Cleveland Browns’ Rob Ryan On Board For a Possible Defensive Scheme Switch

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is on board if new team president Mike Holmgren decides to switch the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme.

Having coached with teams for which each defense was in a 4-3, Holmgren has more comfort in that system, rather than current head coach Eric Mangini prefers, which is the 3-4.

For his part, Ryan said it would be easy for him to make the transition to a 4-3.

“It would take about one second,” Ryan told CBSSports.com. “I’ve coached in every system. I know everything there is to know about coaching defense.”

Even though Ryan’s job could be on the line if Holmgren decides to bring in his own coaching staff, Ryan remains focused on the job at hand; getting a defensive plan set for the season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday.

A pending defensive scheme switch would also put many players’ future at risk, since they have never been in a 4-3 at the NFL level.  This includes linebackers D’Qwell Jackson and Kamerion Wimbley.  Other players may benefit from the switch, like defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams.

Regardless of Holmgren’s decision, Ryan’s versatility in working with both schemes makes him an asset to the team, especially with the performance he has managed to get out of many unknown and journeyman players in 2009.

If the Browns are to be successful in the future, and find the right draft choices to fit Holmgren’s vision, a change of defenses is inevitable, but how soon is the real question Browns fans are pondering right now.

 

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL: The Real 2010 Pro Bowlers

AFC

Quarterbacks

Should Have Made It and Did:

Peyton Manning, Colts: Peyton was the best quarterback in the NFL this season; he deserves another Pro Bowl start for sure.

Phillip Rivers, Chargers: Rivers is now the unquestioned leader of the San Diego Super Chargers, the man who has never lost a game in the month of December in his NFL career.  And even with having one of the softest offensive lines in the league and taking constant hits because of it, Rivers has the second-best QB rating in the NFL.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Even though Big Ben really is his own pass protection, he has a better yards-per-attempt then Tom Brady by nearly a yard, along with having the same number of picks thrown. The most telling stat: more 20- and 40-yard-plus completions, at the same time taking three times as many sacks as Tom Terrific.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Tom Brady, Patriots: The current Golden Boy of the NFL had a good season; it just wasn’t Pro Bowl worthy, especially since this was a comeback year for him.  More so the influx of talent at the QB position in the AFC than any real criticism of the three-time Super Bowl champion.

Running Backs

Should Have Made It and Did:

Chris Johnson, Titans: Johnson is actually making an argument for something that wasn’t supposed to be an argument.  He may be the best back in the NFL, with apologies to Adrian Peterson.  He’s the fastest all-purpose back I’ve ever seen.  And of course he may be setting some MORE records by weekend’s end.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: Any questions about Jones-Drew’s durability and ability to handle the full load as the lead back in Jacksonville have been answered.  The guy has 10-plus TDs for the third time in four years, and has gone over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his already stellar career, thus proving to be an every-down back in the National Football League.

Ray Rice, Ravens: If you want a running back who can do it all, you want Ray Rice.  He can run, he can block, he can catch, he can run inside and outside, and he can convert a 3rd-and-short as well as break off a big home run.  Any members of the Willis McGahee fan club may have to get ready for a change of scenery.

Fullbacks

Should Have Made It and Did:

Le’Ron McClain, Ravens: McClain shifted back to being a full time fullback this year, and did so with flying colors. 

McClain has become the best FB in the NFL over the last few seasons, and this season he still ran the ball occasionally and even improved on his receiving totals from last year, when he was the lead back for Baltimore.  At 25 years old, he will only get better, which bodes very well for Ray Rice and the Ravens’ hard-nosed offensive attack.

Wide Receivers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Andre Johnson, Texans: Any of the Larry Fitzgerald vs. Andre Johnson chatter has been officially put to rest by AJ this season. 

Most notably so in Arizona, where Johnson outdid Fitzgerald, (sadly AJ’s Texans couldn’t outdo the Cards, falling 28-21), catching eight balls for 101 yards and two TDs vs. Fitzgerald’s 5-for-79 and two scores. Johnson scored his first touchdown with authority, bouncing off of two Cardinal safeties (including Pro Bowl SS Adrian Wilson) and corner Bryan McFadden for an 18-yard catch.  Not only did Johnson kill that particular debate, he led the league in receiving yards this year with over 1,500.

Brandon Marshall, Broncos: Mr. Marshall is reportedly on his way to the biggest contract in NFL history for a wideout, and with his this straight season of at least 100 catches, 1,100 yards, and six touchdowns, it’s easy to see why.

Wes Welker, Patriots: I just talked about how many balls Brandon Marshall has hauled in in recent years.  That’s nothing. Welker has at least 111 catches in each of the last three seasons, one of which was without Tom Brady (well for 15-and-a-half games, if you want to nitpick).

Reggie Wayne, Colts: Wayne has played so darn well this season, I forgot that WR who used to play in Indy. He’s a future Hall of Famer…Marvin Hamlisch?  Benjamin Harrison?  Well, whoever he was, the Colts have certainly moved on with a vengeance. And, if you remember, it was Wayne—not whoever that guy was—who caught the only touchdown pass Peyton Manning has ever thrown in a Super Bowl.

Tight Ends

Should Have Made It and Did:

Dallas Clark, Colts: This guy is the best TE in the AFC and maybe in the NFL.  He has the best hands of any TE in the NFL.  Clark had a career year, with his first ever 1,000-yard season and his second season with double-digit TD’s.

Antonio Gates, Chargers: It’s funny: Some people thought Gates was on the decline, even though he had over 700 yards and eight touchdowns while playing hurt last season.  Nevertheless, Gates isn’t going anywhere, and his second ever 1,000-yard, fourth 70-catch, and sixth seven-touchdown season goes to show it.

Offensive Tackles

Should Have Made It and Did:

Ryan Clady, Broncos: Being the NFC guy that I am, I’m saddened that the two best OTs are in the AFC (Clady and Joe Thomas).  Clady had the better year than Thomas, but seeing that Thomas is the better run-blocker, you could still make the argument about who is the better overall player.

Joe Thomas, Browns: Thomas should have a movie made about his blind-side protection, though I don’t know if millions of people want to see scenes like Joe fishing with his dad while he’s being drafted by Cleveland with the third overall pick.  I could be wrong; I mean, there is a pro fishing tour, so who knows?

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Michael Roos, Titans: Chris Johnson didn’t get every one of those 2,000-plus yards all by himself, you know?  Don’t you? Well, Roos has become the best pulling tackle in the NFL, which is a scary thought when he’s opening up lanes for the fastest running back known to man.  Roos is also an excellent pass blocker for resurrected franchise QB Vince Young.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Jake Long, Dolphins: Now certainly, Long deserved his first Pro Bowl nod for his amazing rookie year, but not this season.  Long consistently got beaten by speed-rushers all season long, but thankfully for the Dolphins, they have found an excellent helper for both Long and RT Vernon Carey in FB Lousaka Polite for such a situation.

Centers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Nick Mangold, Jets: This was, hands down, the easiest bracket of position/conference for this year.  Mangold is the best center in the NFL, and Jeff Saturday isn’t far behind.

Jeff Saturday, Colts: Saturday is the best spread-system center in the NFL history.  If the Colts go to a three wide receiver set in a single back formation, inside the opponent’s five-yard line, with a darting run right up the middle, I can almost promise you it’s a Colts TD. 

Addai, Brown, Rhodes, Edge: The RBs’ names may change, just not the guy who hands Peyton the ball.

Guards

Should Have Made It and Did:

Alan Faneca, Jets: It’s amazing what a free agent signing can do for you.  Three seasons ago, Thomas Jones had never scored double-digit TDs in a single season, and only once went over the 1,300-yard mark.  Now, Jones has had back-to-back 1,300 yard and 12-plus TD campaigns.  And this year, also thanks to the future Hall of Fame guard, the Jets are the No. 1 rushing team in the NFL.

Logan Mankins, Patriots: Despite all the changes at running back the New England Patriots have had in recent years, they all have been able to run the ball.  Mankins and his brethren yet again had a successful campaign, not only doing a decent job in protecting a pass-happy Tom Brady for under 20 sacks this year, but also opening holes for three different starting running backs, all of whom had over four yards a carry (Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris) or nine touchdowns (Laurence Maroney) this season.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Jake Scott,  Titans: I’m amazed that with Scott’s frame—being under 300 pounds at RG in the NFL—that he is not only able to survive, but thrive (pardon the rhyme).  The only weakness in his game is getting pushed around in passing situations by stronger defensive tackles, but with his great run-blocking skills and decent pass-blocking skills, he is certainly deserving of a Pro Bowl spot.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Kris Dielman, Chargers: Granted, Dielman was the best O-lineman in San Diego, but that really isn’t saying much.  When Rivers goes back to pass, he usually needs an extra TE and/or RB/FB in the box to help protect him.  I can’t remember how many times I saw a handoff to LT with a down-and-goal at the one- or two-yard line where the O-line failed to push him into the end zone.  Tomlinson’s 3.3 YPC is atrocious enough to keep any Charger lineman, including Dielman, from South Beach this January.

