In the aftermath of the Saints season opening sleepwalk loss to the 2011 5-11 Washington Redskins, the most overused phrase among the Saints players, coaches and some media was,"that wasn't us" or "that's not us", referring to the way the Saints performed. But if you look at Saints teams since 2006, last Sunday's version of the Saints were exactly who they are.
Since 2006, the Saints have turned in performances such as the one against the Redskins on a yearly basis. I'm talking about games played versus inferior opponents.
In 2007 after stumbling out of the gate to an 0-4 start , the Saints rallied to win four straight games before going into their bye week. Upon returning from that bye, the Saints faced the 0-8 St.Louis Rams at home. They lost, ending what could have been a historic turnaround. Instead they tailspun to 7-9. The Rams? They fininshed that season 3-13, second worst in the NFL.
In 2008, the Saints spread the charity. Instead of failing to show up against an inferior foe, they took the a more torturous route of folding in the fourth quarter. Six of the Saints eight losses were games in which they were either tied or had a lead in the fourth quarter. Three of those losses came in the final minute by field goals, a Saints miss in Mile High and two made by Tampa and Carolina. The Saints also managed to blow a ten point lead with less than 5 minutes and the ball in D.C. But the most frustrating game came at home on Monday Night as the Saints blew Reggie Bush's greatest performance as a Saint. In the end, they bowed to the Vikings 30-27.
Even the Super Bowl season could not escape the Saints uncanny knack for charity as they blew a 17 point lead to the then 2-12 Tampa Bay Bucceneers. However one cannot hold this against them as the did get the ultimate win that season.
2010 brought more fun, losing to Arizona and Cleveland. Two teams that finished 2010 with 5-11 marks. In those games, the Saints faced rookie quarterbacks making their first starts. Sound familiar?
And who can forget the 2011 meltdown in St. Louis. The Saints, as it would turn out, needing one more NFC win to secure home field advantage, were dominated by a team who would fininsh an astonishing 2-14. Because of this game, the 13-3 Saints had to travel to San Francisco for the divisional playoffs. We all know how that turned out.
For whatever reason, those noon kickoff, regionally telecast, non fanfare games agianst inferior opponents just don't do it for these prime timers. For a team boasting "lockeroom guys" and motivational coaching, they display an utter lack of preperation and desire to lower themselves to ready for such an event. It never fails and never ceases to amaze.
So, yes, Saints. That was EXACTLY who you are Sunday. The only difference was this one was the season opener after the offseason from hell. It also begs the question. If they couldn't get motivated to play the most anticipated season Saints history, at home, when will they? We shall see.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Let's get 2012 Football Started
Recipes aside. The Saints, LSU and Tulane are about to embark on a new season.
How will the Saints respond to an offseason from Hell?
The Saints have seen the motherlode of offseasons. We all know the off the field issues but in case you didn't notice, they have changed defensive coordinators and hit QVC and HSN for new personell. After the heartbreak in San Fran, we were all ready to see Greg Williams' NFL address change. But Williams does deserve credit for the change of culture of a once doormat defense. Although he took that culture too far, it was a significant factor in the Saints Super Bowl victory. Wiliams handled success with immaturity. It was this immaturity which he brazingly displayed with the illfated blitz call in cold damp Candlestick Park. The result being that backbreaking catch and run to the end of the Saints season and his run as Saints DC.
Exit Willams, enter Steve Spagnuolo. As did Williams, Spags brings an impressive resume as a defensive coordinator. He is a disciple of the late legendary Eagles DC, Jimmy Johnson. He too, believes in an aggressive blitzing defense to pressure the opposing QB. However where he differs from Williams is, he insists on protecting the backside of the defense with disguised zone coverages instead of man-to-man. Spagnuolo's signature formation is call NASCAR. In this he utitilizes a front of four DE's for speed. You can't argue with his results. As the Giants DC, his defense ended what would have been the greatest NFL season in history when they defeated the 18-0 New England Patriots. Spags' defense dominated the line of scrimmage of the record breaking Pats offense by applying constant pressure on Sir Thomas Brady.
