SB Nation User Blog: MattMiller

Scouting 101: The Single Wing in the NFL

MattMiller — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:33:44 -0000

The Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers have shaken up the NFL this season by installing Wildcat formations. This formation is based on the single wing, popular at the college level before World War II. How can this ancient offense revive the NFL?

The legitimacy of the single wing is up for debate in NFL circles. The players needed to run the offense vary from the normal NFL roster, but can this formation be introduced as a package to keep defenses honest? In the past 30 years we have seen little innovation on the offensive side of the ball, save the West Coast offense that was developed in the late '70s. On the defensive side of the ball there has been the 3-4 with Bill Parcells, the 46 under Buddy Ryan and the reinvention of the Cover-2 in Tampa Bay and now other franchises. How can an offensive coordinator combat the many wrinkles defensive coordinators are installing each week?

Offensive coordinators look each week for one thing: How to exploit matchups. While defense is about dictating what the offense can do and taking away play makers, running an offense is about trying to find matchups and weaknesses in the defense. If a team notices that a cornerback is likely to jump a comeback, they will install a double move corner route. If a team sees a weak-side linebacker who doesn't attack the run and keep his outside shoulder free, they will run more tosses. With so little innovation on the offensive side of the ball, defenses are becoming more dominant than ever before. Without a Tom Brady to Randy Moss style passing attack, there is not much an offense can do but hope for a weak link on defense. This is where the single wing can change things. Whether you are for or against the offense working in the NFL, it is certainly interesting to break down.

The single wing is based upon a running quarterback. In the NFL we are seeing running backs DeAngelo Williams and Ronnie Brown taking direct snaps in a shotgun formation, generally flanked by a fullback.

Here we see a standard single wing (wildcat) formation against a 4-3 defense. The defense is in a RIP (strong right) call due to the slot receiver and fullback being on the same side of the field. The strong call will go to the side of the ball which has the most potential ball carriers. In this case, the offense is unbalanced 3:2, as we do not count the quarterback.

The quarterback in this case would be a wide receiver or running back, preferably a player who can throw if need be. Teams are not willing to expose their starting quarterback to the punishment of running the ball and opt to split the quarterback out at wide receiver, or remove him altogether.

At the snap of the ball, the quarterback has three "options." He can run the ball himself, hand off to the receiver in motion or pass the ball to a receiver. A fourth option that is not shown would be running a trap with the fullback.

The right defensive end is circled here, as he is our "read." If the defensive end crashes hard to pursue the slot receiver, the quarterback will keep the ball himself for the run/pass option. If the end stays at home, the quarterback will hand the ball to the slot receiver in motion. This is a simple zone read.

The offensive line is blocking down in a zone fashion, stepping to their right (play side) and picking up the first defensive player. A key in this play is our tight end. He is responsible for creating a wall by blocking down on the left defensive end. This is the most important block for the zone read to function, as our slot receiver will cut up field either in the "4" hole (between the right guard and right tackle) or off tackle in the "8" hole.

NFL defenses have struggled to stop this play early in the season, which is confusing to some pundits. The single wing is effective for many reasons, the most prominent being the speed of the quarterback and his ability to run, pass or hand off the ball. These options make the offense unpredictable, and hard to stop as every defensive player must rely not on his assignment, but his instincts and vision. One false step can create an opening and six points for the offense.

Will the single wing find it's way back in to NFL play books? It is likely that we will see this package installed across the league, with many different interpretations and ideas, such as the fullback trap or speed option. It is finally an exciting time again in the NFL for offensive minds.

The Week That Was: Rookie Report

MattMiller — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:53:29 -0000

Luke Paul Chandler from New Era Scouting checks in with his week four rookie report.

The emergence of special teams rookies was key this week. The battle of field position has always been a game heavily featuring rookies, but some are stepping into the spotlight prominently among the veterans. Punter Durant Brooks has solidified his pre-draft status as the top punter of the class with a good game against the Redskins, but he is facing tough competition from the Broncos’ Brett Kern. The Broncos are heavily relying on not only Kern, but starting wide receiver Eddie Royal on punt return duties. Their coverage units also are suspect though, with Peyton Hillis, Spencer Larsen and Wesley Woodyard all struggling.

In Kansas City, an intriguing problem is developing at kick returner. Both Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage attempted to take the role, and both are doing well. For Savage, it’s clear he has to make his imprint on the Chiefs in this role, or he’s gone. He has slightly outperformed Charles, but he hasn’t been able to take the job full-time. Look for this budding competition to continue.

