Once upon a time, the San Francisco 49ers ruled the National Football League. That has not been the case for more than a decade. The team ‘By the Bay’ is in the middle of yet another rebuilding effort with a new head coach (Mike Singletary), unproven receivers, an average offensive line, a weak pass rush and a quarterback unit that makes Jeff Garcia look like a Hall of Famer. In fact, the only thing the Niners has going for them is their running game.
This is the picture San Francisco took into the 2009 exhibition season. Now, that picture seems to be morphing. Singletary has shown a good he can get the best out of a talent-starved roster. Now he needs to translate that success into wins. The receiving corps is still a work in progress, at best. The only sure thing appears to be TE Vernon Davis who quietly is becoming a go-to-guy. He always had the talent, but due to a lack of maturity, he was never able to show it. Now he is finally displaying the line separation and hands scouts raved about when he came out of Maryland.
The much mélange offensive line is steadily improving. Tackles Joe Staley and Adam Snyder, center Eric Heittman and right guard Chilo Rachal all are having solid camps. As for the pass rush, although LB Patrick Willis continues his ascension to the upper echelon of NFL linebackers, there still a need for more options. Jeff Ulbrich, who started in place of Willis against the Raiders this past week, has looked sharp. He, promising rookie Scott McKillop and Takeo Spikes should form a nice combo. What still lacking is depth at defensive tackle.
The QB situation is the deicer of them all. Projected starter Shaun Hill has a good fell for the game. Unfortunately for the 49ers, he is not a playmaker by any stretch of the imagination. That distinction belongs to Alex Smith. But the former #1 overall pick lacks pure passing skills. He is more of an athlete than a passer and the Niners will be wise to grasp that fact soon. It’s a good bet Hill will be the starter this year, if by no other reason because of Smith. Lurking in the shadows is fifth round selection Nate Davis. The former Northern Illinois star is having a very, very good camp. He has displayed good escapability in the pocket and a nice passing touch to go along with a big, powerful arm. He is now the future of the franchise, at least for this year.
The one area that San Fran is more than adequate is at running back. We all know about Frank Gore and what he can do. His hard and explosive running is well documented. Now we are finding about that this is not a one man gang. Former reclamation project, Michael Robinson is running wild, bulling over defenses and presenting mismatches on the passing, while two rookies, third rounder Glen Coffee and undrafted free agent Korey Sheets, are making strong cases for playing time. Coffee, the preseason rushing leader, has shown the explosiveness the team covets in a third down back.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series, sponsored by Burger King, announced the use of the newly built Dallas Cowboys Stadium to host four of the Series’ games. On Monday, September 7th, Labor Day, the 2008 Utah state runner-up Bingham (Utah) and Euless Trinity (Texas) will take the field in what should be a game for the ages. That will be followed by Texas rivals Colleyville Heritage and Irving MacArthur meeting in the second contests, schedule to commence at approximately 1:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., cross- town foes Mansfield Timberview and Mansfield Summit will take the field, following by the game between Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (Calif.) and Klein Oak (Texas) at 7:30 p.m. (CDT).
All games will be air by the Fox Sport Network.
All games will be air by the Fox Sport Network.
Monday, August 17, 2009
New 'go to guy' in Oakland
It took a year and two drafts, but it seems the Oakland Raiders might have found a number one WR for JaMarcus Russell and it’s not highly priced, first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, not yet at least. The job belongs to a ‘little’ known flier Al Davis took in 2008.
The diamond in the rouge is Chaz Schilens, who came up big in the Raiders preseason opener slicing the improved Dallas Cowboy’s secondary for five catches, 52 yards in less than two quarters of play. Schilens, a 6’4” 225 pound physical specimen has also shined in recent Raiders training session prompting coach Tom Cable to open up the passing attack.
The 2008 seven round selection out of San Diego State is quickly developing a rhythm with Russell in practice. Chemistry that was on display against the Cowboys.
In some ways, he has become the young quarterback’s first option. A process that began last year when he became a full time starter late finishing with 15 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite his inmense size, Schilens is a fluid athlete who, contrary to his report card coming out of college, has displayed great hands and body movement. In fact, he has consistently catch the short-to-intermediate range pass, a ‘must do’ for a go-to WR.
