28
Nov
2010
Sunday Morning NFL Notebook
Early tailgaters gather at The New Meadlowlands before a crucial showdown with the 6-4 Jacksonville Jaguars. (Source: Pat Hanlon, N.Y. Giants)
¶ Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre square off today during a season which has seen aging veteran passers struggle. McNabb is 4-2 vs. Favre, but has yet to face Favre post-Green Bay.
ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Favre will start Sunday’s game in Washington despite battling what could be pneumonia. Favre told Werder that he required a steroid pack and an injection Saturday, and missed the first hour of team meetings because he couldn’t drag himself out of bed.
For his career, Favre is 70-of-118 passing for 802 yards, 4 touchdowns and 8 interceptions against the Redskins, according to the ‘Skins Twitter page. Favre hasn’t played at FedEx Field since 2004.
¶ Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune reports that Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian (groin) and cornerback Chris Cook (knee) are both inactive for today’s game.
¶ BTW, don’t assume we rate this Redskins-Vikings tilt a big deal. It’s not. What it is, is the meeting of two battered, lost teams — neither who have lived up to expectations this season.
¶ For my money, the game of the day is the Jacksonville Jaguars visiting the New York Giants, in what amounts to a solid test for both teams. The result will tell us a lot about both 6-4 teams as they fight for position in the playoff race.
¶ The Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns’ Josh Cribbs is active against the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Colt McCoy and cornerback Eric Wright are inactive.
¶ It will be interesting to see how the Denver Broncos respond today against the St. Louis Rams. The Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels were each fined $50,000 after Broncos’ video operations director Steve Scarnecchia violated NFL rules by taping a six-minute portion of a San Francisco 49ers walkthrough on Oct. 30, the day before the teams played each other in London.
MORE AFTER THE BREAK
14
Nov
2010
Tebow throws first NFL touchdown; Haley snubs McDaniels after Denver routs KC (VIDEO)
Tim Tebow continues to cast his spell over the NFL (Getty Image via Zimbio)
The Broncos never really gave the Chiefs a chance in Denver today, jumping out to a quick 21-0 lead before the end of the 1st quarter, and not letting up from there. Denver went on to an impressive 49-29 win, led by Kyle Orton’s 4 TD, 296 yard (0 INT) performance.
But the big story of the day in Denver was – as per usual – rookie QB Tim Tebow. Earlier this week we learned from CNBC that Tebow’s jersey was still #1 in the league, despite the fact that he had only played sparingly as a pro. But today, Tebow gave his fans even more reason to slobber all over him, throwing his first NFL pass which resulted in a 1-yard touchdown to FB Spencer Larsen.
WATCH TEBOW’S FIRST NFL TD PASS HERE
Tebow also ran for a 1-yard score earlier in the game, making him 2-for-2 on the only plays he was in the game. Say what you want about the guy, but his efficiency has been absolutely unbelievable … every time he touches the ball he seems to score. Granted, he only gets in the game on goal line packages, but you can’t argue with the results. Josh McDaniels is finding ways to make Tebow effective, so even if he couldn’t possibly run the entire offense right now, you have to consider the Tebow experiment to be a success so far.
BONUS SUPER-AWESOME POST-GAME DRAMA: From Chiefs HC Todd Haley, who refused to shake McDaniels’ hand after the game. Instead, he wagged his finger at McDaniels, scolded him with a few choice words and walked away.
Haley gives McDaniels a thorough finger-wagging after the game (Image via MileHighReport)
When asked about the incident, Haley simply said that it was “private” and tried to change the subject. From the Denver Post:
“That’s a private time between head coaches,” Haley said. “The main thing was I thought our team played hard up to the end.
Haley said he saw some things on the Denver sideline as the time ran out that he didn’t appreciate.
The most logical explanation would be that Haley took offense that McDaniels kept his starters in so long and kept chucking the ball downfield, well after they had the game in the bag. But unless Josh was flashing his nuts at the Chiefs sideline as time expired, Haley needs to suck it up and shake the guy’s hand. It’s a division rivalry … get used to it.
