Every Wednesday during the season, I’m at NFL Films working on the Showtime “Inside the NFL” show, which allows me time to talk football with former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, NBC’s Cris Collinsworth, NFL Network’s own Warren Sapp and many others who visit on a weekly basis.
Simms has a great passion for the game. He loves to talk football and loves to tell stories about his life and times playing for legendary Giants coach Bill Parcells. Last week, the conversation centered on the Saints offense, specifically how Drew Brees throws the ball to his wide receivers even when they’re covered. It’s hard to understand the “why and how” Brees makes these throws, but rarely are they intercepted since he always puts the ball in a spot where only his receiver can make a play. Simms recalled a time at practice when Parcells walked over to him and said, in his wonderful New Jersey accent, “Simms, you know Bavaro (Mark Bavaro the Pro Bowl tight end) is open even when he’s covered, so throw it to him.”
APPeyton Manning is not satisfied with just one Super Bowl win. He is always striving for perfection.
Sunday, covering the Colts-Rams game was a career highlight because I got to admire the work of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning up close without having a rooting interest. I also heard Parcells’ words loud and clear as Manning was sensational throwing to his covered receivers and putting the ball in spots where only they could catch it. His game preparation is well known, but afterward, he told me that he went back and watched Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and the Patriots to learn more finite details about the Steve Spagnuolo defense. Winning football games is being able to cover the many details that present themselves each week, and Manning leaves no stone unturned, regardless of the quality of the opponent. He takes every team seriously, and his drive for perfection is a remarkable trait.
Since Manning entered the league in 1998, he’s achieved a quarterback rating over 100 in 40 percent of the games he’s played. Meanwhile, over half of the teams have had more than 10 different starting quarterbacks. As the quarterback carousel goes round and round, Manning has been able to live in the continuity of the system. As he told me, “I have only played in three systems my entire life -- high school, college and the pros.”
As the famous French writer Francois de La Rochefoucauld once said, “I have always been an admirer. I regard the gift of admiration as indispensable if one is to amount to something; I don't know where I would be without it.” I greatly admire Mr. Manning, and without having to root against him, watching him perform is just plain incredible.
Sunday’s best
APDrew Brees and the Saints have proven that they can win using all phases of the game.
The Saints have now won games running the ball, throwing the ball, playing great defense and, Sunday, coming from behind. They’re a well-oiled machine, and their success this season lies in their will to succeed. They’re determined, and they finally have the toughness to win it all.
Bengals running back Cedric Benson has turned his career around on and off the field. His play yesterday didn’t surprise me as he was determined make a statement against his former team. But what did surprise me was the Bears’ inability to get lined up correctly on the Bengals’ unbalanced line. They were outnumbered and out-flanked.
Speaking of the Bengals, if quarterback Carson Palmer plays as he did Sunday, the Bengals are going to be in the playoff run all season. He found his grove throwing the football, especially hooking up with Chad Ochocinco. Palmer had only four incomplete passes all day and five touchdowns. The Bengals’ offense needed that kind of game from him.
APAlan Branch displayed last night just how much of a force he could be for the Arizona defense.
The Arizona Cardinals have struggled playing football on the east coast in the past, but not anymore. They’ve found their stride as a football team, and beating the Giants on their home field was a tremendous win. If defensive tackle Alan Branch plays like he did last night, along with Darnell Dockett, the Cards’ tackles would rival any NFL team.
The will of the Steelers is something to admire. Last year, they came from behind to win games, and yesterday, they fought long and hard to give the Vikings their first loss of the season. Pittsburgh’s defense played over 36 minutes, but at the end of the game made the plays that matter most.
The Jets’ running game is operating at full strength right now. The past two weeks, they have rushed for over 300 yards each game, and line coach Bill Callahan deserves a ton of credit. Callahan, the former Raider coach, was drenched with Gatorade by Jets players after beating the team he led to the Super Bowl in 2002. Well done, Bill.
The Sunday funnies...
I wasn’t a math major, but the point differential in the 12 games played was 254, which means the average margin of victory was 22.1. What has happened to all the close games we used to see? Normally, more than 70 percent of games are decided by seven points or less. Not this year.
