Green Bay Packers: Ten New Year’s Resolutions for 2010

The Packers are completing a successful season in 2009, but the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl is a longshot this year, and there are simple things that can be done for the team to go to the next level. With the new decade rolling in, here are my top ten Packers’ New Year’s resolutions for the upcoming year to make that jump to the Super Bowl.

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Kansas City Chiefs-Denver Broncos: Three Key Matchups

The season is dead, but the team’s pulse is still pumping. 

If fans only care about outcomes, then they were walking for the exits on the Kansas City Chief’s season weeks ago. 

However, a team with nothing left to play for but pride can be a very scary team to face for an organization under the pressure of earning a playoff birth.

When the Chiefs march into Denver to face the Broncos, the red and gold will attempt to cast themselves as spoilers to the playoff hopeful Broncos.

In their last meeting, Denver trounced Kansas City to the tune of 44-13, and some key matchups can be examined to see if the result will be something different or painfully similar.

 

Jamaal Charles vs. Knowshon Moreno

Knowshon Moreno, rookie out of Georgia, running back for the Denver Broncos, is 103 yards from a 1,000-yard rushing season while averaging 3.8 per carry. 

Jamaal Charles, second-year running back for the Chiefs, who assumed the starting role since Week 10, is 139 yards from a 1,000-yard rushing season while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. 

Unfortunately, against Denver in Week 13, Charles averaged 3.1 yards per carry, a low since assuming the starting role.     

Still, the numbers clearly show Charles to be the more explosive runner, but an impressive game from both ball carriers is likely. 

Moreno is facing an atrocious Kansas City run defense.

Charles is on a hot streak that puts him on par in recent weeks with the likes of Barry Sanders. 

In fact, in 1998, Sanders would average only 3.1 yards on 22 carries against the Minnesota Vikings, while the rematch in Week Eight would see Sanders with a 5.3 yards-per-carry average.

Can Charles show a similar resilience and make his bid to be considered the elite running back of the AFC West as the incumbent LaDainian Tomlinson’s career continues to fade?  Or will Moreno prove the type of back in the Bronco running back carousel that continues to give Kansas City defenses nightmares?

 

Matt Cassel vs. Kyle Orton

The franchise quarterback of the future in Kansas City, Matt Cassel, came into camp and signed a monstrous long-term contract. 

Since then he has thrown for 2,717 yards with 16 touchdowns and 15 picks for a 70.1 quarterback rating. 

Oft-booed in Chicago, Kyle Orton appeared to be a desperate reach for Denver when their hand was forced to make a trade of pro bowl quarterback Jay Cutler. 

The former offensive coordinator for New England and new Bronco head coach, Josh McDaniels, disgruntled Cutler by conducting trade talks regarding Cassel, who had one year of experience under McDaniels.    

This season, Orton has thrown for 3,371 yards with 20 touchdowns and only nine picks for a quarterback rating of 89.3.

With the dust settling from all of this, two story lines emerge.

Do the Broncos have their quarterback of the future, or are they looking to supplant Orton with a player capable of making “all the throws,” so they can better stretch the field?

In fact, the Bronco’s pass game is a short game with lots of receiver bubble screens.

With the Chiefs locked into a long-term deal with Cassel, has the franchise been set back by commitment, is their enough flexibility to move in another direction, or is Cassel showing enough to merit the tenure of the starting quarterback spot?

 

Kansas City Chiefs’ Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast vs. Job Security 

It was an offseason of upheaval and new faces for Kansas City.  New general manager, new head coach/offensive coordinator, new quarterback, and new defensive coordinator.

Kansas City also introduced a new 3-4 defense.

The Chiefs have stumbled their way through a season of transitioning to the 3-4. 

Kansas City has been gashed with big plays and average next-to-last in the NFL for rushing yards allowed. 

It is unlikely Kansas City will have similar offseason changes this summer as the new faces will be given more than a year to prove their merit.  However, the one person least likely to have some leniency regarding performance is Pendergast. 

In the late ’90s Kansas City had a powerful defense with limited offense to match it with. 

In the early part of the new millennium, Dick Vermeil led a Kansas City team with a dominant offense and no defense to provide support.

