Saturday, November 28, 2009

NFL Week 11 - The Open Date

I strayed off my weekly on field analysis and decided to address a few things about the NFL schedule and rosters.

The Open Date
For starters, it’s not a bye. A bye is when a team earns or is seeded in a tournament or playoff in such a place that they don’t compete in a round. When the top two seeds don’t play in the NFL’s first round of playoffs, that is a bye. A team scheduled off during the season is an open date.

Which brings me to my main point, the nature of the open date is inherently wrong. I think it builds in a late season advantage for some teams to rest up while other teams get the open date as early as the fourth week.

I’d like to see the league either do away with it entirely or make it more equitable. The season is seventeen weeks long to allow for the open week. May as well let half the teams take the week off in week nine and the other half in week ten. That seems fair when compared to the current system.

The Expanded Season
Roger Goodell and the ownership seem hell bent on expanding the season to 18 games. Several issues need to be addressed before this happens. TV contracts will need be adjusted for the extra games, the schedule formula reworked, rosters expanded and player pay also increased for two more game checks.

With the looming potential work stoppage, I personally don’t see how all that will get done in addition to negotiating a new CBA.

As it stands, I’d like to see the NFL expand the rosters for the 16 game season. Teams are allowed to carry 53 players with 46 plus a 3rd quarterback on game day. Teams also carry a practice squad but those players aren’t exclusive to the team. Any team may sign a practice squad player to the 53 man roster.

Instead, the NFL should revamp the current system to allow all 53 players active on game day. No more scratches. The owners pay the players a game day check anyway so why not make the eligible to play? Another route the league could take is to keep the 46 game day roster and expand the designated emergency players. Designate one emergency player at quarterback, running back, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and receiver. If a player leaves the game and is replaced by the emergency player, then the original player isn’t allowed to return to the game.

The Injured Reserve
While I’m pontificating about the rosters, the owners may as well change up the injured reserve rules. In the past, teams could designate a player on injured reserve and reactivate him during the season. The rule changed to prevent teams from stocking players on injured reserve even though healthy. Now it’s an all or nothing list. A player goes on the list and doesn’t count against the roster limit or he sits out hurt and counts against the roster.

The NFL should take a page from Major League Baseball. They could alter the injured reserve rule for varying periods of time. A player could go on injured reserve for either a 4, 6 or 12 week period or out for the year. Of course there should be limits on the number of players on injured reserve. Maybe two or three players max on the eligible to return list to keep teams from stockpiling players. I’d also suggest limiting the number of times a team can use the injured reserve in a season. Finally, along the lines of the PUP list, once the injury time is up, a team must decide to activate the player or he is out for the season.

Monday, November 23, 2009

NFL Week 10 - The Genius and the Idiot

Some people, mostly in the New England area, think Bill Belichik is a genius. Others believe he is a cheat. Obviously you don’t win three Super Bowl rings, go undefeated in the regular season and lose a fourth Super Bowl without something working between the ears.

It’s gospel on this blog that I believe that Jack Del Rio inherited the title of Worst NFL Coach upon the retirement of Herm Edwards.

The roles were some what reversed this week.

By now everyone has hashed, rehashed and regurgitated Belichick’s decision to go for the first down against Payton Manning and the Colts Sunday night. My two cents: punt the ball and let Manning earn it. Don’t give him a short field to work with.

On the flipside, Del Rio instructed running back Maurice Drew-Jones not to score in the closing minutes of the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the New York Jets. Drew-Jones took a knee at the one instead of plunging in to the endzone. The Jets had no time outs left and the Jags only needed a field goal to win. They ran out the clock, kicked the FG and won the game.

Those two games show the fine line between genius and idiot. If the Patriots get the first down and win, Belichick is the toast of the town and hailed a gutsy genius. If the Jags miss the field goal, fumble the snap or some other slapstick error, Del Rio probably gets closer to earning his pink slip.

As it stands, the Patriots may have lost any chance at gaining home field advantage through out the playoffs. Unless they collapse completely, they should win their division. The Jags, despite Del Rio, remain in the hunt for a wild card spot and also achieve the tie breaker over the Jets.

Dysfunction Junction, What’s Your Function?

The are bad teams (Chiefs, Lions, Rams) and then there are the problem children of the NFL…Browns, Redskins and Bills.

Incompetence and dysfunction rule the roost in those franchises. The Browns currently hold the lead after firing the GM and Eric Mangini’s antics now catching the eye of the NFL Players Association.

Not to be out done, Ralph Wilson fired Bills head coach Dick Jauron while I started writing this last night. I find the time odd. He had the best opportunity to do so during the open date. Instead Wilson does it on Tuesday, promotes the defensive coordinator to interim coach and expects the team to be prepared to play this Sunday.

