2011 NFL Draft Preview: Safeties

Safeties are my favorite position in football.  You have to have the athleticism to play man or zone coverage, you have to have the physicality to shed blocks and bring down ball carriers that have made it past your linebackers, and you have the intelligence and awareness to recognize what the offense is doing before the play even starts.  (I also played safety so I'm slightly partial to these guys as well.)  There are two main different types of safeties, strong safeties and free safeties.  Strong safeties play closer to the line of scrimmage and are generally better tacklers often being asked to come and help in run support or cover the tight end one on one.  Free safeties tend to be more zone coverage oriented playing toward the very back of the defense and helping their cornerbacks with coverage over the top but serve as the last line of defense against any ball carriers that break past the rest of the defense.  In today's NFL, you have a variety of these two types of safeties playing at a high level.  Some safeties are big bruising strong safety types like Troy Polamalu and LaRon Landry while others are more rangy, fluid free safety types like Ed Reed and Eric Berry.  (I played free safety because I'm a little more rangy and better at recognizing offensive schemes than I am at coming up and piledriving a ball carrier into the ground.)  This year's class has a few good safety prospects but none have yet stood out as transcendent talents.

(The safeties are positioned where the FS and the SS are at the back of the defense.  FS designates free safety and SS designates strong safety.)

1. Rahim Moore (UCLA)
Out of a very weak safety class, Rahim Moore has distinguished himself to be considered the best.  He has favorable size at 6'0" and 202 lbs which will aid him in shadowing larger NFL receivers and attacking more physical NFL running backs.  Moore's talents revolve around his ability to patrol the middle of the field like a centerfielder.  He has excellent range and quickly diagnoses plays allowing him to jump routes and disrupt the timing of the offense.  Great hand-eye coordination make Moore at threat to come up with interceptions on a regular basis causing opposing quarterbacks to shy away from deep throws.  The conglomerate of these skills make Moore a true playmaker in terms of the deep passing game.  He has weak man coverage skills often being beat by shifty slot receivers and he tends to play aggressively leading him to being caught out of position on play action.  He does not have the physicality or bulk to engage ball carriers consistently which might be slightly concerning.  In short, Moore projects as a free safety type with his excellent zone awareness and ball skills.

2. Quinton Carter (Oklahoma)
Out of all the safeties in this upcoming draft, Quinton Carter has the best physical stature.  At 6'1" and 208 lbs, he is big enough to shadow taller receivers but still possesses the bulk to engage aggressive running backs.  Though he is not exceptionally fast, Carter moves fluidly allowing him to stick on shifty slot receivers in man coverage.  He is fantastic at patrolling the deep middle in zone coverage using his play recognition skills to move into position against a play and anticipating routes to disrupt the flow of the play.  While he is not a brutal tackler, Carter takes good angles and can effectively wrap up the ball carrier.  His biggest drawback as a safety is his average vertical which can prevent him from breaking up jump balls against leaping receivers in the mold of Calving Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.  Carter also struggles at shedding blocks when trying to reach the ball carrier and can often be removed by the picture.  However, his general awareness in terms of play recognition will make Carter a good free safety at the next level.

3. Ahmad Black (Florida)
If you're coming out of high school and want to one day become a great defensive back, be a Gator.  Superstars such as Reggie Nelson, Joe Haden, and Major Wright all refer to the University of Florida as their alma mater.  Though he is not as talented as these former Gators, Ahmad Black still has plenty to offer as an NFL prospect.  At first glance, there is nothing imposing about Black.  He is only 5'10" and 184 lbs, very small for an NFL safety.  He is not lightning fast on the field either and doesn't seem to have much of chance in winning jump balls.  However, Black makes up for his physical shortcomings with intelligence and ball skills.   He notices tendencies of the opposing offense and moves himself into position before the ball is snapped.  Additionally, Black's instincts help him determine where a play is headed.  He breaks on the ball very quickly allowing him to disrupt the passing game and make interceptions.  Despite his small stature, Black excels against the run and refuses to yield yards to the ball carrier.  So while Black lacks prototypical safety size, he has the smarts and the skills to make a difference as a passionate strong safety.

2011 NFL Draft Preview: Cornerbacks

They can be either the most electric players or the most boring players on a defense and still be considered elite. Some cornerbacks make interception after interception throughout a season while other cornerbacks simply stick to their man like glue forcing the quarterback to find other options downfield.  Like all defensive backs, cornerbacks must have great speed and agility to stay with their man as well as possess the athleticism to break up a pass and the ball skills to close in on an errant throw.  Cornerbacks play both man and zone in various schemes and are primarily involved in coverage.  However, cornerbacks must have the tackling technique and the physicality to stop any outside runs or bring down a receiver who gets the ball.

