This Just In: These Are Not The Same Chargers

Every year as the NFL season creeps up, you hear the same teams being talked about when it comes to "getting over the hump."  Count the San Diego Chargers in that mix.  Since they draft Philip Rivers, and Drew Brees became a household name, the Bolts have been mentioned in definite playoff and even Super Bowl talk.  They usually made good on their playoff potential.

But here's the obvious truth.  These guys ain't those guys.  Meaning there have been changes abound since they were going 14-2 and flaming out in the playoffs.  Yes, Rivers picked up right where Brees left off.  And yes they've drafted replacements for running back Ladanian Tomlinson and rush linebacker Shawne Merriman.  That doesn't mean they get the same consistencies.  LT's virtually injury-free days in San Diego were as impressive as his total yardage.  Merriman flamed out but ('roids or no 'roids) was a beast early in his career with San Diego.  Their respective replacements, Ryan Matthews and Whitney Mercilus, come into this season with so much to prove.

Tomlinson and Merriman may be the biggest names lost but aren't the only pieces.  Marcus McNeill was one of the premier left tackles in the league until injuries recently cost him his profession.  The Chargers 3-4 defense hasn't had an anchor like Jamal Williams first arrived in 2004.  Antonio Cromartie playing man-to-man defense on the opponents best receiver or making a huge play on special teams has also been missed recently.  The most recent hole to fill is the one left by Vincent Jackson.  Malcom Floyd has the ability to be the number one, and even if newly signed receivers Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal are up to the task, there will be an adjustment to having two 6'5" receivers on the outside.

There are veterans with questions on the roster as well.  Defensive end Luis Castillo will be questioned about his durability and overall effectiveness after ending last season on I.R.  Nick Hardwick, center and leader of the offensive line, has suffered from multiple concussions including one recently during practice.

I know I've listed a lot questions and not many answers to those questions.  That doesn't mean San Diego is going 1-15.  Am I putting Norv Turner on the hot seat?  Yes.  He and GM A.J. Smith both.  With that said, they have a chance to win a wide open AFC West division.  There have been major changes to each team in the division.  If the Chargers can keep Rivers upright and comfortable in the pocket, they still have the firepower to score with anyone.

Jets Trade Wayne Hunter For Rams' Jason Smith

The New York Jets faithful have grown sick and tired of Wayne 'Turn-style' Hunter.  The only thing they want to see is a decent right tackle.  The Jets tried to get Jeff Otah from Carolina, but the trade was rescinded when Otah failed his physical.  It looks like a trade may finally go down.  Not for Otah.  But for another first round bust.

Jason Smith was draft number two overall but the St. Louis in 2009.  He comes to the Jets battling injuries of his own, thankful for a fresh start.  No doubt, the young tackle is physically gifted though.  Smith has looked much more comfortable at right tackle when his health lets him on the field.

The new blocking system in St. Louis has as much to do with his benching (though I'd be worried about the caliber of player he was benched in favor of.  Just ask Chiefs fans.) as any injury.  The Jets have a blocking system Smith could excel in.  They believe in running the ball and simply overtaking the man in front of you.

If you're asking why a team would trade it's former first round pick for a guy who is a supposed dud on the football field, the answer is simple.  Money.  The Rams are slashing payroll by switching players.

One more note... The right tackle position will be even more important in New York once Tebow takes over.  He's left handed so Smith would be protecting his blindside.  Just a thought.

Eagles Moves

Cuts

• WR Jamel Hamler

Injured Reserve

• OG Mike Gibson
• DT Mike Patterson
• OT Jason Peters

Saints Cut Down to 75

Cuts

• DT Remi Ayodele
• TE Jake Byrne
• QB Luke McCown
• WR Marques Clark
• OL Hutch Eckerson
• OL Paul Fenaroli
• WR Kevin Hardy
• OL Brian Folkerts
• CB Kamaal McIlwain
• DT Swanson Miller
• WR Derek Moye
• CB Cord Parks
• DE Donovan Robinson
• OLB Aaron Tevis
• FS Johnny Thomas

New York Giants Cut 11, Canty & Beckum to PUP

Cuts

• DB Brandon Bing
• WR Brandon Collins
• DB Chris Horton
• RB Joe Martinek
• CB Antwaun Molden
• DB Jojo Nicolas
• DT Carlton Powell
• TE Ryan Purvis
• OT Joel Reinders
• WR Julian Talley
• DT Oren Wilson

Injured Reserve

• Brandon Mosley

PUP List

• Travis Beckum
• Chris Canty

With 75-Man Rosters Due Today, Each Team's Cut List

Today is "Cut Day" across the National Football League.  Many teams have already reached their 75-player limit.  Just find your favorite team and we will give you the link when the news breaks.

