Who’s Legit?
Posted: December 28, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Looking at the playoff rolls I think the Super Bowl field is pretty short, though not as short as folks might think. Using my formula of scoring offenses and scoring defenses (over 90% of Super Bowl teams ranked in the top ten in scoring offense and defense) and only one champion, the ‘06 Colts, had a defense ranked lower than 12th in scoring defense, I’m paring the field.
AFC
The experts peg this as a two team race, but by my schema, nearly every AFC team has a shot, however modest. Consider:
The Top Tier
1. Patriots (1st offense, 2nd defense)
Their elderly defense looked shaky against the Eagles and Ravens, but has bounced back nicely. It’s hard to argue with top two offensive and defensive scoring records. However…
2. Colts (3rd offense, 4th defense)
How close are the Colts to 15-0? This close — Peyton Manning threw six picks against the Chargers, yet the Colts only lost 23-21 because Adam Vinatieri missed a 29 yard field goal in the last two minutes. They had the Pats right where they wanted them down 20-10 at home. Then their receiving corps fell apart.
Indy had a perfect game plan — spread the Pats secondary and them hammer Joseph Addai. He averaged nearly 7 yards a carry in the first half and could not be stopped rushing or receiving. But when Anthony Gonzalez went down early in the second half, the Pats defended the run, doubling Dallas Clark and stacking the line for Addai. (Marvin Harrison didn’t dress that day.) When Manning needed game-icing first downs in the 4th quarter he was throwing to guys like Aubrey Moorehead, who let him down.
Imagine Dallas trying to protect a 4th quarter lead with T.O. and Patrick Crayton on the bench and you get the idea. This year’s Colts are much better than last year’s champs and I would not be at all surprised if they repeated.
Second Tier, but Still a Threat
3. Jaguars — (5th offense, 6th defense)
Top ten in both categories and they’re on a roll, winning six of their last seven, including an impressive win in Pittsburgh where they outslugged the Steelers. They’ll likely play San Diego in the first round, a team they’ve beaten already. That would send them to Indy, however. The Colts swept them this year, though the second game was a 28-25 grinder.
4. Steelers — (8th offense, 3rd defense)
A fourth AFC team to achieve the double dip. But the Steelers have looked poor against top teams lately. The Pats didn’t look too troubled beating them and the Jags beat them up. Losing Willie Parker hurts them.
5. Chargers — (6th offense, 7th defense)
How about that? Five AFC teams in the top ten in offensive and scoring defense. The Chargers have rebounded nicely after a slow start but they were outmanned against the Pats and the Colts had them on the run in the second half. I don’t trust Philip Rivers this year.
NFC
The Top Tier
1. Dallas (2nd offense, 12th defense)
The defense has risen steadily in the scoring category and now stands just outside the top ten. Having healthy starting corners makes all the difference in the world. So would a healthy T.O. and Andre Gurode.
2. Green Bay (4th offense, 8th defense)
Still legit, despite their blowout in Chicago.
3. Seattle (11th offense, 5th defense)
Don’t discount these guys, who have been Dallas in reverse. Their injuries were on the offensive side of the ball and now they’re on a roll, winning six of seven. They’ll likely beat whichever of Washington or Minnesota comes to visit them, setting up a Mike Holmgren homecoming — Seattle at Green Bay in the divisional round. His last playoff trip ended when Matt Hasselbeck predicted they would win, then threw the game deciding pick in overtime.
Again, don’t overlook them. They’ve got a good defense and have beaten Dallas twice in recent years, though both were close games played in Seattle.
Dark Horse
4. Tampa Bay (18th offense, 1st defense)
Defense matters and Tampa’s is salty, though their offense looks very pedestrian. And they would have to win two games on the road, where they are 3-5 this year.
Others
- Giants (14th offense, 14th defense)
- Redskins (19th offense, 13th defense)
- Vikings (12th offense, 10th defense)
The Vikings look respectable, though they need help to get into the playoffs. They look like a strong bet for ‘08, if they can find a better quarterback.
Overall, the AFC looks rather tight, though I still think it’s between the Pats and Colts. Then again, who thought the Colts would win last year? With so much quality conference wide, it will only take one upset to make the dominoes fall, as New England’s upset of San Diego last year opened the field.
