From the beginning, back in training camp, Mike Vanderjagt kept telling Dallas head coach Bill Parcells not to worry. That he would be fine for the regular season. Of course, his groin injury didn’t heal quickly enough and Shaun Suisham kicked in the opening-day loss to Jacksonville. In fact, Suisham missed a 36-yard attempt that may have altered the outcome.
If you include the field goal that he missed for Indianapolis in the playoff loss to Pittsburgh, Vanderjagt has missed six of his last 18 attempts. A pretty poor conversion rate, considering he entered the season as the NFL’s very best all-time at 87.5 percent.
Parcells has always been a stickler for having a clutch field-goal kicker. When he won his last Super Bowl with the New York Giants, it was Matt Bahr who put his 1990 team in the game with five consecutive field goals to upset the San Francisco 49ers in Candlestick Park. Bahr hit a 42-yarder at the gun to win the game 15-13, and he made two more in Super Bowl XXV while Scott Norwood was sailing wide right.
Basically, Vanderjagt was wide right twice in Sunday’s upset of the Colts.
You have to wonder why Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch playoff kicker in the past five seasons, ended up in Indianapolis and not in Dallas?
The best story is that Colts GM Bill Polian gave Vinatieri a contract offer and told him if he left the building and visited the Cowboys the offer was off the table. Vinatieri took the deal and the Cowboys had to settle for Vanderjagt, the kicker the Colts discarded.
Another version is that Parcells told Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, New England’s brain trust, that he wouldn’t pursue Vinatieri as a free-agent unless another team spoke to him first. Believe me, the Patriots probably wish they didn’t make any verbal deal with Parcells.
Vinatieri could come back to haunt the Patriots in the playoffs. If he was in Dallas, though, he could only hurt them in the Super Bowl.
No Money for Backups
There is a simple explanation for why the Falcons are stumbling right now, losers of three straight. Every team has to deal with injuries over the course of the season, but the Falcons spent almost 83 percent of their salary-cap, tops in the NFL, on starters. So, when the starters began to drop in Atlanta, Coach Jim Mora has had to make do with very low-end backups and reserves.
Hey, everyone knows that Joe DeCamillis is a very good special teams’ coach. But his coverage units have been getting torched recently. It’s pretty hard to compete in that area when management elected to spend the fewest amount of dollars on special team players. This includes the very good acquisition of 46-year-old place-kicker Morten Andersen.
Gruden in the Dark?
There is no question within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that Jon Gruden’s agent, Bob Lamonte, was the source of last Sunday’s report in the Tampa Tribune that the head coach was getting feelers from other organizations, including Thursday’s opponent, the Dallas Cowboys.
The interesting aspect is that Gruden may have been totally oblivious to the notion that his agent was spreading the news. And this is why he voiced such a strong denial on the newspaper’s report. He really didn’t know about it.
Depending on your point of view, Gruden may be underpaid at $3.5 million a season. Then again, after winning the NFC South last season, the Bucs have slipped off the radar screen this season.
But, hypothetically, Gruden and Tony Romo would be an interesting combination should Bill Parcells decide to retire at the end of the season. Gruden is doing a pretty special job with rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.
Crazy "Sex" Quote
In case you missed it last week, Bengals defensive tackle Sam Adams has been playing pretty well the past two games. Adams is also probably pushing 350 pounds. He and Atlanta’s Grady Jackson are pushing for the biggest looking lineman in the NFL.
Asked why he’s playing better, Adams responded by saying: "I feel a lot better. I feel like I changed sexes."
You feel like what?
"I feel like I’m a different human being," Adams said.
You changed what?
"Changed sexes," he said. "I’m a different human being right now."
Last Shot at Mangini
Jets rookie head coach Eric Mangini defended his on-sides’ kick strategy in a 0-0 game against the Bears to start the second half. His defenders say he was trying to show his team that he will try anything to win a game.
