I still don't understand how an 8-8 team gets to host a 12-4 team. True San Diego is nice this time of year but still.
Also for me it's slightly disappointing not to have a team I actively hate in the playoffs. Usually the Cowboys or the Patriots filled that role. I'm Giant fan, so I want them to win but there is no hate for any other team in playoffs.
How can you be a Giants fan and not hate Philly? Most NFC East fans hate every other team in the NFC East. Some more than others true but I digress...
San Diego while 8-8 scares the shit out of the Colts. I think the Colts will pull it out but it aint no easy win. The thinking behind having a team with a worst record hosting a playoff game is that in theory that team's Division might be so strong that their record suffers for it. Thats actually the opposite of the case this year but thats the theory. I think it will be tweaked soon but don't ever expect a team that wins their division to have to travel the first week of the playoffs.
I think the Arizona Cardinals are going to shock a lot of people today.
You're a Giants fan but you don't hate the Iggles? You're doing it wrong!
Personally, I'd love to see the Colts win, but when it comes to the post season, I've got no faith in their execution. If Manning throws it away three or four times, it could be a long night.
Also, are people still saying that Dallas was/is the team with the most talent? I mean, is that still an argument? Cause I heard that all year and I wonder if Cowboys fans have revised that sentiment. It's like a cult leader who says the end of the world is coming in a week, and then it doesn't come, and you're like, "oh, well, obviously those people can clearly see that that crackpot guy they were following is full of nonsense!" but then you find out that the cult is still going strong and dear leader has chosen another date for the apocalypse and everyone is scared all over again. How many passes did Owens drop this year? That guy is a drive destroyer.
Talent is, I think, the third most important factor, at best, in terms of a winning football team--in the NFL, at least. Give me intelligence, mental toughness, preparation, and I'll show you a great team. In virtually any year, during their Super Bowl run, the Pats were not the most talented team in the NFL. But they were the smartest, the toughest and the best prepared. Look at the Colts this year--depleted by injuries, but still 12-4.
Say what you want to but talent wasn't Dallas' problem. They are my team and they deserve all the derision in the world but we can stack our players up against any team's other players. Unfortunately you need to have a team effort to win, not just individual efforts.
Offensive lines and defensive secondaries win championships. The Boys had receiviers, a killer bunch of running backs, and a wonderful defensive end, but give me a left tackle who can keep a qb upright all game long and a don't even bother to throw it corner; well then, now you're talking talent. Insofar as the rest is concerned, aside from the truly great teams--the Pack, the Steelers, the 9ers, the Cowboys, and the recent Pats--those were all complete teams from top to bottom (and I think it would be unwise to think that the Pats' time is over; for the rest, it's often mo and who's on a run in January--the Giants were playing the best ball in January before they got to the Pats last year. This year--right now it's anyone's to win or lose among Tennesee, the Colts, P-burgh, the Giants, and Carolina--but none of them have dynasty written all over their tee shirts--yet.
Not that I am a fan of thread hijacking but what do you all think of Brian Johnson's chances of being drafted after an amazing Utah Sugar bowl win. His poise and steadiness amazed me.
The games today aren't all that exciting. I'm guessing Cardinals will upset the Falcons. The Falcon's QB I predict will choke very hard on this playoff game, but I expect a bright future for him. And the Colts breeze to victory in San Diego.
"In virtually any year, during their Super Bowl run, the Pats were not the most talented team in the NFL. But they were the smartest, the toughest and the best prepared."
I wonder if that had anything to do with taping other teams signals.
I agree with you about the Pats up to a point. They may not have been the most talented team in the NFL but they weren't that far behind. Don't get me wrong, I agree whole heartedly that they won championships because they played as a team and they played smart and they had a helluva coach (and no it wasnt because of taping any signalst) But they also had a shit load of talent too. Teddy Bruchi, Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, Richard Seymore, Willie McGinist, Assante Samuel, Ted Williams and Harrison on Defense. Tom Brady, Deon Branch, Troy Brown, Corey Dillon, Daniel Graham, Ben Watson, Kevin Faulk on offense. The Pats were damned talented during their Superbowl runs
I think the one thing that the Pats did better than most teams was using the talent they had to do what they do best and also they had more quality depth than most teams. They also didn't over spend for the players that they had and have found ways to replace quality players with other quality players without breaking the bank. But what they didn't do was go find a bunch of joes and win a Superbowl.
My castigation of Cowboys fans was a little flip. So let me go a little further, with some clarification: when a person's team isn't that good but that person thinks they should be better, that person says that their team has talent. "We're only 7-6 but I think we should be 10-3? Well then I'll blame it on external factors because we definitely have the 'talent' to be a great team." Unfortunately, that's a bad argument, because you don't have to prove talent. What does it mean, to be talented? Strength, speed, physical dominance? Okay, that's great, but that's not what makes a good football player. Michael Phelps is talented. Usain Bolt is talented. You still have to catch the ball (Owens) and run your routes and make excellent decisions (Romo).
I would argue that when people talk about "talent" in the NFL, they are really referring to "good players." When people say that the Cowboys had a lot of talent this year, I think they mean that the Cowboys went out and acquired good players. Expensive players. But I guess my argument would be: uh, no, no they weren't actually all that great, or else they would have won a lot more games.
Tony Romo? You know, Rex Grossman can throw a great pass every now and again. He's "talented." Terrell Owens? How is he better than the top 10, 15 players in the league? Every Cowboys game I saw this year, I witnessed him dropping two or three easy catches in the middle of the field. Pacman Jones? Lots of publicity but where are the numbers? Marion Barber is good but is he more "talented" than Brandon Jacobs or Adrian Peterson?
Personally I think that the narrative that was written before the season started was that the Cowboys were great and really "talented" and that they should go to the Super Bowl. This was reinforced throughout the year by the media, and sportswriters, and Cowboys fans, none of whom wished to admit that maybe, just maybe, they had it figured incorrectly. In fact, maybe it wasn't the coaches who messed up the Cowboys this season but, rather, Tony Romo just isn't all that great, and T. O. will never be as good as he once was, and the amazing talent in the rest of the team was actually, on further review, just cleverly disguised good talent.
The Steelers are the perfect example of a team that everyone poo-poos for their lack of talent (Heinz Ward - he's so puny and slow, how does he do it!) but I'd much rather field a Steelers crew than a Cowboys crew. And if the Steelers end up winning the Super Bowl, the sportswriters will all say they won it despite not having a lot of talent. It's all b.s., and it has everything to do with how the teams and the league get framed early in the season, and fitting team performances into those narratives.
Gurode, Columbo and Davis played well for the Cowboys this year on the O Line. Kossier was hurt most of the year. Flozell to me was the only one who pissed down his leg. As for the Defensive line Jay Ratliff was ridiculous and Ellis and Canty were balling. Spencer got hurt but he was hell when he was well. Injuries on defense hurt us a lot this year. Newman wasn't right all year, Roy Williams went down, Canty got hurt at the end, Spencer was out for awhile. But the talent is still there.
You are being selective in your judgement of talent.
Even though I hate TO and he does drop the ball he still puts up numbers period. Even this year when he didn't ball out he still ends up with 69 catches for over 1000 yds and 10 TDs
Marion Barber was supposed to be a Tandem with Felix Jones who was looking like the truth until he went down. Tanard Choice showed he has a lot of potential too at the end of the year. Are they the Giants as far as RBs? No but then the Giants best reciever, Plaxico Burress couldn't sniff TO's jock strap and again let me point out that I hate TO. I personally think Crayton is better than people give him credit for and Miles Austin and Sam Hurd are good backups. But Hurd got hurt and didnt contribute this year and Austin got hurt and was limited until the latter part of the year.
TE who in the NFC has a better TE than Jason Witten? Ill wait. Martellius Bennett is going to be ridiculous too with his size and speed and hands.
Tony Romo I agree with, not necessarily impressed but then again he was hurt this year too and I seem to remember a lot of hand wringing over Eli Manning before the playoffs started last year.
I already talked about the Defense so I will just end there.
People who try to say the Cowboys aren't stocked with talent have no foot to stand on. Now whether they use that talent or play up to their potential is a whole other story.
I don't hate the Eagles the way I hate the Cowboys or the Redskins. Maybe because the Eagles never won the Super Bowl so they lack that smugness and the fans have an appealing sense of doom and despair that I find charming.
My brother has met Donovan McNabb on several occasions and he had said Donovan is a nice guy. Plus it turned out they have some common contacts. So you really can't hate someone you almost, sort of, kind of, know.
Most of my emotions about the NFL went away when I went to college. Going to a college where the football team is a least decent provides a stronger emotional connection then I have ever felt with the Jets or Giants. It doesn't matter how big the school is (I went to a Div. III school). As long as the team is good it will provide a bond that I think is stronger than one would get with a pro team.
Besides have you ever seen the lingerie calender the Eagles cheerleaders did? Stuff like that should be encouraged...
there's a big difference between having a great roster...and having a good team...a good team is defined not necessarily by results ...but by intangiables...like chemistry, like discipline...things that the boys have none of...u can't really say we have "no talent"...when the first guy to get +20 sacks the last 4 years was a cowboy...other than that, i think the boys have been great through the draft...picking up great value, even in late rounds. so, we have "talent"...but execution is a no-show...because...well...duh, we have no chemistry...no discipline...no sense of urgency...things that truly make a good team, great...because, dallas is a good team...just not a contender...it's been shown for the last 3 years...
I know people won't want to hear this but the chemistry problem all comes back to TO. The defense looks like they all love each other when they are playing. You don't see any finger pointing and they all celebrate together. On offense there is always some kind of drama going on because of one guy. No other guy complains AT ALL. Think about last year when Julius Jones was having to share the load with Barber. You didn't hear a peep out of him even when they benched him for the playoffs. I really and truly believe if they get rid of that guy the team will finally come together and if they do they can over come a bad play or a bad call a lot better than they have since he has been there. Don't get me wrong, the guy produces. But I think his production comes at the expense of other guys and the comraderie of the team. I can't tell you how much I hope against hope they jettison his ass. Otherwise we are going to go through this same crap next year.
dallas has been one of the most penalized team for the last 2 years...on offense and defense...the philly showing was an epic display of that...specially on the defensive side of the ball...is that TO's fault too? I'm all for moving isht around too, but ...some things are best taught with a smack up-side the head...move TO...hell, move both Roy Williamses...but for heavens sake, get some discipline in there...
Using talent also has so much to do with coaching, which is where I think Wade Phillips is a real problem for the Cowboys. He's very clearly not in charge, and doesn't have the personality for it -- you've got everyone mouthing off (including the owner), and the defense, good as it is individually, is undisciplined (but then, I guess that's what happens when you hire convicts). I agree with SG. TO is a cancer. I was in Philly while he was there, and he destroyed that team. (And there's another awful, awful coach). So, back to my original point: when you have a team of personalities like you do in Dallas, you need a coach who commands absolute respect, and whose decision will not be second-guessed. Phillips clearly does not -- witness what happened last week with the fieldgoal unit. Now, you may disagree as a player with Phillips (and I think Romo was actually right to go for it on 4th) but you can't second-guess him on the field, and expect to win a Superbowl.
I don't blame TO for the penalties and yes they need more discipline in Dallas but even when you bring in a disciplinarian he will still have to deal with the TO problem. They HAD a disciplinarian in Parcells but after TO got there all of a sudden the team turned on him and thought he was too old school. And since JJ brought TO into Dallas over Parcell's objections and he never wants to admit he is wrong he sided with TO. I don't think that will change with a new coach. Now again I think the penalty situation is phucked up and I pointed that out in a convo with Keith awhile back that the penalties were down with Parcells but to me thats like having a toothache and a heart attack. If you take the tooth out you still might die, you fix the heart and you can live with a toothache.
Maya
Peyton Manning did the same thing to Dungy the year they won the superbowl so its not unprecedented. The difference is Peyton actually led the team to a win when he did it.
I'm still trying to figure out where all the love for the Cardinals comes from. Sure, Kurt Warner's a great story, and their WR corps is outstanding, but what else have they got that makes them likely winners today? A home game that may or may not be blacked out because not enough fans bought tickets? A running game that's dead last in the NFL? A defense with no real ability to stop Michael Turner or Roddy White? If they hadn't played in the execrable NFC West, they'd be sitting home right now.
The worst thing anyone's said about the Falcons is that they have a rookie QB and an away game. Not ideal, but it sounds manageable to me.
I'm getting kicked out of my e-mail so I couldn't send this regular way. I got a movie for you and your readers: I'm through w/ white girls.