In the NFC, I give Dallas a tiny edge over Green Bay and Seattle, because they’re going to be at home. But it’s a razor thin edge.
Comments
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1st?
I think only Dallas and Green Bay are legit in the NFC.
In the AFC, I think New England, Indy, San Diego and the Jax are legit.
With a healthy T.O. and Terry Glenn we will win this freaking thing and celebrate right on Bellicheat’s stupid face. We’ll ruin their perfect season if Sand Diego or the Jags don’t do it first. F*&^ck em’.
Hopefully if healthy, TGlenn helps move that razors edge.
I actually think the Seahawks have the potential to go farther than Green Bay. Green Bay has the talent, just Favre will have a bad game eventually and do they have the studs to make up for it? Seattle never gets much respect, but have been very good for several years. Yes we should have beat them last year, but they are not that far removed…
IF, IF, IF everyone can get healthy over the next two weeks, I think we do beat anyone in the NFC and match up well vs anyone in the AFC. I don’t know that I would bet on us against some of the tops in the AFC however.
The numbers are a little disconcerting for me Dallas (2nd offense, 12th defense). The D has been respectable but it shows that the offense is the major reason for them being 13-2.
What concerns me is the O hasn’t been nearly as prolific over the last 2 games as they were earlier in the season. I guess the question is can our defense hold down the opposition if the Offense can’t produce more than 17-20 points.
WTF the seahawks are not that good, they win because they are in the worst division in football, secondly your talking about a team that lost to carolina two weeks ago. They are always overrated, screw them, they would be in last easily in the east, no question about it!
Seattle blows hot and cold. They can stink it out any week (Carolina), but they can also trade punches with the better teams. They have some good defenders, and a QB who is pretty seasoned in the playoffs. They could easily give Dallas (who lost to the Eagles two weeks ago) a tough game.
I don’t know if anyone posted this yet, so forgive me if its already been posted, but I find this pretty funny.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/extramustard/12/24/pop.culture1231/index.html
Jason Witten’s New Year’s Resolution - to win the Superbowl
and the funny part:
Celeb that should take it easy in 2008 - Jessica Simpson!
I’m actually quite encouraged by the play of the defense. I think they’ve come on strong recently.
the fact they are listed 12th in scoring must be compared to the bills game, where the boys gave up 21 points to Pick-6s/KO returns.
also, the boys are currently the only NFC playoff team who has played the high-scoring pats (giants will play them saturday, and skins aren’t in yet).
Isn’t Jacksonville the 5th seed in the AFC. If so they would play Pittsburg in the first round and go on to play New England in the Divisional round assuming SD can beat the Clevland / Tenneesee.
Are the Divisional matchups based on playoff seeding (Divsions champs ranked 1-4) or are they based on the teams records?
Trey,
it is seeding.
the 6th will play the 3rd on WC weekend and the 4th will play the 5th.
the lowest seed left standing goes to #1 and the highest seed left standing goes to #2.
in nfl terms, 3-4 weeks of rest is eternity.
all starters that are hurting should be brand new by the time new york giants visit texas.
prediction-
new york giants over tampa bay
dallas over new york giants
dallas over minnesota
dallas over indiannapolis
@Trey: divisional matchups are based on playoff seeding, so it’s more likely that a Jacksonville win would put them against the Patriots as in the scenario you mentioned above.
Not to take anything away from New England since they’ve obviously had an unreal season, but I would say the Colts have probably played the toughest schedule in the league (vs. playing both the Jets and Miami twice) and as Raf pointed out, they were awfully close to being undefeated and that’s playing most of the season without Marvin Harrison and 5 games without their starting LT. Assuming both New England and Indianapolis can each win a game vs. a tough team, it should be a great AFC Championship game to find out who will lose to Dallas.
I have question. How does the NFL determine when the divisional games are? I am being roped into something Saturday, Jan 12…this better not conflict with the palyoff game.
Joon Oh,
Please pass the bong. You are bogarting.
Dallas beats Wash, Minn. beats Denver and then Seattle then Green Bay, and Indy beats NE…that about right?
