tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5137077939424747272024-03-13T08:35:41.532-07:00Ellenport ReportPerspectives from a veteran sports journalistCraig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-68306927269729836822019-03-29T18:09:00.000-07:002019-03-29T18:12:41.921-07:00Janet Jackson’s Wardrobe Malfunction Was Osama Bin Laden’s Fault<p>As Janet Jackson gets inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Friday night, it’s worth revisiting something she has in common with other members of the Rock Hall such as Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Prince and Tom Petty. That’s right, we’re talking about the Super Bowl Halftime Show.</p>
<p>It’s interesting to note that at this time 15 years ago, Jackson was still reeling from that night – Feb. 1, 2004 – when the world saw a little too much of her during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston’s Reliant Stadium. </p>
<p>The New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers in that game, their second title in three years. The game was memorable … though not as memorable as the halftime show. Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” was seen by an international audience, and it created a backlash against the NFL and a hefty fine from the Federal Communications Commission levied against Viacom, parent company of CBS, which broadcast the game, and MTV, which produced the halftime show.</p>
<p>When Justin Timberlake, accidentally or not, grabbed a piece of Jackson’s dress to reveal her left breast, the FCC received more than half a million complaints. The FCC fined Viacom $550,000. Several years later, courts overturned that ruling and FCC officials admitted they had overreacted. But that was of little consolation to Jackson, who for a time had been blacklisted by Viacom and MTV following the incident.</p>
<p>Who was to blame for this fiasco? Osama Bin Laden, of course.</p>
<p>Here’s why: If not for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Janet Jackson would have been the headliner in the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show, and as a solo act, not with Timberlake. “She was booked prior to 9/11,” said Jim Steeg, the NFL’s VP of Events at the time. “But she wanted out after 9/11. She was afraid to be in the building, with all the security concerns.” Things turned out just fine for the NFL with that scenario, as they got U2 to perform the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show at the Louisiana Superdome, a show that became one of the most patriotic moments in sports history.</p>
<p>Two years later, MTV was producing the halftime show for the NFL, and they were pushing a hip-hop agenda that the league wasn’t eager to embrace. In addition the Jackson, MTV favorites P. Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock were scheduled to be on stage. </p>
<p>“Janet was the tame act,” Steeg thought at the time. “Timberlake was a completely late addition. We thought those were the acts that were gonna tone it down.</p>
<p>“Little did we know.”</p>
Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-84646367170167618242018-09-26T08:29:00.000-07:002018-09-26T08:29:55.693-07:00Cy Young or Not, Jacob deGrom Has Cemented His Place in History<br />
Mets fans have agonized over the lack of run support that Jacob deGrom has received during his stellar 2018 season. DeGrom currently leads the majors with a 1.77 earned run average, yet his record sits at a mediocre 9-9. As the season winds down to a merciful end, a study of starting pitchers over the last 70 years that have cracked the 2.00 ERA barrier shows how truly historic – and tragic – deGrom’s season has been.<br />
<br />
DeGrom’s final start of the season is Wednesday night, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Cy Young Award? That’s been a hot-button topic that will not be resolved with one more start.<br />
<br />
What is at stake is this: A loss would make deGrom the first starting pitcher in the modern era to finish with an ERA under 2.00 and a win-loss record under .500. A no-decision would make him the first in the group with a non-winning record and also the first with fewer than 10 wins. And considering he’s had 13 no-decisions already this season – 42 percent of his starts – the odds say he’ll finish 2018 with a .500 record.<br />
<br />
Again, these numbers in no way reflect badly on deGrom. It’s all about his historic lack of run support.<br />
<br />
A few more nuggets that put this feat in historical perspective:<br />
<br />
• In the last 70 years, a total of 27 starting pitchers have posted an ERA under 2.00. Sandy Koufax did it three times; Luis Tiant, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez and Clayton Kershaw have done it twice.<br />
<br />
• Of the 34 times it’s been done in that span, 17 of those seasons ended with a Cy Young Award. The sub-2.00 ERA helped produce a 20-win season 18 times.<br />
<br />
• In 1968, six different pitchers had an ERA under 2.00 – led by Bob Gibson and his incomprehensible 1.12 ERA. Think about this: Tommy John, who allowed 1.98 runs per nine innings pitching for the Chicago White Sox that season, finished sixth in ERA.<br />
<br />
• Tommy John went 10-5 in 1968 – the lowest win total among the 27 pitchers who had a sub-2.00 ERA.<br />
<br />
• The closest any of these pitchers has come to a losing record was Sam McDowell, who went 15-14 for the Cleveland Indians in 1968, despite a 1.81 ERA. Unlike the 2018 Mets, the 1968 Indians finished with a winning record. That said, their team batting average was a paltry .234 (the ’18 Mets currently sit at .236.<br />
<br />
• In 25 of the 34 sub-2.00 ERA seasons, the pitcher won at least twice as many games as he lost.<br />
<br />
• The average win-loss record for these 34 seasons: 20-8. So in terms of history, deGrom is right about on average in terms of losses. But he’s a long way from the average win total.<br />
<br />
Of course, Mets fans know that’s not deGrom’s fault.<br />
<br />
Here’s a breakdown of the sub-2.00 ERAs over the last 70 years:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table>
<tr><td><b>Year</b></td><td><b> Pitcher, Team</b></td><td><b>ERA</b></td><td><b> W-L</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>1955</td><td>
 Billy Pierce, White Sox</td><td>
1.97</td><td>
 15-10</td></tr>
<tr><td>1963</td><td>
 Sandy Koufax, Dodgers</td><td>
1.88</td><td>
 25-5</td></tr>
<tr><td>1964</td><td>
 Dean Chance, Angels</td><td>
1.65</td><td>
 20-9</td></tr>
<tr><td>1964</td><td>
 Joe Horlen, White Sox</td><td>
1.88</td><td>
 13-9</td></tr>
<tr><td>1964</td><td>
 Sandy Koufax, Dodgers</td><td>
1.74</td><td>
 19-5</td></tr>
<tr><td>1966</td><td>
 Sandy Koufax, Dodgers</td><td>
1.73</td><td>
 27-9</td></tr>
<tr><td>1966</td><td>
 Gary Peters, White Sox</td><td>
1.98</td><td>
 12-10</td></tr>
<tr><td>1968</td><td>
 Bob Gibson, Cardinals</td><td>
1.12</td><td>
 22-9</td></tr>
<tr><td>1968</td><td>
 Luis Tiant, Indians</td><td>
1.60</td><td>
 21-9</td></tr>
<tr><td>1968</td><td>
 Sam McDowell, Indians</td><td>
1.81</td><td>
 15-14</td></tr>
<tr><td>1968</td><td>
 Dave McNally, Orioles</td><td>
1.95</td><td>
 22-10</td></tr>
<tr><td>1968</td><td>
 Denny McLain, Tigers</td><td>
1.96</td><td>
 31-6</td></tr>
<tr><td>1968</td><td>
 Tommy John, White Sox</td><td>
1.98</td><td>
 10-5</td></tr>
<tr><td>1971</td><td>
 Tom Seaver, Mets</td><td>
1.76</td><td>
 20-10</td></tr>
<tr><td>1971</td><td>
 Vida Blue, Athletics</td><td>
1.82</td><td>
 24-8</td></tr>
<tr><td>1971</td><td>
 Wilbur Wood, White Sox</td><td>
1.87</td><td>
 22-13</td></tr>
<tr><td>1972</td><td>
 Luis Tiant, Red Sox</td><td>
1.61</td><td>
 15-6</td></tr>
<tr><td>1972</td><td>
 Gaylord Perry, Indians</td><td>
1.92</td><td>
 24-16</td></tr>
<tr><td>1972</td><td>
 Steve Carlton, Phillies</td><td>
1.97</td><td>
 27-10</td></tr>
<tr><td>1972</td><td>
 Gary Nolan, Reds</td><td>
1.99</td><td>
 15-5</td></tr>
<tr><td>1978</td><td>
 Ron Guidry, Yankees</td><td>
1.74</td><td>
 25-3</td></tr>
<tr><td>1985</td><td>
 Doc Gooden, Mets</td><td>
1.53</td><td>
 24-4</td></tr>
<tr><td>1985</td><td>
 John Tudor, Cardinals</td><td>
1.93</td><td>
 21-8</td></tr>
<tr><td>1990</td><td>
 Roger Clemens, Red Sox</td><td>
1.93</td><td>
 21-6</td></tr>
<tr><td>1994</td><td>
 Greg Maddux, Braves</td><td>
1.56</td><td>
 16-6</td></tr>
<tr><td>1995</td><td>
 Greg Maddux, Braves</td><td>
1.63</td><td>
 19-2</td></tr>
<tr><td>1996</td><td>
 Kevin Brown, Marlins</td><td>
1.89</td><td>
 17-11</td></tr>
<tr><td>1997</td><td>
 Pedro Martinez, Expos</td><td>
1.90</td><td>
 17-8</tr>
<tr><td>2000</td><td>
 Pedro Martinez, Red Sox</td><td>
1.74</td><td>
 18-6</td></tr>
<tr><td>2005</td><td>
 Roger Clemens, Astros</td><td>
1.87</td><td>
 13-8</td></tr>
<tr><td>2013</td><td>
 Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers</td><td>
1.83</td><td>
 16-9</td></tr>
<tr><td>2014</td><td>
 Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers</td><td>
1.77</td><td>
 21-3</td></tr>
<tr><td>2015</td><td>
 Zack Greinke, Dodgers</td><td>
1.66</td><td>
 19-3</td></tr>
<tr><td>2015</td><td>
 Jake Arrieta, Cubs</td><td>
1.77</td><td>
 22-6</td></tr>
</table>
Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-22634010454070357312018-02-28T05:56:00.000-08:002018-02-28T05:58:43.930-08:00Take the Quiz: Which Oscar-Nominated Sports Movies Are Based On True Stories?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">For those too young to recall the events
chronicled in "I, Tonya," which is nominated for three Academy Awards
this year, raise your hand if you saw the movie and thought, "No way is
this based on a true story!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">There have been several sports movies
good enough for Oscar consideration over the years -- some based on true
stories and others pure fiction. So... here's a quiz to see if you know the
difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">We’ll provide a brief description of 10 sports
movies that have been honored at the Academy Awards -- five that are based on
true stories and five that are total fiction. Can you guess which is which?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">First, a few movies that we will not
include here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Rocky:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Sylvester
Stallone had always maintained that Rocky’s story was fiction – until recently
admitting that it was “loosely based” on the career of real-life New Jersey
boxer Chuck Wepner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Heaven
Can Wait:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Los Angeles Rams QB Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is killed in
a car accident, but when his guardian angel realizes that Pendleton was taken
too soon, he returns to Earth in a different body. (This story is almost as
unbelievable as a backup quarterback leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their
first NFL title in 78 years.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Field
of Dreams:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> If the story of Shoeless Joe Jackson and other long-dead Hall
of Fame baseball players coming back to life in an Iowa cornfield isn’t true,
why do so many fans visit that field every summer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">So, yeah, it’s too easy to guess that
stories involving reincarnation and ghosts are not based on true stories. Let’s
see how you fare with these:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">1)
Million Dollar Baby:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> The 2004 Best Picture also earned Hilary
Swank the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a tough female amateur boxer
being mentored by grizzled trainer Clint Eastwood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">2)
