NOVEMBER 15, 2009
THE RECAP
Tennessee allowing 281 yards rushing to the forgotten Ole Miss Rebels, perhaps they forgot they were playing this week. Too many felons on this Vols team, and maybe not enough football players.
Florida would make it close until they decided to turn it on defensively allowing only 14 pts. to the Gamecocks was enough. That Gator offense is not what it was but the Gators find ways to get it done.
Stanford is really good. Luck was outstanding. He was sacked 6 times in the in by the third quarter but continues to throw strikes and make first downs with his legs. USC is done, for now. Carroll is a very good recruiter and he will have talent there next year, but this year the injuries caught up to the Trojans. A rookie QB played like one today throwing 4 picks. I guess USC has trouble with traditional offenses as much as they do with the spread, huh.
To put in perspective how good a job Jim Harbaugh has done at Stanford you have to understand that Stanford is basically an Ivy League school playing outside the Ivy League conference, they play in a BCS conference. They may lower their academic standards but you still need a 1200 on your SATs to be accepted. The point is, is that it is very difficult to recruit the kind of athlete who can pass the academic standard that are required and still be competitive in the PAC 10.
Ohio State would not let Iowa stay close. Every time Iowa would get close and they did tie it up in the third, Ohio State would answer. The 19 year old freshman QB of Iowa, James Vandenberg would come back to tie the game and take it into overtime. But in overtime this freshman fell and gave up a devastating sack to take his team out of field goal range which enabled Ohio State to win the BIG 10/11 by 3 and a trip to the Rose Bowl.
Everyone will be talking about Ferentz’ decision not to go for the win with some 54 seconds left but Vandenberg had been intercepted twice up to that point and bad things happen in such situations especially with an inexperienced QB on the road. So no, I don’t fault Ferentz for taking it into OT.
North Carolina turned the Canes over and over and over. Miami scored to come with in a touch in the 3rd, but it would not be enough as Harris threw 4 INTs. Carolina pressured Harris into making some poor throws which he did and very few teams out there can overcome 4 turnovers. Even if the Tar Heels offense was not anything special it was efficient and the defense did the rest.
Notre Dame did the best they could with what little they had. Golden Tate shined with 9 rec. 113 yds. and a punt return for a TD. Without Tate ND would have been blown out. Clausen was consistent he showed me a little more arm than I’ve seen in the past. But in the end the Irish just didn’t have enough. Pitt. has some big playmakers on this team, Baldwin was tremendous, looks like another great receiver from Pitt. Lewis was reiterating to everyone in the nation that he is one of the best freshmans in college football.
TCU can probably beat anyone this year, if they are not in a BSC game congress should shut down the BCS.
NOVEMBER 13-14, 2009
WATCH THIS!
West Virginia @ Cincinnati
Brian Kelly is sticking with Zach Collaros, I would as well. The Bearcats may be even better on offense with Collaros at QB. The Mountaineers will make it interesting for the first half but the Bearcats run the spread option better than West Virginia and probably better than any team other than Oregon. Last time I complimented Oregon’s offense they proceeded to lose to Stanford. But I think Cincinnati at home is a better bet than West Virginia on the road. WV is 1-2 on the road this year. Cincy by 9.
Florida @ South Carolina
South Carolina is slipping and Florida is rising this should be a tune up game on route to the SEC championship game, as the rest of Florida’s games will be. Spurrier desperately wants to beat his old school but he can’t, not with the below average Garcia at QB. Garcia is completing 57% and has 13 tds and 6 pics, not good enough against the best defense in the country. Garcia will add to his INTs in this one. Now it won’t be like it was last year, a 56-6 rout but the Gators should win by 2 tds. Florida by 14.
