Week 14 Analysis: New Orleans @ Atlanta

December 11th, 2007 1:51 am
by Big Dog

I’m not 100% sure what it means when the Monday Night Football team (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser) spend most of the night NOT talking about the game, instead talking non-stop about Michael Vick’s 23 month sentence.

There’s no question that the news about Vick is big, and that it’s directly related to the performance of the Atlanta Falcons this season. That said, there was a game of football going on and while most of the good people of Atlanta chose to stay home, that doesn’t mean this game didn’t have anything riding on it. In particular, this game was a must win for the New Orleans Saints as they struggle to make the playoffs.

Saints QB Drew Brees had another good day, continuing to build on his solid reputation with 28 of 41 for 328 yards, 3 TD. He shared the ball around, his touchdown passes going to three different receivers, and made several good plays, scrambling when necessary and absorbing some good hits along the way. WR David Patten and WR Marques Colston came away with nine receptions each and S Roman Harper returned an interception for a TD. Overall New Orleans looked like a strong team with the right mixture of desperation and determination to make their run into the playoffs and perhaps even go a little further. Head Coach Sean Payton certainly demonstrated his aggressive style on the night and it was absolutely clear that he has this team in the right frame of mind to complete their mission. Watch out for the Saints.

It was also interesting to watch Falcons QB Chris Redman starting and running the game tonight, as Atlanta continue to experiment with their roster. Redman had a good night completing 23 of 40 for 298 yards, 2 TD and an INT. WR Michael Jenkins was his favourite target of the night with 9 receptions for 83 yards and a TD. RB Jerious Norwood had a lacklustre night with 6 carries for 21 yards. Right now the Falcons are clearly a team holding some genuine talent, but they are struggling to draw together as a team. One can only hope that with Vick’s sentence now handed down, the Falcons can finally and truly put this saga behind them and get on with being a competitive football team. The talent’s there, the team just needs to unite behind a QB and a plan, then the Falcons will get their chance to be great.

Posted in Chris Redman, Tony Kornheiser, Atlanta Falcons, Ron Jaworski, Michael Vick, Sean Payton, Jerious Norwood, Michael Jenkins, Roman Harper, David Patten, Mike Tirico, Monday Night Football, NFL on television, ESPN, Analysis, Game, New Orleans Saints, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Coaches, Drew Brees, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »

NFL Week 3 Instant Analysis: Tennessee Titans @ New Orleans Saints

September 26th, 2007 8:44 am
by Pro Set

Tennessee 31-14 New Orleans

Tennessee improved to 2-1 (2-0 on the road) with a great win at New Orleans (0-3). Let’s reflect on how the game was won. I’ll make sure that I don’t start my analysis with as bad a mistake as Mike (The Choirboy) Tirico. First New Orleans offensive play, Tirico calls a RB Reggie Bush carry as a “reverse”, when it was clear to any literate viewer that an end-around had occurred. Tirico is as tiresome as a teacher who preaches morals all day but is actually employed to educate you about the local Vice Squad.

When Tennessee had the ball, the running back combination of RB LenDale White and RB Chris Brown had seemingly poor numbers (combined 28 carries for 88 yards). What those numbers do not show is that there were hardly any rushes for negative yardage. Tennessee rushed 7 times for a first down. I wrote in the preview that Chris Brown had to be productive on early downs. He did just enough. This allowed QB Vince Young, 14-22 (164; 2 TD; INT) to be dynamic and unpredictable. The true effect of the TEN rush attack was seen in the final quarter when Vince Young (5 carries for 22 yards) rushed 10 yards for a first down on a simple bootleg. New Orleans feared the running backs and crashed down inside.

In the aerial game, Vince Young was solid but not spectacular. I think that the Titans will really miss WR Drew Bennett (now with St Louis). I also think that a mobile QB needs good TE play to block and then release. But I digress. What impressed me the most about Young was the variation in his throws. He hit the central deep in laser beam for the first TEN TD. He was also able to check the ball off without putting too much zip on the ball. The fact that he inspires belief and energy in the team is obvious. Expect Tennessee to have a winning record.

When New Orleans had the ball, the Tennessee front four was superb. It was really pleasing to see two guys in particular have great nights.

DT Albert Haynesworth first came to my attention when he gave away a critical fourth quarter penalty in a 2002 season divisional playoff vs Pittsburgh. That has been my defining recollection of him until tonight. He was a dominant inside force. Big enough to stop the run, but quick enough to put pressure on the pocket and prevent the passer from stepping into his throws.

DE Kyle Van Den Bosch first came to my attention in an old NFC East game at Philadelphia. He had a great motor and the ability to disrupt the pass play whilst being blocked past the QB. This requires great timing, strength and plain football instinct. Between them, Haynesworth and Van Den Bosch are anchoring a very handy TEN front four.

