Are the Patriots that good, or are the Jets that bad?

By: Michael Tellier

After last night’s horrific Thursday night game the question has to be asked, are the New England Patriots for real, or are the New York Jets that bad? In my opinion, it’s still up in the air whither the Patriots are a real force in the league, but I think I can safely say that the Jets are terrible.

Julian Edelman had an impressive game for the Patriots with 13 catches for 78 yards, but there wasn’t much else going for the Patriots offense.  Despite the fact that the Patriots walked away with a win, and improved to 2-0 on the season, the Patriots really need TE Rob Gronkowski and WR Danny Amendola to return to the team, and pick up the slack.

The Jets looked terrible.  I’ve heard from several people that they thought the Jets defense looked solid last night.  Well I should hope so, considering the fact that the Patriots offense dropped more catchable passes then I have ever seen in a Patriots game (with Tom Brady). As well as the simple fact that Brady was without most of his core offensive weapons. Jets QB Geno Smith played a solid rookie game through three quarters, but threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter (three total).  I also noticed that his pocket awareness needs to improve drastically.  

 
Smith might be a solid QB in the future, but I believe that he will struggle all season long, and even though it’s only week two I don’t see the Jets having the same luck that they had in week one, for the whole season.  And as far as the Patriots go, until they are beaten in their own division they have to be the favorites; but this would be the season for another team to take them out.

RGIII will play in week one, but he needs to be careful

By: Michael Tellier

I really can’t believe that anyone thought that QB Robert Griffin III wouldn’t be ready for week one of the regular season.

I talked about RGIII in a previous blog, and talked about how tough and resilient this guy really is.  I mean a knee injury isn’t an injury that anyone can take lightly, but I’m convinced that this guy is one of the toughest QB’s in the league and I never doubted for a second that he wouldn’t be ready for week one.

He still has to see the Redskins team doctor one final time before he is cleared to play for week one, but numerous reports have said that he will definitely be able to play.  Now, the only other thing I can say about the situation is that maybe the Redskins coaching staff should speak with the sophomore QB about taking fewer hits. 

Despite the fact that he’s a tough resilient guy, a knee injury needs to be taken seriously, and I don’t think he will be able to take the amount of hits that he took last season.  However, if RGIII is able to avoid big time collisions, I think he will have a great season.

What is with these ridiculous fines in the NFL?

By: Michael Tellier

In my very first blog I talked about how the NFL needs to rethink its fine policies; and after seeing that RGIII was fined $10,000 for wearing a shirt during warm-ups that read “Operation Patience,” I haven’t changed my mind on the topic.

First of all, it was warm-ups, and even though the slogan wasn’t approved by the NFL it was in no way offensive or inappropriate.  The slogan had to do with RGIII’s injury progress, and him returning to the lineup.  I can’t understand how the NFL can fine him that much for that, and even though $10,000 is probably nothing to RGIII, I still think it’s ridiculous.  In fact it’s probably as ridiculous as the NFL fining RB Frank Gore $10,500 for wearing his sock too low during a game.

These kinds of fines should be more geared toward players getting DWI’s and being arrested for drug use, or any other situation that actually calls for a fine.  I just feel as though there are so many other issues going in the NFL with players getting hit in helmet to helmet collisions that I don’t think the league should be so concerned with wearing an unapproved shirt that is not the least bit offensive or controversial.

Was D.J. Swearinger’s hit on Dustin Keller dirty?

By: Michael Tellier

After watching the footage of Huston Texans rookie safety D.J. Swearinger's low hit on Miami Dolphins TE Dustin Keller, during Saturday night’s preseason game, I can be added to the list of people who think it was a dirty hit.

Now I know I sound like I’m playing favorites because I am a Dolphins fan, but the hit was definitely way to low.   Swearinger has stated that he didn’t want to go high on Keller and receive a flag on the play for a helmet to helmet hit; however, after watching the play, Keller’s whole body was exposed during the hit, and there is plenty of space between the head and the knee cap to make a safe tackle. 

I’m not saying that Swearinger’s mission was to end Keller’s season, or to tare a bunch of ligaments in his knee.  But regardless, the hit was very low, and it should be dealt with accordingly.  Various players around the league agree that the hit was low, including Atlanta Falcons star TE Tony Gonzalez, who said that he thought the hit should be addressed and that Swearinger should be fined.

Bills rookie QB EJ Manuel looks solid

By: Michael Tellier

The Buffalo Bills looked impressive in their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.  The defense looked solid and their offense moved the ball well.  However, the most impressive aspect of the Bills offense in my opinion was their new rookie QB EJ Manuel. 

Manuel threw for 107 yards on the day, and completed 16-21 passes including a TD to Dorin Dickerson with 14 seconds left in the first half.  The TD gave the Bills their first lead of the game.

Now, for the past few days I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they thought Manuel rushed a lot of throws and he didn’t throw enough long passes, but I was impressed with the way the rookie handled himself.  Sure he threw a lot of short passes, but did the guy move the ball effectively? Absolutely.

I mean obviously there is work to be done, but I think Manuel looked very impressive.  People can say what they want about how the rookie moved the ball, but the fact is he drove the ball 68 yards down the field for a TD with two minutes left in the first half.

I know it’s way too early to really make any sort of solid predictions for the Bills this season, but I’m starting to think that Manuel may be the guy that that the Bills count on this season.  I think he fits in nicely with the Bills new offensive scheme and his height allows him to see down the field.  Manuel could prove to be a valuable asset if he plays against New England because if he can continue to move the ball with short passes it will keep the Patriots star QB Tom Brady off the field; and that’s what the Bills need to do if they expect to have any chance this season against the Patriots.

Are the Ravens in trouble?

