SB Nation - Matt Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles position battle preview: Quarterbacks

JasonB — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:07:22 -0000

Over the next month or so, we'll be taking a look at the various position battles set to be waged when the Eagles open training camp in late July. We start with QB.

This one almost goes without saying. It's going to be, by default really, the #1 position battle of the summer.

The competitors

Michael Vick, Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, Dennis Dixon, G.J. Kinne.

The Eagles have an interesting, albiet not terribly exciting cast of characters at the position. There's a lot of youth, but none that would be considered the blue chip heir apparent.

Michael Vick is the most experienced of the group and despite his decline over the past 2 seasons, is still actually a capable starting QB in the league. At 32 years old (soon to be 33), he's not exactly on the verge of retirement, but he's not exactly a QB of the future either. You might be surprised to learn that right now he's actually the same age as Eli Manning. So in QB years, he's not too old to lead this team for the next couple of seasons, but at the same time if this is his prime the team could very well be looking to take a shot on someone else developing into something greater than just "capable."

Nick Foles & Matt Barkley represent the youth and are basically co-QBs of the future. Foles is heading into his second year, but thanks to Vick's injury actually got a chance to play as a rookie. For the most part, he looked like a rookie 3rd round pick thrown into a bad team. There were flashes of good things, but in the end the numbers were not terribly impressive. Foles has ideal size and impressive poise, but there are concerns about his ability to locate the deep ball.

At this point, it seems as though Foles is the co-favorite for the starting job.

Matt Barkley shocked many draft observers when he slid to the top of the 4th round in this year's draft after many had him pegged as a sure fire first rounder in 2012. Barkley represents the true x-factor in this competition. He's the guy that Chip Kelly actually chose and did not inherit. The coach knows him well from their days in the Pac-10 and he has the accuracy, experience and leadership you look for in a starter. The questions with him are whether is his averagish size and arm will limit his ceiling in the pros.

Dennis Dixon played for Chip Kelly at Oregon, so he has a headstart on the other QBs in terms of understanding the coach's philosophy. But practically, Dixon is likely just competing for a depth role.

GJ Kinne was a UDFA out of Tulsa who spent some time with the Jets in 2012. He's most likely just camp fodder.

Who could win the job?

There are 5 QBs in camp but in all likelihood the competition is down to no more than 3 guys. Vick, Foles and Barkey the former two being the co-favorites.

Vick & Foles have been sharing the first teams snaps all through OTAs and despite some members of the team hoping to have a starter by camp, it appears as though Chip Kelly will continue the competition.

Who could be a surprise cut?

This is a position where the top 3 competitors for the starting job may very well not be guaranteed the 3 roster spots for the position. If there's an odd man out here, it's almost certainly Michael Vick.

If he does not win the starting job, it's kind of hard to figure what the point of keeping on the roster would be. If Nick Foles or even Matt Barkley is the starter, the team has clearly decided to move ahead with a young QB and is willing to take the growing pains that go with it. There's just no point to having a high profile veteran backup.

Plus, if they did want a vet to help the young guys, Dennis Dixon might even be a better candidate for that role than Vick. For one, he knows Chip Kelly and his offensive concepts better having played for him in college and he also makes the league minimum.

So if Vick doesn't win the top job, don't be shocked to see him let go.

Poll

Who will be the team's starting QB?

Chris Mortensen: Peyton Manning will play at least 2 more years

James Brady — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:03:18 -0000

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will play at least two more seasons in the NFL, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Responding to a question on Twitter, Mortensen said that Manning will play "at least two more years, maybe more."

At this time last season, many were still doubting Manning's ability to come back and play another down in the NFL, let alone another season. Manning was coming off multiple neck injuries and subsequent surgeries, and the reports ranged from, "he's retiring tomorrow" to, "he'll play but don't expect anything more than five-yard passes."

More: Mile High Report: What we learned from Broncos OTAs

Few seriously predicted he'd return to form, but return he did. Manning's 15th season was among his best. It was his 12th season of 4,000-plus passing yards, and his seventh season with at least 30 touchdown passes. He posted a 68.6 completion percentage and only put up 11 interceptions, which was better than nine of his 15 seasons.

