No more talk about 52-7....it's over, let's look ahead, not too far ahead however. At 1-7, the Jets are desperate for a win and in the NFL, desperate means dangerous. Don't think the Redskins can't lose this game because they can. With that said, the Redskins are desperate also....desperate to shake the ugly memory of New England and convince themselves that they are a good team. The Skins are the better team and they will win. Skins 27, Jets 7.
Maryland basketball is getting no preseason respect. Just one vote in the "Coaches" Poll...just 6 votes in the AP. CBS Sportsline.com predicts a 9th-place finish in the ACC. I haven't seen them rated any higher than 4th in the ACC in any preseason magazine. The thought it that losing DJ Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe, and Mike Jones will be too much to overcome. I don't agree. The Terps have a very good backcourt with Eric Hayes and Greivas Vasquez and guard-play rules in college hoops. Additionally, look for James Gist to follow up on his solid junior year with a break-out senior season. We know that Gist is athletic. What we saw last year was a consistent 12-15 foot jump shot develop to go with an already tenacious rebounding and shot-blocking game. A more-seasoned Bambale Osby should make it easier for Gist as well. Success may hinge on the play of the youngsters....sophomore Landon Milbourne will likely be the 5th starter; F/C Braxton Dupree and G Adrian Bowie may be the two freshman ready to play. I saw Bowie twice last year including up-close at the Capital Classic and he can really finish at the basket....he wasn't the most heralded of the class but look for him to play early and play well. Gary Williams does his best work when the least is expected. His team gets tested early with a schedule that may include a game with #2 UCLA in a preseason tournament semi-final. The combo of Vasquez and Gist will be good enough for a top 5 ACC finish and if the freshman come along quickly, the Terps could be better than that.
This may be the last time this year you can wager on the Patriots as less than 14-point favorites....take them. They win big at Indy!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
Pats Didn't Run it Up!
I am stunned at the overwhelming amount of talk from local and national media alike describing the Patriots fourth quarter play against the Redskins as an obvious example of "running up the score". It was also described by many to be "disrespectful" to Joe Gibbs and because of that, unforgivable. In my opinion, they DID NOT run up the score. Running up the score means different things to different people but for me.....it requires unnecessary offensive-oriented plays and unnecessary timeouts to be construed as "running it up". For example, a timeout late in the game to allow a field goal attempt or a long throw into the end zone in the final two minutes would be utterly unnecessary and could be construed as "running it up". A fourth quarter flea flicker would serve as another example. The Patriots had four offensive drives/opportunities in the fourth quarter--the last of which was a kneel-down, the next-to-last three runs and a punt. Neither one of those drives was evidence of "running it up". Let's search the other two 4th quarter drives for the "running it up" evidence. The Pats' first drive of the final quarter was a continuation of a drive that started in the 3rd quarter. Leading 38-0 and facing a 4th and 1 at the Redskins' 7 with 11:02 left in the game...they went for it and made it on a Tom Brady sneak. Two plays later they scored on a Brady to Welker TD pass with 9:09 left in the game to make it 45-0. I don't believe that the 4th and 1 decision was a reflective of a Bill Belichik conscious decision to run it up. I just think that with 11:02 left in the game, he wanted his team to continue to "play" the game. Translation, no "running it up" on their first drive of the fourth quarter. Their 2nd drive of the quarter included back-up QB Matt Cassel under center. ON 4th and 2 at the Skins 37 with 7:16 to go, Cassel completed a pass to Gaffney for 21 yards to the Skins' 16. In my opinion, this is the only play in the game that could be construed as "running it up". The "sportsmanship" option was to punt. The other option, chosen by the Pats, was to give the back-up QB some work in the event that Brady gets hurt somewhere down the road. They chose the latter. They scored a few plays later to make it 52-zip. I don't believe that this was a conscious decision to "run it up" and if it was, it wasn't the way you'd choose to do it if you're trying to send a message. If they had run a flea-flicker on that play, if they had kicked a field goal....then the "running it up" gripe would have been more valid. Bottom line---the Pats are really good, and as far as last week's win over the Skins, they won a game that deserves respect with no ill-will.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Top 5 Redskin Upsets
Earlier in the week, Joe Gibbs described the Redskins as the "biggest underdogs in the history of sports". Just in case you thought that might be true, it isn't. As 16-point underdogs in New England on Sunday, the Redskins are big underdogs as NFL 'dogs go but certainly not the biggest ever...not even the biggest this year. The Patriots went off as 17-point favorites last week against the Dolphins. Three times the Redskins have been bigger underdogs. On their three trips to Dallas in 1993, 1994, and 1995 the Skins were catching 17, 16.5, and 17.5 points. They won the game outright in 1995 behind a stunning performance from the Heath Shuler-led offense in Texas Stadium. That game makes the list of the "Top 5 Redskin Upsets", a list by the way that includes only games starting with the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
---TOP 5 REDSKIN UPSETS---
1. Redskins 20, Cowboys 16 (October 3, 1971--Cotton Bowl)
George Allen's third regular season game in DC was a stunner. At a rain-soaked Cotton Bowl, Charley Harraway ran 57 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Redskins a lead they never relinquished. It lifted the Redskins to a 3-o start and began in earnest the Skins-Cowboys rivalry.
