Steve Smith is like Freddy Krueger?
Through the first half of last week’s game at the legendary Lambeau Field, the Panthers wideout was shut down by the Packers secondary, leading some to believe he was in for another Raider-like performance. But then something sparked, as the Panthers fell behind late, and four receptions and 105 yards later,
Smith had his team in position at the one-yard line with a chance to win with just two minutes to play. And, just four days later, according to the
Charlotte Observer,
Steve Smith, he’s a nightmare, man,” Gruden said on a conference call with reporters Thursday. “He’s like Freddy Krueger to me. He scares the (heck) out of me. Every film I pick up, he’s brilliant. He makes some of the darndest catches. I don’t like to see Steve.” Neither do opposing fantasy owners. This season has been the re-birth of a star in
Does coach McCarthy have confidence in Mr. Rodgers late in games?
It’s no secret that the Green Bay Packers have had problems closing out games as of late. Three of their last four losses have been decided by four points or less, and in all of those games the offense had a chance to put a dagger in to the opposing defense and twist, but failed. So what happened? Some may argue that it’s Mike McCarthy’s play-calling aptitude, or lack thereof, late in games. Others will blame
Aaron Rodgers himself, as No. 4 lurks in the
JSOnline.com, there’s a feeling that the Packers head coach may not have enough confidence in his developing quarterback to allow him to win games late. McCarthy responded with this: “I don’t think that’s accurate. I don’t think that’s fair,” McCarthy said. “I mean look at the two plays called before the first down. One of them was a shock play where we’re attacking the end zone. They played coverage and he rolled out of the pocket and scrambled and (Julius) Peppers hit him so we got a first down on that.” As for
Rodgers himself; “The way he called that last drive, I think, proves it,” said Rodgers, whose 106.8 passer rating on third down is the league’s third-best mark behind
Tony Romo, and has the most third-down touchdown passes (11). Obviously I’d love to have the ball in my hands but I like all three of the calls. I do. I think everybody did.” No surprises here — they both agree. What’s even more puzzling about the
Ravens’ three-pronged rushing attack poses problems for defenses.
According to the
Washington Times, the Baltimore Ravens have a great dilemma they get to face every week — too many running backs from which to choose. Now that
Ray Rice and LeRon McClain are all healthy they need to find playing time for each of them as they bring different elements to the game that keep defenses guessing. “Those guys have different styles and different talents,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said Thursday. “To use them in different situations, it makes it difficult for the defense when you’re facing the varied speed and quickness and [toughness] of those guys. It’s a real advantage.” The Ravens have run the ball 452 times this season, accounting for 56% of its offensive plays. “A lot of teams don’t have two backs [who get a lot of work]. They feature running the football, they play to their defense and they use the running game to protect their quarterback and keep them out of long-yardage situations,” Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “They run the same thing [regardless of who’s playing], and all are comfortable running the same offense. They plug one in for the other depending on who’s healthy. The last few weeks, [McGahee] hasn’t played, and the other two have run and looked very impressive.” The really bad news for McGahee owners is that if the Ravens stick with their gameplan every week there is no guarantee he’s going to be running the football consistently, which may be a major problem for teams heading in to their fantasy playoffs.
Shark Attack:
Injury/News Rundown
According to the
Houston Chronicle, Texans quarterback
Matt Schaub appears to be ready to roll this week. “He looks like the same old Matt — slow,” right tackle Eric Winston said. “So, there’s nothing that’s going to change about Matt. But, no, he’s fine. He really looks good. Other than that brace he’s wearing now, he looks the same running, the same speed. He’s throwing the ball well. He’s moving around, same command in the huddle. He’ll be fine.” He remains listed as probable for the Texans showdown at Lambeau.