Chariots of Fire:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> The 1981 Best Picture honoree tells the story of two
runners competing in the 1924 Olympics. As the movie poster says, “This is the
story of two men who run … not to run … but to prove something to the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">3)
Raging Bull:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Martin Scorsese’s 1980 masterpiece about the turbulent life of
a retired boxing champion. Many people think it was a crime that “Raging Bull”
lost out to “Kramer vs. Kramer” for Best Picture, but the movie did earn a Best
Actor Oscar for Robert DeNiro.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">4)
The Hustler:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> The story of young pool star “Fast” Eddie Felson (Paul Newman)
taking on the champ, Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason), was nominated for Best
Picture in 1961 – and it’s also credited with sparking a resurgence in the
sport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">5)
Jerry Maguire:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Tom Cruise was nominated for Best Actor, playing the
super-agent. Cuba Gooding Jr., who won Best Supporting Actor for his role as
Cardinals receiver Rod Tidwell, had <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnCMqr1QRQw" target="_blank">one of the best Oscaracceptance speeches</a> of all-time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">6)
The Blind Side:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for this 2009 film about
the white family in Tennessee that takes in an African-American high school
football star from a broken home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">7)
Hoosiers:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> In this 1986 classic, Gene Hackman plays coach Norman Dale, who
leads a tiny Indiana high school to the state basketball championship in 1954.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">8) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breaking
Away:</b> In this 1979 Best Picture nominee, a group of blue-collar teens from
Bloomington, Indiana, enter the Little 500 bicycle race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">9)
The Wrestler:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Mickey Rourke was nominated for Best Actor for this 2008
portrayal of a down-and-out former professional wrestler battling health issues
and internal demons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">10)
The Hurricane:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> Denzel Washington was nominated for Best Actor in 1999,
playing Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a middleweight contender who is wrongly
convicted of murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">---<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">How’d you do? Like “I, Tonya,” here are
the five movies that were based on a true story: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->SomeCraig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-3653978003701263262018-02-02T07:39:00.001-08:002018-02-02T07:39:51.013-08:00How Bill Parcells and I Helped the Saints Win the Super Bowl<div class="MsoNormal">
Saints coach Sean Payton, talking on Radio Row Friday morning,
mentioned that he still speaks to Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells regularly.
Which got me to reminiscing about the famous meeting these two coaches had
prior to Super Bowl XLIV – right after I thought Parcells had busted me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s how it went down…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s Monday of Super Bowl week in 2010, and the Saints are
getting ready to play the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida. As senior
editor of NFL.com, I was getting ready to moderate a live online chat with
Parcells, then president of the Miami Dolphins. Before leaving the media center
to meet Parcells at the Dolphins’ facility, one of our NFL.com writers was
telling me that he was having a hard time reaching Parcells. Since Payton was a
longtime assistant Parcells, the writer wanted Tuna’s take on how the Saints
coach might approach the big game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No problem, I told my writer. The chat was going to be me
asking Parcells questions submitted by fans. I’ll just slip in your question,
couched as a fan’s query, and you can use the answer in your story. Easy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a rainy Monday when we arrived at the Dolphins
facility. The Saints were on their way as well – they would be practicing later
that afternoon on the Dolphins’ practice field. I’m with my friend and
colleague, Gil Brandt, who helped set up the chat. We meet with Parcells and
set up in the PR director’s office. The live chat begins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After getting a couple of questions in, I’m ready to get my
writer his quote. Even though it’s not technically a fan-submitted question, I
decide to keep it semi-authentic by using the writer’s first name and hometown
when asking the question:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Steve from Atlanta wants to know, How will Sean Payton …” I
don’t remember the exact question, but that’s irrelevant. I ask it and get
ready to type in the answer. Parcells pauses, then turns to Gil sitting next to
him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That guy’s been trying to call me all week,” Parcells says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, shit. “Steve from Atlanta” was all he needed to hear to
know we were pulling a fast one. I’m busted… by Bill Parcells. I froze. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parcells continued his aside to Gil: “Well, his team is
coming over here now for practice, so I guess I’ll talk to him then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ohhhh… He wasn’t talking about Steve from Atlanta calling
him all week. He was talking about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Payton</i>.
Not sure if my sigh of relief was visible to the others in the room, but it
felt like I just got a death row pardon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the chat went smoothly. Steve from Atlanta got
his quote and wrote a great story, as usual. But here’s the other significant
follow-up…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we were leaving the facility, the Saints had just
arrived. Parcells met in private with Payton after the team practice. And it
was there that Parcells told Payton something that arguably gave the Saints a
Super Bowl victory. Parcells told Payton he should be bold on special teams and
think about doing something to steal a possession.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was the spark that led Payton to call for an onside
kick to start the second half of Super bowl XLIV. The Saints recovered and
never looked back, capturing the franchise’s first and only NFL crown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parcells can officially take credit for winning two Super
Bowls with the Giants, and he can take a little credit for the Saints’ win. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me? Not so much. But who knows? The facts are these:
Parcells was talking to me for half an hour, then he gave Sean Payton advice
that helped the Saints win the Super Bowl. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sounds like I can take a little credit, right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-57889437842653056642018-01-31T10:03:00.003-08:002018-01-31T10:03:50.843-08:00Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win Super Bowl LII<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIS3rOf7wG3Z5o1JbrrMN9n2umvHESz412iUlJpNU-gP4hNDDUrIiB_fk3c2ftedHe9WzyaTUEHReeMyQfWTR6bpR1jhqYJsa1MnCteRT6mNJKShIo37iKewNlFwfRuCw4seH_7NFyo80/s1600/SB52_Primary_RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIS3rOf7wG3Z5o1JbrrMN9n2umvHESz412iUlJpNU-gP4hNDDUrIiB_fk3c2ftedHe9WzyaTUEHReeMyQfWTR6bpR1jhqYJsa1MnCteRT6mNJKShIo37iKewNlFwfRuCw4seH_7NFyo80/s320/SB52_Primary_RGB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to sports, fate can be a funny thing. In this
day and age of analytics, where numbers tell the story and there is no shortage
of information at one’s disposal to predict the outcome of a sporting event, is
there any room left to fate?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hell yes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s really all a matter of fate, since fate can be
interpreted in any direction. Super Bowl LII is the ultimate example.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles
are fairly evenly matched. They had identical 13-3 records during the regular
season. They finished tied for second in the NFL in scoring offense (28.6
points per game). The Eagles were fourth in scoring defense (18.4 ppg) while
the Patriots were a tick behind in fifth (18.5).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Statistically, the biggest difference is in defensive yards
allowed. The Eagles ranked fourth overall, allowing 306.5 yards per game, while
the Patriots ranked 29<sup>th</sup> (366.0). Philadelphia’s top-ranked run
defense allowed just 79.2 yards per game, while New England came in at 20
(114.8).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll concede that the mere presence of Tom Brady and Bill
Belichick at least balances out the Eagles’ edge on defense. Okay, maybe they
more than balance the spreadsheet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So let’s bring fate into the mix. Not only are the Eagles
long overdue to win it all -- they haven’t been crowned NFL champions since
1960 – but the Patriots have captured the Lombardi Trophy five times in the
last 16 years. That’s downright obscene.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here’s the thing: It’s not just that the New England
Patriots are due to lose. It’s that they have been creeping ever so close to
getting that comeuppance. Give Brady and Belichick all the credit in the world,
but there’s no denying this basic truth: Their opponents did plenty to help
them win their last two Super Bowls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Seahawks gave them Super Bowl XLIX with a terrible call
at the goal line, allowing Malcolm Butler to make a game-saving interception
instead of letting Marshawn Lynch run for a game-winning score with 20 seconds
left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year, the Patriots amazingly came back from a 28-3
deficit to upend the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Sure, the comeback was
magnificent. But it’s wrong not to pin that loss on Atlanta’s inability to kill
the clock. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Patriots are truly one of the best teams in NFL history,
a dynasty of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century. It would be totally unfair to call
them lucky… but isn’t it fair to say that they’ve had some good fortune in
those last two Super Bowl wins? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even this season, fortune smiled on them. Shouldn’t they
have lost that Week 15 game in Pittsburgh? First, the Steelers had a
game-winning Jesse James TD catch overturned. Then safety Duron Harmon picked
off a rushed Ben Roethlisberger pass at the goal line to seal the win. Without
that victory, Pittsburgh would have been the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the
playoffs might have been different.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s as far as I’ll take it. The Jaguars didn’t choke in
the AFC title game. The Patriots more than earned their fourth-quarter comeback
win over Jacksonville.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, it was yet another case of New England tempting fate.
