NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Quarterback (3)

Jake Delhomme

Seneca Wallace

Colt McCoy

Analysis:

Jake Delhomme had an amazing preseason for the club this year. Wallace is going to add another weapon to this team that is going to give Defensive Coordinators headaches all week long.  McCoy has struggled and there are rumors of the kid  getting cut but I can't see Heckert and Holmgren giving up on him so early in his career after they have stated he isn't going to play a down this year.

Running Back (5)

Jerome Harrison

Peyton Hillis

Lawerence Vickers

James Davis

Chris Jennings

Analysis:

Harrison is going to be the starter since Hardesty has been sidelined with a torn ACL. Vickers and Hillis add another dimension to the Browns running game that they haven't had in my lifetime. Two backs that are going to out muscle you and you can't do anything about it.  This is where it gets dicey, Davis or Jennings? Davis had the outstanding preseason last year before he got injured in the season opener. Jennings has proved he is a good special teams player and can be an average back if needed during the season.  With Montario going down the Browns could keep both of these guys and thats exactly what i think is goin to happen.

Receivers (6)

Mohamed Massaquoi

Brian Robiskie

Josh Cribbs

Carlton Mitchell

Bobby Engram

Chansi Stuckey

Analysis:

The team is very young at this position and is going to have to grow up real fast if we want a shot at the AFC North. Massaquoi and Robiskie are going to be the starters against the Bucs on the 12th. Cribbs is growing into a nice looking receiver but is going to have to prove it during the regular season. Carlton Mitchell and Engram are going to round out this group adding height, athletic ability, and veteran leadership.

Offensive Line: (9)

Joe Thomas

Alex Mack

Floyd Womack

Eric Steinbach

Shawn Lauvao

Tony Pashos

John St. Clair

Scott Kooistra

Billy Yates

Analysis:

The Offensive line is the strength to this football team in 2010. This group is the best in the AFC North and its been awhile sine we have been able to say that about our team. Winning football games in the NFL starts with the offensive line and I'm excited about our chances with this O-line.

Tight Ends (4)

Evan Moore

Ben Watson

Robert Royal

Alex Smith

Analysis:

Watson was signed by the Patriots and looks to be a great pick up for the team. Evan Moore continues to grow into the position and should see a lot of time this season. Royal is going to be a special team-er and play some on the goal-line.

Defensive Line (6)

Shaun Rogers

Ahtyba Rubin

Robaire Smith

C.J. Mosley

Brian Schaefering

Kenyon Coleman

Analysis:

With the possibility of Rogers going on the PUP list the team could add another player to the Defensive line. They just signed Travis Ivey a rookie out of Maryland that was released by the Dolphins this past week who could make the team. The team needs to be able to stop the run better then what they have this past preseason.

Linebackers (9)

Matt Roth

Marcus Bernard

Justin Trusnick

Blake Costanzo

Eric Barton

Scott Fujita

D'Qwell Jackson

David Bowens

Kaluka Maiava

Analysis:

The Linebacker position has been a weakness for this team for quite awhile. This off season the team added Super Bowl Champion Scott Fujita and signed a diamond in the rough player in Matt Roth last season. The position should be better this season then in years past but still needs some help. I predict David Veikune to be cut on Saturday.

Defensive Backs: (8)

Joe Haden

Mike Adams

Sheldon Brown

Eric Wright

Abe Elam

T.J. Ward

Larry Asante

Deangelo Smith

Analysis:

This position was the most improved this off season through the NFL Draft and a trade. The team selected Joe Haden with the seventh pick in the draft and added T.J Ward in the Second Round. Eric Wright looks to be ready to be the leader of this secondary.

Special Teams: (3)

Phil Dawson

Reggie Hodges

Ryan Pontbriand

Analysis:

The team has the best special teams in the NFL.  Phil Dawson is the lone player left on the roster since the team has been back in 99.  Hodges made the team with Zastudil going  down for the year. Pontbriand made another Pro Bowl and has been a great asset for the team.