Utah @ TCU
Another test for TCU against a ranked opponent. Utah is 16th at 8-1 and their only loss was to Oregon. But it will not matter, for TCU is the better team top to bottom. Utah has some good RBs, Wide is averaging 6.2 ypc and Asiata has 4.5 but they have not faced a defense like the Horned Frogs. TCU is ranked 3ed in the nation, allowing only 240 yards, so that 411 yard average for the Utes will be reduced on Saturday. TCU by 17.
Stanford @ USC
Let down? Stanford is a very good team but will the Trojans forget to bring their defense as Oregon forgot to bring theirs' last week. You saw what happened to Oregon last week after winning a HUGE game at home the week before they went on the road and got blown out by Stanford the following week. This week it is Stanford that is coming off a HUGE upset win at home an now have to go an play USC on the road in LA. I tell you what, this kid Luck, the QB for Stanford is the best QB in the PAC 10. I hear everyone loves Locker to go in the first round of the draft next year, HA! If Luck was coming out he’d be the first pick, he’s that good. And how about Gerhart and his 1217 yards. With that written I like USC in this one.
USC plays well against conventional offenses like the one they run at Stanford. This is not the Read Option/Spread Option from Oregon with a 5’7” running back (James). This will be a good close game. USC by 6.
Iowa @ Ohio State
Iowa is done. The Buckeyes should win this one without a problem. The Buckeye defense will shut down any resemblance of an offense from the Hawkeyes. Stanzi is out the BIG 10/11 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl is on the line and Ohio State is at home. Look for a whole lot of turnovers from Iowa and a win by OSU by 16.
Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the better team that is playing better and they’re at home. The Irish simply do not have the skill players to match up with the Panthers. The only worry I have is if Pitt. may be looking past the Irish to their conference matchups with West Virginia and Cincinnati. I think Wannstedt knows he can’t look past anybody so he will Pitt. ready. Even if Notre Dame is bad in any given year it’s a name that still carries weight.
No one has been able to stop Dion Lewis (1139 yds) this year, I don’t think ND can either. Pitt. By 10
Miami @ North Carolina
Miami has fallen asleep a few time this year, but the Canes should have enough defense to curtail the Tar Heels’ offense. Miami lost a heart breaker to Clemson and now has to win out to have a shot at a respectable bowl. UNC is not a great team with Yates at QB but they play well at home and the Canes have not won in Chapel Hill in 4 tries.
Miami has not been consistent this year but Jacory Harris and the Canes have found ways to win with their better skill players. Although Little for UNC is having a very good year with 40 receptions he’s all they got along with Ryan Houston now that Shaun Draughn is lost for the rest of the year. It will be close but it will be Miami by 3.
Arizona State @ Oregon
Will there be a let down from a let down, NO. ASU is not good enough to beat an angry duck team. Oregon controls their own destiny if they win out. With only one loss the Ducks can still win the PAC 10 by going undefeated the rest of the way. It won’t be easy with Arizona and Oregon State coming up but it will be impossible if they lose to the Sun Devils. I don’t think they lose. Oregon by 14.
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
THE GREAT UNKNOWN
Unless you follow college football closely you probably never heard of Dan LeFevour and that’s because he doesn’t play for the big teams or in the big conference, but he has quietly become one of the greatest QB in college football history.
At 6’3” and 238 lbs. LeFevour is every bit as big as Tim Tebow and LeFevour’s stats are every bit as good. Now I know what you’re thinking, he plays for Central Michigan. But I say to achieve these kinds of statistics is quite an accomplishment no matter which team you play for. LeFevour has 45 rushing and 92 passing tds, and one receiving for a total of 138 (Tebow, 52 rushing and 78 passing tds.) The 137 (rushing and passing) is second all time in college football behind Colt Brennan’s 146.
How about LeFevour’s versatility. This guy has 3 receptions, one for a TD, now you can say 3!, who cares, but the fact that he has receiving at all as part of his statistics is impressive. The guy has even punted 6 times in college. All this has been accomplished in the Mid America Conference and the competition isn’t the same as in the big 6 BCS conferences but it’s impressive never the less. Because at the end of the day, football is football.
