National Football Post Diner News

9 Dec 2008

QUOTE:  “When what used to control us becomes controlled by us, it is the beginning of a new part of our life. Each progress leaves behind a broken barrier that we have conquered; each conquered barrier is another step to our greater selves." ~ Arthur F. Carmazzi

FROM CHARLES CHANDLER OF THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER... Against a defense ranked fourth overall in the NFL and ninth against the run, the Panthers churned out a team record of 299 rushing yards and averaged a whopping 8.1 yards per carry. “We got hit in the mouth today,” said Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks. “I thought our blocking element and our runners were outstanding tonight,” said Fox. “That was fairly obvious. Those two backs are both very special.” Williams had a team record 186 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts. He became the third player in Panthers history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a season. He now has 1,141 yards and 13 touchdowns, breaking Stephen Davis' season touchdown record of 12 set in 2005. Stewart had 115 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. His eight touchdowns this season broke Fred Lane's rookie record. Stewart improved his season total to 699 yards and needs to average 101 yards over the final three games to join Williams in the 1,000-yard club.  Only four sets of teammates in NFL history have rushed for 1,000 yards in the same season. Also plenty rare was the magnitude of Monday's game and the way the Panthers came through. “I wouldn't necessarily call it a statement game,” said defensive end Julius Peppers, who had 1 1/2 sacks and a blocked extra-point attempt. “It was just a game with a lot on the line. And we played well at the right time.”

This is going to be a tough tape for coordinator Monte Kiffin and the Bucs’ defensive staff to watch this morning. Normally after a late night Monday game, the coaches won't spend much time on the game and will go right on to the next opponent.  But I doubt that is happening in Tampa today.  The Bucs missed more tackles in one game than they have missed all season.  I don't understand Tampa. They play so well at home but lose to the Broncos in Denver, they lose to the Cowboys in Dallas with Brad Johnson, and now they get trampled in Carolina.  The Panthers’ 299 rushing yards are the second most allowed by the Buccaneers in franchise history (allowed 306 rushing yards at the Falcons on Sept. 17, 2006). Conversely, the Panthers’ 299 rushing yards are the most in franchise history.  It was the second time this season they have rushed for more than 250 yards (the other was 264 yards vs. the Lions). The last time the Bucs allowed two 100-yard rushers was Sept. 17, 2006 against Atlanta. In that game, Warrick Dunn rushed for 134 yards and Michael Vick rushed for 127 yards.  The Panthers had two 100-yard rushers earlier this season vs. the Lions when Williams rushed for 120 yards and Stewart rushed for 130.  But that was the Lions, not the Bucs.  The way the Panthers were running their run plays was very creative, and the arc of the back in getting to the hole placed a huge burden on the safety coming down.  But all this talk about being in an eight-man front is useless when you don't make tackles.  It might look good on a blackboard, but it does not produce in a game.  Knowing the pride and the competitive nature of the players and coaches, the Bucs will remedy the situation this week as they prepare for the Falcons. But this loss will linger for some time.  I know you have to make big plays against the Bucs to score, but I never thought the Bucs would play run defense like they did last night. 

 FROM OHM YOUNGMISUK OF THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS...Eric Mangini said he spoke to Laveranues Coles and Brett Favre concerning the wide receiver's comments to the San Francisco media last week. Coles said in a conference call that his role has "drastically changed" with Favre because "now, we're in a quarterback-driven offense where he pretty much has control of everything, where before the offense was pretty much driven through me in the past."  Coles' comments were interpreted by one writer as inflammatory toward Favre. However, Favre and Coles, whose lockers are adjacent, were joking prior to the conference call and the quarterback told his receiver to tell the San Francisco media how the two didn't get along.  "I read that whole transcript and I thought that those were very selected comments," Mangini said. "I talked to Laveranues and talked to Brett and talked to those guys frequently, their goals are exactly the same. L.C. wants to do everything he can to help us win and so does Brett. It is not a function of any personal goals, L.C. is not like that."

