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Here's what the folks at Pro Football Weekly have been hearing around the league:
Though he hasn't been given the proper credit, Dolphins defensive tackle Tim Bowens has really stepped up as a pass rusher.
While the Bills have announced Jonathan Linton will replace Antowain Smith as the team's featured back, our sources feel it's only a matter of time before Shawn Bryson, currently the team's third-down back, fills the No. 1 running back role.
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| Boulware |
We hear the Ravens are a bit concerned over linebacker Peter Boulware's tentative tackling, which they feel might be due to the fact he's still subconsciously favoring the right shoulder that was operated on this past offseason.
The Giants have been very pleased with the play of fullback Greg Comella, who has stepped up in the wake of Charles Way's offseason retirement. After Way had to give up football because of knee problems, the Giants considered signing ex-Bill Sam Gash. But because they didn't plan to feature the position, they opted not to use the extra cap space. But Comella has played well and has become a larger part of the offense than expected.
Giants linebacker Michael Barrow, who signed as a free agent after getting released by the Panthers, has said that he's not playing as well as he'd like. We hear that he has struggled to learn defensive coordinator John Fox's complicated system, and that he sometimes finds himself doing things as Carolina would.
From all indications, Buccaneers linebacker Jamie Duncan is doing a fine job replacing the departed Hardy Nickerson, but Duncan has had plenty of help. Shelton Quarles, who replaces Duncan in the team's nickel package, has been especially helpful in filling the void left by Nickerson.
Though Titans head coach Jeff Fisher and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams absolved Perry Phenix for his role in wide receiver Kevin Dyson's season-ending knee injury, some offensive players were left wondering what the young safety was thinking when he didn't give way to Dyson in a practice.
The Jets are beginning to involve tight end Anthony Becht more in the passing game. The Jets believe their fourth first-round pick can become a valuable security blanket for quarterback Vinny Testaverde. Becht certainly has the endorsement of running back Curtis Martin, who marveled in training camp at the rookie's athleticism, power and strength.
The pressure is on Jets kicker John Hall. After he missed three of his first seven field-goal attempts, the team brought in former Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey and was supposed to work out Michael Husted before he signed with Washington. Figuring they'll be in many close games this season, the Jets need Hall to kick more consistently on both field goals and kickoffs. Hall bounced back in a 21-17 win over Tampa Bay, connecting on both of his field goal tries.
Though Eddie Kennison replaced the injured Bobby Engram (knee; out for season) as the Bears' No. 2 wideout last week, Kennison's stay may be short-lived. The team is very high on Marty Booker, who could supplant Kennison.
There is disagreement between Bears coaches and front-office staff over how productive wide receiver D'Wayne Bates can be. He's been inactive for Chicago's first four games.
Lions return specialist Desmond Howard seems to be reinvigorated this season and has recaptured the flair that made him so dangerous during the Packers' Super Bowl run of 1996. That said, the Lions' special teams have done a very good job blocking for him.
With the help of the Buccaneers' offensive resurgence, wide reciever Reidel Anthony is regaining his confidence.
Packers cornerback Tod McBride has bounced back nicely from a poor Week 1 performance, tackling and breaking on the ball very well. At 6-1, 207 pounds, McBride is a very physical presence who can run. His playing time has increased since starter Mike McKenzie went down with a knee injury in Week 1.
Three areas in which the Vikings are looking to improve following their Week 4 bye are their red-zone offense, third-down defense and offensive turnovers.
We hear many Falcons players -- especially the young ones - are having a hard time coming to grips with the team's sagging home attendance (16,500 tickets were still available the Friday afternoon before Atlanta's home game vs. the defending Super Bowl champion Rams).
We hear the 49ers feel they have an impact player in the making in running back Paul Smith, a fifth-round draft pick who missed training camp because of a pulled calf and just started practicing last week.
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| Grbac |
Expect to see more two- and three-tight end sets from the Chiefs. Kansas City likes to establish a power running game in a one-back set with either Tony Richardson or Frank Moreau getting the work in the backfield. Coaches feel this type of big set utilizes their strengths offensively, gives quarterback Elvis Grbac added protection and allows them to move tight end Tony Gonzalez around at the line of scrimmage.
The Seahawks are concerned with the distance kicker Kris Heppner is getting on his kickoffs. The ability to consistently reach the endzone on kickoffs is what won him the job over Todd Peterson, but Heppner has had trouble with it ever since.
Seattle is in need of more consistent play from defensive Michael Sinclair and defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy. Both have been relatively quiet through the first three quarters of games before coming on in the final 15 minutes.
Cornerback Artrell Hawkins has been giving up a fair share of big plays despite giving a big cushion to receivers. There is a feeling in Cincinnati that he would have lost his starting job already if the Bengals had someone better to fill in.
The Colts are pleasantly surprised with the play of fourth-round pick Josh Williams, especially vs. the run. While other rookies on the team have been slower to develop, Williams has found a permanent role in the base defense, rotating with fellow defensive tackles Bernard Whittington and Ellis
Johnson.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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