Falcons-Panthers Preview

I see this game exemplifying the coaching differences between the two squads, particularly the two offensive coaching staffs.  I expect the Falcons to do the right things and the Panthers to play well for a while, but in the end, screw things up.

An Atlanta win means that the Falcons are closer to the Saints, in terms of ability.  A Carolina win means that Atlanta is more at the Panthers’ inconsistent level of performance.

Atlanta’s coaching staff doesn’t believe they are something they are not. Mysteriously, Carolina loves to become a passing team when the game is on the line.  This has led to failed results.

Atlanta runs the ball well and will do so against Carolina. The Falcons also pass the ball better than the Panthers and make fewer mistakes.

Neither team plays at a consistently high level defensively. Atlanta’s special teams, particularly the return teams, are generally more talented and better coached. The Panthers losing LB Thomas Davis, the team’s leading tackler, will prove to be significant against the well-balanced offensive arsenal of the Falcons.

Until they get a playmaking quarterback and address their lack of depth, Carolina is a franchise going in the wrong direction. The Panthers will have some streaks of brilliant performances, but they typically abandon the running game when the contest is on the line.

“It is what it is,” coach John Fox typically loves to say when he gets defensive after a loss.  Carolina is an average team struggling to be good.

Despite their struggles on the road, with the notable exception of their dominance over the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta is clearly a franchise going in the right direction.  The Falcons are a good team trying to become an elite NFL squad.

After a horrible start to the season, the 3-5 Panthers seem to have regained a better level of performance in recent weeks, and while they have shown flashes of greatness, they have yet to play a complete game.

The 5-3 Falcons have won games they should have against weaker opponents, and lost games to superior teams like New England, Dallas, and New Orleans.

The Silver Fox Forecast

Atlanta 24, Carolina 20, in a game that will be somewhat more defensive than expected.

Quote of the Day:

“Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.”
– Louis D. Brandeis

 

1 John 2:15-16   “[Do Not Love the World] Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com . Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

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The NFL Today: Week Three

• Michael Vick rejoins NFL today: Eagles’ QB, armed with Wildcat offense, to play for the first time since 2006.
• Saints’ QB Drew Brees is now the best QB of the NFL.
• Tom Brady still needs to shake off a little rust after being inured last year.
• Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning, just nearing the end of his career.
• Tony Romo still cannot win the big game.
• Ben Roethlisberger can pump-fake while taking a hit.
• The Carolina Panthers obviously made a very big mistake this offseason when they signed quarterback Jake Delhomme to a five-year, $42.5 million contract extension.
• Despite the defeats, the Detroit Lions show small steps of improvement.
• Are the Cincinnati Bengals better than expected?
• Will the Atlanta Falcons “upset” the New England Patriots?
• Sunday night’s matchup with the Colts and the Cardinals may be an instant classic with the pair of QBs—Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning.
• Will my Carolina Panthers finally play with passion, urgency, and intensity in Dallas on Monday night?

Speaking of my Panthers, Carolina has begun the season at 0-2 and have a very difficult schedule the rest of the season. With road games at Dallas, Arizona, New Orleans, the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and the New York Giants, this team could be on its way to a having a disastrous  season.

There are also some tough home games against Atlanta, Miami, Minnesota, and New Orleans. Too bad they traded away their 2010 first-round draft pick.

Yes, the Panthers traded their first-round pick in the 2010 draft in order to move up to select Florida State defensive end Everette Brown in 2009. Brown is a great draftee, but for a team in dire need of a play-maker QB, it was a very significant mistake. Think about the quarterbacks in the draft—Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Jevan Snead, Jake Locker, and Tim Tebow

Maybe they will be able to trade DE Julius Peppers to get a first-round pick back.

If Carolina has a horrible season, I would expect John Fox to be fired, paving the way for Bill Cowher.

A horrendous 2-14 or 3-13 record in 2009 for Carolina is not out of the question. The Panthers should defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two wins.

Perhaps Carolina will outlast the Buffalo Bills too. That makes three wins. Thus, to even hold a 6-10 record, the team has to find three upset victories.

From 12-4 to 2-14, or 4-12, or whatever. The Bucs should prevent the Panthers from going from first to worst.

And Monday night versus Dallas at the new Cowboys Stadium in front of 105,000 fans? Tony Romo will have a big night and Jerry Jones will smile as he lands his first victory at his grand football palace.

Cowboys 31, Panthers 23, as Carolina falls to 0-3.

Technorati Tags: NFL,Carolina Panthers,Drew Brees,sports

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Sunday’s Game in Atlanta Is Absolutely Critical for the Carolina Panthers

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for quarterback Jake Delhomme and Coach John Fox?  Are Carolina’s swagger and confidence becoming unglued?

One poor game may be an accident. Two very bad games in a row is a trend. Three consecutive pitiful performances is a significant problem.

If a fourth straight horrible performance by the starting quarterback is allowed, than the head coach’s decision-making, sanity, judgment, and job-security are all under the microscope.

“I’d like to erase any doubts,” stated Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme after his Week 1 loss at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. “I don’t think they have any. I really don’t think they do. But I’d like to erase them if there are any at all this weekend.”

Jake Delhomme may produce an emotional comeback performance from last week’s disaster, but it is more of an issue of competence and confidence with him.

Tony Gonzalez has strategically changed pass defense against the Falcons.

“Tony makes it pretty easy for a quarterback,” stated Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan about newly acquired tight end Tony Gonzalez. “I just try to put the ball in a spot where he can make a play on it, and he always seems to do that.”

This game is absolutely critical for the Carolina Panthers, who cannot afford another early conference loss if they want to keep their playoff potential. It will be difficult against an Atlanta defense that looked both tougher and quicker than last year in nearly shutting out the  Miami Dolphins.