Offensive Rookie of Week

Steve Slaton, RB, Texans
10 rushes, 33 yards; 8 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD

The running lanes were just not there against the Jaguars, but Slaton still found a way to be an effective weapon for the offense. His touchdown reception came on a play where he was split out wide and was able to beat press coverage by the corner. He is showing solid route running and is beginning to understand the passing game more. Slaton is becoming a well-rounded, all-purpose back in head coach Gary Kubiak’s West Coast Offense.

Best of the Rest
2. Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos - Royal is benefiting from the presence of Brandon Marshall: he keeps facing single coverage. He can pick apart larger corners with his quickness, like he did this week against the Chiefs. Royal currently is tenth in the NFL in total receiving yards.
3. Jeff Otah, ORT, Panthers - It’s not a secret that the massive Otah is a powerful, nasty run blocker, but he’s hardly known for his pass protection. On a day when the Panthers passing game was posting huge numbesr, Otah was was a major factor until a leg injury took him out of the game in the third quarter. Otah’s ability to re-direct his blocker and shift his body was very crucial against a speed rushing Atlanta defensive line.

Defensive Rookie of the Week

Curtis Lofton, MLB, Falcons
8 tackles (7 solo)

The Falcons controlled the Panthers’ ground attack this past week, and they were led by Lofton. Lofton continues to be a strong run defender, particularly in pursuit to the outside. He can close quickly on the ball carrier and is physical enough to bring down larger backs, like the Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart. Lofton has some problems when teams run directly at him and in coverage, but as a two-down linebacker, he’s playing well.

Best of the Rest
2. Brandon Flowers, CB, Chiefs - Brandon Carr is making the big plays, but this week he played a smart game and controlled a difficult Denver air attack. He only allowed one pass completion over 11 yards, and had a fumble recovery.
3. Chris Horton, S, Redskins - Horton had another big interception on Sunday. On a pure hustle play, he dropped into coverage in the flat and jumped a telegraphed Tony Romo throw for an interception. His awareness and play recognition are very crisp for a rookie.

Special Teams Rookie of the Week

Dantrell Savage, RB, Chiefs
2 kick returns, 70 yards (51 long)

Savage has been pressing for recognition in Kansas City, and he has carved out a nice role for himself on kick returns. He currently is the second-ranked rookie in the league, averaging 29.5 yards per kick return. The smallish running back from Oklahoma State had little experience returning kicks in college but has adapted well in the NFL. With competition from Charles, Savage has started to separate himself. If Charles takes on a larger role in the offense, this job should become Savage’s exclusively.

Best of the Rest
2. Brian Witherspoon, DB, Jaguars - The lightning fast Witherspoon is becoming a dangerous threat on both punt and kick returns. He is averaging 29.7 yards per kick return, which leads the league, and 15.8 yards per punt return. On a team struggling on offense, Witherspoon is doing all he can to set up great field position.
3. Durant Brooks, P, Redskins - Brooks is already one of the better punters in the NFC. He has been plagued by poor coverage units, but his two returns inside the 20 yard line helped push the Cowboys deep in their own territory.

Rookie on Rookie

Dexter Jackson, WR, Buccaneers vs Brett Kern, P, Broncos

The Broncos have been patient with Kern because of inconsistency. No one doubts that Kern has a big leg, but he has yet to master placing the ball. He had a booming kick of 51 yards, but also a kick of 26 yards Sunday. Coach Mike Shanahan described him as trying to over-kick the ball.

He is going to be facing the elusive Jackson, a second-round pick from Appalachian State. Jackson is a more natural kick returner than punt returner, shown by average of 4.9 yards per punt return. Jackson can be indecisive on punt returns and has yet to allow his natural speed to take over. He will need to perform better this week, or he could lose his job to veteran Michael Bennett.

Tough Assignment

Keith Rivers, OLB, Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys Offense

The Bengals first-round pick has played an up-and-down rookie season, with moments of big plays and big mistakes. He leads all rookies in tackles, and he faces off with one of the NFL’s most potent offenses this week. The Cowboys feature threats all over the field, and they will look to target the rookie linebacker with crossing patterns in the passing game. Rivers has yet to make a big impact against the passing game, so look for him to be targeted heavily.

Brian Witherspoon, DB, Jaguars, vs Pittsburgh Steelers Special Teams

The Jaguars undrafted free agent faces a much improved Pittsburgh coverage unit on Sunday night. The Steelers have improved this year on both leaky return units. In Week Three, the Steelers were able to hold the speedy Andre Davis of the Texans to 18.7 yards per return. Witherspoon is a similar speed-threat, and he could be in for a tough night. Facing the physical Steelers could slow down Witherspoon this week in this budding rivalry game.

