Month: July 2012

Robert Turbin would start for Seahawks if Marshawn Lynch is suspended

stevenlourie News, Seahawks

After getting arrested last week on DUI, Marshawn Lynch, who has 2 prior convictions and a prior 3 game suspension, is facing suspension from the NFL. According to the Sports Xchange’s Len Pasquarelli, the Seahawks are “holding their breath” as the NFL reviews the situation of their recently paid 31 million dollar back (over 3 years). He should get some sort of suspension.

Pasaquarelli also reports that Robert Turbin, a 4th round rookie, would likely start for the Seahawks if Lynch is suspended. This makes sense because #2 back Leon Washington is purely a change of back/pass catching/return man type of a running back. Turbin, currently 3rd on the depth chart, has the build and skill set to carry the load. He has definitely fantasy upside, especially as a handcuff for Marshawn Lynch owners.

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Mother of Cowboys’ Dez Bryant won’t press charges

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

According to the Associated Press, the mother of Dez Bryant, who accused him of domestic abuse last week, will not press charges. This does make sense because, as I could imagine, it must be very tough for a mother to press charges against her son. Bryant has to feel very fortunate because, if she had decided to press charges, a one-game suspension from the NFL seemed very possible. After this recent development, Bryant seems likely to play all 16 games this season, barring injury of course.

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Ravens now “optimistic” about getting extension done with Joe Flacco

stevenlourie News, Ravens

Though it didn’t originally look like it, multiple sources are reporting that a deal between Joe Flacco and the Ravens could be close. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah puts the odds at 75%, while ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said that the Ravens are “optimistic” about getting a deal done with Flacco ahead of Training Camp. Meanwhile, Flacco himself expressed confidence about the situation.

If this is, in fact, the case, one side must have budged as originally the situation was that Flacco wanted top-5 quarterback money and the Ravens wanted no part of giving him that money. More likely, it’s Flacco who changed his stance, because he’s not worth that kind of money. He is, however, worth at least what Matt Cassel, Kevin Kolb, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Alex Smith are making, which is in the 9-10 million dollar per year range.

If he’s still unsigned next offseason, the Ravens will almost definitely franchise tag him, unless he regresses majorly this season. The Ravens have to be hoping to avoid that because the franchise tag value will be upwards of 16 million dollars and Flacco is not worth that. Signing him now would also free up the franchise tag for use on Ed Reed, if they choose to do so. Expect them to push hard to sign Flacco before the season, in the neighborhood of 10-12 million per year over 4-5 years.

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Chiefs want Charles and Hillis to combine for 500 touches

stevenlourie Chiefs, News

According to the Kansas City Star, the Chiefs are planning for running backs Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis to touch the ball a combined 500 times this season. This makes a lot of sense because they have a strong run blocking offensive line and defense and their quarterback has major limitations as a passer. In addition, the last time they won the division, in 2010, they did it by giving Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones a combined 539 touches, leading the league in rushing and making life much easier for Cassel, who responded with 27 touchdowns to 7 interceptions.

Charles is expected to get the bulk of the touches and could see up to 300 touches, assuming he’s fully recovered from ACL surgery. I project him to rush for 1250 yards on 250 carries, catch 40 passes for 320 yards, and total 8 touchdowns. As for Peyton Hills, I have him at 170 carries for 765 yards, 30 catches for 220 yards, and 8 total touchdowns. Both should be fairly high fantasy picks. My fantasy football rankings will be updated towards the middle of this week to reflect this.

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Lions cut Aaron Berry

stevenlourie Lions, News

This offseason, one of the biggest stories in the NFL has sadly been the large amount of NFL players who have been arrested, 30 in total. The Lions have been the worst in this regard, as 6 of their players have been arrested a combined 7 times, which both lead the league. Apparently, they’ve had enough of it as they have cut Aaron Berry, who has been arrested twice in the past 30 days, once for DUI and most recently on 3 counts of simple assault.