NOVEMBER 11, 2009
Moron Safin
I recently read some comments from Marat Safin regarding Andre Agassi’s crystal meth use. Safin, who has won two Grand Slam titles is outraged and tells Agassi to forfeit his titles and the money he has won in his career. WHAT? I’ve read some dumb things in my life but this Safin guy is out there marching first, ahead of everyone in the stupidity parade.
Safin said “Me, I don’t need money…” REALLY? Could that be because you won over $14 million. Maybe you can give it all to the poor since you have no use for it. If you’re going to make public statements make sure you don’t sound like you’re on drugs yourself. Think before you speak. Agassi did not take performance enhancing steroids. If anything Agassi probably lost titles, time and winnings in his career due to drug use. More of the money early in Agassi‘s career came from being a spokes person for advertisers. Somehow I don‘t think the drugs enhanced his marketing appeal.
Agassi didn’t play while under the influence and even if he did I don’t think he gained an “advantage“, to use a tennis term. It is only after he was able to dig himself out of his emotional abyss and overcome his mental weakness, did he start winning. He had 3 Grand Slams prior to his 1997 drug use and 5 slams after 1997. But he was emotionally hampered by his relationship with his Father this seems to have caused great turmoil in his professional life which precluded him from winning early in his career.
The thing about stupid people is that they don’t realize how stupid they are, for if they did they would refrain from speaking in public. Safin won his first Grand Slam, the US Open, in 2000 at the age of twenty and has only managed to win one more since, the Australian in ‘05, and Safin has no “problems” that we know about, maybe he should do some meth. Safin says he’s retiring this year, well good bye and good riddance.
NOVEMBER 10, 2009
MILE NOT SO HIGH
The Broncos have lost 2 in a row. And with all do respect to Denver they have lost to superior talent, maybe not so much Baltimore but most definitely the Pittsburgh “Defending Champs” Steelers. As good a job as McDaniels has done this is still a rebuilding job and way too many folks were on this band wagon way too early. At 6-2 the Broncos are respectable and they are playing well, hell they might even make the playoffs but to think this team is capable of more is unrealistic.
Denver is playing well and that’s important because you will not be LUCKY too long in the NFL. If you play well you will always have a chance to win. Against Pittsburgh the strong part of Denver’s game had some key break downs. After scoring a defensive touchdown to go ahead 10-7 the defense gave up an answer score on a drive that tool less than 2 minutes and was completed in 5 plays.
Mike Nolan the defensive coordinator is average, he’s coached in Washington, Baltimore, Jets and was the head guy in San Francisco. We call a guy like that a journeyman and these guys have a way of fizzling out.
So a word of caution Bronco fans, don’t drink your wine before its time.
NOVEMBER 9, 2009
NFL THOUGHTS
As the our great prognosticator Matt Minucci says, “IT’S A CRAP SHOOT” you just don’t know who will win any given week.
Tampa Bay brought out the old unies in which they did not win many games and beat the Packers. The Packers are officially pathetic. Some kid rookie named Josh Freeman threw for 205 yds and 3 tds. Now the Packers had no offensive line and apparently now they don’t have a defense, they’re officially pathetic. Congratulations to the Bucks for a great win.
New York Giants have now lost 4 in a row and you can see that this team doesn’t have a strong running game or a strong passing game. Even though they did have 116 on the ground. San Diego wins despite 2 pics by Rivers and that excellent Giants defense gives up a last minute scoring drive after having given up only 34 yds rushing, COME ON! This was the game they had to win and should have won. New York won the turnover battle (+ 1) and they out gained the Chargers. But they could not stop them when it counted.
New England looks old and they just don’t look like the Patriots of old, but maybe that’s a good thing. Being dominant in the regular season is not as significant as having a great run in the playoffs. Maybe they are just pacing themselves. It just seems to me that without Welker they would not be able to move the ball.