Defensive Ends

Should Have Made It and Did:

Dwight Freeney, Colts: Freeney has shaken off injuries and double-teams all season long, to the tune of 13-and-a-half sacks.

Robert Mathis, Colts: It is now safe to say that Mathis is more than just Dwight Freeney’s sidekick.  Mathis even got a sack against young and talented LT Duane Brown, when Freeney missed his only game of the season.  When both of them are on the field, it’s a lot to deal with. Mathis and Freeney make the best DE tandem in the NFL.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Aaron Schobel, Bills: Looking at the D-line of the bashful Bills, it’s actually pretty darn good as led by Schobel and DT Marcus Stroud.  Nagging injuries all across the defense limited the effectiveness of the group, but Schobel was one of the lucky Bills defenders, not missing a game. It showed with Schobel’s fourth 10-sack campaign.  Schobel is ouncing back from what some thought was the dead after only playing five games last year, registering just one sack, and entering this season at 31 years of age.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Mario Williams, Texans: Williams is still a top-tier DE; even still, he wasn’t spectacular or Pro Bowl-worthy.  The most telling game for me is Week Nine at Buffalo, where he didn’t record a tackle, let alone a sack.  Anyone who follows Buffalo knows the Bills have one of the worst, if not the worst, offensive lines in the NFL (living proof of that is the fact the Bills are now on QB No. 3 for the season since their top two are injured).

Interior Linemen

Should Have Made It and Did:

Casey Hampton, Steelers: So much for putting this season in the tank.  Hampton was thought to be going the way of Willie Parker, being demoted at midseason and possibly being let go at the end of it.  Hampton came back with a vengeance this year, starting every game for the defending champions.  He’s going for more total tackles than he’s had since 2006 and a career high 2.5 sacks.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Kelly Gregg, Ravens: It was Gregg, not Ngata, who had the Pro Bowl season for Baltimore.  Not only did Gregg have more tackles and sacks, he’s come on very strong in the second half of the season. His four four-tackle games since the Ravens Week Seven bye and sacks in each of his last two games are a big part of Baltimore’s playoff push.  Gregg, who was lost for the year last October with a knee injury, is showing no immediate signs of slowing down at age 33.

Shaun Ellis, Jets: Ellis missed the first game of the season and spent the rest of the season showing what we missed in that first game.  Now I know 3-4 DEs aren’t usually supposed to make the Pro Bowl, but Ellis’ six sacks at that 3-4 DE spot are a strong contribution, especially with Pro Bowl NT Kris Jenkins going down for the season. Ellis has had three two-sack games this year.  And just like with Schobel, being on the other side of 30 isn’t stopping this D-lineman.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Vince Wilfork, Patriots: As good as Wilfork is, and as tough a job he makes it for each opposing center and guards, he didn’t have a spectacular year in total.  He was very one-dimensional, seeing that he didn’t get to the QB as often (he had zero sacks, for the first time in his career) and few QB pressures.  For only the second time in his career, he missed at least one game in the season, and registered the fewest tackles on the season since his rookie year.

Inside Linebackers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Ray Lewis, Ravens: The future Hall of Famer had another great year.  He quieted the critics after another annoying offseason of negotiating his contract, as well as answering questions about whether the Ravens’ defense could recover from losing fellow ILB Bart Scott and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.  In the end, with Suga Ray, it always tastes so sweet.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

David Harris, Jets: This is another no-brainer.  Harris anchored the middle of the defense for Rex Ryan.  Harris finished second for AFC inside backers in combined tackles (with 126) and sacks (5.5).  With Bart Scott partnered with Harris, Ryan has his new double-edged sword at inside linebacker for years to come.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

DeMeco Ryans, Texans: Ryans is a stud,, no question about it.  However, he had a very up-and down-season, especially in the early going, as he was at front and center of a defense that had one of the worst three-game stretches in NFL history.  Ryans and the Texans defense allowed at least 100 yards and two touchdowns in each of the first three games of the season.

Outside Linebackers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Elvis Dumervil, Broncos: Dumervil had one of the greatest position changes in sports history, going from DE to OLB (as a by-product of the Denver D switching to defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense).  Dumervil was always an up-and-down player, which you couldn’t blame him for; being under 6’0″ and only weighing in at 250 pounds, he got pushed around when opposing teams ran the ball, especially if the other team played power football.  Now Dumervil is able to wreak havoc on every down without weakness.  There is no better proof than his career 48 tackles and franchise-high 17 sacks.

Brian Cushing, Texans: Brian Cushing is a monster.  M-O-N-S-T-E-R.  Monster (now all I need is one of those Sesame Street Muppets to pop up and spell that for me).  Anyways, Cushing had a remarkable rookie season, already establishing himself as one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL.  Believe it or not, the rook had more pass deflections than Antonio Cromartie, Brian Dawkins, or Corey Webster.  Oh and Cushing had 128 tackles and 4 sacks to boot. He’s only 22 years old, by the way.

James Harrison, Steelers: The thing I love about Harrison is he can do everything: creep up and make a stop in the run game (he has nearly 300 tackles in his last three seasons combined), drop back and defend the pass (see Super Bowl XLIII), and, of course, put a hurt on the QB (34.5 sacks and 19 forced fumbles in his three seasons).

Cornerbacks

Should Have Made It and Did:

Darrelle Revis, Jets: It’s official: Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL, with apologies to Nnamdi Asomugha.  Revis shut down star WRs all year long, as well as doing what sets him apart from other shutdown corners: making the big play, with six interceptions, including a 67-yard pick-six in Tampa.

Champ Bailey, Broncos: Champ rebounded exceptionally well from an injury-plagued 2008 season.  He remains among the elite corners in the NFL, and can still shut down your best WR; the best example of that was in Week 14 in Indy, where Bailey held Reggie Wayne to under 40 yards.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t
Leon Hall, Bengals: I marvel at Hall and his partner in crime, Johnathan Joseph, because they rarely have adequate deep safety help, and even still they get the job done week after week.  Hall proved this notion by knocking down more passes than any player in the NFL this season (other than Revis).

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Nnamdi Asomugha – Raiders – Don’t get me wrong if I had a shot at having Nnamdi (notice how everyone calls the brotha Nnami, in an effort to save them self the embarrassment of mispronouncing his last name [for future reference it’s pronounced: Aso-MU-Wah, your welcome]) on my football team, I’d take em in a heartbeat.  It’s just that this season, wasn’t his best, far from it actually.  He had his moments, but early on slowed by a wrist injury for the first part of the season, he didn’t show that constant shut down ability (granted a small part of that is the Raiders desire to at times play more zone coverage or put him on a the weaker or #2 WR in man to man).  Even still, in his own division all three star WR’s (Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, and Dwayne Bowe), got the better of Asomugha and the Raiders, as the three totaled a combined, 36 catches for 446 yards, and 5 TD’s, against Oakland.  Coupled with all that, even though Asomugha was targeted more this season, he still wound up with only 1 pick.

Strong Safety

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Brian Dawkins – I love duel threats at the safety position, in other words a player who can excel at both the free and strong safety positions.  Brian Dawkins is certainly one of those players, he starts at free safety for Denver’s improved defense, but can creep up in the box and lay the wood or drop back protecting the deep ball.  I don’t care how old this guy is, he’s still one of the best safeties in the League.

Free Safety

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jarius Byrd – Bills – What can you about this guy?  Wow, he grabbed 9 INT’s and he didn’t start in 3 games and missed the last two, being on the IR with a torn labrum in his hip.  Come back healthy next year Mr. Byrd, can’t wait to see more!

Who Should Of Made It
Antoine Bethea – Colts – Bethea is the Colts last line of defense, and rarely do you see a ball go over this man’s head off a deep ball.  Not only does Bethea have immense talent in pass defense he can also deliver a punishing hit, this year to the tune of nearly 100 tackles and forcing 2 fumbles in the process.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Ed Reed – Ravens – Now I’m not saying Reed is done or over the hill by any stretch of the imagination, it just looked that way, because he had nagging injuries during the entire 2009 season (one of his injuries is hampering him so badly that he’s seen a vaunted specialist for his problematic hip).  All that being said even the injuries Reed has still had a nice year with 3 INT’s, one of which Reed returned for a TD against Carson Palmer, for 52 yards in week 5.  If Reed decides to play another year or two, look for him to come back with a vengeance in 2010.

Punter

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Shane Lechler – Raiders
Somebody tell me how it’s possible for a 33 year old is able to improve the power in his legs?  Lechler has improved off his career average punting average by 4 yards, as this year it’s up to over 51 yards per punt.  Not only that his net average is improved by almost 6 yards, which is now up to 44 yards per net punt.  Amazingly he’s ahead of any AFC punter by about 4 yards in each of the two categories.

Kick Return Specialist
Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Josh Cribbs – Browns – Up until the break out of Browns RB Jerome Harrison, Cribbs was the offense.  Now all alone with the NFL record for most kick and punt returns for TD’s, Cribbs (as with Revis of the Jets showing he’s the best corner in the League) also all alone as the best return man in the League.

