Jets-Bengals: 7 Players That Must Excel For The New York

For the New York Jets to advance to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs, seven players must bring their “A” game to Cincinnati come Sunday:

 

1. Nick Mangold

The Jets All-Pro center and anchor of the offensive line needs to ensure pass protection as well as big holes for Thomas Jones and company. If the Bengals rattle Mark Sanchez in passing downs due to a lack of protection and time, the Jets will lose and lose badly.

 

2. Alan Faneca

Another Jet All-Pro that needs to bring his best stuff to Cincinnati, especially on passing downs.

If Faneca starts opening huge holes that leads Thomas Jones to the open field, it could be a long day for the Bengals. His play along the offensive line is critical. Sanchez cannot be harassed in the pocket and the running game needs to be firmly established in the first series of downs.

 

3. Jay Feely

The usually reliable Jet’s place kicker needs to ensure the team converts all possible red zone opportunities should Sanchez fail to get the team into the end zone.

This has the look of a low scoring game and a win could come on the leg of Feely in the closing seconds if the weather determines a role in the play calling come Saturday afternoon.

 

4. Braylon Edwards

The Jets brought Edwards to New York to stretch the field and take the pressure off the running game from time to time.

While Edwards has looked great on some catches, he’s looked awful on balls right in his hands.

For the Jets to win, Braylon Edwards need to hold on to the football and keep the defense honest by getting himself open in obvious passing situations.

 

5. Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez must manage the contest and not be put in the position to have to win the game by passing the ball more than 25 times.

Short screens, short routes, and reliable pass routes will compliment a solid running effort by Thomas Jones. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer needs to keep the Bengals honest with some wrinkles in the Wildcat and not be afraid to stretch the field on first down should a lead develop early.

This game is about confidence and Mark Sanchez will feel the pressure of being in the playoffs the first time.

He’ll need to stay calm, cool, and collected and let the moving parts around this offense do the job.

Forced throws down the field and wild scrambling will spell disaster for New York if Sanchez deviates from what got them to this point thus far.

 

6. Thomas Jones

In my mind the team’s MVP, Thomas Jones, has quietly rushed for his best total ever as a pro and his fifth consecutive 1,000 yard season.

Now over 9,000 yards lifetime, Jones is without question one of the most underrated players in the league and this game is his opportunity to shine.

If Thomas Jones has a big day against Cincinnati and rushes for more than 150 yards, the Jets will not lose.

 

7. Darrelle Revis

The best cover man since the days of Ronnie Lott, Aaron Glenn, and James Hasty in a Jet uniform, Darrelle Revis has shut down Andre Johnson, Randy Moss twice, and Chad Ochocinco with relative ease.

The absolute leader of this defense I like to call the “Monsters of the Meadowlands,” Darrelle Revis needs to provide that key turnover that will be the game changer that ultimately delivers victory for the New York Jets come Saturday’s contest.

If Darrelle Revis can force the Bengals to turn the ball over, the Jets should dispose of the Bengals.

These are the seven players that must perform well for the Jets to win in Cincinnati.

 

 

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Al Davis, Raiders Sink to New Low in Response to Gannon

As the House of Usher that is the Oakland Raiders continues to crumble from within, we occasionally get a little peek at the madness. Al Davis is surrounded by yes men and women who continue to tell him how great and right on track he is. They also tell him he doesn’t need advice from his former players, so they can continue to have his ear. They keep him walled in, paranoid of the intentions of those outside Raider headquarters.

Former Raider quarterback, and 2002 MVP, Rich Gannon recently reached out to Al Davis to offer his help in tutoring JaMarcus Russell. Gannon wasn’t the most talented QB and had the opposite career path from Russell. As Gannon went through the workout process before being drafted, a few teams wanted to convert him to defensive back.

Gannon had to make himself a good QB through film study, fine tuning his technique, and understanding a game plan. He had to learn everything he could from his team’s other QBs and the coaching staff. 

The Raiders responded to Gannon’s offer through team executive John Herrera. From the Oakland Tribune :

“It’s Rich that needs the help,” Raiders senior executive John Herrera said. “When he goes on a radio show offering Mr. Davis help, Tom Cable help, the Raiders help, maybe it’s Rich that needs the help.”

What the hell does that even mean? That doesn’t even fit as a response. It’s like in Dodgeball when Ben Stiller’s character responds with “touche” at a completely inappropriate time. Sounds like John Herrera basically just said, “I know you are, but what am I?” or “I’m not a towel, you’re a towel.” Are they trying to say he’s desperate for work?

