A Stampede in Buffalo over Gang Green October 30, 2008
Posted by Neil in : Uncategorized , add a comment[Quick syndication note: this is the next in a series of weekly installments that I’m contributing to Fantasy Insights, throughout the NFL Season. A big thank you to Shawn McCullough for allowing us to syndicate to our site.]
Last Week:
—————————
What an ugly win, but a big win. The Jets kept their playoff hopes alive with a comeback 28-24 win over the Chiefs at the Meadowlands on Sunday. Brett Favre certainly didn’t play well again with a lot of costly mistakes, but had that 4th quarter magic once again. The Jets are now just one game back at 4-3 in the AFC East.
This Week:
—————————
The Jets take on the Bills this Sunday in Orchard Park. If the Jets have any designs on winning the AFC East this season, they need a big road victory over Trent Edwards and Co. The Bills have been tough at home this year and seem to always find a way to win when playing in upstate New York. However, they always let teams hang around and almost lost to the Raiders at home in September. I predict the Jets fall to 4-4 with a 27-24 loss, as they just aren’t playing well enough to win a big-time road game right now.
Rumors:
—————————
The Jets need this game if they want to win the division.
Injuries:
—————————
WR Coles was a limited participant at practice Thursday with a thigh injury. I expect Coles to play as he is a warrior. WR Jerricho Cotchery was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury. I expect him to play on Sunday. K Mike Nugent will probably be out again this week due to his thigh injury. Expect Jay Feely again. TE Chris Baker was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. I expect him toplay, but you shouldn’t play him. TE Bubba Franks has a hip injury and missed Wednesday’s practice. He is out.
Position Analysis:
—————————
QUARTERBACKS: Favre was pretty bad again against Kansas City, except for the magic he provided at the end of the game. He was only 28 of 40 for 290 yards with 2 TD’s and 3 INT’s. I think Favre will struggle again this Sunday and will continue to turn the ball over against the Bills. I predict 225 yards and 1 TD with 3 picks.
RUNNING BACKS: Thomas Jones had a subpar game against the Chiefs. He carried the ball only 14 times for 54 yards. Expect 75 yards from Jones against the Bills. Leon Washington was the man against the Chiefs. He carried the ball 3 times for 67 yards against the Chiefs with a TD and caught 3 balls for 34 yards with a TD. He could have some big plays in the screen game this week, but I wouldn’t use him.
WIDE RECEIVERS: The Jets WR cast had a pretty good day against Kansas City. Coles snared 7 balls for 64 yards and the game-winning TD. I think he will have 75 yards in Bills. Jerricho Cotchery had a wonderful game with 9 catches for 102 yards. He will have over 80 yards receiving against the Bills. Chansi Stuckey caught 3 balls for 43 yards against the Chiefs. I wouldn’t consider playing him with Coles and Cotchery getting healthy.
TIGHT ENDS: Dustin Keller caught 4 balls for 38 yards against the Chiefs and was the only TE who caught a ball all day. I wouldn’t play any of these guys right now, but Keller will become Favre’s favorite TE by the end of the season.
PLACE KICKER: Jay Feely was 0 of 1 on FG’s against the Chiefs, and also made 4 PAT’s.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: The Jets defense has played fairly well this year, besides the debacle in San Diego. However, don’t play them this week in Buffalo.
A New Iron Mike Resides in San Francisco October 28, 2008
Posted by Paul in : Uncategorized , 6comments
No, no, the former heavyweight champ who wants to eat your children hasn’t purchased a new home in the Bay Area. And no, Mike Ditka hasn’t decide to leave his cushy television job in Bristol Connecticut for the West Coast. The talk of the town, here in San Francisco, and even nationally is the electrifying rant delivered to the media by Mike Singletary after yesterday’s game against the Seahawks. To those of you that have been under a rock for the past 24 hours, I will fill you in briefly. After a mindless unnecessary roughness penalty by 49ers tight-end Vernon Davis late in the 3rd quarter, and some jawing back and forth, between the player and his new coach, Singletary proceeded to dismiss the overrated soldier to the locker room. He then took the press conference pulpit and told us that he would do whatever it took to win, in the most memorable head coach tirade, in recent 49ers history…
To those of you that are appalled by his post-game reaction, you need to get a clue. And here’s why:
1) Emotion Needed in a Dismal Season: in sharp contrast to a droopy-headed, disconsolate Mike Nolan, the new 49ers head coach has declared himself in charge. Singletary was standing by on the sidelines, and witnessed that his mentor’s methods were not working on this team. The players had tuned Coach Nolan out, and had moved on for quite some time, while the former coach was trying to remind everyone that he was still the face and voice of the franchise. Instead of having a coach on the sidelines with a deer-in the-headlights look, yesterday’s emotionally charged outburst was Singletary’s call out to his troops; reminding them to wake up, pull up their sleeves, and get to work.
