NFC East: Mat McBriar
Good rainy Wednesday morning to you here in the East. Let's have some links, shall we?
Dallas Cowboys
Second-year running back DeMarco Murray says he's "back 100 percent" and is enjoying the voluntary offseason program he's on with the Cowboys. All good news for Cowboys fans, as the offense functioned at a considerably higher level in 2011 after Murray got the starting running back job and before he broke his ankle in the first Giants game.
Calvin Watkins ponders whether the Cowboys have more work to do yet in free agency -- specifically at running back, wide receiver and punter. I do think they could stand to add depth at those first two positions and that they probably will, but I don't think they need to do anything splashy or spectacular at either spot. And they claimed punter Jake Rogers off waivers Tuesday, and I guess it's still possible that Mat McBriar could prove himself healthy and return. So, time to work on these things.
New York Giants
Somebody pointed out on the chat Tuesday this story about Hakeem Nicks saying he was looking forward to helping second-round pick Rueben Randle develop as an NFL wide receiver. It's not lip-service. First of all, it's the Giants' way. Second of all, NFL wide receivers don't come much cooler, more selfless or more self-assured than Nicks. I have no doubt that his words are sincere and that he will make good on them.
The Giants are mourning the loss of former wide receiver Stacy Robinson, who was a star of Super Bowl XXI and a member of each of the franchise's first two Super Bowl championship teams. Sad. Robinson was only 50 years old.
Philadelphia Eagles
Draft pick signings are less dramatic than they used to be, here in the second year of the rookie wage scale, and the Eagles somewhat easily got second-round pick Mychal Kendricks locked up on a four-year deal Tuesday. Not that it matters much, since unsigned rookies can still participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp, but it's an opportunity once again point out that Kendricks is in position to be a starting linebacker for the Eagles this season if he looks at all good in the preseason.
I like to joke with the Cowboys fans about how much they enjoy the offseason updates on Tony Romo's golf game, so it's only fair that I offer Eagles fans an update on Michael Vick's offseason efforts at chess. Here's a story in which Vick has his butt whipped by some high schoolers in the game he took up while in prison.
Washington Redskins
The first hearing in the grievance by the Redskins and Cowboys against the league and the NFLPA over the salary cap penalties is scheduled for Thursday, but don't expect much in the way of resolution. This is a hearing to determine jurisdiction -- i.e., whether those teams have the right to grieve this in front of the arbitrator and whether the NFL management council had the right to impose the penalties in the first place. More hearings are likely down the road.
Aldrick Robinson hopes his speed can set him apart in the Redskins' crowded wide receiver corps. The Redskins did promote him from the practice squad when other teams showed interest, so it's not as though the second-year wideout is off their radar. But the competition at those spots is going to be serious.
Dallas Cowboys
Second-year running back DeMarco Murray says he's "back 100 percent" and is enjoying the voluntary offseason program he's on with the Cowboys. All good news for Cowboys fans, as the offense functioned at a considerably higher level in 2011 after Murray got the starting running back job and before he broke his ankle in the first Giants game.
Calvin Watkins ponders whether the Cowboys have more work to do yet in free agency -- specifically at running back, wide receiver and punter. I do think they could stand to add depth at those first two positions and that they probably will, but I don't think they need to do anything splashy or spectacular at either spot. And they claimed punter Jake Rogers off waivers Tuesday, and I guess it's still possible that Mat McBriar could prove himself healthy and return. So, time to work on these things.
New York Giants
Somebody pointed out on the chat Tuesday this story about Hakeem Nicks saying he was looking forward to helping second-round pick Rueben Randle develop as an NFL wide receiver. It's not lip-service. First of all, it's the Giants' way. Second of all, NFL wide receivers don't come much cooler, more selfless or more self-assured than Nicks. I have no doubt that his words are sincere and that he will make good on them.
The Giants are mourning the loss of former wide receiver Stacy Robinson, who was a star of Super Bowl XXI and a member of each of the franchise's first two Super Bowl championship teams. Sad. Robinson was only 50 years old.
Philadelphia Eagles
Draft pick signings are less dramatic than they used to be, here in the second year of the rookie wage scale, and the Eagles somewhat easily got second-round pick Mychal Kendricks locked up on a four-year deal Tuesday. Not that it matters much, since unsigned rookies can still participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp, but it's an opportunity once again point out that Kendricks is in position to be a starting linebacker for the Eagles this season if he looks at all good in the preseason.
I like to joke with the Cowboys fans about how much they enjoy the offseason updates on Tony Romo's golf game, so it's only fair that I offer Eagles fans an update on Michael Vick's offseason efforts at chess. Here's a story in which Vick has his butt whipped by some high schoolers in the game he took up while in prison.
Washington Redskins
The first hearing in the grievance by the Redskins and Cowboys against the league and the NFLPA over the salary cap penalties is scheduled for Thursday, but don't expect much in the way of resolution. This is a hearing to determine jurisdiction -- i.e., whether those teams have the right to grieve this in front of the arbitrator and whether the NFL management council had the right to impose the penalties in the first place. More hearings are likely down the road.
Aldrick Robinson hopes his speed can set him apart in the Redskins' crowded wide receiver corps. The Redskins did promote him from the practice squad when other teams showed interest, so it's not as though the second-year wideout is off their radar. But the competition at those spots is going to be serious.
Junior Seau never played in the NFC East, but if the story of his death Wednesday at the age of 43 didn't shake you up, you're made of stone. Police are investigating the possibility of suicide, and since he died of a gunshot wound to the chest, that possibility recalls former Bears safety Dave Duerson, who shot himself in the chest last year and left messages asking that his brain be studied for evidence that playing football damaged it. We don't know yet of any such message left by Seau. We don't know why he's dead, or if playing football had anything to do with it, and we may never know. A lot of conclusions are being jumped to, and the temptation to make those jumps is understanding, but the fact is that a man is dead, far too young, and the outrage can and should be put on hold while respect is paid.
A few things are clear, though. Seau's story -- the part that came before Wednesday -- indicates a man who struggled with his transition to post-NFL life. Whether that struggle had to do with damage done to him by playing the game remains to be seen and surely debated. But stories such as this one are a major part of the current culture surrounding today's NFL.
The idea that Seau's death might even possibly be fallout from a playing career that took too intense a toll is part of the expanding tapestry of concern that governs the league's actions on such matters as the Saints' bounty scandal. With more than 1,100 former NFL players currently suing the league for allegedly ignoring the long-term effects of head and other injuries suffered during their playing careers, the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell feel required to take a hard line on player safety. Rules will continue to be changed and modified to address the violence inherent in the game. Suspensions for actions the league believes could result in too-serious injury will continue to be harsh, even extreme, to give the league as strong a base as possible from which to claim it did not turn a blind eye if and when any of these suits ever find their way to a judge.
The NFLPA took some heat Wednesday, in the wake of the announcement of the Saints' suspensions, for not negotiating during the last CBA talks a change in the discipline policy that would have allowed players to appeal to someone other than Goodell. What wasn't mentioned during those discussions were the many concessions the players did win in last year's negotiations -- quality-of-life things like improved post-career health care, injury guarantees in contracts, reductions in the demands made on players during the offseason program and drastic cutbacks in the amount of contact permitted in offseason and training-camp practices. Those are the issues the players believed were most important, because those are the issues that affect them and their families long term, as people, once their short careers are over.
Part of the problem with the NFL is that fans tend to see these players as characters that appear on a weekly TV show, not as real human beings who are willingly subjecting themselves to physical punishment for our entertainment. But when something like Seau's death happens, everybody gets reminded of the reality that lurks behind the noise and the excitement and the bright colors of game day. And while fans may not like these reminders, sadly, they're not going away. They're a part of the game in 2012 and in the future, and they're here to change the way the people who watch and run football think about it. Or else.
Thank you for indulging me. Here are your links.
Dallas Cowboys
As the Cowboys look down their roster for a possible new No. 3 wide receiver, it's worth remembering Raymond Radway's turn last summer as a fun breakout possibility. He got hurt, and that ended that, but he says he's feeling better now and would like a chance to compete for the spot. I image he'll get that chance.
One place where the Cowboys still face a big question mark is at punter, with an injured Mat McBriar still unsigned and Chris Jones the only punter currently on their roster. So they're working out new punters to see whether they can upgrade. Hey, it matters. Just ask the Jaguars.
