2009 New England Patriots: What Can We Really Expect?

Two weeks into the season and Patriots Nation is already up in arms, distressed, and befuddled about the lack of consistency and results coming from the New England Patriots.

After an entire offseason where the press proclaimed the Patriots as one of the top three teams in the league and many pundits envisioned the Patriots representing the AFC in the Super Bowl, expectations for the 2009 season were high—very high.

However, two weeks into the season, the Patriots are 1-1 following a difficult loss to division rival New York in Week Two. The argument can be made that the Pats are actually an 0-2 team, as New England had to rely on another epic Tom Brady comeback to down the lowly Buffalo Bills by a mere point.

Given the events of the past couple weeks, one thing is clear: The expectations Patriots fans had going into the season need to be toned down, at least for now.

That’s the easy part to recognize. The harder part to identify is why, with so much talent and a likely Hall of Fame coach at the helm, are the Patriots floundering?

The easy answer is that the defense isn’t good and that the offense is under-performing. But that’s too general. There are numerous problems on both sides of the ball, some of which can be addressed in practice, while others cannot, and need to be ironed out through time.

Let’s start on the defensive side of the ball. For anyone who watches the Pats closely and has seen their Super Bowl teams, it is easy to tell that the talent level on the defensive side of the ball has gone way down since their last Super Bowl win.

Defensive stalwarts such as Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, and Ty Law have been replaced by guys like Gary Guyton, James Sanders, Jarvis Green, and Leigh Bodden.

Now I am not saying that these guys are poor players. In fact, Guyton has impressed so far in his young career, Sanders has proven to be serviceable, and Bodden is a talented cornerback that was unfortunately marooned in the wasteland that is Detroit.

However, when stacked up side by side with the players that they are replacing, it simply is not that impressive. In addition to the decline in talent, the leadership that Vrabel, Bruschi, and Harrison brought to this team has so far not been replicated by the youngsters.

Maybe someday Guyton and Sanders will turn into tenured, defensive leaders. But right now, on this 2009 Patriots squad, the defense lacks the necessary leadership from its young players to be effective come crunch time.

Throw in the loss of Jerod Mayo, the Patriots young stud linebacker and signal caller, and the defense suddenly is terribly thin at most positions on the field.

Offensively, the Patriots have not proven to be the offensive juggernaut that so many experts predicted they would be. This unit was supposed to be the bread and butter of the team, but so far, the offense has sputtered.

For starters, it is unfair for anyone to expect quarterback Tom Brady to be 100 percent back from the devastating knee injury he suffered last season. Sure, his ligaments may be healed and back together, but is his confidence back?

Most players when recovering from major injuries like Brady’s take two full years to return to their true form. Year one is spent repairing the physical damage, but it will still take most players another full year or so to fully regain their confidence and swagger.

This does not mean that Brady’s days as an elite quarterback are done. Carson Palmer, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, went through the same process when he was recovering from his knee injury several years ago.

Right now, like Palmer, Brady is trying to regain his confidence, and you can see his hesitancy when he makes throws under pressure.

Secondly, the Patriots seem to be running an incredibly unbalanced attack, relying almost exclusively on the pass. With a running back corps featuring Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, and Kevin Faulk, there is more than enough firepower in the backfield to produce a solid rushing attack.

There are some comments out there about the offensive line and how they are totally focusing on protecting Brady’s knee and how it must be difficult for them to rapidly switch back and forth between heavy pass protections and run blocking.

This shouldn’t be a problem. Switching back and forth between run blocking and pass protection is part of the job description for these professionals, no matter how difficult it is. Also, it could help protect Brady, as he won’t consistently face blitzes and a pass rush.

Sooner or later, the Patriots are going to need to start running the ball if the offense is going to be successful.

Another problem is the timing in the passing game, which seems to be off so far this season.

One big problem that some people seem to be overlooking is the absence of wide receiver Wes Welker from the lineup. While Randy Moss may be the fireworks for this offense, Welker has caught over 200 passes the past two seasons, and he has proven to be the glue that holds the Patriots offense together.

In addition to Welker not being 100 percent so far this entire season (and dating back through the entire preseason as well), Brady is trying to establish chemistry with two new receivers as well—Joey Galloway and rookie Julian Edelman, the latter of which has been converted from quarterback since he joined the Patriots in training camp.

