Watching Super Bowl week without a real dog in the fight reminds me that one of my principle motivations in sports is to hate certain teams. The Colts title last year was the first by one of my big four (Colts, Pacers, Reds, IU) since 1990, and only the 4th of my lifetime (81 and 87 Hoosiers as well). That means that most post-seasons, I'm left hunting for reasons to care. That reason is typically because I hate one of the teams involved. This year, I'm partially motivated by Eli's presence, but mostly, I just hate the Patriots.
The primary season is sort of that way for me too. I grew up extremely political. My grandparents are staunch Democrats; my folks are Republicans. I used to care deeply. Since then, I've come to believe that politics are not the best method to change society and have moved my life and my interests in a different, and I think more productive direction. Most years, I don't have a dog in the fight since no one out there really cares about the issue that is most important to me personally (poverty and immigrants' rights). Last election, I participated in the traditional Latin American protest vote of voting "en blanco". I went to the poll, voted, and left the ballot for president blank.
This year has been different. I still don't have anyone that I want to vote for. Ah, but I have people to hate! For specific policy reasons that I'm not going to go into nor defend (save your emails telling me why I'm wrong; we aren't going there), I HATE Hilliary Clinton and Mitt Romney. Violently, violently dislike them; I mean Patriots level hatred. Obama and McCain could be the reincarnations of Filmore and Nixon, and I would still be rooting for them; should either one go up against Clinton or Romney next fall, they have my vote. If they go up against each other, I'm lost. I've paid more attention to politics in the last three months than I had in the last three years combined. And that's entirely driven by my hatred of two of the major candidates. I don't really care who wins, but I sure care who loses.
Sports comes full circle. If you can't have someone you love be in the big dance, having someone you hate at least keeps you interested.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Not letting this get out of hand...
I don't want this post to devolve into a Manning/Brady argument. That being said, it of course, will. ESPN has a really fascinating article ranking the top 10 QBs of all time. It has Johnny U at #1, Brady at #3, and Manning at #5. It seems to be a well thought out piece, but I think it's wrong.
Listen I know Brady has won four Super Bowls (see what I did there?). So did Bradshaw. I know Manning has two MVP awards. He's not Elway yet. I just think it's too early to put these guys in the top 5 of all time. I love Peyton. He's my all time favorite athlete. I can't put him ahead of John Elway yet. Brady might go down as a top three all time guy, or in 20 years, we'll think of him the way we know think of Bradshaw. Great QB, but were you ever scared of him?
I don't know how it is for opposing fans when Manning has the ball, so I can't evaluate that. I personally, never fear Tom Brady. I don't sit around biting my nails waiting for that killer strike. He's just not scary to me. Oh he might lead a scoring drive, but it'll be because of some weak screen pass and a broken tackle. Not the way it was with the big three. I can remember what it was like whenever Marino had it. You knew they would score. Maybe because I grew up with Montana, Marino, Elway, but those guys were terrifying. They could do whatever they wanted. I think Brady and Manning are threatening to make us forget the Masters of the game. That really makes me sad. I'm glad Johnny U tops this list. I like thinking that the ancients are still great. If guys play only to be forgotten, then why are we blustering about Brady and Manning. Our kids will forget them all too quickly.
I've been doing research into particular African tribes this week (don't ask). One of the most fascinating concepts is the African concept of the Ancestor. When one dies, he enters the realm of the ancestors. They control the future and determine the fates of men on the earth. They only retain power, however, as long as someone remembers them. When their fame has gone, they move on to the greater invisible realm where they no longer influence this life. I hope that by so quickly elevating Brady and Manning into the TOP FIVE all time, that we haven't ushered others into the realm of the invisible.
Don't write me and tell me how great Brady is. I KNOW HE'S GREAT. If you miss that, you're missing the point. I'm trying to tell you how I respond emotionally to watching him play. I won't remember him as fear inspiring as the others. It may be the same way for Manning too; I don't know. I'm too invested his success to sit back and evaluate him. Don't take any of this as a knock. It's about memory and legacy and how the greats made us feel at the time. I don't know for sure that either guy should be placed so high, so soon.
Listen I know Brady has won four Super Bowls (see what I did there?). So did Bradshaw. I know Manning has two MVP awards. He's not Elway yet. I just think it's too early to put these guys in the top 5 of all time. I love Peyton. He's my all time favorite athlete. I can't put him ahead of John Elway yet. Brady might go down as a top three all time guy, or in 20 years, we'll think of him the way we know think of Bradshaw. Great QB, but were you ever scared of him?
I don't know how it is for opposing fans when Manning has the ball, so I can't evaluate that. I personally, never fear Tom Brady. I don't sit around biting my nails waiting for that killer strike. He's just not scary to me. Oh he might lead a scoring drive, but it'll be because of some weak screen pass and a broken tackle. Not the way it was with the big three. I can remember what it was like whenever Marino had it. You knew they would score. Maybe because I grew up with Montana, Marino, Elway, but those guys were terrifying. They could do whatever they wanted. I think Brady and Manning are threatening to make us forget the Masters of the game. That really makes me sad. I'm glad Johnny U tops this list. I like thinking that the ancients are still great. If guys play only to be forgotten, then why are we blustering about Brady and Manning. Our kids will forget them all too quickly.
I've been doing research into particular African tribes this week (don't ask). One of the most fascinating concepts is the African concept of the Ancestor. When one dies, he enters the realm of the ancestors. They control the future and determine the fates of men on the earth. They only retain power, however, as long as someone remembers them. When their fame has gone, they move on to the greater invisible realm where they no longer influence this life. I hope that by so quickly elevating Brady and Manning into the TOP FIVE all time, that we haven't ushered others into the realm of the invisible.
Don't write me and tell me how great Brady is. I KNOW HE'S GREAT. If you miss that, you're missing the point. I'm trying to tell you how I respond emotionally to watching him play. I won't remember him as fear inspiring as the others. It may be the same way for Manning too; I don't know. I'm too invested his success to sit back and evaluate him. Don't take any of this as a knock. It's about memory and legacy and how the greats made us feel at the time. I don't know for sure that either guy should be placed so high, so soon.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Pledge
Demond Sanders (4:30:54 PM): or something like that
Deshawn Zombie (4:31:02 PM): yikes
Demond Sanders (4:31:25 PM): like peyton would say: you love it
Deshawn Zombie (4:31:32 PM): or better yet, DSRL tatoos
Demond Sanders (4:31:36 PM): NOOOOO
Demond Sanders (4:31:39 PM): lol
Deshawn Zombie (4:31:49 PM): or bet yet, pledge to eat a whole bag of double stuff oreos!
Demond Sanders (4:31:55 PM): done
Demond Sanders (4:31:56 PM): and done
Demond Sanders (4:32:28 PM): that sounds amazing
Demond Sanders (4:32:31 PM): i might do that win or lose
On Shuffle
Here's what I've been thinking about in the world of sports.
I'm still a little sick of the Reds dealing Josh "Hambone" Hamilton. I know own two Reds jerseys of outfielders who play for other teams. The crappy part is, I can't figure out whose jersey I SHOULD buy. I'm going hunting for a Larkin, that's all there is to it. Thanks to Chad for the link. He's my official source of awesome baseball links.
My hopes for open wheel unity and a return to national relevance are dashed again. I get why George did what he did all those years ago. Road racing was killing the CART circuit. Oval racing is more interesting. Unfortunately, it seems that too much ground has been lost to NASCAR. They need to get this deal done.
This article about Jim Caldwell was reassuring. It sounds like Wake Forrest was an outhouse for football. He did take them to a bowl which is impressive. The no cursing thing reminded me of my high school baseball team. I had a great coach at Pike that made us all conduct ourselves with pride. Profanity meant that the whole team had to run. That team was incredibly successful, and my senior year we set 19 school records. I later attended a private college where the atmosphere should have been even better. It wasn't. The difference in environment and attitude was striking. That team won about 5 games. I'm not drawing any larger conclusions, mind you. I'm just saying that I enjoyed playing in a strict environment, and our team had more discipline and more success. I had always been taught that profanity was for unintelligent people of a limited vocabulary, but of course that my Dad who said that, and he has quite the mouth so take that for what it's worth. Let's not have a long discussion on how this would play out in the NFL. It's obviously a different situation.
Finally, I'd love to get my hands on this document. I love stats and would like to see them. I think part of the fallacy that they are pushing is that Clemens was normal. HGH is supposed to heal your body and aid recovery. His career was far from normal and lasted far longer than almost anyone else's. I want to see the stats, but I remain markedly unconvinced.
Oh, and here is the single best thing I've ever seen on CHFF
I saw this tour pre-911, and it was the coolest thing I've ever been to. I heard it was even better afterwards. I get chills watching this again. I've heard U2 play in front of 80,000 in Buenos Aires where everyone knew every lyric to their songs despite the fact they didn't speak English. They've had a lot of great nights, but I doubt they were ever better than this.
I'm still a little sick of the Reds dealing Josh "Hambone" Hamilton. I know own two Reds jerseys of outfielders who play for other teams. The crappy part is, I can't figure out whose jersey I SHOULD buy. I'm going hunting for a Larkin, that's all there is to it. Thanks to Chad for the link. He's my official source of awesome baseball links.
My hopes for open wheel unity and a return to national relevance are dashed again. I get why George did what he did all those years ago. Road racing was killing the CART circuit. Oval racing is more interesting. Unfortunately, it seems that too much ground has been lost to NASCAR. They need to get this deal done.
This article about Jim Caldwell was reassuring. It sounds like Wake Forrest was an outhouse for football. He did take them to a bowl which is impressive. The no cursing thing reminded me of my high school baseball team. I had a great coach at Pike that made us all conduct ourselves with pride. Profanity meant that the whole team had to run. That team was incredibly successful, and my senior year we set 19 school records. I later attended a private college where the atmosphere should have been even better. It wasn't. The difference in environment and attitude was striking. That team won about 5 games. I'm not drawing any larger conclusions, mind you. I'm just saying that I enjoyed playing in a strict environment, and our team had more discipline and more success. I had always been taught that profanity was for unintelligent people of a limited vocabulary, but of course that my Dad who said that, and he has quite the mouth so take that for what it's worth. Let's not have a long discussion on how this would play out in the NFL. It's obviously a different situation.
Finally, I'd love to get my hands on this document. I love stats and would like to see them. I think part of the fallacy that they are pushing is that Clemens was normal. HGH is supposed to heal your body and aid recovery. His career was far from normal and lasted far longer than almost anyone else's. I want to see the stats, but I remain markedly unconvinced.
Oh, and here is the single best thing I've ever seen on CHFF
I saw this tour pre-911, and it was the coolest thing I've ever been to. I heard it was even better afterwards. I get chills watching this again. I've heard U2 play in front of 80,000 in Buenos Aires where everyone knew every lyric to their songs despite the fact they didn't speak English. They've had a lot of great nights, but I doubt they were ever better than this.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Taping the Hoosiers
I never would have gone to the trouble of recording a Hoosiers game to watch a couple of hours late before, but in this season of multiple blackouts, I'm relishing any tube time I get with them. Since I have a work event from 1-4 today, I'm going to record the game. This is relevant for two reasons: 1. IU is must see TV for the first time in a long time and 2. They seem like they are barely ever on. It's a perfect storm of crapiness.
UPDATE: Well, that was a lousy effort. I'm too mad to even write anything. Sampson let that game get out of hand early after the 9-0 lead. The team started playing like they were up 20, and he didn't reign them in. I'm too mad to even write anything coherent right now.
In other news:
Here's a great piece about Super Bowl rings. Scroll down for Vinatieri's story behind his LXI ring.
UPDATE: Well, that was a lousy effort. I'm too mad to even write anything. Sampson let that game get out of hand early after the 9-0 lead. The team started playing like they were up 20, and he didn't reign them in. I'm too mad to even write anything coherent right now.
In other news:
Here's a great piece about Super Bowl rings. Scroll down for Vinatieri's story behind his LXI ring.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Dead in the Water
The Blue and Gold dropped another one last night. At some point, you have to be at an utter loss to explain this team. Unfortunately, they are built around a star with bad knees and a point guard who has made a career out of being inconsistent. They traded guys with real talent who caused trouble for a collection of junk. Just a month ago, they were a virtual playoff lock, but after losing almost constantly, they find themselves tied for the 8th spot, and just a half game out of 10th. Hollinger is still apparently smoking crack, because he thinks they have a 67% chance at the playoffs. If they can ever manage to win 3 of 5, maybe I'll buy that. It's not like I'm setting my standards real high here. I suppose my final evaluation is: they suck just enough to suck, but don't suck enough to have a shot at Eric Gordon. That's about as bad as you can suck.
Links:
Colts.com comes through with a nice interview with Dungy. He seems surprised there was any controversy this week.
Yet one more reason that 'Pro-Bowl Appearances' are a lousy way to judge players. Antoine Bethea just made his first pro bowl due to an injury to Troy Polamalu. Listen, Bethea was great this year, and a very deserving player. I'm thrilled for him. But it's getting ridiculous. Every day, a couple of more players beg off. Everyone wants to be a Pro Bowler, but no one wants to actually play in the game. This should tell us something.
Do you still think steroids don't help players? Do you still think it's no big deal? Watch this video and then tell me that 'roided out players are legit. Dan Naulty isn't a hero for telling the truth, heroes don't do this crap to begin with. I do think he's figured out how to finally be a man, though, and that is something to be proud of. The most any of us can do in life is look our family in the eye, and admit we were wrong without excuses or qualifications. Good for him. Thanks to friend of 18to88, Chad, for this link.
It bothers me too, Bill. I showed up hours early to watch McGwire and Bonds take BP. I hate that they lied to us.
Al Davis is so far off the reservation that he's practically in Canada. This guy has taken utter and total leave of his senses. This is the goofiest thing I've ever heard. I don't know if Lane Kiffin is a good coach or not. For that matter, NO ONE DOES. He hasn't had enough of a chance. Davis drafted him a resignation letter? To hire Denny Green? Whaaaaa?
Links:
Colts.com comes through with a nice interview with Dungy. He seems surprised there was any controversy this week.
Yet one more reason that 'Pro-Bowl Appearances' are a lousy way to judge players. Antoine Bethea just made his first pro bowl due to an injury to Troy Polamalu. Listen, Bethea was great this year, and a very deserving player. I'm thrilled for him. But it's getting ridiculous. Every day, a couple of more players beg off. Everyone wants to be a Pro Bowler, but no one wants to actually play in the game. This should tell us something.
Do you still think steroids don't help players? Do you still think it's no big deal? Watch this video and then tell me that 'roided out players are legit. Dan Naulty isn't a hero for telling the truth, heroes don't do this crap to begin with. I do think he's figured out how to finally be a man, though, and that is something to be proud of. The most any of us can do in life is look our family in the eye, and admit we were wrong without excuses or qualifications. Good for him. Thanks to friend of 18to88, Chad, for this link.
It bothers me too, Bill. I showed up hours early to watch McGwire and Bonds take BP. I hate that they lied to us.
Al Davis is so far off the reservation that he's practically in Canada. This guy has taken utter and total leave of his senses. This is the goofiest thing I've ever heard. I don't know if Lane Kiffin is a good coach or not. For that matter, NO ONE DOES. He hasn't had enough of a chance. Davis drafted him a resignation letter? To hire Denny Green? Whaaaaa?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Fun from the mailbag...
Frequent emailer Bob M chimes into today:
Guys,
This one is intended to be funny and as such I think it's pretty good. Cook, a Chicagoan, is usually very supportive of the Colts. Clearly he's as fed up with the Favre-love in the media as anybody.
You know, since the Colts lost I have added minimum 20 hours a week back to my life for the little things, like work productivity, reading, sleeping. I would have preferred three more weeks of sleep deprivation and 2 a.m. Internet searches for the latest, but sometimes the fans need downtime too. Enjoy the off-season.
He also threw us this Boston/NY link.
Joel gives us this gem:
Wow...Mad Jack has a coaching tree!
Speaking of coaching trees, it's hard to pinpoint where you put Jack...he was Ditka's conditioning coach with the Saints; then Billick's LB coach with the Ravens; then Fox's D Coordinator with the Panthers. Hmm...I'd venture to say that it was under Billick that he first made his name, which would technically put him in the Dennis Green tree. Which would make him just one branch away from Tony Dungy. Holy crap.
I love Wikipedia...a couple facts I never knew about him:
1) His middle name is "Lebron." Can that really be true?
2) He retired when he lost his starting job to rookie linebacker Zach Thomas.
3) Mad Jack's college roommate was Sean Salisbury.
4) The Jags apparently did not exist from 2000-2003
Thanks man, that is amazing stuff. Lebron, huh? Sounds like a new nickname is brewing...I don't know...King Jack? As for the Dungy/Del Rio connection, they do have one, but I can't remember it. I remember when he was first hired in Jacksonville, that Tony always gave him big hugs for some reason. They know each other well from somewhere, but the link is escaping me. Can someone help me out on this? Did Mad Jack play LB for Tony in Minnesota or something? Could King Jack be the bastard child of the Dungy coaching tree? Say it ain't so...
UPDATE: It's TRUE! King Jack did in fact play for Tony in Minnesota! There goes the "coaching tree" argument for Tony making the Hall of Fame. Jack Del Rio in your tree sort of ruins the whole concept. Lovie Smith would have to win about 3 titles before he would make up for that...
Here's a good piece by John Clayton about franchise QBs...
Guys,
This one is intended to be funny and as such I think it's pretty good. Cook, a Chicagoan, is usually very supportive of the Colts. Clearly he's as fed up with the Favre-love in the media as anybody.
You know, since the Colts lost I have added minimum 20 hours a week back to my life for the little things, like work productivity, reading, sleeping. I would have preferred three more weeks of sleep deprivation and 2 a.m. Internet searches for the latest, but sometimes the fans need downtime too. Enjoy the off-season.
He also threw us this Boston/NY link.
Joel gives us this gem:
Wow...Mad Jack has a coaching tree!
Speaking of coaching trees, it's hard to pinpoint where you put Jack...he was Ditka's conditioning coach with the Saints; then Billick's LB coach with the Ravens; then Fox's D Coordinator with the Panthers. Hmm...I'd venture to say that it was under Billick that he first made his name, which would technically put him in the Dennis Green tree. Which would make him just one branch away from Tony Dungy. Holy crap.
I love Wikipedia...a couple facts I never knew about him:
1) His middle name is "Lebron." Can that really be true?
2) He retired when he lost his starting job to rookie linebacker Zach Thomas.
3) Mad Jack's college roommate was Sean Salisbury.
4) The Jags apparently did not exist from 2000-2003
Thanks man, that is amazing stuff. Lebron, huh? Sounds like a new nickname is brewing...I don't know...King Jack? As for the Dungy/Del Rio connection, they do have one, but I can't remember it. I remember when he was first hired in Jacksonville, that Tony always gave him big hugs for some reason. They know each other well from somewhere, but the link is escaping me. Can someone help me out on this? Did Mad Jack play LB for Tony in Minnesota or something? Could King Jack be the bastard child of the Dungy coaching tree? Say it ain't so...
UPDATE: It's TRUE! King Jack did in fact play for Tony in Minnesota! There goes the "coaching tree" argument for Tony making the Hall of Fame. Jack Del Rio in your tree sort of ruins the whole concept. Lovie Smith would have to win about 3 titles before he would make up for that...
Here's a good piece by John Clayton about franchise QBs...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Shut Up
I've said it before and I'm saying it for the last time. It's the day after Super Bowl XLI and I come to you from the future. I inform you that the Colts will lose the following players for most or all of the 2007 season:
They also lose key contributors Brandon Stokley and Terrence Wilkins. How many games would you have predicted the Colts would have won? 7 or 8?
Try 13 games and a random back-breaking fumble from a return to the AFC title game. You don't think Tony Dungy is a brilliant head coach capable of doing the impossible? You just witnessed an amazing season and you don't even know it.
