“This decision is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review,” UNC head coach Butch Davis said in a release. “Marvin has violated team rules and has neglected his responsibilities to the team.”

Austin started 12 games for the Tar Heels last season, registering 42 tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks and three pass breakups.

Austin is considered by most the top senior defensive tackle in the country. A long-term suspension could seriously affect his draft stock. In 2009 Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant went from potentially the 1st player taken to the 24th overall selection after missing most of the ’09 season after a suspension.

Like Bryant last year, there were already questions surrounding Austin’s work ethic and character. A suspension prevents Austin from repairing those doubts.

Marvin Austin Scouting Report | 2011 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings

Career stats: O TD, 2 INT, 146 passing yards, 43.2 rating

Troy Smith (BAL)
The case: A Heisman trophy winner at Ohio State, many (myself included) doubted Smith’s ability to play quarterback in the NFL. Drafted by Baltimore and stuck behind a Pro Bowl quarterback, Joe Flacco, Smith has barely been off the bench in Baltimore. A dual-threat as a passer and a runner, Smith has the talent to help a NFL team. Given playing time to develop, Smith has the tools to be a long-term starter.

Career stats: 48/89, 3 TD, 1 INT, 558 passing yards, 79.7 rating

Dennis Dixon (PIT)
The case: A Heisman candidate and star at the University of Oregon, Dixon looked like a high round draft pick until he tore his ACL late in the season. Dixon tried to play hurt two weeks later, but his knee eventually gave out and he was lost for the season. The professional version of a “Thursday All American”, Dixon has looked amazing during the preseason and could get his chance to start with Ben Roethlisberger being suspended for the first 6 games of the 2010 season.

Career stats: 1 TD, 1 INT, 148 passing yards, 62.0 rating

Brady Quinn (DEN)
The case: A golden boy, star quarterback at Notre Dame, Quinn has many fans and as many doubters. Possessing a strong arm and great leadership skills. A first-round draft pick in 2007, Quinn has seen very little playing time during 3 NFL seasons. A long hold out before his rookie season opened the door for Derek Anderson to start during 2007 and most of 2008. To date Quinn has only played in 14 NFL games.

Career stats: 184/353, 10 TD, 9 INT, 1902 passing yards, 66.8 rating

San Francisco 49ers
Head Coach: Mike Singletary

What to expect:
If the first two picks of this year’s draft are any indication, the formerly high-flying 49ers are officially ready to be molded in coach Singletary’s hard-hitting vision. Rather than use either of their first round picks on skill players to address potential long-term needs at quarterback or running back, or to continue to rebuild their WR corps, the team’s new GM acceded to Singletary’s wishes and got two maulers to shore up their leaky offensive line. trading up two spots to land tackle Anthony Davis, and then sidestepping the free-falling Jimmy Clausen to take the draft’s top-rated guard, Mike Iupati.

This should signal a return to more of a balanced offense for San Francisco this season. The Niners started 2009 with a “safety-first” passing game run by journeyman Shaun Hill and plans to ride RB Frank Gore heavily, but had to switch gears after an injury to Gore and the eventual appearance of Michael Crabtree put more emphasis on the passing game. Alex Smith took over at quarterback, and bent the playbook to a spread-friendly attack, leading the team to a 5-3 finish and 8-8 record overall.

The NFC West as a whole is leaning on the run like never before. The factor that sets San Francisco apart in the division is a ferociously effective run defense led by Patrick Willis, one of the very best defenders in football.

Up and Coming players:
QB Alex Smith had the beginnings of a breakout last season, looking comfortable in an NFL offense for the first time since he was drafted #1 overall six seasons ago. He has a chance to mature into an effective passer. If so, it means a potential big-time breakout for WR Michael Crabtree. On the defensive side of the ball, Patrick Willis may still be getting better, and should earn more recognition than he does. Playing regularly alongside Willis enabled Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson to have their most effective seasons to date, and DT/NT Aubrayo Franklin has emerged as an interior force.

Veterans over the hill:
The 49ers continued to struggle in the secondary, where CB Nate Clements still reigns as the team’s primary cover option and playmaker. Now 30 and having missed much of the 2009 season with a gruesome shoulder injury, Clements may be aging out of the Niners’ plans. At age 27, RB Frank Gore should be heading into his sunset years, but it may be a long and productive sunset a la Jerome Bettis, with a newly energized line blocking in front of him. LT Joe Staley is a mere 25, but needs to show more consistency and improvement at this crucial spot to keep the aging Barry Sims at bay.

