Earlier last week I spoke to a friend whilst inebriated beyond reasonable comprehension. Despite my ramblings about the NFL being hilariously 'out there' (How about a college coach for the Seahawks? Broncos the most likely team to play the 49ers at Wembley?) I did hit upon one subject that I think was worth dwelling on further - If the Jets win two postseason games, how about Rex Ryan for coach of the year?
The fact that Ryan got zero votes staggers me. The Jets were frankly not in great shape when he took over, and he has instilled an air of confidence that we simply have not seen from the Jets in recent years. Despite this, Ryan came away from this year's voting with the square root of... something impolite. I'm no Jets fan (as you will see tomorrow) but Ryan deserves a hell of a lot of credit for his approach to a franchise that could well have stagnated after the Favre fiasco.
To put it another way: He has achieved more with Mark Sanchez than Mike Smith did in his first year as coach of Atlanta with then-rookie Matt Ryan. If that warrants zero votes, then something isn't right in the process.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Phil Simms drops the F-Bomb on live TV
Oh Dear Phil!
I maintain, it is still better than Joe Theisman asking 'Coach Gibbs' if he should wipe his ass every 8 minutes. Yes Joe, you should, because otherwise you're going to walk around with a half pound of crap in your pants as well as your mouth.
I maintain, it is still better than Joe Theisman asking 'Coach Gibbs' if he should wipe his ass every 8 minutes. Yes Joe, you should, because otherwise you're going to walk around with a half pound of crap in your pants as well as your mouth.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
NFL draft 2010 - The Quarterbacks
The NFL draft is soon going to move into focus. Even now, people are speculating that the Redskins may take Jimmy Clausen as their next franchise QB. Tim Tebow remains almost unclassifiable, despite his record with Florida. Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy, who Tebow beat to the Heisman in 2007, are the other big name prospects entering the draft this year. I've been discussing this with friends for some time, so here's my take on the quarterbacks in the NFL draft 2010.
First of all, I think Shanahan is not one to buy into hype, and he likes a certain type of QB. Look at Cutler for example. He was fixated on him because he felt like he had the ability to make the kid great. He won't take Clausen, Bradford, Tebow or McCoy based purely on any kind of hype, or because he feels compelled to take a QB. Jason Campbell is not a no-hoper, and there is actually no pressure on Shanahan to select any QB in 2010.
The biggest issue is still firstly, that I don't believe any of the top four exhibit elite mental strength needed to be a franchise QB. That may change, and thankfully we get an opportunity to see more of them as time goes on. In this category I rate Bradford the highest. I like Tebow from an attitude perspective, but I'd be concerned about McCoy lacking true intelligence, and Clausen's failings with Notre Dame. That's not to say all of them can't change opinions in the next few months as we see them play and talk, especially at the combine and senior bowl.
Secondly, the physical issues that they all have are enough to make me wonder if any are really worth a first round pick, when you combine it with the mental aspects of their respective games.
Clausen has the best knowledge of pro system from college, but his fundamental technique will need an awful lot of work. He has a horrendous release that is excruciating to watch. Again you have to question his performances in college and whether he is in any way going to be a capable QB at the NFL level, especially when he suffers through any initial growing pains. My gut says no. I am staggered by the idea that people think Shanahan will draft a QB like that. People are making these predictions, but the realities of the situation will be fairly apparent come draft day. There's no way Shanahan pays a QB top 5 money unless they're completely sold on him, and there is currently zero evidence to suggest this is the case, or ever will be the case.
McCoy is one of those guys who is at his best when a play is broken, but he doesn't have the accuracy, arm strength, or experience of playing under centre. A second day pick in all likelihood. I could envisage him starting because of injury at some point in his career, but he's not going to be anyone's great hope for the future, and definitely does not have the mental agility to compensate for his lack of physical ability.
Tebow is just an enigma. I reckon he will go a round higher than he should (so the 2nd) purely because of who he is. It would be a total shambles if a team drafts him and expects to have the guy under centre within a year. I really like his attitude, it lends itself to adapting. I Would be massively suspicious about him declining the Senior Bowl. It's a great opportunity to work with NFL coaching staff, even if it is the Lions and Dolphins, and he has just turned it down flat. I'd hazard a guess, much like I did in December, that this is down to his realisation that he could well end up hurting his draft stock by exhibiting his lack of ability to run a pro offence and adapt his playing style.
