Byron Leftwich

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Scouts' views: [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] a perfect fit for Ravens
Ten observations and opinions after Week 3 from two NFL scouts, one from an NFC team and one from an AFC team:
1. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] gives the Baltimore Ravens the front-line receiving target they have been trying to find for years. He fits them so well, not just because of his ability but also because he can play inside and catch the tough passes across the middle. He fits their style of football because he's a tough, physical guy.
2. I'm surprised the San Francisco 49ers are 0-3, but I think they're going to be one of those teams that gets itself back together. They're in a division that's not real strong right now, so that will give them a chance to do some things. It looks like they're still playing solid on defense, but obviously they feel like they have some offensive problems. It's one of those deals where they just need a little spark to get themselves corrected, and everything will straighten itself out.
3. The Chicago Bears are the only unbeaten team in the NFC, but I wouldn't say they're the best NFC team right now. Monday night's game (against Green Bay) could have gone either way. They won playing how the Bears play: special teams and defense. I don't know if Jay Cutler needs to step it up -- I think they feel pretty good about what he's doing -- but I'm kind of curious why they haven't really tried to establish the run.
4. I like Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. He did a heck of a job last year filling in for Anthony Gonzalez. He's not explosive like Gonzalez, but he's got good size, a good catching radius, and he's smart. He's effective at getting to where Peyton (Manning) wants him to get. One of the things all of their receivers have to be able to do is handle press coverage, and he does that well.
5. Sam Bradford is as good as advertised. He's smart, he's poised, he has a strong arm, and he's cool under pressure. The thing he's going to face going forward is the thing all rookie quarterbacks face,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], which is playing against defenses that are putting stuff on him that he's not accustomed to seeing.
6. The Kansas City Chiefs are playing good, sound football. The jury is still out, but they have quietly been building talent and getting their schemes and system in place. The teams they have beaten are only a combined 1-8, but you can say they beat the people they were supposed to beat. I expect them to be competitive throughout the rest of the season, but I don't know if you can call them contenders quite yet.
7. The early choice for coach of the year has to be Mike Tomlin. He's done a great job in keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers together. He hasn't had his starting quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), he doesn't have the guy (Byron Leftwich) they thought was going to start in place of Roethlisberger, and they're still 3-0. Not many teams can go without their starting quarterback and not miss a beat.
8. It looks like the light has finally come on for Darren McFadden. The Oakland Raiders are fourth in the league in (team) rushing, and McFadden is third in (individual) rushing. He's always had the size and speed. The issue with him is that he's always been a high, upright kind of runner with a narrow base, and he has shown more straight-line running than a lot of people expected.
9. I'm eager to see the Redskins-Eagles matchup. I've really been impressed with Donovan McNabb and how he has taken to that scheme in Washington. He lost weight, and he's looking younger and more athletic than he has in the last couple of years. I'm equally impressed with Michael Vick. The burst and explosiveness he had in Atlanta are still there, and he's throwing the ball well. In Atlanta, if the wind blew, he was going to take off. Now, he stands in and delivers the ball but can still pop out of there when he has to.
10. Some team will pick up Larry Johnson. Obviously, he's not a great guy in the passing game -- never has been -- but he's still a sound, powerful runner. If you need him to run 15 to 20 times a game, he can handle that.