Bleacher Report - Articles by Alex Marvez

Every AFC "Favorite" Has Been Knocked Down in '08

Alex Marvez — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:32:01 -0500

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Titans have clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Whee.

Sure, it's a great accomplishment-especially with how the Titans wrestled that edge from Pittsburgh in Sunday's 31-14 home victory. But in this wacky conference, what does it really mean for the long haul?

Every time a so-called AFC "favorite" has emerged this season, that squad has quickly gotten knocked off its pedestal.

The latest example was Pittsburgh (11-4). The Steelers entered LP Field with five consecutive victories over some of the NFL's toughest foes. They left beaten and humiliated. Titans running back Chris Johnson even taunted the Steelers by waving his own version of a Terrible Towel after a fourth-quarter touchdown.

"Each week, you can't blink," Steelers linebacker Larry Foote said. "You've got to win."

Last year, the AFC's top two playoff seeds were secured by the end of Week 15. New England and Indianapolis were that dominant.

Not so this season, where every Super Bowl contender has very visible warts.

We should have known the AFC would be wacky from the start.

Think back to early September. New England and San Diego—the two teams from last year's conference championship game—were considered the Super Bowl frontrunners. Cleveland was scheduled for seven—seven!!!—prime-time games coming off a 10-6 campaign. Jacksonville was supposed to push Indianapolis for AFC South supremacy. High hopes surrounded Oakland and the New York Jets after outrageous offseason spending sprees.

And then the real fun began. As soon as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady went down with a serious knee injury in the season-opener, the entire AFC was turned topsy-turvy.

It's still that way.

Just a month ago, New York had become the conference media darlings by spoiling Tennessee's then-perfect record with a 34-13 road win. The Jets then came crashing back to earth with consecutive losses. They now risk losing the division to Miami, a 1-15 club in 2007 that remarkably now stands at 10-5.

What franchise is considered the new flavor of the week?

The Colts (11-4) are on an eight-game winning streak but probably won't have any home playoff games as a wild card. New England (10-5) may not reach the postseason despite winning four of its past five contests. Baltimore (10-5) just defeated Dallas but also lost the previous week to Pittsburgh. The Dolphins need a road victory against the Jets next Sunday to guarantee a playoff berth and establish themselves as more than the lucky recipients of an easy schedule.

Let's not even get started on the underwhelming AFC West.

As for the Titans, they could keep rolling in the playoffs like against Pittsburgh or get upset à la last Sunday's 13-12 loss at Houston. Neither outcome would be shocking.

"The season is so long," Titans wide receiver Justin Gage said. "You have your ups and downs. It's like a rollercoaster ride. The teams that end up on top are the ones that can stay consistent throughout the whole season. That's the one we're trying to be."

The Titans made strides in that direction Sunday albeit in a manner as illogical as how the AFC has unfolded.

Conventional wisdom would tell you that a Tennessee defensive line missing two star players (Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch) as well as a key reserve (Kevin Vickerson) would struggle. Instead, unheralded rookies Jason Jones and Williams Hayes combined for 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles (one recovered) and four tackles for losses.

The Titans didn't even need blitzing to pressure Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into two interceptions, including one returned 83 yards for a touchdown by safety Michael Griffin in the closing seconds.

Pittsburgh's defense had tied an NFL record by not surrendering 300 yards in 14 consecutive games. Some of those opponents—including New England, Indianapolis and Dallas—had offenses with much more firepower than Tennessee. Yet it was the Titans bludgeoning Pittsburgh for 323 yards behind an efficient performance from quarterback Kerry Collins and a 117-yard combined rushing effort from Johnson and LenDale White.

Capping the bizarro proceedings was normally conservative Titans coach Jeff Fisher eschewing field goal attempts inside Steelers territory on two third-quarter drives. Both gambles paid dividends, with series that ended with touchdowns.

Johnson's 21-yard score on a fourth-and-one was especially sweet. He took an option-style pitch and easily darted through a Steelers defense frozen by a Collins fake handoff to fullback Andre Hall.

Johnson then pulled out a white Titans towel from his pants and began spinning in response to the horde of visiting Steelers fans that had done the same with their trademark twirlers.

"It was our time to wave some towels," Johnson said. "There were too many [in our stadium]. I wanted to give them a taste of their own blood."

That could be a rookie mistake. Should the two teams meet again, Foote said the Steelers will "bring that footage out" as pre-game motivation. Foote, though, knows Pittsburgh may not get a shot at revenge.

"We have so much stuff to do before we see those guys again—if we see those guys again," Foote said.

Such is life in the AFC.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Peyton Manning Carries Colts to Postseason

Alex Marvez — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:36:05 -0500

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - We figured Peyton Manning was carrying Indianapolis to the playoffs.

But what transpired Thursday night was simply ridiculous.

Manning did more than help the Colts clinch a postseason berth with a 31-24 victory at Jacksonville. He may have become the front-runner for the NFL's most prestigious regular-season award after an aerial display that Colts coach Tony Dungy described as "unbelievable."

"This was an MVP performance, for sure," Dungy said.

Such praise doesn't stem solely from Manning's gaudy statistical line — 29-for-34 passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. The Colts quarterback had no help from his running game (just 32 yards on 18 carries) and no defensive support through the first three quarters.

No biggie. He dug Indianapolis out of a 14-0 hole and continued systematically picking apart Jacksonville's pass defense until the Colts finally took the lead with 4:48 remaining.

"I don't know that I've seen him play that well in a while," said Jeff Saturday, Manning's center the past nine seasons. "He was definitely dialed in."

So much so that Manning could have added a Verizon commercial to his lengthy list of endorsements. Manning completed his first 17 attempts. He didn't miss until almost four minutes into the third quarter. Had he connected with wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, Manning would have tied Donovan McNabb's NFL record of 24 straight completions over a two-game span.

Manning knew he was hot but didn't realize just how sizzling until speaking with Colts assistant coaches Jim Caldwell and Clyde Christensen at halftime.

"They said, 'You haven't thrown an incompletion. We don't really have a whole lot of coaching points for you. Just try to keep doing what you're doing,'" Manning said.

He really had no choice. Just like in a Week 3 loss to the Jaguars (5-10), Indianapolis (11-4) was being gouged by Jacksonville's running game. Inspired by a pre-game speech from Richard Collier — the wheelchair-bound Jaguars tackle who was severely wounded in a September shooting — Jacksonville held a 24-14 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Asked what type of pep talk he gave teammates while leaving the stadium, Collier quipped, "Not a long enough one."

The Jaguars started to come apart after Manning's 1-yard touchdown toss to tight end Dallas Clark early in the fourth quarter. After a Jaguars three-and-out, Manning led another drive capped by Adam Vinatieri's 45-yard field goal to tie the score at 24-24.

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard then made the kind of mistake Manning was able to avoid. Unnoticed by Garrard, Colts cornerback Keiwan Ratliff zipped in front of wide receiver Dennis Northcutt to intercept a short pass and return it 35 yards for a touchdown.

Manning couldn't put the game away when the Colts regained possession, but he didn't have to. After reaching the Colts 7-yard line, Garrard was sacked by defensive end Dwight Freeney for a 9-yard loss as time expired.

That's when Indianapolis could celebrate an eighth consecutive victory and the clinching of the AFC's No. 5 playoff seed. While the Colts still would have controlled their own postseason destiny if they lost Thursday, Indianapolis now has the luxury of resting injured players like wide receiver Marvin Harrison and running back Joe Addai in its Dec. 28 season-finale against Tennessee.

"Coach Dungy doesn't use 'must-win' very often unless we're in the playoffs, but he did last night," Manning said. "When he said that, obviously you realize how serious today's game was. I really wanted to come down and do my part."

Manning had other inspiration. He wore a wristband that said "SB 33" in honor of Sammy Baugh, the Hall of Fame quarterback who died Tuesday at the age of 94. Manning said he traveled to the tiny West Texas town of Rotan eight years ago for a photo shoot with the legend nicknamed "Slingin' Sammy."

"I was slinging it tonight," Manning said. "I hope Sammy got a smile out of that game."

Capturing a third MVP award would put a grin on Manning's face. He is the NFL's hottest quarterback since midseason with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions in the past eight games.

But even if he doesn't win the MVP, this season has proven gratifying to Manning on many levels.

Manning clearly wasn't himself in September, the result of a missed preseason following two knee surgeries. Manning wouldn't use that as an excuse Thursday for his slow start but did allow that he "is in favor of participating in training camp. It's all I've ever known and I've always felt good coming into the first game of the season. This was not the way you want to go into the season. I do feel I've improved throughout."

The same goes for the entire squad. The Colts have gotten healthier — especially along the offensive line — and are playing smarter after their 3-4 start. Indianapolis has posted a positive turnover ratio in the past eight games and drastically reduced their penalties.

"Being 3-4, we had to win eight in a row. We had no choice," Manning said. "It's certainly been challenging to overcome a lot of obstacles, injuries and different scenarios we've been in. But we've done it as a team."

A team with a signal-caller no opponent should want to face in the playoffs.

"You want to be playing at that level where you feel you could put the team on your back," Saturday said. "I think he feels that's where he is right now."

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Getting to Pro Bowl Too Tough for Most Rookies

Alex Marvez — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:50:27 -0500

Youth was not served on the 2008 Pro Bowl rosters announced Tuesday.

Two rookies — Tennessee running back Chris Johnson and Tampa Bay returner Clifton Smith — were chosen for a February trip to Hawaii. But three other newcomers were arguably more worthy selections than veterans who received the nod instead.

Presenting the case that can be made for Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, Houston running back Steve Slaton and Denver tackle Ryan Clady:

1. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan (NFC starter: Kurt Warner/Arizona. Backups: Drew Brees/New Orleans, Eli Manning/New York Giants)

There's no knocking Manning, especially with the defending Super Bowl champions already having clinched the rough-and-tumble NFC East with an 11-3 record. Pro Bowl voters — a combination of players, coaches and fans — also were understandably impressed by Brees and Warner's gaudy passing numbers.

But when you look at the most important statistic — victories — Ryan has more than either of them while playing in the NFL's toughest division (NFC South). The Falcons are still in playoff contention at 9-5; Brees and the 7-7 Saints aren't.

Warner has carried Arizona (8-6) to a division title without support from a running game, but he also padded his stats playing in the lousy NFC West. Warner also may be fading down the stretch. His worst quarterback ratings of the season came during losses in three of the past four games.

Unlike other rookie quarterbacks, Ryan isn't being used as a caretaker. While he enjoys the luxury of having Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner in the backfield, Ryan can carry the offense when asked and make plays in the clutch a la his last-second heroics in Atlanta's 22-20 victory over Chicago in Week 6.

The third overall pick in April's draft, Ryan has yet to lose consecutive games. That shows the 23-year-old already has the maturity to shrug off a rough outing. Ryan has proven incredibly efficient. He has as many games with a triple-digit quarterback rating (six) as Brees and one more than Warner. Plus, Ryan's interception ratio translates to one turnover for every 43.2 pass attempts. That, too, is better than the marks posted by Warner (42.3) and Brees (34.1).

2. Houston running back Steve Slaton (AFC starter: Thomas Jones/New York Jets. Backups: Johnson, Ronnie Brown/Miami)

The razzle-dazzle that Brown displayed in Miami's "Wildcat" formation drew him plenty of early-season publicity. But when it comes to pure running back play, Slaton was a far more deserving choice.

Brown has 10 rushing touchdowns, but seven came in the first five games. He also has rushed for 70 or more yards in just one of his past 10 outings while sharing carries with Ricky Williams.

As for Slaton, he is further proof that fan Pro Bowl voting shouldn't be conducted until December. Slaton has rushed for 579 yards in the past five games, four of which the Texans won. Overall, Slaton has 1,124 rushing yards; Brown stands at 877. Slaton also has a better per-carry average (4.9 to 4.2) and reception total (40 to 24) than Brown.

An argument can be made that Houston (7-7) would still be in playoff contention if Slaton — a fourth-round draft pick from West Virginia — had received more snaps earlier in the season.

3. Denver tackle Ryan Clady (Starters: Joe Thomas/Cleveland, Jason Peter/Buffalo. Backup: Michael Roos/Tennessee)

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall are headed to the Pro Bowl. The least they could do is pool funds and buy Clady a plane ticket to travel with them.

Cutler wouldn't be having so much success throwing to Marshall without Clady protecting his back side at left tackle. Clady and Roos are the NFL's only tackles to have started every game and not allowed a full sack, according to Stats Inc. Like Thomas in 2007, Clady blossomed so quickly that Denver hasn't needed to provide blocking help with a tight end. Clady held three of the NFL's best pass rushers — Miami's Joey Porter, Atlanta's John Abraham and Carolina's Julius Peppers — without a sack. Plus, the Broncos field the NFL's fifth-best rushing offense despite injuries that have decimated the running back position.

The selections of Thomas and Roos are justified. But Peters? Please. He's living off the reputation built in prior seasons. After missing the season opener following a contract holdout, Peters allowed 8.5 sacks in the next 12 games. He then made a critical error late in last Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Jets. Peters was slow getting out of his stance to block blitzing Jets safety Abram Elam. The result was a sack-and-strip of Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, leading to Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis returning the fumble for the game-winning touchdown.

While Ryan, Slaton and Clady have legitimate reasons to feel snubbed, they may still be on the field Feb. 8 when the Pro Bowl is played. That's because all three were chosen as alternates who may get promoted if current starters and backups drop out of the game because of injuries.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Despite Win, Eagles' Offense Still Not Clicking Yet

Alex Marvez — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:27:22 -0500

PHILADELPHIA - Once considered all but shut, the door to the playoffs is gradually creaking open for the Eagles.

It's just hard to have confidence they can do much if they're able to walk through it.

Not to completely disparage a 30-10 Monday night home victory over Cleveland. Winning a third consecutive game-especially by such a lopsided margin-is far better than the 0-2-1 November stretch that almost sent Philadelphia into freefall.

But if the Eagles were clicking on all cylinders offensively, the dreadful Browns (4-10) would have been finished by halftime. Donovan McNabb wouldn't still be taking snaps and padding his passing statistics into the fourth quarter. And most important, Philadelphia would have sent notice to the rest of the NFC that it truly is a dangerous, blossoming team heading down the stretch.

Instead, this remains a flawed squad that shouldn't be fooled by a blowout against far inferior opposition.

I know: I sound like a notoriously grumpy Eagles fan. To get in the spirit, I booed Santa Claus from the press box.

But seriously, the Eagles could have given their home crowd so much more to cheer about if able to finish drives with touchdowns rather than field goals-or worse.

The Eagles entered the game ranked 21st in the NFL when it comes to touchdown percentage inside the red zone, converting on 51 percent of their attempts (26 of 51). They now stand at 48.3 percent after a two-for-seven effort against the league's 26th-ranked defense.

Philadelphia's first-half offensive performance was as erratic as the team's overall play in an 8-5-1 season. The Eagles marched inside the Cleveland 14-yard line on all four possessions-rolling up 262 yards in the process-but experienced increasingly diminished returns.

It seemed the closer Philadelphia moved toward the end zone, the worst things became.

There was an Eagles touchdown on the opening series, followed by a 24-yard David Akers field goal on the second possession. The next two drives produced bupkis.

This was a different kind of nightmare than in the Week 4 loss to Chicago in which the Eagles mustered 6 points on their final three trips inside the Bears' 13. That was a microcosm of the lack of punch Philadelphia had in its short-yardage running game through the first three-fourths of the season.

