NFL Quick Hits

By:  Bobby Shores

Welcome to the weekly (until I get bored, or busy, whichever comes first) column giving my opinion (which should be read as fact) on the stories around the NFL the last week (or however long I decide to go back, it's mine and I will do with it what I please....that's what she said....too old? Never!).

Only pic I could find w/both MJD & Revis

--Players Unhappy With Contracts - This is the same old story every single year, Player "X" (Typically Darrell Revis or formerly Greg Ellis) talks to media about withholding his services because he is unhappy with his contract, team talks to media and says they expect all players to honor the contract they signed. Neither party talks to each other, which is problem #1.

Problem #2 is that the current state of NFL contracts are so far slanted in one direction (teams), and fans seem to pile on the players for not honoring their contracts, that players end up looking like the bad guy they aren't. I don't have a whole lot to say on this subject (actually I do and may write an entire article on it), but the problem is due to players having no choice but to withhold services when they have outperformed a contract they signed as they have no other recourse. Teams on the other hand can cut a player if they feel the player is under performing, even though they signed the same contract that they expect the player to uphold.

NFL owners and General Manager's are ruthless, they regularly squeeze TV Networks for new MAX deals,  taxpayers for MAX money when it comes to stadium deals, and they use every bit of leverage they can in seemingly every situation where they can stand to make a dollar or two. With all that said, I enjoy watching a couple of high profile players use the leverage they have against the team. MJD is without a doubt the most valuable member of the Jaguars (both on and off field) and it seems that he has the most leverage and needs to use it to his full advantage. Revis on the other hand is arguably the most valuable player on the Jets, and his leverage comes from the fact that he WILL withhold services and I think he would sit out an entire season if need be. There are only a few players in the league that have this sort of leverage, and it's kind of nice to see them turn the tables on the teams every now and then because we know that the teams regularly "put the squeeze" on the players.

--Chad OchoCinco Joins the Dolphins - While most "analysts" talk about how OchoCinco is washed up and not worth a 90-man roster spot as he only had 15 catches for like 260 yards (it's close....I'm just to lazy to look it up), no story has gotten more traction this week than that. So if he isn't even a lock to make it through training camp, why is it the top story on NFL shows everyday? Because as fans, we love us some Ocho!! I was listening to NFL Total Access yesterday (or was it Tuesday, who cares) when they were going over the most popular stories on NFL.com, and guess what was #1.....by a LARGE margin...."OchoCinco lands in Miami". In fact the poll they did showed that 57% of fans were most interested in the Ocho, and only 9% cared about Tebow QB battle in New York. (I hope that by mentioning both Teblow and OchoCinco in the same column blows up this site!!!!!)

--Mike Jenkins shows up for Mandatory MiniCamp in Dallas(DUH!) - Really I don't know how this is a story at all, the guy is making a paltry (really?) $1 million salary in a contract year. Did anybody really think that he was going to risk getting fined like $60,000 for missing a mandatory camp, especially since he can't participate because of his recovery from shoulder surgery? Of course not, he is basically getting paid to show up and sit around. While Jenkins is in a bad spot, after he played his heart out last year for the team while injured and then watched them bring in two high profile players to replace him, it's in the Cowboys best interest to keep him around. The bad part is that he will be the 3rd corner at best, and probably the 4th corner (Has never played slot in his career so probably won't start now) which means he will have less opportunities to showcase his skills to the other teams for that big contract he wants. Of course, if he wins the battle for no worse than 3rd corner he will play the majority of snaps since teams usually run 3+ receiver sets. Look for Jenkins to sign a 1-year "prove it" deal next year and then cash in the year after, because I believe that he is a top 15 corner in this league.

--OTA's....Who Cares? - There I said it, nobody cares about practices in shorts and t-shirts, it tells us absolutely nothing about how good the rookies or free agents are looking. Notice how ALL the reports out of these things are about players "looking good", cause guess what? I would look good out there running routes in shorts. There is no hitting (at least not much), the only thing you can tell is if players are jogging to the right spot at the snap of the ball. Nobody cares about these things, yea I read the reports and listen to the podcasts though too....It's the NFL, I need my fix....no matter how I get it.

--Texans HC Gary Kubiak gets Contract Extension - This is how the NFL should work, it seems too often nowadays that coaches do not get long enough to prove themselves, in this league of "win now", new coaches are often on the "hot seat" after only their second season. Some of the greatest coaches in the history of the NFL would've been fired if they coached today. It took Tom Landry 6 years to get his first .500 season and Chuck Noll's first winning season wasn't until his 4th year. I think Bob McNair has done this the right way, give the coach plenty of time to make the roster and coaching staff entirely his, now there is no excuse for him not to perform. The organizations that constantly change (Raiders) are also the teams that are constantly rebuilding and starting over, because every time you change the coach you change the culture, system, players, staff, etc.

