Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 223 of 1503)

      It’s time for Eli Manning to step up

      December 15, 2010 /
      EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Eli Manning of the New York Giants signals a play against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

      It’s never easy for a quarterback to not have his full complement of receivers. Steve Smith had just returned from missing a month with a torn pectoral muscle only to suffer a season-ending knee injury in the Giants’ win over the Vikings on Sunday night. Now he’s done for the year and just as Hakeem Nicks returned to the starting lineup following a leg injury of his own, Mario Manningham suffered a hip flexor in the victory over Minnesota.

      But while the Giants’ receiving corps has been tattered and frayed for the better part of a month, Eli Manning can’t blame all of his struggles on injuries to his wideouts.

      Up until Monday night, the Giants hadn’t given up a sack in five games and while sack numbers can be a little misleading (defenses can still pressure quarterbacks without recording sacks), it shows that Manning has had time to throw. Kevin Boothe has played very well at left guard and now that David Diehl is back in the starting lineup, the offensive line as a whole should be in tune for the stretch run.

      But even with the success New York’s offensive line has had of late, Manning continues to struggle. He leads the league in interceptions with 19 and while some of those had to do with balls that gleaned off the hands of his receivers earlier in the year, the ones he’s thrown lately have been mostly on him. (The two picks he threw against the Vikings were a product of releasing the ball late.)

      Granted, Drew Brees has 18 interceptions and nobody is concerned about him. But he’s not routinely throwing off his back foot either. It appears as though Eli has reverted back to some of the bad habits he had early in his career, where he’s not setting his feet or squaring his shoulders to his target. He also seems to be hesitating while making decisions, which is causing him to throw off his back foot and often times, into the waiting arms of a defender.

      With Asante Samuel set to return to the Eagles’ secondary this weekend, now would be a perfect time for Manning to shake out of the season-long funk he’s been in. It’s a little perplexing that his coaching staff hasn’t ironed out the kinks yet, but now it’s up to him to figure out why his mechanics and decision-making are off and fix them immediately. While Philadelphia can’t eliminate the Giants from playoff contention this week, the G-Men’s hopes will certainly take a massive hit with a loss. The Saints don’t show any signs of slowing down and the Bucs can continue to feed on poor competition (i.e. the Lions and Seahawks) over the next two weeks until they play New Orleans in Week 17.

      Thus, it’s gut-check time for Eli. His offensive line is playing well and the running game isn’t opening up passing lanes. He can’t be the factor that holds them back from this point on.

      External Sports, NFL

      Terrell Owens sounds off about Bengals’ front office, coaches

      December 15, 2010 /
      ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Owens of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      What, did you really think T.O. would go through an entire 16-game losing season and not say a word?

      On the latest installment of the T.Ocho Show on Versus (side note: Does anyone watch that show? I can count on zero fingers how many people I know that do.), Ochocinco asked Owens why the Bengals are 2-11.

      Not surprisingly, T.O. had an answer.

      From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

      “I think there is underachieving you know from the top down,” Owens said. “You start off with the owner, you start off with the coaches and obviously we as players. We are a product of what the coaches are doing, are coaching us throughout the course of the week. Of course we have to go out there and play the game but in order for us to do what we’re allowed to do at the best of our ability the coaches have to put the players in the best position.”

      I’ve seen headlines that read, “T.O. blasts coaching staff,” in reference to the quotes above. But I’ve read what he said about four times now and honestly, I don’t think he’s specifically calling out his coaching staff. And in the grand spectrum of things, this is T.O. Lite in comparison to the stuff that usually comes out of his mouth.

      It’s not hard to figure out what’s going on with the Bengals. The entire franchise has had a losing mentality since the late 80s and while they’ve had moments over the past two decades (2004, 2009), they’ve largely been stuck in a massive rut. They thought they found a capable head coach in Marvin Lewis to turn things around and it looks like he isn’t the answer. They thought they found a capable quarterback in Carson Palmer to lift the franchise out of the doldrums and he hasn’t been the same since the hit he took in the ’04 playoffs.

      But it’s not just the head coach and it’s not just the quarterback – it’s a collection of things that have led the Bengals to this point. The players aren’t executing, the game plans that the coaches are putting together are failing miserably and the ownership doesn’t have a clue how to turn things around. And unfortunately for all parties involved, there seemingly are no answers and no solutions.

      Actually, there is one solution but Mike Brown has been unwilling to agree to it: they need to hire a general manager. Hire a good general manager (I’m sure the Patriots have one lying around in their film room), allow him to pick his head coach and then find a quarterback. Once those three things are in place, maybe the ball will get rolling forward for once instead of backwards onto the legions of fans that still mercifully support this team.

