Five Burning Questions Going Into the Season

[poptart]

2. Cornerback: Nnamdi is a pretty significant loss.
D-backs are getting lit up in training camp, which is a different story from recent years.
I can believe our passing game is better, but that much better?
Give this until week 3 of preseason, too, and if it looks shaky, I'll be concerned.

I thought Rod Woodson was an interesting hire. He was always a very smart and well prepared player. I wouldn't be surprised to see him succeed as a coach. He's got to have a little something to work with, though.

Woodson is a hard guy not to like.

He's bright, humble, and carries himself well.

I think he has his work cut out as it stands right now, because there just isn't enough vet leadership in the Raider d-backfield.

[DallasFanatic]

1. How will the Boys defense be under Ryan's scheme this year?
2. Who will emerge as a solid #3 on the WR list?
3. Who is going to step up and be a kicker this year?
4. Is Dez Bryant mature enough to step up and truly be the Boys' #1 receiver?
5. Is Felix Jones capable of being an every down back?

Now having a chance to see for myself, here are my thoughts on the above questions.

1. They looked lost, just as they did in their blue-white scrimmage. I guess the crowd was too noisy, Ryan was yapping in James earpiece, and hand signals weren't communicated properly. I don't give a crap what the rules are of preseason games, but when you have a defense that doesn't communicate effectively, you play them a little bit more than you normally would. I know risks of injury are the driving force, but if you're unit (sup Scott) is getting their pants pulled down and buttfucked by the Broncos than health doesn't mean jack squat. This will not only need to improve, but improve drastically if the Boys are going to be successful this year.

2. This is now more in question than heading into the game. Ogletree appeared to be a strong candidate for #3, but radway and Harris just made that decision much more difficult. Both showed great hands and speed. This will be a battle.

3. Not that we saw a whole heck of a lot but it was nice seeing Buehler hit a 42 yarder.

4. Romo looked his way a few times in that first series and threw one incomplete pass. Not sure if the routes were wrong, Bryant couldn't get open or they were doubling him, but it would've been nice to see him get the ball. Plenty of time for that so I'll hold off on the young kid. BTW, he was a great cheerleader, so a TO locker room type cancer doesn't seem to be part of his MO.

5. I think Rumps touched on it, so maybe I should clarify, is Jone's ready to be a starter. I think the answer is yes. He looked good, had a nice blitz pickup and showed he can both run and catch (which was really never in question).

All in all, a "blah" first game for the Boys. These next couple of games will give a clearer indication of where they stand.

[jiminphilly]

That's right.

Crack on V. Young, yes, but make no mistake - the guy has a high winning pct as an NFLer for a reason.
He does a lot of things right.

I thought bringing him in was a brilliant move. His game is certainly more similar to Vick's than Kolb's, so I think it would be pretty easy for him to step in for a few games and not force the rest of the unit to adjust to a totally different style of play.

The team had no problem scoring points when Kolb was QB. He would have certainly been a better backup than Vince Young based on talent alone. That being said, for what they got for Kolb in return, it would have been stupid not to trade him.

Young could develop into a pretty decent backup with Vick as a mentor. His career completion percentage and td/int ratio are pretty shitty. Reid seems to have decent success grooming back up QBs so if Young puts in the time and effort he could end up salvaging his career. He's on a 1 year deal so he has little room for error if he wants to come back as a starter down the road.

[mvscal]

His career completion percentage and td/int ratio are pretty shitty.

Young has a better completion percentage than Vick. The only reason Vick hasn't thrown more INTs is because he runs a lot more than Young.

[jiminphilly]

His career completion percentage and td/int ratio are pretty shitty.

Young has a better completion percentage than Vick. The only reason Vick hasn't thrown more INTs is because he runs a lot more than Young.

From a pure statistical analysis, Vick's career stats, especially his CMP% is terrible. But last year he was at 62% and though he did run, he actually averaged more pass attempts per game with the Eagles (31) than he did with the Falcons (25-28). But I also know this is a small sample size compared to the prior years of his career. And while you can't discount what he did in Atlanta, I think his game significantly improved (and having better receivers at his disposal helped). In short, I think Vick turned the corner and will likely be closer to 60% CMP% vs the career 55% while he is an Eagle.