How many lives does this cat have?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Simply put: The Eagles are overdue to win a championship,
and the Patriots are due to come up short.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eagles 23, Patriots 20</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-48365846830737414372017-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:002017-11-13T06:00:05.216-08:00Here Are 3 Great NFL-Related Odd Couple Episodes<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Odd Couple Day!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s right, you know what we’re talking about:<br />
<br />
<i>“On
November 13th, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of
residence… That request came from his wife.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsdeYMCGRaJe8qL265rgeKfHMhY5H-9HmhvNI831Is6p385X1tSE3nr4dlw0p476eY2gqkWird7wLhvM70QI9wd3IRLWIYGIfHPMmZ-VCA5wuNcAqk8cGChXix8JnU_7HOZXE-EpUx5HP/s1600/odd+couple.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsdeYMCGRaJe8qL265rgeKfHMhY5H-9HmhvNI831Is6p385X1tSE3nr4dlw0p476eY2gqkWird7wLhvM70QI9wd3IRLWIYGIfHPMmZ-VCA5wuNcAqk8cGChXix8JnU_7HOZXE-EpUx5HP/s1600/odd+couple.jpeg" /></a>There have been many iterations of The Odd Couple, from
stage to screen to television. The movie version with Jack Lemmon and Walter
Matthau was a classic, but it’s hard to top the original TV series that aired
on ABC from 1970-75, starring Tony Randall as Felix and Jack Klugman as Oscar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the show gained popularity, it featured some notable
guest appearances. And having one of the main characters be a successful
sportswriter made it easy to incorporate big names from the sports world into
storylines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was the episode where they tried to set up Oscar’s
secretary, Myrna (Penny Marshall). <span style="background: #f2f2f2; color: #222222;">One of the potential suitors is a European
placekicker played by former Miami Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian.
Appropriately, the only English word he speaks is “Kick!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #f2f2f2; color: #222222;">In “That Was No Lady,” </span>Felix falls for a woman he
thinks is single. Turns out she’s married to a jealous pro linebacker played by
Alex Karras. This was three years after Karras retired from the NFL and one
year before his memorable turn as Mongo in “Blazing Saddles.” (Karras, of
course, went on to play a not-so-tough guy as the dad in ‘80s sitcom
“Webster.”)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Howard Cosell appeared twice in the series. In the final
season, Oscar hired real-life comedian Jack Carter to write him some good
Cosell insults (thus the episode title, “Your Mother Wears Army Boots”). But it
was Cosell’s first appearance, in 1972, that was among the best Odd Couple
episodes ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, three episodes with NFL cameos are among the best
in the series. Here they are:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Big Mouth” (air
date, Sept. 22, 1972) –</b> The first of two appearances by “Monday Night
Football” play-by-play man Howard Cosell. This one establishes the feud between
Cosell and Oscar, and it also features a cameo – at least in highlight form –
from Roger Staubach.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The episode includes two visits to the “Monday Night
Football” booth. The first time, Felix suggests to Cosell that there are some
things he can do to fix his nasal twang, to which Cosell fires back: “That
nasal twang is the single most identifiable voice in broadcasting!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second visit comes during a Cowboys-Giants game, and
Cosell aims to embarrass Oscar by handing him the mike to call a play. When
Oscar freezes, Felix grabs the mike and pretends to be Oscar, proceeding to
make one of the greatest play-by-play calls in football history:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Staubach takes the snap from center. He fakes a handoff to
Duane Thomas elegantly and fades back to pass. He’s looking for a receiver. He
can’t find one. He’s scrambling… He’s scrambling with the dexterity of a
lizard. … And now he looks to run with it himself. And he’s stopped cold at the
line of scrimmage. No gain on the play! … No gain, but a lesson for us all. And
what is that lesson? It is the lesson that is the message of all sports. Try,
try again. For all men, no matter what their race, creed or color (looking at
an African-American in the booth), no matter who they are, more than money is
the love of fair play… And speaking of fair play, this is Oscar Madison signing
off and reminding you that a quitter never wins and a winner never quits.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cosell then takes back the mike and says, “Ladies and
gentleman, I’ll recap the three plays you just missed right after this
announcement.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.ovguide.com/video/the-odd-couple-big-mouth-d3693b26e08211e38a2612313b079db3" target="_blank">Here’s the full episode</a> (skip to the 22-minute mark to see
Felix’s play-by-play)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Felix’s First
Commercial” (Nov. 3, 1972) –</b> Felix gets to direct a commercial, but only if
Oscar can get his friend, NFL star Deacon Jones, to be in it. And Deacon will only
do it if Oscar can be in the commercial with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Full disclosure: I once interviewed Jones for NFL.com, I
think around 2002 or so. When I got him on the phone, I prefaced the interview
by telling him that I was a big Odd Couple fan and his appearance on the show
was one of my favorites. “Goddamit!” said Deacon. “I’m in the Pro Football Hall
of Fame, one of the most feared pass rushers in football history, and all
anyone wants to talk to me about is when I was on the Odd Couple and the Brady
Bunch.” I think he was half-kidding, not sure. My instinct was to say I didn’t
really want to talk about his appearance on the Brady Bunch, but instead I
skipped the whole thing and went straight into football questions.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VI3jMLU_RUA?ecver=2" target="_blank">Watch a clip from the episode</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Take My Furniture,
Please” (March 9, 1973) –</b> Felix sets out to redecorate the apartment. The
whole episode is so great that Bubba Smith’s cameo is almost an afterthought.
Smith, playing himself, is in Oscar’s office for an interview when Felix shows
up seeking Oscar’s approval on samples of their new drapes. As a precursor to
his future comedic work in the “Police Academy” movies, Smith is great as
football-star-turned-interior-decorator -- “I’ve tackled that color before,” he
says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When asked about his formal dining area, Smith deadpans, “I
just did mine in blue and white, trimmed in gold. Looks great and the chicks
love it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.ovguide.com/video/the-odd-couple-take-my-furniture-please-f1bb6a90e08211e38a2612313b079db3" target="_blank">Here’s the full episode</a> (go to the 9-minute mark to see
Bubba’s part)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-30019062576002252082017-10-10T06:15:00.000-07:002017-10-10T06:15:04.014-07:00Sad State of Web Editing<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a Friday morning, and I was putting the finishing
touches on a manuscript about NBA star Kevin Durant. This was for a youth
publication -- 9,000 or so well-crafted words geared toward high school-aged
kids.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was for a series of books being written about the Golden
State Warriors’ triumphant 2016-17 season, in which they defeated LeBron James
and the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA Championship. Durant’s story was of
particular interest. He was already an established superstar last summer when
he signed a free-agent contract to join the Warriors, who had already been to
two straight NBA Finals without him, winning it all in 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Durant received plenty of criticism for signing with Golden
State, but he played through it, helped his new team recapture the title, and
was named MVP of the Finals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I was just browsing the web in search of some
information for one last sidebar when I came across the following headline:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kevin Durant recants Golden State Warriors’ season, title run in new
video<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait, what?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The longest chapter in my manuscript is all about “that
championship season.” All that work I put into detailing the events that led to
winning the title … Durant is disavowing it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How was this not front-page news?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, a quick perusal of the article confirmed what I
really thought: The person who wrote that headline doesn’t know what “recant”
means. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Recant: </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #3b3e41; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">to withdraw or repudiate (a
statement or belief) formally and publicly</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Warriors’ season and title run doesn’t qualify as a
statement or belief, so the headline wouldn’t make sense even if there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> some weird, negative angle. No, it
was simply a story about this video in which Durant was looking back on last
season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reflecting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reminiscing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Recounting.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, that’s what the headline was supposed to be: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kevin Durant recounts Golden State Warriors’
season, title run in new video.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Should we give the editor the benefit of the doubt? Maybe he
or she meant to write “recounts” but misspelled it. Autocorrect -- not having
any context -- changed it to “recants.” Of course, then it’s just a terrible
editing job.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know what you’re thinking… It’s way too easy to pick on
digital media outlets for their shabby writing and editing skills. But there
are two aspects of this egregious error that really stick out:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For starters, this likely wasn’t just a careless typo or bad
grammar. It wasn’t a millennial who thinks text shorthand – like thru instead
of through -- is okay for headlines. No, this was a vocabulary-related offense.
It was just ironic that the wrongly used word completely reversed the intended
meaning of the headline.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On top of that, it should be noted that this story was
originally published on a major media site that actually employs writers and
editors. Because my intent is not to shame any particular source, there’s no need
to call them out here. But make no mistake, the headline was not written by a
blogger in a basement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That said, you can easily find the source by dropping that
headline into your browser. And therein lies another problem. If you Google
that headline you’ll find the original source – plus a dozen other blogs and/or
newsfeeds that picked it up. Some are clearly feeds that automatically pick up
the original headline, but a few are blogs created by humans who lazily re-ran
the original headline and didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Either way, it’s a sad state of affairs. And it’s not simply
a matter of us grumpy old journalism school grads making too big a deal out of
grammar and spelling (and vocabulary, for crying out loud).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week, I was talking to a buddy of mine who is an NFL
reporter for a major sports website. His work is read by millions. Recently,
his boss asked him to add a new person to the distribution list when he emails
stories to the desk. It was the new editorial intern, he was told, and there’s
a chance the intern might be the one editing your story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good for the intern, I guess. At most major sports sites,
the editorial intern might get to edit wire stories or game recaps. But the
only set of eyes on the NFL insider’s news stories?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I repeat, It’s a sad state of affairs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that is a statement I will not recant.</div>
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Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-4098849104126616432013-10-11T11:36:00.000-07:002013-10-11T11:49:19.344-07:00Gil Brandt for the Hall of FameWell, that was depressing... On the one hand, I'm glad that when Peter King invited his readers to submit their 250-word essays on why their candidate should be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, two people saw fit to write essays about the great Gil Brandt.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The MMQB published the best essays <a href="http://mmqb.si.com/2013/10/11/readers-hall-of-fame-nominations/">here</a>, and one of the Brandt essays made the cut. Sadly, and shamefully, it wasn't mine.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yup, I took the time to submit an essay. Brandt may never make it to the Hall -- as an inductee, at least -- but he deserves to be recognized for his tremendous achievements and contributions. Not only to the Dallas Cowboys but to the National Football League as a whole.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So anyway, nothing against Henry Martinez of Ennis, Texas (I'm glad he and I share our affinity for Gil), but I'm just a little bummed MMQB didn't run my essay.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, of course, I'm happy to share it with you here...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
The case for Gil Brandt</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br />
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Die-hard Dallas Cowboys fans know and appreciate Gil Brandt
for his role as the architect of what became known as America’s Team. But
Brandt did more than just scout and draft the likes of Roger Staubach and Bob
Hayes and Randy White. As a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame under the
“Contributor” category, Brandt fits that description better than anyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Owners and GMs “contribute” to the game in fairly specific
ways, but Brandt blazed a path that did not exist before he joined the Cowboys
in 1960. The scouting methods and strategies that he implemented have become
commonplace throughout the NFL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether it was paying closer attention to the small schools
and historically black colleges, recognizing that track stars and basketball
players might succeed playing football, projecting the ability of a player to
switch positions, or being the first NFL organization to incorporate the use of
computers into its scouting process, Brandt was ahead of his time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandt was an important part of the triumvirate, along with
Tom Landry and Tex Schramm, that made the Cowboys what they were. Landry and
Schramm are both in the Hall. Brandt’s relevancy cannot be denied. Even after
his days with the Cowboys, the NFL has employed him to identify the college
prospects they invite to New York for the draft every year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can the history of the NFL be written without Gil Brandt?
