Joe Flacco Is Overrated, Right? Wrong

In wake of Joe Flacco’s accomplishments, many people claim that Joe Flacco did not deserve the credit he got for being the first rookie QB to win two playoff games.

Many critics look at his stats as the main argument against him. His stats are average, and many claim that his numbers don’t reflect the praise he got. Let’s take a look see.

			Att	Comp	%	yds	ypa	Lng	TD	INT	rating
			428	257	60%	2971	6.9	70	14	12	80.3

 

OK, I’m willing to grant that it’s average, but you have to look at his circumstances. He was a QB from Delaware, ad DI-AA school. The starting QB, Kyle Boller, went down in the preseason and was sidelined for the year. Troy Smith was next in line, but he came down with a nasty case of tonsillitis.

In comes Flacco, being thrust into the limelight, in arguably the toughest division in the league, having to face Carson Palmer and Bengals, and the vaunted Steeler defense twice a year. I’d say he did fine for his circumstances.

Critics say “he only won two playoff games because he had a strong defense behind him.”

True, he did have a strong defense behind him, but in many games he was able to lead the offense to be able to hold it’s own. In several games, Flacco performed like many veteran QBs.

In a week 13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he threw for a personal best 280 yards and 2 TD’s, for the Ravens sixth win in their previous seven games. In a seven-game stretch, he compiled a passer rating of 99.1, the best of any Quarterbacks in that span.

In a week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys, he was 17 for 25 throwing 149 yards, 1 TD, and a Passer Rating of 96.9. In winning the game, he became the last quarterback to win at Texas Stadium since that was the last game ever played at Texas Stadium.

This would also make him the second rookie Quarterback ever to win at Texas Stadium since Ben Roethlisberger.

In week 17 Joe Flacco had a new personal best, 297 yards. He was 17 of 23 for a QB rating of 115.8 as the Baltimore Ravens routed the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-7. He was awarded the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award, joining players like, Vince Young, Adrian Peterson and Ben Roethlisberger.

His worst performance was against the Steelers in the AFC Championship, where he threw three interceptions. A very poor performance, and he was again blasted by critics.

OK,his performance was terrible, I’ll grant that, but let’s compare. Jake Delhomme, the QB for the Carolina Panthers, choked similarly, throwing five interceptions against the Cardinals. He has been in the league since 1997, one year less than the Baltimore Raven’s existence.

Now let’s look at Ben Roethlisberger’s performance in the 2004-5 AFC Championship. Three interceptions, pretty familiar right? Now look at Roethlisberger, three division titles, two conference titles, and two Superbowl rings.

You can say all you want about his stats, his individual performances, and his team behind him. But remember this, the NFL is about one thing, winning and losing. Joe Flacco is a winner, not many QB’s in the league can say the same for themselves.

Matt Cassel: The Cure to Kansas City Misery?

Last year, quarterback Matt Cassel did the unlikely.

Let’s rewind to his college years at the University of Southern California first.

Cassel, who hadn’t started a game since high school, spent his entire college career as the second in line to Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

On draft day in 2005, it didn’t appear as though Cassel’s name would be called, but he breathed a sigh of relief when his name was called in the seventh round, 230th overall. To make matters worse, his entire life seemed headed for the bench, as he had been drafted by the New England Patriots, home of All-Everything quarterback Tom Brady.

For three seasons, Matt Cassel watched from his usual spot on the bench, ready to jump at the opportunity to play. Then, the unthinkable happened.

Brady went down in Week 1 with an injury that sidelined him for all of last season season. Cassel had the unenviable task of taking the reins of a ship that set sail for a 19-0 record in 2007, only to be set off course by the gale force winds of the New York Giants’ pass rush.

In he stepped, and slowly but surely he grew into a reliable and consistent starter, posting impressive stat lines of 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 270 yards rushing and 2 rushing scores.

With questions of Brady’s rehab abound, the Patriots did the only thing they could do—they put the franchise tag on Cassel.

Then finally, the answer became vividly clear—Brady would be back. Instead of putting Cassel back on the bench as an insurance policy, the Patriots dealt him along with veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round draft pick in 2009’s NFL Draft.

How ironic, that Cassel stepped in for the Patriots against the Kansas City Chiefs, and not more than six months later found himself suited up in red, white, and yellow?

No matter, though; now, Matt Cassel has a franchise to call his own, his home. For the first time in his life, he is expected to start a full regular season. One question remains—is he ready?

One would think that the solid mentoring he received from former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would’ve prepared him for life as a starter, but Cassel faces a much different environment in Kansas City.

As such, there are a lot of questions that remain unanswered leading into the 2009 season.

Adrian Peterson Welcomes Brett Favre To The Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings who have been in dire need of a quarterback for the past four years are currently involved in the on going Favre saga.