Under Manning, the Broncos went 13-3 and had the No. 5 passing offense in the NFL at 283.4 passing yards per game. However, the team fell in double overtime to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. Now Manning is another year older and has another 17 games worth of wear on his body.

At this point, it's hard to imagine Manning having a down season for any reason other than his body letting him down. Will that happen in 2013, or will he actually be able to play a couple more seasons?

That's anyone's guess, but the Broncos are definitely putting Manning in a good position to win, bringing in free agent wide receiver Wes Welker and drafting running back Montee Ball in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

More from SB Nation:

• Uffsides: Matt Stover on Ravens legacy, Belichick's evolution

• Watch NFL rookies interviewing each other

• Matt Barkley, media critic | Falcons pool party | #Lookit

• NFL Huddle: McGahee's exit, Chargers doc fired and more

• 10 things we learned from Giants' minicamp

Bills DC Mike Pettine denies 'kill 'em' statement

James Brady — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:45:53 -0000

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator denies ever using the terminology "kill," when talking to his defensive players about an upcoming opponent, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com. Head coach Doug Marrone released the statement on behalf of Pettine, saying that "Mike has assured me that he has never used the word 'kill' in his terminology regarding our defensive strategy."

The controversy has come up after Bills defensive end Mario Williams commented on Pettine's aggressive defensive scheme, telling the Buffalo News that Pettine "usually says 'kill 'em or hurt 'em.' That's what I always hear."

Williams later backpedaled, saying he was just making a figure of speech and that Pettine never actually said "kill." Marrone's statement also touched on the use of the word "hurt," suggesting that Pettine uses this as a term that means beating a running back to a spot in a pass-rushing drill.

Pettine plans to change the terminology entirely when it comes to addressing his defense, according to Marrone.

It's unclear if the league contacted the Bills and urged them to come out and make these clarifications, but given that Roger Goodell's NFL wants to seem as safe and clean as absolutely possible, it seems likely. Either way, it does seem like there was an awful lot of fuss made over this.

Then again, with something like the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal still in recent memory, it makes sense for the league to be all over statements like this.

More from SB Nation:

• Uffsides: Matt Stover on Ravens legacy, Belichick's evolution

• Watch NFL rookies interviewing each other

• Matt Barkley, media critic | Falcons pool party | #Lookit

• NFL Huddle: McGahee's exit, Chargers doc fired and more

• 10 things we learned from Giants' minicamp

Victor Cruz contract: Giants WR will sign RFA tender, continue negotiating long-term deal

Griffin Gotta — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:56:07 -0000

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is going to sign his restricted free agent tender but wants to keep negotiating a long-term contract with the team before training camp, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson on Twitter on Friday.

Cruz's tender is worth $2.879 million for the upcoming season. The three-year wideout was the Giants' leading receiver in every major category in 2012, and wants to be paid more than your average NFL slot receiver going forward. This move at least assures he'll be involved with the team's offseason workouts in the near future.

Giants blog Big Blue View: New York's new 'Thunder and Lightning'

Over the last two seasons, Cruz has established himself as a dynamic playmaking threat, as well as quarterback Eli Manning's favorite target in New York. Cruz followed up his 82-catch, 1,536-yard and nine-touchdown 2011 campaign with 86 catches, 1,092 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com wrote this week, Cruz signing his tender Friday sneaks under June 17, a date when the Giants could have lowered the tender to $630,000. This move, while it's unclear whether or not the team would have actually done it, could have muddled up the situation between the two sides even more.

More from SB Nation:

• Uffsides: Matt Stover on Ravens legacy, Belichick's evolution

• Watch NFL rookies interviewing each other

• Matt Barkley, media critic | Falcons pool party | #Lookit

• NFL Huddle: McGahee's exit, Chargers doc fired and more

• 10 things we learned from Giants' minicamp

NFL OTA news: Practices canceled for some teams, QB battles heat up for others

Scott Schroeder — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:10:09 -0000

The New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals were among teams to end their OTAs earlier than planned this week by canceling practice Thursday. All of the teams had different reasons to do so, according to what the coaches told the media, but it seems that rest was likely a primary factor in each team's decision.