Now the bad part about the Texans is the core that Kubiak built might be near the end, in fact, it has already started. Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels are breaking down, they were forced to replace much of their offensive line, Matt Schaub is in the final year of his deal and still cannot stay healthy for a full season. On defense they lost their on and off field leader in Demeco Ryans, arguably their biggest impact player and #1 overall draft pick in 2006, Mario Williams (overrated in my opinion) left via free agency,  their 2007 1st rounder (10th overall) didn't pan out for them, their 2004 1st rounder (also 10th overall) left. Filling these holes largely with free agents is why they are in the salary cap hole they are currently in.....(I think I can do a whole article on this...I have to many article ideas and not enough time!)

--NFL Monitoring Contact at OTA's - I think this is the biggest crock I have seen in a while (ok now that I think about "BountyGate", Lockout, Concussions, maybe not), but the NFL randomly reading some tweets and deciding to review tapes of some OTA workouts for "too much contact" is stupid. You have to either look at every team's practices or none of them, none of this "playing favorites" that the league tends to do. Mainly though, why should the team lose practices if the players are having to much contact? If the coaches are constantly telling the players, "Don't hit", "Slow Down", etc and yet the 88th player on the roster is trying to make an impression and blows up a receiver against the coach's wishes, how is that the fault of the team?

You know what? Sometimes it just can't be helped! When you have a bunch of young testosterone filled guys battling it out for 1 of only 53 spots on a team, you are not going to be able to stop them from getting physical or going to hard. Much like the stupid NCAA rules that punish people for the sins of years past, don't punish the entire team because a couple guys who probably aren't gonna be in the NFL 3 months from now are trying to make a name for themselves!

--Timeout Cause TO Needs a Tryout - (See what I did there with all the "TO" references? Clever I know) Why can't Terrell Owens get even a tryout with an NFL team? Not only is he going to be in shape because...well TO is ALWAYS in shape, and before his knee injury he was having a great year for the Bengals with 72 catches for over 900 yards and 9 touchdowns. Heck, even with the Bills (whose offense sucked then) he had 55 catches for over 800 yards and 5 touchdowns!

Now he surely hasn't helped himself lately with appearances on Dr. Phil and the publicity surrounding his money problems (Allen Wranglers appears to be on them using his reputation against him). While he does have a history of locker room problems, by all accounts he was not a distraction with the Bengals or Bills (why is Carson Palmer still working out with him). I believe that he can be a solid player on a team with a strong locker room like the Ravens (I know he burned his bridges there most likely when he forced a trade to them not to happen). But the Ravens have been bringing in veterans for years that haven't worked out, one thing TO always does is put up the numbers that help you win games!

--Rob Gronkowski Cashes In - After only 2 years in the NFL, Gronkowski has cashed in with a what amounts to an 8-year $54 million extension, and from what PFT says it is basically a 4-year deal with 4 1-year options after that (I am not getting into anymore details). Here is how I see this playing out:  I think Gronk is happy now because of his back injury history that threatens to derail his career IF it goes out again. But when/if he continues to put these amazing/record breaking numbers he will be wanting to renegotiate (ala Darrell Revis & the majority of Eagles players) this deal in just a few years, and with all his off-field antics I could really see him becoming a distraction.....

--Tim Tebow - I really have nothing to say about him, but since it seems that not a day can go by without some report about how he went 1-2 and "walked on water" at Jets OTA, I figured I better mention him also....If I want to be a "real sports journalist", so here it goes. He sucks as a quarterback, is one of the worst teammates I have ever seen (even worse than Owens), is a media whore, and owes his success to a Marion Barber III fumble, a great kicker in Matt Prater, a defense that played well during his time starting and some dumb luck....not The Man upstairs or "divine" power/intervention. If the Jets use him as a personal protector and maybe a lead blocker, than he could have a somewhat successful run, nothing more, and maybe a lot less.

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Can Matt Leinart FINALLY Be Successful?

By:  Bobby Shores

A lot of the talk around the NFL right now is whether or not 6-year veteran quarterback Matt Leinart will finally be successful and shed the "bust" label that has plagued him since he was drafted back in 2006 when he takes over for an injured Matt Schaub. Most of the experts agree that the team around him is good enough to mask any of his deficiencies, and while I want to think that Leinart can finally turn his career around (I had him as my 2nd best QB in the '06 draft behind Cutler, so I want him to perform well so that I look better), I have my doubts.

