I have been saying or the last three weeks that I cannot remember a time when the NFC looked so mediocre and so wide open. You look at the teams with the better records and many teams are not who you expect to see up there. HOTlanta and NY Giants are leading the conference with 5-2 records but after that you have Tampa Bay and Seattle at 4-2 and then the Redskins, Bears, Saints, Iggles at 4-3. Bottom line, is that the NFC right now is open for the taking and many teams have an opportunity to steal it (including my beloved Redskins).
That said, if I had to make a call as to the best team in the NFC right now, I would have to say the Giants. After starting out 1-2 and getting yearly criticism about how the team is falling apart, they have won 4 straight. I have never thought much of Eli Manning but he is putting up good numbers. Like his brother, he has been the beneficiary of being in the same system for his entire career. He understands the system well and there are times when he just picks apart the defense as well as anybody. The Giants have a solid front four on defense and they seem to be playing with a lot of confidence and fun right now.
Still, the conference seems wide open and things can change from week to week.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Time to go home, Favre
He sucks. Sure, he almost pulled it out in the end but he didn't and he had a pretty poor game throwing 3 INTs (one for a pick six and the other leading to GB TD). Favre's three picks came in a span of seven of his 29 passes, and led directly to 14 Packers points. What's worse is that Childress is openly criticizing the QB and their already tense relationship is certainly taking another hit. In talking about Favre's INTs, Childress stated, "Yeah, the one to Bishop,'' he said. "I'd have to look at that, cause I'd like to know where we're going with the football, because I believe the play was designed to go to the other side and I think Percy's (Harvin) standing there in big air. So not sure why we're looking at the left-hand side.''
What's annoying is that Favre wants to always portray himself as the warrior. He makes a bad play and then is seen limping and just seems like he is looking for sympathy or for the crowd to just think "Wow! Look at this courageous legend." He reminds me of the spoiled kid in the neighborhood who wants to play QB but sucks and then whenever he makes a bad play will cover it up with an excuse. I'm sure the ankle got tweaked but what was silly was that when he would run a play, he was fine. It was only in between plays when he was really limping. Again, if you are having such a difficult time walking, how can you run a play and look fine? Or if it is hurting you as badly as it seems, wouldn't you consider coming out and letting someone healthy play because it just might give your TEAM a better shot at winning?
This whole season has been a debacle for Favre so far. He hasn't played well. The team is struggling. His return to GB was a bad showing and the crowd that loved him for so many years booed him loudly at the beginning and end of the game. On top of that, the day started with more reporting about the Favre/Jenn Sterger story with Favre admitting he left Sterger messages. No doubt Favre is questioning why he let those three Vikings buddies convince him to leave the family farm in southern Mississippi two months ago. For this? For 2-4? For an embarrassing game on the Lambeau sod in what is quite likely his last trip there?
I have said before that I used to be a Favre fan; however, it's pretty sad to see what has become of him. Again, he went from being one of the most celebrated and beloved players in NFL history to a guy that is polarizing and divisive and a guy that has lost most of the love from the proud fans of GB. A guy that looks 61 instead of 41 out there trying to play and recapture some of his youthful glory. A guy that has been exposed for infidelities and admissions of guilt. Go home, Brett and try and work on your family.
SKINS BEAT THE PEARS!!!
It was ugly but the Skins pull out a great win on the road and beat the Pears 17-14. It was basically the D. Hall show as the guy comes up with 4 (YES, 4!) INTs! Here are my general thoughts on the game as always in no particular order:
1. D. Hall, D. Hall, and more D. Hall. Clearly, he will be the NFC Defensive Player of the Week tying a game record of 4 INTs in the game including a huge 94 yard pick six. Not taking much away from D. Hall but Jeff Cutler seemed like his favorite receiver was D. Hall as a few of these seemed to go right to him. The TD was a floater where pressure was coming and Cutler just laid it out there. The one to Hester, Hester just didn't come back for the ball. The one deep in Pear territory on a slant to Johnny Knoxville, Hall had great position on and it was just a bad throw. The deeper ball towards the end of the game was right to Hall. He was basically the story of the game.
2. Missed opportunities. The Skins controlled the game for most of the first half. Our defense manhandled Cutler and the Pear offense and I think held them to like 40 yards of total offense in the half. We consistently had a great field position which has been rare to come by this year but we did not do anything with it. A few dropped balls and other missed opportunities kept us from opening the game up. The scary thing was the Pear defense came up big with a tipped ball on McNabb that was intercepted and returned for a TD so the game was close throughout the half and then the Pears got a good drive scoring a TD shortly before the half and despite their offensive struggles, the Pears went into halftime with the lead and the ball to start the second half. The Skins really needed to take advantage of the great field position and have to learn to put teams away early.
