FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lane Kiffin knew what he was doing after all.
Raiders media and even some Oakland players kept pushing for Kiffin to give JaMarcus Russell playing time. Kiffin resisted, using his rookie quarterback sparingly through the season’s first 14 games.
Now we know why.
Kiffin described Russell’s performance in Sunday’s 49-11 road loss to Jacksonville as having his “nightmares come true.” Russell was dreadful after entering on Oakland’s third series. He completed just four of 17 passes for 45 yards before leading the Raiders to a touchdown on his final drive against Jaguars reserves. Russell also threw three interceptions trying to force passes into double coverage and lost a fumble.
"That was really my fear," Kiffin said. "I was hoping to make it through the year without that happening. I wanted to get a whole off-season underneath him. Unfortunately, we did get one of those games where he was throwing the ball all over the place and turning it over."
Further compounding problems, the communication device inside Russell’s helmet had failed. But the scoreboard was working, which Kiffin believes added to Russell’s woes. Kiffin said Russell started pushing as the Raiders fell increasingly behind.
"I’m afraid his first interception affected him and he started rolling downhill," Kiffin said. "Instead of getting rid of (the football), he tried to make big plays for us. I talked to him at halftime and told him, 'Let’s take it one series at a time, pretend the score is close and make first downs.'"
Russell’s struggles could be expected, especially against Jacksonville’s staunch defense. Russell hadn’t played this much since his final college bowl game at Louisiana State in January. He missed the entire preseason in an inexcusable contract holdout considering the Raiders had ample time to negotiate a pre-draft deal for the top overall pick.
Such mismanagement forced Kiffin into a difficult balancing act.
Although he’s the NFL’s youngest head coach at age 32, Kiffin was wise beyond his years about how to handle Russell. Kiffin didn’t want to ruin Russell’s confidence by putting him in situations he couldn’t handle. He understood Russell wasn’t a well-polished college quarterback. Rather, Russell was chosen No. 1 because of his physical gifts and long-term potential. There would clearly be a steep learning curve.
But as the Raiders (4-11) faded from the post-season race yet again, Kiffin faced increasing pressure to play Russell with an eye toward 2008.
Russell was eased into action, previously coming off the bench for 28 plays in two December home games. Kiffin also had refused to play Russell on the road. That was for the best in a Dec. 9 game at Green Bay. Russell – who had never played in winter weather -- was so affected by the cold he stood on the sideline wearing a ski mask.
Russell will ultimately need to play in those conditions and such garb must come off. The kid gloves already have, as evidenced by Kiffin sticking with Russell throughout the Jaguars game. Kiffin also said Russell will start Sunday’s season-finale against visiting San Diego.
The Chargers’ blitz-heavy defense will present Russell with just as difficult a test as Jacksonville did. Plus, the Chargers (9-5) probably won’t pull starters as they compete with Pittsburgh (10-5) for the AFC’s No. 3 playoff seed.
Kiffin can only hope Russell’s rough experience Sunday has a positive long-term effect.
"There were a lot of things I had to learn from as far as where to throw the football and knowing when it’s not there," Russell said afterward. "I have to learn to throw it away instead of trying to make big plays.
"Things didn’t go the way we wanted. I have a short-term memory, though."
He will need it.
Alex also will be co-hosting twice this week on Sirius NFL Radio (Channel 124). He will be on from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with FOXSports.com contributor Adam Schein and 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday with Gil Brandt.
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are his thoughts on the weekend’s games.
Atlanta would haven’t traded Matt Schaub in April had the Falcons known the legal trouble that was about to surround Michael Vick.
In retrospect, the Houston Texans might not have agreed to the deal either.
Sage Rosenfels is proving the Texans already had a quality quarterback on their roster. In place of the injured Schaub, Rosenfels improved to 3-0 as a starter after last Thursday’s 31-13 rout of Denver. Schaub is 4-7 and has an almost identical completion percentage and quarterback rating.
