lombardi on the NFL

TAVERN TALK

2008-08-08T15:01:00.011-04:00

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY

1. Watching the Saints and Cardinals game last night I was not overly impressed with Pierre Thomas. He did not show the leg drive and power that I was looking to see. I was not grading his production, but his skills. I think Aaron Stecker looked much better. The Saints have a couple of huge questions that remain to be answered: "Can their offensive line play well all year?" and "Do they have a big, physical running back on their roster?"

2. Conversely, I thought that running back Tim Hightower of the Cardinals ran hard and showed power and burst. I now understand why they cut Marcel Shipp so quickly.

3. If I were the Miami Dolphins I would call the Saints and check to see if Devery Henderson is available. He signed a one-year deal with the Saints this off-season and with the play of Robert Meacham last night Henderson might be expendable. The Saints have to get Meacham on the field.

4. Matt Leinart passed his first preseason test, and it was his easy one. He needed to play well and execute the offense. His accuracy was solid and he looked comfortable. He just needs to keep working hard and improving. But last night was not a real test. Tougher ones are yet to come....

5. David Clowney put on a show last night for his old teammate Brett Favre. The Jets stole Clowney off the Packers practice squad and he looks like he can flat out fly down the field. He will need to prove he can beat press coverage. Once he can do that, he will be helped by having Favre at quarterback.

6. Chad Pennington will get a very good deal as a free agent. He won’t make the $6 million he was due, but he may get close to $4 million this year. He has several teams bidding for him. At the end of the day, Miami seems like the best fit. I hear from very good sources that Pennington would love to go to Minnesota and that a number of Viking players would like to have him join the team. Strangely, there does not seem to be a high level of interest coming from the Vikings right now.

7. There are a ton of games this weekend. I will have more thoughts and comments. Stay tuned....

THE JERSEY DINER MORNING NEWS

2008-08-08T08:03:00.008-04:00

1. FROM THE DENVER POST... Eddie Royal, the rookie was moved ahead of veteran Darrell Jackson this week and will start Saturday night opposite Brandon Marshall at receiver in the Broncos' preseason opener against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. "He's earned the chance to start," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He's practiced at a high level and done all the things you need to do to play with the first team."

This must mean that Darrell Jackson has the drops. Jackson might be the most inconsistent catcher in the NFL. He can have great moments and then look below average at times. Jackson and Kerry Colbert, the FA signing from the Panthers, have failed to impress.

2. FROM THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION... “There are a lot of young players that I think are going to have a really fun time in Jacksonville, having their first professional action," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. On offense, left tackle Sam Baker (Quinn Ojinnaka started the season finale), center Alex Stepanovich (Todd McClure), right guard Harvey Dahl (Kynan Forney), tight end Ben Hartsock (Alge Crumpler), wide receiver Michael Jenkins or Laurent Robinson (Joe Horn) and running back Michael Turner (Warrick Dunn) are new projected starters."We've got a bunch of young guys," second-year lineman Justin Blalock said. "We are excited to get out there and see how we play together when it's a live game."

This is a great deal of change for the Falcons. Don’t expect all of these guys to eventually become starters. Needless to say, how Atlanta handles their evaluations is critical. It's one thing to be a starter for the Falcons, but the question that has to be asked is, "Can this player start for the Patriots?" It’s how the evaluations match to the rest of the NFL that counts most.

3. FROM THE CHICAGO DAILY HERALD... ”So much for first-round draft choice Chris Williams winning the starting left tackle job in time for the season opener. Williams underwent surgery for a herniated disc in his lower back early Thursday morning and will be out indefinitely. Bears spokesman Scott Hagel said the team plans to keep Williams on the final 53-man roster but had no timetable for his return.”

This is a horrible break for the Bears. Offensive linemen with this type of injury have a difficult time coming back in the same year. It takes an off-season and extensive weight training to get back to playing strength. Back injuries for offensive linemen are very worrisome for those in the front office. You keep asking yourself questions like, "Can his body hold up?" and "Does his frame have the ability to gain mass?" Tough tough break for the Bears.

4. FROM THE JACKSONVILLE TIMES UNION... [Mike Peterson] “I was taught if you didn't have to work for it, it wasn't worth it," he said. "I'm always a fighter. It's another step in my life. I've got to put some work in and accomplish what I want. I'm always thinking positive. Even with everything is going bad, I'm going to think positive. I just pray something gets done. If not, I'm man enough to handle it. "Somebody is going to get a great ballplayer. I just hope it's here."

Peterson is in a fantastic spot right now. If he can assume both the leadership and the play-caller roles for Greg Williams, and also play well, he will get his new contract. All Peterson has to do is play well, there is plenty of money in the open market and he has the right mindset to achieve his goals.

5. FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS WEB SITE... They came up here to compete, and be physical, and be disciplined, and play hard, and run, and do all the things we want to do as a football team," John Harbaugh said. "That’s probably more gratifying than the victory."

It did not surprise me that the Ravens returned a punt for a touchdown and played hard. They are going to be a tough team to beat because they can win two of the three phases of the game: special teams and defense. They will play with intensity and will be competitive in every game. Harbaugh is changing the dynamics of how they play and practice in Baltimore and it appears to me that the players are buying in.

6. FROM THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS... Negotiations continued late into the night, aimed at wrapping up details on a new contract for Brian Westbrook, sources close to the situation indicated. The Eagles are expected to announce the deal today, before their preseason opener in Pittsburgh.

Westbrook is so much a part of the offense for the Eagles they had to do something to make him feel secure and comfortable. This restructuring of his contract deal will make all the other players feel they deserve a new one, too. The reality, however, is when you study game tape and compare the numbers, Westbrook did need an adjustment. There can only be one golden rule for all restructured deals -- just play well!

7. FROM THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE... Vikings owner and Chairman Zygi Wilf have been very impressed with what he has seen in training camp in Mankato, and he said he anticipates a highly successful season. "We're going into our fourth year [of ownership], but certainly I think everybody on our team expects great things this year," Wilf said. "We're certainly going to be fighting for the division, and I think we have the team and the confidence to do it. I know that we have the potential to be the best, but we'll wait for the season to unfold to show our true colors."

Minnesota has put together a very fine team. I am a firm believer that teams who make it to the Final Four (the conference championship game) have 7 out of the 10 offensive and defensive lineman (4 down guys and one nickel rusher) graded RED or above. Minnesota fits that profile. I've said it before, and I will keep on saying it, "This game is all about the offensive and defensive lines."

