Although it's early in the season, the bye week is always a good time to evaluate how a team progressing.The Dallas Cowboys suffered a brutal loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener but bounced back against their division rival Washington Redskins in a game the Cowboys had to have. All in all, it looks like Dallas is starting to come together. So, without further ado, let's get to the grades: Offense:Quarterback: Drew Bledsoe made some huge mistakes against the Jaguars. But as bad as Bledsoe played against Jacksonville, he was that 6 Sanchez Green Jersey
good against the Redskins with no help from his receivers, who had a plethora of dropped balls. Grade: B -Running backs: You really couldn't ask for more from Julius Jones and Marion Barber -- they are averaging 4.5 and 4.7 yards per carry, respectively. Each has hit pay dirt once. The only negative was a Jones lost fumble against the Redskins. Grade: A- Wide receivers: Terry Glenn has been tremendous. Terrell Owens was outstanding in the Jacksonville game but faltered against Washington because he broke a bone in his hand. We should see more of Patrick Crayton and possibly Sam Hurd in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans. Grade: B- Tight ends: Jason Witten has been his usual consistent self with the exception of an uncharacteristic dropped pass against Washington. After being invisible against the Jags, Anthony Fasano made a nice contribution with three catches for 39 yards against the Redskins. Grade: C+Offensive line: I have to admit, this new O-Line has played much better than expected, only giving up three sacks in two games to a pair of strong defenses. The unit has also created a lot of running room for Jones and Barber. The most encouraging sign is that Flozell Adams resembled his old self against Washington. Grade: BDefense:Defensive line: Jason Ferguson has been effective at the nose with eight tackles in two games. Marcus Spears has also played well. Although Byron Leftwich had all day to throw, the D-line put some serious pressure on Mark Brunell, and has held both opposing rushing attacks to under 100 yards. Grade: BLinebackers: The quartet of Greg Ellis, Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware and Akin Ayodele has played so well that not only has first-round pick Bobby Carpenter been relegated to the bench, but nobody seems to care. Grade: A-Secondary: Considering the defensive backfield has rookie Pat Watkins starting at free safety, it could be much worse. They got lit up against Jacksonville's tall receivers, but played a great game against the Skins - especially Roy Williams and Terence Newman. Grade: B-Special TeamsKicking: Shaun Suisham has kicked off well but missed a chip shot field goal against Jacksonville. Mike Vanderjagt was finally allowed to kick against Washington and connected on a huge 49-yard field goal late in the game. Mat McBriar leads the NFL, averaging 50.8 yards per punt and ranks fourth with a 41-yard net average. Grade: B+Kick coverage & return team: Dallas is floundering with a 20.8-yard average per kick return and 8.8 yards per punt return. The lowest point was when the kickoff coverage team gave up a 100-yard touchdown to the Redskins' Rock Cartwright. Grade: DOverall, the Dallas Cowboys are 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
headed in the right direction. With the distractions and growing pains of integrating new players into the mix in the rearview mirror, there's no reason they shouldn't win the NFC East. They have the talent; they have the coach. Now they just have to do it. Get the best Dallas Cowboys insight . (4)
2010年12月2日星期四
Dallas Cowboys Drew Bledsoe Week 1 Woes
As always, after the first week of NFL action, fans across America are flooding talk radio stations and want changes - and I mean big changes. If it were up to the fans, 16 teams would be starting new quarterbacks, firing the head coach or trading half the team away. Thankfully, sanity ultimately rules the day. When the Dallas 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
Cowboys' schedule came out last April, who didn't think the opening game against the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't be extraordinarily difficult? In case anybody forgot, the Jaguars were 12-4 last year in the superior AFC. They have a good offense and a monster defense. As a matter of fact, if they were in the NFC, the Jags would arguably be the best team in the conference. So what was surprising was not that the Cowboys blew a 10-0 lead, but that they were up 10-0 in the first place; and that only a poorly thrown Drew Bledsoe pass prevented them from taking a commanding 17-point lead. Which brings us to the subject of the day: After Bledsoe's subpar performance, should he be replaced by Tony Romo? Bill Parcells told the media in no uncertain terms yesterday that Bledsoe is still the starter - and rightly so. Better than anybody, Parcells knows that even though it's only 16 games, it's a long season. His 1986 New York Giants Super Bowl championship team lost their opening game to the Dallas Cowboys; a game in which Phil Simms didn't play particularly well. Tuna didn't panic then and he's not panicking now.Sure Bledsoe made some terrible throws that arguably cost the Cowboys the win. But you have to put his performance into perspective. To start, this is the first time this offensive unit was on the field together for any length of time. And the rest of the offense was hardly mistake free. The offensive line was shaky, Jason Witten was called for offensive pass interference that took a touchdown off the board; and, according to Parcells, the running backs weren't waiting long enough for the correct blocking schemes to develop before they made their cuts. So don't panic, Cowboy fans.This is not to say that if Bledsoe keeps making 6 Sanchez White Jersey
