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November 2009 News
Speak Up: Urlacher on the Bears’ Identity
Published: November 30, 2009
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The Bears defensive leader, Brian Urlacher, who was injured in week one against Green Bay had lots to say about this year’s team.
Here is what he said:
“I just wish I could be out there battling, when I go to the facility and see the guys, I feel like I’m in the way.”
“Look, I love Jay, and I understand he’s a great player who can take us a long way, and I still have faith in him. But I hate the way our identity has changed. We used to establish the run and wear teams down and try not to make mistakes, and we’d rely on our defense to keep us in the game and make big plays to put us in position to win. Kyle Orton might not be the flashiest quarterback, but the guy is a winner, and that formula worked for us. I hate to say it, but that’s the truth.”
“I’m not taking a shot at Jay. I’m not one bit taking a shot at Jay, he throws it better, right? And we haven’t tried to run the ball as much. That’s true.
“But Kyle has won games. His formula works. So I’m not taking a shot at Jay or Kyle.”
“I do like Jay, he’s a cool dude. But the way things are going right now, anything you say that appears to be derogatory, they’re going to run with it. That’s for damn sure.
“People are going to think I’m taking shots at my teammates, but I’m not. The guys that have been around here and have played with me would know my tone of voice when I’m saying that (stuff). I don’t feel like I said anything bad about Jay.”
“You know why that doesn’t work? We don’t make anyone [expletive] miss. I guess I just don’t realize what great tacklers these [opposing defenders] are. They’re amazing.”
“Minnesota’s a good-tackling team, and they were up on our receivers pressing all game along, they never backed off. That’s all I was saying.”
“I believe in Lovie, and I hope I get to play for him for a long time, I really think we’ll come back stronger than ever next year, and then everything will take care of itself. I know we have what it takes. I believe in this team, and trust me, I will do everything I possibly can to help us get better next season.”
all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com
Jake Perper is the creator of www.BearsBacker.com and also covers the Bears for www.NFLTouchdown.com and www.MVN.com.
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Crown Chad Ochocinco King Of All Athletes Using Social Media
Published: November 30, 2009
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Chad Ochocinco, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, was being portrayed a certain way in the traditional media.
His touchdown celebrations , name change, and trade requests got him characterized as self-absorbed, an ego-maniac, and, occasionally, a clown.
So Ochocinco took went to social media to really show what he’s all about, and it has worked beautifully.
He has accounts on Facebook and UStream , but is most famous for his use of Twitter .
Ochocinco has used these outlets to display his true personality and to really connect with his fans.
“It gives me a voice, the ability to reach people directly, and for people to see who I am without the filter of the media, the critics or whomever,” he said in an interview with USA Today .
Ochocinco has been able to change much of the public’s perception of him from a guy who was only interested in himself to a man who is just enjoying his life and is trying to share the fun he’s having with others.
He invites people to the movies or dinner with him (“If you’re coming to Davids just tell the hostess you’re here for lunch with Chad, its on 17th n meridian, lunch on me the blessing is on GOD” from 11/30/09) and challenges them to play him in video games (“Getting on call of duty people Estaban 85, let’s play” from 11/30/09).
“I try to interact with every fan,” Ochocinco says. “I try to respond to everybody.”
While showing what a fun loving guy he is, the public has responded favorably.
Through his social media endeavors, he has also become an extremely marketable celebrity.
Ochocinco has come out with his own book , he became the first NFL player to get his own iPhone application , has appeared on late night talk shows , and is apparently even coming out with his own brand of condoms .
What’s making him even more successful is that he is also back to being a productive player on the field (773 yards receiving and five touchdowns in 11 games), and his team is in first place in the AFC North. He’s an athlete first and foremost, and his success on the field makes him a credible figure.
Chad Ochocinco is a fantastic example of how to best utilize social media and the good that it can do someone.