A month ago, Berry looked like the favorite to be the starter at cornerback, opposite Chris Houston, in place of the departed Eric Wright. Berry did a solid job on the slot last season and the organization thought very highly of him. Berry has totally messed that up as he is now off the team. He will enter the NFL’s substance abuse policy and will not be a hot commodity on the open market. He’ll still be subject to suspension when he does sign with another team. Meanwhile, his absence thins an already weak Lions’ secondary. Jacob Lacey, who struggled mightily as a starter in Indianapolis last year, and 3rd round rookie Dwight Bentley will now compete for the starting job.

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Panthers to switch to a 3-4?

stevenlourie News, Panthers

NFL.com’s Michael Lombardi made some noise today by casually referencing that the Panthers would be switching to a 3-4 defense this season in a season preview. This came as a big surprise to many because Lombardi is pretty well regarded and there had been no mention of the Panthers doing such a thing by any of their beat writers or coaches this offseason. The potential move did make some sense as Head Coach Ron Rivera has his background as a coordinator of 3-4 defenses.

However, any potential move to a 3-4 would not be a good fit for their personnel. The Panthers have three talented and high paid linebackers in Luke Kuechly, James Anderson, and Jon Beason, and one experienced (and highly paid) backup in Thomas Davis. However, none of those players could play 3-4 outside linebacker because they aren’t good pass rushers. They would all have to play 3-4 middle linebacker, which would create a huge logjam and leave one talented and highly paid linebacker without a starting job and leave Davis without a role at all.

On top of that, their top pass rusher, Charles Johnson, also a very highly paid player, would not fit a 3-4 well at all at 6-2 275. They don’t really have another proven pass rusher so switching to a scheme that their only good pass rusher wouldn’t fit wouldn’t make any sense. Greg Hardy, the opposite defensive end, would fit better as a five technique than a rush linebacker at 6-4 300, while defensive tackles Ron Edwards and Sione Fua would be fits as nose tackles, leaving Terrell McClain to be the other five technique.

However, this would leave the Panthers without another player to play opposite Charles Johnson at outside linebacker. Either nickel rusher Antawn Applewhite, inexperienced players Eric Norwood and Thomas Keiser, or 4th round rookie Frank Alexander would have to be the other rush linebacker. Alexander is the most talented pass rusher of that group, but he, like Johnson, is not a good fit for a 3-4 at 6-4 271.

Given all this, it makes sense that beat reporter Steve Reed of the Associated Press refuted the report on Twitter later today. It appears that Lombardi did not know what he was talking about and was just posting speculation, based on Rivera’s history, as fact. While Rivera may feel more comfortable with a 3-4 team, he’s also an intelligent coach who knows that his personnel wouldn’t fit a 3-4 so he adapts and makes due with a 4-3. It’s possible that he could try to transition the team to a 3-4 over time, but unlikely given that his best defensive player, Charles Johnson, who signed a massive 6 year, 76 million dollar deal last offseason, would not fit the scheme.

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Panthers trade Jeff Otah to the Jets

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Off-Season, Jets, Offseason Moves 2012, Panthers

Trade for Panthers: The Panthers were busy today, trading a conditional late round pick for Louis Murphy and then trading Jeff Otah for a conditional late round pick to the Jets (no word yet if those two are the same conditional late round picks). Otah was once one of the best right tackles in the game, but he’s played just 4 games over the last 2 seasons due to a variety of injuries and he’s reportedly become “soft” and the Panthers were questioning his commitment to football, according to Pro Football Talk’s Darin Gantt. Heading into his contract year, they decided to trade him and get something for him.

In the mean time, this means Byron Bell will be the Panthers’ starting right tackle. This is not a good thing because Bell ranked 62th out of 73 offensive tackles on ProFootballFocus last year, allowing 7 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, and 24 quarterback pressures in 12 starts, while committing 12 penalties and struggling as a run blocker (68th at his position). The Panthers would have been better off holding on to Otah and giving him another shot because they don’t have another good option. Otah still stands a chance to find his old form, now with the Jets.

