SB Nation - Darryl Richard

Pour Some Sugar On Me - Preseason Wrap-up: Can We Build a Team That Can Beat the Raiders? Yes We Can!

Sugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:00:22 -0000

I understand how important this last preseason game was for roughly 20-30 players per team. I do. For some it was the difference between making the 53-man roster or getting cut. For others who were relatively certain of their impending unemployment, it was a chance to get on tape for potential future employers. For coaches, it was one last look at a few players they may try to retain on the practice squad. But for just about everybody else (in the world) these games were simply painful to watch.

As a Redskins' fan, I of course watched the game against the Jaguars intently and hung on most every play. But as I watched the games around the league, I found myself losing interest quickly as penalty flags rained down on my living room as if Pacman Jones himself were throwing them.

To write a recap of each game would be worse than having to read Peter King rate every latte he has ever drank. So instead, this week I thought I would put my preseason watch-a-ton to the test. Every team has made their final cuts. I will attempt to build a 53-man roster from all the players released by the Saturday deadline. This may include some players who ended up on the practice squad, but you'll have to excuse that. After all, even though I did watch pretty much every preseason game played in the last month, my knowledge of certain teams' backups probably doesn't go much further than guys who should rightfully land on the practice squad. This already feels like a poor man's version of Madden fantasy draft. I get to decide who I am going to keep and at what position they will play. My ultimate goal: a 53-man roster capable of beating the Oakland Raiders final 53-man roster. Our team name: Sugartime Ballers. At the end, you'll get to vote on whether you think the Ballers can take down the Raiders. The first picks after the jump...

QB (3): Jeff Garcia, Joey Harrington, Chase Daniel

This team is going to have a questionable offensive line, so I am going to need a veteran quarterback capable of escaping pressure and getting rid of the ball. I watched as much of the Raiders' preseason as I could stomach and to me it seemed like Jeff Garcia was the quarterback that gave them the best chance to win now. My guess is that they sensed that too and decided that going with a guy staring down 40 years old would be the nail in the coffin for the JaMarcus Russell era, at least from a confidence perspective. Joey Harrington (cut by the Saints) is experienced in the art of art of hand signaling, which is what I want in my backup QB. Plus he is a great pianist so he can play getaway music on the piano as Jeff Garcia is running fro his life behind whatever offensive line I can put together. Chase Daniel gave it a good run in D.C., but failed to be named as the 3rd quarterback when the team decided to go with nobody instead (ouch).

RB (5): Dominic Rhodes, Anthony Alridge, Ian Johnson, Fui Vakapuna, Isaac Redman

It struck me as a little odd when the Bills jettisoned Rhodes. With Lynch out for the beginning frames of the season and Fred Jackson a little dinged this preseason, I figured a veteran like Rhodes would have value for that team. Alridge just barely missed being the last running back kept by the Redskins and adds speed out of my backfield. Ian Johnson is a young buck that got bounced by the Vikings. I have a soft spot in my heart for this guy after watching him have such a great career at Boise State, not to mention the now famous Statue of Liberty play against Oklahoma a couple seasons ago. Vakapuna is a guy I picked because I need a blocking fullback and I have been watching HBO's Hard Knocks this season featuring the Bengals. He is a big, athletic dude, and we are going to need a Samoan presence in the backfield on this team. Redman had a great preseason in Pittsburgh but the numbers game beat him. We are lucky to have him and Vakapuna muscling up in our backfield.

TE (4): Leonard Pope, Alex Smith, Bear Pascoe, Garrett Mills

The Cards cut Pope and the Pats cut Smith. Both are capable receivers that understand the position well. Bear Pascoe was on the 49ers squad and I remember hearing his name for the first time late in the game against the Raiders I think. He was described by his college coach at Fresno State as the "most devastating blocker" they had ever seen. He started out there as a quarterback. He blocked 6 kicks on special teams, and keeps his edge by participating in rodeos. He's an old-school kind of player and on my team he will play an old-school role: Iron Man. At 6'5", 250+ lbs, he will never leave the field. Our wildcat offense will be called the "Wild Bear" formation and we will direct snap it to him. He will rush the passer on defense and he will line up all over the field on offense. His importance on this roster almost necessitated adding a 4th tight end to help carry the load at the position, and Mills, fresh off the Vikings roster, will fit in nicely. The Raiders will not have a chance.

