13 Oct 2008
QUOTE : “When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn.” Tom Landry
SOME GAME OBSERVATIONS AND QUESTIONS
- I loved that the first play for the Tampa Bay Bucs on offense was their longest pass play of the year. They averaged 8.65 yards per attempt yesterday and they tried to make plays up the field.
- The Bucs/Panthers game from the Panthers standpoint is one of those games that you have to admit on that day, the Bucs were the better team and the game was never really close. The Panthers are going to have to throw it to run it the next time. The Bucs defense has the best run schemes of any defense and might and be the best in the NFL.
- I thought Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison looked like his old self and was very impressive with his lateral quickness. With the Ravens missing two corners, the Colts took advantage of the situation.
- Nice to see Peyton Manning admit that he had a SECOND surgery to the CBS people, as we first reported back in August.
- I don’t know what to make of the Rams beating the Skins. It will be the first tape I watch this week as Jim Haslett clearly had his team prepared to play. They managed the game very well and from looking at the game book, they did not give away the game--they played sound and forced the Skins to beat them, which they could not get done. Most games in the NFL are lost, not won.
- Richie Incognito, the Rams center, has to feel relieved today. His very, very stupid penalty almost cost the Rams the game. He is lucky to have a job today.
- The Skins turned the ball over and it looked to me like rookie Chris Long’s power rush on Chris Samuels was the reason for one of the critical turnovers.
- The volume of plays is one of the reasons why it takes ten games to evaluate young quarterbacks. Being hit, being involved, and having to think quickly and make quick decisions are the main reasons JT O’Sullivan and Joe Flacco are having some trouble. O’Sullivan had a chance to make some plays yesterday, and he seems to be struggling more each week.
- If Andy Reid does not get a long field goal kicker in this week for a tryout, I would be surprised. And if he sends out David Akers for another long kick, I will be even more surprised. This is a huge problem for the Eagles.
- For the first time, Detroit looked like an NFL team yesterday and for the first time all season, they did not spot their opponent a 21 point lead. I have seen that pass interference call several times and still cannot see the penalty.
- The Lions only had 8 first downs for the game and Rudi Johnson averaged 2.2 yards per carry on 17 attempts. The Vikings did not look pretty in the game and are very lucky to have won, but they won. They at least improved their coverage units.
- What can you say about Drew Brees? He is just amazing and no matter what the Raiders did defensively, he was able to respond. His accuracy and quick thinking is just a cut above most players.
- The Saints lack of dependability on a reliable field goal kicker will keep haunting them all season. And the Raiders continue to mismanage games at the end of the half. They gave the Saints three, and were lucky they did not get seven.
- Kyle Orton’s throw for the final touchdown was tremendous, but Atlanta Matt Ryan’s throw to win the game with a guy in his face was incredible. The Bears have themselves to blame for losing that game. 11 seconds to go and they allowed the Falcons to get into field goal range. That is a crime.
- Matt Ryan is the real deal. He may not have the strongest arm or the most zip, but he is a leader and he can execute the game plan very well.
- The Chargers might have won last night, but their defense does not look the same to me. And it has nothing to do with Shawn Merriman not being there.
- New England QB Matt Cassel does not make very quick decisions and his accuracy on some easy throws is a concern. He looks like he cannot process the decisions with any real conviction.
- Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has to be commended for his gutty performance yesterday. He was able to overcome a very bad start and made some key plays down the stretch. And thank god for the amazing catch Andre Johnson made to convert fourth down. One of the best plays of the day.
- Did you see Maurice Jones Drew run through the Broncos? The Broncos have no chance to win anything with that defense. At least Jarvis Moss dressed. He did not make a play, but he dressed.
- Seattle’s struggles on defense now continue at home. They could not get off the field yesterday and allowed the Packers to control the ball for over 36 minutes during the game.
