into Vernon Davis some of the 49ers-specific information over the course of the next month and a half as we make our way to the 2010 regular season. I'll get a few posts on it over the next week or so, and then get back to it after the bar exam in a couple weeks. After that bar I'll have nothing but free time, which means I'll be back in the saddle full-time here in a couple weeks!
Final Disclaimer: After the jump I'll be looking at some of the FO projections for the 49ers, so if you want to read the Almanac first, turn away now. We'll have plenty of posts on this material going forward.
The San Francisco 49ers jerseys will not sign defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin to a long-term deal by Thursday's deadline, according to a team official. Therefore, Franklin will play next season on a one-year, $7.003 million salary as a franchise-tagged player.
The 49ers hoped to lock up Franklin to a long-term contract before the deadline, and there has been dialogue between both sides. However, a 49ers official said there is "no chance" an extension could be completed before Thursday.
The Cardinals could have the best offensive and defensive lines in the division. Quarterback is still the most important Patrick Willis position, but it's not as though the rest of the division is stacked at the position. The 49ers are the only team in the division with a defensive line close to as strong as the one Arizona will field this season. One question, though, is whether the Cardinals' defense can take full advantage of the strength Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell and rookie first-round choice Dan Williams can provide. On offense, the 49ers loaded up with two offensive linemen in the first round, but the Cardinals' veteran group should be better in the short term after adding Alan Faneca and Rex Hadnot.
If you have any interest in purchasing this Almanac, it's available to download for $12 over at FO's store. This year's almanac includes the team and player projections, as well as fantasy football projections from their KUBIAK forecasting system, breakdowns of 75 college teams and win-loss projections for all 120 D-1A teams and research on projecting college pass rushers into the NFL, the historical impact of college conference realignment, and whether or not certain running backs truly are better at the goal line. So, head over to their store to purchase it if you're interested.
For the purposes of Niners Nation, I'll be providing glimpses into Vernon Davis some of the 49ers-specific information over the course of the next month and a half as we make our way to the 2010 regular season. I'll get a few posts on it over the next week or so, and then get back to it after the bar exam in a couple weeks. After that bar I'll have nothing but free time, which means I'll be back in the saddle full-time here in a couple weeks!
Final Disclaimer: After the jump I'll be looking at some of the FO projections for the 49ers, so if you want to read the Almanac first, turn away now. We'll have plenty of posts on this material going forward.
The San Francisco 49ers jerseys will not sign defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin to a long-term deal by Thursday's deadline, according to a team official. Therefore, Franklin will play next season on a one-year, $7.003 million salary as a franchise-tagged player.
The 49ers hoped to lock up Franklin to a long-term contract before the deadline, and there has been dialogue between both sides. However, a 49ers official said there is "no chance" an extension could be completed before Thursday.
The Cardinals could have the best offensive and defensive lines in the division. Quarterback is still the most important Patrick Willis position, but it's not as though the rest of the division is stacked at the position. The 49ers are the only team in the division with a defensive line close to as strong as the one Arizona will field this season. One question, though, is whether the Cardinals' defense can take full advantage of the strength Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell and rookie first-round choice Dan Williams can provide. On offense, the 49ers loaded up with two offensive linemen in the first round, but the Cardinals' veteran group should be better in the short term after adding Alan Faneca and Rex Hadnot.
2010年7月12日星期一
Who do you feel is the most undervalued wide receiver in fantasy football heading into 2010?
Sleepers are great because you can draft them in far later rounds, but they still produce as many points as a first or second round pick. Obviously, this can have a dramatic positive affect on your fantasy points and record. However, due to this uncertainty, sleeper picks are a large gamble. Therefore, avoid overdrafting them.
With all of this in mind, the top sleeper picks for 2010 are:
1. Jerome Harrison – Although it is true that the Cleveland Browns have not had a stellar running game in a long time, Harrison may be the spark the Browns need to get back into the playoffs. In the final three games of the Browns' 2009 season, Harrision ran for 561 yards and 5 touchdowns and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. However, these numbers were put up against three of the worst rushing defenses at the time (Kansas City, Oakland, and Jacksonville) and against teams that were essentially already eliminated from playoff contention. We will learn quickly if these numbers are a legitimate indication of Harrison's ability, as he is projected to be the starting Browns running back for the 2010 season.
