Aaron Rodgers Makes It Easy To Forget About You-Know-Who

Aaron Rodgers starts his first playoff game and, really, his legacy Sunday against the Cardinals. The postseason is where careers are cemented; Peyton Manning was seen as merely a good quarterback because he fell apart in big games before finally winning the Super Bowl. Dan Marino is quickly fading because of his lack of success.

Which is why I would love to have Rodgers win his first playoff game. It would start his career off with a bang, instilling “We’ve been here before” attitude and confidence for the next few years. While his first two seasons need no extra spice to validate currently being a top 10 quarterback, a playoff win would be special. 

So Sunday may be Rodgers’ first game where, if he loses he goes home. But it is far from the first of being in the spotlight. Hell, his first game ever as a starter was on Monday Night Football against a conference rival; with everyone tuning in and gushing about how he would (or could) replace You-Know-Who.

Rodgers completed 18 of 22 that night, threw for one touchdown and ran for another.

Has any other player started eight games and endured the scrutiny, either on Monday, Thursday, or Sunday Night Football in their first two years? Throw in the Cowboys game when he came in relief for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and that makes nine times in his career playing on prime time.

Arizona may be just the third most hyped up game of his career, behind “The Return” and Rodgers’ first start. 

The one criticism Rodgers had coming into the season was that he couldn’t close games, that he couldn’t muster a fourth quarter comeback. I’ll be the first to defend him on this front as Crosby and the run defense should have held the brunt of the attack in 2008. Anyway, Rodgers said screw it, led the Packers from behind in the fourth quarter in the opener, then did it to the Bears again 13 weeks later.

For those who haven’t followed Rodgers, or seen him play, watch Sunday night. He is as fearless as his predecessor (I’m running out of substitutes) without the recklessness. Rodgers will bomb it on third and short, refuse to let a defensive lineman make him throw it away, and still only toss seven interceptions on over 540 attempts.

There was much criticism of Rodgers for holding the ball too long earlier in the season; which was somewhat justified, especially since those sacks killed the Packers. But now that he actually has an average offensive line in front of him, those plays will turn into big gains.

In fact, Rodgers probably learned more from the offensive sucking the first half (beyond the fact that a 300 lineman hurts when they crush you at full speed) than he did when they had a decent line. He knows the longevity of plays, and reacts better to the blitz. Of course, it’s nice to say that now because Rodgers can still stand.

But watch him. He plays with an absolute coolness.

(Side-note: This “championship belt” celebration Rodgers has, which can be seen here at 1:10, is definitely not cool. It’s incredibly dorky, to say the least. That being said, I wouldn’t mind seeing it a couple of times Sunday.)

By far, the best kept secret Rodgers has is that he tears apart defenses with his legs. Rodgers has rushed for five touchdowns and only David Garrard rushed for more yards this season, slightly edging him out 323 to 316. Rodgers sustained drives and rushed for 25 first downs, with a 43% first down rate! No one ever talks about this.

Perhaps most importantly, he doesn’t give the ball away. Mike McCarthy constantly preaches about turnovers on both sides of the ball, and Rodgers adheres to it. His seven interceptions are the fewest in the league, which is partly due to his decision making and partly due to his excellent arm.

Best of all, Packer fans have embraced the man. You’d think it wouldn’t be too hard considering the unprecedented numbers he has put up in the last two seasons, but we all know Green Bay loved Brett (There. I said it.). We loved him for bringing back the Lombardi trophy and later for his personality. As of now, Rodgers has the latter down.

If you watch Rodgers in any interview, he has a sly grin half of the time. He is soft-spoken, very calm, and jokes around with reporters. It has been a relatively smooth transition (did I really just say that?) from Favre to Rodgers as far as the likability factor.

There was a link over at CheeseheadTV, documenting Rodgers’ humorous quest of making the captain’s photo before each game.

