Playoffs 5 – 3 – 0
Regular Season 114 – 116 - 9
PATRIOTS (-14) Chargers: Let’s recap a few of my thoughts on how to beat the Patriots. In order to beat the Pats, the opponent must, have a high level of talent, play near flawless football for the entire 60 minutes, be able to pressure Brady without leaving receivers open, be able to control the clock and have the mentality that they can and will win the game. How many of these attributes can be contributed to the Chargers?
Talent: Offensively, the Chargers have the best RB in football and an above average offensive line, an All Pro TE, an incredibly talented WR in Chambers, and a blossoming-in-the-playoffs WR Vincent Jackson. A big concern is if Phillip Rivers will play, but if not, Billy Volek is capable of playing well. Defensively, the Chargers have playmakers at every level. Louis Castillo is a stud at DE, Igor Olshansky is solid at the other end. The LBs are a very fast group led by Shawne Merriman. LOLB Shaun Phillips is having a great postseason. The Charger DBs are playing solid football right now with Antonio Cromartie and Quinten Jammer leading the group.
Coaching: To play flawless football, the players need to be near perfect, and for the players to be near perfect, the coaches have to get them into the right spots to make plays. I am not a big fan of Norv Turner, but to his and his coaching staff’s credit, the Chargers came from behind in the wild card round and then won on the road in Indi. The Charger play-calling last week was fantastic on both sides of the ball, the players were prepared for the Colts and the environment of the RCA Dome, and most importantly, never gave up. The pressure present at the start of the playoffs is off Turner and the Chargers now. They made it further that most people thought they would go and can play the game Sunday with a lot emotion and little worry of what pundits will say if they lose.
Getting to Brady: The Jags made the mistake of playing too much soft zone against the Pats last week. Brady destroys the umbrella zone, evident by his 26 of 28 showing and 3 TD performance. The Chargers must get to Brady, but at the same time have all receivers accounted for. Brady will hit the hot route every time. The Charger play mostly the 3-4 defense, so pressure will come from the LBs. This is the most important aspect of the game. If Brady gets his accustomed 6 Mississippi to throw, the Chargers will have no chance.
Mentality: The Chargers remember the Patriots dancing on their logo at the 50 yard line last year after the Patriots beat the Chargers in San Diego. The best revenge for that loss would beat to beat the Pats and destroy their perfect season. L.T. took last years loss the hardest and nothing short of a torn ligament in his knee will keep him out of this contest. The Chargers were not overwhelmed in Indianapolis last week and will not be scared about playing the Pats this Sunday.
Outlook: I picked the Chargers at the beginning of the year to make the Super Bowl, but thought they were going to get crushed last week. There is no denying the Chargers have a resolve about them and a very strong sense of team. We all know what the Patriots can do, but one big play can change a game and the Chargers have shown a knack for making that big play over the last half of the season. If I was asked to pick the winner of this game, I would not pick the Chargers, but in terms of the spread, 14 points seems like a lot with all the emotion the Chargers carry with them into the game.
Pick: Chargers (+14)
PACKERS (-7.5) Giants: The best decision of last week’s Green Bay game was Mike McCarthy not benching Ryan Grant, even for a series, after two fumbles on his first three touches. How many coaches would have left him in there for the third series? The unsung hero’s of the Packers season is their offensive line. Favre and Grant get the accolades, but the O-line paves the way for them to operate. I am not taking anything away from Grant’s performance last week, but the holes opened up for him at times were such that he was not hit until he got to the second level. RT Mark Tauscher, a perennial All Pro, destroyed Patrick Kerney last week. The battle between the Green Bay O-line and the Giant front seven is the most crucial of all the matchups. Any yardage by Grant makes it easier for Favre to operate. Regardless of Grant’s performance on Sunday, the Giants have to get to Favre with their front four. Favre is capable of winning without the benefit of a running game so New York has to get pressure up front because the Giant CBs can not stay with Driver, Jennings and Jones for the entire sixty minutes.
Offensively, the Giants will try to do what they have tried to establish all season and have been very successful at the last 3 weeks. Get Jacobs and Bradshaw going to limit the downfield attempts by Manning. The Giant offensive line has played extremely well this season but will have to deal with two excellent linemen in DE Aaron Kampman and DT Corey Williams. The Green Bay defense is very fast at LB and have an above average secondary (What a game by Bigby last week). The last three weeks have seen Manning become a Phill Simms clone and the Giant coaching staff would like to see most of Manning’s throws this week be under 15 yards. Of course they will go for the occasional big play to loosen up the secondary, but most of Manning’s passes will be short, controlled, move the chains attempts to keep the clock moving and have their defense well rested. As a note, the most important part of the Dallas 22 play 11 minute drive last week for the Giants was that it happened at the end of the first half. The Giant defenders got about 25 minutes of real time to rest up.