Bill Belichick canceled Thursday's practice for a second consecutive season, but Greg Knopping at Pats Pulpit is a bit perplexed by the decision. The Buccaneers took Thursday off too, although they were together as a team watching Brad Pitt's World War Z instead. There wasn't much regarding why the Steelers ended OTAs early, but they did it anyway. And last but not least in the world of early-ending OTAs, backup kicker Will Batson knocked through a field goal to end Cardinals practice early.

Eagles not close to deciding on quarterback

The Philadelphia Eagles will likely have a QB battle for the majority of the preseason, it seems, as they have a plethora of options. Michael Vick would seem to be the favorite, but Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, G.J. Kinne and Dennis Dixon are all still apparently at least sort of in the mix.

"[The QB competition] will be as long as you imagine. That's what Chip Kelly is," Dixon said. "He keeps everyone on their toes. As an athlete, you have to be ready. Whenever your name is called, you have to be ready."

It'll be very odd if it isn't Foles or Vick, but it sounds like anything is possible.

Jets working on wildcat formation

The New York Jets were said to be finding ways to get Geno Smith more involved in the passing game -- particularly with his legs -- and it sounds as though they found a way to do so by installing the wildcat formation during this week's OTAs.

The wildcat didn't go so well with Tim Tebow at the helm last season, but our friends at Bleeding Green Nation think it could be different this year.

I am sure the thought of more Wildcat will lead to some groans, but I think this is the right thing to do. There is just not enough talent on this offense for it to be successful playing straight up. There are going to need to be a few wrinkles, and the personnel seems better suited to playing power football than anything else.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this.

Jaguars quarterback competition wide open

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a quarterback competition brewing and things are all over the place as far as potential starters are concerned, according to a report from Big Cat Country.

Most believe that the competition is between Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert, but the fact that Mike Kafka is said to have just as good of an opportunity as the aforementioned favorites is a good thing, BCC's Alfie Crow writes.

I still think Blaine Gabbert winds up the opening day starter, but if the Jaguars' new front office and coaching staff are willing to let a guy claimed off waivers or an undrafted free agent win the starting job if they legitimately earn it, that's a good thing.

More from SB Nation:

• Broncos release Willis McGahee

• What's next for NFL's at-risk coaches?

• Jason Peters arrested for drag racing

• DeSean Jackson wants QB question answered

• 3 reasons why signing Tebow was a smart move

• Police release 911 call from Adam "Pacman" Jones arrest

Who will be this year's standout rookie for Eagles?

Mike E. Kaye — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:00:12 -0000

Last season, the Eagles featured several first-year players in key roles. Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, Bryce Brown and Dennis Kelly started several games, while Cedric Thornton (practice squad player in 2011) and Brandon Boykin played heavy minutes. Cox showed that he could play at a high-level and seemed on the cusp of a Pro Bowl, even in as a rookie. He has clearly gained an impressive amount of trust from both the fanbase and the media as he heads into his second season.

This season, the Eagles face a similar situation, where several members of the draft class could be headed for massive playing time. Lane Johnson is likely the opening day starting right tackle, while players like Zach Ertz, Matt Barkley, Bennie Logan, Jordan Poyer, and Brad Wing could all be competing for starting roles as well. Ertz and Logan are virtually assured to be key cogs in two talented rotations at tight end and defensive line, respectively. While it is less likely that Barkley is an opening day starter, there is a possibility that he can play his way onto the field at some point. Poyer is expected to challenge for the starting nickel cornerback position, in a battle that should be fun to watch.

While there are plenty of intriguing choices, one these rookies will likely be the stand-out of the class. Although the team features several undrafted players, Damaris Johnson had some impress moments in last year in the same situation. Guys like Ifeanyi Momah and Russell Shepard could be interesting to watch during training camp and may make their way onto the final roster.

