Wildcard

On Friday the Minnesota Vikings interviewed recently axed Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris for their likely vacant defensive coordinator position. Apparently the Vikings also intend to interview the recently axed St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, former Jacksonville Jaguars interim coach Mel Tucker and (gasp!) their own linebackers coach Mike Singletary. I dearly hope the latter is merely a courtesy interview as Leslie Frazier and Singletary are long time friends. As many San Francisco 49ers fans learned, I learned that the Hall of Fame linebacker is nuts. Word around the campfire is that Singletary did little this year and some of what he did was erratic at best. Fortunately for the Vikings and any team looking for defensive coaches most of those losing their jobs were defensive minded. I really like the possibilities of Spagnuolo, Morris and Tucker. My first choice is Spagnuolo as I believe that he brings the most creativity. As offenses get more creative defenses need to keep step. Now, I agree that the Vikings need to make changes on the defensive coaching staff. I'm not sure that I agree with their methods. Defensive coordinator Fred Pagac is currently employed as such while the team interviews for his position. They did the same thing last year with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell while they interviewed for his position. I'm hoping that there is some sort of understanding between the team and Pagac. It just seems cold otherwise. My further hope is that Pagac remains on the staff as the linebackers coach. He was outstanding in that capacity prior to his promotion to coordinator last offseason. No matter what happens its super that the Vikings see the need for changes on defense.

Not for some actual football...

The New York Giants made their 31st postseason appearance. Most in NFL history.

For a while now the Atlanta Falcons offensive line has been accused of being dirty in their blocking. To support the Falcons, ESPN threw out the stat that their line has the fewest penalties of the playoff teams. First of all that's a diluted stat. Second of all the Falcons are considered dirty not for what they do illegally. They are considered dirty for what they do within the rules. That's why they are considered dirty.

Giants thumped the Falcons 24-2. Interesting score. My goodness, the Falcons took a nap. Trading a ton for receiver Julio Jones in the draft was supposed to provide some pop to the offense. Actually, I still think that was a great trade. Falcons fans might not think so when their team sits out much of the draft.

The Giants defense was terrific yesterday. If they can keep that level of play next week, the Packers offense will be challenged.

The Falcons have to figure out the playoffs. They are a talented team but they've looked far from talented in their last two appearances. Windows don't usually stay open very long in the NFL.

I wonder how the Falcons feel about signing defensive end Ray Edwards for a bunch of money last offseason. He had questionable motivation and inconsistent production his entire time in Minnesota. He was mostly invisible in Atlanta this season.

I really like the NFC matchups next week. I figure that the Packers and Saints will be the favorites to play on. I wouldn't be too surprised if the Giants and 49ers win instead. That would bring flashbacks of the '80s.

I hope that Denver Broncos receiver Eric Decker will be back healthy and whole. His knee injury didn't look good. I've been impressed with Decker since his University of Minnesota days. Cal couldn't do anything about him when the two schools played. His current teammate SydQuan Thompson was trying to cover him. I think that Steelers linebacker James Harrison only tackles to injure players. High? Low? Doesn't matter. He leads with his helmet and hits so that the player stays down for a while.

Its pretty funny that the first playoff game without sudden death ended with sudden death.

The best officiating crews through the season work the playoffs. Judging by the Wildcard round the best is really bad.