Photo via kwtx.com

Name: Sergio Kindle
Team: Baltimore Ravens (NFL)
Charges: Speeding, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices
Story:

According to baltimoresun.com, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Sergio Kindle was arrested Sunday (December 26, 2010) morning in Savage, Maryland.

Kindle was driving with friends when he was pulled over by police around 4 a.m. after police observed his vehicle weaving.

Kindle, 23, was later released after posting $10,000 bond.

Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle was arrested early Sunday on drunken driving charges, court records show.

Kindle, 23, was pulled over shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday in the Jessup area. He was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and related offenses and was freed on $10,000 bond.

“I haven’t talked to the team yet, but I spoke with one of the security guards,” Kindle said in a telephone interview. “First and foremost, I would apologize. I don’t want to put the organization’s name in a negative light due to my actions. I don’t know what’s going to happen or how they’re going to handle that.”

Asked how much he had to drink, Kindle said: “It wasn’t much, but I guess it was enough. I guess it was enough for me to fail a Breathalyzer. It was over the limit.”

Ravens officials were traveling back from Sunday’s victory over Cleveland and weren’t immediately available to comment.Kindle, a second-round draft pick, hasn’t suited up for the Ravens this year. The former University of Texas star fractured his skull after falling down two flights of stairs in late July at a friend’s house in Austin, Texas. He revealed last week that doctors told him he might be forced to sit out next season as well.

Kindle was signed to a one-year, $320,000 contract with no signing bonus or incentives and placed on the reserve non-football injury list. The Ravens could tender him or allow him to become a free agent next year.

He had off-field incidents at Texas, including crashing his car into an apartment building when he said he was texting while driving.

No word on what his blood alcohol level was.

A few quick notes before jumping in to week one. The 2010 off-season held a lot of question marks for this Longhorns team, as several team leaders and experience took their talents to the next level, including QB Colt McCoy (Cleveland), WR Jordan Shipley (Cincinnati), DE Sergio Kindle (Baltimore), LB Rodderick Muckelroy (Cincinnati) and S Earl Thomas (Seattle; watch this video!) to name a few. That left offensive coordinator Greg Davis (EyesOfTX’s favorite coach to hate) and defensive coordinator / future head coach / crazy man Will Muschamp with some big holes to fill. Luckily, Brown’s recruiting prowess year-in and year-out has the ‘Horns filling out the roster nicely this fall. Some of the key positions will be filled with viable young talent that has learned from watching their elders, and they will only improve as the season progresses. Isn’t that cliche and catchy? Thought so. Worked all summer on it.

Key aspects to watch in September and October will be Gilbert’s progression at quarterback (does his name remind anyone else of the movie “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?”), the “007” martini-like offensive line changes, filling the gaps in the defensive line – specifically at defensive tackle, and the using our former-star-QB-turned-running-backs-coach to find the ever-elusive running game. Who’s calling former UT great RB Ricky Williams to push grad school classes?

On a serious note, the ‘Horns are stacked with a mix of experienced talent and young hot shots that will make this season interesting – they could go undefeated, or lose up to three games. How’s that for not being decisive? The team opens the season as the #4 team in the nation according to USA Today, with some select powerhouses – Alabama, Ohio State, and Florida – ahead of them in the race to Glendale, Ariz., and the 2011 National Championship. Watch out for #5 Boise State – if they win on the road against #10 Virginia Tech in week one, and beat #24 Oregon State at home late in the season, have no one stopping them from getting on the national championship ballot come December. Hooray for small schools with blue football turf everywhere!

Texas Longhorns v. Rice Owls
2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN & ESPN HD)

Prediction:
Texas 48, Rice 10

Rice’s Keys To The Game:
The Owls and head coach David Bailiff (of Texas State fame) had a tough year in 2009 (Bailiff’s third season), going 2-10. While they run a spread offense – with no notable wide receivers to speak of – if they have any chance of beating Texas on Saturday, it starts with the running game and Michigan transfer and current RB Sam McGuffie. Name sound familiar? Yes, it’s the McGuffie of YouTube fame – the top RB prospect in the country a few short years ago. Haven’t seen him on film? Take 6 minutes, it’s worth it. EyesOfTX will be here when you get back. [Pause] Told you so. Unfortunately, McGuffie won’t get 100 touches in this game, which means Rice is still up a creek without a paddle, but don’t be surprised if McGuffie makes the fans gasp a time or two at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Rice RB Sam McGuffie

Outside of McGuffie, the Owls don’t even know who their starting quarterback will be. Junior Nick Fanuzzi is the incumbent, a dual-threat QB, but he struggled last year throwing the ball accurately. They could start Miami QB transfer Taylor Cook, a 6’7” 240-pound behemoth with a monster arm but cement for feet. Or, how about true frosh Tyler McHargue, the better of the dual-threat QBs on the roster? It’s like picking lotto numbers out of tumbler – you don’t know what you’re going to get. Surely, Muschamp had fun writing out this week’s defensive schemes.

If the Owls offense is anemic without a running game, then the defense isn’t much better. They were 117th out of 120 teams last year in total defense, and gave up the most points per game – 43 – of any team in the country in 2009. In a 4-2-5 scheme, with four down lineman, two linebackers, and five defensive backs, they’ll play to Texas strength (passing game), but get brutalized by Texas’ punishing ground attack. Like how that was set up?

Texas’ Keys To The Game:
Let’s be clear – Texas can drop way more than 48 points on Rice. But, they won’t. On purpose. Per the commentary the fans have heard all off-season, this game is all about clock control and the to-date-non-existent Texas running game. Stop messing with you, right? Honestly, prepare to be David-ized – “is this real life?” You won’t believe what you see. Rumors have it that Cody Johnson will start at RB for the ‘Horns after dropping virtually no weight, but changing that fat to muscle and becoming a fast as all get-out, extremely conditioned athlete in the off-season. Texas rolls for more than 200 yards rushing on Saturday.

Texas QB Garrett Gilbert

Expect to see “experienced” QB Garrett Gilbert come out firing too, though. Reports have it that he threw only one interception in all of fall ball. Against what is being touted as the best defensive backfield in the country in 2010. Plus, he’s able to make throws that McCoy just couldn’t – I’m referring to downfield, of course. You’ll see more (gasp!) I-formation, with (gasp!) Gilbert under center, and (gasp!) a fullback…er, H-back. Promise. Although the offensive line was juggled around in the off-season, the starters are solid contributors with some experience under their belt. And, they’re finally being asked to fire off the ball in run blocking schemes, so they shouldn’t be a bunch of gigantic pansies blocking for the zone read as in year’s past. They want to go knock someone over. Preferably two.

The wide receiving core is re-tooled as well, but Brown has recruited well at the position, and after 7-on-7 drills this summer it sounds like WR Malcolm Williams found some consistency. He’ll be the scoring threat, with cohorts John Chiles and James Kirkendoll holding down the fort, and the quickness of D.J. Monroe or Marquis Goodwin adding sub-4.4 speed. Expect to see youth get some playing time here – the ‘Horns are deep on talent on the edge.

Defensively, this could be the year that no one forgets. Brown is already saying this could be his best unit ever at Texas. When you had the #1, #3, #4, and #8 defenses in the country in the last few years under Greg Robinson, Gene Chizik, and Will Muschamp, that’s hard to believe. We do know this – the secondary will be lights out…a perfect compliment to the offensive schemes of most Big 12 teams they’ll play. The defensive ends stay the same, with All-American talent and a lot of young studs to add depth. The tackle spot is a question mark, but some guys have stepped up this fall to fill the void. Linebackers will be lethal again this year too, although you’ll see one new name at starter on the weak side – Dravannti Johnson.

Let’s start the season off on the right foot – go get ‘em ‘Horns! Hook ‘em!

✩

Despite trading out of the first round in this year’s NFL draft, many national pundits declared the Ravens a big winner.  By gambling on players with some question marks, the Ravens landed two physical specimens that had fallen to the second round, Sergio Kindle (OLB, Texas) and Terrence Cody (DT, Alabama).  Provided that Kindle can avoid the knee injury concerns, and “Mount Cody” can avoid eating himself out of the league, these are players with amazing potential to build GM Ozzie Newsome’s reputation as a draft genius.

