In the Trenches: 2007 week eight

Games Reviewed
Indianapolis Colts (31) at Carolina Panthers (7)
Pittsburgh Steelers (24) at Cincinnati Bengals (13)
Washington Redskins (7) at New England Patriots (52)

Unfortunately there were only three NFL Replay games for week eight. But at least I got my first look at the Carolina Panthers, and overall the line play was pretty good, especially at right tackle where no one had a below average Blocker Rating.

Blocker Ratings
Note: Players in green had above average Blocker Ratings; players in brown were below average.

Left Tackle

For the third time (out of three 2007 season games reviewed so far) Matt Light puts up an above average BR. I'm surprised he has done so well, though I expect his play will drop off later in the season. I still say Chris Samuels is one of the best left tackles in the game, and definitely one of the most fun to watch, even though his 8.57 BR on the season so far ranks only ninth (and no, I'm not a Redskins fan). Levi Jones looked off on his game and was most ineffective with his run blocking (6.75 RBR). Charlie Johnson struggled in both pass and run blocking and easily had the worst game of any of this week's linemen.

Left Guard

Finally, I got to review a game in which Logan Mankins looked like one of the NFL's top guards. Unfortunately for Jets fans, Alan Faneca was once again less effective than the average left guard; on the other hand, he should still be about nine plays per game better than Adrien Clarke. For Jets fans keeping score at home here are the relevant 2007 BRs so far: Pete Kendall, 8.64 BR (242 plays); Faneca, 8.29 BR (161 plays); Clarke, 7.39 BR (95 plays).

Center

As bad as Mahan looked the first time I reviewed one of his games, he has been decent the second two times. Really all of the centers this week were just that: decent, average. Except for Dan Koppen who, like his Patriot linemates, dominated the Redskins defensive front.

Right Guard

Including Super Bowl XLII, I've now reviewed four Patriots games, and in each game Stephen Neal has outperformed Logan Mankins. Neal doesn't have the same ability at pulling that Mankins does, but he seems to be stronger at the point of attack and more effective with blocks at the second level. Bobbie Williams had a relatively mistake-free game, but despite having the highest BR of the week, "steady" and "solid" seem like more apt descriptions of his game than "dominant" or even "great."

Right Tackle

The only below-average right tackle this week was New England's Ryan O'Callaghan who is not listed above because he was only in for six plays. Stacy Andrews, who had looked awful at left guard early in the year, did very well in both pass and run blocking. Nick Kaczur, like teammate Matt Light, continues to surprise. Willie Colon is shaping up to be the Steelers' top offensive lineman. Though I don't chart it due to the extra time it would take, I'd say that Todd Wade had the most double-team help of any of these other tackles and is definitely playing at a level a notch or two below all of them.

In the Trenches: 2007 week seven

Games Reviewed
Arizona Cardinals (19) at Washington Redskins (21)
Baltimore Ravens (14) at Buffalo Bills (19)
Tennessee Titans (38) at Houston Texans (36)
Chicago Bears (19) at Philadelphia Eagles (16)
Pittsburgh Steelers (28) at Denver Broncos (31)

Blocker Ratings
Note: Players in green had above average Blocker Ratings; players in brown were below average.

Left Tackle

Though he made some rookie blunders, Baltimore's Jared Gaither was way more impressive than Arizona's more heralded rookie, Levi Brown, who was a definite step down from starter Mike Gandy. Jason Peters once again scored surprisingly low; he had a lopsided game, doing very well in pass protection (9.32 PBR) but not so much in the running game (7.12 RBR).

Left Guard

Alan Faneca looked much better against the Broncos than he had against the Cardinals, but it still wasn't a stellar game. Jason Brown continues to perform well and is now the highest rated left guard on the season. Chester Pitts's rating is artificially high: in the NFL Replay version of the Titans-Texans game, three or four Texans three-and-outs were cut out, leaving the Texans with only five running plays to review; pass blocker ratings are higher than run blocker ratings, and left guards (along with centers) have the biggest difference (seven tenths).

Center

Re: Mike Flanagan, see the comment on Chester Pitts above. Even with a good game against the Eagles, Olin Kreutz is still below average for the season. I've seen enough of Kevin Mawae now to say he's still one of the top centers in the league. Mike Pucillo rebounded from his awful week-six appearance, turning in a serviceable game. Melvin Fowler had a great game against the Broncos and a decent game against the Colts, but struggled noticeably against the Ravens.

Right Guard

The list of the top-rated guards (left or right) for the 2007 season now goes like this: Leonard Davis, Cowboys (9.39 BR, 147 plays), Shawn Andrews, Eagles (9.29 BR, 63 plays), Chris Snee, Giants (9.23 BR, 162 plays). Yes, they're all in the NFC East; and unsung Giant lineman Rich Seubert is fifth (behind Jason Brown) with a 9.04 BR.