Probably, but it would be very different, in many ways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-7608818258959838482013-09-18T06:14:00.000-07:002013-09-18T06:14:58.335-07:00This week's ultimate fantasy sleeper<br />
How's this for a ballsy pick in daily fantasy football: Seahawks backup RB Robert Turbin gets the start!<br />
<br />
Why not? In my weekly "Value Picks" article for DFSEdge.com, I undertake the following exercise: Build a roster each week that includes the most expensive QB, RB, WR and TE ... and then try to fill in the rest of my roster with underpriced guys so I'm still under the salary cap.<br />
<br />
Of course, that means my lineup includes Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, Jimmy Graham and either Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning every single week. I can live with that.<br />
<br />
Depending on the daily site being used, there are different combinations of rosters. I prefer sites like FantasyAces.com, since they have spots for two quarterbacks. So after you splurge on the highest-priced guy, you can still find a nice value pick to select.<br />
<br />
Anyway, after doing pretty well last week by picking Dolphins RB Lamar Miller (who had 10 carries for 3 yards the previous week), I decided to really push the envelope in Week 3 -- taking a chance that Seattle will give backup RB Robert Turbin a good chunk of action this week against the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars.<br />
<br />
Here's the line of thinking: Marshawn Lynch was a true beast last week, carrying the ball 28 times against the physical 49ers defense in a divisional grudge match on national TV. Next week, the Seahawks travel to Houston for a marquee matchup -- Super Bowl preview? -- against the Texans.<br />
<br />
So a home game against the worst team in the NFL is a perfect opportunity to give Lynch a breather and let Turbin -- who had six carries for 30 yards himself last week -- have a chance to shine.<br />
<br />
Makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Sure, it's a little risky, but I love the potential here.<br />
<br />
For all my value picks this week, check out <a href="http://dfsedge.com/nfl-week-3-value-picks-turbin-time/">my DFSEdge.com article</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-60165032725529512182013-08-09T08:04:00.000-07:002013-08-09T08:04:41.183-07:00Countdown to Kaepernick injury<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Peter King had a note in
MMQB a few weeks ago about how Colin Kaepernick was working with a speed
trainer during the offseason. This was supposed to strike fear into the hearts
of NFL defenses. More likely, defensive coordinators are saying to themselves, “Bring
it on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Speed wasn’t exactly a
weakness for Kaepernick, already one of the fastest quarterbacks in the NFL. He
took over the starting gig for the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2012
season and led them to the Super Bowl by making big plays with both his arm and
his feet. He earned a place among the league’s exciting new breed of QB,
alongside Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, running the read option and
pistol, and whatever else you want to call it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Problem is, Kaepernick's time would have been better spent studying opposing defenses or working out with
his receivers. I’m not saying he didn’t do that, but it should
have been a much greater focus than speed training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Because unless Kaepernick
runs out of bounds or scores a touchdown every time he ventures out of the
pocket, he will certainly get hit more than the average NFL quarterback. And he
WILL get injured this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For all of Robert Griffin
III’s exciting play as a rookie last season, he didn’t make it all the way through.
Close, but not close enough. Kaepernick made it, but he didn’t
become the starter in San Francisco until Week 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In his seven
regular-season starts last year, Kaepernick averaged six rushing attempts per
game and overall for the season he finished with 31.9 rushing yards per game.
That was good for fourth among quarterbacks. Two of the three QBs who rushed
for more yards per game – RGIII and Michael Vick – missed some playing time due
to injury. The third was Cam Newton, who’s got 15 pounds on Kaepernick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Maybe Kaepernick would
have been better served building muscle mass during the offseason as opposed to
working on his speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It will certainly be
interesting to see how offenses evolve this season after last year’s success
with the read option and pistol. No doubt, defensive coordinators have been
working hard throughout the offseason to devise a plan to stop the spread of the
passing attacks that have moved rapidly from the college landscape to the pros.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The one thing they know
they can do: When the QB is out of the pocket, hit him. New rules that protect
ball carriers will not prevent running quarterbacks from being hit hard by
linebackers who smell blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Will the extra speed make
a difference for Kaepernick? At times, absolutely. There will be occasions when
his added speed and quickness helps him buy more time – in or out of the pocket
– to find an open receiver and make a big play. There will be times when he is
forced to scramble and that extra burst helps him elude a defender and make a
big run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kaepernick is certainly a
rising star in the league. And he is a strong passer. The concern isn’t his
skill set – it’s his <i>mind</i> set. Great quarterbacks – all great players, for that
matter – constantly strive to get better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kaepernick is already good
but there’s always room for improvement. Alas, speed was not an area he needed
to improve upon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-15471850651313308822013-06-04T08:33:00.000-07:002013-06-04T08:34:47.041-07:00Deacon Jones was a force of nature on and off the field<div class="MsoNormal">
Deacon Jones passed away Monday night. The NFL has lost a
legendary player and a legendary character.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember the first time I spoke to Deacon Jones. As a
fanatical fan of “The Odd Couple” – every sportswriter’s favorite TV show – I
was compelled to tell Jones how much I enjoyed the episode in which he played
himself and helped Oscar and Felix film a TV commercial.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Goddammit!” Jones shouted through the phone. “I’m in the goddam Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the only thing people want to talk about is 'The Odd Couple' and 'The Brady Bunch!'”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, that’s not entirely true. The reason I was
talking to him in the first place was for a story about the Hall of Fame. Plus, I really didn't care about his turn on "The Brady Bunch."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The irony of Jones’ stellar appearance on “The Odd Couple” is
that he was portrayed as a stoic figure, a man of very few words. And as
everyone who knew Deacon Jones could attest, the Hall of Fame defensive end was
anything but stoic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Jones takes control of the Multiblade commercial that
Felix is directing in the show, Felix congratulates him on his performance by
exclaiming, “That’s speakin’, Deacon!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it came to “speakin’,” Jones was an all-star. In fact,
the only thing he was better at doing was terrorizing NFL quarterbacks as a member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome." In
addition to coining the term “sack,” he remains the unofficial career leader in that category – a stat that was not kept when he played. The bottom line: Few defensive
players could disrupt an opposing offense like Deacon Jones.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What made Jones so great? He certainly had the skill and the
physical ability. I once got to see Deacon personally demonstrate his patented
head slap – a move so devastating it became illegal in today’s NFL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But probably what made Jones a dominant force on the
football field, more than physical talent and technique, was what made him such
a dominant force in life: his passion. Listening to Jones speak, it was easy to
understand what drove him in everything he did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s that passion that made him a fixture in Canton, Ohio,
when Hall of Famers gathered every summer to welcome a new class of enshrinees.