I have watched tape of the Jets and it is very clear to me that they are lacking a playmaker at wide receiver and don't have anyone who can make a play on his own.  Coles is not the same player he once was, and now that he has gotten his money from redoing his deal this off-season, I am not sure he has much gas left in the tank.  He was a great player, but he is not the same player, and the Jets’ offense is suffering from a lack of playmakers on the outside.  But the larger issue here is getting everyone to accept their roles and, more important, to know their roles.  The Jets have mortgaged their future on this team doing well right now.  They have spent more money than any other team in the NFL and they are locked into this team for this season and next.  They do have enough talent to win games in the NFL; they don't have enough talent to beat teams that can throw the ball successfully.  And what hurts the Jets more than anything is  when they don't get any pressure, and the fact their No. 1 pick, Vernon Gholston, must be in the witness protection program doesn’t help much either.  The upcoming game against the Fins will mean something and that is exactly what the Jets wanted to avoid. 

FROM RICK HERRIN OF THE FT WORTH TELEGRAPH... Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones questioned Marion Barber’s toughness after learning he couldn’t play Sunday at Pittsburgh. Jones believed Barber’s dislocated right pinkie toe was an injury that he could have played with against Pittsburgh. Before the team boarded its flight to Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jones was stunned Barber did not make the trip. After not practicing all week and with an additional sore calf, Barber felt he couldn’t play. Jones said Barber could have taped and braced the toe well enough to allow him to play. "He can play with that injured toe," Jones said. "He can play with the soreness and a combination of those things. I see nothing that led us to believe he couldn’t." Jones was unsure whether Barber could return against the New York Giants on Sunday. While Jones seemed disappointed with Barber, he was thrilled with rookie Tashard Choice.

How can anyone question the toughness or the competitive nature of Marion Barber?  I mean, this player runs with passion and always looks for contact.  He plays the game with great toughness, and for the owner to publicly call him out is not right.  He can do this behind the scenes and he can have a heart to heart with Barber, but to make this a public issue is wrong and it undermines whatever control the head coach may have.  How does Wade Phillips walk into the team meeting and talk to his players as if he is in control?  The players know that unless it comes from Jerry it does not matter.  I think it’s wrong to question a player's toughness publicly.  Remember when Matt Millen did this in Detroit?  That was unprofessional then and this is unprofessional now.  And wanting a back to play when he is not right is another mistake.  Look at LT and his lack of ability to cut and plant off his big toe for most of the season.  When a back cannot plant and drive with his lower body, he is not effective.  And when you play the Steelers, you must have the ability to plant and drive.   The owner of the team can do whatever he wants, but he shouldn’t let us know what he is doing or saying.  The sign Vince Lombardi hung in his locker room applies here:  "What you see here, what you say here, let it stay here when you leave here." 

FROM SAL MAIORANA OF THE ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE... Sunday, team owner Ralph Wilson spoke publicly for the first time in quite a while regarding the Bills' collapse from a 5-1 record to its current 6-7 mark, as did chief operating officer Russ Brandon. "We just didn't play well," Wilson said. "We haven't got the talent. We didn't play well. The coaches? They can't go out and kick the ball. They can't go out and tackle. ... Hey, the way we're playing, it's tough to get three points." Brandon, who seems to favor remaining in the background, called the Bills' performance against Miami "unacceptable." When asked about the status of (coach Dick) Jauron, all Brandon would say is that "I think everybody should be under fire in the organization." Jauron is first on the line, and he knows it. "We just didn't perform and that reflects on me. That's on my shoulders," he said Monday. Jauron was asked to respond to Brandon's comment about the team's play in Toronto being unacceptable and as he so often does, he spoke freely, but said very little of substance. "It's where we are and we're disappointed about it," said Jauron. "You're talking about a couple of things. Do we accept the performance? No, we're very disappointed in it. Is it unacceptable? How do you not accept it if you've done it? So that's where we are and we've got to live with it. That's our record and we've got to take it and go on and improve and that's what we're trying to do." Jauron also denied he is losing the team, despite comments made by players after the game that seemed to question the coaching decisions on offense. "I don't feel like I've lost the locker room in any way," Jauron said. "I would say there's a danger of everything. I've always been that way. I've never taken anything for granted from day one until the present. I suspect you could say yes, there's always a danger, the same danger that existed early. Do I think it will happen? No, I don't.”

