Football

Out here in California all the fans are either Niner or Raider fans so it is hard for me to get a word in edgewise but I know that all my fellow fans hear me so here I go. A lot of people that I talk to tell me that my team sucks and can't get it together. However when I give them facts about how young our team is and how we are a few years away from winning the championship they laugh. But how can you laugh at a team that has a young core nucleus like we do? If you look at our team you see a lot of young players I believe that we have one of the youngest teams in the NFL and I could go and get a bunch of stats proving that but we all know who is young and who is veteran. So looking at our team I see a lot of promise in many different parts of our team. First I will start with the offense. Our offense led by Superman AKA Cam Newton has been scrutinized due to the fact that we don't close games well, but again you can attribute that to the youth on our team out of all of our players on offense we have only Jordan Gross, Geoff Hangartner, Ryan Kalil, Steve Smith, Deangelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart that have more than 3 years of experience of playing time in the league. Now Cam is entering his third year which I believe will bring more leadership and more consistency to his game which is scary to think about considering all of the success he has already had. Factor in the fact that our starting left guard now has one year of NFL experience should make for a more reliable pocket for Cam to sit in thus making way for more time to find the best possible play to develop which also is scary to think about. Yes a lot of people will say but we just changed offensive coordinators and that will push everything back but I argue that by stating that Shula not only has been the QB coach for the last 2 years but he also has a close relationship with Cam which is always important to the development of a QB and he also has had a lot of experience with our offense and has seen first hand how it operates and when it does well and when it does bad. So in seeing this and not having to be responsible for making the necessary changes he has had more time to observe and make his own notes. Furthermore he is not as how we say aggressive in his offensive attack he is more methodical which will translate into a more balanced game thus making it harder for defenses to know where we are going to go with the ball, unlike Chudz who seemed to want Cam to do EVERYTHING for the offense as evidence in Cam leading the team in rushing yards. And while I am glad that Cam has the ability to do that I think that we can all agree that it is not the most efficient way to play the game especially when we have 2 running backs that have an established track record of success in the NFL. Then you add in the two other running backs that we have in our talented stable and the sky is the limit for our running game not to mention Cam. Also you can look at the beginning of the year as a failure because we went 2-8 but I see that as a way to see what we had to do to win. As soon as we went back to a more traditional offense with a power run game and a good passing game we won 5 of the last 6 games. So what is stopping us from winning 15 of the next 16 games? A lot of people will point to our defense and that they couldn't stop the other team from scoring or running the ball for that matter so on to the defensive side of the ball. Our defense while it did finish in the top 12 of the league overall a lot of people still doubt that we can have success based on that group. But one of our major flaws has been fixed by drafting Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short while bringing back Dwan Edwards to have a veteran presence. Our defense should be one of the best in the league as we have our defensive leader in Jon Beason returning to make sure that all of our guys are where they need to be not to mention adding a great player to an already good defense. A lot of arti

Down goes Dexter Back from last #Chiefs practice of week. McCluster injured hamstring diving for pass early in session. Didn't return. — Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) May 23, 2013 Reid said he thought McCluster would return to work next week. Junior Hemingway took McCluster's snaps — Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) May 23, 2013 Knile Davis didn't return kickoffs at Arkansas, but he was the #1 returner in practice today with McCluster out — Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) May 23, 2013 Couple notable things here: 1. Sounds like McCluster's injury isn't a big deal. He's pretty tough -- he has to be given his size. Alex Smith just got done praising McCluster's work this offseason so I would think it's important that McCluster is back next week for four days of OTAs. The work starts on Tuesday. We'll see if he's there. 2. Knile Davis returning kicks? That is ... interesting. Seems like May would be the best time to test that out. If the Chiefs continue doing that in training camp then it will be something to keep an eye on. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Tyson Jackson has a big day Andy Reid praised Tyson Jackson and the defensive line blitz timing in general today after the OTA. — TJ Carpenter (@TJCarpenterWHB) May 23, 2013 Big day today for Tyson Jackson. Knocked down a pair of passes at line and got to Alex Smith for what would have been a sack — Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) May 23, 2013 Coach says Tyson Jackson has been very impressive in OTA's! — Alan Shope (@AlanKCTV5) May 23, 2013 Big day for Tyson Jackson, and the D in general (again). Also, Clark Hunt was in the house today. #Chiefs #NFL — SeanKeeler (@SeanKeeler) May 23, 2013 The Chiefs are going to need a lot of big days from him. He's slotted in as a starter in the Chiefs 3-4 defense, along with Mike DeVito who replaces Glenn Dorsey. The players have been talking about the defensive linemen attacking (there's that word again) more than reacting. I'd like to see Jackson in that role. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports More from AP: Tony Moeaki out until camp Jamaal Charles films Dustin Colquitt 5th Chiefs draft pick to sign soon Chiefs D: Attack, attack, attack