If you don't LYAO I do not know about you. Hook guy is a graphic novelist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyMyjLUiu7o
Hey Neil, I am a Philly girl but I really like the Giants. If the Iggles choke, I am going to be pulling for the them. Last fall ('07) I took my son up to the Meadowlands for his first NFL game, my first Eagles game. My son, who was only 7, insisted on wearing his prized McNabb jersey. I brought something for him to change into, fearing the jeers and catcalls. Instead, people were incredibly friendly and classy. We sat behind a bunch of Pop Warner coaches who patiently explained the calls and asked him about his favorite players. Other people who were jeering Eagles fans were telling each other to tone it down as soon as they saw my son.
I really truly regret that my fellow Eagles fans do not show anywhere near the amount of class the Giants fans showed us. While I can't change the atmosphere at the Linc, I will pull for their team when they don't play Philly.
Robert M...seen it...thoughtprovoking...but not that thoughtprovoking...kind of wierd movie...but in a good way...challenges a couple of stereotypes...but falls flat in the end...
Cash here are my reasons for picking the Cardinals
1. Home field. Now that is not necessarily just about having the screaming fans and everything, its also about the weather which will be indoors. When you don't have to go outdoors where passing is harder Kurt Warner will absolutely torch your ass.
2. Falcon's secondary vs Boldin/Fitgerald. I think its gonna get ugly folks
3. Arizona's defense isn't as bad as most folks think. I like Docket and Berry a LOT on the D Line and Dansby and Rolle are good on the back line. And believe it or not Arizona's defense is ranked higher than Atlanta's
4. I like Matt Ryan but its still his first playoff game. Thats a playoff game indoors with a lot of crowd noise. They are going to have to rely heavily on the run with Michael Turner and I think he will in fact have a big game but running the ball to score takes time. I don't think they will be able to keep up with Arizona scoring in bunches.
Sgwhite...scratch number 3 and add to it that ATL is a LOUSY away-team...and that usually gets u in the end with a rookie QB...however...neither of these teams are to be considered contenders...it's ridonkulous that AZ is in the playoffs...
The Chargers are a better team without Tomlinson. The ridiculous playoff format gives San Diego home field in the opening round. I could see them winning, maybe handily. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Bolts make a run like they did in the mid-90s, winning a few surprising games before getting crushed (either in the AFC title game by Pittsburgh/Tennessee or in the Superbowl by the Giants/Panthers).
SG: yeah, as soon as I posted my comment I remembered the Peyton-waving-off-the-FG unit moment. But didn't the Colts LOSE that game, if it's the one in 2004 against the Chiefs that you're thinking of? And they certainly didn't win the SB that year. But, point taken.
I think it was in 2006 and I think they won the game however I also think it happened more than once and then there is the other possibility that I am just fucking wrong lol. Either way you feel me so whatever.
Talent is great in a one-man sport. But TO is a team-killer. Until he can snap the ball to himself, fall back to pass, block the rush, and catch the ball all by himself, all of TO's considerable talent won't mean a thing if his whining and grandstanding sap the morale of the other 10 guys on his side.
Utah kicked the shit out of Alabama, seriously. I did like the punt return that Arenas had though. But Bama losing their all american O Lineman just killed them. They pulled within 4 after 17 unanswered points to start the second half but then it all just fell apart. Utah did what every team should do against a 3-4 defense that uses fat guys on early downs and then substitutes faster guys to blitz and stunt on later downs, they went no huddle and mashed the gas. Alabama recovered a little at half time but they just didn't tackle worth a damn last night. Utah's QB is legit and their defense ran some blitzes out of the Ravens playbook last night. I was torn because I was pulling for Bama to win because they are SEC but man that Utah defense was BEAUTIFUL!
Watch for the Colts to quick no huddle the Chargers to start the second half today. Its something they have done in the past and I think Utah might have provided some inspiration.
No, Fighting Words was the Pac-10 guy. I'm Big 12 all the way. And yes, Ole Miss was able to thrash Texas Tech, so yesterday was probably a wash. Assuming Texas beats Ohio State, its all going to come down to Oklahoma-Florida to see what conference had the best year. Fair enough?
Actually I just thought you were talking night games. Kentucky beat ECU last night too.
If Texas beats Ohio State then yeah I can roll with that. If not SEC wins before the game even tips off. Especially since Ole Miss Beat TT who beat Texas right?
Forgot about Kentucky. That's probably because I don't count 6-6 teams. But yeah, I agree with that. If Texas loses, 2 out the Big 12's top three teams have already lost. And OSU lost as well. Who was SEC's third best team this year? Ole Miss?
I was watching the game at a bar last night and this guy sitting next to me knew I went to Mich St. He asked if I hated Saban, I told him that was a strong word but it might be accurate.
Damn. Not a lot of love for the Pac-10 here. All they did was win all of their bowl games, 4 of them against ranked opponents.
Okay, let's talk about a less contentious topic than college football - like the Middle East. Just kidding.
Anyway, back to the NFL. If the Falcons or (especially) the Colts lose this weekend, expect a lot noise to change the playoff format (no guaranteed homefield advantage for a division winner), but if both the Colts and Falcons win, don't expect any changes.
I love the playoff format. I love the idea of an 8-8 team having a shot. The ides that its unfair that a team that lost its division and had had a worse record than two other teams in its conference somehow "deserves" a playoff spot is ridiculous. No one deserves a playoff spot. You earn one by being the best in your division. If you can't win your division, you hope you luck out.
Playoff aare about upsets and teams either pulling it together and making shit happen, or not. Otherwise, just give the Lombardi trophy to the team with the best regular season record and be done with it.
to even try to compare them getting in to the playoffs as akin to arizona is rediculous. They are a quality NFC South team that has earned theyre playoff unlike Arizona.
No, people are upset that SD has home field advantage, not that they're in the playoffs. Division winners should get a slot in the playoffs, no doubt, but they shouldn't get to play at home if their record is 8-8 and their opponent's in 12-4.
I don't think anyone (at least on this thread) is upset that the 8-8 Chargers and the 9-7 Cardinals are in the playoffs. I think most people here agree with the division format and the division winner should make the playoffs.
However, I do think that people take exception to the fact that teams with a worse record have home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs - which is a huge advantage in the playoffs.
Yeah This season alot of great team got screwed(NE)but that is the way it works. If you have a division format you have to have the winner of the division get home field advantage, or you will just be going by who has the toughest schedule and you end up with BCS BS.
Cris Collinsworth is an idiot. Kurt Warner, a veteran who's seen it all, is "nervous"? Yeah, so nervous he threw a gorgeous 42-yeard TD pass to Fitzgerald. Early going, the Falcons can't get out of their own way.
I don't buy that the closed roof and crowd noise will work against the road team, since the Falcons play in a dome. What works against them is Ryan's inexperience (starting off with an interception kills) and not being able to get their running game going. So far the Cardinals D is smothering them.
Your statement about domes is.....whats the word I am looking for....I'll just say not an informed one. At home the offense doesn't have to worry about crowd noise. The defense WANTS crowd noise to help throw off the offense. Therefore Atlanta playing in a dome at home has nothing to do with Atlanta not being able to hear the snap count or play calls on offense in a dome on the road.
Sorry to repeat, but NE fans need to STFU about the system being unfair. I'm a Pats fan. We lost TWICE to division rivals. One of them was a blowout. We didn't get it done. We're out of the playoffs. We got the consolation prize of Mangenius (and Shanahan!) getting fired. I'm also ok with Division winners hosting playoff games. If a team is that much better (12-4 vs. 8-8) crowd noise and jetlag shouldn't be an issue. Plus victory is that much more sweet. There's nothing better than hearing a home crowd get real quiet during an upset.
On another note, how can you not root for 'Zona? Boldin BROKE HIS FACE and came back, what, two weeks later?! Plus I'm excited for Warner's second "Thank you Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuus!"
I don't know which Collinsworth point you are referring to (I am assuming it's the "off the field problems" of Turner and Fitzgerald), but I agree with you that he is a terrible announcer.
Sg, what's this nonsense I hear on the other thread about the SEC owning SC...you gotta be kidding me??? And just when I was starting to like you...SC is perennial dude, don't get it twisted...no SEC team would own them. Now if you're talking my Big Ten, then absolutely, we'll happily play doormats to both SEC and SC.
When FL's hurting without Tebow and TX or LSU is trying to find it's every other year legs, SC (w or w/o Sanchez) will be Top 5 again. I guarantee they've got another Q waiting in the wings.
Dude the problem is the SEC aint just Florida. LSU won two championships in the last decade you know. And Alabama has come all the way back, yesterday non withstanding. I SINCERELY hope that one day USC brings their weaksauce to the SEC in a bowl game. It will be lunch city, please believe it.
On another note, how can you not root for 'Zona? Boldin BROKE HIS FACE and came back, what, two weeks later?
That's a good reason. Better reason is that they're playing the Falcons and I'm a Saints fan. The Falcons could go 0-for-the-decade and I wouldn't get tired of seeing it.
I'm still not convinced that dome + road accounts for Atlanta's problems. They aren't playing well to begin with, and they're up against a very motivated team.
Collinsworth may be smug as hell, but the dude knows his shit. He's owned those guys on Inside the NFL for years. I'd put him up with Jaws and Billick as the color guys who know the most.
Just because Collingsworth SOUNDS like he knows what he is talking about please don't be fooled. Hell he was wrong so many times tonight I lost count. A couple of times when he was trying to show Arizona jumping offsides without it being called the guys were actually getting off with the ball, the falcons O Lineman were just slow off the ball.
Well, I wasn't able to watch this game until about the 4th quarter. But you aren't going to be able to convince me that Chris Collinsworth doesn't know what he's talking about. If he doesn't know what he's talking about, then neither do Aikman, Chris Carter, Dan Marino, Chris Simms, Warren Sapp, etc. He's the only one who sounds like he actually watches the games. I guess I'm talking more about his studio work than his color commentary.
Bill Russell said his stomach was in knots before every single basketball game he played. They said he threw up before most games. Being nervous doesn't mean shit.
1. Home field. Now that is not necessarily just about having the screaming fans and everything, its also about the weather which will be indoors. When you don't have to go outdoors where passing is harder Kurt Warner will absolutely torch your ass.
2. Falcon's secondary vs Boldin/Fitgerald. I think its gonna get ugly folks
3. Arizona's defense isn't as bad as most folks think. I like Docket and Berry a LOT on the D Line and Dansby and Rolle are good on the back line. And believe it or not Arizona's defense is ranked higher than Atlanta's
4. I like Matt Ryan but its still his first playoff game. Thats a playoff game indoors with a lot of crowd noise. They are going to have to rely heavily on the run with Michael Turner and I think he will in fact have a big game but running the ball to score takes time. I don't think they will be able to keep up with Arizona scoring in bunches.
I guess I'll stick my neck out here--Go Chargers! No flaming necessary...just a native San Diegan who cheers for the Bolts every year, having grown up with Fouts, Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Louie Kelcher and who could forget, Chuck Muncie!
I know it's easy to trash the Chargers given their record but hey, they stuck with it and won, they're in and a lot of teams aren't.
2. Warren Sapp knows football but lets personal prejudices get in the way
3. Marino knows passing game offense only
4. Chris Carter doesn't have a clue
5. Phil (not Chris) Simms knows football but is bitter as all hell
The guys who probably know the most football are Jimmy Johnson, Tom Jackson, and Howie Long. Jaws watches film but he only knows defense in the way that most offensive coaches knowo football. He has gotten better in the last 3 years but he still gets it wrong a lot when he says WHY a defense is doing something.
Chris Collingsworth talks a good game but he doesn't know all that much. He might watch film but most of the time I will bet anything he only pays attention to the offense. Did you notice how many times he said "the interesting thing about" something or other tonight? He is an IDJUT!
Chris Collingsworth: holier than thou Republican; hated Clinton; probably thinks Hopey is a Muslim. Just the sound of his voice makes me feel like throwing a shoe at the TV.
Say, is it my old TV set, or do SD's baby blue jerseys glow in the dark? That's no color for manly men on a manly football team to be wearing.
Maya writes: "I'm excited for Warner's second "Thank you Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuus!""
I'm happy that in his post-game interview Warner DIDN'T mention his sky fairy at all. Maybe he's finally figured out after years of losing that his imaginary friend has nothing to do with wins and losses.
Somewhere there's an 80 year old Chicago Cardinals fan who was made very happy today. Sure, he might be the only one left, but he's happy.
