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Rastak
07-11-2007, 07:18 AM
• There are whispers that when all is said and done, Patriots CB Asante Samuel will show up in training camp and sign his franchise tender.

• With WR Brandon Stokley ahead of schedule in the rehab process following Achilles surgery and the coaching staff excited about second-year WR Domenik Hixon, word out of Denver is that the declining 37-year-old Rod Smith could have a difficult time making it out of camp.

• Observers say QB Brodie Croyle's passes came out of his hand quickly during Kansas City's summer sessions and that there was a real difference in how crisp his throws were, compared to those of Damon Huard.

• With the Colts still expected to part ways with DT Corey Simon, our sources tell us the team is hoping to get a lot more help on the D-line this season from versatile fifth-year pro Dan Klecko.

• We hear that Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga's leap of faith in deciding to extend GM Randy Mueller's deal to 2010 came about because he desperately wants stability on the football side of his organization. Though it's too early to evaluate the moves Mueller has made since taking charge in late January, word is Huizenga likes the way Mueller carries himself. Huizenga has noticed how much happier the front office is, compared to the way it was during Nick Saban's reign, and he is pleased that Mueller and head coach Cam Cameron get along so well and are on the same page.

• We hear that the Patriots discouraged their players from granting interviews from the end of minicamp to the start of training camp because, during an important team-building time, the Patriots' coaching staff didn't want the players to believe their overwhelmingly positive press clippings.

• Word is the Bills jumped at the chance to extend Pro Bowl P Brian Moorman's contract three more years through 2012 after he approached the team with the idea. Moorman is due to make $10 million over the next six years, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL.

• Despite the stricter personal-conduct policy under commissioner Roger Goodell, we're told it would be a surprise to see Packers MLB Nick Barnett receive a league suspension. His arrest in June for allegedly pushing a female bar patron was the first incident of its kind in his five-year career.


• We hear DT Tommie Harris should be 100 percent healthy from Day One of training camp. The two-time Pro Bowler sustained a severe hamstring injury in Week 13, and the Bears' defense wasn't the same without him.
• Bears WR Mark Bradley handed in an impressive offseason and was a frequent target in the team's workouts this summer. We hear he may be just as fast as burner Bernard Berrian, with more size and strength over the middle. Still, he has to avoid his proclivity for injuries.

• With Thomas Jones no longer in the picture, Bears RB Cedric Benson is thrilled to be carrying the load and eager to do so. We're told the team earnestly believes he's the better player between the two backs.

• Despite Tommie Harris' comments to the contrary, we hear the Bears' locker room remains steadfast in its support of beleaguered QB Rex Grossman.

• Although CB Antoine Winfield has made amends with the Vikings, don't be surprised if this isn't the last you hear of a divide, especially if the offense struggles out of the gate.

• Both QB Jon Kitna and WR Mike Furrey predicted double-digit wins for the cellar-dwelling Lions, but don't mistake their bold proclamations for braggadocio. We're told it was far more about optimism and changing the losing culture than it was trash talk.

• While it must be considered a long shot at this stage in the offseason, we hear a trade by the Rams for disgruntled Panthers DT Kris Jenkins is not dead in the water yet, by any means.

• Word is the Rams have been more than a little impressed with the size and range of long-armed veteran free agent Lenny Walls at the CB position. In the team's mid-June minicamp, Walls performed admirably on the first team as a replacement for 2006 No. 1 pick Tye Hill, who was held out with a staph infection.

• Niners insiders believe the season-ending losses of DE Melvin Oliver (torn ACL in right knee) and CB B.J. Tucker (torn pectoral muscle) will have a minimal effect on the team. In the best-case scenario, the undersized Oliver, who started 14 games in 2006, figured to be the last defensive lineman off the bench, while Tucker was considered a real long shot to make the final roster cut.