2. Redskins 27, Bears 13 (January 3, 1987---Soldier Field)
"Bears Ready--If Redskins Show Up," read the headline in a Chicago paper. The defending champs were 32-3 over two seasons courtesy of one of the great defenses of all-time. The wildcard Skins confused Chicago quarterback Doug Flutie all day long and Art Monk caught two touchdown passes from Jay Schroeder.
3. Redskins 24, Cowboys 17 (December 3, 1995---Texas Stadium)
Dallas was 10-2 and a 17.5 point favorite over the 3-9 Redskins. Terry Allen's two touchdown runs and a Heath Shuler to Henry Ellard touchdown pass led the Skins to the stunner to complete an improbable season sweep over the Cowboys.
4. Redskins 40, Chargers 17 (December 7, 1980--RFK Stadium)
The high-octane Chargers were 9-4 and winners of three straight.....the Skins in their year without Riggo were 3-10 and losers of 5 in a row. Joe Lavender set the tone on San Diego’s first possession when he picked off Dan Fouts’ pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. It was the first of three interceptions for Lavender on the day and one of seven San Diego turnovers.
5. Redskins 33, Rams 20 (November 20, 2000---Trans World Dome)
The defending champion Rams were 8-2 and home against the Redskins who entered the game on a 2-game skid with season seemingly headed toward despair. The Skins survived an early onslaught by the high-powered Rams offense and rallied to a tough road win. Newly signed kicker Eddie Murray kicked four field goals and Jeff George threw three touchdown passes.
---TOP 5 REDSKIN UPSETS---
1. Redskins 20, Cowboys 16 (October 3, 1971--Cotton Bowl)
George Allen's third regular season game in DC was a stunner. At a rain-soaked Cotton Bowl, Charley Harraway ran 57 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Redskins a lead they never relinquished. It lifted the Redskins to a 3-o start and began in earnest the Skins-Cowboys rivalry.
2. Redskins 27, Bears 13 (January 3, 1987---Soldier Field)
"Bears Ready--If Redskins Show Up," read the headline in a Chicago paper. The defending champs were 32-3 over two seasons courtesy of one of the great defenses of all-time. The wildcard Skins confused Chicago quarterback Doug Flutie all day long and Art Monk caught two touchdown passes from Jay Schroeder.
3. Redskins 24, Cowboys 17 (December 3, 1995---Texas Stadium)
Dallas was 10-2 and a 17.5 point favorite over the 3-9 Redskins. Terry Allen's two touchdown runs and a Heath Shuler to Henry Ellard touchdown pass led the Skins to the stunner to complete an improbable season sweep over the Cowboys.
4. Redskins 40, Chargers 17 (December 7, 1980--RFK Stadium)
The high-octane Chargers were 9-4 and winners of three straight.....the Skins in their year without Riggo were 3-10 and losers of 5 in a row. Joe Lavender set the tone on San Diego’s first possession when he picked off Dan Fouts’ pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. It was the first of three interceptions for Lavender on the day and one of seven San Diego turnovers.
5. Redskins 33, Rams 20 (November 20, 2000---Trans World Dome)
The defending champion Rams were 8-2 and home against the Redskins who entered the game on a 2-game skid with season seemingly headed toward despair. The Skins survived an early onslaught by the high-powered Rams offense and rallied to a tough road win. Newly signed kicker Eddie Murray kicked four field goals and Jeff George threw three touchdown passes.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Important...Not Must!