The diamond in the rouge is Chaz Schilens, who came up big in the Raiders preseason opener slicing the improved Dallas Cowboy’s secondary for five catches, 52 yards in less than two quarters of play. Schilens, a 6’4” 225 pound physical specimen has also shined in recent Raiders training session prompting coach Tom Cable to open up the passing attack.
The 2008 seven round selection out of San Diego State is quickly developing a rhythm with Russell in practice. Chemistry that was on display against the Cowboys.
In some ways, he has become the young quarterback’s first option. A process that began last year when he became a full time starter late finishing with 15 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite his inmense size, Schilens is a fluid athlete who, contrary to his report card coming out of college, has displayed great hands and body movement. In fact, he has consistently catch the short-to-intermediate range pass, a ‘must do’ for a go-to WR.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Despite the awful display, Orton still safe in Denver
Kyle Orton couldn’t have picked a worse moment to have a meltdown. The former Bear QB and new Broncos head coach Josh McDaniel’s pet project had a disastrous debut against the San Francisco 49ers throwing for three bad interceptions in his first three series during Denver’s 16-17 loss last Friday. To make matters worse for MacDaniels, who was already in the hot seat for the way he handle the Jay Cutler’s affair, backup Chris Simms played almost flawless football.
The box score on both signal callers read as follow: Orton 9-16 for 89 yards 0-3 (TD/INT) ratio and 32.6 passing rating, Simms was 11-17 for 14 with 2-0 ratio and a 130.0 rating. Aside the obvious discrepancies in numbers, it was clearly evident that the Broncos’ were a more fluid squad with the 6’3” Simms at the helm. The new style of offense also seems more suited for the son of Hall of Famer Phil Simms.
After the game, the 32-year old coach stressed that this was just the first exhibition game. That maybe true but he forgot to mention that since being appointed the number one QB last June, the ex-Purdue Boilermaker star has fail to impress in simple passing drills.
Maybe is the pressure of replacing a Pro Bowl quarterback just hitting his prime, or the constant booing by the diehard Denver fans, or knowing that his coach’s fate is tied up to his success. Whatever the reason is, Orton looks uncomfortable in the pocket which is a real cause of concern after having practiced with the first team unit for more than two months.
MacDaniels will not make a quarterback change, because he knows what will come after it. But, both he and Orton should get their house in order, and soon, because owner Pat Bowen will not tolerate mediocrity for long. Just ask Mike Shannahan.
Orton should improve, but how much better he can become is up in the air. And the air is thin in Denver, for both he and his head coach.
The box score on both signal callers read as follow: Orton 9-16 for 89 yards 0-3 (TD/INT) ratio and 32.6 passing rating, Simms was 11-17 for 14 with 2-0 ratio and a 130.0 rating. Aside the obvious discrepancies in numbers, it was clearly evident that the Broncos’ were a more fluid squad with the 6’3” Simms at the helm. The new style of offense also seems more suited for the son of Hall of Famer Phil Simms.
After the game, the 32-year old coach stressed that this was just the first exhibition game. That maybe true but he forgot to mention that since being appointed the number one QB last June, the ex-Purdue Boilermaker star has fail to impress in simple passing drills.
Maybe is the pressure of replacing a Pro Bowl quarterback just hitting his prime, or the constant booing by the diehard Denver fans, or knowing that his coach’s fate is tied up to his success. Whatever the reason is, Orton looks uncomfortable in the pocket which is a real cause of concern after having practiced with the first team unit for more than two months.
MacDaniels will not make a quarterback change, because he knows what will come after it. But, both he and Orton should get their house in order, and soon, because owner Pat Bowen will not tolerate mediocrity for long. Just ask Mike Shannahan.
Orton should improve, but how much better he can become is up in the air. And the air is thin in Denver, for both he and his head coach.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Leftwich with a leg up
QBs Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown are involve in one of the most competitive position battles in the NFL: that of who will command the Tampa Bay Bucs’ offense in 2009 while price rookie Josh Freeman sit and learn. This Sunday, the St. Petersburg Times reported that Leftwich has made more plays, gotten the ball into the end zone more consistently during practice and has more believers in the Bucs’ locker room. It also helps Leftwich's cause that he has a stronger arm than McCown and a big edge in experience with 54 career starts compare to 12.This battle is far from over, but for now at least, it looks to be Leftwich’s job to lose. That said Bucs head coach Raheem Morris announced this past week that McCown would start the team's first exhibition game against the Titans next Saturday. With Leftwich will starting the next game on Aug. 22 against Jacksonville.