• We hear Niners head coach Mike Nolan likes what he has seen in the secondary so far from a pair of second-day draft picks, Dashon Goldson (fourth round) and Tarell Brown (fifth round). Nolan has made a point of complimenting Goldson's physical nature and tackling ability. Although he has to defer to Seahawks defensive coordinator John Marshall, new assistant head coach/secondary coach Jim Mora appears to have taken on a major role implementing the team's defensive scheme. It's worth noting that Mora had great success as the Niners' defensive coordinator working with multifaceted OLB Julian Peterson, who is now the Seattle defense's top playmaker.

• There have been a host of good-looking young newcomers in the Seahawks' receiver corps this offseason (sixth-round pick Jordan Kent and undrafted rookies Joe Fernandez and Logan Payne), but the way we hear it, if there's a sleeper in the unit, it would have to be graceful Ben Obomanu, a seventh-round pick last season who has looked a lot like D.J. Hackett did last offseason before emerging as a key under-the-radar receiving weapon.

• Don't be shocked if Cardinals second-year TE Leonard Pope, who has yet to show he can consistently block on the pro level among other things, receives a major challenge for the starting role from first-year pro Troy Bienemann, a much smoother-looking player who has shown surprisingly good hands so far this offseason.

• We hear the Cardinals are weighing the possibility of moving fourth-year CB Matt Ware to safety.

• While second-year pro T.J. Rushing is considered the front-runner to replace the departed Terrence Wilkins as the Colts' kick-return specialist, we hear he will get plenty of competition from rookies Roy Hall, Daymeion Hughes and Michael Coe, and second-year RB DeDe Dorsey, who remains the front-runner to fill the role of departed RB Dominic Rhodes.

• Raiders WR Ronald Curry told PFW recently that volatile teammate Jerry Porter is doing "just fine" a year after a much-publicized blow-up with former head coach Art Shell led to a tumultuous season in which he rarely saw the field. "He's taken more of a leadership role this year, and Coach [Lane] Kiffin's going to allow him to lead," Curry said. "… The biggest thing about coaching is you can't handle everybody the same. He's one of those guys that you've got to handle like he wants to be handled because he's going to go out there and play for you on Sunday. That's something you can't take away from him -- he's going to go out there and compete in games and practice. He brings a lot to the table, and we definitely need him."

• Don't be surprised to see the Broncos make a deal for a veteran safety in the days leading up to training camp or in the early stages of the preseason. Denver was close to a deal with the Chiefs for Greg Wesley in late June, and talks could heat up again soon. The emergence of second-year safeties Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard in Kansas City has made Wesley and his $2.7 million base salary expendable.

• Sources in Kansas City suggest the addition of veteran LB Donnie Edwards will have a profound impact on budding star LB Derrick Johnson, who figures to learn plenty from Edwards' experience and leadership.

• Don't be surprised if Chiefs OLB Kendrell Bell, who has been replaced in the lineup by Donnie Edwards, takes on more of a third-down pass-rushing role in '07, especially in the first month of the season when DE Jared Allen is serving his four-game suspension.

• Clinton Hart has had an impressive summer of work and is the clear favorite over Bhawoh Jue and rookie Eric Weddle to handle the starting SS duties in San Diego following Terrence Kiel's release.

• After locking up franchised DE Charles Grant with a seven-year, $63 million contract (with $20 million in guaranteed money), the Saints now will turn their attention to DE Will Smith, our sources tell us. While the Saints normally would not consider negotiating a new deal with a player who has two years remaining on his contract as Smith does, we're told the fourth-year pro, who played in his first Pro Bowl in February, is considered a cornerstone of the franchise, trailing only QB Drew Brees and RB Reggie Bush in importance.


• We hear Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden has dispatched RB Cadillac Williams to return kicks in practice in an effort to improve his starting running back's hand-eye coordination and make him a better pass-catcher. We're told Gruden wants to get Williams, who has 50 receptions in two seasons, more involved in the passing game, but he doesn't plan on using Williams as a returner in games.
• Word out of Jacksonville is that DT Marcus Stroud (ankle) and DE Reggie Hayward (ruptured Achilles tendon) did not participate in the Jaguars' offseason program while they recovered from surgery. We hear Hayward's injury is the more serious of the two and there is some concern that the 28-year-old pass-rusher may not regain his pre-injury explosiveness.

