Hard to believe Tom Cable was not renewed, but then again, it is crazy Al. He must have someone in mind, I can only wonder if he thinks he can get his friend Jim Harbaugh away from Stanford. Big mistake on Jim's part if he falls into that trap.
Too bad about Ivory SF, but with Bush getting back into the mix and Pierre's ankle hopefully holding up, they should be fine........this weekend.
I agree with Fore, best game of the weekend will be Packers/Eagles. That game may be a war, one not to miss. Hopefully, the Colts can send the Jets packing up for the winter again. A month ago, it was looking bleak for the playoffs, now they are looking dangerous again, of course there are a few bodys getting healthy again, the most important being Joseph Addai.
Whether it’s offseason workouts, training camp, practices, or games, they have a plan that is carefully studied and researched.
The plan has been tried and true through years of experience and practice.
What football coaches hate most is curveballs. And they will be figuring out how to deal with a big one — in the most important games of their careers — this week.
When the NFL postseason kicks off Saturday, a completely unfamiliar scenario could unfold as the new postseason overtime rules are enacted for the first time since the owners — not the coaches — approved them by a 28-4 vote last March.
A quick refresher: Instead of sudden-death overtime used in the regular season, each team will get a possession in overtime unless the receiving team takes the kickoff and scores a touchdown. Then the game is over.
If the receiving team kicks a field goal, the other team gets a possession. A field goal would put the game into sudden death. A touchdown ends the game.
A defensive score of any kind ends the game because it would count as a possession for both teams.
It doesn’t seem to be a huge difference, but it is to coaches who have none of their beloved scripts and charts to work from.
“We haven’t talked about it yet, but I know we will,’’ said an assistant coach of an NFC playoff team. “It’s something that’s completely new. There’s nothing even remotely close to refer back to.
“A ton of new options come into play now. You’re going to try to have a plan but, really, you’re going to be flying by the seat of your pants. No, I’m not a fan.’’
Among the factors to consider under the new rules:
■Fourth-down attempts. Obviously the team trailing by a field goal has to go for it on fourth down in their own end. But if you take the opening kickoff, will you be more aggressive near midfield to put points on the board? If it’s fourth and short, do you take the field goal or go for it in the hopes of getting a touchdown to win the game?
■Onside kick: If a team opens with a field goal, it has to give at least some thought to an onside kick because if it recovers, the game is over because it counts as a possession for the other team.
■Turnovers: Players will have to be mindful of what they do if they pick up a fumble or intercept a pass on the opening possession. If a player fumbles the ball back to the other team and it kicks a field goal, the game is over because the defense had a possession. Also, if you’re trailing by a field goal, the pressure will ratchet up to hold onto the ball because you won’t get an opportunity for a stop on defense.
Take the ball or kick off?: Under the regular-season rule, the team winning the toss took the ball. You score, you win. Jets coach Rex Ryan — always confident — said at the owners meeting that he would kick off because a defensive stand and then a field goal would win the game. He changed his tune yesterday (maybe because his defense isn’t that good anymore).“We will actually take the ball if we win the coin toss in overtime,’’ Ryan said.
Saints coach Sean Payton, who has been known to take a risk or two, agreed.
“It would be real difficult to decide to kick off and have them return the opening kickoff for a touchdown and the game end,’’ he said.
Mostly, coaches said, a lot of the decisions are going to have to be based on feel since there’s no precedent.
“I think you’ll pay attention to how the game is progressing,’’ Payton said. “How the first four quarters have gone would predicate your decision on how you would handle it.’’
With the new overtime rule in mind, here’s a primer on what to watch for in the first four games.
Saints (11-5) at Seahawks (7-9): New Orleans, the defending champion, is a 10.5-point favorite over the first team to ever make the playoffs with a losing record. An upset would not be shocking. All three teams that made the playoffs with 8-8 records since the current format was instituted in 2002 won their games (Chargers in 2008, Vikings in ’04, Rams in ’04). Qwest Field is notoriously one of the toughest places to play, and with a short week and a trip to the West Coast, the Saints will fly out Thursday night. The Seahawks, who haven’t decided whether Matt Hasselbeck or Charlie Whitehurst will start at quarterback, were no match for the Saints Nov. 21 at the Superdome as Drew Brees passed for 382 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-19 victory. The Saints had three key players — safety Malcolm Jenkins (right knee), tailback Chris Ivory (left foot), and tight end Jimmy Graham (left ankle) — leave the season finale with injuries, and Ivory has gone on IR.