Right Tackle

Marshal Yanda just keeps having good games, as does David Stewart. They're the second and sixth rated right tackles so far on the season.

2008 NFL Draft "Redo" (part 2)

The first part of this draft redo was posted last night.

Miami Dolphins
Quick hit: If Bill Parcells believes Jake Long was a better pick for the Dolphins than Chris Long, who am I to argue? I'll defer to Miami's Executive Vice President of Football Operations on this one.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (1): Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Round 2 (32): Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Round 2 (57): Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Round 3 (66): Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
Round 4 (110): Shawn Murphy, G, Utah State
Round 6 (176): Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo
Round 6 (195): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 6 (204): Lex Hilliard, RB, Montana
Round 7 (245): Lionel Dotson, DT, Arizona

Draft Redo
Round 1 (1): Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Round 2 (32): Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Round 2 (57): Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Round 3 (66): Jeremy Zuttah, G/C, Rutgers
Round 4 (110): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 6 (176): Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Iowa State
Round 6 (195): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 6 (204): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (245): Lionel Dotson, DT, Arizona

Minnesota Vikings
Quick hit: Two main things held the Vikings back last year: inconsistent quarterback play and the lack of a consistent pass rush from their front four. Tarvaris Jackson still has upside, so the Vikings can reasonably hope for improved quarterback play, and the addition of Jared Allen should go a long way toward generating a sufficient pass rush.

Actual Draft
Round 2 (43): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 5 (137): John David Booty, QB, Southern California
Round 5 (152): Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
Round 6 (187): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (196): Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State

Draft Redo
Round 2 (43): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 5 (137): John David Booty, QB, Southern California
Round 5 (152): Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Round 6 (187): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (196): Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State

New England Patriots
Quick hit: ESPN.com's instant draft analysis noted that “Mayo isn't quite as instinctive as Rivers.” I disagree strongly with that. Mayo's instincts might not be perfect, but he's better than Rivers in that department, which is why I don't think Rivers would have been a good fit at ILB in a 3-4 scheme.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (10): Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Round 2 (62): Terrance Wheatley, CB, Colorado
Round 3 (78): Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan
Round 3 (94): Kevin O'Connell, QB, San Diego State
Round 4 (129): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn
Round 5 (153): Matt Slater , WR, UCLA
Round 6 (197): Bo Ruud, ILB, Nebraska

Draft Redo
Round 1 (10): Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Round 2 (62): Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
Round 3 (78): Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan
Round 3 (94): Tyvon Branch, S, Connecticut
Round 4 (129): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn
Round 5 (153): Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
Round 6 (197): Bo Ruud, ILB, Nebraska

New Orleans Saints
Quick hit: The trade up for Sedrick Ellis was a great move that will pay major dividends for the Saints' defense in 2008. And I had Tracy Porter rated higher than most did, so of course I love that pick.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (7): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Round 2 (40): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Round 5 (144): DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina St.
Round 5 (164): Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
Round 6 (178): Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin
Round 7 (237): Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan

Draft Redo
Round 1 (7): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Round 2 (40): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Round 5 (144): Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Round 5 (164): Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
Round 6 (178): Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin
Round 7 (237): Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan

New York Giants
Quick hit: I like what the Super Bowl champs did in the odd rounds, but don't agree very much with their picks in the even rounds.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (31): Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Round 2 (63): Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
Round 3 (95): Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
Round 4 (123): Bryan Kehl, LB, BYU
Round 5 (165): Jonathan Goff, MLB, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (198): Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Round 6 (199): Robert Henderson, DE, Southern Miss

Draft Redo
Round 1 (31): Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Round 2 (63): Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Round 3 (95): Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
Round 4 (123): Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
Round 5 (165): Jonathan Goff, MLB, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (198): Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Round 6 (199): Brandon Keith, OT, Northern Iowa

New York Jets
Quick hit: I typically have liked the Jets' drafts the past few years, but I'm feeling luke warm about this one. In fact, I'm undoing the trade up to get Dustin Keller—I just don't value one-dimensional tight end prospects that much.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (6): Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State
Round 1 (30): Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Round 4 (113): Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose State
Round 5 (162): Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
Round 6 (171): Marcus Henry, WR, Kansas
Round 7 (211): Nate Garner, OT, Arkansas

Draft Redo
Round 1 (6): Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State
Round 2 (36): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 4 (102): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (113): Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose State
Round 6 (171): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (211): Chris Brown, FB/TE, Tennessee

Oakland Raiders
Quick hit: Given the money that the Raiders put into re-signing Tommy Kelly, and given the question marks in Vernon Gholston's game, Darren McFadden really was a good value pick. Fargas's contract was not expensive and Lamont Jordan has not been able to stay healthy since signing with Oakland.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (4): Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Round 4 (100): Tyvon Branch, CB/S, Connecticut
Round 4 (125): Arman Shields, WR, Richmond
Round 6 (169): Trevor Scott, DE, Buffalo
Round 7 (226): Chaz Schilens, WR, San Diego State

Draft Redo
Round 1 (4): Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Round 4 (100): Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
Round 4 (125): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 6 (169): Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State
Round 7 (226): Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas

Philadelphia Eagles
Quick hit: Not a whole lot that I would have done the same here once you get beyond the great Trevor Laws pick.