Kicker

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Nate Kaeding – Chargers – Kaeding was far and away the best kicker in the AFC this season.  Hitting on three of his four 50 yard plus attempts.  And knocking down 91% of his FG’s.  The lone smudge on Kaeding’s 2009 exploits is a missed extra point, which was blocked.

Special Teamer

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Kassim Osgood – Chargers – Who needs a quick footed LB, or a hard hitting safety, San Diego has a mutant WR factory.  Osgood like his WR teammates is tall and bulky, standing tall at 6-5 and weighing in at 220 pounds, Osgood has embraced his role as a hitman on special teams doubling the amount of tackles then he has catches on the season.

NFC
Quarterbacks

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Drew Brees – Saints – Only 4,400 yards?  That’s it?  That’s how high the standards are for this guy.  Now sarcasm aside, Brees had only two game under 62% passing.  Brees continues to amaze and defensive coordinators continue to hyperventilate at the thought of the Saints starting quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers – Packers – I think the question of the season should be how did A-Rod get sacked a league-leading 50 times and only throw 7 interceptions?  He limited his mistakes and kept Green Bay in games, even being under a never ending defensive barrage and still managed to throw for 4,200 yards have 33 total TD’s.  One would be safe to assume the Packers use their first round pick on an offensive tackle…

Who Should Of Made It
Tony Romo – Cowboys – The one big weakness is Tony Romo’s game was, he had no game in December (and January, but this is about the regular season).  Well 2-1 in said month, which includes the exploits of, leading Dallas to a victory vs. the then undefeated Saints,  now standing one game away from a division title, and committing only one turnover which came in a 17-0 win in Washington.  Romo for the season was only one of two QB’s in the NFC, to throw for more than 4,000 yards.  All that being said, the next step for Romo (and Wade Phillips for that matter) is that elusive first Playoff win.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Brett Favre – Vikings – For whatever reason some people went into the season thinking the Packers would be better off with Favre then the currently far and away more talented Aaron Rodgers.  If Favre had started the season as the Packers #1 QB he’d probably be in a coma right now from constant hits he would of taken, as a result of the Packers abysmal offensive line.  Favre has played gallantly this season, but a big part of that is because he has one of the best defenses, RB’s & WR cores, and coaching staffs in the NFL.

Running Backs

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Adrian Peterson – Vikings – Amazingly AP only had 3 100 rushing games this season, but he  also ran the ball into the endzone 17 times this season.  Even with Chris Johnson’s emergence, Peterson still is one of the scariest players in the NFL.

Steven Jackson – Rams – Jackson had the greatest season in NFL history for a RB who only scored 4 touchdowns?  Yeah the Rams didn’t give Jackson much of opportunity to get in the endzone, but even with the constant 8 man fronts Jackson leads the NFC in rushing, going off for 4 and a half yards per.  He added over 50 receptions to his 5th straight 1,000 yard rushing season.  Jackson was the Ram offense, which was other wise offensive.

DeAngelo Williams – Even with mulitple handicaps, such as his Head Coach (John Fox), and former starting quarterback (Jake Delhomme), and major injuries to the offensive line, Williams still managed to rush for over 5 yards a carry, go over 1,100 yards, and score 7 touchdowns.  Williams may be the most underrated RB in the NFL, and he can’t do anything about it.

Fullback

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Leonard Weaver – Eagles – The one knock on the effectiveness of the Eagle running game coming into this season was it couldn’t convert in short yardage.  Weaver has given Philly the final piece to that puzzle, running for a zany 4.7 yards per carry and scoring 4 total touchdowns.  Though he isn’t a great lead blocker, that’s ok seeing Andy Reid’s offense is based off big plays and running the ball is always secondary.  Weaver fits perfectly in the Eagles West Coast offense.

Wide Receivers

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Larry Fitzgerald – Cardinals – Fresh off his historic Playoff stretch, Fitzgerald had another solid season.  For the third straight season he reached the 90 reception, 1,000 yard and 10 touchdown plateau.  And with Arizona reaching the Playoffs for the 2nd straight year, Fitzgerald just might put on another magical post-season show.

DeSean Jackson – Eagles – With Steve Smith (the Panthers Steve Smith that is) chained to the ground by Jake Delhomme, the NFL needed a new super human who breaks stop watches from anywhere from Cali to Jersey.  Jackson tied the NFL record with eight 50 plus yard plays, but as the season went on proved he can be a force all game long getting open all over the field, with six 6 catch games and two 8 catch games (which were ironically back to back games on the road in San Diego and Chi-town, against two of the games better corners [Quentin Jammer and Charles Tillman]).  Jackson isn’t 6 feet he isn’t 180 pounds, but as his ridiculous performances show, who cares?

Miles Austin – Cowboys – I have to apologize to Mr. Austin for doubting him all year.  Saying such things as he’s just another big WR, oh he’s good he’s just not a #1 WR, they still shouldn’t of cut Terrell Owens.  And in the end what put the Cowboys back in the Playoffs, wasn’t their running game or defense, it was giving Tony Romo a full fledged passing attack.  With Austin’s emergence as a #1 WR, it put Roy Williams in his most comfortable place, as a #2 WR.  And of course Jason Witten as the TE.  Austin’s storybook season puts him currently #1 in the NFC in receiving yards, and #4 in the NFL in touchdown receptions.  Austin although was not drafted and not highly touted coming into the NFL, is a part of the new age, tall, big, and speedy WR.  Jerry Jones can breath a little easier, because his Dallas Cowboys truely didn’t need TO this season, so Miles I’m sorry, you are a full fledged #1 WR in the NFL.

Who Should Of Made It
Roddy White – Falcons – Yes his falcons are missing the Playoffs, but this is the Pro Bowl, not the MVP award.  White followed up his breakout 2008 season with a stellar ’09 campaign.  One of only six WR’s this season with 10 touchdowns, White futher established himself as a premiere WR, with his 3rd straight season with at least 75 catches.  Highlighted by a week 5, 8 catch 210 yard, and 2 touchdown performance against one of the Leagues better corners (Nate Clements), White also had another 21st and Prime worthy spot with a a game winning TD catch with 26 seconds left.  Michael Turner, Roddy White, Matt Ryan, and Sam Baker that’s a pretty good group to build your offense around.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Sidney Rice – Vikings –  It was certainly a surprise to many to see Sidney Rice breakout this season, but if you remember Rice was only 20 when he entered the League as a late first round pick of the Minnesota Vikings.  His 77 catch, 1,200 yard, 6 touchdown season is something Vikings brass has been patiently waiting for ever since he was drafted out of South Carolina.  As good of a season as Rice as had it wasn’t 1st class, he was tied for 2nd on his own team for TD receptions.  In only 3 of his games this season did he go over 90 yards, and in those three games he did not record a TD.  And when you have a HOF QB, future HOF RB, and 2 lighting quick WR’s having your back, it makes your job a lot easier.

Tight Ends

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Vernon Davis – 49ers – It’s about darn time Vernon, welcome to the party, we’ve been saving a seat for you.  Yes after a underachieving 3 years Vernon Davis has finally shown us his inner-Pro Bowler.  He was already widely considered the NFL’s best blocking TE, now he’s in the argument for best overall TE in the NFL.  With an NFC leading 12 TD receptions Davis has made good on San Francisco’s 6th overall selection in the 2005 Draft, where he ran a ridiculous sub 4.4 40.  It’s basically impossible to cover this guy one on one, in fact the only guy who probably could in the League, is on the same team as Davis (Patrick Willis).  Whoever the QB is next year for the Niners, Davis will his first option.

Jason Witten – Cowboys – With Miles Austin’s breakout season in Dallas, it seems that another solid season by Witten has gotten lost in shuffle.  Witten had his third 80 plus catch season to go with nearly 1,000 yards.  The other reason Witten kinda got put on the backburner in football minds in Dallas and abroad, was Witten only had 1 TD this year.  Never the less Witten as a good a TE as your gonna find in the NFL.

Centers

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Andre Gurode – Cowboys – The leader of the Dallas’ ginormous offensive line, Guorde is also apart of the League’s best division in terms of centers.  Along side, Shaun O’Hara of the Giants, Jamaal Jackson of the Eagles, and Casey Rabach.  Gurode has perfect size for a center at 6-4 and about 320 pounds, agile and strong, he’s the anchor of the Cowboy’s power run game, which averaged 4.8 yards per rush, good for third in the NFL this season.

Shaun O’Hara – Giants – O’Hara, Giants RB Brandon Jacobs, and FB Madison Hedgecock probably are the most feared threesome in terms of running the football right down your throat.  O’Hara is steady as she goes, like the captain of a enchanted ship, setting a course for his moving teammates, with lots of play action ahead.

Guards

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jahri Evans – Saints – Evans is the most athletic RG in the game.  He’s pretty powerful too at nearly 320 pounds, helping pave the way for the best offense of 2009 in the National Football League.  New Orleans gave up an NFC low 20 sacks and was 4th in the NFL in yards per rush, Evans the best of the group is one of the best in terms of getting his man into the second level, which of course gives opposing coaches fits.

