Tag: Arizona Cardinals (Page 19 of 51)

NFL Week 11 ROY Power Rankings

Suddenly lots of players are making a case here. Moreno was outstanding against that sieve of a Giants’ defense last night, looking like the guy the Broncos knew they drafted.

1. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills—Though he didn’t pick one off against Jacksonville last week, Byrd is still on pace for 12. That would be one heck of a season for anyone, let alone a rookie playing on a crappy team.

2. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings—Another TD catch last weekend from his new best friend Brett Favre, Harvin is making coach Brad Childress look like a genius for taking a chance on him when many others turned their heads.

3. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos—This guy had over 100 all-purpose yards last night against the G-men, and he could steal this award if he keeps that up.

4. James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams—You aren’t seeing a misprint here. Laurinaitis had 16 tackles against the Cardinals last Sunday, and has 66 solo tackles on the season. That number has him fifth in the NFL, an amazing feat for a rookie on (like Byrd) a crappy team.

5. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions—He gets a spot here solely on his guts, and for single-handedly bringing his team back last weekend against the Browns to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat. Sure, he regressed yesterday, but we’ll let that slide.

Honorable mention: Hakeem Nicks, Giants; Johnny Knox, Bears; Ryan Succop, Chiefs; Michael Oher, Ravens; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Beanie Wells, Cardinals; Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

NFL Week 11 COY Power Rankings

Once again we can’t ignore the two guys who have their teams at 10-0. Beyond that, there are a few others who are still overachieving, including Josh McDaniels, who brought his team back from the dead last night with a feisty effort against the Giants. Meanwhile, is anyone starting to sense that Jeff Fisher may be on our radar here? If you start 0-6 then win four straight and start to sniff any chance at the playoffs, that is just mind-blowing. It’s safe to say that if he does bring his Titans all the way back, it may be even more impressive than 16-0 would be.

1. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts—They just beat the Patriots and Ravens back to back, and are absolutely going to coast to a first round bye. However, they need to finish the job this time as they did three seasons ago.

2. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints—Finally the Saints dominated in a game they had to dominate. Now they face their biggest test of the season at home Monday night against the Patriots. Both offenses are so explosive that I’m fully expecting 80 points between the teams. And if Payton’s Saints win, he will have earned his spot here again.

3. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals—A heartbreaking loss in Oakland was a devastating blow, but the Steelers and Ravens also lost. Now, Lewis has a chance for his team to be 6-0 in the division by beating the Browns at home Sunday. Can he do it? Does Howdy Doody have a wooden butt?

4. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings—His team is 9-1 heading into Sunday’s game against Chicago, and if he wins that one, as he should, Childress will continue to remain on this short list.

5. Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos—After being 6-0 and losing four straight in horrible fashion, McDaniels and his potty mouth brought his team back from the dead last night. That was impressive (the comeback, as well as the mouth). They will be a tough out for someone in the playoffs, assuming they can still get there.

Honorable mention: Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals; Jack Del Rio, Jaguars, Jeff Fisher, Titans; Bill Belichick, Patriots

NFL Week 10 ROY Power Rankings

You’ve got Jairus Byrd on defense and Percy Harvin on offense leading the charge here, with a few others who might be considered supporting cast at this point.

1. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills—Byrd had another pick against the Titans to bring his league-leading total to 8. That was before Titans’ owner Bud Adams flipped the Bills a bird of his own. Sorry, I just couldn’t help it.

2. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings—Harvin may be the most exciting playmaker on the Vikings’ offense, and with you-know-who in the backfield, that’s saying something.

3. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles—6 catches for 76 yards and a score against the Chargers, and 72 return yards for good measure. This kid is special.

4. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos—He had 104 all-purpose yards against Albert Haynesworth’s Redskins last Sunday, albeit in a losing effort.

5. James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams—He just keeps making those tackles, now with 60 total (50 solo). Too bad he’s playing on a really bad team

Honorable mention: Hakeem Nicks, Giants; Johnny Knox, Bears; Ryan Succop, Chiefs; Michael Oher, Ravens; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Beanie Wells, Cardinals

NFL Week 10 COY Power Rankings

Some coaches here have changed positions but mostly it’s the same group. Still, just like with the players, November and December tend to bring out the best and worst of coaches as well. Here is the updated Coach of the Year power rankings….

1. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts—Everyone kept saying the Colts hadn’t played a quality opponent yet. Well, they beat the Patriots in a thriller last Sunday night, and Caldwell’s team mirrored his calm sideline demeanor in working their way back from 17 points down late in the game to stay undefeated.

2. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints—Each game is getting to be an adventure, and after almost blowing it against the lowly Rams, coach Payton’s stock has to have dropped just a tad. Still, his Saints are 9-0, and at the end of the day, all nine of those wins count.

3. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals—The Bengals are for real. And Marvin Lewis, the defensive minded coach who has never had a defense to speak of in Cincinnati, finally has one. Boy, does he have one. But more than that, his Cardiac Cats are playing so inspired that they are now 7-2, leading the tough AFC North, and they are a combined 4-0 against the Steelers and Ravens. Wow.

4. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings—Not much changes for Childress after disposing of the Lions last Sunday. It’s just that what Lewis has done is a bit more impressive.

5. Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos—He’s now lost three straight, but I guess if you look at this and think that McDaniels’ Broncos are 6-3 when everyone may have expected them to be 3-6 at this point, he deserves to stay here….for now.

Honorable mention: Mike Tomlin, Steelers; Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals; Jack Del Rio, Jaguars

NFL Week 9 COY Power Rankings

Not much has changed in the Coach of the Year power rankings, because most of the coaches here won last weekend. Josh McDaniels is the only one who did not, and he’s in danger of falling into honorable mention.

1. Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints—Eight and Zero. 303 points for, 174 against. That’s an average score of 38-21. The 2007 Patriots’ had an average score of 37-17, and this team is reminding folks of that one.

2. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts—Halfway through his rookie season as head coach, and Jim Caldwell hasn’t lost a game yet. Why isn’t anyone talking about this? Okay, so he inherited a pretty good team with an elite QB, but the Colts have had their share of injuries as well, and a coaching change.

3. Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings—We’re holding his place for the bye week, and he’s got the Lions this Sunday. Safe to say Mr. Childress’ seat here will stay warm.

4. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals—Two wins against the Ravens, and Marvin’s boys are a stunning 4-0 in divisional play, including two wins against the Ravens. This weekend’s rematch with the Steelers will tell us a lot, but win or lose that one, Marvin has earned a place here.

5. Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos—Despite two straight losses to Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Broncos are still 6-2 when many thought they’d be 2-6 at this point.

Honorable mention: Bill Belichick, Patriots; Wade Phillips, Cowboys; Mike Tomlin, Steelers; Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals

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