Actual Draft
Round 2 (47): Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Round 2 (49): DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Round 3 (80): Bryan Smith, LB, McNeese State
Round 4 (109): Mike McGlynn, G, Pittsburgh
Round 4 (117): Quintin Demps, S, UTEP
Round 4 (131): Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
Round 6 (184): Michael Gibson, G, California
Round 6 (200): Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State
Round 6 (203): Andrew Studebaker, DE, Wheaton
Round 7 (230): King Dunlap, T, Auburn

Draft Redo
Round 2 (47): Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Round 2 (49): Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Round 3 (80): Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
Round 4 (109): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 4 (117): Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech
Round 4 (131): Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
Round 6 (184): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (200): Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State
Round 6 (203): Matt Sherry, TE, Villanova
Round 7 (230): Darrell Robertson, DE, Georgia Tech

Pittsburgh Steelers
Quick hit: With all of the top offensive linemen off the board, Pittsburgh definitely did the right thing in selecting Mendenhall, who should be one of the league's top running back within a few years.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (23): Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Round 2 (53): Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Round 3 (88): Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA
Round 4 (130): Tony Hills, OT, Texas
Round 5 (156): Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Round 6 (188): Mike Humphal, ILB, Iowa
Round 6 (194): Ryan Mundy, FS, West Virginia

Draft Redo
Round 1 (23): Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Round 2 (53): Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
Round 3 (88): Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA
Round 4 (130): Tony Hills, OT, Texas
Round 5 (156): Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (188): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 6 (194): Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky

San Diego Chargers
Quick hit: The Chargers have no real holes. Only a couple of starting jobs will even be contested. Obviously that's because they've drafted so well in recent years. So there's no need to change any of their picks, right?

Actual Draft
Round 1 (27): Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Round 3 (69): Jacob Hester, FB, LSU
Round 5 (166): Marcus Thomas, RB, UTEP
Round 6 (192): DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College
Round 7 (234): Corey Clark, OT, Texas A&M

Draft Redo
Round 1 (27): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Round 3 (69): Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Round 5 (166): Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Iowa State
Round 6 (192): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (234): Chris Brown, FB/TE, Tennessee

San Francisco 49ers
Quick hit: Balmer will help bolster the defensive line, but I can't get behind the other picks they made.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (29): Kentwan Balmer, DT/DE, North Carolina
Round 2 (39): Chilo Racal, G, USC
Round 3 (75): Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
Round 4 (107): Cody Wallace, C, Texas A&M
Round 6 (174): Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
Round 7 (214): Larry Grant, LB, Ohio State

Draft Redo
Round 1 (29): Kentwan Balmer, DT/DE, North Carolina
Round 2 (39): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 3 (75): Jeremy Zuttah, G/C, Rutgers
Round 4 (107): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 6 (174): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 7 (214): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina

Seattle Seahawks
Quick hit: GM Tim Ruskell typically does a good job and seems to have done so again this year, though I'm much lower on Red Bryant than most others are.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (28): Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern Cal
Round 2 (38): John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Round 4 (121): Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
Round 5 (163): Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
Round 6 (189): Tyler Schmitt, LS, San Diego State
Round 7 (233): Justin Forsett, RB, California
Round 7 (235): Brandon Coutu, K, Georgia

Draft Redo
Round 1 (28): Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Round 2 (38): John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Round 4 (121): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 5 (163): Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
Round 6 (189): Tyler Schmitt, LS, San Diego State
Round 7 (233): Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
Round 7 (235): Eric Foster, DE, Rutgers

St. Louis Rams
Quick hit: Chris Long's my overall top player in the draft. And I think Greco could be a good pro with a chance to make it at tackle though most see him as a guard. Decent picks in every round, although I think selecting Avery in the second round was an awful move.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (2): Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Round 2 (33): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Round 3 (65): John Greco, OT, Toledo
Round 4 (101): Justin King, CB, Penn State
Round 4 (128): Keenan Burton, WR, Kentucky
Round 5 (157): Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
Round 7 (228): Chris Chamberlain, DB, Tulsa
Round 7 (252): David Vobora, OLB, Idaho

Draft Redo
Round 1 (2): Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Round 2 (33): Curtis Lofton, MLB, Oklahoma
Round 3 (65): John Greco, OT, Toledo
Round 4 (101): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (128): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn
Round 5 (157): Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Round 7 (228): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (252): David Roach, S, TCU

