Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 244 of 1503)

      Mark Sanchez great under pressure vs. Texans

      November 22, 2010 /
      EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets throws against the Houston Texans during their game on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

      At the start of the year, the one thing most said would keep the New York Jets from reaching the Super bowl was the play of quarterback Mark Sanchez.

      But it’s Sanchez’s play (which, albeit, is highly erratic at times) of late that now has people believing in Gang Green.

      In the Jets’ thrilling 30-27 come-from-behind win over the Texans on Sunday, Sanchez did some incredibly things under pressure. According to ESPN Stats & Information, when the Texans sent five or more pass-rushers at the Jets’ QB, Sanchez completed 12-of-18 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns. He also didn’t throw any interceptions under that amount of pressure, compiled a 141.0 passer rating and scrambled twice for 22 yards.

      When the Texans sent six pass-rushers, Sanchez completed five-of-seven passes and three touchdowns, which is incredible.

      “This is a different guy,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “He’s got great experience, 25 games as an NFL starter. He grew so much in the offseason. I always mention it. His teammates know that he’s the first guy in and the last guy to leave. He does it every single day. He’s prepared. He prepares like a pro. Now he’s reaping the benefits. Our whole football team and our fan base is reaping the benefits.

      “We knew when we drafted him that we drafted the right guy. He’s going to be the right guy for the next 10 years here.”

      Now, this doesn’t mean that Sanchez has “figured it out” or that he “gets it.” But considering this was the same quarterback that often pooped his drawers last year (or in Week 1 against the Ravens) at the first sign of pressure, those stats are impressive.

      More importantly than any stat is the fact that Sanchez and the Jets are 8-2 and hold a tiebreaker over the Patriots in the AFC East. Not all of their wins have been pretty and they’ve had some nearly devastating collapses in each of their last two games. But they’re finding ways to win.

      External Sports, NFL

      Vince Young, Jeff Fisher get into “verbal confrontation”

      November 22, 2010 /
      NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Lorenzo Alexander of the Washington Redskins forces a fumble by quarterback Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

      It appears as though Vince Young’s time in Tennessee is running out.

      According to reports, Young got into a “verbal confrontation” with coach Jeff Fisher following the Titans’ overtime loss to the Redskins on Sunday. Per Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean, Young told Fisher, “I’m not running out on teammates, I’m running out on you.” Young also was apparently “throwing out expletives under his breath” in the locker room while Fisher was speaking to the rest of the team.

      Speculation has started to grow that Young won’t take another snap with the Titans, and not just this year – ever. He tore a tendon in his thumb during the loss to Washington and was replaced by Rusty Smith. Following the game, Fisher said that Young wouldn’t retain the starting quarterback job whether Young needed surgery to repair his thumb or not.

      Considering Young is owed $8.5 million in 2011, plus a $4.25 million roster bonus, chances are the Titans will place him on injured reserve this season and then revisit the situation at the end of the year. One would have to imagine that they’ll first try to trade him, but they’ll probably wind up releasing him in the end.

      And that’s probably a wise move. I’m only going on what I read, so keep that in mind. But it’s apparent that Young is lacking in maturity and it’s probably safe to say that he doesn’t know the first thing about being a leader. He may have a lot of physical skill, but that only goes so far in the NFL – especially for quarterbacks.

      Maybe a change of scenery will do wonders for him. He’s still young and again, he’s talented. But either way, his days are numbered in Tennessee.

      External Sports, NFL

      Will Brett Favre quit on the rest of the season?

      November 22, 2010 /
      FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the sideline in the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

      Following the Vikings’ embarrassing 31-3 loss to the Packers on Sunday, Brett Favre dodged questions about whether or not he’s committed to playing out the rest of the season.

      “I would never have expected to be in this situation,” Favre said. “Mathematically I think there is still some hope. I hate to use Jim Mora’s comments about playoffs. I can’t even think about that. I know there is still a slim chance, but come on. We’ve got to play a lot better than we played today and last week.

      “I came back for a Super Bowl, you’re right. Also [there is] a chance that that doesn’t happen, probably a better chance that we don’t. And there’s a way better chance that you won’t play as well as last year. … But this is a little surprising. Again, I’m just going to go home and … I don’t want to say ‘think’ about this game. Just re-evaluate tomorrow.”

