NFL PLAYOFFS THREAD

[RDF]

Well here's a few thoughts from Opening Round

1. I didn't watch much of Arizona-Atlanta--and honestly that game didn't matter--as winner is going to get spanked by Panthers this weekend. Happy for Kurt Warner as he played at Cedar Rapids Regis HS--where my father taught/coached.

2. Chargers are one onsides kick away from being eliminated from Playoffs 3 weeks ago and now are rolling into Pittsburgh against a shaky Steeler offense who has gotten some horrendous QB play from Rothliesberger imo. He's their weakness right now as he's been making stupid decisions, not protecting the ball, and gave the newly annoying "Thumbs Up" on a non-serious injury the NFL overreacts to.

3. ED REED IS THE BEST SAFETY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that needs to be said.

4. Chad Pennington--aka Mr. Pop Gun Arm did what Chad Pennington like QB's do--stink in big games against big time defenses.

5. Bill Parcells teams--whether he coaches/associated with them are now winless in postseason in last decade he's been involved. Does he get credit for that too? Today's score was similar to the ass whuppin' the Panthers put on his initial Dallas team--and only team he coached well on. We'll see if they have similar slide in Miami in following years or if he will get pieces in place to win. He'll get "his guys" and that will mean team speed will decrease and playmaking will too.

6. Adrian Peterson is a tremendous talent/athlete. Until he proves he can become a tremendous football player--he's one of the more overrated players in the league. Is he a physically gifted runner? No doubt. Can he do anything else to help a team? NO. He can't block to save his butt--and Viking offense went down tubes when there was less Chester Taylor and more Peterson. Pinnacle of embarrassment being when he had to be removed as Vikings were trying to run 2 minute due to his inept pass blocking and almost getting Tarvaris Jackson killed. He is strong/tough enough to block--but blocking/picking up blitzes is more about want to/toughness, then how you look in a uniform. You look at Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and likes and they were nasty blockers--guys who enjoyed knocking someone on their ass--and this kid would rather slip out for a dump pass then help his QB. Every Viking drive today in First half was superior when Taylor was in--and I do not doubt his talents as a runner--other then being sloppy with football--but NO RB is worth being considered a great/elite player if they are only great at 1 aspect of the job. Can he improve? Tools are there. Will he? It's up to him.

7. I love watching Jim Johnson coached defense.

8. Brian Dawkins is up there with Ed Reed, but I'm a Cane fan so going homeristic on Ed!!! Seriously, Dawkins is epitome of a professional and one tough customer. He'd be on a list of group I'd want on my side in fight--with Mike Sellers of Redskins, Brandon Jacobs, Ray Lewis, Joey Porter, Hagloti Ngota, Rey Maualagua, and numerous others.

9. Bill Cowher just dropped the ball in CBS promo--everyone laugh

10. How mediocre is the NFL MVP race when the MVP and 2nd place finisher are out of Playoffs in opening round and both were average--although Manning deserved MVP as he bailed out a mediocre team time/time again. Colts were garbage this year and could've lost as many as 5 more games and should've lost 3 for certain.

11. Bob Sanders decided to suit up and play--wow--what was that his 4th game of year?

12. Mangini is "loved" by Browns owner---why? This guy must be best interview-ee ever.

13. 3 games next weekend are going to be entertaining minus the Arizona butt-kicking Panthers will administer.

14. Andy Reid's beard has a slimming effect on him. ;D

15. Jared Allen is a great player but living in Twin Cities-I hate him. I hate his fake "funny" personality and how he does lame jokes to act like he's funny. He is now known as Johnny Cakes from here on out. Was debate between this or "Zed" from Pulp Fiction as Allen reminds me of that "type" of male and I'll leave it at that.

Onto Week 2 of Postseason and thank you Eagles for making things less obnoxious around here for non Viking fans. To T-Bird and other Viking fans- can't say I'm sorry--but know how you feel. Just can't stand the players or Childress who is one of those guys you think would be humble from outside viewpoint but is one of the most arrogant jerks in NFL and deserves any criticism and hatred he gets--which up here in Twin Cities is a LOT!

[SFHoya99]

Mike Scifres may have had the greatest single game by a punter ever.

I also love that two of the three AFC "pro bowl" QBs missed the playoffs and the third just lost.

[hoyarooter]

I, too would like Ray Lewis on my side in a fight, particularly if he comes packing heat.

[HoyaFanNY]

um, last time i checked....AD scored both viking TD's yesterday...so how exactly was the offense better with taylor?

[RDF]

Jan 5, 2009 9:32:01 GMT -5 HoyaFanNY said:

um, last time i checked....AD scored both viking TD's yesterday...so how exactly was the offense better with taylor?

