Punt, pass and Judge : CBSSports.com Blogs

Time to call a truce on Brady, Gisele

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:07:15 EST

First there was the Tom Brady backlash. Now there's the Mrs. Tom Brady backlash, and time to call a truce, people. Neither deserves the hammering they're taking.

First of all, Brady did not lose Super Bowl XLVI. I know, he wasn't Tom Terrific. But last time I checked the Patriots' defense failed to stop the Giants from scoring a touchdown in the last minute of a Super Bowl ... for the second straight time, no less.

And for that Brady is responsible? Please.

One more thing: If Wes Welker holds on to that pass with four minutes left, we're asking if Brady and coach Bill Belichick are the game's greatest at their jobs. Instead, Welker misses, and he, Brady and Belichick are bums.

Time to give Accorsi a nod

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:13:27 EST

I'll tell who deserves more credit than he's gotten for what just happened to the New York Giants: Ernie Accorsi.

He was the general manager who engineered the 2004 draft-day trade that sent Eli Manning from San Diego to New York, a deal that was criticized after the Chargers went 14-2 in 2006 behind Philip Rivers and Shawne Merriman, two of the principals in that deal.

Another was kicker Nate Kaeding, and, like Rivers and Merriman, he was named to the AFC's Pro Bowl team.

But nearly eight years after the trade, look what's happened: The Giants have two Super Bowl victories, Manning has been named Super Bowl MVP twice and the Chargers have squat. They have one championship game appearance, and that was 2007, the same year that Eli and the Giants conquered New England in Super Bowl XLII.

Deserving Parcells' HOF candidacy takes a hit

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:20:39 EST

INDIANAPOLIS -- Bill Parcells belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he may not get there -- especially if Tom Coughlin wins Super Bowl XLVI.

Think about it. With a victory, Coughlin will have won as many Super Bowls with the Giants as Parcells (2). Plus, he has the added attraction of leading the expansion Jaguars into two conference championship games.

That will enhance Coughlin's chances, but it could work to undercut Parcells, who did not make the cut from 10 to five Saturday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection.

Parcells' record includes three Super Bowl appearances, two Lombardi Trophies and playoff appearances with four different teams. That should count for something, but, apparently, it doesn't count enough for Parcells' inclusion. Not yet, anyway, and it sure looked as if this year might be his best shot to get in.

Thursday night expansion needs one caveat

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:57:19 EST

Commissioner Roger Goodell's announcement that the NFL will expand from eight to 13 Thursday-night games this season is great for TV and fans, but it's not so great for NFL players and teams ... unless, of course, the league does what is reasonable and necessary.

And that's to make Thursday-night games available only to teams coming off byes.

Having teams play two games in five days is not only cruel and unusual punishment; it's wrong. Yet the NFL this season had the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers play three times in 11 days. Now it's going to 13 in weeks 2-15.

Fans like Thursday-night games because they can't get enough of the NFL. The NFL Network likes it because it's good for ratings. But players and coaches? Ask them how much they enjoy playing twice in five days. It's tough on coaches' game plans, and it's tougher on players' bodies.

Super Bowl, Take II; 246 are going

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:00:41 EST

It was shortly after last year's Super Bowl seating snafu that the NFL stepped forward to offer disgruntled and displaced ticket holders a chance to go to another league championship game ... only this time with the NFL picking up the tab.

Now we know what happened. There are 246 who accepted their offer to attend Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, the league said.

While that seems like a significant number, keep in mind that there were over 3,200 people the NFL cited as potential applicants to future Super Bowls. One group included 2,800 persons from Super Bowl XLV who were in temporary seating and were either delayed in gaining pre-game access to their seats or who were relocated.

They had the option of receiving the face-value of their tickets or tickets to a future Super Bowl.

Schiano a surprise ... and a risk

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:45:49 EST

Next Christmas, I'm giving the Tampa Bay Bucs a compass, a sextant, a GPS ... something, anything, to steer them in the right direction.

I didn't know how badly they needed one until Thursday when they hired Greg Schiano from Rutgers to replace Raheem Morris.

Now, Schiano may turn out to be the next Jim Harbaugh ... and he may not. All I know is that guys who went through the interviewing process told me the Bucs were insistent that they wouldn't go for an unproven coach again and wanted someone with experience; someone who was older, wiser and smarter to run them this time.

