The game of the week is tonight. Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears.
An NFL Sunday without Vikings football feels lacking. I guess that we all have to make sacrifices.
Twelve games were played yesterday. Including another London game. Another ludicrous 6:30 AM start on the west coast. There's such a relief when these too early games are done. The Washington Redskins-Cincinnati Bengals game was the last of the London games.
The early London game gave the league it's second tie in a week. 27-27 no one.
Despite the lack of one team with more points than the other this game was the best London game in quite some time. The best ever? Who can really say? It was definitely the best of the three games played across the pond this year.
The Bengals offense looked much more efficient, much more versatile with tight end Tyler Eifert in the lineup. They are definitely more dangerous in the red zone with their excellent pass catcher.
The Redskins have a terrific tight end of their own. Jordan Reed. He looked more like a nifty receiver than a lumbering tight end when he turned a short pass into a 23-yard touchdown.
Kirk Cousins sometimes looks like the franchise quarterback that the Redskins hope him to be. His deep throw to DeSean Jackson down the sideline was a beauty. So was his 20-yard pass play with Jamison Crowder on 3rd-and-13 under heavy pressure. That last play made the game-tying field goal possible. He makes those plays then he misses a wide open Crowder in overtime. Cousins is a puzzle.
Missed kicks marred this fine London game. Field goals, including an overtime miss, and an extra point. If any one of those kicks goes through the uprights one of these two teams win the game.
The Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers took their game into overtime as well. This game felt like it took about a day longer than the Redskins-Bengals game. For a while it look liked neither team wanted to win it. The Raiders won it when they gambled on 4th-and-4 with about two minutes to play in overtime. Derek Carr hit Seth Roberts for the first down and a missed tackle turned it into a 41-yard game-winning touchdown.
The Raiders won despite a truly pathetic 23 penalties. Those penalties cost them 200 yards. A 24th penalty should've been called and that missed penalty was a big one. Safety Karl Joseph broke up a late fourth quarter Jameis Winston pass with a helmet-to-helmet blow to the receiver. The Buccaneers were forced to punt rather than continue a drive that might have prevented the need for overtime.
Those 200 lost yards probably would have hurt more if the Raiders offense hadn't piled up 626 yards in nearly five full quarters of football action.
The Raiders may be 6-2. They may have found a way to defeat the Buccaneers but they won't win many more games if they continue to commit penalties with this sort of frequency.
The Carolina Panthers finally looked a little bit like the team that stomped through the 2015 season on their way to the Super Bowl. They also found a way to slow down Arizona Cardinals do-everything back David Johnson. That's something that no team has done. The Panthers did both by jumping out to a 24-0 lead.
The Panthers sure look like a different team when they get running back Jonathan Stewart going. He may have averaged less than four yards per carry but he looked elusive and strong. 25 carries for 95 yards and two short touchdowns. Solid, difference-making work.
David Johnson has been shredding defenses all season. On the ground and through the air. The Panthers held him to 24 yards on ten carries. He did have a nice receiving line of seven for 84 yards.
The New Orleans Saints offense can score. The Saints defense allows teams to score. That's why it's surprising that the defense was a big reason for their 25-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks. It was that oft-struggling defense that kept the surging Seahawks offense out of the end zone at the end.
Anytime you put Bill Belichick and Rex Ryan in the same stadium it's going to be fun.
Ryan's Bills shut out Belichick's Patriots 16-0 a few weeks ago. A game that was played during the misguided exile of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. This game was a little different. 41-25 Patriots and it wasn't that close. Brady was his smooth self. Completing 22 of 33 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bills were up 3-0 early but it was over soon after that.
The Kansas City Chiefs are cruising under the radar at 5-2 after thumping the Indianapolis Colts 30-14. The Chiefs might be the most efficient team in the league. They are doing just about everything right in all phases of the game.
The Chiefs lost quarterback Alex Smith to a concussion. A concussion that could bring more criticism for the league as it took two hits to the head before Smith was finally removed from the game. The critics of the game and the league have to understand that the players have to be held accountable as well. The league has to be in tune with potential head injuries but so do the players.
The Cleveland Browns wouldn't be without a win if they could hold some leads. They held a 20-7 halftime lead over the New York Jets. They lost 31-28.
The Browns are 0-8 on the season. They've lost 11 straight dating to Week 14 last season. They are 3-26 over their last 29 games. Despite that futility it still feels like the Browns are heading in the right direction. A talented, first-year head coach, an intriguing front office strategy, and a ridiculous number of prime draft picks are big reason for that optimism.
Despite their nice 4-3 record entering Week 8 the Houston Texans have been struggling. They were primed to be taken apart by the explosive Detroit Lions. It didn't play out that way. The Texans jumped out to 14-0 lead. A 17-3 third quarter lead. And a 20-13 final. The Texans were in control throughout.
The Texans are 5-0 in Houston and 0-3 on the road. A closer look at the Texans schedule reveals that it's more who they play than where they play. Their home wins have come against the Bears, Chiefs, Titans, Colts, and Lions. The Chiefs are their lone impressive home win. Those five teams have a combined 17 wins. Their road losses have come against the Patriots, Vikings, and Broncos. Those three teams also have a 17 combined wins.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan sure is fun to watch at the end of games. He's usually pretty good in other parts of the game but has a particular knack for making things interesting late in games. He led the Falcons on a late 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to defeat the Green Bay Packers 33-32.
Aaron Rodgers guided the Packers on an impressive drive before Ryan had his shot. A 13-play, 86-yard drive that took over half of the fourth quarter. The only problem with the long, time-consuming drive was that Ryan was left with nearly four minutes. He only needed about three-and-a-half.
Mohamed Sanu was Ryan's favorite target on the game-winning drive. 5 catches for 50 yards. The final 11 of the yards was the touchdown that tied the game. Matt Bryant's extra point provided the winning margin. Sanu was signed as a free agent in the offseason to provide a nice compliment to all-world Julio Jones. Sanu has been just that. Especially on that final drive.
Despite the loss, this might have been the Packers best game of the season. Even though they were missing several key playmakers the offense looked more crisp than it has in prior games. Injuries have hit the defense as well. If they can get those missing players healthy and Rodgers and the offense continues to play as it did yesterday the Packers should be fine moving forward.
This was a big win for the Falcons. They had a couple of heart-breakers against the Seahawks and Chargers the last two weeks after a terrific start to the season. They are 5-3 with a nice lead over the 3-4 Buccaneers and Saints in the NFC South.
The Denver Broncos held off the pesky San Diego Chargers 27-19.
The Chargers are more than a pesky ball club. They are one of the best teams in the league despite having a shitty 3-4 record. Most of those four losses have come in mind-numbing fashion at the end of games. That isn't a good thing but the Chargers can compete with any team in the league.
The Broncos lost defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to a sideline collision. He was taken off the field on a stretcher. It looked scary at the time but reports are that he should be fine.
Sunday started with an entertaining overtime game in London. Even if neither team won the game. The day ended with another entertaining overtime game. Fortunately we had a winner in that game. The Dallas Cowboys never gave the Philadelphia Eagles an overtime possession in their 29-23 win over their division rival.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson might have robbed his team of a chance to win in regulation. He allowed the Cowboys to dictate his team's fate. A sack of quarterback Dak Prescott left the Cowboys with a 2nd and 18 on their own 18-yard line with 33 seconds remaining. Pederson allowed the Cowboys to run those 33 seconds off the clock despite having the timeouts to stop it. The Cowboys were clearly content with overtime. Why did he have to be? There was a chance that his team might not see the ball again. As it played out they didn't see it again. Use those timeouts and maybe your team has a couple of plays from near midfield with about 20 seconds left. Who knows what might happen? That's hindsight but even at the time it seemed like the thing to do.
Vikings-Bears tonight to close Week 8.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Flea Flicker Week 8 Predictions
Week 8. The midpoint of the season. Bye weeks kinda hacks up this being the true midpoint but it's close enough. Here are some predictions for the Week 8 games.
Washington Redskins @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
The third and thankfully last of the way too early London games. A 6:30 AM start on the west coast is ludicrous. The Bengals in another sloppy, ugly NFL game played across the pond.
Oakland Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Buccaneers
The Raiders have been dynamite on the road but their often suspect defense catches up to them.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers
A rematch of January's NFC Championship game. The Panthers simply have to win this game. Their season is about a breath away from dust. The Cardinals need this game to stay over .500 but the Panthers are desperate.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Colts
The Chiefs are simply playing efficient football in all phases. The Colts are about as far away from efficient as a team can be but I have them in an upset at home.
Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints
Pick: Saints
I really have no reason for this pick. I just like seeing the gum-chomping Pete Carroll look confused and sad.
Detroit Lions @ Houston Texans
Pick: Lions
It's hard to pick the Texans against anyone after seeing their offense play on Monday.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
Pick: Patriots
I'd pick the Patriots even if they had beaten the Bills a few weeks ago. I'm definitely on the Patriots wagon a few weeks after the Bills defeated them 16-0. There's simply no way that a Bill Belichick-coached team loses to a Rex Ryan-coached team twice in the same season.
New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
Pick: Jets
The Jets in an absolute scorcher.
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
It's very strange that these division rivals play each other twice in three weeks. The Chargers won in San Diego. The Broncos win this one in Denver.
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Falcons
It doesn't feel right to say this but I have more faith right now in Matt Ryan than Aaron Rodgers.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Cowboys
This is a tossup so I'll go with the home team.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Pick: Vikings
The Vikings get back to their winning ways.
Washington Redskins @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
The third and thankfully last of the way too early London games. A 6:30 AM start on the west coast is ludicrous. The Bengals in another sloppy, ugly NFL game played across the pond.
Oakland Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Buccaneers
The Raiders have been dynamite on the road but their often suspect defense catches up to them.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers
A rematch of January's NFC Championship game. The Panthers simply have to win this game. Their season is about a breath away from dust. The Cardinals need this game to stay over .500 but the Panthers are desperate.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Colts
The Chiefs are simply playing efficient football in all phases. The Colts are about as far away from efficient as a team can be but I have them in an upset at home.
Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints
Pick: Saints
I really have no reason for this pick. I just like seeing the gum-chomping Pete Carroll look confused and sad.
Detroit Lions @ Houston Texans
Pick: Lions
It's hard to pick the Texans against anyone after seeing their offense play on Monday.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
Pick: Patriots
I'd pick the Patriots even if they had beaten the Bills a few weeks ago. I'm definitely on the Patriots wagon a few weeks after the Bills defeated them 16-0. There's simply no way that a Bill Belichick-coached team loses to a Rex Ryan-coached team twice in the same season.
New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
Pick: Jets
The Jets in an absolute scorcher.
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
It's very strange that these division rivals play each other twice in three weeks. The Chargers won in San Diego. The Broncos win this one in Denver.