8. FROM THE NORTH COUNTY TIMES... San Diego WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring) is hoping to return to practice next week and won't play in Saturday's game. Rookie RB Jacob Hester was excused from the afternoon practice to deal with a personal matter. Coach Norv Turner said he anticipates QB Philip Rivers getting the first 15-20 snaps before giving way to Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst.

All that talk this off-season that Rivers might not be able to come back has been set aside now that he is healthy enough to play in the first preseason game. San Diego has some very talented players and it will be interesting to watch how Jacob Hester plays in the NFL. He may not test very well, but he was one of those players in college that just made plays. His versatile style will fit well with the Chargers offensive scheme.

9. FROM THE GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE... This is a high-risk business,” Ted Thompson said. “This is the National Football League. We understand that when we sign on. Yeah, does that put us at risk? But there are all kinds of risks in the NFL, there are all kinds of risks in life. You make the best decisions you can based on what you believe is in the best interests of the Green Bay Packers.”

I still believe that this whole mess would never have occurred had Favre not played well in 07. Interestingly, it was his performance last year that helped get Thompson and McCarthy their new contracts. Ironic, isn't it? The newfound security that accompanied those new contracts is what allowed Thompson to make this power move.

10. FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE... Isaac Bruce might not play tonight against the Raiders because the 49ers want the wide receiver rested for the regular season. Having seen him play for 14 years with the Rams, they know what he can do.

I always worry about 14-year vets that don’t go out and play, regardless of the time of year. One of my favorite Bill Belichick lines that I recall from our days together in Cleveland is, “What is he saving it for?” Any vet can play in August, but where will their legs be in November when you really need them to play well? If you allow yourself to get fooled in August, your team will suffer later in the season. You have to know that how the veterans look today won’t be how they look in November. You must be able to answer the question, "Is that going to be good enough?"

TAVERN TALK

2008-08-07T17:21:00.024-04:00

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY

1. I love Warren Sapp as a player and as a person who has great respect for and knowledge of the game. See the link below for his take on the whole Brett Favre trade (the link will take you off this site). And congratulations to Warren for being the next member of the NFL Network team. He will do an amazing job providing clean and HONEST opinion. He will be prepared. Sapp is very knowledgeable about many topics other than sports. I recall one instance in particular. It was right before the Raiders were slated to play the Washington Redskins. I had invited ABC political columnist and writer, George Will and his son to Oakland's practice. His son Jonathan is a die-hard Redskins fan. When practice was over, Warren was the only player who went up to Mr. Will and engaged in a full conversation. His knowledge of world events is quite impressive.

Video: Sapp Interview on Favre Trade

2. I had a very long conversation today with someone who has played in the NFL and knows both the Packer and Jet offensive systems. He thinks that unless Favre really prepares, he will face a huge challenge. I expressed my opinions earlier today in an SI article and in this blog. The Jets have to approach this situation like it is going to work. They have to pour all their time and energy into making this offense work with Favre. They are going to have to be very adaptive.

3. Watch Chad Pennington's agent Tom Condon create a bidding war for the services of his client. I think the Chiefs, the Fins, and maybe even the Raiders should talk to Chad, assuming the price is right. Pennington wants to be a starter and clearly believes he has the ability. Whichever team can prove to him and assure him that he will start is the one that will have the upper hand in winning the deal. I am betting on Miami.

4. Here is Tampa's GM Bruce Allen on the Favre talks:

Interviewer: Did you get that feeling in your negotiations with Green Bay that perhaps this was going to be a brutal effort trying to get Favre to Tampa Bay?

Allen: "There were no negotiations. There was never any substance or talk about what it would take for [the Packers] to trade him. All of that was speculation. In the beginning, I think it was clear that it was a bad situation in Green Bay and they had to deal with it in any way they could.

Interviewer: So you had absolutely no negotiations whatsoever and there was never any conversation about compensation or an opportunity?

Allen: "No. None at all."

Allen is trying to protect his team and Jeff Garcia. He said there were no negotiations, which would be accurate except for the fact the Bucs made an offer and thought that, at the end of the day, they would acquire Favre. Allen needs to do some damage control internally to make sure that “certain” players feel comfortable. I really get the feeling (and people that know are confirming this) that the Bucs thought Favre would never agree to go to NY.

5. There are five preseason games tonight and I’m very interested to see how New Orleans running back Pierre Thomas performs. They need him to play well and it’s always good in these types of games to load up young backs with plenty of carries. It is important to learn how the backs will perform after they have been hit and get tired. Stamina in backs is crucial.

6. The Ravens start the John Harbaugh era off in NE and that is not the kind of defensive team you want a weak offensive line to face. I can't wait to see how many tackles Ray Rice breaks. And remember, the key to the Ravens is their kicking game, so pay close attention to those playing on Baltimore's kicking teams.

7. D.J. Hackett is a very capable wide receiver and I thought he would have gotten more offers this past off-season. He is the perfect complement to Steve Smith, playing on the opposite side. But he will struggle to be the number one wide out. Has anyone seen Dwayne Jarrett make a play since he left USC? Big wide outs with no burst and explosion struggle in the NFL.

8. The Bears have some very talented defensive lineman, which may make it difficult for the Chiefs to get anything going on offense. Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, the Bears third-round draft pick, has great skills.

9. Forgetting all the Brett Favre talk for a moment, the interesting aspect of the Browns-Jets game tonight will be the new-look Jet offensive line against the new-look Browns defensive line.

10. Dwayne Robertson of the Broncos better start to perform in camp and get on the field for practice. Otherwise, the Jets may not get that conditional pick from the Broncos. If that turns out to be the case, NY will have some holes in their 2009 draft.

MY LATEST SI PIECE...

2008-08-07T15:18:00.004-04:00

BRETT FAVRE IS A JET
How will Brett fit into the Jets? is the question most are asking. But I tend to view it the other way around. How will the Jets adjust their offensive terminology to what Favre knows best and how will they actually call the game with Favre as the player?

FAVRE THE PLAYER
The Jets would be smart to tag all their pass plays with names that Brett has been calling for most of his career. For example, the Jets run a numbering system, where each route is described by a number. 343 means the outside receiver runs an out, the inside runs an in cut and the other outside receiver runs an out. In Brett’s old world, they may have just called that play with a word like "Omaha." So, for the next two weeks I see the Jets blending the two systems together. The more proficient and clear they can make their terminology, the quicker Favre will make an impact. With veteran coaches like offensive line coach Bill Callahan and running back coach Jimmy Raye on the staff to assist offensive coordinator Brain Schottenheimer in this task, they should be able to make this work.

