First, let me say that I quite enjoyed Spiderman 3. The wife and I trekked to Shimoda Mall and checked out the local Japanese cinema (a Toho multiplex), instead of trying to score "special screening" tickets that were being handed out on base (they were free and drew large crowds).
Spiderman 3 is good, but not spectacular. It plods in places, and chimes in at a hefty 2 hours and 20 minutes (at least that's how long we were in our seats from opening to ending credits). The problem: it feels longer....you know how certain movies zip right along, or have a pacing that makes you sort of forget how long you've been in the seat? Spiderman 3 does not have that feel. It starts slow and builds.
Now for something that's been bothering me with recent movies. The over-the-top, whirlie-bird, faster-than-the-human-eye-can-discern CGI-enabled action sequences. Spiderman 3 has several, but its really the first one that was annoying. Its the first big sequence, a night battle between Spidey and his best friend Harry (who's taken up his father's mantle as the Green Goblin). I mean it flashes all over the damned screen. My hats off to anyone with the visual acuity to follow the entire sequence....but it strikes me as showing off with the director trying so hard to wow the audience with how he spent the studios millions....look, I'd be a whole lot more impressed if you let me FOLLOW THE DAMN ACTION. These guys are flipping around and changing the visual perspective with their jump cuts so fast, its impossible to actually appreciate the scene. That might appeal to some, but when I've just paid 2,700 Yen (~25 bucks or so) for two tickets to traipse into the theater, I'd kinda like to be able to track what the fuck is happening on the screen. It does improve, the sequences that follow are paced much more thoughtfully, and let viewers take in what's going on. I just see that sorta zip-zap-zoom crap happening more and more, and needed to get that off my chest. Now onto FOOTBALL:
Some of the best/interesting bits about football I ran across today:
A couple of Garry Cobb's articles (no, not the best writing, but he's a former Eagles, who really studies the Birds)
This one whether or not McNabb out to feed in the self-stirring press frenzy about new QB Kolb or continue to quietly rehab his knee. (if you need to ask, you are on the wrong page); and this article that basically says the jig is up for stalwart MLB Jeremiah Trotter.
ESPN's TMQ commenting on Takeo Spikes: "Buffalo: TMQ doesn't understand the trade that sent Takeo Spikes to Philadelphia for Darwin Walker. Walker is a respectable player, but the Eagles were likely to waive him for salary-cap reasons, as they have two recent No. 1 draft picks at his position. The puzzler in the transaction is Spikes, who was the best defensive performer in the NFL in 2004. Then he missed 2005 with a bad injury, and last season he struggled early. Spikes didn't begin to show his old form until the second half of 2006 -- and in that period, the Bills had several big wins while losing to Indianapolis and San Diego, the league's hottest teams, by a combined four points. In the second half of 2006, when you watched the Bills' defense you thought, "Takeo Spikes is back." Now he's been unloaded for a journeyman. Either Spikes' health remains an issue -- in which case why did Philadelphia want him? -- or Spikes has recovered, in which case why in blazes did Buffalo practically give him away?"
and this about our draft: "Philadelphia: TMQ complains ad infinitum (Latin for "by using my AutoText") that the Eagles under Andy Reid simply refuse, as a matter of principle, to build a running game. Year in, year out, Philadelphia lacks a premier power back and does nothing about it. Why should this year be any different? The Eagles did not acquire any of the power backs who changed hands this offseason, and waited till the late third round to tab a tailback."
I like TMQ, but Easterbook is not infallible...two things about his very enjoyable column. I don't think the Eagles were going to cut D. Walker for salary cap reasons. His pay this year was modest. The having-spent-two-high-draft-picks is drive-by logic. It'll make perfect sense to readers who don't have an in-depth understanding of the team. But for us fans, who know better, not so much.
Secondly, young master Gregg, not matter how tastefully named, fails to recognize that the Eagles DID select one of the premier (if not the top) "big backs" in the draft. They had their choice of Tony Hunt, Antonio Pittman and/or Michael Bush with their 3rd round selection (90th overall). They did pass-up an opportunity to select Brian Leonard or Chris Henry, but they did not "fail" to address the position- they waited until Rd 3 and made a good pick. Then they took a flier on Nate "Big Nasti" Ilaoa (scroll down) out of Hawaii in the 7th round (admittedly much more of a longshot). We'll have to see if it works out, but the Eagles could have a punishing ground attack this year.
This is why I love Ray Didinger's writing. He sums up my thought about the Eagles early day 1 "strategy" perfectly:
"If I had been in the Eagles chair, I would have gone in a different direction and tried to address some immediate needs.
First of all, I’m not sure I would have traded out of the No. 26 spot. I would have been content to stay there and take Anthony Spencer...But for the sake of argument, let’s take the trade down to No. 36. At that point, the Eagles had their choice of: Eric Weddle, a safety from Utah; Chris Houston, the best one-on-one cover cornerback in the draft; David Harris, a tough inside linebacker from Michigan, and Brian Leonard, the do-it-all running back from Rutgers. There also were three intriguing wide receivers: Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith from Southern Cal and Sidney Rice of South Carolina.
