Buckeye News Around the net for 09/17/08

Buckeye News Around the net for 09/17/08
Kirk Barton

Buckeye News Around the net for 09/17/08

AJ Hawk, Alex Stepanovich, Kirk Barton, Troy Smith, Jay Richardson, Na’il Diggs, Chris Gamble, Matt Wilhelm, Roy Hall, Rob Sims and Ted Ginn Jr.

By Bill Smith

The Good

LB A.J. Hawk (chest) played at weakside linebacker in Week 1. The harness he wore to protect his chest didn't hinder him, and he finished with a team-high 10 tackles (seven solo) and a quarterback hit.

Hawk is not listed on the team's injury report for Week 2 and is expected to play in the game.

C Alex Stepanovich (back) participated in practice Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The Miami Dolphins have claimed OT Kirk Barton (Bears) off waivers.  The Bears cut him after game 1.

The Bad

QB Troy Smith did not participate in practice Wednesday, or Thursday. He will have tests done Friday, Sept. 12, to determine condition. Smith did not practice and is not expected to suit up. He is out indefinitely.  From Pro Football Weekly:  The Ravens love rookie QB Joe Flacco’s poise, something they believe he has in ample reserve for a first-year player. And they love his skill set. But they are wary of the hard lessons he might endure after being thrust into the starting lineup because of a season-ending shoulder injury to Kyle Boller and a tonsil infection that kept Troy Smith off the active roster in Week One. The way we hear it, it will not be a surprise if the Ravens bench Flacco if he struggles once Smith is back in the fold. Flacco did get off to a winning start, though; helping lead the Ravens to a Week One win over the Bengals. He completed 15-of-29 passes for 129 yards and didn’t turn the ball over. He also ran 38 yards for a TD. In short, the Ravens have Flacco’s long-term future in mind as well as the present. In the meantime, Flacco is being asked to run an offensive package that isn’t quite as expansive as the one the Ravens would run with Boller or Smith.

From The Sporting News:  “Flacco will be the starter this week,” Coach John Harbaugh said at Monday’s news conference.  The 18th overall pick in the Ravens’ draft, Flacco was rushed into the starting role because the team’s other quarterbacks, Troy Smith (tonsil infection) and Kyle Boller (season-ending shoulder injury), were sidelined with medical issues.  Boller was put in IR and Smith was inactive for week 1.

In his NFL debut, Flacco was 15-for-29 passing for 129 yards. He ran for a 38-yard touchdown and provided the key block in the Ravens’ other touchdown.  The Ravens won but it was the Bengals.  You and I could beat the Bengals if you were having an off day.

From PFW:  Jay Richardson was unable to claim full-time spot at defensive end for Raiders. Sources in Oakland say the Raiders were hoping that second-year DE Jay Richardson would prove he could handle a full-time starter’s load, but thus far, he hasn’t shown he’s prepared for it. Instead, the team is likely to use Richardson on first and second downs and bring in Kalimba Edwards as a pass-rush specialist in 3rd-and-long situations. Richardson had just one sack as a rookie last season and didn’t have a single sack in three preseason starts in August. He has been very strong against the run, but hasn’t made enough of an impact on passing downs. The Raiders are counting on Edwards to be a playmaker off the edge, but he has been far from reliable in past seasons. The seventh-year player has been slowed by a groin injury recently and if it gets worse, Richardson could be thrust into the full-time role, even if he’s not ready for it.

LB Na'il Diggs suffered a foot injury in week 1 and still had a good game with 6 solo tackles, 2 assists and a sack.  Despite the injury he is considered day-to-day with a sprained foot. Diggs did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 10. He probably will play Week 2.

CB Chris Gamble (arm) was limited during practice both Wednesday and Thursday. He should be able to play Week 2.

Omar Kelly, of the South Florida SunSentinel, reports Miami Dolphins WR Derek Hagan worked with the first-team offense during practice Wednesday, Sept. 10, replacing WR Ted Ginn Jr. It was not clear if Ginn was hurt during his first game as a starter.  Despite practicing some behind Derek Hagan this week, Coach Tony Sparano confirmed Thursday that Ted Ginn remains a starter. "We're still trying to find the right pieces to the puzzle," Sparano said. "We need to see consistency come out of some of these guys." Ginn was benched in week 2.  He was the 4th receiver with one catch.  He was also removed from the return teams.

ILB Matt Wilhelm is getting roasted for his game on Sunday. Wilhelm looks to rebound after being pummeled by some run blocks and not knocking down the final pass, which was the game winner.

WR Roy Hall (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 11. He may not be able to play Week 2.

The Ugly

The Seattle Seahawks put OG Rob Sims (pectoral) on the Injured Reserve Wednesday, Sept. 10, because of a torn pectoral muscle.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent.  He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com.  He has also published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com

 
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