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Falcons
It doesn't feel right to say this but I have more faith right now in Matt Ryan than Aaron Rodgers.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Cowboys
This is a tossup so I'll go with the home team.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Pick: Vikings
The Vikings get back to their winning ways.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
NFL Trades
The annual NFL Trade Deadline isn't much of a thing. Many in and around the game, some in the spiffy 345 Park Avenue offices, want it to be a thing but it simply isn't. It's rare for an in-season trade to have a significant impact in the NFL. There are too many moving parts in football team for a new player to be seamlessly incorporated into a team on the fly. It can take an entire offseason and training camp for a football player to get comfortable in a new system. It can take years for a player to be comfortable on a new team and in a new system. A handful of days in the middle of a season? Forget about it. None of that keeps the talking heads in the media and fans everywhere from getting antsy with anticipation as the NFL Trade Deadline approaches. That deadline is Tuesday, 4 PM EST.
With all that nonsense being said there have been three trades in recent weeks.
Green Bay gets:
RB Knile Davis
Kansas City gets:
2016 7th(conditional)
After Eddie Lacy's injury the Packers were desperate for a running back. The Chiefs had a surplus even with Jamaal Charles being eased into the lineup. Knile Davis has shown a lot of promise when given the chance to carry the ball and a conditional 7th is hardly expensive.
Denver gets:
TE A.J. Derby
New England gets:
2017 5th
Despite making the Patriots' 53-man roster in his second season A.J. Derby was hardly going to get much playing time. Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett were ahead of him. The most interesting aspect of this trade is that the Patriots selected Derby in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Just over a year later they flip him for a fifth. How does a player with a few preseason highlights and only four real games with no statistics appreciate in value like that?
New England gets:
Kyle Van Noy
2017 7th
Detroit gets:
2017 6th
I really liked Kyle Van Noy when he was coming out of BYU in 2014. The Lions selected him in the second round. He finally broke into the Lions starting lineup this season. The surprise of the trade was that the Patriots managed to pry a seventh round pick out of the Lions in addition to one of their starting linebackers.
Taking the two trades together, it's remarkable that the Patriots to managed to acquire Kyle Van Noy, a 5th-, and a 7th-round pick for A.J. Derby and a 6th-round pick. That's some fine work by the Patriots decision-makers.
With all that nonsense being said there have been three trades in recent weeks.
Green Bay gets:
RB Knile Davis
Kansas City gets:
2016 7th(conditional)
After Eddie Lacy's injury the Packers were desperate for a running back. The Chiefs had a surplus even with Jamaal Charles being eased into the lineup. Knile Davis has shown a lot of promise when given the chance to carry the ball and a conditional 7th is hardly expensive.
Denver gets:
TE A.J. Derby
New England gets:
2017 5th
Despite making the Patriots' 53-man roster in his second season A.J. Derby was hardly going to get much playing time. Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett were ahead of him. The most interesting aspect of this trade is that the Patriots selected Derby in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Just over a year later they flip him for a fifth. How does a player with a few preseason highlights and only four real games with no statistics appreciate in value like that?
New England gets:
Kyle Van Noy
2017 7th
Detroit gets:
2017 6th
I really liked Kyle Van Noy when he was coming out of BYU in 2014. The Lions selected him in the second round. He finally broke into the Lions starting lineup this season. The surprise of the trade was that the Patriots managed to pry a seventh round pick out of the Lions in addition to one of their starting linebackers.
Taking the two trades together, it's remarkable that the Patriots to managed to acquire Kyle Van Noy, a 5th-, and a 7th-round pick for A.J. Derby and a 6th-round pick. That's some fine work by the Patriots decision-makers.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Black College Hall of Fame Class of 2017
The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 was announced on Wednesday. Here's the press release.
I remember well the football careers of the players. I remember far too well the NFL careers of Harold Jackson, Robert Porcher, and Isiah Robertson. The Minnesota Vikings were often on the wrong end of their football skills.
The Black College Hall of Fame (BCHOF) was founded in 2009 by former NFL and Grambling State quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams. The Pro Football Hall of Fame did a terrific thing last spring in giving the BCHOF a permanent home at the Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio.
"The Black College Football Hall of Fame is thrilled to have it's permanent home in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This special partnership will help us to preserve black college football history for generations to come."
-Doug Williams
The partnership will include an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Classic at Tom Benson Hall of Fame in Canton. Hopefully there will be no more complications with the field. The BCHOF's annual induction ceremony will be held at the Hall of Fame Village.
Congratulations to the inductees and thanks to James Harris and Doug Williams for all of their workcongratulations to the inductees.
October 26, 2016 (Atlanta, GA) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its Class of 2017 today. Six inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.
The Class of 2017 includes Parnell “Paydirt” Dickinson (Mississippi Valley State), Harold “Sunny” Jackson (Jackson State), Gary “Big Hands” Johnson (Grambling State), Robert Porcher (South Carolina State, Tennessee State), Isiah “Butch” Robertson (Southern) as player inductees and Coach Billy Joe (Cheyney, Central State, Florida A&M, Miles College).
“This class is another representation of the immense football talent that has played at historically black colleges and universities,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2012 Inductee James “Shack” Harris. “All five players were college All-Americans, and three were first round NFL draft picks.”
Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the Inductees.
The Class of 2017 will be honored at the Eighth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 25, 2017. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Inductees will also be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 17th. For more information please visitwww.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
Class of 2017
PARNELL “PAYDIRT” DICKINSON (Player)
Quarterback … Mississippi Valley State University (1972-1975) … Led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in total offense three seasons … NAIA All-Star Team (1972) … Two-time Black College All-American … SWAC Hall of Fame (Inaugural Class) … Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 7th round (1976 NFL Draft) … Buccaneers (1976-1977) … New England Patriots (1978) … Born March 14, 1953 in Brighton, Alabama.
HAROLD “SUNNY” JACKSON (Player)
Wide Receiver … Jackson State University (1964-1967) … Two-time First Team All-SWAC … Led the SWAC in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns two different seasons … Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 12th round of the 1968 NFL Draft … Spent 16 seasons in the NFL with five different teams (Rams, Eagles, Patriots, Vikings, Seahawks) … Five-time Pro Bowl Selection … First Team All-Pro (1973) … Twice led NFL in receiving yards … Retired with 10,372 receiving yards, second most in NFL history at the time … Born January 6, 1946 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
GARY “BIG HANDS” JOHNSON (Player)
Defensive Lineman … Grambling State University (1971-1974) … Selected by the San Diego Chargers with the eighth overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft … Chargers (1975-1983) … San Francisco 49ers (1984-1985) … 11 seasons … NFL All-Rookie Team (1975) … Four Pro Bowl selections … Two-time All-Pro (1980, 1981) … Super Bowl Champion (1984) … San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame … College Football Hall of Fame … Born August 31, 1952 in Shreveport, Louisiana … Died August 4, 2010.
ROBERT PORCHER (Player)
Defensive Lineman … Tennessee State University (1988-1989) and South Carolina State University (1990-1991) … Selected by the Detroit Lions in 1st round, 26th overall pick (1992 NFL Draft) … Lions (1992-2004) … 13 seasons … Three-time Pro Bowl selection … Three-time First Team All-Pro (1997, 1999, 2001) … Detroit Lions all-time leader in sacks (95.5) … Detroit Lions Annual Man of the Year Award is named in honor of Porcher … Born July 30, 1960 in Wando, South Carolina.
ISIAH “BUTCH” ROBERTSON (Player)
Linebacker … Southern University (1967-1970) … As a senior, was selected All-American by The Sporting News, Associated Press and TIME Magazine … Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 1st round, 10th overall pick (1971 NFL Draft) … Rams (1971-1978) … Buffalo Bills (1979-1982) … 12 seasons … NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971) … Six Pro Bowl selections … Four-time All-Pro (1973-1976) … Was one of the NFL's fastest linebackers, running a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash … Born August 17, 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
BILLY JOE (Coach)
Cheyney University (1972-1978), Central State University (1981-1993), Florida A&M University (1994-2004) and Miles College (2007-2010) … Won five consecutive Black college football national championships (1986-1990) … Won two NAIA National Football Championships (1990, 1992) … Finished coaching career with 243 wins, second only to Eddie Robinson among coaches at black colleges … College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2007) … As a player, was 1963 AFL Rookie of the Year with the Denver Broncos … Born October 14, 1940 in Aynor, South Carolina.I remember well the football careers of the players. I remember far too well the NFL careers of Harold Jackson, Robert Porcher, and Isiah Robertson. The Minnesota Vikings were often on the wrong end of their football skills.
The Black College Hall of Fame (BCHOF) was founded in 2009 by former NFL and Grambling State quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams. The Pro Football Hall of Fame did a terrific thing last spring in giving the BCHOF a permanent home at the Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio.
"The Black College Football Hall of Fame is thrilled to have it's permanent home in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This special partnership will help us to preserve black college football history for generations to come."
-Doug Williams
The partnership will include an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Classic at Tom Benson Hall of Fame in Canton. Hopefully there will be no more complications with the field. The BCHOF's annual induction ceremony will be held at the Hall of Fame Village.
Congratulations to the inductees and thanks to James Harris and Doug Williams for all of their workcongratulations to the inductees.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Throwback Thursday: Another All-Time NFL Team
I haven't done one of these in a while. I'm feeling kind of Roger Staubach this time. He doesn't get much mention in all of those "greatest quarterback in the history of the league" arguments but he was a very scary quarterback for a little Minnesota Vikings fan in the 1970s.
Quarterback
Roger Staubach
Running backs
Jim Brown
Walter Payton
Receiver
Jerry Rice
Lance Alworth
Lance Alworth
Tight end
John Mackey
Tackles
Roosevlet Brown
Art Shell
Guards
John Hannah
Randall McDaniel
Center
Dwight Stephenson
Defensive ends
Deacon Jones
Reggie White
Defensive tackles
Alan Page
Bob Lilly
Linebackers
Jack Ham
Dick Butkus
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Cornerbacks
Deion Sanders
Jimmy Johnson
Safeties
Ed Reed
Rod Woodson
Kicker
Adam Vinatieri
Punter
Ray Guy
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Pro Bowl Captains
The 2017 Pro Bowl will take place. The game's continued existence has been an annual debate in recent years. The Pro Bowl will be played on January 29, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The annual all-star game will be a little different this year. It will return to the traditional AFC vs NFC format following three years using an "unconferenced" structure. Player voting has been open for about a week. The rosters will be announced live on Tuesday, December 20.
On Monday, the NFL announced that Jerome Bettis, Tony Gonzalez, Ray Lewis, and Charles Woodson will serve as Legend Captains for the 2017 Pro Bowl. Bettis and Lewis will handle the AFC. Gonzalez and Woodson will handle the NFC. I wonder if the NFL realizes that all four spent the majority of their careers with AFC teams. At least Gonzalez and Woodson did have a few fine years with NFC teams. As did Bettis. All four are among the best players of the last three decades. Bettis is the only one currently honored in Canton but the other three should join him as soon as they are eligible.