Blame for failing to blow open Monday's game earlier falls squarely upon a goofy offensive play call and McNabb's worst pass of an otherwise pinpoint performance.

Even with the offense humming sans gimmickry, Eagles coach Andy Reid deployed the "Wildcat" formation on a third-and-goal play from the Browns' 7. The only one fooled was Reid, who learned the hard way that rookie DeSean Jackson is a much better receiver than quarterback. Jackson's toss to wide receiver Hank Baskett in the end zone was intercepted by Browns safety Sean Jones.

Told it was the first time Jackson had thrown this season, Reid quipped, "And the last time, too ... We make a little better throw right there and we're in."

McNabb's throw to Baskett with nine seconds remaining in the second quarter was even worse. An underthrown lob was intercepted by Brandon McDonald and would have gotten returned for a touchdown if it weren't for Baskett's dogged effort in tracking down the cornerback from behind at the Eagles' 7 as the half expired.

The second half wasn't much better. Two more possessions inside Cleveland's red zone, two more Akers field goals. It wasn't until McNabb fired a 10-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis with 11:14 remaining that the Eagles finally scored another touchdown inside the Browns' 20.

"Every win is a good one, but we do have some things we obviously can work on, particularly in the red zone," Reid allowed. "You can't have the mistakes you've had there."

The Eagles could get away with this against the overmatched, injury-riddled Browns. It isn't going to fly against real opposition.

Cleveland still hasn't scored an offensive touchdown since Nov. 17. That translates to 16 quarters and 46 possessions. Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel single-handedly outscored Cleveland's entire offense with a 50-yard interception return in the second quarter. The pass was thrown by Ken Dorsey, a third-stringer who simply has no business being in the NFL if a clipboard isn't in his hand.

Defense has become Philadelphia's strength and its biggest reason for hope. The Browns gained 63 yards on their first possession and just 128 for the rest of the game.

"We wanted to get off the field and create turnovers," Eagles safety Brian Dawkins said. "That's who we are going to be for the rest of the season."

That's what the defense must be unless this offense finds more red-zone consistency.

Maybe this was an example of McNabb and Co. playing to its level of competition, especially after back-to-back victories over division winners Arizona and the New York Giants. We'll find out soon enough. The Eagles end the season with games against host Washington and visiting Dallas, two teams that defeated Philadelphia earlier this year. Even if the Eagles win both, Philadelphia needs a loss by either Tampa Bay (9-5) or Atlanta (9-5) to reach the playoffs.

"We have to take care of things we can control. That's playing good football," Reid said. "Everything else, we have to put it out of our mind. There's nothing we can do about it. We have to make sure we concentrate on the Eagles and nothing else."

Considering what transpired in the red zone Monday, Reid can only hope his offense heeds the message.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Big Ben Continues to Come Up Clutch

Alex Marvez — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:56:22 -0500

BALTIMORE - For any team besides the Pittsburgh Steelers, the situation couldn't have been much bleaker.

They trailed Baltimore by three points with 3:36 remaining. What would likely be Pittsburgh's final offensive possession was beginning at the Steelers 8-yard line. The unit was surrounded by deafening noise from a hostile, record-setting crowd of 71,502 fans at M&T Bank Stadium. And for a realistic shot at tying the score with a field goal, the Steelers had to gain at least 60 yards against a vicious Ravens defense that had already forced two turnovers and not allowed a touchdown.

In other words, Pittsburgh had the Ravens right where it wanted them.

The 2008 Steelers have made a habit out of dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks, but this one tops them all. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger worked his magic once again Sunday, leading the game-winning drive that gave the Steelers a 13-9 victory and clinched the AFC North title.

"He had the eye of the tiger," Steelers left tackle Max Starks said. "He was locked in that zone. He knew what he needed to do."

What he did was brilliant. Roethlisberger completed seven of 11 passes as the Steelers picked up 89 of 92 yards in the air. He capped the series with a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes on a third down with 43 seconds remaining. Pittsburgh's defense then did the rest. Steelers cornerback William Gay intercepted a Joe Flacco pass in the waning seconds to secure the 17th — and arguably greatest — fourth-quarter comeback of Roethlisberger's four-plus NFL seasons.

"What it's been about for us, especially on offense, is just persevering and pushing through," said Roethlisberger, proudly sporting a gray AFC North champions cap during his post-game news conference. "Whether it's playing a great defense, [in bad] weather or whatever, we've found a way to get it done."

This victory wasn't without controversy. Holmes was initially ruled down at the Ravens 1-yard line, but referee Walt Coleman awarded the touchdown after an instant replay review. Coleman ruled that Holmes had caught the football inside the goal-line plane before being pushed out of the end zone by Ravens safety Ed Reed.

"He didn't get in," said Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis, echoing the thoughts of Baltimore coach John Harbaugh. "But they called it the way they called it."

This much is indisputable: The play was vintage Roethlisberger. When his first two receiving options (wide receiver Hines Ward and running back Mewelde Moore) were covered, Roethlisberger scrambled left to buy more time for someone to spring open. Running for the touchdown wasn't an option with Ravens defenders quickly closing.

"I scrambled back to the right because you know I hold onto the ball too long," said Roethlisberger, making a tongue-in-cheek reference to a criticism of his playing style. "The [offensive] line cleaned everybody up and I saw Santonio ... I was about half a second from throwing it away."

The Steelers (11-3) have spent most of this season living on the edge. Six of their victories have come by seven points or less, including last Sunday's 20-13 home win against Dallas that featured a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback. Even with Flacco floundering in an 11-of-28, two interception performance, Baltimore's defense and special teams were so sharp that the Ravens (9-5) didn't trail until Roethlisberger's touchdown throw. Roethlisberger was only 12-of-23 passing for 116 yards through the first three quarters and opened the fourth by losing a fumble when sacked-and-stripped by Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.

"You don't have to make every play in the first three quarters," Holmes said. "You've got to make the plays when they really count."

Besides leading to wins, Pittsburgh's resiliency has helped create a tight bond among Steelers players.

"This is a special team," Roethlisberger said. "I told the guys during our pregame prayer, 'I feel this team is as close as I've ever been a part of since our Super Bowl year [in 2005].'

"There's something about us. No matter when things go bad or who's struggling, we always stay together."

The Steelers are now guaranteed of staying together for at least one post-season game. The odds of reaching Super Bowl XLIII will be even greater if Pittsburgh can secure the AFC's top playoff seed by winning their final two regular-season games against host Tennessee (12-2) and visiting Cleveland (4-9).

"This only builds our confidence for the battles that lie ahead," Starks said. "We know when we get into a tight situation we can trust our brothers. There's no need to ever get down or frustrated. You just get more and more determined as time starts to tick away."

Said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: "I don't know that we had the confidence to do this. I think there was an overwhelming sense that, 'We have to do this.' That's how we play. Our quarterback wants to be the man to deliver them."

Roethlisberger is doing exactly that — and now he has a division title to show for it.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Ravens No Longer Have to Rely on Defense to Win

Alex Marvez — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:07:47 -0500

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - He's Joe Cool until you mention the brown-nose scoring system.

That's when Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco — the rookie whose laid-back personality makes Eli Manning seem eccentric — begins laughing outside the locker room at Ravens headquarters. His face having turned a tad red, a grinning Flacco wonders aloud how a team secret was revealed.

He can blame Lorenzo Neal for spilling the beans Friday. The Ravens fullback says Baltimore's quarterbacks are keeping tabs on teammates and even assistant coaches who are trying to curry a little too much favor with those higher up the ladder.

It's believed whoever finishes with the most points at season's end will pay a penalty like buying dinner. Flacco says the competition is too close to call right now but mentioned Neal as a leading contender.

"If you're buddying up to your coaches or trying to brownnose them a little bit, we look at the guy and say, 'Hey, we caught that,'" Flacco said. "It's something we do to pass time and have fun in the meetings."

As if Flacco isn't having enough of a blast already.

No AFC rookie quarterback has won as many games as Flacco (nine) since Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. As fate would have it, Flacco and Roethlisberger meet Sunday in a pivotal AFC North match-up. The visiting Steelers (10-3) will secure the division title with a victory; A Ravens win could clinch a playoff spot if a few other post-season contenders lose.

Six months ago, nobody could have envisioned the Ravens (9-4) soaring so high with Flacco under center. He entered training camp as a third-stringer despite being chosen with the 18th overall pick in last April's draft. Flacco was expected to need additional time adjusting to the NFL after playing collegiately at a non-FBS program (Delaware). The biggest reason Flacco opened the regular season as a starter wasn't preseason performance but fellow Ravens quarterbacks Kyle Boller (shoulder) and Troy Smith (severe tonsillitis) being sidelined.

And now? Flacco has made it a three-man race with Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and Tennessee running back Chris Johnson for NFL Rookie of the Year. Ryan has the NFL's highest quarterback rating over the past eight weeks (99.5), but Flacco isn't far behind at 95.6 even with a supporting cast that may not have a single offensive player reach the Pro Bowl. Baltimore also leads the NFL in scoring (29.8-point average) and receiving touchdowns (14) in that span while posting a 7-1 record.

"A little bit of what Joe is doing is being taken away because of Matt coming in and doing a good job as well," Ravens center Jason Brown said. "But for a quarterback to start from game one and lead the team as well as Joe, that's unheard of."

Ravens players knew early that the strong-armed Flacco had mad physical skills, including surprising mobility for a 6-foot-6 quarterback. Flacco worked so diligently studying film and digesting offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's offense that he could adroitly run a no-huddle attack in a season-opening win against Cincinnati.

"We haven't scaled anything back because he's a rookie," Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson said. "I laugh when I hear people say, 'Now they're starting to open up the playbook.' It's never been closed — not with this guy."

But it's the "Joe Cool" persona that truly separates the 23-year-old Flacco from other youngsters at the position. He ranks among the top four NFL quarterbacks in third-down and fourth-quarter passing. Flacco didn't go in the tank during a rough early-season stretch when he threw five interceptions and took nine sacks in three losses, including a 23-20 overtime defeat against Pittsburgh in Week 3. When a mistake is made, Jackson says Flacco almost always knows what he did wrong by the time he leaves the field.

Basically, he's un-Flaccable.

"He'll throw an interception and come right back out and start slinging," Neal said. "When you have a guy like that, you can have success. He isn't only a smart guy. Flacco has poise and presence.

"He will be the MVP of this league some day."

Such praise will assuredly score Neal brown-nosing points. But all kidding aside, Neal believes that locker-room tomfoolery has helped Flacco come out of his shell with teammates.

The importance of that can't be understated, especially considering Baltimore's lack of strong leadership at quarterback for much of this decade.

"It's hard to get him to smile, but he's opening up more each week," Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "He's a lot better now than the first week of the season. He was quiet and just trying to feel everybody out. Now, you catch him laughing and joking a little.

"That's good because now he's loose. He has the confidence of everybody in this locker room. He feels he can go out there and be himself."

Said Flacco: "Guys are starting to say to me, 'Oh, the true Joe is coming out now.'"

That's very cool for a franchise that no longer has to rely so heavily on its vaunted defense to win.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

NFL Parity: Any Team Is Just One Season Away From Playoffs

Alex Marvez — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:34:26 -0500

Through 13 games, the NFL standings show that any team is just one season away from being back in playoff contention.

Even the Detroit Lions.

Just like that winless franchise, the 2007 Miami Dolphins were an NFL laughingstock during last season's 1-15 campaign. One year later, Miami has the chance to complete the biggest turnaround in NFL history. The Dolphins (8-5) can clinch the AFC East title by winning their final three games.

"It's something to hold your head up high about because last year was the opposite," Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday told South Florida media this week. "You wanted to stay in the house and not come out because it was a bad situation. Now, you're sitting here at this time of the year exactly where you want to be — in the hunt."

Miami isn't the only once-downtrodden franchise on playoff safari. Three others that won five or fewer games in 2007 — Atlanta, Baltimore and the New York Jets — remain serious postseason contenders.

Every year since the NFL switched to an eight-division, 32-team format in 2002, at least one team with five or fewer wins one season has rebounded to reach the playoffs the following season. But never have four such clubs qualified in the same year.

Conversely, three of the four teams in last year's conference championships (San Diego, Green Bay and New England) may fall short of the postseason. Two other 2007 playoff squads — Jacksonville (4-9) and Seattle (2-11) — are already eliminated from contention; Washington (7-6) would be on the outs if the regular season ended today.

The cliché that the NFL is a "year-to-year" league has never rung truer. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome knows that first-hand.

Baltimore experienced an eight-game swing when dropping from 13-3 in 2006 to 5-11 last season. The Ravens are soaring once again at 9-4 entering Sunday's pivotal AFC North match-up against visiting Pittsburgh (10-3).

"Were we really good enough to be a 13-3 team? I don't know, but we definitely weren't a 5-11 (caliber) team last year," Newsome said in a telephone interview. "There are certain things and positions that can affect a team's success."

Let's begin at quarterback. The Ravens (Joe Flacco), Jets (Brett Favre), Dolphins (Chad Pennington) and Falcons (Matt Ryan) all have new ones who have started every game. Last year, those teams fielded a combined total of 11 starting quarterbacks.

After being traded from Green Bay, the 39-year-old Favre has proven it wasn't a mistake for him to come out of a brief retirement. Pennington, who was released by New York after the Favre acquisition, has proven a steadying influence for a young Dolphins offense. As for Ryan and Flacco, both are disproving the notion that rookies can't handle the NFL's most difficult position.

"Did (Flacco) impact our team to the point that it's because of him that we're in a division race and fighting for the playoffs? Yes," Newsome said. "You can say the same thing about Matt Ryan and (Tennessee running back) Chris Johnson."

Just like when Eric Mangini led the Jets to the playoffs in 2006, new head coaches in Miami (Tony Sparano), Atlanta (Mike Smith) and Baltimore (John Harbaugh) have experienced quick success. None of the three were big-name hires or had previous NFL head-coaching experience, but they each had a plan to kick-start their struggling franchises. Sparano, Smith and Harbaugh built quality coaching staffs that include three former head coaches at offensive coordinator — Dan Henning (Miami), Mike Mularkey (Atlanta) and Cam Cameron (Baltimore).

"Sometimes a different voice or different approach can be the difference between a playoff team and 6-10," said Newsome, whose team parted ways with head coach Brian Billick last January after nine seasons. "But eventually, it still comes down to players. You've got to have both."

The talent being fielded in Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Miami is significantly different than at this point in 2007. The Ravens are healthier defensively and have gotten steady play out of left tackle Jared Gaither, who replaced the retired Jon Ogden. Besides trading for Favre and standout nose tackle Kris Jenkins, New York embarked on a wild free-agent spending spree, acquiring key players in left guard Alan Faneca, right tackle Damien Woody and outside linebacker Calvin Pace. New management in Atlanta (Thomas Dimitroff) and Miami (Bill Parcells/Jeff Ireland) used a combination of the draft and free agency to replenish their rosters.

While all four franchises have provided some of the NFL's best feel-good stories in 2008, it's also entirely possible that the Dolphins, Ravens, Jets and Falcons will fall short of the playoffs once again. But at least Baltimore, Miami, Atlanta and New York have something that wasn't there at this time last year — hope.

"That's the beauty of the NFL," Pennington said. "Regardless of what happened the year before, it's a new season every year."