I think Young can improve as well. Do I think he can come off the bench and win a game or at least put a team in position to win? I'm not sold on that yet. I already know Kolb can.

[mvscal]

I think Young can improve as well. Do I think he can come off the bench and win a game or at least put a team in position to win? I'm not sold on that yet. I already know Kolb can.

You're sold on a one year wonder like Vick while Young has won thirty games and is a two time Pro Bowler and you don't know if he can win a game off the bench?

Pull your head out.

[Th]

1. Will BB's uncharacteristic dip into the free agency 'well' pay dividends this season?

I have my doubts. OchoDROPo hasn't impressed anyone at camp so far and Haynesworth has been on the field for one HALF practice. As of now the rumor mill has both of them not on the final roster. The Pats are even taking a look at TJ 'Whosyourmomma'. AS always though, call me on the weekend of the first game.


2. Will any of the Patriots rookies make a start in week one?

Unlikely. Especially with such a shortened offseason. The potentials are Solder at left tackle if Matt Light isn't ready or possibly RB Ridley, he had a great night for a rook in the first preseason game. I need to see a bit more from him though.


3. Will the Pats 3rd down defense improve over last season?

Hard to imagine it wouldn't. Last year they were HORRIBLE and equally frustrating to watch. The Pats brought in a grip of D lineman to see how they could improve their front seven. Dane Fletcher, 2nd year linebacker, may be emerging in the pass rush as well. McCourty and Bodden should be solid at the corners and the safeties are pretty good except in the matter of depth.


4. Will The offense pick up where it left off?

I believe it will. Brady is still Brady and he has just about every player on offense that he ended last season with. The line looks BETTER in front of him with a good rotation of starting veterans as well as young talent. The Pats also drafted a couple of running backs that may compliment the running game nicely. (Ridley)


5. Who will be the first big name cut in training camp? Haynesworth

From the fan's standpoint its impossible to see otherwise. The Pats took a flyer on him and if he's going to persist at how he's conducted himself before, he'll be looking for work elsewhere. (Can't make the club from the tub) Time will tell and I'm truly hopeful this isn't the case. If he's motivated to play he can be a HUGE force in the defensive front.

[poptart]

Raiders have reason to think playoffs with Jackson at the helm

By Gil Brandt NFL.com

NAPA, Calif. -- Getting to go to certain training camps year after year, you really have a chance to evaluate the current version of a team vs. what you saw the prior season. In the three practices that I've seen, the Oakland Raiders seem like a team on a course to accomplishing something in 2011.

I'm not sold on the San Diego Chargers bouncing back this season and the Kansas City Chiefs could take a step back after winning the AFC West last season.

That's where the Raiders come in. Hue Jackson's team is ready to make a playoff run. You see the attitude adjustment in camp with him as the head coach and with his two new coordinators. One thing that seems to have changed under Jackson is the physical demand on players. They appear to be working harder and hustling more between drills. It's not a 75 percent jog that's been the case in years past; it's a 110 percent all the time.

Jackson's rallying cry for the team this year is to be the "bully on the block." The Raiders are well on their way to living up to the slogan, and here are some reasons why they could win the AFC West this season.


Campbell taking the next step

It appears Jason Campbell is ready to do just that with Al Saunders, who has nearly 30 years of NFL coaching experience, now the offensive coordinator in Oakland. Saunders is really good at doing things to make quarterbacks better. He won't call the plays for Campbell, Jackson will, but the foundation for success is in place.

Don't forget, Campbell didn't play poorly last season and has 22 more touchdown passes than interceptions in his career.


More weapons on offense

The receiving corps isn't the best group in the league, but it's capable enough to make Campbell a better quarterback. The Raiders want to run the ball -- they had the second-ranked ground game in 2010 -- but they have more weapons in the passing game.