FAVRE THE PLAY CALLER
One of the finest aspects of Brett Favre’s play last year was his ability to change the play at the line and put the Packers in the “right” play all the time. If the defense plays off coverage to the wide outs, then Favre has the ability to make eye contact to the receiver and give him a quick throw. So, the Jets will need to make Favre feel very comfortable at changing plays and I expect to see the Jets in a lot of no-huddle, two-minute offense to allow Favre the freedom that makes him so successful.

THE JERSEY DINER MORNING NEWS

2008-08-07T08:25:00.013-04:00

1. FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE...
"'I have a lot of familiarity with the other two players,' Nolan said of quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. 'J.T. O'Sullivan has done a very good job as the other guys have, but yeah, more than anything else, I want to see him in a game situation.'"

This is head coach Mike Nolan talking about why he is going with O'Sullivan. He is the one that Mike Martz loves and wants to be the guy. Time and reps are critical for the 49er quarterbacks. Nolan has seen neither Smith or Hill work the Martz system in a game situation. So, it is clear to me that J.T. is the guy Martz thinks will give SF the best chance to run their new offensive scheme. What does that say for the guy that was the first overall pick in that year's draft?

2. FROM THE NY DAILY NEWS...
"The 5-11, 228-pound Derrick Ward certainly appears to have earned a part in the offense. A former seventh-round pick of the Jets (2004), Ward had career highs last season in carries (125), yards (602), touchdowns (three), and yards per carry (4.8) -- despite missing half of the regular season, including four early games when he was out with an injured ankle and groin. Plus, he started in four of the five games that Jacobs missed, and in those games Ward rushed for 418 yards on 84 carries. That's 104.5 yards per game and five yards per carry, numbers that will be hard for the coaching staff to ignore. For now, though, all Ward can do is try to get healthy. 'You know what? I don't know if I should tell you this, but two or three weeks after I had surgery I was trying to walk, trying to psyche my mind out saying, "Oh, I could play right now,"' Ward said. 'Really, I couldn't. But I knew coming into the off-season workouts I would be ready to go.'"

With his size and speed, if he gets the reps, Ward would be a 1000 yard rusher. His durability worries me, but he can flat out play. In Denver he would be a star.

3. FROM TAMPA BAY ON LINE...
"As Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia passed by a group of reporters on his way to practice Wednesday, one asked him if he was walking the green mile. 'Yeah,' Garcia responded. 'Dead Man Walking.' Not anymore."

It might be time to get the Garcia contract fixed. I can promise you, his agent Steve Baker is all over Bruce Allen today for a deal. All over him. And this flirting with Favre will not play well in the Bucs quarterback meeting room.

4. DERRICK HARVEY and the Jags.

Harvey is the remaining hold out left in the first round and don’t expect any resolution to this deal coming anytime soon. I have talked to many in the know. The parties involved are far apart on the issues and there does not seem to be an urge from either side to close the gap. The biggest problem lies with the huge deal Vernon Gholston received from the Jets. That was handled by CAA, the same firm that handles Harvey. This may take a while.

5. FROM THE MIAMI HERALD...
"This particular pass grazed the extended hands of Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who made a nice cut toward the ball but couldn't stretch long enough to pull it in. Would it be ruled a drop? Maybe not. Could it have been caught? Depends who you're asking."

Ginn has a history of drops and he is very inconsistent with his ability to show great quickness and burst. He has long speed and will make plays down the field, but he does take a moment to get going. He is not very sure-handed and he has very weak wrists. The ball never stops softly in his hands and he is always bending his wrist to make the catch. This is not a good trait for wide receivers to possess.

6. FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE...
"If Pennington is released as expected, he will be free to sign with any team and the Bears need to at least give him something to consider. He's a veteran known more for his accuracy than his arm strength, but the combination of his intangibles and experience would make it necessary for the Bears to consider him as a third quarterback."

Pennington would be similar to what the Bears currently have on their roster. Someone that you have to manage the game around who cannot make others around him better. I am sure Pennington will want starting money once he is released. Is Pennington better then what the Bears have? Mentally yes, physically no.

7. FROM THE BUFFALO NEWS...
"Rookie wide receiver James Hardy returned to practice Wednesday, his first since last Thursday when he injured his left hamstring. He said he is sore but hopes to play Saturday when the Bills open the preseason against the Washington Redskins."

Hardy is a big wide out with very good speed and power. He builds speed and he can take a five-yard slant and make a huge play. He has soft hands and can really be a very productive player for the Bills this year, if he is healthy.

8. FROM THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION...
"Jerious Norwood is moving from receiver, to tailback, to being used in the same backfield with Turner. Norwood's willingness to play all roles makes him even more valuable, coaches said. 'He's showing the speed and explosiveness that you know that he has,' Coach Mike Smith said. 'He's going to be an exciting guy. When you put him in there in a rotation with Michael Turner, you've got two guys that really can cause some problems.'"

I love Norwood’s talent and his play-making ability. He does not score enough for his talent level, but that was more a product of the offense he was working in. Norwood is tough and can really be an asset to the offense if he can blend with Turner. When your o-line is as questionable as Atlanta's, you need a back that can make people miss and make some plays on his own.

9. FROM THE WASHINGTON POST...
"Reserve tackles Todd Wade and Stephon Heyer will each miss at least two weeks with injuries they suffered in the Washington Redskins' first preseason game Sunday, leaving the team with few veterans available at that position."

I know everyone is excited about the Skins. I have read all the Post Cards from everyone who has been through the Skins practices writing about how well Jason Campbell looks and how the Skins can make a Super Bowl run this year. But I don’t see it and what I don’t see is an offensive line that can handle the rigors of the NFL from a health standpoint. A line that is old in both starters and back ups. For me, it’s always about the offensive line and I am not impressed with the Skins talent.

10. FROM THE CAROLINA GROWL...
"'Going to certain sides and everything, that’s what we’re working on right now,' said Stewart, the 13th overall pick in this year's draft. '... The whole explosiveness, some of that stuff is kind of limited because of my toe.' Stewart doesn't seem too worried. He just keeps reminding himself that he’s only been practicing for 12 days. He had surgery in March and didn’t participate in any of the team’s mini camps, so it’s still early. When asked if doctors have given him an idea of when he might be 100 percent, Stewart said, 'I really don’t know. I hope soon. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be soon.' He’s optimistic about playing in Saturday night’s preseason opener against Indianapolis, but isn’t sure if he’ll be cleared by the medical staff to participate. Coach John Fox said that decision hasn’t been determined. 'I’m just kind of antsy about going out there and just playing again to my full potential,' Stewart said. 'It’s been since November (when he first injured it) since I’ve been able to do that. I’m feeling kind of antsy, but patience is a virtue we all desire.'

