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Q: How did Travis Bright perform against the Raiders? Did his run blocking get any better? How about his pass blocking? For the strongest guy on the team, he wasn’t explosive against the Bengals.
Dusty McGuire
A: Bright struggled quite a bit against Oakland. I credited him with giving up a sack, and he was dominated on a few other plays. He was also over-matched in the run game. Overall, I gave him a “D” for the game.
Bright’s struggles forced me to leave him off of my latest 53-man roster projection. Instead, I opted for Phil Costa, whose versatility could be an asset to a Dallas team without a true backup center. Kyle Kosier was the backup center before he went down with an MCL sprain, but even he never took a snap at the position in his career.
Q: Who are some sleepers who could make the roster or players who are expected to make it but might not?
Kerry Delmas, Plano, TX
A: There are actually quite a few roster spots up for grabs. I don’t know how many players are “sleepers” per se, but a few unheralded guys I expect to make the team are supplemental seventh-round nose tackle Jose Brent, cornerback Bryan McCann, tight end Scott Sicko, and guard Phil Costa.
Brent is a high-energy player who reminds me of Jay Ratliff. I have personally guaranteed he earns a roster spot. McCann is another one of my favorite players. Behind the “big three” cornerbacks, he has the best cover skills. Sicko is almost a necessity after John Phillips season-ending ACL tear, and like I said above, Costa has a great opportunity after Kosier’s injury.
There are also a few players I am not projecting to make the roster, yet still could sneak in with good play over the final three preseason games. These would be fullback Chris Gronkowski, wide receiver Jesse Holley, safety Danny McCray, and cornerback Teddy Williams.
Gronkowski’s versatility is his biggest asset, although I’m not sure the Cowboys can retain fullback Deon Anderson, Sicko, and him. Two fullbacks and three tight ends on a pass-first team would be strange. Holley has been great on special teams and could take Sam Hurd’s roster spot. I haven’t been as high on McCray as others, but he’s performed well in practice. Finally, it will be tough for the Cowboys to part ways with the freaky athleticism, speed, and upside of Williams.
As far as big-time “surprise” cuts, don’t expect too many. However, you could see wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, wide receiver Sam Hurd, safety Michael Hamlin, inside linebacker Jason Williams, and up to three draft picks not make the squad.
Ogletree has looked terrible over the first two preseason games, although he has apparently turned up the intensity as of late. If the Cowboys deem Holley ready for prime time, Hurd and his $1.75 million salary will walk. Hamlin is very unlikely to get released, but he hasn’t shown much in the first two preseason games and there are talented rookies (McCray and Barry Church) breathing down his neck. Jason Williams looked better in the second preseason game, but the Cowboys may opt to keep another Williams–Leon–over him. Finally, don’t be surprised to see cornerback Jamar Wall, defensive tackle Sean Lissemore, and right tackle Sam Young not make the team, although Young has the best shot.
Q: Do you think we will see more screen passes from the Cowboys this season?
Mark Owens, Jacksonville, FL
A: Yes I do, and for a few reasons. First, the offensive line is obviously a bit suspect right now. Left guard Kyle Kosier is already going to be out for the first couple of regular season games. The unit does have the potential to play well, but they also have the potential to implode. Screen passes are a great way to compensate for a struggling line.
Further, the Cowboys will try to get running back Felix Jones in the open field as much as possible. While he has yet to show he is a totally natural pass-catcher, screen passes could be an effective way to get him the ball in a non-traditional way, if he can handle it.
The Cowboys also like to run screens to their wide receivers, and with great run-after-catch receivers like Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, why not? You could see even more smoke, bubble, and quick screens this season to combat the blitz, particularly against teams like the Eagles.
The key for Dallas will be being unpredictable in their usage of screen passes. Last season, the rate of screens more than tripled following playaction passes. If the Cowboys can utilize them in the right situations, such as when they anticipate a blitz or a heavy pass rush, screens could become an effective tool in their offensive arsenal.
Q: How do you come up with your overall player grades for each game?