unforced errors, we won't see Romo. We will and we should. Tuna has implied as much. But considering the quality of the opponent, the hostile territory and the fact that the offense has barely played together, fans need to cut Bledsoe some slack. "You've got take a lot of things and put them in the right perspective." said Parcells. He couldn't be more right.Get the best Dallas Cowboys insight . (15)
Cowboys' schedule came out last April, who didn't think the opening game against the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't be extraordinarily difficult? In case anybody forgot, the Jaguars were 12-4 last year in the superior AFC. They have a good offense and a monster defense. As a matter of fact, if they were in the NFC, the Jags would arguably be the best team in the conference. So what was surprising was not that the Cowboys blew a 10-0 lead, but that they were up 10-0 in the first place; and that only a poorly thrown Drew Bledsoe pass prevented them from taking a commanding 17-point lead. Which brings us to the subject of the day: After Bledsoe's subpar performance, should he be replaced by Tony Romo? Bill Parcells told the media in no uncertain terms yesterday that Bledsoe is still the starter - and rightly so. Better than anybody, Parcells knows that even though it's only 16 games, it's a long season. His 1986 New York Giants Super Bowl championship team lost their opening game to the Dallas Cowboys; a game in which Phil Simms didn't play particularly well. Tuna didn't panic then and he's not panicking now.Sure Bledsoe made some terrible throws that arguably cost the Cowboys the win. But you have to put his performance into perspective. To start, this is the first time this offensive unit was on the field together for any length of time. And the rest of the offense was hardly mistake free. The offensive line was shaky, Jason Witten was called for offensive pass interference that took a touchdown off the board; and, according to Parcells, the running backs weren't waiting long enough for the correct blocking schemes to develop before they made their cuts. So don't panic, Cowboy fans.This is not to say that if Bledsoe keeps making 6 Sanchez White Jersey
unforced errors, we won't see Romo. We will and we should. Tuna has implied as much. But considering the quality of the opponent, the hostile territory and the fact that the offense has barely played together, fans need to cut Bledsoe some slack. "You've got take a lot of things and put them in the right perspective." said Parcells. He couldn't be more right.Get the best Dallas Cowboys insight . (15)
Dallas Cowboys Drew Bledsoe Week 1 Woes
As always, after the first week of NFL action, fans across America are flooding talk radio stations and want changes - and I mean big changes. If it were up to the fans, 16 teams would be starting new quarterbacks, firing the head coach or trading half the team away. Thankfully, sanity ultimately rules the day. When the Dallas 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
Cowboys' schedule came out last April, who didn't think the opening game against the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't be extraordinarily difficult? In case anybody forgot, the Jaguars were 12-4 last year in the superior AFC. They have a good offense and a monster defense. As a matter of fact, if they were in the NFC, the Jags would arguably be the best team in the conference. So what was surprising was not that the Cowboys blew a 10-0 lead, but that they were up 10-0 in the first place; and that only a poorly thrown Drew Bledsoe pass prevented them from taking a commanding 17-point lead. Which brings us to the subject of the day: After Bledsoe's subpar performance, should he be replaced by Tony Romo? Bill Parcells told the media in no uncertain terms yesterday that Bledsoe is still the starter - and rightly so. Better than anybody, Parcells knows that even though it's only 16 games, it's a long season. His 1986 New York Giants Super Bowl championship team lost their opening game to the Dallas Cowboys; a game in which Phil Simms didn't play particularly well. Tuna didn't panic then and he's not panicking now.Sure Bledsoe made some terrible throws that arguably cost the Cowboys the win. But you have to put his performance into perspective. To start, this is the first time this offensive unit was on the field together for any length of time. And the rest of the offense was hardly mistake free. The offensive line was shaky, Jason Witten was called for offensive pass interference that took a touchdown off the board; and, according to Parcells, the running backs weren't waiting long enough for the correct blocking schemes to develop before they made their cuts. So don't panic, Cowboy fans.This is not to say that if Bledsoe keeps making 6 Sanchez White Jersey
