The 90th annual East-West Shrine Game kicks off on Saturday, January 17 at 4 p.m. ET. It's the oldest of the collegiate all-star games, pooling over 100 seniors from schools across the country into the East and West rosters.
This week also serves as the unofficial start of draft season for NFL teams, even those still alive in the playoffs.
Over 300 NFL scouts, coaches and personnel staff have traveled to St. Petersburg to catch the daily practice sessions. There are also lots of media covering the entire process here, from interviewing players to breaking down every detail of each practice.
The Shrine Game doesn't feature any top-tier NFL prospects. Most of the players here are going to be selected on the draft's third day in Rounds 4-7 or will become undrafted free agents of some regard. This year's talent pool lacks the breakout stars from recent seasons such as offensive tackle Terron Armstead, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo or linebacker DeAndre Levy, but the overall depth of talent is strong.
Here is everything you need to know about Saturday's game, as well as personal gleanings from the practice sessions and team hotel.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330778-2015-nfl-draft-east-west-shrine-game-scouting-guide
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 January 2015
What's the Secret to Decades-Long Success for NFL Franchises?
Many teams in the NFL have had sustained success.What is the secret to staying successful in the NFL?
Watch as Stephen Nelson and Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Chris Simms discuss the keys to sustaining success in the NFL in the video above.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331556-whats-the-secret-to-decades-long-success-for-nfl-franchises
Matchups to Watch for NFL Conference Championship Weekend
The NFL is a beautiful game—a dance and chess match all rolled up into one. The moves in the battle of wits on the sidelines and between the chess pieces on the field will provide dramatic theater in the conference championship games this weekend.
Which matchups will go the longest way toward deciding this weekend's games, based on each team's respective strengths and weaknesses? Bleacher Report breaks down the marquee ones with a fine-tooth comb right here.
We get to see the one-year difference between the New England Patriots having Aqib Talib get knocked out of an AFC Championship Game (by Wes Welker last year) versus having one of the best shutdown corners of all time, Darrelle Revis. A Hilton will visit Revis Island—the Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton, that is.
There is a rematch between the bouncer Rob Gronkowski and the man he "threw out of the club," Sergio Brown. The way the last one turned out, the Colts might want to get Brown's back in that nightclub fight.
We will see how the Seattle Seahawks defense tests the mobility of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his calf injury. It will be much better for Rodgers to have right-side pass-protector Bryan Bulaga healthy this go-around.
And, like every week, seeing how opposing teams try to attack the Seahawks' Legion of Boom with their set of wide receivers is always dramatic. We will see if Richard Sherman gets another NFC championship opportunity to call out "a sorry receiver" like he did with Michael Crabtree a year ago. Be careful of getting put on blast, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.
Finally, who can stop Beast Mode, other than the media, which have him verbally clammed up? Clay Matthews is the name brand who will try. We cannot wait to watch that one.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330734-matchups-to-watch-for-nfl-conference-championship-weekend
John Fox Hire Puts Chicago Bears Back on Track to Perennial Mediocrity
John Fox has everything the Chicago Bears and their fans desperately want right now: a lantern jaw, a silver mane, a solid defensive pedigree and a long track record of...well, getting to Super Bowls.
When Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reported that the Bears hired Fox, it made all the sense in the world. But is it the right hire? The best hire? The one to get the Bears back to the top of the NFL?Fox will replace the gaunt, professorial Marc Trestman on the Chicago sideline. Bears fans will surely love that.
Even if Trestman's offensive wonkery had turned quarterback Jay Cutler into Dan Marino and the Bears into Super Bowl champions, he still represented a big departure from the kind of football—and coach—sausage-devouring Chicagoans know and love.
The Bears are synonymous with the hard-nosed defenses of Mike Ditka and Lovie Smith. The 2014 unit allowed a 31st-ranked 442 points. It was an embarrassment to the legendary legacies of Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.
Fox, though, won't have a Hall of Fame middle linebacker to work with, or top-shelf talent like Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. and T.J. Ward.
Instead, aging stars like linebacker Lance Briggs and former Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen are still around, and cornerback Kyle Fuller certainly looks like a difference-making youngster.
In the middle are a lot of decent players who won't get much better. The Bears' breakout veteran of 2014 was defensive end Willie Young, who'll play most of next season from the wrong side of age 30.
Let's say Fox, and whomever he hires to round out his coaching staff, can get more production out of the Bears' defensive talent than outgoing defensive coordinator Mel Tucker did. Given Fox's track record of quick turnarounds, that's a safe proposition.No matter how strong Fox's jaw, no matter how accountable he holds his players, there's only so much a head coach can do if he doesn't have a championship-caliber roster. The Bears might be on the fast track back to respectability, but they're no closer to a championship than they were before firing Smith
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2332239-john-fox-hire-puts-chicago-bears-back-on-track-to-perennial-mediocrity
When Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reported that the Bears hired Fox, it made all the sense in the world. But is it the right hire? The best hire? The one to get the Bears back to the top of the NFL?Fox will replace the gaunt, professorial Marc Trestman on the Chicago sideline. Bears fans will surely love that.
Even if Trestman's offensive wonkery had turned quarterback Jay Cutler into Dan Marino and the Bears into Super Bowl champions, he still represented a big departure from the kind of football—and coach—sausage-devouring Chicagoans know and love.
The Bears are synonymous with the hard-nosed defenses of Mike Ditka and Lovie Smith. The 2014 unit allowed a 31st-ranked 442 points. It was an embarrassment to the legendary legacies of Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.
Fox, though, won't have a Hall of Fame middle linebacker to work with, or top-shelf talent like Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. and T.J. Ward.
Instead, aging stars like linebacker Lance Briggs and former Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen are still around, and cornerback Kyle Fuller certainly looks like a difference-making youngster.
In the middle are a lot of decent players who won't get much better. The Bears' breakout veteran of 2014 was defensive end Willie Young, who'll play most of next season from the wrong side of age 30.