He connects with people across the globe, giving them a vantage point into his life that they wouldn’t have had previously, and he gives back to the community. He also has used it to create a brand name or himself. Most importantly, he changed people’s perceptions of him, getting everyone to see him how he wants them to, not as how the media depicts him.
Ochocinco gets it and he’s letting the rest of us in on the fun he’s having.
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Rams-Seahawks: Justin Forsett, Seattle Run over St. Louis
Published: November 30, 2009
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ST. LOUIS—A potential 10-point swing late in the second quarter proved to be the difference.
With St. Louis driving for what would have been, at worst, a field goal attempt, Josh Wilson’s interception return for a touchdown gave Seattle a lead it would never relinquish.
The pick-six gave a 14-7 advantage to the Seahawks, who got a career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns from Justin Forsett en route to a 27-17 win Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“It was definitely fun and it was a blessing just to get an opportunity,” said Forsett, who started in place of the injured Julius Jones. “Any time I get an opportunity to start, it’s a dream of mine. The offensive line did a great job today opening holes and it all worked out.”
Forsett’s previous career-high came two weeks ago, when he ran for 123 yards in a 31-20 loss at Arizona.
His 25-yard gallop down the left sideline on Seattle’s second possession set up his 3-yard run for the game’s first score.
St. Louis’ Steven Jackson, a game-time decision because of back spasms, finished with 116 total yards, including 89 on the ground and a late touchdown. Jackson’s first run was for 25 yards, but he was largely held in check after that. He had 53 yards on 12 carries at halftime.
“We knew I wasn’t going to be 100 percent, but we wanted to make sure that I was able to play,” Jackson said. “It held up enough for me to get through the game.”
The Rams were without starting quarterback Marc Bulger with a broken leg. Backup Kyle Boller was intercepted twice, including Wilson’s 65-yard return in the second.
“He seems to find the end zone whenever he gets the ball in his hands,” Seattle coach Jim Mora said of Wilson. “He’s done it more than once.”
The Seahawks were driving again late in first, but Louis Rankin’s fumble at the Rams 35 was recovered by Justin King.
Following the turnover, Ruvell Martin finally made an impact for the Rams—picking up 27 yards down to the Seattle 21 late in the first. After an 11-yard pass to Danny Amendola, Boller lofted the ball to Donnie Avery in the corner to knot things up at 7-7 with 13:34 remaining in the second.
Boller was able to make some plays with his legs but was still hit 13 times. The former first-round draft pick saw Kearney coming on a blitz but put a perfect touch on the ball out to a wide-open Martin for a 33-yard gain just before the two-minute warning. Martin had two catches in the game for 60 yards.
The Wilson interception quickly followed the big gain.
Boller finished 28-of-45 for 282 yards and a touchdown to Avery. He also ran for 26 yards. His second interception came in the end zone, when Jordan Babineaux grabbed an underthrown pass intended for Amendola.
The Seahawks did a good job of showing different coverages and blitzes to put pressure on Boller, who was sacked four times.
“It’s frustrating,” Boller said. “It felt like we were in the game and just couldn’t get over the hump. We needed to score more points and have fewer turnovers.”
Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck didn’t have to do much, finishing 14-of-25 passing for 102 yards. Seattle netted 170 yards on the ground to just 95 through the air.
“I’m not at all upset about that,” Hasselbeck said. “We’ve been working hard to get the run game going, and it was definitely a point of emphasis this week. The fact that we had some breakout, explosive plays in the running game and were able to punch it in a couple times is a really good thing.”
Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis sacked Hasselbeck on the game’s first play, leading to a 3-and-out, but it was the only St. Louis sack of the game.
Seattle (4-7) scored on its next possession after Josh Brown missed a 46-yard field goal. The field goal attempt came after Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo passed on a 4th-and-1 from the Seattle 29.
St. Louis later tried to convert a 4th-and-4, but Boller’s pass to Avery was deflected by Kelly Jennings and into Wilson’s hands.