As we enter the second decade of the new millennium, Kansas City is a team with a weak defense partnered with a struggling offense. 

Kansas City is currently 3-12 and it’s a small mystery why.  

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Quiet Achiever: How Matt Schaub Has Kept Houston Alive

Silent but deadly.  Those three words have never proved truer for Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub who is looking to possibly boost his team into the playoffs this weekend with a win over New England.

Originally starting his career with the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Schaub was one of the few players that had a 50/50 shot at making a proper career in the NFL.  After being signed to the Houston Texans in March of 2007, Schaub hasn’t looked back.

Most NFL fans know the Texans are one of the very best young, up-and-coming teams in the NFL.  The franchise is celebrating its seventh birthday this year, and most players in its locker room could turn around and applaud Schaub for his hard work in making his team what it is today.

This is all well and good, but the more impressive stat is that Schaub has played every game this year, and has posted great stats in doing so.  He has thrown for 4,467 yards on the season along with 27 touchdown passes, which are great numbers from this three-year veteran of the Houston Texans.

Schaub’s abilities have come a long way from what they used to be.  Looking up the teams with the best passing games in the NFL this season, you’d be surprised to see the Houston Texans ranked second behind none other than the Indianapolis Colts. 

As shaky and sluggish as the Texans have been at times, they have still done enough to maintain an 8-7 record, and can pray and hope everything goes their way next week in the AFC.

“It’s a huge game for us and it’s a chance for us to get to 9-7, which we haven’t been able to do. Obviously there’s a lot [riding] on the game. It’s a playoff game in our mind, a must-win game to stay in the hunt,” Schaub said in a press conference.

Superstar wide receiver Andre Johnson also commented on Schaub’s high-caliber performance and said how glad he is that Schaub is among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL this year.

“He’s taken a lot of criticism, but I think, this year, by what he’s done, he’s kind of shut some people up,” Johnson said. “In this league, it’s about being consistent. So, he has to come back and hopefully have a similar year like he had this year, and hopefully we can go out and win more games and he’ll get the recognition he deserves.”

For the Manning, Favre, and Brees fans out there who are questioning Schaub’s true performance, keep in mind Schaub’s previous seasons have been plagued with injuries, and to cap it all off, he has had to deal with numerous offensive line changes and tight end movements.

Along with other quarterbacks in the league such as Aaron Rodgers, Josh Freeman, and Matt Ryan, Schaub has proven that he deserves to be mentioned in the top younger generation of quarterbacks in the NFL.

Entering a new decade, there is no telling how far Schaub will go.  Super Bowl or bust?  Who knows.  His future, along with the Texans, looks promising though.

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Bears-Lions: Chicago Loss Would Hasten Lovie Smith’s Departure

Despite the goodwill generated from the Chicago Bears improbable win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, a Bears loss to the hapless Lions this Sunday might be a fatal blow to head coach Lovie Smith.

A loss to Detroit on Sunday could make firing Smith that much easier for Jerry Angelo. That is, assuming Angelo himself is still here after the season.

For if it were up to me, I would blow up the whole thing. But to end the season with consecutive wins might make it easier for the McCaskeys to retain the Bears coach.

Look, Detroit is a bad football team. Yes, it has young QB Matthew Stafford to look forward to, but for now, it stinks.

I realize the Bears are not a good team themselves, but at least they aren’t 2-13. Even being on the road shouldn’t hurt the Bears, since the Lions are a mere 2-5 at home this season.

Detroit ranks 31st in team defense and 25th in offense.

The Lions do hold an edge over the Bears in some categories, however. The Lions rank 24th in rushing, while the Bears rank 30th. The Lions also hold a slim edge defending the run.

Meanwhile, they are dead last in defending the pass, and they allow a league-worst 30 PPG. Heck, they have even thrown more interceptions than the Bears!

Detroit ranks last in turnover differential, at minus-16.

In other words, this is a game that the Bears simply must win.

Still, this could be a classic trap game in the sense that the Bears are coming off a short week, and a big win, and may be taking Detroit lightly.

But if a loss means the end of Lovie and his staff, maybe a loss wouldn’t be so bad for the Bears after all, come to think of it.