The notion that the Redskins "must" beat the Cardinals to have any chance of making the playoffs is a major reach. A loss wouldn't be good, obviously, but 8-8 was good enough for a playoff spot in the NFC last year and it may be again this season. The mistake many of us make is to look at the schedule and just assume that we know which games are winnable and which games are not. Next week at New England appears to be no-chance. Two games against the Cowboys and road games against the Giants and Buccaneers don't look easy either. In the NFL, or "up here" is Joe Gibbs likes to say, every week is a "new" week and what looks difficult now may not be when they get there. By the same token, what looks easier now may be much harder when gameday rolls around. A loss today to the Cardinals would drop the Skins to 3-3, not 1-5. Confidence would take a hit, yes....but 10 games would remain. Remember 5-6 in 2005? Dramatic proclamations like "the Skins' season is over if they lose to the Cardinals" don't apply in the NFL, especially in October. With all that said, here's a dramatic proclamation anyway---Redskins 27, Cardinals 10.
Terps-UVA Note----Maryland's loss to Virginia was heartbraking for Terps' fans but it was made worse by an awful call on Virginia's final drive. The go-ahead touchdown was a touchdown....the ball broke the goal line plane before it was knocked loose. However, the Cavs' 4th and 4 play late in the drive wasn't even close. How replay didn't overturn the officials' sideline spot of the ball is mind-boggling. Not only was Mikell Simpson knocked out of bounds short of the first down, he was knocked out at least a yard short. It's a shame to see a hard-fought game decided by a referree's call. Virginia may have been the better team....but the Terps got robbed!
Terps-UVA Note----Maryland's loss to Virginia was heartbraking for Terps' fans but it was made worse by an awful call on Virginia's final drive. The go-ahead touchdown was a touchdown....the ball broke the goal line plane before it was knocked loose. However, the Cavs' 4th and 4 play late in the drive wasn't even close. How replay didn't overturn the officials' sideline spot of the ball is mind-boggling. Not only was Mikell Simpson knocked out of bounds short of the first down, he was knocked out at least a yard short. It's a shame to see a hard-fought game decided by a referree's call. Virginia may have been the better team....but the Terps got robbed!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Campbell's Big Day & Skins-Pack Pick
Jason Campbell improved his record as an NFL starter to 5-6 with what Joe Gibbs called his best game as a Redskin. Campbell went 23-29 for 248 yards and 2 TD's in a near-flawless performance against the Lions last week. He made throws that we haven't seen around these parts in a long time with one of the throws perhaps more telling than any of the others. His first and goal 8-yard TD pass to Mike Sellers early in the 4th was the kind of play that good quarterbacks make in today's NFL. The field shortens inside the 10 yard line and quarterbacks must make plays. Jason Campbell has the size, vision, feet, and fearlessness necessary to make big plays and never was this more evident on this particular play. A bootleg rolling right with 3 receiver options flooding the right side of the end zone made it necessary for Campbell to wait until the last possible moment before tossing a short TD pass to Sellers who found space in the end zone. The same play a year ago with Mark Brunell at the helm would have likely ended in a "throw-away" to avoid the "bad play". Campbell's ability to create the additional half-second or more necessary for receivers to get open is the difference between first downs and punts, touchdowns and field goals. The future is looking bright with J.Campbell behind center.
Enough of last week. The Redskins head to Lambeau to face a Green Bay team reeling from a wasted opportunity Sunday night against the Bears. Similar to the Redskins loss to the Giants, the Packers blew a 17-7 halftime lead and missed out on a chance to stay unbeaten. They'll be anxious to spit the taste of that one and they get an opportunity to do it at home before their bye week. Sounds like a tough spot for the Skins. It is, and that's why we'll learn a lot more about the Redskins after this game than we did a week ago. The Redskins face a desperate/hungry team on the road. Oh by the way, the Packers are pretty good too. If the Skins win this game, it's the first real sign that they'll need to reckoned with in the NFC. If they go meekly into the Wisconsin wind, optimism will take a hit. Last year, the Redskins fought back to 2 and 2 with back to back wins over Houston and Jacksonville, the latter a thrilling overtime win that seemed to right the ship. The following week, they laid an egg in the Meadowlands against the Giants. losing 19-3 while generating a mere 164 yards of offense. Sunday will be telling. Can they rise to the level of a team that will be at home and on high alert? Can they continue to be play physical football with the stakes a bit higher? The bet here is that they can. They are a faster and more physical team than they were last year. And unlike the last 15 years, they appear to have a top-shelf quarterback. I like the Redskins 27-20.
