JETS CHIEFS BETTER BE A NO BRAINER-By TJ Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online
With the painful overtime loss in Oakland now in the Jets rear view
mirror, Gang Green set their sights on a severely hampered old friend.
Former head coach Herm Edwards comes to town with his awful 1-5
Kansas City Chiefs, without star RB Larry Johnson (suspended for team
conduct) and featuring third string QB Bobby Thigpen. This is beyond a
must win. This is a game the Jets need to win as well as start to grow
in. The passing game needs to get on track. Dustin Keller needs to
become a weapon, especially with the apparent injury to Brett Favre's
security blanket Bubba Franks. The defense needs to shut down the
Chiefs second and even third string offense, and take control of a
of game the Jets can't lose if they want to see the playoffs
first hand in January.
After starting 0-2 KC somehow found a way to win at home against
Denver before losing both starting QBs, Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard.
They then tried but failed to deal legendary TE Tony Gonzalez at the
trade deadline and now have to live with the emotionally unstable LJ.
To sum it up, they are a complete mess. The only weapon besides
Gonzalez, WR Dwayne Bowe, has not had 100 yard receiving game yet
this season. The club was shut out two weeks ago in Carolina. 30th
total offense in the league this year. Now that 's WITH LJ and their
top two QB’s!
Let's be honest here. Losing to them would be devastating. A pure sign
that the Brett Favre experiment has failed on the field, regardless of
how many number 4 jerseys have been sold off the field. It cant even be
a possibility.
For the Jets, this Sunday cannot be about struggling to beat a team
like the Chiefs. This HAS to be about playing well, and winning well. It
has to be about the passing game finding a rythym. About Dustin Keller
starting to emerge as the first round pass catching threat he's
supposed to be so he can really contribute as the bigger games start
to creep up on the schedule. It has to be about a defense NOT pulling
a traditional Jet move by letting a back up like RB Kolby Smith have a
huge game on the ground. It has to be about making QB Tyler Thigpen
look not like Len Dawson, but like Thigpen. The Jets need to take hold
of this game and not let go.
Otherwise they are no different than a team run by Chad Pennington or
Kellen Clemens, the choices Jet fans had to wish for up until August.
The only difference between the 3-3 the Jets are now with Favre and
the same record they might also have with Pennington or Clemens now,
is that the potential for alot more offensive firepower rests with
Brett's arm and his ability to stretch the field. It's time the Jets start
To show why Favre was brought here. This game against the Chiefs is
the perfect opportunity to start kicking that vison into gear as we head
towards a crucial stretch.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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Another Thursday F.R.O. Show
This week we will bring you the first of our NFL Draft Prep Shows at Football Reporters Online. This one will be on Small School Prospects. We will also have Fordham University Rams Head Football Coach Tom Masella Joining us to talk with us about some of his young prospects, Most notably Kicker Adam Danko, who hit the winning Field Goal This past Saturday in the contest against Yale (a 12-10 slugfest), Defensive End Ryan Mehra, OT Justin Sarabaez, and WR Richard Rayborn, as well as an opposing Coach's view of Yale's RB Mike McLeod. The show can be heard live at 9pm eastern at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters
The Show is Hosted By FRO's managing Partner Dr. Bill Chachkes and this week's Co-Hosts are FRO's college football reporter John Kelly, and FRO's Scouting Director and Host of the Popular "Sports MC's" Broadcast on The Black Athlete Sports Network, Mike Ingram.
Photo: a Visibly Dejected Yale RB Mike McLeod during the final moments of Yale's Loss to Fordham
Monday, October 20, 2008
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FOR DALLAS, THE WADE AND TONY SHOW BETTER START NOW
FOR DALLAS, THE WADE AND TONY SHOW BETTER START NOW
By T.J. Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online.
The Dallas Cowboys once 3-0, appeared headed for a collision course with the Giants for the rights to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl next February. What we all tend to forget is, in the NFL, each week is it's own season. Weeks are cumulative as much as they are separate. The landscape drastically changes as star players get injured. As favored teams get upset unexpectedly. Week 4 was way too early in this or any season to be describing anybody as undoubtedly Super Bowl bound. The Cowboys were no different. From pre season Super Bowl expectations to early questions about the head coach and the clubs balance on offense. From the Pacman Jones saga to the Tony Romo injury, then to the Roy Williams signing. This chain of events has left the Cowboys on a road headed not for Disneyworld, but for disaster instead. Only Wade Phillips and Tony Romo can save them before these Cowboys soon fade into the sunset.
Having come off a 13-3 season in which the Boys had seen their franchise quarterback Tony Romo blossom into a star, a season that saw the exit of Julius Jones and the entry of Felix Jones to compliment the hard nosed RB Marion Barber, there was clear reasons as to why many thought the Cowboys were the team to beat heading into 2008. Those expectations certainly soared after a string of convincing early season wins that left the club 3-0 and feeling awfully good about themselves. What ensued the following three weeks however was spotty play in losses to Washington at home and Arizona on the road. That mixed in with a close win against a winless Bengal team at home. Questions were beginning to arise as to whether there was enough balance in the offense. Was Felix Jones, a threat to score on any play, getting enough touches? The loss to Washington, the Boys first loss of the year brought the club down to earth. Made experts and even the team itself recognize that it was not invincible. This should not have been a news flash for anyone following the Cowboys closely. For a team loaded with talent, the trick has always been finding a way to make it all work together. Even more so, finding a way to get through the tough games. Games played on days where all phases of the game are not running on all cylinders.
What could be fairly noted from a distance is that where we are now as far as the Cowboys go began in January during the '07 playoffs. Wade Phillips ability to be an effective game changer on THOSE type of days first came into question as the Cowboy’s head coach when the Giants beat them at home last year in the playoffs. Home field advantage throughout the playoffs was wasted. Now I can't pinpoint exactly WHY that game was Phillip's fault from an X's and O's point of view, but it just was. In the same way that Jim Mora was the reason why the pre Tony Dungy Colts lost playoff games at home. In the way Rich Kotite was just going to lose playoff games with Buddy Ryan's Eagles. Because THOSE types of games require a quality head coach who can pull you out of a tight game late in the contest. It's an energy thing. A how you cry yourself on the sidelines thing. Some guys have it, most don't. Take nothing away from Tom Coughlin, Eli and the Giants. Their magical run will be one for the ages. At that time though, Dallas was still the team to beat, and the better team. It was Phillips job to help win THAT game as much as it was Marty Schottenheimers' job to beat New England the year previous while owning home field advantage as well for his 14-2 Chargers. That Charger loss erased their terrific regular season in the same way that Giant loss last year made everyone forget that the Cowboys were 13-3.
Phillips often times has the look and the body language of a less informed spectator. One who enjoys football but doesn't follow it enough to enjoy the idiosyncrasies of it. At times confused by the rulings on the field, other times pumping his fists like a season ticket holder, Phillips carries himself more like a safe bet than a difference maker to the naked eye. Phillips was according to many, the perfect answer to Bill Parcells and his tough love approach to the sidelines. He took over a Parcells built team that could have, and well, possibly did, run on autopilot last season. That's because the true test for Phillips will be this year. It will be now. 13-3 was Bill Parcells team that Wade was borrowing. The playoff loss was Wade's team. The always-aggressive Jerry Jones built this 2008 version to be faster and stronger. The turmoil and the escape route out of it are on Wade Phillips. Fair or not. These next few weeks will be HIS contribution to a team rebuilt by both Parcells and Jones, then taught by Parcells. For better or for worse. Wade Phillips needs to make his presence felt right now.
