Narrowly Scoped Week 13 Observations

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Weekend Media Gaffe

• Former Coach Bill Cower, while reading highlights for CBS, spoke of how the NFL "Memorized Sean Taylor" with pregame ceremonies.

Interesting Media Developments/Observations

• When former NFL players or media figures seek to praise the Patriots players in the face of Spygate they always point out the same guys that they have a great deal of respect for: Tom Brady, Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi, and Wes Welker. A very admirable group of players, but does anybody notice what's missing here? How about a black player? I mean the NFL is upwards of 80% African-American, why can't somebody say they also respect Kevin Faulk, Vince Wilfork, or Richard Seymour? I understand its a subconscious, unintentional omission, and I also understand why somebody would be hesitant to praise Randy Moss (who has a history of taking plays off) or Rodney Harrison (caught with steroids), but can somebody show a brother some love!
  
  
• As you probably already know, Emmitt Smith has become somewhat of a running joke as far as his commentary goes as an NFL analyst. I feel bad for him when he struggles, but also can't help to poke fun of him myself, as he's single handedly carried Media Gaffes for several weeks. But as much as he stumbles, I can tell that he prepares tirelessly and that he refuses to throw in the towel. So, on to the interesting development. His broadcast partner Steve Young has gradually begun to treat Mr. Smith like an apparition - or in other words, he has almost completely disregarded Emmitt's presence on set. He talks for minutes on end so that Smith can't answer a question or even goes as far as to jump in, and steal Emmitt's questions from the studio host. Earlier in the season Steve Young would try to get Emmitt involved by asking him easy questions based on his experience as an NFL running back or time spent in the Cowboys locker room. Sometimes he would complement Emmitt on making a good point, even after he struggled to clearly or concisely make his point. Now, its as if Emmitt Smith does not exist - the pairing no longer try to feed off each other or work together, they simply tolerate each other's presence. Steve Young is a terrific analyst. Emmitt Smith wasn't born to be on television. But as I have watched this on-screen relationship, slowly dissolve like a penny submerged in acid, I cannot help but feel bad for Emmitt Smith, who you can tell is dying to provide his input but has been frozen out from the show by a quarterback that now refuses to hand the ball off to his running back. Maybe Young is trying to protect Emmitt or maybe he's just grown frustrated with him. But Steve Young and/or the ESPN producers needs to stop changing the plays at the line of scrimmage. All that I'm saying, is give Emmitt a chance - Sung of course, to the tune of the song by John Lennon "All that we're saying is give peace a chance"

Monday Night Mayhem

What a game! I gave myself an ulcer watching Monday Night and I didn't even have a dog in the fight - a phrase you'd think NFL players and commentators would remember to omit from their post game dialogue, but seem to intentionally be trying to make things post-Mike Vick even more awkward. That goes out to you Al Michaels and especially to you Adalus Thomas, who made this reference twice in the same post game interview last night.

But I've digressed. Back to the ulcer. I had one watching this game and I was in the comfort of my home. Tom Brady obviously didn't need a Pepto Bismol last night. He was as cool as a cucumber on potential perfect-season ending 4th downs, with 73,000+ screaming Ravens fans, high winds, and a perplex defense staring him dead in the eye. But there's no need to write about Brady - he's done this a thousand times before on exponentially grander stages, that's why he's making the case for the best quarterback ever.

What we need to discuss is why the Patriots aren't dominating in the same fashion we have grown accustomed to them doing AND if they're going to lose in a quest for the perfect season.

Here's my take on the Patriots:

1. Offensively, the Pats may have peaked too soon. Opposing defenses have caught on to them a little bit, though you can still make the case that if it wasn't for Ben Watson and Randy Moss TD drops, the game against against the Ravens wouldn't have even been close. But peaking too early offensively has happened for two main reasons other than defenses slightly getting a clue on how to slow them down. The first is the weather. The Patriots, who run a spread offense and pass nearly every down, will naturally succumb to an offensive recession when freezing conditions and extreme winds come into play. We saw the weather's detrimental impact on Brady and Boller throws alike Monday night and you can expect more wounded ducks to come as we move towards Christmas and the New Year. The second reason the Patriot offense may have peaked prematurely is purely a mental one. Moss and Welker were not effective last night, and not because of their physical condition or a lack of effort. I just think when you're performing at such a high level and you suddenly face real adversity for the first time, you begin to question the merit of your prior success - even if it's just for a week or two. Sometimes success can actually be more intimidating than failure, because with success come greater expectations. Think of the character Pip from the Charles Dickens classic. Moss has been talked about as the best wide receiver in football, Welker as the best "Slot Machine" - believe it or not, this could be more damaging to their psyche than being called over-rated. This of course, goes for the entire offense, not just the receivers. Remember, the Patriots offensive line did struggle for stretches on Monday Night.
   
