I watch a lot of football, and quality commentary is important to me, so I take interest in seeing who the pairings are before the season starts.
For this season, CBS has changed a few things around, mainly due to the retirement of Dick Enberg, formerly the #3 play-by-play announcer (partnered with Dan Fouts). For 2010, Simms and Nantz and Gumbel and Dierdorf are still the same. Ian Eagle has moved from #5 to #3 to facilitate Enberg facant play-by-play spot. Kevin Harlan and Soloman Wilcots remain at #4, and Gus Johnson will be paired with Steve Tasker at #5, who have moved up a spot from last season. At #6 this season will see Bill Macatee and Rich Gannon. Macatee moved up from #8 and Gannon was moved down from #5. Don Criqui will remain as the #7 play-by-play announcer and will be partnered with Steve Beurlein, who was bumped up a spot from last season. Rounding out the last pair will be Spero Dedes and Randy Cross. Cross over the years has moved down CBS's commentating tree for whatever reasons. In 1998 he called games with Verne Lundquist, and was eventually moved
18 August 2010
NFL Playbooks in PDF Form For Free!
Yesterday on the pro-football-reference.com blog, they shared a link from Fast & Furious Football, a site solely of football playbooks, both college, pro and even high school, offensive, defensive, special teams and even instructions for workouts.
The link is found here: http://fastandfuriousfootball.com/free-playbooks.html
Just as a bit of teaser (or more incentive to check this fabulous site out), there are playbooks from all eras and offensive types; '66 Packers, '69 Redskins, as well as some more modern offenses like the '01 Rams, '03 Pats and quite a few West Coast Offense 49ers playbooks generated by Bill Walsh, Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan. It even has the playbook of my favorite all-time team, the 411-page playbook of the 2000 St. Louis Rams, who scored 540 points and racked-up 7,075 yards of total offense (don't expect similar numbers to a Bears team near you however).
The link is found here: http://fastandfuriousfootball.com/free-playbooks.html
Just as a bit of teaser (or more incentive to check this fabulous site out), there are playbooks from all eras and offensive types; '66 Packers, '69 Redskins, as well as some more modern offenses like the '01 Rams, '03 Pats and quite a few West Coast Offense 49ers playbooks generated by Bill Walsh, Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan. It even has the playbook of my favorite all-time team, the 411-page playbook of the 2000 St. Louis Rams, who scored 540 points and racked-up 7,075 yards of total offense (don't expect similar numbers to a Bears team near you however).
17 August 2010
2010 NFC Preview
Last week, I did my AFC preview, and now a week into the preseason, here is my NFC preview.
Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Whether or not Favre signs, this is Adrian Peterson's team. And honestly, Favre will maybe win an extra game (remember they won 10 games with Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson at quarterback a couple years ago). Their talent remains mostly unchanged from last year, so I'm expecting another good season from the Vikings, however they have a tough first half of their schedule, so don't expect Favre to have quite as good a season as last.
Green Bay Vikings (12-4)
One of the NFL's elite team with an elite quarterback. Their one weak spot is their offensive line which gave up the most sacks last season. They have the weapons to win a Super Bowl and have an easy schedule too.
Chicago Bears (8-8)
The Bears could go either way. They have a ton of talent, especially on defense, but have an erratic quarterback. The addition of Mike Martz as offensive coordinator may help Cutler out, but Martz had success with the Rams with supreme talent.
Detroit Lions (2-14)
Umm, yeah, can we move on?
New Orleans Saints (11-5)
I'm expecting a bit of a Super Bowl hangover from the Saints, but not too much of a drop-off as their personnel has largely remained the same. If they can still run the ball and play defense the way they did last year, they will do fine.
Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
I know a lot of people are high on the Falcons, but I am not one of those. They have an easy schedule and they may be the best squad as a team, but I don't think they have the weapons do win the Super Bowl. Yeah they have Tony Gonzalez, but so did the Chiefs for 15 years and they went nowhere in the playoffs in that time span.
Carolina Panthers (8-8)
All of the NFC South teams have easy schedules, however I'm not predicting any spectacular or earth-shattering from the Panthers. They are perfectly average, and have remained as such during much of the John Fox-era.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-15)
Okay-yay, moving on.
Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
I'm not a huge Tony Romo or Wade Phillips fan, however they have so much other talent which makes them one of the league's best teams, especially Miles Austin. Expect Tony Romo to honk a game or two toward the end of the season but I don't rule out the Cowboys playing at home in the Super Bowl. They are helped by the fact that this is the first time in years that the NFC East may be a down division (I don't know what to expect from either of the three other teams).