With the news that Arizona Cardinals rookie Tyrann Mathieu signed his four-year rookie contract, the immediate question is how much guaranteed money he gets, based on his history of of off the field problems, which include multiple failed drug tests. However, based on reports tweeted by both Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer, Mathieu will get the full amount of guaranteed money slated to a player drafted where he was, and the team gets a layer of protection. Rapoport was the first to tweet that Mathieu would get the full amount of guaranteed money that woudl go to someone drafted in the third round, but that much of it will come in yearly roster bonuses instead of all of it coming as an up front signing bonus. Albert Breer then added more details. Instead of getting the full $662,500 he would be slotted to get up front to sign, he instead gets $265,000 as his signing bonuses, and then the remaining $397,500 as roster bonuses as installments of $132,500 at the start of years 2, 3 and 4 of the deal. In total, his contract is reportedly worth $3.052 million over the four years. Last year's 69th pick (Bills WR T.J. Graham) signed a deal with $2.9 million over four seasons. It sounds like both parties came to the table willing to work with one another. Mathieu gets a good chunk of money up front and the team is protected if he goes back to having problems he had while in college. Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and "like" us on Facebook. You can follow me individually at @senorjessroot.

On Tuesday, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam stood in front of his fellow NFL owners and apologized for the mess and distraction that the ongoing investigation into his company, Pilot Flying J, has caused. Haslam has been in denial/damage control mode for a while now, apologizing to anyone who will listen. From the looks of it, many of the league’s owners were impressed with Haslam’s remarks and appreciated that he took the time to address the matter. At the same time, though, the damage has already been done. The Browns’ stigma of being the beaten-down, little brother of the NFL continues. “There go the Browns, doing nothing right as usual,” a fellow owner might have probably said at some point. There is still the slight possibility that Haslam knew nothing about the illegal activities that took place at his company, but realism often sets in when one considers that notion. The most the Browns owner can do right now is apologize profusely. He doesn’t look to be losing the team at this time, but his legal troubles are far from over. Unfortunately, it’s just another chapter in this team’s ineptitude. It often feels as if every other team has been given a handbook for success and the Browns were simply absent on the day it was handed out. Does that handbook exist? Is Haslam a victim of mystical, success-crushing powers that reside over Berea? No matter what happens, Haslam fits in more and more with each embarrassing apology session.

The New York Jets made a savvy coaching decision this off-season by replacing Tony Sparano with Marty Mornhinweg as the team’s offensive coordinator. Savvy could be an overstatement considering what an obvious choice it was to fire Sparano. Savvy could also be an understatement considering how AWFUL Sparano was last season and since Mornhinweg has proven to be a competent NFL offensive coordinator. Regardless of the level of savvy, it was a positive move and this season will provide Mornhinweg a chance to shine. Early reports around the team and Rex Ryan’s quotes indicate that Morhinweg will basically have autonomous control over the offensive decision making. With Rex in a make or break year, he is going back to a hands-on defensive coordinator mindset. At least in the beginning of the year, Mornhinweg is going to dictate this team’s offensive identity. Expectations couldn’t be lower for this offense. From a passing perspective, that makes sense. The Jets currently have the worst group of tight ends in the NFL, a shaky wide receiver situation that lacks depth and a question mark at the quarterback position. From a running perspective, they have potential both because of their talent at running back and the make-up of the offensive line. Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Austin Howard were all very good run blockers last season. If healthy, Willie Colon will fit right in and rookie Brian Winters has potential to as well. We have previously discussed Mornhinweg’s tendencies from his time in Philadelphia as a play-caller. He has shown flexibility in changing his approach depending on his quarterback and personnel situation. It will be his challenge this year to put together a competent offense, which protects the football and allows the Jets to stay competitive on a weekly basis thanks primarily to their defense. Nobody expects a top ten unit. Nobody probably even expects a top fifteen unit. Mornhinweg needs to manufacture points with the limited talent available to him and avoid turnovers. If he can do that, this season will be success for him and the Jets offense. Look for the Jets to lean heavily on Chris Ivory, even more so if Mike Goodson has limited availability this season or isn’t around at all. If Goodson is out of the mix, Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight can platoon to pick up the slack behind Ivory. Regardless, the Jets running backs should be the focal point of their offense both as runners and receivers. Mornhinweg is going to rely more heavily on the screen game than his predecessors and they won’t be limited to the running backs. Both Santonio Holmes and particularly Jeremy Kerley can be movable chess pieces with the ability to create plays after the catch. Both will be used in multiple spots to get easy completions to them in space. Mark Sanchez’s struggles with the screen game is a major hindrance for him to overcome if he wants to win the quarterback job. The turnovers are the primary issue of course but if he can’t consistently hit screens (something Geno Smith excelled at in college) Mornhinweg will go with the rookie. There isn’t going to be a ton put on the plate of the Jets quarterback this year – Work the screen game and short passing attack. Protect the ball. Take occasional deep shots off play action to a hopefully productive Stephen Hill. Mark Sanchez of 2012 couldn’t manage that. Mark Sanchez of 2010? That is a different story. No matter who is playing quarterback, the low expectations and autonomy should be an offensive coordinator’s dream. How much of an impression can Mornhinweg make with this opportunity?