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

NFL's All-Overpaid team (Defense)

Alex Marvez — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:32:58 -0500

Which players are a steal? Which are stealing money? Alex Marvez unveils his All-Overpaid and All-Underpaid teams for 2008. In the last of the series, we look at 11 players on defense whose salaries are not helping their teams' causes . Be sure to see the other slideshows of All-Underpaid (Offense), All-Underpaid (Defense) and All-Overpaid (Offense).

Begin Slideshow

NFL's All-Overpaid Team: Offense

Alex Marvez — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:13:46 -0500

Which players are a steal? Which are stealing money? Alex Marvez unveils his All-Overpaid and All-Underpaid teams for 2008. In this third series, we look at 11 players on offense whose salaries are not helping their teams' causes . Be sure to see the other slideshows of All-Underpaid (Offense), All-Underpaid (Defense) and All-Overpaid (Defense).

Begin Slideshow

NFL's All-Underpaid Team: Defense

Alex Marvez — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:04:28 -0500

Which players are a steal? Which are stealing money? Alex Marvez unveils his All-Overpaid and All-Underpaid teams for 2008. In this second series, we look at 11 players on defense who have provided the best value for their teams. Some names you'll recognize, but most you might not since these guys don't get the pub that the offense players do, but they are just as impactful. Be sure to see the other slideshows of All-Underpaid (Offense), All-Overpaid (Offense) and All-Overpaid (Defense).

Begin Slideshow

NFL's All-Underpaid Team: Offense

Alex Marvez — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:26:06 -0500

Which players are a steal? Which are stealing money? Alex Marvez unveils his All-Overpaid and All-Underpaid teams for 2008. In this first series, we look at 11 players on offense who have provided the best value for their teams. Some names you'll recognize, some you might not yet, but most likely, you will soon.

Begin Slideshow

NFL's All-Overpaid, All-Underpaid Teams

Alex Marvez — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:46:29 -0500

Here's some more bad news for Al Davis:

The Oakland Raiders aren't eligible for a government bailout.

At 3-10, Davis' franchise is out of playoff contention despite a wild off-season spending spree. Three Oakland players-wide receiver Javon Walker, safety Michael Huff and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly-as well as ex-Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall are on FOXSports.com's All-Overpaid team for 2008.

Conversely, Tampa Bay is tied with New England for the most players (three) on our All-Underpaid squad. Not only are both clubs still in the playoff hunt, the Buccaneers and Patriots are among the NFL's most frugal franchises.

According to USA Today, the 2008 payrolls for Tampa Bay ($104.3 million) and New England ($92.7 million) rank 23rd and 30th respectively. Oakland leads the league at $152.4 million-providing further proof that no team can buy a Super Bowl title.

Click the links below to see who's overpaid and who is underpaid.

All-Overpaid Offense

All-Overpaid Defense

All-Underpaid Offense

All-Underpaid Defense

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Panthers-Buccaneers: Carolina Eyeing Bigger Prize After Beating Bucs

Alex Marvez — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:43:12 -0500

CHARLOTTE—After the Carolina Panthers bulldozed through one of the NFL's top run defenses, the NFC's road to Super Bowl XLIII may very well wind through this city.

Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart paved the way for such a possibility during Monday night's 38-23 home victory over Tampa Bay.

The duo combined for a rushing total that sounds more like a healthy batting average: Williams and Stewart tallied 301 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Panthers take the NFC South lead and bettering the odds of an even bigger prize at month's end.

By winning its final three games, Carolina (10-3) is guaranteed home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

"We knew this game was huge," Williams said. "It was a playoff atmosphere."

Williams and Stewart moved the Panthers closer to the postseason with three fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns. First, Stewart flashed the power that made him a 2008 first-round draft choice on a four-yard score. Williams then added sizzle with touchdown jaunts of 16 and 36 yards, the latter sealing the victory with 2:17 remaining.

Williams (186 rushing yards) and Stewart (115) were so dominant that Panthers wide receiver Mushin Muhammad had a flashback to 2003. That was the season when the Stephen Davis-DeShaun Foster tandem helped power Carolina to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

"Those two guys complemented each other pretty well," Muhammad said. "But these two guys are really different."

Fittingly, Williams broke the franchise's single-game rushing record that Davis had held, as well as his single-season touchdown mark with a 13th score. Stewart set a Panthers rookie rushing record with his eighth score.

This was against a defense that entered the game having surrendered only one rushing touchdown the entire season.

Both backs shined on one remarkable series midway through the fourth quarter. Williams opened by running to his right—which is the strength of Carolina's offensive line—for a 41-yard gain. Stewart followed with carries of three and 30 yards.

Williams then capped the series by taking a pitch to the left, stiff-arming Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber (a recurring sight Monday night), and motoring into the end zone for a 16-yard score.

That's four carries, 90 yards, and a touchdown that put Carolina ahead, 31-17, with 8:30 remaining.

That this came against the Bucs (9-4) was inconceivable eight games ago. Carolina was held to 40 rushing yards on 20 carries in that 27-3 loss at Tampa Bay.

"That was an embarrassment," Panthers left guard Travelle Wharton said.

This time, it was Tampa Bay linebacker Barrett Ruud using the same word to describe the kind of performance that was more fitting for the 1976 Bucs during their 0-14 season.

Not only was the rushing defense abysmal, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith torched the Bucs for 117 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Smith's early success prevented the Bucs from stacking the box against the run.

"They out-executed us," Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said. "We didn't have gap integrity. We had a lot of missed tackles. We don't do that. Anybody who knows Buc ball knows that ain't us."

Maybe the Bucs switched uniforms with the Detroit Lions somewhere along the way.

Regardless, the Panthers used their first loss to Tampa Bay as motivation. Having center Ryan Kalil and right tackle Jeff Otah back in the starting lineup didn't hurt either.

"It was a smashmouth type of game, especially for us," Panthers fullback Brad Hoover said. "You're determined to run the ball. We were able to do it at will at times."

The Panthers needed every bit of that yardage to stave off an amazing performance by Bucs wide receiver Antonio Bryant. Out of the league a year ago because of excessive off-field problems, Bryant made his pitch for NFL Comeback Player of the Year with a nine-catch, 200-yard effort.

His one-handed touchdown grab—left-handed, no less—pulled Tampa Bay within eight points with 2:36 left.

The Panthers quickly pulled away after recovering an onside kick attempt, as Williams shed two tackles en route to his 36-yard score (giving him 1,141 yards for the season).

Still, Carolina's ongoing problems defending deep passes could prove costly down the stretch with matchups pending against three of the NFL's best bombers: Jay Cutler, Eli Manning, and Drew Brees.

Having to end the regular season versus Denver, the New York Giants, and New Orleans is a daunting challenge, especially with the latter two games on the road. But thanks largely to Williams and Stewart, Carolina's goal of being the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed is within reach.

"The opportunity is right in front of us," Hoover said. "Now it's just up to us to take advantage of it."

This article was originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Cowboys Might Be Heading Toward Another Collapse

Alex Marvez — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:43:51 -0500

Dallas wide receiver Patrick Crayton says Christmas came early for the Steelers.

Maybe so. But judging by Sunday's 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh, the Cowboys should brace for coal in their own stockings once again.

A franchise notorious for late-season swoons is heading down that road again after gift-wrapping this Steelers victory with a fourth-quarter collapse. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo even provided the bow: an interception that Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend returned 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 1:40 remaining.

No wonder Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he felt "sick" while watching his team's record in December/January games drop to 18-32 since 1997.

"You bust your tail and come away with a loss like this, it is kind of deflating," Crayton said.

And telling as well.

With the score tied at the two-minute warning, Romo's offense had a splendid opportunity to show that this December would be different. Granted, it wouldn't be easy as the Terrible Towels twirled and a frigid wind blew through Heinz Field-not to mention the challenge presented by the NFL's top-ranked defense.

But playoff contenders often separate themselves from the pretenders under those kinds of difficult circumstances. The Cowboys didn't.

On second-and-8 from the Cowboys 17-yard line, Romo threw to a spot where he thought tight end Jason Witten was heading. But Witten had slipped on his route, giving Townsend an easy interception.

Witten pointed at himself in blame as soon as Townsend crossed the goal line.

"I blew it," Witten said.

After Witten spoke to the media, it was Romo's turn to fall on the sword for throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. He also threw four consecutive incompletions on Dallas' final possession.

"We put ourselves in position to win," said Romo, who struggled with accuracy in a 19-of-36 passing performance. "If I had done a few things differently, we would have won this game. I take complete blame for that. I hurt us."

Romo wasn't the only one who should be flogging himself for letting Pittsburgh score 17 unanswered points in the final 7:15. Special teams were poor, allowing a 35-yard Santonio Holmes punt return to set up a Steelers field goal. A defense that had excelled through the first 3 1/2 quarters allowed Pittsburgh to tie the score at 13-13 with an eight-play, 67-yard drive.

Dallas also squandered earlier opportunities to put the game away after outplaying a Steelers team that, at 10-3, ison the verge of clinching a playoff spot. That wasted the effort of Cowboys players like rookie running back Tashard Choice (166 total yards) and linebacker Bradie James (11 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery).

"There are big plays, but there are a lot of little plays that nobody notices," Witten said. "That's what determines games like this. As you go on in December, it's the little things that affect you."

The Cowboys entered this month on a three-game winning streak but have now left themselves little room for error. Dallas might need to win all three of its final games to reach the playoffs. That won't be easy considering its final three opponents (the New York Giants, Baltimore and Philadelphia) are a combined 27-11-1.

"This was huge," Witten said. "We all know what it would have been like to be 9-4 with three games to go. Now, we have to fight."

Added Romo: "Other teams have been in this position and won Super Bowls. Others have not made the playoffs. The story will be written at the end."

After Sunday, don't be surprised if that ending is all too familiar for the Cowboys.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Dominating Defense Drives Steelers' Title Hopes

Alex Marvez — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:18:29 -0500

PITTSBURGH - Even with the Steelers dominating the NFL's defensive rankings, Dick LeBeau calls his unit a "work in progress."

So is the second-story room where we stood inside team headquarters.

What was originally designed as a replica of Steelers founder Art Rooney's office-complete with aged NFL tomes stocked inside tall bookshelves and clear glass windows to represent his open-door management style-changed after the club won Super Bowl XL in February 2006. The late Rooney's desk and chair were moved elsewhere, clearing display space for Pittsburgh's fifth Lombardi Trophy.

More renovations may soon be needed to fit a sixth.

Pittsburgh (9-3) hosts Dallas (8-4) on Sunday in a potential preview of Super Bowl XLIII. And just like when these two franchises battled for NFL supremacy three decades ago, the modern-day Steelers bring a ferocious defense being praised as the second coming of their vaunted Steel Curtain.

Pittsburgh is on pace to become the first team in 17 years to lead the NFL in the three major defensive yardage categories (run, pass and overall). The Steelers also field the league's stingiest scoring defense while allowing 3.88 yards a play. That would stand as the lowest average since the NFL adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978.

"This is a hard-nosed, tough kind of town and our trademark has always been playing great defense," said Jack Ham, a Hall of Fame linebacker on those 1970s Steel Curtain defenses. "If this team wins a championship playing at the same level as right now, those comparisons to us will be well deserved."

Black-and-white photos of Ham and other Steelers greats still hang inside the team's trophy room. Such history isn't lost on LeBeau, who was willing to serve as a tour guide Friday while sharing some of his Steelers memories from 50 years as an NFL player and coach.

LeBeau reflected upon the difficulty in facing Pittsburgh while he was an assistant coach elsewhere, describing the Steel Curtain as "special people who got into the right situation and dominated." The 71-year-old praised the toughness of Joe Greene, the legendary Steelers defensive lineman with whom LeBeau frequently swaps tales about yesteryear.

LeBeau then strode past the four Super Bowl displays from the 1970s toward his "favorite one" — the title captured by the 2005 Steelers. LeBeau's troops were the key to Pittsburgh winning three consecutive road playoff games en route to a 21-10 Super Bowl victory over Seattle.

LeBeau might ultimately be putting his 2008 defense in that same class.

"They have that confidence," LeBeau said.

As well they should, especially after last Sunday's 33-10 dismantling of host New England. The Steelers held their 12th straight opponent to under 300 total yards, an especially impressive feat considering Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel entered with consecutive 400-yard passing games. The Steelers registered five sacks, five turnovers and allowed New England to convert on just one of 13 third-down plays.

The rout showed how far Pittsburgh has come since being picked apart in last December's 34-13 road loss to the Patriots. While still finishing atop the NFL in total defense last season, the Steelers were ousted in the first round of the playoffs. Injuries maligned key players like defensive end Aaron Smith and safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark down the home stretch. James Harrison also didn't have a complementary pass-rushing outside linebacker like LaMarr Woodley, with whom he has teamed for 25.5 sacks already this season.

The pressure being applied by Harrison and Woodley has allowed LeBeau to use Polamalu less as a blitzer and more in coverage. Polamalu has an NFL-high six interceptions, while Clark's return has helped Pittsburgh allow only one completion of 40-plus yards all season.

The Steelers are even better against the run, surrendering just 3.1 yards a carry. Smith and Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton are particularly adept at tying up offensive linemen while inside linebackers James Farrior and Larry Foote fill rushing lanes.

Orchestrating it all is LeBeau, the innovator of the zone-blitz defensive scheme. One opposing offensive line coach whose team has already lost to the Steelers described that experience as "miserable." He believes the only style of offense that can challenge Pittsburgh is the kind Dallas fields-one with big-play receiving threats and blocking that can give the quarterback a few extra seconds to throw downfield.

"Dick uses a completely different style of 3-4 than other teams," the coach said. "It's all the zone blitzes and the way it's a sideways-pursuing defense, which typically represents great team speed. They run to the ball and are very disciplined. It's more to do with their system, the way it's taught and everyone being accountable. He does a great job."

LeBeau passes the praise to the players, who are especially adept at running his scheme from having worked together for so long. Nine of 11 starters have played exclusively for the Steelers. Eight have at least four seasons of NFL experience.

"We just know how to feed off each other," said Smith, a nine-year Steelers veteran. "Sometimes if we have to do a little something extra, guys know how to make the adjustment and compensate. That's a big advantage compared to most teams.

"This is also the closest team I've ever been on. I think there's a genuine love and appreciation for each other that most teams don't have. The difference with us is we don't care who makes the play. It's much more important for us to do our responsibility. That's the type of attitude that's made this defense so good."

But "so good" will mean so little in Pittsburgh if the Steelers don't win the Super Bowl. Clark points to the fact that championship units like the Steel Curtain are the ones remembered among the best of all time, not the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles that was the last team to lead the NFL in total defense, run defense and pass defense.

There also aren't any displays inside Steelers headquarters celebrating anything but NFL titles.

"Look at the (2007) Patriots," Harrison said. They went 16-0, won every (playoff) game, got to the Super Bowl and lost it. I bet you they'd give anything to lose a different game besides that last one.

"If you don't win a Super Bowl, all this is for naught."

This article originally published on FOXSports.com

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Pioli Could Pull Pieces Together Quickly for Lions

Alex Marvez — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:50:10 -0500

The blueprint seems so simple that even the Detroit Lions couldn't screw it up.

Raid the best franchise from this decade to reinvent the worst.