I would have rather seen the Eagles take any of the first four players because they would have played – and helped the team – right away. Weddle would have competed for a starting safety position. Houston would have stepped into Rod Hood’s role as the third cornerback. Harris would have pushed Jeremiah Trotter at middle linebacker and played a major role on special teams. Leonard, with his superb receiving skills, would have been an ideal fit in Reid’s offense.
I’m sure the Eagles will disagree, but I think they could have made that pick at No. 36 and still landed Kolb with their next selection at No. 57. I don’t think any other team would have taken Kolb before the third round, I really don’t. If they did, oh well, life goes on. You still have McNabb, A.J. Feeley and Kelly Holcomb for this season. You can go looking for that next quarterback some other time."
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Simply Indefensible
Eagles receive, (Browns/Cowboys Pick #36 (Rd 2), Cowboys Pick #87 (Rd 3), Cowboys Pick #15x (Rd 5). In essence receiving the 3 choices for their #1 slot at 26. Not bad. Not a stunner of a deal. About equal value for both teams, with “equal value” being a relative term entirely dependent on the selections made by the respective teams.
Finally the Eagles were on the clock, and nearly all the players we might have targeted at #26 were still on the board (exceptions, LB Posluszny, TE Greg Olsen, DT Alan Branch).
And with the 36th selection the Eagles select (drum roll
WHAT THE FUCK!!???
This is another case of the coaching staff outsmarting itself. YES, both the Lions and Dolphins chose a QB shortly after the Eagles. BUT THOSE TEAMS NEED QBs, we DON’T! Moreover, who gives a flying fuck if one of them might’ve chosen “Kernel Kolb”??? Not me that’s for sure.
I have yet to hear an adequate reason why a QB was chosen, and I ain't buying the "best player on the board" bullshit. Unless this guy can cover a WR across the middle, he ain't going to be helping the current group of players win a championship.
What about the rest of the draft?
Pick #57 DE – Victor Abiamiri – Notre Dame. Ok, Getting a young DE isn’t a problem for me. I guess the jury will have to decide, cause he’s going to get compared to Spencer from Day 1.
Pick #87 OLB – Steward Bradley –
Pick #90 RB – Tony Hunt –
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Random Observations from around the NFL
So the Tex-assns put Domanick Davis on IR, making their failure to select Reggie Bush all the more alarming now that their running game is in the hands of Verand Morency and Wali Lundy (who dat you say? EXACTLY...now these guys might be good, and Houston could be fine but Davis was someone you had to account for and outside of Andre Johnson, the Texans only real playmaker). Too bad Mario can't carry the ball...the production comparison are going to be inevitable, and if the Texans running game stalls...look out...
- I see the Saints put Jermane Mayberry on IR this season...you know...I hope its not the end of his career, but after 11 years, nearly all of them with the Eagles, I have to say it doesn't look good. He did a lot of good in Philly during his time with the Eagles, helping to found the Eagles Eye Mobile to give eye-care to needy children. A class-act, I hope Mayberry comes back to the area, but if he stays in New Orleans, I am sure he will do a lot of good there as well.
- The Jeff George experiment lasted all of a week...still gotta wonder how much confidence coach Art Shell has in the fumble-waiting-to-happen Aaron Brooks...
- Headline on ESPN is Young dazzles in final preseason game...so passing for 80 yds and 1 TD is a "dazzling" performance nowadays...against Green Bay? Color me unimpressed.
- Vinatieri "only" has a sprained foot. I don't care that its his non-kicking foot, any time you start talking about kickers with pained feet, I worry. NOT that I think the Colts are missing Vander-choke about now...but if Mr. Clutch becomes Mr. Crutch...things might not be all that great inside the dome this year...
- I see the Saints put Jermane Mayberry on IR this season...you know...I hope its not the end of his career, but after 11 years, nearly all of them with the Eagles, I have to say it doesn't look good. He did a lot of good in Philly during his time with the Eagles, helping to found the Eagles Eye Mobile to give eye-care to needy children. A class-act, I hope Mayberry comes back to the area, but if he stays in New Orleans, I am sure he will do a lot of good there as well.
- The Jeff George experiment lasted all of a week...still gotta wonder how much confidence coach Art Shell has in the fumble-waiting-to-happen Aaron Brooks...
- Headline on ESPN is Young dazzles in final preseason game...so passing for 80 yds and 1 TD is a "dazzling" performance nowadays...against Green Bay? Color me unimpressed.
- Vinatieri "only" has a sprained foot. I don't care that its his non-kicking foot, any time you start talking about kickers with pained feet, I worry. NOT that I think the Colts are missing Vander-choke about now...but if Mr. Clutch becomes Mr. Crutch...things might not be all that great inside the dome this year...
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Cut Down Day
My first impression of the Eagles moves on cut down day:
- Well well well, I had thought the Eagles would keep 6 WR, instead of their traditional 5 just based on a lack of depth...instead they keep 5 and go with 6 RBs...
- Parry and Fraley traded for draft picks eh? Well that is a typical move...Hicks and Thomas went in draft-day move up deals, and this year was one of the first where the Eagles did NOT have extra picks lying about....Heckert, Reid and Banner LOVE having extra picks come draft day though, and these are moves for the future...you could almost see the writing on the wall when the Front Office signed Fraley's competition to a long-term extension...Parry, well he was a decent blocker, but he couldn't run for sh*t and was ineffective as a pass-catcher (to say the least)...