Could you imagine Philip Rivers or even Tom Brady in Green Bay? They would be way too serious for Green Bay. We would love the numbers, but Brady’s robot personality doesn’t hold a flame to Favre or Rodgers.

So far, Rodgers has carried the offense for the past two seasons. He has been instrumental in turning the players with a 6-10 record into an 11-5 playoff team.

Sunday, Rodgers can close the healing process a little further.

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Playoff Predictions for the NFL’s Wild-Card Weekend

After watching ESPN’s documentary on the life and times of Jimmy “The Greek,” I have become inspired to rub my Drew Brees bobblehead doll (don’t have a crystal ball) and predict which teams will get out of the first round of the NFL playoffs.

Here are my predictions for this week’s wild-card contests:

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

Sports fans look like they won’t be getting Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao anytime soon, so they will have to settle for Larry Fitzgerald vs. Charles Woodson this Sunday, which will still be pretty darn entertaining.

Green Bay and Dallas have become the trendy bandwagons to jump on in the last couple weeks, but remember Arizona is the team that enjoys limping into the playoffs only to hot-streak all the way to the Super Bowl.

The Cards are better now than last season when they were a Santonio Holmes two-step away from a Super Bowl championship. Arizona runs the ball better with Beanie Wells than they did with Edgerrin James, and the defense has gotten steadier and stauncher, allowing fewer points and yards than they did in 2008.

People forget that Green Bay’s offensive line is the worst remaining in the playoffs. Arizona sacks a lot of quarterbacks in home games and creates plenty of turnovers in playoff games. Aaron Rodgers will be spending more time chewing grass than celebrating in the end zone.

Arizona 27, Green Bay 24.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Dallas’ defense and running game have been superb since they destroyed New Orleans’ undefeated season hopes. DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff have been dominant on the defensive line, and the three-headed monster of Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice is healthy and taking pressure off of Tony Romo and the erratic passing attack.

Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid follow the same pattern every playoff year. Their Eagles win their first playoff game but never win the Super Bowl. I think this season will be different. And no, Philly isn’t flying to the title game, not unless Ryan Howard and Chase Utley don some green uniforms.

Dallas 23, Philadelphia 17.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Baltimore could have upended New England during the regular season if Mark Clayton could have caught a fourth-down pass that hit him point-first in his chest, and that was when Wes Welker’s ACL was stable and Tom Brady had all of his ribs intact.

Baltimore might be one of the better 9-7 teams in recent playoff time. Just look at their losses. All seven came against teams with winning records, including six against playoff teams. And they have only lost by more than 10 points once, with many of their defeats coming in the final minutes or seconds.

We saw how New England plays when Welker is not on the field. The Pats needed a miracle fumble on a last-minute kickoff return to slip by Buffalo at home to start the season, and they couldn’t move the ball a muscle without Welker when they lost to the New York Jets 16-9 in Week Two.

Other teams might be intimidated by Belichick, Brady and the whole Patriots machine. Not Baltimore, though.

Baltimore 24, New England 21.

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

Here are two teams that play the same smashmouth style. Both prefer to run the ball on offense, but the Jets do it slightly better (first in rushing offense in NFL). Both rely on superior defenses, but the Jets’ unit is slightly better (first in total defense in NFL).

Their offense is also similar as neither team likes to throw the ball more than 10 yards downfield. The difference here is that Carson Palmer normally throws to his own receivers, while Mark Sanchez usually throws to the other team’s defensive backs. But if the Jets come out with the same type of game plan they have employed with Sanchez since he returned from his knee injury, they should be just fine. Cincinnati is the one AFC team that the Jets can get away with being ultra-conservative against, because the Bengals plays the same exact way.

If you like football games that are like UFC fights without the octagon cage, this game is for you. If you think passing the ball and zone defenses are for pansies, this game is for you. And if you like field goals and field position strategy, this game is definitely for you.

New York 16, Cincinnati 13.

