ST. LOUIS — A day after Steven Jackson was selected to his second Pro Bowl, the Rams running back spoke to the media about the honor.
“It says a lot from my peers, the coaches around the NFL and even the fans for them to consider me one of the best at the position,” Jackson said Wednesday at Rams Park. “It really means a lot to me. I put in a lot of hard work in the offseason. I surprised the guys, the offensive unit, with a gift to show my appreciation of all of the hard work that they put in as well.”
Jackson leads the NFC in rushing with 1,353 yards, good for second in the NFL behind only Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, who has 1,872. Jackson’s 1,675 yards from scrimmage ranks fifth in the NFL.
So it should come as no surprise that Jackson was chosen as one of three NFC running backs to play in the Jan. 31 game at Landshark Stadium in Miami.
“A lot of people said that I should have expected that,” Jackson said. “It’s one of those things that I don’t like to count the eggs before they hatch. I was just really happy when I finally got the phone call.”
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he was “very excited and happy for him, proud of him, excited for the whole offense really in that regard.”
“I really liked the things he said about his teammates,” Spagnuolo added. “He’s just a class guy and I always held him in that regard, that kind of caliber player, and I am glad that the rest of the league, the fans and the people who voted recognize him as such.”
Jackson has been the offense for a 1-14 Rams team that ranks 27th in total offense and passing, and is dead last in scoring. He’s done so behind a shuffled offensive line and while battling a nagging back injury that caused him to miss last week’s 31-10 loss at Arizona. It was the first game he’s missed all season. Just once, 2006, has Jackson played all 16 games of an NFL season, and that year was the best season of his six-year career. He ran for 1,528 yards in 2006 and 13 scores while amassing another 806 yards on 90 receptions and three touchdowns. Those numbers earned him his first Pro Bowl nod.
Jackson entered this season as an embattled player who publicly criticized both the organization and the fans, but grew into a leadership role for one of the youngest teams in the league. Kyle Boller, one of three starting quarterbacks the Rams have used this season, said Tuesday’s Pro Bowl selection was a well-deserved honor for the now more mature Jackson.
“I think he’s had a great year and (he’s) a hardworking guy,” Boller said. “We’ve been in a lot of games. It’s not like we’ve gotten blown out every game. I definitely think that the team is making progress.”
Jackson is unsure if he will be able to play in the Pro Bowl, but wants to. Right now his focus is getting back on the field for Sunday’s season finale against San Francisco, and former teammate Isaac Bruce, at the Edward Jones Dome. Jackson admitted Tuesday on his Twitter page that the season’s been a struggle, and reiterated that on Wednesday.
“I will remember this season as a trying season,” Jackson said. “A season that I think we as a team overcame a lot. No question what we’re building. Everyone is playing hard. Everyone is lobbying for next year. I think now we have a core of good guys. We just got to go and bring in some other guys to help us.
“All I can do is get myself ready for hopefully another successful season. I trust and believe that things that need to get addressed will get addressed.”
The Rams also voted on a pair of team honors this week. Ted Crews, the Rams’ Senior Director of Communications, was given the team’s hero award. Defensive end James Hall, who missed Sunday’s loss at Arizona because of the birth of his first child, received the team’s Ed Block Courage Award.
“I think that is a neat award,” Spagnuolo said of Hall’s distinction. “I think it says a lot about the person that fought through something, whether it was an injury or some kind of adversity, and I am happy that James was the guy this year. There were certainly other guys who were very worthy of that particular award, but James will be our representative this year and we are proud that he is.”
This article can also be found at The Alton Telegraph. (Published Dec. 30)
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It was right around this time last year that speculation began to swirl about the future of Donovan McNabb.
Media members and fans alike believed that when McNabb strapped on the pads against the Cowboys in the final regular season game of the 2008 season it could be his last game as a Philadelphia Eagle.