Jonathan Bales (I just wanted to answer this question)
A: Well self, the overall grades (as seen here) are a combination of grades from different components of each position. For example, I give linemen a run blocking grade and a pass blocking grade. Because the Cowboys pass 60 percent of the time, I have decided to weight the pass protection 1.5 times as much as the run blocking grade (to represent the 3:2 pass-to-run ratio). I do a similar thing for each position, and the methodology is basically the same as that which I use for my yearly grades.
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The Philadelphia Eagles traveled to Cincinnati overnight to meet the Bengals in their second preseason game tonight.
The Birds’ first-team unit showed great potential in the first outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, however, there were some areas that needed to be ironed out as well.
The Eagles starters are set to play the entire first half of tonight’s game, QB Michael Vick will step in for the third quarter, and rookie Mike Kafka will see playing time in the fourth.
This should be a good game against a potentially explosive Cincinnati offense under QB Carson Palmer and his new tandem at WR in Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens so lets jump right in and talk Eagles burning questions heading into the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles led by Kevin Kolb, travel to the jungle in Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.
BetMania posted the odds for this game and have the home town Bengals as three point favorites. Sign up at Bet Mania and contact customer service with the NFL preseason promo code REGAW and get a free $50 bet on the game.
Here are some key issues for the game, to include a pick for the game:
Banged Up Birds and Bengals
The Eagles come into the game a bit banged up and have a laundry list of birds that will not participate. Offensive lineman Todd Herremans (foot), Jamaal Jackson (knee), and Nick Cole (knee) will not suit up. Cornerback Asante Samuel (hamstring) and running back Mike Bell (calf) are questionable, and will see limited playing time if any at all.
The Bengals have their share of injuries as well. Bengal’s coach Marvin Lewis has already ruled out WR Antonio Bryant (knee), FB Fui Vakapuna (shoulder), WR Robert Geathers (foot), LB Rashad Jeanty (leg), S Tom Nelson (knee) and OT Andrew Mitchell. RB Brian Leonard (foot) was not listed by Lewis but should probably be ruled out as well.
Defensives are down
The Bengals will be playing on a short week, after the Sunday night tilt against the Broncos. They will have the advantage of playing two preseason games prior to this one.
Even though it’s the third game, the Bengals’ starting defense still has work to do. In the first two games, the first string committed three penalties that led to 17 points by the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. All three penalties came on a turnover or on third down to keep drives alive.
The Bengals defense will have their hands full with Kevin Kolb, wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and tight end Brent Celek, who played for the University of Cincinnati.
Playing Time
Both coaches talked about playing time for their starting unit on Thursday. Eagle’s head coach Andy Reid expects to have his starters play the entire first half of Friday’s game.
When Lewis was asked on how much the first team might play on Friday: “They’ll play a little more than they did last week (OK, maybe a half). Some guys, some guys won’t play as much as they did last week.”
Prediction and Pick
The Bengals come into this game off a short week and with defensive problems, which means that they did not have much time to try and fix the communication issues. The offense looked great for the Bengals as they were able to drive the field on numerous occasions and spread the ball all over the field, but they will get a challenge from the young Eagles defense.
The Eagles offense looked impressive against Jacksonville and both Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick ran the offense well.
The Eagles second-string defense allowed Jacksonville backup quarterback Luke McCown to pass for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Expect a better effort from the Eagles, as they focused on defense in several areas this week leading up to the game. The Eagles have better depth at the quarterback position and this will lead to an upset win by the Birds.
Play on the Philadelphia Eagles +3
Final: Philadelphia 28 Cincinnati 24
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Fantasy football drafts looms as summer slips away again.
So some timely tips to take to the end of summer fantasy football bash.
All fantasy football drafts are based on deception.- Sun Tzu talking of taking two quarterbacks in the first two rounds
Talk of the stellar season that Matt Forte will have behind the awesome Chicago Bear offense line and Lovie’s Smith’s superior coaching skill set.
Talk of taking four running backs with your first four picks.
Brag of taking the New York Jets defense in the third round of your on line draft.
Wonder if this is at last the season the Jacksonville Jaguars click.
Muse of Wade Phillips carrying the Cowboys of Dallas to a home Super Bowl and yourself to a fantasy football title.
Profit is sweet, even if it comes from deception.- Sophocles seeking some swag.
