Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 983 of 1503)

      Woody Paige blasts McDaniels’ hire of Nolan

      January 14, 2009 /

      Woody Paige of the Denver Post isn’t too big on Josh McDaniels’ choice of Mike Nolan to fill the Broncos’ vacant defensive coordinator position.

      Mike NolanIt must be downright discouraging and demoralizing for somebody who has served as a defensive coordinator, then head coach, for 14 1/2 seasons — with five different teams — yet reached the playoffs only TWO of those years, won more than 10 games just once, had a losing record in eight seasons (and only four or five victories four times), was fired several times and, in the biggest game all his teams played, saw the defense reduced to ashes (44 points).

      Say hello again to Mike Nolan, your new defensive coordinator.

      He is Josh McDaniels’ first hire.

      The Broncos’ most critical need was an extraordinary defensive coordinator, and they get an offensive coordinator, who brings in, for the Broncos, another ordinary defensive coordinator. The Broncos selected a baby-faced coach, and he selects a second-hand coach.
      It’s inexplicable.

      Nolan was named the 49ers’ head coach in 2005. He won fewer than half his games, and did not make the playoffs, before being fired after seven games (2-5) this season. In San Francisco Nolan’s defenses ranked, in points allowed, Nos. 30, 32, 20 and 23. They permitted 30 points or more 18 times.

      The future of McDaniels and Nolan will depend on the 3-4, tried and trashed by the Broncos temporarily last season, but they have to depend more on exceptional unrestricted free agents and a No. 1 pick on defense who can step in immediately. The Broncos, despite a plethora of linebackers, could use one more who can stop the run (Channing Crowder), and they must find a starting safety (oft-injured Mike Brown) or two, another corner (Nnamdi Asomugha) and two defensive linemen (Julius Peppers, Bertrand Berry).

      And Mike Nolan has to prove why Broncophiles should not be down- wrong discouraged and demoralized.

      It’s hard to argue with Paige because Nolan did absolutely nothing to restore the 49ers’ defense, even though they added key pieces in Patrick Willis, Nate Clements, Michael Lewis and Justin Smith during his tenure there. It’s also a bit premature at this point to trash any coaching hire (after all, look at the ’08 new coaching class of Tony Sparano, Mike Smith and John Harbaugh), but I fail to see how McDaniels/Nolan is better than Mike Shanahan at this point.

      NFL

      Will the Chargers trade L.T.?

      January 14, 2009 /

      After a year in which he was mostly hobbled by nagging injuries and inconsistent play, rumors have started to swirl that the Chargers could trade running back LaDainian Tomlinson this offseason and make Darren Sproles their feature back.

      LaDainian TomlinsonTomlinson says he’s heard the rumors that the Chargers may trade him, allowing them to keep the cheaper Darren Sproles and get some younger players and draft picks to build a stronger future. Tomlinson still has 4 years left on his contract, and says management has not told him anything.

      “As far as I’m concerned, I haven’t had any indications. I’m still under contract and until told otherwise, I’ll prepare to play football here,” he said.

      The Chargers have a lot of questions to answer this off season – questions that right now they’re not ready to address publicly.

      “Anything in terms of where we’re headed and out team, I think those questions would be answered at another time,” head coach Norv Turner said.

      Imagine if the Chargers could have somehow hung on to Michael Turner. He could have paired up with Sproles to form one of the best 1-2 backfield punches in the NFL, if not the best.

      The Chargers have to be careful because while L.T. is coming off a down year and is approaching the dreaded 30-year old mark, there’s no telling what a full offseason of rest could do for him. They wouldn’t want to assume that he’s done and trade him while his stock is low, only to have him rip it up for another team next season. But there’s no question that Tomlinson is now on the back end of his career and that the team has to start thinking about its future. GM A.J. Smith has already stated that Sproles isn’t an every down back so it’ll be interesting to see what the Bolts do this offseason in terms of their backfield.

