Sunday Night Football: Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts

 

8:30 PM ET, October 20, 2013

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

 

Stats of the Day:

In the last 7 seasons Peyton Manning has played, his defense has been ranked 22nd or worst in 4 out of those 7 seasons.

 

 

Match Up to Watch:

Von Miller vs Colts offensive line:

Von Miller is back! VON MILLER IS BACK! He is going to save this defense even though he doesn’t play in the secondary which is ranked 32nd in the NFL. FYI: there is only 32 teams in the NFL. Maybe he can create a pass rush and give that defense a break. He is on very thin ice and if he makes one more mistake then he is gone for the year. The defense needs a lot of help because they can’t expect Payton Manning to be perfect all the time….wait, what am i saying??? IT’S PEYTON MANNING! You don’t need defense.

Last year, the Colts biggest weakness was protecting Andrew Luck and they made that a BIG focus this offseason. This year, Luck has only been sacked 13 times which is 23rd in the NFL. Much improved from last year but they face a tough challenge with Von Miller coming back for this game.  Will they slide protection his way or keep a tight end as an extra blocker?? Whatever they do, they must keep the possession of the ball and keep it out of Payton Manning hands if they want the best chance to win.

Player to Watch:

Denver:

Defensive Tackle- Sylvester Williams

Running Back- Montee Ball

Indianapolis:

Guard- Hugh Thornton

 

 

 

 

#92 Sylvester Williams: 6’3 313, North Carolina

1st round 28th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                                

+  Very explosive off the ball and causes trouble for a slow footed lineman.

+  Tackling skills are above average. Wraps up and throws them down.

Needs Improvement:

–          Can not take on double team and gets himself pushed back. He is too high

for goalline situations.

–          His motor is below average. If he can’t make a big play then he quits or slow

down.

–          Work on getting his hands up in the passing lane.

–          Weak in stunt plays. Too slow to loop around or hit his assignment.

–          Let the lineman block him into a mesh in the middle and can’t be a factor on the play.

 

#28 Montee Ball: 5’10 214, Wisconsin

2nd round 58th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                      

+  Great job at pressing the hole and forcing defenders  into blocks.

+  His pad level is always lower then the defenders.

+  Has a nose for the end zone with the record in NCAA for most touchdown

in a career.

+  Elusive for a back who is short and stout.

+  Does not quit on the play even if he is stopped in the backfield.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Must improve in his pass blocking if he wants to stay on the field.

–          Never expose the ball when diving into the endzone.

–          Waits for the pass instead of coming back for it.

–          Needs to learn the playbook. Almost had a big fumble in week 1 vs Ravens

 

 

 

 

#69 Hugh Thornton: 6’3 320, Illinois

3^rd round 86^th pick, Position- Guard

Strength:            

+  Quick, short steps make him able to react well.

+  Great at pulling and getting to the second level.

+  Hook block is really nice. Able to get outside leverage on his block.

+  Athletic for someone his size.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Weak at tackle because of slow kick slide. That is why the Colts have moved him to guard.

–          His stance is flawed. Way too high.

–          Struggles to reanchor and reload his hips.

OH NO HE DI’INT! Week 6 Edition

Week 6 Edition:

Good:

1. Now you see me…NOW YOU DON’T! Jameis Winston is working some magic on the football field. He is becoming the Heisman favorite and if he keeps doing this….he will win!

2. Payton Manning had the NFL record for most TDs without throwing an INT. Well, that was broken against the Cowboys but maybe he will start a new record for most rushing TDs….JUST KIDDING! His last rushing touchdown was in 2008 so we can wait until 2018 for the next Payton Manning rushing score

3. LOOK MOM! ONE HAND!!!! Yes, we see you Mr. Chris Conley.

Bad:

1. Here is the NFC East Standings……enough said

2. Trivia time!!!!  How many passing yards did the Eagles and Rams have combined in the 1st quarter????? (Eagles played Giants and Rams played Jaguars)

Ugly:

When #9 sign up to be a punter on a football team, I don’t think this was part of the job description. Poor guy….Now let’s watch him get LEVELED!!!! YEAH!