Kindle is considered a high-motor guy that was a dangerous blitzing specialist (both at linebacker and defensive end) at the University of Texas.  His draft stock was boosted by a sensational performance in the BCS National Championship, where he had 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a losing effort.  His draft stock was hurt by his knee and ankle injury history, and his off-the-field decision making.  He was drafted to complement Terrell Suggs in blitz packages and serve as an understudy to Jarret Johnson at OLB.  Because he’ll be playing behind one of the Ravens most consistent enforcers over the last several years, he will be allowed to development at the pro level, and his playing time will be dictated by his performance in certain packages.  Slow development and injury concerns would not be considered an impediment to the team, barring an injury to Johnson.  However, a mercurial rise could force the Ravens to move Johnson to ILB and plant Kindle as a fixture at the OLB position.

Cody is an imposing man and a game-changer in the middle of the line.  Built like a prototypical two-gap, 3-4 nose tackle, Cody should be the vacuum in the middle of the defensive line that halts the opposing running game for years to come.  Tipping the scales at over 400 lbs. his sophomore season, he reported to spring OTAs at a svelte 349 lbs, and appears to be serious about his health and training.  His fluctuating weight and work ethic was been questioned in the past, and hurt his draft stock.  His unbelievable potential in a strict regimen and the fact that Alabama never surrendered a 100-yard rusher during his time there was enough for the Ravens to select him 57^th overall.  Like Kindle, he will be second on the depth-chart to a veteran, DT Kelly Gregg, and should spell him in short-yardage situations.  He is talented, but he is raw, and like Kindle, his playing time will be dictated by his performance.  The Ravens have the luxury and depth to allow these guys to develop comfortably.  But make no mistake– their selections to this storied defense come with great expectations.

On special teams, the tumultuous roster spot of kick/punt returner may be solved with the drafting of David Reed (WR, Utah) in the fifth round.  With Lardarius Webb coming off of injury and projected as a starting cornerback when healthy, it’s wise for the Ravens to pursue other options at this position, and Reed fits that mold.  He is explosive and elusive, in the mold of New England’s Wes Welker, and could develop into a long-term dynamic fit for the Ravens slot receiver.  In the short term, the returner job is his for the taking, and if he can show a little of what made him a coveted late-round pick, he should make the most immediate impact of any Ravens rookie, and could be considered a gem of this draft class.

The other two selections from this year’s draft are considered depth chart fillers and will need some help to actually crack the 54-man roster at the end of camp.  Art Jones was an accomplished DT at Syracuse before injuries derailed his senior season.  That combined with his perceived underachiever status caused him to fall to the Ravens in the fifth round.  If the draft experts are right, then Jones likely won’t hang around long; but when healthy and motivated, he was a game-changer at Syracuse.  Look for him to be healthy and out to prove people wrong, which could earn him a spot on the Ravens practice squad for the year.  The other selection, the Ravens last, was Ramon Harewood (OT, Morehouse).  Who?  Where?  Exactly.  This is a kid that never played football growing up in Barbados, but just so happens to be built like a prototypical left tackle, making him a very attractive “developmental pick” in the sixth round.  To say that he’s raw is an understatement, and to say that he’s talented is fair, it remains to be seen if that translates to raw talent or not.  Look for him to make limited appearances in the pre-season and be stashed on the practice squad for at least this year as he learns the game at the highest level.  Considering there is rarely much upside with a sixth round pick, Harewood could certainly exceed expectations if he develops like the Ravens think he should.

The Ravens did not have the “sexiest “picks, the biggest names, or even the most picks in this year’s draft.

Making the trade for Anquan Boldin (Ravens third and fourth round picks in exchange for Boldin and Arizona’s fifth round pick) certainly handcuffed what they were able to do in the draft.  But this draft was great for the Ravens because it showed that they’re poised to win now while developing tremendous talent that provides critical depth.  This was a great organizational draft, and shows that the Ravens are looking beyond just this year and using the luxury of their situation to build a solid foundation.  This is not the 1996 draft where cornerstones Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis were taken in the first round.  This isn’t 2003, when they swung for the fences with Terrell Suggs and Kyle Boller in the first round.  But this was a terrific draft in its own right, and should produce a few household names in Baltimore for the next decade.

The Ravens have a tremendous shot at a championship, and probably a last shot for the likes of Ray Lewis, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Ed Reed, Kelly Gregg, Trevor Pryce, etc.  And while these names will field the interviews and make the highlight reels, don’t be surprised to see Mount Cody stuff the run on a critical third down in December.  Don’t be surprised to see David Reed take one to the house on a kickoff return.  And don’t be surprised to find yourself buying the jersey of a Ravens 2010 draft pick in a few years because they developed into a pro bowler.  No surprises here.

Brian Tinsman is the Baltimore Ravens and NCAA Football Senior Writter for District Minors DC.

For comparison of injuries during minicamp season, check out this post.

10 – OLB Elvis Dumervil, Broncos – Dumervil stayed away from offseason work in Denver until he got a new contract, but just after he signed his $60-million-plus extension with $43 million in guaranteed money, he tore a pectoral muscle in training camp. He’ll miss four months, which takes him into the final quarter of the season and could lead the Broncos to put him on injured reserve. That’s a huge blow, because Dumervil developed into a premium pass rusher in Denver’s 3-4 defense last year. His 17 sacks were nearly half of the team’s 39, which is a statement about how good Dumervil was and how little other pass-rush help the team has. Without Dumervil, Denver’s 3-4 will undoubtedly struggle to pressure the passer, which will lead to more gimmick pass rushes that put more pressure on the secondary. For a team whose defense collapsed down the stretch, that’s a recipe for disaster. Now that Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler have been shipped out, Dumervil was one of the two best players Denver had, and losing him is a massive blow that changes the course of Denver’s season. The fact that another of Denver’s elite guys, OLT Ryan Clady, is still trying to get back from an offseason torn patella tendon only makes the Broncos’ prospects bleaker.

9 – DE Ty Warren, Patriots - Warren, a seven-year veteran, has started all but one game he has played since his second season, and the former first-round pick has proven to be a durable and dependable defensive end in the Patriots 3-4 defense. However, a hip injury that required surgery forced Warren onto injured reserve, which means he will miss the 2010 season. While Warren isn’t a flashy player making a big statistical splash, his reliable presence allows the Pats to be creative in the linebacking corps. With Warren gone, the Patriots could miss Richard Seymour even more in 2010 than they did in 2009, as well as Jarvis Green, another recent departee.

8 - CB Domonique Foxworth, Ravens – Foxworth was the Ravens’ big signing at cornerback in 2009, and he started all 16 games with four interceptions last year. But he won’t start any games this year after tearing his ACL in the first practice of training camp. Losing a starter is always a big deal, but the Ravens losing a solid player like Foxworth in their biggest area of weakness is especially painful. The five-year vet says he’ll try to contribute to the team by participating in meetings and watching practices in an attempt to mentor Baltimore’s young corners, but the bottom line is that not having Foxworth on the field dampens the Ravens’ high hopes for the 2010 season a bit.

8 (con’t) – WR Donnie Avery, Rams – Avery was set to become the Rams’ No. 1 receiver once again, but he tore the ACL in his right knee in the Rams’ third preseason game, which will land him on injured reserve and end his season. The injury is a big blow to the Rams, because Avery (who had 100 catches over the past two years) is the only proven receiver on the Rams’ roster. The injury not only stymies a St. Louis attack that’s bereft of playmakers; it also makes it harder for rookie QB Sam Bradford to succeed because he has so few quality targets to look for.