So this is how you treat the last QB to take you to the playoffs? In previous verbal spats through the media with Rich Gannon, Herrera and the Raiders have said, “He seems to be a guy who can’t get over the fact that he played the worst Super Bowl in the history of the game and he wants to blame everybody but himself. I guess it’s our fault he threw five interceptions.” 

That was back in late September when the Raiders tried to get him banned from the facility. They felt his criticism of the Raiders was out of spite rather than concern.

But you know what?  Gannon should blame the Raiders and Al Davis for his poor performance in the Super Bowl. He had to face his old coach, who knew everything Gannon was going to do, and who Davis traded away less than a year earlier after Gruden refused to sign the contract Davis altered. 

According to Jerry McDonald, Gruden and his agent were ready to sign a new three-year extension (all the negotiating was done) but it was obvious Davis had made changes to it at the last minute when they received the final version. The compromise was supposed to be that Davis would control the draft and free agency while getting Gruden’s input, and Gruden would control the final 53-man roster, his coaching staff and get about $3.5 mil per year. 

In the final draft, Davis had taken back the control of the final 53-man roster and the coaching staff, and had back loaded a large chunk of the money. And that began the end of his relationship with Gruden. And although Gruden’s assistant Bill Callahan would take the Raiders to the Super Bowl with Gruden’s players and game plan, that renege by Davis would truly begin the decline the Raiders are still in.

And thus the House of Usher/Davis continues to crumble.

“But evil things, in robes of sorrow,

     Assailed the monarch’s high estate;

Ah, let us mourn, for never morrow

     Shall dawn upon him, desolate!

And, round about his home, the glory

    That blushed and bloomed

Is but a dim-remembered story

   Of the old time entombed. ”  — Edgar Allen Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher

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Miami Dolphins Sign WR Ryan Grice-Mullen, OLB Brian Johnston

The Dolphins continued to add to their offseason roster Wednesday, signing wide receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen and defensive end/linebacker Brian Johnston to future contracts.

An undrafted receiver out of Hawaii in 2008, Grice-Mullen had brief offseason stints with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears, and has played the past two years with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.

A college teammate of current Dolphins receiver Davone Bess, Grice-Mullen is the second BC Lions player to be signed by the Dolphins this offseason, joining fullback Rolly Lumbala .

A seventh-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Gardner-Webb in 2007, Johnston played one season with the Chiefs and was briefly with the Detroit Lions this past offseason before spending the regular season out of football.

Ryan Grice-Mullen

A Rialto, Calif. native, Grice-Mullen (5-11, 180) was a three-year starter for the Hawaii Warriors from 2005 to 2007.

He entered the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2005, leading the Warriors in receiving with 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Injuries forced Grice-Mullen to miss four games in 2006, although he still appeared in 10 contests (nine starts) and finished fourth on the team with 770 yards and 11 touchdowns.

During his junior season, Grice-Mullen led the Warriors in receiving by catching 106 passes for 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns (all career highs) in 13 games.

Grice-Mullen decided to forego his senior season at Hawaii and enter the 2008 NFL Draft, but went undrafted and signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent, only to be released in June.

The Chicago Bears signed Grice-Mullen on July 24, 2008, but waived him prior to the regular season on Aug. 24.

Grice-Mullen headed north after his release from the Bears, joining the CFL’s BC Lions. He caught nine passes for 175 yards and a touchdown during his rookie season.

Grice-Mullen caught 20 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown in 2009, while also serving as the Lions’ primary return specialist due to the departure of Stefan Logan (Steelers). He set a CFL playoff record with a 106-yard punt returned for a touchdown.

Brian Johnston

Johnston (6-4, 269) was a four-year starter at Gardner-Webb and finished his collegiate career as one of the most prolific defenders in school history.

At the conclusion of his career, Johnston had totaled 268 tackles (55.5 for losses), 21.0 sacks, ten forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six passes defensed, and one blocked kick, while also adding three touchdown receptions.

Johnston was a three-time first-team All-Big South selection during his final three seasons at Gardner-Webb, as well as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American his final two years.

Johnston received pre-draft interest from numerous teams in 2008, including the Miami Dolphins. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round (210th overall) and signed with the team July 16.

After appearing in nine games and recording three tackles for the Chiefs as a rookie, Johnston was waived by the team May 26, 2009. He was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, but failed his physical and spent the rest of the year out of football.