Chemistry between a quarterback and a wideout is not something that comes easy. It takes time. Plus, the New England offense is a complicated one. It takes time to learn and comprehend.

It may take Brady and his new receivers several weeks to establish the chemistry the fans are used to seeing, and that process could be extended if Galloway and Edelman continue to have difficulties absorbing the offensive playbook.

There are many issues with the 2009 version of the New England Patriots, and the concerns listed above are just some of them. So far, they have proven to be an issue for the Pats, as the team struggled to a Week One win, and then looked totally ineffective in Week Two.

However, Patriots Nation should resist the urge to jump off the Zakim Bridge in downtown Boston. Remember back in 2003, when the Pats opened up against the Bills and lost 31-0? Remember where the Patriots were at the end of the season?

By no means am I guaranteeing that the Pats will rebound spectacularly, finish 14-2, and win the Super Bowl. Is that the goal? Sure. But the Patriots are missing the necessary leadership, defensive intensity, and the coherent offense necessary to make such a turnaround.

Bill Belichick and his coaching staff have the ability to turn this thing around. Despite the early struggles, there is plenty of talent in Foxboro. All the kinks just need to be smoothed out in practice. However, given New England’s current state, it may be a little too much too ask for that 13-3 or 14-2 record and another Super Bowl berth.

So what can we really expect from the Pats in 2009? Let’s say a record of 11-5 and an exit from the playoffs in either the divisional round or the AFC Championship game.

But we’ll see…when Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are on the same team together, anything is possible.

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Free NFL Picks: Week Three

This week I want to touch on the ebb and flow theory of betting.

It is not a complicated theory, but it can be difficult to pull the trigger on certain bets. As a rule when it comes to following the ebb and flow theory: Don’t waiver on your decisions.

You may drop two bets in row following the theory, but that does not mean you jump ship and bet differently in the third game.

The ebb and flow theory basically goes something like this: Find a team coming off an emotional win playing against a team that looks down in the dumps and bet against the team that is riding a high wave of emotions.

Last week Cincinnati fell into this role when it took on Green Bay. As it turned out, the Bengals won the game outright as nine-point pooches. It was a nice win to pick up along with the N.Y. Jets, but in the end it was only a 4-3 week. On the season I improved to 9-5.

Take one step further. Look at the poor S.O.B. in the picture above. He looks like he might cry. You would think it’s because of the get-up, but who knows what’s going on in his mind.

Well guess what? Even someone like him is going to have things fall in his favor at somepoint.

As usual the team I like appears first with the points in parentheses. Each game has a short write-up because let’s be honest, people just want the pick and no necessarily my reasoning for it.

 

Tennessee (+2.5) @ N.Y. Jets

The Jets won a huge game on the road to open the season and then last week they won their Super Bowl as they knocked off the New England Patriots.

On the other side of the coin you have a Titans team that lost a defensive battle in Week One to Pittsburgh and then lost in a shootout to Houston in Week Two.

So why the Titans here?

It’s all about the ebb and flow theory.

The Jets come back to reality in a rather harsh way. This is not a sign of things to come. It’s just tough to constantly play at your best week in and week out. Toss in the fact the Titans must win and I will go with the Titans

Tennessee 23 – N.Y. Jets 10

 

N.Y. Giants (-6.5) @ Tampa Bay

The Bucs are the worst team in the NFL so as long they are laying single digits I will bet against them. This kind of falls into the ebb and flow theory because the Giants are coming off an emotional win against the Cowboys.

However, the one problem is that Tampa Bay does not have the talent to get themselves up off the turf after being knocked down two weeks in a row

N.Y. Giants 34 – Tampa Bay 17

 

Detroit (+6.5) vs. Washington

This is it people.

The Detroit Lions will not only cover the number, but they will win the game. The line maker believes this is going to be a close game, which is more than I need to sway my decision.

If the line maker is saying it’s a close game, I’m buying into it.

Detroit 19 – Washington 17

 

San Diego (-6) vs. Miami

The Chargers aren’t first in their division?

Seriously?

Well the Dolphins are the perfect remedy. The Fish are coming off a gut-wrenching defeat, playing on a short week, and they are flying cross country.

San Diego 32 – Miami 16

 

Carolina (+9) @ Dallas

The two dumbest quarterbacks collide on Monday Night.

