NFL 2012

[Dodens Grav]

A look at Steelers', Wallace's options as holdout continues

An in-depth look at where this situation could go in the coming days, weeks, and months. I see way too many writers riding one speculation wave or another about what's going to happen next. The reality is nobody knows.

[Dodens Grav]

Giants CB Terrell Thomas reinjures ACL

A familiar chorus has sounded in the New York Giants’ training camp; that is, a chorus of injuries. Reportedly CB Terrell Thomas, who missed all of last season after tearing his ACL near the end of a preseason game, has reinjured his knee, with the injury “involving the ACL”.

The injury occurred yesterday, and Thomas appeared at the time to believe that he would be okay, as he told coach Tom Coughlin after practice. Today, however, he underwent an MRI that confirmed the injury. The current plan being set forth is for him to undergo an exploratory arthroscopic procedure to determine the extent of the damage in order to determine how to proceed with his injury.

[Overwatch]

Roflsberger dealing with "little torn rotator cuff"

[Dodens Grav]

Haha, yeah, Roethlisberger just needed some attention since Wallace and Brown were getting the lion's share. What he actually has is "thrower's arm", which from what I understand is something that likely many other quarterbacks (and pitchers) also have, and is more akin to inflammation. It's basically a very slight muscle tear that is 'with' the grain, so the speak, rather than against it, and really has no side effects other than occasional soreness. It happened in November and he played through it; it's basically a non-issue.

[Overwatch]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...e-observations

If you didn't know anything about his off-field issues and you just showed up to watch a Cowboys practice, you'd think Dez Bryant was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Yeah, there was a play on which Brandon Carr carried him on a route and took the ball away from him for a nifty interception. And there was another on which he didn't turn and look when Tony Romo threw it to him on a hot route. But Romo throws the ball to him a lot, and you can see why. Bryant creates a physical mismatch against any defensive back that tries to cover him. (Carr beat him with guile and timing.) Romo can throw it high if he needs to and knows Bryant will out-jump his man. He can be confident in Bryant's ability to use his body to shield the ball from the defender. He can throw deep to him. He can hit him on an underneath route and feel good about his chances to shake a tackle and turn it upfield for a big gain. He can hit him, as he did, on a fade route in the end zone from the 1-yard line. If he can stay out of further trouble and on the field, there's little reason to believe Bryant can't have a huge season.

and the really bad:

The first team offensive line, left to right, was Tyron Smith, David Arkin, Phil Costa, Ronald Leary and Doug Free. Arkin also got snaps at center with the second-team line, which featured Derrick Dockery and Daniel Loper at guard with Jermey Parnell and Pat McQuistan at tackle. The offensive line looks like a major area of concern, and there's little depth with so many potential starters out.
Smith is the one player on the line to feel great about. Coach Jason Garrett said he was "still learning how to get out of his stance on the left side," which makes sense since Smith played right tackle throughout college and during his excellent rookie season last year. And it's not 100 percent fair to judge a guy against DeMarcus Ware. But once he gets his hands on the defender, there's no getting by Smith. Once the footwork and everything on which he needs to re-train himself becomes second nature on his new side, he should be just fine.

[Dodens Grav]

I don't think I've ever even heard of those two guards.

[Overwatch]

Originally Posted by Dodens Grav

I don't think I've ever even heard of those two guards.

Arkin was a pick last year I believe (who I know little about), and Leary was a FA pickup after the draft this year. Was downgraded in the draft because of potential long term issues with a degenerate knee, but supposedly a great find in the short term.

http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...in-future.html

[Dodens Grav]

Interesting. Sounds like a good short-term prospect. Hopefully his knee will hold up for at least a few years.

Ex-Jets QB Esiason knocks Tebow, but is it justified?

Giants have uncharacteristic depth at linebacker position

Giants' Thomas could benefit from new injured reserve rules

Giants' Hakeem Nicks runs routes, still on track to be ready for season opener

5 things to look for during the preseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers

[Overwatch]

Tebow is horrible for the Jets situation. There's a home for him in the NFL, but with the issues surrounding Sanhez, bringing him on board was a dumb decision if Sanchez is supposed to be "your guy".

[Dodens Grav]

It will either light a fire under his ass and he'll actually become the guy, which he's currently not, or it will cement the idea that he's just never going to be the guy. I'm not saying there's no way it can go south, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing either, and there are a lot of things he can do in the meantime to help out the team. I guarantee the team will run better with him in the game, for example. The running game always improves with a mobile quarterback due to the dual threat.

[Jimmy... Dead.]

Competition is what Sanchez needs. Sanchez was basically handed the starting position when he showed up. If Tebow is a distraction for him he needs to grow a pair. Although when you look at the progress of Sanchez over the last couple of seasons you cant complain really. Especially compared to the teams (offensively) overall decline you can't help but wonder what the hell they're doing in the front office. Where's your runnigback? Oline isn't the same/has problems and outside of Holmes (who is also a problem) & Keller what weapons do they have?

