Week 13...

Arizona - First year HC Dennis Green has been catching a lot of flak for waffling about the future of the team's QB position... he has been much more decisive about identifying his teams best young defensive talent and getting them to play at a high level while they learn on the job. Star-in-the-making DT Darnell Dockett had 3 solos and the third sack of his rookie season (within a sack of elite interior D-Linemen John Henderson, Marcus Stroud and Shaun Rogers). If he can avoid off the field issues, he has the goods to show that he was a first round talent who slipped to the third over character concerns. Dockett had an extremely challenging upbringing, and there are a lot of people pulling for him to succeed. The team has had their share of free agent blunders over the years, but DE Bertrand Berry has been a massive success story. He is tied for the league lead in sacks (10) with the Colts Robert Mathis, and has been an extremely positive mentor to the younger players on the defense. Karlos Dansby easily leads rookie LBs with 4 sacks... he came into the league with a rep as a big play guy, and has done nothing to dissuade the Cards coaching staff of that notion. While Green's decision to play musical QBs at a point in the season when they had won three of four games did seem odd (as did subsequent attempts to justify his rationale), the defense has been pulling their weight this season. Arizona has held their opponents to 17 or fewer points in six of eleven games this season. MLB Ron McKinnon is almost old enough to be a contemporary of Bronco Nagurski and Red Grange, so he won't get a lot of play in this column... he did have 9 solos, but that was the first time since Halloween that he had more than 4. SS Adrian Wilson continued his banner season with 7 solos and 1 assist... he is third among all NFL safeties (10 behind the Patriots SS Rodney Harrison and 5 behind the Rams Adam Archuleta), and looks like a cornerstone-type player, and integral component Green could build the defense around.

Atlanta - The Falcons look like they are on target to shrug off the dubious distinction of never having had back-to-back winning seasons... we will need to wait until the 2005 season to see for sure, but as the only 9-2 team in the league (behind only PIT, NE and PHI), they look well on their way, barring a catastrophic Vick injury. DE Patrick Kerney alluded to the change in team attitude that new HC Jim Mora, Jr. and DC Ed Donatell have fostered in a recent PFW interview... “One thing that we’ve talked about is covering first base. You know how a catcher runs to first base every time the ball is hit to the shortstop only for that one time when the ball is thrown over the first baseman’s head? That’s how the catcher keeps the runner on second instead of third. That’s the same philosophy we use where the backside defensive end is going to take off on a pursuit angle, and he’s going to do it 100 times, and only one time will his teammates miss the tackle, but he can make a game-saving play. It’s the same thing.” The Falcons have 35 sacks in the eight games in which DT Rod Coleman has played, and in the three games in which he missed... only 1. He leads all NFL DTs in sacks with 8, despite the three missed games. In fact, only stud DT Kevin Williams of the Vikings (7 sacks) has more than even 5 sacks. Coleman had a workmanlike 3 solos, 3 assists, 2 sacks and 1 FF, just a few weeks removed from an accident in which he rolled his car. The fact that Kerney's success seems to be inextricably linked with that of Coleman's health has been well chronicled. WLB Keith Brooking is an outstanding talent, and key piece to the puzzle in the Falcons resurgence. His position switch has to be getting a mixed reception among his owners... in IDP terms, he has gone from one of the top scoring MLBs and overall IDPs in the game (second, third and fourth in solos for '03, '02 and '01, respectively), to a WLB closer to 20th in solos. Rookie MLB/OLB Demorrio Williams is a tremendous dynasty prospect, and may yet prove to be one of the top LBs in the class of '04, after the usual suspects (Vilma, D.J. Williams, Daryl Smith, Courtney Watson, etc.)... he is definitely worth stashing on your roster for next season, in which his talent could compel Atlanta to find a starting position for him at either MLB for the underachieving Chris Draft or SLB, where Matt Stewart is coming up for free agency. The Falcons have the nucleus of an up 'n coming secondary, with elite second year SS Bryan Scott, and coveted rookie CB DeAngelo Hall, who led the way this week with 5 solos, and had his first career INT... he is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Hall is reputedly faster than Vick, and has a returner's running instincts.