OK, but the Bears just happen to have the game’s best special teams this season. Devin Hester leads the NFL with seven punt returns of 20 yards or more. The next closest guy has three. The Bears are very good in all aspects of special teams and a couple of them noticed that Mangini had changed some players on the on-sides’ attempt. They anticipated the kick. And that’s another reason why Mangini shouldn’t have tried it. The percentages were not in his favor against the Bears. Against some other team, it may have succeeded.
Rex Grossman has now thrown 18 touchdown passes, tying Jim McMahon’s career season-high set in 1985. In fact, Erik Kramer (29 in 1995) is the only Chicago quarterback to throw as many as 20 touchdown passes in the last 41 seasons.
Hey do you think that the Broncos should see what Jay Cutler has before Plummer loses the season for them...IT looks like Shannahan cant open up the offense due to the lack of productivity that Plummer has shown this year..He cant even drop back and throw a catchable ball...
Give it a rest with Plummer. If the Broncos were 3-7, it might be an issue. But they're 7-3, and only 1 game back in the AFC West. The Denver D is what selBLEEPestructed against San Diego and Indy, not the offense. How about you also ask Shanahan the question of why he didn't play to Plummer's strengths (i.e. the designed rollout) when the Chargers were already weak in the middle with Merriman out. You put Jay Cutler out there right now, and you're just asking to deep-six your season. I, for one, wouldn't give up on a 7-3 team just yet.
shanahan should bench plummer and give jay cutler a try. i don't think the broncos would leave the the first round of the playoffs with with plummer at the helms.
Man just think before you write sometimes Duncan. Everyone was waiting for the boot. And that cant be your only atribute. The man hasnt won the Broncos a game yet this year..Give me one game that he went out and did what an Brady or a Brees has done. The man has been in the NFL for years and he cant even drop back and pass and when he do go deep the ball is rarely catchable..Look at the man stats..Is so what your saying is he dont have a supporting cast on offense? Duncan you must didnt see the game sunday..Third and 3 and Shannahan calls a time out were up by 3 and what did plummer do..You got it rite fumble a shoutgun snap who do you blame that on the center? That was the turnaround for the game..If we scored then we wouldnt be having this discussion and the next time we got the ball it was another Int. The man is just not getting any better!
Im a KC fan and i would like to see Plummer benched so my team wouldnt have to fight as hard to get into the playoffs. At the same time I would love to see all three (Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs)in the playoffs to show how tough the AFC West still is. Plummer is the best they got (experience) benching him without a good QB coach (Gary Kubiak), would only make this team worse and cost it its playoff spot. Jay Cutler isnt even as close to being as ready as Matt Leinhart and Vince Young. He is a work in progress for 2007 season. Also he would have the same issues with pass protection like Leinhart does. So for all of you who say put Cutler i hope its for Thanksgiving so i can give thanks to Mike Shannahan.
Hey Czar, what is your feeling on Joey going back to Detroit? i am going to personal Laugh my butt of when he returns and beats them... Lions are horrible this year .. again
When will they fire this Czar BLEEP? no one really cares if a Bengals lineman had a sex change.. they're all BLEEP in Cincinatti anyways. At least we don't have to hear him make up some BLEEP on T.O. for a little while.... this guy really needs to go work at ESPN. they love their drama there..... what a joke!! Sports news has become "Survivor"
Justin,
I think all three teams from the west will make the play-offs, I know they have to play each other but none of the other divisions have a second strong team right now. The Jags are hard to figure and Cincy maybe just had too many off the field problems. Would be kind of redemption after last year when everyone thought at least one team from the west would get a wild card. I watch the west a lot because of being a hawk fan, so where we use to play. I am glad we don't play there now, but even with that we need to get going to get a decent seeding in the NFC. Right now we stink, and usually I tend to make excuses for my teams. |So many expectations bring so much dissapointment.
don't get me wrong I have not given up yet, not in the week to week changing NFC or I guess ever for that matter.
ya know i was watching that Sunday night game when there was a minute left to go and i SWEAR I saw with my very own eyes Jake Plummer FUMBLE THE BALL which cost the Broncos the game after they were given GOLDEN field position. Case in point Jake BLEEPs, Jake can't play in the clutch, in fact Jake just can't play PERIOD. Normally you'd say a qb is only as good as the system he's in, well the system he's in works and Jake, well Jake just BLEEPs.
