Cardinals vs 49ers ~ Week One

Arizona Cardinals (0-0) vs San Francisco 49ers (0-0) Bill Walsh Field at Candlestick Park 1:15 PM (PST) Is it all downhill from here for the 49ers? Will this be the only time in the season the Red and Gold are at .500 being 0-0? Time will tell, get ready for week one of the NFL season 49er Faithful. [...]

NFL Quick Slants: Week One

Changing up the format a little here. Every Friday, I’m going to run down the games and tell you who you should bet on, and which fantasy guys you should start and sit. Let’s get to it…

Cincinnati Bengals -1
Baltimore Ravens

Pick: The Bungles, but I think the Joe Flacco-Ray Rice show gets a rocky start. I also think the Chad Ocho Cinco show will get off to a fast one, bum shoulder and all.

Start: Chad Ocho Cinco, T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Sit: All Ravens

New York Jets -3
Miami Dolphins

Pick: B-R-E-T-T, Brett, Brett, Brett is a better bet than the Pennington revenge factor. The Jets are a pretty sure bet, even on the road.

Start: All Jets (even Dustin Keller, if needed), Ricky Williams

Sit: Dolphins not named Ricky Williams

Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots – 16.5

Pick: I’m a Chiefs fan, and even I think this spread is too low.

Start: All Pats, Tony G, D-Bowe

Sit: Brodie Croyle, L.J. (only if you have a better option)

Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5

Pick: Steelers win, Texans cover. I really like the Texans this year, and think this will be a FG game.

Start: Willie Parker, Big Ben, Santonio Holmes, Andre Johnson,

Sit: Texans RBs

Jacksonville Jaguars -3
Tennessee Titans

Pick: The Jags are a Super Bowl sleeper. They will make Vince Young look very Young Vince.

Start: David Garrard, MJD

Sit: All Titans

Detroit Lions -3
Atlanta Falcons

Pick: The Lions will get off to a hot start again playing the Falcons. Could be a route, as the Falcons have a pathetic homefield advantage.

Start: Jon Kitna, Megatron, Optimus Prime

Sit: Kevin Smith, Michael Turner, Roddy White (give all three another week)

Seattle Seahawks
Buffalo Bills PK

Pick: Dick’s crew will pull this one out at home. Hasselbeck and Co. will struggle due to new pieces and injuries.

Start: Nate Burleson, Marshawn Lynch

Sit: Matt Hasselbeck, Julius Jones, Lee Evans,

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints -3.5

Pick: The Saints will provide their own storm in the wake of Gustav. They will be super back at the Superdome. At least this week.

Start: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Earnest Graham, Joey Galloway

Sit: Jeff Garcia, Antonio Bryant, Deuce

St. Louis Rams
Philadelphia Eagles -7

Pick: The Iggles–but it won’t be pretty. At all.

Start: Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, Steven Jackson

Sit: Reggie Brown, Torry Holt, Marc Bulger

Dallas Cowboys -4
Cleveland Browns

Pick: The Cowboys survive a close shootout and barely cover.

Start: Tony Romo, T.O., Marion the Barbarian, K2, Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis

Sit: Derek Anderson, Donte’ Stallworth

Carolina Panthers
San Diego Chargers -9.5

Pick: This could be a blowout, because Steve Smith is more valuable than Shawne Merriman. No doubt about it.

Start: L.T., Philip Rivers, Chris Chambers, Muhsin Muhammad

Sit: Jake Delhomme, Carolina RBs, Antonio Gates

Arizona Cardinals -3
San Francisco 49ers

Pick: The 49ers can’t even take advantage of the schedulemakers mercy. Cards take this one.

Start: Kurt Warner, Fitz, Anquan Boldin, Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce

Sit: Frank Gore, J.T. O’Sullivan, Vernon Davis, Josh Morgan (for now)

Chicago Bears
Indianapolis Colts -9.5

Pick: Peyton Manning vs. Kyle “Neckbeard” Orton. C’mon, man…Colts cover.

Start: Manning, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, Devin Hester

Sit: Joe Forte, Orton, Marvin Harrison

Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers -3

Pick: The Aaron Rogers era stutters to a start. Jared Allen and Co. win and cover in green Bay.

Start: Adrian Peterson, Donald Driver, Ryan Grant

Sit:Bernard Berrian, Tarvaris Jackson, Aaron Rodgers

Denver Broncos -3
Oakland Raiders

Pick: In the battle of my two least favorite teams, the Silver and Black will prevail. Good money-line bet.

