Several well known veterans and a few, much prized rookies and second year signal callers are out of work as of this past Saturday. One of those 'sophomores' players is former Louisville star QU Brian Brohm. It's not everyday a team releases the player who was the No. 57 overall pick less than two years ago. Why you ask? Plain and simply, he has been bad. Since being 'handed' over the number two spot behind Aaron Rodgers, Brohm has never found his grove. Because of his high draft status, he will most likely land somewhere. But what ever happen, it will be a far cry from a once highly touted prospect. Another QB cut was Minnesota John David Booty. The former Trojan signal caller and 2008 fifth round pick is expected to clear waivers and resign with the Vikings.
The New England Patriots parted way with Kevin O'Connell and Andrew Walter, leaving the job of backing up Tom Brady to 2009 free agent Brian Hoyer. O'Connell, a third round selection last spring, never lived up to the high expectations the team placed on him.
Washington let got Hawaii's record setting QB Colt Brennan and 2009 free agent Chase Daniels. Brennan, who had a very good camp in 2008, failed to make serious improvements this past year. Daniels, a former Missouri star quarterback, is expected to be signed by the Redskins as a practice squad player.
Several well known veterans also got axed Saturday. Among them is Todd Bouman. Jacksonville send the former FA veteran packing to make room for recently signed Luke McCown. The Atlanta Falcons said goodby to DJ Shockley.
One of the most notable cut was that of Joey Harrington. The 3rd overall pick in the 2002 draft was release, for the second time in one year, by the New Orleans Saints. Look for Harrington to land, either with the Carolina Panthers or the Buffalo Bills.
Showing posts with label QB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QB. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
49ers Camp News and Notes
Once upon a time, the San Francisco 49ers ruled the National Football League. That has not been the case for more than a decade. The team ‘By the Bay’ is in the middle of yet another rebuilding effort with a new head coach (Mike Singletary), unproven receivers, an average offensive line, a weak pass rush and a quarterback unit that makes Jeff Garcia look like a Hall of Famer. In fact, the only thing the Niners has going for them is their running game.
This is the picture San Francisco took into the 2009 exhibition season. Now, that picture seems to be morphing. Singletary has shown a good he can get the best out of a talent-starved roster. Now he needs to translate that success into wins. The receiving corps is still a work in progress, at best. The only sure thing appears to be TE Vernon Davis who quietly is becoming a go-to-guy. He always had the talent, but due to a lack of maturity, he was never able to show it. Now he is finally displaying the line separation and hands scouts raved about when he came out of Maryland.
The much mélange offensive line is steadily improving. Tackles Joe Staley and Adam Snyder, center Eric Heittman and right guard Chilo Rachal all are having solid camps. As for the pass rush, although LB Patrick Willis continues his ascension to the upper echelon of NFL linebackers, there still a need for more options. Jeff Ulbrich, who started in place of Willis against the Raiders this past week, has looked sharp. He, promising rookie Scott McKillop and Takeo Spikes should form a nice combo. What still lacking is depth at defensive tackle.
The QB situation is the deicer of them all. Projected starter Shaun Hill has a good fell for the game. Unfortunately for the 49ers, he is not a playmaker by any stretch of the imagination. That distinction belongs to Alex Smith. But the former #1 overall pick lacks pure passing skills. He is more of an athlete than a passer and the Niners will be wise to grasp that fact soon. It’s a good bet Hill will be the starter this year, if by no other reason because of Smith. Lurking in the shadows is fifth round selection Nate Davis. The former Northern Illinois star is having a very, very good camp. He has displayed good escapability in the pocket and a nice passing touch to go along with a big, powerful arm. He is now the future of the franchise, at least for this year.
The one area that San Fran is more than adequate is at running back. We all know about Frank Gore and what he can do. His hard and explosive running is well documented. Now we are finding about that this is not a one man gang. Former reclamation project, Michael Robinson is running wild, bulling over defenses and presenting mismatches on the passing, while two rookies, third rounder Glen Coffee and undrafted free agent Korey Sheets, are making strong cases for playing time. Coffee, the preseason rushing leader, has shown the explosiveness the team covets in a third down back.