This isn’t what Houston envisioned. The Texans sent two second-round draft choices to Atlanta and flopped 2007 first-round picks for Schaub, who was then signed to a six-year, $48-million contract. While Schaub had his moments when healthy, Rosenfels has looked sharper and fueled Houston’s late-season surge.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, Schaub probably won’t be back on the trade market this off-season. There would be salary-cap ramifications for the Texans, plus Schaub probably wouldn’t command nearly as much in trade value now that teams have seen him play more extensively than when he was in Atlanta as Vick’s seldom-used backup.
The Texans have two realistic options: A) Test the trade market for Rosenfels, who has two years remaining on his contract at a bargain $1.35 million salary each season; B) Bring back both quarterbacks in 2008 and have an open competition for the starting spot.
After five seasons of David Carr, this is a good problem for Houston to have.
Rosenfels’ emergence also goes down as yet another talent miscalculation by Miami, which didn’t make a hard push to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent in 2006.
What was turning into a lackluster end to the regular season has gotten much ####ier after Sunday losses by Dallas, Pittsburgh and the New York Giants. But the NFL still lacks marquee contests leading into the post-season.
The only Week 16 game between playoff-contending teams is Sunday night’s Washington-Minnesota match-up. The lineup for Week 17 is highlighted by a New England-New York Giants game that should determine whether the Patriots finish with the NFL’s first 16-0 record. Beyond that, every post-season spot may be locked up by then.
The most intriguing games will probably involve playoff seeding. Cleveland (9-5) can still catch Pittsburgh (9-5) in the AFC Central with two victories and one Steelers loss. After being upset Sunday at home by Philadelphia, Dallas (12-2) probably needs to win road contests vs. Carolina and Washington to stave off Green Bay (12-2) and secure the NFC’s top seed. Tampa Bay (9-5) and Seattle (9-5) are jostling for the NFC’s third and fourth slots, although the Seahawks hold the tiebreaker from an earlier victory over the Bucs. Plus, New Orleans (7-7) and Washington (7-7) could still be alive for a wild-card berth if the Giants (9-5) and Vikings (7-6) stumble.
Tampa Bay’s clinching of the NFC South title Sunday was actually secondary to Michael Spurlock returning the first kickoff for a touchdown in franchise history. Spurlock’s 90-yard score ended 31-plus seasons of futility and sparked a 37-3 rout of Atlanta.
“The whole city was ecstatic to see this happen,” said linebacker Derrick Brooks, a 13-year Bucs veteran.
So imagine the anguish if Spurlock’s return was overturned? Falcons interim coach Emmitt Thomas tried to call for a replay review. But by the time Thomas threw his challenge flag and got an official to notice it, the Bucs already had kicked the extra point.
Not only was it his first game as a head coach, Thomas also couldn’t remember the last time he was on the sidelines during a game. Thomas was promoted from secondary coach after Bobby Petrino fled to the University of Arkansas.
Not to say I told you so, but I told you so. I called Miami’s victory against Baltimore two weeks ago in my Monday Musings. The Ravens have too many injuries and entered on a seven-game losing streak (which I also predicted).
Miami coach Cam Cameron made the right call switching from rookie quarterback John Beck to veteran Cleo Lemon. Lemon was sacked five times but didn’t get tricked by Baltimore’s exotic defenses into throwing an interception. Lemon’s stock as an unrestricted free agent in 2008 jumped after his 315-yard passing performance.
<li>By defeating Baltimore, Miami (1-13) has received a respite from jokes surrounding a winless team. One of them about Miami’s quarterback play came last Friday from former kicker Garo Yepremian at a 1972 Dolphins reunion.
“I’ve offered my services as a quarterback but they haven’t taken me up on that,” said Yepremian, whose botched pass almost cost Miami a Super Bowl VII victory over Washington. “I’m very disappointed. The arm is getting better. I’m throwing longer backward passes.”
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are his thoughts on the weekend’s games.
GREENBELT, Md. -- Will New England's hopes for a perfect season soon be blowing in the wind?
We’ll find out after tonight’s game between the visiting Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.
The weather forecast calls for steady winds of 26 miles per hour throughout the game with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph. That could make what would be a mismatch under better conditions a much more competitive contest.
The throw-first Patriots may have to become more conservative with their offensive game plan, which would be fine with Baltimore. The Ravens have the NFL’s third-ranked run defense (77.9-yard average) and New England’s ground game isn’t nearly as dynamic as their passing attack.
