Tag Archive for Cam Newton

The Pistol Offense and Zone Reads: A Trend to the Future

August 16, 2012 Vincent Frank Featured, NFL, Vincent Frank
Demps

Watching Colin Kaepernick’s 78 yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings last Friday got me thinking. It seems that the San Francisco 49ers intelligently designed that play in order for LaMichael James to be in the backfield at the same time.

Whether you are looking at a pistol design or a zone-read, which was the case with Kaepernick, this could be the new package that teams with an excess of athleticism run.

Think about it for a second.

Kaepernick and James combined for over 9,000 rushing yards in college. For those of us who are not math savants, that equates to about five miles of running. Simply amazing. Defenses will not be able to hone in on the quarterback in this situation because James has the ability to break the long run on the outside should the ball be handed to him. They’re not going to be able to hone in on the running back because the quarterback possesses the same capability.

Pistol Offense

In short, it confuses the hell out of the defense and can lead to a long gain. I am not talking about an entire offensive scheme catered to this. Rather, a play or two per game.

This isn’t just limited to the 49ers, though they showed success with it in their preseason opener.

The Oakland Raiders could run the same type of “gadget play” with Terrelle Pryor and Taiwan Jones in the backfield. Just think about that for a second. Two players that run a sub 4.5 40-yard dash in the backfield at the same time. It remains to be seen if Oakland is going to attempt to try to run this play in their remaining preseason games.

Let’s say the New York Jets sign former Florida running back Jeff Demps to a rookie free agent contract. The idea of Tim Tebow and the talented young running back in the same backfield running a zone read or pistol play would be cause for alarm for opposing teams.

This story can be repeated over and over again with teams that have an athletic quarterback on the roster. Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Michael Vick, Brad Smith and even Aaron Rodgers would all have the capabilities to do it.

Move over wildcat, this could be the new gimmick of the modern National Football League. I for one am intrigued.

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NFC Wild Card 2012: Which Two Teams Get In?

June 29, 2012 Joey Levitt Featured, NFL
Courtesy of Zimbio.com

Fans of the National Football League are in for quite a year in 2012. Both the divisional and wild card races will be hotly contested in each league.

The NFC wild card race in particular will conceivably include two teams from each division.

In the East, the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys are all playoff-worthy. The Seahawks and Cardinals are both capable of coming out of the West. Atlanta will surely qualify out of the South, but Carolina is rising quickly under the sensational Cam Newton and Tampa Bay is set to re-create its 2010 campaign.

Finally, the NFC North will be a veritable bloodbath between the Packers, Lions and revamped Bears.

If the Lions and Falcons filled the two wild card slots last season, which teams will qualify in 2012?

This might be the most challenging prediction I’ve attempted to make in quite some time.

The Eagles drafted incredibly well on the defensive side of the ball—adding to an already all-star (worthy) offensive roster—and are set to further their four-consecutive-win success at the end of 2011.

Dallas also chose a couple defensive studs in Morris Claiborne and Tyrone Crawford. Signing top free-agent CB Brandon Carr further affords coordinator Rob Ryan the personell he needs to complement a quality Cowboys offense.

Well, and we certainly cannot forget the Super Bowl champion Giants out of the East…

In the West, the Seahawks added free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn on offense, while   acquiring pass rushers to a defense that already features a dominant secondary. The Cardinals, meanwhile, roll out a potentially great passing offense and up-and-coming defense that was ferocious down the stretch.

The Falcons are in position to earn a wild card spot after a 10-6 campaign in 2011. The Panthers and Buccaneers were sub-.500 teams last year, but are immensely talented on both sides of the ball to compete for the postseason in 2012. And, in case the Saints are adversely affected by the Bountygate scandal, they’re at the very least the best wild card team in the conference.

After the NFC North Lions posted a 10-6 campaign themselves, it reinforced its O-line with Riley Reiff and bolstered its horrid secondary with CB Dwight Bentley out of Louisiana-Lafayette. The Lion’s defense is still an issue, but 5,000-yard QB Matthew Stafford is locked and loaded to lead a dynamic offense once again.

The Bears reunited Jay Cuter with Brandon Marshall. If that tandem rejuvenates its former connection in Denver and Matt Forte comes to an amicable contract agreement, this offense will fully complement an always formidable defense.

Again, like the Saints, if the Packers somehow miraculously regress after losing just one game last season, they’ll be in the wild-card mix as well.