This is the picture San Francisco took into the 2009 exhibition season. Now, that picture seems to be morphing. Singletary has shown a good he can get the best out of a talent-starved roster. Now he needs to translate that success into wins. The receiving corps is still a work in progress, at best. The only sure thing appears to be TE Vernon Davis who quietly is becoming a go-to-guy. He always had the talent, but due to a lack of maturity, he was never able to show it. Now he is finally displaying the line separation and hands scouts raved about when he came out of Maryland.
The much mélange offensive line is steadily improving. Tackles Joe Staley and Adam Snyder, center Eric Heittman and right guard Chilo Rachal all are having solid camps. As for the pass rush, although LB Patrick Willis continues his ascension to the upper echelon of NFL linebackers, there still a need for more options. Jeff Ulbrich, who started in place of Willis against the Raiders this past week, has looked sharp. He, promising rookie Scott McKillop and Takeo Spikes should form a nice combo. What still lacking is depth at defensive tackle.
The QB situation is the deicer of them all. Projected starter Shaun Hill has a good fell for the game. Unfortunately for the 49ers, he is not a playmaker by any stretch of the imagination. That distinction belongs to Alex Smith. But the former #1 overall pick lacks pure passing skills. He is more of an athlete than a passer and the Niners will be wise to grasp that fact soon. It’s a good bet Hill will be the starter this year, if by no other reason because of Smith. Lurking in the shadows is fifth round selection Nate Davis. The former Northern Illinois star is having a very, very good camp. He has displayed good escapability in the pocket and a nice passing touch to go along with a big, powerful arm. He is now the future of the franchise, at least for this year.
The one area that San Fran is more than adequate is at running back. We all know about Frank Gore and what he can do. His hard and explosive running is well documented. Now we are finding about that this is not a one man gang. Former reclamation project, Michael Robinson is running wild, bulling over defenses and presenting mismatches on the passing, while two rookies, third rounder Glen Coffee and undrafted free agent Korey Sheets, are making strong cases for playing time. Coffee, the preseason rushing leader, has shown the explosiveness the team covets in a third down back.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The new 'go to guy' in Oakland
It took a year and two drafts, but it seems the Oakland Raiders might have found a number one WR for JaMarcus Russell and it’s not highly priced, first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, not yet at least. The job belongs to a ‘little’ known flier Al Davis took in 2008.
The diamond in the rouge is Chaz Schilens, who came up big in the Raiders preseason opener slicing the improved Dallas Cowboy’s secondary for five catches, 52 yards in less than two quarters of play. Schilens, a 6’4” 225 pound physical specimen has also shined in recent Raiders training session prompting coach Tom Cable to open up the passing attack.
The 2008 seven round selection out of San Diego State is quickly developing a rhythm with Russell in practice. Chemistry that was on display against the Cowboys.
In some ways, he has become the young quarterback’s first option. A process that began last year when he became a full time starter late finishing with 15 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite his inmense size, Schilens is a fluid athlete who, contrary to his report card coming out of college, has displayed great hands and body movement. In fact, he has consistently catch the short-to-intermediate range pass, a ‘must do’ for a go-to WR.
The diamond in the rouge is Chaz Schilens, who came up big in the Raiders preseason opener slicing the improved Dallas Cowboy’s secondary for five catches, 52 yards in less than two quarters of play. Schilens, a 6’4” 225 pound physical specimen has also shined in recent Raiders training session prompting coach Tom Cable to open up the passing attack.
The 2008 seven round selection out of San Diego State is quickly developing a rhythm with Russell in practice. Chemistry that was on display against the Cowboys.
In some ways, he has become the young quarterback’s first option. A process that began last year when he became a full time starter late finishing with 15 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite his inmense size, Schilens is a fluid athlete who, contrary to his report card coming out of college, has displayed great hands and body movement. In fact, he has consistently catch the short-to-intermediate range pass, a ‘must do’ for a go-to WR.
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