WHATS THE LATEST

Mondy Edition

August 20th, 2012

What's the Latest

 

Kolb Done in Arizona?

It may be a little early to make the call, but we are definitely closer to seeing quarterback Kevin Kolb on his way out versus securing the starting gig in Arizona. Through two preseason games he has just not looked comfortable in the pocket or shown the confidence to take command of the offense.

In two games played Kolb’s numbers look horrendous; just 5 of 15 passing for 47 yards, with an interception. Kolb has also been sacked four times and has one of the worst preseason passer ratings of 15.1. Against the Raiders he may not have been scared, but he did not look like a quarterback with confidence, as he was often hit and knocked down, when he wasn’t getting sacked.

Kolb will undoubtedly need an outstanding performance in week three of the preseason against the Titans if he has any hopes of winning the starting job. I have not been to Vegas lately, but I am guessing his odds are long.

Manning Sharp, but not Great.

Against the Seahawks in week two of the preseason, quarterback Peyton Manning got plenty of work, throwing the ball 23 times and playing the entire first half. Manning also shook off some more rust on Saturday taking his first big hit this preseason. It wasn’t a ferocious hit, but it was nice to see the four-time MVP bounced back up with no issues.

The former Colt played well completing 16 of 23 for 177 yards in the air and he made a number of nice throws dropping the ball right in the bread-basket; the kid has not lost his touch. While there appears to be no reason for concern regarding his accuracy, Manning has yet to throw a touchdown pass this preseason (although not all his fault, just ask tight end Jacob Tamme who dropped an easy score against the Seahawks).

There are plenty of things in Manning’s game currently to call out that look pretty good; his command on the field, decision making, tempo, and while he has looked sharp, he has been far from great at times. Manning has made the short to intermediate throws without issue, but we have really yet to see him go deep. He has also been plagued with passes getting knocked down and tipped at the line leading to a couple of interceptions against the Seahawks.

All-in-all for a quarterback that missed all of last season, Manning has looked strong on the field and appears to be moving in the right direction. He’s still a work in progress and Denver fans have yet to see the finished product. I would say they have much to look forward to.

By David Ortega

TALKIN FOOTBALL

Thursday Edition

August 16th, 2012 

Talkin Football

 

The Best in the West

Should Denver be the Favorite?

If you were to ask this Broncos’ fan you might be surprised by the answer. Even with the addition of Peyton Manning and as good as he has looked thus far in camp, it’s far too early to start crowning, boasting, or bragging about any changing of the guard. There are still 17 weeks of regular season football, none of which Manning has seen in over a year.

There wasn’t a lot of separation in the division a year ago and even with the addition of Manning to Denver, it’s too early to see the difference. Manning offers the Broncos a potential upgrade on the offensive side, but we’ll need to see his durability following all of those neck surgeries he underwent.

The Raiders and Chiefs will have many questions to answer this season with a number of key players (Charles, McFadden) returning from injury and a number of new faces finding their fit, but don’t count either out. Last season the Silver and Black showed some promise with Carson Palmer in the huddle and with a full training camp and preseason under their belt, they figure to once again be a factor if they can keep key folks healthy.

With both Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel returning from injury, the Chiefs will do their best to figure into the AFC West Division equation. Always tough at Arrowhead, Kansas City will provide a stiff test for the division foes.

When you talk about the AFC West you can not discount the San Diego Chargers. They still have Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, plenty of complimentary pieces on offense and a tough defense. Denver may have made what looks like the biggest move this off-season, but the Chargers have owned the West for the past several seasons and they have not gone away.

It’s too soon to pick a favorite, but if Denver is going to claim any stakes in the west they will have to prove their worth when they meet the Chargers on Monday night in week 6,

Does Moss Run Deep or is there Gold in the Bay?

Yeah, I may be a little confused by that title as well, but simply put should Randy Moss be considered a difference maker in San Francisco. And with or without Moss, do the Niners have any real threats within their own division?

Last season with a ball-control offense and a ferocious in your face defense, the Niners came one game from returning to the Super Bowl. With much of their core defense in place and second year head coach Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the Niners will enter the 2012 season as the perennial favorites.

They have made some notable additions on offense that include ex-Giant receiver Mario Manningham and ex-retired receiver Randy Moss, but are these changes going to make a huge impact? The offense is ball control and run heavy (ranked 3^rd in attempts last season) and with Alex Smith under center, it does not figure to change much, even with the new additions.

Both the Rams and Cardinals are teams in repair looking for their identity and don’t figure to make much of a push for the division. With a new head coach and a young arm under center in St. Louis the Rams will be hoping to build quickly in 2011. Even with an improving defense the Cards seem less of a threat in the hunt for the division as they are still in search of their starting quarterback.

The Seahawks are an improving squad under the direction of head coach Pete Carroll and should all their pieces fall into place this season they could conceivably make this division interesting. On paper the Seahawks would appear to be a formidable opponent, but fortunately for the Niners they must take their case to the field.

A strong run game and stout defense figure to be the correct recipe to stay atop the division, and the Niners should once again fit that mold.

By David Ortega

WHATS THE LATEST

Tuesday Edition

August 14th, 2012

What's the Latest

Replacement Refs: Out with Old, in With New?

That may be the way of the NFL world for the moment, but is that a good thing or bad? The replacement refs have been far from spectacular thus far this preseason and we have only seen one week of work.

It’s hard to take either side in this matter, when you consider the current state of the economy and the fact these guys are well paid; considering they only work about half the year. After reading a couple of articles and understanding a little more of what’s at stake, of course the issue is money. The Refs want more and the League wants to give them less; business as usual.

In the short term, the League and the Refs both need to make some concessions here and get the men in stripes back on the field for greater good of the game. What the league needs to understand, they need these professionals working now to protect their investment; the game itself and the 1500 or so players.

The game needs the regular referees need to get back on the field and open an on-going negotiation (through-out the season) that will make them full-time employees and get them a reasonable pay-increase. This is not a situation that you want to test the waters and hope for the best. Remember the NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry; they need to protect the players and the integrity of the game.

Replacements is not the answer, this is just an un-wise temporary solution to a long term problem. The two sides need to get back to the table and agree to get the regular zebras back on the gridiron.

Chad Johnson Done for Now?

Following his arrest Saturday for domestic violence, Chad Johnson’s comeback in 2012 has been halted and put on ice. It’s very unfortunate to see something like this happen; it’s an ugly situation and unfortunate for both Chad and Evelyn.

I can only say Chad has no one to blame but himself. Only he and Evelyn know the truth of what happened, but for Chad at this point that’s irrelevant. When you are considered an NFL Diva and a high profile athlete, you have to be ready for the baggage and responsibility that comes with that territory. You also have to be not only responsible for your actions, but accountable for the decisions you make; a profanity laced press conference, getting married so quickly, etc.

Chad Johnson has built this persona and image about himself as some kind of character (Ochocinco). He often work so hard at creating and living up to this persona, without realizing that he is also alienating himself from his team and other players. It’s not to say this is good or bad, but for some it’s often considered baggage.

And at 34 years of age and coming off a dismal showing with the Patriots last season, Johnson can hardly afford any slip up. You can get away with some things when you are on top, but when you have become irrelevant and considered sometimes a distraction; you have no room for error.

Johnson was on the comeback trail, but after a disappointing stint in New England, the recent events, and his poor display in Miami, any thoughts of a comeback undoubtedly will be put on hold for the time being.

Johnson may be staying positive and hoping he’ll get another chance with another NFL team, but certainly he’s got more serious matters pressing at the moment. His comeback will have to wait.

By David Ortega