NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett could be on the hot seat this season if the team doesn’t deliver offensively. Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News writes that while Garrett is being groomed as the team’s next head coach, he could fall out of favor. Sherrington writes that the general feeling seems to be that Garrett will be the next head coach, and Sherrington’s got no reason to argue with that. He has all the weapons now, if the offensive line holds up. If the offense doesn’t deliver this year, Sherrington could see Garrett falling from favor.

Pat White could be the secret weapon for the Dolphins in 2010, as reports from sources say that he’s put on 18 pounds of muscle this offseason, and is looking great according to coach Tony Sparano.

“Pat has done a great job right now,” Sparano said via the team's website. “His offseason has been outstanding. The guy has put an awful lot of time in, I mean he really has. I mean all of these quarterbacks have to their credit. But, I'm talking about time like second week of February, like kicking them out of here when Super Bowl teams are practicing and those kinds of things.

“He's put a lot of time in, watched a lot of tape, has done a lot of studying on his own and with (quarterbacks coach) David Lee. So, I think that you can start to see some of that right now. … You're starting to see him hit some things a little bit quicker, get to some second and third progressions a little bit quicker.”

White last season ran for 81 yards, and was 0-for-5 passing, but if he keeps on this pace, there is no question that Sparano will have him a lot more in the game plan for 2010.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports that Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss has filed paperwork with the NFLPA to sever ties with Tim DiPiero, his longtime, West Virginia-based agent. Moss is reportedly conducting a search for new representation.

The 33-year old Moss is entering the final season on a three-year, $27 million dollar contract, which he signed after catching 98 passes for 1,493 yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdowns during the 2007 season, his first with the Patriots organization. In addition to Moss, DiPiero represents long-snappers Sam Scroggins (Detroit) and Chris Massey (St. Louis), as well as Washington Redskins defensive lineman Darrion Scott.

The obvious choice is often-injured Jerious Norwood.  One week “Mysterious Jerious” shows us glimpses of stardom, only to go down the following week.  He is a more talented athlete than Burner Turner but cannot fight off the injury bug.  A pure home run hitter in every sense of the imagination, but what will his role be this season? 

Jason Snelling has proven his worth.  Michael Turner has lost weight and is in tremendous shape.  Return Specialist?  Third Down Back?  I thought he would be a difference-maker by now with his electrifying speed.  With that being said, I like three youngsters on the defensive side of the rock to rise up to the occasion and breakthrough on to the scene for Atlanta in 2010.

- Safety William Moore:  The second round selection from Mizzou appeared in only two games registering  just two tackles in ‘09.  Look for him to replace Erik Coleman, who is merely a stop-gap for a secondary that added Pro-Bowl CB Dunta Robinson in the off-season.  Coleman is not the solution, he’s too small and doesn’t make enough plays, barely being average.  Moore is the answer.   The Falcons need a more aggressive play making strong safety next to Thomas DeCoud, and Moore fits the description.  He’s got an abundance of athletic gifts at his disposal and if he stays healthy he will give Falcon fans something to cheer for on Sundays.  

The former Tiger was an All-State High School WR/CB and an All-American at the collegiate level, so he surely possesses the special characteristics to become a ball hawk for the Birds.  Already a dynamic hitter, Moore has a golden opportunity to astound and intimidate with his play.  Heading into the ’09 Draft (should’ve came out as a junior as a Top 10 pick) he was undoubtedly without hesitation my #1 rated safety, drawing strong comparisons to All-Pro Adrian Wilson.  I have to believe he has what it takes to force momentum shifting turnovers, forming a solid 1-2 punch with DeCoud.  And if you don’t believe me look no further than his junior year, when he recorded an astonishing eight interceptions, I think that speaks for itself.       

- Cornerback Christopher Owens:  Another case where the guy ahead of him in the depth chart (as of now) is mediocre and just filling in.  Owens will supplant Brent Grimes and become the starting corner opposite Dunta Robinson.  The ‘09 third round draft choice from San Jose State started six games and capped off a decent rookie campaign with a pick in the final two affairs.  Expect the upper-echelon athlete to carry over his strong play and play a key role defending the opposing team’s #2 WR and speedy slot receivers.  

Owens will receive a vast majority of the attention as teams will test him first seeing the acquisition of Dunta.  Ideally balls will be thrown his way more often that not.  Indeed plenty of chances to show his worth, which makes him a prime breakthrough candidate to make plays in a revamped Atlanta secondary.     

- Linebacker Stephen Nicholas:  I like how Atlanta drafts top-notch athletes on defense.  Nicholas made a name for himself last season stepping foot on the gridiron in all 16 contests, starting 13, while producing 80 tackles, three sacks and passes defensed, two stuffs (tackles for loss), and a forced fumble.  However, the former South Florida Bull will be challenged by Mizzou first round rookie Sean Weatherspoon.  It will certainly give him extra motivation to keep his starting position intact. 

Also keep in mind MLB Mike Peterson is getting up there in age and is still injury prone.  Nicholas has the size to play the middle and speed to play outside.  Because of his versatility, he’s an integral piece in Atlanta’s plan on D.  Team him up with budding star tackling machine Curtis Lofton and the intriguing Weatherspoon and you have the makings of a special bunch.

Tim Lester, Jon Wittman, Dan Kreider, John L. Williams.

A couple players in the past that have been and were solid fullbacks for the Black and Gold, opening holes for the likes of Jerome Bettis, Eric Pegram, Barry Foster and others.

Now the Steelers feature back is former first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, and coming into the 2010 season, there’s no doubt the Steelers have at least talked about running the ball a whole lot more.

So where does a fullback fit into the picture? Count Mendenhall in as a player that would like to see the Steelers employ a blocker. One name that comes to mind to fill the hole – Frank “The Tank” Summers, whose rookie year in 2009 was cut short due to a back injury.

"A fullback in the backfield he can probably see a lot of things a tight end couldn't," said Mendenhall. "(Fullbacks) being ballcarriers they know what you're trying to do, they know where you're trying to go and they can get there before you so a lot of times the fullback will end up at the same place after reading a play."

Mendenhall had a solid season after the team realized that Willie Parker couldn’t handle the load and wasn’t the same player he was a few years back. All Mendenhall did was rush for 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns. Imagine what he could do with someone opening holes for him like Summers.

"Frank's starting to pick up on things and things are becoming more natural for him," Mendenhall said. "He played a lot of running back so he can see and feel those things out."

Maybe it’s time to get back to power football, otherwise known as “Steeler Football.” It would be a welcome sight for Mendenhall.