NFC East: Antonio Dixon
The weekly "Blogger Blitz" videos are up, and mine this week discusses the extent to which the Philadelphia Eagles have focused their offseason efforts on solidifying the middle of their defense. In spite of several moves they've already made at defensive tackle and the move to acquire a middle linebacker, the Eagles still could take a big defensive tackle in the first round of the draft two weeks from Thursday night.
So I was sitting here on Twitter, trolling for news, answering your questions and getting a kick out of the fact that Justin Tuck was watching (and tweeting about) the same "Big Bang Theory" rerun as me when it occurred to me that it was almost time to turn in and get some sleep. Before I did that, I just wanted to ask one question.
How was your day ...
Philadelphia Eagles?
"Surprising." You guys know I didn't think the Eagles intended to sign DeSean Jackson to a long-term contract, so when the news broke Wednesday afternoon that they had, I was stunned. It's a good deal for the Eagles, as almost all of the $15 million in guaranteed money is concentrated in the first two years and it saves them $6.6 million against this year's salary cap. And Jackson's happy because he's making a ton more than he did last season. The issue now is whether his production will rise along with his happiness. (And how long he'll stay happy, considering what other receivers are getting on the open market.) They signed Trent Cole to a four-year contract extension, and in the wake of the Jackson news the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that they were working on a new deal for running back LeSean McCoy.
The Eagles seem determined to take care of their own roster before dipping into the free-agent pool, so they're making little moves, too. Antonio Dixon signed his restricted free-agent tender, and Winston Justice got traded to the Colts in a deal that saw the teams swap sixth-round draft picks. That last was a salary dump, but it was one they needed to make. Guard Evan Mathis remains unsigned and is drawing interest elsewhere, but the Eagles still believe they have a good chance to bring him back.
One weird thing did happen. Late in the afternoon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy sent out a tweet in which he apologized to Bucs fans for being unable to lure free-agent linebacker Curtis Lofton to Tampa and said Lofton was going to sign with the Eagles. The Eagles quickly denied any contact with Lofton, and McCoy retracted his tweet. So it's tough to say what's going on there, but it bears watching. The Eagles need linebacker help, but the linebacker market is slow, so they can wait it out.
Dallas Cowboys?
"Outstanding." They got their top-choice cornerback, agreeing with Brandon Carr on a five-year, $50.1 million contract. They got their veteran, starter-quality backup quarterback, agreeing on a three-year deal with Kyle Orton. They added guard Mackenzy Bernadeau to their interior offensive line mix, where they needed (and still could use more) help. And they signed fullback Lawrence Vickers to replace Tony Fiammetta, who seems to want to go see what he can get on the market. According to ESPNDallas.com, they have visits scheduled in the coming days with free-agent safety Brodney Pool and free-agent guard Nate Livings, so they're still hard at work trying to fill needs. The names may not be the splashiest, but the Cowboys have been down those roads before, and this measured, focused, need-based approach looks like the right way for them to go. A lot of money for Carr, yes, but they desperately needed a top free-agent cornerback, and that's what they're going for this year.
Many Cowboys fans were upset to lose wide receiver Laurent Robinson, who came out of nowhere to catch 11 touchdown passes from Tony Romo in 2011. But the Cowboys were never going to pay him anything close to what the Jaguars ended up paying him ($32.5 million for five years), and they shouldn't have paid their No. 3 wide receiver that much. They were prepared to go without Robinson last year. He was a bonus, a lottery ticket that hit. They'll be fine with what they have at receiver, and they can fill in Robinson's spot the same way they did last year, when they sifted through a bunch of decent-looking candidates and came up with Robinson. Don't sweat that loss, Cowboys fans. The team has bigger worries and bigger needs.
New York Giants?
"A success." They flew former Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett in late Tuesday night, and they signed him Wednesday to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. They obviously see something they like in Bennett and believe that the coaching staff and quarterback Eli Manning can bring the best out of him, and they targeted and got him. They also got him on a very low-risk deal that will allow them to go in a different direction if he disappoints and their injured tight ends are healthy enough to return at the end of the season. Cowboys fans seem sure he will disappoint, and he very well may. But he's only 25 and he's got a ton of physical ability, so the Giants think maybe they're getting a guy right before he really takes off. The Giants also retained backup quarterback David Carr, which they wanted to do. What they'll do next I do not know. They need offensive line help and could use a veteran running back to replace Brandon Jacobs, but they'll be patient and target specific guys they like, because that's the way they operate. It seems to work for them.
Washington Redskins?
"Quieter." After racing out of the free-agent gates and signing two wide receivers before the sun went down on Tuesday, the Redskins made very little news Wednesday. Their trade with the Rams for the No. 2 pick in the draft became official, and we learned that they will host former Giants cornerback Aaron Ross for a free-agent visit Thursday in the hopes of adding him to their cornerback mix. They still haven't locked up Eddie Royal, who seemed poised to become their third free-agent wide receiver signing last night, and he's on his way to talk to the Chargers. And they have a visit set up with safety Brandon Meriweather. But the most-asked question about the Redskins is where they stand with free-agent linebacker London Fletcher, who was called a "top priority" in December by Mike Shanahan but remains unsigned. It's possible that this is where the salary-cap sanctions hurt the Redskins. Having lost $18 million in cap room this year (and $18 million next year) for violating the other owners' sense of spending propriety during the uncapped 2010 season, the Redskins might find a Fletcher signing trickier than, say, a Pierre Garcon signing. Garcon is 25, and they can spread out his contract and the resulting cap hit over five years. Fletcher is 36, and any deal with him is much more likely to be front-loaded. That doesn't mean they can't bring him back, but it could make it a little more difficult. Just a theory I heard from someone I talked to today.
My day was excellent, and I enjoyed spending it here and on Twitter with you. Much more to come Thursday and beyond.
How was your day ...
Philadelphia Eagles?
"Surprising." You guys know I didn't think the Eagles intended to sign DeSean Jackson to a long-term contract, so when the news broke Wednesday afternoon that they had, I was stunned. It's a good deal for the Eagles, as almost all of the $15 million in guaranteed money is concentrated in the first two years and it saves them $6.6 million against this year's salary cap. And Jackson's happy because he's making a ton more than he did last season. The issue now is whether his production will rise along with his happiness. (And how long he'll stay happy, considering what other receivers are getting on the open market.) They signed Trent Cole to a four-year contract extension, and in the wake of the Jackson news the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that they were working on a new deal for running back LeSean McCoy.
The Eagles seem determined to take care of their own roster before dipping into the free-agent pool, so they're making little moves, too. Antonio Dixon signed his restricted free-agent tender, and Winston Justice got traded to the Colts in a deal that saw the teams swap sixth-round draft picks. That last was a salary dump, but it was one they needed to make. Guard Evan Mathis remains unsigned and is drawing interest elsewhere, but the Eagles still believe they have a good chance to bring him back.
One weird thing did happen. Late in the afternoon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy sent out a tweet in which he apologized to Bucs fans for being unable to lure free-agent linebacker Curtis Lofton to Tampa and said Lofton was going to sign with the Eagles. The Eagles quickly denied any contact with Lofton, and McCoy retracted his tweet. So it's tough to say what's going on there, but it bears watching. The Eagles need linebacker help, but the linebacker market is slow, so they can wait it out.
Dallas Cowboys?
"Outstanding." They got their top-choice cornerback, agreeing with Brandon Carr on a five-year, $50.1 million contract. They got their veteran, starter-quality backup quarterback, agreeing on a three-year deal with Kyle Orton. They added guard Mackenzy Bernadeau to their interior offensive line mix, where they needed (and still could use more) help. And they signed fullback Lawrence Vickers to replace Tony Fiammetta, who seems to want to go see what he can get on the market. According to ESPNDallas.com, they have visits scheduled in the coming days with free-agent safety Brodney Pool and free-agent guard Nate Livings, so they're still hard at work trying to fill needs. The names may not be the splashiest, but the Cowboys have been down those roads before, and this measured, focused, need-based approach looks like the right way for them to go. A lot of money for Carr, yes, but they desperately needed a top free-agent cornerback, and that's what they're going for this year.
Many Cowboys fans were upset to lose wide receiver Laurent Robinson, who came out of nowhere to catch 11 touchdown passes from Tony Romo in 2011. But the Cowboys were never going to pay him anything close to what the Jaguars ended up paying him ($32.5 million for five years), and they shouldn't have paid their No. 3 wide receiver that much. They were prepared to go without Robinson last year. He was a bonus, a lottery ticket that hit. They'll be fine with what they have at receiver, and they can fill in Robinson's spot the same way they did last year, when they sifted through a bunch of decent-looking candidates and came up with Robinson. Don't sweat that loss, Cowboys fans. The team has bigger worries and bigger needs.
New York Giants?
"A success." They flew former Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett in late Tuesday night, and they signed him Wednesday to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. They obviously see something they like in Bennett and believe that the coaching staff and quarterback Eli Manning can bring the best out of him, and they targeted and got him. They also got him on a very low-risk deal that will allow them to go in a different direction if he disappoints and their injured tight ends are healthy enough to return at the end of the season. Cowboys fans seem sure he will disappoint, and he very well may. But he's only 25 and he's got a ton of physical ability, so the Giants think maybe they're getting a guy right before he really takes off. The Giants also retained backup quarterback David Carr, which they wanted to do. What they'll do next I do not know. They need offensive line help and could use a veteran running back to replace Brandon Jacobs, but they'll be patient and target specific guys they like, because that's the way they operate. It seems to work for them.
