Experts Archive - abreer.tsn (%2)

• Patriots need consistency to regain their status
  posted on October 22, 2009 - 12:02:15 pm
  
  
  Albert Breer

  FOXBOROUGH, MASS. – If imagery projects to reality then the pictures taken Sunday at Gillette Stadium were worth millions of words.

  The Patriots offense set franchise records for points, total yards, net passing yards and touchdowns. They averaged 6.4 yards per rush, and Tom Brady averaged a robust 11.2 yards per pass attempt.

  It looked, quite simply, like the relentless 2007 attack was back, and out to atone for what it left on the field when it really counted that year.

  But what's aesthetically pleasing sometimes lacks in substances. And until this Patriot offense achieves the kind of consistency they had all the way up to Super Bowl Sunday in 2007, those comparisons can cease, as can any thought that this group is yet on par with the Colts or Saints of this year.

  "We've all been talking about consistency, and that's something we needed" Patriots third-down back Kevin Faulk said. "We played one game – We played good as an offense – but it's about being consistent each and every game."

  They bludgeoned the 24th-ranked Falcons defense, and 31st-ranked Titans defense. But they struggled against a fairly average Bills group until a furious five-minute rally to come back and win. And they fell flat against the two defenses they faced that rank top third in the league, the Jets and Broncos.

  In New York and Denver games, the Patriot offense was shut out in the second half, and in the overtime portion of the Broncos loss, too.

  Of course, what's most prescient is what's most recent, and that was Tom Brady and Co. making a once-proud defense look like it was fit to play Foxboro High, not the pro team in town.

  "It started last week in practice, we had a much better week and it really carried over to the game," Brady said on Wednesday. "Coach put the pressure on us last week, he's kept the pressure on us this week. Hopefully, we go out and respond well."

  One thing making it more difficult is the health issues that have hit this team on a weekly basis.

  Against Baltimore, Fred Taylor went down with an ankle injury that brought on surgery, putting his availability for the rest of the season in question. In Denver, former Pro Bowl left tackle Matt Light suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him last week.

  This week, it was Sammy Morris going down with a knee injury and rookie receiver Julian Edelman breaking his arm.

  All of this left the Patriots thin at running back, starting a rookie (Sebastian Volmer) at left tackle, and with just two proven receivers, a problem that also exacerbated by the disappointing performance of free-agent addition Joey Galloway, who was cut Tuesday.

  "It hurts losing guys every week," guard Logan Mankins said. "But we have good backups here and we expect them to step in and do a good job. When your number's called, you need to be ready."

  Now, the flip side of this is the Patriots get the winless Buccaneers this week.

  Then comes the bye, and after that, New England's house will need to be in order, with a five week stretch featuring three division games (two vs. the Dolphins, one vs. the Jets) and potential shootouts with the Colts and Saints.

  Matching the offensive output of 2007, which was historical, is probably unrealistic. Doing what the Patriots did against the Titans in a snowstorm on a weekly basis is, too.

  But for this decade's most consistent winner, finding a suitable level of production offensively on a weekly basis is the goal, moreso than having isolated outbursts.

  It's clear enough to the players that when Faulk was asked where the offense showed improvement most last week, he didn't hesitate.

  "That one word you said earlier – Consistency."

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Five contenders who could break trade-deadline silence
  posted on October 19, 2009 - 03:38:38 pm
  
  

  For a league that throws a nationally-televised party to release its schedule and pumps three months of round-the-clock coverage leading to its draft, the NFL's trade deadline is only remarkable for the annual whimper with which it passes.

  Speculation is rising that this year could be different.

  

  Raiders S Michael Huff, a part-time player who has three interceptions, could be dealt to a contender.

  Wide receiver Braylon Edwards (Browns to Jets) and defensive end Gaines Adams (Bucs to Bears) — both just 26 and former top-five picks — have been dealt within the last two weeks. And as Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline nears, there are a plethora of bottom-feeding teams already out of their respective races.

  Trade speculation is one thing, but the reality could be somewhere else.

  NFL general managers surveyed Monday by Sporting News didn't give much reason to believe there'll be a lot of action before the deadline, saying their phones "haven't exactly been ringing off the hook."

  Why does the NFL trade deadline lack the luster of baseball's, basketball's or hockey's? One reason is the NFL trade deadline happens much earlier in the season so, generally, there are fewer sellers. And that's just the start of it.

  "No. 1 is depth," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "I know there are some injuries in baseball, but there aren't too many. You really have to think about trading somebody because who are you going to replace them with?

  "And the other issue, of course, is the system. (You) bring in a player this late in the year that doesn't know your system and hasn't been with you. At this point in time, over half the practices for the entire year have already occurred because of the number we have in training camp and in preseason."

  So with all that in mind, here are five contending teams that could be in the market for upgrades before the trade deadline:

  New York Giants

  Sunday's loss at New Orleans exposed how the Giants miss injured safety Kenny Phillips (knee). This is a team with few flaws, but that could be a fatal one in January with contenders like the Saints and Vikings flush with big-play threats.

  Possible target: Raiders safety Michael Huff is rumored to be on the block. He has three interceptions this year but has been in and out of Oakland's starting lineup.

  New England Patriots

  Wide receiver Joey Galloway, a healthy scratch two weeks in a row, has failed as a complement to Randy Moss and Wes Welker, so the team could look for a third receiver. And a premier edge rusher would be nice.

  Possible targets: Seattle wide receiver Deion Branch's cap numbers might be prohibitive, but his experience in the Patriots' offense would make him an ideal fit. Buffalo's Roscoe Parrish is another versatile piece, coming at a cheaper price. Pass rushers will be harder to find.

  Baltimore Ravens

  The current three-game losing streak started with a fourth-down drop by wide receiver Mark Clayton in New England, highlighting the club's need for a top pass-catching threat.

  Possible targets: Galloway and Terrell Owens have been mentioned, but Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe — a young target QB Joe Flacco could grow with — would make the most sense.

  New Orleans Saints

  The Saints force opposing offenses to play catch-up, so the team's run defense hasn't really been tested. The truth is, New Orleans remains thin at defensive tackle and could use someone to pair with Sedrick Ellis.

  Possible targets: Glenn Dorsey simply isn't a schematic fit for the new Chiefs regime and a return home to Louisiana and an ability to get upfield in coordinator Gregg Williams' attacking scheme could be perfect.

  Minnesota Vikings

  Sunday's defensive struggles against Baltimore exposed depth problems in a secondary that was without star corner Antoine Winfield (foot).

  Possible targets: Ronde Barber would make a lot of sense, with his experience playing in the style of defense Leslie Frazier employs in Minnesota.

  
  
  
• 10 players NFL GMs should be asking about as trade deadline nears
  posted on October 19, 2009 - 04:01:43 pm
  
  

  • Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs. A big-time talent, to be sure, and one the Chiefs might be willing to part with for the right price. Baltimore could take a look.

  • Glenn Dorsey, DT, Chiefs. His cap numbers are not outrageous, and he's a bad fit in Kansas City's 3-4 scheme.

  • Michael Huff, S, Raiders. Only a part-time player now, Huff has three interceptions in six games. He's young, so some coach might think he can get better results from a '06 first-rounder.

  • Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. Jackson is a six-year vet with a history of injuries. He could well be on the downside of his career by the time the retooling Rams are ready to contend.

  • Shawne Merriman, OLB, Chargers. There is friction with management and Merriman, and injuries have relegated him to six games (no sacks) since '07.

  • Kirk Morrison, MLB, Raiders. A really good player on a bad team, Morrison has 58 tackles through six games. A place like Philly could bring light to his ability.

  • Terrell Owens, WR, Bills. Bills officials maintain they won't trade him. And the truth is he might not have a lot left in the tank anyway. Roscoe Parrish might be a better value for buyers.

  • Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers. His inconsistencies have drawn criticism, and he has a huge cap number. With little chance he'll stay in 2010, this might be the time to deal him.

  • Brady Quinn, QB, Browns. Cleveland officials say they aren't trading Quinn, but the same people keep changing their minds about him. A change of scenery could be what Quinn needs to flourish.

  • Adalius Thomas, LB, Patriots. He joined wide receiver Joey Galloway among healthy scratches on Sunday. Neither is happy with his place in New England.

  
  
  
• Rout or not, Patriots remain NFL's great enigma
  posted on October 18, 2009 - 08:22:13 pm
  
  

  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Through a sheet of snow, the Patriots' logo at midfield in Gillette Stadium looked so blurred it was like you were seeing it through the eyes of a drunk.

  

  It's tough to get a clear picture of Tom Brady and the Patriots after six weeks.

  Which, really, is appropriate. Six Sundays have passed in this NFL season and very little has come clear in New England.
  
  The Patriots are the league's great enigma.
  
  Sunday's 59-0 victory over Tennessee, as impressive as it was, didn't alter the blurry view. Are the Patriots that good, given their 45-0 lead at halftime? Or has Tennessee simply sunk that far?
  
  Bill Belichick's comment afterward--that this was a "really good effort by our team, all the way across the board"--was clearly on target. Less clear is how the performance reflects on the Patriots' hopes going forward.
  
  Whatever the truth about Sunday is, the fact remains there's a pretty wide range within which New England could land. The Patriots could well be shaping into the Super Bowl favorites so many thought they were before the season. They also could be another run-of-the-mill team that might or might not play into January.
  
  Here's why Sunday's dominance could be a mirage:
  
  • The defense has been better than expected, but ... it still can't say it has made a big stop in a big spot. Against the Bills, Jets and Broncos, there were fourth quarter moments where the defense needed to stand up and failed to do so. Against Baltimore in Week 4, a fourth-down dropped pass finished off the Ravens, not anything the Patriots did.
  
  There have been plenty of positives on defense--namely safety Brandon Meriweather becoming a force and a plethora of new faces providing upgrades.
  But the fact is defense is about getting stops when it counts most, and this team hasn't proved it can do that consistently.
  
  • Tom Brady had an epic day statistically against Tennessee, but ... a lot of that had to do with a) the conditions and b) a beat-up and beat-down Titans secondary. Fact is, he came into Sunday as the NFL's 19th-ranked passer (just behind much-criticized Tony Romo).
  
  Brady laid an egg against the Jets and looked out of sync against Denver.
  How quickly and consistently he can hit his stride is pretty important to where this team goes.
  
  "There's no doubt a game like this can really give you confidence," Brady said. "We've always been a confident team. (But) I think we've been a disappointed team at times." And minimizing those moments will be key.
  
  • The running game is questionable. Again, consistency is the issue.
  And with Sammy Morris joining Fred Taylor on the shelf after injuring his knee on Sunday, more will be put on Laurence Maroney, who has yet to deliver on the first-round investment the team made in him three years ago.
  
  His 123-yard effort Sunday did leave room for the Pats to be encouraged. "I had a good game," Maroney said, "but it's more about the team having a good game."
  
  

  Related Links

  • Trenches: Titans help out Pats
  • Pats 59, Titans 0: Brady throws 5 TDs on quarter
  It wasn't hard to get a good picture of all the good on Sunday. The Patriots really didn't do much wrong.
  
  But then, they were pretty impressive against Atlanta in Week 3 and that didn't amount to much in Denver two weeks later.
  
  So just where do these Patriots stand? That's about as good a question as there is in pro football as the NFL nears midseason.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Titans safety Michael Griffin: 'Can it get worse? Yes, we can continue to lose'
  posted on October 18, 2009 - 10:22:05 pm
  
  

  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Coming off an embarrassing 59-0 loss to New England, Titans safety Michael Griffin talked to Sporting News' Albert Breer to explain where things went so wrong Sunday and this season.
  