@karen: Throwback jersey color, Lance Alworth day--you can probably adjust your tv so they glow even brighter.
"The Chargers will wear their powder blue uniforms in Saturday's playoff game against the Colts after all. Teams can wear their alternate uniforms once in the postseason.
The Chargers had to get the uniforms back from the NFL, where they had been sent after the team's Dec. 4 game against Oakland to be auctioned for charity. The Chargers will send the uniforms back to the NFL following Saturday's game"
Props to Mike Scifres. It's not often that you have occasion to shout-out a punter, but that guy is having a big impact on the field-position game and is earning that damn check tonight.
I'm a 49ers/Raiders fan and I have to say that the Colts and Chargers have the best uniforms in the NFL. Well, the Chargers need to go back to their ORIGINAL powder blue uniforms (with the number on the side of the helmet, and a different design for the lightening).
The refs were dead ass wrong on that replay call and it helped the Colts tremendously. No way the Chargers don't get at least a FG if they recover that ball. So if the Colts win by 3 or less just remember that call.
Have to agree that the Chargers were hard done by on the call, although I suspect they'll win solidly enough in the end. My predictions have held up so far: Cards, Chargers,Dolphins and Eagles to win. One out of four so far, and I feel optimistic about the three that remain.
Who's dumber, Rivers or Turner? Watching the Chargers is painful. They shoot themselves in the face over and over again, like a bunch of suicidal Dick Cheneys.
I guess we can't count on them to stave off the looming NFL Apocalypse - the dread possibility of a Manning v. Manning Super Bowl.
Moe, even by your standards, you are seriously in need of meds tonight. Are you still grieving because the Patriots are sitting at home and weeping? Whoever wins, it's a hell of a good game to watch.
Chargers get the ball first in OT.... I thought the Colt were supposed to score 70 points tonight? It's gotta be mojo of the powder blue throwback jerseys, come on Bolts!
kassel says: "Moe, even by your standards, you are seriously in need of meds tonight."
I have no idea who you are, kassel, but that's a personal insult. Which I personally have no problem with, but others here will, unless they're hypocrites who just call it one way like corrupt refs.
"Whoever wins, it's a hell of a good game to watch."
Who said it wasn't? But Rivers and Norv have a lot of work to do before anyone can have any confidence in them in big games.
The Chargers probably were about 2% better overall than the Colts, but I don't see them getting much further unless Rivers does some hasty remedial work on those reckless deep throws. Still, a good game to watch.
I hate to say this because I hate the Chargers, but I do like Darren Sproles. He is the exact same height as I am and he is playing in the NFL. As a "vertically challenged" person myself, it always makes me happy to see short people succeed in professional sports (Sproles, Spud Webb, Earl Boykins, David Eckstein).
Fighting Words says: "As a "vertically challenged" person myself, it always makes me happy to see short people succeed in professional sports (Sproles, Spud Webb, Earl Boykins, David Eckstein)."
Dunno about the holding on the lob pass but the other calls were right. The Colts were only close because of the Norv and three major fuckups. Too bad Tony Dungee's beloved proposition 8 passed because John Madden clearly wanted to marry Bob Sanders. Anyhow the Colts were a paper tiger. The Chargers will melt against teams with run defense.
Tomlinson sat out because he's slow and can't cutback anymore which limits SD offense.
FW, where did I knock Sproles? He fumbled and I let him off the hook with that nice return... Heh, Moe, the best NFL Smurf is right, he got 340 all purpose yards!
Gotta love SuperChristian anti-gay Tony Dungy giving his postgame talk in front of a board filled with AirTran symbols - the airline that tossed the Muslims off a flight over nothing yesterday. Classy!
Sproles was the man in college too. He has been wrecking shop for a minute.
A couple thoughts about the game.
1. That call at the end of the first half went the Colts way so you could expect a few to go the Chargers in the end. But you just don't call holding on a Defensive Lineman in the Overtime of a playoff game. Of course through out the game the commentators kept pointing out that this crew called more penalties than any in the league. But surprisingly they never called holding on the guys trying to block Freeney.
2. The Colts Defense allowed the Chargers to abuse them with Gates right before the end of regulation and they acted as if nobody could cover Sproles in the flat. They went so over board trying to double cover Jackson that they allowed the other guys to PWN them. If they make any stops on third down at the end of the game they win and we never have the bad calls in OT.
3. I am still trying to figure out why Peyton didn't go hurry up more. The one time they did it they got a long TD pass. The longer Peyton waited the more the Chargers moved around and confused his linemen. That was a piss poor offensive game plan it would seem.
4. Whatever props Darren Sproles gets tonight he deserves even more because they tatooed his ass all night long and he kept popping right back up and running hard. Mike Bennett deserves big ups too. The Bucs rarely used him and then let him go when Caddilac came back. That he was ready to go at a moments notice with a whole new playbook and pick up some first downs says a lot about the guy.
5. I fucking hate Phillip Rivers but the guy balled out tonight. He avoided pressure, threw the ball away when he needed to and when he did get sacked he hung on to the ball. He definitely should have been in the pro bowl and with Favre likely to sit it out I am pretty sure he will end up going.
6. I don't agree with it but I will bet you a lot of people will say that the Colts shouldnt have had to travel to an 8-8 Chargers team just because they won their division. I can't go with that argument because it only seems to apply when its not YOUR team that benefits. Some how I doubt any Chargers fans are complaining and if the tables were turned I don't think the Colts fans would complain therefore to me its a non issue and they should keep seeding teams exactly the way they always have. If it ain't broke don't fix it and the Colts didn't lose tonight because they played in San Diego.
And with that I am out.
Remember, when somebody wants attention the meanest thing you can do to them is not give them any.
So, Brett Favre is "leaning toward retirement." Remember last winter when Favre cried while announcing his retirement? And then he screwed with the Packers until finally deciding to return and expecting to be welcomed back with no repercussions. And then he demanded a trade to teams that played the Packers twice a year. And finally was traded to the Jets. Only to play poorly when it mattered most. I vote for the media entirely ignoring Favre's retirement "to be or not to be" schtick until a season goes by without him playing. Then someone can give him a car and a rocking chair at a half-time ceremony. Then he can go away again. For good. Please.
Nothing like the vertically-challenged guy and the punter getting co-MVP honors! Nice win Chargers, an ugly win but those count the same. One and done for the Colts, liking the sound of that!
Gspng writes: "I vote for the media entirely ignoring Favre's retirement "to be or not to be" schtick until a season goes by without him playing. Then someone can give him a car and a rocking chair at a half-time ceremony. Then he can go away again. For good. Please."
I completely agree and it also applies to Tony Dungy's habitual handwringing. The only reason he keeps getting asked is because HE BRINGS IT UP HIMSELF. He's as big a drama queen as Favre is.
Looks like everyone's gone to bed, but I'll throw my two cents in anyway. Congrats to the Chargers, but thumbs down on that officiating. If they wanted to be ticky-tack about calls in OT, they could have called Rivers for intentional grounding.
Re Sproles, as a Giants fan, he reminds me a little of Dave Meggett or Joe Morris.
So the Colts post-game interviews are done with a Colts/AirTran background, wonder how they're getting back to Indy. The Chargers have the Bolt logo/Coors Light background--that seems like a Rivers drink of choice... Heh. Will enjoy this win tonight then cringe tomorrow once the Chargers opponent is determined. In any case, go Chargers!
Let's not forget that Dungy gagged on the chance to challenge that big Chambers sideline catch near the end of the first half. It sure looked like one that would have been overturned, and he had plenty of time to consider it.
Yikes, being outcoached by Norv Turner - if this is it for Dungy, what a sad way to go out.
Weaksauce...that's classic, I like it. I think SC vs Florida or Alamaba would have been a great game.
You're like me circa 2003, you think b/c the boys are out on the west coast that they can't get up with your mane's 'n them down south. That's a huge mistake, the boys out left ball and ball hard.
Hopefully that weaksauce won't drop one to the likes of Oregon State next year (or should I say Ole Miss...oops) and they can't make the title next year
So i guess we escaped the deathclutch of manning-bowl for yet another year...talk about weak-sauce รก la Peyton...is it safe to say that he doesn't like to play in San Diego??
Nah thats not the case, its just that the SEC is so much tougher top to bottom than the PAC10 that if a team comes out of there unscathed that means they are on another level from just about any other college team on earth. For that reason I would put my money on an undefeated SEC champion over an undefeated USC in just about any circumstances. But I respect USC and what they do. Hell they have some ballers come out of there every year. I am all over Maleluga this year because the guy is a BEAST. But I don't think they get challenged enough to be ready to play an undefeated SEC team. It might help if they recognize that Notre Dame isn't coming back any time soon and replace those slappys on the schedule with at least a mid level team from a major conference.
The Colts lost last night but you know good and hell well that you jumped up and cheered when they lost the coin toss. Say what you want about Manning, nobody wants him to have first crack at winning the game in OT. NOBODY.
Well, I called Chargers by three, but I'll take the six. YaHOO! Everybody sing it with me!
San-Di-E-Go
Super Chargers
San-Di-E-Go
CHARgers!
Charge!
::highfive to BlueDog::
True...but it's not written in stone...i recall him choking badly last year...allthough six picks is not an average...the chargers D stay on him pretty well! And sproles murdered them yet again...colt-killaaah!!!
Sproles was balling, but the Chargers D should get a game ball too. They effectively shut down the run and made the Colts one dimensional. Other than the hurry up play Cromartie effectively shut down Reggie Wayne also. Ron Rivera should get major props for taking over midseason which is pretty unheard of when you are talking about D Coordinators and righting the ship. Ted Cottrell was over rated anyway.
@elmo: "::highfive to BlueDog::" Terrorist fist jab right back at ya! heh
Will take this win against the one and done Colts and cheer them on next week too. The Chargers will get coverage for 12 hours then the media is on to "OMG, what is Tony Dungy going to do?? blah blah blah..."
The Bolts finished out the regular season with 4 straight W's, not an easy feat for any team, then brought some game yesterday...friggin' awesome that 5'6" Sproles and punter Scifres were co-MVPs!
I have to go with ravens and philly...it sting's me, but i think the ravens have the fish's number...and well...i just don't see tavaris jackson throwing well against the iggles...
I think the warm weather will be a factor against the Ravens. I just don't know if they have enough depth to play in 80 degree weather in January.
As for the Vikings Eagles game I think Reid is going back to throwing too much and the Vikings D Line is going to get after Donovan. Rather than Jackson winning the game I think the Eagles offense will lose it with an assist from Peterson running breaking lose for a long one.
i dont know...ravens look mighty tough this year...and i dont trust pennington in the playoffs one bit...
Eagles will win if they just go 50-50...of course with reid behind the helm, that's not guaranteed...at all...ever...
I think Donovan is going to tear up the vikings secondary...if they just let buckhalter and westbrook loose on flats and screens...the vikings D-line will tire...
I LOVE the Ravens D. Truly LOVE it. But their offense leaves a lot to be desired IMHO. If the Dolphins don't turn the ball over I don't think the Ravens offense can drive the length of the field to score. Also quietly the Dolphins D aint so shabby either and Joey Porter is going to be coming for Flacco's ass. Its not a sure bet but with homefield and the Dolphins having a good running game which is what you need against a 3-4 Defense I give the edge to them.
As for Donovan and the Eagles, what you might want to hope is that they run the ball 35-40 times. The Vikings DLine don't play even without Pat Williams. Antoine Wingfield ain't no joke either at corner.
That wasn't Pennington. That was all the Ravens Defense. I don't know of any other QB who would have done any better against them today. They were out of control and hitting on all cylinders. Funny thing is when the #43 cat caught the first interception I said to my family "Well good thing that wasn't Ed Reed or he would have taken it to the house". It didn't take too long after that before he proved me right. What they have on the Raven's Defense can be imitated but never duplicated. Regardless of the Dolphins losing after I picked them watching Ray and nem hit people in the mouth over and over more than made up for that dissapointment.
I tell you what I think the Titans/Ravens game next week could be the game of the year. I can't wait to see that one. Talk about smash mouth football. There are gonna be a lotta headaches after that one.
BTW did you see that dude get smashed on the interception return for a TD? I think it was #14. Dude got de cleated.