In a league where the quarterback is the most important position, it also has been the crippling point for a Vikings team already loaded with talent and ability to make a run at it’s first Super Bowl in franchise history. 

After his release from the New York Jets in April, retired Brett Favre has recently been reported to have a contractual agreement with the Vikings.

Admitting on HBO’s Joe Buck Live in early June that he had received surgery from well known orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in mid-May to repair a partially torn bicep tendon.

Although Vikings head coach Brad Childress and other front office officials  have been mum on the Favre subject, one Pro Bowl running back isn’t keeping quiet.

Last years rushing and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has admitted he would welcome Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings.

When talking about Favre Peterson told the Associated Press “Your talking about a Hall of Fame quarterback, a guy I grew up watching. I love just the passion he played with.”

Also telling the Press “If he is a part of our team when the season comes around, when training camp comes around, we’re going to welcome him with open arms and see where the chips fall.”

Regarding the quarterback situation, the Vikings were supposed to enter training camp with newly acquired Sage Rosenfels who was traded from the Houston Texans for draft picks from the Vikings. Rosenfels was expected to compete with three year leaguer Tavaris Jackson at training camp for the starting QB position.

However that may change very soon if the Vikings do sign Favre, and make him the starter for the 2009-2010 season.

Adrian Peterson has said he’ll tell coach Brad Childress and top Vikings officials what he thinks, but admits he doesn’t want to get tangled up deciding whether to pursue Brett Favre or stick with their current quarterbacks Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson.

Hoping that the QB competition will create a better Rosenfels or Jackosn in the end.

In the end Peterson said “I know our coach is going to do the right job, and at the end of the day his job is having the best team possible to win games, that’s his job, so I’m going to let him handle his job and I’m going to do my job.”

So whether or not the Minnesota Vikings do eventually sign Brett Favre, or stick with their two competing qb’s is unknown at this time. But know every one knows who Adrian Peterson is looking to be his QB.

In the end, for a Vikings offense in much need of a solid quarterback, whom ever they choose may just be the deciding factor in their shot at defending their NFC North title this year.

 

 

 

The Complete 2009 NFC Running Back Predictions

The NFC produced a ton of talent at the running back position in 2008.

The top four rushers in the NFL came from the NFC: Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Michael Turner (Falcons), Deangelo Williams (Panthers), and Clinton Portis (Redskins).

The running game is what ultimately sets up the passing game. It is said that if a running game can be successful in a game, a passing game will develop.

We have cleared the quarterback position as well as the AFC predictions.

Here are the 2009 NFC running back predictions!

How Following Marion Barber’s Lead Can Pay Off for the Cowboys

During the Cowboy’s 12-year winless postseason drought, many different adjectives have been used to describe the Dallas teams of recent years.

Lifeless, heartless, no leadership, no passion, no desire, and dysfunctional are just some of the terms used to depict the Cowboys lately, and to be honest, most of the time it’s been justified, especially after last season’s debacle in Philadelphia.

If the Cowboys’ plan on changing their recent history and winning their first playoff game in 13 years, the team needs to take on the characteristics of a player that already calls Dallas home.

There is one Cowboy that lines up and plays every single down like it’s his last. He plays with heart, passion, toughness, desire and courage. He puts his body on the line for four quarters and does whatever it takes to help his team win.

That player is Marion Barber.

Don’t get me wrong, there are other Cowboys—such as tight end Jason Witten and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware for example—both who play with the same kind of mentality, but Barber is a warrior in every sense of the word.

If everyone on the Cowboys’ roster played the way he did, what happened last season in Philadelphia would be a thing of the past, and this talented Dallas squad will finally start playing up to its potential.

Barber is an old-school football player, plain and simple. I know a reporter who used to work in Dallas, covering the Cowboys.

My friend told me that even with all the hype and circus-type atmosphere that surrounds America’s Team, it still doesn’t distract Barber. All he cares about is going out and doing his job every single day.

He said Barber is a quiet guy who actually seems uncomfortable in front of the media. Barber isn’t rude or anything like that, he just isn’t comfortable talking in front of big crowds or being in the spotlight. He would much rather be out on the field cracking helmets or running someone over.

Even in his spare time, Barber likes to be alone and play the piano. Think about that, Cowboy fans. After all the T.O. nonsense and Jerry Jones trying to play general manager, how refreshing is it to have one of your star players relax by going home and play the piano?

Barber is focused on and off the field. No one is concerned about him getting involved in a night club shooting or being somewhere he shouldn’t be at 4:00 in the morning. He takes his profession seriously and treats the game he plays with respect.

You would think anyone who gets paid millions of dollars to play football would act the same way but as we all know, that just simply isn’t the case.