- Am glad to see Tapeh grab a spot, he got some skills as a runner and he's BIG...
- for all you thinking about plucking a gem out of some other team's garbage - I think the Eagles will look to Tapeh to be the team's "big back"
- Took bad for J.R. Reed, the comeback story of camp, I think if he'd busted some runs and flashed a few field-position-reversing returns, like he did in 2004, he'd have forced his way onto the roster...I still think he's got potential, if anyone gets injured...I think JR's phone could be ringing...
- 10 both on O and D line? That's a lot of dudes to carry up front...I like all the D-linemen, but am a bit surprised at the # of rookies the Eagles kept...McCoy and Cole? you mean on of them wouldn't make it through to the practice squad? They must be good though, cause their play evidently convinced the Front office to git-while-the-gittin'-was-good and trade Fraley (our primary experienced back-up)
- I really thought McCants would make the team, but then again all the speculation about the WR position was predicated on them retaining 6 on the roster...since they're going with 5, those they kept (Stallworth, Brown, Avant, Baskett and Lewis) make sense....
- I did not think the Eagles would keep so many backs...Westbrook, Buckhalter, Moats, Mahe, and Bruce Perry? Plus Tapeh as the FB...I'm just not sold on the utility of keeping both Perry and Mahe...I had thought that Mahe versatility would made him less likely to get cut than Perry, but I didn't think they'd keep them both...perhaps, if they decide to bring in another guy from somewhere, the expendable body will come from this group....
Hmm, what about some the players on other teams who got cut...Keith, the bullet, Adams failed to made the Carolina squad, could he come back...he wouldn't replace rookie LB Gaither, but he could bump STs-maven J. Short and he's been a starter on this club...not a particularly effective one, but he could be valuable reserve...
Please don't bring up Ron Dayne...he's washed up....I'm intrigued by Najeh Davenport, cause when he was healthy he was a load...but I don't think plucking dudes who cannot make the roster on one of the worst teams in the league is a particularly encouraging sign...
Saw World Trade Center last night, will try and get a review out on that too...
- Well well well, I had thought the Eagles would keep 6 WR, instead of their traditional 5 just based on a lack of depth...instead they keep 5 and go with 6 RBs...
- Parry and Fraley traded for draft picks eh? Well that is a typical move...Hicks and Thomas went in draft-day move up deals, and this year was one of the first where the Eagles did NOT have extra picks lying about....Heckert, Reid and Banner LOVE having extra picks come draft day though, and these are moves for the future...you could almost see the writing on the wall when the Front Office signed Fraley's competition to a long-term extension...Parry, well he was a decent blocker, but he couldn't run for sh*t and was ineffective as a pass-catcher (to say the least)...
- Am glad to see Tapeh grab a spot, he got some skills as a runner and he's BIG...
- for all you thinking about plucking a gem out of some other team's garbage - I think the Eagles will look to Tapeh to be the team's "big back"
- Took bad for J.R. Reed, the comeback story of camp, I think if he'd busted some runs and flashed a few field-position-reversing returns, like he did in 2004, he'd have forced his way onto the roster...I still think he's got potential, if anyone gets injured...I think JR's phone could be ringing...
- 10 both on O and D line? That's a lot of dudes to carry up front...I like all the D-linemen, but am a bit surprised at the # of rookies the Eagles kept...McCoy and Cole? you mean on of them wouldn't make it through to the practice squad? They must be good though, cause their play evidently convinced the Front office to git-while-the-gittin'-was-good and trade Fraley (our primary experienced back-up)
- I really thought McCants would make the team, but then again all the speculation about the WR position was predicated on them retaining 6 on the roster...since they're going with 5, those they kept (Stallworth, Brown, Avant, Baskett and Lewis) make sense....
- I did not think the Eagles would keep so many backs...Westbrook, Buckhalter, Moats, Mahe, and Bruce Perry? Plus Tapeh as the FB...I'm just not sold on the utility of keeping both Perry and Mahe...I had thought that Mahe versatility would made him less likely to get cut than Perry, but I didn't think they'd keep them both...perhaps, if they decide to bring in another guy from somewhere, the expendable body will come from this group....
Hmm, what about some the players on other teams who got cut...Keith, the bullet, Adams failed to made the Carolina squad, could he come back...he wouldn't replace rookie LB Gaither, but he could bump STs-maven J. Short and he's been a starter on this club...not a particularly effective one, but he could be valuable reserve...
Please don't bring up Ron Dayne...he's washed up....I'm intrigued by Najeh Davenport, cause when he was healthy he was a load...but I don't think plucking dudes who cannot make the roster on one of the worst teams in the league is a particularly encouraging sign...
Saw World Trade Center last night, will try and get a review out on that too...
Friday, September 01, 2006
Bring on the Texans!
- Another nice catch by Avant and the grit to take it back up inside and into Jets territory
- Awesome run by Perry...HOLDING...WHAT the hell....man, that sucks...frickin' WR holding away from the play...that blows for him....cause I don't think Bruce P is going to make this team.
- hmm another batted ball from Timmy Chang...augh...well at least Dirk is ok....downed at the 2, nice job special teams!
- Timmy Chang is horrible...I mean these are the Jets scrubs....
