Category: NFL (Page 514 of 1282)

Forget about running up the score – the Vikings’ decision was just stupid

After his team ran up the score in yesterday’s 34-3 win over the Cowboys, I found it comical what Vikings head coach Brad Childress said in his post game presser:

“As Lou Holtz used to say, ‘It’s our job to score points. It’s their job to stop us from scoring points.’ That happens. It wasn’t rubbing it in. It’s just taking care of business and being aggressive at the end of the game.”

After spending some time reading people’s opinions on this topic, it appears that many Minnesota fans are taking Childress’ stance. Hey, the Cowboys’ defenders are paid to stop opponents’ offenses. So if they didn’t want to be scored on, then they shouldn’t have quit on that final play. Also, Keith Brooking is a crybaby whiner that should go back to his crybaby whiner mother and have her feed him out of a bottle labeled: My Little Crybaby.

The other stance that Minnesota fans seem to be taking is that Brett Favre should now be treated like a baby bird and protected at all cost. With the way they’re backing Favre’s every move right now, I wouldn’t be shocked if a group of Viking fans attempted to eat some food and regurgitate it back into Brett’s mouth.

Of course, there are a great deal of people that think the Vikings are classless for what they did, or at the very least displayed poor sportsmanship.

But regardless of what stance you’ve taken on this topic, it’s hard to deny that it was an unnecessary move for the Vikings. The Cowboys were out of timeouts, they couldn’t stop the clock following the two-minute warning and therefore it was virtually impossible that they were going to erase a 24-point deficit at that point. It’s not like this is the BCS and the Vikings needed style points – the game was over and therefore there was no need for a pass in that situation.

I wonder how Minnesota fans that have fully endorsed what the Vikings did would have acted if Favre snapped his femur while dropping back to pass. Think about the outrage that would have ensued had the Vikings’ Super Bowl hopes been dashed on a meaningless play late in a game that they already had locked up. Fans would have been calling for Childress’ head instead of wanting a picture of him and Favre re-painted to resemble “The Creation of Adam” on the Metrodome’s ceiling.

Forget the fact that Brooking and the Cowboys should have stopped the Vikings if they didn’t want to be embarrassed. It was a flat out stupid decision and an unnecessary risk by Childress and Favre to throw in that situation and they’re fortunate that something disastrous didn’t happen.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Ravens’ Ed Reed contemplating retirement

Following the Ravens’ 20-3 loss to the Colts on Saturday night, safety Ed Reed indicated that he might retire in the offseason.

Reed is only 31, but hip, neck and groin injuries limited his mobility and production throughout the season. He told the Baltimore Sun that he would speak with his medical team soon and then make a final decision about whether or not to continue his playing career. He indicated that he has aspirations to coach at the college level and might peruse those interests sooner rather than later.

When healthy, Reed still plays at a high level and it would be surprising if he hung ‘em up with $19.7 million left on his remaining contract. Money isn’t everything, but if he can fully recover in the offseason and enter the 2010 season with a full bill of health, it’s doubtful that he would retire.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Phillips, Williams will be back with Cowboys

According to a report by ESPN.com, Wade Phillips will return as the Cowboys’ head coach for 2010. Also set to return is receiver Roy Williams, who is reportedly “certain” to be back next season.

There has been no decision on whether to negotiate an extension of Phillips’ current contract, the source said. The Cowboys control Phillips’ fate because they have an option for the 2010 season under terms of Phillips’ original contract that will play him close to the $3 million he earned this season when he served as the league’s only head coach-defensive coordinator.

The source also said that disappointing wide receiver Roy E. Williams — who made $9 million this season — is certain to return after a lackluster first full season with the Cowboys. Williams’ season ended with him failing to make a single reception against the Vikings. Quarterback Tony Romo threw his direction only once, a throwaway under pressure.

When you take away his struggles in the postseason, Phillips has been a solid head coach for the Cowboys. He has produced two NFC East titles in three seasons and his defense allowed the fewest points in the NFC this year.

But the problem is that the Cowboys have enough talent to challenge for a Super Bowl and always fail to deliver. Beating the Eagles in the Wildcard round was a step in the right direction, but Dallas’ play yesterday in Minnesota was a complete disaster.

If Jones adds a few more pieces to the roster and the Cowboys suffer a similar fate next year, Phillips might be gone. But if he gets them to the NFC Championship Game, then Jones might have a dilemma similar to the one he faced this year.

Report: Brian Westbrook facing retirement

A great career might end on a sad note, as Philadelphia sports radio host Howard Eskin is reporting that Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is considering retirement.

From SB Nation.com:

Earlier in the season, rumors swirled that the oft-injured running back was considering retirement, but those were attributed to his concussions, two of which he suffered this season. Eskin reports that it’s the left knee that is hampering Westbrook, which was surgically repaired in the past.

Eskin says there is “almost no chance” Westbrook plays another game for the Eagles — he has one year left on his contract — and that the knee is in such bad condition, Westbrook may not even me able to pass a team physical to play elsewhere.

Looking at this realistically, the Eagles already drafted Westbrook’s replacement last April when they took LeSean McCoy in the second round. McCoy is a near replica of Westbrook, so there is no reason for Philly to pay the $7.5 million that is owed to the 30-year old back next season.

There will definitely be teams interested in Westbrook as a backup or platoon player, but if he can’t pass a physical then obviously he won’t be signed. If he does retire, it’ll be a sad way to go out for one of the league’s most productive backs over the last decade.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

2010 NFC & AFC Championship Odds

Odds makers have released the point spreads for the NFC and AFC Championship games, with the Saints and Colts opening as the favorites.

According to theSpread.com, Drew Brees and the Saints have opened as a 4.5-point favorite over the Vikings for the NFC title game. Both teams covered in the Divisional Round, with New Orleans winning as a 7-point favorite over Arizona, and Minnesota easily covering as a 3-point favorite over Dallas.

In the AFC, the Colts are an 8-point favorite over the Jets after beating the Ravens 20-3 in a Divisional Round matchup on Saturday night. New York pulled off an upset Sunday evening in San Diego, beating the Chargers 17-14.

Kickoff for the AFC Championship Game is set for 3:00PM ET on Sunday, while the NFC title matchup will start at 6:40PM ET.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

« Older posts Newer posts »