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Thoughts And Observations |
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Week Six Review
Here's something to note this week, that no one has really touched on this season. The league this year decided it was a good idea to enforce penalties against offensive tackles and guards that line up too close to the line of scrimmage. They have to be behind the center. In fact, they have to be way behind the center. Too much behind the center.
Have you noticed the gap between defensive ends and offensive tackles before the ball is snapped? Consider a passing situation, where the lineman backs up at the snap to create the pocket, and you start realizing that the defensive end has about enough time to make three moves before reaching the blocker.
Consider some of the linemen that are struggling this year. Chris Samuels of Washington, and Orlando Pace of St. Louis. Before Pace went down with injury, he was playing poorly. Samuels had a very rough day against the Saints. These are two Pro Bowl players. On passing teams.
I can sit an listen to game announcers expound on how the offensive lines are not protecting their quarterbacks, but they don't mention that the league has made it tougher to do so. Go back to the first week of the season, and look at the offsides penalties called on players lineing up too close to the line of scrimmage. Then, go back and look at the preseason. There were many.
I know some lines are playing well, but you have to look at offensive schemes, and adaptability. Maybe some of the coaches have missed out on making provisions. Consider that the Packers took out Tom Brady and company with two recent signings playing in the secondary. Why? Defensive line pressure. The Bucs, known for defense, are causing major havoc this season, because their defensive line is one of the best.
Advantage? Defensive lines. But only in the passing game. In the running game, the athletic offensive lines with good backs are getting some advantage. Look at the Chiefs, Dolphins and Broncos.
Passing dominated the first few weeks, but it's beginning to faulter now. Drew Brees was the only 300-yard passer who won his game Sunday. Look at the Chiefs defensive line. It's one of the worst. Think that may have helped?
The game changes. Athletic passers have been the rage, and this is a situation that helps the athletic guys. And, in time, line coaches will find a way to adapt. Still, while you may have wondered why your team's vaunted offensive line is suddenly struggling, look at the atheletic ability of your quarterback. Look at your team's running back.
The NFL probably will not address this, because no one has said much about it, but you, as a fan, should remember. When our team's struggle, there are more reasons in most cases, than just your coach or the players.
Game Notes
My view on who's where after five weeks.
I'm Convinced...
...Paul Brown is rolling over in his grave thanks to his son, Mike.
...Jamie Martin will not play again this season.
...I want to see the Dolphins and Broncos play in the AFC title game.
...the Browns have fallen completely apart after a promising start.
...the Saints have some major mojo working.
I'm Skeptical...
...the Chiefs could stop a high school single wing offense.
...that the Bucs will blow out one opponent this season with offense.
...the Patriots will get back on a roll anytime soon.
...the Panthers will finish the season with more than six wins.
...the Colts are as good as their record.
Here's my list for the weekly performances:
Top Five
Dolphins - Just a gutty, hard-fought win against a top opponent.
Steelers - Sure, it was the Bengals, but Bettis playing well really changes this team.
Saints - This team can win in a multitude of ways.
Rams - Memo to opponents: Don't call yourself the New Greatest Show on Earth.
Chargers - Ladies and gentlemen, Drew Brees has arrived.
Bottom Five
Bengals - Just plain pathetic. No reason for it, but they are.
Patriots - Like all rock stars, Tom Brady needs to refocus his music.
Chiefs - Had the game in hand, and let it slip away. If they only had a defense.
Giants - It's perplexing why they lose the games they do.
Raiders - It's amazing how quickly record-pace scoring can subside.
A look around...
The Awards
Bonehead of the Week Award: Bill Callahan - Taking the three points instead of going for it on fourth down that early would have had a greater impact than not coming away with anything, and handing over momentum. I can see the reasoning, and many coaches would have gone for the throat against a team that was down and also down to their third string quarterback, but you don't know who the next Kurt Warner will be, so it might be wise for teams not to risk a kill shot against an unknown. Turns out that unknown looked scarily like Warner in his first start.
Big Time Loser of the Week Award: Mike Brown - Wow. How much worse can it get? It can't. You can't win without talent, and obviously the Bengals cannot win with it. Years of losing. Years. How many? Ever since Mike Brown took over the franchise for his father. That's how long.
Bottom of the Barrell Award: Patriots - Sure, the Bengals deserve this one. But they could be here every week. That gets old, so we're going to start getting away from that. The Pats win this week, because I just don't know how they could not muster a passing game against a unit as depleted as Green Bay's. What happen to golden boy? What happened to the defense? What happened to Antowain Smith? Okay, Smith gets a pass, because he ran okay Sunday, but he's not done enough, and when he is going, the team still throws 75 times a game. The more I watch them lately, the more I think they were a fluke.
Cuda, Wuda, Shuda Award: Lions/Texans - They had 'em down, but couldn't finish them off. At least the Texans were playing one of the hottest offenses, and then the expansion thing. The Lions should actually get an expansion team pass, too. Still, when you have teams down, in most cases they're going to pass. Okay, so the Lions gave up a lot of runs, but can't you just hang on? Run some clock. Do something.
Oddities
Bubba Franks
It probably got by a lot of people, but did you see that Franks was the leading receiver in the Pack-Pats game? With 46 yards? That's about as odd as it gets. Consider all the receivers in this game. Donald Driver, Terry Glenn, Javon Walker...but I'm talking about both teams! Add in Troy Brown, David Patten, Deion Branch...even Donald Hayes. It doesn't surprise me if Ahman Green is the leading receiver, but Franks? You can time him with a sundial. Perplexing.