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Three Point Stance: Three Key Issues The Packers Need To Address

Two days away before the Green Bay Packers are set to go head to head with the Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix, there are still a few things that head coach Mike McCarthy must address.

The Packers have been on a hot streak as of late.  They are also on a high full of confidence and it seems that it would take even the strongest of teams to bring them down at this point.

Although Packer fans and the Packers themselves are high and mighty heading into Sunday, they aren’t exactly perfect. 

Three of the main things that the Packers need to address, in not only important for their game against Arizona, but in any future game they may play in this postseason.

1. Penalties

In case you haven’t been listening to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman say it on Fox’s Sunday Football broadcast, then I’ll say it again. The Packers are the most penalised team in the NFL.

The main culprit is holds. Right tackle Mark Tauscher in particular seems to get caught on nearly every drive for trying just a little too hard to protect precious number 12.  While we like your attitude Mark, we could do without those extra 10 yards we need to keep gaining in order to get into the red zone.

Another small and minor penalty that I have seen pop up from time to time is illegal contact. I don’t think anyone in the NFL is really sure what this is, as half the time there is nothing really in it. However, it’s a rule and we get called for it.

Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, Donald Driver and Greg Jennings need to watch where they put their hands on the Arizona defenders this Sunday. Due to their being two explosive offenses in the same stadium, you can bet your bottom dollar that the officials are going to call every small shove that they see.

Even though penalties are the Packers main course for concern, don’t expect a huge turnaround. If the Packers haven’t stopped holding and blocking in all the wrong ways prior to this game, there’s slim chance that they are going to stop now.

2. Protect Aaron Rodgers

For god sake, just protect the quarterback. I feel I speak for all Packer fans when saying that if the offensive line collapsed and the Packers went back to the ways of old, it would be a crushing defeat.

We saw a few risky plays in Week 13 when the Packers met up with the Bears at Soldier Field.  Although the Packers won that game, an image that constantly plays through my head is one of Aaron Rodgers taking a hit, fumbling, regaining possession and then trying to throw again.

The Packers can’t afford to let this scenario play out again in Arizona. In the past two months the Green Bay offensive line has been successful at protecting Aaron Rodgers.

Arizona’s defense is far from the elite in the league. There have been countless times where they have failed to cover receivers in zone coverage and have been burnt on deep wide receiver routes. Give Aaron Rodgers time, and like always, we’re sure to see an 82 yard completion down field to Greg Jennings at some point in the game.

3. Kicking Game

Mason Crosby has been let off the hook. He’s missed nine field goals so far this season, even though he seemed to be back to his old ways against the Cardinals last week. 

A Texas boy that may be upset over his Longhorns losing, Crosby needs to make sure his balance and aim is 100 percent ready to go on Sunday.

If the Packers can’t make the early touchdowns, they will settle for field goals. It’s as simple as Mason Crosby needs to make them. Missing isn’t an option. With Arizona’s offense already estimated to be handful for Green Bay’s defense, the Packers need to take as many points as they can get.

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Predictions for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010

The Pro Football Hall of Fame selections are performed by a panel of 44 leading NFL media members, including representatives of all 32 NFL teams, a representative of the Pro Football Writers of America, and 11 at-large writers.

The panel has selected a list of 15 finalists from the modern era , defined as playing all or part of their careers within the last 25 years. A player must have spent five years out of the league before they can be considered for induction into the Hall of Fame. Players that last played in the 2004 season will be eligible for induction in 2010.

During Super Bowl weekend, the panel will meet and narrow down the list of modern-era finalists down to five. Those five will be considered alongside two senior candidates, selected by a nine-member sub-panel of the larger panel last August, for a total of seven. From this list, at least four will be selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

My prediction for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 is:

Jerry Rice
Emmitt Smith
Shannon Sharpe
John Randle
Russ Grimm

Hall of Fame Game: 49ers vs. Cowboys

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BCS Championship Shines Light On Talent; Kansas City Should Pay Attention

A player is not just measured by their physical ability or capacity to learn. Scouts search for (and if they don’t, they should) that crucial “clutch” player—the ones who phrases like “Grace Under Fire” are used to describe.