Here is a look at all of the current rookies on the Eagles roster:

Name	Position	School	Draft
Matt Barkley	Quarterback	USC	4th Round
Zach Ertz	Tight End	Stanford	2nd Round
Lane Johnson	Offensive Tackle	Oklahoma	1st Round
David King	Defensive End	Oklahoma	7th Round
Jake Knott	Inside Linebacker	Iowa State	Undrafted
Joe Kruger	Defensive End	Utah	7th Round
Bennie Logan	Defensive Tackle	LSU	3rd Round
Ifeanyi Momah	Wide Receiver	Boston College	Undrafted
Will Murphy	Wide Receiver	Oregon	Undrafted
Jordan Poyer	Cornerback	Oregon State	7th Round
Nic Purcell	Offensive Tackle	Golden West	Undrafted
Kyle Quinn	Offensive Guard/Center	Arizona	Undrafted
Isaac Remington	Defensive Tackle	Oregon	Undrafted
Will Shaw	Tight End	Youngstown State	Undrafted
Russell Shepard	Wide Receiver	LSU	Undrafted
Damion Square	Defensive Tackle	Alabama	Undrafted
Matt Tobin	Offensive Tackle	Iowa	Undrafted
Matthew Tucker	Running Back	TCU	Undrafted
Daryell Walker	Defensive End	Hampton	Undrafted
Brad Wing	Punter	LSU	Undrafted
Earl Wolff	Safety	NC State	5th Round

With all of the options, only one can be the Fletcher Cox of 2013, who will it be and why?

Philadelphia Eagles sign 3rd round pick Bennie Logan

JasonB — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:15:08 -0000

The Eagles agreed to terms today on a 3 year contract with 3rd round pick, DT Bennie Logan. That leaves only first round pick Lane Johnson and 4th rounder Matt Barkley unsigned. Don't be surprised if those deals get done relatively soon though.

Here's more on Logan from the Eagles release.

A 2012 All-SEC second-team selection by the Associated Press, Logan (6-2, 309) was a key contributor on one of the nation's top defensive line units at LSU, tallying 107 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during his three-year career. Logan, 23, appeared in all 13 games (12 starts) as a junior in 2012 and recorded 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two blocked field goals and three pass breakups for a defense that ranked in the top 10 in the country in run defense (ninth) and total defense (eighth).

The Eagles will conclude their first mandatory minicamp today.

The St. Louis Rams’ Offseason: Checking In With The Arizona Cardinals

Brandon Bate — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:00:08 -0000

As my mind often wanders in the lull of the NFL offseason, it took a stroll around the NFC West to see what else is going on. The St. Louis Rams - by all accounts - look to be much improved heading into the 2013 regular season, but it’s not as if the competition isn’t making strides. The Rams will play six of their 16 games against their NFC West foes, so it’s important to stay abreast of what’s going on with each of their divisional neighbors.

Managing Editor/Writer Jess Root [@senorjessroot] from Revenge of the Birds [@revengeofbirds] helped shed a little light on the Cardinals' draft, their offseason, and their future…

Up until about a month prior to the draft, many draft experts had the Cardinals looking at QB prospects like Geno Smith or Matt Barkley. Instead they opted for 11 year veteran Carson Palmer. Were you encouraged by this move, and did you still expect the Cardinals to address QB in the draft?

I did not expect the Cards to draft a QB. Bruce Arians made it clear that no one wowed him. General manager Steve Keim is of the belief that you should draft a QB every year, but having traded for Palmer and signing Drew Stanton, the need just wasn't there. I am fired up about Palmer. There are questions, but for the first time he will be on a team where the only headache is football.

The Cardinals got off to a hot start in 2012, going undefeated against respectable opponents through four games, only to win one game in their final twelve. What happened, and have the Cardinals done enough in the offseason to address those concerns?

Well, the 4-0 start was a combination of great defense and special teams play, plus getting just enough out of the quarterback (Kevin Kolb) and then timely, clutch plays. When Kolb went down, they no longer got enough from the position. From then on, the offense was just unwatchable. As for the offseason moves, it looks like the offense could be solid, but the defense could take a step back with Ray Horton leaving.

Tyrann Mathieu was one of the best players in all of College Football in 2011. If the off-field issues that made him a 3rd round selection in 2013 are behind him, did the Cardinals get a steal in the draft, and what should the Cardinals expect from him on the field in the upcoming season?

Yes, he will be a steal. He will be playing safety this year, but he will be used most likely as a nickel back. The team hopes that he can be the same type of playmaker he was in 2011.

In my humble opinion, the Cardinals drafted NINE very good players in April [recap here]. If you had to make a super early prognostication for the Cardinals' Rookie of the Year, who would win the award?

