Earlier this week, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco said he would do a Lambeau Leapif he scored a touchdown at Green Bay on Sunday. He did and ran towards the stands and spotted a small group of Bengals fans in the front row near the end zone, then leaped into the crowd just like Green Bay players do after they score.
“It was fun,” Ochocinco said. “I had a little indecision on where to jump at first. I didn’t want to disrespect their tradition, so I was asking as I went along the line. I saw some Bengals fans that said it was OK.”
Just win at least 4 games, baby! That is going to be about it for the Oakland Raiders in 2009. Tom Cable is a good coach. Unfortunately the team built for him is brutal. Darrius Heyward-Bey at 7? Nothing against Bey, and I’m sure he will turn out fine, but Michael Crabtree should have been taken. Either way it will not be easy getting whoever they took the ball anyway. JaMarcus Russell is not as good a QB as Al Davis seems to think he is. New QB Jeff Garcia should start if the Raiders want any chance to be competitive. The offensive line is decent at best, and that may be a reach statement.
It’s a shame that line is a bad as it is, because the lone bright spot on offense is the trio of RBs the Raiders have. Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, and Darren McFadden are all good backs.
Oakland has a good secondary headed by Nnamdi Asomugha. NA is one of the best CBs in the NFL. Chris Johnson played well after DeAngelo Hall was cut during the season. Let’s see what Derrick Burgess comes up with this year being that he is in a contract year.
Offense
Picking up T Khalif Barnes through free agency will be an upgrade from Kwame Harris. But the rest of the line is a huge problem. But Robert Gallery sucks. So it’s going to be tough for Fargas, McFadden, and Bush to find many holes to run through. This of course will force the Raiders to pass the ball. Which isn’t good because the Raiders have no WRs. Sure they drafted the kid at 7, he is crazy fast, but has a problem holding on to the rock. Johnnie Lee-Higgins may have potential but still is too much of an unknown. The most consistent receiving option will be TE Zach Miller. Miller is a damn good TE, and which ever QB is playing, he needs to know where he is at all times.
Defense
Oakland’s defense ranked 31st in the league against the run in 2008. They made little or no effort to correct this as all 3 players in the middle of the line are returning. Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, and Terdell Sands are all back. These guys gave up over 150 yards a game on the ground last year. And Derrick Burgess’ play has been less than stellar as of late. They do have a solid LB corps with Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard roaming the middle, but the guys up front are providing no support. We know about the starting CBs, but the safeties are a bit unknown. Tyvon Branch missed most of the year with injuries, and the Raiders surprise everyone yet again by taking S Mike Mitchell in the second round of the draft. Justin Miller is a good KR but on defense, not so good.
What does this all mean
Another long season for Raider Nation. Sorry Raiders fans, the offense is in flux, and with a tough 6 game opening stretch, they may dig themselves into a ditch they can’t climb out of. Opening with 3 straight division games, hosting San Diego on Monday Night Football, at Kansas City, and back home for Denver, the run defense will be tested early. Then they head out on a two game road trip starting in Houston (Steve Slaton), finishing with a game against the Giants (Brandon Jacobs). The six game stretch ends finally in week 6 with Oakland hosting Brian Westbrook and the Eagles. That will not be easy.
Thanks for stopping by, come back tomorrow for team # 30…
Bills DB Leodis McKelvin’s injury remains a mystery after Friday’s organized team activities. McKelvin spoke to the media, but wouldn’t comment on the injured middle finger on his right hand. Bills coach Dick Jauron also steered clear of the situation when he addressed the media after the final session of the week, simply saying he didn’t do it during practice. “Leodis has a non-football specific injury,” Jauron said. “He should be back relatively quickly. Whatever he told you.”
Bengals QB Carson Palmer has been vocal about the team’s wide receivers that are working out with the team and of WR Chad Ochocinco not being there. However, Palmer was quick to point out the team still needs Ochocinco. “He’s a damn good receiver – that’s obviously, everybody knows that,” Palmer said. “I never once said anything about not wanting him here and not needing him. … We would love to have him when he comes here, but he’s not here right now.” For the first time in a year, Carson Palmer appeared on Fox Radio’s Petros and Money show. Listen to the interview.
49ers WR Michael Crabtree, whom they selected with the No. 10 pick, will be held off the practice field until the opening of training camp. He underwent surgery in March to repair a stress fracture in his foot. The club does not want to rush him back on to the practice field.
Chargers QB Philip Rivers says RB LaDainian Tomlinson looks good in the workouts after an offseason in which there was speculation Tomlinson wouldn’t return to San Diego. “It seems to have put another pep in his step,” he said. Rivers went on to say he thinks Tomlinson could have another big year. “I don’t see why not,” Rivers said. “We’re one season removed from him leading the league in rushing.”
Colts TE Dallas Clark doesn’t expect many changes to the Colts’ offensive philosophy with Jim Caldwell now the head coach and Clyde Christensen calling plays. “Clyde is a great man, great coach. He was the offensive coordinator down in Tampa when they were down there, so it’s something he’s done before and is comfortable with,” Clark said. “He’s a great replacement (for Tom Moore), he knows the system and he knows the personnel. He’s had some time and been able to watch the team and how it works and I think he’ll fit in really well.”
Titans QB Kerry Collins has had a chance to see rookies WR Kenny Britt and TE Jared Cook first-hand, the veteran quarterback likes what he sees in their playmaking potential. “They definitely have that big-play potential. Their size and speed can pose problems for defenses,” Collins said. “I think we’ll be more threatening because of their presence, and I think we’re all excited about that.” The Titans drafted Britt in the first round and added Cook in the third round. Those two, combined with the addition of free agent WR Nate Washington from Pittsburgh, has Collins hopeful the Titans’ passing offense can eventually provide more balance to an offense that was run-heavy a year ago.
Vikings WR Percy Harvin, their first-round selection, has around 20 or 30 plays in their scheme designed specifically for him. “We’re up there trying to diagram everything we can,” Bevell said. “We’re looking at things we can do. We’re looking at things other teams have done and trying to get the ball to our playmakers.” And he should get special plays…
Browns HC Eric Manginiis a full-time head football coach, part-time music DJ.
49ers rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree worked out on a stationary bike on Friday. He was out of the first mini-camp practice because he is still recovering from early March surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports. Isaac Bruce expects to start at one wide receiver spot, but the “X” job could be a battle between Crabtree and Josh Morgan.
Josh Morgan seems fully geared for his impending training-camp competition with Crabtree after an impressive showing in the team’s recent minicamp. Morgan’s athleticism just seems to tower over everybody else. Both Crabtree and Morgan are slated for the “X” or split end position.
There were a lot of questions in recent weeks about Alex Smith’s shoulder. Obviously, if he were having problems with his shoulder, he wouldn’t be out there throwing. When asked him just a few minutes ago about how things are coming along Smith replied “It’s good. It’s definitely better than where I was a month ago, which was better than where I was a month before that. I’m still making progress with it. I just think the continuation of me lifting and getting stronger, and continuing to throw and get those reps is just going to continue to get my arm in shape. I feel really good. Really close, I think. Totally putting this out of my mind. So, it’s good news. I feel good.”
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