Steve Hutchinson – Vikings – One of the eaiser choices this year or really any year for that matter.  Hutchinson is simply the best guard in football, year after year, this season being no different.

Who Should Of Made It
Davin Joseph – Buccaneers – I don’t know why the #1 RG in the NFL gets so much disrespect.  Joseph is a mauler and a protector all mashed up into one.  Whether it was the Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward, or Earnest Graham, the Bucs could run the football.  The only problem was they where down early and often, even with three different quarterbacks, one of them being a rookie (Freeman), the Bucs were in the bottom half of sacks given up.  Because of the names LT Penn, center(Jeff) Faine, and Joseph it will be that much easier for the soon to be 2nd year quarterback to grow.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Leonard Davis – Cowboys – Davis may be the most one-dimensional football player in the NFL.  With superior run block skills, Davis also possesses inferior pass blocking skills.  Granted he has vastly improved his game since his move from Arizona to Dallas (in large part because of his move from tackle to RIGHT guard), but even with his at best average pass blocking ‘skills’, he has still made the Pro Bowl in each season since joining the Cowboys…

Offensive Tackles

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jason Peters – Eagles – Peters had a rocky start to his Eagle career, but rebounded nicely as he settled in, technically protecting three QB’s blindsides (Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and Michael Vick).  It seems the lazy tag that followed Peters from Buffalo has been lifted, especially since if he didn’t shake that tag he would of been continued to be shaken by DE’s.  In a pass happy offense you can’t just put your hand in the dirt and maul your opponent, there’s much more technique for an offensive tackle in Philadelphia, then there was in Buffalo, and Peters has responded and proving his worth for that given up 1st rounder that the Eagles paid for him along with that $60 million price tag.

Jon Stinchcomb – Saints – Consistently one of the best right tackles in football, Stinchcomb has some of the best feet of any RT tackle in football.  He’s talented enough to play left tackle, but it just so happens the Saints are so tackle rich they have the likes of Jammal Brown and Jermon Bushrod on the payroll.  And even with his excellent pass blocking skills, Stinchcomb and RG Jahri Evans were first in the NFC for converting on short yardage runs off the right side.

Who Should Of Made It
Donald Penn – Buccaneers – Granted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have a very good football team they do however have a very good offensive line.  One of the leaders of that line is undrafted third year starting LT Donald Penn.  Penn is one of the more quick and athletic tackles in the League, even catching a deflected pass from then QB Josh Johnson for a 15 yard gain.  Unlike this season, the Bucs hope in the future Penn will only be protecting one quarterback, that being Josh Freeman’s blind side, unlike this season where there was 3 different Tampa QB’s.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Bryant McKinnie – Vikings – Before this season anything negative you had to say about Bryant McKinnie was about his off the field exploits and his maturity level.  This season you can add focus on the field to that list, looking more out of shape as the season wore one. Fading down the stretch at the end of the season giving up sacks and pressures as the Vikings gave away games and home field advantage.  If he doesn’t get it back together soon enough, the Vikes may be looking to draft a OT to partner with youngster Phil Loadholt, this April.

Defensive Ends

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jared Allen – Vikings – So it’s official Jared Allen is a perfect football player.  Ok not quite, but he’s pretty close, he of course can get to the QB about as good as anyone, as well as be stout against the run, and get a hand up batting down a pass here and there.  Allen had 13 and a half sacks this year, it’s crazy that’s his lowest total since he was a Chief and still it’s one heck of a year.

Julius Peppers – Panthers – One hands or two hands, he doesn’t care he just wants to make a play.  Peppers played part of the season with a busted (or broken, depended who you ask) right hand, and still wreaked havoc.  The $1 million a game player earned every dollar this season.  Once again going over the 10 sack mark, playing in every game this season, Peppers could quite possibly get an even bigger paycheck next season, even at the age of 30 (Peppers will be 30 as of January 18, 2010).

Trent Cole – Eagles – Cole is one of the quickest defensive lineman in the League.  Though as time has passed he’s improved his game, adding pass rush move after pass rush move to his arsenal, keeping offensive tackles guessing and their heads spinning for 60 minutes each sunday.  Amazingly at right DE Cole lead the Eagles D-line with 54 tackles, flexing his run stopping skills at well, Cole makes it achingly tough for opposing offenses to run outside on Cole.  Making Cole a scary duel threat that DE spot.

Interior Linemen

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Darnell Dockett – Cardinals – Dockett is quite possibly the best 3-4 DE in the business.  He was astoudning this year with over 50 tackles, 7 sacks, and a INT.  Dockett came into the season wanting a new contract, hey I’m not gonna argue with him, pay the man Zona!

Jay Ratliff – Cowboys – At just over 300 pounds Ratliff is supposedly undersized as a nose tackle in the Cowboys 3-4 look.  Really??? Because I can’t tell.  Ratliff has become one of the elite 3-4 NT’s, and Dallas defense has noticeably improved because of it (Dallas had the 5th best run D this season with just under 95 yards given up per game).  With 40 tackles and his 2nd straight year with at least 6 sacks, Ratliff not only possesses a rare fire to rush the passer from that 3-4 NT spot, he also holds and pushes his ground backwards to stop the run.

Who Should Of Made It
Calais Campbell – Cardinals – Only 23 years old, in his first season starting in the NFL Campbell exploded on to the scene.  Right from the get go Campbell proved his coaching staff right for putting him in the starting lineup, with 6 tackles against the rival 49ers, he helped stop Pro Bowl RB Frank Gore for a horrific 1.4 yards per carry on 22 carries for 30 yards rushing.  And in week 13 Campbell gave another picture perfect performance as the Cards upset the Vikings and shut down the incomparable Adrian Peterson for only 19 yards off 13 carries, in the process.  On the season Campbell put up nearly 50 tackles to go along with 7 sacks, and 5 pass deflections.  With Campbell and Dockett as their anchors in the Cardinals 3-4 look, Frank Gore and Steven Jackson better get ready for next season, seeing the 49ers and Rams play the Cards twice a year.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Kevin Williams – Vikings – Ok so that’s 3 Vikes I wanted yanked out of the Pro Bowl, nothing personal, I promise you.  That being said K-Will is still on top of his game even with a minor drop off from last years menace to society tour (60 tackles 8 and half sacks in ’08).

Inside Linebackers

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Patrick Willis – 49ers – Patrick Willis is the best player in football.  It seems the words mistake is not in his vocabulary.  8 double digit tackle games, 4 sacks, 7 knocked down passes, 3 picks, and 3 forced fumbles, oh and he leads the NFL in tackles.  You’d think Willis was from another planet, Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher talked commented on Willis after the week 9 Titans-49ers game, on how Willis was the only guy that could who get a handle on the NFL’s leader and rushing and yards from scrimmage (Chris Johnson), “”I think he knew once 52 (Willis) was nowhere in the vicinity that no one was going to catch him,” Fisher said. “Willis on the field yesterday was the only one that could catch him.  I have not seen an effort out of a linebacker like I’ve seen out of the effort out of him. “C.J. would have had three more touchdowns yesterday had he not been on the field. ”  Oh did I forget to mention he’s only 24 years old?

Who Should Of Made It
London Fletcher – Washington – London Fletcher has never made a Pro Bowl even though he’s never had a season with less than 116 tackles, and has reached the 2 INT mark four times, and had 9 seasons with over 2 sacks.  He had a pretty darn good season this too with 134 tackles (tied for 2nd in the League), he had at least 6 tackles in ever game this season, to go along with 2 sacks, 6 knocked down passes, and a pick.  Go figure…

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Johnathan Vilma – Saints – This is just another case of a player having a very good year, but not a great year.  Vilma was as solid as they come this season, but only had three 10+ tackle games and had two games with only 4.  Not even in the top 5 in the League for total tackles, Vilma still had a very good year with 110 tackles, 2 sacks, and was a monster in coverage with 3 picks and 8 pass deflections.

Outside Linebackers –

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Lance Briggs – Bears – Still one of the if not the best coverage linebackers in the League.  Briggs didn’t miss a beat with future HOF Brian Urlacher being lost for the season after week 1.  Briggs mind as well of played every linebacker spot, I say that because his play, his stats, and his abilities would make you think so.  He went over the 100 tackle mark for the sixth straight season, as well as still showing his pass rushing talent when needed with 2 and a half sacks, as well as going into coverage knocking down 5 passes and picking off one.  Earning the big nearly $40 million contract he got last off-season, Briggs was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise average Bears defense.

DeMarcus Ware – Cowboys – One minute you think he’s out for the year the next, he’s taking down the NFL’s most exciting offense and it’s quarterback, in New Orleans.  Ware once again proved he’s still the best pass rusher in the League.  After going 0-fer in his first 4 games (mainly because of the short comings of his teammate and partner in crime OLB Anthony Spencer, seeing Ware double teamed week after week), Ware unloaded on the Falcons, Seahawks, and Packers, totaling 7 sacks in his next 3 out of 4 games.  He’s finished up ’09 with 11 sacks, 5 forced fumbles.  He showed off the rest of his game as well with nearly 60 tackles and 6 pass deflections.  With Jerry Jones finally extending his contract (through 2015), the Cowboys are making sure their best player is going no where.