New York Giants
Eli Manning plans to "kind of let loose" when he hosts "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. He also says one of his favorite "SNL" skits of all time was the "Chippendales" bit that Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze did. I was always more partial to Matt Foley, motivational speaker, myself.
While we wait to find out where Manning ranks on this year's player-voted NFL Network top 100, Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks checked in at No. 90 on the list. Still underrated, is Nicks, but he doesn't care.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sheil Kapadia has a nice breakdown of the Eagles' linebacker situation with DeMeco Ryans and rookie Mychal Kendricks in the mix. Number of different ways they can go there, but with Ryans brought in to start in the middle, it sure seems as though they plan on Kendricks starting alongside him at one of the spots.
Ray Didinger discusses the possibility that rookie Vinny Curry could surpass 2010 first-round pick Brandon Graham on the depth chart at defensive end, and how soon that might happen.
Washington Redskins
Robert Griffin III is no ordinary football player. Read Rick Maese's story about the plans Griffin has for the film he's working on to complete his master's thesis. It's something he calls "mixed reality." Different kind of cat, this one. Got some things going for him.
Yes, Redskins fans have fallen head-over-heels in love with their new quarterback, and for what appears to be good reason. Dan Daly writes that Griffin's task is to make sure not to lose that love.
A few things are clear, though. Seau's story -- the part that came before Wednesday -- indicates a man who struggled with his transition to post-NFL life. Whether that struggle had to do with damage done to him by playing the game remains to be seen and surely debated. But stories such as this one are a major part of the current culture surrounding today's NFL.
The idea that Seau's death might even possibly be fallout from a playing career that took too intense a toll is part of the expanding tapestry of concern that governs the league's actions on such matters as the Saints' bounty scandal. With more than 1,100 former NFL players currently suing the league for allegedly ignoring the long-term effects of head and other injuries suffered during their playing careers, the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell feel required to take a hard line on player safety. Rules will continue to be changed and modified to address the violence inherent in the game. Suspensions for actions the league believes could result in too-serious injury will continue to be harsh, even extreme, to give the league as strong a base as possible from which to claim it did not turn a blind eye if and when any of these suits ever find their way to a judge.
The NFLPA took some heat Wednesday, in the wake of the announcement of the Saints' suspensions, for not negotiating during the last CBA talks a change in the discipline policy that would have allowed players to appeal to someone other than Goodell. What wasn't mentioned during those discussions were the many concessions the players did win in last year's negotiations -- quality-of-life things like improved post-career health care, injury guarantees in contracts, reductions in the demands made on players during the offseason program and drastic cutbacks in the amount of contact permitted in offseason and training-camp practices. Those are the issues the players believed were most important, because those are the issues that affect them and their families long term, as people, once their short careers are over.
Part of the problem with the NFL is that fans tend to see these players as characters that appear on a weekly TV show, not as real human beings who are willingly subjecting themselves to physical punishment for our entertainment. But when something like Seau's death happens, everybody gets reminded of the reality that lurks behind the noise and the excitement and the bright colors of game day. And while fans may not like these reminders, sadly, they're not going away. They're a part of the game in 2012 and in the future, and they're here to change the way the people who watch and run football think about it. Or else.
Thank you for indulging me. Here are your links.
Dallas Cowboys
As the Cowboys look down their roster for a possible new No. 3 wide receiver, it's worth remembering Raymond Radway's turn last summer as a fun breakout possibility. He got hurt, and that ended that, but he says he's feeling better now and would like a chance to compete for the spot. I image he'll get that chance.
One place where the Cowboys still face a big question mark is at punter, with an injured Mat McBriar still unsigned and Chris Jones the only punter currently on their roster. So they're working out new punters to see whether they can upgrade. Hey, it matters. Just ask the Jaguars.
New York Giants
Eli Manning plans to "kind of let loose" when he hosts "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. He also says one of his favorite "SNL" skits of all time was the "Chippendales" bit that Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze did. I was always more partial to Matt Foley, motivational speaker, myself.
While we wait to find out where Manning ranks on this year's player-voted NFL Network top 100, Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks checked in at No. 90 on the list. Still underrated, is Nicks, but he doesn't care.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sheil Kapadia has a nice breakdown of the Eagles' linebacker situation with DeMeco Ryans and rookie Mychal Kendricks in the mix. Number of different ways they can go there, but with Ryans brought in to start in the middle, it sure seems as though they plan on Kendricks starting alongside him at one of the spots.
Ray Didinger discusses the possibility that rookie Vinny Curry could surpass 2010 first-round pick Brandon Graham on the depth chart at defensive end, and how soon that might happen.
Washington Redskins
Robert Griffin III is no ordinary football player. Read Rick Maese's story about the plans Griffin has for the film he's working on to complete his master's thesis. It's something he calls "mixed reality." Different kind of cat, this one. Got some things going for him.
Yes, Redskins fans have fallen head-over-heels in love with their new quarterback, and for what appears to be good reason. Dan Daly writes that Griffin's task is to make sure not to lose that love.
Weekend mailbag: Pre-draft signing rules
April, 14, 2012
Apr 14
11:04
AM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
You e-mail questions, I answer them. Ideally, you come out of this weekly exercise informed and/or entertained. We'll see.
Scottie Baker from Berrian Springs, Mich., asks whether, if the Colts are able to sign the player they're taking with the No. 1 pick (presumably Andrew Luck) before the draft, would the Washington Redskins then be able to sign the player they want to take at No. 2 (presumably Robert Griffin III) before the draft as well.
Dan Graziano: No, Scottie, they would not. The NFL's rules stipulate that the team holding the No. 1 pick is the only team allowed to sign its draft pick in advance of the draft. So if the Colts were to do a deal with Luck, say, sometime next week, that would not give the Redskins license to negotiate a deal with Griffin. They'd have to wait until after the Colts actually formally selected Luck on April 26 to officially pick Griffin, and until then they would not be permitted to sign Griffin. I imagine this rule is in place to avoid a slippery slope that could theoretically result in everyone in the top 10 signing their picks well in advance of the draft and depriving the NFL of the pomp and pageantry of its draft night. But it is, in fact, a rule. I checked.
KD from Cleveland wants to know how the re-signing of Derek Landri will affect the Philadelphia Eagles' plans for the first round of the draft. Specifically, he wants to know if Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
could enter the picture.
DG: Well, Floyd could enter the picture, and it will surely be tempting for the Eagles to secure another weapon for Michael Vick and the offense. But I personally don't think the Landri signing will or should affect the Eagles' first-round plans. The Eagles were one of the worst teams in the league last year defending against runs up the middle, and they can't do enough to strengthen the middle of their defensive line. A longer-term solution at defensive tackle in the first round is the best way for the Eagles to go if they can't (as it appears they won't) get Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. I think the Eagles should be willing to move up or down a few spots to get the best bang for their buck in the first round, and I think that means drafting defense.
Alan from Arlington, Va., wants to know why the Giants couldn't pay $1.25 million to keep Dave Tollefson from signing with the Raiders.
DG: The Giants are right up against the salary cap, and in the case of Tollefson they decided they didn't want to pay more than the veteran minimum to keep him. They've decided, in the cases of several of their own free agents this year, to set a price over which they would not go and then allow the player to go see if he could get more on the open market. This is why they have lost Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham to the 49ers and why Jonathan Goff did not re-sign. They also made a decision to trade for Keith Rivers to improve their linebacker corps, and at the time of the trade he was scheduled to earn $2.16 million in 2012 (though they were working on a restructuring in the immediate wake of the deal). Figuring in the Rivers pursuit and the money they'll need to sign draft picks, the Giants had to be willing to let valued veterans like Tollefson and Jacobs go if they weren't willing to accept the exact amount the team had allotted for them. The Giants also trust in their ability to replenish positions of need from within their own roster or through the draft.
Jed from Texas has a PUNTER QUESTION!!! He wants to know why the Dallas Cowboys haven't signed Mat McBriar and if they're really going to go with Chris Jones as their punter.
DG: Well, Jed, as much as we value punting on this blog, it's not necessarily a major priority for teams in the early weeks of free agency. McBriar had some serious health questions last year, and it's perfectly understandable if the Cowboys want to make sure those are behind him before committing any real money to him. If Jones isn't the answer, then McBriar or another more acceptable option is likely to present itself some time between now and the start of the season. I think they can and will do better than Jones, and McBriar may well be the solution. But they should make sure his foot is fully healthy before making that decision.
Back next week with more mailbag fun. See ya.