“Kelly Jennings made a heck of a play,” Wilson said. “He broke up the pass and once I got the ball in my hands, I was thinking end zone the whole time.”
The interception return put the Seahawks up 14-7, but the Rams were able to get a Brown field goal before halftime. Spagnuolo didn’t second-guess his earlier decision.
“I think I would do it again,” Spagnuolo said. “The thought process there was I honestly thought we could make a first down. If we didn’t, I was OK with the defense and the way they were playing.”
The Rams moved the ball 43 yards on 10 plays in 1:38 to set up Brown’s 55-yard kick.
The teams exchanged punts to begin the second half, but K.C. Asiodu partially blocked the Seattle punt to give the Rams great field position at the Seattle 35. A few plays later came the Babineaux interception.
Runs of 10 and 19 yards, respectively, from Seattle quarterbacks Seneca Wallace and Hasselbeck helped drive the Seahawks deep inside St. Louis territory again. That led to an Olindo Mare field goal of 29 yards to put Seattle up 17-10 with 3:37 remaining in the third.
Mare, who played college ball at MacMurray College in Jacksonville before transferring to Syracuse, consistently gave the Rams a long field. He had four touchbacks, and Amendola returned the other two kickoffs to the 21 and 17. Mora said Mare’s impact was an “underrated aspect” of his team’s defensive showing.
Forsett found the end zone early in the fourth to give Seattle a two-touchdown lead.
After trying to draw the Rams offsides on a 4th-and-1, Seattle went for it on the first play of the final quarter. Forsett went right up the middle for 11 yards, and scored two plays later to put Seattle up 24-10.
Nate Burleson’s 29-yard punt later in the quarter led to another Mare field goal to put Seattle up 27-10 with 9:24 remaining.
Jackson’s touchdown followed a Boller run of 26 yards to the 1 with just 44 seconds left.
A 1-9 team hosting a 3-7 club, coupled with Bulger’s injury and questions about Jackson’s availability, kept fans away from the Dome. The announced crowd of 47,475 was the worst in the Rams’ 15 seasons in St. Louis.
Rams tackle Jason Smith, who did not play, was taken away on an ambulance after struggling with symptoms from concussion. Center Jason Born went down in the first half with a knee injury and will have an MRI today.
The Seahawks won for the first time in six road games this season while dispatching the Rams for the 10th consecutive time.
“We accomplished what we wanted to do, and that was get a win on the road,” Mora said. “Nobody’s going to call it beautiful, except for those people who are in that locker room.”
This article can also be found at NFL.com’s Blitz Zone. An abridged version is at The Alton Telegraph.
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Redskins Hesitant to Call Jason Campbell “Black Out” a Concussion
Published: November 30, 2009
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After Philadelphia DE Juqua Parker threw Washington QB Jason Campbell to the ground on the final forth down play of the Eagles 27-24 victory, everything went black.
No, not for the Redskins, this season has already proven to exhibit the absence of light. I’m referring to Jason Campbell.
In his postgame interview, Campbell remarked, “The guy actually threw me on top of my head. And when he slammed me down on my head everything blacked out, my left arm was numb and I had the breath knocked out of me. So I have no comments for what I think, but at the same time…We know.”
Yes Jason, we know. Campbell was actually referring to our understood knowledge that the tackle in question deserved a flag and 15 yard penalty.
The flag we did get was a red one. By pleading his case in an excuse for the loss, Campbell let us know something that the Redskins organization didn’t, Campbell had injured his brain.
The ‘Skins have already lost their featured running back, Clinton Portis, for the past couple of weeks due to a concussion he suffered on the field. It is still unknown as to when Portis will return to action.
Concussions, or brain bruising, have been a hot topic around the league after several elite stars have missed time due to head injuries. Pro Bowlers Clinton Portis, RB Brian Westbrook, QB Ben Roethlisberger, and QB Kurt Warner have all gone down and have yet to return to the field of play.
According to Washington Post writer Rick Maese, Jim Zorn acknowledged Campbell’s injury but said he did not suffer a concussion.