2. Michael Crabtree – Crabtree did not put up any spectacular numbers in the 2009 season and plays on a 49ers team of slight relevance. Due to these facts, Crabtree will not be on many fantasy owners' radar. However, even though the 49ers have not made much of an impact in recent memory, the 49ers finally have some quality players in place to make a playoff run in 2010, and Crabtree is a big part of that goal. Look for Crabtree to get a majority of the passing attempts and thus, the opportunity to put up big fantasy numbers.
Ray Flowers: Last season Matt Schaub stayed healthy for a full season for the first time, and the results were spectacular. Schaub led the league with 4,770 yards, tossed 29 scores, and completed nearly 68 percent of his passes. Andre Johnson will once again pace the team, actually he should pace all receivers regardless of team, but the Texans really don't have a strong secondary option to support AJ at the moment. Owen Daniels is still working his way back from another knee injury, and though he should be fine by Week 1, his health is a concern. The same can be said of Steve Slaton and that neck injury of his. Will he even be able to contribute? Therefore, I'm calling out the Patrick Willis same guy I mentioned last year, and that is Kevin Walter.
It might surprise some, but Walter was actually second on the Texans last year in catches (53) and yards (611), and he clearly wasn't anywhere near his best because of physical issues. He'll have to contend with Jacoby Jones, I could have listed Jones as well as the Texans coaching staff has been raving out him all offseason, but I'm gonna say Walter who is just one year removed from back-to-back 60-catch, 800-yard seasons. After all, teams don't normally give 5-year deals for over $21 million to guys they figure will serve as backups.
Cory Elfrink: My guy? Here's a hint. He's 6-foot-4, runs a 4.38 40, and boasts a 43-inch vertical. Within the first few weeks of the 2009 training camp, he had locked up the No. 1 receiver spot on his team. The man is Chazeray Schilens. As we all know, he broke his foot in mid-August and was unable to Vernon Davis suit up for the Raiders until Week 10. He then caught multiple passes in every one of his eight games, despite a rotating cast of losers throwing him the ball. With Jason Campbell under center, Schilens has a worthy partner in the passing attack and I expect these two to hook up early and often in 2010. Sure, there may be 50 wideouts ranked ahead of him, but Chaz has top 25 upside. You like third-year receivers? You have to love Schilens. Despite offseason surgery on the same foot, he has a clean bill of health and will be ready to dominate the Raiders' camp once again. With a little health, he could win a few fantasy championships in 2010.
Eric McClung: Michael Crabtree put up huge numbers during college in the spread offense, and Alex Smith played his best football last year in the spread offense. Hey, I see a love connection here. If Crabtree grabbed 48 receptions and 625 yards in 11 games without a training camp as a rookie, he's going to do a lot more damage this year. Mr. Crabs is being selected as the No. 18 wideout and I guess that's fair, but I see him flirting as a top-10 player at the position based on the growth of Smith. When it's time to select a No. 2 receiver, Crabtree is at the top of my wish list.
With all of this in mind, the top sleeper picks for 2010 are:
1. Jerome Harrison – Although it is true that the Cleveland Browns have not had a stellar running game in a long time, Harrison may be the spark the Browns need to get back into the playoffs. In the final three games of the Browns' 2009 season, Harrision ran for 561 yards and 5 touchdowns and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. However, these numbers were put up against three of the worst rushing defenses at the time (Kansas City, Oakland, and Jacksonville) and against teams that were essentially already eliminated from playoff contention. We will learn quickly if these numbers are a legitimate indication of Harrison's ability, as he is projected to be the starting Browns running back for the 2010 season.
2. Michael Crabtree – Crabtree did not put up any spectacular numbers in the 2009 season and plays on a 49ers team of slight relevance. Due to these facts, Crabtree will not be on many fantasy owners' radar. However, even though the 49ers have not made much of an impact in recent memory, the 49ers finally have some quality players in place to make a playoff run in 2010, and Crabtree is a big part of that goal. Look for Crabtree to get a majority of the passing attempts and thus, the opportunity to put up big fantasy numbers.