  Q: Have you ever been through a loss like that before?

  A: Not since my freshman year (at Texas), when we played (Oklahoma). Back in '03, it was 65-13.
  
  Q: Is there anything you take from that and apply here?

  A: Really, the reaction is: We lost, we're 0-6. Can it get worse? Yes, we can continue to lose. Or we can figure out some way to turn it around.
  
  Q: Attitude-wise, is there something missing that was there last year, when the team went 13-3?
  A: What we all need to do is not point a finger here or point a finger there. We need to look ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves if we're giving 110 percent. If not, then, we need to. If you're not, you're letting your team down and being selfish.
  
  Q: Was the effort there Sunday against New England?

  A: The effort was there, but we just need to make plays. That's something we did last year, and we've gotten away from. Chris Johnson played a great game. ... Last year, there were times when the offense turned the ball over inside the 20 and we still managed to walk away with a blocked field goal, or just three points.
  
  Q: What affect did the snow have?

  A: Some people had never played in the snow, and this being an NFL game it probably played a little part in a lot of different things. But we can't use that as an excuse, can't use that as a crutch.
  
  

  Related Links

  • Breer: Patriots still an enigma
  • Trenches: Titans provide lots of help
  Q: Is confidence an issue?

  A: I think being 0-6, you kind of have a little doubt going into games. But once we get that one win, that first "W," it'll put a lot of confidence in those who may be doubting.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• These coaches need to keep things together as their seasons fall apart
  posted on October 14, 2009 - 08:31:00 pm
  
  

  The good of this NFL season has been overshadowed by the bad and ugly.
  
  The winning quarterback for Cleveland on Sunday completed two of 17 passes. The Raiders' coach could be arrested for assault. The Redskins' coaching search is rumored to already be under way.
  
  "It's so hard to (get back at it) with these kinds of losses," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. "It's just heartbreaking."
  
  Heartbreak is one thing. These coaches have to worry about teams breaking apart:

  

  Jeff Fisher has been the only head coach during the Titans' time in Tennessee.

  Tom Cable, Raiders

  At issue: The 1-4 start is just a small part of a complete mess. Cable's problems run deeper than Oakland's record.
  
  Solution: Al Davis favors young coaches. So Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, 35, would fit.

  Jeff Fisher, Titans

  At issue: After 15 years, it's hard to see the Titans cutting him loose. It's also difficult to respond to the same voice for that long.
  
  Solution: Stick with Fisher.

  Dick Jauron, Bills

  At issue: A promising start has melted down the last two weeks—blown out in Miami, embarrassed by Cleveland.
  
  Solution: They've never been afraid of recycling, so Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride could get a look.

  Eric Mangini, Browns

  At issue: Reports continue to surface of player unrest as Mangini overhauls a dysfunctional roster.
  
  Solution: Mangini still has time.

  Raheem Morris, Bucs

  At issue: Team officials knew rebuilding pains were coming, and they've arrived.

  Solution: Morris will be given time.

  

  Would Mike Shanahan take over for a former assistant--and work with his son--in Houston?

  Gary Kubiak, Texans

  At issue: Kubiak needs a breakthrough, but the Texans continue to consistently be inconsistent.
  
  Solution: Mike Shanahan's the easiest answer—he created Kubiak's system, and Houston might offer him the most control. Plus, son Kyle is the offensive coordinator.

  John Fox, Panthers

  At issue: The Panthers went 12-4 last year by running the ball and playing defense. They're doing neither well now.
  
  Solution: A call will be placed to Bill Cowher, if a move is made, but the best bet is a low-profile guy like 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.

  Wade Phillips, Cowboys

  At issue: A lack of discipline was clear Sunday, nearly sending Wade & Co. to a loss to lowly K.C.
  
  Solution: Mike Holmgren's relationship with Jerry Jones makes him a natural.

  Norv Turner, Chargers

  At issue: Another uneven start means another blown opportunity for a talented club.
  
  Solution: Turner still has every chance to save his job. If he doesn't, Shanahan would be attracted to this one but control could be a problem.

  Related Links

  • Breer: Midseason firings rarely work
  • Four assistant coaches who are on the rise

  Jim Zorn, Redskins

  At issue: To say more here would be piling on.
  
  Solution: Again, control would be an issue with Shanahan. Jon Gruden is a more logical target.

  A version of this story appears in Oct. 15's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free. Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Firing NFL coaches in midseason rarely works
  posted on October 14, 2009 - 08:43:49 pm
  
  

  In the NFL, "Black Monday" arrives the day after the season ends and pink slips rain on the league's coaches.
  
  This year, things might be getting dark earlier. And the ineptitude of a cadre of teams is just one reason for the pending bloodshed.

  

  One former GM says Mike Singletary's rapid success in San Francisco is the exception rather than the rule.

  First, with the remarkable 2008 debuts of Mike Smith, Tony Sparano and John Harbaugh, and '09 neophytes Rex Ryan and Josh McDaniels in first place now, the waiting period for success shrunk. Second, the 49ers' example—where Mike Singletary was installed in midseason last year, setting the foundation for this season's renaissance—looms over those struggling coaches.
  
  "I don't agree with it," former NFL general manager Charley Casserly said. "Football's not like other sports—you can't just change things midstream. You have too many players, too many coaches, a system. Maybe if you have your next coach on staff, you want to let him be in charge, running the meetings, practice. But that's rare."
  
  Along with Singletary, Casserly cited Marty Schottenheimer as another example of an assistant coach taking over in midseason, taking the reins in Cleveland in the middle of the '84 season.
  
  The Browns made the move because they knew Schottenheimer would become a head coach and figured that waiting to promote him from defensive coordinator didn't make sense. Cleveland made the playoffs the following year and went to the first of three AFC title games in four years in 1986.
  
  Normally, the pitfalls of such a move prevent midseason firings. Here are three concerns any team might have before pulling the trigger:
  
  • You'll likely lose the interim coach, unless you permanently promote him after the season. If you give a valued coordinator the top job, there rarely is any going back. He can be a coordinator elsewhere but usually not in that place again.
  
  • There's the chance the situation turns ugly and could influence potential free agents to a) depart or b) stay away. Casserly, though, did say that players would be a peripheral concern. "Players have short memories," he said. "They get over things quickly and say, 'OK, you made a change, now is the next guy better?' "
  
  • The fans, rightly, will see a midseason firing as a sign of surrender. The players might not quit, but it looks like the front office has given up hope. If in a market where ticket sales are a struggle, this can be a factor. 

  The upside? The list of coaches-on-sabbatical is as long and prestigious as it ever has been.
  
  Super Bowl champions like Jon Gruden, Mike Holmgren and Bill Cowher are out there. And some teams—we're looking at you, Redskins—might see a midseason firing as an avenue to get a head start on the market.
  
  The possible places where heads could roll soon:

  Buffalo Bills

  After a blowout loss in Miami and a home defeat to lowly Cleveland, the Bills seem to be in disrepair. Dick Jauron is on watch. The problem is the team fired its offensive coordinator a week before the season and might not have anyone ready to assume the role. The two naturals, presumably, would be special teams coach Bobby April and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.
  
  So Jauron might get a chance to right the ship. He also understands why people would blame him for steering it off course.
  
  "I clearly haven't been able to reach them, to help them particularly in these last three games to get them over the hump to get us where we win," Jauron said Monday. "So, yeah, I understand that criticism."

  Oakland Raiders

  Firing the coach here would be a little bit like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. But the Raiders might be forced to, if Tom Cable's legal issue with ex-assistant Randy Hanson continues to escalate.
  
  And then, there's Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce saying on Sirius NFL Radio that Sunday's beatdown of Oakland "felt like a scrimmage, felt like a practice."
  
  Good as the Giants are, the Raiders players looked like they'd thrown in the towel on the season. If Cable is fired, Oakland could turn to quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett for the rest of the season.

  Washington Redskins

  Related Links

  • Breer: These coaches need to keep things together
  • Four assistants who are on the rise

  Sherm Lewis' arrival last week as an offensive consultant might have cleared the path for Jim Zorn's firing. Lewis could be named head coach or run the offense if defensive coordinator Greg Blache is elevated.

  The problem in Washington, though, appears to be more organizational than directly related to one person. "I don't know if we've got the right personnel here to do it," is the way DeAngelo Hall explained it to the D.C. media. 

  Which is to say the franchise has been through so many coaches it's worth considering pointing the finger elsewhere. 

  This story appears in Oct. 15's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free. Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• The underachievers: NFL coaches try to save fractured teams, their jobs
  posted on October 15, 2009 - 06:50:41 pm
  
  
  

  Jim Zorn is right not to worry about his job status: He's a goner.

  The good of this NFL season has been overshadowed by the bad and ugly. The winning quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday completed 2-of-17 passes. The Oakland Raiders' coach could be arrested for assault. The Washington Redskins' coaching search is rumored already under way.
   
  "I don't have a lot of time devoted to worrying about my job status," 'Skins coach Jim Zorn said.
   
  A look at underperforming coaches who have the most to fear:
   

  1. Tom Cable, Raiders

  The 1-4 start is just a small part of Oakland's mess.
  Solution: Al Davis favors young coaches, so Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, 35, would fit.
   

  2. Jim Zorn, Redskins

  To say more would be piling on.
  Solution: Mike Shanahan would want control, so Jon Gruden is a more logical target.
   

  3. Dick Jauron, Bills

  

  Jeff Fisher isn't the reason the Titans aren't meeting expectations.

  A promising start has melted down the last two weeks.
  Solution: Never afraid of recycling, the Bills could look at Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.
   

  4. John Fox, Panthers

  The Panthers went 12-4 last season by running the ball and playing defense. They're doing neither well now.
  Solution: A call will be placed to Bill Cowher, but the best bet is a low-profile guy like 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.
   

  5. Jeff Fisher, Titans

  After 15 years, it's hard to see the Titans cutting him loose.
  Solution: Stick with Fisher.
   

  6. Wade Phillips, Cowboys

  A lack of discipline was clear Sunday, nearly sending Wade & Co. to a loss to lowly K.C.
  Solution: Mike Holmgren's relationship with Jerry Jones makes him a natural.
   

  

  Wade Phillips should be prepared for a pink slip if shenanigans continue.

  7. Eric Mangini, Browns

  Reports continue to surface of player unrest as a dysfunctional roster is overhauled.
  Solution: Mangini has some time.
   

  8. Raheem Morris, Buccaneers

  Team officials knew rebuilding pains were coming, and they've arrived.
  Solution: Morris will be given time.
   

  9. Norv Turner, Chargers

  Another uneven start means another blown opportunity for a talented club.
  Solution: Turner has every chance to save his job. Shanahan would be attracted, but control could be a problem.
   

  10. Gary Kubiak, Texans

  Kubiak needs a breakthrough, but the Texans remain inconsistent.
  Solution: Shanahan created Kubiak's system, and Houston might offer him the most control. Plus, son Kyle is their offensive coordinator.
   
  This story appears in Oct. 16's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.
  
  
  
• Colts' Irsay joins fight against Limbaugh's Rams bid
  posted on October 13, 2009 - 07:42:37 pm
  
  
  BOSTON — Rush Limbaugh might yet become a member of the NFL's fraternity of owners, as part of a group looking into buying the St. Louis Rams.
   
  But that doesn't mean he'll be welcomed.
   
  "I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said at the league's fall meetings. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive ... our words do damage, and it's something that we don't need."
   