Atlanta defeated Miami 19-7 for their first win of the 2009 season. QB Matt Ryan struggled early, but endured and finished with 229 yards passing and two touchdowns after completing 22 of 36 passes. 

RB Michael Turner had 22 carries for 65 yards and TE Tony Gonzalez grabbed five catches for 73 yards. Nine of the Falcons’ 19 points came off Dolphins turnovers.

In his last pair of games, Delhomme has been very sloppy and committed 12 turnovers. Jake Delhomme is a turnover machine and the Atlanta defense will have a field day.

Is there a quarterback rating below 0?

After the Philadelphia Eagles defense piled up 35 fantasy football points vs. the Panthers, fantasy football players everywhere rushed to add the Falcons defense for NFL season week 2.

Despite the dramatic number of turnovers by Jake, the Panthers offensive line shares the blame by providing very little pass protection.

Carolina lost to Philadelphia 38-10. QB Jake Delhomme pitched 7 of 17 passes for 73 yards. He threw his third interception of the game on the Panthers’ opening possession of the second half.

RB DeAngelo Williams had 14 carries for 37 yards with one TD, while catching four passes for 42 yards.

My forecast is not good for Carolina as Atlanta rolls to a 30-17 divisional win. 

Will this loss be the beginning of the end for both Jake Delhomme and Coach John Fox in Charlotte?

Stay tuned. Same Panther-time.  Same Panther-channel.

 

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What Are Your 2010 Super Bowl Picks?

Annually, prognosticators all over the United States, from Maine to California to Florida and inbetween, make Super Bowl predictions to kickoff the new season.

Therefore, in the spirit of that tradition, I will contribute my two cents worth.

On the surface, the AFC appears to be simple to figure out, with the New England Patriots being the most logical favorites.  My head says the Patriots but my heart moves me to think outside of the box a tad.

The San Diego Chargers have a tremendous opportunity this season to host the AFC Championship game, due to having an easy schedule in general and particularly due to being in the weakest division in the NFL.

Once they win eight games this season, the Chargers will already clinch the AFC West division crown. However, they should take advantage of the opportunity to win as many games as possible to secure home field playoff advantage throughout the post-season.

Hosting and winning the AFC title game is the only scenario I can see which San Diego makes it to the Super Bowl.

Another team, a squad who feels they should have been the Super Bowl winner over the Arizona Cardinals, are the Tennessee Titans.

Tennessee reflects upon the 2008 season as a missed opportunity, because they soundly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular season.  While the Titans matched up very well to Pittsburgh, they matched up poorly to the Baltimore Ravens and therefore, lost to them in the playoffs.

The Titans should play inspired football all season long in response to their missed opportunity of last season plus in dedication to the memory of the late Great Titans quarterback, Steve McNair, who led the team just one yard short of a Super Bowl victory in their loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are another very logical consideration.  Like the Florida Gators of NCAA Football, the Steelers do not act like a team who will rest and cruise on the previous season’s success and championship trophy.

Pittsburgh is even hungry for Super Bowl ring number seven, continuing their status as the greatest franchise in league history.

The Baltimore Ravens may be one or two wide receivers away from being a favorite to win the AFC.  The Indianapolis Colt are always in this discussion in recent seasons, but they are adjusting to coaching changes and they tend to lose to the Chargers in post season.

Will a team that hardly anyone considers grab the AFC title? Probably not, but some people think that the Houston Texans, for example, may take the next step up in terms of winning, perhaps winning the AFC South division.

Like any NFL team, health and particularly the health of the quarterback position, will determine Houston’s fate. Matt Schaub has impressive basic quarterback skills but he seems to have a knack for sustaining nagging injuries. Is he mentally tough?

I look for the Texans to improve but to also experience some growing pains, since they are in a tough division.

So in the AFC, for the 2020 Super Bowl, my head says Patriots but my heart says Chargers.

As usual, the NFC is very wide open and in contrast to the AFC, the conference is more complicated to figure out. Who picked the Arizona Cardinals to make the Super Bowl in September 2008, much less even in December 2008.

While we can rule out teams such as the Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49rs, and probably, the Washington Redskins, one can make a logical scenario for almost every other NFC team.

Although the Dallas Cowboys have not won a playoff game since the last century, if they can improve their defense and generate efficient offense, then they may possibly use their new Cowboys Stadium as a new home, humongous video scoreboard distraction advantage.

But I doubt it.

The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are probably the two most logical choices among NFC teams due to talent and experience, but both teams fell short during last post season.

Don’t rule out the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Jim Mora, Jr., had quick post season success with the Atlanta Falcons and if they can stay healthy with a tough defense, who knows?

However, the Arizona Cardinals should enter this season very confident after almost upsetting the Steelers in the Super Bowl and after discovering a real defense in the last post season.

But if quarterback Kurt Warner gets injured, all bets are off.

Who will win the suddenly improved NFC North division?  ABD – Anyone But Detroit.  A logical scenario and argument can each be made for the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings have the best defense, especially if their defense backs improve.  Minnesota has the best running back, if not player, in the NFL with Adrian Peterson.  Will Brett Favre lead the Vikes to the promise land?  Time will tell.

Can Brett Favre change his game?

If Minnesota can limit Favre to 25 or less passees per game (to limit turnovers and to keep Brett healthy all season), rely on defense and running, and then win the game in the 4th quarter.

The Bears defense needs to be healthier and play quicker and smarter than they did last season. Quarterback Jay Cutler brings a strong arm to the windy city and Matt Forte is a great running back.

But if teams stuff eight in the box, do the Bears have the receivers that can make critical plays?  Let’s see what tight end Gregg Olsen offers in 2009.

The Packers are installing a new 3-4 defense but the offense will be on all cylinders, with a confident and talented quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.  If running back Ron Grant stays healthy and has another year like the 2007 season, watch out – Green Bay will be very tough to outscore.

