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AFC East News: Jets Get Rid of Schottenheimer, Bring in Sparano as OC
by Greg Knopping on Jan 11, 2012 12:39 PM EST
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The New York Jets finished the 2011 regular season on a three game losing streak, and missed out on the playoffs for the first time in three years with an 8-8 record. Since then, the team has imploded. Rex Ryan has tried to right the ship, but people have been questioning most aspects of the team, from the playcalling on offense, to the man quarterbacking the team: Mark Sanchez.
Well, the Jets have now officially made their first big move. Late last night, the team announced that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer would not return to the team (technically, he resigned). Now, they're bringing in the former head coach of the divisional rival Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano, to take Schottenheimer's place as the teams offensive coordinator.
In my opinion, while Sparano is an excellent football coach, he's not what the Jets need offensively. Rather, I'm not sure if he fits what the Jets are looking for. Sparano has limited play calling experience in his career, and his offenses in Miami were more of a physical, running style. The Jets are supposedly looking for explosion in their passing game, and I'm not sure if Sparano is the guy to provide that for them.
There are persisting rumors that the Jets could also add Todd Haley as a "passing game coordinator." This would make a lot of sense, as Haley has drawn up some pretty good passing attacks in his time with Arizona, as well as in 2010 with Kansas City.
What do you think of the move to hire Sparano for the Jets? Will the Jets be better off with him? Or do they still need to add a coach like Todd Haley?
AFC East Standings: Week 14
by Greg Knopping on Dec 5, 2011 10:00 AM EST
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An updated look at the 2011 AFC East standings following week 13 of the 2011 NFL season:
1. New England Patriots (9-3, 3-1 in AFC East)
The Patriots clinched their eleventh straight winning season on Sunday with their 31-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. More importantly, they maintained their lead in the AFC East, which is essentially three games considering the team's sweep of the New York Jets and that the Buffalo Bills are all but officially out of the running. With a win against the Redskins Sunday and a New York Jets loss, the Patriots would clinch their third consecutive division title. The Jets do play the Chiefs, a game they will be heavily favored to win, but with each passing weak, the Patriots look like even more of a sure thing to make the playoffs.
2. New York Jets (7-5, 3-2 in AFC East)
The Jets have put themselves in position to once again make a run to the playoffs under head coach Rex Ryan. After suffering back-to-back painful defeats to the Patriots and Broncos to drop to 5-5, the Jets have won two straight against the Bills and Redskins. The Jets' remaining schedule includes the Chiefs, Eagles, Giants, and Dolphins. No, the Jets don't have a big margin for error, and the biggest thing working against them is that they lost head to head match-ups to both the Raiders and the Broncos who currently are both also 7-5. Still, one can't help but think that with the way that Ryan motivates his team in late season runs, that a possibility to win out and secure the #6 seed doesn't seem all that unrealistic for the Jets.
3. Buffalo Bills (5-7, 1-3 in AFC East)
So much for all that Fitzmagic. Ever since signing a six year, $59 million contract extension, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick simply hasn't been the same, and neither have the Bills. They are currently on a five game losing streak, most recently dropping a 23-17 game to the Titans. Something about this team still makes me like them, but the writing is on the wall: their playoff hopes are dashed (even if they're not technically eliminated yet).
4. Miami Dolphins (4-8, 1-2 in AFC East)
Miami Dolphins' head coach Tony Sparano will likely be fired after this season, and I believe it's an outright shame. The Dolphins started the season with a ghastly 0-7 mark, but have since won four of their past five games. And they haven't just won games - they've completely dominated in all three phases of the game. They also should have beat Dallas on Thanksgiving night. At 4-8, they're all but officially eliminated from playoff contention. However, had a few things gone right this year, this team could have easily reversed that record and been 8-4. Quarterback Matt Moore his given the Phins a spark, and how coach Tony Sparano has continued to keep his players playing the way they is beyond me - but it truly is speaking a lot about him as a coach.
