The 0-7 Miami Dolphins or the 0-7 St. Louis Rams?
Let's turn to the tale of the tape for this one.
Dolphins: 0-7
Rams: 0-7
Advantage: the rest of the NFL
Dolphins points scored: 156 (2nd best in the AFC East)
Rams points scored: 79 (1 point better than the 2-4 49ers. The worst show on turf is still better than the worst show on grass)
Advantage: Dolphins
Dolphins points allowed: 231 (worst in the NFL)
Rams points allowed: 192 (tied with Jets for 2nd worst in the NFL)
Advantage: the rest of the NFL; Rams by a hair.
QB status:
Dolphins: Cleo Lemon (plays up to his last name at times), Trent Green on IR (played like he was Green before the injury at times), 38 year old rookie John Beck
Rams: injured Marc Bulger (good when healthy), Gus Ferrotte (former Dolphins starter)
Coaches:
Dolphins: Cam Cameron - former offensive coordinator for the Chargers, perhaps overmatched as a head coach. Not losing his team yet.
Rams: Scott Linehan - former offensive coordinator for the Dolphins and Vikings, overmatched as a head coach. Losing his team.
It's hard to tell from this. Both teams look really bad when you line them up against each other. So one final category.
How close has each team been in their games?
Dolphins:
13-16 loss to Redskins - definitely in it until the end
20-37 loss to the Cowboys - not even close
28-31 loss to the Jets - very close, but it's the friggin' Jets.
17-35 loss to the Raiders - made Daunte look like an MVP again
19-22 loss to the Texans - close, but no cigar
31-41 loss to the Browns - not as close as the score looks
28-49 loss to the Patriots - was 42-7 at the half!
Rams:
13-27 loss to the Panthers - not close at all
16-17 loss to the 49ers - heartbreaking
3-24 loss to the Bucs - ouch
7-35 loss to the Cowboys - put up less of a fight than the Fins did
31-34 loss to the Cardinals - at least they finally scored points
3-22 loss to the Ravens - Gus Ferrotte makes the Ravens look like it's 2000 again
6-33 loss to the Seahawks - made the Seahawks look like the 2000 Ravens
Rams were in it in two games, the Dolphins three games.
So the Dolphins are slightly better than the Rams, but really they're both 0-7, which is terrible. If you combine the Rams offense with the Dolphins defense, you'd have perhaps the worst team statistically ever. Who would have ever thought that?
Friday, October 26, 2007
Weekend Predictions
Red Sox in 2, it seems.
The poor Rockies just don't seem to be able to do much. It's still weird to expect the Red Sox to win a World Series after failing for so many years.
Florida-Georgia
Florida owns Georgia. Why should this year be any different?
Boston College-Virginia Tech
Boston College in a low scoring game that showcases overrated Heisman candidate Matt Ryan doing nothing for the first 3.5 quarters and then rallying his team to victory. Oh wait, that already happened.
Ohio State - Penn State
Ohio State owns the Big 11. But it should be close.
USC over Oregon
Just because friggin' USC never loses when they're expected to.
Patriots over whoever
Is it a bye week for them already? They'll put up 38 points on that too.
London fans sleeping over Dolphins-Giants game
Seriously, aside from the jet lag factor, this shouldn't be close. Which means of course...
Dolphins over Giants
The poor Rockies just don't seem to be able to do much. It's still weird to expect the Red Sox to win a World Series after failing for so many years.
Florida-Georgia
Florida owns Georgia. Why should this year be any different?
Boston College-Virginia Tech
Boston College in a low scoring game that showcases overrated Heisman candidate Matt Ryan doing nothing for the first 3.5 quarters and then rallying his team to victory. Oh wait, that already happened.
Ohio State - Penn State
Ohio State owns the Big 11. But it should be close.
USC over Oregon
Just because friggin' USC never loses when they're expected to.
Patriots over whoever
Is it a bye week for them already? They'll put up 38 points on that too.
London fans sleeping over Dolphins-Giants game
Seriously, aside from the jet lag factor, this shouldn't be close. Which means of course...