Scottie Baker from Berrian Springs, Mich., asks whether, if the Colts are able to sign the player they're taking with the No. 1 pick (presumably Andrew Luck) before the draft, would the Washington Redskins then be able to sign the player they want to take at No. 2 (presumably Robert Griffin III) before the draft as well.
Dan Graziano: No, Scottie, they would not. The NFL's rules stipulate that the team holding the No. 1 pick is the only team allowed to sign its draft pick in advance of the draft. So if the Colts were to do a deal with Luck, say, sometime next week, that would not give the Redskins license to negotiate a deal with Griffin. They'd have to wait until after the Colts actually formally selected Luck on April 26 to officially pick Griffin, and until then they would not be permitted to sign Griffin. I imagine this rule is in place to avoid a slippery slope that could theoretically result in everyone in the top 10 signing their picks well in advance of the draft and depriving the NFL of the pomp and pageantry of its draft night. But it is, in fact, a rule. I checked.
KD from Cleveland wants to know how the re-signing of Derek Landri will affect the Philadelphia Eagles' plans for the first round of the draft. Specifically, he wants to know if Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
could enter the picture.
DG: Well, Floyd could enter the picture, and it will surely be tempting for the Eagles to secure another weapon for Michael Vick and the offense. But I personally don't think the Landri signing will or should affect the Eagles' first-round plans. The Eagles were one of the worst teams in the league last year defending against runs up the middle, and they can't do enough to strengthen the middle of their defensive line. A longer-term solution at defensive tackle in the first round is the best way for the Eagles to go if they can't (as it appears they won't) get Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. I think the Eagles should be willing to move up or down a few spots to get the best bang for their buck in the first round, and I think that means drafting defense.
Alan from Arlington, Va., wants to know why the Giants couldn't pay $1.25 million to keep Dave Tollefson from signing with the Raiders.
DG: The Giants are right up against the salary cap, and in the case of Tollefson they decided they didn't want to pay more than the veteran minimum to keep him. They've decided, in the cases of several of their own free agents this year, to set a price over which they would not go and then allow the player to go see if he could get more on the open market. This is why they have lost Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham to the 49ers and why Jonathan Goff did not re-sign. They also made a decision to trade for Keith Rivers to improve their linebacker corps, and at the time of the trade he was scheduled to earn $2.16 million in 2012 (though they were working on a restructuring in the immediate wake of the deal). Figuring in the Rivers pursuit and the money they'll need to sign draft picks, the Giants had to be willing to let valued veterans like Tollefson and Jacobs go if they weren't willing to accept the exact amount the team had allotted for them. The Giants also trust in their ability to replenish positions of need from within their own roster or through the draft.
Jed from Texas has a PUNTER QUESTION!!! He wants to know why the Dallas Cowboys haven't signed Mat McBriar and if they're really going to go with Chris Jones as their punter.
DG: Well, Jed, as much as we value punting on this blog, it's not necessarily a major priority for teams in the early weeks of free agency. McBriar had some serious health questions last year, and it's perfectly understandable if the Cowboys want to make sure those are behind him before committing any real money to him. If Jones isn't the answer, then McBriar or another more acceptable option is likely to present itself some time between now and the start of the season. I think they can and will do better than Jones, and McBriar may well be the solution. But they should make sure his foot is fully healthy before making that decision.
Back next week with more mailbag fun. See ya.
Yes, as someone who scours the Internet for content ideas on four teams during these slow offseason days, I will miss ESPNDallas.com's position series. But it concludes today with Calvin Watkins' look at special teams.
Clearly, the Cowboys found their kicker last year in rookie Dan Bailey, and they'll surely part ways with David Buehler as a result. They may have a decision to make on punter and unrestricted free agent Mat McBriar, but the injuries that plagued McBriar in 2011 could help keep his cost down, and assuming he's fully healed they have reason to believe he can return to his Pro Bowl-caliber form.
But the Cowboys do have questions in the return game, as Calvin points out. It seems clear they don't want to risk Dez Bryant on returns, in spite of the fact that he's their most dynamic option, and Calvin sees Dwayne Harris serving as kick returner and punt returner next year unless they find someone better. This is one potential ancillary reason for them to look at a guy like Janoris Jenkins in the first round this year. Even if they've already signed a cornerback in free agency by then, Jenkins would help deepen them at the position and also be an immediate asset in the return game, where he excelled in college.
Clearly, the Cowboys found their kicker last year in rookie Dan Bailey, and they'll surely part ways with David Buehler as a result. They may have a decision to make on punter and unrestricted free agent Mat McBriar, but the injuries that plagued McBriar in 2011 could help keep his cost down, and assuming he's fully healed they have reason to believe he can return to his Pro Bowl-caliber form.
But the Cowboys do have questions in the return game, as Calvin points out. It seems clear they don't want to risk Dez Bryant on returns, in spite of the fact that he's their most dynamic option, and Calvin sees Dwayne Harris serving as kick returner and punt returner next year unless they find someone better. This is one potential ancillary reason for them to look at a guy like Janoris Jenkins in the first round this year. Even if they've already signed a cornerback in free agency by then, Jenkins would help deepen them at the position and also be an immediate asset in the return game, where he excelled in college.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Morning, all. Hope you're all doing well out there in the sane world.
The pedometer says I walked 14,714 steps on Monday at the Super Bowl, bringing the grand total since Sunday's arrival to 24,693. And we're just getting started out here. Heck, today's media day.
Ah yes. Media day. Eager to see what this year's funniest media costumes are. This is not the day when the most real work gets done, as you may know, but if you go into it with the right attitude you can have some fun with it. Also, it helps if you get your links.
New York Giants
Tom Brady won't be the toughest quarterback on the field Sunday, Ian O'Connor writes. Eli Manning will. As evidence, Ian points to all Manning has had to go through to get to this point, including try and live up to his famous brother, who happened to be the dominant topic of his Monday news conference.
Mathias Kiwanuka is back in his hometown for this game, and back to the place where he nearly lost his brother in a motorcycle accident. Kevin Armstrong talked with the Kiwanukas.
Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid's decision to bring back Juan Castillo for another year as defensive coordinator is a big one, Jonathan Tamari writes. Nothing less than Reid's coaching future rides on it. That's kind of why I don't agree with those who believe this was an act of stubbornness. There's too much at stake for Reid. Anyway, Reid will talk today at noon. I'll be at the Giants' portion of media day when that's going on, but I will track it and blog on it later this afternoon, I promise.
If you want to relive Castillo's first-year performance game-by-game, philly.com has you covered. If you don't ... well, it'd be hard to blame you.
Dallas Cowboys
No less a Cowboy great than Roger Staubach has joined the chorus of people who believe that Tony Romo is not the team's problem. This seems obvious to me, but I bring it up here because (a) it's not obvious to everyone who reads this blog and (b) those to whom it's not obvious may be more inclined to listen to Staubach than to me.
Mat McBriar's leg problems this year were apparently caused by a cyst below his left knee. So he's going to have surgery to get that taken care of.
Washington Redskins
Rich Campbell did a really nice, detailed story off of Senior Bowl last week. Redskins exec Scott Campbell (no relation, I assume) let Rich tail him around Mobile, Ala., and talked in-depth about the ways in which the Redskins are trying to transition into a team that builds through the draft.
London Fletcher got in a teeny bit of hot water with the NFL for a tweet he sent out during the Pro Bowl offering money to a follower who could predict the final score. Jeez, letting them tweet during the game seemed like such a good idea, too.
The pedometer says I walked 14,714 steps on Monday at the Super Bowl, bringing the grand total since Sunday's arrival to 24,693. And we're just getting started out here. Heck, today's media day.
Ah yes. Media day. Eager to see what this year's funniest media costumes are. This is not the day when the most real work gets done, as you may know, but if you go into it with the right attitude you can have some fun with it. Also, it helps if you get your links.
New York Giants
Tom Brady won't be the toughest quarterback on the field Sunday, Ian O'Connor writes. Eli Manning will. As evidence, Ian points to all Manning has had to go through to get to this point, including try and live up to his famous brother, who happened to be the dominant topic of his Monday news conference.
Mathias Kiwanuka is back in his hometown for this game, and back to the place where he nearly lost his brother in a motorcycle accident. Kevin Armstrong talked with the Kiwanukas.
Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid's decision to bring back Juan Castillo for another year as defensive coordinator is a big one, Jonathan Tamari writes. Nothing less than Reid's coaching future rides on it. That's kind of why I don't agree with those who believe this was an act of stubbornness. There's too much at stake for Reid. Anyway, Reid will talk today at noon. I'll be at the Giants' portion of media day when that's going on, but I will track it and blog on it later this afternoon, I promise.
