Here are the best percentages of passes dropped for receivers through week nine:
1. Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns: 0%
2. Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: 1.5%
3. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: 1.8%
4. Steve Smith Sr., Baltimore Ravens: 2.1%
5. Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints: 2.2%
The #1 objective of all receivers is to catch passes. It all starts there. It's simply amazing that not every receiver gets that. Congratulations to the above receivers for doing their jobs. Special congratulations to Travis Benjamin for doing his job perfectly. It's a damn shame that Keenan Allen and Steve Smith Sr. are on the injury shelf for the season. Their pass catching skills will be sorely missed. By their teams and by fans of good football. It's especially great to see Allen catching passes so successfully. In his three years at Cal he had an occasional tendency to run before he'd secured the ball. He was such a superior athlete to the defenders tasked with stopping him that he was often seemed to be in a hurry to get by them. That impatience resulted in some drops. It's good to see that he's left that bad habit back in college. It has always been a treat to watch Larry Fitzgerald catch a football.
Now, for the other side of the pass catching stat sheet...
Here are the worst percentages of passes dropped for receivers through week nine:
Ted Ginn Jr., Carolina Panthers: 25%
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 17.9%
Nate Washington, Houston Texans: 16.1%
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders: 13.5%
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots: 12.3%
Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins: 9.8%
This is pathetic. No NFL receiver should drop a quarter of the passes thrown to him. No receiver at any level of football should be dropping that many footballs. Ted Ginn Jr. was damn lucky that his drop of a perfectly thrown Cam Newton deep pass against the Indianapolis Colts didn't result in his team's first loss of the season. Sometimes a drop happens. It shouldn't. But it happens. For Ginn it's happening far too often. For all of the above receivers it's happening far too often. Two games ago, Mike Evans dropped six passes. That nearly equaled the total of eight that he managed to catch. No receiver had drop six passes in a single game in the last ten years. It reminded me of the pass-catching challenges that Terrell Owens faced every week. Amari Cooper has been fantastic in his rookie season but his drops have to stop.
Those receivers on the bottom should spend some time watching some tape of the receivers on the top. Pull up any Arizona Cardinals tape from the years in which Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were on the field together. That was a beautiful, weekly pass-catching tutorial. Or, tape of Cris Carter. It doesn't get better than that.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
Thoughts On A Day In The Stands
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Oakland Raiders yesterday. 30-14. I was there! With the somewhat surprising Green Bay Packers loss to the Detroit Lions the Vikings are on top of the NFC North at 7-2. As Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer mentioned after the game, the only standings that matter are those at the end of the season. So we are seven games away from the standings that matter. A lot can happen. Including two games against the Packers. The first of which is next week. I wish that I was going to be at that game.
I've only attended a handful of Minnesota Vikings games. All of them have been against either the San Francisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders. My attendance at games hasn't brought the Vikings much success. I've seen more losses than wins. It's a good thing that I'm not a superstitious sort. I was questioning superstitions after the 49ers disaster that I witnessed on that Monday night to open this season. That was an ugly game. Just brutal. But it really wasn't enough to keep me away from this game against the Raiders. Good thing. It was a grand time. The Vikings won.
The Vikings defense has been great all season. The offense has done just enough. That combination has produced a record of 7-2. The lack of offensive fireworks has also resulted in skepticism. With the media and with fans. Everyone tends to view the NFL through fantasy football goggles. If you aren't scoring in bunches you aren't playing well. Coming into this game the Raiders were the pick by most of those with a voice, They've been scoring. They've been explosive. The Raiders are a team on the rise. They are drafting well and putting a lot of talent in all of the right places. They are a team to watch. Now and moving forward. So are the Vikings. The Vikings just do things a little differently. Just enough offense and more than enough defense. And they are also collecting wins. It's up to five in a row.
Congratulations to Adrian Peterson on tying O.J. Simpson's NFL record for career 200-yard games. They each have six. Peterson had more rushing yards in the first half against the Raiders than he'd gained the two previous games with me in the stands. He had 203 yards against the Raiders. 80 of those yards came on his final carry. A long touchdown dash that sealed the win. Most of the Vikings offense through nine games has come on the legs of Peterson. He's been running like a back that's nowhere near the age of 30.
