NFL News, Rumors, Scores, Predictions, and Stats

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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The Philadelphia Eagles head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in their second preseason game of the year.

To help us get a better understanding of what we can expect out of the Bengals, I was able to interview Josh Kirkendall over at CincyJungle.com.

I’d like to thank Josh for taking the time out to answer some questions for me. Now, let’s get down to it:

BirdsFan.com: I’m sure you knew this was coming, so let’s just get it out of the way right off the bat. What are your feelings on Batman and Robin (T.O and Ochocinco for those who may be confused)? Will it work? Do you see them being successful together?

CincyJungle.com: Many of us believe it will. Owens, from what we’ve heard, is more mature now than he was with Philadelphia. But from my understanding, he’s usually on his best behavior during his first year; it’s the second year when things start blowing up.

He came to Cincinnati because he believed that we’re going to the Super Bowl. And Ochocinco is perfectly fine with having a secondary role, because he believes that the addition of Owens makes this a better squad and Chad, contrary to popular belief because he doesn’t act it at times, is a team-first type of player.

If the team goes below expectations and loses out of the gate, then I’m sure the stuff we’ve heard about Owens will surface. But for now, everyone is happy.

BF: How would you rate the Bengals’ 2010 draft? Which rookies look good in camp? Who will make the team, and who will see significant playing time this season?

CJ: This is one of the team’s best draft classes in some time that could contribute immediately. Tight End Jermaine Gresham is as advertised.

He catches difficult passes in traffic and oftentimes, the Bengals lined him up in the slot against Denver last week. His blocking still needs work, especially against quick outside linebackers on outside runs.

Second-round pick Carlos Dunlap played his first preseason game last week and knocked the quarterback down a couple of times.

In the seventh round, the Bengals drafted Iowa State offensive lineman Reggie Stephens, who could be a very strong center if Kyle Cook goes down to injury; strong enough, at least, to waive the incumbent backup center Jonathan Luigs on Tuesday.

But the best of this draft class, at least this early, have been defensive tackle Geno Atkins and wide receiver Jordan Shipley. Shipley is often compared to guys like Wes Welker because of his size as a slot receiver.

However, most Bengals fans are claiming him to be the next T.J. Houshmandzadeh; a great possession receiver in the slot who takes advantage underneath, finding holes in the zone. And Atkins is proving to be a high-motor interior pass rusher, which will help with our limited pass rush.

BF: Cedric Benson was a very pleasant surprise in 2009. How has he looked so far this year, and should we expect more of the same out of him in 2010?

CJ: So far, so good. He hasn’t been featured much in the preseason with the team limiting the wear on him. Last year, he missed three games to injury and still carried the football over 300 times.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the Bengals elect to use the pass more this year than last while using getting the football in Bernard Scott’s hands as much as possible, to limit the wear on Benson.

However, that’s not to say he won’t be critical. The Bengals still figure on using Benson as the core of their offense.

BF: What’s the deal with Andre Smith? Is he ever going to come around or are you stamping him as a bust?

CJ: It’s probably still early to call him a bust, but even those who preach patience are leaning that way. After a prolonged holdout last year that hurt his chances to start when the regular season kicked off, two days after signing his contract, Smith suffered a fracture in his foot during a non-contact drill.

He eventually played late in the season and showed signs of being the guy we expected him to be when he was drafted. However, during the offseason, he had a procedure done in February that was designed to strengthen his foot and to prevent future breaks.

The procedure was only expected to keep him out 10 weeks, returning by minicamp in May. He was medically cleared on Tuesday and finally practiced. He should be expected to play the regular season opener.

BF: In 2009, what would you say was the Bengals’ biggest offensive weakness and what have they done to improve that area? Defensively?

CJ: The team’s passing game was a wreck, especially towards the end of the season. Including the playoff loss to the Jets, Palmer failed to reach 150 yards passing in four of his past five games.

The loss of Chris Henry was big, because aside from Chad Ochocinco, the Bengals had no threat in the passing game.

During the offseason, they signed Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens while drafting Jordan Shipley, Dezmon Briscoe, and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

On defense, the pass rush was middle-of-the-road. However, their best pass rusher last year Antwan Odom, who recorded seven sacks during the season’s first two games and tore an Achilles early in the season. He’s back.

The team also moved defensive end Michael Johnson to outside linebacker to give the Bengals an additional, and great, pass rush from the outside.

They drafted Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap and defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who’s expected to give the team an interior pass rush. A lot of it is unproven so far, but we’re expecting big things from this core defense.

BF: From an outsider’s perspective, what are your thoughts on the Donovan McNabb trade and how do you think Kevin Kolb will perform in 2010?

CJ: I’m by no means an authoritative voice about the Eagles, but it seems like the McNabb trade works out for everyone.

McNabb continues his career as a starting quarterback and the Eagles can finally promote Kolb, who seemed more than capable doing the job last year with his two 300-yard games.

BF: Which Bengals player would you say had a sub-par season last year that you expect to bounce back in 2010?

CJ: Carson Palmer. After throwing for nearly 4,000 yards in three straight seasons between 2005 and 2007, with an injury plagued season in 2008, Palmer was forced to be more of a game manager than one of the game’s elite quarterbacks, as many once titled him.

This was merely by circumstance with the lack of receivers around him and the offensive line’s overall strength as being massive maulers who are best as run blockers.

He wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t great. We’re expecting more than one 300-yard passing game this year.

BF: The Bengals finished on top of the division in 2009. Where do you see them finishing this year and who poses the biggest threat to them?

CJ: In the division, I’d say Baltimore. Their passing game has improved with added help at receiver and tight end, and Joe Flacco continuing to develop. Their defense is suffering not only with age, but also with injuries in the secondary.

