On Good and Bad Coaches

I kept wondering yesterday as I watched the Arizona-Green Bay match, “how many times could I hit Mike McCarthy in the head with a 2x4 before he covered up”? After Warner’s first TD pass, I would have been thinking, “maybe I should rush this guy”. After the second, it would have been, “ok, the very next TD he throws, I’m going to start putting the heat on this sonova gun”.

And then I would have really started bringing linebackers, safeties, corners at Warner…..and you know what? Maybe he beats the blitz a couple of times but maybe he doesn’t finish the game either. In no event does he continue carving up my defense with absolutely no ramifications.

If I knew McCarthy was going to sit back, rush three and play a friggin’ zone, there is absolutely no way I would have picked Green Bay to win that game. You couldn’t have given me enough points. The NFL makes teams divulge injuries but not gameplans. There is no reporting requirement for stupidity.

It was painful for me to watch the heroic effort of Aaron Rodgers in the face of a rush, scrambling around, making impossible throws to an almost equally adept group of receivers. That Jennings catch on the sidelines was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Green Bay did not deserve to lose. Only McCarthy did.

So Mike McCarthy joins my list of bad coaches, along with the memorable Herm Edwards, Rich Kotite and other numbskulls from the past. Thankfully for me, he was not on the Jets sideline. We had a guy who isn’t a real deep thinker. He’s just a guy who reacts to what’s right there in front of him.

And what was in front of Rex Ryan Saturday were the Cincinnati Bengals….those poor bastards. They didn’t stand a chance. Ryan’s pound-the-rock offense and his grinding defense made the Bengals paper tigers. And, while I had picked the Jets to cover, I thought that they’d lose in the end; I thought they’d lose to a veteran quarterback, Carson Palmer, while their rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez would finally succumb to the gravity of the moment and throw a pick or two.

But it wasn’t just pounding that ground down the Bengals. It was misdirection. The Jets watched the films, DVD’s probably….whatever. They saw a pursuing defense, some might have said an over-pursuing defense, and they took advantage. They took the lead and held it. But you can’t misdirect without the threat of pounding. And that threat was taken very seriously by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Of course, much of that strategy went unreported. That telecast was one of the worst ever on television. Joe Gibbs is a color guy? I still can’t remember anything the play-by-play fella said; in fact, I still can’t remember his name. (I looked it up..Tom Hammond?) The color guy was Joe Theisman. To most football fans, I’ll have to say no more. Somebody called him the human filibuster. He was being kind. Theisman didn’t even know the rules for a catch. It was either that or his mouth was moving waay faster than his brain could kick in.

Of course, none of that’s important. The Jets won. They romped. And they talked. Then they talked some more. But that’s okay. Rex is strong on visualization. What the hell, it seems to be working. I can see him at work behind the scenes, “Now, Mark, I want you to picture Dustin Keller all alone behind the defense, you’re running right with nobody in your face and all you have to do is throw the ball to him.” If anything like that did in fact happen, I wouldn’t be surprised.
The Pats lost, of course, to a Ravens team that used a lot of the same Jets tactics to overwhelm their opponent. This was another game that I picked for the Ravens to cover but not win. I gave too much credit to Brady and Belichick and the Pats being home and all that meant absolutely nothing, nada, zilch to the Ravens. They just kicked butt. And it surely was a sweet thing to see.
Those Ravens were ready and the readiest Raven was Ray Rice. (Say that 5 times fast). Ray just started off by scooting through an opening and then turning on the jets for an 83-yard touchdown. Then their defensive end on just a 3-man front gets around his blocker and swipes the ball out of Brady’s hand resulting in another touchdown. And that was pretty much all she wrote.

I must say though that I’m somewhat surprised that some people are thinking that that game might mark the end of the Patriots dominance. That’s pretty crazy. Belichick will analyze and measure to the nth degree, make the changes he must, and the Pats will be back. Then the Pats fans will say, “Geez, it’s so nice not to have Vrabel and Seau and……”.

I’m working backwards here somewhat as the game I cared about most, except for the Jets game, is the one I’m covering last. It wasn’t much of a game though. McNabb had no time to throw and his fleet of fleet receivers never got open. DeSean Jackson…erased, Jeremy Maclin…who?, Brent Celek….huh? The Cowboys made them disappear.

I have to admit that Wade Phillips used to be on my list of horrible coaches, stemming mostly from his alleged contention that he could devise a defense that could consist of nobodies….that his brilliant strategy of spacing and discipline could totally frustrate any opponent. No stars would be required. I guess years of failure at Denver may have changed his mind. His defense now seems to have been adapted so that his stars are used in his defense to fully showcase their abilities…..but within the scheme of his overall strategy. It was his defense that beat Philadelphia. And it was his defense that got the Cowboys into the game at all.

J-E-T-S….Jets…..Jets….JETS!! Next stop San Diego and more later on that.