Let's say Fox, and whomever he hires to round out his coaching staff, can get more production out of the Bears' defensive talent than outgoing defensive coordinator Mel Tucker did. Given Fox's track record of quick turnarounds, that's a safe proposition.No matter how strong Fox's jaw, no matter how accountable he holds his players, there's only so much a head coach can do if he doesn't have a championship-caliber roster. The Bears might be on the fast track back to respectability, but they're no closer to a championship than they were before firing Smith
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2332239-john-fox-hire-puts-chicago-bears-back-on-track-to-perennial-mediocrity
The Belichick-Brady Legacy Is Defined by Wins, Not Tapes or Tucks
This is a story about greatness, the eternal kind, and the story begins with the dumbest question of all time.The question comes in various forms and levels of nastiness. It's always asked with aggression or cockiness. The worst fans of the worst teams ask it the most, which is always amusing. The question is used as an insult, a form of trolling punctuation to a vapid argument. The question always comes to life on message boards. Look below. See it in all of its primal glory.
The question goes like this: How many Super Bowls have the New England Patriots won since Spygate?
The answer, of course, is zero. But it's all a trap because the question is pure idiocy.As we watch Bill Belichick and Tom Brady on the precipice of yet another Super Bowl—they have already been to a staggering five, winning three—if they do advance, it should end all Spygate nonsense. There should be no Spygate nonsense to start with, but since there is, another Super Bowl should terminate all of it. Win or lose.That perspective has been totally lost. Shula recently called Belichick "Beli-cheat." I greatly admire Shula—after all, I wrote a book on his unbeaten team—but sometimes he takes his criticism of Belichick too far.
Ray Lewis, reviving the Brady-is-a-no-talent-pretty-boy meme, said this week we wouldn't know Brady without the tuck rule. The Ravens' Terrell Suggs, who was mic'd on Inside the NFL, said this to the ref about Brady during the Ravens' divisional loss to New England: "Please don't fall for the flop."
There's a theme with some teams and fans, that either the Patriots have cheated their way to success, or the tuck rule made them, or some alchemic combo of both.
The truth is, Belichick and Brady beating the Colts and returning to the Super Bowl would make them the best coach-quarterback pairing we've ever seen. If they aren't already.
Some would say the best two are Bill Walsh and Joe Montana. That's obviously a terrific choice, but the Belichick-Brady dominance has come in an era when the NFL has done its damnedest to eradicate dynasties with the salary cap.
We are watching something special, not tainted—brilliant, not buoyed by tuck.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330223-the-belichick-brady-legacy-is-defined-by-wins-not-tapes-or-tucks
The question goes like this: How many Super Bowls have the New England Patriots won since Spygate?
The answer, of course, is zero. But it's all a trap because the question is pure idiocy.As we watch Bill Belichick and Tom Brady on the precipice of yet another Super Bowl—they have already been to a staggering five, winning three—if they do advance, it should end all Spygate nonsense. There should be no Spygate nonsense to start with, but since there is, another Super Bowl should terminate all of it. Win or lose.That perspective has been totally lost. Shula recently called Belichick "Beli-cheat." I greatly admire Shula—after all, I wrote a book on his unbeaten team—but sometimes he takes his criticism of Belichick too far.
Ray Lewis, reviving the Brady-is-a-no-talent-pretty-boy meme, said this week we wouldn't know Brady without the tuck rule. The Ravens' Terrell Suggs, who was mic'd on Inside the NFL, said this to the ref about Brady during the Ravens' divisional loss to New England: "Please don't fall for the flop."
There's a theme with some teams and fans, that either the Patriots have cheated their way to success, or the tuck rule made them, or some alchemic combo of both.
The truth is, Belichick and Brady beating the Colts and returning to the Super Bowl would make them the best coach-quarterback pairing we've ever seen. If they aren't already.
Some would say the best two are Bill Walsh and Joe Montana. That's obviously a terrific choice, but the Belichick-Brady dominance has come in an era when the NFL has done its damnedest to eradicate dynasties with the salary cap.
We are watching something special, not tainted—brilliant, not buoyed by tuck.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330223-the-belichick-brady-legacy-is-defined-by-wins-not-tapes-or-tucks
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Packers or Colts: Which NFL Team Has Best Chance at a Postseason Road Upset?
Winning on the road in the NFL is never an easy task, especially at Gillette Stadium and CenturyLink Field. Those are the places the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers will have to travel this weekend, respectively.
Which road team has the better shot at an upset in Conference Championship Weekend? What factors will come in to play?
Watch as Adam Lefkoe and Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Chris Simms and Jonathan Vilma discuss these teams in the video above
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331321-packers-or-colts-which-nfl-team-has-best-chance-at-a-postseason-road-upset
NFL Conference Championship Rapid-Fire Predictions
With the 2014-15 NFL divisional round in the books, we have a number of questions as we look ahead to the conference championships.
Who will have more receiving yards: Jermaine Kearse or Davante Adams? Will Andrew Luck and Tom Brady throw more than 105 pass attempts combined?
Watch as Adam Lefkoe goes in-depth with Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Chris Simms in the video above.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327430-nfl-conference-championship-rapid-fire-predictions
NFL Conference Championship Game Picks: Will the Pats and Seahawks Roll?
Riffs, rants, observations and dissenting opinions from the voices in my head about the NFL's Final Four, with a big-picture look at the Patriots' place in history and a microscopic look at what the Packers must do to upset the Seahawks.
Lines for the games, as usual, are courtesy of Odds Shark. Times are Eastern. Unless otherwise stated, all stats are from Football Outsiders' internal database or the firewall-protected, media-only treasure trove NFLGSIS.com.Tom Landry led the Cowboys to the playoffs 18 times in 29 years (62.1 percent success rate). Don Shula led the Dolphins to the postseason 16 times in 26 years (61.5 percent) and did some very important things when coaching the Colts. To find coaches who colonized the playoffs more often than Belichick, you need to turn to civic institutions from an era in which a head coach might take over an expansion team and enjoy six full seasons of sub-.500 football while assembling his roster, or leap straight from Super Bowl glory into the driver's seat of a down-and-out franchise from a rival league.
Landry and Shula are men of Lombardi's time, not our time. And Belichick is still more ubiquitous than they are in the playoffs, from a percentage standpoint, though you can hack out 15-16 season chunks of Landry and Shula's careers (1966-82 for Landry, 1971-85 for Shula) that match Belichick's Patriots run.