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers

NFC North
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams

Russell Wilson Named Starter in Seattle

Jamie Squire - Getty Images

Well, Pete has done it again.  Pete Carroll bucks conventional wisdom and goes with a mid-round rookie quarterback as his opening day starter.  Russell Wilson started the Seahawks' third preseason game and proved he can play with the "big boy."  Carroll now says he we start him in the fourth and final preseason game against the Raiders while starting the following week versus Arizona.

Interestingly, I don't believe this to be an indictment on newly signed quarterback Matt Flynn.  It looks as if Seattle was legitimately wowed by Wilson.  The easy, safe move would've been to start Flynn this year and trade him the next.  Pete Carroll doesn't do safe.  This is the guy who jettisoned veteran Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck only to bring in Tarvaris Jackson.

If Carroll is right about Wilson, Flynn will become a highly talked about trade piece once somebody's starter goes down.  Next offseason could be when Seattle gets the best chance to cash in on their investment of Flynn.

For now, the football world will be playing close attention to the performance of the 5'10" Wilson.  If he succeeds, Seattle could be talking playoffs... for a while.  If he fails, Seattle could be looking for a new coach/general manager... fairly soon.

Maurice Jones-Drew Reportedly Open To Staying With Jags

For most of the offseason, Maurice Jones-Drew has stayed out of the media's view.  He seemed to be making it perfectly clear a new contract was the only thing bringing him back to football.  That bothers new Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

Khan was quoted as saying, “Train is leaving the station. Run, get on it,” via Gene Frenette of theFlorida Times-Union.

Russell Wilson Starting Seahawks' Third Preseason Game

bigstory.ap.org

You have to give Pete Carroll one thing.  He believes in competition.  Vehemently.  He has given Russell Wilson a chance to play with the big boys.  Carroll wants to see if he can still be a playmaker against the Kansas City first string defense.

Titans' Have A Good Problem With Darius Reynaud

(8/10/12: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America)

Darius Reynaud is having a great camp for the Tennessee Titans by all accounts.  He's doing even better in preseason games.  That's exactly what you want to see from your players.  Doesn't sound like a problem, huh?  Well if there is one, it's because his primary role since he's been in the NFL has been as a kick returner.  So put him there, right?  Well the Titans have a Pro Bowl return man already in Marc Mariani.  Most teams don't carry two guys specifically for returning kicks.

Reynaud is also doing well as a running back.  Put him there?  They could.  They might.  But they have superstar Chris Johnson leading the stable of backs.  Javon Ringer and Jamie Harper are also there.  Some might even say because of their size, they are more traditional running backs.  Reynaud has made plays but has he made enough to unseat one of Ringer or Harper if the Titans decide to go with the customary three running backs on the final roster?  Tennessee looks like they will carry one fullback so keeping four running backs could possibly fit.

He came to the pros as a receiver.  He was actually a receiver his final year at West Virginia before entering the 2008 draft.  He was behind star backs, Steve Slaton and Noel Devine.  But playmakers have to play.  He made the Vikings' squad after going undrafted.  He was only used as kick returner.  Minnesota eventually converted Reynaud back to his running back position.  He was later traded to the Giants and cut.

Tennessee has seemingly found gold in the versatile Reynaud.  The Titans may have trouble fitting Reynaud on this roster, but my bet is they find a way.  Whether they have to waive/trade a player who was originally thought to be on the 53-man roster or they just carry less players at a position with less depth in order to carry four running backs, Reynaud has proved his worth in Music City.  Besides not wanting to lose out on the many talents of Reynaud (Oakland is said to be looking for a return man), coaches love to send the message that hard work does pay off.

