A firey head coach, Mike Singletary brought spirit and spunk to a listless 49ers team that continued its downward spiral under Mike Nolan. A midseason promotion from assistant head coach gave Singletary the remainder of the season as an audition. After the season he won the job outright.
The years under Nolan were finally were the ones the 49ers would make the playoffs. Singletary then brought the supposed fire and brimstone needed to jump start the niners to the next level. It didn't happen in 2009. It doesn't look like it's going to happen in 2010.
Three games into the season, the 49ers fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. So the downward spiral continues.
Singletary is an inner your face, yelling kind of coach. He's old school tough. The players love him. The played inspire football for him early on. Singletary put his foot in talented but volatile TE Vernon Davis. Davis straightened out his attitude and now is one of the best and highest paid TEs. Michael Crabtree had a productive rookie year despite a lengthy hold out. Former #1 overall pick Alex Smith choose to take a pay cut and continue with the team. The defense absolutely loved Singletary.
Losing changes things. Singletary is still the same fire and brimstone coach. The problem becomes when do the players start tuning him out? Yelling and screaming can only get you so far. The bottom line in sports is winning. Players will put up with a lot if winning. Not so much if losing.
Albeit for different reasons, three players abruptly have left the team. Second year running back Glenn Coffee retire in August citing spiritual reasons. Kentwan Balmer took a leave an absence during training camp. Michael Lewis lost appears to have lost his starting job and now wants his outright release.
These only the cracks we see in the foundation. Who really knows what happens behind the scenes. Don't forget GM Scott McCloughan left suddenly with no real explanation in March.
A perfect storm might be brewing in San Francisco conspiring to the Singletary regime soon. The 49ers play in one of the weaker divisions and many already crowned them champs. The team has fallen short of expectations for years now. A few more losses and Singletary might get the boot. The schedule does no favors as they play at Atlanta and host Philadelphia. The 49ers might be 0-5 after that stretch with the Raiders coming across the Bay for a game. A loss or poor showing might just finish off Singletary.
Midseason coaching changes are rare but the 49ers have done it recently. Usually if a midseason change is coming, teams wait until the open date. Singletary might not make it that far.
Animal House Strikes, Again
Just when you think the NY Jets had things under control on and off the field, Braylon Edwards drags the team back into the spotlight again for the wrong reasons.
Police pulled Edwards over for having to dark a tint on his windows. The police ended up arresting Edwards on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The Jets decided to "punish" Edwards by benching him for a quarter in last week's game. GM Mike Tannenbaum stated the punishment wasn't for the DUI but for being out late. I think the one quarter time out made the Jets look foolish. I would have much more understood had the Jets said they will wait for the case to work through the legal system before deciding what to do with Edwards. The quarter sit down and the excuse it was for being out late make a mockery of the seriousness of the situation.
NFL Stat Line of the Week
Leon Washington - RB/KR Seattle
4 Kick off returns for a total of 253 yards, 2 TDs (101 and 99 yards) for an average of 63.3 yards per return.
NFL Player of the Week
After scoring only 10 points in each of the first two games, the Ravens finally found their offense. Anquin Bolden earns this week's award for 142 yards on 8 catches for 3 TDs to ignite a stagnated Ravens offense.
JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
David Garrard - QB Jacksonville
A week after getting bench, Garrard responded with an anemic 13-30 passing for 105 yards. Behind Garrard's leadership, the Jags only managed a field goal.
Joe Pisarcik Player/Coach of the Week
Mike Singletary - Head Coach 49ers
I'm changing the award to make just about everybody eligible for this one...from GMs, coaches and players. Singletary wins this week due to the flat out awful performance against the Chiefs. The 49ers are a few more blow out loses away from an interim head coach.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
NFL Week 2 - Clash of the Titans - Young vs. Fisher
I've been side tracked all week so a major delay in my weekly NFL blog.
First game that comes to mind is the Titans vs. Steelers game. With Fat Ben out for four games, many thought a 2-2 record was a major accomplishment. It is if you've seen the numbers the QBs put up this week you'd probably chalk this game up as a loss. Donna Dixon and C-Batch managed a grand total of 21 passing yards. This game was all Steeler defense and Vince Young/Carry Collins turnover suckage.
Vince Collins and Kerry Young accounted for five turnovers (3 Int and 2 fumbles lost).
