- That the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the unbeaten New England Patriots on December 9 at Heinz Field, instead of playing the game at Foxboro. After witnessing the messy scrum between the Steelers and the Miami Dolphins, it appears that the only way for the Patriots to literally slip up and lose would be the intervention of force majeure. And Goodness only knows what will happen to the Patriots when a similar thunderstorm strikes again.
- That the Philadelphia Eagles playing in their throwback uniform every week. Since destroying the Detroit Lions 56-21 in their throwback uniform in Week 3 (where running back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver Kevin Curtis both gained over 200 total yards), the Eagles have been stuttering since then. Was that really the Eagles? Or was it the reincarnation of something great in the past?
- That the Eagles sticking with A.J. Feeley as their starting quarterback. Stepping in for the injured Donovan McNabb, Feeley was looking great against the Patriots, but he did throw three costly interceptions which allowed the Pats to preserve their unbeaten record. Nevertheless, Feeley was showing outstanding poise and willing to throw downfield, something McNabb dares not to as he has the tendency of checking down to his running backs way too quickly. People have been expecting a quarterback controversy between McNabb and second-round pick Kevin Kolb this season, but no one expects one involving Feeley.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Signs That I'm Not a Good Employee
Well, the Philadelphia Eagles, an unheard of 20-plus-point underdog, nearly pulled an upset over the unbeaten New England Patriots earlier this morning when they went down 28-31 in Foxborough.
While I'm still stuck in my office not being able to watch any footage, I have a hunch feeling that the Eagles had sent out their best cornerback, Lito Sheppard, to play one-on-one with Randy Moss, the main receiving threat of the Patriots.
The result? Despite a league-high 16 touchdowns so far this season, Moss was held to just four catches for around 40 yards and NO touchdown.
Teams playing against the Patriots have been playing so many zones this season and while a zone defense is designed to prevent huge gains, teams executing it improperly (e.g., safeties failing to cover the wide receivers let go by the cornerbacks) will get burnt deep repeatedly.
That's why they have to play man-to-man against the Patriots. While occasionally they may be able to break free for a long gain, at least there will be SOMEONE close to the receivers.
And with Moss beating so many cornerbacks on "jump ball" situations, why don't the cornerbacks give him a little cushion at the line of scrimmage in obvious jump ball situations, to prevent them from being pushed aside? Playing a little off will at least give them a running start AND a shot of getting in front of Moss to break up the pass.
While I'm still stuck in my office not being able to watch any footage, I have a hunch feeling that the Eagles had sent out their best cornerback, Lito Sheppard, to play one-on-one with Randy Moss, the main receiving threat of the Patriots.
The result? Despite a league-high 16 touchdowns so far this season, Moss was held to just four catches for around 40 yards and NO touchdown.
Teams playing against the Patriots have been playing so many zones this season and while a zone defense is designed to prevent huge gains, teams executing it improperly (e.g., safeties failing to cover the wide receivers let go by the cornerbacks) will get burnt deep repeatedly.
That's why they have to play man-to-man against the Patriots. While occasionally they may be able to break free for a long gain, at least there will be SOMEONE close to the receivers.
And with Moss beating so many cornerbacks on "jump ball" situations, why don't the cornerbacks give him a little cushion at the line of scrimmage in obvious jump ball situations, to prevent them from being pushed aside? Playing a little off will at least give them a running start AND a shot of getting in front of Moss to break up the pass.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Strange Decisions of the Week
On second and goal from the Denver Broncos' 4-yard line midway through the third quarter, Tennessee Titans' quarterback Vince Young scrambled around left end and apparently came up just short of the goal line.
Third and goal.
Young, having trouble finding an open receiver, tried to run it in. But he was pushed out of bounds way short of the goal line. Worse still, Young appeared to be winded from the play.
Fourth down.
Or was it?
Amazingly, Young's effort and suffering were all for naught as the third down play never happened. The reason? Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan called a timeout just before the snap, as he had brought on the wrong personnel for the play. Funny though, as the wrong personnel was able to stop Young from scoring.
Now calling a timeout just before a play starts is not uncommon in football (more on that later). But this has completely different consequences.
TV replays showed that Young's outstretched right hand had apparently brought the ball across the plane of the goal line on the second down play, and thus a touchdown, instead of third down, should have been the call. But Titans' coach Jeff Fisher, in a moment of hesitation, didn't throw his red challenge flag before the third down play started. Once the next play starts, the previous one will become unchallengeable.