New York Giants (9-7)
Well they have an easy schedule, but other than that I have no idea what to expect from the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
I think the loss of Donovan McNabb will really hurt the Eagles and they have a really tough December; with games against the Texans and Vikings, and at the Cowboys and Giants.
Washington Redskins (8-8)
The Redskins will be a very talented team with a great coach and quarterback, however they have a tough schedule, especially in the middle of the season when teams usually pick up steam for the playoffs. The addition of Donovan McNabb has obviously created national attention for the Redskins, who will play two Sunday Night games (both at home against the Cowboys and Colts) despite being in the cellar last year.
San Francisco 49ers (10-6)
I'm going to grudgingly say that the 49ers will win the weak NFC West (and they may have home-field advantage in the playoffs), even though Mike Singletary is crazy. Yes they have Frank Gore (and now Brian Westbrook) and that's about it on offense. Shaun Hill really, really should start at quarterback instead of Alex Smith. Hill is 10-6 as a starter, 322 of 522 passing for 3,490 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. And they have an easy schedule too.
Arizona Cardinals (6-10)
I don't know what to make of them, so I'll say .500. They lost a lot of talent with Boldin and Rolle going to other teams and Warner retiring. I do not think Matt Leinert is a competent NFL starter. He's just another glory-boy quarterback who looked good at a powerhouse school, but cannot handle the NFL. I do however think the Cardinals still have one of the best coaching staffs in the league, but that only goes so far. Second-year running back "Beanie" Wells will have to step it up or the 2010 Cardinals' season will be a disaster.
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Another coaching staff begins anew with the Seahawks with the same talent, which is actually not bad. They have a relatively easy schedule and with a coach who has had success with other teams in the NFL with remotely the same talent level (Carroll is 33-31 as a coach, with a 1-2 playoff record).
Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Whether or not Favre signs, this is Adrian Peterson's team. And honestly, Favre will maybe win an extra game (remember they won 10 games with Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson at quarterback a couple years ago). Their talent remains mostly unchanged from last year, so I'm expecting another good season from the Vikings, however they have a tough first half of their schedule, so don't expect Favre to have quite as good a season as last.
Green Bay Vikings (12-4)
One of the NFL's elite team with an elite quarterback. Their one weak spot is their offensive line which gave up the most sacks last season. They have the weapons to win a Super Bowl and have an easy schedule too.
Chicago Bears (8-8)
The Bears could go either way. They have a ton of talent, especially on defense, but have an erratic quarterback. The addition of Mike Martz as offensive coordinator may help Cutler out, but Martz had success with the Rams with supreme talent.
Detroit Lions (2-14)
Umm, yeah, can we move on?
New Orleans Saints (11-5)
I'm expecting a bit of a Super Bowl hangover from the Saints, but not too much of a drop-off as their personnel has largely remained the same. If they can still run the ball and play defense the way they did last year, they will do fine.
Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
I know a lot of people are high on the Falcons, but I am not one of those. They have an easy schedule and they may be the best squad as a team, but I don't think they have the weapons do win the Super Bowl. Yeah they have Tony Gonzalez, but so did the Chiefs for 15 years and they went nowhere in the playoffs in that time span.
Carolina Panthers (8-8)
All of the NFC South teams have easy schedules, however I'm not predicting any spectacular or earth-shattering from the Panthers. They are perfectly average, and have remained as such during much of the John Fox-era.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-15)
Okay-yay, moving on.
Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
I'm not a huge Tony Romo or Wade Phillips fan, however they have so much other talent which makes them one of the league's best teams, especially Miles Austin. Expect Tony Romo to honk a game or two toward the end of the season but I don't rule out the Cowboys playing at home in the Super Bowl. They are helped by the fact that this is the first time in years that the NFC East may be a down division (I don't know what to expect from either of the three other teams).
New York Giants (9-7)
Well they have an easy schedule, but other than that I have no idea what to expect from the Giants.
Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
I think the loss of Donovan McNabb will really hurt the Eagles and they have a really tough December; with games against the Texans and Vikings, and at the Cowboys and Giants.
Washington Redskins (8-8)
The Redskins will be a very talented team with a great coach and quarterback, however they have a tough schedule, especially in the middle of the season when teams usually pick up steam for the playoffs. The addition of Donovan McNabb has obviously created national attention for the Redskins, who will play two Sunday Night games (both at home against the Cowboys and Colts) despite being in the cellar last year.
