Final Cuts

This Chris Jennings guy sounded impressive in the last preseason game. He was released, but I'm sure they'll try to get him onto the practice squad.

I now suspect that Jerome Harrison may not actually be hurt much! I think it very possible that Mangini might have seen enough of him, and decided to protect him, like he did Rogers, Lewis, et al!

Think I'm nuts? Well, can I point out that Mangini is NOT Romeo Crennel? All Harrison allegedly, we ass ume had to prove was his ability to pass-protect. The rushing was never an issue, and the pass-recieving has improved a lot.

I wish to point out that I was correct about Vickers being the only fullback retained. The fact is that last season, Crennel should have done this, since he, too, has no fewer than two tight ends who could line up at fullback. Mangini had the common sense to save a roster spot, which is refreshing.

Vickers helps running back depth somewhat, since he is one of the few NFL fullbacks who can run with the ball in a pinch.

I gotta be honest here and say that I was thinking that Jamal Lewis could be on his way out. Terry Pluto in today's column brilliantly broke the numbers down, indicating that his decline last season wasn't all about Edwards' drops or poor blocking.

However, I can't criticize their keeping him, especially since he's already been paid.

...but he aint the man anymore, or won't be. I'm weary of sportswriters talking about veteran experience at running back, as if it's the same as quarterback, or a DE switching to linebacker. Running backs come out of college often prepared for the NFL. It's the most instinctive position on the field. Once you know who to block, and you can run good patterns and catch---there you go.

Mangini would never have retained Jamal Lewis if he felt the guy was washed up. James Davis will probably be the number one running back, and Jerome Harrison will get into the mix. I believe that the two-back will show up a good thirty percent of the time, with various combinations of the three running backs and Vickers.

All of them can catch passes, and three can lead-block. If there is a residual concern about Harrison's pass-blocking, as one of two backs he can flare out as a reciever instead. With these four guys, you can mix speed and power well, and mitigate against what I percieve is a comparative weakness at tight end.

Lewis may have lost his explosiveness, but will not have lost his brute power or leverage. His value in short-yardage, both as a blocker and as a runner, are obvious. But also, as one of two running backs, defenses could no longer key on him, so long as the other running back was a serious threat. Also in some cases, you don't need to make the first guy miss if he's being blocked for you.

And then, he does have things to teach the other running backs.

I'm thrilled that Furrey and Cribbs have proven to be so effective as recievers. Furrey is like Brennan/Welker. Last season, after Jurevicious went down, defenses threw a blanket over Edwards (sometimes...I mean often none was needed--it was 50/50 he'd drop it dammit) and that was it.

This season, the corps looks even better than 2007's, as now there are TWO short-intermediate scalpels to use. Massequoi is way ahead of schedule, and (so far) has shown good concentration and hands. Robiskie is money in the bank. There is quality depth here, and the playbook can and will include some four-wide sets.

Then there's this...which I seem to be the only one to have noticed so far: Look at how many passes are going to the running backs, how well all the backs are catching them, and how effective that has been.

Daboll is doing a great job of making at least this passing offense as unpredictable as possible by making use of every possible weapon in every possible way.

Before knee-jerking into doom-and-gloom in re this offense, first put yourself in an opponent's place and figure out how you would stop it (assuming QUINN at QB). First, you determine what an offense does best, and focus on depriving them of it, right?

Ok we're done here. You can't. If you bring the house Furrey, Cribbs, and the running back can chew you up--(plus the Browns are now doing this new thing called a screen-pass, ya know? With Steinbach and Thomas--hey did you know they could run around pretty good for big guys? Who woulda thunk it?)

If you try the soft zone, they'll happily take the five or six yards underneath all day--at least until Cribbs takes one fifty yards or so.

OK so you give them that and just try to stuff the run, making them one-dimensional. Even a 65% passer misses 35% of the time. Deflections, blown patterns, big hits, etc. can all lead to turnovers, and third/longs make it much safer to send six guys.

In truth, that could work. But it's far from a perfect strategy. Basicly, many of the passes are long handoffs, like the Infante offense, and you have several guys who can turn little gains into big gains. You can never forget about Edwards--you must always keep one safety back off the line.

Lateral passes are about mismatches, as suddenly big guys are running into little guys. It beats the hell out of the cornerbacks.

Anyway more later okbye