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Buffalo's defense continues to shine
CNNSI.com's B. Duane Cross talked with former NFL head coach and current NFL Preview analyst Ron Meyer about several issues and storylines as teams prepare for Week 3: Cross: One of the more interesting matchups this week has Buffalo visiting the New York Jets. Many people thought the Bills would be rebuilding in 2000 -- looks like they've reloaded. Meyer: There has to be a tremendous amount of credit given to the Buffalo front office and coaching staff. Last year, the Bills won with a lot of veteran players, and this year they look good with young players. The defensive coordinator, Ted Cottrell, has done a fantastic job. The Bills had the No. 1 defense a year ago, and they appear to be on their way again this year. I think Sunday's game will be a tremendous matchup. I do believe there will be a Monday night hangover for the Jets, coming back on a short week. If you're the Jets, thank heaven it's a home game. Cross: Speaking of the Jets, it seems receiver Wayne Chrebet can carry an offense, despite what former teammate Keyshawn Johnson says. Meyer: Chrebet has to be the heartthrob of the NFL. A couple years ago, when he was the third-string receiver, his jersey was the second-most popular, behind John Elway, I think. He certainly has caught the imagination of the American public, and certainly the Jets' fans. He's a great competitor and makes acrobatic catches. Every game, he empties his bucket. And Vinny Testaverde also has a tremendous amount of confidence in Chrebet, too. Cross: Coach, the New York Giants are 2-0 with much-maligned Kerry Collins at the helm. Are we seeing a quarterback who is finally coming into his own? Meyer: I think it's a combination of a solid running team with a defense that will knock you in the jaw. Remember, this guy had a remarkable rookie year. The talent was there, but obviously the maturity was not. I think he got caught up in the euphoria of a big rookie year and did not have the maturity to deal with it. The drinking and party scene led to his demise. The best thing to happen to Kerry was that he dried out and appears to be headed in the right direction. Hopefully, the glitz and glitter of New York City will not affect him. Cross: Speaking of quarterbacks, the San Diego Chargers have benched Ryan Leaf again. Moses Moreno will get his second start Sunday against Kansas City. What is Leaf's biggest hurdle to overcome, and will he ever become the quarterback the Chargers had hoped three years ago? Meyer: Let's point the finger at Leaf. I don't think the guy has the work ethic it takes. He looks soft -- he needs to be in the weight room, running. All the scouts and evaluators missed on this guy, too, though. It's hard to put calibrators on a guy's heart. It's like Rick Mirer, who was the No. 2 pick behind Drew Bledsoe, like Leaf was second to Peyton Manning. Scouts have missed on guys in the past: Cincinnati with David Klingler, and then Andre Ware. Green Bay missed with a can't-miss kid ( Rich Campbell, the No. 6 overall pick in 1981,) so Leaf's not the first. Cross: Sports Illustrated's Don Banks pointed out this week that Dallas, Green Bay and San Francisco -- teams that won every Super Bowl between 1992-96 -- are all 0-for-2000. Many things -- injuries, drafting, free agency, salary-cap management -- go into team's cycles. But what do you make of these teams' demise? Meyer: I'm going to talk about that Sunday (on CNN's NFL Preview). Historically, football, unlike anywhere else in the business world, you are reversely rewarded for success. Teams have success, win the Super Bowl, then players want more money and there become salary-cap implications. The more successful you are, the more you're punished (as a team). It really takes a toll. Buffalo goes unnoticed in this area. The Bills have been successful for a long time and don't seem to have the same problems. And I think another thing is teams really struggle to find a Peyton Manning-type quarterback. San Francisco drafted Joe Montana, and traded for Steve Young, and were so fortunate to have those two quarterbacks. Green Bay traded for Brett Favre and Troy Aikman was the first olive out of the jar on draft day. Now, Young has retired. Aikman is suffering from concussions and Favre is dealing with injures, too. It's tough to get that premiere quarterback. Cross: When fans talk defense, New Orleans isn't a team they generally toss into the mix. But after two weeks, the Saints have the No. 1-ranked unit. Is this a case of a team mirroring head coach Jim Haslett's (a former Pittsburgh defensive coordinator) mentality? Meyer: To a degree, I think. Jim Haslett is a great coach. But I think it's more playing two inept offenses. Detroit started Stoney Case at offense (in Week 1), and then the Saints played Ryan Leaf and San Diego. In Detroit, which hasn't scored an offense touchdown this season,(kicker) Jason Hanson is quickly elevating himself to MVP. I think it's a test of time for the Saints' defense, but Haslett is solid. Cross: On Monday night, Dallas plays at Washington. The most obvious story is Deion Sanders facing his old team, the Cowboys. But considering all the money Redskins owner Daniel Snyder spent in the offseason -- and coming off a disappointing loss at Detroit -- is this a must-win game for Norv Turner, even three weeks into the season? Meyer: I'll tell you, as a former coach who's been in the final year of a contract . . . Norv's record is about .500, the Redskins have a new owner who didn't hire the head coach, but has openly expressed support, but did hire the defensive coordinator ( Ray Rhodes , former head coach at Philadelphia and Green Bay) . . . it's a tough situation. The Redskins hired a lot of tremendously high-priced old veteran players, and if you're Washington, anything short of a Super Bowl appearance . . . that's the least Norv can do to keep his job. NFL owners do not hire green bananas. Cross: Tampa Bay head coach Tony Dungy spoke again this week about the lack of black head coaches in the NFL. True, there are only two (Dungy and Dennis Green in Minnesota), but is it a bit odd for Dungy to make that charge when considering his top assistants -- offensive coordinator Les Steckel and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin -- are white, and most head coaches are promoted from the coordinator ranks? Meyer: I think you're on the right track as far as coordinators are concerned. Green Bay hiring then firing Ray Rhodes after just one season may be the underlying factor for Tony. The Packers said offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis (now with Minnesota) was a head-coaching candidate, but didn't hire him. I think that may have struck a chord with Tony. Will Art Shell get another chance? I don't know; he's well-respected as a player and a coach. Ted Cottrell is a guy who's competent, but he doesn't have the sex appeal some owners are looking for. Cross: Finally, Coach, what's the biggest surprise of the early season? Meyer: Buffalo, without a doubt. They opened against Tennessee and won, then beat Green Bay. Miami also has been a pleasant surprise. I thought the Dolphins would be down in the San Francisco and Cincinnati category. My upset special of the week: Miami over Baltimore.
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