Tag: NFL (Page 26 of 34)

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Lito Sheppard (CB); Bart Scott (LB); Jim Leonhard (S); Jay Feely (K).

Offseason Losses: Chris Baker (TE); Laveranues Coles (WR); Eric Barton (LB); Mike Nugent (K); David Barrett (LB); Abram Elam (S); Kenyon Coleman (DE); Brett Ratliff (QB); Tony Richardson (RB).

Player to Watch: Mark Sanchez, QB.
The Jets paid a hefty price to acquire the fifth overall pick in April’s draft, trading their first and second round picks to the Browns, along with defensive end Kenyon Coleman, quarterback Brett Ratliff and underrated safety Abram Elam. After batting Kellen Clemens throughout the summer, Sanchez earned the starting quarterback job in preseason and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco and led his team to the playoffs as a rookie. While he’s been a tad inconsistent numbers-wise (which is common for a rookie QB), Sanchez has been impressive so far. He looks comfortable in the pocket, has showed good technique on his throws and has been able to make plays under pressure. If his performance in preseason is any indication of whether or not he’ll succeed in the NFL, then the Jets finally have a quarterback they can build around for the first time since Joe Namath.

Team Strength: There’s no doubt that the Jets will be able to run the football this year. They have a trio of capable backs in Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and rookie Shonn Greene, assuming of course that Jones doesn’t get traded at some point. The offensive line is outstanding, especially on the left side with athletic pass-blocker D’Brickashaw Ferguson at left tackle and outstanding run-blocker Alan Faneca at left guard. Nick Mangold anchors the line from his center position and Brandon Moore doesn’t get enough credit for being a powerful run-blocker. Veteran right tackle Damien Woody is a mauler and his skills fit nicely on a line that will once again open plenty of holes for its running backs this season.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Terrell Owens (WR); Dominic Rhodes (RB); Drayton Florence (CB); Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB); Geoff Hangartner (C).

Offseason Losses: Jason Peters (OT); Derrick Dockery (G); Angelo Crowell (LB); Jabari Greer (CB); Melvin Fowler (C); Duke Preston (C); Robert Royal (TE); J.P. Losman (QB).

Player to Watch: Terrell Owens, WR.
With how much attention he has drawn to himself since signing with Buffalo, is there anyone else that fits this section better than T.O.? Even though a toe injury has sidelined him for the entire preseason, Owens will be healthy and ready to play in the Bills’ season opener. While many expect him to tear the locker room apart as he did, well, everywhere else’s he’s been, don’t forget that Owens is usually a model citizen in his first year with a team. Expect T.O. to be more flamboyant in Buffalo than destructive…at least until he’s ready to tear quarterback Trent Edwards’ face off for not getting him the ball enough.

Team Strength: The Bills actually have a couple of strong positional groups this year, including wide receiver and defensive tackle. (The Bills always have the best special teams in the league as well, but who wants to talk about special teams?) But the secondary is the best unit on this team. Thanks to a pair of playmaking cornerbacks in Terence McGee and Leodis McKelvin, as well as solid free safety Donte Whitner, Buffalo is going to be hard to pass on this season. Throw in a savvy veteran like Bryan Scott (although Jairus Byrd or Ko Simpson could push him out as starter) at strong safety and the Bills are solid at all four defensive back positions. The nickel back position should be strong as well with the addition of free agent Drayton Florence and developing second-year player Reggie Corner.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Dre’ Bly (CB); Demetric Evans (DE); Brandon Jones (WR).

Offseason Losses: Jonas Jennings (OT); Bryant Johnson (WR); Tully Banta-Cain (LB); J.T. O’Sullivan (QB); Donald Strickland (CB).

Player to Watch: Glen Coffee, RB.
No, Coffee isn’t going to unseat Frank Gore as San Fran’s starting running back. But the third round pick out of Alabama has definitely earned some playing time after impressing coaches this preseason. Coffee has showed good burst, speed and blitz-pickup ability. The Niners are expecting to keep the ball mostly on the ground this season, so Coffee will get a fair amount of carries and could even emerge as a sleeper to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Team Strength: The 49ers boast a pair of solid running backs in Gore and Coffee. San Fran expects to use a 60-40 mix when it comes to running and passing, which means Gore and Coffee will get plenty of opportunities to make plays this season. Although Coffee has earned playing time with a terrific preseason, Gore will remain the backbone of the offense. He’ll get a sizeable workload in both the running and passing game and as long as the 49ers’ offensive line doesn’t hold him back, Gore is in store for a big season.

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