2) Taking the Reigns: if we are to look back several years from now, at a successful run from Singletary as head coach, this will be the seminal moment we all point to, as the moment he took command of his squad. For a franchise that has been known for lackluster leadership from ownership down in the past few years, it’s refreshing to see a man already starting to make an imprint on the team, in the nascent stages of his regime. Mike Nolan had a reputation for being soft. It seems like Singletary took note of the failures of those ways, and has vowed to approach his players in a much different way. Can we take the time to smell the roses and appreciate a coach who is sharp enough to make a diagnosis, and bold enough to try something new?
3) Setting the Ground Rules: Every coach in the NFL has rules. Most head football coaches have overlapping ones. They will preach ball security, discipline, holding your rushing lanes, finishing your tackles… And then, you’ll get to the gray areas; the true philosophical differences between these generals of the game of football. Some guys believe in ball control. Others (like Mike Martz) will convince you that getting yards through the air is the best way. Some coaches believe in giving their players some freedom, while another faction–the likes of Parcells–are true disciplinarians. Yesterday, Mike Singletary started to establish his own rule book. Iron Mike is an old school guy, who understands the psychology of a football player. In an era where we hear so many people tell us that professional sports is about treating players with kit gloves, the former linebacker threw that so-called wisdom right out of the window. Don’t fool yourself: this is a calculated move from a Hall of Fame former Chicago Bear, who wants to build from the ground up. Right now, he realizes he needs to set a few axioms from which to live by. The first ones he is nailing down, for now, are accountability and the overall team concept. No one will act selfishly, and put their interests above that of the team. And each player will have the feeling that he must fulfill his role to the best of his ability, in order to affect the final outcome.
4) No Downside in Alienating Davis: What’s the downside with instructing Vernon Davis to take an early shower? The guy has underachieved his whole career with San Francisco, since coming out of Maryland. What’s the worse that can happen? You lose him forever? He decides to shut himself off from his head coach? It’s not like he’s lighting up the league, like his counterparts in Kansas City (Tony Gonzalez) and San Diego (Antonio Gates). In two and a half seasons with the Niners, Davis has 88 receptions for 970 yards and 7 TDs. In other words, he’s been largely irrelevant throughout; so there’s no real downside in losing him for all of eternity… This latest jilt–in making him an example–could perhaps have the effect of jolting him into becoming a respectable NFL player. Because, as I’ve said in the past, if Vernon were to bare down and dial in on his football pursuits the way he does on his photogenic ones, San Francisco may well be blessed with the second coming of Brent Jones.