Analysis

When the Dolphins signed Davone Bess as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Hawaii in 2008, they could have just as easily signed Ryan Grice-Mullen.

Both players came from Hawaii. They are nearly identical in size. Both were highly productive in the Warriors’ air-it-out offense. Both offer reliable hands, have more quickness than straight-line speed and are better suited for a slot role in the NFL. Heck, both even have dreadlocks!

Obviously, Bess has already established himself in the NFL and has displayed excellent hands, while Grice-Mullen failed to catch on with two NFL clubs and really hasn’t done a whole lot on offense during his two years in Canada.

Despite Miami’s lack of elite talent at wide receiver, Grice-Mullen will likely have a tough time earning a roster spot. He doesn’t offer anything in the explosion or playmaking department, and that’s one kind of receiver the Dolphins already have in bulk.

One has to assume that Davone Bess, Greg Camarillo and Brian Hartline are locks. Despite his struggles and the fans’ wishes, Ted Ginn, Jr. will likely return as well (although an acquisition of Joshua Cribbs could change that). That’s four receivers, and the Dolphins prefer to keep only five.

2009 third-rounder Patrick Turner is a candidate to be cut, but the Dolphins surely want to add a big-time No. 1 receiver or a young high draft pick with the potential to be just that.

That means five receivers, and there simply isn’t room for any more slot receivers with low ceilings. I give him a better chance than Julius Pruitt and Taurus Johnson, but only because I give both of them really no chance.

That essentially means Grice-Mullen will be competing for a practice squad spot, if he’d prefer that to playing across the border.

As for Johnston, he currently stands a much better chance at making the roster, but is still no lock by any means.

Johnston may have attended a small school in Gardner-Webb, but his collegiate production is undeniable and it would not be a shock to see him have a productive NFL career.

However, it is a bit concerning that Johnston didn’t play at all this past season, but it’s possible he was injured as he did fail his physical with the Lions in June. Johnston also wasn’t practice-squad eligible based on the number of games he played in 2008.

A defensive end in the Chiefs’ 4-3 scheme, Johnston will stand out and play outside linebacker in the Dolphins’ 3-4. The role still primarily consists of rushing the passer though it does come with more coverage responsibilities than you’d have as a lineman.

As it stands now, Johnston has a solid shot at making the team as a reserve outside linebacker. He is one of only five at the position under contract, joining Charlie Anderson, Joey Porter, Cameron Wake and Erik Walden. It’s worth noting that Porter could end up being released in the offseason.

Jason Taylor is an unrestricted free agent and Quentin Moses is a restricted free agent. Taylor’s return is up in the air although Moses will probably be tendered and re-signed.

Although he has the talent to compete, Johnston has to be considered more likely to be released than make the team. He’ll have to compete with players such as Walden and Moses for a roster spot—players who are probably just as talented and have established themselves on special teams.

 

 

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Super Bowl Predictions: Why the AFC Will Win

With the playoffs beginning this weekend and the Super Bowl only a month away, it’s time for some fearless predictions. 

Yes, I understand that we don’t even know who is playing yet—heck, we haven’t even played the first playoff game—but if we waited until we knew who was in the game, it wouldn’t quite be a “fearless” prediction now would it?  It would be more like “kind of brave, but really a little scared” prediction.

Besides, if college football can claim a national champion based on the whims of those who don’t even play, then there can’t be much harm in this little prognostication.

So, with that said, here’s my prediction: The Super Bowl champion will come from the AFC.

Okay, perhaps that was too much of a build up for something that has a 50 percent chance of being correct, but looking deeper, those odds are probably better.

First off, since John Elway’s Broncos ended the NFC’s famous 13-year championship run in 1998, the AFC has gone 9-3 in the big game with the NFC’s only wins being the incredible one-yard-short finale between the Rams and Titans, the Buccaneer’s dominant performance over the Raiders, and the Giants monumental upset over the Patriots.

I know what you’re saying. The results of the past cannot be used to predict future activities as they are statistically independent events and therefore any correlation would be purely coincidental.

Fair enough. 

Let’s focus on this year.

First off, the best team of the year was without question from the AFC.

Peyton Manning may ultimately go down as the best quarterback in the history of football and arguably just had his best year.

And if I’m saying that as a Texans fan, it has to be true. Hell, that guy’s been ruining my weekends since he demolished Northwestern in the Citrus Bowl back in my freshman year.

If that doesn’t make the Colts the absolute favorite to win the Super Bowl, it’s only because the hottest team in football might rank above them.