After losing their star running back and seeing both the Steelers and Cardinals lose their quarterbacks as well as their week 12 games, the Redskins seem reluctant to consider the injury a concussion and may want to keep the specifics “in house.”
Knowing that the dreaded diagnosis can be damning to a players eligibility, Washington officials will have to keep a close eye on Campbell’s condition. If it comes out that the quarterback did suffer a concussion and the team kept it under wraps, expect severe punishment for a team already in disarray.
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Hines Ward Didn’t Get the Memo on Concussion Safety
Published: November 30, 2009
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I realize that as a fanbase we want our heroes to “gut it out” whenever they can, especially when the playoffs are on the line.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are teetering and needed this game to stay at the top of the wildcard race. So when one is hopeful Big Ben can play, it is understandable. However, the severity of a concussion is not a matter to be glossed over.
I appreciate Hines Ward as a feisty tough player. As a non-Steeler fan, I really don’t see him as a Bill Romanowski (or even Albert Haynesworth) when it comes to cheap shots and “dirty” play, despite his being voted as such.
However, his quotes in a pregame interview were out of line and his tough guy image/approach may have stepped a bit far this go around.
In a pregame interview with Bob Costas, here are some of the things Ward stated (a little long but I wanted to make sure “out of context” was not as easily applied):
“This game is almost like a playoff game. It’s almost a must-win. I could see some players or teammates questioning, like ‘It’s just a concussion. I’ve played with a concussion before,'” Ward said to Costas, in an interview taped Saturday at the team’s Suburban-Baltimore hotel as a prelude to the Steelers-Ravens game.
“It’s almost like a 50-50 toss-up in the locker room: Should he play? Shouldn’t he play? It’s really hard to say. I’ve been out there dinged up; the following week, got right back out there. Ben practiced all week. He split time with Dennis Dixon. And then to find out that he’s still having some headaches and not playing, and it came down to the doctors didn’t feel that they were going to clear him or not—it’s hard to say. Unless you’re the person [himself]…I’ve lied to a couple of doctors saying I’m straight, I feel good when I know that I’m not really straight.”
It is great to want to be a competitor and win. Yet I can’t help but feel that the comments were a little disingenuous. It’s not surprising that he thinks that way, but that is not laundry that should be aired out in an interview. It undermines a quarterback who was attempting to play and held back by doctor clearance. He did not pull himself.
Not one of the three quarterbacks suffering concussions last week played in this weekend’s games. They are even discussing the possibility of barring a quarterback from entering the following week’s game after a concussion-type injury.
I realize Hines Ward is a competitor and his team is about two games behind where they likely expected to be at the outset of the season. Yet why put undue pressure in the locker room, and risk a division in the locker room, just when they need to band together and fight for a wildcard berth?
Public opinion is also hinged on quotables. He risks half the Steeler fan base by blaming Ben for this loss should they fall just shy of the playoffs, and also risks pitting another big piece of Pittsburgh against himself for potentially divisive comments.
Yes, many players go out and lie about injuries, and some tough it out to try and give their team what they need. Many players also gut it out, get hurt worse, and miss more games than if they would have if they sat when they originally needed to.
One would think you would (at least in the court of public opinion) try and support the guy who has led you to multiple Super Bowls and wish him a speedy recovery. I would certainly prefer that to making the wildcard, then trying to get by without Big Ben as he stares woozily from the sidelines.
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Steelers Report Card/Week 12: Headaches Extend Beyond Final Score
Published: November 30, 2009
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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 20-17 overtime defeat against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night:
1. In terms of chemistry and leadership, this team isn’t in the same zip code as the one of a year ago. But who would have thunk that team captain Hines Ward would be part of the problem?
