Tag: NFL (Page 25 of 34)

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Gibril Wilson (S); Jason Taylor (DE); Jake Grove (C).

Offseason Losses: Andre’ Goodman (CB); Vonnie Holliday (DE); Renaldo Hill (CB); John Beck (QB).

Player to Watch: Ted Ginn Jr., WR.
Ginn will be under the microscope this season as he enters his third year. Many receivers don’t blossom until their third season and the Dolphins are hoping the same can be said for Ginn, who has looked rather subpar in his first two years after being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft. Ginn has incredible speed and was a playmaker at Ohio State, but he’s had trouble getting off the line in the pros as defensive backs have had success jamming him and not allowing him to get into his routes. This has made him invisible on the field at times and has limited his production. Once he gets the ball in his hands he’s a threat to take it to the house. But getting the ball in his hands is the problem. After a lackluster preseason, the pressure is on Ginn to produce in ’09.

Team Strength: Thanks to a plethora of capable backs and the addition of the Wildcat formation, the Dolphins will once again have solid running game in 2009. Ronnie Brown has completely recovered from his 2007 ACL surgery and should rack up plenty of yards as he enters a contract year. Although there are concerns that he’s losing a step after an unimpressive preseason, backup Ricky Williams gained 659 yards last season and is serviceable. The same thing can be said for third stringer Patrick Cobbs, who should see more touches this season. Throw in playmaking rookie Pat White (who will cut his teeth in different offensive packages, including the Wildcat) and the Dolphins’ running game can burn opponents in a variety of ways.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Antonio Smith (DE); Eugene Wilson (S); Cato June (LB/out for the season); Deltha O’Neal (CB); Shaun Cody (DT); Rex Grossman (QB).

Offseason Losses: Sage Rosenfels (QB); Bryan Pittman (C); C.C. Brown (S); Will Demps (DB); Anthony Weaver (DT); Ephraim Salaam (OT).

Player to Watch: Steve Slaton, RB.
After amassing 1,282 rushing yards on 268 carries, 377 passing yards on 50 receptions and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie, all eyes are on Slaton this season. He’ll give up short-yardage and goal line carries to Chris Brown, but Slaton is going to be on the field plenty for the Texans this year. The shifty sophomore gives Houston something it has been missing from its backfield since the team entered the league: An explosive playmaker that can score every time he gets his hands on the ball. As long as the extra weight he put on in the offseason doesn’t slow him down, Slaton should avoid a sophomore slump and help open things up for Matt Schaub and the passing game.

Team Strength: Thanks to ends Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, as well as tackle Amobi Okoye and 17-year coaching vet Bill Kollar, defensive line should be a strength this season for the Texans. But it’s hard to talk about this team without focusing on its offensive skill position players. Schaub could shine in head coach Gary Kubiak’s offense, but he has to stay healthy. If he can, he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, most notably Slaton, Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson and tight end Owen Daniels. Slaton is a home run threat every time he gets his hands on the ball and Johnson is one of the best playmakers in the game. When they’re both healthy, Schaub and Johnson make an excellent pair and have developed good chemistry with one another. Daniels is upset about his contract, but he hasn’t let the situation become a distraction and he could once again post Pro Bowl numbers this season. As long as the line continues to improve, the offense has enough weapons to get the Texans to the playoffs.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Albert Haynesworth (DT); Derrick Dockery (G); Jeremy Bridges (G).

Offseason Losses: Jason Taylor (DE); Pete Kendall (G); Demetric Evans (DE); Ethan Albright (C).

Player to Watch: Albert Haynesworth, DT.
The Redskins paid a hefty price ($100 million over seven years, including $41 million in guarantees to be exact) for Haynesworth, who was the biggest catch on the free agent market this offseason. Haynesworth is a massive (figuratively and literally) upgrade over Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery, who split time last year next to Cornelius Griffin. Haynesworth is a ferocious pass-rusher who constantly demands double-teams and who is a beast against the run. He’ll free up fellow Griffin and Andre Carter to make plays because they’ll see a significant amount of one-on-one matchups. The former Titan might take the Skins’ defense to another level this season.

Team Strength: Washington’s secondary stands to be a strength in 2009. While the team overpaid for his services, corner DeAngelo Hall is solid when he’s not in man-to-man. He’s at his best when he plays in space and can react to the ball, which is what Washington will allow him to do. As long as he stays motivated, the Redskins will cash in on Hall’s terrific athleticism. On the other side, Carlos Rogers continues to battle a calf injury and was benched after the team rushed him back from ACL surgery last season, but he’s an instinctive player when healthy. At safety, Landry is a flat out playmaker and while he still is learning how to read offenses, he’s always going at full tilt and is a missile against the run and in coverage. While some expected Horton to be pushed by Reed Doughty, head coach Jim Zorn anointed Horton the starter at strong safety back in OTAs. He might not be the most athletic player on the field, but he’s incredibly smart and always gets the most out of his abilities.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR); Egerrin James (RB); Ken Lucas (CB); Bryan Pittman (C); Justin Griffith (FB); Colin Cole (DT).

Offseason Losses: Julian Peterson (LB); Leonard Weaver (FB); Bobby Engram (WR); Rocky Bernard (DT); Maurice Morris (RB).

Player to Watch: Aaron Curry, LB.
Curry was the most talented defensive player in the 2009 draft and the Hawks were fortunate that he slipped to them with the fourth pick because he could have gone No. 1 overall. Curry will start at strong-side linebacker and will also see action at defensive end. He’s a gifted, versatile athlete that can play multiple positions and once he learns the nuances of the pro game, he could excel as a pass rusher. He will also have an impact in pass coverage while blanketing tight ends with his excellent speed.

Team Strength: While their pass defense is a concern entering the season, the Seahawks’ run defense is not. Veteran middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu has excellent sideline-to-sideline speed, is tenacious and excels at shedding blocks. Tatupu will be aided by the re-signing of Leroy Hill, who is undersized but also a gifted playmaker. Julian Peterson won’t be easy to replace, but Curry is certainly up to the task – even as a rookie. What Curry brings to the field in terms of pass rushing ability and athleticism should more than make up for the trade of Peterson. As long as Curry doesn’t turn out to be a bust, this is an outstanding linebacker trio.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Torry Holt (WR); Tra Thomas (OT); Marlon McCree (S); Sean Considine (S).

Offseason Losses: Paul Spicer (DE); Mike Peterson (LB); Khalif Barnes (OT); Reggie Williams (WR); Matt Jones (WR); Chris Naeole (G); Fred Taylor (RB); Gerald Sensabaugh (S); Jerry Proter (WR); Drayton Florence (CB).

Player to Watch: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB.
Now that Fred Taylor is in New England, the spotlight is solely on the highly talented MJD this season. The Jaguars figure to rely on MJD in the same fashion as the Eagles have relied on Brian Westbrook throughout the years, which can be viewed as both a positive and a negative. While giving MJD more opportunities to make plays in the offense is a plus, he’s never had over 300 touches and he’s expected to get 330-350 touches this season. Nobody doubts his ability to succeed, but can he carry Jacksonville’s offense or will he wear down?

Team Strength: Injuries ravaged the offensive line last year and sunk the Jaguars’ entire season. Now healthy and bolstered by the selections of Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in the draft, Jacksonville’s strength should once again be the running game. The Jags did a nice job building depth along the offensive line in the offseason so if injuries do strike again, the team will be better prepared this time around. Jones-Drew is a budding star and as long as everyone stays healthy, Jacksonville will once again have one of the better rushing attacks in the AFC.

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