News

Rams to be without 2 starting offensive linemen this week, Rodger Saffold questionable

stevenlourie News, Rams

Injuries were a huge issue for the Rams last year, especially in the secondary and on the offensive line. This year, it appears the injuries are starting again, at least on the offensive line. When the Rams play the Redskins this week, they will be without starting left guard Rokevious Watkins and starting center Scott Wells.

The Watkins injury is not serious. Watkins is a mere 5th round rookie and left guard would have been a weakness regardless. Watkins predictably struggled in his NFL debut last week and the drop off from him to Quinn Ojinnaka, his replacement, probably won’t be noticeable. In fact, it might be a positive. However, Wells’ injury is more serious. Not only is it more long term, as the Rams placed him on the NFL’s new retractable IR, meaning he’ll miss at least 6 weeks and possibly the entire season, but Wells is also a much better player. ProFootballFocus’ 4th ranked center in 2011, the Rams signed Wells to a 4 year, 24 million dollar deal this offseason, expecting him to help solidify the line and anchor the running game. Instead, it will be career backup Robert Turner starting for at least the next few weeks.

The good news for the Rams is that Rodger Saffold was only listed as questionable and he is expected to suit up after practicing this week. It looked a lot more serious than that at first, as it was a neck injury and he was down for a while, but the Rams appear to have caught a break. When healthy, Saffold is an above average player at the most important offensive line position and obviously a huge upgrade over Jets castoff Wayne Hunter, who would have started in his absence. Saffold held his own against a tough Detroit pass rush last week, not allowing a single pressure on 22 pass plays before leaving with injury, and should be able to do so again this week against an also tough Washington pass rush.

For all the criticism their offensive line got in the offseason, they only allowed Bradford to be pressured on 9 of 30 drop backs last week, a very solid 30.0% pressure rate. A lot of that has to do with Bradford being back in a short throw, west coast offense, like he was in 2010, when he and the Rams had a decent season. They have a solid defense and they almost pulled the upset in Detroit last week, so they have a good chance to actually seal the deal this week and pull the upset at home, where they were 5-3 in 2010, against a young Redskin team.

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Eagles give up on Jaiquawn Jarrett

stevenlourie Eagles, News

Well that was quick. Seeing a team release a 2nd round pick just a year after they draft them is rare. Hell, even seeing a team release a 3rd round pick just a year after they draft them, like the Panthers recently did with Terrell McClain, is rare. However, once Jaiquawn Jarrett fell to 3rd string at safety in Philadelphia, they just decided to give up on him and release him. The 2011 2nd round pick was given every opportunity to start as a rookie, but struggled and lost his job to Kurt Coleman, a mediocre 2010 7th round pick.

Jarrett came back this offseason with a chance to compete for his old job with veteran free agent addition OJ Atogwe and the incumbent Coleman, but Jarrett lost the competition fairly quickly. While he lasted on the roster longer than Atogwe, who was a final cut, he eventually lost his roster spot as the Eagles decided to keep strong special teamers Colt Anderson and David Sims. Sims was acquired from Cleveland primarily for his special teams value for a late round pick right before final cuts. Jarrett has never been able to get the hang of special teams. Anderson, a special teams stud for them last year, was inactive for the opener with injury issues, but when he returned, Jarrett became an unneeded 5th safety and was released.

The starting free safety job is all Kurt Coleman’s for now and he will be given every opportunity to prove he can be a long term starter, but the Eagles may have to turn use an early pick on a safety in the 2013 NFL Draft, for the 3rd time in 4 drafts (starter Nate Allen was a 2010 2nd round pick). Coleman had two picks in the opener, but those were largely due to Brandon Weeden’s ineptitude. Let’s see how he does for the rest of the season. In 2011, Coleman was ProFootballFocus’ 59th ranked safety out of 84 eligible.

As for Jarrett, he predictably went unclaimed on waivers as no one wanted to guarantee his $538,500 dollar salary. However, even though he was a surprise 2nd round pick in 2011, there are probably still some teams out there that see him as someone with upside, someone they could potentially groom into a future starter with the right combination of coaching and luck. Jarrett worked out with the safety needy Jets on Friday, but was not immediately signed. He should catch on somewhere in the next week or couple of weeks.

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Tim Tebow could ask for trade from Jets?

stevenlourie Jets, News

There was a media stir created this week when the New York Daily News reported that an NFL source told them that Tim Tebow could ask for a trade at the end of the season. The media goes crazy over Tim Tebow even when there’s nothing newsworthy going on with him, so you can imagine how they reacted once they found out that something newsworthy actually might be going on with him.