Brian Orakpo – Washington – So much for just being an athletic freak.  No Vernon Gholston remix here folks, Orakpo has already established himself as one of the League’s better pass rushers with 11 sacks on the season.  The highlight of his great freshman year in the pros coming in Oakland, where he went off for 4 sacks, a forced fumble, and 6 tackles.  With more tackles then his NFC East counterpart DeMarcus Ware, Orakpo is proving he’s already coming full circle.

Cornerbacks

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Asante Samuel – Eagles – Samuel again did what he does best this season, get interceptions, 9 to be exact (tied for the League lead).  Samuel had two multi pick games this season he also improved his physicality from last season, getting an extra 8 solo tackles (39 total).  Samuel’s partnership with fellow corner Sheldon Brown gives the Eagles one of the best corner tandems in the League.

Charles Woodson – Packers – Was Woodson trying to win the Heisman again this year?  I mean he did everything on defense he forced fumbles (4), he picked off passes (8), he scored touchdowns (2), he made tackles (three games with 9), and he even got to the QB twice.  With Al Harris’ decline, Woodson’s continued refusal to get old, is music to Packers defensive backs coach Darren Perry’s ears.

Chris Gamble – Panthers – Gamble has leaped into the rare of air of being a shut down corner.  Which makes his 4 INT’s on the year even more of an accomplishment.  Gamble and the Panthers only allowed one 100 yard effort all year by a #1 WR (A. Bryant 5 catches for 116 yards in week 13).  The two marquee blackouts for opposing star wideouts were in week 1 vs. DeSean ‘Fraction’ Jackson who only caught two passes for 9 yards.  And in week 14 in New England vs. Randy Moss, who Gamble held to only 1 catch for 16 yards, which Moss fumbled (Gamble also had a INT in that game, while covering Moss).  Gamble’s 6’1, 200 pound frame makes him bigger then most corners, but still being a former college WR  he has blazing speed.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – Cardinals – DRC is basically a poor mans version of his cousin (Charger Antonio Cromartie), an athletic who you better not give an oppourtunity to, because he will pick you off, but at the same time DRC is a poor cover corner.  The star witness of that this season anyway, is a Sunday Night game against the Colts, while covering Indy WR Pierre Garcon, DRC crashed to the Earth like a Russian satellite, while Garcon went right by him for a 53 yard TD.  Arizona has the 22nd worst pass defenses in the NFL, and  his lack of cover ability is a big part of that.  Even though DRC is 6’2 he’s barely over 180 pounds, and having four games in which he only had 1 tackle shows.  Though to be fair to the Cardinals, again like DRC’s cousin, his team is a very opportunistic defense, which prides itself on forcing turnovers and getting sacks (well the pre-08 Chargers that is), which is why at times Zona can get away with DRC being their #1 corner.

Strong Safety

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Adrian Wilson – Cardinals – Wilson’s in the box mentality was never in question this season, his coverage skills however were the first half of the season.  After a slow start Wilson caught fire caught fire the second half of the season, with 4 of his 5 INT’s coming after week 9.  He has 2 sacks and over 70 tackles on the season.  Thus proving he’s still among the elite as far as strong safeties go in the NFL.  Thankfully for Wilson he’s one of the few Cardinals to get actually get that elusive new contract, signing a 5 year deal worth over 35 million last off-season.

Free Safeties

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Darren Sharper – Saints – Though he did fade in the 2nd half of the year going pick-less in 5 out of his last 7 games, give him a break!  He’s having a remarkable year at age 34.  He was a TD machine early in the year getting 3 of them returned by week 7.  Finishing up the year with 71 tackles and 9 picks and raking up nearly 400 return yards off INT’s.  Sharper and Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams have undoubtedly been the Free Agent signings of 2009.  With Sharper having a career year age 34, all I got to say is wow.

Nick Collins – Packers – I kind of feel bad for Mr. Collins, because unless your name was Sharper or Byrd and your a free safety, you were put aside this year.  Even still having a stellar season with 6 INT’s, even having one if four straight games, getting one from Alex Smith, Daunte Culpepper, Joe Flacco, and of course Jay Cutler.  Collins has 6 picks on the year to go with double diget pass deflections.  So all that being said, Mr. Ted Thompson (Packers GM) are you gonna get pay this man (Collins is a FA after the season)?

Punter

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Andy Lee – 49ers – The second best punter by the Bay.  Outside of Frank Gore Lee mind as well of been the offensive MVP for San Francisco the past 3 years, averaging over 47 yards per punt during those seasons, Lee was 2nd in the NFL in net average (1st being of course Shane Lechler).  At least with names like Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree now to go with Gore, Lee can ease up on the ice on the knees, and those 10 plus punt games, and relax a little.

Kick Return Specialist

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
DeSean Jackson – Eagles – Going back to the need for another Steve Smith, just like Smith early in his career, Jackson is an out of this world punt returner.  Only getting 27 opportunities Jackson took 2 back to the house, 1 in every 4 was at least a 20 yard gain, 3 of which were returned for over 40 yards.  ‘Fraction Jackson’ like Smith is writing his own legacy even at the young age of 23 years.

Placekicker

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
David Akers – Eagles – With field goal kickers rarely do you find somebody who’s automatic (case and point Gary Anderson), the closest to being Mr. Reliable in today’s NFL would be David Akers.  Akers is hitting nearly 89% of his field goals (which is 2nd in the NFL to Kaeding), which is a new career high for him.  He’s missed two extra points, but both were blocked, and one of his measly four missed FG’s were blocked as well.  Akers leads the NFL in FG’s made and attempted this year (32-36), with all 4 of his misses coming outside 38 yards.  He’s cool as them come right now, especially since he’s playing in cold Philly (cold weather and cold receptions).

Special Teamer

Who Should Of Made It
Tim Shaw – Bears – Shaw helped pave the way for 2 different special teams touchdowns by two different players this year (one by Johnny Knox on a KR, one by Earl Bennett on a PR).  As well Shaw led the Bears special teamers collecting 17 tackles (only having two no tackle games) being a part of who didn’t allow a touchdown this season on special teams.  The Penn State linebacker was signed by the Bears after Brian Urlacher and Pisa Tinoisamoa went down in the opener in Green Bay, and played the rest of the season (in all of the remaining 14 games) Shaw immediately showed his instinctive talent, making him the perfect fit for the ailing Bears.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Heath Farwell – Vikings – Now that makes 4 Vikes that erased from the 2010 Pro Bowl, I’m serious nothing personal, against the Twin Cities.  A linebacker Farwell had 18 tackles, this year, but at the same time having 4 games where he didn’t record a stat..   He is a good blocker downfield, however for Percy Harvin, who could of had the current version of Steve Tasker help mush down the field and still would of set the NFL world on fire, returning the football.

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Joey Porter’s Vision Quest

Rumor has it around the cyber-sphere that the Miami Dolphins season-ending match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow, might be the last time Joey Porter suits up for the South Florida team. More than a few precious pixels around the web have peddled the speculation—if true, it will bring to a close a three year term for Porter in Miami, that has been characterized by vicissitude and unpredictability.

The high point; a kind of “menace to society” version of Porter who was prolific in the 2008 season, where he recorded 17 1/2 sacks, many of them critically timed, and virtually all of them useful.  Porter drew double teams, terrorized ill-prepared offensive tackles, and ran his mouth off with noteworthy aplomb, all the more resonate because he backed up his taunts with aggressive physical play.

But the 2009 version of Joey Porter looks more like the 2007 version. As always, both the oral and physical motor was running—you could see those pistons furiously pumping on the field—but for the most part, Porter spun his wheels.

A knee injury has purportedly slowed him down, but Porter has been healthy enough to play most weeks.

Before the season began, I wrote a prediction in a blog that Porter would call out Mark Sanchez—a kind of rattle-the-rookie move. I was wrong, of course. It was not Sanchez that Porter taunted. Instead, he chose Tom Brady as a target, a development that Brady later announced was motivational in the Patriots’ Foxboro win over Miami—a win, by the way, where Porter failed to achieve even a single tackle, let alone a sack.

The following week, Porter sat, a pseudo healthy scratch we were told, and clearly a message was in the works.

By the numbers, Porter has recorded 8 sacks and 39 tackles this season—about half the sacks he produced a year ago—even though opposing teams have had to game plan for stopping Jason Taylor, who is Porter’s bookend in the main 3-4 scheme.

Also, by the numbers, we are told, that what Porter’s salary and incentives—all in—represents just under a $5 million hit against the cap for next year ($ 4.8 million).

As Porter still has two years remaining on his contract, the question hence becomes whether the Dolphins feel the dollars asterisked beside Porter’s name represent a prudent expenditure. Or, on the other hand, whether the Dolphins feel the opportunity cost of that money is too high.

There are several mitigating factors including Porter’s age (32), the health of his knees, but also, whether the Dolphins are prepared to resign Jason Taylor.  Cutting Porter loose to the wind is one thing, but does Miami want to give up the veteran leadership and presence with both of their outside linebackers, should Taylor leave or retire.