Hey folks, the following is a second post by guest poster, Anthony Dunn. Anthony is a longtime Panthers fan and catcrave.com reader: Less than two years ago, Panther fans would have thrown proverbial rotten tomatoes at me for saying “I’m glad Rob Chudzinski is gone!” Cleveland can have him for all I care. Luckily for them, Weedon and the read-option would be seriously funny. Carolina’s tepid offense cooled fan love for Chud last year. Superficially, Panther production didn’t drop off as much as one would think. Carolina fell from offensive rank 7 to 12 overall, declining in points per game, 20+ yd passing plays, and rushing yards and TDs. Had Carolina not picked it up late in the season, the numbers would have been much worse. This too little, too late offensive stabilization of Chud’s gimmicky read first, hope Cam figures something out second offense, led critics to claim that defenses had figured out the sophomore phenom. Dec 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) carries the ball up the field against the New Orleans Saints during first quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Peer a little deeper into the numbers, and it’s clear that defenses didn’t figure out Cam, they figured out Chudzinski’s run-read offense! Chudzinski exploded onto the Charlotte scene in 2011, contributing significantly to Newton’s rookie success. With a strong running attack, opposing defensive coordinators believed the Panthers would play it safe with Cam. Instead, the new offensive coordinator pushed the raw rookie quarterback to the limit, stunning defenses by opening up the vertical passing game. Consequently, Newton won the offensive ROY and Steve Smith avoided retirement. Draft experts had questioned Newton’s ability to transfer his skillset to the pro level. Chudzinski appeared a genius by simplifying his complex system into a “hike it to Cam and let him do his thing” scheme. It worked. This read-option offense, however, fell into a muddle in 2012. Better prepared defenses overpowered Carolina lineman, who struggled with their blocking assignments. Run blocking should be a lineman’s easiest assignment. Pick a guy, and push him backward. In the read-option, however, lineman have to pass block for a moment and then transition to run blocking, creating a momentary hesitation where defensive lineman can gain an edge. Carolina linemen played on their heels behind the line of scrimmage too frequently. Carolina’s running backs suffered the most in this scheme. DeAngelo Williams’s conspicuous absence prompted questions concerning his relationship with the coaching staff. When Chudzinski did call his number, Williams found himself in the read option, where he always looked awkward. Unsurprisingly, Jonathan Stewart’s suffering was from the sidelines as normal. November 4, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs with the ball as Washington Redskins inside linebacker Perry Riley (56) makes the tackle in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Panthers won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Chudzinski finally incorporated more traditional run sets late in the season. Williams flourished, averaging 5.8 yds per carry and amassing 378 yds and 2 touchdowns in the last four games. The Panthers went 4-0. Now that Chud has moved on to the magical land where football dies, Cleveland, offensive coordinator Mike Shula is predicted to move the Panthers in a more conservative direction. Shula will hopefully rely less on designed QB runs, and instead place Cam in down and distance situations that promote consistent success. Cam will still flash out of the pocket when necessary, but I think this will be based on opportunity rather than by design. Cat Crave’s Ken Dye suggested this week that the Panther ground attack is poised for a comeback. Look for Williams and Stewart to break out af

He is the sixth of the nine Cardinals draft picks to sign their contracts Despite the possible threat of a contract squabble over guaranteed money, Tyrann Mathieu has his first NFL contract. The Arizona Cardinals announced on Thursday that they came to terms with the third rounder out of Louisiana State on a four year contract. Mathieu was the team's third round selection, the 69th selection overall, in April's NFL Draft. When contract terms come out, it will be interesting to see how much of that money is guaranteed and how it is structured, considering the off the field concerns that come with Mathieu, who was kicked off the LSU squad after issues with drugs. In two seasons at LSU, Mathieu (5-9, 186) had eight fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns), 11 forced fumbles, four interceptions, 133 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, and six sacks while also returning 27 punts for 421 yards (15.6 yard avg.) and two touchdowns. His 11 forced fumbles established a school career-record and tied the SEC's all-time mark. As a sophomore in 2011, Mathieu was a Heisman Trophy finalist, recipient of the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player and unanimous first-team All-America selected after starting all 13 games and collecting 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, 7.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback pressures. He also ranked sixth in the nation with six forced fumbles and third in the country with five fumble recoveries that season. Of the nine draft picks the Cardinals had, six of them are now under contract. All that remain unsigned are first round pick Jonathan Cooper and fourth round picks Alex Okafor and Earl Watford. Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and "like" us on Facebook. You can follow me individually at @senorjessroot.

Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams said that he has moved on from the January incident in which he was attacked in a Honolulu night club and had to miss the first Pro Bowl of his career. Early on Friday, … Continue reading → More...

With OTAs officially underway this week, the Washington Redskins are preparing to bring a second straight NFC East crown to the Nation?s Capital behind head coach Mike Shanahan. Thursday afternoon trivia question: When was the last time the Burgundy and Gold won back-to-back division crowns? Answer: 1983-1984 when Joe Gibbs led the Redskins to 25 […] More...

Quarterback Robert Griffin III is a man of many titles. First it was Heisman-winner after his jaw-dropping junior year at Baylor where he passed for over 4,000 and almost another 700 on the ground. Then after last April it was the Redskins 2012 draft headliner after the franchise had traded up to nab him as […] More...