7 - OLB Sergio Kindle, Ravens – Kindle, a second-round pick by the Ravens in this year’s draft, injured his head in a fall in a home in late July, and as a result he was not able to report to training camp. His college head coach, Mack Brown, has said that Kindle suffers from narcolepsy, which could explain the fall. Kindle is not cleared to leave Austin, Texas, while the swelling on his brain lessens, and as a result he likely won’t make it to Baltimore until after the Ravens break camp. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Ravens either placed Kindle on injured reserve or simply didn’t sign him until he’s healthy later this season or after 2010. The injury is a big loss, because we’re big believers in Kindle’s talents.

7 (con’t) – DE Phillip Merling, Dolphins – Merling suffered a torn Achilles in late July, just before camp opened, and it will cost him the entire 2010 season. Although he started only four games over  his first two seasons, Merling was a sturdy run-stopper who figured into the mix at defensive end. Miami now needs first-rounder Jared Odrick to be an immediate contributor and veteran Charles Grant to adjust quickly to the 3-4 defense after years in the 4-3. Veteran Marques Douglas, like Grant a pre-camp signee, also adds depth.

7 (con’t) – CB Leigh Bodden, Patriots – In a surprising move, Bodden was placed on injured reserve at the end of August with a rotator cuff injury. Bodden played well for the Patriots last year as a starter, and the team will miss his physical presence out on the corner. Now the Patriots must rely on youngsters like Darius Butler and Devin McCourty to hold down the fort on the corner.

6 - RB Ben Tate, Texans - The Texans’ offense took a big hit when second-round pick Ben Tate suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the preseason opener. Tate was slated to compete with Arian Foster as the Texans’ featured back, and Houston head coach Gary Kubiak has shown he likes to have a deep stable of running backs. Now that Tate’s out for the year, Houston will need Foster to become an every-down back and Steve Slaton to regain consistency as a third-down back. Tate’s injury is a blow to Houston’s prolific offense, and that offense is the reason the Texans have playoff hopes.

6 (con’t) – RB Montario Hardesty, Browns – Hardesty, a second-round pick out of Tennessee, was a chic pick to become the Browns’ starting running back. But he suffered a torn ACL in the final preseason game that will cost him the entire season. It’s a blow to a Browns offense that has a solid line but a lack of playmakers.

5 – TE John Phillips, Cowboys – Phillips, a backup tight end who was emerging as a complete threat for the Cowboys, tore his ACL in the Hall of Fame game and will miss the season. Now that Phillips is out, Dallas needs Martellus Bennett to convert his potential into performance on a far more consistent basis to balance all-star Jason Witten.

5 (con’t) – RBs Lynell Hamilton and P.J. Hill, Saints – With Mike Bell leaving via free agency, Hamilton was slated to step into the backup running back role for the Saints behind Pierre Thomas. That was an important spot last year, because it allowed Reggie Bush to be a versatile threat and not a heavy-use runner. Now, with Hamilton gone for the year with a torn ACL, the Saints will need to add a back or give Bush more carries and hope he stays healthy. Hill bounced around as a rookie last year, and after Hamilton’s injury he may have been able to fight his way into a roster spot, but a left leg injury cost him the 2010 season as well.

5 (con’t) – WR Torry Holt, Patriots – Holt, the long-time Ram who was trying to hook on with New England this year to continue his career, suffered a knee injury that caused the Patriots to put him on injured reserve and end his season. This may be the end of the line for the seven-time Pro Bowler who was on the NFL’s all-decade team of the 2000s, and if it is, he unfortunately ended with a whimper.

5 (con’t) – S Gibril Wilson, Bengals – Wilson has been viewed as the answer in Oakland and Miami the last couple of years, but he hasn’t played up to the level he showed in his first four pro seasons with the Giants. The Bengals were ready to give Wilson a try this year, but he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the second preseason game and will spend the season on injured reserve instead.

5 (con’t) – RB LenDale White, Broncos – White, who landed with Denver just after training camp began, had a nice preseason and looked to have a job locked down. But White suffered a torn Achilles in the preseason finale and will miss the season. White would have sat out the first four games of the year on a league-mandated suspension, but his injury takes away an option that the Broncos would have liked to have had.

4 – CB Walt Harris, Ravens – Harris, 35, was trying to prolong his career in Baltimore after missing the ’09 season with an ACL injury. But he couldn’t get healthy enough to practice, and that landed him on injured reserve with an ankle injury. It’s a shame, because after Domonique Foxworth’s injury, the Ravens could use Harris’ veteran wiles on the corner.

4 (con’t) – DT D’Anthony Smith, Jaguars – Smith, a defensive tackle expected to be a big part of the Jaguars’ rebuilt defensive line this year, tore his Achilles tendon and will likely miss the season. Smith, a third-round pick  out of Louisiana Tech in April’s draft, was along with Tyson Alualu to add depth to an area that has been a weak spot since the glory days of John Henderson and Marcus Stroud. Now the Jags need guys like Terrence Knighton to step up alongside Alualu, who needs to be a premium player for Jax.

4 (con’t) – C Eric Heitmann, 49ers – Heitman has started all but two games for the 49ers since 2004, but he will miss at least the first month of the 2010 season with a broken leg he suffered in training camp. That’s a blow for a Niners team that invested so heavily in upgrading its offensive line this offseason. With Heitmann out, David Baas, who has started for the Niners but hasn’t played center since college, gets the first shot to step in.

4 (con’t) – ILB Donald Butler, Chargers – Butler, a third-round pick out of Washington in April’s draft, was contending for a starting spot in San Diego’s 3-4, but he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in early April. That’s a loss for the Chargers, who need stability at inside linebacker and don’t have a ton of depth there. Veteran Kevin Burnett now needs to hold up for a bunch of snaps for the Bolts.

4 (con’t) – ILB Andre Frazier, Steelers - Frazier, a five-year vet, had carved out a role as a backup inside linebacker in the Steelers’ vaunted 3-4 defense. But a knee injury will sideline Frazier for the season.

4 (con’t) – S Jamie Silva, Colts – Silva, an undrafted player three years ago, carved out a niche as a special-teamer with Indianapolis, both on coverage and also as a punt returner last year. But a knee injury in the preseason opener will halt Silva’s 2010 season before it begins.

4 (con’t) – WR Mike Furrey, Redskins – Furrey, one of the veterans the Redskins added in the offseason to provide depth in a sorry receiving corps, battled concussion symptoms throughout training camp and decided not to play the season. The issue could end his career, which as Pro Football Talk spelled out, is a unique one. He played both wide receiver and safety in the league, including playing both last season with the Browns. Not bad for a guy who had to fight his way into the league by playing in the Arena League.

4 (con’t) – WR Kerry Meier, Falcons – Meier, a rookie out of Kansas, looked to be winning a spot on the Falcons’ roster as a tall possession receiver, perhaps replacing long-time Falcon Brian Finneran. But the fifth-round pick suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second preseason game and will miss the season.

4 (con’t) – WR Marcus Easley and LB Danny Batten, Bills – Buffalo placed two of its 2010 draft picks on injured reserve on the same day. Easley, a fourth-rounder, suffered a knee injury in early August that required surgery, while Batten, a sixth-rounder, needed surgery for a training-camp shoulder issue. Both will miss the season.

3 – DT Chris Hovan, Rams – Hovan, a former star, was trying to prolong his career with the Rams, but a back injury landed him on injured reserve. He will miss the season and may be done for his career as well.

3 (con’t) – RB Brian Leonard, Bengals – Leonard turned into a solid third-down back for the Bengals last year, but in the Hall of Fame game he suffered a Listfranc injury for his foot. That’s a blow to the Bengals, who don’t have another back who can block, catch, and run at Leonard’s level. Bernard Scott will have to step up behind Leonard as the complement to Cedric Benson until Leonard returns, which the Bengals hope will happen at midseason.

3 (con’t) – ILB Scott McKillop, 49ers – McKillop was a backup last year as a rookie out of Pittsburgh, recording 15 tackles. But his second year stopped before it started when he blew out his ACL in a training-camp practice. With McKillop out, veteran Matt Wilhelm or rookie NaVarro Bowman will have to be ready to step in at a moment’s notice.