If the Cowboys had more Marion Barbers on their roster the last two seasons, there is no way they would have zero playoff wins. They are just too talented a football team.

The problem with this team is between the ears. They need to get tougher, both physically and mentally, and there is no better guy to learn from than one of the toughest players in the NFL.

When I worked in New England, we traveled down to Dallas for the big Patriots-Cowboys showdown a couple of years ago.

Back then Barber wasn’t even starting yet (Why I still have no idea). That was the game where he had the amazing two-yard run where he actually ran 40 yards back into the end zone and basically stiff-armed the entire New England defense to avoid a safety.

After the game Patriots safety Rodney Harrison—one of the toughest players ever to put on a helmet—was asked about the run. He responded by saying that Barber was one of the Top Five running backs in the NFL.

Here was a guy that wasn’t even a starter yet and Harrison was calling him one of the best backs in football. You see, Harrison is all about toughness and respect, and Barber earned his respect on the field that day.

Not by how much money he was making or by how many endorsement deals he had, but by how hard he played.

Harrison actually said Barber was one of the toughest runners he’s ever tried to tackle. That’s pretty high praise right there.

For the past few years, all we’ve heard from the talking heads in the media is that the Cowboys don’t have any leaders. Well, some people lead by example. Barber isn’t going to talk a lot. He isn’t going to give big rah, rah, speeches before games.

What he is going to do is leave everything he has out on the field every single week. I can’t say that for a lot of the Cowboys I’ve watched over the last few years.

I see teams like the Steelers, Patriots, and Eagles acquiring their “type” of players, and I also see those teams competing for Super Bowls virtually every single year.

Well, it’s time Dallas create its “type” of player and what better prototype to use than Barber?

Getting rid of Terrell Owens was a good first step in Dallas but he wasn’t the only problem. The franchise was losing long before T.O. came to town.

This team laid down last year with a playoff berth on the line, so there are much larger issues at hand than just getting rid of one player.

But a new season is upon us and no one questions Dallas’ talent. The 12 painful seasons without a playoff win will all go away if the Cowboys can come together as a team and make a Super Bowl run in 2009.

The Cowboys just need to follow Marion Barber’s lead and good things will happen. Let him be the face of the organization and see where the bruising back takes them.

If all the Cowboys play with the same passion and intensity every week as Barber, the rest of the NFL is in for a rude awakening this season. If not, it will be 13 years and counting for America’s Team and its fans.

Truly a James Harris Move: Lions Trade Away Saftey For Veteran WR

I would call this a steal, but when you have James “Shack” Harris in your office your bound to make mistakes.  Especially on wide receivers. 

If you know James Harris, you know that he’s the GM who drafted Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Ernest Wiliford, and Bryon Leftwich.  All of those players are not placed in a starting role on a team, as some even remain unsigned.  None are still on the Jaguars roster. 

Great picks then right?

No, and this move by the Detroit Lions office maybe just as bad as those wide receiver moves.  The Lions trade a promising young safety, who as a rookie recorded 88 tackles and two interceptions, for a wide receiver who has been nothing short of mediocre, and is turning 31 years old.  What is even more perplexing about this trade is that the wide receiver position is actually somewhat stable in Detroit.   Well there’s James Harris for you. 

And for Gene Smith the resume continues to grow.  After what looks to be a solid draft, one that we haven’t had in Jacksonville for quite some time, he has made solid free agency moves, and now deals away an old player who doesn’t mean much to the team, for a young 24 year old safety who excelled in his rookie year (injury caused him to miss much of last year). 

So a steal for the Jaguars? Or a blunder by the Lions?  I’ll let you decide.  Bottom line is that things are looking up in Jacksonville.

Handicapping the AFC from a Steelers’ Perspective

In analyzing the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers for Bleacher Report, I am inclined to believe they will be an improved team for the following reasons:

 

A.) They suffered no key losses and will benefit from the gains received in the draft and by having running backs Rashard Mendehall and Willie Parker return from injury.

B.) The schedule will be easier.

C.) The offensive line simply cannot be any worse than it was last year.

 

Assuredly, the Steelers won’t be the only improved team in the American Football Conference.

 

Tom Brady returns from injury, San Diego figures to be better than .500, and there is always a surprise team, such as the Miami Dolphins last season.

 

So, who will be the contenders for the Steelers’ crown? And who will be the surprise teams of 2009?

 

In researching former Super Bowl winners, there is a pattern dating back to 1983 (the season of Super Bowl XVIII, when the Los Angeles Raiders beat Washington in 38-9):

 

A.) Almost every Super Bowl winner made the playoffs the season before.

