Jerry Angelo is a former personnel director for the Bucs and former general manager of the Bears. Each week, Angelo answers your questions regarding the NFL. Send your questions to GarySheltonsports@gmail.com with "ask the expert'' in the subject line. The most interesting question will be selected.
Thursday, 6 a.m.
Bucs kicker Roberto Aguayo is in a horrible slump, missing several practice kicks and three in games. How does a team get a valued kicker out of his slump?
Easy. Just let him keep kicking.
I don’t know many experts, who can accurately and intelligently tell a great kicker or golfer what they are doing wrong for sure. They can offer suggestions, but to say this is the cure for sure?Tthat’s not going to happen.
Having been around several great kickers, my experience has been to let them work it out themselves. A lot of it has to do with their psyche. Taking any specialist is risky business, because things are different than they were in college to some degree or another. The goal post for one are narrower. The balls are different, to name of few.
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So, just continue to be patient. Let them know you haven’t lost confidence in them and keep your fingers crossed.
I know teams used to have six preseason games. But how many preseason games should an NFL team play to make its decisions.
I think six is the right number. The more exposure you have to a player, the better you’ll be in evaluating him. It’s just common sense.
The reason the NFL went to four pre season games is mostly due to the fact they wanted to add more regular season games. It made evaluating and getting teams ready to play more challenging. It’s one of the hardest things for teams to do, evaluate, develop and get their teams ready for the opener.
Obviously, some teams do it better than others. The ones that do have a decided advantage over their opponents. Sometimes games are decided before they're played.
Todd Marinovich is in trouble again, getting arrested with drugs while naked in someone else’s yard. What are the lasting lessons of the Robo-QB?
Well, that’s a tough one. We know one thing he was wired wrong and the real tragedy is that he never got himself wired right.
You can feel sorry to a point, but at some point they have to figure it out. I guess if there is a lesson; it’s no one is born cursed or unlucky. Sure some have it harder than others and we’re all going to make mistakes, but we learn from our wrongs, grow and move on.
Unfortunately, some don’t learn and chose to stay on the wrong road. Eventually they find the end of dead end road their on. Sometimes it’s too late, let’s hope not for Marinovich.
If you were advising Jameis Winston, what lessons do you think he can learn from Robert Griffin III?
Really nothing. He’s totally different than Griffin in terms of his playing style and personal makeup. Griffin has neither the physical or character to play the position. The only thing any quarterback can learn from him is this: to lead you have have to be the ultimate team player. It’s defined by your work ethic, your selflessness and your ability to handle adversity.
Overrated-Underrated
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers: Overrated. The dots from the arm strength never connected with the mind that operated it.
Doug Baldwin, Seahawks: Underrated. A go-to-guy in the clutch.
Brett Grimes, Bucs: Underrated. Small in stature, big in heart and a player maker when the ball is in the air.
Greg Olsen, Panthers: Underrated. A weapon on any down and a QB best friend in the clutch.
Stephen Tulloch, Eagles: Underrated. A leader and tackling machine.
Vic Beasley, Falcons: Overrated. Traits mean little without production.
Golden Tate, Lions: Underrated, can hurt a defense with his short and deep.
Should the Browns trade Josh Gordon while they can?
The Browns should have cut ties with Gordon long ago. Trading him would make sense, but the Browns have shown poor common sense when it comes to handling him. They don’t understand, this guy will never get it and the real loser is the person or persons who believe he will.
In our best-of-the-franchise series, it’s the Indianaplois Colts turn to play. I personally don’t buy that thiat this is the same franchise that played in Baltimore. Johnny Unitas never played in Indy. So we’ll limit it to Indianapolis Colts.
a) Marvin Harrison
b) Peyton Manning
c) Edgerinn James
d) Marshall Faulk
e) Dwight Freeney
There is only one logical answer, but I have to say that Marshall Faulk may have been the best three-down back in the history of football.
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