motife
12-24-2007, 05:06 PM
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Scouts+Eye/2007/eye122407.htm
By Nolan Nawrocki
Dec. 24, 2007
Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer does a good job adapting to his quarterback. With Pennington getting picked twice when he was asked to make intermediate throws and facing heavy pressure vs. the Titans, Schottenheimer limited most of his play-calling to the short-passing game where Pennington is at his best. The lack of velocity on his ball could make it difficult to continue starting in the National Football League, although many evaluators thought the same about Jeff Garcia before he joined two of the NFL's sharpest offensive minds in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. There will always be a place for smart, seasoned passers who can make good decisions and manage a game.
Since Jason Campbell went down with a knee injury vs. the Bears, backup Todd Collins has responded by leading the Redskins to three consecutive victories over the Bears, Giants and Vikings. He was exceptional out of the bullpen vs. Chicago, struggled some in the extreme wind vs. New York and was very efficient against the Vikings. Wind aside, he has been more functional within Al Saunders’ offense than Campbell was and has kept alive the Redskins’ playoff hopes. After knocking off the Vikings, the Redskins are now tied with the Vikings at 8-7 for the No. 6 wild-card seed and in control of their own destiny. Hosting Dallas next week will not be an easy task, but Joe Gibbs was leading the Cowboys 10-7 into the final quarter the last time they squared off (in Week 11) and knows how to keep it close. In Washington’s favor is the loss of Terrell Owens to an ankle injury Saturday night vs. Carolina and the recent clinching of the NFC by the Cowboys, who could decide to rest their sore starters, including Tony Romo. The Vikings’ trip to Denver to face an inspired football team playing for pride could be more daunting.
The Redskins successfully were able to target Vikings rookie CB Marcus McCauley, who was beaten by WRs Santana Moss and Antwan Randle-El for TDs. McCauley was in position to make a play vs. Moss, but Moss cut underneath him and made a great play on the ball. On the second TD, McCauley bit up on a halfback-option pass just long enough for Clinton Portis to get it over the top of him to Randle-El.
Continuing to split the workload with Maurice Morris, Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander looked fresh-legged at a time when he has tended to wear down in recent years. It could play to the Seahawks' advantage in the playoffs.
Green Bay only managed one TD on the day — a 66-yard TD run by Ryan Grant that was allowed by Brian Urlacher overpursuing and allowing the cutback lane to open. Against Green Bay and Denver, the cutback is the most dangerous run, but Urlacher, who has not been himself with an aching back this season, was too quick to get over the top to avoid contact. Green Bay copied the Bears’ formula for success to capture the NFC North this season, winning with good defense and special teams, as bad as they may have been Sunday. The Bears may have to take a page out of the Packers’ book next season if they want Urlacher to prolong his career. Instead of getting upfield, hitting gaps and penetrating, the Bears would be wise to move to a more read-and-react, two-gap front like the Packers use on run downs that allows Nick Barnett to fly around and make plays. With Lance Briggs expected to depart in free agency, what better time to feature the talents of Urlacher than now? Great coaches adapt their schemes to fit their personnel, and Urlacher was at his best when he was playing behind big bodies.
The Bears could not have been more disappointing this season coming off a trip to the Super Bowl, dropping both games to division rivals Minnesota and Detroit — four games that they were in position to win and would have changed the outlook of their season. However, they have risen to the occasion vs. the Packers in both outings, handing the NFC’s No. 2 seed two of its three losses. The defense finally played like it did a year ago, not letting the Packers enter their own territory until the fourth quarter, with the Bears’ special teams blocking two kicks and dominating the field-position game.
It may have been cold, but the Packers are a cold-weather team that should have been better prepared to handle the elements. There is no roof on Lambeau Field, and the frozen tundra could be under their feet when they play the role of host in their first playoff contest.
By Nolan Nawrocki
Dec. 24, 2007
Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer does a good job adapting to his quarterback. With Pennington getting picked twice when he was asked to make intermediate throws and facing heavy pressure vs. the Titans, Schottenheimer limited most of his play-calling to the short-passing game where Pennington is at his best. The lack of velocity on his ball could make it difficult to continue starting in the National Football League, although many evaluators thought the same about Jeff Garcia before he joined two of the NFL's sharpest offensive minds in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. There will always be a place for smart, seasoned passers who can make good decisions and manage a game.
Since Jason Campbell went down with a knee injury vs. the Bears, backup Todd Collins has responded by leading the Redskins to three consecutive victories over the Bears, Giants and Vikings. He was exceptional out of the bullpen vs. Chicago, struggled some in the extreme wind vs. New York and was very efficient against the Vikings. Wind aside, he has been more functional within Al Saunders’ offense than Campbell was and has kept alive the Redskins’ playoff hopes. After knocking off the Vikings, the Redskins are now tied with the Vikings at 8-7 for the No. 6 wild-card seed and in control of their own destiny. Hosting Dallas next week will not be an easy task, but Joe Gibbs was leading the Cowboys 10-7 into the final quarter the last time they squared off (in Week 11) and knows how to keep it close. In Washington’s favor is the loss of Terrell Owens to an ankle injury Saturday night vs. Carolina and the recent clinching of the NFC by the Cowboys, who could decide to rest their sore starters, including Tony Romo. The Vikings’ trip to Denver to face an inspired football team playing for pride could be more daunting.
The Redskins successfully were able to target Vikings rookie CB Marcus McCauley, who was beaten by WRs Santana Moss and Antwan Randle-El for TDs. McCauley was in position to make a play vs. Moss, but Moss cut underneath him and made a great play on the ball. On the second TD, McCauley bit up on a halfback-option pass just long enough for Clinton Portis to get it over the top of him to Randle-El.
Continuing to split the workload with Maurice Morris, Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander looked fresh-legged at a time when he has tended to wear down in recent years. It could play to the Seahawks' advantage in the playoffs.
Green Bay only managed one TD on the day — a 66-yard TD run by Ryan Grant that was allowed by Brian Urlacher overpursuing and allowing the cutback lane to open. Against Green Bay and Denver, the cutback is the most dangerous run, but Urlacher, who has not been himself with an aching back this season, was too quick to get over the top to avoid contact. Green Bay copied the Bears’ formula for success to capture the NFC North this season, winning with good defense and special teams, as bad as they may have been Sunday. The Bears may have to take a page out of the Packers’ book next season if they want Urlacher to prolong his career. Instead of getting upfield, hitting gaps and penetrating, the Bears would be wise to move to a more read-and-react, two-gap front like the Packers use on run downs that allows Nick Barnett to fly around and make plays. With Lance Briggs expected to depart in free agency, what better time to feature the talents of Urlacher than now? Great coaches adapt their schemes to fit their personnel, and Urlacher was at his best when he was playing behind big bodies.
The Bears could not have been more disappointing this season coming off a trip to the Super Bowl, dropping both games to division rivals Minnesota and Detroit — four games that they were in position to win and would have changed the outlook of their season. However, they have risen to the occasion vs. the Packers in both outings, handing the NFC’s No. 2 seed two of its three losses. The defense finally played like it did a year ago, not letting the Packers enter their own territory until the fourth quarter, with the Bears’ special teams blocking two kicks and dominating the field-position game.
It may have been cold, but the Packers are a cold-weather team that should have been better prepared to handle the elements. There is no roof on Lambeau Field, and the frozen tundra could be under their feet when they play the role of host in their first playoff contest.