Dolphins over Giants
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Dallas vs. Pats analysis plus MLB's worst nightmare
For Frances: Dallas wasn't ready for the Pats. Their coach chickened out on a 4th and goal call and kicked a field goal instead of going for a TD to get them back in the game. The Boys are still having a good season though. They should make the playoffs and might even win the NFC.
As for baseball, the Red Sox are on life support and it looks like the MLB ratings apocalypse will soon be upon us. The Indians vs. the Rockies. In NY, no one even knows that baseball is still happening. Every day, it's will Joe get fired? Will Don Mattingly be the new manager or maybe Joe Girardi? Does it even matter? Until the Yanks figure out that their rotation is trash, their starting lineup too one dimensional, and that their post-season aura of invincibility was demolished long ago and can no longer carry them, Joe Torre or anyone won't be leading them to World Series. Nobody on that team is hungry for a World Series. The team that used to boast a ton of Mr. Clutches, from the Babe to Reggie Jackson to Paul O'Neill and Derek Jeter has become the team of A-Rod, the anti-clutch.
Back to the Sox for a last thought. They're going to go with their best pitcher, Josh Beckett, so they still have a chance. Cleveland's fan base is used to disappointment (see entire post-season history of Cavs, Browns and Indians), so if they lose the next game, the team and the fan base will start to get a "here we go again" feeling that the Boston fans used to have before they kicked that by killing the Yankees.
As for baseball, the Red Sox are on life support and it looks like the MLB ratings apocalypse will soon be upon us. The Indians vs. the Rockies. In NY, no one even knows that baseball is still happening. Every day, it's will Joe get fired? Will Don Mattingly be the new manager or maybe Joe Girardi? Does it even matter? Until the Yanks figure out that their rotation is trash, their starting lineup too one dimensional, and that their post-season aura of invincibility was demolished long ago and can no longer carry them, Joe Torre or anyone won't be leading them to World Series. Nobody on that team is hungry for a World Series. The team that used to boast a ton of Mr. Clutches, from the Babe to Reggie Jackson to Paul O'Neill and Derek Jeter has become the team of A-Rod, the anti-clutch.
Back to the Sox for a last thought. They're going to go with their best pitcher, Josh Beckett, so they still have a chance. Cleveland's fan base is used to disappointment (see entire post-season history of Cavs, Browns and Indians), so if they lose the next game, the team and the fan base will start to get a "here we go again" feeling that the Boston fans used to have before they kicked that by killing the Yankees.
Fins Trade Chambers; Submit to Reality
http://www.miamiherald.com/611/story/273780.html
The Miami Dolphins have traded Chris Chambers for a 2nd round draft pick. Chambers is best known for dropping clutch catches, showing flashes of promise, putting together a few memorable games and never emerging as a consistent playmaker.
The Miami Dolphins have traded Chris Chambers for a 2nd round draft pick. Chambers is best known for dropping clutch catches, showing flashes of promise, putting together a few memorable games and never emerging as a consistent playmaker.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Easy Q&A
1. What's wrong with the Miami Dolphins?
As usual, the Dolphins can't get anything out of the quarterback position. It seemed like Trent Green was at least going to be a competent caretaker of the offense until he got his eggs scrambled again. Now we're left to see if Cleo Lemon is more than just a funny name. At least until John Beck is ready to step in and prove that he was worth skipping Quinn for. On defense, their secondary is cover your eyes bad. Zach Thomas has concussion problems. On the bright side, Jason Taylor is still a force and Matt Roth is coming into his own at DE.
2. What's wrong with Larry Johnson?
Herm Edwards. He ran Larry into the ground last year and is employing a stone-age offensive game plan that allows defenses to crowd the line of scrimmage without any fear of being burned by a big play. That, and the Chiefs' offensive line isn't what it used to be. Carl Petersen let the Chiefs get really old along the line without drafting suitable replacements. They better hope Brodie Croyle is the real deal (so far, nothing indicates that this is the case) or they're going to be bad for a while.
