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| ALSO SEE War Room: Week 11 previews
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Wednesday, November 17
War Room: Week 11 player reports
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| After a slow start, Jacquez Green has hauled in a pair of 50+ yard touchdowns in the last two weeks. |
The Bucs have lacked a home run threat for years but Green's recent heroics are reason for optimism around Raymond James Stadium. After snaring a 62-yard touchdown two weeks ago against the Saints, Green followed it last Sunday with a 52-yard score. Green suffered through a disappointing rookie season because he was unable to beat press coverage against bigger defenders. The Bucs have used more motion this year to allow Green a free release off the line of scrimmage and he has responded with 29 receptions and a team-high 472 yards. St. Louis Rams Running Back Corps
Pro Bowler Marshall Faulk has garnered all the attention this season but the Rams are also getting big contributions from other players in this unit. Faulk, Robert Holcombe, Jeff Robinson, and Amp Lee made the Panthers pay for sagging in deep coverage by combining for six receptions for 137 yards (22.8 avg.). St. Louis has found ways to make big plays regardless of how opponents defend them and last week's dump-off strategy worked extremely well. Teams may continue overplaying the Rams' big-play receivers but guys like Holcombe will continue to make them pay.
Rickey Dudley TE Oakland Raiders
Critics point to Dudley's lack of big-play production, although a true analysis of his performance must take the Raiders' offensive scheme into account. Coach Jon Gruden's ball-control offense is powered by the running of Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman, but it is efforts like the one Dudley contributed on Sunday that wins games for the Raiders. Dudley made the most of his two receptions against the Chargers, as both went for touchdowns (2, 12 yards). Look for Dudley's production to increase now that he is beginning to gain the confidence of QB Rich Gannon. Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid
Many people criticized Reid's hire last spring but the Mike Holmgren protege is proving each week that he was the right man for the job. The Eagles' upset win over the Redskins last Sunday is further evidence that, despite no experience at the coordinator level, Reid is capable of resurrecting this troubled franchise. With a little better luck the 3-7 Eagles could be battling for a Wild Card berth. Much like his old boss, Reid is making the right moves and getting the most out of his new team, only with less fanfare. If Philadelphia continues to overachieve, a good case could be made for Reid winning Coach-of-the-Year honors.
Jamir Miller OLB Cleveland Browns
Arizona's loss was Cleveland's gain, as Miller is proving on a weekly basis that he is one of the best outside 'backers in the league. In last week's comeback victory over the Steelers, Miller racked up nine tackles and a sack, giving him 4.5 on the season. The Browns got Miller at a bargain price this off-season and they must do all they can to re-sign him after the season. Like QB Tim Couch on offense, Miller should be the defensive building block that the franchise builds its future around. Who's Not?
Detriot head coach Bobby Ross
Ross was doing an excellent job guiding the Lions through a tough schedule until he had a costly mental breakdown on Sunday. Following Terry Fair's fumble return for a touchdown with just under six minutes to play, the Lions failed to convert their second two-point conversion of the day, putting them behind 23-19. Had the Lions kicked the extra point they would have been a chip shot field goal away from overtime with less a minute to play. It's hard to understand Ross' reasoning considering his team would have had the momentum heading into overtime after coming back from a 10-point deficit. It's not as if the Lions offense had trouble moving the ball. Gus Frerotte had already thrown for over 300 yards when Ross made the call.
The perennial Pro Bowler struggled badly against his Honolulu teammate Bruce Smith in Miami's loss at Buffalo. Smith beat Webb repeatedly all afternoon, constantly pressuring QB Damon Huard and sacking him twice. Webb doesn't have the range he once did in pass protection and Smith was able to beat him with an array of double-moves. Webb's struggles were a big reason the Dolphins had only 101 yards of total offense last Sunday.
Green Bay Offensive Line
The Packers' tailspin is the result of a complete collapse up front. It's unfair to single out any one player because the breakdowns occur consistently up and down the line. Whether it's a mental lapse by ROT Earl Dotson or a missed block LOG Marco Rivera, the Packers simply cannot run the football or protect Brett Favre. In last week's loss at Dallas, Pro Bowl RB Dorsey Levens was rendered a non-factor on the ground, rushing for just 31 yards on 15 carries. Offensive line play is all about attitude and the Packers are playing behind a shaken group.