Vikings Players of the Game:
Adrian Peterson
Linval Joseph
Terrence Newman
Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson's kick return touchdown took the steam out of the Raiders at the end of the second half. The Raiders had just scored a touchdown to take a 14-13 lead. They were feeling great and had grabbed the momentum. Patterson's return, huge return, flipped it all. The Raiders didn't score again.
Raiders Players of the Game:
Michael Crabtree
Mario Edwards Jr.
49ers fans must be wondering where Crabtree hid his heart when he was playing for their team. He looks more like that supremely talented receiver at Texas Tech than he ever has.
If the Raiders keep surrounding promising second-year quarterback Derek Carr with talent they'll have a really potent offense. Hell, they might already have the offensive playmakers that they need. Latavius Murray, Amari Cooper, Micheal Crabtree. Strengthen the line. Add some more talent to the defense. The Raiders are on the right track to being the dominant team of the AFC West in the very near future. Maybe the present. The Denver Broncos no longer look unbeatable.
The Oakland Raiders fans have long had a reputation of being a rambunctious, intimidating, even violent bunch. I'd sure like to do my part to end that. They are vocal, certainly passionate but they are nothing like this violent, dangerous mob that they are made out to be. I've never seen a hint of it at any of the Raiders games that I've attended over the past five decades. I've always felt welcome and comfortable at these games. As a neutral fan and especially as an opposing Vikings fan. I might even go so far as to say that Oakland Raiders fans are sweethearts. Yes, sweethearts.
Speaking of fans. As a fan of a faraway team I'm not often surrounded by fellow Vikings fans. I run into them all of the time but I'm never around them in numbers. They arrived in large numbers for this season's two Bay Area games. The dumpster fire against the 49ers and the win against the Raiders. It was great to see Vikings fan in large numbers in one place. In person. My people.
The Vikings win! A great day!
I've only attended a handful of Minnesota Vikings games. All of them have been against either the San Francisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders. My attendance at games hasn't brought the Vikings much success. I've seen more losses than wins. It's a good thing that I'm not a superstitious sort. I was questioning superstitions after the 49ers disaster that I witnessed on that Monday night to open this season. That was an ugly game. Just brutal. But it really wasn't enough to keep me away from this game against the Raiders. Good thing. It was a grand time. The Vikings won.
The Vikings defense has been great all season. The offense has done just enough. That combination has produced a record of 7-2. The lack of offensive fireworks has also resulted in skepticism. With the media and with fans. Everyone tends to view the NFL through fantasy football goggles. If you aren't scoring in bunches you aren't playing well. Coming into this game the Raiders were the pick by most of those with a voice, They've been scoring. They've been explosive. The Raiders are a team on the rise. They are drafting well and putting a lot of talent in all of the right places. They are a team to watch. Now and moving forward. So are the Vikings. The Vikings just do things a little differently. Just enough offense and more than enough defense. And they are also collecting wins. It's up to five in a row.
Congratulations to Adrian Peterson on tying O.J. Simpson's NFL record for career 200-yard games. They each have six. Peterson had more rushing yards in the first half against the Raiders than he'd gained the two previous games with me in the stands. He had 203 yards against the Raiders. 80 of those yards came on his final carry. A long touchdown dash that sealed the win. Most of the Vikings offense through nine games has come on the legs of Peterson. He's been running like a back that's nowhere near the age of 30.
Vikings Players of the Game:
Adrian Peterson
Linval Joseph
Terrence Newman
Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson's kick return touchdown took the steam out of the Raiders at the end of the second half. The Raiders had just scored a touchdown to take a 14-13 lead. They were feeling great and had grabbed the momentum. Patterson's return, huge return, flipped it all. The Raiders didn't score again.
Raiders Players of the Game:
Michael Crabtree
Mario Edwards Jr.
49ers fans must be wondering where Crabtree hid his heart when he was playing for their team. He looks more like that supremely talented receiver at Texas Tech than he ever has.
