Coffin Corner Returns

Sorry about the disappearing act there guys. School work caught up with me.

At this point I'm going to assume that I've pretty much obliterated what small fan base I had. One day we'll get linked to somewhere and we'll make it big. Don't worry. 

Anyways, what counts is that I've been keeping track of the major storylines over the last few weeks, and I'll be slinging them to you shortly.

Stay tuned. 

More Competition Committee Rulings

Well, the excitement of the annual NFL owners' meeting has almost passed. Other than the rule about defensive radios now being allowed, the following were passed:

1) Elimination of the Force Out Rule: Receivers now need to get two feet down in bounds no matter what. This is really going to be more influential than a lot of people think. It makes covering a speed receiver a lot easier, since as long as you have a speed guy to cover him, he just has to shove the guy a step out. It means that sideline passes are going to become a lot harder, and it also increases the role of safeties, since receivers will be tending more towards the middle. 

2) After that Phil Dawson field goal that was overturned and ruled as good, field goal attempts are now eligible for instant replay. 

3) Direct snaps from centre that go back without touching the QB are now fumbles instead of false starts. 

4) There are no accidental facemask penalties, only 15 yard versions are assessed. This one makes sense since the possible injury for the player remains the same no matter the way it is hit. This will mean players will go out of their way not to grab a facemask, which is a good thing. 

Defensive Players Given Radio Helmets

It was decided that next season will be the first in which a defensive player will be allowed to have a radio device in his helmet. A backup will be designated who will also have a radio helmet, but he will only be allowed to wear it when the original player chosen is not on the field. This has been proposed, in different forms, for the last few years, but I think what really got is passed this year was Spygate... since the use of radio will cut down on defensive hand signals. It does, however, make it very important for every team to have a real leader and intelligent player on their defense. Some guys who come to mind:

1) Ray Lewis, BAL

2) Antonio Pierce, NYG

3) Derrick Brooks, TB

4) Keith Bulluck, TEN

5) Brian Urlacher, CHI

Ray Lewis, despite what happened in the 2000 Super Bowl, really does lead the Baltimore defense, and there's a lot of people in the league who call him for advice. They don't call him 'Sugar Ray' 

A season ago, I would have put Brooks above Pierce, but after their Super Bowl win it's Pierce by a nose. Strahan is the mouth of that locker room, that joking guy, but he's not the leader. You can always see Pierce before each play tapping at least one of the D-line men or other LBs on the shoulder and telling them what to do. 

Derrick Brooks, despite his faltering production, remains the guy for Tampa Bay. They can take risks on players like Antonio Bryant because if he steps out of line Brooks will keep everyone else in order. Their Super Bowl was a while ago, but he's still the player for this franchise.

Keith Bulluck is one of the more underrated guys in the league. He's put up really consistent numbers, but is rarely ever noticed. The only thing that's holding him back is how bad the Titans' offense is. His leadership though in invaluable to this pretty no name defense. 

A lot of people will probably take issue with ranking Urlacher so low, but I think he's less of a leader than a spectacular player. I also wasn't so impressed 

Five Worst Led Defenses

1) Cincinnati Bengals

2) Oakland Raiders 

3) San Francisco 49ers

4) Detroit Lions

5) New York Jets

All these teams really lack leadership on defense, and so won't benefit from this rule... among their other problems. 

The Bengals are an obvious case, but they might be able to look at one of their younger players like Rashad Jeanty, Landon Johnson, or Robert Geathers. Even Deltha O'Neal is a possibility. 

The Oakland Raiders could look at one of their younger LBs, perhaps Kirk Morrison or maybe Thomas Howard. Michael Huff is a possibility. Nnamdi Asomugha certainly has star skills, but he's a quiet guy. For this defense to get to the next level though, one of them has to step up. 

The 49ers paid a lot of money to Nate Clements, and he's a solid character guy. They also have Patrick Willis, who with some real production under his belt can become a locker room force. Look for him to step up next season  and probably be the 49ers radio player. 

The Jets lost their defensive captain Johnathan Vilma in a trade to the Saints. Kerry Rhodes is a solid, but quiet player, and their only other real leader is Laveranues Coles, their starting WR. Kris Jenkins was a leader in Carolina, but at the same time, you have to look at how he left. The Jets do a good job of really underpaying a lot of players (Pete Kendall) and so end up angering even their most supportive players. 