If you want to relive Castillo's first-year performance game-by-game, philly.com has you covered. If you don't ... well, it'd be hard to blame you.
Dallas Cowboys
No less a Cowboy great than Roger Staubach has joined the chorus of people who believe that Tony Romo is not the team's problem. This seems obvious to me, but I bring it up here because (a) it's not obvious to everyone who reads this blog and (b) those to whom it's not obvious may be more inclined to listen to Staubach than to me.
Mat McBriar's leg problems this year were apparently caused by a cyst below his left knee. So he's going to have surgery to get that taken care of.
Washington Redskins
Rich Campbell did a really nice, detailed story off of Senior Bowl last week. Redskins exec Scott Campbell (no relation, I assume) let Rich tail him around Mobile, Ala., and talked in-depth about the ways in which the Redskins are trying to transition into a team that builds through the draft.
London Fletcher got in a teeny bit of hot water with the NFL for a tweet he sent out during the Pro Bowl offering money to a follower who could predict the final score. Jeez, letting them tweet during the game seemed like such a good idea, too.
The NFC East didn't have a very good all-around season. It didn't have a great, dominant team. It sent seven guys to the Pro Bowl, which is one fewer than the entire San Francisco 49ers' team sent. This was the first full season in history in which the NFC East, formed in 1970, did not produce at least one 10-win team.
Weatherford
RoccaBut one thing our division did do well was punt the ball. One of the toughest calls on the final All-Division Team was at punter, between the New York Giants' Steve Weatherford and the Washington Redskins' Sav Rocca. The Cowboys' Mat McBriar was excellent as usual when healthy, but he was injured for much of the year. And Eagles rookie Chas Henry handled himself fine for a rookie. But the decision came down to Weatherford vs. Rocca, and it was a close one.
Fortunately for me, Mark Simon works at ESPN Stats & Information, and he's obsessed with punters. So he can help me sort all of this out. On Tuesday night, I got this email from Mark:
Tough to argue with research like that, folks. I mean, Roby QPR, for goodness' sake! If anyone else cared as much about punting as Mark and I do, that just might catch on.
Mark also sent the following information on Weatherford, which bodes well this week for the Giants if not beyond:
Of course, as I pointed out, Mark meant MetLife Stadium, not Giants Stadium, which is currently a parking lot and not a great place to punt. Mark replied that he still calls Citi Field, home of the Mets, Shea Stadium (also the former name of a current parking lot). But other than that, pretty sweet punter research if you ask me. And makes me feel better about picking Rocca as the All-Division Team punter. Thanks, Mark!
Fortunately for me, Mark Simon works at ESPN Stats & Information, and he's obsessed with punters. So he can help me sort all of this out. On Tuesday night, I got this email from Mark:
I devised a dorky metric that looks at gross yards per punt, net yards per punt, pct inside 20, fair catch pct, block avoidance pct, and TD return avoidance pct. In tribute to Total QBR, I referred to it as "Roby QPR" (Reggie Roby Quality Punter Rating, LOL) It's totally unscientific... adds everything together, pretty much.
By Roby QPR, Rocca came out 8th best in the NFL, and best in the NFC East… Weatherford beats him out in net (39.2 to 39.0), but Rocca led the NFL in pct of punts inside the 20 AND only had one touchback on 66 punts (beaten only by Brad Maynard’s 1 touchback on 81 punts)
Tough to argue with research like that, folks. I mean, Roby QPR, for goodness' sake! If anyone else cared as much about punting as Mark and I do, that just might catch on.
Mark also sent the following information on Weatherford, which bodes well this week for the Giants if not beyond:
New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford had significantly better punting numbers in Giants Stadium, where he'll be punting on Sunday against the Falcons, than on the road this season. Weatherford averaged 48.1 gross yards/41.6 net yards per punt in home games this season, compared to 43.1/36.8 on the road.
The difference in net yards was notable. Weatherford's 41.6 home net average was sixth-best in the NFL. His 36.8 on the road was second-worst.
Of course, as I pointed out, Mark meant MetLife Stadium, not Giants Stadium, which is currently a parking lot and not a great place to punt. Mark replied that he still calls Citi Field, home of the Mets, Shea Stadium (also the former name of a current parking lot). But other than that, pretty sweet punter research if you ask me. And makes me feel better about picking Rocca as the All-Division Team punter. Thanks, Mark!
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- If you're wondering whether your favorite injured New York Giants or Dallas Cowboys player will be active for Sunday night's NFC East title game, the answer is yes.
Giants wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and defensive end Osi Umenyiora all will dress for and play in tonight's game. Umenyiora missed the past four games with an ankle injury. Manningham missed last week's game and several others during the second half with a knee injury. And Nicks missed some practices last week with a hamstring injury. But as they said they would be, all are healthy enough to play in a game that decides the division champion.
Likewise, Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, who bruised his throwing hand last weekend in a loss to Philadelphia, will start the game. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff and linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee also are active in spite of injuries that limited them during the week.
The Giants will still be without tight end Jake Ballard, who has a knee injury. And wide receiver Ramses Barden is a surprise inactive. He is not injured, so it appears Barden is being held out because he hasn't been playing well lately. Bear Pascoe will start at tight end in place of Ballard, with Henry Hynoski starting at fullback in place of Pascoe. The Giants also announced that Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul will be the starting defensive ends, which means Umenyiora technically will come off the bench.
For the Cowboys, the only surprise inactive is cornerback Frank Walker, who's healthy but also hasn't played well lately. With Walker and injured safety/special teamer Danny McCray inactive, the Cowboys are very thin in the secondary against a Giants passing offense that had its way with them three weeks ago in Dallas. Dallas is also without punter Mat McBriar, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a foot injury.
Giants wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and defensive end Osi Umenyiora all will dress for and play in tonight's game. Umenyiora missed the past four games with an ankle injury. Manningham missed last week's game and several others during the second half with a knee injury. And Nicks missed some practices last week with a hamstring injury. But as they said they would be, all are healthy enough to play in a game that decides the division champion.
Likewise, Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, who bruised his throwing hand last weekend in a loss to Philadelphia, will start the game. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff and linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee also are active in spite of injuries that limited them during the week.
The Giants will still be without tight end Jake Ballard, who has a knee injury. And wide receiver Ramses Barden is a surprise inactive. He is not injured, so it appears Barden is being held out because he hasn't been playing well lately. Bear Pascoe will start at tight end in place of Ballard, with Henry Hynoski starting at fullback in place of Pascoe. The Giants also announced that Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul will be the starting defensive ends, which means Umenyiora technically will come off the bench.
For the Cowboys, the only surprise inactive is cornerback Frank Walker, who's healthy but also hasn't played well lately. With Walker and injured safety/special teamer Danny McCray inactive, the Cowboys are very thin in the secondary against a Giants passing offense that had its way with them three weeks ago in Dallas. Dallas is also without punter Mat McBriar, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a foot injury.
What does Cowboys' McBriar move mean?
December, 31, 2011
12/31/11
7:22
PM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
Bit of a last-minute roster surprise, as the Dallas Cowboys put their excellent punter, Mat McBriar, on injured reserve Saturday, the day before they will play the New York Giants in a game to decide the NFC East champion. McBriar has been dealing with left foot problems all season, but said this week he felt good enough to punt Sunday. Instead, Chris Jones will handle punting duties for Dallas on Sunday and, if they win, in the playoffs.
In another move, the Cowboys added quarterback Chris Greisen from the practice squad. That means they'll have three quarterbacks available Sunday night, and that's what raises the eyebrow a little bit.
Tony Romo, the Cowboys' starting quarterback, injured his right hand in last weekend's loss to the Eagles. Though he's practiced all week, and I'm 100 percent certain he'll start Sunday's game, you have to wonder if the move with Greisen means the Cowboys are at least a little bit concerned about Romo's ability to make it through the game all the way. Stephen McGee is the backup quarterback and played in Romo's place last weekend, but if Romo were unable to throw, they'd theoretically be left only with McGee, and would need someone to step in if he got hurt.
Of course, Greisen could also have been called up to serve as Dan Bailey's holder on field goals, since Romo did that the last time regular holder McBriar was unable to play. We will see, but the mystery surrounding Romo and his throwing hand appears as though it will linger at least a little bit into the most important game of the Cowboys' season.