In an NBC television interview, Ward claimed that the locker room was divided about whether Ben Roethlisberger should play one week after the quarterback had suffered the third known concussion of his career. According to the report, Roethlisberger wanted to play despite exercise-induced headaches late in the week, but on the recommendation of medical personnel, head coach Mike Tomlin wisely decided against it. The inference was that Roethlisberger should have kept his mouth shut and played the game, which Ward likened to a playoff encounter.
Look, I admire Ward and his old-school approach, but if I made a list of players in the league most likely to wimp out in a big game, Roethlisberger might be the last one on it. That Ward of all people would throw the QB under the team bus kind of makes me wonder if he has taken too many blows to the head himself.
2. No head coach talks a better game than Tomlin, who promised that his team would “unleash hell in December” after the game.
What Steelers World wants to know is, why didn’t the defending champions unleash hell in October and November? Even purgatory would have been nice.
3. Linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley combined for 12 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble, but one monster game doesn’t atone for so many forgettable ones at the start of the season. It only makes them worse, in fact.
4. The inability of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to make the necessary adjustments reared its ugly head again. Emergency fill-in Dennis Dixon played a solid first half, but the Ravens defense read him like a book in the final two-plus periods.
Dixon is not a drop-back passer, so why make him into one? His legs are his greatest asset at this point, but he wasn’t allowed to use them on draws, bootlegs and the like. Dixon and feature back Rashard Mendenhall excelled at the option play in college and the Ravens would have been hard-pressed to defend against it.
5. Because there was no proven back-up available, it was important to keep Dixon in one piece. But given the choice between a healthy back-up quarterback or a 7-4 record, I’ll take the 7-4 record and worry about who plays quarterback later.
6. Before the season, there was a concern that the d-line had grown a bit long in the tooth. Sure enough, the Ravens ran the ball down its throat for 132 yards on only 29 carries. That’s 4.6 yard per attempt.
Nosetackle Casey Hampton and ends Brent Keisel and Travis Kirschke played like they were 30-something years old, probably because they were 30-something years old.
7. Farrior and nickelback Deshea Townsend have been frequent targets on third-and-medium situations this season, so it came as no surprise that the Ravens would pick on one of them on the biggest play of the game. Required to cover Ravens feature back Ray Rice by himself on fourth-and-5 late in the fourth quarter, Farrior was toasted for 44 big ones.
James Farrior versus Ray Rice? I’ll be the last guy to tell defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau what to do, but he may want to rethink that one.
8. Want another bad matchup? How about cornerback William Gay versus wide receiver Mark Clayton? Clayton caught so many balls (a dozen for 129 yards), I thought Lenny Moore had made a comeback.
9. Halfback Willie Parker was born 40 years too late. If he had played at a time when guards weren’t the size of tackles, his 4.4 speed would have been hell on sweeps and pitchouts, which have been phased out of professional football practically.
10. Oh, to be a fly in the mind of Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt when he looks at the standings and sees his former team in third place with a lousy 6-5 record.
You know, the guy who was the most qualified candidate to become Steelers head coach three years ago.
