Monday, September 28, 2009

Room for Improvement


by Mike Reiss



At times, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's frustrations boiled over during Sunday's game against the Falcons.

He had an animated sideline discussion with veteran receiver Joey Galloway as the two continue to struggle to get on the same page. Then there was the time he waited for receiver Sam Aiken after a laser of a pass sailed through the end zone, both hands in front of him as he seemed to be asking why Aiken didn't finish his route.

Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense were much improved over last week, but the team still left points out on the field.
It was a bit Marino-esque and a sign that the Patriots' offense -- even after a bounce-back 26-10 win -- remains a work in progress. Red zone problems persist (one touchdown in five trips Sunday), and Brady sets the bar high.

That summed up the emotions of offensive players in the Patriots' locker room afterward.

They were happy to win, putting together a crisper effort than last week's against the Jets. At the same time, they felt they left too many plays on the field.

"We can't keep kicking field goals, I know that," Brady said after the offense rolled up 445 yards but scored only two touchdowns. "We've got to be better than that."

On this day, against the sloppy Falcons, it was good enough.

Restoring balance to the offense -- 42 passes, 39 rushes -- was a key. The Patriots played some power football (168 rushing yards) while mixing in some successful roll-the-dice decisions on fourth down in the third quarter. They won the time of possession battle 39:49 to 20:11, and had five drives with 10 plays or more.

Brady, still searching for his trademark accuracy, finished 25-of-42 for 277 yards and one touchdown. He was fiery throughout.

"I was just really into it and trying to keep everyone focused," he said of his on-field emotions. "It's a great win for us and we'll take it, but still understand that there are a lot of things we need to do better."

Players took notice of Brady's on-field emotions. "That's why he's great," said running back Fred Taylor. "He's Tom Brady and he hasn't won all those championships for nothing. As a player, you get in line, you listen. He's the leader, he calls the shots, you do what he says. That makes the offense go."

While the red zone problems are most troubling, Brady acknowledged that there were bright spots. One of them was how much time he had on each of his 42 pass attempts.

After absorbing a blitzing beatdown last week against the Jets, Brady was hit just twice Sunday by the more conservative Falcons. The Falcons rushed the standard four defenders on 31 of the 42 pass attempts, according to ESPN Stats & Information tracking, which left Brady time to survey his options.

The blockers in front of him played a large role in neutralizing top pass-rusher John Abraham. Unlike the Jets, the Falcons aren't as talented in the secondary, which appeared to limit their willingness to blitz.


"It's always a lot better when they only bring four, because then it comes to technique and winning that one-on-one matchup," said Patriots left guard Logan Mankins. "They rely on their front four to get pressure and they have some good pass-rushers with a lot of athletic ability. We were able to pick them up."

The Patriots also played a much different style than last week, ditching their no-huddle, up-tempo approach in favor of more of a slow-it-down approach.

Against the Jets, they ran every play but one out of their three-receiver set. Against the Falcons, they utilized it only about 36 percent of the time, instead relying on more multiple tight end packages and a lead-blocking fullback.

"That's what Coach [Bill] Belichick is famous for, his ability to make adjustments and diagnose how to attack a team," tight end Chris Baker said.

Not to be overlooked were the Patriots' bold fourth-down calls in the third quarter, converting a fourth-and-1 on their own 24, and later a fourth-and-3 from the Falcons' 37. Sammy Morris plowed ahead for a 2-yard gain for the first conversion, and Brady found Randy Moss down the right sideline for a beautiful 21-yard connection on the second.

Those came on a 16-play drive, and were critical in the win.

But Brady, who in the fourth quarter became the 27th player in NFL history to reach 200 touchdown passes, wants more. Especially in the red zone.

The Patriots have scored one touchdown in eight trips over the past two games. Overall, they have four touchdowns in 13 red zone trips this season.

"It's obvious," Brady said, "that we still have work to do."

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss covers the New England Patriots in his blog.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/columns/story?columnist=reiss_mike&id=4510372

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

5 Most Hated Players in Football

Check out this article at http://www.helium.com/items/1387870-top-five-most-hated-players-in-the-nfl

Brett Favre - By all accounts Favre is the biggest media attention whore in the NFL. If you don't believe me, look back at all of the press clippings from the end of the 2007 season until February 2009. If there is a way for him to get his name in print or on the airwaves, it will be done. Of course he says he is retired. Forgive me if I call his bluff. The only way we will know for sure is when the 2009 season starts and there is no # 4 gunslinger on the sidelines in New York, Minnesota, or anywhere else. Say Favre gets the itch when the summer months start? He can return but of course the Jets would have to bring him back with $13 million counting against the salary cap. Or of course they could trade him to another team and it would cost them a first round pick because of a clause in his contract. Jets fans think Favre will go quietly into the night and not cause any disruption. Remember what Favre put the Packers through last year? Why would he not do that to a team who he played only 1 season for and has no real allegiance?