  On Tuesday, Rams president John Shaw made a presentation to the assembled executives indicating that the Rosenbloom family was exploring selling the club but hadn't made any final decision. Limbaugh says he is part of a group, led by St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, with an interest in the bidding.
   
  Irsay's reference was to comments Limbaugh made in 2003, saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated based on the media being "desirous that a black quarterback do well."
   
  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was clear with his feelings on those remarks.
   
  "I have said many times before that we are all held to a higher standard here," Goodell said Tuesday. "I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about."
   
  The league has shot down controversial figures before. Notably, in 1999, the league's owners voted down an $800 million bid — a record offer for any professional sports franchise at the time — from New York real estate mogul Howard Milstein, in part because of Milstein's abrasive style and business relationships.
   
  In other developments at the owners' meetings:
   

  Uncapped future

  The uncapped season of 2010 and the restrictions on free agency (six years to become unrestricted, limits on elite teams' activity) were put in the current CBA as motivators to get a deal done before that league year.
   
  Goodell said those conditions continue to serve as incentive to get an agreement with the players' association but conceded that the possibility of entering the uncapped year is real.
   
  "The ownership is preparing for an uncapped season," Goodell said. "We want an agreement as soon as possible, but the most important thing is to get an agreement that works for us and works for the players."
   

  Signs of health

  Last week's Monday Night Football game, a/k/a. the "Favre Bowl," between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, was the most watched cable program of all-time. NBC's Sunday Night Football has won the Sunday night ratings battle in each of the first five weeks of the season, and Colts-Titans produced more than double the ratings of Yankees-Twins head-to-head this week.
   
  Translation: The NFL is still growing. And the labor issues become more pressing when considering how a potential lockout could stunt that.
   
  "When you look at the 10 most watched sport programs are NFL games and not any of the other sports, we have a great product here," said Patriots owner Robert Kraft, chairman of the broadcast committee. "So it's really important that we, the 32 owners, stay together as a unit and get an agreement in place that can work for the long time and allows us to grow the sport and keep the quality of the product as special as it.
   
  "Really, it's so unique and we're so fortunate to be in this business."
   
  This story appears in Oct. 14's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.
  
  
  
• NFL assistant coaches on the rise
  posted on October 14, 2009 - 08:51:47 pm
  
  

  You know the big names—Holmgren, Gruden, Cowher, Shanahan. But here are four young assistants who could be ready to become head coaches in the offseason:
  
  Darrell Bevell, Vikings offensive coordinator. The 39-year-old seamlessly moved Brett Favre into the offense and has been creative deploying rookie Percy Harvin.
  
  Brian Schottenheimer, Jets offensive coordinator. Fourth-year offensive coordinator at 35, he has worked with three quarterbacks and helped develop rookie Mark Sanchez this year.
  
  Greg Manusky, 49ers defensive coordinator. Not as young, at 44, but he has molded the 49ers' defense into one of the league's most disciplined units.
  
  Sean McDermott, Eagles defensive coordinator. Only a first-year play-caller, but he has been well-regarded for some time and, at 35, long has been seen as a future head coach.

  This story appears in Oct. 15's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free. Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Proving them wrong: Week 5's overachievers
  posted on October 11, 2009 - 10:59:27 pm
  
  

  You could see it when Josh McDaniels ran to one end of Invesco Field at Mile High, toward no one in particular, and let loose four emphatic fist pumps.

  Beating his old team, the New England Patriots, with his new one, the Denver Broncos, meant something. And the manner of the home team's 20-17 overtime win only added to it. So afterward, McDaniels allowed himself to admit that the "every game is important" rhetoric earlier in the week was nonsense.

  "I lied," McDaniels said. "I knew how hard it would be to beat them. It's special because our team put in the time and the effort and the work.''

  It was special because Kyle Orton, the replacement for displaced franchise QB Jay Cutler, was masterful, completing 73 percent of his passes for 330 yards. It was special because the once-maligned defense held New England scoreless in the second half, setting the stage for the comeback.

  They, and McDaniels, proved people wrong. Here are more guys doing the same:

  Cowboys WR Miles Austin. Dallas' wideouts had been criticized for contributing to the struggles of Tony Romo, who hasn't benefited from a playmaking target like Terrell Owens this season.

  Austin's club-record 250 yards on 10 catches, and two touchdowns (the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter and the overtime game-winner) were a good silencer, at least for now. He played the way Dallas has hoped Roy Williams would.

  Romo said, "(Austin) proved we can count on him in the clutch."

  Related Links

  • Iyer's Week 5 Checkdown: Broncos no fluke
  • Clifton Brown: 5-0 Broncos are for real
  • Tom Brady: Vikings' D 'very active'
  • Fantasy Source: Upon Further Review
  • Team reports: Updates on all 32 clubs
  Bengals RB Cedric Benson: The former Chicago bust again performed strongly for Cincinnati, becoming the first player in 40 games to run for 100 yards on the Ravens' defense, with 120 yards on 27 carries. He has 367 yards through four games and is averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

  He allowed the Bengals to control the tempo and the clock, with nearly 35 minutes of possession. That helped a defense that yielded just 7 points to the Baltimore offense.

  "He made some plays," said Ravens nose tackle Kelly Gregg. "We missed some tackles. You got to take your hat off, he came out and ran the ball well. We didn't tackle well. We've got to get that corrected."

  Falcons LB Mike Peterson: A malcontent in Jacksonville, Peterson has emerged as an Atlanta leader and was part of an effort to stand up to the physical Niners. He also helped create a big play, tipping a pass that wound up intercepted by Brian Williams on the Niners' first third down.

  The Falcons certainly needed the effort. After getting pushed around by New England before the bye, Atlanta was much better against the pass (Shaun Hill was 15-of-38), and adequate against the run, outside of a couple of Hill scrambles.

  "Our back was against the wall," Peterson told the Atlanta media. "We didn't play as well the last time out. We felt we had a lot to prove. We were ready to play some football."

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Niners search for respect as Falcons seek redemption
  posted on October 10, 2009 - 11:51:03 am
  
  

  It has been seven years since the San Francisco 49ers posted a winning season, have lost 11 or more games three times in that span and are now on their third coach since Steve Mariucci left after the '02 season.

  So skepticism over the club's 3-1 start to this season — the only thing keeping the Niners from being perfect was the Brett Favre miracle in Week 3 — is understandable.

  And if you can't fathom why, then ask the coach himself.

  "The guys aren't impressing me, and they're not impressing themselves," Niners coach Mike Singletary said. "Matter of fact, the way they've worked through the offseason, I feel like right now we've got to step up. We're a little behind where we need to be, where we want to be, and we have to work a little harder to get there."

  

  RB Glen Coffee has played in all four games for the 49ers, but has no touchdowns and only 138 total rushing yards.

  The Niners get another chance at the type of validating, out-of-division victory that eluded them in Minnesota when Atlanta pays a visit to the Bay Area Sunday.

  On the other side, the Falcons have been waiting two weeks to rid the bad taste of getting pushed around at New England, now coming off their bye week.

  "We didn't play as well as we could against New England," Falcons defensive end John Abraham said. "Not to take any credit away from them, but we definitely could've played a better game."

  Related Links

  • Iyer: Week 5 picks
  • Matchup: Falcons-49ers
  • SN experts: Week 5 picks
  • NFL Playoff Simulator: Try it now
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  • 49ers, Falcons tight ends could shine

  So this matchup becomes a game of chances: The 49ers' chance to ratchet up their credibility, and the Falcons' chance to get back on track.

  Here are four things that could determine which team takes advantage:

  1. Can the Niners fly? The primary weakness defensively for the Falcons is at the cornerback spots, and it's an area both Carolina and New England were able to exploit with Steve Smith and Randy Moss. And this is where Michael Crabtree's extended holdout costs San Francisco — there's no real outside threat on the Niners roster to challenge Atlanta's Chris Houston and Brian Williams. Josh Morgan is promising and Isaac Bruce remains respectable, but they're not as worrisome as Smith and Moss.

  2. Can Glen Coffee bring a jolt? The other weakness of the Falcons' defense is in the interior, where defensive tackle Peria Jerry's injury leaves middle linebacker Curtis Lofton exposed. The good news for Atlanta is that Frank Gore (ankle) is expected to sit this one out, and the Niners' running game struggled last week behind rookie Coffee (2.3 yards per carry for the season). Without a menacing running game or big-play threat on the perimeter, Atlanta could focus on stopping tight end Vernon Davis.

  3. Turn-ing the corner? The Falcons' bellcow, Michael Turner, is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry with a long run of 16 yards on the season. Atlanta's chances on the ground might not be more plentiful with Patrick Willis & Co. yielding just 3.1 yards a carry. Yet, the Falcons swear they've been inches away from Turner big runs. Getting Turner into the open field, if only a few times today, will represent a big boost.

  4. Can you convert? Despite their 3-1 start, the 49ers have been outgained in yardage (284 per game to 264). They've made up the difference by maximizing their own opportunities and minimizing those of the opponent. The 49ers are one of only two NFL teams (New England is the other) to have scored on all red-zone chances and rank sixth in the NFL with touchdowns on 62.5 percent of trips inside the 20. Meanwhile, Atlanta has struggled offensively in the red zone and the Niners rank fourth in the league in that category on defense. Bottom line: For Atlanta, simply piling up yards between the 20s won't be enough.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Rebuilt and rollin': New coaches turn three teams' fortunes
  posted on October 08, 2009 - 07:55:09 pm
  
  

  Four new coaches were hired in the 2008 NFL offseason, and three won 11 games last season.

   
  For the 11 neophytes of '09, the bar was raised. In Indianapolis, Jim Caldwell was charged with steadying a ship — through some coaching staff tumult — coming off seven consecutive seasons with 10-plus wins. At 4-0, he's done just that.
   
  In other places, change meant rocking the team culture. Three rebuilt franchises have found immediate success:
   

  Denver Broncos

  Amid the Jay Cutler saga, coach Josh McDaniels was building a team representing everything Cutler, the anointed franchise cornerstone, hadn't been: efficient, mistake-free and even a little dull.
   
  Denver overhauled its defense with players (i.e., Brian Dawkins, Ronald Fields) fitting new coordinator Mike Nolan's 3-4 system. An already talented offense was reworked with McDaniels types like Kyle Orton and Jabar Gaffney.
   
  "The biggest thing is to evaluate players for your system. If you evaluate them otherwise, you're wasting your time," McDaniels said. "I love the team we assembled. It's a group of guys who work extremely well together, who trust in what we're telling them and believe in what we're doing."
   

  New York Jets

  Coach Rex Ryan instilled a swagger and scrubbed the Pentagon-style shroud that covered the team under Eric Mangini.
   
  As linebacker Bart Scott explains it, "I think we're no more confident than any other team. I just think the only difference is we tell you guys that, and the rest of the people lie to you." But it does seem like the Jets are playing loose and cocksure.
   
  It helps Ryan that has no problem repeatedly saying, "I think we have an outstanding football team."
   

  San Francisco 49ers

  The groundwork for '09 success was laid during last year's 5-2 finish, which commenced not long after Mike Singletary took the reins from Nolan.
   
  But really, Singletary says, the foundation was cemented during a demanding offseason program.
   
  "We set the bar high, and these guys worked their tails off," Singletary said. "You do that, and something develops inside a team. You can't buy it. You can't talk through it. You have to do it. We paid the price."
   
  This story appears in Oct. 9's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com
  
  
  
• Patriots' warning: 'We're coming together'
  posted on October 04, 2009 - 06:29:38 pm
  
  

  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — For the rest of the NFL, we present two facts on the New England Patriots.