Cincinnati has proven me wrong. I wrote them off. I was getting rid of Marvin Lewis, shutting down the operation, but the Bengals have come back to look like a contender. The defense is especially strong, allowing only 7 pts to Baltimore. Cedric Benson who was once thought to be a bust is having a Pro Bowl year, the guy is on pace for 1400 yards. Just crazy how things work out. Baltimore is just so inconsistent they’ll wind up 8-8.
Dallas has taken the lead in the three dog race in the NFC East. The Cowboys at 6-2 sit a top of the division they have had a great run the past 3 weeks beating Atlanta, Seattle and Philly. I wrote at the beginning of the year that one maybe 2 games will separate the top three teams and it’s playing out that way so far. The Giants have to figure things out or it’s over.
San Francisco has to be kidding, no really. They lost to the Vince Young led Titans. How long does it take to figure things out Alex Smith? How long! 3 INTs is inexcusable! Four turnovers total, NOT GOOD. On the bright side is there a better tight end in the league right now than Vernon Davis, so far 32 rec. maybe Tony Gonzalez with 33. However, Vernon has 7 tds to Tony’s 3.
New Orleans and Indianapolis just keep winning. It should be a great one next week, New England vs. Indy.
Washington and their apologetic owner just keep losing.
NOVEMBER 8, 2009
The Recap
Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve! But what really happened was just another crazy, upset laden Saturday in college football.
Oregon had the let down we thought they might.Perhaps it was the injuries on defense, but the Ducks could not stop the Stanford Cardinals offense. Andrew Luck threw for 251 picking the Duck depleted secondary apart and Gerhart ran for 223, WHAT! Come on Oregon that is just so disappointing. It was a difficult task to go into Palo Alto and win on the road but the great teams do it.Obviously Oregon has not reached that elite status as yet.
Let’s give some very deserving congratulations to Stanford who out Ducked the Ducks by having a balanced attack which yielded 505 total yards.
LSU could have won had they played like the LSU of old, but this team doesn’t have the talent on defense that it did a few years ago. Alabama’s Ingram ran for 144 yds.If Alabama had a QB who could actually play the position they could actually be dominant. McElroy missed so many open receivers and made so many bad decisions that it was difficult to watch. Good thing Mark Ingram is on this team because he was IT in the 2nd half. Julio Jones did catch and ran for a 73 yard TD that put the game away but without Ingram the Tide would not have been close enough to get ahead.
I still write that Alabama loses to Florida. I don’t think the Gators allow that kind of production out of Ingram and are better on offense. Time shall solve this debate.
Penn State is just terrible. How bad is Daryll Clark? I’ll tell you.He completed less than 50% of his passes without a TD and 1 INT. Clark was worse than that awful Terrelle Pryor, who actually passed for 2 TDs. All the credit has to go to the Buckeye defense which held the Nittany Lions to 201 total yards and Evan Royster to 36 yards rushing.
And how about that Penn State defense, they allowed 228 rushing yards at home to a team who they knew would run the ball. I'm shaking my head right now.
Nebraska beat Oklahoma! This is an absolute shocker. Landry Jones had 5 INTs what can you write, just awful. The Cornhuskers had 7 pts last week. This week they only managed 180 total yards at home but if you can turn the opposition over 5 times you always have a chance to win.
What a terrible game for Jones. This was not some great defense he was facing. I don't know some times your head is just not in it, inexplicable. Nebraska had 9 turnovers last week and this week they made OU look like Nebraska of last week. Even when you are clearly the better team, and Oklahoma is, you can't overcome that many turnovers, no one can.
Clemson beat Miami two weeks ago with the help of C. J. Spiller. This week Spiller did it to Florida State. Boy does Spiller show up for the big game. This week Mr. Everything had 165 rushing and 67 receiving as well as returning kicks. Two weeks ago against Miami he had 81 yards rushing and 104 receiving. I have got to add this guy to my Heisman list.