Hire away Scott Pioli from New England's front office to become president/general manager. He then tabs Patriots whiz-kid offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as the new head coach. And when the free-agent signing period begins, ink Pats quarterback Matt Cassel to a massive free-agent contract.

The Ford family couldn't receive a better bailout — especially after fielding what may be the league's first 0-16 team.

The key to making this work is Pioli. He has declined prior feelers to remain New England's vice president of player personnel. Some of the opportunities simply weren't appealing enough, especially as the Patriots were en route to winning three Super Bowls and playing in a fourth. He also has shown great loyalty to Patriots coach Bill Belichick — who hired Pioli for his first NFL job in 1992 — and team owner Robert Kraft.

But at some point, the 43-year-old Pioli must decide whether he wants to spend his career subservient to Belichick or running his own franchise with final say over personnel decisions. Detroit could prove irresistible with a blow-away salary offer that tops the $5 million annually that former Lions president/GM Matt Millen was stealing, err, earning.

Pioli is worth the payoff. Just look at the Patriots' draft history, free-agent moves and trades since his arrival in 2000. No team could withstand all the injuries New England (7-5) has suffered the season and remain in playoff contention without outstanding depth. Pioli knows what type of talent fits in New England's offensive and defensive systems and steers Belichick toward it.

Pioli is ready to captain his own ship. So why would one as leaky as the Lions appeal to Pioli, especially if other sinking vessels like Cleveland or San Francisco come-a-calling?

There's plenty to criticize about the Fords, but meddling isn't one of them. Despite persistent losing, Millen was allowed to run the franchise as he saw fit without penny-pinching constraints. Such a hands-off approach by team ownership — not to mention patience for seven-plus seasons — is a general manager's dream.

Pioli also never had the potential opportunity to leave New England with both a head coach and potential star quarterback in tow. The Patriots used a 2005 seventh-round draft choice on Cassel, who was groomed by McDaniels the past four seasons in his dual role as New England's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. With injured quarterback Tom Brady (another Pioli/Belichick late-round pick) expected back in 2009, it would be foolish for a Patriots team with more pressing personnel needs to designate roughly $14 million toward his backup through use of a franchise tag.

Hiring McDaniels wouldn't guarantee Cassel's services to Detroit on the open market. But if the Lions made a contract offer comparable to other suitors, Cassel should sign there. Cassel would have two familiar faces in his corner as he tries to forge his own post-Patriots career, not to mention what could be his own version of Randy Moss in promising young Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Snaring McDaniels and Cassel would then allow Pioli to turn elsewhere with what should be the draft's top overall pick. The likely selection: a much-needed left tackle to protect Cassel's backside.

The biggest impediment to pulling off this plan might be Pioli himself. There is an unwritten rule that what happens in New England stays in New England. In other words, those who leave the Patriots don't pull an Eric Mangini and immediately try taking others with them. Pioli's close ties with Belichick and Kraft could compel him not to ransack players, coaches or front-office members.

Pioli also may have a vision for rebuilding a franchise that doesn't include McDaniels and/or Cassel. First-year Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff, formerly New England's director of college scouting, has quickly rebuilt the Falcons without turning his team into Patriots South.

Regardless, the best option for a family that made its fortune in the auto industry is simpler than the accessories on a Model T. The Fords should start kicking Pioli's tires as soon as the regular season ends.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Giants Don't Need Plaxico to Succeed

Alex Marvez — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:10:26 -0500

For the New York Giants, life without Plaxico Burress began long before the gunshot wound that ended his season.

It started in September when Burress was suspended for a game after missing team meetings. It continued even after the Super Bowl XLII hero returned, only to get benched for a quarter against Pittsburgh after skipping a medical treatment.

As talented as he is, Burress was proving too unreliable to be counted on down the stretch. To their credit, the Giants recognized this long before Burress was shelved Tuesday following his ammo mishap at a New York City nightclub.

Look at how New York's offense has morphed in 2008. At this time last year, Burress was single-handedly carrying the passing attack. He had six more touchdowns than fellow starting wideout Amani Toomer. Even on a bad ankle, Burress was New York's only legitimate big-play threat.

But excluding a 10-catch effort in the 2008 season-opener against Washington, Burress hadn't cracked the 100-yard receiving mark this season. He hadn't caught more than three passes in the previous five games before suffering a hamstring injury that sidelined him for last Sunday's win at Washington. His long reception was a meager 33 yards.

And yet the Giants are even more productive than during last year's championship push. New York tops the NFL in scoring offense and is fourth overall with a 370.8-yard average.

With Burress struggling on and off the field, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride began turning to other options. The "Earth, Wind and Fire" combination of running backs Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw has made beautiful music together, pacing New York's league-leading rushing attack.

Other receiving targets began to emerge for quarterback Eli Manning. Now two seasons removed from a serious knee injury, Toomer has regained his old form and can still get deep at 34-years-old. In the past six games, second-year tight end Kevin Boss has 20 catches and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Steve Smith, who was injured at this time last year, has a team-high 43 catches.

The most pleasant surprise of all is Domenik Hixon. A third-year castoff from Denver, Hixon has started two games in place of Burress. The results: Nine catches for 173 yards and one touchdown. One might even suspect the Giants were calling Hixon's number to send Burress a message that was never received.

Don't get me wrong. Burress will be missed, especially if the Giants are forced into a shootout with another high-powered offense like Dallas (that matchup is Dec. 14). No quarterback/receiver tandem has produced more touchdowns (33) since 2005 than Manning and Burress.

Like two other tall, fast wideouts in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, the 6-foot-5 Burress was one of the rare talents who could take over a game single-handedly. At times, he was almost impossible to cover one-on-one.

Just ask Green Bay's Al Harris. He is one of the NFL's top man-coverage cornerbacks, but Harris couldn't stick with Burress during an 11-catch, 150-yard performance in last season's NFC Championship game victory.

Unfortunately for New York, there were no guarantees that the old Burress would resurface for this year's playoff run. In all likelihood, he will never play again in a Giants uniform.

Depending on what happens with his legal case, the Giants could give Burress the Jeremy Shockey treatment and trade him during the 2009 offseason. Burress also may ultimately be released as the Giants try to recoup money already paid through two lucrative contracts.

When it comes to permanently replacing Burress, free agency probably won't be the answer. The Giants may use one of their early selections in the 2009 draft — including the second-rounder collected from New Orleans as part of the Shockey trade — to procure an heir apparent. Or the Giants might decide the solution is already on their roster.

Toomer, a pending free agent, could be re-signed to a short-term deal while Hixon and Smith are given another season to develop. The Giants also used a 2008 third-round choice on Mario Manningham, who has spent most of his rookie season on the bench.

Ironically, Manningham's draft stock tumbled because he was considered a character risk coming out of the University of Michigan. Giants management had hoped that a Super Bowl-winning roster would help foster maturity in a player with a troublesome off-field history.

Instead, Manningham should learn something watching a teammate fall. Even the NFL's most gifted players are expendable if necessary.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

December Will Make or Break These Contenders

Alex Marvez — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:16:03 -0500

Three of the four teams in last season's conference championship games are on track to miss the postseason.

Four teams that finished with five victories or fewer in 2007 are in playoff contention.

We all saw this coming in August, right?

Compared to last year, the NFL standings have a new look as the final month of the regular season begins. If the season ended today, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay would be the only defending division champions. The demise of San Diego, Green Bay and New England along with the rise of doormats such as Atlanta and Baltimore has added to the intrigue.

With four weeks remaining, here is a divisional primer for the rest of the regular season in the NFC and AFC.

NFC East

Projected winner: New York Giants (11-1)

In the playoff hunt: Dallas (8-4), Washington (7-5), Philadelphia (6-5-1)

Biggest remaining games: Giants at Cowboys (Dec. 14) — The Giants rolled against Dallas in early November, but this rematch should be much more competitive with Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo back under center; Eagles at Redskins (Dec. 21) — If Washington and Philadelphia are still in playoff contention by then, the loser of this game may fall out of it.

Players to watch:Without a strong finish, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb's 10-season run in Philadelphia could be over. McNabb will have to excel despite a brutal schedule that includes games against the Giants and Cowboys. Dallas OLB DeMarcus Ware is on pace for a 20-sack season, making him a legitimate NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Coaches under pressure: Anything short of a Super Bowl appearance may not be good enough for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has offensive coordinator Jason Garrett waiting in the wings to replace head coach Wade Phillips. The Eagles are 30-29-1 since reaching Super Bowl XXXIX under Andy Reid, whose team had a 59-21 mark between 2000 and 2005.

Key injuries:The Giants can't count on WR Plaxico Burress (leg) to play again in 2008 after Friday night's shooting incident. New York has proven it can win without him, but Burress was QB Eli Manning's best downfield threat. The toe injury suffered by Cowboys RB Marion Barber during a Thanksgiving Day rout of Seattle could force him to miss at least Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. With backup Felix Jones (toe) already on injured reserve, fellow rookie Tashard Choice may be pushed into a starting role against the NFL's top-ranked run defense. The Eagles have major problems at right guard, where Max Jean-Gilles (ankle) has joined two-time Pro Bowl selection Shawn Andrews (back) on the sideline. Washington RB Clinton Portis and WR Santana Moss have been slowed during the second half of the season and could be wearing down.

Something you may not know: The NFC East has sent three teams to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. That hasn't happened elsewhere since the NFL adopted an eight-division format in 2002.

NFC South

Projected winner: Tampa Bay (9-3) has a more favorable remaining schedule than Carolina (9-3). The Bucs can complete an 8-0 home record by winning their final two games against San Diego and Oakland. Carolina plays its final two contests on the road, including a Dec. 21 match-up against the Giants.

In the hunt: Atlanta (8-4)

On life support: New Orleans (6-6)

Biggest remaining games:Bucs at Panthers (Dec. 8) — The winner has sole possession of first place; Bucs at Falcons (Dec. 14) — Atlanta needs this win to remain alive in the division race and for tiebreaker purposes against other NFC South playoff contenders.

Players to watch:Enjoy Saints QB Drew Brees' brilliant season now because the Saints probably aren't making the playoffs after Sunday's 23-20 loss at Tampa Bay. As he did during Carolina's deep playoff run in 2005, WR Steve Smith is surging in the second half of the season. He has 18 catches for 336 yards in the past three games.

Coaches under pressure: None. Carolina's John Fox has quashed speculation about his job security with the Panthers rebounding from an awful 2007 campaign.

Key injuries:After three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Bucs WR Joey Galloway (foot) has only 12 catches this year. A healthy Galloway would give Tampa Bay a much-needed deep threat. The return of RB Cadillac Williams (knee) should improve the Bucs' running game. Atlanta's offensive line would be bolstered by the potential return of rookie LT Sam Baker (back).

Something you may not know: No team has won consecutive NFC South titles since the division's inception in 2002.

NFC North

Projected winner: Minnesota (7-5)

In the playoff hunt: Chicago (6-6)

On life support: Green Bay (5-7)

Wait til next year: Detroit (0-12)

Biggest remaining game: Lions at Packers (Dec. 28) — This could be Detroit's last chance to avoid the NFL's first 0-16 season.

Players to watch: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson not only leads the NFL in rushing, he enters December in much better physical condition than during his rookie season. Expect the scrutiny of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers to increase as Green Bay stumbles toward a losing record while the Brett Favre-led Jets make a postseason push.

Coaches under pressure:Forget about Rod Marinelli keeping his Lions coaching gig. The best he can hope for is winning one game before getting fired. A third consecutive season without a playoff appearance could doom Minnesota's Brad Childress, whose team entered the year with high expectations after an offseason spending spree.

Key injuries: With a sound performance in Sunday night's win against Chicago, Vikings DE Jared Allen showed he can still be effective in December despite a serious shoulder injury. The season-long health problems in Chicago's secondary continued last week with CB Nathan Vasher (hand) landing on injured reserve. The Bears would be best served by bad weather in a string of three straight home games to open December.

Something you may not know: This could be the first season that the NFC North doesn't have a double-digit winner.

NFC West

Projected winner: Arizona (7-5)

Wait til next year: San Francisco (4-8), Seattle (2-10), St. Louis (2-10).

Biggest remaining games: Cardinals at Patriots (Dec. 21) — The Cardinals' only December road trip is a biggie. Arizona has lost in all four of its East Coast appearances this season and needs to build some confidence heading into the playoffs where an away game against the Giants or NFC South winner could await in the second round.

Players to watch:Major personnel changes may be coming in San Francisco this offseason, but 49ers QB Shaun Hill can use December to show he's worth keeping as the starter. Hill has proven a major upgrade over J.T. O'Sullivan, leading the 49ers to victory in two of the past four games. Arizona needs to become less one-dimensional on offense for any shot at postseason success. That means RB Tim Hightower must improve on his 2-yard rushing average from the past four games or risk losing his starting spot to former first-stringer Edgerrin James.

Coaches under pressure: San Francisco's Mike Singletary and St. Louis' Jim Haslett are both working on an interim basis. They need strong Decembers for any shot at keeping their head coaching positions in 2009.

Key injuries:The Cardinals are hurting in their secondary with CBs Rod Hood (rib) and Eric Green (knee) ailing. Arizona needs both players back after surrendering 611 passing yards and five touchdowns in consecutive losses to the Giants and Eagles.

Something you may not know: The Cardinals have not hosted a playoff game since 1947. This could be an even worse showing for the NFC West than in 2005 when the Rams, 49ers and Cardinals combined for just 15 wins.

AFC East

Projected winner: New York Jets (8-4)

In the playoff hunt: Miami (7-5), New England (7-5)

On life support: Buffalo (6-6)

Biggest remaining games: Dolphins at Bills in Toronto (Sunday) — Miami catches a break, getting to play a December road game against Buffalo inside a domed stadium. A Dolphins victory would be a huge step toward landing a playoff berth, as Miami's next two opponents are San Francisco (4-8) and Kansas City (2-10); Patriots at Bills (Dec. 28) — This will be a far different situation for New England than the 2007 regular-season finale that capped a 16-0 record. As it stands, the Patriots don't stack up favorably in wild-card tiebreaker scenarios with Baltimore and Indianapolis. That makes defeating Buffalo a must for New England.

Players to watch: QB Matt Cassel's free-agent value would skyrocket if he could lead New England into the playoffs. In what could be his final NFL season (again), the spotlight on Jets QB Brett Favre will continue to grow each week. Miami QB Chad Pennington may earn some NFL Comeback Player of the Year votes for his work with the Dolphins.

Key injuries:Dolphins WR Ted Ginn Jr. has made major strides in his second NFL season, but he will need to produce even more to help Miami compensate for the loss of leading receiver Greg Camarillo (knee). The Patriots are battered defensively, especially at linebacker. Does anyone have Junior Seau's number?

Something you may not know: With three more victories, Miami will become the first team since the 1963 Oakland Raiders to win 10 games after finishing with just one victory the previous season.

AFC South

Projected winner: Tennessee (11-1)

In the playoff hunt: Indianapolis (8-4)

Wait til next year: Jacksonville (4-7), Houston (4-7)

Biggest remaining games: Steelers at Titans (Dec. 21) — This game should be pivotal in determining which AFC teams receive first-round playoff byes; Titans at Colts (Dec. 28) — A rematch of last year's season finale in which Indianapolis' decision to rest its starters helped Tennessee secure a playoff berth. The opposite could happen this year if the Titans have already secured the AFC's top seed and the Colts need to win for a postseason appearance.

