Diner Morning News

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

16 January 2009

QUOTE: "A new leader has to be able to change an organization that is dreamless, soulless and visionless ... someone's got to make a wake up call." ~ Warren Bennis 

FROM RICHARD OBERT OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC... But the Eagles are complex, manic and diverse, and everybody will have to execute at a high level. "Take your fluids and be hydrated because you're going to be running a lot," Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle said. "This is going to be a hustle game." The Eagles' offense is ignited by quarterback Donovan McNabb and versatile running back Brian Westbrook. Despite reports that Westbrook is ailing, Cardinals players are preparing for his best. They know he'll be the ultimate threat coming out of the backfield, whether it be with the power run, screen play, short pass or deep route. Then there is McNabb's ability to work outside the pocket and find big yardage. "It's going to be very important to keep the lanes closed off, where his vision may not be as good downfield," Pendergast said. "A lot of times when you pressure the pocket, it forces him to step up, then he'll look outside. You have to be aware of him at all times. I tell the defensive linemen to take your blinders off. I want their heads up looking at him."

One of the key components of this game for the Cards will not be sacking Donovan McNabb but keeping him in the pocket and preventing him from moving and buying another look down the field with his feet.  McNabb can run and he can move, but he is best when he can slide and avoid the rush.  This is how he’s able to convert third downs and keep the offense on the field.  In the post-season, the Eagles are 42 percent on third down.  Teams that play McNabb well --the Redskins, for example -- have very disciplined rush lanes and keep him in the pocket.  Sacks are one of the most overrated stats in football because they’re often a result of missed protection or great coverage.  With McNabb, you must force him to be consistently accurate from the pocket.  The Eagles do not make big plays on the outside with their wideouts.  However, when McNabb can escape and move around -- not with the intention of running but with his eyes down the field – it allows his receivers time to separate and get open, and big plays are available.   

FROM JAMISON HEMSLEY OF THE BALTIMORE SUN... THREE THINGS THAT NEED TO GO RIGHT ...  The defense needs to finish. The Ravens have tripped up defensively at the end of both meetings with the Steelers. In Week 4, backup running back Mewelde Moore caught a 24-yard pass to set up a 46-yard field goal in overtime. In Week 15, Santonio Holmes' controversial 4-yard touchdown with 43 seconds left capped a game-winning, 92-yard drive. Joe Flacco has to go deep. The Ravens' rookie quarterback has developed into a consistent deep passer, connecting on eight throws of 30 yards or more in the past three weeks. Flacco has completed no passes of more than 30 yards in two games against Pittsburgh. Force turnovers on defense. The Ravens are 10-2 this season when forcing multiple turnovers.  ... AND THREE THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG … Injuries take their toll. What happens if the Ravens can't generate any pass rush without banged-up linebacker Terrell Suggs? Or if the Steelers target fill-in cornerback Frank Walker? Willie Parker runs wild. The Steelers are 6-0 when Parker gains at least 70 yards. Though the Ravens usually shut down Parker, they didn't look like the typical run stoppers against Titans running back Chris Johnson. Holmes continues his hot streak. While most of the Ravens' attention is directed at Hines Ward, the other wide receiver is causing most of the damage. In his past four games against the Ravens, Holmes has averaged 72.5 receiving yards and has scored five touchdowns.

The game plan by the Titans’ offense that was so brilliantly designed and executed against the Ravens has to cause some concern for them again this week.  I’m sure the Ravens worked hard on the concepts that gave them trouble in the Titans game.  This is a copycat league, and that game plan was so well designed that it will give the Steelers an idea how to package their scheme based around the Titans’ plan.  As an offense, you cannot just copy plays and expect the same results, but you can learn how the defense plays situations and apply your best plays to their weaknesses. 

Big games are always fun to watch and be involved in with a team that is going to a championship game.  I really believe you measure your success in the NFL by reaching the championship game.  For both coaches as they prepare to play in the big game, here are some notes that are worth reviewing.  Some of these comments come from coach Bill Walsh and his view of how to approach a big game.  Some are my own observations. 

GETTING READY TO PLAY A BIG GAME

1.     Simple, clean game plan is best.  Players that know what to do will play faster and harder.  Less is better. 

2.     Make sure you have four runs that you know can work -- and will work. 

3.     How you handle all the short-yardage and goal-line plays is critical.  What is the plan for the first fourth-and-short in their territory?  Coach it all week. 

4.     Situational football will win the game for us.  How we handle all the elements of the game.  Red zone determines big games; spend more time on RZ and third down then first-and-10. 

5.     Build your strengths around their weakness.  Not a scheme game, but get your best players on their worst. 

6.     Always double their best wideout with your second and third corner.  Put your best corner on their second wideout.   

7.     Do not go away from the game plan and try to hold a lead in the third.  Do the entire game what we do best. 

8.     Talk to the team about not playing out of control.  No personal foul penalties, no late hits.  We are a well-coached team, no matter how big the game and where we play.  We play OUR style. 

9.     Preach calmness to the staff.  The outcome of this game will not be determined on the first drive or first quarter.  Your staff has to act calm and patient.  Project the image of quiet confidence.  You have to coach the staff on this.  Like bitching to the officials, if the players see the coach doing it, then they think they can do it.

10.  Do not depend on the home field to win the game.  Players and coaching will win the game, not because we are home. 

11.  Save something for the second half -- a new formation, a new blitz, an adjustment. 

12.  Whoever adjusts the best will win the game.  Therefore, it is more important for the coaches to work harder than the players.  We have to be well prepared. 