I think at this point it is safe to assume that Troy Polamalu is more valuable to the Steelers win column that Fat Ben. A healthy Polamalu means a nasty defense. When he was out last year, the defense was suspect at best but on top with him. The offense is no where as strong without Fat Ben but the team is still winning. The Steelers aren't going to be able to out defend for 14 more games this year so getting Fatso back is important. It's just worth noting how much better the Steelers are with The Hair than without.
To me it's pretty evident that Jeff Fisher doesn't like Vince Young. Young was never Fisher's choice in the 2006 draft. That selection was purely Bud Adams doing. In the 2008 season opener, Vince Young was benched and later refused to return to the game. Collins helped topple the Colts from the AFC South top. Fisher kept Collins as the start through a miserable start of the 2009 campaign. Again, it was only after Bud Adams intervene did Young return as the starter after the open week. Against Pittsburgh last week, Fisher didn't hesitate to yank Young after three turnovers. Fisher did say Young will remain the starter. It's not like Fisher has any other options or Adams will let him start Collins.
The big question becomes who wins the Clash of the Titans? Fisher? Young? How about Bud Adams? He wins as the owner. Ultimately who will Adams choose? The moody inconsistent quarterback or the longest tenured coach in the NFL? I'm not sure I can make a strong argument for either side. If I'm the owner I go with the man who won most recently for me. Fisher took a Collins led team to the playoffs in 2008 while Young sulked on the bench. I think this is the make or break year for one or both. Adams could decide to jettison both and start from scratch. Not only have the Colts returned to the top but Houston passed up Tennessee along the way as top challenger.
NFL Line of the Week
Matt Schaub - QB Houston Texans
38-52 passing, 497 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Int
Seriously, I'm not a Texans homer. After all I did give this weekly award to Payton Manning. I can't help it though. 400+ yards in a game will get you Line of the Week and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub turned in the line of the week.
NFL Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez - QB NY Jets
Last week's JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week is this week's Player of the Week. Sanchez bounced back from last week's loss and criticism of the Jets to defeat AFC East division favorite New England Patriots. Sanchez threw 3 TDs in a 28-14 victory.
JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Joe Flacco - QB Baltimore Ravens
In a 10-15 defeat by the Bengals, Flacco threw a Jake Delhomme like 4 interceptions. In two games, despite one win, the supposedly improved Ravens offense has only mustered up 20 points.
Joe Pisarcik Players of the Week
New York Giants
Yes I picked the whole team. Eli was out played by Payton. Tom Coughlin was outcoached by Jim Caldwell. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown out rushed Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. It was just a nasty beat down of a supposed power team by a finesse team. Jacobs probably could have won this award on his own.
First game that comes to mind is the Titans vs. Steelers game. With Fat Ben out for four games, many thought a 2-2 record was a major accomplishment. It is if you've seen the numbers the QBs put up this week you'd probably chalk this game up as a loss. Donna Dixon and C-Batch managed a grand total of 21 passing yards. This game was all Steeler defense and Vince Young/Carry Collins turnover suckage.
Vince Collins and Kerry Young accounted for five turnovers (3 Int and 2 fumbles lost).
I think at this point it is safe to assume that Troy Polamalu is more valuable to the Steelers win column that Fat Ben. A healthy Polamalu means a nasty defense. When he was out last year, the defense was suspect at best but on top with him. The offense is no where as strong without Fat Ben but the team is still winning. The Steelers aren't going to be able to out defend for 14 more games this year so getting Fatso back is important. It's just worth noting how much better the Steelers are with The Hair than without.
To me it's pretty evident that Jeff Fisher doesn't like Vince Young. Young was never Fisher's choice in the 2006 draft. That selection was purely Bud Adams doing. In the 2008 season opener, Vince Young was benched and later refused to return to the game. Collins helped topple the Colts from the AFC South top. Fisher kept Collins as the start through a miserable start of the 2009 campaign. Again, it was only after Bud Adams intervene did Young return as the starter after the open week. Against Pittsburgh last week, Fisher didn't hesitate to yank Young after three turnovers. Fisher did say Young will remain the starter. It's not like Fisher has any other options or Adams will let him start Collins.
The big question becomes who wins the Clash of the Titans? Fisher? Young? How about Bud Adams? He wins as the owner. Ultimately who will Adams choose? The moody inconsistent quarterback or the longest tenured coach in the NFL? I'm not sure I can make a strong argument for either side. If I'm the owner I go with the man who won most recently for me. Fisher took a Collins led team to the playoffs in 2008 while Young sulked on the bench. I think this is the make or break year for one or both. Adams could decide to jettison both and start from scratch. Not only have the Colts returned to the top but Houston passed up Tennessee along the way as top challenger.