Editor's note: To those who the above rant is directed (you know who you are): this rant should ideally be read while listening to Cake's "Shut the ---- Up."
Cato June (Starting LB)
Nick Harper (Starting CB)
Jason David (Starting CB)
Dominic Rhodes (Starting RB)
Tarik Glenn (Starting LT)
Booger McFarland (Starting DT)
Rob Morris (Starting LB)
Dwight Freeney (All Pro DE)
Marvin Harrison (All Pro WR)
Nick Harper (Starting CB)
Jason David (Starting CB)
Dominic Rhodes (Starting RB)
Tarik Glenn (Starting LT)
Booger McFarland (Starting DT)
Rob Morris (Starting LB)
Dwight Freeney (All Pro DE)
Marvin Harrison (All Pro WR)
They also lose key contributors Brandon Stokley and Terrence Wilkins. How many games would you have predicted the Colts would have won? 7 or 8?
Try 13 games and a random back-breaking fumble from a return to the AFC title game. You don't think Tony Dungy is a brilliant head coach capable of doing the impossible? You just witnessed an amazing season and you don't even know it.
Editor's note: To those who the above rant is directed (you know who you are): this rant should ideally be read while listening to Cake's "Shut the ---- Up."
Loose links
Don Banks is unnecessarily confused. I'm not sure why he would have a tough time understanding the Colts' coaching situation. People are way too worried about down the road. This year, 2008, the issue is settled. If Tony comes back in '09, which no one expects him to, then there will be an issue. Let's burn that bridge when we come to it.
ESPN has a goofy list of the best QB performances in the Super Bowl. It's dumb crap that I don't really want to get into.
Last night on PTI, they were ranking the play of the QBs this post season. The idea was to show that Eli Manning has been the best. I'm not going to argue with the point, but as he rattled on he came to Peyton Manning who he described as "throwing for 400 yards, but was shaky". And that's why I've stopped watching TV. Ok, Wilbon, whatever. I'm not sure why I'm passing that story along other than Demond thought it was funny and said I should.
Sarah from Terre Haute wants everyone to vote here. To the Zombiemobile!
ESPN has a goofy list of the best QB performances in the Super Bowl. It's dumb crap that I don't really want to get into.
Last night on PTI, they were ranking the play of the QBs this post season. The idea was to show that Eli Manning has been the best. I'm not going to argue with the point, but as he rattled on he came to Peyton Manning who he described as "throwing for 400 yards, but was shaky". And that's why I've stopped watching TV. Ok, Wilbon, whatever. I'm not sure why I'm passing that story along other than Demond thought it was funny and said I should.
Sarah from Terre Haute wants everyone to vote here. To the Zombiemobile!
Shoot the messenger
I am in an odd position today. I sort of agree with Bob Kravitz. Let's be clear. I think this article is a hatchet job by a man who sees the chance to grab the national spotlight. Bob will be called to do radio shows and interviews, and maybe even PTI(!) where he can spout his opinion. He'll preen, and act like he's uncomfortable. He'll mention that everyone loves Tony Dungy (even though Bob doesn't agree with him about everything!). Then he'll quietly rip him and call him a hypocrite. I think that's deplorable and opportunistic.
Having said that, I don't think Bob's questions are unfair. Tony opened himself up to this. Listen, I don't know the details of his situation. I don't know his family. I do know something of what Tony believes and advocates in a very public manner. I do know that Tony has put himself in a position to receive this kind of examination. It doesn't come with the territory of being an NFL coach, but does with being any kind of spiritual leader in the Christian community.
I am also in a position where almost my top work related goal is to get men to be better husbands and fathers. It's a mantra with me. Because of what I do, I recognize that this starts with me and my life. Tony and I live in very different kinds of places. I live in a dangerous slum; he lives in a gated community. This mere fact changes things for us. I have made it a life rule that I only travel twice a year without my family. I have kids under the age of 4, and live in a place where my wife lacks many conveniences (dish washer and clothes dryer, just to start). It wouldn't be fair of me to say that my rules should apply to Tony. Our wives face different challenges each day. But I do know that if my job required me to be away from my family with great frequency, I'd quit. Tomorrow. I couldn't be a good example to men of how to care for my wife and kids if I wasn't there. And I can't preach what I don't practice.
Again, let me be clear. I'm not drawing a one to one comparison. I'm NOT saying that Dungy is a hypocrite, a bad father, or anything else. It may be that his family will be less stressed, more happy, and better off living in Tampa while he commutes. It certainly sounds like they have taken certain steps to ease the strain that would not be available to the rest of us. I AM saying that he has left the door to criticism open, especially should he continue on after this year. If this really is it, then I don't really have a problem with his decision. If this is going to be a lifestyle, then I think it's questionable.
Is it fair to question a man for his life choices? If he asks you to, then yes. I don't think Kravitz has been fair; I think he's slimy, but it doesn't make him wrong. I'm uncomfortable too.
Demond Sanders: I think this is a bizarre column. Tony Dungy is a man who doesn't make decisions lightly. He is doing what he thinks is right. That's all I ask for out of a man. It is inappropriate for Bob Kravitz or anyone else to question how Tony raises his family.
You argue that because he is a Christian leader and works with the All-Pro Dad program he leaves himself open to criticism. I suppose that is true - he has put himself out there. But that doesn't make it right when people take that opportunity to criticize him.
Would you like it if I used this space to criticize your parenting style? Or decisions you have made regarding your family? After all you have put yourself out there, like Tony has. Of course you wouldn't like it. I could say well, gee, DZ it sounds like you put your family in a dangerous situation. That may not be best thing for the kids or your wife. But you are a man who doesn't make decisions lightly. That's all I ask of people. Only a cheap-shotting punk would publicly criticize how a man raises his kids.
If Bob really cared then he should have left it in private. Tony responded to his criticism by assuring him that he had carefully prayed and considered the issue. It should have been left there, but Bob has papers to sell. You could see this coming from miles away. Bob's been pro-Colts for too long. He was waiting for a slip-up in the playoffs to go back on the attack. This is the second time he's criticized Dungy's fathering in his columns. I think the Star should make sure it is the last time.
DZ Replies: Wow, those are amazingly good points. And you're right. Just because someone is open to criticism doesn't mean you have a green light to commit character assassination. I feel bad for all the divorced dad's who can't be with their kids every day, who Kravitz just implied aren't good fathers and don't put their families first because they can't be with their kids every day. I guess my problem has nothing to do with Tony as a father. I only question whether he can be an effective role model (a role he has invited). Dungy is living a life that is impossible to imitate for most men. Most men with job pressures can't fly a private jet home. I'm certain that Tony is making the right choices for his wife and kids. Demond put it well; he makes serious decisions. If he hadn't taken time off to think about this, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. He could have moved right on with his life, and most of us wouldn't even realize the family had moved. Tony has tried to make his life about more than just HIS family, however. My question, and uncomfortability, lies with whether or not he's putting in jeopardy his ability to serve as a functional role model. Not because he's not a good father or husband, but because he's living a set of circumstances so far removed from the rest of us, that no one could really try and live like him. That's what makes me a little sad. We all, myself very very much included, need men to imitate and show us how to live.
Having said that, I don't think Bob's questions are unfair. Tony opened himself up to this. Listen, I don't know the details of his situation. I don't know his family. I do know something of what Tony believes and advocates in a very public manner. I do know that Tony has put himself in a position to receive this kind of examination. It doesn't come with the territory of being an NFL coach, but does with being any kind of spiritual leader in the Christian community.
I am also in a position where almost my top work related goal is to get men to be better husbands and fathers. It's a mantra with me. Because of what I do, I recognize that this starts with me and my life. Tony and I live in very different kinds of places. I live in a dangerous slum; he lives in a gated community. This mere fact changes things for us. I have made it a life rule that I only travel twice a year without my family. I have kids under the age of 4, and live in a place where my wife lacks many conveniences (dish washer and clothes dryer, just to start). It wouldn't be fair of me to say that my rules should apply to Tony. Our wives face different challenges each day. But I do know that if my job required me to be away from my family with great frequency, I'd quit. Tomorrow. I couldn't be a good example to men of how to care for my wife and kids if I wasn't there. And I can't preach what I don't practice.
Again, let me be clear. I'm not drawing a one to one comparison. I'm NOT saying that Dungy is a hypocrite, a bad father, or anything else. It may be that his family will be less stressed, more happy, and better off living in Tampa while he commutes. It certainly sounds like they have taken certain steps to ease the strain that would not be available to the rest of us. I AM saying that he has left the door to criticism open, especially should he continue on after this year. If this really is it, then I don't really have a problem with his decision. If this is going to be a lifestyle, then I think it's questionable.
Is it fair to question a man for his life choices? If he asks you to, then yes. I don't think Kravitz has been fair; I think he's slimy, but it doesn't make him wrong. I'm uncomfortable too.
Demond Sanders: I think this is a bizarre column. Tony Dungy is a man who doesn't make decisions lightly. He is doing what he thinks is right. That's all I ask for out of a man. It is inappropriate for Bob Kravitz or anyone else to question how Tony raises his family.
You argue that because he is a Christian leader and works with the All-Pro Dad program he leaves himself open to criticism. I suppose that is true - he has put himself out there. But that doesn't make it right when people take that opportunity to criticize him.
Would you like it if I used this space to criticize your parenting style? Or decisions you have made regarding your family? After all you have put yourself out there, like Tony has. Of course you wouldn't like it. I could say well, gee, DZ it sounds like you put your family in a dangerous situation. That may not be best thing for the kids or your wife. But you are a man who doesn't make decisions lightly. That's all I ask of people. Only a cheap-shotting punk would publicly criticize how a man raises his kids.
If Bob really cared then he should have left it in private. Tony responded to his criticism by assuring him that he had carefully prayed and considered the issue. It should have been left there, but Bob has papers to sell. You could see this coming from miles away. Bob's been pro-Colts for too long. He was waiting for a slip-up in the playoffs to go back on the attack. This is the second time he's criticized Dungy's fathering in his columns. I think the Star should make sure it is the last time.
DZ Replies: Wow, those are amazingly good points. And you're right. Just because someone is open to criticism doesn't mean you have a green light to commit character assassination. I feel bad for all the divorced dad's who can't be with their kids every day, who Kravitz just implied aren't good fathers and don't put their families first because they can't be with their kids every day. I guess my problem has nothing to do with Tony as a father. I only question whether he can be an effective role model (a role he has invited). Dungy is living a life that is impossible to imitate for most men. Most men with job pressures can't fly a private jet home. I'm certain that Tony is making the right choices for his wife and kids. Demond put it well; he makes serious decisions. If he hadn't taken time off to think about this, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. He could have moved right on with his life, and most of us wouldn't even realize the family had moved. Tony has tried to make his life about more than just HIS family, however. My question, and uncomfortability, lies with whether or not he's putting in jeopardy his ability to serve as a functional role model. Not because he's not a good father or husband, but because he's living a set of circumstances so far removed from the rest of us, that no one could really try and live like him. That's what makes me a little sad. We all, myself very very much included, need men to imitate and show us how to live.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The biggest non-story...
I have to tell you folks, I knew it all along. I don't claim to know what was really going on with Tony's son and the Tampa high school. I don't know Tony nor any of his family or confidants. I just didn't seem like he was done. All year, he's seemed energized and enthused. It seemed like if he walked away after this year, he'd just be coming back later on in his life, and I don't think that's what he wants. I'm sure Tony really did take time to evaluate his life like he said, and I'm not questioning the very real process of prayer that he and his family engaged in. I'm just saying, it wasn't time yet. Had the story of his son not broken in the Tampa papers, I have a feeling this press conference would have had about the same footnote feel that last year's did. Sometimes, a little information is worse than none at all, ask yahoo sports or whatever internet jackhole it was who tried and put 2 and 2 together and read Caldwell's decision to not pursue other jobs as an indication that Tony was done.
I believe that Tony Dungy is one of the top three coaches in football. I've seen him beat some of the best coaches around, and only put Belichick and Fisher on his level. I believe he's a sure fire Hall of Famer some day. I believe that he is the single best coach to coach this particular team.
I'm glad he's coming back.
Now let's get about the business of winning another ring. That's how you go out.
Lenny P weighs in saying that Tony is good for the NFL.
John Clayton expects a similar kind of effort from Tony as he gave this year.
In other news, Peyton gives some advice to Eli.
And...hope springs eternal...
I believe that Tony Dungy is one of the top three coaches in football. I've seen him beat some of the best coaches around, and only put Belichick and Fisher on his level. I believe he's a sure fire Hall of Famer some day. I believe that he is the single best coach to coach this particular team.
I'm glad he's coming back.
Now let's get about the business of winning another ring. That's how you go out.
Lenny P weighs in saying that Tony is good for the NFL.
John Clayton expects a similar kind of effort from Tony as he gave this year.
In other news, Peyton gives some advice to Eli.
And...hope springs eternal...
Monday Links
Just a couple of things I saw here and there...
Irsay thinks Tony is coming back. I don't think that's much of a surprise.
CHFF compares Favre and the Manning Family
They also declare the Chargers to be the Pats' number one rivals in the AFC now. I think that's jumping the gun. The Chargers were clearly better than a Colts team that couldn't rush the passer, but this is always the problem with these guys. They ignore context all together. Yeah, the Chargers won both games this year, but by a total of 6 points. Next year, the Colts will field a team with two defensive ends. I think that will make a difference. Furthermore, the Colts played the Pats a whole lot better than SD did in either of their losses. If the statement had been that the 2007 Chargers were better, I think that would be true. They beat us twice in close, freaky games. But going forward? It's sort of splitting hairs since SD is a top flight team, but it's a hilarious opinion with no basis in fact. Sigh, I suppose that's just what you get from them.
Dr Z. thinks Tony made a mistake. I 100% disagree. It's true that the Colts could have kicked on 4th down with 2:06 to play, but that would have changed things...
1. The Chargers would have started their drive inside the 2 minute warning after the kick off. As things stood, the Colts had plenty of time and a time out to drive. Two dropped passes killed their chances, but time to score wasn't the issue.
2. Norv might have thrown if the Colts had only needed a FG to win. You can't say, hey, we stopped them so that would have worked out the same. Knowing that a first down would win the game, he surely would have tried a pass play. That was bad news for us all day. Then again, it was Norv, so you never know.
3. AV was shaky all year. I'm not sure that banking on a long FG to win it was going to work any better.
4. I sleep better knowing we had at least one more good look at the endzone. If you kick there, you run the risk of never seeing the ball again. I couldn't have been ok with that.
Irsay thinks Tony is coming back. I don't think that's much of a surprise.
CHFF compares Favre and the Manning Family
They also declare the Chargers to be the Pats' number one rivals in the AFC now. I think that's jumping the gun. The Chargers were clearly better than a Colts team that couldn't rush the passer, but this is always the problem with these guys. They ignore context all together. Yeah, the Chargers won both games this year, but by a total of 6 points. Next year, the Colts will field a team with two defensive ends. I think that will make a difference. Furthermore, the Colts played the Pats a whole lot better than SD did in either of their losses. If the statement had been that the 2007 Chargers were better, I think that would be true. They beat us twice in close, freaky games. But going forward? It's sort of splitting hairs since SD is a top flight team, but it's a hilarious opinion with no basis in fact. Sigh, I suppose that's just what you get from them.
Dr Z. thinks Tony made a mistake. I 100% disagree. It's true that the Colts could have kicked on 4th down with 2:06 to play, but that would have changed things...
1. The Chargers would have started their drive inside the 2 minute warning after the kick off. As things stood, the Colts had plenty of time and a time out to drive. Two dropped passes killed their chances, but time to score wasn't the issue.
2. Norv might have thrown if the Colts had only needed a FG to win. You can't say, hey, we stopped them so that would have worked out the same. Knowing that a first down would win the game, he surely would have tried a pass play. That was bad news for us all day. Then again, it was Norv, so you never know.
3. AV was shaky all year. I'm not sure that banking on a long FG to win it was going to work any better.
4. I sleep better knowing we had at least one more good look at the endzone. If you kick there, you run the risk of never seeing the ball again. I couldn't have been ok with that.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
NFC Championship Game Blog
This game is insanely cold. Here's hoping it's a classic. We could either see a Favre v Brady, Good v Evil deal, or a rematch of last month's classic Pats/Giants game. Can't lose either way...
Q1
Q1
- It's hard not to like Plexico Burress when he's healthy. Eli picks up a couple of big first downs early by going to him. I watch Rivers, and I watch Eli, and I almost always think Eli looks like he has the higher ceiling.
- I said all season that Eli was not the problem with the Giants. I think it's pretty clear that Jeremy Shockey was. His gutless route running was killing his QB. He went out and this team plays better. Also, Brandon Jacobs is the slowest starting RB in football.
- The Pack holds up in the red zone and the Giants take a FG. That has to be an encouraging start for the Giants. Anytime you start inside the 20 and get points, it's been a successful drive.
- The Packers respond by going 3 and out. These flanker screens are not fooling the Giants even a little. The football must be like a brick. Punts aren't going anywhere.
- Nice hands, Toomer. The Giants dropped over 50 passes this year. How can you judge a QB with receivers like that?
- I know it's cold, but I'd like to see the Giants go for it here. Take control and announce you intend to win this game. Punting is an idiot option as Feagles just proved. GO FOR IT!
Q2
- You have to love the Giants D early. They have clearly given their team the momentum. The Giants have had two offensive possessions and managed to move the ball at least some. I know it's obvious, but turnovers will decide this game.
- Watching the Giants move the ball, you have to get the feeling like unless someone does something stupid, Eli is going to the Super Bowl
- A dying Yoda whispers...There is...another...Sky...Walker...
- Aikman describes Giant RB Bradshaw as "quicker than Jacobs and just as physical"...ok, then why is Jacobs still playing at all?
- Meanwhile, the Giants offense decides to completely implode here starting with a really bad false start penalty.
- As much as I love Sam Jackson and Hayden Christensen, Jumper does NOT look good. I actually watched Episode 3 today. My 16 month old has a cold, so we watched it together. I love that movie. But Jumper...um, not so much.
- Wow, Tynes slips one through. The Packers need points in a hurry. Two scores could be too much tonight.
- Robinson muffs the kick off, and it really looks like the Pack is coming unglued. Favre needs some magic, like now.
- Lol. I'm a freaking prophet. Can you say BLOWN COVERAGE??? How do you press Driver at the line without having any safety help? Someone was asleep at the switch on that play.
- Demond IMs: Touchdowns, not field goals. Well said, bro.
- HA-UGE pitch and catch from Manning to Burress. That's the way to hang onto a pass on 3rd down.
- That looked to me like the contact came early. The replay made it look closer than I thought.
- 3 passes and a punt will follow. Anything over 30 yards on a punt is a great effort today. Someone is going to break one of these ducks long.
- The Pack seems to have figured out that you have to pass downfield on a day like this. They've abandoned the screens in favor of more medium length routes. The Giants D went from dominant to back on their heels real fast.
- Good and bad Favre are inhabiting the same physical point in space and time right now. The paradox might cause the universe to implode upon itself.
- Ah, there's some running again!
- All the good Giants had done early in the game has been undone by penalties and one major brain lock on defense.
- Tough call on 3rd down gives the Pack a first down. Aside from the one big play, they still aren't inspiring confidence.
- Every Favre pass is alternately brilliant or terrifying. A Pack TD here before the end of the half would be crushing for the Giants. Still, they get the ball to start the 3rd quarter, so they aren't in awful shape.
- Pierce SHUTS DOWN the screen with a man hanging off of him. Great play, and as of yet, none of the Pack screens are working well at all.
- Manning needs to come up large here and get this game down to one before the half.
- Huge pass to Burress has the Giants thinking points. There is no question, the man is tall.
- OOOOOH Burress drops the perfect pass from Manning at the 2. I'm shocked the Pack let him get open that deep.