It might seem as if I’m a homer if I believed that the Bengals finished in first place in the division. However, the Bengals are returning mostly all of their starters with much improved depth across the board. And I’m a homer.

Our biggest road block, however, is definitely the schedule. Along with four total games against the Steelers and Ravens, we play the Colts, Saints, Chargers, Patriots, Jets and Falcons.

BF: Give me a score prediction.

CJ: I’m kind of a coward with such things, only because it’s the preseason so who knows how these things end up with our backups, third stringers and bubble players having the biggest contribution.

The only thing I hope for is continued improvement across the board and no major injuries from either side.

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The NFL fantasy football sleepers certainly have serious ramifications for sports bettors. However, the main reason that professional gamblers are coming off a remarkable opening week of sports picks is the availability of the preseason primer.

Here is the Week 2 NFL initial look for sports bettors.

Thursday, August 19

Colts vs. Bills

Bill RB Fred Jackson is out. He rushed for 1,062 yards last year, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Marshawn Lynch, who split time as starter, is also out. This means that rookie C.J. Spiller will be rushed into more playing time. He carried four times for just 16 yards in the NFX opener.

After Spiller, it’s Chad Simpson, who played sparingly for the Colts. In 25 games in his NFL career, he has 30 carries for 147 yards. Behind him is a rookie free agent, Joique Bell.

Saturday, August 21

NY Giants-Steelers

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will play and may start. As usual Head Coach Mike Tomlin was glib when asked about his playing time.

Raiders vs. Bears

NFL preseason odds players will want to note that as bad as Chicago’s starting QB Jay Cutler is, it gets worse behind him. Potential backup Todd Collins rejected a contract offer, Caleb Harris is out and rookie Dan LeFevour not ready for significant role.

Dolphins vs. Jaguars

Dolphins OG Nate Garner is out. He started eight games last year and was projected to be the backup at RT.

Lions vs. Broncos

Detroit will be without LB Jordan Dizon for the season. Versatile and projected as a key backup, he started the first preseason game. He was a top-notch special teams player.

Cowboys vs. Chargers

Dallas starting RT Marc Colombo is out. Alex Barron is also out meaning youngsters Robert Brewster and Sam Young are the fill-ins. Dallas top pick WR Dez Bryant is out.

Jets vs. Panthers

Though Carolina WR Steve Smith is back practicing, he won’t play.

Monday, August 23

Cardinals vs. Titans

Arizona superstar receiver Larry Fitzgerald is out. Of course they lost No. 2 WR Anquan Boldin in the offseason and starting QB Kurt Warner retired. This makes Steve Breaston the No. 1 receiver and Early Doucet, the No. 2.

For more information: Preseason week two picks from the world’s best handicappers are on the OffshoreInsiders.com Network.

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The San Francisco 49ers have been a long way away from greatness over most of the last decade, with the performance of the team dying off hard after 2003. Many may point the finger in various places, lack of continuity of team, coaching, level of talent recruited, free agent market performance, etc. I think one of the biggest of these is our performance in the draft from 2000-2009.

When I say draft performance, I would guess that the first name through your head is Alex Smith. While his performance has fell short of what you would expect from a first overall pick, his selection is not part of the core of my reasoning.

It is understood that teams will have some misses, some players will fool all of the scouts, some players will draw excessive hype and then never live up to it, and some players take time to develop. However, each team employs people to sort through all of this and weed out their best bets.

What degree fortification should a team receive from 10 years worth of first round picks? Here are some examples:

While the amount of first round busts we’ve had is absurd, I wish I could tell you it stopped there. The 49ers have had equally as many players in the second and third rounds combined in this time frame who just didn’t hack it.

Between the departure of Terrell Owens and the arrival of Michael Crabtree, the 49ers panned for gold in the wide receiver department unsuccessfully. Five receivers drafted between 2004 and 2006 with overall pick numbers 31, 77, 84, 174, and 223 combined for less than 175 receiving yards, and 3 of them never recorded a regular season reception.

While San Francisco has also had questionable performance in the free agent market over the last decade, they left themselves too many holes to fill via this method by poor draft performance.

If you look at the Panthers first round performance, the cornerstones of their offense and defense have been first round, home grown draft picks. The same is somewhat true for the 49ers picks that did pan out, however there aren’t nearly as many.

How bad have we done? With the exception of Josh Morgan, Reggie Smith, and Eric Heitmann, the 2008, 2002, and 2003 drafts may as well not even have existed!

Bottom line, the holes left by draft misses Balmer, Woods, Harris, Rumph, Lawson, and Plummer have left us lacking home grown veterans capable of performing at a first round level, while leaving us with players against the salary cap.

Perhaps the worst of all of these picks was DE Kentwan Balmer. In spite of coming off of a 2007 season in which the 49ers were dead last in the league in both total and scoring offense, the team decided to make first round pick an attempted replacement for retiring 4 time Pro Bowl DT Bryant Young.

In retrospect, the well-known fact among 49er fans that DeSean Jackson was still on the board adds insult to injury. Balmer recently departed for Seattle in exchange for a sixth round pick after failing to post a single sack in 2 seasons.

A close second would be Rashaun Woods. After the departure of Terrell Owens, the team was looking to add some firepower to the passing game. Woods left the NFL after the 2004 season with 7 catches for 160 yards and 1 touchdown for his career.

Luckily, the 49ers seem to be on a positive trend lately in the draft. In 2009, TE Bear Pascoe was the only player not to make the roster. This year, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to me if all drafted players make the roster with the exception of 7th round selection Phillip Adams, who should be a lock for the practice squad.

The good news is we appear to be on a positive trend in the draft department starting with 2009. Hopefully we stay on track with the improvement that we have had over the last 2 years.

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