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After a shaky preseason, the Rams come
intong day with something to prove to Dallas and the
rest of the PFL. That is, that the reports of their demise
are premature. While this game may have lost some of its
preseason luster, the fact still remains that this game will
feature the two coaches with the best regular season
coaching records in PFL history. And although they just met
in the Superbowl last season, many want to see if the big 2
will be a threat to return to the big dance.
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Charles will depend on Aikman's pin
point passing to bring home the W
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All the talk lately has been
about Jacksonville and Kansas City perhaps facing each other
in the game of the year. But don't count out these two
fiesty warriors for they have proven that even with their
backs against the well, they can still change the course
direction for the league. Look for Gresham to unviel a never
before seen custom arsenal. "My deep ball is back," stated
the Creator. Look for Gresham to go deep to Bruce, Holt or
even Az-Hakim. To counter this, look for Charles to blitz
from the outside. Gresham will no doubt test the double
screens against Dallas. Look for this not to be a factor vs.
the Dallas D. The Cowboys must stop Gresham's hurry up style
offense. To this, look for Dallas to control tempo of the
game by trying to establish Emmitt Smith early. The Rams
play excellent underneath defense, thus eliminating Charles
usual patience underneath attack. Look for Dallas to run or
go deep to the Rocket or Michael Irvin early. This won'e be
a high scroring because both teams will play solid defense.
I look for it to go to the wire, with St. Louis escaping narrowly by 1.
Series - Gresham 3-0
vs. Charles, including Superbowl III
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NY Jets @ Oakland****
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This game gets a four
star rating simply because of the mystery and intrigue
behind Tom Poon's offense. Poon has not faced any PFL
competition since his NFC championship lost to Israel
Charles last season. This could haunt him in the early
going. While it is also true that no one has seen Poon's
offense, or defense for that matter, the fact that he
with Raiders makes that a non issue in the game. Barrow
ranked third in total defense last year, and from early
indications, the defense will be as tough in 2000 if not
tougher. If Poon comes to the table with a style similar to
last year, you can expect a well executed, patient
underneath game plan. Poon was masterful at using Johnson,
and Chrebet going underneath and creating huge RAC (run
after catch) yardage. To counter this Barrow will look to
call an assortment of underneath zone packages. Look for
Poon to challenge the Raider corners early. Unfortunately
for the Jets, Woodson and Allen are two of the best on the
game. Poon's best option may be to go across the middle and
exploit the weak Raider linebackers. Look for Poon to also
create match up problems when Barrow goes to his 4-3 in
order to get a Linebacker covering the slot. Barrow must
watch for this and be prepared to audible out and get zone
help. The Jets defense were no slouches either. Poon's new
millennium "sack exchange" ranked first in THE LEAGUE in
total defense, allowing a meager 163 yards per game. But
again, that may not be a factor in the game either as
Oakland loves to play the ugly ball control games that may
not feature a ton of yards, nor very many points. Barrow's
motto is that of the great Oakland Raider owner Al Davis:
"Just Win Baby." The Raiders and Dallas were the only 10 win
teams not to be ranked in the top 8 in scoring last year.
The Raiders averaged 23 ppg, defeating their opponents by a
slim 0.4 points per game. (11th in The PFL). How can a team
with those kind of numbers win 12 games? Ball control. The
Raiders lead THE LEAGUE in time of possession, hogging the
ball for 14 minutes out 24 in a game. Look for Barrow to the
same against Poon, using Nap Kaufman, and the big fullback
Ritchie to control the clock, while hitting Dudley or Jett
in the clutch. Brown and Shedd or the big play receivers.
Look for the Jets secondary to have their hands full. I like
the Jets game planning and coaching, but I like the Raiders
weapons, execution, so I'll take Oakland by 3.
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Seattle @ San
Francisco****
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Early in the
preseason, this game may have warranted two starts, but
since the emergence of expansion baller Darrin Taylor, the
intrigue has heightened. Taylor's spanking of the defending
PFL/national Madden Games champion hasd eyes in THE
LEAGUE. Maybe it was the fact that The Swammi "dissed"
Taylor, making him 500:1 odds to win the tourney, that made
him come out to prove he is a capable baller in this league.