- The line fails again, and the Giants fail to convert the big play into points.
Tough, hard fought half. I still think the Giants are playing better, but someone will have a big turnover to change this game before it's done.
Q3
- The fans can boo those calls, but both were really no brainers. I'm still not convinced that Jacobs is an NFL quality starting RB.
- This drive shows that even if you don't run all that effectively, the act of running can still help an offense.
- This is a great drive by the Giants, but only if they turn it into a touchdown.
- This is 4 down territory. Jacobs is a beast size wise, if he can't get this, he shouldn't be playing.
- Heady play by the rookie Boss to bail out Jacobs. Seriously, at this point, what is Jacobs doing for this offense?
- Thanks to a series of offsides penalties, the Giants finally got it down to a distance that Jacobs could convert...about 2 inches. Nice.
- The Giants can't stand prosperity, and give up a big return. It seems all GB has had to hang in this game is a series of freakish big plays.
- Yikes. Sam Madison's moronic penalty leads to a Pack TD. Seriously, Favre is alternating between near picks, and TD passes. Just about anything can happen in this game.
- The big returns continue. I suppose this shouldn't really surprise me, since I said they were going to happen about 2 quarters ago.
- Ahmad Bradshaw illustrates why I've been questioning the sanity of the Giants running Jacobs so much.
- Huge catch by Toomer was just barely in bounds. If Eli and his band of misfits can do this to the Packer corners, what will Brady and Stallworth and Welker do? I leave Randy Moss off the list as he's apparently decided to stop playing in the post-season.
- Eli is carving this team up. The Giants have serious rhythm on offense now. We are a Favre pick away from this thing being over.
- Huge play (or two plays if they are smart) for the Packers as we start the fourth.
4th Q
- Favre. In Lambeau. Below zero. Down three. Fourth quarter. For the Super Bowl. Gotta love it.
- Good Lord. That's the sickest thing I've ever seen.
- Favre and Brady just ooze clutch sometimes. For frick's sake.
- Well, the Pack survived the pick, but it feels like the whole scenario gut-punched the air right out of them. Again, the screen...NOT WORKING. At any rate, we have a tie game.
- With the ball on the 40, this game is on a platter for the Giants. They've been the better team all night, and now they need to lower the hammer. This has been a great game, and depending on what Eli goes on to do in his career, it'll be remembered as one of the classics.
- Tremendous hook up by Eli on 3rd down after his primary reciever got knocked down. That was a big time play. Anyone who watched these two games today can see that he is MARKEDLY better than Phil Rivers.
- What a great shot of the paint getting knocked off the helmet of Bradshaw. That was one of the coolest football shots I've ever seen.
- This is four down territory, but I bet Coughlin would punt. You have to go out and win these games, and not just let the other team lose them. I would not willingly give the ball back to Favre with the score tied. With only one timeout, Favre could drive them downfield and kill this clock.
- Toomer drops another huge pass AND picks up a penalty. Nice.
- Huge play by Bradshaw to set up the 4th down we just discussed. He gave them a chance.
- So here we go! Tommy grew a pair.
- HUGE play. The Giants complete the pass, and it would have been close to the mark, but a penalty guarantees the first down.
- Great play by Al Harris on the underthrown ball to Burress. He comes up limping, and the Giants should go right back at him, but instead run the ball to set up 3rd and medium.
- Tynes yaaks the kick and now it's Favre time. I bet the Giants don't see the ball again.
- I've heard the Mannings occasionally take a hunting trip together in the offseason. My bet is they go kicker hunting. Hard to kill Tynes though, that was not an easy kick in these conditions.
- The pressure forces #4 to check down on 3rd and 10. So I'm wrong, the Giants will have a chance to stun the world.
- Jacobs shortens the game with a couple of runs. The Giants seem to come up with a limping lineman on every play. The Giants MUST get this first down. I'd even go for it on 4th. I just don't think you can give the ball to Favre at home. The refs will step in if nothing else.
- Eli picks up the first down on the sneak. Big Blue has to feel good right now.
- Or not. Three ugly plays in a row will lead to a punt. KGB blew off the line just on the count and ended the drive. Favre has 2:48 and 1 time out to cover about 55 or 60 yards.
- A false start really puts it to the Pack. They need at LEAST a first down, or they will lose this game in regulation.
- The Pack runs a give up play. Favre has come up VERY small in the fourth quarter of this game. It seems like his INT cut his heart out, even though they got the ball back.
- FUUUUUUMBLE! The Giants recover eventually, but not before they lose more than 10 yards they desperately needed.
- Wow, a potential game winning TD is erased on a hold. Again, did anyone notice Bradshaw's burst? Why were they playing Jacobs again? The Giants will be lucky to get one first down here. There's a pretty fair chance we are going to overtime.
- What a huge throw by Eli to pick up the first down by a chain link. Archie is dying. I'm sure he's thinking, "Why do they always have to be like this?"
- Why does Joe Buck want this called incomplete so bad? "There's no doubt that ball was moving!" Um, yeah, Joe. There is doubt. What is your deal?
- What a great throw by Eli again. He's been huge all day. It's all on Tynes now.
- Holy crap. I'm having flash back nightmares. I don't really care who wins, other than I think the Giants have been better, but I feel sick somehow.
OT
- The Packs wins the toss. This time I won't say that Favre will just win the game, becuase I've said it twice now, and he's done jack crap. Sure enough, he'll come out and throw one pass for 99 yards and a score.
- I just caught this link off a Cardinals fan blog. He thinks maybe they ought to cut Edge already. I hurt for him.
- FAVRE THROWS THE PICK. He has officially been AWFUL for the last 18 minutes of game time. Surely, SURELY, the Giants can put this away.
- OOOOOH! I was yelling for them to go for it, but Larry Tynes BURRIES the 47 yarder to stun the Cheese Heads. Good for the Giants. They were the better almost all night.
AFC Championship Game Blog
As we sit about half way through the 3rd quarter of the Pats Chargers game some things become clear.
- The Chargers' offense isn't bad, but Phil Rivers isn't the same QB when under pressure. NE has done a good job closing in on them in the red zone, and still leads despite two fewer scoring drives.
- The weather is only partly to blame for the Pats struggles. SD has a really good defense.
- If the Chargers come with 5, Brady has problems. Whenever they drop back and rush 3, he cuts them up.
- NE will have to turn the ball over a couple of more times if SD is going to win.
NE/SD Q3 5:30
- The Chargers D looks tired. They shouldn't be physically tired, but I think that playing NE can wear out a D emotionally and mentally.
- WOW. Brady throws another huge pick. Listen, the Pats might win this game, but hopefully everyone will realize now how great Manning was last week. I said the Chargers needed two more turnovers to win. There is number one. Brady has now killed the Pats first two drives this quarter with picks.
- The Chargers eschew the run after a big gainer, and have to punt. Still, they changed the field position after a big kick. They'll have to make at least one more huge play on defense.
- The Pats let the clock run out on the third. All things considered, it was a missed quarter for the Chargers. They picked Brady twice and only got three points to show for it. Still, one more 3-0 quarter and they go to the Super Bowl.
4th Q.
- Great cutback run by Marooney (haven't said that much this year). The Chargers look like they are dead on their feet. This team looks gassed. They must stop the Pats with only a field goal. I can't see them scoring twice to win this game.
- Pats pick up the blitz, Brady hits Welker and this game is over.
- Rivers continues to hit passes, but he throws in such slow motion. The Chargers are a deep and talented team. I'm still not convinced he's not the weakest link on that team.
- Rivers completes a huge pass on 3rd and 10. The Chargers have forgotten completely about the run. They need to balance things up a little more.
- Seriously, this is the problem with Norv. Three more incompletes and a punt? We've been waiting for him to screw this team, and it finally happened. That was unconscionable play calling. The Chargers have run the ball effectively all game, and suddenly act like they down 21. Norv just cost his team big time.
- Marooney gets the corner easily. I'm not sure how a team that owns ToP can be tired, but the Chargers look slow now. Just as a type that, they get the huge sack. They are still on life support...
- I just checked the ToP and the Pats are winning it, but it was close until this drive
- And that's why BB is a great coach and Norv isn't. The Chargers faced 3rd and 10. Threw long and punted. The Pats faced 3rd and 10, made it a manageable distance and then converted on 4th down. Horrible job, Norv. You are who we thought you were.
- Brady kept this game close, but NE was clearly the better team today (and all year). Today showed why QBs are so important, but why they are overrated at the same time. Phil Rivers is not good enough to take the Chargers all the way (at least not banged up). At the same time, Tom Brady played quite poorly, but his team was superior and they won. Football is a team game. His team is now one game away from being known as the unquestioned single best team of all time. He'll probably have to play much better than he did today for it to happen though.
- The two biggest shocks today have to be SD inability to stop the run in the second half, and Norv's insane brain fart that led him to only call only 6 runs in the second half. Those five runs netted 25 yards, but somehow Norv thought it a good idea to put the ball in the air 14 times. I'm not sure what he saw, but it cost him the game.
I'll be back later with the Giants/Packers
The Problem is, Bob...
there aren't any good candidates out there. Bob Kravitz stretches hard to come up with something to write about today, positing that the Colts should go through an interview process, ala the Rooney Rule, just to see who's out there. The problem is that he's overlooking the facts:
1. The minority candidates getting interviews per the Rooney rule? Jim Caldwell and Ron Meeks. Has anyone else heard another name tossed about? So, both the top minority candidates are from the Colts. Tony Dungy has managed to foster the first legitimate tree of mostly black coaches (Rod Miraneli is his too). He should go to the Hall of Fame just for that. It's a historic achievement that has benefited football and society.
2. I assume he's insinuating the Colts would find a better coach among the white guys out there then. If that were true, then why do none of the teams that are currently coachless want to hire anyone? The only hot name was Jason Garrett, and he's off the market. Sorry, Bob. I don't see it. He says the Colts might stumble upon a hidden gem, ala Mike Tomilin. Hidden gem, Bob? Everyone knows the white guys out there...they aren't blowing anyone away. The black guys are all Colts. I just don't see it.
3. Why insult a top candidate by bringing in a series of unknowns? If you invite a bunch of guys with no experience that no one has ever heard about to interview (we already covered the known, experienced guys above), what are you telling people about your confidence level in Caldwell? It just doesn't make sense. If you think this is the guy, and there are no other choices that beg for your attention, then go with it. If someone, Kravitz included, wanted to give me another name to consider, that'd be one thing. Instead, those few that argue against Caldwell aren't' arguing FOR anyone. So Bob, if you don't like Caldwell...give us another name. If you can't, then get in line. The purpose of the Rooney rule is to make sure that black coaches got a chance. Thank God, for the first time in NFL history, a black man is seen as the natural, unquestioned successor to another black man to become an NFL head coach. This is a historic hire that should be questioned only if there was a seriously amazing candidate floating out there that was being ignored. There isn't. I wish Bill Walsh was sitting around waiting to be the Colts next coach. He's not, so I can live with this and feel good about it.
He also criticizes Tony Dungy in the piece (aside from his need to restate that he doesn't agree with Tony on everything. All right. We get it, Bob. You've written that same line in every column about Dungy for 10 months now). He says that Dungy would have "a conflicted mind". Personally, I think that a coach who knows he only has one season left in his career (not in his job, but HIS CAREER), would be hell-bent on winning. Tony wants to go out right. The team will want him to go out right. Seems like a perfect scenario to me. Of all his weak efforts, this piece was one of his weakest. The jist of it is, "The Colts would be better off with a mythical mystery coach that no one has ever heard of and may not even exist than with either a Hall of Famer or his specifically groomed and trained replacement". Nice work, Bobby. Next time, try. A little.
Tonight's NFC game should be fun to watch and fun to root for. Like most Colts fans, I'd like to see Eli do well, but my grandmother lived a block from Lambeau in Green Bay. Either way, I'll have someone to care about in the Super Bowl. I'll be blogging this game tonight.
1. The minority candidates getting interviews per the Rooney rule? Jim Caldwell and Ron Meeks. Has anyone else heard another name tossed about? So, both the top minority candidates are from the Colts. Tony Dungy has managed to foster the first legitimate tree of mostly black coaches (Rod Miraneli is his too). He should go to the Hall of Fame just for that. It's a historic achievement that has benefited football and society.
2. I assume he's insinuating the Colts would find a better coach among the white guys out there then. If that were true, then why do none of the teams that are currently coachless want to hire anyone? The only hot name was Jason Garrett, and he's off the market. Sorry, Bob. I don't see it. He says the Colts might stumble upon a hidden gem, ala Mike Tomilin. Hidden gem, Bob? Everyone knows the white guys out there...they aren't blowing anyone away. The black guys are all Colts. I just don't see it.
3. Why insult a top candidate by bringing in a series of unknowns? If you invite a bunch of guys with no experience that no one has ever heard about to interview (we already covered the known, experienced guys above), what are you telling people about your confidence level in Caldwell? It just doesn't make sense. If you think this is the guy, and there are no other choices that beg for your attention, then go with it. If someone, Kravitz included, wanted to give me another name to consider, that'd be one thing. Instead, those few that argue against Caldwell aren't' arguing FOR anyone. So Bob, if you don't like Caldwell...give us another name. If you can't, then get in line. The purpose of the Rooney rule is to make sure that black coaches got a chance. Thank God, for the first time in NFL history, a black man is seen as the natural, unquestioned successor to another black man to become an NFL head coach. This is a historic hire that should be questioned only if there was a seriously amazing candidate floating out there that was being ignored. There isn't. I wish Bill Walsh was sitting around waiting to be the Colts next coach. He's not, so I can live with this and feel good about it.
He also criticizes Tony Dungy in the piece (aside from his need to restate that he doesn't agree with Tony on everything. All right. We get it, Bob. You've written that same line in every column about Dungy for 10 months now). He says that Dungy would have "a conflicted mind". Personally, I think that a coach who knows he only has one season left in his career (not in his job, but HIS CAREER), would be hell-bent on winning. Tony wants to go out right. The team will want him to go out right. Seems like a perfect scenario to me. Of all his weak efforts, this piece was one of his weakest. The jist of it is, "The Colts would be better off with a mythical mystery coach that no one has ever heard of and may not even exist than with either a Hall of Famer or his specifically groomed and trained replacement". Nice work, Bobby. Next time, try. A little.
Tonight's NFC game should be fun to watch and fun to root for. Like most Colts fans, I'd like to see Eli do well, but my grandmother lived a block from Lambeau in Green Bay. Either way, I'll have someone to care about in the Super Bowl. I'll be blogging this game tonight.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Just like we thought
Jim Irsay confirmed that Jim Caldwell will be the Colts next head coach. It's only a matter of when. This comes as no surprise to any of us. Caldwell withdrawing himself for consideration for other jobs was a clear sign that the Colts had made some kind of commitment to him.
Again our official position is: who knows? Jim Caldwell seems to be as good a choice as anyone. He's bright. He knows the players. He promotes stability in a system designed around doing things the 'Colts way'. I don't look at any of the 'high profile' coaches and say, "WE HAVE TO HAVE HIM!" in the same way I did when Tony Dungy became available. Seriously, who else could the Colts bring in? Marty? God forbid. Brian Billick? Lord, have mercy. Cowher? For a team whose only question each year is "Can we win in January", he wouldn't be that great a choice. His teams were famous for flameouts in January. So without any other sure things available, we'll go on the record as endorsing Caldwell. If he's good enough for Polian and Peyton, he's good enough for us.
Speaking of that, I think it's actually a product of good coaching to lose playoff games. In the playoffs, talent often wins out (except in 2001 when the Patriots were only team I've ever seen to be visibly worse than all three teams they beat-and no Patsrule, that's not a slam. It's a fact, and a compliment). A great coach can squeeze extra wins out of a team that didn't deserve them, but come playoff time, the best teams win out. This year's Colts were a banged up mess in a lot of ways, but Dungy kept everyone from noticing. In the end, they got beat by a good team becuase they couldn't physically generate a pass rush with the talent they had on the field. It wasn't a 'coaching' loss. It was the natural result of the club they fielded. Even Bill Belichick only won with an inferior team once. In 05 and 06, his Pats teams were clearly not the best clubs in football, and he didn't win it all. The Colts need a coach that can keep the coaching staff together (they are the ones training all the young players), not make any glaring mistakes of time management or replay control, keep the team on an even keel, and let Manning run things on offense. Do that, and with the roster they have coming back, they'll be among the favorites to bring home the title again next year.
Again our official position is: who knows? Jim Caldwell seems to be as good a choice as anyone. He's bright. He knows the players. He promotes stability in a system designed around doing things the 'Colts way'. I don't look at any of the 'high profile' coaches and say, "WE HAVE TO HAVE HIM!" in the same way I did when Tony Dungy became available. Seriously, who else could the Colts bring in? Marty? God forbid. Brian Billick? Lord, have mercy. Cowher? For a team whose only question each year is "Can we win in January", he wouldn't be that great a choice. His teams were famous for flameouts in January. So without any other sure things available, we'll go on the record as endorsing Caldwell. If he's good enough for Polian and Peyton, he's good enough for us.
Speaking of that, I think it's actually a product of good coaching to lose playoff games. In the playoffs, talent often wins out (except in 2001 when the Patriots were only team I've ever seen to be visibly worse than all three teams they beat-and no Patsrule, that's not a slam. It's a fact, and a compliment). A great coach can squeeze extra wins out of a team that didn't deserve them, but come playoff time, the best teams win out. This year's Colts were a banged up mess in a lot of ways, but Dungy kept everyone from noticing. In the end, they got beat by a good team becuase they couldn't physically generate a pass rush with the talent they had on the field. It wasn't a 'coaching' loss. It was the natural result of the club they fielded. Even Bill Belichick only won with an inferior team once. In 05 and 06, his Pats teams were clearly not the best clubs in football, and he didn't win it all. The Colts need a coach that can keep the coaching staff together (they are the ones training all the young players), not make any glaring mistakes of time management or replay control, keep the team on an even keel, and let Manning run things on offense. Do that, and with the roster they have coming back, they'll be among the favorites to bring home the title again next year.
Cream (and Crimson) Rises
What a big time win by the Hoosiers tonight. The first 25 minutes showed why winning on the road in the Big 10 is tough. Minnesota is always a meat grinder (even for the best IU teams), but when the officials virtually conspire to give the game to the home team (as they do at virtually every Big 10 game), it can be downright impossible. It's easy to focus on all the turnovers, but that's part of playing a pressure defense. Indiana did a great job converting the opportunities they did have. Stemler's 3 made up for his HUGE mistake on defense a possession earlier when he failed to foul Minnesota lummox Tollackson. He's a terrible free throw shooter, but Lance went up in the air and left him open for a nifty reverse layup.
Eric Gordon struggled after being saddled with a bogus third foul, but played large down the stretch, nailing four huge FTs and making a tremendous stop one on one on defense with the Hoosiers up a point and the clock winding down. DJ White continues to show that he is a man playing a boys' game.
I'm not saying that Tubby Smith is a great coach, but I think he's solid to some degree (maybe not by Kentucky standards, but whatever). His move to the Big 10 has elevated the Gophers to level of being a team no one wants to play. This will be good for the conference in the long run.
All in all, this was the kind of win that pays off come March. IU will play a team down the road that will press like the Gophers. For a young team, the experience tonight will pay huge dividends later.
Eric Gordon struggled after being saddled with a bogus third foul, but played large down the stretch, nailing four huge FTs and making a tremendous stop one on one on defense with the Hoosiers up a point and the clock winding down. DJ White continues to show that he is a man playing a boys' game.
I'm not saying that Tubby Smith is a great coach, but I think he's solid to some degree (maybe not by Kentucky standards, but whatever). His move to the Big 10 has elevated the Gophers to level of being a team no one wants to play. This will be good for the conference in the long run.