- you know for as entertaining as the first half was, this second half has been blah
- Jeez was it just me or did Matt Ware really regress this preseason??
I like Merrill Reese's pre-season notes...and I agree...McNabb has looked relaxed and rejuvenated, the 1st teamers have looked really good, especially the O & D lines...Addition of Donte Stallworth is huge...in each pre-season game the 1st teamers have dominated, the only reason the Eagles are headed for 2-3 (and might just get there by the time I am done with this) is the inept Timmy Chang, who has done almost nothing on O the entire pre-season, so whenever the Detmers and Changs have taken over with the lead, they cough the ball up and eventually the lead disappears....though as I type this TC is proving me wrong by actually engineering a drive into Jets territory...
PLEASE NO O.T. Andy...don't be Tuna-stoopid and try and force O.T. and go all out to win a meaningless game...in 2:00 minutes this game better be over, with almost everyone healthy (a huge difference from other years)
--- 30 yard pass to Jenkins at the NYJ 6-yard line!!...wow...prove me wrong Timmy, go right ahead...I dare ya....--oops, booth review of the catch...figures...its a catch, give it to him...
First and goal...yikes...Perry went NO-where...second and goal Perry down to the 2...third and goal, Perry inside the 1....oh...they didn't get it at fourth and goal....who cares...take your healthy team home....
Bring on the Texans!
- Awesome run by Perry...HOLDING...WHAT the hell....man, that sucks...frickin' WR holding away from the play...that blows for him....cause I don't think Bruce P is going to make this team.
- hmm another batted ball from Timmy Chang...augh...well at least Dirk is ok....downed at the 2, nice job special teams!
- Timmy Chang is horrible...I mean these are the Jets scrubs....
- you know for as entertaining as the first half was, this second half has been blah
- Jeez was it just me or did Matt Ware really regress this preseason??
I like Merrill Reese's pre-season notes...and I agree...McNabb has looked relaxed and rejuvenated, the 1st teamers have looked really good, especially the O & D lines...Addition of Donte Stallworth is huge...in each pre-season game the 1st teamers have dominated, the only reason the Eagles are headed for 2-3 (and might just get there by the time I am done with this) is the inept Timmy Chang, who has done almost nothing on O the entire pre-season, so whenever the Detmers and Changs have taken over with the lead, they cough the ball up and eventually the lead disappears....though as I type this TC is proving me wrong by actually engineering a drive into Jets territory...
PLEASE NO O.T. Andy...don't be Tuna-stoopid and try and force O.T. and go all out to win a meaningless game...in 2:00 minutes this game better be over, with almost everyone healthy (a huge difference from other years)
--- 30 yard pass to Jenkins at the NYJ 6-yard line!!...wow...prove me wrong Timmy, go right ahead...I dare ya....--oops, booth review of the catch...figures...its a catch, give it to him...
First and goal...yikes...Perry went NO-where...second and goal Perry down to the 2...third and goal, Perry inside the 1....oh...they didn't get it at fourth and goal....who cares...take your healthy team home....
Bring on the Texans!
Impressions from the First Half of this final warm-up
I am watching the game via webchat...and it is just me or does AJ Feeley looks REALLY sharp, I mean sharp enough for me to wonder about whether or not it would be better for AJ to come into games or Garcia? Garcia just seems jumpy back there...he bounces around a lot....Feeley just seems, um, smoother...he when his passes miss they still look good.
- Very impressed by Ryan Moats this game. I know it against the second string, but that is when your supposed to do well, and he did show the same burst we saw last year (50+ and NO fumbles!)
- McCants looks like a man determined to make it as hard as possible for the coaches to cut him. Snagged 3 passed that I counted, some nice catches....if I had to guess...McCants played himself onto the team, especially given his good work on special teams....
- Some sweet snags by Avant as well...nice to him get some touches
- Very nice 2-minute drill by AJ, very nice...you know I was thinkin' if AJ had been released earlier in the off-season, the Eagles probably would've just signed him and passed on Garcia...
- What was Akers doing? Running down the goal-line, getting some wind sprints in?
- Dirk better be alright
More later
- Very impressed by Ryan Moats this game. I know it against the second string, but that is when your supposed to do well, and he did show the same burst we saw last year (50+ and NO fumbles!)
- McCants looks like a man determined to make it as hard as possible for the coaches to cut him. Snagged 3 passed that I counted, some nice catches....if I had to guess...McCants played himself onto the team, especially given his good work on special teams....
- Some sweet snags by Avant as well...nice to him get some touches
- Very nice 2-minute drill by AJ, very nice...you know I was thinkin' if AJ had been released earlier in the off-season, the Eagles probably would've just signed him and passed on Garcia...
- What was Akers doing? Running down the goal-line, getting some wind sprints in?
- Dirk better be alright
More later
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Which Came first - the Chicken or the O-Line?
Hmm, my discussion today seem to focus a bit on what is more important skills positions (defined as RB, WR, LB, DB) or foundation positions (the O and D line)... The QB is, in my aestimation, a special case, definitely a skill position, but unique in that the QB is central to the entire team... In the case of the Eagles - does the fact that they have health questions at RB and talent questions at OLB negate their chances for a good season? I say no, other feels its a significant impediment.
