Tavern Talk: NFC Blue-Chip Players, Part Five

National Football Post

 

Today, we look at the NFC East and North in our discussion of blue-chip players. It might not have been easy being green, but it’s harder being blue....

 

'BLUE CHIP PLAYER'—Player has abilities that can create mismatches vs. most opponents in the league. Is a featured player on the team and has impact on the outcome of the game. Not one player can take him out of the game. Each week, he has a consistent level of performance. Plays at a championship level performance. He rates in the top ten at his position in the league.

 

NFC EAST

 

Dallas

 

AP:Jason Witten

 

BLUE CHIP

Jason Witten: Great combo player. Can run, block and really catch.

Jay Ratliff: Effective inside player.

DeMarcus Ware: Dominating pass rusher.

Tony Romo: He’s a top player, now he needs to win a playoff game.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Terence Newman: 30 years old; missed games the last two years.

Andre Gurode: Good player, but not a blue.

Leonard Davis: Has blue moments, but is not always consistent.

Felix Jones: Flashed blue skills, but isn’t a blue—yet.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

They may not be tied at the hip, but Wade Phillips and Tony Romo need to have big years. Romo needs to have a year like ‘07, and Phillips needs to prove he can be a coach who can inspire this team.

 

New York Giants

 

BLUE CHIP

Chris Snee: Talented player.

Brandon Jacobs: He has power, speed and production.

Justin Tuck: Very hard to block anywhere he lines up.

Osi Umenyiora: Can change the game with his rush skills.

Antonio Pierce: Key player, run and pass, for the defense.

Eli Manning: Had his best season last year; cut INTs in half.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Corey Webster: He fits the scheme well and had a good year in ‘08.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

The Giants have the perfect blend of good coach and good quarterback. The head coach, Tom Coughlin, knows Manning’s strengths and weaknesses, and Manning is improving each season.

 

Philadelphia

 

BLUE CHIP

APDonovan McNabb

 

Donovan McNabb: He is still a very good player.

Brian Westbrook: Can make plays, big plays.

Trent Cole: Best rusher on the team.

Jason Peters: Didn’t have a blue year last year but can have one this year.

 

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

DeSean Jackson: Very close to a blue—very very close.

Shawn Andrews: Hard to make a player you never see a blue.

Asante Samuel: He’s a blue when the rush is a blue, but when it’s not, well...

 

COACH/QB COMBO

I’m not a fan of Andy Reid’s game management, but I am a fan of his ability to develop the offense around McNabb’s skill level. McNabb is not a pure west coast passer, but when he’s accurate down the field, the Eagles are tough to beat.

 

Washington

 

BLUE CHIP

Clinton Portis: Still a very good player.

LaRon Landry: Very good on every level.

Carlos Rogers: Covered well all season.

Albert Haynesworth: Commands two blockers all the time.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Santana Moss: Had his worst year last year, which was still good, but not blue.

Chris Horton: Played as well as any safety last year; very close to blue.

Chris Cooley: Very effective making plays, but one TD in ‘08? Needs to block better to be a complete blue.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

This is a big year for head coach Jim Zorn and QB Jason Campbell. Zorn must find the system that suits Campbell’s skill level.

 

 

NFC NORTH

 

Chicago

AP:Devin Hester

 

BLUE CHIP

Jay Cutler: He’s a blue player, now he needs to be a blue winner.

Matt Forte: Does it all—run, catch, protect—very well.

Devin Hester: Not sure he’s a blue player, but he’s a blue playmaker.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Brian Urlacher: If blockers get to him, he’s blocked, so he’s not a blue.

Lance Briggs: No one on the Bears’ defense is a blue.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

A coach, Lovie Smith, who’s gone to the Super Bowl and now has a very talented player at quarterback. This is a huge year for both. This evaluation remains to be determined.

 

Detroit

 

BLUE CHIP

Calvin Johnson: Vertical-play wideout.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Ernie Sims: He has blue skills, but he’s not a blue player.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

New coach (Jim Schwartz), new quarterback (Matthew Stafford). The Lions took the right approach this year. The key is to have the right coach and right quarterback if they’re going to rebuild this team. Time will determine if they hit on both.

 

Green Bay

 

AP:Aaron Rodgers

 

BLUE CHIP

Greg Jennings: Big time wideout.

Aaron Rodgers: Expect him to have a big year.

Cullen Jenkins: Their best defensive lineman; his injury last year hurt them.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Donald Driver: Still very effective.

Al Harris: Injuries affected his year last season

Charles Woodson: Injuries affected his year last season

Nick Barnett: Expect big things.

Aaron Kampman: New defense, blue third-down rusher.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

The Packers have a young coach (Mike McCarthy) and quarterback who are growing and developing.

 

Minnesota

 

AP:Jared Allen

 

BLUE CHIP

Bryant McKinnie: Has had inconsistent moments but is still good.

Steve Hutchinson: Very good player.

Kevin Williams: Effective on all downs.

Jared Allen: Can control games.

Adrian Peterson: Big, fast, and very productive.

Antoine Winfield: At 31, had his best season.

 

ALMOST, BUT NOT BLUE

Pat Williams: Blue on run downs only.

Bernard Berrian: Down-the-field wideout, but not blue.

 

COACH/QB COMBO

This is bad in both directions, but they did make the playoffs and win the NFC North last year because of their run game and defense. They need to find a passing game, which is why Brad Childress was hired as head coach.

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