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No, definitely no shame in losing to the Broncos. But they outplayed them and yet lost by 11 thanks to special teams. It's just getting old that I expect them to return to their 14-2 form (not the record, but the way they played that season) and they never do. And with a huge offseason coming up, the future isn't looking all that bright
Nice game by the Broncos. I'm starting to believe. We'll see what happens when they start hitting the real tough patch on their schedule.
I'm loving that Josh McD really hasn't fallen far from the tree like most of the other former Pats coaches. With the exception of the huge Pats win last week he's really kept his emotions in check, has said that 6-0 is great but it hasn't proved anything (and of course he'd know after the last two Pats seasons). Contrast to Rex Ryan who was acting like the Jets had won the SuperBowl at 3-0. Hard to believe that only 3 weeks ago people were honestly discussing whether the Jets or the Ravens were the best team in the NFL and now both are starting to look like also rans.
I'm loving that Josh McD really hasn't fallen far from the tree like most of the other former Pats coaches. With the exception of the huge Pats win last week he's really kept his emotions in check, has said that 6-0 is great but it hasn't proved anything (and of course he'd know after the last two Pats seasons). Contrast to Rex Ryan who was acting like the Jets had won the SuperBowl at 3-0. Hard to believe that only 3 weeks ago people were honestly discussing whether the Jets or the Ravens were the best team in the NFL and now both are starting to look like also rans.
Orton had all the time he needed in the pocket while Rivers (a great QB who single handed kept them close all night) was under duress every single play. 6'5" Rivers and 6'5" Big Ben are probably best two QB's in the league at standing in under that kind of pressure. Beat up LT looks like he's no longer an All-Pro and Merriman "where's my Roids when I need them" is suddenly average at best.
I think Denver gets exposed in the playoffs since they'd have to completely fall apart not to coast in now. Broncos defensive schemes are extremely impressive showing talent is a big factor in the NFL but when combined with great coaching and motivation a dominating D can be the result. Norv Turner proves again he may be a good offensive coordinator but he's a lousy head coach. SD had a great coach with Marty S. and just like the Kings who let Adelman go are now stuck with similar looking back "opps."
I think Denver gets exposed in the playoffs since they'd have to completely fall apart not to coast in now. Broncos defensive schemes are extremely impressive showing talent is a big factor in the NFL but when combined with great coaching and motivation a dominating D can be the result. Norv Turner proves again he may be a good offensive coordinator but he's a lousy head coach. SD had a great coach with Marty S. and just like the Kings who let Adelman go are now stuck with similar looking back "opps."
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Denver plays at Baltimore and Indy plus home games against the Giants and Steelers, a late december road trip to Philly is no gimme either. Denver should get into the playoffs but they certainly can't coast at this point.
I like Marty but he is way too conservative in the playoffs and it always cost his teams. The problem is that they needed to get a truly elite coach to replace Marty, not a mediocre retread like Norv. There's quite a few in semi-retirement right now, they should be making a move and not waiting until the offseason. Waiting it out is how they got stuck with Norv in the first place.
I like Marty but he is way too conservative in the playoffs and it always cost his teams. The problem is that they needed to get a truly elite coach to replace Marty, not a mediocre retread like Norv. There's quite a few in semi-retirement right now, they should be making a move and not waiting until the offseason. Waiting it out is how they got stuck with Norv in the first place.
Exactly! AJ Smith needs to wake up and realize that Norv Turner isn't gonna win you a Superbowl, even if they did make it to the AFC championship game (I admit that I was pleasantly surprised he got them that far though). Just off the top of my head, you have Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, and Mike Shanahan just sitting around doing nothing. If they ever want a realistic chance at a Superbowl, they need to can Norv Turner, or at least demote him, and go after one of these guys
I thought they'd be 3-3 right now, when I looked at their schedule three weeks ago (Cowboys, Pats, Chargers). I didn't believe then, but I said that if they were 6-0 or 5-1 after that stretch, that they'd have my vote of confidence. And they do. They are clearly a team worthy of contention. The defense is all of a sudden one of the best, Brandon Marshall is a model citizen, Kyle Orton looks like a Pro Bowler (64% completion rate, 1500 yards, 9 touchdowns, 1 interception).