NFL Week 12: Early Games Thread
by Greg Knopping on Nov 27, 2011 12:00 PM EST
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Feel free to use this post as an open thread for today's 1:00 PM Game:
With the New England Patriots playing in the late afternoon at 4:15 PM ET against the Philadelphia Eagles, here are some games to monitor on the early slate of games:
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars: This will be the Texans' first game without Matt Schaub, with Matt Leinart stepping in to replace him. The Texans and Patriots are currently tied for the second seed in the AFC, both a half game back (one win) of the Baltimore Ravens, who beat the 49ers on Thursday night. Greg's Prediction: Texans 17 Jaguars 6
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets: The battle of the second place in the AFC East will feature two teams that are .500 and on two game losing streaks. The winner of this game would appear most likely to challenge the Patriots for a playoff spot down the stretch. Greg's Prediction: Jets 24 Bills 10
Other 1:00 PM Games: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans
New College Bowl Game to be Held by NFLPA
by Greg Knopping on Nov 7, 2011 7:11 PM EST
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It might be a little to early for draft talk here at Pats Pulpit, but I thought this story was really interesting.
According to ESPN Los Angeles, the NFLPA will be hosting a college bowl game known as the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California on January 21st 2012:
The game is expected to draw 100 of the country's top NFL draft prospects, who will be split into two teams coached by Dick Vermeil and Tom Flores. It will be the first time Vermeil and Flores have faced each other in a game since Super Bowl XV, when Flores' Oakland Raiders beat Vermeil's Philadelphia Eagles 27-10.
The players for the game will arrive in Los Angeles on Jan. 16 for a week of practices before the game, much like the Senior Bowl is run in Mobile, Ala. The biggest difference is the NFLPA's event also will be open to underclassmen who have entered their name into the draft.
Of course, many of the top tier players won't participate in this (similar to the Senior Bowl), but I still think this is a very interesting concept. The fact that undergraduates will have the chance to participate in this game may correlate to more undergrads with "high potential", but not necessarily high stock, declaring for the draft (as underclassmen can't normally play in "All Star" bowl games).
Either way, I'm always game to soak up any additional pre-draft evaluation opportunities that I can, even if it doesn't make too big of a difference in the long haul.
What are your thoughts on the game?
AFC East Standings: Week 8
by Greg Knopping on Nov 3, 2011 12:01 PM EDT
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An updated look at the AFC East Standings following week 8 of the 2011 NFL season:
1. Buffalo Bills: 5-2, Division: 1-0 | Last Week: 23-0 W over Redskins
The Bills are once again at the top of the AFC East, following a dominant victory over the now 3-4 Washington Redskins. Buffalo has only played one divisional game, but that game gives them the tie-breaker over the 5-2 New England Patriots. The Bills take on the 4-3 Jets on Sunday, and that game should say a lot about how the rest of the season will unfold in the AFC East division race.
2. New England Patriots: 5-2, Division: 2-1 | Last Week: 25-17 L to Steelers
Things aren't looking as bright in New England after a 25-17 loss to Pittsburgh - a game where they were dominated in every phase of the game. While they are currently losing the tie-breaker to the 5-2 Bills in the AFC East, they still hold their own destiny at this point in time. New England faces a tough match-up in the 5-2 New York Giants this week, another loss could really set this team back.
3. New York Jets: 4-3, Division: 1-1 | Last Week: 27-21 W over Chargers
The Jets have somehow managed to string together back-to-back wins after starting 2-3 and now have a chance to make a real statement with a road game against the division leading Buffalo Bills. The Jets also hold their own destiny, as potential back-to-back wins over division rivals Buffalo and New England would put them in the driver's seat in the AFC East race.
4. Miami Dolphins: 0-7, Division: 0-2 | Last Week: 20-17 L to Giants
The Dolphins have proven to be a competitive team. The Dolphins have also proved they have mastered the ability to lose in every way possible. Patriots fans should probably be rooting for the Phins to win some games at this point, as I don't think any Patriots fan would want to see the Dolphins land Andrew Luck.