San Francisco 49ers (10-6)
I'm going to grudgingly say that the 49ers will win the weak NFC West (and they may have home-field advantage in the playoffs), even though Mike Singletary is crazy. Yes they have Frank Gore (and now Brian Westbrook) and that's about it on offense. Shaun Hill really, really should start at quarterback instead of Alex Smith. Hill is 10-6 as a starter, 322 of 522 passing for 3,490 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. And they have an easy schedule too.
Arizona Cardinals (6-10)
I don't know what to make of them, so I'll say .500. They lost a lot of talent with Boldin and Rolle going to other teams and Warner retiring. I do not think Matt Leinert is a competent NFL starter. He's just another glory-boy quarterback who looked good at a powerhouse school, but cannot handle the NFL. I do however think the Cardinals still have one of the best coaching staffs in the league, but that only goes so far. Second-year running back "Beanie" Wells will have to step it up or the 2010 Cardinals' season will be a disaster.
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Another coaching staff begins anew with the Seahawks with the same talent, which is actually not bad. They have a relatively easy schedule and with a coach who has had success with other teams in the NFL with remotely the same talent level (Carroll is 33-31 as a coach, with a 1-2 playoff record).
09 August 2010
AFC Season Predictions
Yup. It's that time of year where we needlessly predict NFL teams' records for 2010. Today I'll do the AFC and then I'll do the NFC in a separate post.
Because I saw the Bengals play last night, I'll start with them:
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Last year, they were the NFL's best team and I'm expecting a bit of a drop-off from last year because T.O. has historically not been much of team player and because they'll need to pass more because of T.O. and Ochocinco.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Their defense isn't old, Ray Lewis is, and he's just as dominate as ever, however is focus of their team has shifted to their offense; Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason. And yes, I expect them and the Bengals to be neck-and-neck down the stretch for the AFC North title.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10)
I expect them to not be as dominate either, as this team has become Ben Roethlisberger and nobody else. He'll be suspended the first few games of the season where they'll struggle. Their offensive line is bad, which makes them not good at running the ball and bad at protecting Big Ben. Their defense is getting old and it was revealed that they are nothing without Troy Polamalu.
Cleveland Browns (4-12)
They're taking baby-steps to becoming a good team. I'm not sure if the acquisition of Jake Delhomme was all that good of an idea but that team could use some veteran leadership. Team President Mike Holmgren is an offensive genius and it's already been confirmed that coach Eric Mangini will run Holmgren's offense. Jerome Harrison could easily have a good season which will help out Delhomme and Cribbs when they go into the Wildcat. However they have a tough schedule so I don't expect them to win too many games because of that.
Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
Umm, yeah, it's the Colts with Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. How bad can they be?
Houston Texans (11-5)
The Texans are going to be my dark horse team this year. Because I'm expecting the Titans and Jaguars to have down seasons, I see no reason why they won't make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history (if they were in a different division, they would be). Andre Johnson is the best wide receiver in the league, and Matt Schaub has become an elite quarterback with the right coach (Gary Kubiak). Their lack of a running game may be their downfall though
Tennessee Titans (6-10)
I'm just not seeing it. Chris Johnson may have another 2,000 yard-season, but that won games in 1985, not 2010. Kerry Collins is extremely inconsistent and Vince Young, while a gifted athlete, is not a cerebral person whatsoever. Their skill position talent is not very good and their defense is below average (28th last season). Dare I say that if they don't win that Jeff Fisher is on the hot seat?
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
Their skill position talent is better than the Titans, however their defense is just average. I'm not sure how the loss of Torry Holt will effect their passing game this season. To be honest I'm not sure if he was much of a threat last year. They have a tough-ish schedule (don't be surprised if they start 0-4) but a couple easy games in the middle of the season.
New England Patriots (12-4)
They'll have a dominate offense this season, there's no doubt about that, however their defense is just not good and expect that to cost them a game or two; namely against the Chargers and possibly the Packers.
New York Jets (11-5)
They have an easy out-of-division schedule, as they play the mushy NFC North, as well as the Texans and Bengals at home in November. And yes, they'll have a good defense but they're blitz-happy ways may cost them a game.
Miami Dolphins (9-7)
They too have an easy schedule, with the exception of having to travel to New England the last game of the season, however they have some woofers against Tennessee, Cleveland, Oakland and Chicago. Other than Brandon Marshall, their skill position talent isn't outstanding but they have one of the better coaching staff in the league, so that helps.