We all know the Texans have an explosive and balanced offense around Leinart, and there is no need to go over the stats. In fact Leinart should be comfortable in the huddle as this offense and its weapons remind me of the USC offense that helped him win the Heisman, a National Championship and made him the 10th overall pick in the draft. It has playmakers at every position:

-Reggie Bush & LenDale White = Arian Foster & Ben Tate

-Dwayne Jarrett & Steve Smith = Andre Johnson & Jacoby Jones

-Dominique Byrd & Fred Davis = Owen Daniels

The Texans offense is led by an elite offensive line that has only allowed 16 sacks this year and has paved the way for the NFL's 3rd ranked rushing attack (158.1 yards per game). Not only will Leinart have the benefit of a ground game that demands respect, he will have plenty of time to sit in the pocket and go through his progressions. And that is when he is dangerous!

Another knock on Leinart has been his downfield throwing ability, but with Arian Foster and Ben Tate both premier receiving options out of the backfield, tight end Owen Daniels patrolling the middle of the field looking for holes in the zones and Andre Johnson back in the lineup able to turn short passes into big gains, Leinart won't struggle he could be dominate.

Wade Phillip's defense that is ranked in the top 10 in most categories is excellent at getting off the field, therefore giving the offense maximum time and opportunities to score. How do they get the offense back on the field so quickly? By only allowing opposing offenses to convert 31.4% of 3rd downs, and a lot of the time they don't even allow them to get to the 3rd down because they are 3rd in the league in interceptions (14) and are 7th in fumble recoveries (6). In the NFL, the more opportunities an offense has to score, the more points they will put up.

Enough about the offense and defense, probably the biggest factor in Leinart's success over the coming weeks will be the Texans schedule. In the next 6 weeks they face Jaguars, Falcons, Bengals, Panthers, Colts, and Titans. Going 4-2 is not only realistic but very likely.

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The "X" Factor in the 2011 NFL Draft - D.J. Williams - Arkansas Tight End

Again I am writing about Arkansas players because that is what I know.  I am not giving them great marks across the board.  I am trying to be unbiased and give an honest assessment of how their abilities will translate to the NFL, and today's piece on Arkansas Tight End D.J. Williams is no exception.

As a 6'2" 245lb Tight End you wouldn't think that D.J. Williams would be as intriguing an NFL prospect as he is.  The guy's game is not perfect, he is undersized, needs to work on his blocking, will not outrun all NFL DB's like Vernon Davis, and does not make a ton of "highlight reel" grabs.  He brings with him 3 years experience in Bobby Petrino's pro style offense that deployed him all over the field.  What else does he bring?  Versatility, rough life experiences that have made him mature beyond his years, and a team first mentality that makes him a "must have" for NFL teams.  His resume is thick with awards such as:
**The John Mackey Award - Given to the best Tight End in 2010
**1st Team All SEC in 2008 & 2010
**2010 Disney Spirit Award Winner - Given to college football's most inspirational figure

D.J. Williams had a rough upbringing, his father was a drug abusing, alcoholic, physically abusive man who terrorized Wiliam's family until he was able to sneak away with his mother and sister. Williams watched numerous times as his abusive father (currently in jail) nearly killed his mother, and when they finally fled to a local Dallas area shelter, they were told it was still to dangerous and to get farther away, so to Little Rock they went.  You can read the details of the story right here, and more about how great of a person he is right here, and I suggest you do, as it is an amazing story and these guys tell it much better than I ever could.  The best thing to come out of this story is what D.J. is doing now to help other people that are in abusive relationships or anybody needing help.  He uses his fame and his story to help people through community outreach programs ranging from Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, Children's hospital, and  attends elementary schools to mentor kids with fellow teammate Ryan Mallett.  His easy going and approachable attitude allow him to make an impact anywhere he goes.

Enough about what made him what he is today, what can he do for your team on the field?  The tight ends in the NFL today that I can compare him with are Dallas's Jason Witten and the Redskins Chris Cooley.  I know, I know, Jason Witten is a 6'6" potential Hall of Fame tight end, and Chris Cooley is a guy that deserves Pro Bowl consideration every year.  When I say that Williams game reminds me of theirs, its because he is a tight end that in the NFL will probably be used more as an H-Back; a tight end that is used in motion a lot, will line up in the backfield using his shorter stout frame to get solid leverage on D-linemen and linebackers when run blocking.  Yes, he will need to work on his blocking skills, but a guy with his team first mentality and work ethic should have no problem picking it up.  The other part of his game that reminds me of Witten and Cooley is that he works the field like a seasoned veteran, finding holes in zone coverage and sitting down in the open spots; while not incredibly athletic (neither are Witten or Cooley) he is extremely effective in the short passing/screen game where he will make a guy or two miss and turn a short gain into a 1st down.  He has great soft hands and while he will not make the acrobatic catches, he will catch almost everything thrown to him useing his body to shield defenders from the game (just like Witten).  And you want durable? Then he is your guy!