The Eagles were fresh off a 10-3 loss to the Washington Redskins and a shot at advancing into the postseason looked bleak as the Eagles offense sputtered in the Nation’s Capital. Andy Reid dialed up the run 16 times and asked McNabb to toss around the pigskin 46 times.
Meanwhile, the defense struggled against the run and failed to force Jason Campbell into making any costly decisions.
While the Eagles were floundering around on the road the Cowboys split their final two regular season games at Texas stadium and Tony Romo looked like he was ready to buck the December blues as he put up some decent stats.
It all set up for a playoff-like regular season game where the winner was sent into the playoffs and the loser was sent to the first-tee.
Surprisingly, the Eagles offense was efficient as they ran the ball 36 times and attempted only 21 passes.
The old Romo reared his ugly head, threw one interception and fumbled twice.
Inexplicably, the Eagles found themselves up 27-3 at halftime, and playoff bound.
Everyone who witnessed the beatdown was in a state of shock. Eagles fans could not believe they saw their team playing this well and the Cowboys fans could not comprehend how everything could go wrong.
Fast forward the tapes to this week and the situation is nearly identical.
Rumors are rampant that Saturday night’s clash between the hated division rivals will mark the final game of McNabb’s career as an Eagle.
Similar to last year, the loser will go home while the winner gets to play at least one more week and keep their dream alive for a run at the Super Bowl.
Last year’s showdown with the ‘Boys saw an Eagles offense come off an embarrassing offensive performance that resulted in no touchdowns. Once again, the Eagles were not balanced on offense the week before as they only ran the ball five times in the first half and 10 times for the game. McNabb was asked to chuck it around 36 times in a futile effort.
Romo is putting up great numbers, leading his team down the field, and not seen as a liability.
So why can’t the outcome on Saturday night be the same as the regular season finale last year?
On the surface, this game is setting up just like last year. But once you dig a little deeper, you will see some major differences.
The most obvious is that this game is being played in Dallas, which obviously gives an edge to a Cowboys team that holds a 6-2 record when playing in front of the home crowd.
How about the fact that the late Jim Johnson is not on the sideline for the Eagles? Sean McDermott may be a good defensive coordinator, but he is certainly not on the same level as Johnson.
And while McDermott is not at that level, he has also been hindered by a lack of personnel.
The absence of Stewart Bradley and Brian Dawkins is huge right now. Those two players allowed the Eagles to be effective against the run and could limit the oppositions’ tight ends.
And while Dawkins was not great in coverage, he was more than capable in providing quality safety help over the top on blitzes. As it stands right now, Quintin Mikell, Sean Jones, and Macho Harris might as well be invisible when it comes to safety help.
Without a capable blitz, the Eagles can’t force Romo into mistakes and without the blitz the Eagles’ defense loses their identity.
What about the Cowboys offensively?
Terrell Owens is not around to get into Romo’s head. Without T.O., Miles Austin has been given the chance to shine and he is proving he can be clutch.
Defensively, the Cowboys don’t have stiffs like Tank Johnson getting in the way. They have studs like Jay Ratliff wreaking havoc in the pass and run game.
The Eagles offensive line is in a shambles compared to last year, DeSean Jackson is battling a groin injury, which limits his speed, and Brian Westbrook is not the player he once was.
McNabb looks like he would rather deflect blame instead of graciously accepting the opportunity to prove he can win when everyone is saying that he can’t.
With so many differences beneath the surface, it is hard to imagine a favorable outcome this time around for the Eagles.
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Former Rams head coach, 49ers offensive coordinator and Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz would like to work with Lovie Smith again if the Bears are interested in Martz as their offensive coordinator.
Martz and Lovie worked together when the Rams were known as “The greatest show on turf”, Martz was the head coach and the offensive guru while Lovie was the defensive coordinator.
Martz is good friends with both coach Lovie Smith and former Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
Martz had this to say about the possibility of getting the offensive coordinator gig:
“I really hope I get a phone call, I’m excited about it. Obviously, I’d love to work for Lovie. From a selfish standpoint, it would be a great situation for me. Working for someone you know and believe in would be ideal. There is real potential there.”