The grades:
Offense regulars
WR Hines Ward: C
Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/C
Season average: B
LT Max Starks: B
Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B
Season average: C
LG Chris Komoeatu: DNP
Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP
Season average: C+
C Justin Hartwig: B
Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/C
Season average: C+
RG Trai Essex: C
Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C
Season average: C
RT Willie Colon: B
Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B
Season average: C+
TE Heath Miller: C
Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C
Season average: B
WR Santonio Holmes: A
Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A
Season average: C+
WR Mike Wallace: D
Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D
Season average: C+
QB Ben Roethlisberger: DNP
Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP
Season average: B
RB Rashard Mendenhall: B
Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B
Season average: B
RB Mewelde Moore: D
Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D
Season average: C+
RB Willie Parker: C
Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C
Season average: C
Defense regulars
LE Travis Kirschke: B
Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP/B
Season average: C+
NT Casey Hampton: D
Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A/D
Season average: B
RE Brett Keisel: C
Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B/C
Season average: B
LOLB LaMarr Woodley: A
Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A/A
Season average: C+
LILB James Farrior: B
Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/B/B
Season average: B
LILB Keyaron Fox: B
Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C/B
Season average: C+
RILB Lawrence Timmons: A
Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A/A
Season average: B
ROLB James Harrison: B
Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A/B
Season average: B+
LCB William Gay: F
Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D/F
Season average: C
RCB Ike Taylor: C
Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A/C
Season average: B
SS Troy Polamalu: INC
Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC/DNP/DNP
Season average: A
FS Ryan Clark: C
Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/D/C
Season average: B
Special teams regulars
PK Jeff Reed: A
Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B/A
Season average: C+
P Daniel Sepulveda: B
Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B/B
Season average: B+
KR Stefan Logan: C
Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B/C
Season average: C+
PR Stefan Logan: B
Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B
Season average: C
Coaches
HC Mike Tomlin: C
Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F/C
Season average: C+
OC Bruce Arians: C
Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C/C
Season average: C+
DC Dick LeBeau: B
Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/A/B
Season average: B+
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New York Giants Embarrass Themselves Vs. Denver Broncos
Published: November 30, 2009
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How many times in one year can I say “this is the worst I’ve seen the Giants look in years.” Apparently at least four times.
The Giants continued their mid-season swoon, and have now dropped five of their last six. There’s really not much good to say about last week’s game, so I’ll just say that Lawrence Tynes gets this week’s game ball for going two for two on field goals. That alone should say all you need to know about the team’s performance.
Offense:
– One of the most important factors with an offensive line is experience. When an entire offensive line has played with each other for a long time, they become a cohesive unit that makes the whole stronger than the sum of its parts. Unfortunately, when the same unit is together for so long, they all age together as well.
It seems like the Giants offensive line has finally crossed that line between “experienced cohesive unit” to “group of aging veterans.” As sad as it is, the team’s offensive strength has turned into an area that needs to be re-tooled.
– The Giants set the tone for this game after one offensive play, when Eli Manning had to call a timeout. The offense looked feeble all game, and Eli looked nothing like the top paid quarterback in the league.
– Brandon Jacobs doesn’t look great, but it’s not all his fault. the offensive line’s fault. While he does often look tentative, much of that is because whenever he touches the ball, his running lanes are clogged up. Every time he gets the ball, he’s lucky to make it back to the line of scrimmage before the defense makes first contact.
In contrast, every time the Broncos ran the ball, it was a given that Moreno or Buckhalter would be able to fall forward for at least two or three yards. The Giants offensive line just isn’t getting any push, and Jacobs can’t do it all by himself. Whereas Ahmad Bradshaw can make some plays with his shiftiness, Jacobs needs the offensive line to get some kind of push.
– They say the best defense is a good offense, but that ship has sailed. I’d settle for a defense that can sack a quarterback and cover a wide receiver. I guess that’s too much to ask.
– The fact the Broncos went for it on 4th and Five just shows what an unintimidating group this Giants defense has become. After Danny Clark recorded a sack on the Broncos’ first drive, the Giants failed to sack the injured, immobile Kyle Orton again the rest of the game.
– One of the problems is that Bill Sheridan just doesn’t know how to utilize the talent he has. There is no way a defense with players like Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora should be this bad. For most of the season, I was willing to give Sheridan a pass since this is his first year, but the defense has gotten worse as he has gained experience. I have been optimistic all season, but I don’t see a reason to believe this defense can suddenly turn it around. The loss of Steve Spagnuolo has turned one of our greatest strengths into a glaring weakness. It goes to show you just how important a good coach is in this league.
– How many times do we have to see defensive linemen look out of position in the passing game. Justin Tuck showed an inability to cover on a play in which he was badly fooled into rushing Kyle Orton, leaving Tony Scheffler wide open for a completion. Chris Canty also showed a lack of coverage skills, which brings me to wonder why Sheridan had a defensive tackle in coverage. It’s like he doesn’t want to
No, ALL hope is not lost. The team can still go 5-0 or 4-1 and make the playoffs. Stranger things have happened. But for this strange thing to happen, the team will have to fix four or five holes by Sunday.