GAME NOTES
DALLAS AT ARIZONA
FROM NFL.COM GAME BALL STEVE BREASTON
Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston gets the nod for his 102 receiving yards and a touchdown. Filling in for the injured Anquan Boldin, Breaston repeatedly broke free in Dallas' secondary and his presence helped open up the field for Larry Fitzgerald, who also chipped in with 79 yards and a score.
Terrell Owens: has not led the Cowboys in receiving yards in any game this season
Cowboys: 2nd loss in last 14 road games
Tony Romo: 13-3 career on road as starter
Romo had 0 INT, snapping a streak of 9 straight games with an INT including playoffs; Romo did lose a fumble. He's committed at least 1 turnover in 20 of his last 21 games including playoffs (23 INT, 5 fumbles lost during span)
Romo had his 14th career 300-yd game, passing Troy Aikman for the most in Cowboys history
DeMarcus Ware: 9th straight game with a sack (tied with Bruce Smith and Kevin Greene for 2nd longest sack streak in NFL history)
Marion Barber: career-high 11 receptions
Kurt Warner: 33 pass TD in last 14 games
J.J. Arrington: 2nd career kick return TD – also returned the opening kickoff for a TD on Nov. 26, 2006 vs. Vikings. It was the 3rd opening kickoff returned for a TD in franchise history (Arrington has 2 of the 3, Roy Shivers in 1966 has the other).
GREEN BAY AT SEATTLE
FROM NFL.COM GAME BALL AARON RODGERS
Aaron Rodgers was efficient in leading the Packers to 17 unanswered points in the second half. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He also picked up 16 of his 23 rushing yards sprinting for a key first down in the third quarter that kept the Packers' final touchdown drive alive.
The Seahawks have been held under 200 total yards in back-to-back games for the first time under Mike Holmgren; last time they had less than 200 yards in back-to-back games was Nov. 1992 in Tom Flores’ first season with Seattle
Mike Holmgren: 2-5 career vs. Packers
Seahawks: first 1-4 start since 2002
Seahawks suffered just their 9th loss in last 44 home games
Packers converted 10-18 3rd down opportunities
Time of Possession: GB - 37:26, SEA - 22:34
Aaron Kampman had 2 sacks, 9th career game with 2+ sacks
Charlie Frye: 1-5 in last 6 starts (lost 3 straight)
Ryan Grant had career-high 33 rush attempts for 90 yards
ST LOUIS AT WASHINGTON
FROM NFL.COM GAME BALL DONNIE AVERY
Donnie Avery had a 43-yard reception for St. Louis to set up Brown's winning kick. Avery made a move on the under-thrown ball from Marc Bulger to make a nifty one-handed catch. Avery has been slowed by injuries this year, but he set career highs with four receptions for 73 yards Sunday.
Rams snap 8-game losing streak
Rams win despite being held to 8 first downs, 200 total yards and committing 10 penalties
Redskins turned it over 3 times. The had 0 offensive turnovers in first 5 games
Clinton Portis: 40th career 100-yd game, 22nd with the Redskins (extending his franchise record); 395 rush yards in last 3 games (has 3 straight 100-yd games for first time since 2005)
Jason Campbell was sacked 4 times; still has 0 INT in 179 pass attempts this season; extends franchise record to 201 consecutive pass attempts without an INT dating back to last season; The Redskins as a team have now gone 309 consecutive pass attempts without an INT.