3. Good special teams. While I didn't like Hunter the Punter losing a lot of yardage by kicking out of bounds too early in his punts. It was still the right move to keep it out of Hester's hands. As I mentioned last week, the one thing I ABSOLUTELY could not tolerate is if Hester beat us so great job keeping it away from him. Gano is a concern. I felt earlier in the year we were pretty settled at the kicker position but I am starting to feel a bit worried with him back there. Seems like anything 40+ is a crap shoot with this guy. Also, worried with his recent struggles and being a young guy his confidence is taking a hit.
4. Strong running game. Torain is not easy to bring down. Typically, one guy and one hit will not bring the guy down. He is a strong power runner and although he had a couple of fumbles which could have really hurt us, he did a good job of closing out the game getting a couple of first downs to ice the game for us. He ended up with like 125 yards on 22 carries. Nice work.
5. Good O line play. I can't remember hearing Peppers or Urlacher's names all game. Those guys were pretty much non factors. I have seen two other Pear games this year (Giants and Packers) and Peppers was a major disrupter on the defense but again, he was pretty much non existent out there so great job O line and particular Trent Williams who seems to relish the challenges of going up against the best week in week out.
6. Strong defensive play. Osakpo got to Cutler twice and Haynesworth had a big game. Haynesworth seems to be coming around a bit. The team really seems to be rallying behind the guy and hopefully this is more of what we will see. He had a good game against Philly and even a better game against the Pears. His sack where he bowled over Williams like a rag doll and pushed him right into Cutler was almost enough to warrant that salary. Clearly, when this guy plays, he is still one of the top DL in the game.
7. Pears are who we thought they were. Not taking anything away from the Redskins but the Pears, who started out 3-0, really aren't that great. After their strong start, they have been 1-3 and taken back to back losses at home. Their offense is bad as it seems like they have no identity and just seem out of sync. They almost look like they are still trying to figure things out that should have been figured out in the offseason/preseason. Jeff Cutler looks bad and continues to make bad throws and you have to wonder how much of it is him just trying to be a hero and make bigger play as opposed to checking down and taking what is given to him or him getting tired of getting hit all the time and it's now affecting his play. The O line is not very good. The receivers are mediocre at best as they don't run the best routes and they had a few dropped balls. Martz's offense does not seem to be clicking. Forte is not getting any running yardage and doesn't seem to get the ball enough to find a rhythm. Chester Taylor has been grossly misutilized as they brought him in, paid him a boat load of money, but are barely even playing the guy. When he did get in there, he seemed to provide a spark as he looked quicker but then they pulled him out and I didn't see much more of the guy. Clearly, that offense is in need of work as it is clear even to the Pear crowd (by their booing) that it just is not working.
In the end, the Skins pulled out the victory and we now find ourselves at 4-3 and with the Eagles loss yesterday and if the Giants lose to the Assboyz tonight, we find ourselves tied again a top the NFC East. Going into Week 8, I don't think many people would have figured us to be 4-3 and in the thick of things so I'll take it.
HAIL SKINS!!!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Redskins vs. Bears
This is what we have been waiting for friends. This is like a mini Super Bowl. It's Robs Pears vs. our Redskins. It's going to be a loo loo. It's an important game for both teams as both are fighting for their division. The Bears are coming off of an embarrassing home loss to the Seahawks and the Redskins are coming off of a tough loss to Indy.
Here are the keys to the game:
1. Sack Cutler. The Pears O line is horrendous. They are starting a guy who was actually cut from the Redskins (Edwin Williams). They have been mixing and matching their O line all year and they have given up like 15 sacks in Cutler's last two games. Orakpo needs to have a field day. Haynesworth should get back in the fray and should get pressure as well. Send Landry in for the occasional blitz to knock Cutler's ass out (yeah, I said knock his ass out). If we can hit/sack Cutler a few times and get consistent pressure on him, we will get turnovers.
2. Get our running game going. The Pears have a decent defense but Torain runs very hard and does not go down often with one guy getting one hit. We need for Torain to keep plugging away and get those hard yards.