Now, whether it is fair to blame Phillips or Offensive coordinator Jason Garret this season for the early inability to find a balance in the offense and a routine place for Felix Jones in the backfield may be unfair. The Super Bowl winning Colts of 2006 struggled scoring early in their championship season as they made the switch from a passing dominant to a more balanced offense with rookie RB Joseph Addai. The Cowboys, although winning early in 2008, were still looking to find their balance. They'll have to wait a month now in order to find it for a stretch run that they hope still exists. Felix Jones is out for a month and Romo as of today is still sidelined. Dallas has a bye in week 10. 4-3 and on the brink of fading in the NFC East to the 5-1 Giants, a quick fix however is in order. The time is now.
Let's backtrack for a bit to before the Cardinal game two weeks ago. Pacman Jones and yes, I'm calling him Pacman not Adam (sorry Adam), didn't help team morale by finding himself in the principals office once again before the game. His suspension, given Jerry Jones sticking his neck out in risking the reputation of the franchise by acquiring the troubled star despite the rap sheet, through off the teams rhythm. Just like even the smallest family dramas always do. Let's not, however, make Pacman the scapegoat for an offensive line that allowed Tony Romo to get hit after every pass attempt that day, eventually breaking his pinky. Combine a Dallas team still looking for role definition, with the Pacman saga and add to the mix an explosive Arizona offense seething form a loss to the Jets a week earlier (where both defenses resembled a two hand touch parking lot game) and what you had was a good old Desert trap. The template for an upset. The train was slowed by the defeat and slightly running off the tracks. Yet it was about to be derailed a day later.
Now, the Cowboys play on the field: the pass blocking, the pass defense and the Pacman effect would have come into question a lot more after the Cardinal loss had the Cowboy Crisis not trickled down to Tony Romo. His broken pinky became the clubs primary source for concern the Monday after the loss (News of Felix Jones' partially torn hamstring soon followed). Without Romo, the Dallas version of Tom Brady, both for his throwing arm and emotional worth to a quality team, how would the Boys continue to be an imposing threat? With the pedestrian Brad Johnson on his way to replacing Super Hero Romo, questions began to arise instantly as to how the Cowboys could navigate through this trauma.
While the media looked to TO and other voices in the locker room that Tuesday for answers to the biggest question in Cowboy land since whether Jessica Simpson affected Tony Romo's play down the stretch in 2007, Jerry Jones went out and bought Detroit Lion star WR Roy Williams at the deadline. A team that already had problems spreading the ball around to TO, Jason Witten, Marion Barber and Felix Jones had now added a fifth star to the mix. All to be led for the time being by Johnson, a 40 year old guy whose throwing style is more Phil Simms than it's ever been Roger Staubauch. It would be hard to fault Jones for his desire to improve the talent on his roster. Hopefully he has considered how Williams will fit with a team that always appears to be hanging on a thread with regard to the notion of TEAM CHEMISTRY.
Then yesterday. A complete drubbing in St Louis to the Rams. The Rams? Don't give me that Jim Hasslet stuff all right? Ok I'm happy for Hasslet, a Saints castoff. There's a new energy there in St. Louis. There should be. Scott Linehan's teams would lose by college scores every week 52-14, then 49 -10. Who in their right minds could get excited about getting destroyed every week? That tenure was ridiculous and over thank god. With Hasslet, Stephen Jackson has had back-to-back monster games. Regardless, these were once the pitiful winless Rams going against the once Super Bowl bound Cowboys. Yet by the end of the day, the Rams elevator was going up at the same time the Boys raced their elevator down towards the ground floor at mock speed. The Cowboys' pre season and early season expectations started out way too high for a team to land at a place that has left them 4-3 and two games out of first place in a division they were convinced was theirs to begin with. The question is how many more Sundays can the Cowboys afford like the last one? They are not in the forgiving NFC South. There is little to no room for error in the NFL's toughest division.
The Cowboys are in major crisis mode. They CAN however, be rescued. Two people and two people only can rescue the Boys. Without them BOTH throwing out life preservers to the rest of the crew at the same time, the ship will sink. Guaranteed. Wade Phillips and Tony Romo have to save this team. Now. Nobody else can do it. Not TO. Not Marion Barber. Not Jerry Jones chewing the team out like he did after the disaster in St Louis. Not Roy Williams, too new to the zoo to have the clout. It's got to be the Wade and Tony show. Like it's been the Bill and Tom show in New England for years. Like it isn't the Bill and Tom show now and hey, just look at that mess up there in Foxboro for proof that it takes two. Matt Cassel? Yeesh.
Wade Phillips has to step up and show us that he can manage a crisis by keeping divisive personalities like TO in check while creating a groupthink motto his players will buy into and rally around. He has to do it before they break off into smaller self-ruling factions. Phillips needs to oversee shrewd game plans and sign off on key in game moves that steal a win or two while his team finds its swagger again. He doesn't have be either brains behind the game plan or sign off on the right one. The head coach's reputation will be connected to whatever plays out on the field, so it better be good. It better translate into wins. Dallas is not St Louis, where 2-4 has suddenly turned into the feel good hit of the fall. Winning is everything in Dallas. Winning hides dysfunction in a place where negativity always waits for the perfect losing streak in order to come in and ruin the team like a cancer.
Secondly, Tony Romo HAS TO START NEXT WEEK at QB. Broken pinky or not, the Cowboys have lost an emotional edge that playing behind their field leader provides. Romo at 75 percent will be more useful to Dallas than 40-year-old Brad Johnson will ever be at 100 percent. His efficiency as a passer will diminish, but he'll still be able to extend play in the passing game and find open receivers. He'll have his security blanket Jason Witten close by and have Marion Barber running hard to keep defenses honest. He'll bring the threat of a deep ball back to the offense, accurate or not. Romo will force the defense to play the whole field again. He has no choice.
It's getting late early. Tampa Bay, The Giants and Redskins are next up for the Boys and I can assure you, chomping at the bit. Dying for the chance to get after Dallas while they are licking their wounds. If Wade can outsmart 'em and Romo can provide the spark, everything else could once again fall into place. On the flip side, if Phillips gets exposed as nothing more than a yes man, nothing more than a nice guy figurehead over the coming weeks, the inmates will soon begin taking over the asylum. If Romo waits until after the bye to resume playing, he'll be healthy, but the Cowboys 2008 season will be over.
By T.J. Rosenthal for Football Reporters Online.
The Dallas Cowboys once 3-0, appeared headed for a collision course with the Giants for the rights to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl next February. What we all tend to forget is, in the NFL, each week is it's own season. Weeks are cumulative as much as they are separate. The landscape drastically changes as star players get injured. As favored teams get upset unexpectedly. Week 4 was way too early in this or any season to be describing anybody as undoubtedly Super Bowl bound. The Cowboys were no different. From pre season Super Bowl expectations to early questions about the head coach and the clubs balance on offense. From the Pacman Jones saga to the Tony Romo injury, then to the Roy Williams signing. This chain of events has left the Cowboys on a road headed not for Disneyworld, but for disaster instead. Only Wade Phillips and Tony Romo can save them before these Cowboys soon fade into the sunset.
Having come off a 13-3 season in which the Boys had seen their franchise quarterback Tony Romo blossom into a star, a season that saw the exit of Julius Jones and the entry of Felix Jones to compliment the hard nosed RB Marion Barber, there was clear reasons as to why many thought the Cowboys were the team to beat heading into 2008. Those expectations certainly soared after a string of convincing early season wins that left the club 3-0 and feeling awfully good about themselves. What ensued the following three weeks however was spotty play in losses to Washington at home and Arizona on the road. That mixed in with a close win against a winless Bengal team at home. Questions were beginning to arise as to whether there was enough balance in the offense. Was Felix Jones, a threat to score on any play, getting enough touches? The loss to Washington, the Boys first loss of the year brought the club down to earth. Made experts and even the team itself recognize that it was not invincible. This should not have been a news flash for anyone following the Cowboys closely. For a team loaded with talent, the trick has always been finding a way to make it all work together. Even more so, finding a way to get through the tough games. Games played on days where all phases of the game are not running on all cylinders.