D.J. Williams, if put in the proper system will be an elite contributor at the next level, and I think that someone will trade up to grab him at the end of the 2nd or the beginning of the 3rd, if he is not snatched up early to middle 2nd round.  No matter what system he is in, he will make plays, but to truly maximize his unique potential and gifts, he needs a creative offensive mind or a team that employs versatile tight ends.  Teams that come to mind for me are:  Indianapolis Colts (he would be a more versatile Dallas Clark but they don't need a TE), New England Patriots (even though they are set at TE for years to come), Houston Texans (again fairly set with Owen Daniels), Arizona Cardinals (they need a short to intermediate threat for whoever their QB of the future is), St. Louis Rams (Bradford needs more weapons, and face it not even I know who their TE's are).  I am sure there are many other teams that could use him, but these are the ones that jumped out to me.

Not only will D.J. Williams make an impact between the white lines on Sunday's for whatever team is lucky enough to draft him, he will become an instant leader in the community and locker room, and provide valuable help for children and families in need.  In 5 years, I see D.J. Williams as being labeled one of the biggest "steals" of the 2011 draft, on the field, and just as importantly for the community that drafts him.

My Thoughts On Da'Quan Bowers

Everybody seems to have been raving about Da'Quan  Bowers, with many mock drafts having the Carolina Panthers taking him #1 overall, and all the others seem to have him in the Top 10.  Me on the other hand, I am not so impressed.

First he came out of high school ranked as a consensus top 10 recruit with most recruiting agencies having him ranked #1 or #2.  With that sort of high school pedigree I would expect him to be a difference maker at the collegiate level, but he never did much until his final year at Clemson.  In 2008 he registered 1 sack, in 2009 he registered 3 sacks, then he had his breakout year in 2010 with 15.5 sacks.  One year wonders always make me hesitant....I don't think all one year wonders are going to be busts, I happen to think Nick Fairley is going to be a very good NFL player, but that is based on the fact that I watched almost every single Auburn game and even my fiance picked him out as a great football player, and if she notices someone then they must be a BEAST!  The reason I worry about 1 year collegiate wonders is that there are a few of them in recent years that I do not think lived up to their billing:  Devin Thomas, Mario Williams(more on him below),

The other recent 1  year wonder that comes to mind is sure to be quite controversial is Mario Williams, drafted by the Texans #1 overall in 2006.  Yes, I know that he has made a couple of Pro Bowls and that he averages 8 sacks a year, but that is not the production you expect from a #1 overall draft pick.  The guy was a 1  year wonder at North Carolina State racking up 6 sacks in 2004 to 14 in 2005, and then put up some unbelievable numbers at the combine and that pushed him way up draft boards. Everything but the combine reminds me of Da'Quan.  From what I remember Mario just did not show up in big games, racked up big stats against inferior opponents similar to Bowers. Bowers multiple sack games came against powerhouses:  North Texas, Wake Forest, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, & Wake Forest. While he racked up 1 or 0 sacks against Auburn, South Carolina, Florida State, Boston College (against future 1st round pick Anthony Castonzo) and he racked up 0 sacks against Presbyterian (who???).

The other thing that worries me about Da'Quan is that he injured his knee in 2009 and missed a few games, and now he was unable to work out at the combine due to another knee injury.  He had surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and at the combine it was reported that his recovery was going slower than expected.  That draws a red flag from me, was he not rehabbing hard enough, not a hard worker, lazy? Injury worse than reported? Does his body just not recover fast enough?  All of those are questions that need to be answered, and I am sure teams will get to the bottom of it, but since I do not have access to that I can only speculate.

Anyways, I just do not see Da'Quan Bowers as a top 10 pick, this is just based on the limited information that I have and my gut instinct, the last time I had this "gut instinct" it was when the Texans drafted Mario Williams and I was at least partially right there.  The difference is I feel stronger about Da'Quan not being as good as advertised.  The other area where I am lacking in being able to make a more educated argument against him is that I did not get to see many Clemson games, but the one game I did see and remember (Auburn) he did not appear to be a difference maker.  I would love to see his film and break it down, I think it would provide the evidence I need.

Next Up:  Why I believe Nick Fairley is the better D-Line prospect than everybody's new favorite Marcell Dareus!