By Totals 4U
Baltimore (6-3) The Ravens continued their 4-game stretch of racking up big points against poor defenses (36.0 points per versus Dolphins, Raiders, Browns, and Texans) last week, crushing Houston 41-13 and now face their toughest test of the season for 6’6” 230 rookie QB Joe Flacco (151 of 243 for 1449 yards, 7 TD, 7 INT). Little could be more important to this kid’s success than his offensive line and it will be a man down this trip. Coach John Harbaugh most often uses a 6-man unbalanced line to protect Flacco (17 sacks) and bash the ball on the ground but RT Willie Anderson left in the 3rd quarter against the Texans with a ankle injury which slides 6th lineman 6’8” 330 RT Adam Terry into his slot. There’s nothing wrong with Terry – he was the protected starter before Baltimore picked up Anderson – but that likely eliminates the 6-man line or puts either 6’4” 310 UTEP rookie T/G Oniel Cousins or 6’6” 315 Weber State rookie David Hale in the game against a level of competition they have never faced. Either way, rushing the ball will primarily be the focus and Running Backs Coach Wilbert Montgomery has a dynamite trio that can all produce on the ground and sneaking out for short passed. Willis McGahee (125 for 463 yards and 5 TD rush, 14 for 113 receive), 5’8” 205 rookie Ray Rice (77 for 356 rush, 20 for 190 receive), and 6’1”250 rookie Le’Ron McClain (96 for 366 and 5 TD rush, 15 for 88 receive) rotate for an offense that grinds out the league’s 3rd-best 150.2 rush yards per game at 3.9 yards per carry. Quaterbacks Coach Hue Jackson has done a phenomenal job with not just Flacco but also Troy Smith and Todd Bouman but stretching the field just hasn’t been part of the plan. WR Mark Clayton (20 for 225 yards and TD) and WR Derrick Mason (46 for 598 and 2 TD) – who returned to the game to catch 3 balls after suffering a 1st quarter separated shoulder against the Texans – have had to share the balls with the backs while TE Todd Heap (18 for 195 and 2 TD) has been used primarily in the blocking game as a 7th lineman. It seems a waste for a talent like Heap but he did finally have his first big game of the season last week, grabbing 5 balls for 58 yards and his first 2 scores of 2008.
By Totals 4U
Oklahoma State (8-1, 4-1 Big 12) crushed Iowa State 59-17 last week at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, racking up 682 yards of total offense including 395 yards through the air by 6’3” 210 junior QB Zac Robinson (129 of 187 for 2082 yards, 20 TD, 5 INT) who found 6’2” 215 sophomore WR Dez Bryant (60 for 1054 and 15 TD) four times for scores. As impressive as that win was, Special Teams Coordinator Joe Deforest must have some concern. His crew has been largely sharp and includes Ray Guy ward Finalist senior P Matt Fodge (43.6 yards per punt, 1 blocked) but the Cyclones’ Leonard Johnson broke the All-Time NCAA single game kick return record with 319 yards on 9 returns with runs of 48, 72, and 73 yards. Now they hit the road again for their 3rd contest in 5 weeks against the NCAA’s Top 5 (won 28-23 at Missouri, lost 24-28 at Texas). The Cowboys have remained remarkably healthy this season just losing a handful of player-games all season including none by their experienced offensive line (just 10 sacks allowed) that has powered a blistering attack of 45.3 points on 512.0 yards per game (273.6 rush and 5.7 per with 29 TD, 238.4 pass at 10.9 per attempt and 24 TD). In addition to Bryant, who also returns punts at 19.2 yards per with a pair to the house, 6’5” 178 sophomore WR Damian Davis (9 for 222 and 2 TD) and 5’10” 186 junior WR Bo Dowling (9 for 172 and 2 TD) also work through the air where State has averaged a ridiculous 16.0 yards per completion. 6’6” 255 senior TE Brandon Pettigrew (21 for 236) missed 3 games this season and was used mostly in blocking against Iowa State but will become a bigger threat again as he gets healthier. And it only gets better on the ground. 5’8” 190 sophomore RB Kendall Hunter (182 for 1220 yards and 11 TD) may be the nation’s best small back while backups Keith Tolston (76 for 565 and 8 TD) and Beau Johnson (48 for 303 and 3 TD) offer opponents simply no drop off. With the set offense to dynamic, QB Robinson (92 rushes for 341 yards and 5 TD) hasn’t needed to run as much this season but with 1332 career yards on the ground he can unleash his wheels at any time.
Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) has outscored opponents 171-23 in the first half this year, trailing for just 1 minute and 15 seconds this season, and it’s good thing for Tide fans or their crew may have lost each of their last 2 games. Coach Nick Saban’s (14-6 in 2nd year at Tuscaloosa) offense managed a total of just 3 second half points in narrow home victories over Kentucky (17-14) and Mississippi (24-20) amassing just a combined 30 first downs over the two week stretch. 6’2” 211 John Parker Wilson (92 of 152 for 1072 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT) runs the show, this year surpassing Brodie Croyle’s team career marks for completions (579), passing TD (45), and passing yards (6723). 6’4” 210 freshman WR Julio Jones (23 for 341 yards and 4 TD) is the favorite target of JPW so far alongside of junior Mike McCoy (10 for 142 and TD) and freshman Marquis Maze (8 for 76 and TD) but keep your eye out for #88 Nick Walker. The 6’5” 255 senior tight end (20 for 208 and 2 TD) was the reliable target last week with 5 grabs including a key 40-yarder. The Crimson Tide offensive line hasn’t been particularly good in pass protection, allowing 12 sacks in about 70 drop-backs but they have dominated in the run game. The upperclassmen wall of LT Andre Smith, LG Mike Johnson, C Antoine Caldwell, RG Marlon Davis, and RT Drew Davis have mixed and matched is an ever-changing line but have consistently owned the line of scrimmage throughout with 209.3 rush yards per game at 5.1 yards per carry. 6’1” 198 junior RB Glenn Coffee (108 for 760 and 5 TD) leads the ground attack and has demonstrated NFL-caliber explosion with TD runs of 87 and 78 yards under his belt already. 5’10” 215 freshman RB Mark Ingram (78 for 419 and 6 TD) brings the power and is the player to key at the goal line. Overall, first-year Offensive Coordinator Jim McElwain’s squad has piled up 32.3 points per game on 371.1 yards while holding possession for 32:44 minutes per contest.
As productive as Bama’s offense has been this season, their defense may be better under the leadership of Cody, McClain, Woodall, and Arenas. First of all, you just can run on the Tide with 66.1 yards per game allowed on 2.7 yards per carry. 6’5” 365 junior NT Terrence Cody (15 T, 3 ½ TFL, FF, FR) is an absolute beast in the middle of Saban’s 3-4 alignment, crushing the point of attack an surrendering just a single rushing score through 7 games, book-ended by 6’5” 278 senior LE Bobby Greenwood (15 T, 2 TFL, S) and 6’4” 287 junior RE Brandon Deaderick (14 T, 2 S). These guys don’t rack up a pile of sacks but they were unmovable against some of the best like Clemson (0 net rushing yards), Georgia (50 yards), and Kentucky (35 yards). Making the hits behind the wall are SAM Cody Reamer (19 T, 4 ½ TFL, S, FF), WILL Dont’a Hightower (30 T, FR), JACK Brandon Fanney (28 T, 5 ½ TFL), and 6’4” 249 sophomore MLB Rolando McClain (3 ½ TFL, FR) who packs one heck of a wallop and leads Alabama in tackles with 48. Get past the front 7 and you have a couple of serious play-makers to deal with that can take your mistakes to the house. 6’2” 200 junior SS Justin Woodall (24 T, 4 INT, TFL, 2 FF) has the NFL scouts breathing heavy with his size, 10 passes defensed, 6 passes broken up, and a 74 pick return for touchdown. 5’9” 198 junior LCB Javier Arenas (30 T, INT, S) has not only returned his interception for a 63-yard score, he also averages 25.9 yards per kick return and 15.9 yards per punt return including an 87-yard trip to the bank. FS Rashad Johnson and RCB Kareem Jackson have also snagged interceptions as have nickel and dime backs Chris Rogers and Marquis Johnson. Alabama is very young with16 true plus 7 red shirt freshmen getting playing time in 2008 and a NCAA-lowest 9 scholarship seniors on the roster so we will be very interested to see how they hold up under the pressure of a National Championship homestretch chase.