By: Michael Tellier

Through the course of the offseason many NFL analysts have questioned whether the Baltimore Ravens will have the team they did a season ago when they went on their unbelievable Super Bowl run.  The Ravens parted ways with key defensive veterans Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, and on offense said good bye to Anquan Boldin.  Now I thought the team would be in trouble after seeing that they had lost these three key players, but now that TE Dennis Pitta has gone down with a season ending hip injury, I think the Ravens are in some serious trouble.

QB Joe Flacco proved last season that he can get the job done under pressure, but I think for the Ravens offense to be successful this season they will need to hand the ball off more to RB Ray Rice. 

Plain and simple the Ravens don’t have the receivers that they had a year ago, and they will need to mix things up a bit more I think if they want to be successful.  Not to mention the fact that their defense will be weaker this season as well; which means they will really need to control the tempo of the game.  They won’t be able to go three and out on offense and rely on that stellar defense to hold teams off.    Reply to:

Is Dion Jordon really ready to return?

By: Michael Tellier

Miami Dolphins rookie defensive end Dion Jordan has already made a big impression on his teammates and sports analysts.  Jordan was on the non-football injury list for a surgically repaired shoulder. He was scheduled to miss up to two weeks of training camp, but has returned to practice already.  Is this a smart decision?

I realize that Jordan is a rookie and he is battling it out for a starting position right now.  I also realize that if he were to miss practice until after the final roster cuts that he would not be eligible to play for the first six weeks of the regular season.  But I still think returning to practice on day one of wearing full gear is a bit fast.

Shoulder injuries are not something you can take lightly, and even if Jordan was not to win the starting spot at defensive end, the Dolphins could still use him as an outside linebacker.

Some NFL analysts have said that the reports are not 100% accurate and that Jordan has not been participating for the full contact aspects of practice.  I really hope this true because Jordan is a young, athletic, talented player who could really help the Dolphins defense out this year; but if he pushed in to returning to practice too quickly, his career could be over before it begins.

Will the Packers struggle on offense without Jennings and Driver?

By: Michael Tellier

After losing offensive veterans Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, the Packers may take a step back offensively in the upcoming season.

Despite the fact that Driver and Jennings only accounted for 11.9% of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers completions in 2012, I still think that both players are extremely good under pressure, and they had both formed a solid relationship with their QB.

I’m not saying that the cheese heads won’t win the division without these two players; in fact I still think that they probably will.  They still have Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley, who have both proven to be valuable assets on offense.  I just think that if they get in to the playoffs, they will need someone like a Jennings or Driver to help them advance.

Rodgers in my opinion is easily one of the top five QB’s in the NFL, and that’s why I still think Green Bay will be ok.  And who knows, long term this might be good for them since both players are no longer in their prime anyways.

Is Kaepernick’s decision to wear Dolphins hat that big of a deal?

By: Michael Tellier

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has received a lot of negative press lately for a photo that came out showing him wearing a Miami Dolphins cap at a fourth of July party.  Is this as big of a deal as people have made it out to be? I would say yes and no.

It’s bad because fans see the photo and they feel betrayed, and it could also hurt his relationship with his teammates, who may also feel a bit betrayed.  Kaepernick is a 49er and he should only wear their stuff, but I think the situation has been taken a bit too far.  For all we know the guy was probably just wearing a cap that matched his outfit, which still doesn’t make it right but I don’t think it makes him a traitor either.

I mean there is no doubt that he made a mistake, but if the guy wins football games for you, then who really cares.  Instead of making the guy feel like dirt, fans should forget about it.  Kaepernick has already apologized for his actions and that’s all he can really do.

If the fans continue to ride him and treat him like he’s a traitor, and his teammates give him the cold shoulder, all that will do is drive him away from San Francisco.  I think it would go a long way with the young QB if his teammates and fans took the high road.

Plain and simple the 49ers have an opportunity to have a great team that could win several Super Bowl’s; but I can almost guarantee that they won’t be able to accomplish much of anything if the fans and teammates are alienating their young star QB.   

RGIII is the real deal

By: Michael Tellier

Robert Griffin III is without a doubt the real deal.  Now I’m sure that I’m not telling people anything they don’t already know, but this guy’s toughness needs to be recognized.

After seeing the rookie QB struggle with pain down the stretch of last season, I saw the resiliency in him.  I’m not sure that there are too many rookies’ out there that would have played through the injury that he had; not to mention the fact that he was doing more than competing, he was winning.

Last month Griffin III was asked if he would be healthy enough to start training camp, and he responded “without a doubt.” However, I had my doubts.

However, those doubts are gone now.  According to a source, the sophomore QB has been doing very well.  His long speed is back, he cuts well and there is no sign of a limp when he walks.  The source also said that he wasn’t sure what test the team’s medical group has put RGIII through, but whatever it was “he completely smashes it.”   The Redskins organization has also said that they are “astonished” by his progress.

So for all you fantasy football players out there, if you were thinking about not drafting RGIII because of his injury last season, I would rethink that.

Could Lamar Miller be the answer at running back for Miami?

By: Michael Tellier

When I heard that Reggie Bush had left Miami I tried to figure out who they would try to pick up to replace him.  I never thought that they would ever consider Lamar Miller as their starter.  But considering the fact that he averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 51 attempts, Miller could be a decent fit for Miami.

Even though Miller is only going in to his second season in the NFL I think he could have a very productive season; and so does a few others who have worked out with him this summer.

Miller has been learning a lot from San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore in the offseason at Bommarito Performance Systems in North Miami Beach.  Bommarito has trained many backs over several years including Maurice Jones-Drew; however, Miller has left a lasting impression on him: "He's the fastest running back I've ever seen."

Miller may not get the Dolphins the yards that Bush did, at least not right away.  But I do think that It’s a good move trying to develop their young players.  So in the long run this might turn out to be a very smart move.