The quarterback is injured, the offensive line doesn’t block, the secondary doesn’t cover receivers who can run fast and the defensive line thinks the opposing quarterback has cooties.
The dream is still alive, but it’s on life support.
If you want something sugar-coated, have a donut. Donuts can be delicious.
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Are The Philadelphia Eagles Good or Just Good Enough?
Published: November 30, 2009
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After watching the Philadelphia Eagles squeak out another fourth-quarter victory—this one over a Washington Redskins team they beat handily in October—I’ve come to the perfect conclusion on how to describe the Birds.
It’s the same way Cyndi Lauper described The Goonies : Not necessarily good, but good enough.
Now, don’t take that as me saying “the Eagles suck” or some other possibly-vulgar variant. They don’t.
They’re just not particularly “good” overall.
Yes, they do things well; Donovan McNabb has had big days, the defense looks 1985 Bears-esque at times and David Akers is on a roll.
But all that is often countered by piss-poor play calling, questionable clock management and an offense that is so inept in the red zone they might need a government bailout.
The result? Two straight fourth-quarter comebacks needed against mediocre teams, a third falling short against an actual “good” team and a loss to the gall-darned Raiders.
So despite what their 7-4 record says, they’re not good. But they are good enough…and this season, that level of ability should be enough to guide them handily into the NFC playoffs.
Why? Because the Eagles are the epitome of a paper champion: A team that beats opponents wins the games they should (no matter how bad they may look in the process), but also loses the same way.
Case in point: Their record against teams who are under .500 is 6-1, with that lone loss being the embarrassment against the Raiders.
So what, you might say, because every good team is due a bad loss, right? Maybe, but they should also have a signature win.
Unfortunately for the Birds, right now that’s their victory over the 6-5 Giants; otherwise, the Birds’ record against teams above the middle mark is a perfect 0-3.
Sure, they almost beat Dallas and nearly toppled the Chargers. They also almost lost to the 3-8 Redskins and 4-7 Bears. But as the saying goes, “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
Luckily for the Eagles, this “problem” could lead them to another double-digit win season and a playoff berth. Why? Because of their remaining five games, only one is against a team who is “better” than them—and that’s the season-ending rematch against the Cowboys.
Between now and then, the Birds play the 6-5 Falcons, 6-5 Giants, 5-6 49ers and 7-4 Broncos.
The first two (and possibly first three) are all in contention with Philly and Green Bay for the two NFC Wild Card slots. If form holds true, the Eagles should finish 3-2 or perhaps 4-1, with a defeat of either the Broncos or Cowboys giving them their “signature win” that proves the rule.
If they win the first three as they “should,” they’ll have a big enough lead and the right tiebreakers to clinch a playoff berth. I say three because even though the 49ers are 5-6, they are surging and the rest of their remaining schedule besides the Birds and a home game with Detroit.
But if they hold true to form, the Eagles won’t have to win a game against a “better” team until the playoffs.
Know where it gets even weirder? In December, the division leading Cowboys play the Giants, San Diego, New Orleans and Washington.
If the Eagles go 3-1 this month—again, something they “should” do—then the only way that season-ender with the ‘Boys isn’t for the division title is if Dallas is perfect (either in winning or losing) in December.
Given the way they’ve played lately, does anyone even in the Lone Star State think that’s a remote possibility?
New Orleans in the running for home field, but still couldn’t clinch that honor until the week they play Dallas. Oh yeah, plus they’re still undefeated as of Monday.
San Diego is firing on all cylinders and has won six in a row since a dismal 2-3 start.
As for the division games, the Giants already beat Dallas and Washington should’ve two weeks ago. Both teams are drastically different, but in the NFC East, nothing is a sure thing.
They should at least win one of those games, but all four? Not likely.
Which means that the Birds would enter the finale knowing a win over Dallas would give them a home playoff game, something they didn’t have en route to the NFC Championship Game last season.