Buffalo Bills (3-13)
They play in tough division and don't have an easy schedule and they're not a good team. I have nothing else to say.
San Diego Chargers (13-3)
It's quite possible they have the easiest schedule in the NFL, and not because they play in a crappy division. They play the Jaguars and the 49ers at home.
Oakland Raiders (7-9)
They too are taking baby-steps to becoming a good team. They have an easy first 2/3 of their schedule, whereas it'll be tough in December, going to Pittsburgh, and having games against Indy and Miami.
Denver Broncos (6-10)
They have a tough schedule and don't have very good players. They have a tough beginning schedule, where the Broncos have historically won games in, but I'm not seeing it.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
They have better coaching staff and decent skill position talent, however they have a tough beginning to their season but wrap it up with easy games.
Because I saw the Bengals play last night, I'll start with them:
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Last year, they were the NFL's best team and I'm expecting a bit of a drop-off from last year because T.O. has historically not been much of team player and because they'll need to pass more because of T.O. and Ochocinco.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Their defense isn't old, Ray Lewis is, and he's just as dominate as ever, however is focus of their team has shifted to their offense; Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason. And yes, I expect them and the Bengals to be neck-and-neck down the stretch for the AFC North title.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10)
I expect them to not be as dominate either, as this team has become Ben Roethlisberger and nobody else. He'll be suspended the first few games of the season where they'll struggle. Their offensive line is bad, which makes them not good at running the ball and bad at protecting Big Ben. Their defense is getting old and it was revealed that they are nothing without Troy Polamalu.
Cleveland Browns (4-12)
They're taking baby-steps to becoming a good team. I'm not sure if the acquisition of Jake Delhomme was all that good of an idea but that team could use some veteran leadership. Team President Mike Holmgren is an offensive genius and it's already been confirmed that coach Eric Mangini will run Holmgren's offense. Jerome Harrison could easily have a good season which will help out Delhomme and Cribbs when they go into the Wildcat. However they have a tough schedule so I don't expect them to win too many games because of that.
Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
Umm, yeah, it's the Colts with Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. How bad can they be?
Houston Texans (11-5)
The Texans are going to be my dark horse team this year. Because I'm expecting the Titans and Jaguars to have down seasons, I see no reason why they won't make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history (if they were in a different division, they would be). Andre Johnson is the best wide receiver in the league, and Matt Schaub has become an elite quarterback with the right coach (Gary Kubiak). Their lack of a running game may be their downfall though
Tennessee Titans (6-10)
I'm just not seeing it. Chris Johnson may have another 2,000 yard-season, but that won games in 1985, not 2010. Kerry Collins is extremely inconsistent and Vince Young, while a gifted athlete, is not a cerebral person whatsoever. Their skill position talent is not very good and their defense is below average (28th last season). Dare I say that if they don't win that Jeff Fisher is on the hot seat?
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
Their skill position talent is better than the Titans, however their defense is just average. I'm not sure how the loss of Torry Holt will effect their passing game this season. To be honest I'm not sure if he was much of a threat last year. They have a tough-ish schedule (don't be surprised if they start 0-4) but a couple easy games in the middle of the season.
New England Patriots (12-4)
They'll have a dominate offense this season, there's no doubt about that, however their defense is just not good and expect that to cost them a game or two; namely against the Chargers and possibly the Packers.
New York Jets (11-5)
They have an easy out-of-division schedule, as they play the mushy NFC North, as well as the Texans and Bengals at home in November. And yes, they'll have a good defense but they're blitz-happy ways may cost them a game.
Miami Dolphins (9-7)
They too have an easy schedule, with the exception of having to travel to New England the last game of the season, however they have some woofers against Tennessee, Cleveland, Oakland and Chicago. Other than Brandon Marshall, their skill position talent isn't outstanding but they have one of the better coaching staff in the league, so that helps.
Buffalo Bills (3-13)
They play in tough division and don't have an easy schedule and they're not a good team. I have nothing else to say.
San Diego Chargers (13-3)
It's quite possible they have the easiest schedule in the NFL, and not because they play in a crappy division. They play the Jaguars and the 49ers at home.
Oakland Raiders (7-9)
They too are taking baby-steps to becoming a good team. They have an easy first 2/3 of their schedule, whereas it'll be tough in December, going to Pittsburgh, and having games against Indy and Miami.