Players to watch: Colts RB Joseph Addai has far more starts with less than 60 yards rushing (six) than 100-yard efforts (one). An Addai resurgence would take some of the pressure off QB Peyton Manning, who has carried the offense on his back during the Colts' five-game winning streak. Despite being a rookie, Titans RB Chris Johnson shows no signs of fatigue as he motors toward a 1,000-yard season. The Titans, though, would be wise to temper Johnson's use down the stretch if home-field advantage in the playoffs is clinched early.

Coaches under pressure:None, as Houston's Gary Kubiak and Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio will be given another season to right their ships. Should Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy retire, top assistant Jim Caldwell will be his replacement.

Key injuries:The Colts just aren't the same defensively without SS Bob Sanders, who is out for the second time this season with a leg injury. Colts C Jeff Saturday (calf) also is gimpy entering December. The extra rest from playing Detroit on Thanksgiving Day will do a world of good for Tennessee's injury-riddled secondary and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin).

Something you may not know: Houston still hasn't made the playoffs after seven seasons, the longest postseason draught for an expansion franchise since Seattle missed out from 1976 to 1982.

AFC North

Projected winner: Pittsburgh (9-3).

In the hunt: Baltimore (8-4).

Wait til next year: Cleveland (4-8), Cincinnati (1-10-1).

Biggest remaining games: Steelers at Ravens (Dec. 14) — A rematch from one of the season's most entertaining prime-time games. Pittsburgh won that meeting, 23-20, in overtime; Ravens at Cowboys (Dec. 20) — The NFL's lone Saturday night regular-season game should have playoff implications for both squads. Because it's on NFL Network, not everyone will be able to see it.

Players to watch:Baltimore rookie QB Joe Flacco enters December coming off the best game of his young NFL career, having skewered Cincinnati for 280 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-3 spanking. But is Flacco ready for a brutal three-game stretch against Washington, Pittsburgh and Dallas? Browns QB Ken Dorsey will have to run out the string in Cleveland with Derek Anderson (knee) and Brady Quinn (finger) sidelined.

Coaches under pressure: Romeo Crennel is a goner in Cleveland just 11 months after receiving a two-year, $8 million contract extension. For most franchises, a three-season slide would lead to termination. But most franchises don't operate like Cincinnati, where Marvin Lewis could be back because of Bengals owner Mike Brown's reticence to fire head coaches.

Key injuries:The Steelers sorely missed RB Willie Parker last season when he was lost in December to a broken leg. Parker enters this December with a bum knee and shoulder but could be ready for a heavier workload this Sunday against Dallas. The Steelers also could use DE Brett Kiesel (knee) down the stretch. Bengals QB Carson Palmer (elbow) will throw next week to determine whether he can play again this season. I know — why bother?

Something you may not know: The AFC North's 2008 non-division games came primarily against the NFC East and AFC East, whose teams have a combined record of 60-35-1.

AFC West

Projected winner: Denver (7-5).

Wait til next year: San Diego (4-8), Oakland (3-9), Kansas City (2-10).

Biggest remaining game: Broncos at Chargers (Dec. 28) — Something is terribly wrong if Denver hasn't clinched this division long before then.

Players to watch:No running game, no problem for Broncos QB Jay Cutler. Cutler's passing is the main reason why Denver has won three of its past four outings. If he slumps, the Broncos will slide. Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen will have the rest of the season to show he deserves the chance to start in 2009.

Coaches under pressure: Even with the Chargers considered the NFL's most disappointing team, it should come as no shock that Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has already guaranteed Norv Turner's return in 2009. Smith entered the season as an ardent Turner supporter and will give him a chance to rebound from a hard-luck campaign. Oakland's Tom Cable has done a decent job under difficult circumstances but that doesn't mean he will keep the position beyond an interim basis. Herm Edwards will probably be given another season to spearhead Kansas City's rebuilding effort.

Key injuries: Denver's defense will get a big boost from the imminent returns of CB Champ Bailey (groin) and LB D.J. Williams (knee).

Something you may not know: Once considered one of the NFL's stronger divisions, the AFC West is set to field three losing teams for the second consecutive season.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

10 Players Who May Not Be Around in '09

Alex Marvez — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:24:21 -0500

For select players on 20 teams, more than just their seasons will be ending in late December.

It could be their careers as well.

Some are clearly declining because of age, injuries or a combination of both. Other veterans will simply decide their bodies have had enough and decide to retire. And there will be those former stars who will try to continue playing but can't stick on a roster (a la Shaun Alexander) or find no takers (Joe Horn).

On this Thanksgiving weekend, here are 10 active players we should appreciate coming down the home stretch of the 2008 campaign.

1. Deuce McAllister

The New Orleans running back remains among the Saints' most popular players with fans screaming "Deuuuuce" every time he touches the football. McAllister, though, hasn't given Saints fans as much to cheer about during his eighth NFL season. Coming off reconstructive knee surgery, McAllister has lost his burst-his longest run in 86 carries is 12 yards-and plays primarily in short-yardage situations. That role isn't conducive to keeping a roster spot in 2009. McAllister will be 30-the age many running backs begin a rapid decline-and set to earn $5.2 million.

At least McAllister had a memorable moment in what may be his final Saints home game pending a four-game suspension under the NFL's steroid policy. McAllister set the franchise's touchdown record with his 54th career score in last Monday's 51-29 rout of Green Bay.

2. Marvin Harrison

Like McAllister, the Indianapolis wide receiver isn't the same player after suffering a 2007 knee injury. Harrison is on pace for the lowest per-catch average (10.6 yards) of his 13-year NFL career. He isn't much of a threat in the deep passing game and is arguably Peyton Manning's fourth-best receiving option behind fellow wideouts Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez and tight end Dallas Clark. Harrison will be 37 entering next season and is set to earn $9 million. The Colts could try to restructure that contract, but it seems more likely Indianapolis will release Harrison this offseason if he doesn't decide to retire first.

The good news for Harrison: He doesn't have to keep playing to secure a spot in the Hall of Fame. That's already a lock after 1,087 catches for 14,422 yards and 127 touchdowns.

3. Jon Runyan

As the last active player with ties to the Houston Oilers, a chapter in NFL history will close when the Philadelphia right tackle calls it a career. That time may be drawing near. Runyan has started 188 consecutive games, which has taken a heavy physical toll (for example, a damaged ankle forces him to walk downstairs sideways). He also turned 35 on Thursday and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2009. If the sputtering Eagles (6-5-1) decide to overhaul their roster with a youth movement, one of this generation's most aggressive linemen-just ask Michael Strahan-may not be invited back.

4. Willie McGinest

After 15 seasons and three Super Bowl rings, the 36-year-old Cleveland outside linebacker already has said he will be retiring at the end of 2008. McGinest was the perfect fit at outside linebacker in Bill Belichick's 3-4 defensive scheme in New England. He was a shell of that player the past three seasons in Cleveland and has failed to record a sack in nine games so far this year.

5. Brad Johnson

The Dallas quarterback's playing days essentially ended earlier this month when he concluded a disastrous 1-2 stint replacing an injured Tony Romo. But while he's now a third-stringer, the 40-year-old Johnson has plenty to brag about from a 17-year NFL career. He won a Super Bowl ring as Tampa Bay's starter in 2002 and reached two Pro Bowls.

6. Lorenzo Neal

The Baltimore fullback, who turns 38 in December, is a physical freak for being able to play one of the NFL's hardest-hitting positions for 16 NFL seasons. The Chargers thought Neal was done when parting ways with him in the offseason. That proved a mistake. Neal is showing he has a little bit left in the tank for the Ravens (7-4), while the Chargers (4-7) have yet to find a comparable replacement to block for running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

7. Trent Green

We can only wonder what would have happened had the St. Louis quarterback not suffered the season-ending knee injury in 1999 that gave Kurt Warner the chance to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl title. Green did subsequently enjoy a stellar five-year stretch with Kansas City, but his 2008 return to St. Louis is a mess. In three games (including one start), the 38-year-old Green has thrown six interceptions and gotten sacked six times without notching a touchdown pass.

8. La'Roi Glover

Don't be surprised if the loquacious St. Louis defensive tackle pulls a Warren Sapp and retires in the offseason to pursue a broadcasting career. Glover, 34, already was slowing before suffering a knee injury that has further hindered his 2008 season. That's bad news for an undersized defensive tackle (6-foot-2, 290 pounds) who needs speed to maneuver around larger blockers. A 13-year veteran, Glover is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

9. Donnie Edwards

As if playing on a 1-10 team wasn't painful enough, the Kansas City linebacker has battled nagging injuries since the preseason. Edwards, who had missed just one start the previous 11 seasons, turns 36 in April and is set to earn $5 million in 2009. That probably won't fly on a penny-pinching franchise deep into the rebuilding process.

10. Jeff Zgonina

Some big-bodied defensive tackles are able to play into their late 30s. What Houston's Zgonina is doing at age 38 is even more impressive. Among the NFL's smallest interior linemen at 6-foot-2 and 281 pounds, Zgonina has started twice this season and played in nine other games as a backup. Although he's a likely goner in 2009, the Texans probably wish they could transplant Zgonina's motor into the bodies of underachieving first-round picks Travis Johnson and Amobi Okoye.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Matt Cassel: The Next Tom Brady or the Next Scott Mitchell?

Alex Marvez — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:45:54 -0500

Like Kurt Warner or Tom Brady himself, New England's Matt Cassel could be the next obscure backup quarterback to parlay a starting opportunity into NFL stardom.

Then again, he could be the second coming of Scott Mitchell.

This is the difficult talent assessment that must be made by general managers whose franchises are seeking new starters in 2009.

At a position where elite talent is rarely available in free agency, Cassel is the most intriguing quarterback set to hit the market. Since Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week One, Cassel has shown marked improvement while directing New England to a 7-4 record.

Cassel became only the fifth quarterback in NFL history to post consecutive 400-yard passing games during last Sunday's 48-28 victory at Miami. He has size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), athleticism (84 rushing yards in the past two games) and a strong arm.

"He's really proving himself being his own guy," Miami nose tackle Jason Ferguson told Dolphins media before the game. "He's not the replacement of Brady. He's got his own name."

If he continues to shine the rest of this season, Cassel could very well command a Brady-like contract with at least $20 million in guaranteed money. But before paying him like the NFL's top-tier quarterbacks, interested teams must be convinced that Cassel can thrive outside of New England.

Mitchell is proof that such an assessment isn't easy.

Fifteen years before Cassel picked apart the Dolphins defense, Mitchell was enjoying similar success playing inside the same stadium. When Dolphins legend Dan Marino ruptured his Achilles' tendon in Week Five of the 1993 season, Miami turned to a replacement who had attempted just eight passes in his first three NFL campaigns.

Mitchell played surprisingly well—well enough to prompt some fans and media to speculate that he may be a better long-term option than Marino. The Dolphins weren't fooled. Detroit was, signing Mitchell during the 1994 off-season to what was then considered a major free-agent contract (three years, $11 million).

Mitchell had his moments during five Lions seasons-including a 4,338-yard, 32-touchdown effort in 1995-but he never led the team to a playoff victory even with Hall of Fame rusher Barry Sanders in the same backfield.

Just as damning, Mitchell didn't possess many of the other qualities expected from the position outside Xs and Os.

"He was never the quintessential leader," a former member of Detroit's front office said. "He didn't have a presence about him. He couldn't bond with the guys. The guys didn't believe in him."

Cassel's leadership skills will come under heavy scrutiny by potential suitors. He has the luxury of being a foot soldier on a veteran Patriots roster that has reached four Super Bowls with Brady. Cassel must be a general elsewhere, especially if he joins a lesser squad that hasn't come close to hitting those heights.

The expectations will be much higher than when Brady was initially replaced by Cassel, whose last start had come in high school. How will the 26-year-old Cassel respond to even more intense scrutiny? Can he thrive in a different kind of offense than what the Patriots run, especially if he doesn't have the services of exceptional wide receivers like Randy Moss and Wes Welker?

When he was Miami's general manager in 2004, Rick Spielman tried making those same projections about A.J. Feeley, who had shown promise in his five career starts for Philadelphia in 2002. Spielman did extensive film study comparing Feeley to six other quarterbacks who were potentially available via trade or free agency as well as the three incumbents on Miami's roster (Jay Fiedler, Brian Griese and Sage Rosenfels).

Trying to identify traits in emerging quarterbacks, Spielman dissected Marc Bulger, Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Delhomme both before and after all three ascended to starting roles. Spielman even did specific statistical analysis, like how the quarterbacks he was scouting fared when leading or trailing by a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

And he was still wrong.

Spielman traded a second-round pick to Philadelphia for Feeley and signed him to a five-year, $18 million contract. Both proved huge mistakes.

Feeley had starting-caliber physical skills but sorely lacked other intangibles. He didn't inspire confidence in his teammates. The comfort Feeley had in Philadelphia's West Coast-style scheme wasn't there, nor was the same quality of coaching or offensive talent surrounding him.

On and off the first-team offense, Feeley was 3-5 as a starter for a Dolphins squad that finished 4-12. The following year, Feeley was traded to San Diego. He has since returned to Philadelphia and is currently a third-stringer.

"The unknown part of the quarterback is the 'It' factor," said Spielman, who is now Minnesota's vice president of player personnel. "You take a chance because you see the numbers and the ability on film. That's objective, not subjective...But do they have that magnetism, that quality where they can lead a group of 10 other men when the offense is on the field? Unless you've been with those guys before, you don't really know that until they get there."

A general manager who has closely studied Cassel believes he won't be a one-year wonder. Warner and Brady proved otherwise as well.

"It's a gamble and a lot of money will be invested in Cassel," the general manager said. "But I truly believe that he has the full package."

The gift wrapping will be off soon enough.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com. Click hereto see the Top 10 free agent QBs for 2009.

For more for Alex's columns, click here.

Drew Brees Key for New Orleans Saints in Playoff March

Alex Marvez — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:41:12 -0500

NEW ORLEANS - Being two-years-old in 1973, I can only imagine what it was like watching the first 2,000-yard rushing season squandered when O.J. Simpson's Buffalo Bills didn't make the playoffs.

But I suspect it may be akin to seeing Drew Brees play for the New Orleans Saints.

Brees continued his push toward winning the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award in Monday night's 51-29 rout of visiting Green Bay. He tossed four touchdowns against one of the NFL's top pass defenses. He posted a near-perfect quarterback rating of 157.5. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 323 yards, putting him on pace for an NFL-record 5,199-yard season.

"He's been playing awesome for us," Saints running back Deuce McAllister said. "He's hot. We're going to ride it until we can't anymore."

The trip may be over in five weeks.

Despite Monday's outcome, Green Bay (5-6) is actually in better position to make the playoffs than New Orleans (6-5). The Packers are just one game out of first place in the NFC North. The Saints are last in the NFC South and behind four teams in the wild-card race. A loss Sunday at Tampa Bay (8-3) would severely damage any chance for a postseason berth.

"Every good team, especially the ones that go to the playoffs, is making runs now and winning a number of games in a row," Brees said. "That's what we're trying to do."

Brees gives them a shot. Despite his team's leaky pass defense. Despite the possible four-game suspensions of McAllister and starting defensive end Will Smith for alleged drug-policy violations. Despite a shaky kicking game.

Brees is just that good.