All in all, this was the kind of win that pays off come March. IU will play a team down the road that will press like the Gophers. For a young team, the experience tonight will pay huge dividends later.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Signing makes sense
The club made a great move by locking up Tyjuan Hagler today. The linebacking play was strong all season, and Hagler was a huge part of that. The backers are one of the best reasons to feel good about next year. When the Colts sign a linebacker (even to a one year extension), it means they really like him. We all know they'll let them go at the drop of a hat.
The Randy Moss thing is getting weird. At first he seemed very believable, but he's changed his story from "I didn't do anything" to "It was an accident". That's just creepy. The #1 most fascinating story this offseason will be what the Pats do with him and/or what he does to the Pats. If they win it all and manage to get rid of him, it'll go down as the single most brilliant offseason move ever (higher even than the Pack taking Reggie White). If he manages to sink this season that he built, the irony, the hilarity, and the I told you so's will be mountainous.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get ready to enjoy one of the handful of times I get to see the incomparable Eric Gordon play this season. Minnesota is a tough place to play, so it should be a good contest. But hey! Comcast is showing the NCAA tournament this year! Just because they love us! God bless you, Comcast Cable. Why are you so very very good to us?
The Randy Moss thing is getting weird. At first he seemed very believable, but he's changed his story from "I didn't do anything" to "It was an accident". That's just creepy. The #1 most fascinating story this offseason will be what the Pats do with him and/or what he does to the Pats. If they win it all and manage to get rid of him, it'll go down as the single most brilliant offseason move ever (higher even than the Pack taking Reggie White). If he manages to sink this season that he built, the irony, the hilarity, and the I told you so's will be mountainous.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get ready to enjoy one of the handful of times I get to see the incomparable Eric Gordon play this season. Minnesota is a tough place to play, so it should be a good contest. But hey! Comcast is showing the NCAA tournament this year! Just because they love us! God bless you, Comcast Cable. Why are you so very very good to us?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Empty Sea of Blackness
I miss you football. I miss you so. . . much.
I started getting really bored tonight because my wife was forcing me to watch American Idol. Usually right now I'd be looking for articles about the Colts while watching the NFL Network. But that's all over. I canceled my subscription to the NFL Network. I can't even listen to sports talk radio. The only time I think about the Colts is when someone carelessly mentions the Chargers game to me in passing. My own mom kindly explained today that sometimes Peyton just has off days. "He threw for 400 yards! Did you even watch the game?" Sort of. She didn't watch the first half.
Every now and then I'll click on ESPN.com and take a quick look at the latest stories. The stories are strange and unfamiliar. I feel so out of the loop. Randy Moss beat up some chick? What? I should be all over this. This was supposed to be THE WEEK. Instead I'm forced to watch a bunch of freaks who can't sing. My beautiful wife claims that I'm just getting a taste of what I put her through for five months. Now I know why some people drink.
I started getting really bored tonight because my wife was forcing me to watch American Idol. Usually right now I'd be looking for articles about the Colts while watching the NFL Network. But that's all over. I canceled my subscription to the NFL Network. I can't even listen to sports talk radio. The only time I think about the Colts is when someone carelessly mentions the Chargers game to me in passing. My own mom kindly explained today that sometimes Peyton just has off days. "He threw for 400 yards! Did you even watch the game?" Sort of. She didn't watch the first half.
Every now and then I'll click on ESPN.com and take a quick look at the latest stories. The stories are strange and unfamiliar. I feel so out of the loop. Randy Moss beat up some chick? What? I should be all over this. This was supposed to be THE WEEK. Instead I'm forced to watch a bunch of freaks who can't sing. My beautiful wife claims that I'm just getting a taste of what I put her through for five months. Now I know why some people drink.
I still say he stays...
There have been reports all over that Dungy is in fact leaving the team, but he's denying that he's made up his mind. I gotta be honest, nothing he's said makes me think he's leaving. I think he put his son in HS in Tampa for football reasons, and because he's probably done after next year. His son would then have to transfer just for his Senior season, and that's unfair to the kid. Tony has said little things that make me think he's coming back. The smart money seems to be the other direction, but when have I ever taken the smart money?
I do buy reports that Caldwell will be the next head coach. He's apparently very well thought of in the organization, and Colts will want someone that will promote stability. Bringing in some new guy who will feel the need to show everyone who's boss doesn't make sense. The stability in the coach staff seems to cry out for a guy who knows the system and how things work.
Demond Sanders: He'll stay. When he sits down and thinks about how far the team came along this year it will get him excited again. This team was probably a year ahead of schedule. That knowledge doesn't make the ridiculous playoff loss any easier to take, but it should be enough to keep Tony around for one more year.
DZ Updates: It seems that the source of the report may stem from the fact that Jim Caldwell withdrew his name from consideration from the Atlanta job. This doesn't mean that Tony isn't coming back. Jim may well have been promised the job next year. The smoothest transition would be to lock up Caldwell by promising him the job no later than the 09 season. My only fear about Caldwell is the horrible record at Wake Forrest. I have no idea what caused that, but I worry about for the same reasons I knew Cammy "Cam-Cam" Cameron would suck because he was a disaster at IU. I'm willing to suspend judgement, but that fear is there. Then again, Norv Turner (like Barry Switzer before him) has proven that if you stay out of the way of a talented team, you can still go far. So who knows?
I do buy reports that Caldwell will be the next head coach. He's apparently very well thought of in the organization, and Colts will want someone that will promote stability. Bringing in some new guy who will feel the need to show everyone who's boss doesn't make sense. The stability in the coach staff seems to cry out for a guy who knows the system and how things work.
Demond Sanders: He'll stay. When he sits down and thinks about how far the team came along this year it will get him excited again. This team was probably a year ahead of schedule. That knowledge doesn't make the ridiculous playoff loss any easier to take, but it should be enough to keep Tony around for one more year.
DZ Updates: It seems that the source of the report may stem from the fact that Jim Caldwell withdrew his name from consideration from the Atlanta job. This doesn't mean that Tony isn't coming back. Jim may well have been promised the job next year. The smoothest transition would be to lock up Caldwell by promising him the job no later than the 09 season. My only fear about Caldwell is the horrible record at Wake Forrest. I have no idea what caused that, but I worry about for the same reasons I knew Cammy "Cam-Cam" Cameron would suck because he was a disaster at IU. I'm willing to suspend judgement, but that fear is there. Then again, Norv Turner (like Barry Switzer before him) has proven that if you stay out of the way of a talented team, you can still go far. So who knows?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Looking ahead
Charlie Casserly of CBS previews the Colts offseason, and says that things look bright. I think we all know that and that's why most of us are pretty ok with how things went this season. With all the trauma this team endured, it was mostly held together by chewing gum and bailing wire (and #18). It lost four games by a total of 16 points. No defensive player is over the age of 29. We have no first round pick this year, but really don't have a need at a position that merits one. Tony Ugoh is our first round pick this year, and aside from the one play at the end, he was brilliant in every way. Demond and I are apparently in the minority for calling for the head of Dallas Clark, and I do think it's more likely that they'll let him go next year when they have a first round pick to use on his replacement.
It would have been interesting to see if Mathis and Brock could have provided pressure had they not gotten hurt. Both were playing at an insane level when they went down, and had covered well for the loss of Freeney. But then the DTs that replaced Brock were playing great, so they moved him to end just for the playoff game. It didn't work. Not even a little.
The other major move was the Marvin Experiment which was a disaster. It can't be second-guessed, though. No one really first guessed it. They would have played him earlier if they could have. I didn't hear anyone really say, screw it, just put him on IR (I certainly didn't). So I'm not going to kill the team for that. I hope that Marvin is good to go next year, and when the sad day comes that he plays his last game in blue and white, I hope I know when it is. I want to remember where I was when the greatest reciever in Colts history retires. I forgive you, Marvin. You were just trying to help the team.
As opposed to last season where the whole roster was in flux, the only issue beyond Clark is the two guards. Indy never drafts guards in the early rounds, and rarely pays them big bucks. I say Lilja is gone and Scott stays, but I won't be surprised if both go.
Like always, don't expect any free agent signings. The Colts like their compensatory picks way too much.
As for Dungy, my bet is that he's back for one more year. I think his son's transfer has to do with football. In talking to Bob Lamey in the post game show, it sounded to me like he was coming back. I just don't think he wants to go out like this, though the argument can easily be made that this season was his greatest job as a coach.
The best thing of all...we only have to endure one more season of Corey Simon's contract on our roster! Woo hoo!
Demond Sanders: If you haven't already, check out Kravitz's latest dose of crazy. He's right that the Colts flat out blew that game. No question about it. A more ridiculous loss this franchise will never see. But to suggest that another coach can come in an duplicate Dungy's success is absurd. Dungy was brilliant this season. His style of defense clearly works if the right players are on the field. Polian made sure Freeney would be here to keep it working. He got hurt. That's no one's fault.
Dungy took a team missing two of its three best players pretty far, in my opinion. It's not his fault his offense had three costly turnovers. The team let him down and not the other way around. Losing Dungy would be a major blow to this franchise. If Polian and Dungy stay the course they'll be right back in the thick of the AFC playoffs next year. And that's really all we can ask for, right?
It would have been interesting to see if Mathis and Brock could have provided pressure had they not gotten hurt. Both were playing at an insane level when they went down, and had covered well for the loss of Freeney. But then the DTs that replaced Brock were playing great, so they moved him to end just for the playoff game. It didn't work. Not even a little.
The other major move was the Marvin Experiment which was a disaster. It can't be second-guessed, though. No one really first guessed it. They would have played him earlier if they could have. I didn't hear anyone really say, screw it, just put him on IR (I certainly didn't). So I'm not going to kill the team for that. I hope that Marvin is good to go next year, and when the sad day comes that he plays his last game in blue and white, I hope I know when it is. I want to remember where I was when the greatest reciever in Colts history retires. I forgive you, Marvin. You were just trying to help the team.
As opposed to last season where the whole roster was in flux, the only issue beyond Clark is the two guards. Indy never drafts guards in the early rounds, and rarely pays them big bucks. I say Lilja is gone and Scott stays, but I won't be surprised if both go.
Like always, don't expect any free agent signings. The Colts like their compensatory picks way too much.
As for Dungy, my bet is that he's back for one more year. I think his son's transfer has to do with football. In talking to Bob Lamey in the post game show, it sounded to me like he was coming back. I just don't think he wants to go out like this, though the argument can easily be made that this season was his greatest job as a coach.
The best thing of all...we only have to endure one more season of Corey Simon's contract on our roster! Woo hoo!
Demond Sanders: If you haven't already, check out Kravitz's latest dose of crazy. He's right that the Colts flat out blew that game. No question about it. A more ridiculous loss this franchise will never see. But to suggest that another coach can come in an duplicate Dungy's success is absurd. Dungy was brilliant this season. His style of defense clearly works if the right players are on the field. Polian made sure Freeney would be here to keep it working. He got hurt. That's no one's fault.
Dungy took a team missing two of its three best players pretty far, in my opinion. It's not his fault his offense had three costly turnovers. The team let him down and not the other way around. Losing Dungy would be a major blow to this franchise. If Polian and Dungy stay the course they'll be right back in the thick of the AFC playoffs next year. And that's really all we can ask for, right?
Monday, January 14, 2008
In response to rumors...
I can't thank all of you enough for your kind words about the blog. I thought today would suck because of the Pats fans crap, but really, all of your encouragement far outweighed the negative. I'm glad you all enjoyed the season along with us.
We will still be going strong all offseason. We are huge sports fans, and will comment on whatever is going on. We probably will blog at least one of the playoff games or the Super Bowl. We'll also be putting out regular articles that will hopefully amuse as well. I doubt we'll hit our 70-80 post a month average, but we'll be in the 40s for sure. Stick with us; we aren't going anywhere.
We will still be going strong all offseason. We are huge sports fans, and will comment on whatever is going on. We probably will blog at least one of the playoff games or the Super Bowl. We'll also be putting out regular articles that will hopefully amuse as well. I doubt we'll hit our 70-80 post a month average, but we'll be in the 40s for sure. Stick with us; we aren't going anywhere.
If you only read one article...
make this the one. Gregg Doyel is 100% right. I'm relieved that perhaps sanity will dominate the day.
If you have to read two, make this the second. It basically says the same thing. Aaron Schatz just gets it.
If you have to read two, make this the second. It basically says the same thing. Aaron Schatz just gets it.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
No, I didn't just jump off a bridge...
but I did just get home (I live several hours from Indy right now). I'm sure we'll all have more to say about this game in the coming days, but I didn't want anyone to think we were dodging the issue...
So here's what I have to say:
1. Demond and I both stopped worrying about losing the game after the first Chargers drive of the 2nd half. Why? Because we knew this team couldn't beat New England. There was just no pass rush. That was far and away the most unforgivable defensive game of the year. Sure there were the tipped pass picks (did someone coat our receivers hands with grease today?) and the Marvin Harrison Experiment basically cost us the season, but at the end of the day the utter and total inability of the defense to get pressure was the story. Didn't we just say this last week? The morons at Scouts Inc. wanted us to believe the run d was the problem. Nope. A total lack of pass pressure made a loss (today or next week totally inevitable).
2. I think Dallas Clark has played his last game with the Colts. He led the league in dropped passes. I haven't seen the tape of the 4th down play at the end of the game today, but from where we were, it looked pretty catchable.
3. The officiating was atrocious all game long. Most big calls favored the Colts, others went to the Chargers (how did they miss the big delay of game call in the first half??). Two Colts TDs had to be replay challenged. The first 55 minutes was called one way, the last 5 another. All of it left the crowd scratching its head. I'm not complaining mind you, we benefited from some of those calls. I'm just saying it was bad. Real bad.
4. I suppose some NE fans might want to crow about this game and blame Manning for some reason. I haven't read any articles yet, but there's a pattern I've seen in Colts playoff games. Something horrible goes wrong, so everyone blames Peyton. Now, maybe every throw today wasn't perfect, but I'd say 402 yards passing and three TDs is getting it done. If you give your defense the lead with 8 minutes left and say, Hey...keep Billy Volek out of the endzone, you expect to get rewarded with a win. On the final drive his last two passes were both dropped (Reggie Wayne got killed, so I forgive him). There are a lot of people to blame this loss on (Marlin Jackson, TJ Rushing, Marvin Harrison, Brock and Mathis), but seriously, I don't pin it on Manning, that's just stupid. The only real mistake he made was throwing at all to Kenton Keith. His hands are stone. That pick didn't really hurt though, they held SD and got the ball at the 50, driving in for a score anyway.
5. Things we can put to rest:
-Manning struggles against the 3-4. Sure there were 4 empty trips inside the 30, but neither pick, the fumble, or the turnover on downs had anything to do with the 3-4 defense. The O-line was great all day, especially Ugoh. There was some degree of protection problems on the goal line drive that ended badly, but that really had more to do with NO ONE GETTING OPEN.
-Specials teams would do in this team. They never played better. AV was booming it.
-This defense doesn't need Dwight Freeney. Someone tried to make that argument a few weeks ago. I hoped Mathis and Brock coming back would be enough. It wasn't. This season effectively ended with Freeney went down.
-The bye week hurt the Colts. Um, folks...that first drive was flawless. The Colts picked off Rivers on the first defensive possession. The game turned on Harrison's fumble. Now, you can argue that he should have played the last game, but I think they wanted him to. Seriously, when you dominate the first quarter (ala Tampa last week), you can't claim the bye week hurt you. Only an utter moron would say that the bye week affected this game. The D was bad due to a lack of pressure. The pass rushers would have played some if they could against Tennessee. So seriously, don't bore me with stupidness about bye weeks.
6. Final thought-Here's why the defense REALLY sucked today. Because the crowd was crazy. It caused penalties, timeouts and confusion. But they couldn't take advantage. Sometimes you look at another team's talent or game plan and say, geeze, that was brilliant they just beat us. Today wasn't one of those days. ANY QB of marginal quality can shred a cover-2 given enough time. I simply wouldn't have believed that defense to be capable of playing that poorly. About that I am indeed shocked.
Soooo, that's it. I think we'll still be doing a podcast this week. I'm going to sit down with the tape and check on a few plays that didn't get replayed at the dome, but all in all, this loss doesn't really hurt that bad, believe it or not. Without Freeney, this defense just wasn't good enough to win a Super Bowl. I'm utterly shocked by that, but it's undeniably true. The mistakes by the O would have gotten covered up (they would have kicked a FG on the goal line drive for instance), if the D had been even just a little bit better.
Oh well. At least I can root easily for both NFC teams.
UPDATE: I haven't watched the whole game but I do want to comment on a few plays:
So here's what I have to say:
1. Demond and I both stopped worrying about losing the game after the first Chargers drive of the 2nd half. Why? Because we knew this team couldn't beat New England. There was just no pass rush. That was far and away the most unforgivable defensive game of the year. Sure there were the tipped pass picks (did someone coat our receivers hands with grease today?) and the Marvin Harrison Experiment basically cost us the season, but at the end of the day the utter and total inability of the defense to get pressure was the story. Didn't we just say this last week? The morons at Scouts Inc. wanted us to believe the run d was the problem. Nope. A total lack of pass pressure made a loss (today or next week totally inevitable).
2. I think Dallas Clark has played his last game with the Colts. He led the league in dropped passes. I haven't seen the tape of the 4th down play at the end of the game today, but from where we were, it looked pretty catchable.
3. The officiating was atrocious all game long. Most big calls favored the Colts, others went to the Chargers (how did they miss the big delay of game call in the first half??). Two Colts TDs had to be replay challenged. The first 55 minutes was called one way, the last 5 another. All of it left the crowd scratching its head. I'm not complaining mind you, we benefited from some of those calls. I'm just saying it was bad. Real bad.
4. I suppose some NE fans might want to crow about this game and blame Manning for some reason. I haven't read any articles yet, but there's a pattern I've seen in Colts playoff games. Something horrible goes wrong, so everyone blames Peyton. Now, maybe every throw today wasn't perfect, but I'd say 402 yards passing and three TDs is getting it done. If you give your defense the lead with 8 minutes left and say, Hey...keep Billy Volek out of the endzone, you expect to get rewarded with a win. On the final drive his last two passes were both dropped (Reggie Wayne got killed, so I forgive him). There are a lot of people to blame this loss on (Marlin Jackson, TJ Rushing, Marvin Harrison, Brock and Mathis), but seriously, I don't pin it on Manning, that's just stupid. The only real mistake he made was throwing at all to Kenton Keith. His hands are stone. That pick didn't really hurt though, they held SD and got the ball at the 50, driving in for a score anyway.
5. Things we can put to rest:
-Manning struggles against the 3-4. Sure there were 4 empty trips inside the 30, but neither pick, the fumble, or the turnover on downs had anything to do with the 3-4 defense. The O-line was great all day, especially Ugoh. There was some degree of protection problems on the goal line drive that ended badly, but that really had more to do with NO ONE GETTING OPEN.
-Specials teams would do in this team. They never played better. AV was booming it.
-This defense doesn't need Dwight Freeney. Someone tried to make that argument a few weeks ago. I hoped Mathis and Brock coming back would be enough. It wasn't. This season effectively ended with Freeney went down.
-The bye week hurt the Colts. Um, folks...that first drive was flawless. The Colts picked off Rivers on the first defensive possession. The game turned on Harrison's fumble. Now, you can argue that he should have played the last game, but I think they wanted him to. Seriously, when you dominate the first quarter (ala Tampa last week), you can't claim the bye week hurt you. Only an utter moron would say that the bye week affected this game. The D was bad due to a lack of pressure. The pass rushers would have played some if they could against Tennessee. So seriously, don't bore me with stupidness about bye weeks.
6. Final thought-Here's why the defense REALLY sucked today. Because the crowd was crazy. It caused penalties, timeouts and confusion. But they couldn't take advantage. Sometimes you look at another team's talent or game plan and say, geeze, that was brilliant they just beat us. Today wasn't one of those days. ANY QB of marginal quality can shred a cover-2 given enough time. I simply wouldn't have believed that defense to be capable of playing that poorly. About that I am indeed shocked.