Over-Managing, Bad Umpiring and Week 7 NFL Picks

The Angels won despite themselves and their over-managing manager, Mike Scioscia. Taking out John Lackey in the 7th was one of the most dreadful moves I have ever seen in ANY baseball game, never mind a playoff game. And, although they wound up winning anyway, largely due to some very questionable Yankee relief pitching, the bitter taste in my mouth for over-managing in general and for Mike Scioscia in particular remained.

The Angels may have taken this series back to New York but they will never win it. They don’t deserve to win it with a manager as stupid as theirs is. The only way they can win it is if Joe Girardi, who has done some serious over-managing of his own in this series, loses it for the Yanks.

I have to admit that, prior to last night, Girardi’s moves have amused rather than upset me. As a serious Mets fan (whatever that is) and avowed Yankee-hater, I’d say, “go ahead, Joe, put in Joba, ha-ha.” But, as I now am actually rooting hard for a Yanks-Phillies World Series, if only to see those pinstriped posers get their heads handed to them, these imprints the managers of both teams are leaving on the games is beginning to get me down. It’s not as if they couldn’t affect the result.

I can see it now in my mind’s eye, the Yankees clinging to a one run lead, Pettitte cruising in the 6th or 7th, when oops, he’s thrown 100 pitches, time to bring in Joba, or let’s bring in Hughes or Aceves or whatever mediocre relief guy comes to his mind, if mind is the best word for it. Next thing you know, it’s not “Yankees win, thuhhhh Yankees WIN.” Instead, it’s “Angels win.” I refer, of course, to John Sterling’s call.

Did Baba Booey really pinch-run for Arod? See….point made. The only thing I can think of is that he didn’t want to see Arod get hurt running the bases. And I don’t think you can manage against the possibility of injury, not in baseball anyway, not unless you think the man doesn’t know how to slide. (A lot of ball players have hurt themselves sliding but I don’t think Arod has been one of them).

So, anyway, it’ll be Pettitte versus Saunders on Saturday, and God forbid, the Angels could very well win that one too. Joe Saunders is a really good pitcher. Then it’ll be Sabathia in a Game 7 and, who knows, if there is a rainout on Saturday, if Game 6 is played on Sunday, then CC will have to go Monday, and not even the big guy can go on just two days rest for the start of the World Series on Wednesday.

Not that I’m worried about the Yankees but I had been keenly anticipating a Lee vs Sabathia opener in the World Series. If they have to start with Burnett, it just won’t be the same.

Okay, enough about baseball, except for the umpiring, that is. I’ll just say this, “If an umpire is caught red-handed both not looking at the play and not asking for help, then that umpire should be removed from the umpiring ranks.” It’s just too arrogant for me. And the umpiring in MLB this entire year has been lousy. It’s almost as if they’re begging for instant replay. (As instant replay adds significantly to the length of games, allowing that much more time for commercial interruptions in highly-rated affairs, this last musing is not entirely out of line).

Okay, on to the Week 7 NFL matchups. Last week, I went 10-4 against the spread, not too shabby, after my first two weeks of going 6-8. (I only started making picks in Week 5). The ridiculous Eagles loss to the usually horrible Raiders ruined my four best bets and, once again, I lost my $10. This isn’t a game for the faint of heart, or um, wallet.

Without further ado (and there has been considerable ado thus far, I know), here’s my prognostications (no, that’s not a nasal condition) for Week 7:


Favorite Underdog Spread 4 Best My Pick Reason

GIANTS Cards 7 * Cards Cards could very well win outright
Jets RAIDERS 6 Raiders Unpredictable things happen on West Coast
SnDiego KC 4 ½ * SnDiego SD coming off tough loss to Broncos
Ind STL 13 Ind Colts are not Jaguars and coming off bye too
CIN Chi 1 ½ * Chi Bengals lost best defensive end
GrnBay CLE 7 GrnBay Home field not so hot for Browns and Mangini
PIT Min 4 PIT Polamalu’s back in time for Favre
NE TB 14 ½ NE London game and who cares?
HOU SanFran 3 SanFran 49ers off bye week and bad loss
CAR Buf 7 * CAR Bills can’t get wagons across Mason-Dixon line
NwOrlns MIA 6 ½ NwOrlns What? I should take Miami?
DAL Atl 4 Atl Boyz just haven’t shown enough
Phi WAS 7 Phi Campbell, Skins just pathetic
SD Den 6 Den Div battle will be much clos er

The G-Men will be lucky to escape with a win after demonstrating how bad their pass defense really is. Yeah, they’ll rush the passer this time (what a concept, too bad Sheridan didn’t think of it sooner). Geez, where’s Steve Spagnuolo ?

The Chargers looked good against a really tough Broncos defense. I can’t imagine how they would lose to the Chiefs, not even in Kansas City, not even with Norv Turner, not even if he never plays LaDainian. Look for Rivers to Gates quite often.

The Bengals looked flat against Houston last week. You’d look flat too if you lost your meanest guy in a fight and that’s what happened to the Bengals early on. The Bears faced Atlanta last week and lost. Cinci should be easy by comparison.

The Bills are a mess and even Delhomme will look better than did Sanchez. Home cookin’ won’t hurt the running game.