The good news for Spagnuolo is he gets to practice against the best offense he's ever been around. He also knows he doesn't have to put a supurb defense on the field. He must however find a way to create turnovers,get off the field on third down and force field goals on a short field. That's it. That offense he practices against will have his back.
Offensively, the Saints record setting unit remains virtually intact. A unit that produced huge numbers despite the putrid performance of the defense concerning turnovers and field possition. This is why they are expected to be in the mix for the Super Bowl despite the loss of Sean Payton. Payton will be sorely missed though. His game management skills are among the best in the league. His presence and instinct on the sideline is both comforting and menacing to the players. Very few coaches appear to be in as much control as Payton does on gameday. Joe Vitt has huge shoes to fill. But with #9 on the field, the Saints have great chance to win any game.
Will LSU respond to the humiliating loss in the BCS title game?
Since the loss, starting with Bobby Hebert and continuing on a loop for nine months, Les Miles' BCS gameplan has been questioned, second guessed and criticized. LSU players have had lived with their collapse and watched a team they defeated, a team that didn't even win their division be crowned champions. For some it was their last college game and will sting forever. For Miles, it's a permanent stain on his resume. The early repercussions were brutal. Players openly questioned their coach. Some underclassmen, who could have benefitted from another year of college football, left the program for the NFL. The nation's number one high school QB embarrassed LSU by enrolling into Notre Dame. Leaving Miles and his coaching staff baffled and embarrassed. The top three high school prospects in Louisiana fled the state. Twowent to hated Alabama and the other went to Texas on a signing day flipflop for the ages. Why? "Things are out of control in Baton Rouge", he stated.
Even with the loss and embarrassments, LSU is posied to make another run at the BCS title game in Miami. The best team in 2011 adds a QB, returns depth at RB and All-American candidates on defense. Players and fans are ready to start a new season and put January 9th in their distant memory.
On Willow Street there's new man entusiasm. New Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson has taken on the Herculian task of turning that program around. Having declared Louisians the State of Tulane, he's made an immediate impact in recruiting. With only weeks to work with, Johnson was able to flip a Texas A&M commit and land one of the most talented players of the 2012 class in Darion Monroe from East St. John. CJ's coaching pedigree is impressive. Stops in college at San Diego State and The U, Johnson spent the last six years as Saints WR coach. A unit led by a late round draft pick and an undrafted free agent which Johnson molded in one of the NFL's most productive.
2012 is fast becoming one of the most anticipated football seasons in decades, if not ever.
How will the Saints respond to an offseason from Hell?
The Saints have seen the motherlode of offseasons. We all know the off the field issues but in case you didn't notice, they have changed defensive coordinators and hit QVC and HSN for new personell. After the heartbreak in San Fran, we were all ready to see Greg Williams' NFL address change. But Williams does deserve credit for the change of culture of a once doormat defense. Although he took that culture too far, it was a significant factor in the Saints Super Bowl victory. Wiliams handled success with immaturity. It was this immaturity which he brazingly displayed with the illfated blitz call in cold damp Candlestick Park. The result being that backbreaking catch and run to the end of the Saints season and his run as Saints DC.
Exit Willams, enter Steve Spagnuolo. As did Williams, Spags brings an impressive resume as a defensive coordinator. He is a disciple of the late legendary Eagles DC, Jimmy Johnson. He too, believes in an aggressive blitzing defense to pressure the opposing QB. However where he differs from Williams is, he insists on protecting the backside of the defense with disguised zone coverages instead of man-to-man. Spagnuolo's signature formation is call NASCAR. In this he utitilizes a front of four DE's for speed. You can't argue with his results. As the Giants DC, his defense ended what would have been the greatest NFL season in history when they defeated the 18-0 New England Patriots. Spags' defense dominated the line of scrimmage of the record breaking Pats offense by applying constant pressure on Sir Thomas Brady.