The more I think about him the harder I find it to place him in the NFL. My instinct is to say someone like Cleveland, KC, St Louis etc would be a good fit because they're weak on offence, and he could be used dynamically. The problem I see with that theory is that the coaches who are there probably aren't building their team on the basis that they will always be bad. Take Cleveland, for example, and you can safely say that Mike Holmgren isn't looking for a gimmick to take the heat off Brady Quinn. He'll either believe in the QB or he'll go and find another one, but I don't see Tebow fitting that kind of team either way.
Someone will take him, I think that's the only given. Maybe Jacksonville in the second round. It's easier to place him there because of the recent rumours surrounding the team's future. It may be the team's only hope of galvanising support in the local area. I appreciate that it's the 'trendy pick', but I don't see any reason for a team to take him for footballing reasons. The Jags will likely get antsy for a QB if Bradford and Clausen are both gone at that point.
Which leads me to Sam Bradford himself. Durability is a slight concern after suffering a season ending shoulder injury. That's for medical staff to decide whether it has had an affect on his throwing ability, and for the purposes of analysing the guy at this point in time, let's assume it is not an issue. it's certainly something that coaches will want to see from him before risking a high pick. Of the four, he's the guy I would trust more. Bradford has a slightly lackadaisical attitude, but not to the point of being dumb or being unable to lead.
That would my big question though, if I was an interviewer: Is this guy going to inspire the players around him to play better football? That has to be the first and in some ways the only meaningful question you ask a QB prospect in the run up to the draft. I've said it before, but the physical gulf between QB's in the league is nowhere near as big as the mental one. You have guys who can make every throw, who have rocket arms, but it gets them nowhere in the league. Then you have smart guys like Chad Pennington who can compensate for any physical issues by being a true leader of men, a guy who has the intelligence to adapt his game to a situation.
There is no happy medium for a quarterback in this league. You have to believe if you're drafting a guy in the first few rounds, that he has the mental ability to lead his team to greatness. He needs confidence in his own ability, and the mental intelligence to diagnose plays as they happen. What sets apart 'great' QB's is that they naturally do this. They study the game until it is embedded in their brains, and the thought process about what is actually happening during any given play really is taking up a minimal amount of their decision-making process. That allows them to go through their progressions and concentrate on avoiding interceptions and mistakes.
The mentally fragile QB will take a sack because he has held onto the ball too long, and it's not in the Ben Roethlisberger way, it's in the panicked 'oh crap, what the hell is going on?' way. You see it quite often in guys who run backwards a lot. The true greats are feeling pressure, yeah, but they take the hits like anyone else - it's just after they've let go of the football. The point is not just avoiding pressure, but having the confidence and ability to know what is happening downfield and make a throw regardless of how close a defender is to a sack.
Anyway, I digress. None of the QB's in this year's draft particularly exhibit those qualities, but Bradford has the best all-round ability. I'd describe him as average-good on both mental and physical fronts. If I was a fan I'd take no issue with a team drafting him as a future starter, but I would be cautious about drafting him too high in the first round. if he's not the guy you really want, but you need a QB, you absolutely have to wait for a guy you have faith in. The NFL is littered with first round players who the coaching staff probably drafted more out of hope and need, than out of belief in the player. The killer is that if you're the Raiders and JaMarcus Russell is your pick, what happens in three years time? That's the cut off point for a first round QB in my eyes. That situation is repeated often by teams, purely because someone thought that 'any quarterback is better than no quarterback'.
There's a compelling argument for what Chicago have done with Jay Cuter, ie: trading away first round picks for a franchise QB who is proven in the league. The lottery of drafting in the first round means that if you have a chance to secure a player who you believe in and has shown that he can play, then you are far better off than gambling. Imagine if Chicago had played last year with Kyle Orton (who they don't believe in) and he had been average. The pressure would now be on to select one of these four, and yet none may be the guy they really want.
