IQ - Football Wiretap

Fox: 'Not Even Close' How Much Better Manning Is This Season

Oct 7, 2014 1:09 PM

Peyton Manning is on a historic pace this season, throwing for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns in the first four games.

Manning is now more than a year removed from multiple neck surgeries.

"It's not even close," said John Fox in comparing Manning this season to 2012.

Jeff Legwold/ESPN

Tags: Denver Broncos, Fantasy, IQ

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Jets Not Considering Benching Geno Smith

Oct 7, 2014 1:09 PM

The New York Jets are not considering a change at quarterback despite the struggles of Geno Smith.

"It's not a thought at this point right now," said Rex Ryan when asked.

Smith committed four turnovers in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The Jets have Matt Simms and Brady Quinn as options.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Tags: New York Jets, IQ

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Arian Foster Ready For Bigger Workload

Oct 7, 2014 1:12 PM

Arian Foster is ready for an increase in usage after splitting carries in the first three weeks with Ben Tate.

Foster has recorded 18, 19 and 12 carries during Weeks 1-3, while Tate has received nine carries in each game.

Foster had 79 rushes for 294 yards last season after the first three games.

“I’m feeling good. My body feels good,” said Foster. “I’m ready to go whenever they want to let me go. But you’ve got to be patient and trust coach.”

Brian T. Smith/Houston Chronicle

Tags: Houston Texans, Fantasy, IQ

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Wilson Confident In Makeshift O-Line Against Watt, Texans

Oct 7, 2014 1:09 PM

Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks will face J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans on Sunday with a makeshift offensive line.

“I think we’ll do a great job,” Wilson said. “They’re obviously a very talented defense, and it all starts with J.J. and his ability to get to the quarterback and makes plays. We’re going to have to play our best football and step up to the challenge on the road.” 

Paul McQuistan will start at left tackle for Russell Okung, while rookie Michael Bowie will start at right tackle.

“People love J.J. at Wisconsin,” Wilson said. “I remember at the Pro Bowl last year, J.J. and I were talking at dinner. He said, ‘Man, if I had stayed for my senior year we probably would have won the national championship.’” 

Terry Blount/ESPN

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, IQ

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Tony Gonzalez Won't Request More Targets

Oct 7, 2014 1:09 PM

The Atlanta Falcons have struggled in the red zone this season, but Tony Gonzalez won't complain about his lack of targets.

Gonzalez is second on the Falcons with 11 receptions, 16 less than Julio Jones.

"When you have so many weapons like this, nobody can afford to be like, 'Hey you’ve got to throw me the ball in order for us to win.' I’m not going to take that attitude because I know the caliber and the talent that we have on here," Gonzalez said. "It might have been different when I was in Kansas City. I would have come to you and been like, `Yeah, I think probably need to get the ball a little bit more.’ But with the guys we have on this team, it’s not like that at all. 

"I will play whatever play is called. And if Matt puts the ball in the air, I will try my (hardest) to make the catch. And hopefully I can help this team win." 

Vaughn McClure/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Fantasy, IQ

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Wallace: Tannehill Ahead Of Where I Expected

Oct 31, 2014 9:19 PM

Mike Wallace has been impressed by the play of second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

"I think he's a really good player. I think he's ahead of where I thought he would be," said Wallace. "He's a smart player. Whatever it is, the hype and stuff we've been getting the past week or two, he's like, 'I don't care about it.'  He's the same guy. He goes to work and prepares the same way. I think that's going to make him a very good player. He doesn't get caught up in the hype. He continues back to work and worries about what he did wrong. He's not worried about the good throws he made, he's worried about the ones he missed. As long as our quarterback is working like that, we'll be fine."

Armando Salguero/Miami Herald

Tags: Miami Dolphins, IQ

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Buccaneers Bench Josh Freeman To Start Mike Glennon

Nov 2, 2014 12:35 AM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to bench Josh Freeman and will start Mike Glennon at quarterback.

The Buccaneers will be on a bye after playing the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.

Glennon was a third round pick by the Buccaneers this season.

Adam Schefter, Ed Werder/ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, IQ

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Richardson: Andrew Luck Is A Rocket Scientist

Sep 25, 2014 7:03 AM

Trent Richardson had just 35 yards on 13 attempts in his debut with the Indianapolis Colts, but he did score a touchdown.

Richardson also raved about playing with Andrew Luck.

“First of all, Andrew is the smartest person I have ever met,” Richardson said. “He’s a rocket scientist. This man has about four or five audibles in one play. He is the man. First pick of the draft and the third pick, it’s a blessing.”

Mike Wells/ESPN

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, IQ

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Gruden: Raiders' OC Olson Successfully Creating Chaos

Jul 31, 2014 10:40 PM

Jon Gruden praised Greg Olson's early work as offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders.

"What Greg has done is created a lot of chaos," Gruden said.

Gruden hired Olson as his quarterbacks coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.