Luckily, his blushes were saved by Shanahan who, by calling a timeout, had stopped the third down play from starting. Now Fisher had all the time he needed to decide whether to appeal to the officials for a review. His reward was a touchdown for his team.
Speaking of calling a timeout just before a play starts, it was Shanahan who started the ridiculous practice of "icing the kicker" in September, when he called a timeout just before the Oakland Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski kicked a game-tying field goal in the final seconds. While Janikowski nailed the first one (which didn't count), the tactic worked to perfection as he missed the second try after returning from the timeout (which counted).
Since then, way too many coaches have been following suit and some commentators said that the only way for the shenanigans to stop, would be for a kicker to miss the first try (which doesn't count) but make the second one (which counts).
And in a case of poetic justice, the tactic came back and nearly haunted Shanahan as Rob Bironas, the Titans' kicker, badly hooked a 56-yarder at the end of the first half. But the play didn't count as Shanahan called a timeout just before the snap. Given a second chance, Bironas, who set a record of making eight field goals in a game earlier this season, didn't miss it and brought the Titans to within 10 points at the end of the half.
Luckily for Shanahan, his curious decisions didn't hurt his team which eventually emerged victorious 34-20. Otherwise someone may be calling for his head, as the AFC West this year is so wide open that a single bad call may be enough to ruin a team's season.
Third and goal.
Young, having trouble finding an open receiver, tried to run it in. But he was pushed out of bounds way short of the goal line. Worse still, Young appeared to be winded from the play.
Fourth down.
Or was it?
Amazingly, Young's effort and suffering were all for naught as the third down play never happened. The reason? Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan called a timeout just before the snap, as he had brought on the wrong personnel for the play. Funny though, as the wrong personnel was able to stop Young from scoring.
Now calling a timeout just before a play starts is not uncommon in football (more on that later). But this has completely different consequences.
TV replays showed that Young's outstretched right hand had apparently brought the ball across the plane of the goal line on the second down play, and thus a touchdown, instead of third down, should have been the call. But Titans' coach Jeff Fisher, in a moment of hesitation, didn't throw his red challenge flag before the third down play started. Once the next play starts, the previous one will become unchallengeable.
Luckily, his blushes were saved by Shanahan who, by calling a timeout, had stopped the third down play from starting. Now Fisher had all the time he needed to decide whether to appeal to the officials for a review. His reward was a touchdown for his team.
Speaking of calling a timeout just before a play starts, it was Shanahan who started the ridiculous practice of "icing the kicker" in September, when he called a timeout just before the Oakland Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski kicked a game-tying field goal in the final seconds. While Janikowski nailed the first one (which didn't count), the tactic worked to perfection as he missed the second try after returning from the timeout (which counted).
Since then, way too many coaches have been following suit and some commentators said that the only way for the shenanigans to stop, would be for a kicker to miss the first try (which doesn't count) but make the second one (which counts).
And in a case of poetic justice, the tactic came back and nearly haunted Shanahan as Rob Bironas, the Titans' kicker, badly hooked a 56-yarder at the end of the first half. But the play didn't count as Shanahan called a timeout just before the snap. Given a second chance, Bironas, who set a record of making eight field goals in a game earlier this season, didn't miss it and brought the Titans to within 10 points at the end of the half.
Luckily for Shanahan, his curious decisions didn't hurt his team which eventually emerged victorious 34-20. Otherwise someone may be calling for his head, as the AFC West this year is so wide open that a single bad call may be enough to ruin a team's season.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Question of the Week
In the closing seconds of the first half of the Monday night game between the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, why didn't the officials review whether the Titans' Bo Scaife made the catch deep into the Broncos' territory? The ruling on the field was that it was an incomplete pass, but TV replays showed that Scaife had more than likely made a spectacular catch. There was definitely enough doubt which warranted an official review. But it never came and the Titans had to settle for a field goal.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
San Diego Strangers
It was a strange game.
It was a game in which Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, of all people, threw not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but SIX interceptions, three of which were hauled in by San Diego Chargers' cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who a week earlier set an unbeatable record by returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
In the second quarter, rookie linebacker Clint Session made an acrobatic interception by picking off a Philip Rivers' throw in the endzone just before the ball hit the ground, and returned it all the way inside the Chargers' 10-yard line. However, the play was called dead by an "inadvertent whistle" when one of the referees mistakenly saw that the ball had hit the ground and blew the whistle. So instead of having a First-and-10 inside the Chargers' 10-yard line, the Colts had to start at their own 20.
