Hard to trust anything on the Packer side with six potential starters sitting in that game. I agree that Raji and Jenkins are the likely nickel linemen. No idea how Capers might approach the rest of the nickel package. I didn't hear much about a four man nickel line vs a 3-3-5 vs a two down lineman, four linebacker alignment from practice. Might be stuck waiting until the third preseason game to glean much from this group.Keep the notes coming everybody.In the Packer game in nickel the linemen were Jenkins and Mike Montgomery with Poppinga rushing some. When Raji is in shape it should be he and Jenkins.
Is there a scenario where his increases his value? E.g., if he's eligible as a DB but ends up playing WLB more of the time?Jene Bramel said:Jermaine Phillips practiced at safety today. The beat writers had essentially blown it off as his getting familiar with the new scheme at safety as a contingency against injury. Now Tanard Jackson has been suspended for the first four games. Have to watch for coaches comments and further practices before knowing for sure, but things look to be getting interesting again just when Phillips looked locked in at WLB.
We pimped Bowman on the podcast a little late last year as a deep sleeper type. Both players will definitely have value if they start at those positions.Jene, could Bowman have any value? Similar to Peanut and do you see Afalava - always fun to say, having value if he starts at SS?
Afalava could potentially have better value, but I wouldn't trust either player to be clearly outside the monster replacement level DB tier yet.Thanks Jene - DB3 type value?
Chillar was signed for his coverage skills after Poppinga let several TE's get deep on him. One game was lost(Bears) 2 years ago when this happened.Greg Bedard (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) tweeting that Brandon Chillar was replacing AJ Hawk in the nickel packages in practice tonight.
I agree. He looked solid in the limited time I caught him. I was underwhelmed by Joe Mays. Mays has good speed and was all over the place, but he was easily fooled by mis-direction or play action. He got caught flat footed a few time early in the 1Q... once leading to big plays by Dallas Clark.I thought Clint Session looked the part of a potential fantasy starter LB. Good range, good instincts.I'm eager to hear what the "trained eyes" leading this thread think about Session tonight.
It'll be interesting to see what happens with Mays. Philly has a new DC, so it's tough to project, but he's one of those guys that if you can acquire him cheap, it could be a decent payoff. Still doubt he is anything more than an LB4 for owners.I agree. He looked solid in the limited time I caught him. I was underwhelmed by Joe Mays. Mays has good speed and was all over the place, but he was easily fooled by mis-direction or play action. He got caught flat footed a few time early in the 1Q... once leading to big plays by Dallas Clark.I thought Clint Session looked the part of a potential fantasy starter LB. Good range, good instincts.I'm eager to hear what the "trained eyes" leading this thread think about Session tonight.
Uggg maybe I'm still sour from how badly the whole team played but mays was less than impressive. His coverage skills were poor at best. Not sure how this will play out since Gocong was one of the nickel backers last year and I think he and Jordan will be the 2 this year.Mays at best looks like a S. Tulloch like player. Not sure that is even a LB4 at this point.And A. Samuel looked terrible as well. maybe he just doesn't try hard in pre-season? But I still think he's over-rated (still can't get over the terrible PI against Moss last week and dude walks away thumping his chest till the flag comes in, idiot) Oh and you may want to cover Larry Fitzgerald too buddy./rant Either way I'm not on the Mays bandwagon and I'm not sure it will ever really get startedIt'll be interesting to see what happens with Mays. Philly has a new DC, so it's tough to project, but he's one of those guys that if you can acquire him cheap, it could be a decent payoff. Still doubt he is anything more than an LB4 for owners.I agree. He looked solid in the limited time I caught him. I was underwhelmed by Joe Mays. Mays has good speed and was all over the place, but he was easily fooled by mis-direction or play action. He got caught flat footed a few time early in the 1Q... once leading to big plays by Dallas Clark.I thought Clint Session looked the part of a potential fantasy starter LB. Good range, good instincts.I'm eager to hear what the "trained eyes" leading this thread think about Session tonight.