In the NFC South, the Atlanta Falcons are both a popular and logical choice, although they have never put together consecutive winning seasons in franchise history.  With the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez and a couple of recent transactions on defense, Atlanta should finish 9-7 or better.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is the real deal.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme may be the raw deal, since the team signed him with a contract extension.

There are two Jakes – (1) the struggling competitor with a Super Bowl experience and with a post season winning record who minimizes mistakes and maximizes wide receiver Steve Smith and who led Carolina to a 12-4 record; or (2) the aging quarterback who has had Tommy John surgery, throws up the ball for grabs for Smith to rebound or for the opposition to intercept.

The Panthers are returning almost all starters from last season, which is both good news (stability) and bad news (being stagnant, not improving the talent pool).

Like Atlanta, Carolina has never had two straight winning, playoff appearing seasons. Unlike the Falcons, I do not expect the Panthers to break that trend due to a difficult schedule, a lack of depth at key positions, and the failure to sign or develop a true punt returner during preseason.

The New Orleans Saints may have the best passing offense of the NFC. Drew Brees, in my humble opinion, is the third best quarterback of the NFL, behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

In fantasy football, Brees is the best and most consistent quarterback of the past three seasons. The Saints have retooled in the running back position.

The obvious shortcoming and question about New Orleans is their defense.  Most seasons, teams with the best defenses tend to make the Super Bowl.

How well did the Saints address and actually improve their defense via the draft and other transactions?

However, on occasion, a team, such as last seasons Cardinals or that Rams squad that won a Super Bowl, have a just good enough defense paired with a high-powered, passing offense, makes the big dance.

Like the 2008 Arizona Cardinals, is this the New Orleans saints’ magical year?  While Drew Brees is better than Kurt Warner, Arizona’s wide receiver corps is the best of the league. 

The Saints have a good group of wide receivers and not to be overlooked, a solid offensive line that enable Brees enough time to find an open target and accurately deliver the football.

Expect Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints to light up the scoreboard in 2009 and yes, in January 2010.  I did not say February 2010 – yet.

For my 2010 NFC Super Bowl representative, my head says Giants and my heart says Saints.  Again, in the AFC, for the 2020 Super Bowl, my head says Patriots but my heart says Chargers.

It’s a split decision.

The New England Patriots will chase and perhaps flirt with 19-0 and fall short in the regular season, but not in the playoffs.  The Chargers will win home field advantage, but the Patriots have San Diego’s number no matter where the game is played.

With the additions of WR Joey Galloway and RB Fred Taylor, this Patriots offense may even be more massive and dominating that it was in 2007. New England’s defense is younger but seasoned enough, and most importantly, is built for speed.

The NFC will be murky and inconsistent all season until December and January. However, in the post season, Cinderella will make another appearance, but not with the Cardinals this time, who made their first Super Bowl appearance last season.

Come December or January, I will probably look back and laugh at my incorrect pick, but who knows? Prognosticating is a fun sport – win, lose, or draw.

Another NFC team will finally make their first Super Bowl appearance. Believe it or not, the impossible happens again. No, not the Detroit Lions, as hell will not freeze over.

Yes, our second all “New” Super Bowl, but not the Giants this time.

So who dat? The New Orleans Saints – that’s who dat! Drew Brees will win the NFL MVP award, but Tom Brady will win another Super Bowl trophy and be its MVP.

New England Patriots 34, New Orleans Saints 23, as the Patriots and Steelers continue compete for team and dynasty of the decade.

Whoomps! There it is!

 

 

 

Quote of the Day:
What single ability do we all have? The ability to change.
–George Leonard Andrews

Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

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Only Preseason, But Carolina Panthers Truly Disappoint

After the horrific and very embarrassing performance in the playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals to end the 2008 season, I expected the Carolina Panthers players and coaches to dwell and brood all offseason and then be motivated and rejuvenated to prove that the playoff debacle was a fluke.

The Panthers will be angry at the world with a chip on their shoulder, be anxious to prove themselves, and be ready to kick some butt this preseason.  Jake Delhomme will want to atone for his six-interception performance in the playoff disaster.

That didn’t happen. This is the same old team that lost it’s intensity, concentration, competency, and will to win during the last few games of the 2008 campaign.

This defense no longer contains the run.  This offense shows no chemistry and timing.  This team no longer walks and approaches a game with swagger and confidence. 

Is there something internally wrong with the Carolina Panthers? Is there a lack of leadership?

The Carolina Panthers disappointed me this preseason not because of the 0-4 record, but the obvious lack of football fundamentals, particularly the poor tackling and lack of offense production from the first team offense.

The first team offense has managed to score just one touchdown during the preseason.  The offense has struggled throughout the four games of the preseason, scoring 57 points, an average of just over 14 points a game.

Yes, having WR Steve Smith and LB Jon Beason out for most of preseason play did not help, but I don’t view the Panthers as a two-man team either.

Carolina’s defense is below-average. The defense allowed 89 points in the four games, an average of just over 22 points a contest.

The poor play of two of Carolina’s top defenders, DE Julius Peppers and CB Chris Gamble, has been very disappointing. Why spend one millions dollars per game to pay Peppers to be a spectator on the field?

Peppers will go through the 2009 season trying to figure out if he wants to sign with Dallas, New England, or another team in 2010. The fans and local media will be hard on Julius, but he will cry all the way to the bank.

Gamble was also handed a huge contract in the off-season. 

Therefore, the relevant question going into the regular season is can the Panthers suddenly turn the switch on and play well?  Carolina should play better than they did in preseason, but will they play well enough to win?

At the start of preseason, looking at the Panthers’ tough schedule and lack of depth at key positions, I thought Carolina looked like an 8-8 team.  I know we can’t always tell by preseason, but now they appear to be a 7-9 or 6-10 squad.

