Archive for the ‘X’s and O’s’ Category
You are currently browsing the archives for the X’s and O’s category.
14
Mar
2011
TheDarkHorse’s 2011 Mock Draft – Picks 11-20
2015 just called to tell us that J.J. Watt is the steal of this draft. (Source: Madison.com)
For picks 1-5, go here.
For picks 6-10, go here.
11. Houston Texans — J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: We get so many of these projections wrong. The “sure lock” winds up a flaming bust, and players we’re ignoring today — guys who won’t even be drafted — will light up the league. I believe we’ll look back on this 2011 NFL Draft five years from now and call J.J. Watt a top 5 pick. I loved his presence, intensity and motor at the combine. Wade Phillips‘ 3-4 defense is the perfect landing spot for Watt, and a good environment for this hard-working, self-made player. He worked himself onto Wisconsin’s roster, paying his own way at the start of his tenure — delivering Pizza Hut to save up dough. He’s no prima donna. He’s a coachable workhorse who did the requisite work at Wisconsin to make the switch from tight end to defensive lineman. Watt is the steal of this draft at No. 11. Sometime these midround picks are where you find the real gems — where less pressure is placed on the incoming player, as well. Houston and Watt are an excellent match.
12. Minnesota Vikings — Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: The Vikings have been vocal about finding a quarterback in this draft. I see a potential trade up — or down — to get their guy. There was a time when it appeared Minnesota at No. 12 could snag Auburn’s Cam Newton, but the hype machine’s in full swing and I project him to go no less than No. 1 to the Carolina Panthers. He’s the type of passer that’s going to require time to develop, coming from a spread, and Leslie Frazier would love the challenge. There are other possibilities at quarterback for the Vikings — and all of them are better than Brett Favre right now, who’s back on his farm tilling soil. It’s time for a new start in Minnesota. In this mock, with no trades — and Jake Locker a reach — I project the Vikings to jump on Jones, who had an excellent combine and would be a good-value selection here. Sidney Rice could bolt via free agency, so Jones addresses a potential need as well. We all saw what happened to Percy Harvin when Rice was out of the offense — they need a No. 1 guy in there to give the passing game a shot.
Picks 13-20 after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »
1
Feb
2011
Cleveland’s road to redemption begins at home
Pat Shurmur has his work cut out for him. (Source: Statesmen.com)
Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur faces the same tall task that left Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini in shreds: Winning an AFC North division inhabited by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, two of football’s most consistently successful franchises.
Each new Browns regime shuffled out before a bewildered fanbase claims some deep understanding of the Pittsburgh and Baltimore rivalries, but nothing has changed. The Browns have been manhandled within the division since their return.
Baltimore is despised by Browns fans, but with Ozzie Newsome running the show, they’ve forged an identity built on bone-crushing defense and just enough offense to win. Pittsburgh — heading to its eighth Super Bowl and third since 2005 — is perhaps the most sound organization in the league, with just three coaches since 1969.
Cleveland’s had five since ’99 — and it shows.
5
Jan
2011
The five deadly sins of Mike Holmgren and the Cleveland Browns
The spotlight now falls to Holmgren to get it right. (Source: Cleveland.com)
On Monday, Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren went from wise father figure atop a rebuilding Browns organization, to a man under significant pressure to deliver.
It’s one thing to tell a fanbase that Eric Mangini hasn’t met expectations — it’s another to meet them yourself. While Holmgren excels at win-you-over press conferences, it’s his football decisions this offseason that will define his tenure with this star-crossed franchise.
The Browns are about to hire their sixth head coach since their return in 1999. Whoever finally turns the ship around will never buy a drink in Ohio again — but it’s no small task, and one that’s left wheelbarrows of dead along the road out of town.
Here are five mistakes Holmgren must avoid, if he wants to turn this ship around:
MISTAKE #1: Miss on the coach
While some were thrilled to see Mangini swept aside, they might look back and wonder why the move was made if Cleveland goes in the direction some predict.
Holmgren talked about spreading a wide net, but lead candidates for the coaching vacancy appear to be limited to those also represented by Holmgren’s agent, Bob LaMonte. He fronts John Fox, Jon Gruden, Jim Mora, Brad Childress, Pat Shurmur and — ugh — Marty Mornhinweg.
“I don’t want to have to do this again, so I have to get it right,” said Holmgren.
It’s hard to get excited about that “right” choice being Mornhinweg, who went 5-27 as coach of the Detroit Lions.
