The Jets really blew it. But Ryan Fitzpatrick reverted to form did what he's done throughout his career.
This is what Herm Edwards had to say about the Jets lost to Buffalo.
The Jets really blew it. But Ryan Fitzpatrick reverted to form did what he's done throughout his career.
Just gotta say I am eating my words for griping about 'Skins earlier on this thread. Yeah, it's the weakest division in the NFL and yeah the team got in with a 9-7 record, and yeah there's still some serious weaknesses on defense, but you have to hand it to Gruden for betting his contract on Cousins and to Cousins for stepping up big time in the second half of the season. How do you figure on the guy going 23-3 TDs/INTs and setting the team yardage record? Maybe it's smoke and mirrors, but it's been quite a ride.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments; great to read insights from someone who so obviously analyzes objectively. My view is that it depends on which Packers team shows up on Sunday and could not agree more about Jordy Nelson.
I guess you can explain a 23/3 TD/INT by noting that Cousins has gotten much more comfortable in the pocket, his O line is giving him time, he is not trying to ******* a ball into double/triple coverage, and his overall mechanics and decision-making is vastly improved. Good sign that Morris hit the century v. Dallas, since the ground game has been anemic of late.
Rodgers is a streaky QB -- if he gets into a good rhythm he can ******* you in a hurry, and the 'Skins D has given up a lot of yards and points even when the team has been winning handily.
I'd love to see the 'Skins go all the way to the big show, but even if they don't, the season has been a surprise and they have absolutely nothing to feel bad about. For the first time in an eon, it actually feels like they are a team -- win or lose they are in it together. That's cause for optimism and plenty of reason to sit back and just enjoy the ride no matter what.
So while we wait for Saturday, anybody have any thoughts on the coaching carousel? I was very shocked to see Lovie Smith get *******-canned, especially considering what he had to work with, and the timing.
@MacNfries, what do you think of the Panther's DC Sean McDermott as a head coaching candidate? He is from Philadelphia, coached with the Eagles during the Andy Reid era, and is rumored to be on their radar.
How about them Chiefs???
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.....Sorry, BM, didn't see this addressed to me ... I think Sean is still learning, actually, plus he seems to have a much appreciated job at Carolina with a team that is doing well, making HIM look good. I don't consider Sean a top level defensive coordinator; good, but not top shelf. He has good friendships with Kuechly, Hardy, and Norman, and if I recall, his departure from the Eagles wasn't all that pleasant. He's being looked at by several teams, though ... Cleveland for one. If he leaves Carolina, I'm fairly comfortable with knowing that Jerry Richardson already has a few replacement candidates. Richardson does the recruiting anyways ... Sean basically inherited the players he has for the most part. If Cam goes down, though, so do the Panthers.@MacNfries[/USER], what do you think of the Panther's DC Sean McDermott as a head coaching candidate? He is from Philadelphia, coached with the Eagles during the Andy Reid era, and is rumored to be on their radar.
.....Sorry, BM, didn't see this addressed to me ... I think Sean is still learning, actually, plus he seems to have a much appreciated job at Carolina with a team that is doing well, making HIM look good. I don't consider Sean a top level defensive coordinator; good, but not top shelf. He has good friendships with Kuechly, Hardy, and Norman, and if I recall, his departure from the Eagles wasn't all that pleasant. He's being looked at by several teams, though ... Cleveland for one. If he leaves Carolina, I'm fairly comfortable with knowing that Jerry Richardson already has a few replacement candidates. Richardson does the recruiting anyways ... Sean basically inherited the players he has for the most part. If Cam goes down, though, so do the Panthers.
......I just wish ALL these teams that are shopping around would have the courtesy of leaving the playoff teams alone until after the season is over for those teams ... its tremendously distracting, and Carolina's road to the Superbowl is tough ... Seahawks, then Cardinals, then probably Patriots. They don't need the added distractions. I can't believe the Vikings choked on that fieldgoal in the final seconds ... bummer!
In a perfect world that would be the case, but the logistics of the NFL calendar don't provide for it. The coaches of the teams that didn't make the playoffs but didn't fire their head coach are already reshuffling their coaching staffs. The period from after the final regular season game and the Super Bowl is the prime time for recruiting and signing assistant coaches. If the guys in the playoffs don't interview now and devote a small portion of their time to networking then they will be at a tremendous disadvantage. Also, in a few weeks the various college all star games get going, and obviously scouting gets ramped up but also, that's another chance for coaches to network. The bottom line is that when coaching hires are concerned, you have to move quickly to get the guy and guys you want. As an example (though maybe not the best because it isn't from the NFL) I've coached high school football for 16 years. The head coach at the school I've coached at the past 4 seasons resigned the Monday after Thanksgiving. He was offered the head coaching position at another school the first week in January. By contrast, the school he left didn't even start interviewing until this past Thursday. I'm casting my lot with him, even though both schools will be behind the 8 ball in terms of off season preparation, the school I'm going to will have a full staff assembled and our off season work will have begun before before my old school even hires a coach.
BM, the coaching carousel is an interesting dynamic. At the pro level, you have those coaches who REALLY know what they are doing. They are sought after like crazy - parcells, dungy, billicheck, johnson. Then you have their assistants (can't name them). Sought after almost as much. But the thing that totally amazes me is that, for the most part, the same people who were coaching a losing team last year are coaching on a winning team the next year!!!
I am pro everyone's "right" to have a job or try for one. But seriously. These guys were on the worst team in the NFL last year, why does anyone think they will be super coaches on the best team the next year? I just don't get it. Maybe, as a coach, you can explain it to this naive football watcher/enjoyer?
BTW, congrats on the new job, my friend.
.....Another tough game for the Panthers today ... well, guess they're all tough at this point of the season. But, I feel that the winner of the Cardinal - Panthers game, today, will be your eventual Superbowl Champions. Last week, my ******* & I had the awesome opportunity to go to the Seahawks - Panther game, and actually had pretty good seats. Not quite as fortunate this week; we'll be at the Buffalo Wings restaurant for this one.
.....I believe offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, learned a valuable lesson last Sunday. I know Cam Newton was very upset about the conservative play calling the second half in which the Seahawks almost got back into the game. When you have a talented entertainer like Cam, you don't want to have him go conservative, particularly when there's a whole 2nd half of football to be played. If the Panthers would be lucky enough to get a huge 1st half lead on the Cardinals, I believe you won't see Cam Newton starting the 2nd half in conservative mode.
.....It's the game of Heisman QBs today ... The Panthers are seriously weak in their secondary ... over 300+ yards have been given up by the Panthers the last 3 games. I'm sure Palmer & company have realized that weakness and will try to exploit it, so pass rushing by the Panthers will again play critical as it did with Seahawks (5 sacks). Panthers can not allow Fitz & other receivers to get open deep.
I think the fact this is being played at the Panthers + I think Panther kicker Gano is way superior to Cardinal Catanzaro, I believe this game (played in the cold, night weather outdoors) will be settled by a couple field goals.
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