I'm still in shock after watching a playoff classic in Indianapolis, one of the best playoff games of the decade. I thought this Colts team had a great chance to defend their title, but now they are wondering if Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison will return next season.
Peyton Manning can't take the blame for this one; the Colts offense was hardly stopped all day. A Kenton Keith drop led to an interception on the goal-line, and Marvin Harrison's fumbled killed another drive. That's two red zone trips for zero points. The Colts had another late in the game when they were stopped on downs inside the ten.
If I had to pick a goat for this game, it was the vaunted Indy pass defense. This was a different kind of Colts team all season because of the consistency of their defense. The Colts were the best scoring defense in the league and second overall in pass defense.
On Sunday, LaDainian Tomlinson was average for a half, then left the game. Antonio Gates was hobbling. This team had San Diego right where they wanted them, and they gave up 21 second half points to Philip Rivers and Billy Volek throwing all over Tony Dungy's Cover Two scheme.
Last year, a shaky Colts defense suddenly manned up in the playoffs and carried the team to a title. This time, a just-as-sudden defensive collapse could have ended an era.
January 12, 2008
As a football fan nearing the end of my twenties, I've spent most of my football fan life being tired of Brett Favre. Not the man or player per se, but the fawning coverage of him. It was hard to separate the player from the non-stop Favre love, especially when he was showing signs of decline.
Well, I'm eternally grateful he came back for this season. To see Favre at his best, developing his young receivers, block out the noise, and just enjoy watching the player has been a joy. The third-and-eight stumbling underhanded completion to Donald Lee will be repeated breathlessly on highlight shows all week. The phrase "playing like a kid in his backyard" will be used. But in that moment of the game, with the Seattle defense desperately needing something positive before halftime, Favre made the biggest play of the game. And it was a play only he could make.
Old Rotoworld favorite John Kuhn does a great job clearing the way for Ryan Grant as the Packers tie up the score 14-14, all in the first quarter. Grant runs like a man on fire, as Green Bay's zone schemes expose some holes in the Seattle rush defense.
The Packers catch a couple breaks in that drive, having Jordan Babineax just miss an interception, and then getting a first down by inches. Still, Brett Favre's throws on the drive were nearly perfect. What a great, quick answer by the Packers.
There is snow falling in Lambeau, as we all settle in for four straight games on the best NFL weekend. Liife couldn't be much better. Unless you are Ryan Grant.
The Packers go 13-3, tying their best record since 1962, all so they can get a favorable home game this week. And then Grant, the surprise of the year who solidified their running game, coughs up two balls in four carries, and suddenly they are down 14-0 with only five minutes off the board.
As I'm typing, Captain Favreleous marches the Packers down on a too-easy touchdown drive. The Packers keep their faith in Grant by giving him the ball. This is going to be fun.
January 11, 2008
Selvin Young was one of fantasy football's randomly big stories all year. He was an undrafted rookie with seemlingly limitless potential while he waited in vain for Travis Henry to get suspended. It never happened, but Young did finish among the top-five in the NFL in yards-per-rush, and led Denver runners in rushing and receiving. And now, oddly, his potential is diminishing.
Asked if Young could carry the load next year, Mike Shanahan was definitive:
No, definitely not. Any time a guy's been hurt as many times as he did, you know that there's no possible way he can carry the ball 20, 25 times a game. The body just won't hold up. He went down too many times this year. But you are looking at a guy that you know has big-play potential.
At best, Young is going to be a high-upside committee member or third-down back. It's a mystery who will start for Denver, because Travis Henry must take a huge pay cut or get released. I bet he gets cut, just like Javon Walker. Look for another drama-filled Denver offseason.
January 10, 2008
The All Pro team was announced Wednesday. As always, it's a more prestigious and telling accomplishment than a Pro Bowl nod. It's less of a popularity contest and more selective since it chooses from both conferences.
I can't break down line play like a scout, so I like reading other opinions. Hashmarks and FootballOutsiders, and Dr. Z all chime in with their picks.
Continue reading "All Pro thoughts" »
I've had this list kicking around for a few weeks, and it's about to reach it's expiration date, so without further adieu ... our Final Fantasy MVP rankings
15. Ronnie Brown - Put up the same per-game as Westbrook and Tomlinson, then you could use his spot for half a season. I was going to put Ryan Grant, but if we're voting on half seasons, I'll take Brown.
14. Peyton Manning - In a lame running back year, his strong finish gets extra love.
13. Jason Witten - Number one tight end value for a mid-to-late round pick.
12. Reggie Wayne - So that's what he can do without Harrison.
11. Earnest Graham - Top-five running back as a starter for a waiver pick.
10. Jamal Lewis - Some soft games in the middle, but a great finish. Didn't see that coming.
Continue reading "2007 Fantasy MVPs" »
January 09, 2008
One can question the way that Mike Martz was hired by the 49ers. It's a sign that Mike Nolan's powers really haven't decreased in San Francisco, and that there is a lot of turmoil within the organization.
That doesn't mean it was a bad hire. The 49ers will be interesting again, and Martz should squeeze out a lot more yards from one of the worst passing attacks in history. Here's my take on the Martz effect for the 49ers.
Continue reading "Will Mad Martz ruin Frank Gore?" »
It's been a tough week for Redskins fans, but I'm going to pile on. The sneaky moment the Wild Card loss changed was not necessarily Shaun Suisham's missed field. It was Chris Cooley's drop just three plays before. On the first play after the Redskins recovered a fumble, Todd Collins threw a slightly low pass to the sideline. Cooley went into a slide to catch it, it hit him in the breadbasket, but he didn't hold on. He was at the two-yard line, and the play looked routine enough that Tom Hammond calling the game initially called it a catch.
Cooley makes that grab and its first-and-goal at the two, up a point, with 12:30 to go. Time to move on, I know.
***
Started by player-player season review today. Is this overkill? I considered looking at the preseason top-200 and seeing where we all went wrong, but went for quantity over quality. May explore the other option later. Let me know what you think.
Back with some thoughts on Martz in a second.
January 08, 2008
When Joe Gibbs returned to the Redskins, the Washington area treated the occasion with all the pomp and circumstance of a Presidential inauguration. And while many fans still want four more years, Gibbs has decided to resign from his second term as Redskins coach and President. He leaves a mixed track record, especially by his lofty standards.
The Redskins made two playoff appearances in four years, certainly the best run of the Dan Snyder era. But they weren't serious contenders in either playoff season; They had flawed rosters whose effort helped make up for other deficiencies. In Gibbs' other two seasons, the team finished 5-11 and 6-10. Gibbs finishes 31-36 in his four season comeback.
Continue reading "Gibbs' second era ends" »
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