1. Patrick Peterson (LSU)
This guy is a physical freak.  Patrick Peterson is 6'0" and 219 lbs but still clocks in at 4.34 in his 40 yard dash.  His tremendous speed and agility have allowed him to excel as both a cornerback and a punt returner on the college level and will translate to covering both speedy receivers like DeSean Jackson and physical receivers like Calvin Johnson.  Peterson has the awareness and explosion to stay with his receiver in man coverage and also possesses the instincts and intuition to be effective in a zone heavy scheme.  He is an especially physical cornerback using his hands violently to disrupt timing routes in press coverage though he does struggle to shed blocks in terms of run support.  Peterson's most remarkable attributes are his body control and his ball skills.  These are displayed on regular basis during his punt returns but also when he makes fantastic interceptions.  This talent forces quarterbacks to be wary when throwing in his direction.  But Peterson's athleticism has made him cocky to a certain degree.  He tends to play routes very aggressively and can get fooled by play action or burned by double moves.  Despite this lack of concentration, Peterson's physical tools make him one of the best cornerback prospects of all time. 

2. Prince Amukamara (Nebraska)
Though he cannot make the spectacular plays that have put Patrick Peterson on highlight reels in draft rooms across the nation, Prince Amukamara is still considered an elite cornerback.  He has great size at 6'0" and 206 lbs which will allow him to more effectively cover larger NFL receivers like Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.  He has a modest 40 time of 4.43, and though he does have better agility than straight line speed, he still does not possess the elite fluidity of other cornerbacks like Charles Woodson or Darnelle Revis.  Amukamara is a larger cornerback that uses his strength to outmuscle receivers while possessing sound tackling technique to come up in run support.  However, what separates Amukamara from other cornerbacks is his intelligence on the field.  He reads the offense well and is rarely caught out of position when the ball is snapped.  Additionally, he is able to diagnose plays quickly without being too aggressive and leaving his man wide open.  This makes Amukamara an especially attractive option for any team come draft day.

3. Aaron Williams (Texas)
 After Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, there is a sizable drop in cornerback talent but this does not mean that the rest are bad prospects.  Actually some of the other cornerbacks like Aaron Williams are very good prospects but don't possess the elite athleticism or football IQ that the top two cornerbacks do.  Williams is 6'0" and 204 lbs making him another large cornerback in this year's draft.  Because his straight line speed is rather lacking, he has to play with sound positioning and works to quickly recognize routes.  Williams has quick feet to help him mirror agile receivers and possesses the ball skills to get in between larger receivers and the ball to make interceptions.  While he tackles consistently, Williams does not have the physicality to shed blocks in run support and can be over aggressive in pursuit.  He also plays coverage very aggressively, leaving him susceptible to play action.  But overall, Williams possesses the size and skills to be a solid cornerback at the next level.

2011 NFL Draft Preview: Middle Linebackers

Back in the days of bruising fullbacks and the "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy, the middle linebacker was the most important player on the defense.  It was his job to not only tackle the ball carrier, but to impose his will on anyone who dared to come in his vicinity.  Greats such Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary made names for themselves for their aggressive, hard-hitting style of play.  While the middle linebacker is no longer the undisputed king of the defense, he is still one of the most integral positions on the team.

(In a 4-3 defense, there is only one middle linebacker who are positioned between the two outside linebackers and behind the two defensive tackles.)

(In a 3-4 defense, there are two middle linebackers who are positioned between the two outside linebackers and on either side of the nose tackle.)

1. Martez Wilson (Illinois)

Martez Wilson is certainly the most physically gifted of all the linebacker prospects entering this year's draft.  He is 6'4" and 250 lbs, meaning he has great height on a solid frame.  Wilson also moves very quickly as evidenced by his 4.49 time in the 40.  He started his career as a defensive end so he could be a problem on a middle linebacker blitz.  But his greatest attribute is his sideline-to-sideline range which helps him follow plays and track down the ball carrier quickly.  His inadequacies in both zone and man coverage must be corrected to become a more dominant linebacker but Wilson does have the physical tools to accomplish this.

2. Greg Jones (Michigan State)

Without a doubt, Greg Jones possesses the best awareness out of this group of linebackers.  Despite only being 6'0" and 241 lbs, he compensates for his lack of measurables through his range across the field and his relentlessness in pursuing the ball carrier.  Jones has fantastic tackling technique and is not afraid to lay the lumber on his oppenents.  While he is fantastic in zone coverage, Jones does not possess the speed to stay with quicker receivers in man coverage.  Additionally, he is often overwhelmed by blockers when the play goes directly up the middle.  Still Jones's fantastic intangibles outweigh these shortcomings.

3. Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina)

Fantastic cover skills and a knack for quickly reading plays makes Quan Sturdivant stand out as a linebacker in this year's draft.  He has a great 40 time at 4.50 and demonstrates that speed on the field by quickly attacking ball carriers and covering faster receivers and backs in the passing game.  Sturdivant also uses great tackling technique to stop the ball carrier in his tracks.  However, his 6'1", 241 lbs frame does not match well when blockers are coming straight at him and he is quickly brushed aside.  Additionally, Sturdivant plays so aggressively that he is susceptible to play fakes and misdirection, often leaving him in the wrong position.  Yet, Sturdivant exciting and dynamic style of play will definitely warrant him being drafted in the early rounds.