“Cutler has more talent than anybody I’ve ever seen, when he came out I gave him the best grade of any quarterback I’ve ever graded. But I don’t know him. Until you sit down and work with a guy, you don’t really know him.”
“I’d like to coach again, but the situation has to be right, otherwise you go back into TV if that’s available.”
Martz went 56-36 as a head coach in St. Louis and his teams averaged 26.5 points per game—more than any head coach in history of the NFL. Those numbers alone are impressive. He has also taken some decent quarterbacks and made them successful in his system some of them were Trent Green, Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna.
Do I think hiring Martz would be a good move?
Well Martz does have the experience and the success, but he is maniac when it comes to passing, he barely ever runs it and maybe thats why he didn’t get the job done in San Fransisco or Detroit, but he would be a big help to Jay Cutler. I’m not opposed to the idea, but just make sure he is the right guy and you don’t overpay for him.
all quotes from chicagotribune.com
Jake Perper is the creator of www.BearsBacker.com and also covers the Bears for www.NFLTouchdown.com.
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Word around the campfire is that Mike Leach has drawn interest from the Silver and Black.
Here are some incredibly serious reasons for and against hiring the Mad Scientist:
Pros:
- The arrival of a former (Red) Raider who is quirky and has a fascination with pirates? Something tells me he’ll be a fan favorite right away.
- If Craig James ever wants to come after Leach, he’ll have to mess with the Black Hole first.
- A Texas Tech quarterback may finally have a place in the NFL.
- Oakland will definitely avoid drafting Adam James at WR, no matter what his 40 time is.
- An electrical closet may not be kind treatment of an octogenarian , but it may be the only way to get Al Davis to step aside.
Cons:
- Steve Spurrier, Lane Kiffin, Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino, Dennis Erickson, Mike Riley, Rich Brooks, and Butch Davis.
- Does JaMarcus Russell really look in good enough shape to move his arm 50 times per game?
- Shane Lechler won’t see the field nearly as much!
- Does the team really need another reminder about how they passed over Michael Crabtree last April?
- Oakland can kiss contests on ESPN—likely the only channel that won’t black out Raiders games—goodbye.
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Almost across the board, the conventional numbers say the Steelers offense was among the best in the league, and for the better part of 80 yards, it was all of that. It ranked among the leaders in total yards (seventh overall) and time of possession (third).
It’s the hidden numbers that tell the real story of the 2009 Steelers offense, however. What they say is that, based on experience and talent level, coordinator Bruce Arians and his group underachieved to some extent this season.
Based on the league average of one point for every 15.6 yards gained, the Steelers should have averaged 23.8 points per game. They finished at 23.0, a 13-point difference that was crucial for a team that lost five games by a mere field goal apiece.
Where did the Steelers leave those points on the field? Look no further than the red zone.
The most productive offenses inside the 20-yard line are almost always those with the best front lines. The ability to run the ball consistently is crucial to success close to the goal, and this regard, the Steelers fell short of the mark. As even some players would admit later, the unit also was too predictable in the way of personnel and formations.
A closer look shows the offense had more negative yards on sacks (minus 328) and turnovers (minus 201 as computed from the line of scrimmage) than any team in the league. And there is no bigger drive-killer than a sack or turnover. It also ranked a mediocre 17th in third-down conversation rate (39 percent). Overall, give the group a B grade, but it amounts to a kick in the A, really.
The individual grades:
Offense regulars
WR Hines Ward
Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/B/B/D/B/B/B
Final grade: B-
Comment: Dependable pass receiver (95 catches, 1,167 yards) but not as consistent in other areas. Ill-advised remark about Ben Roethlisberger compromised team chemistry. Was watched closely by referees, result was more penalties. At 33, gritty veteran should have two more productive seasons at least.