Yes, some bad habits practiced during preseason lags into the regular season.

The first three games of the season, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Dallas, will define which Carolina Panthers team will show up for 2009.

I predict that Carolina will start slow but finish strong during this 2009 season, with a final mediocre or average record around 8-8.

 

Quote of the Day:
If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do all the rest have to drown too?
–Steven Wright

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Cowboys’ Do-Over Spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E

“And I shall not be moved!”

Football at Cowboys’ Stadium is being tweaked with applications from traditional backyard football, tennis, Pinball arcade, mini-golf (or “Putt-Putt”), and video games.

And in Texas, size matters – the bigger, the better. The franchise’s new, Texas-sized video screen/scoreboard has replaced wide receiver Terrell Owens as the team’s main distraction.

The Cowboys’ theme for the 2009 season is “Ours Is Bigger!” “America’s Team” now has “America’s Video Screen!”

The NFL decided not to take any action for this season regarding the Dallas Cowboys’ video scoreboard that hovers 90 feet above the field at their brand new stadium.

90 feet is the same distance as it is from home plate to first base in MLB. It is noteworthy that this massive structure, the mother of all scoreboards, with 30 million light bulbs, spans 60 yards from 20 yard line to 20 yard line, hanging over the field like that spaceship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

In a memo sent to every team, Commissioner Roger Goodell said if a punt hits the board or any guidewire, skycam, or any other object at any other stadium, the particular down or play will be replayed, just as the rule stated before Tennessee’s A.J. Traspasso’s punt hit it last week in the first football game at the stadium.

The game clock will also be reset to the time reflected before the “do over.”

Specifically, if a ball strikes the video scoreboard, the play will be dead at that point and the down will be replayed from the previous spot.  No penalties will count, other than personal fouls.

If the officials on the field do not notice the ball striking the video board, the replay assistant will be able to produce  a replay review,  even if the incident occurs outside the final two minutes of each half, the normal time period during which the replay assistant has the power to call upon the referee to assume the position at the portable replay booth.

Then if the replay official does not believe the ball struck the video board but the head coach of either team thinks otherwise, a red-flag challenge will be available.

Oh, oh! This means that if the ball “doinks” the video board with fewer than two minutes remaining in either half and if the replay assistant doesn’t notice the collision, the coaches might not be able to challenge the outcome.

This rule includes all remaining preseason games, all regular-season games, and any postseason games that might be played at the new venue.  Goodell cited Rule 3, Section 1 in taking the unconventional approach of modifying the official playing rules beyond the normal offseason procedure for doing so.

The do-over rule will be in place for the remainder of this season but the issue could be revisited in the future.

The NFL is doing nothing except hoping this issue goes away while ignoring the fact that the “do-over” rule could create several problems.

The NFL adopted a backyard football rule honored for decades: if the football hits a telephone wire, tree branch, etc., just run the play again.

Maybe the league should deploy an additional official for each Cowboys Stadium game with the assignment to follow the ball on each punt.  Like an official in professional tennis, the referee could yell “Fault!”

Perhaps the NFL needs to add replay cameras for all angles that a football may bump the video scoreboard.

Regarding the personal foul penalties, what if the ball hits the board and one of the players on the punt team sees it and stops but a player on the receiving team does not notice it and then drills the opponent with a hard hit?

It will not happen, but what if a quarterback intentionally hits the video scoreboard on a Hail Mary pass play?  Is that intentional grounding or a do-over?

If I was a quarterback playing at Cowboys’ Stadium, I would be tempted to bounce the football off the video board and then run and catch my own pass! I would call it “Immaculate Reception II.”

Similar to the NBA’s slam-dunk competition, the NFL could have a video screen create-a-play competition: “Punt, Pass, and Doink!”

Would intentionally punting into the scoreboard be a nice setup for a fake-punt play?  Wow! Fans will just adore having more replays to endure!

We may witness a game changing, playoff-determining play that will not count.  Imagine having a season-ending injury that may be suffered on a play that will not count.

Well, if the Dallas Cowboys are allowed to have an object of obstruction in play, it is only fair that all of the remaining 31 NFL teams be given the option of having a similar attraction.

For example, my Carolina Panthers could have a replica plane of Orville and Wilbur Wright hanging or floating 90 feet above midfield at Bank of America Stadium.

What will happen if a punt hits Jerry Jones?  Never mind. Let’s think outside of the box and outside of clichés!

I have an alternate, simple solution: give punters the option of kicking the football above and over the video board, not just underneath or around it.

This solution will establish all-time hang-time punt records for the NFL.  The punt returner will automatically signal for a fair-catch, theoretically, reducing injuries.

Want to give punters an incentive to avoid punting into the video board? Assess a delay of game penalty and a $10,000 fine for each kick that bumps the scoreboard.

I read that the Cowboys will raise (and disconnect) the video screen at least once in October for Bono. U2 will perform October 12.  Its stage has to fit.

Why not just leave the screen higher after the concert? The video screen can be raised for a concert but it’s too expensive and too much trouble to raise for a football game?

Oh, now I get it. The ticket holders in the expensive, field-level seats would needlessly strain their necks to see a raised video scoreboard!

The video board is now at eye-level for owners of luxury suites and upper-level ticket holders. On Madden NFL 10, this video board casts a huge shadow, covering almost 60 percent of the football field.

In backyards all across our United States, kids can pretend to be Tony Romo, fumbling the snap, picking the football, back up, backing up to pass, the throw is spiraling high, it hits a tree (a.k.a. the Cowboys’ scoreboard), and it’s a do-over!

On ESPN Primetime highlights, Chris Berman will say “the punter kicks, back…back…back…DOINK! So they then punted again.”