3. O line and backs need to pick up the blitz. Urlacher and Briggs consistently line up in the A gap and we need to watch out for these guys. They don't often blitz but if they do, we need to be ready for them. Also, watch out for Tillman on a CB blitz.
4. Play within the Tampa 2 defense. That defense is meant to keep everything in front of them. We should stick with shorter passes. Look for those crossing patterns and utilize Cooley and Davis.
5. McNabb's homecoming. McNabb should play within himself and not get caught up in the moment. Stick to the game plan. He's a veteran that has been in pretty much every situation imaginable so I don't worry too much about this.
6. Take the crowd out. The Pears are in a dangerous spot with their fans as they have lost 2 of their last 3 games. The offense is a mess and Martz has taken a lot of heat recently for the playcalling and particularly the lack of running. I am assuming Forte will get more carries this week and we have to make sure we stop him. If the offense struggles, the crowd could start to turn on the Pears and that would be ideal.
7. DO NOT LET DEVIN HESTER BEAT US. The one thing I absolutely could not tolerate is if Hester beats us. He is the most dangerous punt return man in the game so we have to be very careful with him. We have had excellent special teams on kick and punt return coverages so I feel pretty good about this but still I am sure other teams have been pretty confident about their coverage abilities but Hester is dangerous every time he touches the ball so we need to be very cautious with him.
In the end, I feel good about our chances. I think the Skins are the better team and we will get to Cutler a few times and he isn't the best at reading defenses and he is Jeff George like in that he wants to make the deeper throw even if it means throwing into double coverage and he's trying to thread the needle. Offensively, I think we will be very comfortable taking what the defense gives us. The main thing will be not settling for field goals in the red zone. We need to punch a few in which I think we will do. In the end, the Skins will win this one 24-13.
HAIL SKINS!!!
Here are the keys to the game:
1. Sack Cutler. The Pears O line is horrendous. They are starting a guy who was actually cut from the Redskins (Edwin Williams). They have been mixing and matching their O line all year and they have given up like 15 sacks in Cutler's last two games. Orakpo needs to have a field day. Haynesworth should get back in the fray and should get pressure as well. Send Landry in for the occasional blitz to knock Cutler's ass out (yeah, I said knock his ass out). If we can hit/sack Cutler a few times and get consistent pressure on him, we will get turnovers.
2. Get our running game going. The Pears have a decent defense but Torain runs very hard and does not go down often with one guy getting one hit. We need for Torain to keep plugging away and get those hard yards.
3. O line and backs need to pick up the blitz. Urlacher and Briggs consistently line up in the A gap and we need to watch out for these guys. They don't often blitz but if they do, we need to be ready for them. Also, watch out for Tillman on a CB blitz.
4. Play within the Tampa 2 defense. That defense is meant to keep everything in front of them. We should stick with shorter passes. Look for those crossing patterns and utilize Cooley and Davis.
5. McNabb's homecoming. McNabb should play within himself and not get caught up in the moment. Stick to the game plan. He's a veteran that has been in pretty much every situation imaginable so I don't worry too much about this.
6. Take the crowd out. The Pears are in a dangerous spot with their fans as they have lost 2 of their last 3 games. The offense is a mess and Martz has taken a lot of heat recently for the playcalling and particularly the lack of running. I am assuming Forte will get more carries this week and we have to make sure we stop him. If the offense struggles, the crowd could start to turn on the Pears and that would be ideal.
7. DO NOT LET DEVIN HESTER BEAT US. The one thing I absolutely could not tolerate is if Hester beats us. He is the most dangerous punt return man in the game so we have to be very careful with him. We have had excellent special teams on kick and punt return coverages so I feel pretty good about this but still I am sure other teams have been pretty confident about their coverage abilities but Hester is dangerous every time he touches the ball so we need to be very cautious with him.
In the end, I feel good about our chances. I think the Skins are the better team and we will get to Cutler a few times and he isn't the best at reading defenses and he is Jeff George like in that he wants to make the deeper throw even if it means throwing into double coverage and he's trying to thread the needle. Offensively, I think we will be very comfortable taking what the defense gives us. The main thing will be not settling for field goals in the red zone. We need to punch a few in which I think we will do. In the end, the Skins will win this one 24-13.
HAIL SKINS!!!
NFL cracking down on helmet to helmet hits
The NFL imposed huge fines on three players -- the Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison, Atlanta Falcons' Dunta Robinson and New England Patriots' Brandon Meriweather -- for illegal hits last weekend. It warned that, starting with this week's games, violent conduct will be cause for suspension.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter was clearly perplexed by the decision. "There's no more hitting hard. That's what our game is about. It's a gladiator sport," Porter said. "I mean, the whole excitement of people getting hit hard, big plays happening, stuff like that. Just watch -- the game is going to change," he said.