The sudden departure of Matt Roth last month, who was instantly snapped off waivers by Cleveland and has allegedly been very productive there, is also another factor as it speaks to Miami’s inherent depth at the linebacker position. Further, the highly circumspect play of Reggie Torbor against Houston last week, and the mediocre play of Akin Adoyele all season, does not suggest a surfeit of talent in the second tier of the front seven.

Fundamentally, can the Dolphins afford to lose to Porter given the questionable strength of their linebacking corps?

Further, if the case is to be made against Porter staying in Miami because he does not represent good value to the team, one then must wonder about other big contract players on the roster whose performance has been questionable; namely Gibril Wilson, whose terrible play was punctuated last week when he dropped a beach ball interception last week that even I could have caught. And Channing Crowder, who also signed a contract extension last year, but whose play is decidedly average. The Dolphins also have Ted Ginn to consider, the team’s most notorious question mark among the salary cap considerations.

While Porter has not put up the numbers of a year ago, he certainly has not fared worse than those mentioned here in 2009.

Heading into tomorrow’s contest against the Steelers—Porter’s former team—there is time enough for Joey to make a statement about his intentions for the future and where he might want to be.  Perhaps what might serve Joey Porter best is a fresh visit to the sweat lodge, a kind of season-ending communiqué with the spiritual world; a vision quest where Joey Porter emerges with his animus renewed, and shows all of us, one more time, what the team is losing if he is not a Miami Dolphin next year.

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Packers-Cardinals: Playoff Preview?

The Green Bay Packers travel to Arizona to take on the defending NFC Champion Cardinals Sunday at 1:15 PST. There has been speculation that the teams may rest players, and that would be bad news for fans of these exciting teams.

The good news is that with the game between the Eagles and Cowboys being moved to the same timeslot as this game, both the Packs and Cards are likely to still have a playoff seeding—fifth or sixth for the Packers, second to fourth for the Cardinals—to play for. This means it is likely that starters will play for most if not all of the game.

Only three games affect seeding in the NFC—the aforementioned two and the Minnesota Vikings hosting the New York Giants. And no matter how that game turns out, it relies on the other two games to complete the picture.

However, an authentic preview of this game can’t be created because there is a very good chance both teams will go “vanilla” with the gameplan.

But, like my brother-in-law is fond of pointing out, vanilla is still a flavour. There is no such thing as plain ice cream.

So think of offenses and defenses as ice creams, with your fundamental plays being vanilla. Going into tasting ice cream blindfolded, the things that might not be expected would be the flavour swirls, chips, nuts, fruit…even more complicated combinations like cookie dough.

They equate to complicated blitz/coverage schemes and specific plays designed to exploit the opposition’s defensive weaknesses. These are things both teams may be reluctant to unveil for fear they will lose the element of surprise the following week.

Disregarding ties—not because, like Donovan McNabb, I am so clueless as to not know (or see) that they happen, but because a tie unnecessarily complicates the picture when the probability of it happening in even one of the games (based on frequency of the last 12 years) is less than 1 in 600—there are eight potential result combinations. In four of them, these two teams go right back at it, same bat-time, same bat-place, (probably even) same bat-channel.

If Minnesota wins at home, no matter what happens in the other games, the Packers and Cardinals will engage in a rematch next weekend. If the Vikings lose, only a Cardinals victory avoids these two being back at it.

Thus, for all of us Packers fans rooting for a matchup with the Vikings in the first round, that happens if both the Vikings and Packers lose. But be careful what you wish for—it is a fallacy that it is hard to beat a team a third time, as the majority of teams with the chance to do so close out the sweep.

(Of course, we all know Brat did not read that memo—or the Vikings defense—in 2004, when he threw four picks to let an 8-8 team win on the hallowed ground of Lambeau Field. It was his second home playoff loss, and the second in franchise history; he would go on to a third.)

Not only do six of eight possible outcomes for this weekend result in Green Bay returning to Arizona for the first round of the playoffs, the chances are actually better than 75 percent. Despite how they are playing, the Vikings have to be considered to have at least a 60 percent chance of beating a team that has much less to play for.

For this reason, I think any analysis of this game would be skewed. I think if you take out the Packers complicated blitz schemes and just line up players, the deep athletic receiving corps of the Cardinals tests the injury-riddled Packers secondary, neutralizing the defensive advantage Green Bay has. Combined with the better offensive line and special teams, that outweighs the Packers better offensive balance, and Cards win 31-28.

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Could John Moores Force Chargers out of San Diego?

One of the primary goals for any owner of a professional sports team is to ensure their team has a new, polished stadium.  Football owners are no different, and for a long time San Diego owner Alex Spanos has sought a new stadium for the San Diego Chargers to play.

The desire was temporarily assuaged in 1997, when Jack Murphy Stadium was given extensive renovations. 

In addition to new seats, it also received a new name. Qualcomm Stadium was branded for the $18 million Qualcomm offered to the process.  The team had been seeking a new complex, but settled for the fix.

While the Chargers were seeking their stadium, the San Diego were also on the hunt, trying to get their own stadium built.  John Moores, having purchased the team in 1994, was looking for an angle to get his team a new ballpark.

Moores increased the team’s payroll soon into his tenure, working to rebuild a cellar-dwelling team ravaged by fire sales.  On the power of an increased relevance with a playoff-competitive team, Moores earned the approval by voters of a brand new facility in downtown San Diego.

Construction was began and halted multiple times due to environmental impact studies, lawsuits, and several other concerns.  The project ran over budget and past schedule, but was completed thanks to a $60 million  fee paid by Petco for naming right to the ballpark.

The park was a success in its inaugural year, seeing a rise in season and overall ticket sales.  Moores however began to trim the team’s payroll. 

The playoff-worthy product taking the field in the late 90’s had sold off several of its major stars, seen others retire, and remained quiet in free agency.

The team began a decline to the NL West cellar that it has failed to emerge from since.  Moores has presently sold the team to a different ownership group, who hopes to put some excitement back into the Padres.

In the meantime, San Diegans felt betrayed by a team promising to use the increased revenue the new park would generate to further improve a competitive ballclub.  Moores was perceived as a bait-and-switch artist, only willing to spend until he had the park approved.

Now the Chargers are once again seeking a new stadium for their own club.  The team announced that its present stadium plans would require public funds to get the complex built. 

“It’s almost certainly going to involve some sort of taxpayer money,” Chargers special counsel Mark Fabian stated.

That taxpayer money would most likely need to be put to ballot.  In a time of economic downturn, voters are likely to look to the San Diego Padres as reason to be leery of approving money for the team to build a new stadium. 

Should a measure fail on the ballot, the team would quite likely find its hopes for a new complex curtailed.

Caught between the Chargers wishes and the taxpayers caution is Los Angeles.  The city of L.A. has been seeking a new team for a long time, and has approved the building of a brand new stadium before they even have a team to play there, an approval made in the hopes of luring a current team to move itself.

Could San Diego elect to make the move if they don’t get a stadium in San Diego?  It is quite possible. 

Should the team choose to make that move, the greatest culprit behind a Los Angeles Chargers team would not be Alex Spanos or the San Diego City Council, but John Moores, owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team. 

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Denver Broncos Look to Make a Statement Before Even Taking the Field

Josh McDaniels wants to build a winning team in Denver.  Beyond that goal however, he has proven that he is a coach dedicated to building a winning mentality. 

With the Denver Broncos in a 2-7 rut following their early season winning streak, they find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture with one game to go.  The Broncos (8-7) will play a Kansas City team that has underwhelmed on the whole, but has proven capable of upsets over quality teams (having beaten a backsliding Steelers team in overtime in week 11).

For this critical game McDaniels elected to deactivate the team’s leading offensive weapon in Brandon Marshall.  He went a step further by making clear the move was not purely for health reasons, calling it “a coaching decision, not a medical issue.”

He elaborated by stating “our word for the week has been accountability. And we’re looking to put the 45 guys on the field on Sunday that want to play together, want to help us try to win and qualify for the playoffs, and anybody that showed any indifference to that, we’ll play without them.”

With their playoff life on the line, McDaniels elected to drill a point home to the rest of his team; anyone is expendable if they don’t show the proper fire and desire.  The chances of a second reconciliation in the offseason (after starting this year in a tumultuous fashion) are quite slim.

Marshall had complained of trouble with his hamstring, and maintained he would not have been able to go should McDaniels have left him active.  McDaniels disagreed. 

“There’s a number of players that are going to play on Sunday with things that are much more difficult to deal with than what he has,” he stated, taking care to drive the point home by making mention three separate times.

Marshall disagreed, but kept his comments milder than he had during the offseason, “I don’t think Coach ever played in the NFL, so for my hamstring to be feeling the way it felt, it’s tough for me to go out there and expect to play at a high level,” Marshall stated, “I’ve battled through a whole lot of injuries before. I played the whole year last year with a tear in my hip. So, I don’t think my toughness is in question here.”

