AFC West news -- The Way We Hear It -- Pro Football Weekly

Kylo Ren · 10-29-2004, 08:49 AM

Collins not entirely to blame for Raiders’ offensive woes

Oakland

Word out of Oakland is that the laundry list of problems offensively shouldn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of QB Kerry Collins. Sources say there has been little imagination in the scheme since Rich Gannon was injured, and the Raiders haven’t aided Collins from a play-calling standpoint, partly because they rely too heavily on deep routes to utilize Collins’ big arm. The thinking is that the Raiders could stand to shorten the field and go with more of a possession-type attack to build some much-needed confidence and develop some semblance of a rhythm. With RB Tyrone Wheatley nursing a shoulder problem, the power running game Norv Turner envisioned has fallen by the wayside. Collins had his best game of the season in Week Seven, passing for 350 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-26 loss to New Orleans.

Denver

Although it’s too early to expect anyone from the Bronc0s to be celebrating, prior to their Week Seven Monday-nighter in Cincinnati, they had allowed fewer yards than any other team and surrendered the second-fewest points. A large reason for those impressive numbers is an underrated defensive line that is loaded with role players who work well together. It’s also a unit that has been forced to play most of the year without its only star player, DE Trevor Pryce. DT Mario Fatafehi gets a consistent push up front, DE Marco Coleman is proving he still has plenty left in the tank, and Reggie Hayward and Raylee Johnson have been solid in providing pressure on the outside. DT Monsanto Pope, meanwhile, is finally making good on his potential in his third year, while the recent trade for former Falcons DT Ellis Johnson could go down as the most underrated move of the year in Denver.

Kansas City

The way Dexter McCleon has been exposed in recent weeks has brought a spotlight on the CB position again, and it’s not a pleasant sight. While the Chiefs’ pass-defense numbers are respectable thus far, it’s clear they haven’t been able to stop teams through the air in crunch time. McCleon, who was brought in to serve as a nickel back but earned a starting role last year by being the best of a mediocre lot, gives too much of a cushion (not usually a tendency in a Gunther Cunningham-led defense) and gets so caught up in coverage that he has difficulty locating the ball. Eric Warfield, the other starter, has played OK and is solid in run support, but William Bartee cannot be counted on, and athletic second-year man Julian Battle has not lived up to expectations. The Chiefs had big plans for Battle, who fits the profile of a modern-day corner at 6-2 and 205 pounds. He was expected to challenge McCleon for a starting spot in training camp but has contributed next to nothing and doesn’t appear to be mentally ready to handle the responsibility. Sources have liked what they’ve seen from undrafted rookie Benny Sapp, but at 5-foot-9, he may see only limited opportunities.

San Diego

Lost in the wake of the trade for Keenan McCardell and the signing of Bobby Shaw last week was the disappointment that came with Reche Caldwell’s season-ending knee injury. A former second-rounder who was nearly ready to be labeled a bust, Caldwell bulked up in the offseason and came out with improved focus. He looked to be turning the corner as he vaulted up the depth chart and became the team’s top option in the WR corps. Another disappointment for the Chargers has been the play of CB Sammy Davis, a first-round pick in 2003 who continues to see his playing time diminish in favor of journeyman Jamar Fletcher as well as Drayton Florence, a second-year pro who has a pair of interceptions. “I think he has more things going on in his mind than he needs to have going on,” head coach Marty Schottenheimer said of Davis, who gets picked on regularly, often for big plays. “It’s not his talent or his want-to. He’s making it more difficult than I think it is."

10-29-2004, 08:49 AM	Topic Starter
Kylo Ren Grandson of Darth Vader Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Starkiller Base Casino cash: $10015175	AFC West news -- The Way We Hear It -- Pro Football Weekly Collins not entirely to blame for Raiders’ offensive woes Oakland Word out of Oakland is that the laundry list of problems offensively shouldn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of QB Kerry Collins. Sources say there has been little imagination in the scheme since Rich Gannon was injured, and the Raiders haven’t aided Collins from a play-calling standpoint, partly because they rely too heavily on deep routes to utilize Collins’ big arm. The thinking is that the Raiders could stand to shorten the field and go with more of a possession-type attack to build some much-needed confidence and develop some semblance of a rhythm. With RB Tyrone Wheatley nursing a shoulder problem, the power running game Norv Turner envisioned has fallen by the wayside. Collins had his best game of the season in Week Seven, passing for 350 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-26 loss to New Orleans. Denver Although it’s too early to expect anyone from the Bronc0s to be celebrating, prior to their Week Seven Monday-nighter in Cincinnati, they had allowed fewer yards than any other team and surrendered the second-fewest points. A large reason for those impressive numbers is an underrated defensive line that is loaded with role players who work well together. It’s also a unit that has been forced to play most of the year without its only star player, DE Trevor Pryce. DT Mario Fatafehi gets a consistent push up front, DE Marco Coleman is proving he still has plenty left in the tank, and Reggie Hayward and Raylee Johnson have been solid in providing pressure on the outside. DT Monsanto Pope, meanwhile, is finally making good on his potential in his third year, while the recent trade for former Falcons DT Ellis Johnson could go down as the most underrated move of the year in Denver. Kansas City The way Dexter McCleon has been exposed in recent weeks has brought a spotlight on the CB position again, and it’s not a pleasant sight. While the Chiefs’ pass-defense numbers are respectable thus far, it’s clear they haven’t been able to stop teams through the air in crunch time. McCleon, who was brought in to serve as a nickel back but earned a starting role last year by being the best of a mediocre lot, gives too much of a cushion (not usually a tendency in a Gunther Cunningham-led defense) and gets so caught up in coverage that he has difficulty locating the ball. Eric Warfield, the other starter, has played OK and is solid in run support, but William Bartee cannot be counted on, and athletic second-year man Julian Battle has not lived up to expectations. The Chiefs had big plans for Battle, who fits the profile of a modern-day corner at 6-2 and 205 pounds. He was expected to challenge McCleon for a starting spot in training camp but has contributed next to nothing and doesn’t appear to be mentally ready to handle the responsibility. Sources have liked what they’ve seen from undrafted rookie Benny Sapp, but at 5-foot-9, he may see only limited opportunities. San Diego Lost in the wake of the trade for Keenan McCardell and the signing of Bobby Shaw last week was the disappointment that came with Reche Caldwell’s season-ending knee injury. A former second-rounder who was nearly ready to be labeled a bust, Caldwell bulked up in the offseason and came out with improved focus. He looked to be turning the corner as he vaulted up the depth chart and became the team’s top option in the WR corps. Another disappointment for the Chargers has been the play of CB Sammy Davis, a first-round pick in 2003 who continues to see his playing time diminish in favor of journeyman Jamar Fletcher as well as Drayton Florence, a second-year pro who has a pair of interceptions. “I think he has more things going on in his mind than he needs to have going on,” head coach Marty Schottenheimer said of Davis, who gets picked on regularly, often for big plays. “It’s not his talent or his want-to. He’s making it more difficult than I think it is."
Posts: 10,197