Rookie Watch:
If early returns from camp are to be believed, both Iupati and Davis will earn starting jobs (or at least heavy rotation) on the offensive line. Strong Safety Taylor Mays, however, may have a steeper climb up Singletary’s defensive depth chart, though he is eventually expected to contribute. The biggest mover in preseason might just be power-running RB Anthony Davis, who is in line to become Gore’s primary backup after the surprise retirement of Glen Coffee.

Team Needs:
1 . A consistent season from Alex Smith, playing in his contract year. The 49ers do not have much of a fallback plan if Smith doesn’t succeed (the words no Niner fan wants to hear: “your starting quarterback, David Carr!”), nor any other serious long-term options at QB.
2 . A second receiver to emerge alongside Crabtree, whether Josh Morgan or Ted Ginn Jr. Isaac Bruce’s retirement leaves a large void in professional route-running.
3 . Any kind of return game on special teams. Ginn is expected to contribute here, long a trouble spot for San Francisco.
4 . The healthy return of Clements, to solidify their secondary.
5 . An eventual successor to Gore as their workhorse running back.

Predicted Record: 10-6

Arizona Cardinals
Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt

What to expect:
A combination of Whisenhunt’s offensive prowess, an elite receiver group and an amazing return to all-pro form by a quarterback thought to be broken down has turned the Cardinals from perennial laughing stock to offensive powerhouse. A defense that has slowly evolved from a weakness to at least a respectable unit has helped them win their division in consecutive years for the first time since the days of Don Coryell. While no reports are claiming that Whisenhunt has lost any of his ability to diagram plays, Arizona is looking at steps backwards at the QB, WR and LB positions. How will the team respond after the losses of Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and Karlos Dansby? That is the question that will define the 2010 season.

All eyes will be on QB Matt Leinert, who has seldom looked comfortable in the glare of the NFL after living a charmed life at USC. He is the de facto starter and will have a very long leash, as no NFL team with anything like playoff aspirations can afford to play Derek Anderson at QB. Whisenhunt may lean on his Pittsburgh gameplan from Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie year, shifting to a run-heavy attack featuring Beanie Wells and air/land threat Tim Hightower. Helping him in this mission is former Steeler guard Alan Faneca, who was acquired from New York.

Stepping into Boldin’s shoes will be a combination of Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, both of whom were productive as third and fourth options, respectively. And rookie linebacker Daryl Washington is expected to climb quickly through a weak depth chart of inside linebackers to replace Dansby’s impact.

This will be a year of uncertainty for the Cardinals, who have very few key veteran performers to lean on outside of WR non pariel Larry Fitzgerald and DE Darnell Dockett.
And as ESPN’s Mike Sando notes, the Cardinals have only one offensive lineman returning to the same position he played a year ago, and only the Seahawks have seen more roster turnover this offseason.

Up and Coming players:
If he can stay healthy, Doucet’s physical style of play may give him a chance to supplant Breaston as the team’s primary WR2. Both are emerging players, the question is which of the two builds better chemistry with the erratic southpaw Leinert. Beanie Wells spent his first full offseason with the team, in preparation for expectations of earning a heavier workload. In the secondary, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hopes to marshal his talent towards greater consistency, while continuing to create game-changing turnovers (3 FFs, 6 INTs in 2009).

Veterans over the hill:
Whispers about his decline started to surround Faneca in New York, culminating in his surprising release from a Jets team intent on building a powerhouse running attack. He will be trying to prove that he has something left in the tank. Likewise, outside linebacker Joey Porter arrives for his 12th season in the NFL trying to reverse a three-year slide in tackles, and hoping to get back to double-digit sack totals working opposite Dockett. Backup QB Derek Anderson’s “hill,” a surprise Pro Bowl 2007 season in Cleveland, is far in the rear view mirror.

Rookie watch:
NT Dan Williams has been immediately slotted into the team’s first-team defense, fitting for a first-round pick with the perception of having a very NFL-ready skillset, particularly against the run. Daryl Washington will have a strong chance to contribute at linebacker. The team’s other rookies of note, QB John Skelton and WR Andre Roberts, were seemingly picked up for long-term development more than immediate impact.