That’s 4 of 5 road underdogs winning.
Vegas (or your bookie) must love you.
I would like Indy to beat NE, but I think Dwight Freeney could prove to be a big loss in that game. It should be pretty good again, though.
Yeah, if San Diego and Pitt both win, Jacksonville goes to Pittsburgh then most-likely New England. Ahh -what a game that will be!! The Jags are exactly the type of team that could end the Pats dream of perfection.
You know, something’s eating at me (and no, it’s not a fungus).
Every single national analyst, ok, MEDIOT, is downplaying Terry Glenn’s return.
We’re talking about an all-Pro.
We’re talking the fastest player in the NFL.
Coming back for the playoffs.
Nothing!
Here is something that eats at me. Who would you rather have coaching the Cowboys next year, Garrett without Phillips, or Phillips without Garrett?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/notebook?page=sundaycountdown07
I saw it on ESPN this morning Fighter. Gave it about 10 seconds. No one wants to admit that we’ve got a shot without TO. Which is surprising considering how much they trash him. This is huge!! You can see how much the Colts have missed Harrison all year and that’s considered a bonus that he’s coming back. But we haven’t had Glenn all year and it’s considered that he won’t make much of an impact?? That’s fine with me. They won’t even see him coming…
Phillips without Garrett.
During our preseason rants, I said our WR corps was the best in the NFL.
I stand by that.
Would you rather have:
Moss, Welker, Stallworth?
T.O., Glenn, Crayton?
Harrison, Wayne, Gonzalez?
AZ and a few others have a crew, but no QB. Of those three groups, who own the #1, #2, and #3 offenses. I’ll even give you the Pack, though I can’t name their 3 WRs.
Just think, we’ve been out our second (some will say 1st) best weapon all year.
Jiminy, I’m excited.
I have not read or heard anything like this, so I’m posting my crazy analysis:
Questions:
1) Why do teams choose to rest players in meaningless games?
2) Do the Giants care what the final score is?
3) Why play a conventional game at all?
Answers:
1) The fundamental reason is to improve their chances in future(and presumed more important) games.
2) Given that this game is meaningless, no they don’t care.
3) I can’t figure out why they show at all. People talk about what would happen if a coach kept a 1st string player in a meaninless game too long and he got injured. Plane crash anyone?
OK, given that the reason is to improve their future chances; that they don’t give a flip about the actual outcome of *this* game; that the NFL requires them to suit up and show; why not do something unorthodox?
Why not kneel on every down? I think that we all agree that the fans would be sorely PO’d if that happened, but what is there to stop them? What is the argument against this tactic? Yes, yes, you can get some “practice snaps” in for your 2nd stringers but the argument against the risk of injury is just the same as for the starters. Do you really want to enter the playoffs with *any* of your players injured in a meaningless game the week before?
How about rush 11 every time Brady lines up for the NE offense? So what if he completes passes for TDs on the first three tries, if you knock him out on the 4th try, you have improved your chances in future games. You do expect to make it to the SB don’t you? Would you risk something like a $500K fine for a better shot at a ring?
Worse than the time out called to “freeze” the kicker tactic, the NFL had better watch out because if someone with balls sat down and thought about it, these meaningless games could quickly get out of hand and become either a total waste or truly scary.
…. and everyone thought that getting Gary Sheffield and Hedeki Matstui would make the Yankees “unstoppable” last year. We haven’t seen anything out of Glenn yet, so I’d wait to see .. cautiously. He could add, but if he is rushing back too soon, he could actually hurt the team. So lets wait and see before we go making guesses that the Boys get a Terry Glenn at 100%.
I’ll preface my next comment by saying that I cannot stand hearing so much about the patriots and I pray that they end their playoff run with a loss……
But really is 16-0 that much better than 14-2 or 13-3? I mean really……
Raf,
Who is legit?
OK I’ll take my own stab at this. I throw stats out the window, and trust what I see.