When the Chicago Bears take their show on the road, they just play bad. Between all their turnovers and the lack of run or pass defense, the Bears can’t function well enough on the road to be considered serious contenders for a playoff spot.
APNeither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson has been the answer in Cleveland.
The Browns’ quarterback situation is a mess. Brady Quinn losses his job after two weeks, and meanwhile, Derek Anderson keeps his job with his 41-percent completion rate. It might be time for Brett Ratliff in Cleveland. The Browns’ offense has not scored a touchdown in four of seven games this year.
As good as Jake Delhomme played during the regular season last year, he is playing badly this year. The Panthers have to make a change, regardless of the big deal they gave him this offseason. If they don’t make a change at quarterback, there will be a ton of changes coming off the field in Carolina.
On the lookout
Have the Packers improved since their bye week two weeks ago, or have they just played some very bad teams? The emergence of rookie first-rounder Clay Matthews has helped their defense force turnovers. They’ll need to prove they’re for real when Mr. Favre comes back to town this weekend.
I’m at the point where, if I was an opponent playing the Vikings, I’ve seen enough of Percy Harvin taking the ball to the house on kickoff returns. He’s proven he’s for real as a return man, so don’t kick the ball to him. You’re only asking for trouble.
No one is more on the lookout for the ball in the air, or can read quarterbacks’ eyes, better than the Saints’ Darren Shaper. He is a ball magnet, but he’s getting some competition from rookie Jairus Byrd in Buffalo. Byrd has two picks in each of the last two games. Sharper is great, and Byrd is proving to be great, too.
APPatriots wideout Sam Aiken is helping to fill the void left by Joey Galloway.
Sam Aiken of the Patriots takes over for the departed Joey Galloway and runs the right routes, is in the right spots, break tackles and makes plays. Two catches for 66 yards and a touchdown is an impressive outing for a guy who was not even supposed to be a starter when the season started.
On the lookout for all fantasy fans...
Shonn Greene of the Jets was a productive zone runner at Iowa, gaining 100 yards in every game he played. Sunday, filling in for the injured Leon Washington, Greene started his own pro streak, gaining 144 yards on 19 attempts along with two touchdowns. Nice way to begin a career.
Beanie Wells, where have you been? All year, I’ve been saying you’ll be the man in Arizona, and finally you proved me right Sunday night. Wells has all the talent to be a dominating force in the Cards’ offense.
Odd the beaten track
The 49ers have to build on their second half in Houston, and this week, as they travel to Indy to play the undefeated Colts, they must find a way to make plays in the passing game. Alex Smith looked very good and deserves a chance to see if he can be productive when he starts.
The Bills had nine first downs in the game and eight punts but got the win. Ugly, but any win in Buffalo is a good win, especially when Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starter. Fitzpatrick is 5-10-1 over 16 games as a starter.
Lost in Sunday’s great game between the Saints and Dolphins was the fact the Dolphins lost the time-of-possession battle as their defense was on the field for 33 minutes. No wonder they gave up 22 fourth quarter points. They clearly were tied.
Three-step dot drops…a dot dot dot thought...
APCan the Steelers trust Rashard Mendenhall late in the game?
…Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall is a talented back, but how can the Steelers trust him to carry the ball at crunch time? He has lost two fumbles the last two weeks at critical points in both games.
…We know the Bucs are bad on either side of the Atlantic, and changing quarterbacks is not going to help this team. Rookie first-rounder Josh Freeman is going to struggle when he becomes the starter.
…49ers first-round wide receiver Michael Crabtree is talented and proved he was the best receiver in the draft. Maybe not the fastest, but the best.
…Jason Smith, the Rams’ rookie offensive tackle, was moved from right tackle to the left during the game and then had to handle the Colts’ Dwight Freeney. Playing Freeney is hard enough for any player, but moving from right to left for a rookie makes it impossible. I’m not sure I agree with the Rams coaches’ logic.
…The playoff hunt begins now in the NFL. November games have huge implications, and for the winning teams the next games become even more important. Is it Sunday yet? I can’t wait for the Vikings and Packers and one more look at Peyton Manning up close and personal.
