TALKIN FOOTBALL

Saturday Edition
October 20th, 2012  

Talkin Football

Are Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Back

After their week 6 dismantling of the then unbeaten Texans, it would sure look to be that way. As it may have appeared last Sunday night, one game is far too small a sample to make such an assessment, but not too small to say they look close.

Close as it may be, the real assessment for Green Bay coming off that impressive win is, it was the first time this season they have looked more like last year’s 15-1 version. 

Against what was believed to be a very good Texans defense, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing game come out fast and furious and took it right to defense. Before anyone could blink the Packers were up by double digits putting their defense in an ideal situation; let’s face it Clay Matthews and the defense are best built to play with a lead.

Last year when the Packers were taking it to the league with Rodgers was tossing the old pigskin all around the yard, he allowed his defense to play to their strengths; pressure the quarterback (41 sacks last year) and make big plays (38 takeaways in 2011). This season has not been quite the same; just 8 takeaways in six games.

Last Sunday night Rodgers completed 24 passes for 338 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per pass. The Packers may want to run the ball, but they need to recognize they are a passing team; that is their strength, it’s what they do. This season Rodgers has averaged less than 7 yards per pass per three times losing twice; he only did this once last season in the Packers loss to Kansas City. 

When Rodgers is chucking it downfield with the degree of accuracy that he can, the Packers are unstoppable. What works for Green Bay is they are a team that can play very well with the lead as evident a week ago against the Texans. Maybe the acquisition of Cedric Benson gave head coach Mike McCarthy reason to think he needed to run the ball more and early. Whatever the reason, for the first five weeks of the 2012 season the Packers got away from what they do best.

What would seem to make sense, when healthy Benson would be the ideal back for the Packers to close out games once they are up and want to kill the clock. We may not see that now with Benson out, but if he can return to health that may be the right formula. For now the Pack will look for those answers from running backs Alex Green and James Starks.

Week seven presents a matchup against the St. Louis Rams that would offer a great opportunity for the Packers to show more of who they really are and what they can really do. Even with their top receiver (Greg Jennings) sidelined, Rodgers and company have more than enough weapons to dissect opposing secondaries.

It may be a little too early to call them back, but another strong performance this week and the Packers just may be too close for the comfort of others (in the NFC North).


By David Ortega

THAT'S MY TAKE

Sunday Edition

October 14th, 2012 

That's My Take

 Is Peyton Manning Holding Back the Broncos?

When the 2012 season kicked off there were a lot of questions surrounding the Broncos offense. After all the team had just taken a huge risk investing a great deal of money and an entire city's hope on a player who had not seen any real action on the gridiron in more than a year; but this was not just any player.

After their humiliating loss last season to the Patriots in divisional round of the playoffs, it was very apparent to the Broncos' GM John Elway and the top brass that they did not have everything they would need to secure the top prize. They were still missing a big piece.

When the opportunity presented itself, the Broncos made the move for Manning believing he was the missing piece. We are six weeks into the 2012 season and have we seen enough to know if the Broncos have made the smart move.

There’s little doubt the post-Tim Tebow Era seems to be the right direction, but at 2-3 some may be second-guessing the move for Peyton. He has had his struggles and limitations, but one thing we have seen, he’s a sharp as ever on the field when it comes to his football IQ.

Through five games, Peyton is showing the veteran leadership and savvy of a four-time MVP winner, and he may have lost a little zip on the fast ball, but his is still more than capable of making many of the needed plays to win. And while the Broncos had an inclination of what they would be getting when they signed Peyton, one thing they may not have realized is what they already had waiting for Manning when he took the field.

It’s quite apparent Manning is on a completely different level than his 10 other teammates. He is leading and still making plays and what Bronco fans are quickly finding it appears his Achilles heel at the moment is not his arm, but his teammates. In the teams last two losses, Manning’s teammates have turned the ball over three times.