Observation #1 - The best 20 minutes of football I have seen all season? That honor goes to none other than our Dallas Cowboys. (Green Bay game)From mid-way into the 1st quarter into the 2nd quarter Dallas’s offense went right down the field on Green Bay with ease. On D, Ware, Ellis, Canty, Hatcher put constant pressure on Favre, causing him to make mistakes. … They haven’t had a full game effort to stamp them as “this is what we are” .. that scares me, but if they can put it together for 3 games, there ain’t no team beating them.
Observation #2 - Colts have been consistant all season long, and if not for a rash of injuries (who knows you may be right) they might be the team going for perfection this weekend. I think the player they miss most though isn’t nursing an injury. He is on another team, and that is Dominick Rhodes. He was a perfect compliment to Addai. Indy can still run, but can they finish? Remember the AFC Championship Game? The Colts pounded the ball down the stretch. It will be interesting if they can do that without Rhodes.
Observation #3 - I compare this to two locomatives on path to meet one another. New England has seemed to slow enough that Jacksonville now looks like the unstoppable freight train. The Jags are physical - the Pats are starting to look their age. If the game is close in the 4th quarter, my money is on Jacksonville.
So who is in and who will win? I think it will be Jacksonville and Dallas. God knows I’d love to see the Boys and the Patriots (at 18-0), but I think the Jags get to them before Dallas can. … I still haven’t decided who wins.
Eric R.,
Matsui has been on the team since 2003 and Sheff wasn’t. He was traded to the Tigers before last year. The mistakes the Yankees have made over the last few years had nothing to do with those guys as their play was exemplary. If you had said, “And everyone thought the Yankees getting Roger Clemens last year would make them “unstoppable.” then I could agree with that.
The thing isn’t that anyone hear has said Glenn is 100%, but how can you NOT be excited by one of the best WR’s in football getting back on the football field for your team?? If he’s healthy enough to play football, and according to just what we’ve heard from the mediots he is, then this is going to be a big lift to an offense that has been just a little off the last few weeks.
Okay, let’s talk college bowl games….
Gimme some WR, DB, RB’s to watch these next few days that might be wearing a Cowboys helmet next year.
Okay mlittle, how ’bout the Penn St. game?? Earlier in the year Scout was real high on the corner Justin King from Penn St.
Then there’s the USC/Illinois game. Basically just look at every USC player. LOL. But there’s a RB named Mendenhall??(sp) running for Illinois that I’m interested in seeing. Of course, that’s on the 2nd of January I think.
On the 31st Cal plays and they’ve got a WR named DeSean Jackson who has been described as a better version of Ted Ginn. Probably a better WR but with the return skills. He’s kind of slight though so I’d like to see how he looks.
Oregon plays on the 31st too and I’d like to see that Jonathan Stewart run the ball. I’m looking at the Cowboys maybe getting a RB late in the 1st round. I also heard that McFadden might be in trouble for an agent buying him a car. I don’t know if that will hold him out of the Cotton Bowl against Mizzou or not, but I want to see Felix Jones play. If McFadden isn’t playing, and I’M NOT SAYING THAT FOR SURE, then Jones will get the reps. Also, I’d like to see William Franklin, the WR from Mizzou. He’s kind of a sleeper at WR right now. 6 foot tall with 4.3 speed. That’s all I can think of now!!!
I’m not counting out the Giants tomorrow night against NE. Both teams want to rest players, and when they do, the game could hinge on which team can take advantage of presented weaknesses.
If the Giants can keep it close until the fourth quarter, NE may contniue to play their starters. This game could ruin both teams for the playoffs, if it all goes right.
On the other hand, the G-men might just laydown, and let the Patriots have their undefeated season. This tactic goes against my perception of Coughlin’s image. Myself, I would like to see a big smile on Tom’s face at game end.
I think if we see empty seats at KO, it means the fans expect a laydown. I hope that those that stayed home, are really pissed that they missed a big Giants win.
Light up that big cigar Nick and don’t flinch. Duane Thomas isn’t hitting the hole and running over you. You owe your undefeated season to Duane not being with the Cowboys, and you know it. Ahh, but that’s an ‘IF’, and I don’t like to talk IFs.
:bash_skins:
Eric,
I think you should find the article that quotes Mr. Garret. You know the one that was a Cowboys scout for 20 odd years.