Grade: C

Trade for Jets: This is all about the Jets taking a flier on upside. Otah is a more than capable starter when he’s right and at only 26, he’s still got a chance to bounce back. The Jets are buying low with him and getting him for only a conditional late rounder and will have to pay him just over a million this season. At the very least, Otah can provide good competition for Wayne Hunter at right tackle, who is awful. Hunter was ProFootballFocus’ 72nd ranked offensive tackle, allowing 11 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and 32 quarterback pressures, while committing 11 penalties and ranking slightly below average as a run blocker. At best, Otah can turn this into a position of strength and help solidify what is the only weak link on their offensive line and help them get back to ground and pound.

Grade: A

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Raiders trade Louis Murphy to the Panthers

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Off-Season, Offseason Moves 2012, Panthers, Raiders

Deal for Oakland: Oakland has an incredible depth of wide receivers, with two solid starters in Darrius Heyward-Bey and breakout candidate Denarius Moore, the speedy Jacoby Ford, impressive 5th round rookie Juron Criner, and Rod Streater, an impressive undrafted rookie. All of these players are very young as well, with none being drafted before the 2009 NFL Draft. That left Louis Murphy fighting for a roster spot, in spite of the fact that he is also young and talented. He deserves to be on a roster somewhat and credit the Raiders for getting something for him (a conditional late round pick), rather than having to cut him or another young talented receiver for nothing.

Grade: A

Deal for Carolina: For Carolina, this is them taking a flier on a young, talented, and cheap receiver and adding depth to a position where they need it. Murphy, a 2009 4th round pick, has 90 career catches for 1341 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s only 25 and owed just 1.26 million this season. He could push David Gettis for the #3 receiver job. Gettis will begin Training Camp on the active/PUP list 11 months after tearing his ACL. At the very least, he’s an upgrade over unproven 4th round rookie Joe Adams as the 4th receiver.

Grade: A

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Falcons’ Lofa Tatupu injures self lifting weights

stevenlourie Falcons, News

Lofa Tatupu is a 3-time Pro-Bowler, making it in 2005, 2006, and 2007. However, his career was derailed by injuries to the point where he was completely out of football last year. Still only heading into his age 30 season, the Falcons took a chance on him this offseason as a two down run stuffer, to compliment 2011 3rd round pick Akeem Dent.

However, it appears those plans have been derailed. Tatupu injured his pectoral while lifting weights and has been ruled out, at least, for the start of Training Camp. Tatupu will visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday, never a good sign, especially for someone with a laundry list of injury problems already. He just can’t stay healthy.

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Eagles shut down Mike Patterson

stevenlourie Eagles, News

Eagles’ trainer Rick Burkholder told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Mike Patterson will not participate in Training Camp. He will be placed on the non-football injury list, with “no timetable for return.” Patterson passed out from heat exhaustion in Training Camp last offseason and began seizing. During a brain scan, it was discovered that he had an AVM in his brain and, while that was not the cause of his collapse, he would need surgery on it.

Patterson still played last season and was a starter for the Eagles, playing well, and had surgery this offseason in January. While it was originally believed that he would be ready to go for Training Camp after 6 months of rehab, that does not appear to be the case and it could be a “couple more months.” While the Eagles are saying this injury is not career threatening, this is obviously not a good sign. Patterson turns 29 on September 1st and will hopefully be able to play football again.

In the mean time, the Eagles have plenty of defensive tackle depth to replace him, after using the 12th overall pick on Fletcher Cox. Cox will likely start next to Cullen Jenkins in Patterson’s absence, while Derek Landri, an undiscovered gem, will continue to provide excellent depth behind the starters. The Eagles will continue to have one of the league’s most feared defensive lines.

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