PFW NFC East Whispers: Williams will be pet project of Campo, perhaps Capers

[WoodysGirl]

The Way We Hear It

Dallas
Feb. 1, 2008
Williams will be pet project of Campo, perhaps Capers

Assuming Dom Capers joins the team as a defensive assistant, as has been rumored, he and new secondary coach Dave Campo will have many chores. The defense was a disappointing group in some regards down the stretch, but admirable in others. One of those disappointing areas included the pass defense. Coordinator Brian Stewart, who has a background in coaching defensive backs, wasn’t able to turn SS Roy Williams into the playmaker he has a reputation for being. So perhaps a fresh perspective from Campo — and maybe Capers — can help Williams be more effective than he was in 2007, when he frequently was out of position in coverage and often removed in passing situations. “The things we saw in Roy years ago, I saw some good things,” Campo said in his introductory speech “I think I can get with him and we can see if we can progress. I think Roy has skills and I think he can play better than he’s playing.”

NY Giants
Feb. 6, 2008
Giants should remain in good shape even with potential losses


Even if Michael Strahan decides to retire now that he has a Super Bowl title, the Giants’ defense should be in phenomenal shape. The team has only two regular starters bound for free agency — S Gibril Wilson and LB Kawika Mitchell — and both could be re-signed. Plus, with ­Mathias Kiwanuka expected to rejoin the team in full health next season, there’s no drop-off from the pass rush. Kiwanuka will line up at a number of spots, but he’s expected to be more of an end — whether or not Strahan retires. The biggest potential loss, of course, is coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, should he be wooed and subsequently offered the Commanders’ head-coaching position. And head coach Tom Coughlin, just as he did to find Spagnuolo, might have to go outside the organization to find a replacement, unless he thinks LB coach Bill Sheridan could continue what Spagnuolo began.


View all WWHI for NY Giants


Philadelphia
Feb. 1, 2008
Offensive line an area to watch for Eagles


The Eagles have enjoyed a good deal of continuity on the offensive line, but more so in 2006 than they had last season when a few starters missed games with injuries. That said, the Eagles have taken strides to protect themselves with depth at the position as well. The biggest-name reserve is OT Winston Justice, who came to the team young, talented and hyped but since has seen his stock drop — with one real game’s worth of experience. It was Justice’s horrible struggles in the Week Four matchup with Giants DE Osi Umenyiora in which Umenyiora had six sacks, and at least four of them were credited to Justice. His struggles likely mean that the team will pay starting OLT William Thomas, the man Justice was replacing in that game, in the neighborhood of $6 million to stay with the team this season. One reserve who handled his pinch-hit duty well was Max Jean-Gilles, who stepped in for an injured Shawn Andrews and handled himself quite well. So much so, team sources say, that Jean-Gilles could vie for a starting spot at left guard, battling with Todd Herremans, who wasn’t as good in ’07 as he was in ’06.


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Washington
Feb. 1, 2008
Some signs point to Mariucci — for now


Read the signs and tea leaves how you might, but there is no disputing the fact that former 49ers and Lions head coach Steve Mariucci — who has served the past two years as an analyst for the NFL Network — has ties to both of the Commanders’ assistant-coach hires, offensive coordinator Jim Zorn and defensive coordinator Greg Blache. Another reported hire, would-be DL coach Larry Brooks, spent two years in Detroit with Mariucci. And to further hammer home the connections, Commanders executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato worked in San Francisco when Mariucci was hired as Niners head coach. One of the reasons that Gregg Williams was let go, team sources tell PFW, is because Williams and Cerrato did not have a good relationship.



View all WWHI for Washington

 

[WoodysGirl]

Whispers


Feb. 2, 2008

Updated at 4:20 p.m. EST Saturday, Feb. 2

• PFW asked Chiefs RB Larry Johnson at the Super Bowl what he liked most from his short time watching QB Brodie Croyle in his second year: “The fact he can throw that ball,” Johnson told PFW. “He can really whiz that ball. I’ve seen him at practice, and he can throw it in there. For him, it’s just making his decisions a lot quicker. As soon as he can begin to do that, he’ll be better off because he can move on his feet, he can do different things and throw the ball 100 miles an hour. It’s just about him being able to make those decisions a lot quicker. That’s the next step.”

• Speaking of Croyle, enough uncertainty about his potential in the NFL remains that there are rumblings in Kansas City that suggest it may be difficult for the Chiefs, even with more pressing needs on the offensive line and at wide receiver and cornerback, to pass on a franchise passer like Boston College’s Matt Ryan when they select either fourth or fifth overall in April, if he’s still available. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt didn’t exactly dispel those rumors recently. “Whether it’s this year or another year, if we have a shot at somebody we think can be a franchise quarterback, I would expect us to take him,” Hunt said. “That presumes we don’t already have one on the roster, and right now, I don’t think we know that.”