There was very little rust in Favre last week and the offense picked up tremendously after being down 14-0 to Seattle. The Green Bay defense is a solid, fast group and the Packers have a better team from top to bottom. Is it a better team by 7.5 points over the Giants who are playing at a high level and with a ton of emotion? Tough to say, but if you throw in the advantage that Lambeau will give the Packers, I have to go with the home team.
Pick: Packers (-7.5)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
NFL Divisional Round, Sunday Games
DALLAS (-7) Giants: Tomo Romo takes a vacation and there are some that feel this is the worst action he could have taken with his offense struggling. It’s his off week and management gave him the green light to go to Mexico. If you had an off week and the money to travel, would you stay at home and prepare for the day you came back to work? He’s prepared for the Giants twice already this season and needed time away from football. This is exactly what the bye week is for. For the teams who have earned the right, they can take a week off and get totally away from the game, clear the mind and get back to work fresh the next week. Brett Favre did not go to Mexico, but I bet that he did not look at any film until this past week. You think Brady was watching film last week as he was spotted going out in New York with his girl friend?
Dallas is an elite team when their offense is clicking, but above average when the offense has struggled. I say this because the Cowboy defense is overrated and do not have the ability to win a game on their own. I feel DeMarcus Ware and Gregg Ellis are the best two players on the defense, after that, a lot of hype. Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry are decent, Roy Williams is a big hit safety, but is mediocre in pass coverage. Who on the Dallas D-line inspires confidence? Dallas will not win this game with their defense alone.
The Giants are on a high, no denying that. The Patriot game has infused this team with a lot of confidence, especially in Manning. In the Patriot game he looked in total control, in the Tampa game he looked Phill Simms esque, boringly efficient with a just move the chains mentality. It seems to me that Manning is most comfortable when he comes up to the line, looks over the defense and makes an audible. The Giants chances of winning depend on them running the ball with Jacobs and Bradshaw. However, where there was doubt early in the year if Manning can win important games, there is confidence now in Manning that he can.
The Giants defense is playing well, their offense is moving the ball, and there is total confidence in Tom Coughlin going into Sunday. The Cowboys offense will be better than it was in the last quarter of the regular season. I do not see this game as a blowout in either direction.
Pick: Giants (+7)
COLTS (-10) Chargers: LaDanian Tomlinson is the best RB in football, and he can take over any game. If Dungy prepares his defense for the run and they are successful in stopping L.T., then the Charger offense will fall on the shoulders of Norv Turner’s ingenuity and Phillip River’s arm. Not very confident in that proposal, especially since Antonio Gates is probably out. Defensively the Chargers will not stop the Colt offense. I’m a big fan of Louis Castillo, Antonio Cromartie had a tremendous season and Shawn Merriman is a beast, but as a unit, the Charger defense will not stop the Colts with their full assortment of targets for Manning to throw to. I picked the Chargers to win the AFC in the preseason, but do not see them winning this game and will struggle to cover the spread.
Pick: Colts (-10)
Dallas is an elite team when their offense is clicking, but above average when the offense has struggled. I say this because the Cowboy defense is overrated and do not have the ability to win a game on their own. I feel DeMarcus Ware and Gregg Ellis are the best two players on the defense, after that, a lot of hype. Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry are decent, Roy Williams is a big hit safety, but is mediocre in pass coverage. Who on the Dallas D-line inspires confidence? Dallas will not win this game with their defense alone.
The Giants are on a high, no denying that. The Patriot game has infused this team with a lot of confidence, especially in Manning. In the Patriot game he looked in total control, in the Tampa game he looked Phill Simms esque, boringly efficient with a just move the chains mentality. It seems to me that Manning is most comfortable when he comes up to the line, looks over the defense and makes an audible. The Giants chances of winning depend on them running the ball with Jacobs and Bradshaw. However, where there was doubt early in the year if Manning can win important games, there is confidence now in Manning that he can.
The Giants defense is playing well, their offense is moving the ball, and there is total confidence in Tom Coughlin going into Sunday. The Cowboys offense will be better than it was in the last quarter of the regular season. I do not see this game as a blowout in either direction.
Pick: Giants (+7)
COLTS (-10) Chargers: LaDanian Tomlinson is the best RB in football, and he can take over any game. If Dungy prepares his defense for the run and they are successful in stopping L.T., then the Charger offense will fall on the shoulders of Norv Turner’s ingenuity and Phillip River’s arm. Not very confident in that proposal, especially since Antonio Gates is probably out. Defensively the Chargers will not stop the Colt offense. I’m a big fan of Louis Castillo, Antonio Cromartie had a tremendous season and Shawn Merriman is a beast, but as a unit, the Charger defense will not stop the Colts with their full assortment of targets for Manning to throw to. I picked the Chargers to win the AFC in the preseason, but do not see them winning this game and will struggle to cover the spread.