This year the Pro Bowl will be a week-long event in Orlando. It's a celebration. There will be an unprecedented number of youth activities and community events. The Legend Captains will be a part of it all. Highlights of the Pro Bowl Week festivities at Walt Disney World Resort and throughout Orlando will include:
-2017 Pro Bowl players and Legend Captains will be able to invite their high school coach to be part of the week's celebrations. Players on the winning Pro Bowl team will receive a grant from the NFL Foundation to support their youth or high school football program
-NFL Flag Championships and Punt, Pass, and Kick Championships will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
-The first-ever NFL Women's Career in Football Forum will be held in conjunction with USA Football's Women's World Football Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
-The annual USA Football National Conference will take place at the Orange County Convention Center. The conference is the largest of high school and youth football administrators and high school coaches in the U.S.
-The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award winner will be announced during the Pro Bowl.
-Pro Bowl festivities for youth and their families will take throughout the week across Orlando.
Fun football times.
On Monday, the NFL announced that Jerome Bettis, Tony Gonzalez, Ray Lewis, and Charles Woodson will serve as Legend Captains for the 2017 Pro Bowl. Bettis and Lewis will handle the AFC. Gonzalez and Woodson will handle the NFC. I wonder if the NFL realizes that all four spent the majority of their careers with AFC teams. At least Gonzalez and Woodson did have a few fine years with NFC teams. As did Bettis. All four are among the best players of the last three decades. Bettis is the only one currently honored in Canton but the other three should join him as soon as they are eligible.
This year the Pro Bowl will be a week-long event in Orlando. It's a celebration. There will be an unprecedented number of youth activities and community events. The Legend Captains will be a part of it all. Highlights of the Pro Bowl Week festivities at Walt Disney World Resort and throughout Orlando will include:
-2017 Pro Bowl players and Legend Captains will be able to invite their high school coach to be part of the week's celebrations. Players on the winning Pro Bowl team will receive a grant from the NFL Foundation to support their youth or high school football program
-NFL Flag Championships and Punt, Pass, and Kick Championships will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
-The first-ever NFL Women's Career in Football Forum will be held in conjunction with USA Football's Women's World Football Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
-The annual USA Football National Conference will take place at the Orange County Convention Center. The conference is the largest of high school and youth football administrators and high school coaches in the U.S.
-The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award winner will be announced during the Pro Bowl.
-Pro Bowl festivities for youth and their families will take throughout the week across Orlando.
Fun football times.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
NFL Week 7 Power Rankings
The only thing certain with any given week in the NFL is that things rarely go as expected. Bert Bell's "On any given Sunday..." is the norm. Here's this week's stab at ranking the 32 teams.
1. New England Patriots
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Seattle Seahawks
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Philadelphia Eagles
8. Oakland Raiders
8. Oakland Raiders
9. Atlanta Falcons
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Denver Broncos
12. Arizona Cardinals
13. Buffalo Bills
14. Detroit Lions
15. San Diego Chargers
16. Houston Texans
17. Washington Redskins
18. Cincinnati Bengals
19. New York Giants
20. Baltimore Ravens
21. New Orleans Saints
22. Indianapolis Colts
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24. New York Jets
25. Tennessee Titans
26. Los Angeles Rams
27. Miami Dolphins
28. Carolina Panthers
29. Chicago Bears
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
31. San Francisco 49ers
32. Cleveland Browns
Until next week's games.
Until next week's games.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Week 7 Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings were bound to lose their first game of the 2016 NFL season eventually. Did it have to be that ugly? The Philadelphia Eagles took advantage of the Vikings bumbling play to win 21-10.
The Vikings did have their opportunities for a better outcome. They just didn't take advantage of those opportunities.
On the Eagles second possession of the game, Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo intercepted quarterback Carson Wentz at the Philadelphia 18-yard line. The return set the Vikings offense up nicely at the two. Three plays later Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford returned the Eagles generosity by throwing an interception at the back of the end zone. The interception was Bradford's first of the season.
The Eagles offense gave the ball right back when Wentz bobbled a handoff and Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr recovered at the Philadelphia 17-yard line.
The Vikings handled their second opportunity in the red zone by giving the ball right back to the Eagles. Bradford had the ball slapped out of his hands by Connor Barwin and Malcolm Jenkins recovered.
The Eagles gave it right back when Wentz was intercepted by Xavier Rhodes at the Vikings 39-yard line. It wasn't in the red zone but the Vikings had an opportunity. They didn't do anything with it as they punted the ball back to the Eagles after a single first down.
The flurry of turnovers covered five consecutive possessions and about three minutes of game time. Two interceptions and a fumble for the Eagles. An interception and fumble for the Vikings. The Vikings three takeaways were takeaways of opportunity. The Eagles two takeaways were takeaways of preservation. The Vikings had significant scoring opportunities and the Eagles took them away. The Vikings should have had a nice early lead. Instead it was 0-0.
As poorly as the Vikings offense played throughout the game missing on those two first quarter possessions in the red zone were a big reason for their first loss.
Just as it's done all season the Vikings defense did their job. The Eagles first touchdown was a 98-yard kick return by Josh Huff. Both field goals came from Vikings fumbles at midfield. Another Bradford fumble and a muffed punt by Marcus Sherels. The Eagles lone touchdown drive (a 77-yard drive on the Eagles first possession of the third quarter) was greatly assisted by holding leniency on the part of the officials. Eagles right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai probably still has a firm grip on Brian Robison's jersey and pads.
The Vikings inability to protect Sam Bradford is the biggest reason for their first loss. The offensive line, especially the tackles, were overrun by Eagles way too often. The statistics show that Bradford was sacked six times. Bradford actually wasn't tackled behind the line of scrimmage six times. Most of those sacks were the result of the ball being knocked out of his hands before he had the chance to throw it. Bradford was hit a whopping 19 times. That simply can't happen. The Vikings signed tackle Jake Long before their Week 6 bye. It's expected that he'll eventually take over for current left tackle T.J. Clemmings. Long was worked into the lineup on occasion yesterday. The first time being the prime scoring opportunity following Sendejo's interception and return. Hindsight often isn't a fair judge but in hindsight inserting Long might have been a mistake. Maybe the Vikings assumed that they had an easy score with multiple shots from the two-yard line. What could go wrong? Why not give Long some playing time? The Vikings offensive line hasn't played well all year but they have played together for most of it. Maybe getting that "easy" score should have been a greater priority than getting Long playing time. Clemmings struggled against the Eagles. Long struggled. Right tackle Jeremiah Sirles struggled. The Vikings simply have to protect Bradford better.
I don't think that I've ever seen the football slapped out of a quarterback's hand that many times in a single game. There was a season's worth in this game. Hopefully the Vikings quota for this season is now filled.
The Vikings opened the fourth quarter with a third-and-one from the Eagles six-yard line. Despite being their third opportunity in the red zone it was the first time that the offense had arrived there as a result of their own work. Two runs for no gain resulted in the third time that the Vikings had been held scoreless in the red zone. 21 potential points became 0 points. It's real tough to win when you fail to score a single point on three red zone opportunities. Two of which were inside the six-yard line.
The Vikings fourth trip to that barren red zone did result in their lone touchdown. A 14-yard Bradford throw to Cordarrelle Patterson. Unfortunately that score came with 37 seconds to play.
Sendejo injured his ankle on his interception return. He didn't return the game. Rookie Jayron Kearse replaced him.
This is one of those games that the Vikings simply have to put behind them. They have to get the offensive in better functioning order but they have to put this game behind them. They are 5-1 and lead the 4-2 Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.
The 11-3 score at the half was the first 11-3 halftime score in NFL history. So, there was that.
We had to suffer through another sloppy London game. This time with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants. These oh-so early game starts might be a real treat for the east coast (despite the quality of the games) but they are a real chore for the west coast. 6:30 in the AM.
The Giants made a few fewer mistakes than the Rams and won a scorcher in London 17-10. Giants safety Landon Collins was the star of the game with two interceptions on tipped passes. One of which he turned into a dynamite 44-yard return for a touchdown.
Rams quarterback Case Keenum has had some nice stretches this season but his accuracy sure is a question mark. It often looks like he's just flinging the ball to a general area rather than throwing to a target or a spot. The Giants defense came into this game with three takeaways on the season. They intercepted four of Keenum's London throws. The two taken away by Collins were on tipped passes so that's hardly the fault of the thrower but maybe a more accurate pass is caught rather than tipped. Giants corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had the other two interceptions. The last one sealed the win. Keenum and Brian Quick clearly weren't on the same page. Quick stopped short. Keenum threw to the end zone. The throw looked more like a punt than a throw. I doubt that spot-on quarterback-receiver communication would have made that throw successful.
Hey, how about those New York Jets? Geno Smith started in place of Ryan Fitzpatrick against the Baltimore Ravens. Fitzpatrick replaced the injured Smith in the second quarter and led the Jets offense to three consecutive scores. The Jets defense returned to preserve the win.
If Fitzpatrick the starter again? Smith did lead the Jets to a first quarter touchdown.
The efficient Kansas City Chiefs held on against the explosive New Orleans Saints for a 27-21 win. Offensive numbers belonged to the Saints. The score belonged to the Chiefs.
The Cleveland Browns dropped to 0-7 on the season after their 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals offensive stars had all kinds of nice numbers. A.J. Green had eight catches for 168 yards. His 48-yard, juggling, touchdown catch to close the first half turned a tight 14-10 lead at intermission into a comfortable 21-10 lead. Jeremy Hill complimented Green's 168 receiving yards with 169 rushing yards on only nine carries. 74 of Hill's rushing yards came on a third quarter touchdown run. Hill also added 24 yards receiving. Quarterback Andy Dalton completed 19 of 28 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns were 44 and 48 yards. Big play Bengals.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threaded an 18-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin with 16 seconds remaining to pull out a 20-17 win over the Washington Redskins.
The Lions are quietly sitting nicely at 4-3. 20 points isn't really explosive but their offense is starting to gain some momentum.
Two weeks ago the Miami Dolphins were throwing a serious challenge at the Cleveland Browns for title of worst team in the league. They stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Yesterday they held off the surging Buffalo Bills 28-25. After the Steelers game Dolphins head coach Adam Gase pointed out that it was the first time that they had their top offensive line together this season. Maybe the first-year head coach is on to something. Jay Ajayi ran for over 200 yards for the second consecutive week behind that top line.
Playing at home might also be a reason for the Dolphins sudden success. Stadium work forced the Dolphins to play their first four games on the road. A 30-24 Week 3 win over the winless Browns was their lone success during that stretch. A four game road trip is a long haul. They are now 2-1 on their four-game home stand and feeling much better about themselves.
The Indianapolis Colts tightened up the AFC South race with their 34-26 win over the Tennessee Titans. Both teams have had some difficulties in some of their earlier games. If the Denver Broncos can take care of the Houston Texans tonight the 3-4 Colts and Titans will only be a game back of the Texans.