Florida State's Christian Ponder threw the game away literally, 4 INTs. Come on, what the hell is that! Maybe it was his sore ribs. Ponder's passes hung out there to be picked off, he had no velocity and just did not display his usual arm strength. But if you know your QB is limited with an injury call some short passes so his lack of an arm is not exposed. That's a note to Jimbo Fisher, nice job of helping your QB out there coach.
Iowa's run had to come to an end sooner or later and it ended this week at home against Northwestern I know that Stanzi went out with a bad ankle but to lose at home to the Wildcats with a superior running game is just inexcusable. Vandenberg replaced Stanzi and was completely ineffective. Just when they needed that superior rushing attack most it ran out of gas, yielding only 65 yards. And this time the Hawkeyes were -3 in the turnover battle. Northwestern did a terrific job stopping the run and forcing turnovers. I don't see the Hawkeyes beating Ohio State so the best start in school history, 9-0 will probably not even get this team to the Rose Bowl.
Connecticut is so close every week but they just come up short. They gave Cincinnati all they could handle but lost 45-47. The good Uconn defense has sputtered lately and broke down at key moments, allowing a 4th qtr. go ahead TD which put the game away. The Huskies had no answer for Zach Collaros who had 480 yds. passing and 75 rushing. The loss of Jasper Howard is really hurting Uconn. Howard was an outstanding corner and they just have not found a quality replacement.
How about the Cincinnati Bearcats, Tony Pike is on the sidelines and they are even better on offense. This Collaros kid is ridiculous. Brian Kelly said he will keep the kid as the starter and as well he should.
Navy gave Notre Dame their third loss of the season. Another great example of a superior team turning the ball over and losing at home. The Irish had 3 turnover and still managed 512 yards total offense, but lost. You have to hand it to the Midshipmen who held N.D. to 60 yards rushing and held on to eke out a win. For Notre Dame the losing is not over with Uconn, Pitt. and Stanford coming up it is conceivable they may lose all three games.
NOVEMBER 6-7, 2009
WATCH THIS!
LSU @ Alabama
The Tide, the team with no offense going up against the team that is only marginally better on offense than themselves. I think LSU has a very good shot at winning. The Tigers are a very good defensive team with a better offense than Bama, even though it’s marginally better, it’s better.
Bama has many problems with their passing game so if the Tigers can stop Ingram they can win, as long as they block Mt. Cody on field goal attempts. That, however will not be easy. Ingram is averaging a whopping 6.6 ypc in the ultra defensive SEC. LSU will have to blitz to force McElroy into making mistakes. Alabama’s offensive line does not pass protect well and LSU can force some turnovers. Bama is coming of a bye week and that may be the difference. But I see the upset in this one. LSU by 3.
Northwestern @ Iowa
Iowa should have no problem right, but the way they can turn the ball over any opponent has a chance. Now I don’t think Iowa will lose but they may make it interesting. Iowa’s running game is so superior to that of Northwestern that Stanzi may only throw 5 times the entire game, however, 3 of those passes will be intercepted. Iowa by 15
Oregon @ Stanford
The trap game, the let down game, however, you wish to call it this will not be a cake walk for the hottest team in the Nation. Stanford is a good football team that can run the ball. Oregon is not as good on defense as they are on offense and are vulnerable to a grind out running game. But their offense is so out of this world right now that they can put up 4 TDs on the Cardinals in the first half and force them out of that run game into a passing shoot out which they will lose.
The only thing that can stop the Ducks are the Ducks. If they come in thinking that the USC game was their national championship they may very well lose by playing sloppy, turning it over, penalties etc. But I don’t see that happening Chip Kelly has done a terrific job and will have all his Ducks in a row. Oregon by 14.
Connecticut @ Cincinnati
Uconn is having a tough season, this a good team but they just don’t hold on to the football. This Huskies team is on the cusp of winning. Last week against Rutgers Uconn had 481 yards of total offense and two weeks ago at West Virginia they had 501 but lost both games 28-24 due to 4 turnovers in each contest. If the Huskies can just hold on to the ball they can win one.