PS I give Pennington props for just getting back up and continuing to play because some of those hits were definitely concussion worthy.
sgwhite, I give a lot of credit to Pennington for the season as a whole, but I think he did make a couple of bad mistakes with overambitious big throws - much as Rivers did last night - and they really gave the Ravens a chance. No denial that the Ravens played well, but they did catch Miami on something of an off day, in my opinion.
i know man, must have slipped...yeah, u pretty much on the money with that...but i tend to follow a few rules when it comes to teams like the ravens, pittsburg and teams with smashmouth D's...i dont bet against them unless peyton or brady is under center. Even in away games...bill simmons had an excellent point about the ravens..
"they can hang with any elite team and beat all the teams they should beat"...they will probably have trouble with teams that can rack up points quickly...indy, pats etc...but against a run-set-up-the-play-action team like dolphins...they should get the spread. I saw it alright...it was hilarious to see...love these types of games and teams...always fun to watch. I'm hoping that the philly game is a similar one! 2-1 so far this weekend...not bad at all!
I thought the first int that Pennington overthrew the guy after he escaped was a mistake but the rest of them were just helluva plays if you ask me. The one Reed got near the goal line I don't know if there is another Safety that has ever played the game who would have made that same play. He was actually rolling to have the deep middle then jumped a damn quick slant. UN FREAKING REAL. Now others might have knocked it down but to catch it? HELL NAWL
Bruce
I agree with that but I honestly thought the Dolphins would go smash mouth all day running the ball and only throw short safe passes, punt the ball and rely on their defense. I think they threw the ball WAYYYYY too much and you just can't do that against the Ravens. Even if you don't make any yards running the ball takes time off the clock and shortens the game. If they didn't turn the ball over I really thought weather would be a factor and you did see some Ravens start cramping. But they didn't so they got the full wrath of the Ravens D. I was wrong, I admit that but I think Sparano had a stupid game plan.
The reverse that got fumbled would have been a touch down if executed though. There was nobody in the picture on the whole left side of the field because the Ravens blitzed inside. But Ginn got the yips and bam loss of 15. Overall just dumb though.
I dont know man...they got stuffed pretty early on...and when the ravens came with the blitz, they read the snaps like it was televised on the billboard, and just came at pennington...on the reverse...ravens were on that like it was the nineteenth century and they were a a teaparty with cucumber-sandwiches on the way in. ok, dumb analogy but they were on that mf-er...and ray-ray was inches from forcing the sack/fumble anyway...just re-watched the play on nfl's website.
but you're right, Dolphins didn't keep it simple enough...they should have mixed it up with draw-plays, runs of guard and a off-tackle now and then, just to keep the ravens honest...they didn't and wanted to challenge them by air and got punished...some of the blitzes where flawless, flawless!
SG,
Amen on the up-thread comments about "Little Nicky" Saban and Collinsworth. Saban is a douche and collinsworth is clueless. Listening to broadcasts when he is in the booth is a pain because I'm always having to correct his mistakes (and there are a lot of them!!!).
As to the Ravens-Fish game, I was disappointed that Miami didn't win because I'm a steeler fan. Nonetheless, next weeks match-ups will make any NFL fan salivate!!!
Morzer, I agree that Pennington got over-ambitious with some of his throws. For all the excitement that he led the Fish to the post-season, you always had the feeling that a game like today wasn't far away.
Finally, SG said "BTW did you see that dude get smashed on the interception return for a TD? I think it was #14. Dude got de cleated." yeah, that was a monster hit, it was either #14 or #10 but you can see it about to happen and then it's even bigger than you thought it would be. SMASH!
I really want to know why no punter in the whole league knows how to punt the damn ball out of bounds anymore. And I am not just talking about the Vikings, I mean NONE of them seem to ever do it even when facing a dangerous return man. That is just the dumbest shit in the whole wide world.
Joe Buck is talking about the Eagles almost making a "back-breaking interception". The Westbrook screen pass for a TD was the back-breaker! Sorry to sound whiney but sometimes the announcers are just so dumb!
Did you notice that either of those numb nuts pointed out that the sack call when Donovan didn't go down was totally bogus? Like I said they are clueless...
But not quite as clueless as I am evidently in picking games. I fucking suck.
Joe Buck is a total Douche. Troy isn't horrible. Just asking, I missed the pre-game and half time last night but how did Matt Millen do? He sucked at the Lions but I always thought he wasn't have bad as a game caller.
Kathy, I thought Millen was OK in the studio. He should probably have stayed in broadcasting!
OK sgwhite, want to prognosticate next weekend's games?
I see the Ravens upsetting the Titans in Tennessee unless the Titans remember how they were playing the first two-thirds of the season.
Steelers over Chargers in Pittsburgh.
Panthers over Cardinals unless the weather is bad in Charlotte. (Remember what happened to the Cards in the slop in Foxborough.)
Eagles over Giants ... tough pick. My gut says Giants, my emotions say Eagles.
It seems the Eagles' requisite off-game was wasted on the Vikings. Looks like bad news for the Giants ... unless Jacobs is ready to roll. Slugfest either way.
I need to edit myself! I wrote "Panthers over Cardinals unless the weather is bad in Charlotte." If the weather is bad in Charlotte that obviously favors the Panthers. (Smacks self in head with playbook.)
I really, really, really hope the Titans win (and the Steelers of course), so that we can exact revenge for the stomping of the terrible towels on the sidelines in Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. Right now the Ravens are playing blinding defense but the poor offense might come back to haunt them. The Ravens-Titans game earlier in the season was a smash-em-up so I expect the same next weekend.
As for the NFC, the Eagles are hot but beatable and though the Cards showed up yesterday, they don't travel well, especially to the east coast.
Steelers over Chargers
Titans over Ravens
Eagles over Giants
Panthers over Cardinals
Paul, I am going to disagree with your picks, although I see the logic behind them. I suspect that the Steelers will not be able to deal with Sproles, and that Big Ben won't be able to work enough magic to make up for it. The Titans have been looking shaky in recent weeks, and the Ravens are so fired up and generally ferocious in defense that I think they are going to make life hell for them. I agree with you on the Eagles taking down the Giants, but intuition is telling me that the Cards are going to knock over the Panthers. No, no better justification than that, I am afraid.
Chargers over Steelers
Ravens over Titans
Eagles over Giants
Cardinals over Panthers
I went 3/4 this last time, so I suspect that the wheel is going to turn and I shall probably end up 1/4 next time around! At least I can now feel more detached about the whole thing, although I feel bad that Pennington ended a great season with a really pretty poor game.
Quick picks subject to change before the week is out.
Chargers
Ravens
Giants
Panthers
With the Steelers not running as much as they used to inclement weather may actually help the Chargers more than them
The Ravens D is just playing to well for me to go against them. I also am still not sold on Kerry Collins even though I realize I should be.
I think the Giants are just too strong with their ability to run the ball and the Eagles showed today that they can in fact be run on. The Vikings just got pass happy for some reason.
Panthers running game plus the game being outside plus Julius Peppers equals Panthers win in my opinion.
Not too high on my own abilities right now though lol
I don't know what you guys see in the Chargers. Maybe the Steelers won't get past the titans playing the way they are, but they're still playing some high level football. The Chargers...well, the Chargers surprised me against the Colts, but let's not forget how poorly their defense has performed this year. Yeah yeah, the regular season means nothing. Well, statistics do, and number 1 defenses do pretty well in the playoffs.
Here's a piece no one cared about. Meh, whatever, probably the most enjoyable article I did during my stint at TIME. Premiered a month before I got laid-off. The nail in the coffin? Ya think?
Here's me going after Al. I didn't so much have a problem with him, as I had a problem with media acting like this dude was the go-to guy for everything black.
This was my first real story at time. I was writing for the Business section, a real change of direction for me. At any rate, it's about Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize the inner-city. As much as I enjoyed this piece, I mostly enjoyed going out to Chicago, which is a beautiful, beautiful city.
This a piece I did about the cops just outside our nation capitol, in Prince George's County, a few years back. I wanted to offer a counter to the dumb, conventional wisdom that if you paint your police force black, you could eradicate police brutality. In fact, Prince George's--one of the richest, blackest counties in the country--also had one of the most brutal police force's in the country.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
I still don't understand how an 8-8 team gets to host a 12-4 team. True San Diego is nice this time of year but still.
Also for me it's slightly disappointing not to have a team I actively hate in the playoffs. Usually the Cowboys or the Patriots filled that role. I'm Giant fan, so I want them to win but there is no hate for any other team in playoffs.
Neil
How can you be a Giants fan and not hate Philly? Most NFC East fans hate every other team in the NFC East. Some more than others true but I digress...
San Diego while 8-8 scares the shit out of the Colts. I think the Colts will pull it out but it aint no easy win. The thinking behind having a team with a worst record hosting a playoff game is that in theory that team's Division might be so strong that their record suffers for it. Thats actually the opposite of the case this year but thats the theory. I think it will be tweaked soon but don't ever expect a team that wins their division to have to travel the first week of the playoffs.
I think the Arizona Cardinals are going to shock a lot of people today.
You're a Giants fan but you don't hate the Iggles? You're doing it wrong!
Personally, I'd love to see the Colts win, but when it comes to the post season, I've got no faith in their execution. If Manning throws it away three or four times, it could be a long night.
Also, are people still saying that Dallas was/is the team with the most talent? I mean, is that still an argument? Cause I heard that all year and I wonder if Cowboys fans have revised that sentiment. It's like a cult leader who says the end of the world is coming in a week, and then it doesn't come, and you're like, "oh, well, obviously those people can clearly see that that crackpot guy they were following is full of nonsense!" but then you find out that the cult is still going strong and dear leader has chosen another date for the apocalypse and everyone is scared all over again. How many passes did Owens drop this year? That guy is a drive destroyer.
Talent is, I think, the third most important factor, at best, in terms of a winning football team--in the NFL, at least. Give me intelligence, mental toughness, preparation, and I'll show you a great team. In virtually any year, during their Super Bowl run, the Pats were not the most talented team in the NFL. But they were the smartest, the toughest and the best prepared. Look at the Colts this year--depleted by injuries, but still 12-4.
Mathis
Say what you want to but talent wasn't Dallas' problem. They are my team and they deserve all the derision in the world but we can stack our players up against any team's other players. Unfortunately you need to have a team effort to win, not just individual efforts.
Offensive lines and defensive secondaries win championships. The Boys had receiviers, a killer bunch of running backs, and a wonderful defensive end, but give me a left tackle who can keep a qb upright all game long and a don't even bother to throw it corner; well then, now you're talking talent. Insofar as the rest is concerned, aside from the truly great teams--the Pack, the Steelers, the 9ers, the Cowboys, and the recent Pats--those were all complete teams from top to bottom (and I think it would be unwise to think that the Pats' time is over; for the rest, it's often mo and who's on a run in January--the Giants were playing the best ball in January before they got to the Pats last year. This year--right now it's anyone's to win or lose among Tennesee, the Colts, P-burgh, the Giants, and Carolina--but none of them have dynasty written all over their tee shirts--yet.
Not that I am a fan of thread hijacking but what do you all think of Brian Johnson's chances of being drafted after an amazing Utah Sugar bowl win. His poise and steadiness amazed me.
The games today aren't all that exciting. I'm guessing Cardinals will upset the Falcons. The Falcon's QB I predict will choke very hard on this playoff game, but I expect a bright future for him. And the Colts breeze to victory in San Diego.
"In virtually any year, during their Super Bowl run, the Pats were not the most talented team in the NFL. But they were the smartest, the toughest and the best prepared."
I wonder if that had anything to do with taping other teams signals.
Coates
I agree with you about the Pats up to a point. They may not have been the most talented team in the NFL but they weren't that far behind. Don't get me wrong, I agree whole heartedly that they won championships because they played as a team and they played smart and they had a helluva coach (and no it wasnt because of taping any signalst) But they also had a shit load of talent too. Teddy Bruchi, Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, Richard Seymore, Willie McGinist, Assante Samuel, Ted Williams and Harrison on Defense. Tom Brady, Deon Branch, Troy Brown, Corey Dillon, Daniel Graham, Ben Watson, Kevin Faulk on offense. The Pats were damned talented during their Superbowl runs
I think the one thing that the Pats did better than most teams was using the talent they had to do what they do best and also they had more quality depth than most teams. They also didn't over spend for the players that they had and have found ways to replace quality players with other quality players without breaking the bank. But what they didn't do was go find a bunch of joes and win a Superbowl.