What could be fairly noted from a distance is that where we are now as far as the Cowboys go began in January during the '07 playoffs. Wade Phillips ability to be an effective game changer on THOSE type of days first came into question as the Cowboy’s head coach when the Giants beat them at home last year in the playoffs. Home field advantage throughout the playoffs was wasted. Now I can't pinpoint exactly WHY that game was Phillip's fault from an X's and O's point of view, but it just was. In the same way that Jim Mora was the reason why the pre Tony Dungy Colts lost playoff games at home. In the way Rich Kotite was just going to lose playoff games with Buddy Ryan's Eagles. Because THOSE types of games require a quality head coach who can pull you out of a tight game late in the contest. It's an energy thing. A how you cry yourself on the sidelines thing. Some guys have it, most don't. Take nothing away from Tom Coughlin, Eli and the Giants. Their magical run will be one for the ages. At that time though, Dallas was still the team to beat, and the better team. It was Phillips job to help win THAT game as much as it was Marty Schottenheimers' job to beat New England the year previous while owning home field advantage as well for his 14-2 Chargers. That Charger loss erased their terrific regular season in the same way that Giant loss last year made everyone forget that the Cowboys were 13-3.
Phillips often times has the look and the body language of a less informed spectator. One who enjoys football but doesn't follow it enough to enjoy the idiosyncrasies of it. At times confused by the rulings on the field, other times pumping his fists like a season ticket holder, Phillips carries himself more like a safe bet than a difference maker to the naked eye. Phillips was according to many, the perfect answer to Bill Parcells and his tough love approach to the sidelines. He took over a Parcells built team that could have, and well, possibly did, run on autopilot last season. That's because the true test for Phillips will be this year. It will be now. 13-3 was Bill Parcells team that Wade was borrowing. The playoff loss was Wade's team. The always-aggressive Jerry Jones built this 2008 version to be faster and stronger. The turmoil and the escape route out of it are on Wade Phillips. Fair or not. These next few weeks will be HIS contribution to a team rebuilt by both Parcells and Jones, then taught by Parcells. For better or for worse. Wade Phillips needs to make his presence felt right now.
Now, whether it is fair to blame Phillips or Offensive coordinator Jason Garret this season for the early inability to find a balance in the offense and a routine place for Felix Jones in the backfield may be unfair. The Super Bowl winning Colts of 2006 struggled scoring early in their championship season as they made the switch from a passing dominant to a more balanced offense with rookie RB Joseph Addai. The Cowboys, although winning early in 2008, were still looking to find their balance. They'll have to wait a month now in order to find it for a stretch run that they hope still exists. Felix Jones is out for a month and Romo as of today is still sidelined. Dallas has a bye in week 10. 4-3 and on the brink of fading in the NFC East to the 5-1 Giants, a quick fix however is in order. The time is now.
Let's backtrack for a bit to before the Cardinal game two weeks ago. Pacman Jones and yes, I'm calling him Pacman not Adam (sorry Adam), didn't help team morale by finding himself in the principals office once again before the game. His suspension, given Jerry Jones sticking his neck out in risking the reputation of the franchise by acquiring the troubled star despite the rap sheet, through off the teams rhythm. Just like even the smallest family dramas always do. Let's not, however, make Pacman the scapegoat for an offensive line that allowed Tony Romo to get hit after every pass attempt that day, eventually breaking his pinky. Combine a Dallas team still looking for role definition, with the Pacman saga and add to the mix an explosive Arizona offense seething form a loss to the Jets a week earlier (where both defenses resembled a two hand touch parking lot game) and what you had was a good old Desert trap. The template for an upset. The train was slowed by the defeat and slightly running off the tracks. Yet it was about to be derailed a day later.
Now, the Cowboys play on the field: the pass blocking, the pass defense and the Pacman effect would have come into question a lot more after the Cardinal loss had the Cowboy Crisis not trickled down to Tony Romo. His broken pinky became the clubs primary source for concern the Monday after the loss (News of Felix Jones' partially torn hamstring soon followed). Without Romo, the Dallas version of Tom Brady, both for his throwing arm and emotional worth to a quality team, how would the Boys continue to be an imposing threat? With the pedestrian Brad Johnson on his way to replacing Super Hero Romo, questions began to arise instantly as to how the Cowboys could navigate through this trauma.
While the media looked to TO and other voices in the locker room that Tuesday for answers to the biggest question in Cowboy land since whether Jessica Simpson affected Tony Romo's play down the stretch in 2007, Jerry Jones went out and bought Detroit Lion star WR Roy Williams at the deadline. A team that already had problems spreading the ball around to TO, Jason Witten, Marion Barber and Felix Jones had now added a fifth star to the mix. All to be led for the time being by Johnson, a 40 year old guy whose throwing style is more Phil Simms than it's ever been Roger Staubauch. It would be hard to fault Jones for his desire to improve the talent on his roster. Hopefully he has considered how Williams will fit with a team that always appears to be hanging on a thread with regard to the notion of TEAM CHEMISTRY.
Then yesterday. A complete drubbing in St Louis to the Rams. The Rams? Don't give me that Jim Hasslet stuff all right? Ok I'm happy for Hasslet, a Saints castoff. There's a new energy there in St. Louis. There should be. Scott Linehan's teams would lose by college scores every week 52-14, then 49 -10. Who in their right minds could get excited about getting destroyed every week? That tenure was ridiculous and over thank god. With Hasslet, Stephen Jackson has had back-to-back monster games. Regardless, these were once the pitiful winless Rams going against the once Super Bowl bound Cowboys. Yet by the end of the day, the Rams elevator was going up at the same time the Boys raced their elevator down towards the ground floor at mock speed. The Cowboys' pre season and early season expectations started out way too high for a team to land at a place that has left them 4-3 and two games out of first place in a division they were convinced was theirs to begin with. The question is how many more Sundays can the Cowboys afford like the last one? They are not in the forgiving NFC South. There is little to no room for error in the NFL's toughest division.
The Cowboys are in major crisis mode. They CAN however, be rescued. Two people and two people only can rescue the Boys. Without them BOTH throwing out life preservers to the rest of the crew at the same time, the ship will sink. Guaranteed. Wade Phillips and Tony Romo have to save this team. Now. Nobody else can do it. Not TO. Not Marion Barber. Not Jerry Jones chewing the team out like he did after the disaster in St Louis. Not Roy Williams, too new to the zoo to have the clout. It's got to be the Wade and Tony show. Like it's been the Bill and Tom show in New England for years. Like it isn't the Bill and Tom show now and hey, just look at that mess up there in Foxboro for proof that it takes two. Matt Cassel? Yeesh.
Wade Phillips has to step up and show us that he can manage a crisis by keeping divisive personalities like TO in check while creating a groupthink motto his players will buy into and rally around. He has to do it before they break off into smaller self-ruling factions. Phillips needs to oversee shrewd game plans and sign off on key in game moves that steal a win or two while his team finds its swagger again. He doesn't have be either brains behind the game plan or sign off on the right one. The head coach's reputation will be connected to whatever plays out on the field, so it better be good. It better translate into wins. Dallas is not St Louis, where 2-4 has suddenly turned into the feel good hit of the fall. Winning is everything in Dallas. Winning hides dysfunction in a place where negativity always waits for the perfect losing streak in order to come in and ruin the team like a cancer.