Violence has always been a part of the NFL, bringing soaring TV ratings and strong attendance -- along with the allure that accompanied tackles by Chuck Bednarik, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson and Jack "The Assassin" Tatum.
The question is how much to allow.
"Physical, tough football is what people are attracted to," said Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations. "Violent, unnecessary hits that put people at risk, not just for the careers but lives ... we're not subscribing to the notion fans want that."
Commissioner Roger Goodell told the teams that "further action is required to emphasize the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques and of playing within the rules. It is incumbent on all of us to support the rules we have in place to protect players," he said.
But some players think the league is asking for something much more difficult: complete changes in playing style -- changes that fans don't want to see.
Not surprisingly, defensive players are most critical.
"What they're trying to say -- 'We're protecting the integrity' -- no, you're not," Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. "It's ruining the integrity. It's not even football anymore. We should just go out there and play two-hand touch Sunday if we can't make contact."
Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder said the only way of preventing helmet-to-helmet hits is to eliminate the helmet. "If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I'm going to knock them out and take what they give me," Crowder said. "They give me a helmet, I'm going to use it."
The players are questioning how they are supposed to adhere to the heightened emphasis on avoiding dangerous hits when it goes against everything they've been taught since they first stepped on the field as kids.
"Guys have to be coached differently because we've been coached a certain way our whole lives," said Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the executive committee of the players' union. "I think people out there would be shocked at the things players hear in their meetings with their coaches and the things they are supposed to do, the way they are taught to hit people."
Many players also wanted stronger discipline for flagrant fouls to be part of their negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, not something unilaterally imposed six weeks into the season.
"We want to protect the players, absolutely," Fujita said. "But we need to have a longer conversation about it, and if you're going to impose sweeping changes like that and talk about suspending players, that's something that you have to address in the offseason."
Urlacher was critical of the changes as well saying that they should change the league name to the NFFL - National Flag Football League.
I personally don't like the changes either. Football is a violent sport. It is the nature of the game. I agree with James Harrison that many defensive players want to hurt their opponents but they do not want to injure them. That is what makes them who they are. It may be hard for some people to understand this mentality but it makes perfect sense. They want guys to feel pain when they get hit by them but they do not want them to suffer injuries.
One problem is guys are getting bigger, stronger, and faster. The physical makeup of players has changed dramatically over the years and as a result, there will be bigger hits.
I agree that the helmet should not be used as a weapon or players should lead with their helmets. Doing so jeopardizes the health of not only the guy being tackled but the tackler himself. However, I have to believe in most cases guys are not trying to lead with their helmets. The game is moving so fast and guys are flying around out there trying to make plays and if helmets hit each other, to me, that is part of the game and unfortunately guys make get hurt. Again, that is the nature of the game and I think most players understand those inherent risks of playing this game. The one exception I have to helmet to helmet hits is on QBs. Many times QBs are stationary objects OR they are trying to move away from defenders so if a defender comes in and is leading with the helmet and hits the QB in the helmet that to me is more blatant and obvious the player went in with bad intentions.
No question last week was a week in which there were an exceptional number of very hard hits. We'll see what happens this week. My guess is guys are going to continue to play the way they have always played.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter was clearly perplexed by the decision. "There's no more hitting hard. That's what our game is about. It's a gladiator sport," Porter said. "I mean, the whole excitement of people getting hit hard, big plays happening, stuff like that. Just watch -- the game is going to change," he said.
Violence has always been a part of the NFL, bringing soaring TV ratings and strong attendance -- along with the allure that accompanied tackles by Chuck Bednarik, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson and Jack "The Assassin" Tatum.
The question is how much to allow.
"Physical, tough football is what people are attracted to," said Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations. "Violent, unnecessary hits that put people at risk, not just for the careers but lives ... we're not subscribing to the notion fans want that."
Commissioner Roger Goodell told the teams that "further action is required to emphasize the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques and of playing within the rules. It is incumbent on all of us to support the rules we have in place to protect players," he said.
But some players think the league is asking for something much more difficult: complete changes in playing style -- changes that fans don't want to see.
Not surprisingly, defensive players are most critical.