6
Dec
2009
HASSELHOFF-LIKE WEBINAR-OFF
Like Baywatch and Knight-Rider before it, this week’s Webinar-Off is a timeless match-up between the forces of good (Cowboys) and evil (Giants). Dallas puts the flailing, frailing, and failing Giants out of their misery today because:
1. The Giants don’t have Vince Young to bring off the bench- The first time these two teams played, the Giants played with the same confidence that the resurgent Tennessee Titans are playing with now. Mario Manningham ate the Cowboys’ secondary for lunch, catching 10 passes for 150 yards and a score on a 49 yard bomb from a sharp Eli Manning. Steve Smith added 134 more yards and a score. That game was emblematic of the Giants 5-0 start as they answered every punch the Cowboys threw with one of their own. The Giants were a down-hill running, aggressive in the passing game, confident team on offensive that played well-enough on defense to corral the Cowboys’ big play threats. Evenly matched in terms of talent, the difference was that the Giants imposed their will on the Cowboys when it counted. The Giants simply aren’t that team anymore. Since that game, Manningham has put up pedestrian numbers (only one game with 100+ yards receiving), Manning has regressed, Brandon Jacobs has become “tip-toe” Jacobs, and the Giants’ defense has been so lackluster that Usi Umenyiora and Fred Robbins are being benched. The Giants are morphing into what the Cowboys were: soft. Injuries are part of it, but whatever it is, this team has lost its edge and there are no signs that the Giants will get it back in time to win today’s game or salvage what was once a promising season.
2. Mike Jenkins has reported for duty- The last time they matched up, the Cowboys started Orlando Scandrick opposite Terrence Newman. That was the last game Scandrick started, in part because of how he performed against the Giants but also because of the emergence of Mike Jenkins. Jenkins has, in the eyes of many, usurped Newman’s role as the best corner on the team– flashing the ability and aggressiveness that made him a first round talent two years ago. Jenkins has every reason to be motivated for today’s game if for no other reason than to avenge his much-discussed terrible tackling effort against Derrick Ward in his rookie season. Though Jenkins’ and Newman’s ability to cover has not resulted in as many turnovers as one would expect, it has allowed Dallas the opportunity to put more pressure on the quarterback. It has also allowed Dallas to simplify its schemes on defense, which has allowed the Cowboys to avoid the big play breakdowns that killed them against the Giants. Without a legitimate running threat, look for the Cowboys defensive to be more stout today as Jenkins and Newman make matters tougher on their receiving counterparts.
3. The Cowboys have Miles to go- As with Jenkins, Miles Austin has emerged since the Cowboys-Giants first match up. Austin leads the NFL with six touchdown catches of 20 yards are more and has helped take the heat off of Roy Williams. Coupled with the Barber, Choice, and Jones triumverate in the backfield, and the ever-reliable Witten, Austin gives the Cowboys the stretch-the-field weapon that they need to test the Giants’ thin secondary. Also look for Dallas to do more of what they did against the Raiders on Thanksgiving– crossing patterns with Austin– to see if Aaron Ross & Co. can keep up with the speedy Austin.
4. It’s December- The Giants need this win to save their season. Believe it or not: the 8-3 Cowboys do also. Dallas’ struggles in December are well-documented. If Dallas wants to be a team that matters in the playoffs they need to start by showing that they can put teams like the Giants away. Dallas has been focused on their performance in this season’s final month all year– as Bradie James said this week, the time is now to show everyone that this is not the same old fold ‘em Cowboys. Look for the Cowboys to match the Giants intensity today.
5. The Giants will be tighter than Tiger Woods on his wedding anniversary- The Giants look and feel like a team on the verge of imploding. While I don’t think that will happen today, I do think the Giants remind me a bit of last year’s Cowboys. When the going get tough, they play tight, fall behind, and just don’t have enough gumption to win in the end.
Dallas 24, Giants 21.
Fufkin: you agree?
CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR ARTIEFUFKIN’S RESPONSE
3
Dec
2009
WEBINAROFF: PART II
Last time the Giants played the Cowboys, Artie took me down in a battle of football wits. This week: payback! Giants! Cowboys! Fufkin! C-O-U-R-T-N-E-Y! SUNDAY! WEBINAROFF!
This time it’s mildly personal.
20
Sep
2009
WEBINAR-OFF: Giants v. Cowboys v. Fufkin v. C-O-U-R-T-N-E-Y!
UPDATE: WE’LL BE PERIODICALLY BLOGGING OUR THOUGHTS ON THE GAME IN THE COMMENTS. FOLLOW ALONG.