Secondly, Tony Romo HAS TO START NEXT WEEK at QB. Broken pinky or not, the Cowboys have lost an emotional edge that playing behind their field leader provides. Romo at 75 percent will be more useful to Dallas than 40-year-old Brad Johnson will ever be at 100 percent. His efficiency as a passer will diminish, but he'll still be able to extend play in the passing game and find open receivers. He'll have his security blanket Jason Witten close by and have Marion Barber running hard to keep defenses honest. He'll bring the threat of a deep ball back to the offense, accurate or not. Romo will force the defense to play the whole field again. He has no choice.
It's getting late early. Tampa Bay, The Giants and Redskins are next up for the Boys and I can assure you, chomping at the bit. Dying for the chance to get after Dallas while they are licking their wounds. If Wade can outsmart 'em and Romo can provide the spark, everything else could once again fall into place. On the flip side, if Phillips gets exposed as nothing more than a yes man, nothing more than a nice guy figurehead over the coming weeks, the inmates will soon begin taking over the asylum. If Romo waits until after the bye to resume playing, he'll be healthy, but the Cowboys 2008 season will be over.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
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Football Reporters Online Show 10-16-08
It's Thursday, and that means it's another episode of the Football Reporters Online Show On BlogTalk Radio. Joining us Tonight will be Jennifer Smith, The Executive Director of the Gridiron Greats Assistance fund. We will Discuss the Ongoing Health Care Crisis among Senior retired NFL Players, and what the Fans can do to support this worthy cause. The show can be heard at 9Pm Eastern Time at:
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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Cowboys Double Blow - Roger Goodell Suspends PacMan Jones; Tony Romo Out For Four Weeks
This is on NFL Network as I write this. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Dallas Cowboys Defensive Back Adam Pacman Jones for four weeks and then Goodell would review the case. On top of that, Cowboys QB Tony Romo is out for four weeks with a broken pinky finger.
More later...
More later...
Monday, October 13, 2008
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BALANCE OF POWER: A SHIFT AT THE TOP
BALANCE OF POWER: A SHIFT AT THE TOP By Danny Zyskind for Football Reporters Online
Before the season most would say the elite teams in the league are the Pats, Colts, Chargers, Jaguars and Cowboys. Ask someone now and you’ll probably hear Giants, Cowboys, possibly the Redskins, Titans & Panthers and maybe even the 2-3 Eagles. While it’s only been five games and certainly with a healthy Tom Brady the Pats would still be the premier team in the league, the shift is occurring and it’s landing mainly in the NFC East.
Watching the Colts, their problems go far deeper than a rusty Peyton Manning. They are unable to run the ball, can’t protect Manning and can’t stop anyone. They could easily be 0-4 if not for some terrible play calling by the Vikings and the unbelievable lack of judgment by Sage Rosenfelds. Age is starting to catch up to their offense. The Jaguars are not as imposing on defense as they’ve been in past years and are battling a host of injuries. The Chargers are the wild card. They are off to another slow start but without question have the talent to jump back to the top of the league if they get their act together.
The Giants have made the transition from a team that got on a great roll to a great team. They have an emerging quarterback, exceptional line play on both sides of the ball and what appears to be a never ending array of weapons. The emergence of Jason Campbell has vaulted the Redskins to the top of the conference, coming off road wins against the Cowboys and Eagles.
The NFC East has three emerging stars at quarterback and an elder statesman still playing at a high level. The recipe is there for this division to dominate the league over the next five years. Unfortunately for them, one will definitely not make the playoffs which will make the rest of their divisional games a must watch.
While the overall depth of quality teams in the conference still favors the AFC, the super bowl favorites now reside in the NFC. The AFC has won eight out of the last eleven super bowls. Look for those numbers to start changing.
Before the season most would say the elite teams in the league are the Pats, Colts, Chargers, Jaguars and Cowboys. Ask someone now and you’ll probably hear Giants, Cowboys, possibly the Redskins, Titans & Panthers and maybe even the 2-3 Eagles. While it’s only been five games and certainly with a healthy Tom Brady the Pats would still be the premier team in the league, the shift is occurring and it’s landing mainly in the NFC East.
Watching the Colts, their problems go far deeper than a rusty Peyton Manning. They are unable to run the ball, can’t protect Manning and can’t stop anyone. They could easily be 0-4 if not for some terrible play calling by the Vikings and the unbelievable lack of judgment by Sage Rosenfelds. Age is starting to catch up to their offense. The Jaguars are not as imposing on defense as they’ve been in past years and are battling a host of injuries. The Chargers are the wild card. They are off to another slow start but without question have the talent to jump back to the top of the league if they get their act together.
The Giants have made the transition from a team that got on a great roll to a great team. They have an emerging quarterback, exceptional line play on both sides of the ball and what appears to be a never ending array of weapons. The emergence of Jason Campbell has vaulted the Redskins to the top of the conference, coming off road wins against the Cowboys and Eagles.
The NFC East has three emerging stars at quarterback and an elder statesman still playing at a high level. The recipe is there for this division to dominate the league over the next five years. Unfortunately for them, one will definitely not make the playoffs which will make the rest of their divisional games a must watch.
While the overall depth of quality teams in the conference still favors the AFC, the super bowl favorites now reside in the NFC. The AFC has won eight out of the last eleven super bowls. Look for those numbers to start changing.
Win or Lose Notre Dame’s Tradition and Energy every Saturday give any fan the
Win or Lose Notre Dame’s Tradition and Energy every Saturday give any fan the
true feeling of College Football
By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online
Attending a Notre Dame football game is more than just seeing two teams
square off; it carries the feelings of a religious pilgrimage. While it sounds crazy
let me explain and with Touchdown Jesus as my alibi, why you will be moved
enough to take a trip there.
The pregame festivities build up your energy before Kickoff. After you get off
that small prop plane at South Bend Airport or off the Indiana Tolls you see the
Golden Dome. The shine given off the dome right there is silently yelling, “brace
yourself”. Check into the hotel pick up an Irish Sports Report and a jersey from
the memorabilia store and get to campus. Your pilgrimage is about to begin.
Friday is where the all the pregame festivities begin. The pep rally in the Joyce
Center is almost always sold out so make sure you have a ticket. Then sit back
as you hear the band rock all the great Notre Dame songs Rakes of Mallow,
Victory Clog, and of course the best fight song in the land the Notre Dame
Victory march. The band is not the only one bringing the house down; the
students are wild and rock the Joyce Center.
The pep rally is just an appetizer to game like atmosphere you will feel on Saturday. Hopefully you have picked up the chants and songs and hopefully your Irish Jig is upkeep when Rakes of Mallow plays.
Each pep rally is filled with special guests that pump you and the team up for
Saturday. Famous distinguished guests have been Tom Lasorda, Lou Holtz,
Digger Phelps, and yes the great one Wayne Gretsky.
You better grab some coffee from Perkins down the road because your Friday is
not over yet. At midnight the drumline rocks out the Notre Dame tunes late into
the night and the entire town can hear the crowd around them as the Notre
Dame Fight Song is played and the chant of this year’s 2008 squad, “Crank me
up”.
Now go back to your room because I know it is late for you Mr. Casual sports
fan. You’ll need to be up bright and early before Kirk, Chris, and Lee even start
Gameday because the campus is a site to see. You arrive on campus and in the
middle is the house Rockne built with 80,000 seats.
Then there take your picture behind Touchdown Jesus and if you’re with your family a group picture will be memorable forever and cut costs on this year’s Christmas picture.