If the Raiders keep surrounding promising second-year quarterback Derek Carr with talent they'll have a really potent offense. Hell, they might already have the offensive playmakers that they need. Latavius Murray, Amari Cooper, Micheal Crabtree. Strengthen the line. Add some more talent to the defense. The Raiders are on the right track to being the dominant team of the AFC West in the very near future. Maybe the present. The Denver Broncos no longer look unbeatable.
The Oakland Raiders fans have long had a reputation of being a rambunctious, intimidating, even violent bunch. I'd sure like to do my part to end that. They are vocal, certainly passionate but they are nothing like this violent, dangerous mob that they are made out to be. I've never seen a hint of it at any of the Raiders games that I've attended over the past five decades. I've always felt welcome and comfortable at these games. As a neutral fan and especially as an opposing Vikings fan. I might even go so far as to say that Oakland Raiders fans are sweethearts. Yes, sweethearts.
Speaking of fans. As a fan of a faraway team I'm not often surrounded by fellow Vikings fans. I run into them all of the time but I'm never around them in numbers. They arrived in large numbers for this season's two Bay Area games. The dumpster fire against the 49ers and the win against the Raiders. It was great to see Vikings fan in large numbers in one place. In person. My people.
The Vikings win! A great day!
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Week 10 Picks
Week 10. Playoff runs are starting.
The Buffalo Bills took care of the New York Jets in the Thursday night game. 22-17. That made Rex happy. That's always fun to see.
What wasn't fun to see was this game. The NFL introduced the first of four "Color Rush" games. Every Bills player was dressed in red. Other than their helmet their entire uniform was red. Including their socks. Every Jets player was dressed in green. White helmet. Green everywhere else. It looked like a bunch of Christmas ornaments running around on the field. It was ridiculous and apparently a real treat for anyone that's color blind. I might be now. The NFL has done a lot of stupid stuff lately. This was more of the same. Leave the game alone. Unfortunately there will be three more "Color Rush" games. Titans-Jaguars in Week 11. Panthers-Cowboys on Thanksgiving in Week 12. Buccaneers-Rams in Week 15. All are Thursday games. All will look ridiculous. I'm just glad that the Vikings-Cardinals Thursday night game to kick off Week 14 isn't part of this disaster.
Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, and San Francisco are on bye.
-only one more week of byes
Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders
Pick: Vikings
I'll be at this game. Hopefully if goes much, much, much better than the last Vikings game that I attended. That disaster against the San Francisco 49ers to kick off the season. The Vikings and the Raiders took a similar approach to the 2014 NFL Draft. Each found a cornerstone defensive player early in the draft and grabbed their quarterback of the present and future with their next pick. Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater for the Vikings. Khalil Mack and Derek Carr for the Raiders. Each team found a dynamic receiver for their young quarterback in the 2015 NFL Draft. Stefon Diggs for the Vikings. Amari Cooper for the Raiders. The similarities between the two teams probably end there. Other than both teams probably feel pretty good about their respective futures. This should be a terrific game between two teams on the rise.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Ravens
Injuries have really done a number on the Ravens this season. They have to find a way to win this game at home.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: Packers
The Packers losing three consecutive games seems to violate all laws of nature.
Miami Dolphins @ Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Eagles
The Eagles are so unpredictable. The Dolphins have been thrashed the last two weeks (Patriots and Bills) after two weeks of doing the thrashing (Titans and Texans). Home team wins.
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Steelers
The great Johnny Manziel-Landry Jones duel. Home team again.
Chicago Bears @ St. Louis Rams
Pick: Rams
The Vikings slowed Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley a bit last week. He should get back to his running wild ways against the Bears.
Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Buccaneers
The Cowboys should find a way to get their first win since Tony Romo went down in week 2.
Carolina Panthers @ Tennessee Titans
Pick: Titans
This just feels like a game in which an unbeaten team stumbles. A trap game for the Panthers? We'll see.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Saints
The Saints were starting to get on a roll until they stumbled against the Titans last week. The Saints defense is such that they could lose to anybody. Their offense is such that they can beat anybody.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
Without Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware the Chiefs could surprise but I'm not picking it.