Soooo, that's it. I think we'll still be doing a podcast this week. I'm going to sit down with the tape and check on a few plays that didn't get replayed at the dome, but all in all, this loss doesn't really hurt that bad, believe it or not. Without Freeney, this defense just wasn't good enough to win a Super Bowl. I'm utterly shocked by that, but it's undeniably true. The mistakes by the O would have gotten covered up (they would have kicked a FG on the goal line drive for instance), if the D had been even just a little bit better.
Oh well. At least I can root easily for both NFC teams.
UPDATE: I haven't watched the whole game but I do want to comment on a few plays:
- The pick at the end of the first half-yeah, the throw was high, but I wouldn't say that it was uncatchable. Reggie Wayne has to make that play
- The Kenton Keith play was clearly on him.
- One reader said he thought Peyton threw high more than normal. Not sure about that. He completed 68.5% of his passes, so it's not really worth complaining about.
- Man, did Ugoh get beat on the 4th and 5 play by the goal line. Somehow I missed that live, even though it was right in front of us.
- The Chargers D on that possession was great. Tremendous plays on 2nd and 3rd down.
- Dallas Clark has to catch that last ball. It hit him in the freaking palm of hand. Seriously, there's no excuse for that.
- Several people note that they knew we were screwed when Freeney went down. That's great and all, but I think that was a little hard to evaluate considering how many other guys were hurt. We suspected the lack of rush would kill us, but were hoping that getting other guys healthy would help. The funny thing is, after Freeney went down, the Colts sack rate was pretty constant, but their pressure rate fell through the floor.
Maybe I'll feel differently in a few days, but I'm still not sure this one will go in the toughest losses column. When you deserve to lose, it's ok. They should have won this game, but the Chargers D made some great plays at the end, and our D made exactly one all day, and it was in the first quarter. You shouldn't win games like that.
Demond Sanders: Yes, the defense was horrible. They let the crowd down. But I still go back to the turnovers. The Colts punted one time in the game and only ended up with 24 points. They were inside the Chargers' 35 yard line FOUR TIMES and scored ZERO POINTS. How many times will you win a game like that against a playoff team? The answer is zero times.
I feel bad because I really enjoyed this season, but I'm not going to dwell on this loss. I had a bad feeling about the game after the fumble. Marvin Harrison always goes to the ground immediately after a reception. It's one of the things we love about him. The one time he tries to make an extra move. . .
Chargers vs. Colts Preview
The Chargers are in Indianapolis to take on the Colts in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs. The winner will head to New England for the AFC Championship.
Injuries: The Colts should be at or near full strength for the first time in about three months. Marvin Harrison is set to return to the lineup. His return might be key the taking the Indy Offense from good to great. Also set to return are Robert Mathis, Raheem Brock, Ryan Diem, and Antione Bethea. The Chargers figure to be without All-Pro TE, Antonio Gates.
Weather: None. It's in a dome. For the last time.
Prediction: The Colts are 16-1 in meaningful games at the RCA Dome over the past two seasons. The home crowd figures to give the dome an emotional send off. How loud will it be? I shudder to think. When you add to that Marvin's return and the challange that awaits in New England, I think you'll see everyone at the top of their game. I think the Chargers may have some early success because that has been a recent trend, but the defense will settle down (much as they eventually did against Pittsburgh in 2005). The offense will benefit from having both tackles healthy. This means Charlie Johnson should be nowhere in sight. Colts 31 - Chargers 21.
Jaguars: Not nearly good enough
Don Banks bemoans the fact that the Jags did nearly everything it takes to beat New England and they still lost. Don Banks is dead wrong.
The Jags didn't come nearly as close to beating New England as the Giants did last week or as Philly or Baltimore did before them. Banks argues that the Jags did the three most important things:
1. Stop Randy Moss.
2. Control the clock with the run game.
3. Keep the game close well into the fourth quarter.
You can make the argument that the Jags really only did one of those three things. They clearly shut down Randy Moss. I'd argue however that something was still amiss with the Jaguars D. They allowed Larry Maroney to destroy them. Who would have predicted that? Usually they can rely on their front 7 to stop the run without having an eighth man come up to help. The problem is Stroud is on IR and Henderson and Grady Jackson were hobbled. Still, stopping Moss was a good start.
The Jags didn't control the clock with the run game. Mojo and Fred Taylor only averaged 3.47 yards per carry for a total of 66 yards. Not nearly enough. DZ correctly points out that the Jags got away from running it because the passing game was so wide open. Fair enough, but when it came time to lean on the ground game in the second half New England's Linebackers weren't nearly as tired as they could have been. I would have liked to see 30+ carries. Remember the Jags were held to field goals on two of their final three drives.
Third, the Jaguars didn't keep the game all that close in the fourth quarter. They were down 11 points and kicked a field goal. That's as close as they got. You have to score touchdowns against the Pats. They were outscored 17-6 in the second half. I'd say Don Banks was very wrong about Jacksonville doing what it takes to win.
We've said all season that there are a couple things you have to do to beat the Pats. Covering Moss would be on that list, but here is where the Jags failed:
1. Don't turn the ball over. Garrard's boneheaded fumble was the play of the game. His late interception was also unfortunate. The guy played a great game, but you can't have any turnovers let alone multiple turnovers against a 16-0 team.
2. Force a turnover. Just one is enough. The Patriots only had 14 turnovers this season. The Colts were the only team close with 19 (six of those coming in one game). It is hard to beat a team that doesn't beat itself. If your D can't force the issue then don't bother showing up.
3. Score a ton of points. This is where the Jags (and Colts failed). 20 points is not nearly enough to beat the Pats. 30 should be enough if you follow steps one and two. DZ kept referring to last night as the Indy-KC playoff game. It felt a bit like that, but the Jags didn't hold up their end. I think the most likely scenario is to play a game last year's AFC championship game. Protect the football and score a ton. NE will probably follow suit. In the end, you hope Brady throws the big pick.
Tom Brady had a flawless game yesterday, but the Jaguars were far from it. This game is much closer if Dennis Northcutt didn't have the drop of the year last night on the goal line. It's all talk until someone beats the Pats, but we didn't see anything last night (even 92% completions) that says it can't be done.
The Jags didn't come nearly as close to beating New England as the Giants did last week or as Philly or Baltimore did before them. Banks argues that the Jags did the three most important things:
1. Stop Randy Moss.
2. Control the clock with the run game.
3. Keep the game close well into the fourth quarter.
You can make the argument that the Jags really only did one of those three things. They clearly shut down Randy Moss. I'd argue however that something was still amiss with the Jaguars D. They allowed Larry Maroney to destroy them. Who would have predicted that? Usually they can rely on their front 7 to stop the run without having an eighth man come up to help. The problem is Stroud is on IR and Henderson and Grady Jackson were hobbled. Still, stopping Moss was a good start.
The Jags didn't control the clock with the run game. Mojo and Fred Taylor only averaged 3.47 yards per carry for a total of 66 yards. Not nearly enough. DZ correctly points out that the Jags got away from running it because the passing game was so wide open. Fair enough, but when it came time to lean on the ground game in the second half New England's Linebackers weren't nearly as tired as they could have been. I would have liked to see 30+ carries. Remember the Jags were held to field goals on two of their final three drives.
Third, the Jaguars didn't keep the game all that close in the fourth quarter. They were down 11 points and kicked a field goal. That's as close as they got. You have to score touchdowns against the Pats. They were outscored 17-6 in the second half. I'd say Don Banks was very wrong about Jacksonville doing what it takes to win.
We've said all season that there are a couple things you have to do to beat the Pats. Covering Moss would be on that list, but here is where the Jags failed:
1. Don't turn the ball over. Garrard's boneheaded fumble was the play of the game. His late interception was also unfortunate. The guy played a great game, but you can't have any turnovers let alone multiple turnovers against a 16-0 team.
2. Force a turnover. Just one is enough. The Patriots only had 14 turnovers this season. The Colts were the only team close with 19 (six of those coming in one game). It is hard to beat a team that doesn't beat itself. If your D can't force the issue then don't bother showing up.
3. Score a ton of points. This is where the Jags (and Colts failed). 20 points is not nearly enough to beat the Pats. 30 should be enough if you follow steps one and two. DZ kept referring to last night as the Indy-KC playoff game. It felt a bit like that, but the Jags didn't hold up their end. I think the most likely scenario is to play a game last year's AFC championship game. Protect the football and score a ton. NE will probably follow suit. In the end, you hope Brady throws the big pick.
Tom Brady had a flawless game yesterday, but the Jaguars were far from it. This game is much closer if Dennis Northcutt didn't have the drop of the year last night on the goal line. It's all talk until someone beats the Pats, but we didn't see anything last night (even 92% completions) that says it can't be done.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Jags-Pats game blog
Mainly due to the fact that both Demond and I have somewhere to be tomorrow at 1 pm, we'll be blogging our thoughts on tonight's clash. As we said before, we both fully expect the Pats to win handily and hate them for forcing us to root for the Jaguars. On the bright side, someone we despise will be very unhappy at the end of tonight's contest.
One sad note on the Packers game: That was probably the end of the line for Marcus Pollard. Tough night buddy; I was pulling for you. If he should retire at the end of the year, we have a spot all warmed up in the Classic Colts. We're glad to have you.
Q1-
Jholes must go for this. They are. Great throw. Crazy play call, but a huge play. The Pats might be in trouble tonight.
-Wow, what a throw by Garrard. They are stunned in NE. It's close to a sack, but it was a great throw while going down.
-Screw it. We are all in. Ok Jags. We're with you tonight. Demond said, "I don't care if they win the Super Bowl". Ok. I'm not sure I want them to win that bad.
-The worst part of a Jags upset would be Jeremy Green being right about something. The universe might implode under the sheer weight of the improbability.
-NE gets a huge screen. Terrible coverage by 56 who seemed to recognize the screen but got over too late and was blocked.
-Pats fail to run effectively on 3rd and 2. They'll go for it. I bet that's the last key 3rd down they try and run on.
-Not sure how you fail to cover Moss on 4th down. I guess it was just too long to cover him.
-Jags have the worst 'great' defense in football. They get little pressure AND have a terrible secondary.
-Nice job Jags. My temporary love for them lasted about 2 minutes. I'm back to hating their teal guts. I can't believe I was suckered in by one good drive. That just tells you how much I hate the Pats. The Jags just don't have the D to win this game.
-Yes, the rest of the blog will pretty much sound just like this.
-Fred Taylor seems to have more runs for losses than any 'good back' in history. He is easily the worst player to rush for 10,000 yards. At least Garrard is throwing well.
-That was the single dumbest fumble I've seen this year that didn't involve Kellen Lewis.
-3rd and short. If they run, it'll be a sneak.
-wow, I'm stunned they ran. Maroney almost got tripped up for a loss, but ran through the 'hand tackle'
-Is it too early to declare a game 'over' when it's 7-7 at the end of 1 quarter?
Q2
-Nope.
-Demond is IMing me cursing Charlie Johnson.
-I see nothing to convince me that the Pats D is actually any good.
-Demond writes: ok, this is how dumb jeremy green is: on the radio today he was trying to argue that isaiah thomas's main problem is he keeps taking over programs that were bad to begin with...
really? because he kind of ruined the pacers...
-I think Joe Addai kills these guys next week. The Colts Pats game could be 49-48.
-Jags jump off. NE was probably barking or something.
-Is there a second worse 'great D' than New England's?
-Demond wants me to make sure and say, "Ooh. Kitty's got claws!". Hecho.
-NE's line is BLOWING the Jags off the line. The Pats are going to run down this clock, score to start the second half, and it'll be over.
-A big penalty might, MIGHT keep this to a three point game at the half.
-Jack Del Rio takes a good timeout on defense and just went a whole half without challenging a play. I'm stunned.
-WIIIIIIDE RIGHT! THE CAT LIVES!
-Demond notes that that kick looked like AV's in SD
-Mad Jack goes conservative. Brady gets to throw Hail Mary's to Moss. In other words, just like a normal Pats/AFC East game. That was an oddly conservative call on 3rd down considering that making the Pats use a timeout didn't make any difference. Throwing was the right call.
Half-Time Comments:
Every play makes me both happy and makes me want to poke out my eye. Mad Jack is trying to out-dress Belichick by wearing the classy T-shirt, leather jacket with team logo combo. Stylish, Jack.
-Demond hopes the Pats lose because of a drive stalling with a classy chop-block.
-Boomer says, "If I'm the NE defense I'm worried." If I'M the NE defense, I'm not worried...I'm just freaking old.
Q3-
-What the crap is Simms talking about? The Kitties don't look any close to shutting down NE.
-The Jags defenders are slow to break out of their zones to cover backs and screens.
-Brady panicked a bit at the blitz and almost threw a pick. Brady is playing great, but keep in mind that this Jags secondary is horrible.
-This game is exactly why we said the Jags would struggle without bad weather. They aren't a very good defensive team, especially in the secondary.
-Here's a huge third down for the Jags. If they don't convert, they should go for it. Yes, I'm serious.
-WOW. Passing to Matt Jones is...ballsy I guess.
-Jax needs to keep running it to shorten this game up. Matt Jones for a big gain again. Matt Jones is killing the Pats. I just can't see them winning it all with this D.
-This is the reincarnation of Indy Vs KC in the playoffs. Great QB has a huge day to hide his gasping defense. But a reckoning awaits...
-Garrard gets lucky his pass is batted down at the line. Had pick written all over it. A big drop on 3rd down kills the Jags.
-It's a 4 point game as Scobee nails the figgie, but I still don't know that the Jags are physically capable of stopping the Pats even once.
-Demond informs me that he just wrote something in his notebook. I laugh. I fear he's correct, but then again, I was calling it over when it was 7-7.
-Simms embarrasses himself by asking, "Can the Jags still stay patient on defense?" Patient how? By letting the Pats score in 10 plays instead of 4? Patient like that, Phil?
-Even if the Jags take the lead, I'm still waiting for Mad Jack to do something stupid. What? I don't know, but I can feel it coming.
-Tough personal foul, but whatever. Those happen every game.
-Maroney is now getting chunks of yards after not looking good early in the game. The Jags D is ready to keel over.
-Simms changes his tune and now says the Jags have to change up. Really? Was it the first three TDs you saw that make you say that or this one that's coming now?
-The Jags are going to lose to the Pats for the same reason they lost to the Colts. Their defense isn't up to the level of their offense. Their O is good, but can't be perfect. Their D? Just not there. They've given up 22 or more points in 5 of their last 7 games. They aren't a championship defense.
Q4
-A big catch and a personal foul keeps the Jags on life support. I can't see them getting a stop though. Gotta love Rodney Harrison. Garrard is a gamer that's for sure. It won't be his fault if they lose this game.
-I suppose the Jags can kick on 4th down, but they really need the TD.
-Garrard and Mo-Jo are huge again, and the life support keeps on beeping.
-The Matt Jones well runs dry. Talk about tempting fate. How did he not get a better effort on catching that ball?
-I see no reason to expect the Jags to get a stop. Brady would have to suffer an anyuresim or something.
-I sort of hoped for an onside kick there. Instead the booted it away. TOUCH DOWN PATS. Ok, so maybe not yet, but it's coming soon enough.
-I'm sensing a deep ball to Moss coming. Just for the hell of it. I think they start screwing with the Jags' heads now and playing for next week.
-Nope it was a deep ball to Stallworth. Nice job, Mathis (he's their GOOD corner!).
-Wow, Welker drops the ball, and the Jags sort of get their stop. Still the FG all but seals the deal.
-This game gets more like the Colts at KC all the time. The parallels are amazing.
-Mad Jack takes the ball out of the hands of his best return threat. Nice. Still, other than failing to have his D show up, he's been alright tonight.
-Demond calls TD, onside kick, TD. Demond has been drinking heavily.
-Well, the nice thing about the Jags taking a timeout is that the end of this game will fly by.
-What a catch and conversion to keep the game alive. Harrison picks up another penalty.
-Garrard has played a great game. We became believers after the Indy game, he's really spectacular. He's keeping his team alive.
-Two plays really did the Jags in tonight: Garrard's stupid fumble early and Northcutt's drop on 3rd down. Meanwhile, Rodney Harrsion makes the play. Not bad for a classless ahole cheater who only had two personal fouls tonight.
-The Pats should throw on this third down and put the hammer down.
-They do, and the Jags prove they still can't tackle even when they cover.
This game went pretty much how we thought it would. Brady was great, and shreded the sieve that the Jags call a secondary. This team just didn't matchup well with the Pats. I think the Jags played better than I thought, but could only get FGs instead of TDs in the second half. If the Colts play D as well as they did in the earlier meeting, I think they win. The Pats put up 31 on the Jags, but more imporantly were never really stopped once. Fortunately, the Colts are much better on D, especially passing D than the Jags are. Let's go take care of business tomorrow, and get on with what this season has really been about for months.
Most importantly, I suppose, the Jags beat the spread. JC and many others are no doubt homeless now. That makes me happy. Gambling is for fools.
As for the Jags? It's another wasted season for them at the hands of the Pats. Suck it, Vic.
One sad note on the Packers game: That was probably the end of the line for Marcus Pollard. Tough night buddy; I was pulling for you. If he should retire at the end of the year, we have a spot all warmed up in the Classic Colts. We're glad to have you.
Q1-
Jholes must go for this. They are. Great throw. Crazy play call, but a huge play. The Pats might be in trouble tonight.
-Wow, what a throw by Garrard. They are stunned in NE. It's close to a sack, but it was a great throw while going down.
-Screw it. We are all in. Ok Jags. We're with you tonight. Demond said, "I don't care if they win the Super Bowl". Ok. I'm not sure I want them to win that bad.
-The worst part of a Jags upset would be Jeremy Green being right about something. The universe might implode under the sheer weight of the improbability.
-NE gets a huge screen. Terrible coverage by 56 who seemed to recognize the screen but got over too late and was blocked.
-Pats fail to run effectively on 3rd and 2. They'll go for it. I bet that's the last key 3rd down they try and run on.
-Not sure how you fail to cover Moss on 4th down. I guess it was just too long to cover him.
-Jags have the worst 'great' defense in football. They get little pressure AND have a terrible secondary.
-Nice job Jags. My temporary love for them lasted about 2 minutes. I'm back to hating their teal guts. I can't believe I was suckered in by one good drive. That just tells you how much I hate the Pats. The Jags just don't have the D to win this game.
-Yes, the rest of the blog will pretty much sound just like this.
-Fred Taylor seems to have more runs for losses than any 'good back' in history. He is easily the worst player to rush for 10,000 yards. At least Garrard is throwing well.
-That was the single dumbest fumble I've seen this year that didn't involve Kellen Lewis.
-3rd and short. If they run, it'll be a sneak.
-wow, I'm stunned they ran. Maroney almost got tripped up for a loss, but ran through the 'hand tackle'
-Is it too early to declare a game 'over' when it's 7-7 at the end of 1 quarter?
Q2
-Nope.
-Demond is IMing me cursing Charlie Johnson.
-I see nothing to convince me that the Pats D is actually any good.
-Demond writes: ok, this is how dumb jeremy green is: on the radio today he was trying to argue that isaiah thomas's main problem is he keeps taking over programs that were bad to begin with...
really? because he kind of ruined the pacers...
-I think Joe Addai kills these guys next week. The Colts Pats game could be 49-48.
-Jags jump off. NE was probably barking or something.
-Is there a second worse 'great D' than New England's?
-Demond wants me to make sure and say, "Ooh. Kitty's got claws!". Hecho.
-NE's line is BLOWING the Jags off the line. The Pats are going to run down this clock, score to start the second half, and it'll be over.
-A big penalty might, MIGHT keep this to a three point game at the half.
-Jack Del Rio takes a good timeout on defense and just went a whole half without challenging a play. I'm stunned.