I would rest Stewart for as long as I needed to rest him this summer and limit his reps in the first game. He will need reps in game two and three, but very few in game four. He should be ready for the season.

BRETT FAVRE IS A JET…

2008-08-07T07:03:00.010-04:00

I am happy about two things this morning. First, the Brett Favre saga is finally over, and second, the Jets have finally realized they needed to improve their quarterbacking. You have to give credit to the Jets for being aggressive and getting this done.

This is what “The Source Familiar With Jet Thinking" was saying back on July 14th:

"It's a long shot right now that the Jets have any interest. I wouldn't spend any time on that," an NFL source familiar with the Jets' thinking told the Daily News Saturday. "I can't rule out 100% they won't have interest, but I would say it's 90%-95%. I would be very surprised if he wound up with the Jets." Why don't the Jets want Favre? The source says there are four factors: Age: 39 on Oct. 10. Salary: $12 million this season Packers Trade Demands: The source says he expects Green Bay to want at least a second-round pick. Commitment: Is Favre coming back for one more year? Two years? Would he get in the way of progress? "Of course, if the Packers cut Favre and he's willing to play for the minimum, things could change," the source said. "But that's not going to happen."

I think that changing your mind is great. I believe in what Churchill once said, “To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often.” So, the Jets shifting and moving their thoughts does not bother me. After two weeks of camp they realized what many of us thought before camp -- they needed a quarterback.

So how does this work for the Jets?

THE POSITIVES

1. The Jets get someone who can make plays in the offensive passing game on all three levels. Favre will make wide receivers Coles and Cotchery much better players. Great quarterbacks make everyone great around them, offense and defense.

2. A better QB will take the pressure off the running game. More than anyone, this move helps running back Thomas Jones. Once Favre is under center, the opponent will worry about his arm and defend the Jets differently.

3. Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and the offensive staff, which includes Bill Callahan and Jimmy Raye, are plenty smart and have been around enough great players. They will adjust to what Favre needs in order to be successful.

4. The team now believes it can win. Having a player like Favre who is well-liked and respected will add confidence to the entire team.

THE NEGATIVES

1. Favre is in a new system and he could struggle to make the correct calls. His mind might default to the “other” system. He could struggle in a new system and be unable to adapt, or the Jets might not adapt to Favre.

2. Can Favre’s body handle a whole season? Will he play like his age?

3. This is not a long-term answer for the Jets QB situation. We know Favre might only play one or two more years, and clearly Clemens is not the long term answer.

4. The Wind at the Meadowlands is something to be reckoned with. Favre has played there five times, four against the Giants and once against the Jets. Here are his numbers: 108/178, 60%, 1319 yards, 8 TDs, and 5 INTs. He is 3-2 there.

I really don’t see a downside to this move, even if Favre does not play as well as he did last year. The Jets needed to make a move at quarterback and had to be proactive.

Congratulations to the Jets.

TAVERN TALK

2008-08-06T18:10:00.015-04:00

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY

1. The Jets think they have a slight chance to acquire Brett Favre. They may be a little late in their thinking, but at least they are making a move. As I wrote last week, I would have been on a plane and ran the steps with both Deanna and Brett just to get the Favre family to think about NY. The Jets have a firm pick on the table (I hear a 3rd) and I understand it is better then the Bucs pick (which I hear is a 4th). We shall see.

2. The Bucs have Chris Simms in limbo and I know for a fact the Packers have been doing their homework on him for the past month. The Pack needs a veteran QB.

3. The Jets should offer Chad Pennington and a pick for Favre. They need Pennington's cap room to make the deal and Pennington's number one fan is Paul Hackett, currently of the Raiders. Hackett and Mike McCarthy, the Packers' head coach, are very close and Pennington will get a ringing endorsement from Hackett about his commitment and preparation. The Packers need a veteran back up and Pennington would be a great choice for them.

4. Speaking of the Jets, they have not named a starter for their first preseason game. The Jets and the 49ers are similar: each has two quarterbacks, but neither really has much of one at all. Jet fans, you better hope "The Source Who Knows Jet Thinking” gets this Favre deal done. It might be a long season if he fails.

5. Packers GM Ted Thompson has gone underground. There are some rumblings about why there was confusion between the time of the Packers press release and what actually transpired in Green Bay upon Favre’s arrival. Evidently, at least from what I can pick up, after meeting with the Executive committee of the Packers and agreeing to allow Favre the right to an open competition, Thompson changed his mind. This has upset several committee members. Stay tuned to this one…. Thompson has a great deal riding on this decision with Mr. Favre. I spent the day talking with a number of people who work for various NFL teams. No one understands his reasoning for taking on a legend.

6. Steve Baker, Jeff Garcia's agent, spent his Wednesday calling around to let associates know his client would love to escape Tampa once Favre has arrived. Most of the agents with whom I spoke today think that Tampa is where Favre is headed. I feel bad for Garcia. He was responsible for the Bucs nine wins last year and lost money resting at the end of the season. Life in the NFL just isn't fair.

7. I have been told from very reliable sources that Shawn Rogers has been un-blockable in Cleveland. That he has been at every practice and has been a beast. I know this from watching and evaluating Rogers last year: when he wants to play, he has Albert Haynesworth-like dominating skills.

8. The injury to Denver running back Ryan Torain really hurts the Broncos. Without Torain they currently have no every-down back on the roster. Selvyn Young is more of a nickel, change-of-pace player and the more he has to play, the more his production will go down. Denver should call the NY Giants, and try to acquire Derrick Ward.

9. From the Miami Herald

"Although Miami could sign former Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn at any point this preseason, a decision has been put on hold in recent days while both sides consider their options. The delay is giving Glenn more time to get into better condition, and it's giving the Dolphins more time to evaluate their current group of receivers. The Dolphins have not brought Glenn in for a workout and do not have one scheduled. If Miami decides to offer a contract, his knee which limited him to one game with the Cowboys last season would have to be strong enough so he could pass a physical.”

I would not be surprised if the Terry Glenn saga in Miami gets done next week. Glenn does not need much time to get ready and it helps that he's had very little wear and tear on the knee during camp.

10. All these injuries to the Seattle defensive line will force them to scan the waiver wire, which will allow them to find some players who may help down the line. Sometimes injuries force activity.

THE JERSEY DINER MORNING NEWS

2008-08-06T08:52:00.006-04:00

THE MORNING NEWS...FROM THE MORNING PAPERS

1. “I want to score some touchdowns," Willie Parker said after he scored on the first play of the goal-line drill that ended practice last night. “Thirty-nine is a guy who could potentially be a guy in that area. We'll see. He had a nice run." Tomlin said Sunday that Mendenhall had to run harder, and he gave him a better grade yesterday." I thought he was better. He was downhill. He went in standing up one time." This battle for the Short Yardage back in the Pittsburgh offense is critical for fantasy football players. And it appears to me that there is no clear winner...YET.