Denver Broncos (6-10)
They have a tough schedule and don't have very good players. They have a tough beginning schedule, where the Broncos have historically won games in, but I'm not seeing it.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
They have better coaching staff and decent skill position talent, however they have a tough beginning to their season but wrap it up with easy games.
03 August 2010
Chris Johnson To Be The Next Terrell Davis? And Me Writing Anything and Everything About NFL Running Backs
Titans' running back Chris Johnson had an astounding 2,006 yards on 358 carries. Stats back up that Johnson will have a short but productive career, much like Larry Johnson, Ricky Williams 1.0 and Terrell Davis. NFL History tells us that running backs who have consecutive 300+ carry seasons don't last long.
In 2006 Larry Johnson carried the ball an NFL record 416 times (and 336 times the season before). Johnson has not been the same since. He hasn't had a 1,000 yard season since.
Ricky Williams 1.0 had 775 carries over two seasons (2002 and 2003) and leading the league in rushing in 2002, then failed a drug test in training camp the next season and retired. He tried to come back both with the Dolphins and in Canada but either had drug troubles or injuries before Ricky Williams 2.0 emerged in 2008.
Terrell Davis had seasons of 345, 369 and 392 carries over three straight seasons. Then Davis had three more injury-plagued seasons before he retired after just seven NFL seasons.
The same thing could be said for running backs after 29 (if they even make it that long). O.J. Simpson seemed to hit a wall after 29, as did Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Defenses scheme better for these guys, and coaches keep radioing-in plays for them, which overtime leads to fatigue and injury. And it seemed to happen more often in the past 20 years with single back offenses emerging in the NFL.
However, this scenario does point to the greatness of players like Curtis Martin, Eddie George, Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson, who had multiple 300+ carry seasons and were largely their teams playmakers for years and years (Martin had two straight 300+ carry seasons after 30).
Ricky Watters was a controversial running back in his day because he would take plays off and run his mouth on occasion. But he was a rare breed of running back who routinely played well. He is the only back in history to have a 1,000 yard season with three different teams. Yes, he may have taken plays off, but it only helped out his longevity.
Marcus Allen was undoubtedly the longest-tenured NFL running back, playing for 16 seasons. He had a considerable slump in the middle of his career, which lead to his dealing to Kansas City, where he became a short-yardage back (picking up "garbage yards") and a pass receiver. Amazingly, he had 11 touchdowns at age 37.
So watch out, Chris Johnson. You're bound to be the next Terrell Davis, who has two or three outstanding seasons, and then quickly drop into obscurity due to injuries and lack or production.
In 2006 Larry Johnson carried the ball an NFL record 416 times (and 336 times the season before). Johnson has not been the same since. He hasn't had a 1,000 yard season since.
Ricky Williams 1.0 had 775 carries over two seasons (2002 and 2003) and leading the league in rushing in 2002, then failed a drug test in training camp the next season and retired. He tried to come back both with the Dolphins and in Canada but either had drug troubles or injuries before Ricky Williams 2.0 emerged in 2008.
Terrell Davis had seasons of 345, 369 and 392 carries over three straight seasons. Then Davis had three more injury-plagued seasons before he retired after just seven NFL seasons.
The same thing could be said for running backs after 29 (if they even make it that long). O.J. Simpson seemed to hit a wall after 29, as did Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Defenses scheme better for these guys, and coaches keep radioing-in plays for them, which overtime leads to fatigue and injury. And it seemed to happen more often in the past 20 years with single back offenses emerging in the NFL.
However, this scenario does point to the greatness of players like Curtis Martin, Eddie George, Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson, who had multiple 300+ carry seasons and were largely their teams playmakers for years and years (Martin had two straight 300+ carry seasons after 30).
Ricky Watters was a controversial running back in his day because he would take plays off and run his mouth on occasion. But he was a rare breed of running back who routinely played well. He is the only back in history to have a 1,000 yard season with three different teams. Yes, he may have taken plays off, but it only helped out his longevity.
Marcus Allen was undoubtedly the longest-tenured NFL running back, playing for 16 seasons. He had a considerable slump in the middle of his career, which lead to his dealing to Kansas City, where he became a short-yardage back (picking up "garbage yards") and a pass receiver. Amazingly, he had 11 touchdowns at age 37.
So watch out, Chris Johnson. You're bound to be the next Terrell Davis, who has two or three outstanding seasons, and then quickly drop into obscurity due to injuries and lack or production.
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