SB Nation User Blog: mikey2380

Seriously...

mikey2380 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:17:20 -0000

What the hell is wrong with Ernest Wilford? I know this is discussed much on this site, but what the hell happened to him? He was decent in Jacksonville. I remember hearing good reports about him in the first two weeks of training camp. We could really use a tall, reliable redzone threat. If Wilford was half the player we paid for, we would be 5-3 cause we would have beaten the Jets in week one on the final play. I know our receivers are playing decent, but tall receivers are extremely valuable in this league. Hopefully London will develop soon.

Camarillo Gets No Respect

mikey2380 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:28:28 -0000

The Broncos showed no respect for Camarillo after the game. Brandon Marshall said, "I don't even know the dude's name. We were playing them ten yards off the ball. Anyone can get those short little passes." I was watching NFL Network just now and Karl Paymah, the man responsible for covering Camarillo, said that he's nothing cause "his longest catch was like ten yards" and they were just preparing for the run. Well, I want to say something: Karl Paymah is nothing. Sure, Camarillo had a little over a ten yard average with 10 catches for 111 yards, but why did Paymah allow him to do that and get first downs if he is nothing? Also, I can think of another guy that is well known in this league who averages about 10 yards a catch to KEEP MOVING THE CHAINS, and it just so happens that he once played for Miami and wore number 83.

AFC East in Perspective

mikey2380 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:35:32 -0000

Okay, I'd just like to say that I think our division is up for grabs. New England won today but definitely are not the team they were with Brady. The New York Jets have only convincingly beaten the Arizona Cardinals, who are a pretty decent team, but like the critics said about us after New England, the Jets need to be consistent and I think that win was a fluke. Lastly, the Bills are in the lead, but today they played a decent team, and they got murdered. Sure, Trent Edwards got knocked out early, but they certainly haven't shown us anything by beating the Rams, Seahawks, and Raiders. I will give them credit for beating Jacksonville though. Also, the trashtalking Buffalo fans still can feel good that there team is 4-1. Overall though, I think anyone can win this division cause after today, things have gotten a lot more interesting.

ESPN ST Rankings

mikey2380 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:22:50 -0000

18. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have two reliable players handling their kicking duties in P Brandon Fields and PK Jay Feely. Fields is a steady performer, while Feely was an upgrade from the previously struggling Olindo Mare. Feely missed only two of his 23 attempts in 2007. The Dolphins must improve their coverage units, and with new head coach Tony Sparano emphasizing the kicking game, this area should have marked improvement. Ted Ginn Jr. showed he can handle both the punt- and kick-return duties and flashed speed in the open field. Miami lost some valuable core special-teams players in the offseason, but two athletes who will continue to be excellent on coverage units are Jason Allen and Edmond Miles.

I'm actually surprised that ESPN emphasized that we "should have marked improvement." It seems like all the other rankings were completely based off of last season.

ESPN DB Rankings

mikey2380 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:51:35 -0000

23. Miami Dolphins
Jason Allen has the physical tools to excel as a starting free safety, but has started just nine games in his first two seasons and he will have former Atlanta starter Chris Crocker behind him if he falters. SS Yeremiah Bell can make a lot of plays with his toughness and instincts, but he also faces health questions after playing in just one game last season. Will Allen has been a solid and durable fixture at RCB, while LCB Michael Lehan needs to recover quickly from an injured ankle. The Dolphins have good depth at safety with Keith Davis and Crocker as the backups. Davis and Crocker will quickly upgrade the special teams units if they are not starting, and Andre Goodman, Nathan Jones and Travis Daniels provide quality depth at corner.

Here is the top 10:

Best Of The Rest

Age and injury are issues, but that doesn't mean the Bucs and Redskins don't have quality secondaries.
• Nos. 11-32: Bucs at home in Tampa 2 system

1. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have an outstanding group of athletes in their secondary with Terence Newman, Anthony Henry, Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin returning from last year. When you combine that group with the recent additions of Jones and rookie first-round draft pick Mike Jenkins, the Cowboys now have the type of depth that few other teams can match. They will have a tremendous amount of flexibility within their personnel packages to take advantage of each player's strengths while also being able to disguise coverages. Opposing quarterbacks will have to be smart and accurate to have success against this group. The talents of the secondary combined with the effective pass rush of the front seven will force opposing quarterbacks to make some quick decisions.

2. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have the best duo of starting cornerbacks in the league with Nnamdi Asomugha and Hall. Both are shutdown cornerbacks who can sustain tight coverage all day, and each has the size, speed and athletic ability to match up with the best receivers in the game. The Raiders also added instinctive FS Gibril Wilson from the Giants to start opposite former first-round draft pick Michael Huff on the back end. This combination of athletic, experienced defensive backs will provide defensive coordinator Rob Ryan a lot of flexibility. He now can be as aggressive as he wants up front knowing that the players he has on the back end are experienced and can create turnovers. If this unit stays healthy, it should get better with time. The players' average age is 25.

3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles added Samuel to an already-talented group that includes safeties Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell along with cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard. The Eagles have a solid group of playmakers who should thrive under the aggressive schemes of defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Though Dawkins is aging, he still puts fear into opposing teams' quarterbacks with his instincts and aggressiveness. They will remain aggressive up front with their pressure designs, which will provide the defensive backs plenty of opportunities to get their hands on the ball and create turnovers. Samuel brings his ball skills and championship experience to an Eagles defense that now has the flexibility to disguise coverages and create confusion for opposing offenses.

4. Indianapolis Colts
Though this group may not have the big-name recognition of some of the other top secondaries in the league, it plays very well as a unit. SS Bob Sanders is the most dangerous player of this group and obviously is a difference-maker. His instincts and toughness are contagious, and he provides a lot of versatility with his playmaking ability in the box as well as in coverage. Joining him is Antoine Bethea at the free safety position. He brings very good speed to the table. The Colts' cornerbacks consist of Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson, who are good players for this scheme with their ability to recognize routes, maintain leverage on receivers and get into position to make plays on the ball. The Colts also have good depth with Tim Jennings and Dante Hughes. All of these players are tough and play with speed.

5. San Diego Chargers
This group could develop into one of the best in the coming years. Two-year CB Antonio Cromartie already is one of the premier cover men in the NFL, and he joins established veteran Quentin Jammer. This tandem gives the Chargers two of the better outside cover men. With first-round draft pick Antoine Cason figuring into the mix, the Chargers have three good cornerbacks who should match up well when they are facing multiple-receiver sets. Clinton Hart and Eric Weddle will provide a combination of youth and experience at the safety positions. Weddle is a good, young athlete who has range but lacks experience as a starter, while Hart provides experience and toughness.

6. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle made changes in its secondary last year to stabilize the free and strong safety positions. Bringing in experienced starters Deon Grant and Brian Russell through free agency gave the team the needed confidence on the back end to be much more aggressive up front. Both players have good instincts and are smart. Though Grant brings athletic ability and range, Russell is a sound overall player who is disciplined with his angles and assignments. On the outside, Marcus Trufant is a shut-down corner who went to the Pro Bowl last year. He can take away an opposing team's best receiver and hold coverage downfield. But the team isn't certain about its other side. Kelly Jennings is a former first-round draft pick who competes hard and has very good speed. But he will be pushed by backups Jordan Babineaux, Josh Wilson and Kevin Hobbs. Either way, the Seahawks have good depth, and the competition will only elevate the defense.

7. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have excellent talent in their secondary, but injuries last season raise some questions for the coming year. There is little doubt that Ed Reed and Chris McAlister are two of the better players at their positions. Because of the aggressiveness of this scheme, these players can challenge routes knowing that the front pressure will force the ball out of the quarterback's hands quickly. SS Dawan Landry has been a very productive complement to Reed in his first two years. Though Reed has outstanding range, instincts and ball skills, Landry has good size, toughness and tackling ability. A big question mark will be the RCB position, because Samari Rolle had some medical issues last year and the Ravens were forced to rely on some inexperienced backups. They added depth, experience and competition in the offseason with the addition of Frank Walker and Fabian Washington. Corey Ivy is also a good, experienced backup who is effective covering the slot.

8. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have three returning starters in the secondary with LCB Chris Gamble, RCB Ken Lucas and SS Chris Harris. They also have quality depth with Richard Marshall as the No. 3 cornerback. Though Marshall easily could start for other teams, he is the nickel for now. There is some uncertainty as to who will be the starting free safety, but the competition will be good. Veteran Terrence Holt will compete with rookie third-round draft pick Charles Godfrey and second-year player Quinton Teal. Holt has the experience. Godfrey is known for his speed and tackling and can play cornerback. But Teal could make the decision tough before all is said and done. Either way, the Panthers have a good group of defensive backs who are versatile and well coached.

9. Denver Broncos
The Broncos' secondary features two outstanding corners in Champ Bailey and Dre Bly. Everyone knows Bailey has elite cover skills and playmaking ability. He can match up with any receiver in the league, and his side of the field is usually a dangerous area to attack. With Bly on the other side, quarterbacks need to make smart, accurate throws if they are to have success throwing to the outside. Veteran SS John Lynch is smart and tough. He can make adjustments quickly and is a very physical player. His range is descending, but his instincts allow him to be in good position. The Broncos have Hamza Abdullah at the free safety position and have added Marlon McCree for competition and depth. Overall, this is a solid group that should make more plays on the ball, especially if the pass rush is improved from last year.

10. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have two big, athletic corners who can play aggressive man coverage on the outside with Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Joining them on the back end are young emerging starters FS Nick Collins and SS Atari Bigby. This group proved last year it has the speed and athletic ability to match up well in coverage and still remain productive versus the run. Though an argument could be made for age becoming an issue on the outside, don't expect to see a quick drop-off from Harris and Woodson yet. The team also added youth and depth to the cornerback position with the addition of second-round draft pick Patrick Lee. Expect the Packers' secondary to build on the confidence it gained from last year's success.

Espn Defense Rankings

mikey2380 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:15:20 -0000

Defensive Line

"23. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins will be making the transition from an even front to a 3-4 defense, and it will take time for the players to learn a new scheme. Bringing in NT Jason Ferguson will give them a powerful presence on the inside, while DEs Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday should fit the new scheme nicely. Roth is a high-motor type who plays with intensity and good technique but will need to gain strength. Holliday, who played both end and tackle in Miami's four-man front, should make the transition quickly. First-round pick Phillip Merling could be an impact player as a rookie, and his contributions will be needed if the Dolphins hope to improve what was the worst run defense (153.5 ypg) in the NFL last season."

Linebackers

"31. Miami Dolphins
While the Dolphins have done an awful lot to change the look of their franchise and revamp their ailing roster, linebacker is a position that doesn't look set for the time being or the future. A year ago, Miami spent big money to bring in Joey Porter from the Steelers. He has extensive experience in the 3-4 scheme and did progress as the season went along, but he had to be considered a disappointment and offers little upside for the future. Jason Taylor still is a great player opposite Porter, but a lot of doubt surrounds his future in Miami, and he very well could be playing elsewhere. For the sake of these rankings, we will include him, but it is difficult to predict how this will play out or how Taylor will produce going forward. One thing we do know is that Taylor still can wreak havoc. Miami did add two outside linebackers, Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson, who look to be excellent depth and special teams players. If Taylor were out of the picture, Anderson would get the first crack to replace him. Torbor also could factor in on the inside. Channing Crowder returns on the inside, and the Dolphins acquired Akin Ayodele from Dallas to be the other starter. In Zach Thomas' absence, Crowder must step up. This isn't an exceptional pairing, particularly in their ability to play the pass, but both players have good size and will show toughness against the run. The Dolphins' depth here is solid, but true playmakers might be hard to come by in this present crop by the time Miami becomes a contender again."

I can't believe how low they rank our linebackers. Yeah, we are rebuilding, but 31st?!? The defensive back rankings aren't up. I'm starting to agree more with Matty that ESPN Insider is a waste.

I would like to see this happen again.

mikey2380 — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:34:27 -0000

via cache.boston.com

This is from the 2005 season. How about that Crowder-Brady-Taylor sandwich? By the sound of practice today (Sunday), Charlie Anderson is quite the pass rusher. He sacked Beck twice and McCown once. However, it is only June,but I'm glad we have Parcells and Ireland to build a 3-4 defense the right way. Sorry to ramble on and on, but I have to get to the seventy five word limit.