NFL Line of the Week
Matt Schaub - QB Houston Texans
38-52 passing, 497 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Int
Seriously, I'm not a Texans homer. After all I did give this weekly award to Payton Manning. I can't help it though. 400+ yards in a game will get you Line of the Week and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub turned in the line of the week.
NFL Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez - QB NY Jets
Last week's JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week is this week's Player of the Week. Sanchez bounced back from last week's loss and criticism of the Jets to defeat AFC East division favorite New England Patriots. Sanchez threw 3 TDs in a 28-14 victory.
JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Joe Flacco - QB Baltimore Ravens
In a 10-15 defeat by the Bengals, Flacco threw a Jake Delhomme like 4 interceptions. In two games, despite one win, the supposedly improved Ravens offense has only mustered up 20 points.
Joe Pisarcik Players of the Week
New York Giants
Yes I picked the whole team. Eli was out played by Payton. Tom Coughlin was outcoached by Jim Caldwell. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown out rushed Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. It was just a nasty beat down of a supposed power team by a finesse team. Jacobs probably could have won this award on his own.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Houston Cougars Game Day 4 vs. Tulane
VS.
Houston vs. Tulane
Sept. 25, 2010
2:30 p.m.
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston Campus
TV: CBS-College Sports
Radio: 790 AM
Last Meeting
Houston 44 Tulane 16
in New Orleans, LA
Sept. 25, 2010
2:30 p.m.
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston Campus
TV: CBS-College Sports
Radio: 790 AM
Last Meeting
Houston 44 Tulane 16
in New Orleans, LA
The Cougars try to bounce back from season ending injuries to starter Case Keenum and back up Cotton Turner during a 31-13 drubbing at the hands of the UCLA Bruins. The loss knocked the Cougars out of the Top 25 polls. Starting in place of Keenum and Turner is true freshman Terrance Broadway.
Friday, September 17, 2010
NFL Week 1 Players of the Week
I usually include this with my weekly NFL thoughts. Since I wrote it before the two Monday night games were played I wanted to wait the games out.
NFL Line of the Week
Payton Manning QB Indianapolis Colts
40 completions on 57 passes for 433 yards and 3 TDs. A new record for attempts and surpassed 400 yards for the fourth time in his career. What made this the Line of the Week is that the Colts still lost. Which brings me to the next category.
NFL Player of the Week
Arian Foster RB Houston Texans
Foster carried 33 times for 231 of the Texans 256 yards enabling them to finally get the Colt monkey off the team's back. It is only the first game but if nothing else it gave the Colts and the league something to think about.
JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez QB NY Jets
The Jets went on Hard Knocks, built up the defense, settled the contract hold out of Darelle Revis and talked a big game. They forgot one thing in the process. NFL teams still need to move the ball and at the very least make teams respect the pass game. The Jets didn't really try to get down field with the Ravens. Sanchez posted a JaMarcus Russell like line of 10 completions on 21 attempt for 74 yards and no TDs.
Joe Pisarcik Player of the Week
Alex Barron OL Dallas Cowboys
A holding call on the play with the game winning touchdown ended the game for the Cowboys. Barron committed the infraction and there was no question that it was the right call. In a mistake filled game for the Cowboys, Barron merely finished off a lackluster night all around for Dallas.
NFL Line of the Week
Payton Manning QB Indianapolis Colts
40 completions on 57 passes for 433 yards and 3 TDs. A new record for attempts and surpassed 400 yards for the fourth time in his career. What made this the Line of the Week is that the Colts still lost. Which brings me to the next category.
NFL Player of the Week
Arian Foster RB Houston Texans
Foster carried 33 times for 231 of the Texans 256 yards enabling them to finally get the Colt monkey off the team's back. It is only the first game but if nothing else it gave the Colts and the league something to think about.
JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez QB NY Jets
The Jets went on Hard Knocks, built up the defense, settled the contract hold out of Darelle Revis and talked a big game. They forgot one thing in the process. NFL teams still need to move the ball and at the very least make teams respect the pass game. The Jets didn't really try to get down field with the Ravens. Sanchez posted a JaMarcus Russell like line of 10 completions on 21 attempt for 74 yards and no TDs.