The Detroit Lions are in a hole here. Ernie Sims is a great player but a quiet guy, and they brought in Dwight Smith this season who has really questionable character. They gave Cory Redding a big raise in the hopes that he could coax more effort out of some players, Shaun Rogers in particular, but that didn't exactly work out. Brian Kelly is a tremendous CB who is mostly overlooked because he plays opposite Ronde Barber, and he's a great signing, but he comes from a great locker room and look for him to maybe add some veteran leadership. 

Jets Given GM Tannenbaum. Head Coach Mangini Guaranteed Extensions through 2009

Owner Woody Johnson came out and said that both of them would keep their jobs through to the end of 2009 season no matter how next season pans out. In a very farsighted move, he says that it takes more than one season to build... but I suppose the magic number is two. 

This organization is doomed. Other than the fact that they play in the same division as the Buffalo Bills, who I think could surprise next year, and the always challenging New England Patriots, and the possibility that two years from now the Dolphins could be a challenge (maybe...)... Let's take a look at their free agent signings:

Kris Jenkins (28, DT)

Alan Faneca (31, LG)

Calvin Pace (27, OLB)

Jesse Chatman (28, RB)

Tony Richardson (36, RB)

Damien Woody (30, RT)

Bubba Franks (30, TE)

To this list we add the 3 or 4 competent starters that they might unearth in this draft and the next one. I'm not saying more players won't emerge, but they'll take longer than two seasons. 

This, plus their current roster, is not a winning team. I firmly believe that Faneca fixes the left side of their line for the next two seasons, but that Damien Woody is going to be a huge bust at RT. So they won't really have an elite O-line. Calvin Pace is probably a bust. Jesse Chatman will be excellent when paired with Thomas Jones, Tony Richardson is way too old, Bubba Franks is a backup, and Kris Jenkins is a big question mark as to how he will perform at nose tackle in a 3-4. 

So let's look at the situation position by position

QB - They're in lots of trouble here, and there is no chance of them getting anything more than a caretaker QB over the next two seasons

HB - Pretty stacked, actually

FB - It's possible that Richardson could keep it together over the next two seasons, but to me he seems like the kind of player that just suddenly drops off the map due to age.

O - line - Has questions on the right side, could maybe be addressed through the draft. 

WR - They guaranteed Coles' last two years to keep him happy, but could really use a solid #2 recievers, Cotchery will be okay though

TE - Chris Baker is serviceable, Bubba Franks is good depth

D-line - Shaun Ellis is a good end, although they need to address the spot opposite him. It's a big question as to whether Kris Jenkins will be able to perform at nose tackle, which will determine the whole success of their scheme. 

MLB - Probably doing okay here, especially with David Harris

OLB - Need some impact pass rushers and play makers, Calvin Pace will not be that man

FS - Kerry Rhodes is a solid, and underpaid, player

SS - There has been little talk about how they will address the departure of the solid, if unspectacular, Erik Coleman

CB - Darelle Revis will be the #1 corner, but Andre Dyson might need an upgrade

Overall, this is, at best, a wild-card team. They really aren't elite or going to be elite anytime soon, and there is very real risk that by the time they address those previous needs their older Free Agents (such as Alan Faneca and Kris Jenkins) will no longer be effective. 

Don't get your hopes up Jets. It's going to be some long years at the Meadowlands. 

Free Agency: Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

We have more signings. Let me bring you up to speed. 

Marcus Trufant, CB for the Seattle Seahawks, signed a 6 year deal which replaces the franchise tag that the organization put on him. They also got Olindo Mare. He's nowhere near as good as Josh Brown, but he'll be okay until they can find a replacement. I think this means Morten Anderson will be a Bronco next year. 

QB Quinn Grey signs a one year deal with the Texans. He was good in Jacksonville as a backup, but that's because with a running game like that, anyone can be good. I think they should stick with Rosenfels. 

WR Reche Caldwell signed with the Rams. He gets close to the minimum salary, so I don't know why the Redskins didn't retain him. Depth at WR is a big issue for them. 

Vikings sign CB Benny Sapp and LB Heath Farwell. Both are backups.

The Texans released C Steve McKinney. I guess this means the guy they traded for from the Broncos, Meyers, is starting? This is weird. McKinney wasn't earning major dollars and was a great backup/marginal starter at C or G. 

Lions sign LB Gilbert Gardner. He's an  underrated LB who could actually earn a starting job in training camp. Watch out for him.

Eagles signed TE Kris Wilson. He does more than TE though, he can also play FB and H-back. He has good hands, so it makes him very versatile. I think this means we will see VERY little of Dan Klecko next year. 

Cardinals signed LB Clark Haggans. He's a solid starter, and will do a lot for their defense. This could viewed as an excellent acquisition, just watch. 