Baltimore - Ed Reed is the subject of this weeks In-Depth Profile. In a recent interview, Patriots HC Bill Belichick observed... "If you had asked me who I would take as a defensive MVP in the league from what I have seen, I haven't seen everybody, but it would have to be Reed... He is tremendous. I think Ed Reed brings probably everything you like in a football player. He works hard. He is a very well-conditioned athlete. Football is important to him. He studies the game. He has very good ability. He is fast. He is quick. He is athletic. I think of all of his attributes, I would say that his most outstanding one is his intelligence. He anticipates very well. He knows what the offense is doing. Wherever the ball is, that is where he is going to show up." Reed's 290 INT return yards are just 19 yards shy of the top WR yardage total on the team, by Travis Taylor (319). MLB Ray Lewis may yet overtake Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas for the league lead in solo tackles, now that it looks like he could be sidelined for a few games. OLB Terrell Suggs already has nearly twice as many solo tackles (33) as he did all of last season (19), and is becoming more of a well rounded LB capable of run support. He is as dangerous as ever as a pass rush threat, leading all LBs with 8.5 sacks (though he has gone sackless in three of the last four games. His development has been timely, as former All-Pro OLB Peter Boulware began the season on the PUP list, only to injure his toe in only his second practice back, and has since been placed on IR and shelved for the season. CB Deion Sanders has about as much place being in a dynasty column as Ethel Merman, but it can be mentioned in passing that he missed his third consecutive game with a toe injury. Turf toe was what ultimately derailed his career in the first incarnation of Prime Time. The Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives, and are so far behind the resurgent 10-1 Steelers they need to snare one of the hotly contested wild card spots to have any realistic hope of a playoff spot... no easy feat in the deeply competitive AFC.

Carolina - The Carolina Panthers' recent improvement has coincided with a dramatic improvement in their run defense. Carolina allowed 152.6 yards through the season's first seven games, but 81.5 over the past four, a stretch that includes three of the team's four victories. Through those first seven games, Carolina allowed an average of 4.5 yards a carry. That mark dropped to 2.8 in the past four. The Panthers have now won three straight games and have to be commended for playing tough despite being decimated by season ending injuries to integral players such as Steve Smith, Stephen Davis, Kris Jenkins, etc. DE Julius Peppers flashed All-Pro (Hall of Fame?) form in the battle with divisional rivals Tampa Bay, coming up with four BIG TIME plays. He blocked a kick, chased Buc's RB Michael Pittman far downfield on a play in which he looked like the fastest player on the field (keep in mind the dude is 290), picked off Brian Griese and returned it for a TD in a game-changing play, and got a sack in which he dispatched a double team block with a nasty, lightning-quick spin move. The former North Carolina power forward has 7 sacks in his past 4 games. Even more impressively... with no help from Mike Rucker or Kris Jenkins. Only SS Ed Reed and CB Lito Sheppard have more than his 143 INT return yards this season. There is talk that Peppers could be used as a TE around the goal line... he might be a better athlete than T-Gon, and could redefine the DE position like Deacon Jones and Reggie White did in their generations. PFW reported whispers that Panther insiders are concerned that Dan Morgan's bouts with recurring concussions could force him into a possible early retirement. That talk could be premature, but there are recent precedents where players are forced into the hard decision of walking away from the game. Merrill Hoge landed on his feet with the ESPN gig... hopefully the decision is made easier when one looks at the aftermath of Al Toon's head trauma-plagued career, who was devastatingly affected by post-concussion syndrome. If his story isn't a contra-indicator to playing too long, I don't know what else could convince an athlete to hang it up with his wits intact. WLB/MLB Will Witherspoon has taken over the team lead in tackles of late with 77 combined, including 67 solos.