So the argument boiled down to the classic chicken and egg argument (the best way I can think to describe it)...some argue that lineplay merely has to be adequate enough to allow the talented guy to make plays...I.E. Linebackers are crucial, they need to be the playmakers, flowing through the holes created by the line and sealing the corners etc... Same thing on Offense, good backs are crucial as they are the ones who make the difference between the a 3-4 yd gain and 6-7 yd gain, since (I am elaborating here) holes are small in the pros and even the best O-lines don't routinely blast the D out of the way.
For me, it all begins in the trenches, and that is why I am so stoked about the Eagles season this year. Andy Reid and Co. really bolstered both lines this year (IMHO). 1st rd pick Broderick Bunkley is a BEAST, and Darren Howard looks rejuvenated.
My focus on line play complements the fact that football is a TEAM game...once you get past QB you can find all kinds of examples of winning, but it is the TEAM that ultimately will win the games - re: the Patriots, I think they have had a lot of good players, but certainly not as talented as say the Colts roster (top to bottom in say 04-05)...but who won the SB those years...(grr, why did I remind myself of that)?
Take the Steelers last year, plenty of backs were better than the on-his-last-wheels Bus, but his character, and a quality TEAM (which started with Alan Faneca and Co.) playing hard-nose football and getting hot at the perfect time led them to the championship...On D, it wasn't just Joey Porter who made them great, it was Kimo V.O. and Aaron Smith being so disruptive in the trenches that allowed Porter and Foote and Co do THEIR jobs...
I may factor-in the O and D lines a little more than most, but I don't think its a matter of right and wrong...For the Eagles though, I think AR clearly is a line guy...so if you place high value on positions like WR, RB and OLB , you're in for pretty much chronic disappointment as an Eagles fan.
So the argument boiled down to the classic chicken and egg argument (the best way I can think to describe it)...some argue that lineplay merely has to be adequate enough to allow the talented guy to make plays...I.E. Linebackers are crucial, they need to be the playmakers, flowing through the holes created by the line and sealing the corners etc... Same thing on Offense, good backs are crucial as they are the ones who make the difference between the a 3-4 yd gain and 6-7 yd gain, since (I am elaborating here) holes are small in the pros and even the best O-lines don't routinely blast the D out of the way.
For me, it all begins in the trenches, and that is why I am so stoked about the Eagles season this year. Andy Reid and Co. really bolstered both lines this year (IMHO). 1st rd pick Broderick Bunkley is a BEAST, and Darren Howard looks rejuvenated.
My focus on line play complements the fact that football is a TEAM game...once you get past QB you can find all kinds of examples of winning, but it is the TEAM that ultimately will win the games - re: the Patriots, I think they have had a lot of good players, but certainly not as talented as say the Colts roster (top to bottom in say 04-05)...but who won the SB those years...(grr, why did I remind myself of that)?
Take the Steelers last year, plenty of backs were better than the on-his-last-wheels Bus, but his character, and a quality TEAM (which started with Alan Faneca and Co.) playing hard-nose football and getting hot at the perfect time led them to the championship...On D, it wasn't just Joey Porter who made them great, it was Kimo V.O. and Aaron Smith being so disruptive in the trenches that allowed Porter and Foote and Co do THEIR jobs...
I may factor-in the O and D lines a little more than most, but I don't think its a matter of right and wrong...For the Eagles though, I think AR clearly is a line guy...so if you place high value on positions like WR, RB and OLB , you're in for pretty much chronic disappointment as an Eagles fan.
The Eagles Big Back Quandry
Lots of speculation about the Eagles need for a big running back. I cannot say I totally disagree, but I am probably a little less pessimistic than most because I think that IF Buckhalter returns to form (admittedly that is a pretty GD big IF) that they do have the 220lb back, is Buck a 250+ load-carrying pile-driver...uh no...but they again WHO IS that might be available...
I know the 'Skins picked up TJ Duckett who was probably the best big guy out there (and that ain't saying much), but for all his size TJ should be pounding folks, but he gets brought down too easily...somehow Warrick Dunn is tougher to bring down that TJ...how can a guess that big be a "finesse" back? Same thing goes for Ron Dayne - who is rumored to be in Mike Shanahan's doghouse and possible on his way out in Denver...Let me say that name again RON DAYNE...does that ring a bell Eagles fans ? It should, Dayne is the player I wanted Jim Fassel to put into the backfield when the GYNts were in short yardage situations against the Eagles. Maybe he was tough at some point in his career (though I kinda doubt, he has great blocking at W) but Dayne couldn't bust through the pep-rally banner at a Wisconsin homecoming let alone take on LaVar Arrington, Antonio Pierce, or Bobby Carpenter in the hole on fourth and 1 if playing for the Eagles. Come on, by now we should know that Dayne is a total bust...He had two respectable years for the GYNts...end of story.
Who else is there? Someone mentioned Lee Suggs, and about 6 weeks ago I might have taken a flier on the guy...history of being banged up, but he is pretty big....here's the problem with that - he just failed a physical with the RB-desperate NY Jets, so scratch him off the list...
BTW - Suggs is listed at 213 lbs...Buckhalter is listed at 217 lbs, so why would be in a hurry to replace one injury-prone big back with another who has no experience is our style offense?