And if that is not strange enough, Adam Vinatieri, one of the best clutch kickers in history, missed two chip shot field goals at either halves of the game. Had he made either of those, the visiting Colts would have won the game, which finished 21-23 to the Chargers.
When the Colts came to within two points after once falling behind 0-23 with only 17 offensive players dressed and even losing star defensive end Dwight Freeney with a foot injury, you had a gut feeling that it was going to be Manning's and Vinatieri's time to shine again.
But strangely they didn't deliver.
With all the gifts from the Colts, the Chargers offense managed only a touchdown and a field goal the entire game on their own, as their passing and rushing offense were held to below 100 yards. Instead, they had to thank Darren Sproles, a diminutive return specialist who returned a kick-off and a punt for two of their three touchdowns.
While the Colts have lost two in a row after winning their first seven games, they should feel good about themselves for dominating the game in terms of yardage and getting oh-so close to an impressive comeback, despite the absence of Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark, the two key weapons for Manning.
While the Chargers may have won the game, they should not be over optimistic by regarding the win as the turning point of their disappointing season. They know that they were just being lucky as they had a hard time moving the ball, with LaDanian Tomlinson being literally a non-factor in the game.
A really strange game indeed.
It was a game in which Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, of all people, threw not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but SIX interceptions, three of which were hauled in by San Diego Chargers' cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who a week earlier set an unbeatable record by returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
In the second quarter, rookie linebacker Clint Session made an acrobatic interception by picking off a Philip Rivers' throw in the endzone just before the ball hit the ground, and returned it all the way inside the Chargers' 10-yard line. However, the play was called dead by an "inadvertent whistle" when one of the referees mistakenly saw that the ball had hit the ground and blew the whistle. So instead of having a First-and-10 inside the Chargers' 10-yard line, the Colts had to start at their own 20.
And if that is not strange enough, Adam Vinatieri, one of the best clutch kickers in history, missed two chip shot field goals at either halves of the game. Had he made either of those, the visiting Colts would have won the game, which finished 21-23 to the Chargers.
When the Colts came to within two points after once falling behind 0-23 with only 17 offensive players dressed and even losing star defensive end Dwight Freeney with a foot injury, you had a gut feeling that it was going to be Manning's and Vinatieri's time to shine again.
But strangely they didn't deliver.
With all the gifts from the Colts, the Chargers offense managed only a touchdown and a field goal the entire game on their own, as their passing and rushing offense were held to below 100 yards. Instead, they had to thank Darren Sproles, a diminutive return specialist who returned a kick-off and a punt for two of their three touchdowns.
While the Colts have lost two in a row after winning their first seven games, they should feel good about themselves for dominating the game in terms of yardage and getting oh-so close to an impressive comeback, despite the absence of Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark, the two key weapons for Manning.
While the Chargers may have won the game, they should not be over optimistic by regarding the win as the turning point of their disappointing season. They know that they were just being lucky as they had a hard time moving the ball, with LaDanian Tomlinson being literally a non-factor in the game.
A really strange game indeed.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
One Down and Two to Go
Nico Rosberg has been confirmed for the Williams team in 2008.
That means Lewis Hamilton's choice of drivers as his teammate next season is down by one, with only Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen still in the hunt.
McLaren's boss Ron Dennis is a shrewd businessman and he knows he ultimately wants Rosberg to partner Hamilton when the former's contract with Williams runs out after next season. So he's going to sign a stop-gap replacement for next season only.
And you'd expect that replacement to be a veteran, as it makes no sense to give an inexperienced driver only one year's time to develop.
And when it comes down to Pedro de la Rosa and Giancarlo Fisichella, Dennis would be wise to go with someone he is familiar with.
So mark my word: Pedro de la Rosa will be Hamilton's teammate for 2008.
That means Lewis Hamilton's choice of drivers as his teammate next season is down by one, with only Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen still in the hunt.
McLaren's boss Ron Dennis is a shrewd businessman and he knows he ultimately wants Rosberg to partner Hamilton when the former's contract with Williams runs out after next season. So he's going to sign a stop-gap replacement for next season only.
And you'd expect that replacement to be a veteran, as it makes no sense to give an inexperienced driver only one year's time to develop.