Pick: Colts (-10)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
NFL Divisional Round, Saturday Games
PACKERS (-8) Seahawks: Did Seattle really deserve to win last week? What if Cooley, Moss and Randel El catch the balls they dropped all game? The missed FG? Seattle has a few playmakers on defense, but they were as a unit one step behind the Redskins last week until a few 4th Q mistakes by Todd Collins. Offensively the Seahawks are not quite right. The inability to run the ball has made Seattle a one dimensional team. During the season they were able to be one dimensional against average defenses, but in this game against an above average defense, one dimensional will not get it done. The Packers are led on defense by their two studs at LB. Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk are both strong, extremely fast and have the ability to cover TEs and RBs when asked to. The DL is anchored by two pass rushing DE’s, Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. The Packer defensive backfield is average in my opinion. Al Harris is overrated and Charles Woodsen has lost a step. Don’t get me wrong, they are decent CBs, but they have both been exploited at times this season. The Packer offense had its epiphany when Ryan Grant emerged as a viable RB. The Packer can lean on Grant as the focal point of the offense, opening up play action and downfield strikes to Jennings and Driver. The Packers have lacked a consistent running game the prior two seasons and it has hurt Brett Favre’s stat line. Which Brett Favre will show up this week? Will it be the conservative short passes, take what the defense gives you, look deep only when available Brett Favre, or the force the ball into coverage and go deep on half my throws Brett Favre? I think the Packers will get a running game going, Favre will not force throws, Hasselbeck will make a few mistakes and home field will be an advantage.
Pick: Packers (-8)
PATRIOTS (-13.5) Jaguars: The few games the Patriots struggled to win have given a glimpse into how to beat the Patriots. Against the Colts we learned you need a team that has enough talent to keep up with the Patriots for 60 minutes, and you have to play at a high level for the entire game. Against the Eagles we learned that pressure helps in slowing down Tom Brady as long as all the receivers are covered by a defender. Blitzes are designed to get to the QB quickly but tend to leave a receiver open. The defense hopes the QB is not smart enough to read the blitz and hit the open/hot target. Against Brady, all the receivers must be accounted for when blitzing because Brady has shown countless times his ability to hit the hot route. Against Baltimore we learned that the Pats might not be great at stopping a determined running game. McGahee ran like a beast that night behind an offensive line that pushed the Patriot D-line around. A consistent running game that is moving the ball opens up play-action and keeps the Pats offense off the field. Against the Giants we learned that you need the right mentality to beat the Patriots. All week leading up to the Giant- Pats game, quotes from Giant players and coaches were along the lines of, “ we want to play the Patriots, we are not afraid of the Patriots, we will beat the Patriots”. The Giants played with confidence, a mentality of no fear. Jacksonville has a team capable of utilizing the above. The Jags have a physical defensive line that can get to the QB on its own. If they throw one or two more guys at Brady, there will still be enough defenders to cover all the Patriot receivers. The Jags are a team that has shown its ability to run and control clock the entire season. Fred Taylor is healthy and Jones Drew can change a game with one play. Del Rio will have the Jags ready and confident for the game. The Jaguars, who won in Pittsburgh twice in a month, will not be intimidated by the surroundings in New England. Del Rio will also not, I hope, change the game plans that have gotten the Jaguars to this game.
We all know what the Patriots can do on offense, so a 37- 17 final score is certainly possible, especially since Bellichick has had two weeks to prepare. My big concern is if the Jags have the talent level from top to bottom to match the Pats for the entire 60 minutes. If David Gerrard protects the ball and manages the game well, if Del Rio sticks with the game plan even if they fall behind early, if the Jags come to the game ready to play hard and with a we will win mentality, if these criteria are met, the Jags will cover the spread.
