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NFC Whispers
Lions RB Smith not long-term solution?
Posted Nov. 01, 2009 @ 1:13 a.m.
By PFW staff
• There is growing concern over the effectiveness of Lions RB Kevin Smith. Although he has been effective near the goal line, at home and in close games, Smith's overall performance has left a lot to be desired. He hasn't shown the ability to break long runs, isn't a creative runner and doesn't add a lot to the passing game. For now, he'll handle the tough yards, and he mostly has run hard in his two seasons. But the Lions could lean in another direction long term at running back.
• Could Bernard Berrian's hamstring injury push him out of the starting lineup for good, even after he gets well? Not so fast, we hear. Although Sidney Rice has taken leaps and bounds and rookie Percy Harvin appears to be the goods, Berrian still has a place on this team as an outside receiver. His role could be reduced somewhat, but the team believes he still can make an impact.
• Regardless of any changes the Bears decide to make on the starting offensive line, our sources believe there will continue to be more of an emphasis on pass protection than run blocking. Said one team insider: "They're content to let the run game struggle at less than four yards a clip as long as they protect (QB Jay) Cutler." One more O-line whisper: Don't be shocked if Frank Omiyale, a whipping boy as of late, is the starting left tackle next season with the short-armed Chris Williams remaining at right tackle.
• While the Packers believe newly acquired RB Ahman Green could provide a significant lift to the ground game if he can stay healthy, we hear it's easy to overlook just how much the team could end up missing the blocking of DeShawn Wynn on third downs. Word is the team continues to like Wynn, who underwent knee surgery and landed on I.R. for the second time in three years.
• Adding to the Commanders' pass-protection concerns is the fact that TE Chris Cooley will be out about a month with a chipped tibia at the base near his ankle. The good news is that he's having pins inserted into his ankle and should be able to come back after missing three games. He is a far better blocker than replacement Fred Davis, who allowed two Eagles defenders to go right around him for a sack in Week Seven and has eons to go before he's a competent pass blocker.
• The emergence of Giants rookie WR Hakeem Nicks has been impressive, but offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride insists that Nicks still must polish up his routes. Nicks right now is getting by on his impressive athleticism, good size and knack for tracking balls in the air. Yet, Gilbride thinks Nicks can be special if he refines his route-running technique, which is not going to happen overnight.
• The debate for the past few weeks in Dallas has been about who the No. 1 receiver is. But as one team source says, who cares? The top option in each game going forward, we hear, is the guy who is open most often. The Cowboys' game plans do not contain a specific number of touches for any one player generally but is dictated by how the game is going. So on any given day, it could be Miles Austin, Jason Witten or Roy Williams, or perhaps even another player.
• The Eagles maintain they'll find a home for MLB Jeremiah Trotter, who became yesterday's news when the team traded for Will Witherspoon. Still, Andy Reid insists that the team has a package of plays for Trotter, who was brought in to help stop the run, and they'll continue forward with the plan as he gets himself back into football condition.
• After showing some game-breaking ability in the preseason, Panthers rookie RB Mike Goodson is not factoring into the team's offense at all in the regular season. He missed time earlier due to a concussion, but he has only four carries for three yards in the four games in which he's played. The Panthers' inability to get into a rhythm on offense, thanks mostly to Jake Delhomme's turnovers, is partly to blame for the team's failure to implement new players into its offense. Goodson's penchant for fumbling is also an issue that he needs to work on before he starts to see more snaps.
• Buccaneers QB Josh Johnson struggled mightily in his four-game starting stint before handing the reins of the offense over to rookie QB Josh Freeman, who will start under center in Week Nine. Johnson's stats, including a 4-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, are not appealing, and the high number of interceptions was are particularly troubling, but observers say he proved to the club that he could be a capable backup for Freeman going forward, which is the role that head coach Raheem Morris seemed to have in mind for him all along.
• The Saints signed Kyle Eckel to take Heath Evans' roster spot at fullback, but head coach Sean Payton hinted that backup RB Lynell Hamilton could also get an opportunity to fill the void at the position. Evans is out for the year with an ACL tear.
• After an awful start, the Panthers' run defense has played much better recently. Observers say the addition of DT Hollis Thomas, who signed with the team on Oct. 1 after being cut by the Rams, has been one of the biggest keys to the unit's improvement.
• Despite the fact he has yet to catch a pass this season, we hear the Cards remain high on 2008 third-round WR Early Doucet. "The biggest thing with him has been injuries," said one team insider. "Last year it was shoulder and rib injuries that set him back. This year it's been a hamstring. But they haven't given up on him. He continues to look good in practice, and we should see plenty from him down the road."
• With the Rams apparently not happy lately with CB Jonathan Wade, we hear second-year CB Quincy Butler will get every opportunity to replace the injured Bradley Fletcher in the starting lineup at right cornerback. "Quincy has done a nice job for us," said Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole. "He is getting a chance to step up and hopefully he'll play like a seasoned vet."
• It's easy to forget because of the sudden focus on new Niners starting QB Alex Smith, but our Bay Area insiders tell us it's well worth remembering just how highly the team thinks of fifth-round rookie QB Nate Davis. "They love the guy," said one source close to the team. "If Smith can come through, they all of a sudden have a great QB situation with (Shaun) Hill figuring to be a solid backup for the present, and Davis offering great promise in the future."
• Even though Seahawks nine-time Pro Bowl OLT Walter Jones indicated he would like to try to come back next season after being placed on injured reserve, the consensus seems to be that, after all is said and done, the odds are against him being able to do so.