Team needs:
1 . Something positive from Matt Leinert, who has taken multiple steps back as a quarterback in his career and failed to throw a single touchdown pass despite extended playing time in a high-powered offense.
2 . A realistic backup plan if/when Leinert disappoints. Derek Anderson is not that, and Skelton is a strong-armed but raw project player who should be holding clipboards for at least a season or two.
3 . The continued development of Calais Campbell’s pass-rush skills. The 3-4 DE surprised many with 7 sacks in his second season. A strong pass rush will make up for a lot else on a defense that is beginning to gentrify from old to young.
4 . A more consistent year from Beanie Wells. The RB was fitfully effective last season, averaging better than 5.0 yards per carry in seven games, but held under 3.5 ypc in five contests. He only broke 100 yards once, and didn’t get more than 17 carries in a game.
5 . Fitzgerald’s leadership and performance to continue setting a standard of excellence for the team’s young receivers.

Predicted Record: 8-8

Seattle Seahawks
Head Coach: Pete Carroll

What to expect:
While many Seahawks fans were hoping that 2008’s 4-12 season was an injury-caused aberration, 2009’s decisively bad 5-11 record washed away all doubt that this is a franchise in need of serious change. And change did come to the Pacific Northwest, in a big way. GM Tim Ruskell resigned, head coach Jim Zorn and his staff was fired, and nearly any player not nailed down has been churned off the roster. Dozens of transactions and multiple trades yielded a draft overflowing with picks, bringing in a horde of new faces to evaluate and try to pin hopes on.

The question facing the team, though, is “have they done enough?” The offense still revolves around the elder quarterback Matt Hasselbeck; aside from the rookie Golden Tate there are not many receivers with upside on the roster; the offensive line is still a work in progress (though many hope that the arrival of zone blocking guru Alex Gibbs can effect immediate imrovement); and the 26th-ranked pass rush appears unimproved.
Even within this weak division, there has been a gulf between the good teams and the bad (and a gulf between the bad teams and the Rams) for the last two seasons. Seattle has been on the wrong side of that gulf, and unless their triple-threat running game suddenly explodes, Seattle is likely looking at another long season.

Up and Coming players:
RB Justin Forsett is getting a lot of attention, especially among sleeper-loving fantasy heads, and with good reason. The shifty back appeared to be the best option out of the backfield, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, but only received about 40% of the workload. TE John Carlson appears to have untapped offensive potential, but may require a change in gameplan to get him more looks. Former backup DE Chris Clemons in Philadelphia will be given a long look in a starting D-line desperate for pass pressures. With 4 sacks and 12 pressures in very limited playing time, this still-young veteran could be ready to emerge. Finally, QB Charlie Whitehurst was acquired ostensibly to give the team a potentially low-cost “QB of the interim future” option; his contract is large enough, however, to draw speculation that his future may come as soon as the bye week.

Veterans over the hill
Umm, where to start? Matt Hasselbeck, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Lofa Tatupu (whose injury count is now nearly as long as his hair), Leroy Hill (reportedly on thin ice with the new coaches), Julius Jones, and the defensive backfield pairing of Jordan Babineaux and Lawyer Milloy are some of the higher-profile examples. Additionally, former Detroit “bust” WR Mike Williams attempts to rekindle his USC magic under coach Carroll. The roster churn in Seattle could continue well into the trading deadline.

Rookie watch
Free Safety Earl Thomas and LT Russell Okung, both first round picks, are expected to step right into the starting lineup and contribute right away. Likewise, WR Golden Tate is one of the few young skill players on the roster, and should get plenty of playing time if he can adjust quickly to NFL play.

Team needs:
1 . A continuation of the aggressive roster management that has taken place so far this offseason. Constant competition for jobs should keep players focused and on edge, and the roster still needs serious improvement – from inside and out.
2 . Pete Carroll to make a better adjustment to coaching in the pros than his recent NCAA peers. The list of college coaches flaming out in the NFL over the past decade is long and filled with many high-profile names, including Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino, Steve Spurrier, and Butch Davis. Carroll has to hope the second time is the charm.
3 . Their to draft picks Okung, Thomas and Tate to become legit pro players, and avoid the doubts now swirling around Aaron Curry. Rebuilding teams must be able to lean on their high draft picks.
4 . Someone to stand up and earn long-term trust at quarterback, whether it’s Hasselbeck or Whitehurst…
5 . … or a series of early losses bad enough to justify a complete tank job, preparing for first dibs at local hero Jake Locker in the draft.