In another move, the Cowboys added quarterback Chris Greisen from the practice squad. That means they'll have three quarterbacks available Sunday night, and that's what raises the eyebrow a little bit.
Tony Romo, the Cowboys' starting quarterback, injured his right hand in last weekend's loss to the Eagles. Though he's practiced all week, and I'm 100 percent certain he'll start Sunday's game, you have to wonder if the move with Greisen means the Cowboys are at least a little bit concerned about Romo's ability to make it through the game all the way. Stephen McGee is the backup quarterback and played in Romo's place last weekend, but if Romo were unable to throw, they'd theoretically be left only with McGee, and would need someone to step in if he got hurt.
Of course, Greisen could also have been called up to serve as Dan Bailey's holder on field goals, since Romo did that the last time regular holder McBriar was unable to play. We will see, but the mystery surrounding Romo and his throwing hand appears as though it will linger at least a little bit into the most important game of the Cowboys' season.
What will Cowboys do with only 3 kickers?
November, 10, 2011
11/10/11
2:09
PM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
I kid, of course. It's too bad for David Buehler that his season ended when the Dallas Cowboys placed him on injured reserve Thursday. But carrying two place-kickers and two punters, as the Cowboys have been for the past week, really felt like an inefficient use of the ol' 53-man roster. Dan Bailey, who won the field goal-kicking job in training camp and was handling kickoffs while Buehler was out with an injury, will handle both responsibilities the rest of the way. Meanwhile, as punter Mat McBriar tries to work his way back from his leg injury, they'll keep Chris Jones around in case they need him to punt this week.
In fairness, they do lose a little bit by replacing Buehler with Bailey for kickoffs. Here's Todd Archer:
So it could cost them a little bit in terms of field position. But Bailey's certainly not killing them there, and considering the value of the roster spot Buehler was eating up, this move should help the Cowboys' ability to be more flexible going forward if and when they need to address positions like wide receiver and linebacker due to injuries at those spots. Keeping Buehler and Bailey on the team never made much sense when they were cutting people like Tashard Choice.
In fairness, they do lose a little bit by replacing Buehler with Bailey for kickoffs. Here's Todd Archer:
Buehler had nine touchbacks on 18 kickoffs and the opponents' average starting point was the 20.4. Bailey, who took over in Buehler's absence, had six touchbacks on 24 tries and the opponents' average starting point is the 22.3.
So it could cost them a little bit in terms of field position. But Bailey's certainly not killing them there, and considering the value of the roster spot Buehler was eating up, this move should help the Cowboys' ability to be more flexible going forward if and when they need to address positions like wide receiver and linebacker due to injuries at those spots. Keeping Buehler and Bailey on the team never made much sense when they were cutting people like Tashard Choice.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Sorry I've been out of pocket all afternoon. Came down this way to check in on New York Giants practice and talk to some of the players on our division's first-place team. One of the guys everybody wanted to talk to was injured wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury. Nicks didn't practice today, but he did run, and he's got a practice plan for the week that he says is aimed at getting him on the field Sunday in San Francisco.
"I ran and got up to full speed, and it felt good," Nicks said. "The plan is more and more each day, and just hope for no setbacks."
Nicks said his only concern was that "fatigue" would set in due to the rest he's given the leg over the past 10 days and that could lead to a recurrence of the injury. But it sounds as though he's trying to play Sunday.
The only Giants player who didn't practice was running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who missed last week's game with a foot injury. No word on Bradshaw's chances of playing Sunday, but Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, "He's better than he was last week, that's for sure." So take that any way you want to take it.
As for the rest of the division:
Dallas Cowboys
Inside linebacker Sean Lee has been fitted with a very large and intimidating cast on his left arm to protect his dislocated wrist. And while that's likely to severely curtail his ability to make interceptions, Lee believes he should be able to play with the cast on and play Sunday against the Bills. The Cowboys need him. The defense hasn't been the same since he left that Eagles game two weeks ago in the first quarter. ... Running back Felix Jones and right guard Kyle Kosier missed practice and their status for the Buffalo game is up in the air, as is that of punter Mat McBriar, who has a foot injury but apparently did do some punting in practice.
Philadelphia Eagles
Safety Nate Allen missed practice with a concussion and I wouldn't count on him for the game Sunday against the Cardinals. Left guard Evan Mathis also missed practice with a toe injury, and that's a potential problem. Mathis has been one of the best guards in the whole league this year and a key to the Eagles' league-leading rush offense. It sounds as though the plan for replacing him, if they have to, is utility lineman King Dunlap, who would look pretty doggone big there.
Washington Redskins
Safety LaRon Landry has a sore Achilles' tendon and missed practice, which isn't good because the defense is about all the Redskins have going for them at this point. And as if to support that notion, right tackle Jammal Brown is out with a groin injury. The Redskins are not a team that can absorb another offensive line injury, folks. We'll keep an eye on that one.
"I ran and got up to full speed, and it felt good," Nicks said. "The plan is more and more each day, and just hope for no setbacks."
Nicks said his only concern was that "fatigue" would set in due to the rest he's given the leg over the past 10 days and that could lead to a recurrence of the injury. But it sounds as though he's trying to play Sunday.
The only Giants player who didn't practice was running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who missed last week's game with a foot injury. No word on Bradshaw's chances of playing Sunday, but Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, "He's better than he was last week, that's for sure." So take that any way you want to take it.
As for the rest of the division:
Dallas Cowboys
Inside linebacker Sean Lee has been fitted with a very large and intimidating cast on his left arm to protect his dislocated wrist. And while that's likely to severely curtail his ability to make interceptions, Lee believes he should be able to play with the cast on and play Sunday against the Bills. The Cowboys need him. The defense hasn't been the same since he left that Eagles game two weeks ago in the first quarter. ... Running back Felix Jones and right guard Kyle Kosier missed practice and their status for the Buffalo game is up in the air, as is that of punter Mat McBriar, who has a foot injury but apparently did do some punting in practice.
Philadelphia Eagles
Safety Nate Allen missed practice with a concussion and I wouldn't count on him for the game Sunday against the Cardinals. Left guard Evan Mathis also missed practice with a toe injury, and that's a potential problem. Mathis has been one of the best guards in the whole league this year and a key to the Eagles' league-leading rush offense. It sounds as though the plan for replacing him, if they have to, is utility lineman King Dunlap, who would look pretty doggone big there.
Washington Redskins
Safety LaRon Landry has a sore Achilles' tendon and missed practice, which isn't good because the defense is about all the Redskins have going for them at this point. And as if to support that notion, right tackle Jammal Brown is out with a groin injury. The Redskins are not a team that can absorb another offensive line injury, folks. We'll keep an eye on that one.
Breakfast links: Cowboys banged up on D
November, 1, 2011
11/01/11
8:00
AM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
Tuesday links are in the over and will be ready in 3... 2...
New York Giants
The Giants Tough Guy of the Week Award goes to cornerback Justin Tryon, who apparently broke his arm in the first half of Sunday's game, broke it even more tackling Reggie Bush to prevent a fourth-quarter punt return and is out for the year now after surgery to repair the break Monday. Tryon tweeted the X-rays of his arm pre-surgery. Not for the squeamish.
While the Giants have slugged their way to a 5-2 start, there are underlying issues, not the least of which so far are their inability to run the ball on offense or stop the run on defense, as Mike Mazzeo writes.
Philadelphia Eagles
We heard a lot after Sunday night's game about how much better the Eagles were playing on defense now that they've spent some time in Juan Castillo's scheme. But Sheil Kapadia writes that it goes deeper than that -- that the increased comfort level of the players is allowing Castillo to add more wrinkles to the defense that should benefit it going forward by allowing it to do more to confuse offenses.
As for the offense, the biggest thing the Eagles have going for them right now is the emergence of LeSean McCoy as one of the best running backs in the league, and the wisdom the coaching staff has shown in deciding to take advantage of McCoy's blossoming and unique abilities.
Dallas Cowboys
Monday might have been a worse day for the Cowboys' defense than Sunday was, as the news on a couple of key players came back negative. Inside linebacker Sean Lee has a dislocated left wrist and doesn't know whether or not he'll be able to play Sunday against the Seahawks. Cornerback Mike Jenkins is saying his hamstring injury could cost him 3-to-4 weeks. And to top it all off, punter Mat McBriar has a serious injury to his non-kicking foot that forced him out of Sunday's game and could cost him more time. All serious problems, but Lee's may be the biggest. He and DeMarcus Ware have been the Cowboys' best defensive players this season, and they looked lost without him Sunday night in Philadelphia.