After throwing an interception for a New York Giants touchdown, losing the game for Dallas late in the fourth quarter, Tony Romo explains to the press with a smirk on his face: “Oh, my God! My eyes were, like, distracted and, uh, glued to the Cowboys cheerleaders’ very huge breasts, bouncing on our video board! Talk about instant replay! Review this!”

 

Quote of the Day:
The enraged colonists were mad.
–CJ’s US History Work

 

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Dallas’ New Hit: The Video Board Mini-Game

“The kick is up, up, and into the scoreboard!”

In the first exhibition game at the brand new Cowboys Stadium, a new mini-game auditioning for Madden NFL 11 was demonstrated: Hit the Video Board!

Imagine connecting my Xbox 360 to the Cowboys Stadium video board and playing Madden NFL 10, in true high definition glory. 

Yes, this was one of the new comical, hilarious, fun NFL events (albeit it’s only preseason) that will forever endure in NFL lore. Yes, it will be the lead highlight of the next NFL Follies DVD, in high definition of course.

Tennessee Titans rookie punter A.J. Trapasso’s boot in the third quarter of the opening game at the new Cowboys stadium hit one of the 60-yard long high-definition video screens that hang about 90 feet above the field.

Measuring 160 feet wide and 72 feet tall (11,520 sq. feet), the high-definition television screen at Cowboys Stadium is the world’s largest. It hangs about 90 feet above the playing surface,

As a young child growing up on a city street in Atlanta, GA, I remember punting high, aiming at street lights, with the purpose to barely miss. Luckily, my stupid idea never resulted in busting a street light.

For if I ever hit and busted a street light, my parents would have ultimately found out and then my little, uh, “Trapasso,” would have been spanked. 

However, once my old, worn leather football blew like a car tire upon impact on a hanging electric wire and landed flat and unusable on the street. Then with my new football, I returned to long asphalt punting for enhanced bounced, roll, and distance.

I bet that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones never played or practiced punting high and short. However, it’s a good chance that Tennessee Titans rookie punter A.J. Trapasso played all sorts of punting games as a child and teenager.

However, perhaps Jerry and A.J. have something in common: they make a “Trapasso” out of themselves too frequently. Just kidding.

Trapasso pointed up at the board when the ball dropped straight down. Officials were slow to realize what happened until Titans coach Jeff Fisher threw his red challenge flag to get their attention.

Apparently, these referees were both blind and deaf, if they did not see or hear the ball hit the scoreboard, assuming that the football made a noise upon contact on the video board.

If it made a sound, it probably was not the traditional “doink” we hear when a field goal attempt hits the goalposts. My guess it was more of a “thud” or “bam” type of sound. 

Go outside and throw a football against a house with vinyl siding. Well, make sure that it is either your house, or it’s okay with the house owner.

That may or may not be close to this sound that I am imagining.

By rule, the ball was dead and fourth down was replayed. Trapasso’s ensuing kick skimmed just to the side of the board without touching it.

Titans coach Jeff Fischer said the screen will have to be raised. Trapasso and veteran Titans punter Craig Hentrich both hit the screen during pregame warm-ups, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says there are no plans to raise to the massive screens any higher.

In a postgame interview, Jerry Jones snapped “Kiss my Trapasso!” towards a reporter.  No, Jones didn’t say that, but he did snap. 

Jones reportedly said something more defensive than offensive. Should the video board be raised higher?

Jones snapped: “That’s not the point. How high is high if somebody just wants to sit there and kick straight up? If you look at how you punt the football, unless you’re trying to hit the scoreboard, you punt the ball to get downfield. You certainly want to get some hang time, but you punt the ball to get downfield, and you sure don’t punt the ball down the middle. You punt it off to the side.”

Apparently, Jones does not value the aspect of hang time in the punting game. Cowboys punter Mat McBriar did not come close to hitting the screen.

Jones said there isn’t any room to raise the screen but the NFL is investigating the situation. It sounds like Jones plans to argue against any changes to the screen, and he should because the video board cost $40 million, more than Texas Stadium!

Vivid accounts of the beauty and awesomeness of the brand new state-of-the-art Cowboys Stadium should have been overflowing in the news and blogs today, but “The Dallas Cowboys Stadium Punt Scandal” rules not only today but throughout the week, especially on sports talk radio.

My initial impression of Cowboys Stadium is that it is obviously an excellent experience for the fan. The retractable roof, or any roof, is a negative for me.

Real football was meant and intended to be played and performed outdoor in the real weather and elements. Additionally, the stadium should be name Tom Landry Stadium, not Cowboys Stadium.

As we learn more about the specifics and quirks of this new stadium, it will establish its own character, we will discover so much to like and enjoy, but we will also learn of things, like this video scoreboard/high definition TV, which will need to be modified.

What ultimately matters is the team itself. If Dallas wins, and especially if the Cowboys make the playoffs and win, the stadium’s quirks and shortcomings won’t loom as large as if the team continues to underachieve and disappoint its fans.

The new video scoreboards at Cowboys Stadium are a huge hit, they took a hit from a punted football, and verbal hits are aimed at Jerry Jones and his prized franchise.

If Jones does not raise the scoreboard and if more punts hit the scoreboard, then this fuels the circus in Dallas and produces another unproductive distraction, but it’s excellent fodder for joke writers and sports bloggers.

 

 

 

Quote of the Day:

“When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth.”  George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950)

 

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved

Carolina Panthers 2009 Preview

Will the Carolina Panthers win the NFC South division in two consecutive seasons? Typically, the NFC South inverts from season-to-season, with three different champions from 2006 though 2008.

A Short Review of the 2008 Season

The Panthers appeared prepared to make a strong postseason run in 2008. They finished the regular season 12-4, in first place of their division, and received a first round bye.

However, they ran into a hot Arizona Cardinals team that easily dismantled them, 33-13. Despite being one in done in the playoffs, the 2008 season was still a good one for the team.