Head coach of the week
Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals
APCardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt
I was talking to a coach yesterday, and he was mentioning to me that the critical aspect of the NFL right now lies in understanding what kind of team you want to be. If you win with offense, keep adding offensive players and make sure the team stays true to its roots. Two weeks ago, Whisenhunt proclaimed that he was going to be a passing team and junk trying to become a two-back run team. Now the Cards are in command in the NFC West and look like they have found themselves.
Assistant coach of the week
Bill Callahan, New York Jets
I’ve been around some very talented coaches, and Callahan ranks at the top of the list. He has been in some very unfortunate situations as a head coach, especially in Oakland, where the owner failed to extend his contract and made him a lame duck after he took the team to its first Super Bowl in 19 years. Callahan broke down the next year, as did the Raiders, so the win Sunday against his former team was sweet. The Jets have rushed for 300 yards two weeks in a row without running the wildcat. Callahan is well respected by his players, and the fact they drenched him with Gatorade shows how much they appreciate his coaching. I have always respected Bill as a person and a coach.
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
Yesterday I realized just how bad the Lions had to be last year to lose all 16 games! I still have no idea how the Browns or Raiders have won any games, and yet they have! I haven't looked at a schedule, but unless the Rams and Bucs play each other this year, I have no idea how they will win any games at all. I expect both KC and Tennessee to win as they have looked bad, but have also been competitive (occasionally). The bad teams are REALLY BAD this year!
@Dan: I'm a Favre-homer, to be sure, but I'd respond this way: it didn't matter if Fox was tackled. The game was over at the time of the pick. He *could* have tried to strip the ball - that was really the only thing he could have done. But, really, when weighing the chances of him stripping the ball v. getting hurt trying to do so, it just wasn't worth it. That was just one game, that easily could have gone either way...
Manning is lucky to have not landed on say the Niners or the Skins. (Same with Aaron Rodgers going to the Pack.)
The Niners when Smith was the #1 pick has had a new OC EVERY YEAR since he was drafted in 2005.
West Coast O with McCarthy, power O + vertical passing game with Norv Turner, the disastrous WCO + digit system combo of Hostler (last in all Offensive categories that year), Martz's Offense, & now Jimmy Raye.
I believe Campbell has experienced a similar path. This is the only year where he's had the same OC 2 years in a row. Well, maybe 11/4 since Zorn is now being stripped of his playcalling duties.
To all viking fans out there; I thought this was the best full games the Vikes have played all season. When the game is left in the hands of the players, I really like our chances. It's when Chilly becomes involved that things get scary. The defense played so well. All of those tipped passes, and we couldn't catch one. That very bad tripping call. The Steeler returner(Logan) catching that low, short kick-off to start the 2nd half that he easily could have botched, the tremendous effort displayed by both teams(Loadholt).
Three and Out
I can't help but feel that the handling of the last Viking possession of the first half has been overlooked. You have the shiancoe first down(into a crowd) at roughly the 40. Less than two minutes remain and our call is a screen to shiancoe that he drops in heavy traffic. Clock stops. Where is AD? I'd much rather give Peterson three carries here and see if he doesn't bust one than run three passes that fall incomplete, giving Pitt the chance to score that late TD.
How do we not make the Steelers stop AD all three times from the two-foot line-if not four? This is a tense, close, all-out, who is tougher football team kind of game in a situation were we need to be the tougher team, and we throw into the goalpost and at Kleinsasser. Sheesh.
Chilly, Chilly, Chilly, when will you learn to keep AD on the field at the end of close games. What is wrong with AD and Chester both in the backfield in these and many other situations. Certainly Peterson a a more viable option than Greg Lewis or Dugan. Tell me how teams defend a formation of AD, C. Taylor, Harvin, Rice and Berrian on a consistent basis.Then add in Favre's skills at the line of scrimmage-even before the ball is snapped. Don't tell me Mike Tomlin wasn't elated Peterson was on the sidelines right after planting Gay into the bottom of the great ketchup bottle.
Just looking at the picture, I can see what's wrong with Mendalhall.
FIVE POINTS OF CONTACT:
-Fingertips
-Palm
-Forearm
-Biceps
-Chest
Out of those five, the ball is only touching three in that picture (fingers, palm, and forearm).