Jean-Jacques Taylor suggests that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should tone down his act until such time as the Cowboys are once again "an upper-echelon team." I guess that's a worthwhile point of view, but I feel like I've read it before about Rob's brother, Rex, and I just don't think there's much point in hoping for it. These guys are going to do it their way, and if the teams for which they're working don't like it, the Ryan brothers' attitude that is, they're welcome to find somebody else. They both believe themselves to be great at what they do and they're confident enough that they're not going to change the outward manifestations of their personalities just because they stand out from the staid, establishment NFL crowd.
Washington Redskins
Lots of people tweeted at me Monday asking about the job status of Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Here it is in a nutshell: His father is the head coach. And while Mike Wise makes some interesting points (with the help of Bobby Bowden) on the pitfalls of hiring your son to be your offensive coordinator, facts are facts. It's a stone-cold waste of time for anybody right now to wish or wonder about Kyle Shanahan losing his job. Besides, this isn't a coordinator problem, folks. This guy's out of players, and probably didn't have enough good ones to begin with.
The Redskins have apparently decided to replace injured running back Tim Hightower with former Cowboys running back Tashard Choice. Dallas cut Choice over the weekend due to shoulder and leg injuries and their insistence on continuing to carry two kickers once it came time to activate rookie linebacker Bruce Carter. If he can get healthy, Choice should soon find himself part of a weird, unpredictable running back committee with Ryan Torain and Roy Helu in Washington.
New York Giants
The Giants Tough Guy of the Week Award goes to cornerback Justin Tryon, who apparently broke his arm in the first half of Sunday's game, broke it even more tackling Reggie Bush to prevent a fourth-quarter punt return and is out for the year now after surgery to repair the break Monday. Tryon tweeted the X-rays of his arm pre-surgery. Not for the squeamish.
While the Giants have slugged their way to a 5-2 start, there are underlying issues, not the least of which so far are their inability to run the ball on offense or stop the run on defense, as Mike Mazzeo writes.
Philadelphia Eagles
We heard a lot after Sunday night's game about how much better the Eagles were playing on defense now that they've spent some time in Juan Castillo's scheme. But Sheil Kapadia writes that it goes deeper than that -- that the increased comfort level of the players is allowing Castillo to add more wrinkles to the defense that should benefit it going forward by allowing it to do more to confuse offenses.
As for the offense, the biggest thing the Eagles have going for them right now is the emergence of LeSean McCoy as one of the best running backs in the league, and the wisdom the coaching staff has shown in deciding to take advantage of McCoy's blossoming and unique abilities.
Dallas Cowboys
Monday might have been a worse day for the Cowboys' defense than Sunday was, as the news on a couple of key players came back negative. Inside linebacker Sean Lee has a dislocated left wrist and doesn't know whether or not he'll be able to play Sunday against the Seahawks. Cornerback Mike Jenkins is saying his hamstring injury could cost him 3-to-4 weeks. And to top it all off, punter Mat McBriar has a serious injury to his non-kicking foot that forced him out of Sunday's game and could cost him more time. All serious problems, but Lee's may be the biggest. He and DeMarcus Ware have been the Cowboys' best defensive players this season, and they looked lost without him Sunday night in Philadelphia.
Jean-Jacques Taylor suggests that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should tone down his act until such time as the Cowboys are once again "an upper-echelon team." I guess that's a worthwhile point of view, but I feel like I've read it before about Rob's brother, Rex, and I just don't think there's much point in hoping for it. These guys are going to do it their way, and if the teams for which they're working don't like it, the Ryan brothers' attitude that is, they're welcome to find somebody else. They both believe themselves to be great at what they do and they're confident enough that they're not going to change the outward manifestations of their personalities just because they stand out from the staid, establishment NFL crowd.
Washington Redskins
Lots of people tweeted at me Monday asking about the job status of Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Here it is in a nutshell: His father is the head coach. And while Mike Wise makes some interesting points (with the help of Bobby Bowden) on the pitfalls of hiring your son to be your offensive coordinator, facts are facts. It's a stone-cold waste of time for anybody right now to wish or wonder about Kyle Shanahan losing his job. Besides, this isn't a coordinator problem, folks. This guy's out of players, and probably didn't have enough good ones to begin with.
The Redskins have apparently decided to replace injured running back Tim Hightower with former Cowboys running back Tashard Choice. Dallas cut Choice over the weekend due to shoulder and leg injuries and their insistence on continuing to carry two kickers once it came time to activate rookie linebacker Bruce Carter. If he can get healthy, Choice should soon find himself part of a weird, unpredictable running back committee with Ryan Torain and Roy Helu in Washington.
Rapid Reaction: Cowboys 18, Redskins 16
September, 26, 2011
9/26/11
11:45
PM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A couple of thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 18-16 victory over the Washington Redskins on "Monday Night Football."
What it means: Something very similar for the Cowboys to what the Giants' victory meant to them Sunday in Philadelphia. The Cowboys are shredded on offense right now, with a jumpy, mistake-prone offensive line and very limited options at receiver. And yet, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo found a way to move the offense down the field and into field goal range six times -- enough to deliver a win the Cowboys had no business picking up. Banking a division win like this at a time when their team is not whole is pure gold for a team like the Cowboys or the Giants, each of whom find themselves a gritty, gutsy 2-1. For the Redskins, this game is a missed opportunity. They had the Cowboys where they wanted them but were unable to generate enough offense in the fourth quarter to put it away. Credit the Cowboys' defense, but Washington's offense doesn't have big-time playmakers, and it cost them a win they should have had.
Romo needs help: I don't know whether Romo played a bad game or whether he was up against impossible circumstances. He didn't have top receiver Miles Austin, out with a hamstring injury. He really didn't have much of his other star receiver, Dez Bryant, who's clearly far less than 100 percent due to his thigh injury and was in and out all night before catching a big third-down pass in the final minutes. The Redskins knew Romo wanted to throw to tight end Jason Witten, so they covered up Witten all night. Left tackle Doug Free had a bad game. Center Phil Costa had an awful game, botching several quarterback/center exchanges and getting an earful from a clearly frustrated Romo. If the Cowboys can't support Romo better than they did Monday night, he's going to have to keep pulling miracles out of his bag, as he basically has done the past two weeks.
Washington's offense is boring, but basically works: The Redskins' offensive game plan for this season appears to be simple: Run the ball, run out the clock and stay away from mistakes. It's not a lot of fun, but it doesn't have to be. They rely on running back Tim Hightower, who's an asset as a runner, a receiver and a pass-blocker. When he needs to come off the field, they bring in spry rookie Roy Helu. Rex Grossman throws downfield some, but it's clear they want to limit his ability to hurt them with a bad decision and/or throw. They protected him well for most of the night, with second-year left tackle Trent Williams holding his own against DeMarcus Ware until Ware broke through for a couple of big plays in the fourth quarter. The Redskins built up the defense this offseason and likely will target some offensive pieces next year. But for now, this ball-control plan is what they're comfortable with, and it's doing what they need it to do, even if it did come up just short Monday night.
Run on the Redskins?: The Cowboys couldn't do anything in the run game in the first half, but in the second, holes started opening up and Felix Jones started hitting them and doing major damage. It felt similar to last week's Redskins game, in which the Arizona Cardinals couldn't run the ball against them in the first half but then got Beanie Wells going in the second. The Redskins are thin on the defensive line with rookie Jarvis Jenkins out for the year with a knee injury, and I wonder if their linemen are playing more snaps than the coaching staff would like them to play and maybe wearing down in the second half. Just a theory, and something to watch.
Sound in the kicking game: Other than the field goal the Redskins had blocked as a result of a bad snap, the kickers and punters put on an absolute show. Redskins punter Sav Rocca and Cowboys punter Mat McBriar are both having stellar years, and their skills were on display all night as they helped determine field position. And Washington's Graham Gano and Dallas' Dan Bailey combined for nine field goals as neither offense was able to muster much of anything in the red zone.
What's next: The Cowboys are likely going to need to generate more offense Sunday when they host Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the high-flying, 3-0 Detroit Lions. That's a tougher team to outscore than the Redskins are. Washington heads to St. Louis, where the Rams have yet to get their season off the ground and are 0-3 including losses to the Eagles and the Giants during their early-season tour of the NFC East. The Redskins should be able to get to 3-1 and put this tough loss behind them.
