Help Wanted: Coaches and General Managers

Chan Gailey (Bills), Lovie Smith (Bears), Pat Shurmur (Browns), Romeo Crennel (Chiefs), Andy Reid (Eagles), Ken Whisenhunt (Cardinals), and Norv Turner (Chargers) are the first seven head coaches fired since the conclusion of the regular season. All firings were smart moves and one was long over due, can you guess which one? It's the time of year when the 20 teams who didn't make the playoffs start preparing for the next season. General Managers Tom Heckert of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Tannenbaum of the New York Jets, A.J. Smith of the San Diego Chargers, Rod Graves of the Arizona Cardinals, and Gene Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars were also shown the door. Surprisingly enough, Rex Ryan's job as head coach of the Jets is safe, the same goes for Lions' Jim Schwartz who should absolutely be out of a job, in my opinion. He has a very young and talented team but he can't control his guys. His players get in to trouble on and off the field far too often, this team needs a head coach who can effectively discipline his players and get the best out of them. As much as I think Jim Schwartz should be fired it may not happen because he's signed through 2015. We'll just have to wait and see as Black Monday continues.

Adrian Peterson closing in on history

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the best back in all of football, is 208 yards shy of eclipsing Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record of 2,105 yards. This feat alone is impressive but when you look at it more closely, you see the true greatness. Peterson tore his ACL at the end of the 2011 regular season and it was said that he would never be the same and that's true, he's not the same, he's better. Now look at the offense he's playing on; Christian Ponder at quarterback and their only receiving threat is tight end Kyle Rudolph and he isn't much to worry about outside of the red zone. That means that Adrian Peterson is going to see eight to nine defenders in the box hell bent on stopping him. On ESPN's show Numbers Never Lie they went into greater detail on AP's monster season: There are at least eight defenders in the box on 30% of Peterson's carries and in those situations he averages 3.3 yards after contact and has recorded eight runs of 20+ yards (no other running back has more than three). And keep in mind that he's doing all of this in a pass-happy NFL where the league-wide rushing attempts per game is 27.1, the lowest in NFL history.
Peterson faces a Green Bay Packers defense that's ranked 14th against the run and will be doing everything in their power to keep him from getting the record. I don't think he's going to reach 2,000 yards.

Pro Bowl snubs

I couldn't believe some of the players that weren't selected to this year's Pro Bowl. First off, I'd like it to be known that every Patriots offensive lineman should have been selected. They run more plays than any other group of lineman and have done as good a job protecting their quarterback as any of their peers. Logan Mankins was the only member of the o-line selected. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman didn't make the squad despite his impressive season and roll in a Seahawks' defense that deserves a lot of the credit for their 10-5 record. Both of the 49ers' inside linebackers, NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, were voted in and while they're both very good players I don't think they had a better season than Cardinal's linebacker Daryl Washington (123 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception). This just goes to show you that the Pro Bowl is a joke, it has been for years and years, not just the voting but the game itself. Hopefully, they'll pull the plug on this thing someday.

Colts won't go far

The 10-5 Indianapolis Colts have been one of the NFL's best story lines this season, after having worst record in all of football a season ago they've become a playoff team and did with a rookie quarterback, sub par defense, and a head coach who couldn't be on the sidelines because he's been battling Leukemia. It's an impressive feat, no doubt. But, if anyone expects the Colts to reach the Super Bowl, they're going to be mightily disappointed. This team is simply not good enough to make a deep playoff run, I'll be surprised if they make it past the Wild Card round. Having a rookie quarterback, no running game, and below average defense are not going to win playoff games. This is a team on the rise and is going to be a playoff contender for at least five years to come, but not this season. I predict one and done.

Patriots aren't in trouble after Sunday's loss

To all those people saying, "The Patriots are in trouble," I say, "No, they're not." The defense gave up too many big plays and the offense made too many mistakes. Unlike a lot of people I have a very positive outlook on that game. For the past few years I've doubted Tom Brady's ability to lead his team to victory when trailing but after Sunday's performance, even though he came up short, all that doubt has been erased. And how about the defense? After giving up 31 points they held San Francisco scoreless which allowed Brady and the offense to score 28 points and tie the game.
I'm not worried about this team because they're offense is a machine (Gronk returns for playoffs), the defense forces turnovers, and the coaches are doing a great job. I think that the Pats will beat the Broncos in the AFC Championship game and get a chance at redemption in the Super Bowl against the 49ers. Oh and they won't come up short next time.