• The surgery to repair Chargers QB Philip Rivers’ torn ACL was bumped up a few weeks in preparation for the birth of his fourth child, and all reports are that the operation went extremely well. The estimated timetable for his return is six months, but Rivers suggests he’s a fast healer and will have no problems being ready for the start of training camp in July.

• This spring will be an interesting one for Lions QB Drew Stanton, who was a favorite of former coordinator Mike Martz but might not fit the offense that Jim Colletto puts together. That said, simple terminology and a streamlined playbook might be exactly what the freewheeling Stanton, who spent the season on injured reserve, could use.

• Expect Vikings RB Adrian Peterson to be more involved in the passing game next season. The team has told him in no uncertain terms that, in order for him to be on the field more, he must improve as a pass blocker first and a receiver second. Look for the team to spend extra time with him on these responsibilities during the offseason.

• We’re hearing the Bears will probably try to get by with the lowest tender on restricted free-agent WR Rashied Davis, whom they are envisioning as their No. 4 receiver in 2008.

• Word is Packers rookie DT Justin Harrell is thinking about dropping 10 pounds before next season rolls around after feeling “sluggish” tipping the scales at 310 pounds in his first pro campaign. No matter what the ’07 first-round pick weighs, we hear DT coach Robert Nunn wants him to work more on his lower-body strength and flexibility this offseason.

• Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told a team source at the Super Bowl that the team will continue using the zone run game for a third straight year — for better or worse.

• The talk about Giants TE Jeremy Shockey playing elsewhere next season is premature. First, his contract is prohibitive, either by trade or by releasing him. GM Jerry Reese might be bold, but he’s not going to give one of the team’s better weapons away.

• There is a growing sense that while the Eagles likely won’t break the bank to do so, they could make a stronger-than-expected push to re-sign TE L.J. Smith. It was believed, as his injury-plagued season wore on, that Smith was no longer in the team’s plans, at least not at franchise money. But there is a growing sense that re-signing Smith might be the best way to improve the offense, especially in the red zone, without overspending. It also would make QB Donovan McNabb happy.

• We hear that, despite the recent Seattle Times report of Bucs TE Jerramy Stevens’ assault conviction and accusations that he later raped a woman while he was a star player for the Washington Huskies, Tampa’s front office has yet to sound off on the matter. This is a public-relations nightmare for the club, and many fans have been outraged after reading the story. Our source in Tampa said the damage could affect season-ticket renewals for next season if the Bucs keep their silence, as well as Stevens.

• Our source in Carolina expects the Panthers to get more creative with their use of WR Steve Smith early next season. First-year offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson waited until late in the 2007 campaign to show some innovation, but the trick plays were mostly successful.

• Brian VanGorder’s return to the Falcons’ coaching staff as defensive coordinator was a welcome move in the team’s locker room, we hear. After spending the first 13 games of this season as the Falcons’ LB coach, VanGorder left, following Bobby Petrino’s resignation, to become the defensive coordinator at South Carolina. Falcons MLB Keith Brooking was particularly vocal in his support of VanGorder.

• The Saints like the versatility of OG Jamar Nesbit, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but if they decide to go younger on their offensive line, our source said Nebsit will be the one to go. The nine-year veteran started at left guard for New Orleans but can play any of the O-line positions.

• Ex-Browns RB Reuben Droughns, currently with the Giants, admires what his old team has built — and he’s very impressed with QB Derek Anderson, a restricted free agent. “I think they’ve really grown up as a team,” Droughns said. “They need to bring Derek back, though. They really do.”

• New Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker had this to say about OLB Kamerion Wimbley’s sack total falling from 11 in 2006 to five in ’07: “(Sometimes) pressures, they don’t show up in the (stat) column, and I think he was able to get some things done there and just draw attention to himself in his second year, and that allows other guys to be freed up. He did get better and made some strides.”

• Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald liked the approach head coach Ken Whisenhunt took in his first season on the job. “Coach Whisenhunt came in with a plan, and his plan worked well,” Fitzgerald told PFW at the Super Bowl. “He came in with a concept of building team chemistry, doing things that were going to get guys together and be able to rely on each other throughout the season, and he did a great job with that. Everybody bought into it, and that’s why we had a little more productivity this year.”

• Patriots OLB Adalius Thomas, formerly of Baltimore, was happy to see the Ravens were able to retain defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Said Thomas: “I learned a lot from him. He taught me a lot. … He’s definitely one of my favorite coaches.”

• Browns OLT Joe Thomas, who played no small role in the team’s surprising success in 2007, played every snap this season. Overall, injuries were far less of a factor this season than they were in past years, and Thomas praised strength and conditioning coach Tom Myslinski for his work in keeping the club relatively healthy. “That’s really where it starts, when you take care of your body off the field and the things you do in the weight room to prevent injury,” Thomas said.