Maybe the Oakland Raiders should play all of their games on the road. They are a strong 5-2 on the season after their decisive 33-16 win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville. The Raiders are 4-0 on the road. They are only 1-2 in Oakland.
The San Diego Chargers have found a new way to lose games in each of their four losses. Against the Atlanta Falcons yesterday they found a way to win in overtime 33-30. The Chargers received a generous overtime assist from Falcons head coach Dan Quinn when he chose to go for it on 4th-and-1 from their own 45-yard line. Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman stopped Devonta Freeman before he could even get back to the line of scrimmage let alone the one yard that he needed to gain. The Chargers only had to gain 19 yards to set up a game-winning 42-yard Josh Lambo field goal.
The Chargers were down 27-10 in the second quarter and 30-20 in the fourth quarter. They are playing as well as any team in the league. Their 3-4 doesn't show that because of the sometimes bumbling manner in which they have closed games.
With Landry Jones playing in place of Ben Roethlisberger the Pittsburgh Steelers were a little out-manned against the New England Patriots. Strong play by playmakers Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown kept the Steelers competitive. The Patriots still had enough to take the game 27-16.
The San Francisco 49ers were happy with their first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 14-0 49ers after the first 15 minutes. The Buccaneers scored 17 in the second. Another 10 in the third. They scored 27 points before the 49ers responded with a field goal in the fourth quarter. That wasn't nearly enough in the Buccaneers 34-17 win.
San Francisco's defense is helping a string of running backs feel pretty good about themselves. Jacquizz Rodgers was the sixth straight back to gain over 100 yards against the 49ers. Rodgers gained 154 yards on 26 carries.
In the nightcap, the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals were locked in an entertaining, defensive battle. Each team could only manage a single field goal in regulation. 3-3 after 60 minutes. Each team scored a field goal on their first overtime possessions. This game looked like it was going to be one of those wacky overtime games with three scores. The Cardinals had the first excellent chance to win the game but kicker Chandler Cantazaro bounced his 24-yard attempt off the upright. The Seahawks had the next excellent chance to win the game but kicker Stephen Hauschka wasn't close on his 27-yard attempt.
It wasn't fun for anyone closely associated with the respective teams but it was pretty entertaining to watch the swing of emotions among the coaches and players after each missed gimmee-field goals. It was especially entertaining to watch the emotional swing in that gum-chomping elf that coaches the Seahawks.
The Denver Broncos host the Houston Texans tonight to close out Week 7.
The Vikings did have their opportunities for a better outcome. They just didn't take advantage of those opportunities.
On the Eagles second possession of the game, Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo intercepted quarterback Carson Wentz at the Philadelphia 18-yard line. The return set the Vikings offense up nicely at the two. Three plays later Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford returned the Eagles generosity by throwing an interception at the back of the end zone. The interception was Bradford's first of the season.
The Eagles offense gave the ball right back when Wentz bobbled a handoff and Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr recovered at the Philadelphia 17-yard line.
The Vikings handled their second opportunity in the red zone by giving the ball right back to the Eagles. Bradford had the ball slapped out of his hands by Connor Barwin and Malcolm Jenkins recovered.
The Eagles gave it right back when Wentz was intercepted by Xavier Rhodes at the Vikings 39-yard line. It wasn't in the red zone but the Vikings had an opportunity. They didn't do anything with it as they punted the ball back to the Eagles after a single first down.
The flurry of turnovers covered five consecutive possessions and about three minutes of game time. Two interceptions and a fumble for the Eagles. An interception and fumble for the Vikings. The Vikings three takeaways were takeaways of opportunity. The Eagles two takeaways were takeaways of preservation. The Vikings had significant scoring opportunities and the Eagles took them away. The Vikings should have had a nice early lead. Instead it was 0-0.
As poorly as the Vikings offense played throughout the game missing on those two first quarter possessions in the red zone were a big reason for their first loss.
Just as it's done all season the Vikings defense did their job. The Eagles first touchdown was a 98-yard kick return by Josh Huff. Both field goals came from Vikings fumbles at midfield. Another Bradford fumble and a muffed punt by Marcus Sherels. The Eagles lone touchdown drive (a 77-yard drive on the Eagles first possession of the third quarter) was greatly assisted by holding leniency on the part of the officials. Eagles right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai probably still has a firm grip on Brian Robison's jersey and pads.
The Vikings inability to protect Sam Bradford is the biggest reason for their first loss. The offensive line, especially the tackles, were overrun by Eagles way too often. The statistics show that Bradford was sacked six times. Bradford actually wasn't tackled behind the line of scrimmage six times. Most of those sacks were the result of the ball being knocked out of his hands before he had the chance to throw it. Bradford was hit a whopping 19 times. That simply can't happen. The Vikings signed tackle Jake Long before their Week 6 bye. It's expected that he'll eventually take over for current left tackle T.J. Clemmings. Long was worked into the lineup on occasion yesterday. The first time being the prime scoring opportunity following Sendejo's interception and return. Hindsight often isn't a fair judge but in hindsight inserting Long might have been a mistake. Maybe the Vikings assumed that they had an easy score with multiple shots from the two-yard line. What could go wrong? Why not give Long some playing time? The Vikings offensive line hasn't played well all year but they have played together for most of it. Maybe getting that "easy" score should have been a greater priority than getting Long playing time. Clemmings struggled against the Eagles. Long struggled. Right tackle Jeremiah Sirles struggled. The Vikings simply have to protect Bradford better.
I don't think that I've ever seen the football slapped out of a quarterback's hand that many times in a single game. There was a season's worth in this game. Hopefully the Vikings quota for this season is now filled.
The Vikings opened the fourth quarter with a third-and-one from the Eagles six-yard line. Despite being their third opportunity in the red zone it was the first time that the offense had arrived there as a result of their own work. Two runs for no gain resulted in the third time that the Vikings had been held scoreless in the red zone. 21 potential points became 0 points. It's real tough to win when you fail to score a single point on three red zone opportunities. Two of which were inside the six-yard line.
The Vikings fourth trip to that barren red zone did result in their lone touchdown. A 14-yard Bradford throw to Cordarrelle Patterson. Unfortunately that score came with 37 seconds to play.
Sendejo injured his ankle on his interception return. He didn't return the game. Rookie Jayron Kearse replaced him.
This is one of those games that the Vikings simply have to put behind them. They have to get the offensive in better functioning order but they have to put this game behind them. They are 5-1 and lead the 4-2 Green Bay Packers in the NFC North.
The 11-3 score at the half was the first 11-3 halftime score in NFL history. So, there was that.
***
We had to suffer through another sloppy London game. This time with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants. These oh-so early game starts might be a real treat for the east coast (despite the quality of the games) but they are a real chore for the west coast. 6:30 in the AM.
The Giants made a few fewer mistakes than the Rams and won a scorcher in London 17-10. Giants safety Landon Collins was the star of the game with two interceptions on tipped passes. One of which he turned into a dynamite 44-yard return for a touchdown.
Rams quarterback Case Keenum has had some nice stretches this season but his accuracy sure is a question mark. It often looks like he's just flinging the ball to a general area rather than throwing to a target or a spot. The Giants defense came into this game with three takeaways on the season. They intercepted four of Keenum's London throws. The two taken away by Collins were on tipped passes so that's hardly the fault of the thrower but maybe a more accurate pass is caught rather than tipped. Giants corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had the other two interceptions. The last one sealed the win. Keenum and Brian Quick clearly weren't on the same page. Quick stopped short. Keenum threw to the end zone. The throw looked more like a punt than a throw. I doubt that spot-on quarterback-receiver communication would have made that throw successful.
Hey, how about those New York Jets? Geno Smith started in place of Ryan Fitzpatrick against the Baltimore Ravens. Fitzpatrick replaced the injured Smith in the second quarter and led the Jets offense to three consecutive scores. The Jets defense returned to preserve the win.
If Fitzpatrick the starter again? Smith did lead the Jets to a first quarter touchdown.
The efficient Kansas City Chiefs held on against the explosive New Orleans Saints for a 27-21 win. Offensive numbers belonged to the Saints. The score belonged to the Chiefs.
The Cleveland Browns dropped to 0-7 on the season after their 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals offensive stars had all kinds of nice numbers. A.J. Green had eight catches for 168 yards. His 48-yard, juggling, touchdown catch to close the first half turned a tight 14-10 lead at intermission into a comfortable 21-10 lead. Jeremy Hill complimented Green's 168 receiving yards with 169 rushing yards on only nine carries. 74 of Hill's rushing yards came on a third quarter touchdown run. Hill also added 24 yards receiving. Quarterback Andy Dalton completed 19 of 28 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns were 44 and 48 yards. Big play Bengals.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threaded an 18-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin with 16 seconds remaining to pull out a 20-17 win over the Washington Redskins.
The Lions are quietly sitting nicely at 4-3. 20 points isn't really explosive but their offense is starting to gain some momentum.
Two weeks ago the Miami Dolphins were throwing a serious challenge at the Cleveland Browns for title of worst team in the league. They stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Yesterday they held off the surging Buffalo Bills 28-25. After the Steelers game Dolphins head coach Adam Gase pointed out that it was the first time that they had their top offensive line together this season. Maybe the first-year head coach is on to something. Jay Ajayi ran for over 200 yards for the second consecutive week behind that top line.
Playing at home might also be a reason for the Dolphins sudden success. Stadium work forced the Dolphins to play their first four games on the road. A 30-24 Week 3 win over the winless Browns was their lone success during that stretch. A four game road trip is a long haul. They are now 2-1 on their four-game home stand and feeling much better about themselves.
The Indianapolis Colts tightened up the AFC South race with their 34-26 win over the Tennessee Titans. Both teams have had some difficulties in some of their earlier games. If the Denver Broncos can take care of the Houston Texans tonight the 3-4 Colts and Titans will only be a game back of the Texans.
Maybe the Oakland Raiders should play all of their games on the road. They are a strong 5-2 on the season after their decisive 33-16 win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville. The Raiders are 4-0 on the road. They are only 1-2 in Oakland.
The San Diego Chargers have found a new way to lose games in each of their four losses. Against the Atlanta Falcons yesterday they found a way to win in overtime 33-30. The Chargers received a generous overtime assist from Falcons head coach Dan Quinn when he chose to go for it on 4th-and-1 from their own 45-yard line. Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman stopped Devonta Freeman before he could even get back to the line of scrimmage let alone the one yard that he needed to gain. The Chargers only had to gain 19 yards to set up a game-winning 42-yard Josh Lambo field goal.
The Chargers were down 27-10 in the second quarter and 30-20 in the fourth quarter. They are playing as well as any team in the league. Their 3-4 doesn't show that because of the sometimes bumbling manner in which they have closed games.
With Landry Jones playing in place of Ben Roethlisberger the Pittsburgh Steelers were a little out-manned against the New England Patriots. Strong play by playmakers Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown kept the Steelers competitive. The Patriots still had enough to take the game 27-16.