The Chargers have won 11 in a row and have the quarterback who will probably be considered the best in the league in a few years. They also have a receiving corp that could pass for a decent sized basketball team.

Conversely, the top two seeds in the NFC, the Saints and Vikings are both entering the playoffs with what you might call the opposite of momentum.

The Saints have lost three straight, including a game to the then 2-12 Bucs. 

The Vikings on the other hand have lost three out of their last five.

Before you mention the Colts two-game losing streak, remember that the Colts had secured everything there was to secure, history not withstanding, while the Saints and Vikings still had something to play for.

In fact, the hottest team in the the NFC right now is the Cowboys, who haven’t won a playoff game since the Macarena topped the Billboard 100.

Still, if we take recent history as an indicator, the Cowboys and Packers give the NFC it’s best chance of success this year, but they will both face difficult tests before they can even make it to week two of the playoffs.

Back to the AFC, though, the three seed is comprised of a three-time champ, and the four seed is the emotional pick of the season.

The five and six seeds both finished the season strong and finished with a combined three losses since Thanksgiving.

Now, obviously the playoffs by their nature are unpredictable.

The Giants from two years ago won as a five seed and the Cardinals went last year as a four.

That’s why we love them.

But it wouldn’t be that surprising to see any of the NFC teams advance to the Super Bowl which means none of them can ride the “nobody believed in us” train all the way to Miami.

In fact the only team that could probably pull that off is the AFC dwelling Jets (although in the spirit of full disclosure, I don’t actually believe in them).

Ultimately, though, the simple truth is this: the best teams in the AFC are likely to play their best, but the best teams in the NFC are likely to struggle.

The NFL’s Super Bowl history is pretty much broken out into three parts.

In the first fifteen years, the AFC was dominant.  The following sixteen were owned by the NFC.

The AFC has been the stronger conference over the last twelve and that dominance is likely to extend one more year.

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The 100 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History (Nos. 76-100)

I made this list after extensive research of over 200 NFL wide receivers. I took into account many variables such as stats, super bowls, when the player played, who they played for, and also my own opinion. The stats I focused on were receptions, yards, touchdowns, receptions per game, yards per game, and yards per catch. I ranked all candidates in these categories and then averaged their rankings out. After that I made sure to weigh certain stats heavier than others, for example: receptions seem to be more important than yards per catch, so that category weighed heavier. Comparing the newer generation to the older generation was difficult since the new generation has a much better opportunity to have better stats. I took this into account as well. I started writing this before and even published the first part but the list just seemed wrong to me so I did more research and this is how it ended. Even though I took many facts into account when making this list, I also injected my own opinion, so it is a list that not everyone will agree with.
Hope you enjoy.

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Buffalo Bills: Resurecting an Image of a Downtrodden Franchise

You’re probably wondering what I was smoking when I decided to crop an unfocused, seemingly innocent photo of a turned over Buffalo Bills helmet. 

But as the ‘ole ball coach Lee Corso would say, “NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND.”

See, this photo is brilliant. It’s telling. It’s compelling. It’s the Bills franchise as it stands: a franchise in turmoil, a franchise lost. 

I’m a Bills fan, but this team has been a joke for a long time. The current coaching search has been disappointing, the quarterback play, Terrell Owens experiment, Mike Williams selection and Tom Donahoe effort all backfired. Holy cow, I could go on and on.

The biggest beef, and probably largest of any fan, is zero playoff appearances since 1999. Perhaps I’m a skeptic and so be it, but I have no reason to BILL-LIEVE in this team.

Having said that, as a fan deep down, I’m hopeful. Here are my five highest priorities the Bills and Buddy Nix need to fix if they want any chance at competing.

 

 

1. As it stands today, the Bills are completely unfocused.

 

What’s this team’s identity? This issue, I’m assured, is addressed with the next head coach and Nix’s philosophies. It has to be or success is unattainable.

A GM, owner, president, staff and coaches need a bond and common goals. More importantly, they need to be on the same page, something clearly lacking between the years 2000-2009.

 

 

2. This team needs to find good players.

 

Other than a few studs brought in here, the team’s lack of depth has cost them. Injuries have been a problem, which I will address next, but when players get injured the Bills line up “fill-ins.” Even their starters are sometimes head scratchers. Nix must find talented football players. 

 

 

3. What’s going on with all the injuries?

 

A concern I have is the trend of Bills players on IR. It hasn’t just not been this year. The Bills, to piggyback on this point further, fail to sew up games in the fourth quarter. Are they exhausted by then? A new conditioning program/emphasis on team health needs to be addressed.