And when it comes down to Pedro de la Rosa and Giancarlo Fisichella, Dennis would be wise to go with someone he is familiar with.
So mark my word: Pedro de la Rosa will be Hamilton's teammate for 2008.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
McLaren's Hot Seat
Who will be Lewis Hamilton's teammate at McLaren next season?
Hamilton recently named Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen as the top three candidates for the seat vacated by Fernando Alonso. However, whether or not he named the names in a particular order is unclear.
Rosberg definitely has the pedigree and, more importantly, exceptional performance for the under-funded Williams team in the past two seasons. But Williams' boss Frank Williams, for whom Nico's dad Keke won the World Championship title in 1982, had repeatedly insisted that Nico will drive for them next season.
Kovalainen is yet another promising driver managed by Renault's boss Flavio Briatore. He started the season poorly and his performance had been lambasted by Briatore as being "rubbish". But he soon picked up the pace literally and finished the season seventh in the Championship standings, i.e., the best driver not driving for Ferrari, McLaren or BMW.
Sutil, though, is a dark horse. He impressed me with his aggressiveness while driving for Team Germany in A1GP in 2005, which won him a seat with then-Midland (now Spyker) team. His trump card though would be his close friendship with Hamilton, and they have known each other since their karting days years ago.
But will any of them be the lucky guy?
Given Fernando Alonso's hasty departure, and the fact that most of the top drivers are under contracts with other teams, McLaren is likely to be inclined (or forced?) towards finding a stop-gap replacement, and wait until the most ideal candidate to become a free agent in a year's time (or longer). And that driver will have to be a "team driver" who is more than happy to play second fiddle to Hamilton.
So my guess is that neither Rosberg, Sutil nor Kovalainen will get the nod, as these three hotshots are more or less the number one driver in their respective teams right now. Instead, the seat will go to someone who is less "ambitious" and has been regarded as a good teammate.
My money would be on either Pedro de la Rosa or Giancarlo Fisichella, both veterans of Formula One, as the lucky guy.
De la Rosa has been McLaren's test driver since 2005. When Juan Pablo Montoya decided that it was time to try his hands on NASCAR, de la Rosa stepped in admirably and scored an excellent second in Hungary in 2006. More importantly, he has a good relationship with Hamilton and would be a calming presence that the team sorely needs.
As for Fisichella, he has always been regarded as a smooth driver. However, his occasional lapses in concentration mean that he will never be a real threat for the title. Having won just two races for Renault during its glory years, will he get the chance to drive for a top team again? Remember, he was a doing a good job as Alonso's lieutenant with Renault, and he'll be more than grateful to remain in Formula One.
Stay tuned.
Hamilton recently named Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen as the top three candidates for the seat vacated by Fernando Alonso. However, whether or not he named the names in a particular order is unclear.
Rosberg definitely has the pedigree and, more importantly, exceptional performance for the under-funded Williams team in the past two seasons. But Williams' boss Frank Williams, for whom Nico's dad Keke won the World Championship title in 1982, had repeatedly insisted that Nico will drive for them next season.
Kovalainen is yet another promising driver managed by Renault's boss Flavio Briatore. He started the season poorly and his performance had been lambasted by Briatore as being "rubbish". But he soon picked up the pace literally and finished the season seventh in the Championship standings, i.e., the best driver not driving for Ferrari, McLaren or BMW.
Sutil, though, is a dark horse. He impressed me with his aggressiveness while driving for Team Germany in A1GP in 2005, which won him a seat with then-Midland (now Spyker) team. His trump card though would be his close friendship with Hamilton, and they have known each other since their karting days years ago.
But will any of them be the lucky guy?
Given Fernando Alonso's hasty departure, and the fact that most of the top drivers are under contracts with other teams, McLaren is likely to be inclined (or forced?) towards finding a stop-gap replacement, and wait until the most ideal candidate to become a free agent in a year's time (or longer). And that driver will have to be a "team driver" who is more than happy to play second fiddle to Hamilton.
So my guess is that neither Rosberg, Sutil nor Kovalainen will get the nod, as these three hotshots are more or less the number one driver in their respective teams right now. Instead, the seat will go to someone who is less "ambitious" and has been regarded as a good teammate.
My money would be on either Pedro de la Rosa or Giancarlo Fisichella, both veterans of Formula One, as the lucky guy.