Now it is close to noon right next to the Golden Dome is the Basilica, which is a
gorgeous on a crisp fall day. Go in there and say a prayer hoping for an Irish
victory. If you’re not an Irish fan, check out the whole basilica and be sure to
take some photos.
Now get up quickly because the players are doing their traditional walk to the
stadium after their mass. You can literally stand inches away from them and
chant their names. I gave Armando Allen a high five and he gave me a nod back.
Then the last thing to do before you inhale those three delicious bratwursts
provided by the student barbeques is see the band play at Bond Hall. They belt
out again the Notre Dame Victory March, Rakes of Mallow, and Victory Clog. The
sound can be heard throughout campus. Also you better get a decent spot
because there are 5,000 people on the grass around Bond Hall watching,
clapping, and singing the melody to each and Notre Dame song the band plays.
Oh yeah they also give you a hint of what they are playing at halftime.
Ok you have done the pregame experiences, had some bratwursts, a couple of
beers, and now it is 15 minutes before game time and it is time to enter Notre
Dame Stadium (Or what I like to call Mecca). Now the PA announcer comes on
and the crowd goes bonkers and then the Golden Shine off the sun catches your
eye and you see the Irish run out of the tunnel to a Roman Coliseum type roar.
Do not forget to boo the opposing team and make them feel uncomfortable.
Now sit on these tight benches and in the words of Charlie Weis “Shut up when
the Irish are on Offense and when they are on defense make a lot of noise.”
Win or Lose the end of the game is one of the prettiest and tight nit moments
most college football fans throughout the nation miss after the final whistle
blows. Grab a shoulder and be prepared to sway back and forth to Notre Dame’s
Alma Mater and see a crowd of 80,000 follow you in unison.
Well, as you leave the stadium get a couple more pictures of the stadium and
field the ushers are great and will take the photo for you. That is my only advice as I hope you have experienced a great weekend. If you’re an NFL fan well then football continues into Sunday. If your just a casual sports fan hopefully this great the will definitely be embedded in your mind when your plugging away on Monday.
On a side note the Purdue game I went to this year made my cousin’s brother-
in-law’s day and he normally is not into college football. If he can have a smile
then any person who goes there can be moved just as much.
If you know A Notre Dame alum I suggest you ask for the tickets and come on a
Pilgrimage to the Mecca of College football.
true feeling of College Football
By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online
Attending a Notre Dame football game is more than just seeing two teams
square off; it carries the feelings of a religious pilgrimage. While it sounds crazy
let me explain and with Touchdown Jesus as my alibi, why you will be moved
enough to take a trip there.
The pregame festivities build up your energy before Kickoff. After you get off
that small prop plane at South Bend Airport or off the Indiana Tolls you see the
Golden Dome. The shine given off the dome right there is silently yelling, “brace
yourself”. Check into the hotel pick up an Irish Sports Report and a jersey from
the memorabilia store and get to campus. Your pilgrimage is about to begin.
Friday is where the all the pregame festivities begin. The pep rally in the Joyce
Center is almost always sold out so make sure you have a ticket. Then sit back
as you hear the band rock all the great Notre Dame songs Rakes of Mallow,
Victory Clog, and of course the best fight song in the land the Notre Dame
Victory march. The band is not the only one bringing the house down; the
students are wild and rock the Joyce Center.
The pep rally is just an appetizer to game like atmosphere you will feel on Saturday. Hopefully you have picked up the chants and songs and hopefully your Irish Jig is upkeep when Rakes of Mallow plays.
Each pep rally is filled with special guests that pump you and the team up for
Saturday. Famous distinguished guests have been Tom Lasorda, Lou Holtz,
Digger Phelps, and yes the great one Wayne Gretsky.
You better grab some coffee from Perkins down the road because your Friday is
not over yet. At midnight the drumline rocks out the Notre Dame tunes late into
the night and the entire town can hear the crowd around them as the Notre
Dame Fight Song is played and the chant of this year’s 2008 squad, “Crank me
up”.
Now go back to your room because I know it is late for you Mr. Casual sports
fan. You’ll need to be up bright and early before Kirk, Chris, and Lee even start
Gameday because the campus is a site to see. You arrive on campus and in the
middle is the house Rockne built with 80,000 seats.
Then there take your picture behind Touchdown Jesus and if you’re with your family a group picture will be memorable forever and cut costs on this year’s Christmas picture.
Now it is close to noon right next to the Golden Dome is the Basilica, which is a
gorgeous on a crisp fall day. Go in there and say a prayer hoping for an Irish
victory. If you’re not an Irish fan, check out the whole basilica and be sure to
take some photos.
Now get up quickly because the players are doing their traditional walk to the
stadium after their mass. You can literally stand inches away from them and
chant their names. I gave Armando Allen a high five and he gave me a nod back.
Then the last thing to do before you inhale those three delicious bratwursts
provided by the student barbeques is see the band play at Bond Hall. They belt
out again the Notre Dame Victory March, Rakes of Mallow, and Victory Clog. The
sound can be heard throughout campus. Also you better get a decent spot
because there are 5,000 people on the grass around Bond Hall watching,
clapping, and singing the melody to each and Notre Dame song the band plays.
Oh yeah they also give you a hint of what they are playing at halftime.
Ok you have done the pregame experiences, had some bratwursts, a couple of
beers, and now it is 15 minutes before game time and it is time to enter Notre
Dame Stadium (Or what I like to call Mecca). Now the PA announcer comes on
and the crowd goes bonkers and then the Golden Shine off the sun catches your
eye and you see the Irish run out of the tunnel to a Roman Coliseum type roar.
Do not forget to boo the opposing team and make them feel uncomfortable.
Now sit on these tight benches and in the words of Charlie Weis “Shut up when
the Irish are on Offense and when they are on defense make a lot of noise.”
Win or Lose the end of the game is one of the prettiest and tight nit moments
most college football fans throughout the nation miss after the final whistle
blows. Grab a shoulder and be prepared to sway back and forth to Notre Dame’s
Alma Mater and see a crowd of 80,000 follow you in unison.
Well, as you leave the stadium get a couple more pictures of the stadium and
field the ushers are great and will take the photo for you. That is my only advice as I hope you have experienced a great weekend. If you’re an NFL fan well then football continues into Sunday. If your just a casual sports fan hopefully this great the will definitely be embedded in your mind when your plugging away on Monday.
On a side note the Purdue game I went to this year made my cousin’s brother-
in-law’s day and he normally is not into college football. If he can have a smile
then any person who goes there can be moved just as much.
If you know A Notre Dame alum I suggest you ask for the tickets and come on a
Pilgrimage to the Mecca of College football.
Freshman Phenoms Julio Jones, A.J. Green, and Michael Floyd boast the best freshman receiver class since 2002
Freshman Phenoms Julio Jones, A.J. Green, and Michael Floyd boast the best freshman receiver class since 2002
By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online
It has been six years since we truly saw freshman receivers steal the scene in
College Football. Pittsburgh Freshman Larry Fitzgerald, an unknown player from Minnesota, dazzled us with a spectacular diving catches including one in the Insight bowl versus Oregon State. Reggie Williams hauled catches in double coverage while, taking several short slants to the house versus Oregon. USC’s Mike Williams made an effortless one-handed catch that was on numerous College Gameday highlight reels. In 2004 Deshawn Jackson breathed life into Berkley for the first time since the SDS was doing sit ins in the 60’s. He became an instant weapon for the Golden Bears as a punt return specialist and a consistent home run threat. Last year Michael Crabtree reeled in over one hundred catches and the Blinkoff Award to boot.
Some freshmen receivers seem to make impacts before others and while others gain national attention. The last six years has only seen one really steal the show and the others make an important impact. Freshman receiving studs tend to crash the college football party every year now, none compare to the class of 2008. This class is set to make an instant offensive impact quicker than any other freshman receiving class.
