Cleveland Browns Won’t Name Starting QB Until Game Day
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Most NFL head coaches place a priority on naming a starting QB before the regular season begins. The idea is that it helps the chemistry on the team, as well as helping the quarterback define himself as a team leader. Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini hasn’t named his starting QB yet. Nor will he, at least not publicly. Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson will find out if they’re the starting QB in the next couple of days, but the coach won’t divulge that information to the public until game day.
Mangini stressed that he’d already made his choice, and that hell meet with both Quinn and Anderson individually to inform them of his decision:
“In terms of announcing it publicly, that’s not something I plan to do. It will be internal. I understand everybody has a different opinion on it. I respect that. I understand the excitement in relationship to that and I respect that as well. But that will be something that will be internal.”
As of Sunday, both quarterbacks were still up in the air and not saying much. Derek Anderson said he didnt have a clue:
“I know as much as you guys know.
While Quinn suggested that it wasnt a big concern for him:
“I’m not worried about it. You guys are more worried about it than I am.”
Mangini may be trying to gain a strategic advantage over the Browns opponents in their opening game:
“It is more difficult to plan for two quarterbacks than it is to plan for one. I’m not saying that’s going to be the difference or not the difference, but I know that there is time allotted to that and you can’t put the same amount of time into focusing on one player.”
Vikings coach Brad Childress said that it really didnt make a difference in how hed approach his preparation for the contest:
“Just schematically, you’re going to go back and look at tape and see what you’ve seen. And then I know, as do our guys, that there will be unscouted looks. They certainly haven’t showed their whole hand, offensively and defensively. So you’re just going back and looking at formation-wise where they’re putting people and what kind of players they are. It will be more about us deploying to what they do.”
The Browns coach emphasized that regardless of who is eventually named the starting QB that hes happy with the play of both:
“I have been happy with the progress that both guys made. I’m happy with the way they’ve worked. I’m happy with the way they approached this competition, and it’s not always easy to approach a competition in a team fashion, and I respect the way they’ve handled it.”
After hosting the Vikings in their opening game of the 2009 NFL regular season, Cleveland will hit the road for their second game as they take on the Broncos at Denver.
Ross Everett is a respected freelance writer specializing in travel, casino gambling and sports handicapping. He is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily free sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, falconry and deep sea diving. He lives in Las Vegas with four dogs and a pet coyote.
Chiefs’ QB Cassel Remains Questionable For Week 2 Action
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel missed the first game of the NFL regular season, and his status remains questionable for the teams second game of the year against the Oakland Raiders. Although he appeared to be running more briskly and favoring his knee less in practice this week, Chiefs coach Todd Haley maintains that hes still a game time decision. In addition to playing without their starting quarterback, Kansas City is woefully lacking in playmaking wide receivers.
The bright spot in all of his misery was the play of Brodie Croyle in the opening week loss to Baltimore. Croyle completed 16 of 24 passes for 177 yards and two TDs. Still, Haley is anxious to get his #1 quarterback in the lineup and says that Cassel is working hard to make that a reality:
“Matt is doing everything he can to be ready. I would hope I would know a little sooner this week, although right now I can’t give a definitive answer. But the player’s doing everything he can to be ready, which generally helps speed the healing process.”
Haley also spoke of the teams struggles to find dependable wide receivers:
“We’re looking and digging all the time. If there’s somebody out there we think makes us better, we’re going to do what’s necessary to get that done. I’m looking for guys that do it the way we want it done. Talent is the great separator. There may be some guys who are doing everything the way we want it done, but maybe they’re just not good enough. Then there’s some guys who potentially can be really good, but they’re not doing it the way we want it done.
“I want physical receivers just like I want physical players at every other position and guys that help block in the run game and are football players, not just pass-catchers.”
That comment was a thinly veiled reference to the teams top receiver, Dwayne Bowe, who was demoted to third string in the preseason after demonstrating questionable work habits.
Cassel, who has improved from limping slightly to looking relatively steady on his injured knee over the course of the week, commended his backup on his performance:
“I think Brodie played the type of game he had to play to give us a chance to win.