Tennessee (3-4, 1-3 SEC) is coming off their best game of the season, a dominating 34-3 effort over Mississippi State last Saturday at Neyland Stadium, in which they held the Bulldogs to just 69 rush yards on 30 carries while racking 3 turnovers and committing only a single penalty. Much has changed for the Volunteers on offense and special teams since the beginning of the year but Coach Phil Fulmer’s (150-49 in 17 season at Knoxville) crew is about defense so let’s start there. The stopper numbers are pretty impressive with 16.0 points on 276.0 yards (95.7 rush, 171.3 pass) allowed per game with 14 sacks and a national-best 14 interceptions and some individual performances really stand out. LDE Wes Brown (22 T, 3 TFL, 1 ½ S) has been solid opposite of explosive 6’3” senior RDE Robert Ayers (25 T, 8 TFL, INT, S) who is closing in on the 12 tackles for loss he registered in 2007. Walter Fisher (14 T, S) and Demonte Bolden (18 T, 3 TFL) have both benefited by rotating at LDT while 6’3” 310 Big Daddy Dan Williams (30 T, 6 ½ TFL) has held the point for just 2.8 yards per rush allowed while showing a remarkable ability to split the gaps. At backer, 5’10” 225 senior MLB MLB Ellix Wilson (56 T, 4 ½ TFL, S, INT) leads the SEC in tackles per game at 9.3 and leads the small but speedy group filled out by 6’1” 215 junior WLB Rico McCoy (36 T, S) and 6’2” 215 senior SLB Nevin McKenzie (27 T, 5 TFL, 3 S, INT). Wilson is one heck of a player to watch on the field but at what position can the NFL employ him? Seven different Volunteers have bagged picks this season including each member of a defense backfield who’s starters have racked 11 by themselves. Cornerbacks 6’0” 200 senior DeAngelo Willingham (26 T, TFL) has three and 5’10” Dennis Rogan adds another in addition to averaging 25.9 yards per kick return. 6’2” 195 FS Demetrice Morley (2 T, TFL) adds a pair but the kid everybody has their eyes on is SEC Defensive Player of the Week 5’11” 195 sophomore SS Eric Berry (44 T, 5 INT, 4 ½ TFL, 2 S). Berry has pocketed interceptions in each of his last 3 games, has a 72-yard pick for TD and a 96-yard pick for TD this season, and his 397 career interception return yards are just 122 short of the NCAA record set by Terrell Buckley. Keep in mind, this kid is just a sophomore and unlike Buckley he loves to hit!
Tennessee’s offense has undergone changes as the year has progressed and the results have been positive. 6’1” 215 senior RB Arion Foster (79 for 381 yards and 0 TD) began the season just 684 rush yard short of the career school record but after piling up 196 yards on 25 carries in his first two games, Foster has lacked spark with just185 yards on 54 carries over his last 5 games. This has opened an opportunity for change of pace and red zone back 6’0” 210 junior Montario Hardesty (53 for 199 and 5 TD) to get key carries while 6’1” 210 sophomore Lennon Creer (32 for 186 and 3 TD) was the primary ball carrier against Mississippi State with 17 rushes for 68 yards and a score. Foster will get his 25th consecutive start this week but it looks like Fulmer may have moved on to Creer as the man. After poor offensive production early in the season, Jonathan Crompton (64 of 123 for 658 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT) lost his starting job at the trigger to 6’4” 215 sophomore QB Nick Stephens (34 of 69 for 542 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT). The completion percentage does not impress but Stephens has certainly stretched the field with 8 of 34 completions of 20+ yards through his first 3 starts. The key targets have also changed. Seniors Lucas Taylor (21 for 269 and TD) and Gerald Jones (19 for 251 and 3 TD) were Crompton’s guys and still get the majority of throws but the addition of the deep ball has been keyed by the Stephens to 6’1” 185 sophomore WR Denarius Moore (7 for 195 and TD) connection. In each of Stephens’ starts, Moore made a big play with catches of 45, 52, and 60 yards. Special teams has been a headache much of the season for Coach Fulmer – almost entirely due to his five game suspension of senior P Britton Colquitt to start the year. 2 blocked punts and 2 punts returned for touchdowns were the result (as well as screwing this very talented kid’s head back on straight). Since his return, Colquitt has averaged a whopping 46.4 yards per punt and a Tennessee weakness is again one of their strengths.
