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| Smith |
There are two major reasons the Dolphins are struggling to run the ball.
After a series of early-season fumbles, especially after the fumble that
cost the team the first Jets game, Lamar Smith has become a very tentative runner
who's always keeping two hands around the ball. Some runners can run
effectively this way; others can't. Unless Smith carries the ball with one
arm, he loses his effectiveness and cutting ability and his ability to see
the field as well, and he turns into a journeyman back. Another factor is
the Tony Wise-coached offensive line. While it has done a better
job in pass protection than anyone expected, the run blocking has not been
nearly as good. Spencer Folau, the new left tackle because of injuries, is a
weak run-blocker, and Todd Perry is nowhere near the run-blocker, tough guy
or leader that Kevin Donnalley was.
If Jim Mora is not coaching the Colts after this season, the front-runner
to replace him is Louisiana State head coach Nick Saban. But Saban likes it
at LSU, or at least is getting to like it there. He also has a very good contract, so it remains to be seen whether the Colts would offer enough to pry
him loose.
Scouts are amazed by the Vikings' lack of hustle in road games. Very often
on defense, very few players chase the ball. Two of the players who do are
defensive tackle Chris Hovan and safety Tyrone Carter.
Two things that are killing the Ravens this year are the play of the right
side of their offensive line and, to some degree, center Mike Flynn, and the play
of their secondary because of repeated breakdowns by safety Rod
Woodson and (when he plays) Carnell Lake. Corey Harris, though he may be a
tough guy, is a major downgrade in terms of range from Kim Herring, so every
time a cornerback gets beat, it seems as though there's never any help from
a safety.
The Broncos feel they might have found an answer to their fullback woes in Tony Carter. Carter knows how to pick up the blitz and is a better receiver and
route runner than Patrick Hape. So Hape's days in Denver could be numbered.
If Seattle is to get back into the playoff race, Matt Hasselbeck is going
to have to play like he did against the Raiders: efficiently with few
turnovers. Also, Seattle is going to have to get much more pass rush from
its defensive ends, Michael Sinclair and Lamar King.
By the end of his rookie season last year, after a prolonged holdout,
Chris McIntosh looked like he was going to be the Seahawks' right tackle for
the next 10 years. However, after suffering a neck injury in training camp,
he looked tentative and appeared to have regressed greatly early this
season, and apparently he has lost a great deal of strength. That's why he's
on the bench and isn't likely to start, at least any time this year.
The Cowboys do not plan to re-sign left tackle Flozell Adams, who has been a major
disappointment, unless he's willing to accept a low offer. If
they don't sign him, what they'd like to do is move Larry Allen to left
tackle and start Aaron Gibson in the guard spot if offensive line coach Hudson Houck can
work miracles with Gibson. If not, they may move Solomon Page from right to
left tackle and see how they can fill in that way. A third option is signing
a free agent.
While Correll Buckhalter has run well for the Eagles, he has had problems
with both pass protection and running pass routes.
Thus far this year, the Giants' tight ends have not had many catches, and
that may be one of their major priorities in next year's draft or
free-agency market.
Although they would take a $5.7 million cap hit over the next two years,
the Packers probably will cut Antonio Freeman unless he agrees to redo his
deal and play for a lesser salary. The club feels Freeman is not worth his
big salary. Another factor is that Bill Schroeder, who has become the
Packers' No. 1 receiver this year, is an unrestricted free agent after this
season and they can only put so much money into the wide receiver position.
The Bills' young defensive ends are starting to step up and assert
themselves. Aaron Schobel, Bryce Fisher and Kendrick Office are making
their moves and developing into pass rushers, giving the Bills speed on the
edge. Defensive tackle Pat Williams is playing very well inside, though he hasn't received
much recognition. Another factor that has really helped the pass rush is the
play of cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements, who have done a terrific job
in man-on-man coverage.
Though Bears offensive coordinator John Shoop took a beating in Chicago for
his conservative approach versus the Packers in Week 9, he is highly
regarded in some coaching circles. Two defensive coaches for recent Bears
opponents have said he is an outstanding, very bright young coach.
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| Johnson |
Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson on missing injured wide receiver Jacquez Green: "When
he gets back healthy, I think that I'll definitely benefit from that, and
he'll be able to take some of the heat off." Johnson says he has been targeted by defenses.
While expressing his disappointment with his team's play, Vikings owner Red
McCombs made a point to say it was not a reflection of head coach Dennis
Green. "I think Dennis is one of the best coaches in the NFL; we're glad to
have him," McCombs said.
The Packers are trying to lighten the load of defensive back Bhawoh Jue, who has become
hesitant in pass coverage. Because of injuries, Jue has had to wear many
hats this season, and it affected his play as the dime back. Jue has
become a target of opposing offenses.
The Eagles have only two starting players who are slated to become
unrestricted free agents this offseason -- middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and outside linebacker Mike Caldwell. It's likely the team will make serious efforts to bring both back
for 2002 and beyond.
In addition to wanting to give defensive end Michael Strahan a contract extension, the
Giants are also hopeful of locking up quarterback Kerry Collins long-term. Collins
and Strahan are signed through 2002.
The Browns have started exploring the prospect of giving a contract
extension to defensive end Keith McKenzie, who is on injured reserve with an ankle
injury. McKenzie's two-year deal is set to expire in February, and we hear
it's a good bet that a one- or two-year extension will happen.
We hear the Ravens are more than a little concerned about the potential
wear and tear on running back Jason Brookins, who played in his 15th game of the year
last Sunday. Brookins spent half a season in NFL Europe this past spring.
Panthers fullback Chris Hetherington, who has been unable to regain his starting
job from Brad Hoover, wants to go someplace else where he can be the
starter.
Reports that Jets wide receiver Santana Moss had lost a step because of his knee
injury appear to be unfounded. Our sources say Moss looked as fast as ever
in practice leading up to the Jets' Week 10 game.
Jets offensive guard J.P. Machado has been impressive in place of injured Randy Thomas.
Machado gives the Jets versatile, starter-caliber depth on the offensive
line and has proven his worth to the team.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is taking a "there's no tomorrow" approach
with cornerback Charles Woodson and his injury-riddled team. Woodson is suffering
from turf toe and has missed portions of games recently, but Gruden isn't
planning on resting him. "He may never for the rest of the season be totally
pain-free," Gruden said of Woodson last week. "We understand that, and I
think he understands that. This is the first time he's had an injury during
the regular season, and he's learning how to deal with that. We expect him
to find a way to get on the field and play."
Broncos coaches are concerned that they have been unable to field anything
close to a healthy receiver corps lately for quarterback Brian Griese to work with in
practice.
Seahawks veteran cornerback Willie Williams continues to play well enough to hold
off youngsters Ike Charlton and Ken Lucas for the starting spot opposite
Shawn Springs. Charlton has yet to pan out in his second year despite
numerous opportunities, while the rookie Lucas has the size and
skills needed but is considered too short on experience and preparation to
be more than a nickel back at this point.
The Chargers received good news in regard to strong safety Rodney Harrison's knee
injury, which was determined to be just a sprain as opposed to a ligament
tear. Harrison missed last week's game
and likely will miss one more. With Harrison out and cornerback Alex Molden now on
injured reserve, it leaves untested Lloyd Harrison as the team's nickel back
in passing situations.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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