Last night Glen Macnow on local sportsradio mentioned the best possibility: Eric Shelton, an early 2005 pick is rumored to have fallen out of favor in Carolina. He's a 6'1" 250 bruiser that hasn't been able to crack the Panthers rather deep RB corps...could be good news for us, because for years teams would pluck up the players we just couldn't find a way to squeeze onto our 53-man roster, so if they got a glut of talent, there are a whole lot worse teams than Carolina from which to try and snag a hidden gem...do we really someone who the frickin' Browns don't want?
So there it is, I am not saying Shelton is the guy, or even that he's going to available, (though he does NOT even appear on Carolina's on-line depth chart). I like Buckhalter...I would LOVE to see him return to form....but we'll see what Andy Reid and Tom Heckert do...they've shown a willingness to go out and get guys they think can help the team...
I know the 'Skins picked up TJ Duckett who was probably the best big guy out there (and that ain't saying much), but for all his size TJ should be pounding folks, but he gets brought down too easily...somehow Warrick Dunn is tougher to bring down that TJ...how can a guess that big be a "finesse" back? Same thing goes for Ron Dayne - who is rumored to be in Mike Shanahan's doghouse and possible on his way out in Denver...Let me say that name again RON DAYNE...does that ring a bell Eagles fans ? It should, Dayne is the player I wanted Jim Fassel to put into the backfield when the GYNts were in short yardage situations against the Eagles. Maybe he was tough at some point in his career (though I kinda doubt, he has great blocking at W) but Dayne couldn't bust through the pep-rally banner at a Wisconsin homecoming let alone take on LaVar Arrington, Antonio Pierce, or Bobby Carpenter in the hole on fourth and 1 if playing for the Eagles. Come on, by now we should know that Dayne is a total bust...He had two respectable years for the GYNts...end of story.
Who else is there? Someone mentioned Lee Suggs, and about 6 weeks ago I might have taken a flier on the guy...history of being banged up, but he is pretty big....here's the problem with that - he just failed a physical with the RB-desperate NY Jets, so scratch him off the list...
BTW - Suggs is listed at 213 lbs...Buckhalter is listed at 217 lbs, so why would be in a hurry to replace one injury-prone big back with another who has no experience is our style offense?
Last night Glen Macnow on local sportsradio mentioned the best possibility: Eric Shelton, an early 2005 pick is rumored to have fallen out of favor in Carolina. He's a 6'1" 250 bruiser that hasn't been able to crack the Panthers rather deep RB corps...could be good news for us, because for years teams would pluck up the players we just couldn't find a way to squeeze onto our 53-man roster, so if they got a glut of talent, there are a whole lot worse teams than Carolina from which to try and snag a hidden gem...do we really someone who the frickin' Browns don't want?
So there it is, I am not saying Shelton is the guy, or even that he's going to available, (though he does NOT even appear on Carolina's on-line depth chart). I like Buckhalter...I would LOVE to see him return to form....but we'll see what Andy Reid and Tom Heckert do...they've shown a willingness to go out and get guys they think can help the team...
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Going "On the Record" - Micc's AFC Prediction
Since I went out on a limb with the NFC, I figured I take a couple minutes today and address the Eagles potential opponents in Superbowl XLI...(ok that goes a little far, but if you cannot dream at this time of year, when CAN you?)
My take on the AFC
AFC East: Unlike their NFC counterpart the AFC East is a division of sharp contrasts, premier organizations and laughingstocks
1. New England Patriots - god I am sick of seeing this team at the top, but I gotta admit the Pats looked sharp in the pre-season, they seem to pull good performances out of players who were mediocre with other teams...I mean Brady torched Washington vaunted D with Bam Childress, Troy Brown, Ben Watson and Reche frickin' Caldewell....fer crying out loud...
2. Miami Dolphins - I thought long and hard about shaking up the East and putting Miami first, and I think if Culpepper is fully recovered the team could squeeze another season out of long-in-the-tooth defense and very easily challenge the Patriots for the division. Part of me actually hopes this will happen, if only to balance out the karma, I just wouldn't bet the farm on it
4. Buffalo Bills and NY Jets - Hey what happened to #3, lets face it, this division has a huge gap in it and neither the Jets and Bills deserve being rated a #3: both have underachieved for years. Can either team challenge for the division, hell no...Can Marv Levy restore the Bills to glory? Doubtful...Can Belichick protege Mangini turn around the Jets? Maybe, not this year, but the Jets should be pointed in the right direction this year
AFC North: Unlike the NFC, the North division in the AFC is a powerhouse!