Washington Redskins?
"Quieter." After racing out of the free-agent gates and signing two wide receivers before the sun went down on Tuesday, the Redskins made very little news Wednesday. Their trade with the Rams for the No. 2 pick in the draft became official, and we learned that they will host former Giants cornerback Aaron Ross for a free-agent visit Thursday in the hopes of adding him to their cornerback mix. They still haven't locked up Eddie Royal, who seemed poised to become their third free-agent wide receiver signing last night, and he's on his way to talk to the Chargers. And they have a visit set up with safety Brandon Meriweather. But the most-asked question about the Redskins is where they stand with free-agent linebacker London Fletcher, who was called a "top priority" in December by Mike Shanahan but remains unsigned. It's possible that this is where the salary-cap sanctions hurt the Redskins. Having lost $18 million in cap room this year (and $18 million next year) for violating the other owners' sense of spending propriety during the uncapped 2010 season, the Redskins might find a Fletcher signing trickier than, say, a Pierre Garcon signing. Garcon is 25, and they can spread out his contract and the resulting cap hit over five years. Fletcher is 36, and any deal with him is much more likely to be front-loaded. That doesn't mean they can't bring him back, but it could make it a little more difficult. Just a theory I heard from someone I talked to today.
My day was excellent, and I enjoyed spending it here and on Twitter with you. Much more to come Thursday and beyond.
Determined either to have the most boring first few days of free agency ever or to clear cap room for a big surprise move or two down the road, the Philadelphia Eagles continued to make small, internal moves Wednesday.
They traded offensive tackle Winston Justice and a sixth-round draft pick (the 17th pick in that round) to the Indianapolis Colts for the Colts' sixth-round draft pick (the second pick in that round). And they also announced that restricted free-agent defensive tackle Antonio Dixon has signed his one-year contract tender and will return to the team next year.
The Dixon signing is important. They view him as a key piece to their defensive line rotation and a player who has yet to reach his full potential. He'll play for about $1.9 million in 2012.
The Justice trade feels like a salary dump and it is. Justice's cap cost was $4.2 million this year, and the Eagles surely believe they can find a backup tackle somewhere who will cost them less. With Jason Peters and Todd Herremans set at the starting tackle positions, Justice was expendable, and they move up 15 spots in the sixth round while dumping his salary.
As for which linebackers they're looking at, your guess remains as good as mine. I still think they should get London Fletcher, and maybe all of this tinkering is setting up for a move like that. But the Eagles so far are quiet, which is the way they like it.
NFL Free-Agency Coverage
• FA Tracker | Rumor Central 
• Free-agency blog: Latest analysis
• Yasinskas: Bucs make splash
• Joyner: Jackson perfect for Tampa
• Sando: Finnegan a building block
• Kuharsky: Wayne will set tone in Indy
• Graziano: Skins bet on WRs
• Seifert: Bears take care of Cutler
• Scouts: Deal great for Bears
• Scouts Inc.: Top 50 free agents
• Joyner: Best free-agent values
The Dixon signing is important. They view him as a key piece to their defensive line rotation and a player who has yet to reach his full potential. He'll play for about $1.9 million in 2012.
The Justice trade feels like a salary dump and it is. Justice's cap cost was $4.2 million this year, and the Eagles surely believe they can find a backup tackle somewhere who will cost them less. With Jason Peters and Todd Herremans set at the starting tackle positions, Justice was expendable, and they move up 15 spots in the sixth round while dumping his salary.
As for which linebackers they're looking at, your guess remains as good as mine. I still think they should get London Fletcher, and maybe all of this tinkering is setting up for a move like that. But the Eagles so far are quiet, which is the way they like it.
Morning. The new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET, and while two of our teams may have less to spend than they initially thought, it promises to be an interesting day on which speculation finally begins converting to reality. No longer must we wonder what our teams will do once free agency begins. Today, we get to watch and see.
At this hour, it is still technically not yet the new league year. So one last time, our links are in order of this past year's division standings. Tomorrow, they'll be alphabetical again.
New York Giants
Old friend Kevin Boss has been released by the Raiders. Lots of people were asking, in the wake of this news, whether this meant he'd come back to the Giants. It makes perfect sense to me. Boss knows the system. The Giants need a tight end. He's not likely to cost anything near what he cost last year. He probably regrets leaving. Why not? If he's healthy, the Giants need to at least look at it.
Free-agent running back Mike Tolbert says he wants to be the guy to replace Brandon Jacobs in New York. I say it's a great fit. Tolbert is a different kind of back than Ahmad Bradshaw is. He's used to being in a committee situation and apparently wouldn't mind being in one again. He's good enough to be an every-down guy if and when Bradshaw has to miss a game. Tolbert and Michael Bush, two starter-quality free agents who have been operating in running back committees, make the most sense as Jacobs replacements if the Giants can afford them. The question now for Tolbert is how much he expects to make. They're right up against the salary cap, which is why Jacobs is gone in the first place.
Philadelphia Eagles
Rich Hofmann wonders if free agency will be the time when the Eagles, who should be feeling a sense of urgency about the coming season, start to show it. I don't think that's how the Eagles roll. And while they might make a signing or two (Rich raises the London Fletcher possibility we discussed here last week), they're not likely to go nuts the way they did a year ago. Those players are all still there, or the good ones are at least, and they believe they'll perform better in Year 2.
The Eagles did take care of restricted free agent Antonio Dixon on Monday, tendering him at second-round level. If any team wants to sign him to an offer sheet, the Eagles will have seven days to match the offer or receive a second-round pick from the team that wants him. Basically means he's not likely to go anywhere.
Dallas Cowboys
Jean-Jacques Taylor writes that the salary-cap sanctions against the Cowboys show that Jerry Jones doesn't wield the same power he used to in an NFL that's become a Roger Goodell dictatorship. I don't think that's what happened here. It wasn't Goodell who pushed for these sanctions, but rather the other owners. And it does bear mentioning that the new chairman of the NFL Management Council, which issued the sanctions, is Giants owner John Mara. Jones and the Redskins' Dan Snyder likely flaunted the 2010 guidelines because they saw that they constituted illegal collusion and figured the NFL would have to admit to such if it ever wanted to call them on it. They just didn't count on the NFL getting its union to go along with the punishment, which effectively cut off their avenue for complaint.
Todd Archer explains what you really want to know if you're a Cowboys fan -- why the sanctions announced Monday don't necessarily kill the Cowboys' plans to use free agency to fill the many holes on their roster.
Washington Redskins
Regardless of the sanctions, the Redskins still need to be active and intelligent in free agency, according to Mike Jones and Mark Maske, who run down some of the Skins' potential moves. One name that popped on the market late Monday is that of right tackle Eric Winston, who was released by the Houston Texans in a surprise move and should be one of the Redskins' first phone calls this afternoon.
Dan Daly writes that the sanctions are a disgrace, and that the Redskins were negligent for allowing them to happen. Strong take, but again, I'm not sure I agree. The Redskins broke no rule whatsoever. They simply acted in a way that upset their competitors. Unfortunately for them, the NFL is a business in which their competitors have the ability to band together and punish them for behavior they don't like. I guess the Redskins should have known that, but (a) it strikes me as having been worth a shot and (b) they have so much cap room this year that it's unlikely to matter too much anyway.
At this hour, it is still technically not yet the new league year. So one last time, our links are in order of this past year's division standings. Tomorrow, they'll be alphabetical again.
New York Giants
Old friend Kevin Boss has been released by the Raiders. Lots of people were asking, in the wake of this news, whether this meant he'd come back to the Giants. It makes perfect sense to me. Boss knows the system. The Giants need a tight end. He's not likely to cost anything near what he cost last year. He probably regrets leaving. Why not? If he's healthy, the Giants need to at least look at it.
Free-agent running back Mike Tolbert says he wants to be the guy to replace Brandon Jacobs in New York. I say it's a great fit. Tolbert is a different kind of back than Ahmad Bradshaw is. He's used to being in a committee situation and apparently wouldn't mind being in one again. He's good enough to be an every-down guy if and when Bradshaw has to miss a game. Tolbert and Michael Bush, two starter-quality free agents who have been operating in running back committees, make the most sense as Jacobs replacements if the Giants can afford them. The question now for Tolbert is how much he expects to make. They're right up against the salary cap, which is why Jacobs is gone in the first place.
Philadelphia Eagles
Rich Hofmann wonders if free agency will be the time when the Eagles, who should be feeling a sense of urgency about the coming season, start to show it. I don't think that's how the Eagles roll. And while they might make a signing or two (Rich raises the London Fletcher possibility we discussed here last week), they're not likely to go nuts the way they did a year ago. Those players are all still there, or the good ones are at least, and they believe they'll perform better in Year 2.
The Eagles did take care of restricted free agent Antonio Dixon on Monday, tendering him at second-round level. If any team wants to sign him to an offer sheet, the Eagles will have seven days to match the offer or receive a second-round pick from the team that wants him. Basically means he's not likely to go anywhere.