2011 NFL Draft Preview: 4-3 Outside Linebackers

4-3 Outside Linebackers are probably the most athletic type of linebacker on the field at any time.  They are required to drop into deeper zones than their 3-4 counterparts, cover faster slot receivers man-to-man, control the edge of the defense to prevent running backs from turning the corner, and occasionally blitzing through any of the gaps to create additional pressure on the quarterback.  Outside linebackers must be strong enough to tackle bruising running backs but fleet-footed enough to cover scat backs coming out of the backfield.  Let's now delve into the position that made many football players stars here at Linebacker U.

 The Outside Linebackers are the players designated by S (strong side) and W (weak side).  They are positioned on either side of the M (middle) linebacker.

1. Akeem Ayers (UCLA)

Ayers has all the physical talent in the world.  His 6'3" and 254lbs frame, moves quite smoothly for a person of his size.  He has a muscular build and uses his unparalleled athleticism to roam sideline to sideline making plays.  Ayers has the range to make great plays on the ball resulting in incompletions and interceptions and he isn't afraid to lay the lumber on someone.  However, he has inconsistent tackling technique and sometimes doesn't seem very motivated on the field.  But his physical talents will immediately attract scouts hoping to draft an athletic linebacker.

2. Bruce Carter (UNC)
UNC really got hammered last year with NCAA infractions but here is one player who emerged unscathed.  Carter is a fast, aggressive prospect who quickly moves despite being 6'2" and 241lbs.  He has great discipline and quickly locates the ball carrier often making plays in the backfield.  Carter is versatile too and effortlessly drops into coverage and possesses the agility to cover smaller, quicker receivers and backs.  His biggest drawback is his lack of pass rushing moves but Carter will easily be chosen early on because of his great record.

3. Mason Foster (Washington)
You have to admire how Foster managed to still make great plays despite playing on an abyssal Washington defense.  He has great size at 6'1" and 245 lbs and moves very fast toward ball carriers.  His instincts aren't comparable to any other linebackers in this class as he quickly identifies his target but still possesses the discipline to not be caught out of position.  Foster has great tackling technique and effectively brings down ball carriers yet he can be asked to cover man-to-man even smaller receivers.  While he has difficulty shedding blocks and is not a pass rusher, Foster's skill has a hard hitting, rangy linebacker will attract many 4-3 defenses.

2011 NFL Draft Preview: 3-4 Outside Linebackers

The 3-4 defense revolves around the talent of its outside linebackers.  They must have the speed and strength to effectively rush the quarterback while maintaining the awareness and athleticism to drop into coverage.  An outside linebacker must possess these qualities to help his team set up exotic blitz packages that the 3-4 is built around.

3-4 Outside Linebackers:

1. Von Miller
And this one isn't even close.  Miller is so much better than any of the other 3-4 outside linebacker prospects.  The 2011 Butkus winner has the size at 6'3" and 246 lbs and he can flat out run.  He is a sackmaster demonstrated by his relentless pursuit of the quarterback through his arsenal of rushing moves, violent uses of hands to disengage offensive lineman, and his explosive burst to quickly turn the corner.  Miller is also physical in the running game using sound tackling and patient reads to diagnose where the ball carrier will go.  His skills in man coverage slightly lacking but Miller has athleticism to quickly make up for these deficiencies.

2. Justin Houston
This guy reminds me of a freight train coming at you.  He is huge for a linebacker at 6'3" and 270lbs and plays like it too.  Houston played both rush linebacker and defensive end during his tenure at Georgia so he can effectively disrupt the passing game from both positions.  His explosiveness in combination with the power of his bull rush is a nightmare for any offensive tackle but he possesses the athleticism for more finessed moves.  Houston also uses sound tackling technique to overwhelm the ball carrier but he does tend to over pursue.  In addition, he lacks experience in dropping back into a consistent basis but Houston will undoubtedly be one of the top prospects come draft day.

3. Sam Acho
You have to love this guy.  He played for an underachieving Texas squad last season yet still managed to make the highlight reels on a consistent basis.  He is stout at 6'2" and 262lbs and uses his bulk to smother the run.  Acho uses the strength of his upper body to bull rush offensive lineman and uses leverage to his advantage.  He has great tackling technique for a prospect who mostly played defensive end during his time at Texas and shows the drive to succeed that you want from a developing player.  Acho's inexperience in dropping into coverage could hurt his draft stock and he lacks the explosive punch that makes scouts drool.  Nevertheless, his work ethic and honorable character will guarantee that Acho will have someone calling his name come April. 

2011 NFL Draft Preview: 3-4 Nose Tackles

They're big. They're strong.  And they're often ugly.  They have one job.  Take up as much space as possible.  When watching the highlight reels, rarely to the make the top plays but they are some of the most important players of any defense.  The nose tackle is the least glamorous job in all of football.  On every snap, you are tasked with occupying multiple blockers and rarely to you get an opportunity to make a play on the ball carrier.  Let's take a look at this draft's top big uglies.

3-4 Nose Tackles

1. Phil Taylor
At 6'3" and 334 lbs, Taylor is an imposing physical specimen.  His size alone allows him to anchor the defensive line and take on double teams freeing up his teammates to chase the quarterback or close on the ball carrier.  In addition, his strength and explosion make him a force to be reckoned with against the run as he consistently out muscles opposing linemen to disrupt running lanes.  While Taylor's stamina is a concerning because of his tendency to become worn out as games drag on, he will be an effective anchor for any team who drafts him.