• Sources tell us Buccaneers RS/CB Torrie Cox's four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy could be the least of his worries if Chad Owens or Mark Jones steps forward to seize the return-specialist job. We hear head coach Jon Gruden would like to designate only one return specialist this season to free up a roster spot to carry another receiver on game days.

• Word out of Charlotte is QBs Jake Delhomme and David Carr are getting along well because they are both very family-oriented off the field. We hear that Delhomme doesn't view Carr as any more of a threat to his starting job than his previous backup, Chris Weinke.

• All indications are that the Redskins will get back to playing assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams' patented man defense more often. They played far too much Cover 2 last season, but the additions of CBs Fred Smoot and David Macklin, plus FS LaRon Landry, will allow the team to cover more in man and blitz.

• A possible minor deal that has been discussed: sending Eagles QB Kelly Holcomb to Minnesota for a 2008 late-round pick, likely a sixth- or seventh-rounder. A source confirmed that Vikings head coach Brad Childress, still friendly with his former Eagles co-workers, is keeping one eye open for veteran quarterbacks and possibly would be interested in Holcomb's services.

• Cowboys first-round LB Anthony Spencer has worked with the first team this offseason, but that likely will change when, or if, Greg Ellis is cleared medically from his rehab of a torn Achilles tendon. It might also be a ploy to quiet the financial demands of Ellis, who is clamoring for a new deal, because the early reports on Spencer's work have been mixed.

• Enter a new face in the Giants' revolving OT mix: second-year pro Jonathan Dunn. Though he faces an uphill battle to even make the roster, Dunn appeared nimble in minicamps despite his massive size at 6-7 and 324 pounds.

• The plan is to keep Titans first-round pick Michael Griffin at cornerback -- for now. He looked out of place, especially in man defense (Pacman Jones' calling card), in the OTAs, but the coaches feel Griffin is a good enough athlete to make the switch from college safety. Still, given the team's good cornerback depth and seeming dearth at safety, don't rule out a switch back to safety in training camp.

• Word from Cleveland is that no Browns receiver, Braylon Edwards included, impressed in offseason workouts. Joe Jurevicius looked the best of the lackluster bunch, but his lack of speed was noticeable, and the Browns will enter training camp with questions about their group of pass-catchers. And don't forget that TE Kellen Winslow's availability for the start of training camp is up in the air as he recovers from knee microfracture surgery.

• We're hearing Browns NT Shaun Smith will have every chance to push Ted Washington out of a starting job. Smith was signed from Cincinnati in the offseason.

• Texans observers were impressed with DE Mario Williams' attitude in the offseason. Williams acted hungry, and he took rookie DT Amobi Okoye under his wing.

• The Bengals were said to be pleased with what they saw from rookie safeties Marvin White and Nedu Ndukwe in offseason workouts.

• We're told Steelers rookie TE Matt Spaeth, a third-round pick, was not especially impressive in workouts. Spaeth is likely to see playing time in two-TE sets this season.

Rastak
07-11-2007, 07:26 AM
PFW Chat




Chat with Pro Football Weekly's Eric Edholm

Welcome to The Show! Join us Tuesday, when Pro Football Weekly makes its weekly appearance in chat. Have questions about your favorite team? Want to know about the biggest offseason storylines? The experts from PFW have all the answers.
Send in your questions now and join Eric Edholm chat on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET!

Pro Football Weekly Archive: Chats | Index

Eric Edholm: Sorry guys, just got off the phone ... fire away! (And I'll go 13 minutes past the hour to make up for it)




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Derek(Erie, PA): Will Buffalo make the playoffs within the next 5 years with draft picks Lynch and Puz?