OL (9): Damien McIntosh, Tony Pashos, Andrew Crummey, Kynan Forney, Jeremy Bridges, Scott Burley,Justin Geisenger, Mike Butterworth, Mark Wilson

McIntosh (Chiefs), Pashos (Jaguars), Crummey (Bengals), Forney (Chargers), and Bridges (Redskins) are my starting five. Burley (Redskins), Geisinger (Panthers), and Butterworth (Falcons) are my backups. Burely went to University of Maryland and has been hanging around the league the last two years. Geisinger is a journeyman lineman who spent a season with the Redskins but has also been a member of the Bills and Titans. The Raiders gave Mark Wilson his walking papers, but he has had steady employment as a backup since 2004. Mike Butterworth made this team because I simply ran out of guys that I really knew much about...and I love maple syrup on pancakes.

All of my starters would likely be welcome on most squads in the league after a few weeks when teams are all of a sudden hit by injuries and become starved for guys who have played before. Forney was a huge shock getting cut by San Diego. He might be one of the two or three best players on the Ballers.

WR (6): Keary Colbert, Robert Ferguson, David Tyree, David Patten, Trent Shelton, Steve Sanders

Ferguson (Falcons), Colbert (Lions), and Patten (Browns) have all been unfortunate members of previous unfortunate fantasy teams of mine. So they owe me. Hard to argue against Tyree (Giants). He can start on special teams and catch balls with his helmet. With Bear Pascoe behind center, he might have to catch a few wild pitches. Shelton (Redskins) should make their practice squad and Steve Sanders (Cardinals) was great on Beverly Hills, 90210.

DL (8): Shaun Smith, Alex Buzbee, Ryan Boschetti, Darryl Richard, Rob Jackson, Tommie Hill, Matthias Askew, Terrance Taylor

The Patriots drafted Richard last April, and that is pretty much good enough for me. I recall Tommie Hill made a huge play late in the first Monday Night game against the Panthers, scoring a touchdown with no time left on the clock. Not being good enough for the Giants defensive line does not necessarily make you bad. Rob Jackson and Alex Buzbee both got cut from the Redskins so I have seen plenty of them and are comfortable with them as backups. Boschetti got dumped by the Raiders--can't remember anyone listing their personnel decisions as better than...well, anyone's. Shaun Smith was a shock to get sent home by the Lions. He is definitely good enough to anchor the Ballers' defensive line. And Terrance Taylor was a 4th round pick for the Colts. I am little surprised to see him gone from there, but we will not ask too many questions and scoop him up.

LB (8): Tim Crowder, Zach Thomas, Rocky Boiman, Khary Campbell, Bruce Davis, Jeremy Leman, Robert Thomas, Cody Glenn

Crowder should have cracked the Broncos' Final 53. Our squad will benefit from the veteran presence of Zach Thomas, who might not really have ever been realistically in the Chiefs' plans. Rocky Boiman has been around, most recently ending his second stint with the Titans. He has a ring from the Colts' Super Bowl victory and his experience will be put to good use for the Ballers. Khary Campbell is a special teams standout that did not make the last cuts in Houston. Bruce Davis was a huge underachiever for the Steelers. Here's hoping he can turn it around for the Ballers. Leman (Panthers) was a guy who I thought played well enough in the preseason to stick. I guess that is why my phone isn't ringing off the hook to become anybody's GM. Thomas and Glenn were both waived by the Skins. Thomas has plenty of experience in the league and Glenn (while still an odd draft choice by Vinny Cerrato--read: "wasted draft choice") is a raw player from the Nebraska Cornhuskers' program.