Just remember if ye have an Animal House-like angel on your shoulder saying that it’s a sin to lie, that all that first place fantasy football bucks can make for a beautiful trip to a warm island.
And you can toast, text, and torment your defeated foes from the sand of some sweet warm sea.
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.- Joseph Goebbels
Lie, lie and lie some more.
Lie like a rug.
Lie like Lindsay Lohan talking to her drug and booze counselor.
Try these:
Did you hear Giselle slashed Tom Brady’s throwing hand with an ice pick last night? Yep jammed it on a table like Sollozzo did to Luca Brasi in The Godfather.
Did you hear Adrian Peterson tore up a knee last night?
Did you hear Ray Lewis knifed Ray Rice?
Did you hear they finally committed Brett Favre to Shutter Island?
As George Carlin once said Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.
Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.- Ernest Hemingway
That’s right Bubba if you bragged drunk at the bar of bagging LaDainian Tomlinson in the third round, Papa preached that ye have to do it.
Or maybe not.
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy -Billy Shakes
The key lesson learned from Saving Private Ryan was to never spare the giant German so he can kill you and your team a week later.
Last year at our draft we had an inebriated lad pick the wrong Adrian Peterson and not notice for four rounds.
The kind person that finally picked the Purple Peterson had mercy and allowed the drunkard to take him back.
That goat gutted, drunkard won the league.
Always turn your thumb down like Nero at the games towards pleas of compassion or mercy.
Actually wearing a purple toga like Nero to your draft bash would be nice touch.
Get there first with the most men- Nathan Bedford Forrest
If you like a player very, very much go get him.
Someone else likes your sleeper too. Unless, of course, your stupid and your sleeper is say Steve McNair or Jamal Lewis.
If you like Ryan Matthews, you go get him.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -Hunter Thompson
Drafts get funky like a rum drunk monkey in later rounds.
It’s also a great time to use insult to distract your opponents.
Mullet hair cuts, bald spots that look like a Sioux scalping party just passed, beer bellies, goat guts, recent arrests, tape worm like eating habits, excessive booze consumption, chronic cheapness, terrible fantasy football skills, uni brows, Shriek like super sized heads, girly man whining, man boobs, man tears and things of that ilk are all fair game.
Also take a shot fire at a rookie running back or a second year player that might pop through this year.
Who really wants another year of Michael Bush, Hines Ward or Santana Moss?
They peaked, so have a hunch bet on a bunch of unknown.
Roll them bones and buy an unknown.
Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt- Mark Twain
Deny yourself your favorite teams players.
That is if your doomed to be a forlorn Buffalo Bill fan forever, do not feel the need to draft all of their mostly pathetic skill position players just to show the Bill’s your love and support.
The Bills do not care about your fantasy football and you should be savagely mocked, if not tarred and feathered, for your foolishness.
I called up my friend LeRoy on the phone
I said, Buddy, I’m afraid to be alone
‘Cause I got some weird ideas in my head
About things to do in Denver when you’re dead
Warren Zevon on Josh McDaniel’s coaching future
Some teams look doomed before the season even starts.
Do you really want to spend Sundays watching players on the horrid Buffalo Bills, kaput Kansas City Chiefs, boring Cleveland Browns, declining Denver Broncos, tumbling Tampa Bay Buccaneers or shuffling Seattle Seahawks?
The Bills bad offensive line buried two running backs in the first preseason game already.
And like most of their Florida fan base, many folks have no desire to subject themselves to a dreadfully boring Jacksonville Jaguar game.
Change ain’t lookin’ for friends. Change calls the tune we dance to.-Al Swearengen
Don’t get stuck on the wrong side, or worse ground under, the wheels of change.
Don’t be the sullen sod grasping for old stars like Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocincho, Clinton Portis, Jake Delhomme, Donovan McNabb, Willie Parker, and their gimpy kneed, grey haired ilk.
Don’t be Danny Snyder and buy fading stars.
Don’t field a great team from the year 2005.
Here’s my counter-offer to your counter-offer: Go f*** yourself.- Al Swearengen
Beware of evil trading partners particularly ones that prey on besotted drafters.
Just because you love the Cleveland Browns does not mean you should trade Andre Johnson for Jake Delhomme and whatever sad, slow Brown suited wide out he is over throwing.
The fantasy gods are on the side of the team with the most artillery- Napoleon on offensive lines.
The Hogs, like Jack Tatum head shots to wide outs wandering across the middle, are extinct in today’s NFL.
Good offensive lines are always ravaged by free agent vultures and picked apart before they develop.
The old Redskins line of the 80′s would have been torn asunder after just one Super Bowl ring.
Look for the blessed backs behind the big boys in Baltimore, Miami, Minnesota, Dallas, New Orleans and the New York Jets.
Avoid the sieve like shambles in Chicago, Kansas City, Oakland, Buffalo, St Louis, Seattle, and Detroit.
Also artillery goes together like Sonny and Cher so if you take a top quarterback, grab his tight end or a favorite wide out.
Like Mini Me and Doctor Evil they complete each other.
- DEBAUCHEE, n.
- One who has so earnestly pursued pleasure that he has had the misfortune to overtake it.
- Ambrose Bierce The Devil’s Dictionary
- By Oliver Reed’s dissipated shade don’t be howling on the floor in the fifth round as drunk as John Riggins in front of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
- Remember, moderation in all things on draft day; including moderation.
There are three kinds of lies, lies, damn lies and statistics. -Mark Twain tearing up his draft sheet.
After the first few picks throw down that damn draft sheet.
The Yahoo or CBS Sports line hacks know as little or less than you do.
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The Eagles have wrapped up at Lehigh and are inching closer and closer to the regular season. It won’t be too long before the Eagles are forced to make some decisions regarding their roster. Some players may be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, meaning they’ll miss at least the first six games of the season. Other players will either be released from the team completely or held on the practice squad.
Today, we’ll take a look at some Eagles players who could land on the practice squad.
Martell Mallett
I just wrote about this guy and really like what I saw from him in the Jacksonville game. However, Eldra Buckley is slated as the third running back right now and has the edge over him.
The third running back competition was a very interesting one this year. There was a lot of talent and unfortunately the Eagles can’t keep all the running backs they have on the roster right now. Mallett looked great running the ball, and it would be nice to have him in our back pocket.
Charles Scott
Scott’s situation reminds me a bit of what happened with Tony Hunt a few years back. Hunt came in as a running back who had a nice collegiate career and was moved to fullback. Things didn’t work out with Hunt and I don’t want to see it happen again with Scott.
Scott definitely has a better build to play fullback but also has a lot of talent as a ball carrier. Myself and a lot of other people in the Eagles community were high on this pick and expected big things out of Scott. Although things don’t seem to be panning out right now, I think it’s still possible that they could down the line.
Jordan Norwood
Norwood is in a tough spot because of the insane depth the Eagles have at wide receiver this year. It seems that the team always hangs on to a few receivers on the practice squad and Norwood may very well be one of them. He was a bubble type player last year and did get to suit up for the team once last season.
I truly think the Eagles like Norwood as a player, he’s just not quite on the talent level of hanging with the starters the team has right now.
A.Q. Shipley
Here’s another Penn State player. Shipley is a guy I can see being successful in the NFL at some point but right now he’s still young. With the injuries the Eagles are seeing at the center position right now, I think they definitely have to try to keep a center on the practice squad.
The center that does end up on the practice squad could very well be called upon if another injury takes place.
Keenan Clayton
Clayton is a rookie that seems to fit the bill in terms of defensive player the Eagles are looking for. He’s a speedy linebacker and that seems to be what the Eagles are high on right now. The linebacker group has an interesting combination of rookies, veterans, and guys in between. It will come down to a numbers game with the linebackers, but I do think the Eagles see Clayton as a guy they’d like to keep around.
Geoff Pope
Pope is a guy I don’t see filling one of the corner spots on the roster as the season opens up, but he does have some experience in the NFL. With the way the corner situation looks now, it’s hard to predict who will stay and who will go. Pope could be a nice guy to have around since he’s had some time in the league.
Let me note that I’m not an expert on this topic by any means and that this is just a personal projection. What players do you believe my end up on the practice squad?
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