  The good news: They can be had.

  The bad news: Despite that, they're 3-1. And with so many moving pieces still being melded together and Bill Belichick being the one carrying the torch, they promise to get better.

  In Week 1, Buffalo's Leodis McKelvin coughed up the ball on a kickoff to fuel the back end of a Patriots comeback. On Sunday, it was Mark Clayton dropping a fourth-down pass inside the New England 10 with less than a minute to go to seal the Patriots' 27-21 win over the Ravens.

  Fortunate? No doubt. Which isn't good for everyone else, if this is the point in the season when a) Tom Brady's working his way back from last year's devastating knee injury, and b) a revamped defense is getting its legs underneath it.

  "I thought our guys really hung in there and made enough plays to win," Belichick said. "I'm really proud of them." 

  

  Tom Brady still is only 16 quarters of real football into his comeback from knee reconstruction.

  For a team with New England's history, it's hardly time to break out the tickertape and arrange for police detail for roads around the Charles River. 

  But Belichick has reason to be proud. Fact is, Brady still is only 16 quarters of real football into his comeback from knee reconstruction and has played half of those without the team's best chain-mover, Wes Welker. Meanwhile, of the 11 guys who started Sunday on defense, only four were regular Patriots starters in '08 and the club has adjusted its scheme to fit the new parts.

  Every roster has turnover. But even in today's NFL, for a contender to have this much churn is unusual.

  So growing pains were expected. And felt against the Bills. And the Jets. And the Falcons and Ravens.

  But somehow, the players have held it together by executing the game plan.

  Against Atlanta's high-powered offense, it was playing keepaway, which the Patriots did by, at one point, having the ball for 42 snaps in a 48-play stretch and finishing with nearly 40 minutes of possession. On Sunday, against a Baltimore defense that limits your chances, there was an emphasis on converting opportunities—and New England made good on three of five trips into the red zone.

  "That was the difference in the game," Brady said. "We got it in three times, and they got it in twice."

  As were the clutch plays that have become New England's custom. Plus, there was Clayton's drop at the end and a couple of questionable penalties along the way.

  But there also was a fourth-and-1 converted from the Baltimore 3 to set up the Patriots' first touchdown. And a red-zone interception by Leigh Bodden—one of those newcomers—before the half to preserve a 17-7 lead. And a fourth-quarter fourth-down stop near midfield.

  "We're coming together," said linebacker Gary Guyton, playing full-time now in Jerod Mayo's old spot. "It's an experience thing."

  Related Links

  • Recap: Pats 27, Ravens 21
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  • More Breer: Somehow, Pats keep surviving
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  The offense figure to improve as Brady gets more and more comfortable and some of the new skill players settle in. The defense should improve as Mayo gets back and newcomers and young risers come together.

  Veteran newcomer Shawn Springs says the Patriots have won on the fly partly because of high participation in the offseason program, and partly with "everybody buying in to the system and doing their job. That's how you do it."

  Inexplicably, the Patriots keep doing it. And as they go on, it's get harder to stop that from happening.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Key player battles will decide top games
  posted on October 03, 2009 - 08:34:44 am
  
  

  Brett Favre says Vikings-Packers will be all about football.

  His teammates will agree. His opponents – those former teammates of his in green-and-gold – will second the notion.

  Listen to none of it.

  "It gives us a chance to go 4-0," Favre said. "You can't look at it any differently."

  Hogwash.

  It's impossible not to look at it differently. That's just the way it is when a quarterback plays 16 years in one place, wins a Super Bowl, plays in two, breaks a slew of all-time records, achieves iconic status and then plays against that team for the first time.

  So sorry, Brett. Sorry, Vikings. Sorry, Packers. This one can't be all about football.

  But Favre's point can be heard here – After the dust settles and the big-top departs Minneapolis, this game will have had a major impact on the NFC North race.

  Point is, the football part's not trivial. Nor will it be in four other big games this weekend, where these matchups will be key …

  Packers at Vikings

  

  The focus Monday is on Brett Favre, but the Packers will be more concerned with trying to stop Adrian Peterson

  Packers LT Daryn Colledge vs. Vikings DE Jared Allen: Chad Clifton (ankle) seems likely to sit out a second straight game, meaning Colledge would be matched with an All-Pro edge rusher.

  And that kind of matchup is why Aaron Rodgers has taken a league-high 12 sacks. The Packers offensive line figures to have across-the-board issues with Minnesota's stout defensive front, but this might be where the problem is most glaring.
  
  Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. Packers ILBs A.J. Hawk/Nick Barnett: Tackling's a Packer emphasis this week with Mr. Everything on tap. If they keep Peterson in check, more goes on Favre's plate. And that's not necessarily great for the Vikings.

  Lost in the hysteria of the miracle Favre-to-Greg Lewis hook-up to win last week's thriller was that the quarterback was uneven all afternoon. With the 49ers doing a good job on Peterson, Favre completed just 52.2 percent of his passes and, on the drive previous to the game-winning march, he threw one into the hands of Dre Bly, who would've returned it for a back-breaking pick-six had he avoided the dropsies.

  Ravens at Patriots

  Patriots QB Tom Brady vs. Ravens S Ed Reed: Brady should have shots with Randy Moss downfield – two of the three touchdowns Baltimore's allowed defensively have come on plays of 35 yards or longer – but he's been inconsistent with the deep ball of late and Reed's a wild card in centerfield.

  Brady said it himself: You can't lose track of where No. 20 is. "He's tough back there on quarterbacks. … "He'll be where the ball is. And that's what makes him such a great player, it's the things where it's not really his responsibility, but he makes the play on the ball. Then, when you think he's really undisciplined back there, you try to take advantage of it, and then he's there right where he should be, playing his responsibility."

  Ravens C Matt Birk vs. Patriots NT Mike Wright: If Vince Wilfork (ankle) is shelved, Wright takes his place. Birk is key to the Ravens' ability to get RBs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee going, and opening things up for Joe Flacco.

  As well as Flacco's played, he's been the beneficiary of balanced game-plans against porous run defenses in Kansas City and Cleveland, and a San Diego team playing without Jamal Williams. If New England can slow the running game, the Ravens QB will have to do more.

  

  Marques Colston will try to be the first receiver to solve the Jets' Darrelle Revis

  Jets at Saints

  Saints WR Marques Colston vs. Jets CB Darrelle Revis: Revis locked down Andre Johnson and Randy Moss, and takes aim at another big target. If he can corral Colston, that'll allow Rex Ryan flexibility in coverage and pass-rush.

  Brees has only taken four sacks through three games. Outside of that, he's only been hit seven times. Ryan can change that, but a big key is being able to handle New Orleans' weapons without playing too many guys in coverage, and it starts with Revis winning his one-on-one matchup.

  Jets RB Leon Washington vs. Saints LB Jonathan Vilma: Saints DC Gregg Williams will come after Mark Sanchez. The Jets will likely combat that with Washington, who creates a matchup problem in the passing game if an opponent blitzes.

  And beyond that, the best way to slow a pass rush is with the running game, and Washington, along with Thomas Jones, will have a hand in that.

  Chargers at Steelers

  Chargers LT Marcus McNeill vs. Steelers OLB James Harrison: San Diego has the league's second-best pass offense, and second-worst run offense. That puts pressure on linemen, no moreso than on the guy (McNeill) blocking the reigning DPOY.

  Harrison had a sack against the Chargers in the regular season last year, and another against San Diego in the playoffs. And with LaDainian Tomlinson hobbled, he could have the chance to tee off again.

  Steelers WR Santonio Holmes vs. Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie: Holmes called San Diego's Cromartie and Quentin Jammer, "normal corners." With Pittsburgh's running game struggling, Holmes will have to make them look that way.

  Holmes was held largely in check last year, with just seven catches for 88 yards in two meetings with San Diego. If the Steelers are to snap a two-game losing streak, he'll probably have to do more than that.

  Cowboys at Broncos

  Related Links

  • Matchup: Packers at Vikings
  • Matchup: Ravens at Patriots
  • Matchup: Jets at Saints
  • Matchup: Chargers at Steelers
  • Matchup: Cowboys at Broncos
  • Iyer: Picking the Week 4 lineup
  • Florio: 10 story lines to watch

  Cowboys C Andre Gurode vs. Broncos NT Ronnie Fields: Fields has been a surprise difference-maker in the middle of Denver's defense, a San Francisco import who played for Broncos DC Mike Nolan there. Meanwhile, Gurode has been the centerpiece of a reinvigorated Dallas offensive front.

  The Cowboys have rushed for more than 200 yards in their last two games. The Broncos are yielding 2.5 yards per carry. So something's gotta give here, and whatever does could mean the difference between Tony Romo being able to manage the game or having to go into gun-slinger mode in long-yardage situations, which could highlight the Flozell Adams-vs.-Elvis Dumerville matchup as well.

  Broncos WR Brandon Marshall vs. Cowboys CB Terence Newman: This matchup is fluid, since Josh McDaniels will mix-and-match his receivers quite a bit, and this really could include Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley and Jabar Gaffney for Denver, as well as Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick for Dallas.

  The problem for the Cowboys corners hasn't been covering, as much as tackling. Denver will spread a defense out and set up run-after-catch opportunities, and run screens where players in the secondary will be forced to come down and make physical plays. Pretty obvious, then, that a Dallas emphasis this week could be not letting a 7-yard catch become a 70-yard gain.

  A version of this story appears in Oct. 2's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Trading places: Ravens' O and Patriots' D suddenly are the units to watch
  posted on October 03, 2009 - 12:51:05 pm
  
  
  Albert Breer

  FOXBOROUGH, Mass.-- When legacies for this decade are discussed, the one belonging to the Ravens will be inseparably tied to Ray Lewis and the one belonging to the Patriots will link directly to Tom Brady.

  Baltimore has ranked in the top six in defense in eight of the first nine years of this decade and first or second four times in that span. And New England has ranked in the top seven in total offense in four of the past five seasons.

  But as the season reaches its quarter pole, the counterparts of these two headliner units have made the difference for the two teams. And, ultimately, these upstart units could be the reason a fourth banner is raised in Foxborough or a second championship won in Baltimore.

  Second-year quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense rank only behind the Saints in total yards, are in the top 10 in all 11 major offensive statistical categories and are scoring 34.3 points per game.

  Meanwhile, the New England defense has survived the departures of pillars Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel to rank sixth in total defense through three games. The Patriots were able to shut out the high-powered Falcons in the second half of last week's win.

  The end result: Potentially lopsided teams are becoming balanced.

  "That's our goal -- to go out there and put points on the board each week and to win football games," Flacco said. "I think the way we're playing together offensively and defensively, it's tough to beat us."

  The Patriots' defense and Ravens' offense are showing signs of amending problems from last year.

  New England's failure to get key stops during a 2-3 midseason stretch, leading to losses to the Colts, Jets and Steelers, contributed to a postseason spent on the couch. And Baltimore's offense produced 198 yards -- and only two of more than 17 yards -- in the Ravens' AFC championship game loss at Pittsburgh.

  Are the problems solved? Too early to tell. But here are three things to watch with each of these rising units:

  

  Ravens WR Derrick Mason needs to make plays against an improving Patriots defense.
  Ravens' offense

  • Wanted: playmakers. Maybe the best tribute to Flacco's play is his productivity without perimeter weapons. No Ravens receiver has more than 12 catches or has reached the 200-yard mark. There's a reason Baltimore kept coming up when big-name receivers like Brandon Marshall or Anquan Boldin were floated in trade rumors. Derrick Mason and Kelly Washington came up big last week against Cleveland, but now they need to show something against a better defense.