Only thing I heard was that he passed Nick Ferguson on the depth chart, so as far as I know, he is in line to start at SS.I looked around but really do not see much on Dominique Barber SS from Houston, if he ends up starting, which looks like the case, he could have some nice sleeper value as i am sure not many have heard of him outside of serious IDP'ers and Houston fans. He only has to beat out old and not so good Nick Ferguson, anyone with more info or that has heard he will start?
I agree. Here are a couple of posts from earlier in this thread.I looked around but really do not see much on Dominique Barber SS from Houston, if he ends up starting, which looks like the case, he could have some nice sleeper value as i am sure not many have heard of him outside of serious IDP'ers and Houston fans.
He only has to beat out old and not so good Nick Ferguson, anyone with more info or that has heard he will start?
The Texans have have added yet another name to their ongoing safety shuffle. Dominique Barber was rumored to get a long look at strong safety earlier in the offseason, but he seemed stuck behind Nick Ferguson throughout OTAs and early in camp. Barber is now getting first team snaps in rotation with Ferguson and could move on the starting job. Hard to say if he's just another Glenn Earl, Brandon Harrison, etc, etc, etc or if he'll finally become the team's first steady safety prospect in years.
I haven't yet had a chance to review last week's preseason game.More observations from the DVR...
**The Texans aligned in an underfront on nearly every base defensive snap. Could be something they chose to work on exclusively this week or a clear sign of things to come. I only saw only clear nickel group, and it was Xavier Adibi over Zac Diles on the field on that snap. There were no LOLB/ROLB or WLB across from the TE shenanigans from the Texans in this game. Dominique Barber got the start at SS.
No worries. I don't know if it's better to do one big thread of thoughts with everybody's help or separate most of this stuff into its own thread. Barber is listed as the starter in the NFL.com Gamebook for Week 2, so it's sounding pretty concrete. He didn't stand out to me in Week 1, though, so I'm interested in another look, especially since I've pushed guys like Brandon Harrison and Glenn Earl fairly hard in the past from this position without much payoff.Thank you, I apologize... I did read these already was curious if we had newer news or anything more concrete as far as him being the starter.
I did like his blitzes on Favre. They went after him.Tyrell Sutton Green Bay has looked good. Wynn always hurt and Brandon jackson isn't much. He could move up.Yeah... I was unimpressed by Joe Mays also. The May's bandwagon thats picking up steam is Corey's. He was a guy who stood out watching their game last week. GM Scott Pioli seen something in New England to bring him in, I can see why Mays has made an impression on the coaching staff.
Think of Ray Lewis number 5 to 8 years ago, maybe a few less tackles but a few more sacks. If Kris Jenkins is healthy all year I think Harris will be a top 5 scoring LB this year. Scott is not talented enough to be the main guy, he is a great #2 but Harris is the beast on this team. This is jmho and Jene and the others may completely disagree.Can some one break down David Harris? I noticed he had another sack last night so curious if he's going to be the main playmaker in Rex's D or is B. Scott? Thank.s
Barber moved into the starting SS spot during training camp as most fans expected. He played well when healthy last year. The latest buzz among Texans fans is if Busing will now push Harrison or Ferguson off the roster as he has been stellar in the preseason. They currently have 5 safeties in camp.Another thing to keep in mind from the Texans defense is holdout CB Dunta Robinson is expected to report right before the season kicks off. He will be playing for a contract with another team and has been flying under the fantasy radar a bit since he hasnt been in camp. His last full season of play was in 2006 and he had 83 tackles, so might want to keep him on a list of potential sleepers if he can come back in previous form.In the linebacker core, it is most likely Adibi will be the starting WLB in week 1. He was in a battle with Zac Diles for the spot, but when Cushing went down, Diles was moved to the strong side. Cushing will be back in the last week of the preseason, and with Adibi getting all the WLB reps, Diles looks to be the odd man out.I looked around but really do not see much on Dominique Barber SS from Houston, if he ends up starting, which looks like the case, he could have some nice sleeper value as i am sure not many have heard of him outside of serious IDP'ers and Houston fans. He only has to beat out old and not so good Nick Ferguson, anyone with more info or that has heard he will start?