We look at the 5 star rival’s receivers and hope to see them make an immediate impact every college football season. Since 2003 most top Rivals receivers have been busts, kicked off teams, or just disappeared. For every playmaker like a Deshawn Jackson there is a Patrick Turner who is a bust in my estimation after being ranked the #1 receiver by rivals in 2004. Fred Rouse was the #2 rated receiver in 2004 according to rivals and was thought to carry a game emulating Randy Moss. He ended up being kicked off Florida State’s football team and transferred to UTEP.
So why are the three top wideouts from the 2008 recruiting class so special
opposed to the other past successful and disappointing blue chip receivers?
Well 5 weeks into the season all three have scored a touchdown and they all
look like the future go-to playmakers in their respective offenses.
While Julio Jones and Michael Floyd scored during the first week of the season , A.J. Green finally put himself on the map in Tempe versus Arizona State catching 8 balls for 157 yards and a touchdown. His impact is huge for Matthew Stafford and Knowshawn Moreno and the Bulldog offense.
Michael Floyd had 7 catches for 87 yards and a TD versus Michigan State in the loss and his impact along with Golden Tate makes Jimmy Clausen’s job a lot easier in South Bend. Floyd is only a freshman and I knew after
watching him in the high school All-America game he would be turning heads already. He is shaping up to be the next great Notre Dame receiver since the days of Derek Mayes. He will only get better which is an issue for opposing secondaries who already are being smoked by him thus far. Plus this week versus Stanford he had another 100 yard game compounded by burning a Pac-10 track star champion for a 48-yard touchdown bomb.
Julio Jones clips in Alabama’s fall practices had multiple you tube hits and he finally got into the end zone in his first game against Clemson. He is definitely the real deal in Tuscaloosa. He also was big in their upset win over Georgia a week ago as he hauled in two touchdown catches. Alabama’s strong ground attack will lead to more one on one opportunities for him. His combined size and speed are the best out of the three and do not be surprised if he is a Blinkoff Award nominee this year.
All three players are first round draft picks to me in the 2012 draft and can aid certain NFL teams with an impact receiver (Are you listening New York Jets or Baltimore Ravens). All three have the ability to take a short pass the distance, catch the fade route, and burn you deep on a fly pattern.
Floyd reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald and it is not because he hails from
Minnesota. If you watched the Michigan State game he can go up and get the ball from anywhere. He has the speed to burn you deep but his ball skills and receiving instincts are what separate him from Green and Jones.
Outside of AJ Green’s circus catch last week I have yet to see Julio Jones make a catch like that but I am confident he can. Speaking of A.J. Green he is mix between Randy Moss and a Chad Johnson with the speed to burn you deep, the ability to make a catch from anywhere on the field, and the athleticism to make major mismatches with even the best corners in the league.
Floyd is getting comparisons in the South Bend Tribute to Terrell Owens but it is Julio Jones to me that best mirrors the mold of a T.O. At 19 he has enormous strength and speed to be a mismatch against any corner in the land. Like Floyd he also likes to go out and rip the ball down from opposing corners. By playing in the SEC he will face top defensive competition like A.J. Green week in and week out which will help him develop a lot more. He is the biggest physically of the three and his strength now and in the future will allow him to muscle smaller and athletic cornerbacks that cover him. By the end of his Crimson Tide career he will be the next freak of on the outside.
The next three seasons are only going to get better if you’re a Bulldog, Irish, or Tide fan and these three look to provide many memorable moments.
By John Kelly for Football Reporters Online
It has been six years since we truly saw freshman receivers steal the scene in
College Football. Pittsburgh Freshman Larry Fitzgerald, an unknown player from Minnesota, dazzled us with a spectacular diving catches including one in the Insight bowl versus Oregon State. Reggie Williams hauled catches in double coverage while, taking several short slants to the house versus Oregon. USC’s Mike Williams made an effortless one-handed catch that was on numerous College Gameday highlight reels. In 2004 Deshawn Jackson breathed life into Berkley for the first time since the SDS was doing sit ins in the 60’s. He became an instant weapon for the Golden Bears as a punt return specialist and a consistent home run threat. Last year Michael Crabtree reeled in over one hundred catches and the Blinkoff Award to boot.
Some freshmen receivers seem to make impacts before others and while others gain national attention. The last six years has only seen one really steal the show and the others make an important impact. Freshman receiving studs tend to crash the college football party every year now, none compare to the class of 2008. This class is set to make an instant offensive impact quicker than any other freshman receiving class.
We look at the 5 star rival’s receivers and hope to see them make an immediate impact every college football season. Since 2003 most top Rivals receivers have been busts, kicked off teams, or just disappeared. For every playmaker like a Deshawn Jackson there is a Patrick Turner who is a bust in my estimation after being ranked the #1 receiver by rivals in 2004. Fred Rouse was the #2 rated receiver in 2004 according to rivals and was thought to carry a game emulating Randy Moss. He ended up being kicked off Florida State’s football team and transferred to UTEP.
So why are the three top wideouts from the 2008 recruiting class so special
opposed to the other past successful and disappointing blue chip receivers?
Well 5 weeks into the season all three have scored a touchdown and they all
look like the future go-to playmakers in their respective offenses.
While Julio Jones and Michael Floyd scored during the first week of the season , A.J. Green finally put himself on the map in Tempe versus Arizona State catching 8 balls for 157 yards and a touchdown. His impact is huge for Matthew Stafford and Knowshawn Moreno and the Bulldog offense.
Michael Floyd had 7 catches for 87 yards and a TD versus Michigan State in the loss and his impact along with Golden Tate makes Jimmy Clausen’s job a lot easier in South Bend. Floyd is only a freshman and I knew after
watching him in the high school All-America game he would be turning heads already. He is shaping up to be the next great Notre Dame receiver since the days of Derek Mayes. He will only get better which is an issue for opposing secondaries who already are being smoked by him thus far. Plus this week versus Stanford he had another 100 yard game compounded by burning a Pac-10 track star champion for a 48-yard touchdown bomb.
Julio Jones clips in Alabama’s fall practices had multiple you tube hits and he finally got into the end zone in his first game against Clemson. He is definitely the real deal in Tuscaloosa. He also was big in their upset win over Georgia a week ago as he hauled in two touchdown catches. Alabama’s strong ground attack will lead to more one on one opportunities for him. His combined size and speed are the best out of the three and do not be surprised if he is a Blinkoff Award nominee this year.
All three players are first round draft picks to me in the 2012 draft and can aid certain NFL teams with an impact receiver (Are you listening New York Jets or Baltimore Ravens). All three have the ability to take a short pass the distance, catch the fade route, and burn you deep on a fly pattern.
Floyd reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald and it is not because he hails from
Minnesota. If you watched the Michigan State game he can go up and get the ball from anywhere. He has the speed to burn you deep but his ball skills and receiving instincts are what separate him from Green and Jones.
Outside of AJ Green’s circus catch last week I have yet to see Julio Jones make a catch like that but I am confident he can. Speaking of A.J. Green he is mix between Randy Moss and a Chad Johnson with the speed to burn you deep, the ability to make a catch from anywhere on the field, and the athleticism to make major mismatches with even the best corners in the league.
Floyd is getting comparisons in the South Bend Tribute to Terrell Owens but it is Julio Jones to me that best mirrors the mold of a T.O. At 19 he has enormous strength and speed to be a mismatch against any corner in the land. Like Floyd he also likes to go out and rip the ball down from opposing corners. By playing in the SEC he will face top defensive competition like A.J. Green week in and week out which will help him develop a lot more. He is the biggest physically of the three and his strength now and in the future will allow him to muscle smaller and athletic cornerbacks that cover him. By the end of his Crimson Tide career he will be the next freak of on the outside.
