Monthly Archives: September 2010

With an eye toward playing in the season opener against Weber St. on Saturday, Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich is practicing in pads Tuesday for the first time since being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in May of 2009. He missed all of training camp due to a broken right foot he suffered prior to camp. “I wouldn’t rush back if there was a big risk of ruining the rest of the season, obviously. But at the same time, I don’t see that risk as really a problem right now, so coming back this week isn’t going to jeopardize the season,” said Herzlich before heading onto Shea Field for practice.

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UConn just published its depth chart for Saturday’s game at Michigan, and, in a big surprise, Greg Lloyd is listed as the starting linebacker, with Scott Lutrus moving over to play Husky linebacker. Lloyd, who was supposed to switch from linebacker to defensive end this year, was expected to redshirt because of a knee injury he sustained last season. Lloyd, a senior, had 91 tackles and five sacks last year as a middle linebacker.

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Studs: DE Julius Peppers, LB Brian Urlacher, KR Devin Hester

Duds: QB Jay Cutler

Sleepers: RB Chester Taylor, WR Devin Aromashodu, FS Major Wright (rookie)

X-Factor: Can offensive whiz Mike Martz work his magic on QB Jay Cutler?

Synopsis: There may not be a hotter seat in football than the chair that head coach Lovie Smith occupies. Since their Super Bowl appearance in ’07, the Bears have failed to make the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. Offensive whiz Mike Martz was brought in to help restore order. After a horrendous 27 interception performance by QB Jay Cutler last season, Martz has installed his intricate play-calling system, which could prove to be a boom-or-bust type of ploy. Should Cutler stumble again, both Smith and Martz could find themselves on the unemployment line.

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Studs: WR Calvin Johnson, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch DT Ndamukong Suh

Duds: RB Kevin Smith

Sleepers: WR Bryant Johnson WR/KR Derrick Williams, TE Tony Scheffler

X-Factor: Contenders or pretenders…is this team still in rebuilding mode?

Synopsis: The Lions finished with just two victories last season, which was two more than what they won two seasons ago. Lions fans have endured some pretty rough times in Detroit but hope is in the air as the team has improved vastly in recent drafts, adding quality-caliber players such as QB Matthew Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson and OT Gosder Cherilus on offense. Impact players such as WR Nate Burleson, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, CB Chris Houston (trade) and first round draft pick DT Ndamukong Suh were brought in during the offseason to give

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Studs: QB Brett Favre, RB Adrian Peterson, OG Steve Hutchinson

Duds: WR Javon Walker

Sleepers: WR Bernard Berrian, WR Greg Camirillo (trade), CB Lito Sheppard

X-Factor: How strong is Favre’s back? Will #4 presence block rookie Joe Webb ability?

Synopsis: The NFL offseason wouldn’t be complete without “Favre Watch.” Forty-year old QB Brett Favre returns for his twentieth season after guiding the Vikings to a 12-4 record during his first year with the team. Can Favre work his magic again? Can the team overcome injuries to WRs Sidney Rice (hip) and Percy Harvin (migraines)?  Those are big questions that will need to be answered but if everything clicks on all cylinders like they did a year ago, the sky’s the limit. We haven’t even mentioned RB Adrian Peterson yet, who many believe is the

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Studs: QB Aaron Rogers, WR Greg Jennings, LB Clay Mathews, CB Charles Woodson

Duds: DL Justin Harrell

Sleepers: RB Brandon Jackson, TE Jermichael Finley, FS Morgan Burnett

X-Factor: Should the Pack be concerned about RB Ryan Grant preseason concussion?

Synopsis: Expectations have risen for QB Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers. Not since there was a special #4 in town was the team expected to be so good. That is largely in part due to the big leap forward Rogers took as a starting quarterback last season. The offensive line finally began to gel during the second part of the season last year, which helped keep Rogers off his back and find his two favorite WR targets Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. TE Jermichael Finley is also expected to be a big

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