The Wild Wild West
By Brian Palmese, NFL Draft Bible
For the last decade, the NFC West has been a two horse division. “The Greatest Show on Turf” in St. Louis and the “12th Man” in Seattle have been running the tables out west. Granted, for a better part of this decade the Cardinals have been the team that people want to usher into the playoffs and live up to the impressive talent they have on paper. Every year Arizona finds a way to ride off into the desert sun with a top ten pick in the following years’ draft. The 49ers dynasty days are deep in their rear-view mirrors; they’ve spent the better part of the last decade trying to right their ship. Salary cap issues and front office management (or their lack of) have been the hurdles getting in the way of this franchise getting back to its’ glory days.
However, a metamorphosis is going on in this division right now, which has made it the most exciting division in the league. Top to bottom, these four teams are going to battle each other all year for supremacy and jockey for playoff positioning. Visions of classic AFC East and NFC Norris games will be evoked throughout the year. With no real clear-cut favorite, there will be some serious dogfights taking place every week.
The Rams look like the most complete team in the division at the start of the season. Marc Bulger is the wily gunslinger and he still has weapons around him. Torry Holt, Steven Jackson and free-agent tight-end Randy McMichael will keep the scoreboard popping all year. Rookie Brian Leonard will add a nice punch when Jackson needs a breather. The defense is stout and will help in the field position. Will Witherspoon and Leonard Little headline the defensive unit- along with first round pick Adam Carriker who has flashed some big time potential.
Seattle is still Seattle. Mike Holmgren is still calling the shots from the sidelines and Matt Hasselbeck is calling them on the field. Alexander is still there, but he’s coming off another injury-plagued season and just turned thirty --which is almost AARP days for running backs. They committed a rarity in today’s NFL and traded wide receiver Darrell Jackson within the division to San Francisco for a fourth round pick. That leaves Deion Branch and D. J. Hackett as Hasselbeck’s targets. Marcus Trufant and Kelly jennings are patrolling the secondary for the Seahawks and newcomer Patrick Kearney will reek havoc on opposing quarterbacks all year.
Popular belief is that quarterbacks come into their own in year three. 2007 is the official arrival of the Alex Smith era in San Francisco. Year one was atrocious, but the end of year two showed a lot of promise. Throughout camps and off season workouts, Smith has looked like the guy the 49ers brass saw when they made him the number one overall pick in 2005. He’s got incredible quarterback intelligence and amazing field vision which helps his decision making. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but his intangibles make up for it. Frank Gore, selected in the third round in 2005, is looking like a steal for the 49ers. At one time, Gore was tops on the depth chart at the University of Miami along with Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis. Injuries set him back at the U, but Gore’s talent is shining again in gold and red for San Francisco. Manny Lawson and Patrick Willis will anchor the linebacking corps for quite some time as well. San Francisco was mired in salary cap purgatory, but some prudent spending allowed the 49ers to splurge this past off-season, bringing in Nate Clements and Michael Lewis to solidify their secondary. The signing of Tully Banta-Cain is flying under the radar, but his acquisition is precisely what this 3-4 defense needs.
Arizona, a team that has been the doormat for so many years, may have finally turned the corner this year. It’s en vogue to claim the Cardinals are playoff bound, but it may actually come to fruition this year. The lethal receiving corps of Fitzgerald, Boldin and Johnson is tops in the league. Edgerrin James had a down year last year, but there were lots of distractions on offense including a rookie quarterback and an offensive line that wasn’t gelling. Just like Alexander in Seattle, James is no spring chicken, coming in at 29 years young this year. They drafted a bookend tackle in Levi Brown in addition to having Reggie Wells and Mike Gandy. These guys will give sophomore stud Matt Leinart the protection he needs to excel, while also opening holes for James to rip through. The defense is young and fast and will keep the Cardinals in games.
The division is chock-full of young talent ready to light up the league on both sides of the ball. There are the two young guns at quarterback, Alex Smith and Matt Leinart. Coming out of the backfield, there’s Frank Gore, Steven Jackson and Brian Leonard. Larry Fitzgerald and Leonard Pope in Arizona, D.J. Hackett in Seattle, Jason Hill, and Vernon Davis in San Francisco along with Marques Haggins in St. Louis highlight the pass catchers emerging from this division. Defensively, names like Tye Hill and Adam Carriker for the Rams, Patrick Willis and Manny Lawson in San Francisco, Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle for the Cardinals in addition to Lofa Tatupu and Jason Babin in Seattle.