I agree with the point that Jake Plummer is not a very good QB, but Jay Cutler didn't win a lot of games in college and though I think he's the best QB in the draft last year he won't be better than Plummer this year
I think I know what the problem is with Jake Plummer is... He does not care. He knows he can get a job in the NFL because honestly, there is a shortage of QUALITY quarterbacks, and Plummer knows that this is his last year in Denver as a starter barring a HUGE breakdown by Cutler next year (which if pre-season is any indication, won't happen). Look at the teams that need an upgrade (or back-up to possible starter), that honestly Jake Plummer IS better then:
Houston: Carr has been doing not so great. Kubiak brought Plummer along well and would probably be able to finish what he started in Denver. This is very well where he could end up after this year.
Philly: I hate to say this, but McNabb is injury prone and may be damaged goods after his rehab on the knee. They need insurance and Garcia is not it for them. Plummer would fit well with Reid who would use designed roll outs and QB runs.
Cleveland: Frye has been slow on his progression. While I doubt that Plummer could start here right away, he could be valuable as insurance, or as incentive to Frye to start producing.
Jacksonville: The QB situation is very questionable here. They may very well be looking for something come the end of the year. Leftwich could be another damaged QB after this year.
Oakland: Brooks/Walter are not going to produce there. Davis would sure love to have Plummer. After all, all the washed out players go there after they have played out their good years elsewhere.
Detroit: Need at least a reliable back-up for Kitna.
Last edited by Psychopyro80 on November 22nd at 2:13 AM.
I love the Vikings offense. Let me count the ways.
Starting at the top we have Coach Brad, the Calm, now morphing into Denny, the madman, by whining about the play clock forgetting that it was the 49ers and not the officials who had laid his team low. Then we have Brad, the Blitzed, who teams defense the way we did when our little brother had his chance at q.b., by giving up on the long ball knowing he couldn’t throw it past the 3rd car. Then we have Williamson, though I don’t have a clue why. All feet and no hands does not a good receiver make. At least Moss could catch. Finally, we have Chester, the Wrecker, a good enough runner, but a one trick pony. Take him out of the game, and take the Vikes out too. I know Ladanian Tominson and Chester is no Ladanian Tominson.
But there is good news. Even bad teams make the playoffs.
Connan - First, do us all a favor and take some grammar lessons. Once you can articulate what you're saying, we may take you more seriously. Second, one play rarely changes the timber of a football game. The rare exceptions are turnovers at the goal line that go the other way for a score. And you want me to name one game Plummer has won? Ok. At New England.....when your boy Brady couldn't get the job done. Also, on the last play of the game, if you want to lay the blame on Plummer for fumbling, go ahead.....but the big problem is the O-line right now. Lepsis is out, and Meadows isn't at 100% in my opinion. Foster should be back in at right tackle, because Meadows throws more "Lookout" blocks....if Meadows does his job and seals the right side on the last play, Denver has a chance. As for Brees, yeah, he's had career days in 3 of the last 4 games.....in losing efforts. I'd love to see Jake throw for 500 yards, but not while getting blown out. Brees' numbers are overinflated because he's had to play from behind lately. And you say 'If we score, no discussion about Jake' Ok, then why aren't we talking about Peyton "Misfire" Manning from the Dallas game. Lot of opportunities, and he missed open guys...with the same amount of pressure as Plummer had on him all day.
Justin - Exactly. Without Plummer, Denver won't see the playoffs. Cutler isn't ready to play just yet. In my opinion, Shanahan told Plummer this was his year when he cut Bradlee Van Pelt, the only other QB on the roster who had real experience playing i
...playing in the system. This is Jake's team, and he knows it.