Jets (11-5) at Colts (10-6): Same matchup and locale as last season’s AFC Championship game, which the Colts won, 30-17, after the Jets got out to a 17-6 lead. The Jets think they’re better prepared to stop Peyton Manning this time around after acquiring cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson, safety Brodney Pool, and linebacker Jason Taylor in the offseason. Manning has won five of six matchups against Ryan, including two in the playoffs. “I don’t know when I’m going to beat him, but I want it to be Saturday,’’ Ryan said. “Is it personal? Yes.’’ The Colts have been vastly improved running the ball (133.5 yards per game) and stopping the run (79.in the past four games.
Ravens (12-4) at Chiefs (10-6): Arrowhead Stadium, where Kansas City was 7-1 this season, hosts its first playoff game since the ’03 season. While Chiefs coach Todd Haley was on the Cardinals staff that went to the Super Bowl, this is his first playoff game as a head coach. It also will be new for quarterback Matt Cassel and many of the Chiefs, who beat one playoff team (Seahawks) this season. The combined record of their 13 opponents was 85-123. The Ravens are making their third straight playoff appearance under coach John Harbaugh and won the previous two wild-card games on the road, including last year’s 33-14 victory at New England. “I think it’s a benefit — the fact that we’ve been through it two years in a row’’ Harbaugh said.
Packers (10-6) at Eagles (10-6): Rematch of the Packers’ season-opening 27-20 victory at Lincoln Financial Field. But, oh, how these teams have changed (a combined 14 different starters since the first time around). The Packers actually helped the rise of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick because they knocked Kevin Kolb out of the game with a concussion. The Packers are missing key cogs in tight end Jermichael Finley, running back Ryan Grant, and linebacker Nick Barnett. But they’ve played well the past three games (two wins and a close loss to the Patriots with backup Matt Flynn at quarterback). “I think it’s, I don’t want to say wide open, but we feel very confident with our chances,’’ said Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
A month ago, it was looking bleak for the playoffs, now they are looking dangerous again, of course there are a few bodys getting healthy again, the most important being Joseph Addai.
You got that right.........Good luck in the Playoff's RR......Right now I'm cheering for the Chiefs.......I will be surprised if they make it to rd.# 2......and we are having troubles getting tickets for Saturday's game Hawks /Saints SF.......no luck so far BUT we might gamble and just drive down and negoiate after Opening Kick-Off with a scalper.....might get a deal that way ???
......and we are having troubles getting tickets for Saturday's game Hawks /Saints SF.......no luck so far BUT we might gamble and just drive down and negoiate after Opening Kick-Off with a scalper.....
Goodluck to you Larry. Should be a good game.
Looks like I spoke too soon. Pierre Thomas has been placed on the IR.
Agreed the best move for Titans was to get rid of Young and keep Fischer, not sure if Collins can maintain a whole year. At least it is a step in the right direction.
Foreplus as of this writing Kerry Collins is not under contract with the Titans. It is Rusty Smith and that's all folks.
Hmmmm Bet I know a position the Titans will target in the draft. Maybe they can move up and get LUCKy. Or, try this one on.....make a nice attactive trade offer to the Eagles for Kevin Kolb?
Any thoughts on Young possible replacing Henne in Miami?
Well, Young has a better chance at finding a team than JaMarcus Russell does. Maybe this will be Vince's "Can The Prima Donna Crap" wakeup call. As far as going to Miami, I guess it all depends on who ends up being the coach. Miami isn't looking for a coach......yet.
I don't think they should look for a Coach, we haven't seen full potential from existing residents. With out much to work with the Coaching staff of the Dolphins has done quite nicely at least by staying competitive.
Agreed Fore. They did have the look of a team that mailed it in after week 15. They have most of the pieces in place, but a QB is a big chunk of what is missing in south Florida. They also will be looking for another #2 RB. Ricky Williams had some not overly kind things to say on his radio show and said he was looking forward to free agency. Even went as far as complimenting the Jets, which in Dolphin-land is a sin.
Foreplus as of this writing Kerry Collins is not under contract with the Titans. It is Rusty Smith and that's all folks. Hello Tom it's good to see you.
. "Under league rules, Vince's contract cannot be terminated until February 7 when waivers begin for the new season. Similarly, he cannot be traded to another club until trading begins on the first day of the league year. Until then, Vince is welcome to rehab his injury either here at our facility or elsewhere."
I'm one very sad Carolina Panthers fan..............we are still stuck with Jimmy Pickles and my beloved Panthers will still suck. WHY WHY WHY WHY Andrew Luck do you have to break my heart.
Saints at Seahawks and Jets at Colts. Wow who would of thought that the two teams in the Suberbowl last season would be this far down the playoff chain? Do the Saints and Colts come out with a victory and move on to maybe recapture their division title?
Or, try this one on.....make a nice attactive trade offer to the Eagles for Kevin Kolb?
