· We took a lot of flak the last time we mentioned Vikings
defensive tackle Chris Hovan but with the team coming off a four-game
skid and the defense being the prime culprit, it's time to look
at how the so-called Pro Bowl candidate and leader of the Vikings
defense is doing. Eleven games, fifteen tackles and one sack. Chris,
buy a ticket to Honolulu early and you might save a few bucks because
the NFL sure isn't paying your way.
· There seemed to be some surprise when the Bucs Keyshawn
Johnson came out and declared he would go back to the team if they
asked him. Don't believe there was any sincerity in this offer whatsoever.
This was a calculated move, likely at the behest of his agent, aimed
at reducing the public relations damage of being kicked off the
team. Further proof of this was Johnson's comments that the issue
between him and Bucs coach Jon Gruden wasn't about the number of
balls thrown his way and that it was about how Gruden treated him
as a human being. Two things needed to be pointed out here. One,
players should respect their coaches and there is plenty of videotape
of Johnson berating Gruden on the sidelines during games. Two, the
issue was definitely about Johnson not being enough of a focus in
the offense and it defies logic that Johnson would try to spin it
otherwise.
· Coaching Miscue of the Week #1: Seahawks leading the Ravens
by three in Baltimore and facing a 4th-and-one from the Ravens 33-yard
line with 44 seconds to play. With Shaun Alexander in the backfield,
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren calls a quarterback draw for Matt Hasselbeck.
Ravens stuff it, tie the game in regulation and then win in overtime.
· Coaching Miscue of the Week #2: Rams trailing the Cardinals
by three and facing a 2nd-and-goal from the Cardinals seven-yard
line with 35 seconds remaining. Coach Mike Martz lines quarterback
Marc Bulger up as a wide receiver and running back Marshall Faulk
takes the snap and runs up the middle for one yard. With no timeouts
remaining, Martz is worried about Bulger being sacked on 3rd down
so he sends out the field goal unit. The result - the team gets
one crack at the end zone instead of two and the play is an easily
defended one because the defense knows Faulk is going to run the
ball.
· Coaching Miscue of the Week #3: Browns trailing the Steelers
10-6 in the third quarter and 4th-and-goal from the Steelers one-yard
line. The Browns run a double reverse that the Steelers easily stuffed.
Going for it in this situation makes sense but the play call was
abysmal. More egg on the face of Browns coach Butch Davis.
· With his struggle to stay healthy over the last few seasons
and the decline in his production, don't be surprised if Steelers
running back Jerome Bettis retires after this season. Observers
note that his ability to change direction, the skill that made him
such a special runner for a big man, is practically gone and he
is easily tackled when he attempts to change direction.
· Keeping with the Steelers, look for the team to rid itself
of a number of overpaid veterans after the season. Prior to moving
into Heinz Field, the team's strategy was to build through the draft.
However, the increased revenues from the new stadium allowed the
team to invest signing bonuses to retain what the team thought were
key veterans. The strategy has had mixed results and it says here
the Steelers will revert back to their focus on the draft. Those
unlikely to return to the team in 2004 include cornerback Dwayne
Washington, safeties Brent Alexander and Mike Logan, linebacker
Jason Gildon and tight ends Mark Bruener and Jay Riemersma.
· In Green Bay, Najeh Davenport has regained the backup running
back spot to Ahman Green from Tony Fisher. Davenport was demoted
earlier this season because of his inability to secure the ball,
but his hard running style has proven to be the perfect compliment
to Green in recent weeks.
· With safety Kwamie Lassiter going on injured reserve, the
Chargers secondary now features two rookies, a 2nd year player and
journey Jerry Wilson. Rookie 2nd round pick Terrence Kiel replaces
Lassiter and the coaches feel he has the poise required to be successful
over the remainder of the season.
· It looks like the Redskins have soured on running back
Trung Canidate. The team acquired Canidate during the off-season
with the expectation his extraordinary speed would contribute big
plays out of the backfield. However, Canidate has just one rushing
touchdown this year and his longest run is 23 yards. Word is the
team wants more of a physical presence out of their starting running
back, which begs the question - why wasn't Stephen Davis re-signed?