Since Kansas City is sporting more and more of a “New England” look, these two examples are oddly appropriate.

I still remember the day, even the exact play, where I became a true believer in Tom Brady. It was a Monday night game against Denver in 2003. New England was in the red zone at Mile High, and Brady dropped back to pass. 

In moments, the pocket looked more like a street brawl. Brady looked like he stood in the eye of a hurricane, and, seemingly oblivious to the carnage around him, launched a rocket of a pass to a receiver in the back of the end zone.

As for that other example, I only need two words: Adam Vinatieri. I mean, seriously, the guy’s picture should be in the dictionary under the word “clutch”.

Fortunately for scouts, each college season provides the perfect scenario to judge a player’s cool when the pressure is on with bowl games—and last night’s game showcased a couple of players the Kansas City Chiefs should pay close attention to come April.

 

Mike Johnson, Offensive Guard, Alabama

Already considered to be one of the top guards coming into the draft, Johnson was essential in opening holes for Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. 

Despite losing 2008 Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith to the NFL Draft last year, Johnson and his teammates were able to elevate their play—tallying up 3,011 yards on the ground, with Ingram boasting 6.1 yards-per-carry and 17 touchdowns. 

Should Kansas City feel confident with Branden Albert at left tackle following the second half of the season, and decide to move Brian Waters to center, Johnson might find a home in the starting left guard position, should the Chiefs find him available in the middle of the second round (courtesy of the Tony Gonzalez trade to Atlanta last year).

 

Jordan Shipley, Wide Receiver, Texas

Originally, I was in favor of using both second round picks on the offensive line, but Shipley’s performance last night was too enticing to ignore.

Despite losing quarterback Colt McCoy in the first quarter, freshman backup Garrett Gilbert paired up with Shipley in the second half to rally Texas to within three points of Alabama following a 24-6 deficit at halftime. 

When all was said and done, Shipley finished the night with 10 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns, working mostly out of the slot position. Shipley might have played his way into a late first round draft slot, but if he should drop into the second round Kansas City should be willing to welcome this Texas product with open arms. 

A dangerous slot receiver to pair with incumbents Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers could be just the weapon the Chiefs front office is looking for to complete their high-powered offensive scheme.

Making the transition to playoff-caliber is difficult, especially for a team who cannot even make the claim of mediocrity. The Chiefs combined 10-38 record over the last three years will take a number of changes to overcome, and a number of years for fans to forget. 

Make no mistake, though: the Chiefs are on the road to recovery, and once Kansas City finds itself in games where “clutch” players are needed again, Shipley and Johnson should be people that can be counted on when it matters most.

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Keeping The Dream Alive: Petitioning the NFL for a Barry Sanders Video

Dear NFL executives:

We, the Detroit Lions fans of the Nation, have endured a decade like no other in the history of professional football.

We have seen our team break the record for consecutive road losses, we seem poised to challenge that mark again, we have witnessed an unprecedented 0-16 season, and have endured more than our share of mismanagement, bad luck, and outright decrepitude, while posting the worse record in the league throughout the new millennium.

And though we’ll admit that fan support has waned, and in the last two years the stadium has not always been filled, it’s also fair to point out that many of us have had to make very hard decisions about how to spend our money in the most depressed economy in the nation, and winner or no, professional football had to take a backseat at times.

Unfortunately around the league many have taken the opportunity to spat on us, decrying our Thanksgiving day tradition, ridiculing the city of Detroit, making light of our circumstance, and having the temerity to call us “bad fans.”

But even in the midst of the turmoil, most of us are still here, still passionate about our beloved team, and still looking toward the future with great hope.

We love the Lions and always will.