13.  Prepare for the longer halftime. Have a theme for the team talk and base it on the game.  Make sure the message is short and clean, but don’t recite all the mistakes you made. 

14.  Depend on what got your team to this game; to be good, you have to have tendencies.

15.  Practice crisp and shorter.  Want players “FRESH.”

16.  Go back to a four-game study of your opponent. Coaches do extra work, don’t practice the players longer. 

17.  Go back as far as you can to find trick plays and other plays that have hurt them.

18.  Work on execution in practice --must win the game here.

19.  Do not distract players with a secret weapon.  If it fails, they will be left wondering “what to do.”

20.  Business as usual approach to the players. Do not talk about the BIG game; it is a game. 

21.  Explain how we will win the game; it is not a motivational speech on Wednesday but rather a business approach.  The players must sense you are relaxed. 

22.  Do something in the kicking game that can gain you an edge.  Fake, onside, return.  Spend more time here than anywhere as the head coach.  Expect them to do the same. 

23.  Getting a first down in the first quarter does not win the game.  Do not react like it’s life and death in the first period.   Prepare the team for the 15-round boxing match. 

24.  Talk to the team about what we do well, how we will win the game. 

25.  Talk to the team about how well we have overcome adversity. Do not talk about this being a big game. 

26.  We are building something bigger than one game.  We are building a program that can sustain excellence. 

FROM TOM SILVERSTEIN OF THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL... As logical a step as it would be for McCarthy to hire his old boss with the New Orleans Saints, an NFL source said Thursday that McCarthy intended to interview as many as three more candidates. More than likely they'll be assistant coaches whose teams are currently out of the playoffs, but it's possible he will interview someone whose team is in the playoffs if available next week. No names were given and McCarthy has done his best to keep his contacts confidential. Among those whom McCarthy might talk to are: New England special assistant Dom Capers, Carolina defensive backs coach Tim Lewis, Oakland linebackers coach Don Martindale, Tennessee assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, St. Louis defensive line coach Brian Baker, St. Louis defensive coordinator Rick Venturi and former New Orleans defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.

There is no rush for McCarthy to hire a coach right now. There is more of a rush to hire the right person who is also the right fit for the scheme he wants to run.  Taking his time is a good thing, and some of the names mentioned above are all well-equipped to handle the challenge.  They might not be familiar names to fans, but sometimes a new, fresh approach is best.  I keep hearing the Packers want to be more of 3-4 team, which allows you to become more versatile in your coverage calls and adjustments.  Converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 is not that hard as long as the 3-4 is more along an attack mode. 

McCarthy has to get someone he is comfortable with, not someone he knows. 

FROM JIM THOMAS OF THE ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH... (GM Billy) Devaney said no else has been eliminated from consideration Thursday, adding that no negotiations had started with any candidates. He confirmed that Minnesota assistant head coach-defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Dallas assistant head coach-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Baltimore assistant head coach-defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, and New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are still in the running.  In fact, Devaney added a fifth name, saying that former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel also was under consideration. Devaney didn't name a front-runner, but one NFC personnel executive said Thursday that he thought the Rams were leaning toward Frazier. Another league source said Frazier and Spagnuolo were the most impressive candidates coming out of the interviews.  As of Thursday evening, Frazier had not heard anything further from the Rams since his interview. Frazier's finalist interview in Los Angeles took place Tuesday. One team official told the Post-Dispatch that Frazier had a strong presence. Also in L.A., Garrett was interviewed Wednesday, and Spagnuolo on Thursday.

My sources tell me that this is a close race for the head coaching job.  Garrett was very impressive, and the Rams do love Frazier.  However, right now, this is too close to call.  The Rams had planned to get this done this week, and they might make a decision today or tomorrow, but there are still some issues to be resolved. 

PICK OF THE WEEK....

The call went out Monday to find someone who has gone undefeated with his or her playoff picks so far.  We found Shane Brady of Weston, Mass., and asked him to share his championship game picks here. Shane has been staying up late going over the numbers and has reached a final decision.  Watch out, Rapid Ray, I feel a child prodigy coming down the pickum road. 

FROM SHANE BRADY......

I have been lucky enough to pick all the games in the bracket correctly so far.

I think I got a little lucky with the Eagles’ win in New York.  Eli Manning did not have his best game, throwing for only 170 yards and two interceptions.  I think the Eagles have some destiny on their side and that is why I am picking them to win in Arizona.  If Donovan McNabb is playing well, the whole team will go to another level with him.  The Eagles’ defense surprised me this season. They were among the top five defensive teams, allowing less than 300 yard a game.  I have my doubts about the Eagles when I look at the Cardinals’ receivers.  Now that Anquan Boldin has recovered from his injury, the Eagles’ secondary has to worry about not only the deep threat in Larry Fitzgerald but also Boldin, the Pro Bowl wide receiver.  If the Eagles can contain both these receivers throughout the game, they will win on Sunday.

On the other hand, the AFC championship looks to be a great game.  Both the Ravens and the Steelers have unique ways of surprising offenses with their 3-4 style defenses.  These two teams are very similar, and it will come down to who can hold up the longest in the end.  I have picked the Ravens to win on Sunday.  I do not think it’s possible for the 2008 Ravens to lose to the same team three times in one season, and the Ravens are going into this game with a very large chip on their shoulder.

Shane Brady

Ninth grade, The River School, Weston, Mass.

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