I never fully bought into the "Bart Scott will be the Ray Lewis of this defense" expectation, but it became difficult to ignore the statements of the coaches and players. The first preseason game suggests that Harris will play a thumper role, but get plenty of pass rush opportunities too.Right now, I think a good comp for David Harris is James Farrior, with Bart Scott resembling a guy like, well, Bart Scott. I'm still not convinced either will top 90 solos and I think there's only a small percentage change Harris hits the elite LB1 ceiling, but I think Harris has more upside than Scott at this point.RavensUNFL said:Think of Ray Lewis number 5 to 8 years ago, maybe a few less tackles but a few more sacks. If Kris Jenkins is healthy all year I think Harris will be a top 5 scoring LB this year. Scott is not talented enough to be the main guy, he is a great #2 but Harris is the beast on this team. This is jmho and Jene and the others may completely disagree.Markus P Dub said:Can some one break down David Harris? I noticed he had another sack last night so curious if he's going to be the main playmaker in Rex's D or is B. Scott? Thank.s
No apologies necessary. This kind of discussion is what makes this Forum far and away the best IDP outlet on the web. I'm wrong plenty and readily admit I'm not comfortable projecting this situation. FWIW, I'm comparing Harris to the recent Steeler version of Farrior in the 3-4, not his old Jets days. I would agree that Marvin Jones and Mo Lewis were stronger NFL players and better statistical options at that point in Farrior's career. It's not perfect, but I think the talent level, surrounding cast (I'm not a huge Foote fan), NT (Hampton) and role (zone blitzing, thumping ILB) are comparable between Farrior v2006-2008 and Harris v2009.To flesh this out the big picture a little more, I'm struggling with the following:**There's no Ray Lewis talent here.**There's been no clear SILB/WILB split.**The player rumored to have the "Ray Lewis" role (Scott) isn't playing MLB in the 4-3 looks.**David Harris has been very effective in camp as a pass rusher and got more rush looks than Scott last week.**I think Scott is a talented player, but I'm not sure he's as dynamic as many have argued he is over the years.**I think Harris is a better all-around player than many have argued he is at times in his career.To me, none of that suggests that Bart Scott is the focal point of this scheme, which is what's been suggested by Scott himself and seemingly backed up by Ryan at times. After watching the first game, I'm leaning toward my gut on this, which is that the total picture suggests Harris is the better statistical option. If the next two week's preseason games look the same, I'll move Harris up even higher, though I doubt it'll be into the top 20.My thinking with Harris is based on the talent around him, which is why I don't like the Farrior comparison personally. Farrior was not the best lb'er on the team nor was he the first one to the ball carrier most times. That is why I think Harris has a shot at much better number than Jene's prediction imho (no disrespect intended), because Harris just doesn't have the competition for tackles and Jenkins is a monster in the middle when healthy which will give him even more oppurtunities to make plays. I don't claim to be an expert, but I have been pretty good with my IDP guesses in the past. I almost will always defer to Jene in regards to IDP issues, so he is probably correct in this situation as well.
He wasn't anywhere near the quarterback in a full half of play despite facing a questionable offensive line and Hasselbeck's 23 pass attempts. He was regularly drive blocked off the line on the few rush attempts. He still looks quick in space, but I think he's a 30 solo, 5-7 sack guy at best.That still leaves him in the messy DL3 tier.Jene, with Dumervil being an every down LB, do you see any increase in his value if he's designated as a DL? Or still not worth much?
http://pewterreport.com/articles/view/5771PewterReport.com is reporting Bucs safety-turned linebacker Jermaine Phillips is being moved back to safety by head coach Raheem Morris.
The move is not performance-related. The decision to move Phillips back to safety, where he spent the first seven years of his career, comes one week after the team learned starting S Tanard Jackson would be suspended for the first four games of the 2009 regular season for violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
With Phillips being moved to safety for at least the first quarter of the season, second-year player Geno Hayes likely will start at weakside linebacker for the Buccaneers.
Pewter Report will have a full story, with quotes included, later in the day.