As far as the Giants go im really worried about our Oline and Linebackers.

Snee is solid. Our center Baas has something to prove. Diehl is another year older and average at best. Beatty is soft at left tackle and Boothe is a great back up that can play all positions but I don't see him being consistent over the course of an entire year. I have high hopes for G Mitch Petrus to step in mid year.

I was really hoping when we picked up Rivers that he could play MLB but I guess he's too small and a prototypical OLB. IMHO Blackburn and Herzlich "competing" for a stating MLB spot is weak and almost laughable. We all know the Giants are going to run the Big Nickel again with Williams and Rivers taking over Grants spot.

[Dodens Grav]

The offensive line will not be great, but I don't think it'll be bad either. I thought Baas played well when healthy. Diehl is what he is that this point. Beatty is passable if he can stay on the field (sort of like Max Starks).

As far as the linebackers go, I think you need to give them credit. Keep in mind a lot of these guys were rookies last year without an offseason, especially Herzlich who was undrafted and was literally only with the team for a few weeks before the season started. I really feel Herzlich is going to be a great player, for reasons that have nothing to do with his overcoming cancer. He was a destructive force in college and has the capacity to be a very cerebral player. He had first round talent, honestly. And in the meantime, Chase Blackburn is better than he's gotten credit for. They were mistaken to cut him to begin with, but that's only because they brought in so many linebackers in the offseason. By the time the regular season rolls around, I think it'll end up looking like this:

Boley - Blackburn - Kiwanuka

Reserves: Herzlich exclusively as a middle, Greg Jones playing all roles, Jacquian Williams mostly outside, probably backing up Boley and probably getting some playing time on passing downs, and Keith Rivers mostly backing up Kiwi. Although I think he has the versatility to play inside if necessary, I think he's better suited outside in a 4-3.

I'm honestly not really worried about the linebackers this year, and that's coming from somebody that was clamoring for linebackers in the draft for the past 3 years and was baffled when they kept drafting defensive linemen in the top two rounds (JPP, Linval Joseph, Marvin Austin). They were a liability for most of the past 3 years, but they began to find themselves as a unit late last year I thought, and they'll only be better this year. Remember, they had a LOT of inexperience in there last year with 3 rookies, Kiwi moving to a new position, and Blackburn being brought in mid-season and thrust into a starting role.

[Overwatch]

RE: The Giants Oline

Cowboys writers are pretty much expecting Eli to spend a lot of time on the turf this year (particularly vs the Cowboys). Of course ignoring that the Cowboys have the same problem up front. Romo is a little more agile but I think it would come down to coverage on the WRs. Last year Dallas had none. Hopefully improved on that end this year.

Who knows, instead of shooting matches this time may come down to Bradshaw vs Murray.

[zerostatic]

The Reports out of the Bears' training camp indicate that Brian Urlacher's knees are still a concern. It has been about a week since he has practiced and he will not play in the first preseason game. Another area of concern is Left Tackle. Webb is the starter for now, but it doesn't sound like anyone is very impressed with is performance in camp.

I am really looking forward to seeing the new offense. I don't think the Bears have ever had the quality of players at the skill positions as they do this year in Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler. Hopefully they are good enough to beat the Packers.

[Jimmy... Dead.]

Originally Posted by Overwatch

RE:



Who knows, instead of shooting matches this time may come down to Bradshaw vs Murray.

I doubt it. Especially Bradshaw. The Giants Oline isn't built to pound the ball any more. They're not durable enough and it serves them better in the long run to pass more. The Giants will try and force the run initially (handing the ball off out of shotgun) and to finish a game with the lead (run clock/gameplan) but Eli will be throwing it 30-40 times against the Cowboys, no doubt. If the Cowboys get Murray going early and have that mix of run/pass they are one of the best O's in the game. I'll admitt Murray scares me.

[Overwatch]

Originally Posted by Jimmy... Dead.

I'll admitt Murray scares me.

On that note, he's supposedly having an amazing camp.

[Overwatch]

Say it ain't so:

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/...laxico-burress

[King Richard]

Go Peyton!

[Overwatch]

P. Manning: 4/7 44Yds 1INT

Rock Star

RG3 had a better night.

4/6 70yds 1TD

[King Richard]

Clearly that means RG3 is going to be the MVP right?

[Jimmy... Dead.]

RG3 is going to be a huge improvement over what the Redskins have had over the last 20 years

[King Richard]

Water is wet, my dick is massive, and monoxide is a moron. Any other newfound wisdom you want to bestow upon us? =P

[Jimmy... Dead.]

Ha, all I'm saying is the Redskins are due!

[Black Orifice]

The competition in NFC East is going to be great this year. I'm hoping that the Redskins finally pickup their game this year, it'll make for a good show when the Cowboys and them play each other.

@ Rick's Peyton manlove.

[King Richard]

Greatest ever baby!
hehehe