After facing the Raiders on Sunday, the Chiefs face a pair of tough NFC East opponents as they take on the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles in successive weeks. Several reports suggest that Haley is now weighing his options and trying to decide whether Cassel would benefit more from an extra week of rehab or getting a game under his belt against a less formidable opponent.
Ross Everett is a well known freelance writer who covers travel, casino gambling and NFL football handicapping. He is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, flower arranging and deep sea diving. He lives in Las Vegas with four dogs and a pet coyote.
Saints Subdue Raiders In NFL Preseason Blowout
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
While its unwise to put too much importance on NFL preseason performances, its hard not to be impressed with the New Orleans Saints offense. In particular, its impossible to not be impressed with the play of starting QB Drew Brees. Brees played only three series against the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night, but that was enough–by the time he left the Saints led 21-0 en route to a 45-7 thrashing on their hosts. New Orleans improved to 3-0 on the NFL preseason, while the Raiders dropped to 1-2.
All Brees did in only three series was roll up 179 yards on 14 of 17 passing and three touchdowns. After the game, he was pleased with the performance of his offense:
“I just felt like we accomplished what we wanted to there with regards to playing with our tempo and our intensity. We were able to get into a rhythm. When you walk away with three touchdowns on three possessions, that’s what you want to do.”
Brees was aided by the return of last years leading receiver, Lance Moore. Moore had shoulder surgery in the offseason and was glad to be back in game conditions:
“I felt great. I felt like I hadn’t missed a lot. It was great being out there, getting hit and having fun in the game.”
Tight end Jeremy Shockey was pleased with the effort, and said that the team was in Northern California to play football and not due to oenophilia:
“It looked good on the scoreboard but let’s look at it in the film room. We came all the way to California not for the wine but to get some good work in.
In the Oakland locker room, the mood was somber. Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell was especially upset by the lopsided loss:
“Everything that could have possibly went wrong, went wrong today. It was very embarrassing today. It was disrespectful to our fans, ourselves and our family to go out and perform that way.”
While the Saints scored almost at will against the Raiders porous defense, tight end Zach Miller was more concerned with the sputtering offense:
“I’ve never felt so lousy after a game, period. The way our offense played was embarrassing so we’re going to fix it.”
The Raiders will look to conclude the NFL preseason with a better effort as they travel to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. New Orleans will host the Miami Dolphins on the same night.
Ross Everett is a experienced freelance writer specializing in travel, poker and NFL football handicapping. He is a staff handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, fencing and scuba diving. He lives in Las Vegas with four dogs and a pet coyote.
Eli Manning Gets Longterm Deal From Giants
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The New York Giants have made a huge financial commitment to quarterback Eli Manning by offering him a six year, $97.5 million contract extension. Manning will earn just over $15 million a year, and $35 million of the contract is guaranteed. Should Manning play through the end of his contract hell be a Giant until 2015, meaning there’s a decent chance hell play his entire career with the team.
Manning will earn roughly $200,000 per season more than Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha who agreed to a 3 year, $45 million contract earlier this summer. Hes also got the upper hand on his older brother, Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning who earns just over $14 million per season. Though the full term of his deal makes him the leagues highest paid player hell earn less this year than the Carolina Panthers Julius Peppers and the Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer, each of whom will pull down slightly more than $16 million.
While Manning has been tight lipped in the media about the deal, Giants GM Jerry Reese spoke in glowing terms of his teams $97.5 million investment:
“He is a franchise quarterback. He has done everything we asked him to do. He has come in, taken a lot of flak from you guys in the media and he just keeps going. He does what we ask him on the field and he does what we ask him to do off the field. He is a good football player.”
Reese also dismissed concern that the huge contract commitment would put additional pressure on Manning:
“He is used to that. He won’t get more pressure than he already has in this market. He knows how to handle pressure and he has done it before. I don’t expect to see any difference in his attitude and his work ethic. He works hard. He expects a lot from himself. He knows what his role here is with us and we expect him to continue it for a long time.”
Manning definitely has a number of qualities that justify this level of investment. Hes produced on the field, leading the Giants to a Superbowl championship and four straight postseason appearances. He also became the first Giant QB in history to throw for 3,000 yards and 20+ touchdowns in four consecutive seasons. Hes got solid leadership skills and is well liked and respect by not only his teammates but also by the notoriously tough New York media.