Joe Pisarcik Player of the Week
Alex Barron OL Dallas Cowboys
A holding call on the play with the game winning touchdown ended the game for the Cowboys. Barron committed the infraction and there was no question that it was the right call. In a mistake filled game for the Cowboys, Barron merely finished off a lackluster night all around for Dallas.
NFL Week 1 vs. the Line, Week Two Picks
Week one is over and it's time to assess the damage.
This was a very strange week in that there were three pushes: Vikings vs Saints (-5), Cardinals (-4) @ Rams, Bucs(-3) vs. Browns.
For the remainder of the games my record was 7-6 against the spread.
The Highlights
One line upset I called were the Texans (+2) hosting the Colts. Texans took care of business and beat the Colts straight up.
The second upset I picked was the Redskins(+3.5) over the Cowboys. A last second hold to end the game saved bettors that picked the 'skins in this one.
Ravens(+3.5) also upset the Jets. I went Ravens more as a counter pick against the over hyped Jets. That isn't really a good way to pick teams.
The Lowlights
Two teams laid eggs and it hurt the bottom line.
First off the Bengals didn't even bother to show up against the Pats. It was no contest.
The Chargers also left a stinker on the field with the Chiefs pulling off the upset.
Week 2 Picks
Not really much to analyze from last week's picks so I'll just move on to week two picks. Picks are in bold.
The point of making picks is to make money not pick every game. For the last two years, I've picked every game and kept count. After week one, three pushes and other factors, I've decided to a rule change. I can take passes on games if I so choose. I imagine this will be a rarely invoked rule though.
Chiefs (+2) at Browns - pass. Two teams in disarray. No need to waste time or money on this game.
Eagles (-7) at Lions - Lions are improving but both teams starting quarterbacks are hurt. Eagles have a much better back up in Michael Vick. Take the Eagles as the road favorite.
Dolphins (+5.5) at Vikings - Neither team was impressive during the opening week. I'm thinking the spread might be a little to wide. Dolphins lose but take the points.
Cardinals (+6.5) at Falcons - Cardinals defense is better than you might think but Falcons running back is usually a beast at home. Falcons
Ravens (-3) at Bengals - Point spread ranges from Ravens -1.5 to -3 depending where you looked. Doesn't really matter though. The Ravens defense looked solid and the Bengals offense looked like garbage in week one. Ray Lewis looks like an ageless wonder. Ravens
Bears (+7) at Cowboys - Cowboys offense struggled in preseason and carried over into week one. Seven points is a wide spread for a struggling offense. The Bears might lose but they cover.
Bills (+13) at Packers - First double digit spread of the year and usually I warn that it's a sucker bit. The Bills are possibly the worst team in the league so throw your lot with the Packers.
Steelers (+5) at Titans - This is going to be a fist fight. Neither Vince Young or Donald Dixon inspires much confidence to break the game open. Look for Chris Johnson and Rashard Mendanhall to get plenty of runs. I think the the line should be more at Pittsburgh (+3). Take the Steelers and the points.
Buccaneers (+3) at Panthers - I thought about taking a pass on this game. However, I think Panthers will take care of the Bucs at home with the run game. Panthers
Seahawks (+3.5) at Broncos - The Seahawks need to prove last week was a fluke before I start picking them against a team not named the Raiders. Broncos
Rams (+3.5) at Raiders - Same old Raiders, at least Rams have a new quarter back. Rams
Patriots (-3) at Jets - Like the oddsmakers, I give the edge to the Patriots due to the fact that they can stretch the field.
Texans (-3) at Redskins - The gut is telling me to go with the Redskins. Coming off against a win against one Texas team at home, the Redskins welcome the "other" Texas team. These aren't the Cowboys though. Texans
Jaguars (+7) at Chargers - This is one of those iffy spreads. I think it's borderline to wide. Chargers are at home and there is no rain as of kickoff. Charger
Giants (+5) at Colts - Manning vs. Manning is the story line. The mangled Colts run defense is the story. Do the Giants run amok like Houston did last week? Giants
Saints (-6) at 49ers - Last week was a debacle for the niners and the Saints handled the Minnesota Brett Favres. Saints
This was a very strange week in that there were three pushes: Vikings vs Saints (-5), Cardinals (-4) @ Rams, Bucs(-3) vs. Browns.
For the remainder of the games my record was 7-6 against the spread.
The Highlights
One line upset I called were the Texans (+2) hosting the Colts. Texans took care of business and beat the Colts straight up.