Dallas Cowboys
Jean-Jacques Taylor writes that the salary-cap sanctions against the Cowboys show that Jerry Jones doesn't wield the same power he used to in an NFL that's become a Roger Goodell dictatorship. I don't think that's what happened here. It wasn't Goodell who pushed for these sanctions, but rather the other owners. And it does bear mentioning that the new chairman of the NFL Management Council, which issued the sanctions, is Giants owner John Mara. Jones and the Redskins' Dan Snyder likely flaunted the 2010 guidelines because they saw that they constituted illegal collusion and figured the NFL would have to admit to such if it ever wanted to call them on it. They just didn't count on the NFL getting its union to go along with the punishment, which effectively cut off their avenue for complaint.
Todd Archer explains what you really want to know if you're a Cowboys fan -- why the sanctions announced Monday don't necessarily kill the Cowboys' plans to use free agency to fill the many holes on their roster.
Washington Redskins
Regardless of the sanctions, the Redskins still need to be active and intelligent in free agency, according to Mike Jones and Mark Maske, who run down some of the Skins' potential moves. One name that popped on the market late Monday is that of right tackle Eric Winston, who was released by the Houston Texans in a surprise move and should be one of the Redskins' first phone calls this afternoon.
Dan Daly writes that the sanctions are a disgrace, and that the Redskins were negligent for allowing them to happen. Strong take, but again, I'm not sure I agree. The Redskins broke no rule whatsoever. They simply acted in a way that upset their competitors. Unfortunately for them, the NFL is a business in which their competitors have the ability to band together and punish them for behavior they don't like. I guess the Redskins should have known that, but (a) it strikes me as having been worth a shot and (b) they have so much cap room this year that it's unlikely to matter too much anyway.
Good morning to you in the East. After a long stretch in which not much has happened, this past weekend saw the start of some very real action. The Redskins' trade up to get the No. 2 pick in next month's draft was the first truly significant offseason move by any of our four teams, and this week will bring more. Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET is the start of free agency, and in a few days the shifting, updating 2012 rosters of our division's four teams will begin to give us some clues as to what might happen in the coming season. It's an exciting time, for me as well as for you, and I look forward to a fun week.
We'll have the usual free-agent bells and whistles. Those of you who remember "How was your day?" from last summer will be happy to know I'm planning to bring that back, for instance. And the goal is to have a post reacting to every signing as they happen, so it shouldn't be a problem to keep the blog fresh and updated.
One thing on which you know you can always count, however, is the reliable morning presence of your hot, fresh links.
New York Giants
Ohm offers a Giants free-agency primer over at ESPNNewYork.com. It's very thorough and will get you set up to follow the Giants in the coming week. Interesting that Ohm seems to think the return of Steve Smith as the team's No. 3 wide receiver is a very real possibility.
It looks as though the Giants have completed their 2012 coaching staff with the hiring of Temple assistant coach Matt Rhule to replace Jack Bicknell Jr. as assistant offensive line coach. The Giants' coaching staff was picked over a bit in the wake of their Super Bowl victory, as often happens, but replacements have been found for everyone.
Philadelphia Eagles
The run of free-agency primers continues with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer breaking down the decisions the Eagles have to make with their own free agents, including important players such as Evan Mathis, Antonio Dixon and Derek Landri. Jeff thinks that, if they lose Mathis, they'll try to mine the middle rounds of the draft for a replacement, since Howard Mudd-type linemen (like Jason Kelce) are available later in the draft.
And Les Bowen of the Daily News takes a look at what the Eagles might do externally on the free-agent market. Again, as I and many others have been writing recently, don't expect a repeat of last year's Eagles free-agent frenzy. They may go out and add a piece or two, but they're not likely to be this year's offseason headline-grabbers.
Dallas Cowboys
Tim MacMahon and Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com have a Hot Button debate about what the Cowboys' free-agency priority should be. Tim says they'd be wiser to spend on a guard such as Carl Nicks than to throw money at big-name cornerbacks who will end up disappointing them. Calvin says the need for cornerback is their most glaring and should be addressed. I'm inclined to side with Calvin, but Tim makes his case very convincingly. Anyway, you can vote!
Blogging the Boys has some Cowboys free-agency predictions. It believes the team will swiftly come to an agreement with wide receiver Laurent Robinson (I'm not so sure) and sign both cornerback Brandon Carr and guard Carl Nicks, effectively taking both sides in the aforementioned ESPNDallas.com Hot Button debate. Hey, everybody's allowed to dream.
Washington Redskins
Sally Jenkins believes that Robert Griffin III's background and upbringing as a self-described "military kid" tells you more about who he is and why he's worth betting on than anything he's done on the field.
The Redskins' big draft trade Friday night has had the effect of energizing the fan base and prompting some season-ticket renewals, Rich Campbell writes. This is a look into one of many reasons quarterback is so important in the NFL. If you have a viable quarterback (or, in this case, the chance to get one), your fans have reason to believe. If you don't, they don't.
We'll have the usual free-agent bells and whistles. Those of you who remember "How was your day?" from last summer will be happy to know I'm planning to bring that back, for instance. And the goal is to have a post reacting to every signing as they happen, so it shouldn't be a problem to keep the blog fresh and updated.
One thing on which you know you can always count, however, is the reliable morning presence of your hot, fresh links.
New York Giants
Ohm offers a Giants free-agency primer over at ESPNNewYork.com. It's very thorough and will get you set up to follow the Giants in the coming week. Interesting that Ohm seems to think the return of Steve Smith as the team's No. 3 wide receiver is a very real possibility.
It looks as though the Giants have completed their 2012 coaching staff with the hiring of Temple assistant coach Matt Rhule to replace Jack Bicknell Jr. as assistant offensive line coach. The Giants' coaching staff was picked over a bit in the wake of their Super Bowl victory, as often happens, but replacements have been found for everyone.
Philadelphia Eagles
The run of free-agency primers continues with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer breaking down the decisions the Eagles have to make with their own free agents, including important players such as Evan Mathis, Antonio Dixon and Derek Landri. Jeff thinks that, if they lose Mathis, they'll try to mine the middle rounds of the draft for a replacement, since Howard Mudd-type linemen (like Jason Kelce) are available later in the draft.
And Les Bowen of the Daily News takes a look at what the Eagles might do externally on the free-agent market. Again, as I and many others have been writing recently, don't expect a repeat of last year's Eagles free-agent frenzy. They may go out and add a piece or two, but they're not likely to be this year's offseason headline-grabbers.
Dallas Cowboys
Tim MacMahon and Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com have a Hot Button debate about what the Cowboys' free-agency priority should be. Tim says they'd be wiser to spend on a guard such as Carl Nicks than to throw money at big-name cornerbacks who will end up disappointing them. Calvin says the need for cornerback is their most glaring and should be addressed. I'm inclined to side with Calvin, but Tim makes his case very convincingly. Anyway, you can vote!
Blogging the Boys has some Cowboys free-agency predictions. It believes the team will swiftly come to an agreement with wide receiver Laurent Robinson (I'm not so sure) and sign both cornerback Brandon Carr and guard Carl Nicks, effectively taking both sides in the aforementioned ESPNDallas.com Hot Button debate. Hey, everybody's allowed to dream.
Washington Redskins
Sally Jenkins believes that Robert Griffin III's background and upbringing as a self-described "military kid" tells you more about who he is and why he's worth betting on than anything he's done on the field.
The Redskins' big draft trade Friday night has had the effect of energizing the fan base and prompting some season-ticket renewals, Rich Campbell writes. This is a look into one of many reasons quarterback is so important in the NFL. If you have a viable quarterback (or, in this case, the chance to get one), your fans have reason to believe. If you don't, they don't.
Breakfast links: Redskins draft thoughts
February, 17, 2012
Feb 17
8:00
AM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
Friday links require no introduction.
New York Giants
The one drawback to winning the Super Bowl is that you have to wait a month longer than everyone else does to have your postseason surgeries. But David Diehl said his hand will be fine, and he enjoyed taking part in a Wrestlemania news conference Thursday at MetLife Stadium.
Victor Cruz continued his star turn with a stint at Fashion Week as a guest of Tommy Hilfiger. Really, that's all I've got. I looked and looked and looked for a second Giants link. My guess is that everyone who writes about the Giants is still sleeping off the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles GM Howie Roseman has nothing but good things to say, publicly, about DeSean Jackson and wanting him on the team. This is no surprise. What will be a surprise is if the Eagles don't exercise their right to make Jackson their franchise player at some point in the next couple of weeks, then look into trading him.
Other than Jackson, the Eagles have the looming free agency of players like Evan Mathis and Antonio Dixon to consider. Mathis in particular was a major contributor at left guard in 2011, and the Eagles likely will have interest in keeping him off the open market by doing a new deal as soon as possible.
Dallas Cowboys
ESPNDallas.com's position-by-position series took a look at outside linebacker and the decision on whether or not to franchise Anthony Spencer. Tim MacMahon believes that the $8.8 million franchise number is too much to pay a "non-impact player," and that a long-term deal for Spencer would have the effect of "rewarding mediocrity." I guess my question is whether they can upgrade the position. Spencer may not be the impact player Cowboys fans want him to be, but he's hardly the worst outside linebacker in the league. Unless they can find someone better, or get a guy like Courtney Upshaw in the draft, it may be wise to keep Spencer around until a better solution presents itself.