WATCH VIDEO OF TODD HALEY SCOLDING JOSH MCDANIELS AFTER THE JUMP
13
Nov
2009
Jay Cutler makes Josh McDaniels look like a genius
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
When the Chicago Bears made the trade for Pro Bowl QB Jay Culter, everyone – and I mean everyone – said that they got the best of the Denver Broncos in the deal. I mean, Cutler for Kyle Orton and a few draft picks?!? Experts across the land destroyed Josh McDaniels for making such a foolish, rookie move, and most felt that Cutler would flourish in Chicago, while the Broncos would flounder under questionable leadership. Fast forward to 7 months later, and all of the sudden, Josh McDaniels looks like the smartest man ever to walk the face of the earth.
Cutler threw 5 interceptions in last night’s 10-6 loss to the 49ers, including one on the final play that ended a potential game-winning drive by the Bears. And there could have been more. The loss takes the Bears to 4-5 on the season, and brings Cutler’s season total to a league-leading 17 interceptions, on pace to break Peyton Manning’s record of 28 in one year. Meanwhile, Orton has thrown just 4 INTs so far this year, and the Broncos are leading the AFC East at 6-2.
But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Sure, Cutler said all the right things after the game, but you can just tell that he’s breaking down mentally on the field. He looks uncomfortable out there, and his decision making process has been atrocious. Plus, the Bears offense seems intent on having Cutler throw to his check-down receiver on almost every play, instead of utilizing the big arm he’s famous for to try and stretch the field a bit. It seems like a bad fit all-around, and it’s only a matter of time before the team starts cracking under the weight of Cutler’s performance.
So, at least at the mid-season point, it sure looks like the Broncos got the better of this deal. And this just in: Cutler got picked off yet again at breakfast this morning.
11
Nov
2009
ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards
Yep, it’s that time of year again! Time for bloggers and sportswriters across the land to create meaningless mid-season NFL awards lists!
And who are we to buck the system? If nothing else, this exercise allows us to take a step back to examine the first 9 weeks of action, and heap accolades on those whose performances have set them apart from the pack thus far (in either a good or not-so-good way).
So without further adieu, here they are, the inaugural ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards:
Why yes, the crow does taste fine. Thanks for asking (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MVP: Brett Favre, MIN - As much as we hate to admit it, the old man has been the difference maker in Minnesota, and is the main reason they’re sitting atop the NFC central. So far. It’s mainly about the attitude he brings, and the belief the rest of his teammates now have in their chances. But so far, Favre has put up excellent numbers (16TDs vs 3 INTs), and shows no signs of slowing down. But then, we were saying the same thing about Favre and the Jets at this point last year. We’ll see how the arm holds up come week 16.
Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels/Mike Nolan, DEN – in a total shocker to everyone in the league, McDaniels has come into Denver and changed the team culture in record time, leading the team out to a fast 6-0 start. And Nolan’s defense – currently 3rd in the NFL in Total Yds/Gm, and 1st in defensive touchdowns (8 so far) – has been the main reason for their success.
Still pointing at us (Photo: C. Schneider/AP)
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, NO – I’m taking Brees over Peyton Manning here, mainly because we’ve come to expect this sort of ruthless efficiency from Peyton, but Brees seems to have entered a new stratosphere in 2009. He’s playing about as well as you can at the position (106 QB Rating), and has the Saints leading the NFL in total offense.
Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper, NO – With a league-leading 7 interceptions (3 of them returned for TDs!), Sharper has changed the attitude of the Saints defense, and helped turn them into a force. Is it scary that a Saint is getting the award for both offense and defense? Yes, and it’s why I like the Saints to go all the way this year.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin, MIN – One of the most exciting offensive playmakers to come along in a while, Harvin is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. With 5 TDs in 8 games – 3 via reception and 2 via KO return – Harvin has challenged the Vikings coaching staff to develop more ways to get the ball into his hands.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jairus Byrd, BUF - The first-year DB has been a ball-hawking machine, with multiple interceptions in 3 consecutive games! With 7 interceptions so far, Byrd is tied for the NFL lead, and is on pace for 14 this season, which would tie an NFL record.