 (He doesn't make many plays but man does he take up space.)

2. Jerrell Powe
Keeping with the current theme of size matters is our next prospect, Mr. Powe.  A true heavyweight at 6'2" and 335 lbs, he manages to dominate the line of scrimmage with his power.  Powe clogs running lanes by forcing opposing lineman to double team him every play so Powe's teammates can come up and make plays on the ball carrier.  In addition to his running stopping abilities, Powe uses the bull rush to force his way toward the quarterback and shows surprisingly good tackling technique.  Like most nose tackles, endurance is a big question mark but most NFL teams will like what they see from Powe on the field.

(Looks he has talents beyond playing football.)

(Isn't this attractive or what?)

3. Kenrick Ellis
A giant among men.  Standing 6'5" and weighing an incredible 346 lbs, Ellis is a true behemoth.  He is first and foremost a run stopper, as he dominates the middle of the line by eating up space and using brute force to man handle offensive lines.  Ellis knows a few pass rushing moves that he uses to collapse the pocket and create havoc in the backfield.  Where he fails to score excellent marks are maneuverability and play recognition as he has trouble changing direction and can be fooled by crisp play fakes.  Aside from these faults, Ellis is an interesting prospect that has the size to dominate at the NFL level.

(Couldn't find a vid but this is a good pic showing his size.)

2011 NFL Draft Preview : 3-4 Defensive Ends

Anymore the NFL is split between teams that run 4-3 defenses and teams that run 3-4 defenses.  Each defense has its own strengths and weaknesses and requires unique personnel.  A standout defensive end in 4-3 will not necessarily be a star 3-4 defensive end.  The 3-4 requires defensive ends to be slightly larger and better against the run than their 4-3 counterparts.

3-4 Defensive Ends

1. Marcell Dareus
3-4 defenses are hard to find in the collegiate ranks.  3-4 defenses that are run successfully are even more difficult to find.  But Nick Saban has managed to work wonders with his 3-4 defense during his short tenure at Alabama.  And Dareus has been integral to that success for the past two seasons.  His 6'3", 303 lbs frame creates incredible power which he uses to collapse the edge of the offensive line.  Dareus's strengths pertain to run stopping but he also manages to rush the passer with success.  Using quick moves and burst, Dareus closes on opposing quarterbacks in a relentless style.  While his stamina could be improved, Dareus will definitely find himself in top 10 contention for the upcoming draft.

(First he crushes Colt McCoy, and now he smashes Kirk Cousins.  Who's next?  Peyton Manning?)

2. Cameron Heyward
As the son of NFL great, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, great things are expected from this former Ohio State defensive lineman.  The younger Heyward has been incredibly versatile throughout his collegiate career playing every position on the defensive line rotating between end and tackle on a regular basis.  Blessed with fantastic measurables at 6'5" and 288 lbs, Heyward explodes off the ball and violently engages opposing lineman quickly forcing them on their heels.  Aggressive hand moves and solid leverage help him shed blocks to crush opposing rushing attacks and relentlessly pursue quarterbacks.  Heyward has faced issues with inconsistency throughout his career but his incredible upside makes him a bona fide first round prospect.

(Heyward is not just a run stopper or a pass rusher.  He can play zone coverage too... or at least as well as B.J. Raji.)

3. J.J. Watt
In Wisconsin, Watt is synonymous with monster.  Playing defensive tackle his sophomore year and defensive end his junior year, Watt has proven his versatility across the defensive front.  Standing 6'6" and weighing 279 lbs, Watt is lethal combination of size and speed.  He is strong against the run and the pass using his quick burst to blow past offensive lineman and powerful hands to get unblocked.  Even when Watt doesn't reach his target, he can still disrupt plays by knocking down passes or funneling runs toward his teammates.  Watt does have issues when pursuing ball carriers in space due to lack of lateral movement but his non-stop motor guarantees his selection in the first round.

(J.J. Watt's constant pressure in the Ohio State backfield was integral to the Wisconsin's upset of the AP #1 team.) 

2011 NFL Draft Preview : 4-3 Defensive Tackles

Though defensive ends tend to make the highlight reels with numerous sacks and creating chaos in opposing backfields, they cannot perform to their duties correctly without those two big guys in the middle of the line, the defensive tackles.

4-3 Defensive Tackles

1. Nick Fairley
Despite only having one collegiate season of meaningful playing time, Fairley certainly made the most of his opportunities this year.  At 6'5" and 299 lbs, he has fantastic size to go with his power and explosiveness.  While he is effective against the run, what sets Fairley apart from most defensive tackles is his pass rushing ability.  Fairley uses a wide variety of moves to blow past opposing offensive lineman into the backfield.  While there are character concerns because of numerous foul penalties committed during his junior season, expect Fairley to be drafted within the top 10.

 (Fairley just has a knack for blowing up plays.  Even against the vaunted Oregon Ducks offense.)

