Watch out for more Wildcat, 'radar defense' in upcoming playoffs

Brian Garfinkel / Associated Press

With Brian Westbrook healthy, expect the Eagles to show some Wildcat in the playoffs.

In the final week of regular-season play, some teams will opt to rest players for the postseason, other teams will attempt to stay sharp for the playoffs, while some team continue the fight to advance to the playoffs. Elsewhere, there will be coaches trying to save their jobs and finish strong.

With all of the focus on the playoff picture and the accompanying clinching scenarios, we tend to forget about some of the trends in the game. What could be new this time of year? Here's a look.

How did the Wildcat do this season?

By the end of this season, close to 30,000 plays will be called by teams. The Wildcat offense will be called around 300 times, or one percent of the time. That doesn't sound like a big impact on the greater offensive picture in the league, but it was used by 22 teams and averages 4.6 yards per play, created 78 first downs (or, one of four times the Wildcat was used it resulted in a first down) and produced 13 touchdowns (or, one of 22 Wildcat plays finished in the end zone).

The Wildcat has its place, especially in the red zone inside the 10-yard line. Of the likely playoff teams, the Cowboys and Eagles use the Wildcat effectively, and that could mean that the strategy could have an impact in the postseason.

Radar defense

One trend that is catching steam is what we used to call "radar defense." It is primarily a passing situation defense where at least nine of the defenders stand around before the snap and refuse to give the offense a look at which players will fill specific gaps. This adds stress to the blocking calls for the offensive line. Last week alone, the Patriots, Browns, Packers and Jets all used the "radar defense."

If it were a down and distance that an offense was willing to run the ball, then they might have a good opportunity to make some yardage. However, in most cases, it's pass-only time and the defense gets the advantage with the "radar defense" disguise. Just like the "Wildcat" offense isn't really anything new and just an extension of the old single-wing offense, the "radar defense" is something I first saw in the late 1960s from Hofstra University under coach Howard "Howdy" Myers. People thought Meyers was crazy, but it worked.

Expect to see more of the "radar defense" in the upcoming playoffs.

The unbalanced line
TE	LG	C	RG	RT	LT
	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)

Unbalanced line on the move again

The Bengals and Ravens are among a number of teams using unbalanced lines. The most traditional way to get an unbalanced line is by moving a tight end in next to the guard and placing the tackles next to each other on the opposite side. This provides a very good power-running side behind the tackles and it also helps protect a center who is struggling against big nose tackles.

Most teams will line up their defensive front to the middle lineman (player No. 3 on chart), that means the right guard -- not the center -- is the middle lineman and has responsibility for the opponent's nose tackle.

The Bengals and Ravens have had good success with the unbalanced line. The Dolphins also incorporate the unbalanced line with good success in their Wildcat package. All three of these teams are in the top seven in rushing yardage (complete rankings), and the unbalanced line has contributed to that success.

Who has the best inside three?

I had the chance to talk with an NFL line coach about the inside three, better known as the guards and centers on the offensive line, particularly in regard to the teams headed to the playoffs. The coach's main points about the importance of the inside three was establishing a pocket for the quarterback and for creatign holes for an inside running game. The conversation was spurred by the Eagles' loss of starting cetner Jamaal Jackson. The injury to Jackson will be a major problem for the Eagles moving forward. Guard Nick Cole will move over to center and will have to block the Cowboys' Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jay Ratliff in Sunday's showdown for the NFC East title.

After looking at all the teams that have already clinched playoff spots, as well as those teams that could potentially fill out the playoff field, it came down to the Bengals in the AFC and the Saints in the NFC for the team with the best inside three.

The Bengals have a remarkable story with their inside three, which consists of two street free agents -- Evan Mathis and Kyle Cook -- along with a veteran in Bobbie Williams. If you watched the Bengals' running game, you will see why they were rated so high this season.

To me, the Saints' inside three was the most impressive, with fifth-round pick Carl Nicks and fourth-round pick Jahri Evans at the guard spots and Jonathan Goodwin at center. Those three helped buuld a tight pocket for Drew Brees to throw out of and really opened up the inside running game.

Penalties and playoff teams

One head coach said to me this week that it seems to be that good teams usually have a lot of penalties. I'm not sure that I buy into that logic, but I can see how acts of aggression can lead to penalties, but that can also kill a Super Bowl run in the playoffs.

