Did you miss Wednesday's edition of "NFL Total Access" on NFL Network? Catch up with this recap:
Peyton Manning discusses antics at the line of scrimmage
Manning said it's a good problem to have a ton of talented wide receivers and doesn't worry about keeping them all happy. He said everyone has to be on the same page to help the team win. Manning said the play-calling antics he does at the line of scrimmage are pure communication, and that all teams do it. Manning said Von Miller has addressed the team, and the Denver Broncos are ready to step up and raise their level of play until Miller comes back from suspension.
Jeff Fisher talks about improved Rams' offense
Fisher said he believes the St. Louis Rams will be able to take advantage of some mismatches this season created by players such as tight end Jared Cook and rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin. Fisher said the players understand the new rules, and the goal is to eliminate hits with the crown of the helmet. He said players understand when going low on tackles there are injury possibilities that arise.
Is the "crown of the helmet" rule fair?
LaDainian Tomlinson said it's fair game if a guy is running and players make eye contact. Willie McGinest said he has no problem with the "strike zone," but said when things are going full speed in a game and you have to get the guy down as fast as you can while within the rules, it can be hard. When it comes to the new "crown of the helmet" rule, LT said he was the type of runner who kept his head up and feels having your head down as a running back shows bad football skills. Tomlinson said if his head goes down he can't see where he's going after impact. McGinest said LT is a unique running back, like Barry Sanders, and that players like Jerome Bettis and Trent Richardson are known as bruising backs who pound the ball.
2013 NFL preseason awards presented
LT said Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck is his standout player of the preseason. He loves Luck's completion percentage of 66 percent along with his four TDs and one INT. McGinest talked about San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Quinton Patton and Marlon Moore, saying these guys need to have an impact for the receiving corp in the absence of Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham. When it came to defensive standouts, McGinest took Rams rookie Alec Ogletree. LT said he likes rookie Tyrann Mathieu and loves what he brings to the Arizona Cardinals as he transitions from college cornerback to NFL safety.
For his biggest surprise, LT said it was the Cleveland Browns. He said with the new coaching staff, Brandon Weeden has looked like a strong quarterback for the future. The biggest question mark for LT is the Jets' quarterback situation. He said the football team needs to know who to follow, and right now that's not happening. McGinest said he believes the New Orleans Saints will be good now that coach Sean Payton is back, but McGinest still is worried about the defense and how they’ll respond with the injuries and going from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.
Who are the 2013 fantasy football breakout players?
Michael Fabiano talked about his favorite players for the 2013 fantasy football season. He really likes two quarterbacks entering their second year as starters, the 49ers' Colin Kaepernick and the Colts' Andrew Luck. Fabiano also likes Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy in Chip Kelly's run-heavy offense. Fabiano believes that Bills running back C.J. Spiller and Dolphins back Lamar Miller's will have increased workloads that will pay off for huge years. Fabiano trusts that a change of scenery and an upgrade at QB will allow Danny Amendola to be a mainstay in the New England Patriots' offense. Fabiano also envisions expanded roles for wide receivers Randall Cobb and Antonio Brown, who will make huge leaps for the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.
Be sure to tune into "NFL Total Access" on Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network.