Clarence Hill says the Cowboys are likely to end up with more than the $12.667 million in cap room they're already projected to have, once they cut Terence Newman and restructure some deals, and that they plan to be aggressive in free agency and use it. Which is good. Teams should use their cap room, I think.
Washington Redskins
Rich Campbell takes a look at the reasons Peyton Manning would be a fit with Mike Shanahan in Washington, and the possible enticements a pairing with Shanahan would offer for Manning.
Todd McShay's draft conference call Thursday was big news in Washington. He spoke about the potential of Ryan Tannehill creeping up into the top half of the first round and said, off the top of his head, that he thought it would take a first-round pick, a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick to trade up to No. 2 overall and get Robert Griffin III. Based on the draft value chart teams use to evaluate the worth of draft picks against each other, it looks as though Todd is underestimating the cost, especially if more than one team is interested in the deal. I think, if the Redskins could get the No. 2 pick for that price, they should do it. But I think it'll cost more.
New York Giants
The one drawback to winning the Super Bowl is that you have to wait a month longer than everyone else does to have your postseason surgeries. But David Diehl said his hand will be fine, and he enjoyed taking part in a Wrestlemania news conference Thursday at MetLife Stadium.
Victor Cruz continued his star turn with a stint at Fashion Week as a guest of Tommy Hilfiger. Really, that's all I've got. I looked and looked and looked for a second Giants link. My guess is that everyone who writes about the Giants is still sleeping off the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles GM Howie Roseman has nothing but good things to say, publicly, about DeSean Jackson and wanting him on the team. This is no surprise. What will be a surprise is if the Eagles don't exercise their right to make Jackson their franchise player at some point in the next couple of weeks, then look into trading him.
Other than Jackson, the Eagles have the looming free agency of players like Evan Mathis and Antonio Dixon to consider. Mathis in particular was a major contributor at left guard in 2011, and the Eagles likely will have interest in keeping him off the open market by doing a new deal as soon as possible.
Dallas Cowboys
ESPNDallas.com's position-by-position series took a look at outside linebacker and the decision on whether or not to franchise Anthony Spencer. Tim MacMahon believes that the $8.8 million franchise number is too much to pay a "non-impact player," and that a long-term deal for Spencer would have the effect of "rewarding mediocrity." I guess my question is whether they can upgrade the position. Spencer may not be the impact player Cowboys fans want him to be, but he's hardly the worst outside linebacker in the league. Unless they can find someone better, or get a guy like Courtney Upshaw in the draft, it may be wise to keep Spencer around until a better solution presents itself.
Clarence Hill says the Cowboys are likely to end up with more than the $12.667 million in cap room they're already projected to have, once they cut Terence Newman and restructure some deals, and that they plan to be aggressive in free agency and use it. Which is good. Teams should use their cap room, I think.
Washington Redskins
Rich Campbell takes a look at the reasons Peyton Manning would be a fit with Mike Shanahan in Washington, and the possible enticements a pairing with Shanahan would offer for Manning.
Todd McShay's draft conference call Thursday was big news in Washington. He spoke about the potential of Ryan Tannehill creeping up into the top half of the first round and said, off the top of his head, that he thought it would take a first-round pick, a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick to trade up to No. 2 overall and get Robert Griffin III. Based on the draft value chart teams use to evaluate the worth of draft picks against each other, it looks as though Todd is underestimating the cost, especially if more than one team is interested in the deal. I think, if the Redskins could get the No. 2 pick for that price, they should do it. But I think it'll cost more.
Friday links require no introduction.
New York Giants
What would you like to know about Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks? Elizabeth Merrill has you covered in this week's Hot Read, which details where they came from, how they got here and what they're doing to make sure and maintain their early professional success.
Dave D'Alessandro looks at the Osi Umenyiora situation, which right now is that Osi had decided not to talk about the lingering contract issue that will rear its head again once this is all over and instead focus on making plays and inspiring his defensive teammates to do the same.
Philadelphia Eagles
What are the Eagles' options at defensive coordinator now that Steve Spagnuolo has signed with the Saints? Les Bowen takes a look, though the more you read and think about this, the more you figure they're just going to stick with the guy they already have.
The Eagles' team website is doing a position-by-position breakdown of the offseason and this installment focuses on defensive tackle, where they have two strong starters in Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson but need to get more production out of the rotational players behind them. A healthy Antonio Dixon, for example, would be a big help.
Dallas Cowboys
Head coach Jason Garrett says sure, he could see himself giving up play-calling duties somewhere down the line. It's just not going to happen in 2012. Remember, this guy has job security. The owner has thrown his support behind him and pointed out that Garrett is "just getting started" as a head coach. Garrett doesn't have to make changes out of concern for his job, and that's actually the way it should be if you have a young head coach and you want to put him in a position to succeed.
Jean-Jacques Taylor takes his turn in ESPNDallas.com's "Fixing the Cowboys" series, and he thinks the biggest issue that needs fixing is the Cowboys' fragile psyche. Not sure how you address that, except by winning. And they did finish the two seasons prior to this one fairly strong, if I recall.
Washington Redskins
Yeah, the Redskins writers all got on the Mel Kiper Jr. conference call Thursday to ask about quarterbacks. What Mel had to offer wasn't exactly encouraging. With the Colts set to pick Andrew Luck at No. 1 and it looking increasingly likely that Washington would need to trade up to get Robert Griffin III, the possibilities include Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles and the gigantic Brock Osweiler. You know, or Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning in free agency. Long way to go here, folks.
Of course, as Dan Steinberg writes, there's suddenly a hot Washington rumor that the Redskins have already chosen their 2012 quarterback. Though the circumstances of said rumor seem sketchy at best.
New York Giants
What would you like to know about Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks? Elizabeth Merrill has you covered in this week's Hot Read, which details where they came from, how they got here and what they're doing to make sure and maintain their early professional success.
Dave D'Alessandro looks at the Osi Umenyiora situation, which right now is that Osi had decided not to talk about the lingering contract issue that will rear its head again once this is all over and instead focus on making plays and inspiring his defensive teammates to do the same.
Philadelphia Eagles
What are the Eagles' options at defensive coordinator now that Steve Spagnuolo has signed with the Saints? Les Bowen takes a look, though the more you read and think about this, the more you figure they're just going to stick with the guy they already have.
The Eagles' team website is doing a position-by-position breakdown of the offseason and this installment focuses on defensive tackle, where they have two strong starters in Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson but need to get more production out of the rotational players behind them. A healthy Antonio Dixon, for example, would be a big help.
Dallas Cowboys
Head coach Jason Garrett says sure, he could see himself giving up play-calling duties somewhere down the line. It's just not going to happen in 2012. Remember, this guy has job security. The owner has thrown his support behind him and pointed out that Garrett is "just getting started" as a head coach. Garrett doesn't have to make changes out of concern for his job, and that's actually the way it should be if you have a young head coach and you want to put him in a position to succeed.
Jean-Jacques Taylor takes his turn in ESPNDallas.com's "Fixing the Cowboys" series, and he thinks the biggest issue that needs fixing is the Cowboys' fragile psyche. Not sure how you address that, except by winning. And they did finish the two seasons prior to this one fairly strong, if I recall.
Washington Redskins
Yeah, the Redskins writers all got on the Mel Kiper Jr. conference call Thursday to ask about quarterbacks. What Mel had to offer wasn't exactly encouraging. With the Colts set to pick Andrew Luck at No. 1 and it looking increasingly likely that Washington would need to trade up to get Robert Griffin III, the possibilities include Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles and the gigantic Brock Osweiler. You know, or Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning in free agency. Long way to go here, folks.
Of course, as Dan Steinberg writes, there's suddenly a hot Washington rumor that the Redskins have already chosen their 2012 quarterback. Though the circumstances of said rumor seem sketchy at best.
Breakfast links: Emmitt rips Cowboys
December, 30, 2011
12/30/11
8:00
AM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
Oh baby. Just two more days until... well, if you don't know, what are you doing here? Mooching links? That works. Plenty for everyone.
New York Giants
Even all these years later, the Giants carry the legacy of Lawrence Taylor and the urgency to play like crazed dogs. For that reason, Ian O'Connor writes, it's up to Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul to set the tone and win the must-win game against the Cowboys this Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.
Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell believes the Giants' defense played pretty well in the 37-34 victory over the Cowboys in Week 14 in Dallas, and that the problem was just a couple of specific breakdowns in the secondary. As you'd expect, Fewell and the Giants' defense believe they have those things corrected.
Dallas Cowboys
Emmitt Smith, one of the greatest and toughest players in the history of the NFL, wonders whether the Cowboys have the mental toughness they need to be champions. Tony Romo says they do. In other news, sometimes I miss covering baseball, where there's a game every night and people have less time to jabber about senseless garbage.
As for Romo, his bruised right hand remains an issue, as he's been practicing and throwing but has yet to take a snap from center since banging his hand on Jason Babin's helmet last Saturday. My feeling on this is that Romo will undoubtedly play Sunday, but that we won't know until we see him try to throw how much the hand injury really is affecting him.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeff McLane takes a look at the 12 pending free agents the Eagles have and the decisions that will, won't or should be made on each of them. Jeff thinks DeSean Jackson, Antonio Dixon and Derek Landri should be back, and that Trevor Laws and Owen Schmitt should not. You take a look and let me know what you think.
Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo thinks Eagles safety Nate Allen will be a Pro Bowler some day. The first thing everyone who reads this is thinking is: "Will Castillo be his coach when that happens?"
Washington Redskins
Mike Shanahan says he has no doubt he'll be back next season as coach of the Redskins, quickly adding that he hopes owner Dan Snyder feels the same way. Shanahan is two years deep into a five-year contract and certain to get a chance to see it through. As you already know, I will be talking with Shanahan today. I appreciate all of the questions I have received from you guys, and will endeavor to ask as many of them as I can.
One thing that's working the way Shanahan hopes and expects it to is the running game, where there seems to be a different star every week and rookie Evan Royster was the star this week, as it seems we can add him to the list of very good running backs on whom the Redskins plan to rely in 2012.
New York Giants
Even all these years later, the Giants carry the legacy of Lawrence Taylor and the urgency to play like crazed dogs. For that reason, Ian O'Connor writes, it's up to Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul to set the tone and win the must-win game against the Cowboys this Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.
Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell believes the Giants' defense played pretty well in the 37-34 victory over the Cowboys in Week 14 in Dallas, and that the problem was just a couple of specific breakdowns in the secondary. As you'd expect, Fewell and the Giants' defense believe they have those things corrected.
Dallas Cowboys
Emmitt Smith, one of the greatest and toughest players in the history of the NFL, wonders whether the Cowboys have the mental toughness they need to be champions. Tony Romo says they do. In other news, sometimes I miss covering baseball, where there's a game every night and people have less time to jabber about senseless garbage.
As for Romo, his bruised right hand remains an issue, as he's been practicing and throwing but has yet to take a snap from center since banging his hand on Jason Babin's helmet last Saturday. My feeling on this is that Romo will undoubtedly play Sunday, but that we won't know until we see him try to throw how much the hand injury really is affecting him.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeff McLane takes a look at the 12 pending free agents the Eagles have and the decisions that will, won't or should be made on each of them. Jeff thinks DeSean Jackson, Antonio Dixon and Derek Landri should be back, and that Trevor Laws and Owen Schmitt should not. You take a look and let me know what you think.
Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo thinks Eagles safety Nate Allen will be a Pro Bowler some day. The first thing everyone who reads this is thinking is: "Will Castillo be his coach when that happens?"
Washington Redskins
Mike Shanahan says he has no doubt he'll be back next season as coach of the Redskins, quickly adding that he hopes owner Dan Snyder feels the same way. Shanahan is two years deep into a five-year contract and certain to get a chance to see it through. As you already know, I will be talking with Shanahan today. I appreciate all of the questions I have received from you guys, and will endeavor to ask as many of them as I can.
One thing that's working the way Shanahan hopes and expects it to is the running game, where there seems to be a different star every week and rookie Evan Royster was the star this week, as it seems we can add him to the list of very good running backs on whom the Redskins plan to rely in 2012.
Lively day yesterday in the comments, folks! Love the action. Just love it. But after a day of defending my manhood and my ability to do my job, it's always nice to relax with some nice, mellow, reliable links.
Washington Redskins
Phillip Buchanon has had his drug suspension lifted and was back on the practice field Tuesday. It sounds as though he could be worked into the defensive back rotation right away in the team's Week 6 game against the Eagles, which would help deepen a Redskins' secondary that's been the one part of the defense that looks as though it could use a little help.
Ryan Torain didn't mind sitting for the first three games of the season. He says he's used to having to be patient -- that it's the story of his career, really. And he was happy for his Week 4 chance to show the coaches what he could do.
New York Giants
Ohm Youngmisuk writes that Jerry Reese isn't surprised by the Giants' hot start, and we know Reese isn't just blowing smoke because he said in August that he thought he had a playoff team in spite of his relative inactivity in free agency. It has to make Reese feel good to see the Eagles struggle while his team has started 3-1, as much grief has he took for doing nothing while Philly loaded up. Long way to go yet, but so far, Reese looks like the one who knew what he was doing.
The Redskins aren't the only first-place NFC East team adding cornerback depth, as the Giants have signed former Colts corner Justin Tryon to add to the bench mix behind starters Corey Webster and Aaron Ross. I don't think this means anything about the timetable for Prince Amukamara's recovery from his injury, but even once Amukamara is healthy, he'll still be a rookie with a screw in his foot, and depth in the secondary is a good thing for the Giants to be pursuing at this point.
Dallas Cowboys
Tim MacMahon writes that the Cowboys have no choice but to stick with Tony Romo and ride the Romo-coaster through all of its ups and downs. That appears to be what they're doing, though Tim seems to wonder if the team's belief in Romo's talent needs to be weighed against its own high championship standards of years past.
Tyron Smith is a young man of few words, and the few he's using indicate that he's taking that Willie Young sack from Sunday's final minute pretty hard. I don't think he should. Smith's been outstanding for the Cowboys all year and was outstanding all day Sunday until letting Young through on what he called "bad technique." It's good to see him wanting to build off a mistake, but his overall body of work to this point is something of which he should be very proud.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sheil Kapadia's must-read weekly player-by-player review of the Eagles' game reveals that the second half of the 49ers game was the most the offensive line has struggled all season, with right guard Kyle DeVan and right tackle Todd Herremans having a particularly hard time against a strong San Francisco front.
Depth on the defensive line has been a strength for the Eagles, but it's being challenged now by injury. Antonio Dixon is on injured reserve and out for the year with a triceps tear, so the team re-signed defensive tackle Derek Landri, whom they liked in training camp, to replace him. If they can stay deep at defensive tackle, they could conceivably play Cullen Jenkins at end sometimes, especially while they're waiting for Trent Cole's calf injury to heal. They'll lean on that depth now.
I'm going to head over to East Rutherford today and check in on the Giants, see if I can't pick up a Thursday column on them. I'll let you know if anything interesting happens.
Washington Redskins
Phillip Buchanon has had his drug suspension lifted and was back on the practice field Tuesday. It sounds as though he could be worked into the defensive back rotation right away in the team's Week 6 game against the Eagles, which would help deepen a Redskins' secondary that's been the one part of the defense that looks as though it could use a little help.
Ryan Torain didn't mind sitting for the first three games of the season. He says he's used to having to be patient -- that it's the story of his career, really. And he was happy for his Week 4 chance to show the coaches what he could do.
New York Giants
Ohm Youngmisuk writes that Jerry Reese isn't surprised by the Giants' hot start, and we know Reese isn't just blowing smoke because he said in August that he thought he had a playoff team in spite of his relative inactivity in free agency. It has to make Reese feel good to see the Eagles struggle while his team has started 3-1, as much grief has he took for doing nothing while Philly loaded up. Long way to go yet, but so far, Reese looks like the one who knew what he was doing.
The Redskins aren't the only first-place NFC East team adding cornerback depth, as the Giants have signed former Colts corner Justin Tryon to add to the bench mix behind starters Corey Webster and Aaron Ross. I don't think this means anything about the timetable for Prince Amukamara's recovery from his injury, but even once Amukamara is healthy, he'll still be a rookie with a screw in his foot, and depth in the secondary is a good thing for the Giants to be pursuing at this point.
Dallas Cowboys
Tim MacMahon writes that the Cowboys have no choice but to stick with Tony Romo and ride the Romo-coaster through all of its ups and downs. That appears to be what they're doing, though Tim seems to wonder if the team's belief in Romo's talent needs to be weighed against its own high championship standards of years past.
Tyron Smith is a young man of few words, and the few he's using indicate that he's taking that Willie Young sack from Sunday's final minute pretty hard. I don't think he should. Smith's been outstanding for the Cowboys all year and was outstanding all day Sunday until letting Young through on what he called "bad technique." It's good to see him wanting to build off a mistake, but his overall body of work to this point is something of which he should be very proud.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sheil Kapadia's must-read weekly player-by-player review of the Eagles' game reveals that the second half of the 49ers game was the most the offensive line has struggled all season, with right guard Kyle DeVan and right tackle Todd Herremans having a particularly hard time against a strong San Francisco front.
Depth on the defensive line has been a strength for the Eagles, but it's being challenged now by injury. Antonio Dixon is on injured reserve and out for the year with a triceps tear, so the team re-signed defensive tackle Derek Landri, whom they liked in training camp, to replace him. If they can stay deep at defensive tackle, they could conceivably play Cullen Jenkins at end sometimes, especially while they're waiting for Trent Cole's calf injury to heal. They'll lean on that depth now.
I'm going to head over to East Rutherford today and check in on the Giants, see if I can't pick up a Thursday column on them. I'll let you know if anything interesting happens.
Breakfast links: Nowitzki supports Romo
October, 4, 2011
10/04/11
8:00
AM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
Good morning. It's a week of rest for two of our teams, as the Redskins and Cowboys enjoy their byes while the Giants and Eagles move in opposite directions. But the links favor no team, and are here as always with two juicy tidbits on each, brought to you now in order of current standings.
Washington Redskins
Mike Wise has revised his questions about the Redskins after their 3-1 start, and is now asking things like, "It is too early to think about the playoffs?" It is not. Remember, each year in this league, five teams make the playoffs that didn't the year before. Last year's Redskins won six games, and this year's defense is greatly improved. They are no sure thing, obviously, but it'd be crazy to think they don't have a chance.
It turns out now that Tim Hightower injured his shoulder on the third play of Sunday's game. He's got a couple of weeks to heal up, but the question is whether Ryan Torain took his starting running back job away from him with his strong relief performance. Don't expect to get an answer on that anytime soon.