   
2. The Patriot defense has been getting a pass each week because 1) They've been able to make key stops at the end of games AND 2) The offense has been so omnipotent this year that the defense had the luxury of playing with huge leads - thus allowing them to pin their ears back and rush the passer as opposing offenses became one-dimensional. The ugly truth is that the New England defense was carved up by the Eagles pass attack and "man-handled" by the Ravens running game. In other words - the 2007 Patriots are beginning to resemble the Pre-Super Bowl Indianapolis Colts: A dominant offense with a suspect defense. The difference is the Patriots defense has the moxy at the end of games to get 3 and outs in the most crucial of situations, as exhibited by the close games they played against the Colts, Eagles and Ravens. It's difficult for analysts to criticize Rodney Harrison because he made some pivotal plays against the run at the end of the game on Monday night. But the truth is, he's been a step slow the entire season on pass plays. Belichick has been able to patch things up in the past, like when his secondary was so afflicted by injury that he had to transplant receiver Troy Brown into the defensive backfield- so I suspect he will be able to fix these defensive problems. But then again, you can't teach physicality. And the Patriots were out-physicalled Monday Night.
   
   
3. There's more than enough quotes out there from opposing players to prove it: Every team is playing the Pats like it's the Super Bowl. And as motivated as New England is every game, its next to impossible to match the intensity of teams that if they win, it would make their entire season. You saw the way the Eagles played Sunday Night the week prior - They played like they had nothing to lose. There's nothing more dangerous than a person or team with nothing to lose.

What does this all mean mean?

I'm beginning to believe there's an excellent chance the Pats will get picked off next week against the Steelers. Remember, it's going to be a short week for New England coming off the Monday Night game and you would have to believe the Steelers will be amped going into Foxborough- Though a rookie coach in Mike Tomlin vs Bill Belichick is a dicey match up if you're a Steel City fan. I'll give more thoughts on this game when I make my NFL picks for Week 14.

I'm also beginning to believe that maybe it would be a good thing (for the Patriots) if they did lose a regular season game. My logic - Other then the fact that it would take pressure off of the team, it seems to me that if they run into any other barn-burner type games they would statistically have to lose one of them. Knowing that the AFC playoff path is not going to be a cake walk, it would possibly bode better for New England to sacrifice one regular season loss to the probability Gods in hopes they won't strike during the post-season. Of course, my tune would change if they beat the Steelers by something like 38-14.

Quick Hits: New York Football Edition

It's not Groundhogs's Day but it sure feels like it. I'm starting off my Giants analysis with Eli Manning again.

First off, I have put my finger on the reason why Manning looks so bewildered after an interception as compared to nearly every other NFL quarterback. He has HUGE ear pads in his helmet that make him look like a 85 pound 7th grader playing his first season of Junior High Football. Since I was that 85 pound 7th grader with a head too small for the school provided helmets, I also needed the extra large ear pads and fully understand how stupid I looked. The difference is that I was 12 years old and by my calculations Eli Manning is 26. Can't the Giants get him a helmet that fits?

Anyway, Manning made arguably the biggest throw of his career against the Bears, just around the goal line to Amani Toomer which set up the game winning TD score.

How can I argue that this is his most significant throw? From a team perspective it was an essential pass because a loss to the Bears could potentially have led to fatal things down the road, not a stretch when considering the Giants recent history under Thomas Coughlin. But personally for Eli Manning, that final drive capped off by that final throw saved him from the guillotine, or the cataclysmic wrath of media and fans if the Giants would have lost because of another putrid quarterback performance. He wouldn't have lost his job, but he would have lost support of the fans and ultimately his teammates. Manning deserves a tremendous amount of credit for rising to the occasion after 7.5 consecutive quarters of terrible play. I will question Eli's ability to lead this team to a Super Bowl until cows come home, but it would be completely unfair for me to ever question his heart or mental fortitude.

