Around the world of the NFL faster than two Will Blackmon returns for TDs, Crappafoni Pictures presents for you the fan, in living color, the NFL version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
THE GOOD
Green Bay Packers: they dismantled the Oakland Raiders in every aspect of the game. Will Blackmon was the special teams stud, returning a punt and a fumble for a touchdown. Blackmon became the first player since 1974 and only the fourth in NFL history to return a punt and fumble for a touchdown in the same game. The Pack amassed 445 total yards for the game and dominated the game from start to finish.
Jacksonville Jaguars: they were dominant in beating a Panthers team that basically gave up from the second quarter on. More on that later.
Dallas Cowboys' final drive: the 'Boys were lucky when Paris Lenon kicked the ball to Andre Gurode. If Lenon just falls on the ball, Detroit wins and gets put in the Good category. Lenon's colossal mistake gave Tony Romo new life, and he took advantage of it.
New England Patriots: way to shut up Anthony Smith! Tom Brady is now within a few TD passes of breaking Peyton Manning's single season record of 49. They went so far ahead of Pittsburgh that the Steelers became a one-dimensional team.
Seattle Seahawks: they looked sharp in dismantling Arizona. With five picks, the defense made several big plays, nothing bigger than in the third quarter after Arizona recovered an onside kick. They will be formidable in the postseason, regardless of where they play.
Indianapolis Colts: they are making this game look too easy. The first quarter isn't even over and they're winning 21-0 against the Ravens.
Houston Texans: simply put, they administered a beatdown to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For some inexplicable reason, they do well against NFC teams.
Denver Broncos: I couldn't forget the Broncos' thrashing of Kansas City. They outgained the Chiefs 453 to 129. The Broncos rushed for 215 yards. They led in time of possession by nearly 10 minutes. They forced three turnovers and didn't commit a turnover. A complete game like that will get you in the Good category every single time.
THE BAD
Carolina Panthers: this may have been one of the worst games the franchise has ever played. They were outgained in total yards 457 to 149. The Jags had the ball nearly twice as long as the Kittens. They were so ineffective that Vinny Testaverde was pulled for Matt Moore. This is a team that gave up in the second quarter. I'd have granted that they would probably lose, but I expected a better effort than this!!
San Francisco 49ers: granted, they did lose to the Vikings, a playoff-caliber team. But they were THRASHED. And on their home turf, no less. FIVE turnovers?? Trent Dilfer was knocked woozy by a Vikings' defense that forced those five turnovers.
Miami Dolphins: 0-13 and counting. Three more and you make history in reverse!! Buffalo just did you again. And with games against New England, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, you just might do it.
THE UGLY
Kansas City Chiefs: this is one of those bad games that you just forget about and go on. Every team has one of those, except New England. I can imagine that the Kansas City Film Festival will supply the filmgoers with PLENTY of Maalox and Pepto-Bismol.
Pittsburgh Steelers: it started with Mr. Motormouth, Anthony Smith, guaranteeing a Steelers victory. Son, don't write checks with your mouth that your #### can't cash. There were several breakdowns in the secondary in this game.
Cleveland at N.Y. Jets: it seemed like the Browns wanted to let the Jets win this game. The Jets hung in this game FAR TOO LONG. The Browns should have won by AT LEAST TWO TDs. Cleveland was fortunate to escape with a win.
Carolina Panthers: see Bad category.
Those are my nominations for Week 14. Your nominations are appreciated. Thanks for reading and responding.
OMG, what has happened to San Fran. The Niners used to be da bomb. Now, they are a bomb.
As a Vikes fan, I was really worried about this game vs. the Niners. There's a reason why the Vegas Line is darn accurate, kiddies. The smart money was on the Vikes while I watched.
Husker, thanks for responding. I think San Francisco has mailed it in this season, paving the way for the Pats to draft Darren McFadden. The Pats will be even scarier next season.
McFadden! Ah, that's an NFL stud in the making. I see one RB like that every 5 years. This decade, we'll blow the norm off the chart. Peterson, McFadden and a frosh we don't know about yet.