B.) The exceptions to this rule, the 2001 Patriots, 2000 Ravens, 1999 Rams, and 2003 Patriots, can be broken down into two categories:

1. Teams employing a new starting quarterback for the majority of their Super Bowl winning season (Tom Brady, Trent Dilfer, Kurt Warner).

2.  Teams showing improvement during the previous season. In the case of the 2003 Patriots, New England’s strong, 6-3 finish in 2002 after a 3-4 start spoke of better times ahead. This also was the pattern of the 1982 Washington Redskins, who retained Joe Theismann as their quarterback from 1981 but also finished that season 8-3 after an 0-5 start, and the 1981 San Francisco 49ers, who retained Joe Montana from 1980 and finished 3-2 in a 6-10 season after a woeful 2-14 1979 season.

 

This formula doesn’t eliminate a whole lot of AFC teams from contending in 2009, but it does throw out the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

Perhaps Terrell Owens will be the addition needed for Buffalo to make the playoffs in 2009, and maybe David Garrard can regain his 2007 form, but it’s safe to say both of these teams are more than a season away from joining the elite of the National Football League and overthrowing the Steelers.

 

Realistically, let’s throw out the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos as well. The Chiefs have added quarterback Matt Cassel, but one gets the feeling it’s going to take more than him for the Chiefs to go from 2-14 to their first conference/league championship in 40 years, and few would argue Kyle Orton or Chris Simms are improvements from Jay Cutler at quarterback for the Broncos, losers of their final three games in 2008.

 

Cleveland doesn’t have the look of a champion, either. They lost their last six games in 2008, all by scoring 10 points or less. Running back Jamal Lewis enters his 10th year in the NFL; he failed to rush for 100 yards in any game last season.

 

Their defense ranked just 13th in the conference, and to repair this, new head coach Eric Mangini brought five players from the Jets with him. The Jets finished ninth in the conference in defense.

 

Even if quarterback Brady Quinn beats out Derek Anderson and becomes an All-Pro, how much can Cleveland realistically expect to improve from 4-12?

 

The New York Jets will have a new quarterback. First-round draft choice Mark Sanchez may be a future star, but no rookie quarterback has ever taken his team to the Super Bowl, and the other signal caller, Kellen Clemens, doesn’t seem to be a likely candidate to go there, either.

 

The Jets drafted well, have a solid offensive line, feature two Pro Bowlers on defense in cornerback Darrelle Revis and nose tackle Kris Jenkins, and they would seem to be a dark horse contender, if they just didn’t have to go against history and a brutal schedule to win the AFC title. Wait until 2010.

 

The three most likely candidates to “rise from the ashes” of the AFC are the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, and Oakland Raiders, who finished their 2008 seasons with 3-0, 5-1, and 2-0 records, respectively. Ironically, the Texans’ sole loss during this time was to the Raiders.

 

For all the talk of Al Davis going against the grain, Oakland has a promising quarterback-running back duo with JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. They have quality reserves with newcomer Jeff Garcia and Justin Fargas.

 

The Raiders even signed three new offensive linemen to protect their quarterback, as the Raiders were 1-7 when allowing more than one sack last season.

 

While Oakland is a budding power on offense, Houston IS a power, finishing third in the NFL in total yards. Quarterback Matt Schaub threw for more than 3,000 yards despite playing in just 11 games, and though the knee injury he suffered mid-season spoke of the Texans’ historical failures to protect the passer, Houston allowed only 32 sacks in 2008.

 

Schaub has weapons. Andre Johnson was the leading receiver in the NFL. Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels both finished with just less than 900 receiving yards. Steve Slaton finished 30 yards short of the conference rushing lead in his rookie season.

 

The problem is both of these teams struggled defensively. The Raiders have passable talent, with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha leading a pass defense that allowed fewer yards through the air than any other non-playoff team in the AFC.

 

However, Oakland was 31st in the NFL against the rush in 2008 and didn’t make any significant upgrades on defense. An improvement from 5-11 is likely, especially without the coaching chaos that ruined the Raiders’ 2008 season.

 

If second-round pick Michael Mitchell and oft-injured Tyvon Branch have monster seasons at safety, the Raiders could contend for a division championship, but a conference title seems out of reach.

 

Houston is different. First-round draft choice Brian Cushing promises to be a star at middle linebacker. Dunta Robinson is a shutdown corner who has received criticism for missing some offseason workouts, butPlaxico Burress once did that and the Steelers went 15-1.

 

The Raiders hope to improve defensively; the Texans, 8-8 last season, most assuredly will.

 

And while the Bengals seemed to fall back to their laughingstock ways last season, they were with Carson Palmer for only four games. Seventeen players finished on injured reserve.