unforced errors, we won't see Romo. We will and we should. Tuna has implied as much. But considering the quality of the opponent, the hostile territory and the fact that the offense has barely played together, fans need to cut Bledsoe some slack. "You've got take a lot of things and put them in the right perspective." said Parcells. He couldn't be more right.Get the best Dallas Cowboys insight . (15)
Cowboys' schedule came out last April, who didn't think the opening game against the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't be extraordinarily difficult? In case anybody forgot, the Jaguars were 12-4 last year in the superior AFC. They have a good offense and a monster defense. As a matter of fact, if they were in the NFC, the Jags would arguably be the best team in the conference. So what was surprising was not that the Cowboys blew a 10-0 lead, but that they were up 10-0 in the first place; and that only a poorly thrown Drew Bledsoe pass prevented them from taking a commanding 17-point lead. Which brings us to the subject of the day: After Bledsoe's subpar performance, should he be replaced by Tony Romo? Bill Parcells told the media in no uncertain terms yesterday that Bledsoe is still the starter - and rightly so. Better than anybody, Parcells knows that even though it's only 16 games, it's a long season. His 1986 New York Giants Super Bowl championship team lost their opening game to the Dallas Cowboys; a game in which Phil Simms didn't play particularly well. Tuna didn't panic then and he's not panicking now.Sure Bledsoe made some terrible throws that arguably cost the Cowboys the win. But you have to put his performance into perspective. To start, this is the first time this offensive unit was on the field together for any length of time. And the rest of the offense was hardly mistake free. The offensive line was shaky, Jason Witten was called for offensive pass interference that took a touchdown off the board; and, according to Parcells, the running backs weren't waiting long enough for the correct blocking schemes to develop before they made their cuts. So don't panic, Cowboy fans.This is not to say that if Bledsoe keeps making 6 Sanchez White Jersey
unforced errors, we won't see Romo. We will and we should. Tuna has implied as much. But considering the quality of the opponent, the hostile territory and the fact that the offense has barely played together, fans need to cut Bledsoe some slack. "You've got take a lot of things and put them in the right perspective." said Parcells. He couldn't be more right.Get the best Dallas Cowboys insight . (15)
2010年12月1日星期三
Commentary San Francisco 49ers Stuart Schweigert LaMont Jordan
The Raiders' Stuart Schweigert is on pace for 144 tackles this season.As a free safety -- the deepest line of defense."There's too many missed tackles," Schweigert said after the team's fourth loss. "The running back is going down the field and I have to make the tackle eight yards downfield. You Jets 6 Sanchez Jersey
can't have that...You can't have your free safety leading the team in tackles."In a 20-34 Bay Area-stomping, the San Francisco 49ers rushed 41 times for 165 yards, an average of four yards per carry. Individually, 23-year-old Frank Gore posted career-high numbers, rushing for 134 yards on 27 carries.For the second consecutive week, Oakland collapsed in the game's final two quarters, failing to hold on to a 13-7 halftime lead. Mistakes were the instant remedy to the 49ers scoring dilemma; Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo combined for four interceptions -- the first four of the 49ers season -- while a backward pass went for a 12-yard touchdown return by defensive end Marvin Fowler."Yes, we made mistakes, and yes, I'm disappointed," head coach Art Shell said after the game. "No, I did not expect to be at this particular point in the season. I expected to be competing much better in our division. We've just got to keep on working, our guys have got to get better and understand there are things that need to be taken care of."Shell, after failing to utilize his red flag last week in a loss to Cleveland, finally gave it a shot on Sunday -- on the wrong play. The coach failed to contest a John Madsen first-down grab and a third-quarter Arnaz Battle touchdown reception; however, he paused the game to take a second look at the Walter-to-Jordan backwards blunder.Jordan, who failed to react to the trickling live ball, said after the game, "No disrespect to them, but we have better players than they do...We should have won, but obviously didn't."The 230-pounder, on the day, rushed 12 times for 71 yards; although 20 of his yards came with under 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Backing Jordan up, 26-year-old halfback Justin Fargas posted another impressive outing, rushing for 63 yards on just eight carries, good for almost eight yards per carry."It was a tale of two halves for us," said Andrew Walter, who was irrationally yanked with just over ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. "The first half we moved the ball well and had a rhythm. The second half we fell out of synch...It seems like right now in my career I trade one good play for one bad play. That's no way to get it done."In his 4 Brett Favre White jersey
