Mizzo’s NFL Week 16 Picks
Two huge games this week that could determine who gets to chill at home with it all on the line. Both games will be hard hittin’, chin skin splittin’, no pink socks and flip flops games so make sure you tune in or you might miss some sick sugar speed knocks. So so week 9-5, but look for the record to get better as I just jinxed myself.
Enjoy the weekend.
| THU, DEC 18 | TIME (ET) | TV | PREDICTION | THE SKINNY |
| Indianapolis at Jacksonville | 8:15 PM | NFL | Peyton went off. 31-24 Colts | |
| SAT, DEC 20 | TIME (ET) | TV | PREDICTION | THE SKINNY |
| Baltimore at Dallas | 8:15 PM | NFL | 20-16 Ravens | Ed Reed will have a run back |
| SUN, DEC 21 | TIME (ET) | TV | PREDICTION | THE SKINNY |
| Cincinnati at Cleveland | 1:00 PM | CBS | Browns 30-24 | Braylon goes for 150 and 3tds |
| San Francisco at St. Louis | 1:00 PM | FOX | Niners 26-13 | SF on the path to stability |
| New Orleans at Detroit | 1:00 PM | FOX | Saints 35-27 | CJ goes off, but so does Brees |
| Pittsburgh at Tennessee | 1:00 PM | CBS | Steelers 14-10 | Cold rock stuff abounds |
| Miami at Kansas City | 1:00 PM | CBS | Miami 20-17 | Damnit Herm! Don’t give up! |
| Arizona at New England | 1:00 PM | FOX | NE 17-9 |
Dude, it’s in the snow |
| San Diego at Tampa Bay | 1:00 PM | CBS | SD 31-30 | SD fights back |
| Houston at Oakland | 4:05 PM | CBS | Houston 27-25 | Is Houston good? |
| Buffalo at Denver | 4:05 PM | CBS | Den 21-20 | Pick six wins it. |
| NY Jets at Seattle | 4:05 PM | CBS | Sea 28-20 | Coincidence Holmgren’s last game? |
| Atlanta at Minnesota | 4:15 PM | FOX | Minny 30-28 | Minny runs All Day |
| Philadelphia at Washington | 4:15 PM | FOX | PHI 20-10 | DC, what happened? |
| Carolina at NY Giants | 8:15 PM | NBC | NY 10-7 | Do you like snowmen? |
| MON, DEC 22 | TIME (ET) | TV | PREDICTION | THE SKINNY |
| Green Bay at Chicago | 8:30 PM | ESPN | CHI 24-13 | What a wack game |
December 20th, 2008 at 1:56 am
GO NINERS!
December 20th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Put a fork in Tennesee, Tampa Bay and Baltimore.
December 20th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Come’on Eagles!!
December 21st, 2008 at 4:34 am
Well Dallas ROCK-A-BYE BABY!!!!!!!!!!
December 21st, 2008 at 4:39 am
Those Miami boys are all that (Reed and Lewis).
December 21st, 2008 at 5:44 am
Ooooooh crap the cowboys lost.
Time for me to move from Dallas………they about to burn this bit%^ down!!!
LOL!!!
December 21st, 2008 at 7:29 am
I told ya! I told ya! I told ya! Ed Reed ain’t nuthin’ to mess with.
Now as long as the Eagles handle their business this afternoon and next week then life will be very good.
December 21st, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Yeap you said it brotha.
I promise I won’t say anything to those cowboy fans here. HAHA cause if I do they will slash my tires and put sugar in my tank.
LOL!!!
December 21st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
No sugar in ya tank bruh!
December 21st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I said Ed would get a run back but damn was he close.
December 21st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I am looking at the highlights and boy oh boy has Big Ben turned into Rex grossman (2006 version) with all these turnovers. And I mean some straight boneheaded turnovers.
December 21st, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Don’t put a fork in Tennessee just yet…..
December 21st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
….or Baltimore
December 21st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
….or Tampa…..they’re still down by three w/ over 9:00 left in the 4th.
December 21st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
The Steelers’ slow start in games has finally caught up with them. The reason why I didn’t put them at the top of my ‘Top 5′ list is how they’re playing today and how they’ve played for the last few weeks. They just haven’t beaten anyone convincing (besides NE).
December 21st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
…Ok, I guess you can stick a fork in Tampa now…..
December 21st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
HAHA I hear you grandnubian.
Dang Dallas Defense and Big Ben killed my picks.
Oh well go eagles.
