Don't blink if you want to see Randy Moss

Randy Moss has several "returns" to the Metrodome in his career, including the 2006 preseason while with the Oakland Raiders and after being re-acquired by the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Here's some advice for Vikings fans who want to see Moss on the field Sunday: Pay attention.

Yes, Moss' latest homecoming is notable mostly for the part-time role he has assumed for the San Francisco 49ers. Moss is in essence sharing the 49ers' No. 3 receiver role with Kyle Williams, behind starters Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham, and has been on the field for only 37 of the 49ers' 130 offensive snaps (28.5 percent) over the first two games. Quarterback Alex Smith has targeted Moss on only five of his 57 pass attempts, completing all five for 61 yards and a touchdown. (Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.)

Randy Moss

#84 WR
San Francisco 49ers

2012 STATS

• Rec5
• Yds61
• TD1
• Avg12.2
• Long20
• YAC0

Moss, 35, didn't play last season and hasn't been a downfield threat since averaging 15.2 yards on 83 catches for the New England Patriots in 2009. The 49ers aren't really a downfield offense, preferring to utilize their physical line to run the ball while Smith attacks mid-range openings. But if the 49ers thought Moss could routinely stretch the defense downfield, it stands to reason they would use him that way -- as a decoy if nothing else.

Speaking to Bay-area reporters this week, Moss said "I am not" concerned about playing time and noted "it's really not up to me." He added: "I just come out here and practice every day. When called upon I try to make a play."

We've learned over the years that Moss is a special athlete and football player. There is no sense writing him off now, or ever. But if he has reached his physical limit, kudos to the 49ers for recognizing it and finding a reasonable way for him to contribute rather than mis-cast him in a role he played 10 years ago. And for two games, at least, Moss deserves credit for accepting the 49ers' plan.

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46544/dont-blink-if-you-want-to-see-randy-moss
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Blogger Blitz: Tight ends in end zone

Three years ago, there was so much excitement about NFC North tight ends that we monitored their progress regularly throughout the season. For different reasons, we've reached a similar point in 2012.

I'm sure fans of each NFC North team has had some angst about their top tight end this season, but the bottom line is that all four have scored a touchdown during the first two weeks of the season. I've set up a chart in this post to help us monitor their usage, performance and efficiency over time, and in this post I've offered some context and specifics in the Blogger Blitz video.

Drops are based on ESPN Stats & Information's evaluation and standards. They're an unofficial statistic and it's quite possible you'll see different numbers from other evaluators. It's a judgment call.

NFC North Tight Ends: 2012

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46539/blogger-blitz-tight-ends-in-end-zone
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BBAO: Antoine Winfield speaks up

We're Black and Blue All Over. (We're also on Facebook and Twitter.)

Since signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2004, cornerback Antoine Winfield has addressed the team perhaps two or three times. One of them came Monday, a day after the Vikings allowed a game-winning drive to rookie Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in a 23-20 defeat.

Winfield recently endured the loss of his brother, who was murdered earlier this month, but he told reporters Wednesday that his 10-minute speech was about football. Winfield wouldn't reveal the specifics but said: "I only stand up and say stuff when it's coming from the heart and I think it needs to be said. … I'm only playing this game because I want to win a championship. It's not about the money anymore. I still love to play. I think I'm still productive, I still play at a high level. That's why I'm here."

Players, coaches and even general manager Rick Spielman were in the room for Winfield's talk.

At 1-1, the Vikings haven't exactly performed below the modest expectations most people have for them. Perhaps that was part of Winfield's point, and it's possible he wanted to get some thoughts on the record before this season got away. Regardless, it's worth noting when a longtime and highly respected veteran stands up and gives a speech to the team at the start of Week 3.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Vikings safety Harrison Smith on the speech, via the Star Tribune: "He let us know exactly what he sees in this team and what he wants from us. It was good to hear him calling it like he sees it and allowing us to better understand what we need to be doing and what we need to be correcting. There's not one guy on this team who doesn't respect Antoine and look to him for how he does things. So when he tells us what he sees, we're going to listen with the understanding that he knows best."
• Vikings receiver Devin Aromashodu on the lack of downfield plays so far, via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com: "There may be some out there. But we can only go with what's being called. If the opportunity's given, we try to go and make the play."
• David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler: "Cutler's last blowup matters much less than his next one will in the context of the 2012 season. And, rest assured, Cutler will blow up again. If neither fatherhood nor the Bears surrounding Cutler with everything he wanted in the offseason failed to change an educated, articulate 29-year-old, I doubt anything can. A man has to consider his behavior wrong before he changes it and I am not convinced the Vanderbilt grad can spell w-r-o-n-g. Nobody will know if Cutler truly learned from his mistake in Green Bay until the next sign of trouble. "
• Bears fans want to believe in Cutler, but it's tough, writes Jon Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears coach Lovie Smith spoke with cornerback D.J. Moore about his public criticism of Cutler, writes Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh responded Wednesday to comments from San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley, who said the Lions' defensive line was overrated. Suh, via the Detroit Free Press: "I find it very interesting and laughable sometimes, but it's not my concern. I don't go against him. The times that I guess I have I've never had an issue with him. If he has an issue with me, he knows where to find me. … People are going to say what they want to say. Especially, I mean, you get a win, feel like you can talk, great for you. That doesn't really mean [anything] to me."
• Lions cornerback Chris Houston said he will be "ready to go" this week against the Tennessee Titans, notes Justin Rogers of Mlive.com.
• The Lions have been waiting for years to get running back Mikel Leshoure on the field, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Yelling at teammates is part of football, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that "player safety was compromised at times" in some games during Week 2 because of replacement officials. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more.

