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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 no one was surprised with the decision to fire Matt, but more with the timing of the decision. Michael Lombardi

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This September 24, 2008, 05:31 PM EST
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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. 

Comments

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chris
Sep 24, 2008
10:45 PM

Michael-
great stuff as always.
any word from the bosses on getting your own RSS feed?

CJ
Sep 24, 2008
10:49 PM

If the NFL has media policies which require Head Coaches to grant interview requests then Mr. Davis cannot rely on a Kiffin talk with Adam of NFL Network as one rising to any level of "insubordination". Even more puzzling is why Lane would back out of the same.

DeAngelo
Sep 25, 2008
02:05 AM

Off point but America's Game featured the Don Coryell San Diego Chargers. The Raiders are my squad, but I loved the Chargers. Don Coryell is my all-time coach.

Geaux Tigers
Sep 25, 2008
08:27 AM

If you want to watch a defensive tackle that is playing at a high level now...you need to take a peek at Jay Ratliff for the Cowboys...he and Zack Thomas have been the team's defensive MVP's.

KJ85
Sep 25, 2008
10:13 AM

MM:

FS spot is locked down with Rhodes, do you think Barrett could be a solid SS?

Mr.Murder
Sep 25, 2008
12:15 PM

The guy trying to cover the strong side in goal line turned the wrong way and fell off his feet trying to cover a fullback. No excuse for it. No.33 trying to cover a the Charger fullback.

His other safety for the same position got torched in a series to the same side of the field.
They moved the players around some.
Barret's pick came to the left side like an under FS(rotated up like a strong).


One of the Charger TD's Barret rotated out expecting someone from the middle to get back, Chambers got a TD. They play a lot of outside leverage on Gates(you must, they get TD on the end zone fade a lot, it's Rivers' favorite route).
Lowery(rookie corner) got singed by Rivers on a Jackson hookup later. They were trying to man up and appeared to be thinking 'stop the run' with the backup TE in. Gates may have been split out though their main concern was the run because Jets were looking backfield.
You need to blitz on their blocking TE because he is just taking up a number in the coverage otherwise.
They had Sproles burn Bryan in coverage also. The Jets have a lot of size hybrid LB/DE types out there for run leverage but the guys need a lot of help in space and the secondary needs help of its own.

Also, Mangini got outcoached the last two weeks.

They lost the prior game on special teams and some key penalties taking away their longest two third quarter gains. This week they practiced special teams up and did excel, but the management issues were wrong.

They had an early fourth down and early two point conversions. Took at least five points off the board that way(at that time it was making it a one score game).

Yes, the management stuff works out some, with Favre being Favre. He makes a mistake then gets them back in the game with perserverence. Other items still need to be tightened.

The Thomas Jones fumble was something Mike said to expect. Long whistle, should have been dead. It set up a TD. He had the ref crew scouted well.

The Jets usually use the FS as a strong off the back side(under coverage rotation). That was why Rhodes had such a stat spike(he was on my team in a defensive player league I was in last year).


What changed? Rhodes' confidence is gone. He is slumping his head sideways and taking on defeated posture, sometimes before plays are even over. Frustration is what it is, but when you let the opponent see that, he can get into your head.

These are coaching items.

Elway's Teeth
Sep 25, 2008
02:16 PM

Mike,

It seems to me that you would be the perfect candidate to run the Detroit Lions. Any interest on your part, or any interest from the Lions?

Michael Lombardi
Sep 25, 2008
03:21 PM
Michael Lombardi

thanks mr elway...but I doubt they even know what they want....

Nittany Titans
Sep 25, 2008
11:02 PM

Mike, thanks for recognizing Tony Brown ... He's from Chattanooga, TN, as am I, and its nice to have a hometown kid playing for the home state pro team ... and doing quite well too ... he has been a very nice find for us ... we got him off CAR's practice squad back in '06 if I recall correctly ... as always, love your columns ... oh yeah, I was thinking the same as Elway about you & DET ... you interviewed for the Titans GM position when Reece left, didn't you?

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