Enough from the Talking Heads About the Colts Resting Their Starters

As you all know already, the New York Jets beat the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday after Colts head coach Jim Caldwell pulled his starters with only a slim lead.

Now it seems that everyone with a television camera or a column or blog is talking about how the Colts shouldn’t have done that. 

You hear things like they they should have gone for 16-0 or they’ve changed the competitiveness of the league, and even it was unsporting of them.

First off, I kind of wanted there to be two 18-0 teams in the Super Bowl because then we would finally have a 19-0 team and the ’72 Dolphins could finally shut the hell up.

Secondly, though, I have absolutely no problem with Caldwell sitting his players.  They have home field sewn up, why risk an injury to Peyton Manning (or another star), especially after we saw how well his back-up did.

Also, had Manning stayed in and gotten hurt in a game that meant nothing to the Colt then all of these talking heads would be saying what an idiot Caldwell was for not sitting Manning with the lead in a meaningless game.

Now for people like Jerome Bettis over at Si.com (how and why he is allowed to write a column is beyond my comprehension) calling the Colts unsporting and allowing the Jets (who are in the Wild Card hunt) to have what kind of amounted to a free win.

The Colts shouldn’t risk injury to their players to help others get into the playoffs.  Again, I go back to these talking heads would have destroyed the Colts for allowing stars to play if they would have been injured.

Sure, you want your guys to be ready for the playoffs and have some sort of momentum but that doesn’t guarantee anything, just ask the 18-1 New England Patriots. 

Besides, the Colts racked up 14 straight wins after sitting most of their stars through the preseason, so sitting them for a half in week 16 and 17 probably won’t affect them too much.

As for those other teams complaining about the Jets win, well you should have won more games.  I’m looking at you Miami.  How dare you beat the Pats, but lose to the lowly Bills.  Just for that you don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.

Now to all the teams (not just the Colts) who can’t improve or drop their playoff position this weekend.

Don’t do anything stupid.  Sure you want to win but if your quarterback is taking a beating, regardless of how close the game is, give him the hook.

With the exception of the Arizona Cardinals, I don’t think too many of the playoff teams would fair well with their backup QBs taking the snaps.

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Mike Holmgren Agrees to Become Cleveland Browns President

The 6 PM SportsCenter on ESPN is reporting that Mike Holmgren has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns to become the team’s new President.

This news, of course, puts into question the future of Brown’s coach Eric Mangini.

Even with Brown’s legend Jim Brown backing Mangini and saying he deserves one more year, one has to wonder if there will be someone new roaming the sidelines in Cleveland next season.

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Mike Shanahan: The Next Coach of the Buffalo Bills?

Here in Washington D.C., local radio news station WTOP is reporting that the Buffalo Bills are interviewing Mike Shanahan to coach the Bills.

The report did not say whether, if accepted, Shanahan would finish the season up in Buffalo or would take over at the end of the season.

I think if he did take the job he would start at the conclusion of the season. I also think since the Bills do not have a General Manager, Shanahan would be negotiating for that position as well.

I’ll have more when this develops.

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An Open Letter to Dan Snyder

Dear Mr. Snyder:

How are things going for you? I know us Redskins fans are feeling pretty low during the bye week. I can’t imagine you feel much better.

I’m glad you’ve taken the time to read this letter because I think there are a few things I can share with you that will help make your team better for next year.

First a few questions, if you don’t mind.

First off, do you even pay attention to the news? I’m sure you don’t watch the local stations much, I mean I can’t remember a time since you bought the team that they have not bad-mouthed you.

If you don’t watch the local stations, I will mention what you are missing. On NBC 4, there is this fine sports reporter, Lindsay Czarniak. She makes taking the unsettling news about the Skins that much easier. Wow, she’s hot.

Sorry, got side tracked a little. Anyway, even if you don’t watch the local channels, surely you’ve seen the mockery being made of your franchise on the national stations. 

ESPN, NFL Network, and even the video game channel G4 have all been poking fun at the Redskins, or as many people have taken to calling them, the “Deadskins.”

But don’t worry, Mr. Snyder (can I call you Danny?). Anyway, don’t worry, Danny. I’m not one of those people. I know after this week we will rise up and smite everyone.

I mean it’s not like the schedule is that tough in November, right? Oh, its the hardest schedule in the NFL? Oh well, Danny, my good man, we still will rise up!

Here’s my second question: Is it hard to see all the national talking heads mock your every decsion year in and year out?

You must have skin thicker than a crocodile to be able to deflect all the slings and arrows that come your way.

Again, Danny, don’t worry, because you still have me. I know this is all a part of your master plan. You’re lulling the rest of the NFL to sleep. 

You want them to take your team lightly and then we shall strike like a pit viper and string together Super Bowl runs the likes of which have never been seen.

That leads me to my next question: After 10 years, don’t you think the NFL is now truly sleeping on this team?

Wouldn’t now be the ideal time to strike?

Wait, scratch that. Who am I to question your greatness, sir? I’m a nobody. Please, please, Great Snyder, do not smite me for questioning your all-knowing power.