Contact Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com.

Week Four Updates: NFL QB Rankings

MattMiller — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:51:24 -0000

Undoubtedly our most popular feature this off-season was the NFL position rankings. With the NFL schedule at the quarter mark, it's time to re-evaluate the positions.

Rank | Player | Number | Team | Pre-Season Grade

1. Brady, Tom 12 NE (10) *injured
2. Manning, Peyton 18 IND (10)
3. Brees, Drew 9 NO (9)
4. Romo, Tony 9 DAL (9)
5. McNabb, Donovan 5 PHI (8)
6. Roethlisberger, Ben 7 PIT (9)
7. Cutler, Jay 6 DEN (7)
8. Rivers, Philip 17 SD (8)
9. Hasselbeck, Matt 8 SEA (9)
10. Favre, Brett 4 NYJ (8)
11. Edwards, Trent 5 BUF (6)
12. Warner, Kurt 13 ARI (6)
13. Delhomme, Jake 17 CAR (7)
14. Manning, Eli 10 NYG (8)
15. Garrard, David 9 JAC (8)
16. Campbell, Jason 17 WAS (7)
17. Pennington, Chad 10 MIA (7)
18. Rodgers, Aaron 12 GB (7)
19. Anderson, Derek 3 CLE (8)
20. Palmer, Carson 9 CIN (9) *injured
21. Ryan, Matt 2 ATL (6)
22. Bulger, Marc 10 STL (8)
23. Schaub, Matt 8 HOU (7)
24. Collins, Kerry 5 TEN (5)
25. Griese, Brian 8 TB (5)
26. Garcia, Jeff 7 TB (7)
27. Kitna, Jon 8 DET (6)
28. Orton, Kyle 18 CHI (6)
29. Cassel, Matt 16 NE (5)
30. O'Sullivan, J.T. 14 SF (4)
31. Young, Vince 10 TEN (7)
32. Flacco, Joe 5 BAL (5)
33. Russell, JaMarcus 2 OAK (6)
34. Leinart, Matt 7 ARI (7)
35. Frerotte, Gus 12 MIN (4)
36. Moore, Matt 3 CAR (6)
37. Rosenfels, Sage 18 HOU (6)
38. Quinn, Brady 10 CLE (6)
39. Frerotte, Gus 12 MIN (4)
40. Volek, Billy 7 SD (6)
41. Boller, Kyle 7 BAL (6)
42. Simms, Chris 2 TB (6)
43. Clemens, Kellen 11 NYJ (6)
44. Gray, Quinn 5 IND (6)
45. Losman, J.P. 7 BUF (6)
46. Brohm, Brian 11 GB (5)
47. Huard, Damon 11 KC (5)
48. Henne, Chad 7 MIA (5)
49. Kolb, Kevin 4 PHI (5)
50. Carr, David 8 NYG (6)
51. Whitehurst, Charlie 6 SD (5)
52. Stanton, Drew 5 DET (6)
53. McCown, Josh 4 MIA (6)
54. Redman, Chris 8 ATL (6)
55. O'Connell, Kevin 5 NE (3)
56. Grossman, Rex 8 CHI (6)
57. Smith, Troy 10 BAL (5)
58. Grossman, Rex 8 CHI (6)
59. Wallace, Seneca 15 SEA (5)
60. Batch, Charlie 16 PIT (5)
61. Ratliff, Brett 5 NYJ (4)
62. Smith, Alex 11 SF (5)
63. Harrington, Joey 13 ATL (5)
64. Ramsey, Patrick 11 DEN (5)
65. Brunell, Mark 11 NO (5)
66. Collins, Todd 15 WAS (5)
67. Frye, Charlie 5 SEA (5)
68. Green, Trent 12 STL (5)
69. Jackson, Tarvaris 7 MIN (6)
70. McCown, Luke 12 TB (5)
71. Lemon, Cleo 17 JAC (5)
72. Walter, Andrew 16 OAK (5)
73. Gutierrez, Matt 7 NE (5)
74. Orlovsky, Dan 6 DET (4)
75. Bollinger, Brooks 9 MIN (5)
76. Hill, Shaun 13 SF (5)
77. Thigpen, Tyler 4 KC (4)
78. Ainge, Erik 9 NYJ (4)
79. Dixon, Dennis 2 PIT (4)
80. Feeley, A.J. 14 PHI (4)
81. Croyle, Brodie 12 KC (5)
82. Johnson, Brad 14 DAL (4)
83. Sorgi, Jim 12 IND (4)
84. Woodson, Andre 3 NYG (4)
85. Booty, John David 4 MIN (4)
86. Ricard, Lester 8 CAR (4)
87. Shockley, D.J. 3 ATL (4)
88. Wright, Anthony 2 NYG (4)
89. Bouman, Todd 4 JAC (4)
90. Gradkowski, Bruce 8 STL (4)
91. Lorenzen, Jared 13 IND (4)
92. Tuiasosopo, Marques 8 OAK (4)
93. Beck, John 9 MIA (4)
94. Basanez, Brett 14 CAR (3)
95. Brennan, Colt 5 WAS (3)
96. Flynn, Matt 10 GB (3)
97. Berlin, Brock 13 STL (3)
98. Dorsey, Ken 11 CLE (3)
99. Rowe, Jeff 3 CIN (3)
100. Palmer, Jordan 5 CIN (3)
101. Bramlet, Casey 8 SD (3)
102. Johnson, Josh 11 TB (3)
103. Fitzpatrick, Ryan 11 CIN (3)
104. Brink, Alex 10 HOU (3)
105. Boyd, Shane 7 HOU (3)
106. Hackney, Darrell 4 DEN (3)
107. Terrell, Jeff 10 DAL (3)
108. Hamdan, Gibran 10 BUF (3)
109. Bartel, Richard 4 DAL (2)
110. St. Pierre Brian 2 ARI (2)
111. Wright, Kyle 3 SF (2)
112. Baker, Matt 16 BUF (2)
113. Martin, Ingle 3 TEN (2)
114. Morelli, Anthony 12 ARI (2)
115. Potts, Mike 8 PIT (2)
116. Palko, Tyler 3 NO (1)
117. Hanie, Caleb 12 CHI (1)
118. Otis, Jeff 7 OAK (1)
119. Bell, Dalton 9 SEA (1)
120. Devine, Derek 2 WAS (1)