Amazing what being just good enough can do for a team. Sure, they would have to play New Orleans or Minnesota in the Divisional round. But hey, sometimes being just good enough and having a late run can spark a team all the way to the Super Bowl…just ask the 2008 Arizona Cardinals.
Full circle, indeed.
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Lessons Learned: JaMarcus Russell, The Failed Experiment
Published: November 30, 2009
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As Oakland’s season now is simply running out the clock, one has to look back at all that has gone wrong.
Injuries piled up, play-calling was shoddy, players underperformed. Sure, some players did perform well, on occasion.
One of these players, JaMarcus Russell, wasn’t among the better performers.
Russell, due to the condition of the team was facing long odds. A first round pick, was thrown a ton of money after holding out through training camp. Then he didn’t see any activity until late in the season.
Come the next year, the head coach was replaced early, other coaches were swapped out and the cycle kept degrading from there.
Questions had come up time and again, about his weight, his work ethic and his dedication to the team. It looked like the Raiders had picked up the traits of rebel but forgot if the football player was attached.
As it is, the team has a history of problems with quarterbacks that are drafted. Todd Marinovich, who was supposed to bring some stability to the Raiders lasted all of two years. Marc Wilson couldn’t beat out Jim Plunkett, who was about 10 years his senior.
Ken Stabler was our lone good selection, and helped the Raiders during the 70’s to multiple championship games plus our first title.
Right now, JaMarcus might be lucky to find employment in organized football.
The two problems that Russell now presents to the Raiders, is what to do with an overpaid, under-performing player. And what do we do for a replacement?
First, Russell is either going to kick around on the roster for another season, soaking up money. His number one fan, is Al Davis. Odds are good, Al will find another coach in the off-season to try and babysit his project for another year. The problem is, changing coaches will not help a player who needs to mature and grow up on the bench.
The second problem, fits in with the first problem. Who is going to QB the Raiders? The Raiders do have the advantage of a good history with replacements. Guys like Daryle Lamonica, Jim Plunkett, Jeff Hostetler and Rich Gannon all came to us from other clubs.
Right now we have Bruce Gradkowski who is two games into his starting stint with the club. Honestly, at least Bruce is getting yards. Going into the draft and trying to land Tebow or another high end pick isn’t the answer.
As it is, questions on Tebow abound, size-wise, or ability to transfer his skills to pro football, make that idea dangerous. Right now, a safe course of action would be building up the defense, working on the offensive line, and leave the QB duties to Gradkowski.
Maybe if it is possible, trading Russell off, or last resort….drop him like a bad habit.
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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 12 Report Card
Published: November 30, 2009
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For the first time in team history, the Cincinnati Bengals have run the table in their division. With a 16-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals finished the AFC North portion of their schedule with a perfect 6-0 record. Marvin Lewis saw his team carry out what has become a familiar but effective game plan.
Offense
When the Bengals did throw the ball, Carson Palmer seemed out of sync with his receivers. He totaled just 110 yards passing, but did connect with J.P. Foschi for the game’s only touchdown. Cedric Benson was not active for the game but the Bengals didn’t miss a beat with the tandem of Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott. They rushed for 107 and 87 yards, respectively. The tight ends and offensive line also deserve credit as the Bengals averaged 4.7 yards per carry as a team. Grade: C .
Defense
Offensively, the Browns are horrible. When Brady Quinn did have time to throw, he was erratic. However, when a defense holds an NFL offense (sort of) to 169 yards, it should be considered a good day. Jamal Lewis gained just 40 yards on the ground, his largest gain being six yards. It was the seventh straight game that the Bengals defense has not allowed 100 yards rushing, a franchise record. Grade: A .
Special Teams
The Bengals did not give Joshua Cribbs the opportunity to burn them returning punts. Kevin Huber punted five times, three of which went out of bounds. Shayne Graham kicked three field goals. Grade: A .
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