Marc Bulger
In his first start, Bulger looked eerily like Kurt Warner did in his first start. Not the same yards, but more scores. He's managed to do several things this year that even Warner couldn't. Hit Isaac Bruce. Go without an INT. Win. No one expected that performance, especially the Raiders. Like I said, never take a first time starter for granted. Unless you're the Saints.
Doug Johnson
Johnson managed a nice game. Coach Dan Reeves has always liked him, and I guess I can see why. Did anyone give the Falcons a chance against the Giants after Michael Vick went down?
Back-Up Watch
Jamie Martin
Hope you enjoyed your second career start against the 49ers last week, because it was likely your last career start. Don't feel bad. Even Kurt Warner has to look over his shoulder now with fans, because they found a new darling. Wait and see, the next interception you see Warner throw, St. Louis fans will start chanting Bulgers name.
Doug Flutie
After Drew Brees coming of age party, Flutie will simply sit and age will come. Hey, it's still a nice paycheck, Doug.
James Allen
That was a nice TD pass, but Jonathon Wells doesn't like you carrying his ball anymore.
Chad Hutchinson
Keep practicing that spiral, Chad. By the time you get in, it should look just right. I really wonder what the Cowboys will do now that Quincy Carter is looking legitimate.
The Bandwagon
Rams fans are happy this week, no doubt. You might even be able to go to St. Louis and see people walking around in Rams gear during the week again, instead of Cardinals gear. Whew! Right before the garage sale, too.
Can anyone fault the Chargers right now? Not only do they have a nice back in LaDainian Tomlinson, but they now have a quarterback that they can tell to win the game, and he can. A healthy defense when healthy, and you're looking at a serious playoff contender.
Show Me Again Next Week
Teams - I won't count the Raiders out after one game, but I was thinking about the AFC West, and thinking a team could have an 11-5 record and be pushed out of the playoffs because an 8-8 team could win a division. The West will be brutal all season, and the Raiders usually have a tendency to tail off some down the stretch run of the season. Show me this week was a fluke.
Players - Obviously, the whole sports world will want to see Marc Bulger play again like Sunday.
Eddie George had a nice game against the Jaguars, but I need to see more before I think he's the same back he was.
MIKE LIKES
Week Seven (Bye: Cincinnati, New England, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee):
Buffalo at Miami, 1:00 p.m.
It would be unfair to say the Bills will not put up points, but the Dolphins did well against the Broncos.
Pick: Phish
Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00 p.m.
Hotly contested division battle. If Chris Weinke were as good as Doug Johnson, he would not be starting because of injury.
Pick: Flying high
Chicago at Detroit, 1:00 p.m.
The Bears are pretty beat up. The Lions can't stop the run. Somethings got to give. Probably the Lions defense.
Pick: Monsters of Midway includes Detroit
Denver at Kansas City, 1:00 p.m.
The Chiefs make every game exciting, and they will this one, too. They just don't win all those exciting games.
Pick: Miles Higher
Jacksonville at Baltimore, 1:00 p.m.
I like this game. I would like to watch this game. It should be good. Is Ray Lewis back? If he is...
Pick: Rave-ons, unless Ray don't play
Minnesota at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 p.m.
Well, the Lions scared the Vikings, and the Jets have a shiny new quarterback. Plus, not much, but more defense.
Pick: Pennington for your thoughts
Seattle at St. Louis, 1:00 p.m.
I've always been a big Marc Bulger fan. I have his college jersey, and high school. Really, I've always thought Bulger was better than Warner.
Pick: Bulger, of course
San Francisco at New Orleans, 1:00 p.m.
A good ole past division rivalry. Should be good, but I don't like the Monday night hangover theory against this opponent.
Pick: Marching in
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m.
Finally, a game that should show who is where in this young season. I don't like that the Bucs travel to a returning bye team.
Pick: McEagles
Houston at Cleveland, 4:05 p.m.
The Browns are down right now, but the Texans really still have the sticker on them. I have to go with age.
Pick: Born on date: 1999
San Diego at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Well, we'll find out real quick where both teams are standing. Can the Raiders rebound? Can the Chargers stand tall again? Hmmm.
Pick: Back in black
Dallas at Arizona, 4:15 p.m.
These teams both play to the level of their opponents, which could make this game really dull or real exciting. It will be a come from behind for either.
Pick: Slithering by
Washington at Green Bay, 4:15 p.m.
If the Redskins can't pass on that secondary after the Pats couldn't, I can tell you a hot head-coaching candidate.
Pick: Ahman Favre
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh, 9:00 p.m.
We know the Colts will pass, and the Steelers will run. Both successfully. Big game for Peyton, and that's bad news.
Pick: Mad Maddox
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW OR WONDER:
If the league is considering putting an expansion team in LA so they can get rid of the Bengals.
If Mike Martz is happier with the win, or the fact Bulger was a pet project.
The Vikings should forget the Randy Ratio, and just run, run, run.
Not only could an 8-8 team make the playoffs, but one could win their division.
The way Rich Gannon looked in the second half of that game, I'm pretty sure it's possible he could have an cerebral hemmorage on the field.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
The Steelers will bounce back from the dismal start and win the division.
Priest Holmes will be a runaway MVP selection.
This will be one of the best postseasons we have seen in recent memory.
The Giants will be sorry for working out a new deal for Kerry Collins, and start to consider life without him very soon.
Drew Bledsoe's arm will fall off in the fourth quarter of a game late in the season. They'll tape it on, and he'll throw for another 200-yards in a fourth quarter rally.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
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