They would have been better off if they had made a decision earlier. They waited until all of the hot coaching prospects were gone, including both of their highly regarded coordinators, and brought in the only guy left. And because they had lost their coordinators to Miami and Dallas, the entire coaching staff of a team that won 14 games (and was one bad decision away from the AFC Championship) got turned over, and they stumbled out of the gates the next two seasons.
I understand the criticisms of Marty Schottenheimer, but his coaching didn't cost them a bid at the Super Bowl in '06. Marlon McCree not going down after intercepting Tom Brady did. The Chargers would have hosted the Colts in the AFCCG, instead of the Colts hosting the Pats. And even though I'm a huge Colts fan, the Chargers would have won that game, and then would have murdered the Bears in the Super Bowl. So I disagree with the notion that Marty had to go.
Even still, if you're going to get rid of him, go ahead and do it. Don't wait until your entire understaff is gone and all the other premiere coaching prospects have taken jobs. The Cowboys and Steelers were the only other really coveted jobs available that year, and Wade Phillips probably would have stayed in San Diego if given the chance, and then the Cowboys could have hired Norv like they thought about doing, and we could have made fun of them for doing it. Meanwhile the Chargers defense would have remained elite. It was really AJ Smith and Dean Spanos' indecision over firing Marty that cost them a really high level coach that year.
They would have been better off if they had made a decision earlier. They waited until all of the hot coaching prospects were gone, including both of their highly regarded coordinators, and brought in the only guy left. And because they had lost their coordinators to Miami and Dallas, the entire coaching staff of a team that won 14 games (and was one bad decision away from the AFC Championship) got turned over, and they stumbled out of the gates the next two seasons.
I understand the criticisms of Marty Schottenheimer, but his coaching didn't cost them a bid at the Super Bowl in '06. Marlon McCree not going down after intercepting Tom Brady did. The Chargers would have hosted the Colts in the AFCCG, instead of the Colts hosting the Pats. And even though I'm a huge Colts fan, the Chargers would have won that game, and then would have murdered the Bears in the Super Bowl. So I disagree with the notion that Marty had to go.
Even still, if you're going to get rid of him, go ahead and do it. Don't wait until your entire understaff is gone and all the other premiere coaching prospects have taken jobs. The Cowboys and Steelers were the only other really coveted jobs available that year, and Wade Phillips probably would have stayed in San Diego if given the chance, and then the Cowboys could have hired Norv like they thought about doing, and we could have made fun of them for doing it. Meanwhile the Chargers defense would have remained elite. It was really AJ Smith and Dean Spanos' indecision over firing Marty that cost them a really high level coach that year.
Bill Cowher would be the best fit of the elite coaching prospects for the Chargers (Marty disciple, but does that make it impossible for him to work for AJ Smith?), but I think he's waiting around for Wade Phillips to get fired in Dallas. He wanted the Cowboys job before he went to Pittsburgh. It might not be realistic, but if you put Cowher in charge and demote Norv to OC, the Chargers wouldn't lose anything offensively and would gain overall; don't know how an NFL locker room would react to that kind of change, though.
Mike Shanahan seemed like a perfect fit for Tampa Bay, and Raheem Morris isn't doing anything to earn a second year down there. Gruden has been linked to some college jobs, but even though I think he'd be incredible in college, no NFL coach who has had success wants to go coach college where they lose their best players every two or three years. In the end, that's what I think will get guys like Pete Carroll and even Urban Meyer into the NFL, both of whom would be great fits in San Diego.
Tony Dungy has no desire to coach or be involved in the day to day duties of running a team again. He wants to do other things.
Mike Shanahan seemed like a perfect fit for Tampa Bay, and Raheem Morris isn't doing anything to earn a second year down there. Gruden has been linked to some college jobs, but even though I think he'd be incredible in college, no NFL coach who has had success wants to go coach college where they lose their best players every two or three years. In the end, that's what I think will get guys like Pete Carroll and even Urban Meyer into the NFL, both of whom would be great fits in San Diego.
Tony Dungy has no desire to coach or be involved in the day to day duties of running a team again. He wants to do other things.
pdx, you better get ya boy!
Seymour rips Giants, guarantees playoffs for 2-4 Raiders
Seymour rips Giants, guarantees playoffs for 2-4 Raiders
"They got what they deserved this week," Seymour said Wednesday. "I'm not sure how many points the Saints scored on them, but if I'm not mistaken, it was half a hundred points.