Since their top pick was a guard, which doesn't have much in the way of stats, If I had to pick the flashy impact player, I would pick Mathieu. He will be in a position to make gamechanging plays.

The Cardinals are going to be a different team in 2013. What is - or has - Bruce Arians been doing differently, and what can he do to 'right the ship' in Arizona? Are fans excited about his signing, and how he's conducted business since taking the HC gig?

Arians has fans drinking the Kool-Aid. They aren't saying win the division, but people are beginning to believe that competing is a real thing, and not just a pipe dream. What is or has he been doing differently? He has a larger coaching staff. He is installing an offense that is tried and true, and not hard to learn. In practice, he has two fields going -- one field for the first and second team, and the rest in the other field. This way, players get lots more reps and the coaches can see more of what the players can and can't do. It isn't something that most teams do for practice. He is not doing this whole QB competition garbage. He named Carson Palmer the starter and is sticking with him. His players love him and we'll see if things come together.

The Cardinals will face the Rams - in St. Louis - in Week 1 of the 2013 season. What concerns you most about the Rams, and what do you feel the Cardinals can expose?

The addition of Tavon Austin finally gives them a downfield threat, which will open things up. The defense is tough, and what will worry fans the most is the pass rush, which nearly killed Kevin Kolb last season.

The NFC West is the toughest division in football. The Cardinals won five games in 2012, but what are your expectations [in wins and losses] for the upcoming season? How do you see the divisional match-ups playing out?

Whoo...this is a toughy. I really think that the Cards could be as bad as four wins and as good as 11, if absolutely everything goes their way. I think a successful year 1 would be 7-9 wins and being in the mix down the stretch for a playoff spot. As for matchups in the division, if the 7-9 wins happen, they have to go 3-3 at least in the NFC West.

….I want to again thank Jess for his time and willingness to provide some great insight on the state of the Cardinals as they head into the upcoming season. The Rams won both games against Arizona last year, but it’s clear the Rams will be facing a different Cardinals team in 2013.

Fantasy Football 2013: Random Musings, Part I

Brett Kollmann — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:00:06 -0000

Disclaimer: SB Nation and its affiliates are in no way responsible for any of the views expressed in the article below. This writer’s opinions are his own, and any money spent in fantasy football is at the full discretion of the parties involved. Players of fantasy football are not encouraged to lay down any more money than they are willing to lose as online fantasy sports leagues are considered binding agreements of payment in a court of law. Please play responsibly.

Nearly thirteen months ago, I turned twenty one years old. Thirteen months and yet I have still not had one opportunity to make the customary pilgrimage to Las Vegas, Nevada to enjoy a three day weekend of drinking, gambling, and shooting any and all automatic firearms that are illegal in California (semi-related note: I did get to spend a total of eighteen hours in Sin City a few months back, but it was for a bizarre college extra credit "field trip" that did not give much time to really have any fun). Fortunately for me, or unfortunately in some cases, while I let this window pass me by I also came to be employed by the National Football League, which strictly prohibits its employees from gambling on football. If my chosen career path goes as planned, it is quite possible that I never will get an opportunity to walk into the sports book at Caesar’s Palace and put down a hundred bucks on the Texans to win the Super Bowl. I suppose I will have to settle for the other American Football past times that involve wasting money, like accidentally ruining good meat, buying memorabilia off eBay, and purchasing Coors Light instead of real beer.

However, there is another option that allowed me to pay for my Christmas shopping last season – fantasy football. Rather than betting on the outcomes of real football games, I was simply prognosticating the successes and failures of individual players across a wide spectrum of contests based on my basic knowledge as a fan and student of the sport. That little distinction is also why the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act of 2006 sees fantasy football a game rather than actual "gambling." An article from last September in Forbes outlines the distinction better than I ever could.

"In other words, fantasy sports are considered games of skill – not chance – if they can be won by successfully utilizing superior knowledge of the players involved. The Act adds that the game in question cannot have a prize that is determined by the number of players or amounts paid (think betting odds on game picks), but rather is established in advance of the game’s start."