5) Credibility is Key: One of the reasons why Mike Singletary was selected as interim head coach over a more experienced Mike Martz is because of his credibility inside Stalag 49. The players look up to him and respect him for his accomplishment in his playing days, no question. But he’s done nothing, as a coach to erode the edifice he had built then. Much to the contrary… He’s well respected by 49er brass, and was leaning on that reputation, yesterday, when making his point clear. Let’s all remember what Nolan reportedly told Singletary in urging him to take the reigns as interim head coach. Nolan told his protege that he knew that he had the best interests of his players at hand. There’s nothing in the past, or even now that suggests otherwise. And from his body language and general reputation, I can honestly say that I’d want to play for the guy. In a split second, I’d want to run through a brick wall, for the man. Singletary is no doubt tough, but you get the sense that he’s tremendously fair. He’s perhaps the perfect example of parenting: rewarding, nurturing, passionate, honest, and non-compromising on his principles…
Let’s make sure that we all understand the context around what transpired on Sunday afternoon. The Forty-Niners were embarrassed at home by an injury-plagued, dreadful Seahawk team, with Seneca Wallace under center. Just two years ago, the Red and Gold finished the year at 7-9. Now, they sit as one of the league’s most awful teams at 2-6. Can you blame a new coach for wanting to shake things up, as he attempts to right a sinking ship? Those that blame this good man should be ashamed of themselves. Look at the hand he’s dealt and let me know if you’d have the guts and the courage to do what he’s doing. Let’s face it: Mike Singletary is the NFL’s equivalent of a turnaround CEO. He’s inherited a business that is in the red. Let’s root for him, as he attempts to bring this once-proud franchise back in the black…
A Mauling of the Chiefs October 22, 2008
Posted by Neil in : Uncategorized , add a comment[Quick syndication note: this is the next in a series of weekly installments that I’m contributing to Fantasy Insights, throughout the NFL Season. A big thank you to Shawn McCullough for allowing us to syndicate to our site.]
Last Week:
—————————
What an ugly loss! The Jets playoff hopes took a huge hit with their disappointing OT loss to a fairly woeful Raiders team. The Jets defense played well against a sputtering Raiders offense, however Brett Favre and the passing game let Gang Green down. Favre rallied the Jets to a game-tying Jay Feely FG, however they missed plenty of opportunities in OT, especially Chris Baker’s slip which could have set up the game-winning FG. The Jets fell to 3-3 and 2 games back of the surging Bills in the AFC East.
This Week:
—————————
The Jets take on the Chiefs this Sunday at the Meadowlands. This game is about as must-win as you can have in October. The Chiefs are an awful football team with one win on the season. Brodie Croyle is out for the season, Damon Huard is hurt, and the Chiefs offense will likely be without Lary Johnson again this week due to his legal issues. The Chiefs defense is certainly nothing to write home about either. The Jets must assert their dominance over this languishing team early and put them away. I predict the Jets to move to 4-3 with a 31-17 victory over the punchless Chiefs.
Rumors:
—————————
If Brett Favre actually proactively called the Lions to give them tips on how to beat the Packers, I have lost all respect for Favre as a man. However, I still love to watch the guy play on Sundays.
Injuries:
—————————
WR Coles didn’t practice Wednesday with a thigh injury and possible concussion. I expect Coles to play, but there is an outside chance he won’t. WR Jerricho Cotchery was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury. He also has a leg problem. I expect him to play on Sunday. K Mike Nugent will probably be out again this week due to his thigh injury. Expect Jay Feely again. TE Bubba Franks has a hip injury and missed Wednesday’s practice. He is listed as questionable. Even if he plays on Sunday, you better not have him on your roster, much less starting.
Position Analysis:
—————————
QUARTERBACKS: Favre was pretty awful in Oakland. He was only 21 of 38 for 197 yards with 0 TD’s and 2 INT’s. The Jets passing game cost the team this game. Favre could play terrible again on Sunday, but the Jets will still win. However, I think Favre will have a nice bounceback game with a big first half. With a big second half lead, they will turn the game over to Thomas Jones and Co. I predict 225 yards and 2 TD’s with a pick.
RUNNING BACKS: Thomas Jones had a fantastic game against the Raiders. He carried the ball 24 times for 159 yards. Expect 85 yards from Jones with a TD against the Chiefs. Leon Washington is so intriguing, but continues to get infrequent touches. He carried the ball 3 times for 19 yards against the Raiders with a TD and caught 3 balls for 21 yards. These numbers are becoming standard for him. He could have some big plays in the screen game this week, but I wouldn’t use him.
WIDE RECEIVERS: The Jets WR cast had a terrible day in Oakland. Coles snared 4 balls for 51 yards. I expect bigger things from him this week, if he actually plays. I think he will have 105 yards, and will catch a TD. Jerricho Cotchery caught only 1 ball for 0 yards and was a complete fantasy bust last week. If he plays, he will have over 80 yards receiving against the Chiefs. Chansi Stuckey caught 2 balls for 48 yards in Oakland. With the injuries to Coles and Cotchery, he is not a horrible #3 WR on your fantasy team.
