Category: General Sports (Page 104 of 112)

With new developments surfacing late last month in the 2003 Carolina Panthers-steroid scandal, the NFL and player’s union are pondering whether or not to tighten the league’s drug-testing program.

A report from the AP that was posted on ESPN.com today, stated that the NFL could add more drugs to the banned list already in place. More frequent testing could also be put into place and the affects of both of these changes could happen as soon as this season.

“We are in the process of re-evaluation, trying to determine if more is better, if it’s the right time to add substances, to add more tests,” Harold Henderson, the league’s executive vice president for labor relations, told the paper. “It might make sense to do some tweaking.”

The NFL does approximately 10,000 tests for performance-enhancing drugs a year and there are about 2,000 players in the league. Players are randomly selected for testing and can be tested during the offseason.

The NFL announced in June that it added amphetamines to the list of banned performance-enhancers starting this season.

In my opinion, two arguments can essentially be made about this news.

One way to look at things is that the NFL is recognizing they have a potentially severe issue on its hands and is quickly trying to rectify the problem before the situation gains even more public appeal. It’s nice to see that a massively popular league like the NFL is trying to keep its game as clean as possible and air on the side of caution while the MLB wallowed in its own garbage until the issue smelled so bad they had to clean it up.

The second thought on this matter is a little too conspiracy theory for my taste, but certainly a point that can be argued. Many believe that although the NFL boasts of a clean program, players are often made aware of when they will get tested and therefore know how to beat the process. So the fact that more testing and banned substances could be added doesn’t hold much water considering the NFL will do whatever it has to do to protect its image.

Either way, it appears that the NFL has figured out they have a bigger problem on its hands than originally thought.

Throughout the preseason, we’ll take a look at the best – and worst – the NFL has to offer, unit by unit. Look for a new set of rankings every few days.

Anyone think special teams aren’t important? How overlooked are special teams when media analyst are dissecting the ins and outs of NFL teams?

Having a good field goal kicker is one thing, but a team with a solid punter, return specialists and coverage units can greatly affect field position throughout the game and therefore have a huge impact on the final outcome.

Try telling a coach like Jim Fassel that having a good long snapper doesn’t mean much to a team – his 2002 New York Giants lost a Wild Card playoff game on a botched snap. To take that even one step further, having a solid holder can be a big deal.

Criteria for special teams units:

The criteria won’t be broken into percentages for the special teams units, because one position shouldn’t take precedent over another.

A team just can’t have a great place kicker. The punter, coverage units (including the gunners) as well as return specialists must all be taken into account.

The Top 10:

1. Buffalo Bills
When you take a deep look into the race for the top special teams units, nobody really comes close to the Bills. Ryan Lindell isn’t the best place kicker out there, but he’s above average and was 29 of 35 last year. Buffalo really separates themselves in the other categories. Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman led the league with a 45.7 gross yards per punt last year and excels at directional punting. Terrence McGee has been the best kickoff return specialist in the league over the past two seasons, and Roscoe Parrish and Nate Clements are dangerous punt returners. Not too many people know that Mike Schneck is one of the best long snappers in the league.

2. New York Giants
Besides one atrocious game in Seattle, Jay Feely was money in 2005, connecting on an astonishing 35 of 42 field goals, including three of five from beyond 50 yards. The Giants’ return unit took two kickoffs back for touchdowns last season in the opener against Arizona. Willie Ponder and Chad Morton could take any kick to the house at any point during the game, and David Tyree is a fantastic all-around playmaker on special teams. Punter Jeff Feagles is starting to wind down, but his veteran experience is very dependable.

3. Cleveland Browns
The addition of punter Dave Zastudil solidifies the kicking game in Cleveland. The Browns get the best of both worlds in a potential star and a solid veteran on kick returns with Josh Cribbs and Dennis Northcutt. Place kicker Phil Dawson led the league in accuracy last year at 93.3 percent and just like the return men, the coverage units have a nice mix of veterans and youngsters to fill out a well-rounded squad.

4. Miami Dolphins
For more than a decade, the punt and kickoff coverage units for the Dolphins have been outstanding. Miami allowed opponents an average of only 4.9 yards per punt return in ’05 while punter Donnie Jones led the league in net average. Yeremiah Bell is the Dolphins’ best coverage man. Kicker Olindo Mare struggled with injuries in 2004, but bounced back nicely last season to go seven for eight from 40 yards and beyond.