Chicago - Rookie DT Tommie Harris has been dominant at times this season, and is seeing extensive action, quieting doubts that he could only be effective as part of a deep rotation (the system employed by Bob Stoops at Oklahoma). DE Alex Brown struck it rich with a 5 year, $15 million contract signed Wednesday. MLB Brian Urlacher will be welcomed back by the Bears, who are 0-4 without him this season, and have been outscored 62-17 by the Colts and Bears the past few weeks in his absence. Second year WLB Lance Briggs is fulfilling his lofty potential with a stellar campaign, which finds him sixth overall among LBs in solo tackles. Fellow second year star, CB Charles "Peanut" Tillman, is finally ready to start again since sustaining a broken leg in week two. He had a sensational rookie season, and many wanted to see if he could achieve even greater success in rookie HC Lovie Smith's Cover Two scheme, which has already made stars of CBs Ronde Barber, Nick Harper and Jerametrius Butler. Cover Two CBs defend a zone rather than man-to-man, and are well positioned to suck up run support tackles. Peanut will bump R.W. McQuarters from the starting lineup, despite having 2 INTs last week (one returned for a TD).

Cincinnati - I was about to say the Bengals defense has stepped up its play in the past month (giving up just 13 combined points in inter-conference wins against the Cowboys and Redskins, and 19 in a recent divisional loss to the Steelers)... until the Brown hung 48 on them. They have been very opportunistic and are at the top of the NFL in takeaways. A good portent for next year is that key contributions have been made by several rookies. FS Madieu Williams has been the top stand out, filling in variously at CB, SS and FS... he is third in this weeks Defensive Rookie of the Year Watch (below)... and climbing. MLB Landon Johnson was credited by the coaching staff with an astonishing 20 combined tackles in the Pittsburgh game a few weeks ago (since the last report). By their count, that bested WLB Brian Simmons' 15 tackles against Cleveland on Oct. 17 for the team high this season. It would not be a surprise if Johnson plays well enough in the remainder of the season to wrest the starting MLB gig from oft-injured Caleb Miller. DE Justin Smith is beginning to play up to his potential as the 4th overall pick in the 2001 draft. He has 41 solos, 19 assists, 6 sacks and 1 FF for the year, and is closing out the season strong. The ex-Bronco CBs Tory James and Deltha O'Neal have held up fairly well in coverage (the 48 point outburst by their interstate rivals excepted). James is pacing the league with 7 INTs... after Ed Reeds 6 INTs, no CB or safety has more than 4. O'Neal's INT and return for a TD late in the game sealed the win. Ironic that such a climactic, titanic offensive outburst was settled by a defensive play.

Cleveland - the defensive recap for the Browns shouldn't take long this week... how many plays could they have made in a 58 point shellacking? The final tally had more in common with a college basketball score than an NFL game. A definite two weeks in the penalty box candidate for being part of the second highest scoring game in NFL history. Those who had the over in last week's epic, blockbuster score-fest must have been really liking their decision. Even worse news than HC Butch Davis resigning (cause for rejoice by many that criticized his blatant and ruthless power grab that drove off many inside the organization in the past few seasons) was the report that MLB Andra Davis suffered a season ending injury and will be placed on IR shortly if he hasn't been already... one of many on the Browns to succumb to this fate, in an ill-fated year that appeared to be doomed early on.

Dallas - HC Bill Parcells spoke this week about the plight of FS Roy Williams, potentially one of the top playmakers in the IDP arena... who absurdly doesn't have a single sack, INT or FF with only about a third of the season to go. The problem is that they are getting very shaky coverage from their CBs, and have been forced to play him far back off the LOS (where he excels). Since this scheme seemingly has not worked either (Williams looked lost in coverage in the MNF game against the Eagles, and TO in particular, a few weeks ago), it was asked why not put Williams back in the box and just let him do what he does best? Parcells responded... "That's easier said than done... Because when you're playing the position that he plays, when you put him back in the box, then you have not much of a way to help your cornerback on the weak side. That's been a little bit part of the dilemma." Until the Cowboys can get this problem squared away, Williams will continue to rack up decent tackle totals, but big plays could prove elusive, and happen for his owners few and far between.