New England Patriots @ New York Giants
Pick: Patriots
The Giants have had some success against the Patriots. If the Giants can find a way to pressure Tom Brady maybe they can find a way to take down the Patriots again.
Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Cardinals
The Sunday nightcap. This should be a terrific game. The Seahawks have to find their offense if they want a future in the postseason.
Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
The Monday Night affair. I can see potential stumbles with the other unbeaten teams (Panthers and Patriots) but I really can't see the Bengals stumbling at home against the Texans.
There it is. Week 10 picks. They should absolutely not be used for gambling purposes. They're rubbish.
The Buffalo Bills took care of the New York Jets in the Thursday night game. 22-17. That made Rex happy. That's always fun to see.
What wasn't fun to see was this game. The NFL introduced the first of four "Color Rush" games. Every Bills player was dressed in red. Other than their helmet their entire uniform was red. Including their socks. Every Jets player was dressed in green. White helmet. Green everywhere else. It looked like a bunch of Christmas ornaments running around on the field. It was ridiculous and apparently a real treat for anyone that's color blind. I might be now. The NFL has done a lot of stupid stuff lately. This was more of the same. Leave the game alone. Unfortunately there will be three more "Color Rush" games. Titans-Jaguars in Week 11. Panthers-Cowboys on Thanksgiving in Week 12. Buccaneers-Rams in Week 15. All are Thursday games. All will look ridiculous. I'm just glad that the Vikings-Cardinals Thursday night game to kick off Week 14 isn't part of this disaster.
Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, and San Francisco are on bye.
-only one more week of byes
Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders
Pick: Vikings
I'll be at this game. Hopefully if goes much, much, much better than the last Vikings game that I attended. That disaster against the San Francisco 49ers to kick off the season. The Vikings and the Raiders took a similar approach to the 2014 NFL Draft. Each found a cornerstone defensive player early in the draft and grabbed their quarterback of the present and future with their next pick. Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater for the Vikings. Khalil Mack and Derek Carr for the Raiders. Each team found a dynamic receiver for their young quarterback in the 2015 NFL Draft. Stefon Diggs for the Vikings. Amari Cooper for the Raiders. The similarities between the two teams probably end there. Other than both teams probably feel pretty good about their respective futures. This should be a terrific game between two teams on the rise.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Ravens
Injuries have really done a number on the Ravens this season. They have to find a way to win this game at home.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: Packers
The Packers losing three consecutive games seems to violate all laws of nature.
Miami Dolphins @ Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Eagles
The Eagles are so unpredictable. The Dolphins have been thrashed the last two weeks (Patriots and Bills) after two weeks of doing the thrashing (Titans and Texans). Home team wins.
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Steelers
The great Johnny Manziel-Landry Jones duel. Home team again.
Chicago Bears @ St. Louis Rams
Pick: Rams
The Vikings slowed Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley a bit last week. He should get back to his running wild ways against the Bears.
Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Buccaneers
The Cowboys should find a way to get their first win since Tony Romo went down in week 2.
Carolina Panthers @ Tennessee Titans
Pick: Titans
This just feels like a game in which an unbeaten team stumbles. A trap game for the Panthers? We'll see.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Saints
The Saints were starting to get on a roll until they stumbled against the Titans last week. The Saints defense is such that they could lose to anybody. Their offense is such that they can beat anybody.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
Without Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware the Chiefs could surprise but I'm not picking it.
New England Patriots @ New York Giants
Pick: Patriots
The Giants have had some success against the Patriots. If the Giants can find a way to pressure Tom Brady maybe they can find a way to take down the Patriots again.
Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Cardinals
The Sunday nightcap. This should be a terrific game. The Seahawks have to find their offense if they want a future in the postseason.
Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
The Monday Night affair. I can see potential stumbles with the other unbeaten teams (Panthers and Patriots) but I really can't see the Bengals stumbling at home against the Texans.