His skills were on display again Monday as New Orleans tied the franchise's single-game scoring record. After an incompletion on his first pass, Brees connected on 13 consecutive throws—and that wasn't even his longest string of the season (he nailed 16 straight last month against Oakland).

"They did a great job beating us in man, zone or whatever (coverage) we were in," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said. "They made the plays. It's just that simple."

Brees picked apart Green Bay with short to intermediate passes, one of which wide receiver Lance Moore turned into a 70-yard touchdown. Brees also had success deep, connecting with receiver Marques Colston on another 70-yard score that gave New Orleans a commanding 45-21 lead late in the third quarter. He wasn't intercepted or sacked, the result of outstanding protection and Brees' mobility.

"It didn't seem to matter where we got the ball," Brees said. "Whether it was good field position or backed up, we were hitting it. For as many points as we scored, we only had eight third downs. A lot of these drives were just chunks and chunks and chunks (of yardage)."

Brees has accumulated chunks of passing yards this season—3,574 to be exact—despite injuries that have sidelined dangerous receiving targets like Colston, running back Reggie Bush and tight end Jeremy Shockey. In comparison, former Miami quarterback Dan Marino had 3,340 yards after 11 games en route to his record 5,084-yard campaign in 1984.

Bolstering his chances of topping Marino, Brees will enjoy favorable playing conditions down the stretch. The only potential winter-weather game is Dec. 11 at Chicago. Three of the remaining five contests—including home matchups against division rivals Carolina (8-3) and Atlanta (7-4)—are inside domes.

The Saints may need to win them all for a playoff berth.

New Orleans is in this position because of a 1-4 road record that includes losses to the Panthers and Falcons. The pass defense is the main culprit. Even after a strong Monday night effort that included three interceptions of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Saints' secondary is still ranked 24th in the NFL. New Orleans also is tied for the third-highest number of touchdowns allowed (18).

Brees throws passes. He can't defend them as well.

"We know the work that's ahead of us," Brees said. "Nobody is paying attention to personal accolades or anything else. It's all business."

While the 1973 Bills fell short of the playoffs at 9-5, Simpson could take solace in being named the NFL's MVP. Nobody from a non-playoff team has captured the honor since.

With as well as he has played, it would be a shame if Brees becomes the player to break that streak. But unless Monday night was a true breakthrough performance for his entire team, that's how such a magnificent season may be ending.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Favre Senses Good Karma in Jets Huddle

Alex Marvez — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:07:41 -0500

Brett Favre began the celebration of his 501st career touchdown pass in signature fashion, giddily running around in a wide circle like an airplane waiting to land.

Shortly thereafter, the Tennessee Titans officially crashed back to earth.

A 34-13 whipping of what was the NFL's only unbeaten team Sunday shows how high the New York Jets are soaring. And guiding this aircraft is a 39-year-old pilot growing increasingly comfortable in a new cockpit.

Roughly 3 1/2 months since his arrival from Green Bay, Favre's command of New York's offense was on display in a two-touchdown, 224-yard road outing. He shredded the league's best scoring defense with a controlled short passing game, completing 25-of-32 throws to seven different targets. Even when committing two first-half turnovers, Favre was never reckless.

Favre is no longer forcing passes like earlier this year — or, for that matter, through much of his 16 seasons with the Packers. Yet he still hasn't lost the improvisational skills that have highlighted a Hall of Fame career.

Favre's aforementioned two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Laveranues Coles is a prime example. Favre initially took a three-step drop while looking left for Dustin Keller, only to find his rookie tight end covered for one of the few times Sunday by Tennessee's injury-wracked secondary. No worry. Favre was given enough protection by his offensive line to find another option, which in this case was Coles streaking across the back of the end zone.

Favre said he threw the pass believing Coles would be the only one who could catch it. But that decision also could have badly backfired if the football wasn't threaded into what was admittedly a "tight fit."

Favre joked that such risk-taking is what he calls the Mike Holmgren syndrome, referring to when his former Packers head coach would respond to such plays by saying, "Oh no, no, no, no ... Good!"

"It was good today," a smiling Favre said.

Conversely, the Titans (10-1) were just plain bad.

Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch told FOXSports.com two weeks ago that his team would eventually "lose a game." But he couldn't have envisioned it happening in such lopsided fashion with New York controlling the clock for 40:30.

It wasn't just the inability to stop Favre or Jets running backs Washington (82 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Thomas Jones (96) that was so disturbing. Nor was it solely an inadequate offensive effort that saw Tennessee's run-heavy attack produce just 45 yards.

More so, it was the Titans beating themselves with mistakes and penalties. There were four dropped Kerry Collins passes on the first four series alone. Two Craig Hentrich punts that could have pinned New York deep inside its own territory early in the second quarter went for touchbacks. Add 130 penalty yards on seven infractions and the Titans were lucky to remain within striking distance until Washington's second fourth-quarter touchdown run with 2:09 remaining.

"You don't play like we played and win," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

After a 3-3 start, the Jets are now on a five-game winning streak that includes consecutive road victories over the Titans and New England (7-4). While still trailing Tennessee by two games in the race for the conference's top playoff spot, Jets players and coaches are now being asked whether they are the team to beat in the AFC.

Favre wouldn't go that far—yet.

"I'm not going to sit here and say we established ourselves as the best team in football," Favre said. "All it says is that I think we beat the best team in football today, definitely if you go by record and the way they've played.

"It's hard to win—period—in this league. It's hard to win on the road. It's hard to win at a place that's 10-0. It's hard to win five in a row. We've found a way to do it."

Just like with Favre buying into a different offensive system than what was used in Green Bay, nose tackle Kris Jenkins said New York's surge stems from players setting aside their own egos in the quest for team success.

"We started to realize how seriously we wanted to win," Jenkins said. "We sat down in the locker room and said, 'We've got to get it together.' A lot of guys could have fought it and done their own thing, but everybody bought into each other."

Favre, too, senses the Jets have a chance to become a special team like his 1996 and 1997 Packers teams that reached Super Bowls.

"When we stepped on the field, we were 14 points ahead before kickoff from a mental standpoint," Favre said. "Nobody wanted to play us. That more than anything is what got us to the Super Bowl. Once you get that edge, you're well on your way.

"I don't want to say we've got that, but I'm starting to sense guys believing in what we're trying to do."

That, too, is reason for Favre to celebrate.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Haynesworth Worthy of MVP Consideration

Alex Marvez — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:35:33 -0500

NASHVILLE - The Albert Haynesworth highlight reel is just a mouse click away.

Using the computer inside his office at Tennessee Titans headquarters, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz can easily showcase what makes Haynesworth the NFL's top defensive tackle.

There's Haynesworth—who is 6'6" and well above his listed weight of 320 pounds—defying gravity with a Superman-like leap over a guard to foil a goal-line play. There's Haynesworth bullying a left tackle on a pass rush while aligned at end—a position where players his size are rarely blessed with such burst off the snap.

Shoot, just the video alone of his last game against Jacksonville is enough to give Brett Favre nightmares before his New York Jets travel to Nashville to play the Titans on Sunday.

Yet for Schwartz, one of his favorite plays this year doesn't even end with a Haynesworth tackle. Rather, it symbolizes how far Haynesworth has come in seven bumpy NFL seasons.

Last month, Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings broke free in the Tennessee secondary after a catch. Among the Titans giving chase was Haynesworth, who motored downfield faster than five of his other teammates in hot pursuit.

"Watch this 350-something-pound guy running," said Schwartz, using a red laser pointer to follow Haynesworth on a large projection screen. "There are a lot of guys back here who aren't running like that. He's running as fast as our strong safety. He doesn't quit until the play is over.

"Other guys end up chasing him down, but Albert's not giving up a whole lot of ground. That's unusual to see."

So is a defensive player winning the NFL's Most Valuable Player award—something that has happened just once since 1972. But without a clear-cut frontrunner having emerged 11 weeks into this season, Haynesworth deserves strong consideration.

He's the most dominant player on a team with the best record (10-0) and scoring defense (13.1-point average). With seven sacks, Haynesworth is tied for the league lead among defensive tackles with Minnesota's Kevin Williams, who is considered the only other player at the position in the same stratosphere talent-wise.

Haynesworth has excelled despite drawing even more extensive double-team blocking than usual, as standout right end Kyle Vanden Bosch has missed three of Tennessee's past four games with a groin injury.

"According to my linemen, he's the best in the league," said Houston quarterback Sage Rosenfels, whose team was victimized for five tackles and one sack by Haynesworth in a lopsided Week Three loss. "He's so big that you can't move him in run blocking. And on pass plays, he moves so well. It's almost impossible to block him one-on-one."

Jacksonville's offensive linemen were quickly reminded of that in last Sunday's 24-14 loss. On the first snap, Haynesworth grabbed running back Fred Taylor from behind for a meager two-yard gain after shoving 330-pound left guard Uche Nwaneri into the backfield. The series ended four plays later when Haynesworth shifted to end and did his best Reggie White impression, clubbing David Garrard to produce a sack and fumble.

As usual, the Titans aligned Haynesworth on the right side of their defensive line everywhere from the A-gap between left guard and center to a four-technique over left tackle. Haynesworth finished with five more stops even though the Jaguars avoided running to his side. Haynesworth also created ample tackling opportunities for others because of the extra blocking he attracted.

This regularly happens as teams change their normal offensive strategies to account for Haynesworth in their game plans.

"The fact he's able to line up at multiple positions makes teams really prepare not only for what we're going to do but where he's going to be," Titans defensive tackle Tony Brown said. "One part of their focus has to be on him. That frees up a lot of things for the rest of us."

But will such brilliant play at a nonskill position get recognized by Associated Press MVP voters? It hasn't in the past. The last defensive tackle to receive the honor was Minnesota's Alan Page in 1971—a decade before Haynesworth was born.

Quarterbacks and running backs have won the award all but twice in the past 36 seasons, with linebacker Lawrence Taylor (1986) and kicker Mark Moseley (1982) the lone exceptions.

Haynesworth isn't surprised.

"I think it's because the NFL is all about scoring, big (offensive) plays and stuff like that," Haynesworth said following Friday's Titans practice. "Everybody loves the points and the guys who throw it deep—the Joe Montanas, Troy Aikmans, Peyton Mannings and Brett Favres. L.T. was amazing, so you couldn't discount him. You had to consider him for that."

Schwartz makes the same argument for Haynesworth.

"One of the things I've heard Hall of Fame voters talk about is, 'Did this guy change the way the game was played? Was he considered the best at his position?'" Schwartz said. "To me, that same criteria would go toward the MVP of a season. You can also talk about the success of the team. ... With him, we've played extremely well on defense the past couple of years."

Talent was never the issue with Haynesworth, a 2002 first-round draft choice at the age of 20. It was consistency, conditioning and maturity. Drawing a five-game suspension for stomping on the uncovered head of Dallas center Andre Gurode in 2006 remains Haynesworth's most memorable NFL moment.

Winning an MVP trophy would change that.

"It's not like I'm a sob story," Haynesworth said, "But coming from where I was to now and being recognized as one of the best defensive players in the league, it's amazing. It's like a storybook or a movie, like Gone With the Wind."

Haynesworth could be gone from Tennessee this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Only 27 years old, Haynesworth also is expected to command the largest NFL contract ever given a defensive tackle.

The Titans have the salary-cap space available to re-sign him, but money isn't the only factor in Tennessee's decision-making process. With an investment of such magnitude, the franchise also must feel confident that Haynesworth's past issues are behind him and that he will remain motivated after securing a massive payday.

If you take Haynesworth at his word, the Titans have nothing to worry about.

"Hopefully next year I can have that season where it's, 'Hands down, this is the best guy I've ever seen,'" he said. "I haven't gotten there yet. I really feel like I can get better."

That's a scary thought considering he may be recognized as the NFL's best player in 2008.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read Alex's other columns.

Roger Goodell Shouldn't Give Pacman Jones Second Chance This Year

Alex Marvez — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:27:00 -0500

An already embarrassing week for the NFL is only getting worse.

We've had the $100-million officiating mistake. A star quarterback who doesn't know the overtime rules. An accusation that the doctor heading the NFL's drug-testing program didn't tell players that a league-approved supplement would cause a positive steroid test.

And now, Adam "Pacman" Jones is coming back.

What's next—a 35-year anniversary celebration of O.J. Simpson's 2,000-yard rushing season?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced Wednesday that his delinquent cornerback will return starting with a Dec. 7 game at Pittsburgh. The franchise and some of its fans are assuredly thrilled at receiving help for their shaky secondary.

The rest of us want to take a shower.

While a few of his peers have committed worse transgressions, Jones is the public face of abhorrent behavior among active players. Six arrests and 13 scrapes with the law—combined with a sickening lack of remorse along the way—will do that.

With such an extensive police record, Jones would struggle to get more than a minimum-wage job in the real world. He might even be in prison. But this is the NFL, where physical talent will get you chance after chance to become a millionaire.

Are we to really believe that anything will change after a quickie alcohol-rehabilitation program and six-game suspension? Jones couldn't get his act together even after being barred for the entire 2007 campaign. Jones squandered more chances than all the interceptions dropped earlier this season when he did play.

Quite frankly, I'm stunned that a commissioner who cares as much about the NFL's image as Roger Goodell would leave the league and himself open for more ridicule. He should have let Jones sit for the rest of the season, which would have reemphasized Goodell's mantra that playing in the NFL is a privilege and not a right.

Instead, this is just wrong.

Jerry Jones also deserves some of the blame. He was the enabler who thought surrounding Adam Jones with bodyguards would help him stay on the straight and narrow. But as usual, trouble followed this Pacman closer than Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde.

Come to think of it, those are great nicknames for the security team that engaged in the alcohol-fueled brawl with Adam Jones that led to this current suspension.

After the Cowboys were trounced by the New York Giants 17 days ago, Jerry Jones was asked whether he regretted acquiring Pacman. His response is what you'd expect from an owner who turned a blind eye to his team's off-field shenanigans in the 1990s: "Not at all."

"Adam was playing at a very high level when we lost him and has been missed on the field," Jerry Jones said. "I do regret the embarrassment that has been involved with him. But frankly, I had that measured and knew that was part of the risk."

Maybe this story will have a happy ending. Maybe this latest suspension will truly put Adam Jones on the right track. Maybe the bodyguards that Jerry Jones says he will no longer provide aren't needed to keep Pacman out of bars and nightclubs.

I just don't see it.

In the meantime, Adam Jones will continue to draw attention away from some of the NFL's feel-good stories. One of them is Tennessee's quest for a perfect season.

But here's something to ponder: The Titans (10-0) haven't lost since trading Pacman to Dallas in April. I'm not saying that's the main reason Tennessee is faring so well. Still, it surely helps that Titans players and coaches no longer have to deal with all the distractions and negativity that Jones brought into their locker room.

That's now Dallas' problem. And if Adam Jones screws up again, the Cowboys and NFL only have themselves to blame for the fallout.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Alex's columns.

There's No Easy Way to Improve Overtime Format

Alex Marvez — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:58:59 -0500

Lost amidst the latest NFL officiating snafu—besides umpteen-million dollars by those who took Pittsburgh minus the points against San Diego—was the resurfacing of another touchy subject during last weekend's games:

The league's overtime rules.

Two major flaws were again exposed. The first came in New England's 34-31 loss to the New York Jets.

