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More Team Updates
4for4.com Exclusive
By Jeff Owens
September 3, 2007 |
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49ers Update
Well, we are always told “it’s just preseason” and not to make too much of what we see. RB
Thomas Clayton understands that now after being cut despite leading the entire NFL in rushing this preseason. He had run for 200 yards but found himself as a one of the last 49er cuts, along with WR
Bryan Gilmore.
Defensively, San Fran has showed very little in the preseason to prevent those from thinking they will be unquestionably better than last season’s team that allowed a league-leading 25.8 points per game. The run defense, particularly, has been bad, giving up 142.2 yards per game this summer. The knee sprain of newly acquired DT
Aubrayo Franklin is largely to blame but they hope to have him ready for the Monday Night opener vs. Arizona on September 10.
But the linebacking and secondary corps will be vastly improved. Rookie LB Patrick Willis
earned a starting spot and former starter Brandon Moore will now play behind
Derek Smith. Along with LB Tully Banta-Cain and secondary members
Nate Clements and Michael Lewis, the 49ers will make positive strides on last season. It could take a few weeks though so they aren’t worth a draft pick quite yet.
Some have wondered about Alex Smith’s progression with the exit of OC Norv Turner but he looked great at times with his offensive weaponry.
Darrell Jackson’s hammy is a bit of a concern but Arnaz Battle is the clear-cut No. 2. The battle for the No. 3 WR has been competitive with
Taylor Jacobs having the best camp of any 49er and Ashley Lelie, who has come on strong the last few weeks. One thing is for sure though; TE
Vernon Davis is destined for a break-out season and could be a top five tight end by season’s end.
No need for concern on Frank Gore, whose hand prevented him from playing in any game this preseason. He’ll be ready for the opener and will have a new RT to follow with 1st round pick
Joe Staley beating out Kwame Harris for the starting job. The back-up RB job is tougher to predict although Michael Robinson seems to be the pick for owners who will want to prepare for an injury to Gore.
Maurice Hicks had an edge earlier but hasn’t done enough to separate himself from Robinson.
Joe Nedney is still the man at kicker, going 6-of-7 in the preseason with a 50-yarder. He might be a reach for your starting kicker but he’s definitely a bye-week candidate.
Overall, this looks to be a positive campaign for Mike Nolan. He’s put the players in place and finds himself in the weakest division capable of making a playoff run. After going from 2-14 in 2005 to 7-9 in 2006, the 49ers could be a playoff contender in 2007.
Saints Update
The Saints had by far the smallest roster turnover of any NFL team from 2006 to 2007 so there were few surprises in the preseason. The biggest shock was fourth round pick
Antonio Pittman, the RB out of Ohio St., getting cut in favor of undrafted rookie
Pierre Thomas. Thomas has been solid with 171 yards and three touchdowns on just 27 carries the last two games. He showed decent hands and the ability to be a kickoff return man as well. But he still won’t see the light of day behind
Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister.
For his part, rookie Pittman is now with the Rams.
Drew Brees was lights out his first three games, going 35-39 for 355 yards and a TD!
Brees’ blind side LT Jammal Brown just started practicing again after missing several weeks with a bruised right knee. His top two receivers are still
Marques Colston and Devery Henderson (sore hamstring) but action for the No. 3 is packed.
Terrance Copper had the best camp and David Patten has improved as of late but 1st rounder
Robert Meachem is still playing catch-up from a series of drops and injuries.
Defensively there was little change from 2006 to 2007. CB Jason David (via Indy) should take over the left cornerback spot of Fred Thomas and newly acquired safety
Kevin Kaesviharn should get plenty of action as well. But as usual, the defensive end duo of
Charles Grant and Will Smith are the headliners of this defense. The preseason numbers of allowing just 134.8 passing yards per game are promising but the secondary is their biggest weakness. It’s not advised to pick up the Saints defense since teams will be playing catch-up by passing since New Orleans should be a lock to repeat as one of the leagues’ premier offenses. We’ll find out quickly since they open the season vs. the Colts.
Kicker Olindo Mare fits in line with the other fantasy studs on the Saints roster. You can pencil New Orleans in right now as a top five scoring team so snatching up Mare is certainly advised even though he struggled this preseason, going 6-of-10. And don’t forget Reggie Bush got more and more reps at returning punts although he won’t do it full-time.
Cowboys Update
Does your league draft NFL Assistant Coaches?
Didn’t think so, but just in case… :> QB coach Wade Wilson is on the shelf for five weeks following his admission to using performance-enhancing substances. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, a QB coach in Miami the last two seasons, will fill in.
Seriously though, the Cowboys have some major issues going into the regular season. The biggest worry is the status of CB
Terence Newman, who has plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Seeing that cornerback’s make a living with their feet, this could be a problem all season long for Newman, considered one of the game’s best cover guys. That’s what made Saturday’s cut of veteran
Aaron Glenn so confusing. He was first in line to fill in for Newman but after getting torched by Houston’s
Andre Johnson a few weeks ago, the Cowboys decided to part ways with the 35-year old. That doesn’t mean
Jacques Green or Nate Jones are better options, just cheaper. Wade Phillips’ aggressive blitzing and stunting is designed to pressure the QB, which puts more pressure on the corners. So expect two things here: the Cowboys having another below average secondary and an immediate search of the waiver wire for better CB options. The addition of safety
Ken Hamlin will still allow Roy Williams to get closer to the line of scrimmage and out of coverage though.
Another injury that affects the Cowboys plan is the recovery of DE Greg Ellis from last season’s torn Achilles’ tendon. He hasn’t made it through one practice yet and first round selection
Anthony Spencer will start in his place. The first team defense has had quite a change since the opening two games of preseason. After allowing just 84 yards on the ground and no touchdowns the first two games, the first unit allowed three first-half scores and 142 rushing yards vs. Houston. But you have to love Phillips’ new style. The Dallas defense could be one of the premiere fantasy defenses this season.
Offensively, you can still expect Tono Romo to air it out to Owens and Terry
Glenn. Owens showed us what he can do in the slot vs. Houston, taking a slant and outrunning three defenders for a 35-yard TD. But another injury alert goes out here for Glenn, who missed almost all of the preseason and just started practicing Saturday. His health (right knee surgery) is a major concern, which could make
Patrick Crayton’s value go up two-fold. Glenn isn’t even a certainty to be ready for the season opener. Newman’s status will force Crayton to also be the punt returner, but he’ll be more of a caretaker and not much of a threat to take one to the house.
Isaiah Stanbeck will be a factor the second half of the season and even scored a touchdown vs. Denver; a nice progression for the receiver turned quarterback. He’ll return kickoffs along with backup RB
Tyson Thompson.
At the RB position, expect much of what you saw last year. Julius Jones will get at least 60% of the carries but
Marion Barber will still get all the key third down and GL carries. Jones has gotten some action inside the redzone but a weapon like Barber will get used. Both are worthy of spots on someone’s roster but knowing when either one will perform is anyone’s guess. Barber had 119 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries this preseason.
Martin Gramatica’s strained hammy earned him a spot on IR. So rookie Nick
Folk, who was 3-for-3 with a 52-yarder, is the starter for a team that will score plenty. He’s certainly capable of being a solid fantasy kicker.
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