      I know it’s easier said than done, but at what point does Mike Brown punch a hole through his drawing board and start over?

      External Sports, NFL

      Did Jets set up wall to try and trip Nolan Carroll on purpose?

      December 14, 2010 /
      EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - 2009: Sal Alosi of the New York Jets poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by NFL Photos)

      Television cameras caught Jets’ strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi purposely tripping Dolphins’ gunner Nolan Carroll along the sidelines during a punt in New York’s 10-6 loss on Sunday.

      And depending on whom you ask, the cameras also caught how Alosi and several members of the Jets had intentionally lined up to interfere with Carroll before Alosi stuck his knee out.

      One person who thought the act was staged is former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, who told a Miami radio station on Tuesday that there’s evidence to suggest the Alosi didn’t act alone (that there was, in fact, a second kneeman).

      From ESPN.com:

      “They had to be ordered to stand there because they’re foot to foot,” Thomas said Tuesday on Miami radio station WQAM. “There’s four of them, side to side — five of them, I mean — on the edge of the coach’s zone. They’re only out there to restrict the space of the gunner.

      “But there’s more to it because I’m telling you, the only thing [Alosi] did wrong was intentionally put that knee out there. If he just stood there, there would never have been a problem, even if the guy got tripped. But there’s more to this. He was ordered to stand there. No one is foot to foot on the sideline in the coach’s box.”

      Actually, it was a six-man line, starting with Alosi and defensive lineman Marcus Dixon (inactive). It’s believed the other four also were inactive players. They were in a tight formation, almost like soccer players preparing to defend a direct kick. Their toes were right up against the boundary, with Alosi positioned in the corner of the coaches’ box.

      Coincidence? When Carroll approached at full speed, not one of them flinched, suggesting it was a show of force that appeared to be orchestrated. Alosi and Jets officials denied that, claiming they don’t coach that tactic — an unsavory technique that is semi-prevalent around the league.

      A close examination of the TV replay shows that Dixon was leaning in with his left shoulder, perhaps preparing for contact as well.
      “Something is fishy,” said an opposing personnel executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

      The executive said the Jets have shown a penchant in recent weeks for using sideline personnel as a deterrent to gunners — players sprinting the sideline in an attempt to get to the returner quickly — adding that the Jets’ sideline is conspicuously clear when their team is doing the punting.

      I’m sure the Jets aren’t the only ones to have ever employed this technique because after all, they had to have gotten it from somewhere. But how dirty can you get? And not only that, but how stupid?

      What would have happened had Carroll blown out his knee and was unable to play again? Was it worth it to Alosi and his band of clowns to possibly end a player’s career just so they could cheat on a punt return? I get that the Jets can’t win on their own right now, but this is low – especially if the act was premeditated.

      I wonder when it’ll come out that Rex Ryan or someone on the Jets’ coaching staff told Alosi and the rest of the inactive players to set up a wall. Alosi is obviously an idiot for thinking he could do something like that and not have one of the 600 cameras in the stadium catch him, but I doubt he acted alone. Someone on that coaching staff must have told him what to do.

      For once, it would be nice if a member of the AFC East not tried to video tape their opponent’s practice or trip a player as he’s running down field to cover a punt.

      External Sports, NFL

      Despite largely being devoid of superstar talent, the Patriots continue to dominate thanks to Belichick

      December 14, 2010 /

      The more things change, the more they stay the same.

      Take the Patriots for example. They traded Randy Moss earlier this year and everyone thought their passing game would incinerate. “Who is going to stretch the field?” people asked. “Tom Brady doesn’t have anyone to throw to!” everyone quipped.

      But as usual, Bill Belichick was 34 steps ahead of everyone and already knew how the Pats would survive without Moss. He already knew that Brady had already completed 72.2% of his passes for 367 yards and five touchdowns out of the two-tight end set and that his offense would run smoothly as long as Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski continued to develop. Sure, the approach would change but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be effective.

      Belichick also knew what kind of connection Brady had with Deion Branch, which is why he traded for his former player (how is it that the Patriots always get the player they’re targeting in trade? It’s unbelievable.) to help cope with losing Moss. And how crazy is it that Branch has emerged as a playmaker again while Moss is now trapped in NFL obscurity?

      Actually, “crazy” isn’t the right word. Crazy would indicate that Belichick was fortunate that everything played out the way it did when he duped the Vikings into taking a useless Moss off his hands. But he wasn’t fortunate at all. He had a game plan and as usual, he executed it to perfection.

