MONDAY NIGHT HEADLINES

December 6th, 2010 Monday


Monday’s Night Headlines

Broncos Cut Their Losses
It took just a few more unimpressive losses and a scandalous rumor to end Josh McDaniels reign as the Bronco’s head coach. Last week following another embarrassing Sunday loss, this time to the Rams at Investco Field, team owner Pat Bowlen gave assurance in an interview after the game that McDaniels job was safe. 24 hours later Bowlen basically retracted that statement, saying he would do what’s in the best interest of the franchise. After Sunday’s road loss to the Chiefs in the midst of Spygate II, Bowlen obviously took another look at the direction of his team and on Monday night hours before the Pats-Jets matchup, the decision came down to cut ties with the 34-year old McDaniels.

It was a magical start with six straight wins, but poor personnel decisions and people management quickly undid what McDaniels was trying to build. After a 6-0 start, McDaniels lost 17 of his next 22 games including the Massacre at Mile High; a 45 point trouncing at the hands of one of the Bronco’s biggest nemisis’, the Oakland Raiders. Losses to the Chargers, Rams, and most recently an uninspired 10-6 losing effort at the hands of the Chiefs were enough for Bowlen to hand the kid his papers.

The question looking ahead now, who will Bowlen seek to lead his team in 2011?

Favre Streak Coming To An End?
On Sunday in the Vikings impressive dismantling of the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Brett Favre was knocked out early in the first quarter when he took a hard shot from behind and had to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The injury Favre sustained kept him on the sideline for the rest of the game and after an MRI on Monday it was determine Favre suffered a sprained shoulder that could have him sitting longer. According to the Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, no surgery is needed so the word for now is day-to-day and lots of rest for the 41-year old.

In the case of Favre, of course it will take a lot to keep him out of next Sunday’s game with the Giants. After watching Jackson play last Sunday completing 15 of 22 for 187 yards and two touchdowns for Frazier the move to the bench looks like it will be a smooth transition. A final note for the fantasy friendly, Jackson’s play didn’t seem to hurt Adrian Peterson’s effectiveness and production and Sidney Rice’s 5-catch 105 yards receiving and two touchdowns would suggest the two are already in sync as well.

If there ever was a good time for Favre to exit and end his incredible 298 game starting streak, this might be the time. Sure hitting 300 would be an accomplishment, but the bigger picture for the Vikings is life after Favre. The team saw some good things from Jackson on Sunday and with the playoffs seemingly out of reach, in one of the modern era’s definitive team sports, there is no greater opportunity for Favre to take one for the team than at this moment and sit down.

Could Jackson Be The Start Of Something New?
It only took nearly two full seasons for quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to return to the field and see some action in a meaningful game; the last time before Sunday was in December of 2008. On Sunday Jackson entered the Viking’s game against the Bills in the first quarter and showed a lot of NFL experts and analysts what they could only speculate about; his play. For the most part he had to impress many with his play. Using his athletics skills and great mobility, Jackson was able to move around the pocket, extend plays and make throws to lead the Vikings to their second straight post-Childress victory.

One could hardly make great assumptions about the future based on just one game, but after watching this one particular game one would have to like what they see and be very optimistic about the Vikings post-Favre era. Jackson was pretty sharp on Sunday completing 68 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns to the team’s best receiver (Sidney Rice). Jackson also showed great mobility scrambling for 22 yards. In the Viking’s 38-14 win Jackson gave Viking fans a glimpse of what the future might hold.

No one knows just yet for sure when the future might happen, but when it does it already appears that Jackson will fit nicely into a picture that includes running back Adrian Peterson, wide receiver’s Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin.

Patriots Stake Their Claim As The Best
It was deemed to be a great matchup of two AFC powers going head-to-head and vying for supremacy in the East. It was supposed to be, but for one thing; only one team showed up. From out of the gate the Patriots quickly proved on Monday night who the better team is.

The Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady wasted very little time going to work right away and scoring on their first four drives; FG, TD, TD, & TD. It was enough to put the Jets on their heels and on the run for the rest of the night. The Jets came out right away and tried to be aggressive throwing the ball early, but lack of success only fueled the Patriot’s engines and quickly changed the complexion of the game.

After failing to score on their initial drive (missed field goal attempt), couple with a three-and-out, the Jets quickly found themselves playing catchup and getting away from what they do best; run the ball.

The Patriots dictated the tempo, forced the action and quickly put this one away by halftime 24-3. Sure there was a whole second half to be played. While Rex and the boys worked out the kinks to get the offense on track, they never had an answer for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. Brady was near perfect finishing the evening with a 148.9 passer rating after completing 21 of 29 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns. The four touchdowns gave Brady 15 in his last five games to go along with 1,427 yards passing over the same stretch.

