[an error occurred while processing this directive] 11/17/2009

Maurice Jones-Drew makes his case for mid-season MVP

Maurice Jones-Drew
Getty Images

Incredibly, the presence of Maurice Jones-Drew seems to balance out the scales for the Jaguars, writes DMN's Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

11/10/2009

AFC North-leading Bengals no longer a bunch of misfits

Texas-ex Cedric Benson has had new life in Cincinnati. He is second in the AFC with 837 rushing yards.
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A collection of castoffs, misfits and oversights in Cincinnati have staged a miraculous turnaround that has the Bengals atop the AFC North with a 6-2 record at the season's midway point, writes DMN's Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter. This from a team that started the 2008 season 0-8 and finished 4-12.

11/03/2009

Tate worth the wait for the New England Patriots

New England's Brandon Tate (left) made his debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 25.
AP

When you have an abundance of draft picks, as the New England Patriots did last April, you can swing for the fences on a few. When they claimed North Carolina wide receiver Brandon Tate in the third round, they might have gotten a draft-day steal, writes Rick Gosselin in his Inside the NFL newsletter.

10/27/2009

When Green Bay told Favre to pack, Chargers should have listened

Brett Favre (left) and LaDainian Tomlinson are veterans who forced their teams to make tough decisions.
AP | Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers had to choose between a young player on the rise and the face of the franchise at the same position in 2008. The Packers made the right decision, the Chargers did not, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

10/20/2009

The liveliest quarter in New Orleans is the first

Early leads are helping the New Orleans Saints defense stop opponents' running attacks.
AP

The New Orleans Saints are adopting the blueprint of the 2007 New England Patriots. Bludgeon your foe early. Get on top, stay on top, stay unbeaten. The Saints are 5-0 and have not trailed, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

10/13/2009

Arizona Cardinals paying special attention to special teams

Ken Whisenhunt has acquired a number of players for the Arizona Cardinals who have excelled in special teams.
Getty Images

Special teams have always held the Arizona Cardinals back. Now the kicking game may help propel the Cardinals ahead, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

10/06/2009

Defensive coaching changes propel Saints, Broncos to undefeated records

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Broncos defender Elvis Dumervil during Sunday's game in Denver.
VERNON BRYANT / DMN

A lack of defense prevented the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints from post-season play in 2008, but these woes have been remedied with the Broncos hiring of Mike Nolan and the Saints Gregg Williams, writes DMN pro football columnist Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

09/29/2009

Lions coach Schwartz bringing a good vibe to Motown

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz has worked under Bill Belichick and Jeff Fisher.
Getty Images

The Detroit Lions have been the worst team in the NFL this decade under coaches Bobby Ross, Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli before hiring Jim Schwartz. They finally found the right guy, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.

09/22/2009

Spread far and wide: Passing formation catching on in NFL

The Washington Redskins gave Chase Daniel (10) a look this summer, but he's the property of the New Orleans Saints now.
Getty Images
The Washington Redskins gave Chase Daniel (10) a look this summer, but he's the property of the New Orleans Saints now.

In his Inside the NFL newsletter this week, Rick Gosselin writes that that the spread offense is closer to becoming an NFL staple than he envisioned. That makes Southlake Carroll product Chase Daniel an attractive prospect.
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09/15/2009

NFL salutes its captains with a badge of honor

Kyle Vanden Bosch's captain patch has four stars, representing his seasons as captain with the Titans dating back to 2006.
AP
Kyle Vanden Bosch's captain patch has four stars, representing his seasons as captain with the Titans dating back to 2006.

Roger Goodell instituted a captain’s “C” patch in 2007 with stars to denote the number of years selected, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter. “To me there’s no bigger honor,” Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch said.
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09/08/2009

NFL coaches big on two-tight end set this season

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak (left) will put quarterback Matt Schaub and his offense in two-tight end sets often.
AP
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak (left) will put quarterback Matt Schaub and his offense in two-tight end sets often.