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      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

      December 14, 2010 /
      EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets picks himself up after an incomplete pass against the Miami Dolphins at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

      Finally, a team is offering stability at the top of the rankings.

      Check out Week 14’s Power Rankings

      1. New England Patriots
      Previous Week: 1
      This is the fourth week in a row I’ve had the Patriots in the top spot. I only mention that little factoid because before the Pats made their home atop Mount Power Rankings, the No. 1 spot acted as a revolving door for teams. New England is peaking at the right time, which has to be a scary thought for AFC playoff contenders. Tom Brady is unbeatable in blizzard-like conditions.

      2. Atlanta Falcons
      Previous Week: 2
      Never before have I seen a team fly under the radar as well as the Falcons have this season (not that they have any control of that). Even when they’re supposed to blow out a team and do just that, people aren’t impressed. Everyone is waiting for this team to fall and in the meantime, the Falcons keep winning. Here’s the real interesting part: this team hasn’t even played a complete game yet.

      3. Pittsburgh Steelers
      Previous Week: 3
      The Steelers’ defense is getting warmed up at just the right time, which is interesting because the Patriots’ offense is peaking now, too. We may be headed for a Pittsburgh-New England rematch soon enough.

      4. New Orleans Saints
      Previous Week: 4
      The Saints’ defense is starting to have that opportunistic feel about them again. They picked off Sam Bradford twice inside the red zone last week and returned one of the gifts for a touchdown right before half. I’m sure Gregg Williams wishes his unit wouldn’t give up so much yardage with the playoffs fast approaching, but he has to be pleased with the amount of turnovers its now producing.

      5. Baltimore Ravens
      Previous Week: 6
      The Ravens were lucky to escape Houston with a win on Monday night. Yes, they were up 28-7 early in the third quarter but they got too complacent and allowed the Texans to tie the game after 99 and 95-yard drives late in the fourth quarter. Houston had also stolen all the momentum heading into overtime so again, the Ravens were fortunate to make it out of Texas with a W. They have some issues to iron out before the playoffs.

      6. Philadelphia Eagles
      Previous Week: 8
      Nice win for the Birds last Sunday night in Dallas. Andy Reid’s squad fell behind in the second half but never panicked and got a couple of monster plays out of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson. That said, Vick is still taking too many hits, which has to be a concern for Reid with the Giants’ ferocious front seven on deck.

      7. New York Giants
      Previous Week: 10
      The Giants’ performance Monday night in Minnesota wasn’t awe-inspiring from an Eli Manning standpoint, but Tom Coughlin had to love the way his running game destroyed a usually stout Minnesota front seven. The defense played incredibly well too, although most defenses will look good when the other team don’t use a quarterback. Either way, it was a huge win after a couple of days of chaos and with the Eagles game coming up. Now it’s gut-check time.

      8. San Diego Chargers
      Previous Week: 12
      The Chargers caught the Matt Cassel-less Chiefs at the right time but they’re not out of the woods yet. Any Oakland-type meltdowns the rest of the way and San Diego will be home for the playoffs. Both KC and San Diego have cakewalk schedules the rest of the year, so the Bolts will just have to pray that their division rivals collapse in the final weeks.

      9. Chicago Bears
      Previous Week: 7
      I’m not surprised the Bears lost to the Patriots last weekend. I’m surprised that they got the beating of a lifetime in what I consider “Chicago Bear conditions.” And I’m not referring to the weather, because Brady and the Pats obviously can play in the snow. I’m referring to the fact that the Bears and their fans absolutely love the underdog, we’re-better-than-everyone-says-we-are, nobody-gives-us-any-respect role. And then they go out their and they get destroyed on their home turf. Granted, if you’re going to get destroyed you might as well get destroyed by the best team in the league. I just expected more out of the eventual NFC North champs.

      10. Green Bay Packers
      Previous Week: 9
      I hate when people say that a team is better than their record because hey, their record is their record. But in the case of the Packers, I happen to think it’s true. They’ve been decimated by injuries and yet, the numbers still suggest they’re better than their record would indicate. But no matter how you slice it, the Pack are in deep trouble. They travel to New England this Sunday night and if Aaron Rodgers (concussion) can’t go, Matt Flynn isn’t going to beat the Pats on their home turf. That means Green Bay must hope the Bears lose to the Vikings on Monday night. And with how poorly Minnesota played against the Giants, that’s a long shot. It appears as though all hopes have been dashed for this once promising team.

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      External Sports, NFL

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