Ray Flowers: Last season Matt Schaub stayed healthy for a full season for the first time, and the results were spectacular. Schaub led the league with 4,770 yards, tossed 29 scores, and completed nearly 68 percent of his passes. Andre Johnson will once again pace the team, actually he should pace all receivers regardless of team, but the Texans really don't have a strong secondary option to support AJ at the moment. Owen Daniels is still working his way back from another knee injury, and though he should be fine by Week 1, his health is a concern. The same can be said of Steve Slaton and that neck injury of his. Will he even be able to contribute? Therefore, I'm calling out the Patrick Willis same guy I mentioned last year, and that is Kevin Walter.
It might surprise some, but Walter was actually second on the Texans last year in catches (53) and yards (611), and he clearly wasn't anywhere near his best because of physical issues. He'll have to contend with Jacoby Jones, I could have listed Jones as well as the Texans coaching staff has been raving out him all offseason, but I'm gonna say Walter who is just one year removed from back-to-back 60-catch, 800-yard seasons. After all, teams don't normally give 5-year deals for over $21 million to guys they figure will serve as backups.
Cory Elfrink: My guy? Here's a hint. He's 6-foot-4, runs a 4.38 40, and boasts a 43-inch vertical. Within the first few weeks of the 2009 training camp, he had locked up the No. 1 receiver spot on his team. The man is Chazeray Schilens. As we all know, he broke his foot in mid-August and was unable to Vernon Davis suit up for the Raiders until Week 10. He then caught multiple passes in every one of his eight games, despite a rotating cast of losers throwing him the ball. With Jason Campbell under center, Schilens has a worthy partner in the passing attack and I expect these two to hook up early and often in 2010. Sure, there may be 50 wideouts ranked ahead of him, but Chaz has top 25 upside. You like third-year receivers? You have to love Schilens. Despite offseason surgery on the same foot, he has a clean bill of health and will be ready to dominate the Raiders' camp once again. With a little health, he could win a few fantasy championships in 2010.
Eric McClung: Michael Crabtree put up huge numbers during college in the spread offense, and Alex Smith played his best football last year in the spread offense. Hey, I see a love connection here. If Crabtree grabbed 48 receptions and 625 yards in 11 games without a training camp as a rookie, he's going to do a lot more damage this year. Mr. Crabs is being selected as the No. 18 wideout and I guess that's fair, but I see him flirting as a top-10 player at the position based on the growth of Smith. When it's time to select a No. 2 receiver, Crabtree is at the top of my wish list.
2010年7月8日星期四
Debut season with the Chicago Bears
The Cleveland Browns have signed veteran wide receiver Bobby Engram(notes) today, the team announced.
A former new Chicago Bears jerseys second-round draft pick in the 1996 NFL draft, Engram has started 113 games in 14 NFL season.
He's 37 years old and coming off a five-reception, 61-yard season in five games last season with the new Kansas City Chiefs jerseys.
It's unclear what sort of role the Browns have envisioned for Engram, but he could provide a mentor for young receivers like Brian Robiskie(notes), Mohamed Massaquoi(notes) and Carlton Mitchell(notes).
He has registered 650 career receptions for 7,751 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. Engram has played for the Bears (1996-2000), Seattle Seahawks (2001-08) and, most recently, Kansas City.
His top season was in 2007 when he recorded 94 receptions for 1,147 yards and six scores.
There's no question that, now more than ever, things will fall on Jay Cutler's shoulders. Things are looking up for him, though. The whole offense is learning the package together. The playbook was defined by an offensive mastermind (and probably doesn't include a FB Dive). He's got two solid running backs in the backfield. The offensive line still has some question marks, but seems to be coming together a lot better under the tutelage of new Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice.
In the end it comes down to Cutler. Minimizing the mistakes, especially in the red zone, will be key to the Bears jerseys scoring points, getting leads, and letting the defense fly. He showed during the 2008 season that he can put the offense on his shoulders, and threw for over 4500 yards. His career high interceptions don't really showcase his history, which is around 8-10 less per season. If he can keep it to those numbers, the sky is truly the limit for Cutler - who I confidently predict will return to the Pro Bowl in 2010.