So they hire a guy who's never been an NFL head coach.

Another tough loss for Ravens

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:04:37 EST

Baltimore's loss is Indianapolis' gain.

When I called a source within the Ravens Wednesday and asked how he was doing he didn't sound so good.

"I assume you're calling about Chuck Pagano," he said.

I was.

Goodell will be around for long, long time

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:35:09 EST

Roger Goodell should get a five-year extension. In fact, he should get an extension for life. The only way he's leaving his job is when he ... and only he ... decides it's time to go.

Of course, I'm being flippant, but the reality is that Goodell just proved why he's qualified to be NFL commissioner. He faced the biggest hurdle of his tenure and navigated it deftly.

I'm talking, of course, about the lockout that ended in late July with a 10-year CBA. Goodell held firm when critics said he could not or must not, and stared down the opposition -- first winning in court before winning at the bargaining table.

I know, I know, both sides claimed victory, but look at the new TV contracts and tell me who's the winner there: Anyone who owns an NFL club.

Don't blame Flacco for this one

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:26:28 EST

Joe Flacco didn't lose this game. Billy Cundiff did.

Flacco made all the right throws on what should have been a tying drive late in the AFC championship game, setting up Cundiff for a 32-yard field goal that would send the game into overtime. Only Cundiff missed, pulling the kick wide left as astonished Ravens collapsed to the field.

It was a kick Cundiff has made hundreds of times in practice and during games -- but he missed it, pure and simple, taking down Baltimore's chances of appearing in a Super Bowl with it.

In truth, Cundiff shouldn't have had to make the kick. Lee Evans failed to come down with a perfectly thrown Flacco pass for what could have been a winning touchdown only two plays before -- but lost the ball when Sterling Moore ripped it loose.

Spags' hire good for Saints, not Eagles

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:45:53 EST

The Steve Spagnuolo hire is big for New Orleans, not only because he's going to a Saints team that needs him but because he's not going to Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia hire made so much sense I thought it was a slam dunk. Then I spoke to a coach a week ago who told me if there was a question it was how Spagnuolo and defensive line coach Jim Washburn might ... or might not ... co-exist. I don't know what the implication was, but he suggested that maybe they couldn't be on the same staff.

Well, they won't be.

Granted, there's no opening on the Eagles ... not yet, there's not. But there's a feeling that sooner or later coach Andy Reid shuffles his defensive staff, with coordinator Juan Castillo sacrificed. The Eagles already dismissed secondary coach Johnnie Lynn, and the expectation was that Castillo couldn't be far behind.

Caldwell firing no surprise

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:32:11 EST

Funny, I was on a radio show this morning saying this is the next move I expected the Colts to make, and for all the right reasons: They have a new GM; they could have a new quarterback; they're starting over; and they seem headed in a new direction.

So why would Ryan Grigson retain a coach he did not hire, especially after that coach just finished a 2-14 season? Answer: He wouldn't.

I know, Peyton Manning didn't play. But are you going to tell me the Colts were that bad? I don't think so. Caldwell went because the Colts think there's someone better out there ... or, at least, Grigson does, and I'd agree.

Essentially, what Caldwell demonstrated this season is that without Manning he couldn't succeed. Well, I know a coach in New England who lost his quarterback and still finished 11-5. I know a coach in Houston this season who lost his star defensive player, his top two quarterbacks and his top wide receiver for much of the season ... yet still made the playoffs and won a game there.

Fisher move a no-brainer

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:42:37 EST

It took Jeff Fisher days to make a decision where he would coach next, but he made the right one. In fact, Fisher to the Rams was a no-brainer.

And here's why: The Rams have a young quarterback who can be the foundation of the club. They have the second pick in this year's draft. They have cap room. And, most important, they don't have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in their division.

Who wouldn't want that? In Miami, there's a question about who quarterbacks the team next; the ownership is, at best, questionable, with last year's mishandling of the Jim Harbaugh/Tony Sparano situation Exhibit A; and the club is in the AFC East where nobody but New England wins until Brady retires.

In the NFC West, Fisher's world is wide open. The 49ers won the division this season. The Seahawks won it last. Arizona won it the year before. I think you can see where I'm going: It's anybody's division.

Can't imagine Mularkey hire a popular one

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:12:42 EST

I'm not sure how you sell Mike Mularkey to Jacksonville fans. Not now.