Quarterback Jake Delhomme remained healthy for the entire year and the team finished seventh in the NFL in scoring. The running tandem was amazing with DeAngelo Williams and rookie back Jonathan Stewart.

The pair combined for 28 touchdowns and over 2,300 yards on the ground. After missing the first two games of the season, Steve Smith still caught nearly 80 balls for over 1,400 yards.

The defense finished twelfth in the league in points allowed and Julius Peppers enjoyed a great season, finishing with 14.5 sacks. However, the unit was not strong against the run, giving up nearly 120 yards per game to rank number twenty in the NFL.

The Coaches, Old and New

Coach John Fox enters his eighth season at the helm. Obviously conservative, Fox went for it fewer times last season on fourth down (eight) than any other head coach in the NFL.

His players like him and and are sold into his coaching philosophy: run the ball, stop the run, and throw it deep occasionally to Steve Smith to keep the other defense honest.

Fox replaced defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac in the offseason with former Indianapolis coordinator Ron Meeks. Trgovac drew fire for rarely blitzing and for a bend-but-don’t-break approach, but much of that mentality came straight from Fox.

The defense will be tweaked enough to allow less big plays. This means heavy reliance on a four-man rush, two-deep zones. and fast linebackers, such as Jon Beason, to male the majority of the tackles.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson hit his stride last season, helped immensely by a breakout year from running back DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers were No. 3 in the NFL in rushing yardage and would like to be No. 1 this season.

Five assistant coaches have been replaced since that playoff loss to the Cardinals, so it will be interesting to see how the players respond and adjust to these new coaches.

A Preview of the 2009 Edition of the Carolina Panthers

The 2009 Panthers will look almost exactly identical as the 2008 edition, except for modifications has been done on the defense. Carolina basically skipped the high-profile free agent part of the offseason entirely, taking a calculated risk by committing most of its available salary cap to three veterans: offensive tackle Jordan Gross (extension), quarterback Jake Delhomme (extension), and defensive end Julius Peppers (franchise tag).

So all eleven starters on offense are returning and the defense should improve with the new defensive coordinator, Ron Meeks.They have a solid base with the backfield duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, while Steve Smith may be the best NFL wide receiver.

The Offense Returns All Starters But They Lack Depth at Key Positions

This offense’s glaring weakness is lack of depth at wide receiver, quarterback, and offensive line.  Steve Smith inures his right shoulder in training camp before the first preseason game is played. 

Carolina’s essential question is which “Jake Delhomme will show up?” The fiery, competitive player, playing under control or the QB who threw five (or was it six) interceptions in the playoff debacle against the Arizona Cardinals?

How healthy will an aging Delhomme be? If Delhomme goes down as he did in 2007, the Panthers are in trouble. The backups, Josh McCown and Matt Moore, have little experience.

Behind Steve Smith, Mushin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett , Jason Carter and Ryne Robinson will return from injuries in 2009.  Add rookies Mike Goodson and Larry Beavers into the group and Carolina is pretty deep at WR.

While the Panthers return all eleven starters on offense, they lost quality depth on the offensive line.

Carolina may have the best starting offensive line in football. The backups appear to be a question mark.  Hopefully, Gerald Cadogan and Duke Robinson are rookies that can step in as back-ups to get the job done if called upon.

Carolina just gave Jake Delhomme a five-year contract extension and therefore, he will be under intense pressure to live up to it, especially after throwing five picks against Arizona in the playoffs.

Will the New Defensive Coordinator Make a Difference?

Ron Meeks is taking over Mike Trgovac’s defensive coordinator position and installing a conventional Cover 2 scheme. I do not expect it to be much different from Carolina’s previous approach.

Whereas Carolina mixed in some complex Cover 2 concepts in their previous “read and react” scheme, Meeks’ simplified system is designed to take advantage of the speed and quickness of the defenders.

This unit has traditionally relied on a straight four-man pass-rush, read-and-react linebackers, and zone-defending defensive backs.

I expect that the defense will play well more consistently under new defensive coordinator, Ron Meeks. Carolina’s defensive line is very good.  However, it still lacks the run-stuffing ability Carolina has not had since trading Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets. 

They have acquired some back-ups at DT with Corvey Irvin and Marlon Favorite, and they have a rotation of young speed rushers in Charles Johnson, Hilee Taylor, and Everette Brown.  

The Panthers are very solid at linebacker, one of Carolina’s deepest positions. Dan Connor should compete with 9-year veteran Na’il Diggs for a starter position.

With the addition of two draft picks, Carolina’s secondary went from thin to improved quickly.  I think that Richard Marshall will be the number two corner opposite Chris Gamble, C.J. Wilson will be the nickel CB, and Sherrod Martin and Captain Munnerlyn will be their back-ups. 

I will not be surprised if the Panthers decide to let their best corner, Chris Gamble, blanket the opposition’s best receiver to eliminate unfavorable matchups.

The safety position seems to be reliable with Chris Harris and Charles Godfrey.  The defensive backs will benefit the most with the transition to a new defensive coordinator.

Julius Peppers once again needs to play at a Pro Bowl,or better, level for the Carolina Panthers. The athletic defensive end also needs to make plays against the run, in addition to generating sacks and quarterback pressures.

Linebacker Jon Beason had a great second season and Thomas Davis had a great third season, and therefore, both should continue to improve alongside one another. The Panthers  hope that both of their second round draft picks, defensive end Everette Brown and safety Sherrod Martin can play a big role immediately, which would go a long way towards rounding out the unit.

The Third Phase of Football: The Special Teams

Ageless kicker John Kasay, the last remaining original Panther off that inaugural 1995 team, returns after another fine year in which he made 28-of-31 field goals and clinched Carolina’s first-round bye with a final-second field goal in Week 17. The Panthers deploy kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd, who led the NFL in touchbacks in 2008 with 30.