What I loved about New York football this past Sunday were the quarterback matchups. Manning vs Grossman was the battle of quarterbacks that have displayed flashes of greatness but have careers marred by their propensity to shoot themselves in the foot, week after week. Clemens vs Beck was the battle of promising first year starters who have shown great potential and at the same time growing pains as they attempt to lead bad teams into 2008 and beyond. What we learned is that Manning has a few less bullets than Rex Grossman in their respective guns aimed towards both their cleats and collective heart of their fans- though as we know, sometimes it takes only takes one shot to kill. We also learned that Kellen Clemens and John Beck have a lot more to learn, with Clemens being in roughly 9th grade and Beck being in 4th grade on their journey towards graduation into the Legitimate NFL Franchise Quarterback Club - A club of surprisngly few members.

Touching on the Dolphins quickly: Miami led by head coach Cam Cameron is a group that will lay down for nobody. They play their heart out each and every Sunday. They also have arguably the least talented roster in the NFL, especially with Ronnie Brown, Trent Green, Chris Chambers, and Zach Thomas, among others no longer on the active roster. So in games where heart and moxy come into play more than talent, i.e. their horrendous weather affairs against the Steelers and the Giants, they can play close with anybody. Too bad those games weren't against more equal opponents or they would possibly have one or two wins by now. But in games where its strictly talents vs talent and execution vs execution, the Dolphins don't stack up well against anybody, not even the woeful Jets who handed Miami their worst loss of the year.

Quick Note to Giants Fans

Dear Giant Fans,

Nice win on Sunday against the Bears. Looks like your team is headed for the playoffs. But before you get too excited please remember that your defensive secondary is the league's biggest paper tiger and that you were a Devin Hester dropped bomb away from a loss on Sunday. If you cannot find a way to fix this problem then the dynamic pass attacks of the Packers and Cowboys will eat you alive in the playoffs. Please fix this problem immediately because a first round playoff loss would most likely mean that Eli Manning will be buried next to Jimmy Hoffa under Giants Stadium, for reasons that are not entirely his fault.

Sincerely,

Zach Napolitano

Sean Taylor (1983-2007)

It was not out of line for the mieda to speak of Sean Taylor's problems with the law in wake of his death. He is a public figure, the public has a right to know the totality of his public image upon his passing. I do feel it was wrong to overly speculate - on air or in print - that that his murder was part of a retaliation from his past. To merely suggest it - FINE - it's somewhat fair to bring up. But Taylor hasn't spoken to the media in years - 98% of us knew nothing about him or the details of his past. To repeatedly treat the murder of an innocent 24 year old man as an negligible occurrence because he may have shown some past indiscretion is reprehensible. Some people, specifically Chris "Mad Dog" Russo owe Mr. Taylor and his family an apology, being that Taylor had no connection with the 4 men charged with his murder.

Karma Police & The Cardiac Kids

Whether or not you believed Kellen Winslow Jr. was forced out on that Derek Anderson Hail Mary pass on Sunday, karma from the Browns win against the Ravens on a controversial field goal - which was ultimately ruled correctly but reviewed improperly - finally caught up with them. I now know two things for sure: Never count the Browns out of any game AND there isn't a more fun to team watch in the NFL right now. Let's hope they make it to the playoffs, despite the fact they have the NFL's worst defense.

Groundhog's Day Part II

I think Reggie Bush screwed up a crucial pitch in another big game. Wait, was it the BCS National Championship game played in the Rose Bowl against a Vince Young led Texas team? I can't remember.


Coffee Talk - By Ethan Nordberg

Starbucks, normally too bitter for me, has an incredibly tasty hot chocolate/coffee "mocha" floating around New York for the holidays. Key: Ask for a heavier chocolate to coffee ratio with a generous dose of whipped cream. Normally, this would drown out the coffee taste and make for a disappointing 'Bucks experience...but, BUT, that signature Starbucks bitterness fights its way through to make for a perfect blend of bean, chocolate and cream...making a nice little holiday spot. Enjoy!

I'm an Idiot because...

1. I keep counting Kurt Warner out, even after I thought I learned my lesson. But truth be told, he's having a wonderful season.

I'm a Genius because...

1. An hour or so after I posted my NFL picks I went back to make a few revisions to the arguments I was making but not the actual selections. One of the changes I made was to call the Redskins coaching staff suspect. And after Chris Webber vs UNC Version 2.0 on Sunday, Joe Gibbs has given credence to the word suspect.
   

znapolitano@gmail.com