One of Marshall’s major contentions during the offseason when making trade demands was how the team handled his prior injury.  He had claimed the extent of the injury was concealed from him, and that he was encouraged to play through the injury despite its severity.

When asked of McDaniels’ references to accountability, Marshall continued, “Well, accountability and injury is different, you know?”  He then added, “I pulled, well, I wouldn’t say I pulled my hamstring, it’s definitely not that bad, but it’s tough.”

Ultimately McDaniels contended that Marshall was putting self interests ahead of the team, possibly concerned with how a poor game might impact his value in the offseason at the expense of fighting to earn the team a playoff berth.

The 6-0 start behind a team thought to be beginning to rebuild was a signal to a changing culture.  McDaniels now has to fight the same second half woes that led to a collapse by Denver after an 8-4 start virtually assuring them the division collapsed into an 8-8 close that cost Mike Shanahan his job.

Will McDaniels’ far more hard-line approach ultimately benefit Denver?  That remains to be seen.  With a win Denver could earn themselves a playoff appearance, but in doing so they have likely just lost a pro-bowl wide receiver.

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The Sportmeisters Top 10 Games of the Decade: Game No.1

Game No. 1 – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLII

Even though the 00’s are finished, Sportmeisters Derek and Ryan have decided to present their top 10 games of the past decade. Today, they finish their discussion with the best game from 2000-2009. What follows is a transcript of their discussion.

Sportmeister Derek: Ryan, today we finish up our countdown, and even though we’re in 2010, it’s hard not to look back at this amazing game from the 00’s.

Sportmeister Ryan: Absolutely Derek, and as we start the new decade, let’s look back one last time at our consensus number one pick for the best game from 2000-2009; Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

SD: Let’s start with Week 17 of the 2007 NFL season. In a game that had no playoff implications, the 15-0 New England Patriots and the 10-5 New York Giants met in Giants Stadium.

SR: In what has become custom for many teams, fans of both were expecting them to rest their starters, but to everyone’s surprise, the two teams played a thrilling game, risking injuries on both sides, as we saw the New England Patriots become the first 16-0 team since 1972, winning 38-35. It definitely gave some momentum to both teams heading into the playoffs.

SD: New York would have to go on the road in their playoff games, starting with the NFC Wild Card, where they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-14. That followed with a road game against the Dallas Cowboys.

SR: Dallas had already beaten New York twice this season, so many were expecting the trifecta to be pulled off by Dallas.

SD: In what would become a recurring theme for the Giants, they defeated Dallas in the NFC Divisional Round 21-17. On the other side, the New England Patriots handily took down the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-20.

SR: The Patriots game saw Tom Brady go 26-of-28 (92.9%), breaking the record for best completion percentage, set by former New York Giant QB Phil Simms.

SD: In the NFC Conference Championship, New York traveled to the frozen tundra of Green Bay, and in a game worthy of its own recognition, Eli Manning and Co. got the best of Brett Favre in his final game as a Packer, winning 23-20 in overtime.

SR: The Patriots didn’t play their best in the AFC Championship Game, but they did what was necessary in a 21-12 win, becoming the first team to go 18-0, and heading into the Super Bowl, they had a legitimate shot at becoming the second undefeated team in NFL history.

SD: New England had one of the best offenses around, led by Tom Brady’s NFL-record 50 touchdown passes, 23 of those to newly acquired WR Randy Moss.

SR: After the week 17 showdown, many expected New England to win again. Even Las Vegas set the line at 14 points. Clearly, all the attention was on New England.

SD: New York received the ball to start Super Bowl XLII, and ran the longest drive in Super Bowl history, a 16-play, 77-yard drive that ended with a Lawrence Tynes 32-yard field goal to put New York up 3-0.

SR: That long drive set the tone, as New England was only able to get one drive off, making the two drives the fewest in Super Bowl history. At the same time, with the number of commercials and such in the Super Bowl, it’s hard to keep the flow of a game going.

SD: New England would take the lead in the second quarter, 7-3, on a one yard Laurence Maroney run.

SR: For the Patriots, who were so offensive-minded, the low-scoring affair had to be in their mind. New York was getting a ton of pressure, led by Justin Tuck, who had two sacks and a forced fumble in the first half alone.

SD: That pressure New York brought, completely wrecked an offense used to scoring at will. The third quarter ended without a score, bringing the Patriots 15 minutes to history, leading 7-3.

SR: New England took a few fourth-quarter chances, even catching New York with too many men on the field at one point. They didn’t convert, but it was easy to see the Patriots were doing whatever they could to attempt to put the game out of reach.

SD: New York would start the fourth quarter on their own 20, and a seven-play, 80-yard drive culminated in a five-yard touchdown pass from Manning to David Tyree, putting the Giants up 10-7 with 11:05 to go in the game.

SR: Tyree, who we will mention later, couldn’t catch a ball in practice, but came up big when necessary. Some players just shine with the spotlight on.

SD: A couple defensive stops from both teams kept the score the same until New England took over with under eight minutes to play. Using that fourth-quarter magic New England is best for, Tom Brady marched them down the field, eating up 5:12 over the 80-yard drive, which ended, how else, from Brady to Moss.

SR: New England had a few games during the season that required those last minute heroics, and this was another one of those moments. New England is up 14-10, with 2:39 to go before 19-0.

SD: Eli Manning would march the Giants to a third and five from the New York 44 with 1:15 remaining, and history happened.

SR: Before we get there, New England had a chance to end the game when the second down pass was just missed being intercepted by Asante Samuel.

SD: Nevertheless, New York had the ball, and Manning took the snap, sitting in the pocket, when Jarvis Green, among other Patriots, collapsed on Manning, but couldn’t sack him. Manning was able to spin out, right himself, and fire a 32-yard pass that was caught by Tyree, who put the ball against his head to keep control of it.

SR: That play was magic for a number of reasons. Manning getting out of the pressure and getting the throw off. Tyree with the catch, while being manhandled by Rodney Harrison. At that exact moment, New York had the entire momentum.

SD: Four plays later, and it was Manning to Plaxico Burress from 13 yards out, giving New York the 17-14 lead with 35 seconds left.

SR: Running a four-wide set, Burress went on a slant-and-go, getting Ellis Hobbs, who single covered Burress, to bite, leaving him wide open.

SD: New England would have enough time to take a shot, but another sack, this one by Jay Alford, and a few incompletions ended the greatest Super Bowl in history.

SR: New York pulled off the perfect upset, using every bit of luck, magic, and skill to win, once again sealing the 1972 Dolphins perfect season.

SD: This game had it all and that is why we have named it our number one game of the decade. Any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at Derek@Sportmeisters.com or Ryan@Sportmeisters.com .

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

The NFL Needs to Reach a New CBA Agreement, Set a Rookie Salary Cap

The NFL should have learned a lesson from the most recent NHL lockout, and the multiple lockouts other major sports have been hit with. If and when a league halts play due to money grubbing…what does that say to the average fan?

“We’re not making enough money. Profits are only up 5 percent this year. We need to make x millions more, lets fight the players in negotiations, and push for more dollars to stay in our bank accounts. If they won’t bend, we’ll shut down for the next season so we get our way.”

Whether that’s the thought process of owners during a lockout or not, it’s irrelevant. The “court of public opinion” way that the sports loving public tends to view lockouts is not very open-minded.

As a fan, if a league I watch frequently stops playing because of dollar disputes, it says to me that money is bigger than the game.

The NFL, and any other professional sports league is indeed a business, but a special type.

I doubt many people would stop buying Barbies if Mattel refused to give employees a certain benefits package, and stoppage of the product occurred temporarily, but then resumed a year or two later.

Sports though, are different.

People still remember the baseball strike, one which led to the cancellation of the season and the World Series. The World freakin’ Series, people.

Needless to say, baseball fans and purists alike stopped running through the turnstiles all across the country, and baseball was left with a black eye.

Steroids saved the sport, but still, the strike and the lockout left many fans disgruntled with the players and owners.

The NFL is approaching a crossroads. Many veterans have spoken out about the need for a rookie player contract cap, and it is reasonable to push for one.

Lets consider a few things.

Rookies making more than Pro Bowl-established veteran players is ridiculous.

No wonder the veterans are barking up the tree of the NFL about the issue. When a top pick is drafted No. 1 overall, and gets about $50 million for his contract (usually about $20 million-$25 million bonus guaranteed) it sends the wrong message.

That hypothetical player will receive $25 million up front and hasn’t played a down in the NFL yet. It sends the message of reward before work.

Sure, the players coming out of college worked their tails off to get to the NFL, but it is not the same as handing an established NFL vet that same $25 million-$50 million. They have probably 4-5 or more years of great play, while rookies have yet to step on a football field.

It’s one of the few things that bothers me about the NFL.

One of the other things that bothers me, is the potential of an uncapped year or more in the NFL.

It would destroy the level playing field that the NFL generates parity from. How else could little Green Bay compete with New England, New York, Dallas, Detroit, Washington, etc.?

An uncapped season would be horrible for the NFL as a whole.

The NFL would crown Dallas, New England, and Washington nearly every year, because their owners have the money to throw at Free Agents and they would be almost unstoppable.