Through the team’s first five games, Manning has given the Broncos opportunity to win, but at critical moment his playmakers are falling short and making mistakes. This was something most did not expect to see, but maybe what we are seeing is Manning is still Manny and the rest of the team needs to learn to raise their level of expectation and play.

The Bronco’s have a big test coming up on Monday night and while it looks like Peyton is ready to go (completing 66% of his passes, 1,499 passing yards, and 11 touchdowns), other players will need to be ready to rise to the next level if the team is not to be held back.

That’s My Take.

By David Ortega

THAT'S MY TAKE

Sunday Edition

October 14th, 2012 

That's My Take

Trouble in Dallas, But Romo Not Problem

With their implosion on Monday night against the Bears nearly two weeks ago, the Cowboys appear to be sinking once again, but is Tony Romo the real problem? Romo certainly has had the knack for flop performances on big stages and his 5 interceptions were no help, but he is hardly the problem.

It's easy to pick up the sports page on Tuesday morning read the numbers and point fingers, but if you did you would be missing a lot if the real picture.

There's a lot Romo needs to do and still learn to help get his team to the next level, but he can't do everything and he also can't catch his own passes. As much as Romo needs to do and improve, he also needs some help from his playmakers. In watching the Cowboys debacle on Monday against the Bears, there were many mistakes that did them in and not all were Romo's.

When your receivers are dropping very catchable passes at critical moments of the game, that will no doubt change the complexion or momentum and flow of the game, these mistakes stack up. Once you find yourself in a big hole, climbing out does not get easier, especially when the defense know what you will do; take shots downfield.

If the Cowboys and Tony Romo are going to get things moving in the right direction, they have to keep themselves out of big holes, and that starts with everyone doing what is expected. The offensive line needs to protect Romo when they pass and create openings for the run game; running back DeMarco Murray has just 106 yards rushing in his last three games and the offense is averaging just 2.8 yards per run. The pass can’t operate without the run.

As far as Romo getting better, he just needs a little help from his friends; players like Dez Bryant, Kevin Ogletree, and Miles Austin. If these guys can start making some of the regular plays expected (cut down the drops), Romo will have a much easier job that requires less risk taking and that will be key. Easier said than done.

That’s My Take

By David Ortega

THAT'S MY TAKE

Thursday Edition

September 27th, 2012

That’s My Take

No Harm, No Foul

With the return of the regular referees back to the gridiron everything in the football world appears to be back to normal, but before we get too comfortable we should all get ready for a few bumps and bruises this weekend. After three weeks of the replacement debacle, NFL players have become accustomed to a few things; no calls, late calls, bad calls, and the wrong calls.

With the regular refs back in place, it may take players a little bit of time to get used to what should be called and what will be called. For the fans, it may all seem business as usual from our seats in the bleachers or our sofas at home, but for the league and its players it could be a rough ride in week 4.

The past three weeks of games played and officiated by the replacement refs were anything but consistent when it came to the calls made. You can bet there will be plenty of growing pains this weekend as things try to settle back to the norm.

As evident in tonight’s Thursday night game, the management of the game by the refs was seamless as they kept things moving right along (although there were still a lot of calls; not refs fault). As for us fans that watch the games, I doubt we will ever be satisfied with the calls that are made or not, but at least we’ll feel better about disliking the guy in stripes that made the call.

That’s my Take.

By David Ortega

TALKIN FOOTBALL

Tuesday Edition

September 25th, 2012 

Talkin Football

Falcons Coming of Age

Matty Ice and the boys sent a message last Monday night against Denver and delivered a second on Sunday with their dismantling of the 2-0 Chargers. They are the real deal and some could argue the best team in the league at the moment.

It is clear the Falcons are on a mission this season and with all the pieces (Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzales, and Michael Turner) in place for Ryan and the offense it’s all systems go. They have the weapons on offense and may have just enough on the defensive side to make serious noise this post season. In his first four seasons in the league Ryan has enjoyed modest success reaching the post season and making little  

noise, but this team is off to a fast start at 3-0, has a new look of confidence to it, and just may be on the verge of doing something great.