Jacoby Ford had a pretty darn good rookie year and should only get better. He's so much more confident than he was last season. Louis Murphy is a pretty good receiver, while Darrius Heyward-Bey always looks like he's ready for the next step -- but potential hasn't led to production yet.

Marcel Reece really creates matchup problems out of the backfield because he's a former wide receiver playing fullback. He can run, catch and his speed makes a him a tough cover.

Fifth-round pick Denarius Moore can run a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash and really runs good routes. A lot of fast guys can't get out of their breaks, but he can. He could have an immediate impact. He's also good on kick returns. He had a long one called back in the Raiders' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Raiders lost Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller in free agency, but Kevin Boss is a pretty even exchange. Sixth-round pick Richard Gordon is going to give them a great blocking tight end. That should help their running game.


Defense taking shape

The defense is anchored by veteran Richard Seymour. He's the leader of every drill, running around like a rookie that's trying to make the team.

As a whole, the defense has a good mix of veterans with younger guys like Rolando McClain and Lamarr Houston, which usually leads to success.

Speaking of McClain, he's dropped 10 pounds from last year and is really moving well. He came in as a rookie with an attitude off a national title team like he had nothing to prove. That's gone now.

Stanford Routt takes over the role of the team's top cornerback for the departed Nnamdi Asomugha. Third-round pick DeMarcus Van Dyke, who has impressed and can hold his own in man coverage, could be an early contributor. He's a young guy with talent who gets to learn the ins and outs of the game from a Hall of Famer in Rod Woodson.


Impact special teams can make

The third phase of the game is often overlooked, but the Raiders have a great punter (Shane Lechler), kicker (Sebastian Janikowski) and return game (Jacoby Ford).

Special teams can make a difference in close games, just ask the Chargers. The Raiders went 6-0 in the division last season in part because of what the unit provided.

[mvscal]

Raiders have reason to think playoffs

Of course they do. It's August.

[poptart]

Oakland led the division on November 20th last season.

Then they came out of their bye week and stepped on their dick, getting hammered at Pittsburgh and then losing a home game v. Miami in a very bad performance.

The Raiders have a lot of young talent that gained valuable experience last season.
And they've added some more.

They also have the kind of solid leadership and direction that they haven't had in a long time.
Seymour, Campbell, Jackson, and Saunders.

They face a tougher schedule, as does most of the West, but I think the Raiders could be poised to make a legit push for the playoffs.

[jiminphilly]

One of my questions answered:

Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who still hasn't practiced yet, has been cleared to return to the team after a cancer scare, trainer Rick Burkholder said Wednesday.

Burkholder said, barring a setback, Maclin will return to practice within 10 days and should be able to play in the Sept. 11 opener at St. Louis.

Burkholder said Maclin began experiencing symptoms -- night sweats, fever, loss of weight, loss of appetite -- in March, synonymous with lymphoma, a form of cancer. But a five-month battery of tests taken in both Philadelphia and St. Louis came back inconclusive. It wasn't until Wednesday that Maclin, the 19th overall pick by the Eagles in the 2009 NFL Draft, was finally cleared of all serious conditions.


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“That’s nothing anyone ever wants to hear,” Maclin told told Jay Glazer of Fox Sports and NFL Network. “That’s a hard time — the thought that at any given time you can get that call that they found cancer. It was eating away at me, and it was hard for me to hide.

“I wanted to keep it private until I knew for sure what was going on, and the Eagles were amazing. They were one of the only ones who knew. My relationship with them is more than professional. They were like family during this.”

Maclin was tested for HIV and numerous other diseases and underwent several tests, including scans. He also consulted with a hematologist, an oncologist and an infectious disease specialist, among others.

"Frankly," Burkholder said, "nobody could come up with a definitive diagnosis."

Burkholder, speaking on a conference call from Pittsburgh, where the Eagles face the Steelers in a preseason game Thursday, reported Maclin's symptoms disappeared at some point before late July. He said the cause of the symptoms remains "vague."

"We're confident that the life-threatening stuff is out of the mix," Burkholder said. "Right now, we're going to look at him as having an inflammatory condition that caused him to have the symptoms and the abnormal blood studies."