The Bills are too talented to be 6-7 and this bad on offense.  They are never going to be a dominating defense, but for them to not score points with their talent base is wrong.  If the Dolphins had the talent level of the Bills on offense, they would be even more explosive.  The Bills are a team that is trying to do too much on offense and doesn't have an identity and foundation for what they want to be.  They don't have a tight end who can control the line of scrimmage, and this affects their run game and prevents them from building the team around Marshawn Lynch.  This is Buffalo, this is a cold weather team, and they must establish a foundation around a power back. As good as Lynch looks from time to time, the Bills are too inconsistent.  The owner is going to want answers, and I am not sure the coaches are going to be able to give him sufficient answers.  What I find interesting is that Russ Brandon, the marketing man, is now speaking out as the team president.  His words are not going to win over any of the coaches or football people in the building and will create a civil war. 

FROM CLARE FARNSWORTH OF THE SEATTLE POST... Holmgren wearing his feelings on his face is rooted in several factors:   The inspired play of his injury-ravaged team against the Patriots, led by backup quarterback Seneca Wallace and a makeshift offensive line that included only one expected starter -- who was playing out of position.  The respect he has for his players, and regret over the way this season has unraveled.  The realization that his 10-season tenure in Seattle is about to end.  "It was emotional for me," Holmgren said. "Understand this, the effort (Sunday) was special. That led to some of my feelings after the game. But the feeling of having the season we're having is awful. It's something new. I've never experienced anything quite like this." The feelings that spilled over to Monday, and actually have been building for weeks, come with being so close to something that felt so far away for much of the season. "I have done that a little bit, I will admit to you," Holmgren said of allowing those "this could be the last time" feelings to sneak into his thoughts. "It happened (Sunday)."

Mike Holmgren never wanted to go out like this, and as competitive as he is, this has to be eating away at him.  He is a winner and has always won, but this season will surely leave a very bad taste in his mouth.  I am not sure what the future holds for Mike, but one thing for certain is that he is going to take some time off and re-evaluate his options next year.  I highly doubt he will show up in San Francisco as a president next year, as he needs to take time away from this season.  The Seahawks have some tough issues to handle, and the natural flow will be to blame injuries and say that Mike was a lame duck coach.  But they have deeper issues, and they must spend the next two months making the right decisions after their poor play this season.  Holmgren leaves behind large shoes to fill, and his personality and style -- instilled in the team the last 10 years -- will need to be changed and modified.  This is a major undertaking, and Jim Mora, the new coach, will need to bring his own style and personality to the team quickly. 

FROM BARRY SVRLUGA OF THE WASHINGTON POST... With their season hanging on a precipice, the Washington Redskins will approach their final three games without Chris Samuels, their best offensive lineman, who suffered a season-ending injury in Sunday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In addition, Jon Jansen, the tackle opposite Samuels and the Redskins' longest-tenured player, is doubtful for this weekend's game against Cincinnati, leaving the offense with a stitched-together line at a time when a single loss will all but eliminate Washington from playoff contention.   If Jansen can't go, Zorn said 11-year veteran Jason Fabini, who has been active in only four games this season, would take his spot at right tackle. Rookies Chad Rinehart, a third-round pick who has yet to play in an NFL game, and Devin Clark, an undrafted free agent whom Zorn said the team will likely activate from the practice squad, would provide competition at the position.  "We've got to slide guys in," Zorn said. "They've just got to rise up and play well. That's it."  All this mixing and matching comes at a time when the Redskins -- losers of four of their last five games -- have fallen to 29th in the 32-team NFL in scoring, and it will put a tremendous strain on the group entrusted with protecting quarterback Jason Campbell and opening holes for running back Clinton Portis.