Punter Jason Baker is consistent. The team’s best returner is Steve Smith, but he is much too valuable to use back there very often. Ryne Robinson gets the first opportunities at both the kickoff and punt return duties.

Historically, Carolina Follows A Good Season with a Mediocre Season: Will This Trend Continue in 2009?

With a spectacular regular season overshadowed by a horrible postseason, the Panthers enter 2009 intent on erasing the memories of their 33-13 playoff loss to the Cardinals. Though the defeat could serve as inspiration to another postseason appearance, coach John Fox must guard against his team looking ahead to the playoffs before taking care of business during the regular season.

To keep his players from looking too far in the future, Fox typically breaks down the season into quarters and sets a goal of finishing 3-1 in each segment. By concentrating on small chunks of the season at a time, Fox hopes to keep his team focused on now.

Carolina has the same solid lineup that won 11 games last season, but their cautious style may not be enough with a tougher schedule in NFL in 2009.

QB Jake Delhomme sets a tone of inconsistency that influences the entire offense. The defense’s big plays are below its level of talent.

With weaker depth and a a tougher schedule in 2009, expect the Panthers to continue their franchise historical trend of following good seasons with mediocre ones.

Preseason Schedule:

Mon, Aug 17 – at NY Giants, 8:00 PM Aug 22 – at Miami, 7:30 PM Aug 29 – vs. Baltimore, 8:00 PM Sep 3 – vs. Pittsburgh, 8:00 PM

Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1 Sun, Sept. 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles 1 p.m.

Week 2 Sun, Sept. 20 at Atlanta Falcons 1 p.m.

Week 3 Mon, Sept. 28 at Dallas Cowboys 8:30 p.m.

Week 4 Bye

Week 5 Sun, Oct. 11 vs. Washington Redskins 1 p.m.

Week 6 Sun, Oct. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m.

Week 7 Sun, Oct. 25 vs. Buffalo Bills 4:05 p.m.

Week 8 Sun, Nov. 1 at Arizona Cardinals 4:15 p.m.

Week 9 Sun, Nov. 8 at New Orleans Saints 4:05 p.m.

Week 10 Sun, Nov. 15 vs. Atlanta Falcons 1 p.m.

Week 11 Thu, Nov. 19 vs. Miami Dolphins 8:20 p.m.

Week 12 Sun, Nov. 29 at New York Jets 1 p.m.

Week 13 Sun, Dec. 6 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m.

Week 14 Sun, Dec. 13 at New England Patriots 1 p.m.

Week 15 Sun, Dec. 20 vs. Minnesota Vikings 8:20 p.m.

Week 16 Sun, Dec. 27 at New York Giants 1 p.m.

Week 17 Sun, Jan. 3 vs. New Orleans Saints 1 p.m.

 

-Game time can be adjusted to 4:15pm or 8:15pm

 

 

Quote of the Day:
It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog!
–Anonymous

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

2009 NFC South Preview: The Saints Go Marching In

Is the NFC South the most underrated division of the NFL? A different team has won the division title for three consecutive years.

The NFC South was very impressive in the regular season but both Atlanta and Carolina were owned by the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs.

In other words, these teams are very competitive. They regularly won at home last season, and two teams qualified but lost in the playoffs.

While this division is difficult for me to predict its title holder in 2009, it’s safe to rule out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers cleaned house after a disappointing collapse and end to last season. Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen were fired. Veterans Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Warrick Dunn, Cato June, and Ike Hilliard were all released.

The Bucs new regime of GM Mark Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris watched a young team battle all year, but will not deliver enough wins to qualify for the postseason.  Tampa Bay averages 20.6 points per game and allows 26.3 points against a schedule featuring five games against 2008 playoff teams.

Tampa Bay not only has a new coach in Raheem Morris, they no longer have Monte Kiffin calling the shots for the defense, and they are trying to get over their late-season collapse of 2008.

Either Byron Leftwich or rookie Josh Freeman will start at quarterback, but there are weapons around them in Antonio Bryant, as well as pickups Kellen Winslow and Derrick Ward.

The biggest changes will come on defense, where Kiffin was the coordinator for 12 years, and there is no Derrick Brooks for the first time in 13 years.

This Tampa Bay squad will just be looking to find themselves in 2009, hopefully building a foundation for 2010 and beyond.

This leaves us the Atlanta Falcons, their rivals, the New Orleans Saints, and my favorite NFL team the Carolina Panthers.

Each team offers enough talent, competent coaching, and the intangibles it takes for a franchise to win this division and/or to make the playoffs. Each team also has its drawbacks and potential issues holding a franchise back from being an elite NFL team.

The Falcons, established in 1966, has not had two consecutive winning seasons in its 43-year franchise history. I expect that to finally change this year.

Established in 1967, the Saints are one of six teams never to have played in a Super Bowl. I expect that fact to continue.

The Panthers have compiled a 115-119 record in their 14 years of existence. I expect Carolina to hang around the .500 mark again in 2009.

Each team has a lot of offensive explosion and potential but each squad has some issues on defense.

Generally, the Saints are regarded to have the worst defense in the division. But New Orleans is trying to address this via the draft and a few free agents.

Carolina has the best defense in the NFC South (well, Bucs fans may disagree), but at times provide inconsistent performances.

Will the Carolina Panthers win this division in consecutive seasons? Although all eleven starters on offense are returning and the defense should improve with the new defensive coordinator, I just don’t see that happening.

Of course, as a Carolina Panthers fan, I pray and hope that I am very wrong.

The Panthers won the division in 2008 largely due to an easy schedule. In 2009, Carolina has a brutal schedule featuring 13 teams that finish .500 or better in our projections.

The Panthers average 22.2 points per game and allow 22.6 points against a schedule featuring seven games against 2008 playoff teams.