Cincinnati is winning no matter who is at QB. The defense is playing well but the stats are inflated, they have not played any great teams lately, Louisville and Syracuse, HA! Laughable man. The Bearcats will win the game at home but if Uconn can hold on to the football they have a chance. Cincinnati by 8.
Ohio State @ Penn State
The Buckeyes have the better defense and the Lions have the better offense. Penn State is at home and Clark is a better QB than Pryor so the game will come down to turnovers. If the Nittany Lions can turn Pryor over and I think they can, they will get the W.
I like Penn State at home where their running game is even better. I think this will be a close game with Ohio State’s defense keeping them in it but eventually Pryor will turn it over in a crucial spot in the game and that will seal the deal for the Lions. Even if it’s not a close game and Penn State jumps out to an early lead that will put Pryor in a predictable passing situations and he will undoubtedly throw a key pick. Penn State by 6.
Wisconsin @ Indiana
Wisconsin should really win this game but if the Hoosiers can take the ball away like they did against the Hawkeyes they have a chance. Indiana ran out of steam last week against Iowa and they will probably do the same this week against the Badgers. But until they do run out of steam it will be competitive for 3 quarters.
The QBs are dead even, i.e. both average, so it will be up to Wisconsin’s running game. Although their passing game may look better against this Indiana secondary that gave up HUGE passing plays last week to Iowa. Wisconsin by 15.
Oklahoma @ Nebraska
OU has had a difficult year losing some close games. The Sooners are still a very good football team. Nebraska on the other had has fallen apart. Last weeks atrocious 9 turnover 7 pt. performance by the Cornhuskers makes for a weak match up. What once was a great rivalry may some day be again, just not this Saturday.
Oklahoma is superior on all fronts and should score a lot of points in this one. Oklahoma by 13.
Florida State @ Clemson
Clemson is coming of an OT win over the Canes and Flo State has won 2 in a row. The Seminoles are poor defensively but they have a great offense. Clemson’s offense is C.J. Spiller. I like the ‘Noles to play hard for Mickey Andrews the rest of the year and I like them to beat the Tigers.
Christian Ponder of FSU is having a great year, 2453 yds, 13 TDs and only 3 INTs and I don’t see the Tigers having any answers for Ponder and that ‘Noles passing game. Florida State by 10.
NOVEMBER 5, 2009
BANZAI
This is what happens when you spend wisely, you WIN! Congratulations to the New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner family for a job well done in winning the franchise’s 27th Championship.
This really was not much of a series the Yankees were simply better. They hit better and they pitched better. You have to tip you cap to Chase Utley but other than his hitting and
Lee’s pitching in game 1 there was not much else the Phillies brought to this series.
The Japanese don’t just build better cars, they hit better too. Hideki Matsui was hitting like Babe Ruth, a deserving MVP performance. As a side note, Matsui will be given a Chevy for his efforts.
Pedro Martinez broke down and had nothing in game 6. The game was close, 2-1 until Pedro gave up a second hit to the Japanese Bambino which made it 4-1 and out of reach.
Congratulations, this was MONEY WELL SPENT.
NOVEMBER 4, 2009
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Our Heisman 5
Jeremiah Masoli - Does it all at a very high level, 1127 passing yards and 14 total TDs, but has one blemish on his record.
Colt McCoy - Solid, tough and may be undefeated this year but doesn’t have spectacular numbers, 1977 yds and 16 total TDs.
Tim Tebow - the undisputed leader of the Gators. He is your clutch go to guy, he does it all.
Jimmy Clausen - Has some big numbers, 2318 yds. and 19 total TDs but lost the big games.
Mark Ingram - solid but not spectacular, over 1000 yards rushing and 11 total TDs.
The two players I like the most are Masoli and McCoy.