The second upset I picked was the Redskins(+3.5) over the Cowboys. A last second hold to end the game saved bettors that picked the 'skins in this one.
Ravens(+3.5) also upset the Jets. I went Ravens more as a counter pick against the over hyped Jets. That isn't really a good way to pick teams.
The Lowlights
Two teams laid eggs and it hurt the bottom line.
First off the Bengals didn't even bother to show up against the Pats. It was no contest.
The Chargers also left a stinker on the field with the Chiefs pulling off the upset.
Week 2 Picks
Not really much to analyze from last week's picks so I'll just move on to week two picks. Picks are in bold.
The point of making picks is to make money not pick every game. For the last two years, I've picked every game and kept count. After week one, three pushes and other factors, I've decided to a rule change. I can take passes on games if I so choose. I imagine this will be a rarely invoked rule though.
Chiefs (+2) at Browns - pass. Two teams in disarray. No need to waste time or money on this game.
Eagles (-7) at Lions - Lions are improving but both teams starting quarterbacks are hurt. Eagles have a much better back up in Michael Vick. Take the Eagles as the road favorite.
Dolphins (+5.5) at Vikings - Neither team was impressive during the opening week. I'm thinking the spread might be a little to wide. Dolphins lose but take the points.
Cardinals (+6.5) at Falcons - Cardinals defense is better than you might think but Falcons running back is usually a beast at home. Falcons
Ravens (-3) at Bengals - Point spread ranges from Ravens -1.5 to -3 depending where you looked. Doesn't really matter though. The Ravens defense looked solid and the Bengals offense looked like garbage in week one. Ray Lewis looks like an ageless wonder. Ravens
Bears (+7) at Cowboys - Cowboys offense struggled in preseason and carried over into week one. Seven points is a wide spread for a struggling offense. The Bears might lose but they cover.
Bills (+13) at Packers - First double digit spread of the year and usually I warn that it's a sucker bit. The Bills are possibly the worst team in the league so throw your lot with the Packers.
Steelers (+5) at Titans - This is going to be a fist fight. Neither Vince Young or Donald Dixon inspires much confidence to break the game open. Look for Chris Johnson and Rashard Mendanhall to get plenty of runs. I think the the line should be more at Pittsburgh (+3). Take the Steelers and the points.
Buccaneers (+3) at Panthers - I thought about taking a pass on this game. However, I think Panthers will take care of the Bucs at home with the run game. Panthers
Seahawks (+3.5) at Broncos - The Seahawks need to prove last week was a fluke before I start picking them against a team not named the Raiders. Broncos
Rams (+3.5) at Raiders - Same old Raiders, at least Rams have a new quarter back. Rams
Patriots (-3) at Jets - Like the oddsmakers, I give the edge to the Patriots due to the fact that they can stretch the field.
Texans (-3) at Redskins - The gut is telling me to go with the Redskins. Coming off against a win against one Texas team at home, the Redskins welcome the "other" Texas team. These aren't the Cowboys though. Texans
Jaguars (+7) at Chargers - This is one of those iffy spreads. I think it's borderline to wide. Chargers are at home and there is no rain as of kickoff. Charger
Giants (+5) at Colts - Manning vs. Manning is the story line. The mangled Colts run defense is the story. Do the Giants run amok like Houston did last week? Giants
Saints (-6) at 49ers - Last week was a debacle for the niners and the Saints handled the Minnesota Brett Favres. Saints
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Houston Cougar Game Day 3 - UCLA Bruins
@
#23 Houston @ UCLASept. 18, 2010 9:35 P.M. CDT
Rose Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
TV: FoxSports
Radio: 790 AM KMBE
Last Meeting
UCLA 42 Houston 24
Sept. 19, 1998
Robertson Stadium
UH Campus
Game 3 Notes
NCAA Football Polls - Cougars Debut at #23
Evil Longhorn Steve Campbell's UH vs. UCLA Preview
Houston Cougar Notes
Bryce Beall C-USA Player of the Week
Coach Kevin Sumlin's Weekly Press Conference
Case Keenum Injury Watch
Update #1
UH's Mum on Keenum
Update #2
Keenum Day to Day
Update #3
Cotton Turner May Get Start At UCLA
Update #4
Keenum Game Day Decision
Last Year's Game 3 vs. Texas Tech Finish Part 1
Texas Tech Finish Part 2
2010 First Road Game vs #5 Okie St. Cowboys
Monday, September 13, 2010
NFL Week One - It's Almost in the Books
I'm still pumped up about my hometown Houston Texans manhandling of the Indianapolis Colts defense and pounding Payton Manning into the ground. That's another blog post though.
