FBGP’s 2015 NFL Week 1 Preview: Steelers vs Patriots

____

Steelers Keys to Victory

1. 3rd Wide Receiver Needs to Step Up – Without Martavis Bryant, the Steelers will look toward either Rookie Sammie Coates or veteran Darrius Heyward-Bey to play big in that slot role to open up things for both Markus Wheaton and Antonio Brown.

2. Don’t Change Anything with DeAngelo Williams – Williams is very capable of providing what you would’ve expected Le’Veon Bell to provide in both the running game and passing game, so there is no need to do things differently because Bell isn’t in the lineup.

3. When in Doubt, Simplify – The Steelers have tremendous athleticism in the front 7 and if they find that guys are not playing fast because of too much thinking going on, don’t wait until you’re down big to the Patriots to simplify. Defense is about attitude and want to, so don’t hesitate to go simple in order to get the job done.

4. Never Allow Gronkowski a Free Release – This goes without say, but you want to make him work for every opportunity he gets in this one. Take away their #1 option and force Brady to go elsewhere. Pittsburgh can’t let Rob Gronkowski beat them.

Patriots Keys to Victory

1. Play Great Perimeter Defense – Pittsburgh will try to attack the Patriots on the flanks with Counters, Quick Screens, Speed Outs, etc. in an attempt to take advantage of their athletes in one-on-one situations. The Pats aren’t shabby themselves defensively on the edges and will have to make sure they force the Steelers to play a north/south game instead of an east/west one.

2. Play Whatever Game You Want Offensively – This is one of the best things about what New England brings to the table offensively; they have the ability to play any style: uptempo, ball control, no-huddle, they can do it all. It wouldn’t surprise me to see all three verses Pittsburgh in order to frustrate their defense.

3. Takeaways are Key – There will be 2-3 plays in this game where Big Ben will put one up for grabs and those are the opportunities that the Patriots can’t let slip away. Take advantage of those chances to put the ball back into Tom Brady’s hands.

Sunday Jul, 2015 12:49 PM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Season Preview: New York Jets

Reason for Optimism

The Jets should have one of the best defensive squads in the NFL. They’re armed with a very talented defensive line and ball-hawking secondary. Offensively, new Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey and Geno Smith should mesh well together as the Jets finally have given Smith some really good options on the flanks. So with a strong defensive team, an excellent defensive mind in Head Coach Todd Bowles, and a creative offensive mind in Gailey, you can understand the optimism coming out of Florham Park.

Cause for Concern

The Jets still have a weakness at Running Back. I don’t feel as though there’s a ‘threat’ back there which could ultimately lead to a sputtering attack. The right side of the offensive line could also be a concern if some of the same problems of 2014 start to resurface. And the biggest issue defensively would be if the second level (Linebackers) are not able to consistently bring it from the outside and generate pressure.

The Road to the Super Bowl for the New York Jets

1. Offense’s Flight Doesn’t Delay – If the Jets are having success offensively from the start of the season, that only bodes well for their chances of making the playoffs. Their offense doesn’t have to be ‘great’, but it can’t be a detriment to team success.

2. Geno Smith’s Turnovers Disappear – If Geno Smith can cut his fumbles and interceptions in half, then the offense will be able to sustain drives a lot more in 2015. Which ultimately means the defense can stay fresh and active throughout the course of a game and season.

3. The New York Sack Exchange Merges with The No-Fly Zone – In football, the front end has to help out the back end. If the talented defensive line can create problems, get to the quarterback and force bad passes and the ball-hawking secondary does a great job of playing clean up, picking off passes in the process, then the Jets could lead the league in sacks and takeaways which could put them in the playoffs this year.

Tuesday Mar, 2015 2:39 AM | by admin | NO COMMENTS

FBGP’s 2015 NFL Veteran Combine Coverage – Offensive Line

Offensive Line Group

Center Participants

1. Ben Gottschalk – SMU

2. Matt Armstrong – Grand Valley State

3. Mike Golic – Notre Dame

4. Jason Foster – Rhode Island

5. Deveric Gallington – Texas Tech

6. Greg Van Roten – Penn

7. Sherman Carter – Tennessee State

8. Graham Pocic – Illinois

Guard Participants

1. Michael Huey – Texas

2. Justin Wells – St. Augustine’s

3. Stephen Goodin – Nebraska-Kearney

4. Ian White – Boston College

5. Ray Dominguez – Arkansas

6. Darius Morris – Temple

Tackle Participants

1. Joshua Aladenoye – Illinois State

2. Jack Breckner – Gustavus Adolphus

3. Nase Foketi – Kansas State

4. Randall Harris – Towson

________

Workout Notes:

Randall Harris and Justin Wells moved extremely well in drills. Wells looked more like a ‘big TE’ as opposed to an OL because of how well he moved. Deveric Gallington & Michael Golic were also a couple of standouts in drills. Golic is coming off a very good season with the Brooklyn Bolts in the inaugural FXFL. Jason Foster had the fastest unofficial 40 time at 4.95. I also came away impressed with former GVSU Laker Matt Armstrong, another FXFL standout.

Video Highlights of the OL Drills