There it is. Week 10 picks. They should absolutely not be used for gambling purposes. They're rubbish.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
A Dream Team
The website Pro Football Focus (PFF) has recently turned it's intense focus on college football. As their name suggests they've been handling the NFL for several years. PFF grades every play of every player. They take the time to look at all of the the action on every football field. It's extensive, tedious work by a lot of dedicated people. It's not a perfect grading system but it's remarkable one. It's even more remarkable that PFF has turned their focus to college football. That's a lot of football. A lot more football.
Here's PFF's College Dream Team heading into Week 11. The best players at each position based on their grading.
Quarterback
Trevone Boykin, TCU +43.0
Running backs
Leonard Fournette, LSU +30.5
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St. +30.9
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford +29.0
-as a Cal fan, McCaffrey was scary good in last year's Big Game. He's even better this year. Very scary.
Wide receivers
Josh Doctson, TCU +27.2
Corey Coleman, Baylor +22.0
Aaron Burbridge, Michigan St., +18.7
Tight ends
David Morgan, UTSA +27.0
Offensive tackles
Joe Dahl, Washington St. +15.7 pass blocker
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky +29.4 overall
Guards
Joshua Garnett, Stanford +38.8
Chase Roullier, Wyoming +37.5
Center
Matt Skura, Duke +37.1
Edge rushers
Joey Bosa, Ohio St. +54.1
Charles Harris, Missouri +45.8
-Missouri always has a pass rusher
Defensive interior
DeForest Buckner, Oregon +56.3
-Buckner was a one-man wrecking crew against Cal last week
Sheldon Rankins, Louisville +41.9
Linebacker
Steven Daniels, Boston College +45.6
Kentrell Brothers, Missouri +28.2
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt +23.4
Cornerbacks
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan +19.0
Nick VanHoose, Northwestern +16.1
Safeties
Jeremy Cash, Duke +37.8
Marcus Maye, Florida +17.9
There's PFF's College Dream Team for the season to this point.
Here's PFF's College Dream Team heading into Week 11. The best players at each position based on their grading.
Quarterback
Trevone Boykin, TCU +43.0
Running backs
Leonard Fournette, LSU +30.5
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St. +30.9
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford +29.0
-as a Cal fan, McCaffrey was scary good in last year's Big Game. He's even better this year. Very scary.
Wide receivers
Josh Doctson, TCU +27.2
Corey Coleman, Baylor +22.0
Aaron Burbridge, Michigan St., +18.7
Tight ends
David Morgan, UTSA +27.0
Offensive tackles
Joe Dahl, Washington St. +15.7 pass blocker
Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky +29.4 overall
Guards
Joshua Garnett, Stanford +38.8
Chase Roullier, Wyoming +37.5
Center
Matt Skura, Duke +37.1
Edge rushers
Joey Bosa, Ohio St. +54.1
Charles Harris, Missouri +45.8
-Missouri always has a pass rusher
Defensive interior
DeForest Buckner, Oregon +56.3
-Buckner was a one-man wrecking crew against Cal last week
Sheldon Rankins, Louisville +41.9
Linebacker
Steven Daniels, Boston College +45.6
Kentrell Brothers, Missouri +28.2
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt +23.4
Cornerbacks
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan +19.0
Nick VanHoose, Northwestern +16.1
Safeties
Jeremy Cash, Duke +37.8
Marcus Maye, Florida +17.9
There's PFF's College Dream Team for the season to this point.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Latest Pro Bowl Results
Here's an early look at the voting leaders for everybody's favorite all-star sporting event. The Pro Bowl.
Top-10 vote-getters
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: 141,750
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: 120,242
3. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 114,368
4. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons: 103,334
5. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: 101,674
6. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers: 94,810
7. Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals: 87,838
8. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: 85,034
9. Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, New York Giants: 80,338
10. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals: 77,709
Devonta Freeman is the surprise here. He's having a terrific, break-out season but the #4 overall vote-getter is a real surprise.