FREE SELECTION: “The Third Saturday in October” is the traditional meeting of these schools and Coach Fulmer has a decisive edge over ‘Bama at 11-4 in his tenure. The Tide fans aren’t going to be happy about this but we have concerns this week for their Crimson. First, their offensive struggles in the second half each of the last 2 weeks when the Volunteers have outscored the opposition 88-42 this year. Second is their youth and depth. Third is laying big points on the road in a conference as tough as the SEC – especially against a noticeably improved team. Take Tennessee + 6 ½ at Neyland Stadium
By Totals 4 U
Green Bay (2-3) mounted a fine second half comeback last Sunday led but came up short in a 24-27 home loss to the Falcons, hamstrung by 9 penalties and a short-handed defense that has allowed 175+ yards rushing in each game of their current 3-game losing streak. Right defensive end in particular has been a nightmare where Cullen Jenkins (IR), Michael Montgomery (battling ankle injury), Kabeer Baja-Biamila (knee), and Jason Hunter have all fallen to injury. This week it could be 6’4” 270 rookie Jeremy Thompson that gets the call with the others chipping in a play at a time. The 161.4 yards per game and 46 first downs the Packers have surrendered on the ground have mostly come from lack of gap discipline that has left players reaching rather than DT’s 6’2” 330 Ryan Pickett, 6’3” 320 Johnny Jolley, and 6’1” 330 Colin Cole getting blown off the ball. WLB Brady Popinga (23 T), MLB Nick Barnett (27 T), and SLB AJ Hawk (31 T, 2 S) have all fallen into this trap of trying to do too much and must stay home for better results. The Green Bay secondary has also been shredded by injuries but the openings have given the opportunity to a couple of your players that have responded. The loss of Al Harris to a torn spleen elevated 2nd-year 5’11” 191 RCB Tramond Williams (21 T, 2 INT) to the starting job where he has snatched a pick in each of the last 2 games. That moves 3rd-year 6’0” 206 CB Will Blackmon (16 T, FF, FR) up to the nickel in addition to his job as return man where he has averaged 12.8 yards per punt with a score. 4th-year FS Nick Collins (26 T) has returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns but his mate SS Atari Bigby missed last week with a hamstring injury. Bigby is an absolute hammer over the middle and without him 2nd-year 6’4” 223 Aaron Rouse (23 T) has stepped up but is himself now batting a knee injury. Both are currently being tested for weekend availability. These kids have talent for the big play with 9 sacks, 9 picks, and 3 fumble recoveries but youth has also incurred a NFL worst 12 first downs by penalty.
By Totals 4 U
Tampa Bay (3-1) tallied its third consecutive victory with a 30-21 win over the Packers last week at the Disney ride that is Raymond James Stadium, controlling the ball for 36:50 while forcing 4 turnovers and topping Green Bay 327 yards to 181. The Buccaneers’ line is young with only 6’3” 291 C Jeff Faine entering 2008 with more than a pair of NFL seasons under his belt but trap and pull extremely well, consistently keeping opponents off balance long enough for the running back duo of 5’9” 225 Ernest Graham (57 for 334 yards and 2 TD) and 5’9” 180 Warrick Dunn (42 for 97 and TD rushing, 10 for 82 receiving) to slip and slide for a ground attack that has averaged133.8 yards per game at a brisk 5.0 yard per carry clip. RG Davin Joseph has been battling through a foot injury but has practiced and his unit has given 6’3” 214 QB Brian Griese (71 of 128 for 716 yards, 4 TD, 6 INT) the time with just 4 sacks allowed through 4 games to get the ball down field to receivers 6’1” 205 Antonio Bryant (17 for 220 yards), 5’11” 210 Ike Hilliard (18 for 264 and 2 TD), and 6’4” 215 Michael Clayton (9 for 88) but his accuracy has been spotty at best so – especially with Galloway still sidelined with a foot injury – expect Offensive Coordinator Bill Muir to continue to rely on Tampa’s tight ends in the mid-range. When the running game is working, the trio of 6’4” 258 Alex Smith (9 for 98 and TD), 6’7” 260 Jeremy Stevens (5 for 61 and TD), and 6’5” 257 John Gilmore (4 for 53 and TD) create major match up problems in multiple tight end sets and are the guys you must focus on in the red zone.