LT Max Starks
Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B/B/F/F/D/C
Final grade: C
Comment: Fared well against average competitive, but more agile pass-rushers posed problems. Not force in ground game, but not liability, either. Paid like left tackle, played like right tackle. Move to natural position would benefit him and team.
LG Chris Komoeatu
Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP/C/F/DNP/DNP
Final grade: C
Comment: Made mark as physical, Pro Bowl-caliber blocker in run game. Was particularly effective as lead man on counters to right side, not so much in pass game. Injuries reduced his effectiveness in final five games. At 27, he has growth potential if spirit moves him.
C Justin Hartwig
Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/B/B/F/C/D/B
Final grade: C+
Comment: Most consistent member of the front line. Rarely had subpar performances in consecutive games. Not a brawler, but he held his own against jumbo nose tackles for most part. At 31, how much tread does he have left?
RG Trai Essex
Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C/B/F/D/D/B
Final grade: C-
Comment: Average starter for also-ran, above-average reserve for contender. “Tweener” lacks physical strength to be quality tackle, agility to be standout guard. His value as experienced two-position player cannot be underestimated, though.
RT Willie Colon
Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B/B/D/F/F/D
Final grade: C
Comment: Had commendable first half, mostly forgettable second one. Provided consistent forward push on run plays. Spotty in pass protection. Unforced mistakes were fewer in number, but focus still drifted at times. Move to right guard is reasonable alternative.
TE Heath Miller
Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C/D/C/C/B/A
Final grade: B
Comment: At his best, there was no better player. But despite a career-high 76 pass receptions, more should have been expected here. Too many drops, too many penalties, too many missed assignments. Did contract extension affect his focus?
WR Santonio Holmes
Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A/A/B/B/B/D
Final grade: B-
Comment: Had 79 passes receptions, 1,248 yards, but mental lapses reduced effectiveness. Failure to read blitz against Bengals resulted in one of most crucial plays of the season. Especially dangerous after the catch. Had too few chances on punt returns.
WR Mike Wallace
Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D/C/F/A/A/B
Final grade: B-
Comment: Had no competition for team Rookie of Year honors. Quick learner who rarely seemed out of place. Provided much-needed deep threat. Pass routes could use work, but they should come in time. Had five-game lull as expected but finished strong.
QB Ben Roethlisberger
Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP/A/B/A/B/A
Final grade: B+
Comment: Unlike ’06 disaster, don’t blame this dive on him. Played at high level in 14-of-15 games, sat out one other. Twenty-six TDs, 12 interceptions, 4,328 yards. Silenced critics who said he couldn’t be prolific pocket passer. Sacked 50 times, but wasn’t carted off field on gurney even once.
RB Rashard Mendenhall
Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C
Final grade: B-
Comment: His emergence as go-to guy in run game was most positive development of season. Combined speed and power for 1,108 yards on ground. Hit hole quicker, juked less. Master of spin move but fumble waiting to happen. Raw talent who should get better with experience.
RB Willie Parker
Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C/C/INC/B/B/A
Final grade: C+
Comment: Soon-to-be free agent was slowed by injuries. Even so, he could have done more if given chance. Twenty-nine-year-old showed enough in final games to believe he could be bargain for some team next season.
RB Mewelde Moore
Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D/C/D/B/INC/INC
Season average: C+
Comment: Normally reliable veteran was replaced by Mendenhall as third-down specialist late in season. Wasn’t as effective in blitz pick-up in obvious pass situations. Still only 27, but his future is uncertain future here.
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The ball is in Eric Mangini’s court as to whether or not he will remain the Cleveland Browns head coach in 2010.
New President of Football Operations Mike Holmgren said he spoke briefly with Mangini this afternoon before setting up a meeting for Wednesday.
At an afternoon press conference Tuesday, Holmgren said he gave Mangini a list of things to think about for “The Meeting.”
At this point, it appears Holmgren is open to keeping Mangini, because why have a meeting with a head coach to talk about football if you’re just going to fire him. Seems like a complete waste of time, and Holmgren noted he doesn’t like to waste time.