• Several Patriots players, especially on defense, found reason during Super Bowl week to praise the work of veteran backup RB Kevin Faulk for his unselfishness and awareness. “Honestly, Kevin Faulk is one of the best all-around players I’ve ever played with,” LB Mike Vrabel said. “… If you ever look at Kevin and see him run a route, let’s say it’s 3rd-and-8 and he runs a six-yard route and runs out of bounds — he never does something like that. He’s always making the right play at the right time, just knowing the situation and executing the situation and getting Tom (Brady) off the hook with a check-down for a first down.”

• Perhaps no player has better epitomized the Patriots’ team-first attitude throughout their modern dynasty better than Troy Brown. Brown has been everything from a receiver to a punt returner to a cornerback throughout his tenure in New England, proving to be the consummate professional. But we hear this season will likely be his last. A veteran of 15 years, Brown has seen his skills diminish as the Pats’ WR depth has improved. Coach Bill Belichick has too much respect for Brown to shove him out the door, but it’s likely Brown will retire of his own volition.

• Looking for a concrete figure to reflect how badly the Dolphins have mismanaged their personnel recently? Eleven players given up on by Miami have found homes on the rosters of the Super Bowl participants Patriots and Giants. The Patriots, in particular, have done an outstanding job resurrecting the careers of players the Dolphins deemed expendable, such as WR Wes Welker, FB Heath Evans, RB Sammy Morris (though he’s been on injured reserve much of the season) and ILB Junior Seau.

• The Bills are faced with a rather pleasant conundrum at linebacker. When standout rookie MLB Paul Posluszny was lost early in the season with a broken forearm, second-year pro John DiGiorgio did a better job filling in for him than anyone could have expected. Heading into next season, Posluszny is virtually guaranteed of reclaiming the “Mike” spot, but DiGiorgio proved he’s starting-caliber-worthy. We hear it’s likely that he’ll simply remain as a backup, but it wouldn’t be surprising if DiGiorgio took over SLB duties and Angelo Crowell flipped from the strong side to the weak side, relegating middling Keith Ellison to a backup role.

• The Colts’ new home, Lucas Oil Stadium, is being hailed as an architectural gem. But the destruction of the RCA Dome will also be a work of art. While explosives are generally used to tear down stadiums, the use of dynamite will only be used to do away with parts of the structure. Primarily, it will be a wrecking-ball project. According to a published report, the destruction will cost upward of $3.5 million.

• Team insiders say it’s highly unlikely the Jaguars will re-sign free-agent SS Sammy Knight, despite the fact he led the team in tackles. The 33-year-old has diminished coverage ability, and the team will likely forge ahead with either Jamaal ***** or Gerald Sensabaugh, who spent the majority of last season on injured reserve.

• We hear Rams head coach Scott Linehan was given permission by the Commanders to talk with offensive coordinator Al Saunders about taking the same job in St. Louis more than a week before the Commanders officially dismissed Saunders. Word is Linehan got instantly excited about the prospect of hiring Saunders, who had previously earned favorable reviews as an assistant under both Dick Vermeil and Mike Martz in the “Greatest Show on Turf” era. The hiring of Saunders was praised by the local media, which had been very hard on Linehan and the Rams since the end of the season.

• For what it’s worth, word is the Cardinals’ scouts present at this year’s Senior Bowl spent a great deal of time checking out Michigan QB Chad Henne.

• Cardinals QB Matt Leinart told a team source at the Super Bowl that his fractured left collarbone has healed, but also that he was planning on consulting with highly regarded Dr. James Andrews about some soreness he has been experiencing in his knee. Also on the injury front, we hear WR Anquan Boldin is recovering quicker than expected from the hip and toe injuries that limited him in ’07, and he expects to be at full strength for the opening of training camp.

• Our Niners sources have already begun wondering how quickly new offensive coordinator Mike Martz will lose patience with Ashley Lelie if the wide receiver appears as “uninterested” in adapting to the Niners’ new system as he did in his first season with the team. We hear Lelie drove WR coach Jerry Sullivan nuts this past season with how long it took for Lelie to learn his routes.

• As the Niners apparently continue working on restructuring the contract of veteran ILB Derek Smith, who we’re told is really well-liked by head coach Mike Nolan and assistant head coach/defense Mike Singletary, team sources simply can’t understand why LB Brandon Moore continues to be the odd man out in the Niners’ defense. “It’s a real mystery,” said one source. “He has played well for them when given the chance. He should be playing a lot more than he is. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

• While it’s a given the Seahawks will search long and hard via the draft or free agency for a tight end to replace Marcus Pollard — whose meltdown on the frozen tundra in the NFC title game continues to leave a sour taste — we hear the team is impressed with the way practice-squad TE Joe Newton developed this season.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Excellent article. If the Cards are so stupid that they actually take Henne (And I don't think that is true in the least) then they deserve to be smacked in the face repeatedly.