5. Philadelphia Eagles
In a recent listing on SI.com of the most feared players in the NFL, Eagles coverage man Jason Short was listed at No. 9. A fearless player with no concern for his health or anyone else’s for that matter, Short is a maniac who will stop at nothing to make a tackle. Although he was hurt last season, David Akers is normally one of the best field goal kickers in the league and punter Dirk Johnson is underrated at his position. When healthy, Brian Westbrook is an outstanding returner, but because of Westbrook’s importance to the offense (not to mention his propensity for injury), Bruce Perry will probably resume his role as kick returner. Reno Mahe led the league in punt return average last year.

6. Cincinnati Bengals
Kicker Shayne Graham is nearly automatic, having made 87.5 percent of his field goal attempts in three seasons with the Bengals. Cincinnati falls a bit with Kyle Larson as its punter – the coverage units usually make him look better than he really is. Tab Perry is a weapon as a returner and Antonio Chatman will also get a shot at returning kicks this year. Keiwan Ratliff’s longest punt return last year was 13 yards, so he must improve and stop calling so many fair catches.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Punter Chris Gardocki lacks ideal leg strength, averaging just 41.8 yards per punt, but is solid as they come as a direction punter, nailing 22 punts inside the 20 last season. Jeff Reed is another guy who doesn’t have a real strong leg, but he’s excellent in the short-range department and scored 117 points last year. The loss of Antwaan Randle El will certainly hurt in the explosiveness department, but Ricardo Colclough is an up-and-comer with a solid average of 21.5 per kickoff return last year.

8. San Francisco 49ers
Kicker Joe Nedney was named the team’s co-MVP last season because he was so consistent on field goals and kickoffs for the 49ers. Punter Andy Lee is improving, but it isn’t an easy job trying to be a directional kicker in the winds of Candlestick. Here’s another mention for one of the best long snapper’s in the game – Brian Jennings is excellent. San Francisco hasn’t decided on a return man yet, but rookie Brandon Williams out of Wisconsin is an excellent candidate.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Scobee has turned into a dependable kicker and recorded 20 touchbacks on kickoffs last season. Punter Chris Hanson dropped 33 punts inside the 20, the most in the NFL, and veteran Joe Zelenka is a reliable long snapper. Kickoff returner Derrick Wimbush finished with a 24.5-yard average, which was good for 10th in the NFL, and rookie Maurice Drew is likely to replace Alvin Pearman as the punter returner this year. Drew average 28.7 yards on 15 punt returns last year at UCLA.

10. Houston Texans
Losing Pro Bowl kick return Jerome Mathis for four games hurt the team last season, but when he played he was excellent. Mathis was the only returner to take two kicks back to pay dirt last season. Kris Brown struggled a bit, missing eight field goals, but he has also shown the ability to bounce back from terrible seasons (such as his first year in Pittsburgh). Punter Chad Stanley is solid and he has played very well thus far in his career with the Texans.

The Bottom Five:

28. Oakland Raiders
Shane Lechler remains one of the best punters in the league, but opponents averaged a league-best 15.9 yards per return last year against the Raiders. Sebastian Janikowski can be good if he ever decides he wants to be, but the return game is in flux this year after Chris Carr botched the job last season.

29. New England Patriots
The Patriots could be ranked higher toward the end of the year, but going into the season with a rookie kicker can be a bit unsettling. Fourth-round pick Stephen Gostkowski has a big leg and ousted his competition in preseason, but seeing as that competition was Martin Gramatica, the jury is still out. The Patriots also lost returner Tim Dwight, but Bethal Johnson will return and he averaged 22.4 yards per kick return last year. Punter Josh Miller is also coming off a good season, so once again, New England isn’t in terrible condition. Gostkowski just has to prove himself a bit.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The entire Tampa Bay special teams unit is average at best and virtually every player except for punter Josh Bidwell will have to fight for their job this year. Questions loom very large for this entire squad.

31. Green Bay Packers
Rookie Greg Jennings has to be better than the 13 total players the Packers tried out on kick returns last year. If he isn’t, expect Green Bay to be down here again next year. Charles Woodson is the team’s punt returner at the moment, but a strong showing against the Bengals in preseason has Jennings on the inside track for that job too. The Packers replaced kicker Ryan Longwell with David Rayner. Rayner didn’t exactly light the world on fire as a kickoff specialist in Indianapolis and now he gets to kick in the ever-changing weather of Lambeau Field. B.J. Sander gave the Packers terrible field position on more than several occasions last year and was recently cut, handing the job to Jon Ryan.