Football fans, if you’re on the East coast, don’t make plans for 4 o’clock on Sundays. If you see an NFC West team on the tube, check it out. If there is a divisional game with two of these teams slugging it out against one another, watch it. If you want to catch a glimpse of the future stars of the league, tune in--you won’t be disappointed.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
VIEW FROM THE COUCH VI
By D'Arcy Maine, NFL Draft Bible
The Washington Redskins will not win the NFC East.
This isn’t exactly a bold statement and few of even the team’s most ardent fans would argue. However, the Redskins are going to surprise a lot of people this season and will become a significantly more difficult opponent as 2007 progresses.
Last season Washington (5-11) had one of the worst defenses in the league. Opposing teams dropped back to pass 505 times and the defense managed a franchise-low 19 sacks and a measly six interceptions. They ranked 31st in total defense and found themselves in dead last in many statistical categories. But, it will only get better from here.
The ‘Skins used their first round draft pick to acquire LaRon Landry, a safety from LSU, and he looks to make an immediate impact as a starter. His addition allows Sean Taylor to move to free safety where his opportunities for interceptions should be greatly increased and bolster the defensive unit. Middle linebacker London Fletcher-Baker was signed to a five-year deal after five seasons in Buffalo. The 32-year-old brings experience and leadership to the team in desperate need for these qualities. His presence on and off the field should improve the defense in both talent and morale.
2007 marks the first full season for Jason Campbell as the team’s starting quarterback. Campbell was promoted to the starting position in Week 11 of 2006 after Mark Brunell “led” the team to a dismal 3-6 record. There was little Campbell could do to save the season nine games in, but he showed flashes of promise and success to the suffering Washington fans. He ultimately threw for 10 touchdown passes and led the overmatched squad to an impressive near-victory comeback performance over the Eagles in December. Campbell helped deliver 16 unanswered second half points and the team almost managed a win, losing just 21-19 in the final minutes.
Campbell needs to improve his accuracy but has been working during the off-season with the offensive coaches. While he is undisputedly inexperienced in the pro game, Campbell knows what it takes to win, having led his Auburn team to an undefeated season in 2004.
While there was little time to connect with many of his receivers, Campbell was quick to find tight end Chris Cooley. And, having just signed a six-year contract extension, Cooley is an important cog in the present and future of the Redskins franchise. After a strong 2005 season, Cooley struggled with Brunell as quarterback. But, after Campbell took over, Cooley dramatically improved and led all tight ends in yards-after-catch for the second consecutive year. With 2006 behind them and a strong on-field connection already established, Campbell and Cooley look poised to lead and improve the offense.
Head coach Joe Gibbs was embarrassed last season after the worst season in his lengthy NFL career. Gibbs and his coaching staff return humbled and focused, determined to redeem the legendary coach’s reputation.
The biggest concern remains at the running back position. Clinton Portis was plagued with a knee injury in 2006 and has had difficulty shaking the injury in the pre-season. It is once again unclear if Portis will be able to make it through the season. Portis’ absence or limited contributions will result in a larger work load for Ladell Betts. Betts embraced the responsibility last season and should provide solid play for the Redskins. However, if Portis is able to play for most of the season, it will be interesting to see how they split the roles between the two players. Portis is arguably overall the more talented of the duo but Betts is the more capable receiver. Gibbs has indicated he will use both players, but the division of labor remains uncertain. Gibbs and Associate Head Coach--Offense Al Saunders have the ability to make the most of their star running backs but it to remains to be seen how this will play out throughout 2007.
The Redskins are lacking the talent and experience of their NFC East rivals, but as the season moves forward expect a youthful and hungry team to emerge led by the developing Campbell. Redskins fans will have to be patient but this team will improve this season and ultimately end the season promising an even better 2008.
The Washington Redskins will not win the NFC East.
This isn’t exactly a bold statement and few of even the team’s most ardent fans would argue. However, the Redskins are going to surprise a lot of people this season and will become a significantly more difficult opponent as 2007 progresses.
