Quiet offseason favors Colts

The same holds true for Wayne and Mathis. Colts President Bill Polian says it's hard to negotiate new deals this offseason because the collective bargaining agreement between owners and players runs out after this year and no one is sure of the salary cap rules going forward.

Regarding Manning, Polian thinks a deal will get done.

"But there's a lot of work that we can do between then and now to lay groundwork and cover areas that we need to cover and talk about various different structures, and we'll do that," he said.

The AFC South saw little free-agency movement this year, which leaves AFC champion Indianapolis as the favorite once again.

Indianapolis Colts

Key gains: DE Jerry Hughes (TCU), LB Pat Angerer (Iowa), G Andy Alleman (Chiefs).

Key losses: G Ryan Lilja (cut).

Breakdown: The outlook is bright because Manning is 34 and shows no signs of slowing down. The Indianapolis Colts were fortunate to get Hughes at No. 31 in the draft. He's an edge rusher who fits the system. Ditto for mobile but undersized Angerer. He's the heir to MLB Gary Brackett, who signed a new contract.

Key questions: Can star Adam Vinatieri , out 37 games the past four years, stay on the field? Tony Ugoh or Mike Pollack must take over at guard for Lilja. Can K Adam Vinatieri, 37, come back from injuries? Can the O-line provide more push for the run game without major reinforcements?

Houston Texans

Key gains: CB Kareem Jackson (Alabama), RB Ben Tate (Auburn), K Neil Rackers (Cardinals), G Wade Smith (Chiefs).

Key losses: CB Dunta Robinson (Falcons), RB Ryan Moats (Vikings).

Breakdown: The Texans had one of the quieter offseasons in the league, aside from the fact defensive rookie of the year Brian Cushing got busted four games for violating the performance-enhancing drugs policy. The big need was running back, and San Diego beat the Texans to the punch in drafting Ryan Mathews. So Houston settled for Tate. He isn't overly elusive but should fit the system. Rackers takes over for Kris Brown, who cost the Texans two games with misses in the final seconds. Houston locked up MLB DeMeco Ryans for $21 million guaranteed and WR Kevin Walter for $8 million guaranteed.

Questions: Can star TE Owen Daniels come back from a knee injury? Can injury-prone S Eugene Wilson bounce back? Can Amobi Okoye and the other DTs develop? Can journeyman Smith help the run blocking in the middle? Is Jacoby Jones the No. 2 WR? Will Dan Orlovsky or John David Booty back up QB Matt Schaub? Is there quality CB depth?

2010 Redskins: Shanahan, McNabb Lead Welcome Infusion of Leaders

Despite a lackluster free agency period and limited draft choices, the wholesale Washington Redskins Jerseys enter 2010 looking remarkably better than they did in 2009.

Choosing Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to lead the team into the 21st Century's second decade may have seemed a tad uninspired, but so far they have proven their worth.

They have brought a level of respectability back to this team that wasn't even present during Joe Gibbs' second era. Though no games have been played, this is certainly the team's best leadership under the mercurial Dan Snyder.

While many (including this writer) considered quarterback Jason Campbell (cheap Washington Redskins Jerseys)an up-and-comer, Donovan McNabb provides an instant upgrade at the position. As with the additions of Allen and Shanahan, McNabb brings immediate credibility to the team, the locker room, and within the confines of the Beltway.

The Shanahans (Mike and Kyle) will run an offense familiar to the former Pro Bowler, and there's little doubt that if McNabb stays healthy, he will execute it as well as any elite quarterback in the NFL.

The team's stable of running backs may have made for the ultimate dream fantasy team in 2006, but the combination of all three will give the team something it has never had.

Options.

In Clinton Portis, who will return to form in 2010 with a renewed work-ethic, the team has an all-around back and football player who is capable of doing everything well, if no longer spectacularly.

Washington's addition of Larry Johnson and Willie Parker have no doubt driven Portis, who has always done best with someone sticking a foot up his ass.