Blame the Patriots' defense for not stopping New York from marching to the game-winning field goal. Second-guess Bill Belichick's decision to send the game into overtime with an extra point rather than attempting a two-point conversion after New England's touchdown at the end of regulation.

But there is still something seriously wrong with a format that allows a stroke of luck—correctly calling heads or tails on the overtime coin flip—to carry as much weight as strategy and skill in determining a game's outcome.

In five of 11 overtimes this season, the winning team never had to play defense. If the Jets hadn't won the toss, it's entirely plausible that New England would have driven downfield and scored while Brett Favre stood powerless on the Jets sideline.

"They were rolling on offense, our defense was tired," Favre admitted afterward. "This (opening overtime drive) was our one shot. It was all or nothing."

Three days later, Cincinnati and Philadelphia played to a 13-13 tie.

What is this, soccer?

Admittedly, such finishes are so rare that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb can almost be excused for not knowing that play automatically ends following a fifth quarter.

Only 16 games have finished deadlocked since the league adopted its current overtime format in 1974. Before the Eagles-Bengals game, the lone tie in the past 10 seasons came in 2002.

It's easy to joke that this was a merciful end to such a dreadful contest. But seeing an NFL game conclude in this fashion just doesn't seem right. If an institution as flawed as the NCAA can tweak its overtime system so that every game has a winner and both teams are insured a possession, the NFL's competition committee should be able to do the same.

Or so I initially thought.

I spent hours Monday trying to build a better mousetrap. For each suggestion I had, an NFL scout I know kept running away with the cheese.

We discussed simply adopting the college overtime system that guarantees each squad a drive starting at the opponent's 25-yard line.

"From a personnel standpoint, some teams will be against it," said the scout, referring to the 24 votes needed from NFL owners to enact any overtime changes. "It hurts those with vertical threats who can score from long range like Randy Moss and shorter guys with big-play capability like Santana Moss. Teams with taller, physical receivers and power running games are going to be more effective when given the ball so close to the goal line."

He then added an even bigger caveat—the elimination of special-teams returns under such a format.

"You know the old saying about how offense, defense and special teams win games," the scout said. "This would take away one-third of that equation. Teams that don't have great returners or good coverage get a break. Those that make the investments in good special teams and the Devin Hester-types lose out."

There went my next suggestion: Giving each team one automatic possession at midfield.

We then brainstormed about potential changes to the current regular-season format.

Continue playing until someone scores like in the postseason. Use the NCAA system if clubs are still tied after the fifth quarter. Or guarantee at least one possession for the team that loses the overtime coin toss if the one that wins it scores on the opening drive.

All of these choices have merit. But they also have a snowball's chance of gaining approval.

NFL owners are extremely conscious of how long games take to complete, especially those played early Sunday that can overlap with afternoon matchups. Each of the proposed changes above—particularly the college rules—would potentially extend games much longer than the target finishing time of three hours.

The NFL already receives enough grief when a nail-biter is switched because of contractual obligations to telecast the home team's game in its entirety. It doesn't behoove the league to invite more "Heidi game" comparisons or institute a system that would force the average viewer to join a late contest long after kickoff.

An NFL spokesman declined comment on any potential changes. But if the scout is right, none will be forthcoming.

"Trust me, I've spent a lot of time thinking about this," he said. "I just don't see anything different happening. It's not a perfect system, but under the circumstances, it's the best one we've got."

Begrudgingly, I have to agree.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Alex's columns.

Bucs' Defense Meets Challenge By Stuffing Peterson

Alex Marvez — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:24:10 -0500

TAMPA - The Buccaneers found a way to stop a running back whose moves are usually found only in video games.

Unplug him.

Adrian Peterson had a great view of Minnesota's 19-13 road loss to Tampa Bay. That's because Peterson spent most of the final two quarters Sunday doing the same thing as visiting golfer Tiger Woods on the Bucs sideline: Standing around.

With the Vikings running only 21 second-half offensive plays, Peterson's string of 100-yard rushing games was snapped at four. The Vikings (5-5) also slid into a three-way tie with Chicago and Green Bay atop the NFC North.

"We didn't have too many opportunities to run the ball," said Peterson, who had just six second-half carries in an 85-yard overall effort. "They took us totally out of our game."

Peterson said he couldn't remember ever playing in such an unbalanced half. Don't blame him for trying to forget this one, either.

When the Vikings weren't imploding with two fourth-quarter turnovers, Tampa Bay (7-3) was chewing up the clock with its own ball-control offense. The Bucs should have run away with the victory but struggles inside the red-zone—a season-long problem—forced Tampa Bay to settle for four Matt Bryant field goals.

Yet with such a strong defensive effort, Tampa Bay prevailed with a familiar formula that defensive tackle Chris Hovan called "Buc Ball."

"Play great defense, score [19] points and you're going to win," Hovan said.

Hovan and his fellow defensive linemen did their part by notching three of Tampa Bay's five sacks and consistently pressuring Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte. But stopping Minnesota begins and ends with Peterson, who entered as the NFL's only 1,000-yard rusher.

"They came with a stud running back and a high-powered offense," Hovan said. "We needed to shut him down."

Easier said than done. Peterson was on pace for a 204-yard effort after a Madden-like first quarter.

Peterson unleashed a 360-degree spin move to avoid blitzing cornerback Ronde Barber and charge down the sideline for a 22-yard gain. In the second quarter, Peterson made three separate cuts and dodged two leg tackles on a nine-yard burst.

He can even make the mundane look spectacular, like when future Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks bounced off Peterson like a rubber ball on a three-yard reception. Peterson entered halftime with 13 attempts for 71 yards, more than half of which were gained after initial contact by a Bucs defender.

"We had to gang-tackle him because we didn't want a lot of one-on-one challenges," Bucs strong safety Sabby Piscitelli said. "A guy like that, you expect him to get a couple runs. But I think we did a great job of regrouping."

The Bucs did that by remaining disciplined in run defense, which has become one of their biggest strengths. Six of the NFC's top 10 rushers have faced the Bucs and none have gained more than 89 yards, including standouts like Atlanta's Michael Turner (42), Chicago's Matt Forte (89) and Dallas' Marion Barber (71).

"He's a beast," Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter said of Peterson. "He's big, strong, fast—everything you want.

"But when there's one guy who slows you down a little bit and immediately there's someone else hitting you, someone else hitting you, someone else hitting you," Carter continued, slamming his hand on his locker for emphasis, "and we're getting hats on the ball and swarming, that's how you stop a great running back. He's great, so we had to get that done."

The Bucs were at their best on Minnesota's first second-half possession. Peterson punched the turf in frustration after being held to a one-yard gain on a 3rd-and-2 near midfield. Vikings coach Brad Childress went for it on fourth down, calling a play-action fake to running back Chester Taylor and sending Peterson on a downfield route out of the backfield.

Peterson had a step on Brooks, who has slowed in his 14th NFL season. But what Brooks may now lack in speed can be compensated with savvy. Without looking back at Frerotte's pass, Brooks managed to grab one of Peterson's arms while stripping the football with the other.

While the Vikings sideline was irate that a pass interference penalty wasn't called, Peterson refused to use contact with Brooks as an excuse for the incompletion.

"I really feel like with everything that went on I've still got to bring that ball in some way, somehow," Peterson said. "I don't have much to say about whether a call should have been made. I'll leave that up to everyone else to think what they want."

The play was a harbinger of things to come. Peterson didn't gain a single yard from scrimmage in the fourth quarter. He was used on a kickoff return for the first time this season but gained only 16 yards.

The only chance Peterson had on offense came on an incomplete pass. Two snaps later, Peterson inexplicably wasn't on the field as a Frerotte pass to wide receiver Sidney Rice fell incomplete on 4th-and-3.

Frerotte entered with a 5-2 record as Minnesota's starter but struggled to find a rhythm Sunday, especially when the Vikings were forced into becoming one-dimensional. Frerotte was sacked three times on his final nine passing attempts.

"It's not like we felt we played terrible in the first half but we gave them some opportunities," Barber said. "The second half was the way we like to play football. We came out of the locker room saying, 'Put it on us.' We finished today. That was as important as anything in winning this game."

Not to mention bottling Peterson.

"The guy's tough to deal with," Barber said. "When you think you've got him down, he's still breaking tackles. There are not a lot of guys off the top of my head who are better than him. But we knew what our challenge was."

Consider it completed.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Alex's columns.

QB Carousel: Just a Fact of Life in Tampa Bay

Alex Marvez — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:25:28 -0500

TAMPA -

Jon Gruden and his Buccaneers quarterbacks are one big, happy, dysfunctional family again.

A rejuvenated Jeff Garcia will start his fifth consecutive game Sunday against visiting Minnesota.

Brian Griese is almost recovered from an elbow injury. Luke McCown and rookie Josh Johnson continue to impress Gruden during Bucs practices.

Thick in the NFC playoff race at 6-3, there's no quarterback controversy in Tampa Bay.

But just wait.

That wasn't the case earlier this season, and history shows it won't stay this way for long.

Such is life under a head coach who arguably demands more from the position than any of his peers.

"One of these days, I want to be part of one of these guys completing every pass in a game," said Gruden, whose skin has turned pewter-red from all the time spent this season on the Bucs' practice field. "I love coaching quarterbacks and offensive strategy. That's how I got my start.

"I take a lot of pride in working as hard as I can to help these guys. I might drive them crazy."

Or drive them away.

Six of the nine quarterbacks Gruden has started since his 2002 arrival in Tampa Bay are no longer on the roster.

Brad Johnson, who led the Bucs to a Super Bowl title in Gruden's first season, was Tampa Bay's last 16-game starter in 2003.

While some of the high turnover stems from injuries, the changes under center also reflect Gruden's philosophy not to treat the position like a sacred cow. Garcia was reminded of that when benched after a season-opening loss to New Orleans.

Garcia was battling minor injuries, but his attitude was the bigger problem. Already bitter about his contract situation, Garcia became more upset when Tampa Bay explored a preseason trade with Green Bay for Brett Favre the year after he guided the Bucs to an NFC South title.

Those issues stuck in Garcia's craw and affected his on-field performance. The intensity and enthusiasm that helped raise the play of teammates throughout his 15-year professional career was lacking.

"I felt like I went into training camp almost tired instead of rejuvenated," Garcia said Friday after practice.

Gruden noticed and promoted Griese into the starting lineup. Suddenly, a Pro Bowl quarterback in 2007 was bumped to a third-string role. The Bucs even reportedly entertained dealing Garcia before the NFL's trade deadline.

"This is pro-football in 2008. A lot of outside forces are going to enter in," said Gruden, who was admittedly unhappy that Garcia's beefs were being expressed publicly. "The Brett Favre thing was a reality. The guy showed some interest in playing for us and we looked into the situation. We're not going to apologize for that—ever. If you saw Favre play [Thursday against New England] you wouldn't blame us.

"All I worry about is trying to put together a game plan that the quarterback is excited about and doing the best I can between the lines. If I can be a friend off the field, I try to do that, too. But there are going to be issues in every relationship."

Garcia said the demotion—even running the scout team—actually did him good. Garcia's body healed as well as the rift with Gruden.

Since Griese was hurt last month against Denver, Garcia has guided the Bucs to a 3-1 record despite Tampa Bay suffering from a rash of other offensive injuries. During that stretch, Garcia completed 70.4 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception.

"To be who I needed to be, I needed my mojo back," Garcia said. "I needed my excitement, energy and enthusiasm. I needed to stop worrying about things I can't control and just take care of what I could.

"As much as I wanted to believe I was the best option and could lead this team like I did last year, (Gruden) had to make a decision and I had to deal with it. I was not happy about it initially, but we're adults and this is a business. It was a situation where we needed to find a way to work together. There were a rough couple of weeks, but things are great."

Garcia, however, might not feel the same way if Gruden treated his injured quarterbacks differently.

On many teams, a sidelined starter would reclaim that spot once healthy. Yet for the second time in two separate stints with the Bucs, Griese appears headed for a backup role once he resumes a regular practice schedule next week.

Being well aware of how Gruden—a former quarterback himself at the University of Dayton—handles his signal-callers has helped Griese approach the situation pragmatically.

"He respects people who at the end of the day get the job done," Griese said. "That's all that really matters."

Not every Bucs quarterback is as understanding, especially younger ones who lack the savvy of journeymen like Garcia and Griese.

Even when Tampa Bay appeared set at the position, Gruden has steadfastly continued an Ahab-like quest to land a bigger whale. The Bucs have more quarterbacks (four) on their current roster than any NFL team and brought six to training camp.

Within the past two years, Gruden:

- Signed Garcia as a free-agent in 2007.

- Re-acquired Griese in a March trade with Chicago.

- Traded with Denver for Jake Plummer but was unable to coax him out of retirement.

- Pursued the Favre trade until the Packers shipped him to the New York Jets.

- Cut ties with three quarterbacks (Simms, Tim Rattay and Bruce Gradkowski) who had combined for 28 starts between 2004 and 2006.

- Made Josh Johnson a 2008 fifth-round pick.

- Worked out Daunte Culpepper following his 2007 release from Miami.

If Jeff George walked into One Buccaneer Place tomorrow carrying pads and a helmet, nobody would be surprised.

"Quarterbacks can sour on (Gruden)," said Sirius NFL Radio analyst Jim Miller, a retired quarterback who was with the Bucs in 2003. "Chris Simms soured on him. Brad Johnson soured on him. Now, you have a little of that with Jeff. It's a fine line that he walks in how he treats his QBs."

Miller said the Gruden's only perfect fit at quarterback was Rich Gannon when the two were in Oakland from 1999 to 2001.

"After they got done at practice, he and Gannon would drink a 12-pack and come up with the game plan the next day," Miller said. "They would always talk Xs and Os. Jon is in his element when he's doing that and really thrives."

The duo was so close that Gruden would give Gannon only partial play calls during games because the latter was so good at quickly processing the information and conveying it in the huddle. McCown says Gruden gives Tampa Bay's current quarterbacks the formations and personnel groupings through his headset.

"Maybe to a fault, he's looking for the guy who's going to do it exactly like he would do it if he was able to play the position," said McCown, who has played with the Bucs since 2005. "That's sometimes not feasible because we all have individual minds. But that's part of developing relationships and being able to know what the other is thinking.

"You want a coach to expect perfection from you, to drive home the little details. That's what going to make you great. That's what he's done for us."

During the Favre saga, Garcia offered this analogy for Gruden's flirtation with quarterbacks: "He likes to just date. He doesn't like to marry." But maybe that's because Gruden hasn't found the "one."

The search is expected to resume in the offseason. Garcia turns 39 in February and is set to become a free agent, as is McCown. Whether the Bucs re-sign McCown could impact Griese, who is set to earn $2.1 million in 2009.

Asked if he believes Tampa Bay has a long-term starter on its current roster, Gruden said, "We might. Believe me—I'm looking for a guy like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning that we can ride for 12 years. Josh Johnson is a flashy young guy. Luke McCown is a brilliant athlete. We're going to find out about that. But right now, our objective is beat Minnesota. Garcia gives us the best chance."

At least for this week.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Alex's columns.

Underestimating '08 Draft Would Be Rookie Mistake

Alex Marvez — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:38:30 -0500

We knew the 2008 NFL draft class was rich in offensive talent.

Nobody, though, could have predicted what little time these youngsters would need to show it.

It's rare to find a rookie quarterback who has started from the season-opener on a winning team. This year, there are two of them in Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco.