The good news for Spagnuolo is he gets to practice against the best offense he's ever been around. He also knows he doesn't have to put a supurb defense on the field. He must however find a way to create turnovers,get off the field on third down and force field goals on a short field. That's it. That offense he practices against will have his back.
Offensively, the Saints record setting unit remains virtually intact. A unit that produced huge numbers despite the putrid performance of the defense concerning turnovers and field possition. This is why they are expected to be in the mix for the Super Bowl despite the loss of Sean Payton. Payton will be sorely missed though. His game management skills are among the best in the league. His presence and instinct on the sideline is both comforting and menacing to the players. Very few coaches appear to be in as much control as Payton does on gameday. Joe Vitt has huge shoes to fill. But with #9 on the field, the Saints have great chance to win any game.
Will LSU respond to the humiliating loss in the BCS title game?
Since the loss, starting with Bobby Hebert and continuing on a loop for nine months, Les Miles' BCS gameplan has been questioned, second guessed and criticized. LSU players have had lived with their collapse and watched a team they defeated, a team that didn't even win their division be crowned champions. For some it was their last college game and will sting forever. For Miles, it's a permanent stain on his resume. The early repercussions were brutal. Players openly questioned their coach. Some underclassmen, who could have benefitted from another year of college football, left the program for the NFL. The nation's number one high school QB embarrassed LSU by enrolling into Notre Dame. Leaving Miles and his coaching staff baffled and embarrassed. The top three high school prospects in Louisiana fled the state. Twowent to hated Alabama and the other went to Texas on a signing day flipflop for the ages. Why? "Things are out of control in Baton Rouge", he stated.
Even with the loss and embarrassments, LSU is posied to make another run at the BCS title game in Miami. The best team in 2011 adds a QB, returns depth at RB and All-American candidates on defense. Players and fans are ready to start a new season and put January 9th in their distant memory.
On Willow Street there's new man entusiasm. New Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson has taken on the Herculian task of turning that program around. Having declared Louisians the State of Tulane, he's made an immediate impact in recruiting. With only weeks to work with, Johnson was able to flip a Texas A&M commit and land one of the most talented players of the 2012 class in Darion Monroe from East St. John. CJ's coaching pedigree is impressive. Stops in college at San Diego State and The U, Johnson spent the last six years as Saints WR coach. A unit led by a late round draft pick and an undrafted free agent which Johnson molded in one of the NFL's most productive.
2012 is fast becoming one of the most anticipated football seasons in decades, if not ever.
Tailgate Recipe for the 2012 Season
As we all know, football fans thoughout Louisiana are always looking for new recipes for their tailgate parties. Here's mine. It's been in the making since January.
In a pressure cooker:
start with scores of 36-32 and 21-0
add a tea bagging
Throw in a disapointing(by LSU standard) signing day
a krewe d'tat lampooning
add one protracted contract dispute
dash of wiretapping
fill to the very top, in fact, overflow the pot with bountygate
finish with one year suspensions of your beloved defensive "quarterback" and revered head coach
Seal the lid. Let the heat and pressure from national media, former and current NFL players and "expert" comentators constantly scalding you build for nine months
Put into seprate pots around Labor Day
One pot serves 16, the other 12
serve cold!!
Save enough for leftovers
At long last Football 2012 is here. Happy tailgating football fans!!
In a pressure cooker:
start with scores of 36-32 and 21-0
add a tea bagging
Throw in a disapointing(by LSU standard) signing day
a krewe d'tat lampooning
add one protracted contract dispute
dash of wiretapping
fill to the very top, in fact, overflow the pot with bountygate
finish with one year suspensions of your beloved defensive "quarterback" and revered head coach
Seal the lid. Let the heat and pressure from national media, former and current NFL players and "expert" comentators constantly scalding you build for nine months
Put into seprate pots around Labor Day
One pot serves 16, the other 12
serve cold!!
Save enough for leftovers
At long last Football 2012 is here. Happy tailgating football fans!!
NFC South's Book of QBs...
Once thought to be among the strongest QB divisions in the NFL, This book now has four very different chapters.
The Champion, The Pretender, The Flash in the Pan and The Overhyped.