3. What's wrong with the AFC West?
Coaching. Norv Turner and Herm Edwards replaced Marty and Dick. Shanahan remains the same but so far, Jay Cutler hasn't been the star QB he was hyped up to be. The Broncos might have been better off letting Cutler learn from the bench a little more while Jake Plummer continued to lead them into the playoffs. The Raiders, on the other hand, made the giant leap forward by exchanging Art Shell for Lane Kiffin.
4. How do you beat the Patriots?
There is a way, despite what we've seen so far. Jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage, hit them hard if/when they catch the ball. Make them pay for going over the middle and double up on Moss. Then you have to disguise your coverages to confuse Brady. You CAN'T just rush four against that line like Cleveland did all game. You have to take a page out of the New England playbook and bring pressure from all angles. I think what the Bills did defensively against the Cowboys for 3 1/2 quarters would work against the Pats. Throw unorthodox looks at them. And stop the run. I didn't say it was easy.
5. Why did the Bills lose that game to the Cowboys?
Coaching. Dick Jauron made quite a few blunders throughout the game. Throwing on 3rd and seven when going conservative and running the ball would have ensured an easy field goal in the fourth quarter. Calling a prevent defense late in the game and then somehow letting the Cowboys having the sideline was another egregious gaffe. Buffalo's been close in every game except the game against the Pats. But they're losing the close ones because Jauron is making one or two game altering coaching mistakes every game.
As usual, the Dolphins can't get anything out of the quarterback position. It seemed like Trent Green was at least going to be a competent caretaker of the offense until he got his eggs scrambled again. Now we're left to see if Cleo Lemon is more than just a funny name. At least until John Beck is ready to step in and prove that he was worth skipping Quinn for. On defense, their secondary is cover your eyes bad. Zach Thomas has concussion problems. On the bright side, Jason Taylor is still a force and Matt Roth is coming into his own at DE.
2. What's wrong with Larry Johnson?
Herm Edwards. He ran Larry into the ground last year and is employing a stone-age offensive game plan that allows defenses to crowd the line of scrimmage without any fear of being burned by a big play. That, and the Chiefs' offensive line isn't what it used to be. Carl Petersen let the Chiefs get really old along the line without drafting suitable replacements. They better hope Brodie Croyle is the real deal (so far, nothing indicates that this is the case) or they're going to be bad for a while.
3. What's wrong with the AFC West?
Coaching. Norv Turner and Herm Edwards replaced Marty and Dick. Shanahan remains the same but so far, Jay Cutler hasn't been the star QB he was hyped up to be. The Broncos might have been better off letting Cutler learn from the bench a little more while Jake Plummer continued to lead them into the playoffs. The Raiders, on the other hand, made the giant leap forward by exchanging Art Shell for Lane Kiffin.
4. How do you beat the Patriots?
There is a way, despite what we've seen so far. Jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage, hit them hard if/when they catch the ball. Make them pay for going over the middle and double up on Moss. Then you have to disguise your coverages to confuse Brady. You CAN'T just rush four against that line like Cleveland did all game. You have to take a page out of the New England playbook and bring pressure from all angles. I think what the Bills did defensively against the Cowboys for 3 1/2 quarters would work against the Pats. Throw unorthodox looks at them. And stop the run. I didn't say it was easy.