Last season Washington (5-11) had one of the worst defenses in the league. Opposing teams dropped back to pass 505 times and the defense managed a franchise-low 19 sacks and a measly six interceptions. They ranked 31st in total defense and found themselves in dead last in many statistical categories. But, it will only get better from here.
The ‘Skins used their first round draft pick to acquire LaRon Landry, a safety from LSU, and he looks to make an immediate impact as a starter. His addition allows Sean Taylor to move to free safety where his opportunities for interceptions should be greatly increased and bolster the defensive unit. Middle linebacker London Fletcher-Baker was signed to a five-year deal after five seasons in Buffalo. The 32-year-old brings experience and leadership to the team in desperate need for these qualities. His presence on and off the field should improve the defense in both talent and morale.
2007 marks the first full season for Jason Campbell as the team’s starting quarterback. Campbell was promoted to the starting position in Week 11 of 2006 after Mark Brunell “led” the team to a dismal 3-6 record. There was little Campbell could do to save the season nine games in, but he showed flashes of promise and success to the suffering Washington fans. He ultimately threw for 10 touchdown passes and led the overmatched squad to an impressive near-victory comeback performance over the Eagles in December. Campbell helped deliver 16 unanswered second half points and the team almost managed a win, losing just 21-19 in the final minutes.
Campbell needs to improve his accuracy but has been working during the off-season with the offensive coaches. While he is undisputedly inexperienced in the pro game, Campbell knows what it takes to win, having led his Auburn team to an undefeated season in 2004.
While there was little time to connect with many of his receivers, Campbell was quick to find tight end Chris Cooley. And, having just signed a six-year contract extension, Cooley is an important cog in the present and future of the Redskins franchise. After a strong 2005 season, Cooley struggled with Brunell as quarterback. But, after Campbell took over, Cooley dramatically improved and led all tight ends in yards-after-catch for the second consecutive year. With 2006 behind them and a strong on-field connection already established, Campbell and Cooley look poised to lead and improve the offense.
Head coach Joe Gibbs was embarrassed last season after the worst season in his lengthy NFL career. Gibbs and his coaching staff return humbled and focused, determined to redeem the legendary coach’s reputation.
The biggest concern remains at the running back position. Clinton Portis was plagued with a knee injury in 2006 and has had difficulty shaking the injury in the pre-season. It is once again unclear if Portis will be able to make it through the season. Portis’ absence or limited contributions will result in a larger work load for Ladell Betts. Betts embraced the responsibility last season and should provide solid play for the Redskins. However, if Portis is able to play for most of the season, it will be interesting to see how they split the roles between the two players. Portis is arguably overall the more talented of the duo but Betts is the more capable receiver. Gibbs has indicated he will use both players, but the division of labor remains uncertain. Gibbs and Associate Head Coach--Offense Al Saunders have the ability to make the most of their star running backs but it to remains to be seen how this will play out throughout 2007.
The Redskins are lacking the talent and experience of their NFC East rivals, but as the season moves forward expect a youthful and hungry team to emerge led by the developing Campbell. Redskins fans will have to be patient but this team will improve this season and ultimately end the season promising an even better 2008.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
GRIDIRON GRUMBLINGS: VOL VI
IMPACT PLAYERS
By Marc Jimenez, NFL Draft Bible
With the NFL season kicking off on Thursday, there are certain aspects of the game that fans can expect to happen during the course of the year. For instance, you can count on Peyton Manning leading the league in QB Rating, LaDainian Tomlinson leading the league in rushing and Chad Johnson leading the league in unique touchdown celebrations. But the one thing fans cannot expect are the players who defy expectations, while having a profound impact in their team’s play. Every season there are multiple players who go against conventional wisdom and turn the league upside down.
Let’s look at a few of those players.
Is Jon Kitna this year’s Drew Brees? (A once cast aside QB who has a breakout season.)
In his first year in the Big Easy, Brees led the league in passing (4,418) and guided a New Orleans squad, who was still tormented by the effects of Hurricane Katrina, into the NFC Championship Game. All the right pieces were in place for Brees to have his breakout season and the same might be true for Kitna this season. The soon-to-be 35-year-old QB led the league in completions (372), was second in attempts (596) and fourth in passing (4,208 yards). Look for those numbers to improve now that the Lions have a trio of talented wide receivers in Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Calvin Johnson. If Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz can get anything out of the running game (which was ranked last in 2006) and limit Kitna’s interceptions (22) and sacks (league-high 63), it’s not hard to imagine Kitna throwing for over 4,000 yards, 25 TDs and making good on his 10-win guarantee.