The San Francisco 49ers were happy with their first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 14-0 49ers after the first 15 minutes. The Buccaneers scored 17 in the second. Another 10 in the third. They scored 27 points before the 49ers responded with a field goal in the fourth quarter. That wasn't nearly enough in the Buccaneers 34-17 win.
San Francisco's defense is helping a string of running backs feel pretty good about themselves. Jacquizz Rodgers was the sixth straight back to gain over 100 yards against the 49ers. Rodgers gained 154 yards on 26 carries.
In the nightcap, the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals were locked in an entertaining, defensive battle. Each team could only manage a single field goal in regulation. 3-3 after 60 minutes. Each team scored a field goal on their first overtime possessions. This game looked like it was going to be one of those wacky overtime games with three scores. The Cardinals had the first excellent chance to win the game but kicker Chandler Cantazaro bounced his 24-yard attempt off the upright. The Seahawks had the next excellent chance to win the game but kicker Stephen Hauschka wasn't close on his 27-yard attempt.
It wasn't fun for anyone closely associated with the respective teams but it was pretty entertaining to watch the swing of emotions among the coaches and players after each missed gimmee-field goals. It was especially entertaining to watch the emotional swing in that gum-chomping elf that coaches the Seahawks.
The Denver Broncos host the Houston Texans tonight to close out Week 7.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Flea Flicker Week 7 Predictions
Week 7! That can't be. The season just started. Here are some Week 7 predictions.
There's another one of those ludicrous early London starts this week. 6:30 AM on the west coast. C'mon NFL!
New York Giants @ St. Louis Rams (in London)
Pick: Giants
They haven't been consistent but I still trust the Giants offense more than any unit for the Rams. Eli Manning can't be as scared of the Rams pass rush as he appeared to be against the Vikings a few weeks ago.
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Vikings
Surprise!
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
Pick: Colts
The Titans have been playing better in recent weeks. The Colts have to stop the Titans running attack. They haven't stopped too many running attacks this year. Andrew Luck is the difference in this game for me.
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Bills
The Dolphins might have knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers last week but I still don't trust them. The Bills are playing with more confidence each week.
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets
Pick: Ravens
Geno Smith. That's the reason for the Ravens.
New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Chiefs
The Saints are playing better after a horrible start. The Chiefs are playing efficient, winning football.
Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions
Pick: Lions
The Redskins have somehow won four straight. The Lions' offense is starting to warm. The Lions playing at home is the difference.
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
The Bengals can't let this season slip further from their grasp. Especially against the Browns.
Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Raiders
Both teams have a lot of young, talented playmakers. That could make for a wildly entertaining game. I trust Derek Carr more than I trust Blake Bortles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: 49ers
Coin toss.
San Diego Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Falcons
If the Chargers could have stayed out of their own way at the end of a few games they might be among the best teams in the league. The Falcons are among the best teams in the league.
New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Patriots
This game sure would have been a blast if Ben Roethlisberger was healthy. It still could be.
Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Cardinals
The Cardinals are starting to play like the NFC contenders that they are supposed to be. Plus, they are playing at home.
Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
The Texans only losses are to the Patriots and Vikings. That's something. But, they needed a Colts meltdown to rally for a win last week. Who are the Texans? The same question can be asked of the Broncos after two consecutive losses.
Week 7 already?
There's another one of those ludicrous early London starts this week. 6:30 AM on the west coast. C'mon NFL!
New York Giants @ St. Louis Rams (in London)
Pick: Giants
They haven't been consistent but I still trust the Giants offense more than any unit for the Rams. Eli Manning can't be as scared of the Rams pass rush as he appeared to be against the Vikings a few weeks ago.
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Vikings
Surprise!
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
Pick: Colts
The Titans have been playing better in recent weeks. The Colts have to stop the Titans running attack. They haven't stopped too many running attacks this year. Andrew Luck is the difference in this game for me.
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Bills
The Dolphins might have knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers last week but I still don't trust them. The Bills are playing with more confidence each week.
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets
Pick: Ravens
Geno Smith. That's the reason for the Ravens.
New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Chiefs
The Saints are playing better after a horrible start. The Chiefs are playing efficient, winning football.
Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions
Pick: Lions
The Redskins have somehow won four straight. The Lions' offense is starting to warm. The Lions playing at home is the difference.
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
The Bengals can't let this season slip further from their grasp. Especially against the Browns.
Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Raiders
Both teams have a lot of young, talented playmakers. That could make for a wildly entertaining game. I trust Derek Carr more than I trust Blake Bortles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: 49ers
Coin toss.
San Diego Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Falcons
If the Chargers could have stayed out of their own way at the end of a few games they might be among the best teams in the league. The Falcons are among the best teams in the league.
New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Patriots
This game sure would have been a blast if Ben Roethlisberger was healthy. It still could be.
Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Cardinals
The Cardinals are starting to play like the NFC contenders that they are supposed to be. Plus, they are playing at home.
Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
The Texans only losses are to the Patriots and Vikings. That's something. But, they needed a Colts meltdown to rally for a win last week. Who are the Texans? The same question can be asked of the Broncos after two consecutive losses.
Week 7 already?
Saturday, October 22, 2016
2016 Midseason All-American Team
FoxSports' Bruce Feldman released his Midseason All-American Team.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Running back
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
-Cal's defense sure helped Pumphrey's case. Actually, Cal's defense has helped a lot of backs this year.
Wide Receiver
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
Tight end
Evan Engram, Mississippi
Offensive line
Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Billy Price, Ohio State
Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
Cody O'Connell, Washington State
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Defensive line
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh
Ed Oliver, Houston
Linebacker
Rueben Foster, Alabama
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
Joe Mathis, Washington
Defensive back
Jourdan Louis
Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Malik Hooker, Ohio State
Jalen Tabor, Florida
Kicker
Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State
Punter
Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah
Kick returner
Quadree Henderson, Pittsburgh
All-Purpose
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Naming Jabrill Peppers the All-Purpose player feels far too light. Peppers might be the best college football player in the nation. There's no other player that I more enjoy watching. He can do everything. I'd find a place for him on the defense even if he doesn't play one position for Michigan.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Running back
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Dalvin Cook, Florida State
-Cal's defense sure helped Pumphrey's case. Actually, Cal's defense has helped a lot of backs this year.
Wide Receiver
Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
Tight end
Evan Engram, Mississippi
Offensive line
Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Billy Price, Ohio State
Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin
Cody O'Connell, Washington State
Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Defensive line
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh
Ed Oliver, Houston
Linebacker
Rueben Foster, Alabama
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
Joe Mathis, Washington
Defensive back
Jourdan Louis
Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Malik Hooker, Ohio State
Jalen Tabor, Florida
Kicker
Zane Gonzalez, Arizona State
Punter
Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah
Kick returner
Quadree Henderson, Pittsburgh
All-Purpose
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Naming Jabrill Peppers the All-Purpose player feels far too light. Peppers might be the best college football player in the nation. There's no other player that I more enjoy watching. He can do everything. I'd find a place for him on the defense even if he doesn't play one position for Michigan.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Line Changes
The one good thing, perhaps only good thing, about the Minnesota Vikings offensive line during the 2015 season was that the same five players started all 16 games. Those five:
This unit might have started all 16 games but they often struggled. Sometimes mightily. Those struggles made improving the offensive line the top priority of the offseason. The Vikings hoped that improvement would come from an influx of some veteran talent, a lot of depth, and hopefully a lot of training camp competition. Former San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone was the big addition in free agency. The Vikings also added former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith to provide competition and depth. The 2016 NFL Draft brought a player that they hoped to develop in Willie Beavers.
As training camp approached, Vikings starting offensive line projections looked something like this:
Competition for offensive line jobs was supposed to be the theme of training camp. Long-time starters John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt missed the entire 2015 season with injuries. They were finally healthy but they faced competition for their old jobs. Brandon Fusco was back at right guard after a season of struggles at left guard. He was supposed to compete with Mike Harris at right guard. Harris' promising play was actually one of the few offensive line bright spots in 2015. Matt Kalil, mostly disappointing since an excellent 2012 rookie season, was supposed to receive nominal competition at left tackle from T.J. Clemmings. Newcomer Alex Boone was the only player that had his name written in ink on the lineup card.
All of the expectations, all of the competition and depth changed before training camp even started. Injury concerns forced Loadholt to retire about a week before the start of camp. Harris came to camp with a mysterious injury/illness that continues to keep him on the sideline. The expected depth thinned and the competition evaporated before it ever got started. The only real competition that remained was that at center between Sullivan and Berger. When camp closed, Berger had the job. Sullivan was released due to the presence of promising youngster Nick Easton.
The Vikings starting offensive line for opening day of the 2016 NFL Season:
That lineup would have been impossible to imagine six months ago.
| LT | Matt Kalil |
| LG | Brandon Fusco |
| C | Joe Berger |
| RG | Mike Harris |
| RT | T.J. Clemmings |
This unit might have started all 16 games but they often struggled. Sometimes mightily. Those struggles made improving the offensive line the top priority of the offseason. The Vikings hoped that improvement would come from an influx of some veteran talent, a lot of depth, and hopefully a lot of training camp competition. Former San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone was the big addition in free agency. The Vikings also added former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith to provide competition and depth. The 2016 NFL Draft brought a player that they hoped to develop in Willie Beavers.
As training camp approached, Vikings starting offensive line projections looked something like this:
| LT | Matt Kalil |
| LG | Alex Boone |
| C | John Sullivan/Joe Berger |
| RG | Brandon Fusco/Mike Harris |
| RT | Phil Loadholt/Andre Smith |
Competition for offensive line jobs was supposed to be the theme of training camp. Long-time starters John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt missed the entire 2015 season with injuries. They were finally healthy but they faced competition for their old jobs. Brandon Fusco was back at right guard after a season of struggles at left guard. He was supposed to compete with Mike Harris at right guard. Harris' promising play was actually one of the few offensive line bright spots in 2015. Matt Kalil, mostly disappointing since an excellent 2012 rookie season, was supposed to receive nominal competition at left tackle from T.J. Clemmings. Newcomer Alex Boone was the only player that had his name written in ink on the lineup card.
All of the expectations, all of the competition and depth changed before training camp even started. Injury concerns forced Loadholt to retire about a week before the start of camp. Harris came to camp with a mysterious injury/illness that continues to keep him on the sideline. The expected depth thinned and the competition evaporated before it ever got started. The only real competition that remained was that at center between Sullivan and Berger. When camp closed, Berger had the job. Sullivan was released due to the presence of promising youngster Nick Easton.