Do yourself a favor and play a drinking game. Every time Tony Romo or Jake Delhomme does something dumb, take a shot.

You’ll be wasted before halftime.

With such poor play on both sides of the ball I’ll take the points.

I honestly believe Delhomme can exploit a Cowboys defense that is giving up far too many big plays this year.

Dallas 31 – Carolina 28

 

Indianapolis Colts (+1.5) @ Arizona

The Colts can’t stop the run and the Cardinals don’t run very well.

Perfect, take the Colts plus the points here.

Call me a hater, but the Cardinals are frauds. Complete and utter frauds.

I know what everyone is saying too, “The Cardinals won at Jacksonville big and the Colts barely beat that same team at home. The Cardinals are definitely going to win.”

If you use that logic, you’re definitely an idiot.

Indianapolis 31 – Arizona 24

 

Buffalo (+6) vs. New Orleans

The Over/Under on this game is at 52 with a six-point spread. This means the line maker thinks the Bills can move the ball on the Saints.

I know Drew Brees is on fire right now, but that defense flat out stinks.

Think about this: The Saints opened the season against two quarterbacks making their NFL debut, I don’t know if and when that’s ever happened.

The Saints defense is flat out terrible, which is why they won’t cover the number here.

New Orleans 30 – Buffalo 27

 

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Michael Crabtree: Time to Sign on the Dotted Line

No NFL rookie in history has held out as long as Michael Crabtree has.  The outstanding wide receiver out of Texas Tech was the 10th pick in this year’s NFL draft and his contract should reflect what a player taken at that pick is worth.

Nothing positive can come of Crabtree holding out for top-five money. All it does is attract negative attention towards him and the Niners’ organization.

This is setting a bad example for young athletes and those who have the talent to follow in Crabtree’s footsteps.  This type of holdout is bad for all parties involved.

Crabtree hasn’t been on a football field in over eight months and sitting out an entire year will only hurt his playing ability. 

The Niners drafted Crabtree thinking that he would be a help to a depleted wide receiver group.  This team could have easily gone in a different direction and drafted a different player if they knew how big of a hassle signing this star wideout would be.

The difference in the level of play from college to NFL is enormous in and of itself.  When or if Crabtree decides to sign, he will encounter even more problems getting to know the offense that the Niners run.

The 49ers are offering plenty of money.  Reportedly somewhere in the range of four years, $20 million with $16 million guaranteed.  That is a whopping sum of money and whether or not Crabtree believes it, that is a fair offer on the table.

Who knows if it is about his ego or his belief that he is the best rookie wide receiver and deserves to be paid like it. 

Sorry Michael, the 10th pick of the NFL draft will not get a top-five deal.  That is just not how it works anywhere.

Even in the last few days there are accusations that have arisen that the Jets tampered with Michael Crabtree.  The Niners have filed charges with the league and an investigation is underway. 

Whatever the outcome is, Crabtree needs to put his differences aside and just play football.

Putting that pen to paper and signing a very generous contract that the Niners are offering would be the best move for Team Crabtree.  As Week Three approaches, it’s the sooner the better for all parties involved.

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The 10 Things We Know After Week 2 in the NFL

It has been an exciting first two weeks of football season in the NFL. Many teams have had dominating games, while others have kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Some teams are off to a great start at 2-0, most teams are 1-1, and a few are even winless. So, what do we know after week 2?
Weeks 1 and 2 have answered some questions about certain teams. Have injuries affected some teams too much? Will the 2-0 teams make the playoffs? Here are 10 things we know after week 2 in the National Football League.

Begin Slideshow

San Diego Chargers: Towering Receiving Corps Produces Monumental Headaches

Given the NFL’s decision to settle tie games with a half court game to 11, the Chargers will be favorites to seize victory in any extra period.

By posting up Antonio Gates with inside help from Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Chris Chambers, and Legedu Naanee off the bench with possibly Darren Sproles to run the offense, and it’s one round ball squad that will be tough to beat.

Look for them to dominate at the “Hoop it Up Tournament” down by the pier, too.

The thing is, the NFL’s competition committee hasn’t quite signed off on the idea of its players jumping center at the end of four quarters.

Likely, as well, the Chargers aren’t so keen on their talented receiving corps doing anything shy of relaxing in their downtime with basketball being particularly blacklisted.