Start: Run DMC, Tony Scheffler

Sit: Everybody else

Fixing the Little Things

You probably don’t want to believe it yet, but it you go back and look at the tape again (for those who haven’t burned it), the Skins were beaten by the little things last night.  The good thing about this is that a good chunk of them are fixable, coachable errors. Let’s review. On 3rd and short on the first series of the opening drive, Marcus Washington made a great tackle of Brandon Jacobs one foot beyond the first down marker.  Up to that point, the defense looked ok, even if Jason Taylor was a little off on stopping the run (never his strong suit anyway). One foot the other way and that drive stops in three and out and the Giants maybe never build the momentum that sustained them. On the first play on offense, Heyer lost his man (I think it was Tuck), but he was picked up either by Randy Thomas or an RB (I could not see the number on the film).  Campbell rolled right into Tuck. Let’s remember that a) Heyer didn’t whiff again even if Tuck did get the better of him and b) Campbell needs to step up in the pocket against a team like this rather than rolling out. The pressure, combined with Heyer understandably false starting forced Zorn into a shell he never decided to leave.  Two straight (rather successful) draw plays later and we’re punting. Similarly, on the next drive, we began with a wonderful screen play to Cooley that was called back because Samuels was down the field early.  But part of that was because Cooley was held.  I’d like to think this play would have been huge and perfectly timed otherwise.  I don’t think Samuels can be blamed because he has to go by timing and feel.  If he turns his ahead around to find Cooley, he’s in trouble. It is at this point when the offense wasn’t doing anything that the tackling got bad.  A slightly disheartened D that had just given up big plays all over the field was less than prepared for the pounding Jacobs was ready to deal out.  It showed a weakness in the defense that coaching and scheming can and will shore up. Rocky McIntosh is our least experienced LB and he has a tendency to overplay everything.  Rather than filling his gaps, he rushes them and tries to make big plays.  Jason Taylor is in front of him and is less capable of playing the run than our other linemen.  This combo is scary.  Taylor can get pushed out, McIntosh fills the hole made by Taylor’s exit aggressively, and a good RB makes him pay by either going outside (forcing tiny Fred Smoot to make a tackle) or waiting for McIntosh to over pursue. This happened repeatedly.  Worse yet, the TD Manning had was an embarrassing symptom of the same thing.  In an effort to make a huge play, he whiffed on the least athletic player on the field.  Linebackers dream of the kind of free shot on a QB that he had there.  Manning should have been lying on a stretcher after that play.  Instead, the overagressive youngster looked bad. We need to adjust.  First, by coaching some technique into him (something that seemed to happen as the game went on) and by moving Taylor around more so offenses can’t pick their targets so easily. We can do that. Next was the two false starts by Antwaan Randle El.  I’d like to say that this was the simply someone anxious to make a big play.  But come on, false starts on the WR position should never happen.  They can see the ball.  If this was anxiousness, we need to fix it.  Now. But I think it may be coming from a sense of needing to avoid the jam which is, of course, the best way to stop the West Coast offense. If this is what is happening, we ned more motion (something I don’t remember seeing at all), more formation shifts (again something rarely seen), and more adjustments at the line. It is possible that the Manning brothers gyrations have me spoiled about how easy it is to see an audible, but I felt like the Skins audibled very little for a team that was having so much trouble with the defense. Another issue is the hands of the defense.  I know Guy disagreed with me, but this team dropped some sure INTs.  I’ll admit the one that Smoot dropped in the endzone came in hot and he wasn’t facing Eli when it was thrown.  But Landry let one go right through his finger tips and Rogers really blew one in the second quarter.  Blache needs to get these guys in more hands drills.  We have to get more takeaways. The hands were less of an issue for the offense, but Moss dropped a ball late in the 4th quarter which would have lead to a first down in the red zone.  At the very least that would have meant we could have kicked the field goal and made it a one score ball game.  It could have meant we got the TD, too.  He was trying to make a play, and I understand that, but he has to make those catches first. Finally, there is the play calling and the route running.  I don’t know whether to blame Campbell, Zorn, or the receivers, but on 5 occasions we punted on 4th and less than 2.  The receivers were constantly running hitches inside the first down markers.  Obviously, some of that has to do with what the defense is giving you.  If it is 3rd and 7, the LBs are going to drop 6 yards to keep you in front of them.  At the same time, we have to run routes that are getting us past the markers.  Even if they aren’t open. I wish I had the tape for you but the best example was the 4th down play at the end of the game. As Campbell scrambles to buy more time, NBC switched to a camera angle that showed the field from behind him.  He had three receivers, all of whom had run hitches or comebacks.  They were facing Campbell and floating to soft spots in the zone.  Only one of them was beyond the first down marker. Campbell threw to ARE who turned up field with a great move and fell a yard short.  Even if we assume on the left side there was a route stretching the field, how can we bunch three receivers up on roughly the same route at roughly the same depth and have only one of them be useful on 4th down? I’m all for YAC, but on 4th down, counting on it seems like suicide. Is this failure by the receivers to be aware of the marker?  Is this designed in the play?  Is Campbell failing to recognize who in the pattern he should throw to?  I’m not sure.  I DO know that on 4th down with two minutes left, you throw to the deep receiver and force it in (he was single covered).  What’s the big deal if it is an INT or an incomplete pass?  Either way you turn the ball over. I’m sure some of Zorn’s conservative streak had to do with the defense and also with it being his frist game.  But what bothered me about it is that JZ was a swashbuckler when he played.  I want that same mentality in the play calling. Anyway, these are all adjustments that can be made. And if we can make them soon, there’s still plenty of games to win.  Remember, the Giants started last year 0-2 and gave up a bazillion points.  One game does not a season make.  Hail Skins! -DW