I still say that the titans won’t win a playoff game.
December 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Oh and yeah tampa is done.
They were done once Graham went down.
Once their QBs had no running game their season was over.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Crap it looks like Falcons will be in the playoffs.
Not sure if the vikings can over come 4 turnovers.
Crap………….I am sure Blank will be jumping for joy.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Minnesota has decided to lie down like punks and just GIVE a game away.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Origin, Minnesota doesn’t wanna win….they must not.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:15 pm
So I guess andy has given up running the ball??
December 21st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I know Miranda.
Now scrooge Mcduck Blank……..can count his money since the falcons will sell out next year.
Looking at the vikings game there is no way they don’t try again in the offseason to get mcnabb.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Now everyone in ATL can be happy a pocket passing golden boy has lead them to the playoffs.
Now watch the media say that its either Matt Ryan or Payton Manning should be the MVP of the league.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Umm Mizzo where is Eckel or Buckhalter and why no runs in the red zone.
Reid is trying to lose on purpose.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Origin, they still won’t sell out. These good ole boys dont buy tickets, they just get on the newspaper blogs and bash Vick…STILL…that’s all they do. You can’t find a article about the Falcons that doesn’t mention Mike Vick till this day in Atlanta….not one. They need to talk about Vick like they need air to breathe. But no matter how we can see Michael Turner is the catalyst for the offense, you’re right…it will be pushed for Matt Ryan to be the MVP because he “turned the franchise around”…..smh…..
December 21st, 2008 at 11:42 pm
What is wrong with Philly?
December 21st, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I hear you sista thats just crazy.
Anything to keep the hate alive.
Man really reid hasn’t ran the ball in 3 straight possesions.
Reid is straight throwing the game. No doubt about it. Even Ray Charles can see this.
Holy crap and the Jets lost………
December 21st, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Mcnabb getting scapegoated.
These dudes are down by 7 points and their starting WRs are hurt……….yet reid passes and passes and passes.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Now watch the eagles pass on every play this possesion.
Already 27 passes and 13 rushes.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Wow just crazy……….I have never seen a team try to openly lose when it came to play calling like this.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:51 pm
30 passes and 13 rushes.
In windy conditions on the road.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Well Philly is trying to lose…that’s just dandy. AARGH!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 am
Yeap its obvious as he!!.
And the Cowboys will win next week……..cause here in Dallas Jerry Jones needs that new stadium packed. Right now the new stadium isn’t sold out. So a playoff berh plus a deep run should do the trick.
But we all know that Mcnabb was going to be the scapegoat. No way they were gonna pay this dude 10 million for next year.
I still feel that the only reason they even have been calling a more balanced offense in the last few weeks is because the media and ravens players called reid out about the poor play calling. And they want to pad Mcnabb’s stats so that they can get a high draft pick for him in the offseason.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:02 am
So after 5 possesions Reid decides to give Westbrook a running play.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 am
22 pass and 7 rushes this half.
D@MN shame.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:15 am
46 passes and 14 rushes.
See you in Minnesota next year scapegoat……….I mean Mcnabb.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 am
Oh Lawd, I will have to avoid listening to any sports shows around here, because its about to be Vick-bashing 101 until…well….probably for as long as the Falcons are in Atlanta.
You think McNabb will be in Minny and not Chi-town?
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 am
Aaaaaargh…(Miz, I know you don’t like cursing on the board but…) these m’effin’ Eagles…the whole team, the whole organization…make LJ Smith and Reggie Brown walk back to Philly…both of ‘em talkin’ all that trash this week and the whole season about how they’re not getting their chances to shine and when they finally do what do they do? Drop the g***damnned ball…tell Reid and Morningwheg to stay in DC because Howard U. may be hiring and make Jim Johnson the head coach because he can at least stick to a gameplan…tell the front office to clean out their desks because how does a passing offense rely on a rookie WR to be their go-to guy this early in his career?…cut Westbrook too because I’m tired of his never being able to play a whole season without tweaking something…and last give McNabb his freedom because I can hear the bile from the Eagles messageboard from here and I know who gets the blame for this loss even though he didn’t play as good as he could have and deserves his share but not the lion’s share for today’s mess…like Aikman said which team was playing for the playoff spot today?
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:40 am
Mnny sista. The owner wants his new stadium, its about 1 billion. So he will need to make a splash.
Yeah to hear that you will have to deal with them good ole boys.