 

Despite a 4-11-1 record, the Bengals had the sixth best defense in the AFC in 2008—tops among teams with losing records. The signings of strong safety Roy Williams and defensive tackle Tank Johnson, along with the arrival of linebacker Rey Maualuga, will only make it better.

 

Less than three years ago, Sports Illustrated called the Steelers-Bengals rivalry the nastiest in the NFL. The Bengals lack the running game to make the playoffs, but they might restore the “nasty” in the rivalry.

 

Moving to the playoff teams of a year ago, while the Steelers did not suffer any key losses, the Tennessee Titans lost Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to free agency and the Indianapolis Colts let Marvin Harrison go. It’s hard to fathom either of these teams improving in 2009 as a result.

 

In trying to match these teams up against the Steelers for AFC supremacy, while both teams have better offensive lines than Pittsburgh, they have few other advantages.

 

For instance, even if one was to say Peyton Manning was a better quarterback than Ben Roethlisberger, the Colts lack the receiving talent the Steelers have with Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, and Heath Miller, and it seems to be a stretch to say running back Donald Brown will become a more productive player in his rookie season than Willie Parker will.

 

And will new head coach Jim Caldwell be a George Seifert or a Ray Handley?

 

The Titans’ passing attack is unspectacular, to the point that Nate Washington, the Steelers’ third receiver in 2008, may start for the Titans this year. One wonders if running back Chris Johnson will be able to carry the load for a second straight season.

 

Defensively, the Steelers had the top defense in the NFL last season and suffered no key losses. Unless Pittsburgh’s defensive players get old in a hurry or suffer mass injuries, it would seem this would be a huge advantage for the Steelers over the Titans and Colts.

 

Bottom line, look for the Colts and Titans to be looking over their shoulder at the improving Texans more than winning one of the two byes in the AFC playoffs.

 

San Diego will improve. If, for instance, the Chargers beat every team that didn’t make the playoffs in 2008 on their schedule and lose to every one that did, they’ll still finish 10-6.

 

That still won’t be enough to compete with the elite of the AFC. Though Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman returns, San Diego finished dead last in the AFC in pass defense, yet they did not draft anyone for the secondary until the fifth round and signed no impact free agents.

 

This leaves four teams to challenge the Steelers; the aforementioned upstart Texans, a long-shot pick, and Baltimore, Miami, and New England. 

 

What the Ravens figure to do better than the Steelers in 2009 is protect the passer, as Baltimore allowed 16 fewer sacks in 2008 than Pittsburgh and drafted tackle Michael Oher in the first round.

 

They’ll also rush for more yards. Pittsburgh has a talented trio of running backs in Parker, Mendenhall, and rookie Frank Summers, but so does Baltimore with Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, and Ray Rice.

 

There’s just something about Ray Rice not being able to crack the Ravens’ starting lineup that makes the trio stand out a bit more than the Steelers’.  

 

But Pittsburgh will likely have a superior passing attack. Joe Flacco is good, but he doesn’t have the receivers Roethlisberger does.

 

It is hard to decipher any really big advantage either defense has when compared to the other. Pittsburgh was ranked at the top of the NFL last season and has a superior pass rush, but Baltimore hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than two seasons.

 

Both teams will be trying out new cornerbacks. Baltimore does lose inside linebacker Bart Scott, who went with former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to the Jets, but it appears the primary question in assessing these two teams is if the Steelers can improve their pass protection and if the Ravens can develop a receiver to compliment Derrick Mason.

 

There’s a lot to like about Miami—a great ground game, led by Ronnie Brown.

 

Former West Virginia quarterback Pat White should add new dimensions to the Wildcat formation with a run/pass option Brown does not posess, linebacker Joey Porter, who accumulated 17 ½ sacks last season, is still in his prime at 32, and Chad Pennington is the Dolphins’ best quarterback since Dan Marino.

 

What makes the Dolphins so intriguing is they addressed so many of their needs through free agency and the draft. Miami had the worst pass defense of any team in the AFC with a winning record, so they brought in free safety Gibril Wilson from Oakland and cornerback Eric Green from Arizona while drafting cornerbacks Vontae Davis in the first round and 6’3” Sean Smith in the third.

 

Those who say the Dolphins’ 11-6 record was buoyed by a last-place schedule should acknowledge Miami did not lose a single game to a team with a losing record in 2008.

 

That leaves the New England Patriots, and, despite not making the playoffs, they finished 4-0 and will be replacing Cassel with Brady. They fit the formula.

 

There is the school of thought that the 32-year-old Brady might not be the same quarterback he was before his injury. Remember Terry Bradshaw’s elbow?

 

Then again, 33-year-old Dan Marino returned from a season-ending ankle injury in 1993 to throw for more than 4,400 yards in 1994.

 

If you had to bet on Brady slumping or excelling upon his return, which way would you bet?