Predicted record: 5-11 (but could easily trend down)

Saint Louis Rams
Head Coach: Steve Spagnuolo

What to expect:
The Rams have been on a path toward becoming one of the worst teams in the NFL for a number of years, thanks to years of odious roster mismanagement and a collection of ill-fit coaches. A new leadership structure took place after the death of owner Georgia Frontiere, and last season the rebuild began in earnest as the team transitioned from one of the league’s oldest rosters to one of its youngest – and completed its free fall to the first overall draft pick. This year, the rebuild becomes a complete “reboot” around quarterback Sam Bradford.

The Rams believe they have the foundation pieces in place to at least keep him upright, investing heavily in the offensive line in the last few years, and getting rid of problem players like Alex Barron and Richie Incognito. However, if Minnesota’s gleeful welcoming party for Bradford is any indication – four sacks and multiple hits on 17 dropbacks in less than two quarters of preseason play – this may be prematurely wishful thinking.

Last season’s offense was so conservative that even Rush Limbaugh wanted to be part of the team (rimshot!), while the defense lacked enough pass-rushing talent to put Spagnuolo’s schemes to work. However, effort was there across the board, personified by Steven Jackson’s phenomenally difficult Pro Bowl season, earned against eight-and nine-man fronts. (More than two-thirds of his yards were gained after making first contact with a defender.) This team is still more than a few playmakers away from contention, but there are enough young and hungry players that some of those playmakers may arise from within this season, and help this team surprise.

Up and coming players:
Whoever the team’s top six receivers turn out to be, none is older than 25 or has more than four years’ experience in the league. One or more of Donnie Avery, Danny Amendola, Laurent Robinson (if healthy) or dark horse Keenan Burton have potential here. My money is on Amendola, who has looked incredibly focused in camp. DE Chris Long has been slow to break out of his shell, but the switch appeared to come on in the latter half of ’09, and #72 has been a force so far in preseason. MLB James Laurinaitis had a fine rookie season, and should show that he still has room for growth. Likewise, SS Craig Dahl excelled in run defense, and could earn the bulk of the playing time at the position.

Veterans over the hill:
The Rams had few players who fit this category after the ’09 season, so naturally they brought a fresh crop in during free agency. QB AJ Feeley (holding the reins for Bradford), DT Fred Robbins (starting, for now), DT Chris Hovan (already on IR), OL Hank Fraley (in the mix at center and guard) and LB Na’il Diggs (starting on the strong side) are all well on the downside of their careers, but are expected to provide “veteran leadership.” Additionally, DE James Hall and erstwhile starting SS James Butler belong on this list as well.

Rookie watch:
All eyes will be on Bradford, of course, but the surprise in camp is the effectiveness of second rounder Rodger Saffold. He made Barron expendable, and is challenging last year’s first round pick, Jason Smith, for playing time at the premier left tackle position. Physical CB Jerome Murphy and change-of-direction artist WR Mardy Gilyard will have ample opportunities to contribute. The steal of this draft might be 7th round DE George Selvie, who a year ago was considered a much better prospect than 1st round pick (and USF teammate) Jason Pierre-Paul. A healthy Selvie could provide immediate spark to the Rams’ nascent pass rush.

Team needs:
1 . Protection, protection, protection. After several breakdowns in the first week of live action, coach Spagnuolo strongly intimated that Bradford will not start until the offensive line gels. With AJ Feeley at QB in the interim, the “reboot” will not begin until that happens.
2 . Coach Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur need to get creative. Last year’s offensive playcalling made “vanilla” look like a new and exotic flavor, with an overall philosophy of risk avoidance and a huge chunk of the passing offense directed well short of the sticks. Both are young coaches who just finished their first years ever at their positions, and they need to demonstrate that they can be trusted to lead this rebuild.
3 . The healthy return of Steven Jackson from offseason back surgery – especially since there is no proven backup option on the roster. #39 still makes the offense run in St Louis, and will keep the defensive focus away from Bradford.
4 . A revamped pass rush will go a long way toward filling the cracks in this defense. The Rams appear to be much stouter against the run, but still have many holes in their secondary, even with the return of OJ Atogwe.
5 . Mistake-free and injury-free football is a must for this team to win games. The Rams killed themselves many times over with penalties and turnovers last year. Again. And they lost significant amounts of man-games to the trainer’s room. Again. This has to stop.