The next three seasons are only going to get better if you’re a Bulldog, Irish, or Tide fan and these three look to provide many memorable moments.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
0
Buying Into Team Concept Resulting In Big Results For Big Blue
Buying Into Team Concept Resulting In Big Results For Big Blue-By Jon Wagner for Football Reporters Online-10-8-08
It took the New York Giants the majority of the 2007 regular season to buy into what its coaching staff was selling. We all know how that story panned out for New York, with an unlikely run to a Super Bowl title over the previously undefeated New England Patriots. The Giants didn’t even look like a playoff team, let alone an eventual NFL champion, in the earlier part of the 2007 campaign.
The point at which the Giants are at now, defending their 2007 title with a perfect 4-0 start in 2008 (extending their regular and postseason winning streak to eight consecutive games), clouds recollections of the Giants’ very humble beginnings last season.
Revisiting those early stages of what has become the Giants’ tremendous team growth, provides a great deal of perspective. The Giants began last season 0-2, allowing 80 points in their first two games; after winning seven of their next eight games, the Giants and Eli Manning were about as dreadful as they could be in getting wiped out at home, 41-17, against the Minnesota Vikings; and, after losing a key December game at home (in which they came in favored) to the Washington Redskins, in December, the Giants found their slim playoff chances hanging by a thread, down 14-0 after the first quarter in Buffalo, in a must-win game.
That’s the point at which everything finally clicked for the Giants, who they haven’t looked back since. That’s when Brandon Jacobs ran for two touchdowns (en route to a 143-yard rushing day) to tie that game in Buffalo; when Kawicka Mitchell stepped up with a huge play, returning an interception 20 yards to put the Giants ahead of the Bills to stay; when Eli Manning finally began to prove, in any conditions (even in rainy and windy Buffalo that day) that he could be the leader the Giants had waited for, four years; and, that’s when the Giants learned what they had in Ahmad Bradshaw, who ran for an 88-yard touchdown and a career-high 151 yards to clinch the win over the Bills, and ultimately clinch the Giants’ playoff chances, touching off what became one of the greatest late-season runs in sports history.
What followed of course was the narrow, confidence-building, well-played loss to New England at home, the Giants’ final loss (excluding the 2008 preseason) to date, before the Giants’ magical road playoff run to a title.
Manning’s confidence and level of play soared. The defense finally practiced on the field what Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was preaching, and the rest of the Giants bought in to Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s ideals of personal sacrifice and “team first” concepts.
The Giants of course, have gotten where they are today because they have talent both on their roster and throughout their coaching staff. However, last season’s 18-1 Patriots also had a world of talent, yet as 14-point underdogs in Super Bowl XLII, it was the Giants who emerged as unexpected champions.
Why? Because the Giants mixed their talent with all of the other ingredients needed to overcome injuries and adversity -- maximum effort, heart, true team play, and surprising heroes picking up the slack for the Giants’ stars whenever called upon.
When Jeremy Shockey went down for the season with a leg injury in the aforementioned Washington game, Kevin Boss stepped in more than adequately for the remainder of the season, including his key, late 45-yard reception in Super Bowl XLII.
And, of course, we all know the remarkable catch that David Tyree made, despite being able to count the number of catches he had previously made in 2007 on the same right hand that incredibly affixed the football to his helmet as he acrobatically fell to the ground.
So, is it any wonder that after their amazing Super Bowl run, even after the retirement of Michael Strahan and the huge season-ending injury of Osi Umenyiora, that the Giants continue to not miss a beat?
Because of their team-first attitude, a collective willingness to prove all naysayers wrong, and the uncanny ability to effectively plug seemingly anyone into holes created by injuries or other circumstances, the Giants have simply refused to let such personnel losses translate into any additional losses to their opponents.
Given the track record since December, it should come as little surprise that the spot of the man who caught the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII (Plaxico Burress, of course, sitting out last week serving a one-game team-imposed suspension), was filled in on Sunday (a 44-6 crushing of the Seattle Seahawks) with Domenik Hixon catching four balls for a career-high 102 yards and a touchdown, and by Sinorice Moss catching the first two touchdowns of his professional career.
The Giants’ schedule will get much tougher this season, it will be a long and winding road back to another possible Super Bowl title, and the Giants may not repeat as champions. However, the smart pick says that because they have defined the word “team” since December, the Giants will at least have a great chance of getting back to the top no matter what other obstacles are placed in front of them.
It took the New York Giants the majority of the 2007 regular season to buy into what its coaching staff was selling. We all know how that story panned out for New York, with an unlikely run to a Super Bowl title over the previously undefeated New England Patriots. The Giants didn’t even look like a playoff team, let alone an eventual NFL champion, in the earlier part of the 2007 campaign.
The point at which the Giants are at now, defending their 2007 title with a perfect 4-0 start in 2008 (extending their regular and postseason winning streak to eight consecutive games), clouds recollections of the Giants’ very humble beginnings last season.
Revisiting those early stages of what has become the Giants’ tremendous team growth, provides a great deal of perspective. The Giants began last season 0-2, allowing 80 points in their first two games; after winning seven of their next eight games, the Giants and Eli Manning were about as dreadful as they could be in getting wiped out at home, 41-17, against the Minnesota Vikings; and, after losing a key December game at home (in which they came in favored) to the Washington Redskins, in December, the Giants found their slim playoff chances hanging by a thread, down 14-0 after the first quarter in Buffalo, in a must-win game.
That’s the point at which everything finally clicked for the Giants, who they haven’t looked back since. That’s when Brandon Jacobs ran for two touchdowns (en route to a 143-yard rushing day) to tie that game in Buffalo; when Kawicka Mitchell stepped up with a huge play, returning an interception 20 yards to put the Giants ahead of the Bills to stay; when Eli Manning finally began to prove, in any conditions (even in rainy and windy Buffalo that day) that he could be the leader the Giants had waited for, four years; and, that’s when the Giants learned what they had in Ahmad Bradshaw, who ran for an 88-yard touchdown and a career-high 151 yards to clinch the win over the Bills, and ultimately clinch the Giants’ playoff chances, touching off what became one of the greatest late-season runs in sports history.
What followed of course was the narrow, confidence-building, well-played loss to New England at home, the Giants’ final loss (excluding the 2008 preseason) to date, before the Giants’ magical road playoff run to a title.
Manning’s confidence and level of play soared. The defense finally practiced on the field what Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was preaching, and the rest of the Giants bought in to Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s ideals of personal sacrifice and “team first” concepts.
The Giants of course, have gotten where they are today because they have talent both on their roster and throughout their coaching staff. However, last season’s 18-1 Patriots also had a world of talent, yet as 14-point underdogs in Super Bowl XLII, it was the Giants who emerged as unexpected champions.
Why? Because the Giants mixed their talent with all of the other ingredients needed to overcome injuries and adversity -- maximum effort, heart, true team play, and surprising heroes picking up the slack for the Giants’ stars whenever called upon.
When Jeremy Shockey went down for the season with a leg injury in the aforementioned Washington game, Kevin Boss stepped in more than adequately for the remainder of the season, including his key, late 45-yard reception in Super Bowl XLII.
And, of course, we all know the remarkable catch that David Tyree made, despite being able to count the number of catches he had previously made in 2007 on the same right hand that incredibly affixed the football to his helmet as he acrobatically fell to the ground.
So, is it any wonder that after their amazing Super Bowl run, even after the retirement of Michael Strahan and the huge season-ending injury of Osi Umenyiora, that the Giants continue to not miss a beat?