  • Bouncing back. The Ravens have yet to face a fourth-quarter deficit, leaving questions of a) how they'll react in such situations and b) if they have the firepower to launch a big-time comeback late in a game.

  It's also worth noting because Baltimore was 0-3 in games decided by six points or fewer last year. Although they are 1-0 in such situations this year, it was the defense that came up with the big stand in the 31-26 win over San Diego.

  • Question of competition. The fact is the Ravens were far less prolific against a solid defense (311 yards against San Diego) than they were beating up on the league's dregs (501 vs. Kansas City, 479 vs. Cleveland).

  Patriots' defense

  • Inside game. With Jerod Mayo (doubtful, knee) and Vince Wilfork (questionable, ankle) hobbled, the Patriots' depth will again be challenged. And the last time New England faced a physical offensive front like the Ravens', the Jets' line was able to help grind out enough yards in the running game to put Mark Sanchez in manageable down-and-distance situations in New York's 16-9 win.

  • Rush hour. The Patriots have been able to create a competent pass rush without premier pressure players, but their ability to do it more consistently remains a question mark. The improvement of the secondary has helped. "The most important thing on third down is to get off the field," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "That's a combination of rush, coverage and overall execution of team defense."

  Related Links

  • Ravens-Patriots matchup
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  Still, New England ultimately will have to find a way to get more pressure, something that was obvious against Sanchez and the Jets.

  • Carrying the flag. The defensive success has, in part, been based on the offense's ability to possess the ball for roughly two-thirds of the game in wins over Buffalo and Atlanta. Fact is, the Patriots won't be able to put up 13- and 14-play drives consistently in every game, so eventually this defense will be challenged like it hasn't been yet.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Revenge week to be 'kind of emotional' for Favre
  posted on September 29, 2009 - 10:47:27 pm
  
  

  Brett Favre doesn't have to look far for advice on how to handle playing his old team.

  Antoine Winfield is happy to oblige.

  Favre's new Vikings teammate is now revered as a key veteran piece in Minnesota, but he spent his first five years in Buffalo. And when, during his third year as a Viking, the first shot against his old team came — at Ralph Wilson Stadium, no less — it wasn't just another game.

  "It was kind of emotional," Winfield said. "Coming out of the locker room, stepping on the field, seeing your former teammates and a lot of old faces, it was exciting. The bad thing is we lost.

  "You do want to have a good outing — like you think about getting an interception and running it back, or making a big play. But you really do have to be conscience and stay within what your team is doing."

  Winfield led the Vikings with 11 tackles in that Oct. 1, 2006, game, but comparing the fanfare over his return to Buffalo to Favre's first game against the Packers is like contrasting the size of a Maltese to a Mastiff.

  Rare has been the circumstance that Favre faces this week. It's been nearly 14 months since Green Bay traded him to the Jets, unwilling to hand him his starting job back after he decided to end his first round of "retirement," which lasted all of five months.

  Favre might try to play Monday night's game in Minneapolis off as "just another game." Yet those who know him say the scars haven't healed, and there's much more to this than there was, say, to last week's game against the 49ers.

  "He's a competitor, and regardless of what he was says, it's going to be a big night for him going up against the Packers and (GM) Ted Thompson," said Robert Ferguson, a receiver for Favre's Packers from 2001-06 and a Viking in '07 and '08. "Trust me, this is huge for him. He never thought he'd play against the Packers, he never thought in a million years he'd be a Minnesota Viking and here we are."

  Favre has been in Minnesota for six weeks now, but it was Sunday where he really seemed to become a Viking: With the great escape from the 49ers' pass rush and the impossible dart he fired to Greg Lewis for a game-winning, 42-yard touchdown with two seconds remaining. That combined with 566 yards, a 94.5 passer rating and a 5-to-1 touchdown/interception ratio — oh, and the team's 3-0 record — has endeared Favre to Vikings teammates and fans.

  Taking their shot at revenge
  Of the 23 modern-era Hall of Fame quarterbacks, eight left the teams with which they made their mark. Six got their shot at playing their old team — Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas didn't — and here's how each did in his first shot:
  Player	Date	New team	Old team	Winner
  Bobby Layne	11/8/59	Pittsburgh	Detroit	Tie, 10-10
  12-of-27 passing, 181 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 carry, 0 yards
  Norm Van Brocklin	11/22/59	Philadelphia	L.A. Rams	Eagles, 23-20
  19-of-38 passing, 278 yards; 1 carry, 0 yards
  Y.A. Tittle	11/17/63	N.Y. Giants	San Francisco	Giants, 48-14
  16-of-31 passing, 284 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception
  Fran Tarkenton	11/5/67	N.Y. Giants	Minnesota	Vikings, 27-24
  12-of-23 passing, 270 yards, 3 touchdowns; 6 carries, 56 yards
  Joe Montana	9/11/94	Kansas City	San Francisco	Chiefs, 24-17
  24-of-34 passing, 288 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 5 carries, 20 yards
  Warren Moon	10/8/95	Minnesota	Houston	Vikings, 23-17 (OT)
  28-of-43 passing, 289 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 3 carries, 12 yards

  Still, the expectation is that Favre will continue to make the Vikings' offense more difficult to defend.

  Ferguson says Darrell Bevell's offense in Minnesota is "90-95 percent identical" to what Favre ran in Green Bay, which makes sense since Bevell was Favre's position coach there from 2003-05.

  "I stepped in the first day," Ferguson said, "and I didn't even have to open the playbook."

  It's not quite that simple. So much of Favre's best work is improvisational, and a big part of the ability to perform on the fly is built on rapport with his teammates.

  "I think that'll take at least four to six games," Ferguson said. "So much of Brett's success is in ad-libbing plays. I'd say 60-65 percent of (Donald) Driver's catches came from that, and probably about 50 percent with Greg Jennings were about those two being on the same page. "At the line in Green Bay, his ability to audible was huge. All he had to do was give those guys a head-nod, and they knew. He doesn't have that with those guys (in Minnesota) right now."

  So far, though, so good.

  Favre is a captain now in Minnesota, and any early acrimony in the locker room has, at least for now, been sidelined.

  "The bottom line in that locker room is they'll welcome anyone who'll help the team," Ferguson said. "They know the time is now for the Vikings."

  And this week isn't just a reunion, either. It kicks off a five-game gauntlet bookended with games against the Packers and includes a game against the Ravens and a trip to Pittsburgh.

  The Vikings say they, and Favre, are ready for it — and all the hoopla.

  "We are where we need to be right now," Winfield said. "We know how the long the season is, and we'll get better each week and so will Brett. And as he does that, the offense will be able to throw more wrinkles in and improve."

  Of course, if Favre were open and honest about it, he'd admit exacting some revenge along the way wouldn't be so bad, either.

  This story appears in Sept. 30's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Patriots again morph into an elite team
  posted on September 27, 2009 - 05:40:12 pm
  
  

  FOXBOROUGH, MASS. -- You could see Fred Taylor's eyes light up, one more time.

  As he left the locker room Sunday -- a bag, pair of headphones and 105 rushing yards in tow -- the 33-year-old once-again workhorse was asked if a smile crossed his face upon seeing the Patriots' game plan.

  

  Fred Taylor rushes for 105 yards.

  He wouldn't say. He didn't need to.

  "One of those things," Taylor said Sunday, "Coach just said, 'We must run the ball better.'"

  The Patriots, in pounding the Falcons into submission by a 26-10 count, did just about everything better than they had the week before in losing to the Jets. But it was Taylor and the running game that changed everything for these Patriots.

  Last week, they looked like an inept Arena League team with a shaken quarterback. This week, they were confident, physical and clutch.

  More conventional. More productive. More everything, really.

  And therein is the key to how the Patriots' rise from the canvas each time they're knocked down. They're malleable as a chameleon, finding a different way to win if they need to, transforming their team when they must.

  "We're used to that," Patriots guard Logan Mankins said. "We just do what the coaches say, practice it all week and try and do the best we can at it. ... All the guys here can do multiple things."

  Sunday's situation called for the kind of flexibility New England has prided itself on in the Bill Belichick era.

  Protecting Tom Brady had become an issue, partially because defenders teed off in long-yardage situations. The Falcons' defense entered the game yielding 5.1 yards per carry. And the Patriots' defense -- one of only three in the NFL allowing more than 4 yards a rush and 8 yards per pass attempt -- was staring down the barrel of a matchup with a balanced Falcons offense that could cross it up every which way.

  All of that screams one thing: Run the ball. To get the pass rushers to back off. To exploit Atlanta's weakness. To limit the Falcons' possessions.

  Now, some teams that went through the first two weeks of the season sporting a 101-43 pass/run ratio in play-calling would struggle with such a switch. Not New England.

  "We were just able to execute better, and that led to longer, sustained drives," Patriots running back Sammy Morris said.

  Related Links

  • More Breer: Pats rely on run game
  • Recap: New England 26, Atlanta 10
  • Pats, Falcons box score

  The Patriots held the ball for 39 minutes, 49 seconds on Sunday (compared to Atlanta's 20:11) and finished with 168 yards rushing and 277 passing.

  Between the time the Patriots took possession with 3:56 left in the second quarter and Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 33-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter, 48 plays were run from scrimmages. Only six saw the Falcons with the ball, and one of those was a kneel-down to end the half.

  "That has the defense ready to go out there," cornerback Leigh Bodden said, "to go and try to get your offense the ball back and try and do that again."

  Little wonder, then, that down 19-10, Atlanta went three-and-out on two of three fourth-quarter possessions and ran only 10 plays from scrimmage, the offense clearly out of rhythm and watched its worn out defense wilt late, allowing the Patriots to score a final touchdown and then go on an 11-play drive that killed the clock at game's end.

  This, of course, looked nothing like the club that got beat down by the Jets last week or the high-flying group that stormed back against Buffalo in Week 1.

  But that's really the point.

  "It was a more balanced day for us," said Brady, who faltered some in the red zone but finished with an 87.1 passer rating. "We ran it great, and we had some good play-action."

  And the Patriots proved again that if they can't beat you one way, they'll usually find another way to do it.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Defenses could determine the Patriots-Falcons outcome
  posted on September 26, 2009 - 01:23:59 pm
  
  
  Albert Breer
  

  Coach Bill Belichick says communication is key with a young defense.

  FOXBOROUGH, MASS. – In the NFL, there are constants.

  The Patriots offense and the Falcons offense fit in that category.

  And there are variables.

  That's where the New England and Atlanta defenses fall.

  So it figures that most expect Sunday afternoon's inter-conference showdown between these teams -- even if it's held in the deluge that's expected -- to be a celebration of the hosts' American Football League roots. Points are coming. Lots of 'em.

  But that only covers what we already know. The Patriots and Falcons can move the ball. Can they stop the other from doing the same?

  With the challenge each defense is facing, we'll find out more in this one.

  "They give you a lot of offense," Falcons defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder said this week in Atlanta. "Obviously, they are very efficient in what they do in both the run game and the passing game. All of the work we put in, we have to go up there, concentrate and make sure that we do the things that we practiced all week."

  Both defenses were part of 11-5 clubs last year. But each group was considered the weak link, and as such, the two were rebuilt with an eye on getting younger.

  Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff's rebuilding plan focused on offense in 2008, and shifted to defense this year, where he jettisoned five veteran starters and moved younger players into more prominent roles. Meanwhile, New England waved good-bye to staples of their Super Bowl years like Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi and Richard Seymour, completely overhauled the secondary, and made an effort to get younger in the front seven.