Proof of that can be observed on the very pages of Bleacher Report, this online forum for sports fans to have their say, where we analyze the potential of the current roster, surmise about the team’s greatest needs, and agonize over their many defeats.

We keep the idea of Detroit Lions football alive and burning, hungry for some success perhaps, but mindful of the greatest ideals of competition: perseverance, loyalty, and commitment to something larger than yourself.

We’ve been tested, you see, but have refused to fold.

And there’s one man who is more responsible than any for keeping that hope alive, and you’ve probably heard his name before.

The great Barry Sanders.

Or just Barry in the state of Michigan.

And though Mr. Sanders is largely recognized as one of the greatest running backs of all time (we say THE best), around here he represents even more.

Around here, for those of us old enough to remember his glorious years in the NFL, he burns as a beacon, and an ever-present reminder that greatness can bloom in Detroit.

Success can bloom in Detroit.

Respect can bloom in Detroit.

Around here Barry Sanders is a name that is whispered, and to the young he’s a bed time story that plants the seeds of fandom, giving them something to hold on to beyond what they’ve witnessed in their formative years.

And at risk of proclaiming something overly grandiose, it might not be too far from the truth to say that Barry Sanders saved a generation of Detroit Lions fans.

He’s the rock upon which modern day fans plant their flag, and he remains the foundation from which we hope to build our legion into the future.

We by no means live in the past, but we relish it, and use it to fuel our optimism in the present.

But even the most steadfast of us could use a little reminder every now and again, and herein lies the point of our request.

We, the long suffering but steadfast citizenry of the Detroit Lions Nation humbly request an NFL production highlighting the Barry Sanders years.

At this point the definitive collection does not exist, and though there is one to my knowledge that has been produced, it covers a scant portion of his career, is largely inaccessible, and could use updating both in the breadth of coverage and in the use of modern day technology.

I can’t think of a more exciting assignment for anyone in your video department.

And though the task might seem daunting, given the sheer number of breathtaking plays incurred during Barry’s incandescent ten year NFL career, this is also what would make it such a rewarding enterprise, and one that we would willingly assist in or even initiate were we in a position to do so.

We realize that the production of such a video would require both man-hours and capital, but also wholly promise that it is a desired item of value to Detroit Lions fans everywhere.

We will buy this product.

We will gift it to our family members and friends.

And they will smile their broad smiles, or squeal with delight, or dance a touchdown dance when they see it.

Can you help us, NFL executives?

We offer our services freely if there’s anything we can do to assist you in this endeavor, forever looking towards the future but proud and sure of our past.

Sincerely,

DLN (Detroit Lions Nation)

This note will be sent to the NFL and will serve as a petition.  Please respond below if you have interest in this request.  We recognize that many fans around the league also have interest in the great Barry Sanders, and would welcome your support as well!

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Cleveland Kick Returner Likely Not Returning: Agent Says Offer Is “Insulting”

Josh Cribbs, the Cleveland Browns’ most dynamic weapon, told coaches and medical staff today that he felt like it was the last time he would be in the Browns’ facility. 

Cribbs is unhappy with a contract offer from the Browns that his agent considers “insulting.”

The Cleveland wide receiver is a fan favorite and considers himself to be more than just a punt returner. 

Cribbs currently has 3 years left on his contract that are set to pay him just shy of $1 million per season. The Browns have offered to increase the deal to $1.4 million per season, but Cribbs wants no part of that deal.

Cribbs is just the latest player to demand a new contract after having a breakout year, showing that professional football is a business like no other. 

Players repeatedly hold out of training camp until they get a “long term” deal, only to demand a new deal as soon as they feel their market value has increased.

This is an insane occurrence that is beginning to be the norm in the NFL.  Owners need to start putting their foot down and forcing players to abide by the deal that they signed. 

Players feel that when they are worth more than their current contract, the owner must bite the bullet and renegotiate. 

But what about when the shoe is on the other foot? 