Jets wouldn't have made the playoffs anyways

Were the New York Jets in the hunt for the playoffs? Record wise, yes. But, anybody who knows football and has seen the way the Jets have played this season, would know that the Jets were never going to make it to the postseason. After their All Pro corner Darrelle Revis suffered a torn ACL back in September, I said that "going .500 on the season is going to be a long shot," and it's just that. With two regular season games remaining the Jets will host the struggling San Diego Chargers followed by a game in Buffalo against the Bills. The Jets won't win both of these games, one maybe, but not both. My educated opinion is that they'll lose both games. The Chargers are looking to win big after being embarrassed by the Panthers last week and the Bills got blown out by the Jets 48-28 in the season opener, that's all the motivation they need to beat the New York. I can't stand talking about the Jets, they're a complete joke, the way the team is run spells "controversy" and the way they perform makes me either laugh or shake my head.

Patriots are AFC's best

In a supposed AFC Championship preview, the Patriots put a whooping on the Texans last night scoring 42 on one of the league's better defenses. The Pats performed well in every facet of the game and truly embarrassed Houston. Brady had a productive night but the defense really set the tone. After this win it's safe to say that New England is the best team in the AFC.

RG3 is good but how 'bout Andrew Luck

The Indianapolis Colts, 2-14 a year ago, are currently 9-4 and one of the AFC's Wildcard teams this season. And a big reason why is the play of rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. I've praised the way Robert Griffin III has played this season and in doing so have neglected the performance of an even better rookie quarterback; Mr. Andrew Luck. He's completing 55 percent of his passes, thrown for 3,792 yards, 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions and he's ran for 223 yards and five touchdowns. Now, his stats aren't as impressive as RG3's and here's the reason why: An ineffective running game. The Colts have used five different running backs this season and they've combined for 1,120 rushing yards and only five touchdowns. The Redskins running back Alfred Morris has ran for 1,228 yards (108 more yards than the Colts' five runners combined). When the Redskins play, the opposing defense has to account for the Skins' running game which sets up their killer play action passes. The Colts' opposing defense(s) don't have to worry about the threat of the running game, in fact they'll likely use extra defensive backs, daring the Indianapolis Colts to run the ball.
The Colts are 9-4 with a poor running game and an average defense. What's that tell us? It tells us that this team is a few good players from being Super Bowl contenders. Watch out for this squad the next couple of years.

Manti Te'o deserves to win the Heisman Trophy

Notre Dame captain linebacker Manti Te'o could have entered the NFL draft last season but he chose to return for his senior year; wise choice. He leads an Irish defense that ranks best in the Nation and is the main reason for Notre Dame's 12-0 record and shot at the BCS Title. Te'o has always been a tackling machine so it was no surprise that he racked up over 100 of them, but his nine takeaways were something new (seven interceptions and two forced fumbles). His seven interceptions is best in the country. Looking at those stats and realizing an inside linebacker posted them is eye opening. Yet, it's not just about the stats when it comes to Manti Te'o. This guy is a true leader and makes everyone around him better. What impressed me the most though was how he handled the tragedies in his personal life. It was in early September, the Tuesday before their Saturday night game against Michigan State, when Te'o got word from his family back home in Hawaii that his Grandmother had passed away. Hours later Manti's girlfriend died in a battle with leukemia. The linebacker didn't miss a practice that week and lead his team to victory the following Saturday. That's true strength.
After the season Manti Te'o had, a season yet to end (BCS Title game), there's no way the Heisman Trophy should be given to either of the other two nominees; Johnny Manziel and Collin Klein, both quarterbacks, of course. Defense is underrated and under appreciated and it shows by how often offensive players win the Heisman. If Te'o doesn't win the Heisman Trophy then College Football should make it an offensive player award because the voters are biased as hell. Pardon my language. I'll have my fingers crossed for Manti Te'o tonight when we find out who the winner is. And I can't wait to see him play in the NFL next year, this guy is going to be a great one.

**FACT**- Since being created in 1935 the Heisman Trophy has been awarded 77 times... only three of them to defensive players. 1936- Defensive End Larry Kelley, 1949 Defensive End Leon Hart, and 1997 Cornerback Charles Woodson.

The results of this week's games could tell a lot

Are the Patriots or Texans the best team in the AFC?
Are Robert Griffin III and the Redskins for real?
Is Ben Roethlisberger healthy enough to sustain big hits and keep playing? And if he is, can Pittsburgh make a run?
Are the Giants going downhill?

These are just a few interesting things we can find out from this weeks games.