5. Why did the Bills lose that game to the Cowboys?
Coaching. Dick Jauron made quite a few blunders throughout the game. Throwing on 3rd and seven when going conservative and running the ball would have ensured an easy field goal in the fourth quarter. Calling a prevent defense late in the game and then somehow letting the Cowboys having the sideline was another egregious gaffe. Buffalo's been close in every game except the game against the Pats. But they're losing the close ones because Jauron is making one or two game altering coaching mistakes every game.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Why the Chargers are not Making the Playoffs this Year
| 1st and 5 at KC 5 | (4:03) (Shotgun) P.Rivers pass incomplete short right to V.Jackson. | ||
| 2nd and 5 at KC 5 | (3:58) (Shotgun) P.Rivers pass incomplete to M.Floyd. | ||
| Timeout #1 by KC at 03:53. | |||
| 3rd and 5 at KC 5 | (3:53) P.Rivers pass incomplete. | ||
| 4th and 5 at KC 5 | (3:46) (Shotgun) P.Rivers pass incomplete short left to C.Davis (J.Page). | ||
Notice the complete lack of LaDainian Tomlinson in this series. Norv and the Chargers, you have the best running back in football and one of the best drive blocking lines in the NFL. You also have a mediocre set of wide receivers and a quarterback who is only in his second year of starting for the team. This is a no brainer if ever there was one. Anyone, ANYONE can see the obvious. Run Tomlinson all four times if you need to. He'll pick up the 5 yards. They didn't even have Rivers throw to Antonio Gates, who's the only consistently good receiver the Chargers have and is BY FAR their best red zone receiver.
This leads to another thought. Would the Raiders of Kerry Collins, LaMont Jordan, Jerry Porter and Randy Moss made the playoffs in the hands of a capable coach? There was an awful lot of offensive talent on that team and yet they consistently underachieved.
My favorite line from the sports media comes from Peter King of SI who says he believes Norv will figure out that he should give Tomlinson more than 3 carries in the second half. He needs to figure this out???? Why does he need time to figure this out? This should be like a reflex action for him. Chargers offense on the field, run Tomlinson. At least this year we're learning that a coach does make a difference on the team. All the talent in the world (which the Chargers were always overrated in that department anyway, no secondary and no wide receivers does not mean this team has an abundance of talent like some think) doesn't mean much if there's no one to guide it.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
NFL Week 3 Pregame Analysis
Chargers at Green Bay
It's entirely possible (and even likely) that Norv Turner's team is in stage one of giving up on their coach. This is a Norv Turner staple. This Chargers team has a lot of talent, but they have a weak secondary and average WRs. Green Bay, on the other hand, has looked like a team that has average talent that is being coached up by a good coaching staff. Their defense is very good. The offense is finding itself. Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn might be good enough at the RB position to propel this team to the playoffs. Plus, this game is at Green Bay. Norv Turner on the road is not a good thing. Take the Chargers out of the top tier of AFC teams when they lose this game.
Dolphins at Jets
Let's just say I'm not sold on Cam Cameron at all. Run the ball, man. The Dolphins passing offense isn't good enough for Cam to get away from Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman so early in the game. And have you ever heard of a feature back that only got 11 carries a game? I can tell you what Ronnie Brown's stat line is going to be: 11 carries, 33 yards, 0 TDs. It's been this way the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the Jets can pressure any QB and can't get the running game going either. It's really a toss-up but Mangenie will cook up some magic on defense to confuse Trent Green and eek out a win.
Vikings at Chiefs
Let's review. The Vikings run the ball well and defend the run well. The Vikings' weak spot has been their secondary. The Chiefs haven't really done much well to this point, but they supposedly run the ball well and don't have all that strong of a passing game. On paper this favors the Vikings. Well, let's look at the coaches. Brad Childress hasn't distinguished himself in either direction. Herm Edwards has a history of dogging the first four or five games of the season before getting on a roll. Again, advantage Vikings. Damon Huard has the edge over Tarvaris Jackson at QB, but Childress could and should run Adrian Peterson 35 times this game and have Tarvaris run a few times. Be brave, Brad. Call an unbalanced game and run three times more than you pass. The Arrowhead factor, by the way, has always been overrated. Vikes should take it.
Lions at Eagles
The Lions 4 WR sets are hard to defend, but there's a way to beat that spread. Pressure the QB. Expect Jim Johnson to blitz big all game to get to Kitna. That may be the only way the Eagles stop that Lion offense. Read that sentence again and think if you would have ever seen that written down. The Lions shredded the Raiders because Rob Ryan went too conservative in his defense. On offense, the Eagles are just going to have to give Westbrook 20 plus carries and put McNabb in the Jeff Garcia role from last season. It's obvious Donovan isn't close to 100% yet.