 

 

 

Best QB in the NFL vs Monte Kiffin: Denver Broncos vs Dallas Cowboys

 

4:25 PM ET, October 6, 2013

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

 

74^°FHigh

Sunny

Chance of rain: 0%

Wind: NNW at 10 mph

Humidity: 28%

 

 

 

 

Match Up to Watch:

 

Cover 2 defense vs Payton Manning:

 

It has been a common theme anytime we feature a match up verses Payton Manning. Can the defense slow down the offense??? You will never be able to stop him but can you contain it? Don’t allow big plays to happen behind you. Monte Kiffin is well-known for inventing the “Tampa 2” defense. Hopefully he can work his magic on Sunday.

 

 

Players to Watch:

 

Denver:

Defensive Tackle- Sylvester Williams

Running Back- Montee Ball

 

Dallas:

Center- Travis Frederick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#92 Sylvester Williams: 6’3 313, North Carolina

1st round 28th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                                

+  Very explosive off the ball and causes trouble for a slow footed lineman.

+  Tackling skills are above average. Wraps up and throws them down.

Needs Improvement:

–          Can not take on double team and gets himself pushed back. He is too high

for goalline situations.

–          His motor is below average. If he can’t make a big play then he quits or slow

down.

–          Work on getting his hands up in the passing lane.

–          Weak in stunt plays. Too slow to loop around or hit his assignment.

–          Let the lineman block him into a mesh in the middle and can’t be a factor on the play.

 

 

#28 Montee Ball: 5’10 214, Wisconsin

2nd round 58th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                      

+  Great job at pressing the hole and forcing defenders  into blocks.

+  His pad level is always lower then the defenders.

+  Has a nose for the end zone with the record in NCAA for most touchdown

in a career.

+  Elusive for a back who is short and stout.

+  Does not quit on the play even if he is stopped in the backfield.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Must improve in his pass blocking if he wants to stay on the field.

–          Never expose the ball when diving into the endzone.

–          Waits for the pass instead of coming back for it.

–          Needs to learn the playbook. Almost had a big fumble in week 1 vs Ravens

 

 

 

#72 Travis Frederick: 6’4 312

1^st round 31^st pick, Position- Center

Strength:

+  Great job of staying on his block and finishing it.

+  Pushes his block to the second level allowing the running game to open up.

+  Good football IQ. Great understanding of the blitz pickup.

+  Keeps the defensive lineman hands out of the passing lane.

 

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Hands tend to slip outside the defender’s body which causes him to hold.

–          Pass blocking is below average. Needs to learn how to reload his hip and stop the push in it’s track.

–          Is on the ground way too much. Got to pick up his knees.

Monday Night Football: Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos

8:30 PM ET, September 23, 2013

Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

47°

Clear

Chance of rain 0%

Wind: WSW at 12 mph

Humidity:50%

Match up to Watch:

Broncos offensive line vs Oakland pass rush:

The Broncos have been banged up on the O line, they lost their starting center for the season and now lost the left tackle for the season as well. It will be interesting to see if Payton Manning has time in the pocket against this young Oakland front 4. Manning will help himself by making quick passes but if the secondary starts pressing then, can he get enough time for a route develop.

Players to Watch:

Oakland:

Cornerback- D.J. Hayden

Defensive End- Sio Moore

Wide Receiver- Brice Butler

Denver:

Defensive Tackle- Sylvester Williams

Running Back- Montee Ball

 

#25 D.J. Hayden: 5’11 191, Houston

1^st round 12^th pick, Position- Cornerback

Strength:     

+  Wow! Shows some hustle, running back was running for a touchdown and he chased him from behind.

+  Does a great job of reading the receiver and playing off of them.

+  Sheds his block really well.

+  Good speed to stay with a receiver in a crossing or shallow route.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Needs to work on his tackling skills.

–          Can he stay healthy? Lost of last year and had scar tissues issues during training camp.

 

#55 Sio Moore: 6’1 245, UCONN

3^rd round 66^th pick, Position- Defensive End

Strength:                 

+  Does a good job if he doesn’t create a pass rush then get his hands in the passing lane.