second career start, the 6-foot-6 quarterback completed 14-of-23 attempts for 164 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.Rookie Melvin Oliver, who picked Walter's fourth-quarter fumble pass, commented after the game, "Our defensive line coach always tells me that if the ball is on the ground, pick it up."Jot that down on the clipboard, Art Shell.Want to be in an upcoming article? Visit RaidersLive.com to submit your questions and comments for the Oct. 20 mailbag. (24)
can't have that...You can't have your free safety leading the team in tackles."In a 20-34 Bay Area-stomping, the San Francisco 49ers rushed 41 times for 165 yards, an average of four yards per carry. Individually, 23-year-old Frank Gore posted career-high numbers, rushing for 134 yards on 27 carries.For the second consecutive week, Oakland collapsed in the game's final two quarters, failing to hold on to a 13-7 halftime lead. Mistakes were the instant remedy to the 49ers scoring dilemma; Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo combined for four interceptions -- the first four of the 49ers season -- while a backward pass went for a 12-yard touchdown return by defensive end Marvin Fowler."Yes, we made mistakes, and yes, I'm disappointed," head coach Art Shell said after the game. "No, I did not expect to be at this particular point in the season. I expected to be competing much better in our division. We've just got to keep on working, our guys have got to get better and understand there are things that need to be taken care of."Shell, after failing to utilize his red flag last week in a loss to Cleveland, finally gave it a shot on Sunday -- on the wrong play. The coach failed to contest a John Madsen first-down grab and a third-quarter Arnaz Battle touchdown reception; however, he paused the game to take a second look at the Walter-to-Jordan backwards blunder.Jordan, who failed to react to the trickling live ball, said after the game, "No disrespect to them, but we have better players than they do...We should have won, but obviously didn't."The 230-pounder, on the day, rushed 12 times for 71 yards; although 20 of his yards came with under 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Backing Jordan up, 26-year-old halfback Justin Fargas posted another impressive outing, rushing for 63 yards on just eight carries, good for almost eight yards per carry."It was a tale of two halves for us," said Andrew Walter, who was irrationally yanked with just over ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. "The first half we moved the ball well and had a rhythm. The second half we fell out of synch...It seems like right now in my career I trade one good play for one bad play. That's no way to get it done."In his 4 Brett Favre White jersey
second career start, the 6-foot-6 quarterback completed 14-of-23 attempts for 164 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.Rookie Melvin Oliver, who picked Walter's fourth-quarter fumble pass, commented after the game, "Our defensive line coach always tells me that if the ball is on the ground, pick it up."Jot that down on the clipboard, Art Shell.Want to be in an upcoming article? Visit RaidersLive.com to submit your questions and comments for the Oct. 20 mailbag. (24)
Fantasy Football Commentary
For a day or so, fans and media alike agreed that the league's most pitiful franchise was, for a brief moment, not the . But the Cardinals' monumental Monday night collapse is fraught with hidden positives (the emergence of Matt Leinart, the fact that Arizona played to within inches of beating the almighty Bears, etc...), and let 10 Santonio Holmes black jersey
us not forget that they, unlike the Raiders, have tasted victory in 2006.Now that we've cleared that up, let's get back to the point of the matter. Among the various shortcomings that have plagued Oakland, one that is often overlooked is its complete and utter lack of fantasy football viability. The Raiders started the season with three legitimate fantasy difference makers, but now one is shelved with an injury and the other two are barely starting material. Let's take a closer look at these three unmitigated fantasy busts:RB LaMont Jordan - Two, three, 19, eight, five. Those are the weekly point outputs for Jordan thus far in '06. That's not good when you're considered a first-round prospect on most fantasy boards. However, most Raider fans don't care about his fantasy production; instead, they are more concerned with the fact that their "franchise" running back has only one touchdown on the season and is essentially a non-factor in the passing game after being touted as a dangerous weapon out of the backfield.WR Randy Moss - Arguably the league's most talented wideout, Moss has actually been performing at a decent clip over the past few weeks. He's averaging nearly 10 points per game over the past two weeks and has scored a touchdown in two of his last three outings. Still, he must continue to perform at this level, and throw in a couple of breakout performances, in order to justify his lofty fantasy draft status. Unfortunately, most Raider fans are convinced that his inconsistent effort and lackadaisical approach will keep him from manifesting such things. QB Aaron Brooks - Hahahahaha! If you drafted Aaron Brooks, you're an idiot. But seriously, Brooks was taken in most fantasy leagues, and responded with a collective zero 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
