Category: NFL (Page 669 of 1282)

Embarrassed by his team’s play in the secondary last weekend in a preseason win over the Chargers, Falcons’ GM Thomas Dimitroff acquired former first round pick Tye Hill from the Rams in exchange for a 2010 seventh round pick.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Hill, a former first round pick by the Rams in 2006, has started 21 of 28 games. He will be expected to compete for one of the starting positions.
Hill entered last season as the starting left cornerback for the Rams. The spot has been problematic for the Falcons since they decided to trade DeAngelo Hall over the 2007 offseason.

Anyone who watched San Diego’s Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson shred the Falcons last Saturday knows that Atlanta needed to do something to address its secondary issues. While Hill has major injury concerns, he played well in his rookie season in 2006 and has solid coverage skills.

While he isn’t the biggest cornerback, Hill has great speed and maybe a change of scenery will serve him well. He’ll challenge Chris Houston and Brent Grimes immediately and could wind up starting at some point during the first month of the season, if not the Falcons’ opener.

Atlanta Falcons St. Louis Rams Tye Hill

2009 NFL Preview: #28 Cincinnati Bengals

Offseason Additions: Roy Williams (S); Laveranues Coles (WR); Abram Elam (S); Tank Johnson (DT); George Foster (OT).

Offseason Losses: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR); Stacy Andrews (OT); Eric Ghiaciu (C); Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB).

Player to Watch: Keith Rivers, LB.
If it weren’t for Hines Ward’s jaw-breaking crackback block that prematurely ended his ’08 season, Rivers would have probably led the Bengals in tackles last year. Rivers has fully recovered from the jaw injury, as well as offseason arthroscopic ankle surgery, and should emerge as Cincinnati’s best defender this season. He was one of the few bright spots on the Bengals’ defense last year and with the offseason additions of Roy Williams, Abram Elam, Tank Johnson, Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson, Rivers should be freed up to make plenty of plays in ’09.

Team Strength: In Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall, the Bengals have two young playmakers at the cornerback position. Joseph says he’s 100% healthy after missing half of the ‘08 season with a foot injury and is looking to build off the success he had last year before being placed on IR. After being burned repeatedly in his rookie season in ‘07, Hall emerged as the Bengals’ best pass defender in ’08 and could play his way into receiving a contact extension at the end of the year. As long as these two stay healthy, the Bengals have a nice young corner tandem heading into the season.

2009 NFL Predictions 2009 NFL Preview NFL NFL Predictions 2009 NFL Preview 2009

2009 NFL Preview: #29 Kansas City Chiefs

Offseason Additions: Matt Cassel (QB); Mike Vrabel (LB); Mike Brown (S); Mike Goff (G); Bobby Engram (WR); Zach Thomas (LB); Eric Ghiaciuc (C); Rudy Niswanger (C), Ashley Lelie (WR); Ikechuku Ndukwe (G); Andy Alleman (G).

Offseason Losses: Tony Gonzalez (TE); Adrian Jones (G); Pat Thomas (LB).

Player to Watch: Matt Cassel, QB.
Following an offseason trade that brought him over from New England, all eyes will be on Cassel this season. He gets to run new head coach Todd Haley’s pass-happy offense and he should team up with young receiver Dwayne Bowe to form a nice duo. Unfortunately, Cassel suffered a MCL sprain in the Chiefs’ third preseason game and he’s expected to miss KC’s season opener. Once he’s healthy, it’ll be interesting to see how he fares outside of the Patriots’ offense.

Team Strength: The Chiefs have a nice offensive trio in Cassel, Bowe and running back Larry Johnson, who reportedly is leaner and in the best shape of his life. While questions remain about whether or not Cassel can succeed outside of the Patriots’ system, Bowe and Johnson should help take the pressure off him in his first year as a Chief. Bowe has a terrific blend of size and speed and has emerged as a legitimate deep threat in the passing game. Johnson is coming off a rough ’08 campaign, but is rejuvenated and ready to rebound. Also, with the offseason additions of Mike Goff and Ikechuku Ndukwe – as well as the continued development of 2008 first round pick Branden Albert – the offensive line should be improved this year.

2009 NFL Predictions 2009 NFL Preview NFL NFL Predictions 2009 NFL Preview 2009

2009 NFL Preview: #30 Oakland Raiders

Offseason Additions: Greg Ellis (DE); Jeff Garcia (QB); Khalif Barnes, Lorenzo Neal (FB); Erik Pears (OT); Keith Davis (S).

Offseason Losses: Gibril Wilson (S); Jake Grove (C); Justin Griffith (FB); Ronald Curry (WR).

Player to Watch: Darren McFadden, RB.
A turf toe injury limited McFadden to only 499 yards on 113 carries and four touchdowns in his rookie season. But McFadden is completely healthy and is on the verge of leapfrogging Justin Fargas on the Raiders’ depth chart. Even though Oakland’s offensive line is a potential weakness, McFadden will get the opportunity to shine this year as the Raiders want to get him involved as both a runner and receiver. As long as he can stay healthy, the former Arkansas product could have a breakout season.

Team Strength: Can potential be deemed a strength? Quarterback JaMarcus Russell still has a long way to go in his development as a passer, but he certainly has enough weapons around him in McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Chaz Schilens. Of course, Heyward-Bey is a rookie, McFadden has to stay healthy and Schilens (an emerging No. 1 receiver) has to bounce back from the foot injury he suffered in practice a few weeks ago. But again, these players have potential and if they develop together, the Raiders will have a solid offensive corps for years to come. (But that’s a big “if.”)

2009 NFL Predictions 2009 NFL Preview NFL NFL Predictions 2009 NFL Preview 2009

2009 NFL Preview: #31 St. Louis Rams

Offseason Additions: Jason Brown (C); James Butler (CB); Kyle Boller (QB); Billy Bajema (TE).

Offseason Losses: Torry Holt (WR); Orlando Pace (OT); Pisa Tinoisamoa (LB); Nick Leckey (C); Anthony Becht (TE); Fakhir Brown (CB); Jason Craft (CB); Dane Looker (WR); Brett Romberg (C).

Player to Watch: Laurent Robinson, WR.
The Rams acquired the former third round pick from Atlanta this offseason and thus far, he has impressed. He’s already solidified the No. 2 receiver position across from Donnie Avery and could emerge as the Rams’ top playmaker in their passing game. At 6’2, 194-pounds, Robinson has excellent size, speed and has demonstrated this summer that he can catch the ball in traffic. Injuries forced him out of Atlanta, but he’s making a name for himself in St. Louis and could become a household name by the end of the season.

Team Strength: In the past three years, the Rams have invested two first round picks in their defensive line and with the guidance of former Giants’ defensive guru Steve Spagnuolo, the unit could become a strength this season. Of course, that will depend on whether or not former second overall pick Chris Long can take the next step in his development and if former ’07 first round pick Adam Carriker can stay healthy. Defensive ends tend take a couple years to develop, but Long has the drive and tenacity to inevitably succeed. Although he’s getting long in the tooth, Leonard Little still brings plenty to the table as a pass rusher and could help free up Long to make plays on the other side. Assuming Carriker and Little can stay healthy and Long blossoms in his second year, the D-line could be one of the few positives for the Rams this season.