Lawson ready for a bigger role
LB Manny Lawson is ready to assume a more prominent role in the new-look 49ers defense. After suffering a severe knee injury that cost him the entire 2007 season, the 6’5” 240 pound outside ‘backer is ready to resume his drive to stardom.
After adding 20 pounds of muscle and working hard on his covering skill, Lawson is ready for prime time.
He is a perfect fit for Coach Mike Singlentary’3-4 scheme which is designed for explosive outside players who can rush the quarterback. In his first two years with the team, the former North Carolina State Wolfpack often came off the field during passing downs. Now he will be used regularly as a pass rusher, which is the main reason San Francisco made him a first round selection in 2006.
He is slated to move to the all important strong side in 2009. This makes Lawson a key figure in the defense success this year. The Niners’ defense improved as the 2008 campaign wore on. The unit finished 13th in total defense last season, their best ranking since 1997 and an optimistic signs that things will improve around the Bay.
So far in Mandatory Team Activity and Training Camp, Lawson has looked sharp, making crisp moves and showing off his new found upper body strength.
After adding 20 pounds of muscle and working hard on his covering skill, Lawson is ready for prime time.
He is a perfect fit for Coach Mike Singlentary’3-4 scheme which is designed for explosive outside players who can rush the quarterback. In his first two years with the team, the former North Carolina State Wolfpack often came off the field during passing downs. Now he will be used regularly as a pass rusher, which is the main reason San Francisco made him a first round selection in 2006.
He is slated to move to the all important strong side in 2009. This makes Lawson a key figure in the defense success this year. The Niners’ defense improved as the 2008 campaign wore on. The unit finished 13th in total defense last season, their best ranking since 1997 and an optimistic signs that things will improve around the Bay.
So far in Mandatory Team Activity and Training Camp, Lawson has looked sharp, making crisp moves and showing off his new found upper body strength.
Saints' defense shining at Training Camp
Generating offense has not been the problem in New Orleans the last few years, stopping opposing teams was. After years of lackluster efforts and mediocre results, the Saints canned former defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs in favor of highly regarded Gregg Williams.
The first thing the former Bills head coach did was scrapping the defense’s passive, zone style in favor of a more aggressive, skill-driven scheme. As the team opened training camp last week, all eyes were focused on Williams’ unit.
It is early, but the stars of the Saints training camp so far have been defensive players. Veteran MLB Jonathan Vilma has shown the same explosiveness he once displayed while playing for the NY Jets. The defensive line players, lead by Will Smith, Kendrick Clancy and last year top draft pick, Sedrick Ellis, had consistently dominated their offensive counterparts. Even the much mileage secondary has display potential.
Safeties Roman Harper and Usama Young had been impressive so far. Their covering skills have improved and the new attacking system has highly their ability to play close to the line of scrimmage. Cornerback Tracy Porter has shadowed All Pro wide receiver Marques Colston since the first day. The rest of the CBs had been sharp. And with the recent signing of first round choice, CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, the unit should get even better.
The first thing the former Bills head coach did was scrapping the defense’s passive, zone style in favor of a more aggressive, skill-driven scheme. As the team opened training camp last week, all eyes were focused on Williams’ unit.
It is early, but the stars of the Saints training camp so far have been defensive players. Veteran MLB Jonathan Vilma has shown the same explosiveness he once displayed while playing for the NY Jets. The defensive line players, lead by Will Smith, Kendrick Clancy and last year top draft pick, Sedrick Ellis, had consistently dominated their offensive counterparts. Even the much mileage secondary has display potential.
Safeties Roman Harper and Usama Young had been impressive so far. Their covering skills have improved and the new attacking system has highly their ability to play close to the line of scrimmage. Cornerback Tracy Porter has shadowed All Pro wide receiver Marques Colston since the first day. The rest of the CBs had been sharp. And with the recent signing of first round choice, CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, the unit should get even better.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)