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46533/bbao-antoine-winfield-speaks-up
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NFC North Wednesday practice report

Let's take an evening look at the Wednesday practice report for the NFC North:

Chicago Bears: Coach Lovie Smith said that tailback Matt Forte (ankle) is improving, but he wasn't able to practice Wednesday. Defensive end Julius Peppers also missed practice.

Detroit Lions: Cornerback Drayton Florence had surgery on his broken arm and was placed on injured reserve. The Lions designated him as a player who could return to practice after six weeks and to a game two weeks after that. Cornerback Chris Houston (ankle) was a full participant, and fellow cornerback Bill Bentley (concussion) was limited. Safety Louis Delmas (knee) still has not returned to practice. Also sitting out practice: Receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle), tight end Tony Scheffler (calf) and defensive tackle Corey Williams (knee).

Green Bay Packers: Because they play Monday night at the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers were off Wednesday. Come back Thursday for the latest.

Minnesota Vikings: Linebacker Erin Henderson sat out practice because of a concussion. If he can't play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, he'll likely be replaced by veteran Marvin Mitchell. Center John Sullivan was limited because of an ankle injury. Rookie receiver Jarius Wright (ankle) fully participated and could make his debut Sunday.

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46529/nfc-north-wednesday-practice-report-2
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Rodgers: 'I never want to show up a guy'

I've done my best to avoid comparing the pair of quarterback-teammate confrontations in last Thursday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. As ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi discussed in a post over the weekend, there were some fundamental differences between the admonishment that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers directed toward receiver James Jones and the rebuke of Bears left tackle J'Marcus Webb by quarterback Jay Cutler.

In essence, Bruschi said it is acceptable in NFL circles to get after a teammate for making a mental mistake, as Rodgers did when Jones didn't run the route he anticipated on a fourth-quarter interception. On the other hand, according to Bruschi, Cutler was wrong to criticize Webb simply because he had been beat physically.

My sense is that showing up teammates during a game, for any reason, never leads to anything good. Tuesday, I said my piece on Cutler, and on Wednesday we should probably note and comment on what Rodgers said in retrospect as well.

Speaking on his ESPN 540 radio show in Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon, Rodgers confirmed he apologized to Jones and made clear he wished the incident hadn't occurred at all.

"That was something I apologized for because I never want to show up a guy on the field like that," Rodgers said. "… It's the competitor coming out, which is not an excuse for it. … It's not something I enjoy doing. There are times where it definitely comes back the other way. You know how that feels. Almost to a man, there is always a moment of apology and getting back on the same page and realizing that as frustrating as the moment can be, the emotion shown is never really worth it."

In the end, these incidents have generated discussion about the leadership qualities of both players. My feeling is that both Rodgers and Cutler have been in their roles long enough. Most observers have already decided if they are good leaders, one way or the other.

If nothing else, though, we can crystallize the difference in their respective approaches.

Cutler was equal parts contrite and defiant this week. He said he regretted bumping Webb but not getting after him verbally. He wouldn't say if he apologized and disputed the suggestion that he had lost his composure.

Rodgers, on the other hand, pointed out that football is an emotional game but said there is an important line to avoid: "You never want to make someone look bad out there by showing them up too much," he said.

I fall closer to Rodgers' point of view. These things happen at times but they are rarely for the better. I don't think Cutler's rebuke had any chance of making Webb play better Thursday night. At the same time, I appreciate that Cutler didn't spew the politically correct answer when he clearly doesn't believe it.

Both quarterbacks are fiery competitors, however, so it would be foolish to think they won't find themselves in another glass case of emotion again. At least we'll know where each of them stand on the issue ahead of time.