Top vote-getters at each position
QB
Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 141,750
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: 120,242
RB
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: 103,334
Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams: 75,592
FB
Marcel Reece, Oakland Raiders: 63,967
Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers: 60,665
WR
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: 85,034
Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants: 80,338
TE
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots: 101,674
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers: 67,734
T
Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots: 32,135
Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers: 27,149
G
Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys: 28,158
Mike Iupati, Arizona Cardinals: 25,267
C
Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers: 40,353
Nick Mangold, New York Jets: 33,018
K
Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots: 46,071
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens: 24,491
Returners
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks: 23,006
Dwayne Harris, New York Giants: 17,976
DE
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans: 71,045
Chandler Jones, New England Patriots: 51,793
DT
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals: 54,816
Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams: 48,125
OLB
Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers: 44,834
Jamie Collins, New England Patriots: 42,907
ILB
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers: 48,591
Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers: 42,038
CB
Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers: 64,915
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets: 59,278
SS
Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders: 46,698
Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks: 25,017
FS
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals: 31,097
Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks: 25,932
P
Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens: 24,576
Matt Bosher, Atlanta Falcons: 17,166
Special teams
Matthew Slater, New England Patriots: 21,457
Joe Webb, Carolina Panthers: 20,194
It looks like Panthers fans are voting a bunch. The strong Panthers presence among the leading vote-getters is no surprise. The team is undefeated. What is a surprise is that Joe Webb is one of those Panthers players.
If the Panthers and Patriots make it to the Super Bowl there will be a lot of replacement players in the Pro Bowl. As it stands with only the fans voting. And it's still early in that process.
If Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith doesn't make it to his first Pro Bowl the whole thing should be shut down.
Top-10 vote-getters
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: 141,750
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: 120,242
3. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 114,368
4. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons: 103,334
5. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: 101,674
6. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers: 94,810
7. Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals: 87,838
8. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: 85,034
9. Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, New York Giants: 80,338
10. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals: 77,709
Devonta Freeman is the surprise here. He's having a terrific, break-out season but the #4 overall vote-getter is a real surprise.
Top vote-getters at each position
QB
Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 141,750
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: 120,242
RB
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: 103,334
Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams: 75,592
FB
Marcel Reece, Oakland Raiders: 63,967
Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers: 60,665
WR
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: 85,034
Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants: 80,338
TE
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots: 101,674
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers: 67,734
T
Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots: 32,135
Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers: 27,149
G
Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys: 28,158
Mike Iupati, Arizona Cardinals: 25,267
C
Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers: 40,353
Nick Mangold, New York Jets: 33,018
K
Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots: 46,071
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens: 24,491
Returners
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks: 23,006
Dwayne Harris, New York Giants: 17,976
DE
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans: 71,045
Chandler Jones, New England Patriots: 51,793
DT
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals: 54,816
Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams: 48,125
OLB
Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers: 44,834
Jamie Collins, New England Patriots: 42,907
ILB
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers: 48,591
Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers: 42,038
CB
Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers: 64,915
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets: 59,278
SS
Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders: 46,698
Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks: 25,017
FS
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals: 31,097
Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks: 25,932
P
Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens: 24,576
Matt Bosher, Atlanta Falcons: 17,166
Special teams
Matthew Slater, New England Patriots: 21,457
Joe Webb, Carolina Panthers: 20,194
It looks like Panthers fans are voting a bunch. The strong Panthers presence among the leading vote-getters is no surprise. The team is undefeated. What is a surprise is that Joe Webb is one of those Panthers players.
If the Panthers and Patriots make it to the Super Bowl there will be a lot of replacement players in the Pro Bowl. As it stands with only the fans voting. And it's still early in that process.
If Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith doesn't make it to his first Pro Bowl the whole thing should be shut down.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Throwback Thursday: Remembering Guido
While reading Tom Danyluk's terrific read The Super '70s I was reminded of a football player that had intrigued me greatly then but I had forgotten about over the years. Houston Oilers/New Orleans Saints "jack-of-all trades" Guido Merkens. He somehow managed a ten-year NFL career. A ten-year career in which he had only 13 starts. His career is barely a blip on the NFL stat sheets but he was a remarkable football player. He did a little bit of everything. He did more of everything than any NFL player that I've ever seen. Here's what Oilers/ Saints head coach Bum Phillips had to say about Guido Merkens.
Take Guido Merkens. He played wide receiver and backup quarterback for us. He punted, he held for all extra points, and covered every punt and kickoff in the eleven years that he played for me. He even started at strong safety once when we needed him. Jerrell Wilson, the old Kansas City punter, was a scout for us. Before the '78 season he told me, "Coach. I played softball this summer with a guy that I think would be a good football prospect. His name is Guido Merkens."
I said, "What did he play?"
He said, "He played quarterback at Sam Houston, but he's a heckuva athlete, and he's a good kid."
I said, "Well, tell him to come on down here."
So we brought Guido on down there and he made the team and played every doggone year. He was probably the best athlete out of all the kids I've ever had on my teams. He played everything that a guy can do for a football team. He wasn't a good enough player to start at any one position, but he was a good enough player at a lot of positions to help you win.
That isn't the usual path to the NFL. There aren't many coaches that would have even given Guido Merkens a shot. Bum Phillips was one that would. Anyone that watched Merkens play football can thank him for that. The Oilers teams of the late 1970s were some of the most entertaining of the era and one of the best. They had the misfortune of playing in the same conference and division as the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers of that era are some of the best teams of any era. Those Oilers-Steelers games were great games and we got a bunch of them. Regular season and postseason.
The "Love Ya Blue" Oilers. Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini, Ken Burrough, Curley Culp, Elvin Bethea, Robert Brazile, and Guido Merkens. They were a terrific team and the city of Houston loved them. The Oilers were defeated by their division foe Steelers in the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship games. Upon their return home from each title game loss the Oilers were greeted by at least 50,000 of their fans. Fans spread out from airport to home. Football players like Guido Merkens made this team easy to love. As a fan of another team I always enjoyed watching those Oilers teams because of their great players. By the way, Robert Brazile should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But, I most enjoyed watching those Oilers teams because of Guido Merkens. He did everything. Sometimes I watched Oilers games simply to see what Merkens might do next. Safety was the biggest surprise. I figured that nose tackle was out of the question but I wasn't so sure of it that I could ever look away. What if Culp couldn't go? Merkens was fun. So much so that I hoped that the Vikings could find their own Guido Merkens. A football team could save about four roster spots with a single Guido Merkens.
For his career, Merkens had 36 receptions for 569 yards and 3 TDs. 16 carries for 35 yards. He completed 27 of 66 passes for 283 yards and 2 TDs. He returned 16 punts for 126 yards and 5 kicks for 60 yards.
The numbers tell only a fraction of the NFL career of Guido Merkens. He did so much more. Fans of the late '70s Houston Oilers will always remember Guido Merkens. I'll always remember little Guido Merkens.
Take Guido Merkens. He played wide receiver and backup quarterback for us. He punted, he held for all extra points, and covered every punt and kickoff in the eleven years that he played for me. He even started at strong safety once when we needed him. Jerrell Wilson, the old Kansas City punter, was a scout for us. Before the '78 season he told me, "Coach. I played softball this summer with a guy that I think would be a good football prospect. His name is Guido Merkens."
I said, "What did he play?"
He said, "He played quarterback at Sam Houston, but he's a heckuva athlete, and he's a good kid."
I said, "Well, tell him to come on down here."
So we brought Guido on down there and he made the team and played every doggone year. He was probably the best athlete out of all the kids I've ever had on my teams. He played everything that a guy can do for a football team. He wasn't a good enough player to start at any one position, but he was a good enough player at a lot of positions to help you win.
That isn't the usual path to the NFL. There aren't many coaches that would have even given Guido Merkens a shot. Bum Phillips was one that would. Anyone that watched Merkens play football can thank him for that. The Oilers teams of the late 1970s were some of the most entertaining of the era and one of the best. They had the misfortune of playing in the same conference and division as the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers of that era are some of the best teams of any era. Those Oilers-Steelers games were great games and we got a bunch of them. Regular season and postseason.