Lions RB Smith not long-term solution?
Posted Nov. 01, 2009 @ 1:13 a.m.
By PFW staff
• There is growing concern over the effectiveness of Lions RB Kevin Smith. Although he has been effective near the goal line, at home and in close games, Smith's overall performance has left a lot to be desired. He hasn't shown the ability to break long runs, isn't a creative runner and doesn't add a lot to the passing game. For now, he'll handle the tough yards, and he mostly has run hard in his two seasons. But the Lions could lean in another direction long term at running back.
• Could Bernard Berrian's hamstring injury push him out of the starting lineup for good, even after he gets well? Not so fast, we hear. Although Sidney Rice has taken leaps and bounds and rookie Percy Harvin appears to be the goods, Berrian still has a place on this team as an outside receiver. His role could be reduced somewhat, but the team believes he still can make an impact.
• Regardless of any changes the Bears decide to make on the starting offensive line, our sources believe there will continue to be more of an emphasis on pass protection than run blocking. Said one team insider: "They're content to let the run game struggle at less than four yards a clip as long as they protect (QB Jay) Cutler." One more O-line whisper: Don't be shocked if Frank Omiyale, a whipping boy as of late, is the starting left tackle next season with the short-armed Chris Williams remaining at right tackle.
• While the Packers believe newly acquired RB Ahman Green could provide a significant lift to the ground game if he can stay healthy, we hear it's easy to overlook just how much the team could end up missing the blocking of DeShawn Wynn on third downs. Word is the team continues to like Wynn, who underwent knee surgery and landed on I.R. for the second time in three years.
• Adding to the Commanders' pass-protection concerns is the fact that TE Chris Cooley will be out about a month with a chipped tibia at the base near his ankle. The good news is that he's having pins inserted into his ankle and should be able to come back after missing three games. He is a far better blocker than replacement Fred Davis, who allowed two Eagles defenders to go right around him for a sack in Week Seven and has eons to go before he's a competent pass blocker.
• The emergence of Giants rookie WR Hakeem Nicks has been impressive, but offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride insists that Nicks still must polish up his routes. Nicks right now is getting by on his impressive athleticism, good size and knack for tracking balls in the air. Yet, Gilbride thinks Nicks can be special if he refines his route-running technique, which is not going to happen overnight.
• The debate for the past few weeks in Dallas has been about who the No. 1 receiver is. But as one team source says, who cares? The top option in each game going forward, we hear, is the guy who is open most often. The Cowboys' game plans do not contain a specific number of touches for any one player generally but is dictated by how the game is going. So on any given day, it could be Miles Austin, Jason Witten or Roy Williams, or perhaps even another player.
• The Eagles maintain they'll find a home for MLB Jeremiah Trotter, who became yesterday's news when the team traded for Will Witherspoon. Still, Andy Reid insists that the team has a package of plays for Trotter, who was brought in to help stop the run, and they'll continue forward with the plan as he gets himself back into football condition.
• After showing some game-breaking ability in the preseason, Panthers rookie RB Mike Goodson is not factoring into the team's offense at all in the regular season. He missed time earlier due to a concussion, but he has only four carries for three yards in the four games in which he's played. The Panthers' inability to get into a rhythm on offense, thanks mostly to Jake Delhomme's turnovers, is partly to blame for the team's failure to implement new players into its offense. Goodson's penchant for fumbling is also an issue that he needs to work on before he starts to see more snaps.
• Buccaneers QB Josh Johnson struggled mightily in his four-game starting stint before handing the reins of the offense over to rookie QB Josh Freeman, who will start under center in Week Nine. Johnson's stats, including a 4-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, are not appealing, and the high number of interceptions was are particularly troubling, but observers say he proved to the club that he could be a capable backup for Freeman going forward, which is the role that head coach Raheem Morris seemed to have in mind for him all along.
• The Saints signed Kyle Eckel to take Heath Evans' roster spot at fullback, but head coach Sean Payton hinted that backup RB Lynell Hamilton could also get an opportunity to fill the void at the position. Evans is out for the year with an ACL tear.
• After an awful start, the Panthers' run defense has played much better recently. Observers say the addition of DT Hollis Thomas, who signed with the team on Oct. 1 after being cut by the Rams, has been one of the biggest keys to the unit's improvement.
• Despite the fact he has yet to catch a pass this season, we hear the Cards remain high on 2008 third-round WR Early Doucet. "The biggest thing with him has been injuries," said one team insider. "Last year it was shoulder and rib injuries that set him back. This year it's been a hamstring. But they haven't given up on him. He continues to look good in practice, and we should see plenty from him down the road."
• With the Rams apparently not happy lately with CB Jonathan Wade, we hear second-year CB Quincy Butler will get every opportunity to replace the injured Bradley Fletcher in the starting lineup at right cornerback. "Quincy has done a nice job for us," said Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole. "He is getting a chance to step up and hopefully he'll play like a seasoned vet."
• It's easy to forget because of the sudden focus on new Niners starting QB Alex Smith, but our Bay Area insiders tell us it's well worth remembering just how highly the team thinks of fifth-round rookie QB Nate Davis. "They love the guy," said one source close to the team. "If Smith can come through, they all of a sudden have a great QB situation with (Shaun) Hill figuring to be a solid backup for the present, and Davis offering great promise in the future."
• Even though Seahawks nine-time Pro Bowl OLT Walter Jones indicated he would like to try to come back next season after being placed on injured reserve, the consensus seems to be that, after all is said and done, the odds are against him being able to do so.