3 (con’t) – OLB Marcus Howard, Titans – Howard, who played in nine games with 1.5 sacks as a rookie last year, suffered a triceps injury in training camp that will cost him the 2010 season in Tennessee.

3 (con’t) – LB Jordon Dizon, Lions – Dizon, a second-round pick in Matt Millen’s last Detroit draft, hadn’t established himself as a starter but did play in every game last year for the Lions. He was slated for a backup role until he tore his ACL in mid-August; now he will miss the season.

3 (con’t) – P Dave Zastudil, Browns – Zastudil, an eight-year vet who has done a good job in unkind weather conditions in Cleveland, will spend the 2010 season on injured reserve because of a patella tendon injury that cost him the second half of last season as well. He will be replaced by Reggie Hodges, who filled in last year as well.

3 (con’t) – QB Charlie Frye, Raiders – Frye, who got a cameo as a starter in Oakland last year because of injuries, will miss the 2010 season with a wrist injury. But the loss isn’t a huge blow to the Raiders, because they have Bruce Gradkowski set behind new starter Jason Campbell, and Kyle Boller may be an upgrade over Frye at No. 3.

3 (con’t) – LB Freddy Keiaho, Jaguars – Keiaho, who was a starter for the Colts in ’07 and ’08 but fell out of the regular lineup last year, was trying to regain relevance in Jacksonville. But a concussion in the preseason opener landed him on injured reserve.

3 (con’t) – WR Jaymar Johnson, Vikings – Johnson, a sixth-round pick in 2008, played as a fifth receiver in ’09, but he had a chance at more playing time this year, especially early, given the health issues of Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice. But Tarvaris Jackson’s former college teammate suffered a broken thumb that will cost him the season, further depleting Minnesota’s receiving corps.

3 (con’t) – QB Byron Leftwich, Steelers – Leftwich, who was battling with Dennis Dixon to be the Steelers’ starter in the first four games of the season while Ben Roethlisberger was suspended, suffered an MCL injury in the preseason finale. It’s a two-to-four week injury that takes Leftwich out of consideration to start the season opener and may take away his starting shot entirely.

2 – ILB A.J. Edds, Dolphins – Edds, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa, suffered a torn ACL in an early-August camp practice and will miss the season. Edds was expected to find a role on passing downs at inside linebacker in Miami’s 3-4. The injury is a blow to Miami and a blow to a rookie trying to earn a gig in the NFL.

2 (con’t) – DT John Gill, Colts – Gill, a second-year player, had a shot to win a rotation spot at defensive tackle for the Colts, but he will be sidelined as he deals with an alcohol problem. The team has placed Gill on the non-football injury list.

2 (con’t) – RB Harvey Unga, Bears – Chicago spent a seventh-round pick in the summer supplemental draft on Unga, who had a nice career at BYU. But when he struggled in training camp, a roster spot appeared like a long shot, so the Bears took advantage of a hamstring injury to put Unga on injured reserve and get a full offseason with him in 2011.

2 (con’t) – RB Stafon Johnson, Titans - Johnson’s feel-good story took a nasty turn when the undrafted rookie suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the preseason opener. Johnson, a starter at USC who suffered a catastrophic throat injury during a weighlifting session when the bar fell on his throat, was trying to return to the field, but this injury makes the NFL an impossibility this year and even more of an improbability going forward. Johnson deserves better luck.

1 – RB-KR Kory Sheets, Dolphins – Sheets tore his Achilles tendon in a non-contact drill and will miss the season. He was contending to be the Dolphins’ primary kickoff returner. The Purdue product played in two games in his rookie season in ’09.

1 (con’t) – CB Evan Oglesby, Dolphins – Oglesby, who played one game for Miami last year, will miss the season with a left leg injury that landed him on injured reserve.

1 (con’t) – LB Darnell Bing, Texans – Bing, who spent the last two years in Detroit, was trying to make the Texans, but instead he will spend the season on injured reserve.

During all the talk surrounding the breakup of the Big 12 earlier this summer, there was much ado made about the supremacy of the Big 12 South. But people often forget that when the conference was first formed, it was actually the North that reigned supreme. Don’t expect that to happen again any time soon – especially with the departure of Nebraska. This year should be another banner year for the South, and so I will start with that division in my breakdown. One thing to keep in mind when looking at these rankings: they are not necessarily where I think the teams will finish in the conference standings, just a measure of how good I think each team will be. Remember, schedule plays a huge role in determining a teams’ success in college football, not just talent.

Big 12 South

6. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Strength: Tough to find any for the Cowboys this year. The fact that they return senior running back Kendall Hunter is probably the best thing you can say about them. He should be one of the most dynamic and explosive playmakers in the conference once again if he can stay healthy.

Weakness: Inexperience and talent drop-off. They lost a ton of talent from last year, including two first-round NFL Draft picks in outstanding WR Dez Bryant (although he only played in 3 games last year because of an NCAA suspension) and 4-year starter and 1st-Team All-American LT Russell Okung. They also lose 3-year starter Zac Robinson at QB. That’s just on offense. On defense, they lose 6 of their top 7 tacklers from last year and they only return 4 starters. Last year the defense was very good, giving up just 21 points per game and just 96 ypg rushing with just a 3.0 yards per carry average. It will be very difficult for them to duplicate those numbers after all the losses they’re taking on.

RB Kendall Hunter only had 3 starts due to injury last year. In 2008, he earned 1st-Team All-American honors after running for 1,555 yards and 6.5 yards per carry as a sophomore.

Schedule: OSU’s conference schedule is brutal. They have to go on the road at Texas Tech, Kansas State, Texas and Kansas and they draw Texas A&M, Nebraska, Baylor and Oklahoma for their home games. They do have a pattycake non-conference schedule though, facing Washington State, Troy and Tulsa at home in the first 3 weeks before traveling to Louisiana for their fourth non-con. They should sweep their non-conference, but once conference play gets in full swing it could get ugly very quickly for Cowboys fans.

Final Verdict: Looks like it’s going to be a rough year in Stillwater. If they can pull off an upset or two in conference play, they might – might – get back to a bowl game.

5. Baylor Bears

Strength: The Bears’ biggest boost this year will come from the return of star quarterback Robert Griffin after a knee injury kept him out of most of the season. Griffin was tearing it up on the field last year with his amazing athleticism before literally tearing up his knee. He took a medical redshirt and still has sophomore eligibility this year. Griffin has a 19 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions in his first two seasons and he is by far the best offensive player and athlete on the team.

QB Robert Griffin tore his ACL in the 3rd game last year. As a freshman in 2008, he threw for 2,091 yards with a 60% completion rate and a 15-3 TD/INT ratio. He added 843 rush yards.

Weakness: Baylor hasn’t gone to the postseason since 1994. They simply have no tradition in Waco except losing. Last year’s comeback win over Missouri was just their second Big 12 Conference road victory. EVER. They also return just 4 starters from last year’s defense, which had some awful numbers last year. Baylor allowed over 27 points per game, over 400 yards of total offense given up, including 4.5 yards per carry and over 62% completion percentage. That doesn’t bode well for this season.

Schedule: Baylor gets two easy games out of the gate but then goes on the road to face a very good TCU team. That’s easily the toughest non-conference opponent any team from the South has to play this year (OU draws a weaker Florida State team at home). They do only have 3 true Big 12 road games, traveling to Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma State while they draw Kansas, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma at home (they play Texas Tech in Dallas). They also don’t leave the state of Texas until Oct. 16th when they head to Boulder (first 6 games all at home or against other Texas schools).

Final Verdict: I think the schedule is pretty favorable for Baylor this year, and they could contend for a bowl, possibly snapping that 15-plus year streak of frustration.

