NFL Week 4: Quick Hits

Rashard Mendenhall topped all Week 4 rushers with his 165 yard performance in his first career start

Written by: MJK

Prima Donna or Pre-Madonna? 

Much like parity in the NFL being such a constant, the NFL wide receiver always finds a way to dominate headlines a few times per season. Wide Receivers are notorious for carrying on a persona that at times can be very cocky (not always a bad thing), selfish and immature.  Two receivers that have made waves so far this season are San Francisco 49er rookie Michael Crabtree and newly acquired New York Jet, Braylon Edwards. As of this morning, both players find themselves in new and potentially exciting scenarios. 

Crabtree began causing a ruckus earlier this season when he refused to sign a contract that he deemed unfair and not up to par with the type of talent he (and others) thinks he is.  After a heralded college career that was highlighted by a game winning catch versus a then #1 ranked Texas team, Crabtree headed into this years draft almost unanimously tabbed as the best wide receiver available.  The 49ers selected him as the 10^th overall pick after many teams passed on him amid questions regarding his attitude, speed (has never ran a timed 40-yard dash in front of NFL scouts) and health (had ankle surgery in March).  The 49ers eventually offered the receiver a contract of 5 years-$20 million with a healthy $16 million in guaranteed money.  Yes, $16 million in GUARANTEED money.   Due to the slotting of players picked in front of Crabtree, San Francisco viewed this deal as fair and just in comparison to the contracts that had been given to higher picks. The contract was not relative to the public perception that Crabtree should have been taken much higher due to his world-class skill set.

For months, Crabtree and his legal entourage (I refuse to deem it a ‘legal council’ because of the reported conglomeration of has-beens that Crabtree has been consulting with that includes non-other than the esteemed M.C Hammer and Deion Sanders) have laughed at San Francisco’s proposal and in turn have insisted that Crabtree not only refuse to show up for training camp but would also sit out the entire season and re-enter the draft in 2010 with the hopes of getting drafted higher and getting the big payday he thinks he deserves. This threat, coupled with a November 17^th eligibility deadline imposed by the NFL and it seemed like Crabtree’s debut would indeed have to wait until the 2010 season. What a shame that would have been.

It all became moot conversation this morning as the two sides agreed to a contract.  While the financial terms have not been completely disclosed, the new deal is for a reported 6-years, $32 million with $17 million guaranteed.  specific performance clauses in the contract could see Crabtree earn up to $40 million.

This is very good news for San Francisco.  The team finds itself atop the NFC West with a 3-1 start.  They have rallied behind head coach Mike Singletary and his hard working, no nonsense approach and they have done this without any sort of offensive cohesiveness. It is definitely going to take a good amount of time for Crabtree to come in and actually produce, but at least now it is a matter of when and not if.   It’s hard to determine exactly what Crabtree’s value to the team will be going forward.  If he is able to come in, work hard and learn the nuances of an NFL playbook with any sort of promptness than he could have an impact much sooner than I think anyone would have anticipated.  That being said, it is ALWAYS difficult for a rookie receiver to have success in the NFL and he has not done himself any favors by missing so much time.  One thing is for sure, now is the time for the receiver to prove to everyone that he was right in making a fuss about his self-worth.

As for Braylon Edwards, his season has been almost as unproductive but for reasons on the contrary. Edwards has played in all four games this season, but has produced at a level that is unwarranted for the natural game breaking abilities he does possess. Edwards broke out with the Browns in 2007 after posting a ridiculous 80-catch, 1289-yard, 16-touchdown season.  Everyone was ready to anoint him as the next elite wide receiver.  But in 2008 he regressed mightily. Not only did his numbers tumble a great deal (55-catches-873 yards-3 touchdowns) but he dropped almost one ball per four catches (14 drops, 55 catches), a horrible ratio.  The start to the 2009 season for Edwards has been anything but special and all of this culminated with an altercation at a Cleveland nightclub that saw Edwards allegedly assault a friend of NBA superstar Lebron James.  Cleveland (although they refuse to admit it had any bearing in the decision to trade him) had no choice and Edwards' ride with the Dog Pound had to come to an end.  Wednesday morning they shipped their troubled receiver east to the New York Jets.

For the Browns, the move is a bit head scratching. Edwards provided the team with the only sort of offensive spark any opposing defense had to game plan around.  Even so, I think they were justified in making the deal.  For the Jets, the move seems to be the final piece to the puzzle for an already stacked football team.  Think of the Jets like a fine art museum.  They house a number of works of art that are nice enough to draw a crowd but not necessarily sexy enough to keep people coming back. Take for example their top ranked defense, or their rookie quarterback or two-running back approach.  All good enough to win games but not in the most exciting of ways. Now throw in a game breaking wide receiver to accommodate and suddenly we have a Mona Lisa.  A Van Gogh. A Rembrandt. 