+  Takes on his blocks and can be effective against the run.

+  Reads the quarterback eyes in zone coverage, making him react quickly.

+  Always maintain outside leverage and prevents big runs.

 

Needs Improvement:

–         Head will get down at times which causes him to get out of control.

–         Has to work with his coaches on using his hands more.

–         Struggles to stay squared and makes him off balance.

 

 

#19 Brice Butler: 6’3 205, San Diego State

7^th round 209^th pick, Position- Wide Receiver

Strength:

+  Will be down field and blocking for the running game.

+  When he gets the ball in open field and  he can makes some plays.

+  Can make catches with defender draped all over him.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Does a little too much celebration when he does little things.

–          In the scramble drill, you do not retreat back away from your quarterback.

 

 

 

#92 Sylvester Williams: 6’3 313, North Carolina

1st round 28th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                                

+  Very explosive off the ball and causes trouble for a slow footed lineman.

+  Tackling skills are above average. Wraps up and throws them down.

Needs Improvement:

–          Can not take on double team and gets himself pushed back. He is too high

for goalline situations.

–          His motor is below average. If he can’t make a big play then he quits or slow

down.

–          Work on getting his hands up in the passing lane.

–          Weak in stunt plays. Too slow to loop around or hit his assignment.

–          Let the lineman block him into a mesh in the middle and can’t be a factor on the play.

#28 Montee Ball: 5’10 214, Wisconsin

2nd round 58th pick, Position- Running Back

Strength:                      

+  Great job at pressing the hole and forcing defenders  into blocks.

+  His pad level is always lower then the defenders.

+  Has a nose for the end zone with the record in NCAA for most touchdown

in a career.

+  Elusive for a back who is short and stout.

+  Does not quit on the play even if he is stopped in the backfield.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Must improve in his pass blocking if he wants to stay on the field.

–          Never expose the ball when diving into the endzone.

–          Waits for the pass instead of coming back for it.

–          Needs to learn the playbook. Almost had a big fumble in week 1 vs Ravens

 

 

Hard Count College Players of the Week. Sept. 16th, 2013

College Players of the Week:

Offense:

20/29 334 yds 4TDs

He played a perfect game against Texas A&M to keep Alabama undefeated season alive. No, he is not as exciting as Johnny Football but he outplayed him. McCarron knew that he couldn’t make any mistakes which he put the offense in perfect position on every play.

 

#10 A.J. McCarron: 6’4 214, Alabama

Senior, Position- Quarterback

Grade: 88 Early 2^nd round grade

Strength:

• Just cerebral quarterback. Smart guy on the field. Kind of like a Payton Manning.
• Ball placement is always in the right spot. If he throws to the sideline then its on the outside.
• Pressure doesn’t affect him. Whether its in the pocket or in the game. He is clutch.
• Great anticipation. Gets the ball out of his hands before a receiver breaks on his route.
• Able to sit in the pocket and take a hit.

 

Needs Improvement:

• Lacks arm strength. Pass seems to float when he goes deep.
• Not mobile quarterback to roam outside the pocket.
• Throwing motion is a little slow, giving a defensive back time to react.

Defense:

11 tackles (7 solo) 3 forced fumbles.

It was looking really ugly for UCLA early in the game but in the 2nd half, they buckled down and held down Nebraska for 130 total yards. Barr was flying all over the field, no matter where the play was at.

#11 Anthony Barr: 6’4 248

Senior, Position- Outside linebacker/Defensive End

Grade: 92 Late 1st round grade.

Strength:

• Great speed to go sideline to sideline.
• Wraps up when he makes a tackle. Not too many broken tackles with him.
• Long arms allow him punch the ball out of the ball carrier.
• Explodes off the ball in 3^rd down situations.

Needs Improvement:

• Got to use his hands more if he wants to get off block
• Needs to get his hands in the passing lane if he doesn’t create a pass rush.
• Weak in coverage. Doesn’t seem to know where he is at.
• Effort is questionable sometimes.