Along with the late Ray Nitschke – another fiery defensive stalwart whose
character led him to be a hit in TV and movie cameos – Jones was among the most
vocal Hall of Famers. Nitschke and Jones were the driving forces of the Friday
luncheon during Enshrinement Weekend, where they would hammer home to the new
HOF class what it meant to be part of the Hall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to
Hall of Famer Willie Lanier, it was Jones who first talked to his fellow
members about how being a part of the Hall of Fame meant you were now a member
of the only team from which you can never be cut – even when you die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indeed, Deacon Jones will be missed… but he can rest in
peace knowing that he will always be a member of the greatest football team of
all-time.</div>
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Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-13305772988477753442013-04-17T20:50:00.000-07:002013-04-17T20:53:27.794-07:00The Curious Case of Rams WR Chris Givens<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
St. Louis Rams wide receiver <b>Chris Givens</b> turned in one heck of a
bizarre statistical anomaly last season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While doing some research for a stat-based feature in the
2013 Lindy’s Fantasy Football preview magazine, I came across the record-tying
stretch that Givens enjoyed during his rookie season in the NFL. The record is
impressive enough. Upon further review, however, it’s remarkable because of what he did the rest of the season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After being drafted in the fourth round last year out of
Wake Forest, Givens began his rookie season quietly, catching two passes for
nine yards in his first three games. Then, in Week 4, he caught a 52-yard pass
in the Rams’ upset win over the Seahawks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That long haul was the first of a five-week run in which he
caught a pass of at least 50 yards in each game. The five straight games with a
50-yard catch tied a record that had been set by one-time Olympics sprinter
<b>Willie Gault</b> with the Bears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the anomaly: If a receiver has one catch for 50 yards
or more, you’d think that’s a good foundation to produce a 100-yard game. And
yet, Givens did not have a single 100-yard game in this stretch. The most yards he had in any of those five games was 85, in a Week 6
loss at Miami. Givens had a 65-yard catch in that game, but only had two other
receptions for a total of 20 yards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over that five-game stretch, Givens caught 11 passes for 324
yards and two touchdowns. While five of those catches accounted for 274 yards,
the other six receptions produced a paltry 50 yards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adding to the question over whether Givens is a budding
big-play star or a flash in the pan: After that wacky five-game stretch, he
fell off the map.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Givens had amassed 324 yards in that five-game run. After the bye week, he
missed the next game with a toe injury, then started the last seven games of
the season. But he only had 29 catches for 365 yards in those seven
contests.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Weeks 4-8, Givens averaged 29.5 yards per catch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Weeks 11-17, he averaged 12.6 yards per catch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So which Chris Givens will we see in 2013?</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-5564981920492632592013-04-11T19:06:00.000-07:002013-04-11T19:06:02.739-07:00Richard Sherman is an expert on ADHD (not)
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s one thing to take a professional athlete’s quotes out
of context. That’s unfortunate. It’s another thing to take what a professional
athlete says about, oh, <i>science</i>, and
assume without question said athlete knows what he’s talking about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are alluding to the curious case of Seahawks cornerback
Richard Sherman – and it’s curious for many reasons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started last season when Sherman was suspended for
allegedly taking Adderall – a drug used for ADD and ADHD patients that is
banned by the NFL without a doctor’s prescription. Sherman’s suspension was
overturned upon appeal. Sherman adamantly denies ever taking Adderall. And
since he obviously doesn’t know why NFL players might use Adderall as a
“performance enhancer,” I tend to believe him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sherman appeared on NFL Network’s “NFL AM” Thursday morning
to explain that a Vancouver newspaper had<a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000159212/article/richard-sherman-half-nfl-on-adderall-taken-out-of-context"> taken his quotes out of context</a> when he said
“half the league” takes Adderall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s fine. We get that he was exaggerating. Problem is, he
went on to explain to “NFL AM” that the reason players take Adderall is because
it helps them get ultra-focused, thus enhancing their performance. This is
wrong on two levels.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For starters, people with ADD and ADHD do not take Adderall
to get ultra-focused. For these patients, Adderall is not a “performance
enhancer,” but rather a performance enabler. I know this because my 12-year-old
son has a severe case of ADHD. He takes a different drug, but it’s in the same
family as Adderall. It helps him stay focused enough to get by. It doesn’t give
him an advantage over his peers. It merely gives him a chance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here’s the real issue: Adderall has a different effect
on people who don’t have ADD or ADHD. Adderall is a stimulant. Instead of
asking Richard Sherman about it, maybe ask a doctor… like the psychologist
who’s been treating my son for years:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">“When people without ADD or ADHD take these
meds, they act as a stimulant, like speed.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speed. Yeah, that’s always been a popular
performance-enhancing drug for professional athletes, right? That would make it
easier to understand why many players might want to find a way to have Adderall
prescribed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s no simple medical test for ADD and ADHD, so it’s
conceivable an athlete can talk his way into an Adderall prescription. The
resulting perception is not that it’s a growing epidemic; the perception is
that many ADD and ADHD patients don’t really need medicine but use it to get an
edge. That’s a terribly unfair depiction for someone like my son, who would not
be able to keep up in middle school without the drug, let alone play organized
sports at any serious level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But go ahead, sports media, let the athletes have their say
and take what is said as gospel. That’s good for business.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-36630273926553041852013-04-05T18:37:00.002-07:002013-04-05T18:37:20.356-07:00Rutgers' most famous alum chimes in
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/t8GTHXTEvIc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
would the school’s most famous alum say about the current Rutgers scandal?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
Rutgers, you’ve done it again!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay,
well that’s a reference to Rutgers’ most famous <i>fictional</i> alum – <b>Mr. Magoo</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You
remember, Magoo, right? One of the early stars of animation. One of Magoo’s
traits was that he was blind as a bat, even with those giant spectacles. Had he
been shown the videotape of Rutgers basketball coach <b>Mike Rice</b> physically and
verbally abusing his players, Magoo probably would have reacted the same way school
president <b>Robert Barchi</b> did – ignorantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
black eye for college athletics. More importantly, though, any big news about
Rutgers is an opportunity for me to fondly recall my experience with the
Rutgers/Mr. Magoo connection:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Back
in the summer of 1985, I was an intern at SPORT Magazine (like Magoo, a classic
that’s no longer around). Working in the research department, I was enlisted to
help writer <b>David Whitford</b> with a story he was doing on the seemingly perennial
woes of Rutgers athletics. Whitford wanted to reference Magoo, who was often
pictured in the cartoons sitting alone in the bleachers, waving a pennant and
chanting “Rah, rah, rah for Rutgers!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My
mission: Find out why Mr. Magoo was a Rutgers fan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Funny
thing is, this was long before the internet made such research easier – yet the
information I got cannot be found in a cursory web search today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
started making calls to anyone associated with United Pictures of America, the
company that produced and distributed Magoo. It was going nowhere. Then, out of
the blue, I found myself talking to a man named <b>Millard Kaufman</b> – the creator
of Mr. Magoo. Paydirt!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Why
is Mr. Magoo a Rutgers’ fan? I asked. “Because he’s an alum, of course,” was
the reply. Which led to my next question: Why did he go to Rutgers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kaufman
explained that it made sense that a lovable loser like Magoo would be from New
Jersey, and he would surely stay close to home for college.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And,”
Kaufman explained matter-of-factly, “Magoo wasn’t smart enough to go to
Princeton.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-78154662971776474672013-02-01T11:12:00.000-08:002013-02-01T11:14:52.339-08:00Five final thoughts, including a Super Bowl prediction<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Five
thoughts as we close out Super Bowl week and get set for the San Francisco
49ers and Baltimore Ravens to square off in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on
Sunday (and yes, we have a prediction):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1) The brother of all press
conferences.</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
Did you catch the presser Friday morning with <b>Jim Harbaugh</b> and <b>John
Harbaugh</b>? Great move by the NFL to switch up the traditional Friday plan in
which the two Super Bowl head coaches hold their final media availabilities in
separate pressers at the media center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pretty
cool, eh? But here’s the thing: Why can’t they do that every year? Think about
how cool it would have been last year if <b>Bill
Belichick</b> and <b>Tom Coughlin</b> were
sitting next to each other as they faced the media together. (Or next year,
when it will be <b>John Fox</b> and <b>Pete Carroll</b>.) C’mon, NFL, let’s make
this happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2) Moss ado about nothing.</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> It doesn’t take much to
throw NFL writers, bloggers and talking heads into a frenzy. That was never in
question, but <b>Randy Moss</b> just hammered
it home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
one thing to report on the fact that Moss declared himself the best wide
receiver of all-time at Media Day. And it’s okay to take him seriously. But
it’s ludicrous to take Moss’ comment and use it to launch into a lengthy
statistic and analytical breakdown on the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">While
Moss might very well be the second-best receiver of all time (because he is),
he’s not worthy of <b>Jerry Rice</b>.
Simple. Done. So many great stories and angles were either overshadowed or just
ignored in favor of piling on the Moss remarks. What a waste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3) Social misfits.</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I’ve always enjoyed
following my old friends from the NFL media world on Twitter, but this week has
been tough. More than gaining solid insight into the game, this week’s Twitter
experience has been all about seeing and hearing who is dining at what famous
N’Awlins establishment or gallivanting down Bourbon Street. Am I jealous? Yes,
I am. I’m also intrigued about what Twitter will have in store for us next
year, when the Super Bowl comes to the New York area. With so many varied opportunities
in Manhattan, I fully expect more interesting food choices, celebrity sightings
and questionable nightlife decisions to be broadcast via Twiiter next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4) Most underplayed stat.</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Between the Harbaughs, <b>Ray Lewis</b>, <b>Colin Kaepernick</b> and <b>Joe
Flacco</b>, there wasn’t much room to focus on lower-profile players who could
make a big impact in this game, but the one player we oughta keep an eye on
Sunday is <b>Jacoby Jones</b>. The Ravens
led the NFL with an average of 27.3 yards per kickoff return. Jones averaged
30.7 yards per return and scored twice. And considering the fact that John
Harbaugh was a special teams coordinator before taking the job as Ravens head
coach, it’s fair to think this game could be decided on special teams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5) And the winner is…</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> When the Super Bowl matchup
was set two weeks ago, I felt the 49ers would be solid pick. I started to hedge
earlier this week and now I’m solidly picking the Ravens. Here are the reasons
why:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">• Colin
Kaepernick is and will continue to be an exciting and successful NFL
quarterback. But still, this is just his 10<sup>th</sup> career start – and the
first time anyone has had two weeks to prepare for him. The Ravens defense is
not the dominant force it once was, but I expect them to capitalize on facing a
relatively inexperienced QB. There will be turnovers, and I anticipate at least
one defensive touchdown for Baltimore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">•
It’s not so much that the Ravens are a team of destiny; it’s that the Ravens
players <i>believe</i> they are a team of
destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">•
Groan if you want about this one, but it’s legit: The 49ers are 5-0 in the
Super Bowl. Simply put: They are due for a loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The pick: Ravens 24, 49ers
14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-17364463435658903472013-01-28T08:10:00.000-08:002013-01-28T08:10:03.650-08:00Super Bowl memories: Phil Simms, Janet Jackson and the streaker
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Am I the only one who feels old when I hear that <b>Phil Simms</b>
will be calling his <i>seventh</i> Super Bowl this Sunday? Wasn’t it just yesterday
that Simms was pitching his perfect game masterpiece for the New York Giants in
Super Bowl XXI?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Okay, well I guess that was 26 years ago. And now, perhaps,
there are young fans who don’t even think of Simms as a former NFL quarterback,
the same fans who didn’t realize that <b>John Madden</b> used to be a coach. After
all, when Simms broadcasts Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans Sunday between the
San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, only Madden (with eight) will have been the color man for more Super Bowls than Simms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“I can’t believe I’ve done</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">seven,”
Simms said at a recent CBS Sports press event. “Of course I’m proud of it.
And I’ve always said, ‘Sooner or later I wanna come out of one and be
happy.’ … Broadcasting is a lot like playing in those terms. You go to bed and
all you think about is the things you wish you’d have done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">For the record, Simms called Super Bowls XXX and XXXII for
NBC, then XXXV, XXXVIII, XLI and XLIV for CBS. Plenty of big moments from those
games – <b>John Elway</b>’s first title, <b>Tom Brady</b>’s second, <b>Peyton Manning</b>, the
Saints’ onside kick – but what’s the first thing Simms thinks about when he
looks back at the big games he’s called?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“My most memorable moment probably is a bad one,” Simms said.