I'm not sure if New England needs another running back, I think they should go for their weekest position, Corner Back.....But who ever they take they will be the best team for a couple more years. They are the class of the NFL.
antigutiy: I don't think the Pats are that weak at CB. Hobbs is the weak link and he's still not so bad. Zant is a machine and if we don't resign him THEN our weakest position is CB. But right now we are definitely weakest at RB and I would love to see McFadden in the mix! All thanks to San Fran.
Hobbs isn't bad. Yes he gets burned from time to time, but he's good in run support.
Sri, I think the Pats will end up at least at #3 overall, maybe #2. Miami will more than likely trade that top pick. Perhaps the Pats will end up with that top pick and draft McFadden.
Hey Jon...your always so good at commenting on my blogs I thought it was about time I returned the favor! I know nothing about NFL, prefer college ball (both footie and bball) to pros but what I do know is both SF and Oak belong in the UGLY column! Yikes...we suck up here in the bay area at pro ball! LOL
jon 464
When will players learn to let their actions on the field speak for itself rather than making such stupid statements that they themselves can't even back up ? As for the losers around the league they've got to understand that the game is played for a full 60 minutes and 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
I watched by nascient Englishman Hatton get his as* handed to him on a silver platter over the weekend. Mayweather went to town on his proverbial as* much to the disappointment of all the Englishmen wacthing their live and at home. There's only one Mayweather , there's only one Mayweather. Qantanamella no cino qantanamella !
Will the mediocrity of the Dolphins be matched by another team in the NFL within our lifetime ?
tophatal
Last edited by tophatal on December 10th at 10:24 AM.
bob260505
That was a heart rendering loss for your Lions. But I can't help but wonder didn't your Lions hand it to 'em (Cowboys) in a gift wrapped bow ?
Kelly, Harrington would have been a VAST improvement over the QB cast they have now. They wouldn't be winless.
Klvalus, thank you for replying. I put the Niners in the Bad category for good reason. I didn't put the Raiders there because they were playing a double-digit win team. After the football season is over, I will include the other sports (including NASCAR!).
Tophatal, some players can't resist going knucklehead. Apparently Hatton thought he could rough up Mayweather, but Mayweather was ready for him. As for your question, it's going to be MANY years before a team comes close to the Dolphins' mediocrity.
Bob, you could be a Panthers fan. That's worse right about now.
Tiger, they're looking good right about now.
####egurl, you KNEW that Brady was looking for Anthony Smith. He saw no Polamalu on the field and went after Smith. I call them as I see them. They'll be in the Good category, probably up through the Super Bowl.
Photogr, I put my team (Panthers) in both the bad and ugly category. Bad means that a team or player stunk it up that game. Ugly means that it was God-awful or out of the ordinary. I usually refer to a particular game where both teams played sloppy or a game between two bad teams.
jon 464
After last night's loss I'd say you can also add Petrono's Falcons to the mix. But then again we knew they were going to be bad once they lost Vick. See my post titled Save The Cheerleader And You'll Save The World As For The Dumb Quarterback .....Why ?
Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
tophatal
Last edited by tophatal on December 13th at 8:44 AM.
What Petrino did was GUTLESS. He should have told Arkansas he would accept their offer contingent on the finish of the NFL season. I read and commented on your post. Good post, and thought provoking.
jon 464
That's what rats do though. They tend to desert a sinking ship. Petrino has no integrity whatsoever as you say what he did ought to be considered gutless. How could he stand there one minute stating that he's prepared to be with the team to the end. And then within 24-36 hours he's resigned and then taking the job in Arkansas. It leads one to believe that he was negotiating for the position long beofre this. It's indicative of what I personally find reprehensible when it comes to not only college coaches but some also within the professional ranks.
And then you have the NCAA and NFL wading on players when it comes to their own personal conduct and behavior ? Where's the logic in that when you have coaches carrying on like this ?