Bills at Patriots
No surprises here. Let's say Pats win this one 38-14 and make it three in a row with the same score. Buffalo has the advantage in 0 areas in this game. Keep that in mind when you're watching the Pats toy with them this week.
49ers at Steelers
Here's where we learn about the makeup of this 49er team. The 49ers should keep it interesting with Frank Gore carrying the load, but the Steelers have just too many advantages on defense and offense to lose a game like this at home. This also looks like the type of win that will garner all sorts of unnecessary hype for this Pittsburgh team only for them to get overconfident and blow it the next week against the Cardinals.
Rams at Buccaneers
What have the Rams shown this season that suggests they'll win this game on the road?
Cardinals at Ravens
I'd like to pick the upset, but it's just not happening against a Ravens defense that plays pissed off even when they're not really pissed off.
Colts at Texans
Yeah right. Just forget it. The Colts are too good early in the season to give one up here. If this was week 13 or so, then maybe, but not now. Peyton picks apart an always weak Houston secondary. Matt Schaub goes in without his best WR and I don't think that Jacoby Jones or Kevin Walter are up to the task. Colts win big.
Jaguars at Broncos
Finally, fantasy owners can rejoice. Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor run amok, but alas it's not enough as Denver's CB tandem picks off David Garrard a few times to give Denver another close win.
Browns at Raiders
The Browns on the road? They do have a history of beating the Raiders in recent years, but it's not happening again this year. Derek Anderson gets brought back to earth and LaMont Jordan continues to run wild.
Bengals at Seahawks
Everyone scores bunches of points, and the Seahawks come out on top. Why? Because the shootout favors the home team and the team that can actually make one stop and that team is definitely not the Cincinnati Bengals.
Panthers at Falcons
Both teams aren't very good, but the Panthers are slightly better. That said, the Falcons should win. Why? Because sometimes the NFL doesn't make any sense.
Giants at Redskins
A team that self-destructs in Week 2 will not win games in Week 3. The Redskins, on the other hand, look like a playoff team with a good coach, a good defense, a gamebreaker at WR, an incredibly underrated TE, two good RBs and a improving QB.
Cowboys at Bears
The Bears play defense; the Cowboys do not. Discount the Rex Grossman factor. He played at least 5 good games last year, and this will be his first one this year.
Titans at Saints
The Saints are too talented on offense to go 0-3 to start the season. The Saints will be at home, which always helps. But don't expect it to be easy. The Titans have a good and very underrated defense. They find ways to bring pressure and are almost never vanilla. The Saints defense just doesn't look good in any way. But being at home should help them get a few stops against a just okay Titans offense and Drew Brees and Co. should put up enough points to get the job done.
Side note: If Deuce McAllister doesn't get 20-25 carries this game, Sean Payton's going to start looking like an idiot coach.
But I could be wrong.
It's entirely possible (and even likely) that Norv Turner's team is in stage one of giving up on their coach. This is a Norv Turner staple. This Chargers team has a lot of talent, but they have a weak secondary and average WRs. Green Bay, on the other hand, has looked like a team that has average talent that is being coached up by a good coaching staff. Their defense is very good. The offense is finding itself. Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn might be good enough at the RB position to propel this team to the playoffs. Plus, this game is at Green Bay. Norv Turner on the road is not a good thing. Take the Chargers out of the top tier of AFC teams when they lose this game.
Dolphins at Jets
Let's just say I'm not sold on Cam Cameron at all. Run the ball, man. The Dolphins passing offense isn't good enough for Cam to get away from Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman so early in the game. And have you ever heard of a feature back that only got 11 carries a game? I can tell you what Ronnie Brown's stat line is going to be: 11 carries, 33 yards, 0 TDs. It's been this way the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the Jets can pressure any QB and can't get the running game going either. It's really a toss-up but Mangenie will cook up some magic on defense to confuse Trent Green and eek out a win.