Dante Scarnecchia, Pats O-Line deserve more credit

The Patriots have had several injuries along their offensive line this season and regardless of who was hurt there was another man ready to step in and play. Credit offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia for his coaching and preparation. It's because of his coaching that we've seen guys like Donald Thomas, Nick McDonald, and Marcus Cannon perform so well when called upon. The team's 2011 first round pick Nate Solder, who I didn't think would be able to handle starting at left tackle, has played phenomenal. And Ryan Wendell, entered the season with only five career starts, has started at center every game this year and reminds me a lot of former Patriot's center Dan Koppen. This bunch has allowed only 14 sacks this season, fewest in the NFL. My hat goes off to Scarnecchia and his guys.

Goodell wants to remove kickoffs from the game

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would like to eliminate kickoffs. We've already seen the placement of the ball on kickoffs moved up to the 35 yard line which has resulted in more touchbacks. The Commissioner wants to remove this part of the game for the safety of the players, so his heart is in the right place I guess. Goodell has to just accept the fact that football is a violent collision sport and concussions happen; there's no way to prevent them without hurting the integrity of the game. As far as kickoffs are concerned, don't expect the Competition Committee to completely agree with Goodell's point of view.

Edelman's season is over

The New England Patriots have placed wide receiver Julian Edelman on season ending injured reserve after he suffered a fracture in his foot during last week's game against Miami. This is a real blow to the Patriots, not only on offense but on special teams as well. Edelman was the team's punt returner and an effective one, averaging 15.5 yards per return. The Pats signed veteran Donte Stallworth to help fill the void on offense. Stallworth has good speed but isn't as elusive or dangerous after the catch as Edelman. Expect to see Wes Welker's work load increase now that Edelman's out of the lineup. We may see him returning punts too.
The Patriots offense played well without Aaron Hernandez, they're playing well without Gronk, and I think they'll continue to play well without Edelman. Why? Because running back Stevan Ridley makes this offense balanced.

Bears, 49ers upset in overtime

The last time the 49ers and Rams squared off the game ended in a tie. St. Louis took San Francisco into overtime with the score 13-13 and with 26 seconds left in overtime Rams' rookie kicker Greg Zuerlein nailed a 53 yard field goal to win the game. The Rams, coached by Jeff Fischer, are a team on the rise and next year I think they may be a real force. As for the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Harbaugh chose to start Colin Kaepernick at quarterback over veteran and former starter Alex Smith for the third straight week. We'll see if Harbaugh sticks with the youngster or goes back to Smith.

The Chicago Bears looked to remain in first place in the NFC North with a win yesterday but their plans were upset by the Seattle Seahawks. Last week the Seahawks' two starting cornerbacks, Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, were both suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy but since they appealed the suspensions they were able to play Sunday against the Bears. I note this because I don't believe the Seahawks would have won that game without their starting corners. Nevertheless, with 7:33 remaining in overtime Seattle's rookie quarterback Russell Wilson threw a touchdown pass to Sidney Rice to beat Chicago 23-17. With that loss Chicago drops to second place in their division behind Green Bay.

Patriots struggle in win over Miami

The Patriots only won by seven points defeating the Dolphins 23-16. I was upset with the play calling of Patriot's Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. They should have started the game feeding the ball to Stevan Ridley, opening up the play action passes. But, instead we saw Tom Brady throwing the ball and nothing coming of it. The passing game struggled as Brady over threw some receivers and those receivers dropped passes. They didn't establish the run until the fourth quarter when Ridley ran for 46 of his total 71 yards. Also, Stephen Gostkowski missed his sixth field goal this season. He's been in a funk all season and when the playoffs roll around he must be on his game, I mean how many times have we seen playoff games come down to a field goal? Still, what's important is they came out with a win and clinched a playoff berth yet again. Now, the Pats are focusing on their game next Monday night when they'll host the 11-1 Houston Texans.

Chiefs win big in the wake of a tragedy

Just a day after Kansas City Chief's linebacker, 25 year old Jovan Belcher, killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide outside of Arrowhead Stadium in front of General Manager Scott Pioli and Head Coach Romeo Crennel, the Chiefs won their second game of the season beating the Carolina Panthers 27-21. Not an easy game to play after losing a teammate, especially for coach Crennel who witnessed Belcher take his own life. But it the midst of grief and remembrance the Chiefs team came together and scored a season high 27 points against the Panthers. Kansas City's feature running back Jamaal Charles may have had the toughest day of all. Belcher's girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, was Jamaal Charles' wife's cousin and Charles introduced the them to each other. Charles ran with a lot of emotion yesterday totaling 127 yards on the ground. After such an emotional tragedy that left everyone effected wondering, "why?", the Chiefs played their best game of the season. My heart goes out to the people effected, especially the 3 month old baby girl who's parents are no longer here.