2. Stephen Paea
For only playing one year of high school football, Paea certainly caught up on the fundamentals of football quickly during his time at Oregon State.  He is solid at 6'1" and 311 lbs and uses his unreal strength to occupy the interior offensive line.  Paea has retained incredible toughness and excellent stamina from his kick-boxing days.  He is not afraid to lay to lumber on opposing ball carriers and plays to the whistle on every down.  Though Paea is lacking in the pass rushing department, you will be hard pressed to find a harder working football player than his young defensive tackle and you can be sure that Paea will work to improve his pass rushing skills.

(Did I forget to mention that Stephen Paea was STRONG!)

3. Corey Liuget
Playing in the incredibly physical Big Ten has transformed Liuget into a force to be reckoned with on the interior of the defensive line.  He has great explosion and speed despite his 6'3", 300 lbs frame and combines these talents with great strength to disrupt the opposing offense.  Liuget is equally effective against both the run and the pass as he collapses running lanes and pushes the pocket easily.  For a defensive tackle, Liuget has fantastic tackling technique and is rarely caught out of position.  He could work on his fluidity between pass rushing moves but overall Liuget has the potential to be a nightmarish defensive tackle at the next level.

(Yet another fantastic defensive lineman who gave Terrelle Pryor a difficult day.)

2011 NFL Draft Preview : 4-3 Defensive Ends

The Super Bowl is now over which means it's time for the 2011 NFL Draft.  This year's class is loaded with defensive talent, particularly at the defensive end position.  Let's delve into the top 3 prospects whose objective is to whip around the corner into the backfield.

4-3 Defensive Ends

1. Da'Quan Bowers
At 6'4" and 280 lbs, Bowers is a nightmare coming off the edge.  He has incredible speed for his size and a knack for shedding blocks with an arsenal of moves.  Leading FBS pass rushers with 15.5 sacks, Bowers has proven his ability to get into the opposing backfield.  In addition to his tenacity a pass rusher, Bowers's size allows him to stuff the run effectively by clogging up running lanes.  His best fit is as 4-3 defensive end with his flexibility against both the run and the pass.

(See how quickly Bowers comes around the edge.  I'm glad I'm not Russell Wilson.)

2. Robert Quinn
Though he didn't play a single down of the 2010 season, Quinn has still manages to find himself in first round conversation based on his body of work in previous years.  Standing 6'5" and weighing in at 270 lbs, Quinn has the size to collapse the edge of the offensive line.  He has also has surprising quickness for an end of his size based on his 19.0 tackles for a loss and 11.0 sacks during the 2009 season.  Quinn best fits as a 4-3 defensive end but has the versatility to stand up as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

(Quinn is so incredibly physical and his motor never stops running.  ACC quarterbacks must have been rejoicing at his suspension this past season.)

3. Ryan Kerrigan
Kerrigan is not the most physically gifted defensive end prospect in recent years but he makes up for those deficiencies with his incredible work ethic.  Despite playing on a less than stellar 4-8 Purdue team, Kerrigan still managed to led the Big Ten with 12.0 sacks and led the nation with 26.0 tackles for a loss.  His 6'4", 263 lbs frame is not the most impressive but Kerrigan's array of pass rushing moves and consistent tackling technique will lead some team to overlook his physical aspects.  Kerrigan projects best as a 4-3 defensive end because of his physicality against the run and his non-stop motor when chasing down the passer.

(Scouts need to pay attention to this video carefully because it is no small task to bring down Terrelle Pryor given the quarterback's incredible size, speed, and balance.  Yet Kerrigan accomplishes this so effortlessly.)

Super Bowl XVL Packers Vs. Steelers: The Receivers

To have a truly balanced offense, every team need quick receivers with excellent hands to keep the opposing defense off balance.  Both the Packers and Steelers feature great receiving corps that will be key to both teams success.

Receivers:
Packers:  Because of Ryan Grant's season-ending injury at early on, the Packers receivers have to had to step up in order to take pressure off the meager running game.  Greg Jennings has led the team with 1265 yards on 76 receptions and has accounted for 12 touchdowns.  Supporting him are Donald Driver with 51 receptions for 565 yards, James Jones with 50 receptions for 679 yards, and Jordy Nelson 45 receptions for 582 yards.  Their consistency from game to game has allowed Aaron Rodgers to pass for incredible numbers and these connections have been integral to the Packers path to the Super Bowl.

Steelers:  Unlike the Packers West Coast passing philosophy, the Steelers employ a vertical passing game to stretches the opposing secondary north to south.  Speedster Mike Wallace has accounted for 60 receptions for 1257 yards and 10 touchdowns.  In combination with precise route runner Hines Wards who has 59 receptions for 755 yards and durable tight end Heath Miller who has 42 receptions for 512 yards, the Steelers passing attack has grown in leaps and bounds and will be a force to reckon with in tonight's Super Bowl.

Edge:  A close contest because of the productivity of each team.  However, the Packers receiving corps can be considered the best in the league because of what they've managed to do without any real rushing attack.  In conjunction with Rodgers accurate arm, the Packers receivers can reel in pass after pass and pick up solid, consistent yardage all game long.  The Steelers philosophy is different as Roethlisberger's cannon manages to target Wallace on deep routes for touchdowns.  But in the end, the Packers variety of options allows them to attack a defense through the air in multiple ways.  