 

 

4 . Find a legit quarterback, please!

 

As important it is for football to be considered a team sport, no other position in the NFL game is more important that the man under center. Trent Edwards, J.P. Losman, Shane Mathews, Kelly Holcomb, Gibran Hamden, Ryan Fitzpatrick—yikes. The lone QB who garners any respect was Bledsoe. The Bills have yet to find the right man to lead this team. 

 

 

5. Matter in the League

 

Win more than seven games a season, make the playoffs and this team won’t be considered such a laughing stock. I guess what I’m saying is obvious: Winning takes care of a lot. But it doesn’t take care of everything. The Bills need to brag more, boast about their heritage, not be afraid to make bold decisions.

Nationally, the Bills are never talked about (except when they signed T.O.) in a league saturated by larger markets with deeper corporate pockets. They need to make drastic moves, but not ones that will set them back on their plan. Bottom line from a fan’s perspective is that they need to act like they aren’t just concerned about business, but winning, too. 

Right now, all of these issues need to be addressed, not in any particular order. They may take some time, (especially a QB and they need one badly!) but right now the Bills are on the fringes of irrelevance. Their future is murky, and unclear. They are alone year-after-year, ousted from playoff contention for a decade. 

Bill Cowher doesn’t find this job appealing. He wants to coach again, but in an ideal situation. I’m not surprised he hasn’t jumped on board with the Bills. The Bills need to address a variety of issues as outlined. Right now the Bills should be in heaven. They are the only team currently looking for a coach. Instead, the Bills can’t sell what little they have.

It’s depressing as a fan to realize it, but it’s true.

I hope some day I can offer a brighter review of the franchise, one where I can turn this hazy photo of a Bills helmet into a clean, crisp dome of a legit NFL franchise. 

 

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AFC (B)EAST: What the Miami Dolphins Need to Do to Be Successful Next Year

Having the ability to finish 7-9 after losing three top players on your team is not just good, it’s spectacular. But don’t get me wrong. I was one of the many Dolphins fans screaming in anguish after dropping the final three games of the year. 

But how do you balance the amazing comeback with the apparent need to improve?

You could look at the Miami Dolphins team in many different ways. The only statistical category that we were not ranked 18 or lower in was our offensive rushing attack; we placed fourth. But in pass offense, pass defense, and run defense we placed 20th, 24th, and 18th respectively. 

Let’s start with our passing attack. I believe we found our quarterback, so we can only blame our wide receiving core. Our top receiver, Davone Bess, was ranked 45th in the NFL in receiving yards. Our savior also placed 22nd in receptions. 

Many people have been claiming that drafting a receiver is the way to go. But with the Dolphins picking Ted Ginn with the eighth pick a couple of years ago, hopefully that bad taste in our mouth remains. It would be stupid to draft a wide receiver when you have an upcoming free agent class which is filled with them.

Brandon Marshall, Terrell Owens, Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers. That is a short list, containing some of the best (not necessarily the best) wide receivers available in the offseason of 2010. The fact that we have our “Best quarterback since Marino” is too much to ignore his main problem; the lack of a deep threat receiver who can catch a pigskin.

Our run defense was seemingly amazing, constantly being put next to our UFL-caliber secondary. But it was not.

Being ranked 18th is not acceptable. With Randy Starks having a Pro Bowl-caliber year, he looks like a young star that could pay dividends in the near future. Our veteran linebackers are on their way out, with Jason Taylor and Joey Porter showing signs of age.  

They had good years, don’t get me wrong. With Porter and Taylor being 33 and 36 respectively, if we don’t win with them soon, we might die soon without them.

Cameron Wake is an up-and-coming player, coming from the minor league of the north. His position is a perfect one for the 3-4 system. 

With Navorro Bowman from Penn State, Sergio Kindle from Texas, Brandon Spikes and Carlos Dunlap from Florida, and Pierre-Paul from USF projected to still be available, there are many options for our run defense in the draft.

But there still is the possibility of getting Kyle Vanden Bosch and Adewale Ogunleye in free agency. DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman are also available.

And here comes the pass defense. Ranked 24th in the league, they are giving up 234.6 yards through the air, and depressingly, the statistics are not deceiving.  

Gibril Wilson seems to be the biggest free agent miscue by the Dolphins since Ernest Wilford. Before I get torn apart by comments, that was a joke. I know that Wilford was terrible, and I know that that was not so long ago.

