National Football Post Diner News

Good Riddance Mangina.... We knew it was YOU Fredo....

Lots of interesting matchups next week. I think I like all the road teams at first glance.

Wade Phillips has not proven himself to be a capable head coach. Really impressed with the Dolphins and Pennington. Sparano would be my pick for coach of the year. The Broncos defense is a travesty and Cutler is developing a habit of making ill-timed INTs.

I originally asked this question following the epic Eagles-Cowboys Monday night duel in week 2, but feel it is worth re-visiting in light of yesterday's game. In the first match-up, Jim Johnson was derided for not having blitzed Tony Romo much, if at all. Many openly questioned if he had forgotten how effective the Eagles' blitz schemes can be. An absurd premise, given Johnson's long history of success as a D-coordinator.

I proposed at the time that he and Andy Reid had looked down the schedule, and realized it all might come down to Week 17 at home against Dallas, and kept some tricks up their sleeve. I know in only a 16 game season you can never give away a game, I'm not suggesting that. Just that they may have played it more straight up than they usually would, and the result was Romo being totally unprepared for the onslaught yesterday.

I'd love to know if you think this was the case here, or if this is something that NFL teams ever do with division rivals.

Thanks so much, and keep up the fantastic work!

as a prelude to the superbowl, they ought to have a GAG Bowl with the Jets playing the Cowgirls

Hey, Mike: curious about your thoughts on Mangini's role in Spygate affecting his future job prospects -- is he leaguewide thought of as a rat? Blackballed?

The Raiders number three runner pounded the Bucs. When something works you stay with it. The team came together in a lot of ways, their special teams are one of the league's better units at point creation and setting up field position. The defense found its idenetity in the secondary with some changes of personnel. The offense finally found a range of plays and style that higlights what the players there do best.

Bush had eleven straight carries as a closer? That was some serious heavyweight body blows they threw out there. Tampa was down for the count before the Raiders even tried a winning FG. The TKO Bucs are in for some serious re-evaluation.


What can Oakland do on moving into the top 5 picks this draft.... it's all about Smith or Oher, from what I can see, those tackles from the SEC are worth their weight in gold right now.

What a GREAT game by the Eagles. Particularly Jim Johnson's defense. They confused the Cowboys who didn't know what to do on a lot of those blitzes. Great game from Dawkins who forced the 2 fumbles for TDs. He's 35 and doesn't have a contract, I was afraid yesterday might be his last game in an Eagles uniform but he didn't let that happen.

I don't see how Jerry Jones lets Wade Phillips keep his job. Playoffs on the line and they got EMBARRASSED. Jerry is painting himself into a corner by being stubborn and sticking by his word with Wade. The guy proved he cannot handle the job. I mean, he even has Romo overruling him on the 4th down when Romo waived off the punting team.

Get cha popcorn ready TO. You'll be home watching the Eagles in the playoffs. How fitting.

Eli left some points on the field, you still have to credit the Vikings in their effort. Eli's brother helped Clark surpass Mackey on the all time team records before watching most of the game from aside.

Vince Young was too eager in his throws, he was double pumping 3 step routes, he needs to relax and let the game plan come to him again, in reserve duty as a change of pace.

Tuna's team took the east. All the size and speed they added to the front of their offense and defense is paying out. Fasano scored them some points when it mattered most.

Marvel Smith went on IR, the next game Ben got hurt. There's players you keep to maintain some level of competitiveness. For all of his faults, he's better than anything they had after him, it seems like the Dallas Colombo re-signing was the same deal. Not a long term answer, but right now he's one of the best you have got.

The coming post season, who is the best out there? Probably the Chargers or Colts for how well they are playing at this time. The Eagles got in and played some good ball. That drive concept ate the Cowboy coverage issues up. With their LB lacking the fluid trait to move parallel and banjo out their coverage assignments over the traffic of other crossing routes, the Eagles made the red zone gold. Major credit to Reid and Marty M. on those play calls. Cole remains a prime pass rusher to make the Eagles system work, Johnson's tricks add to what their defensive end brings. This was the first time they effectively used the backup halfback in a role suited Westbrook, so the Cowboy coverage keys were different and the Eagles employed their fundamental scheme through it.

Brett Favre was Brett Favre, always plays like that, always will. When he DOESN'T throw 3 interceptions it's only because the defenders drop the gifts he gives. The Dolphins didn't drop those gifts, including a 300lb DT on a screen pass. A SCREEN PASS!!!!!

Of the 40 passes he threw I'd say he forced 30 of them into coverage. God-awful and typical. Go away already.

"He could not lead his team to victory against the Bengals."

Neither could McNabb. Doesn't mean a whole lot.

I cannot decide who I would vote for coach of the year....Belichick or Turner.
Both have done amazing jobs while losing great talent to injuries and finding ways to win. Probably Belichick, even though NEP are out of the playoffs, this might actually be his finest hour as a head coach.