With two games to go, I decided to get a jump on the weekly NFL blog.
Comedy Central
I'm starting with the Dallas Cowboys 7 Washington Redskins 13. All I can say is what a joke it was for both teams. Jerry Jones self anointed the Cowboys Super Bowl Champs before the season. He wants them to be the first to win on home turf. Somebody for got to tell his team and the Redskins that.
The common saying is preseason doesn't mean anything. For the most part that is true but some things stand out so bad that they do count and should be cause for concern. In case of the Cowboys, failure to run or pass into the endzone continues as well as a subpar offensive line. The trend carried into the regular season with only one TD. The run game was decent with 103 yards. My issue with the run game was the near equal distribution of hand offs to Marion Barber (8), Felix Jones (8) and Tashard Choice (5). Why? Establish a lead back and let him get into a flow. I understand getting playmakers on the field but find a top back and use the others in he is ineffective or gets tired.
The Redskins receivers just cannot catch the ball. Donovan McNabb wasn't on target on a host of throws but the receivers dropped their fair share of catchable balls.
In the end it was the Cowboys lack of discipline and leadership that cost the game. Coach Wade Phillips never should have called a play to go down field to end the first half. Tony Romo never should have to get the ball out to Choice. Choice never should have tried to make a play. They did and Washington took a 10-0 lead into the half.
One last thing I've noticed about the Cowboys. They really don't have a player team leader. No one to step up and kick the team in the ass and tell them to focus. It appears the players go through the motions and play with no sense of urgency.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the start of the season only continued to raise more questions that started in the off season.
The Other Dullards
I didn't get to watch the game but by all indications it was snorefest like the Cowboys vs. Redskins game. I might be wrong and it might have been the defensive battle I adore. Whatever the case, the Steelers survived Fat Ben's suspension for one game on Rashard Mendenhall. With the game in overtime tied at 9, Mendenhall ran over right tackle for game winning 50 yard game winning TD.
The defense held the game in check. The Falcons also have playoff aspirations. RB Michael Turner was held to 42 and quarterback Matt Ryan tossed one INT, no TDs and 252 yards.
ATL needed the game to try and take care of an opponent with a suspended key player. They failed. They also need the game because they believe they can take the divisional crown from New Orleans. Not a good start.
The Trendy Obvious Pick...uh maybe
Kurt Warner left, Matt Leinhart cut and Derek Anderson starts. St. Louis is so devoid of talent that many top picks, including rookie QB Sam Bradford. Seattle is in rebuild mode with a new coaching staff. Seattle his been a constant decline since their 2006 Super Bowl appearance. That all adds up for the 49ers as an obvious choice rather than a trendy pick.
And the 49ers laid an egg in the opener. Seattle blasted the 49ers 31-6. A very auspicious start the season for team that could almost win its division by default. I love the fire and hard nose Mike Singletary brings to the sidelines but something apparently didn't get through in the first week. Maybe he needs to drop his pants or put his foot in someone's ass like he did Vern Davis. Players will eventually tune him out if they don't results on the field.
Dumb and Dumbest
In the past I've never held my disdain for Jack Del Rio. I anointed him with the Herm Edward Lifetime UnAchievement Award. It's the title that goes to the reigning worst coach in the NFL. The criteria is pretty low. Basically you must look clueless on the side line, make questionable personnel and game day mistakes and coach a team with decent talent and still utterly fail. The award is named after the constant recipient of it. On the other sideline facing Del Rio is second year Denver coach Josh McClown. He really is a clown. Nothing he had done on the field warrants the title. McClown earns his status based on three issues: ran off a whiny egotistical quarterback (who bares as much fault), traded away a pouting productive receiver (who learned how to act from the quarterback and teams reaction) and traded a draft bounty to draft Tim Teabow. Add to the fact that McClown started the Broncos off fast and then lead them right of playoff contention.
Add all the Del Rio/McClown ingredients together in a football game and you have a battle between the reigning Herm Edwards Coach and the top contender. After a season of discontent, running off players and a midseason melt down, we only needed to see a game between the idiots. Del Rio's players tried to defend the coach but the Broncos were up to the task and lost the game 24-17 and usurping the Crown of Worst Coach in the NFL for Josh McClown....congrats you idiot.