He signed a five-year $27.5 million dollar contract. Renaldo Hill was almost as good, when the Broncos had a great steal by signing him.  

The bright lights, which were dimmed somewhat this year, are rookies Sean Smith and Vontae Davis. With Will Allen going down early, they had to assume the positions of veterans a little early.  

And if you will wonder how different it would have been with Allen, don’t. Will Allen, in his only five full games, only allowed one 100-yard receiver.

With Yeremiah Bell having a great year, and Allen hoping to come back, the only questionable position battle is between Wilson and Chris Clemons. Let’s hope for the best.

Texas safety Earl Thomas is projected to be available, and lets hope he is. In 13 games so far this year, he has eight interceptions.  

Darren Sharper and Dre Bly are great veterans, who will also be available this year, and could influence one of the youngest secondaries in the league.  

Let this be a good offseason, and let’s come back next year with a better, rejuvenated team. Arlington, 2011. When all the Dolfan’s dreams will come true. 

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Missed It by That Much: NFL Teams Falling Just Shy of the Playoffs

One of the great aspects to this year’s regular season was the number of teams with playoff aspirations late in the season.  Some were pipe dreams cobbled together by distant hope (Miami holding on despite injury), some were late surges that came up short (Tennessee), but several teams were a few bounces away.  Here’s a look at just why they are spending the postseason on the sidelines.

Houston stands as the narrowest miss.  With four 9-7 teams fighting amongst the AFC wildcard, tie-breaking procedure favored the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens over Houston.  The Texans first winning season in history was thought over when they fell to 5-7, but late success coupled with several teams disappointing down the stretch put Houston back in the hunt.

The Texans were led by a high powered passing game that ranked best in the league at 290.9 yards a game.  They put up a solid 24.2 points per game behind quarterback Matt Schaub.  On defense the team ranked 13th, fueled by defensive rookie of the year Brian Cushing and monster defensive end Mario Williams.

Ultimately, the team’s downfall stemmed from playing in the AFC South.  The Texans were 1-5 in a division that boasted a combined 26-14 record (.650 winning percentage) outside their division.  The inability to finish either close game against Indianapolis especially hurt their chances. 

Jacksonville ended the year two games back at .500, but have to be entered into the discussion for holding onto an AFC wildcard slot until the final two weeks of the season. By week 13 the 7-5 Jaguars were a surprise team in a year where many teams had underwhelmed.

The Jaguars held a respectable 3-2 divisional record and an extremely strong 6-2 conference record that gave them good tie-breaking power over other teams if they could maintain.  With games against Miami and Cleveland during the final four, a split in that last quarter would have given them an 8-4 conference record that would have assured not only a playoff berth, but a fifth seed.

Instead Jacksonville dropped its last four games in a row, watching five other teams leapfrog over them in the AFC wildcard race to finish last in the AFC South.  Although Jacksonville played close matches against playoff teams (losing by three to Indianapolis and defeating New York) a modest early schedule including St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle, Buffalo, masked the team’s overall quality, and the final fall sealed the team’s fate.

Denver, like Jacksonville, was a longtime wildcard holder that ended up not even amongst tie-breaker discussion to close the year.  They began the year with a scorching 6-0 record, only to finish the year 8-8 behind a disappointing loss to top ten drafting divisional foe Kansas City.

Denver’s revamped defense started the year hot.  They ended the year ranking a solid seventh in total yards allowed, but the drop-off from early in the year to the final 2-8 skid was significant.  Across the first six games they allowed 66 total points (or 11 points per game).  During the last ten games they gave up 264 points (for 26.4 points per game) that is more than double the points allowed early in the year.

When the defense was stonewalling teams Denver’s middle of the road (15th in the league in total offense) offense was enough to edge Denver over most teams.  When the defense gave way, the Kyle Orton-led Broncos lacked enough firepower to take up the slack.

The final AFC entry into this race, the Pittsburgh Steelers, put up a similar 9-7 record to the current wildcards, but stood behind the other teams in just about every tie breaking scenario.  The defending Super Bowl Champions looked strong early despite injury to star safety Try Polamalu.

They started the year 6-2 in a hotly contested AFC North that saw the upstart Cincinnati Bengals keeping pace.  In a head-to-head matchup to decide who would be the division leader, Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 18-12. 

That game would begin a five game losing streak that would be Pittsburgh’s undoing.  Across that streak they fell to Oakland, Kansas City, and Cleveland; three teams that ended the year a combined 14-34.  Beyond the embarrassment of losing to three top ten drafting teams, the losses also contributed to a 2-4 divisional and 6-6 conference record. 