Pick: Jaguars (+13.5)
Pick: Packers (-8)
PATRIOTS (-13.5) Jaguars: The few games the Patriots struggled to win have given a glimpse into how to beat the Patriots. Against the Colts we learned you need a team that has enough talent to keep up with the Patriots for 60 minutes, and you have to play at a high level for the entire game. Against the Eagles we learned that pressure helps in slowing down Tom Brady as long as all the receivers are covered by a defender. Blitzes are designed to get to the QB quickly but tend to leave a receiver open. The defense hopes the QB is not smart enough to read the blitz and hit the open/hot target. Against Brady, all the receivers must be accounted for when blitzing because Brady has shown countless times his ability to hit the hot route. Against Baltimore we learned that the Pats might not be great at stopping a determined running game. McGahee ran like a beast that night behind an offensive line that pushed the Patriot D-line around. A consistent running game that is moving the ball opens up play-action and keeps the Pats offense off the field. Against the Giants we learned that you need the right mentality to beat the Patriots. All week leading up to the Giant- Pats game, quotes from Giant players and coaches were along the lines of, “ we want to play the Patriots, we are not afraid of the Patriots, we will beat the Patriots”. The Giants played with confidence, a mentality of no fear. Jacksonville has a team capable of utilizing the above. The Jags have a physical defensive line that can get to the QB on its own. If they throw one or two more guys at Brady, there will still be enough defenders to cover all the Patriot receivers. The Jags are a team that has shown its ability to run and control clock the entire season. Fred Taylor is healthy and Jones Drew can change a game with one play. Del Rio will have the Jags ready and confident for the game. The Jaguars, who won in Pittsburgh twice in a month, will not be intimidated by the surroundings in New England. Del Rio will also not, I hope, change the game plans that have gotten the Jaguars to this game.
We all know what the Patriots can do on offense, so a 37- 17 final score is certainly possible, especially since Bellichick has had two weeks to prepare. My big concern is if the Jags have the talent level from top to bottom to match the Pats for the entire 60 minutes. If David Gerrard protects the ball and manages the game well, if Del Rio sticks with the game plan even if they fall behind early, if the Jags come to the game ready to play hard and with a we will win mentality, if these criteria are met, the Jags will cover the spread.
Pick: Jaguars (+13.5)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
2007 NFL Wild Card Weekend, Sunday Games
BUCS (-3) Giants: Last week’s game against the Patriots has been described as a momentum boost for the Giants and a great way to end the season. Really? First and foremost is the Giants lost the game. Countless articles in New York papers about how big a momentum boost this game was for the Giants going into the playoffs failed to recognize that the Giants lost the game. More importantly, the Giants will probably be without three starters; Sam Madison who would have drawn the assignment of Joey Galloway, Kawika Mitchel who has been playing a solid LB this season, and Shaun O’hara, the Giant’s C. The O’Hara injury worries me the most for the Giants. Every 1st team practice, every play from scrimmage this season before this week has been between O’Hara and Manning. Blitz calls and assignment changes on the O-line are made mostly by the QB, but there are times the C must make reads and call out adjustments for the O-line. O’Hara will be missed most by the Giants if he does not play.
On offense the Giants must run Jacobs as often as they can. Manning was successful last week against the Pats, yes, but the Bucs have the best set of CB in the NFl with Buchanon, Barber and Kelly. They are ball hawks and have the luxury of safety help deep if they miss on a pick because of the mostly Cover 2 that Tampa runs on defense. Where the Bucs have struggled this season on defense is against the run and the Giants must go after that weakness to win. Offensively, the Bucs are a “do whatever we can to not mess this game up” team. A lot of Earnest Grahm and then some shots down field to Galloway and Hilliard. Garcia is a great QB for this system because of his decision making. He knows to take chances only when presented and has done a fantastic job his entire career of protecting the football. The Giants strength is their D-line and the Bucs will run some counter runs and traps to neutralize the Giant playmakers on the D-line. I am taking the home team that has been consistent a lot more than the Giants.
Pick: Tampa (-3)
CHARGERS (-10) Titans: Hypothetical question. If both Jeff Fischer and Norv Turner were given identical teams, and these teams played on a neutral field, who do you think would win? Jeff Fischer is by far the better coach and will have his team ready for the Chargers this week. A Titan win would not overly shock me. The Titans will pound White and Brown as much as they can, try to limit LT and then hope that they can make a play at the end to win the game. This sounds nice and good, but the Titans lack the talent to stay with the Chargers for a full 60 minutes. Offensively, the Chargers will be a run first team. This philosophy sounds like a no brainer with the best in the game as your running back, but as was the case early this season, Norv Turner made the Chargers a pass oriented team. Phillip Rivers is not a QB that can take over a game. He can make plays, yes, but those plays happen most after the run has been established. Defensively, the Chargers have Louis Castillo back at DE. One man can change the complexion of a defense and Castillo does that. His pass rushing abilities help the Chargers get to the QB without the need of blitzing. A true stud at DE, Castillo is also great against the run. Watch for him to be double-teamed constantly this game. I am taking the Chargers this game, even though taking a Norv Turner team giving over 9 points is very scary. LT will not let the Chargers lose this game, either QB for the Titans is not awe inspiring, and I feel that the talent level heavily favors the Chargers.