According to the
St Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams running back
Steven Jackson has patched things up with head coach Jim Haslett since speaking out against his coach being labeled as “gassed.” “We’re fine,” Haslett said Thursday. “There’s no issues at all, nothing at all. He’s a good guy, works hard, and we’re just glad to have him back and ready to go.” As for the star running back when asked on Thursday; “Oh, OK,”
According to
Buffalo News, the Bills will go with J.P. Losman as their starter this week due to
Trent Edwards’ nagging groin injury; a spot that Losman knows won’t be easy, but is prepared and wants to be in. “It’s not easy coming to work knowing that you’re not getting the reps, you’re not practicing, you’re not participating, it’s hard to feel a part of the team, all those things. And all of a sudden, you get thrown back in the fire last week, and in an instant it all snaps back. Guys are looking to you for the answers. You’re back in the position that you want to be in. It’s very, very fun. It’s the greatest job in the world.”
According to
Dayton Daily News, Bengals wide receiver
Chris Henry’s game has slipped a bit since re-joining the team this season, and time may be running out for the troublemaker. “I’ve forgotten how it feels to be in the end zone,” he said in preparation for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 7. “But I’m going to keep working and try to make it happen this week. That’s all I can do.”
According to the
Dallas Morning News, Cowboys running back
Marion Barber did not practice this week, so the likelihood that he’ll play on Sunday is growing slim. “We were assuming that
Tashard Choice would probably start in his place.
According to the
Washington Post, running back
Clinton Portis was watching practice from the sideline this week due to stiffness in his neck. “He’s still trying to loosen up his stiff neck,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “I think we’ve talked about it for the same way the last three weeks. And each week, he seems to start getting a little bit better, but he did take a pretty good bash in the head. It really did stiffen up his neck like a whiplash.” … Portis remains listed as questionable.
According to the
Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings running back
Adrian Peterson’s body is starting to recover from the beating he received in their Sunday win over the Bears. “I took a shot on my right knee, my left knee, my ankle, my foot, my hip,” the running back said Thursday. “I took so many shots, but I’m feeling pretty good.”
According to the
Camden Courier-Post, even though he missed a second straight of practice on Friday, Eagles running back
Brian Westbrook is expected to play against the Giants on Sunday. “Today I kept him off the turf,” coach Andy Reid said. “That’s the main thing, the artificial turf. He should be fine.” Westbrook remains listed as questionable.
IDP Injury Report
Dewayne White (calf), S Atari Bigby (shoulder), DE
Patrick Surtain (quadricep), and CB
Mike Jenkins (hamstring).
Doubtful:
DJ Williams (knee).
Shawn Springs (calf), S Ed Reed (thigh), CB
Adewale Ogunleye (shoulder), S Will Demps (hamstring), S Bob Sanders (knee), S Erik Coleman (quadriceps), CB
Cortland Finnegan (hamstring), S Donte Whitner (shoulder), S Marlon McCree (ankle), CB
Champ Bailey (groin), S Eric Smith (head), CB
Gaines Adams (hip).
Jared Allen (shoulder), S Darren Sharper (ankle), S Aaron Rouse (ankle), CB
Will Witherspoon (shoulder), S Adrian Wilson (shoulder), LB
Demarcus Ware (knee), S Troy Polamalu (calf), DE
Ken Lucas (head).
2008 Team Defense
Rank
|
Team
|
Total YPG
|
Rush YPG
|
Pass YPG
|
PPG
|
1
|
Steelers
|
238.0
|
71.2
|
166.8
|
14.2
|
2
|
Ravens
|
253.3
|
78.3
|
175.1
|
15.8
|
3
|
Giants
|
279.1
|
85.4
|
193.7
|
17.2
|
4
|
Buccaneers
|
279.5
|
95.4
|
184.1
|
16.7
|
5
|
Titans
|
281.8
|
97.2
|
184.6
|
14.6
|
6
|
Redskins
|
283.0
|
90.8
|
192.2
|
18.5
|
7
|
Eagles
|
286.3
|
93.5
|
192.8
|
20.8
|
8
|
Vikings
|
293.0
|
73.1
|
219.9
|
21.7
|
9
|
Cowboys
|
296.8
|
96.8
|
200.0
|
21.7
|
10
|
Cardinals
|
313.0
|
97.5
|
215.5
|
26.1
|
11
|
Panthers
|
313.3
|
112.8
|
200.5
|
19.3
|
12
|
Bills
|
314.8
|
109.8
|
205.0
|
21.6
|
13
|
Patriots
|
317.4
|
105.6
|
211.8
|
21.3
|
14
|
Jaguars
|
319.5
|
115.0
|
204.5
|
22.5
|
15
|
Colts
|
322.2
|
133.8
|
188.3
|
20.8
|
16
|
Packers
|
329.3
|
141.7
|
187.6
|
24.6
|
17
|
Bears
|
329.3
|
88.8
|
240.5
|
22.3
|
18
|
Dolphins
|
330.0
|
97.0
|
233.0
|
21.4
|
19
|
Jets
|
331.3
|
82.1
|
249.2
|
22.3
|
20
|
Saints
|
338.3
|
114.0
|
224.3
|
25.1
|
21
|
Texans
|
338.4
|
128.8
|
209.6
|
25.8
|
22
|
Falcons
|
339.1
|
116.7
|
222.4
|
20.2
|
23
|
49ers
|
347.9
|
108.2
|
239.8
|
26.1
|
24
|
Bengals
|
349.3
|
131.6
|
217.8
|
25.8
|
25
|
Chargers
|
351.8
|
102.9
|
248.9
|
21.6
|
26
|
Raiders
|
352.6
|
158.7
|
193.9
|
23.0
|
27
|
Browns
|
356.8
|
141.3
|
215.5
|
20.6
|
28
|
Broncos
|
380.6
|
144.3
|
236.3
|
26.6
|
29
|
Rams
|
382.7
|
161.8
|
220.9
|
30.0
|
30
|
Seahawks
|
386.7
|
121.5
|
265.2
|
25.9
|
31
|
Lions
|
394.3
|
176.9
|
217.4
|
32.8
|
32
|
Chiefs
|
395.0
|
163.7
|
231.3
|
28.3
|
Speaking Out: Unions; what can you say?
This week’s topic is quite a controversial one, and it extends to pretty much everyone who is associated with a union. The stem of my argument surrounds the recent ridiculous grievance the NFLPA filed on behalf of
Plaxico Burress.
“The NFLPA is still reviewing the actions taken by the New York Giants relating to
Plaxico Burress, but we intend to file a grievance challenging those actions as we believe that Burress’ rights have been violated under the CBA,” the NFLPA said in a statement.
First off, I want to say that I understand the benefits of having unions, and know that they’re needed in most cases, but when are the BS grievances going to stop, especially in the NFL. I’ve seen first-hand what unions do to production and after a few months of standing around doing nothing on the job site I decided I’m done and left. They’re a joke in most cases, and it’s a shame that everyone has to suffer.
Burress had no business carrying a loaded gun in to a club, and it all stems from the today-athletes with their rebelish attitudes thinking they’re above the law because little Johnny watches them on his father’s 52” television set every week catch touchdown passes. Enough is enough!
The funny thing is that I’m starting to believe that the unions are the root cause of all the increased criminal activity among players. I mean, think about it, if you had a union behind you wouldn’t you do more crazy stuff in your free time, knowing damn well that somebody will try and bail you out in the end?
I guess Plaxico did, and the part that scares me is that
Antonio Pierce didn’t do the honest thing and speak up for what was truly right. It just goes to show how irresponsible sports athletes as a whole have become. I’m just glad I had the opportunity to see real role models play like Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith as I grew up, because if I had to watch some of the head cases of this generation I might have turned the game off.
If you have any comments, questions, or disagree with anything seen in the Speaking Out portion of this column please feel free to drop me an e-mail at e.huber12@yahoo.com.
Thanks for reading!