4. Texas A&M Aggies

Strength: Two words: Jerrod Johnson. He should be the most exciting playmaker, in the league this year. He can get it done in the air (3,579 yards, 59.6% completion, 30 TD / 8 INT) and on the ground (506 net yards, 759 gained from scrimmage – remember sacks count against rushing yards – with 8 more TDs). He probably won’t be the first quarterback taken in the NFL Draft, but if he repeats his performance from last year, he’s a lock for 1st-Team All-Big 12 this year (2nd-Team last year). A&M also has boatloads of experience, as they return 16 starters from last year’s team. They have 7 starters back from one of the best offenses in the country last year, but the starters they did lose were at very key positions – both offensive tackles and center.

QB Jerrod Johnson should dominate defenses across the country with his incredible skills once again this year.

Weakness: Defense. The Aggies used to pride themselves on their stingy, hard-hitting defense. My how the mighty have fallen. Last year they gave up 426 yards of total offense per game, including 172 yards on the ground (4.6 yards per carry) and another 255 in the air (61.7% with a 22-12 TD/INT ratio). They do have some talented players, most of all their hybrid linebacker/defensive end Von Miller (some teams call the position Bandit or Whip – A&M calls it Joker). The 6’3″ 240 lb. senior gave nightmares to offensive coordinators last year. He racked up 17 (yes SEVENTEEN) sacks last year on his way to earning 2nd-Team All-American status. The defense does return 9 starters. They just need to use that experience and show major improvement as a unit if the Aggies want to get far this year.

Schedule: A&M drew a pretty rough schedule this year, but it is also slightly favorable (trust me, it somehow makes sense). Their road games are at Oklahoma State (who should be on a very down year), at Kansas (trying to break in a new coaching staff), at perennial cellar-dweller Baylor and then the season finale at Texas. They do have the terrible luck of facing both Missouri and Nebraska out of the North, as well as facing old rival Arkansas on a neutral site as they do every year. That October 9th matchup with the Razorbacks will feature two of the most explosive offenses in the country. It will be like the Texas Tech/Houston game, but with a much higher talent level. With the exception of the Texas and Arkansas games, all of A&M’s tough games are at home – they just have a LOT of tough games. They get Missouri, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska at home this year.

Final Verdict: Even though College Station is a tough place to try to go and win a game, I don’t think A&M’s talent or crowd is quite up to the task of beating four very quality teams at home. In addition they have to try to win a shootout with Arkansas on a neutral site and beat Texas on the road in the finale. Their defense does return 9 starters but they were awful last year. I don’t see a huge improvement from that unit, so I think they’ll probably just about split that 6-game set. If they do they should have no trouble getting to a bowl game.

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Strength: Experience. The Red Raiders have 8 returning starters on offense and 6 more on defense. The offense loses 3 of its lineman from last year, but every significant skill player returns. They have the tools to put up great numbers once again.

Weakness: Scheme change. Like it or not, Mike Leach is gone (forced out is more accurate) and though Tommy Tuberville is as good a replacement as you could possibly hope for in Lubbock, he does not run the same style of offense that made Tech so successful under Leach. It will be interesting to see how quickly Tuberville tries to make the switch from a pass-happy spread to a more conservative traditional offense. If he takes a year or two to ease the transition, Tech could still have a pretty successful couple of years. If he pulls the plug right away, it could get ugly: Tech’s roster is full of players who fit the spread system, not a pro-style offense.

QB Taylor Potts had 3440 yards, 65.7% and a 22/13 TD/INT Ratio last year for the Red Raiders.

Schedule: Tech draws Missouri, Iowa State and Colorado out of the North, which is pretty favorable for them, especially considering that they get Missouri at home at the end of a brutal 4-game stretch for the Tigers. They do, however, have to go on the road to Texas A&M and Oklahoma. They get Texas at home, and it’s right out of the gate, which I think plays into their strength: early on, Texas might still be looking for a new offensive identity after the departure of Colt McCoy. Tech also finishes up with home games against Weber State and Houston. If you love shootouts, you won’t want to miss that Nov. 27th matchup with the Cougars – there could easily be 1,000 yards of offense and close to 100 points scored in that game.

Final Verdict: I think Tech is the hardest team to peg in the Big 12 this year. They have a TON of talent back on offense and they have some solid players on D. But it’s that transition between head coaches and (more importantly) offensive schemes and coaching styles that is the real wild card here. If Tuberville keeps the spread mostly intact this year, Tech could be a very good team – they might even be able to challenge for the Big 12 South title. Then again, the last time Tuberville tried to run a spread, it was disastrous and he was fired from Auburn. I’m just not sure how this will turn out, but even worst-case scenario, I can’t see Tech missing out on a bowl game.

2. Texas Longhorns

Strength: Defensive backfield. The Horns will have arguably the best secondary in the country this year, and that’s despite losing 1st-round draft pick and 1st-Team All-American safety Earl Thomas (8 INT last year). The other three returning starters are outstanding players. They have especially great depth at cornerback. Curtis Brown and Aaron Williams will likely be the starters again, with the very talented Chykie Brown filling in at Nickel. All three of them could start on just about anybody’s team in the country this year. Junior Blake Gideon isn’t spectacular, but he’s a smart and reliable safety who’s entering his third year as a starter. You’d probably remember him best for dropping that gimme interception at the end of the game against Texas Tech in his freshman season. That was, of course, right before Graham Harrell connected with Michael Crabtree for the most spectacular finish to a regular season game I’ve ever seen. In fact, check that play out one more time here for old times’ sake:

Ah, the 2007 Big 12 Season… You will never be duplicated. How much do you want to bet that Gideon and Aaron Williams are still stinging from the end of that game?

Despite losing 1st-Team All-American safety Earl Thomas (#12) to the Draft, Texas' pass defense should be smothering again, led by CB Aaron Williams (#4).

Weakness: Inexperience. Outside of their DBs, Texas doesn’t bring back a ton of players from last year’s team that made it to the National Championship game. They have just 5 starters back on offense and, more importantly, they lose Colt McCoy, who was only the winningest quarterback in college football history. Garrett Gilbert did get thrown into the fire in the National Championship game when Alabama knocked McCoy out of the game early on, but you can’t expect him to duplicate or replace McCoy’s production and success. They also lose stellar wide receiver Jordan Shipley and 3 starters on their offensive line. That being said, Texas is just as equally or better equipped than any other program in the nation to handle losing talented players. They recruit so well that they just reload every year. They might not get another McCoy/Shipley, but they should be just fine. The same goes for defense, where they lose hybrid LB/DE Sergio Kindle who wreaked havoc on offensive lines last year, racking up 22 tackles for loss.

Schedule: Texas will get tested early this year. Their first two games should be gimmes against Rice and Wyoming, but then they travel to Lubbock in what could be an early trip-up game. Then they face a UCLA team which has underperformed massively – they have much better talent than their record over the last couple years would indicate. Then comes the big test – the Red River Shootout in Dallas on October 2nd. Every year this ends up being one of the most important games in all of college football, and I don’t see any reason why it won’t be this year again. They get a bye week but then have to travel to Nebraska. If they lose to OU, it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back as they travel to a very tough environment the very next game. The schedule is considerably lighter down the stretch (Texas gets Iowa State and Baylor at home, followed by Kansas State on the road, then back home for Oklahoma State and Florida Atlantic) until their finale against Texas A&M, who gave them a run for their money last year. This year they do get them at home, however. Overall, Texas’ schedule could make for a bumpy ride for the first half, but it should be smooth sailing heading down the home stretch.

Final Verdict: Texas always has another 4- or 5-star recruit waiting in the wings, so even though they’ll be inexperienced their talent level will still be among the best in the nation. Their tough early schedule makes this an even bigger problem, though. By the end of the year, those players will have experience and I guarantee you Texas will be a massively better team in November than they will be to start the season in September. I think once again it all comes down to the Red River Shootout for the Big 12 South title – I just like OU’s experience this year. Either way, with their talent, Texas should have no trouble getting to another quality bowl game.