Vikings at Chiefs
Let's review. The Vikings run the ball well and defend the run well. The Vikings' weak spot has been their secondary. The Chiefs haven't really done much well to this point, but they supposedly run the ball well and don't have all that strong of a passing game. On paper this favors the Vikings. Well, let's look at the coaches. Brad Childress hasn't distinguished himself in either direction. Herm Edwards has a history of dogging the first four or five games of the season before getting on a roll. Again, advantage Vikings. Damon Huard has the edge over Tarvaris Jackson at QB, but Childress could and should run Adrian Peterson 35 times this game and have Tarvaris run a few times. Be brave, Brad. Call an unbalanced game and run three times more than you pass. The Arrowhead factor, by the way, has always been overrated. Vikes should take it.
Lions at Eagles
The Lions 4 WR sets are hard to defend, but there's a way to beat that spread. Pressure the QB. Expect Jim Johnson to blitz big all game to get to Kitna. That may be the only way the Eagles stop that Lion offense. Read that sentence again and think if you would have ever seen that written down. The Lions shredded the Raiders because Rob Ryan went too conservative in his defense. On offense, the Eagles are just going to have to give Westbrook 20 plus carries and put McNabb in the Jeff Garcia role from last season. It's obvious Donovan isn't close to 100% yet.
Bills at Patriots
No surprises here. Let's say Pats win this one 38-14 and make it three in a row with the same score. Buffalo has the advantage in 0 areas in this game. Keep that in mind when you're watching the Pats toy with them this week.
49ers at Steelers
Here's where we learn about the makeup of this 49er team. The 49ers should keep it interesting with Frank Gore carrying the load, but the Steelers have just too many advantages on defense and offense to lose a game like this at home. This also looks like the type of win that will garner all sorts of unnecessary hype for this Pittsburgh team only for them to get overconfident and blow it the next week against the Cardinals.
Rams at Buccaneers
What have the Rams shown this season that suggests they'll win this game on the road?
Cardinals at Ravens
I'd like to pick the upset, but it's just not happening against a Ravens defense that plays pissed off even when they're not really pissed off.
Colts at Texans
Yeah right. Just forget it. The Colts are too good early in the season to give one up here. If this was week 13 or so, then maybe, but not now. Peyton picks apart an always weak Houston secondary. Matt Schaub goes in without his best WR and I don't think that Jacoby Jones or Kevin Walter are up to the task. Colts win big.
Jaguars at Broncos
Finally, fantasy owners can rejoice. Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor run amok, but alas it's not enough as Denver's CB tandem picks off David Garrard a few times to give Denver another close win.
Browns at Raiders
The Browns on the road? They do have a history of beating the Raiders in recent years, but it's not happening again this year. Derek Anderson gets brought back to earth and LaMont Jordan continues to run wild.
Bengals at Seahawks
Everyone scores bunches of points, and the Seahawks come out on top. Why? Because the shootout favors the home team and the team that can actually make one stop and that team is definitely not the Cincinnati Bengals.
Panthers at Falcons
Both teams aren't very good, but the Panthers are slightly better. That said, the Falcons should win. Why? Because sometimes the NFL doesn't make any sense.
Giants at Redskins
A team that self-destructs in Week 2 will not win games in Week 3. The Redskins, on the other hand, look like a playoff team with a good coach, a good defense, a gamebreaker at WR, an incredibly underrated TE, two good RBs and a improving QB.
Cowboys at Bears
The Bears play defense; the Cowboys do not. Discount the Rex Grossman factor. He played at least 5 good games last year, and this will be his first one this year.
Titans at Saints
The Saints are too talented on offense to go 0-3 to start the season. The Saints will be at home, which always helps. But don't expect it to be easy. The Titans have a good and very underrated defense. They find ways to bring pressure and are almost never vanilla. The Saints defense just doesn't look good in any way. But being at home should help them get a few stops against a just okay Titans offense and Drew Brees and Co. should put up enough points to get the job done.
Side note: If Deuce McAllister doesn't get 20-25 carries this game, Sean Payton's going to start looking like an idiot coach.
But I could be wrong.
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