Remember Ryan Leaf playing some pickup ball down at Robb Field? Bad idea, man.

Still, the go-big group the Chargers employ on Sunday’s is causing fits in opposing secondary’s and dropping linebackers into coverage is only mildly successful.

So what is a defensive coordinator to do when Gates, at 6’4″, Jackson, and Floyd (both 6’5″) and Chambers (5’11”, but 210 pounds) all flood the pattern?

Apparently very little, as the Ravens found out when Philip Rivers torched them for 436 yards.

Their solution, though, was to take away Rivers’ precious time in the pocket. And it worked.

Baltimore harassed the Chargers quarterback sufficiently by sacking him twice, forcing him into a pair of delay of game penalties, and most costly, two interceptions which resulted in 10 points for the Ravens.

Very costly as the Chargers only lost by five in Sunday’s contest.

Sounds like a prescription to victory for the Dolphins, who visit San Diego this Sunday. Except, Miami does not bring the pressure that John Harbaugh’s Ravens squad delivers, a team that is currently looking to be the class of the AFC if not the NFL.

The Dolphins can consume plenty of time, run a number of plays, and largely make a defense look confused with their multiple looks, fueled largely by their Wildcat scheme. But like many spread attacks that lack enough firepower on the ends, the Dolphins can produce yards between the 20’s but are less successful in the red zone.

That was evidenced in the Colts’ 27-23 victory over the Dolphins on Monday night as Peyton Manning struck big early and struck again late with another big play to steal the game.

They didn’t produce enough points to put the game away.

Miami’s Wildcat could cause problems for a San Diego defense that has been on its heels lately, as both the Raiders and Ravens executed their offensive game plans with surprising ease.

Halftime adjustments by Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera succeeded in both games to put the team in positions to win.

They rallied in Oakland, but failed against Baltimore.

But it will be the Miami defense that will be looking to adjust Sunday as the Chargers continue to exploit their size advantage and learn the not-so-subtle nuances of arguably the most potent aerial attack this side of New Orleans.

The talents of Gates are no secret; he of the five Pro Bowl invitations and three All-Pro nods, but the book is only just coming out on Jackson. In his fifth season out of Northern Colorado, Jackson has quickly become one of the first options for Rivers and has emerged as the Chargers’ primary big-play threat.

A 1,000-yard plus season a year ago that was sprinkled with seven touchdown receptions has already been followed by nearly 200 yards in the first two games this year and a pair of TD catches.

Perhaps no catch was bigger or more evident of his ability as an elite NFL receiver than the 35-yard bomb he hauled in Sunday while draped by no fewer than three Baltimore defenders.

That catch was on a 3rd-and-18 play. On three other occasions, Jackson and Rivers hooked up to successfully convert third downs including a 38-yard pickup on the last drive.

Lesser known, but emerging in the quickly evolving Chargers passing game, are Floyd and Naanee.

Floyd flashed some game-changing skills with a 45-yard reception on a post in Sunday’s first half while Naanee was good for eight yards with a catch to put the Chargers deep in the Ravens’ territory and within sight of another come-from-behind victory.

Naanee in his third year and just 22 catches on his NFL belt, showed some inexperience on that catch, though. Instead of running straight ahead for a likely first down, he tried to fake a defender and was tackled from behind.

Two plays later, the game was over when Ray Lewis flattened Sproles in the backfield.

The jumbo package displayed by the Chargers is certain to create a number of matchup problems for opposing NFL defenses this season and next up are the Dolphins.

It also should allow them to complement and exploit the unique talents of Sproles, who despite Lewis’ Hall of Fame caliber tackle, provides an explosive and significant extra gear to the club.

But with the ball in the air, the call in San Diego is to go big.

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Miami Dolphins’ Ted Ginn, Jr.: Big-Time Receiver or Possession Receiver?

After the Miami Dolphins’ Monday Night Football loss against the Indianapolis Colts, there are a lot of good points to build off of, but there are also some major problems on the team.  Among those glaring problems was Ted Ginn, Jr.’s inability to make a big play when he was needed most.

Late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Chad Pennington threw the ball to Ginn in the end zone, who was only in single coverage.  The ball was perfectly placed and it hit Ginn right in the hands, but it bounced right out for an incompletion.  Every receiver is taught that whenever the football touches your hand, you should catch it.  Ginn didn’t, and it cost Miami the game.