The Wildcat was the fashionable offensive formation in the NFL in 2008. As Rick Gosselin writes in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter, the two tight-end set is another trend seems to be emerging.
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09/01/2009

Championships aid Hall of Fame candidacy

The Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, who won five titles in a seven-year span from 1961-67, are the NFL's top dynasty, writes Rick Gosselin.
AP
The Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, who won five titles in a seven-year span from 1961-67, are the NFL's top dynasty, writes Rick Gosselin.

What is a championship worth to a player's Hall of Fame candidacy? Is there a way to quantify it? Rick Gosselin examines the questions in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.
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08/24/2009

Washington Redskins' Campbell aims to improve

Redskins coach Jim Zorn (right) said he's fine with quarterback Jason Campbell running his offense.
AP
Redskins coach Jim Zorn (right) said he's fine with quarterback Jason Campbell running his offense.

Washington's Jason Campbell has now experienced the hate portion of the love-hate relationship that exists between NFC East quarterbacks, their franchises and their fans, Rick Gosselin writes in his weekly Inside the NFL newsletter.
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08/18/2009

Defensive line depth might be New York Giants' biggest step

The New York Giants have eight players on the defensive line with NFL starting experience, including Mathias Kiwanuka (97) and Justin Tuck.
FILE 2008 / DMN
The New York Giants have eight players on the defensive line with NFL starting experience, including Mathias Kiwanuka (97) and Justin Tuck.

Much like the Dallas Cowboys had in the '90s, the New York Giants have quality depth on the defensive line, stockpiling eight players with NFL starting experience, writes Rick Gosselin in his Inside the NFL newsletter.
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08/10/2009

Fear factor helps define Pro Football Hall of Famers

Bob Hayes joined the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2002 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
AP
Bob Hayes joined the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2002 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Fellow Hall of Famer Lem Barney said Bob Hayes struck "midnight fear" in the hearts of NFL defensive backs because of his speed. That's the definition of a Hall of Famer - someone who instills fear in an opponent, writes Rick Gosselin in his Inside the NFL newsletter.
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08/03/2009

NFL's defensive think tank a bit emptier in 2009

When the New York Jets made Rex Ryan their head coach, they may have weakened the Baltimore Ravens' defense.
AP
When the New York Jets made Rex Ryan their head coach, they may have weakened the Baltimore Ravens' defense.

A Top 10 defense has won six of the last seven Super Bowls. But this may be the year for an offensive breakthrough because the NFL's defensive think tank took a huge hit this offseason, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL newsletter.
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07/07/2009

There's strength in returning numbers for young Packers

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of 21 returning starters for the Green Bay Packers.
FILE
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of 21 returning starters for the Green Bay Packers.

Four NFL teams return 21 of their 22 starters, but the Green Packers may be on to something, writes Rick Gosselin in this month's Inside the NFL. The Packers now boast a season of experience and maturity for a roster that was the NFL's youngest with an average age of 25.5.
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06/02/2009

Revamped Jets could be cleared for takeoff in 2009

The New York Jets could get a lift from new coach Rex Ryan (left) and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Getty Images
The New York Jets could get a lift from new coach Rex Ryan (left) and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The Giants are the best football team in New York. But in 2009, the Jets could be the city's most intriguing team after an eventful and productive off-season, writes Rick Gosselin in this month's Inside the NFL.
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05/05/2009

Giants, Eagles move to head of NFC class

Former Cowboy Chris Canty (left) beefs up the Giants' front seven, and rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin gives the Eagles a downfield threat.
Getty Images
Former Cowboy Chris Canty (left) beefs up the Giants' front seven, and rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin gives the Eagles a downfield threat.

The Arizona Cardinals are the defending NFC champions. But don't be fooled. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2009 season as the teams to beat in the NFC, writes Rick Gosselin in this week's Inside the NFL.
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