A former new Chicago Bears jerseys second-round draft pick in the 1996 NFL draft, Engram has started 113 games in 14 NFL season.
He's 37 years old and coming off a five-reception, 61-yard season in five games last season with the new Kansas City Chiefs jerseys.
It's unclear what sort of role the Browns have envisioned for Engram, but he could provide a mentor for young receivers like Brian Robiskie(notes), Mohamed Massaquoi(notes) and Carlton Mitchell(notes).
He has registered 650 career receptions for 7,751 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. Engram has played for the Bears (1996-2000), Seattle Seahawks (2001-08) and, most recently, Kansas City.
His top season was in 2007 when he recorded 94 receptions for 1,147 yards and six scores.
There's no question that, now more than ever, things will fall on Jay Cutler's shoulders. Things are looking up for him, though. The whole offense is learning the package together. The playbook was defined by an offensive mastermind (and probably doesn't include a FB Dive). He's got two solid running backs in the backfield. The offensive line still has some question marks, but seems to be coming together a lot better under the tutelage of new Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice.
In the end it comes down to Cutler. Minimizing the mistakes, especially in the red zone, will be key to the Bears jerseys scoring points, getting leads, and letting the defense fly. He showed during the 2008 season that he can put the offense on his shoulders, and threw for over 4500 yards. His career high interceptions don't really showcase his history, which is around 8-10 less per season. If he can keep it to those numbers, the sky is truly the limit for Cutler - who I confidently predict will return to the Pro Bowl in 2010.
2010年7月6日星期二
Now he possesses the task of boosting the Cardinals pass rush in 2010
Primary Back Ups:
* Will Davis - Davis played well in limited action his rookie year and looks to be one of the primary backups entering 2010. He's recovered from a knee injury and should be 100% for next year. He registered two sacks in a limited role last season and will likely be inserted as a situational pass rusher for the Cardinals jerseys defense next year.
* Cody Brown - We can't say a lot about last year's second round pick. Cody Brown suffered a wrist injury early in the preseason last year and was immediately placed on IR. The injury has healed and many fans can't wait to see what Brown brings to the table. He's a defensive end converted to outside linebacker that will see many looks rushing the passer next season. He and Davis have built a friendship after being drafted the same year and both are the future outside linebackers of the defense.
* O'Brien Schofield - Realistically, Schofield will be assigned to the PUP (Physically Unable To Perform) list and will miss the beginning of the season, not counting against the 53-man roster. Once he is eligible to play, however, space will need to be made available for the rookie. Schofield's potential went through the roof, especially after many draft boards projected the defensive end to land as high as the first round. Unfortunately, he tore ligaments in his knee during Senior Bowl practices and saw his draft stock slide. Schofield could pan out to be one of the best picks of the 2010 draft for the Cardinals football jerseys once he returns to the field.
On The Bubble
* Mark Washington - I'm hesitant to list either of these guys on the bubble, especially with Schofield possibly seeing the PUP list to start the season. Washington drew interest when he joined the team last season, but saw zero playing time. He's still an interesting prospect and there's been nothing but positive reviews about the linebacker.
* Stevie Baggs - Baggs was one of the early offseason signings in 2010 and the sack machine coming out of the CFL could be the next Cameron Wake (former CFL star turned NFL player). Baggs will face an uphill battle, though, and is projected as a third-string linebacker right now. He's an intelligent player and will know that he must play his best in camp later this month.
Darnell Dockett(notes) has taken to motivate his new teammate with the new Arizona Cardinals jerseys, Kerry Rhodes(notes).
Dockett, a Twitteraholic, called out Rhodes to make certain the safety is in shape when the Cardinals report for training camp in Flagstaff, Ariz., in a few weeks.
"@kerryrhodes u taking all these trips & [expletive]! I hope u getting ready to play some FOOTBALL cuz antrell rolle would be ready."
A tip of the cap to TheRedZone.org for discovering the tweet. Rhodes recently tweeted about seeing Jason Taylor(notes) at dinner in the Bahamas. Dockett wasn't happy to see Rolle and linebacker Karlos Dansby(notes) depart this offseason via free agency. The Cardinals are hoping that Rhodes will pair nicely with Adrian Wilson(notes) in the back end of their defense.