      NFL

      Giants fans destroy Porsche, SUV in parking lot after loss to Eagles

      January 14, 2009 /

      SPORTSbyBROOKS.com has posted video of Giants fans (including one in particular named Justin) going ape crap on a Porsche in the parking lot of Giants Stadium after the Eagles beat Big Blue on Sunday.

      So many questions here. The game ended around 4:00, but this video appears to be shot late at night. Why were these cars still here? Is it possible that Phil Simms and Justin Tuck here were destroying their own vehicles, as the YouTube poster claims?

      [Update: The cars had previously suffered minor damage from a tailgating fire.]

      You’d think this couldn’t get better, but it does. Check the 0:30 mark, when a flying Double Dragon dropkick goes horribly wrong.

      Not to rain on the fun, but I seriously hope that the people doing the damage owned those cars. Because if they didn’t, may God have broken Justin’s foot into many pieces after he failed to convert the Double Dragon dropkick in the second video.

      NFL, Video

      Jets expected to name Rex Ryan next head coach

      January 14, 2009 /

      The Jets’ search for a new head coach apparently will end with Ravens’ defensive coordinator Rex Ryan according to the New York Daily News.

      Rex RyanIt has come down to Ryan, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Cards assistant head coach Russ Grimm, sources said.

      That the Jets haven’t moved quickly on Spagnuolo or Schottenheimer, neither of whom is involved in the playoffs, is a blatant indication that Ryan is the preferred choice. Like Ryan, Grimm still is in the playoffs, but he’s believed to be a fallback candidate.

      Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum met with Ryan for several hours Sunday in Baltimore, and Johnson came away impressed, according to a source. Using an interviewing technique he learned from former Ravens coach Brian Billick, Ryan gave a PowerPoint presentation that outlined his philosophy, practice scripts, etc.

      The Jets also are smitten with Ryan’s creative defensive game plans, a big factor in the Ravens’ playoff run. One potential stumbling block with Ryan could be his choice for offensive coordinator. The Jets would like to retain Schottenheimer; it’s unclear if Ryan is on board with that.

      Ryan deserves the opportunity to be a head coach. His defenses have always been fantastic in Baltimore and he obviously has a knack for designing schemes. Some highly doubted defensive coaches – namely Marvin Lewis – haven’t panned out as head coaches, but Ryan deserves his shot.

      Assuming he gets the job, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do with former top 10 pick Vernon Gholston, who was inactive for virtually his entire rookie season because he couldn’t grasp the playbook. One would think that Ryan catch get Gholston (who is a physical marvel) up to speed and get him on the field next year. Maybe he could even turn him into the next Terrell Suggs.

      NFL

      Chiefs hire Scott Pioli away from Patriots to be next GM

      January 13, 2009 /

      According to The National Football Post, the Chiefs found their next general manager to replace Carl Peterson in former Patriots’ VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli, who was highly regarded as the top GM candidate available this offseason.

      Upon his departure, the Patriots will replace Pioli with Nic Cesario, who was serving as the Director of Player Personnel for New England. This does not come as a surprise as New England believes in growing executive talent from within its own organization.

      Pioli, who has been with the Patriots for nine seasons and three Super Bowl Championships, won the George Young Executive of the Year award in 2004 and 2005.

      Pioli comes to Kansas City after in year in which the Chiefs struggled to finish with a record of 2-14, good for last place in the AFC West. Pioli inherits a team that has a disgruntled super star running back in Larry Johnson, a revolving door at the quarterback position, but is led by a young nucleus of talent on the defensive side of the football. First off for Pioli, however, is to decide the fate of head coach Herman Edwards and his possible successor.

      If the article is accurate, this was a tremendous hire by the Chiefs. Pioli is best known for being the mastermind behind the Patriots’ successful drafts and knows what it takes to build a winner. He’ll have his hands full turning things around in Kansas City, but it’s a proud organization and it’ll be interesting to see if he keeps head coach Herman Edwards, or if he decides to wipe the slate clean and start over.

      NFL

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