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46521/rodgers-i-never-want-to-show-up-a-guy
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Inside Slant: Needless risk to Stafford

I took the role of Tom Coughlin in this week's Inside Slant podcast, while partner Mike Sando got all revolutionary in the Greg Schiano sense of the word. Our wide-ranging discussion not only hit the concept of NFL protocol, but it also included how best to approach two-point conversions and how the heck the Philadelphia Eagles are 2-0.

From an NFC North perspective, we noted how Sunday night's game at Candlestick Park provided a stark example of the elevated risk to player safety as long as the NFL uses replacement officials.

You might recall that Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked twice on one play because referee Matt Nicks didn't notice that Stafford's knee clearly hit the ground after getting hit by the San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith.

With no whistle blown, Stafford popped back up in one of those chaotic and unnatural situations that leaves a quarterback vulnerable to an unexpected hit. Ultimately, he was dragged down for a second time by the 49ers' Ray McDonald.

The Lions challenged the play and got back the additional yardage they lost between the first and second hits. But a referee is expected to protect the quarterback, not expose him to additional and unnecessary contact.

Related: I also jumped on ESPN Radio earlier Wednesday to wrap up a week's worth of discussion about Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46514/inside-slant-needless-risk-to-stafford
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Packers: Noting Tim Masthay's impact

Regular readers know we typically note the NFL's weekly awards only if there is a particularly interesting hook to them, and I think we have one here as Week 2 transitions into Week 3. Green Bay Packers punter Tim Masthay was named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week, and our friends at ESPN Stats & Information have passed along some analytics that offer a rare glimpse into the role of a punter in a team victory.

The final statistics show that Masthay averaged a gross of 47.6 yards, and a net of 42.0, on five punts in the Packers' 23-10 victory over the Chicago Bears. Three of those punts were downed inside the Bears' 20-yard line, part of the reason the Packers enjoyed a nine-yard differential in their average drive start. (Their 37-yard line as opposed to the Bears' 28.)

(Masthay also got credit for a 27-yard touchdown pass on the Packers' now-infamous fake field goal, but I don't think that impacted this award.)

ESPN's analytics team has a win probability formula that in essence calculates the impact of every play toward a winning effort. The average Masthay punt last Thursday night added 2.9 percent toward the Packers' chances of winning, based mostly on field position and the Bears' inability to spring a game-changing return. His 56-yarder in the first quarter, one that Bears returner Devin Hester fair caught at the Bears' 18-yard line, was itself responsible for adding a six percent chance to the Packers' chances of victory.

It's hard to get your head around something as obtuse as win probability, but suffice it to say, punters don't normally impact the outcome of a game as much as Masthay did Thursday night. He rendered Hester, one of the Bears' biggest weapons, a non-factor; Hester got off only two returns for 8 yards. And after his punts, the Bears started their drives at their 18-, 17-, 20-, 24- and 18-yard lines. They faced a full field all game long against an aggressive defense that wasn't giving up big plays.

Now then, back to quarterbacks yelling at teammates ...

20 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46508/packers-noting-tim-masthays-impact
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The passion of J'Marcus Webb

As we move past the weeklong discussion on the Chicago Bears and the behavior of their quarterback, I think the last point (for now) should focus on the recipient of Jay Cutler's ire: Left tackle J'Marcus Webb. What did we learn about Webb, who might be the most scrutinized Bears player since the start of training camp, and what can we conclude moving forward? As we discussed last month, Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice set up a competition at left tackle that seemed primarily focused on elevating Webb's intensity. If you've spoken with Webb before, you know he has a laid-back personality. You might also find his Twitter feed a bit eccentric, as he demonstrated by posting a poem during the preseason.

You wonder if those character traits were part of what enraged Cutler after a series of sacks in Thursday night's game at Lambeau Field. When you watch the broadcast replay, you see Webb smiling after Cutler shoved him.

During his Tuesday appearance on ESPN 1000, Cutler was asked if he was looking for a reaction from Webb and if he would have been happier if he had pushed back.

"Sure," Cutler said. "Anything really to let me know that, 'Hey, I'm [ticked] off that I got beat. I'm going to try to rectify it and try to get us back in this ballgame.'"

Cutler acknowledged he shouldn't have shoved Webb but said he didn't regret lashing out verbally.

Everyone wears their disappointment differently, so it wouldn't be fair to conclude that Webb didn't understand the gravity of his individual defeats Thursday night simply because he didn't appear enraged on the sideline. But I can understand why a fiery personality like Cutler would be quickly frustrated when he doesn't see similar passion in others.

Webb won't become a better player if he forces himself to be more passionate on the field. But are his teammates convinced he is passionate about being a good player? It's a question worth monitoring.

