Linebackers
Where to start? James Harrison was a deserving Defensive MVP choice, but fellow outside linebacker Lamarr Woodley is now nearly as good a pass rusher. 12-year veteran James Farrior locks down the middle. Pittsburgh allowed the fewest yards-per-rush in football (3.3).
Like Pittsburgh, Arizona’s defense is built on creating pressure from the linebacker level. Karlos Dansby is a consistent playmaker that can also defend the pass. Chike Okeafor and Bert Berry can play standing up or with their hand down, although their very best days are behind them. Travis LaBoy is injury-prone and left the NFC Championship. This group has helped shut down Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, and Brian Westbrook in the playoffs.
Our pick: Steelers
Continue reading "SB Matchups by position: Back seven" »
Offensive Line
Tackles Mike Gandy and Levi Brown protected Kurt Warner well all year, but the entire unit has improved their run blocking in the playoffs. Brown is a mauler that pushed Carolina and Philly around on the right side. This group communicated well in the first half to pick up Philly's blitzes. Ken Whisenhunt finally has the rugged unit he envisioned when he arrived in the desert.
Earlier this season, Pittsburgh’s offensive line looked like their fatal flaw. They improved week-by-week, and are no longer a liability. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu and C Justin Hartwig are run-blocking better. Left tackle Max Starks is still vulnerable to speed rushers, so keep an eye on him.
Our pick: Cardinals
Continue reading "SB teams by position: The linemen" »
The Super Bowl matchups continue ...
Wide receiver
Hines Ward hurt his knee in the Conference Championship. With terrific, hands, toughness, and smarts, he is Ben Roethlisberger’s target when a play is absolutely needed. Ward’s status for the Super Bowl will be key because he draws double teams and the Steelers would prefer to keep rookie Limas Sweed on the bench. Santonio Holmes lacked maturity in his third season, but he’s a great playmaker who is peaking at the right time. Nate Washington is another deep threat with inconsistent hands.
Larry Fitzgerald is dominating like no receiver in NFL playoff history, already setting a record with 419 yards. He is the best in football at catching jump balls, but his improved route-running and ability to go over the middle make him complete. I'd put him and Andre Johnson as receivers 1 and 1A in the entire NFL. Anquan Boldin is usually exceptional after the catch, but is battling a hamstring injury. The Cardinals will need to get his mind right after a frustrating NFC Championship. Underrated second-year pro Steve Breaston topped 1,000 yards out of the slot. When fully healthy, this is the best wide receiver group in the league.
Our pick: Cardinals
Continue reading "SB teams by position: The pass catchers" »
We may not have the best Super Bowl analysis, but we are determined to have some of the first! In lieu of a Skinny Posts morning, I'm working on some quick personnel writeups for NBCSports.com to see "Who has the edge" at various positions. I'll be posting these throughout the day, but here goes the quarterback and running back spots.
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Kurt Warner has thrown eight touchdowns and two interceptions during a dominant playoff run. Warner has struggled with turnovers in the past when under duress, but he has been well protected this season. His quick release and intelligence are blitz-killers, as Eagles coordinator Jim Johnson found out. He won’t be fazed by the moment.
On paper, Ben Roethlisberger’s up-and-down statistical season mirrors his career. But don’t forget that his career yards-per-attempt average is seventh in NFL history. He throws an awesome deep ball and sheds tacklers better than any quarterback alive. That gives him extra time to make plays out of the pocket, and while he takes a lot of sacks, he usually delivers when it counts.
Our pick: Roethlisberger (Barely. This was really tough)
Continue reading "SB teams by position: Who has the edge?" »
January 18, 2009
"We didn't start this journey to get to Tampa," Mike Tomlin said while accepting the Lamar Hunt trophy for the AFC Championship.
"We got some business waiting on us there. We'll do like we always do. We'll get in the lab and go to work."
And with that, the long build-up to Super Bowl XLIII begins. The Whisenhunt Revenge Tour!