Now after recapping each teams’ strengths and prospects for postseason play via the wild card, who will actually advance in 2012?

Since I don’t see the Lions regressing this year, they’re in. They also have the 10th-easiest schedule.

I do see the Giants taking a step back with the underrated losses of Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs. They’ll also suffer from a Super Bowl hangover and increasingly more competitive NFC East. Speaking of which, the Cowboys, with their impressive overhaul on defense, will be close in 2012, but will falter late in the season against Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

That renders the G-Men and Big Blue out of the race and Eagles as division winners.

Let’s also eliminate the Panthers, Bucs and Cardinals. They’ll produce markedly improved campaigns, but will fall short.

That leaves us with the Bears, Seahawks and wild-card Falcons of last season for the final WC slot for this season.

Chicago will lose the final two games of the regular season on the road against Arizona and Detroit. Better luck next year.

The Falcons could very easily begin the season at 1-3 (after playing the AFC West and Carolina Panthers) and never fully recover. This slow slow start will doom them at the end of the day.

So, joining the Lions as the second of two wild card teams is the Seattle Seahawks.

The ‘Hawks will enter in the upper echelons of NFL defenses with an awesome secondary and a front seven that gets after the quarterback. It is true that their own QB situation is a bit tenuous with Flynn’s limited experience and less than stellar performance in offseason camps thus far.

Even so, the offense has weapons across the board to be sufficiently effective next to an outstanding defense and under-appreciated coaching staff. Seattle’s 12th-Man home field advantage cannot be oversimplified either.

The Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks—your two NFC wild card teams in 2012.

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Fantasy Corner: Rookie QB’s

May 10, 2012 Matt Rittle NFL
ryan-tannehill-lauren-tannehill

Rookie QB‘s comes down to these three points:

  • The QB’s you expect to perform from day one will, in one way or another, perform from day one.
  • The QB’s most people are nervous about…You should be nervous about too.
  • For the right price on draft day, either RGIII or Luck is worth a roster spot on your team…but neither are worth gambling your whole season on as your main QB.

That’s really it.  Easiest article I’ll write all off-season.  Not much of a need to say more….but just to make my editor happy, I present to you the four QB’s taken in the first round:

 

Robert Griffin III                Redskins             Unquestionable starter

I’m in the camp of people expecting a better rookie season from RGIII than Luck.  That is not a statement of career trajectories, though.  Nor is it an extrapolation of RGIII’s running abilities compared with Cam Newton‘s success of last year.  I just think Washington has better offensive weapons already in place.  Their offensive line is better than Indy’s too.  RGIII will enjoy a better supporting cast than Luck….in year one, at least.

 

Andrew Luck                      Colts                    Unquestionable starter

If you haven’t been familiar with Luck for a while now, then you’re either new to football or else…No, actually that’s the only reason I can think of.  The Colts went offensive-heavy in their draft this year.  So it’s clear where that their number one priority is giving this guy every chance to succeed from day one.  I’m not a big fan of their offensive line or running backs…but Reggie Wayne has another season or two in the tank and Austin Collie – if he can stay healthy – is a great talent as well.

 

Brandon Weedon              Browns                Likely Starter, unsure yet

Personally, I view Weedon’s “advanced age” as a benefit to him, as a rookie.  His career may be shortened down the road – but increased life experience and maturity can only help a player hit the ground running.  The bigger issue here is that aside from other first round draft pick Trent Richardson, the team really lacks any other play-makers.  Most rookie QB’s that succeed do so typically with the help of talented wide-outs.  Greg Little is still a project…and I’m hard-pressed to name too many other WR’s on that team without looking at the roster.  Some experts question his NFL-readiness, as well.

The result of all this?  Someone to track during the season.  Maybe worth a pick up at some point…probably not worth drafting in seasonal leagues.

 

Ryan Tannehill                  Dolphins              Who knows

To be fantasy relevant this year, all Tannehill would have to do is beat out two veteran QB’s for the starting gig…and silence every one of his critics with his poise, NFL-readiness and impressive weekly stat lines….  all while throwing to a group of WR’s that, at best, could be considered mediocre.

I feel like the use of our time here could be better spent talking about his wife.  Take note gentleman:   If you’re about to get rich and famous and are dating someone who loved you before all that rich and fame…Might not be a bad idea to lock her up and marry her.  Particularly if she’s hot.  On behalf of all guys everywhere, good job bro.