He does not seem to think Jason would leave Dallas for just any coaching job. Jerry can match pay for Jason to remain as O Coordinator and Asst Head Coach. Wade only got a 3 year contract. This head coaching business is a young mans game……..Jerry has a plan.
on another point……….everyone ourselves included and the mediots seem to be predicting Bill Parcells will be actively pursuing Cowboys in FA and coaches.
He also could go after Pats, Browns, Saints, to name but a few. I don’t think Bill is only going to go after the guys he drafted……besides everybody is saying it is a breath of fresh air to play for Wade and Dallas is in shape to be competitive for a long time. I don’t see Miami righting the ship anytime soon………See Dallas search for a franchise QB and Miami missing Marino. Until they find a QB they are adrift.
I like a team to beat the Pats.
That is our very own Dallas Cowboys…….if and that is a big if they meet again. I ain’t sure that will even happen. I think Indy can stay with em and maybe Addai can beat em….i think the Jags if they get past indy their achilles heel……could beat the pats as well.
I don’t see the AFC as head and shoulders above GB or Dallas. GB has a very young and aggressive D and some pretty good CBs and can put pressure on the QB. Oh so does Dallas and they also have two good CBs…..one of whom did not play in our last meeting. Oh we added a TANK and a Terry.
Hey Bill…….with this offensive line…….I hope we use the same calls Marty and the entire NFL knew during the glory days of the 90s and run it right at ya…..and you know it…..and you still cannot see it.
Bellicheat……meet our own Minnesota Back….Marion the Barbarian!!!!
Fighter…….our 3 WRs are great…….but they go like this
Owens, Witten and Crayton……at least so far this year……..and I would not trade em for anybody elses three…….an 80% Glenn still draws coverage away from Owens and Witten. Witten is our #2 and probably will be for a while.
Still it ain’t the passing game that can kill the Pats it is running the football and keeping Moss and Brady on the sidelines.
kameleon,
Those players were injured in 2006 and everyone kept saying how much better the Yanks would be when they return. When they did … they didn’t help! In relation, Glenn can help if he is 100%, but I’ll take my chances with or wothout him.
Rafael,
I’ve said it before, but if you’re going to use points (which I believe is the best measure), you must include only points allowed when you’re on the field.
That means subtracting INT & Fumble recoveries. That puts us well within the top 10, which is the legitimate ranking of this defensive squad.
If you want take those points away from the offense, so be it. That puts us 3rd, though I haven’t checked on Indy’s total SNAFUs.
Jon,
I agree to certain extent. Mr. Jones is no dummy!! But is he overplaying his hand with Garrett? I have always said that once Jason believes he is ready, the job is his.
The Parcells thing - again goes back to Jerry. If he handles his business, Parcells will only get a few swipes at our roster. So far, so good. The way JJ has talked about Flo though, its been pretty obvious to me he won’t be back. I believe the Tuna will go after Flo to stabilize his O-line. Adams will help the developement of Brown and give Parcells a better shot at evaluating Beck and Ginn. Bill is emphatic about giving his young players a fighting chance. He knows it starts up front. Sporano is probably another guy high on Parcells list. Maybe HC there. …. Free looked really good during preseason at LT. He and McQuistan lead the charge, but Bigg is a possibility if that all fails. .. Who do you think Parcells takes with the 1st pick?
Eric R.,
The problem is that using Sheff as an example is wrong because he wasn’t on the team last year. It wouldn’t matter if he was injured because he was on another team. And even if he was, how did those two players keep the Yanks from doing anything?? Hitting from the Yanks big bats get them to the playoffs every year. Pitching gets them sent home.
As for Glenn, you keep saying 100%. That’s bull IMO. How many guys on the team right now are 100%?? Romo?? TO?? Hell, even Witten was nicked up a little. Newman and Henry can tell you about being less than 100%. The fact of the matter is that if Glenn can make his cuts without blowing out a knee, and if his great hands still work, he’s going to help this team. Will it be enough?? Only time will tell.
