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Michael Lombardi

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This August 23, 2008, 10:57 AM EST
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23 AUG 2008

QUOTE OF THE DAY…. "The rule of my life is to make business a pleasure and pleasure my business." —Aaron Burr

We here at the Post wish Harry Williams all the best as he recovers from the spinal injury he incurred last night.

RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM LAST NIGHT…

…NE looks to me that they will have to scheme to make plays on defense.  Their front seven is still not fast enough and Ted Bruschi is not the same player he once was in the passing game. 

…Without Tom Brady, it’s hard to tell on this offense.  Everything is off and I would get a backup if I were in NE.  They really need a veteran backup.  Matt Cassel hasn't played well and they have no confidence in his ability to take over if needed.  

…Philadelphia is explosive on offense.  They know how to mix formations and personnel groups to score points.  They will be the team to beat in the east. McNabb looks like a top five player in the league.

…NE needs to get Matt Light back at left tackle.  Tambi Hali of the Chiefs can rush a little and Wes Britt will struggle to block him.  The Pats need to get this line back and healthy.      

…Denver has some real issues on defense.  They have no pass rush and other then Bailey, no real corners.  For Denver to win, they have to get the lead first and outscore people.  Denver is a passing team now, it is official.

…The key to Denver’s season will be their red zone defense.  Teams will be able move the ball on them in the passing game.   The key will be how many field goals they are able to force.

…Defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson cannot make plays for Denver.  He looks like a really bad player right now.  Both Robertson and defensive end Jarvis Moss failed to show up on the tackle chart last night.

…I know Ted Thompson of Green Bay is not inclined to bring in a veteran backup quarterback, but he has to face reality pretty fast.  It’s one thing to think Brian Brohm can play, it’s another to know he is ready and right now he is not even close. 

…Denver will be a committee running game.  If you pick one of their backs in your fantasy draft, good luck.  They will be throwing the ball anyway.

…Steve Slaton is the real deal, the very real deal. 

…And so is Chris Johnson of the Titans.  I just heard Jaime Dukes of the NFL Network say the Titans should not have drafted him because they needed a receiver instead.  Wow.  Jaime, what receiver would you have picked?  And which receiver in the draft has been a better player this summer than Johnson?  I rest my case. 

…I am worried about the secondary for the Cowboys.  The Texans had guys open early in the game and Matt Schaub was off.  This is a problem and so are the Boys special teams.

…The Texans need to figure out how to win on the road.  They were 2-6 on the road in 2007 and this year they have three tough road games.

…The Texans and the Broncos look like they need to win games with their offense because they can't rely on their defenses at all. 

…I thought the Falcons did a nice job with Matt Ryan last night.  They knew they would struggle to protect, so he had many short throws and got the ball out quick.  When you throw the ball 21 times and gain 100 yards, the ball is coming out very fast. 

Comments

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Steve
Aug 23, 2008
11:56 AM

I was pretty disappointed with Michael Silver's 8/22 article on Gene Upshaw. While some of the critcisms he has of Upshaw may be valid I think it is in poor taste to make them so soon after his untimely death. To call Upshaw "ruthless" and "all about the cult of him" within 48 hours of his passing is shameful. Gene Upshaw, like all of us, wasn't perfect but it would hav been respectful to let some time pass before ripping him. What do you think Mike?

b roo
Aug 23, 2008
12:16 PM

Dallas' secondary will improve when Newman returns. If they can stay healthy (and not get suspended Pac) they should at least be better than they were last year when they had to play Jacques (the human target) Reeves so much. NFC East will be hotly contested as always. Philly could go from last place last year to first place this year but why? How have they really improved? How has everyone else gotten worse? There have been a few personnel changes here and there but the only really big game changing one is the Giants losing Strahan.

Jason
Aug 23, 2008
12:27 PM

Good point on Chris Johnson. It's not like Vince Young is good enough to hit a WR downfield anyways. They were smart to get a gamebreaking RB, with receiving and return skills. That's a much better fit for their O.

Do you think Cutler will have a better year than guys like McNabb, Hasselbeck and D. Anderson? I personally do, especially once Marshall returns. Would you take him in fantasy over those guys, or in place of them?

Dan
Aug 23, 2008
12:28 PM

Mike: Any thoughts on why Lamont Jordan hasn't played the last 2 games? Do you expect Jordan to possibly take over for Maroney? Thanks.

Sonny_Corlione
Aug 23, 2008
03:10 PM

The Patriots need to switch to a 4-3. I've rethought my view of defense since last year and the conclusion that I've come to is that the confusion 3-4's create for QB's is not as effective as the pass rush potential from a good 4-3. I hate to point to the Super Bowl as an example because I truly believe there were far more factors than a good pass rush that enabled that outcome. However, if you had four strong defensive backs, a great nose tackle and two defensive ends who can rush the passer - you have more options for what to do with a quick set of linebackers. The Pats would need sit some good players in order to get that mix but they certainly have the talent to pull it off.

Don
Aug 23, 2008
05:14 PM

I just turn the channel when Jamie Dukes is on Total Access. Long on opinion, short on short on substance, and his opinion is always different than whoever he is on with. Hell, if Rod Woodson or whomever came on and said Chris Johnson was a poor choice, Jamie would probably waive his flag. If not for Schefter, Total Access would be completely useless.

KY
Aug 24, 2008
01:03 AM

Steve said "I was pretty disappointed with Michael Silver’s 8/22 article on Gene Upshaw."

Don't read anything by Silver. He's one of the most negative guys you'll ever want to meet or read. I'm amazed the guy still has a job.

Michael Lombardi
Aug 24, 2008
10:24 AM
Michael Lombardi

dan, he has bad leg and I think they are just keep him from reinjuring...but they do like him very much there

Michael Lombardi
Aug 24, 2008
10:26 AM
Michael Lombardi

I love McNabb and Hasselback, but Cutler is going to have a great year. And the good thing about all these QBs, their teams love to throw and throw some more.

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