Predicted Record: 4-12

Follow Will Horton on Twitter @RamsHerd!

Browns’ offense, Packers’ defense

These changes lead to the acquisition of quarterback Jake Delhomme. Delhomme immediately showed the value of a veteran signal caller, as he drove the Browns 80 yards in 11 plays, with a good mix of short and long passes, and a good mix of passes and runs. Delhomme also found Massaquoi on two long gains, culminating in a 4 yard Jerome Harrison touchdown. I was disappointed rookie running back Montario Hardesty was not able to go, as I was looking forward to seeing the Tennessee product. Nonetheless, the Browns were successful out of multi-wide receiver sets, giving the Packers nickel and dime defense fits. Further contributing to the success of the Browns passing game was the nonexistent pass rush from Green Bay. The Browns continued to use these sets successfully with Seneca Wallace. It was exactly what plagued the Packers’ defense last year, so it will be interesting to see the changes defensive coordinator Dom Capers has made once the regular season rolls around.

The Packers’ defense got a break when Texas product and rookie Colt McCoy came onto the field. He went 5/10 for 25 yards with 2 interceptions, both very poor throws – essentially gifts for the Packers. Although, McCoy did show very good athleticism in the pocket, twice scrambling for first downs.

Packers’ defense, Browns’ defense

On the other side of the ball, Aaron Rodgers was nearly flawless, going 12-13 for 159 yards and 1 touchdown; a beautiful 25 yard rainbow down the right sideline to WR Greg Jennings. The Browns blitzed early, and Rodgers got the ball out quickly to the right target. I think this will be the year Rodgers is finally mentioned in the upper echelon of quarterbacks along with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. 3rd year TE Jermichael Finley also showed why he will be a force this season, catching 2 passes for 1st downs. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn also showed good poise in the pocket, going 9/15 for for 69 yards, with the help of rookie guard/tackle Bryan Bulaga holding his own.  Unfortunately for the Packers, aside from rookie Quinn Porter and 2nd year man Kregg Lumpkin, both in scrub time, the running game was non existent.

The Browns defense is still a work in progress, but 2nd round safer TJ Ward showed a good nose for the ball, picking up 6 tackles in the game. 1st round corner Joe Haden played fairly well, considering he was left on an island much of the night as the Browns blitzed. If Ward and Haden continue to progress, they can serve as 2 cornerstones on defense to build around.

Overall, I think each team came away with different impressions of their first preseason game. Green Bay can be rest assured their offense will once again be one of the deadliest in the league, but the shortcomings on offense and special teams will need to be improved upon in practice. The Browns, on the other hand, have to be encouraged by the play of veteran Jake Delhomme, and the variety of playcalling by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The Browns played this game with heart and intelligence, which frankly is not something we have seen from them in quite some time. Hopefully for Browns fans this new regime can instill the pride into Cleveland football.

Oh yeah, the Browns won the game 27-24, behind 2 field goals by Phil Dawson in the last 90 seconds, from 59 and 46 yards out.

Packers

Positives – Rodgers, first string passing game

Negatives – Running game, special teams, lack of passrush, trouble in the secondary

Browns

Positives – Delhomme provides stability, Harrison, Dawson, playcalling

Negatives – defense still needs to grow, McCoy

Therefore, it is important to view each teams successes as failures within the context of their goal.

That said, both teams will need improved play from their young signal callers, as well as an improved defense in order to reach their goal.

Carolina

The Panthers finished the 2009 season strong, going 4-1 down the stretch. This surge was partly fueled by their young quarterback Matt Moore, who threw 8 touchdowns and only 1 interception in those final 5 games.  But this excitement quickly diffused as soon as the offseason started, when sack-master Julius Peppers bolted for Chicago. As a result, the Panthers will be taking an extensive look throughout the season at Charles Johnson, Everett Brown, and Greg Hardy, to find a long-term replacement for Peppers. Tonight, I saw very little pressure from any of the Panthers, aside from Tyler Brayton.