Making the St. Louis Rams a winner

MattMiller — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:02:33 -0000

With the St. Louis Rams firing Scott Linehan today, where does the franchise go? Here is our ten-step plan for making the St. Louis Rams a winning team again.

Step 1: Fire Jay Zygmunt. Hire Scott Pioli, New England Patriots

Step 2: Hire Steve Spagnuolo, DC, NY Giants as Head Coach
Step 3: Hire Pat Shurmur, QB Coaches, Philadelphia as Offensive Coordinator
Step 4: Retain Jim Haslett as Asst HC/Defensive Coordinator

Step 5: Draft Andre Smith, OT, Alabama* with #1 overall pick.
- This shores up the OL (Smith, Bell, Leckey, Incognito, Barron)

Step 6: Draft Ian Campbell, DE, Kansas State in 2nd round. Move Chris Long to DT.
- Much like Justin Tuck, Long could handle playing end and tackle in a versatile defense.

Step 7: Draft Trey Covington, OLB, Maryland in 3rd round.
- Outside linebacker has been a huge weakness in STL. Getting a run stopper with Covington will dramatically help the defense.

Step 8: Draft Chase Holbrook, QB, NM State in 4th round.
- Marc Bulger will regain his starting job this week, but the team drastically needs a young quarterback to groom for the future.

Step 9: Draft George Hypolite, DT, Colorado in 5th round.
- Hypolite is the hard-charging tackle needed to disrupt the pocket in Spagnuolo's scheme.

Step 10: Draft Terrail Lambert, CB, Notre Dame in 6th round; and Louis Delmas, SS, Western Michigan in 7th round.
- Adding depth to the secondary is a must. These last round picks are worth gambling on young athletes.

Starting lineups:
QB: Marc Bulger/Brock Berlin/Chase Holbrook
HB: Steven Jackson/Brian Leonard/Travis Minor/Antonio Pittman
FB: Dan Kreider/Brian Leonard
WR: Torry Holt/Donnie Avery/Dante Hall
TE: Randy McMichael/Anthony Becht/Joe Klopfenstein
LT: Andre Smith/Adam Goldberg
LG: Jacob Bell/Adam Goldberg
C: Nick Leckey/Brett Romberg
RG: Richie Incognito/John Greco
RT: Alex Barron/John Greco
WR: Keenan Burton/Drew Bennett/Dane Looker