Manning will earn just over $9 million this season, the final year of his rookie contract. The new deal will kick in with the 2009-2010 season.
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.
Niners Undefeated In Preseason After Win At Dallas
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The Dallas Cowboys used their running game to take a 10-3 halftime lead, but the San Francisco 49ers reserves made the most of their opportunity in the second half. San Francisco outscored Dallas 17-3 after the break to win the NFL preseason contest by a 20-13 final score. The victory improved the Niners NFL preseason mark to a perfect 3-0, while Dallas dropped to 1-2 in their exhibition games.
San Francisco won outright as +6 road underdogs”oddly, it was their first pointspread cover of the NFL preseason despite their undefeated straight up record. Dallas ATS mark at 1-2 is identical to their straight up record. The 33 combined points dipped UNDER the posted total of 38.
Despite the setback, Dallas was excited about the play of their one-two combination at running back. Felix Jones and Marion Barber carried most of the load during the Cowboys 94 yard touchdown drive in the first half. After the game, Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett expressed his pleasure at the performance of his running back tandem:
“They’re a great combination. You don’t want to pigeonhole one as being this kind of back and the other guy being this kind of back. We just like to get them out there and let them play and they both have proven they can run both inside and outside and they can catch the ball, and they can block and do all those things. It’s just fun to see them get their opportunities.”
Dallas starting QB Tony Romo moved the team well, but failed to convert on two of his three trips into scoring position. For that reason, he gave a reserved assessment of his offense after the game:
“We’re continuing to grow as an offense and I think there is a lot of room for improvement.
Niners QB Shaun Hill had a lot of reservations about his teams performance:
“I would have liked for it to have gone a bit smoother than it did. You can’t tell a whole lot right now. I just wish we could have put a few more points on the board. … There’s just certain plays out there that we need to make, but we didn’t. They were stopping those drives. Obviously, we have a lot of work yet to be done.
The 49ers will conclude their NFL preseason schedule on Friday night as they travel south to play the San Diego Chargers. Dallas will play the Vikings at Minnesota in their final preseason contest. San Francisco will get the 2009 NFL regular season underway against the Arizona Cardinals at Tempe, Arizona on Sunday, September 13. The Cowboys will face the Tampa Bay Bucs on the road to begin their regular season docket.
Ross Everett is a experienced freelance writer who covers travel, casino gambling and NFL football handicapping. He is a staff handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, falconry and deep sea diving. He lives in Southern Nevada with four dogs and a pet coyote.
Steelers Shut Down Bills In NFL Preseason Play
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp in his return to the Pittsburgh Steelers lineup from injury, while the Buffalo Bills offense continued to sputter as the Steelers topped the visiting Bills 17-0 in NFL preseason action. Roethlisberger finished with 168 yards on 15 for 19 passing as Pittsburgh put 17 points on the board for the shutout. The victory improved Pittsburghs NFL preseason record to 2-1, while Buffalo dropped to 1-3 and hardly looked like a team that has had the benefit of an extra preseason contest.
NFL football betting enthusiasts who backed the Steelers cashed their tickets as Pittsburgh covered the -6 price as home favorites. The Steelers are now 2-1 against the number in the NFL preseason, while Buffalo dropped to 1-2-1 ATS. The 17 points went UNDER the total of 36 and represented the Steelers third UNDER in three games.
Roethlisberger was generally pleased with his overall caliber of play:
“I was really proud of the way the guys were able to move the ball and … change some plays at the line of scrimmage. We made some mistakes early, but then we drove down the field.”
Bills coach Dick Jauron, on the other hand, didn’t have much to be happy about:
“We’ve got a lot of issues that we’ve got to solve. We’ve got to solve them very quickly.”
Buffalo QB Trent Edwards credited the stout Pittsburgh defense:
“That’s a great defense. They’re very talented. On our side, we didn’t get the job done. We left our defense on the field too long. … It is frustrating, but the thing is we have a lot to learn. We’re still fighting and it’s still early.”