New York Giants
He may still not be in Tom Brady's class, but Eli Manning is playing like a top quarterback, Filip Bondy writes, mainly because he's not throwing interceptions. Manning right now looks like the anti-Tony Romo. Where the Cowboys quarterback is never going to adjust the way he plays based on game situations, Manning has the ability to push it when he needs to push it and play it safe when the game calls for it. He's looked mature and reliable the past two weeks, which is what the Giants need him to be more than anything.
The biggest thing working against the Giants as the season goes along is the schedule, whose second half appears very challenging. The players know it. They also know they've lost games late in the past two seasons after hot starts and blew chances at making the playoffs. They're talking a lot about "finishing" games in New York, but the Giants are also thinking about "finishing" their season. Long way to go.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki had some words of encouragement for Romo via Twitter on Monday, and Mac Engel writes that there are comparisons to be drawn from the journey of Dirk and the Mavs, who became champions after going through some difficult times and challenging losses.
Part of Romo's problem right now is receiver Dez Bryant, who's trying his best but has been unable to run at full strength and be at his best for entire games due to the thigh injury that keeps him from practicing every week. If the bye allows Bryant and Miles Austin to heal ... well, it might not stop Romo from throwing dumb interceptions all of a sudden, but it surely should make the Dallas offense more effective and reliable. Shouldn't it?
Philadelphia Eagles
As if the 1-3 start and three straight fourth-quarter losses weren't bad enough, the Eagles have now lost their best defensive lineman (Trent Cole), their best offensive lineman (Jason Peters) and one of their best defensive tackles (Antonio Dixon) to injury. Dixon looks as though he's out for the year, and Cole and Peters could each be out for a month. The Eagles' next two games heading into their bye are road games at Buffalo and Washington, each of which is 3-1, and any recovery Philadelphia hoped to make in those two games will be made far more challenging by their sudden thinness in the trenches.
You want coaching staff changes? Keep waiting, Andy Reid says. He's standing behind his guys. One of the things the Eagles liked about their team heading into the season was the veteran coaching staff they believed could meld all of the new faces together and make them into a cohesive unit. Hasn't happened yet, but Reid says he's not planning any coaching changes at this point.
The chat returns today, so yay for that. And we'll see how far those Boys and Birds dropped when the Power Rankings come out this afternoon. Other than that, plenty of goodies planned for the blog. You'll just have to keep coming back and checking it.
Washington Redskins
Mike Wise has revised his questions about the Redskins after their 3-1 start, and is now asking things like, "It is too early to think about the playoffs?" It is not. Remember, each year in this league, five teams make the playoffs that didn't the year before. Last year's Redskins won six games, and this year's defense is greatly improved. They are no sure thing, obviously, but it'd be crazy to think they don't have a chance.
It turns out now that Tim Hightower injured his shoulder on the third play of Sunday's game. He's got a couple of weeks to heal up, but the question is whether Ryan Torain took his starting running back job away from him with his strong relief performance. Don't expect to get an answer on that anytime soon.
New York Giants
He may still not be in Tom Brady's class, but Eli Manning is playing like a top quarterback, Filip Bondy writes, mainly because he's not throwing interceptions. Manning right now looks like the anti-Tony Romo. Where the Cowboys quarterback is never going to adjust the way he plays based on game situations, Manning has the ability to push it when he needs to push it and play it safe when the game calls for it. He's looked mature and reliable the past two weeks, which is what the Giants need him to be more than anything.
The biggest thing working against the Giants as the season goes along is the schedule, whose second half appears very challenging. The players know it. They also know they've lost games late in the past two seasons after hot starts and blew chances at making the playoffs. They're talking a lot about "finishing" games in New York, but the Giants are also thinking about "finishing" their season. Long way to go.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki had some words of encouragement for Romo via Twitter on Monday, and Mac Engel writes that there are comparisons to be drawn from the journey of Dirk and the Mavs, who became champions after going through some difficult times and challenging losses.
Part of Romo's problem right now is receiver Dez Bryant, who's trying his best but has been unable to run at full strength and be at his best for entire games due to the thigh injury that keeps him from practicing every week. If the bye allows Bryant and Miles Austin to heal ... well, it might not stop Romo from throwing dumb interceptions all of a sudden, but it surely should make the Dallas offense more effective and reliable. Shouldn't it?
Philadelphia Eagles
As if the 1-3 start and three straight fourth-quarter losses weren't bad enough, the Eagles have now lost their best defensive lineman (Trent Cole), their best offensive lineman (Jason Peters) and one of their best defensive tackles (Antonio Dixon) to injury. Dixon looks as though he's out for the year, and Cole and Peters could each be out for a month. The Eagles' next two games heading into their bye are road games at Buffalo and Washington, each of which is 3-1, and any recovery Philadelphia hoped to make in those two games will be made far more challenging by their sudden thinness in the trenches.
You want coaching staff changes? Keep waiting, Andy Reid says. He's standing behind his guys. One of the things the Eagles liked about their team heading into the season was the veteran coaching staff they believed could meld all of the new faces together and make them into a cohesive unit. Hasn't happened yet, but Reid says he's not planning any coaching changes at this point.
The chat returns today, so yay for that. And we'll see how far those Boys and Birds dropped when the Power Rankings come out this afternoon. Other than that, plenty of goodies planned for the blog. You'll just have to keep coming back and checking it.
Yeah, so that all made a lot of sense. The Eagles and the Cowboys had their games locked up and lost them. The Giants were dead in the water and won. And Rex Grossman tried to give the Redskins' game away but couldn't because Washington is too solid in too many other areas.
Remind me again why we try to predict these games?
Anyway, we've got links. Somebody suggested last week doing them in order of the division standings, so why not?
Washington Redskins
It was a breakout game for running back Ryan Torain, who didn't get a carry in the first three weeks of the season and then dominated the Redskins' ground attack in Week 4. What everyone wants to know is whether Torain will be the starter going forward, or whether it'll be Tim Hightower or Roy Helu. And you know there's no way Mike Shanahan is telling. With the Redskins heading into their bye week, we get two whole weeks to wonder what this is going to look like, and Shanahan grins all the way, believing he has three guys who can handle the job.
Thomas Boswell throws cold water on the party, pointing out how horrendous the 0-4 Rams are and asserting that the Redskins are going to have a hard time beating good teams as long as Grossman insists on throwing interceptions. The run-heavy Washington offense seems designed to limit Grossman's ability to hurt them with a big mistake, and while it's nice that they can run, I agree with Thomas that that seems a dangerous way to go.
New York Giants
Both Victor Cruz and Eli Manning said they believed the play on which Cruz left the ball on the ground after not being touched by an Arizona defender was going to be ruled a fumble and were pleasantly surprised that it was not. I was with them, as I've seen that play called the other way. I was in San Diego last year for a Chargers-Patriots game in which the Chargers' Richard Goodman put the ball on the ground and ran back to the huddle, and the Patriots picked up the ball and it was ruled a fumble that they'd recovered. However, the controversy over this one is misplaced. Arizona should have touched Cruz down in the first place, and the fact that they didn't showed how out of it they were on defense as Manning was leading the Giants to the comeback win. Ruling it a fumble would cost the Giants on a technicality just as much as not ruling it a fumble cost the Cardinals on a technicality. The league says it's a judgment call and that the officials can rule that a guy "gave himself up for down," which is what they did. I'm sure Tom Coughlin didn't take it easy on Cruz when discussing the play after the game, and I'm sure Cruz won't do it again. The good thing for the Giants is that it didn't cost them, and they're 3-1.
The next play went for a touchdown to Hakeem Nicks, who looked a lot more like himself in this one than he did in Weeks 2 and 3. This Giants team is potentially dangerous, as it's winning games and building confidence during a time when it's at much less than full strength. Given their flaws (many of which were in evidence prior to the comeback -- where's the run game, for instance?) and the way the past two years have ended for them, I'm still going to need to see them in the playoffs before I believe it. But their next three games are very winnable, and they'd do well to keep this roll going and win them before heading into the savage nine-game stretch that awaits them in November and December.
Dallas Cowboys
For the second time this year, Tony Romo took full blame for the loss, and he was right to do so. Bad throws and poor decisions at a time when victory seemed assured if he'd just been able to play safe and smart. So that's two games Romo has won with fourth-quarter comebacks and two he's lost with second-half interceptions. That's a bad pace. Break it down even more, and Romo's played 11 great quarters so far this year and five really bad ones. But the really bad has come at the wrong time, and as great as Romo can be, he has to learn when it's time to stop trying to be so great and just keep it simple. Anyway, they're on a bye now, so that's two weeks of calling for the head of a guy who was in the league MVP running as of halftime Sunday. There's no roller coaster like the Romo Coaster.
Todd Archer thinks head coach Jason Garrett should share in the blame for the loss, and Archer specifically questions four of Garrett's play calls -- two from the first half when it didn't look as it would matter and two in the fourth quarter when it most certainly did. In general, I couldn't really understand why the Cowboys weren't running the ball more in the second half with the big lead. After extending their lead to 27-3 with the first drive of the second half, the Cowboys ran 33 offensive plays. Of those, 11 were runs and 22 were passes. And even if you take away the eight straight passes they threw once the Lions went ahead with 1:39 to go, that's still 14 passes and 11 runs while they had the lead. You can't throw the interceptions that let the team back into the game if you're running the ball. The Cowboys are supposed to be able to do that.