Pick: Chargers (-10)
On offense the Giants must run Jacobs as often as they can. Manning was successful last week against the Pats, yes, but the Bucs have the best set of CB in the NFl with Buchanon, Barber and Kelly. They are ball hawks and have the luxury of safety help deep if they miss on a pick because of the mostly Cover 2 that Tampa runs on defense. Where the Bucs have struggled this season on defense is against the run and the Giants must go after that weakness to win. Offensively, the Bucs are a “do whatever we can to not mess this game up” team. A lot of Earnest Grahm and then some shots down field to Galloway and Hilliard. Garcia is a great QB for this system because of his decision making. He knows to take chances only when presented and has done a fantastic job his entire career of protecting the football. The Giants strength is their D-line and the Bucs will run some counter runs and traps to neutralize the Giant playmakers on the D-line. I am taking the home team that has been consistent a lot more than the Giants.
Pick: Tampa (-3)
CHARGERS (-10) Titans: Hypothetical question. If both Jeff Fischer and Norv Turner were given identical teams, and these teams played on a neutral field, who do you think would win? Jeff Fischer is by far the better coach and will have his team ready for the Chargers this week. A Titan win would not overly shock me. The Titans will pound White and Brown as much as they can, try to limit LT and then hope that they can make a play at the end to win the game. This sounds nice and good, but the Titans lack the talent to stay with the Chargers for a full 60 minutes. Offensively, the Chargers will be a run first team. This philosophy sounds like a no brainer with the best in the game as your running back, but as was the case early this season, Norv Turner made the Chargers a pass oriented team. Phillip Rivers is not a QB that can take over a game. He can make plays, yes, but those plays happen most after the run has been established. Defensively, the Chargers have Louis Castillo back at DE. One man can change the complexion of a defense and Castillo does that. His pass rushing abilities help the Chargers get to the QB without the need of blitzing. A true stud at DE, Castillo is also great against the run. Watch for him to be double-teamed constantly this game. I am taking the Chargers this game, even though taking a Norv Turner team giving over 9 points is very scary. LT will not let the Chargers lose this game, either QB for the Titans is not awe inspiring, and I feel that the talent level heavily favors the Chargers.
Pick: Chargers (-10)
Friday, January 4, 2008
2007 NFL Wild Card Weekend, Saturday Games
SEATTLE (-3) Washington: Washington carries a 4 game winning streak and momentum into the game. Todd Collins is playing way above his 36 year old, career journeyman self. Joe Gibbs will certainly give Portis as many carries as possible to limit mistakes by Collins. Portis had a decent year stat wise, rushing for 1262 yards, but 563 of those yards came in 4 games. That leaves 699 yards over the other 12 games on 209 carries, or 3.3 yards a carry. Will the aging Washington O-line open up some running lanes against the Seattle front 7? Seattle’s defense has playmakers at every level. Comeback player of the year candidate DE Patrick Kerny led the team in sacks and forced fumbles with 14 and 5 respectively. The line backers are the strength of their defense and are led by ILB Lofa Tatupu and an extremely talented Julian Peterson at OLB. Julian Peterson has been a favorite of mine since his San Fran days and he makes any defense better and faster. The secondary is solid, nothing spectacular, led by CB Marcus Trufant. Where the Seahawks are vulnerable, and where the Redskins will try to run is inside against a mediocre DT corp. Offensively, Seattle is a better team with Mourice Morris in the game rather than Alexander. Alexander has shown tentativeness into the hole and a reluctance to be hit the entire season. I see Seattle going with what worked best this season, a pass first offense. The horror show a few weeks ago against the Panthers aside, I am taking the Seahawks. They are at home and have the better, more established QB.
Pick: Seattle (-3)
Jacksonville (-2.5) PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh looks very shaky on defense right now. Against a poor Baltimore offense, the Steeler first team defense was continually gashed by running plays, a bad sign considering the Jags will pound away at the Steeler D with Fred Taylor. From their final 4 regular season games against the Pats, Rams, Jags and Ravens, the Steelers have given up an average of 373 yards from scrimmage a game. This is a huge number for a team that prides itself on defense. Offensively, Najah Davenport is no where near the talent level of Willie Parker. However, Davenport is a bigger and more natural north/south runner, whose physical nature may suit the Steelers better in this game. Whatever Najah can give the Steelers will benefit Ben Rothlisberger. He’s had an MVP type season and the ability to win big games. His post season career boasts 12 total TDs against 8 interception with 5 of those INTs coming in his rookie year of 2004. In regards to Jacksonville I hope for one thing, that they stay true to themselves and the game plans that have netted them 11 wins. Jacksonville is the physically tougher team and Del Rio will have them mentally prepared for this road playoff game. Del Rio made the decision to start Gerrard this season and it has paid off handsomely. Gerrard is poised, has accuracy, an above average arm and rarely makes mistakes. I can definitely see him leading the Jags to a road playoff victory. But again, I hope that Jax stays true to their offensive(run first then play action)/defensive (tough man to man with a blitz sprinkled in) philosophies, that they don’t over-think themselves into bad play calls ruining a drive or a game. Jacksonville has been the better, more consistent team this season.