The Vikings starting offensive line for opening day of the 2016 NFL Season:
| LT | Matt Kalil |
| LG | Alex Boone |
| C | Joe Berger |
| RG | Brandon Fusco |
| RT | Andre Smith |
The 2015 season was one of offensive line continuity. There has been no such continuity this season. Through five games nearly every offensive lineman on the Vikings active roster has seen significant playing time. Kalil didn't make it through three games. T.J. Clemmings replaced him in the lineup. Kalil is now on injured reserve. An injury forced Boone out of the lineup early in game 3 against the Carolina Panthers. Jeremiah Sirles replaced him. Fortunately, Boone returned for the next game. Smith was injured in game 4 against the New York Giants. Showing his position versatility, Sirles replaced him in that game and started the next. Smith joined Kalil on injured reserve. A concussion took Fusco out of game 5 against the Houston Texans. Zac Kerin replaced him. All told, Berger is the only starting lineman to not miss any time. Here's hoping that continues. The Vikings can't afford to lose their center.
Season-ending injuries to the tackles have resulted in this offensive line in game 5:
| LT | T.J. Clemmings |
| LG | Alex Boone |
| C | Joe Berger |
| RG | Brandon Fusco |
| RT | Jeremiah Sirles |
After doing respectable work against the Giants in game 4, Clemming had a load of difficulties against Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus of the Texans. Those difficulties had to play a role in the Vikings signing former All-Pro left tackle Jake Long on October 11. The line depth was depleted. Especially at tackle. They had to add someone and were lucky that a player as talented and experienced as Long was available. If he's finally recovered from a long run of injuries the Vikings might have found a huge line boost when they really needed it. At least that's the hope. We'll find out Sunday if the addition of Long results in an immediate lineup change. Even if he doesn't start against the Philadelphia Eagles it's no real stretch to suggest that he'll eventually be the Vikings left tackle. Initially, I thought that Clemmings might move to right tackle to make room for Long. Now, I'm thinking that Sirles stays in the lineup and Clemmings will back up both tackle spots as the swing tackle. The changes results in this new Vikings offensive line moving forward.
| LT | Jake Long |
| LG | Alex Boone |
| C | Joe Berger |
| RG | Brandon Fusco |
| RT | Jeremiah Sirles |
That lineup would have been impossible to imagine six months ago.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Throwback Thursday: The Vikings Gjallarhorn
In Norse mythology, the Gjallarhorn is the horn of the god Heimdallr. It's used to alert Asgard to the approach of intruders. The Minnesota Vikings have a modern and much more fun use for the great horn. They use their Gjallarhorn to announce the arrival of their football team. From the sounding of the horn to the rousing "Skol Chant" new traditions are finding life in the spectacular new US Bank Stadium. The Gjallarhorn has actually been a pregame staple since 2007 when Vikings played their home games in the dumpy Metrodome. The horn was hauled onto the field then. It has a permanent home in the stands of the spectacular new stadium now. It's a great honor to call the Minnesota Vikings to the field. To date, the following "Honorary Vikings" have been chosen for this ceremonial task:
2007
Hub Meeds
TJ Johnson-Gjallarhorn creator
Rick Craft-Citizen responder (-35)
Chuck Foreman-Vikings Ring of Honor
Bud Grant-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jerry Burns-Vikings Ring of Honor
Carl Eller-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
John Kriesel-Honored War Veteran
Mark Parrish-Wild All-Star right wing
Joe Mauer-Twins All-Star catcher
2008
Dennis Koslowski-Olympic medalist-wrestling
Ron Stolski-Brainerd High School football coach
Heath Farwell-Vikings linebacker
Robert Griffith-Vikings safety
Eric Hilgenberg-Son of former Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg
Mardy Fish-Tennis pro
Shawn Johnson-Olympic Gold medalist-gymnastics
John Randle-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Paul Krause-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
100% Cheese Free (Syd Davy)-Representing Vikings fans
Robert Smith-Vikings running back
2009
Irv Cross-legendary sportscaster
Rufus Bess-Vikings cornerback
Jim Marshall-Vikings Ring of Honor
Randall McDaniel-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Brock Lesnar-UFC Heavyweight Champion
Capt. Dustin Snare-MN National Guard/Live in Iraq
Tom Kelly-Twins manager
Scott Studwell-Vikings Ring of Honor
Mick Tingelhoff-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Neal Broten-Hockey legend
Joe Kapp-Vikings quarterback
2010
Stu Voigt-Vikings tight end
Greg Coleman-Vikings punter
Gene Washington-Vikings receiver
Mike Morris-Vikings long snapper
Michael Cuddyer-Twins first baseman
Sidney Rice-Vikings receiver
Fred Zamberletti-Vikings Ring of Honor/trainer
Jeff Siemon-Vikings linebacker
2011
Rick Frahm-Local 512/dome roof repair
JT Brown-Frozen Four MVP/University of Minnesota-Duluth
Mona Dohman-Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner
Fred Cox-Vikings kicker/Nerf Football inventor
Tubby Smith-Gopher Basketball coach
Chris Doleman-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Stan ""Krusher" Kowalski-Minnesota War Vet/wrestling icon
Paul Molitor-Minnesota native/Baseball HOF
Kevin Love-Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star
Butch Clayman-Representing Vikings fans
2012
Jack Jablonski-Inspirational injured hockey player
Ted Brown-Vikings-running back
Larry Spooner-Representing Vikings fans stadium push
Josh Duhamel-actor
Flip Saunders-NBA coach
Juan Berenguer-Twins pitcher
Matt Blair-Vikings Ring of Honor
Betty Wall Strohfus-World War II aviator
John Gagliardi-St. John's University football coach
Nicholas David-Finalist of "The Voice"
2013
LeRoy Bendickson-Vikings season ticket holder/activist
Rickey Young-Vikings running back
Hubert H. Humphrey IV-grandson of Hubert H. Humphrey
David Haye-British boxer
Lindsay Whalen-Lynx All-Star
Joey Browner-Vikings Ring of Honor
Cris Carter-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jerry Riechow-Viking player personnel
Daunte Culpepper-Vikings quarterback
Bud Grant-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
2014
SSG Patrick Loch-Minnesota Army National Guard
Derrick Langeslay-new stadium construction worker
Milt Sunde-Vikings guard
Zach Lavine-Timberwolves guard
Rose Murphy-breast cancer survivor/mother of Teddy Bridgewater
Tyrone Carter-Vikings safety
SGT Tom Block-US Army Ranger
Gary Larsen-Vikings defensive tackle
Jerry Kill-Gophers football coach
Bryan Obadzinski-longtime Vikings fan
2015
Phil Housley-NHL Hall of Fame
Maddyn Greenway-daughter of Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway
Alan Page-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Fran Tarkenton-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Minnesota Lynx-2015 WNBA Champions
Eric Marts-Army Master Sergeant, 34th Infantry Division
Devan Dubnyk-Wild goalie
Phil Loadholt-Vikings tackle
Sid Hartman-Minneapolis Star-Tribune journalist
Erick Kaler-University of Minnesota President
Rhett Ellison-Vikings tight end
2016
David Plummer-Olympic swimmer
Dave Mansell-General Superintendent, Mortenson Construction
Bud Grant-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Randy Moss-Vikings receiver/future Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tommy Kramer-Vikings quarterback
Everett "Hub" Meeds was the only choice to be the first to sound the Gjallarhorn. He was "the Viking" on the sideline from 1970-1992. He was the mascot. To this itty bitty Vikings fan in the early 1970s he had one of the best jobs in the world. He got to dress as a Viking and prowl around the sidelines on game day. How could it get any better than that? The job started organically and somewhat innocently for Meeds at Super Bowl IV.
From Cold Wars: 40+ Years of Packers-Vikings Rivalry:
"My brother and I went down to the game in New Orleans," Meeds said of the Vikings' eventual 23-7 setback to Kansas City in Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970. "We rented some Vikings costumes, went into the stadium around where the players come out and nobody said a word to us or asked for tickets or anything. So we got to see the whole thing from down on the field. "
"That spring, I wrote a letter to the team and told them what we had done and asked about doing it for their home games," Meeds added. "I got my picture with Bid Grant and everything. They didn't have anybody doing it, and eventually I got to go to all of the away games. I only missed one preseason games in all those years."
It's only fitting that Vikings legendary head coach Bud Grant is the only one to sound the horn more than once. As great as it is to see Vikings Ring of Honor members and Pro Football Hall of Famers sound the horn it probably warms me most to see former players that I haven't seen in a while. Players like Milt Sunde, Jeff Siemon, Rufus Bess, Fred Cox, and Jeff Siemon. When Tommy Kramer was tapped for the Houston Texans game earlier this month the Vikings were honoring many former Vikings players. It was a Homecoming Weekend. Many were there with Ring of Honor purple coats. Kramer was a sometimes throwing star for the Vikings throughout the 1980s. If he hadn't been injured so often he might be wearing a purple coat as well. He was that sort of talent. It was great to see him again.
The Gjallarhorn has become a great and fun Minnesota Vikings tradition.
2007
Hub Meeds
TJ Johnson-Gjallarhorn creator
Rick Craft-Citizen responder (-35)
Chuck Foreman-Vikings Ring of Honor
Bud Grant-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jerry Burns-Vikings Ring of Honor
Carl Eller-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
John Kriesel-Honored War Veteran
Mark Parrish-Wild All-Star right wing
Joe Mauer-Twins All-Star catcher
2008
Dennis Koslowski-Olympic medalist-wrestling
Ron Stolski-Brainerd High School football coach
Heath Farwell-Vikings linebacker
Robert Griffith-Vikings safety
Eric Hilgenberg-Son of former Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg
Mardy Fish-Tennis pro
Shawn Johnson-Olympic Gold medalist-gymnastics
John Randle-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Paul Krause-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
100% Cheese Free (Syd Davy)-Representing Vikings fans
Robert Smith-Vikings running back
2009
Irv Cross-legendary sportscaster
Rufus Bess-Vikings cornerback
Jim Marshall-Vikings Ring of Honor
Randall McDaniel-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Brock Lesnar-UFC Heavyweight Champion
Capt. Dustin Snare-MN National Guard/Live in Iraq
Tom Kelly-Twins manager
Scott Studwell-Vikings Ring of Honor
Mick Tingelhoff-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Neal Broten-Hockey legend
Joe Kapp-Vikings quarterback
2010
Stu Voigt-Vikings tight end
Greg Coleman-Vikings punter
Gene Washington-Vikings receiver
Mike Morris-Vikings long snapper
Michael Cuddyer-Twins first baseman
Sidney Rice-Vikings receiver
Fred Zamberletti-Vikings Ring of Honor/trainer
Jeff Siemon-Vikings linebacker
2011
Rick Frahm-Local 512/dome roof repair
JT Brown-Frozen Four MVP/University of Minnesota-Duluth
Mona Dohman-Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner
Fred Cox-Vikings kicker/Nerf Football inventor
Tubby Smith-Gopher Basketball coach
Chris Doleman-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Stan ""Krusher" Kowalski-Minnesota War Vet/wrestling icon
Paul Molitor-Minnesota native/Baseball HOF
Kevin Love-Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star
Butch Clayman-Representing Vikings fans
2012
Jack Jablonski-Inspirational injured hockey player
Ted Brown-Vikings-running back
Larry Spooner-Representing Vikings fans stadium push
Josh Duhamel-actor
Flip Saunders-NBA coach
Juan Berenguer-Twins pitcher
Matt Blair-Vikings Ring of Honor
Betty Wall Strohfus-World War II aviator
John Gagliardi-St. John's University football coach
Nicholas David-Finalist of "The Voice"
2013
LeRoy Bendickson-Vikings season ticket holder/activist
Rickey Young-Vikings running back
Hubert H. Humphrey IV-grandson of Hubert H. Humphrey
David Haye-British boxer
Lindsay Whalen-Lynx All-Star
Joey Browner-Vikings Ring of Honor
Cris Carter-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jerry Riechow-Viking player personnel
Daunte Culpepper-Vikings quarterback
Bud Grant-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
2014
SSG Patrick Loch-Minnesota Army National Guard
Derrick Langeslay-new stadium construction worker
Milt Sunde-Vikings guard
Zach Lavine-Timberwolves guard
Rose Murphy-breast cancer survivor/mother of Teddy Bridgewater
Tyrone Carter-Vikings safety
SGT Tom Block-US Army Ranger
Gary Larsen-Vikings defensive tackle
Jerry Kill-Gophers football coach
Bryan Obadzinski-longtime Vikings fan
2015
Phil Housley-NHL Hall of Fame
Maddyn Greenway-daughter of Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway
Alan Page-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Fran Tarkenton-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Minnesota Lynx-2015 WNBA Champions
Eric Marts-Army Master Sergeant, 34th Infantry Division
Devan Dubnyk-Wild goalie
Phil Loadholt-Vikings tackle
Sid Hartman-Minneapolis Star-Tribune journalist
Erick Kaler-University of Minnesota President
Rhett Ellison-Vikings tight end
2016
David Plummer-Olympic swimmer
Dave Mansell-General Superintendent, Mortenson Construction
Bud Grant-Vikings Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Randy Moss-Vikings receiver/future Ring of Honor/Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tommy Kramer-Vikings quarterback
***
Everett "Hub" Meeds was the only choice to be the first to sound the Gjallarhorn. He was "the Viking" on the sideline from 1970-1992. He was the mascot. To this itty bitty Vikings fan in the early 1970s he had one of the best jobs in the world. He got to dress as a Viking and prowl around the sidelines on game day. How could it get any better than that? The job started organically and somewhat innocently for Meeds at Super Bowl IV.