Texans picked up S Nick Ferguson. He's a decent starter, and their secondary needs help. Good hire.

Panthers sign G Milford Brown. There is no way this guy is starting next season, but he did with the Rams last season so he'll be a very capable backup. Of course... the Rams sucked. 

Browns resigned G Steve McKinney. He'll compete for a starting job at G next season. He can also be a backup C behind Hank Fraley. 

Titans sign CB/Kick Returner Chris Carr. He was excellent returning kicks for the Raiders last season (25.5 average) and could be the player the Titans are looking for at the position, ever since they lost Pacman Jones. 

Raiders sign DE Kalimba Edwards. It's a decent move, since you don't have to be amazing to get numbers when you're playing across from Derrick Burgess. So long as Tommy Kelly gets some pressure too, they'll come up with a few sacks. Edwards has a chance to really revive his career here. Here's hoping he doesn't waste it. 

Interview With Marvin Lewis on NFL Network

Man, Lewis just climbed about 50 points in my books.

As you all know, Chad Johnson wants out of Cincinnati. I just saw a great interview with Marvin Lewis however, in which he said that Johnson signed a long contract and will play out that contract. He continued that if Chad wants to win a playoff game then he should take the team on his back and bring them to the playoffs. This is kind of reminiscent of 2005 when Johnson released a list of the DBs who successfully covered him during games, called "Who Covered 85 in '05." Lewis responded by releasing a list that was entitled: "Did 85 Do Everything He Could To Lead His Team to Victory?" Points included:

1. Did he study extra tape?

2. Zero mental errors in practice?

3. Did he make a teammate better?

4. Did he see all signs and hots?

5. Did he run after the catch?

6. Did he finish blocks?

I think that Lewis makes an excellent point here. A star player like Chad clearly has the potential and skill to transform his team if he so chose. He faces a difficult situation in regards to the competence of the defense, but if he took an active leadership role with the team he could not only inspire them to play better, but convince players to sign with the Bengals (such as when Warren Sapp brought Keyshawn Johnson to the Bucs in 2000 so that their offense could be good enough to win a Super Bowl). 

Either way, I think the Bengals should listen if a blockbuster offer is given (2 First Round Picks, such as when Dallas traded to get Joey Galloway from Seattle), but Lewis is absolutely right in not caving in to Johnson's demands. He is under contract, and if he wants to play he needs to play for Cincinnati. As Lewis said, you are a play away from losing any player on your team and if Chad plays, so much the better, but if he doesn't they'll be fine without him. 

Ice cold, but brutally necessary. 

Coffin Corner Tuesdays

Here we are... POWER RANKINGS

1. Chargers (0) Nothing will make me move on this. Patriots still have too many questions in their secondary.

2. Patriots (0) I'm inching closer and closer to putting them below the Colts, but nobody's seen Marvin Harrison alive for months. It's a helluva thigh bruise. Anyways, they need some help with CBs. Ellis Hobbs, and Jason Webster/Fernando Bryant? Give me a break. 

3. Colts (0) Nothing happens in Indianapolis. 

4. Cowboys (0) Still worried about Jerry Jones not using his plethora of picks to get players at CB, WR, S, and OL, all aging positions, and instead trading the draft for McFadden... but whatever. I also hope they realize that if this whole 'interest in trading for Pacman Jones' is not just a story manufactured by Jones' agent, they wouldn't have to give Tennessee more than a 6th rounder and a nice bottle of wine.

5. Giants (0)Well, they got Danny Clark? 

6. Seahawks (0) Good stuff with resigning Lofa Tatupu to an extension. This entire team is made up of underrated players. The Cardinals are toast next season. 

7. Browns (0) They have Shaun Rogers on their team now. How can I move that? (Bad Joke.)

8. Jaguars (0) All's quiet in the AFC South. 

9. Eagles (0) They got Samuel, but I would put them down a few pegs if they traded Lito Sheppard. With Brown in the slot, they have the potential to make a fearsome secondary... don't get rid of Lito. 

10. Saints (0) The loss of Steve Gleason was tough, but they will survive. 

11. Bills (0) Still have a decent shot at a wildcard spot, especially if they can beat up on the Jets and Dolphins.

12. Vikings (0) Still looking like a possible NFC North winner next season. 

13. Steelers(+1) I know it doesn't seem like much, but getting Justin Hartwig was huge. Fixing the O-line on this team is basically the one thing holding them back. Other than maybe a true shutdown corner and assurances that Willie Parker will be okay to play. 