However, Danny, I mean sir, I mean master, when will you stop playing the fool and show the world that you knew what you were doing all along?

Again, sir, I know your greatness, why else would Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx want to “hang” with you? Surely not because of your money.

Also, sir, there is this guy in your oganization; I believe Vincent Cerrato is his name. I’m sure you at least know of him because I’ve seen you talking to him. However, if you don’t, I understand—us mere mortals must look the same to you from your mount on high.

But back to Vincent, what does he do? Does he actually pick players and personnel? 

He must because I can’t see you making the weird choices that have been made for this team, unless this is all part of your grand scheme which we discussed earlier.

However, I worry about overhead. Do you really need to pay this guy? As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t really do anything. 

I know it is awkward to fire someone, so why don’t we fix the glitch? Stop sending him a check, move his desk to the basement, and take his red stapler. 

Eventually he’ll get the idea, I think.

Let’s talk about this Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell business. I believe you’ve torched those bridges good.

I’m not sure why you did this, but again, sir, I won’t dare question your reasoning.  However, what are we going to do next year?

I’m sure you’ve been throwing a ton of money around at people to get the right coach in here and I don’t blame you, but have you thought about Russ Grimm? I think he’d be great for the team, but again, sir, I defer to your wisdom.

As far as a quarterback, I hear your pal Sonny Jergenson can still sling the old pig skin around and I’m sure he’ll work cheap. However, I hear he doesn’t move too well these days, so we’ll have to get a line around him.

Well sir, that’s all I have for now. I hope the rest of your season goes well from here on out. I mean, the team isn’t technically eliminated from the playoffs, so who knows? 

Maybe the rest of the NFC East will get a bad case of the swine flu, and you know what they say: “Once you’re in the playoffs, anything can happen.”

Your Biggest Fan,

Josh

 

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The Most Significant Insignificant Team in The NFL, Possibly the World

Just when I thought the Washington Redskins could not sink any lower.

The Redskins have now given three winless teams their first victory. 

Two weeks ago the team brings in Sherm Lewis to be an “adviser” for the offense, and this morning he was named the new play caller, which of course means that job was stripped from hapless head coach Jim Zorn.

That however, has all been topped.

The tech channel G4TV has now reported on the amazing loss this past Sunday.

For those of you who don’t know, G4 is a television station dedicated to things like video games, cell phones, computers, and various other tech items. With the exception of EA Sports’ games, they never report on sports.

Well on their flagship program “Attack of the Show” they felt it was their duty to report on the scroll at the bottom of the screen about the Redskins latest troubles.

So for them to report on the Redskins just shows me how far this once proud franchise has truly fallen.

Sorry Redskins Nation, the dark times have gotten even darker and now that annoying kid you play “Halo” against online can not only rag on your sorry playing but also the sorry play of your favorite team.

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Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato’s Fate Tied Together? Well Fire Zorn Now!

ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that Washington Redskin’s head coach Jim Zorn and vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato’s fate may be linked.

They are reporting that Jim Zorn could be gone after Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles and Vinny could be fired by the end of the season.

This, of course, doesn’t guarantee that the team will have a general manager, but I think all of Redskins Nation out there can agree firing Vinny would be a step in the right direction.

There could be light at the end of that long tunnel after all, but is that light a worthy GM, or is it a freight train in the form of owner Dan Snyder running things?

More to come on this, I’m sure.

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Where Do the Washington Redskins Go from Here? The 2010 Preview Starts Now.

Nothing is certain in the National Football League, especially for the Washington Redskins.

However, two things seem to becoming clear each week.

The first is that Jim Zorn will probably not be the head coach next year here in D.C.; in fact, I’ll be shocked if he makes it to the end of this season.

Then you have the Jason Campbell question.  This is the guy the team tried to trade twice in the offseason, and thus far he has under-produced. 

Like Jim Zorn, it is becoming obvious that he will not be here next year as well.

So, where does this team go?

First off, if what I think is going to happen happens then the Redskins are going to need a new coach.

As of right now there are a lot of sexy picks out there.  Mike Shannahan, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, and Tony Dungy.  All four former head coaches have Super Bowl rings and all four could build another championship team.

But could they do it in D.C.?

Maybe.

But would they want to come to D.C.?

I don’t think so, but money sometimes talks.

With the exception of Cowher, I don’t think the others are right for this team.  The Skins need an old school coach.  They need a guy who will yell at the pampered, pompous, spoiled players.

Cowher would be the best fit, but there will probably be a coaching vacancy that needs to be filled in Carolina, and Bill will more likely go there since he lives there now.

So who should Snyder try to get?

How about a Hog?

Russ Grimm has been interviewed in the past several seasons for head coaching jobs with the Bears (2004) and Steelers (2007).

As an assistant head coach, he’s been to two Super Bowls (one win with the Steelers, and a loss with the Cardinals), and, best of all, he remembers what it was like when players took pride in being a Washington Redskin.

He is the type of old school, blue-collar guy who I believe could whip this roster into shape and excite the brooding fan base.

Grimm is the type of guy who would most likely delegate responsibility among his coaches.  Being an offensive lineman, I would expect him to work with the O-Line and probably keep Joe Bugel on staff.