Since the beginning of last season, everyone has been watching Ginn to see if he can develop into the star receiver that he was drafted to be.  He has shown a lot of improvement since his first season in the NFL, but will he continue that improvement until he develops into a star receiver?  Or, will he just be a possession receiver without any big play-making ability?

Ginn was definitely more of a possession receiver against Indianapolis, catching many key passes to help move the chains.  But I do not think that this will be the case for Ted Ginn’s entire career.  I can see him developing into a star, and he may develop sooner than you think. He was a big-time receiver when he played college football at Ohio State, and as he gets more comfortable in the NFL he should be able to take on the big-time role like he had in college.

And, before anyone starts talking about looking for a new receiver to take the number one spot in Miami, consider this: Despite what you want to think, Ginn had a great game against the Colts.  Except for that one play, he caught pretty much every ball that was thrown his way.  If that play had never even occurred, then we would be talking about his amazing performance instead of wanting him to be replaced.

All I ask is that you give Ginn a little more time before you start looking at possibilities to replace him.  You can probably expect a big rebound when the Dolphins head to San Diego to face the Chargers.  After a dismal Week One for Miami’s offensive line, they rebounded very well against the Colts.  I bet the coaching staff had a lot to do with that rebound, so they will be looking to motivate Ginn to rebound from that catch for next week.

Please also note that I am not at all okay with Ginn’s dropped catch Monday.  I guarantee you that I was just as much, or even more, mad than anyone reading this right now when Ginn dropped that pass.  I have replayed it bouncing off of both of his hands hundreds of times in my head.  I probably will not forgive him for it for quite some time, but I just don’t think that it will be an indicator for the rest of his career.

So, back to the original question: Will Ted Ginn ever be a big-time receiver, or will he always be a possession receiver?

My answer is that yes, he will end up being a big-time receiver.  He will just take some time to develop into one.  There are too many reasons for why he will be a big-time receiver, one of them being his extremely successful career with the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Expect Ted Ginn, Jr. to have a big rebound week against the Chargers Sunday, but he will probably take until next season to really develop into a star receiver in the NFL.

But, please, do not count Ted Ginn, Jr. out yet.

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NFL Playoff Predictions After Week Two

Here are my predictions for the playoff picture this season.

Bold: Playoff Team

NFC

West: In the last two years, this division has turned from a one-team race, into a three-team race.

1. Seattle Seahawks, Record After Week 2: 1-1, Projected Record: 11-5

2. Arizona Cardinals, 1-1, 10-6

3. San Fransisco 49ers, 2-0, 10-6

4. St. Louis Rams, 0-2, 2-14

East: These four teams have traded off playoff spots the last 3 years, and it seems to be shaping up just as excitingly this year. 

1. New York Giants, 2-0, 12-4

2. Philadelphia Eagles, 1-1, 10-6

3. Dallas Cowboys, 1-1, 9-7

4. Washington Redskins, 1-1, 7-9

South: This will be another tight, three team division race, but who will win this time?

1. New Orleans Saints, 2-0, 11-5

2. Atlanta Falcons, 2-0, 11-5

3. Carolina Panthers, 0-2, 10-6

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 0-2, 4-12

North: Detroit looks pretty impressive, but will they have enough in them to penetrate a powerful wall made by the Vikings, Packers, and Bears?

1. Minnesota Vikings, 2-0, 14-2

2. Green Bay Packers, 1-1, 10-6

3. Chicago Bears, 1-1, 8-8

4. Detroit Lions, 0-2, 6-10

AFC

West: San Diego is looking like they’re not going to be as good as in recent history, but can Denver take advantage of that open door, unlike last year?

1. San Diego Chargers, 1-1, 10-6

2. Denver Broncos, 2-0, 8-8

3. Oakland Raiders, 1-1, 6-10

4. Kansas City Chiefs, 0-2, 1-15

East: New England isn’t as threatening as usual, but neither is Miami and Buffalo, so New York needs to run the Pats over to get to the playoffs, kind of like they did in week two.

1. New England Patriots, 1-1, 11-5

2. New York Jets, 2-0, 10-6

3. Miami Dolphins, 0-2, 8-8

4. Buffalo Bills, 1-1, 7-9

South: This is probably the toughest division in football, and the Texans and Jags are both fighting for a second wild card playoff spot. 