Well, four of this season's top five most-penalized teams are all playoff contenders. Those teams are the Packers (ranked No. 2 in the league with 128 penalties), the Eagles (No. 3, 126 penalties), the Bengals (No. 4, 124 penalties) and the Ravens (No. 5 with 119 penalties). The Cowboys and Vikings are also ranked in the top 10 in penalties.

I took a look at the Super Bowl champions since 2000 and how those teams ranked in the penalty department. Since 2000, the Super Bowl-winning teams on average ranked 20th in penalties, with the 2005 Steelers the best-ranked (No. 30) and the 2008 Steelers as the worst-ranked (No. 7).

Teams that commit a lot of penalties need to make an effort to reduce those mistakes now, or a playoff future doesn't look bright. Of this year's playoff contenders, those that have penalties under control are the Colts (No. 31), Patriots (No. 28), Chargers (No. 27) and the Saints (No. 24).

Some players would lose unrestricted free-agent status without cap

» Complete list of potential free agents

WASHINGTON -- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall and six other Pro Bowl picks are among more than 200 NFL players who would lose their status as unrestricted free agents this offseason if the league and its union can't agree on a new labor contract.

According to a list obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, there are 212 players who would be considered restricted free agents -- instead of unrestricted -- if there is no salary cap in 2010. There is at least one player from each of the NFL's 32 teams on the list.

Unpredictable offseason lies ahead

In November, Jason La Canfora took a look at what an uncapped year might mean for the NFL, writing at the time that it’s anything but savory for the players and union. More ...

Pro Bowl linebackers Elvis Dumervil of the Broncos and DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans are in the group of potentially affected players, as are starting quarterbacks Kyle Orton of the Broncos and Jason Campbell of the Washington Redskins.

"Free agency's always been something for the players, always been a great thing," Orton said before the Broncos practiced Wednesday. "If you get one crack at free agency as a player, that's what you dream of. How it stands right now ... guys aren't going to be able to have that dream, to be a free agent. That's a shame for the players, I think."

In an uncapped year, a player would need at least six years in the NFL, up from the current minimum of four years in the league, to be an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team.

Austin was aware that his free-agency status could change, but he said he wouldn't consider his breakout season bad timing.

"I can't control any of that," he said. "I've just got to stay focused on the things I can control, and that's playing this week and playing hard."

The other Pro Bowl players who could find themselves missing out on a chance to cash in this offseason are Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins, New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins, New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans and Philadelphia Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver.

In addition to the NFL's sacks leader (Dumervil) and the NFC's leader in receiving yards (Austin), other prominent names on the list include San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards, Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea, Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown and Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

"If you're a guy that's been in the league a long time, and you know you're pretty much set, you probably have a different opinion about it," Campbell said. "But if you're a guy that's in my position, it's going to affect us not just short term but long term."

If players lose out on the chance to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, they might not receive what they were expecting to be a huge payoff. They also won't have the luxury of moving freely anywhere in the league.

A restricted free agent's old team has a chance to offer the player a one-year contract at different levels of pay which determine what level of draft-choice compensation the old club would receive for losing the player. And the old team has the right to match any offer another club makes to a restricted free agent.

"If you're a free agent, of course you've got a lot of options, but if you're a restricted free agent, it's pretty much the team's choice, depending on what they want to do," Campbell said.

Other rule changes would go into effect if there is no salary cap in 2010. There would be no minimum or maximum amounts that teams could spend on payroll, and each club would have an extra "transition player" tag. A "transition player" must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player's position or 120 percent of the player's previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

"All of a sudden, your rules change," said Campbell, one of seven Redskins players on the list. "That's the situation I've been dealt, and so have other guys on the team."

Singletary: Niners WR Bruce could play vs. Rams, his former team

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Isaac Bruce's final NFL game might be back in the very place where he spent his most productive years.

Mike Singletary said Wednesday that Bruce's fellow San Francisco 49ers wide receivers approached the coach to say they wanted the 16-year NFL veteran to play in this weekend's season finale at St. Louis.

Josh Morgan, who replaced Bruce in the 49ers' starting lineup earlier this season, went to Singletary's office Monday and made the case that the veteran deserved this chance.

"You know what? I was kind of surprised, but if it had been me, I don't know, I don't think I would have done it," Bruce said in a rare interview. "I'm a football player, and I believe in players earning the right to play. I believe that if one player is better than the other, the best player should play at the time."

Bruce has been inactive for the past five contests and six in all for San Francisco (7-8), which is looking to end a franchise-worst stretch of six consecutive losing seasons. He said it would be great to play again, but he doesn't want it to be an honorary thing in which he disrupts the chemistry of the 49ers' offense.