With two games to go, I won't name my offensive, defensive and lines of the week until tomorrow.
With two games to go, I decided to get a jump on the weekly NFL blog.
Comedy Central
I'm starting with the Dallas Cowboys 7 Washington Redskins 13. All I can say is what a joke it was for both teams. Jerry Jones self anointed the Cowboys Super Bowl Champs before the season. He wants them to be the first to win on home turf. Somebody for got to tell his team and the Redskins that.
The common saying is preseason doesn't mean anything. For the most part that is true but some things stand out so bad that they do count and should be cause for concern. In case of the Cowboys, failure to run or pass into the endzone continues as well as a subpar offensive line. The trend carried into the regular season with only one TD. The run game was decent with 103 yards. My issue with the run game was the near equal distribution of hand offs to Marion Barber (8), Felix Jones (8) and Tashard Choice (5). Why? Establish a lead back and let him get into a flow. I understand getting playmakers on the field but find a top back and use the others in he is ineffective or gets tired.
The Redskins receivers just cannot catch the ball. Donovan McNabb wasn't on target on a host of throws but the receivers dropped their fair share of catchable balls.
In the end it was the Cowboys lack of discipline and leadership that cost the game. Coach Wade Phillips never should have called a play to go down field to end the first half. Tony Romo never should have to get the ball out to Choice. Choice never should have tried to make a play. They did and Washington took a 10-0 lead into the half.
One last thing I've noticed about the Cowboys. They really don't have a player team leader. No one to step up and kick the team in the ass and tell them to focus. It appears the players go through the motions and play with no sense of urgency.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the start of the season only continued to raise more questions that started in the off season.
The Other Dullards
I didn't get to watch the game but by all indications it was snorefest like the Cowboys vs. Redskins game. I might be wrong and it might have been the defensive battle I adore. Whatever the case, the Steelers survived Fat Ben's suspension for one game on Rashard Mendenhall. With the game in overtime tied at 9, Mendenhall ran over right tackle for game winning 50 yard game winning TD.
The defense held the game in check. The Falcons also have playoff aspirations. RB Michael Turner was held to 42 and quarterback Matt Ryan tossed one INT, no TDs and 252 yards.
ATL needed the game to try and take care of an opponent with a suspended key player. They failed. They also need the game because they believe they can take the divisional crown from New Orleans. Not a good start.
The Trendy Obvious Pick...uh maybe
Kurt Warner left, Matt Leinhart cut and Derek Anderson starts. St. Louis is so devoid of talent that many top picks, including rookie QB Sam Bradford. Seattle is in rebuild mode with a new coaching staff. Seattle his been a constant decline since their 2006 Super Bowl appearance. That all adds up for the 49ers as an obvious choice rather than a trendy pick.
And the 49ers laid an egg in the opener. Seattle blasted the 49ers 31-6. A very auspicious start the season for team that could almost win its division by default. I love the fire and hard nose Mike Singletary brings to the sidelines but something apparently didn't get through in the first week. Maybe he needs to drop his pants or put his foot in someone's ass like he did Vern Davis. Players will eventually tune him out if they don't results on the field.
Dumb and Dumbest
In the past I've never held my disdain for Jack Del Rio. I anointed him with the Herm Edward Lifetime UnAchievement Award. It's the title that goes to the reigning worst coach in the NFL. The criteria is pretty low. Basically you must look clueless on the side line, make questionable personnel and game day mistakes and coach a team with decent talent and still utterly fail. The award is named after the constant recipient of it. On the other sideline facing Del Rio is second year Denver coach Josh McClown. He really is a clown. Nothing he had done on the field warrants the title. McClown earns his status based on three issues: ran off a whiny egotistical quarterback (who bares as much fault), traded away a pouting productive receiver (who learned how to act from the quarterback and teams reaction) and traded a draft bounty to draft Tim Teabow. Add to the fact that McClown started the Broncos off fast and then lead them right of playoff contention.
Add all the Del Rio/McClown ingredients together in a football game and you have a battle between the reigning Herm Edwards Coach and the top contender. After a season of discontent, running off players and a midseason melt down, we only needed to see a game between the idiots. Del Rio's players tried to defend the coach but the Broncos were up to the task and lost the game 24-17 and usurping the Crown of Worst Coach in the NFL for Josh McClown....congrats you idiot.
With two games to go, I won't name my offensive, defensive and lines of the week until tomorrow.
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