Tophatal, I have no doubt that Petrino was negotiating his way out of Atlanta back to the collegiate coaching ranks. The right thing to do would have been to inform Mr. Blank that Arkansas had contacted him, then maybe negotiating a buyout of his contract. Arkansas should have contacted the Falcons in the first place to ask for permission to speak to Petrino. The Falcons would more than likely have granted permission. Petrino was a poor fit in the first place. If they wanted a veteran coach, they could have gone after someone like Dennis Green.
After this fiasco, it's going to take someone of incredible strength of character, credibility, and presence to take the helm in Atlanta. I would suggest Tony Dungy to be reunited with Rich McKay, but that's not happening. How about Mike Singletary? He has that strong, commanding presence, he has a Super Bowl ring, and he's a Hall of Famer. Just a thought.
jon 464
Dungy won't be going anywhere anytime soon. He's basically got a job for life there in Indianapolis. As for the Falcons they ought to look from within for their next hire. Going after the latest top notch college coach doesn't mean a thing if they're unable to communicate with the players. They tend to forget that they're now dealing with men and not college recruits. And they ought to act that way. Their ego's will only take 'em so far and then they begin to realize that there's a lot more to the job than they first thought. Thaty's the problem that both Petrino and Saban suffered from. And also offcourse that they lacked real integrity and honesty ! Anyone who states the to the contrary obviously ain't that bright !
Tophatal, if the Falcons want to hire from within, I suggest their interim coach, Emmitt Thomas. He's paid his dues as a coach. If the Falcons end up going 2-1 under Thomas, he's earned a full-time shot at it. The Petrino fiasco should prove that success in college doesn't mean a coach will have success in the NFL.
jon 464
The problem with most colleges coaches is that they're used to dealing with young kids fresh out of high school. Then they make the leap to the NFL ranks and they don't seem to know how to communicate with grown men. That's the thing that many of 'em lacked and offcourse their ego's were so big as they expected everyone to be kissin' their as$ much of the time and telling 'em how good they are or were in some cases ! That's whay Carroll, Saban and now Petrino couldn't cut it. And even though Carroll is best suited to the college game and had prior experience in the NFL. I'd hate for him to return there. As I do believe he'd be eaten alive.
It would take an extraordinarily strong and talented coach like a Jimmy Johnson in his prime to make the jump from college to the NFL and be successful. When Johnson made that jump in 1989, it was a LOT different than today. I am convinced that not even the most successful college coach would make it in the NFL today. I couldn't picture Jim Tressel of Ohio State leaving to become coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He'd get eaten alive by the grown ups in the NFL. I don't think that Pete Carroll would want to go back to the NFL unless he had total control of a franchise's football operations.
jon 464
Carroll won't be going anywhere at all. He's far too satisfied within the college ranks.
Besides I doubt that he's fot the temperament to deal with the players within the NLF. His guile is more suited to the college game.
I see that Huizenga is allegedly on the cusp of selling the Dolphins ? With the fortunes of the franchise diminshing by the minute one doubts that he'll recoup what he paid for the franchise originally. He'll be luck if he'll get the high side of $400m.
I don't see Huizenga selling the Dolphins. And especially after today because of the Dolphins' first win of the season. As far as Carroll goes, I wouldn't want to go back to the NFL--he has the best coaching job in college football. He's in a city where it's 70 degrees in winter, hot babes up the wazoo, and one of the most storied programs in the NCAA.
jon 464
If the price is right he'll sell. As it is two prominent real estate developers are still in negotations with him. And most recently it was said that tech billionaire Michael Dell had entered into the fray and is considering making a bid for the franchise. So as of now it's not all 'hot air' as they say. Given the right set of circumstances I'd dare say that Huizenga wouls sell the franchise. It's not as if a win has meant they've turned the corner entirely. They're still a god*damn awful team ! And we can all see that for ourselves. As for Brian Billick he's one clueless coach that should've won the game in regulation.
What was so difficult to do about that in the game ? All he had to do was grind out the damn clock .