Super Bowl XVL Packers Vs. Steelers: The Running Backs

Even though the quarterback is the most important player on the field, other positions also greatly contribute to a team's performance.  Running backs may not be as central to the NFL game as they once were, these teams are both famous for being hard-nosed running teams so expect the running game to be key to their success.

Running Backs:
Packers:  The Packers have been using a running back committee ever since Ryan Grant was injured in the pre-season.  Brandon Jackson led the team in rushing yards during the regular season with 703 yards on 190 carries and 3 rushing touchdowns.  But rookie James Starks had burst onto the scene in the post-season with 263 yards on 70 carries and is beginning to become a reliable member of the prolific Packers offense using his combination of speed and power.

Steelers:  Rashard Mendenhall fits the Steelers ideal of a tough downhill runner perfectly.  He has proven time and time again that his stocky, solid frame can gain critical yards even behind a mediocre offensive line.  With 1273 yards on 324 carries and 13 rushing touchdowns, Mendenhall is certainly one of the most consistent runner in the NFL right now.  His special combination of skills of battering ram strength and quick feet make him very difficult to stop.

Edge:  This isn't even close.  The Steelers have a monster in Mendenhall.  He is physical and can run over defenders yet possesses that second gear to blow through the secondary on huge runs.  Mendenhall is one of the impact players of the Steelers offense and if he fails to have a good day running the football, you can expect the Steelers to struggle without his ability to convert in short to middle yardage situations.  The Packers running backs have struggled all year and though Starks shows promise, he still has a lot to learn.  Starks is still a rookie and will be affected by the big stage of the Super Bowl.  Look for Mendenhall to put on consistently gain tough yards between the tackles wearing down the Packers defense.

  

Super Bowl XLV Packers Vs. Steelers: The Quarterbacks

This Sunday, the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet on the biggest stage as they clash in this year's Super Bowl.  Both teams are known for being traditional powerhouses with many conference and NFL championships.  While the Packers and Steelers are famous for hard-nosed defenses that are unrelenting, today we will analyze their offensive ringleaders, the quarterbacks.

Quarterbacks:
Packers:  Aaron Rodgers is on fire right now.  This past season, Rodgers passed 3,922 yards on 312 completions for 475 attempts with 28 touchdowns.  And he has done all of this without a consistent running game.  Rodgers is hyper accurate and rarely forces the ball into coverage unlike his predecessor, Brett Favre.  Rodgers also has the ability to scramble out of the pocket in a tight situation giving the Packers yet another weapon in their offensive arsenal.

Steelers:  Ben Roethlisberger is a physical specimen to behold.  At 6'5" and 241 lbs, Roethlisberger is nearly impossible to bring down in the backfield.  Despite his incredible size, he has an uncanny ability to move outside of the pocket and make plays with his feet.  Coupled with the rocket launcher on his right shoulder, Roethlisberger is a headache for defenses to plan for because he can hurt you in so many different ways.

Edge:  Though Roethlisberger is a monster in and outside of the pocket, his best performances hinge upon the success of his team's running game.  Conversely, Rodgers has been able to hang with the best quarterbacks in the league without any real running game to speak of.  Roethlisberger does have a stronger arm but he can be inaccurate at inopportune times in the game.  Rodgers however, rarely throws the ball off target and places the ball only where his receiver can grab it.   Both quarterbacks are equally good at scrambling and have excellent mobility down the field.  And while Roethlisberger has been to the Super Bowl before, Rodgers wins this battle because of how vital he is to his team's success and how consistent he is week in and week out.

Sorry Steelers

Didn't have enough time before the game to preview the Steelers.  Sorry.

New York Jets AFC Title Game Prediction

So I'm halfway done with today's predictions having covered the teams playing the NFC Title Game, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.  Now I'll move onto the AFC Title Game starting with the 6th seed New York Jets led by the always exciting Rex Ryan.

Strengths:

Running Backs:  The New York Jets have a backfield that any NFL coach would drool looking at.  Led by the electric LaDainian Tomlinson teaming up with physical Shonn Greene and promising rookie Joe McKnight, the Jets running backs dominate the clock by moving the ball effectively on the ground averaging 148.8 yards per game.  And on top of these fantastic running backs, the Jets have one of the most consistent fullbacks in the game in Tony Richardson paving the way for the Jets run game.  When Tomlinson is in the backfield, the Jets offense has a whole new dimension as Tomlinson reeled in 52 passes for 368 yards.  The Jets ground game should be integral on their quest to topple the Steelers.

Receivers:  The Jets have a fantastic receiving corps with Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, and Jerricho Cotchery on the edge and Dustin Keller displaying his versatility as a tight end.  In particular, Edwards, Holmes, and Keller have been incredibly integral to this offense with 2337 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns between the three of them.  Holmes has had a knack for making seemingly impossible catches reminiscent of his time at Pittsburgh.  One has to wonder how he will perform against his former teammates.