But let it be known if the good ole boys want to see an ATL team actually make it to the second round of the playoffs the next few years. They will have to watch the Hawks!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 am
Origin, what did I tell you? One of my friends just called and told me to go to the AJC’s homepage..and what do you know, a pic with the caption: Falcon Michael Turner scores against the Vikings early, setting up a stunning turnaround for a team that had been on the ropes after the Michael Vick debacle.
Told ya….everything in the history of the Falcons that was bad, everything in the future that will be bad…its all Vick’s fault….it doesn’t matter…and no matter what, they cannot write about the Falcons without mentioning Vick…they are incapable of it.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 am
I hear you Harvey.
You could tell from a mile away that the eagles weren’t trying to win.
The eagles ran 8 times in the second half. And one of those runs were by Mcnabb.
Now realize that the eagles were never down by more then 10 the whole game.
They freaking passed the ball 74% of the time today. On the road in windy conditions with both of their staring WRs hurt and out the game.
Man the fix was in. Even my wife could see it. They were setting Mcnabb up to be the scapegoat.
Well I hope that those ignorant eagles fans enjoy 3-13 with Kolb. Cause Lurie will not spend that extra money he saved by trading Mcnabb.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 am
D@mn shame Miranda D@mn shame.
Now watch when the Falcons miss the playoffs next year (because they have never had back to back winning seasons) they will mention Vicks name then too.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 am
Origin, they will mention Vick until the day the Falcons are no longer in Atlanta and then probably then too…because it will be his fault they moved.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Ryan for MVP…Ryan for President… The Atlanta Journal Constitution and ESPN may try to get on this bandwagon.
Adrian Peterson laid a humongous egg at home in Minnesota. Very disappointing. Fumbling THREE TIMES in one game, losing TWO… The Vikings may have to employ the method that Coach Coughlin used to help Tiki Barber from years back.. I was really surprised how Adrian Peterson performed. I don’t know if its recent off-the -field problems, the overall pressure of a big game, or just concentration issues. Chester Taylor may have to take over next week.
Taravris Jackson played well, but Berrien’s punt muff and Peterson’s fumbles gave Atlanta that game on a silver platter.
However, potentially these two teams could STILL meet up in the playoffs.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 am
Brotha Harvey and Mizzo. Make sure you’ll go to the eagles game next Sunday that will be Mcnabbs last game as an eagle (sadly it won’t be luries last as an owner or Reids last as a coach). Hopefully everyone gives him a standing ovation.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 am
Matt Ryan helped his team get to the playoffs for one year, but will he be able to sustain it? Time will tell. Remember Chris Miller? He took the Falcons to the playoffs in one of the six years he was with the Falcons. However, Miller teased mostly and was run out of town. Same thing for Jeff George during the 1990’s.
Ryan wasn’t overly impressive in the latter part of the season, and teams in the NFL will catch up and adjust and next season schedule won’t begin with Detroit, Kansas City, etc… maybe more like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Tampa, etc.
Arthur Blank may still lose a lot of money, but he gets to use Ryan as a marketing tool, but I just don’t see the ‘waiting lists’ of season tickets in the near future.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 am
I feel a little sad for McNabb. He has had a great career in Philly, but he needs a change of scenery.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 am
True on everything Patrick.
Hopefully he asks to be traded or cut.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 am
Mcnabb that is.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 am
….and who was it said that the Eagles were a top 5 team?
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 am
San Diego STILL has shot at making the playoffs. It’s real simple….beat Denver next week and they’re in….
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 am
Not me.
Hopefully sandiego beats the broncos.
Now watch Dallas beat Philly and the Jets beat the dolphins.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 am
In regards to McNabb, if he gets cut could he be in a similar situation trying to find a job like Duante Culpepper and to a lesser extent Quinn Gray?
McNabb has a sterling record as a starter, but teams might not want to pay him and McNabb might emulate what Culpepper did and ‘retire’?
*****
Within two weeks, Herm Edwards may be fired. Marvin Lewis could be fired. Romeo Crennel will be fired. And if the Bears’ season ends very badly, he will definitely be on the hot seat for 2009. And Mike Singletary seems to be in a good position with the 49ers, but you never know.
New Years 2009 could see Tony Dungy as the only black head football coach in the NFL.
************
Black QB watch.
The Redskins won’t make the playoffs, and with the mercurial Dan Snyder, you never know what he is thinking. So Jason Campbell may be on the hot seat and out as starting QB by 2009.
David Garrard is in a similar situation, despite the contract. He will start the season in 2009, but a slow start could put him in a similar situation that Tarvaris Jackson faced this year.