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Seymour also said in a radio interview with 1530 Homer in Cincinnati that the Raiders (2-4) will make the playoffs this season.
Of course, Seymour hates the Giants......
Seymour also said in a radio interview with 1530 Homer in Cincinnati that the Raiders (2-4) will make the playoffs this season.
They made a couple of cuts right before the deadline, and it looked like they were on the verge of making a deal. I guess the cuts were to free up space for Banta-Cain.
What's the situation with Adalius Thomas? He was a healthy inactive on Sunday (not like they needed him), and when they asked him why he didn't play, he directed all questions to Belichick. Bruschi was on Cowherd's show this morning saying that this is out of the ordinary for Belichick for performance issues; he says Thomas is in the doghouse.
What's the situation with Adalius Thomas? He was a healthy inactive on Sunday (not like they needed him), and when they asked him why he didn't play, he directed all questions to Belichick. Bruschi was on Cowherd's show this morning saying that this is out of the ordinary for Belichick for performance issues; he says Thomas is in the doghouse.
We got to resign seymour draft russel okung and get a new qb pick up a DT in next years draft in the 2 cause its a DEEP draft and then we can talk playoff for the raiders but as long as russel is the qb and the lines are inconsistent were not going anywere, I also herd gruden wouldnt mind coming back now that would be interesting
Wow, I only saw the highlights of that this morning. I thought the Patriots would blow the Colts out to be honest, because the Colts haven't had too much of a challenge just yet. But wow, what a dumb gamble by Belichick. It was aggressive, but to go for that when you're so deep in your own zone is head-scratching.
PS Go Chargers! Tied with Denver all of a sudden. Big game next week in Denver. I have to say that the Eagles running game yesterday was just SAD. Several times they needed one yard and they couldn't get it. I know Westbrook was out, but I couldn't figure out why they wouldn't put Vick in in those situations. I thought it was some really bad play calling too, because the Chargers defense is good, but not THAT good.
PS Go Chargers! Tied with Denver all of a sudden. Big game next week in Denver. I have to say that the Eagles running game yesterday was just SAD. Several times they needed one yard and they couldn't get it. I know Westbrook was out, but I couldn't figure out why they wouldn't put Vick in in those situations. I thought it was some really bad play calling too, because the Chargers defense is good, but not THAT good.
IMHO, the PI call that set up the TD that cut it to 6 was so BS that BB felt if he gave the ball to Peyton with any time on the clock they would be playing against a stacked deck (and to a lesser extent the spot of the ball on that play reinforces that call, it may have been the correct call but I've never seen a spot like that before a review). With the history between these two teams I believe going for it was the correct call.
Thanks for the graciousness.
I disagree with the pass interference call, but it was certainly questionable. I don't think I would have been upset if that went the other way, but it's worth noting that it was the only pass interference call of the night. They were letting a lot of contact go to that point, and they could have let that go, too. (Regarding officiating, one thing Colts fans hate is how much Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis get held. Your tackles did a great job, but I think they got away with a lot of holding all night; I think everyone does against those two guys. But Vollmer did a good job keeping Freeney from beating him to the outside, and the interior guys helped him on the inside moves. Really good, physical job against Freeney all game.)
Belichick's decision was a risky one. I don't know if it's fair to call it a bad call or not; if they get the first down, the game is over. You're offense has almost five hundred yards on the night, you have the best receiver in football, a great quarterback, and you need six feet to end the game. You can argue about conventional wisdom all you want to, but that call could have very easily won the game right then and there. Fortunately for Colts fans, it came up short (stay tuned for Mike Pereira's breakdown on NFL Network.)
I think the rules require a receiver to have control of the football in order for forward progress to be rewarded. If he bobbles the ball, forward progress isn't established at the spot where he first touches it, like it would be if he caught it cleanly. It's established where the ball is when both feet are down and he has full control of the ball. Such a questionable situation, but the fact is that you're going to get a measurement and maybe even a challenge even if he doesn't bobble the ball. It's a matter of inches one way or the other, and it just broke the Colts way.