The Bills were without their star free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens who missed his third straight game with a sprained toe. The team has already announced that TO wont play in their final preseason contest. With their receiver corps depleted due to injury, Josh Reed shared much of his QBs frustration:
“Frustrating. I feel like we’re a much better offense than we showed tonight. It’s still the preseason, but we still want to come out and give a better effort than it felt like we gave tonight.”
Reed wasnt about to panic:
“I’ll say we have more of a sense of urgency than panic. We’ve got to make sure everyone’s still on the same page and nobody’s down. We’ve got to keep everybody up and keep pushing.”
Buffalo will conclude their NFL preseason by hosting the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. Pittsburgh will travel to Charlotte, NC for a game against the Carolina Panthers on the same evening. The Bills will open the NFL regular season on Monday night, September 14th in Foxboro, Massachusetts against the New England Patriots. The Steelers will get their 2009 NFL regular season underway several days earlier, hosting the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, September 10th.
Ross Everett is a experienced freelance writer experienced in travel, poker and NFL football handicapping. He is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, flower arranging and scuba diving. He lives in Southern Nevada with four dogs and a pet coyote.
Titans Move To 2-0 In Preseason Action With Victory Over Bucs
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Despite the early struggles of starting QB Kerry Collins, who threw two interceptions, the Tennessee Titans managed to prevail over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday by a 27-20 score. The victory ran Tennessee’s record to 2-0 in the NFL preseason, while the Bucs dropped their first exhibition contest. The Titans rallied behind the play of backup QB Vince Young, who threw for 131 yards and the game winning touchdown.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher wasn’t happy with his teams performance, particularly their offensive rhythm, despite winning the game:
“We just really didn’t get in synch like we would’ve like to.”
Conversely, Tampa Bays new head coach Rahim Morris was fairly upbeat after his NFL coaching debut despite the loss:
“Not a bad start though, not a bad start.
Tennessee QB Collins didn’t have much to say about his poor outing:
“We had too many turnovers, and that can’t happen. We know we have a lot to improve on.”
Young, meanwhile, related how he had taken the advice of the Titans offensive coordinator and used his legs to keep a play alive and avoid a sack.
“And that’s basically what I did. I saw the free safety relax and he was in the Cover Two, and Kenny adjusted his route and did what he was supposed to do. I just got the ball to him.
Luke McCown started for Tampa Bay, though wasnt able to do much on offense either. He had little comment about his performance in postgame interviews:
“We have some things to clean up. We will look at the tapes and get better at it on Monday”
After the game head coach Morris indicated that veteran Byron Leftwich will start Tampa Bays next NFL preseason game, with McCown coming on in relief.
Tampa Bay will make the short trip to Jacksonville next Saturday to face the Jaguars, who will be playing their first NFL preseason contest of the year on Monday night. Theyll then host Floridas other NFL team, the Miami Dolphins, the following week. The Titans will head to Dallas for a game against the Cowboys next Friday night.
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
Baltimore Beats Winless Panthers In NFL Exhibition Game
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The Baltimore defense shut down the Carolina attack, and QB Joe Flacco played a virtually mistake free game as the Ravens built a 14-3 halftime lead before going on to beat the Panthers 17-13. The banged up Panthers scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to make the final score respectable, but were never really in the game.
Both teams played their starters well into the third quarter, and the Ravens held a 17-3 lead when they left the game. Second year QB Joe Flacco looked sharp, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown on 23 of 28 passing. Flacco had little to say after the game despite the top notch effort, commenting simply:
We were in a groove.
Tight end Todd Heap caught Flaccos scoring pass and added:
“Everybody was making plays, and I feel like we’re heading right where we want to be.
The defense was also in regular season form, which pleased the Ravens defensive leader Ray Lewis:
“That’s what’s most exciting, the way we are clicking both offensively and defensively. The bottom line is everyone is lining up and playing fast. We’re all playing well right now.
QB Jake Delhomme had a decent game, throwing for 180 yards on 11 of 16 passing but was unable to put his team on the scoreboard. After the contest, Delhomme tried to sound a positive tone:
“We did some decent things but still they’re a very good defense.
