NFLaccess

by Tom Mantzouranis

Filed under: Saints, NFL Free Agency

It’s not often that a 29-year-old, two-time Pro Bowl left tackle hits free agency, but that might happen with Jammal Brown, the New Orleans Saints‘ bookend. That decision, however, isn’t as clear cut as some personnel situations can be. No, like a well-written book or film that weaves a story so complex the plot’s end is never obvious until it arrives, there are a few details to the Jammal Brown Situation that have fans in suspense.

Let’s start with the present: Brown is currently on the shelf after having surgery Thursday for a sports hernia. It’s possible he can recover on the short end of the injury’s typical timeframe (three to six weeks), which would have him healthy for the season opener, but it’s more likely the team plays it safe and makes sure this thing doesn’t linger into the playoff race. He has yet to play 16 games in a year, this injury could push that streak to five seasons. That’s certainly not a positive for a player who before he was even drafted in 2005 was dealing with a condition in his knees that had a lot of teams and medical experts predicting a short career.

The Vexing Jammal Brown Situation originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Ryan Wilson

Filed under: Steelers, NFL Fans

To think, when the Steelers announced that Mike Tomlin — not Russ Grimm — would replace Bill Cowher, the biggest concern was that the former Vikings defensive coordinator who had learned the intricacies of the Cover-2 while serving as Tony Dungy’s secondary coach in Tampa Bay would get rid of zone-blitz architect Dick LeBeau and scrap the 3-4 defense.

Mike Tomlin Explains Why Steelers Never Considered Michael Vick originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Ryan Wilson

Filed under: Jets, Vikings, NFL Fans

New Vikings quarterback Brett Favre completed one pass in four tries against the Chiefs on Thursday. It was his first action since singlehandedly running the Jets’ once-promising season into the ground last winter.

Now, after eight months at the ol’ fishin’ hole, Favre is the guy tasked with saving Brad Childress‘ job. (Nope, that doesn’t sound any less ridiculous when read instead of spoken aloud.) One man’s trash is another man’s … well, trash. Or at least it should be.

The Daily News‘ Gary Myers writes that new Jets head coach Rex Ryan’s decision to not pursue Favre meant that the team could go after linebacker Bart Scott in free agency and trade up for Mark Sanchez on draft day.

For Jets, Passing on Brett Favre Led to Mark Sanchez, Bart Scott originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Calvin Watkins

Filed under: Saints, Texans, NFL Analysis

HOUSTON — On February 17, the Saints made the decision to release running back Deuce McAllister.

With McAllister — a longtime Saints fan favorite — out of the picture, the door was open for a new way of doing things in the New Orleans backfield. Coach Sean Payton decided that he wanted to utilize three running backs instead of trying to rely on one. So he placed the onus on Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell to improve a rushing attack that finished 28th in the league in 2008.

The Saints will never be primarily run-oriented team, especially after leading the NFL in total offense (410.7 per game) and pass attempts (636) last season.

Payton has challenged his running backs: If you want more carries, then you have to produce.

Saints Know They Can Pass, but Believe They Can Run, Too originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 02:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Bills, Packers, NFL Fans

GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Green Bay is not a bustling metropolis. Lambeau Field is settled in what is otherwise a residential neighborhood. That alone makes this a very unique NFL city.

When game day arrives, the area around the stadium is transformed into a giant party, with more than just the game’s 70,000 or so ticketholders invited. This is even true of preseason games.

FanHouse in the Stands: People, It’s a Preseason Game! originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Chris Burke

Filed under: Browns, Lions, NFL Quarterbacks

Last week, Matthew Stafford made a strong preseason debut for the Lions, while the Browns’ Derek Anderson performed like he was allergic to footballs. On Saturday night in Cleveland’s 27-10 win over Detroit, the two quarterbacks played out their version of the Travolta-Cage body-swap classic Face-Off. (Any lesser film with a similarly ridiculous premise works here as well: Freaky Friday, 18 Again, The Hot Chick, etc.)

This go-round, Anderson was solid, Stafford was miserable, and the omnipresent “What to make of the preseason” questions were as apropos as ever.

Stafford, Anderson Pull Role Reversal in Cleveland Victory originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Adam Gretz

Filed under: 49ers, Chicago Bears, Broncos, Browns, Buccaneers, Lions, Raiders

Saturday’s preseason games may not have the excitement of Brett Favre throwing for four yards, or the unintentional hilarity that is punters peppering the bottom of a scoreboard worth more money than the entire payroll of some Major League Baseball teams, but that doesn’t mean there’s not some intriguing things to watch for as Week 2 of the NFL preseason rolls on.

Jay Cutler makes his debut in Chicago, Kyle Orton gets another shot under center for the Broncos without the services of Brandon Marshall, and the Lions and Browns continue their quarterback competitions.

What to Watch for in Saturday’s Games That Don’t Count originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Dan Graziano

Filed under: Lions, NFL Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford, Daunte Culpepper and the rest of the Detroit Lions were on buses Friday night, rolling two and a half hours to Cleveland in advance of Saturday’s preseason game against the Browns. Roughing it? Nah, the Lions just figured it’d take them as long, with more hassle, to negotiate the airport and fly to Cleveland. And besides, the Lions sound like a group that’s enjoying being together these days. New coach Jim Schwartz has worked hard to erase the memory of last year’s 0-16 debacle and present the 2009 Lions as a chance for a fresh start for everybody.

“He’s presenting this as the land of opportunity here,” Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told FanHouse in a phone interview from the bus. “We’re all going to be given fair shakes.”

Matthew Stafford to Start, but Lions Still Far From QB Decision originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Ryan Wilson

Filed under: Broncos, Seahawks, NFL Fans, NFL Quarterbacks

Maybe new Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton thought, “I’ve seen Eli Manning AND Brett Favre pull this off — it can’t be that hard,” right before he decided to heave a left-handed wobbler into the end zone that was predictably picked off by a Seahawks defender.

On the upside, it was his only interception of the night, a marked improvement from his three-pick performance in his Denver preseason debut last week. So maybe that’ll stem the tide of “Oh my god, what has Josh McDaniels done?” sentiments from fans who have no idea what the long-term plan is for this organization. Or maybe it won’t.

Either way, like it or not, Orton will almost certainly be the guy to replace Jay Cutler, and his effort against Seattle (18 for 26, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) is … well, progress.

And if Orton can cut down on throwing the ball with his off-hand, he’ll reduce his interceptions by 25 percent. In theory, anyway.

Kyle Orton Can Throw Interceptions Left-Handed, Too originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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by Chris Burke

Filed under: Dolphins, NFL Injuries

Miami Dolphins cornerbacks Sean Smith and Jason Allen have both been tested for swine flu, and will miss Saturday’s game against Carolina, according to the Miami Herald.

The Herald earlier reported that, according to sources, at least two members of the Dolphins had been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.

Team spokesman Harvey Green dismissed that claim, telling the Herald that Smith and Allen are ill, but it is not yet known if swine flu is to blame.

Pair of Dolphins Players Awaiting Swine Flu Test Results originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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