Is James Jones this year’s Marques Colston? (A late-round draft pick who becomes a star.)
No one could have predicted that Colston, a seventh-round draft pick, would lead all rookie wideouts in receptions, yards and touchdowns, but that’s exactly what he did for the Saints on his way in becoming the most exciting rookie wideout since Randy Moss. Jones, who caught 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 TDs during his final season at San Jose State, was a third-round draft pick and will likely be the Packer’s No. 3 receiver. Now, given his ability to go deep and Brett Favre’s fondness for throwing the ball (he led the league with 613 attempts), Jones has the potential to thrive while lining up alongside Donald Driver.
Is Michael Bush this year’s Maurice Jones-Drew? (A rookie running back who surpassed expectations.)
Just like the commercial says, Jones-Drew was considered too small to play and was buried on Jacksonville’s depth charts. But the 5-foot- wreaking ball worked his way into the lineup, relieving an oft-injured Fred Taylor, and his impact paid off huge dividends. Jones-Drew totaled 941 yards and 13 TDs on the ground and another 436 yards and two TDs in the air. Plus he added one kickoff return and averaged 5.7 yards per carry, which was better than anyone in with the league with at least 150 carries. Oakland’s situation with an underachieving LaMont Jordon, who missed the final nine games due to a knee injury, and Dominic Rhodes, who was suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, could allow Bush to steal carries if he has fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered in the 2006 opener against Kentucky. Bush is a big and elusive back who has the ability, like Jones-Drew, to reach the end zone. In 2005 Bush had 205 carries for 1,143 yards and an NCAA-best 23 rushing TDs. The Louisville product also caught 21 passes for 253 yards. Bush may be under the radar right now, but he has the potential to lift a Raider squad that ranked last in offense.
Is Jake Delhomme this year’s Drew Bledsoe? (A starting QB who loses his job to a backup.)
Bledsoe has endured some highs and lows during his 14-year career. The good: he was the No. 1 pick in 1993, led the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI, selected to four pro bowls, and ranks seventh in NFL history in passing yards (44,611) and 13th in touchdown passes (251). The bad: he was replaced in New England by Tom Brady, in Buffalo by J.P. Losman an in Dallas by Tony Romo. The ugly: He took too many sacks and threw too many costly interceptions. Bledsoe’s benching in Dallas should be a warning to Delhomme. Carolina was expected to be a Super Bowl contender last season, but went just 8-8. Despite having Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson last season, Carolina’s passing ranked 15th in the league. John Fox cannot afford to have Delhomme struggle this season with his coaching job possibly in jeopardy. If so, David Carr (yes, that David Carr) might take away Delhomme's job and try to show what he can do behind a real NFL line.
Is Trent Green this year’s Daunte Culpepper? (A former Pro-Bowl QB who was injured last season.)
Clearly, Miami hasn’t learned its lesson on signing quarterbacks with prior injuries, but come this season, they will. Green, who suffered a severe concussion last season, has been a serviceable quarterback for many years, but it’s hard to imagine he has anything left in his 37-year-old tank. Remember, in his last meaningful game he was terrible in Kansas City’s playoff loss at Indianapolis last season (14 of 24 for 107 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions, two fumbles and four sacks), plus he doesn’t have the safety net of handing the ball over to Larry Johnson or throwing to Tony Gonzalez.
Is Ted Ginn, Jr. is this year’s Mario Williams? (An overrated draft pick who has no chance of reversing public sentiment.)
Williams surprised everyone last season when he was selected No. 1, above such names as Reegie Bush, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart. Williams recorded just 47 tackles and 4 ½ sacks for a Houston team that finished 24th in defense. Miami’s decision to select Ginn ninth overall was questionable for two reasons: 1. the former Buckeye was coming off an injury and 2. Notre Dame Quarterback Brady Quinn was still available. Since the draft, Ginn hasn’t made a great impression on the coaching staff and is not projected to be a starter. On the other hand, if Ginn doesn’t make it on the field perhaps he can find his way into a commercial with buddy LeBron James.