As for the current state of the team, and Mangini’s performance, Holmgren was very forthcoming.
“They won four games in a row, that’s pretty good,” said Holmgren. “The team finished strong, they did. There is a lot more as to how this plays out. I’m not going to micro-manage, I’m going to hire good people. I’m going to take an active role in everything.”
When asked if he’s put lists together for potential coaching candidates, Holmgren jokingly said he has lists for everything, but the most important quote to come out that exchange was, “If change is necessary, change will take place.”
Continuing to address the Browns late season improvement, Holmgren said, “Over the course of a season, a young team can improve. You can see growth, you can see development.”
Referring to his time in Seattle, Holmgren noted Matt Hasselback’s first year was rough, but ended with three straight victories against playoff teams.
“That was the springboard for what happened in the future,” he said. “We were having a lousy season, the team was way better at the end of the year than it was at the beginning of the year.”
As for coaching philosophies, West Coast Offense and defensive schemes, Holmgren noted coaching trees were irrelevant.
“All that matters in the organization is success.”
Holmgren repeatedly stressed he was not going to do more than his front office duties, but added he hadn’t figured out the power structure for the draft room as of yet.
“Little Kingdoms in these organizations are not healthy,” he said.
That quote is telling as power struggles ultimately are what sunk the Browns in 2009.
Holmgren also confirmed he will be interviewing Tom Heckert, the Eagles general manager, for the Browns GM position. Holmgren confirmed there are other candidates for the GM job, but declined to name any names at this time.
As for the Joshua Cribbs contract situation, Holmgren sounded hopeful. “I want Josh here,” he said, acknowledging the three years remaining on Cribbs’ contract as being unusual.
“A player should get what he deserves, and he’s been a fine player.”
What people should take out of this press conference is Holmgren is not doing anything hastily, which is the most refreshing bit of news any Browns fan could hear.
The problem with the Cleveland Browns under owner Randy Lerner is he always made hasty decisions, refused to think anything through, and then always seemed surprised the situation blew up in his face and he had to start over.
Holmgren seemed determined not to fall into the trap of making hasty decisions while showing understanding that his role has changed in the process of bringing a Super Bowl Championship to Cleveland.
“I have to re-arrange how I think about the team,” he said. “You go in and take a program that’s been down a little bit . . . and you want to build it up.”
If Mangini can work with Holmgren, the Browns can go far. Mangini can coach a team, that much is obvious given his time in New York and the last month in Cleveland.
Now it’s up to Holmgren to put all the pieces together.
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With the new year in full swing and resolutions set, it’s time to take one last look back at the past decade.
Time flies by too quickly, but with reflection, we can preserve it in our minds like it was yesterday.
Last week, I focused on the offensive side of the ball selecting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Decade team.
Now we take a look at defensive and special teams to complete this look back at the decade that was in Steelers history.
A history, in fact, that was quite good for the Steeler Nation.
To review, two Super Bowl titles and six division crowns gave the Black and Gold their best decade since the team of the seventies ruled the NFL.
So, for your enjoyment and discussion, my version of the Steelers’ All-Decade team: defense and special teams.
Begin Slideshow
Ultimately, the 2009 regular season will be defined for the multitude of offensive juggernauts going off on weaker defenses.
One of those weaker defenses just happens to be a team generally renowned for it: the New York Giants.
Sheridan’s firing at the end of the season was really the only sure thing for the Giants in the month of December. The lack of pride exhibited virtually on a weekly basis sent shivers down any Giants fan’s spine.
For years, fans would congregate in Giants Stadium throughout December with their faces protected against the wind and layer upon layer over their bodies to attain any semblance of warmth. And it usually didn’t work.
But it was all for naught when they watched attentively as their men in blue would dominate the line of scrimmage, make the quarterback run for his life, and light up any receiver that would dare run a slant.