If a player has a bad season, can the owner then demand to lower the player’s salary?  Of course not!

So what gives the player the idea that he has the right to demand an increase?  The plain and simple truth is….agents.  

We now live in a world of super-agents like Drew Rosenhaus, who represents top talent in the NFL. 

While they are ultimately looking out for the best interest of the player, and in turn themselves, these agents are influencing young men and encouraging them to act in a manner that would be unacceptable in any other profession. 

And yes, I understand the argument that professional football players need to get paid as much as possible, as soon as possible because of the short average career. But at some point, common sense and ethics need to come into play.

What happened to the days when a man’s word was his badge of honor? When he lived up to any deal that he agreed to.

NFL owners need to band together and start forcing these players to do what is ethically and professionally right. 

The simple solution is incentive-driven contracts. Players and owners need to layout contracts that provide for the player if he does have a breakout season and exceeds expectations. Both sides win and no one has to hold out or demand a trade.

NFL owners need to hold these guys accountable for the contracts that they agree upon. If you insist upon a five or six year deal, then you have to understand that you are stuck with it. 

The San Francisco 49ers set a huge precedent with the way they handled the Michael Crabtree situation this past offseason. Owners need to have a backbone and stand up to these players and agents. 

You cannot let the inmates run the prison.

If the NFL truly wants to develop players and prepare them for their life after football, they need to start holding them accountable like people in the real world.   

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What Pete Carroll to Seahawks Rumors Mean: Finally An NFL Coach On Twitter!

Multiple sources are reporting today that Pete Carroll could become the next coach of the Seattle Seahawks.  While this brings up immediate pressing questions like if Carroll will fare better in the NFL than during his previous stint, how many coaching changes would be triggered in the resulting domino effect, etc., I want to talk about more important topics.

What would Carroll-to-the-Seahawks mean for the NFL and Twitter?

Carroll and his USC program have seemingly mastered the social media universe through Facebook , his Twitter account , and a flashy football website (USCRipsIt.com).  A tech-savvy coach like Carroll could make a big splash in the NFL (if any of the league’s other coaches use Twitter, they’re not nearly as well-known), and the potential Seahawks hire would instantly challenge Chad Ochocinco for most influential (and fun-to-follow) tweeter on the NFL landscape.

Think about it! “Carroll to Seattle” opens up all kinds of potential tweets…

1. Carroll could continue his Song of The Day trend. Of course, in Seattle, expect the most popular tune to be “Singing in the Rain” or the yet-to-be-written “Wow, You Can See Our Neon Green Jerseys From Space”.

2. Carroll could motivate and correspond with players on the popular microblogging site. Just like Carroll and former protege Mark Sanchez exchanged tweets over the past year, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (a Twitter user himself) could get some pointers from his new coach.  Expect to see these kind of tweets flying soon: “Hey Matt, it’s Coach. If you want to keep your starting job, let’s not be getting blown out by crappy teams like Tampa Bay at home anymore. Win forever, okay?”

3. Carroll could motivate Seattle fans to create an even noisier, louder home-field advantage in Qwest Field.   Mark my words, it won’t be long before Carroll’s tweeting all 60,000 Seahawks supporters (a la Drew Carey) with free ticket giveaways, free ponchos (even more appreciated in Seattle), Space Needle tickets, and who knows what else.

 

No doubt about it, hiring Pete Carroll would be a great move for the Seattle Seahawks. Twitter…and the NFL…would never be the same again.

Hey, it may even help the Seahawks win football games.

As if that really matters.

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Can the Eagles Possibly Beat the Cowboys on Saturday?

Now that the dust has settled after the Eagles embarrassing meltdown in Dallas last Sunday, all the conjecture and unhappiness about what happened can be put aside. The only thing that matters now is looking forward to tomorrow night’s big rematch in the “Mega-Stadium that Jerry Built.” 