The Jets were winning without a great deal of balance before this trade.  The run would set up the pass, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez would bootleg to out routes down the sideline and they would take the occasional shot down field once defensive safety help started to crowd the box to stop the run. All of this just to watch the offense lean on the defense series after series in the hope that they would come up with enough big stops to win the game. 

Braylon Edwards changes all of this. His ability to stretch the field will now open up everything for this offense. He is the sort of deep threat that teams will now look to double team on a consistent basis. This does a multitude of things. Safeties will no longer be able to crowd the box. The Jets feature one of the games best offensive lines, a big reason why Sanchez has been able to keep his jersey clean for the most part and why the team has such success running the ball. The double teams of Edwards will allow even more holes in the defense as teams will look to stop the big play downfield. Running backs Leon Washington and Thomas Jones should be salivating. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will now be able to move to a more comfortable and natural #2 receiver spot that will allow him to flank Edwards and utilize his fantastic hands as a possession receiver. Tight end Dustin Keller will find himself with more room to work between the hashes to get open and continue his already growing rapport with Sanchez.  And of course, Sanchez now has what every quarterback in the NFL covets: A true game breaking wide receiver.

All of this adds up to the Jets now looking to give their cross-town rivals the Giants, the Vikings and to a lesser extent the Patriots and Ravens a run at being THE most complete team in the NFL.   I do not think the Jet’s will lose their identity and start forcing throws downfield right away but given the current maturation process of Sanchez, New York now finds themselves with plenty of weapons for the ball to go around. Of course much of Edwards and the teams success will fall on Sanchez’s ability to eliminate those dreaded rookie mistakes. Pair those concerns with Edwards potential discipline from the NFL for his scrap over the weekend and a faith that he will be able to shake the knack for all those dropped balls that have plagued him throughout his career and we will have to temper our expectations for the time being. Personally, I think those drops had more to do with his not wanting to be in Cleveland as well as the Browns inconsistent quarterback play in recent seasons. Only time will tell, but it looks like the Jets now have all the pieces in place to make a run at the super bowl this season and in future seasons.

Whew. That was a long one- how about a speed round for the duration of the post? Lets Go!

Speed Round: 40 words or less

Big Ups:

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh- This was a long time coming but Mendenhall finally got his chance and broke out in a big way. 29 carries-165 yards-2 touchdowns. Fast Willie Parker's days may be numbered.

“The Other” Steve Smith, WR, NYG- This train keeps on rollin as Smith hauled in another 11 catches for 134 and 2 touchdowns. He now leads the NFL in receptions (34) and yards (411).

Matt Forte, RB, Chi- After struggling to get going for most of the season Forte finally got over the hump. 12 carries-121 yards-2 touchdowns. Good for an impressive 10.1 yards per carry versus the hapless Lions.

Brett Favre, QB, Minn.- He is making the national love fest impossible to ignore. My predication of 0 TD’s and 2 INT’s now sounds worse than egg and mayonnaise pizza. Or not. Thanks Brett.

Low Downs:

Tennessee Titans- The Titans fell to 0-4 after a 37-17 beat down by Jacksonville.  The defense is struggling and quarterback Kerry Collins has already received the dreaded vote of confidence.  Let’s see some Vince Young action!

Green Bay Packer Offensive Line- The word offensive serves as a double entendre here. This unit has given up 20 sacks in 4 games. If Aaron Rodgers cant stay on his feet, the Cheeseheads wont be sniffing the postseason.

0-4 Teams- Dear the Chiefs, Bucs, Browns, Rams and aforementioned Titans.  See ya next season.

Signed,

Rational Thinking

Injury Hits:

Eli Manning, QB, NYG- Diagnosed with the artist formerly known as a bruised heel, plantar fasciitis.  Status for this week is uncertain. David Carr will get the start if Manning cant go.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit- "It just kind of slid out.”  That’s what Stafford had to say about his minor knee dislocation he suffered versus the Bears.  Not the best thing to hear. Daunte Culpepper will get the start if Stafford can’t go.

Roy Williams- WR, Dallas- Took a shot to the ribs after Tony Romo left him high and dry on a throw. Say’s he will play this weekend but something to keep an eye on.

Play of the Week:
Brandon Marshall's game winning 51-yard catch and run touchdown

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