So what does this all have to do with anything? Well, for starters, it means that I have a means to actually make money off of football outside my two other football-related jobs, and of course that also means I won’t get in trouble for giving all of our loyal BRB readers some weekly advice on how to demolish all of their buddies this upcoming season while making some extra scratch on the side. Whether playing in a deep dynasty league with 45 man rosters, with a rookie draft coming up in a couple weeks (which I happen to have) or just wanting to get an early jump on some cheap sleepers in daily leagues for weekly supplemental income, I will do my best to help our readers be as successful as possible in all of their leagues this year. Rest assured that during the season when I post my weekly Fanduel rosters, they are in fact my Fanduel rosters that I myself am putting money down on that particular week. That being said, playing for cash on Fanduel might not be everyone's cup of tea, so I will of course offer advice for more conventional fantasy leagues as well. Either way, one of the few things I can guarantee is that I will never give any advice that I myself would not be willing to back up with personal investment. To kick things off, here is my unnecessarily long-winded explanation as to why you (and I) should invest heavily in the Eagles' offense for the foreseeable future.

There is a common misconception about Chip Kelly’s playbook at Oregon that the Ducks ran a gimmicky, "college-ish" attack that will not mesh well with the pro game. On the surface, Kelly’s detractors had a point. Marcus Mariota was an athletic quarterback that worked well in rolling pockets and as the keeper on option plays. He often threw screens or quick option routes to DeAnthony Thomas as receiver or hit easy seam routes to big tight end Colt Lyerla deep over the middle if they wanted to start bombing people on play-action. He seemingly did not have to do that much work with Kenjon Barner destroying people for most of the game on the ground; opposing defenses ran out of gas by halftime because of the Ducks' breakneck offensive pace. It all just reeks of "not going to fly at the next level," or at least it does until one takes a closer look.

For whatever reason, the successes of Cam Newton, Russel Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, and Robert Griffin III still have not changed the perception that offenses with quarterbacks that can run fast are not "pro style." It is almost as if any quarterback that has a YPC over 4.0 is suddenly a gimmick in an option or pistol offense rather than, you know, an NFL quarterback.

Do people even know what "pro style" means? Am I the only one who thinks it does not have a meaning? The way I see it, there is no "pro style." There is only what works and what does not work, and what Chip Kelly did at Oregon certainly worked. Yes, there were rolling pockets and yes, there were some keepers and designed runs thrown in here and there. What everyone seems to ignore was that the Oregon offense was built almost entirely off of the same typical running attack you would see in any professional team. Inside zones, outside zones, pitches, and even power just for giggles. It is all the same stuff in a slick feathered uniform.

In a typical Oregon drive, Chip Kelly would run a couple zone runs or pitches with Barner to force the opposing defense to put a safety in the box to stop the run. In addition to a creeping strong safety isolating matchups on the outside, the majority of college corners, and especially those in the Pac-12, do not play press coverage because the majority of them cannot play press coverage. A safety in the box plus corners that are not capable of press-man coverage means ten yard cushions for DeAnthony Thomas all day long, which means smoke routes and screens to DeAnthony Thomas all day long. A player like Thomas one on one with ten yards of space - who do you think wins that one? Heck, if the corner was not the fastest guy of the bunch, they would just skip the smoke routes and run straight lines to the end zone while daring people to stop them, which they of course could not. After Thomas beat an opposing defense for big yardage a couple times, the safeties would shift back to their original two deep shell, which then allowed Barner to continue ripping off big runs against soft boxes. Most defenses would compromise by tasking their Mike and Will linebackers to force the issue against the run while the secondary held on for dear life, at which point Colt Lyerla would then go up and grab a twenty yard pass one-on-one against a slower Sam linebacker in the hole over the middle. It did not matter if their opponents sold out against Barner or sold out against Thomas. Somehow, some way, they were going to pay for doing something. It was the perfect system punctuated by a ridiculous no-huddle pace that was all but completely written off at the professional level because of the running ability of the quarterback.

I’m going to pretend that you are not yet convinced that Chip Kelly knows exactly what he is doing and compare the Oregon offense of 2012 to another successful no-huddle attack last season, the New England Patriots. Quick slot receiver that can embarrass people on option routes or beat people deep? Check. Relentless running attack that would wear down opposing defenses with startling efficiency? Check. Elite tight ends that make linebackers pay over the middle? Check. Absurd number of plays run per minute? Check.