Denver - Giving up 25 points to the inept and lowly Raiders in a driving snow storm gets you two weeks in the penalty box

Detroit - The hitting was unbelievably shocking in its ferocity and intensity... but enough about the Pistons melee. Getting carved up by Peyton Manning on Thanksgiving day like a Butterball Turkey is cause for the penalty box... the Lions were probably giving thanks that Manning sat out the fourth quarter, or he almost certainly would have taken a run at the one game record of 7 TD passes held by a handful of QBs. In fairness, it looks like everybody who plays the Colts the rest of the way out is fated for the ETTG penalty box.

Green Bay - I know this is a defensive column, but a quick thought on Favre's 200 consecutive starts record among QBs, vis-à-vis the Cal Ripken longevity record that sets the pace in baseball. Would Ripken have done as well if he got tackled rounding first, second and third base on a regular basis? A couple of Packer rookie CBs combined on a huge play to start the MNF Rams beat down. Third rounder Joey Thomas stripped Isaac Bruce of the ball, which was summarily scooped up by blazing fast first rounder Ahmad Carroll, who sprinted to the end zone in just a few seconds... not surprising given that he was a track star at Arkansas and one of the fastest players at the combine. He also had an INT in the end zone to kill another Rams scoring chance After getting stomped by the Titans in an earlier MNF game (talk about two teams that have gone in opposite directions since that point), which was a nadir for Packer fans, Green Bay has throttled the adversity and is beginning to play some monster football on the stretch run to the playoffs.

Houston - The Texans are suffering growing pains with three rookie defenders (in order of where they were drafted... CB Dunta Robinson, OLB Jason Babin and SS Glenn Earl) in the starting unit. Robinson is maturing quickly and looks like he could be a great one. A big plus is that he is not shy about sticking his nose in to run support, and looks like a playmaker... his 4 INTs lead all rookies (though the Falcons DeAngelo Hall who was selected two slots ahead of him, at 1.08, has been injured for much of the year, and looks like a playmaker himself now that he has returned to health). Babin, who the Texans forfeited a good part of their '04 draft to move up and obtain him in the late first round, was benched in the fourth quarter for the third time this season... but DE/OLB conversions don't always go smoothly in the first season/s. SS Glenn Earl is playing on obvious run downs, and being replaced in passing situations. It is hoped he can be more than a situational player next season... he was highly regarded by scouts while at Notre Dame, before suffering a knee injury late in his tenure with the Fighting Irish.

Indianapolis - In the past month, the defense has collected a burgeoning number of takeaways, a frightening and nightmarish prospect for opposing defenses who are having an already absurdly difficult time stopping the Colts juggernaut and Manning's record shattering pace without needing to contend with a short field... with 24 TDs in his past five games, he has broken the record for a comparable five game stretch. The Colts are among the league leaders in takeaways and differential. The pass defense has also improved, in large part due to the return to the lineup of SS Mike Doss and CB Joseph Jefferson. They didn't get a chance to play in the lineup together until the Nov. 21 spanking of the Bears. The pass defense is also no doubt helped by the pressure applied up front by DE Dwight Freeney, who finally has someone opposite him to command attention from OC game plans and blocking schemes... undersized DE Robert Mathis (a situational pass rusher who is getting about 20 snaps a game, much like KGB did in his first few seasons) is tied for the league lead in sacks with the Cards Bertrand Berry at 10. Clearly the fact that teams are now finding themselves down 3-4 TDs by halftime is radically altering the whole complexion and tenor of the game, and contributing to the surge in takeaways, which in turn is fueling the unprecedented scoring outburst, in a self-stoking fashion. The Colts reportedly are pleased with the progress of rookie WLB Kendyll Pope. He was placed on the PUP list to start the season, but his speed, athleticism and instincts (always favorable traits to possess in a Tony Dungy defense) could enable him to give incumbent WLB Cato June a run for his money... June could be hampered with a leg injury for a few weeks, and has begun to come back to Earth in the past few weeks. FS/SS Bob Sanders is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks from a sprained MCL in his right knee (if he is a quick healer that could help in any prospective Indy playoffs, but will probably come too late for IDP playoffs). This is a shame as he was beginning to emerge as one of the Colts most active and toughest defenders. The "Hitman" has the kind of makeup to up the tempo and raise the level and intensity of the whole defense... even the energy level of the whole stadium, and is definitely a name to look out for next season, and stash on your roster if you can .