There's still a lot of football to be played, but with the current debacle of the Saints (who play Green Bay this week), if you live in Atlanta you have to love what lies ahead for Ryan and the Falcons the rest of the way; looking good.

Facts: Record 3-0, just beat Broncos and Chargers (on road) back to back. Number three (tied with Giants) scoring offense in league averaging 31.3 points per game. Eleven offense touchdowns, tied for most in league. The defense is ranked 8th against pass and is tied for second this season with 12 sacks. This is a complete and dangerous team.

By David Ortega

TALKIN FOOTBALL

Monday Edition

September 24th, 2012

  

Talkin Football

The New Manning Era: It's now Eli’s time.

After three weeks it's quite clear there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Eli. For the past decade some may argue that the NFL was Peyton's place, but the tide has shifted and now it's Eli Manning’s time to shine.

This Manning hardly gets the credit he deserves, but with two Super bowl rings under his belt and his recent dominance the past two weeks notice must be taken. Eli has become a difference maker and it's just a matter of time before the whole football world acknowledges his rightful place among the elite.

Eli has proven clutch time and time again in his young career and with the talented receivers he has lining up this season, he looks primed to rip off some big numbers along with some big wins. If we aren’t talking about this Manning now, it’s only a matter of time before his name dominates our conversations at the watercoolers.

Numbers: 1,011 passing yards (rank 1st), 8.6 yards per pass (rank 3rd), 5 touchdown passes (rank tied for 7th), 66.9 completion (rank tied for 10th), 79 completions (rank tied for 4th), 20 yards or more completion (rank tied for 2nd).

By David Ortega

WHATS THE LATEST

Mondy Edition

August 20th, 2012

What's the Latest

 

Kolb Done in Arizona?

It may be a little early to make the call, but we are definitely closer to seeing quarterback Kevin Kolb on his way out versus securing the starting gig in Arizona. Through two preseason games he has just not looked comfortable in the pocket or shown the confidence to take command of the offense.

In two games played Kolb’s numbers look horrendous; just 5 of 15 passing for 47 yards, with an interception. Kolb has also been sacked four times and has one of the worst preseason passer ratings of 15.1. Against the Raiders he may not have been scared, but he did not look like a quarterback with confidence, as he was often hit and knocked down, when he wasn’t getting sacked.

Kolb will undoubtedly need an outstanding performance in week three of the preseason against the Titans if he has any hopes of winning the starting job. I have not been to Vegas lately, but I am guessing his odds are long.

Manning Sharp, but not Great.

Against the Seahawks in week two of the preseason, quarterback Peyton Manning got plenty of work, throwing the ball 23 times and playing the entire first half. Manning also shook off some more rust on Saturday taking his first big hit this preseason. It wasn’t a ferocious hit, but it was nice to see the four-time MVP bounced back up with no issues.

The former Colt played well completing 16 of 23 for 177 yards in the air and he made a number of nice throws dropping the ball right in the bread-basket; the kid has not lost his touch. While there appears to be no reason for concern regarding his accuracy, Manning has yet to throw a touchdown pass this preseason (although not all his fault, just ask tight end Jacob Tamme who dropped an easy score against the Seahawks).

There are plenty of things in Manning’s game currently to call out that look pretty good; his command on the field, decision making, tempo, and while he has looked sharp, he has been far from great at times. Manning has made the short to intermediate throws without issue, but we have really yet to see him go deep. He has also been plagued with passes getting knocked down and tipped at the line leading to a couple of interceptions against the Seahawks.

All-in-all for a quarterback that missed all of last season, Manning has looked strong on the field and appears to be moving in the right direction. He’s still a work in progress and Denver fans have yet to see the finished product. I would say they have much to look forward to.

By David Ortega