I lay down the gauntlet early this morning because I know fufkin will need all day to formulate a response to the verbal devastation that follows. To begin with, I lowercase fufkin in an intentional lack of respect, similar to the lack of respect that the giants have shown to Americans (as fans of America’s team) in recent years. At every turn, the giants talk, talk, talk about the Cowboys. The base, verbal diarrhea that falls from brandon jacobs pouty lips is fare usually reserved for pro wrestling and is all part of the lame mystique that the giants–led by THE human embodiment of a clown show in eli womanning– appear to be trying to carve out for themselves. Intimidating? Poppycock: the giants are a laughable collection of men.
Eli Wo-Manning surveys the secondary
And here is why the Cowboys will whup ‘em tonight:
1. JerryWorld- There is an unwritten rule that says “thou shall not lose one’s inaugural game in one’s new stadium”. To ensure that would not happen, Jerry Jones (1) gathered his players during the off-season and told them how much money he was spending on a daily basis to build JerryWorld, and (2) made utterly idiotic claims that he believes JerryWorld will inspire his team to the Super Bowl, antagonizing fans and foes alike. What better way to inspire than economics? What better way to motivate than by way of high-def jumbotron/executive suites/frittering glass/retractable roofs?
While Jerry’s thought process helps to explain the Cowboys lack of playoff success in the Cowboys’ post-Jimmy Johnson world, there are unique advantages to be gained by the Cowboys playing at home tonight. Nobody on the giants has ever played at Cowboys stadium. Everything will be new to them. The locker rooms. The sidelines, sight lines, lights– all new. Recently, we moved offices WITHIN THE SAME BUILDING and I lost two days of work because of the distractions. Where is the coffee machine? Does Dave really think it is OK to talk on speakerphone with his door open? If you think the giants won’t be distracted by a 60 yard high definition screen hanging above their heads, you haven’t moved offices recently. The distraction factor will be a factor. According to Rick Gosselin, a new stadium virtually ensures first season success. The mere fact that the Cowboys have played (pre-season) and practiced in the new stadium gives them an edge. Look for Dallas to get off to a good start tonight as the giants try to figure out their ass from their elbow.
2. Super Bowls are won in September- The Cowboys under Tony Romo have gone like gang busters in September since he took over quarterbacking duties. There are a lot of reasons for it, but chief among them are that the Cowboys are fresh, injury free, and haven’t yet been exposed as heartless fairies. Few teams, including the giants, have as much front line talent as the Cowboys. From DeMarcus Ware to a bevy of talented players on the offensive side of the ball, Dallas is loaded. Dallas’ problem is that as soon as it has to pull from its depth pool (see offensive line play last year after Kyle Kosier went down) or persevere through the inevitable fatigue and adversity that a season brings, they wilt. While they claim this year will be different and have every reason to be motivated to exorcise the demons of last season, it is of no matter here. Dallas wins in September, and will win tonight, because they simply have more talent than the giants and talent wins 75% of the time in the NFL.
3. The three-headed-monster- Goodbye earth, wind, and fire; hello Tash, Smash, and Dash. The healthy three-headed monster of Tashard Choice, Marion Barber, and Felix Jones gives the Cowboys the promise of offensive balance, which it lacked last year. One way to negate the giants vaunted pass rush (and to cut down on turnovers) is to run the ball effectively and use your running backs in the passing game. Dallas has the weapons and, unlike last year, the patience (read: no T.O.) to do that this year. The Giants have also never had to play against Felix Jones. Although limited by a thigh bruise in week one, reports are that Jones is ready to go. One flash of his speed and open field ability will force the giants to think twice before bringing the heat. Expect him to play a big role in tonight’s game plan.
4. Balance- I was at a dinner party last night where people spoke of balance. In life, in food, in all things. It made for terrible, when-will-it-end conversation. Although buzz-killing when amongst suburbanites, balance is brilliance if your name is Jason Garrett. Dallas is more committed to the run and taking what the defense gives them (as opposed to forcing the ball to Terrell Owens just to shut him up) this year. Garrett’s new approach was masterful in its execution against the Bucs. While the giants pose a bigger threat, Garrett’s commitment to balance will be on full display tonight and will also help to negate the giants pash rush.
5. The giants receivers don’t scare me (or anyone for that matter)- Dallas has some vulnerabilities on the defensive side of the ball. For one, they struggled to stop the run against the Bucs. According to Wade Phillips, the Cowboys gave up most of those yards because they were blitzing too much, a problem he says that was corrected at halftime. The problem with that argument is that the Bucs were trailing the whole second half and had to pass more, which likely had more to do with them abandoning the run than any technical adjustments. The giants will run the ball. Often. Expect the Cowboys to load up the box in an effort to force womanning to turn to his untested corp of you-don’t-scare-me receivers. When coupled with a fast start by the ‘Boys, the pressure will build on the giants to make plays in the passing game. While I think the giants receiving core will be fine as the season wears on, the Cowboys have they advantage of facing them early in the season.