Baltimore ranks No. 21 in both rushing and passing offense, but quarterback play is clearly the team's biggest problem. Such a weakness would be diminished if the Ravens can get New England mired in a game where both teams have to play close to the vest.
At this point, weather or sloppy field conditions might be the only thing that can stop the Patriots from going undefeated. Even the NFL’s worst team – Miami – had a chance to upset Pittsburgh last Monday night when Heinz Field turned into a soggy mosh pit.
The Patriots greatly improved their own playing surface by installing FieldTurf in November 2006 when it became clear grass wouldn’t cut it. But if a blizzard hits Gillette Stadium at the wrong time this January, the Patriots may be wishing they didn’t have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Here’s my two-cents on two topics: I’m predicting New England defeats Baltimore in a low-scoring contest – something like 17-13 -- and Miami (0-11) will end its winless ways with a Dec. 16 victory over the Ravens in South Florida. By then, Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman (ankle) should be healthy and rookie quarterback John Beck will have thrown his first touchdown pass (the scoreless streak now stands at 12 quarters). The Ravens (4-7) also could be in complete freefall and getting ready for a coaching change. Brian Billick’s squad already has lost five consecutive games and now plays New England and Indianapolis back-to-back.
Late free safety Sean Taylor is so beloved by the Washington Redskins that both of his lockers are now encased in glass. The Redskins have given such treatment to his lockers at both Fed-Ex Field and the team’s practice headquarters.
The Redskins-Buffalo game on Sunday was clearly all about Taylor – and deservedly so. But overshadowed by the tributes was Buffalo’s continuing resiliency. The Bills started a beat-up defense, a rookie quarterback (Trent Edwards) and a running back (Fred Jackson) from a Division III college (Coe). No matter. They still staged a comeback victory on the road. If Buffalo (6-6) can win its next two games against visiting Miami and Dec. 16 in Cleveland (7-5), a wild-card berth isn’t out of the question. But even if they fall short, Bills coach #### Jauron has done a fantastic job getting maximum effort from a roster that – on paper – shouldn’t be winning games.
I’ll end with this final thought from Redskins tackle Chris Samuels on Taylor’s death.
“We’ve got to get a hold of our youth and our best to lead these kids in the right direction, ” said Samuels, referring to the four defendants between the ages of 17 and 20 charged with Taylor’s killing. “Parents, role models have to do a better job. I’ve got to get out this summer and do some things in the community. I’ve already started my (charity) foundation, getting out in the Southeast and talking to the kids. We just need a lot of people to stand up because this is such a tragedy. Sean didn’t have to die, you know?”
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are some final thoughts on New England’s 24-20 victory over Indianapolis.
So when can we do this again?
Not only did Sunday’s New England-Indianapolis game live up to the pre-game hype, you were left wanting more. The rematch should come in the AFC Championship game.
If it does, here are some things that will be different:
Peyton Manning should have a full complement of targets. Colts coach Tony Dungy said Friday that wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) would play if this were the postseason. Dungy was clearly thinking long-term when Harrison was declared inactive.
The in-game loss of rookie wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (thumb) further crippled Indianapolis’ receiver corps. After rolling up 187 first-half yards, running back Joseph Addai was limited to 49 in the final two quarters. The Patriots also kept wide receiver Reggie Wayne (five catches for 62 yards) in check and took away tight end Dallas Clark (2-15) with frequent use of an extra defensive back. On Indianapolis’ final possession, two of Manning’s three passes were intended for wide receiver Aaron Moorehead and tight end Bryan Fletcher. Neither of those players would be targeted during such a critical time if Harrison and Gonzalez were healthy.