Let's begin with The Champion. Drew Brees. Saints. The only reason to write any further is to use up space on this page. Since arriving in NOLA in 2006, Brees has been nothing short of brilliant. His numbers are off the charts. His leadership is Pattonesque. Football IQ? Einstein. His hunger insatiable. This has and will continue to be a first ballot Hall of Fame career.
The Pretender. Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan. Atlanta Falcons. The media darling of the NFC South. Every year, pre-season forecasters pick the Falcons to win the division and some have them going to the Super Bowl. Why? Matt Ryan. Why? I have no clue. Ryan has good stats in the regular season but pretenders are exposed in the playoffs. With him under center, the Falcons are winless in the post season. They have been outscored 102-47. Ryan's passer rating plummets from 88.4 to 59. As defenses toughen in the playoffs, Ryan melts away.
The Flash in the Pan. Josh Freeman. Tampa Bay Bucceneers. The Bucs QB had what was thought to be a breakout year in 2010. He completed 61% of his passes for 25 TDs and only 6 interceptions. The problem is breakout years are supposed to be followed up. Freeman regressed in 2011. Although his completion percentage improved slightly, his TD/Int ratio dropped to 16/22. Even worse was his 2009 nine season. Ten TDs compared to 18 interceptions. What do you call it when a QB has one good season squeezed between two bad ones?
The Overhyped. Cameron "Cam" Newton. Carolina Panthers. How can a rookie QB with a 60% completion rate be overhyped? Numbers. Except for six games, his numbers are very ordinary. Newton's passer rating exceeded 100 six times. In those games, Carolina was 4-2. The four wins came agianst such powerhouses as 5-11 Washington, the 4-12 Bucs and the winner of the "suck for Luck" sweepstakes, the 2-14 Colts. The two losses were to 8-8 Arizona and 3-13 Minnesota. Big numbers against bad teams. In the 10 Panther losses, Newton's rating was only 79, the lowest a 44.6 verses Atlanta. So why the hype? Newton's ability to run. He ran for over 700 yards in 2011. That's a downright homage to Mike Vick. But, as of this wrting Vick is already hurt. Just two games into the pre-season. Vick, though is 5'11", a smaller target. He is also faster and quicker than Newton. At 6'6" and 240lbs, Newton moves incredible well. But being 6'6", he is a huge target, his ankles are exposed and even at 240 he won't be able to withstand the constant punding of NFL hits. As NFL defensive coordinators figure out he can't read a defense, they will figure out the spread option then force Newton to win with his arm. That's called that the sophmore slump. Newton's will be five star.
My NFC south QB rankings:
1.Brees
2. Ryan
3.Newton
4. Freeman
That was easy.
The Champion, The Pretender, The Flash in the Pan and The Overhyped.
Let's begin with The Champion. Drew Brees. Saints. The only reason to write any further is to use up space on this page. Since arriving in NOLA in 2006, Brees has been nothing short of brilliant. His numbers are off the charts. His leadership is Pattonesque. Football IQ? Einstein. His hunger insatiable. This has and will continue to be a first ballot Hall of Fame career.
The Pretender. Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan. Atlanta Falcons. The media darling of the NFC South. Every year, pre-season forecasters pick the Falcons to win the division and some have them going to the Super Bowl. Why? Matt Ryan. Why? I have no clue. Ryan has good stats in the regular season but pretenders are exposed in the playoffs. With him under center, the Falcons are winless in the post season. They have been outscored 102-47. Ryan's passer rating plummets from 88.4 to 59. As defenses toughen in the playoffs, Ryan melts away.
The Flash in the Pan. Josh Freeman. Tampa Bay Bucceneers. The Bucs QB had what was thought to be a breakout year in 2010. He completed 61% of his passes for 25 TDs and only 6 interceptions. The problem is breakout years are supposed to be followed up. Freeman regressed in 2011. Although his completion percentage improved slightly, his TD/Int ratio dropped to 16/22. Even worse was his 2009 nine season. Ten TDs compared to 18 interceptions. What do you call it when a QB has one good season squeezed between two bad ones?