Jacksonville - Extensive coverage elsewhere in FBG.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Watch

(All Stats YTD)

1. Jonathan Vilma (MLB/ILB - NYJ)... 54 solos, 20 assists, 1 sack, 2 INTs
2. DJ Williams (WLB - DEN)... 51 solos, 14 assists, 1 sack
3. Madieu Williams (FS/SS - CIN) 64 solos, 7 assists, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 1 TD
4. Gibril Wilson (SS - NYG)... 49 solos, 7 assists, 3 sacks, 3 INTs, 1 FF
5. Erik Coleman (SS - NYJ)... 48 solos, 17 assists, 1 sack, 2 INTs
6. Sean Taylor (FS - WAS)... 43 solos, 11 assists, 1 sack, 3 INT, 1 DUI
7. Teddy Lehman (SLB - DET)... 58 solos, 7 assists, 1 FF
8. Dunta Robinson (CB - HOU)... 45 solos, 12 assists, 4 INTs
9. Chris Gamble (CB - CAR)... 47 solos, 4 assists, 3 INTs, 1 FF
10. Karlos Dansby (SLB - ARI)... 23 solos, 9 assists, 4 sacks, 1 INT
11. Michael Boulware (SS - SEA)... 17 solos, 8 assists, 3 INTs, 1 FF
12. Kenechi Udeze (DE - MIN)... 19 solos, 6 assist, 4 sack, 1 FF
    

Standing on the Verge (of Gettin It...)

• Tommie Harris (DT - CHI)
• Randy Starks (DT - TEN)
• Ahmad Carroll (CB - GB)
• Demorrio Williams (MLB - ATL)
• Daryl Smith (SLB - JAX)
• Bob Sanders (FS/SS - IND)
• Landon Johnson (WLB - CIN)
• Courtney Watson (MLB - NO)
• Darnell Dockett (DT - ARI)
• Dontarrious Thomas (WLB - MIN)
• Caleb Miller (MLB - CIN)
• Travis Laboy (DE - TEN)
• Will Smith (DE - NO)
• Vince Wilfork (DT - NE)
• Jason Babin (OLB - HOU)
• Glenn Earl (SS - HOU)
• Stuart Schweigert (FS/SS - OAK)
• Joey Thomas (CB - GB)
• Nathan Vasher (CB - CHI)
• Shawntae Spencer (CB - SF)
• Jason David (CB - IND)
• Keiwan Ratliff (CB - CIN)
• Ricardo Colclough (CB - PIT)
• Antwan Odom (DE - TEN)
• Igor Olshansky (DE - SD)
• Tank Johnson (DT - CHI)
• Alex Lewis (LB - DET)
• Brandon Chillar (SLB - STL)
• Junior Siavii (DT - KC)
• Shaun Phillips (DE - SD)

In Depth Profile

"Ed Reed has already made a forceful and persuasive case that he is one of the top safeties in the NFL, and one of the best playmakers regardless of position, only two years into his pro career with the Ravens (he'll turn 26 on 9-11). In that span he has averaged almost 80 tackles and 6 INTs. Reed finds the ball. He is such a ball magnet, sometimes it seems like the ball finds him... he was fourth among all NFL safeties, and led the AFC, with 7 INTs last season, helping him earn his first Pro Bowl nod. The '03 season was not an anomaly, either. After Tony Parrish's ridiculous 16 INTs combined in the prior two seasons, Reed is in the mix for second most in the NFL during that same time frame... Greg Wesley (KC), Darren Sharper (GB), Earl Little (CLE) and the raven's INT-maven all have about a dozen. Patrick Surtain (MIA) is the only CORNERBACK that had as many INTs in that span (the Buc's Brian Kelly had 8 in '02, but went on IR early in '03 with torn pec). Has some similarities with his more high profile teammate, MLB Ray Lewis. They both attended Miami, have been the heart and soul of their defense and team in both college and the pros, and were downgraded by some scouts in their respective drafts (both taken towards the latter part of the first round) for not possessing optimal physical measurables, but overcame supposed size-constraint limitations with tremendous instincts and football smarts, and off-the-charts toughness, charisma, leadership and intangibles. It goes without saying that Lewis plays a central role in Baltimore's defense (#3 in total defense ((#4 against the pass and #6 against the run)) and #1 in sacks), but the integral part Reed holds in the overall scheme should not be overlooked.