"What they're trying to say -- 'We're protecting the integrity' -- no, you're not," Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. "It's ruining the integrity. It's not even football anymore. We should just go out there and play two-hand touch Sunday if we can't make contact."
Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder said the only way of preventing helmet-to-helmet hits is to eliminate the helmet. "If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I'm going to knock them out and take what they give me," Crowder said. "They give me a helmet, I'm going to use it."
The players are questioning how they are supposed to adhere to the heightened emphasis on avoiding dangerous hits when it goes against everything they've been taught since they first stepped on the field as kids.
"Guys have to be coached differently because we've been coached a certain way our whole lives," said Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the executive committee of the players' union. "I think people out there would be shocked at the things players hear in their meetings with their coaches and the things they are supposed to do, the way they are taught to hit people."
Many players also wanted stronger discipline for flagrant fouls to be part of their negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, not something unilaterally imposed six weeks into the season.
"We want to protect the players, absolutely," Fujita said. "But we need to have a longer conversation about it, and if you're going to impose sweeping changes like that and talk about suspending players, that's something that you have to address in the offseason."
Urlacher was critical of the changes as well saying that they should change the league name to the NFFL - National Flag Football League.
I personally don't like the changes either. Football is a violent sport. It is the nature of the game. I agree with James Harrison that many defensive players want to hurt their opponents but they do not want to injure them. That is what makes them who they are. It may be hard for some people to understand this mentality but it makes perfect sense. They want guys to feel pain when they get hit by them but they do not want them to suffer injuries.
One problem is guys are getting bigger, stronger, and faster. The physical makeup of players has changed dramatically over the years and as a result, there will be bigger hits.
I agree that the helmet should not be used as a weapon or players should lead with their helmets. Doing so jeopardizes the health of not only the guy being tackled but the tackler himself. However, I have to believe in most cases guys are not trying to lead with their helmets. The game is moving so fast and guys are flying around out there trying to make plays and if helmets hit each other, to me, that is part of the game and unfortunately guys make get hurt. Again, that is the nature of the game and I think most players understand those inherent risks of playing this game. The one exception I have to helmet to helmet hits is on QBs. Many times QBs are stationary objects OR they are trying to move away from defenders so if a defender comes in and is leading with the helmet and hits the QB in the helmet that to me is more blatant and obvious the player went in with bad intentions.
No question last week was a week in which there were an exceptional number of very hard hits. We'll see what happens this week. My guess is guys are going to continue to play the way they have always played.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Seau drives over a cliff
Police say former NFL star linebacker Junior Seau told investigators he fell asleep before driving off a seaside cliff in the San Diego area.
Police Lt. Kelly Cain told the North County Times newspaper that the lack of skid marks leading up to where Seau plunged off the cliff in his white Cadillac SUV was consistent with the idea that he fell asleep.
Seau's SUV landed close to the beach in Carlsbad on Monday morning, hours after the former All-Pro was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Seau was hospitalized but escaped major injury.
Seau was arrested on a charge of felony spousal assault with injury, Oceanside police reported in a statement. He was booked into the San Diego County Jail in Vista early Monday morning and posted bail after 3 a.m. PT and was released, the watch commander told ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Carlsbad police later responded to a 911 call of a single vehicle off the road and dispatched police and fire personnel. Cain said that Seau's SUV was found on the beach about 100 feet below the roadside. Cain said it wasn't a sheer cliff but was a significant, rough slope.
Poor deluded Junior. Now that he doesn't have football and has to spend every day with a 25 year old, he's probably annoyed at how immature she is and she is probably tired of his old man stink.
Police Lt. Kelly Cain told the North County Times newspaper that the lack of skid marks leading up to where Seau plunged off the cliff in his white Cadillac SUV was consistent with the idea that he fell asleep.
Seau's SUV landed close to the beach in Carlsbad on Monday morning, hours after the former All-Pro was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Seau was hospitalized but escaped major injury.
Seau was arrested on a charge of felony spousal assault with injury, Oceanside police reported in a statement. He was booked into the San Diego County Jail in Vista early Monday morning and posted bail after 3 a.m. PT and was released, the watch commander told ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Carlsbad police later responded to a 911 call of a single vehicle off the road and dispatched police and fire personnel. Cain said that Seau's SUV was found on the beach about 100 feet below the roadside. Cain said it wasn't a sheer cliff but was a significant, rough slope.
Poor deluded Junior. Now that he doesn't have football and has to spend every day with a 25 year old, he's probably annoyed at how immature she is and she is probably tired of his old man stink.
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