1. Indianapolis Colts, 2-0, 11-5

2. Tennessee Titans, 0-2, 10-6

3. Houston Texans, 1-1, 10-6

3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 0-2, 7-9

North: The defending champs, a rising young team, and two teams trying to get good again make up this division, but only one can make the playoffs. 

1. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1-1, 11-5

2. Baltimore Ravens, 2-0, 10-6

3. Cincinnati Bengals, 1-1, 7-9

4. Cleveland Browns, 0-2, 4-12

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Browns Fans Reign Supreme

There’s not much to hang our hats on in Browns Town these days, but I will say this; so far this season I was lucky enough to be at three games; both Browns games and the Oakland-San Diego thriller, and I am proud to say that our fans have yet to be matched.

It’s obvious that we are emotionally attached and it shows.

This is nothing new; last year  ESPN ranked Browns fans third behind the hated Steelers and the Packers.

Another thing I noticed is that the fans mirror the organizations they root for.

In Cleveland you get the irrational hope and bottomless, hurtful disappointment; in Oakland you have pure delusion.

I wore my Browns jersey to the Raiders game just to get comments, and they did not let up all night. 

A few were derisive, but most were of sincere pity.

Imagine fans of a team that has Al Davis as a owner, and that just made a trade that would have made Ted Stepien proud, truly feels bad for us.

They act as if they are a trust fund baby whose senile father is defecating all over their maserati; they’re just waiting for him to kick and then the glory of Raider Nation will inevitably be restored. 

The Browns, they feel, are just, well, defecating all over their Chrysler Sebring.

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Even Sonny Doesn’t Like Zorn’s Play-Calling

As a Redskins head coach, you know it’s gotten bad when you’re publicly called out by Sonny Jurgensen.

Jurgensen, for those of you who may live under a rock, is the Hall-of-Fame quarterback most synonymous with the burgundy and gold. He’s been part of the inner circle of owner Daniel Snyder since the diminutive billionaire purchased the team and still calls all the games on the radio with long-time partner Sam Huff.

But even Jurgensen has become frustrated with Zorn’s erratic play-calling, and the two had an altercation in the locker room after the game. Jurgensen, playing the part of reporter, didn’t bother to ask Zorn a question, but came out swinging:

(Quotes courtesy of D.C. Sports Blog on WashingtonPost.com)

“Third down, I’m the quarterback, and you call the halfback throwing the ball for me, I’m calling timeout or calling an audible,” Jurgensen said. “I’m not letting the halfback throw it. That’s what you pay me for.”

“Well then, I would have to take you out of the game,” Zorn retorted. “As soon as you called timeout, I’d say what’s wrong with my play, because…”

“It didn’t work!” Jurgensen interjected.

Zorn paused.

“No, but I called it to work. Alright?” said Zorn. “We called it to work. It didn’t work. There were a lot of plays out there that didn’t work. And I’d take you out of the game. Sorry, Sonny.”

Wow.

First of all, without examining the merits of the argument, good for Zorn. He’s the coach, he calls the plays and the buck stops with him. He shouldn’t allow that sort of questioning from either a Hall-of-Famer or some guy off the street. And he certainly doesn’t have to take that from a reporter in the locker room, even if his name is Sonny Jurgensen.

But that doesn’t make Jurgensen wrong. That play didn’t work, and while that’s a poor example of Zorn’s poor play-calling, Zorn does need to step it up in that department.

Two weeks into the season, there’s been a variety of strange play-calls, usually coming in the red zone with Zorn trying to stretch the field behind the line of scrimmage, pinning his ball carriers to the sideline before they try to run toward the end zone.

Against the New York Giants, Zorn and the Redskins faced a second and goal from around the five. Zorn called a wide receiver screen, which in and of itself isn’t a bad play. However, this particular screen involved a fake and a long QB drop back while the line pulled to the side. This gave the Giants time to adjust before Moss could even turn upfield, and the play wound up losing yards.

Late in the game against the Rams, Zorn faced fourth down twice in the red zone. Conventional wisdom called for a Suisham field goal both occasions, followed by a long kickoff and letting the defense do their job with a five-point lead.

On the first attempt, Zorn called a Portis run to the left; it could have been an off-tackle or an option for Portis, but it was definitely outside the guards. The blocking held up and Portis made the first down.