My castigation of Cowboys fans was a little flip. So let me go a little further, with some clarification: when a person's team isn't that good but that person thinks they should be better, that person says that their team has talent. "We're only 7-6 but I think we should be 10-3? Well then I'll blame it on external factors because we definitely have the 'talent' to be a great team." Unfortunately, that's a bad argument, because you don't have to prove talent. What does it mean, to be talented? Strength, speed, physical dominance? Okay, that's great, but that's not what makes a good football player. Michael Phelps is talented. Usain Bolt is talented. You still have to catch the ball (Owens) and run your routes and make excellent decisions (Romo).
I would argue that when people talk about "talent" in the NFL, they are really referring to "good players." When people say that the Cowboys had a lot of talent this year, I think they mean that the Cowboys went out and acquired good players. Expensive players. But I guess my argument would be: uh, no, no they weren't actually all that great, or else they would have won a lot more games.
Tony Romo? You know, Rex Grossman can throw a great pass every now and again. He's "talented." Terrell Owens? How is he better than the top 10, 15 players in the league? Every Cowboys game I saw this year, I witnessed him dropping two or three easy catches in the middle of the field. Pacman Jones? Lots of publicity but where are the numbers? Marion Barber is good but is he more "talented" than Brandon Jacobs or Adrian Peterson?
Personally I think that the narrative that was written before the season started was that the Cowboys were great and really "talented" and that they should go to the Super Bowl. This was reinforced throughout the year by the media, and sportswriters, and Cowboys fans, none of whom wished to admit that maybe, just maybe, they had it figured incorrectly. In fact, maybe it wasn't the coaches who messed up the Cowboys this season but, rather, Tony Romo just isn't all that great, and T. O. will never be as good as he once was, and the amazing talent in the rest of the team was actually, on further review, just cleverly disguised good talent.
The Steelers are the perfect example of a team that everyone poo-poos for their lack of talent (Heinz Ward - he's so puny and slow, how does he do it!) but I'd much rather field a Steelers crew than a Cowboys crew. And if the Steelers end up winning the Super Bowl, the sportswriters will all say they won it despite not having a lot of talent. It's all b.s., and it has everything to do with how the teams and the league get framed early in the season, and fitting team performances into those narratives.
Citzen E
Gurode, Columbo and Davis played well for the Cowboys this year on the O Line. Kossier was hurt most of the year. Flozell to me was the only one who pissed down his leg. As for the Defensive line Jay Ratliff was ridiculous and Ellis and Canty were balling. Spencer got hurt but he was hell when he was well. Injuries on defense hurt us a lot this year. Newman wasn't right all year, Roy Williams went down, Canty got hurt at the end, Spencer was out for awhile. But the talent is still there.
Mathis
You are being selective in your judgement of talent.
Even though I hate TO and he does drop the ball he still puts up numbers period. Even this year when he didn't ball out he still ends up with 69 catches for over 1000 yds and 10 TDs
Marion Barber was supposed to be a Tandem with Felix Jones who was looking like the truth until he went down. Tanard Choice showed he has a lot of potential too at the end of the year. Are they the Giants as far as RBs? No but then the Giants best reciever, Plaxico Burress couldn't sniff TO's jock strap and again let me point out that I hate TO. I personally think Crayton is better than people give him credit for and Miles Austin and Sam Hurd are good backups. But Hurd got hurt and didnt contribute this year and Austin got hurt and was limited until the latter part of the year.
TE who in the NFC has a better TE than Jason Witten? Ill wait. Martellius Bennett is going to be ridiculous too with his size and speed and hands.
Tony Romo I agree with, not necessarily impressed but then again he was hurt this year too and I seem to remember a lot of hand wringing over Eli Manning before the playoffs started last year.
I already talked about the Defense so I will just end there.
People who try to say the Cowboys aren't stocked with talent have no foot to stand on. Now whether they use that talent or play up to their potential is a whole other story.
I don't hate the Eagles the way I hate the Cowboys or the Redskins. Maybe because the Eagles never won the Super Bowl so they lack that smugness and the fans have an appealing sense of doom and despair that I find charming.
My brother has met Donovan McNabb on several occasions and he had said Donovan is a nice guy. Plus it turned out they have some common contacts. So you really can't hate someone you almost, sort of, kind of, know.
Most of my emotions about the NFL went away when I went to college. Going to a college where the football team is a least decent provides a stronger emotional connection then I have ever felt with the Jets or Giants. It doesn't matter how big the school is (I went to a Div. III school). As long as the team is good it will provide a bond that I think is stronger than one would get with a pro team.
Besides have you ever seen the lingerie calender the Eagles cheerleaders did? Stuff like that should be encouraged...
I am REALLY hoping some team hires away Jason Garrett so JJ will be forced to get Mike Martz to run the offense.
there's a big difference between having a great roster...and having a good team...a good team is defined not necessarily by results ...but by intangiables...like chemistry, like discipline...things that the boys have none of...u can't really say we have "no talent"...when the first guy to get +20 sacks the last 4 years was a cowboy...other than that, i think the boys have been great through the draft...picking up great value, even in late rounds. so, we have "talent"...but execution is a no-show...because...well...duh, we have no chemistry...no discipline...no sense of urgency...things that truly make a good team, great...because, dallas is a good team...just not a contender...it's been shown for the last 3 years...
I know people won't want to hear this but the chemistry problem all comes back to TO. The defense looks like they all love each other when they are playing. You don't see any finger pointing and they all celebrate together. On offense there is always some kind of drama going on because of one guy. No other guy complains AT ALL. Think about last year when Julius Jones was having to share the load with Barber. You didn't hear a peep out of him even when they benched him for the playoffs. I really and truly believe if they get rid of that guy the team will finally come together and if they do they can over come a bad play or a bad call a lot better than they have since he has been there. Don't get me wrong, the guy produces. But I think his production comes at the expense of other guys and the comraderie of the team. I can't tell you how much I hope against hope they jettison his ass. Otherwise we are going to go through this same crap next year.
@Sgwhite
dallas has been one of the most penalized team for the last 2 years...on offense and defense...the philly showing was an epic display of that...specially on the defensive side of the ball...is that TO's fault too? I'm all for moving isht around too, but ...some things are best taught with a smack up-side the head...move TO...hell, move both Roy Williamses...but for heavens sake, get some discipline in there...
Using talent also has so much to do with coaching, which is where I think Wade Phillips is a real problem for the Cowboys. He's very clearly not in charge, and doesn't have the personality for it -- you've got everyone mouthing off (including the owner), and the defense, good as it is individually, is undisciplined (but then, I guess that's what happens when you hire convicts). I agree with SG. TO is a cancer. I was in Philly while he was there, and he destroyed that team. (And there's another awful, awful coach). So, back to my original point: when you have a team of personalities like you do in Dallas, you need a coach who commands absolute respect, and whose decision will not be second-guessed. Phillips clearly does not -- witness what happened last week with the fieldgoal unit. Now, you may disagree as a player with Phillips (and I think Romo was actually right to go for it on 4th) but you can't second-guess him on the field, and expect to win a Superbowl.
Bruce
I don't blame TO for the penalties and yes they need more discipline in Dallas but even when you bring in a disciplinarian he will still have to deal with the TO problem. They HAD a disciplinarian in Parcells but after TO got there all of a sudden the team turned on him and thought he was too old school. And since JJ brought TO into Dallas over Parcell's objections and he never wants to admit he is wrong he sided with TO. I don't think that will change with a new coach. Now again I think the penalty situation is phucked up and I pointed that out in a convo with Keith awhile back that the penalties were down with Parcells but to me thats like having a toothache and a heart attack. If you take the tooth out you still might die, you fix the heart and you can live with a toothache.
Maya
Peyton Manning did the same thing to Dungy the year they won the superbowl so its not unprecedented. The difference is Peyton actually led the team to a win when he did it.
I'm still trying to figure out where all the love for the Cardinals comes from. Sure, Kurt Warner's a great story, and their WR corps is outstanding, but what else have they got that makes them likely winners today? A home game that may or may not be blacked out because not enough fans bought tickets? A running game that's dead last in the NFL? A defense with no real ability to stop Michael Turner or Roddy White? If they hadn't played in the execrable NFC West, they'd be sitting home right now.
The worst thing anyone's said about the Falcons is that they have a rookie QB and an away game. Not ideal, but it sounds manageable to me.
I'm getting kicked out of my e-mail so I couldn't send this regular way. I got a movie for you and your readers: I'm through w/ white girls.
If you don't LYAO I do not know about you. Hook guy is a graphic novelist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyMyjLUiu7o
I understand if you have to pull this.
Hey Neil, I am a Philly girl but I really like the Giants. If the Iggles choke, I am going to be pulling for the them. Last fall ('07) I took my son up to the Meadowlands for his first NFL game, my first Eagles game. My son, who was only 7, insisted on wearing his prized McNabb jersey. I brought something for him to change into, fearing the jeers and catcalls. Instead, people were incredibly friendly and classy. We sat behind a bunch of Pop Warner coaches who patiently explained the calls and asked him about his favorite players. Other people who were jeering Eagles fans were telling each other to tone it down as soon as they saw my son.
I really truly regret that my fellow Eagles fans do not show anywhere near the amount of class the Giants fans showed us. While I can't change the atmosphere at the Linc, I will pull for their team when they don't play Philly.
Robert M...seen it...thoughtprovoking...but not that thoughtprovoking...kind of wierd movie...but in a good way...challenges a couple of stereotypes...but falls flat in the end...
Cash here are my reasons for picking the Cardinals
1. Home field. Now that is not necessarily just about having the screaming fans and everything, its also about the weather which will be indoors. When you don't have to go outdoors where passing is harder Kurt Warner will absolutely torch your ass.
2. Falcon's secondary vs Boldin/Fitgerald. I think its gonna get ugly folks
3. Arizona's defense isn't as bad as most folks think. I like Docket and Berry a LOT on the D Line and Dansby and Rolle are good on the back line. And believe it or not Arizona's defense is ranked higher than Atlanta's
4. I like Matt Ryan but its still his first playoff game. Thats a playoff game indoors with a lot of crowd noise. They are going to have to rely heavily on the run with Michael Turner and I think he will in fact have a big game but running the ball to score takes time. I don't think they will be able to keep up with Arizona scoring in bunches.
Sgwhite...scratch number 3 and add to it that ATL is a LOUSY away-team...and that usually gets u in the end with a rookie QB...however...neither of these teams are to be considered contenders...it's ridonkulous that AZ is in the playoffs...
Yeah they are both like college teams playing in the blue bonnet bowl but hey at least they get to play another week or two right?
The Chargers are a better team without Tomlinson. The ridiculous playoff format gives San Diego home field in the opening round. I could see them winning, maybe handily. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Bolts make a run like they did in the mid-90s, winning a few surprising games before getting crushed (either in the AFC title game by Pittsburgh/Tennessee or in the Superbowl by the Giants/Panthers).
I think you mean Ted Johnson, who unfortunately is not doing much better than Ted Williams these days.
Nah, I mean Ted Washington
http://www.nfl.com/players/tedwashington/profile?id=WAS737895
But Ted Johson was decent also.
I get to typing and my brain doesn't connect to my fingers some times.
SG: yeah, as soon as I posted my comment I remembered the Peyton-waving-off-the-FG unit moment. But didn't the Colts LOSE that game, if it's the one in 2004 against the Chiefs that you're thinking of? And they certainly didn't win the SB that year. But, point taken.
Maya
I think it was in 2006 and I think they won the game however I also think it happened more than once and then there is the other possibility that I am just fucking wrong lol. Either way you feel me so whatever.
yes...i get goosebumps just thinking about how exciting it would be to have Zona as NFC-champs...hold on...just threw up in my mouth a little bit...
Joel
Please qualify "better team without Tomlinson"
http://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=00-0020536
I like Sproles as much as the next guy but thats just crazy talk.
sgwhite,
How'd your SEC do last night? I missed the entire game, and haven't checked the score...
To quote you...
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Talent is great in a one-man sport. But TO is a team-killer. Until he can snap the ball to himself, fall back to pass, block the rush, and catch the ball all by himself, all of TO's considerable talent won't mean a thing if his whining and grandstanding sap the morale of the other 10 guys on his side.
Oh, and Chargers by 3. You heard it here first.
Won one lost one.
Utah kicked the shit out of Alabama, seriously. I did like the punt return that Arenas had though. But Bama losing their all american O Lineman just killed them. They pulled within 4 after 17 unanswered points to start the second half but then it all just fell apart. Utah did what every team should do against a 3-4 defense that uses fat guys on early downs and then substitutes faster guys to blitz and stunt on later downs, they went no huddle and mashed the gas. Alabama recovered a little at half time but they just didn't tackle worth a damn last night. Utah's QB is legit and their defense ran some blitzes out of the Ravens playbook last night. I was torn because I was pulling for Bama to win because they are SEC but man that Utah defense was BEAUTIFUL!