DB (8): Deltha O'Neal, Brian Russell, Brian Williams, Bernard Pollard, Corey Lynch , Deangelo Smith, Corey Ivy, Lendy Holmes

O'Neal (Texans), Williams (Jaguars), Russell (Seahawks), and Pollard (Chiefs) are my starting defensive backs (first two are CB's, second two will man the safety positions. Smith (Cowgirls), Lynch (Bengals), Ivy (Browns), and Holmes (Redskins) round out our scrappy secondary.

P: A.J. Trapasso - Any guy who takes aim for a $40 million video board in a preseason game, ESPECIALLY one bought by Jerry Jones, gets a spot on my team.

K: Brandon Coutu (Seahawks) - The 'Hawks kept this guy on their roster all season last year behind Olindo Mare in the hopes they could trade him. He has a hell of a leg and will get a shot from another team very soon.

Give Me the Numbers, Stat!

27-17, Ballers over the Raiders. Bear Pascoe has 78 yards rushing, 2 rushing touchdowns, 1 blocked field goal and 3 sacks. Jeff Garcia runs in for the other TD and throws the ball straight into the owner's box where Al Davis is sitting. Davis sues the NFL.

Next week at this time, we will be through the first weekend of meaningful football. Imagine...four quarters without any fourth-stringers (God willing). The season of excessive penalty-calling is over. Let the games begin. We'll see you back here on Tuesday--with nary a mention of any battles for the backup long snapper position.

Poll

Can this team I have constructed beat the Raiders today, on a neutral field, with a run-heavy offensive philosophy behind the Iron Man Bear Pascoe?

Yes, handily

164 votes

Maybe 51 times out of 100

142 votes

Maybe once in a 100 tries

51 votes

Not a chance

42 votes

399 votes | Poll has closed

New England Patriots Links 7/18/09 - "Sign the rookies" edition

MaPatsFan — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:51:35 -0000

More photos » by Stephan Savoia - AP

7 months ago: New England Patriots rookie defensive lineman Ron Brace (60) takes a break during football minicamp at the team's practice facility in Foxborough, Mass., Friday morning, May 1, 2009 (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

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Yes, Patriots fans, a bunch has happened in the past few days. I was lazy yesterday and didn't provide you with your daily dose of morning links. Instead, us AFC East writers decided to Rate the Defensive Tackles. Yes, I put Kris Jenkins above our Vince Wilfork, but the difference between these two is so narrow that it was a tough decision. That and I don't want to appear like TOO much of a homer.

Anyway, Thursday and Friday were busy days for the Patriots. There were a number of important signings and, in my opinion, the most important one was DT Ron Brace. I don't want to say that Vince Wilfork is on the verge of holding out or being jetisoned by the Patriots - far from it. That would put Kraft and Belichick in the "this is your brain on drugs" category. But the signing of Ron Brace does what all great coaches and organizations do: they strengthen the pipeline.

More after the jump.

SIGNINGS

Defensive Tackle Ron Brace - I consider this one of the most important signings to date given Wilfork's situation.
Wide Receiver Julian Edelman - I think WR is where the Patriots will most likely use Edelman, but in OTAs and mini-camps, he's taken snaps at QB, kickoff returns, and let's not forget he led Kent State as a running back. This guy has versatility written all over him. It's only a matter of time before he's playing CB. Troy Brown, anyone?
Wide Receiver Brandon Tate - Tate's on ice while he heals from an ACL/MCL tear in his right knee. He will, most likely, sit out the entire 2009 season. A barn burner at North Carolina, he set a ridiculous number of NCAA records, but tripped up after a positive drug test at the combine. Don't be stupid, Brandon. Stay clean and you'll have an incredible career with the Patriots.
Left Tackle Sebastian Vollmer - This is a good signing. The Patriots needed youth in their offensive line and they get it with Sebastian. Left tackle is one of the most difficult positions to play on the line (protecting a right-handed quarterback's blind side), so let's hope Vollmer is up to the challenge.
Offensive Lineman George Bussey - Bussey is a good value pick and can play tackle as well as guard. I see him as adding youth and depth to our somewhat aging offensive line. Load up on 300 pounders (I'm learning JHR!! ;-))
Defensive Lineman Darryl Richard - Apparently, this guy's an absolute brain, completing his Bachelor's in three years then diving in for a Master's in one and a half years. Let's hope all that grey matter translates on the grid iron.