For Moore, it will be vital for him to build on the chemistry he found towards the end of last season with WR Steve Smith. During the 4-1 run, Smith finished with 19 catches, 378 and 3 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Smith’s absence, along with the absence of OT Jeff Otah, and RB Jonathon Stewart made life more difficult for Moore this evening. And although they will be back for the regular season, the Panthers would certainly prefer Moore to be able to work with them in the offseason. Instead, their absence will mean Moore will have to develop chemistry with them “on the fly” in the regular season, limited their effectiveness.

Tonight, these complications, along with Moore’s inexperience, showed. He was consistently pressured, resulting in an overthrow (negated by a BAL penalty) and a throwaway, just on the first drive. These problems culminated in a big hit on Moore resulting in a fumble. One this particular play Moore didn’t read, nor did anyone pick up, a blindside blitz from the secondary. This is a reflection of his inexperience. The pressure on Moore continued throughout the second drive. On the rare occasion Moore did have time, however, he made strong, accurate throws. The Panthers will have the preseason to find a solution to their offensive line woes, although they may be wise to rely heavily on their 2,000 yard backfield through the first few weeks of the regular season, until the line gels and Moore gets more comfortable.

Moore was unable to get any offense going, and after going 4/7 for 32 yards, was replaced by Jimmy Clausen. Clausen was deemed by many to be the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft, and in tonight’s game he showed many of the attributes he was praised for in college. Clausen is battling a foot ailment which, according to Jon Gruden prevented him from properly executing rollouts, QB waggles and the like in pre-game warm ups. That said, Clausen showed good mobility when the pass protection broke down, and consistently kept his eyes down field looking for an open target. This skill is difficult for many young quarterbacks to develop, so Clausen seems to be ahead of the curve in this regard. Most of Clausen’s passes tonight were in the short to intermediate variety, probably due to a limited playbook for a rookie quarterback. Nonetheless, he showed good poise in the pocket, as stood tall and, released accurate throws downfield amidst a collapsing pocket. Overall, I thought he did a nice job for his first live action against another opponent.

Baltimore

The big story in Baltimore this offseason was the acquisition of WR Anquan Boldin. The Ravens are hoping Boldin can emerge from Larry Fitzgerald’s shadow in Arizona and provide Joe Flacco with a bonafide #1 receiver. And, from the first snap, it was clear the Ravens wanted to test out their new look passing game, as they began with 4 straight pass plays. Boldin’s value to the offense was clear on the first play of the game, when he ran a double move towards the right sideline. Although he did not record a reception on that play, he garnered the attention of the safety, which cleared much of the field, allowing fellow WR Derrick Mason to make a big catch. So, even if he is not catching passes, he will help the offense by opening things up underneath for Mason, tight end Todd Heap and company.

On board to help Flacco as the offensive opens up are three offensive minds: offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, and senior offensive assistant Al Saunders. And although I am not privy to each of their specific roles and responsibilities, their past resumes, especially Saunders’, tell me they will help Flacco tremendously.

Perhaps these 3 minds have already had a positive influence on Flacco this offseason, as he appeared very confident, especially out of the shotgun. He showed a quick drop back, and got the ball out to his intended target quickly. This tells me he has a sound understanding of offense, and is comfortable running it. He showed a good deep ball on the touchdown to receiver Mark Clayton, looking off safety in the process. Flacco was good as one can be in limited preseason action, finishing 8/12 for 130 yards and the lone touchdown.

Aside from Flacco, Baltimore’s running back trio of Ray Rice, LeRon McClain and Willis McGahee, looked solid in limited action. Newly acquired backup quarterback Bulger looked up and down, and his desire for the game was curiously questioned by Ron Jaworski during the broadcast. The Ravens’ rookie tight end Ed Dickson also caught my eye, with an athletic catch along the sideline, as well as some nice YAC after catching an underneath route. Perhaps he can eventually grow into a long term replacement for the aging Todd Heap.

