Tag: Anthony Stalter (Page 44 of 133)

      The Packers’ playoff hopes take a humongous blow

      December 12, 2010 /
      DETROIT - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rogers of the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 12, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

      About the only thing that is going right for the Packers today is that the Bears have no desire to beat the Patriots, because Green Bay’s season is currently hanging in the balance at Solider Field right now.

      The Packers had a disastrous day in Detroit on Sunday, losing 7-3 to a Lions team that picked up its first divisional win in 19 straight tries. Things got started when Greg Jennings had a potential touchdown pass go off his hands in the first quarter and into the waiting arms of a Detroit defender, then quarterback Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the game with a concussion in the second.

      Things only got worse as Matt Flynn struggled to move the ball against Ndamukong Suh (otherwise known as the Detroit Lions defense) and even when he did, he threw an interception to linebacker DeAndre Levy in the end zone late in the third quarter to kill a potential scoring drive. (He also overthrew Greg Jennings on a 4th-and-1 at the Detroit 31-yard line to put the final nail in the coffin.)

      But the Packers can’t pin the loss entirely on Flynn because the Packers didn’t produce any points when Rodgers was in either. And some of the blame for that falls on Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff, which decided to run the ball early and often instead of attacking the league’s worst secondary. I’m not sure what the Packers’ game plan was, but it clearly wasn’t to go after the Lions’ weakness.

      Now Green Bay must hope Chicago loses to New England so that they don’t face a two-game deficit in the NFC North by the end of the day. As of this writing, the Bears are trailing the Patriots 21-0 and look completely hopeless, so the Packers’ season is still very much alive.

      That said, they travel to New England next Sunday and there’s a good chance that Rodgers won’t be medically cleared to play. Unless Flynn can produce a miracle, the Packers will probably be home when the postseason starts.

      But first things first: Chicago must lose to New England.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Week 14 Picks

      December 12, 2010 /
      CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: (L-R) J'Marcus Webb and Roberto Garza of the Chicago Bears await the snap of Olin Kreutz against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      Packers (8-4) @ Lions (2-10), 1:00PM ET
      With all the bad weather going around this Sunday in the NFL, if you’re going to take an over it better be in a dome. The over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these two teams and 7-3 in the last 10 games in Detroit. The combination of Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings has nearly been unstoppable over the past month and I don’t see Chris Houston and the rest of Detroit’s suspect secondary slowing the pair down. Drew Stanton gave the Lions’ offense a lift last week and if Jahvid Best can get it going against an inconsistent Green Bay run defense, then Detroit should be able to move the ball somewhat. I like the over.
      THE PICK: OVER 46.5

      Dolphins (6-6) @ Jets (9-3), 4:15PM ET
      The Jets should play much better Sunday than they did in New England on Monday, but I’m still confused as to why they’re a 5-point favorite. The Dolphins have struggled with New York over the years but they’re 5-1 on the road this season and covered in five of those six games. They’re also fighting for their playoff lives and bad weather is expected in the New Jersey area, which could make for a tight game. With how bad the Jets’ defense looked on Monday, it’s hard to like them giving up this many points. Chad Henne needs to play with more consistency and it would be nice if Brandon Marshall were available for this game, but I like Miami anyway. Their defense should keep Mark Sanchez and the Jets’ running game in check.
      THE PICK: DOLPHINS +5

      Patriots (10-2) @ Bears (9-3), 4:15PM ET
      A snowstorm supposedly hit Chicago Saturday night and the wind could reach up to 30mph by game time. But the bad weather shouldn’t be a factor for the Patriots, who are used to snow and wind at this time of year. That said, I think the Bears are being undervalued here. They’ve played extremely well over the past month and they love playing the role of underdogs – especially at home. If Mike Martz doesn’t try to get cute with his playcalling (i.e. calling a bunch of vertical passes in bad weather with Jay Cutler as his quarterback), then I like the Bears to win outright. Cutler has been excellent at the short-to-medium-range passes this year so Martz needs to keep it there. The Pats have scored 45 points the past two weeks, but that trend stops today.
      THE PICK: BEARS +3

      Falcons (10-2) @ Panthers (1-11), 1:00PM ET
      I hate this line and it has almost caused me to move off the Falcons several times throughout the week. And the Titans’ fluke backdoor cover (perhaps the worst backdoor cover in the history of backdoor covers) on Thursday night against the Colts doesn’t help matters. That said, this is the biggest mismatch on the board and seeing as how the Falcons came awfully close to losing to the Bucs last week and forking over their one-game lead in the NFC South, I think we’ll see a focused Atlanta team on Sunday. Matt Ryan won’t throw two picks like he did last weekend and Carolina can expect a heavy dose of Michael Turner. It’s high-time the Falcons’ defense steps up again and turns in a solid performance. Again, the backdoor cover scares me but the Falcons can beat the Panthers by a touchdown and a field goal right? Right?!
      THE PICK: FALCONS –7.5