Maclin underwent a laparoscopy procedure last Thursday so doctors could get a clearer biopsy than previous tests had provided. The results came back Wednesday, and were negative.

Asked why his description of the cause of Maclin's condition seems vague, Burkholder replied, "It is vague."

As the Eagles turn their attention to the Steelers and beyond, doctors will continue to monitor Maclin. But the trainer said he and team physician Gary Dorshimer, who treated Maclin, are confident the symptoms won't return.

"We'll continue to test him, just like we test any player that's had any condition," Burkholder said. "If a player has high blood pressure, we continue to test him for high blood pressure."

Burkholder's conference call was the first statement from the Eagles on Maclin's condition. Burkholder said Maclin asked the team not to comment until he was cleared.

"His request through this whole thing was that we don't do anything with the media or any reports until we were really ready to have everything more definitive in the testing," Burkholder said. "So, obviously we granted him that wish, and that's why we really didn't have anything to say. Legally, I can't say anything till he gives me the OK.

"And he gave me the OK this afternoon."

[Goober McTuber]

Oakland led the division on November 20th last season.

Then they came out of their bye week and stepped on their dick, getting hammered at Pittsburgh and then losing a home game v. Miami in a very bad performance.

The Raiders have a lot of young talent that gained valuable experience last season.
And they've added some more.

They also have the kind of solid leadership and direction that they haven't had in a long time.
Seymour, Campbell, Jackson, and Saunders.

They face a tougher schedule, as does most of the West, but I think the Raiders could be poised to make a legit push for the playoffs.

And now they have TP.

The Oakland Raiders selected former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the third round of Monday's supplemental draft.

Oakland took Pryor with the 18th selection of the round. By selecting Pryor, the Raiders now will not pick in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.

No other players were taken in Monday's supplemental draft.

Five other players were eligible to be drafted Monday: former Georgia running back Caleb King, former Northern Illinois safety Tracy Wilson, former Western Carolina cornerback Torez Jones, former Lindenwood University defensive end Keenan Mace, and former North Carolina defensive end Michael McAdoo. Those players now are eligible to sign with any NFL team.

Based on the rookie scale used to sign picks from April's draft, Pryor would be expected to get a four-year deal at $2.36 million, including a $591,000 signing bonus.

A Raiders source told ESPN.com's John Clayton that the team is looking at Pryor more as receiver than a quarterback at the NFL level.

The selection of Pryor means the Raiders will not pick in the second, third or fourth rounds of the 2012 draft. Oakland traded its 2012 second-round pick to New England in a multipick trade that netted it the Patriots' 2011 third- and fourth-round picks and swapped its 2012 four-round pick to Washington in the trade for quarterback Jason Campbell. The Raiders selected offensive tackle Joe Barksdale and running back Taiwan Jones with the picks acquired from New England.

The NFL allowed Pryor into the draft last week with the caveat that he wouldn't be allowed to practice for the team that selected him until Week 6. Because he was found by the NCAA to have received improper benefits, the quarterback would have faced a five-game suspension had he stayed at Ohio State.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes after an investigation into the team's memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost coach Jim Tressel his job.

Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Associated Press on Thursday of last week that "we accept that voluntarily." But the player's attorney, David Cornwell, told ESPN Radio last Friday that it was "likely" the five-game punishment would be appealed once Pryor signed an NFL contract.

Pryor said Saturday at his pro day, where 17 teams watched him work out, that there would be no appeal.

"I'd like to thank the commissioner, Mr. (Roger) Goodell, for giving me the opportunity to play in the NFL," he said. "It's a dream of mine to play quarterback here. We will not appeal. I'll serve (the suspension), along with my senior Buckeye buddies, because I did a wrong thing when I was young and I must serve it."

Appearing in top shape at his workout Saturday, Pryor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds and threw an array of passes, completing all but a handful. But at times he appeared unfamiliar with his receivers' intentions.

"I missed three targets," he said. "I don't know if guys were dropping ball, or whatever. These guys I've never worked with before, but I've still got to hit it. It felt good."