Mularkey is the former offensive coordinator for Atlanta who bombed out last weekend with a 24-2 finish vs. the New York Giants in a game where the only points scored by Atlanta were scored by the Giants' offense.

He couldn't convert two fourth-and-1s. He couldn't convert a third-and-1. And he wouldn't throw the ball downfield ... even though he Roddy White and Julio Jones in the lineup. Let's just say it wasn't one of his best afternoons of work.

Bad enough that the Falcons missed one quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1. Mularkey called it again. And he failed.

Maybe Jackson move isn't so bad after all

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:52:30 EST

Every year there's one firing of a head coach that qualifies as a surprise, and Hue Jackson is that surprise.

At least it was to people outside the Bay Area.

Those who follow the team, however, tell me the guy was unpopular with players, which probably counted for something. His failure to close out the AFC West when Denver lost its last three couldn't have helped, either. Nor can I imagine the team's NFL record for penalties boosted his cause. That's the sign of an undisciplined team.

Plus, Jackson's rant following the season-ending defeat to San Diego, where he basically threw his players under the bus, wasn't such a great idea. If you're the head coach, you're acountable for your team's successes and failures, and Jackson should have been accountable.

Crennel: No-brainer of a choice

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:32:45 EST

Romeo Crennel is the right coach at the right time for the Kansas City Chiefs for a couple of reasons: 1) The team responded to him the last three weeks of the season, with the Chiefs inflicting the only loss on Green Bay, and 2) he gets along with general manager Scott Pioli.

I'm not sure which is more important, but I know that the issues that were apparent this season when there was friction between coach Todd Haley and the front office will not be there with Crennel. The two know what to expect of each other, which makes life a lot easier for the organization as a whole.

Now, will that translate to victories? We'll just have to wait and see, but the early returns were encouraging. Not only did Kansas City win two of its three starts under Crennel, it hung the only defeat on Green Bay in its last 22 games. The Chiefs also knocked off AFC West champion Denver ... in Denver, no less ... and could've beaten Oakland before succumbing in overtime.

Now come questions for Falcons

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:22:21 EST

The New York Giants didn't just beat Atlanta. They destroyed the Falcons, and I can already hear the second-guessing of Mike Smith and his quarterback, Matt Ryan.

Both were involved in critical plays that sent Smith and the Falcons hurtling to another playoff loss. Twice Smith had the Falcons go for the first on fourth-and-1 when a field goal could have been tried... and made ... and twice it was Ryan who failed on quarterback sneaks.

Then, on third-and-1, Atlanta tried something ... or someone ... else, calling on Michael Turner, and the result was the same. He was thrown for a one-yard loss.

In essence, the Falcons never showed up for this one. In fact, their only score was produced by the Giants' Eli Manning, called for a safety when he intentionally grounded a pass in the end zone. The Falcons were outscored, outplayed and outclassed in every phase and deserve the criticism they'll absorb.

Bucs looking for stern disciplinarian

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 3:56:23 EST

Discipline is the password to the next head-coaching hire in Tampa Bay.

Sources said the Bucs are -- and will be -- insistent in interviews that their next head coach run a tight ship to make all associated with the Bucs accountable on and off the field. The feeling, they said, is that former coach Raheem Morris lost control of the club, players became undisciplined and the Bucs suffered for it.

Their record is the best evidence. Not only did they lose their last 10 straight to finish 4-12; they committed the fourth-most penalties, with 123, and led the league in turnovers with 40. In 2010 they had 19.

They also had the league's worst takeaway-to-turnover differential at --16.

Lynn out in Philadelphia?

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:49:11 EST

In the first of what could be a series of offseason moves, it appears that secondary/cornerbacks coach Johnnie Lynn is out in Philadelphia. In fact, a source I trust told me he's been fired.

The Eagles have not made an announcement, but the club is expected to make sweeping changes in the wake of a disapppointing 8-8 season -- made possible only when the Eagles won their last four games.

While the Eagles ranked 10th vs. the pass, and opposing quarterbacks completed only 58 percent of their passes against them, they did allow 27 touchdown passes. Nevertheless, that was four fewer than 2010.

Lynn was hired prior to last season after coaching the secondary in San Francisco.

Looks like Pagac next out Vikings' door

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 0:07:15 EST

Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar is out in Minnesota, and defensive coordinator Fred Pagac can't be far behind.