Mike Vick, RG3 Obsolete?

Mike Vick after hit Monday Night.
(Yong Kim/Philly.com)

So I'm listening to the radio after dropping my boys off at school.  "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd is on.  If you didn't know, Mike Vick had another premature exit from a football game Monday night vs New England.  The first snap of the Eagles' second offensive possession Mike Vick dropped back for a pass only to be blasted in the ribs by a rushing Jermaine Cunningham.  Vick was helped to his feet by a teammate but only made it a few steps before going to a knee.

Tamba Hali Suspended One Game for Violating League's Substance Abuse Policy

(image courtesy kansascity.sbnation.com)

The Kansas City Chiefs' best pass rusher will miss the season's opener. Rush linebacker Tamba Hali has "violated the league's substance abuse policy."

The news comes from Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.

The Chiefs open at home against the Falcons in Arrowhead Stadium.  Getting off to a early start, particularly this season, is important for Kansas City.  Their division is filled with question marks.  San Diego has two new receivers in Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal.  Oakland has a new regime in place with the passing of Al Davis and firing of Hue Jackson/hiring of Dennis Allen.  Denver has a new quarterback.  You may have heard of him.  Peyton Manning.  How each team responds early could decide the AFC West.  The Chiefs have the most stable roster and least questions in the division.

AP Poll Is Out, Let the Debating Begin

Yes sir.  The Coaches' Poll was released earlier.  Now we can compare the two.  And all agree neither are right.  And all disagree on what should change.  This is major college football.

Both polls agree on the top three teams.  They just don't agree on order.  The Coaches' Poll has LSU at number 1, followed by Alabama at 2 and USC at 3.  The folks at AP have flipped numbers 1 and 2.  They have voted the Lane Kiffin led USC Trojans as the best team in the country.  It appears most people are projecting a USC vs. Bama/LSU National Championship game.  But that's why they play the game.

Bills Waive Shawne Merriman

Surprise!  Shawne Merriman has been released by the Buffalo Bills.  What?  You didn't know he was still in the NFL?  Well, he WAS!

Merriman, 28, has battled injuries the last four years.  He tore ligaments in his knee during training camp of the 2008 season.  He tried to play through it but went on the shelf and had season-ending surgery.  He was troubled in 2009 by the same knee injury and a foot injury.  He was acquired by the Bills via waivers after being released by the Chargers in November of 2010.  He finished that season on Injured Reserve with a torn achilles tendon.

The 35 Top Remaining Free Agents

MLB EJ Henderson (nfl.com)

Ah, it's that time of year.  Intra-squad scrimmages, depth chart battles, hamstring injuries and now ninety-man rosters.  NFL training camps are beginning across the nation.  I've compiled a list of names you could see scroll the bottom of that ESPN ticker.  Injuries are sure to mount.  Free agents will lower their asking price.  Proven vets will be needed.  I expect a the top five guys to be find homes quickly.

T.O. Inks with Seattle. Good or Bad Move?

Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks have decided to take a gamble on veteran receiver Terrell Owens.  He joins a stable of receivers that includes veterans Sidney Rice and Braylon Edwards as well as youngsters Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate and Jermaine Kearse.  If Rice is healthy, Owens and Edwards may be battling for one spot.  T.O. is a man of many things on his final NFL legs.  There has been much debate since going on since last offseason about Owens getting another shot.  The debate has brought many reactions from fans and media.

Whether Terrell Owens is loved or hated, two things are unmistakeable.  He is one of the hardest working football players the NFL has ever seen, and his behavior displayed over a large portion of his career has went passed unprofessional to childish.  The numbers he's put up over his career have been bested by only Randy Moss and the Jerry Rice.  Talent isn't an issue.

The new question always has been what kind of person and teammate is Owens.  T.O. has repeatedly and openly chastised his own teammates including various quarterbacks.  He's also even thrown fits at coaches.  He was one of the most perplexing athletes of his generation because his work ethic reflected that of a team guy, yet his persona became larger than the team itself.  It was if he was really two separate people.  After Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones cut Owens, T.O. was "blindsided".  He had brief stops in Buffalo and Cincinnati where he seemed to be on his best behavior.  Others may not like the TV shows and other added attention Owens' name alone brings but his disruptive nature seems to have died out.