1. Cincinnati Bengals - wow, going against the World Champs??!! Am I nuts, no...I just watched Carson Palmer appear in mid-season form a couple of days ago, and the historically tepid Bengals looked superb...But consider last year, The Bengals took the division from the Steelers, it had been Pittsburgh's for years, and Cincy snatched it. What they couldn't do, as a young team was overcome the loss of Palmer in the playoffs. Cautionary note: the felony/misdemeanor count against this team is the highest I've seen in a long time...get that crap under control Marvin or else distractions may subtract from what should be very good season for lower Ohio.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - I haven't seen much from Big Ben this preseason...he looks OK after his June asphalt face-plant, but the I dunno, something about the team is a little off. The D will be solid as ever, so the let-Ben-manage-the-game, keep-it-close-with-D strategy should see the Steelers in the hunt come late-December
3. Baltimore Ravens - Ravens fans owe Tennessee a big one...Baltimore got a proven leader and winning QB, Steve McNair, who fell right their lap after the Titans decided that after years of taking one for the team (yearly renegotiations of McNair's contract to make up for poor cap management in other areas of the team) made him deserving of a claymore-sized knife between the shoulder blades...Reunited with Derrick Mason, the Ravens are going to be a threat this year...after years of QB incompetence (Boller, Banks, etc, etc) the Ravens finally have a field general as tough as they come, that should scare the rest of the AFC North
4. Cleveland Browns - Romeo Crennel does have the Browns pointed in the right direction...but the Browns don't have it...Charlie Frye, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow are a great young nucleus, but they are at least a season away from serious competition
AFC South - Kinda similar to the AFC East, 1 contender, 1 good team, two pretenders
1. Indianapolis Colts - The only question for me - how does the "O" do without its Edge? They look decent so far, and the Colts don't have much competition in this divison because I think the Jaguars may have actually taken a step back this year
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - ok so Byron Leftwich is more experienced but what receivers does he have beyond Matt Jones? Jimmy Smith screwed the team by retiring AFTER the draft (a draft during which the Jags did not select a WR, hmmm, might they have drafted one had they known Jimmy wasn't going to be around...) The Jags D should be pretty stiff, but unless Coach Del Rio lights a fire under this team they don't have enough to overtake the Colts...
3. Tennessee Titans - Looks like they are starting to emerge from salary-cap hell, but jettisoning McNair the way they did was totally classless, no wonder Tennessee remains Vols-country...I also think the owner royally screwed up by forcing the team to draft Vince Young...I mean you have an instant starter sitting there on the board in Matt Leinart, who ran to perfection the same exact Offense the Titans run (they hired USC's Norm Chow the year before fer crying' out loud!)...and they go with the "athletic" option...I think the owner, being a Houston-homer, wanted to rub it in his former town's collective face by selecting their golden-boy Vince...So why did the Titans just sign Kerry Collins? What the hell can he teach Vince Young? How to stand still?
4. Houston Texans - A laughingstock since entering the league, the Tex-assns are going to be kicking themselves for years for passing up on Reggie Bush...its going to be a classic blunder...DE are necessary to win, but unless he is Reggie White reincarnated, #1 overall Mario Williams is almost destined to be overshadowed by a game-breaker like Bush....DE don't handle the "rock" and the comparisons are inevitable...Why didn't they take Bush, because they "had" a franchise back..Dominack Davis....what's he done this preseason....nothing but sit out injured....another faux pas from Houston...oh yeah...how bought fixing the Offensive Line!
AFC West: Three challengers and the Raiders
1. Kansas City Chiefs - I have my doubts about Herm Edwards, but I am tired of selecting the Broncos and KC is close, very close to Denver...what I like...LJ, Gonzo, Trent Green...what I don't like: loss of Roaf and Richardson raises questions about whether LJ will run rampant over the NFL again...if Ty Law, Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali can kick the D up a notch the Chiefs should be able to supplant Denver
1a. Denver Broncos - Mike Shanahan is prepping his pixie dust to create his next unknown-to-thousand-yard-rusher...Mike Bell....whodat? Exactly...of course, having a dirty, cheatin' O-Line helps, but the Broncos have gotten away with it for years, so why stop now? The key for Denver, can they get another season from their Cleveland re-treads on the D-line, and will Javon Walker be the stud he was in Green Bay, if so, Denver should be right there with the Chiefs in Dec
2. San Diego Chargers - Sure they got LT and Gates, but who is playing WR and they are going to depend on unproven QB Philip Rivers to carry them to the promised land? Brees' injury gave the GM the green-light to dump him, but Brees was the Chargers real hope to lead them to Miami in Feb. With Rivers...they have no shot
4. Oakland Raiders - Art Shell comes back after 12 years and the Raiders shackle him with Aaron Brooks - a career loser with the Saints...HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...going to be another long year for football in the Bay Area. Now they sign Jeff George? 'nuff said...
So who are my playoffs teams: Indy, Pats and Cincy return....KC, Miami are new entries, and the Steelers just edge the Ravens for another
My take on the AFC
AFC East: Unlike their NFC counterpart the AFC East is a division of sharp contrasts, premier organizations and laughingstocks
1. New England Patriots - god I am sick of seeing this team at the top, but I gotta admit the Pats looked sharp in the pre-season, they seem to pull good performances out of players who were mediocre with other teams...I mean Brady torched Washington vaunted D with Bam Childress, Troy Brown, Ben Watson and Reche frickin' Caldewell....fer crying out loud...
2. Miami Dolphins - I thought long and hard about shaking up the East and putting Miami first, and I think if Culpepper is fully recovered the team could squeeze another season out of long-in-the-tooth defense and very easily challenge the Patriots for the division. Part of me actually hopes this will happen, if only to balance out the karma, I just wouldn't bet the farm on it
4. Buffalo Bills and NY Jets - Hey what happened to #3, lets face it, this division has a huge gap in it and neither the Jets and Bills deserve being rated a #3: both have underachieved for years. Can either team challenge for the division, hell no...Can Marv Levy restore the Bills to glory? Doubtful...Can Belichick protege Mangini turn around the Jets? Maybe, not this year, but the Jets should be pointed in the right direction this year
AFC North: Unlike the NFC, the North division in the AFC is a powerhouse!