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Ranking the Best Young Quarterbacks in the NFL

May 7, 2012 Vincent Frank NFL
Matthew-Stafford

Over the course of the next couple of months I am going to take a look at the best players at each position age 25 and under.

These are the players that are going to define and represent the National Football League moving forward. Their importance to the league as a whole and their respective teams cannot be overstated.

So, let’s take a look at the quarterback position to start.

Note: Rookies will not be included in on the list.

 

1. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

2011 Statistics: 63.5 completion %, 5,038 yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions

Stafford led one of the most potent passing attacks in the National Football League last season. He also broke a league record for the most pass attempts in a single year. For a quarterback that didn’t have much help in the run game, Stafford definitely limited his mistakes.

Once the Lions are able to get more of a balanced attack on offense look for Stafford to take that next step towards elite status, especially with Calvin Johnson as his primary go to guy.

 

2. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

2011 statistics: 60.0 completion %, 4,051 passing yards, 35 total touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 706 rush yards

It is really hard to put in context what Newton did as a rookie in 2011. He broke the rookie passing and rushing record for quarterbacks and consistently showed up to lead the Panthers to a respectable record.

In fact, Newton was the sole reason why Carolina stayed in games against the best teams in the entire league. Look for him to cut down on mistakes and take a huge step forward in 2012, anything less would be incredibly disappointing.

 

3. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

2011 Statistics: 58.1 completion %, 3,398 yards, 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

No one, and I mean no one, could have possibly predicted the success that Cincinnati had last season with Dalton at the helm. While he did struggle to an extent in the postseason, the former second-round pick was solid all season long.

Look for Dalton to start making better decisions on the football field, cut down on mistakes and hone those mechanics. If that happens he could be a top 10 quarterback in the league.

 

4. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams

2011 Statistics: 53.5 completion %, 2,164 yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions

You really cannot place most of the blame of the Rams struggles last season on Sam Bradford. He had absolutely no help at the wide receiver position and the offensive line was horrendous in pass-protection.

With that said, he seemed to get happy feet in the backfield and didn’t seem to be reading the field too well. Many Rams fans expected a major improvement from 2010 to 2011, but saw the reverse.

It is now time for Bradford to step up and prove that he can be the franchise guy for St. Louis moving forward. Time will tell whether or not that is going to be the case.

 

5. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2011 Statistics: 62.8 completion %, 3,592 yards, 16 touchdowns, 22 interceptions

Freeman seemed to take a major step back in his third-year last season. The former first-round pick struggled a great deal with mistakes, consistently throwing into coverage.

It has to be noted that a lot of the skill position players on the offensive side of the ball struggled a great deal as well. The additions of both Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson should really help his cause this year.

There aren’t anymore excuses. It is time for Freeman to put up or shut up.

 

Just Missed the Cut

Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings

I fully expect Ponder to take the next step in 2012. He seems to have all the necessary skills to be an outstanding starting quarterback in the NFL.

Tim Tebow, New York Jets

It isn’t going to help Tebow’s progression to sit on the sideline until he eventually replaces Mark Sanchez as the Jets starting quarterback. Made major strides in terms of mechanics last season, needs to actually see the field.

 

 

 

 

 

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NFL Draft 2012: New CBA Changes the Landscape of the Draft

April 19, 2012 Vincent Frank NFL
Courtesy of ESPN

 

When the Oakland Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell first overall in the 2007 NFL Draft they were making a much larger commitment than the original draft choice.

The late Al Davis doled out $61 million, including $32 million guaranteed to the unproven rookie quarterback. Either Russell was going to lead the Raiders to the playoffs or he was going to be a primary reason why they continued to exist in mediocrity.

You don’t need to be a football expert to understand how that situation played out. Russell was out of the league after just three seasons, setting back the Raiders organization a great deal.

It wasn’t just that they spent the first overall pick on the bust. It was more about the financial investment directed at an unproven quarterback out of college. While franchises in other professional sport leagues can handle such a fiscal burden, this wasn’t in the cards when it came to the National Football League.

The new Collective Bargaining Agreement, agreed to after a lengthy lockout prior to the 2011 season, changed the landscape of the NFL Draft for good.

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and the NFL came to an agreement on a rookie wage scale. What this did was limit the possibility of lengthy holdouts and lower the amount of money guaranteed to first-round picks, more importantly No. 1 overall picks.