Those two records rated the Steelers towards the bottom of any tie-breaker. To have gained entry into the postseason, Pittsburgh’s only chance would have been a 10-6 record or losses among the other 8-7 teams during the final week.  With Baltimore, New York, and Houston failing to cooperate, Pittsburgh once again will fail to make the playoffs following a Super Bowl victory.

The lone NFC team in this discussion, the Atlanta Falcons, had their hopes dashed much sooner than their AFC counterparts.  Once the New York Giants began their utter collapse Atlanta fell into place as the only real spoiler possibility within the NFC playoff race.

Early season optimism with the Falcons high powered offense leading the way to a 4-1 start quickly faltered as injury and missed opportunities took their toll.  The Falcons two primary cogs, workhorse back Michael Turner and budding star quarterback Matt Ryan missed a combined seven games (eight if you consider Ryan was out after attempting only three passes in Week 12).

The Falcons slipped to 6-7 with their stars out of the lineup before the return of Matt Ryan led to a three game surge to end the year with the team’s first back to back winning seasons.  The achievement was little consolation however to a Falcons deep eyeing a deep playoff run early in the year. 

Each of these teams had their hopes dashed as the year wound to a close.  In the AFC a tight race led each team to believe it might be able to eke out a wildcard berth in the final week.  In the NFC strong seasons by Green Bay and Philadelphia wrecked most team’s hopes of entering the playoffs, but Atlanta managed to turn a season that was potentially one healthy Michael Turner game away from altering their fates.

Every year playoff hopefuls strive and fail, but in this 2009 NFL season, many of these missed  by the smallest of margins.  As they look back over their season, each has to be wondering “What if?” over the few small changes that could have altered their playoff fates.

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Carson Palmer’s Passing Precision Perfectly Fine

The popular consensus this week is that Bengals QB Carson Palmer has dropped a peg on the quarterback hierarchy.

“He was beyond awful in Sunday’s Jets game.”

“He is throwing the ball away consistently on blitzes.”

“He doesn’t look like the same quarterback that he was in ’05.”

Well nobody can argue with the first two statements. He hasn’t been very good at handling pressure and he has had some questionable interceptions. It’s no secret, Palmer’s numbers haven’t been up to par in the second half. For the year he completed 282 of 466 passes (60.5 percent) for 3,094 yards with 21 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

But the third statement is false, Palmer is just fine. After the Week 10 win over the Steelers, the Bengals sat at 7-2 with a 5-0 AFC North record. Coach Marvin Lewis decided that it was time to play keep away. The entire game plan revolved around the running game, bend-but-don’t-break defense, and controlling the time of possession battle. The passing game was very vanilla.

In the first half of the season the passing game was much more a part of the offensive philosophy. Palmer successfully led game-winning fourth quarter drives against every single divisional opponent (Browns, Steelers, and Ravens) and that is not counting the game-winning drive with seconds remaining against Denver that was wiped out by the immaculate deflection. Anytime the Bengals are in a game at the end, Palmer has delivered.

He led a game-tying drive against the Chargers that went for naught due to a poor prevent defense. He lead the division-clinching drive against the Chiefs two weeks ago. Put the ball in his hands at the end of a game and good things happen.

Each of those drives showed me that Palmer still has it. He comes up big when his team needs him most and doesn’t buckle under the pressure. Is it his fault that the offensive line has way to many false start penalties? Is it his fault that the pass protection has slowly but surely deteriorated?

Or how about his lack of receivers?

Jets CB Darrelle Revis was selected as a starting corner for the AFC in the Pro Bowl, and deservedly so. No receiver has more than 35 yards against him this season.

WR Chad Ochocinco is getting put on Reevis Island and somebody needs to give Palmer a reliable target…Laveranues Coles is a solid veteran that needs to show up, especially against his old team. He hasn’t been on the same page with Palmer this year but his numbers aren’t awful (514 yards, five TDs.)

WR Andre Caldwell has really lost his confidence since that game-changing fumble against Oakland. He has made some huge plays this season but none of late. He needs to create that separation on those slants that he seemingly loves to run. WR Chris Henry’s deep threat is missed greatly.

TE J.P. Foschi is not much of a receiving threat at tight end. He doesn’t have great hands and can’t make a guy miss in the open field.