Pick: Jacksonville (-2.5)
Pick: Seattle (-3)
Jacksonville (-2.5) PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh looks very shaky on defense right now. Against a poor Baltimore offense, the Steeler first team defense was continually gashed by running plays, a bad sign considering the Jags will pound away at the Steeler D with Fred Taylor. From their final 4 regular season games against the Pats, Rams, Jags and Ravens, the Steelers have given up an average of 373 yards from scrimmage a game. This is a huge number for a team that prides itself on defense. Offensively, Najah Davenport is no where near the talent level of Willie Parker. However, Davenport is a bigger and more natural north/south runner, whose physical nature may suit the Steelers better in this game. Whatever Najah can give the Steelers will benefit Ben Rothlisberger. He’s had an MVP type season and the ability to win big games. His post season career boasts 12 total TDs against 8 interception with 5 of those INTs coming in his rookie year of 2004. In regards to Jacksonville I hope for one thing, that they stay true to themselves and the game plans that have netted them 11 wins. Jacksonville is the physically tougher team and Del Rio will have them mentally prepared for this road playoff game. Del Rio made the decision to start Gerrard this season and it has paid off handsomely. Gerrard is poised, has accuracy, an above average arm and rarely makes mistakes. I can definitely see him leading the Jags to a road playoff victory. But again, I hope that Jax stays true to their offensive(run first then play action)/defensive (tough man to man with a blitz sprinkled in) philosophies, that they don’t over-think themselves into bad play calls ruining a drive or a game. Jacksonville has been the better, more consistent team this season.
Pick: Jacksonville (-2.5)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
2007 NFL Awards
MVP
Candidates:
Brian Westbrook: Incredibly gifted player who makes all he does look effortless. No wasted motion. Led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. No running back in football meant more to their team than Westbrook meant to the Eagles.
Tom Brady: Set record for TD passes and led New England to undefeated regular
season. Led league in completion percentage, TDs and yards passing all while throwing only 8 interceptions.
David Gerrard: 18 TD passes vs. only 3 interceptions. Outstanding poise and decision making in leading Jacksonville to the playoffs. Playing in only 12 games will hurt his chances.
Randy Moss: Set NFL record for most TD receptions in a season with 23. A freakish athlete, because of his size, speed and hands, no player in the NFL can guard Moss one on one. He is a member of the two most prolific offenses in NFL history, the 1998 Minnesota Vikings and the 2007 New England Patriots.
Tony Romo: Led Dallas to the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs with 4211 yards passing and 36 TD passes. A couple of terrible games along with a lack of production in the final weeks of the season will hinder his chances.
Honorable mentions: Brett Favre, Ben Rothlisberger, Ladainian Tomlinson, Payton Manning.
Winner: Tom Brady. The numbers are way to extraordinary to give the nod to any other candidate especially considering that New England went undefeated.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOT NAMES TOM BRADY:
Candidates:
Randy Moss: See above
Brian Westbrook: See above
Ladainian Tomlinson: Best all round running back in the game. Passion illustrated in post game press conferences when he is brought to tears because of losing. May end up as the most decorated back in history.
Honorable mentions: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Adrian Peterson, Tony Romo.
Winner: Randy Moss. Will go down as on of the top 5 WRs of all time and this is his finest season to date.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Jarred Allen: Led the NFL in sacks with 15.5 in only 14 games played. Only playmaker on the Chief’s defensive line, so he is always battling double teams and half back chip blocks. Incredible combination of strength and quickness. Caught two TD passes this season as well.
Patrick Willis: Led the NFL as a rookie in total tackles with 174 and solo tackles with an outstanding 140. Is already the heart and soul of the San Francisco defense.
DeMarcus Ware: Led the Cowboys in sacks and forced fumbles with 14 and 4 respectively. He physically dominates blockers on the run and has the speed to rush the QB from the outside or cover a TE on passing downs.
Bob Sanders: Arguable, he means more to his team on defense than does any other player. There is no doubt that he is an incredible talent and the heart of Indi’s defense, but the lack of sufficient statistics may keep him from winning the prize.
Honorable Mentions: Julian Peterson, Albert Haynsworth, Brian Urlacher, Antonio Cromartie, Mike Vrabel, Patrick Kearney.
