Content provided in partnership with
Inside the NFC
Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005
The SAINTS' secondary has transformed from a weakness to a strength. CBs Mike McKenzie and Fakhir Brown are playing at an extremely high level. New FS Dwight Smith gradually is gaining confidence as a playmaker in the team's scheme and has the instincts to play all over the field in nickel and dime packages.... REDSKINS QB Patrick Ramsey looks more confident than ever. His passes usually are sharp, he has better command of the offense, and he's doing a better job of reading defenses. Ramsey's arm remains strong, and he has a better feel for when to make touch passes.... RAMS rookie LG Claude Terrell's surprisingly solid play contributed to Rex Tucker's move from left guard to right tackle, Terrell (6-2, 343) has a wide frame that makes him a punishing run blocker, yet he has displayed quick feet that have made him difficult to get around in pass-rushing drills.... The GIANTS don't believe the knee and hip injuries WR Plaxico Burress has suffered early in training camp are serious, but any practice time he misses is significant. Burress skipped most of the team's offseason program, so he has had almost no time to work with QB Eli Manning, and their timing hasn't been great early in camp.... If PACKERS rookie QB Aaron Rodgers continues to perform the way he did the first week of camp, the backup position will be his. Rodgers reported late because of a contract holdup yet picked up things quickly and has been outperforming Craig Nail and J.T. O'Sullivan. Rodgers still is honing his footwork but is very decisive and accurate with his throws.... CARDINALS FS Ifeanyi Ohalete lost his starting job when the team signed free agent Robert Griffith but remains an important cog as the chief nickel back and will be called upon to cover slot receivers. So far, Ohalete has looked good in that role.... The PANTHERS have been bringing along first-round pick Thomas Davis slowly, but with FS Mike Minter (knee) banged up, Davis likely will get some work at strong safety with the first team. Davis also has been getting some first-team work at linebacker in third-down packages because the Panthers want to take advantage of his speed.... Despite having Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams, who were taken with top 10 picks in the past three drafts, LIONS coach Steve Mariucci says three-receiver formations won't be a staple. Mariucci is a firm believer in running the ball and thinks the ground game could be adversely affected by such a move, though he's willing to change if the results dictate it.... COWBOYS sixth-round pick SS Justin Beriault, a long shot to make the roster a couple weeks ago, has caught the coaches' attention. Beriault has been an aggressive hitter in practice and shown good range despite having ordinary speed. He's also excellent in run support.... Following a brief holdout, FALCONS WR Roddy White quickly impressed the team with his burst, confidence and jumping ability. The rookie made CB DeAngelo Hall look bad in a one-on-one drill.... Only a week into camp, Dontarrious Thomas appeared to be far ahead of Raonall Smith in the battle for the VIKINGS' weakside linebacker job, mostly because Thomas is making fewer mental mistakes than Smith.... BUCCANEERS rookie WR Larry Brackins, hampered by an injury early in camp, has fallen way behind the other wideouts in the race for roster spots. Brackins is raw and has much to prove .... With WR Todd Pinkston (Achilles') out for the season, EAGLES WR Greg Lewis, who has Pinkston's speed but not his height, will start outside opposite Terrell Owens. Rookie WR Reggie Brown primarily will be used in the slot; he has shown great toughness.
- Most Popular Articles in Sports
- The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...
- The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...
- Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...
- Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association
- The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking
- More »
Switching sides
The Seahawks' Marcus Trufant is back practicing after offseason shoulder surgery but is working at right cornerback, not the left-side spot he manned last season. The move allows newcomer Andre Dyson to play on the left, where he played with the Titans. The switch also allows Trufant to better protect his right shoulder because it now becomes his outside shoulder when supplying run support. Coaches say the move isn't permanent, though it could be if Trufant and Dyson continue to play well in this setup.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Living up to his number
No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith seems to be grabbing hold of the 49ers' starting quarterback job. From the outset of camp, Smith has gotten the bulk of the repetitions with the first team and has looked sharp. He seems to have a good command of coordinator Mike McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
The Bears' bull market
The Bears may be thin at cornerback, but they're deep at safety. The team moved Mike Brown from free to strong safety in the offseason, in part because he's stout against the run. But Bobby Gray is making a push with his good play. Using Gray, a powerful hitter against the run, at strong safety would allow Brown to play free safety and current FS Mike Green to be the nickel back. That would help ease concerns about CB Jerry Azumah's recent hip injury.
Find Research Guides for:
Find Featured Titles for: Technology
Most Popular Articles in Sports
- The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...
- The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...
- Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...
- Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association
- The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking
- More »