Because of their team-first attitude, a collective willingness to prove all naysayers wrong, and the uncanny ability to effectively plug seemingly anyone into holes created by injuries or other circumstances, the Giants have simply refused to let such personnel losses translate into any additional losses to their opponents.
Given the track record since December, it should come as little surprise that the spot of the man who caught the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII (Plaxico Burress, of course, sitting out last week serving a one-game team-imposed suspension), was filled in on Sunday (a 44-6 crushing of the Seattle Seahawks) with Domenik Hixon catching four balls for a career-high 102 yards and a touchdown, and by Sinorice Moss catching the first two touchdowns of his professional career.
The Giants’ schedule will get much tougher this season, it will be a long and winding road back to another possible Super Bowl title, and the Giants may not repeat as champions. However, the smart pick says that because they have defined the word “team” since December, the Giants will at least have a great chance of getting back to the top no matter what other obstacles are placed in front of them.
SEC Roundup 10-8-08
SEC Roundup
By Ralph Garcia SEC Insider-10-8-08
Vanderbilt 14 Auburn 13
As Vanderbilt took the field Saturday they looked around to find a packed house. Black and gold were everywhere the naked eye could see. The noise level was at pitch not heard here in decades. ESPN's College Gameday was here to hang out for the game. It was an official welcome to the big stage for the “Dores”. Only thing left was to go out on the field and get it done. Within a 60 second span it was 13-0 Tigers. Then at the end of the half Vandy scored to turn the momentum. In the second half Auburn would score no more. Their ever faltering spread offense could muster nothing. QB McKenzi Adams came off the bench to spark the comeback that put Vandy at 5-0 for the first time since 1943. They beat Auburn for the first time since 1955. Auburn was held to a little more than 200 yards of offense. Their QB's were sacked five times by five different players. Holding on to a one point lead with 2:16 to play Vandy had to punt. In came Brett Upson and his kick went 55 yards to the Tiger 3. One play later Myron Lewis picked off a Chris Todd pass and the celebration was on. A school known for its brain would now be recognized for its brawn. No longer are they be the doormat or joke of the SEC. Now they are wearing targets and other teams better take aim. This was for the long suffering fans, the boosters who never gave up, the fans that have been faithful for so long. Ah, but this is the SEC folks. The question of which conference is the best keeps being asked. If you watched Vandy's win then you should ask that question no more.
Elsewhere:
Tennessee 13 Northern Illinois 9
Nick Stephens goes 10-17 for 153 yards and a touchdown. The running game fell short with 75 yards on the ground. What was supposed to be a blowout almost ended in an upset. UT's offense could not move the ball and they better get it right soon.
Alabama 17 Kentucky 14
Glen Coffee ran for 218 yards but Alabama needs the late 24 yard field goal to get past Wildcats. Tide improves to 6-0.
S.C. 31 Ole Miss 24
QB Chris Smelley throws for a career high 327 yards go with three touchdowns. Rebels are held to a second half field goal. Crucial mistakes keep S.C. in East race.
Florida 38 Arakansas 7
AT&Tebow finishes 17-26 for 217 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception. Jeffrey Demps runs for 103 yards in the romp. Chris Rainey had a spectacular 75 yard run for a score. Win helps Gators stay half game behind East leader Vanderbilt.
By Ralph Garcia SEC Insider-10-8-08
Vanderbilt 14 Auburn 13
As Vanderbilt took the field Saturday they looked around to find a packed house. Black and gold were everywhere the naked eye could see. The noise level was at pitch not heard here in decades. ESPN's College Gameday was here to hang out for the game. It was an official welcome to the big stage for the “Dores”. Only thing left was to go out on the field and get it done. Within a 60 second span it was 13-0 Tigers. Then at the end of the half Vandy scored to turn the momentum. In the second half Auburn would score no more. Their ever faltering spread offense could muster nothing. QB McKenzi Adams came off the bench to spark the comeback that put Vandy at 5-0 for the first time since 1943. They beat Auburn for the first time since 1955. Auburn was held to a little more than 200 yards of offense. Their QB's were sacked five times by five different players. Holding on to a one point lead with 2:16 to play Vandy had to punt. In came Brett Upson and his kick went 55 yards to the Tiger 3. One play later Myron Lewis picked off a Chris Todd pass and the celebration was on. A school known for its brain would now be recognized for its brawn. No longer are they be the doormat or joke of the SEC. Now they are wearing targets and other teams better take aim. This was for the long suffering fans, the boosters who never gave up, the fans that have been faithful for so long. Ah, but this is the SEC folks. The question of which conference is the best keeps being asked. If you watched Vandy's win then you should ask that question no more.
Elsewhere:
Tennessee 13 Northern Illinois 9
Nick Stephens goes 10-17 for 153 yards and a touchdown. The running game fell short with 75 yards on the ground. What was supposed to be a blowout almost ended in an upset. UT's offense could not move the ball and they better get it right soon.
Alabama 17 Kentucky 14
Glen Coffee ran for 218 yards but Alabama needs the late 24 yard field goal to get past Wildcats. Tide improves to 6-0.
S.C. 31 Ole Miss 24
QB Chris Smelley throws for a career high 327 yards go with three touchdowns. Rebels are held to a second half field goal. Crucial mistakes keep S.C. in East race.
Florida 38 Arakansas 7
AT&Tebow finishes 17-26 for 217 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception. Jeffrey Demps runs for 103 yards in the romp. Chris Rainey had a spectacular 75 yard run for a score. Win helps Gators stay half game behind East leader Vanderbilt.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
0
Raiders Davis Fires Kiffin by Phone
Raiders’ Davis Fires Kiffin by Phone (I guess smoke signals would have taken too long) By Dr. Bill Chachkes for Football Reporters Online
So what makes this time different from the last? Davis said he had the goods on Kiffin and that his conduct was detrimental to the Raiders organization, to the coaching staff and players, and to Davis personally.
“I had to let him Go” Stated Mr. Davis. Sounds like wall street letting go of a few billion and saying Opps, we messed up. It seems like they have messed up plenty of times before. What is Davis’ Excuse this time? “I Hired the wrong guy”, and “he’s A flat out Liar” was his answer. So then what was his excuse for Mike Shanahan? Norv Turner? Jon Gruden? all now successful with other teams. Two of them, Turner and Shanahan even in the same division.
Who will save the Raiders now that the silver is mottled with rust? Not Interim head coach Tom Cable. Not this mystery off-season hiring of an exec who will bring the Raiders back. “We’ll get back, the Raiders will be back” said Davis, who surely would be better off in a nursing home right now then at the Raiders offices. Al, please hang it up. You are hurting the poor Raiders fans, and the people of Brooklyn NY where you are from.
So what makes this time different from the last? Davis said he had the goods on Kiffin and that his conduct was detrimental to the Raiders organization, to the coaching staff and players, and to Davis personally.
“I had to let him Go” Stated Mr. Davis. Sounds like wall street letting go of a few billion and saying Opps, we messed up. It seems like they have messed up plenty of times before. What is Davis’ Excuse this time? “I Hired the wrong guy”, and “he’s A flat out Liar” was his answer. So then what was his excuse for Mike Shanahan? Norv Turner? Jon Gruden? all now successful with other teams. Two of them, Turner and Shanahan even in the same division.
Who will save the Raiders now that the silver is mottled with rust? Not Interim head coach Tom Cable. Not this mystery off-season hiring of an exec who will bring the Raiders back. “We’ll get back, the Raiders will be back” said Davis, who surely would be better off in a nursing home right now then at the Raiders offices. Al, please hang it up. You are hurting the poor Raiders fans, and the people of Brooklyn NY where you are from.
