A bunch of NFL thoughts

Dr. Giganto

If I had to vote right now (and I never will have to vote, but whatever), my votes for offensive MVP would go:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Drew Brees
3. Larry Johnson
4. Frank Gore
5. Carson Palmer

With all due respect to Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, etc., LDT may go down as the greatest running back in history. He is putting up monster rushing yards every year, tons of recpetions and receiving yards, he's scoring touchdowns in bunches, and even throwing for a few. I'm not saying he's on the level with those guys yet, but at the rate he's going, he will finish his career in that elite class of back, and possibly at the top of that list.

As for Brees, isn't he simply symbolic of how everything has turned in favor of the Saints this year? The Dolphins had first crack at Brees, and they passed him up in favor of Culpepper. The Texans had first crack at Reggie Bush, and they took Mario Williams. Every team in the NFL had 7 chances to draft Marques Colston, and he ended up being a revelation for the Saints. One year after the worst year in the city's history, it's nice to see the Saints playing so well, and having so many breaks going their way. Besides the Giants, they're the team I most want to see do well this year in the playoffs.

As for the playoff races, this is what we have:

In the NFC, the Bears are 11-2 and hav eclinched a first-round bye. The Saints are 9-4, and are currently the 2 seed. The Cowboys are the 3 seed and the the Seahawks are the 4 seed, both at 8-5. The Giants and Eagles are currently the Wild Card leaders at 7-6, but they play each other next week, so one team will drop behind the other. Atlanta is also 7-6, and they host the Cowboys on Saturday night. Carolina and Minnesota are a game back of the wild card leaders.

In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers look like the team to beat. The Colts are struggling, losing 3 of their last 4, and it looks like they can't stop anybody on the ground. Baltimore is currently the 3 seed, and the Patriots are the 4 seed. The 5-way tie for the Wild Card was broken this weekend. Cincinnati and Jacksonville now stand as the Wild Card leaders, with the Jets, Chiefs, and Broncos each one game back.

I just wanted to comment on the Patriots. Before the season I commented how the Patriots were not nearly as good as the last few years. Eventually, if you keep giving up your talent (McGinest, Vinatieri, Branch), your overall quality of play will suffer. However, I was bombarded with a lot of "We have Brady and Belichick, we're stil the best team in the NFL!!!" After a 21-0 loss to the Dolphins, I feel like these signs are starting to show. Brady and Belichick can only take you so far. They've squeaked by against some mediocre teams (Buffalo, Detroit), and I expect them to struggle against Jacksonville and Tennessee to end the season. Considering the Patriots are perennially like 20 million under the cap, they may want to think about actually putting forth an effort to keep their talented players. It's the guys on the field that make the plays, not Bill Belichick, and this kind of hubris generally is not rewarded in a league as competitive as the NFL.

I hear that Matt Millen will be fired after this season. And I hear that the ONLY reason they're going to fire him is because of the backlash the Ford family fears they will receive from the fans. I guess his job performance has nothing to do with it? A 23-70 record in a league hell-bent on parity isn't worth firing? Taking wide receivers in the first round three straight years isn't worth firing? Passing on Matt Leinart (and supposedly planning to pass on Brady Quinn) in favor of Jon Kitna isnt worth firing? NFL GMs get fired for a lot less. Millen should have been axed a looooong time ago.

Jayman

Super Moderator

A couple of notes to your above post..

I definitely agree with your top 3 picks for MVP, as for the 4th and 5th I'd have to dig a little deeper before agreeing with those two. LT is hands down the man this year, and yes, I think he may go down as the best runningback of all time. And you're talking to a big Barry Sanders fan here. He just has a "vision" for getting into the open holes, getting past defenders, he's got speed, he scores points..he's unbelievable. The one shame is that as good as LT is doing, it's taking some spotlight off Drew Brees and the Saints, who I believe are the story of the year (sports-wise).

The NFC is brutal. Being under .500 right now in the NFC doesn't mean you are out of the playoffs after 14 weeks of play. Pathetic.

Once again, I have to agree with you, this time on the Patriots. I am a big fan of Tom Brady, I feel he is probably the best Quarterback in football right now. Hush up, Manning fans. I feel that the Patriots desperately need to pick up an "Elite" WR this offseason for Brady to get to. Further, I also believe that if Brady had a reciever like a Marvin Harrison (something he's NEVER had), the Patriots would be unstoppable. The rest of the team is golden, but they just need that missing piece. I'll be excited to watch them in the playoffs again this year, and hope for the best.

Being from Michigan, I can say that the entire state wants Millen gone. I mean, have you ever seen or heard a reaction like that for a GM? The guy is worthless, and it's time for a change for the Detroit Lions. Our team has never been above-average, we are the laughing stock of the NFL, and will continue to be if nothing is done. We need to shake up the team, and we need to start at the top with Millen. Like you pointed out, the record under him is inexcuseable. I really have my doubts that Ford will listen up and can his ass, but I will continue to pray.