  So far, each unit has survived. Eliminating a defensive touchdown Buffalo scored in Week 1, the Patriots have yielded just 33 points on defense in two weeks. The Falcons have been even stingier, allowing just 27 points collectively against the Panthers and Dolphins.

  But cracks in the armor are showing. And one reason for it is because with so many new pieces in place in each defense, there's an acclimation process ongoing.

  "It's a challenge for communication and it's a challenge just to be consistent on how you fit on certain plays: how you fit in the running game on a certain play; how you fit in the passing game coverage-wise," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. "Who's going to take who? How quickly are you going to take them? How quickly does that mean somebody else uncovers? …

  "It's a lot easier if you and I are playing together, and they come out in something, and we both think it's going to be the same thing, and here we go. It's a lot harder if they come out, you think it's this and I think it's that, that just slows the whole process down."

  Peel back the layers, here's what you have on defense in Atlanta and New England …

  • The Patriots are allowing opponents to complete 61.7 percent of their passes. And their defense is one of only three in the NFL (joining the Buccaneers and Lions) to be yielding more than 8.0 yards per pass attempt and 4.0 yards per run attempt.

  • The Falcons have given up 5.1 yards per run attempt in tests against the two of the NFL's top ground attacks (Miami, Carolina), although those clubs only ran on Atlanta a combined 47 times, playing mostly from behind.

  • Both units have sustained serious injuries -- New England's to Jerod Mayo, and Atlanta's to first-round pick Peria Jerry.

  • Both have serious holes -- Atlanta's is at corner, and New England's is with edge rushers. Each manifested last week. Steve Smith went for 131 yards on eight catches against the Falcons, and Jets rookie Mark Sanchez was able to find a comfort zone against the Patriots, only taking two real hits.

  Now, on the flip side, each team knew what it was getting itself into.

  Related Links

  • Atlanta Falcons team page
  • New England Patriots team page
  • Breer: Three teams desperate for their first win
  • Vinnie Iyer's Week 3 picks
  • Picks against the spread
  • Florio: Biggest story lines of Week 3

  The Patriots were looking to turn the page, counting on young players like Mayo and Brandon Meriweather to lead. They were hoping for Mayo's replacement, fellow inside linebacker (Gary Guyton), and a plethora of first- and second-year defensive backs to rise. The trade of Richard Seymour did nothing but dig their heels in deeper here. 

  Similarly, the Falcons have handed the leadership reins to middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, and are expecting increased contributions from fellow sophomores Stephen Nicholas and Thomas DeCoud, and a group of rookies.

  So it has to be expected, at least to some degree, that growing pains will be felt.

  What's it take in order to make it through that with as little damage done as possible? Guyton, the new traffic director in the middle of the New England defense, echoes Belichick's words: "It all comes down to us communicating with one each other."

  The offenses will put that, and all else with the defenses, to the test on Sunday.

  But in the end, it may be the defenses who determine how far each team can go.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• For a change of pace, Patriots rely on running game to beat Falcons
  posted on September 27, 2009 - 02:11:32 pm
  
  

  FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — Count the reasons why the New England Patriots needed to run the ball on Sunday afternoon in a 26-10 victory:

  1. Tom Brady looked less than comfortable last week playing in the Patriots pass-heavy spread, which allowed Jets defenders to pin their ears back and come at him.

  

  Patriots running back Fred Taylor ran for 105 yards against the Falcons.

  2. The Falcons defense came in allowing 5.1 yards per carry, and just lost first-round pick Peria Jerry for the year.

  3. The Patriots defense, personnel-wise, has matchup issues with diverse offenses like Atlanta's, particularly with middle linebacker Jerod Mayo out.

  And yes, the Patriots lined up, and ran, ran and ran some more. Through three quarters, New England had run the ball 27 times.

  A huge number? Nope. But it was seven more times than the Patriots ran it in Week 2 against the Jets, and four more times than they kept it on the ground in the opener against the Bills.

  Point is, the Patriots needed to adjust their approach, and they did — even when running the ball hasn't been a strength — and there are plenty of teams out there that won't make such a philosophical switch.

  That is to say that while this group is still a long way from looking like one of the teams this franchise produced in the first half of this decade, some of the traits remain.

  The Patriots ran the ball not only because it was the best thing to protect their interest (namely, getting Brady on track and protecting the defense), but also because it was an assault on the Falcons' strengths (run defense, rhythm on offense.)

  New England's first possession lasted 15 plays, went for 81 yards, and finished, after 8:39 came off the clock, with a 21-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski.

  Atlanta followed that with a three-and-out.

  New England's next extended drive was at the end of the first half, lasting 12 plays, going 58 yards, and taking 3:36 off the clock, leaving just 15 seconds showing. The Patriots opened the second half with a 13-play, 79-yard drive to wind another 5:59 off the clock.

  The Falcons offense returned to the field, having been off it for more than an hour, and obviously, the Patriots defense was put in no peril during that time.

  New England's offense next went on a 16-play drive that took 6:59.

  Related Links

  • Recap: Patriots struggle in red zone
  • Box score: Pats 26, Falcons 10

  If you really do the math, that means Atlanta ran six meaningful offensive plays in a two-hour span.

  At the end, the Patriots ran the ball 39 times for 168 yards, at a 4.3-yard-per clip. Their time of possession nearly doubled Atlanta's (39:49-20:11).

  You always would like to have numbers like that.

  But in this case, they came with a purpose, as things usually do with Bill Belichick-coached teams.

  It controlled the pace in the first half, when the last thing New England wanted was a shootout. It allowed the Patriots to go into the half with a short lead. And then, it limited Atlanta to four offensive possessions in the second half, making a comeback near impossible.

  As the Jets game last week proved, it won't always be like this.

  But this one shows if the Patriots need to pull a new trick out of the bag — in this case, turning to a dormant run offense — it's more often than not there for them.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Patriots center Dan Koppen: 'When we saw the plan, a lot of guys were excited'
  posted on September 27, 2009 - 03:36:57 pm
  
  

  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- After struggling against the Jets last week, the Patriots' offensive line made a statement Sunday in a 26-10 win over Atlanta. It sparked a 168-yard rushing effort and kept Tom Brady from being sacked. Center Dan Koppen discussed the victory with Sporting News' Albert Breer.
  
  

  

  Tom Brady stayed upright Sunday, thanks in large part to the O-line's work.
  Q: Was it a challenge to switch up the approach this week, going away from the shotgun-heavy, pass-heavy stuff?
  
  A: Early in the week, when we saw the plan, a lot of guys were excited about what we were doing, balancing it up a little more, sticking some more runs in there. It opens up a lot of different things if you can do that.
  
  Q: How much did the running game help you in pass protection Sunday?
  
  A: It's huge. When you're able to run the ball—and the defense can't key in on pass-rush moves, pin their ears back and come at you—it helps.
  
  Q: Was the Jets loss good for the team in any way?
  
  A: Every game is good. Losses sometimes are better. You have to take a look at what you did wrong and eliminate the bad things and go out there and improve. I think we were able to do that this week. But it's early. We have a long way to go.
  
  Q: What kind of attitude does veteran running back Fred Taylor bring to the offense?
  
  A: Especially early, he's out there running hard and breaking tackles, and when you see a running back running like that, it gives you a little motivation to go out and play a little harder. He's come in here from Day 1 and just tried to do his job. He's just a great teammate, a great player and a great guy to have in here.
  
  Q: Do you see steps each week from Tom Brady coming back from that injury?
  
  A: He's been here the whole camp, all preseason, all the games so far. So it's not like you take a look and think about it. He's our quarterback, he's been our quarterback, he's going to be our quarterback. He's won a lot of games around here, so he just needs to keep doing what he's doing.

  This story appears in Sept. 28's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free. Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Desperate measures: Three teams under pressure to get first win
  posted on September 23, 2009 - 07:37:27 pm
  
  
  The Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans all have come off division titles to start the 2009 season with two losses.
   
  The important thing now? Don't get to 0-3.
   
  Since the NFL went to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, only one team — the 1992 Chargers — survived such a 0-3 start to win its division, and just two more have qualified for the playoffs. Miami was joined by Minnesota and San Diego last year as teams to start 0-2 and win division titles, three of the six to do so this decade.
   
  "The most important thing was leadership," Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said Wednesday. "We lost close games — Green Bay by five, the Colts by three. We had to start making plays at crucial times. ... You can't lose confidence."
   
  Here a quick look at the current forecast for the winless Dolphins, Panthers and Titans:
   

  Dolphins won't win AFC East

  The schedule is tougher, the New York Jets have improved and Tom Brady figures to ascend over the coming weeks back in command of the New England Patriots' offense. Coach Tony Sparano said the Dolphins played well the majority of Monday night against Indianapolis. And they did fight through a 0-2 start last season to unseat New England.
   

  "Nobody is world champion after two weeks," Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter said. "But we're not good enough to give games away." 

  Panthers won't win NFC South

  The Falcons and Saints have rosters full of playoff-experienced players and are both 2-0, putting up a significant roadblock. And quarterback Jake Delhomme — even if he improves — figures to remain inconsistent. That would mean a defense that gave up 66 points in two weeks would have to carry the flag. 

  Titans will win AFC South

  A team strength — the secondary — has been problematic but remains talented, and the offense is showing signs of being electric with running back Chris Johnson playing more and rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt emerging. Plus, if the Titans can persevere to their Week 7 bye, the end of the schedule looks manageable.
   
  "Everybody accepts blame and you move on," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.
   
  This story appears in Sept. 24's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at mailto:abreer@sportingnews.com.
  
  
  
• Reconstructed Cowboys take blame instead of aim
  posted on September 24, 2009 - 06:12:36 am
  
  

  IRVING, TEXAS — As the clock approached midnight on opening night at Dallas' shiny $1.15 billion football palace, Cowboys Stadium morphed into the largest confessional known to man.

  "I really cost us this one," a dejected Tony Romo said after three of his 29 throws went to the wrong team and another 13 landed incomplete in the Cowboys' 33-31 loss to the Giants.

  

  Terence Newman (41) and the Cowboys refused to blame each other for losing to the Giants.

  "I made a lot of mistakes, and I tried to put them behind me," cornerback Orlando Scandrick said, after failing to make tackles on some quick hitches. "I don't have any excuses for the way I played."

  "We can all play better," tight end Jason Witten said, after being asked about Romo's performance. "We can protect better. We can get open."

  In 2008, Valley Ranch became the world capital of finger-pointing. So if there's one good thing to emerge for the Cowboys from their first loss of 2009, it's that, at least for now, this club is making an effort to stop the buck at each player's locker rather than passing it on to someone else's.

  That's why you learned a lot more about these Cowboys in the aftermath of their first loss than after their opening win at Tampa.

  Asked about the accountability in the postgame locker room after the defeat, Dallas coach Wade Phillips said, "I didn't have any doubts. I didn't hear all of it. But I'd expect to hear things from players like that. This is a strong-knit group. I think they believe in each other and, therefore, they're not going to blame it on someone else."

  Which is good, because "blaming it on someone else" became as much a part of the fabric of the team last year as banged-out national television ratings and a stunning group of cheerleaders.

  Linebacker Bradie James, a team captain, admitted as much when he was asked over the summer about the hoopla surrounding the 2008 team (Hard Knocks cameras, Terrell Owens, Pacman Jones, etc.) and responded, "I was never OK with it. This isn't Soap Opera Central."