"I had asked him earlier what his thoughts were on possibly playing in the game, if he thought about it or whatever," Singletary said Wednesday. "And he said, 'Possibly not.' Then, when I told him about his teammates asking me and inquiring about it, I think it was shocking to him. I'm excited about him finishing the way he should finish."

Singletary called it a "very good chance" that Bruce would be on the field. While Bruce said he hasn't decided for sure whether he will retire after the season, he expects to make an announcement soon.

Bruce was a four-time Pro Bowl pick during his 14 seasons with the Rams.

"As far as this being my last game, maybe," Bruce told reporters in St. Louis. "Probably about 75 percent sure. There's that 25 percent, though."

Bruce has developed a reputation for his quiet, stay-to-himself demeanor but also a tireless work ethic and selfless approach when it comes to helping out young players and leading by example.

Bruce knows there will be some sentimental feelings with him being back in St. Louis this weekend. That's always the case for him.

"Going back to St. Louis is always special for me," Bruce said. "It gives me a chance to see the guys that run the dome. It gives me another opportunity to look at the banners and the rafters and just have some of the memories that I had when I was playing there with some of my former teammates."

Whether Bruce agreed with the gesture or not, Morgan figured it was the right thing to do for someone who has given so much of his time and expertise to the young players.

"It's bigger than that," said Morgan, who offered up his starting spot for Bruce on Sunday. "He's just an awesome influence. He's been a mentor, a friend -- he's everything coach Singletary wants. ... I was asking him 20, 30 questions a day last year. He's been like a coach on the field."

The Rams, who lost 35-0 at San Francisco on Oct. 4, believe Bruce will be well received Sunday at Edward Jones Dome -- a venue the receiver still loves.

"He'll go down as one of the greatest receivers of all time," said defensive end Leonard Little, a teammate of Bruce's on St. Louis' Super Bowl champion team in 1999. "Obviously he's a Hall of Fame player, and he's proven that over the years. If this is his last year, he deserves to at least have a chance to show his face or be around the fans that have been with him most of his career."

Right knee injury will keep Giants RB Jacobs out of season finale

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Running back Brandon Jacobs will miss the New York Giants' season-ending game against the Minnesota Vikings because of an injury to his right knee.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin on Wednesday announced that Jacobs will have arthroscopic surgery next week. The coach said Jacobs has had problems with the knee at times this season, but a recent examination showed that he needed surgery.

Jacobs, who led the Giants in rushing the past two seasons, had an inconsistent year, rushing for 835 yards on 224 carries. However, his yards per rush has slipped more than 1 yard to 3.7 yards.

Ahmad Bradshaw will replace Jacobs in the starting lineup for Sunday's game.

Anatomy of a Play: Celek's 47-yard touchdown catch

The Philadelphia Eagles have improved from 5-4 to 11-4 over the past six weeks and with a win this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys they will earn a division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

But if they lose this Sunday, Philadelphia will be entering the postseason with zero wins against playoff teams (unless somehow the Broncos sneak into the AFC playoffs). The Eagles have beaten Carolina, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Denver, and both the Redskins and Giants twice.

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It doesn't bode well for Philly's Super Bowl chances if they lose to Dallas and have to go on the road against quality opponents every week in the postseason.

That said, the Eagles could only play the teams on their schedule, and they've beaten 11 of them. That's a whole lot better than the majority of NFL teams faired in 2009.

To continue their winning streak this Sunday and beyond, Philly must find new and creative ways to get wide receiver DeSean Jackson and tight end Brent Celek the ball. This season the tandem has caught 129 passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns.

They are both athletic mismatches in any man-to-man situation. Jackson is one of the most explosive players in the NFL and Celek routinely beats linebackers and safeties in coverage. He even beat Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey on a double-move last Sunday. On the sideline after the play, backup quarterback Kevin Kolb said to Celek, "You spun him like a top."

The beauty of the Eagles offense is that Jackson and Celek can win one-on-ones, but coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg can also scheme them open.

Against Denver, Celek caught a 47-yard touchdown on a play in which no one covered him. It's something you see every week when you watch the Eagles -- receivers running free through the secondary.

Our Anatomy of a Play features Celek's touchdown and a play from the week before, against the 49ers, that set it up.