2. He's one of those guys you've got to pull back or they're not going to pull back themselves." -- Saints Coach Sean Payton, explaining why he has scaled back the workload for Jon Vilma, who has been practicing once per day this week and won't play in Thursday's game. Vilma hasn't experienced any setbacks with his surgically repaired knee, however. Vilma will have a much better year now that he can go back and play in a defense that is more familiar to him. The 3/4 defense forces linebackers to deal with blockers coming at them all the time. In the 4/3, Vilma can use his speed and quickness to run to the ball and not have to work so hard at shedding so many blocks.

3. In Miami, LB Junior Glymph was all over the field, creating havoc for RBs and notching 2 1/2 sacks. The 6-foot-5, 278-pounder nearly intercepted a hand-off between RB Jalen Parmele and Beck. Glymph has been working his tail off to be a player. He has been in Atlanta and in Dallas with the old staff. He is finally in the right place. If he is ever going to make a statement as a pro player, now is the time.

4. Like Max Jean-Gilles? "Max has taken advantage of his opportunity, and he has done an excellent job," Marty Mornhinweg said. "You win with guys like Max. Max is a fighter. He's big and strong and gives big effort. He loves to play the game, and when you love to play the game you're going to work hard...and you're going to get better every day." I think if they like Jean-Gilles as much as these quotes seem to indicate, then the Birds might want to move Shawn Andrews to right tackle and provide themselves with the eventual replacement for Jon Runyan. Andrews could be an awesome right tackle and dominating run blocker.

5. According to a team official reached Tuesday night, Jackson remained a no-show. As a result, Jackson's 2008 season will not count as an "accrued" year in terms of eligibility for free agency. Players under contract must report at least 30 days before the overall NFL opener for the season to count as an accrued year. That 30-day deadline came and went Tuesday. I don’t think Jackson sees this deadline as a problem. He knows he is going to get a new contract from the Rams, so why would be concerned with this date? He is not worried about being a free agent. He is worried about getting paid.

6. If I was the GM of the Buffalo Bills I would get on an airplane and fly to wherever Jason Peter is living. He is too important to the team for no contact to occur. I would find Peters and get this done.

7. Kyle Orton gets the first start for the Bears, which is good for him. Like the Ravens, the Bears don’t have much depth in the offensive line and the quarterback that plays with a good line will look much better. Orton needs to know his role and not try to do too much in his first start. Playing against the Chiefs is a good start. KC will not run very complicated schemes and will play vanilla-like coverages this early in the preseason.

8. I wonder how Steven Baker, Jeff Garcia's agent, is handling the Brett Favre news in Tampa. And let’s hope Chris Simms gets his freedom very soon. It would not surprise me to see Simms in Green Bay.

9. From the Denver Post, “Tom Nalen isn't going to like this, but people are starting to become concerned about him. These people include his coach, Mike Shanahan. 'Anytime Tom sits out of practice, it is not just another injury, because it is tough to keep him out of practice,' Shanahan said." I was around Nalen last year and he is really a great warrior who is fighting something he cannot beat, father time. He was amazing last year with his quickness and athletic ability, but with injuries it’s hard to keep coming back. On the other hand, if the Broncos think Casey Wiegmann can do the job at 35, they will be in for a shock. Playing center in the AFC West means blocking Jamal Williams of SD. And that is VERY hard to do.

10. Mike Holmgren talked about Leonard Weaver in the Seattle Times this morning. “ 'He is as talented a fullback as I've ever had,' Holmgren said. So Holmgren sat his backup fullback down and laid out the situation with all the subtlety of an uppercut. 'Look, if you don't fix this, you're not going to be here,' Holmgren said. No misinterpretations there. No room for mistakes in the final exhibition game, and no backing down from Weaver, who carried 16 times for 74 yards against the Raiders to run his way onto the roster. 'Pretty self-explanatory,' Weaver said. 'He let me know where I stand, and I performed, and look at me now.' " I LOVE this. All it takes is being honest with players, good or bad. Tell them where they stand and don’t try to be a politician. I use to hate when we would cut a player and the guy walking the player around for his exit procedures would tell the player, “I think you got screwed.” Players want honesty, they want the truth, we all do.

FAVRE TO BUCS...

2008-08-06T06:43:00.005-04:00

Favre On Verge Of Joining BucsPosted By Ira Kaufman at Aug 06, 2008
at 12:10 AM Updated Aug 06, 2008 at 12:35 AM

The Brett Favre saga is about to end with the NFL icon in pewter. The Tribune has learned Favre will not stand in the way of a trade from Green Bay to Tampa Bay and the deal is likely to be finalized within 24 hours. The chances of the trade unraveling are remote and Favre has indicated to the Bucs directly that he is willing to change teams after 16 years of growing his legend in Green Bay.

The Packers, unwilling to deal the 3-time league MVP to an NFC North rival, view the Bucs as a compromise in this ugly impasse. The Bucs view Favre as an upgrade on QB Jeff Garcia, who made the Pro Bowl in 2007 while leading Tampa Bay to an NFC South title.

Once it became clear to Favre that he wasn’t welcome back in Green Bay, he became more flexible in terms of accepting a trade to clubs outside the division. The Bucs have been interested in Favre since last month, when he announced he wanted to play again. The Bucs could make the trade announcement official by Wednesday, but Favre will have little time to learn Coach Jon Gruden’s complex system because the Bucs open the regular season Sept. 7 at division rival New Orleans.

This was the only place he could land and he can learn Jon "Love You Bro" Gruden's offense. This is a very smart move for the Bucs....

TAVERN TALK

2008-08-05T17:39:00.009-04:00

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY

Why did the Packers issue a press release saying Favre could compete only to then turn around and say he can’t? Is anyone talking to anyone in the Packer building? Don't you just love it when things go bad and in comes the PR firm? But when things are good, no one can wait to be front and center.

No one looks good right now in Green Bay. Everyone I talked to today in the league is very happy Favre is gone. Everyone except Jeff Garcia I bet. It's not as if world peace is in jeopardy here, this is a Hall of Fame player who wants to keep playing. Let him play!!!!

The Bucs and Jets seem to be the best potential trade routes for the Packers to pursue. Just do it and let's be done with this.