With Saturday the deadline for NFL teams to cut their rosters down to the final 53 players, the New England Patriots announced that offensive lineman Eric Ghiaciuc and defensive lineman Damione Lewis have been released.  Tight ends Rob Myers and Carson Butler have been waived as well.

Lewis' release is not a big surprise, seeing as he was working with the second unit and projected as the fifth defensive lineman on the depth chart in the best possible scenario. Following Lewis' release, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke highly of the ten year veteran. "I like a lot of things about Damione. He's a solid guy, a good player, he worked hard, he's smart. In the end, we felt like we had some other people ahead of him. That's what it came down to."

Ghiaciuc was viewed as the most experienced competitor in the battle for the backup center/guard position on the Patriots roster when he was signed during training camp. His release also comes as no shock either after the impressive play of second year offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger, who started at right guard on Thursday night against the Giants.

Myers, a second year tight end from Utah State, spent time on the Patriots' practice squad last season and could potentially return again if he clears waivers. Butler, also a second year tight end from Michigan, could return as a member of the eight man practice squad if he clears waivers as well.

All NFL teams must inform the league by 4 p.m. Eastern Saturday of their final cuts, and can sign players to their practice squad on Sunday. Even after the final cuts are made and practice squad assembled, Belichick indicated today that there could additional roster moves made before the Patriots begin preparations for next Sunday's regular season opener versus Cincinnati. Presently, New England is at 71 players and has 18 more moves to go to get down to the final 53.

Offensive guard Reggie Wells has been traded to the Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick, though it's presumed to be a 2011 sixth-round pick.

With this move, the second trade with the Eagles in a week, Deuce Lutui will reclaim his starting job after reporting to camp late, weighing nearly 400 lbs.  It's not exacly clear how much Lutui weighs at this point, but obviously he's fit enough to take the starting job away from Wells.

Wells concludes his 7-year career with Arizona after being selected by the Cardinals in the 6th round of the 2003 draft.  Once the Cardinals signed offensive linemen Rex Hadnot and Alan Faneca in the off-season, it seemed that at least one lineman wouldn't make it to the regular season.

Was this Troy Smith's Last game as a Raven?

I'm still not sure yet.

But what I did see last night was pretty indicative of what type of player Smith is at this stage of his career. He has very good arm strength but displays little touch or accuracy on most of his throws. But he can tease you with his passing ability. He threw a laser on the slant to Justin Harper that was placed perfectly and yet can't connect on a fade to Marcus Smith. He can be dangerous when running with the ball and you'd have to think if the Ravens do keep him that they would want to develop some Wildcat type packages for him. But, there are still too many times when he looks to tuck and run too soon.

Of course to be fair, Smith was working with an Offensive Line that was mediocre at best and a receiving core that didn't do him any favors on some throws too.

But in the end summation, and cue Dennis Green- Smith was what we thought he was – an average to below average quarterback who is a third stringer on this team. Weather that will be enough to keep a spot for him is still up for speculation. Is another Corner or Linebacker more valuable than Smith as this point? Does Smith have any trade value or was that just a fantasy to begin with? For what it's worth I think he stays.

Who makes the cut and who's bubble will burst?

David Reed (Good call Gene Winner!) showed well again under the bright lights even though he struggled during camp. He led the team in receiving yards yesterday and if he read on block just right could have had a long gain on a kick return. Edgar Jones really helped his case last night. He was very active off the edge and is still in the mix. Jason Phillips had nine tackles last night but was fooled badly on play-action a few times. Is he worth keeping as a Special Teamer? Marcus Smith is a force on Special Teams but looked bad last night. He struggled getting out of breaks and showed suspect hands. Ken Hamlin looked like a guy who would have rather been in a Dentist chair than competing for a job with rookies. He should be shown the door.

What was Dannell Ellerbee thinking?