From Cold Wars: 40+ Years of Packers-Vikings Rivalry:
"My brother and I went down to the game in New Orleans," Meeds said of the Vikings' eventual 23-7 setback to Kansas City in Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970. "We rented some Vikings costumes, went into the stadium around where the players come out and nobody said a word to us or asked for tickets or anything. So we got to see the whole thing from down on the field. "
"That spring, I wrote a letter to the team and told them what we had done and asked about doing it for their home games," Meeds added. "I got my picture with Bid Grant and everything. They didn't have anybody doing it, and eventually I got to go to all of the away games. I only missed one preseason games in all those years."
It's only fitting that Vikings legendary head coach Bud Grant is the only one to sound the horn more than once. As great as it is to see Vikings Ring of Honor members and Pro Football Hall of Famers sound the horn it probably warms me most to see former players that I haven't seen in a while. Players like Milt Sunde, Jeff Siemon, Rufus Bess, Fred Cox, and Jeff Siemon. When Tommy Kramer was tapped for the Houston Texans game earlier this month the Vikings were honoring many former Vikings players. It was a Homecoming Weekend. Many were there with Ring of Honor purple coats. Kramer was a sometimes throwing star for the Vikings throughout the 1980s. If he hadn't been injured so often he might be wearing a purple coat as well. He was that sort of talent. It was great to see him again.
The Gjallarhorn has become a great and fun Minnesota Vikings tradition.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Flurry of Flags
23 penalty flags flew in the Arizona Cardinals Monday night 28-3 thumping of the New York Jets. 15 of those penalties were called in the first half. That's too many flags. There were so many flags that the game was often difficult to watch.
The 23 total penalties shouldn't be a surprise for the officiating crew of referee Jerome Boger. His crew throws more flags each game than any other crew in the league.
The problem with these penalty numbers is the discrepancy between the crews at the top and those at the bottom. The crews are officiating the same sport. Same rules. There are teams that stray from the right side of those rules more often than other teams but that shouldn't sway the numbers too much. The officiating crew rotations should prevent any sort of familiarity between team and officials. Some crews simply throw more flags than other crews. There shouldn't be a deviation from the median such as this.
The 23 penalties called on Monday wasn't the most of the 2016 NFL season. That title belongs to the 31 total penalty flags thrown in the Week 2 game between the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans. That must have been a fun game to watch.
The flurry of flags isn't entirely the fault of the officials. The football play on the field has is often quite sloppy. The reason for that is likely found in the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The players came to that bargaining table wanting easier and fewer practices in the offseason and during the season. They got it. Coaches now have less time with the players. There are also restrictions on what the coaches can do with the time that they do have. Sloppy football has increased as the number and substance of practices have decreased. It's really hurt the quality of play on the field. The sloppy play can result in more penalty flags. Some of these regular season games look more like preseason games. It's a damn shame.
The biggest problem that I have with NFL officiating is the lack of consistency. It's wildly inconsistent from game to games. Even worse, there's often inconsistencies from quarter to quarter within a game. That should never happen. I'd just like to see each officiating crew calling the same penalties. There shouldn't be an 8.6 penalties/game difference between two officiating crews.
The 23 total penalties shouldn't be a surprise for the officiating crew of referee Jerome Boger. His crew throws more flags each game than any other crew in the league.
| REFEREE | PENALTIES* | GAMES | AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boger, Jerome | 104 | 5 | 20.8 |
| Parry, John | 95 | 5 | 19 |
| Anderson, Walt | 95 | 5 | 19 |
| Allen, Brad | 94 | 5 | 18.8 |
| Hussey, John | 110 | 6 | 18.3 |
| Hochuli, Ed | 109 | 6 | 18.1 |
| Blakeman, Clete | 104 | 6 | 17.3 |
| Triplette, Jeff | 102 | 6 | 17 |
| Corrente, Tony | 100 | 6 | 16.7 |
| Cheffers, Cartlon | 95 | 6 | 15.8 |
| Steratore, Gene | 93 | 6 | 15.5 |
| Torbert, Ronald | 89 | 6 | 14.8 |
| Morelli, Peter | 85 | 6 | 14.2 |
| Wrolstad, Craig | 70 | 5 | 14 |
| McAulay, Terry | 28 | 2 | 14 |
| Vinovich, Bill | 79 | 6 | 13.1 |
| Coleman, Walt | 61 | 5 | 12.2 |
| Source: ESPN Stats & Information | |||
| *Includes accepted, declined and offsetting penalties | |||
The problem with these penalty numbers is the discrepancy between the crews at the top and those at the bottom. The crews are officiating the same sport. Same rules. There are teams that stray from the right side of those rules more often than other teams but that shouldn't sway the numbers too much. The officiating crew rotations should prevent any sort of familiarity between team and officials. Some crews simply throw more flags than other crews. There shouldn't be a deviation from the median such as this.
The 23 penalties called on Monday wasn't the most of the 2016 NFL season. That title belongs to the 31 total penalty flags thrown in the Week 2 game between the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans. That must have been a fun game to watch.
The flurry of flags isn't entirely the fault of the officials. The football play on the field has is often quite sloppy. The reason for that is likely found in the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The players came to that bargaining table wanting easier and fewer practices in the offseason and during the season. They got it. Coaches now have less time with the players. There are also restrictions on what the coaches can do with the time that they do have. Sloppy football has increased as the number and substance of practices have decreased. It's really hurt the quality of play on the field. The sloppy play can result in more penalty flags. Some of these regular season games look more like preseason games. It's a damn shame.
The biggest problem that I have with NFL officiating is the lack of consistency. It's wildly inconsistent from game to games. Even worse, there's often inconsistencies from quarter to quarter within a game. That should never happen. I'd just like to see each officiating crew calling the same penalties. There shouldn't be an 8.6 penalties/game difference between two officiating crews.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
NFL Week 6 Power Rankings
The NFL is showing once again that it's a week-to-week league. There's a power ranking shakeup every week. It changes so much that it really is pointless to do these damn things. So, here we go.
1. Minnesota Vikings
2. New England Patriots
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Atlanta Falcons
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Denver Broncos
9. Buffalo Bills
10. Green Bay Packers
11. Oakland Raiders
12. Washington Redskins
13. Houston Texans
14. Philadelphia Eagles
15. New York Giants
16. Detroit Lions
17. Baltimore Ravens
18. Arizona Cardinals
19. Cincinnati Bengals
20. San Diego Chargers
21. New Orleans Saints
22. Tennessee Titans
23. New York Jets
24. Indianapolis Colts
25. Los Angeles Rams
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
27. Carolina Panthers
28. Chicago Bears
29. Miami Dolphins
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
31. San Francisco 49ers
32. Cleveland Browns
Until next time.
Until next time.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Week 6 Thoughts
An NFL week without the Minnesota Vikings simply doesn't feel right. They did need the time off to get some players healthy. Week 6 is usually a little early for a bye but it came at the right time for the Vikings this year.
As for the teams that did play, there were some games in Week 6 that looked like a blowout early but ended great.
The New Orleans Saints jumped all over the Carolina Panthers early. The Saints had a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Panthers whittled that big lead to a single point at 31-30 with over nine minutes to play. A Saints field goal with 11 seconds to play was the difference in the 41-38 win.
The defending NFC champion Panthers are 1-5. The good news is that their comeback against the Saints might have been their first real sign of life this season. The bad news is the horrible record. They are still looking up at nearly the entire NFC.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was a statistical dynamo. 34/49 for 465 yards and four touchdowns. Those four touchdowns traveled 87, 9, 50, and 8 yards. 154 of his 465 yards went for touchdowns.
Even though they never quite pulled away from the Philadelphia Eagles the Washington Redskins controlled the game against their division foe. The Redskins jumped out to a 14-0 lead and they made it look easy. The Eagles offense couldn't get anything going with their first few possessions. A kick return score and a pick-6 kept the Eagles in the game. The Redskins dominated and the score was 14-14.
Those quick scores got the Eagles back in the game but kept the offense off the field. They only had a couple of offensive snaps in the second quarter and one was a kneel down to end the half.
Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz had his first shaky game of the season. 11/22 for 179 yards. He was harassed the entire game. He was sacked five times and hit 11 times. The Eagles are really going to miss right tackle Lane Johnson. His ten-game suspension started yesterday. Rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai replaced Johnson and struggled against Ryan Kerrigan.
The Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter but Wentz could only lead his team to a couple of field goals rather than touchdowns. 27-20 Redskins.
Redskins second-year receiver Jamison Crowder looks like he has some feisty Santana Moss-like play to him.