Having Kyle Boller start in the first game allows him to play with Baltimore's best offensive line-up. Unfortunately, when Troy Smith and Joe Flacco get into the game the second- and third-stringers could be so bad they won’t be able to execute the offense. Second lines are critical when you have quarterbacks to develop and need to learn more about their talents.

I still think NY Giant running back Derrick Ward is a back I would try to land in a trade this summer. He has too much skill to be sitting on the bench.

Jacob Ford, the sixth-round pick of the Titans a year ago, has a pass-rushing frame and skill set. He is worth watching. The Titans do a great job of developing defensive linemen and Ford has skills worth developing. I don't think you can truly evaluate DLs until their second year in the NFL anyway.

Speaking of last year's draft, Anthony Waters of the Chargers was selected in the third round and had to red shirt. I look for him to be a player for them down the line. He has very good skills.

HBO starts Hard Knocks tomorrow and if I was a potential head coaching candidate, I would stay clear of the cameras. You don’t want to make it look like you are politicking for a job. If I were Jason Garrett that camera would never find me.

I watched Andre Hall every day last year during Denver's practices, wondering all the while why he got cut twice. Here is what he had to say in the Denver Post today: " 'All you want anywhere in football is a fair shot,' Hall said. 'I went to Chicago, I didn't have one. I went to Tampa Bay, I didn't have one. Here it is different, here they look at you and decide by what they see. So everybody is on the edge here, everybody is on eggshells here, and that's the way I like it because at least you know you're in the mix.' " This kid is very talented and if he can learn what to do, be consistent, and prove he can stay healthy, he has an unlimited future.

I know the Cards just released Marcel Shipp, but unless J.J. Arrington comes a long way, I don’t see any depth in Arizona's backfield. Preseason will be critical for them in the evaluation of their running backs.

My condolences to Gene Stallings and his family for the passing of their son John David. And to the Carey family for the loss of Skip, the voice of the Atlanta Braves.

THE BOSS AND TOM PETERS

2008-08-05T13:29:00.006-04:00

Many of you can figure out that I love BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and also love Tom Peters, the business management guru. Well, to borrow a George Costanza phrase, "the two worlds collided" this past Sunday night.

Here is Tom's review of the Boss...

The Boss's 6Ps: Passion! Persistence! Partners! Performance! Painstaking! Presence!

(Passion: Energy! Enthusiasm! Very visibly giving 1000%!)

(Persistence: Good years, bad years, lotsa years. Keep at it!)

(Partners: Bruce makes the E Street Band. The E Street Band makes Bruce!)

(Performance: Good stuff! A brilliantly produced show per se!)

(Painstaking: A thousand details doth a great performance make!)

(Presence: In the age of ubiquitous downloads, etc., live performance matters!)

Tom Peters posted this today.

I love that their paths crossed, and admittedly have learned VERY much from both.

MARC BULGER LOOKS GOOD

2008-08-05T09:54:00.004-04:00

The "new" offensive system in St. Louis is actually the old San Diego Chargers system still in use by many teams. Having Al Saunders back in St Louis will help Marc Bulger as he returns to a style of offense he was familiar with during the Mike Martz era. Bulger will feel very comfortable in that system and become more productive. If the offensive line can hold up and Steven Jackson does not get injured, the Rams will be able to move the ball. In fact, the more I analyze the Rams, the more it appears as if their entire season will come down to how well the o-line can perform and if they can avoid injuries.

Having Orlando Pace back at left tackle will be huge and getting Alex Barron to play like a first-rounder will be even more important. Barron is way too soft and does not play the game with any power or explosion off the ball.

The Rams need to be very active with what is left of their summer by adding to their overall depth. They clearly need another running back, even after this Jackson situation gets resolved.

The difference between the Rams going 9-7 and 6-10 rests in their ability to find players from this point forward. They must add to their team and pray for a healthy preseason.

Even with their challenges, at the very least they have something the 49ers don’t have -- a legitimate pro quarterback.

THE DINER MORNING NEWS...

2008-08-05T07:48:00.008-04:00

1. This saga with the Raiders and Javon Walker isn't going to end well. I watched him every day last year in Denver, he had no burst and no speed then. Walker is a mistake, just move on.

2. The scouting reports on San Francisco's practices are not good for the 49er faithful when it comes to quarterbacking prospects. Alex Smith was not very impressive and there was no one on the field who could say which QB was the best. If you believe that the way to win in the NFL is with your quarterback, then San Fran's situation is unnerving.

3. I am looking forward to seeing the Saints' Pierre Thomas this week. Everyone tells me he is having a great camp and can be the big back New Orleans needs this year.

4. Another corner, Brian Williams of the Saints, has moved to strong safety and I love that move. The Jags have made similar position moves and now have three corners on the field to go with a very explosive range safety in Reggie Nelson. Smart moves.

5. The Lions want to run the ball and Jimmy Colleto their offensive coordinator had this to say: "It's a mindset, it's a toughness and it's in everybody -- the linemen, the wideouts, the backs, everybody. It's got to be a punishing attitude. We're getting there but we're not quite there yet,'' Colletto said. "Knock guys off (the line of scrimmage) and splatter them, get up and grunt and groan and know what you're doing. It's about running through tackles and, little by little, it's getting better, but they have to understand how hard it is.'' If you want to pick a wide out for your fantasy team from the Lions you might want to THINK TWICE.

6. The Patriots are having a difficult time gaining depth for their offensive line, having to sign Barry Stokes first and now John Welborne. It will be interesting to watch their line play during the preseason. The Pats will be active claiming players this summer and as a 16-win team last year, will claim more than the teams who won 4 and 5 games. Amazing, right?

7. Chris Baker is back in pads for the Jets and is not talking about his contract demands. Many are saying his return is due to Dustin Keller’s strong camp. Keller and Baker are two different tight ends and when Keller is on the field without Baker, the defenses they face will be in nickel.

8. I admit, I read the “who is up and who is down” articles in the daily papers, BUT I never believe a word. The great Boston Celtic coach and GM Red Auerbach said it best: “I get my information from looking, not hearing”.

9. Brady Quinn is going to play a ton this week against the Jets. He has to look good. The Jets won’t show anything complicated on defense, all cover-2 and some man. Check out his accuracy, that has always bothered me about his play, on all levels.

10. It seems like there are a lot of teams looking for offensive lineman this time of the year, more than normal.

SMITH ON THE BLOCK?

2008-08-05T06:57:00.006-04:00

Last week I wrote that the time was right for contacting the Panthers about a Steve Smith trade. The fight with Lucas had just occurred and I thought that their patience and trust in Smith might be at an all-time low. There are now unconfirmed reports circulating that the Panthers might be willing to listen.