McNabb..
Troy Smith’s aspirations of being a starter in Baltimore is over with the emergence of Joe Flacco. It’s a shame that Troy lost his job because of an illness and he could be released and viewed as expendable.
Culpepper’s career is in limbo while in Detroit and could be back in the unemployment line.
JaMarcus Russell has to make things happen in 2009 –early– or he is on the same proverbial leash that Tarvaris Jackson was on.. Black QB’s are given little leeway– be damn near perfect or your job is on the line..
Vince Young…Who knows?
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 am
Patrick,
I think Herm Edwards will resign. It’s been reported that Marvin Lewis’ job is safe (although I think he SHOULD be fired). How long has Crennel been in Cleveland? Singletary should be given a chance….I think he could turn that franchise around.
I don’t think you have to worry about the so-called “Black Quaterback”. They aint going anywhere. The game will and HAS to evolve at EVERY position. The QB position is getting the most resistance of this evolution because it is deemed as the most important and most intelligent.
Trust me….the right coordinator will come along and put together an offense suited to the talents of the athletic QB….and other teams will follow suit because they will have to keep up.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 am
Phillip Rivers gets a “Baller” award and Adrian Peterson gets the “Busta” award.
I agree w/ Patrick that the Birds and Vikings could meet again in the playoffs.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 am
I agree GN.
Also there is no way Mcnabb will be out the league next year.
He is a top 5 QB when the coach actually calls a balanced offense.
There are alot of teams that would like him. From TB to Minnesota.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 am
I’m trying to remember the last time someone mentioned Donovan McNabb and then said, “And to a lesser extent Quinn Gray,” in the same sentence.
ROTFLMBAO - and I won’t be getting up anytime soon.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 am
Also Patrick and GN.
Did you know that washington started 3 CBs in the game.
Yet Reid freaking ran the ball 14 times in the game…..LOL!!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 am
HAHA Temple your a trip man.
Andy must be smoking some of his kids stash.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 am
Thats the only reason I can explain his play calling………well beside setting Mcnabb up for failure.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:44 am
GN,
its funny you mention that about the QB position evolving, I had just read this article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3779821
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 am
You do realize that the Denver Broncos are NOT a playoff team this seaon. San Diego is going to beat their ass next week. They’re gonna beat ‘em like Ed Hochuli stole something.
Not bad overall on the week Mizz. Y’all gotta get some receivers — hands of stone, hearts of glass, and a flair for showboating.
Steve Smith is about to open a can of highlight on the Giants. DeAngelo has a 1/2 can. Look out there doctah!
I lthink the Steelers took the Titans lightly. The absence of Haynesworth and VandenBosch, the loss to the Texans, that damn cover they posed for for “The Magazine.” I think this is a great time to have a really bad “Don’t Believe Your Press Clippings, You Still the 26th Offense in the League Loss.” The next meaningful game will be a divisional playoff game at home — and guess who may be coming to dinner?? The winner of Miami - Baltimore? Oh, baby!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 am
With all due respect, I think the Black QB Watch is blind.
Unless you’re trying to get cats fired or provide a comedic outlet (Kudos for the Quinn Grey reference), I am missing the point.
More on that later — but I just wanted to say that the Brandon Jacobs Effect is REAL. Derrick Ward is the happiest man in America to see Jacobs back — and the Giants tell the Panthers, “GET OUT!!!!”
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 am
I guess the big D is still alive after all.
The Eagles need some better receivers.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 am
Origin,
Man you are too funny!
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:08 am
….”With all due respect, I think the Black QB Watch is blind.
Unless you’re trying to get cats fired or provide a comedic outlet (Kudos for the Quinn Grey reference), I am missing the point….”
Temple, I am not trying to get anyone fired. To clarify… it is very likely that McNabb will get cut and be trying to find a QB job elsewhere. Some have speculated that Minny would be an ideal spot, but there are no guarantees where McNabb may land if Philly decides to release Donovan. We don’t know for sure if Childress will be retained in Minnesota.
In the previous offseason, QBs such as Duante Culpepper and Byron Leftwich were former playoff QBs with winning records as NFL starters trying to find a job on a team, and it took until the middle of preseason when Pittsburgh tabbed Leftwich, and Duante retired and was finally signed at mid-season. As for Quinn Gray (to a lesser extent), he had been a backup, but performed in emergency situations when he backed up David Garrard in Jacksonville and did alright–winning a few games (showing potential). Gray has some talent, but other backups such as Matt Schaub was able to secure a multi-year contract for Houston, but Quinn Gray had a a more difficult time finding any QB job (just as much as Culpepper and Leftwich).. Heck Atlanta’s Chris Redman who had been out of football for four years prior to 2007 is the backup QB for the Falcons and signed a million dollar QB.
