NFL News, Rumors, Scores, Predictions, and Stats

I don’t care who you are, you have to feel sorry for this crop of rookies.If the lockout does not end soon, most would consider these rookie’s season a near loss. Christian Ponder stands amidst a myriad of draftees with high expectations fr…

These past few weeks, the consensus suggests that Bengals fans have been given plenty to smile about in 2011.While instant success might not be on the cards, a changing of the guard so to speak gives hope for the future.While there is significant enthu…

The Bengals offense has been able to move the ball effectively on the Saints’ 7th-ranked defense. Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer completed eight consecutive passes and converted on two 4th downs. But the Bengals have left too many opportunities for touchd…

I would like to apologize for not having Two-A-Days yesterday, I was having some computer problems. Today I will preview the Bengals and the Seahawks and to make up for yesterday I will preview the the Cowboys and the Panthers tomorrow.

This idea originated from ESPN’s Mike & Mike, right now I will preview the Cincinnati Bengals.

1.) Is Carson Palmer still one of the premiere QB’s in the NFL?

It’s closer than I thought at first. In 2009, Palmer led the Bengals to seven fourth-quarter comebacks. He still has the following guys ahead him: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, and Eli Manning. Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco could also end up ahead of him. According to my current list, I have Palmer eighth, is that premiere?  Not quite, just outside of that category.

2.) Can RB Cedric Benson put together another career season?

He finally broke out in 2009, with 1,251 yards in 301 attempts. You would have to expect his number of carries to decrease, thanks to the Bengals bolstering the passing attack. The offensive line is strong enough for an 1,000-yard rushing season also. Benson’s number will go down, but still break the 1,000-yard mark.

3.) Who will be the wideout who puts the big play back in Cincinatti’s passing game?

No matter what the duo says, Chad Ochocinco is batman to Terrell Owens’ robin. Last season, Chris Henry led the team in average yards per catch, before his tragic death. Jordan Shipley had this role at Texas, but may not have enough playing time to be established as the playmaker. Antonio Bryant is more of a physical presence although he has been clutch. Terrell Owens may be this guy if he hasn’t slowed down too much. Chad Ochocinco can also be the big-play man, depending on what offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski wants to do. The Bengals have several players who are capable of filling this role, but it is not clear who will.

4.) Will the defense take a step foward or backward in 2010?

The key here is Antwan Odom, who had eight sacks in four games before a season-ending injury. If Odom is healthy, the defense should improve. The rest of the defensive line is also solid, with Robert Geathers, Domato Peko, and Tank Johnson as the other three starters.

Dhani Jones is the heart of the defense and the veteran of the linebacking core. Keith Rivers has proved to be very steady and consistent as a player. Rey Maualuga made progress in 2009 considering he had never played at strongside linebacker before.

The cornerback combo of Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall is one of the elite pairings in the league. Roy Williams and Chris Crocker are past there prime, but still get the job done at both safety spots.

The answer is step forward because of Antwan Odom’s return.

5.) The Cincinatti Bengals’ record will be…

10-6 and finish second in the AFC North.

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The Lions came out for warm up drills with light pads only. The legs that weren’t injured appeared to be pretty fresh. Jonathan Wade was sans cast, but would put it back on for position drills later.

The team exhibited a spirit throughout this practice that has not previously been seen with the exception of the only live contact practice that they had last week.

Could it be that training camp is coming to an end?

I found a place at the top of the bleacher next to a couple of Lions fans and Mlivers from Battle Creek. It was a fun day with Don Hughes, and Brad Bradly. Two knowledgeable fans, for sure.

Lets do this!

I noticed during the stretching exercises that the players looked somehow more focused on everything that they were doing. I later found out that head coach Jim Schwartz went ballistic yesterday over the injuries, and that the team was lax in their focus on the little things.

The players broke into their position drills. The LB’s were bolstered by the return of Deandre Levy, and the addition of Lee Campbell. They ran agility drills as did the DB’s. Louis Delmas participated in these drills but was held out of seven-on-seven, and team drills.

The QB’s were throwing out-cuts to the running backs, while the receivers worked on their “release” moves off the line of scrimmage.