However, I believe this is all just media hype and possibly a completely made up story. When the Broncos traded Tebow, they gave him a choice between the interested parties and he chose the Jets (over the Jaguars) because he thought they gave him the best chance to start long term. I highly doubt that’s changed after just 1 game. And frankly, if Tebow no longer thinks he can beat out Mark Sanchez, you have to wonder who he does think he can beat out. Sanchez had a good game last week, but his career history has been generally mediocre and inconsistent. He could easily fall flat on his face this week against Pittsburgh. This is a non-story right now and I still expect Tebow to eventually be the starter in New York, once the team starts struggling.

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Houston Texans extend QB Matt Schaub

stevenlourie News, Texans

Not a bad day for Matt Schaub. He got the win over Miami and he got paid. Techinically this deal was done last night at about midnight, but it wasn’t announced until the end of the game. Schaub got 62 million over 4 years with 30 million guaranteed. Schaub is injury prone and has never played in a playoff game, but when he’s healthy he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league and the fact that he’s never played in a playoff game is a result of his team’s poor defense for so many years and Schaub’s injury late last season when they had a good defense. He’s definitely worth this money as the Texans gear up for what could be a very big season. This deal also frees up the franchise tag for Connor Barwin next offseason.

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Patriots’ Logan Mankins played all of 2011 with a torn ACL

stevenlourie News, Patriots

The Patriots are notorious for being secretive with injuries, but this is crazy. It was originally reported that Mankins partially tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and had surgery immediately after, though that was not even reported until about a month later. However, it appears that was not even accurate as, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mankins suffered the injury against the Dolphins, week 1 of the 2011 season and played not just the rest of the game, not just the other 15 games of the regular season, but 3 more playoff games before getting surgery. Schefter calls him “one of the rare, if not the only, player ever to have played an entire 16-game season with a torn ACL,” and I would agree with that. I’ve never heard of anything like this.

I’ve mentioned at times before that Mankins had a slightly down season in 2011. He wasn’t bad or anything, but he wasn’t his normal dominant self. A top-6 guard on ProFootballFocus every season from 2008-2010 (1st, 6th, 3rd), something no one else can say, Mankins ranked “just” 31st last season, pretty middle of the pack out of 76 eligible. Considering his injury status, that might be the most impressive season of his career. Now fully healthy, there’s no reason why he can’t go back to being his normal dominant self in 2012 and make his 5th Pro Bowl (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011). He’s a true, dependable bright spot on an otherwise question filled offensive line for the Patriots.

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Could this be Greg Jennings’ final year with the Packers?

stevenlourie News, Packers

Heading into his contract year, Greg Jennings admits that this could be his final year with the Packers, saying “Whether the contract comes with Green Bay in the near future or (with) one of the other 31 teams, that’s the reality of it.” Aaron Rodgers echoed that sentiment saying “I think you have to be realistic about it and think that it might be (our last year together).” Jennings did say he wouldn’t let it effect him this year, saying “I’ve never allowed my individual off the field dealings that I need to take care of become a distraction to myself, let alone the team. It’s one of those deals where I can’t control the situation. I have an agent. He’s working diligently on that. He knows my stance on that.”

Jennings has been an incredibly productive receiver over the past few years, catching 389 passes for 6171 yards and 49 touchdowns and probably could get Vincent Jackson money on the open market (5 years, 55 million), at least. The Packers don’t like to commit big money to guys and have plenty of receiving depth with Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Randall Cobb, so it makes sense that they could let him leave, heading into his age 30 season in 2013. There’s also his health issue with 3 concussions as a pro on his record.

I just don’t understand why Jennings would want to leave though. Sure, he’ll probably have to take less money to stay, but playing for a team like the Packers with Aaron Rodgers throwing you the football is a wide receiver’s dream and it’s a lot of money either way. He’s unlikely to be anywhere near this productive elsewhere, as he’s only ever had Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre throwing him the football, and any team that signs him to a giant contract would be making a bad deal. Jennings needs the Packers more than the Packers need him. One option that would make a lot of sense for both sides is the franchise tag, which the Packers should have available next offseason, with no other major free agents to lock up.

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Browns’ Joe Haden has not been suspended…yet

stevenlourie Browns, News

Earlier this offseason, there was some speculation that Joe Haden would be suspended for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. That speculation was confirmed this week, after the NFL retested the sample, but Haden has appealed the suspension and will be allowed to play until the appeal is over, which sometimes can take months. He’ll be in uniform and shadow DeSean Jackson against the Eagles this week.

If Haden were to miss any time, it would be a huge blow to a team with so little talent. Haden has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the last 2 seasons and was a major Pro Bowl snub in 2011. He’s really been the only bright spot on an overall disappointing Browns team.  He’s allowed just 83 completions on 162 attempts (51.2%) for 1165 yards (7.2 YPA), 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, while deflecting 28 passes and committing 12 penalties in the last 2 seasons.