I hate the fact the NFL has taken some of the passion and joy out of playing football but Ellerbee's antics didn't make much sense. Of course now the word is that this is why Ellerbee hasn't won the starting job yet even though every time he's on the field he makes positive plays.

I liked Harbaugh's reaction as he was quick to find Ellerbee and was forceful in getting his point across about how "classless" he thought his actions were. Sometimes Harbaugh can be a bit more passive-aggressive when it comes to enforcing team policies but this time he showed some fire.

But I do tend to wonder if his reaction would have been the same if another player would have done it like Ed Reed or Derrick Mason. I realize that the vets get different treatment but I have a feeling it would not have been the same scene.

For those of you have been reading my stuff for awhile, you've probably noticed that I tend to pursue statistical analysis to supplement what my eyes are telling me about what is going on with the NY Giants.

But this is one question I'll need your help answering because there is no statistical measure of heart. But it is perhaps the fundamnetally most important question the Giants need to answser during this season.

Is there any leadership on this team?

Is there any drive on this team…or are the players willing to rest on their 2007 season.

I think there is no denying that the Giants are one of the most talented teams in the league.

Eli Manning is a franchise Quarterback, Bradshaw is talented (as is Jacobs when healthy and motivated). The WR group is talented and the OL Plays well together (I think this year they are more talented athletically then they have been in a long time with Shawn Andrews, Will Beatty, and Mitch Petrus as the backups). The DL is LOADED with talent as is the secondary, (the linebackers are a question mark).

The 2007 Giants had Drive. They were road warrios. They played, perhaps, the toughest schedule in the league and they won all but one game on the road. The 2008 team was like that as well. They KNEW they were the better team and they came out and pounded it into you with submission.

And then the Plaxico Shot happened and the team has not played with that swagger since.

Burning Question #4 Do the Giants have any heart?

Let's hear what you guys have to say. I think this is the biggest question abou the potential of the season as far as I'm concerned. (You can tie in with this question is their any player leadership? As coughlin lost the team? Are the players satisifed with being former Superbowl Champs and a .500 team).

Let's hear it!

Speaking of "hearing it" from people. Brandon Jacobs has something to say (again!)

So I suppose I Should also relay the information about Brandon Jacobs unhappiness stemming from the inevitable position demotion.

via profootballtalk.com

"No one's your friend in this business," Jacobs told ESPN.com. "This is a cutthroat, backstabbing business. That's just the way it goes. It's been like that before me. If you expect anything else out of a business like this, you're crazy."

Via The Newark star Ledger

It's almost hard to stay positive in a situation like this, but that's what I've got to do. If I would have stayed making minimum, this wouldn't be a problem," Jacobs said told ESPN New York. "Once you get paid, you're always in danger of running into problems like this. It doesn't matter who you are or what team or organization you play for, that's just the way it is."

I love watching Jacobs play on the field when he's on and some of his interview stuff is funny to read, but I'm not really a fan of the griping from professional athletes. boo oo I'm getting paid millions of dollars to not start.

Don't talk about it, be about it, Jacobs. Let's go. Let's see some fire. Take back your starting position.

ESPN is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys have sent WR Patrick Crayton to the San Diego Chargers for a seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Entry Draft.  Crayton, who was due to make $2 million this season, has voiced his displeasure about his position on the team since they drafted first round pick Dez Bryant in April.

Crayton made a couple of comments like "I'm the insurance policy" and "If I'm here in September I'll be surprised".  It comes as no shock that Crayton was moved.  The Cowboys have been impressed with some of their youngsters in camp like Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley and Manny Johnson.  Rumours had been going around that fellow receiver Sam Hurd could also be moved, but with Crayton moving on, Hurd should be safe.

The move of Crayton will be a lift for the Chargers who need some quality depth at the position since it looks like last year's star wideout Vincent Jackson will not be back with the team this season and possibly ever.  Crayton brings great hands and a firey attitude to the Chargers who no doubt took a look at the receiver when they played back in week 3 of the preseason.