WEEK FOUR IN THE NFL
1. The firing of Matt Millen does come as a surprise to me, more so with the timing. I was around NFL Films today watching tape and while no one was surprised with the decision to fire Matt, they were curious about the timing of the decision. The Lions had 14 guys in today for a workout, do you think Millen thought he was getting fired today? I am not sure where this goes from here, but the Lions need a program—BADLY. Early word is that they want to keep Rod Marinelli in place. I suspect Tom Lewand the current CFO will take over.
2. On Plaxico Burress' suspension, Giants' coach Tom Coughlin had this to say on Wednesday: “We want to make sure that the message is loud and clear. We have had success here because of the team concept. And the team concept means basically that everyone is accountable and responsible and that we don’t let the other guys down. And that is what we are trying to do.” I think what Jon Fox did with Steve Smith has made all the coaches in the NFL think team first. I'm not surprised that Burress filed a grievance later in the day. In all probability he will win his money back, but not his playing time.
3. The Chargers have to get Jamal Williams back to his old form. Their run defense has really suffered and they are not as dominating as they have been in the past. They are currently allowing five yards per carry this year. Chris Chambers has six catches for the year, four of them touchdowns.
4. The Falcons are one of the best first down run teams in the NFL. If they start getting into long down situations, this will be trouble for the young QB. The Falcons are the worst team in the NFL at converting third and medium.
5. Many of the Eagles' top offensive players did not practice today. It seems that every time you play a Pittsburgh Steelers team, it is hard to get ready for the next game.
6. In light of the recent public relations move by the Raiders this past weekend, head coach Lane Kiffin agreed to do an interview with the NFL Network. But when Adam Schefter showed up in Buffalo to tape the interview he was told that it had been cancelled. Al Davis apparently sent word to Kiffin that if he did the interview, the act would be deemed as insubordinate and therefore provide grounds for termination without pay.
7. Many teams have been working out Jason Babin, the former first-round pick of the Houston Texans, looking for pass rush help. It's hard to feel like he will be an answer for anyone. His lack of burst and second move always has bothered me about his game.
8. Denver defensive linemen Jarvis Moss and Dwayne Robertson need to do something. I just watched them both on tape and it was painful. Moss looks like a blown pick right now.
9. I cannot think of a defensive tackle playing better than Tony Brown of the Tennessee Titans. He is really a force inside and is one of the many reasons they are so good up front.
10. The Jets brought in cornerback Hank Poteat for another visit. They must be worried about someone in their secondary. Their game against the Cards this week will certainly be a challenge for their secondary.
Michael, I think you teach me more about the NFL than any other writer, but you have to know that Tom Coughlin did not need John Fox to set a barometer for player discipline.Last season's mantra was "all about the team" after the previous year's bickerings about the head coach's perceived bullying and the offensive coordinator's lackluster play calling. T.C. is not sweating this one at all. Especially since Dominick Hixon has been lighting things up when he's had a chance to show his skills.
Fred Robbins of the Giants is playing so well, that Justin TUck calls him the best player on that side of the ball for the Giants.
Very nice, Sonny. I don't cheer for the Raiders either, but they do have the best uniforms in football.
The NFL is a better league when the Raiders are good.
Mike,
The word around Bear fans is Tommie Harris's play this year is far below where he was last year when healthy or the first 10 games or so of 2006. Are they right? Any idea what's going on?
Maybe a wealthy new contract is your answer, NewsToTom
The Jets need a safety, and Poteat may be the tweener for them, or allow someone from the corner spot to move that way.
Dont watch as much tape as you Mike, but dont forget to mention Jay Ratliff for the Cowboys, he has been dominate.
You may be right Mr. Murder, they gave CB David Barrett a fair amount of time during the pre-season playing safety. Barrett is a solid tackler, so maybe he could handle it- Eric Smith is not the answer for us.
It was the strong safety, Barret had on mix up on a big throw but it looked like he was expecting someone else to rotate deep middle so he could keep outside leverage.
The Jets had two different guys at the other safety entirely whiff on plays. One got shaken out of his shoes by the fullback on a flat route at the goal line. He was supposed to tackle the guy off the run fake so the gap and player covered, he did neither, fell out of his shoes and off his feet. It was one of the worst plays I've ever seen, not NFL material.
That guy's backup was later burned. That's two liabilities to address.
Barret performed admirably, if the other spot gets nailed down they can work with him. He's competitive enough to take on the challenge.
Disclaimer- I'm a fan of Barret as a player, always have been a fan of him. Lost to his hometown team in a Jr.League game this past week. Our kids got a steady diet of wishbone runs.
Oh, Gholston and Harris cannot cover either, so your safety better have game. The only way to stay soild underneath is go zero cover and cheat a safety under.
Teams go six cover(quarter,quarter,half) sometimes, but the best NFL defensive teams have to go a zero look to one side.
They even bring both safeties down enough to hide which side gets the run support and which side goes safety help. it looks like zero cover presnap so the WCO reads get clouded for that reason.
Mangini is big with that, he copies it off his old coach from New England.
Maybe they call that look "hoodie" since it covers just enough on half the field. Sleeves or no sleeves, there's so coverage, some challenge to it as well. You have bravado to go zero coverage, even to try bluffing it.
Mr. Lombardi, can you PLEASE include the positions of the players you write about? Every time you mention a player. You have improved in this area a great deal- but exactly what position does Jamal Williams play for the Chargers?
This may seem like nitpicking- but this would, to me, improve your columns a great deal.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this detail.
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Sep 24, 2008
06:10 PM
Wow, it's incredible was lengths Al Davis will go to in an attempt to scare Lane Kiffin out of town. This almost like Hillary Clinton; don't care for her and I don't care about the Raiders. However, I have to point as examples of not giving in until the end.