What it means: Something very similar for the Cowboys to what the Giants' victory meant to them Sunday in Philadelphia. The Cowboys are shredded on offense right now, with a jumpy, mistake-prone offensive line and very limited options at receiver. And yet, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo found a way to move the offense down the field and into field goal range six times -- enough to deliver a win the Cowboys had no business picking up. Banking a division win like this at a time when their team is not whole is pure gold for a team like the Cowboys or the Giants, each of whom find themselves a gritty, gutsy 2-1. For the Redskins, this game is a missed opportunity. They had the Cowboys where they wanted them but were unable to generate enough offense in the fourth quarter to put it away. Credit the Cowboys' defense, but Washington's offense doesn't have big-time playmakers, and it cost them a win they should have had.
Romo needs help: I don't know whether Romo played a bad game or whether he was up against impossible circumstances. He didn't have top receiver Miles Austin, out with a hamstring injury. He really didn't have much of his other star receiver, Dez Bryant, who's clearly far less than 100 percent due to his thigh injury and was in and out all night before catching a big third-down pass in the final minutes. The Redskins knew Romo wanted to throw to tight end Jason Witten, so they covered up Witten all night. Left tackle Doug Free had a bad game. Center Phil Costa had an awful game, botching several quarterback/center exchanges and getting an earful from a clearly frustrated Romo. If the Cowboys can't support Romo better than they did Monday night, he's going to have to keep pulling miracles out of his bag, as he basically has done the past two weeks.
Washington's offense is boring, but basically works: The Redskins' offensive game plan for this season appears to be simple: Run the ball, run out the clock and stay away from mistakes. It's not a lot of fun, but it doesn't have to be. They rely on running back Tim Hightower, who's an asset as a runner, a receiver and a pass-blocker. When he needs to come off the field, they bring in spry rookie Roy Helu. Rex Grossman throws downfield some, but it's clear they want to limit his ability to hurt them with a bad decision and/or throw. They protected him well for most of the night, with second-year left tackle Trent Williams holding his own against DeMarcus Ware until Ware broke through for a couple of big plays in the fourth quarter. The Redskins built up the defense this offseason and likely will target some offensive pieces next year. But for now, this ball-control plan is what they're comfortable with, and it's doing what they need it to do, even if it did come up just short Monday night.
Run on the Redskins?: The Cowboys couldn't do anything in the run game in the first half, but in the second, holes started opening up and Felix Jones started hitting them and doing major damage. It felt similar to last week's Redskins game, in which the Arizona Cardinals couldn't run the ball against them in the first half but then got Beanie Wells going in the second. The Redskins are thin on the defensive line with rookie Jarvis Jenkins out for the year with a knee injury, and I wonder if their linemen are playing more snaps than the coaching staff would like them to play and maybe wearing down in the second half. Just a theory, and something to watch.
Sound in the kicking game: Other than the field goal the Redskins had blocked as a result of a bad snap, the kickers and punters put on an absolute show. Redskins punter Sav Rocca and Cowboys punter Mat McBriar are both having stellar years, and their skills were on display all night as they helped determine field position. And Washington's Graham Gano and Dallas' Dan Bailey combined for nine field goals as neither offense was able to muster much of anything in the red zone.
What's next: The Cowboys are likely going to need to generate more offense Sunday when they host Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the high-flying, 3-0 Detroit Lions. That's a tougher team to outscore than the Redskins are. Washington heads to St. Louis, where the Rams have yet to get their season off the ground and are 0-3 including losses to the Eagles and the Giants during their early-season tour of the NFC East. The Redskins should be able to get to 3-1 and put this tough loss behind them.
Bit of a slow day on the free-agent front. Unless you're the Eagles, that is. But all of our teams are practicing now, and there are things happening. So we ask, as we have at the end of each night this week: How was your day ...
Dallas Cowboys?
"Patient." No, the fans aren't patient, but the Cowboys are. They still need those two safeties. But they began the day with the news that they were bringing in Kenyon Coleman for the defensive line, and they haven't reacted to the Eagles' spree by doing anything rash. No one could reasonably look back over this week and claim it's been a very good one for the Cowboys. And Saturday saw a bunch of lousy things happen that had nothing to do with the Eagles and all of their good fortune. They've got injuries all over the place, from running back (DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice) to punter (Mat McBriar) to linebacker (Keith Brooking) to wide receivers coach (Jimmy Robinson, who was knocked unconscious during a special teams drill and briefly hospitalized). Their salary cap issues have forced them to go slower than they'd prefer to go in free agency. But Jerry Jones spoke Saturday about the mistakes of offseasons past, and listening to that, maybe it's not a bad idea to be a little bit patient for a change.
New York Giants?
"Refreshing." The Giants got back to work on the practice field Saturday, holding their first practice of training camp. The Giants are having evening practices only this year. Tom Coughlin likes evening practices, so when they told him he couldn't have two-a-days anymore as a result of the new labor deal, he scrapped the morning practices and kept the evening ones. Said he wanted to use the daytime for meetings and film, since they were so far behind on installations due to the lockout. Coughlin likes to work, and getting the players on the field with the coaches at long last could help distract the Giants from the apparent fact that Plaxico Burress was only using them to drum up interest from other teams and that they still haven't come to agreements with Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss and Steve Smith, let alone the free-agent linebacker they need. They picked up veteran guard Chris White to add to their offensive line depth. And they did score a victory in their ongoing dispute with Osi Umenyiora over his contract, as Umenyiora decided to show up. Seems as though he'll keep expressing his displeasure, but that he's not going to actually do anything about it because he really can't. So that's a little victory, even if what was happening with the team down I-95 was a little bit more spectacular.
Philadelphia Eagles?
"Celebratory." The Eagles were already the talk of the league Saturday in the wake of their surprise Nnamdi Asomugha signing, and they surprised again with the announcement that they'd signed free-agent defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins. They traded Brodrick Bunkley to the Browns for a fifth-round pick and to save about $2 million in salary cap space so they could keep hunting for linebacker help, offensive line help, maybe Burress and possibly look into new deals for DeSean Jackson and/or Michael Vick. So in the past three days they've added Asomugha, Jason Babin, Jenkins, Vince Young, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and a little bit of helpful cap room. No wonder the fans of the other three teams are jealous.
Washington Redskins?
"Quiet, again." Nothing, really, out of Ashburn for the second day in a row. The Redskins were having the busiest week of any team in the division until Friday, and now they have fallen silent. Nothing new on the hunt for a right guard. Some whispers that they're after Braylon Edwards, but nothing solid on that yet. (Though I do think it'd be a nice signing.) Just some calm, quiet practices where everybody's passed their conditioning tests and they're working on putting together a decent defense. The Redskins will make some news again this off-season, but remember -- they're rebuilding for the future, and are maybe the one team one this list for whom patience shouldn't be a frustrating attribute right now.
Me, my day was all right. Slept a little bit later than I had been, went for a nice five-mile run, lunch with the family, watched a little baseball. Busy, but not as all-hours, wall-to-wall busy as the week had been. More to come tomorrow, I'm sure, and then Monday I'll be on location from Redskins camp as I begin my training camp tour. So it was nice to get an hour here and an hour there to relax a bit Saturday.
How about you. How was your day?
Dallas Cowboys?
"Patient." No, the fans aren't patient, but the Cowboys are. They still need those two safeties. But they began the day with the news that they were bringing in Kenyon Coleman for the defensive line, and they haven't reacted to the Eagles' spree by doing anything rash. No one could reasonably look back over this week and claim it's been a very good one for the Cowboys. And Saturday saw a bunch of lousy things happen that had nothing to do with the Eagles and all of their good fortune. They've got injuries all over the place, from running back (DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice) to punter (Mat McBriar) to linebacker (Keith Brooking) to wide receivers coach (Jimmy Robinson, who was knocked unconscious during a special teams drill and briefly hospitalized). Their salary cap issues have forced them to go slower than they'd prefer to go in free agency. But Jerry Jones spoke Saturday about the mistakes of offseasons past, and listening to that, maybe it's not a bad idea to be a little bit patient for a change.
New York Giants?