* Will Davis - Davis played well in limited action his rookie year and looks to be one of the primary backups entering 2010. He's recovered from a knee injury and should be 100% for next year. He registered two sacks in a limited role last season and will likely be inserted as a situational pass rusher for the Cardinals jerseys defense next year.
* Cody Brown - We can't say a lot about last year's second round pick. Cody Brown suffered a wrist injury early in the preseason last year and was immediately placed on IR. The injury has healed and many fans can't wait to see what Brown brings to the table. He's a defensive end converted to outside linebacker that will see many looks rushing the passer next season. He and Davis have built a friendship after being drafted the same year and both are the future outside linebackers of the defense.
* O'Brien Schofield - Realistically, Schofield will be assigned to the PUP (Physically Unable To Perform) list and will miss the beginning of the season, not counting against the 53-man roster. Once he is eligible to play, however, space will need to be made available for the rookie. Schofield's potential went through the roof, especially after many draft boards projected the defensive end to land as high as the first round. Unfortunately, he tore ligaments in his knee during Senior Bowl practices and saw his draft stock slide. Schofield could pan out to be one of the best picks of the 2010 draft for the Cardinals football jerseys once he returns to the field.
On The Bubble
* Mark Washington - I'm hesitant to list either of these guys on the bubble, especially with Schofield possibly seeing the PUP list to start the season. Washington drew interest when he joined the team last season, but saw zero playing time. He's still an interesting prospect and there's been nothing but positive reviews about the linebacker.
* Stevie Baggs - Baggs was one of the early offseason signings in 2010 and the sack machine coming out of the CFL could be the next Cameron Wake (former CFL star turned NFL player). Baggs will face an uphill battle, though, and is projected as a third-string linebacker right now. He's an intelligent player and will know that he must play his best in camp later this month.
Darnell Dockett(notes) has taken to motivate his new teammate with the new Arizona Cardinals jerseys, Kerry Rhodes(notes).
Dockett, a Twitteraholic, called out Rhodes to make certain the safety is in shape when the Cardinals report for training camp in Flagstaff, Ariz., in a few weeks.
"@kerryrhodes u taking all these trips & [expletive]! I hope u getting ready to play some FOOTBALL cuz antrell rolle would be ready."
A tip of the cap to TheRedZone.org for discovering the tweet. Rhodes recently tweeted about seeing Jason Taylor(notes) at dinner in the Bahamas. Dockett wasn't happy to see Rolle and linebacker Karlos Dansby(notes) depart this offseason via free agency. The Cardinals are hoping that Rhodes will pair nicely with Adrian Wilson(notes) in the back end of their defense.
2010年7月4日星期日
Larry Fitzgerald
Pros: Entering an age-27 season, Larry Fitzgeraldis in his prime. He is coming off what can be considered a down year for him but would be outstanding for most wideouts (97-1,092-13). He set a career high in touchdown receptions, which also gave him three straight years of double-digit scoring production. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. This is a double-edged sword: You can expect more targets for Fitz, but he loses someone that fairly often took away extra coverage. We've seen Fitzgerald post great numbers with suspect quarterback play before, so there is no guarantee his numbers will come down with Matt Leinart starting.
Cons:Larry Fitzgerald has never been much of a big-play threat. His 78-yard touchdown in 2008 being his career long, the former Pittsburgh Panther's previous long was 57 yards in 2006. He didn't snare one beyond 34 yards last season. Leinart is the new starter with the retirement of Kurt Warner. We haven't seen Fitz and Leinart develop much chemistry in the signal caller's limited playing time. We expect Arizona to become more of a running team this season to take the pressure off Leinart. Fitzgerald's yards-per-reception average dipped from 14.9 in 2008, a career high, to a career low 11.3 in '09.
Fantasy tip: The star receiver is being drafted, on average, with the 11th overall pick. He probably won't go earlier than about eighth or ninth, and if you can land him in the second round you're doing great. There are plenty of reasons that he could regress, but Fitz's upside makes him well worth taking a chance on.
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