CCR No. 26: San Diego Preview

Shanahan Knows How To Hold A Grudge

It’s good to hear that Mike Shanahan still gets fired up when he talks about the Raiders. Remember, Al Davis fired Shanahan four games into the 1989 season. Yes, it was a long time ago, but Davis still owes him money. Maybe, Shanahan should have pulled a Tatum Bell and taken Davis’ briefcase instead of his own packed suitcase. I love the fire in Shanahan’s eyes. He sure knows how to build up the drama for a big Monday night game against the Raiders. Here’s the clip: http://videocenter.denverpost.com/services/link/bcpid1504364485/bclid1443772310/bctid1772111784

Landing on His Feet

Brooks Bollinger lost out to John David Booty in the preseason race for the #3 QB slot on the Vikings, but Bollinger will not be unemployed long.  ESPN says the one-time Wisconsin Badger will be making a new home as the third quarterback behind Tony Romo and fellow former Vike Brad Johnson in Dallas.  The signing won’t happen until after the first game because then Dallas won’t have to guarantee his salary for the season (we pulled a similar thing with Koren Robison a couple years ago if you recall).  QB Richard Bartel, who the Purple saw a whole lot of in that final preseason game, was put on the Dallas practice squad but will likely be released after Bollinger is signed.  I mention this because of the interesting contrast it points up between the way Dallas and Minnesota have handled their QB situations.  The Vikings went with the young guy in Booty, while the Cowboys are electing to go with experience in Bollinger.  Of course the Cowboys know who their QB will be for the next 7-10 years, so there’s no reason for them to bother developing another young guy.  The Vikings?  No one knows yet if Tarvaris Jackson is the answer for the long-term, so it made sense for them to keep the project quarterback even if it meant a little less insurance.

CCR No. 25: Guests - Lombardi and Sorensen

Cat Crave Radio has returned with our twenty-fifth episode!  In this edition, we have two special guests - Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive, Sports Illustrated contributor, analyst for NFL Network and writer for the National Football Post and Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer. Brian Miller from Phin Phanatic was back for Rant or Rave and Boom or Bust. A Quick breakdown of the show follows.  Enjoy! <!-- podPressShowHidePlayer('1', 'http://catcrave.com/podpress_trac/play/945/0/CatCraveRadioEpisode22-August10.mp3',300,30, 'false', 'http://catcrave.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress//images/vpreview_center.png'); --> Episode Twenty-Five: August 31, 2008

In Episode Twenty-Five…

For a complete archive of our shows, visit our Radio Page.

Favre Refuses To Get Over Self

Brett Favre wants to make one thing clear: He’s not a wishy-washy, high-maintenance, selfish diva who can’t make up his mind.

