Around the League (Non-Jets Specific News)

Dolphins won’t commit to Ryan Tannehill as starter

Superman55 wrote:

SackExchange wrote:I still think the Pats have to be favored. But there is still this presumption of them being automatic, engraved division champs already. Anyone who has seen them play these first three weeks can't have anywhere near that same level of confidence.

...but no one dares pick against them until they see them not winning the division every year.  Yes, they slipped up vs Miami, but currently sit on top of the division even after looking average so far.

I don't know if you agree or not, but I feel the nation just believes in the Pats situation (Bill and Brady) more than the Bills, Phins, and Jets until one of those teams prove otherwise; and even now, Jets, Phins, and Bills had chances to prove doubters wrong...and our timeout, Tannehill now under 60% completion...and the Bills yesterday at home looking like that (Miami was at home too)?  I wouldn't say someone has jumped out and put a stake in a ground and proved they're going to challenge the crown.  if the Jets wanted to make that statement, they wouldn't have blown that game last week against an 8-8 or worse caliber team.  We haven't made anyone believers yet, IMO.  Tonight could be a statement game, but seeing is believing.

Buzz on Joe Haden's struggles 

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After Joe Haden made his first Pro Bowl last season, the Cleveland Browns gave him a five-year, $68 million contract. He hasn't lived up to the big deal yet, as he has no interceptions and only one pass defended in three games this season. Furthermore, he was burned Sunday by veteran WR Steve Smith Sr. for a 32-yard play that helped the Baltimore Ravens win the game. 

Needless to say, his coach isn't pleased. 

“He’s played well at times, but as you can see, at some inopportune times he’s not played well,” coach Mike Pettine said Monday, per the Chronicle-Telegram. “I think he’ll admit that, as well. 

"That’s what we talk about. The great ones are going to make big plays when it’s needed, and I think that’s one area where Joe will look to improve.” 

Will Haden get back to form this season? Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson thinks he will: 



Sam Monson
Players who have regressed most

"The offseason was full of talk about the best cornerbacks in football and the impact of tracking or shadowing receivers on that debate. Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson and Haden were the three players to earn big-money contract extensions over the offseason, and of the three, only Haden has been tracking receivers to start this season. Sadly for him, it has not been going well. Only two corners have a worse PFF grade after three games and he has already been beaten for two scores. Haden has been targeted 17 times and has allowed a catch on 13 of those balls, failing to break up a single one directly and yielding a passer rating of 155.3 when tested, just three points shy of a perfect score. Can he turn it around? This run of form has come somewhat out of the blue for Haden. He is the only big-name, top-level corner to start the season tracking receivers, but this is not a new task for Haden, who did it well a year ago. Though he has been badly beaten up over three weeks, he has too much ability for that to last over the course of the season."

Manuel's kryptonite: deep throws? 

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As a rookie, Buffalo Bills QB EJ Manuel completed 58.8 percent of his passes, ranking 29th among qualified quarterbacks. After three games this season, Manuel improved to 63.2 percent, but that still leaves him only 24th among his peers. 

However, an argument can be made that even the completion percentage he has posted is inflated by dump-off passes. 

"You want to talk completion percentage? On passes to his running backs and tight end [Sunday], Manuel completed 16 of 18. On throws to his wide receivers, he went 7 for 21 and didn’t have a completion of more than 16 yards," wrote Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News. 

"So Manuel’s accuracy is largely a function of dumping the ball off to his backs and tight end. When he has to throw down the field to his wideouts, which is vital when you’re coming from behind, he tends to struggle." 

Per ESPN Stats & Information, only 17 percent of Manuel's passes during the first two games this season went farther than 10 yards. He completed eight of 15 for 13.2 yards per catch. On Sunday, 31 percent of his throws were for more than 10 yards, and he had far less success, completing just three of 12 for 4.3 yards per catch. 

Obviously, he is going to have to improve on his deep balls in order to prove he is an NFL-level starter. Until that happens, there will be more glaringly bad stats posted by the second-year quarterback: 



Mike Rodak
Manuel's 8.4 QBR is NFL's worst in Week 3

"[Q]uarterback EJ Manuel currently has the lowest Total QBR in Week 3, prior to Monday Night Football. In fact, Manuel's 8.4 Total QBR in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers is the second-lowest Total QBR in any game this season. Only Chad Henne's 4.1 Total QBR in Week 2 was worse. Further, Manuel's 8.4 Total QBR was the second-lowest of his career. In a Week 14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, Manuel posted a 3.8 Total QBR. In three games this season, Manuel has a 31.1 Total QBR. Only Minnesota's Matt Cassel, Miami'sRyan Tannehill and Henne have lower Total QBRs."

Fins players questioning their DC? 

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The Miami Dolphins entered the 2014 season with a defense that was largely expected to be a quality group. The concern may have been a lack of depth and some potential holes, particularly at linebacker. However, they have allowed at least 29 points each of the first three weeks, including 34 points to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in their second straight loss. 

Just three games in, some of the Dolphins defensive players are pointing fingers upward. 

"One source said Dolphins players are 'beyond furious, irate' at [DC Kevin] Coyle’s defensive adjustments and game plan," wrote Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. 

"Players are privately questioning a host of decisions, including Coyle’s call to have Cameron Wake and Jason Trusnik cover speedy Chiefs running back Joe McKnight in space, said another. McKnight exploited the matchups and had two touchdown catches in the second half Sunday." 

Surely, the players can take responsibility for some of the Fins defensive woes after missing plenty of tackles Sunday. Still, it's concerning that players already are questioning their DC after Week 3. 

"And the finger pointing begins," wrote ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker. "It only took a couple losses in a row for the blame game to start in Miami. Things will get interesting fast if the losing continues."

jamesfyo123 wrote:The AP reports that Dennis Allen is out in Oakland. Can't say I'm surprised.

hobson54 wrote:Kyle Orton to replace EJ Manuel as starter for the Bills

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11613360/kyle-orton-takes-ej-manuel-buffalo-bills-qb

SackExchange wrote:

hobson54 wrote:Kyle Orton to replace EJ Manuel as starter for the Bills

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11613360/kyle-orton-takes-ej-manuel-buffalo-bills-qb

Ouch! That hurts any hope of Manuel being their answer at QB.

NCgreen12 wrote:Amazing how since Tom Brady appeared neither the Bills, Dolphins or Jets have been able to acquire a franchise QB to match him. Yet a team like Indy goes comfortably from one HOF'er to potentially another. Sometimes you got to suck at the right time and we haven't.    

cysporsche wrote:Da"Rick Rogers WR was just released by the Colts.

Go Jets...Cyborg

Old#15 wrote:

cysporsche wrote:Da"Rick Rogers WR was just released by the Colts.

Go Jets...Cyborg

Saw that and apparently Rodgers' DUI is the cause.  Kid has a boatload of talent, but a knucklehead.  Was kicked off UT Vols team and ended up at Middle Tennessee and made it as an undrafted FA for the Colts.  After a breakout game last year, I was hoping that he may have figured it out.  Guess I was wrong.