  After the team's first loss, James was similarly blunt when asked whether this team is more accountable to its mistakes than editions of the past.

  "It should be," he said. "The scapegoats are gone. Everybody can see when somebody's making a mistake. So when they make a mistake, it's what needs to be said. And it doesn't just need to be said, it needs to be meant. That's the only way we can progress and move forward."

  Related Links

  • Dorsett is unimpressed by Tony Romo
  • Cowboys' Adams fined for plays vs. Giants
  • Barber practices, says thigh feels fine
  • WR Roy Williams proving he's excellent blocker
  • Iyer's Week 3 picks: Panthers or Cowboys?
  • Who is SN's NFL Athlete of the Decade?
  • The Trenches: SN's NFL blog
  • Fantasy Source Blitz blog

  A roster purge eliminated some of the aforementioned big names, but the team also added worker-bee types like linebacker Keith Brooking, defensive end Igor Olshansky and safety Gerald Sensabaugh, each of whom has at least one connection to the Cowboys' coaching staff.

  Perhaps the most important component in the new attitude displayed Sunday is that it didn't start with the final horn. Rather, the foundation for this approach was laid months ago.

  "Much more accountable," Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode said, when asked to compare this team to the clubs of the past. "Our coaches have preached accountability the whole offseason. We make no excuses, and we don't complain. I think you can see that.

  "I think those guys (accepting responsibility for the loss) were trying to be accountable and take sole blame for things. But as I said, it's not the responsibility of one guy to take the blame for the whole team."

  Yet, it does seem significant that several did.

  Romo took responsibility for his three picks. Scandrick did the same for his suspect tackling. Pro Bowl cornerback Terence Newman gave a harsh assessment of his own play.

  And if anyone did play well — the Cowboys did run the ball and stop the run at an exceptional level against New York — there was no "I" and a whole lot of "we" in explaining the loss.

  "Guys want to be the guy to step up and lead, say they have to play this way or that way," former Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin said. "But this is a team loss, bottom line."

  Given this team's history, bouncing back from this "team loss" is far from certain. But given the attitude this week, the club has a better chance than it has in the past of making things right.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  This story first appeared in the Thursday, Sept. 24 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.

  
  
  
• Same ol' Romo: Big plays and big errors
  posted on September 20, 2009 - 11:07:44 pm
  
  

  ARLINGTON, Texas — Too often the scene unfolds the same way for the Dallas Cowboys.

  

  Romo can only watch as Johnson cashes in a pick-six.

  Crushing loss. Depressed locker room. And there's Tony Romo, the quarterback to which this franchise's hopes are pinned, at his stall, slowly getting dressed and trying to take in where it all came undone.
  
  This time, it so happened to occur during the grand opening of the new $1.15 billion home, against the team that took NFC East title from the Cowboys last year. On a night Jerry Jones and his franchise tried to make extraordinary possible, the manner of losing was strikingly ordinary for Dallas.
  
  Romo made big mistakes, and the team paid for them. His three interceptions were the biggest reason why the Giants hung in to finally throw the knockout blow in a 33-31 win. Just like his big mistakes cost the team dearly in losses last December to Pittsburgh and Baltimore that knocked Dallas out of the playoff picture.
  
  "Our team played some really good football, and I think that my mistakes put us in a hole and allowed them to capitalize on some things," Romo said. "I thought the defense played great for us. I think offensive line played wonderful. We had some guys who made some plays tonight.
  
  "I really cost us this one."
  
  And here's how:
  
  * Romo's first interception, which he threw behind and over the head of Patrick Crayton, was intercepted by undrafted rookie Bruce Johnson and retuned for a touchdown, giving the Giants a 10-7 lead.
  
  * His second interception was a throw behind Jason Witten that he barely got a hand on and then bounced off Witten's foot and into the hands of Kenny Phillips inside the Dallas 30. If the referee hadn't had a quick whistle, Phillips would've had a touchdown, too. Three plays later, the Giants scored anyway, to take a 20-14 lead.
  
  * Phillips—whom Romo said he didn't see—fielded the third interception as if it was a punt, as the quarterback floated the ball deep to Sam Hurd. The line of scrimmage on the play was the Giants' 46. It was first-and-10, and the Cowboys led 24-20. And the Giants took the ball and went 73 yards in four plays to score and regain the lead.
  
  So, to summarize, the Cowboys held a lead as Romo threw each of his three interceptions, and the end result of all three was Dallas losing that lead. And, as the quarterback said, it's not as if the Cowboys weren't battling through the problems. It's just that, eventually, those catch up with a team.
  
  "It doesn't feel like a wasted effort, man," Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton said. "Just have to eliminate turnovers. That told the tale of the ballgame."
  
  At the end of the game, the two sides traded blows. The Giants pushed the lead to 30-24 with a field goal, the Cowboys responded by going 71 yards in seven plays for a touchdown, and the Giants finally finished Dallas off with an 11-play, 56-yard drive to set up the game-winning field goal.
  
  But both sides knew how they got there. The Cowboys controlled the line of scrimmage with surprising ease, rushing for 251 yards and holding the Giants' running game in check.
  
  The difference was plain and simple.
  
  "We knew coming in they were an explosive offense, and we had to get turnovers," Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. "(The defense) did a great job scoring and getting those interceptions."
  

  Related Links

  • Recap: Giants win on last-second FG
  • Giants 33, Cowboys 31: Box score
  • Trenches: Stadium is prettier in person
  • Q&A with ... Giants RB Brandon Jacobs

  If there's an upside for Dallas, it's that Romo took the problem head on, saying, "I'm really not OK with it, and I'll try to rectify it tomorrow and get better and improve."
  
  Simple enough to say that.
  
  As history shows, it's much harder to actually do it.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Q&A with ... Giants RB Brandon Jacobs
  posted on September 20, 2009 - 11:39:35 pm
  
  

  Brandon Jacobs didn't have his best night Sunday, going for just 58 yards on 16 carries, but he and his Giants teammates did enough to squeeze out a 33-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He spoke with Sporting News' Albert Breer.
  
  

  

  Jacobs had trouble getting free from the Dallas defense. He'll take the win regardless.
  Q: What do you take from this, ugly as it was?
  
  A: "W," in a new stadium. Cowboys Stadium debut, that's all we really wanted, to come in and win. And that we did. We didn't play as good as we could. But we got the "W."
  
  Q: Was it a motivator that they picked you to play there first?
  
  A: Oh, definitely. It's like you're picking your homecoming team, coming and picking a team you can beat. That got a lot of guys up, that's like saying they don't respect us. That's really something bad to tell somebody. You can't tell another grown man, or 53, that you don't respect them. You don't do that.
  
  Q: What encouraged you about tonight?
  
  A: Fighting back and winning as ugly as we did, not playing as well as we could and still pulling away with the "W." That's impressive. We have a lot of getting better to do and play better football on the offensive side of the ball.
  
  Q: What's in Eli (Manning)'s eyes on that last drive?
  
  A: He has that fire in his eyes, he wasn't worried, not one bit. He knew he could get us down there. He did a really good job of doing that.
  
  Q: What does having two division wins mean?
  
  A: It's very, very, very special, to play two tough teams – Washington last week, Dallas this week in a hostile environment in a new stadium – it's very big to get these wins early like this.
  
  Q: Does winning with guys injured help?
  
  A: No question. Knowing that our team can stick together and deal with the adversity. We've got depth. We've got a lot of guys that can play. (Justin) Tuck (who injured his shoulder) is a great, great player, tough on that edge, but (Mathias) Kiwanuka played very well. We got a bunch of guys.
  
  Q: Do you think Mario (Manningham) and Steve (Smith) answered the questions at receiver?
  

  Related Links

  • Breer: Same ol' Romo shows up for opener
  • Giants 33, Cowboys 31: Tynes kicks last-second FG
  • Trenches: Cowboys Stadium nicer in person

  A: No, because we're the New York Giants. We'll never get the respect we deserve. They definitely played well and did enough to earn that respect. But I'm gonna say no, because that's just how people are.
  
  Q: Were you surprised by Mario's production?
  
  A: I knew Mario had a lot of talent. But he did a damn good job for us today. He had 150 yards receiving and he had a touchdown. He came through big for us.

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Giants game gives Cowboys chance to learn about themselves
  posted on September 19, 2009 - 09:11:39 am
  
  

  Last Sunday's 34-20 win over the Buccaneers may serve as a confidence-builder for the Dallas Cowboys.

  But to convince anyone that this year will be different from the underachieving seasons of the recent past, America's Team will have to wait.

  They'll have to wait three months, to be precise. That's what happens when there's such a disparity between the ways you start and finish. Since 2006, the Cowboys are 27-9 from September through November, and they're 5-10 in December and January. Plus, they haven't won a playoff game since January 1997.

  At the very least, Cowboys players seem to grasp the fact that they can win only games now, not championships.

  "It changes," quarterback Tony Romo said. "There will be some great team here for the first six weeks that will have the Super Bowl wrapped up, and there will be another for the next six weeks, and then there will be another team. That's just part of football."

  That said, Sunday night's showdown yells BIG GAME louder than most September matchups. Dallas officially opens its $1.2 billion football palace, with more than 100,000 fans expected to attend. And on the other sideline will be the team from New York that took away the Cowboys' Super Bowl dreams in 2007 -- and their division title last year.

  So what exactly can the Cowboys hope to prove in this game? For what don't we have to wait until December to determine?

  I'm glad you asked. Here are some substantive judgments Dallas can make after the game:

  How far along its offensive line is. Even with Jay Alford out for the season, and with ex-Cowboy Chris Canty sidelined this week, the Giants have a deep, explosive defensive line, one that was largely responsible for the demise of a 13-3 Cowboys team in the 2007 playoffs.

  Days after that loss, then-Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano bolted for Miami, and the group appeared to really miss him last year. You could argue that only one lineman -- right tackle Marc Colombo -- approached his 2007 level, and losing Kyle Kosier hurt worse than most expected. This should be a measuring-stick matchup for the big guys up front as they seek redemption this year.

  Romo knows what the Giants' defense brings to the table. "They fly around to the ball," he said. "They are talented everywhere. They are everything you want out of a defense. It is going to be a great challenge."

  How disciplined the Cowboys are. This relates directly to Romo, with his propensity for free-wheeling play that sometimes leads to critical errors.

  In that Giants playoff game, a red-zone interception finished off the Cowboys. Big picks against the Steelers and Ravens cost Romo in December last year. This is another area where the Cowboys will be tested Sunday. Last week, the Giants scored on defense and picked off conservative Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.

  How they man up in the running game. It didn't matter if it was Cadillac Williams or Derrick Ward last week; Tampa ran at will on the Cowboys, ripping through the defense for 174 yards, 5.6 per carry.

  Dallas coach Wade Phillips suggested the mystery surrounding Tampa Bay's offense under new coach Raheem Morris contributed to the Cowboys' struggles. Still, stopping the run became a problem for Dallas in the stretch run last season. And as solid as the Buccaneers' offensive line is, and as deep as they seemed in the backfield, the Giants are even stouter in those areas. So if the Giants run like Tampa did, then you've got a trend.

  How they will handle a big spot. The Cowboys were embarrassed in Texas Stadium's finale against Baltimore. And there's pressure not to let that happen again in the Cowboys Stadium opener. But there's a lot more to this game than that, and the hoopla can't be a distraction.

  "Your team has to be focused, and I think they know that," Phillips said. "You have to keep them on the right track, that's for sure."