Continue reading after the jump for more RnR Mid-Season Awards
11
Oct
2009
Josh McDaniels Goes Nuts After the Broncos Win
This is my vote for clip of the day. A few months back, everyone was ripping Josh McDaniels apart. Today, his Broncos are 5-0, and his critics are looking for room on the bandwagon. How quickly things turn in the National Football League. Here he is pumping up the Mile High crowd after stunning Belichick and the Patriots in overtime.
4
Sep
2009
Derek Anderson to the Patriots?
As mentioned earlier today, we’ve been hearing chatter regarding a series of potential trades in the National Football League–including one that may permanently end the QB debate in Cleveland.
In the wake of the Cutler debacle, there was talk about Josh McDaniels pursuing a trade with the Browns for QB Brady Quinn. It never went down. Meanwhile, speculation about a Derek Anderson trade dates back to January 2008.
Tonight, on the eve of the 2009 season, the New England Patriots are without a solid backup for Tom Brady. With only two quarterbacks on the roster, something has to change.
There’s chatter all over the grid that Mangini’s decision to sit both Quinn and Anderson last night had a purpose: resting Quinn for the starting role in Week One, and positioning Anderson for a trade that will happen over the next 48 hours. People speculate that the Browns and Pats couldn’t be talking–the Belichick/Mangini feud would prevent that, right? Nonsense. If the deal makes sense for both coaches and both teams, the trigger will be pulled.
While Derek Anderson is far from perfect, he’s young with a cannon arm, and may appeal to Belichick in the same way Vinny Testaverde did in 1993, when Belichick made the decision to release Bernie Kosar, much to the horror of the entire city. (People forget that Vinny wasn’t even healthy when Bernie was cut, but he figured into the coach’s plans for 1994, and he helped lead the Browns to an 11-5 season and their most recent playoff win–over Bill Parcells and the Patriots, of all teams.)
Derek Anderson recalls, in some ways, the imperfect--but dangerous--skillset of Vinny Testaverde.
People ripped on Vinny for his perceived lack of intelligence–and his knack for throwing costly interceptions. Belichick loved his arm, and fawned over his athleticism. Inherent to Anderson are some of those same strengths and weaknesses–when he thinks too much, and gets tight, he suffers. When he’s loose (we’ve said before that he should drink about three beers before every game), the guy just guns the ball all over the field. Anderson can be frustrating beyond comprehension–but he’s downright dangerous when he’s on. Besides, he’s toiled on a team that’s been in flux since the Reagan era. What would happen to Anderson under the guidance of Belichick and the Patriots? It’s a scary thought.
DEVELOPING…
3
Sep
2009
NY Giants private jet lands in Colorado = interest in Brandon Marshall?
The NY Giants private jet is definitely on a runway. Somewhere. Could be Jersey for all we know. (Photo: fm1043thefan.com)
UPDATE: Mike Garofolo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the appearance of jet with a NY Giants logo on it on Wednesday had nothing to do with Brandon Marshall, and that the Giants have never used a team plane in personnel matters:
In talking with folks in the know Thursday, I’m told the plane was not there as part of a meeting between any team officials and Marshall. Plus, a team spokesman said the Giants do not own a private plane.
So, there you go.
____________________________________
OK, take this for what it’s worth, but Sportsradio 104.3 The Fan in Denver posted this cell phone photo of what they’re claiming to be the NY Giants private jet on the runway of Jefferson County Airport in Colorado on Wednesday.
The presumption here is that this means the Giants are talking with the Broncos about WR Brandon Marshall, and that a possible trade deal is imminent. While Denver head coach Josh McDaniels remains adamant that they aren’t talking to anyone about trading Marshall, it’s clear that Marshall wants out, and the Broncos would do well to at least get something in return for their troublesome star.
Most recently, the rumors were that Denver was in talks with the Jets, and that they wanted LB David Harris as part of the deal. Which begs the question, since the Jets and Giants share a stadium, do you think the Jets might also be borrowing the Giants plane for this trip?