Watch for the Colts to quick no huddle the Chargers to start the second half today. Its something they have done in the past and I think Utah might have provided some inspiration.
How did the PAC 10 do yesterday?
oopps I forgot they are done with bowl games.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
sgwhite,
No, Fighting Words was the Pac-10 guy. I'm Big 12 all the way. And yes, Ole Miss was able to thrash Texas Tech, so yesterday was probably a wash. Assuming Texas beats Ohio State, its all going to come down to Oklahoma-Florida to see what conference had the best year. Fair enough?
Stacy
Actually I just thought you were talking night games. Kentucky beat ECU last night too.
If Texas beats Ohio State then yeah I can roll with that. If not SEC wins before the game even tips off. Especially since Ole Miss Beat TT who beat Texas right?
Forgot about Kentucky. That's probably because I don't count 6-6 teams. But yeah, I agree with that. If Texas loses, 2 out the Big 12's top three teams have already lost. And OSU lost as well. Who was SEC's third best team this year? Ole Miss?
I don't see OSU beating Texas, they have sucked in a lot of their bigger games (actually, the whole Big Ten has sucked in their bigger games).
As far as the SEC goes, I am just glad asshole Saban lost.
Stacy
It was either Georgia or Ole Miss and both won their bowl games.
DougEMI
Yes that WAS the silver lining. I hate that bastard.
I was watching the game at a bar last night and this guy sitting next to me knew I went to Mich St. He asked if I hated Saban, I told him that was a strong word but it might be accurate.
could someone give me the odds of dallas picking up spagnoulo...at the same time ditching both garrett and phillips?
Damn. Not a lot of love for the Pac-10 here. All they did was win all of their bowl games, 4 of them against ranked opponents.
Okay, let's talk about a less contentious topic than college football - like the Middle East. Just kidding.
Anyway, back to the NFL. If the Falcons or (especially) the Colts lose this weekend, expect a lot noise to change the playoff format (no guaranteed homefield advantage for a division winner), but if both the Colts and Falcons win, don't expect any changes.
Fighting Words
The SEC has just as many wins already and we still have one game to go. Just thought I owuld point that out.
I love the playoff format. I love the idea of an 8-8 team having a shot. The ides that its unfair that a team that lost its division and had had a worse record than two other teams in its conference somehow "deserves" a playoff spot is ridiculous. No one deserves a playoff spot. You earn one by being the best in your division. If you can't win your division, you hope you luck out.
Playoff aare about upsets and teams either pulling it together and making shit happen, or not. Otherwise, just give the Lombardi trophy to the team with the best regular season record and be done with it.
Not thread jacking but I think its important
Israel just went into Gaza
Sorry to burst the bubble of you Falco haters but Atlanta has beaten Carolina, Minnesota, and San Diego, all playoff teams this season.
What Wallyz said. To infinity.
Most of the caterwauling about the 8-8 Chargers being in the playoffs involves how "unfair" it is that they're in and 11-5 New England is out.
San Diego beat New England back in October. So neener.
Drowning
They also lost to Tampa, Denver and New Orleans who all did NOT make the playoffs.
What is your point?
"Sorry to burst the bubble of you Falco haters..."
No Falco hater here. "Der Kommisar" is one of my favorite songs of all time.
to even try to compare them getting in to the playoffs as akin to arizona is rediculous. They are a quality NFC South team that has earned theyre playoff unlike Arizona.
Didn't the Giants who won the Superbowl last year have the same exact record as Arizona does this year?
Drowning, quit while you are behind.
No, people are upset that SD has home field advantage, not that they're in the playoffs. Division winners should get a slot in the playoffs, no doubt, but they shouldn't get to play at home if their record is 8-8 and their opponent's in 12-4.
sgtwhite,
Thankyou you are right any team who makes the playoffs has a chance and cant be treated as a highschool team, and Atlanta also beat NO and Tampa.
I don't think anyone (at least on this thread) is upset that the 8-8 Chargers and the 9-7 Cardinals are in the playoffs. I think most people here agree with the division format and the division winner should make the playoffs.
However, I do think that people take exception to the fact that teams with a worse record have home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs - which is a huge advantage in the playoffs.
I think the Giants won last year with the exact same record as ATLANTA, if that's what you meant. Weren't they 10-6?
Yeah. What Mathis said 4 minutes before I did.
ehhh...nevermind. You're probably right.
Yeah This season alot of great team got screwed(NE)but that is the way it works. If you have a division format you have to have the winner of the division get home field advantage, or you will just be going by who has the toughest schedule and you end up with BCS BS.
Rooting for Falcons and Colts.
I am going with the road teams!
Cris Collinsworth is an idiot. Kurt Warner, a veteran who's seen it all, is "nervous"? Yeah, so nervous he threw a gorgeous 42-yeard TD pass to Fitzgerald. Early going, the Falcons can't get out of their own way.
I don't buy that the closed roof and crowd noise will work against the road team, since the Falcons play in a dome. What works against them is Ryan's inexperience (starting off with an interception kills) and not being able to get their running game going. So far the Cardinals D is smothering them.
Jay
Your statement about domes is.....whats the word I am looking for....I'll just say not an informed one. At home the offense doesn't have to worry about crowd noise. The defense WANTS crowd noise to help throw off the offense. Therefore Atlanta playing in a dome at home has nothing to do with Atlanta not being able to hear the snap count or play calls on offense in a dome on the road.
I guess zona's gonna play the "nobody believes in us" card...first time i see them play a non-divisional with a sense of urgency...way to step up...
WTF did that have to do with the game? I can't stand Collinsworth. They should fire his holier than thou ass
Sorry to repeat, but NE fans need to STFU about the system being unfair. I'm a Pats fan. We lost TWICE to division rivals. One of them was a blowout. We didn't get it done. We're out of the playoffs. We got the consolation prize of Mangenius (and Shanahan!) getting fired. I'm also ok with Division winners hosting playoff games. If a team is that much better (12-4 vs. 8-8) crowd noise and jetlag shouldn't be an issue. Plus victory is that much more sweet. There's nothing better than hearing a home crowd get real quiet during an upset.
On another note, how can you not root for 'Zona? Boldin BROKE HIS FACE and came back, what, two weeks later?! Plus I'm excited for Warner's second "Thank you Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuus!"
SG,
I don't know which Collinsworth point you are referring to (I am assuming it's the "off the field problems" of Turner and Fitzgerald), but I agree with you that he is a terrible announcer.
Fighting Words
Yeah that was the one. No reason at all to bring it up. None.
@Maya
Cutler plays and trains with diabetes...doesn't mean im going to root for denver...i respect the dude for his brass balls...but root for him?
Sg, what's this nonsense I hear on the other thread about the SEC owning SC...you gotta be kidding me??? And just when I was starting to like you...SC is perennial dude, don't get it twisted...no SEC team would own them. Now if you're talking my Big Ten, then absolutely, we'll happily play doormats to both SEC and SC.
When FL's hurting without Tebow and TX or LSU is trying to find it's every other year legs, SC (w or w/o Sanchez) will be Top 5 again. I guarantee they've got another Q waiting in the wings.
k1
k1
Dude the problem is the SEC aint just Florida. LSU won two championships in the last decade you know. And Alabama has come all the way back, yesterday non withstanding. I SINCERELY hope that one day USC brings their weaksauce to the SEC in a bowl game. It will be lunch city, please believe it.
ATL's getting pushed around out there...AZ look like they want it more. SMH
...in shame
On another note, how can you not root for 'Zona? Boldin BROKE HIS FACE and came back, what, two weeks later?
That's a good reason. Better reason is that they're playing the Falcons and I'm a Saints fan. The Falcons could go 0-for-the-decade and I wouldn't get tired of seeing it.
Ryan's not making good decisions and the Atlanta defense looks overmatched.
Jay
What were you saying about playing in a dome on the road?
I'm still not convinced that dome + road accounts for Atlanta's problems. They aren't playing well to begin with, and they're up against a very motivated team.
there it is...finally a sense of urgency
lol of course you aren't
Collinsworth may be smug as hell, but the dude knows his shit. He's owned those guys on Inside the NFL for years. I'd put him up with Jaws and Billick as the color guys who know the most.
This is getting interesting.
I don't really care who wins, so I'm rooting for fireworks...
Notice how Collingsworths dumb ass isn't pointing out that Abraham has been hurt to the point where he didn't practice a few days this week.
Sheesh, just let Warner keep throwing. Or run the ball up the middle. Yikes, that was a bad play.
And then they let them convert a 3rd and 20...
Stacy
Just because Collingsworth SOUNDS like he knows what he is talking about please don't be fooled. Hell he was wrong so many times tonight I lost count. A couple of times when he was trying to show Arizona jumping offsides without it being called the guys were actually getting off with the ball, the falcons O Lineman were just slow off the ball.
.....
where's my rod and reel?
Collinsworth also said at the beginning of the game that Warner was "nervous." Yeah, he sure looked nervous out there. /sarcasm/
Well, I wasn't able to watch this game until about the 4th quarter. But you aren't going to be able to convince me that Chris Collinsworth doesn't know what he's talking about. If he doesn't know what he's talking about, then neither do Aikman, Chris Carter, Dan Marino, Chris Simms, Warren Sapp, etc. He's the only one who sounds like he actually watches the games. I guess I'm talking more about his studio work than his color commentary.
Bill Russell said his stomach was in knots before every single basketball game he played. They said he threw up before most games. Being nervous doesn't mean shit.
Hmmm now what did I say earlier
1. Check
2. Check
3. Check
4. Check
Oh by the way Im picking the Colts in this one.
I guess I'll stick my neck out here--Go Chargers! No flaming necessary...just a native San Diegan who cheers for the Bolts every year, having grown up with Fouts, Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Louie Kelcher and who could forget, Chuck Muncie!
I know it's easy to trash the Chargers given their record but hey, they stuck with it and won, they're in and a lot of teams aren't.
Stacy
Out of your list
1. Aikman knows offense only
2. Warren Sapp knows football but lets personal prejudices get in the way
3. Marino knows passing game offense only
4. Chris Carter doesn't have a clue
5. Phil (not Chris) Simms knows football but is bitter as all hell
The guys who probably know the most football are Jimmy Johnson, Tom Jackson, and Howie Long. Jaws watches film but he only knows defense in the way that most offensive coaches knowo football. He has gotten better in the last 3 years but he still gets it wrong a lot when he says WHY a defense is doing something.
Chris Collingsworth talks a good game but he doesn't know all that much. He might watch film but most of the time I will bet anything he only pays attention to the offense. Did you notice how many times he said "the interesting thing about" something or other tonight? He is an IDJUT!
Uhmm prime example
Robert Mathis is a starter and has been one for years. He doesn't come in on passing downs
Chris Collingsworth: holier than thou Republican; hated Clinton; probably thinks Hopey is a Muslim. Just the sound of his voice makes me feel like throwing a shoe at the TV.
Say, is it my old TV set, or do SD's baby blue jerseys glow in the dark? That's no color for manly men on a manly football team to be wearing.
Maya writes: "I'm excited for Warner's second "Thank you Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuus!""
I'm happy that in his post-game interview Warner DIDN'T mention his sky fairy at all. Maybe he's finally figured out after years of losing that his imaginary friend has nothing to do with wins and losses.
Somewhere there's an 80 year old Chicago Cardinals fan who was made very happy today. Sure, he might be the only one left, but he's happy.
Please Don't Feed The Tr0ll.
@karen: Throwback jersey color, Lance Alworth day--you can probably adjust your tv so they glow even brighter.
"The Chargers will wear their powder blue uniforms in Saturday's playoff game against the Colts after all. Teams can wear their alternate uniforms once in the postseason.
The Chargers had to get the uniforms back from the NFL, where they had been sent after the team's Dec. 4 game against Oakland to be auctioned for charity. The Chargers will send the uniforms back to the NFL following Saturday's game"
Props to Mike Scifres. It's not often that you have occasion to shout-out a punter, but that guy is having a big impact on the field-position game and is earning that damn check tonight.
I'm a 49ers/Raiders fan and I have to say that the Colts and Chargers have the best uniforms in the NFL. Well, the Chargers need to go back to their ORIGINAL powder blue uniforms (with the number on the side of the helmet, and a different design for the lightening).
dragnet
The punter surely set up that score. They better start going for the block.