Not to look into a crystal ball, but it isn’t like one needs one to know an uncapped season or, more than one, would be devastating.

However, there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel that is the question of the outcome of player vs. owner CBA negotiations. 

The MLB and NBA’s cap systems, if they were to mix, would be perfect.

The MLB gives teams compensation for the loss of free agents who leave for another team. The NBA locks rookie salaries. 

If the NFL could reach a “happy medium” of the two, that would benefit both parties.

NFL franchises locking themselves down to a quarterback for guaranteed big contracts who swing and miss (see Leaf, Ryan) kill their ability to manage the cap, unless they have a master of a general manager who can navigate the rocky financial waters that lie ahead.

Caps on rookie contracts prevent overspending by teams, promote giving money to veterans who have proven their ability on the field, and would save franchises money in the short and long term, almost immediately.

I would propose a cap change of this type:

For rookies, cap first-round picks with a salary to reach no higher than $20 million over no more than four years.

This would allow for financial recovery for teams who pick poorly so that they do not slump for a decade with an overpaid, under-skilled player, and would also set up players to get more money in the long run.

For example, a rookie in 2012: (the earliest anything like this could go into effect)

No. 1 overall pick, quarterback. Guaranteed contract capped at $20 million, four years.

Let’s say this player has great success, and earns a considerable raise at the end of his contract.

The player would no longer have a rookie cap, having played out said contract, so they could sign for as much as any team is willing to offer them.

For hypothetical purposes, and to move this article to my next point (compensation for free agents) lets say they leave their drafted team, enter free agency, and get a nice raise.

What would happen to the team which drafted the player? Should they have to go through a dry patch with spotty play just because their market was too small, or another team offered more? No.

In the MLB’s free agency, if a player leaves his team, and is signed by another team, depending on their positional rank, the team the player left is given a compensatory draft pick, often in the first three rounds.

The NFL could apply a similar tactic.

Lets get back to our hypothetical quarterback who’s now raking in big bucks from a top team. He was obviously a top target free agent, which would indicate that replacing him will be a task not easily done.

The NFL could do what the MLB does, and compensate the teams that free agents leave with additional draft picks in certain rounds.

If the player is a top three player according to the signings of his position in free agency, (if 10 quarterbacks are signed to teams and he’s the No. 2 most paid or signed No. 2) give his previous team a pick to compensate the loss so that they can fill his void on the team accordingly.

Or, what the NFL could do is simply assign a team’s draft pick to a free agent signing. A player like Tom Brady leaving New England for example, would demand at least a first-round compensation in this system, given his rank at his position, and his importance to his team.

If the NFL could implement this type of compensation and rookie contract caps in a new collective bargaining agreement with the players, it would be a great addition to an already sturdy product, on and off the field. The NFL and its players would be better for it.

I do not believe there will be a strike or an uncapped season in the near future, as both parties should understand the importance of keeping the sport favorable in the eyes of fans and advertisers, and that they realize the damage it would do to the league.

However, there is a chance of a CBA not being reached, and while the lockout is a possibility, I think there would be a better chance of an uncapped season.

In the end, the NFL has to decide, would it like to suffer the fall the NHL has taken, or would it like to concretely establish its dominance over the long term with a reasonable agreement between both parties and secure the stability of the sport?

I think the correct choice is the obvious one. Do the right thing, NFL. Reach an agreement in the near future to prevent a messy battle of player vs. owner.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Josh McDaniels: Denver’s Arrogant Ruler with an Iron Fist

Josh McDaniels is an interesting man.

At first look, the young head coach seems pleasant—he smiles at press conferences and speaks to the media in a straight-forward fashion—a far cry from his old boss Bill Belichick’s passive-aggressive approach.

McDaniels is obviously intense; a character trait that he’s showcased numerous times on the sidelines in his first year as the Broncos’ head man. After beating his ex-boss and ex-team in the New England Patriots, McDaniels ran down the sideline pumping his fist in excitement. During Denver’s Thanksgiving game the head coach passionately berated his players with a curse-word laden tirade—a tactic that arguably worked and hyped up the players who eventually pulled off the win.

But Josh McDaniels doesn’t always get the approval of all his players, something that if left unchecked could result in a perennial problem down the road.

From Day One of the McDaniels’ regime he’s made it known that he’s in charge and the Broncos are going to do everything his way. He hired Brian Xanders as GM and the two handed out double digit pink slips to former Denver players. He made it known that he thought Matt Cassell would be a better fit than Jay Cutler and ended up trading arguably the best player the Broncos had when he took over.

Then there was his month-long dispute with Brandon Marshall that got so ugly the receiver was showing his displeasure with the coach in skipping practices or showing up to show off his new found ball-batting skills.

But everything seemed resolved, or at least kept quiet for almost the entirety of the regular season, until now.

Marshall, who injured a hamstring in practice, is being benched by McDaniels. “He’ll be deactivated from the game Sunday. That’ll be a coaching decision,” explained the head coach at Friday’s presser.

When asked why the star receiver will be deactivated, McDaniels dodged the question saying, “Our word for the week has been accountability. We’re lookin’ to put the 45 guys on the field that want to play together, want to help us try to win and qualify for the playoffs and we talked about it as a group this Wednesday that’s what’s going to happen this week. Anybody that showed any indifference to that we’ll play without them and we’ll play well anyway.”

“We’re building a team. And if you have players that aren’t going to put that ahead of everything else then that can be detrimental to your club.”

“We’re all accountable to give our very best effort to Pat Bowlen, to this organization, to this city, to all the people that support us.”

“We’re playing Sunday with the guys that want to play, that want to be accountable to each other and want to help us accomplish what we want to accomplish.”

He repeated the last stanza around five times during the press conference when asked about any further details about Marshall, and when asked about why pass-catching tight end Tony Scheffler will be benched as well.

So the real question is this: What happened?

Scheffler was hurt when he heard the news of McDaniels shopping him in the offseason and he’s likely quite upset with the lack of opportunities to be effective within the offense. Really, Scheffler has a legitimate gripe as he’s only caught 31 passes and two touchdowns this season.

But McDaniels also has a point; football is a team game and selfish players have no place on his team.

As for Marshall, I’ve heard from multiple sources that the player said something out of line to the coach, although what exactly was said is unknown as of now.

And as McDaniels is making another stand while knocking the starters down a notch with his iron fist, he’s starting to leave a sour taste in the mouths of some fans.

Marshall and Scheffler are arguably the two best pass-catchers the Broncos have, and with Eddie Royal likely a no-play due to injury, Denver’s pass attack will be mediocre at best.

To think that “the offense won’t change,” as McDaniels said, is ludicrous, borderline arrogant and if the Broncos can’t produce points he will be questioned all offseason.

Besides that, McDaniels is showing that he may have a problem connecting and earning the respect of his players.

Could it be that McDaniels is too callous because he’s so driven toward the goal of winning a Super Bowl? Or could it be that McDaniels’ ego and desire for ultimate power are turning people against him?

Only time will tell, but if McDaniels can’t adapt and work on his interpersonal skills, he will be the one missing games after being shown the door by Mr. Bowlen.

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Oakland Raiders: Life After Al Davis

This article may be a bit insensitive, but so is being forced to look at Al Davis’ picture on E-Harmony. Ooooohhhh. Yeah! I said it.

So I’ve been thinking when Al Davis gives up the team (a.k.a dies), who will be the next owner of the Oakland Raiders? So I’ve comprised a list of the top candidates:

1) Mark Davis . He’s the son of Al Davis. Now I know what you are thinking right now. Al Davis has a son? And more importantly who would-whoops I digressed a bit. But he has never really been a part of the Raiders. His only affiliation with the team is his father. 

2) Mark Cuban . Cuban already owns an NBA team (Dallas Mavericks). He has shown interest in the Cubs (didn’t win them). But what does he have to do with football?

a) He’s rich, b) He’s worth more than the Raiders, and c) Did I already mention he’s rich?

But you gotta admit, you’d like Cuban. He’s proactive and provocative (not a tongue twister). I’d like to see him try to stay calm in the owner’s box. So, what’s not to like about him?

3) George W. Bush . Just making sure you were paying attention. 

4) Mike Shanahan . This would be so wrong on so many levels. Can’t you just see Shanahan at the press conference thinking, “Yeah, suck it Al.” Well, he’d say something like that. And if this happens Al Davis will know. Trust me on that. Between you and me they don’t particularly care for each other. Keep that on the down low. 

5) Rush Limbaugh . In my humble opinion, he’s stupid and arrogant. Now that’s where the positives end. Here are the negatives:

a) He would be the worst owner in professional sports B) He’s not very likable. Wait a sec. Are we sure Al Davis only had 1 son? And I digress again. Where was I? Ahhh C) He almost died already. Okay, well the list can go on and on. I don’t want to waste your time…anymore than I am with this article. Badah-bing!

So those are my top 5 candidates for the job with a little humor in there. Oh, and for all of those Al Davis purists out there, sorry about this. (Luckily, there aren’t any of those left)

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