The team hasn't announced the firing of Pagac, but all signs point in that direction. In fact, a league source I trust said that the Vikings have four candidates lined up to interview for the coordinator's job -- Raheem Morris, formerly head coach of Tampa Bay; Steve Spagnuolo, former head coach of St. Louis; Mel Tucker, interim head coach and defensive coordinator at Jacksonville; and Mike Singletary, the linebackers coach and assistant head coach with the Vikings.

His take? Spagnuolo could be the frontrunner. Of course, he could be the frontrunner in a lot of places, too, including Philadelphia, where the Eagles almost certainly shake up their defensive staff.

No shocker that Turner, A.J. back

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:38:26 EST

Dean Spanos' decision to retain Norv Turner and A.J. Smith wasn't exactly a surprise. There were rumblings following last weekend's defeat of Oakland that Spanos was considering retaining them, with one source on Monday telling me he thought both would be back.

And that's precisely what happened.

Turner had two more years left on a contract that pays him $3 million per, and Smith has three more years left on a deal that pays him $2 million annually. But money was not the consideration here, I was told. Spanos is simply resistant to change, reluctant to make a sweeping overhaul unless he feels he must, and with the Chargers winning four of their last five he believed Turner deserved another chance.

It couldn't have hurt, either, that star quarterback Philip Rivers spoke out in favor of retaining his coach after the Chargers finished the season. Rivers is not only the club's best player; he's the spokesman for the team. And when he defended Turner, he had to make an impression with Spanos.

Irsay looking for new direction

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 7:08:04 EST

Apparently, Jim Irsay decided enough was enough.

People close to the Colts tell me that Irsay's decision to fire Bill and Chris Polian was the Indianapolis owner's way of saying it was time for the club to find a new direction.

For 14 years the Colts operated -- and successfully, I might add -- under the tutelage of the senior Polian. But it was never easy, as things seldom are with the mercurial Polian. He was tough for some persons to abide, but they could put up with him and his legendary temper as long as the Colts were winning -- which they were the past decade.

But that changed this season with the exit of Peyton Manning, and even though Polian was semi-retired he still was the voice of the Colts -- keeping his radio and TV shows and appearing at annual owners' meetings.

AFC's top seeds should prevail

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:53:21 EST

Now that Rashard Mendenhall is out of the playoffs, Pittsburgh's chances of repeating a 2005 playoff run as the wildcard appear compromised. Meaning ... meaning that the AFC's top seeds look better than ever.

Here's why: Let's say Pittsburgh beats Denver this week, which most people assume. Then the Steelers play either Baltimore, which beat them twice this season, or New England. Pittsburgh overcame the Patriots in October, but it was in Pittsburgh and it was with Mendenhall, who had 70 yards rushing that afternoon.

Let's say Cincinnati beats Houston, too. The Bengals then would play New England, and, sorry, I'll take Tom Brady over Andy Dalton. If Houston were to prevail, then it's Pittsburgh that travels to Foxborough and the Texans that go to Baltimore. Houston couldn't win there with Matt Schaub. So why should it win there with an injured T.J. Yates?

Source: Turner, A.J. could return to Bolts

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:41:27 EST

There seems to be a lot of waffling on the future of San Diego coach Norv Turner, and, according to a source close to the organization, there's good reason. He believes that Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will be retained.

Of course, that's not set in concrete. Nothing is this time of year. But it's the first tangible sign that both will return next season.

Turner has two years left on his contract at $3 million per, and Smith has three years left at $2 million per season. According to the source, he believes that ownership is reluctant to fire each or both, then have to pay them.

But there's more to it than that. Quarterback Philip Rivers is a big fan of Turner and voiced his support Sunday for his embattled head coach. Team president Dean Spanos is reluctant to fire Turner, too, one reason he wants time to sit on the decision.

After Spags, what next?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:50:51 EST

Sfeve Spagnuolo's firing is no surprise. We've been expecting it for weeks. The real question is: Who replaces him? I'd suggest the Rams look at someone who can help Sam Bradford.

The Rams made Bradford their franchise quarterback when they took him at the top of the 2010 draft, but after a promising rookie season he took a step backward in 2011. I know, he was hurt, and he missed a lot of games. I get it. But he seemed to lose his confidence, and that can happen when you don't have quality receivers.