By Totals 4 U
Tennessee (1-2, 0-1 SEC) out-gained the Gators on offense last Saturday at Neyland Stadium, but were still stomped 6-30 largely due to 3 critical turnovers, including a pair inside Florida’s 5-yard line, plus a surrendered 78-yard punt return touchdown. Dean of SEC Coaches Phil Fulmer (148-47) has seen too much to panic and has some facets of the Volunteers game to be excited about. On defense, the experienced line of starters 6’4” 265 LDE Wes Brown (9 T, TFL), 6’6” 290 LDT Demonte Bolden (7 T, 2 TFL), 6’3” 310 RDT Dan Williams (10 T, 2 ½ TFL), and 6’3” 270 RDE Robert Ayers (5 T, 2 ½ TFL) plus versatile backup 6’3” 275 Walter Fischer (7 T, S) have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season (10 in 2007), holding opponents to 94.7 yards per game at just 3.0 yards per carry and just a single rushing score. The pressure they bring hasn’t shown up in sack numbers yet but it has been key to producing 7 picks. Tennessee has always favored quickness over size at the linebacker position with 5’10” 225 senior Ellix Wilson (25 T, 3 ½ TFL, S, INT) the best of the current crop but it is the defensive backs that stand out for us. The crew of 6’2” 195 junior FS Demetrice Morley (11 T, TFL, INT), 5’11” 195 sophomore SS Eric Berry (18 T, S, 2 INT), 6’0” 200 senior LCB DeAngelo Willingham (10 T, TFL, 2 INT), and 5’10” 185 sophomore RCB Dennis Rogan (12 T, 26.9 kick return, 8.4 punt return) lead the deepest and most talented group that the Volunteers have fielded in many years. Offensive Coordinator Dave Clawson’s squad is also plenty talented and it all starts up front. The wall of Scott, Parker, McNeil, McClendon, and Foster (average 6’4” and 307 pounds) have combined for 102 career starts and plough holes for 179.7 rush yards per game at a brisk 5.1 yard clip and 6 scores on the ground while being tagged with just 2 sacks through 3 games. 6’1” 215 senior RB Arian Foster (39 for 233 yards rushing, 7 for 53 receiving) is the prime beneficiary while 6’0” 210 RB Montario Hardesty (24 for 109 and 3 TD) handles the goal and short-yardage work plus 6’1” 210 sophomore Lennon Creer (9 for 97 and 2 TD) has displayed explosive ability. So far, first year starter at the trigger 6’4” 220 junior QB Jonathan Crompton (56 of 100 for 591 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT) hasn’t be phenomenal but has shown some ability outside the pocket and has connected with 8 different Volunteers in each game led by receivers Lucas Taylor (14 for 193 yards) and Gerald Jones (12 for 119 and 2 TD). Don’t let sophomore K Daniel Lincoln’s 1 of 4 field goal mark. A pair of those misses were from 50+ and he hit 21 of 29 in 2007.