Of course Brett, talking to the New York Post like this is the best way to air your grievances.  Let’s see, “wishy-washy.”  I have to admit, you were bawling your eyes out at your retirement.  You do cry a lot.  That could rub people the wrong way with calling you “wishy-washy.”  But then again, crocodile tears might not count against you.  “High-maintenance.”  Hmm.  You know Brett, you did require quite a few press conferences in your days in Green Bay.  But “high-maintenance” probably wasn’t that big of a deal.  You’re the star, sure.  I’ll pass on calling you “high maintenance.”  “Selfish dive who can’t make up his mind.”  Now this is where the real fun starts.  I’m not sure you noticed this Brett, but you held the Packers in limbo for four consecutive offseasons.  Should the Pack start tailoring the offense to Aaron Rodgers?  Oh, wait, nevermind, he’s back.  Sorry Aaron, wait again.  Should I stay in Green Bay?  Should I go?  Where should I go?  Yeah, Brett, you couldn’t make up your mind. I’m not saying Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy handled this thing 100% in the clean.  But still, this bitching and moaning should stop.  If I was Eric Mangini or some other dude in the New York Jets organization, I would put a gag order on Favre about questions regarding the Packers.  It’s obvious Favre’s head and heart are in Green Bay, while his body and motor skills are in New York.  If I were the Jets, I’d be worried that he can’t get over this because it could start distracting the team and impact his performance. The Man-Genius needs to sit down Favre and tell him that he’s not in Kansas anymore.

The Bubble Is About to Burst

Yesterday, we covered the offensive players who were sitting on the bubble.  The sad thing is that we can talk about these guys all day and yet many of them will still be given their walking papers this weekend.  Saturday, the Carolina Panthers will make cuts to meet the roster limits mandated by the NFL. Some good football players are going to be out of a job.  Sad but true.  But while we’re here, we may as well look at some of the defensive players who may or may not make it through the final cut. DL, Stanley McClover:  This hasn’t been McClover’s most impressive camp.  He’s been around these parts before, however and likely will still be with the team after this weekend. DL, Nick Hayden:  Could another rookie make this squad?  It could happen since Hayden has been impressive enough and depth is always a priority along the defensive line. DL, Gary Gibson:  He was nicked up in the final preseason game against Pittsburgh but he has been all over the place in camp and has likely impressed enough to make the final roster. DL, Hilee Taylor:  Only so many spots are available and Taylor is likely to be gone when the team cuts the final group of players.  He might stick around as a practice squad player but the guess is that he’ll be looking elsewhere for work. LB, Donte Curry:  With Diggs, Davis, Beason, Johnson, Seward, and Connor all ahead of him, Curry could be out.  Just a guess but the group of linebackers the team keeps will likely not go beyond that group.  Seven LB’s is actually a little bit of a stretch.  Only if Curry was considered better than Seward will he still be with the team.  That didn’t happen. LB, Tim Shaw:  See Curry.  Do they carry seven LB’s?  I just don’t see it happening unless they are looking for more bodies to play special teams. FS, Nate Salley:  The battle here was with Terrence Holt.  There may be room on the roster for both.  If he is seen as an option at either safety spot he stays.  Charles Godfrey has the starting role locked up. CB, Dante Wesley/Ricardo Colclough:  The team could carry as many as five corners.  Three spots are sure things - Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall.  The fourth spot is probably either Colclough or Wesley.  Colclough can play a little special teams and could help in the return game if necessary.  Wesley could be the guy on the outside looking in if roster room isn’t available. FS, Quinton Teal:  Probably going to be cut.  Godfrey, Holt and Salley are almost definitely all listed ahead of him.

The Best View: 40 Ounces Of Fantasy

Now that the Summer movie season has convened, and taken the Summer Blockbuster Series with it, let’s move to the only other thing that I’m as gaga over as film and football. That’s right, another “F” word–fantasy football. During the season, I’ll drop The Best View on you every Monday. But first, here’s my 2008 TBV Fantasy Football Preview.

First off, since my biggest draft is tonight, I’m praying that nobody will see this beforehand. Even if they do read it, which they won’t, they’re all a bunch of idiots anyway. Which explains why I haven’t won in five years, during the inaugural season.

40 Ounces of Fantasy:

1. Michael Clayton. Great movie, fantasy hasbeen.

2. Make sure you pick the right Adrian Peterson. Remember, there is still that “Other” Adrian Peterson who plays for Chicago. The only thing “All Day” about him is that you’ll be beating yourself up all day every Sunday if you goof and pick him.

3. Frank Gore is going to make even more people hate him. Guaranteed.

4. Ditto Mike Martz. I’m starting to think this guy is heavy on the “mad,” light on the “genius.”

5. The Drew Brees-to-Marques Colston connection is good for 15 TDs. I’m dead serious.

6. That will be the same amount of TDs that Carson Palmer throws to both Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. And that’s if Ocho Cinco doesn’t end up en el hospital.