points through the first two weeks of the season. Brooks is still recovering from a shoulder injury which has forced him to miss three games, but he could be ready to return in Week 7 against the Cardinals. Anybody want to put money on whether Brooks will become a fantasy blue-chipper in the second half of the season? Senior writer Anthony Carroll will return with his column on Thursday.Get more fantasy angles (and other assorted insights) at (14)
us not forget that they, unlike the Raiders, have tasted victory in 2006.Now that we've cleared that up, let's get back to the point of the matter. Among the various shortcomings that have plagued Oakland, one that is often overlooked is its complete and utter lack of fantasy football viability. The Raiders started the season with three legitimate fantasy difference makers, but now one is shelved with an injury and the other two are barely starting material. Let's take a closer look at these three unmitigated fantasy busts:RB LaMont Jordan - Two, three, 19, eight, five. Those are the weekly point outputs for Jordan thus far in '06. That's not good when you're considered a first-round prospect on most fantasy boards. However, most Raider fans don't care about his fantasy production; instead, they are more concerned with the fact that their "franchise" running back has only one touchdown on the season and is essentially a non-factor in the passing game after being touted as a dangerous weapon out of the backfield.WR Randy Moss - Arguably the league's most talented wideout, Moss has actually been performing at a decent clip over the past few weeks. He's averaging nearly 10 points per game over the past two weeks and has scored a touchdown in two of his last three outings. Still, he must continue to perform at this level, and throw in a couple of breakout performances, in order to justify his lofty fantasy draft status. Unfortunately, most Raider fans are convinced that his inconsistent effort and lackadaisical approach will keep him from manifesting such things. QB Aaron Brooks - Hahahahaha! If you drafted Aaron Brooks, you're an idiot. But seriously, Brooks was taken in most fantasy leagues, and responded with a collective zero 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
points through the first two weeks of the season. Brooks is still recovering from a shoulder injury which has forced him to miss three games, but he could be ready to return in Week 7 against the Cardinals. Anybody want to put money on whether Brooks will become a fantasy blue-chipper in the second half of the season? Senior writer Anthony Carroll will return with his column on Thursday.Get more fantasy angles (and other assorted insights) at (14)
PFT's Lane Kiffin rumors just don't add up
Rumors surrounding the are always controversial, touchy areas.Gossip from Adam Schefter, for example, the Bronco-loving "rumor monger," is usually spot on. Think Art Shell being fired. On the other hand, from Nancy Gay, the San Francisco (...49ers) Chronicle writer, the gossip is particularly harsh, but frequently wrong. Think Warren Sapp being cut.This time, though, ProFootballTalk.com -- or PFT for short -- has taken a stab at taking a stab at the Raiders.The online Web site, boasting the slogan "The best pro Jets 6 Sanchez AFL50th jersey
football scoop on the Internet," has reported that first-year head coach Lane Kiffin is irate over the team's recently announced roster cuts.Keep in mind, the site's slogan is not: "The most correct pro football scoop on the Internet."The first paragraph of the 200-word report reads: "A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is fuming about the final round of roster cuts in Oakland. Though we don't know of any specific moves about which Kiffin is particularly upset, we're told that the bulk of the moves is evidence that owner Al Davis still has a significant amount of influence over the football operation."In all, 20 players were cut from Oakland's roster on Saturday, ranging from rookies to veterans, from starters to backups.Among the debatable cuts are third-round defensive end Quentin Moses, rookie safety Eric Frampton, second-year offensive lineman Kevin Boothe as well as veterans Donovin Darius and Zack Crockett.It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the team let go of some high-end rookies. Just two weeks ago, the 32-year-old coach made clear that any player on the roster was fair game, including all rookies."Understand that no one is on scholarship here," Kiffin said. "It comes from the college mentality that once you have a scholarship it can't be taken away for football reasons, it's different in the NFL and you've got to