Belichick tied Landry for the most playoff wins in NFL history with his 20th last week. His Patriots are a heavy favorite to claim the all-time record outright this week. It was both an impressive accomplishment and an easy one to take for granted.
Every time a Patriots veteran does something good in the playoffs, it establishes a milestone or sets a record. Tom Brady surpassed the career postseason mark for passing yards last week. Brady passed Joe Montana on the all-time postseason touchdown list with 46. Stephen Gostkowski became the seventh kicker in NFL history with 100 postseason points, and Gostkowski isn't even the kicker we think about when we think about Patriots history.
You get the point: The Patriots have been really good for a really long time under Belichick.Playoff familiarity has bred both playoff contempt and playoff complacency. The contempt is understandable. The Patriots are as irritating on the national level as the Landry Cowboys were, with Gronkowski erotica and Brady metrosexuality filling in for disco-dancing Farrah Fawcett-cloned cheerleaders. It does not help that Belichick is the Nixon to Lombardi's apolitical Kennedy. You can play the "Beli-cheat" card if you want—if Shula is doing it, I can't fault anyone else for doing it—but no one really hates the Patriots because of a decade-old scandal. They hate the Patriots because 14 years of success, combined with that Boston-media we win because we are smarter, more righteous or just better than you on some metaphysical level hagiography makes them easy to dislike.
Hating the Patriots is understandable, given the circumstances. Taking them for granted, however, would be a shame. We all had them penciled into this championship game the moment they lost the last championship game, or (at the latest) when they signed Darrelle Revis. Only the opponent is a surprise. Face it, we all went through the motions this season: the manufactured Chicken Little hysteria after the Chiefs loss, the perfunctory New Year's Eve style hoopla after Brady-Manning: The Final Chapter, ho-hum been-there-done-that wins against all the middleweights and divisional rivals.
The Patriots are the spouse who brings home the bacon and fries it up in the pan. But after 15 years, they needed to spice things up. And yes, there is something inherently squicky about this team that leans toward erotic prose.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329652-nfl-conference-championship-game-picks-will-the-pats-and-seahawks-roll
Lines for the games, as usual, are courtesy of Odds Shark. Times are Eastern. Unless otherwise stated, all stats are from Football Outsiders' internal database or the firewall-protected, media-only treasure trove NFLGSIS.com.Tom Landry led the Cowboys to the playoffs 18 times in 29 years (62.1 percent success rate). Don Shula led the Dolphins to the postseason 16 times in 26 years (61.5 percent) and did some very important things when coaching the Colts. To find coaches who colonized the playoffs more often than Belichick, you need to turn to civic institutions from an era in which a head coach might take over an expansion team and enjoy six full seasons of sub-.500 football while assembling his roster, or leap straight from Super Bowl glory into the driver's seat of a down-and-out franchise from a rival league.
Landry and Shula are men of Lombardi's time, not our time. And Belichick is still more ubiquitous than they are in the playoffs, from a percentage standpoint, though you can hack out 15-16 season chunks of Landry and Shula's careers (1966-82 for Landry, 1971-85 for Shula) that match Belichick's Patriots run.
Belichick tied Landry for the most playoff wins in NFL history with his 20th last week. His Patriots are a heavy favorite to claim the all-time record outright this week. It was both an impressive accomplishment and an easy one to take for granted.
Every time a Patriots veteran does something good in the playoffs, it establishes a milestone or sets a record. Tom Brady surpassed the career postseason mark for passing yards last week. Brady passed Joe Montana on the all-time postseason touchdown list with 46. Stephen Gostkowski became the seventh kicker in NFL history with 100 postseason points, and Gostkowski isn't even the kicker we think about when we think about Patriots history.
You get the point: The Patriots have been really good for a really long time under Belichick.Playoff familiarity has bred both playoff contempt and playoff complacency. The contempt is understandable. The Patriots are as irritating on the national level as the Landry Cowboys were, with Gronkowski erotica and Brady metrosexuality filling in for disco-dancing Farrah Fawcett-cloned cheerleaders. It does not help that Belichick is the Nixon to Lombardi's apolitical Kennedy. You can play the "Beli-cheat" card if you want—if Shula is doing it, I can't fault anyone else for doing it—but no one really hates the Patriots because of a decade-old scandal. They hate the Patriots because 14 years of success, combined with that Boston-media we win because we are smarter, more righteous or just better than you on some metaphysical level hagiography makes them easy to dislike.
Hating the Patriots is understandable, given the circumstances. Taking them for granted, however, would be a shame. We all had them penciled into this championship game the moment they lost the last championship game, or (at the latest) when they signed Darrelle Revis. Only the opponent is a surprise. Face it, we all went through the motions this season: the manufactured Chicken Little hysteria after the Chiefs loss, the perfunctory New Year's Eve style hoopla after Brady-Manning: The Final Chapter, ho-hum been-there-done-that wins against all the middleweights and divisional rivals.
The Patriots are the spouse who brings home the bacon and fries it up in the pan. But after 15 years, they needed to spice things up. And yes, there is something inherently squicky about this team that leans toward erotic prose.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329652-nfl-conference-championship-game-picks-will-the-pats-and-seahawks-roll
Why John Fox Would Be the Right Coach at the Right Time for Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears appear to be closing in on the right head coach at the right time.According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, the next coaching domino to fall is former Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, who is expected to become the 15th head coach in Bears history. The yet to be completed deal is likely to be finished within the next few days, per Cole's source.
Fox, 59, has been considered the front-runner for Chicago's opening since he and the Broncos went separate ways following Denver's divisional-round loss to the Indianapolis Colts.Over Fox's five years as the Giants defensive coordinator, New York finished in the top 10 in points allowed three times. His defensive work in Carolina turned around the Panthers, who went eight straight years ranking in the top 15 for scoring defense, including four times in the top 10.
Results showed up again in Denver, where the defense carried the Broncos into the postseason in 2011. Fox's defense also ranked second in yards and fourth in points allowed in 2012, and third in yards allowed in 2014.
