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Some Coaches Already Treading On Thin Ice

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2007

SEATTLE - We're one week into the regular season and some embattled NFL coaches already are in a defensive posture.

It's only a matter of time for Tom Coughlin of the Giants, who won't get the benefit of the doubt from a skeptical Big Apple press corps.

The Giants have a lot of high-voltage personalities and their defense isn't playoff-caliber. Eli Manning's injured throwing shoulder could prompt New York to scramble for a quarterback and the Chris Simms-to-the-Meadowlands rumors already are intensifying.

If Phil Simms brokers the deal, it can happen.

In Jacksonville, Jack Del Rio stuck his neck out for quarterback David Garrard, dumping former first-round pick Byron Leftwich. So, in his first game as the unquestioned No. 1, Garrard leads the Jags to all of 272 yards and 10 points in a sobering home loss to the Titans.

Del Rio's club continues to play down to the competition and a loss to Atlanta on Sunday should prompt frustrated owner Wayne Weaver to hunt down Bill Cowher for lunch and a round of golf at the TPC.

Romeo Crennel isn't going to make it in Cleveland.

While the Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh is off to a raucous start, the Browns were whipped on both sides of the ball. The Steelers registered six first-half sacks against an offensive line that was supposed to be significantly upgraded with rookie left tackle Joe Thomas and expensive free-agent Eric Steinbach.

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY: It didn't take long for former Jesuit High standout Jay Feely to make an impression with the Dolphins. Miami's new kicker has joined Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor and Trent Green as a team captain for 2007 in voting by teammates. ...It was a mixed bag for three former Chamberlain High stars in Week 1. Ollie Hoyte opened for the Cowboys at fullback and his blocking helped lead the way for a 142-yard rushing effort. Eagles defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was credited with only one tackle at Green Bay, while Broncos wide receiver Brian Clark was inactive at Buffalo. Former USF running back Andre Hall also didn't dress for Denver. ... Dewayne White wasted no time making his presence felt with the Lions. The free-agent defensive end from Tampa Bay helped himself to a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery while Rod Marinelli cheered from the sidelines. 'He's a playmaker,' Marinelli said. 'It's his time, he's got the keys to the car. I saw that when we had him in Tampa.' ...

When you hold LaDainian Tomlinson to 1.5 yards per carry, you have to win that game. The Bears didn't, and that's why the Dump Rex Grossman campaign picked up several thousand new converts this weekend. ... Don't jump on that Randy Moss bandwagon quite yet. Let's wait to see how he reacts when he doesn't catch nine balls. ... Dan Morgan might be a sixth concussion waiting to happen, but Carolina's defense sure looks a lot better with No. 55 patrolling the middle. ... It has been 38 years since Kansas City's last Super Bowl appearance. Did you see that effort in Houston? Might be another 38. ... The Packers are building an impressive young defense around linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk. ... Seattle's average field position against the Bucs in 11 possessions was the Seahawks 33. ... Nice pro debut for linebacker Stephen Nicholas. The No. 2 tackler in Bulls' history had five stops for Atlanta and don't be surprised if he's starting over Demorrio Williams within a month. ... Chad Johnson's touchdown antics aren't mean-spirited, but Carson Palmer's favorite target needs to memorize Jerry Rice's end zone mantra - act like you've been there before. ... Champ Bailey, the best cornerback of his generation, lined up to cover kickoffs for Denver Sunday because of a flurry of injuries, posting two tackles. ... Linebacker Jamie Winborn, released by the Bucs earlier this month, visited the Broncos for a physical.

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