Eric Edholm: Well, I think those player will be productive, but I think this is a strangely run team. I respect Marv Levy a great deal, and tom Modrak is a good sidekick, but you see what happens with this team ... it has a decent season and then has to bail out of contracts and trade away players. I am not sure if the ownership situation is strong enough to run the team right. Over-under set at one and a half playoff appearances in the next five years.


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Mikey(Buffalo): E-Money$$, Whats the word on the Colts DT Corey Simon? Does he even want to play football anymore?

Eric Edholm: It's not clear right now. I do know that he is costing the Colts more than $7 mil, which is not something that makes Jim Irsay and Bill Polian happy. It seems like his being placed on the non-football injury list is something that happens for guys such as Simon, who have taken a bad road off the field and are in no shape to play. There will be qa ruling coming up on whether he'll get paid what he thinks he is earned but clearly hasn't worked for on the field. too late to give up on him, but it's not looking good. Bet on him getting released, which I believe costs the team about $2-3 million against the cap.


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Evan (PA): do you see the Steelers in the mix for the playoffs this year, or will it take a year to adjust from the Cowher era to Tomlin's system?

Eric Edholm: I have them winning 10 games and earning a wild card berth. I think Tomlin will win some Coach of the year votes, too. This team needed a kick in the pants, and there is enough playoff talent to make a run. The rookies might not be big contributors in Year One, but I bet Holmes becomes a playmaker in the new offense. And i can't wait for what the new and old wizards, Tomlin and Dick LeBeau, cook up on defense. Should be fun.


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Sal, Allentown, PA: KC Joyner wrote that he thinks Philly's Sean Considine could become one of the better safeties around. Agree?

Eric Edholm: KC watches a ton of film, and I respect the guy's worth ethic, so I have no big reason to doubt him. I will say that Considine really wore down by season's end. He was listed at 196 pounds or something, but when I talked to him, he was down around 185 by season's end. Too low. He has spent the offseason bulking up, and provided it doesn't rob him of speed, he's a smart enough guy in a good enough defense to have a strong season.


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Chad, Texas: Is there any truth to the rumors about Fisher leaving the Titans next year? If so (which would be stupid on Adams part) would Chow be a likely successor? Thanks for taking my question. VY is God!

Eric Edholm: Haven't heard that specific situation yet among my Tenn. sources, but I do know there are some eyebrows raised over the fact he has not signed an extension. The owner reportedly is excited about the progress from last season but is reserving judgment based on the offseason mess with Pacman, LenDale, etc. Also, don't forget all they lost (T. Henry, Bennett, Wade, Smith and more). They have no No. 1 receiver; the team is a little down on Brandon Jones right now. Vince needs help, and the defense was the worst statistical defense in the league. Stats might only tell part of the story, but you can't defend the fact they were last in yards allowed, time of possession, second to last in points allowed and sacks ... it goes on.


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D-Mac -Philly: Big E, Will I have a big year or will I get hurt and hurt the Mighty Eagles Chances of making the playoffs? why did the the Eagles drop the ball on Bethal Johnson?

Eric Edholm: As you know, D-Mac, injuries are difficult to predict. Yes, you'll get hurt at some point -- it's whether they keep you out of the lineup or not that we don't know. Talked to a source close to you who says you feel very good and are excited about working with all your skill guys out in Arizona this week and next. It's a good time to bond for you and your Eagles teammates. As far as letting Johnson walk, he was deemed not necessary when Jeremy Bloom looked strong in the minicamps. They will look out for other returners through training camp, too.


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SG - Ohio: Eric, Who is the Bengals 3rd receiver this year with Henry suspended? And with the lack of a 3rd receiver, where do they rank with other WRs in the league?

