JUDGE: The Packers are hot. They can run. They can pass. They can play defense. And they don't turn the ball over. You can look it up: The Packers led the league in the takeaway/turnover department with a plus-24. Impressive. What I like most about these guys is that they're peaking at the right time. They won seven of their last eight, losing only when Pittsburgh produced a last-second miracle. Plus, they seem to have gotten Ryan Grant untracked the second half of the season. The last time he looked this good the Packers wound up in the NFC Championship Game. I wouldn't be shocked if that happened again -- and I would be a lot less shocked if they had Al Harris and Aaron Kampman in the lineup. That's the only thing that bothers me about these guys. With Harris and Kampman, I could see them going to the top. Without them, I can still see it happening, though I'm quick to throw in the disclaimer. Anyway, I say beware of these guys. They're a club nobody wants to face. 
PRISCO: That choice comes down to two players: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Most will go with Brady and his three rings. I'll go with Manning and his one. Manning was a better quarterback in the decade, even if his team didn't win the same numbers of rings. Manning has the most regular-season victories in the decade, didn't miss a start the entire decade and averaged 4,225 yards and 31 touchdowns per season. By comparison, Brady averaged 3,084 yards and 23 touchdowns per season. Even if you take out the 2000 season, when he played one game as a rookie, and the 2008 season when he played one game before tearing an ACL, those averages rise to only 3,845 yards and 28 touchdown passes. It's not close when it comes to the numbers, any way you look at it. Even Brady's magical 2007 season, where he broke the single-season record for touchdowns passes with 50, isn't that much better than Manning's 2004 season -- if at all. Brady threw 578 passes to get his 50 touchdowns. Manning threw 497 to get his 49. In 81 more attempts, Brady threw for 4,806 yards to 4,557 for Manning, but the yards-per-attempt is 9.2 for Manning and 8.3 for Brady. The passer ratings were 121.1 for Manning and 117.2 for Brady. It's close. But that's one of only three seasons Brady threw for more than 4,000 yards. Manning had nine of them. Brady's 50-touchdown season was his only one over 30. Manning had five of those. So you tell me, who's the player of the decade? Rings or not, it's Manning. 
Excited Carroll calls Seahawks job an ideal situation
RENTON, Wash. -- Consumed by a weeklong process of returning to the NFL, Pete Carroll said on Monday he had not slept in days and his body was in shock at his final news conference at the University of Southern California.
As Carroll was introduced as the new coach and executive vice president of the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, the emotional strain of the exhaustive transition was finally lifted from his shoulders. Clad in Seahawks colors -- in a navy blue suit, white shirt and light green tie -- Carroll described the process of being wooed by Seattle owner Paul Allen and CEO Tod Leiweke as almost "dream like."
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Carroll 'dreamlike' over Seattle start Seahawks add Texans assistant Gibbs to staff Seahawks CEO: Dungy offered president post Dodd: Carroll takes Trojans' horse to Seattle Lombardi: Now comes coaching domino effect King: Carroll has potential edge in draft Jaguars coach Del Rio not going to USC SI: USC should not hire NFL-bred coach SI: Carroll knew about USC coach's addiction Thread: Carroll resigns |
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Dodds and EndsUnlike potential coaching opportunities in Miami and Atlanta in the recent past, Carroll believes he has found an ideal situation.
Carroll, a former coach with the New England Patriots and New York Jets, returns to the NFL after a decade-long absence with the challenge of revitalizing a team outscored 123-37 in its final four games. The past two seasons Seattle won a combined nine times, an amount less than Carroll recorded every season at USC from 2002-2008.
"People from where I come from want to say 'gosh, why would you do that when you win all the time in college football and here you are going into the meat-grinder of the NFL?'" Carroll said. "I'm ready, I couldn't be more excited about it."
The Seahawks have yet to determine Carroll's role in a front-office capacity, as the team attempts to fill its vacancy at general manager. Leiweke and Carroll have plans to interview Omar Khan, the Pittsburgh Steelers football and administration coordinator, the Associated Press reported.
"If [our new GM is] a young buck who has never done cap contracts that's not fair to put on him," Leiweke said. "Conversely, if we find a mature general manager it might be totally appropriate that cap contracts also be according to them."
Among the names rumored to join Carroll's staff include: Jeremy Bates, Carroll's offensive coordinator at USC, Ken Norton Jr., the linebackers coach with the Trojans, and Alex Gibbs, an assistant head coach with the Texans. Gibbs operates a zone-blocking scheme similar to one used by the Seahawks this past season. Carroll wants to re-emphasize the running game on offense, but promised little changes on defense.
"The situation we're in with our defensive personnel fits what he [Carroll] wants to do," said Seahawks defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who played under Carroll at USC.
Leiweke believes the team made the right choice.
"I think today we landed a guy who is an extraordinary coach," Leiweke said. "This guy is ready to run through a wall and bring a winning attitude."