Henne might wind up being a good pro, of that I don't know, but when you've already got Leinart (Who you invested a first and money in) how about you just worry about developing him and dumping that insanly stupid 2 QB system.

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

"The things we saw in Roy years ago, I saw some good things,” Campo said in his introductory speech “I think I can get with him and we can see if we can progress. I think Roy has skills and I think he can play better than he’s playing.”

When did he say that? I know I have been depressed and hiding, but I never read that Dave said that or is that just PFT BS!

 

[SDogo]

“The things we saw in Roy years ago, I saw some good things,” Campo said in his introductory speech “I think I can get with him and we can see if we can progress. I think Roy has skills and I think he can play better than he’s playing.”

When did he say that? I know I have been depressed and hiding, but I never read that Dave said that or is that just PFT BS!

It was reported and quoted about a 1000 times on this board. It's not a PFT thing.

 

[Woods]

“The things we saw in Roy years ago, I saw some good things,” Campo said in his introductory speech “I think I can get with him and we can see if we can progress. I think Roy has skills and I think he can play better than he’s playing.”

When did he say that? I know I have been depressed and hiding, but I never read that Dave said that or is that just PFT BS!

Campo said that in his introductory speech when he was hired as the Secondary Coach.

 

[WoodysGirl]

It was reported and quoted about a 1000 times on this board. It's not a PFT thing.

Just to add, this was written on Pro Football Weekly (PFW)

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

Gotcha Woody, I have been out of it of lately. I am trying to let it go, but I can't!@ I have been through the "Catch" and the "94 NFC Championship Debacle", but that Giants game has scorned me for life!

 

[TellerMorrow34]

That Giant loss was in no way as bad as the 94 Title game, or the Catch. It doesn't even rank remotely close.

I know it's painful, I was mad for a couple days myself, but it's not nearly that kind of loss.

 

[TheCount]

Ah, so nice to see everyone so optimistic once more, it really must be the offseason.

 

[Hailmary]

Excellent article. If the Cards are so stupid that they actually take Henne (And I don't think that is true in the least) then they deserve to be smacked in the face repeatedly.

Henne might wind up being a good pro, of that I don't know, but when you've already got Leinart (Who you invested a first and money in) how about you just worry about developing him and dumping that insanly stupid 2 QB system.

They are probably just looking at him as a mid rounds option for depth if he slides a bit. If he slides to the 4th, I wouldn't mind if we did the same.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Yeah I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea. Nothing wrong with taking him later on. I guess I just figured on them taking him higher, for some reason.


Good point.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Excellent article. If the Cards are so stupid that they actually take Henne (And I don't think that is true in the least) then they deserve to be smacked in the face repeatedly.

Henne might wind up being a good pro, of that I don't know, but when you've already got Leinart (Who you invested a first and money in) how about you just worry about developing him and dumping that insanly stupid 2 QB system.

Maybe because they realize Leinart is closer to being a bust than he is to being a great QB.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

To me all the coaching in the world won't help Roy Williams, the guy needs to take issue with himself...

 

[big dog cowboy]

Coordinator Brian Stewart, who has a background in coaching defensive backs, wasn’t able to turn SS Roy Williams into the playmaker he has a reputation for being.

Perhaps the issue isn't with Stewart.

 

[Bach]

So perhaps a fresh perspective from Campo — and maybe Capers — can help Williams be more effective than he was in 2007, when he frequently was out of position in coverage and often removed in passing situations. “The things we saw in Roy years ago, I saw some good things,” Campo said in his introductory speech “I think I can get with him and we can see if we can progress. I think Roy has skills and I think he can play better than he’s playing.”

Good, hopefully they'll make him start punching the clock

 

[TheCount]

What would be interesting is hearing William's reply to something like this. Would he be all for it, hoping to get better or feel like he's being treated like a rook because coaches are paying special attention to his development?

 

[khiladi]

Expect Vikings RB Adrian Peterson to be more involved in the passing game next season. The team has told him in no uncertain terms that, in order for him to be on the field more, he must improve as a pass blocker first and a receiver second. Look for the team to spend extra time with him on these responsibilities during the offseason.

That is the dumbest thing I have heard. If the Vikings don't want to play Peterson more that is their loss...

 

[Aliencowboy]

I have suggestion for Campo and a new role for Roy on the defense. Overpaid enforcer like in hockey.

Bring him on for a play so he can horsecollar the other teams best receiver. Take the penalty. Let him pay the fine. Get suspended for a week. This would display his best talents.

And then get his Doughy butt off the
field.

 

[wileedog]

That is the dumbest thing I have heard. If the Vikings don't want to play Peterson more that is their loss...

Probably more of a motivational ploy than anything.

Although the Vikings organization is not known for its brilliance in general...