-WIIIIIIDE RIGHT! THE CAT LIVES!
-Demond notes that that kick looked like AV's in SD
-Mad Jack goes conservative. Brady gets to throw Hail Mary's to Moss. In other words, just like a normal Pats/AFC East game. That was an oddly conservative call on 3rd down considering that making the Pats use a timeout didn't make any difference. Throwing was the right call.
Half-Time Comments:
Every play makes me both happy and makes me want to poke out my eye. Mad Jack is trying to out-dress Belichick by wearing the classy T-shirt, leather jacket with team logo combo. Stylish, Jack.
-Demond hopes the Pats lose because of a drive stalling with a classy chop-block.
-Boomer says, "If I'm the NE defense I'm worried." If I'M the NE defense, I'm not worried...I'm just freaking old.
Q3-
-What the crap is Simms talking about? The Kitties don't look any close to shutting down NE.
-The Jags defenders are slow to break out of their zones to cover backs and screens.
-Brady panicked a bit at the blitz and almost threw a pick. Brady is playing great, but keep in mind that this Jags secondary is horrible.
-This game is exactly why we said the Jags would struggle without bad weather. They aren't a very good defensive team, especially in the secondary.
-Here's a huge third down for the Jags. If they don't convert, they should go for it. Yes, I'm serious.
-WOW. Passing to Matt Jones is...ballsy I guess.
-Jax needs to keep running it to shorten this game up. Matt Jones for a big gain again. Matt Jones is killing the Pats. I just can't see them winning it all with this D.
-This is the reincarnation of Indy Vs KC in the playoffs. Great QB has a huge day to hide his gasping defense. But a reckoning awaits...
-Garrard gets lucky his pass is batted down at the line. Had pick written all over it. A big drop on 3rd down kills the Jags.
-It's a 4 point game as Scobee nails the figgie, but I still don't know that the Jags are physically capable of stopping the Pats even once.
-Demond informs me that he just wrote something in his notebook. I laugh. I fear he's correct, but then again, I was calling it over when it was 7-7.
-Simms embarrasses himself by asking, "Can the Jags still stay patient on defense?" Patient how? By letting the Pats score in 10 plays instead of 4? Patient like that, Phil?
-Even if the Jags take the lead, I'm still waiting for Mad Jack to do something stupid. What? I don't know, but I can feel it coming.
-Tough personal foul, but whatever. Those happen every game.
-Maroney is now getting chunks of yards after not looking good early in the game. The Jags D is ready to keel over.
-Simms changes his tune and now says the Jags have to change up. Really? Was it the first three TDs you saw that make you say that or this one that's coming now?
-The Jags are going to lose to the Pats for the same reason they lost to the Colts. Their defense isn't up to the level of their offense. Their O is good, but can't be perfect. Their D? Just not there. They've given up 22 or more points in 5 of their last 7 games. They aren't a championship defense.
Q4
-A big catch and a personal foul keeps the Jags on life support. I can't see them getting a stop though. Gotta love Rodney Harrison. Garrard is a gamer that's for sure. It won't be his fault if they lose this game.
-I suppose the Jags can kick on 4th down, but they really need the TD.
-Garrard and Mo-Jo are huge again, and the life support keeps on beeping.
-The Matt Jones well runs dry. Talk about tempting fate. How did he not get a better effort on catching that ball?
-I see no reason to expect the Jags to get a stop. Brady would have to suffer an anyuresim or something.
-I sort of hoped for an onside kick there. Instead the booted it away. TOUCH DOWN PATS. Ok, so maybe not yet, but it's coming soon enough.
-I'm sensing a deep ball to Moss coming. Just for the hell of it. I think they start screwing with the Jags' heads now and playing for next week.
-Nope it was a deep ball to Stallworth. Nice job, Mathis (he's their GOOD corner!).
-Wow, Welker drops the ball, and the Jags sort of get their stop. Still the FG all but seals the deal.
-This game gets more like the Colts at KC all the time. The parallels are amazing.
-Mad Jack takes the ball out of the hands of his best return threat. Nice. Still, other than failing to have his D show up, he's been alright tonight.
-Demond calls TD, onside kick, TD. Demond has been drinking heavily.
-Well, the nice thing about the Jags taking a timeout is that the end of this game will fly by.
-What a catch and conversion to keep the game alive. Harrison picks up another penalty.
-Garrard has played a great game. We became believers after the Indy game, he's really spectacular. He's keeping his team alive.
-Two plays really did the Jags in tonight: Garrard's stupid fumble early and Northcutt's drop on 3rd down. Meanwhile, Rodney Harrsion makes the play. Not bad for a classless ahole cheater who only had two personal fouls tonight.
-The Pats should throw on this third down and put the hammer down.
-They do, and the Jags prove they still can't tackle even when they cover.
This game went pretty much how we thought it would. Brady was great, and shreded the sieve that the Jags call a secondary. This team just didn't matchup well with the Pats. I think the Jags played better than I thought, but could only get FGs instead of TDs in the second half. If the Colts play D as well as they did in the earlier meeting, I think they win. The Pats put up 31 on the Jags, but more imporantly were never really stopped once. Fortunately, the Colts are much better on D, especially passing D than the Jags are. Let's go take care of business tomorrow, and get on with what this season has really been about for months.
Most importantly, I suppose, the Jags beat the spread. JC and many others are no doubt homeless now. That makes me happy. Gambling is for fools.
As for the Jags? It's another wasted season for them at the hands of the Pats. Suck it, Vic.
Mailbag
Let's start this night off with an email from one of our readers Bob M:
Indy rookie DT Ed Johnson on what the playoffs mean (or just practicing his sports cliches):
Nobody told me nothing, Johnson said. I mean, you know what time it is. Everybody will be bringing their 'A' game. The intensity level is going to be turned up 100 notches. You just try to play as best you can and as hard as you can the longest. I'm expecting the best. I'm expecting an electric atmosphere. I'm going to go out there and be ready. The playoffs, whatever. I'm bringing it.
Another reader, Ross writes:
Some thoughts i found from a forum about the zombie -
Bob Sanders is a prototype military cyborg from the future.
Bob Sanders was reanimated with Voodoo magic.
Bob Sanders eats an entire forest during the week so he can lay the wood on Sunday.
Bob Sanders doesn't just hit you. He hits your whole family.
Following his recognition as the AP's NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, Bob resolved to track down the 19 voters that did not vote for him, and spear tackle them all for a loss.
Tom Brady has Bill Belichick check under his bed for Bob Sanders.
There is no beginning and no end, only Bob Sanders.
There is no evolution, just a list of animals Bob Sanders hasn't tackled yet.
The Big Bang was the result of Bob Sanders tackling God for a loss.
The original ending of Ghostbusters had Dan Aykroyd thinking about Bob Sanders, except that the producers realized that a 100 foot tall Bob Sanders spear tackling the Statue of Liberty would use up the rest of their budget.
Bob Sanders helped free Scotland from the English. William Wallace took the credit, until Bob Sanders tackled him so hard parts of him flew to the corners of the country as a warning not to cross Bob Sanders.
The Three Little Pigs is actually a true story, except that Bob Sanders was the wolf, and a castle with twenty foot thick walls was where the three little pigs lived.
The city of Indianapolis renamed a street "Bob Sanders Avenue", but was forced to change it back after multiple pedestrians were struck down, as no one crosses Bob Sanders and lives.
I heard he was a Zombie who eats Full and Running Back Brains for breakfast.
Again, he found those on a forum, so if you wrote them, sorry.
Indy rookie DT Ed Johnson on what the playoffs mean (or just practicing his sports cliches):
Nobody told me nothing, Johnson said. I mean, you know what time it is. Everybody will be bringing their 'A' game. The intensity level is going to be turned up 100 notches. You just try to play as best you can and as hard as you can the longest. I'm expecting the best. I'm expecting an electric atmosphere. I'm going to go out there and be ready. The playoffs, whatever. I'm bringing it.
Another reader, Ross writes:
Some thoughts i found from a forum about the zombie -
Bob Sanders is a prototype military cyborg from the future.
Bob Sanders was reanimated with Voodoo magic.
Bob Sanders eats an entire forest during the week so he can lay the wood on Sunday.
Bob Sanders doesn't just hit you. He hits your whole family.
Following his recognition as the AP's NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, Bob resolved to track down the 19 voters that did not vote for him, and spear tackle them all for a loss.
Tom Brady has Bill Belichick check under his bed for Bob Sanders.
There is no beginning and no end, only Bob Sanders.
There is no evolution, just a list of animals Bob Sanders hasn't tackled yet.
The Big Bang was the result of Bob Sanders tackling God for a loss.
The original ending of Ghostbusters had Dan Aykroyd thinking about Bob Sanders, except that the producers realized that a 100 foot tall Bob Sanders spear tackling the Statue of Liberty would use up the rest of their budget.
Bob Sanders helped free Scotland from the English. William Wallace took the credit, until Bob Sanders tackled him so hard parts of him flew to the corners of the country as a warning not to cross Bob Sanders.
The Three Little Pigs is actually a true story, except that Bob Sanders was the wolf, and a castle with twenty foot thick walls was where the three little pigs lived.
The city of Indianapolis renamed a street "Bob Sanders Avenue", but was forced to change it back after multiple pedestrians were struck down, as no one crosses Bob Sanders and lives.
I heard he was a Zombie who eats Full and Running Back Brains for breakfast.
Again, he found those on a forum, so if you wrote them, sorry.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Eyes on Time
Can you believe it? It's Friday morning, and Eyes in the Backfield is ready! I'm a little stunned myself. Here's a taste of what you can find this week:
Playoffs? Yes, it's playoff time again, and unlike oh so long ago, we supporters of the Blue and White don't have to spend sleepless, angst-ridden nights wondering what will possibly go wrong this year. Jim Mora and Mike Vanderjagt have been long since banished. Super Bowl rings are safely stowed away in lock boxes, and a beautiful banner wafts in the rafters of the soon to be defunct Hoosier Dome (for old time's sake). With the season locked in an inexorable march to the fateful day in Foxborough next week, here's what to watch for from Sunday's game with the Chargers:
1. Watch for revenge - The 2007 Colts may well prove to be one of the great teams of all time. They lost two meaningful games all year. Their first chance to erase one of those losses comes on Sunday. We all know what a farce the first game was, as a series of injuries, weather, and non-repeatable events conspired to sink the Colts. The Horse looks to get payback come Sunday.
You can also check out some more stats from FO courtesy of ESPN.
I'm sure you saw it, but I never get tired about articles about the Zombie. They always make me laugh out loud out of sheer fear.
CHFF picks the Colts, but surprisingly begrudgingly.
Len P says Ed Johnson is under the radar.
Chargers fans put up their look alikes. There are many pages of them, but the one half-way down on page three is sort of cool. Kit Fisto rules.
It's official. This site is crap and we are morons. What else can I conclude if Bill Simmons agrees with us?
Dr Z. defends his Reggie Wayne pick with a brilliant chart.
Scouts talk about Chargers/Colts and mention Gary Brackett.
I love stuff that rips the media.
FO does a great breakdown of the AFC weekend. Honestly, getting this level of FO coverage of your game is one of the best parts of the playoffs. I love a site that doesn't pretend like stats exist in a vacuum, but rather seeks to understand and asks the all important question: Why?
This pleases me greatly. Most of you won't care.
Demond Sanders: CHFF is too married to their own stats. If AV makes that kick the Chargers are suddenly 2-4 against "quality opponents" and the Colts are 5-2. But you can't count that last Titans game, can you? Let's make it 5-1. Claiming Indy's offense isn't explosive is a little ridiculous. Tony Ugoh's return means everything. Just look at the way they splattered the Ravens and Texans a couple weeks ago.
Last year's team had the element of surprise, something the Colts hadn't had before in the playoffs. People had written them off. This year's team won't surprise anyone because it has no major flaws. Luckily, the Patriots have stolen 99% of the media's attention. The remaining one percent is divided between Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson, and Brett Favre. I think this helps the players stay focused and if anything gives them a mental edge. I like where they stand right now.
Playoffs? Yes, it's playoff time again, and unlike oh so long ago, we supporters of the Blue and White don't have to spend sleepless, angst-ridden nights wondering what will possibly go wrong this year. Jim Mora and Mike Vanderjagt have been long since banished. Super Bowl rings are safely stowed away in lock boxes, and a beautiful banner wafts in the rafters of the soon to be defunct Hoosier Dome (for old time's sake). With the season locked in an inexorable march to the fateful day in Foxborough next week, here's what to watch for from Sunday's game with the Chargers:
1. Watch for revenge - The 2007 Colts may well prove to be one of the great teams of all time. They lost two meaningful games all year. Their first chance to erase one of those losses comes on Sunday. We all know what a farce the first game was, as a series of injuries, weather, and non-repeatable events conspired to sink the Colts. The Horse looks to get payback come Sunday.
You can also check out some more stats from FO courtesy of ESPN.
I'm sure you saw it, but I never get tired about articles about the Zombie. They always make me laugh out loud out of sheer fear.
CHFF picks the Colts, but surprisingly begrudgingly.
Len P says Ed Johnson is under the radar.
Chargers fans put up their look alikes. There are many pages of them, but the one half-way down on page three is sort of cool. Kit Fisto rules.
It's official. This site is crap and we are morons. What else can I conclude if Bill Simmons agrees with us?
Dr Z. defends his Reggie Wayne pick with a brilliant chart.
Scouts talk about Chargers/Colts and mention Gary Brackett.
I love stuff that rips the media.
FO does a great breakdown of the AFC weekend. Honestly, getting this level of FO coverage of your game is one of the best parts of the playoffs. I love a site that doesn't pretend like stats exist in a vacuum, but rather seeks to understand and asks the all important question: Why?
This pleases me greatly. Most of you won't care.
Demond Sanders: CHFF is too married to their own stats. If AV makes that kick the Chargers are suddenly 2-4 against "quality opponents" and the Colts are 5-2. But you can't count that last Titans game, can you? Let's make it 5-1. Claiming Indy's offense isn't explosive is a little ridiculous. Tony Ugoh's return means everything. Just look at the way they splattered the Ravens and Texans a couple weeks ago.
Last year's team had the element of surprise, something the Colts hadn't had before in the playoffs. People had written them off. This year's team won't surprise anyone because it has no major flaws. Luckily, the Patriots have stolen 99% of the media's attention. The remaining one percent is divided between Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson, and Brett Favre. I think this helps the players stay focused and if anything gives them a mental edge. I like where they stand right now.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Thursday Links
Not much new to say yet (and what there is, is going into this week's Eyes-up tomorrow AM), but here's what I'm seeing around the web...
Dr. Z picks his All Pro Team and likes Reggie Wayne over T.O. He also gives mentions to Robert Mathis (who was playing the best ball of his life before he got hurt), and most gratifyingly called Gary Brackett's performance 'heroic'. Yes, Dr. It certainly was. Say want you want about the good Doctor. He does actually watch film.
Indiana University has the 6th most valuable college basketball franchise.
KC Joyner and Aaron Schatz of FO square off. Good reading, and it's apparently a work in progress. UPDATE: The link is now fixed and it all makes a little more sense. There's some good stuff about Bob Sanders' impact on the Colts D (I'll give you a hint: he's good for the Colts D).
Whitlock thinks LT vs. the Zombie will be epic. Well, man, it's good to be right about something, I'm sure.
TDZ from FO creates the Blue Print out of alphabet soup.
The rumor mill around Tony Dungy is heating up. I don't think any of us are under any illusions that he'll be around forever. I think he'd like to win one more title, and generally assumed he retire after next season. I wonder if the fact that Jim Caldwell doesn't seem to be getting real consideration for other jobs could play into Tony's decision. If he felt he could leave the team to Jim, it might hasten his departure. Tony's earned the right to do what he wants with his life, and I doubt he'll leave the team hanging. Let's just let this one simmer until after the playoffs.
John Clayton picks up on some talking points. He's right about one thing...when 88 catches his first ball, the roof will come off the dome.
Gary Horton's been watching tape.
Matt Mosley comments on Reggie Wayne not making All-Pro.
John Clayton looks at the men who build franchises. He lists Polian's biggest mistake as the Corey Simon signing. That's really just about his only one. I can't think of another move that didn't really work out in a long time.
Manning and Brady get praise for being masters of the play-action.
Dr. Z picks his All Pro Team and likes Reggie Wayne over T.O. He also gives mentions to Robert Mathis (who was playing the best ball of his life before he got hurt), and most gratifyingly called Gary Brackett's performance 'heroic'. Yes, Dr. It certainly was. Say want you want about the good Doctor. He does actually watch film.
Indiana University has the 6th most valuable college basketball franchise.
KC Joyner and Aaron Schatz of FO square off. Good reading, and it's apparently a work in progress. UPDATE: The link is now fixed and it all makes a little more sense. There's some good stuff about Bob Sanders' impact on the Colts D (I'll give you a hint: he's good for the Colts D).
Whitlock thinks LT vs. the Zombie will be epic. Well, man, it's good to be right about something, I'm sure.
TDZ from FO creates the Blue Print out of alphabet soup.
The rumor mill around Tony Dungy is heating up. I don't think any of us are under any illusions that he'll be around forever. I think he'd like to win one more title, and generally assumed he retire after next season. I wonder if the fact that Jim Caldwell doesn't seem to be getting real consideration for other jobs could play into Tony's decision. If he felt he could leave the team to Jim, it might hasten his departure. Tony's earned the right to do what he wants with his life, and I doubt he'll leave the team hanging. Let's just let this one simmer until after the playoffs.
John Clayton picks up on some talking points. He's right about one thing...when 88 catches his first ball, the roof will come off the dome.
Gary Horton's been watching tape.
Matt Mosley comments on Reggie Wayne not making All-Pro.
John Clayton looks at the men who build franchises. He lists Polian's biggest mistake as the Corey Simon signing. That's really just about his only one. I can't think of another move that didn't really work out in a long time.
Manning and Brady get praise for being masters of the play-action.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Why the Pats will win on Saturday.
Two simple little words: Del Rio. Thanks to friend of 18to88.com, Ryan Parker for making the issue crystal clear. The great thing about Jack is that we have no idea if he's serious or just making fun of him. Could be either. Classic. Thanks to Dave N for the link. Nice catch man.
Oh, and just to make it a mortal lock, the Jags also have Jeremy Green on their side. Yikes. Sorry kitties!
Demond Sanders: Okay, at first I was thinking this was kind of a weird effort from Mr. Parker. It was so hard to tell if he was serious or not. There's no blatant mockery of Del Rio, other than perhaps the shot of him on a ship's bow. No mention of axes or video replay. But you are right: it's very simple. He predicts Jack Del Rio will be coaching in the Super Bowl. This is such a hilariously impossible concept that the song can only be considered parody at its finest.
Hell must be being a Falcons fan
A human is someone who makes mistakes. A fool is someone who makes the SAME mistakes. I know that Arthur Blank is allegedly a smart, successful man, but he's one step away from drafting a running QB who has an illegal cat juggling operation on the sly. It's now being reported that Blank is going after Pete Carroll of USC. Listen, I'm not saying Carroll is a bad coach or even as slimy as Bobby Petrino, but Blank is nuts to hire another college coach. Carroll does have NFL experience. He's a proven winner with a career mark of 34-33 (I threw up a little in my mouth just typing that). But why would you 1. hire a coach before a GM 2. Hire a guy with a mediocre track record in the NFL and 3. hire a coach from college. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last NFL coach to make the successful jump from college was Jimmy Johnson (and no, I'm not forgetting Barry Switzer. Not even a little). Didn't Blank learn anything the first time? I hope he does get Carroll (though I doubt he will), just so I can mock him for it.