“It’s the <b>Janet Jackson</b> thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ah, yes, Nipple-gate. Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime. Simms
explained that he didn’t see it when it happened. But as he and <b>Greg Gumbel
</b>made their way back to the booth before the start of the second half, he knew
something was up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“Before halftime was over, we had tons of executives running
into our booth yelling, ‘Give us a replay!’ We had no idea.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When Simms learned what the fuss was about, he shook his head
in disbelief – not so much about what had happened as for the frenzy that
followed. Simms had a job to do – call the second half of the Super Bowl. The
Patriots held a 14-10 halftime lead over the Panthers, and a wild finish was
about to ensue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">However, there was one more memorable Super Bowl moment that
was unfolding. Players and coaches were pouring back onto the field for the
second half when Simms noticed something odd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“I just remember seeing the guy in the officials uniform. I
saw him on the far sideline and wondered what he was doing there… because he
looked funny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Indeed, it wasn’t an official. It was an imposter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“He was the guy that got naked and ran onto the field,” Simms
laughed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Mark Roberts</b>, a British streaker who has crashed several major events, probably would have received more notoriety for his Super Bowl stunt if not for the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction. Still, it was a big deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“So I spotted him first," Simms said. "I’m not proud of that, but I saw him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">So Simms missed the nipple during halftime, but he got the
Full Monty just a few minutes later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-1463565981702003362013-01-18T05:33:00.000-08:002013-01-18T05:34:39.937-08:00NFL Conference Title Games: Cream Rises To The Top<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Russell Baxter – a.k.a.
<a href="https://twitter.com/baxfootballguru">@BaxFootballGuru</a> – tweeted this NFL stat last night:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Best regular season W-L record, 2010-12:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">New England Patriots 39-9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Atlanta Falcons 36-12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Green Bay Packers 36-12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Baltimore Ravens 34-14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pittsburgh Steelers 32-16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">New Orleans Saints 31-17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">San Francisco 49ers 30-17-1</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;">Interesting. So of the seven teams with
the best overall regular-season record over the last three seasons, four of
them are playing this weekend in the conference championship games, one lost in
the divisional round… and two – the Saints and the Steelers – missed the
playoffs entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;">What does this mean? It indicates the
Saints and Steelers had pretty significant dropoffs this season. Neither was a
huge surprise, however, seeing as the Saints faced the distraction of
Bounty-gate and the Steelers dealt with heavy doses of injury and aging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;">The Packers, at least, have a Lombardi
Trophy to show for this three-year success. That leaves the four teams playing
this Sunday. The Patriots are no strangers to the Super Bowl and were there
just a year ago. The Ravens haven’t been there since 2000 and the Falcons and
49ers must go back to the ‘90s for their last trips to the big game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;">Which of these four will get to New
Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII? Here’s how it will go down:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"><u><b>49ers at Falcons:</b><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;">While not spectacular, the Falcons
defense has been every bit as solid as the 49ers defense this season. Atlanta
has only allowed more than 28 points twice this season and did not allow more
than 31 at all. San Francisco allowed more than 31 twice. The star of this game
will be Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who will find a way to keep
his defense disciplined enough to not get beat by Colin Kaepernick. And if
Kaepernick is in check, then Matt Ryan will have little trouble scoring enough
points to send the Falcons to the Super Bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"><b>The pick: Falcons 23, 49ers 17</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"><b><u>Ravens at Patriots: </u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;">Is it crazy to think that New England –
a team that gave up a gazillion yards a game earlier this season – could
actually be the best defense still alive in the postseason? Maybe, but there’s
something to it. The midseason acquisition of cornerback Aqib Talib has
something to do with that; the maturation of young players with talent has
something to do with that. And oh, yeah, there’s that Vince Wilfork guy up
front. Even if you don’t buy into the improvement of the Patriots defense, you
know that Bill Belichick will find a way to neutralize the Ravens’ most
dangerous weapon, receiver Torrey Smith. That being the case, and considering
you know Tom Brady and the offense will get their share of points, then Ray
Rice must have a monster game to keep the Ravens in this thing. Won’t happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"><b>The pick: Patriots 27, Ravens 20</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-67896321706889543022013-01-14T12:05:00.000-08:002013-01-14T12:08:33.188-08:00Predicting the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <a href="http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/2013/1/11/2013-Finalists-for-Football-Hall-of-Fame/">17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Classof 2013</a> are, as they say, all worthy. Of course, at least 10 of them will come
away disappointed when the class is announced in New Orleans one day before
Super Bowl XLVII.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unlike the Baseball Hall of Fame, whose voting process
allows for a class of none, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is guaranteed to
induct between four and seven new members. There are several angles to follow
this year, leading with the always-popular debate over Cris Carter (in his
sixth year as a finalist). Others:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 9px; text-indent: -0.25in;">* </span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">Will former Cleveland Browns and Baltimore
Ravens owner Art Modell get a little extra love/sympathy from his vehement
detractors now that he’s dead.</span><br /><ul><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-size: 9px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">* </span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">Will the presence of three dominant offensive
linemen on the ballot dilute the chances of all three getting in?</span><br /><ul><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> * </span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">Will first-year eligibles Michael Strahan and
Warren Sapp cancel each other out?</span><br /><ul><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 9px; text-indent: -0.25in;">* </span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">Will one or both of the Seniors Committee
nominees – Curley Culp and Dave Robinson – keep up a trend in which the voters
continue to reward guys who couldn’t get elected the first time around?</span><br /><ul><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
Clearly, the Seniors Committee wields considerable
authority. At least one Seniors nominee has been inducted each of the last 15
years. In the nine years since the committee has been nominating two
candidates, they’ve gone 2-for-2 five times.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the sake of predictions, I’ll stick with the trend – but
I’ll say only one of the seniors gets in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are my picks for the Class of 2013:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LARRY ALLEN:</b> As
dominant an offensive lineman as there has been, Allen deserves to be in Canton
every bit as much as his Dallas Cowboy teammates Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and
Michael Irvin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CURLEY CULP:</b> Why
does Culp get the nod here over fellow Seniors nominee Dave Robinson? The last
Seniors candidate who failed to get elected was Jerry Kramer in 1997. While
there is a passionate group still pushing for Kramer, the fact of the matter is
that there might be more than enough Hall of Famers from those great 1960s
Green Bay Packers teams. Thus, Robinson endures the same fate. Culp, meanwhile,
helped the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl IV and then became a stalwart for
a Houston Oilers defense that played in back-to-back AFC title games.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CHARLES HALEY:</b> A
four-time finalist, momentum has been building for Haley, who has won more
Super Bowls (5) than any other in NFL history.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>JONATHAN OGDEN:</b> The
former Baltimore Ravens tackle is almost as much a sure thing as Larry Allen,
which would make four offensive linemen elected in the last two years (joining
Class of 2012’s Dermontti Dawson and Willie Roaf). That’s not too many… but it
does kill the chances this year for fellow finalist Will Shields.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>BILL PARCELLS:</b> The
difference for the Tuna in his fourth year as a finalist? The voters might
finally be convinced that he is not going to unretire. And that paves the way to
elect a coach who has taken two different teams to the Super Bowl and reached
the playoffs with two others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MICHAEL STRAHAN:</b> Like
it or not, let’s not forget that popularity does come into play when the 46
media members vote on this thing. And Strahan was a hell of a lot more popular
with the media than Warren Sapp. Regardless of that angle, it may be unfair to
compares these two players straight up, as we’re dealing with an interior
defensive lineman (Sapp) vs. a defensive end (Strahan). Strahan is supposed to
be the more productive pass rusher, and he was, but he was also a complete
player.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There you have it. No Carter (or Tim Brown or Andre Reed).
No Modell. Oh, and one more prediction: To capitalize on the inductions of
Ogden, Parcells and Strahan, the 2013 Hall of Fame Game will feature the Ravens
and Giants.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-79540745063393932282013-01-11T04:41:00.000-08:002013-01-11T04:41:12.199-08:00NFL Divisional Playoff Predictions
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here are my can’t-miss predictions for the NFL’s divisional
playoffs this weekend:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">RAVENS AT
BRONCOS:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> The
Ravens’ big celebration was last week -- didn’t you see it? Ray Lewis and
company had a big party in Baltimore after knocking off a team that finished
2-14 last season and had the most rookie starters of any team in the NFL. Can
you say, “Letdown?” Sure, there’s enough veteran leadership on the Ravens to
avoid a letdown. <i>Mentally.</i> Physically
is another story. Don’t expect Lewis and Ed Reed to make a difference here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">* </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You know
how Denver has gone to great lengths the second half of the season to prove to
the world that Knowshon Moreno gives the Broncos a viable running attack? The
Ravens will be ready for it… which is why the Broncos’ first offensive play
Saturday will be a play-action – the Ravens will bite – and Peyton Manning will
throw an 80-yard TD pass to Demaryius Thomas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Final
Score: Broncos 27, Ravens 13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">PACKERS AT
49ERS:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">* </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Green Bay
hasn’t really had a super-dominant roll this season. Now is a pretty good time
to get on it. Aaron Rodgers will have this team in the Super Bowl. Mark it
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> The
Packers defense will surprise everyone and upstage the 49ers defense. (Oh,
wait… that’s just crazy wishful thinking on my part because I started the
Packers defense last week in the NFL.com Fantasy Playoff Challenge and I’ll get
double points from them this week.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Final
Score: Packers 38, 49ers 21<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">SEAHAWKS
AT FALCONS:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Okay, the
Seahawks didn’t falter last week when they made the dreaded coast-to-coast road
trip. Of course, they did get off to a slow start. And it was against the
Redskins, a team that was grossly overrated regardless of RGIII’s health
status. Now they have a second straight long road trip against an underrated
team that has a pretty solid home-field advantage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">* </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tony
Gonzalez is on a mission, and he will have a monster game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Final
Score: Falcons 24, Seahawks 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">TEXANS AT
PATRIOTS:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> I believe
in Arian Foster. I don’t believe the Patriots’ run defense will stop him this
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">* </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
Patriots have been perhaps the ultimate example of “team” over the last 12
years, but look at this game on paper: The Texans have the best running back in
this game, the best receiver, the best impact defensive player. Bill Belichick
and Tom Brady count for an awful lot, but the Texans won’t be pushovers here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Final
score: Texans 23, Patriots 21<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-30891565366797229472013-01-08T18:56:00.001-08:002013-01-08T18:57:01.311-08:00Bill Cowher talks return to coaching, tattoos<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Before
the 2012 NFL season began, it was a safe bet that Bill Cowher would be one of
the first names mentioned for most any prominent head coaching vacancy. Yet by
the time Black Monday rolled around and seven teams had openings, Cowher
suddenly seemed like an afterthought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">How’d
that happen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps,
as some have suggested, Cowher is looking for more money and more power than
teams are willing to give. Or maybe he’s just not ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhbDCflEsL6zFrm03jdaQrzSqwIpsU2E9E8vl_6A_SCKFtH7Fz6TM6FTDT2aFCtmMzj2PLO8ABoyZIAJA-EjMbC63AVKEZU-y7vMv5ot2dnA8C9NWrhnJCXWKBuciYjIT92IA906FwlKW/s1600/Cowher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhbDCflEsL6zFrm03jdaQrzSqwIpsU2E9E8vl_6A_SCKFtH7Fz6TM6FTDT2aFCtmMzj2PLO8ABoyZIAJA-EjMbC63AVKEZU-y7vMv5ot2dnA8C9NWrhnJCXWKBuciYjIT92IA906FwlKW/s320/Cowher.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.5pt;">“No, no, no,” was Cowher’s response Tuesday when asked if he
planned to seek any of the jobs sill out there. The occasion was a CBS press
event touting the network’s blanket coverage of Super Bowl XLVII, so the former
Steelers coach turned CBS Sports analyst used that as an opportunity to plug his current employer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.5pt;">“We have the Super Bowl this year,” he said. “All the coaches
want to get to the Super Bowl, I already know I’m going to be there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.5pt;">Assuming Cowher waits another year to get serious about a
return to the sidelines, that would be seven years away from the coaching
business. Not a problem, said the 55-year-old Cowher, who coached the Steelers
from 1992-2006 and got them to two Super Bowls, winning one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“I think it’s a non-issue,” he said. “I did it for 27 years.