Overall, Fox has been the defensive coordinator or head coach of a team for 20 seasons. His defenses have ranked in the top 16 in points allowed 15 times.
It will be on new general manager Ryan Pace to give Fox the right pieces to be successful, but his track record speaks for itself. Almost immediate improvement on defense would be assumed.
The only question now is if the Bears could have asked for a better coaching candidate to fall right into their laps.
Fox is experienced, versatile, respected and defensive-minded. He has wins, playoff appearances and conference titles. He's worked with a broad spectrum of quarterbacks and consistently gets the most out of his defense.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331100-why-john-fox-would-be-the-right-coach-at-the-right-time-for-chicago-bears
Matchups to Watch for NFL Conference Championship Weekend
The NFL is a beautiful game—a dance and chess match all rolled up into one. The moves in the battle of wits on the sidelines and between the chess pieces on the field will provide dramatic theater in the conference championship games this weekend.
Which matchups will go the longest way toward deciding this weekend's games, based on each team's respective strengths and weaknesses? Bleacher Report breaks down the marquee ones with a fine-tooth comb right here.
We get to see the one-year difference between the New England Patriots having Aqib Talib get knocked out of an AFC Championship Game (by Wes Welker last year) versus having one of the best shutdown corners of all time, Darrelle Revis. A Hilton will visit Revis Island—the Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton, that is.
There is a rematch between the bouncer Rob Gronkowski and the man he "threw out of the club," Sergio Brown. The way the last one turned out, the Colts might want to get Brown's back in that nightclub fight.
We will see how the Seattle Seahawks defense tests the mobility of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his calf injury. It will be much better for Rodgers to have right-side pass-protector Bryan Bulaga healthy this go-around.
And, like every week, seeing how opposing teams try to attack the Seahawks' Legion of Boom with their set of wide receivers is always dramatic. We will see if Richard Sherman gets another NFC championship opportunity to call out "a sorry receiver" like he did with Michael Crabtree a year ago. Be careful of getting put on blast, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.
Finally, who can stop Beast Mode, other than the media, which have him verbally clammed up? Clay Matthews is the name brand who will try. We cannot wait to watch that one
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330734-matchups-to-watch-for-nfl-conference-championship-weekend
Which matchups will go the longest way toward deciding this weekend's games, based on each team's respective strengths and weaknesses? Bleacher Report breaks down the marquee ones with a fine-tooth comb right here.
We get to see the one-year difference between the New England Patriots having Aqib Talib get knocked out of an AFC Championship Game (by Wes Welker last year) versus having one of the best shutdown corners of all time, Darrelle Revis. A Hilton will visit Revis Island—the Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton, that is.
There is a rematch between the bouncer Rob Gronkowski and the man he "threw out of the club," Sergio Brown. The way the last one turned out, the Colts might want to get Brown's back in that nightclub fight.
We will see how the Seattle Seahawks defense tests the mobility of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his calf injury. It will be much better for Rodgers to have right-side pass-protector Bryan Bulaga healthy this go-around.
And, like every week, seeing how opposing teams try to attack the Seahawks' Legion of Boom with their set of wide receivers is always dramatic. We will see if Richard Sherman gets another NFC championship opportunity to call out "a sorry receiver" like he did with Michael Crabtree a year ago. Be careful of getting put on blast, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.
Finally, who can stop Beast Mode, other than the media, which have him verbally clammed up? Clay Matthews is the name brand who will try. We cannot wait to watch that one
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330734-matchups-to-watch-for-nfl-conference-championship-weekend
Will Marcus Mariota's Skills Translate Now That He Has Entered 2015 NFL Draft?
According to Rob Moseley of GoDucks.com, Oregon quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota has declared for the 2015 NFL draft.
Will Mariota's skills translate to the NFL? Which teams would be the best fit for him? Where does his current draft stock stand?
Watch as Stephen Nelson and Michael Felder discuss Mariota's decision to go pro in the video above.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330067-will-marcus-mariotas-skills-translate-now-that-he-has-entered-2015-nfl-draft
Will Mariota's skills translate to the NFL? Which teams would be the best fit for him? Where does his current draft stock stand?
Watch as Stephen Nelson and Michael Felder discuss Mariota's decision to go pro in the video above.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330067-will-marcus-mariotas-skills-translate-now-that-he-has-entered-2015-nfl-draft
Burning Questions for NFL's Conference Championships
The Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots have plenty of experience when it comes to reaching recent Super Bowls, much less winning them. All of these teams have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy once since 2004.
But which two teams are making the trip to Glendale, Arizona, to play for the title on Feb. 1? That’s the real question.
That doesn’t mean we didn’t come up with a few more in regards to this weekend’s conference title games.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2324332-burning-questions-for-nfls-conference-championships
But which two teams are making the trip to Glendale, Arizona, to play for the title on Feb. 1? That’s the real question.
That doesn’t mean we didn’t come up with a few more in regards to this weekend’s conference title games.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2324332-burning-questions-for-nfls-conference-championships
Matt Bowen's NFL Conference Championships Film Study
Throughout the playoffs, former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen will bring you his film study: a breakdown of personnel, matchups and scheme on the postseason stage.The cornerbacks in this defense will align in press and “pattern match” the vertical release. Think of man-coverage technique with Earl Thomas in the post and the four underneath defenders playing zone coverage (hook and curl-flat drops).
This allows the Seahawks to challenge the release and funnel the receivers to Thomas in the post while leaning on the speed of the second-level defenders underneath.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330139-matt-bowens-nfl-conference-championships-film-study
This allows the Seahawks to challenge the release and funnel the receivers to Thomas in the post while leaning on the speed of the second-level defenders underneath.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330139-matt-bowens-nfl-conference-championships-film-study
49ers Play Safe with Tomsula Hire, Future Lies in Offensive Coordinator Search
The San Francisco 49ers made a mistake by parting ways with Jim Harbaugh. But that's in the past now, and the future was always going to lie with either an innovative offensive mind or someone familiar who could be controlled by meddling ownership.