Johnson reeled off a 4.4 yard average in Cincinnati last year. Parker, who was never an every-down back, will do well on the outer edges and on swing passes, which are staples of the McNabb-led West Coast offense.

The offensive line is perhaps the most improved position.

Washington signed Artis Hicks to play right guard, and serve as a backup at right tackle.  Trent Williams replaces stalwart Chris Samuels at left tackle, and Pro Bowler Jamall Brown will anchor the right side.

Though the team made little effort to bring in depth, a late draft pick, a deposed Mike Williams (right guard) and Stephon Heyer (left/right tackle), creates some depth.

While Williams was somewhat decent at his best moments, Heyer aspired to mediocre, giving up consecutive safeties in the middle of the season.

Still, though, it's an improvement over 2009, where these were the best the team had to offer.

While the team will have the best tight end tandem in the league in Chris Cooley and Fred Davis, the receiver corps is the biggest question mark in the league. Top-line pass catcher Santana Moss is under investigation and facing a possible suspension. Beyond him, there's nothing but question marks.

Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas have(discount  Washington Redskins Jerseys)shown potential and flashes, but that's all. Neither have proved to be reliable. Though there were nothing but head-cases (Brandon Marshall and Terrell Owens) available in free agency, the team brought in crusty veteran Joey Galloway as an insurance policy.

While Galloway might have a bit left in the tank as a leader and occasional route runner, no one is going to mistake these players for anything special. And if the passing offense doesn't get off the ground, the receivers will put the Redskins on the no-fly list.

It has been foretold...

Ninjames' Note From The Future: Hello, Niners Nation of the past! I wrote this article a few months from now after a dominating performance by the 49ers over the Seahawks, but due to not sleeping for six days straight after SB Nation reverted to an actual slave-labor driven blog, I accidentally scheduled this post to go up a couple months in the past. What follows is a 100% accurate account of what actually has (will?) happened (-ed?) when the 49ers opened the season at Qwest Field against the division rival Seattle Seahawks. Also, just another little snippet from the future, user ItBurnzWhenIP... you will find your name becoming all-too real in the coming months. Stock up on cream.

Today is Monday, September 13th, and man does it feel good to be a 49ers fan right now, doesn't it? All that build-up in training camp, all those doubters and haters, and Fearless Frog losing his account in that bet with LondonNiner.. man I have never seen something so intense! How about that Taylor Mays, eh? For those of you who missed the game, I'll touch up a little bit...

The Seahawks came out trying to pass, and on the very first play, Hasselbeck found himself on the ground from a brutal sack off a safety blitz from Dashon Goldson. From then on it was just a matter of the 49ers defense being a little bit faster, anticipating a little bit better. It was clear off the bat (snap?) that the hype following Seattle's draft was a little bit overblown. For more on what went (will go) down, make the jump.

 

The 49ers starting defense was just as you'd expect it, Justin Smith, Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga composed the starting defensive line, but we saw more of Kentwan Balmer from the very first series which has to be encouraging for Niners fans. Parys Haralson, Takeo Spikes, Patrick Willis and Manny Lawson made the linebacking starts, with Clements, Spencer, Goldson and Lewis rounding out the starting secondary.

From the first snap the 49ers defense did their best to urge Matt Hasselbeck into retirement. Leon Washington got the hint as well, the second play of the game was even more jarring than the first, a brutal hit on the aging running back in the backfield for a fumble, courtesy of Patrick Willis. It was a big play, regardless of that fact that Russell Okung happened to be in the right place at the right time to recover the ball.

While it's true that each drive wasn't as dominant as that first for the 49ers defense, they set the tone early and it was clear they were the faster, more inspired and better prepared team out there. The Seattle offense just had nothing for them. Their lone touchdown came when their sole bright  spot, Golden Tate split cornerback Nate Clements and safety Michael Lewis on a beautifully sold play action. This came late in the third quarter.

The 49ers offense though, it was a thing of beauty. Smith commanded the huddle well, and the 49ers sent out a trio of running backs that had an eye for the end zone. The punts were fielded by Kyle Williams, who did well, but shone on offense, catching a sixteen yard touchdown pass over the middle between Lofa Tatupu and Earl Thomas on the 49ers first possession. The rest of the first half was dominated by Frank Gore and the offensive line.