Eric Edholm: Keep an eye on Tab Perry, who had a couple of nice grabs in the first two games last season. I think Perry is a better slot guy than Kelley Washington would have been, though he lacks Chris Henry's playmaking ability. I think the unit is one of the best 1-2 punches, but depth is a question: Antonio Chatman, Glenn Holt, Reggie McNeal ... dudes like that.


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Jason (Denver, CO): REDSKIN QUESTION!!!!! In the weak NFC is unreasonable to believe the Redskins will get a wild card spot, w/their running back depth and the strength of their offense?

Eric Edholm: I have yet to write off the Redskins. For all the talk of how far the defense fell, we must remember that the team was fourth in rushing yards, fifth in fewest sacks, 10th in yards per pass play and first in fewest turnovers committed. Those are very good places to start. And that was with a QB change, no Portis and half a Santana Moss. I see better things happening, and I think the RB tandem will be hard to stop. Look for Betts to catch somewhere around 50-60 passes this season in an intriguing role, but Portis should be the bellcow runner. They'll be interesting, I'll say that.


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PaulieP (Scottsdale): Raiders signed Darius now too? How many games are they going to win just by shutting the other teams offense out?

Eric Edholm: Yep, Raiders signed Donovin Darius today. I think the Alameda Times-Star broke it a bit ago. It's a fair question, though sometimes you need those veterans to bridge the gap for a young team. The one question I have: Don't Darius' skills and those of Michael Huff match up a bit? They are both strong safety types. I know the Raiders' defense doesn't delineate between free and strong, but you usually like to have some complementary parts back there.


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Sahm (Minnesota): Why don't the Rams get any Super Bowl love? The defense looks like it improved during the offseason and the offense added yet another weapon. Linehan has proven to be an amazing coordinator (#1 rushing attack in Minnesota, Culpeppers big MN season, and even making Gus Frerotte's stats look respectable down in Miami). Couldn't the Rams be great this year?

Eric Edholm: It's simple: defense. They were the 31st-ranked run defense, and though guys such as Carriker help, he's a system guy -- and maybe not a perfect fit as a two-down end, one-down tackle. That's my opinion, anyway. They rely too much on sacks and interceptions, Haslett has his critics there. None of the veteran additions on "D" wowed me at all, and there are very few young stars ready to break out on that side of the ball. I do like guys like Atogwe and Witherspoon, but there's not a lot to like otherwise.


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clark (California): What do you think about the chiefs this year?

Eric Edholm: I just don't know. With new ownership, there likely will be changes -- even subtle ones -- that could throw the team off course. I think they have perhaps the most uninspiring QB situation in the league, too, though Croyle could be something in a year or two. Look, they made the playoffs last season, and clearly there is some talent, but they are not the feared team they were offensively and are only a little better defensively. I love Herm, but ... just not feeling it this year.


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Richard (Baton Rouge): Please tell me the additions to the Saints defense are enough to help? I know we signed team guys and to individual stars, will that help?

Eric Edholm: I love the team's approach -- create competition at every spot of need -- but I just don't see any new playmakers. The best "new" guy might be Roman Harper, who stood out before the ACL injury. David, Kaesviharn, Simmons ... they are pieces, not answers. And Dhani Jones might not make the team. They are a sliver better, personnel-wise, I think.


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greg: I have been told that I most resemble reggie bush the way I can manuever myself around paperwork here in the office. Who most resembles you in the nfl?

Eric Edholm: I think I am a close clone to 49ers TE Billy Bajema, maybe a few pounds lighter.


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Brad, AZ: Will Matt Leinart throw more than 25 TDs?

Eric Edholm: No. They play to run the ball a lot. I think 14-19 is the better bet. But I expect his completion percentage to rise from 56.8 to around 61-63. Whisenhunt and Jeff Rutledge will do well with him.


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Jim (CT): why is it that no one ever talks about the jets? is it because we dont have any flashy, trouble making stars and just play football? this team won 10 games last season in a year they were supposed to win no more than 4 and is in year 2 of the tan-gini era and very improved on both sides of the ball. what kind of year do you see for the green and white?