Accordingly, Cam Newton the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, received just $22 million over four seasons (all guaranteed).

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL COmmissioner Rog...

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL COmmissioner Roger Cam Newton from the University of Auburn during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

 

This new landscape enables teams to actually spend a first-round pick on a quarterback without having to worry about the “bust” factor sending them back years on the salary cap.

We have seen teams like the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals be set back three or four years, not because they spent that pick on a quarterback, but because of the financial investment that it took.

It is extremely important to note that with Ryan Tannehill this season, the Miami Dolphins wouldn’t be forfeiting future salary cap flexibility by drafting the Texas A&M product.

Of course this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a risk in drafting a quarterback project that high. A team is still passing up on more of a sure fire prospect in order to attempt to hit gold on a quarterback.

This in of itself can set a franchise back years. At least, the financial commitment isn’t as great.

 

 

 

 

 

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NFL 2012: Predictions for Most Improved Players

April 17, 2012 MatthewJStein NFL
Courtesy of zimbio.com

Will Cam Newton become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2012?

The 2012 NFL season is rapidly approaching and each year we all want to know which players have improved the most from last season.  It’s always fascinating to see how much a player can improve over the course of six months.

Just look at how players like Victor Cruz, Jordy Nelson and Jason Pierre-Paul improved from the 2010 to 2011 season.  Here are some predictions for which players will improve the most during the 2012 NFL season.

Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Even though Newton put together one of the most impressive rookie seasons in NFL history, there is still plenty of room for Newton to improve.

The biggest area for improvement is in his decision making.  There were often times where Newton simply looked lost during his rookie season, and his 17 interceptions proved that.  He needs to become better at deciphering NFL defenses and making decisions quickly.

With a full offseason, Newton should definitely be able to make strides in this area of his game.  Once he starts improving, the rest of the NFL needs to watch out.  He has all the abilities to become one of the top quarterbacks in the league extremely quickly.

Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings

During his rookie season, Ponder definitely saw some growing pains during his transition from college to the NFL game.  However, he has all the tools to be a successful quarterback in the league.

What hurt Ponder the most was the lack of an elite receiver to throw to.  While Percy Harvin is extremely talented, he isn’t a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL.  Harvin isn’t a Calvin Johnson or a Larry Fitzgerald, which is the type of receiver that Ponder really needs to develop.

The problem is that will be difficult for the Minnesota Vikings to get a receiver like that early in the draft.  However, they could improve their overall receiving corps with some quality draft picks.  Throw in the improvement of tight end Kyle Rudolph, plus the addition of tight end John Carlson, and Ponder could get enough help to improve greatly during the 2012 season.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

As the sixth pick of the 2011 NFL draft, Julio Jones instantly made an impact on offense for the Atlanta Falcons.  Even though he struggled with injuries during the season, Jones still managed to put up nearly 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

As long as Jones can stay healthy during the 2012 season, he has the potential to become the best receiver on the roster, and yes that includes Roddy White.  He’s a physically dominant receiver who has the ability to completely change a game with one reception.  There were flashes when Jones was on the field where he looked like he was the best receiver in the league.

Look for Jones to become one of the better receivers in the NFL and become a legitimate threat to make the Pro Bowl.

Terrence Cody, NT, Baltimore Ravens

Between his rookie season and sophomore campaign with the Ravens, Cody made huge strides in his overall game.  With another offseason of conditioning under his belt, he should be even more dominant during the 2012 season.

Teaming with Haloti Ngata has given Baltimore one of the most intimidating defensive lines in the entire NFL.  Both men are absolutely massive, and both are athletic enough to penetrate gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield.

Look for Cody to take huge strides during the 2012 season and put himself in conversation as one of the best nose tackles in the league.

Kyle Wilson, CB, New York Jets

Despite Wilson being labeled a bust during his first two years in the league, he is still an overly talented player.  Coming out of Boise State University, Wilson was already one of the most polished cornerback prospects in recent memory.

He has the ability to become a shutdown cornerback in this league, and another full offseason of training and watching film should only improve Wilson’s natural talents.

With rumors of Antonio Cromartie moving to free safety, the logical conclusion is that Wilson will be taking over the other starting cornerback position opposite Darrelle Revis.  If that happens, look for Wilson and Revis to form one of the best cornerback duos in the league.

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