32. St. Louis Rams
Special teams units were never much of a concern for former head coach Mike Martz, so the new coaching regime in St. Louis will have a lot to work on this year. Save for kicker Jeff Wilkins, the special teams have become a major liability for the Rams over the years and punter Matt Turk missed the entire ’05 season with a groin injury. Turk hasn’t averaged more than 42 yards per punt since 2000. Unlike the Packers with Greg Jennings, the Rams don’t even have a solid returner at the moment unless Kevin Curtis steps up.

Throughout the preseason, we’ll take a look at the best – and worst – the NFL has to offer, unit by unit. Look for a new set of rankings every few days.

Many would agree that the hardest position to learn and excel at in football is quarterback. After all, the QB has to be the voice of the huddle, the audible caller, and he has to know what every offensive player is going to do on a given play.

Taking nothing away from the role of a quarterback, however, being a defensive back in the NFL is as mentally challenging as it is physically.

Unlike a wide receiver that knows where his route will take him, a cornerback’s first step is usually backward and the art form of the position relies on the player being good at reacting. A cornerback can stop and start his movement again and again a multitude of times before the play is even over with.

Much like a cornerback, a safety has to be able to tackle like a linebacker but cover the pass like a corner. Being a safety requires aggression, versatility and flexibility, and although they can see the whole field in front of them, safeties can get just as turned around during a given play as a cornerback.

Criteria for the secondary:

The starting four in a team’s secondary unit will account for 70% of the overall ranking placement.

The final 30% will go to the teams nickel back, since nickel coverage is used extensively during a game, as well as the overall depth a team carries in its secondary.

1. Denver Broncos
Champ Bailey, Darrent Williams, John Lynch, Nick Ferguson, Domonique Foxworth
The Broncos have a deadly combination: talent and youth. Besides having one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in Champ Bailey, they have two second-year players that had a knack for making plays as rookies. Darrent Williams probably has a leg up on Domonique Foxworth in the battle for the starting corner spot, but Foxworth provides Denver with excellent depth and could start in a second if Williams were to go down. With 14 years of experience, SS John Lynch, who made the Pro Bowl in 2005, still plays at a high level and hits as hard as he did in Tampa. FS Nick Ferguson had a career-best five interceptions last year. As for Bailey, he excels at all phases of the cornerback position by being able to cover an opposing team’s No.1 wide out one-on-one and also help out in the run. Bailey made his sixth Pro Bowl appearance last year despite being hampered a bit by injuries.

2. Chicago Bears
Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher, Mike Brown, Chris Harris, Ricky Manning Jr.
Charles Tillman might be the most acclaimed cornerback on this team, but Nathan Vasher is a better playmaker. That statement has less to do with Tillman’s abilities, which are great, and more to do with Vasher’s aggressive style of play and superior on-the-ball skills. Tillman is excellent against the run, but sometimes gets torched by a No. 1 receiver (remember what Carolina’s Steve Smith did to him last season?). When healthy, SS Mike Brown is an explosive hitter that offsets his lack of elite speed with supreme intelligence. FS Chris Harris excels at playing centerfield in the Bears’ defense as both a ball hawk and a solid run supporter. Chicago signed former Panther Ricky Manning Jr. in the offseason to be the nickel back. Manning is quick and can take on a team’s slot receiver. Rookie Danieal Manning is built like a safety, but has cornerback skills.

3. Cincinnati Bengals
Deltha O’Neal, Tory James, Dexter Jackson, Madieu Williams, Keiwan Ratliff
The secondary that produced the most interceptions in the NFL last season returns at full strength for ’06. Deltha O’Neal finished tied with Ty Law for the league lead in interceptions last year with 10 while fellow corner Tory James added five. Adding SS Dexter Jackson to the mix this year will shore up the run defense and the return of Madieu Williams from a shoulder injury will greatly improve the Bengals’ safety unit this season. Keiwan Ratliff will get a chance to challenge James for more playing time, but in the meantime he is a solid nickel corner.

4. Dallas Cowboys
Terence Newman, Anthony Henry, Roy Williams, Keith Davis, Aaron Glenn
Although the Cowboys didn’t come away with many interceptions, the secondary unit gave up the lowest completion percentage of any team last season. After a sophomore slump, Terence Newman bound back in ’05 to have a Pro Bowl-caliber season and should have continued success in 2006. SS Roy Williams might be the league’s most feared hitter over the middle and in run support, but some critics feel that he has to get better in pass protection. Not many people were aware that CB Anthony Henry was Dallas’ best defender last year before he got hurt and Aaron Glenn was very productive at the nickel last season. Keith Davis is a bit of a mystery right now after being shot twice this offseason. If he does return to full health, Davis needs to work on his pass protection.

