Something weird is going on in Arizona: The front-office appears intent on winning games.
Two weeks after hiring former Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to be its head coach, the Cardinals plucked another member of the Steelers' coaching staff, hiring Russ Grimm on Monday to coach the offensive line and also serve as assistant head coach.
Grimm, a member of Washington's famed offensive line of the 1980s who is now widely considered to be one of the best line coaches in the game, is a major coup for a franchise which has had just two 1,000-yard rushers since moving to Arizona in 1988.
The Cardinals are expected to help out Grimm by addressing the offensive line in the off-season, either through free agency or the draft. Joe Thomas, a left-tackle from Wisconsin, is the top-rated linemen coming out, and there is a good chance he will be available when the Cardinals pick at no. 5.
The Cardinals will also have to consider the future of left tackle Leonard Davis, who will be become an unrestricted free-agent in March. The Cardinals could opt to place the franchise tag on Davis, but doing so would mean a one-year deal worth $11 million, quite a sum for a player who has failed to live up to expectations since being a top-5 pick six years ago.
The best plan might be to eat the one-year hit on Davis and move the 360-pounder inside to guard, where he should be more effective. Then, the team would be free to draft Thomas and put him in Davis' old position.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
SOTU: More of the same
His eloquent -- and seemingly genuine -- tribute to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., notwithstanding, George W. Bush's speech last night offered nothing but the same, tired lies that he has heaped on the American public since Sept. 11, 2001.
He said we needed to balance the budget, which we most assuredly do. But he offered no plan to do so.
He said health care should be more readily available to the working class. It should, but the president's plan -- which involves tax credits -- not only runs counter to his goal of balancing the budget, but is DOA in the Congress, where the new Democratic majority favors a universal coverage plan.
He also said he was putting together a bold, new energy plan -- something he said in all six of his previous SOTU speeches.
Then he polished an oldie but goodie, attempting to tie Sept 11 and Iraq together by repeatedly using the tragedy as tool to justify our actions there.
On his plan to send an additional 21,000 troops to the region, he said it was justified. That the American public, both houses of Congress and many former military commanders oppose such a move, didn't seem to matter to him.
"You did not vote for failure," said Mr. Bush, defending the policy.
Sure we did, Mr. President; we elected you -- twice.
He said we needed to balance the budget, which we most assuredly do. But he offered no plan to do so.
He said health care should be more readily available to the working class. It should, but the president's plan -- which involves tax credits -- not only runs counter to his goal of balancing the budget, but is DOA in the Congress, where the new Democratic majority favors a universal coverage plan.
He also said he was putting together a bold, new energy plan -- something he said in all six of his previous SOTU speeches.
Then he polished an oldie but goodie, attempting to tie Sept 11 and Iraq together by repeatedly using the tragedy as tool to justify our actions there.
On his plan to send an additional 21,000 troops to the region, he said it was justified. That the American public, both houses of Congress and many former military commanders oppose such a move, didn't seem to matter to him.
"You did not vote for failure," said Mr. Bush, defending the policy.
Sure we did, Mr. President; we elected you -- twice.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Chargers give one to the Patriots
The Chargers gave Tom Brady one too many chances on Sunday.
After six dropped passes, three turnovers and two undisciplined second-half personal foul penalties, San Diego, who controlled much of the game from a total yardage and field-position standpoint, handed the Patriots a 24-21 victory Sunday.
Brady, who completed 27-of-51 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, hit Reche Caldwell in the corner of the end zone with a 4-yard touchdown pass and Kevin Faulk ran in the ensuing two-point conversion to tie the game at 21 with 4:46 left in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots, after forcing a three-and-out on San Diego's next possession, then drove 72 yards in eight plays, setting up a game-winning 31-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski with a little over a minute left.
The key moment in the decisive drive came on third-and-10, when Brady floated the ball perfectly over the outstretched hand of Chargers cornerback Quinton Jammer for a 49-yard completion to Caldwell, who was streaking down the sideline.
The Chargers drove to the Patriots' 36-yard line in the waning moments, but Nate Kaeding missed a 54-yard field goal attempt.
Brady, who has a reputation as clutch postseason performer, was far from his best, throwing three interceptions and missing a number of open receivers on a day when New England all but gave up on the run, especially in the second half.
After six dropped passes, three turnovers and two undisciplined second-half personal foul penalties, San Diego, who controlled much of the game from a total yardage and field-position standpoint, handed the Patriots a 24-21 victory Sunday.
Brady, who completed 27-of-51 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, hit Reche Caldwell in the corner of the end zone with a 4-yard touchdown pass and Kevin Faulk ran in the ensuing two-point conversion to tie the game at 21 with 4:46 left in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots, after forcing a three-and-out on San Diego's next possession, then drove 72 yards in eight plays, setting up a game-winning 31-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski with a little over a minute left.
The key moment in the decisive drive came on third-and-10, when Brady floated the ball perfectly over the outstretched hand of Chargers cornerback Quinton Jammer for a 49-yard completion to Caldwell, who was streaking down the sideline.
The Chargers drove to the Patriots' 36-yard line in the waning moments, but Nate Kaeding missed a 54-yard field goal attempt.
Brady, who has a reputation as clutch postseason performer, was far from his best, throwing three interceptions and missing a number of open receivers on a day when New England all but gave up on the run, especially in the second half.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
I'm on the board -- and so are the Saints
Reggie Bush can breathe a sigh relief now.