Whatever it is, Taylor's skills have sharpened dramatically
over the past months. Defeating Gresham (all be it
preseason) gives him the credibility he needs to get some
respect. However, he is facing one of the most potent
offenses in THE LEAGUE at this point in the season, in Wayne
Allen's 49ers. The problem that Taylor may have is stopping
Allen's vertical passing attack. Allen proved in the
tournament he could score from anywhere on the field, just
about at any time. Allen's custom package is as lethal as
there is in THE LEAGUE with the exception being Hilton's
Jaguars. Look for Allen to masterfully set Taylor up going
underneath, nickel and diming him to death before sending
Rice, Owens or Hearst down the field deep. Allen also
executes his double screens excellently, camouflaging when
they are coming. Look for Taylor toup the game plan as
well. Taylor plays the typical non conservative New River
style offense. Joey Galloway is certainly the big play guy
for Taylor, but watch out for Pritchard as well. Both can
make big plays. Allen will more need to attack Seattle with
some cover 2 in addition to blitzes to get to Kitna. Taylor
will try to get Watters involved early, but Allen is
probably one of the best in THE LEAGUE against the run, so
don't look for the Seahawks to stick with the run long. If
Allen contains Galloway and Pritchard, he wins the game, its
that simple. Look for Allen to also run some Nickel quarters
to contain the SE slant that Taylor loves to run. This game
will start out as a chess match, but Allen's big plays will
be the difference, so I like the Niners in a early squeaker by
3.
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Minnesota @ Miami****
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Well it all starts
here for Miami. After his best preseason ever, its gut check
time for Tony Womack. This is where it counts, and this is
where Womack's skills will really be measured, in the
regular season. No doubt, Womack's offensive prowess has
improved, and he is no longer disrespected in the PFL. "The
Mack" comes into this game with high hopes of making the
playoffs, but first he must get though a stubborn Minnesota
team. The Vikes offense is getting better and better under
Brooks. With a solid running game, and a lethal passing
attack, Brooks has the tools to go all the way. The question
remains whether or not he can play consistent enough to win
at the highest level. Look for Brooks to establish Robert
Smith early. After a few sweeps and tosses from the
Singleback formation, look for Brooks to try to get Smith in
the flats. Womack will be ready for this early. The Dolphins
have the highest rated defense on the system to compliment
Womack who usually plays good defense. Where the Vikes may
try to exploit the Fins is in the secondary, specifically
the weak play of the Dolphin Safeties. Look for Moss to go
deep with Brooks looking for a safety mismatch. This is
where Womack must be careful. Blitzing Cunningham is
effective, but if the Fins don't get there, its instant
touchdown(just add water). Brooks will go to Carter
occasionally, but no doubt, Randy Moss is the man. Moss
possesses the "leapers" to get up heads and shoulders
(literally) above the rest of the secondary. Womack's key
must be to force Brooks to stay in obvious passing
situations. As for the Dolphins, offensively, look for
Womack to unveil his custom package early. Mack likes to mix
it up, hitting a variety of running backs and receivers in
the offense. Although Womack's vertical passing game lacks
efficiency, the short game is excellent. Look for the Fins
to attack the Dolphins with a variety of crossing routes and
underneath plays. Womack's custom package creates mismatches
that favor the offense, and this is why the game will be
played tight. I look for it to stay a tough defensive
struggle until someone makes a mistake (turnover). I think
that will be the Dolphins making the crucial turnover in
late in the second quarter or in the second half that will
be the turning point of the game. The Fins too turnover
prone to win this one. I like the Vikes by 3.
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Green Bay @ Kansas
City***
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Kevin Fox is
certainly in a funk. He can't seem to get his offense on
track, and the defense continues to give up the big play,
especially on third downs. That is why Ed Haywood is licking
his chops. Haywood's complex motion offense will cause
problems for Fox. The Chiefs like to get motion to create
the match ups they like offensively, driving the defensive
coordinator nuts. Then after throwing in the motion and
adding misdirection, Haywood goes up top for the big play,
and lights out Green Bay. To counter this, Green Bay will
have to play excellent underneath defense. The Chiefs have
to be in 3rd and longs all game if Fox is going to have a
chance to win. The difference here is that the Green Bay
will have to play solid defense and stopping giving easy
third down conversions to the offense. That is what happened
in the tournament against Wayne Allen. In addition, once the
Chiefs are in third and long, the Packers will need to get
pressure on Grbac and force him to get rid of the ball
early. As for K.C., they must watch the Antonio Freeman,
Fox's go to guy. Look for Haywood to double Freeman. mixed
with Cover 2 zones, to confuse Fox. Blitzing Favre is the
key as well, as Fox likes to take those long drop backs. Fox
rarely goes to Brooks, but he will occasionally. Chamura is
still a key ingredient to the Packer offense, especially on
third down. Look for Fox to try to get Levens off early, but
to no avail. Haywood will shut down Levens early and then
close the book on the Pack. Look for a big game from Rashan
Shehee. I like KC
by 5 1/2.