5. Philadelphia Eagles
Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Roderick Hood
What happened to this fine group in ’05? Three out of the four starters made the Pro Bowl for Philly during its Super Bowl run, but the same unit was shredded by injuries and overall lackluster play in ’06. Brian Dawkins is fierce, smart and has just as much playmaking ability as any safety in the league. Lito Sheppard took a step back last year because of a high ankle sprain and a bad knee, but the injury gave Roderick Hood an opportunity to show what he can do in a starting role as he established himself as possibly the best nickel corner in the league. Sheldon Brown will start at the other corner spot opposite Sheppard and he is by far one of the game’s surest tackling corners. Michael Lewis had a sub par ’05 season, but so did the rest of this secondary.

6. Washington Redskins
Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, Sean Taylor, Adam Archuleta, Kenny Wright
Caution: this rating is based on the assumption that safety Sean Taylor will spend more time on the field more than in prison in ’06. Taylor is a terrific athlete, a solid hitter, but just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Shawn Springs is 30, but still turned in a Pro Bowl-type performance last year and is a strong model for fellow corner Carlos Rogers. Rogers was the ninth pick in the ’05 draft and is looking to improve on an average but promising rookie season. Adam Archuleta comes over from the Rams and although he is fantastic against the run, his free agent price tag might have been a tad high considering his coverage skills are sketchy at best. Kenny Wright did a nice job as a starter in Jacksonville last season and should be a good third corner for the ‘Skins this year.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend, Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Bryant McFadden
Ike Taylor is a very underrated cornerback who led the NFL with 24 passes defensed in 2005. Deshea Townsend will compete with Bryant McFadden for the starting spot on the opposite side of Taylor, but whoever doesn’t start will provide excellent depth. McFadden showed outstanding play in nickel and dime situations last year, even going one-on-one with Colts stud wide out Reggie Wayne at the end of the Steelers-Indy playoff game. Troy Polamalu is a non-stop playmaker who always finds himself in the right position to attack the ball carrier or knock down a pass. Here’s the “but” in Pittsburgh’s secondary this year: they’ll miss Chris Hope more than they think. Ryan Clark is good against the run, but Hope opened up doors for Polamalu because of the way he covered centerfield for the Steelers during their Super Bowl run.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly, Jermaine Phillips, Will Allen, Juran Bolden
Ronde Barber and Brain Kelly still form one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. Barber is a carbon copy of Champ Bailey – a guy that can play the run as well as the pass and is a savvy veteran. Kelly gets overshadowed a lot by Barber’s play, but he is outstanding against the pass considering he gets a lot of work with Barber on the other side. This group takes a small slide in its safety duo. Jermaine Phillips is usually hampered by injuries but can deliver a tough hit when healthy, and Tampa Bay feels that Will Allen is finally ready to be a starter. Juran Bolden isn’t spectacular, but as a nickel corner, he’s reliable and has tons of experience.

9. Carolina Panthers
Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble, Shaun Williams, Mike Minter, Reggie Howard
Carolina had one of the best pass defenses in the league last season, largely because of the strong play of Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble. Both Lucas and Gamble are stout against the pass with Lucas being one of the best free-agent acquisitions in the entire league last year. Gamble will do just that, gamble on routes, but he has a knack for the big play. The reason why the Panthers are this low, however, is the same reason Tampa Bay is ranked where they are. Their safety play is questionable and so is the nickel spot. Mike Minter is a born leader and is excellent in the locker room and while defending the run. But both he and Shaun Williams are a bit unsteady in passing situations. Colin Branch will challenge Williams, who is returning from a serious injury last season. Obviously, Carolina didn’t think Ricky Manning Jr. was the best option at nickel back last season since they let him escape to Chicago, but Reggie Howard might not be a significant upgrade.