This was a good call, and not just because Portis converted. It was ballsy, no doubt, but if it worked, it gave the Redskins a chance to take a two-score lead. If not, it used some clock and then pinned the Rams deep in their own territory.

Facing fourth down again four plays later, Zorn again went for it, and again ran it to the left, this time with a shorter field. Not surprisingly, the Rams saw the play developing in exactly the same way. Portis’ first hole wasn’t open, so he tried to stretch further left. But with the short field, the Rams were able to play closer to the line of scrimmage and shut it down.

Zorn had been running to the left for most of the game. Sparing us the discussion of how wise it was to go for it on two consecutive fourth downs, had he have called a play-action to the left with a bootleg option pass to the right and sent Cooley across the line of scrimmage from the left side, he would have found acres of real estate open on the right as the entire Rams defense fired to the left off the snap.

To give Zorn his due, his red zone play calling was very limited due to a paper-thin right side of the line. However there are plenty of teams in the NFL who have won Super Bowls with less.

If you’re the head coach and you want people’s respect, you need to find ways to win the game, no matter what the situation.

Otherwise, if you’re in Washington, Sonny’s gonna call you out.

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NFL Weekly Whip-Around: Lessons From Week Two

Well football fans, another week is in the books. We only had one game on Monday night, but it was enough to satisfy everyone except Miami Dolphins fans.

And yet again, there was plenty to be learned from this week’s games.

To wit: 

Titans running back Chris Johnson is fast. No, make that STUPID fast. In fact, if Chris Johnson had decided to make track and field a career instead of football, Usain Bolt would only be the fastest man in Jamaica.

On his two long runs from scrimmage Sunday, he wasn’t even trying hard and he made the Texans secondary look like they were walking. I’m surprised he wasn’t leaving contrails behind.

Peyton Manning might just be a cyborg. Kind of like Data from Star Trek:TNG. The more games he plays, the more he can look back into his data banks to find the particular defense he is facing, and tear it apart.

It’s almost like he has a spy in the opposing team’s camp who scans all the defensive plays and emails them to him a day or two prior to the game.

While we are on the Miami—Indy game, two lessons were learned Monday night; first, Miami learned that football games last 60 minutes, and it doesn’t matter that you control the game for the first 55 minutes.

If you let the last five minutes go, guys like Peyton Manning will score on you before you can get to the line of scrimmage.

Second, we all learned that Miami stinks at the two-minute offense.

It is becoming apparent that lucky bounces aren’t quite the anomaly that we once thought they were.

After watching Andre Johnson make not one, but two “tip the ball in the air and catch it” receptions, a redirected pass caught for a first down, a muffed punt bounce into a pursuer’s arms (yes, it was called back, but still, the way it bounced is the issue here), and a dropped pass bounce off of a player’s heel DIRECTLY into a defender’s gut, which was run back for a TD that should have stood, the term “lucky bounce” needs to be replaced with “heads up play.”

There are two robot Jay Cutlers, or at least a real Jay Cutler and an evil robot Jay Cutler (ala Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey). The question is, who is holding the remote controls?

Jerome Bettis may have retired too early. Rashard Mendenhall is an okay runner, but he isn’t the line buster that Pittsburgh needs. And Willie Parker seems to be running with his shoes tied together.

We won’t even discuss Mewelde Moore.

Mike Singletary is going to be just as good a coach as he was a middle linebacker. What he has done with the 49ers organization is nothing short of amazing.

Michael Crabtree needs to fire his stupid agent and accept a contract with this team, because they just might be going places.

With the way things are going right now, Matthew Stafford and the Lions are liable to win a game this year before the Titans do.

At least Detroit has a ready excuse for losing—they are the Lions, for crying out loud—but the Titans don’t seem to be able to get all their considerable cylinders firing.

The number of fumbles throughout the league is getting out of hand. Hold on to the rock, people…turnovers are game killers!!

Finally, Jerry Jones knew what he was doing when he put the gigantic TV where he did, and punters are smarter than we think they are.

There were a few close calls, but no rebounds off of the TV yet. We KNOW the Cowboys aren’t going to hit it, and I would hasten to say that no one will.

And that’s it for this week, folks. I only got to watch a handful of games, so if there was something to be learned in a market outside of Nashville, please feel free to leave it here so we can all share.

Otherwise, see you next week!!

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