Linebacker Jon Beason got to watch the game from the sidelines while nursing a sore knee, and wasnt pleased with what he saw from the Carolina stop unit:
“Tackling was horrible tonight. I think we’ve got to do a better job in our man-to-man coverage.”
Improving the teams scoring defense is a top priority for Carolina this season. The Panthers allowed 30 or more points in five of their final seven games last year. For a franchise that has long prided itself on defensive tenacity, that simply is not acceptable.
Baltimore will wrap up its NFL preseason on the road as they face the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Thursday. The Panthers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final exhibition contest. The Ravens will open the NFL regular season on Sunday, September 13th as they welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to Charm City. Carolina will get their slate underway at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ross Everett is a experienced freelance writer experienced in travel, poker and sports handicapping. He is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily free sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, flower arranging and scuba diving. He lives in Southern Nevada with four dogs and a pet coyote.
Miami Wins NFL Preseason Opener Over Jacksonville
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
In a NFL preseason game characterized by rainy weather, sloppy field conditions and a quick exit for both teams starters, the Miami Dolphins outlasted their in-state rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars by a 12-9 score. Only one touchdown was scored in the game, which was a battle of field goal kickers until the third quarter.
Miami’s Ernest Wilford recently converted to tight end from wide receiver, and gave the football an emphatic spike after his game winning touchdown reception:
“There’s a sense of urgency for me. I want to play well this year. It’s a good start. That was a lot of frustration right there. I didn’t play that much last year, so I had to let it out.”
Dolphins QB Henne was pleased with his first effort of the NFL preseason:
“Overall I thought I played pretty well. I got some points on the board and had us moving.”
Jacksonville QB David Garrard gave a noncommittal assessment of his teams opening game performance:
“We have to get better at some of the protection issues. I have to make sure I get everybody lined up in the right spots.”
Newly acquired Jaguars wide receiver Tory Holt was happy with his only reception of the game:
“I had been anticipating this day for a long time. I enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to many more.”
Despite ending up on the wrong side of a losing score, Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio was generally upbeat about his teams effort:
“We are going to be physical up front. I liked what we did up front.”
The most heated battle for a starting spot was between the Dolphins placekickers. Current PK Dan Carpenter made a 48 yard fieldgoal and a PAT, while his challenger Connor Barth hit a 28 yard FG.
The Dolphins will begin the NFL regular season on Sunday, September 13th against the Falcons at Atlanta, while Jacksonville will play the Colts at Indianapolis.
Ross Everett is a widely published widely published freelance sports writer and highly respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.
Giants Top Panthers On Wild Fumble Return Finish
March 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The NFL couldn’t have scripted a better ending to the first nationally televised Monday Night Football contest of the preseason. New York Giants rookie Tommie Hill returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown with 0:00 on the clock to break a deadlocked game and give his team a 24-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers in NFL preseason action at The Meadowlands.
Carolina’s fourth string QB Hunter Cantwell was in a position where he just had to take a knee and run out the clock on first and 10 from his eighteen yard line. Instead, he tried to throw a pass only to have his arm hit forcing a fumble which Hill returned for the score.
Afterwards, Hill spoke about his game winning touchdown return:
“I’ve never seen a game end like that, not that way. I’m just a rookie trying to make the team. Anything like that that helps the team win in turn helps me. It was just a fortunate situation and I made the most of it.”
Hill, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado State had already become a favorite of Giants fans due to his tenacious, high impact playmaking. His touchdown will no doubt bolster his efforts to make the NFL roster.
Carolina coach John Fox sounded bemused at his teams unusual loss:
“Kind of an interesting ending. Both sides have a lot of work, but we have time. We have three weeks to do it
Giants QB Eli Manning, who recently became the NFLs highest paid player, put a positive spin on his short night of work:
“We ran the ball really well, hit a couple passes and we got a touchdown. That is always the goal. We did a nice job with it, so I thought we were effective as the first group.”
Carolina will travel to Miami for a game next Saturday against the Dolphins. The Giants will head to Chicago to face Jay Cutler and the Bears. The Panthers will kick off the NFL regular season hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at home on Sunday, September 13th while the Giants will start their NFL campaign with a big divisional grudge match against the Washington Redskins.
Ross Everett is a widely published freelance writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.