I was impressed and had the feeling he was "practicing" power moves instead of his usual game. He did bullrush Locklear into Hasselbeck in what amounted to a sack, imo. He had a sure sack on another play but Patterson barely beat him to Hass. Anyway, he was near the QB a few times and he brought his B game on purpose. He might be very good in this role. Double digit sacks would not surprise me.He wasn't anywhere near the quarterback in a full half of play despite facing a questionable offensive line and Hasselbeck's 23 pass attempts. He was regularly drive blocked off the line on the few rush attempts. He still looks quick in space, but I think he's a 30 solo, 5-7 sack guy at best.That still leaves him in the messy DL3 tier.Jene, with Dumervil being an every down LB, do you see any increase in his value if he's designated as a DL? Or still not worth much?
I would think a lot of his value is whether or not he's classified as a DE. As a DE, I can see him getting enough tackle opportunities + sacks to be a viable starter. I would feel much less comfortable starting him as a LB. MFL already announced that he will be moved to LB on Aug 31st.I was impressed and had the feeling he was "practicing" power moves instead of his usual game. He did bullrush Locklear into Hasselbeck in what amounted to a sack, imo. He had a sure sack on another play but Patterson barely beat him to Hass. Anyway, he was near the QB a few times and he brought his B game on purpose. He might be very good in this role. Double digit sacks would not surprise me.He wasn't anywhere near the quarterback in a full half of play despite facing a questionable offensive line and Hasselbeck's 23 pass attempts. He was regularly drive blocked off the line on the few rush attempts. He still looks quick in space, but I think he's a 30 solo, 5-7 sack guy at best.That still leaves him in the messy DL3 tier.Jene, with Dumervil being an every down LB, do you see any increase in his value if he's designated as a DL? Or still not worth much?
I'm curious about this look you discsussed. What was the rest of the alignment, do you remember. I'll watch for this game to replay on NFL network.I would assume Warren-Wilfork were the two DT? Who was the other end? Burgess?On the Patriot side of the ball, the defense spent a lot of time in a four man front against Philadelphia. The Eagles ran their share of spread sets, too, but there's been speculation that injuries and the defensive line talent might push the team to some more 4-3. Richard Seymour was playing end in the 4-3 with Mayo in the middle. If the Patriots use more 4-3 than usual and Seymour stays at RE, he (Seymour) has some interesting upside.
If my memory is right, Pryor and Brace were rotating alongside Wilfork at tackle. LeKevin Smith (traded to Broncos) was the other end. Mike Wright and Ty Warren were both inactive. Warren and Wright could play inside or outside in this formation and Jarvis Green is still around at end.Patriots were predominantly in the 3-4 in the early series against Cincinnati last week. Warren was back and starting at end. Wright was still out.I'm curious about this look you discsussed. What was the rest of the alignment, do you remember. I'll watch for this game to replay on NFL network.I would assume Warren-Wilfork were the two DT? Who was the other end? Burgess?On the Patriot side of the ball, the defense spent a lot of time in a four man front against Philadelphia. The Eagles ran their share of spread sets, too, but there's been speculation that injuries and the defensive line talent might push the team to some more 4-3. Richard Seymour was playing end in the 4-3 with Mayo in the middle. If the Patriots use more 4-3 than usual and Seymour stays at RE, he (Seymour) has some interesting upside.
Thanks Jene, it seems like their depth is in the form of big body DT types so was curious what their new looks would be with Burgess also.If my memory is right, Pryor and Brace were rotating alongside Wilfork at tackle. LeKevin Smith (traded to Broncos) was the other end. Mike Wright and Ty Warren were both inactive. Warren and Wright could play inside or outside in this formation and Jarvis Green is still around at end.Patriots were predominantly in the 3-4 in the early series against Cincinnati last week. Warren was back and starting at end. Wright was still out.I'm curious about this look you discsussed. What was the rest of the alignment, do you remember. I'll watch for this game to replay on NFL network.I would assume Warren-Wilfork were the two DT? Who was the other end? Burgess?On the Patriot side of the ball, the defense spent a lot of time in a four man front against Philadelphia. The Eagles ran their share of spread sets, too, but there's been speculation that injuries and the defensive line talent might push the team to some more 4-3. Richard Seymour was playing end in the 4-3 with Mayo in the middle. If the Patriots use more 4-3 than usual and Seymour stays at RE, he (Seymour) has some interesting upside.