On the other side of the ball, unlike years past in which their defense was the strength of the team, this year it may be their downfall. Gone are Gary Baxter, Chris McAlister and the rest of the lockdown secondary we have become accustomed to seeing over the years. Further complicating the problem is the unfortunate loss of cornerback Domonique Foxworth to a torn ACL, and the ailing hip of safety Ed Reed. Had the Panthers o-line given Moore more time, I believe he would have had more of an opportunity to exploit their secondary. But the Ravens defense did show some good things, namely rookie and mountain of a man Terrence Cody, who showed very good penetration at the line of scrimmage and registered a few tackles for a loss. A guy to look for in the long run is Prince Miller an UDFA from Georgia. He is a tough, instinctive player, and did a nice job on Dez Bryant this past year. Prince also returned a punt 57 yards tonight, which is precisely what an UDFA like himself needs to do to earn a roster spot.

It’s still preseason, and so its important to not draw large conclusions, particularly in a sloppy game like this one, played in the rain. It’s also important to remember many star players are either limited, or held out entirely, namely Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and the aforementioned Steve Smith. But I liked what I saw from Flacco and the rest of the Ravens’ first-string offense. How their defense can come together will be the key. On the other side, I thought Clausen played well, as did running back DeAngelo Williams and Tyrell Sutton, but Carolina will have to improve their pass rush and their pass protection to make a serious playoff run.

Baltimore

Pros – Flacco, passing game, running back trio

Cons – Must find a solution at the cornerback position

Carolina

Pros – Moore (when given time), Clausen, running game in limited action

Cons – Pass protection, pass rush

Coverage/Zone Defense Skills: For as freaskishly athletic as Carter is, you’d expect him to be a much better pass defender. However, his zone coverage is lacking and he’s late to react when the ball is in the air. He has the agility and foot speed to cover tight ends, but needs to get a better understanding of routes. Is a real terror against screen passes. Against them, Carter can show off his combination of athleticism and speed.

Instincts/Recognition: Returning for his senior year, Carter should only show more improvement in this area. He has been questionable at times in the past on reading plays pre-snap and making adjustments. Has to use his speed and quickness to make up for being a step late at times breaking on the ball. If Carter doesn’t improve in this area as a senior, it may lead some teams to question his work ethic in the film room.

Pass Rush: Carter is somewhat miscast at North Carolina in that he’s too frequently asked to drop back in coverage. If he played in a defensive scheme that called for more pressure from the linebackers, the opinion of Carter might be higher here. But as it is, he’s somewhat green in the pass rush. He clearly has the tools to be an excellent pass rusher but doesn’t get to show it often. With his struggles to shed blocks and the extra attention he’ll get in 2010, don’t look for Carter to show a lot of tangible improvement in this area.

Pursuit/Lateral Movement and Agility: Carter is incredible in pursuit. He can change direction instantly and gets up to his top speed quickly. He takes proper angles toward the ball carrier and can be a violent hitter. He shows fluid hips which helps his change-of-direction ability and stop on a dime in the open field. As aggressive of a player as Carter is, he maintains good balance in his movement. Ran a reported 4.39 40-yard dash.

Quickness/Explosion: Displays plus quickness, especially at the snap. Really fires out of his stance to get around the corner and at the ball carrier. Gets to show his explosion on field goals and extra points. Blocked five kicks last year because he knows how to properly time the snap and fire out of the blocks.

Strength/Ability to Shed Blocks: Strictly on a play-to-play basis, this is where Carter needs to show the most improvement. Carter has plenty of raw strength – his bench press is 440 pounds and he has a 374-pound power clean. But that strength doesn’t always translate when shedding blocks. Has said he’s up to 240 pounds but plays at 230. If he Carter is put on a 3-4 team, he may have to play at about 250.

Versatility: For now, Carter should be first considered a weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. His pass rush skills haven’t matured quite as much as maybe they should have. But with proper coaching, Carter has the athletic talents to move into a 3-4 OLB role if he can add some strength to shed blocks better.

Final Word: At the moment, Carter is as much of an athlete as he is a football player. His athletic skill is unquestioned. He’s fast, agile and strong. But he hasn’t put it all together on the field yet. In 2009, he had 7.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and two sacks – hardly impressive stats.

Carter returned to school to get his degree. What that extra year of college football should do for him could be invaluable.

However, the ‘09 season exposed some of Dunlap’s limitations. He failed to get through the season without raising beet red character flags, displaying inconsistent effort and getting charged with a DUI. In addition, he played with too high a pad level, didn’t improve his technique, and failed to prove he could threaten the edge against good offensive tackles. As a result, his draft stock plummeted; the once highly-touted prospect slipped to the 2nd round.