Will Joey Porter be this year’s Albert Haynesworth? (A guy who turns into a cheapshot artist in the heat of battle.)
Who can forget the startling image of 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth stomping on Dallas center Andrew Gurode’s face then later kicking him for good measure? The NFL is a rough game with a rich history of guys taking cheap shots at one another. Although it is impossible to condone such behavior, it is likely we will see another ugly incident this season, perhaps with Porter. The 250-pond linebacker is no stranger to aggressive play. Three seasons ago, Porter was ejected for getting into a pre-game fight with Cleveland running back William Green and just this past offseason, he punched Cincinnati tackle Levi Jones in the face at a Las Vegas blackjack table and took the phrase “hit me” to a new level. Look for Porter to be unusually rowdy when his new team, Miami, plays his old team, Pittsburg, on November 26 at Heinz Field.
Is Tom Coughlin this year’s Dennis Green? (A coach who goes on an unintentionally funny rant.)
Green had the most memorable meltdown since Jim Mora’s infamous “Playoff” rant. After giving up a 20-point lead at home against the Bears, the Arizona coach lost his cool at a postgame news conference. When asked about Chicago, Green shouted, “The Bears are who were thought they were. That’s why we took the damn field. Now, if you want to crown them, then crown their ass. But they are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook." A special rant like that only comes around once every few years but Coughlin has a good chance at breaking that trend this season. If New York underperforms and Tiki Barber continues to rip his former coach on national television, the tightly wound Coughlin could delight fans with an outrageous tirade.
By Marc Jimenez, NFL Draft Bible
With the NFL season kicking off on Thursday, there are certain aspects of the game that fans can expect to happen during the course of the year. For instance, you can count on Peyton Manning leading the league in QB Rating, LaDainian Tomlinson leading the league in rushing and Chad Johnson leading the league in unique touchdown celebrations. But the one thing fans cannot expect are the players who defy expectations, while having a profound impact in their team’s play. Every season there are multiple players who go against conventional wisdom and turn the league upside down.
Let’s look at a few of those players.
Is Jon Kitna this year’s Drew Brees? (A once cast aside QB who has a breakout season.)
In his first year in the Big Easy, Brees led the league in passing (4,418) and guided a New Orleans squad, who was still tormented by the effects of Hurricane Katrina, into the NFC Championship Game. All the right pieces were in place for Brees to have his breakout season and the same might be true for Kitna this season. The soon-to-be 35-year-old QB led the league in completions (372), was second in attempts (596) and fourth in passing (4,208 yards). Look for those numbers to improve now that the Lions have a trio of talented wide receivers in Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Calvin Johnson. If Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz can get anything out of the running game (which was ranked last in 2006) and limit Kitna’s interceptions (22) and sacks (league-high 63), it’s not hard to imagine Kitna throwing for over 4,000 yards, 25 TDs and making good on his 10-win guarantee.
Is James Jones this year’s Marques Colston? (A late-round draft pick who becomes a star.)
No one could have predicted that Colston, a seventh-round draft pick, would lead all rookie wideouts in receptions, yards and touchdowns, but that’s exactly what he did for the Saints on his way in becoming the most exciting rookie wideout since Randy Moss. Jones, who caught 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 TDs during his final season at San Jose State, was a third-round draft pick and will likely be the Packer’s No. 3 receiver. Now, given his ability to go deep and Brett Favre’s fondness for throwing the ball (he led the league with 613 attempts), Jones has the potential to thrive while lining up alongside Donald Driver.
Is Michael Bush this year’s Maurice Jones-Drew? (A rookie running back who surpassed expectations.)
Just like the commercial says, Jones-Drew was considered too small to play and was buried on Jacksonville’s depth charts. But the 5-foot- wreaking ball worked his way into the lineup, relieving an oft-injured Fred Taylor, and his impact paid off huge dividends. Jones-Drew totaled 941 yards and 13 TDs on the ground and another 436 yards and two TDs in the air. Plus he added one kickoff return and averaged 5.7 yards per carry, which was better than anyone in with the league with at least 150 carries. Oakland’s situation with an underachieving LaMont Jordon, who missed the final nine games due to a knee injury, and Dominic Rhodes, who was suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, could allow Bush to steal carries if he has fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered in the 2006 opener against Kentucky. Bush is a big and elusive back who has the ability, like Jones-Drew, to reach the end zone. In 2005 Bush had 205 carries for 1,143 yards and an NCAA-best 23 rushing TDs. The Louisville product also caught 21 passes for 253 yards. Bush may be under the radar right now, but he has the potential to lift a Raider squad that ranked last in offense.