14. Packers (-1) I think they won't make the playoffs next season. Too much of a young team with a young QB. Give it two years. 

15. Broncos (0) They lost Jason Elam. That will be terrible for them, but all the teams around them have questions too, so I have trouble dropping them too far.

16. Titans (0) Get Haynesworth that contract. This is looking like it might get messy.

17. Buccaneers (0) They got Eugene Wilson and so are not penalized for the loss of Brian Kelly. I'm still really not sold on this team next year though.

18. Bears (0) They're hibernating here. (Sorry.)

19. Redskins (0) I am very, very tempted to put them above the Bears, but that's assuming that Jim Zorn is a good head coach. And I don't know that yet.

20. Panthers (+3) Huge move for the Panthers here. The WR group they've made, with Steve Smith, DJ Hackett, Muhsin Muhammad, and Dwayne Jarrett is a thing of beauty. So long as Jake Delhomme comes back, this will be a decent season in Charlotte. 

21. Ravens (-1) They continue their slide because Free Agency was a chance for them to get younger, and they didn't do that. Now they have the draft. Get it done.

22. Rams (0) Well, their WR group has a lot to prove to me, but they could be an outside contender next season.

23. Texans (-2) I still don't know if Schaub can stay healthy for a season, and that's important. Good hire with Chris Brown though. 

24. Raiders (+2) If the Raiders were a house, I'd tell you that the foundation is so shaky that it could crash down in the next two years... and that you should not buy this house. Since they are a team, I will tell you that they will win more games next season than they did this one... and that's why they move up. 

25. Jets (0) So they have an O-line, and maybe a D-line. They have something that resembles a secondary, a running game that will probably be around for at least another season, and a linebacker group that might do well or might disappear, depending on the day (because they have no experience). I still need to know what it is that this O-line is protecting. Please. Somebody get them a QB. Culpepper, anyone? 

26. Cardinals (+1) They finally restructured Larry Fitzgerald's contract in time to sign some rookies. Let's be honest, they weren't going to make any marquee free agent hires. Nobody wants to come to Arizona. 

27. Bengals (-3) This is probably too harsh a drop, but man does it look like Marvin Lewis' team is about to implode. TJ Houshmanzadeh (Spelled on the first try, NICE!)  is almost out of contract, and if he wanted to stay he'd be asking for an extension. Chad Johnson just wants out, and said so to the three people watching the NFL Network during the offseason. The defense seems like it will probably still be a shambles, but maybe Odell Thurman will come back and be amazing (the loss of him to criminal charges and David Pollack to neck injury are really what has messed up this franchise). And meanwhile Carson Palmer is signed until 2014. Good luck buddy. 

28. Falcons (+3) Since 2003, the team to finish last in the NFC South the previous year has, the very next season, finished first. (2003 Panthers, 2004 Falcons, 2005 Bucs, 2006 Saints, 2007 Bucs). Will this happen to the Falcons? No. But they're trying. And they play in the weakest division out of all these bottom feeder teams. 

29. Dolphins (+3) I'm going to give Parcells some credit, because it looks like the team next year might be semi-competent. It won't be good, and will inspire the most "Who the heck is that guy?" moments, but it will be decent. And maybe Parcells will show Joey Porter how to play football again. Everyone remember Joey's guarantee from last season? "The Dolphins will win a game." It's tough to see a trash talker play for a losing team. Of course, if the Steelers hadn't lost a loudmouth, they never would have discovered that James Harrison, an abusive criminal, could also play really well at linebacker. Miracles happen every day. 

30. 49ers (0) How did the Falcons and Dolphins move above them you ask? Well mostly because Justin Smith will be next to useless in the 3-4 scheme, the 49ers and Falcons didn't cut Darrell Jackson for a WR signed to a ONE YEAR CONTRACT, and none of you have a QB... so what's the difference? Haha. Burn. 

31. Chiefs (-3) There are three good things about the Chiefs organization: 1) Tony Gonzalez 2) Jared Allen's fairly calm behavior in regards to his contract situation 3) Herm Edwards yelling on HBO's Hard Knocks that "I did a terrible job preparing this team! I did a terrible job!" Seriously, Chiefs are ruined until Carl Peterson is out of office. 

32. Lions (-3) Yes, this is truly where they belong. They sign Chuck Darby, which is a good move, and then cut Kenoy Kennedy. They sign Brian Kelly, and then get rid of Fernando Bryant. It's like they never want to have more than 5 competent players on the team, so they just cut people instead of having them compete for starting jobs. Maybe a team that's trying to win should stop awarding things on the basis of privilege and past accomplishments.