News

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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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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Chargers sign Jackie Battle, Aubrayo Franklin

stevenlourie Chargers, News

The Chargers signed two of the biggest name remaining free agents out there this week and, while they won’t have big impacts, as is the case with almost anyone available in July, they will see some playing time. Franklin’s signing allowed the Chargers to cut Luis Castillo, an oft injured player. Franklin will pair with potential breakout star Cam Thomas at nose tackle, allowing the veteran Antonio Garay to play more defensive end, Castillo’s old position. Garay will rotate some with Vaughn Martin, Corey Liuget, and 2nd round rookie Kendall Reyes at defensive end, and also play some nose tackle. Thomas will see the bulk of the snaps at nose tackle, while Franklin, two years removed from being San Francisco’s franchise player, will see limited snaps.

At the other hand, Battle will provide some more depth behind clear feature back Ryan Mathews. Battle will likely be the 3rd back behind Mathews, another breakout candidate, and veteran Ronnie Brown, who was terrible in Philadelphia last year. He’ll also contribute on special teams, where the Chargers like his abilities and they also mentioned he could play some fullback for them in a pinch. His arrival likely spells the end of Curtis Brinkley in San Diego, unless Brinkley can beat out Battle or Brown in Training Camp. In order to do that, he’ll have to prove he can be an asset on special teams.

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Rams’ Robert Quinn arrested for DUI

stevenlourie News, Rams

Robert Quinn, the 14th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, is a part of what’s sadly become a large group of players in the NFL, players who have been arrested this offseason. Quinn was arrested for DUI this week and is one of 30 NFL players to get arrested this offseason (including Aaron Berry, who got arrested twice in a 30 day span). Because he has no prior legal history, it’s very unlikely he’ll be suspended. He remains the favorite to start opposite Chris Long at defensive end. Possessing all the talent in the world, Quinn is a candidate to get double digit sacks this season, opposite Long, another fearsome pass rusher.

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Ed Reed confirms he’ll play for the Ravens this year

stevenlourie News, Ravens

After an offseason of “will he, won’t he” in regards of Ed Reed’s desire to play in 2012, Reed has confirmed what many, including teammate Ray Lewis, have believed all along, the Reed will play football this season. 2012 will be Reed’s 11th NFL season, all with the Ravens. Reed, who skipped minicamp, was seen at the Ravens facility this week and is expected to be there for Training Camp.

It’s definitely possible that his “retirement threat” was contract related, as he enters a contract year. Reed will make 7.2 million this season, but wants some job security into 2013 and beyond. He reportedly rejected a multiyear extension during the season last year because it paid him less annually than Eric Weddle and Michael Huff (both of whom are making 8 million per). As he’ll be in his age 35 season in 2013, the Ravens could let him test the open market and won’t overpay for his past performance. Of course, he could also choose to retire next offseason.

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Cowboys’ Dez Bryant could face a one game suspension

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

After last week’s domestic abuse arrest (for assaulting his mom of all people, who does that?), Dez Bryant could face league discipline. According to ESPN Dallas’ Todd Archer, there’s a “decent chance” that Bryant could face a one game suspension, even though he has never been arrested before. Archer does also say that “it’s possible Bryant does not miss a game.” Either way, it doesn’t sound like it will be a lengthy suspension. Archer, one of the country’s best beat writers, also says that the NFL will let the legal process play out some first, before deciding on punishment.

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Texans to start extension talks with Duane Brown and Connor Barwin before season

stevenlourie News, Texans

When the season starts, the Texans fully expect to be Super Bowl contenders. Why shouldn’t they be, after going 10-6 and making the AFC semifinals last year, despite having their top 3 offensive players (Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster) healthy in the same game just twice (2-0, by the way)? However, before the season starts, the Texans have some matters to attend to in terms of locking down their core.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans are expected to start extension talks with Duane Brown, a 2008 1st round pick, and Connor Barwin, a 2009 2nd round pick, before the season. Brown and Barwin were among the best players at their respective positions, offensive tackle and rush linebacker, last year and deserve hefty contracts. Brown was ProFootballFocus’ 3rd ranked offensive tackle last season, as he did not allow a single sack on 576 pass attempts, while only surrendering 4 quarterback hits and 23 quarterback pressures and committing 5 penalties.

Barwin, meanwhile, had 12 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and 28 quarterback pressures on 598 pass rush snaps and rated 12th at his position among eligible players in pass rush efficiency (sacks + .75(hits) + .75(pressures)/pass rush snaps). The Texans have some cap room to spare and likely got rid of starters Eric Winston and DeMeco Ryans, while letting other key contributors, Mike Brisiel, Joel Dreessen, and Jason Allen leave, with this in mind.

The Texans have to be hoping to get both signed this offseason, to free up the franchise tag for Matt Schaub. If they get to only extend one, Brown seems like the most likely candidate, given how rarely left tackles are allowed to hit the open market, and given the Texans’ rush linebacker depth with Brooks Reed and 2012 1st round pick Whitney Mercilus.

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