Against San Francisco, the Eagles motioned Jackson to the outside of a three-receiver bunch, which included Jason Avant in the middle and Celek on the inside. Jackson ran a shallow cross, Avant a deep in-breaking route, and Celek a corner route. The criss-crossing nature of the play created a 39-yard completion to Jackson.

The result of that play was on tape for Denver to watch all week in preparation for the Eagles. So when Philadelphia called the same exact play against the Broncos, two defenders -- Bailey and safety Brian Dawkins -- jumped Jackson's route and no one covered Celek. It was a beautiful design, well-crafted by Reid and Mornhinweg and well-executed by quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The softness of the Eagles' schedule doesn't take away from the big-play ability of McNabb, Jackson, and Celek. They can torch any defense in the league. It will be up to Philadelphia's defense to join the party -- in their three losses to playoff teams the Eagles have allowed 33 points per game.

Woodley expects Pats, Bengals to 'lay down' Sunday, hurt Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- Linebacker LaMarr Woodley predicts the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals will "lay down" for their virtually meaningless games Sunday because they don't want the Super Bowl champion Steelers to make the playoffs.

The Steelers (8-7) would reach the postseason for the fifth time in the last six seasons if they beat the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots defeat the Houston Texans and the Bengals beat the New York Jets. There are other combinations that would put Pittsburgh in the playoffs, but all include either a New England or Cincinnati victory.

The Steelers' problem: The Patriots (10-5) and Bengals (10-5) have little at stake other than which team will be seeded No. 3 in the AFC. With a wild-card playoff game awaiting both teams next week, New England and Cincinnati are expected to rest some starters to avoid possible injuries.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick hasn't revealed who will play for his team. But Woodley, last week's AFC Defensive Player of the Week and a Pro Bowl alternate, already believes he knows.

"All of them lay down," Woodley said Wednesday. "No one wants to see Pittsburgh in it. That's just how it is. Everybody knows we're a dangerous team once we get into the playoffs, no matter how we played the whole year. Once we get into the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers is a playoff team."

The Steelers were seeded sixth in 2005, only to win three consecutive road playoff games and the Super Bowl. One of those road victories was in Cincinnati; now a Bengals loss to the Jets (8-7) could help keep out Pittsburgh.

"Cincinnati is probably going to go into New York and lay down for the Jets and not play them hard just because they're not going to want to see Pittsburgh in it," Woodley said.

Woodley emphasized that the Steelers played their regulars during a season-ending 31-0 victory over the Cleveland Browns last year, despite having nothing to gain other than staying sharp. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sustained a concussion but, after a bye week, returned for the playoffs.

"We definitely wouldn't lay down because it's a pride thing with us, going out there winning ballgames and shutting teams down," Woodley said.

Woodley was a lone voice among the Steelers' players, none of whom said they agreed with their teammate. Safety Ryan Clark laughed off the notion that Cincinnati doesn't want to play Pittsburgh again. The Steelers have lost five of their last seven games.

"To say Cincinnati doesn't want to face us, that would kind of be a little dumb, being that they beat us twice this season," Clark said. "So I'm sure they have a lot of confidence if they do have to play us."

The Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens twice in 2008, Clark pointed out, then won a third time in the AFC Championship Game.

"I think when you say that (teams will lay down), it calls into question the character of the players on their team," Clark said. "And I think all those guys are character football players and competitors. Now if it were last year's (Steelers team), yeah, they probably wouldn't want to play us. But this year's team, I don't think strikes fear in anyone."

Several players said the Steelers need to focus on beating the Dolphins (7-8) rather than worrying what the Patriots and Bengals do.

"They're a team you can't look past at all," right tackle Willie Colon said. "They're going to have pride and they're going to be ready for us to get after them."

Nose tackle Casey Hampton and running back Willie Parker will understand if New England and Cincinnati rest their starters in what Parker called "a game you don't need."

"Coaches have to do what's best for their team," said Hampton, who laughed when told of Woodley's remarks. "Being healthy going into the playoffs, I think, is their main focus. If the game doesn't mean anything, why risk getting hurt?"

Colts activate WR Giguere from practice squad, demote QB Willy

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts activated wide receiver Sam Giguere from their practice squad Wednesday and sent quarterback Drew Willy to the practice squad.

Willy was the Colts' emergency third quarterback in Sunday's loss to the New York Jets. The Colts waived Willy before re-signing him.

The Colts signed wide receiver John Matthews and linebacker Brandon Renkart to the practice squad. The team also announced that defensive back De'Von Hall, who was waived Saturday, was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.