Tweet
The Colts were thankful trade talks broke down between the Bills and Bucs over DT Anthony McFarland. The teams had been in discussions about a trade that would have sent McFarland to Buffalo for CB Nate Clements. The Bills were shopping Clements because they are concerned they might lose him as a free agent after the season. McFarland would have replaced first-round draft pick John McCargo, who recently went on injured reserve. After the talks broke off, the Colts moved in and acquired McFarland for a second-round pick. . . .
What's next for the Ravens now that offensive coordinator Jim Fassel has been fired? Well, in the short term, it's possible the offense will rally under the direction of coach Brian Billick. And if the offense rights itself, chances are excellent quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel will be named coordinator after the season. One of the problems that led to Fassel's dismissal is he and Neuheisel butted heads and others on the staff sided with Neuheisel. The decision to relieve Fassel of play-calling duties was Billick's alone. He was not pushed by management or ownership. The decision to move on was Fassel's. . . .
Losing SS Mike Brown (torn foot ligament) might mean the Bears will have a drop-off at two positions in the secondary. Of course there will be a drop-off from Brown to his replacement, who likely will be Todd Johnson. And it's possible rookie FS Danieal Manning might not play as well without Brown next to him. Manning has given the defense a boost with his physical play and speed, and he has avoided mental errors remarkably well. Part of the credit for that goes to Brown, who provided reminders, instructions and tips to a willing listener. Whenever Manning had a moment of presnap confusion or indecision, Brown was there to clear it up. That kind of veteran presence is almost impossible to replace. . . .
Getting cut could not have worked out better for DB Troy Vincent. As a vested veteran who was released after the first game, he escaped from Buffalo collecting his entire 2006 salary of $2.6 million. Then he signed a new deal with the Redskins that will pay him approximately $800,000 this season (the prorated portion of his $810,000 salary plus a signing bonus of approximately $250,000). So all together he's being paid $3.4 million to be a part-time player. In Washington, he is expected to contribute on nickel downs as a cornerback and safety. Signing with the Redskins made the deal perfect for Vincent because he gets to be close to his family in south Jersey and gets to enhance his presence as president of the NFL Players Association because the union's offices are in D.C. What's more, Vincent is reunited with Redskins assistants Gregg Williams and Jerry Gray, for whom he played in Buffalo. . . . Trading DE Anthony Hargrove wasn't difficult for the Rams because of the development of fourth-round pick Victor Adeyanju, who stepped into the starting lineup and produced after Hargrove went AWOL. The Rams believe Adeyanju has more potential than he showed at Indiana, in part because Indiana didn't use him in a way that brought out the best in him. Rams coordinator Jim Haslett's scheme is encouraging Adeyanju to get upfield and use his pass-rush ability. Adeyanju has been like a sponge; he has learned new techniques from coaches and learned from watching veterans such as DT La'Roi Glover. The thinking is Adeyanju probably will continue to add weight to his 6-4 frame, which will enhance his ability to play the run.
What's next for the Ravens now that offensive coordinator Jim Fassel has been fired? Well, in the short term, it's possible the offense will rally under the direction of coach Brian Billick. And if the offense rights itself, chances are excellent quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel will be named coordinator after the season. One of the problems that led to Fassel's dismissal is he and Neuheisel butted heads and others on the staff sided with Neuheisel. The decision to relieve Fassel of play-calling duties was Billick's alone. He was not pushed by management or ownership. The decision to move on was Fassel's. . . .
Losing SS Mike Brown (torn foot ligament) might mean the Bears will have a drop-off at two positions in the secondary. Of course there will be a drop-off from Brown to his replacement, who likely will be Todd Johnson. And it's possible rookie FS Danieal Manning might not play as well without Brown next to him. Manning has given the defense a boost with his physical play and speed, and he has avoided mental errors remarkably well. Part of the credit for that goes to Brown, who provided reminders, instructions and tips to a willing listener. Whenever Manning had a moment of presnap confusion or indecision, Brown was there to clear it up. That kind of veteran presence is almost impossible to replace. . . .
Getting cut could not have worked out better for DB Troy Vincent. As a vested veteran who was released after the first game, he escaped from Buffalo collecting his entire 2006 salary of $2.6 million. Then he signed a new deal with the Redskins that will pay him approximately $800,000 this season (the prorated portion of his $810,000 salary plus a signing bonus of approximately $250,000). So all together he's being paid $3.4 million to be a part-time player. In Washington, he is expected to contribute on nickel downs as a cornerback and safety. Signing with the Redskins made the deal perfect for Vincent because he gets to be close to his family in south Jersey and gets to enhance his presence as president of the NFL Players Association because the union's offices are in D.C. What's more, Vincent is reunited with Redskins assistants Gregg Williams and Jerry Gray, for whom he played in Buffalo. . . . Trading DE Anthony Hargrove wasn't difficult for the Rams because of the development of fourth-round pick Victor Adeyanju, who stepped into the starting lineup and produced after Hargrove went AWOL. The Rams believe Adeyanju has more potential than he showed at Indiana, in part because Indiana didn't use him in a way that brought out the best in him. Rams coordinator Jim Haslett's scheme is encouraging Adeyanju to get upfield and use his pass-rush ability. Adeyanju has been like a sponge; he has learned new techniques from coaches and learned from watching veterans such as DT La'Roi Glover. The thinking is Adeyanju probably will continue to add weight to his 6-4 frame, which will enhance his ability to play the run.
Comment