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It’s Time To Keep The Faith New Orleans

If someone would have told you in August that the New Orleans Saints would have a record of 13-2 when we ring in 2010, you would have said what?

I’m sure you would have been singing the same old tired tune of how the Saints will never be able to do that.  They’ll never be more than a last minute add for a wildcard spot this year especially with a new defensive coordinator.   

Why not its been the usual way of thinking for the better part of 40 years.

But not this year, this year is different. For the first time in Saints history, we ring in a New Year as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. You would think everyone in the city, whether local or visitor, would be elated at such a feat and jubilant beyond belief.

And yet there are still those negative Nellies who have to find some way to throw water on the fire. Of course those same negative Nellies where/are the last to jump on the bandwagon andwill be the first to jump off.

Watch your step and good bye!

The rest of us are having too much fun.  An undefeated season and a Superbowl win would have been fabulous for all of the years of suffering.

Now it’s time for us,the true BELIEVERS, to not lose the Faith! 

Its gut check time for player and fan alike. Time to ask yourself if you have what it takes.

Time to make a statement.

As a fan, I say let’s show the boys just how much we believe in them and instead of waiting at the airport when they return be there as they fly off to their last battle of the regular season. They leave around 1pm on Saturday.

Thank them for the ride so far and wish them a safe return as they continue on their/our quest of the Lombardi Trophy.

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

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Packers-Cardinals: Week 17 Outlook

One of the best games of the season is less than three days away.  That’s right, it’s the Green Bay Packers v Arizona Cardinals.  We’ve all heard about it, we all know about it, and we all know how much this matchup means to the NFC Playoff picture.

The Packers, who are currently sitting at 10-5, are heading to the University of Phoenix Stadium with more than a point to prove.  They are already in the playoffs, and that’s old news.  This team will face, however, the strong-headed defense of the Arizona Cardinals, which is relentless and dominates games when an opposing team’s offense is playing at its worst.

Arizona still has a shot at the No. 2 spot in the NFC Playoff picture.  With a decision from head coach Ken Whisenhunt on whether to rest their starters or not, expect Arizona to start the game all guns blazing as they look to gain a considerable lead and then bench their starters for the remaining quarters.

The key for either team to take the win in this game is defense.  Both teams have similar style offenses with a good mixture of run and pass.  Although, with that said, expect this game to play into whichever team’s defense is playing the more dominant style of football.  Green Bay and Dom Capers have the 3-4 transition working perfectly, and Arizona’s defensive penetration is among the best in the NFL. 

Whichever team’s defense gets going early, expect it to take over.

Games with Meaning:

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00PM Sunday on Fox.

It’s all over for New York.  However, they could still throw a spanner in the works of Minnesota, who has been off to a shaky and unpredictable start in the past two games. 

The Giant offense hasn’t been too poor as of late, but it hasn’t been easy on the eye either.  Giant fans are still upset over their final home game loss at the Meadowlands this week, and so is the entire locker room.  The Giants have a chance to redeem themselves and provide a little hope for the future with this game, but nothing more than that.

On the other side, Brett Favre is going through his usual December-to-forget period, and Adrian Peterson is causing more woes in the Viking offense then need be.  If New York puts pressure on Brett Favre and stops Adrian Peterson early, expect the Giants to get a meaningless but impressive win over the Vikings.

Game of the Week:

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys, 4:15PM Sunday on Fox.

It’s hard to argue against how the Eagles are playing right now.  The same can be said for Dallas. 

Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson are playing lights out, and it seems that cornerbacks are a mere hurdle for the Eagles wide receivers right now.  Away games aren’t the Eagles’ forte, however, and they could get rattled early in Texas.  If the Eagles score the first touchdown in the game, it would be wise to put some money on them for the win.  Not that I am encouraging gambling, but the Eagles are third in the NFL on points scored right now, and that says a lot for a team that is looking for a long January of football.

Dallas is playing extremely well also.  Tony Romo is finally looking like the guy who is the future of the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones’ smile widens with every game the Cowboys win.  Miles Austin is having a possible Offensive Player of the Year season, and to top it all off, linebacker DeMarcus Ware is fit and healthy and ready to dominate.