Defense:  The Jets are first and foremost a defensive team.  Working out of a 3-4 that serves as the catalyst for the Rex Ryan's creative blitz schemes.  Placing for third in the league with 291.5 yards per game and in seventh place with only 19 points per game, the Jets defense is incredibly aggressive and forces opposing offenses to anticipate pressure from every position on the field.  A secondary featuring the best cornerback tandem in the NFL, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, gives the Jets incredible flexibility in playcalling giving the front seven that has Shaun Ellis collapsing the pocket and linebackers Bart Scott and David Harris stuffing the run.

Weaknesses:

Quarterback:  Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, is a great game manager.  He effectively distributes the ball around to his playmakers on offense and avoids making the costly turnovers that plague other quarterbacks... like Jay Cutler.  That being said Sanchez will be under a lot of pressure today.  As a second year quarterback, Sanchez is still learning the ropes of reading a defense and placing the ball in spots where only the receiver can get a hold of it.  And Dick LeBeau, defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, loves young, inexperienced quarterbacks.  Watch for the Steelers to keep constant pressure on Sanchez in hopes of getting him out of rhythm.

Gameplan:

Offense:  The Jets must control the clock.  Asking Sanchez to win the game with his arm is unfair to the young quarterback.  However, if the Jets can run the ball effectively and keep the Steelers defense up near the line of scrimmage, then Sanchez will be able to use play action to hook up with Edwards, Holmes, and Keller on deep routes.  So the Jets first priority is run effectively and set up the play-action pass.

Defense:  Rex Ryan is a master of creating pressure out of his defense.  However, he is facing a seasoned quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.  If the Jets manage to keep Roethlisberger off balance in the pocket, then he is more likely to throw ill-advised passes against the opportunistic Jets defense.  The Steelers have an inexperienced and underperforming offensive line which is an Achilles Heel to the Jets must expose in order to come away victorious in today's game.

Chicago Bears NFC Title Game Prediction

So I've just covered the strengths and weaknesses of the Green Bay Packers before their appearance in today's NFC Title Game.  Now I will touch on the strengths and weaknesses of their bitter rivals, the Chicago Bears.

Strengths:

Quarterback:  Jay Cutler has a cannon.  Period.  He can throw long bombs on a low trajectory in a manner that few NFL quarterbacks can match.  He threw for 23 touchdowns this past season.  Cutler's incredible arm strength fits in perfect tandem with the Bears vertical passing game consisting of Cutler hooking up with Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Greg Olson on deep passes.  Cutler also has surprising athleticism for an NFL quarterback with 232 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on the ground.

Running Backs:  The Bears have a consistent ground game revolving around the do-it-all back, Matt Forte.  He accounted for 1,069 yards on the ground with 6 scores on the ground.  Forte is tough between the tackles  but has the moves to break a game open as evidenced by a 68 yard touchdown run earlier this season.  Forte is also a threat in the passing game with 51 receptions for 547 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Watch for the Bears to control the clock with an effective ground game.

Run Defense:  The Bears were second this season in total rush defense only allowing 90.1 yards per game.  The front seven led by linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs stuff anything that comes between the tackles.  Urlacher is a monster at 6'4" and 258 lbs and easily handles anything that happens to moving in his direction.  Defensive end Julius Peppers collapses the edge forcing outside runs inside toward the fortified Bears interior.  Also the Bears have forced a league high 15 fumbles which has only added to the common belief of the opportunistic nature of this defense.  The Bears will work to shut down the run game to put more pressure on Aaron Rodgers's arm to deliver to critical situations.

Special Teams:  Devin Hester is lightning on returns.  He led in the league in punt returns with 33 returns for 564 yards at 17.1 yards per return and on top of that, Hester returned 3 punts for touchdowns.  Though Hester does not usually handle kick return duties, he still managed a 427 yards on 12 returns for a 35.6 yards per return average.  It should be interesting to see if Hester is able to break free on any returns today or whether the Packers avoid his direction altogether.

Weaknesses:

Quarterback:  Funny that Jay Cutler would be both a strength and a weakness.  But it is well known throughout the league that Cutler throws interceptions in bushels.  He has thrown for 16 interceptions this year often and inopportune moments in the game.  Cutler can be wildly inaccurate especially when he tries to do too much and force throws in coverage.  A stingy Packers pass defense should provide Cutler quite a challenge.

Offensive Line:  The Bears have atrocious pass protection.  Cutler has been sacked a league high 52 times this season.  The inadequate protection has often forced Cutler to release the ball too early or not properly read the defensive coverage.  If the Bears hope to win this game, Cutler will need to feel less pressure in the pocket to help set his receivers' routes downfield.

Gameplan:

Offense:  Run, run, run.  The Bears do not have the firepower to stay with the Packers in a shootout and need to control the game clock to keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers's hands.  If the Packers have one glaring weakness on defense, it's been injuries suffered on the defensive line.  The Bears need to control the line of scrimmage to run between the tackles.  If an effective run is established, then the Bears can set play action with Jay Cutler which will give him more time in the pocket and allow his receivers to get down field.