If these two systems seem to have a lot in common, it is because they do, and a lot of that is due to Chip Kelly himself being the one who taught Bill Belichick how to run an offense with a one word play call in the first place. A byproduct of this exchange in ideas (which was born from Chip Kelly’s close friendship with former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien) was New England’s love of "mismatch" tight ends rubbing off on Kelly, who then featured Colt Lyerla in his offense more prominently in 2012 and drafted Zach Ertz high in the 2013 draft to be his Gronkowski to Brent Celek’s Aaron Hernandez.

Okay, so Kelly has the tight ends. What then? Take a look at Kenjon Barner, and now just think about how big of an upgrade Shady McCoy will be. Look at DeAnthony Thomas’ skillset, and now think about DeSean Jackson. Look at Kyle Long opening holes on the ground, and now think about Evan Mathis and Lane Johnson. Did I mention Jeremy Maclin and James Casey exist in this picture too? McCoy, Jackson, Maclin, Ertz, Celek, Casey, all operating at Kelly’s famously high speed. Throw in an improved and finally healthy offensive line and there is no way this change in scheme does not make LeSean McCoy a ridiculously productive running back, and Zach Ertz a potential long term goldmine in dynasty leagues. DeSean Jackson will be used properly as a space player. Jeremy Maclin will finally be a true number one receiver. James Casey maybe, just maybe, will finally get the touches he deserves. It is almost too perfect.

What is the one thing potentially holding this all back? Michael Vick. What is the one reason that I could not care less about Michael Vick anyway? Matt Barkley. Suffice to say that Chip Kelly loves Matt Barkley and was shocked he was available in the fourth round. While he does not possess the mobility of Marcus Mariota, Barkley was very much the most feared quarterback among Pac-12 coaches for the last four years, even while Andrew Luck was present. Nobody could light up the Ducks like Barkley, and Kelly vividly remembers every single perfectly timed throw and pre-snap adjustment that torched them the last two seasons (though Oregon’s offense was able to score even more than Barkley against the Trojans disappointing defense, just as they did against everyone else). Considering Nick Foles excites nobody and Michael Vick is one deep breath away from breaking his ribs again, I would not be shocked at all if Barkley takes the wheel during the season and never lets the job go.

Hmm, why does that sound familiar? Is there another offense out there with a quarterback that was known for his leadership, intelligence, and clutch play ability in college only to be taken late in the draft because he did not have a strong arm or great mobility? Did that quarterback then go on to shut everyone up on the way to winning three Super Bowls and getting a lifetime supply of lady boots? Man, if only Barkley was playing in the exact same offense as that guy. Maybe he would be a good pickup in dynasty leagues.

Go get some Eagles. Go get them now.

Three other random tidbits that I may or may not expand upon in the future...

1. Jordan Reed should be heavily targeted in deeper or dynasty leagues. Fred Davis is on a one-year contract and Mike Shanahan wants a new Shannon Sharpe. Reed can and should fill that role for RG3 for the foreseeable future. It would not surprise me if he becomes one of the top weapons in that offense by the end of the season.

2. My money is on Johnathan Franklin to eventually beat out Eddie Lacy in Green Bay. Lacy had work ethic and injury issues that spooked me to begin with during the pre-draft process, but my main problem with him lies in the fact that I honestly do not know what the Packers plan to do with him. Franklin is a more well-rounded back that is faster in the open field, has better hands, and can pass protect well enough to at the very least be a third down option. I have a feeling like the Packers thought there was going to be a run on backs in the second and third rounds and tried to get out ahead of it, only to be surprised that Franklin was still being there in the fourth. That is the only way I can really reconcile the selection of Lacy in my head. Talented back? Yes. Long term answer? I'm not convinced...yet.

3. The waters for tight ends are murkier than ever when it comes to getting reliable studs, so I’m hitching my long term dynasty wagon to Jimmy Graham. He has been healthier than most other elite big men and will undoubtedly continue to produce ridiculous numbers with the return of Sean Payton to the sidelines. For single season re-draft leagues, I would probably round out my top five right now with Tony Gonzalez, Aaron Hernandez, Vernon Davis, and Jason Witten. Dennis Pitta is really close to making it, and I am leaving Gronkowski out of the discussion until I know he will still be alive come September. If healthy, Gronk would of course be an interchangeable top option with Jimmy Graham.