earn it."Based on the team's four preseason outings, neither Moses nor Frampton "earned it."Moses, with just four tackles and sack, was greatly outperformed by fifth-round rookie DE Jay Richardson, who registered 11 tackles and a sack. As luck would have it, Richardson made the team. Meanwhile, Frampton, with just four tackles, was outshined by 26-year-old safety Hiram Eugene, who recorded six tackles, an interception and a defensive TD. Again, Kiffin found a spot for Eugene on the final roster.As for second-year guard Kevin Boothe, who started 14 games in 2006, Kiffin already defended that release, saying the 315-pounder wasn't a "system fit."Now to the vets.Strong safety Donovin Darius, who was signed in mid-July, simply couldn't find time to get healthy. Unsurprisingly, Kiffin has a big problem with players who can't, well, play.As for fullback Zack Crockett, who has spent his last eight seasons in Oakland, he was simply forced out by younger talent. The 34-year-old was cut in favor of a better lead blocker in Justin Griffith and fresher legs in sixth-round rookie Oren O'Neal. Last offseason, Crockett was on the brink of being cut under the leadership of Shell, but he managed to extend his Raider career by a season.Beneath each roster move, then, is a reasonable, almost obvious explanation. 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
That's no fun to report, though. Speculating the imminent firing of Kiffin, who is yet to coach an NFL regular-season game, is much more intriguing."In our view," the PFT blurb continues, "the mere fact that he didn't shrug in response to moves dictated from above tell us that Lane is his own man. It might get him fired from his current job, but it could help him land his next job."Of course, let's not forget the clinching proof demonstrating that Al Davis in fact did not have the final say in Saturday's cuts.Alvis Whitted is no longer an Oakland Raider.
football scoop on the Internet," has reported that first-year head coach Lane Kiffin is irate over the team's recently announced roster cuts.Keep in mind, the site's slogan is not: "The most correct pro football scoop on the Internet."The first paragraph of the 200-word report reads: "A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is fuming about the final round of roster cuts in Oakland. Though we don't know of any specific moves about which Kiffin is particularly upset, we're told that the bulk of the moves is evidence that owner Al Davis still has a significant amount of influence over the football operation."In all, 20 players were cut from Oakland's roster on Saturday, ranging from rookies to veterans, from starters to backups.Among the debatable cuts are third-round defensive end Quentin Moses, rookie safety Eric Frampton, second-year offensive lineman Kevin Boothe as well as veterans Donovin Darius and Zack Crockett.It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the team let go of some high-end rookies. Just two weeks ago, the 32-year-old coach made clear that any player on the roster was fair game, including all rookies."Understand that no one is on scholarship here," Kiffin said. "It comes from the college mentality that once you have a scholarship it can't be taken away for football reasons, it's different in the NFL and you've got to earn it."Based on the team's four preseason outings, neither Moses nor Frampton "earned it."Moses, with just four tackles and sack, was greatly outperformed by fifth-round rookie DE Jay Richardson, who registered 11 tackles and a sack. As luck would have it, Richardson made the team. Meanwhile, Frampton, with just four tackles, was outshined by 26-year-old safety Hiram Eugene, who recorded six tackles, an interception and a defensive TD. Again, Kiffin found a spot for Eugene on the final roster.As for second-year guard Kevin Boothe, who started 14 games in 2006, Kiffin already defended that release, saying the 315-pounder wasn't a "system fit."Now to the vets.Strong safety Donovin Darius, who was signed in mid-July, simply couldn't find time to get healthy. Unsurprisingly, Kiffin has a big problem with players who can't, well, play.As for fullback Zack Crockett, who has spent his last eight seasons in Oakland, he was simply forced out by younger talent. The 34-year-old was cut in favor of a better lead blocker in Justin Griffith and fresher legs in sixth-round rookie Oren O'Neal. Last offseason, Crockett was on the brink of being cut under the leadership of Shell, but he managed to extend his Raider career by a season.Beneath each roster move, then, is a reasonable, almost obvious explanation. 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
That's no fun to report, though. Speculating the imminent firing of Kiffin, who is yet to coach an NFL regular-season game, is much more intriguing."In our view," the PFT blurb continues, "the mere fact that he didn't shrug in response to moves dictated from above tell us that Lane is his own man. It might get him fired from his current job, but it could help him land his next job."Of course, let's not forget the clinching proof demonstrating that Al Davis in fact did not have the final say in Saturday's cuts.Alvis Whitted is no longer an Oakland Raider.