This year, another freakish defensive lineman from the state of Florida is the subject of pre-season hype. But instead of being a Gator DL, Allen Bailey is a versatile Hurricane who once killed a gator with a shovel. There are many differences between the two defensive linemen, but it’s possible that Bailey could be plagued by some of the same on-field issues that dropped Dunlap’s draft stock.

Much of the hype surrounding Allen Bailey is warranted. After playing linebacker earlier in his collegiate career, Bailey settled in nicely as a defensive lineman, notching 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in ‘09. The strong and explosive athlete played both tackle and end, walking back offensive linemen from both spots. With added experience, Bailey should be even more productive this fall.

However, Bailey also displayed some major deficiencies in ‘09. Despite being a freakishly strong athlete, Bailey struggles to disengage from blocks. The issue shows up most glaringly when Bailey lines up at defensive end. Like Dunlap, Bailey lacks the speed to threaten the edge, so he resorts to plowing back offensive tackles. He’s largely successful in doing so, but he’s also slow to disengage, allowing quarterbacks to step around him and complete unhurried passes.

As a result, Bailey likely is a better fit at defensive tackle or five-technique in a 3-4 defense, but he’ll also need to show improvement to be effective at those spots. To be an explosive penetrating d-tackle, Bailey will need to do a better job of timing his jump off the snap. In addition, he’ll need to expand his repertoire of rush moves. He looks awfully slow and deliberate when deploying his spin move; it’s like watching a slow motion clip of Gerald McCoy. And if he doesn’t use his hands better, he won’t be nearly as disruptive a defensive lineman at the next level.

Though Bailey can be impressively fast in a straight line, the former linebacker doesn’t always cleanly change direction. He slides well laterally but will at times struggle to redirect, shed, and make a tackle. If he doesn’t improve in this area, teams that run a 3-4 defense may have reservations about his fit as an end in their system.

At this point, Bailey still is a better athlete than football player, much like Dunlap was coming out of college. However, Bailey is worlds aways from Dunlap when it comes to character and work ethic. Bailey is clean off the field and plays with an ever-churning motor on it; he’ll eagerly pursue plays and lunge to plant his large frame atop the pile.

Because of his strong effort on the field, it’s likely that Bailey will put in the necessary work to improve his technique and on-field awareness. Ideally, Bailey would get to focus on playing defensive tackle, but it appears that he’ll be playing defensive end again this year. Hopefully, the coaching staff will let him kick him inside, which will allow NFL scouts to evaluate him at what likely will be his NFL position.

If he shows significant improvement in his game, Bailey likely will go in the top half of the 1st round. The athletic freak should amaze onlookers at the Combine; hopefully, he’ll be just as impressive on the field this fall.

Here are two clips of the Miami defensive lineman: one playing defensive tackle against Florida State, the other at defensive end against Wake Forest. Though he was disruptive in both games, he’s clearly more of a difference maker when given a chance to be a beast inside.

As of this morning, Favre is reporting that he will not play in 2010 due to issues with an ankle surgery. This leaves Minnesota with Sage Rosenfels, Tavaris Jackson and rookie Joe Webb, who was drafted to play receiver.

Should the Vikings look to add a quarterback, who is even available?

Troy Smith (BAL) The Ravens could be convinced to move Smith, but the move will be a little more difficult after their trade of John Beck to Washington earlier this week. Smith would give Minnesota an experienced quarterback, but also an athletic player, something Brad Childress likes in his passers.

Seneca Wallace (CLE) While it would be surprising to see Cleveland trade for and then trade away Wallace in the same off season, it is possible. Wallace gives Minnesota another athletic signal caller, and a player who does have some potential.

Kyle Orton (DEN) Maybe the best option of the bunch if the Vikings hope to win in 2010, Orton may not even be available. The Broncos are carrying three capable quarterbacks, and it is likely they would deal Orton for the right price.

Michael Vick (PHI) It’s unlikely that Philadelphia would move Vick, but the Vikings have to at the very least make the phone call. Vick did look rusty during spot duty in 2009, but he would give the Vikings offense an electric element.

While other quarterbacks could most certainly be traded for, none provide the talented Vikings roster a chance at winning in 2010.