When Taylor is in the game you dont' know what they are going to do--if Peterson is--you know exactly what is going to happen--he's either getting the ball or running a pass route because that guy couldn't block me--and it's not due to lack of ability--it's lack of heart/want to.

Watch the game--see who was in when the ball moved and see when "AD" was in 2nd Half how awful that offense was.

He's talented--and he's going to make a long run every game--so he got his and his 2nd TD was nothing--Taylor could've scored on that--he just got his number called.

There is a lot more to being a great RB/player then stats--and go back and watch the game--take a look at Viking offense when Peterson got his bell rung and how well they moved the football. The only play he made was a great cut back run--and as I said he's extremely talented--but he's got to learn to be more complete and I really doubt he'll ever be able to block--because you either want to or don't. He just doesn't like to do it which is why they have to yank him late in games when they trail because he is beyond awful.

[Boz]

Ed Reed is not of this earth. And he CAN lay the wood too. No, it's not his specialty like Lott or Steve Atwater, but I've seen him lay guys out when he gets a chance. Ask any receiver if they'd like to run crossing patterns against the Ravens with Ed Reed out there. I think he hasn't been hitting too hard this year because he's had his own neck injury problems. But at 100%? You don't want to get hit by Ed Reed.

On a related note, I'd also like to thank the Buffalo Bills for Jim Leonhard.

;D

(sorry, the Sabres beat my B's so I had to get a little revenge on BuffaloHoya).

[HoyaFanNY]

RDF, if you watched the game, you would have noticed peterson throwing a very good block in the first quarter against a blitzing bradley. he's not a very good blocker, but to say he doesn't want to block is wrong. you mention how well they moved the ball after he got hit by dawkins, but how well could it have been if they didn't get points? they were on their own 24 when he left and the drive ended up dying at philly's 42. that's 34 yards. not exactly the 98 yard elway drive you make it out to be.

as far as peterson's 2nd td and you saying taylor would have had a td if given the ball...well, he was given the ball...three times inside the 20 and didn't score.

to single out peterson for the offense playing badly the 2nd half is idiotic. there was a stretch of 13 minutes starting late in the third quarter when Jackson went 1-for-11 for 14 yards, but i guess that is peterson's fault too. WATCH THE GAME instead of just posting negative comments about a player because you don't like him.

they lost that game because of horrible coaching by childress and a stellar 15-35 perfomance by the hopefully soon to be ex-viking jackson.

[williambraskyiii]

tarvaris jackson is absolutely poo on a stick...seriously he couldn't hit refrigerator perry between the numbers...scott bakula from necessary roughness (old scott bakula, not hs state champ scott bakula) would have had better numbers that T. Jackson...it really is amazing that he was starting a playoff game at QB in the NFL.

[RDF]

Jan 5, 2009 13:33:40 GMT -5 HoyaFanNY said:

RDF, if you watched the game, you would have noticed peterson throwing a very good block in the first quarter against a blitzing bradley. he's not a very good blocker, but to say he doesn't want to block is wrong. you mention how well they moved the ball after he got hit by dawkins, but how well could it have been if they didn't get points? they were on their own 24 when he left and the drive ended up dying at philly's 42. that's 34 yards. not exactly the 98 yard elway drive you make it out to be.

as far as peterson's 2nd td and you saying taylor would have had a td if given the ball...well, he was given the ball...three times inside the 20 and didn't score.

to single out peterson for the offense playing badly the 2nd half is idiotic. there was a stretch of 13 minutes starting late in the third quarter when Jackson went 1-for-11 for 14 yards, but i guess that is peterson's fault too. WATCH THE GAME instead of just posting negative comments about a player because you don't like him.

they lost that game because of horrible coaching by childress and a stellar 15-35 perfomance by the hopefully soon to be ex-viking jackson.

You need to talk to scouts and see what they think about Peterson--you'd be surprised. I watched the game--with honest eyes--I don't like the Viking fans or Minnesota teams-but I call it like I see it and don't get on player's "Shancoes" unless they can back it up. Did you notice how Eagles didn't blitz much in First half due to Taylor being in game and then Peterson took most of the reps in 2nd Half and did you see Eagles unleash all of their blitz packages? Think that was by chance?

BTW--the block you are talking about was pathetic--he is off balance and doesn't step into it--it's why Bradley was able to get in Jackson's face and almost cause an INT. He didn't square him up and hit him--he threw a shoulder.