1. Oklahoma Sooners

Strength: Offensive Firepower. The Sooners lost one of the best quarterbacks (Sam Bradford) and best tight ends (Jermaine Gresham) in the nation last year and still managed to put up 31 points per game. This year, they have 8 starters back on that side, including the incredibly explosive combo of running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Ryan Broyles. If Murray can finally manage to stay healthy, he could finally put up ridiculous numbers that people have been expecting since his freshman year. He could very well be the first running back taken in the NFL Draft. In additon, the Sooners will benefit greatly from Landry Jones gaining a year of experience after being thrown into the fire when Bradford went down last year. Jones put up outstanding numbers for a true freshman playing in the Big 12 South: 3,198 yards with 58% completion and a 26-14 TD/INT ratio. Look for those numbers to improve in a big way this year now that he has a better grasp of the offense and more poise in the pocket.

RB DeMarco Murray has massive talent, but has struggled with injuries in his career. Last year he had a hamstrung injury for most of the year, but still had 705 yards (4.1 ypc) and another 522 reception yards in just 5 starts.

Weakness: Defensive Experience. The Sooners only return 5 starters, losing 2 at every level (D-line, LBs and both cornerbacks). However, much like Texas, their talent level shouldn’t really fall off. Sophomore DT Jamarkus McFarland and junior DE Frank Alexander were very highly touted recruits and they should step in and perform very well. The same goes for linebacker, where the one returning starter, junior Travis Lewis is an absolute stud (former Big 12 Freshman of the Year and 1st-Team Big 12 last year), while the two new faces (redshirt freshman Tom Wort and sophomore Ronnell Lewis) are very talented as well. OU does lose both corners, and that is the one area of concern for me here. However, the two talented and experienced returning safeties (junior Sam Proctor at SS and senior Quinton Carter at FS) should help ease their transition. I only called this OU’s weakness because it’s the closest they come to having one. Ridiculous fun fact about Oklahoma last year: 3 of the top 4 picks in the NFL Draft came off the Sooners’ roster (1. QB Sam Bradford, 3. DT Gerald McCoy, 4. LT Trent Williams). Oh, and Gresham went 21st overall despite missing the entire season. They lost some serious talent off lat year’s team.

Schedule: OU does have some tough games on the road, including at Missouri, at Texas A&M and the traditional end-of-the-year rivalry at Oklahoma State (even though they shouldn’t be very good, I always throw the traditional predictors out the window when it comes to rivalry games). They’ll also get a good early test, playing Florida State in Week 2 (Sept. 11th) – but they get the Noles at home, and I like the Sooners’ experience in what should be a shootout between two very talented offenses. However, they face Texas on a neutral site in Dallas (as usual) and except for FSU, every one of their home games should be a blowout (Utah State, Air Force, Iowa State, Colorado, Texas Tech).

Final Verdict: OU is not only my pick to win the Big 12 South, but I’m sending them all the way to the National Championship game. As much as it pains me to say this, I like the Sooners to get another title exactly a decade after Stoops put them back on the map with that unheralded 2000 team. Much like that year, the Sooners were coming off a down year and they didn’t have very high expectations for the upcoming season. Most magazines I’ve seen still like Texas out of the South, but I think the Sooners are going to put it all together this year.

Start mentally preparing yourselves to see this sickening image once again come January.

Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops hoists the National Championship trophy after the 2000 season.

In Baltimore, Foxworth was the Ravens’ big signing at cornerback in 2009, and he started all 16 games with four interceptions last year. But he won’t start any games this year after tearing his ACL in the first practice of training camp. Losing a starter is always a big deal, but the Ravens losing a solid player like Foxworth in their biggest area of weakness is especially painful. The five-year vet says he’ll try to contribute to the team by participating in meetings and watching practices in an attempt to mentor Baltimore’s young corners, but the bottom line is that not having Foxworth on the field dampens the Ravens’ high hopes for the 2010 season a bit.

Meanwhile, Kindle, a second-round pick by the Ravens in this year’s draft, injured his head in a fall in a home in late July, and as a result he was not able to report to training camp. His college head coach, Mack Brown, has said that Kindle suffers from narcolepsy, which could explain the fall. Kindle is not cleared to leave Austin, Texas, while the swelling on his brain lessens, and as a result he likely won’t make it to Baltimore until after the Ravens break camp. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Ravens either placed Kindle on injured reserve or simply didn’t sign him until he’s healthy later this season or after 2010. The injury is a big loss, because we’re big believers in Kindle’s talents.

In Miami, Merling suffered a torn Achilles in late July, just before camp opened, and it will cost him the entire 2010 season. Although he started only four games over  his first two seasons, Merling was a sturdy run-stopper who figured into the mix at defensive end. Miami now needs first-rounder Jared Odrick to be an immediate contributor and veteran Charles Grant to adjust quickly to the 3-4 defense after years in the 4-3. Veteran Marques Douglas, like Grant a pre-camp signee, also adds depth.

Once camp began, Edds, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa, suffered a torn ACL in an early-August camp practice and will miss the season. Edds was expected to find a role on passing downs at inside linebacker in Miami’s 3-4. The injury is a blow to Miami and a blow to a rookie trying to earn a gig in the NFL.

1) BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5):

OFFENSE: The Baltimore Ravens have become synanomis with dominating defense over the years, however, the 2010 version of the Ravens may post their most consitent offense in the franchises history…it starts with 3rd year pro JOE FLACCO progressing as well as any young QB in the league and providing the Ravens with a downfield passing game they have been missing for so very long…Flacco has some weapons on the outside, not to sound redundent, but weapons the Ravens have simply never had…ANQUAN BOLDIN to me anyway, was the #1 offseason acquisition hands down due to the fact that he could mean so much to the Ravens offense, and could legitimately be the missing piece to push a team over the top…having Boldin on board as the clear-cut #1 receiver allows the Ravens to move DERRICK MASON to the #2 receiver position, which should allow the Ravens to take advantage of some mismatches…speaking of mismatches, the Ravens also boast one of the leagues most versatile runningbacks in 3rd year back RAY RICE…Rice is an outstanding runner in between the tackles and catches the ball with ease out in space, a truely rare combination in the league now…WILLIS MCGAHEE can play the role of closer as he excels in short yardage as well as near the goal-line…TODD HEAP  was once one of the leagues best tight ends, but he has lost a step or two, so the Ravens added two solid TE prospects in the middle rounds during the 2010 NFL Draft in ED DICKSON  and DENNIS PITTA, both of which should benefit an already vastly improved offense–Dickson can stretch the field vertically, Pitta provides outstanding hands across the middle of the field…the Ravense offensive line is another area of strength–bookend offensive tackles in MICHAEL OHER  and JARED GAITHER …Oher was a tremendous find as a rookie last season and could have multiple Pro Bowls in his very bright future…the Ravens offense has very little downside with unbelievable upside…

DEFENSE: When discussing the Ravens defense the discussion has to begin and end with one of the best linebackers in the history of the National Football League and future Hall of Famer RAY LEWIS…I for one will admit that I thought Lewis’s game would slowly erode over the years, and although he is not as quick around the ball as he once was, he is no liability in any sense of the word–the ultimate QB on defense, Lewis gets the best out of the players around him, which may go down as his ultimate legacy and resounding calling card…all world safety ED REED spoke about retirement following the 2009 season, but he too will return for another season, mounting injuries have caught up with him somewhat, but there is still no better ballhawk in the league when he is healthy…HALOTI NGATA remains one of the more underappreciated players in the NFL, he is ferocious against the one and truly might be the top interior defensive lineman in the game today…TERRELL SUGGS  has been a pass rushing dynamo througout his career, however, still very inconsistent from game to game…the Ravens normally draft as well as any team in the league, and the 2010 draft was no different adding two defensive prospects that fit their scheme perfectly in edge rusher SERGIO KINDLE  and massive run stuffing defensive tackle TERRENCE CODY…in fact, the duo of Ngata and Cody could keep offensive coordinators awake at night…the major deficiency of the Ravens defense appears to be at the cornerback position where the days of Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle are long gone…