Simply put, can the Eagles possibly beat the Cowboys after being thoroughly dismantled by them just days earlier? 

It will not be easy, and will require a dramatic reversal in every phase of the game, but the simple answer is: absolutely. The Cowboys are playing their best football of the season, and are brimming with pride. The same could have been said about the Eagles prior to their three hour body of work last Sunday, which suddenly had them defending their honor and trying to restore confidence. 

 

The bottom line is that the Eagles are very much the same team that many expected to level the Cowboys to lock up the NFC East and No. 2 seed just a week ago. The only thing that has changed is they had a particularly horrific performance, failing in virtually every phase of the game.

 

And, of course, this affects human psyche on both sides, both positively and negatively. This is especially true for Eagles players, as they have had to endure the distractions all week due to the media’s trumped up friction and implications about Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid’s futures. 

 

It is also the same Eagles offense that racked up the highest scoring total in team history before heading to Dallas, eclipsing the previous mark set last season, as well as that of the 2004 Super Bowl team. It still features the same young group of receivers—including two speed burners, an emerging star tight end, and a sure-handed possession receiver.

 

This group is still complemented nicely by LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver in the backfield. 

 

What has changed on the Eagles offense is the loss of center Jamaal Jackson to injury. However, on the positive side is the presence of Brian Westbrook, who missed most of the season due to multiple injuries. Now that he has had a couple games to shake off the rust, and possibly allay fears about his readiness to return to action, Westbrook may be primed to re-assert himself as a difference maker. 

 

Of course, the unit is still led by veteran McNabb, who has put together his best season since the 2004 Super Bowl year. McNabb drew an inordinate and undeserved amount of criticism after last week’s contest, and it remains to be seen how much those distractions might affect his play this week.

 

The fact that he has never lost a first round playoff game in his career should not be discounted, while Tony Romo, on the opposite side of the field, is looking for his first postseason win.

 

Much has been made of the emergence of the Dallas defense in the latter part of the season. Pitching back-to-back shutouts in the last two regular season games will tend to do that. A lot of the accolades are surely deserved, but it needs to be tempered by the fact that the Cowboys played the woeful Redskins followed by an Eagles team whose troubles were often self-inflicted. 

 

The real wild card for this Wild Card team will be the defense. Rookie Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott was forced to move players around to fill holes and shore up weaknesses in the depleted unit for a good portion of the season.

 

This creativity was probably mostly a good thing, but may have contributed to the breakdowns in Dallas. The cure may be to get players settled into their more familiar roles to improve on the overall execution.

 

Another key aspect will be whether their trade mark aggressiveness returns. Last Sunday, McDermott surprisingly pulled back on blitzing and often deployed a soft zone defense. The safer approach allowed Romo to pick them apart and Witten to roam free across the middle. A return of the Eagles normal attacking style with press coverage seems essential for success. 

 

One other element that was highly influential in the previous game’s outcome was field position. Dallas largely played on a short field, while Philadelphia was backed up most of the day. The Cowboys kicking specialists provide this advantage, but a key means to combat that will be for DeSean Jackson to get on track in the punt return game. 

 

So, yes, this is largely the same Eagles team, and accordingly it is surely conceivable that the outcome of the game be reversed. There is no denying that the Cowboys have a strong team, but despite the disaster in Dallas, the same is true of the Eagles.  Teams don’t fake their way to 11-5 in the NFL. 

 

The ‘Boys have “home, super-venue advantage,” and the afterglow of their recent masterpiece on their side. On the flip side, the Eagles postseason track record over the past dozen years dwarfs that of the Cowboys. Although last week’s game felt like a playoff game, the NFL’s year-end tournament begins in earnest tomorrow. 

 

When the NBC camera lights go on tomorrow night, it should not take long to gauge the Eagles chances. A slow start could further fuel doubts, and likely have the Cowboys’ confidence soaring.