By Totals 4 U
Notre Dame (2-0) turned 28 points off 6 forced turnovers in a South Bend driving rainstorm into a decisive 35-17 victory over Michigan last week, their 4 consecutive win dating back to last season. Charlie Weis’s crew that was so raw to begin 2007 is gaining experience and confidence with each contest – especially along the offensive line. Senior LT Mike Turkovich, senior LG Eric Olsen, and junior RT Sam Young are vastly improved returning starters from a squad that was flat abused for 58 sacks (including 8 by Michigan) and generated only 75.2 yards rushing per game. This season the Irish have averaged 109.0 rush yards per tilt and have yet to surrender a single sack. QB Jimmy Claussen (31 of 55 for 384 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT) has his entire receiving corps back for his second season at the trigger including starters 6’5” sophomore WR Duval Kamara (2 for 38 yards and TD) and 5’10” 177 senior WR David Grimes (6 for 38 yards and TD) but it has been the 5’1” 195 sophomore WR Golden Tate (10 for 220 yards and 2 TD) lighting up the opposition with blazing speed and great ball skills while adding 21.5 yards per punt return. No replacement has been found for John Carlson with tight ends Rudolph and Yeatman only combining for 2 catches. Big backs 5’11” 237 Robert Hughes (36 for 133 yards and 2 TD) and 6’0” 225 James Aldridge (9 for 31 yards vs. Michigan) have been getting a ton of carries with victory in hand but we expect to see much more of 5’10” 195 sophomore RB Armando Allen’s (18 for 63 yards rushing) moves this week that have been on display with 14.7 yards per punt return. This isn’t a great offense (301.0 yards per game and 34 first downs) but they are getting better.
By Totals 4 U
Indianapolis (0-1) The Colts were seriously clowned Sunday night by the Bears13-29 and you don’t have to look much closer than their offensive and defensive lines to find the cause. The defensive line of Brock, Dawson, Johnson, and Freeney average just 6’ 2 ½” and 273 pounds per man and things don’t improve when rush specialist ends 6’2” 245 Robert Mathis enters the game. Ok, so 6’2” 296 RDT Ed Johnson is a very promising 2nd-year player (10 T vs. Chicago) but what the heck is 2nd-year Keyunta Dawson doing playing left defensive tackle in the National Football League at 254 pounds? I had to check 8 different sources before being convinced that his weight wasn’t a typo! The Bears didn’t bother checking; they just abused the Colts for 183 rushing yards. Behind this “wall” Indianapolis favors – wait for it – small linebackers in starters 6’0” 235 SLB Clint Sessions, 5’11” 235 MLB Gary Brackett, and 5’11” 226 Freddy Keiaho. This crew is actually pretty effective (combined 34 tackles) but 6’2” 240 rookie Phillip Wheeler can’t crack first string soon enough for us. Corners Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson are decent while safeties 5’11” 203 Antoine Bethea (11 T) and 2007 AP Defensive Player of the Year 5’8” 206 Bob Sanders (10 T) are superb…they have to be. Offensively, Coach Tony Dungy (73-24 in 7th season) has all the talent he needs to succeed at the skill positions with WR Marvin Harrison (8 for 76), WR Reggie Wayne (10 for 86 and TD), WR Anthony Gonzales (5 for 48), RB Joseph Addai (12 for 44), RB Dominic Rhodes (4 catches for 30 yards), and 8-time Pro Bowler QB Peyton Manning (30 of 49 for 257 yards, TD) but has major issues up front. 6’6” 320 RT Ryan Diem is a reliable veteran but 6’5” 301 LT Tony Ugoh is in his 2nd year and could use more size. C Jeff Saturday misses with a knee injury and was replaced by 6’5” 295 rookie C Jamey Richard who’s level of competition at the University of Buffalo is dubious. Rookie RG Mike Pollack was slotted for a starting job but his knee injury gave 6’6” 290 converted tackle Daniel Federkeil his first career start opposite of 6’4” 305 Charlie Johnson who also made his first career start Sunday night. The opening week loss snapped a string of 60 consecutive regular season weeks at or tied for the top of the AFC South or the 5-time defending division champions.