You don’t just forget it overnight. The one thing about this job is that it’s
been really good because it allows me to study the game, do features on the
game. I watch tape. It’s not like you’re out of it. I know how the game is
changing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Cowher’s hard-nosed style must come to terms with the changes
that have taken place regarding player safety and limits on hitting, but he’s
prepared for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“Some of the hits that are now illegal are hits I was showing
the night before the game. But that’s the way the game is evolving. You just
have to teach the right thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Cowher doesn’t think the changes will make it too difficult
for him to get back into coaching, though he admits it won’t be easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“It would be a challenge,” Cowher said “But that’s probably
why I’d get back in – <i>because</i> of the
challenge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Cowher’s name was mentioned often in New York before the Jets
hired Rex Ryan in 2009. With Ryan firmly on the hot seat in 2013, don’t be
surprised to see his name come up again. And given the hubbub over Ryan’s Mark
Sanchez tattoo last week, someone asked Cowher if he’d ever consider getting a
Ben Roethlisberger tattoo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">“</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.5pt;">I’ll tell you what,” he said, tongue in cheek, “at
least he won me a Super Bowl.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-66020288875881038782012-09-07T09:24:00.000-07:002012-09-07T09:24:38.295-07:00NFL Week 1 fantasy: 10 things you need to know<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<o:p>Congratulations to those of you who had Tony Romo or Kevin Ogletree or DeMarco Murray in your fantasy lineups this week. For the rest of you, here are some news and notes to get you going before you finalize your Week 1 fantasy lineup:</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>1. BUSTIN’ OUT<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congrats to NFL.com fantasy analyst Matt Smith. We thought
he was crazy for including the likes of <b>Maurice Jones-Drew</b> and <b>Victor Cruz</b> on
his preseason list of potential fantasy busts. But after a summer-long holdout,
few people expect to see MJD make a big impact early on. And while Cruz caught
6 passes for 58 yards for the Giants in their Wednesday night loss to
the Dallas Cowboys, he also had an alarming number of dropped passes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe Smith is onto something, which is why you have to keep
an eye on the most surprising player on his list of predicted busts: Carolina
Panthers QB <b>Cam Newton</b>. Can last year’s all-world rookie possibly fall flat
this week in Tampa?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>2. WAIT, WHAT?<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re all for making lineup decisions based heavily upon the
defenses our players are facing from week to week. But let’s not get carried
away. It seems like that’s what Derek Lofland of Fantasy Football Maniax has
done. His <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmaniax.com/2012-nfl-start-sit-week-1/#.UEkdLI6Gh8t">“Start of the Week”</a> is a rookie RB making his NFL debut for
a team that went 4-12 last season. Sure, <b>Doug Martin</b> is facing a Carolina
Panthers team that was bad against the run last week, but really? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And wait, there’s more… High among his “other players to
start” is Tennessee Titans QB <b>Jake Locker,</b> a player with all of 66 career
passing attempts under his belt. Sure the Titans are facing a New England
Patriots defense that was terrible against the pass last season, but Locker
isn’t even owned in 55 percent of NFL.com fantasy leagues. Expecting a big
fantasy day from Locker may be a stretch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>3. BIG BEN’S BABY
WATCH<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big Ben is going to be a Big Daddy soon. That’s right,
Steelers QB <b>Ben Roethlisberger </b>and his wife are due to have their first child
this fall. Roethlisberger hasn’t divulged the date – but he has adamantly
stated that he will not miss the birth of his child, even if it means missing a
football game. That’s admirable. It’s also a potential nightmare if Big Ben is
your starting QB. So here’s what you do: After Roethlisberger lights it up in a
Sunday night shootout this week with <b>Peyton Manning </b>in Denver, trade him
immediately. Get whatever you can for him, and pick up Jake Locker... or someone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>4. CLASH OF THE
TIGHT ENDS<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We know, we know… <b>Rob Gronkowski </b>and <b>Jimmy Graham</b> have
forever changed the way we view tight ends in fantasy. These guys averaged 95
receptions, 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, and they became fantasy darlings. If
you’ve got Gronk or Graham on your team, bully for you. If not, don’t sweat it…
The NFL is a copycat league; expect more action for all TEs. With
that in mind, it’s worth taking a look each week at the fantasy points against.
Based on how tight ends fared against defenses last season, here are four with favorable matchups this week:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dustin Keller </b>vs. Bills</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Vernon Davis</b> vs. Packers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Kyle Rudolph</b> vs. Jaguars</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Antonio Gates</b> vs. Raiders</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>5. YO GABBERT,
GABBERT!<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Poor <b>Blaine Gabbert</b>. After a miserable rookie season, the
Jaguars QB is only owned in 1.3 percent of NFL.com fantasy leagues – that’s
lower than <b>Christian Ponder</b>! But what if Gabbert is ready to take a step up
this season? What if he can form a bond with first-round pick WR <b>Justin
Blackmon</b>? And what if the Jaguars’ Week 1 opponent were the Vikings,
who allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season? Yeah,
what if…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>6. REACH FOR
MEACHEM?<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Lance Moore</b> or <b>Robert Meachem</b>? Who would you start this week if you had to choose between these two? According to a head-to-head analysis from Fantasypros.com,
18 of 26 fantast experts <a href="http://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/start/lance-moore-robert-meachem.php?scoring=PPR">have Meachem ranked higher</a> in Week 1 projections. Overall, the average of the 26 experts had Meachem projected as the 37<sup>th</sup>-best
WR this week, with Moore at 41.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But get this: NFL.com’s weekly projections – which are
compiled by EA Sports – <a href="http://fantasy.nfl.com/research/projections?leagueId=18777">have Meachem as the No. 9 WR this week</a>. They say he’ll
have 80 yards and a TD against the Raiders Monday night. That’s the kind of
“out there” prediction we’ll be very interested to follow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>7. DECEPTIVE STAT
OF THE WEEK<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overheard on the sidelines at my son’s pee-wee football
practice this week: “I know the Browns suck, but they had the No. 2 pass
defense in the NFL last year. Bad matchup for <b>Michael Vick </b>this week.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uh, no. The reason Cleveland gave up the second-fewest
passing yards last season was because they ranked 30<sup>th</sup> in run
defense. Nobody had to pass on the Browns because they were too busy running
all over them. That’s good news for Eagles RB <b>LeSean McCoy</b> this week, but rest
assured Vick will get his points. Don’t be surprised if Philly’s first
offensive call is a play-action, 80-yard TD pass to <b>Desean Jackson </b>or <b>Jeremy
Maclin</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>8. FLYING FALCONS<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A look at the final Fantasy Points Against stats from last
season shows the Chiefs allowed the fourth fewest passing yards per game.
Don’t let that scare you off if you own any offensive players from the Atlanta
Falcons, the Chiefs’ Week 1 opponent. QB<b> Matt Ryan</b> and WRs<b> Roddy White</b> and
<b>Julio Jones</b> are weekly must-starts regardless, but their value increases this
week against a K.C. defense that is without its star pass-rusher <b>Tamba Hali</b>,
who’s out this week serving a one-game suspension. Hali had 12 sacks last
season, and without his pressure on the QB, expect Ryan to compete for top Week
1 fantasy honors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>9. LINE DANCE<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As bad as the New York Jets’ offensive line looked in
preseason, our friends at Footballguys.com still have them ranked as the
second-best o-line in the NFL. Hard to believe they can just flip a switch and
suddenly become the ground-and-pound attack <b>Rex Ryan</b> dreams about, but who knows?