While I don't think Huizenga will sell, it wouldn't surprise me if he does. Whoever does own the Dolphins in the next year or two needs to overhaul the football operations. Yes, the Fins are still a very bad team, one of the worst in NFL history. But they were fortunate to be going up against a totally clueless coach. And my question is: why didn't Billick go for it on 4th and goal inside the 1? The rule of thumb is when you're on the road, you go for the win.
jon 464
I don't know what it is with journalists and many pundits alike who alike to assign coaches with labels. All of a sudden the likes of Gruden and Billick are assigned with the labels of greatness. And that all to familiar ring one assigned goes to the ir heads. Whilst both have won Superbowls what they've failed to have done in the course of their careers is to nurture real talent. That's something that you can definately say about the both of 'em to my mind.
You've seen the decline in the form of players like Reed and Ray Lewis and with regard to the quarterback position in Baltimore. Who in their right mind really thought that the often injured McNair would've made a difference to that team ?
Billick's days there are definately now numbered. For Gruden he's lucked out this year . Because without Garcia there the Bucs would've been a subpar team at best. They'll indeed be extremely lucky if they survive the first round of the playoffs. Their strengths is still as always their resolute defensive capabilities. On the offensive side of things all they've got as a real threat is Galloway and Earnest Graham. Close them both down and you've got the game won against this team.
Good insight into both Billick and Gruden. Jeff Garcia saved Gruden's #### this season. Billick isn't as fortunate. He should have drafted successors to both Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. I think you're right about Billick's days being numbered, especially after losing to a previously winless team. As for the Bucs, I think they're one and done in the playoffs. Thanks for playing.
jon 464
The Bucs have a defense that's now predicated on speed. But their offense will only take 'em as far as Graham and Galloway can take 'em. And by my own estimation that won't be far. As they've not got the firepower that can match and lay waste to the other teams.
Billick may well be allowed one year to turn things around. But most of all the Ravens have got to get themselves a more than half decent quarterback. Boller and McNair just can't cut it.
They just aren't that good and it's plain for all to see !
Hell even a friggin' blind man could see it even you had to point it out to him !
So what the hell is Billick doing ?
Good insight on the Bucs' offense. While Galloway is having a superb season, he is getting older. Graham is an unknown commodity. It can be both good and bad. How will he respond in the postseason? I just don't see the Bucs going very far in the playoffs. As far as Billick, he NEEDS to get a top-line QB either via free agency or the draft. He ought to march into Ozzie Newsome's office after the season and DEMAND he get a QB. McNair is done, Boller never was, and Troy Smith is a change of pace QB. I have a suggestion as to who they should draft in the first round: Matt Ryan of Boston College. The Ravens have MULTIPLE needs, but a QB is at the top of the list. Billick needs to get his head out of the sand and realize it's time to get his team younger, faster, and more athletic.
jon 464
This upcoming draft will predetermine what's in store for the franchise. He needs to step up and now and do what's necessary to bring the franchise back to prominence.
This first draft is very important to both Parcells and the Dolphins. A lot will depend on whether he gets rid of Cam Cameron or not. He's using this final two weeks to closely evaluate where the franchise is at and what he can do to restore the franchise to elite status. Will he go offense or defense? It's going to be quite interesting in South Florida between now and the draft.
jon 464
The one thing you can be sure with Parcells as you say. It'll be that this franchise will be turned around one way or another. And my thought is that it'll be done without Cameron. He's not a coach but from what I can see he's more of a coordinator than anything else.
Who's have foreseeen the Bears usurping the Packers the way that they did ?
Luckily for the Packers this wasn't a postseason game. They'd have been one and done !
Merry Christmas to you and your immediate family !
I think Parcells is waiting on the Panthers' decision on John Fox. If Fox is fired by the Panthers, Parcells will snap him up in a hurry. If Fox stays in Carolina, Parcells will probably hire a defense minded coach with previous coaching experience (maybe Dom Capers?). Capers, to me, would be a good fit.
I didn't see the Bears blowing out the Packers this badly. I kind of figured that the Bears would win being that it is their bitter rivals, but not by 28 points!
jon 464
I think that it was one of those games hat teams can be susceptible to. Either they're up for it or they're not. And in this case the Packers were caught cold and weren't prepared.