· With their loss in Minnesota this Sunday, the Lions have
now lost 22 consecutive games on the road. The Lions play their
next two games at home before going on the road to face, you guessed
it, the Kansas City Chiefs.
· After Sunday's loss in Baltimore, the 7-4 Seahawks lost
their grip on first place in the NFC West for the first time this
season and if they hope to overtake the Rams, they are going to
have to improve their play on the road. After winning in Arizona
in their first road game of the season, the team has now gone winless
in four consecutive road games and must play in Minnesota, St. Louis
and San Francisco prior to the end of the season. The collective
home record of these three teams is 14-3.
· Staying in the NFC West, the 49ers at 5-6 are also in tough
in their fight to make the playoffs. The culprit, like the Seahawks,
is their inability to win on the road where they are winless in
five games and have yet to play road games at Baltimore, Cincinnati
and Philadelphia.
· The Rams have been very careful in dealing with defensive
end Leonard Little's torn chest muscle for a couple of reasons.
First, if Little re-injures the muscle he will almost certainly
have to go on injured reserve, ending his season. Second, the pressure
to put Little in the line-up has been reduced because of the play
of his replacements, primarily Tyoka Jackson and Bryce Fisher.
· Kudos to Raiders receiver Jerry Rice for making his 1,500th
career reception on Sunday. In typical Rice fashion (and as it should
be), the catch went for a touchdown when Rice caught a slant and
split the safeties.
· Look for the Eagles to begin their public relations push
for not bringing back cornerback Bobby Taylor in 2004. Much like
the last two off-seasons when the team started putting out the word
middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and defensive end Hugh Douglas
were overrated and replaceable, the team is now claiming Taylor,
who is schedule for unrestricted free agency after the season, hasn't
returned to the line-up because he doesn't want to risk getting
injured. Taylor was injured in the first game of the season and
returned play against the Giants on October 19th.
· Keeping with the Eagles, running back Brian Westbrook is
the only player in the NFL to lead his team in rushing yards, kickoff
returns and punt returns. Hard to imagine Westbrook as a throwback
player to another era but he's proving it game in and game out.
· Lions quarterback Joey Harrington has clearly regressed
in his second season in the league and calls are going out for coach
Steve Mariucci to bench his signal caller. The thinking seems to
be Harrington could benefit from some time on the sideline to focus
on reading defenses.
· With Sam Simmons expected to be placed on injured reserve
with a high ankle sprain, look for the Dolphins to bring back Charlie
Rogers. Simmons took over as the team's punt returner after Roger's
release earlier this season and the coaches were impressed with
his return skills. With Rogers back in the fold, expect him to also
take over Travis Minor's kick return role.
· There seems to be a focus on the Bucs schedule down the
stretch (only one game remaining against a team with a winning record
- the Titans) with the conclusion being they can run the table and
finish 10-6 and in the playoffs. Here are two problems with that
- there's a good chance 10-6 won't get it done and the Bucs haven't
won two games in a row all year.
· Let's look at the Buffalo Bills roster. Very nice. Now
let's look at the Buffalo Bills record. Not so nice. Now let's think
about those two things and add in the future of Gregg Williams and
his coaching staff. See ya, Gregg.
· If there was any doubt about Rams coach Mike Martz's intentions
regarding Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger's performance over the last four
games is very telling. Bulger has committed 12 turnovers (10 interceptions,
two lost fumbles) over that span, alternating between poor decision-making
and showing bouts of inaccuracy yet Martz has not went to Warner.
It says here it's time to make a switch and get Warner in there
before the team costs themselves a very realistic shot at home-field
advantage through the NFC playoffs.
· Panthers coaches have been pleased with the play of strong
safety Deon Grant. The 2000 2nd round pick has displayed the kind
of consistency he lacked during his first three years in the league
and has made a number of plays during crunch time.
· Disappointed in the play of nickel back Bhawoh Jue, look
for the Packers to increase the playing time of Michael Hawthorne.
The former Saint is more physical than Jue and appears to have finally
put it together after teasing the Saints coaching staff with his
physical gifts during his tenure there.
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