My favorite line people throw out when talking about the Colts/Chargers game is that the Colts lost the first game without Marvin Harrison. That's why Peyton played so bad. Um, folks, if only. As Kravitz rightly points out today, the Colts played that game without:
Marvin Harrison,
Dallas Clark,
Anthony Gonzalez,
Tony Ugoh,
and lost Ryan Diem in the middle.
That's just on offense. Neither the line nor the WRs had any clue what they were doing that day. I love the stat that Colts starters missed 88 games this year. Sounds right symbolically at least.
Here's a great piece on someone the Colts MUST account for on Sunday.
Jeff Chadia likes 2004 Manning over 2007 Brady. He likes 84 Marino better than everyone. He also makes several factual errors, so take it for what it's worth (the Colts finished '04 at Denver not Arizona-that was o5)
Scouts Inc. has lost it (did they ever have it?). They listed the weakness of the top 4 teams in the NFL. The Colts? Their run D. Nope. Sorry guys. If you go by yards per game, maybe, but on a yards per carry basis, the Colts are rock solid. The Colts real vulnerability is generating a pass rush. When a cover two D can't generate a rush, a good QB will find holes in the zone and exploit them. The Colts are vulnerable to teams with great lines and QBs that can be accurate to hit open men. You could also say that the Colts O is vulnerable to the pass rush as well, but we'll see if that's as true once Diem comes back. Once again, Scouts Inc. shows they have no idea what's going on.
Ian O'Connor thinks #18 is about to go off.
The Football Scientist recognizes that this game is a totally different animal from the November one. He also has nice things to say about AG.
Don Banks has picked up on this year's sign of the Apocalypse-talk of a Manning Bowl.
CHFF says the Colts can beat the Pats. They also say the Pats don't need to run to win...I agree, sort of. The Pats plan to go pass crazy is either the best or the worst strategy in history. If they get ok weather, IT WON'T MATTER if they can run or not. If the wind and elements pick up, they'll rue the day they decided to build an offense out of 50 yard lob passes to the greatest weapon in football history (when he wants to be). All of the CHFF analysis has avoided that fact. They assume that NE will be physically able to pass the ball with the same ease that they did in October and September. The Pats played a couple of bad weather games this year, and struggled against horrible teams. If they get a bad weather game against a good team, we may find out that Belichick not only wasn't the coach of the year, he was the fool of the year. The Hooded One took a huge gamble building his offense like he did. I'm still betting it bites him in the end. If it doesn't, they'll go down as the unquestioned greatest team ever.
Jeremy Green is talking. I bet you money he's wrong. Why? I don't know, I just always assume that Jeremy Green is wrong.
My favorite line people throw out when talking about the Colts/Chargers game is that the Colts lost the first game without Marvin Harrison. That's why Peyton played so bad. Um, folks, if only. As Kravitz rightly points out today, the Colts played that game without:
Marvin Harrison,
Dallas Clark,
Anthony Gonzalez,
Tony Ugoh,
and lost Ryan Diem in the middle.
That's just on offense. Neither the line nor the WRs had any clue what they were doing that day. I love the stat that Colts starters missed 88 games this year. Sounds right symbolically at least.
Here's a great piece on someone the Colts MUST account for on Sunday.
Jeff Chadia likes 2004 Manning over 2007 Brady. He likes 84 Marino better than everyone. He also makes several factual errors, so take it for what it's worth (the Colts finished '04 at Denver not Arizona-that was o5)
Scouts Inc. has lost it (did they ever have it?). They listed the weakness of the top 4 teams in the NFL. The Colts? Their run D. Nope. Sorry guys. If you go by yards per game, maybe, but on a yards per carry basis, the Colts are rock solid. The Colts real vulnerability is generating a pass rush. When a cover two D can't generate a rush, a good QB will find holes in the zone and exploit them. The Colts are vulnerable to teams with great lines and QBs that can be accurate to hit open men. You could also say that the Colts O is vulnerable to the pass rush as well, but we'll see if that's as true once Diem comes back. Once again, Scouts Inc. shows they have no idea what's going on.
Ian O'Connor thinks #18 is about to go off.
The Football Scientist recognizes that this game is a totally different animal from the November one. He also has nice things to say about AG.
Don Banks has picked up on this year's sign of the Apocalypse-talk of a Manning Bowl.
CHFF says the Colts can beat the Pats. They also say the Pats don't need to run to win...I agree, sort of. The Pats plan to go pass crazy is either the best or the worst strategy in history. If they get ok weather, IT WON'T MATTER if they can run or not. If the wind and elements pick up, they'll rue the day they decided to build an offense out of 50 yard lob passes to the greatest weapon in football history (when he wants to be). All of the CHFF analysis has avoided that fact. They assume that NE will be physically able to pass the ball with the same ease that they did in October and September. The Pats played a couple of bad weather games this year, and struggled against horrible teams. If they get a bad weather game against a good team, we may find out that Belichick not only wasn't the coach of the year, he was the fool of the year. The Hooded One took a huge gamble building his offense like he did. I'm still betting it bites him in the end. If it doesn't, they'll go down as the unquestioned greatest team ever.
Jeremy Green is talking. I bet you money he's wrong. Why? I don't know, I just always assume that Jeremy Green is wrong.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Ohio: Chew before you swallow
A conversation with my wife last night:
"What would I do if my teams lost the football national championship, the basketball national championship, were swept in the NBA Finals, lost a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series, missed the NFL playoffs despite a ten win season, and then just for good measure lost another NCAA football championship. . . in one year?"
She replied, "Well you'd be proud of them because they are still very good."
We both laughed.
Deshawn Zombie Comments: It's almost enough to make one feel bad for OSU fans. Naaaaah. BTW: here's an interesting post about the Colts affect on TEs in the passing game. Again, can anyone rightly tell me why Gary Brackett didn't make the Pro Bowl? He's the reason why these numbers are so low. He blankets the TE.
"What would I do if my teams lost the football national championship, the basketball national championship, were swept in the NBA Finals, lost a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series, missed the NFL playoffs despite a ten win season, and then just for good measure lost another NCAA football championship. . . in one year?"
She replied, "Well you'd be proud of them because they are still very good."
We both laughed.
Deshawn Zombie Comments: It's almost enough to make one feel bad for OSU fans. Naaaaah. BTW: here's an interesting post about the Colts affect on TEs in the passing game. Again, can anyone rightly tell me why Gary Brackett didn't make the Pro Bowl? He's the reason why these numbers are so low. He blankets the TE.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Bob Sanders earns Defensive Player of the Year
Bob "The Zombie" Sanders has garnered the AP's highest honor for a defensive player in the NFL. We always said that the Colts needed more balance. We always said the Colts had too few defensive stars to match Manning and Harrison. The Colts allowed the fewest points in the league this year. This award is another feather in Indy's cap.
Sanders is the first Colts player to win the award. His back-from-the-dead performance in the playoffs last year earned him national acclaim. The new found notoriety is ironic considering Sanders is one of the most enigmatic players in the league. According to Wikipedia: "Sanders claims to have been born in Erie, Pennsylvania in February of 1981. However, there is another school of thought that says Sanders is the latest in a line of humanoid, completely autonomous robots, originally conceived as a practically indestructible soldier and assassin, as well as an infiltrator. This sharply contrasts with reports from opposing players that suggest that Sanders was reanimated by a Voodoo curse. "
Sanders is the first Colts player to win the award. His back-from-the-dead performance in the playoffs last year earned him national acclaim. The new found notoriety is ironic considering Sanders is one of the most enigmatic players in the league. According to Wikipedia: "Sanders claims to have been born in Erie, Pennsylvania in February of 1981. However, there is another school of thought that says Sanders is the latest in a line of humanoid, completely autonomous robots, originally conceived as a practically indestructible soldier and assassin, as well as an infiltrator. This sharply contrasts with reports from opposing players that suggest that Sanders was reanimated by a Voodoo curse. "
Early list of links
We need to save a lot of commentary about the Chargers game for Friday's Eyes in the Backfield, but here's a running list of links to follow today...
Jeff Chadia asks questions about the playoffs.
ESPN gives us a list of big moments in replay. Two of the top five involve the Colts. One was inexplicable, one very painful.
PK admits he doesn't know crap about subjects like Bob Sanders and VY.
CHFF gives the Chargers waaaay too much credit for what happened in 2005. They also over blow what happened in November. But hey, why should they bother with reality when they can just blather.
Here's a freaky piece about why Cam "Jar Jar" Cameron got fired. Yikes. Poor little guy.
Wow. This article about Phil Rivers spends a lot of time on a game he didn't even play in. The 2005 Chargers had a different: QB, coach, O and D coordinators. IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS SUNDAY'S GAME. Half the Colts team didn't even play in the NFL back then.
Dr Z. weighs in with his thoughts on the weekend to come. He's a thinkin' what I'm a thinkin'.
Jeff Chadia asks questions about the playoffs.
ESPN gives us a list of big moments in replay. Two of the top five involve the Colts. One was inexplicable, one very painful.
PK admits he doesn't know crap about subjects like Bob Sanders and VY.
CHFF gives the Chargers waaaay too much credit for what happened in 2005. They also over blow what happened in November. But hey, why should they bother with reality when they can just blather.
Here's a freaky piece about why Cam "Jar Jar" Cameron got fired. Yikes. Poor little guy.
Wow. This article about Phil Rivers spends a lot of time on a game he didn't even play in. The 2005 Chargers had a different: QB, coach, O and D coordinators. IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS SUNDAY'S GAME. Half the Colts team didn't even play in the NFL back then.
Dr Z. weighs in with his thoughts on the weekend to come. He's a thinkin' what I'm a thinkin'.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Titans - Chargers Notes
1.) The Chargers look out of sorts. The Titans are playing loose and just pounding the ball. If the Chargers stack the line and force Young to throw they should be fine. Losing Scaife and Williams has to effect this game eventually.
2.) Big gain by Chris Chambers. The Chargers and Rivers are finally in rhythm. Miami should trade a couple more valuable receivers within their own conference.
3.) Rivers loves to throw. Overthrow, underthrow, just as long as he's throwing. He should have a fun time in the Dome next week.
4.) Before the game I told my wife that I would be surprised if the Titans scored more than 6 offensive points. I may still be right, but at this rate 6 might be enough to win.
5.) Rivers throws a horrible pick. It took 2 or 3 wobblers, but he finally threw the pick. I genuinely fear this game will end 3-0.
6.) There is a huge swing at stake for the Patriots here. Will they play a banged up, one-dimensional team led by Vince Young? Or a team whose second best Running Back is Fred Taylor?
7.) This feels a lot like the NFL's soon-to-be-annual Rookies vs. Sophomores game.
8.) Antonio Gates appears to have suffered a serious lower leg/foot injury. Tough loss for a Chargers team that is struggling for offense. Great player. San Diego misses a 45 yarder. They need a turnover in the worst way.
9.) Titans lead 6-0 at the half. Unbelievable. A win by the Titans would essentially grant New England a free pass to the AFC Championship game. It would also force the Colts to beat a rival three times in a season. Fun.
10.) Chargers need to start the half with a drive for points. They are 7-1 at home this season, but they are on the brink of another crippling playoff loss. A 34 yard gain to Vincent Jackson sets up a field goal. The blocking for LT has been atrocious. Titans lead 6-3.
11.) Wow. The Charger fans must be dying right now. This game shows the importance of good coaching. Norv Turner versus Jeff Fisher was not a fair matchup. Fisher has forced Philip Rivers to win the game, and that strategy is a winning one thus far.
12.) LT looks slow. It's kind of creeping me out. It's like they stuck his slower older brother, FraDanian out there. Footing may not be great on the field, much like when the Colts played them earlier this year. Huge personal foul on Albert Haynesworth. Bad call. TOUCHDOWN. Vincent Jackson is doing it all. Chargers lead 10-6.
13.) Titans are averaging 3.7 yards per carry heading into the fourth quarter. That number needs to soar in a hurry if they are going to steal this game. Rain is pouring down and the Titans' Rob Bironas pushes his kick wide left. HUGE.
14.) The Chargers get a much needed drive. Rivers has it going just enough to win this game. The Chargers face a 4th and goal from inside the one and will go for it. This is the ball game. TOUCHDOWN LT! Awesome play. Jumped about 10 feet in the air and didn't make it. His second effort gets him over for the score. That should do it for San Diego. We'll see them a week from today. Upset-minded Jacksonville will head to New England.
Deshawn Zombie comments: I don't know for sure that Jax is much better than San Diego, but here's why I wanted the Chargers first: for all the talk about the Chargers 'past success' against the Colts at RCA, no one seems to mention that that was with a different (better) QB. Phil Rivers has never had to call plays in the thunder of RCA. So, do I want a team that can run the ball, has a shaky QB and an idiot coach who plays in RCA every year, or do I want a team that can run the ball, has a shaky QB and an idiot coach who have never dealt with the noise. Um, I like option B. I also think the Chargers did nothing to instill confidence in Norv. LT looked like he was ready to choke him most of the day. If the Colts get up 10 early, this could turn into another Denver massacre. That team WANTS to quit on their coach.
2.) Big gain by Chris Chambers. The Chargers and Rivers are finally in rhythm. Miami should trade a couple more valuable receivers within their own conference.
3.) Rivers loves to throw. Overthrow, underthrow, just as long as he's throwing. He should have a fun time in the Dome next week.
4.) Before the game I told my wife that I would be surprised if the Titans scored more than 6 offensive points. I may still be right, but at this rate 6 might be enough to win.
5.) Rivers throws a horrible pick. It took 2 or 3 wobblers, but he finally threw the pick. I genuinely fear this game will end 3-0.
6.) There is a huge swing at stake for the Patriots here. Will they play a banged up, one-dimensional team led by Vince Young? Or a team whose second best Running Back is Fred Taylor?
7.) This feels a lot like the NFL's soon-to-be-annual Rookies vs. Sophomores game.
8.) Antonio Gates appears to have suffered a serious lower leg/foot injury. Tough loss for a Chargers team that is struggling for offense. Great player. San Diego misses a 45 yarder. They need a turnover in the worst way.
9.) Titans lead 6-0 at the half. Unbelievable. A win by the Titans would essentially grant New England a free pass to the AFC Championship game. It would also force the Colts to beat a rival three times in a season. Fun.
10.) Chargers need to start the half with a drive for points. They are 7-1 at home this season, but they are on the brink of another crippling playoff loss. A 34 yard gain to Vincent Jackson sets up a field goal. The blocking for LT has been atrocious. Titans lead 6-3.
11.) Wow. The Charger fans must be dying right now. This game shows the importance of good coaching. Norv Turner versus Jeff Fisher was not a fair matchup. Fisher has forced Philip Rivers to win the game, and that strategy is a winning one thus far.
12.) LT looks slow. It's kind of creeping me out. It's like they stuck his slower older brother, FraDanian out there. Footing may not be great on the field, much like when the Colts played them earlier this year. Huge personal foul on Albert Haynesworth. Bad call. TOUCHDOWN. Vincent Jackson is doing it all. Chargers lead 10-6.
13.) Titans are averaging 3.7 yards per carry heading into the fourth quarter. That number needs to soar in a hurry if they are going to steal this game. Rain is pouring down and the Titans' Rob Bironas pushes his kick wide left. HUGE.
14.) The Chargers get a much needed drive. Rivers has it going just enough to win this game. The Chargers face a 4th and goal from inside the one and will go for it. This is the ball game. TOUCHDOWN LT! Awesome play. Jumped about 10 feet in the air and didn't make it. His second effort gets him over for the score. That should do it for San Diego. We'll see them a week from today. Upset-minded Jacksonville will head to New England.
Deshawn Zombie comments: I don't know for sure that Jax is much better than San Diego, but here's why I wanted the Chargers first: for all the talk about the Chargers 'past success' against the Colts at RCA, no one seems to mention that that was with a different (better) QB. Phil Rivers has never had to call plays in the thunder of RCA. So, do I want a team that can run the ball, has a shaky QB and an idiot coach who plays in RCA every year, or do I want a team that can run the ball, has a shaky QB and an idiot coach who have never dealt with the noise. Um, I like option B. I also think the Chargers did nothing to instill confidence in Norv. LT looked like he was ready to choke him most of the day. If the Colts get up 10 early, this could turn into another Denver massacre. That team WANTS to quit on their coach.
Thoughts on the offseason
This morning's Indy Star article was interesting to me, because I have been thinking a lot about the draft and the off season. I was trying to ascertain what positions the Colts might need to fill, who they could lose ect. As always, the cap situation should be tight but manageable. The only UFA starters are Clark, Lilja, and Scott. Thomas, Boiman, Klecko, and Moorehead are strictly backups, though Thomas has played a lot with Freeney out. The Colts often let guards walk in free agency, so I wouldn't be surprised if Lilja at least is gone. Charlie Johnson, while a disaster at tackle, has played well inside. The Colts frequently draft O-linemen in the late rounds and let Howard Mudd turn them into players. So with Clark available at a reasonable franchise tag, what could the Colts be looking for in the draft. Remember, there's no first round pick this year because of the Ugoh trade (no complaining about that one for sure!)
Here's my short list:
1. Corners - the Colts love to draft corners and clearly have a weakness in the nickle package.
2. Guards - There's a good chance we lose one or both.
3. Pass rushers-This is where we are most thin. We have two dominant edge rushers, but one injury really can expose that lack of depth. It's amazing how this team is now in a position to draft for depth.
4. Defensive Tackle - This is a tough one. The Colts have several young DTs, but I'm not sure they have the next sure thing on the roster. Truth is, this is still the highest priority need to take this D to an insane level. The Star speculated that Booger could be cut, but that should be a function of his health. His play in the playoffs was outstanding last year; he was dominant in the KC game, when everyone questioned if the Colts could really stop a top-flight RB. If he's healthy, I think he should be kept.
5. Tight End - this shoots up the list if the team lets Clark walk. I still say it's possible based on Dallas's propensity for drops, but it seems more likely they'll franchise him for a year, and deal with this next year when we have a first round pick.
When everyone is healthy, this Colts team is without holes or flaws. When the starters step on the field, the only real weak spot is at nickle back. We have great starters at most positions and interesting prospects in the wings at RB and WR. The oldest defensive starter is 29 (seriously). This team is young and deep (as this events have born out this season).
Frankly, as long as #18 stays upright, it's hard to imagine much of a drop off next season. Even without a first round pick, and drafting no worse than 30th in all subsequent rounds, the Colts should be in strong shape. They will probably clean up on compensatory selections as well.
Polian and company are geniuses.
Demond Sanders: Great point about the nickle and dime coverages. Guys like Dante Hughes and Michael Coe will develop over time, but losing David and Harper showed you can never have too many spare corners.
Also check out this ESPN article on the US open-wheel split. This guy breaks down an issue that does not get much national coverage. You know what bothers me? When we were born Indiana was known for its auto racing and its high school basketball tournament. Wha' happened?
Here's my short list:
1. Corners - the Colts love to draft corners and clearly have a weakness in the nickle package.
2. Guards - There's a good chance we lose one or both.
3. Pass rushers-This is where we are most thin. We have two dominant edge rushers, but one injury really can expose that lack of depth. It's amazing how this team is now in a position to draft for depth.
4. Defensive Tackle - This is a tough one. The Colts have several young DTs, but I'm not sure they have the next sure thing on the roster. Truth is, this is still the highest priority need to take this D to an insane level. The Star speculated that Booger could be cut, but that should be a function of his health. His play in the playoffs was outstanding last year; he was dominant in the KC game, when everyone questioned if the Colts could really stop a top-flight RB. If he's healthy, I think he should be kept.
5. Tight End - this shoots up the list if the team lets Clark walk. I still say it's possible based on Dallas's propensity for drops, but it seems more likely they'll franchise him for a year, and deal with this next year when we have a first round pick.
When everyone is healthy, this Colts team is without holes or flaws. When the starters step on the field, the only real weak spot is at nickle back. We have great starters at most positions and interesting prospects in the wings at RB and WR. The oldest defensive starter is 29 (seriously). This team is young and deep (as this events have born out this season).