The Jets face a strong defensive line in Week 1 when they host the Buffalo
Bills, so we’ll find out in a hurry if Footballguys.com knows something we
don’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>10. WE LOVE MONDAY<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The coolest thing about Week 1 in the NFL? There are TWO
games on Monday night! There is nothing in fantasy more exciting than when your
weekly matchup comes down to the Monday night game. With four teams playing
this Monday – Bengals at Ravens and Chargers at Raiders – that’s double the
chances your fantasy battle will go down to the wire this week. Think about it…
it’s entirely possible you can field a lineup that includes <b>Philip Rivers, Ray
Rice, Darren McFadden, A.J. Green, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Antonio Gates,
Sebastian Janikowski</b> and the Ravens defense. Know what that means? You could go
into Monday night trailing your opponent 100-0, and you’d still be favored to
win. So set your lineup accordingly, plant yourself in front of the TV and – as
T.O. would say – get your popcorn ready!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-31784083600899290272012-05-14T22:48:00.000-07:002012-05-14T22:48:10.005-07:00The woman behind the man who built the New York Giants<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Craig Ellenport</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I doubt many of <b>Peter King</b>’s readers knew who <b>Lovie Young</b>
was when they read the news in this week’s MMQB column that she had passed away
last Thursday. She was the widow of the late <b>George Young</b>, architect of the New
York Giants teams that won two Super Bowls under his reign as general manager.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I never met Lovie Young, but I did have the honor of talking
to her just a few weeks ago. Though she was weakened by cancer, she was very
gracious and offered her time to speak with me for a book project that focuses
on how her husband built the Giants, almost from the ground up, when he was
hired just two months after the debacle known as “The Miracle at the
Meadowlands.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was never any doubt that Lovie was extremely proud of
George, and his storied NFL career really had nothing to do with that. George
was an incredibly popular high school coach and educator in Baltimore long
before he drafted <b>Phil Simms</b> and <b>Lawrence Taylor</b>, long before he hired <b>Bill
Parcells</b>, long before he laid the foundation that has kept the Giants
successful long after he retired.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lovie explained to me that George got his NFL break in the
late ‘60s, when then-Baltimore Colts head coach <b>Don Shula</b> needed someone to
evaluate players on film for him. Shula was impressed with George’s work,
enough so to offer him a job with the Colts in 1968.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But George had been so big in Baltimore and so popular,
that I didn’t really think it was that big a deal,” said Lovie. “Isn’t that
strange? But it’s true.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ten years later, after serving a number of roles under Shula
with both the Colts and Miami Dolphins, Young was hired as GM of the Giants. It
was never a job George aspired to, Lovie said. “He wasn’t interested (in being
the boss),” she said. “He was interested in the franchise. The franchise was
the thing that always fascinated him about the Giants. He always said, ‘Remember,
they don’t love me, they don’t love you. They love the team.’” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One Giants player who did love both George and Lovie Young
was Hall of Famer <b>Harry Carson</b> (and he wasn’t even drafted by George; he was
already on the team when the Youngs came to town). Carson developed a close
bond with George. He spoke at his funeral in 2001 and continued to speak with
Lovie on a regular basis after that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One thing that really stands out is that his wife would
always be at the airport,” Carson told me when I interviewed him about George
for the book. “Regardless of what time we would come in from playing a game, she
would be there to meet him. And I’d think, ‘How did this fat, bald guy with
these big glasses… how did he snag this woman?’ And she’d love him so much that
she’d be at the airport after every away game to pick him up. I thought, he
must really be smooth, there must be something else to George.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
There was an awful lot to George, for which Giants fans
can be eternally grateful. One of them was a strong woman by his side.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-62334671443659472952012-05-02T13:48:00.003-07:002012-05-02T13:48:43.421-07:00Saints Bountygate will overshadow big moment for Brees<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">By Craig Ellenport</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">Some thoughts regarding the New Orleans Saints’ bountygate
fallout, now that four players have been suspended for various lengths of time
to go along with the coach and front office punishments:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Streak overshadowed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All the focus on how the Saints play without Sean Payton
and Joe Vitt on the sidelines and without defensive standouts Jonathan Vilma and
Will Smith through the first quarter of the season (Payton and Vilma the entire
season), is going to overshadow and take away from what should be one of the
coolest stories of the 2012 NFL season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Drew Brees enters the season with a streak of at least one
touchdown pass in 43 consecutive games. That’s four shy of the record held by
Johnny Unitas – and I am not in the minority when I say I thought that was the
most unattainable record in NFL history. (That honor now belongs to Brett Favre
for his iron-man starting streak.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assuming Brees does keep the streak going – and obviously
the Saints will be passing a lot regardless of how their defense plays – he
will tie the record in Week 4 when New Orleans is at Green Bay. He’ll then have
a chance to break the record in Week 5 at home vs. his old team, the San Diego
Chargers – a nationally-televised Sunday night game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s been 52 years since Unitas’ streak ended. If Brees
breaks the record, it could easily be one that stands another 52 years, at
least. Too bad the fanfare will be overshadowed by a media that is consumed
with the Saints’ punishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Still the one</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I agree with NFL.com’s Steve Wyche, who said on NFL Network
Wednesday morning that he thinks the Saints remain the team to beat in the NFC
South despite being shorthanded on the field and the sidelines.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not taking anything away from Payton’s value as the head
coach, but Brees is much like Peyton Manning in his ability to serve as an
on-field coach and leader of the offense. The Saints will have no trouble
scoring points this year. The defense, meanwhile, ranked 24<sup>th</sup> in
2011 in yards allowed per game and the team still finished 13-3 and won the
division by three games. The Falcons remain a dangerous team; the Panthers and
Buccaneers will both be improved. But none of those teams are as good as the
Saints, suspensions or not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Vegas angle<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Between the extra incentive on Brees and the offense to
carry this team and the defensive holes that got bigger with the player
suspensions, will the folks in Vegas have to think long and hard before setting
the over/unders for Saints games?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were used to setting that number high to begin with. Only
the Green Bay Packers last season had a greater overall point total (combined
for and against) than the Saints. For the record, here are the four teams with
the highest average total points per game in 2011:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Green Bay Packers -- 57.4</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Orleans Saints -- 55.4</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Detroit Lions -- 53.8</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New England Patriots -- 53.4</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a safe bet the Saints will allow more points in 2012
and score at least as many as they did last year. It’ll be interesting to see
how Vegas adjusts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-39560669334870555642012-04-23T21:55:00.000-07:002012-04-23T21:55:01.380-07:00FootballNation.com is your home for NFL Draft coverageBy Craig Ellenport<br />
<br />
With the 2012 NFL Draft set to kick off Thursday, here are some recent draft-related items I wrote this week for FootballNation.com:<br />
<br />
<b>* <a href="http://www.footballnation.com/content/nfl-draft-2012-10-biggest-linebacker-busts-history/14390/">The biggest linebacker busts in NFL history</a></b> -- I actually felt bad including Quentin Coryatt and Brian Bosworth on this list because neither would have been considered had it not been for major injuries. That's right, Bosworth had an excuse. Meanwhile, I was tickled to see Big Ten bully Ohio State land four players on this list.<br />
<br />
<b>* <a href="http://www.footballnation.com/content/nfl-draft-new-york-jets-all-time-best-picks/14422/">The 10 best draft picks in Jets history</a> </b>-- It would have been much more fun to write about the biggest busts in Jets history, but there are some good picks here. FYI, with all the scrutiny prospects face these days, do you think a wide receiver who is blind in one eye would ever be a second-round draft pick? That was the case with Wesley Walker, who turned out just fine.<br />
<br />
<b>* <a href="http://www.footballnation.com/content/new-york-giants-10-best-draft-picks-history/14432/">The 10 best draft picks in Giants history</a></b> -- LT and Simms have to be at the top of the list. No questions asked. After that, the order could easily have been jumbled. I had no problem putting Jason Pierre-Paul on this list after just two seasons. In this day and age, where winning now is the mantra, GM Jerry Reese was gutsy enough to use the 15th overall pick on a guy everyone said was a project. And JPP showed return on investment sooner than anyone expected.<br />
<br />
By the way, for more outstanding draft coverage, check out all the good stuff from <b><a href="http://FootballNation.com/">FootballNation.com</a></b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513707793942474727.post-71470435920945907232012-04-19T08:48:00.000-07:002012-04-19T08:48:03.973-07:00NFL schedule: Piecing together a Thursday night puzzle<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>By Craig Ellenport</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After six years with a half-season of Thursday night games, the NFL awarded its own network a <a href="http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2012/TNF">full slate of Thursday games</a> for the first time this year – and it created a giant headache
for the folks at 345 Park Avenue charged with creating that schedule. As one of
the league’s schedule-makers put it, “They took a really hard problem and made
it exponentially harder.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the record, this person wasn’t complaining – putting the
schedule together is a rewarding challenge. He’s used to hearing complaints
from owners about short weeks, long road trips and December games at Lambeau
Field. It’s all a learning process, and – let’s face it – there’s no such thing
as a bad NFL schedule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what makes it so difficult to schedule 13 games for NFL
Network’s Thursday night package? Let’s take a look at some of the intricacies
of the process…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For starters, the NFL adopted a policy that no team will be
forced to play more than one “short week.” That means the six teams scheduled
to play on Thanksgiving -- the Texans, Lions, Redskins, Cowboys, Patriots and
Jets – are all out of the picture. And since this is the first year that NBC
will be airing the Thanksgiving night game, that means arguably the best
Thursday night matchup of the year – Patriots at Jets – is not on the NFL
Network schedule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That leaves 26 teams to fill 26 spots. And some pretty good
teams playing on Thanksgiving that cannot be part of the NFLN package. In fact,
it’s the first time since the network began its Thursday night package that the
Cowboys are not on the slate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another new policy the league implemented after the
Competition Committee weighed in: No TNF games in which a team has to travel more
than one time zone. If that were in place last year, you wouldn’t have had Jets-Broncos,
Eagles-Seahawks or the Harbaugh Bowl, 49ers-Ravens. (Note: This is not a
hard-and-fast rule, and so there is one such game this season – Kansas City at
San Diego.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Between the short week and time zone limitations, it’s no
wonder that none of the 12 games that NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison cited as the
<a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8286162b/article/nfl-schedule-top-12-games-to-look-forward-to-in-2012">most intriguing matchups of 2012</a> are on the TNF schedule. Five are multiple
time zone trips; six feature teams playing on Thanksgiving. The 12<sup>th</sup>
game is Green Bay at Chicago, which isn’t a TNF game – but Chicago at Green Bay
is on the slate. Which should not be a big surprise given the limitations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With so few choices to fill out 13 games, there’s really
only one way to make them compelling: make them division games. Thus, nine of
the 13 NFL Network TNF games are division games. (I heard Mike Mayock say this
week that he “can’t wait” for the Cleveland-Baltimore game in Week 4. Okay,
sure.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of other considerations when piecing this puzzle
together:</div>
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<b>*</b> We’re not saying there aren’t some terrific TNF matchups.
Bears-Packers, Giants-Panthers, Broncos-Raiders. Here’s what those games have
in common: They are all scheduled for non-bye weeks. Why? Because if you’re
going to pull those good matchups off the board for FOX and CBS, networks that
are paying billions to air NFL games, then you at least want to give them a
full complement of remaining games.</div>
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<b>* </b>Of the four non-divisional games, only one can really be
considered a clunker: Buccaneers at Vikings in Week 8. Well, that one is going
up against the World Series, so it’s essentially a sacrificial lamb.</div>
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Then again, would you be surprised if the least anticipated
Thursday night NFL game outdrew a World Series game? </div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Craig Ellenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924667366623171805noreply@blogger.com0