Did you know the Lions have scored more points this year than the Skins?  Is this what the Skins hoped for when they brought in a new coach to change the offense?  I doubt it, and now their old line is having the predictable injuries, and this will greatly affect their ability to throw the ball.  The run game is important, and as we saw last night, it can take over games. But when you don't have the ability to successfully pass the ball, the run game becomes even more important.  The Skins have to rebuild their offensive line; they are too old to maintain and be physical all season.  Even the some of the backups are old.  They must do a better job drafting young lineman -- and to beat the Giants, it will take a very good offensive line, not just Clinton Portis. 

FROM MIKE PRESTON OF THE BALTIMORE SUN... The Ravens need to make it official. Willis McGahee should pass the baton to Le'Ron McClain as the team's starting running back.The Ravens should still keep their three-headed-monster approach with McClain, McGahee and rookie Ray Rice, but it's time to make the move. It's time to hitch a ride on the team's biggest, best and most productive running back, and see if he can power the Ravens into the postseason, especially in the unpredictable December weather. McGahee has been given every opportunity to remain the No. 1 running back. But there seems to be a black cloud hovering over him in 2008 after an outstanding season in 2007. By now, we've all heard the stories of his being out of shape in training camp and some internal matters that caused him to be banished to the bench this season. But let's put those issues aside.  Most important, he can't stay healthy. He can't finish a game. It's not McGahee's fault. Injuries are injuries. But if it isn't a knee, then it's an ankle. If it isn't an ankle, it's a rib. If it ain't a rib, it's an eye. If it ain't an eye, then it's his shoulder or his head. The guy is running out of body parts to get hurt.

I have never seen the dynamic play of McGahee and have never understood the value he brought to the Bills or the contract the Ravens paid.  And this proves the point, be careful paying for backs in free agency when you can find a free agent and a second rounder to out-play a high priced player for trade.  The Ravens are better with McClain; his style fits their run game well.  He can break tackles and rarely goes down on the first hit.  I agree with Mike Preston. It is very important for a back to stay healthy and get stronger as the game goes along. As you could see last night, the Bucs wanted nothing to do with tackling 235-pound Jon Stewart late in the game, and McClain is bigger than the Bucs’ running backs.  His ability to constantly pound and constantly be physical makes all the difference in the world.  McGahee does not offer that at this point in his career. 

FROM JASON WILDE OF THE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL... The 549 yards were the most allowed by a Packers defense in 25 years, dating back to the 552 yards the 1983 defense allowed in the famous game against the Washington Redskins at Lambeau Field, a 48-47 victory that remains the highest-scoring Monday Night Football game in NFL history. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, playing in his first game since Nov. 2, threw for 414 yards, while rookie running back Steve Slaton rushed for 120 yards on 26 carries. "I've been at this a long time. I have a lot of faith in the guys we have on defense; I have a lot of faith in the scheme that we have. I know what we can do," Sanders said Monday afternoon. "And to be honest with you, I really don't have time to think about (job security). I'm moving forward, trying to get things corrected as best I can. There's a lot of situations we can improve on, fundamental situations we can be better at to eliminate some of those bad plays. If we eliminate some of those plays, we win the games." The Packers defense ranks 24th in points allowed (24.5) and 23rd in yards allowed (346.2), including 13th against the pass (204.5) and 27th against the run (141.6). Last year, the Packers were tied for sixth in points (18.2), 11th in yards (313.3), 12th against the pass (210.4) and 13th against the run (102.9).

All these numbers are real, but the whole concept of the Bob Sanders style of defense is built around the ability to pressure the passer and not offer any easy throws. But they are 24th in the NFL in sacks, and this exposes the problems with playing only man to man.  The core problem is the lack of a pass rush, but this could be a benefit to the Packers next year.  Maybe now, after being destroyed, they will diversify their scheme and add some zone concepts and not be so predictable.  This problem hurt them in the playoff game against the Giants when they could not handle Plaxico Burress and had no other solutions.  This season makes it clear: The Pack must alter its scheme. 

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