Ravens-Steelers III was a bloodbath, like you'd expect. The hits were vicious; the game dragging on like an ALCS Yankees/Red Sox game with both teams not giving an inch. Baltimore kept it close despite getting outplayed, but the difference at quarterback proved too great. The Ravens played Pittsburgh so tight in all three games, but there can be no doubt who the better team was. All the mojo in the world couldn't beat Pittsburgh's historic defense at home with a rookie quarterback.
This blog will get very Super Bowl-centric over the next week as I ready for my trip to Tampa. Thanks for stopping by.
At halftime, I asked if Donovan McNabb could lead the Eagles back from an 18-point deficit. He did, but it wasn’t enough.
Eagles fans will remember the non-call on the fourth-and-ten try to Kevin Curtis, but Curtis had his chance to make the play, just like McNabb had chances to hit open receivers the previous two plays. Philly was the beneficiary of the biggest missed call of the game on the kickoff at the end of the first half. They can’t complain about the zebras.
McNabb missed a lot of throws in the first half, but it’s hard to kill a guy who threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns. This game was about missed chances. McNabb had his opportunities, but so did his teammates.
Continue reading "Cardinals close out instant classic" »
This game reminds me so much of the AFC Championship three years ago between the Colts and the Patriots. It's a relatively even matchup, with the slight underdog having a commanding lead at halftime. (It was 21-6 then; it's 24-6 now).
Just like in '05, the trailing team had its chances in the first two quarters. Philadelphia’s defense has to find answers for Larry Fitzgerald, but the offense has moved the ball despite Donovan McNabb’s serious accuracy problems. The Cardinals, like the Patriots of ’05, had an inconsistent defense that was peaking in the playoffs but wasn’t invulnerable.
The question Philadelphia fans must be thinking: Can our quarterback lead us from a big halftime deficit? Manning pulled it off, and it ultimately sealed his NFL legacy. McNabb has that same opportunity over the next 30 minutes, if his defense can lend a hand. How he responds will help determine how these Reid/McNabb Eagles are remembered.
January 17, 2009
Another day, another coaching hire. Steve Spagnuolo to the Rams should make Evan Silva very happy, so I'm happy for him. Fantasy heads will have to wait for the offensive coordinator hire to draw any conclusions from the decision.
Also wanted to highlight a column I wrote this week for NBCSports.com. The idea: rank a "franchise" quarterback from each team, based on who you would want leading your squad for the next three years. These are not fantasy ranks, but who I would want running my team regardless of scheme or coach. And remember - this is for the next three years, not last year. The top 11 are after the jump and the rest of the column is here. Enjoy your Saturday!
Continue reading "Spags to the Rams; Best Franchise QBs" »
January 16, 2009
The Bucs looked like they were going to keep Antonio Bryant just a week ago. Now there aren't any Bucs left to keep him. GM Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden are out in Tampa, and the impact will be felt by Bryant owners and every mediocre quarterback that Gruden squeezed production out of during the last five years.
Our lengthy Rotoworld blurb wraps up my feelings after the jump: Tom Cable, the Terminator.
Continue reading "Friday evening news explosion! " »
We now have an NFL head coach who is a fan of Football Outsiders. Schwartz has a reputation as the closest thing to a Billy Beane of football, a man not afraid of advanced statistics. This should be interesting, but don't forget that most NFL teams already use reams of advanced stats, starting with Schwartz's old boss Bill Belichick. Philadelphia is another team that is known to be on the cutting edge.
As FO often points out, teams are far, far ahead of the media in terms of how they use statistics to evaluate players and what wins games. They have stats at their disposal we haven't dreamed of, which is disappointing. It's not like stats have some geeky reputation in the NFL. They help you win. Schwartz is a football coach that teaches football skills first, and leads a group of men. As Schwartz said, advanced stats are just a tool to help you decide what to focus on in practice or what plays are working the best. Strengths and weaknesses.
It's the opposite of baseball, where outsiders led the statistical revolution. His introductory presser was very impressive, his apparent faux-hawk aside. Now he just needs a staff. And some players. This won't be easy.
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I picked the Ravens to win the Super Bowl before the playoffs, but they have a much better chance if Terrell Suggs and Samari Rolle play Sunday.
Continue reading "Skinny Posts: A new era in Detroit" »
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