TIGHT ENDS: Chris Baker caught 5 ball for 42 yards against the Raiders in the 1st quarter. He didn’t catch a ball the rest of the day. I wouldn’t play any of these guys right now, but Keller will become Favre’s favorite TE by the end of the season.
PLACE KICKER: Jay Feely was 2 of 2 on FG’s against the Raiders, and also made a PAT. His clutch 52 yard FG got the Jets into OT. It is not likely that Mike Nugent will be coming back this Sunday.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: The Jets defense has played fairly well this year, besides the debacle in San Diego. If you are going to play them since your regular team is on a bye, this would be the week. The Chiefs are terrible and are prone to turnovers.
Silver and Black (and Blue) on Sunday for Al Davis October 16, 2008
Posted by Neil in : Uncategorized , add a comment[Quick syndication note: this is the next in a series of weekly installments that I’m contributing to Fantasy Insights, throughout the NFL Season. A big thank you to Shawn McCullough for allowing us to syndicate to our site.]
Last Week:
—————————
The Jets did what they had to do in a workmanlike win over the hapless Bengals last Sunday at the Meadowlands. The Jets moved to 3-2 with a 26-14 win over a Carson Palmer-less squad still looking for its first win. The game went as expected for the most part with Gang Green controlling the game for much of the afternoon. It was the type of solid victory that the Jets must have over an inferior opponent if they hope to reach the postseason.
This Week:
—————————
The Jets take on the Raiders this Sunday in Oakland. The Raiders are the NFL’s team of turmoil, with Tom Cable taking over for the fired Lane Kiffin. It has been a circus in Oakland all season as the talent for a decent team is there, but they have no cohesion and chemistry. JaMarcus Russell continues to improve, but doesn’t have many attractive targets. The Raiders can run the ball behind an impressive group of backs that includes rookie Darren McFaddon and Michael Bush. However, I think Brett Favre will make the Raiders defense look silly as they are prone to the big play. I predict the Jets to move to 4-2 with a 31-17 road victory in Oaktown.
Rumors:
—————————
It is not a rumor, but a prediction. The Jets will beat the AFC West doormats (Raiders and Chiefs) over the next 2 weeks and move to 5-2 before a first place showdown at Buffalo on November 2.
Injuries:
—————————
WR Coles was listed as a limited participant Wednesday at practice with a thigh injury. This has been the case every week of the season, and Coles will play. K Mike Nugent might be back this week from his thigh injury, but I wouldn’t count on him. Expect Jay Feely again.
Position Analysis:
—————————
QUARTERBACKS: Favre was average against the Bengals. However, with the Jets running game going, average was more than enough. He was 25 of 33 for 189 yards with the 1 TD and 2 INT’s. I think he will put up at least 2 or 3 TD’s this week against a bad Raiders secondary. I predict 225 yards and 2 TD’s.
RUNNING BACKS: Thomas Jones had a great fantasy game against the Bengals. He carried the ball only 17 times for 65 yards and had 3 catches for 13 yards. However, he carried the ball into the endzone twice, and had a receiving TD as well. Expect 85 yards from Jones with a TD in Oakland. Leon Washington is so intriguing, but continues to get infrequent touches. He carried the ball 5 times for only 7 yards against the Bengals and caught 4 balls for 22 yards. These numbers are becoming standard for him. He could have some big plays in the screen game this week, but I wouldn’t use him.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Coles had another solid day with Favre, snaring 8 balls for 61 yards. I expect big things from him the rest of the season. If you have him, you must play him this week. I think he have 105 yards, and will catch a TD. Jerricho Cotchery caught 8 balls for 85 yards to lead the Jets against the Bengals. Expect almost identical numbers this week. Chansi Stuckey didn’t catch a ball against the Bengals. As Favre becomes more comfortable with Coles and Cotchery, Stuckey’s won’t continue the TD per week production he had for the first 3 games. However, he is not a horrible #3 WR on your fantasy team.
TIGHT ENDS: Chris Baker caught 1 ball for 6 yards against the Bengals. That was the only reception from the Jets trio of TE’s. I wouldn’t play any of these guys right now, but Keller will become Favre’s favorite TE by the end of the season.