LE: Leonard Little/Victor Adeyanju
UT: Chris Long/La'Roi Glover/Victor Adeyanju/George Hypolite
NT: Adam Carriker/Clifton Ryan/George Hypolite
RE: Ian Campbell/James Hall/Eric Moore
SLB: Trey Covington/Quinton Culberson/Chris Draft
MLB: Will Witherspoon/Chris Draft
WLB: Pisa Tinoisamoa/Chris Chamberlain
LCB: Tye Hill/Ricky Manning, Jr.
FS: OJ Atogwe/Brannon Condren/Terrail Lambert
SS: Corey Chavous/Todd Johnson/Louis Delmas
RCB: Ron Bartell/Jonathan Wade/Jason Craft

K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
KR: Dante Hall

neweraRADIO Tonight

MattMiller — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:38:33 -0000

NEW ERA SCOUTING RADIO SHOW
8-9pm EST
Matt Miller & Eric Loomis
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access ... Radio-Show

4TH & INCHES
9-10pm EST
Matt Brown
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access ... 4th-Inches

A Memo to all NFL GMs. Re: Quarterbacks

MattMiller — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:34:50 -0000

Gentlemen,

I feel it is my duty to write this memo concerning the alarming situation that faces us in the 2009 off-season. Looking around the league, I see many teams placing their hope in young stars at the quarterback position (Buffalo, Denver) and I see teams struggling with the busted hope of a former draft pick (Tennessee, Arizona). One thing is certain, that the league is facing a crisis at the quarterback position.

Never before did we envision Brian Griese, Jon Kitna, Gus Frerotte and J.T. O'Sullivan all starting without injuries. Tom Brady is on IR, Peyton Manning looks slow and inconsistent and Kurt Warner looks like our league MVP!

The state of the position is always bright on the college level, but we should all brace ourselves for a sad crop of senior quarterbacks entering the 2009 NFL Draft. Curtis Painter, Cullen Harper, Chase Daniel and Hunter Cantwell are your best bets; and among those is a system player, a heartbreaker, a midget and a project.

The focus of this memo is to strongly advise you all to play the young quarterbacks on your roster. Find reps for Drew Stanton in Detroit the minute your playoff dreams are gone, which is essentially now. Keep the ball in O'Sullivan's hands in San Francisco, lets see what the kid can do. In cities like Kansas City, fight the urge to turn the ball over to Damon Huard, sink or swim with Tyler Thigpen in 2008. The Cleveland Browns would do well to get Brady Quinn in the mix soon, too.

And if you are a GM looking to upgrade at quarterback after 2008, invest in scouting the pro side now. Find out all you can about Derek Anderson and JP Losman, they can be had for picks. Chad Pennington, Troy Smith and Kyle Boller are going to be on the market as well. And if you're really confident, take a swing at Matt Leinart.

P.S. Sam Bradford, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez. Millions of dollars are yours to be had April 2009. Finish what you must now at your universities. The NFL needs you.

NFL Power Rankings

MattMiller — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:30:03 -0000

As the shift of power from the AFC to NFC continues, find out which two teams from the same division man the top spots in this week’s power rankings. Dave Ryan from New Era Scouting has updated his weekly power rankings.

1. Dallas Cowboys (3-0)
Previous Rank: 1
Pro Bowl-bound Marion Barber has been one of the best players in the NFL this season, and he shows no indication of slowing down any time soon. As long as Barber is barreling through defenders and finding ways to cross the goal line each week, the Cowboys should remain atop the league.
Next Game: vs. WAS (#17)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Previous Rank: 5
Philly fans let out a collective sigh of relief when the news came back on tailback Brian Westbrook’s ankle injury, but he’s still expected to sit out this weekend against the Bears. That puts things on the arm of Donovan McNabb yet again, something the veteran signal caller will be able to handle. With a relatively soft schedule before their bye week, the Eagles should be fighting for the top spot in these rankings all season long.
Next Game: at CHI (#27)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 2
There’s not much to be worried about on the defensive side of the ball, but the Steelers were non-existent on offense on Sunday, and that’s never a good thing. A Week Four spillover now that starter Willie Parker is banged up is far from impossible, even if Pittsburgh remains one of the best top-to-bottom squads in the league.
Next Game: vs. BAL (#24)

4. Denver Broncos (3-0)
Previous Rank: 6
Another week down and another impressive Denver victory for to marvel at. Averaging 38 points per game, the Broncos are riding the impressive Cutler-Marshall tandem to victory on offense and are playing good enough defense to keep this win steak alive. Arguably the most dangerous team in the AFC, the Broncos are not a team that anybody wants to mess with right now.
Next Game: at KC (#32)

5. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)
Previous Rank: 3
This bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Tony Dungy and his players. It might have taken a heartbreaking field goal to sink the Colts in Week Three, but this team still doesn’t look like the same squad everyone predicted to storm through the AFC before the season started. It bears noting that Peyton Manning holds a 6-3 career record with 25 touchdowns compared to only six interceptions in the game following his bye week, so look for the Colts to bounce back in a big way when they return to action.
Next Game: BYE

6. San Diego Chargers (1-2)
Previous Rank: 7
After what has proven to be a very climactic season thus far, the Chargers looked outstanding in their win over the Jets on Monday night. Until their rushing attack gets back into a groove though, it’s going to take a near-flawless effort from Philip Rivers to win. Upcoming games against Miami and Oakland should help this team in a big way, making a 3-2 start a very likely scenario.
Next Game: at OAK (#29)

7. New York Giants (3-0)
Previous Rank: 8
You can’t fault the Giants for being 3-0, even if they still have yet to meet a team that would be considered a playoff contender. New York heads to its Week Four bye with plenty of confidence and a roster determined to prove their Super Bowl victory was not a fluke. We still may not see just how good this team really is until a three-week stretch beginning on Oct. 26, when the Giants face off against Pittsburgh, Dallas and then Philadelphia.
Next Game: BYE

8. New England Patriots (2-1)
Previous Rank: 4
The loss was inevitable, but nobody figured the Patriots would suffer it at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. New England heads into their bye week with plenty of room for improvement on both sides of the ball. This extra time will certainly help out quarterback Matt Cassel’s transition to starter, but other than that, this team still has plenty of questions to answer when Week Five rolls around.
Next Game: BYE

9. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 10
A tough loss on Sunday night to the Cowboys shouldn’t dampen their spirits much, and the Packers are still right in the thick of things in the NFC. Getting running backs Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson more involved with the offense needs to be a goal for Green Bay against a strong Tampa Bay defense this weekend.
Next Game: at TB (#18)

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
Previous Rank: 11
Thanks to the leg of kicker Josh Scobee, the Jaguars narrowly squeaked by the Colts to grab their first win of the season Sunday. An 0-3 start would have severely crippled Jacksonville’s playoff hopes a mere three games into the year, so there’s room for plenty of optimism regarding this team’s chances. Getting their running game back to a dominant level was also a big plus for the Jags on Sunday, as Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor both finally appeared ready to duplicate their success from last season.
Next Game: vs. HOU (#23)

11. New Orleans Saints (1-2)
Previous Rank: 9
Losing two straight games is usually an area of concern this early on in a season, even for a team like the Saints, who have some very winnable games on the horizon. Injuries are starting to take a toll on New Orleans’ roster, and tight end Jeremy Shockey is the latest victim: he has been diagnosed with a sports hernia that could keep him out of up to six weeks of action. There’s still plenty of talent to make noise on offense with Reggie Bush on pace for a monster season, but the Saints are not headed in the right direction right now.
Next Game: vs. SF (#26)

12. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
Previous Rank: 14
Having a quick trigger finger can sometimes be a virtue for NFL teams, and we saw that exemplified as the Vikings pulled the plug on quarterback Tavaris Jackson after only two games and immediately turned things around a week later. Newly entrenched starter Gus Frerotte is a journeyman, but he brings a consistent presence under center for the Vikings that they didn’t get with Jackson.
Next Game: at TEN (#14)

13. Carolina Panthers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 13
Even though their offensive line was a mess on Sunday in a loss to the Vikings, the Panthers were taken out of their game and were not able to run the ball whatsoever. Stud rookie Jonathan Stewart looked dominant in the fourth quarter the previous week, but he hardly saw the ball when it mattered this past weekend. Getting Stewart as many touches as possible will be beneficial for Carolina in the short-term, as he has the potential to break a game wide open with a single run.
Next Game: vs. ATL (#25)

14. Tennessee Titans (3-0)
Previous Rank: 15
Although quarterback Vince Young doesn’t feel he should have to earn his job back when he returns from his injury, the Titans would be best suited to leave things the way they are, regardless of Young’s health. Starter Kerry Collins has been solid in his time under center, and the deep threat his arm brings has helped the running game continue to churn out yardage.
Next Game: vs. MIN (#12)

15. Buffalo Bills (3-0)
Previous Rank: 17
Most people are surprised by the resurgence that has taken place so far this season in Buffalo, and things look promising for this team’s long term hopes. Trent Edwards is starting to get the due he undoubtedly had coming to him, while second-year Marshawn Lynch continues to teeter on the verge of becoming an elite running back. Two road games against NFC opponents are up next, leaving Dick Jauron’s crew with a chance to make a big impact on the league.
Next Game: at STL (#31)