"Line enters the 'no-sack' zone"
Maybe it wasn't the players who made the ' 2006 offensive line so bad. Maybe it was the system.Or so it might seem after a couple of 2007 preseason games. Playing a half against both Arizona and San Francisco, the first-string Raider line allowed no sacks. None.This must have been a Dallas Cowboys jersey
revelation to QB Andrew Walter, who was decked 46 times last season. Against San Francisco, Walter went 17 straight plays in a vertical position. At this rate, his laundry bill should be cut in half.Overall, the Raiders allowed 72 sacks last season, worst in the NFL. And one of the reasons that the offense has been clicking in August, despite the absence of holdout QB JaMarcus Russell, is because new line coach Tom Cable's zone blocking system has apparently taken root.Last year, the Raider linemen mostly tried to take on the opposition one-on-one at a time. The problem with this approach is that all five blockers have to succeed on every snap, or leaks occur.Zone blocking, on the other hand, is more of a communal effort. Blockers work in tandem and follow the direction of the play. After all, if a sweep is going to the left, there's really not much need for the right tackle to engage his man.This system also involves intricate blocking angles, quickness and, yes, cut blocking. It also helps that guard Cooper Carlisle, picked up as a free agent, played the zone blocking system with Denver last season. Thus, he is able to demonstrate in the trenches what Cable draws out on the chalkboard.So far, the first-string line has been composed of tackles Barry Sims and Cornell Green and guards Carlisle and Robert Gallery working in tandem with a two-headed center, Jake Grove and Jeremy Newberry. All of them, so far, have been doing their jobs."I believe in the scheme," Carlisle told the San Jose Mercury-News4 Brett Favre White jersey
. "It gives you an opportunity to succeed on every play. It definitely was a factor in my signing with the Raiders."Zone blocking works equally well in protecting the passer and creating holes for running backs -- or so say its adherents.And if they want to point to a success story, the numbers in Oakland don't lie. At least so far.
revelation to QB Andrew Walter, who was decked 46 times last season. Against San Francisco, Walter went 17 straight plays in a vertical position. At this rate, his laundry bill should be cut in half.Overall, the Raiders allowed 72 sacks last season, worst in the NFL. And one of the reasons that the offense has been clicking in August, despite the absence of holdout QB JaMarcus Russell, is because new line coach Tom Cable's zone blocking system has apparently taken root.Last year, the Raider linemen mostly tried to take on the opposition one-on-one at a time. The problem with this approach is that all five blockers have to succeed on every snap, or leaks occur.Zone blocking, on the other hand, is more of a communal effort. Blockers work in tandem and follow the direction of the play. After all, if a sweep is going to the left, there's really not much need for the right tackle to engage his man.This system also involves intricate blocking angles, quickness and, yes, cut blocking. It also helps that guard Cooper Carlisle, picked up as a free agent, played the zone blocking system with Denver last season. Thus, he is able to demonstrate in the trenches what Cable draws out on the chalkboard.So far, the first-string line has been composed of tackles Barry Sims and Cornell Green and guards Carlisle and Robert Gallery working in tandem with a two-headed center, Jake Grove and Jeremy Newberry. All of them, so far, have been doing their jobs."I believe in the scheme," Carlisle told the San Jose Mercury-News4 Brett Favre White jersey
. "It gives you an opportunity to succeed on every play. It definitely was a factor in my signing with the Raiders."Zone blocking works equally well in protecting the passer and creating holes for running backs -- or so say its adherents.And if they want to point to a success story, the numbers in Oakland don't lie. At least so far.
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