Eric,
Well Jerry has the money to pay Jason to stay. Another thing, there have been a TON of Coordinators that looked great but made lousy HC. Turner, Martz, Wies, Groh……..Garret sure looks and acts like HC material. But I think the offer from Jerry was……I got 6 first round picks and No Clear cut Def Coordinator to complete the 3-4 conversion. Let me get Wade as the HC…….and the guy is what 60 someting……..and Sign Garret as the Vice President and assured the Presidency.
If Coughlin stays….I think Garret is named head coach in January of 09 of the Dallas Cowboys. Wade would be finishing his 2nd and Jerry would have to extend him at that point or possibly move him into a GM position and give the keys to the Ferrari to Garret. If Coughlin goes then Garret will look at NYG…..and Eli and company and decide if he wants to work for another very classy organization near his NJ roots or stay in Texas.
I agree BP goes after Sprano before Garret he doesn’t even know Garret…..He may well look at Zimmer, and Payton’s Staff as well as Romeo and Lil Bill’s. Mo Carthon is an obvious candidate as well. Gary Gibbs and others……Bill may look at Dom Capers and Cam Cameron and decide he has coaches in place…….
I think he might offer Scott Pioli and Josh a job as VP of Football and GM and Josh as the HC. It would make his job much much easier and secure his daughters future earnings as well.
The real question is can Stewart run the D without Wade? I ain’t so sure yet……..but maybe another year. Can Pasquolini?
So far I like Wade, and he is the Head Coach not Garret and not Parcells. Wade deserves a lot more cred than he has gotten. Jerry also deserves credit, a lot of credit for TO, Tank, and Leonard Davis especially.
Don’t be surprised if Dat gets interest from BP as well.
BP once said if he had to start a team tomorrow he would go with Jason Witten and Dat Nguyen…..one football playing DUDE…….he called Dat. He might see a Def Coordinator in Dat.
The Dolphins gave away Welker and then Chambers and have no QB and lost a few RBs and then wonder why their offense sucks. One of their bright spots on D suffered a Concussion and has not been on the field since.
BP will be cleaning house and looking for Draft picks and a few FAs…….as well as a coordinators and coaches.
I doubt he goes to bat with somebody elses choice as HC……heck maybe Cam just resigns to get away from him.
Flo has been very good…..but at some point McQ or others need to step up…….FLO will get big money……..it would be nice to have him around for another year…..but if LA is any indication I think FLO goes.
We are very young on Defense and getting better……with Bigg as our ace in the hole……why not see if McQ can start……add another Lineman in the 1st or 2nd or 3rd round……
get a CB to replace Reeves who will get overpaid for his play this year. Add a WR in the 3rd or later. Get the best available RB in 2nd or later to replace julius.
Raf,
I think your Top 10 model holds up - and the Colts D exception last year is easily explained. They were missing Sanders and when he returned their D improved substantially.
Colts just gave him the record deal for a safety. But I think he is a safety that is earning his money…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3171368
I cannot believe how many people seem to have this fantasy that Bigg can be anything but average at LT. He had 3 years at Arizona and he was never better then around 15 or so. We have a top 5 LT now. Now of course bigg would be a lot better then Tucker but nowhere near what Flo is. I think in run blocking he would be better in some respectsbut its pass blocking that is the key= and Bigg is just nowhere near as good as the Hotel is.
We should also consider the good possibility that Ireland will leave us after the draft. That loss will hurt. But with 2 first round picks this year, I hope he leaves us with a spectacular draft.
kameleon,
The 2006 Yakees!!! Shef and Matsui were hurt and set to return late in the season. ESPN and all the media were reporting about how much better the Yanks will be once they get them back. They returned, and their timing was off at the plate, the Yanks defense sufferred, and the momentum the Yanks had with their younger players was gone. .. Got it? With Terry, if he is rushing back, or his timing isn’t there with Romo, I’ll take my chances with what has already been established this year.
burmafrd,
Who is saying Davis will be a good LT? .. Jerry does not sound like he will resign Flo. Adams is going to be 33 years old, and he tore his ACL just a few years ago. JJ is going with a youth movement at LT, or it sure sounds like it! Bigg is a “Plan B” option.
Jon,
Who do you think Parcells takes with the 1st pick?