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Redskins to be without Brandon Meriweather for 2-4 weeks

stevenlourie Commanders, News

Expected to be a starting safety for the Redskins, Brandon Meriweather has sprained his MCL and PCL during practice, re-aggravating an injury that plagued him during Training Camp, and he will miss about 2-4 weeks. Meriweather is not a great safety, even though he’s made two Pro Bowls. The Patriots cut him last offseason as a surprising final cut and the Bears took a chance on him, but ended up benching him, proving the Patriots right (happens all the time). However, Meriweather is the best the Redskins have at safety.

Starting in his absence will be Reed Doughty, who really struggled in limited action last season, grading out as ProFootballFocus’ 81st rated safety out of 84. The other starter is Madieu Williams, who barely played as a backup in San Francisco last season. In 2010 though, he was a starter in Minnesota and he was awful, grading out as ProFootballFocus’ 86th out of 87. Safety figures to be a major problem on an otherwise good defense. The Redskins have a stout front 7 and some talent at the cornerback position and will be better than people think, but they have no hope of containing Jimmy Graham when the play the Saints this week.

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Raiders’ Rolando McClain does not expect to be suspended

stevenlourie News, Raiders

Rolando McClain is a talented young middle linebacker. The 2010 1st round pick, 8th overall, was ProFootballFocus’ 26th rated middle linebacker last season and would have been much higher rated if he didn’t struggle so much in coverage. Still only heading into his age 23 season, he’s got a ton of upside, but he’s also got a major cloud hanging over his head with his legal troubles.

McClain was sentenced to 6 months in jail on 3rd degree assault with a deadly weapon charges in May, after holding a loaded gun to another man’s head and firing a shot past his ear last year. However, he has appealed the charges, so he will not have to serve time just yet and may get a reduced sentence or even get the sentence dropped completely. According to the Contra Costa Times, McClain has not heard anything about a possible suspension from the NFL and he’s taking no news as good news and rightfully so. It appears the NFL is waiting to see the results of the appeal before making any decision on discipline.

Still, it’s a concerning situation for McClain and the Raiders, even though GM Reggie McKenzie says he’s “comfortable” with McClain. Once McClain’s appeal is over, he could very well have to serve jail time and that could be in the middle of the season. After that, he could be given a suspension by the league, even if he is able to serve his jail time in the offseason, as players have been able to do in the past. My money would be on McClain not playing all 16 games.

Any time he misses would hurt the Raiders defense, obviously, as inexperienced 2010 6th round pick Travis Goethel would have to step in for him. The Raiders are already missing their top cornerback and top pass rusher from a defense that ranked 29th in scoring last year. They weren’t replaced. Also missing is starter Aaron Curry with injury, forcing 4th round rookie Miles Burris into the lineup for him, while defensive tackles Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly are heading into their age 33 seasons, with the former suffering from knee problems. It should be a tough year for the Raiders on that side of the football.

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Chargers won’t put Jared Gaither on IR yet

stevenlourie Chargers, News

Jared Gaither has been ruled out for week 1 with back spasms, particularly concerning because back spasms are a lingering problem and Gaither missed about a half and a year with back problems from 2010-2011. However, when asked about putting Gaither on IR, Head Coach Norv Turner said “I think that’s way premature.” I agree it is, but it’s definitely a concerning situation.

Failing to get a reliable backup for their unable blindside protector, undrafted free agent Mike Harris will start on the blindside for as long as Gaither, who hasn’t suited up in 6 weeks, is out. I don’t need to know you that’s a problem. He figures to be one of three big holes on the Chargers’ offensive line. Left guard Tyronne Green will take over full-time for the retired Kris Dielman. Green struggled in limited action last year in place of Dielman. He rated 61st out of 76 guards on ProFootballFocus despite only really playing half the season.

Right tackle Jeromey Clary has been awful for years. He was horrific last season, allowing 7 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, 42 quarterback pressures, and committing 11 penalties, while struggling as a run blocker. He was ProFootballFocus’ 71st rated offensive tackle out of 73. Right guard Louis Vasquez and center Nick Hardwick are solid starters, but Philip Rivers will be under pressure a lot this year.

When healthy, Gaither is an elite left tackle. With the Ravens, in 2009, he allowed just 4 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 6 quarterback pressures, while committing 10 penalties in 13 games and in 2008, he allowed just 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 22 quarterback pressures, while committing 15 penalties in 19 games. Gaither was amazing in 5 starts last season for the Chargers, after being cut midseason by the Chiefs. He didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit and only allowed 3 quarterback pressures, while committing just 3 penalties.

The Chargers rewarded him with a 4 year, 24.6 million dollar deal with 13.5 million guaranteed this offseason. That may seem like a lot to pay, but franchise left tackles do not grow on trees. There’s a reason they’re never available on the open market. Seeing one available is almost as rare as seeing a franchise quarterback on the open market. If Gaither were to stay healthy, that deal would have been a steal. However, now it’s looking like that could very well not happen.

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