De la Rosa has been McLaren's test driver since 2005. When Juan Pablo Montoya decided that it was time to try his hands on NASCAR, de la Rosa stepped in admirably and scored an excellent second in Hungary in 2006. More importantly, he has a good relationship with Hamilton and would be a calming presence that the team sorely needs.
As for Fisichella, he has always been regarded as a smooth driver. However, his occasional lapses in concentration mean that he will never be a real threat for the title. Having won just two races for Renault during its glory years, will he get the chance to drive for a top team again? Remember, he was a doing a good job as Alonso's lieutenant with Renault, and he'll be more than grateful to remain in Formula One.
Stay tuned.
Monday, November 05, 2007
I'm Thinking of ...
It's time for my random thoughts again:
- While I admit that I am not a fan for either the New England Patriots or their head coach Bill Belichick, I am not buying the claim that they are piling up the score against their opponents, in particular the Washington Redskins last week when they were way in front in the final minutes. The Patriots went for it on fourth-and-one late in the game because they DIDN'T want to add another three points (via a field goal), and that they were expecting to be stopped and thus turn the ball over to the Redskins. Instead, the Redskins capitulated again and let in seven more points. If there is anyone to blame, it should be the Redskins' defensive unit.
- When will the saga of Kobe Bryant come to an end? Throughout the summer we have heard lots of rumours about Kobe being traded by the Los Angeles Lakers, while reversal of stance of both sides simply added fuel to the fire. But trading Kobe won't be easy. It's been reported that he would welcome a trade to the Chicago Bulls and to play with budding star Luol Deng, but the Lakers won't entertain any trade offer by the Bulls without Deng as one of the players to be sent in return. So my money is Kobe, despite his frosty relationship with the team management, will have no choice but to remain with the team throughout the season.
- Unlike Formula One, MotoGP allows riders to carry their own numbers. So while Formula One cars will carry numbers between 1 and 25 (without the unlucky 13) next season which is oh-so-boring, MotoGP riders can carry whatever two-digit number they want. That is why Valentino Rossi always has 46 as his racing number, and he loves the number (which was the racing number of his dad, Graziano Rossi) so much that didn't carry the number 1 reserved for the reigning World Champion. Now why doesn't Formula One do the same?
- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is definitely a freak. On a team with a below-average quarterback and no other offensive threats, he managed to break the single-game rushing record by running for 296 yards on 30 carries against the San Diego Chargers, a team known for its staunch defense last season. It was only Peterson's eighth career NFL game and if they can sort out the quarterback position via the draft next year, the Vikings will definitely a strong team for years to come.
- While I admit that I am not a fan for either the New England Patriots or their head coach Bill Belichick, I am not buying the claim that they are piling up the score against their opponents, in particular the Washington Redskins last week when they were way in front in the final minutes. The Patriots went for it on fourth-and-one late in the game because they DIDN'T want to add another three points (via a field goal), and that they were expecting to be stopped and thus turn the ball over to the Redskins. Instead, the Redskins capitulated again and let in seven more points. If there is anyone to blame, it should be the Redskins' defensive unit.
- When will the saga of Kobe Bryant come to an end? Throughout the summer we have heard lots of rumours about Kobe being traded by the Los Angeles Lakers, while reversal of stance of both sides simply added fuel to the fire. But trading Kobe won't be easy. It's been reported that he would welcome a trade to the Chicago Bulls and to play with budding star Luol Deng, but the Lakers won't entertain any trade offer by the Bulls without Deng as one of the players to be sent in return. So my money is Kobe, despite his frosty relationship with the team management, will have no choice but to remain with the team throughout the season.
- Unlike Formula One, MotoGP allows riders to carry their own numbers. So while Formula One cars will carry numbers between 1 and 25 (without the unlucky 13) next season which is oh-so-boring, MotoGP riders can carry whatever two-digit number they want. That is why Valentino Rossi always has 46 as his racing number, and he loves the number (which was the racing number of his dad, Graziano Rossi) so much that didn't carry the number 1 reserved for the reigning World Champion. Now why doesn't Formula One do the same?
- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is definitely a freak. On a team with a below-average quarterback and no other offensive threats, he managed to break the single-game rushing record by running for 296 yards on 30 carries against the San Diego Chargers, a team known for its staunch defense last season. It was only Peterson's eighth career NFL game and if they can sort out the quarterback position via the draft next year, the Vikings will definitely a strong team for years to come.
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