In the end, control won, and former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has been promoted to become the franchise's 19th head coach, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter and later confirmed by the 49ers.Tomsula has been with the 49ers since 2007 and assumed interim head coaching duties after the team fired Mike Singletary in 2010. Contractual details still need to be finalized with various I's dotted and T's crossed. But the decision itself appears nearly finalized.
This hiring isn't a mistake or a misstep. Instead it's safe, though still difficult to digest after a coach who had a 44-19-1 record and went to three straight NFC Championship Games (oh, and a Super Bowl) just left town.
Although Tomsula worked alongside Harbaugh, he has a deeper relationship with the 49ers and CEO Jed York that extends beyond the team's most recent ex-coach. That gives him a more forgiving ear and will avoid the alpha-male divide that separated Harbaugh from York and general manager Trent Baalke.He's a defense-oriented coach, and that plays to an already existing strength, though it's concerning that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is now reportedly set to leave. He's the true architect of a defense that somehow finished fifth overall in yards allowed per game this season despite rampant injuries.
Fangio has fielded a top-five defense in each of his four seasons as coordinator. Tuesday, NFL Network's Michael Silver reported that Fangio would find employment elsewhere if he wasn't promoted to the top job in San Francisco:
The problem with Tomsula will become progress and whether he can make any quickly to rebound after an 8-8 season. And that's partly out of his hands.
Defense isn't the pressing issue in San Francisco, and it won't be any time soon. Tomsula's defensive mind may elevate an already thriving unit, but the true weakness lies on the other side of the ball.
Which is why the solution for what ails the 49ers is yet to come.Both Tomsula and, more importantly, his quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, need an elite offensive mind. The 49ers offense regressed dramatically in 2014 along with its quarterback, averaging only 19.1 points per game (25th). Worse, throughout the season, they averaged a league-low 2.1 points in the fourth quarter.
Kaepernick was erratic at best, sometimes fitting balls through tight windows on throws others wouldn't attempt but more often making poor decisions and looking lost in the pocket while failing to go through his progressions. He was always going to be a project, and there was always the potential his development would slow.Gase represented a risk with his lack of head coaching experience. But Tomsula isn't far ahead in that regard, though being a head coach for one season in NFL Europe earns him some experience points.
What Tomsula has, however, is a relationship, and it's one that feels cozy for his superiors. If he represents the status quo, the 49ers have failed as an organization.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330366-49ers-play-safe-with-tomsula-hire-future-lies-in-offensive-coordinator-search
In the end, control won, and former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has been promoted to become the franchise's 19th head coach, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter and later confirmed by the 49ers.Tomsula has been with the 49ers since 2007 and assumed interim head coaching duties after the team fired Mike Singletary in 2010. Contractual details still need to be finalized with various I's dotted and T's crossed. But the decision itself appears nearly finalized.
This hiring isn't a mistake or a misstep. Instead it's safe, though still difficult to digest after a coach who had a 44-19-1 record and went to three straight NFC Championship Games (oh, and a Super Bowl) just left town.
Although Tomsula worked alongside Harbaugh, he has a deeper relationship with the 49ers and CEO Jed York that extends beyond the team's most recent ex-coach. That gives him a more forgiving ear and will avoid the alpha-male divide that separated Harbaugh from York and general manager Trent Baalke.He's a defense-oriented coach, and that plays to an already existing strength, though it's concerning that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is now reportedly set to leave. He's the true architect of a defense that somehow finished fifth overall in yards allowed per game this season despite rampant injuries.
Fangio has fielded a top-five defense in each of his four seasons as coordinator. Tuesday, NFL Network's Michael Silver reported that Fangio would find employment elsewhere if he wasn't promoted to the top job in San Francisco:
The problem with Tomsula will become progress and whether he can make any quickly to rebound after an 8-8 season. And that's partly out of his hands.
Defense isn't the pressing issue in San Francisco, and it won't be any time soon. Tomsula's defensive mind may elevate an already thriving unit, but the true weakness lies on the other side of the ball.
Which is why the solution for what ails the 49ers is yet to come.Both Tomsula and, more importantly, his quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, need an elite offensive mind. The 49ers offense regressed dramatically in 2014 along with its quarterback, averaging only 19.1 points per game (25th). Worse, throughout the season, they averaged a league-low 2.1 points in the fourth quarter.
Kaepernick was erratic at best, sometimes fitting balls through tight windows on throws others wouldn't attempt but more often making poor decisions and looking lost in the pocket while failing to go through his progressions. He was always going to be a project, and there was always the potential his development would slow.Gase represented a risk with his lack of head coaching experience. But Tomsula isn't far ahead in that regard, though being a head coach for one season in NFL Europe earns him some experience points.
What Tomsula has, however, is a relationship, and it's one that feels cozy for his superiors. If he represents the status quo, the 49ers have failed as an organization.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330366-49ers-play-safe-with-tomsula-hire-future-lies-in-offensive-coordinator-search
Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Will Knighton's Weight Keep Him from Greatness?
Terrance Knighton is one of the nicest guys in football. As the Denver Broncos start to rebuild after a disastrous loss in the divisional round, there's a chance they want him to be a part of that rebuilding process. There's just one potential problem with Knighton: his appetite.
Knighton over the past several years has been fined approximately $300,000 for weight-related issues. Mostly, the fines have been for Knighton missing weight markers, a person familiar with the situation told Bleacher Report.
In speaking with several people around the NFL, none could remember such a substantial fine amount over a weight issue. That doesn't mean it's never happened. It only means no one I spoke to can remember such a circumstance.
(One piece of good news on the fines: They are tax deductible, according to Robert Raiola, a CPA who tweets frequently on sports related tax issues.)
It's not unprecedented for a player to be fined over weight issues. Weight clauses are a tool some teams use to ensure players who traditionally can't keep the pounds off, do keep them off. Sometimes, they're not even clauses in contracts but simple team fines for being over a weight determined by the club. This is allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin will fine a player $400 a day for every pound he's overweight, according to ESPN. Other teams use similar tactics.
It can't be stressed how good a dude Knighton is viewed as by, well, almost everyone. He's a leader in the locker room and in December won the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award. The award was created in the memory of former Denver player Darrent Williams, who died in 2007. The award is given to the person, according to the team, who best exemplifies Williams' "enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty while dealing with members of the press."