PLACE KICKER: Jay Feely was 2 of 2 on FG’s against the Bengals, and also made 2PAT’s. It is not likely that Mike Nugent will be coming back this Sunday.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: The Jets defense has played fairly well this year, besides the debacle in San Diego. If you are going to play them since your regular team is on a bye, this would be the week. The Raiders are prone to turnovers.
Gang Green Hosts Bengals: A Fantasy for Favre October 9, 2008
Posted by Neil in : Uncategorized , add a comment[Quick syndication note: this is the next in a series of weekly installments that I’m contributing to Fantasy Insights, throughout the NFL Season. A big thank you to Shawn McCullough for allowing us to syndicate to our site.]
Last Week:
—————————
The Jets had a bye last week and stand at 2-2.
This Week:
—————————
The Jets take on the Bengals this Sunday at the Meadowlands. The Bengals have had an awful start to the season and are winless. Despite the Bengals inability to win a game thus far, they are highly dangerous as evidenced by close losses on the road to the Giants and Cowboys. Carson Palmer is banged up, but is capable of putting up great numbers when throwing to his prolific WR core that includes Chad Javon Ocho Cinco. The Jets will be rested and ready after their bye and are 2-0 after bye weeks under Mangini. In an offensive affair, they will keep the Bengals winless with a 37-27 victory.
Rumors:
—————————
It is not a rumor, but Brett Favre has continued his legacy as a practical joker with his first great prank of his tenure with Gang Green.
Injuries:
—————————
S Eric Smith lost his suspension appeal with the NFL, so he will be out for Sunday’s game with the Bengals. K Mike Nugent might be back this week from his thigh injury, but I wouldn’t count on him.
Position Analysis:
—————————
QUARTERBACKS: Favre was simply magical against the Cardinals. He had one of the greatest games of his legendary career with 6 TD’s. He was 24 of 34 for 289 yards with the 6 TD’s and 1 INT. He won’t put up that many TD’s this week, but I think he will put up at least 2 or 3. I predict 225 yards and 3 TD’s against the hapless Bengals secondary.
RUNNING BACKS: With Favre and his WR’s clicking on all cylinders, the running game took a backseat during the offensive explosion against the Cardinals. Thomas Jones carried the ball only 18 times for 46 yards and had 2 catches for 23 yards. I expect the Jets to get back to the running game this week against the Bengals. Expect a 110 yard game from Jones with a TD. Leon Washington is so intriguing, but continues to get infrequent touches. He carried the ball 7 times for 26 yards against Arizona and caught 4 balls for 17 yards. He could have some big plays in the screen game this week, but I wouldn’t use him.
WIDE RECEIVERS: It was a great day to have a Jets WR on your fantasy team against Arizona. Coles had his first superb day with Favre, snaring 8 balls for 105 yards and 3 TD’s. I expect big things from him the rest of the season. If you have him, you must play him this week. I think he will match the 105 yard output, and will catch a TD. It was also a huge fantasy day for Jerricho Cotchery against the Cardinals. He caught only 4 balls for 67 yards, but he grabbed 2 TD’s. I expect him to have 85 yards and a TD this week. Chansi Stuckey only caught 2 balls for 12 yards against the Cardinals. As Favre becomes more comfortable with Coles and Cotchery, Stuckey’s won’t continue the TD per week production he had for the first 3 games. However, he is not a horrible #3 WR on your fantasy team.
TIGHT ENDS: Favre completed 4 passes to his 3 TE’s against Arizona(2 to Franks, 1 to Keller and 1 to Baker). Dustin Keller did get a TD. I wouldn’t play any of these guys right now, but Keller will become Favre’s favorite TE by the end of the season.
PLACE KICKER: Jay Feely was 2 of 3 on FG’s against Arizona, but also made 6 PAT’s. It is likely that Mike Nugent will be coming back this Sunday, although that is not a guarantee.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: The Jets defense has played fairly well this year, besides the debacle in San Diego. If you are going to play them since your regular team is on a bye, this would be the week. The Bengals are prone to turnovers as Palmer is known to throw some picks when his team gets behind.