The "Love Ya Blue" Oilers. Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini, Ken Burrough, Curley Culp, Elvin Bethea, Robert Brazile, and Guido Merkens. They were a terrific team and the city of Houston loved them. The Oilers were defeated by their division foe Steelers in the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship games. Upon their return home from each title game loss the Oilers were greeted by at least 50,000 of their fans. Fans spread out from airport to home. Football players like Guido Merkens made this team easy to love. As a fan of another team I always enjoyed watching those Oilers teams because of their great players. By the way, Robert Brazile should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But, I most enjoyed watching those Oilers teams because of Guido Merkens. He did everything. Sometimes I watched Oilers games simply to see what Merkens might do next. Safety was the biggest surprise. I figured that nose tackle was out of the question but I wasn't so sure of it that I could ever look away. What if Culp couldn't go? Merkens was fun. So much so that I hoped that the Vikings could find their own Guido Merkens. A football team could save about four roster spots with a single Guido Merkens.
For his career, Merkens had 36 receptions for 569 yards and 3 TDs. 16 carries for 35 yards. He completed 27 of 66 passes for 283 yards and 2 TDs. He returned 16 punts for 126 yards and 5 kicks for 60 yards.
The numbers tell only a fraction of the NFL career of Guido Merkens. He did so much more. Fans of the late '70s Houston Oilers will always remember Guido Merkens. I'll always remember little Guido Merkens.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
A Very Good Class
The Pro Football Researchers Association (PFRA) has been honoring outstanding football players and coaches not in the Pro Football of Fame since 2002. They have been doing so by inducting them into their own Hall of Very Good. It's a great thing.
The Hall of Very Good Class of 2015 was announced on Saturday.
Alan Ameche
Fullback
Baltimore Colts 1955-60
Rick Casares
Fullback
Chicago Bears 1955-64
Washington Redskins 1965
Miami Dolphins 1966
Bill Forester
Linebacker
Green Bay Packers 1953-63
Rich Jackson
Defensive end/linebacker
Oakland Raiders 1966
Denver Broncos 1967-72
Cleveland Browns 1972
Chuck Knox
Head Coach
Los Angeles Rams 1973-77, 1992-94
Buffalo Bills 1978-82
Seattle Seahawks 1983-91
Ted Nesser
Center/Guard/Tackle/Coach
Columbus Panhandles 1904, 1907-21
Shelby Blues 1904
Massillon Tigers 1904-06
Akron Indians 1913
Canton Professionals 1914
Gene Washington
Wide Receiver
San Francisco 49ers 1969-77
Detroit Lions 1979
Congratulations to the Hall of Very Good Class of 2015.
11 members of the Hall of Very Good have gone on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame voters would do themselves a favor by paying attention to the players and coaches honored by the PFRA.
The PFRA officially supports four candidates for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Lavvie Dilweg
Duke Slater
Mac Speedie
Al Wistert
The Hall of Very Good Class of 2015 was announced on Saturday.
Alan Ameche
Fullback
Baltimore Colts 1955-60
Rick Casares
Fullback
Chicago Bears 1955-64
Washington Redskins 1965
Miami Dolphins 1966
Bill Forester
Linebacker
Green Bay Packers 1953-63
Rich Jackson
Defensive end/linebacker
Oakland Raiders 1966
Denver Broncos 1967-72
Cleveland Browns 1972
Chuck Knox
Head Coach
Los Angeles Rams 1973-77, 1992-94
Buffalo Bills 1978-82
Seattle Seahawks 1983-91
Ted Nesser
Center/Guard/Tackle/Coach
Columbus Panhandles 1904, 1907-21
Shelby Blues 1904
Massillon Tigers 1904-06
Akron Indians 1913
Canton Professionals 1914
Gene Washington
Wide Receiver
San Francisco 49ers 1969-77
Detroit Lions 1979
Congratulations to the Hall of Very Good Class of 2015.
11 members of the Hall of Very Good have gone on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame voters would do themselves a favor by paying attention to the players and coaches honored by the PFRA.
The PFRA officially supports four candidates for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Lavvie Dilweg
Duke Slater
Mac Speedie
Al Wistert
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