And that raises the real issue that damned the Patriots: poor clock management in the second half. Two timeouts on the final drive, the first before the first play gets run. And again, if you get the first down, it's a moot point, but that made it impossible for them to challenge the spot of the ball, and by throwing incomplete on 3rd and 2, you kept it on the plus side of the two minute warning and killed any chance of a booth review.
The right thing to do would have been to punt and make the Colts offense earn it, but 4th and 2 is a pretty good scenario when you have Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker on the field.
I disagree with the pass interference call, but it was certainly questionable. I don't think I would have been upset if that went the other way, but it's worth noting that it was the only pass interference call of the night. They were letting a lot of contact go to that point, and they could have let that go, too. (Regarding officiating, one thing Colts fans hate is how much Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis get held. Your tackles did a great job, but I think they got away with a lot of holding all night; I think everyone does against those two guys. But Vollmer did a good job keeping Freeney from beating him to the outside, and the interior guys helped him on the inside moves. Really good, physical job against Freeney all game.)
Belichick's decision was a risky one. I don't know if it's fair to call it a bad call or not; if they get the first down, the game is over. You're offense has almost five hundred yards on the night, you have the best receiver in football, a great quarterback, and you need six feet to end the game. You can argue about conventional wisdom all you want to, but that call could have very easily won the game right then and there. Fortunately for Colts fans, it came up short (stay tuned for Mike Pereira's breakdown on NFL Network.)
I think the rules require a receiver to have control of the football in order for forward progress to be rewarded. If he bobbles the ball, forward progress isn't established at the spot where he first touches it, like it would be if he caught it cleanly. It's established where the ball is when both feet are down and he has full control of the ball. Such a questionable situation, but the fact is that you're going to get a measurement and maybe even a challenge even if he doesn't bobble the ball. It's a matter of inches one way or the other, and it just broke the Colts way.
And that raises the real issue that damned the Patriots: poor clock management in the second half. Two timeouts on the final drive, the first before the first play gets run. And again, if you get the first down, it's a moot point, but that made it impossible for them to challenge the spot of the ball, and by throwing incomplete on 3rd and 2, you kept it on the plus side of the two minute warning and killed any chance of a booth review.
The right thing to do would have been to punt and make the Colts offense earn it, but 4th and 2 is a pretty good scenario when you have Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker on the field.
Considering that Collingsworth even said it was a good play by the receiver to initiate contact and get the call it strikes me as a gross misapplication of the rules, the defender was in perfect position to make a play on the ball which he has every right to do.
Also, it was the second PI call of the night (first one was legit) and the flag came about 5 seconds late.
There have been some statistical analysis posted about the odds of a successful conversion (~65%) + the odds of a hold from inside the 30 (~17.5%) vs. the odds of a TD drive from the 35 after a punt (30%) so if that is the case the odds favored going for it by slightly over 10%. I think it was a good call and will live with the result, but between a very questionable spot and the PI call I can't really be gracious beyond my first post.
If that is the case if a player bobbles the ball in the air a player could carry him all the way back to the endzone for a safety. I'd be shocked if that were the correct rule. Look forward to the mid-week breakdown because I suspect an oopsie on both the PI and this call.
Also, it was the second PI call of the night (first one was legit) and the flag came about 5 seconds late.
There have been some statistical analysis posted about the odds of a successful conversion (~65%) + the odds of a hold from inside the 30 (~17.5%) vs. the odds of a TD drive from the 35 after a punt (30%) so if that is the case the odds favored going for it by slightly over 10%. I think it was a good call and will live with the result, but between a very questionable spot and the PI call I can't really be gracious beyond my first post.
If that is the case if a player bobbles the ball in the air a player could carry him all the way back to the endzone for a safety. I'd be shocked if that were the correct rule. Look forward to the mid-week breakdown because I suspect an oopsie on both the PI and this call.
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You're right, I forgot about that first one. Leigh Bodden grabbing Garcon's jersey. Even still, there was a lot of contact that wasn't being called all game long. It did feel like a bailout call.
If you rewatch the play, you'll see the ref grab at his flag and miss, and then go back and get it. But a lot of these pass interference calls come late nowadays. I don't know why.
Mike Pereira will break down the spot. I think they got it right. The PI was questionable, I'll give you that.
That's taking it a bit far. The whistle would blow and the play would be dead at the spot where control was established if the defender were carrying the receiver backward.
I'm looking forward to the mid-week breakdown, too, but I think he's gonna defend the spot of the ball. I doubt he even discusses the PI. It's too subjective a call, and they usually don't talk about pass interference penalties.
And even if Mike Pereira comes out and says that the PI was bogus and the spot of the ball was worse, the Colts aren't giving the game back. We stole one, and it's in the books. Had no business winning that game, and the Pats probably feel good about seeing the Colts in the playoffs, irrespective of the venue.
I will say this, though: the Colts played a horrible first half, then turned the ball over twice in the third quarter, and still were able to mount a comeback. They're not exactly afraid of the Patriots either. Take care of some defensive miscues and some dropped passes and miscommunications in the passing game, and you're probably never down 17 points. It was a really crazy game, but I don't really think it was what either team would call their best showing.
If you rewatch the play, you'll see the ref grab at his flag and miss, and then go back and get it. But a lot of these pass interference calls come late nowadays. I don't know why.
Mike Pereira will break down the spot. I think they got it right. The PI was questionable, I'll give you that.
That's taking it a bit far. The whistle would blow and the play would be dead at the spot where control was established if the defender were carrying the receiver backward.
I'm looking forward to the mid-week breakdown, too, but I think he's gonna defend the spot of the ball. I doubt he even discusses the PI. It's too subjective a call, and they usually don't talk about pass interference penalties.
And even if Mike Pereira comes out and says that the PI was bogus and the spot of the ball was worse, the Colts aren't giving the game back. We stole one, and it's in the books. Had no business winning that game, and the Pats probably feel good about seeing the Colts in the playoffs, irrespective of the venue.
I will say this, though: the Colts played a horrible first half, then turned the ball over twice in the third quarter, and still were able to mount a comeback. They're not exactly afraid of the Patriots either. Take care of some defensive miscues and some dropped passes and miscommunications in the passing game, and you're probably never down 17 points. It was a really crazy game, but I don't really think it was what either team would call their best showing.
Well of course they don't give the game back, its almost like if MP does give the "oops" it will be an even bigger kick in the nuts going by how Chargers fans are still griping about that stupid Denver call from last year despite it having no bearing on the final standings.
One thing I will give BB, by making the call he deflects all criticism of the defense falling apart in the 4th quarter (BS PI call aside
), Maroney's stupid fumble and TB's greedy red zone INT and turns it all back on him. If there's a rematch in the playoffs all you will hear about is that decision not all the other mistakes they made to get there.
One thing I will give BB, by making the call he deflects all criticism of the defense falling apart in the 4th quarter (BS PI call aside
), Maroney's stupid fumble and TB's greedy red zone INT and turns it all back on him. If there's a rematch in the playoffs all you will hear about is that decision not all the other mistakes they made to get there.Pereira and Hochuli going on TV and admitting that they blew that game is what makes NFL officiating better than any other league, especially the NBA (try to get Stern to admit a bad call; they actually defending Rondo's flagrant on Brad Miller last April.) If Charger fans are still upset about that, they deserve to lose a game to poor officiating every year. It was human error, which is a lot better than getting cheated.
That's true. Everyone is talking about how the Pats outplayed the Colts all night, but they got stopped in the second half (just 10 points, compared with 24 in the first half), the big plays weren't there anymore, the defense couldn't get stops on the previous two possessions (pass interference aside), and they couldn't get the first down they needed to salt the game away in the fourth quarter. They turned it over twice in the end zone. They didn't play perfect, either.
Just looked back at the box score, and, for a game that has a lot of people talking about the officiating, there were only seven penalties total. They were letting them play all game.
One thing I will give BB, by making the call he deflects all criticism of the defense falling apart in the 4th quarter (BS PI call aside ), Maroney's stupid fumble and TB's greedy red zone INT and turns it all back on him. If there's a rematch in the playoffs all you will hear about is that decision not all the other mistakes they made to get there.
), Maroney's stupid fumble and TB's greedy red zone INT and turns it all back on him. If there's a rematch in the playoffs all you will hear about is that decision not all the other mistakes they made to get there.
Just looked back at the box score, and, for a game that has a lot of people talking about the officiating, there were only seven penalties total. They were letting them play all game.
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