16. New York Jets (1-2)
Previous Rank: 12
With an ideal stage to make a statement, the Jets flopped pretty badly on Monday night to suffer their second loss on the year. As the Dolphins breathe life, the Bills keep winning and the Patriots remain formidable, things are not going to be easy for Brett Favre and his new team in the AFC East. New York is just now entering the easiest portion of their 2008 schedule, so things need to look up soon if these guys want to sniff the playoffs.
Next Game: vs. ARI (#19)

17. Washington Redskins (2-1)
Previous Rank: 18
We knew it was going to be a dogfight in the NFC East this season, and with all four teams ranked in the top 20 in this week’s power rankings, it’s clear that it is the most difficult division in the league this year. Washington has bounced back nicely after an opening week defeat with two straight wins, but they’ll need a huge game out of tailback Clinton Portis in week four against the top-ranked Cowboys.
Next Game: at DAL (#1)

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 21
Brian Griese started his second game in place of Jeff Garcia Sunday. The veteran quarterback threw a career-high 67 passes to lead the Bucs through the air to their second win of the year. Tampa’s pass-happy performance was a complete surprise and will not be a trend, even if the wiry Griese looks to be the right man for the job for the Bucs this season.
Next Game: vs. GB (#9)

19. Arizona Cardinals (2-1)
Previous Rank: 20
We already know about how dangerous the Cardinals can be on offense with two of the game’s top receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but gaudy passing numbers won’t save this team if they cannot run the ball. Although Edgerrin James has been average this season, Arizona’s poor yard-per-carry average across the board still sticks out like a sore thumb.
Next Game: at NYJ (#16)

20. Cleveland Browns (0-3)
Previous Rank: 16
In the current NFL, winning is obviously everything, and the Browns just aren’t getting it done to start the year. The answer is apparently going to result in a short leash for last season’s breakout star, quarterback Derek Anderson. With Brady Quinn waiting in the wings and set to see more action during the week, Anderson is once again in an all-out fight for his starting role.
Next Game: at CIN (#22)

21. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Previous Rank: 22
With the rash of injuries that hit the Seahawks so hard this year, it’s a blessing that their bye week comes so early on in the season. Seattle will be able to use the time off to help get a host of guys healthy again, which should greatly increase their chances in a weak division. The offense got a big boost as free-agent acquisition Julius Jones broke out for a great game on Sunday, giving the Seahawks a bit more balance on the offensive side of the ball.
Next Game: BYE

22. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Previous Rank: 23
Aside from a lackluster offensive line that gave Carson Palmer virtually no time to throw the ball, the Bengals made major strides even in a losing effort to the Giants in Week Three. Palmer finally got into a rhythm even with constant pressure, and his improved play could be the starting point for this team to eventually make it back to respectability.
Next Game: vs. CLE (#20)

23. Houston Texans (0-2)
Previous Rank: 19
The thought that Houston might take a leap towards a playoff berth appears to be short-lived as quarterback Matt Schaub and the offense have struggled to move the ball effectively. Texans fans should hope that surprise rookie Steve Slaton’s 100-yard performance on Sunday can be more of a trend. If Slaton and the Houston running attack can be consistent from week to week, it might just help open things up for Schaub and star receiver Andre Johnson to do some damage through the air.
Next Game: at JAX (#10)

24. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
Previous Rank: 25
Beating up on divisional-rivals Cleveland and Cincinnati has to be sweet for the Ravens to start the year, but this is the point where things should start to get interesting for Baltimore. The play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has been nothing more than adequate so far, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the Ravens have been winning despite his struggles. Flacco will need to have the best game of his career against the Steelers this weekend if the Ravens are planning on a full sweep of the division three games into the season.
Next Game: at PIT (#3)

25. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
Previous Rank: 26
If their current trend indicates anything, then it seems that the Falcons will probably slip up and struggle against the Panthers this weekend. Big victories against bad defenses like Detroit and Kansas City are nice but are overshadowed a bit by a major struggle against Tampa Bay’s stout defensive unit. Carolina isn’t going to cut rookie quarterback Matt Ryan any breaks, and a repeat of their struggle against Tampa Bay might be imminent.
Next Game: at CAR (#13)

26. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)
Previous Rank: 29
It’s tough to make too much of San Francisco’s big win over the Detroit Lions this past weekend. Detroit’s defense had already been ripped to shreds by the Falcons and Packers in previous weeks, so what the 49ers did was surely not a new occurrence. The play of quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan remains sharp however, and Mike Martz’s new favorite signal caller could be in store for a breakout season.
Next Game: at NO (#11)