These moments are what Giants fans have gravitated towards for generations. But now, following a season in which a total of 427 points were allowed, and quarterbacks accumulated over 1,000 passing yards at the Meadowlands in December, a defensive overhaul may be imperative.
Sure, there’s an outside chance that this season was a mere product of injuries and poor coaching. But it’s unrealistic. And if the Giants do bank on these same core defenders only for another disastrous season to ensue, the fallout will be unimaginable.
It’s time for the Giants to identify their past and build accordingly. It’s time to renew the 3-4.
It sounds crazy because the Giants clearly do not have the personnel to attain a smooth transition into a 3-4. But as this past season evidenced, the Giants may not have the personnel for a 4-3 either.
The game is meant for quarterbacks to thrive today. It is becoming even harder for 4-3 defenses to combat the growing number of productive quarterbacks in the NFL. Take a look at the defenses in the playoffs this year.
Over half the teams in the playoffs run a 3-4: the Jets, Cardinals, Packers, Cowboys, Ravens, the Chargers, and the Patriots. Of them, every single team is ranked in the top 14 in points allowed per game.
Conversely, three of the five teams that employ a 4-3 base defenses are ranked in the top 18.
The flexibility a 3-4 offers is tantalizing, and the collegiate athletes being drafted into the game are more equipped for it. Athletic linebackers with pass rushing ability are becoming more abundant, while it has proven to be challenging for teams to develop defensive linemen even with talent.
Secondaries today are simply unable to keep up with the array of speedy receivers with freakish skill sets. It’s paramount for there to be a pass rush. In order to contain elite receivers, the front four will have to generate a rush on its own so a potential rusher can be in coverage.
However, in today’s game, it is tough to acquire four linemen that can get after the passer. Given the likelihood of an injury, it’s highly improbable a defensive line will be able to consistently knock the quarterback down.
Under a 3-4, the defense’s best pass rushing threats are the linebackers. And they are coming from any direction. Contrast this with a 4-3 defense in which the best pass rusher is generally the right end, and the linebacker corps usually consists of just one legitimate pass rush threat.
The Cowboys are becoming an exhibit on how to contain explosive offenses. The speed around the edge has kept the likes of Drew Brees and Donovan McNabb very uncomfortable, and the inside surge has gotten them to the ground.
The most creative a 4-3 defense can be without an over-abundance of talent is a zone blitz. But as evidenced this season in many Giants games, they are not very effective. It may be a different look, but what good is Justin Tuck chasing Antonio Gates while Danny Clark is man handled by the left tackle?
I think teams around the league are taking note that the 4-3 defense does not offer enough opportunities to halt elite offenses ran by top-notch quarterbacks. With this, I feel that the 4-3 is slowly dying, and may cease to exist by the end of the decade.
For evidence of the affect a switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 can do, look no further than the Green Bay Packers. Their defense was abysmal in 2008, but a switch to Dom Capers led to them to the 7th ranked defense in terms of points, and 2nd in total yards. This came with two key additions, a nose tackle and a talented linebacker.
Right now, the Giants have little in the front seven that would project to a smooth transition to a 3-4. Chris Canty is the only lineman that has experience in the 3-4, dating back to his years with the Cowboys.
Transferring a 4-3 defensive linemen to a 3-4 linebacker is risky. The Broncos did so with former defensive end Elvis Dumervil, and he racked up 17 sacks in his first year in the system. Conversely, the Packers did so with Aaron Kampman, and he never was able to get into a comfort zone before suffering a season ending injury.
Osi Umenyiora would not fit the mold of a 3-4. He is too small to be an end and could be a liability if he were to be slotted as a linebacker. Mathias Kiwanuka would have similar issues.
Justin Tuck would not be able to play linebacker, but he may be efficient as an end. He isn’t small by any means, and is able to power his way to the quarterback. A player of his status may not be fond of such a switch, but if he is the team player he has portrayed himself to be, he would accept this change in stride.