With the Saints driving late in the game with a three point lead, the sensational rookie out of USC almost wore the goat horns Saturday night after he mishandled a pitch from Drew Brees, giving the Eagles a chance to tie or win the game.
However, the defense forced a three-and-out and Deuce McCallister was able to run out the clock after an ensuing punt to give the Saints a 27-24 victory, sending New Orleans to its first-ever NFC Championship game, just a year after going 3-13.
"It was a rookie mistake," said Bush, referring to his turnover. "But we got the win and now we get a chance to move on."
McCallister, who shared the rushing load all year with Bush, starred on this night, carrying the ball 21 times for 143 yards and one touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass.
"Deuce was fantastic," said New Orleans head coach Sean Payton. "For us coming off two weeks off, that was one of the things we were looking for -- to get the running game game going."
With the Saints driving late in the game with a three point lead, the sensational rookie out of USC almost wore the goat horns Saturday night after he mishandled a pitch from Drew Brees, giving the Eagles a chance to tie or win the game.
However, the defense forced a three-and-out and Deuce McCallister was able to run out the clock after an ensuing punt to give the Saints a 27-24 victory, sending New Orleans to its first-ever NFC Championship game, just a year after going 3-13.
"It was a rookie mistake," said Bush, referring to his turnover. "But we got the win and now we get a chance to move on."
McCallister, who shared the rushing load all year with Bush, starred on this night, carrying the ball 21 times for 143 yards and one touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass.
"Deuce was fantastic," said New Orleans head coach Sean Payton. "For us coming off two weeks off, that was one of the things we were looking for -- to get the running game game going."
Colts win; I'm O-1
A couple weeks ago, when the Colts defense was getting shredded by, of all teams, the Houston Texans, few could have predicted Saturday's result.
Indianapolis upset the Ravens 15-6, getting a huge effort from their much maligned defense, which forced three turnovers and held Jamal Lewis to 53 yards rushing.
The Colts' high-powered offense overcame an average day from Peyton Manning, who completed just 50 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions.
Adam Vinitieri saved the day with five field goals, including a 35-yarder in the final minute to cement the game.
The star, however, was the Colts defense, which was last against run in NFL during the regular season. One week after holding down Larry Johnson and the Chiefs, the Colts frustrated the Ravens, playing a very disciplined umbrella, cover-2 look. Baltimore, who never seemed to adjust, did not take the underneath throw in front of the dropping linebackers and instead forced the ball downfield, where the Indianapolis secondary was in good position.
It goes without saying -- if the defense continues to play like this, the Colts will be an extraordinarily tough out.
Indianapolis upset the Ravens 15-6, getting a huge effort from their much maligned defense, which forced three turnovers and held Jamal Lewis to 53 yards rushing.
The Colts' high-powered offense overcame an average day from Peyton Manning, who completed just 50 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions.
Adam Vinitieri saved the day with five field goals, including a 35-yarder in the final minute to cement the game.
The star, however, was the Colts defense, which was last against run in NFL during the regular season. One week after holding down Larry Johnson and the Chiefs, the Colts frustrated the Ravens, playing a very disciplined umbrella, cover-2 look. Baltimore, who never seemed to adjust, did not take the underneath throw in front of the dropping linebackers and instead forced the ball downfield, where the Indianapolis secondary was in good position.
It goes without saying -- if the defense continues to play like this, the Colts will be an extraordinarily tough out.
Daily thoughts
In the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, those teams coming off a bye historically have had a tremendous advantage. This year should be no different, as I expect Baltimore, San Diego, Chicago and New Orleans all to advance to their respective conference championships games next weekend.
A bye obviously means playing at least one home game, which no doubt is important. But the week off -- a time where teams can recover from all the knicks and scraps that inevitably accumulate over a 17 week season -- perhaps means even more.
In single elimination, the best team doesn't always come out on top; the most healthy one almost always does.
That said, be wary of the somewhat limping Patriots, who will be without strong safety Rodney Harrison on Sunday. With Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, New England is well-equipped to take advantage of the playoff-jinxed Marty Schottenheimer, who has a 5-12 record as a head coach in the postseason, and Phillip Rivers, who struggled down the stretch this year, his first as a starter. The Chargers, though, still have LaDanian Tomlinson, who will be the difference.
Ravens 20 Colts 16
Saints 31 Eagles 17
Bears 16 Seahawks 13
Chargers 27 Patriots 24
A bye obviously means playing at least one home game, which no doubt is important. But the week off -- a time where teams can recover from all the knicks and scraps that inevitably accumulate over a 17 week season -- perhaps means even more.
In single elimination, the best team doesn't always come out on top; the most healthy one almost always does.
That said, be wary of the somewhat limping Patriots, who will be without strong safety Rodney Harrison on Sunday. With Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, New England is well-equipped to take advantage of the playoff-jinxed Marty Schottenheimer, who has a 5-12 record as a head coach in the postseason, and Phillip Rivers, who struggled down the stretch this year, his first as a starter. The Chargers, though, still have LaDanian Tomlinson, who will be the difference.
Ravens 20 Colts 16
Saints 31 Eagles 17
Bears 16 Seahawks 13
Chargers 27 Patriots 24
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