Winner: DeMarcus Ware. No defensive player really stood out from all the others this season. I went with Ware because he is the best defensive player on the #1 seeded team in the NFC.
COACH OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Dick Juron: Buffalo was a tough team with Juron having his players believing they can win every week. Had an opportunity to make the playoffs with wins in the last few weeks of the year, an excellent achievement in the very tough AFC, but a lack of experienced talent ultimately did them in. The Bills were 2 last second field goals away from a 9 win season. Buffalo has a good young core of players and will build on the success of this season.
Bill Belichick: No matter how much talent is on a team, and New England has plenty, it is an outstanding accomplishment to go undefeated in the regular season. The Pats are as mentally strong and prepared as they are talented. All coaches preach a “we will take it game by game” mantra, but no coach is better at keeping his players prepared on a game by game basis as is Belichick.
Jon Gruden: The Bucs went from a 4 win season a year ago to the division title this season. Tampa has the #2 overall defense in the league and an offense that protects the ball, doing enough to win. Gruden is extremely good at managing a game, putting his players in the right opportunities to make plays and maybe most importantly, not making any bone headed play calls to lose a game. The + 15 turnover difference is a testament to this.
Romeo Crennell: I have blasted Crennel a few times in my blog, but when all is said and done, his Cleveland Browns team 10 games this season. He made all the important decisions, with the best decision being to trade Frye after week one and put Anderson in.
Tony Dungy: With all the injuries on both sides of the ball, Dungy still found a way to get his team 13 wins and into the playoffs for what seems the 50th time in a row. He will certainly be regarded as one of the finest head coaches to ever don a whistle when his time is up.
Honorable mentions: Jack Del-Rio, Jeff Fischer, Mike McCarthy, Joe Gibbs.
Winner: Bill Belichick. As much as I want to give the award to Jon Gruden, 16-0 just stands out too far for me not to give it the ringleader of a perfect season.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Marshawn Lynch: Extremely tough runner who was the focus of the Bills offense. Averaged over 85 yards a game and was 11th in the NFL with 1115 yards rushing.
Joe Thomas: Was best player on the Cleveland Brown offensive line that surprised many with their output this season.
Adrian Peterson: Second in the NFL in both rushing yards (1341) and rushing TDs (12). Set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a game with 296. Awesome combination of power, vision and speed.
Dwayne Bowe: Led all rookie WR in receiving yards, catches and TDs. Has the speed to be a deep threat, with the hands and size to be a possession receiver.
Winner: Adrian Peterson. Tempted to give the award to Joe Thomas, but Peterson’s record setting performance in November against the Chargers tilted the scales.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Gaines Adams: Led rookies in sacks with 6. Started the last 8 games and is now an important piece of Tampa’s #2 ranked defense.
David Harris: Registered 127 tackles and 5 sacks for the Jets. Seems to always be in on the tackle and has great instincts for the LB position.
Patrick Willis: Led the NFL as a rookie in total tackles with 174 and solo tackles with an outstanding 140. Had a 20 tackle game against Tampa in week 16. Is already the heart and soul of the San Francisco defense.
Jonathan Beason: Not much notoriety for Beason because of the poor showing Carolina had this season. Registered 140 tackles with an interception and one fumble recovery.
Honorable Mentions: LaRon Landry, Leon Hall, Reggie Nelson, Darrelle Revis.
Winner: Patrick Willis. Going to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and will probably go every year for a decade or so.
Candidates:
Brian Westbrook: Incredibly gifted player who makes all he does look effortless. No wasted motion. Led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. No running back in football meant more to their team than Westbrook meant to the Eagles.
Tom Brady: Set record for TD passes and led New England to undefeated regular
season. Led league in completion percentage, TDs and yards passing all while throwing only 8 interceptions.
David Gerrard: 18 TD passes vs. only 3 interceptions. Outstanding poise and decision making in leading Jacksonville to the playoffs. Playing in only 12 games will hurt his chances.
Randy Moss: Set NFL record for most TD receptions in a season with 23. A freakish athlete, because of his size, speed and hands, no player in the NFL can guard Moss one on one. He is a member of the two most prolific offenses in NFL history, the 1998 Minnesota Vikings and the 2007 New England Patriots.
Tony Romo: Led Dallas to the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs with 4211 yards passing and 36 TD passes. A couple of terrible games along with a lack of production in the final weeks of the season will hinder his chances.
Honorable mentions: Brett Favre, Ben Rothlisberger, Ladainian Tomlinson, Payton Manning.
Winner: Tom Brady. The numbers are way to extraordinary to give the nod to any other candidate especially considering that New England went undefeated.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOT NAMES TOM BRADY:
Candidates:
Randy Moss: See above
Brian Westbrook: See above
Ladainian Tomlinson: Best all round running back in the game. Passion illustrated in post game press conferences when he is brought to tears because of losing. May end up as the most decorated back in history.