The Giants felt they had to shut down the Colts' explosive offense to justify their place among the NFL's elite defenses but Indianapolis WR Marvin Harrison had a different agenda. Harrison burned Sparks for two long touchdowns, beating him badly on both occasions. Sparks normally plays excellent bump and run coverage but he was unable to knock Harrison off his routes last Sunday. Rarely exploited to this degree in the past, Sparks should consider engaging in less jawing and focus more on his coverage responsibilities. Chris Warren (Dallas Cowboys) & Mike Alstott (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Last Sunday, each of these players was careless with the football but neither ended up having to pay for their mistakes. After rolling up 85 yards on 19 carries in little more than a half against the Packers, Warren was benched by coach Chan Gailey after coughing up his second fumble of the day. Astott's fumbling problems persisted against the Chiefs, as he turned the ball over three times, costing the Bucs some much-needed points. Warren's replacement, Robert Chancey, ran hard but don't expect him to supplant the ex-Seahawk anytime soon. Warren's value to this team far outweighs a couple of fumbles and Chancey isn't a complete enough running back to handle the starting job. As for Alstott, coach Tony Dungy has little choice but to deal with his bruising back's propensity to lay the ball on the turf. However, this is a problem the Bucs must re-address with Alstott in the off-season. Sleepers... Michael Pittman RB Arizona Cardinals
Pittman made the most of his first starting opportunity by piling up 133 yards on 23 carries, including a 58-yard touchdown run. Coach Vince Tobin's decision to go with Pittman over Adrian Murrell also paid big dividends in the passing game, as the sophomore contributed two receptions for 44 yards. Much of Pittman's success should be attributed to the inspired play of the Cardinals offensive line. His quick feet and explosive burst could make Pittman the franchise's most exciting runner since Otis Anderson. Matthew Hatchette WR Minnesota Vikings
Long before Randy Moss came to town, Minnesota's lethal receiving combo of Cris Carter and Jake Reed was terrorizing the league. Last Sunday, Reed's inability to hang onto the ball resulted in him being benched against the Bears. Now it's time to keep an eye on another Viking deep threat. Hatchette, a former seventh-round draft pick, has been a favorite of the coaching staff for a couple of seasons as they've waited for him to develop. Now that he's learned to use his size to his advantage, look for Hatchette to make some big plays when opposing defenses key on Minnesota's big name receivers. Marty Booker WR Chicago Bears
The Bears' surprising passing game unveiled yet another talented youngster in their disappointing loss to the Vikings. Booker, one of two receivers taken by the Bears in the third round of last April's draft, took a middle screen 56 yards for his first career touchdown early in the game. Booker, like fellow youngster Marcus Robinson, is still a raw talent but his size and big-play potential could make Bobby Engram expendable in the off-season. Sam Gash FB Buffalo Bills
Gash's role was greatly diminished when WR Eric Moulds was out of the lineup because the Bills were forced into deploying three-receiver, one-back sets to spread the field and create running lanes. With Moulds back, Gash has resumed his duties as the Bills' lead blocker and he paved the way for 177 rushing yards in Buffalo's victory over Miami. Gash earned his first Pro Bowl trip last season and more days like last Sunday could earn him a return visit to Hawaii. Billy Joe Tolliver QB New Orleans Saints
Tolliver's 12-for-15 performance in the Saints win over division-rival San Francisco might have been enough to earn him the starting job for the rest of the season. While Billy Joe Hobert is a favorite of coach Mike Ditka, it would be difficult to sit Tolliver after he accounted for three scores (2 rush, 1 pass) on Sunday. Tolliver displayed surprising mobility and his ability to escape the rush and keep plays alive with his feet bring a dimension to this offense that has been missing all season.
 | Material from The War Room. Visit their web site at http://www.nflwarroom.com |
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