Enough of last week. The Redskins head to Lambeau to face a Green Bay team reeling from a wasted opportunity Sunday night against the Bears. Similar to the Redskins loss to the Giants, the Packers blew a 17-7 halftime lead and missed out on a chance to stay unbeaten. They'll be anxious to spit the taste of that one and they get an opportunity to do it at home before their bye week. Sounds like a tough spot for the Skins. It is, and that's why we'll learn a lot more about the Redskins after this game than we did a week ago. The Redskins face a desperate/hungry team on the road. Oh by the way, the Packers are pretty good too. If the Skins win this game, it's the first real sign that they'll need to reckoned with in the NFC. If they go meekly into the Wisconsin wind, optimism will take a hit. Last year, the Redskins fought back to 2 and 2 with back to back wins over Houston and Jacksonville, the latter a thrilling overtime win that seemed to right the ship. The following week, they laid an egg in the Meadowlands against the Giants. losing 19-3 while generating a mere 164 yards of offense. Sunday will be telling. Can they rise to the level of a team that will be at home and on high alert? Can they continue to be play physical football with the stakes a bit higher? The bet here is that they can. They are a faster and more physical team than they were last year. And unlike the last 15 years, they appear to have a top-shelf quarterback. I like the Redskins 27-20.
Monday, October 1, 2007
WEEKEND FOOTBALL WRAP
Sunday-
The most ridiculous NFL conversation is the one that takes place in August and September and usually begins when one person says something dumb like this--"the Redskins could be good because their schedule is so easy". An NFL schedule's relative strength or weakness can not be determined in August or September. Wait till January, when the season is over, and then, only then will you have some idea on schedule strength. If you're not convinced, the proof is in the results and there is no better place to start than yesterday's games.
Yesterday's NFL slate was another slap in the face for those that think they know something about the NFL. The truth is, nobody knows anything about the NFL. Of the 13 games yesterday, underdogs not only covered in nine, they won all nine outright! Let me repeat for emphasis---NFL underdogs went 9-4 against the spread yesterday and won nine games outright! That may be unprecedented (I don't have time to look it up). How many Ravens' fans chalked up two wins against Cleveland this year when they looked at the schedule. Do you think San Diego fans were much concerned about a Week 3 home game against Kansas City? Look at the standings...I'm sure it looks just like you thought it would when you started the "let's look at the Skins schedule and figure out where they'll finish" discussion a few weeks ago. In the NFC, Dallas and Green Bay are unbeaten while Detroit and Tampa Bay appear to be contenders to win their divisions if not more. Meantime, Chicago, Philly and New Orleans, all playoff teams from a year ago and consensus preseason favorites to do the same this year are struggling if not worse. In the AFC, Cleveland and Oakland have gone from predicted cellar-dwellers that can't score to high-octane offensive juggernauts that many are referring to as "dangerous". Meantime, if you had San Diego and Baltimore on your schedule, that was two losses in August. Now, it could be two wins.
Here's more to support my "we don't know anything about the NFL" assertion. Over the last five years, 50 percent of the teams that have made the playoffs are teams that didn't make the playoffs the season before. Translation-half of the teams that make the playoffs this year are teams that will be considered surprises. How bout this....4 of the last 8 Super Bowl winners were non-playoff teams from the year before. Is there really a 50 percent chance that a team that missed the playoffs last year will win the Super Bowl this year? Yes, can't we see that possibility already through four weeks? Green Bay, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh???
Bottom line is this. One should never get too excited or become too intimidated by a schedule. It never is what it appears to be. Most Redskins' fans looked at their "last-place" schedule and thought "simple" a few weeks ago. What appeared to be easy (Lions, at Packers, Arizona, at Tampa Bay) doesn't look so easy now. What appeared to be difficult (Philly twice, Chicago, at Jets) may not be that hard. Best advice, take the NFL for what it is...a week-to-week league that thrills us because anything can happen and it usually isn't what we think.
Saturday--
One of the more exciting college football days in a long time. Five of the Top 10 down including a huge bounce-back win for the Terps. In hindsight, we should've seen the Rutgers, Texas, and West Virginia losses coming. Rutgers hadn't faced a D-1 team, Texas nearly lost to Arkansas State, and West Virginia's defense was suspect. With that said, the Oklahoma and Florida losses seemed impossible. The Sooners were killing everyone and while Florida had struggled in a win over Ole Miss, Auburn was an unlikely candidate to pull the upset, especially on the road. Kudos to Tigers' coach Tommy Tuberville who is now 5-1 against the Top 10 over the last three years. Kudos also to Ralph Friedgen who for my money, is the best gameday coach in town. After a devasting loss at Wake Forest, Fridgen got his team ready for what appeared to be a very difficult spot at 10th ranked Rutgers. The Terps were the more physical team and played with a sense of urgency we haven't seen this year. Additionally, whether Ralph will admit this or not, the Terps got a break when Jordan Steffy left the game with a concussion. Chris Turner was poised, found 2nd and 3rd options repeatedly in the passing game, and even made a play or two with his feet. The play calling became much more Ralph-like with Turner in the game than it had been with Steffy. While I certainly hope the injury to Steffy isn't serious, I also hope Turner is the starter Saturday against Georgia Tech. The Terps have three straight at home and a move in the ACC is still there for the taking. BTW, hope Erin Henderson's injury isn't serious...he is the best pound for pound player on the team and a legit all-american candidate.
