[The Wednesday Edition]
TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK
Let's Talk: Weekend Notes
So after a full weekend of exciting NFL action, there's much to talk about and ingest. Okay, so there were only two games, but will all the action in the first (NFC) game and all the big hits in the second (AFC) it sure felt like a full weekend.
The Cardinals and Eagles gave us football fans plenty of big plays and lots of points on Sunday. Warner worked his magic and McNabb was marvelous in the second half.
I think the late game gave me a bloody nose with all those big hits. It was survival of the fittest or whoever survived would wind up winning.
Now that the stage is set for Super Bowl Sunday, but it will be an interesting two weeks watching all the storylines develop leading up the league's 43rd classic.
Who's to blame....
The NFC title game was everything fans could ask for, especially Cardinal fans. In one afternoon, over 60-years of obscurity was erased and now the entire state of Arizona is riding the frenzy.
Warner and the Cardinals came to play on Sunday and delivered an NFC Championship to the folks of Arizona. The Eagles slow start in the end cost them a second trip to the big dance, but who's to blame for their failure.
And while failure is such a harsh word, it really does best describe what happened to the Eagles on Sunday. While Philly was never expected to get this far, once they reached the title game, even on the road with their defense they were slight favorites to pull this one out.
A lot of analysts, and football experts are likely going to point to the obvious, that this was Donovan McNabb's 5th NFC Championship appearance and he leaves with a 1-4 record. That may be true, but you can hardly fault his effort on Sunday.
When the Eagles fell behind by 18-points at halftime, they turned to their leader who would respond in the 2nd half to lead his team to 19 unanswered points. McNabb finally got on track in the second half and took the Eagles in the end-zone for three straight touchdowns and the lead at 25-24.
Many folks may argue that McNabb can't win the big game or that he's not a great quarterback, but they would be wrong. This latest failure if you will, must fall squarely on the shoulders of the Eagles defense.
Sure the offense was at fault too, leaving five points on the field with a missed field goal and two extra points, but you can't escape the poor play in the first half by the Eagles defense.
In the first half of Sunday's contest, the Eagles allowed 260-yards, surrendered 15 first downs and gave up 24 points to the Cardinals offense. With no pressure applied, the Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner was allowed to dissect the Eagles secondary completing 14 of 17 passes for 203-yards and three touchdowns. The defense did not record its' first sack until late in the 1st half with 52 seconds left.
On the other side, McNabb started slow in the first half, but did get his team into scoring position on three occasions. It was in the second half that the Eagles team leader took over. McNabb completed 17 of 28 passes for 266-yards passing in the second half alone, including three touchdown tosses. If you watched the game, you could see Donovan was in a zone making some spectacular on the money deep tosses.
The game certainly had two sides, in the first half the defense was solely responsible for the big hole the team had fallen into and in the second half it was D-Mac to the rescue.
Where blame is defined in this contest is in the 4th quarter with 10:45 left on the game clock. Trailing by 18 points at half, the Eagles had battled all the way back led by Donovan McNabb to take a one point lead.
All post season, the Eagles defense had elevated it's game making big plays and setting up easy scores. In the post season the defense had forced five turnovers that had led to 17 points. On Sunday against the Cardinals, through the first three quarters the defense had drawn a blank.
With a one point lead, McNabb had handed the NFC Championship over to his defense and it would be left to those 11 players to decide the fate of Philadelphia. As the clock started up, the Cardinals would put the ball in play at their own 28-yard line.
The Philly defense had been unable to stop the Cardinals the entire first half, but in the second half they stiffened up and forced the Cards to punt on three straight possessions. It was this fourth possession where the defense would called upon to deliver what it had all post season.
To no avail over the next seven minutes and 52 seconds, the Cardinals would overcome a fourth down and two third down situations to drive the ball 72-yards in 14 plays for what would prove to be the game deciding score.
McNabb would finish Sunday's matchup with 375-yards passing and three touchdowns, while the defense would finish the game with no turnovers and 32 points allowed.
So who is to blame for the Eagles failure?
Boldin: Meltdown or Frustration
With the game well over now and the Cardinals on their way to Tampa to play in the 43rd Super Bowl, can the media and every radio host get off of Anquan Boldin's back.
Sure it was not a pretty site on the sideline during the NFC title game. While it is easy to sit in a booth or in the stands or even on your couch at home and criticize his actions, until you've been caught up in the heat of battle how can you understand the emotions NFL players play with.
I was listening to Dan Patrick just ride Boldin on this Monday during his show. I understand where the observer is coming from and what he might see, but I hardly expect players on the field during action to be concerned or even think about anything else besides the game. I was surprised to hear Reggie Miller (former Indiana Pacer) side with Patrick's opinion.
Okay, sure Boldin has expressed his unhappiness in Arizona in the past, but when the season began I though "Q" was the consummate professional, bringing his lunch pail to work and doing his job.
Before the playoffs began, if you looked at Boldin's numbers as compared to Fitzgerald, you can see there two are one in the same. In 12 games played Boldin averaged 86.5-yards and 7.4 receptions per game with 11 touchdowns. In 16 games played Fitzgerald averaged 89.4-yards receiving and six receptions per game with 12 touchdowns.
Boldin was every bit the superstar that Fitzgerald was heading into the post season. While most may want to criticize his actions and I call them actions not antics, how would players like say Reggie Miller react if they were left on the bench down the stretch of a close game in, say the 7th game of the Eastern Conference Finals?
My hat is off to Boldin for being a competitor and hopefully the media won't drag this out and take any attention away from what the Cardinals have accomplished.