Anyone who doesn’t watch this game isn’t a true football fan.  I promise you that you won’t be wasting your time.  This battle always promises a highlight reel for the ages.

Interesting Match Up:

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets, 8:20PM Monday on CBS.

Playoff implications are on the line for both teams.  If LaMarr Woodley’s prediction proves correct and the Bengals lay down to stop the Steelers from reaching the playoffs, all hell will break lose.

To cap that off, Chad Ochocinco and Darrelle Revis have exchanged friendly words and are promising a blockbuster event. 

With two great offenses like these colliding, it’s hard to argue against them.

Other Games to Watch For:

New England Patriots at Houston Texans, 1:00PM Sunday on Fox.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins, 1:00PM Sunday on CBS.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:15PM Sunday on Fox.

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

2010 NFL Mock Draft 1st Round: Suh or Clausen? Version 2.0

Updated 12/31

Here’s the latest update of my 2010 NFL mock draft. The draft order is based on my season record and playoff projections. Tune in next week for another update of my mock draft, and feel free to comment and tell me what you think of my picks and whether you like your favorite team’s pick.

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Buffalo Bills Take First Step in Turning Around With New GM, Buddy Nix

Hello, and Happy Holidays to all the loyal Bills fans, and readers of my articles! Sorry about the lack of recent posts, but I am back and ready to bring you all the latest news on our Buffalo Bills.

Ralph Wilson Jr. has been the owner of the Buffalo Bills franchise since the inception of the National Football League 50 long years ago. Still today, Buffalo Bills’ loyal fans have yet to see the confetti fall, despite the four consecutive Super Bowl losses that has broken the hearts of every resident in the great city of Buffalo, N.Y.

Now, Ralph Wilson has had enough. A decade away from his 100th birthday, he has stuck with the team through thick and thin, but this season we have seen another side of the normally quiet, behind the scenes owner.

A billboard pleading for the firing of the much hated Dick Jauron must have opened the eyes of our beloved Ralph Wilson Jr; as he was fired within a month. Now, Russ Brandon, the team’s General Manager (who specializes in MARKETING) has been replaced by Buddy Nix, a man with superior experience in scouting and evaluation the talent of up and coming players.

Nix served as a scout for Buffalo in the early ’90s, before becoming the assistant GM of the San Diego Chargers, as well as the director of player personnel, encouraging the team to draft top-tier players such as Shawne Merriman, Drew Brees, LaDanian Tomlinson, Quinten Jammer, Antonio Cromartie, and countless others. I think we all know how that turned out.

Although Nix is not as big a name as newly appointed president of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Holmgren, Nix has a knack for evaluating players and developing a team with players that fit the desired system.

While working with the Bills, he scouted and eventually brought in Buffalo favorites including Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield, and our favorite defensive end since Bruce Smith, Aaron Schobel. Additionally, he coached Terrell Owens, during his time at Tennessee Chattanooga, for those of you that like to nitpick.

This may seem like a small step for the Buffalo Bills, but a GM with a high football IQ is what we need. This could easily be the beginning of something new. Something that will bring pride and joy to the city of Buffalo. Something that will make America tune in to Bills’ games, not to see a losing team, but a team feared by all.

I could be wrong, but hey, coming from Buffalo, all you can do is hope!

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Patriots and Bengals Playing to Win? Brady and Ocho Say They Are!

Most of the talk this week was about how the Bengals and Patriots would both fold the tents, and allow the Jets and Texans to have an easy game this week. According to Tom Brady, that just is not going to happen.

In a report from profootballtalk.com, Tom Brady was asked by his Dad is he would be playing the game, Tom did not know. Not wanting to let his Dad down, Brady asked Coach Belichick, and actually got an answer.

Yes !

“You’ll play, don’t worry about that,” Belichick told Brady. “You’ll be playing.”

Now, I know that some of us would be a little skeptical about a statement like that, I mean, look at how the Colts sent an engraved invitation to the Jets for the playoffs. But not the Patriots.

“Close game, blowout, we get behind, I’m expecting to play the whole game,” Brady said.  “I wouldn’t see why we wouldn’t.”