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2325698-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-will-knightons-weight-keep-him-from-greatness
Knighton over the past several years has been fined approximately $300,000 for weight-related issues. Mostly, the fines have been for Knighton missing weight markers, a person familiar with the situation told Bleacher Report.
In speaking with several people around the NFL, none could remember such a substantial fine amount over a weight issue. That doesn't mean it's never happened. It only means no one I spoke to can remember such a circumstance.
(One piece of good news on the fines: They are tax deductible, according to Robert Raiola, a CPA who tweets frequently on sports related tax issues.)
It's not unprecedented for a player to be fined over weight issues. Weight clauses are a tool some teams use to ensure players who traditionally can't keep the pounds off, do keep them off. Sometimes, they're not even clauses in contracts but simple team fines for being over a weight determined by the club. This is allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin will fine a player $400 a day for every pound he's overweight, according to ESPN. Other teams use similar tactics.
It can't be stressed how good a dude Knighton is viewed as by, well, almost everyone. He's a leader in the locker room and in December won the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award. The award was created in the memory of former Denver player Darrent Williams, who died in 2007. The award is given to the person, according to the team, who best exemplifies Williams' "enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty while dealing with members of the press."
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2325698-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-will-knightons-weight-keep-him-from-greatness
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Can Packers Get Revenge Against Seahawks on Road to Super Bowl XLIX?
The Green Bay Packers advanced past the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round and are set to face the defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks, in the NFC Championship Game.
How can the Packers upset the Seahawks? Which players will be crucial in this matchup?
Watch as Adam Lefkoe and Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Chris Simms discuss this exciting NFC Championship matchup in the video above.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2326439-can-packers-get-revenge-against-seahawks-on-road-to-super-bowl-xlix
How can the Packers upset the Seahawks? Which players will be crucial in this matchup?
Watch as Adam Lefkoe and Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Chris Simms discuss this exciting NFC Championship matchup in the video above.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2326439-can-packers-get-revenge-against-seahawks-on-road-to-super-bowl-xlix
Can Jamie Collins Continue Breakout Postseason, Carry Patriots D to Super Bowl?
You can almost forgive Pro Bowl voters for missing the boat on Jamie Collins. After all, he didn't really take over until after fan balloting had opened.
It's hard to blame The Associated Press or Pro Football Writers of America (of which, full disclosure, I'm a member) for voting Bobby Wagner, Luke Kuechly and C.J. Mosley onto their All-Pro, All-NFL and All-AFC squads.
Yet, over the second half of the season and into the playoffs, the New England Patriots middle linebacker has metamorphosed. He was once just Jerod Mayo's understudy; now, he's the centerpiece of the Patriots defense. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Collins as the third-best inside linebacker in football—and if the Patriots are going to win the Super Bowl this year, he'll need to play even better than that.Collins has ideal size at 6'3", 250 pounds. The 2013 second-round pick put up eye-popping explosion numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, per NFL.com: His 4.64-second 40-yard dash, 41.5" vertical leap, 139" broad jump and blazing cone and shuttle times made him a standout in a field chock-full of athletic linebackers.
What's most impressive about Collins isn't his athletic talent. His breathtaking closing speed and dime-slicing change-of-direction would be meaningless if his vision, awareness and football IQ weren't developing the way they have under Bill Belichick.
When the Patriots hosted the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round, Collins needed every one of the many tools he has in his bag to help stop the bleeding and seal the season-saving win.
In the first half, the Ravens' powerful offensive line dominated the Patriots linemen up front. Ravens tailback Justin Forsett gashed the Patriots time and again, and quarterback Joe Flacco worked the ball all over the field. The Ravens went up, 14-0, almost before Pats fans had settled into their seats.
Watching the tape, Collins had been assigned to keep second-level edge contain on Forsett. The dominance of the Ravens guards kept springing him for seven, 10, 12 yards at a time. Even if Collins was getting off blocks and making the tackles downfield, he wasn't helping much.
The Patriots couldn't get any heat on Flacco, either. He wasn't sacked once.On passing plays, Collins was used in short zone coverage, and man-to-man coverage on a running back or tight end. Collins excelled. He crushed fullback Kyle Juszczyk on a first-quarter smoke route, nearly intercepted a pass intended for tight end Owen Daniels and outraced the split-wide Juszczyk 40 yards down the sideline, nearly intercepting Flacco's would-be touchdown bomb.
In the second half, Collins was brought up to the line much more often, taking on guards at the point of attack and occasionally blitzing Flacco. The closest the Patriots came to bringing down Flacco was this tremendous individual effort from...guess who?
Collins started this play sneaking up to the line of scrimmage to man up on tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint:With Patriots cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Kyle Arrington likely to play a lot of man coverage against the Colts' talented (if inconsistent) receivers, Collins' athleticism in the middle of the field in nickel and dime situations will make him responsible for pass-catchers coming out of the backfield, as well as covering shallow and intermediate crossing routes.
The Colts offensive line was able to keep Luck clean against Denver; DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and the Broncos pass rush couldn't sack Luck once. If the Patriots defense can't apply any pressure, they may again ask Collins to cheat up to the line and at least threaten to blitz—making those run and coverage responsibilities even harder for him to handle.
Should the Patriots win their sixth AFC title of the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era (they were 6.5-point favorites at the time of publication, per Odds Shark), Collins will be asked to wear every hat against either Russell Wilson and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks or Aaron Rodgers and the No. 1 scoring offense of the Green Bay Packers.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2328196-can-jamie-collins-continue-breakout-postseason-carry-patriots-d-to-super-bowl
It's hard to blame The Associated Press or Pro Football Writers of America (of which, full disclosure, I'm a member) for voting Bobby Wagner, Luke Kuechly and C.J. Mosley onto their All-Pro, All-NFL and All-AFC squads.