 

The Patriots made some nice veteran additions, including running back Fred Taylor, wide receiver Joey Galloway, and cornerback Shawn Springs.

 

New England doesn’t seem to have a real weakness, but they did have a mediocre run defense in 2008. Only one AFC team with a winning record, Indianapolis, had a worse defense against the run than the Patriots did. New England drafted nose tackle Ron Brace in the second round to address this need.

 

In comparing the Patriots with the Steelers, it could be said that while the Steelers struggled with offensive rankings in 2008, the Patriots struggled with defensive rankings.

 

What the Steelers may have on the Patriots is the presence of legitimate defensive stars. No Patriot defenders were named to the Pro Bowl last season for the first time since 2000.

 

Miami’s old “No Name” defense of the ‘70s was a misnomer, because the Dolphins DID have stars; Nick Buoniconti, Jake Scott, Manny Fernandez.

 

But Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” had more, which helped them overtake the Dolphins in that era.

 

If the Steelers and Patriots meet in the playoffs, Pittsburgh would have to utilize this advantage with an influential turnover or other big defensive stand to win.

 

That said, here are my predictions for the AFC Playoffs, with five of the teams capable of ending their season in Miami. 

 

1. Pittsburgh (13-3)—Have more stars than any other team in the conference.
2. New England (12-4)—Perhaps the most complete team in the AFC. They’ll visit Heinz Field for the Super Bowl again.
3. Houston (11-5)—This will be their breakout season. But can they win a divisional playoff game on the road?
4. Oakland (10-6)—Another surprise, but one-and-done in the postseason.
5. Baltimore (12-4)—Consistent, but Flacco needs better receivers.
6. Miami (11-5)—Don’t dismiss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran Receiver Dennis Northcutt Traded to the Lions

Veteran wide receiver Dennis Northcutt is now a member of the Detroit Lions. 

The 10-year veteran was traded Friday to Detroit after spending two seasons in Jacksonville in exchange for safety Gerald Alexander.

The 31-year-old Northcutt spent his first seven seasons with Cleveland before moving to Jacksonville in 2007.

Northcutt has a career catch total of 364 for 4,584 yards, and 17 touchdowns.

In 2008, he caught 44 passes for 545 yards and two touchdowns over 14 games.

Northcutt was expected to be on the field opposite newly signed receiver Torry Holt in 2009.  Jacksonville signed the veteran Holt in the off-season and also drafted three wideouts in April’s draft.

Alexander, 24, is heading into his third NFL season.  In 17 career starts, including 16 in 2007, he has 88 tackles, and 2 interceptions.

According to ESPN.com, the deal was completed between the teams Friday, however, it won’t be official until next week when it’s ratified by league officials.

Oakland Raiders Positional Battles: Let the Competition Begin

It’s been a strange offseason in Oakland. In the past, superstar/prima donna’s with character issues have found a huge payday waiting for them in Oaktown.

After they would sign, we would sit back and watch their lackluster efforts for an entire season, their inflated salary and reputation guaranteed that, despite their hideous numbers, they would start every week. 

After that player retires or moves on, they don’t miss the opportunity to throw the organization under the bus to explain their poor performance during their stay. The next year, another high profile player would be plugged in and underachieve like the one before.

The collateral damage was evident in the players who were drafted. Behind these prima donnas, the players were learning nothing about what it took to be a starter in the league, how hard they would have to work to achieve success.

And so it went for six long years…

 

In the last six years their have been only three exceptions. Nnamdi Asomougha, Justin Fargas, and Robert Gallery (whose numbers are Pro Bowl worthy, yet somehow Gallery still carries the bust label).

Not only did all three work their asses off to shed the bust label, but they became an example of the toughness that it takes to turn a franchise around, but it still wasn’t enough.

Tom Cable became a coach through the same diligence as Asomougha, Fargas, and Gallery showed. With Pro Bowler Shane Lechler on special teams, a common thread was now shared in all three phases of the game, as well as the coaching staff.

Already, in OTAs, the competition is fierce. Defensive tackle Terdell Sands has heard the footsteps of offseason acquisition Ryan Boschetti and drafted “tweener” Matt Shaugnessy. Sands showed up at OTA’s in the best shape in years.

Micheal Huff seems to be making a valiant effort, but to no avail. He still is a step behind and will likely not see the field in Oakland. Incumbent Hiram Eugene, along with Tyvon Branch, are looking over their shoulders at Mike Mitchell, whose college highlight reel consists of almost seven minutes of attempted murder on anyone who touched the ball.

Controversial draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey and fourth rounder Louis Murphy have given Javon Walker a wake up call. Walker is finally taking the steps to return to prominence and should be healthy for the first time in years.