The Seahawks cut Edgerrin James, why not cut Jim Mora Jr. as well. I wrote before the season started that Mora Jr. was a stupefying hire. What has he done, has he won anything? He has had one winning season in ‘04 (11-5). That is just one more winning season than I have.
I read something about the Browns playing Brady Quinn now because he can’t meet the big dollar incentives. Doesn’t that seem dumb? Don’t you want your QB to meet his performance incentives, wouldn’t that mean he’s doing well. If for instance he is to receive a bonus for throwing 25 TD and 3500 yds. don’t you want that as a team? Wouldn’t that mean you’re winning.
Now this rumor may be true and the owner is so cheep that he is willing to lose instead of paying his future QB, or it may be that he is thinking of trading or cutting him. But you should want to see if your franchise QB can reach the incentives to decide if he is indeed your franchise QB.
Cleveland also fired their GM this week, as if that will make a difference.
The Boston Celtics are perfect so far. They will not lose too many games this year, they’re deep, experienced and long. In the win against the 76ers Garnett had 3 pts. and 6 reb. It didn’t matter, Wallace came off the bench and had 20 and 6. Can you say 6th MAN! If that’s too many words, how about CHAMPIONSHIP
NOVEMBER 3, 2009
KEEPING ‘EM IN IT
A word on the World Series. This was an absolutely horrible job by MLB of scheduling the Series telecasting them opposite huge college and NFL football days. However, if you happen to have caught these games then you know what kind of series Utley is having. The guy has two multi home run games, a tremendous effort in probably a losing bid. Regardless Utley should be the MVP even if the Phillies lose.
SO FAR SO GREAT
You have to be impressed with the Saints. New Orleans is playing flawlessly. Brees is masterfully picking apart any defense thrown at him and his receivers are making tremendous one handed catches, flying through the air, just a great effort all around.
The Falcons on the other hand look like a .500 ball club to me with a second year QB who is still learning how to play. I think Ryan is an excellent young player but I did not like his “pocket awareness” or his pocket instincts if you will. Ryan is not a mobile QB but he has to do a better job of moving in the pocket. When the protection broke down he did not pick the right lanes in which to run, he was late in starting to move out of the pocket. He made poor decisions to give himself more time.
On several plays Ryan stepped right into the pressure instead of choosing a better lane. Ryan’s pocket instincts must improve because one thing is certain in the NFL, you will never be comfortable in the pocket for too long.
Why does Atlanta have trouble winning? Question, how many passes did the Atlanta running backs catch? Answer - 0. When you’re playing a team that is getting to your QB you have to give him some help. You simply can not throw down field all the time. Even if the passes are underneath to the TE. Your check down underneath play to Gonzalez becomes predictable. Having a RB underneath as a second check down option allows you to move the chains and get first downs and is an essential element of any good offense. New Orleans’ RBs, Bush and Thomas each had 2 receptions.
The Falcons offensive coordinator has to help his young QB out especially when the rush is getting to him.
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
NFL THOUGHTS
Giants are slipping. The Giants looked terrible as they continues to slide in the standings. I thought the Eagles looked very average against the awful Redskins but boy did they look great at home in embarrassing the Giants. The running game is just not there for NY, thus it follows that the play action is not there either. But the defense has not been there.
Packers are going nowhere fast. The offensive line is nowhere to be found. Aaron Rodgers is getting sacked everywhere he goes, even at the supermarket, when he’s getting his oil changed, etc. He did out gain Favre 287 top 244, Favre had one more TD. You have to admire Rodgers he is taking a beating and is hanging in there but the offensive line problems will not be solved this year and the collapse is just around the corner.
Cowboys seem to have found answers on offense. They have really looked impressive in their last two games. All of a sudden Romo has a plethora of receivers. This offensive explosion is bad news for the NFC east if the Boys can sustain it.