This comes as great news to the teams that are fighting for those final playoff spots in the AFC. Steelers, Broncos, and Ravens fans are all breathing a sigh of relief.

The number three seed in the AFC Playoff race has not yet been decided, as the Bengals and Patriots are both 10-5, and if either loses, while the other team wins, they will have the three seed.

Some people, LaMarr Woodley included has speculated the both the Patriots and Bengals would rest their starters to try and keep the Steelers from the post season. Maybe Belichick wanted to prove that the Patriots are more manly than the Colts.

Or maybe they just don’t like to lose.

Either way, if the Patriots can take care of the Texans, then the path to the playoffs for the Steelers just got a little easier.

Is Cincinnati planning to take out the Jets?

When the Indianapolis Colts decided that their starters getting a months rest was more important than an undefeated season, the Jets were handed control of their own destiny in the playoffs.

Yes, they have the option to sit who they like, when they like, but every time they do this, they end up with an early playoff exit.

Is Cincinnati going to be sitting their starters? Maybe not.

Chad Ochocinco stated that he is going to “escape Revis Island “. Ocho has stated that he is going to do what no other wide out in the NFL could do this season.

For that to happen, Ochocinco is going to have to play the whole game, and is going to have Carson Palmer throwing him the ball.

Maybe Chad was not supposed to say anything, but Ochocinco did, and it could mean that the Bengals are actually going to be playing their starters against the Jets.

If the Bengals and Patriots take out the Jets and Texans, respectfully, then with a win at Miami, Pittsburgh will be back in the playoffs to defend their title.

Either way, Sunday just got a LOT more interesting!

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Oakland Raiders: Tic-Tac-Toe, Get Three in a Row

It’s been a good year for those of us who needed to be humbled. Join me because I and others wrote some articles spouting out “high hopes” for the 2009 season, and it’s been a year with a few highs and several lows.

Like a child who wants to get three x’s in a row in tic-tac-toe, some of us would have been happy to see three consecutive victories in 2009. Two wins in a row would have made us happier, too.

So much was invested in JaMarcus Russell that some fans thought that surely he would give us “a very good year.” Nope, it didn’t happen.

Our heads swelled with pride when Bruce Gradkowski injected excitement, passion, and a higher degree of effectiveness in a couple of our games. Then, maybe because we got “a little bit too lifted up,” our “rising star” was injured, not in one knee but in two. Now, tell me, wasn’t that disappointing?

I don’t think it is “off beat” to say that our opponents targeted our rising star, playing hard and dirty to get him out of the game, so to speak. Is that far-fetched?

So, we did get two x’s but they were disabling x’s, representing the injuries of our quarterback.

Well, the beginning of a new year will start and we will get charged up, practiced up, and fired up for the 2010 season.

Will it be tic-tac-toe again, but this time, we yearn for x-x-x and more.

I believe the whole team needs a “major tune up” like changing spark plugs, wires, rotary caps, and a change in the air filter and fuel filter.

Knowing that your car needs a tune up is similar to knowing that the Oakland Raiders need a tune up. When your car mis-fires, won’t crank up in cold weather or hot weather, it stalls at the red light, won’t accelerate properly, you then realize you need a major tune-up. Our team needs a tune up before the 2010 season begins.

Well, the analogy is: Our team mis-fired; it didn’t crank up consistently; and it certainly did not accelerate to give us two consecutive wins for weeks 14 and 15.

How do we tune up our team? Do an assessment and replace any member of the franchise who did not perform properly?

How might this assessment of the entire franchise be done?

A suggestion is to evaluate the performance of “a few good men” and “a few bad men” and strengthen the Oakland Raiders for 2010.

Furthermore, we will stack up the x’s and o’s and we will see the pattern on which we will make our informed decisions.

With the discipline to watch, carefully, as much of the data and performance records of the entire team, we will not tolerate being treated like we have “stupid stamped on our forehead.”

We may be in a game of tic-tac-toe in the NFL, but we still expect, some consecutive x’s (wins)  more often.

This is your review of 2009, and your “prep-pep talk” for 2010.

Happy New Year!

 

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