I agree that Dat Nguyen has a good head for football and is probably good coach material. I recall one game when he was playing LB for Dallas and the on-field microphone picked up him yelling “shovel pass!” just after the opponent offense had lined up and set a formation. Sure enough, they threw a shovel and the RB was tackled at the line of scrimmage. No doubt he studied the film and picked up a clue.
BP won’t forget that.
burmafrd,
The fantasy that people seem to have is that you can have a top 2 offense without a topflight pass protecting L-OT. Unless someone on our bench happens to be better then 55 of the 60 starting tackles in the league then this offense will take a step back when Jones makes the fiscally responsible move of letting flo walk.
Replace Flo with a average L-OT and this offense will not have the same potential. That position is so key to protection because if you have to help on the QB’s blind side defenses can dictate your options with your wide reciever / Tight End packages unless you are willing to trade hits on your QB for first down.
As I have argued in earlier threads, not every decision needs to favor fiscal responsibility over good near term football in order to manage the team well. As long as 90% of the decisions are fiscally sound you can afford to make a move or two just because it makes good football sense. Keeping Flo next year is one of those decisions.
EricR:
That’s a really good question…
Can I see him drafting Jake Long? Maybe to play him at RT, I think that Vernon Carey’s starting to play up to the hype that he received in 2004.
Can I see him drafting the other Long? Yeah, I can see Parcells trying to change the Defense to a more fulltime 3-4. Chris Long would be a great addition as 3 man end.
Can I see him drafting one of the QBs? That, I don’t think so, I can see him going after Chris Simms or after Chad Pennington before going after a rookie prospect.
Can I see him drafting Dorsey? Great DT, great 4 man front DT, he’s no 3 man DLineman as he’s waaaay undersized for a DE. I think that he’s going to be the pick if Parcells thinks that a 4 man front is the way to go.
BTW, I also believe that Flo’s going to be signed to a contract extension and just because of the thought of losing both starting Tackles.
Colombo, because he’s 3 years younger, is going to get as much money if not more from another team, and IMO Adams is much more valuable.
People probably believes in how practicing in front of Ware’s going to improve Davis lateral movement, just in the way in which it improved Flo’s movement. I just have to look back to see that Davis used to practice with Bertrand Berry who in his own right’s a pretty decent pass rusher, or at least used to be.
Chandus,
Can you see him trading down? b/c I sure can. If he doesn’t get a partner, I think Jake Long has the best value at #1. I have to believe that Parcells will target one of the two “tweener” edge rushers Long and Jackson, if he trades down. If he can at all put himself in position to grab Laranitis (if he declares) and one of those two, I think he’ll take it. Remember Miami holds the top spot and the 32nd pick too. .. It will be interesting to see if anyone wants to jump up a few spots to draft Matt Ryan. Atlanta sure needs a QB, don’t they?
Eric R.,
Sorry, but your first post said last year. I thought you meant last season. Still doesn’t hold water though. I’m a Yankee fan, and the Yanks went out and got Abreu to replace Sheff. They still made it to the playoffs and once again, their pitching is what let them down. Not hitting. Matsui hit .412 in 21 games he played at the end of the regular season. Sheff only hit .250 in 9 games but since he was just DH’ing and Abreu hit .297 in September and October I’ll call that “not bad”. Pitching is what let the Yanks down. Not Sheff and Matsui. Got it??
The problem is that you still think Terry has to be 100% to play football and I keep saying that there isn’t very many people on the whole team that’s 100%. How can you say Terry’s rushing back when he’s missed 15 games of the season?? That’s what you call “rushing back”?? That’s also why you just might see Romo play more than we all thought. To make sure his timing is down with Terry. As long as Terry’s wheels hold together he’s going to help this team and no baseball analogy to the Yanks is going to change that.
Are you guys going to watch the trophy presentation after the Pats/Giants game?
Squid,
Is that the way it works?? They’ll just hand over the Lombardi after the game?? I mean, why even play the rest of the season?? Especially the post-season?? Isn’t all that just a waste of time when BSPN and the New England Patriot’s Channel aka NFL Net has proclaimed them the greatest team of all time??
What will the mediots say after the Giants win tonight?