The impact of African-American as starting QBs is at a crossroads in my opinion. When Vick gets out of jail, it will be interesting what kind of market will be available and what kind of interest he will garner. More and more GMs would rather have the older, traditional veteran such as Kerry Collins, Brad Johnson, Jeff Garcia, Jon Kitna and even a Chris Redman and it may be a continuing trend.
Whether you are higher profile, more successful QB such as McNabb or even Vick or a career backup with potential such as Troy Smith, D.J. Shockley, Seneca Wallace and yes Quinn Gray, GMs may not be as willing to give them an opportunity to succeed as a NFL starter or even occupy 2nd string. That window that opened wide open with the emergence of McNabb and Vick at the turn of the century may be slowly closing towards the end of this decade.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
T3,
I think the Steelers are a ‘tired’ team after playing that tough-ass schedule. All that physical play took it’s toll on them, although they were in it until the middle of the 4th QTR. It really pains me to watch that offense.
*************************
Miranda,
Interesting article. The author must’ve been reading my mind.
*************************
Patrick,
Trust me when I tell you….more and more black players are playing the position in high school and college. That will result into an influx of black QBs in the years to come. However, along with that influx will be an offensive coordinator who will implement the RIGHT system into the NFL and take advantage of the athletic QBs skills.
Like I said, the game will always evolve. Pretty soon you will have 300-lb defensive linemen running a 4.4; Linebackers will be running a 4.2 or 4.3. The strength and speed on defense will pretty soon have an advantage over the pocket-passing QB. I think that pocket-presence will always have a home in a team’s offense scheme, the QB will have to become a hybrid. Randall Cunningham, McNabb and Vick were/are ahead of their time. The american public (football fan) have been “dumbed” down to believe that only a pocket-passer can succeed in the NFL. But those of us who know better will always revolt against that brand of thinking.
The GMs can’t and won’t be able to control this evolution. The day will come. Just have patience.
Peace…..
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Patrick:
I hear what you are saying. I think you’re missing the larger picture, but in a way subtly different than what GN has suggested. The pipeline may indeed be the biggest thing to give pause to your argument, but I am looking to the present at the professional level.
I do believe you may be lumping some guys into the same piles who need to be separated out a bit. Brad Johnson has a ring. Kitna has thrown for 4000 yds in both conferences and been to the Pro Bowl — and just this year he alleged that the Lions lied about his medical condition to GET HIM OFF THE Field — and they signed…….Daunte Culpepper.
I think the Black QB Watch is all over the place and needs to be tightened up a bit. I think you have some rich stuff here, but you’re looking at the wrong players in the wrong situations and applying the wrong metrics. I mean, really, what’s the root? Kill the Black QB? Ain’t happening unless you kill the Black coach and the Black GM — and in case you haven’t noticed, they’ve got all the hardware the league has issued since 2005.
First of all it bears noting that Black QBs tend to be located on franchises with Black coaches and Black general managers (Garrard: James Harris Jacksonville; Troy Smith: Ozzie Newsome Baltimore; Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch: Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh; Quinn Gray: Tony Dungy Indianapolis; Andre Woodson: Jerry Reese NY Giants). The conversation, to my mind, requires a thoughtful consideration of that starting point.
Bottom line - the Black general managers in the league are firmly entrenched and have solid credentials. The only one that had some serious challenges has been James Harris, but he’s picked at least 3 very good QBs for that franchise. Also, your analysis of David Garrard seems way off base. He’s not the problem in J’ville and there are rallies to suggest that anyone thinks he is. Last year, like Jason Campbell this year, he was the LAST QB to throw a pick and he finished with 18 tds and 3 picks. He was rarely sacked and beat the Steelers on the road TWICE at the end of the season. He actually converted the critical 4th and 2 to win the playoff game. This year, he’s kept the team from imploding even though the offensive line was decimated by injury and they lost Marcus Stroud. Garrard ain’t goin’ nowhere nowhere time soon — and even if he does, he plays the exact style of play that some of the people on your “white” list also play.