Coach him up, Pittsburgh (but not before the Patriots might play you in the playoffs!)
Not getting it how Crabtree proved he was the best WR in the draft, or how that is even possible off one limited game when Harvin, Nicks, Maclin and Knox have all produced week in and week out. I guess Crabtree ought to start griping for a new contract.
@Dan - Yes, it's perfectly clear Peyton Manning can't win big games. Except the Super Bowl and all the playoff games he's won. Except for those games, he can't win.
There's definitely a story to be written about how manning's skills, tom moore's offense, and bill pollian's personnel savvy came together just about perfectly to turn the colts into a reliable big winner.
I'd love to see NFL quarterbacks ranked simply in terms of preparedness. forget what they do on the field, just for a second -- who puts in the study time, who is fanatical about getting in sync with his receivers, who could run his own offense in his sleep. I;m betting Peyton, Brady, and Brees are pretty high up there.
@ Eric
That is a good point that the game didn't matter on the Fox INT, he should have not even run over there because he could have been blocked, but his attempt on Woodley early was a little weak too. Not as bad as his other attempt or Jeff Reed's shot on Harvin. I thought the game was pretty close too. We average basically the same per passing attempt and we did better on running average but those numbers are slightly skewed since we usually had the lead and could play the pass. Obviously both teams will probably be in playoffs.
@Terry
I never said he loses every playoff game ever, I said he looks much better playing weak competition in the regular season. He's made playoffs 9 times and been one and done 6 times. I never said he's a complete failure but every regular season the Colts get overrated and become a favorite, Manning fails and then 8 months later we all forget.
Playoff Record 7-8 (8 games less than 20 pts, so you can't blame his defense)
TD:INT 22-17
Manning clearly loses something in the playoffs.
Bill Callahan was the worst coach in the history of the University of Nebraska. Its hard to trust media members who heap undeserved praise on people because of personal friendships.
Great article.
Thanks
Mike Wallace is by far the best receiver from the draft...... Crabtree may outduel him by the end of the season, but right now Wallace is heads & tails better than all the others, playing like a veteran, catching nearly everything thrown his way and making blocks like the experienced guys who are tutoring him!
Gruden complimented Cally's coaching ability recently. His greatest strength was in making complex schemes simple to learn, a way to maximize the line play of a team. Coming from Gruden it says a lot about the ability of Callahan.
He wasn't a fit for some of the people and players when he was HC. As certain players got older and their skills waned they wanted operate under the same assumptions. Matchups change over time and you must trend adjustments to stay ahead of it. Cally walked the plank for trying.
He might have chosen some words more carefully at certain times. He tried to speak to the heart of a problem in dealing with the way his team lost some games. That served as a catalyst for his departure, which might have been the most savvy thing he could scheme, to position his own football future.
"Pittsburgh’s defense played over 36 minutes." Couldn't this be quantified better by giving the number of defensive snaps played?
In baseball, they have a pitch count, they don't tell you how much total time a pitcher stayed on the mound.
The quotation about admiration comes from Thomas Mann, not La Rochefoucauld.
Callahan was not a good Head Coach but he is one of the best O'line coaches in the business. A lot of really good specialty coaches don't fare well as Head Coaches though most of em want to try. The difference is that Callahan has accepted that for now.....
Crabtree played 48 of 54 offensive snaps, leading the WRs after only 2 weeks of practice. Missed one read but otherwise made every play presented to him; including a 22yd catch nullified by penalty. Nothing limited about it. Reminds me most of Michael Irvin, but more skilled and minus the cocaine.
Those other rookie WRs are definitely talented but "week in and week out" isn't entirely accurate.
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Oct 26, 2009
05:15 PM
Let me guess how the rest of the year plays out. Manning dominates easy competition (opponents are 11-26 so far), go into playoffs as every expert's favorite and then lose immediately. Every tears Manning apart for not being able to win big games, 8 months pass and we all forget about that.
Also completely off track, how come no one is talking about how Farve made no attempt to tackle Fox on the INT return. Didn't look like a guy 'who just loves the game' on that play. Looked like a guy who just loves a paycheck.