He took Miami by storm his freshman season, and demonstrated the same constellation of attributes that would be seen as a recurring theme throughout his young career, with his complete game and playmaking skills already fully formed. In 1998, Reed led the secondary with a career high 90 tackles (61 solos), 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 4 FFs, a blocked kick, and garnered some national recognition by being named to some Freshman All-American teams. His '99 season didn't see much in the way of a sophomore slump or drop-off in production. The statline for the year looked like 74 tackles (48 solos), 4 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FF and 2 blocked kicks. In the 2000 season, Reed shifted into high gear, logging 80 tackles (56 solos), 8 INTs, two of which were returned for TDs, and was a consensus first team All-American. Reed showed exemplary toughness, resiliency and resolve, not to mention a high pain threshold, during a brilliant senior campaign. During the '01 season, despite playing with separate bruised rib and shoulder separation injuries that would have put players with less desire and intensity on the shelf, he was team captain and spearheaded Miami's National Championship run. While his tackles took a dip for obvious reasons, he led the team and was second in school history with 9 INTs (Bennie Blades, 10 - '86) for a school record 209 yards and three TDs... the nine picks led the nation on a per-game basis. Miami led the nation with 45 turnovers and 27 INTs that year. In the Championship Game victory over Nebraska, he led the team with 9 tackles (6 solos). He capped off a storied career with another consensus first team All-American award, and left with the school records for career tackles and solos for DBs, as well as INTs (21 surpassed Blades 19).

Positives

• One of the best ballhawks in the league, he is an INT magnet. Reed combines voracious film study with outstanding on field instincts and intuition, the source of his uncanny anticipation, and consistent, demonstrable talent for putting himself in position to make a play on the ball. Because it about as easy to breach Ray Lewis and company's run defense as a Level Four Biohazard Containment Facility, opposing offenses are forced to pass more than they would like to at times, adding to Reed's INT opps.
• Has a lot of advanced attributes for his age... he started four years for Miami, is already considered an elite NFL SS after just two seasons in the league. His short time in the pros have been an extension, continuation and fulfillment of the maturity, charisma and leadership he demonstrated in college.
• Versatile, having played both FS and SS in his career, and is equally adept in run support or pass coverage. A rugged, hard-nosed presence in the run game, coupled with ball skills and athleticism in pass coverage, he becomes a dangerous playmaker who knows what to do with the ball in the open field once he gets his hands on it
  

Negatives

• Slightly undersized (5'11" 205) for the SS position, but remarkably durable during his stellar collegiate career, and so far with Baltimore in the pros... though he did have the shoulder separation his senior year at Miami, but was able to not only start every game, but consistently maintain a high level of play throughout the season.
• Doesn't have the speed, range or ability to close on the ball of a Sean Taylor (who does?), or the devastating striking power of Roy Williams (who does?), but he is an unusual amalgam of their respective strengths and talents. Reed more than compensates for any physical limitations or shortcomings with his ability to get wired into Offensive Coordinator's gameplan and QBs head, where he is always two steps ahead of everybody else in the anticipation and getting a jump departments.
• In real football, having one of the best MLBs in NFL history in front of you is a good thing, but it isn't conducive to racking up large tackle numbers and padding your stats in IDP leagues. Many times in his first two seasons Reed was right behind Lewis, but the tackle machine just beat him to making the play.
  