      Season Record: 22-25-1

      External Sports, NFL

      We’ll find out on Sunday if Mike Martz has evolved

      December 9, 2010 /
      CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz of the Chicago Bears watches a play against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      It’s been almost nine years since Bill Belichick got the best of Mike Martz in Super Bowl XXXVI. In that game, the Patriots held the explosive Rams in check on third downs (5-of-13) and despite St. Louis’ 427 total yards of offense, they scored just 17 points.

      But some forget that Martz’s Rams did beat Belichick’s Patriots 24-17 earlier that season in Foxboro. And while Belichick has beaten Martz when the latter was the offensive coordinator for the Lions and 49ers, it’s important to note that Martz didn’t have the personnel he now has in Chicago (not that his personnel is that great with the Bears, but it’s better than what he had in Detroit or San Fran).

      This Sunday will mark a rematch of Belichick v. Martz when the Patriots travel to Solider Field to take on the Bears. After New England wiped the floor with the Jets on Sunday, many people expect the Pats to bring the 9-3 Bears back to reality.

      And if Martz gets away from what has helped the Bears be so successful over the past month, then the Patriots will.

      Chicago’s success of late is part great defense, part great Devin Hester, part improved offensive line play and part a near-flawless Jay Cutler. But one of the reasons Cutler has been so good is because Martz isn’t trying to force the ball downfield every play. According to ESPN.com, Cutler has the NFL’s third-best passer rating (106.3) on passes that travel 10 or less yards in the air. On attempts that cover 11 or more yards, Cutler has completed just 41 percent of those passes (41 of 100), which includes six of his 10 interceptions.

      He may deny it, but Martz has an ego the size of Conan O’Brien’s head. He used to buy into the “mad scientist” moniker and he probably still does. But with the Bears’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance over these next four weeks, now isn’t the time to start taking shots downfield in hopes to get the best of Belichick. Because if there’s one thing Belichick does extremely well (besides video tape opponents’ practices…sorry, had to get that one in there since I brought up Super Bowl XXXVI in the intro), it’s patiently waiting for his opponent to show its weakness and then attacking that weakness.

      The Bears can beat the Patriots on Sunday. As previously noted, New England is coming off an emotional victory over a divisional opponent and now has to travel to a non-conference foe’s domain. Even though the Bears are 9-3, it would be human nature if the Patriots suffered a bit of a letdown and again, it’s not like Martz hasn’t beaten Belichick before.

      But Martz must stay within himself and do what’s best for Cutler, who has responded well to excellent playcalling. If Martz makes this game about getting the best of Belichick, he and the Bears may suffer.

      External Sports, NFL

      Urban Meyer stepping down at Florida – will he reunite with Tim Tebow in Denver?

      December 8, 2010 /
      NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 hugs head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      It hasn’t quite been a year since Urban Meyer first said that he was stepping down as head coach of the Florida Gators. Right after Christmas last year, he cited health problems as the reason he would resign but then he changed his mind a day later.

      Apparently he’s changed his mind again.

      According to a report by AOL Fanhouse’s Brett McMurphy, Meyer will step down on Wednesday. McMurphy tweets that there will be a press conference this evening (rumor has it that it’ll be at 6:00PM ET) to announce the decision.

      Considering his short leave of absence in between the ’09 season and the 2010 season (as well as the down year Florida just experienced), I guess this news isn’t all that shocking. He didn’t appear to bring the same excitement and passion to the sidelines as he did in previous years when Tim Tebow was his quarterback. He’ll leave Florida after compiling a 64-15 overall record, which includes two national championships.

      Speaking of Tebow, what are the chances Meyer joins his former pupil in Denver? It’s probably just coincidence that the Broncos fired Josh McDaniels just days before Meyer quit at Florida, but all the pieces fit. He loves Tebow. Tebow loves him. The Broncos need a head coach and oh, what’a know – Meyer needs a job now.

      Another thing to consider is that the Broncos are in a tough spot. Not every coach wants to work with a massive project like Tebow and McDaniels left them as a team without an identity. Meyer could remedy both of those situations but who knows if he’ll even want to coach again in the near future. There’s a strong possibility that he needs time off (for health reasons and otherwise) and hasn’t even considered joining the NFL ranks.