Frankly, as long as #18 stays upright, it's hard to imagine much of a drop off next season. Even without a first round pick, and drafting no worse than 30th in all subsequent rounds, the Colts should be in strong shape. They will probably clean up on compensatory selections as well.
Polian and company are geniuses.
Demond Sanders: Great point about the nickle and dime coverages. Guys like Dante Hughes and Michael Coe will develop over time, but losing David and Harper showed you can never have too many spare corners.
Also check out this ESPN article on the US open-wheel split. This guy breaks down an issue that does not get much national coverage. You know what bothers me? When we were born Indiana was known for its auto racing and its high school basketball tournament. Wha' happened?
The cat came back
Frustrating. We were so close to the kind of collapse that can destroy a franchise and send them packing to the second coast. DZ and I were furiously IMing each other about how David Garrard is who we thought he was. We were loving it. One moment Ask Vic's game blog was calling the Steelers "not playoff caliber" and the next moment the Jags had blown an 18 point lead. We deserved this. This was our moment. I hastily threw together this picture of a Jaguar lounging in Los Angeles:
And then Mike Tomlin and his staff took over. He called what appeared to be designed run for Big Ben on 3rd and six. Not even close. Folks, you have to be able to throw the ball to run out the clock. It's seems counter-intuitive, but it's been proven to my satisfaction this season. The reason the Patriots are 16-0 is largely because team's think they can eat time by running the ball. Wrong. You eat time by getting first downs.
The difference in the game was Tomlin's bizarre two point conversion strategy. It was probably the right call down five points, but when your attempting it from the twelve due to a penalty, just kick the extra point. He ended up failing on consecutive conversion attempts and losing by two points. That can't feel good this morning.
In the end both teams played exactly how we expected. The Steelers were horrible in most respects, but could throw the ball. That made them dangerous against anyone. The Jags have an unproven offense and poor pass defense. It showed. They were very lucky to win this game. An interception return for a touchdown and a kick return to the one yard line masked a mediocre night on offense. The over-hyped running back duo was mostly bottled up, especially Fred Taylor.
Neither team looked capable of beating the Patriots next week. The Steelers probably had a better chance because they have better secondary when Polamalu is playing, and they have Big Ben. I think Garrard seems like a good leader and nice guy, but I think he showed his true colors last night. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd pick them to lose by 14 if the game was played this afternoon.
Friday, January 4, 2008
2007 NFL Predictions Revisted
- At the start of the NFL season in September we made 18 predictions about the season. How did we do? Check it out.
- We've also revised our predicted NFL standings that we issued Star Wars-style in September.
The Emperor is thrown down a reactor shaft in the end.
Mailbag
Fox 59 Sports Director Chris Hagan sends us a belated response to an old rant directed towards some comments made on 1260's The Drive with JMV:
Hi, Chris Hagan here. Just found this blog mentioning my name. I guess we "wizards" weren't so off the mark afterall, huh? And that Patriot win over the Chargers is even MORE impressive now that SD is on a winning streak AND beat the Colts as well.
Thanks for writing, Chris. Sorry for calling you a wizard. Everything I wrote back in October remains true in January. The Pats are still a ticking hype bomb. Their win against San Diego is no more impressive today because the Chargers aren't any good. And for future reference, no one considers a game where Bryan Fletcher, Craphonso Thorpe, and Aaron Moorehead combined for 17 catches to be indicative of anything.
There are only two Super Bowl caliber teams in the AFC. The one your station covers, and the one in Massachusetts.
--Demond Sanders
p.s. Sometimes I google my own name too.
Hi, Chris Hagan here. Just found this blog mentioning my name. I guess we "wizards" weren't so off the mark afterall, huh? And that Patriot win over the Chargers is even MORE impressive now that SD is on a winning streak AND beat the Colts as well.
Thanks for writing, Chris. Sorry for calling you a wizard. Everything I wrote back in October remains true in January. The Pats are still a ticking hype bomb. Their win against San Diego is no more impressive today because the Chargers aren't any good. And for future reference, no one considers a game where Bryan Fletcher, Craphonso Thorpe, and Aaron Moorehead combined for 17 catches to be indicative of anything.
There are only two Super Bowl caliber teams in the AFC. The one your station covers, and the one in Massachusetts.
--Demond Sanders
p.s. Sometimes I google my own name too.
Endangered Species
No, this post has nothing to do with the Colts or the Pats (and everyone just clicked away...). Instead, it's a commentary on why I'm rooting for Pittsburgh tomorrow. I realize that the Jags in theory could beat New England, or at least beat them up some. I don't care. I've said all along that I don't fear the Pats, and I really think this season needs to be about the Colts and Pats. I can't foresee Tennessee winning on Sunday, and I can't see Norv Turner winning consecutive playoff games. This leaves the Pats to take on the Jags/Steelers. Sure, I think Jacksonville might be a better game (though I doubt it because of the stiffs the Jholes play in their secondary). Even so, I'm rooting for the Steelers. Why?
One simple reason: a loss would destroy the Jags as a franchise. They've started to pick up some momentum with their fan base, and actually managed to sell out a game or two late in the year. The Jhole fans (both of them) believe. The Jags finally have their long sought love from ESPN. And now? A win would validate much of that. If they were to give NE any kind of a game at all, the franchise would start to gain credibility. I don't want that to happen. A loss and all the goodwill the Jags have banked would go flying out the window. A loss means more blackouts next year and an impending move to L.A. Then the Colts can finally get my dream division of Indy, Tennessee, St. Louis and Houston.
The Jags have to win tomorrow, or they kill their franchise.
Oh, and there's one more reason. I hate the Jaguars. I'm not sure who I would even root for if they were playing New England. That's how bad I hate the Jaguars.
Links:
WAY TO GO LENNY P! He not only put Reggie Wayne and Bob Sanders on his All-Pro team, but put GARY BRACKETT on as well. Now, that's great to see. We love Gary Brackett here at 18to88.com, and that just makes our day.
FO's Playoff Index takes a look at the statistical categories most relevant to playoff success.
Michael David Smith ranks the playoff quarterbacks. David Garrard at #4? This sad reality helps explains why this is a two-team league.
John Clayton says that Manning and Moore have changed football.
CHFF thinks the Colts have about a 20% chance of winning in NE. That seems very low to me. But since they have no reason to say that, I suppose their opinion is worth the same as any other in the din.
Demond Sanders: Well said. You really loathe the Jaguars. I'm so proud.
One simple reason: a loss would destroy the Jags as a franchise. They've started to pick up some momentum with their fan base, and actually managed to sell out a game or two late in the year. The Jhole fans (both of them) believe. The Jags finally have their long sought love from ESPN. And now? A win would validate much of that. If they were to give NE any kind of a game at all, the franchise would start to gain credibility. I don't want that to happen. A loss and all the goodwill the Jags have banked would go flying out the window. A loss means more blackouts next year and an impending move to L.A. Then the Colts can finally get my dream division of Indy, Tennessee, St. Louis and Houston.
The Jags have to win tomorrow, or they kill their franchise.
Oh, and there's one more reason. I hate the Jaguars. I'm not sure who I would even root for if they were playing New England. That's how bad I hate the Jaguars.
Links:
WAY TO GO LENNY P! He not only put Reggie Wayne and Bob Sanders on his All-Pro team, but put GARY BRACKETT on as well. Now, that's great to see. We love Gary Brackett here at 18to88.com, and that just makes our day.
FO's Playoff Index takes a look at the statistical categories most relevant to playoff success.
Michael David Smith ranks the playoff quarterbacks. David Garrard at #4? This sad reality helps explains why this is a two-team league.
John Clayton says that Manning and Moore have changed football.
CHFF thinks the Colts have about a 20% chance of winning in NE. That seems very low to me. But since they have no reason to say that, I suppose their opinion is worth the same as any other in the din.
Demond Sanders: Well said. You really loathe the Jaguars. I'm so proud.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Lull
The Storm is coming soon, and before too long, the hype will reach deafening proportions. In many ways, it feels like the whole season has been just leading up to this point. The only advance to the plot comes after the practice reports each day. The impending AFC Championship clash will come down one of health. If the Colts can field their best players, I don't think the Patriots are very well equipped to defeat them. If key rushers like Mathis and Brock don't play, it could make for a very long day. Heading into these playoffs, the Colts only real weaknesses are in the pass rush and on special teams. The rush might or might not be ok, depending on who plays. It's been so long since the Colts could field a defense that resembled the first string, that it's honestly hard to tell. As for the special teams...
Demond and I argue about this a lot, but my position is that we already experienced a full-on special teams melt down last year in the playoff and survived it. I don't believe the coverage units can fail more utterly than they did during the NE game and in the Super Bowl. Hence, I tend not to worry about it. Demond favors an aggressive step of adding Mathis, the Zombie and Bethea back onto the special teams as the Colts did at times during last year's playoffs. For me, that issue comes down to health. If guys are sound physically, ok, but where we really need them is on defense.
In other news:
The Pacers' playoff odds have dropped under 70%. Hmmm, nice calculations guys. Weren't they just at 98% like a week ago?
Whitlock likes the Zombie for Defensive Player of the Year. Who doesn't?
What was the point?!”
– Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, offering a brief review of No Country for Old Men (Sports Illustrated- Apparently Tom isn't a fan of fine cinema. Somehow, the image of a great evil that lumbers on unstoppably in such a way as to make good men despair for the days they've come to see is lost on him. Sometimes, when you are so close to something, you become blind to it. Maybe he should have stuck to a more accessible Cohen Brothers movie like Raising Arizona. Nah, that's probably too smart for him. Better stick with Transformers. Hey Tom, make it a Blockbuster night!
Caldwell is getting lots of looks. I'm really happy for him, as he deserves a chance to move up. Frankly, I'm more worried about losing Chris Polian. I wonder what his dad will offer him to stay?
Check out this sweet site. Browse around a little, there are some cool maps on there.
Here's a nice piece about the Rocket's impending 60 Minutes interview. I loved the Chris Farley show. That was one of my favorite SNL memories.
Jeff Saturday picked up a nice award. He may be among the most universally beloved Colts of all time. The number of 63 jerseys on Sunday's is astonishing. He'll be in the Ring of Honor someday for sure, and with another Super Bowl or two, the Hall of Fame as well.
Demond Sanders: Brady didn't like No Country for Old Men? That's shocking. I had heard he was a huge fan of the entire Neo-Western genre.
In less creepy news, the Tennessee Titans has lost two of their only receiving threats, Bo Scaife and Roydell Williams, in back to back days. That team is done. You always have to be careful of what you wish for in the playoffs, but I think this may be the best scenario for the Colts. They would get the Chargers, and the Pats would get the Jags/Steelers winner.
Demond and I argue about this a lot, but my position is that we already experienced a full-on special teams melt down last year in the playoff and survived it. I don't believe the coverage units can fail more utterly than they did during the NE game and in the Super Bowl. Hence, I tend not to worry about it. Demond favors an aggressive step of adding Mathis, the Zombie and Bethea back onto the special teams as the Colts did at times during last year's playoffs. For me, that issue comes down to health. If guys are sound physically, ok, but where we really need them is on defense.
In other news:
The Pacers' playoff odds have dropped under 70%. Hmmm, nice calculations guys. Weren't they just at 98% like a week ago?
Whitlock likes the Zombie for Defensive Player of the Year. Who doesn't?
What was the point?!”
– Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, offering a brief review of No Country for Old Men (Sports Illustrated- Apparently Tom isn't a fan of fine cinema. Somehow, the image of a great evil that lumbers on unstoppably in such a way as to make good men despair for the days they've come to see is lost on him. Sometimes, when you are so close to something, you become blind to it. Maybe he should have stuck to a more accessible Cohen Brothers movie like Raising Arizona. Nah, that's probably too smart for him. Better stick with Transformers. Hey Tom, make it a Blockbuster night!
Caldwell is getting lots of looks. I'm really happy for him, as he deserves a chance to move up. Frankly, I'm more worried about losing Chris Polian. I wonder what his dad will offer him to stay?
Check out this sweet site. Browse around a little, there are some cool maps on there.
Here's a nice piece about the Rocket's impending 60 Minutes interview. I loved the Chris Farley show. That was one of my favorite SNL memories.
Jeff Saturday picked up a nice award. He may be among the most universally beloved Colts of all time. The number of 63 jerseys on Sunday's is astonishing. He'll be in the Ring of Honor someday for sure, and with another Super Bowl or two, the Hall of Fame as well.
Demond Sanders: Brady didn't like No Country for Old Men? That's shocking. I had heard he was a huge fan of the entire Neo-Western genre.
In less creepy news, the Tennessee Titans has lost two of their only receiving threats, Bo Scaife and Roydell Williams, in back to back days. That team is done. You always have to be careful of what you wish for in the playoffs, but I think this may be the best scenario for the Colts. They would get the Chargers, and the Pats would get the Jags/Steelers winner.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year's Blues
So 2008 got off with a BCS Whimper. Not that I'm surprised, but after watching two straight unwatchable laughers with 2nd rate squads matched up with teams that by many accounts ought to be playing for the title, I'm convinced that the BCS Cash Cow is in trouble. Like most things, the argument against a tournament in the FBS (three better initials were never found) comes down to money. But if the BCS flames out terribly, the major university presidents will have to consider that the best and far and away most lucrative deal they can get will be for a playoff system, rather than for a set of matchups that make no sense, the public doesn't want to see, and end up being mismatches. USC/Oklahoma? Why couldn't we get this game? I think those are the two best teams in the country maybe.
Links:
PK lists Jim Caldwell as a prime candidate for a head coaching job. I hope he gets a look, but somehow I doubt he will. I still don't think enough owners are convinced by the Dungy revolution. By that I mean, low key father figures rather than drill sergeants.
Vic is giddy over 2007. Hmmm, I see a team with a 30 year old QB who has posted exactly 1 good year, an old RB who had a healthy season for the first time in a while, and a defense that has shown serious regression. Oh, and they failed to beat the Colts in two tries. Should the Jags flame out this weekend, all the good will he talks about from the fans will completely evaporate. Sure, two wins in the playoffs, and they might be rolling, but I'm just not seeing how they beat New England without a blizzard. The Jags have no pass defense, and that's what you have to have. Brady will eat them alive.
TMQ may have fuzzy logic from time to time, but it's always amusing. He makes an interesting point about how #1 pass offenses fair in the playoffs.
Scouts Inc. likes Dungy, but still manages to have the Cowboys over the Colts.
The FO EPC All-Pro team only has one Colt. Care to guess which one? Miss and your brain will get eaten. Seriously, has any player ever had as good a January 1 to December 31 as Bob Sanders? He could spontaneously combust after drilling some running back next week, and he would still be remembered in 50 years as one of the greatest Colts ever. I hate fuzzy thinking like this, but I'll say it anyway...I think he makes the whole team meaner. I think the whole secondary lays the wood because they don't want to be shown up the Zombie. He's freaking Bruce Lee in pads.
Mike Sando says, it's hard to know anything, but that the Colts have it where it counts.
Don Banks is right. New England must play better if they hope to win it all.
Fox Sports Czar is about half as confident in the Colts as John Clayton was.
Demond Sanders: If they can put back to back years together AND win the division, then the Jagator fans and national media will have a reason to believe. Right now, their defense isn't good enough and their passing offense is promising but untested. The fact is they haven't won a playoff game since Dan Marino's last game in January of 2000. That has to change. Like most people, I am rooting for them to be matched up with the Pats. I would expect the Pats to win by 10+ points, but hopefully leave the game banged up.
Links:
PK lists Jim Caldwell as a prime candidate for a head coaching job. I hope he gets a look, but somehow I doubt he will. I still don't think enough owners are convinced by the Dungy revolution. By that I mean, low key father figures rather than drill sergeants.
Vic is giddy over 2007. Hmmm, I see a team with a 30 year old QB who has posted exactly 1 good year, an old RB who had a healthy season for the first time in a while, and a defense that has shown serious regression. Oh, and they failed to beat the Colts in two tries. Should the Jags flame out this weekend, all the good will he talks about from the fans will completely evaporate. Sure, two wins in the playoffs, and they might be rolling, but I'm just not seeing how they beat New England without a blizzard. The Jags have no pass defense, and that's what you have to have. Brady will eat them alive.
TMQ may have fuzzy logic from time to time, but it's always amusing. He makes an interesting point about how #1 pass offenses fair in the playoffs.
Scouts Inc. likes Dungy, but still manages to have the Cowboys over the Colts.
The FO EPC All-Pro team only has one Colt. Care to guess which one? Miss and your brain will get eaten. Seriously, has any player ever had as good a January 1 to December 31 as Bob Sanders? He could spontaneously combust after drilling some running back next week, and he would still be remembered in 50 years as one of the greatest Colts ever. I hate fuzzy thinking like this, but I'll say it anyway...I think he makes the whole team meaner. I think the whole secondary lays the wood because they don't want to be shown up the Zombie. He's freaking Bruce Lee in pads.
Mike Sando says, it's hard to know anything, but that the Colts have it where it counts.
Don Banks is right. New England must play better if they hope to win it all.
Fox Sports Czar is about half as confident in the Colts as John Clayton was.
Demond Sanders: If they can put back to back years together AND win the division, then the Jagator fans and national media will have a reason to believe. Right now, their defense isn't good enough and their passing offense is promising but untested. The fact is they haven't won a playoff game since Dan Marino's last game in January of 2000. That has to change. Like most people, I am rooting for them to be matched up with the Pats. I would expect the Pats to win by 10+ points, but hopefully leave the game banged up.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Further proof Scouts Inc. is on crack
I've railed long and hard against the hilarious group known as Scouts Inc. It employs one Jeremy Green who was one of the worst talent evaluators in the HISTORY of the NFL when he presided over the worst set of draft disasters in history. They also employ Keith Kidd, and ex-Patriots employee. It makes one wonder why he's no longer employed there.
Scouts Inc. has long dissed the Colts, for example their hilarious criticism of the drafting of Tony Ugoh (they questioned his 'commitment' to football because he threw shot put in the off season at Arkansas). Today, they chose to rank the #1 scoring D in football, the #2 passing D, and the #8 defense in yards per carry....FIFTH...out of teams in the playoffs.
Their scoring system is stupid, as I mentioned yesterday. Today, the ranked the Colts and Bucs as having the 11th and 12th D lines and 6th and 9th ranked linebackers. Both teams allow fewer yards per carry than every team but Washington and the Giants (Colts and Giants are tied, Tampa is behind just Washington). Oh, and the Giants and Skins ranks? The Skins are 10th in everything and the Giants got a #1 one line ranking but 12th LB rating.
Upon what criteria are they judging defenses? The Colts and Bucs have suspect D-lines and LBs? Then how are they shutting down the run?
Scouts Inc. must think that Bob Sanders is some kind of reanimated demon from the realm of the undead.
Ok, so maybe they aren't so stupid after all.
Scouts Inc. has long dissed the Colts, for example their hilarious criticism of the drafting of Tony Ugoh (they questioned his 'commitment' to football because he threw shot put in the off season at Arkansas). Today, they chose to rank the #1 scoring D in football, the #2 passing D, and the #8 defense in yards per carry....FIFTH...out of teams in the playoffs.
Their scoring system is stupid, as I mentioned yesterday. Today, the ranked the Colts and Bucs as having the 11th and 12th D lines and 6th and 9th ranked linebackers. Both teams allow fewer yards per carry than every team but Washington and the Giants (Colts and Giants are tied, Tampa is behind just Washington). Oh, and the Giants and Skins ranks? The Skins are 10th in everything and the Giants got a #1 one line ranking but 12th LB rating.
Upon what criteria are they judging defenses? The Colts and Bucs have suspect D-lines and LBs? Then how are they shutting down the run?
Scouts Inc. must think that Bob Sanders is some kind of reanimated demon from the realm of the undead.
Ok, so maybe they aren't so stupid after all.
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