NFL | 2006 | Week 12 - Review Notes

• Mark Clayton continues to improve and as noted here after week 10, he’s been a big weapon in the new Brian Billick offense.
• Cincinnati’s recent offensive upsurge has come mainly as a result of OC Bob Bratkowski’s taking back a majority of the play calling from Carson Palmer. Bratkowski has allowed for more downfield passing and Chad Johnson’s production has been risen dramatically.
• The Browns may give Jason Wright more carries down the stretch in order to bring more quickness into the lineup.
• Expect Ben Utecht to take up the slack that Dallas Clark’s injury will leave at TE for the Colts. Utecht was was already getting more looks before the Clark injury and now he’ll be moved into the top spot on the depth chart. Utecht has been targeted 36 times this season for 27 catches (75%) and 278 yards.
• The Colts are also expected to announce the signing of Ricky Proehl; a veteran WR with Super Bowl experience who would fit nicely in the slot on that offense. He’s doesn’t have Brandon Stokley’s quickness, but Proehl is a reliable receiver who has made big catches in big games.
• Just to review what Jay Cutler brings now that he’s the starter in Denver, there’s no doubt the former Vandy QB has a special set of physical skills. He also showed in the preseason he has the toughness to stand in the pocket and make throws at this level. The Broncos played enough to see what he could do against NFL talent and Cutler certainly proved he can play. The only question is if he can handle big game pressure, having not come from a big time college program. His demeanor also raises questions about his intensity but this being his rookie season, Cutler will get a pass on most of that as long as he executes the plays he’s supposed to. From what I’ve seen of him in college and in the preseason, he’s going to be great.
  
  Mike Shanahan mentioned in his press conference today that the offense won’t be cut back for Cutler. Shanahan said that Cutler wouldn’t be playing if it was thought that he couldn’t operate the regular gameplan.
• Rumors in full circulation now that Jon Gruden is considering a way out in Tampa.
• Even if Gruden stays, there will significant changes to the identity of the Bucs over this next off-season: particularly on defense. Simeon Rice has almost assuredly played his last game as a Buc, Shelton Quarles’ cap number will be too high to keep around now that Barrett Ruud is proving he can play. Derrick Brooks needs to rework his salary in order to stay, and the team may not be able to afford to keep Brian Kelly either. The Bucs haven’t drafted well on defense since Dungy left and the consequences are showing their full colors. The Bucs rank close to last in many defensive categories.
• The 49ers offensive line may finally getting credit for their part in Frank Gore’s successful season.
• Interesting story here on Washington’s Jason Campbell TD throw to Chris Cooley:

  Campbell, who had to call the play himself because of a helmet malfunction, initially looked for Brandon Lloyd. But Lloyd was covered on the sideline, and Campbell then turned his attention to Cooley across the middle.
  …
  And he has emerged as the most popular receiver during Campbell’s short tenure as the starting quarterback. Over the past two games, the tight end has eight catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. No other Redskins target has more than 52 receiving yards over that stretch.