Tophatal, I think it was a combination of the Packers being caught off guard and the Bears playing inspired football. Once the Bears started getting some breaks, it snowballed and the Packers fell way behind.
jon 464
After reading today's edition of USA Today . I
wouldn't put it past Parcells to swoop down and steal Jason Garrett away from the Cowboys. Even if he's coach in waiting to Phillips there in Big D.He'd certainly pi*ss off Jerry Jones and the rest of that Dallas coaching fraternity if he were to succeed in luring him away from there. But I can't foresee the Panthers getting rid of Fox at this juncture. Much of their internal problems lay in the fact that once they lost Delhomme for the season. They didn't have an adequate replacement for him. And that's the main reason why their season went South. Also there had been other injuries but none was more acute than that of Delhomme's.
By all indications it looks like Fox is staying with the Panthers. And that's a good thing. As I saw the Panthers play against the Cowboys, I saw a team that put forth a spirited effort against a better team. They showed a lot of heart. When Delhomme was lost for the season, they never fully recovered. Since Matt Moore became the starter, he has shown some Delhomme-like leadership. However, he's RAW. He could use a season as Delhomme's backup, then when Delhomme declines, Moore can step in and become the Panthers' QB of the future. All the Panthers have to do is make a few tweaks to their lineup. They need a WR that can move the chains and is a complement to Steve Smith, much like Muhsin Muhammad was. They need a power RB that can consistently get 4-5 yards a carry. On defense, they need to find a replacement for Mike Rucker, maybe some depth in the secondary.
As for Parcells, it wouldn't surprise me to see him steal Garrett from the Cowboys. However, I would think he might go after a defense-minded coach, since Cameron is more offense minded and it hasn't worked out so far.
Last edited by jon_464 on December 27th at 9:49 PM.
jon 464
Once the season is over we'll see where Parcells will make the moves necessary to bring the franchise back to prominence. As of now he'll just analyze what he's got by way of the roster and coaches. I do believe however that he'll clean ship from top to bottom. I can't foresee Cameron being there next year. He may well be a defense minded caoch but he doesn't exactly command the respect of the players on either side of the ball and he certainly has no inkling as to how to communicate with 'em.
It's clear for all to see that he's out of his depth as a head coach.
For the Panthers once Delhomme is back they'll be on a much firmer footing. But they also need to make sure that they've got a more than adequate backup for him. Fox is a very astute coach who knows how to coach the game and has the respect of his players.
Parcells won't leave any stone unturned in his evaluation of the players and coaching staff. He's going to hire the best people he can. Cameron will be known as a solid coordinator but out of his element as a head coach (see Turner, Norv).
As far as Delhomme, his injury was significant, but not career threatening. It solidified the need to have a quality backup. I think they may have found one in Matt Moore. I was impressed by his composure in the heat of that Dallas defense. Because Fox does have the respect of his players and they love playing for him, he'll be back with a renewed vigor next season.
jon 464
Having seen some the year end games. I'm now of the opinion that the Bucs'll be one and done. As I for one can't honestly see them overcoming the Giants.
As good as they're perceived to be I do believe that they'll have problems with the Giants. And as for the Brady led comeback against the Giants. That was sheer vintage Brady at his best.
This postseason is going to be something special.
This postseason is going to be amazing. I wouldn't be surprised if both the Giants and Redskins win their first round games. I don't think Brady has peaked yet, scary as it sounds.
I am from Central California. I am passionate about sports, particularly the NFL and NASCAR. My favorite teams are: Panthers (NFL), Lakers (NBA), Flyers (NHL), and Dodgers (MLB). I am also a Kevin Harvick fan in NASCAR. I am a Fresno State honk. (I'll admit it!) And I am also a fan of MMA. Jackie Robinson to this day represents what is right about baseball. I also enjoy discussing the relevant (and sometimes irrelevant) issues of the day pertaining to sports. I will never understand why televised poker is so popular. Who wants to see a bunch of people sitting around a table, muttering to themselves? I do my best to keep politics out of my sports discussions. That is why I recently created a nonsports blog, cencalscribe. blogspot.com. That is where I post my nonsports topics.