1. Cincinnati Bengals - wow, going against the World Champs??!! Am I nuts, no...I just watched Carson Palmer appear in mid-season form a couple of days ago, and the historically tepid Bengals looked superb...But consider last year, The Bengals took the division from the Steelers, it had been Pittsburgh's for years, and Cincy snatched it. What they couldn't do, as a young team was overcome the loss of Palmer in the playoffs. Cautionary note: the felony/misdemeanor count against this team is the highest I've seen in a long time...get that crap under control Marvin or else distractions may subtract from what should be very good season for lower Ohio.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - I haven't seen much from Big Ben this preseason...he looks OK after his June asphalt face-plant, but the I dunno, something about the team is a little off. The D will be solid as ever, so the let-Ben-manage-the-game, keep-it-close-with-D strategy should see the Steelers in the hunt come late-December
3. Baltimore Ravens - Ravens fans owe Tennessee a big one...Baltimore got a proven leader and winning QB, Steve McNair, who fell right their lap after the Titans decided that after years of taking one for the team (yearly renegotiations of McNair's contract to make up for poor cap management in other areas of the team) made him deserving of a claymore-sized knife between the shoulder blades...Reunited with Derrick Mason, the Ravens are going to be a threat this year...after years of QB incompetence (Boller, Banks, etc, etc) the Ravens finally have a field general as tough as they come, that should scare the rest of the AFC North
4. Cleveland Browns - Romeo Crennel does have the Browns pointed in the right direction...but the Browns don't have it...Charlie Frye, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow are a great young nucleus, but they are at least a season away from serious competition
AFC South - Kinda similar to the AFC East, 1 contender, 1 good team, two pretenders
1. Indianapolis Colts - The only question for me - how does the "O" do without its Edge? They look decent so far, and the Colts don't have much competition in this divison because I think the Jaguars may have actually taken a step back this year
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - ok so Byron Leftwich is more experienced but what receivers does he have beyond Matt Jones? Jimmy Smith screwed the team by retiring AFTER the draft (a draft during which the Jags did not select a WR, hmmm, might they have drafted one had they known Jimmy wasn't going to be around...) The Jags D should be pretty stiff, but unless Coach Del Rio lights a fire under this team they don't have enough to overtake the Colts...
3. Tennessee Titans - Looks like they are starting to emerge from salary-cap hell, but jettisoning McNair the way they did was totally classless, no wonder Tennessee remains Vols-country...I also think the owner royally screwed up by forcing the team to draft Vince Young...I mean you have an instant starter sitting there on the board in Matt Leinart, who ran to perfection the same exact Offense the Titans run (they hired USC's Norm Chow the year before fer crying' out loud!)...and they go with the "athletic" option...I think the owner, being a Houston-homer, wanted to rub it in his former town's collective face by selecting their golden-boy Vince...So why did the Titans just sign Kerry Collins? What the hell can he teach Vince Young? How to stand still?
4. Houston Texans - A laughingstock since entering the league, the Tex-assns are going to be kicking themselves for years for passing up on Reggie Bush...its going to be a classic blunder...DE are necessary to win, but unless he is Reggie White reincarnated, #1 overall Mario Williams is almost destined to be overshadowed by a game-breaker like Bush....DE don't handle the "rock" and the comparisons are inevitable...Why didn't they take Bush, because they "had" a franchise back..Dominack Davis....what's he done this preseason....nothing but sit out injured....another faux pas from Houston...oh yeah...how bought fixing the Offensive Line!
AFC West: Three challengers and the Raiders
1. Kansas City Chiefs - I have my doubts about Herm Edwards, but I am tired of selecting the Broncos and KC is close, very close to Denver...what I like...LJ, Gonzo, Trent Green...what I don't like: loss of Roaf and Richardson raises questions about whether LJ will run rampant over the NFL again...if Ty Law, Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali can kick the D up a notch the Chiefs should be able to supplant Denver
1a. Denver Broncos - Mike Shanahan is prepping his pixie dust to create his next unknown-to-thousand-yard-rusher...Mike Bell....whodat? Exactly...of course, having a dirty, cheatin' O-Line helps, but the Broncos have gotten away with it for years, so why stop now? The key for Denver, can they get another season from their Cleveland re-treads on the D-line, and will Javon Walker be the stud he was in Green Bay, if so, Denver should be right there with the Chiefs in Dec
2. San Diego Chargers - Sure they got LT and Gates, but who is playing WR and they are going to depend on unproven QB Philip Rivers to carry them to the promised land? Brees' injury gave the GM the green-light to dump him, but Brees was the Chargers real hope to lead them to Miami in Feb. With Rivers...they have no shot
4. Oakland Raiders - Art Shell comes back after 12 years and the Raiders shackle him with Aaron Brooks - a career loser with the Saints...HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...going to be another long year for football in the Bay Area. Now they sign Jeff George? 'nuff said...
So who are my playoffs teams: Indy, Pats and Cincy return....KC, Miami are new entries, and the Steelers just edge the Ravens for another
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