The refs were dead ass wrong on that replay call and it helped the Colts tremendously. No way the Chargers don't get at least a FG if they recover that ball. So if the Colts win by 3 or less just remember that call.
Fighting Words
I have to say that being partial to black I actually would take the Raiders uniforms every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Have to agree that the Chargers were hard done by on the call, although I suspect they'll win solidly enough in the end. My predictions have held up so far: Cards, Chargers,Dolphins and Eagles to win. One out of four so far, and I feel optimistic about the three that remain.
That was HUGE lapse from Cromartie on that touchdown pass. Got caught on a quick snap and just burned.
If this is the final score he can expect a blanket party in the locker room for sure.
Norv should've been jumping down the throats of a a few guys, knowing the Colts like that no-huddle offense.
That's not an effing fumble by Sproles! The Chargers are getting Hochuli'd for sure...refs are lovin' some Colts!
Okay, replay showed Sproles wasn't down... Great D, Chargers! Nice return Sproles, thanks for hanging onto the ball.
Heh, got the whole TNC thread to myself! lol
Chargers will probably lose but Scifres should be MVP.
Who's dumber, Rivers or Turner? Watching the Chargers is painful. They shoot themselves in the face over and over again, like a bunch of suicidal Dick Cheneys.
I guess we can't count on them to stave off the looming NFL Apocalypse - the dread possibility of a Manning v. Manning Super Bowl.
Whoa, Peyton sacked at the 1! Maybe the era of Archie Manning selling his seed at $10 million a pop can be avoided after all!
Belichick orders the runback for a safety here.
Rivers has more tics than a hayfield.
Gaak! I thought time was out.
Moe, even by your standards, you are seriously in need of meds tonight. Are you still grieving because the Patriots are sitting at home and weeping? Whoever wins, it's a hell of a good game to watch.
Chargers get the ball first in OT.... I thought the Colt were supposed to score 70 points tonight? It's gotta be mojo of the powder blue throwback jerseys, come on Bolts!
kassel says: "Moe, even by your standards, you are seriously in need of meds tonight."
I have no idea who you are, kassel, but that's a personal insult. Which I personally have no problem with, but others here will, unless they're hypocrites who just call it one way like corrupt refs.
"Whoever wins, it's a hell of a good game to watch."
Who said it wasn't? But Rivers and Norv have a lot of work to do before anyone can have any confidence in them in big games.
Speaking of big games, when is LT going to come out with his own line of sideline bicycles? He's the expert in the field.
Moe, given your incoherent rants comparing people to suicidal Dick Cheneys, you are no-one to complain about people finding you in need of medication.
I think Moe meant that Rivers messed up with a couple of over-ambitious throws. Being Moe, he has to over-dramatize.
Imma say this again
DONT FEED THE TROLLS
Morzer, you mean that Moe doesn't need medication?
The reference made perfect sense, larrysabato. I'm sorry it went over your head. But I'll add you to the list of my fans.
Darren Sproles is going to need a team of chiropractors this week. He's half the size of Kellen Winslow but he's having a Kellen Winslow sort of game.
Kassel, I think Moe is no more in need of medication that he was before this thread began.
I think they ought to name a new type of burger the Sproles. The poor guy is pretty close to tenderized!
It's funny how I'm being called a troll when so many other posters aren't even pretending to post about football.
As for sgwhite - sorry, dude, I wasn't aware you owned all of TNC's football threads.
Colts are in meltdown now.
Getting mighty close to field goal territory!
these officials are something else.
that's all i'm gonna say.
a game of this magnitude simply should not be decided by the officiating crew.
lights out, folks.
If Rivers blows it on a big throw, he'd better start hiring moving trucks.
All I can say is WOW on those last two calls. Those refs will never work a playoff game again in life.
So will Tony Dungy retire to become the next Mother Teresa or what?
No Manning/Manning Bowl. The nation is saved.
been lurking all night, but I have to let this out...
YYYYEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!
yes yes yes yes yes sweet victory is ours.
boom.
Gotta give the Chargers credit. Their defense stepped up, and they made plays as a team when they needed to.
Saying that, both these teams are a bit over-rated. I think either one would get smoked by Tennessee or Pittsburgh next week.
5'6" Sproles is da freaking man...juked someone out of his jock there at the end. Great calls refs!
Well, whatever you may think of the officials, I reckon Sproles was the best player on either side tonight and deserves this win.
sgwhite said: "All I can say is WOW on those last two calls. Those refs will never work a playoff game again in life."
The replay showed the facemask call was completely justified. What a dumb and unnecessary move!
So, what happened to all the road warriors that were supposed to be so dominant this weekend? Can we get some love for the homedogs up in here?
yazzel writes: "I reckon Sproles was the best player on either side tonight and deserves this win."
Best NFL Smurf ever.
Yeah, but that defensive holding call the play before was just devastating.
That wasn't a penalty. That was FOOTBALL. This officiating crew is done. Or at least they should be.
The Chargers probably were about 2% better overall than the Colts, but I don't see them getting much further unless Rivers does some hasty remedial work on those reckless deep throws. Still, a good game to watch.
So BlueDog, are you still gonna knock Sproles?
I hate to say this because I hate the Chargers, but I do like Darren Sproles. He is the exact same height as I am and he is playing in the NFL. As a "vertically challenged" person myself, it always makes me happy to see short people succeed in professional sports (Sproles, Spud Webb, Earl Boykins, David Eckstein).
Fighting Words says: "As a "vertically challenged" person myself, it always makes me happy to see short people succeed in professional sports (Sproles, Spud Webb, Earl Boykins, David Eckstein)."
Don't forget Dustin Pedroia and Eddie Gaedel.
Dunno about the holding on the lob pass but the other calls were right. The Colts were only close because of the Norv and three major fuckups. Too bad Tony Dungee's beloved proposition 8 passed because John Madden clearly wanted to marry Bob Sanders. Anyhow the Colts were a paper tiger. The Chargers will melt against teams with run defense.
Tomlinson sat out because he's slow and can't cutback anymore which limits SD offense.
FW, where did I knock Sproles? He fumbled and I let him off the hook with that nice return... Heh, Moe, the best NFL Smurf is right, he got 340 all purpose yards!
Redemption for being Hochuli'd!
Gotta love SuperChristian anti-gay Tony Dungy giving his postgame talk in front of a board filled with AirTran symbols - the airline that tossed the Muslims off a flight over nothing yesterday. Classy!
One great result of this game: that creep Mike Shanahan can stop angling for the San Diego job.
Sproles was the man in college too. He has been wrecking shop for a minute.
A couple thoughts about the game.
1. That call at the end of the first half went the Colts way so you could expect a few to go the Chargers in the end. But you just don't call holding on a Defensive Lineman in the Overtime of a playoff game. Of course through out the game the commentators kept pointing out that this crew called more penalties than any in the league. But surprisingly they never called holding on the guys trying to block Freeney.
2. The Colts Defense allowed the Chargers to abuse them with Gates right before the end of regulation and they acted as if nobody could cover Sproles in the flat. They went so over board trying to double cover Jackson that they allowed the other guys to PWN them. If they make any stops on third down at the end of the game they win and we never have the bad calls in OT.
3. I am still trying to figure out why Peyton didn't go hurry up more. The one time they did it they got a long TD pass. The longer Peyton waited the more the Chargers moved around and confused his linemen. That was a piss poor offensive game plan it would seem.
4. Whatever props Darren Sproles gets tonight he deserves even more because they tatooed his ass all night long and he kept popping right back up and running hard. Mike Bennett deserves big ups too. The Bucs rarely used him and then let him go when Caddilac came back. That he was ready to go at a moments notice with a whole new playbook and pick up some first downs says a lot about the guy.
5. I fucking hate Phillip Rivers but the guy balled out tonight. He avoided pressure, threw the ball away when he needed to and when he did get sacked he hung on to the ball. He definitely should have been in the pro bowl and with Favre likely to sit it out I am pretty sure he will end up going.
6. I don't agree with it but I will bet you a lot of people will say that the Colts shouldnt have had to travel to an 8-8 Chargers team just because they won their division. I can't go with that argument because it only seems to apply when its not YOUR team that benefits. Some how I doubt any Chargers fans are complaining and if the tables were turned I don't think the Colts fans would complain therefore to me its a non issue and they should keep seeding teams exactly the way they always have. If it ain't broke don't fix it and the Colts didn't lose tonight because they played in San Diego.
And with that I am out.
Remember, when somebody wants attention the meanest thing you can do to them is not give them any.
As I said at my blog:
So, Brett Favre is "leaning toward retirement." Remember last winter when Favre cried while announcing his retirement? And then he screwed with the Packers until finally deciding to return and expecting to be welcomed back with no repercussions. And then he demanded a trade to teams that played the Packers twice a year. And finally was traded to the Jets. Only to play poorly when it mattered most. I vote for the media entirely ignoring Favre's retirement "to be or not to be" schtick until a season goes by without him playing. Then someone can give him a car and a rocking chair at a half-time ceremony. Then he can go away again. For good. Please.
Blue Dog,
Sorry, I misinterpreted, "Nice return Sproles, thanks for hanging onto the ball." as a knock against him. It's the heat of battle.
sgwhite writes: "I am still trying to figure out why Peyton didn't go hurry up more. The one time they did it they got a long TD pass. "
That's because that time it was a SURPRISE. If they did it more it wouldn't have been.
The reason they didn't go to it more is they don't have the personnel for it anymore and they couldn't run to keep the Chargers defense honest.
"Remember, when somebody wants attention the meanest thing you can do to them is not give them any."
Remember, passive aggressiveness is a bad idea in football and in life.
Edit: Smurf "only" got 328 all-purpose yards...
Nothing like the vertically-challenged guy and the punter getting co-MVP honors! Nice win Chargers, an ugly win but those count the same. One and done for the Colts, liking the sound of that!
Gspng writes: "I vote for the media entirely ignoring Favre's retirement "to be or not to be" schtick until a season goes by without him playing. Then someone can give him a car and a rocking chair at a half-time ceremony. Then he can go away again. For good. Please."
I completely agree and it also applies to Tony Dungy's habitual handwringing. The only reason he keeps getting asked is because HE BRINGS IT UP HIMSELF. He's as big a drama queen as Favre is.
Looks like everyone's gone to bed, but I'll throw my two cents in anyway. Congrats to the Chargers, but thumbs down on that officiating. If they wanted to be ticky-tack about calls in OT, they could have called Rivers for intentional grounding.
Re Sproles, as a Giants fan, he reminds me a little of Dave Meggett or Joe Morris.
So the Colts post-game interviews are done with a Colts/AirTran background, wonder how they're getting back to Indy. The Chargers have the Bolt logo/Coors Light background--that seems like a Rivers drink of choice... Heh. Will enjoy this win tonight then cringe tomorrow once the Chargers opponent is determined. In any case, go Chargers!
BlueDog says: "So the Colts post-game interviews are done with a Colts/AirTran background, wonder how they're getting back to Indy. "
Yeah, Raheem Brock may have to make other arrangements.
Go bolts! LT sitting on the bike never looked so good
If they wanted to be ticky-tack about calls in OT, they could have called Rivers for intentional grounding.
Jacob Hester was right there. It doesn't matter that Hester wasn't looking for it. He just has to be close enough. And it was.
Let's not forget that Dungy gagged on the chance to challenge that big Chambers sideline catch near the end of the first half. It sure looked like one that would have been overturned, and he had plenty of time to consider it.
Yikes, being outcoached by Norv Turner - if this is it for Dungy, what a sad way to go out.
SG
Weaksauce...that's classic, I like it. I think SC vs Florida or Alamaba would have been a great game.
You're like me circa 2003, you think b/c the boys are out on the west coast that they can't get up with your mane's 'n them down south. That's a huge mistake, the boys out left ball and ball hard.
Hopefully that weaksauce won't drop one to the likes of Oregon State next year (or should I say Ole Miss...oops) and they can't make the title next year
k1
ryanculver.blogspot.com
So i guess we escaped the deathclutch of manning-bowl for yet another year...talk about weak-sauce รก la Peyton...is it safe to say that he doesn't like to play in San Diego??
k1
Nah thats not the case, its just that the SEC is so much tougher top to bottom than the PAC10 that if a team comes out of there unscathed that means they are on another level from just about any other college team on earth. For that reason I would put my money on an undefeated SEC champion over an undefeated USC in just about any circumstances. But I respect USC and what they do. Hell they have some ballers come out of there every year. I am all over Maleluga this year because the guy is a BEAST. But I don't think they get challenged enough to be ready to play an undefeated SEC team. It might help if they recognize that Notre Dame isn't coming back any time soon and replace those slappys on the schedule with at least a mid level team from a major conference.