The Patriots will find a way to get outside linebacker Adalius Thomas more involved. New England didn’t give Thomas a five-year, $32 million contract to serve as a situational player. Yet that’s exactly what happened Sunday, as one of the Patriots’ best pass-rushers was barely used. The company line is that New England’s use of a four-man defensive front in its nickel package limited Thomas’ snaps. Conspiracy theorists will believe Thomas ran afoul of Bill Belichick by spending Friday night partying with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Belichick will show some class. Ok, maybe not. Belichick’s anti-social behavior during post-game handshakes is taking on a life of its own. This time, Belichick gave Dungy a half-hearted handshake before quickly walking off while the Colts coach was trying to tell him something. This might have been Belichick’s way of expressing that he wasn’t happy Dungy gave his two cents on the Spygate scandal. Or maybe Belichick was upset New England didn’t have a chance to run up the score.
Inside the Colts locker room, it was clear Dungy had stressed this wasn’t the postseason and Indianapolis (7-1) still has half a season remaining before the playoffs begin.
"Nobody’s perfect," Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson said. "We’ve just got to learn from this. We’ve got a lot of games left and would like to meet them again."
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also tried to keep the victory and New England’s perfect start in perspective.
"I can pick about 20 plays out there where we had weaknesses," Brady said. "The thing is we’re 9-0 and it really doesn’t matter. What matters is in January. I think this was a great step in preparation for games down the road."
FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are some final tidbits stemming from the league’s first international regular-season game Sunday in London.
They’re successful businessmen in pigskin and pizza respectively, but Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Papa John’s President/CEO Nigel Travis share the same belief of how football’s popularity can grow in the United Kingdom.
And it isn’t necessarily through the NFL.
"Arena football could be the way," said the British-born Travis, who now lives in Louisville, Ky. "You need the right product and it takes a long time to do anything, but I think it would build over time."
Like Travis, Jones touted the merits of that gridiron hybrid while attending a global sports economics conference in London preceding Sunday’s New York Giants-Miami Dolphins game. Jones owns the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
Said Jones: "There are fewer players. There are much less economics involved. You can play in indoor arenas. But you can still get some of the skills of football [like] blocking, tackling and throwing."
Now entering its 20th season, the AFL is still trying to grow beyond being a niche entity in the U.S. The same can be said of the NFL in the United Kingdom. An AFL expansion into Great Britain – which, along with markets in Mexico and Canada, is being discussed internally – could find a receptive audience, especially in the NFL’s offseason. It also would further football’s grass-roots movement in England.
“It’s conceivable that the AFL could be the world's only trans-Atlantic league within the next five years,” an AFL spokesman said.
Jones has an even larger view of arena football’s potential future.
"I’m involved with an arena team for one reason and one reason only," he said. "I thought that it had a chance to be an Olympic event."
Sure that sounds far-fetched. But 10 years ago, who could have imagined the NFL playing a regular-season game overseas?
Don’t be surprised if the NFL returns to London next year with San Francisco as one of the participants. Like the Dan Marino-led Dolphins, the 49ers are popular because the league began airing on British television in the mid-1980s during Joe Montana’s heyday. Sky Sports even aired Sunday’s San Francisco-New Orleans game following the Giants’ 13-10 victory.
Should the NFL again cross the pond, one area that must be addressed is Wembley Stadium’s field condition. The turf, which is groomed for soccer, came up in divots during Sunday’s rain and helped lead to a sloppy game.
"The footing contributed to the inability to make plays on either side," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Monday. "It’s too bad."
The potential of an NFL expansion franchise in London was bandied about last week, but Jones doesn’t buy it.
"I see no sentiment for expanded franchises in the NFL. None," Jones said. "We aren’t even considering it for Los Angeles. I don’t see that. But as you look down the road and some of the possibilities, playing a regular-season game -- a meaningful game toward getting to the Super Bowl -- I think that’s the way we’re doing it to create interest from time to time."
Playing in London helped a Scotsman. Coughlin said he is sticking with Scottish-born kicker Lawrence Tynes, who connected on one of two field goals and an extra point Sunday. Tynes entered on the hot seat, but Coughlin isn’t inclined to make a change after New York’s 6-2 start.
Attending NFL games in the U.S. gets pricier each year, but they’re still a bargain compared to Sunday’s contest at Wembley. Besides individual tickets priced between $90 and $180, concessions included $10 cheeseburgers, $14 fish-and-chips and large sodas for $5.80. For the average fan, that doesn’t leave much left to purchase $7 pints of ale.
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com . He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