10. Baltimore Ravens
Ed Reed, Samari Rolle, Chris McAlister, Dawan Landry, David Pittman
If the Ravens had a real option at safety next to Ed Reed, they would easily be ranked in the top five. The loss of Will Demps will hurt the Ravens as much as the Steelers losing Chris Hope. Dawan Landry or whatever other player Baltimore plugs in at the strong safety spot will more than likely deliver a significant drop in production from Demps’ 2005 campaign. Another issue is that Reed, Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister all had a drop off coming from the 2004 season. Reed was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in ‘04, but was less of a factor in ’05 while McAlister had just one interception and missed the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2002. Rolle is an elite cover corner but struggles against the run, and rookie David Pittman is a bit of a question mark as Baltimore’s nickel. The Ravens may go with a 4-4-3 defense in 2006, allowing the team to get its best 11 players on the field at all times. If the trio of Reed, Rolle and McAlister can get back on track, this might not be a bad move by Baltimore’s staff.

The Bottom Five:

28. Oakland Raiders
Nnamdi Asomugha, Fabian Washington, Stuart Schweigert, Michael Huff, Duane Starks
What in the name of all that is holy happened to the Oakland Raiders’ cornerback situation? Charles Woodson and Philip Buchanon were supposed to be a menacing first-round pick duo that the Raiders could rely on for seasons upon seasons to come. Fabian Washington is a fine player who should continue to get better, but there’s nothing special about safe-as-they-come Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha doesn’t really allow anyone to beat him deep, which is fine, but he isn’t a ball hawk either, as evidenced by his zero (ZERO) interceptions in 43 career games. First-round pick Michael Huff has a chance to be really good, but I doubt he’ll make a considerable splash this season. Stuart Schweigert can be a leader but must be more consistent in coverage, and what in the world did Oakland see in New England’s secondary last season that made them go out and get Duane Starks and Tyrone Poole?

29. San Francisco 49ers
Shawntae Spencer, Walt Harris, Mike Adams, Tony Parrish, Sammy Davis
Walt Harris can still be effective, but he’s slowing down at this point in his career. Shawntae Spencer can be a pleasant surprise at times, but struggles against elite receivers. Tony Parrish is solid and dependable, but how he recovers from his first career serious injury (broken leg) will determine how this group produces this season. Mike Adams was an undrafted player in 2004 and worked his way into the starting lineup last season. His job isn’t secure, however, as head coach Mike Nolan loves the newly acquired Chad Williams.

30. Houston Texans
Dunta Robinson, Lewis Sanders, Demarcus Faggins, C.C. Brown, Glenn Earl
This unit has one stud in Dunta Robinson and is very below average everywhere else. The saving grace for Houston, however, is that C.C. Brown and Glenn Earl have shown promise at the safety position, but nobody knows what to expect heading into ’06. Lewis Sanders and Demarcus Faggins will battle for the CB spot opposite Robinson while Phillip Buchanon is set to waste yet another opportunity to be a starter in the league.

31. San Diego Chargers
Quentin Jammer, Drayton Florence, Terrence Kiel, Marlon McCree, Antonio Cromartie
There is a strong argument that the Chargers should be where the Rams are ranked, but this group shows a little more upside than St. Louis does in my opinion. No cornerback gave up as many touchdowns last year as Quentin Jammer, which doesn’t vibe with his number-two overall selection in the 2004 draft. Rookie Antonio Cromartie will push Drayton Florence, but whichever player starts there will either be mediocre or average at best. Marlon McCree was a nice addition to the safety unit this offseason from Carolina, but he will have less help around him this year. The other safety spot is unsettled, which is a problem in and of itself. Terrence Kiel and Bhawoh Jue will compete for the job.

32. St. Louis Rams
Jerametrius Butler, Tye Hill, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Corey Chavous, Fakhir Brown
The players in this unit are either inexperienced, past their prime or just not very good. The secondary suffered greatly last year when Jerametrius Butler when down for the season with an ACL tear. He should be ready by the start of the season, but confidence and mobility will be a concern for Butler early on. Rookie corner Tye Hill can cover, but rookie DBs tend to struggle their first year and he’ll have to fight with average Fakhir Brown to even earn the starting job. The safeties are a mess. Corey Chavous is a great leader and he’s smart, but his skills have diminished, and Oshiomogho Atogwe showed signs of ability at the end of last season but has been hampered by injuries himself.

The anticipation for the NFL to kick off has finally mounted to its peak with Pittsburgh set to play Miami Thursday night in the opener.

For a look at the up-and-coming season, including in-depth analysis, player movement and predictions, check out Bullz-Eye’s 2006 NFL Preview.

In the preview you’ll find a recap of every team’s offseason additions and losses as well as a player on the hot seat and a question mark facing the season. Each team will also have an outlook for 2006, so check out your favorite teams preview and a look at the entire NFL at Bullz-Eye.com.