The Overhyped. Cameron "Cam" Newton. Carolina Panthers. How can a rookie QB with a 60% completion rate be overhyped? Numbers. Except for six games, his numbers are very ordinary. Newton's passer rating exceeded 100 six times. In those games, Carolina was 4-2. The four wins came agianst such powerhouses as 5-11 Washington, the 4-12 Bucs and the winner of the "suck for Luck" sweepstakes, the 2-14 Colts. The two losses were to 8-8 Arizona and 3-13 Minnesota. Big numbers against bad teams. In the 10 Panther losses, Newton's rating was only 79, the lowest a 44.6 verses Atlanta. So why the hype? Newton's ability to run. He ran for over 700 yards in 2011. That's a downright homage to Mike Vick. But, as of this wrting Vick is already hurt. Just two games into the pre-season. Vick, though is 5'11", a smaller target. He is also faster and quicker than Newton. At 6'6" and 240lbs, Newton moves incredible well. But being 6'6", he is a huge target, his ankles are exposed and even at 240 he won't be able to withstand the constant punding of NFL hits. As NFL defensive coordinators figure out he can't read a defense, they will figure out the spread option then force Newton to win with his arm. That's called that the sophmore slump. Newton's will be five star.
My NFC south QB rankings:
1.Brees
2. Ryan
3.Newton
4. Freeman
That was easy.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Five Days in the BAY
Days 3 and 4: Sonoma
Saturday morning in San Francisco.
Rain.
Too bad because this day is the reason we're here. My niece/Goddaughter's wedding. The nuptual starts at 2:00 and the trip is about an hour so we figure we have time to partake in our favorite pastime.
EAT.
Our concierge sets up the rental car then directs us to another California landmak. Mel's Drive-In. It's just around the corner! We bum an umbrella then hoof it through the rain, past St. Patrick's church across traffic to the blue neon lights flashing like a lighthouse leading us home.
Mel's!
Now THIS is breakfast. I go for my standard steak and eggs breakfast, steak med /rare, eggs scrambled soft. My girl gets country fresh eggs, done like mine, grilled potatoes, side of bacon and toast. Plus a short stack to share cause we just can't stop!
Boy this is good!
The eggs cooked perfectly, the steak just right and the grilled potatoes, which are stacked high on the grill like the summet of Mt Shasta, lay on my plate bathing in ketchup. Even the toast is dark and I didn't even have to ask! Well worth the jaunt through the rain.
Mel's is a microcosm of The City itself. Culinarily speaking, that is. Daring nouveau cousine while clinging to the past. Maybe I'm reading to much into this. It's like NOLA. If it taste good, cook it, serve it, eat it.
We did.
We do our best Gene Kelly toward the hotel. A quick stop in St. Patrick's. Our souls filled with a prayer for safety and forgiveness for our impending indulgence.
There's a hotel room waitng for us but we decide to get dressed here then go straight to the chapel.
The Audi arrives then we're off to St.Helena. We cross the Golden Gate, taking the scenic route. Even in the rain , the surrounding beauty is almost overwhelming. Sensory overload. The Pacific on the left, the bay on the right, roadside rolling vineyards, snowcap mountains on the horizon. If you don't beive in God, you haven't seen this place.
We arrive at the chapel fashionally early. Its' still raining so the serenine setting of vineyards yields to the country feeling of the ski lodge with the huge fireplace at our backs and the bride and groom and the landscape in front of us.
The ceremony is bliss. The following supper of prime tenderloin is sublime. The ensuing reception is joy. This is what we came for and we are pleased.
We slumber at the St. Helena Marriot, attend the bridal breakfast then hit the road back to San Fran.
Saturday morning in San Francisco.
Rain.
Too bad because this day is the reason we're here. My niece/Goddaughter's wedding. The nuptual starts at 2:00 and the trip is about an hour so we figure we have time to partake in our favorite pastime.
EAT.