I understand pulling the plug on a coach but there are better ways to handle things. Firing a coach during the week isn’t the best way. The move proves the level of chaos going on in Buffalo.

Old Man Wilson styles himself a man of the people. He is the only owner who votes against relocation anytime a team wants to pick up and move. He’s voted against teams moving every time. It’s a nice gesture and pretty meaningless. Remember this is the same owner who is playing regular season games in Toronto and might be rumored to move more games, if not the franchise, to Toronto.

With that kind of doublespeak, it’s no wonder his franchise is swirling down the toilet. Chaos breeds chaos. Wilson, 91, needs to step back and let a younger man run his team. Hands off is generally the best way to go. Just sign the checks and watch the books, Wilson and enjoy your last few years in this life.

And on the Field of Play
Things in Denver seem to hit a wall. After a blazing 6-0 start, the Broncos now have lost the last three. The latest was to division archrival San Diego. The ESPN Football Today podcast, with Mike Green), brought up an interesting point about the Broncos. They pointed out that Denver’s defense isn’t all that young. The tough games they played against the Ravens and Steelers may have taken a toll on the older bodies. Now they really haven’t recovered and will continue to wear down as the season progresses.

Say what you want about the 18-12 score, I still thought it was an entertaining game between the Bengals and the Steelers. No offensive touchdowns usually mean a dull game (Browns 6, Bills 3). Both teams played solid defense and left it out on the field. There was plenty at stake for both teams. Bengals solidified their hold on the AFC North and one game away from sweeping the division. They put themselves in position to compete for a bye in the playoffs. While not out of the divisional race yet, the Steelers must start thinking wildcard. It would take a dramatic Bengals collapse for them to win the division.

Just when you think the Cowboys are making a strong push, the December Boys make a midseason showing. The ‘boys blew a chance to put some distance in the division between themselves and the Giants and Eagles. More curious is why they didn’t use the three headed monster of Tashard Choice, Felix Jones and Marion Barber. Instead the Green Bay defense harassed Tony Romo for the better part of the game.

The free fall continues for the Jets. After opening with a three game win streak and the swagger of coach Rex Ryan, the Jets aren’t looking the like the dark horse playoff team anymore. One scout on I read stated that it would take defensive coaches about three games to figure out rookie Jet quarterback Mark Sanchez. Right on schedule, three games into the season is where the slump begins.

Line of the Week - Charles Woodson CB Green Bay Packers
Two forced fumbles, 9 tackles (2 for a loss), 1 sack, 1 Interception

JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week
This week it goes to a coach. Bill Belichick. Come on man, at least make Payton Manning drive the length of the field.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

NFL Week 8

I slacked off after actually writing this column weekly last season (except for the Sage Rosencopter game). I had my bye week last week. Took some vacation days to unwind from work. Took in the Texans-49ers game and then headed out to the lake for a few days.

My bye is over and here I go again.

I started off with a Hack Roll Call but it got to long so I set it up as a stand alone column.

Going of the Rails on the Crazy Browns Train

First off, I can't help but admire the train wreck the Cleveland Browns are. They went from bad to complete dysfunction in less than one season. Owner Randy Lerner relieved general manager George Kokinis of duties. What isn't clear is the manner of the dismissal. Reports, or rumors, are that Lerner wants Kokinis terminated for cause because Kokinis wasn't achieving goals stated in his contract. Lerner is trying weasel his way out of it because he's still paying previous GM Phil Savage, former coach Romeo Crennel and the old coaching staff. If he can't get out of the contract, he's stuck paying Kokinis for four more years. Not to mention Eric Mangini and his staff if he makes the change at the end of the year.

Lerner has no one to blame but himself. He rashly hired Mangini without conducting much of a search. He hired Kokinis after Mangini hand picked him for GM. The week before the team released director of operations Erin O'brien. Mangini also handpicked O'brien.

SI.com's Dan Banks wrote an excellent column explaining the mess and quoting sources close to Kokinis and the Browns.

Son of Zeus
The anointed Son of Zeus, Vince Young, is starting again for the Tennessee Titans. Yawn. The ESPN Football Today Podcast with Jeremy Green and Pod Vader did a classic bit. To sum it up, they said Young's pass plays were to look at one WR, not go through progressions, and if he was covered to run. Don't look at options 2, 3 or 4. If he did and ended up back at one then he held the ball to long.

Quick Hitters

Ted Ginn found a bit of redemption with the Miami Dolphins. He returned two kick off returns for TDs. I've watched him play a few games and have not been impressed with him as a receiver. I think his staying power in the league will be as a return man. Maybe he can pick up being a real WR soon. He is only in his third year but he needs a lot of hard work.