Olson calls Gruden one of his biggest influences as an offensive coach, citing his "presentation and preparation," as well as Gruden's belief of being a team that applies pressure rather than feeling pressure.

"You're going to have to deal with (Darren) McFadden; on the other side you're going to have to deal with Pryor and the option, the zone read and all the nuances that go along with that," Gruden said.

"I've seen Wildcat formations. I've see shifts to no-back sets. I've seen them bring in (Matt) McCants, a big offensive tackle, to play tight end. You're seeing a coordinator that's doing everything he can to adapt to a new quarterback."

Jerry McDonald/Oakland Tribune

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, IQ

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Rodgers Leads NFL In Yards Per Completion When Blitzed

Dec 15, 2014 12:28 AM

Aaron Rodgers has been blitzed 25 times through the first two games of the season and has been sacked on just two of those occasions.

Rodgers is averaging 19.64 yards per completion when blitzed, which ranks first among all NFL quarterbacks.

Coley Harvey/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, IQ, Stats

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Philip Rivers Still Considered Chargers' QB Of Future
Philip Rivers struggled in 2011 and 2012, but has started the current season strong.

Albert Breer/NFL.com

Eric Fisher Off To Slow Start After Being Top Overall Pick
Eric Fisher was called for holding twice, while also giving up at least two sacks in Week 3.

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Browns Don't View Brandon Weeden As Solution At QB
Brandon Weeden was a first round pick of the previous regime last season.

NFL.com

49ers Using Read-Option Sparingly
The 49ers have averaged 0.6 yards before first contact compared to 5.6 yards before contact last season.

Bill Williamson/ESPN

Holmgren Rips Richardson Trade, Accuses Browns Of Tanking
Mike Holmgren was with the Browns in 2012 when the franchise selected Trent Richardson.

Will Brinson/CBS Sports

Kaepernick Struggles When Pressure Comes From Right
The Seahawks repeatedly forced Colin Kaepernick to stay in the pocket and pressured him from the right.

Tyler Oberly/The Sideline View

Bills Rank 1st In Seconds Per Play, Eagles 3rd
The Bills get one play off every 21.8 seconds of possession after the first two weeks of the season.

Mike Rodak/ESPN

Alfred Morris Expects Redskins To Run More Option Plays
Alfred Morris expects the Redskins to run more option plays as the season moves forward.

Mark Maske/Washington Post

Browns Bypass Campbell To Start Brian Hoyer At QB
The Browns will start Brian Hoyer in Week 3 against the Vikings.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Carroll Disappointed With Seahawks' Efficiency On Offense
Penalties have been an issue for the Seahawks on offense, with six holds against the 49ers in Week 2.

Terry Blount/ESPN

Bernard, Bengals Beat Steelers 20-10 (+5.1 TC, +23 TRC)
The Bengals had a +5.1 advantage in the Trench Counter, recording eight additional first downs and winning the turnover battle 2-0.

RealGM Staff Report

Shaw: Offense Should Remain Simple While Presenting Sophistication
Stanford runs a number of different formations designed to confuse the defense.

Peter King/Sports Illustrated

Seahawks Limited Kaepernick By Taking Away Easy Options
When the Seahawks sent their base pass rush, Colin Kaepernick was 10-for-24 for 82 yards, three interceptions and all three of Seattle's sacks.

Ben Stockwell/Pro Football Focus

Cardinals Beat Lions 25-21 (+9.9 TC, +4 TRC)
The Cardinals had a +9.9 advantage in the Trench Counter, finishing with eight more first downs and limiting their penalty yards to 40 compared to 101 for the Lions.

RealGM Staff Report

Ryan, Falcons Beat Rams 31-24 (+0.8 TC, -1 TRC)
The Falcons had just a +0.8 advantage in the Trench Counter, averaging 6.4 yards per play compared to 5.8 for the Rams.

RealGM Staff Report

EJ Manuel, Bills Beat Panthers 24-23 (+0.9 TC, +7 TRC)
The Bills had a +0.9 advantage in the Trench Counter, averaging 1.9 more yards per play but similar first downs and one additional turnover.

RealGM Staff Report

McFadden, Raiders Beat Jaguars (+10.0 TC, +5 TRC)
The Raiders had a +10.0 advantage in the Trench Counter, averaging 6.6 yards per rush compared to just 1.8 for the Jaguars.

RealGM Staff Report

Saints Beat Bucs 14-13 Despite Off Day From Brees (+12.4 TC, +4 TC)
The Saints had a +12.4 advantage in the Trench Counter, completing seven additional first downs and a better yards per play average.

RealGM Staff Report

Moreno, Broncos Beat Giants 41-23 (-1.6 TC, +12 TRC)
The Broncos had a -1.6 deficit in the Trench Counter with a similar yards per play average, fewer first downs and 132 penalty yards to just 16 for the Giants.

RealGM Staff Report

David Wilson On Field For Just 24 Snaps
The Giants don't trust David Wilson in pass protection and his fumbles have been an issue throughout his career.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com