Stoicraven - I'd wager you were on the Plummer bandwagon when Denver went 13-3 last year, and through Round One when they beat New England, but then conveniently fell off during the Pittsburgh game. If you want to say Plummer can't play in the clutch, then you'd best be prepared to add Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb to that list, too....and every other quarterback who hasn't been able to perform when the pressure is on.
Last edited by Duncan on November 22nd at 10:03 AM.
bballphan - You want to see them fined, then lobby the NFL to outlaw the technique. Until that happens, they'll keep at it. But as long as you wanna call for Denver to be fined, then play fair and insist that the Falcons and Bills be fined, also, since they make fairly prolific use of that blocking technique, too.
Let's face it people, any QB in Denver will always be compared to John Elway, just like they'll be compared to Dan Marino in Miami or Jim Kelly in Buffalo. As long as those fans put pressure on them to be like those guys, they'll always underperform your expectations. Marino and Kelly never could win that elusive 'Big Game', and everything you're all saying about Plummer, was said about Elway, too. Jake Plummer is Jake Plummer, no more, no less. His resume is no less impressive than Elway's in terms of wins, and comebacks. Would y'all be whining about Kordell Stewart if he'd been Denver's choice, instead of Plummer? Probably. But fans are fickle, and want instant results.
You people on the Cutler bandwaggon need to give it a rest. There is no way he is gonna play this year, and should not. Maybe he can challenge for the job in camp next year
That's assuming Plummer is even in Denver next season. This is the same Plummer that the Broncos had last season, the only difference is a weaker running game, which in turn, forces a passing game. Now don't get me wrong, I'm am not a fan of Plummer's, but the guy is just not consistant. He'd make a great backup but he hasn't got the qualities of an NFL starter, and at his age, he won't ever. But, I'm afraid that he is the 'best' choice between him and Cutler. If Shanahan says Cutler isn't ready then it's best to believe the two time superbowl coach, now isn't it.
Thats what Im trying to say is Plummer is not going to get any better..His best fit for the broncos will be as a backup...I would love to see them try to pull Brett Favre for a year so Cutler could learn from a true vet.
I'm sorry, but at this stage of his career, Brett Favre isn't an upgrade from Plummer. Plummer certainly isn't the best QB in the league, but you're going to be hard-pressed to find many that work harder week in and week out. Broncos fans, as I said before, put a tremendous amount of pressure on any quarterback that has followed Elway (Remember guys named 'Brister' and 'Griese'?) and I think Jake does a great job trying to improve himself within the system, while still shutting out all the rhetoric around him. But you are right, Kull, much of this is *if* Plummer returns to Denver for 2007. My guess is he won't. I suspect he'll land in Philadelphia, but I can only speculate there. He *won't* go to Oakland, I know that much.
Last edited by Duncan on November 22nd at 2:47 PM.
bballphan
Nov 22, 2006
6:41 AM Its about time someone fined the broncos for there chop block antics.......they have been doing this for years. its legal, but its cheap. if its still legal.. then it cannot be cheap! It is an effective way to slow down a defenders rush and or blitzing the run.... trouble is football is becoming more and more of a non contact sport. Stop whinnin play the game.... The nfl is a contact sport game... played by pros.. who make alot of money (to play a meaningless game.. in the big picture of life) and all the calls by the refs for touches that occur milsecs after the ball is throw is a joke.... put skirts on them why don't ya! or give em sex changes (whats the nfl coming to) and as far as jake the snake and all the comments on his play... or better yet lack of play.... few things trouble me here.. at 7-3 with the lack of recievers and more importantly the lack of play calling.... they are lucky to be 7-3 hes not a great qb but they knew that bringing him in! They wanted a qb that would not cost them a game... they play scared football half the time... trying to just run the football... he(jake) knows this.. the coachs know this.... and now all who watch football know this... one more thing lmao brett favre playing in denver.... well one can dream i guess.. favre is done.. he still has a great arm.. but his responce to his surroundings (lack of) is what happens when u get ole.... its a fast game...
plummer can only do so much..... switching to cutler now puts the playoffs at risk..... next season cutler can do his thing until then denver should stick with plummer.....
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