The only remaining question should be, at 38 years of age and almost two years removed from a torn ACL, "can he still play?"  I have no doubts he's worked as hard as anyone would rehabbing is injury.  He's been gone from the NFL for twenty eight regular season games now.  That's a lot of missed time for a man approaching forty.  The good news is he reportedly ran his 40-yard dash in the mid 4.4's.  I'm sure he's still as intelligent as ever.  He's always seemed to have a brilliant football mind.  He understands coverages and situations quite well.

Seattle has very little too lose in this situation because he can be waived at any point and Seattle won't feel the Dallas-like ripple effect that has torn locker rooms apart even after his departure.  Pete Carroll has shown an ability to get the most out of veteran guys, even if for a season.  With Owens on his best behavior and Seattle running a "West Coast" offense, I expect moderate success for T.O.

Sedrick Ellis Still Gets a "Knockout" on Kolb

David Richard/US PRESSWIRE

Sunday night's Hall of Fame game, annually the first preseason game, provided Gregg Williams, Jonathan Vilma and others something to point towards when pleading their case for Roger Goodell's punishment being too strong.  As the guys at ProFootballTalk have pointed out, the league has punished the Saints for paying players for "doing their jobs."

PFT went on to ask whether the league not pointing out the emphasis on clean hits still being a problem because of the extra cash in play was hoping to avoid debate.  From my vantage point, that is extremely close to an admission of guilt.  The NFL knows they are locked in a battle and don't want to give any ground.  The water under the bridge routine has also been disintegrated with the number of lawsuits.

The problem I have is Goodell's responsibility to protect the integrity of the game has been misguided.  The New England Patriots are found giving themselves a clear advantage via "Spygate".  A case could be made that Gregg Williams was just completely distasteful.  I seriously doubt he said anything in his infamous recording that player's hear from each other during the actual game.  Yet, New Orleans received the harsher punishment for alleged bounties.

We will assume that bounties are no longer of the Saints' locker room.  The same hit Sedrick Ellis put on Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb would have netted Ellis $1,500 under the Saints' supposed bounty program last year.  In a preseason game with no extra money on the line Ellis still makes the same play that was called into question by commissioner Goodell.  I will also point out Ellis who signed a five year, $33 million rookie deal and is expected to make $5.82 million this year doesn't exactly have much need for fifteen hundred bucks if it means a suspension.  So the hit would be applied legally.

For those wondering, according to Cardinal's coach Ken Whisenhunt, Kevin Kolb's injury is not considered to be serious.  "It's going to all depend on how sore he is," Whisenhunt said. "I don't anticipate it being a problem. Whenever you get one of those, it's hard to torque, so we'll see how he responds. There's a chance he'll practice this week."

The truth is football is a physical sport. Injuries are unavoidable.  The small problem is fans don't like hearing injuries being celebrated.  The big problem is the NFL is facing an unprecedented amount of lawsuits from concussions and other serious injuries.  Anything that can be used against the league to say players are enticed to injure, could cause the NFL big dollars.  That, isn't protecting the integrity of the game.  That is protecting a bank account.  Being a guy who is employed by thirty two billionaires, Roger Goodell has decided that is first his responsibility.

Greg Reid Booted From Florida State

By Melina Vastola, US Presswire

Greg Reid is a talented cornerback, no doubt.  When focusing on just his game, he looks like a potential first round prospect in the NFL Draft.  He has shut down many opposing receivers and is an accomplished punt returner as well.  He's a guy I thought was leaving early to enter the draft after a solid junior season in 2011.  Clearly, that would've been a decent option for Mr. Reid.

Silas Redd leaves Penn State, Chooses Southern Cal

Just days after head coach Lane Kiffin and USC applied the full-court press to the former five-star, running back Silas Redd has decided to become a Trojan.  Along with other crippling sanctions in the "Sandusky" aftermath, any current or incoming players are able to transfer.  They would be immediately eligible at any school they choose.