Eric Edholm: Fine, let's talk Jets. I am very intrigued by them this season and can't believe, as you point out, that they are not getting more ink as we approach the opening of camps. I think Eric Mangini loves it that way; keeps the boys focused on ball and not getting big heads. He was taught well. Getting 16 games out of Pennington is crucial; he has never started more than 23 games in a two-year span. Clemens is not ready yet. The offense will be more streamlined and balanced with Thomas Jones, the defense has good new talent with Harris, Revis and Coleman (I bet he gets 8+ sacks), and I love the special teams. I say 11 wins and a wild card.


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Ed (Boston): Is your dad or do you have a brother named Ed? Ed Edholm?

Eric Edholm: Only child. My nickname in high school and college was Ed.


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Philip Rivers (Chargers): Eric, what impact is Craig Davis going to have on our passing game?

Eric Edholm: Hard to say because I am not sure he's better than Jackson or Parker right now. Maybe an injury (Parker is prone) gives him a chance, but I see him like Chad Jackson of the Patriots last season -- a straight-line burner who will make 3-5 touchdowns ... and maybe only catch 18-20 passes. He needs refinement. And don't forget about 6-5 Malcom Floyd, whom they like, too.


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Ed (Boston): What kind of impact will Wes Welker have on the Pats now that they've added so many receivers? Will he still be in the slot or will he be relegated to kick returning duties with the surplus of wideouts?

Eric Edholm: Here's another fearless prediction: Welker leads the Patriots in receptions. how about that? The early word is that Welker, not Moss or Stallworth, has looked the best of the new receivers, and will be used in a multitude of roles. Back in May, I think, I spent way too much time on a blog, figuring out the Patriots' breakdown of receptions. you can read it here: http://nflblogs.profootballweekly.com/AroundtheNFL/2007/05/so_which_patriots_receiver_get.html


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Bill Cowher NC: Where do you think I should coach next year when I come out of retirement

Eric Edholm: Well, I think the Giants would be interested. The Browns, too. I think those are two good places to start. You can bet that if the Browns tank again, Randy Lerner might blow the whole thing up and give the keys to Cowher. What a move that would be, eh?


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thomas sarcasm town: can you please answer more pats questions? we just can't get enough.

Eric Edholm: One is too many? Sorry. They are, like, relevant and stuff.


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Brian Billick, Baltimore: Excuse me, but there aren't any thoughts on the 13-3, #1 defense in football Ravens? Perhaps, you don't want to discuss it. Or may your not qualified. But with our additions, we'll still be a team to be reckoned with come playoff time. And San Diego, Indy & New England will find that out in 3 straight weeks.

Eric Edholm: I think that Bart Scott falls into that Adalius role, moving around and wreaking havoc, and Jarret Johnson proves to be a good fill-in starter outside, too. They always find a way, and with more offense, they will be interesting again. I just can't get that awful playoff game out of my head, though, to be honest.


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Paul (dc) : What about the Bears? Are we going back the the bowl?

Eric Edholm: I say no. I don't see Grossman improving that much, even with the new weapons -- I think he is what he is. The defense will have to factor around no Tank and maybe no Briggs, and the Colts provided a nice blueprint to defeat cover-2 in the Super Bowl. There just has been so much turmoil, and now Alex Brown is yakking about a trade again. The chemistry, as one personnel guy told us, is "off." I agree. On talent and a weak NFC, it could happen, but I am not betting on it.


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Brett Favre (Mississippi): We had a very strong finish last year and showed some promise coming into this season. In know Ted Thompson (man I hate that guy) did absolutely nothing to improve the team this offseason, but can we take that momentum and the experience of all our young guys into the playoffs this year in the weak NFC?

Eric Edholm: I think the Ted Thompson criticism is ridiculous. Really. The guy has to build a team for the long run, not just patch together a short-term run because Favre has a year, maybe two, left. I think there is a chance at the playoffs, but with all those skill-position questions, a so-so D-line and who-knows special teams, it's dicey.

