Camp Days:
Camp opens
tomorrow though there will be no real action until Saturday.� Here are some keys I�ll be looking at this
summer:
Quarterback,
the search for #2:� Kordell is the incumbent; we know what Graham
has to offer and we know that it is not enough.� Tee Martin gets high marks for leadership, intangibles,
athleticism and arm strength.� The rap
on this man has been accuracy, especially on the short ball; Toy and Ward
project as RAC-aces but only if the ball arrives on time and in-stride.� To be a legit #2, Martin has to show he can consistently
hit a receiver on the move.� He needs to
show he can read a defense too but, with the vanilla-only schemes purveyed in
mid-summer ball, there�ll be no judging his progress in that area.��
Tommy Maddox hit
long and short in the XFL but there is a real question whether the 2001 Xtreme
could have beaten the 2000-01 Sooners or Seminoles.� It is a different game in the NFL and the difference is all about
speed.� In the XFL, Maddox had success
against D-backs who aren�t quite quick enough to be training camp fodder.� Probably, the 2nd half of any
pre-season game will be a step-up for Tommy.��
However, if either he or Tee is to be tested as viable alternatives at
#2, they�ll have to get some 1st half opportunities this summer,
against 1st unit defenses.
Running back,
inter-modal transport: There�s
been a lot of talk about Coach Mularkey�s revised passing attack but what about
the run game?� Other than Watters and
Smith, the Bus has made more trips than any RB in football.� Bettis has a 6-year deal but, if the Stillers
want more than a couple years service from this man, they�ll have to cut his
carry totals down.� Bettis fits the
power-I but neither back up does; Amoz lacks size and Fu lacks durability.� All this suggests that the Stillers are
headed towards some alternative, whether a change-up back ala Pegram or a
change-up base formation featuring both Fu and Amoz. They�ll have every
opportunity to work either deal during pre-season because, probably, the Bus won�t
get 15 carries between now and the opener. ����
�����������
Fullback, the
search for the next John L. Williams:� Rod Frazier is 5�-11�, 255#.� That�s Kreider-height with 13# added; maybe
Rod can block.� Frazier went to pass-happy
Florida; maybe he can catch the ball.�
I�d like to see this player emerge as a multiple purpose FB; with
Kurpeikis, this is the man I�d most like to see make it as a rookie FA.
WR, money for
nothing:� The Stillers have $2.163M/year in bonus
dollars dedicated to Spike and Toy; add their combined salaries and you�re
talking real cash.� RFA Hines Ward and
Bobby Shaw are currently listed as starters at this position; combined, the
Stillers will pay these players something around $1.22M this year.� If the FO was correct in drafting Edwards
and Burress, then the Stillers may be playoff contenders now but if not,
not.� If �Toy and Spike are ready now, then the FO could shop Shaw or Ward
to, say, the Chiefs for, say, CB Pat Dennis.�
��
OL, the
search for the next Strzelczyk:� Keydrick Vincent is 6�-5�, 330#. Vincent
played LOT at Mississippi but lacks the agility to do so in the NFL.� He is currently listed as a ROT but has the
bulk to move inside.� The Stillers have
need for a OT/G; Keydrick is #3 on my rookie FA watch list.� Strzelczyk spent a couple years on the PS
before making the regular roster, maybe Vincent is the next Justin, maybe the
next Orlandini.
NT, Hampton
or bust:� If Casey can�t figure it out, Clancy is not
a viable alternative.� Even booster-extraordinaire
Bob Labriola figures that KVO will move back inside with either Sullie or Combs
pressed into service at DE.� Hampton
will get every opportunity �and I think
he�ll do fine.� Until last year, Coach
Cowher sat his rookies but, in 2000, Spike and Marvel started from day one and
so will Casey.� My guess is that Hampton
will finish 3rd in the NFL D-side ROY ballot; Carter, Morgan or
Archuleta will win� Further, Hampton
will be the D-side captain by 2004 but, ultimately, Kendrell Bell will be the
better player.
DE:� Reportedly,
Combs is up to 294# or so.� That�s good
news; last year, this man lacked speed, bulk and strength.� Now, he�s bigger anyway and, while
neither KVO nor
Smith are exceptional POA players, Combs� development could give the Stillers a
much need 2nd two-gap player to pair with Hampton.
LB:�
The future resides with Porter and Bell; while neither has the state of
the art speed Urlacher and Arrington bring, both are pretty close to that
level.� I can�t think of a team that has
two LB with this kind of speed.� Porter
has to learn to play the run better and Bell, if he is to be the coverage
backer, has to learn cover.� That
accomplished, the D-Head will have to figure a way to get both of these players
on the field, but off the LOS, on every down.
CB:� Coming
out of college, Hank Poteat was regarded as a quality man-up cover back.� Given the Stillers contractual issues at
this position, they�ll need this man to confirm that evaluation, if not now,
then very shortly.
S:� Purportedly,
Logan was brought in to compete with Alexander at FS.� Logan is an athlete; Alex was the QB in the 2000 secondary.� Why not both?� Logan is 6�-0�, 209#; SS Lee Flowers is 6�-0�, 211#.� Logan is big enough to play SS and is much
faster than Flowers.� Work Logan at both
spots; if he can play SS, then the Stillers will have a man there with
Lake-esque speed and will have a valuable trade chip in Lethon Flowers.