The amazing thing about the Jets-Dolphins game was that the 'fins scored three TDs without the offense on the field: Ginn's two returns and a fumble returned for a TD.

The Denver Broncos finally lost a game. I'm sure SI.com's hack Andy Perlof is jumping for joy. The Ravens went away from a Joe Flacco passing attack and went back to running the ball. Flacco threw a balled control 175 yards while running the ball and playing stiff defense.

Ryan Clark and the Steelers haven't come to a decision on whether Clark will play this week in Denver. In 2007, the thin air affected Clark and his sickle celled trait. He had his spleen and gall bladder removed. Hines Ward, one of the toughest men in the NFL, says if it were him there would be no question, he wouldn't play. I agree with Ward. Playing football hurt and laying it all on the line is one thing. This is a possible life and death situation. No game is worth that. The Steelers shouldn't even be considering it...just sit him...even if it means taking the loss.

Who dreamed up this match up? Lions and Rams? I know, the NFL has a schedule formula so it was bound to happen. Either way it was a sick game...literally but at least it wasn't a Bills-Browns 6-3 fiasco. At one point it was a 3-2 game though. Ugh.

Line of the Week
Ted Ginn - 6 kickoff returns, 294 yards, 2 TDs of 101 yards and 100 yards

JeMarcus Russell Line of the Week
Kurt Warner - Doing his best Jake Delhomme impersonation, with Delhomme in the house, Warner threw 5 picks and had one fumble in leading the Cardinals to a 34-21 defeat against the Panthers.

Jack Del Rio Coach of the Week
Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders wins the award this week. Not for being the coach of the Raiders but for the allegations of his off the field behavior. ESPN's show "Outside the Lines" documented his alleged behavior in "Women: Cable Has Violent History".

Closing Thoughts
When was the last time the NFL had this many dysfunctional teams? I'm not talking about bad product on the field but also turmoil behind the scenes. The Washington Redskins have a little Adolf Hitler in Dan Snyder. He stripped head coach Jim Zorn of offensive play calling duties. Why didn't he just cut his balls off at midfield? The Browns are a disaster with all the current upheaval. Al Davis, the Raiders and Tom Cable? Need I say more? Jacksonville can't sell out a home game to lift the local black out and head coach Jack Del Rio is an idiot. The Buffalo Bills are shifting games to Toronto and Dick Jauron is coaching a listless team. Larry Johnson tried to talk his way out of Kansas City but they called his bluff. And reports are that the Bucs coaches are way in over their heads.

The Sheriff Roger Goodell seem intent on the personal conduct policy but maybe he needs to call his deputies in and remind them that ultimately their decisions affect the health of the league. They sink or swim together...

Hack Roll Call

Hack Roll Call

I'm going to start off with my favorite hack, Peter King. Green Bay hosted the Minnesota Vikings so I imagined that King was in masturbatory heaven. A quick check of his column archive reveals he must have lost feeling in both hands. They played the game on November 1st, so he starts his jack off fest on October 30th. I'm used to King's public blow jobs of Brett Favre. He finds meaningless meanings on senseless topics about Favre. Still I was surprised by his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column. Not only did he take Favre's manhood in his mouth, he bent over and took it his ass and then he turned around and took the full facial. Congrats Kings, you once again solidify your straggle hold on my Official List of Hacks.

Speaking of hacks, Richard Justice out did himself with his blog Yes, the Texans should have taken Vince Young. Vince Young is to Justice as Favre is to King. When Justice isn't administering oral pleasure on Astros owner Drayton McClane, he's busy hurting his chin on Young's tiny nut sack. He still can't get over the fact that the Texans made a football decision and took Mario Williams. He wants Texans owner Bob McNair to run the Texans like McClane runs the Astros. He believes that Young should have been taken in order for the Texans to sell seats. Winning be damned. He conveniently ignores the fact that the Texans have sold out every game since they came into to the league. People might not show up but at least the tickets are sold. Secondly, almost all fans see McClane for what he is...a snake oil salesman. Just take a look at the direction the Astros are going....no thanks, Justice.

At least that other hack, Andy Perloff, shut up about the Broncos. Not even a peep since they lost to the Ravens.

My Sports Allegiances

My favorite teams are in no particular order: Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs(NBA champs 99, 03, 05, 07, 14) and the Houston Cougars, Pittsburgh Penguins (Stanley Cups 91, 92, 08, 16, 17)
My secondary teams are: Houston Dynamo(MLS Champs 06, 07), Houston Astros (NL Champs 05), Houston Rockets (NBA Champs 94, 95)
Teams I Hate: Anything out of Dallas
Teams I Enjoy Seeing Lose: Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies, Baylor Bears football
Teams that are Insignificant: rice owls