Clearly Monday night was a statement game and the Patriots made it loud and clear who the best team was not only on this night, but perhaps in the league. If not thee best team, one of the best teams and with in all likelihood the best quarterback in the game today.


By David Ortega

HOW I SEE IT

December 1st, 2010 Wednesday

HOW I SEE IT

Something is Amiss in Indy

When was the last time we saw the colts lose two straight? I’m sure it has happened on several occasions, but usually the culprit time and time again has been the team’s questionable defense.

While the Indy defense of 2010 is nothing to fear, this current slide can not be faulted to them. Sue the opposing offenses have managed to carve the defense up as has been the case for the most part in the past, but over the last two weeks something’s been amiss in Indy; the play of quarterback Peyton Manning.

In his last two starts Manning has committed seven turnovers, which surprisingly is not a career high for the most turnovers in any two game stretches. Back in 2007 Manning had eight, but that was only because he threw six picks in one game.

Everyone makes mistakes and quarterbacks throw picks, but with Manning in particular over the past two weeks his errors have been monumental. In week 11 a late 4th quarter interception killed a possible game winning/tying drive with just 31 seconds left in the game. Last week against the Chargers Manning threw two picks that were returned for touchdowns.

One would have to ask, is Peyton sick? What’s the problem?

While it is Manning making these mistakes, all may not be his fault alone. Coincidently, in the team’s last two games, the Colts are averaging just 16 run plays and just 48 yards on the ground. The non-existent run game (heavily due to injury; Joseph Addai-neck, Mike Hart-ankle) has placed a lot of weight on the shoulders of “the Sheriff” (Manning).

Along with the lack of production in the run game, Manning’s O-line has been letting him down as well. Last Sunday against the Chargers the Colts signal caller was faced with a lot of pressure from the opposing defense. Manning was hurried and hit repeatedly, though he was sacked only once.

For the Colts, there should be no worries about Manning getting himself corrected, but if the team is going to get back on track a healthy backfield and better play up front will be needed. There’s no doubt that because of his passing instincts and ability to get rid of the ball quickly has Manning saved the offense on occasion by avoiding too many sacks.

Then again a sack does less damage than a turnover; something that Peyton should consider while he and his team work those needed pieces back into place (which you know they will).

The Forecast in Denver; Dark and Gloomy

So much for a vote of confidence coming from team owner Pat Bowlen, when asked about the security of head coach Josh McDaniels job. Following the team’s debacle and eighth loss of the season on Sunday, in a interview by AOL Fanhouse Bowlen stated that McDaniels would return in 2011, saying “I’m not interested in making a coaching change.”

As early as Monday, all of that has changed with Bowlen leaving a caveat that he will continue to monitor the team’s progress and do what is in its’ best interest. For McDaniel’s and his tenure as the man in charge on the sideline, it appears the bloom has fallen off his rose.

After his thunderous 6-0 start last season everything has simply gone downhill in the wrong direction and appears to be picking up speed. After such an impressive start McDaniels and his new look Bronco’s have lost 16 of their last 21 games. The Bronco’s have also surrendered a total of 124 points in its’ last three home games. They are 2-4 at home this season and back in week seven the team suffered one of the worst losses at home in franchise history.

There comes a time when you have to cut your losses and for Bowlen, McDaniels, and the fans of Denver, that time may have come and past. When you are building a winner you need to have the right pieces and the best pieces in place to win. You need a big armed franchise quarterback, a physical beast of a receiver, and a tough nosed versatile ball-carrier; oops, they had all of this and the kid from Boston chased them away. The damage was not just losing that talent, but having to back into the draft to replace those players rather than rebuilding a defense filled with great veteran leadership.

Drafting talent on offense like Knowshon Moreno, Tim Tebow, and Demaryius Thomas only became necessary when McDaniels traded Jay Cutler (although that deal seems to be working out), Brandon Marshall, and Peyton Hillis away. These were valuable picks that could have been spent on a mountain of a D-lineman, a pass rush specialist, and a playmaking linebacker.

Nonetheless, the decisions were made and since his (McDaniels’) arrival to Denver there’s been no question as to who has been in charge of the Bronco’s camp. This has been McDaniel’s ship to steer and with five games left in a season that is in all likelihood over, he needs to make great strides and a huge positive impression to convince the locals and the team owner he’s the right man for the job.

Finishing 8-8 is not much of an accomplishment for a team that has been here the last two seasons, but to finish THIS season with five straight wins would sure make the right impression for those Denver diehards wishing to see this mess-of-a 3-8 team get cleaned up.

In a game that is highly visible and greatly viewed, impressions mean everything because they give perception; and perception sells. You can’t look good and lose in the NFL, you only look good winning; if you win, you look good period.

Just my take.

By David Ortega