Holes were not only made, but they were forced open and held ajar by Mike Iupati and the boys up front. Gore slammed through them and then punished the second line of the defense. Five yards, seven yards, eleven yards, he was unrelenting. Glen Coffee looked the smoothest between him and Anthony Dixon, getting 34 yards on four carries. The running game was unstoppable, and Seattle was tired.

Of course, this led the passing game to take advantage. At the half, the 'Hawks kicked off to the return tandem of Ted Ginn and Dominique Zeigler. Ziggy fielded the kickoff and took it into the Seahawks zone, to their 35-yard line. Crabtree powered into the endzone on the next play, beating Marcus Trufant for another touchdown.

To recap the recap, the 49ers scored on passes to Kyle Williams, Michael Crabtree, and punctuated it with a score in the fourth to Zeigler in the back of the endzone. Smith was whirling the ball around with confidence and went 27-35, Frank Gore added a score of his own on his way to 127 yards. A couple of Joe Nedney field goals and we've got ourselves quite a thrashing.

The Seahawks offense wasn't completely inept, in fact, they put up 16 points which is remarkable considering the statline of the 49ers defense. A pair of sacks for Haralson and Brooks each, 9 tackles from Patrick Willis and even a pass defensed by Taylor Mays. It was a thorough routing of the Seahawks which showcased a brutally fast and efficient bend-but-don't-break defense and an offense playing to what is likely above their own level after buying into their own hype. The 49ers dominated on offense (Alex Smith), on defense (Patrick Willis) and even on special teams coverage, Taylor Mays making every special teams tackle for the game. The Seahawks left game one in a lot of pain from the 49ers defense, feeling like their week one loss was a punishing playoff defeat. If you couldn't gather, the final score was 37-16.

Seven days from now the Saints will come to Candlestick Park and I'll see about accidentally scheduling another post in the past, you know, just because. It's not like Fooch can stop me... oh you don't know what I mean by that? Well I guess that makes sense, the mutiny doesn't take place until mid-July.. prepare for that, by the way. Fooch supporters will be first against the wall when the rebellion occurs.

Chiefs Need To Be In The Conversation For Best Starting Cornerback Duo In The NFL

Around Kansas City, I don't think this statement is much of a surprise: The Chiefs cornerbacks are really, really good. Brandon Flowers will soon be a Pro Bowler and Brandon Carr, while not a household name, represents among the best values in the NFL draft in recent years.

Recently, NFL analyst Mike Detiller of the Daily Comet asked around the league for the best starting cornerback duo in the NFL.

Star-divide

    For some this may come as a surprise, but the team with the top starting cornerbacks in the NFL jerseys was the Cincinnati Bengals. The duo of Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph got four of the 12 first-place votes and beat out the New York Jets' Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Revis and Cromartie received three votes.

Also receiving votes were the Cowboys' Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman as well as the Panthers' Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall.

Both Flowers and Carr were selected in the 2008 draft which means they're just two seasons into their career with plenty of room to grow. One AFC personnel scout tells Detiller that the 2008 draft class is among the best in recent memory when it comes to cornerbacks.

    "What is amazing is that Porter, Leodis McKelvin with the Buffalo Bills, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the Arizona Cardinals, Aqib Talib with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Jenkins with the Dallas Cowboys, and Brandon Flowers with the Kansas City Chiefs all came out in the 2008 draft. Every one of those guys will end up being a Pro-Bowl player. That is as strong a group of cornerbacks as I have seen in one draft in the past 20 years."

Am I saying the Chiefs are the best? Not necessarily, but they're in the conversation. The Chiefs have placed an emphasis on the secondary in recent years. Herm Edwards had a knack for picking good defensive backs and Scott Pioli and Todd Haley have continued that trend with the selection of Javier Arenas, who is having a strong spring.

Maybe in a few years the Chiefs will be the model secondary but, for now, they need to at least be included in the conversation.