By Totals 4U
Cincinnati (0-0) recently made some tough choices by cutting former Pro Bowlers RT Willie Anderson, RB Rudi Johnson, and CB Deltha O’Neal, adding $8 million in cap room, in a move to reverse the aging of a team that opened last season at 2-6 before finishing out of the playoffs at 7-9. Offense again will be a strength for Coach Marvin Lewis’s (42-38 in 6th season) crew with a strong offensive line (17 sacks allowed in ’07, average 6’5 ½” and 326 pounds) providing the time for QB Carson Palmer to grab chunks via former Oregon State teammates WR Chad Johnson and WR TJ Houshmandzadeh who combined for 205 catches, 2583 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 2007. The addition of 6’6” 250 TE Ben Utecht to 6’4” 256 TE Reggie Kelly should beef up the running game and if starting RB Chris Perry continues his career struggle with remaining healthy, reliable 7th-year RB Kenny Watson (178 for 763 yards and 7 TD in ’07) can step right in. Keep your eye on 6’2” 195 rookie WR Jerome Simpson (2nd round Coastal Carolina) who earned the 3rd receiver sop with a big preseason while WR Antonio Chatman will again handle returns. Cincinnati will certainly score with this squad but if they are to return to the post season, Coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense must show more up front. 3rd-year 6’3” 325 LDT Donato Peko comes off a superb season (52 T, 1 ½ S) on the inside but RDT John Thornton is aging, LDE Robert Geathers managed just 3 ½ sacks last year, and RDE Antwan Odom hasn’t suited up since the first preseason practice. The Bengal back 7 is capable of a big season. WLB Brandon Johnson, MLB Dhani Jones, and Rashad Jeanty are a good group, backed up by strong depth in 6’2” 241 rookie OLB Keith Rivers (USC) and 6’3” 255 OLB Darryl Blackstock. Safety is a bit of a concern with FS Marvin White moving to the starting lineup and SS Dexter Jackson battling an ankle but look out for these corners. 5’11” 193 3rd-year LCB Johnathan Joseph (58 T, 4 INT) and 5’11” 199 2nd-year RCB Leon Hall (60 T, 5 INT) are primed for huge seasons. With the money on the line, few kickers are better than Shayne Graham (133 of 152 career field goals, 31 of 34 last season) while P Kyle Larson are returns.
2008 NFL Sneak Peek – AFC West
By TD at Totals 4 You
Welcome to the eighth and final edition of your 8-week series taking an off-season look at each of the National Football League’s divisions. This week we chase the setting sun west and drop in one of the most lopsided groups where the bottom three were outscored by an average of 6.52 points per game in 2007. Can any of these crews stop the Bolts?
2008 NFL Sneak Peek – NFC South
By TD at Totals 4 You
Welcome to the seventh edition of our 8-week series taking an off-season look at the National Football League’s divisions. This week we drop in on the NFC West where the member crews tied with their regional mates for the league’s worst combined record at 26-38. However, fortunes can seemingly change overnight in this league so let’s check out who’s ready to make a move.
2008 NFL Sneak Peek - AFC South
By TD at Totals 4 You
Welcome to week six of your 8-week series taking an off-season look at the National Football League. This week we drop in on the AFC South where the league’s top offensive production at 24.1 points per game, top defensive stinginess at 19.5 points per game, and top record at 42-22 during the 2007 regular season failed to yield more than a single playoff win. Let’s see if they can get over the top this campaign…
2008 NFL Sneak Peek - NFC South
By TD at Totals 4 You
Welcome to week five of your 8-week series taking an off-season look at the National Football League. This week we head down to the nation’s southeast where the battle for attention from our country’s most rabid college football fans can be a bigger task than the foes they face on Sunday. Proud locals and snowbirds alike, let’s check out what’s shaking in the NFC South.
2008 NFL Sneak Peek – AFC North
By TD at Totals 4 You
Welcome to the 4th edition of our eight-week series taking an off-season look at the National Football League. This week we check in the AFC North where big expectations in 2007 were never quite realized as the member squads pounded each other into the middle of the pack and failed to notch a playoff win. It’s a tall order to crack the elite tier of the AFC so let’s find out what’s shaking in the land of the 3-4 defense.
By Totals 4 U
Welcome the third edition of your 8-week series taking an off-season look at the National Football League. This week follow the trail of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox through the Great Lakes region to check out what has been shaking in the NFC North other than the locals this unseasonably cool spring in the Midwest. This is our back yard so bundle up, leave your Big City troubles at the door, and we’ll throw a couple extra brats on the grill!