I've watched the kid since he was at OU and nothing about his game has changed--he's same player now he was as a FR in Norman-and that should NOT be the case. He carries the ball in wrong arm far too often, he puts it on ground, he's has shaky hands receiving wise, and he can't block. He's one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen--just a pure athlete--but as a football player--he's got a long ways to go before being mentioned in the category he is mentioned.

Agree with you on Jackson--but I've always thought he was trash. I think Frerotte is a punk too--he takes dives when his play stinks and isn't accountable for mistakes. Always has been, always will be. That does NOT change the fact Peterson is a horse**** blocker and lacks all around game right now. He's got all of the physical ability to improve--but will he? Going on 5 years of College/NFL Coaching and nothing has changed so far, maybe it will--it SHOULD but that is on him.

[HoyaFanNY]

Jan 5, 2009 13:56:08 GMT -5 williambraskyiii said:

tarvaris jackson is absolutely poo on a stick...

that comment is an insult to poo on a stick

[RDF]

Jan 5, 2009 13:56:08 GMT -5 williambraskyiii said:

tarvaris jackson is absolutely poo on a stick...seriously he couldn't hit refrigerator perry between the numbers...scott bakula from necessary roughness (old scott bakula, not hs state champ scott bakula) would have had better numbers that T. Jackson...it really is amazing that he was starting a playoff game at QB in the NFL.

Childress wanted a QB he could "mold like a piece of clay"--and I think he's a piece of something--but I just hope the Queens stick with him--based on his potential and nice drive against Giants reserve players in last game. ;D

[HeartAttackHoya]

My picks for the upcoming weekend:

Steelers squeak one out in a low scoring battle against the Chargers (13-10)
Ravens dominate the Titans from the get-go. (24-13)
Carolina in a laugher over the Cards (31-14)
Eagles pull out in the 4th quarter over the Giants. (24-21)

[hoyainspirit]

I have no rooting interest in any of the remaining teams. Since the pros are nothing like college, I always hope NFC South teams lose(Saints fan), so death to Carolina! Guess I'll root for McNabb to finally get a ring, though I do like Jeff Fisher.

[SirSaxa]

Jan 9, 2009 11:20:54 GMT -5 hoyainspirit said:

I have no rooting interest in any of the remaining teams. Since the pros are nothing like college, I always hope NFC South teams lose(Saints fan), so death to Carolina! Guess I'll root for McNabb to finally get a ring, though I do like Jeff Fisher.

Hoyainspirit... Perhaps I should remind you of the rules of etiquette on the HOYA Talk board.
Rule #1 is NEVER say anything positive about anyone who is or ever was in any way whatsoever associated with the 'Cuse!

[williambraskyiii]

Can someone please explain to me why CBS refuses to show replays? It drives me crazy! Instead I have to listen to Doofus Dierdorf say that trotting out the FG unit is a no-brainer...what about challenging the spot? I wish I knew, but I can't see it from another angle! thanks CBS!

[vcjack]

Did anyone else think Flacco stepped out of bounds in the endzone?

And Baltimore just got away with a delay of game

[hoya9797]

Yes and yes.

[RDF]

He didn't step out--although I thought he did--and once again the disgraceful NFL officials allow a flagrant violation of rules to go and this is from someone who was pulling for the Ravens. That was at LEAST 3 seconds after play clock ran to zero and play was allowed.

On other hand--how about Arizona. I was completely WRONG as I expected score of game--but other way around. GREAT JOB CARDS!!!

[hoya95]

Would have been nice for CBS to show us that replay in the end zone.
And apparently the Titans were not allowed to challenge the uncalled delay of game. I'm not really sure why. You can challenge to see if there were 12 men on the field, and you seem to be able to challenge anything that isn't a judgment call. I've never seen a need to make a challenge on a play like that, but obviously that was a huge, huge swing. And a big mistake by the refs. That said, Tennessee did everything they could to lose that game.

[Boz]

1. Flacco did not step out.

2. There was a delay of game, that is pretty clear, but this happens in every NFL game. It just does.

3. Matt Stover doesn't miss when it counts, so who cares about #2

4. Tennessee should have won that game by 14 points. But you don't take care of the ball, you don't beat Baltimore. End of story.

Obviously, I'm ecstatic, but even though they won, the Ravens played awful. They will need at 100% improvement next week, yes, even on defense, which forced TOs but didn't do much else. Half of me wants another shot at the Steelers, since Baltimore should have beaten them twice and will be ultra-motivated against Pittsburgh. But the other half of me says, that's just dumb....root for San Diego, who Baltimore can handle much more easily. Pittsburgh is damn good and there's just no getting around it. San Diego is a Norv Turner team....'nuff said.