27. Chicago Bears (1-2)
Previous Rank: 24
After an upset win over the Colts in the season’s opening week, the Bears have dropped two straight games against two of the NFC’s best defensive units. Chicago won’t get any breaks Sunday either, as the Bears meet the Eagles and their No. 1 run defense. Rookie tailback Matt Forte continues to carry Chicago’s offense, but he’s on pace for nearly 400 carries and might need to see a reduced workload to avoid injury.
Next Game: vs. PHI (#2)

28. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Previous Rank: 30
It’s clear that the Dolphins are much improved this season, and their shellacking of the Patriots on Sunday drew great praise. Running back Ronnie Brown’s ability to line up at quarterback could be a vital tool for Miami’s offense in the future, but Brown can’t do it all by himself every week. The Dolphins are still a very young and inexperienced team, even if they aren’t quite the weekly pushover that they were last season.
Next Game: BYE

29. Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Previous Rank: 28
The non-stop media craze about Lane Kiffin’s job as head coach is getting ridiculous to even the common fan, and it’s almost as if Al Davis is hoping that the Raiders continue losing to have a reason to fire Kiffin. Oakland’s offense looks downright horrible, with exception of a promising rushing attack featuring Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, but, at this point, there’s no saving this team from another bad campaign.
Next Game: vs. SD (#6)

30. Detroit Lions (0-3)
Previous Rank: 27
It’s never surprising to glance at the standings and see the Detroit Lions at 0-3, but it is ironic that this same team went 4-0 during the preseason. Matt Millen’s job security has been more important than anything the Lions have done on the field this season, and there’s actually a good chance he finds himself without a job if the team continues its horrible play. A stubborn refusal to leave quarterback Jon Kitna as the starter is sinking this franchise down even further, but don’t expect any changes by Detroit’s coaching staff during their week off.
Next Game: BYE

31. St. Louis Rams (0-3)
Previous Rank: 31
The league-wide quarterback benching phenomenon continues, as the Rams threw in the towel on Marc Bulger in favor of Trent Green for Sunday. Green’s health is obviously in question, but his new role does give the Rams a slight glimpse of hope to win a few games. St. Louis has easily been the worst team the league on paper, and another week of poor play will have this team leading the sweepstakes for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft.
Next Game: vs. BUF (#15)

32. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)
Previous Rank: 32
As the first half came to a close on Sunday, the Chiefs’ decision to start quarterback Tyler Thigpen looked like one of the worst moves in the history of football, as the second year player barely completed a pass. Thigpen improved as the game wore on, but the Chiefs were still stomped on by a mediocre Atlanta Falcons squad. Larry Johnson’s 121 rushing yards proved to be the lone bright spot for a team that looks to be extremely far away from picking up its first victory.
Next Game: vs. DEN (#4)

Questions, comments, concerns? Send me an e-mail to dave@newerscouting.com.

Thursday Night is Draft Night: New Radio Show

MattMiller — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:17:07 -0000

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/All-Access-Football/2008/09/19/New-Era-Scouting-Season-Premiere

Join New Era Scouting Founder Matthew Miller every Thursday night at 8pm eastern. The newest addition to the All Access Football Radio lineup, the New Era Scouting Show will take a different look at evaluating football players. Listen in and learn what pro scouts look for, with a new player evaluation method developed by the aforementioned Miller. Player Interviews TBA. 1 Hr.

Wisconsin LB Jonathan Casillas Arrested on DUI

MattMiller — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:21:57 -0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3593874&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Wisconsin senior linebacker Jonathan Casillas was cited for drunken driving last month while riding a mo-ped.

Casillas, who missed the eighth-ranked Badgers' first two games because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, was stopped by a university police officer on Aug. 24 just after midnight. A breath test showed his blood alcohol concentration to be 0.15 percent, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Casillas, 21, received three citations -- first-offense drunken driving, driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration, and driving with two persons on a mo-ped.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Badgers coach Bret Bielema said he already has disciplined Casillas.

"We handled that the same way as any alcohol or drug [violation]," Bielema, who did not give additional details, told the newspaper.

Bielema said the case does not fall under the UW student-athlete discipline policy.

Casillas is scheduled to appear in court on the citations on Friday. Wisconsin (3-0) has this weekend off before visiting Michigan on Sept. 27.

Matt Leinart vs Matt Cassel

MattMiller — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:31:00 -0000

This question is surely going to be overplayed this season, but what does SBNation say?

If you were starting a franchise tomorrow, who are you taking?