As for Umenyiora, I bet there are teams out there that believe he would be able to revive his career in their system. Draft picks and possibly helpful players could be part of a trade. Kiwanuka on the other hand may be worth the experiment. His contract expires after the 2010 season and his unquestionable talent could find its way in a 3-4.
Romeo Crennel’s name has been linked with the Giants in a few reports solely based on speculation. As a coordinator who has successfully implemented his scheme without the most talented of players, he should be the Giants top priority if they wish to convert to a 3-4.
If not Crennel, the Giants have already been linked to coaches that currently work within a 3-4. This list includes the Jets’ Bob Sutton and the Dolphins’ George Edwards, both of which are linebacker coaches under the watch of Rex Ryan and Bill Parcells respectively.
It may not ensure immediate success but the Giants have to get with the times. Offenses are only getting better and a four man front may no longer be the way to go for Big Blue.
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Apologies for the tardiness of this entry – yesterday was a sea of catch up work, pinched back nerves, and getting back on schedule.
Of course, the talk on any message board I go to seems to still be circling the “Bengals/Colts must go to hell for giving the Jets a free pass.”
It’s understandable. While I submit there is an excellent chance the Jets could have (and this weekend will) beat a Bengals team they match up with pretty well, I have a hard time assuming the same about the Colts game.
The same Colts team gunning for individual achievements (Manning’s game streak, Wayne and Clark hitting 100 catches) despite ignoring the Holy Grail of team records—the undefeated season.
You say tomato, they say to-mah-to.
Of course all this is great—it gives analysts, radio hosts and message board denizens a talking point that could keep them going for a long time.
Meanwhile we’re just left with the *yawn* playoffs to occupy us until Indianapolis shuts us up with a Super Bowl or vindicates many of us by losing early once again after instituting their usual “sit the starters policy.”
Several stories are there to talk about besides the angry mobs of Colts fans, though.
Many of them involve coaching vacancies.
It was actually sort of quiet until the Bills fired everyone on the staff, followed today by the Bears ejecting all their offensive coaches.
Of course, the story on Black Monday which stuck with me the most was the incredibly classy way the Washington Redskins got rid of Jim Zorn.
I realize they “didn’t want to wait any longer to start building a winner,” but 4 a.m.? And then making him clean out his office immediately?
Listen, can you expect anything else from a franchise suing a portion of its fan base? Yes, from a legal and business standpoint, I know they can sue anyone who signed a contract. And yes, they settled with the grandmother they were suing. And people will use the economy to wriggle out of plans they just don’t want anymore.
I’m not saying they just let fans walk away willy nilly—but in this economy, you need to have some sympathy. They took way too long to show much.
So no, it isn’t a shock that Zorn was fired early and then escorted out before the sun rose.
Still, the firing itself is no shock, as Zorn was dead man walking when he had play calling duties yanked. The fact that Mike Shannahan was waiting with pen poised over contract sped it up a bit I’m sure.
I guess you could argue the same for either Bears offesnive coordinator Ron Turner or the entire staff for the Bills.
The Bills imploded all season long—repeatedly too, which is impressive. Given that we began the season talking about changing offensive coordinators, was there really all that much optimism?
There actually was, as many analysts I read were talking the Bills up as #3 or (if they were smoking crack) #2 in the AFC East.
I didn’t share it, so that the Bills have blown the staff up and are looking to potentially blow the team up as well is no stunning revelation to me.
The culling of the Bears offensive staff isn’t that big a shocker either given how bad that squad played. From letting the offensive line remain mediocre to not finding a way to surround Cutler with talent, the Bears offense has been de-fanged all year long.
At some point, someone had to answer for it and Turner was that guy. He’s been there for five years and really, was any one of those really exceptional?
At some point the buck stops there—however keep in mind that after the axe falls on the offensive coordinator, the head coach is usually next up.
Another underwhelming season in 2010 and Lovie Smith may find himself blown out in the Windy City.
