10
Nov
2010
ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards 2010
Even though a lot of folks were handing out midseason awards last week, this past weekend marked the official halfway point for the 2010 NFL season, with every team now having played 8 of their 16 regular season games. So we thought we’d fall in line with the rest of the sports blogosphere and give out some completely meaningless awards of our own!
So without further adieu, here they are, the 2nd annual ReadAndReact mid-season NFL Awards:
Peyton Hillis has captured the imagination of an entire city (Photo: Cleveland.com)
MVP: Peyton Hillis, CLE - Everyone in the world is picking the other Peyton for this award (YAWN), but nobody has made a bigger impact on a franchise (or a city) this year than Peyton Hillis. The 7th round draft pick out of Arkansas was traded to Cleveland for Brady Quinn and some magic beans, which might turn out to be the worst trade of Josh McDaniels career, and the best of Eric Mangini’s. Since being given the starting workload, Hillis has taken the Browns on his shoulders, leading them to 2 straight wins over the Saints and Patriots. And more importantly, he’s given the team an identity to build around, and given Browns fans something to believe in. Finally.
Offensive Player of the Year: Arian Foster, HOU – what can you say about Foster, who has busted onto the NFL scene this year and leads the league in both yards (884) and TDs (9)? So far, Foster has claimed this year’s title as the stud RB in the league … let’s see if he can keep it going for the rest of the season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Clay Matthews, GB - The 2nd year linebacker has emerged into a dominant force this year, collecting 9-1/2 sacks so far to lead the league. There isn’t another defensive player who’s had a bigger impact on his team, and Matthews should be a mainstay in GB for years to come.
Morris is already one of the best young coaches in the game (Photo: TampaBay.com)
Head Coach of the Year: Raheem Morris, TB - At age 34, Morris is the league’s youngest coach, and his Bucs team is showing that they’re willing to fight to the death for their leader. So far, Morris has turned the team around from 3-13 last year to a 5-3 start, and he’s done it without very much talent to work with (a 2nd year QB, a rookie RB and two rookie WRs). It’s probably too soon for them to put it all together for a run at the playoffs, but with Morris at the helm, the future looks bright in Tampa.
CONTINUE READING FOR THE REST OF OUR MID-SEASON AWARDS
31
Oct
2010
LeGarrette Blount bursts onto NFL scene; no punches thrown (VIDEO)
(AP Photo via Univision)
Tampa Bay rookie RB LeGarrette Blount made his first impression on our national consciousness in September of 2009. While still a member of the Oregon Ducks, Blount punched a helmetless Boise State player during post-game handshakes and generally behaved like a lunatic in the aftermath. The talented Blount was suspended from the team, and his reputation as a hothead followed him to the NFL, where he went undrafted in April.
The Titans signed Blount as a free agent, but old habits die hard, and LeGarrette was seen unleashing a punch on his own teammate during training camp. Tennessee waived Blount after the pre-season, and he was scooped up by Tampa Bay where Head Coach Raheem Morris has been intrigued by his rare combination of size and speed. During the first half of the season, Blount has gradually earned a larger role in the Bucs offense, and today he was given center stage for the first time against Arizona.
Blount delivered in a big way, carrying 22 times for 120 yards and 2 TDs and helping Tampa Bay rally for 38-35 win over the Cardinals. And while no punches were thrown, his physical running style was consistently felt by the Arizona defense. Watch here as Blount hurdles a defender en route to a spectacular 48-yard gain in the 4th quarter, which sealed the win for the Bucs:
3
Sep
2009
Open season on offensive coordinators
The Tampa Buccaneers have become the second team in a week to fire their offensive coordinator. Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs dismissed Chan Gailey, who possessed an abundance of experience at the coordinator level (and served as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for a spell). For the Chiefs, experience wasn’t the issue. For the Bucs, from what we’re told by Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud, experience–and lack of it–was the deciding factor in the firing of first-time NFL offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.
Tampa Bay Head Coach Raheem Morris has shown no fear in making decisions to transform the Bucs.
Jagodzinski was let go today after team officials came to the conclusion that he wasn’t ready to run an NFL offense. Jagodzinski was hired this past winter by the Bucs following two successful seasons as head coach of the Boston College Eagles. After leading the team to consecutive 11-3 and 9-5 seasons, Jagodzinski was fired by Boston College when the team discovered that “Jag” had interviewed for the vacant New York Jets head coaching position. Soon after, he came to the Bucs with high hopes but, according to Stroud, “Sometime during training camp, it became increasingly apparent to Bucs officials and players, that Jagodzinski was not equipped to install and direct an NFL offense… as the preseason wore on, Bucs officials kept a close eye on Jagodzinski and did not feel he had the attention to detail required to remain as offensive coordinator.”
Now, honestly, I feel pretty rotten posting a story about a guy getting fired. That said, the process around “installing and offense” remains fascinating, and after watching Hard Knocks the past few nights, the coaches meetings–in every possible way–prove intriguing. We don’t frequently get a deep look into what these guys do, week to week. The game preparation, the film study, the meticulous preparation (sleeping three hours per day) is obviously intense.
The good news for Jagodzinski? NFL coaches have a tendency to bounce back. There’s no sense that he disenfranchised his peers, or came equipped with a poor attitude. And, like so many young players who find themselves released from their teams over the next 24 hours, there may be a second chance.