Bruce
The Colts lost last night but you know good and hell well that you jumped up and cheered when they lost the coin toss. Say what you want about Manning, nobody wants him to have first crack at winning the game in OT. NOBODY.
Well, I called Chargers by three, but I'll take the six. YaHOO! Everybody sing it with me!
San-Di-E-Go
Super Chargers
San-Di-E-Go
CHARgers!
Charge!
::highfive to BlueDog::
True...but it's not written in stone...i recall him choking badly last year...allthough six picks is not an average...the chargers D stay on him pretty well! And sproles murdered them yet again...colt-killaaah!!!
Sproles was balling, but the Chargers D should get a game ball too. They effectively shut down the run and made the Colts one dimensional. Other than the hurry up play Cromartie effectively shut down Reggie Wayne also. Ron Rivera should get major props for taking over midseason which is pretty unheard of when you are talking about D Coordinators and righting the ship. Ted Cottrell was over rated anyway.
@elmo: "::highfive to BlueDog::" Terrorist fist jab right back at ya! heh
Will take this win against the one and done Colts and cheer them on next week too. The Chargers will get coverage for 12 hours then the media is on to "OMG, what is Tony Dungy going to do?? blah blah blah..."
The Bolts finished out the regular season with 4 straight W's, not an easy feat for any team, then brought some game yesterday...friggin' awesome that 5'6" Sproles and punter Scifres were co-MVPs!
"..and this is why they play the game..."
I got the Dolphins and Vikings today. Who are yall picking?
I have to go with ravens and philly...it sting's me, but i think the ravens have the fish's number...and well...i just don't see tavaris jackson throwing well against the iggles...
Well, I went 0 for 2 yesterday. Let's try it again.
I'll take the Ravens and Eagles.
I think the warm weather will be a factor against the Ravens. I just don't know if they have enough depth to play in 80 degree weather in January.
As for the Vikings Eagles game I think Reid is going back to throwing too much and the Vikings D Line is going to get after Donovan. Rather than Jackson winning the game I think the Eagles offense will lose it with an assist from Peterson running breaking lose for a long one.
I'm going with the home teams being 4-0 this weekend so Dolphins and Vikings.
@sg, Word on the Chargers D. Sproles will be the highlight reel but the D quietly and effectively did their job.
i dont know...ravens look mighty tough this year...and i dont trust pennington in the playoffs one bit...
Eagles will win if they just go 50-50...of course with reid behind the helm, that's not guaranteed...at all...ever...
I think Donovan is going to tear up the vikings secondary...if they just let buckhalter and westbrook loose on flats and screens...the vikings D-line will tire...
Bruce
I LOVE the Ravens D. Truly LOVE it. But their offense leaves a lot to be desired IMHO. If the Dolphins don't turn the ball over I don't think the Ravens offense can drive the length of the field to score. Also quietly the Dolphins D aint so shabby either and Joey Porter is going to be coming for Flacco's ass. Its not a sure bet but with homefield and the Dolphins having a good running game which is what you need against a 3-4 Defense I give the edge to them.
As for Donovan and the Eagles, what you might want to hope is that they run the ball 35-40 times. The Vikings DLine don't play even without Pat Williams. Antoine Wingfield ain't no joke either at corner.
I'm 2-0, got Philly and Balmore today. They both played much tougher schedules than their opponents, just like the two teams that won yesterday
Go Mi-ami!!!
Only because I hate the Ravens!
I'll also take Philly.
Well, I am 2/2 after yesterday - and today I am going for the Eagles and the Dolphins.
Sgt...i dont wanna say i told u so...but I TOLD U SOO!!! Do NOT trust Chad Pennington in the playoffs!
Oh well, 2/3 ain't bad. Two better than I usually manage! Poor old Chad had his worst game of the season today.
Bruce
remember, I am not a sgt. Just plain old sgwhite
That wasn't Pennington. That was all the Ravens Defense. I don't know of any other QB who would have done any better against them today. They were out of control and hitting on all cylinders. Funny thing is when the #43 cat caught the first interception I said to my family "Well good thing that wasn't Ed Reed or he would have taken it to the house". It didn't take too long after that before he proved me right. What they have on the Raven's Defense can be imitated but never duplicated. Regardless of the Dolphins losing after I picked them watching Ray and nem hit people in the mouth over and over more than made up for that dissapointment.
I tell you what I think the Titans/Ravens game next week could be the game of the year. I can't wait to see that one. Talk about smash mouth football. There are gonna be a lotta headaches after that one.
BTW did you see that dude get smashed on the interception return for a TD? I think it was #14. Dude got de cleated.
PS I give Pennington props for just getting back up and continuing to play because some of those hits were definitely concussion worthy.
sgwhite, I give a lot of credit to Pennington for the season as a whole, but I think he did make a couple of bad mistakes with overambitious big throws - much as Rivers did last night - and they really gave the Ravens a chance. No denial that the Ravens played well, but they did catch Miami on something of an off day, in my opinion.
i know man, must have slipped...yeah, u pretty much on the money with that...but i tend to follow a few rules when it comes to teams like the ravens, pittsburg and teams with smashmouth D's...i dont bet against them unless peyton or brady is under center. Even in away games...bill simmons had an excellent point about the ravens..
"they can hang with any elite team and beat all the teams they should beat"...they will probably have trouble with teams that can rack up points quickly...indy, pats etc...but against a run-set-up-the-play-action team like dolphins...they should get the spread. I saw it alright...it was hilarious to see...love these types of games and teams...always fun to watch. I'm hoping that the philly game is a similar one! 2-1 so far this weekend...not bad at all!
sgwhite said, "I think the Titans/Ravens game next week could be the game of the year." Second that!
morezer
I thought the first int that Pennington overthrew the guy after he escaped was a mistake but the rest of them were just helluva plays if you ask me. The one Reed got near the goal line I don't know if there is another Safety that has ever played the game who would have made that same play. He was actually rolling to have the deep middle then jumped a damn quick slant. UN FREAKING REAL. Now others might have knocked it down but to catch it? HELL NAWL
Bruce
I agree with that but I honestly thought the Dolphins would go smash mouth all day running the ball and only throw short safe passes, punt the ball and rely on their defense. I think they threw the ball WAYYYYY too much and you just can't do that against the Ravens. Even if you don't make any yards running the ball takes time off the clock and shortens the game. If they didn't turn the ball over I really thought weather would be a factor and you did see some Ravens start cramping. But they didn't so they got the full wrath of the Ravens D. I was wrong, I admit that but I think Sparano had a stupid game plan.
The reverse that got fumbled would have been a touch down if executed though. There was nobody in the picture on the whole left side of the field because the Ravens blitzed inside. But Ginn got the yips and bam loss of 15. Overall just dumb though.
sgwhite
I dont know man...they got stuffed pretty early on...and when the ravens came with the blitz, they read the snaps like it was televised on the billboard, and just came at pennington...on the reverse...ravens were on that like it was the nineteenth century and they were a a teaparty with cucumber-sandwiches on the way in. ok, dumb analogy but they were on that mf-er...and ray-ray was inches from forcing the sack/fumble anyway...just re-watched the play on nfl's website.
but you're right, Dolphins didn't keep it simple enough...they should have mixed it up with draw-plays, runs of guard and a off-tackle now and then, just to keep the ravens honest...they didn't and wanted to challenge them by air and got punished...some of the blitzes where flawless, flawless!
SG,
Amen on the up-thread comments about "Little Nicky" Saban and Collinsworth. Saban is a douche and collinsworth is clueless. Listening to broadcasts when he is in the booth is a pain because I'm always having to correct his mistakes (and there are a lot of them!!!).
As to the Ravens-Fish game, I was disappointed that Miami didn't win because I'm a steeler fan. Nonetheless, next weeks match-ups will make any NFL fan salivate!!!
Morzer, I agree that Pennington got over-ambitious with some of his throws. For all the excitement that he led the Fish to the post-season, you always had the feeling that a game like today wasn't far away.
Finally, SG said "BTW did you see that dude get smashed on the interception return for a TD? I think it was #14. Dude got de cleated." yeah, that was a monster hit, it was either #14 or #10 but you can see it about to happen and then it's even bigger than you thought it would be. SMASH!
Go Vikes!!!
Dawkins botched a given INT on 2nd and 3...and now it's defensive interference...man...jackson is really getting some breaks here
I really want to know why no punter in the whole league knows how to punt the damn ball out of bounds anymore. And I am not just talking about the Vikings, I mean NONE of them seem to ever do it even when facing a dangerous return man. That is just the dumbest shit in the whole wide world.
Joe Buck is talking about the Eagles almost making a "back-breaking interception". The Westbrook screen pass for a TD was the back-breaker! Sorry to sound whiney but sometimes the announcers are just so dumb!
Paul G
Did you notice that either of those numb nuts pointed out that the sack call when Donovan didn't go down was totally bogus? Like I said they are clueless...
But not quite as clueless as I am evidently in picking games. I fucking suck.
Joe Buck is a total Douche. Troy isn't horrible. Just asking, I missed the pre-game and half time last night but how did Matt Millen do? He sucked at the Lions but I always thought he wasn't have bad as a game caller.
Kathy, I thought Millen was OK in the studio. He should probably have stayed in broadcasting!
OK sgwhite, want to prognosticate next weekend's games?
I see the Ravens upsetting the Titans in Tennessee unless the Titans remember how they were playing the first two-thirds of the season.
Steelers over Chargers in Pittsburgh.
Panthers over Cardinals unless the weather is bad in Charlotte. (Remember what happened to the Cards in the slop in Foxborough.)
Eagles over Giants ... tough pick. My gut says Giants, my emotions say Eagles.
It seems the Eagles' requisite off-game was wasted on the Vikings. Looks like bad news for the Giants ... unless Jacobs is ready to roll. Slugfest either way.
I need to edit myself! I wrote "Panthers over Cardinals unless the weather is bad in Charlotte." If the weather is bad in Charlotte that obviously favors the Panthers. (Smacks self in head with playbook.)
My picks for next week:
I really, really, really hope the Titans win (and the Steelers of course), so that we can exact revenge for the stomping of the terrible towels on the sidelines in Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. Right now the Ravens are playing blinding defense but the poor offense might come back to haunt them. The Ravens-Titans game earlier in the season was a smash-em-up so I expect the same next weekend.
As for the NFC, the Eagles are hot but beatable and though the Cards showed up yesterday, they don't travel well, especially to the east coast.
Steelers over Chargers
Titans over Ravens
Eagles over Giants
Panthers over Cardinals
Paul, I am going to disagree with your picks, although I see the logic behind them. I suspect that the Steelers will not be able to deal with Sproles, and that Big Ben won't be able to work enough magic to make up for it. The Titans have been looking shaky in recent weeks, and the Ravens are so fired up and generally ferocious in defense that I think they are going to make life hell for them. I agree with you on the Eagles taking down the Giants, but intuition is telling me that the Cards are going to knock over the Panthers. No, no better justification than that, I am afraid.
Chargers over Steelers
Ravens over Titans
Eagles over Giants
Cardinals over Panthers
I went 3/4 this last time, so I suspect that the wheel is going to turn and I shall probably end up 1/4 next time around! At least I can now feel more detached about the whole thing, although I feel bad that Pennington ended a great season with a really pretty poor game.
Quick picks subject to change before the week is out.
Chargers
Ravens
Giants
Panthers
With the Steelers not running as much as they used to inclement weather may actually help the Chargers more than them
The Ravens D is just playing to well for me to go against them. I also am still not sold on Kerry Collins even though I realize I should be.
I think the Giants are just too strong with their ability to run the ball and the Eagles showed today that they can in fact be run on. The Vikings just got pass happy for some reason.
Panthers running game plus the game being outside plus Julius Peppers equals Panthers win in my opinion.
Not too high on my own abilities right now though lol
Eagles over Giants: the Philly outfit looking better and better, esp. the so-you-think-you-can-stop-Westbrook dept.
I don't know what you guys see in the Chargers. Maybe the Steelers won't get past the titans playing the way they are, but they're still playing some high level football. The Chargers...well, the Chargers surprised me against the Colts, but let's not forget how poorly their defense has performed this year. Yeah yeah, the regular season means nothing. Well, statistics do, and number 1 defenses do pretty well in the playoffs.