Wed 02/20/2013
.@fbgchase (FP) continues his WR project w the best 200 Wide Receivers ever. Adjusted for era, team reliance, and more. Jerry Rice, Don Hutson, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss top 5. Steve Smith (9) and Andre Johnson (10) the top 2 active. Tim Brown>Cris Carter (close) > Andre Reed (not as close). Hines Ward actually has a pretty decent case since he played in run heavy O, and Wes Welker will drive voters nuts some day. Link
| 8:15 am |
.@espn_nfcwest looks beyond conventional wisdom at how often teams and running backs ran vs stacked box and how they fared. Chris Johnson actually had a 7.8 YPC vs loaded box. Ray Rice 6.3. Frank Gore 7.5. Arian Foster and Alfred Morris 5.0. Seahawks, Eagles, Titans, Texans, Panthers faced stacked box the most. Link
| 5:20 pm |
ESPN looks at the legacy of legendary Chargers coach Sid Gillman, father of the modern NFL passing game. Coaching tree includes Chuck Noll, Joe Gibbs, John Madden, Jon Gruden. Was setting up run with the pass before it was a cliche. Also, the first coach to utilize film, break down opponents’ tendencies, and hire a strength coach. Link
| 4:56 pm |
.@StephStradley (Houston Chronicle) reviews Texans first week of OTAs. RG Brandon Brooks looks great after shedding serious weight. Jonathan Joseph looks healthy, playing back pocket coverage. Case Keenum battling TJ Yates for #2 QB seems to be a media creation. Position battles on right side of O Line, WR after 1/2, & 3rd RB. And more. Link
| 4:28 pm |
.@VincentFrankNFL (PFF) says you shouldn’t reach for a TE in fantasy football. With Gronkowski’s injury concerns & Jimmy Graham’s drop in production as well as several mid tier guys likely to see an increase (including Vernon Davis w/o Crabtree to vulture receptions & Jared Cook no longer restricted by Titans O), the gap has tightened and better value can be found late. Link
| 3:45 pm |
NFL.com boils down the 2012 NFL season to 6 minutes of highlights. Video
| 3:23 pm |
.@footballfacts (CHFF) w the latest NFL team win total over/unders in Vegas. Broncos, Patriots, 49ers highest w 11.5. Seahawks, Packers, Texans next at 10.5. Jaguars at the bottom w 5. Link
| 12:50 pm |
.@OliverBThomas (BR) says Patriots going through “rampant youth movement,” not just turnover of years’ past. At one point last October they were 5th youngest tm, should be younger after FA and draft. Perhaps best example yet of Belichick’s use of value and need. At this point, the value aspect still to be determined. Link
| 12:05 pm |
.@SheilKapadia (Philly Mag) talked to Eagles new DC Billy Davis, who emphasized multiple looks & appearance of pressure over heavy blitzing. Coy when talking about system, also says still finding out what players can do personnel will dictate. But made one thing clear: he “doesn’t want offenses to know what the Eagles are going to do when they’re evaluating the defense pre-snap.” So if only 3 down linemen, it’s more to mask who/if is 4th lineman. Link
| 11:50 am |
.@PFF_NateJahnke tabs Brad Jones as the Packers’ Secret Superstar. After injuries, finally got a shot and proved very competent in every aspect. Good vs run game, making tackles at or behind line (esp QBs); also solid in pass D, getting a Pass Defensed on 6.8% of targets (7th) and tackling w/o YAC even when a reception made. 4.6 coverage grade 4th for M/ILBs. Despite glut of ILBs, Jones should get to return as starter. Link
| 11:35 am |
.@MikeSilver (YH) says Carson Palmer reborn w Cardinals. He loves coach Bruce Arians. He “really loves” him he emphasizes. After ending last season getting a tube stuck into his collapsed lung just to see his daughters on Christmas, its a refreshing new start. His numbers were better than you thought (4018 yds, 61.8 comp %, 22 TD, 12 INT). And his teammates and front office love him back. Link
| 11:20 am |