Honorable mentions: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Adrian Peterson, Tony Romo.
Winner: Randy Moss. Will go down as on of the top 5 WRs of all time and this is his finest season to date.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Jarred Allen: Led the NFL in sacks with 15.5 in only 14 games played. Only playmaker on the Chief’s defensive line, so he is always battling double teams and half back chip blocks. Incredible combination of strength and quickness. Caught two TD passes this season as well.
Patrick Willis: Led the NFL as a rookie in total tackles with 174 and solo tackles with an outstanding 140. Is already the heart and soul of the San Francisco defense.
DeMarcus Ware: Led the Cowboys in sacks and forced fumbles with 14 and 4 respectively. He physically dominates blockers on the run and has the speed to rush the QB from the outside or cover a TE on passing downs.
Bob Sanders: Arguable, he means more to his team on defense than does any other player. There is no doubt that he is an incredible talent and the heart of Indi’s defense, but the lack of sufficient statistics may keep him from winning the prize.
Honorable Mentions: Julian Peterson, Albert Haynsworth, Brian Urlacher, Antonio Cromartie, Mike Vrabel, Patrick Kearney.
Winner: DeMarcus Ware. No defensive player really stood out from all the others this season. I went with Ware because he is the best defensive player on the #1 seeded team in the NFC.
COACH OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Dick Juron: Buffalo was a tough team with Juron having his players believing they can win every week. Had an opportunity to make the playoffs with wins in the last few weeks of the year, an excellent achievement in the very tough AFC, but a lack of experienced talent ultimately did them in. The Bills were 2 last second field goals away from a 9 win season. Buffalo has a good young core of players and will build on the success of this season.
Bill Belichick: No matter how much talent is on a team, and New England has plenty, it is an outstanding accomplishment to go undefeated in the regular season. The Pats are as mentally strong and prepared as they are talented. All coaches preach a “we will take it game by game” mantra, but no coach is better at keeping his players prepared on a game by game basis as is Belichick.
Jon Gruden: The Bucs went from a 4 win season a year ago to the division title this season. Tampa has the #2 overall defense in the league and an offense that protects the ball, doing enough to win. Gruden is extremely good at managing a game, putting his players in the right opportunities to make plays and maybe most importantly, not making any bone headed play calls to lose a game. The + 15 turnover difference is a testament to this.
Romeo Crennell: I have blasted Crennel a few times in my blog, but when all is said and done, his Cleveland Browns team 10 games this season. He made all the important decisions, with the best decision being to trade Frye after week one and put Anderson in.
Tony Dungy: With all the injuries on both sides of the ball, Dungy still found a way to get his team 13 wins and into the playoffs for what seems the 50th time in a row. He will certainly be regarded as one of the finest head coaches to ever don a whistle when his time is up.
Honorable mentions: Jack Del-Rio, Jeff Fischer, Mike McCarthy, Joe Gibbs.
Winner: Bill Belichick. As much as I want to give the award to Jon Gruden, 16-0 just stands out too far for me not to give it the ringleader of a perfect season.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Marshawn Lynch: Extremely tough runner who was the focus of the Bills offense. Averaged over 85 yards a game and was 11th in the NFL with 1115 yards rushing.
Joe Thomas: Was best player on the Cleveland Brown offensive line that surprised many with their output this season.
Adrian Peterson: Second in the NFL in both rushing yards (1341) and rushing TDs (12). Set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a game with 296. Awesome combination of power, vision and speed.
Dwayne Bowe: Led all rookie WR in receiving yards, catches and TDs. Has the speed to be a deep threat, with the hands and size to be a possession receiver.
Winner: Adrian Peterson. Tempted to give the award to Joe Thomas, but Peterson’s record setting performance in November against the Chargers tilted the scales.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Candidates:
Gaines Adams: Led rookies in sacks with 6. Started the last 8 games and is now an important piece of Tampa’s #2 ranked defense.
David Harris: Registered 127 tackles and 5 sacks for the Jets. Seems to always be in on the tackle and has great instincts for the LB position.
Patrick Willis: Led the NFL as a rookie in total tackles with 174 and solo tackles with an outstanding 140. Had a 20 tackle game against Tampa in week 16. Is already the heart and soul of the San Francisco defense.
Jonathan Beason: Not much notoriety for Beason because of the poor showing Carolina had this season. Registered 140 tackles with an interception and one fumble recovery.
Honorable Mentions: LaRon Landry, Leon Hall, Reggie Nelson, Darrelle Revis.
Winner: Patrick Willis. Going to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and will probably go every year for a decade or so.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)