Boston College Football Preview: Keys To Defeating The USC Trojans

A.J Black — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 17:29:39 -0000

Boston College will have their hands full when they travel to Los Angeles to play the USC Trojans in September. But this is certainly a game they can win if things go right for the Eagles. Today we will look at some of the steps BC will need to take if they want to notch their first road victory of the season and first out of conference road win since Syracuse in 2010.

1. Score early and set the tempo. USC has a tradition and fan base that rivals almost any team in the NCAA. Last season alone USC average 87,000 in attendance, or 2 1/2 2012 Alumni Stadium crowds. BC needs to make a statement early by either sustaining a long drive with multiple third down conversions, or scoring a quick touchdown. If there is one vulnerability that USC has is that the fans patience with Lane Kiffin is growing thin. Take the crowd out of the game early and BC could gain a tactical advantage on the road.

However if BC allows a big play to Silas Redd or Marqise Lee early in the game, the fans are going to go beserk, and make life that much more difficult for the Eagles.

2. Block, Block, Block, block, block. Boston College's offensive line will be completely reshaped after the graduation of Emmett Cleary and John Wetzel and the subsequent firing of Frank Spaziani. New offensive line coach Justin Frye is going to have some choices to make ahead of him including who to plug in at tackle, and whether any of the young kids could earn starting jobs. Frank Taylor, Wins Homer, and Matt Patchan could all realistically become starters. The first two games BC plays shouldn't test the line all that much, but USC is a whole other animal.

First off BC is going to see a prolific pass rusher the likes they have not seen in 2013. Morgan Breslin could possibly be the best defensive lineman in the country. But he isn't the only defensive player BC is going to need to account for. Last season the Trojans were 3rd in the country in sacks. However it'll be interesting to see how the schemes change going forward as Monte Kiffin is now in the NFL and Clancy Pendergast takes over the defensive at Southern Cal. USC will get pressure, but a solid run game, and play action pass should allow Rettig some time and prevent costly sacks.

3. Make Max Wittek uncomfortable. Last season, Wittek was thrown to the wolves after Matt Barkley suffered an injury that kept him out of two games. He has some game experience now, but just like BC fans know with Chase Rettig, if you rattle him he can make mistakes.

Just look at last year's Sun Bowl, in which Wittek faced an average Georgia Tech defense, and proceeded to throw 3 interceptions and never got into a rhythm. His inability to do much of anything on offense, kept Marqise Lee in check and held USC to just seven points. Don Brown's defenses have been heralded and if they can go into USC and make life miserable for the sophomore QB, they could become legendary.

4. Run The Ball Down Their Throats. If USC's defense has one Achilles heel, it is their run defense. Last year alone the Trojans allowed 150 yards in rushing 6 times, all eventually led to USC losses. Boston College is going to get blown out of the memorial Coliseum if they try to throw the ball like they did in years past. However if Addazio plays his system, and runs the ball with Andre Williams, Myles Willis, Tajh Kimble 40+ times and the blocking can open some holes, I honestly think BC will have a good chance. Running dictates tempo, and controls game clock, all things BC has lacked under Spaz, Addazio can change all that in USC if he commits to the run.

5. Prevent The Big Plays Last season USC was a monster when it came to big plays. They were 31st in the country in pass plays that went over 25 yards, and 8th in the country in plays that went over 15 yards. Boston College on the other hand was actually middle of the pack when it came to the big plays, finishing 51st in the country in plays over 25+ yards allowed and 10th in the country in plays over 15+ yards. Much of that can be attributed to Spaziani's conservative defense that dictated not gettitng blown up on big plays but did little from stopping the underneath stuff that bled the defense dry.

This season the defensive style is going to be a whole different animal for Boston College. Don Brown is going to put guys like Al Louis Jean & Manny Asprilla out on an island more often in one on one coverage and BC's front line is going to be blitzing much more frequently. While this could make some big defensive plays, and help prevent the awful 3rd down conversion percentage BC had last year, it also leaves them more vulnerable. In years past, Lee would be allowed all the underneath stuff he wanted, but this year BC is going to press him, and that could lead to the big play. If BC wants a chance to win this game, they can't allow him to stretch the field.