Under normal circumstances most teams are almost always willing to listen to any reasonable trade offer, but the Panthers' ears could be highly peaked at this point. Smith is an awesome receiver who possesses great speed and explosive movement. He has the ability to run what I refer to as "Steve Smith routes," meaning routes only he can run. He is very unique and needs to be in an offense that knows how to use his very strange route tree. Teams that use the numbering system of play-calling where they could fit in his route skills simply by calling a number would be the best place for Smith to land. Teams like Dallas, San Diego, Cincinnati, and San Francisco (all teams that use the old Sid Gilliam offense) could conform to his talents.

There is great chemistry between Delhomme and Smith, so any offer would have to be a very good deal to get the Panthers to make a move. Smith’s speed and explosive talents really help make the rest of the Panthers offense work well.

As I mentioned last week, if anyone is interested, now is the time to strike....

THINGS I LEARNED TODAY -- TAVERN TALK

2008-08-04T17:59:00.014-04:00

Patriot Linebacker Jerod Mayo is going to be a very good three-down player for the Patriots. His ability to learn the scheme will enhance his production. He will make a huge difference in the Pats defense this year. Prior to the draft, I graded Mayo as my best linebacker because I was not sure that Keith Rivers could impact the game on third down.

The Broncos will miss Brandon Marshall in the first three games of the year. Denver opens with a killer schedule: at Oakland, home against the Chargers, and then home versus New Orleans. I expect Darrell Jackson to fill the role. If he can be more consistent, he might be a huge sleeper this year.

Willis McGhee's knee does not like the way new coach John Harbaugh is practicing. When a knee is swelling from practice this early in camp, there may be trouble all year. Ray Rice is going to get his chance.

I wish someone would pay for Hall of Famer Fred Dean to get his Super Bowl ring back. I have the same one and without him, I would never be able to cherish that moment.

Every time there are trade talks and rumors coming from Green Bay, they never quite seem right. This I know for a fact.... When I was working at the Hotel California, the same type of stuff was floating around about Randy Moss and talks with Oakland. Someone out there has bad sources in Green Bay.

I believe Brad Childress and the Vikings. I doubt the Packers would ever call them.

Miami’s depth chart does not mean a single thing -- they will be making changes throughout the preseason and it will remind some of a hockey game with all the line changes. Most teams' preseason depth charts are more acts of confusion than a means for clearing up things.

How can Aaron Rodgers beat out Favre? Rodgers has never played and would have to work with a 50% Green Bay playbook. Favre has played and will run a sophisticated scheme and system. There is no competition.

The answer is "Yes." Someone asked me if Raheem Morris, the defensive back coach of the Bucs, is head coaching material. Personally, I have never seen him coach. However, I have heard from people I respect and they regard him very highly. He has even managed to get Phillip Buchanon to at least attempt to tackle, and that alone is a miracle.

Shawn Andrews is battling depression and has decided to come to camp on Friday. There is no better medical care than what the NFL offers, and it’s good he is in camp. He can get the help he needs so that he can deal with what he's enduring. I feel very badly for Shawn, but he should have let the Eagles help him earlier. He could have saved himself $200,000.

CHRIS JOHNSON

2008-08-04T09:10:00.003-04:00

This guy has been my fantasy football sleeper pick since the NFL draft, but he might not be a sleeper any longer. Check out this excerpt from an article in The Tennessean.

Reason to be excited: running back Chris Johnson

Johnson looks like the real deal. He's lightning fast, and doesn't waste any time once he gets his hands on the football. Another plus: he catches passes with ease.

Going into camp I wondered how much of an impact Johnson might have as a rookie. Now I'm wondering how much he's going to impact LenDale White's playing time.

Johnson is the real deal, trust me on this one.

PITTSBURGH FINDS ANOTHER RUSHER

2008-08-04T07:57:00.003-04:00

I loved Lamar Woodley coming out of Michigan two years ago. He had the unique ability to rush and great burst and balance. I expect big things from him this year. He had two sacks in the playoff game last year and based on Kevin Greene's assessment he might be in store for even bigger and better things in 2008.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Only two players in NFL history have more sacks than Kevin Greene, so he qualifies as an expert when it comes to rushing the quarterback. After working with the Steelers' outside linebackers during the first week of training camp, Greene said his former team might have something special in LaMarr Woodley. "He's going to be better than me," Greene said."

Coming out of college, Woodley was one of those players that had the ability to rush, but just diid not possess the right size and speed for any specific position. He did, however, have nice balance and could move his feet and hands at the same time with power and in an explosive manner. Regardless of a rusher's size, when he can move his hands and feet in symmetry while displaying both power and explosion, he is very likely to have a good NFL career.

NO PROMISES????

2008-08-04T07:15:00.009-04:00

How many of you out there really believe Brett Favre won't beat out Aaron Rodgers? I know this article claims no promises have been made, but let's be realistic. There is no way Favre does not win back that job.

I think letting Favre play is the smart move. How they got to this point is a little odd. And why is Mark Murphy putting out a press release? This whole Favre situation was the design of GM Ted Thompson and now he has gone underground. This will be an interesting day....

If the Packers allow Favre back into their building, hand him their playbook with all the new ideas and changes from the offseason, and THEN trade him to Minnesota, I would be surprised; very surprised.

THE COMMISH IS BEING PROACTIVE

2008-08-03T09:56:00.006-04:00

Here is an article where the Commissioner lays out his vision for the next few years. I admire this Commissioner greatly for being proactive, for being visible and going from camp to camp so he can get his hands on the core issues. He seems to genuinely love both football and his job.

A shorter preseason, a rookie wage scale, and extending the Super Bowl into February are tremendous ideas to put into place.

If I was the Commissioner, I would push for a Final Four Weekend in the NFL. Have the Conference Championship games be played on a neutral site and make it a huge party and celebration weekend. Now, I know the hometown fans would be mad. But all the colleges get fans to travel to Bowl Games -- and who would not be looking for an excuse to go to a place like New Orleans for the weekend?

You could play the AFC game on Saturday, the NFC on Sunday, and have the number one seeded team get 80 percent of the tickets for their fans. It would be a huge money-maker. The Super Bowl would then be held in another city two weeks later. It would allow cities that don't get the Super Bowl to reap some of the benefits of a big game.

Just a thought, what do you think?

KIFFIN AND THE DEFENSE

2008-08-03T09:08:00.007-04:00

I really admire the job that Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has done in Tampa, on and off the field. He is a three dimensional coach, and by that I mean he can coach scheme, he can select players, and he has a great ability to find bright young coaches and mold them into his philosophy and style. The ability to find bright young coaches is a huge asset. This sort of coach-scouting adds incredible value to the organization.