      Favre isn’t going to retire. He may want to because he’s not going to win a Super Bowl, but he’s not going to go out as a quitter. He’s all about image and if he walks away now, the last thing everyone will write about him is how he abandoned his teammates when he knew there was no shot of winning a title. He and the Vikings may get their asses kicked the rest of the year, but that’s a better outcome to him than having the media call him out for the selfish player he is.

      The Vikings should almost hope for him to retire. Not only is he a disaster on the field but every week he plays is one that Tarvaris Jackson won’t. Favre isn’t coming back next season and the team needs to evaluate Jackson. Lord Favre will never stand for a benching, but that would be the smart thing for Minnesota to do at this point. Why play a half-motivated Favre when they need to see what Jackson brings to the table? At 3-7 the rest of the season isn’t about winning for the Vikings – it’s about figuring out who will be around next year.

      Leave it to Favre to send mixed messages about his future. This will be an interesting situation to follow over the next couple of days.

      External Sports, NFL

      The Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC

      November 22, 2010 /
      PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against Antrel Rolle of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

      With all due respect to the Falcons and Packers (and remember, I am saying with all due respect), the Eagles are clearly the team to beat right now in the NFC.

      Atlanta currently owns the best record now in the NFC at 8-2. But they had a chance to go head to head against the Eagles in Week 6 and they were beaten like a rented mule in all facets of the game. And that was when Kevin Kolb was at quarterback for Philadelphia – not Michael Vick.

      The Packers beat the Eagles in the opening week of the season but Kolb started that game too. Vick nearly lead Philly to a fourth quarter comeback, but Green Bay hung on for an impressive road win. Since then, the Packers have been decimated by injuries and Vick is now playing at an MVP level.

      The Giants had their opportunity to beat the Eagles as well and while they played well for about a quarter, Philly eventually beat them too. New York did some good things defensively in efforts to contain Vick, but the Eagles also missed several opportunities in the first half to build a sizeable lead. Either way, the scoreboard at the end of the game read Eagles 27, Giants 17 and that’s all that matters. The rest is just details.

      We’re going to find out more about the Packers and Falcons when they play each other this Sunday. Both are solid football teams and are red hot at the moment, but people hesitate declaring either the best in the NFC. Again, the Packers have injury issues and the Falcons’ defense is still a work in progress.

      But we know what we have in the Eagles. As long as Vick stays healthy, this team will be tough to beat down the stretch. Granted, they still have to go on the road to New York, Chicago and Dallas (which is rejuvenated under Jason Garrett), but the Eagles seemingly have fewer weaknesses than their NFC counterparts.

      Forget the records – this is the best team in the conference at the moment.

      External Sports, NFL

      Are the Falcons becoming a pass-first team under Matt Ryan?

      November 21, 2010 /
      NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 2: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of the game at the Louisiana Superdome on November 2, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      For the past two years the Falcons have largely been known as a run-first team, which makes sense because they are.

      Or were.

      For the past two weeks the Falcons have gotten away from their mantra of allowing Michael Turner and the running game to set up Matt Ryan and the passing game. In their 26-21 win over the Ravens last Thursday night, seven of their first nine plays were passes and for the most part, they stuck with the pass even after they built a two-score lead.

      In their 34-17 win over the Rams on Sunday, Turner racked up 131 yards on 28 carries but 39 of those yards came on one touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Truth be told, Atlanta had issues running the ball with consistency for much of the game and relied mostly on Ryan’s arm to earn their NFC-best eighth win.

      Ryan was outstanding. He completed 26-of-39 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions (although he was nearly picked off in the end zone in the second half). Whenever the Falcons needed a big play, it was Ryan finding Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and Michael Jenkins through the air – not Turner churning out first downs on the ground. That’s not to say Turner was ineffective or wasn’t a part of the game plan because he was (on both accounts). But it’s becoming clear that offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is putting the game more on Ryan’s shoulders, which is good seeing as how well the third-year quarterback has handled the pressure.

      That said, a balanced offense remains the key to the Falcons’ success. Ryan has looked great running the no-huddle and has done his most damage when he can read the defense and to check to plays at the line of scrimmage. But Atlanta found some balance late in the third quarter against St. Louis and that’s when the Falcons were at their best offensively. There was little the Rams could do as Atlanta marched up the field methodically and dominated time of possession. The Falcons are dangerous right now because they have so many weapons that they can throw at a defense. But balance is everything.

      Next week should be fun. The Falcons host the Packers in what could be a potential playoff showdown in the Georgia Dome.

      External Sports, NFL

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