"Refreshing." The Giants got back to work on the practice field Saturday, holding their first practice of training camp. The Giants are having evening practices only this year. Tom Coughlin likes evening practices, so when they told him he couldn't have two-a-days anymore as a result of the new labor deal, he scrapped the morning practices and kept the evening ones. Said he wanted to use the daytime for meetings and film, since they were so far behind on installations due to the lockout. Coughlin likes to work, and getting the players on the field with the coaches at long last could help distract the Giants from the apparent fact that Plaxico Burress was only using them to drum up interest from other teams and that they still haven't come to agreements with Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss and Steve Smith, let alone the free-agent linebacker they need. They picked up veteran guard Chris White to add to their offensive line depth. And they did score a victory in their ongoing dispute with Osi Umenyiora over his contract, as Umenyiora decided to show up. Seems as though he'll keep expressing his displeasure, but that he's not going to actually do anything about it because he really can't. So that's a little victory, even if what was happening with the team down I-95 was a little bit more spectacular.
Philadelphia Eagles?
"Celebratory." The Eagles were already the talk of the league Saturday in the wake of their surprise Nnamdi Asomugha signing, and they surprised again with the announcement that they'd signed free-agent defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins. They traded Brodrick Bunkley to the Browns for a fifth-round pick and to save about $2 million in salary cap space so they could keep hunting for linebacker help, offensive line help, maybe Burress and possibly look into new deals for DeSean Jackson and/or Michael Vick. So in the past three days they've added Asomugha, Jason Babin, Jenkins, Vince Young, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and a little bit of helpful cap room. No wonder the fans of the other three teams are jealous.
Washington Redskins?
"Quiet, again." Nothing, really, out of Ashburn for the second day in a row. The Redskins were having the busiest week of any team in the division until Friday, and now they have fallen silent. Nothing new on the hunt for a right guard. Some whispers that they're after Braylon Edwards, but nothing solid on that yet. (Though I do think it'd be a nice signing.) Just some calm, quiet practices where everybody's passed their conditioning tests and they're working on putting together a decent defense. The Redskins will make some news again this off-season, but remember -- they're rebuilding for the future, and are maybe the one team one this list for whom patience shouldn't be a frustrating attribute right now.
Me, my day was all right. Slept a little bit later than I had been, went for a nice five-mile run, lunch with the family, watched a little baseball. Busy, but not as all-hours, wall-to-wall busy as the week had been. More to come tomorrow, I'm sure, and then Monday I'll be on location from Redskins camp as I begin my training camp tour. So it was nice to get an hour here and an hour there to relax a bit Saturday.
How about you. How was your day?
Free agency in the East: Kickers/Punters
July, 1, 2011
7/01/11
1:04
PM ET
By
Dan Graziano | ESPN.com
I asked, and the consensus answer was something like, "Sure, why not?" And so we conclude our position-by-position series on potential four-year free agency and the NFC East with a look at kickers and punters. Yeah, even with content hard to come by these days, I couldn't justify splitting them into two posts.
NFC East teams in need
Cowboys: They're set at punter with Mat McBriar, but while they're obviously invested in kicker David Buehler, they brought in veteran Kris Brown to see if they could put some pressure on Buehler to be better. The new kickoff rules could make Buehler's saving grace -- his ability to drill touchbacks on kickoffs -- less valuable than it used to be, which means making field goals is the only way he's going to keep his job. If he flops badly, it's possible Dallas looks at someone on this list since Brown likely isn't the answer either.
Giants: Set at kicker with Lawrence Tynes, and committed to Matt Dodge at punter but you wonder for how long. Following Jeff Feagles was never going to be an easy assignment, but as big as Dodge's leg is, his directional gaffes last year were too much for the Giants and their fans to stomach. Not kicking the ball out of bounds against DeSean Jackson and the Eagles in that Meadowlands game wasn't the first mistake -- just the worst and least forgettable. Dodge is likely to start the season with the job, but the Giants might want to keep their eye on this list in case they need to make a midseason move.
Eagles: Situation very much in flux in Philly, where they drafted kicker Alex Henery, likely signaling the end of the Eagles career of the great David Akers. Punter Sav Rocca, is also a free agent and could decide to retire rather than punt again at the age of 38. Bet on the Eagles going with Henery at kicker and bringing back Rocca on a one-year deal, but if Rocca won't have it, they'll need to go shopping.
Redskins: Well, they have guys at both spots. But Graham Gano is coming off a bad year as the kicker, and they could theoretically look to replace him. They have two punters on the roster -- Josh Bidwell and Sam Paulescu -- so they should be able to come up with something out of that.
Top five potential free-agent kickers
1. Adam Vinatieri, Colts
2. Ryan Longwell, Vikings
3. Akers
4. Matt Bryant, Falcons
5. Shayne Graham, Patriots
Top five potential free-agent punters
1. Adam Podlesh, Jaguars
2. Ben Graham, Cardinals
3. Steve Weatherford, Jets
4. Rocca
5. Michael Koenen, Falcons
Predictions that mean nothing: At least three of these teams will change kickers and/or punters between now and the end of the 2011 season, but I'm not saying which because kickers and punters are totally unpredictable. Akers leaves the division, though, I predict, though Dallas fans might wish their team would snag him.
NFC East teams in need
Cowboys: They're set at punter with Mat McBriar, but while they're obviously invested in kicker David Buehler, they brought in veteran Kris Brown to see if they could put some pressure on Buehler to be better. The new kickoff rules could make Buehler's saving grace -- his ability to drill touchbacks on kickoffs -- less valuable than it used to be, which means making field goals is the only way he's going to keep his job. If he flops badly, it's possible Dallas looks at someone on this list since Brown likely isn't the answer either.
Giants: Set at kicker with Lawrence Tynes, and committed to Matt Dodge at punter but you wonder for how long. Following Jeff Feagles was never going to be an easy assignment, but as big as Dodge's leg is, his directional gaffes last year were too much for the Giants and their fans to stomach. Not kicking the ball out of bounds against DeSean Jackson and the Eagles in that Meadowlands game wasn't the first mistake -- just the worst and least forgettable. Dodge is likely to start the season with the job, but the Giants might want to keep their eye on this list in case they need to make a midseason move.
Eagles: Situation very much in flux in Philly, where they drafted kicker Alex Henery, likely signaling the end of the Eagles career of the great David Akers. Punter Sav Rocca, is also a free agent and could decide to retire rather than punt again at the age of 38. Bet on the Eagles going with Henery at kicker and bringing back Rocca on a one-year deal, but if Rocca won't have it, they'll need to go shopping.
Redskins: Well, they have guys at both spots. But Graham Gano is coming off a bad year as the kicker, and they could theoretically look to replace him. They have two punters on the roster -- Josh Bidwell and Sam Paulescu -- so they should be able to come up with something out of that.
Top five potential free-agent kickers
1. Adam Vinatieri, Colts
2. Ryan Longwell, Vikings
3. Akers
4. Matt Bryant, Falcons
5. Shayne Graham, Patriots
Top five potential free-agent punters
1. Adam Podlesh, Jaguars
2. Ben Graham, Cardinals
3. Steve Weatherford, Jets
4. Rocca
5. Michael Koenen, Falcons
Predictions that mean nothing: At least three of these teams will change kickers and/or punters between now and the end of the 2011 season, but I'm not saying which because kickers and punters are totally unpredictable. Akers leaves the division, though, I predict, though Dallas fans might wish their team would snag him.
New York Giants deep snapper Zak DeOssie has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster by Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith. DeOssie is the fifth Giants player to make the roster, although center Shaun O'Hara won't play after undergoing foot surgery this week.
"Through my experience from the last time I went, I understand that this is the time where they choose the long snappers,” DeOssie said Thursday. “In the back of my mind, I had a one-in-16 chance at the worst. So, I figured maybe I could be getting a call, maybe not. I don’t know how it works and who it’s up to ultimately, but apparently somebody down in Atlanta saw something that they like and they extended an invitation to me, which I’m very fortunate about."
The NFC East will now have Cowboys punter Mat McBriar, Eagles kicker David Akers and DeOssie in next Sunday's game. This has to be some type of record for specialists from one division, but the Beast blog has always stayed away from Pro Bowl research projects.
"Through my experience from the last time I went, I understand that this is the time where they choose the long snappers,” DeOssie said Thursday. “In the back of my mind, I had a one-in-16 chance at the worst. So, I figured maybe I could be getting a call, maybe not. I don’t know how it works and who it’s up to ultimately, but apparently somebody down in Atlanta saw something that they like and they extended an invitation to me, which I’m very fortunate about."
The NFC East will now have Cowboys punter Mat McBriar, Eagles kicker David Akers and DeOssie in next Sunday's game. This has to be some type of record for specialists from one division, but the Beast blog has always stayed away from Pro Bowl research projects.
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.