It’s barely two days from the end of the regular season and we anxiously await many hirings and several more potential firings (has Cleveland’s Eric Mangini dodged his bullet?).
While I expect it to be calmer this year after 11 changes last season, you never know with the NFL.
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It’s been a trying season for Josh McDaniels for various reasons. At the tender age of 33, he was thrust into the role of NFL head coach last winter—and at least as far as his team’s fan base is concerned, has failed miserably so far.
So it begs the question—is there such a thing as being too young or inexperienced to be an NFL head coach?
I think so, and thanks to his latest brilliant idea of benching Brandon Marshall—which may have ostensibly cost Denver any shot they had of making the playoffs—McDaniels is the poster boy for proving the point.
See, with age and experience come a certain maturity and panache for handling players, team personnel, and opponents. But when you’re younger than a quarter of your roster, it’s almost impossible to possess those qualities.
McDaniels has now exhibited that lack of knowledge three times this season.
The first came almost immediately after he was hired, when a tiff between him and Jay Cutler got so heated that the “franchise passer” the Broncos had previously alienated the adequately capable Jake Plummer for was jettisoned to Chicago for…a few draft picks and the adequately capable Kyle Orton.
Then, there was the alleged incident with the San Diego Chargers, where McDaniels allegedly claimed “we own you.” Even if it went as McDaniels claimed—that the “owned” comment referred to his past with the Patriots—it was out of line. Outside of Ty Law and Jabar Gaffney, how many guys on the Broncos’ roster even ever played for the Pats? Exactly.
And now, finally, with the season on the brink of collapse, McDaniels benched his best offensive player. Sure, Gaffney had a big day in his absence, and the defense resembled little more than an obstacle course for Jamaal Charles, but there’s no way you can’t tell me having a two-time Pro Bowl receiver who is barely in his prime wasn’t a huge loss.
All because Marshall was late to an injury treatment session?
Please. There’s more to it, and both McDaniels and Marshall know it, and Marshall also knows that he’ll most likely be suiting up somewhere other than Denver next year. Which means unless they draft Jerry Rice or Joe Montana next year, this “new era” of mediocre football will continue for at least another couple years.
After all, the sum total of McDaniels’ efforts was an 8-8 season where the team started strong, collapsed and missed the playoffs. Sort of like 2008 with alleged fossil Mike Shanahan at the helm.
But hey, when you’re young and don’t know what you’re doing, bad decisions and immaturity seem acceptable—unless you’re Mike Tomlin, but he’s a special case of a young guy succeeding.
If I were an NFL GM, I wouldn’t even look at a guy who hasn’t been in the game for more than 10 years—especially one with so little experience above assistant to an assistant—to be the savior of my franchise.
To wit, I offer you two resumes, and urge you to pick the one lesser qualified to be an NFL head coach.
No. 1: Played HS ball for his daddy. Went to a Division III school where he had to switch positions to get playing time. Got graduate assistantship in college based on a connection from his daddy. Moved onto a defensive assistant job elsewhere based on another connection and spent eight years there (two as a coordinator) before being hired as a head coach.
No. 3: Played high school ball for a local legend and was a three-year starter for a two-time state champion. Three-year starter at Division I-AA school and then became a grad assistant there. Moved on to take lower assistantship at another level based on a previous connection, spending four years there (two as a coordinator) before being hired as a head coach.
Take away names and levels, and those resumes look very similar, don’t they? Clearly, the latter was a better player (and probably a few years younger) yet the former is very privileged.
I suppose I shouldn’t have to tell you that behind door number one is, in fact, McDaniels.
For those who are counting, the second one is Tom Lennon—the current head coach at Seymour (CT) High School and a guy I graduated high school with 12 years ago.
But hey, clearly, as long as you know the right people, you’ll be fine regardless of how much you know.
Unless you’re black, in which case you’ll get a token interview before they hire the guy they really want…but that’s another story I’ve already written.
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