Defense:  The Bears front seven must neutralize the Packers run game.  Even though Aaron Rodgers has carried the team on his arm throughout the season, eliminating the rushing attack will force the Packers into passing situations in the red zone making it more difficult to score touchdowns.  Keeping pressure on Rodgers will also be vital as the quarterback has proven time and time again that he performs to his fullest on the biggest stage.  In summary, the Bears must dominate the line of scrimmage if they hope to disrupt the prolific Packers offensive machine.

Green Bay Packers NFC Title Game Prediction

So tomorrow on Soldier Field at 3:00PM the Chicago Bears will host the Green Bay Packers for the NFC Title Game.  The winner gets a ticket punched for Super Bowl XLV.  Both these teams are very evenly matched and it should be a very exciting game.  My first post will deal with the NFC 6th seed, the Green Bay Packers.

Strengths:

Quarterback:  First and foremost, the Green Bay Packers have a real stud at quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.  He has thrown for 3922 yards with 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions over the course of this season.  In the NFC Division Round on the road against number 1 seed, the Atlanta Falcons, Rodgers was 31-36 for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns en route to 48-21 shellacking of the original NFC favorites.  He is also quite mobile for an NFL quarterback accounting for 4 touchdowns on the ground this season.  Rodgers's greatest strength is his accuracy.    He easily hits his favorite targets in stride and places the ball in spots impossible for defenders to break up.  If the Packers hope to beat the Bears at home, Rodgers will have to be on top of his game.

Receivers:  With such a prolific quarterback under center, the Packers receivers have flourished with fantastic receiving totals and touchdowns.  Greg Jennings alone has accounted for 12 touchdowns second only to Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs.  These ridiculous numbers have partially resulted from the necessity to move to the ball through the air because of the lack of a dominant, every-down ever since the injury of Ryan Grant at the beginning of the season.  However, it cannot be denied that the Packers have arguably the greatest receiving corps in NFC with Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, and Donald Driver picking up great yardage threw the air.

Pass Defense:  The Green Bay Packers are a headache to deal with in 2nd and long or 3rd and long situations.  Between the constant pressure provided by the front seven and ball hawking secondary, passing against the Green Bay Packers is ill-advised.  During the regular season the Packers finished 5th in pass defense by only allowing 194.2 passing yards per game.  On top of that the Packers tied for second in the NFL in both sacks and interceptions with 47 of the former and 24 of the latter.  Clay Matthews who accounted for 13.5 sacks this season, is incredibly disruptive in the trenches and creates pressure on opposing quarterbacks all game long.  Tramon Williams, viewed by many as one of great Pro Bowl snubs, recorded 6 interceptions while teammates Charles Woodson and Nick Collins work to confuse offenses with various defensive packages.

Weaknesses:

Running Backs:  The loss of Ryan Grant this preseason has hit the Packers hard in terms of running the football.  An every-down option has not emerged from in the Packers backfield resulting in more pressure being put on Rodgers in passing situations.  Though Brandon Jackson currently leads the team with 703 yards this season, rookir James Starks is starting to become a very exciting player to watch.  At 6'-2" and 218 lbs, Starks is an incredibly physical runner between the tackles and has surprising speed.  It should be interesting to see how the Packers offense implements his running style into the game.

Offensive Line:  The Packers has a surprisingly average offensive line for such a prolific passing offense.  Though the offensive line as a whole has been much more consistent in pass protection, they have allowed a total of 38 sacks.  In the rushing game, the Packers offensive line has definitely underachieved.  After Ryan Grant's injury, everyone expected the offensive line to step up to take pressure off of the green stable of running backs.  As evidenced by a measly 3.8 yards per carry average, the Packers offensive line has clearly not held up their end of the bargain.  If the Packers hope to keep long drives going down the field, the offensive line will have to pave the way for the running backs to take pressure off of Rodgers arm.

Gameplan:

Offense:  The Packers need to score early and often.  Because the Packers defense is not as strong in rush defense as they are in pass defense, it is in the Packers best interest to play from ahead and force Jay Cutler to even the score with his arm.  The Packers also want to lean to their passing game when sustaining drives as the Bears are not as skilled at defending the pass as there are at defending the run.  Aside from cornerback, Charles Tillman, the Bears secondary is rather unspectacular and should fall victim to the precision of Rodgers arm with good gameplanning.

Defense:  The Packers need to force Jay Cutler to try and win the game with his arm.  Though Jay Culter is physically gifted, he tends to force throws and is well-known for his tendency to throw interceptions.  Getting pressure on a Bears offensive line whose Achilles heel is pass protection should be priority number one as the Packers defense works to disrupt the Bears offensive rhythm.  Putting the Bears in 2nd and long or 3rd and long situations throughout the game should give the Packers defense the edge to come out with a win.

Hello!

Hi there!  This is a blog about football on every level.  You can post about thoughts on current happenings in the NFL or collegiate levels, ideas on new, radical schemes, or share your own football related stories.

I myself am a huge Indianapolis Colts being from Indiana and all.  I'm a little disappointed about the 2010-2011 season but at least we kept our playoff streak alive.  Currently I'm cheering for the Jets and the Packers to meet in the Super Bowl so we'll see how my predictions go.

Again feel free to post about anything football related whether you're a player or just a fan.