Philadelphia Eagles
Oh, it's getting ugly here in the City of Brotherly Love. The way the Eagles played Sunday, giving away a fourth-quarter lead for the third week in a row, gave the town's columnists license to tee off. Rich Hoffman says the Eagles are playing "scared and stupid," and he's right. There's no rhythm or confidence to anything they do right now. Sunday, it was as if they said, "Well, we need to get the downfield passing game working," and they did that but then they forgot to do anything else on offense. Like run the ball. And on defense ... Wow. It's as if they're all looking around waiting for someone else to make a tackle. Ugly with a capital UG.
The one part of the Eagles' defense that's been good is the line, and now that's banged-up. Star defensive end Trent Cole left the game with a calf injury, and Antonio Dixon tore a triceps muscle. They'll head for a couple of oversized MRI tubes Monday morning to help determine how long they can expect to be out. If it's "at all," the Eagles are in even more trouble Sunday in Buffalo.
Remind me again why we try to predict these games?
Anyway, we've got links. Somebody suggested last week doing them in order of the division standings, so why not?
Washington Redskins
It was a breakout game for running back Ryan Torain, who didn't get a carry in the first three weeks of the season and then dominated the Redskins' ground attack in Week 4. What everyone wants to know is whether Torain will be the starter going forward, or whether it'll be Tim Hightower or Roy Helu. And you know there's no way Mike Shanahan is telling. With the Redskins heading into their bye week, we get two whole weeks to wonder what this is going to look like, and Shanahan grins all the way, believing he has three guys who can handle the job.
Thomas Boswell throws cold water on the party, pointing out how horrendous the 0-4 Rams are and asserting that the Redskins are going to have a hard time beating good teams as long as Grossman insists on throwing interceptions. The run-heavy Washington offense seems designed to limit Grossman's ability to hurt them with a big mistake, and while it's nice that they can run, I agree with Thomas that that seems a dangerous way to go.
New York Giants
Both Victor Cruz and Eli Manning said they believed the play on which Cruz left the ball on the ground after not being touched by an Arizona defender was going to be ruled a fumble and were pleasantly surprised that it was not. I was with them, as I've seen that play called the other way. I was in San Diego last year for a Chargers-Patriots game in which the Chargers' Richard Goodman put the ball on the ground and ran back to the huddle, and the Patriots picked up the ball and it was ruled a fumble that they'd recovered. However, the controversy over this one is misplaced. Arizona should have touched Cruz down in the first place, and the fact that they didn't showed how out of it they were on defense as Manning was leading the Giants to the comeback win. Ruling it a fumble would cost the Giants on a technicality just as much as not ruling it a fumble cost the Cardinals on a technicality. The league says it's a judgment call and that the officials can rule that a guy "gave himself up for down," which is what they did. I'm sure Tom Coughlin didn't take it easy on Cruz when discussing the play after the game, and I'm sure Cruz won't do it again. The good thing for the Giants is that it didn't cost them, and they're 3-1.
The next play went for a touchdown to Hakeem Nicks, who looked a lot more like himself in this one than he did in Weeks 2 and 3. This Giants team is potentially dangerous, as it's winning games and building confidence during a time when it's at much less than full strength. Given their flaws (many of which were in evidence prior to the comeback -- where's the run game, for instance?) and the way the past two years have ended for them, I'm still going to need to see them in the playoffs before I believe it. But their next three games are very winnable, and they'd do well to keep this roll going and win them before heading into the savage nine-game stretch that awaits them in November and December.
Dallas Cowboys
For the second time this year, Tony Romo took full blame for the loss, and he was right to do so. Bad throws and poor decisions at a time when victory seemed assured if he'd just been able to play safe and smart. So that's two games Romo has won with fourth-quarter comebacks and two he's lost with second-half interceptions. That's a bad pace. Break it down even more, and Romo's played 11 great quarters so far this year and five really bad ones. But the really bad has come at the wrong time, and as great as Romo can be, he has to learn when it's time to stop trying to be so great and just keep it simple. Anyway, they're on a bye now, so that's two weeks of calling for the head of a guy who was in the league MVP running as of halftime Sunday. There's no roller coaster like the Romo Coaster.
Todd Archer thinks head coach Jason Garrett should share in the blame for the loss, and Archer specifically questions four of Garrett's play calls -- two from the first half when it didn't look as it would matter and two in the fourth quarter when it most certainly did. In general, I couldn't really understand why the Cowboys weren't running the ball more in the second half with the big lead. After extending their lead to 27-3 with the first drive of the second half, the Cowboys ran 33 offensive plays. Of those, 11 were runs and 22 were passes. And even if you take away the eight straight passes they threw once the Lions went ahead with 1:39 to go, that's still 14 passes and 11 runs while they had the lead. You can't throw the interceptions that let the team back into the game if you're running the ball. The Cowboys are supposed to be able to do that.
Philadelphia Eagles
Oh, it's getting ugly here in the City of Brotherly Love. The way the Eagles played Sunday, giving away a fourth-quarter lead for the third week in a row, gave the town's columnists license to tee off. Rich Hoffman says the Eagles are playing "scared and stupid," and he's right. There's no rhythm or confidence to anything they do right now. Sunday, it was as if they said, "Well, we need to get the downfield passing game working," and they did that but then they forgot to do anything else on offense. Like run the ball. And on defense ... Wow. It's as if they're all looking around waiting for someone else to make a tackle. Ugly with a capital UG.
The one part of the Eagles' defense that's been good is the line, and now that's banged-up. Star defensive end Trent Cole left the game with a calf injury, and Antonio Dixon tore a triceps muscle. They'll head for a couple of oversized MRI tubes Monday morning to help determine how long they can expect to be out. If it's "at all," the Eagles are in even more trouble Sunday in Buffalo.
Interesting breakdown (as usual) by Sheil Kapadia on the Philadelphia Eagles' pass rush from Sunday's game. The Eagles said they would blitz less this season and work on generating pressure with their front four. So Sheil's checking up to see how that's going. He's got charts that show how many snaps each linemen played and how they fared (in terms of sacks, hurries and quarterback hits) in the number of pass-rushing opportunities they had. Some highlights:
Before he left the game with an injury, Darryl Tapp was cashing in at an extraordinary rate. He had a sack and two hurries among his eight pass-rush opportunities and was on the field for just 17 total plays.
Jason Babin had two sacks and two hurries in 18 pass-rush opportunities and, as he said he would in training camp, is loving the freedom that line coach Jim Washburn gives him to think about nothing else but getting to the quarterback.
Trent Cole played 69.7 percent of the snaps, down from 89.4 percent last season, which is part of the Eagles' plan. They're going to ask more from Cole and the other linemen in terms of activity while on the field, so they'll use their impressive depth at the line positions to rest guys by getting them off the field a bit more.
Antonio Dixon ranked third among defensive tackles with 26 snaps, well behind Cullen Jenkins' 44 and Mike Patterson's 42. But I agree with Sheil that we should expect to see more of Dixon if teams have success running the ball against the Eagles. Dixon had injuries during the preseason, and they might be easing him back in. But I don't know how many times they can count on "opposing Pro Bowl-caliber running back pulls a leg muscle in the first quarter" as a method for getting better against the run as the game goes along.
Before he left the game with an injury, Darryl Tapp was cashing in at an extraordinary rate. He had a sack and two hurries among his eight pass-rush opportunities and was on the field for just 17 total plays.
Jason Babin had two sacks and two hurries in 18 pass-rush opportunities and, as he said he would in training camp, is loving the freedom that line coach Jim Washburn gives him to think about nothing else but getting to the quarterback.
Trent Cole played 69.7 percent of the snaps, down from 89.4 percent last season, which is part of the Eagles' plan. They're going to ask more from Cole and the other linemen in terms of activity while on the field, so they'll use their impressive depth at the line positions to rest guys by getting them off the field a bit more.
Antonio Dixon ranked third among defensive tackles with 26 snaps, well behind Cullen Jenkins' 44 and Mike Patterson's 42. But I agree with Sheil that we should expect to see more of Dixon if teams have success running the ball against the Eagles. Dixon had injuries during the preseason, and they might be easing him back in. But I don't know how many times they can count on "opposing Pro Bowl-caliber running back pulls a leg muscle in the first quarter" as a method for getting better against the run as the game goes along.
I don't completely understand the phenomenon that is NFL cutdown day. More specifically, I don't understand the fans' fascination with it. But I recognize that said fascination exists, and that it's awkward for you all to be discussing this on yesterday's post. So here's a new post, written expressly for the purpose of providing you with a fresh comments section in which to discuss things like Kellen Clemens' release from the Washington Redskins. I hope you enjoy it.
Once the cuts are in, I will have a post for each team, breaking it all down. Meantime, based on various reports, we've heard:
And more, of course, as most of you know who are tracking these same reports. More later. I promise.
Once the cuts are in, I will have a post for each team, breaking it all down. Meantime, based on various reports, we've heard:
- That the Eagles have cut defensive tackles Derek Landri and Anthony Hargrove, meaning they'll go with four defensive tackles -- Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson, Antonio Dixon and Trevor Laws. Guess they expect Dixon to be healthy.