MIKE REISS'S SERIES WITH FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS

I like statistics, but only when they help to gain insight, to FURTHER a discussion, not BE the discussion. At any rate, the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss put together a series with Football Outsiders's Doug Farrar. Doug Farrar was responsible for penning the New England Patriots section of the Football Outsiders Almanac 2009 and Mike asked him to comment on the Patriots. We're only at Part 4 out of 5, but I thought I'd give you the links anyway.

Part I, Go with the shotgun
Part II, Pass defense killed the Patriots in 2008
Part III, The running game was quietly effective
Part IV, YAC great for offense, killed the defense

Patriots changes by position: Defensive Line

MaPatsFan — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:23:22 -0000

via www.projo.com

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Vince...he dah man! Drafted 21st overall in 2004, all 325 lbs of Mr. Wilfork has been front and center on the Patriots' defensive line for the past five seasons. Guess what 2009 is? It's the end of his contract. Are you screaming yet? Are you reaching for the hair of the dog that bit you? Fear not - Belichick's smarter than you and most definitely me.

Vince Wilfork - There's little to write here: PAY VINCE!! PAY VINCE!! While he hasn't overtly said it, I'm sure Wilfork is looking to get his contract stuff straightened out sooner rather than later. And unlike many crybabies around the league, he hasn't made a jerk of himself by threatening to stay out of training camp or park in the VP's spot. While NE will, more than likely, make Wilfork happy, Belichick did what any smart coach would do and he prepared for a possible negative outcome by drafting not one but three defensive tackles. Now, I'm pretty sure Ron Brace will be the only one to survive, but it certainly changes things for Vince with a young guy wanting to make a mark.

Richard Seymour - Yet again, we have a star whose contract is up in 2009. A five-time Pro Bowler, Seymour has been a mainstay at defensive end. Even though he's suffered some injuries in the past few years, he's still productive and dangerous. Like Wilfork, Richard needs to be re-signed, although I'd put Wilfork a notch higher on the priority scale.

Ty Warren - Signed through 2013, we have little to worry about here. Ty rounds out the front three nicely and is always somewhere in the fray, either at the top of the tackle list or dang close. He'll be around for a while.

Jarvis Green - One of our main DE backups, Jarvis is signed through 2009. A starter in his own right (and has done so on many occassions), it doesn't hurt to have a guy like him ready and waiting when needed.

Steve Williams, Kenny Smith, Le Kevin Smith, Mike Wright, Titus Adams - These big men all play reserve roles on the defensive line and are frequent special teams contributors. Some may be training camp fodder, but it's always good to have a number of players to choose from.

Ron Brace, Myron Pryor, Darryl Richard - All three drafted in 2009, Ron Brace is the clear leader of this pack and could be the young guy Belichick puts in place to give Wilfork something to think about. Brace was an excellent pick at 40th overall; a great value.

Analysis

It's hard to fault the front starting three given all the success they've had. Through our defensive back struggles, Warren, Wilfork, and Seymour have been as solid as they can be. However, with both Wilfork's and Seymour's contracts coming due in 2009, there needs to be a plan. Always stocking up for the future, Belichick appears to have laid the groundwork for that future.

Are we good with the defensive big men? Do we need a high profile veteran? Can Seymour stay healthy enough fill his former Pro Bowl shoes?