Two years ago the Bucs were getting old and slow on defense. In almost no time, they have gotten faster and more explosive, returning to the Bucs' defense of old. Jon "Love You Bro" Gruden allows his coaches to have a huge say in the draft. The Bucs' front office will welcome and listen to Kiffin's player recommendations. They slowly started to add the "right" pieces to the defense, getting Barrett Ruud, developing Greg White, moving Tanard Jackson to safety, and getting a rusher from the right side in Gaines Adams.

The scheme has not changed, but the players have changed and improved. Kiffin is very good at being able to find the right pieces for his defense and then developing those pieces into his scheme. His defensive staff does a marvelous job of developing players.

When you have a coach that can be so effective and proficient at all three levels, your job as a personnel man becomes much easier. Again, it comes down to really knowing the scheme and finding the right players that fit the scheme on and off the field. Kiffin is one of the best.

JAGS AND HARVEY

2008-08-03T08:55:00.003-04:00

The Jags need to get Derrick Harvey in camp, but not at the expense of overpaying for his services. This article from the Florida Times Union clearly lays out both sides of the story. The missing bit of information, though, is that the agent wants a deal closer to Gholston's and the Jags want a deal closer to Mayo's.

Gholston's deal was done by CAA and Harvey is represented by CAA. So naturally they want a similar deal that looks and feels like the one they have already done.

This one is not going to get settled soon, unless the Jags cave (and I doubt they will). As for the Bengals, when it comes to contracts, it is the same story. The Bengals have their number and won't move or be moved by the deals around them.

SATURDAY THOUGHTS

2008-08-02T16:23:00.012-04:00

Why would the Raiders talk Javon Walker out of retiring? They could get their money back and rid themselves of this failure. It is only going to get worse.

I think John Fox made a statement to his team with the suspension of Steve Smith. He let his team know he is in control.

If I needed a wide out, I might call and make the Panthers an offer for Smith. It might be the right time.

I hope the Alvin Bowen injury in Buffalo is not a start of more injuries for the Bills. They need to avoid the injury bug this year.

The Commissioner has to rule on Monday. He has given Green Bay enough time and I wonder how other teams are going to be treated when they have a player that is retired. Teams remember when other teams get special treatment and clearly the Pack has gotten some extra attention.

The Raiders are really struggling with their offensive line. If Marlo Henderson cannot beat out Cornell Green, then they might have blown that pick.

New England must be a tackle short. They put Anthony Clement on IR today and signed Barry Stokes. This behavior makes it appear as if the Pats are not happy with their OT depth.

Today was the day when most teams held their intra-squad game conditions practice. Coaches will study this tape to determine who gets playing time next week.

At this point in camp, coaches should make a list of the five things that can improve their team in 08 and 09. Then, they should hand that list to their personnel guys so that they can find the answers.

The Chiefs are very thin as a team. Losing Brandon Albert is really going to hurt them. I keep saying this because it's true: the Chiefs need to get good before they get great. They have a very long way to go.

If I was still pro-scouting in the league, I would make sure I knew the Chargers inside and out. They have been drafting for the future in the last two drafts and may cut some very good players because of their talent base.

MORE JETS

2008-08-02T08:21:00.005-04:00

Here it is again in the NY Daily News. Our favorite source...

Even with growing speculation that Favre will accept the Packers' $20 million offer to stay retired and serve in a marketing role with the franchise, the Jets still consider themselves a player in the Favre sweepstakes, a person familiar with the team's thinking said Friday.

The Jets need to stand on a table and tell the world they want the guy. And the source familiar with the team's thinking needs to get his ass on a plane, fly to Mississippi, and meet with Favre directly. If I was the GM (or the source familiar with Jet thinking), I would have been down there the day we got permission and would never leave until he said YES.

Go for it....

AFTERNOON THOUGHTS

2008-08-01T17:22:00.007-04:00

Here are my quick thoughts of the day....

...If Favre does this retirement deal, he will lose many loyal supporters. MANY....

...The Arizona Cards signed OT Kelly Butler today. Butler had been with the Lions and the Browns. He has talent, but has never loved the game. This is his last chance, he needs to make it work....

...Arizona claimed and was awarded OC Pat Ross from the Panthers. The Cards must have a ton of injuries in their offensive line....

...No one claimed Mike Williams of the Titans. That was not difficult to predict....

...Shawn Andrews has a website stating he is available for motivational speeches. He might need to give one to himself....

...Detroit signed two centers today. One of them is Andy McCollum, formerly of the Rams. The Lions must have problems at center right now. I signed Andy 14 years ago from the Arena League 2. He has had one hell of a career.

...The only thing keeping Ahmad Bradshaw from making a lot of money in this league will be his off-the-field conduct....

...I have been hearing that the Ravens offensive line was bad before all the injuries. What does that tell you?

...Even though Fabian Washington will have to serve a one-game suspension, I think the Ravens did a smart thing trading for him. With both starting corners over 30, they need some youth in the secondary. By the way, this might be the first time many Raven players have been in a hard-hitting NFL camp. Under Brian Billick, camp was not tough.

...I think DT Red Bryant of Seattle is going to be a very good player. I know he just got hurt, but this time next year he will be a bear to block....

...Speaking of DTs, the Bengals' Pat Sims can really be a load. He has great talent and will give Cincy a physical player inside. He just needs to have a football-first mentality....

FRIDAY'S FORECAST

2008-08-01T16:31:00.011-04:00

The start of football games is upon us and this weekend features the Hall of Fame Game between the Washington Redskins and the Indy Colts.

A FEW RULES FOR PRESEASON GAME-WATCHING

Don’t forget to make sure you know the level of competition in the game -- who is playing against whom.

Always look for the one in the position of personal protector on the second punt team -- he has a good chance to make the team in a third or fourth string role.

Study who is on ALL the kicking teams and know who makes tackles in that area.

This weekend, the games are about players, not schemes. Players should not make many mental mistakes. If they do, they are not going to make the team.

Have a computer near your TV. If a player makes a play, search his background and study how he got to the team.

Players that jump offsides are either tired or not concentrating.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE GAME

Don’t judge the Colts as a team, because their full team won’t be playing. Focus on offensive left tackle Tony Ugoh. See if he has gotten any better and if he can handle the second-team defensive ends of the Skins. He better be able to do that....

How does Charles Johnson handle the starting role as the new right guard?

How does Mike Pollack play?

How does Fred Davis block in pass protection and the running game?

How do the Skins' back-up offensive linemen look? Can they block the back-up DLs of the Colts?

How well does the Skins' DS tackle?