CowboyMan,
Don’t ya know already?? They’ll then take the focus off the Patriots losing and say that the Giants are now the team to beat in the NFC playoffs. They’ll anoint them as the team to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl even quicker than they anointed them the best team in the NFC right before our 2nd game with them. They’re just waiting for the chance to build up another team in the NFC. It’s killing them that we’re the best.
Eli vs. Belicheck D = Loss. No way the Giants win tonight. They will probably pull the starters early just to save face.
kameleon,
If you are a Yankee fan, then I am quite sure you were saying “Wow the Yankees are playing this good, just think when Sheff and Matsui come back.” .. Trust me I live in New York and heard it. There is a thing called chemistry and momentum. The Yankees were better served riding the wave that got them back into the playoffs (ie young players stepping up), then hoping Matsui and Sheffield would return to “All-Star form” from the moment they were back. It takes time for athletes to regain their flow. Just like if you or I took 2 months off of work, when we return we will hesitate on some things … its natural. In football one or two plays can be deciding factors of winning and loosing. If Glenn runs the wrong route and Romo gets picked or sacked and looses the ball, is that better than what Crayton would have done? ….. The question is ‘Will Terry get enough reps to regain his mental and physical sharpness?’ To that - I do not know the answer. But if he is not sharp and in tune with the offense and Romo there is no need to rush him back. I’d guess Dallas will push him a bit in this last game to see were he is at mentally.
To me, I think the Giants are going to approach this game like we will with the Deadskins. If the game gets out of hand the other way to quickly, then look for them to start pulling starters. Just like us. If the game is close and it looks like the Giants are playing well then it’ll be real hard to start sitting guys.
When Glenn is clicking on all cylinders (which I am guessing will take more than one game), then he will get an expanded roll in the offense. Until then go with what got you there!
I agree with what you just posted about Glenn. The thing is that I’ve never advocated sitting Crayton at all. Until Glenn proves that he can wrest that job from him, it’s his. I just think that even a 85% or 90% Glenn playing at 3rd WR is better than what Hurd or Austin are doing right now.
My only thought about this week is
“Get Witten off the field!”
I posted earlier this week that he’s our most important guy right now. There is no guarentee that Owens will be back for the first game, and Glenn is going to be very iffy, and now word is TG might not even play because of a wet field.
Jason Witten is our best player right now (along with Ware) and 2nd most imp. guy besides Romo! I’m tired of hearing about trying to get him 100 catches, or a record. Washington plays tough D and smacks people, and we need to let Tony Curtis and Fasano play.
Maybe give Witten one quarter.
I will be so pissed if he gets hurt.
Othello: The Giants should run Jacobs at them over and over again. Too bad Bradshaw may be out. If the Giants can run the ball effectively then Eli can get this done. No running game means no chance. I think the Giants will win, 27-17.
larry,
You can’t sit everybody. There is only so much manouverability the roster rules allow. Unless you plan on playing players on both sides of the ball, starters are going to have to play big portions of the game. Now I am not big on setting records and all, but whoever is in there I sure hope they play hard .. b/c that is how you get injured - taking off plays.
Larry, Witten is a team player and will not make an issue of not getting 100 catches. I’d like to see Curtis on a couple of go routs. I think he can get deep and make the catch.
I’m not counting us out in this game. Our backups will do fine. Brad Johnson is a quality, experienced player, and will win this game.
Wade, when talking of Carpenter, said that maybe they judged him too harshly in pre-season. We’ll see tomorrow. I hope Bobby makes a case for more playing time.
Cowboys 31, Redskins 20.
Eric R,
Parcells first pick……I was kinda wondering that myself.
Dorsey or Long….probably a defensive guy….a CB? is there even one worthy of a 1st…..not sure he would not trade down if given the opportunity.
Dorsey as a 3-4 DE……Long as DE/OLB? I heard him say on ESPN first pick is a blessing and a curse and he is right….
Dorsey was a beast before some injuries this year……will the Spears effect deter him from LSU?
Miami has a lot of wholes…….
it will not be a RB
It will not be a WR……
I would be very surprised if he drafted a QB in round 1. Heck he might be calling Drew Bledsoe up again.