As for the Saints, Drew Brees went 29-45 (225; 0 TD; 4 INT). He was forcing passes all night. For mine, the worst INT was the first. I was disappointed that Ron Jaworski did not demand that more attention be paid to that throw. We saw a great shot from behind Brees that demonstrated that TEN had coverage all around the intended receiver. I wrote in the preview that Brees had to dominate. He tried and failed, which is a real concern. When he did his trademarked look off (3^rd & 5 in TEN territory with 1:55 left in the first half) Van Den Bosch disrupted the play before Brees could attack the middle as intended.

On the ground, the Saints were tepid. The injury to RB Deuce McAllister affected the variety of their running game. The Saints are clearly reticent to slam RB Reggie Bush between the tackles. And to be fair TEN dominated inside. But it does mean that Brees feels pressured to manufacture pass plays that are low percentage. For me, the Saints have to get back to basics. I would like to see them simply set themselves a goal next week of zero turnovers. The Saints are worrying about results, not processes. Look after the ball, hit the first gap, catch the pass, and the first downs, and, hence, scoring opportunities will look after themselves. I’m sure the Saints defense would support this.

Posted in Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Week 3 Instant Analysis, Chris Brown, Kyle Van Den Bosch, LenDale White, Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee Titans, Ron Jaworski, New Orleans Saints, Analysis, Game, NFL Franchises/Teams, Drew Brees, Mike Tirico, Monday Night Football, NFL | No Comments »

MNF coverage crippled by commentary

September 18th, 2007 1:50 am
by Pro Set

Despite Joe Theismann leaving the booth, tonight’s MNF coverage really demonstrated how far matters have deteriorated since Al Michaels departed for NBC.

With a tight, hugely important divisional showdown in play, (yes, actually in play) the long-suffering viewers were treated to a torturous over-indulgence of Charles Barkley followed by a fourth quarter descent into storyline wonderland that was just infuriating.

Barkley entered the booth in the third quarter and made some prescient and insightful remarks on the pressures facing QB Donovan McNabb. This was a really interesting period as McNabb battled to keep PHI within striking distance with the fans on his back.

But the MNF crew just had to begin pontificating on the New England spygate incident. This had been covered, on national television, 24 hours previously when the Patriots were actually playing. The relevance and newsworthiness of the MNF input was negligible, at best. The story of the evening was the game in front of them, and the issue at hand was how PHI would convert its painful but stuttering drives into TD opportunities, whilst getting pressure on WSH QB Jason Campbell on the other side of the ball without letting the Redskins run freely.

Mercifully the enforced conversation created by Barkley departed at the end of the third quarter. I’m not sure that I could have coped if Mike (the Choirboy) Tirico had mentioned again that Barkley covers the NBA for TNT, and that “our (Tirico’s and Barkley’s) paths will cross many times during the (NBA) season.”

We all then suffered as Tony Kornheiser, who tries hard but does not seem to have the patience to appreciate a full game of NFL football, started soliloquising on the future of WSH coach Joe Gibbs. The relevance of this subject matter to the game at hand was zero. It’s Week 2 and the Redskins are 1-0 so the future of the coach is absolutely moot when a 2-0 start is one defensive stop away. My bet is that Joe Gibbs, as well as every interested viewer, was fully focussed on how to contain the threatened PHI comeback.

I felt that Kornehiser had saved this up for a large PHI lead to fill 4th quarter dead time, and refused to allow the game to dictate the storylines. This manufactured storyline is beloved by the MNF crew. It simply gives them an excuse to follow a prepared script and cue up something that gives the aura of preparedness.

I feel ungrateful criticising a crew that has replaced the Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann, Suzy Kolber human interest-athon that used to crush my will to breathe.

But Tirico insists on explaining the ultra obvious during the one game of the week that is on cable, and might be expected to draw the most discerning and knowledgeable audience. Kornheiser is a newspaper man and loves to focus on pre-game storylines that can be “followed up” and “developed.”

I yearn for the return of Dick Stockton and Matt Millen, or Ray Bentley and Ron Pitts.

Posted in Washington Redskins, Al Michaels, Tony Kornheiser, Dick Stockton, Matt Millen, Jason Campbell, Joe Gibbs, Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles, Monday Night Football, Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, NFL on NBC | No Comments »

MNF Week 1

September 10th, 2007 8:44 pm
by Pro Set

Baltimore @ Cincinnati

First half thoughts

This first drive has been an absolute disaster for Baltimore thus far. With an illogical starting script of 4 pass plays, and a wasted timeout, things need to sharpen up. The only bright spot is the high catching ability of Ravens WR Demetrius Williams.

 

The Bengals receivers look like they only need a couple of seconds to get open. That will put serious pressure on the BAL secondary. The BAL pass rush will have to step up. 