Quarterback Andrew Walter has shown nothing but contempt for the Silver and Black since being benched in ’06, and with the signings Jeff Garcia, Charlie Frye, and Bruce Gradkowski, JaMarcus Russell no longer can afford to think that he is irreplaceable at any point.

The offensive line was the biggest focus in the free agent market. Khalliff Barnes and Eric Pears Will, at the very least, provide the depth that the line has been lacking, but Cornell Greene, Mario Henderson and Cooper Carlisle will have to have a great camp if they intend on retaining their starting roles.

It’s been a long time since the Raider fans have looked at a roster with this much depth. For once we can look beyond the starters to the developing talent. Injuries are a part of the game and to know that their are players that can step in and be effective has given Raider Nation a comfortable feeling.

Cable has collected a team of overachievers and talent that has been hidden in obscurity. Cable has created an atmosphere that will hold the players accountable in their  preparation.

Cable has a passion for football and bleeds Silver and Black and the players that have lost their love for the game will have to dig deep and find it again or give way. No more free rides.

William Clay Ford Speaks Out: Sincerity, Subterfuge, or Stupidity?

It’s not often Detroit Lions fans are treated to a William Clay Ford press conference.

When the Lions owner, generally reclusive in nature, does step into the limelight, no matter how briefly, it’s difficult to determine what to take from it.

He says the right things for the most part.

He wants to win. The fans deserve better. Things are changing for the better. He’s the one accountable for the team.

And so on. He’s mending fences, at one of the two times per year he typically does so: when the season has gone down the tubes and he expresses mild disappointment (akin in severity to the disappointment expressed when one fails to win the lottery, only Ford plays with 1/32 odds every year), and now: the season ticket marketing blitz.

This year is no different. After the Lions started a heart-wrenching 0-3, and his own son, Bill Ford Jr., came out in the media saying Millen should be fired, Ford Sr. did just that within days, addressing the media appropriately. And then? Nothing, until now, the hot time for season ticket sales.

So obviously, Ford’s aim is to come out and inspire confidence in the fans that this team is going to make Detroit proud and win some games, right? Presumably, but many of his comments can be analyzed under different lenses to derive different conclusions.

He may be sincere. He certainly sounds like a nice enough old man, and he is at least verbally committed to keep the Lions in Detroit, despite the possibility of a stronger market elsewhere, particularly one that isn’t on the verge of total municipal collapse.

He could be offering some subterfuge, some clever words to cover up his ineptitude. He says he’s accountable, but what does that mean, exactly? Does it mean he owes the fans an apology after a few more 4-win seasons? Or is he going to do something about it?

Finally, he could just not really know what he’s saying. As fans have suggested for years, he could just be a man whose only qualification to own an NFL franchise is lots and lots of money. As nice of a person as he may be (which I hear all too often), he could just be stupid, ignorant to the ways of NFL ownership.

Honestly, I have no earthly idea which of the above three is the case… so the only thing left to do is to analyze his comments from every angle. You be the judge.

 

Ford on His Desire to Win

“I want it, I can promise you that.”

“I thought it was horrible every time we’d lose. I’d go ‘Oh, geez.’”

“The thing I liked really (about Wednesday’s minicamp) was the player attitude. I mean, they’re going at it like, you know, we can win, which is great.”

“Of course, [the fans] want us to win, and so do I — more than anything. But I think if they realize that we’re going to go down with our guns blazing, I think that’s a positive thing to have happen.”

How to take this? He says he wants to win, but he doesn’t exactly seethe confidence.

So in this instance, Ford:

A) Really, truly wants to win, and though his “Oh, geez,” at Lions losses may pale in comparison to a million fans’ stream of relentless obscenities at the field/TV screen, his commitment is nonetheless solid (albeit with a few bad decisions).

B) Wants everyone to think he cares, because when it’s obvious the owner doesn’t care, the tickets don’t sell. At the same time, he’s tempering expectations while sounding optimistic by effectively saying that he wants to win, but will settle for “going down with guns blazing,” which is to say still losing, but competitively, perhaps in high-scoring games.

C) Has absolutely no idea what to expect, but vaguely knows that winning is a good thing, and has decided that’s something he wants to do. He also thinks it’s “great” that the players on the team “feel like, you know, they can win,” in kind of the same way a grandparent thinks it’s great that his overweight grandson who can’t hit or catch tries out for the baseball team.

 

Ford on Lions Fans

“I feel so sorry for the fans of Detroit. I give them full marks for being loyal and showing up and we didn’t perform the way we should’ve performed or the way we could’ve performed. I really felt worse for them than I did for myself.”

“For the guys who stuck through it, for the fans who stuck through it, I can’t tell you how great that makes you feel. For those who walked away, I couldn’t blame them. It really wasn’t much fun to watch.”