Terrell Owens - You either love Terrell Owens or you despise him, there is no middle ground for the receiver. Owens is a close second to Favre when it comes to being a media whore. If you do not believe me then you missed out on his little antics where he was doing sit-ups outside his residence. Let us not forget that he has been the spark to light the bonfire at three of the top NFL franchises in his storied career. So Buffalo look out if you plan on keeping Owens for more than one season.

Donovan McNabb - This is one of those players that did surprise me when I heard how many people are tired of McNabb. The reasons cited ranged from McNabb how oblivious he seemed during press conference to his inability to find a way to step up in the big game. Of course a lot of the issues connected with McNabb also involve another, Owens. There are those who suggest that the real problem in Philly is McNabb and not everyone else who has come through there. They feel McNabb has to be the Star in the city of brotherly love and if anyone else comes in there, he looks to undermine them every possible way.

Tom Brady / Peyton Manning - These two were put in the same boat because well most of the haters seem to have one thing in common. They seem too good to be true. They do not have off the field issues like other players in the NFL and each one has been able to lead their team to the Super Bowl. Maybe the haters do not like those who have seemingly squeaky images. Guess I can not blame them because I may harbor the same ill will feelings for one Mr. Tim Tebow.

Kellen Winslow Jr. - This has to be the player who seems to get me the most worked up. For someone who had such promise coming into the NFL, he has wasted every chance given to him. Of course we should have had some insight into him after the college game when he taunted an injured player. Once he arrived in the NFL, his first two seasons were marred by injury, including one caused by off the field activities. During his first five years in the league, he has missed 36 games. Despite that I am sure he thinks he is the best tight end in the game. It is a shame he comes from the same stock as Winslow, the man who had one of the most amazing performances ever seen in a playoff game.


Check out this article at http://www.helium.com/items/1387870-top-five-most-hated-players-in-the-nfl

THE NEW YORK MINUTE by Lu Taylor

The Yankees clinched a postseason spot Tuesday night Beating the Angels.
The Jets are 2-0 after beating the Pats, but face the a big team with their old name.
The Giants look in mid season form, but the lost of Tutt is big.
Knicks are said to be close to signing Robinson and Lee, can't wait till next season.
The Mets... times up





Saturday, September 19, 2009

2009 NFL Predictions

Honest Gabe here with my 2009 NFL Predictions. Without further a do.... here they are!

AFC North:
*PIT (15-1)
*BAL (11-5)
CIN (7-9)
CLE (2-14)

AFC South:
*IND (14-2)
*HOU (11-5)
TEN (7-9)
JAX (4-12)

AFC East:
*NWE (12-4)
MIA (7-9)
BUF (5-11)
NYJ (4-12)

AFC West:
*SD (14-2)
KC (3-13)
OAK (3-13)
DEN (2-14)

AFC Wild Card Round:
BAL (5) @ NE (4) = NE
HOU (6) @ SD (3) = SD

AFC Divisional Round:
NE (4) @ PIT (1) = PIT
SD (3) @ IND (2) = IND

AFC Championship:
IND (2) @ PIT (1) = PIT


NFC North:
*GNB (12-4)
*CHI (10-6)
MIN (10-6)
DET (4-12)

NFC South:
*NO (14-2)
*ATL (13-3)
CAR (10-6)
TB (0-16)

NFC East:
*PHI (12-4)
NYG (10-6)
DAL (8-8)
WAS (6-10)

NFC West:
*ARI (13-3)
SEA (9-7)
SF (2-14)
STL (1-15)

NFC Wild Card Round:
ATL (5) @ GB (4) = GB
CHI (6) @ PHI (3) = CHI

NFC Divisonal Round:
GB (4) @ NO (1) = GB
CHI (6) @ ARI (2) = CHI

NFC Championship:
CHI (6) @ GB (4) = GB

SUPERBOWL:
PIT VS GB = PITTSBURG STEELERS

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

RUMOR MILL



NBA RUMORS
  • Nate Robinson and David Lee to resign with the New York Knicks
  • A.I. excited to be in Memphis and is rumored to seem like he has something to prove to the media after not getting an offer from any other teams
NEWS
  • Carney back to the Sixers after being traded Away
  • Bobcats Co-opener dies in plane crash
  • David Lee and Nate Robinson will be apart of next summer's big free agency market

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Tarvaris Jackson on the Move??



At this hour according to ESPN, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to shop current backup QB Tarvaris Jackson. After the acquisitions of Sage Rosenfels and Brett Favre in the off-season, the Vikings feel they can gain some solid trade value for Jackson, who thus far has under-performed in his role with the Vikes. Prepare for this to be a main topic on this week's show as i'm sure Taylor will have his ammo ready for this discussion.