Warner: The Miracle Man
There's certainly not going to be enough said about the greatness that is Kurt Warner over the next two weeks. What he has accomplished this season has been nothing less than a miracle when you think about.
The Cardinals weren't even a consideration for the post season, let alone the Super Bowl when the season began. Warner has had a truly magical season (including the playoffs) at the helm throwing 38 touchdowns and passing for over 5,000-yards. He has completely changed the culture of a franchise and a city.
Ever since the Cardinals arrived in Arizona 21 seasons ago, they have only enjoyed a winning record twice (including this season). Amazingly that is all in the past now for a franchise that was overcome a 60 year history of losing and will make its' first ever appearance in the Super Bowl in less than two weeks.
2008 has marked the team's first NFC West Division title, when just two seasons ago this team was coming off back to back 5-11 finishes. Following the team's win on Sunday, head coach Ken Whisenhunt gave Kurt Warner a lot of credit for the team's success.
Ten years ago Warner came out of nowhere to lead a franchise from its' long history of disappointment to top of the football world. Now he's back leading a franchise out of nowhere to a place where history can be made. In just two short weeks, Warner will have the opportunity to complete the miracle that is the 2008 Arizona Cardinals.
My Journal Entry#1......
I am what you call your average football fanatic looking for a release, so I've taken pen in hand so to speak.
I am passionate about the sports I enjoy and without question, football is my favorite to watch, to discuss, and to analyze. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a whole plethora of sports action, from the PGA Tour, to NBA action, to the high speed of NASCAR, you can even catch me enjoying a heated NHL battle on the ice.
Go figure, I am a man of all sports, but I have just one tru love. Football.
What attracts me to the sport of football, just like in life, there are more layers to it than meets the eye. In life, if you want to get to the real essence, you have to peel a little deeper and to really understand football, you have to do your homework and dig a little deeper.
I have been a big fan of the game since I was a kid and I've always taken an interest from the sideline, learning players' names and positions. When I was 11-years old I could name both offensive lines for the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As much as I was a fan of players like Craig Morton, Vince Ferragamo, and John "The Duke" Elway, I idolized the men in the booth like Chick Hearns, Vin Scully, and Pat Summerall. I've always been fascinated with the numbers in the game and those who shared them.
I have to admit though, what I remember most as a kid watching the great game of football, were all the great defenses; the Doomsday Defense, the Steel Curtain, the Fearsome Foursome, the OrangeCrush, and the Purple People Eaters.
Where are the great defenses of today?
My Football Notes:
Taking a look beyond the Super Bowl, there's going to be a lot of teams making personnel changes, players changing uniforms, and big names going to new places. When I look at what's about to happen, I immediately think about two things; Reid-McNabb and Brett Favre.
I am sure many football folks have grown weary on one or maybe both of these topics, but both are always worthy of conversation.
Oh no, Favre...
A question that I posted on one of today's social medias "now that Rex Ryan is in New York, should Favre stay with the Jets for one more season or retire?
I am of the opinion that if his heart is still in it, I bring him back. Last season was not a success in New York, but neither a failure at 9-7. The team improved and if you ask me, has room for more improvement.
While it may seem unfair to modify or change your scheme to fit Brett Favre, why wouldn't you? This is not special treatment. Why did you bring Favre in, if you weren't willing to make changes to the offense to fit his game? You wouldn't buy a new sports car just to park it. You brought the Golden Boy to the Big Apple to throw the pill, so let him throw it.
The Jets fell short of the playoffs, but they have the defense. With Ryan at the helm "Gang Green" could improve. With the offense, the big decision will be to retain Favre for one more season (if he can go). Ryan should bring in an offensive mind that can get the most out of Favre and his not so golden arm (after all he's pushing 40).
Of course if Favre returns, priority number three (after addressing improvements for the defense) will be to find a successor that can fit in the same scheme as Brett. This is neither speculation or rumor, just my thoughts, but a player I think that could flourish in a west coast style offense (that suits Favre) is Tyler Thigpen.
Reid & McNabb...
Now sore subject number two and I really can't understand why this would be, but the marriage of Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid. The two have enjoyed a great deal of disappointing success, but few teams, players, and coaches can boast the same accomplishments.
The current story is both will be returning to Philly, at least for one more season as they should.
McNabb more than proved his worth in the second half of the NFC Championship. Unfortunately it was the Eagles infamous defense that was absent down the stretch. There's no question that Reid will look to his defensive coordinator to help fill the holes that were exposed last Sunday.
With McNabb back next season, Reid's fix-it job won't be as difficult as it could be.
Some problem areas that will once again need to be addressed, Westbrook and a proto-type 6'4", 220-lb possession receiver with great hands (not ones that drop the ball). Westbrook, a real fan favorite in Philly, spends way too much time on the sideline to be the difference maker this team needs to get over the hump.
Jackson and Cutis provide plenty of speed on the outside, but they are undersized and become questionable targets over the middle. There's no question this team will boast plenty of speed next season if they are healthy, but it's going to need more size at the skill position to challenge for the division.
McNabb is still a load of talent, as he so skillfully showed in the title game. I have to tell you, some of those throws he made against Arizona, even a couple that just missed, were some of the best I had seen all season. The shot to Curtis was just nice, the misses to Lewis (a drop) and the one just off the fingertips of Avant were scary good.
McNabb still has a great touch and he gives you the best chance to win now, but once again Philadelphia, he needs help.
In a nutshell, the Eagles will be lucky to have Reid and McNabb back for another season bettering their chances to make another run and with just a few adjustments (easier said than done) maybe they can go a little farther.
Author's note: I wrote most of this yesterday, was just too tired to finish and post.