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quick hit: Although I'm not quite sure about taking a cover two corner in round one, Talib is a playmaker when he gets his hands on the ball, so I can get behind that. And I love the rest of the draft, though that won't keep me from making a few changes.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (20): Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Round 2 (58): Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State
Round 3 (83): Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers
Round 4 (115): Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Round 5 (160): Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
Round 5 (175): Geno Hayes, ILB, Florida State
Round 7 (238): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina

Draft Redo
Round 1 (20): Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Round 2 (58): Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Round 3 (83): Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers
Round 4 (115): Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Round 5 (160): Marcus Howard, DE, Georgia
Round 6 (175): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (238): Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas

Tennessee Titans
Quick hit: Tennessee selected a couple of my favorite prospects, namely Jason Jones and Lavelle Hawkins, but the first round is too high to draft a back like Chris Johnson.

Actual Draft
Round 1 (24): Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Round 2 (54): Jason Jones, DT/DE, Eastern Michigan
Round 3 (85): Craig Stevens, TE, California
Round 4 (103): William Hayes, DE, Western Michigan
Round 4 (126): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (134): Stanford Keglar, OLB, Stanford
Round 7 (229): Cary Williams, CB, Washburn

Draft Redo
Round 1 (24): Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Round 2 (54): Jason Jones, DT/DE, Eastern Michigan
Round 3 (85): Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue
Round 4 (103): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 4 (126): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (134): Jonathan Goff, MLB, Vanderbilt
Round 7 (229): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina

Washington Redskins
Quick hit: When the consensus top receiver in the draft falls to the second round you have to take him. But when another top receiver is still available seventeen picks later that doesn't mean you have to take him, too.

Actual Draft
Round 2 (34): Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Round 2 (48): Fred Davis, TE, Southern Cal
Round 2 (51): Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Round 3 (96): Chad Rinehart, G, Northern Iowa
Round 4 (124): Justin Tryon, CB, Arizona State
Round 6 (168): Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech
Round 6 (180): Kareem Moore, S, Nicholls State
Round 6 (186): Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
Round 7 (242): Rob Jackson, DE, Kansas State
Round 7 (249): Christopher Horton, S, UCLA

Draft Redo
Round 2 (34): Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Round 2 (48): Jason Jones, DE/DT, Eastern Michigan
Round 2 (51): Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
Round 3 (96): Oneil Cousins, OT/G, UTEP
Round 4 (124): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 6 (168): Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech
Round 6 (180): Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State
Round 6 (186): Andre’ Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Round 7 (242): Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
Round 7 (249): David Roach, S, TCU

In the Trenches: 2007 week four

Games Reviewed
Pittsburgh Steelers (14) at Arizona Cardinals (21)
Chicago Bears (27) at Detroit Lions (37)
Green Bay Packers (23) at Minnesota Vikings (16)
Kansas City Chiefs (30) at San Diego Chargers (16)
Denver Broncos (20) at Indianapolis Colts (38)

Game Notes
The season Blocker Rating averages dip a bit after implementing BR 2.0 for week four. But the dip can't be attributed only to the changes I made to the rating system, as the five games from this week contained some atrocious blocking. The Chiefs were so bad that I'm pretty sure watching their game against the Chargers gave me the flu. I might have had a swifter recovery if I hadn't tried to stomach the Bears-Lions match up right away. Finally, it was more luck than good judgment that saved me from the Steeler game until I was clear headed.
  A couple of week ago, after he had a good game against the Seahawks, I wondered if Arizona guard Reggie Wells always played that well and if he might not be one of the most underrated linemen in the NFL. After seeing two more Arizona games I feel confident in saying he's not all that. He's an adequate starter, and he plays the game the right way, but it's his teammate, left tackle Mike Gandy, who has been looking like a guy who deserves more accolades. Unfortunately, sample size is still too small to make any definitive statement, but Gandy's 8.99 BR for the season is tops so far among left tackles with at least 50 charted snaps (which includes guys like Walter Jones, Matt Light, Chad Clifton, Chris Samuels, and Marcus McNeil) and fourth among LTs with at least 20 snaps (behind Flozell Adams, Joe Thomas, and D'Brickashaw Ferguson).
  Two right tackles, Kansas City's Kyle Turley and Detroit's Jonathan Scott, posted the first BRs below 6. Turley was replaced by Chris Terry, who played poorly himself but virtually shined in comparison to Turley (and most of the rest of the Chiefs' line). Meanwhile, Scott was a replacement for George Foster who had committed his seventh false start penalty of the year. Foster had not been playing well by any stretch of the imagination, but even with another false start he would have been better than Scott.

Blocker Ratings
Average BRs (through four weeks)


Left Tackle


Left Guard


Center


Right Guard


Right Tackle