The Rams made an attempt to shore up that position when they traded for Brandon Lloyd, but it was too little too late.

The next head coach must make Bradford the quarterback he was last season -- basically, do for him what San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh did for Alex Smith. Bradford is talented and promising, but he needs an offensive line to protect him and receivers to catch his passes.

Giants make case for playoff run

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:44:16 EST

So the New York Giants are in the playoffs, thanks to victories the past two weeks. The question is: How far can they go?

Far, though the key word there is could.

I mean it. I know they draw Atlanta next week, but the Falcons are 0-2 under Mike Smith/Matt Ryan in the playoffs, and they're a dome team going outside. Plus, the Giants have looked better on defense the last two weeks, stifling the Jets and Cowboys in succession.

I'm not saying they go to the conference championship game or the Super Bowl, but I am saying they're a dark horse for an upset. They won three of their last four, are pressuring the pocket again and have one of the league's most dangerous fourth-quarter passers in Eli Manning.

Please, don't make me NFC's sixth seed

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:23:44 EST

If you're the Detroit Lions, you hope Green Bay doesn't play its starters in the season finale. In fact, you say a prayer the Packers don't.

No Aaron Rodgers would lessen the chances of a Green Bay win, and that's critical to Detroit's playoff future. Even though the Lions are headed to the playoffs, they don't want the sixth seed ... and neither does Atlanta. The reason: You have to go to New Orleans, where the Saints don't lose.

Draw the sixth seed, and say goodnight.

New Orleans doesn't just beat opponents at home; it clobbers them, with Monday's rout of Atlanta the latest example. The Saints are built for the Superdome and excel there, with the Saints four times putting 40 or more points on oppnents and once sticking 62 on Indianapolis.

Jets' problems start with run game

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:11:22 EST

I love all this second-guessing of Mark Sanchez. Two years ago he was the San-chise. Now he's Broadway Schmo all over again.

Sanchez hasn't changed. The Jets have. They can't run as they once did, and that's the problem with their offense; not Mark Sanchez.

Granted, Sanchez is no Tom Brady. But he never was. The Jets' success was predicated on a punishing rushing attack that set up Sanchez for play-action passes. Without a solid running game -- and the Jets are 22nd in that category -- defenses don't buy the play-action, which means Sanchez is handicapped.

No question, his game didn't improve this season, but neither did the Jets' rushing attack. In fact, it was worse than ever.

Defense key for Big Blue

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:07:55 EST

The New York Giants are alive for a playoff spot, and credit an old friend -- their defense.

After allowing a touchdown on the Jets' first drive, it held fast -- buckling only after the Giants' offense inexplicably tried throwing the ball with a 13-point lead midway through the last period.

OK, so the Jets scored on that series. It didn't put them ahead. And when they had a chance to produce a game-winning drive, defensive tackle Chris Canty nailed Mark Sanchez in the end zone for a safety.

The vidtory is crucial for a Giants team in search of the playoffs. With the win, it can close out the NFC East with a defeat of Dallas next weekend.

With outcome decided, Big Ben should've sat

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:54:06 EST

The Pittsburgh Steelers took their best shot at beating San Francisco by starting injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and I applaud them ... and him ...for that. Unfortunately, it didn't work out, and, hey, it happens.

But here's what I don't get: Why, after the Steelers fell behind, 20-3, in the fourth quarter, did they leave Roethlisberger in? He was limping badly, and the 49ers were teeing off on the pocket.

So why subject him to unnecessary punishment ... especially when you need him to go deep into the playoffs?

Normally, that question should be reserved for coach Mike Tomlin ... except not here. According to Roethlisberger, he made the call.

Ravens can only hope for help

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 2:55:14 EST

Baltimore's John Harbaugh could use a lift, and maybe he gets one from his brother.

If not, Harbaugh -- John, that is -- and the Ravens are in trouble. Because if San Francisco and Jim Harbaugh don't solve San Francisco Monday night, the Ravens probably wind up losing the AFC North to Pittsburgh.

That means they go to the playoffs again as a wildcard, and that might be a problem this time around. Reason: Their only losses this season are there. In fact, Baltimore is 3-4 there.

The Ravens stunk all the way around Sunday -- offense, defense and special teams -- but it was the failure of its defense that was the most alarming. The Ravens never pressured Philip Rivers, missed tackles, blew coverages and seldom made big stops.