Carolina’s essential question is which QB Jake Delhomme will show up at a game? The fiery, competitive player, playing under control or the QB who threw five (or was it six) interceptions in the playoff debacle against the Arizona Cardinals?

How healthy will an aging Delhomme be? While the Panthers return all eleven starters on offense, they lost quality depth on the offensive line.

Again, I hope my Panthers prove me wrong in 2009. They have a solid base with the backfield duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, while Steve Smith may be the best NFL wide receiver.

Carolina just gave Jake Delhomme a five-year contract extension and therefore, he will be under intense pressure to live up to it, especially after throwing five picks against Arizona in the playoffs.

Out of the top three teams in the division, the Panthers had the best defense and received a boost with the return of Julius Peppers, who powered the team to ninth in the NFL in sacks.

Coming off a surprising Wild Card berth, the Atlanta Falcons will come back to reality a little bit. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will continue to impress but the defense has significant question marks.

However, they signed TE Tony Gonzalez, perhaps the best TE ever in league history. Yes, Atlanta made the biggest move in the NFC South as they snagged Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City, which gives Matt Ryan the NFL’s best tight end over the last decade, if not all-time.

Ryan will also have the second-leading rusher in the league in Michael Turner to hand off to. However, like the Saints, the Falcons had trouble stopping their opponents as they were 24th in the league on defense, and they lost Keith Brooking and Lawyer Milloy as well.

The Falcons average 23.0 points per game and allow 23.3 points against a schedule featuring five games against 2008 playoff teams.

Atlanta will continue going in the right direction and may even return as a wild card playoff entry, but their rookies and second-year players need seasoning.

The Saints should have a healthy assortment of weapons for Drew Brees, who led the league’s best offense in 2008. Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, and Jeremy Shockey all spent time on the trainer’s table last year, so New Orleans could score even more points.

Darren Sharper was brought in to shore up a secondary that was 23rd against the pass, but the problems came up front as the Saints managed only 28 sacks.

A couple of years removed from the NFC title game, the New Orleans Saints will win the highly competitive and perhaps, underrated,  NFC South. Drew Brees continues his dominance over the league’s secondaries, leading the top offense in the NFL.

The Saints average 25.9 points per game allow 23.5 points against a schedule featuring seven games against 2008 playoff teams.

Despite having a slightly improved defense as its glaring weakness, New Orleans will outscore most of its opponents to win the NFC South but will not experience success in the postseason once again.

In summary, I see Tampa Bay at 6-10 or 7-9, Atlanta and Carolina will battle for 8-8 or 9-7, and New Orleans will squeak by with a 10-6 or 11-5 record to claim the division crown.

 

 

 

 

Quote of the Day:
Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing for something.
–Wilson Mizner

 

Psalm 149:4“For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

2009 NFC North Preview: Lions, Packers, Vikings, and Bears—Oh My!

It doesn’t matter if Brett Favre becomes a Minnesota Viking or not. The Vikings’ defense and running game carries this team, although there is room for improvement with their pass defense.

However, solid play from the quarterback position has been the only thing preventing the Vikings from being an elite team.

If the quarterback can get the ball to him, wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin has significant big-play potential. His presence may draw enough attention from defenders to open up other things for Minnesota’s offense.

Running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor may be the best duo in the NFL because of the blocking by the offensive line.

Minnesota should finish first in the NFC North simply because they have the best rushing attack in this division and a defense that keeps them in ball games.

The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers could possibly tie for second place, with 9-7 or 8-8 records.

Like the Vikings, the Bears’ strength lies in their rushing defense. In contrast, Chicago’s rushing offense is unimpressive.

Matt Forte may collect the carries, but he is not an explosive runner.

The Chicago Bears shocked the universe this off-season by trading two first-round picks to the Denver Broncos for quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler brings confidence and a Pro Bowl resume to the Windy City, where the Bears have lacked an offensive star for years.

Is Cutler good enough to quickly transform this team into a playoff team?  Probably not, as the Bears face a schedule with seven games against 2008 playoff teams.

Switching to a 3-4 defense may not be the simplest transition for the Packers this upcoming season. Therefore, the switch may not help much in 2009. Green Bay plays the bottom three teams in the NFL—Cleveland, St. Louis and Detroit—four times.

Aaron Rodgers proved to be a competent NFL quarterback who can start all 16 games. He has some great weapons with Green Bay and works within an effective system.

Greg Jennings has quietly emerged as one of the best wide receivers in the league, averaging 59 catches for 949 yards (that is 16.0 yards-per-reception) in his first three years in the league.

Running back Ryan Grant had a disappointing 2008 performance after an impressive 2007 production. Which Grant will show up in 2009?

Following an 0-16 season, the Detroit Lions are starting over and have nowhere to go but up. With a new front office, coaching staff, and face of the franchise, expect the Lions to win a few games this year.

Is Matthew Stafford their answer? It’s difficult to tell since he does not have a good offensive line.

However, as a Georgia Bulldogs fan who witnessed Stafford for three collegiate seasons, I will be surprised if he has a successful NFL career.

At UGA, Stafford had a tendency to force passes into double-coverage and for the most part, did not play well against the SEC’s best defenses.

Stafford has the classic NFL quarterback style and a strong arm, but he will need to learn to read NFL defenses and quickly go through his progressions.

Passing accuracy, not arm strength, is what is required to win the National Football League. However, I do hope that Stafford proves me wrong and does well in Detroit.

If Stafford is smart, his favorite target will be talented wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Detroit’s defense will improve. The Lions’ defense in 2008 was historically terrible, allowing a league worst 8.82 yards-per-pass-attempt and a NFL worst 5.1 yards-per-rush.

 

 

 

Quote of the Day:
Life is hard. It’s even harder if you’re stupid.
–Anonymous

 

Hebrews 12:1 “[God Disciplines His Sons] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.

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