- That the Cowboys are cutting Igor Olshansky, which we'd seen coming because of the addition/emergence of Kenyon Coleman.
- That the Giants have picked Steve Weatherford over Matt Dodge as their punter.
- That the Redskins have cut Keiland Williams, over whom several running backs jumped in line this offseason, and defensive lineman Doug Worthington, which could mean they're looking to add at that position.
And more, of course, as most of you know who are tracking these same reports. More later. I promise.
The plan was for the Philadelphia Eagles' starters to play three quarters of Thursday night's preseason game against the Browns. But Michael Vick took such a beating in the first half, and it was raining so hard at halftime, that it just didn't make any sense to run him back out there. And while it's easy to look at the big picture and say the Eagles looked a lot better in this 24-14 exhibition victory than they did last week against the Steelers, the fact is the offensive line's play in the first half had to be extremely disconcerting to their fans and their coaches.
The issues Thursday were at and to the right of center. Rookie Jason Kelce got the start with the first team at center in place of veteran Jamaal Jackson, and he did little to make you think Jackson's job is or should be in jeopardy. Kelce had a holding penalty and a bad exchange with Vick, and he and fellow rookie Danny Watkins were repeatedly shredded by rookie Phil Taylor and the Cleveland defensive line. As a result, Vick was under pressure throughout the first quarter and didn't have time to find his wide receivers downfield.
Running back LeSean McCoy continued to look excellent as a runner and as a great check-down option for a harried Vick in the passing game. And if the line is going to be this shaky all season, McCoy could catch 100 balls. But the line has to get better, or it could sink this promising Eagles season.
Center can be fixed, of course, because they can just put Jackson back in there until Kelce is ready. And King Dunlap is only a fill-in starter at right tackle until Winston Justice and/or Ryan Harris are healthy. But Watkins was the first-round pick, and he's going to start. And he's going to have to block better and communicate better with whoever is out there to his right and left, or Vick is going to be knocked around a lot.
Now, as we keep saying, it's only preseason, and the Eagles still have more than two weeks of practice time in which to fix these problems. I am by no means saying they cannot or will not fix their issues. But while the result of this game doesn't matter any more than the result of last week's game did, there are some specific issues that came up, good and bad, and the poor play of the right side of the offensive line was the one that stood out the most.
Some others:
1. Better work by the linebackers this week. The Eagles' defense this season will be based on aggressive upfield pursuit by the defensive line, which means the linebackers will have to be more effective and responsible in coverage. We saw that Thursday night, especially from Jamar Chaney and rookie middle linebacker Casey Matthews. Last week was rough on Matthews, but the Eagles seem to have done a good thing for him this week, replacing him with Brian Rolle and/or Brandon Hughes on passing downs and allowing him to focus on playing the run more. Matthews' first-quarter highlight was a big stop on Montario Hardesty up the middle, and in general the linebackers in this game seemed to be in the right place and for the right amount of time much more reliably than they were against the Steelers.
2. Mike Patterson helps. Back in action less than a month after suffering a seizure on the practice field, Patterson was a big addition to the defensive tackle rotation. He picked up an early sack, drawing a nice ovation from the pre-rainstorm crowd at Lincoln Financial Field, and along with Cullen Jenkins, Derek Landri and Anthony Hargrove, he helped deliver somewhat consistent pressure up the middle as the game went along. If Antonio Dixon makes it back from his injury, the Eagles are going to have a very deep, very talented defensive line rotation that will allow them to keep everyone as fresh and aggressive as Juan Castillo and Jim Washburn want them to be throughout the games.
3. Vick was better but tough to evaluate. He didn't throw three interceptions, as he did last week, and in general he did a better job of identifying and reacting to the blitz. His inability to get the ball to his receivers wasn't his fault, as discussed above, but he did a good job of finding McCoy and, every now and then, taking off running when all else had failed. We're not likely to see him in the final preseason game, so this was his last warm-up before the regular season. But he'll surely hope Jeremy Maclin is back and fully healthy by then, since that will help matters all around.
4. The cornerbacks all did nice things. Nnamdi Asomugha was his swarming, suffocating self, taking receivers out of the game. Asante Samuel came up with an interception. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie blocked a kick. As they are on the defensive line, the Eagles are deep in the secondary, especially if Jarrad Page and Kurt Coleman can continue to make the contributions they're making at safety. In general, the defense was much more intense and directed this week. Again, we don't know what we're looking at in the preseason. The Eagles might have planned for this game, and the Browns might not have. But from a confidence standpoint, the Eagles had a lot more about which to feel good on defense than they did after Ben Roethlisberger took them apart seven nights earlier.
5. The Eagles are deep at running back, too. Ronnie Brown continues to look like a one-year steal, and Dion Lewis like a guy who could make it not matter if Brown leaves after one year. If McCoy is going to be leaned on heavily, the Eagles can feel good about their ability to give him breaks and keep him fresh.
I also thought both rookie kickers looked good and that in general most of the individual evaluations off this game had to be position. But the offensive line play in the first half was so alarming that it had to be the story of the night, and all eyes will be on the right side of that line once the games start for real.
Watching the middle of the Eagles' defense
August, 25, 2011
8/25/11
11:50
AM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
The Philadelphia Eagles' most recent preseason game left some people with some ... concerns. Especially on defense, where Ben Roethlisberger picked apart the pass rush and Rashard Mendenhall found a whole bunch of running room up the middle. The fear is that new defensive line coach Jim Washburn and his "Wide 9" concept leaves too many gaps in the line and too many places for a running back to find that room.
But it can't be that simple, because Washburn's lines in Tennessee weren't routinely gashed by opposing running backs. Last year was the first year in since 2006 that the Titans didn't finish with a top-10 defense against the run. Washburn's linemen are taught to play the run on the way to the quarterback, and the Wide 9 doesn't prioritize pass defense over run defense to its detriment, conceptually.
The issue, as raised by Bob Grotz in this preview of Thursday's preseason game, is likely a personnel one. Run-stopping defensive tackle Mike Patterson hasn't played in either of the first two preseason games, having suffered a seizure in an early-August practice and been treated for a brain condition. Antonio Dixon has been out with a back injury. These two defensive tackles were projected as starters, maybe even after the team brought in free agents Cullen Jenkins and Anthony Hargrove. Without them, the defensive line rotation has not run the way it is supposed to run, and that likely has more to do with the defense's apparent susceptibility to the run than anything scheme-related.
Patterson is back for Thursday's game, having been cleared by doctors to play. Dixon remains out, which is a shame, but at least allows the team to evaluate Hargrove and Derek Landri, who both may not have spots on the final roster. They'll start Patterson and Jenkins, most likely, and the hope is that that pairing will take some of the pressure off the much-maligned linebacker corps and rookie Casey Matthews.
The Eagles clearly have some issues to work out in the couple of weeks remaining before their Sept. 11 season opener in St. Louis. They have a bunch of new players adjusting to new concepts under Washburn and new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. This is going on in several places around the league, with varying results, in the wake of the lockout that wiped out the bulk of the offseason. Whether they get it together in time in Philadelphia remains to be seen. But given the talent and depth they have at cornerback and on the defensive line, there's really no reason to panic yet that they're not going to be able to stop the run. They just need to get all of their players in there so they can do it.
But it can't be that simple, because Washburn's lines in Tennessee weren't routinely gashed by opposing running backs. Last year was the first year in since 2006 that the Titans didn't finish with a top-10 defense against the run. Washburn's linemen are taught to play the run on the way to the quarterback, and the Wide 9 doesn't prioritize pass defense over run defense to its detriment, conceptually.
The issue, as raised by Bob Grotz in this preview of Thursday's preseason game, is likely a personnel one. Run-stopping defensive tackle Mike Patterson hasn't played in either of the first two preseason games, having suffered a seizure in an early-August practice and been treated for a brain condition. Antonio Dixon has been out with a back injury. These two defensive tackles were projected as starters, maybe even after the team brought in free agents Cullen Jenkins and Anthony Hargrove. Without them, the defensive line rotation has not run the way it is supposed to run, and that likely has more to do with the defense's apparent susceptibility to the run than anything scheme-related.
Patterson is back for Thursday's game, having been cleared by doctors to play. Dixon remains out, which is a shame, but at least allows the team to evaluate Hargrove and Derek Landri, who both may not have spots on the final roster. They'll start Patterson and Jenkins, most likely, and the hope is that that pairing will take some of the pressure off the much-maligned linebacker corps and rookie Casey Matthews.
The Eagles clearly have some issues to work out in the couple of weeks remaining before their Sept. 11 season opener in St. Louis. They have a bunch of new players adjusting to new concepts under Washburn and new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. This is going on in several places around the league, with varying results, in the wake of the lockout that wiped out the bulk of the offseason. Whether they get it together in time in Philadelphia remains to be seen. But given the talent and depth they have at cornerback and on the defensive line, there's really no reason to panic yet that they're not going to be able to stop the run. They just need to get all of their players in there so they can do it.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Dan Graziano
Graziano joined ESPN.com in 2011 after two years as a Senior NFL Writer for AOL FanHouse. He covered Major League Baseball, the Olympics and various other sports during his time at the Star-Ledger and the Palm Beach Post. A New Jersey native and author of two published novels, he now lives in Ridgewood, N.J., with his wife and two sons.