OVERALL: The Ravens were a very solid team with a road playoff victory under its belt one season ago, and improved the roster more than any other team from ’09 to ’10…there are several players on both sides of the ball that can make a difference in a NFL game, I expect the offense to be tremendous and the defense to be stellar–an excellent combination…the Bengals and Steelers will both be tough yet again, however, I feel that the Ravens will rise to the top of the AFC North and compete for a Super Bowl berth in the process…

2) CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-6):

OFFENSE: What makes the National Football League so interesting, among any number of things, is that several teams are particularly intriguing every preseason, the Cincinnati Bengals fit that description this time around…the Bengals offense revolves around a castaway runningback CEDRIC BENSON who stunned a lot of people in 2009 when he became the focal point of the AFC North champions…CARSON PALMER  is still the face of the franchise and you can see moments of stellar quarterback play, but down the stretch the Bengals passing game became virtually non-existent and that has to fall on the right arm of Palmer…in order to boost what had become a non-threatening passing game the Bengals signed free agent ANTONIO BRYANT  and selected the drafts premier tight end in JERMAINE GRESHAM so in theory, the Bengals deep and intermediate passing attack should be upgraded…CHAD OCHO CINCO remains a #1 WR and runs as excellent a route as anyone, however, he has never been big on going across the middle or catching touchdowns in traffic, so if you know what your getting and focus on what each receiving option does best, this offense can be tough to stop…one of the more interesting camp battles in the league is going to be between ANDRE CALDWELL and 3rd round selection JORDAN SHIPLEY, the winner of which is going to have a key role in the offense as the 3rd/slot WR…as for a ‘sleeper’ pick for a Bengals contributor, see if BERNARD SCOTT is eased more in to the offense as a ore elusive change of pace RB and possible contributor on 3rd downs in the passing game…

***UPDATE***: The Bengals recent signing of free agent WR TERRELL OWENS does have a significant ripple effect…Owens may not be the vertical threat he once was, but he still draws the defenses attention and is above average in the redzone…he will also make Chad Ocho Cinco happy…I expect a boost in a 1-2 games following this signing, which insures the Bengals offense will have playmakers all over the field…

DEFENSE: One of the biggest stunners of the 2009 NFL Season was the emergence of a Bengals defense that surprised many with its steady play throughout…if you had to pin-point where the success begins I would first start by praising one of the more dynamic pair of cornerbacks in the league in LEON HALL and JONATHAN JOSEPH…the emergence of Hall was forseen by many, but Joseph stepping up helped the defenses overall performance by leaps and bounds…the Bengals linebacking unit has lacked superstar ability, but the two recent early selections could pay dividends in 2010…KEITH RIVERS  was the Bengals 1st round selection in 2008, and has yet to perform up to the hype, however, if he can deliver in 2010, the Bengals defense can become even more versatile and multi-dimensional…REY MUALAGA looked the part of a NFL middle linebacker in spurts in 2009, sometimes he looked like a rookie, more consistency in his game is needed…the player who made the biggest leap in 2009 was DOMATA PEKO, his play successfully stabalized the Bengals defensive front…the Bengals coaching staff are hoping to get help from two developmental players who have immense potential at the defensive end position, 2009 3rd round selection MICHAEL JOHNSON  and 2010 2nd round selection CARLOS DUNLAP…both of which are unbelievable athletes who need coaching up to make an impact at the professional level…

OVERALL:The Bengals won the AFC North and in all honesty, probably got more talent in the off-season, and yet, I am not predicting them to win the division again…there is a lasting memory in my head of the Bengals passing game coming to a screaching halt in 2009 that leaves doubt on the Bengals 2010 prognosis…the Bengals had the look of a team that is just good, but not great, however, following the Terrell Owens signing, the offensive firepower is really tough to ignore…expect the Bengals to win a significant amount of games and reach the playoffs again in 2010…the ‘X’ factor for this team is Carson Palmer…the playmakers, the running game, the defense are in place…Palmer needs to get it done in 2010…the Bengals reach the playoffs, but have a quick exit…

3) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-7):

OFFENSE: The Steelers 2010 campaign is likely going to be the tale of two seasons–the four games that they must play without suspended QB BEN ROETHLESBERGER and the twelve remaining games that they will be playing with him under center…Big Ben was suspended for his highly publicized off the field antics, and may leave his team in a hole by the time he takes a snap in 2010…the Steelers are likely to use veteran journeyman BYRON LEFTWICH  in Ben’s absence, the hope is that his experience will help stabilize what could project to be a shaky offense…the crutch that the offense should rely on his two-fold–one the passing game should rest on the shoulders of veteran and team captain HINES WARD, who has shown no signs of slowing down…two–the Steelers should revert back to their old Steelers mantra of depending on a healthy downhill running attack focused around the unquestioned starter in 2010, RASHARD MENDENHALL…the Steelers traded away standout Santonio Holmes in the offseason with his own suspension looming, so his spot in the offense should be wide open for 2nd year speedster MIKE WALLACE  to spread the defense vertically and open up the underneath game to Hines Ward and others, expect a big breakout season for Wallace…the Steelers have a solid tight end and red zone target in HEATH MILLER, I would expect Byron Leftwich to look his way early and often in his starts early in the season…the Steelers drafted MAURKYCE POUNCEY in the 1st round to solidfy a rather shaky offensive line, Pouncey should start immediately, many future pro bowls could be in his future, he is legit…EMMANUEL SANDERS is an interesting guy to keep in mind with Hines Ward advancing in age, he is likely to start the season as a 2nd stringer, but he has the talent to escalate the depth chart and contribute down the line in three WR sets, and become the eventual successor to Hines Ward…

DEFENSE: If there was ever any question to how important TROY POLAMULU was to the Steelers defense, those questions were put to rest in 2010 as Polamulu missed the vast majority of the season, and a historically dominating defense in 2009 became a shell of its former self…Polamulu is likely to be back to his playmaking ways in 2010, and the Steelers defense will be the beneficiearies…outside of Polamulu, the most important player to the Steelers success is nose tackle CASEY HAMPTON…Hampton is one of the constantly underraed players due to his position, but rest assured, the Steelers success is in direct correlation with the play of Hampton, he is irreplaceable on this team…the Steelers have been known for their legendary linebackers for decades and the current roster is no different…JAMES HARRISON and LAMARR WOODLEY combine as the top pass rushing due the league has to offer…LAWRENCE TIMMONS has advanced his game to the point that he is no longer viewed as the weak point of this defensive unit…2nd round selection JASON WORILDS is a physical specimen, but will need some time adapting to a new position and the NFL level of talent, but he is in the perfect position to mentor underneath some of the top 3-4 linebackers in the business…the Steelers cornerback position was a clear weakness a year ago, they are banking on the re-acquisition of BRYANT MCFADDEN to help the secondary play as a whole…

OVERALL:Clearly, the story here is going to be the Ben Roethlesberger saga and the reaction that a fanatical fanbase has upon his return…there were few Big Ben supporters following this latest off the field incident and the majority of Steelers fans wanted him traded in the offseason…when he returns in week #5, it is truly going to be “must see TV”…the Steelers defense should be much more dominating as Troy Polamulu returns to man the secondary, and the Steelers look committed to getting back to the power running game they are known for, however, the offensive line will be banged up again in 2010 and one has to wonder how this offense can function without what once was a stalwart group up front…the Steelers can rebound, but it is hard to imagine the team not suffering consistency and chemistry issues throughout the year, and looks as if they have been surpassed by not one, but two teams in their own division.

4) CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-13):

OFFENSE: The Cleveland Browns offense is going to be a futile group in 2010 as the rebuilding process continues under Mike Holmgren…the Browns are relying on JAKE DELHOMME and SENECA WALLACE as the least effective duo of quarterbacks in the NFL…Delhomme has been turnover prown over the past couple seasons, and it was a stunner when the Browns signed him on to be the starter…at the skilled positions there are a couple bright spots to keep an eye on…MOHAMMED MOSSAQUOI has the ability to develop into a playmaker on the outside, he has the frame to be the Browns most effective redzone target as well…BRIAN ROBISKIE gave the Browns absolutely nothing in 2009–but from all accounts from training camp looks to make some big progress in 2010 and is the likely starter opposite Mossaquoi…JEROME HARRISON lit up the NFL in the last few weeks of the season, however, the Holmgren regime has no inclinations to use him as an every down starter, in fact, they plan on fazing him out of the rushing attack as they plan to feature 2010 2nd round selection MONTARIO HARDESTY…Hardesty has an excellent blend of power and change of pace speed, and excels in rushing between the tackles, and appears to be developing in to a coaching staffs favorite…JOSH CRIBBS is a jack-of-all trades type player as he can help out in the running and receiving game, he can line up at the QB position in the ‘wildcat’ formation and can actually throw the football effectively, all of these are a sidenote to his extraodinary ability in the special teams return game as he has pushed Devin Hester aside to become the most outstanding return man in the game…in a professional arena where the most talented athletes in the world perform, it is nearly impossible to stand out due your athleticism and versatility, however, there is no doubt that Cribbs is that rare breed of athlete that does indeed truly stand out and the Browns coaching staff would be smart to get the football in his hands more often…JOE THOMAS will be back again as one of the best offensive tackles the game has to offer and will lay the ground work for what is to be an offense in rebuilding mode…speaking of which, as the season turns sour, at what point do the Cleveland brass decide to take a look at 3rd round selection COLT MCCOY…

DEFENSE:

This defensive unit is going to be one of the least effective throughout the league…there are few bright spots along this unit as a whole…ERIC WRIGHT is one of the better young cornerbacks in the league and has developed more consistency to his game as his career has progressed–a Pro Bowl selection in 2010 would not be entirely surprising…JOE HADEN may be the top cornerback prospect to come out of the collegiate ranks since Darrelle Revis and Leon Hall, he should pair with Wright to give the Browns a solid backbone on which to build upon…D’QWELL JACKSON remains one of the top middle linebackers in the league and is unheralded for his play because he plays for Cleveland and his tackle numbers are considered less than credible due to fact he plays for a poor team, but he is another building block…SHELDON BROWN is expected to provide depth for the secondary and 2nd round selection T.J. Ward is expected to compete to start at safety…there are some interesting parts here, but there is a long way to go before they become a serviceable defense in the NFL…

OVERALL:

The Browns are just not a very good football team with few bright spots to point to as potential for the immediate future…the Jake Delhomme signing was a stunner, and an offense devoid of playmakers, this will be a tough team to watch…Mike Holmgren has his work ahead of him if he believes he can turn the Browns around…the defensive secondary could keep them in a couple ball games, but a putrid offense in a division with outstanding defenses is not a recipe for success…the wins will be few and far between…get ready for a top 5 draft pick…

Kindle will have to wait at least three weeks before he can travel.

Case in point is the current plight of Baltimore Ravens top pick Sergio Kindle. We’ve all heard about his fall down two flights of stairs. Kindle was staying at a friend’s home where the accident occurred. According to Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times (Maryland), Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh stated that Kindle took a wrong turn in the dark. Harbaugh later elaborated that Kindle showed “signs of a concussion”, had possibly “a fractured skull” and cannot “travel for a few weeks at least”.

Here’s where the “extra news” gets pulled into this whole story.

I was watching ESPN yesterday and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I heard a disturbing slant on the story. It was disturbing for two reasons.

One was that Adam Schefter brought up two incidents involving Kindle’s past, a DUI and an accident when he crashed into a building as he was texting. And it grew legs. Or this is where the legs actually came from. It’s almost like the “which came first, the chicken or the egg” thing. Here’s an excerpt from a post via The Baltimore Sun by Jamison Hensley.

Kindle was considered a top 25 prospect after being a disruptive pass rusher in college (16 sacks and two forced fumbles in four seasons). But he slipped to 43rd overall in the draft partly because of character issues.

He was arrested for driving while intoxicated in July 2007. Two years later, he had a one-car accident where he damaged a building and left the scene.

After being drafted by the Ravens, Kindle said his DUI was “a poor decision on getting in the car after having some drinks.”

His explanation for driving into the building was texting and driving.

“It was a dumb move on my part,” he said in April. “It was bad judgment on how far you can travel while looking down for a split second in a car. In a second or two, you can go from 200 to 300 feet in a vehicle going 30″ miles per hour.

The second reason this disturbed me is that we were leaned into insinuating, to some degree, that Kindle’s past actually played a part in his accident. It may have, but where are the damn facts of that here. All we know is that Kindle fell down two flights of steps in the dark. Could the fact that he was unable to see be a reason? All we got were reasons to assume that this accident could have happened because of a prior DUI. It has nothing to do with it. Not a stitch.

I don’t see the necessity of bringing up either episode from Kindle’s past here.

Look, I’m no fool in thinking that it’s not a big accomplishment when someone (blogger, writer, reporter, etc.) breaks a major story. Considering that we now have the internet, we are all victims to the 24/7 news cycle. To break a story first is now bigger than ever considering the vast number of media outlets at our disposal. That, in turn, creates huge competition. You get a tremendous sense of pride when you outdo the others. Nothing wrong with that. Just make sure it’s done with some tact and not in a railing fashion (You know who you are!).

If I’m wrong on this, then I’m wrong. If Kindle was drinking and intoxicated and that was the cause of the accident, then report on the past issues. As of now, they don’t  apply.

Update: According to Shutdown Corner on Yahoo!, Chris Chase reveals that Mack Brown, Kindle’s college coach, states that narcolepsy could have been a cuse for Kindle’s accident. Narcolepsy affects the brain’s ability to regulate normal sleep patterns. Chase also points out that rumors of Kindle having the condition arose during the draft. Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said, “If it was a concern, we probably wouldn’t have picked him.” – Stevie

Aren't you supposed to schedule a homecoming opponent you can beat?

Well, Rice decided to make UH their homecoming game, isn’t that special. I guess they felt that they needed more motivation to play in the game this year besides the bayou bucket, and their 73-14 embarrassment last year. I mean they put up less effort than Northwestern St. a FCS school. They sure didn’t live up to their slogan “Fight, never die.” Also, Coach David Bailiff probably needed to rethink where he put the phrase “ball security” on their shorts. Fail.

The balls are on the other side Rice

Anyways, there was a lot of rookie drama this past weekend in the NFL. First Dez Bryant refused to carry Roy Williams’ shoulder pads saying “Bitch, I’m here to take your job, you should carry my shit!”* Also, Ravens rookie Sergio “Amazon” Kindle fell down, not 1, but 2 flights of stairs…. That’s pretty impressive. Not many details have been released, but this is what we know about Sergio Kindle

• He was arrested for DUI in college
• He had a second mysterious single car accident where he drove into a wall.
• His dad is named Johnny Walker… Seriously.

Finally, Maurice Clarrett has wised up and, after being released from prison, he found the one place it is acceptable to carry booze around with you at all times (like he did at Bronco’s training camp). COLLEGE! That’s right, he has enrolled in fall classes at Ohio State. Also, in an unrelated story, Ohio State has a new walk-on running back named Claurice Marrett.

Here are your Houston sports updates. Let’s check it out.

Houston Astros – I don’t know…. did they play yesterday?

Houston Cougars – Still not football season yet….. I’m so bored

*This is what I assume was said because I didn’t read the actual quote

BONUS VIDEO – This video is late, because the commercial is now irrelevant, but we here at FAF are huge fans of Dr. Steve Brule…. So better late than never

Sergio Kindle, the 43rd pick in the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, injured his head while falling down a flight of stairs and it seems doubtful he may play at all this season.  As a Ravens fan this is disappointing because Kindle would probably have seen a lot of playing time to start the season.  He had a great career at Texas and was a good pickup for the Ravens in the 2nd round to add some depth to their always strong Linebacking Core.

From a personal perspective it’s a sad story of a freak accident.  To hear that he fractured his skull is pretty scary news and is another example of how even at home we need to be careful.  I don’t know how many times I’ve run down the stairs in the dark without thinking.  I hope he recovers quickly and even if he doesn’t play this year that there are no lingering effects from this injury.