What do I know? Heading into Week 11 Nov 20, 2009 | More

This Bird’s For You

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams had a great time at the Bill s game last weekend watching his team win their third consecutive game. He apparently had a problem with the Bill s fans however, compelling him to repeatedly flip them the bird. Check out his delivery here. Not bad for an octogenarian. Now on one hand, I am of the opinion that he can do whatever the hell he wants at his ripe old age but on the other, I can fully understand the hefty fine ($250K) imposed by the National Football League. He’s an NFL owner. He needs to be held to a higher standard. He is one of only thirty two owners who represent the league. Roger Goodell has been anything but consistent in his levying of fines for player transgressions but this one gets my full endorsement. No way can he let owners represent the league in this crude manner. Not with the money that’s at stake for the league. It just doesn’t make good dollars and sense. If this kind of behavior was tolerated, then preventing Rush Limbaugh from becoming a part owner makes no sense whatsoever. Beyond that, trying to get players to toe the company line based on inconsistent behavior standards would be a daunting challenge, if it isn't already.

Wild Bill

In case you’ve been living under a rock, a media brouhaha erupted this week as a result of Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it on 4^th down and 2 from New England ’s own 28 yard line against the Colts last Sunday night. I understand the criticism yet I don’t think it is warranted in this case. Which side of the ball is stronger for the Patriots? It should be apparent to most that it’s easily the offense by a wide margin. Belichick apparently felt the same as there was no question in his mind that they would go for the win on 4^th down. The decision to go for it in this situation was a sound one and was also supported by statistics. The person to blame for this particular play call failing, if anyone, is Tom Brady. He admitted to locking on to Kevin Faulk before the play and even then, if Faulk had not bobbled the ball the conversion attempt would have been successful. But in a play call of this magnitude, where the game will be won or likely lost on one snap, I would put the ball in the hands of my two best players. In my mind, that play should have been a pass to Randy Moss. When asked (on WEEI) if he should have gone to Moss or Wes Welker on the play, Brady responded “ The quarterback, a lot of the time you make the decision when you get the ball in your hands. I think on a play like that I don’t think I have time to survey the field. I survey the field before the snap. I really had a good feel for what Kev was going to do, where Kev was going to be, and I make the decision to throw to Kev. Kev ran a nice route and caught the ball, we just didn’t get enough yardage ”. If the media wants to get down on Belichick there are plenty of other more valid reasons (cheating, anyone?) but this is not one of them. Although, Bill ’s quote after the game was a little mystifying. He said “I thought we could make the yard”. Ummm, it was fourth and TWO, Bill . The only reason Belichick is being vilified is because the play failed. Otherwise, he is back to being known as a coaching genius. 

Red Zone Targets

Last week I commented on the top pass receivers in terms of percentage of reception converted. This week I’d like to focus on pass receivers who make the most of their team’s red zone targets. I will limit this discussion to players who have received at least nine (one per game) red zone targets for the season. Here are the Top 10 receivers, including tight ends, in terms of red zone percentage (the number of red zone targets divided by the team’s total red zone opportunities)… Nate Washington (44.4%), Brent Celek (37.8%), Mike Sims-Walker (37.5%), Gotham 's Steve Smith (35.9%), Vernon Davis (34.4%), Greg Olsen (34%), Larry Fitzgerald (31.4%), Reggie Wayne (30.6%), Tony Gonzalez (30.6%) and Marques Colston (30%). This list is informative because it lets fantasy owners know which players are being utilized where it potentially counts the most. Nate Washington is a surprising leader for this category but both Kerry Collins and now Vince Young have targeted him, especially now that Justin Gage is out with a back injury. Mike Sims-Walker and Steve Smith show up on this list further cementing their status as legitimate fantasy stars. The list also shows which teams are focusing on their tight ends in the red zone. Philly, San Fran, Chicago and Atlanta 's tight ends all appear on this list. Six of these players also are in the Top 10 for red zone targets. The other notable receivers who did not make this list but round out the Top 10 red zone target list include Randy Moss, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Dwayne Bowe and Bernard Berrian. It may be comforting for their owners to know that these guys are receiving their fair share of red zone targets but haven’t been as successful converting their opportunities. When push comes to shove these last few weeks, it makes sense to procure the services of one of these top red zone targets. These players may very well make the difference between a playoff win or loss.