Our concierge sets up the rental car then directs us to another California landmak. Mel's Drive-In. It's just around the corner! We bum an umbrella then hoof it through the rain, past St. Patrick's church across traffic to the blue neon lights flashing like a lighthouse leading us home.
Mel's!
Now THIS is breakfast. I go for my standard steak and eggs breakfast, steak med /rare, eggs scrambled soft. My girl gets country fresh eggs, done like mine, grilled potatoes, side of bacon and toast. Plus a short stack to share cause we just can't stop!
Boy this is good!
The eggs cooked perfectly, the steak just right and the grilled potatoes, which are stacked high on the grill like the summet of Mt Shasta, lay on my plate bathing in ketchup. Even the toast is dark and I didn't even have to ask! Well worth the jaunt through the rain.
Mel's is a microcosm of The City itself. Culinarily speaking, that is. Daring nouveau cousine while clinging to the past. Maybe I'm reading to much into this. It's like NOLA. If it taste good, cook it, serve it, eat it.
We did.
We do our best Gene Kelly toward the hotel. A quick stop in St. Patrick's. Our souls filled with a prayer for safety and forgiveness for our impending indulgence.
There's a hotel room waitng for us but we decide to get dressed here then go straight to the chapel.
The Audi arrives then we're off to St.Helena. We cross the Golden Gate, taking the scenic route. Even in the rain , the surrounding beauty is almost overwhelming. Sensory overload. The Pacific on the left, the bay on the right, roadside rolling vineyards, snowcap mountains on the horizon. If you don't beive in God, you haven't seen this place.
We arrive at the chapel fashionally early. Its' still raining so the serenine setting of vineyards yields to the country feeling of the ski lodge with the huge fireplace at our backs and the bride and groom and the landscape in front of us.
The ceremony is bliss. The following supper of prime tenderloin is sublime. The ensuing reception is joy. This is what we came for and we are pleased.
We slumber at the St. Helena Marriot, attend the bridal breakfast then hit the road back to San Fran.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
If You Lie, You Must Fry
Watergate. Iran-Contra. Monica Lewinsky. Fast and Furious(stayed tuned). Bountygate.
Cover ups. When will they learn.
When it was learned the NFL uncovered the Saints "pay for play" program in 2009, commisar Roger Goodell ordered, right then, coach Sean Payton to cease and desist immediately. Not only did Payton not desist, he proceeded to allow it to go on for two more seasons. Not only did he allow it to go on, but he lied to the NFL when asked if he had ceased the "PFP" program. Not only did he lie, but so did GM Mickey Loomis, and asst head coach Joe Vitt. Not only did they lie to the NFL, but they lied to owner Tom Benson. Not only lied to Benson, but hung him out to dry. Made him a public fool after Benson vouched for them by taking them at their word. Result? A round of suspensions so severe, it sent shockwaves through Whodat Nation and beyond. Even the commissar's own NFL network was in stunned disbelief with the heavy handidness of the ruling.
While there is outrage and anger toward Goodell among Saints faithful, perhaps they should aim their hostility at another target. Sean Payton, himself. He gave Goodell no choice.
Sean Payton has few peers as a head coach and program builder. He is one of those who just gets it. Possessing an uncanny eye for offensive talent, a knack for gameplaning and play calling ability, Payton has bulit the Saints into an NFL powerhouse. In six seasons, the Saints have four playoff appearances(including three in a row), two NFC championship games and of course a Super Bowl victory. But with all the good he has done, Payton continues display a dark side. See Vicaden and U-Haulgate. I took some heat when I came out against Payton's move to Dallas. "As long as he wins on the field, who cares if he lives 500 away", was the mantra of most Saints fans. I remember responding to an SP defender while on my Friday spot with 690AM's Eric Asher that obsolving one's behavoir with the phrase "as long as he wins on the field" makes that person feel bullet proof.
Which brings us to "bountygate". I don't believe, for one second, Saints players itentionally aimed to injure opposing players. Football is played by boys. Big boys. Bounties, side bets, etc is what boys do. I also don't believe for a milli-second that Kurt Warner or Bret Favre would have been treated any less harshly had their been no bounty. Those "incriminating" hits, played on a loop over and over and over, were clean. Especially Warner's. What I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt, is that Sean Payton is sitting out 2012 because of the cover up. The inside the lockeroom code of watching each others back. I get it. But lying to the face of Benson and Goodell displays a disconcerning lack of judgement and charactor. Should Payton have been suspended? Yes. But a bigger question is should he, Vitt and Loomis be fired?
Ask yourself this. If you made a public fool of your boss, where would you be the next day?
Cover ups. When will they learn.
When it was learned the NFL uncovered the Saints "pay for play" program in 2009, commisar Roger Goodell ordered, right then, coach Sean Payton to cease and desist immediately. Not only did Payton not desist, he proceeded to allow it to go on for two more seasons. Not only did he allow it to go on, but he lied to the NFL when asked if he had ceased the "PFP" program. Not only did he lie, but so did GM Mickey Loomis, and asst head coach Joe Vitt. Not only did they lie to the NFL, but they lied to owner Tom Benson. Not only lied to Benson, but hung him out to dry. Made him a public fool after Benson vouched for them by taking them at their word. Result? A round of suspensions so severe, it sent shockwaves through Whodat Nation and beyond. Even the commissar's own NFL network was in stunned disbelief with the heavy handidness of the ruling.
While there is outrage and anger toward Goodell among Saints faithful, perhaps they should aim their hostility at another target. Sean Payton, himself. He gave Goodell no choice.
Sean Payton has few peers as a head coach and program builder. He is one of those who just gets it. Possessing an uncanny eye for offensive talent, a knack for gameplaning and play calling ability, Payton has bulit the Saints into an NFL powerhouse. In six seasons, the Saints have four playoff appearances(including three in a row), two NFC championship games and of course a Super Bowl victory. But with all the good he has done, Payton continues display a dark side. See Vicaden and U-Haulgate. I took some heat when I came out against Payton's move to Dallas. "As long as he wins on the field, who cares if he lives 500 away", was the mantra of most Saints fans. I remember responding to an SP defender while on my Friday spot with 690AM's Eric Asher that obsolving one's behavoir with the phrase "as long as he wins on the field" makes that person feel bullet proof.
Which brings us to "bountygate". I don't believe, for one second, Saints players itentionally aimed to injure opposing players. Football is played by boys. Big boys. Bounties, side bets, etc is what boys do. I also don't believe for a milli-second that Kurt Warner or Bret Favre would have been treated any less harshly had their been no bounty. Those "incriminating" hits, played on a loop over and over and over, were clean. Especially Warner's. What I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt, is that Sean Payton is sitting out 2012 because of the cover up. The inside the lockeroom code of watching each others back. I get it. But lying to the face of Benson and Goodell displays a disconcerning lack of judgement and charactor. Should Payton have been suspended? Yes. But a bigger question is should he, Vitt and Loomis be fired?
Ask yourself this. If you made a public fool of your boss, where would you be the next day?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Colts Pushing Their Luck with Manning Release
"A can't miss prospect." "Amazing physically," "Can make plays with his arm and legs." "When he has time, there isn't a defense he can't pick apart." "Nearly 40 TDs and 70% completion his final tear in college"...a lock, right?
On Thursday, April 26, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will approach the podium at New York's Radio City Music Hall and say the following. "With the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck. Quarterback. Stanford.
Just like that, The Andrew Luck era will begin. Colts owner Jimmy Irsay greased the skids for this on March 7. Irsay is bankng that Peyton Mannings's surgically repaired neck has finished one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Irsay is also banking that Luck's arm will do for the Colts what Steve Young did for the 49ers. The last time an NFL legend was shown the door to make way for the next young gun.
Well good luck with that, Irsay! You two are now joined at the hip. Good or bad. Success or failure. It will be owned by both.
Luck isn't just following a good QB. He is following an insitution. Someone who is as revered by his fanbase as any player in the history of team sports. At least Manning had three decades, a relocation and the Art Schlichters and Jeff George's of the world between he and Unitas.
Irsay doesn't seemed concerned. NFL scouts, pundents, commentators and talking heads are singing the praises of Luck with accolades such as the ones at the beginning of this blog.
There's no doubt Luck had an outstanding career at Stanford. His final season was as good as it gets. However, Luck's skin and hide better be tough, cause the Colts are rebuildng and today's NFL fans are in no mood for rebuilding. Every incompletion, interception, sack, fumble, false start and holding penatly will be blamed on Luck and Irsay. By the end of the year, midwestern blizzards may be met with, "that never happened when Peyton was here". Luck will learn fast that there are no San Jose States on an NFL schedule. What he did in college means nothing. There is no such thing as a lock in the NFL. Those quotes above? They were about Jamarcus Russell when he was entering the draft.
Making matters worse for Irsay and Luck is that Manning will be doing that vintage line of scrimmage choreography for another team, poised to make a Super Bowl run. Every completion, first down, touchdown and victory will be negatively projected onto Luck and Irsay by Colts fans. Peyton will be everywhere in their world. In team meetings, board meetings, at training camp, at every road stadium and in their dreams. If they can sleep by then.
On the other hand if Luck succeeds, Irsay will be a genius with impeccable timing and Manning a wounded has been. But history is not on their side. Since 1998 QBs taken with the first pick and not named Manning have won zero Super Bowls. Two, Tim Couch and Russell, are out of the league, and David Carr flopped in Houston and is now a back up with the Giants. All had glowing scouting reports touting them as can't miss locks. None were replacing legends.
Good Luck with that, Irsay.
On Thursday, April 26, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will approach the podium at New York's Radio City Music Hall and say the following. "With the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck. Quarterback. Stanford.
Just like that, The Andrew Luck era will begin. Colts owner Jimmy Irsay greased the skids for this on March 7. Irsay is bankng that Peyton Mannings's surgically repaired neck has finished one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Irsay is also banking that Luck's arm will do for the Colts what Steve Young did for the 49ers. The last time an NFL legend was shown the door to make way for the next young gun.
Well good luck with that, Irsay! You two are now joined at the hip. Good or bad. Success or failure. It will be owned by both.
Luck isn't just following a good QB. He is following an insitution. Someone who is as revered by his fanbase as any player in the history of team sports. At least Manning had three decades, a relocation and the Art Schlichters and Jeff George's of the world between he and Unitas.
Irsay doesn't seemed concerned. NFL scouts, pundents, commentators and talking heads are singing the praises of Luck with accolades such as the ones at the beginning of this blog.
There's no doubt Luck had an outstanding career at Stanford. His final season was as good as it gets. However, Luck's skin and hide better be tough, cause the Colts are rebuildng and today's NFL fans are in no mood for rebuilding. Every incompletion, interception, sack, fumble, false start and holding penatly will be blamed on Luck and Irsay. By the end of the year, midwestern blizzards may be met with, "that never happened when Peyton was here". Luck will learn fast that there are no San Jose States on an NFL schedule. What he did in college means nothing. There is no such thing as a lock in the NFL. Those quotes above? They were about Jamarcus Russell when he was entering the draft.
Making matters worse for Irsay and Luck is that Manning will be doing that vintage line of scrimmage choreography for another team, poised to make a Super Bowl run. Every completion, first down, touchdown and victory will be negatively projected onto Luck and Irsay by Colts fans. Peyton will be everywhere in their world. In team meetings, board meetings, at training camp, at every road stadium and in their dreams. If they can sleep by then.
On the other hand if Luck succeeds, Irsay will be a genius with impeccable timing and Manning a wounded has been. But history is not on their side. Since 1998 QBs taken with the first pick and not named Manning have won zero Super Bowls. Two, Tim Couch and Russell, are out of the league, and David Carr flopped in Houston and is now a back up with the Giants. All had glowing scouting reports touting them as can't miss locks. None were replacing legends.
Good Luck with that, Irsay.
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