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Cold wars

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

When the weather gets nasty, some of the contenders are better prepared to deal with winter than others.

The Patriots have been a dominant cold-weather team over the past few years, and they figure to be better this season with Corey Dillon playing snowplow, er, halfback. Other teams that look like contenders with similar cold-weather capabilities include the Steelers, Broncos, Ravens and Jets.

Some contenders raise doubts over their ability to win in inclement weather. Nobody would expect the Rams, with their aggressive passing attack, to be able to win in a snowstorm. But the addition of big, physical rookie running back Steven Jackson will give them a December dimension they never had before. And Rams coach Mike Martz doesn't get enough credit for taking advantage of his players' skills.

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Like the Rams, the Vikings and Colts are dome teams known for their passing attacks. No question, both teams are more dangerous in optimum conditions. When the Colts get to a cold-weather game, they will have to contend with the memory of their 24-14 loss to the Patriots in the AFC championship game last season, which was played in wintry conditions in Foxboro.

INSIDE DISH

By DAN POMPEI

Lost in John Abraham's high sack total is that his run defense has improved considerably. The Jets' defensive end showed great commitment in the offseason and has continued to be focused and driven during the season. Why has Abraham become more intense about playing the run? The inside word is Abraham knows if he can stop the run on first and second down, he'll get a chance for sacks on third down. It also doesn't hurt that his contract is up after the season. ... Falcons DE Patrick Kerney is off to a wonderful start, with seven sacks in eight games. But the pattern of his career is he gets most of his sacks in the first nine games of the season. In his previous four seasons, Kerney had 21 1/2 sacks in his first nine games, and 11 1/2 in his last seven. It's probably not just coincidence, because he typically wears down as the season goes on. At 6-5, he's a bulled-up 270-pounder who has difficulty holding his weight. ... On paper, the mismatch of the week will be 5-8, 165-pound Colts CB Jason David against Vikings WRs Randy Moss, who is 6-4, and Marcus Robinson (6-3). David, a rookie who was drafted in the fourth round, has been forced onto the field because of injuries. David is used to seeing a lot of balls thrown his way, having played opposite CB Marcus Trufant when David was a junior at Washington State. And he's accustomed to covering tall receivers, having played against 6-5 Mike Williams and 6-4 Reggie Williams in college. But David never has seen anything like Moss. ... The puzzling part about the Chargers' release of C Jason Ball last week is the team turned down offers for Ball before the trading deadline. The relationship between the Chargers and Ball obviously deteriorated after coach Marty Schottenheimer gave rookie Nick Hardwick the starting job back after his return from injury. Ball was a training camp holdout, and he subsequently lost his job to Hardwick. As a result, Ball was upset over his pay and his demotion. The Chargers believed Ball's play dropped off in his second season last year, in part because he didn't take his job seriously enough. He wasn't versatile enough to be a backup at more than one position, so his value to the team was limited. ... One of the quietest free-agent hits of the offseason was the Bears' signing of G Ruben Brown. The Bills let Brown go and he didn't have a long line of suitors. At one point in training camp, it appeared the Bears might cut him. Bears coaches gave him extra work and made him prove himself. The result: Brown arguably has been the Bears' best offensive lineman. ... The Patriots have found a way to get production out of three 3-4 outside linebackers. Now that Rosevelt Colvin is healthy, he, Mike Vrabel and Willie McGinest each play two series at a time, then sit out one series. On some teams, starters might grumble about having to split time, but it hasn't been a problem in New England.

FEAR FORECAST

1 p.m. ET: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh. The Steelers' Duce Staley should be able to run on his former teammates, but when the Steelers pass, they will be overwhelmed by the Eagles' blitzes. The Eagles can use their short passing game to spread out Pittsburgh's 3-4 and strike deep to Terrell Owens for a game-turning score. Prediction: Eagles 24, Steelers 19.

4:05 p.m. ET: Seattle at San Francisco. The 49ers' offense has improved significantly since being shut out by Seattle in Week 3, but it doesn't have enough pop to outscore the Seahawks. A lot of Shaun Alexander and a few big plays from Matt Hasselbeck will be the difference. Prediction: Seahawks 27, 49ers 17.

New England at St. Louis. The Patriots have superior coaching, defense and balance. They will keep Marc Bulger in check and play keep-away from St. Louis' dangerous offense by running Corey Dillon against the Rams' porous front seven. Prediction: Patriots 24, Rams 21.

Cold wars

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

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