Eric Edholm: Ok, we've gone OT, and I'll take two more, thanks!


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Matt (Iowa): What are your thoughts on the Cowboys? We didn't lose any key personel except our coach? Any predictions? They have to be considered as one of the favorites in the NFC dont they?

Eric Edholm: I think they'll have some success, but they have to avoid those hiccup games (last year: at Washington, vs. Giants and Detroit) they always seem to have. Phillips is a good coach who finally has both talent and a owner who supports him. I think that part works, and he has some nice defensive pieces to work with and an offense that will be intermittently great and erratic based on who they play. Ten wins? Maybe.


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Zack, South Carolina: Does another losing season in Washington get Gibbs fired, if he dosen't retire?

Eric Edholm: Great question to end on. Gibbs intends to honor his deal, but would Snyder fire him? If they go 7-9 or worse, you'd have to say it's a strong possibility. Everything fell right the year they won 11 games, but nothing else would have since or before. They have updated the offense, paid for the richest coaching staff in history for any sport, spent money on the free agent market .. they have done some extreme things, but the biggest failure has been of Gibbs as a president. Usually, coaches retire from the coaching part and move into the front office; we could see the other part happen. I think if they ever got a personnel guy in there to run the show and not give away draft picks like bank calendars, they could build a roster and some real depth. They have great talent for their starters, but the reserves would not make most other clubs.

Eric Edholm: Thanks, guys .. see you soon

Zool
07-11-2007, 09:04 AM
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Brett Favre (Mississippi): We had a very strong finish last year and showed some promise coming into this season. In know Ted Thompson (man I hate that guy) did absolutely nothing to improve the team this offseason, but can we take that momentum and the experience of all our young guys into the playoffs this year in the weak NFC?

Eric Edholm: I think the Ted Thompson criticism is ridiculous. Really. The guy has to build a team for the long run, not just patch together a short-term run because Favre has a year, maybe two, left. I think there is a chance at the playoffs, but with all those skill-position questions, a so-so D-line and who-knows special teams, it's dicey.

BallHawk
07-11-2007, 09:45 AM
How is our DL so-so? If anything, that's our biggest strength.

wist43
07-11-2007, 09:49 AM
How is our DL so-so? If anything, that's our biggest strength.

Actually, I agree... they're junk just about everywhere else, but the DL is a fairly solid group.

LL2
07-11-2007, 12:03 PM
How is our DL so-so? If anything, that's our biggest strength.

Actually, I agree... they're junk just about everywhere else, but the DL is a fairly solid group.

Wow! A positive and refreshing remark from the Wister!

BallHawk
07-11-2007, 01:05 PM
Wow! A positive and refreshing remark from the Wister!
He had to throw in the "junk everywhere else" remark, though. Wist can't post one completely positive thought. There always has to be some pessimism, somewhere in there. It's just a birth defect. :wink: :wink:

I really don't think they're "junk everywhere else." I'm sure you'd find a good amount of teams that would take Barnett and Hawk over there top 2 LBs. We have one of the best CB tandems in the league, even though I expect them to drop down a bit from last year. I do agree, however, that the depth at the position is concerning. One injury and they are in deep trouble. At safety, Collins should be fine and hopefully another safety will rise up to the starting spot. I'm hoping for Underwood.

On offense, the WRs are actually not that bad. Driver is proven, Jennings is promising, Jones has looked good, and between Ruvell anc Carlyle, one of them is bound to step up and make somewhat of an impact. The OL should continue to grow and become more comfortable playing together as a unit. RB is the biggest question mark of all. Can Morency be a #1 back? Can Jackson fill in, at least somewhat, the void left by Ahman? And of course, if Favre can get protection and a decent running game, he should be fine.

It's a big question mark, but we are from "junk." Here's hoping to a good season. :glug: :glug: :cow: :cow: :cow: :cow: