Parcells' personnel moves sure are paying off
by Dennis Dillon
December 5, 2006
Observations and opinions on the NFL while wondering if the Miami team doctors who failed Drew Brees but passed Daunte Culpepper on their offseason physicals would like a do-over.
My friend Dan Pompei suggests the Falcons might have offseason discussions about whether they would be better served with Matt Schaub as their quarterback instead of Michael Vick. Assuming Atlanta's receivers could hold on to the ball better for Schaub than they have for Vick, that could lead to some fascinating scenarios. Consider the mismatch possibilities if the Falcons moved Vick around: On one play, he's a running back. Next, he's split out as a receiver. Now, he's in the shotgun formation. With a little creativity, the Falcons could turn Vick into the NFL's most exciting and most potent offensive weapon.
What a clutch throw Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo made late in Sunday's victory over the Giants. He escaped the Giants' rush, rolled to his left and launched a perfect strike to tight end Jason Witten, hitting him in stride between a couple of defenders. A lot of veteran QBs can't make that pass.
It would be hard to find two better personnel moves this season than the ones made by Bill Parcells, who replaced Drew Bledsoe with Romo and jettisoned kicker Mike Vanderjagt for Martin Gramatica.
Speaking of coaches, let's give it up for Jeff Fisher, who has kept the Titans competitive. Since an 0-5 start, Tennessee has gone 5-2.
Two special teams spots on the NFC's Pro Bowl team should be locked up. Josh Brown of the Seahawks has kicked four last-second, game-winning field goals, and rookie Devin Hester of the Bears has four returns for touchdowns (three punts, one missed field-goal attempt).
I don't understand why anyone would want to coach the Cardinals. Check out all the names who those who have tried -- and failed -- over the years. That organization is a coach's graveyard.
Not much has gone right for the Browns, but Kellen Winslow is giving Cleveland fans something to get excited about. His statistics (67 catches, 675 yards, three touchdowns) compare favorably to the top tight ends in the league.
Not much has gone right for the Raiders, but their defense is one shining light. It ranks third overall and is first against the pass. As one AFC pro personnel director put it: "They're not letting all the crap that's going on on offense affect their game."
It might not be a bad thing if the Patriots clinch road-field advantage in the playoffs. New England is 5-0 away from Gillette Stadium this season and only 4-3 at home.
If I'm the Giants, I'm feeling a lot better about the team's future at running back. Before this season, Brandon Jacobs was branded as a short yardage/goal line back. Now he looks like he could be a good successor to Tiki Barber.
December 5, 2006
Observations and opinions on the NFL while wondering if the Miami team doctors who failed Drew Brees but passed Daunte Culpepper on their offseason physicals would like a do-over.
My friend Dan Pompei suggests the Falcons might have offseason discussions about whether they would be better served with Matt Schaub as their quarterback instead of Michael Vick. Assuming Atlanta's receivers could hold on to the ball better for Schaub than they have for Vick, that could lead to some fascinating scenarios. Consider the mismatch possibilities if the Falcons moved Vick around: On one play, he's a running back. Next, he's split out as a receiver. Now, he's in the shotgun formation. With a little creativity, the Falcons could turn Vick into the NFL's most exciting and most potent offensive weapon.
What a clutch throw Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo made late in Sunday's victory over the Giants. He escaped the Giants' rush, rolled to his left and launched a perfect strike to tight end Jason Witten, hitting him in stride between a couple of defenders. A lot of veteran QBs can't make that pass.
It would be hard to find two better personnel moves this season than the ones made by Bill Parcells, who replaced Drew Bledsoe with Romo and jettisoned kicker Mike Vanderjagt for Martin Gramatica.
Speaking of coaches, let's give it up for Jeff Fisher, who has kept the Titans competitive. Since an 0-5 start, Tennessee has gone 5-2.
Two special teams spots on the NFC's Pro Bowl team should be locked up. Josh Brown of the Seahawks has kicked four last-second, game-winning field goals, and rookie Devin Hester of the Bears has four returns for touchdowns (three punts, one missed field-goal attempt).
I don't understand why anyone would want to coach the Cardinals. Check out all the names who those who have tried -- and failed -- over the years. That organization is a coach's graveyard.
Not much has gone right for the Browns, but Kellen Winslow is giving Cleveland fans something to get excited about. His statistics (67 catches, 675 yards, three touchdowns) compare favorably to the top tight ends in the league.
Not much has gone right for the Raiders, but their defense is one shining light. It ranks third overall and is first against the pass. As one AFC pro personnel director put it: "They're not letting all the crap that's going on on offense affect their game."
It might not be a bad thing if the Patriots clinch road-field advantage in the playoffs. New England is 5-0 away from Gillette Stadium this season and only 4-3 at home.
If I'm the Giants, I'm feeling a lot better about the team's future at running back. Before this season, Brandon Jacobs was branded as a short yardage/goal line back. Now he looks like he could be a good successor to Tiki Barber.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:59 PM
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