Final Thoughts

The Ravens return their defense from last year virtually intact. Star OLB Peter Boulware is struggling with a balky knee, and it is uncertain at present if he will bounce back in time for the start of the '04 season. They did draft a player just last year who is a mirror image with almost parallel skill set in Terrell Suggs (who became the second Raven, after Boulware in '97, to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year... along the way he broke the team rookie record with a 12 sack season). OLB isn't the only position generating pressure on the QB in Baltimore's 3-4 base defense. DE's Anthony Weaver and Marques Douglas began to flash more pass rushing ability as the season progressed, and this year's draft brought standout Pac-10 D-Lineman Dwan Edwards, who has the natural size, strength and athleticism to swing between DE and DT. He was their first pick in the draft, though in the mid-second round, as they traded away the rights to their '04 first round selection last year to acquire a second first round pick, with which they took Kyle Boller after Suggs. If elite CB Chris McAlister doesn't create a contract-related hassle (who along with Gary Baxter comprise one of the top CB tandems in the NFL, whose ability to play bump and run without a safety net frees Reed to roam unimpeded wherever his instincts guide him to make plays), the pieces will be in place for a repeat performance.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, maybe a well selected anecdote should be worth ten thousand, if it manages to capture the spirit of the subject under discussion. Like a caricaturist's ability to ruthlessly strip away the inessential aspects of a face and bring instant recognition of a distinctive countenance or signature expression with a few economic lines, an actual event in Reed's career might be a medium or form more up to the task of adequately conveying a sense of his football smarts, work ethic, burning desire to improve, and competitive spirit to gain any edge he can leverage to the team's advantage. As related in an account on the Raven's site, he was scoping out a slight hitch in the Cardinal long snapper's delivery during pre-game warm-ups before game 5 with Arizona last season... in which the snapper flexed his elbow immediately prior to hiking the ball to the punter, which was all the "tell" Reed needed to be effectively tipped off to the snap cadence a split second early. After hipping one of his special teams coaches to his hunch, his Sherlock Holmes-like powers of observation were rewarded handsomely when he used his head start to disrupt the timing of and bust the punt blocking formation with a quick surge up the unprotected middle, enabling him to block the punt and return it for a TD in the second quarter, of what was subsequently a 26-18 win. So there is more to the 3 blocked kicks (with 2 TD returns) in his first two seasons than his world class hand-eye coordination. Reed relentlessly picks the brains of DC Mike Nolan and secondary coach Donnie Henderson about assignments, tendencies, how things fit together into the overall game plan (he kept Henderson's cheat sheets uncovering every scheduled team's tendencies, adding to them his own observations and insights from during the year to compile a book on opponents; his secondary coach has since moved on to become the NYJ DC). "I'm always thinking about football because that's my job, and it's a lot like a chess match... Just like a financial advisor always thinks about money, or the president thinks about the well-being of the country. I'm always thinking about football because it's in my heart." Don't underestimate Reed's preparation. The value of preparedness is a thought has been echoed through the years in various ways, but converging on similar successes in different endeavors. The great Vince Lombardi said... "The harder we work, the luckier we get." Pasteur... "Chance favors the prepared mind." Legendary Brooklyn Dodger GM and talent scout Branch Rickey ventured... "Luck is the residue of design."

IDP Dynasty Tip of the Week

Walking the Tightrope - Don't Give Up On Players Too Early, OR... Hang On To Them Too Long

No special tactical advice, but just the general counsel to be cognizant of this factor in-season, and from year to year. After repeated announcements that THIS would be Hovan's year, we finally pulled the plug in the offseason, and were glad we did. Yet in that same league, we continue to hang on to Lions DE Kalimba Edwards and Saints LB Cie Grant, who are hanging on by their fingernails, like the proverbial serial cliffhanger. Sometimes there is a tendency to hang on too long to players that we feel were our finds or discoveries. Ruthlessly strip away the sentiment when evaluating roster spaces and spots, and give yourself a brutally candid self-assessment on whether you are holding players for the wrong reasons. On the flip side, and switching gears to offense, teams that gave up prematurely on Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley are seriously bumming this season.

HOT-WIRE YOUR HEAD WITH FBG IDP!