Wide receivers are supposed to spend their first season on the bench or as role players while making the difficult transition to facing tougher coverage. Instead, rookies like Denver's Eddie Royal, Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, and St. Louis' Donnie Avery are the ones schooling opposing secondaries.

Running backs usually have early success but not as many as this season. Tennessee's Chris Johnson, Chicago's Matt Forte and Houston's Steve Slaton all should reach the 1,000-yard mark. Four others—Arizona's Tim Hightower, Carolina's Jonathan Stewart and Detroit's Kevin Smith and New England's BenJavrus Green-Ellis — have scored at least four touchdowns.

The offensive linemen are equally impressive. Seven of the eight tackles selected in the first round already are starters. Two guards chosen in the later rounds—Tampa Bay's Jeremy Zuttah (third) and New Orleans' Carl Nicks (fifth)—also have fared well.

NFL.com draft analyst and scouting guru Gil Brandt said such early productivity for so many offensive rookies is unusual but may become the norm in future years.

"The players we are getting now come out of college much more prepared to play in the NFL," said Brandt, Dallas' vice president of player personnel from 1960 to 1989. "We used to get wishbone and option guys. Now, you see college teams throwing 45 times a game. Everybody also has better weight programs so guys come in much stronger."

No offense to the rookie defensive players, but here's a position-by-position look at the emerging stars on the other side of the football:

Quarterbacks: If the draft were held again today, Ryan wouldn't have lasted until the third overall pick and Flacco would be long gone by the 18th selection.

Ryan is so far advanced that Atlanta (6-3) can run offensive schemes like the no-huddle without worrying about him being overwhelmed. Ryan's decision-making—he hasn't thrown an interception in four home games—also is advanced beyond his years.

Flacco wasn't nearly as polished when the season began, relying on his strong arm to compensate for the extra time he needed to read defenses. But Flacco is becoming more decisive with his throws and has now posted four consecutive interception-free games—all of which were Ravens victories.

"It seems like there was such negativity out there surrounding early picks on quarterbacks," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "It was almost a naysayer approach like 'We've seen all the percentages. This is not going to work.' This speaks well of the personnel people and coaches that you can quickly develop a quarterback acquired early in the draft."

Running backs: Of every offensive position, this is the one where rookies usually make the biggest splash. But many of them also are removed in passing situations because of suspect ability in pass blocking and blitz pick-ups. That hasn't been the case with Johnson and Forte, both of whom are every-down backs.

Running back also remains a value pick. Of the seven rookies who have rushed for at least 89 yards the past two weeks, only Johnson (No. 24 overall), Forte (No. 44) and Baltimore's Ray Rice (No. 55) were first-day selections.

Wide receivers: The Broncos immediately knew they had something special in Royal when he caught nine passes for 146 yards in his NFL debut against Oakland. Jackson also made a quick impact for the Eagles, while Avery took advantage of his chance when promoted to the starting lineup in Week Four.

Dimitroff believes all three players share common threads.

"They all can fly and are good start-stop types," Dimotroff said. "That's huge in the NFL—the ability to separate from defenders."

Offensive line:The lack of shutdown left tackles in free agency led to six being picked in the first round. Five of them are starting led by Denver's Ryan Clady, who Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has already touted as a future Pro Bowl selection.

"Left tackle is a really tough position to play because you're usually playing against the best pass-rusher a defense has to offer," Brandt said. "Everybody probably reaches at that position a little in the draft. There was a feeling that Houston reached on [first-round pick] Duane Brown, but the guy has come in and started since Week One and is not a bad left tackle."

The Class of 2008 should shine even brighter in years to come if players like Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall, Chicago left tackle Chris Williams and Washington wideout Devin Thomas shake the injury bugs that have plagued their rookie campaigns.

Two more running backs—Oakland's Darren McFadden and Dallas' Felix Jones—flashed standout play-making skills before getting hurt. Plus, some players like Miami quarterback Chad Henne generated preseason excitement about their potential.

Brandt said he doesn't expect three rookies to get selected for the Pro Bowl like in 2007. But he also believes the Class of 2008 has better overall depth beyond the first round.

"The player you got [later] in this year's draft is better than the one last year," Brandt said.

A new wave of quality offensive players backs Brandt's point.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com. Click here to see a ranking of the Top 25 offensive rookies.

To read more of Alex's columns, click here.

No-Name, First-Year Coaches Flourishing

Alex Marvez — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:50:41 -0500

There are Super Bowl winners like Bill Cowher and Brian Billick. Intriguing retreads Jim Fassel and Marty Schottenheimer. College hotshots Pete Carroll and Kirk Ferentz. Ballyhooed coordinators like Steve Spagnuolo, Jason Garrett, Jim Schwartz, and Rex Ryan.

But if 2008 is any indication, some lesser-known NFL assistants should also garner strong consideration to fill the slew of head coaching vacancies expected during the offseason.

All four of the league's first-year head coaches—Washington's Jim Zorn, Baltimore's John Harbaugh, Atlanta's Mike Smith, and Miami's Tony Sparano—weren't considered viable candidates for those spots at this time last year. Smith was the only one who even held a coordinator title.

Yet after the first half of the season, all four are legitimate candidates for NFL Coach of the Year honors.

All four teams have winning records, which is especially impressive considering Miami, Baltimore, and Atlanta had a combined 2007 mark of 10-38. As for Zorn, he has Washington (6-3) in the running for a second consecutive playoff appearance.

The first-year general manager who hired Smith believes such achievements will prompt NFL owners searching for new head coaches to expand their list of potential hires.

"I think owners should be very impressed by the guys who come in and interview as real people and not just on reputation," Atlanta's Thomas Dimitroff said. "I really believe owners want to see coaches who not only carry themselves with confidence but also show their real side. In today's game, players respond to coaches who shoot straight and treat them like men. It's not all about the mystique and ego of being a head coach."

A straight-forward approach was key in Smith's selection by Dimitroff and Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who was burned by his previous hire of Bobby Petrino from the college ranks. During his five seasons as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator, Smith forged a strong reputation among his peers despite being in the shadow of Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio, who received much of the public credit for the unit's success.

Dimitroff had no previous experience working with Smith, who was one of seven candidates the Falcons interviewed. What separated Smith from the pack was the willingness to work closely with Dimitroff in personnel matters and a similar outlook in talent assessment.

"Some coaches who interviewed here asked, 'Why Mike and not me?' " said Dimitroff, who previously worked in New England's front office. "My point to them was Mike really came to the table talking a lot about players and evaluations. It's imperative you have someone who puts the time in and realizes the importance of that. That was very impressive."

Like Smith, Harbaugh, Zorn, and Sparano also were joining franchises that had strong general managers. None of the four were seeking control over personnel moves, which added to their appeal.

Still, there's no question Miami, Atlanta, Washington, and Baltimore were rolling the dice.

Smith or Harbaugh might not have gotten a chance if Garrett hadn't decided to stay with Dallas rather than respond to strong interest from the Falcons and Ravens. Garrett also had passed Sparano on the Cowboys' coaching ladder when hired as offensive coordinator in the 2007 offseason. Sparano, though, benefited from a strong previous relationship with Bill Parcells, who tapped him shortly after being hired to head Miami's football operations.

Zorn wasn't Washington's first choice, as he was initially hired as offensive coordinator. Zorn was promoted two weeks later after the Redskins ended a wide-ranging interview process by meeting with Spagnuolo, who withdrew from consideration afterward.

Because he never called plays during seven previous seasons as Seattle's quarterbacks coach, there was no tangible proof Zorn was ready to replace the retiring Joe Gibbs. The fact Washington currently ranks 11th in total offense has shown Zorn was up for the challenge.

Harbaugh, too, had stereotypes to overcome. Before becoming Philadelphia's secondary coach in 2007, Harbaugh had spent the previous nine seasons running the Eagles' special teams. Traditionally, such a position hasn't commanded as much respect in the head-coach hiring process as offensive/defensive specialists have received.

Harbaugh hopes Balltimore's success—the Ravens are currently tied with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North at 6-3—causes owners and general managers to reassess that line of thinking. Not only do special teams require detailed planning, assistants gain valuable experience in dealing with players from both sides of the football.

"There are so many guys over the years who should have been head coaches who got stacked up and never got a chance because of that 'special teams' whatever and owners just not understanding," Harbaugh said during a preseason interview. "But now you've got this new breed of (young) owners that are not looking for that stereotypical 'title' guy. They're looking for a leader."

Harbaugh said one special teams coach who would fit the bill is New England's Brad Seely, whose units have ranked among the NFL's best during his 10 seasons with the Patriots. Praised in league circles for his intelligence and coaching intensity, Seely's name might generate more buzz if he didn't keep such a low profile with the media.

Other under-the-radar assistants who could receive a long look this offseason include:

- Philadelphia quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur: Andy Reid isn't the only constant during Donovan McNabb's 10 seasons with the Eagles. McNabb also has enjoyed the luxury of having the same quarterbacks coach. The 43-year-old Shurmur has clearly done great work with McNabb and brought out the best in several Eagles backups, notably A.J. Feeley and Jeff Garcia.

Shurmur, the nephew of the late NFL defensive guru Fritz Shurmur, has never served as an offensive coordinator. But neither did Reid, who was Green Bay's quarterbacks coach before being hired by the Eagles.

- Tampa Bay secondary coach Raheem Morris: NFL insiders believe Morris could be the second coming of Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin, a close friend who helped tutor him while both were Tampa Bay assistants. After leaving in 2006 to become Kansas State's defensive coordinator, Morris returned to Tampa Bay and helped the Buccaneers field the NFL's top-ranked pass defense following a No. 19 ranking the previous year.

Morris, 32, has helped resurrect the career of cornerback Phillip Buchanon while also developing promising young safeties Tanard Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli.

An NFL defensive coordinator's job seems like the next step for Morris, possibly in Tampa Bay if Monte Kiffin leaves during the offseason to work for his son Lane in the college ranks. But Morris could be an intriguing option for a patient franchise looking to make a long-term investment like Pittsburgh was with Tomlin.

- Miami Dolphins assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles: The improvement of Miami's secondary—especially cornerbacks Will Allen and Jason Allen—and the dip in Dallas since his offseason departure may not be coincidence. Bowles spent two seasons on Parcells' Cowboys coaching staff and followed Sparano to Miami.

Having played defensive back for eight NFL seasons, Bowles does an excellent job interacting with his players. Bowles, who turns 45 next Tuesday, was a finalist for the Cowboys head coaching vacancy that went to Wade Phillips in the 2007 offseason.

- Baltimore quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson: Jackson's tutelage of Ravens rookie Joe Flacco may draw him some well-deserved attention for a head coaching spot. Jackson, 43, has NFL experience as an offensive coordinator (twice) as well as a running backs and wide receivers coach.

Jackson, who recruited and coached Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer at Southern Cal, also helped develop wide receivers Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh during his three seasons with the Bengals (2004-06).

Of course, none of these candidates will excite the fan who wants their teams to land the biggest name possible. Making a relatively obscure hire also requires a leap of faith and might not pay off (Detroit's Rod Marinelli and Oakland's Lane Kiffin are two examples). But it's a jump that some owners may be willing to take considering the mixed track record of promoted coordinators.

Since 2005, 11 offensive/defensive coordinators have received their first NFL head coaching opportunities. Four of them currently have losing records. Three more—Scott Linehan (St. Louis), Mike Nolan (San Francisco), and Cam Cameron (Miami)—already were fired.

One of the successes is Tomlin, who was chosen by the Steelers in 2007, despite being 34 years old and having served just one previous season as an NFL coordinator. But while there was some initial skepticism about his hiring—especially considering he was replacing a legend in Cowher—Tomlin quickly grew into the head-coaching role just like Zorn, Sparano, Smith and Harbaugh are doing.

"All four of those guys had the reputation in the football world as being very passionate, solid people who were not egomaniacal," Dimitroff said of the 2008 hires. "They were focused on their work and working with the players. These guys are carrying a bright torch for the next wave of assistants coming up. The next step is for ownership and management to make the move and hire that type of coach."

It could happen in early 2009.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

To read more of Alex's columns, click here.

Collins Carried the Titans to Big Road Win

Alex Marvez — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:58:10 -0500

CHICAGO - Kerry Collins used his downtime Friday afternoon to shoot a six-point buck on a Tennessee farm.

The Chicago Bears were his next target. And once again, his aim was true.

Collins led Tennessee's 21-14 road victory Sunday with his best passing performance in four seasons. In the process, Collins showed the undefeated Titans (9-0) can keep rolling, even when their vaunted rushing game is stymied.

"Good teams, when they can't do one thing, need to do the other," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "Kerry did a great job."

So did Tennessee's smothering defense, allowing only 168 yards after the Bears scored on the opening series. The Titans' special teams also kept Chicago (5-4) pinned deep in its own territory for much of the game. But such efforts would have been squandered if Collins hadn't come through.

Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger told his unit last Wednesday that Tennessee would need success in the air because of Chicago's stingy rush defense. His words were proven true, as Chris Johnson and LenDale White combined for just 22 yards on 24 carries.

With outstanding protection from an offensive line that allowed only one sack, Collins helped the Titans compensate by completing 30 of 41 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Collins' first-down passing—he was 11-for-15 for 105 yards—kept Chicago off-balance. He also converted five times on third-down situations of five yards or longer, including a 10-yard completion to tight end Bo Scaife that allowed Tennessee to run out the fourth-quarter clock.

"We're going to have to throw a little more because teams are putting nine, 10 guys in the box against us," said Scaife, who also had a 10-yard touchdown catch among his 10 receptions. "People are going to have to step up and make plays."

There were serious doubts about whether Collins could do that, especially with a lackluster wide-receiver corps and a conservative offensive philosophy. In the previous eight games he has started since replacing Vince Young, Collins hadn't thrown for more than 200 yards or one touchdown in any of them.

Collins has made some clutch throws but was never asked to carry the load like Sunday.

"People say Kerry manages the game," Heimerdinger said. "But when you go back and watch, I don't think he's getting credit. There may not be gaudy statistics because that's not the way we do it. But he is winning games."

That wasn't always the case. Before this season, Collins was 7-25 as a starter, dating to the 2004 campaign in the first of two disastrous years with Oakland. Collins admits his time with the Raiders left him "a little beat-up mentally" when he signed with the Titans.

Collins, 35, seemed resigned to end his NFL career as a backup until Young's early-season knee injury and subsequent emotional meltdown led to another starting opportunity.

"For whatever reason, (the Raiders) weren't a very good team," Collins said Friday during an interview at Titans headquarters. "I take my fair share of that. It can be tough week in and week out to know that you're not winning. Mentally, it challenges you a little bit."

Now, it's Collins who is raising the play of those around him.

"Kerry is a consistent present in the huddle for us," Scaife said. "He's confident. All you have to do is get to the right spot and Kerry will put the ball there for you."

The only negative to Collins' weekend was a gash on the bridge of his nose he suffered when the muzzleloader used to shoot the deer "kicked back and popped me."

"I was pretty happy even though I was bleeding profusely," a laughing Collins said. "I've had to explain that (cut) 122 times in the past two days."

The Titans have spent an entire season trying to explain that Collins isn't just a "game-manager" type of quarterback. With his play Sunday, Collins proved he can be more.

"I don't even know what a game manager is," Scaife said. "Kerry is just a winner."

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

To read more of Alex's columns, click here.