Redskins: 1st loss in last 5 home games
Jim Haslett: 3-1 career vs. Redskins
Jason Taylor played but did not start. The last time Taylor played in a reserve role came in a season opener on Aug. 31, 1998 with the Dolphins. Taylor was recovering from a partial tear in his left knee that occurred during the preseason that year
JACKSONVILLE AT DENVER
FROM NFL.COM GAME BALL MAURICE JONES DREW
Maurice Jones-Drew received a season-high 22 carries for the Jaguars after Fred Taylor was injured. Jones-Drew rushed for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Denver Broncos OFFENSE
THIS SEASON
1st 3 Gms Last 3 Gms
W-L 3-0 1-2
PPG 38.0 17.3
Total YPG 432.0 367.3
Red Zone Eff. 10-15 4-9
Turnovers 3 8
Broncos: 1st loss in last 7 home games
Broncos have been held to under 20 points in 3 straight games after scoring 34+ points in their first 3 games
Maurice Jones-Drew: 125 rush yards, 7th career 100-yd game, 2nd this season; 5th career game with 2 rush TD; has at least 1 rush TD in 4 of last 5 games
Jaguars scored 10 points off of 3 Broncos turnovers
Jay Cutler held to a season-low 192 pass yards; has a TD pass in 7 straight games
Cutler was not sacked for the 4th time this season. He's been sacked just 2 times all season with 228 pass attempts
NEW ENGLAND AT SAN DIEGO
FROM NFL.COM GAME BALL JAMAL WILLIAMS
Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams was credited with only two tackles but played much bigger than that. Williams repeatedly flushed quarterback Matt Cassel out of the pocket, knocked down passes and was a dominant force in stopping the run. Williams had a key surge to help stuff Sammy Morris on second-and-1 in the Chargers' pivotal goal-line stand in the third quarter.
Patriots 12-game road win streak ends (2nd longest in NFL history)
Patriots have 3 pass TDs, 4 INTs in 5 games this season; they had 16 pass TDs, 2 INTs through 5 games last season (3+ pass TD in each of first 5 games)
Chargers are 8-1 in their last 9 home games
Chargers: 3-1 following 0-2 start; they're 3-3 after 6 games for the 4th time in 5 seasons
Rivers has 9 TDs and 1 INT in 3 home games this season
Rivers: 14 pass TD this season is tied for 1st with Tony Romo, 109.4 passer rating leads NFL
Vincent Jackson: 1st career 100-yd game
Matt Cassel: sacked 4 times, he's been sacked 17 times in the last 4 games
Cassel has 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 1 fumble lost in last 3 games
Comments
Add a CommentMichael, I take it you were adamantly opposed to that trade up for Jarvis Moss. Whose decision was it? Shannahan's or PFTs new scribe?
And is it me, or is the officiating this year especially shakey?
Also, not a big fan of the modified facemask rule. It seems that the league forgot why the old rule 5 yard rule was put in: to protect players. Rarely does a player intend to grab the facemask. It's just there and they grab it. But now that they've grabbed it, there's no incentive to letting it go. Seems if they're gonna get the 15 regardless, they're gonna get their money's worth by wringing the full 15 out of the other player's neck. Perierra says facemasks are trending the same as last year, which is true, but the magnitude of violence associated with the penalty, IMO, seems up. Seems more guys getting their heads uncorked than before. If this is true, I guess the next step taken won't be going backto the old way, but rather imposing fines for the more flagrant fouls.
i dont know which matt ryan you were watching but it looks like he can make every throw very easily. that rollout to the right play theyve been using alot for 20-30 yds...sometimes more looks like its child's play to him. to gun it like that on the run repeatedly...what a stud.
also, mike...i know barber had a nice day yesterday but what is the reason for taking felix jones in the first round if he's gonna touch the ball twice a game?
Mike, it seemed like a pretty big stretch for atlanta to complete a 26 yard out in only 5 secs, any word of timing error on that one? has any team allowed a field goal when kicking off with only 11 secs left? usually a long return takes longer than that
Coaches who order pooch kicks (Lovie Smith) at the end of a game are on par with those who chase points via the 2 point conversion try in the first 55 minutes of a game. They are coaching to lose.
Can anyone explain the intent behind the dreaded "tuck rule"? If the q.b. (i.e. Tony Romo yesterday) is bringing the ball down to consciously stop a throw and then gets hit and loses the ball, why is that treated as an incomplete pass and not a fumble? Why reward the passer who decides not to throw a risky pass and instead simply coughs it up?