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Week 2 preview: Jets-Pats headlines four hyped games
  posted on September 19, 2009 - 07:59:01 am
  
  

  Five sets of 1-0 teams go head-to-head this week. Four of those matchups hit the marquee (Sorry, 49ers and Seahawks ... but we'll wait and see).

  Is it too early to float the term "showdown"?

  "This is the 'New England Factor' for us," Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said with the Patriots looming. "Whenever they come in here it's going to be turned up naturally."

  Real or imagined, even in Week 2, these four games are getting hype. Here's your guide to cutting through some of it ...

  NY Giants at Dallas

  Myth: Tony Romo has struggled in big games against the Giants.

  Reality: Romo didn't play well in the Jan. 2008 playoff game. But he's 4-0 in regular-season starts against New York, and he has posted quarterback ratings of 128.5, 123.1 and 113.8 in his last three, all double-digit Cowboys wins. Still, Romo knows how relentless the Giants' defense is.

  "They get after the quarterback, they blitz, and they play good in coverage," Romo said. "They are coached well. They fly around to the ball.

  "They are everything you want out of a defense. It is going to be a great challenge. I think anybody that goes against them understands that it is just going to be a really, really hard-fought game to move the ball against them. So if we can hopefully get out there and move it a little bit we will be pretty lucky this game."

  New Orleans at Philadelphia

  Myth: The Saints' defense is no match for the Eagles' offense.

  Reality: New Orleans played better defensively last week than the scoreboard showed. A punt return set up one Detroit touchdown, and another was scored on a fumble return. The Saints allowed just 231 yards and intercepted three passes. Plus, you can bet attack-minded coordinator Gregg Williams is coming for Eagles replacement QB Kevin Kolb.

  Still, the idea for New Orleans is to have the defense catch up with the offense, and shutting down short-handed Philly would be a step.

  "We can do a lot better," Saints safety Darren Sharper told Sporting News. "To be a championship defense, we have to match that high level our offense is playing at. We need to cause more turnovers. We need to score.

  "Those 27 points, there may have been some fluff in there. But I don't like seeing '27' on the scoreboard. I don't want that being there. We want to be a dominating team all the way around."

  Baltimore at San Diego

  Myth: The Ravens' offense can't keep up with San Diego.

  Reality: The Chargers scored 32 points on Baltimore the last time these teams played, in 2007. But the year before, the Ravens held a 14-2 Chargers team to 13 points, so the defense could keep San Diego in check. And then there's Baltimore's suddenly balanced, prolific offense that went for 501 yards last week.

  Joe Flacco looks like he's starting to transition, too, from caretaker to playmaker. He completed more than 60 percent of his passes against Kansas City, with a 3-1 TD-INT ratio. And he's still getting better.

  "Joe would be the first to tell you there were so many that he wants back," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh. "He wants to complete every ball and the rest of the ones he threw away. There were probably five, six, seven balls in there that he had a chance [to complete]."

  New England at NY Jets

  Myth: On paper, the Patriots have a big edge.

  Reality: At quarterback and receiver, yes. But things are pretty even elsewhere offensively. And the Jets' defensive personnel -- particularly with Jerod Mayo out -- is significantly superior. Of course, this isn't offense vs. offense, or defense vs. defense, and Bill Belichick's ability to play the matchup game can't be underestimated.

  After that plays out, the Jets will have a better idea of where they stand.

  "I know where we're going. It's just when we get there," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "I think we're a good football team. If there is a measuring thing, I'm not sure about that. That may be for somebody else. ...

  "We're going against a good football team. We'll find out. They're going to get everything we have. That's a promise. I expect we'll get everything they have. We'll see who the better team is. I am hoping it is us."

  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.

  
  
  
• Brady delivers: For Patriots, confidence is no coincidence
  posted on September 14, 2009 - 10:15:32 pm
  
  
  

  Bill Belichick (left) has his coach in the huddle -- Brady. Looking on is QBs coach Bill O'Brien (right).

  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It didn't take Ron Jaworski to see, over the first 55 minutes of Monday's game against the Buffalo Bills game, that the New England Patriots have plenty of issues to work out.
   
  It took about five seconds inside the Patriots huddle to clear up exactly what the team has in its ever dangerous arsenal -- namely, the NFL's most reliable quarterback in the clutch.
   
  Tom Brady reminded his teammates as much.
   
  "We're gonna score before the two-minute warning," Brady said before breaking the huddle with 5:32 left in the fourth quarter, down 24-13 and backed up to his own 19-yard line. "And we're gonna get the ball back and score again."
   
  With a little help from the free-falling Bills, who were as sturdy as a sandcastle with that double-digit lead, Brady delivered on his promise.
   
  The Patriots went 81 yards in 11 plays, scoring with 2:06 left, got the ball back after Pierre Woods stripped Leodis McKelvin on the ensuing kickoff, and then won the game by covering 31 yards in three plays. The final was Patriots 25, Bills 24.
   
  But the significance of this one had to do with the manner of the game, rather than a Patriots victory.
   
  New England's defense was sluggish, allowing Buffalo to run and throw effectively. The Bills were blown away in time of possession (37:08-22:52), but made the most of their chances (5.8 yards per play). They were also uneven on offense -– a couple of unsuccessful fourth-down conversions killed drives, another drive stalled inside the red-zone, and the running game showed zero consistency.
   
  

  For Moss and mates, there's room for improvement.

  "We're definitely not happy with the way we played for the first 55 minutes," guard Logan Mankins said. "We had penalties, we weren't doing what we should, we weren't running the ball consistently, and it's hard to win that way."
   
  Maybe if this was the New York Jets next week, or the Atlanta Falcons or Baltimore Ravens two weeks after, the Patriots would've been closed out and forced to pay for slumping all over the field for three quarters. Maybe this is about as much about a Bills team that cut its left tackle and fired its offensive coordinator in the 10 days leading to the opener, and replaced them with guys carrying no real experience in those front-of-the-room jobs.
   
  But on this night, it was about Brady, and what he brought to that huddle. No ifs. Just whens.
   
  "I think that's our feeling every week," center Dan Koppen said. "We want to give him the time, we know what type of player he is, everybody knows what type of player he is. You put him in that situation, he's a pretty special player."
   
  Here's how special: After getting knocked around (six hits) by the Bills defense for three quarters and missing targets by uncharacteristically large margins throughout the first half, Brady and the offense ran 14 plays in their final two drives –- only one was a third down.
   
  That's why, after McKelvin coughed up the Bills' ticket to ending an 11-game losing streak to New England, Brady's presence on the field made it an inevitability that run would reach 12. And it did, of course, punctuated by two touchdown passes to Benjamin Watson, both ropes down the seam on what Brady said were identical play calls.
   

  Related Links

  • Recap: Patriots 25, Bills 24
  • Q&A: Patriots' Leigh Bodden
  • Q&A: Patriots' Logan Mankins
  • Fantasy Blitz: Brady answers the bell
  • Power Poll: Injuries already taking a toll
  • T.O. has little effect in Bills debut

  Afterwards, Leigh Bodden, who was 0-16 with Detroit last year, said, "some teams would say, 'Here we go again,' and heads would be down (down 24-13 late). Everybody here was positive." Maybe that's because of No 12.
   
  "Sometimes it goes like that," Brady said. "I'm glad we came back and won, and being down 11 with (5:32) left, it's a pretty special victory."
   
  Monday night provided evidence that New England has a long way to go to become any kind of special as a team.
   
  But it also showed that the Patriots still have a pretty special quarterback.
   
  This story appears in Sept. 14's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.
  
  
  
• Q&A: Patriots' Logan Mankins
  posted on September 14, 2009 - 10:23:38 pm
  
  
  Following Monday's come-from-behind victory over the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots offensive lineman Logan Mankins talked to SN's Albert Breer about the game, the Pats' play and that guy named Tom Brady.
   
  Q: Ever win one like that?
  A: I don't think it came down to anything like that for me before. I've had some tight games, but nothing where you score and kick it off and make them fumble and get it back, and go down and score again. That was a pretty special win.
   
  Q: What does Tom bring to the table in that situation?
  A: He brings a lot. You know if we give him time, he's going to find the open guy. When we get in those situations, we're trying to block them for as long as we can, and we know our receivers will get open and Tom will find something.
   
  Q: Did you guys, as a line, adjust late or was it a matter of just plain playing better?
  A: At the beginning, I know myself personally -- that's the main person I can talk about -- I had a few where my technique wasn't quite right, got out of control a little bit. Towards the end of the game, I settled down a little bit more and just worked on doing the right thing, and it worked.
   
  Q: Did they fool you in any way?
  A: They gave us a few new wrinkles that we hadn't worked on too much. But we've got guys that have been around here and know what to do, so we shouldn't need to worry about those too much, we should be able to adjust to them.
   
  Q: How do you look at the first 55 minutes?
  A: We were definitely not happy with the way we played the first 55 minutes. We had penalties, we weren't doing what we should, we weren't running the ball consistently and it's hard to win that way. But we found a way to win the game and we're going to watch the film and hopefully we play a lot better next week.
   
  Q: How do you build on this?
  A: You just look at what you did wrong and try to fix it. It's been a couple weeks since we played a game, so it felt good to get out there, and you can only get better from this. We're not going to get worse from this game.
   
  Q: What kind of affect can those last five minutes have on the team going forward?
  A: It's going to give you confidence that you can never be out of it, that you can always keep fighting and you never give up, and keep going out there and slugging away, and good stuff could happen.
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.
  
  
  
• Q&A: Bodden finds out what it's like to win
  posted on September 14, 2009 - 10:31:16 pm
  
  
  Cornerback Leigh Bodden spent the 2008 season in Detroit, so Monday was the first game he'd left the field a winner in ages. Bodden talks to SN's Albert Breer after the game after playing for a team with a totally different attitude.
   
  Q: Surprised that you pulled it out?
  A: I have to give credit to Tom, the offensive line, the whole offense. They did a very good job of handling the pressure. Tom is Tom. That's why he gets paid the big bucks.
   
  Q: What did you see on the sideline?
  A: I haven't been on a team like that. And it feels good. It's just amazing to me the resilience that this team has. Just because we're down doesn't mean we're going in the tank. Other teams I've been on, it was like, 'Here we go again.' I didn't hear any of that. I heard, 'We're gonna get this done,' and we got it done.
   
  Q: How different was that feel down 11, with five minutes left?
  A: On some teams, they would just say, 'Here we go again,' and heads would be down. Everybody here was positive, no long faces. Me, when I was on those teams, I've always been positive. It's good to see everybody else being positive and knowing we can do it, and not thinking it's impossible to come back from anything.
   
  Q: What does this win feel like, since it's been a while?
  A: It was definitely emotional. Somebody asked me a question, 'How would it feel to get your first win, and I really didn't think about it. But getting it, I just, I can't put it in to words. I was so excited, so happy. Overjoyed, just to get a win.
   
  Q: What was last year like for you?
  A: I definitely appreciate what I have here. I don't live in the past. The past is the past. I gotta move on from that, and I did. But I can take some things away from it. Last year, I stayed positive and went out and performed to the best of my abilities. I feel like I did that, but nobody could see it because of 0-16. I'm just glad I can showcase my talents on winning team and show everybody that I wasn't bad last year, I'm still playing the same. But now, hopefully, we can win some games, and everybody can see I'm still that good player I was a few years back.
   
  Q: You stunned a little bit by all this?
  A: No, I'm definitely happy though. I can't wait to go home and enjoy it, and talk to my family and friends, a lot of them came up for the game. I'm definitely excited.
   
  Staff writer Albert Breer covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at abreer@sportingnews.com.