The following people rock:
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Simon

Dr. Giganto

I'd also like to point out that I generally think professional sports teams are way too quick to fire coaches/GMs these days. At the first sign of trouble, everybody is calling for the coaches head. It's almost become trendy these days, to put the coach/GM on the hot seat if you have one bad year.

With that said, I still think Millen deserves to be fired. He's been there 5 years, and the Lions have been terrible all 5 years. Enough is enough.

Invictus

I've only been watching the NFL on a regular basis for the last two years but heres some of my observations:

1.) Why does no one mention any defensive players for MVP? Seriously I checked this out and only 4 defensive players have ever won an MVP award. Crazy.

2.) I don't think Larry Johnson as had that good a season. He puts up some good numbers and has played well but an MVP selection, I disagree. I agree with LT and Brees though. I think people would be pissed not to.

3.) Indy as I predicted at the start of the season will go nowhere this year. They need to get someone aside from Harrison and Manning who know how to play and win. I don't get why they don't go after some defensive players in their draft choices. I'm sure they could have gotten a running back as good as Joseph Addai and used the first round pick for someone to help on D. Until Indy realise they can't outscore people in shootouts to win and some defence might help them out then Peyton will never get to a Superbowl. Maybe he should take a paycut so the office can sign some other players and get his hefty ass wage off the cap.

4.) Brett Favre is a machine. Seriously the guy is a machine. Better than half the leagues QBs and he's got a shitty ankle and is nearly 40. Legend.

5.) Oakland are bad. So very, very bad. I wish someone paid me so much money to shank field goals like Janikowski.

6.) Dallas are too inconsistent to go any where and Tony Romo is not the saviour hes made out to be.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I think the Saints clinched the two seed when they beat Dallas, ahem.. destroyed Dallas this week. To me, that sets up the Bears for the Super Bowl in the NFC. I can't see the Gaints or Cowboys winning three games, and I can't see the Saints going to Chicago and winning in shitty weather. People will bring up Rex Grossman, but listen.. the last few weeks he's been terrible! except for last night and the Bears are still 11-2. That says to me that all the Bears need is a very average game out of Rex and will still win.

In the AFC, things aren't quite as clear. The Chargers are rolling and Tomlinson is a God, but they have a young Rivers at QB and while he's been good, we don't know how he'll perform in the playoffs. But back to Tomlinson, what a year and what a player. I'd say he's already better then Smith and Payton. Jim Brown is another story.

the Colts are absurd on defense, the Pats are a bit down, and the Ravens who knows about their offense, but I think all of the teams are better then anyone in the NFC except maybe the Bears, so I could still see any one of them making a run. Even the Bengals are VERY tough to beat when Palmer and that offense is rolling.

The Playoffs in the AFC will be an absolute war. Can't wait.

Dr. Giganto

Invictus, they also have a separate Defensive MVP Award. Last year it was Brian Urlacher, and I remember Derrick Brooks won it one year (2003, I think)

I didn't want to comment on Defensive MVP, because unless you are watching nearly every game, it's hard to accurately gauge who is the most valuable. Like, for instance, I have watched every Giants game this year, so I can definitively tell you that Defensive Tackle Fred Robbins has been the Giants best defensive player, but there aren't really stats available to show that. I havent seen nearly enough of the other teams to make a clear-cut choice

Although, I must say I've watched the Broncos a few times this year, and I think Champ Bailey has got to get some consideration. I mean, I rarely see teams even attempt to throw at his man. Bailey is the true definition of a "shut-down corner"

Slimdust

MVP
LT no doubt. He is crushing that td record. I don't see how anyone will come close to touching it.
Drew Brees is runner up. Can you imagine if he was still with the chargers? Lt and Brees? wow. (rivers is doing good though)

AFC
It's all about the chargers now. Seems like no one even comes close. I would put the colts prolly 4th! that rush d is just horrible. They cant expect the offense to score 30 plus every game. What if the o has an off day?

NFC
Rex looked good on monday night. Good thing for the bears. They need him to play good. They wont win any playoff games if rex has a 1.nothing passer rating again.
Saints are looking good. That offense is amazing. If it goes down to saints and bears, it would be a good game of The bears D vs. the Saints O. hmmmm..
Dallas Cowboys.... Well, they were red hot, hey what can you do? Lets see if they can bounce back at atlanta. That game should say a lot about the rest of the season.

Dr. Giganto

That Saints offense is pretty amazing. They put up crazy points on a good Dallas D. I'm very worried about what they will do to the Giants' terrible secondary in 2 weeks...

Slimdust

who would you rather have...

The saints O or the Bears D?

Invictus

The reason I thought Defensive players get overlooked is because Jason Taylor and DeMarcus Ware have been the two standout players for me with the exception of LT.

You take Taylor out of Miami and Miami will give up an extra TD or 2 a game. Hes that good in my eyes. If I was Dungy I would be begging the office to throw a couple of draft picks Miami's way and try and get him.

Also another observation : That Fullback for the Saints is a man beast. Seriously the guy if a human wrecking ball. I love good blocking players and Karney I think is one of the best.