“By and large, you pay attention to [fan criticism]. If there’s a noticeable decline in attendance and the comments are not favorable, you pay attention to it. As I’ve said, the fans are the ones we want to please out here.”

Well, this is pretty straightforward stuff, right? Perhaps. Ford here feels like:

A) He has let the fans down, and for all the loyalty they have shown the team, he wants to turn this thing around and start winning again. He is grateful for those who have stuck with the team through both hard times for the Lions and Detroit itself.

B) It’s time to pay attention to fan criticism and act accordingly… but only now, because there’s been a noticeable decline in attendance. Maybe if he comes out and addresses the masses, then he can cure what ills the fanbase, like the Hand of God (of Ticket and Merchandise Sales).

C) The fans don’t seem to like him too much. Why is that? Oh well, the ones still hanging around make him feel warm and squishy inside, and that’s all that really matters.

 

Ford on Why Things are Different Now

“Well, this is going to sound a little egotistical, and maybe it is, but because [hiring GM Martin Mayhew, President Tom Lewand, and Head Coach Jim Schwartz] was solely my decision.”

“It wasn’t … not bicker, but arguments that [Ford and Matt Millen] might have had in the past — if that’s the right word. Maybe it’s a little strong, but it was a difference of opinion that we’d had in the past.”

“Everything’s different, including our front office personnel here[…] The head coach is different. The whole thing’s just a new setup.”

Ok, then. If you’re like me, the part about him making decisions on his own is frightening. The man has owned the club since 1964, so you mean to tell me he’s never made a decision in 45 years, and now that he is, things are going to get better?

Enough poisoning the well, try to figure out if Ford:

A) Is really serious about this, and his hiring decisions are now solely his own, which could make a huge difference, because he wasn’t really high on hiring Rod Marinelli or Steve Mariucci… or even Millen himself.

B) Is throwing Millen under the bus, by effectively deeming him not only responsible for the Lions’ recent shortcomings, but also a tyrant who made his own decisions without consultation. And he didn’t want to hire him, some serpent’s tongue in his ear told him to. Not a terrible stretch, but it sure sounds like deflection of blame.

C) Thinks that even though he hired Millen, the guys he hired after Millen, who worked under Millen, will be better than Millen, because he picked them all by himself. That’s why, when Commissioner Goodell called and asked if he wanted help restructuring, providing a list of available football execs, Ford’s response was, “no thanks, I’ve already got my guys.”

 

Ford on Accountability

“If Jim Schwartz doesn’t work out, you can blame me 100 percent. I just have confidence in him.”

“Starting with Jim and on out, as far as my livelihood goes, I’m going to shoulder the responsibility for any mistakes we made. I don’t mean every play or stuff like that, but if things go sour and the fans turn against us, I’ve got nobody to blame but me, and I’m aware of that. That’s a nice challenge to have. I’m going to try to keep them happy in bad times.”

You know what Ford’s saying here, but is he thinking:

A) After Millen painted himself as a scapegoat in the media, the fans need someone to be accountable for their franchise, and I’ll step up and be that guy, so if the team flops this time, they know just who to point to. If they have to deal with a bad football team, they should at least know whose fault it is.

B) The fans are looking for someone to blame? Millen’s acting like a scapegoat? Fine, might as well say it’s my fault. What are they going to do, anyway? It’s not like they can force me to sell the team. Sure, I’m accountable for the team that I own and can do whatever I want with, wonderful.

C) Maybe if I say I’m accountable “from here on out,” I can get people to forget the fact that I’m also accountable for the last 45 years I’ve owned the team, too.

 

Now, let’s check your results.

If you said mostly A’s, you think Ford is a sincere old man, who has been misguided in the past, but is making a real effort to right the wrongs now, because that’s what good, loyal Lions fans deserve.

If you said mostly B’s, you think Ford is effectively a sinspawn, brought to this earth for the sole purpose of running car companies and NFL franchises into the ground, embarrassing the state of Michigan in both cases.

If you said mostly C’s, you don’t really think Ford is a bad guy, he’s just not a good owner, and doesn’t quite know what to do with his team.  To the extent that he thinks, he thinks he’s doing right by the fans, but it could also be that he is just spouting off with no idea what he’s actually talking about.

If you think all the answers have a little truth to them, then you think Ford is a guy who sincerely wants the Lions to win, but also… and perhaps even more so… sincerely wants to sell tickets and make money off his franchise. And he has absolutely no clue at all how to address either issue.

And you’re probably right.

 

Dean Holden is the “Voice of the Lions” on NFLTouchdown.com. Check it out for in-depth analysis on the Lions and all 31 other NFL teams.

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