Yet, over the second half of the season and into the playoffs, the New England Patriots middle linebacker has metamorphosed. He was once just Jerod Mayo's understudy; now, he's the centerpiece of the Patriots defense. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Collins as the third-best inside linebacker in football—and if the Patriots are going to win the Super Bowl this year, he'll need to play even better than that.Collins has ideal size at 6'3", 250 pounds. The 2013 second-round pick put up eye-popping explosion numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, per NFL.com: His 4.64-second 40-yard dash, 41.5" vertical leap, 139" broad jump and blazing cone and shuttle times made him a standout in a field chock-full of athletic linebackers.
What's most impressive about Collins isn't his athletic talent. His breathtaking closing speed and dime-slicing change-of-direction would be meaningless if his vision, awareness and football IQ weren't developing the way they have under Bill Belichick.
When the Patriots hosted the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round, Collins needed every one of the many tools he has in his bag to help stop the bleeding and seal the season-saving win.
In the first half, the Ravens' powerful offensive line dominated the Patriots linemen up front. Ravens tailback Justin Forsett gashed the Patriots time and again, and quarterback Joe Flacco worked the ball all over the field. The Ravens went up, 14-0, almost before Pats fans had settled into their seats.
Watching the tape, Collins had been assigned to keep second-level edge contain on Forsett. The dominance of the Ravens guards kept springing him for seven, 10, 12 yards at a time. Even if Collins was getting off blocks and making the tackles downfield, he wasn't helping much.
The Patriots couldn't get any heat on Flacco, either. He wasn't sacked once.On passing plays, Collins was used in short zone coverage, and man-to-man coverage on a running back or tight end. Collins excelled. He crushed fullback Kyle Juszczyk on a first-quarter smoke route, nearly intercepted a pass intended for tight end Owen Daniels and outraced the split-wide Juszczyk 40 yards down the sideline, nearly intercepting Flacco's would-be touchdown bomb.
In the second half, Collins was brought up to the line much more often, taking on guards at the point of attack and occasionally blitzing Flacco. The closest the Patriots came to bringing down Flacco was this tremendous individual effort from...guess who?
Collins started this play sneaking up to the line of scrimmage to man up on tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint:With Patriots cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Kyle Arrington likely to play a lot of man coverage against the Colts' talented (if inconsistent) receivers, Collins' athleticism in the middle of the field in nickel and dime situations will make him responsible for pass-catchers coming out of the backfield, as well as covering shallow and intermediate crossing routes.
The Colts offensive line was able to keep Luck clean against Denver; DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and the Broncos pass rush couldn't sack Luck once. If the Patriots defense can't apply any pressure, they may again ask Collins to cheat up to the line and at least threaten to blitz—making those run and coverage responsibilities even harder for him to handle.
Should the Patriots win their sixth AFC title of the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era (they were 6.5-point favorites at the time of publication, per Odds Shark), Collins will be asked to wear every hat against either Russell Wilson and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks or Aaron Rodgers and the No. 1 scoring offense of the Green Bay Packers.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2328196-can-jamie-collins-continue-breakout-postseason-carry-patriots-d-to-super-bowl
Cowboys Check off Top Offseason Priorities with Garrett and Marinelli Extensions
Begrudgingly, the Dallas Cowboys began their offseason on Monday. And within 48 hours, reports indicate they've already accomplished two of the three most important goals the team should have set when its 2014 campaign came to an end.
According to various reports, including those from ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer and NFL.com's Adam Caplan, the Cowboys have re-signed coaches Jason Garrett and Rod Marinelli to long-term contracts, though the deals are not yet official:For a team that has overachieved despite salary-cap constraints, a disproportionate amount of injuries, lost stars and front office dysfunction for the entirety of Garrett's tenure as head coach and Marinelli's shorter run as defensive coordinator, developments like these can nearly win an offseason.
It was probably a foregone conclusion that Garrett would return, but the fact that the Cowboys signed him to a new deal without any hesitation is important. The 48-year-old didn't even have a chance to entertain any outside offers, which will hopefully encourage his key offensive assistants, passing game coordinator Scott Linehan and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan, to stick around. Had there been any drag here, those guys might have been more prone to consider opportunities outside of Dallas. Nobody wants to risk turning something down if there's a chance they'll lose their current job when a new boss is hired.
In four seasons since becoming the permanent head coach, Garrett has never finished below .500. He had an injury-ravaged squad in playoff contention until the final week of the 2012 regular season and somehow did the same thing with a team that featured the third-worst defense in NFL history (yardage-wise) in 2013.
He then took a squad that appeared to be worse on paper in 2014 and won 12 games, falling just short of an NFC Championship Game appearance after outplaying the Green Bay Packers on the road in the divisional playoffs.
It helped that in his first year as defensive coordinator, Marinelli continually performed magic tricks with a talent-deprived unit, inexplicably boosting its rankings across the board despite big offseason losses. How did he do it? The man coaches up defensive players like almost nobody this league has ever seen.
With DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher gone and Sean Lee on injured reserve, Marinelli's defense had zero Pro Bowlers. Almost every starting position was "by committee," with 21 different players earning at least 100 snaps.
And yet they somehow recorded an NFC-high 31 regular-season takeaways while ranking above the league average with 22.0 points per game allowed.For proof, look no further than the second spot on the running back depth chart, which featured Joseph Randle and his out-of-this-world 6.7 yards-per-attempt average.
The point being, as good as Murray was and as surprisingly strong as McClain, Carter and Free sometimes were, and as valuable as Linehan was as a play-caller, no impending free agent except maybe Bryant matters close to as much to this team as Garrett and Marinelli do.
And since there's no such thing as a franchise tag to keep coaches around, these reported contracts are potential lifesavers for a squad that now has a real chance to become significantly stronger in 2015.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2328932-cowboys-check-off-top-offseason-priorities-with-garrett-and-marinelli-extensions
According to various reports, including those from ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer and NFL.com's Adam Caplan, the Cowboys have re-signed coaches Jason Garrett and Rod Marinelli to long-term contracts, though the deals are not yet official:For a team that has overachieved despite salary-cap constraints, a disproportionate amount of injuries, lost stars and front office dysfunction for the entirety of Garrett's tenure as head coach and Marinelli's shorter run as defensive coordinator, developments like these can nearly win an offseason.