What a terrible attempted running play from QB McNair to RB McGahee. McNair never even got close to the correct position. It is the responsibility of the QB to put the ball in the basket, so to speak. This one must be on the QB. 

The Ravens made a good stop here, but will have to limit turnovers. The missed FG is a lucky break for BAL, and as nice as the missed FG return was, the lateral at the end of the play was an unnecessarily dangerous attempt to force a big play. 

Drop back, sack, forced fumble: just an unbelievably poor start for BAL. There is something to be said for 3 carries between the tackles and a deep punt, if necessary. It’s called strategy and patience. 

Drop back, good pocket presence, deep corner pattern: touchdown reception to Bengals WR Chad Johnson. CIN finally cashes in on its good fortune and Johnson shows his great speed to fly by the BAL secondary. The deep throw by CIN QB Carson Palmer was just first class football. Missed PAT always takes some gloss off a score.

 

BAL 0-6 CIN

 

Ravens finally looking like a semi-professional team, until, wait a minute, another fumble. Lost fumbles on 3 consecutive drives on the road in the division is a hurdle that few teams overcome to win. 

I like the CIN emphasis here on moving the chains after the third FR. Eschewing the deep pass, Bengals moved the ball well and ran between the tackles. With Ravens LB Ray Lewis down to one arm, the horse collar penalty was the result. Of course, if BAL continues to turn the ball over, all the Bengals would need to do is run up the middle and kick deep. The suspect CIN FG unit will only be an issue if BAL can hold onto the football.

 

BAL 0-9 CIN

 

If the Ravens aren’t fumbling the ball, they’re dropping passes. Ravens WR Mark Clayton simply has to catch that third down pass. I think that the Ravens need to switch to slashing running plays, rather than the slower developing counter-action plays. Good to see TE Heap get involved in the passing game. 

Finally the BAL defence can show up in the CIN half. And they respond with a nice stop. I know that people will see it as being too conservative, but I think that the Bengals need to pound away with RB Rudi Johnson. With a 9-0 lead, CIN should tire out the Ravens defence and set up a deep play-action strike to catch out Ravens SS Ed Reed playing the run. 

Now BAL has finally settled down. McNair making some clutch third down throws. McGahee running hard over left guard. Williams catching the high pass again. They’re down to the 5 yard line now. Must score possession. And RB Musa Smith obliges over right guard. Despite the utter disaster so far, the score line is manageable. An 88 yard TD drive is exactly what BAL needed.

 

BAL 7-9 CIN   

 

The Monday Night Football crew is much better for the presence of Ron Jaworski. But Jaws holds the party line and does not embarrass the awful, moralistic, puritanical, Mike Tirico, when Tirico just described the WR Johnson end-around as a ‘reverse’. Anyway, lovely third down reception over the shoulder by WR Johnson to convert. Then another excellent catch and run. Palmer throws the ball superbly. Ravens need to be careful about blitzing. I want to see BAL stop the run on early downs and put the pressure on Palmer. And so they do, forcing the punt. Ravens take over with a touchback. 

Quick pass to Heap, then McGahee over right guard is super football. After a penalty, I love the 1^st and 20 screen pass call. But the Bengals destroy the 2^nd down running play. Again it was a slow developing lead draw. No need for this. Slashing running plays are better. Anyway, nice 3^rd down pass to Heap but the air under the ball allowed Bengals FS Dexter Jackson to hit Heap and force the drop. 

After a personal foul on the punt return, CIN gets an extra 15 yards and starts just shy of midfield. CIN should try to ensure that this drive (starting with 3 mins and change left in the half) is the final drive. With good receptions by WR Houshmandzedah and WR Johnson, the Bengals reach 1^st and 10 at the BAL 28 at the 2 min warning. Two quick short receptions and an injury timeout leads to 3^rd and 4 for CIN. An incompletion will allow BAL time for a drive. CIN should have run the ball and killed the half either way. Nice kick by K Scott Graham.

 

BAL 7-12 CIN

 

What can BAL do with 63 seconds left? Ravens KR BJ Sams is a stud, in my opinion, and hits the left sideline return past midfield. Ravens should play it carefully and guarantee a FG attempt. And they do! Great call Billick to run with Smith and get inside the 30 of CIN. After the good pass and catch, the spike kills the clock at 21 ticks left. Nice throw to the right front pylon, unlucky to get such good coverage. Must kick FG for Ravens K Matt Stover. Kick is up and good. Great job Ravens. In the worst first quarter effort I’ve seen for ages, BAL trails by only 2 pts. 

 

BAL 10-12 CIN Halftime

Posted in Mike Tirico, Steve McNair, Ron Jaworski, Chad Johnson, Willis McGahee, Carson Palmer, Monday Night Football, Analysis, Game, ESPN, NFL on television, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »