packinpatland
12-08-2007, 09:56 AM
This season is full of surprises so far
Jay Glazer
FOXSports.com,
When the Bears lost Thursday night to the Redskins, knocking away any playoff hopes they may have had, it capped what has been a shocking season for ChiTown fans. Who would have thought the Bears would go from Super Bowl to thud.
There was so much promise for this team and even more promise for their defense, but both have shockingly floundered throughout the year. The loss left the Bears and their faithful followers stunned, shocked, confused ... phaklempt.
But the Bears are hardly the only shock of this season. While nobody is probably too surprised by the astounding play of the Patriots or even their run for immortality, there have been so many other aspects of this year we simply never saw coming.
The following are the biggest surprises of this season, some good and some just pitifully, awfully, shockingly bad.
Brett Favre: Who would have thought that Favre would play like the pre-"There's Something About Mary" version of Favre? Actually, who would have thought he'd have the year of his career? For the past two years, debate has raged over whether Favre's fastball had finally sizzled and whether or not it was time for him to hang up the cleats. Nobody wants to see a legend struggle and meander past the line of his own mortality. But Favre has shocked the sports world by playing like he's just reached his prime. Favre is likely the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the year.
The Invisible Man meets Julius Peppers: The most feared defensive end in the league a year ago, Peppers has teams, including his own, trying to figure out where he disappeared to this year. Peppers has been consistently shut down, often by single blocking, a year after teams tried in vain to shut him down with up to three blockers per play. Not only is his season-long slump shocking, the Panthers still aren't sure exactly what has led to his disappearing act.
The secret weapon known as Wes Welker: We knew Welker had talent, but who knew he'd turn into the NFL's most dangerous No. 3 wide receiver? Who knew he'd become virtually unstoppable as an underneath target in the Patriots' improbable run? There isn't a linebacker in this league who can cover him underneath or a safety roaming the middle who can do much better. Welker has been nearly as valuable to this team as his WR counterpart Randy Moss. He's a huge factor in the pick-your-poison offense that defensive coordinators have been forced to deal with.
The rise and sudden fall of Reggie Bush: Bush was the hottest thing in the marketing world from the time he was drafted until the start of this season. He's gotten a chance to be "The Man" and has hardly been inspirational. In fact, defenders who play against him have been critical of his toughness and ability to carry the load full-time. Last year, he appeared to be a new secret weapon other teams would spend years trying to duplicate. Bush has way too much talent to be this ordinary. He's the face of a team that is also one of the league's most surprising stories as they have gone from Cinderella team to a squad that has lost its way.
The rise of Browns QB Derek Anderson: If there is a soul on the planet who said he predicted in the preseason that Derek Anderson would make Brady Quinn a long-term backup, I'll show you a liar. Not a chance. Anderson has become this year's version of Tony Romo and is now in line for a lucrative contract extension from the Browns, which would make Quinn a long-range No. 2. Not exactly what he had in mind when he left the Fighting Irish.
The Jets looking far from geniuses: A year ago it was the Mangini-us leading this team to be the surprise of the conference. Now, only the Dolphins swoon has protected the Jets from the cellar. Gang Green has been lost to say the least. Mangini has gone from poster boy for the young NFL genius society to poster child for turning in his former boss.
Terrell Owens has rarely, if ever, been called "angelic," but his work on and off the field this year may merit the new description. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
The running back fizzle: Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander, Steven Jackson, Cadillac Williams, Frank Gore, Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson, Travis Henry, Ahman Green and, for a while, LaDainian Tomlinson. What in the name of fantasy football is going on around here?!? The NFL's top backs this year have either been hurt or ineffective. It's been something of an epidemic that seemed to spread by the week this year.
The choir boy known as Terrell Owens: His play on the field has been far from surprising but his perfect solider act has been far from predictable. For the first time in years, the only attention Owens is bringing upon himself is attention garnered on the field. Off the field, he's been a boy scout. Not even Randy Moss would have predicted that one.
The plummet of the mighty Ravens: This is a team that went 13-3 a year ago, then added a stud young running back in Willis McGahee. So what happened? They've turned into one of the league's biggest disappointments and have so many interpersonal problems within that locker room, executive extraordinaire Ozzie Newsome should consider signing Dr. Phil as his next big free agent pickup. Nobody saw this collapse coming, especially not the Ravens.
The disappearance of Chad Johnson: For years, DBs couldn't keep Johnson from marching on end zone paint. But this year, he had been kept scoreless for weeks upon weeks. Why? Who knows. But Johnson's TD antics have been replaced with stories and reports that it's time the team moves on from the entertaining receiver.
Vinny Testaverde is a starting quarterback: This one folks, seriously, you've got to be kidding me. Why don't we just throw Bradshaw and Namath back in the mix? Vinny From Long Island can still throw the rock but how bad is the state of backup QBs in this league when a team needs to turn to Testaverde to lead its offense?
The demise of Denver: This team loaded up in the off-season with a free agent bonanza and they came away with a huge disappointment. Gone are Simeon Rice and Sam Adams as well as the Broncos' reputation as a team you'd hate to play.
The Packers resurgence: Mike McCarthy deserves ample Coach of the Year votes. Nobody saw this coming from the Packers. While Dallas is surprising given how many wins they already have, it's not a shock that they are winning. The Packers, on the other hand, is a shock to say the least.
The stupidity of coaches: For still kicking to Devin Hester this year.
Jay Glazer
FOXSports.com,
When the Bears lost Thursday night to the Redskins, knocking away any playoff hopes they may have had, it capped what has been a shocking season for ChiTown fans. Who would have thought the Bears would go from Super Bowl to thud.
There was so much promise for this team and even more promise for their defense, but both have shockingly floundered throughout the year. The loss left the Bears and their faithful followers stunned, shocked, confused ... phaklempt.
But the Bears are hardly the only shock of this season. While nobody is probably too surprised by the astounding play of the Patriots or even their run for immortality, there have been so many other aspects of this year we simply never saw coming.
The following are the biggest surprises of this season, some good and some just pitifully, awfully, shockingly bad.
Brett Favre: Who would have thought that Favre would play like the pre-"There's Something About Mary" version of Favre? Actually, who would have thought he'd have the year of his career? For the past two years, debate has raged over whether Favre's fastball had finally sizzled and whether or not it was time for him to hang up the cleats. Nobody wants to see a legend struggle and meander past the line of his own mortality. But Favre has shocked the sports world by playing like he's just reached his prime. Favre is likely the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the year.
The Invisible Man meets Julius Peppers: The most feared defensive end in the league a year ago, Peppers has teams, including his own, trying to figure out where he disappeared to this year. Peppers has been consistently shut down, often by single blocking, a year after teams tried in vain to shut him down with up to three blockers per play. Not only is his season-long slump shocking, the Panthers still aren't sure exactly what has led to his disappearing act.
The secret weapon known as Wes Welker: We knew Welker had talent, but who knew he'd turn into the NFL's most dangerous No. 3 wide receiver? Who knew he'd become virtually unstoppable as an underneath target in the Patriots' improbable run? There isn't a linebacker in this league who can cover him underneath or a safety roaming the middle who can do much better. Welker has been nearly as valuable to this team as his WR counterpart Randy Moss. He's a huge factor in the pick-your-poison offense that defensive coordinators have been forced to deal with.
The rise and sudden fall of Reggie Bush: Bush was the hottest thing in the marketing world from the time he was drafted until the start of this season. He's gotten a chance to be "The Man" and has hardly been inspirational. In fact, defenders who play against him have been critical of his toughness and ability to carry the load full-time. Last year, he appeared to be a new secret weapon other teams would spend years trying to duplicate. Bush has way too much talent to be this ordinary. He's the face of a team that is also one of the league's most surprising stories as they have gone from Cinderella team to a squad that has lost its way.
The rise of Browns QB Derek Anderson: If there is a soul on the planet who said he predicted in the preseason that Derek Anderson would make Brady Quinn a long-term backup, I'll show you a liar. Not a chance. Anderson has become this year's version of Tony Romo and is now in line for a lucrative contract extension from the Browns, which would make Quinn a long-range No. 2. Not exactly what he had in mind when he left the Fighting Irish.
The Jets looking far from geniuses: A year ago it was the Mangini-us leading this team to be the surprise of the conference. Now, only the Dolphins swoon has protected the Jets from the cellar. Gang Green has been lost to say the least. Mangini has gone from poster boy for the young NFL genius society to poster child for turning in his former boss.
Terrell Owens has rarely, if ever, been called "angelic," but his work on and off the field this year may merit the new description. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
The running back fizzle: Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander, Steven Jackson, Cadillac Williams, Frank Gore, Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson, Travis Henry, Ahman Green and, for a while, LaDainian Tomlinson. What in the name of fantasy football is going on around here?!? The NFL's top backs this year have either been hurt or ineffective. It's been something of an epidemic that seemed to spread by the week this year.
The choir boy known as Terrell Owens: His play on the field has been far from surprising but his perfect solider act has been far from predictable. For the first time in years, the only attention Owens is bringing upon himself is attention garnered on the field. Off the field, he's been a boy scout. Not even Randy Moss would have predicted that one.
The plummet of the mighty Ravens: This is a team that went 13-3 a year ago, then added a stud young running back in Willis McGahee. So what happened? They've turned into one of the league's biggest disappointments and have so many interpersonal problems within that locker room, executive extraordinaire Ozzie Newsome should consider signing Dr. Phil as his next big free agent pickup. Nobody saw this collapse coming, especially not the Ravens.
The disappearance of Chad Johnson: For years, DBs couldn't keep Johnson from marching on end zone paint. But this year, he had been kept scoreless for weeks upon weeks. Why? Who knows. But Johnson's TD antics have been replaced with stories and reports that it's time the team moves on from the entertaining receiver.
Vinny Testaverde is a starting quarterback: This one folks, seriously, you've got to be kidding me. Why don't we just throw Bradshaw and Namath back in the mix? Vinny From Long Island can still throw the rock but how bad is the state of backup QBs in this league when a team needs to turn to Testaverde to lead its offense?
The demise of Denver: This team loaded up in the off-season with a free agent bonanza and they came away with a huge disappointment. Gone are Simeon Rice and Sam Adams as well as the Broncos' reputation as a team you'd hate to play.
The Packers resurgence: Mike McCarthy deserves ample Coach of the Year votes. Nobody saw this coming from the Packers. While Dallas is surprising given how many wins they already have, it's not a shock that they are winning. The Packers, on the other hand, is a shock to say the least.
The stupidity of coaches: For still kicking to Devin Hester this year.