The Broncos have finally lost and lost big. I am not a Bronco believer but you can not deny the huge wins they had over New England and the Chargers. The Broncos are still a very good team with that defense but this was big loss where they only scored 7 points and could not run the ball or pass for that matter. The Ravens were outstanding defensively.
Tennessee's Vince Young has come back to lead his winless team to a W. Young did not make any mistakes, he was careful and did what he had to do. I don’t think Young is much of a QB but he’s all the Titans have at the moment. Tennessee will not rush like they did against Jacksonville (305 yds.) in every game and then Young will have to show us the things Bud Adams says he has learned.
The Cardinals lost to Carolina AT HOME, what is that? After looking so good against he Giants last week. To have all this momentum and to lose at home with that defense that is coming around, is just sad. Warner had 5 interceptions and 1 fumble. My advice, pray more Kurt.
The Redskins are the only team in league history to lose a game during their bye week.
NOVEMBER 1, 2009
THE RECAP
Sportvent’s top 5
#1-Florida
#2-Texas
#3-Oregon
#4-TCU
#5 -Boise State
Oregon was simply tremendous offensively. Masoli was absolutely phenomenal, the play calling by Kelly was outstanding. I have never seen Carroll’s defense confused but they had no idea what was coming. The Trojans were overpowered last year by Oregon State but this time they were overpowered, confused and looked slow against this ultra quick Duck offense. USC has had too many injuries and too many players gone to the NFL, good for them bad for USC. Masoli and the Ducks were just too much and should be in the Rose Bowl barring some catastrophe.
Florida finally found their offense even though it was against the below average Georgia Bulldogs, never the less they found it. You knew eventually that the Gators would find their rhythm and start hitting the marks. Tebow was efficient and how good did Cooper made him look with an exceptional catch in the corner of the end zone to go up 14-0. It was all over then. Even though Georgia scored 10 pts. to get within 4 the game was never in doubt. Not to rain on his parade but Tebow the QB has the most RUSHING TDs in the SEC, what does that tell you about his passing. No argument that he is a tremendous college QB, the pros are a whole different story though.
Texas had a key fumble not called against them and they went on to score a TD at the end of the half to go up 24-7. This made the Cowboys predictable, that is they had to pass more often. Being in pass mode enabled the Longhorns to bring the pressure and cause turnovers. And sure enough on their first possession of the 2nd half Robinson threw an interception and OSU was down 34-7. Robinson threw too many interceptions and the Cowboys had 5 turnovers total. That is simply is not good enough against the 3ed team in the country.
Rutgers was impressive in beating Uconn. I did not think that the Scarlet Knights had it in them. The offense was not mature enough to have this kind of a win, but offenses grow up so fast these days. As we wrote here Uconn had to limit the turnovers and if they didn’t they would have the same results as last week. Sure enough they out gained Rutgers by 159 yards yet lost the game because of 4 turnovers.
You simply can’t have that many turnovers and expect to win, this was a BIG East team they were up against.
We wrote that Tennessee would not let down. The Vols turned South Carolina over and turned those turnovers into points. You have to be impressed with Kiffin and his ability to get his team ready to play after a big loss. The theme is the same this entire Saturday, and it is turnovers. You turn it over you lose, unless you are Iowa playing at home against Indiana. S. Carolina had 4 turnovers, is it any surprise they lost 31- 13? NO.
Georgia Tech just wears you down until you can’t tackle anymore. Tech had 56 with over 9 minutes to go in the game. Too much for an ordinary defense, you really have to be disciplined and fast against this offense. Teams stay with the Yellow Jackets for a while but eventually they wear down and simply can’t keep up.
Iowa just keeps winning. I know they are doing it ugly but they are doing it. Down to Indiana at home Stanzi and the offense explodes in the 4th qtr. Stanzi had 5 INTs and Iowa had 6 total turnovers but they were playing Indiana and this was football. At the end they found a way to win at home and stay undefeated. Stanzi completed some big passes to take the lead 28-24 and that broke the Hoosiers’ back.
