Three AFC powers struggling on defense

by Andy | Sep 21, 2009 | NFL Random Thoughts

When the season started many pundits expected New England to regain supremacy in the AFC with the return of Tom Brady. Others figured the return to health of Shawne Merriman and LaDainian Tomlinson would give San Diego a shot at finally breaking through. Still more observers figured Peyton Manning would lead Indianapolis back to Super Bowl glory.

Early on these predictions don’t look good.

New England held New York to 16 points Sunday but couldn’t score against the improving Jets’ defense. And last week Fred Jackson and the Bills ran all over New England, controlling most everything about the game except the final score.

As the fourth quarter of tonight’s Monday nighter begins the Indianapolis defense has been on the field for about 80 of the game’s 45 minutes so far. Why? Because Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are running over, around, above and under the Colts. Indy has long been undersized on the defensive line, but this performance is among the worst this team has put forth in years.

Both teams also look old and tired – especially New England, where several defensive leaders have retired or left. The trade of Richard Seymour will pay off in the long run but it added a hole to a defense that reportedly was already looking for a pass rush in the preseason.

And Baltimore and Oakland have both run the ball well against San Diego, with the Ravens pulling off a win when Ray Lewis stopped Darren Sproles on a questionable call at the end of the game.

So who looks good so far?
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Best football Oakland has seen in awhile

by Andy | Sep 14, 2009 | NFL Random Thoughts

This site has been outspoken in its ridicule of the Oakland Raiders and many of the personnel moves the team has made over the last couple years. I’ll stand by that criticism and add that I think their trading a first round pick for Richard Seymour didn’t make any sense for the long-term.

It just doesn’t make sense for a team that is a couple years away from being a contender to trade away first round picks for high-priced veterans who are pushing 30 years old. That most likely will be a top 10 or 12 pick they gave up for the former Patriot.

That said, after taking a few days off before reporting to play for the Raiders, Seymour is playing inspired football tonight against San Diego and it seems to be firing up the rest of what otherwise would be an undermanned team against San Diego.

Seymour hasn’t recorded a sack and hasn’t been credited with a lot of tackles, but he’s been lining up all over the defensive line, getting penetration, causing havoc and generally frustrating Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

It’s rubbing off, as well. Tommy Kelly, often criticized for lazy play after signing the big extension last offseason, has been just as active as Seymour. Gerard Warren has been in the mix several times as well. The Raiders’ defensive line is so controlling the game that three San Diego offensive linemen – Marcus McNeill, Louis Vasquez and Nick Hardwick – have left with injuries and their replacements have been called for at least two penalties.

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