7. Don’t draft a Cincy running back. That is, unless you are trying to punish yourself. You’d have to tie me up and pry my eyes open Clockwork Orange-style to watch and root for the Cincy rushing attack on a weekly basis. Yuck. On the other hand, I’m a hypocrite. I end up with a Houston back every year.

8. This is not the year to finally get your hands on Peyton Manning.

9. This is definitely not the year to finally get your hands on his teammate Marvin Harrison. This is the year we finally take Marvin out to the glue factory.

10. Chris Brown the singer might bust out the moves, but Chris Brown the running back won’t. Same for Ahman Green. The only Houston back you want is Steve Slaton, and only late in your draft.

11. I have a gut feeling that Willis McGahee isn’t going to hold up. Because of that, I love Ray Rice.

12. I like Darren McFadden, but because of Adrian Peterson I think he’s going too high.

13. Kevin Smith–no, not the portly director I used to love, who seemingly forgot how to make movies around the turn of the century–is a better buy. He’s this year’s Marshawn Lynch. Beast Mode with out the hit-and-run tendencies.

14. Speaking of Kevins, if you draft Kevin Jones I don’t feel sorry for you.

15. Have I mentioned Marques Colston yet? I think he’s the third best receiver in football, behind only Randy Moss and Terrell Owens.

16. Jeremy Shockey’s addition will only help Colston…and Brees.

17. Darren Sproles is the handcuff you want for LaDanian Tomlinson. The guy does amazing thing with his touches, so who cares if he only ends up getting 15-20 a game should L.T. go down. Plus, he’s the Bolts returner.

18. Larry Johnson is getting absolutely no respect. I am a Chiefs fan, but there is no way he doesn’t improve dramatically on last year’s numbers. Trust me on this one. I’ve been watching him and reading about him all offseason. I would pick him over Frank Gore eight days a week. Clinton Portis as well.

19. I like Drew Brees and Tony Romo better than Peyton Manning.

20. I like Brian Westbrook better than Adrian Peterson. He will play in more games and be more consistent on a ppg basis.

21. I like Westbrook even more after looking at the Eagles’ cakewalk schedule.

22. I like Westbrook even more knowing that injuries have wiped out the Iggles’ WR corps. No. 5 has to throw to somebody.

23. I love Earnest Graham. Tampa Bay has a great schedule line up for him.

24. I don’t like Ryan Grant, last year’s other super sleeper. Green Bay is overrated.

25. Tim Hightower may take Edge’s goalline carries and his job by year’s end.

26. Josh Morgan will replicate what Shaun McDonald did last year and Mike Furrey did two years ago. He’s the new “Mike Martz guy.”

27. With Al Saunders in the house, I think both Randy McMichael and Torry Holt are underrated.

28. I love Zach Miller. C’mon, JaMarcus Russell has to throw to somebody. When he needs his security blanket, it will be Miller Time.

29. Do not pick Derek Anderson. Your fantasy team will get concussed worse than he recently was.

30. Eddie Royal is going to be the No. 2 WR in Broncoland. And if he can’t beat out Colbert, Jackson and Stokley, you don’t want him. Keep an eye on the kid.

31. I am sippin’ on Ginn and juice. I like Ted Ginn Jr. Almost as much as Chad Pennington likes his new favorite target.

32. Calvin Johnson has now become overhyped. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dwayne Bowe out perform him again or at least come close. Scoop up D-Bowe a full round or two later. Some have C.J. in their top ten–yikes! If you draft Megatron that early, he might be a mega-bust.

33. Hines Ward is underrated again. Not sure how that happened, but he’s still got something left.

34. I’m not totally sold on Big Ben.

35. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. Great fantasy sked, great line, great fullback. Brett Favre and Thoms Jones are looking good. The rest of the Jet’s playmakers aren’t bad bets either.

36. Jamal Lewis is going to lead the league in carries.

37. I like Marion Barber better than Joseph Addai or Steven Jackson. I’m projecting near 20 TDs.

38. I like Eli Manning and Jon Kitna. These guys have gone from overrated to underrated in a year’s time.

39. Someone will emerge as Matt Hasselbeck’s “glue” guy in Bobby Engram’s absence. I’m betting on Courtney Taylor, although Ben Obomanu is also worth a late-round flier.

40. Do not reach for Antonio Gates.  Doing so will lose you your league.

That’s it. Thanks for reading, and as they say on one of my favorite shows, Battlestar Galactica, good hunting!

(Adam Best has covered sports and entertainment for various blogs, websites and publications. The Best View is his fusion of the two fields. You can also find his work at Arrowhead Addict and Austin Script Guy.)

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