It was probably a foregone conclusion that Garrett would return, but the fact that the Cowboys signed him to a new deal without any hesitation is important. The 48-year-old didn't even have a chance to entertain any outside offers, which will hopefully encourage his key offensive assistants, passing game coordinator Scott Linehan and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan, to stick around. Had there been any drag here, those guys might have been more prone to consider opportunities outside of Dallas. Nobody wants to risk turning something down if there's a chance they'll lose their current job when a new boss is hired.
In four seasons since becoming the permanent head coach, Garrett has never finished below .500. He had an injury-ravaged squad in playoff contention until the final week of the 2012 regular season and somehow did the same thing with a team that featured the third-worst defense in NFL history (yardage-wise) in 2013.
He then took a squad that appeared to be worse on paper in 2014 and won 12 games, falling just short of an NFC Championship Game appearance after outplaying the Green Bay Packers on the road in the divisional playoffs.
It helped that in his first year as defensive coordinator, Marinelli continually performed magic tricks with a talent-deprived unit, inexplicably boosting its rankings across the board despite big offseason losses. How did he do it? The man coaches up defensive players like almost nobody this league has ever seen.
With DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher gone and Sean Lee on injured reserve, Marinelli's defense had zero Pro Bowlers. Almost every starting position was "by committee," with 21 different players earning at least 100 snaps.
And yet they somehow recorded an NFC-high 31 regular-season takeaways while ranking above the league average with 22.0 points per game allowed.For proof, look no further than the second spot on the running back depth chart, which featured Joseph Randle and his out-of-this-world 6.7 yards-per-attempt average.
The point being, as good as Murray was and as surprisingly strong as McClain, Carter and Free sometimes were, and as valuable as Linehan was as a play-caller, no impending free agent except maybe Bryant matters close to as much to this team as Garrett and Marinelli do.
And since there's no such thing as a franchise tag to keep coaches around, these reported contracts are potential lifesavers for a squad that now has a real chance to become significantly stronger in 2015.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2328932-cowboys-check-off-top-offseason-priorities-with-garrett-and-marinelli-extensions
Cap Crunches and Free-Agent Questions Loom for Divisional-Round Losers
Four more teams shifted gears suddenly this weekend from playoff preparation and Super Bowl expectations to offseason planning and uncertainty about the future. It happens this time every year, and it's never fun for the participants. Just ask John Fox.
There are no consolation prizes for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens—just whatever satisfaction can be gleaned from a hard-fought season (NFL types don't get any real satisfaction from such things) and the knowledge that each team may only be a player or two away from taking that next step.
But those extra players will be hard to find. The teams knocked out of the playoffs on Saturday and Sunday face major free-agent conundrums and delicate salary-cap situations. None can afford a real spending spree, and all are picking late in a draft class that, four months out, appears short on playmakers.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327262-cap-crunches-and-free-agent-questions-loom-for-divisional-round-losers
There are no consolation prizes for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens—just whatever satisfaction can be gleaned from a hard-fought season (NFL types don't get any real satisfaction from such things) and the knowledge that each team may only be a player or two away from taking that next step.
But those extra players will be hard to find. The teams knocked out of the playoffs on Saturday and Sunday face major free-agent conundrums and delicate salary-cap situations. None can afford a real spending spree, and all are picking late in a draft class that, four months out, appears short on playmakers.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327262-cap-crunches-and-free-agent-questions-loom-for-divisional-round-losers
Hiring of Todd Bowles Continues Positive Momentum for Floundering New York Jets
The New York Jets have become something of a punchline in the NFL in recent years, a team known more for locker-room rifts and sideshow signings than for winning football games.
Well, after jettisoning both head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik following a miserable 4-12 season, the Jets have made a couple of moves that should leave fans of Gang Green smiling, instead of being chuckled at.
Amid reports that Mike Maccagnan will be the team's new general manager, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday night that the team has settled on a new head coach:Todd Bowles, who spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, is something of a surprise hire. That's because over the last week or so, much of the scuttlebutt surrounding the Jets head-coaching vacancy has settled on Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, especially after former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone fell out of favor with the team.
However, Bowles' candidacy gained momentum in recent days, in part because with the Seahawks still in the playoffs, Quinn can't yet be interviewed. Bowles was in the Big Apple to meet with Maccagnan on Tuesday, and it would appear that meeting went wellAnd that's good news for the Jets, because in some respects, Bowles is a better fit in New York than Quinn.
In many ways, Quinn and Bowles are like-minded, and the pair even share some similarities with Rex Ryan. All three are highly innovative defensive gurus who have had great success in that regard at the NFL level. All three also have a reputation for being able to maximize the potential of their personnel on that side of the ball.
Bowles was the architect of a Cardinals defense that helped carry the team to an 11-5 finish and Wild Card Round appearance in 2014. The Arizona defense ranked ninth in the NFL this season, and while that ranking might not seem worthy of overly high praise, the totality of the circumstances has to be considered.
The Arizona defense lost both starting linebackers from 2013 (Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby) before the season even started. Defensive end Darnell Dockett (one of the team's best run-defenders) didn't make it out of the preseason in 2014. Outside linebacker John Abraham, who led the team in sacks two years ago, appeared in a single game. Safety Tyrann Mathieu was a shell of the electrifying rookie we saw in 2013 for most of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL.
Simply put, Bowles took lemons and made delicious lemonade. It was a coaching job that earned him the respect of his players:And if Gailey was a rotten offensive coordinator, it's rather unlikely he'd have gotten a second try at that big chair at all.
Never mind that if the Jets could have gotten those sorts of numbers out of Geno Smith or Mike Vick, Ryan might still have a job in the big city instead of in the boondocks.
I kid, Buffalo, I kid. Put the pitchfork down. Marrone's gone. Just be happy about that.Of course, the best staff in the history of the NFL will only be of so much good if the Jets don't upgrade their personnel in the secondary and on offense.
However, that's not Bowles' problem. It's Maccagnan's.Jets fans can only hope that Maccagnan does as well in adding those personnel as he did in picking the team's new head coach.
Because in hiring Todd Bowles to help lead them from the AFC East basement, the Jets got this one right.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329188-hiring-of-todd-bowles-continues-positive-momentum-for-floundering-new-york-jets
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