Continuing what Rico mentions Re: Moss and the Denver D (or lack there of);
Michael- who is picking the defensive personnel in Denver? Is it Shanahan? Because you can't just limit the failure to the O line. The entire D is horrible. Sure, you have DJ Williams and Champ, but beyond that? Dummerville is a great situational rusher. The rest? Second and third team guys at best.
McCree, Manuel, and Bly are awful. Can't defend, can't tackle. Lynch may have been on old, nearly done legs, but at least he occasionally hit someone and could blitz.
"1-10-STL 16 (:26) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 66-P.Kendall to STL 20 for -4 yards (50-P.Tinoisamoa). FUMBLES (50-P.Tinoisamoa), RECOVERED by STL-21-O.Atogwe at STL 25. 21-O.Atogwe for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass intended for 83-J. Thrash; deflected at line of scrimmage by 90-A. Carriker."
Close as you can get to throwing an INT without it actually being one, against the Redskins.
The Rams got back four yards on an Incognito infraction that lost them five yards to set up a 44 yard FG.
The guy already put them in risky ground for a FG attempt late in the third quarter.
The Skins defensive "stop" before their scoring drive in the 4th was an illegal formation penalty after the Rams coverted third and eleven with a 13 yard gain by Bulger.
Washington got chances on top of chances there and the Rams held onto a win. Congrats to coach Haslett.
Mike Shanahan picks the players in Denver with the help of the scouts and coaches. they need a better and more efficient personnel department.
Bob--you are asking ME to explain the tuck rule? at my funeral the two things I still wont have answered are the tuck call and who shot JFK....
You see now why Cassel was a career backup? They had better start scouting the pass, punt, and kick competition contestants for someone with more accuracy.
The Lions signed another QB today...
Watched most of the Bucs game, their first pass was long, they also threw to both TE. Having two out there meant they could move them around and usually help their tackle that struggles.
Their FB got hurt, with the starter already out, Gruden had to do a lot of creative things. Earnest Graham played fullback for Warrick Dunn and caught a nice pass to help seal it late.
That kind of unselfish play is what puts teams that are good over the top. Their defense is already great and Talib made some major plays on the ball that teammates helped him make into turnovers.
Detroit's QB gave them two points from his own end zone. So much for Orlovsky being the next Brady or Warner....
The AZ Cardinals seemed to be in third and 20 plus territory several times in the first half. Dallas finally had its training bib removed by the refs in the second half and Warner revved up the scoring.
Credit the Cowboys for even making it into overtime late in the game. Whisenhunt almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with that time out stunt. They let him do it off the snap instead of before it was done as well. That's not what the rules say should be done any more. Besides, that gives a kicker one try to really unwind the leg and usually the second effort is better. Unless you can change out a ball from the sideline that is less suitable for a kick when you do it, why do that? It's like taking a five yard punt penalty after decent field position, you're just letting that guy kick with his leg in better position to uncork one.
Was surprised to see how any times the Pats could pile onto tackled runners on the road and not get called for it as well. There's still two rulebooks out there for teams, one for Goodell's favorites, and one for the rest of our teams.
San Diego should copy some of the stuff done to get the ball in Morris' hands on passing plays with him at slot. LT is a bit better after the catch and the attention he takes away from Gates can only help. Rivers is clearely in command of his game now to do just that, if they sense the protection can work that. Turtner called a really good game and even got the crowd on his side with a replay challenge. That ref crew will keep it in mind in their future game with him, if they have another.
Those moves are signals to your players, and sometimes when the execution isn't there(as Mike asserts is true for the D, I agree) the emotion can make up for some of it. Turner took it up a notch and went to bat for his players, let's see what kind of fruit those tactics bear in the immediate future.
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Oct 13, 2008
09:04 AM
I had a Fantasy shocker, leaving Breaston and Vincent Jackson on my bench in favour of DeSean Jackson, Cotchery and Crayton, yet I'm still in with a chance of moving to 5-1 if Derrick Ward is given the bulk of the red zone carries for the G-Men tonight. I've also got Plax in the game, but my opponent has Eli and a 14 point lead, so it's looking unlikely.