From Nine to Five

It was an old-fashioned shootout. Just as you'd want on Monday Night Football, there was Number 9, young Tony Romo firing bullets to the infamous T.O. But there was Number 5 Donovan McNabb on the other side, looking like the quarterback of yesteryear, finding his new favorite target, one DeSean Jackson.

Two great quarterbacks, massive offensive lines, inventive defenses, funny commentators, this game had it all. It had Romo showing his best and worst, opening with a 70-yard bomb to Owens but also fumbling in the end zone to give the Eagles a free touchdown.

It had McNabb, skillfully carving up the Boys defense, dumping off to Westbrook, shooting bullets right, left and center. The Cowboys emerged victorious by a 41-37 count, but there were several lead changes and the result was in doubt until the final whistle.

Both qb's are mobile, accurate and enjoy playing the game. What more could you want from a football game? Two offenses moving the ball down the field against tenacious defenses, two offensive lines neutralizing pass rushes and enabling their teams to run the ball. Close at the half and close at the end.

The Cowboys emerged with the win, of course, after a couple of tough possessions by the Birds, one that ended with an overthrown lob to Westbrook and one with the old hook and ladder. The real end for the Eagles, though, was Demarcus Ware's sack of a scrambling McNabb on 3rd down.

In the final analysis, though, the Cowboys had too many weapons for the Birds. While McNabb had the indefatigable Westbrook and the mercurial DeSean, Romo had Owens and Crayton, Barber and Witten. But he also got a huge assist in the scoring department from Felix Jones, who exploded through a wedge for a touchdown on a kickoff return.

The game also had more than its share of zaniness. DeSean Jackson almost lost his TD for tossing the ball away as he was crossing the goal line. Romo also had an interception that was the result of his trying to make something from nothing. As good as Romo was for most of the game, he could have been the goat after making two critical errors, both resulting in Philadelphia scores.

All this impressive football coming from the NFC East must give the Giants pause. It looks like it will be another tough season. As well as the Giants have played thus far, they’ll have to play even better to get by either of these two juggernauts. The Redskins will be no pushover the next time either, judging by their impressive victory over the Saints on Sunday.

Our G-Men looked solid in their opener against the Redskins, but it was tough after one game to gain much perspective, especially since the Skins looked pathetic at times. Their new coach, Jim Zorn, looked as if he was coaching his first game. And, although the Giants wound up with a clear victory over the Rams on Sunday, it was really a pretty close game for three quarters.

Let’s face it….the Giants can look pretty pedestrian at times. I suppose you could call it workmanlike. With Brandon Jacobs pounding the ball, the Giants bread and butter, it’s almost like an old Ohio State offense, three yards and a cloud of dust.

If it weren’t for Eli’s finding Plaxico and Amani early and often, it’d be easy to fall asleep. And, with Strahan gone and Umenyiora hurt, the defense isn’t quite as impressive as it had been at year’s end. In fact, the Giants didn’t start looking really impressive until they inserted the fellows who got them so far last year, Ahmad Bradshaw and Steve Smith.

Not that I’m complaining, but the Giants haven’t looked as good as the Eagles and Cowboys have so far. Of course, that could change really easily, especially with that offensive line. And Justin Tuck. But I do think that calling the Giants three running backs “earth, wind and fire” is a bit premature (and stupid).

I’ve been trying to ignore the Jets this year but it’s been awfully tough, what with all the nonsense surrounding Mr. Favre. In truth, I find it impossible to root for them anymore. Mangini really doesn’t send me. Neither does Tannenbaum. And I hope everybody noticed Mr. Favre made no difference whatsoever against the Pats on Sunday.

Aaron Rodgers, Mr. Favre’s replacement at Green Bay, has looked very good though. It’ll be a pleasure rooting for him and Green Bay this year, as much fun as rooting for the Bills and Miami in the AFC East. And, while I’m thrilled that the Pats soundly thrashed the boys in green on Sunday, it’ll be difficult to root for them going forward. After all, Belichick doesn’t really evoke much sympathy.

Aside from the Giants, who I picked to win every playoff game last year, and the Super Bowl, this football year, for me, will be all about guys like Kurt Warner, who is easy to root for, throwing dart after dart to Fitzgerald and Boldin for Arizona.

Then, of course, there are the new quarterbacks, not just Rodgers but also guys like Jerseyan Flacco for the Ravens, and B.C.’s own Matt Ryan, who impressed in his opener before somewhat of a relapse on Sunday when his running game abandoned him. And there’s Chad Henne in Miami playing for the Tuna, along with one of my favorite people in all the world, a fella named Chad Pennington.

Yeah, this year will be all about young quarterbacks, Cutler in Denver and Garrard in Jacksonville, and let’s not forget Trent Edwards in Buffalo, who lofted a beautiful pass to his new receiver, James Hardy, in the corner of the end zone. And Matt Cassell in New England hasn’t been too shabby either, has he?

But, unless you count Eli, the finest young QB of them all may be Number 9 in Big D. And the finest veteran might be wearing Number 5 in Philly, making Eagles fly.