I know you believe Tomlin will be fired any day now, but :), he won’t be. Did you know that the 3 QBs behind Ben are Leftwich, Charlie Batch and Oregon’s Dennis Dixon? Now, Batch is aging, Dixon’s not established, and Leftwich’s appeal was limited — like that of Culpepper — by frequent injuries and limitless talent that demands significant compensation. Detroit rolled the dice. Daunte’s out injured again. If Culpepper’s not playing in two years, what will that prove to you?
DJ Shockley and Seneca Wallace — I’m not going to go there. But let’s just say this is the 4th time you’ve lumped folks together who simply merit more separation. DJ Shockley. Next you’ll be talking about Quincy Carter and Akili Smith.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Patrick:
Remember - if you make a more compelling case, I’ll change my tune like a DJ…always willing to submit to what I can accept as the best argument. Keep it coming.
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
First domino to fall. James Harris out in Jacksonville.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3789799
Gene Smith in.
http://www.jaguars.com/team/images/scout(2353)180×240.jpg
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
T3,
What’s the low-down on Gene Smith? I don’t know much about him…….
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I don’t either. The article only says he was the Director of College and Professional Scouting.
It’s funny. In relationship to the larger conversation we were having on Mizzo’s post re: Donovan, I think the Jaguars are an interesting study on this question of wide receivers. They’ve drafted a bunch of large wide receivers: Ernest Wilford, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones. They signed Porter. Best receiver in franchise history? Jimmy Smith. Worked diligently after early trouble to become an elite receiver.
They had Leftwich, a power running game, a physical defence (with some limitations like Donovan Darius in coverage), solid special teams. No brass ring, but always competitive. I can imagine Donovan on some of the recent Jaguar teams. None of those receivers, though, turned out to be particularly good.
Porter was the last person I remember eating Champ Bailey alive. It was a few years ago, but post-Portis trade. I think it was a Monday night game in the snow. Porter had around 200 yards. I haven’t the foggiest idea what his problem is or isn’t. He may have become tired of sitting around waiting for Garrard to get the rock downfield or just wanted to collect a check with a long recovery from injury. Maybe he’s legitimately injured, but he’s not bankable.
I figure Harris is the fall guy, but they have some solid pieces. It wouldn’t be surprised to see them win 10 games again next year without making very many changes at all.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Good post Temple. The word is Harris is the fall guy and he fell out with Del Rio over Leftwich being cut. The story goes that Del Rio went over his head to have leftwich cut.
Also Temple remember that the GM in Houston is a brotha too.
I have to give it to Harris he did try and draft WRs. But he also made sure that he always picked up RBs too.
Del Rio is getting a pass…….but his @ss is toast next year. Well unless they decide to use Garrad as a Mcnabb……ummm I mean scapegoat.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Jacksonville made the playoffs last year, and the GM is now gone…shocking
Cleveland got 10 wins last year in remarkable turnaround, and Crennel is likely gone a year later.
The first order of business for Jacksonville’ new GM: Cut Matt Jones, Draft Michael Crabtree.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
T3,
Yeah, that combo of Smith and McCardell was amongst the best in the league.
Like origin & Patrick, I can’t see how Harris takes the bullet but Del Rio is still there. Makes no sense to me. Oh well, i’m sure that he’ll land on his feet somewhere else (Detroit, perhaps?) and turn another team around.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Just as a point of information: The Browns defense hasn’t been ranked higher than 26th in the last 3 years. They have a mess at QB and lost several of their best players to Staph infection and other injuries that crippled the offense. Its not like Crennel is the only cat getting fire. I understand that Phil Savage is getting the boot as well.
Frankly, Crennel might have been better served by being more aggressive in dealing with the Staph issue and supporting players like Winslow when the situation erupted earlier this year. Crennel took the company line against Winslow’s public position — and still received strong public support from Winslow.
Bottom line — I think Romeo took an unfortunate risk with Derek Anderson. He’s not the real deal. He should have taken a page from Marvin Lewis’ book and disregarded his highly productive season last year as a means to buy time on the back of Brady Quinn.
The Browns played a tough schedule this year — 2nd place AFC teams, NFC East and AFC South. No patsies on the grind…that combined with injuries put them in a serious hole. I’d like to think that Romeo will get another gig, but I believe that if he rode Quinn this year — for better or for worse, he and Savage would have a stronger negotiating position. As it stands, they’re a franchise is chaos.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
GN:
I agree.
It seems there are more Black GMs than I imagined. Houston, Arizona, New York — but fewer than are merited based on the numbers in the game.