      I’m sure within the next couple of hours the Broncos will deny wanting anything to do with Meyer and Meyer will do the same. “The Broncos? Yuck – I hate that team,” Meyer will say. But how many times has a college head coach lied about his future plans? Bobby Petrino just lied to someone, somewhere two and a half seconds ago.

      A Meyer-Tebow reunion in Denver seems a little to perfect right now but nothing should be ruled out.

      College Football, External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Week 14 Power Rankings

      December 7, 2010 /
      FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Jermaine Cunningham and Jarrad Page of the New England Patriots celebrate a defensive stop in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

      In what is often viewed as the most exciting time of year, I just realized that there’s only four weeks left in the regular season.

      Is it really almost over? Where did the time go? The Kansas City Chiefs are what?!

      Check out Week 13’s Power Rankings

      1. New England Patriots
      Previous Week: 1
      Many people believe the Jets aren’t as good as their record indicates and honestly, I don’t have a problem with that logic. I predicted in preseason that the Jets wouldn’t make the playoffs, so I’m well aware of their potential fluke-e-ness. That said, to insinuate that the only reason the Patriots dominated on Monday night was because the Jets aren’t that good would be an insult to New England. The Jets may be overrated, but they’re not 45-3 in what was supposed to be a matchup of the two best teams in the AFC overrated.

      2. Atlanta Falcons
      Previous Week: 2
      We knew the Falcons were going to have issues with the Bucs last week. They were coming off a four-game stretch have playing playoff contenders, had won five in a row and hadn’t turned the ball over in four-straight games. They were due to have a letdown and seeing as how competitive Tampa has been this season, it wasn’t shocking that Atlanta needed all 60 minutes to win last Sunday. But it was impressive that they were able to pull off yet another fourth quarter comeback. All this team does is win.

      3. Pittsburgh Steelers
      Previous Week: 3
      Ben Roethlisberger was playing on a broken foot, suffered a broken nose in the first quarter, had little protection and no running game Sunday night in Baltimore and he still found a way to lead the Steelers to victory (albeit with a huge assist from Troy Polamalu). What a gritty performance.

      4. New Orleans Saints
      Previous Week: 5
      I’m a little shocked that the Saints’ defense allowed Carson Palmer and the inconsistent Cincinnati offense to march up and down the field on them, but winning on the road is never easy and that’s exactly what New Orleans did. That Monday Night Football game between the Saints and Falcons in two weeks is shaping up to be the game of the year.

      5. New York Jets
      Previous Week: 4
      I have all kinds of issues ranking the Jets in the top 5 after the Patriots dismantled them on Monday night, but I’ve given other teams in the top 10 mulligans so this will be New York’s. That said, you’ve got issues, Rex Ryan.

      6. Baltimore Ravens
      Previous Week: 6
      I don’t take issue with John Harbaugh’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-two and not attempt a 48-yard field goal into the swirling wind on Sunday night. Had Joe Flacco not short-armed the throw to Ed Dickson, the drive would have continued and maybe the Ravens would have pulled out a victory in overtime. That said, I do have issue with Flacco not making an adjustment when he saw Troy Polamalu was about to blitz on the Ravens’ previous possession. Flacco has to audible in that situation to avoid disaster, which is exactly what occurred when Polamalu stripped him from behind.

      7. Chicago Bears
      Previous Week: 7
      That was a pretty uninspiring win for the Bears in Detroit on Sunday. But after beating the Eagles the week prior and everyone jumping on their bandwagon, I guess it was inevitable. The key is that they won and they completely shut the Lions down in the second half.

      8. Philadelphia Eagles
      Previous Week: 8
      The Eagles’ defense looks awfully vulnerable the past two weeks, although not having Asante Samuel in their secondary doesn’t help. Michael Vick and Co. better not overlook a revitalized Cowboys team this weekend.

      9. Green Bay Packers
      Previous Week: 7
      There’s an argument to be made that the Packers should be ranked ahead of the Bears, but given that a) the teams are even, b) the Bears are playing incredibly well right now and c) they’ve already beaten Green Bay once this season, the Pack will have to settle for the No. 9 spot for now. But they’ll have their chance over the next four weeks to prove that they should be hire. It’s going to be a wild stretch-run in the NFC North.

      10. New York Giants
      Previous Week: 11
      I fully admit that I thought the Redskins would give the Giants trouble last week. Now I fully admit that I didn’t grasp how bad the Redskins really are, which is saying something seeing as how bad the Eagles beat them on Monday night a couple of weeks ago, I know.

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      External Sports, NFL

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