Palmer isn’t working with a bunch of All Pro’s. Drops, missed blocks and penalties can’t be blamed on the QB. He is still accurate and more than capable of leading a team deep into the playoffs. Now the playbook will be opened up to trick plays and others that have been waiting on deck until the playoffs.

He has gotten this team into the playoffs and he knows the rarity of that. This is the third postseason appearance in the last 19 years for the Bengals. How bad do you think a seven-year veteran wants to win his first playoff game?

Saturday will come down to quarterback play and give me Carson Palmer over his former ball boy Mark Sanchez.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

JaMarcus’ Back Foot—One Big, Baby Step

UPDATED:  I started writing this after the win in Denver.  After the Baltimore game, I made a few updates and figured I’d still put it up.  But now the news of JaMarcus going to Vegas after skipping the last team meeting has put a damper on the little bit of optimism I had left for the guy.  I try to put something positive about him out there, something different, and look what happens.  The Raiders have excused him and claim there is a team representative with him.   So I’ll still put this up and hope there’s a good reason for him to be there.

It’s finally over.  The Raiders’ seventh straight double-digit-loss season has ended, and it’s time to get the off-season review underway.  The coaching staff has a lot of ground to cover, and of course there are rumors that this current staff will not perform that review.

One major area to evaluate is if JaMarcus Russell made any progress during his benching.  Amongst his myriad of flaws, it’s hard to find something good about his performances, but I actually saw something he improved on – his footwork.  It’s one of his most readily discernible flaws.  If only his mental and work-ethic issues were as obvious on film.  Though holding the ball as long as he does gives us a hint of how unfamiliar with the offense he still is.  His lack of huddle command can also be seen.  Hey, it’s hard to relay a play to your teammates with authority when you’re not completely sure what to do on it yourself. 

Yes, he’s been atrocious.   Russell’s passes missed wide-open receivers all year long when he would jump as he threw, was up on his toes, or completely on his back foot slinging the ball, depending too much on his strong arm.  But there have been streaks of improvement post benching.  For one series in Denver, and for the most part in the finale against Baltimore, he put his back foot in the ground, shifted his weight forward, and the football started hitting receivers in the chest.  It’s one of the most basic techniques a young, project-type of QB must learn.  You know, the kind of stuff a rookie training camp can clean up.

Ah, but JaMarcus was not afforded THAT luxury, in order to indulge in some others.  (An assist to Lane Kiffin and his hand-picked negotiator is in order on that one too)  Russell has definitely got to get his head and work ethic right during this bench time.   One can only guess how far along the coach’s feel the young multi-millionaire is with that.  Statements by Coach Cable suggest there’s a long way to go. 

But the technical, very rudimentary, football issues that a project like him never had cleaned up because of the need to get him game-ready, had to be addressed during his benching.  The head in his clock is still slow, all while the game-speed for him is not.  In Denver he’d see something too late and then pump and hesitate, carelessly holding the ball too long, dangling it out low and away from his body. 

He was lucky his fumble was recovered by one of his o-lineman on his first series, and he barely avoided two more fumbles on the final series.  Early on against Baltimore, he seemed to make a concerted effort to get the ball out within three seconds, but the old problem crept up again, and he fumbled at the Raven’s 25 yard line.  Wearing two gloves like Kurt Warner won’t fix that.

But in his final, fill-in appearances of the season, at the end of his drop, he put his back foot in ground, leaned forward, and delivered the ball with more accuracy than he’s ever shown.  His feet still get sloppy when he holds it too long.  He doesn’t reset well when after he scrambles.  But when he drops back and fires, it’s actually getting better. 

Alex Smith mentioned the week the 49ers played the Titans, how in his first few years he was thinking about his footwork while dropping back.   It’s why a lot of young QB’s struggle, and find themselves placed behind a journeyman for their first few seasons.  The current trend of them playing in spread, shotgun-based offenses in college isn’t making the transition for them any easier.

I know a lot of fans want to dump Russell and move on.  I’m starting to feel like it’s inevitable.  The cap hit reduces over the next two seasons, but I’m not big on wasting first-overall picks and all that money Al Davis and co. paid.  However, I like that the fear of that is in his head.  I’m assuming he doesn’t want his first big contract to be his last.  He’s still a very young man. 

He’s still a major talent, but always was—and still is—a major project, who should have sat behind a veteran QB.  Carrying the hopes of the strange, wayward franchise he plays for is a hefty load for someone his age, and has proven too much.  He’s got a lot of work to do on and off the field.  But the sliver of progress keeps some hope for more improvement alive.   

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