When the Tennessee Titans increased their lead over the Cleveland Browns to 28-13 with just under seven minutes to play the game seemed over. A Cleveland touchdown, onisde kick recovery, and another touchdown and suddenly it's 28-26. Unfortunately for the Browns there was no more time. If they had converted the two-point conversion following that first touchdown they might have rallied for their first win of the season. Close doesn't make loss #6 feel any better.
The Jacksonville Jaguars scored all 17 of their points against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter. That was just what they needed to win 17-16.
The Buffalo Bills looked lost after the first two games of the season. Now they are soaring with a four-game win streak. The scores in those four games: 33-18 over the Arizona Cardinals. 16-0 over the New England Patriots. 30-19 over the Los Angeles Rams. 45-16 over the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers did have an early lead yesterday. 10-7 after Colin Kaepernick found a wide open Torrey Smith for 53 yards early in the second quarter. The Bills outscored the 49ers 38-6 over the final 40+ minutes.
Running back LeSean McCoy was terrific again for the Bills. 19 carries for 140 yards and three touchdowns. He's a big reason for the Bills turning their season around.
The Miami Dolphins rode a hot Jay Ajayi for a shocking 30-15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ajayi ran for 204 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. The second touchdown and the final 62 yards came on the last significant play of the game.
The Dolphins defense got to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. A knee injury put him on the sideline for a series. There are reports that a "clean-up" surgery is necessary.
The Steelers have been brutal in their two losses.
The Dolphins offense had their starting five lineman on the field for the first time this season. It looks like it helped.
The Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams played a 60 minute, back-and-forth scorcher. 0-7 Lions. 7-7. 14-7 Rams. 14-14. 21-14 Lions. 21-21. 28-21 Rams. 28-28. 31-28 Lions when the clock hit 0:00. It doesn't get any more back-and-forth than that.
Rams quarterback Case Keenum completed a Rams-record 20 straight passes in the game.
It appears that New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. finally got happy against the Baltimore Ravens. 8 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns covered 75 and 66 yards. The 66-yarder, on fourth-and-1, ended up being the game-winner with 1:24 to play. 27-23 Giants.
Tom Brady announced his return to the lineup last week. Rob Gronkowski finally announced his presence in the lineup this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. 7 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. Brady played well in his second game back from that ludicrous suspension. 29/35 for 376 yards and three touchdowns. The Bengals were feisty through most of this game but the Patriots pulled away late for a 35-17 win.
Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is an idiot. His low hit at the knees of Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett simply has no place in the league. Burfict's intentions were clear. His stupidity on the field is becoming routine.
Six of the better teams in the league played in the second set of the day's games.
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks
From start to finish the Cowboys had control of their game with the Packers. The Cowboys offensive rookies were a big reason for the win. Quarterback Dak Prescott was 18/27 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott extended his streak of 130+ yards rushing games to four. 28 carries for 157 yards against the Packers.
Prescott threw the first interception of his career. So the talking heads can stop talking about that.
The Packers settled for field goals too often and turned the ball over too often. One of those turnovers was inside the Cowboys five-yard line. The Packers had a chance to make it a one-score game late in the third quarter. They gave the ball to the Cowboys on a shaky play call. Aaron Rodgers up the middle on a keeper. Even on his worst passing days Rodgers is a better quarterback than fullback.
There was no late-game magic for the Oakland Raiders against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs led 13-10 at the half. It was 26-10 at the end. Cheifs quarterback Alex Smith was extremely efficient. 19/22 for 224 yards.
Chiefs 346-pound nose tackle Dontari Poe even scored one of his team's touchdowns.
The Seattle Seahawks needed some help from the officials to hold off the Atlanta Falcons in the 26-24 win. A desperation Matt Ryan heave to Julio Jones with 1:39 to play fell harmlessly to the ground because Seahawks corner Richard Sherman had a firm hold of the receiver's arm.
This was a game of runs. The Seahawks went on the first run and controlled the first and second quarters. They led 17-3 at the half. The Falcons then went on their run and led 24-17 at the end of the third quarter. The Seahawks scored all of the fourth quarter points to win 26-24.
Brock Osweiler played his first "statement" game as the Houston Texans franchise quarterback. The Texans weren't doing much of anything in their game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans were trailing 23-9 with less than three minutes to play in the game. Osweiler rallied the Texans to two touchdowns in regulation to force overtime and a field goal in overtime to win. This was a game that the Texans really had no business winning but Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller found a way to score enough late points.
This was the third game this season that the Colts let slip from their grasp at the end. Despite the rocky start to the season they could have tied the Texans and Titans at the top of AFC South with a win. Now they are two games back.
The Arizona Cardinals host the New York Jets tonight to close the Week 6 schedule.
The Vikings return to NFL action next week in Philadelphia.
As for the teams that did play, there were some games in Week 6 that looked like a blowout early but ended great.
The New Orleans Saints jumped all over the Carolina Panthers early. The Saints had a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Panthers whittled that big lead to a single point at 31-30 with over nine minutes to play. A Saints field goal with 11 seconds to play was the difference in the 41-38 win.
The defending NFC champion Panthers are 1-5. The good news is that their comeback against the Saints might have been their first real sign of life this season. The bad news is the horrible record. They are still looking up at nearly the entire NFC.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was a statistical dynamo. 34/49 for 465 yards and four touchdowns. Those four touchdowns traveled 87, 9, 50, and 8 yards. 154 of his 465 yards went for touchdowns.
Even though they never quite pulled away from the Philadelphia Eagles the Washington Redskins controlled the game against their division foe. The Redskins jumped out to a 14-0 lead and they made it look easy. The Eagles offense couldn't get anything going with their first few possessions. A kick return score and a pick-6 kept the Eagles in the game. The Redskins dominated and the score was 14-14.
Those quick scores got the Eagles back in the game but kept the offense off the field. They only had a couple of offensive snaps in the second quarter and one was a kneel down to end the half.
Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz had his first shaky game of the season. 11/22 for 179 yards. He was harassed the entire game. He was sacked five times and hit 11 times. The Eagles are really going to miss right tackle Lane Johnson. His ten-game suspension started yesterday. Rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai replaced Johnson and struggled against Ryan Kerrigan.
The Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter but Wentz could only lead his team to a couple of field goals rather than touchdowns. 27-20 Redskins.
Redskins second-year receiver Jamison Crowder looks like he has some feisty Santana Moss-like play to him.
When the Tennessee Titans increased their lead over the Cleveland Browns to 28-13 with just under seven minutes to play the game seemed over. A Cleveland touchdown, onisde kick recovery, and another touchdown and suddenly it's 28-26. Unfortunately for the Browns there was no more time. If they had converted the two-point conversion following that first touchdown they might have rallied for their first win of the season. Close doesn't make loss #6 feel any better.
The Jacksonville Jaguars scored all 17 of their points against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter. That was just what they needed to win 17-16.
The Buffalo Bills looked lost after the first two games of the season. Now they are soaring with a four-game win streak. The scores in those four games: 33-18 over the Arizona Cardinals. 16-0 over the New England Patriots. 30-19 over the Los Angeles Rams. 45-16 over the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers did have an early lead yesterday. 10-7 after Colin Kaepernick found a wide open Torrey Smith for 53 yards early in the second quarter. The Bills outscored the 49ers 38-6 over the final 40+ minutes.
Running back LeSean McCoy was terrific again for the Bills. 19 carries for 140 yards and three touchdowns. He's a big reason for the Bills turning their season around.
The Miami Dolphins rode a hot Jay Ajayi for a shocking 30-15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ajayi ran for 204 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. The second touchdown and the final 62 yards came on the last significant play of the game.
The Dolphins defense got to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. A knee injury put him on the sideline for a series. There are reports that a "clean-up" surgery is necessary.
The Steelers have been brutal in their two losses.
The Dolphins offense had their starting five lineman on the field for the first time this season. It looks like it helped.
The Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams played a 60 minute, back-and-forth scorcher. 0-7 Lions. 7-7. 14-7 Rams. 14-14. 21-14 Lions. 21-21. 28-21 Rams. 28-28. 31-28 Lions when the clock hit 0:00. It doesn't get any more back-and-forth than that.
Rams quarterback Case Keenum completed a Rams-record 20 straight passes in the game.
It appears that New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. finally got happy against the Baltimore Ravens. 8 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns covered 75 and 66 yards. The 66-yarder, on fourth-and-1, ended up being the game-winner with 1:24 to play. 27-23 Giants.
Tom Brady announced his return to the lineup last week. Rob Gronkowski finally announced his presence in the lineup this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. 7 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. Brady played well in his second game back from that ludicrous suspension. 29/35 for 376 yards and three touchdowns. The Bengals were feisty through most of this game but the Patriots pulled away late for a 35-17 win.
Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict is an idiot. His low hit at the knees of Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett simply has no place in the league. Burfict's intentions were clear. His stupidity on the field is becoming routine.
Six of the better teams in the league played in the second set of the day's games.
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks
From start to finish the Cowboys had control of their game with the Packers. The Cowboys offensive rookies were a big reason for the win. Quarterback Dak Prescott was 18/27 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott extended his streak of 130+ yards rushing games to four. 28 carries for 157 yards against the Packers.
Prescott threw the first interception of his career. So the talking heads can stop talking about that.
The Packers settled for field goals too often and turned the ball over too often. One of those turnovers was inside the Cowboys five-yard line. The Packers had a chance to make it a one-score game late in the third quarter. They gave the ball to the Cowboys on a shaky play call. Aaron Rodgers up the middle on a keeper. Even on his worst passing days Rodgers is a better quarterback than fullback.
There was no late-game magic for the Oakland Raiders against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs led 13-10 at the half. It was 26-10 at the end. Cheifs quarterback Alex Smith was extremely efficient. 19/22 for 224 yards.
Chiefs 346-pound nose tackle Dontari Poe even scored one of his team's touchdowns.
The Seattle Seahawks needed some help from the officials to hold off the Atlanta Falcons in the 26-24 win. A desperation Matt Ryan heave to Julio Jones with 1:39 to play fell harmlessly to the ground because Seahawks corner Richard Sherman had a firm hold of the receiver's arm.
This was a game of runs. The Seahawks went on the first run and controlled the first and second quarters. They led 17-3 at the half. The Falcons then went on their run and led 24-17 at the end of the third quarter. The Seahawks scored all of the fourth quarter points to win 26-24.
Brock Osweiler played his first "statement" game as the Houston Texans franchise quarterback. The Texans weren't doing much of anything in their game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans were trailing 23-9 with less than three minutes to play in the game. Osweiler rallied the Texans to two touchdowns in regulation to force overtime and a field goal in overtime to win. This was a game that the Texans really had no business winning but Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller found a way to score enough late points.
This was the third game this season that the Colts let slip from their grasp at the end. Despite the rocky start to the season they could have tied the Texans and Titans at the top of AFC South with a win. Now they are two games back.
The Arizona Cardinals host the New York Jets tonight to close the Week 6 schedule.
The Vikings return to NFL action next week in Philadelphia.
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