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Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
**
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This should be a
coming out party for the Jags, as the Colt defense won't be
able to contain Hilton's explosive offense. Although the
Colts are steadily improving, they won't be a match for the
high octane Jaguar offense. Look for Hilton to administer a
healthy dose of Fred Taylor early before crossing Ellis up
with the deep game. Hilton's main go to guy in the clutch is
Alfred Whited, the speedy wide out. Look for Brunnel to hit
Whited streaking behind Colt secondary on third and long
situations. The only remedy for Ellis is to keep Hilton in
second or third and long situations and force him to go deep
often, in hopes of finding a defense to contain the deep
threat. That wont be easy because Hilton likes to go to
Smith and McCardell as well. The Jags stellar defense will
make it hard for Ellis to get off with Edgerrin James. James
is definitely the catalyst to the Colt offense. The one
problem Ellis may have is he uses James too much. This would
work for average Madden ballers, but for highly skilled
players such as Hilton, he will need to find more options on
the offense. Ellis likes to go to James out of the Pro Form
on sweeps and tosses. Occasional he will the give the FB a
bone out of the I form. Both backs are effective, and Ellis
posses excellent stick control, which in turns makes him
effective running. At times the Colt offense becomes
predictable. For instance, Ellis likes to go to Manning
usually out of the Weak I formation, and James out of the
pro. As long as the Colts are in these two formations they
are doing okay. The sign that Hilton has forced Ellis out of
his game plan is when he goes to the shotgun. Ellis custom
plays are effective, ball control type plays, but they are
not lethal like Hilton's. I look for Hilton to take this one
easily. Jags by
13.
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Tampa Bay @ Atlanta*
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While Brian Cook is
improving as a PFL baller, he still has a way to go before
he can challenge the premier players in THE LEAGUE. Kwan
Drake is one of those PTBers (Prime Time Ballers). Look for
Cook to have his hands full against Drakes double screens
and outside running game. The Falcons will probably get off
to their customary slow start before heating up towards the
end of the game when it is too late. Look for Drake to jump
out early and shut the door on the Falcons. Cook on the
other hand, needs to find ways to exploit the Tampa defense
with Jamall Anderson. Chris Chandler, although proven, can
be inconsistent. That's why Cook will have to rely on his
short game in this one. That plays right into Tampa Bay's
hands. I look for the Tampa defense to dominate the PFL this
season. There isn't a weak spot in on the field. The
D-line's lateral pursuit is outstanding, and Warren Sapp is
a monster among boys. This could get ugly early, but I think
Atlanta makes it respectable in the end, so I'll take the Bucs by
6.
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NY Giants @ Buffalo*
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Can you say laugher?
Teddy Brown may not eventhe custom playbook for this
one. David Nunez will get a prime initiation into the PFL
this weekend as he faces Brown first, then Womack second.
Both coaches wanting to make a statement to the rest of THE
LEAGUE onng day. Browns multiple set offense will be
too much for the green Nunez who will be struggling to keep
up with the different options Brown will hit him
with.Nunez's spanking at the hands of expansion brethren
Darrin Taylor shows that he has great strides to make before
becoming a force in THE LEAGUE of all Leagues. For Brown,
this will be a "stat padder." Look for nothing in this game
to resemble a game plan that you will see in any of Browns
games versus formidable opponents. No need for a scouting
report here, Bills
cruise easily by 11.
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New England @ Tennessee*
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David Hines couldn't
have had a better draw for his first game. The Pats are
coming off some off season woes that could effect their
game. Don't expect Hines to take it light on the vulnerable
Smolka. All is fair in love and THE PFL. Hines has shown
promise, but maybe still a year away from competing with the
upper echelon teams in THE LEAGUE. However, this may be just
the right time for him to steal a win from the Pats. Where
as the the Titans struggle to score last year, the struggle
will be different this year. This year, Hines will put
points on the board, he just may not put up very many w's.
Although the Pats are somewhat vulnerable now, Smolka will
have enough to slide by Hines. Smolka still has Ben Coates
and Terry Glenn. Combine that with Smolka finding new ways
to get Kevin Faulk involved in the offense and this could
spell trouble for Hines. Smolka like to mix it up. The
running game will sputter until Smolka can get used to how
to use Faulk, but expect that to happen some in this game.
Look for Smolka to experiment with new ways to get Faulk
involved. Hines has the big work horse Eddie George and he
is using him well. Hines will want to get George the ball
early on screens, and tosses. Smolka will be ready for this,
and force Hines to have to put the ball in the air with
McNair. This is where Smolka feels he can tee off on Hines.
Experience give Smolka the edge, and that's all I need to
see, I'll take the
Pats by 4 1/2
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ALSO
SEE
Complete Scouting
Report of other Games
Next
Week's Schedule
Official
PFL Calendar
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The Swammi's Viewing Guide For PFL
Games
***** - Game Of
The Week, will be an intense match up, great game
to watch
**** - Highly
competetive game, marquee ballers, should be
exciting
*** -
Good game for recreational viewing,
not as competetive as other games, but should
provide some interesting moments
** - Nothing
else to do, no one else playing, you want to see
someone run up the scores
* - A real
yawner, stuck at Bru's cause you can't get a ride
home, blowout caliber game or no one cares who wins
or loses.
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