Look, this is nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor, and until there’s official news of a contract, there’s not really much to say here. But if the Giants do have interest in Marshall, I would be very surprised. It would go against everything Jerry Reese and the Maras believe in terms of the type of person they want for their ball club. They didn’t just cut one headache (Burress) to replace him with another.
2
Sep
2009
Former Patriot Assistants trip over themselves trying to claim Kevin O’Connell
Kevin O'Connell could reunite with Josh McDaniels in Denver
When the Patriots released back-up QB Kevin O’Connell on Monday, it seemed clear that at least one of Belichick’s former staffers would make a play for the 2008 3rd round choice. With the recent injury to Kyle Orton and presence of his former OC Josh McDaniels, Denver seemed like the most obvious fit for O’Connell.
But according to ProFootballTalk, not one, but FOUR teams have put in a waiver claim for O’Connell: Denver, Cleveland, Detroit and the NY Jets. Both the Jets and Lions need back-ups for their rookie QBs, so those teams make sense too. Cleveland is interesting, though. They already have a QB controversy, so does this mean Eric Mangini simply wants more in-house fodder for trade talks?
Let’s face it, Belichick could release a turd, and most of his disciples would kill themselves trying to scoop it out of the toilet. So is O’Connell a real viable option at QB, or just a sign that these young head coaches are desperate, and would be happy with Belichick’s table scraps?
Interestingly, the Kansas City Chiefs haven’t made a claim for O’Connell, which means that the GM who drafted him (Scott Pioli) a year ago isn’t interested. And with an ailing Matt Cassell, that could be a statement in and of itself.
1
Sep
2009
Things get worse in Denver…
With news leaking that Kyle Orton has suffered an “open dislocation” to his finger (meaning, essentially, that the bone split the flesh, requiring an abundance of stiches), will the Broncos be willing to start the season with a backup leading the way? Potentially slated to start: 2009 sixth-round selection Tom Brandstater.
At this stage, we're rooting for McDaniels to get through the 2009 season.
Or, is it time for Josh and the boys to make a move? Assuming that Orton is not the long-term solution in Denver, will the Broncos sit patiently, or pursue a capable signal caller from another team? Perhaps Minnestota’s Sage Rosenfels or Cleveland’s Derek Anderson have been mentioned in the past, but Anderson doesn’t fit well into McDaniels system.
It would be intriguing to watch the rookie head coach start his career with a rookie signal caller. We found this video of Tom B. (Brandstater, not Brady) talking strategy:
29
Aug
2009
Free love: Cutler’s return to Denver
It’s just a preseason game, but Jay Cutler’s return to Denver tomorrow pits a cranky, irritated fanbase against a punkish, moody quarterback–who used to be their punkish, moody quarterback. For the Bears, it’s a third preseason game–then get out of town. For the Broncos, and their fans, it cuts deeper. Beyond crushing Cutler and ending his season with a mind-blowing concussion, it’s just a game of sticks and stones–the Broncos fans still have to enter 2009 with Kyle Orton at quarterback (doubt many Bears fans are ringing their hands over that reunion).
It seems like a bear would rather spend time in Colorado than Chicago--but that would make too much sense, of course.
Moreover, Denver has bigger fish to fry than Cutler. The “sense of entitlement” void left by Cutler was immediately filled (and then some) by Brandon Marshall, perhaps the most tedious player west of Ochocinco. Josh McDaniels, who has been bathed in drama since taking the job, took a stand in suspending the flagrantly lazy, diva-like Marshall–and it may have earned back his respect with the team.
If something doesn’t feel right in Denver–beyond the exodus of star power–it may be the fact that the team’s schedule includes the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, and the NFC East. Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, however, is not dismayed, at least openly. He told the Denver Post’s Mike Klis, “I’m really optimistic about — not so much we’re going to win 12 games or anything like that — but optimistic that we’re going to be a good football team,” Bowlen said. “I like what I see. I’m really happy with my staff and the coaches. I’ve got to know most of them pretty well. I’ve watched how they interact — it’s a good buzz going around this upstairs floor.”
We wonder if the state’s rich supply of Coors could have something to do with that.
