From the Miami Herald Sunday 7/22:
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Was QB Green's drop-off last year just temporary?
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
With Dolphins camp opening this week, one question continues to tower over all others: Which Trent Green are the Fins getting?
The one who had 94 touchdown passes and 52 interceptions between 2002 and 2005? Or the one who had seven TDs and nine INTs last season, when he missed eight games after a concussion in the opener? Green, 37, insists his injury ''obviously had a lot to do with'' his drop-off, and notes he had to learn a new Chiefs offense when he returned.
During the preseason, here are some things to monitor that will be telling signs:
• Medium-range passing: This is where Green had the biggest decline last year, according to numbers relayed by espn.com NFL stats guru KC Joyner. Of his passes thrown between 11 and 19 yards in 2006, just 47.2 percent had a positive result (a catch or defensive pass interference) -- ranking 32nd in the NFL and down from 63.9 percent in 2005. Also, five of 53 passes from that distance were intercepted, compared with five of 130 in 2005.
Cam Cameron liked running 12- to 15-yard out patterns in San Diego (among other routes in that range), so medium-range accuracy is essential.
• Quick decisions: Former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who evaluates players for espn.com, said, ''When Green came back last year, he didn't process information quite as quickly as he used to -- which was a strength before.'' With his concussion well behind him, the Dolphins aren't worried. ''But his offensive line will be suspect,'' Williamson said. ``Now he's a slightly below-average starter. I don't think he has a lot left.''
• Deep balls: With Miami eager to stretch the field, it would be a huge help if Green can approach his '05 numbers, when he completed 44.4 percent of passes thrown 20 yards or more (fifth-best in the league), with 808 yards. Last year, he slipped to 38.1 percent and would have had only 400 deep passing yards projected over 16 games.
''I don't know how strong his arm ever was,'' Hall of Fame quarterback and Chiefs radio analyst Len Dawson said. ``It's adequate. He needs help. He's not going to create plays with his legs. He might have lost something, but he didn't have the same line last year.''
FYI: ESPN's Ron Jaworski asserts, ``If Trent is healthy -- and I believe he is -- he's as solid and consistent a quarterback as you'll find in this league. He can give you two or three years.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/178341.html
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Was QB Green's drop-off last year just temporary?
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
With Dolphins camp opening this week, one question continues to tower over all others: Which Trent Green are the Fins getting?
The one who had 94 touchdown passes and 52 interceptions between 2002 and 2005? Or the one who had seven TDs and nine INTs last season, when he missed eight games after a concussion in the opener? Green, 37, insists his injury ''obviously had a lot to do with'' his drop-off, and notes he had to learn a new Chiefs offense when he returned.
During the preseason, here are some things to monitor that will be telling signs:
• Medium-range passing: This is where Green had the biggest decline last year, according to numbers relayed by espn.com NFL stats guru KC Joyner. Of his passes thrown between 11 and 19 yards in 2006, just 47.2 percent had a positive result (a catch or defensive pass interference) -- ranking 32nd in the NFL and down from 63.9 percent in 2005. Also, five of 53 passes from that distance were intercepted, compared with five of 130 in 2005.
Cam Cameron liked running 12- to 15-yard out patterns in San Diego (among other routes in that range), so medium-range accuracy is essential.
• Quick decisions: Former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who evaluates players for espn.com, said, ''When Green came back last year, he didn't process information quite as quickly as he used to -- which was a strength before.'' With his concussion well behind him, the Dolphins aren't worried. ''But his offensive line will be suspect,'' Williamson said. ``Now he's a slightly below-average starter. I don't think he has a lot left.''
• Deep balls: With Miami eager to stretch the field, it would be a huge help if Green can approach his '05 numbers, when he completed 44.4 percent of passes thrown 20 yards or more (fifth-best in the league), with 808 yards. Last year, he slipped to 38.1 percent and would have had only 400 deep passing yards projected over 16 games.
''I don't know how strong his arm ever was,'' Hall of Fame quarterback and Chiefs radio analyst Len Dawson said. ``It's adequate. He needs help. He's not going to create plays with his legs. He might have lost something, but he didn't have the same line last year.''
FYI: ESPN's Ron Jaworski asserts, ``If Trent is healthy -- and I believe he is -- he's as solid and consistent a quarterback as you'll find in this league. He can give you two or three years.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/178341.html