FINAL SCORE: Cowboys 30-22. fufkin. Have I convinced you?
CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP FOR ARTIE FUFKIN’S RESPONSE
4
Apr
2009
Things You Should Know (Chapter 1 of 209): What’s the difference between a strong safety and a free safety?
After we’ve been watching the game for a while, we should know what the hell we’re looking at.
If you didn’t play, you’re never going to see things the way an ex-player would. I played Pop Warner, and a little bit of high school football (the former was instructive and unforgettable; the latter was the end of the road). I’ll never forget being 10 years old and sitting with my dad in the kitchen, going over my first football playbook, a 20-page Xerox’d-and-stapled handout with plays like “32-power” and “28-sweep.” I started to comprehend–with sheer wonder–that the game of football was methodical, mindful, dissembling, and bizarre. There were systems, matchups, strengths, weaknesses, and a leaning toward deception.
There was a better time
I’ve been watching football for 25 years. It’s amazing to me how much *more* there is to learn. These days, I don’t have time like I used to. Work, family, friends, life… I don’t sit around studying football strategy like I did in 10th grade, pouring over NFL recordbooks and histories… trying to impress girls at parties with some scattered and arcane statistical rundown of the 0-7 1928 Dayton Triangles. You forget about things. These days, simply by having watched 43,000 games (the vast majority of them life-crushing losses for my team), I can chat casually–on auto pilot–about the prevent defense, the Cover 2, the 3-4, the West Coast offense, and the 46/Bear—–but if I were thrown into the fray, would I know, in detail, how these attack modules truly function from play-to-play? NEGATIVE.
I’ll never forget the 300-page book I read at school about the I-formation–much to the chagrin of my report card. It read like a war document built on deep secrets. It was titled something powerful like: “Successfull Installation of the I-Formation Attack at the Intercollegiate Level.” Oooooo…. I was in heaven. I disappeared for weeks. I broke up with my university girlfriend on a napkin sent via inter-campus mail and vanished into the deepest corners of the pin-drop silent library to study GRIDIRON TACTICS.
Basketball always bothered me on this level. In the NBA, you know both teams will knock down 80 points a night. There might be some excitement at the end, but you know where it’s going, in general. In FOOTBALL, a field goal on the opening drive might be the ONLY score all game, but it can still be a fascinating game, if you care about the matchups and the strategy. (NBA fans can say the same thing… but it just doesn’t seem the same to me, sorry. PLUS, basketball is played inside, under boring flourescant lights–football is played amidst nature.)
* * *
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW is a series about getting back to the basics–and the far reaches–of football. Comprehending the core, but also digging down into newer trends on offense and defense. Studying matchups, tendencies, history and the evolution of the game.
It’s just a discussion starter. My on-field career ended during the first Bush White House, so, naturally, I am simply throwing out subjects for the wiser of you to comment on.
CHAPTER 1 (of 209): WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STRONG SAFETY AND A FREE SAFETY?
Pittsburgh Strong Safety Troy Polamalu is a game changer
In a nutshell, in terms of formation, the strong safety (SS) plays on the “strong side,” normally dictated by which side the tight end lines up on. Strong safeties are usually asked to cover the tight end, play closer to the line of scrimmage, and guard against the run. The SS is like a last-chance linebacker, positioned down field.
On the flip side, the free safety (FS) is not typically a run defender by trade. He’s the last line of defense, typically launched into zone coverage, charged with letting no eligible receiver pass beyond him (unless he’s on the Browns, in which case opponents float by unscathed).
Both safeties offer a wildcard in more aggressive defensive schemes, as they may be asked, on occassion, to blitz the passer. When executed well, they can blow up an offense with their speed and elusiveness, subduing a quarterback into the unforgiving turf.
Former Eagles Free Safety Brian Dawkins (now with Denver) does things we can't do
Coaches like Bill Belichick (and those blooming from his tree) value building a team up the middle. This means drafting or obtaining a powerful center on offense and a hard-hitting safety on defense. In his first draft as a head coach, Belichick’s selected UCLA safety Eric Turner with the second overall pick–the highest ever for a defensive back in league history. Turner was an instant hit at free safety, and evolved into one of the most devastating defensive backs in NFL history (before dying rather suddenly of intestinal cancer at age 31). “ET,” as he was called, was a nightmare for running backs and fancy-footed receivers.
Here’s a few clips from his NFL career (witness how he absolutely SCREWS UP Troy Aikman in this reel):
Truly great safeties may be the defensive equivalent of a game-changing tight end. Only about three teams in the league have one at any given time, and they are prized–for they add immediate value, and equal danger for the opposition.