On his Facebook account, Webb said in part: "I don't want the fans, media, or any of our teammates to become distracted with the interaction on the sidelines. We will handle any disagreements as a team. The concern I have remains the same: to protect our quarterback and win. This is my focus and no one needs to identify this for me or question my desire to win. We win together and we lose together."

Moving on ...

19 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46502/the-passion-of-jmarcus-webb
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BBAO: A 'defining week' for the Bears

We're Black and Blue All Over. (We're also on Facebook and Twitter.)

I'm not a big believer that external attention to internal drama can unify a professional sports team, especially one with as much experience and as many veterans as the Chicago Bears. But I understand where Bears place-kicker Robbie Gould was coming from Tuesday night during an appearance on ESPN 1000.

Gould acknowledged that "this could be a very defining week in our season" and suggested that the behavior of quarterback Jay Cutler has been addressed adequately within the locker room. If it had not been, Gould said: "I think this could potentially be an issue that is going to need to be re-addressed. And we're going to have to go back to the basics and maybe evaluate it in a different way than it's already been handled."

Cutler said Tuesday that he has spoken with the Bears' "powers-that-be" as well as the offensive line individually after bumping and screaming at left tackle J'Marcus Webb during last Thursday's game at Lambeau Field. Cutler said he regretted shoving Webb but not yelling at him, and perhaps that is the line the Bears discussed internally.

Assuming they've handled the issues involved, the Bears will be able to look back at this week as one they artfully navigated a significant distraction. But I don't think it will make them a better team than they were destined to be. That only happens in the movies.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Cutler has been at his worst in biggest games he has played, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times looks back at some trick plays in Bears history.
• Justin Rogers of Mlive.com explores why the Detroit Lions weren't more successful running the ball Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
• The Lions' run defense could get a break this weekend based on the struggles of Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Lions claimed cornerback Jerome Murphy off waivers and released cornerback Kevin Barnes. According to Tim Twentyman of the Lions' web site, the Lions will not lose the conditional draft pick they traded to the Washington Redskins earlier this month to acquire Barnes.
• Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones said that quarterback Aaron Rodgers apologized for admonishing him on the field Thursday night but that the apology wasn't necessary. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more.
• Jones, via Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Your kids do something wrong, you yell at them every once in awhile. You tell them, 'You can't do that. Don't go back by that outlet.' You do it again, Daddy gonna pop you. That's all it is. We're a family out there. Sometimes we argue, sometimes that stuff is going to happen."
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy, via Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel: "We're not that far off on offense."
• Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com addresses the Minnesota Vikings' lack of a downfield passing game.
• Former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "The more I see quarterback Christian Ponder play, the more convinced I am that he can be a star in this league. He has been so impressive, especially in clutch situations."
• Mark Craig of the Star Tribune explores what a middle linebacker must do in the Cover-2 defense.

19 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46496/bbao-a-defining-week-for-the-bears
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Bears pushing the ball downfield

I had originally intended the preceding post to cover several aspects of Jay Cutler's first two games of 2012, but I got consumed with the dichotomy of his reaction to the dramatics of the past few days. So while we have a moment, I want to pass along some revealing research from John McTigue of ESPN Stats & Information.

Jay Cutler Highest Single-Game Average Pass Length, Last 4 Seasons

Avg.	Week	Season	Opponent
11.5	Week 2	2012	Packers
11.2	Week 11	2011	Chargers
11.1	Week 1	2012	Colts
11.0	Week 16	2010	Jets
Source: ESPN Stats & Information

The transition from Mike Martz to Mike Tice at offensive coordinator has, as expected, balanced out the Bears' play-calling. Cutler has dropped back to throw on 56.7 percent of their plays over two games, fewer than he did in any of his first three seasons with the Bears. But when he has thrown the ball, Cutler is pushing the ball downfield more aggressively as well.

As the chart shows, Cutler's average throw last Thursday against the Green Bay Packers traveled 11.5 yards past the line of scrimmage. That was the highest mark of his Bears career, and his average of 11.1 in the Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts was his third-highest.

Cutler has never averaged more than 8.7 "air" yards per throw in his Bears career. In theory, of course, longer throws have higher reward but have a lower percentage chance of being completed.

It almost goes without saying that two games is a small sample size, but this is essentially the type of offense we discussed after visiting the Bears' training camp in August. Tice has followed through on a promise to prioritize the running game, but he is also employing some of the downfield elements he used as the Minnesota Vikings' head coach to capitalize on the addition of receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

These figures will be worth updating as the season progresses. I don't want to draw too many conclusions about what they might mean quite yet.

19 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/46485/bears-pushing-the-ball-downfield
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