The most ridiculous NFL conversation is the one that takes place in August and September and usually begins when one person says something dumb like this--"the Redskins could be good because their schedule is so easy". An NFL schedule's relative strength or weakness can not be determined in August or September. Wait till January, when the season is over, and then, only then will you have some idea on schedule strength. If you're not convinced, the proof is in the results and there is no better place to start than yesterday's games.
Yesterday's NFL slate was another slap in the face for those that think they know something about the NFL. The truth is, nobody knows anything about the NFL. Of the 13 games yesterday, underdogs not only covered in nine, they won all nine outright! Let me repeat for emphasis---NFL underdogs went 9-4 against the spread yesterday and won nine games outright! That may be unprecedented (I don't have time to look it up). How many Ravens' fans chalked up two wins against Cleveland this year when they looked at the schedule. Do you think San Diego fans were much concerned about a Week 3 home game against Kansas City? Look at the standings...I'm sure it looks just like you thought it would when you started the "let's look at the Skins schedule and figure out where they'll finish" discussion a few weeks ago. In the NFC, Dallas and Green Bay are unbeaten while Detroit and Tampa Bay appear to be contenders to win their divisions if not more. Meantime, Chicago, Philly and New Orleans, all playoff teams from a year ago and consensus preseason favorites to do the same this year are struggling if not worse. In the AFC, Cleveland and Oakland have gone from predicted cellar-dwellers that can't score to high-octane offensive juggernauts that many are referring to as "dangerous". Meantime, if you had San Diego and Baltimore on your schedule, that was two losses in August. Now, it could be two wins.
Here's more to support my "we don't know anything about the NFL" assertion. Over the last five years, 50 percent of the teams that have made the playoffs are teams that didn't make the playoffs the season before. Translation-half of the teams that make the playoffs this year are teams that will be considered surprises. How bout this....4 of the last 8 Super Bowl winners were non-playoff teams from the year before. Is there really a 50 percent chance that a team that missed the playoffs last year will win the Super Bowl this year? Yes, can't we see that possibility already through four weeks? Green Bay, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh???
Bottom line is this. One should never get too excited or become too intimidated by a schedule. It never is what it appears to be. Most Redskins' fans looked at their "last-place" schedule and thought "simple" a few weeks ago. What appeared to be easy (Lions, at Packers, Arizona, at Tampa Bay) doesn't look so easy now. What appeared to be difficult (Philly twice, Chicago, at Jets) may not be that hard. Best advice, take the NFL for what it is...a week-to-week league that thrills us because anything can happen and it usually isn't what we think.
Saturday--
One of the more exciting college football days in a long time. Five of the Top 10 down including a huge bounce-back win for the Terps. In hindsight, we should've seen the Rutgers, Texas, and West Virginia losses coming. Rutgers hadn't faced a D-1 team, Texas nearly lost to Arkansas State, and West Virginia's defense was suspect. With that said, the Oklahoma and Florida losses seemed impossible. The Sooners were killing everyone and while Florida had struggled in a win over Ole Miss, Auburn was an unlikely candidate to pull the upset, especially on the road. Kudos to Tigers' coach Tommy Tuberville who is now 5-1 against the Top 10 over the last three years. Kudos also to Ralph Friedgen who for my money, is the best gameday coach in town. After a devasting loss at Wake Forest, Fridgen got his team ready for what appeared to be a very difficult spot at 10th ranked Rutgers. The Terps were the more physical team and played with a sense of urgency we haven't seen this year. Additionally, whether Ralph will admit this or not, the Terps got a break when Jordan Steffy left the game with a concussion. Chris Turner was poised, found 2nd and 3rd options repeatedly in the passing game, and even made a play or two with his feet. The play calling became much more Ralph-like with Turner in the game than it had been with Steffy. While I certainly hope the injury to Steffy isn't serious, I also hope Turner is the starter Saturday against Georgia Tech. The Terps have three straight at home and a move in the ACC is still there for the taking. BTW, hope Erin Henderson's injury isn't serious...he is the best pound for pound player on the team and a legit all-american candidate.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
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