Under his guidance, I can see the Redskins returning to what their strength was in the ’80s—a solid line.  Of course, this would all depend on owner Dan Synder and Vice President of Player Personnel Vinny Cerrato.  They would have to buy into Grimm and go after the players he would want and need.

This brings me to the second problem facing the Redskins this off-season: what to do about Jason Campbell?

As stated above, I believe Campbell is in his last year with the Redskins.  His contract is up at the end of the season, he’s done nothing to suggest he’s worth more the money or time, and they’ve already tried to trade him twice.

So where does the team go from here?

Well, I think, first and foremost, they need a coach before they go out and decide on a quarterback. 

So, whether that is Jim Zorn, Russ Grimm, or someone else.  They are going to need a quarterback that fits their (or his offensive coordinator’s) scheme.

Please, Snyder, no more of this “piecing things together” before you have a coach.  It didn’t work for Jerry Jones in Dallas with Wade Phillips, and it has certainly failed for you with Jim Zorn here.

I feel the best course of action for the Redskins is to draft a quarterback that the coach wants, and to have him sit behind Todd Collins for a season.

Sure Todd isn’t really starter material,but lets face it, the Redskins need to rebuild.  They need to cut a lot of the dead weight and high contracts and start almost from scratch.

Collins has been in the league long enough to where he can weather the storm for the first season of rebuilding, and teach who ever the team drafts how to run an offense in the NFL.

After the Redskins have secured their quarterback of the future they need to shore up the line with some young talent that can learn from Bugle, Grimm, and some of the veterans like Chris Samuels.

If ownership can accomplish these few minor things, I think the future will once again be bright in D.C. 

2010 will probably look similar to 2009, but 2011 or 2012 could look a lot like 1982, ’87, or ’91.  I’m not promising Super Bowls, but I feel, under the right guidance, this team in three years time could be a contender.

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NFL Bonehead of the Week: Week Four Edition

As week four in the NFL was drawing to a close I was trying to think just who this week’s Bonehead was.

Originally I thought it would be an easy choice.  I was going to go with Quincy Butler of the St. Louis Rams. 

For those of you who didn’t see the game or the highlights here’s why.  In what was a tie game The San Francisco 49ers punted the ball on fourth down. 

Quincy was blocking down field in an effort to well, do his job.  However, these are the Rams and would luck have it, Quincy, not seeing the ball, kicked it into the end-zone where 49er Scott McKillop picked it up for the Touchdown.

I thought for sure this would be my bone head play, but the Niners went on to win 35-0 so this one play, as dumb as it may be,  had little effect on the outcome.  Also a lot of people are piling on the Rams and I don’t want to join in just yet.

So I made sure to pay close attention to the highlights on the NFL Network after the Sunday Night game had concluded so I could come up with a bonehead or two.

I was in luck because Game Day lead off with the man who would be this week’s bonehead.

Take a bow Mr. Romo!

Now Romo didn’t have a horrible game (25/42 passing, 255 yards 0 TD 1 INT), but it wasn’t stellar.  So why is he the bone head?

Easy, he threw at Champ Bailey 16 times, including the last two plays of the game!

I know he wanted to get the ball to his supposed play maker Roy Williams but gunning for Bailey is suicide.  Especially when you need the touchdown to tie.

I know Romo doesn’t call the plays and it was the Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett who called that final drive, but Romo is the one who threw the ball and he could have audible.

So Tony, as a Redskins fan, I take great pleasure in awarding you my Bone Head of the Week Award. 

Show it off with pride because I know you have room in your trophy case for it.

Until next week loyal reader.

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Please NFL, No New Rules

In case you missed the game or the highlights of yesterday’s predictable 48-24 loss to the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a game ending injury after being sacked by Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

Stafford, who isn’t really known for being mobile, proved last week against the Washington Redskins that when the pocket is collapsing around him he knows how to get out of Dodge.

This was the case in the second half when the Bears defense decided to show up. 

They were after Stafford, and as he tried to escape, Ogunleye was able to grasp the back neck line of Stafford’s jersey and bring him down for an 11-yard sack.

During the take down, however, Stafford’s knee twisted in an unnatural and horrific way. He left the game and would not return. As of writing this, the severity of the injury has not been released, but I’m sure there will be something on the wire by Monday afternoon.

My fear here is that the league will look and see another high paid quarterback going down to injury and institute yet another rule change to protect them. 

A few years ago Jim Kelly (former Buffalo Bills quarterback) claimed they might as well put skirts on the quarterback.

He might not be too far off. In a league that seems to overreact to every injury, especially to those of the QBs, I fear that within a decade they’ll either be wearing red jerseys or flags.

Let’s face it, loyal reader. Football is a violent game and sadly players get injured. If we change the rules every time this happens, this hard hitting game may loose a lot of its appeal.

It’s doesn’t look too good for the Lions if Stafford is hurt, but I don’t think there is any reason to make yet another change to the ever growing rule book.

 

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The NFL’s Heart Is in the Right Place, But the Head Just Wasn’t Thinking

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