Is Jake Delhomme this year’s Drew Bledsoe? (A starting QB who loses his job to a backup.)
Bledsoe has endured some highs and lows during his 14-year career. The good: he was the No. 1 pick in 1993, led the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI, selected to four pro bowls, and ranks seventh in NFL history in passing yards (44,611) and 13th in touchdown passes (251). The bad: he was replaced in New England by Tom Brady, in Buffalo by J.P. Losman an in Dallas by Tony Romo. The ugly: He took too many sacks and threw too many costly interceptions. Bledsoe’s benching in Dallas should be a warning to Delhomme. Carolina was expected to be a Super Bowl contender last season, but went just 8-8. Despite having Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson last season, Carolina’s passing ranked 15th in the league. John Fox cannot afford to have Delhomme struggle this season with his coaching job possibly in jeopardy. If so, David Carr (yes, that David Carr) might take away Delhomme's job and try to show what he can do behind a real NFL line.
Is Trent Green this year’s Daunte Culpepper? (A former Pro-Bowl QB who was injured last season.)
Clearly, Miami hasn’t learned its lesson on signing quarterbacks with prior injuries, but come this season, they will. Green, who suffered a severe concussion last season, has been a serviceable quarterback for many years, but it’s hard to imagine he has anything left in his 37-year-old tank. Remember, in his last meaningful game he was terrible in Kansas City’s playoff loss at Indianapolis last season (14 of 24 for 107 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions, two fumbles and four sacks), plus he doesn’t have the safety net of handing the ball over to Larry Johnson or throwing to Tony Gonzalez.
Is Ted Ginn, Jr. is this year’s Mario Williams? (An overrated draft pick who has no chance of reversing public sentiment.)
Williams surprised everyone last season when he was selected No. 1, above such names as Reegie Bush, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart. Williams recorded just 47 tackles and 4 ½ sacks for a Houston team that finished 24th in defense. Miami’s decision to select Ginn ninth overall was questionable for two reasons: 1. the former Buckeye was coming off an injury and 2. Notre Dame Quarterback Brady Quinn was still available. Since the draft, Ginn hasn’t made a great impression on the coaching staff and is not projected to be a starter. On the other hand, if Ginn doesn’t make it on the field perhaps he can find his way into a commercial with buddy LeBron James.
Will Joey Porter be this year’s Albert Haynesworth? (A guy who turns into a cheapshot artist in the heat of battle.)
Who can forget the startling image of 6-foot-6, 320-pound Haynesworth stomping on Dallas center Andrew Gurode’s face then later kicking him for good measure? The NFL is a rough game with a rich history of guys taking cheap shots at one another. Although it is impossible to condone such behavior, it is likely we will see another ugly incident this season, perhaps with Porter. The 250-pond linebacker is no stranger to aggressive play. Three seasons ago, Porter was ejected for getting into a pre-game fight with Cleveland running back William Green and just this past offseason, he punched Cincinnati tackle Levi Jones in the face at a Las Vegas blackjack table and took the phrase “hit me” to a new level. Look for Porter to be unusually rowdy when his new team, Miami, plays his old team, Pittsburg, on November 26 at Heinz Field.
Is Tom Coughlin this year’s Dennis Green? (A coach who goes on an unintentionally funny rant.)
Green had the most memorable meltdown since Jim Mora’s infamous “Playoff” rant. After giving up a 20-point lead at home against the Bears, the Arizona coach lost his cool at a postgame news conference. When asked about Chicago, Green shouted, “The Bears are who were thought they were. That’s why we took the damn field. Now, if you want to crown them, then crown their ass. But they are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook." A special rant like that only comes around once every few years but Coughlin has a good chance at breaking that trend this season. If New York underperforms and Tiki Barber continues to rip his former coach on national television, the tightly wound Coughlin could delight fans with an outrageous tirade.
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