AFC East Standings: Bills, Pats Tied For First
by Greg Knopping on Oct 3, 2011 6:08 PM EDT
in Around the League
An updated look at the AFC East standings after four weeks of the 2011 NFL season:
1-T: Buffalo Bills (3-1): The Bills are coming off of a disappointing last second loss to the Bengals, a game in which they held a 17-3 halftime lead. However, the team is still tied with the Patriots for first place and currently hold the edge in head-to-head and divisional record tie-breakers. The Bills will host the Eagles in week five.
1-T: New England Patriots (3-1): After a demoralizing loss to the Bills, a game in which the team held a 21 point first half lead, the Patriots came back with a blowout victory over the Oakland Raiders. The team still has question marks on the defensive side of the ball, and will host the Jets next week in a key early season divisional match-up.
3. New York Jets (2-2): The Jets are now coming off back-to-back losses to the Oakland Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens, respectively. While the Jets defense really responded against the Ravens, their offense was simply terrible. With a difficult game on the road against New England this week, the Jets are in serious danger of dropping below .500.
4. Miami Dolphins (0-4): Another week, another loss for the winless Dolphins. This time, the Dolphins dropped a 26-16 game to the Chargers - a game that saw starting quarterback Chad Henne go down with a shoulder injury. Luckily for the Dolphins, they have a bye week to help themselves recuperate.
And Then Grant Said to Lee: A Season Without Peyton
by Alec Shane on Sep 12, 2011 11:12 AM EDT
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First, an apology to Patriots Nation: I'm going to be deviating from the norm a little today.
I know I write for Pats Pulpit, and thus my job is to cover the New England Patriots. And Lord knows there is plenty to write about today as the Pats get ready to put the smack down on the Miami Dolphins tonight. Between the matchups that need breaking down, fundamental offensive philosophies that need comparing, and Tony Sparano's mustache that needs mocking, today really should be all about New England. So please forgive me for putting all that aside for now, as I feel there is another issue that needs to be addressed - an issue that we Patriots fans can all-too-easily overlook.
Chin up, Indy.
I'm very aware that this isn't the best forum for this, and that after yesterday's debacle against Houston condolences it's the last thing you are expecting from a Patriots fan. After all, this is a pro-Patriots website, the Patriots open up their season in a matter of hours, and the Pats and the Colts hate each other. We were the bane of their existence for the first half of the 2000s, while they were the bane of ours for the latter half. The Brady vs. Manning debate has gone back and forth more times than you could count, and most of us here in Patriots Nation would rather lose to any other team in the league than drop one to the Colts. Because of all this, you'd figure that watching yesterday's drubbing would be a cause for celebration here in New England; by all accounts, I should be drunk, shirtless, and dancing in the street right now. Well let me assure you: while I'm most definitely drunk and shirtless, I was actually pretty upset to see the Manningless Colts get manhandled on Sunday.
I know, I know. As a member of Patriots Nation, I am legally obligated to hate Peyton Manning. And don't worry - I do. I hate everything there is to hate about Number 18, from the obnoxious press conferences to the goofy sideline looks. I hate the whining and the squinty eyes. I hate the way he stutters around in the pocket and throws his hands up after every interception. I hate the way the Colts can be down 3 touchdowns with 2 minutes left to play and I'm still absolutely terrified that Manning will find a way to will pull out a win. Just looking at Peyton Manning and his massive, Cro-Magnon forehead makes my blood boil. I just straight up can't stand the guy.
But as Wes Mantooth pointed out to Ron Burgundy, there is a big difference between hate and respect. I respect the hell out of Peyton Manning, and have no trouble acknowledging that he is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play this game.
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NFL Week 1: Afternoon Game Thread
by Greg Knopping on Sep 11, 2011 1:04 PM EDT
in Around the League
The Patriots' 2011 season won't kick off until tomorrow night against the Miami Dolphins, but for now, I think we can all sit back and enjoy some Sunday NFL football. Here are the early games on the schedule:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM ET
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears, 1:00 PM ET
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 PM ET
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans, 1:00 PM ET
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 PM ET
Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams, 1:00 PM ET
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 PM ET
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 PM ET
Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 PM ET
Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers, 4:15 PM ET
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 PM ET
Feel free to use this thread to discuss all 1:00 and 4:00 PM games. We'll set up another thread for the Jets-Cowboys game later tonight.
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