The special teams worked on field goals with new kicker Steven Houschka. He looked solid, and on the last rep of the drill holder Nick Harris ran a fake run to the left edge. Nice wheels, Nick.

Then came some seven-on-seven drills where Matt Stafford put his arm on display by connecting on every pass thrown. When Burleson caught his first ball, the sidelined DB’s shouted “Happy birthday, Nate!”

Trust me, folks, Matt Stafford looks like he’s been a Pro Bowl QB for years. His release is so quick, and his passes are always on the button. It’s a real pleasure to behold. The difference in Stafford over last year is astonishing.

Drew Stanton took the remaining reps in seven-on-sevens, as well as every rep in the first team drill period. Stanton was inconsistent, at best. He was overthrowing receivers, and some of his throws looked like the proverbial wounded ducks.

With all the reps that Stanton got in practice today, I am beginning to wonder if his days are numbered in Detroit. He was intercepted three times this morning. Dre Bly, Randy Phillips, and DeAndre Levy got in on the feast. Even Amari Spievey broke up a Stanton pass.

Perhaps the Lions are putting together a film package for Stanton (who worked on special teams again) to take to job interviews.

With the brutal cuts coming up soon, I’m afraid that Drew Stanton is a luxury that the Lions can no longer afford.

Newly acquired DE Laurence Jackson, who might turn out to be yet another Martin Mayhew coup, arrived in the middle of practice in street clothes. He received a warm welcome from teammates, new and old. He introduced himself to his defensive line mates and hung out with his newest best friends.

Lo-Jack, as he’s known, was a 2008 first round pick from USC. He went 28th overall. The Lions got him for a sixth round pick in 2011.

Now, when you consider that this sixth round pick was originally a seventh round pick (The Lions flipped a seventh rounder to the Eagles in the Sims/Scheffler trade for the sixth rounder from Philly), the Lions got what appears to be another steal from Seattle.

How could Pete Carroll, who coached Jackson at USC, let him go so cheap? The answer is that Carroll has installed new offensive and defensive schemes. This made OG Rob Sims, and now Jackson expendable.

Any time you can get starting caliber talent that cheap, you jump on it. Thanks, Pete! Do you have any spare linebackers that you want to give away to the Lions?

Speaking of the LB’s, the Lions ran the 3-4 exclusively during team drills today. Vinnie Ciurciu didn’t participate. They played Julian Peterson, and Isiah Ekejiuba (LOLB), DeAndre Levy, and Landon Johnson (LILB), Lee Campbell, and Zack Follett (RILB), and Caleb Campbell, and Ashlee Palmer (ROLB).

Lee Campbell appeared to be much more comfortable in today’s practice.

The special teams drills focused on kick, and kick coverage. Instead of launching balls from a “jugs” machine the new kicker, Steven Houschka got a good long look.

Houschka’s first kick was fielded at the seven yard line. All other kicks were fielded at the goal line, or in the end zone. A very fine leg. Houschka’s field goal work was perfect, and the Lions even worked an onsides kick. Houschka’s onsides kick was perfect.

The team drills focused primarily on short yardage situations. Willie Young jumped offsides once, but may have been drawn off. On another play he cleanly beat Jon Jansen for what looked to be a certain sack.

T.J. Rushing, the newly acquired CB looked like Amari Spievey. Inconsistent.

CB Jonathan Wade was standing beside Louis Delmas on the sidelines. When WR Derrick Williams streaked down the field near the two DB’s, Wade took off in hot pursuit! The crowd loved it!

Practice broke up early. On the way home I listened to a radio interview by Karsch and Anderson of 97.1 The Ticket with OT Jon Jansen. Jansen raved about the work ethic of Ndamakong Suh.

Suh questions the offensive linemen about his own performance. What can I improve upon? Are my angles correct? Am I showing too much chest? Am I tipping off my intentions in any way?

Jansen said that any time you have a rookie going to those lengths to get the little things right, you have a very, very special player.

Well, everybody, I hope that you enjoyed my Detroit Lions Training Camp series. It was a ball to watch our Lions in such an intimate setting, among the Lions faithfull.

The lessons learned, the observations made, and the real improvements witnessed have made the experience priceless.

I also wish to thank each and every one of you who participated in our energetic and thought provoking discussions.

Thanks again!

GO LIONS!!!

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