 

Conversely, the reverse scenario would make last Sunday’s events a distant memory. In such case, the Eagles could surprise the enormous number of pundits who have jumped off their bandwagon and directly onto the Cowboys bandwagon.

 

 

Visit I’m Just Saying, Philly to read more on Philadelphia Sports and the NFL

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Seattle Seahawks Deserve Ass-Kicking Tyrant for Next Head Coach

If the Seattle Seahawks were the classic computer game Oregon Trail, I would put the pace on “grueling,” the food rations on “bare bones,” and tell the players, “Shut the hell up and play, or you’re gonna get dysentery and die.”

Loaded with prima donnas from top to bottom, the 2009 edition of the Hawks were coddled by their head coach, Jim Mora, who lost his job as a result. Consider him Zeke, the kid who was always first to pass in your Trail caravan.

The problem with Mora isn’t that he simply lost too many games; much of it has to do with his reputation as a player’s coach.

The term “player’s coach” is code for, “I want to be your friend, and while you’ll want me to stick around so you don’t have to do much work, I will probably get fired without ever accomplishing much since, deep down, you don’t respect me.” That’s a long-ass code, but you get the idea.

Mora didn’t have the respect of his players, and it showed.

The team quit on him down the stretch, as the Seahawks were pummeled in their final four games of the year. At the same time, disgruntled players vented their frustration with the coaching staff on the sideline and in the media, all but forcing their head coach to the unemployment line.

Though it makes sense to ax Mora, the timing of his departure is suspect.

The team has yet to hire a general manager and is now in the process of filling two gaping voids for the 2010 season. One can only wonder whether any of the Hawks’ players had a direct impact on the abruptness of Mora’s termination, namely superstar divas Jon Ryan and Olindo Mare (tongue, meet cheek).

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Mora’s ouster, the opportunity for the Seahawks to improve is now greater than ever before.

Starting with a clean slate, the team can bring in the type of coach who will force these players to shape up. No more whining in the press, no more dogging it on certain plays, no more being overpaid little wimps.

The Hawks need a coach who will carry on the legacy of Mike Holmgren, who, let’s face it, should still be the team’s head coach (thank you, Tim Ruskell, for destroying our franchise).

Under Holmgren, players were forced to submit to the gameplan or risk serious consequences. At best, the team might release you. At worst, Holmgren himself might remove your limbs and beat you with your own arms and legs.

Players were scared of Mike Holmgren, and things worked better that way.

There was a level of predictability that came with each practice and each game. Everyone—coaches, players, personnel—knew what to expect when it came to the head coach.

There were no awkward post-game press conferences calling out kickers or questioning the desire of the ballclub. Holmgren had control of his team, and everyone knew it.

Similarly, there was a certain level of accountability that came with the Holmgren regime. If you screwed up, you’d face consequences. If you stepped out of line, you’d be punished. Everyone knew their role, knew what they had to do to survive, and acted accordingly.

With a chance to make amends for the resulting faux pas that was the Tim Ruskell-Jim Mora era, the Seahawks need to rekindle the memory of Mike Holmgren and bring in a head coach who won’t be afraid to make his players hate him. And by hate, I mean respect.

Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden are two names that quickly come to mind, but assuredly there are more guys like that in the world of the NFL. However, bringing in either of those two ex-coaches, both of whom have won Super Bowls and established a track record of excellence, would set a precedence on winning that was missing in 2009.

As a fan, I want nothing more than to see a true ass-kicker patrolling the Seahawks’ sideline.

I want the type of coach who will make his players quiver.

I want to see T.J. Houshmandzadeh weeping on the sideline.

I want Matt Hasselbeck to know that his next interception will be his last.

I want the underachievers to know that their reputations, their contracts, or their names mean nothing. Nothing.

I want this team to succeed, and it starts with the coach.

Get a guy in here who will strip these players of their undeserved attitudes and start from scratch. This team needs a tyrant, a general, a force. Let’s go get one.

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