If I had to go out on a limb and predict where the top QB prospects will go in the draft, this is how it would go today:
Sam Bradford to go in the middle of the first, most likely to Buffalo, Seattle, or one of the teams with a new GM or coach that is looking for a guy to start afresh with. Jacksonville could be an option if they want to actually draft a player on ability. I don't think he'll last until the beginning of the second.
Jimmy Clausen to go at the beginning of the second round. St.Louis would probably take him out of need at that position. Again, a team with a recent coaching overhaul might throw a surprise in there and take him at the back of the first round by trading ahead of St. Louis. I wouldn't trade anything to draft him personally.
Tim Tebow to go to the Jaguars in round two. I think they would bite if there was nobody else they were sold on. Hell, they're probably right to do so. You can blow a second round pick like Miami did on Pat White, and he won't give you any extra sell-outs, whereas Tebow will do that for the Jags. There's a case to be made that even if he's a bust, they haven't really lost as long as they don't select him instead of a guy they really want - hey, if anything, you could say it's less of a gamble than drafting a guy to actually play football for you. The Jags don't currently have a second round pick, but they may well trade up to get him if they have neglected to take a QB earlier.
Colt McCoy I believe could be a 4th, perhaps 5th round pick. He'd be a project for a team with a veteran starter. Seattle would be a good fit in that respect, but a lot depends on what teams do earlier on.
Finally, this is an inexact science that will never be pinned down. Sam Bradford may be a complete bust and Colt McCoy may get a shot and be the next Tom Brady. My mindset is that you can coach physical issues to a certain extent, but character and mental ability is something that the guy has to have within him. You're looking for a winner, not a guy who has won.
First of all, I think Shanahan is not one to buy into hype, and he likes a certain type of QB. Look at Cutler for example. He was fixated on him because he felt like he had the ability to make the kid great. He won't take Clausen, Bradford, Tebow or McCoy based purely on any kind of hype, or because he feels compelled to take a QB. Jason Campbell is not a no-hoper, and there is actually no pressure on Shanahan to select any QB in 2010.
The biggest issue is still firstly, that I don't believe any of the top four exhibit elite mental strength needed to be a franchise QB. That may change, and thankfully we get an opportunity to see more of them as time goes on. In this category I rate Bradford the highest. I like Tebow from an attitude perspective, but I'd be concerned about McCoy lacking true intelligence, and Clausen's failings with Notre Dame. That's not to say all of them can't change opinions in the next few months as we see them play and talk, especially at the combine and senior bowl.
Secondly, the physical issues that they all have are enough to make me wonder if any are really worth a first round pick, when you combine it with the mental aspects of their respective games.
Clausen has the best knowledge of pro system from college, but his fundamental technique will need an awful lot of work. He has a horrendous release that is excruciating to watch. Again you have to question his performances in college and whether he is in any way going to be a capable QB at the NFL level, especially when he suffers through any initial growing pains. My gut says no. I am staggered by the idea that people think Shanahan will draft a QB like that. People are making these predictions, but the realities of the situation will be fairly apparent come draft day. There's no way Shanahan pays a QB top 5 money unless they're completely sold on him, and there is currently zero evidence to suggest this is the case, or ever will be the case.
McCoy is one of those guys who is at his best when a play is broken, but he doesn't have the accuracy, arm strength, or experience of playing under centre. A second day pick in all likelihood. I could envisage him starting because of injury at some point in his career, but he's not going to be anyone's great hope for the future, and definitely does not have the mental agility to compensate for his lack of physical ability.
Tebow is just an enigma. I reckon he will go a round higher than he should (so the 2nd) purely because of who he is. It would be a total shambles if a team drafts him and expects to have the guy under centre within a year. I really like his attitude, it lends itself to adapting. I Would be massively suspicious about him declining the Senior Bowl. It's a great opportunity to work with NFL coaching staff, even if it is the Lions and Dolphins, and he has just turned it down flat. I'd hazard a guess, much like I did in December, that this is down to his realisation that he could well end up hurting his draft stock by exhibiting his lack of ability to run a pro offence and adapt his playing style.
The more I think about him the harder I find it to place him in the NFL. My instinct is to say someone like Cleveland, KC, St Louis etc would be a good fit because they're weak on offence, and he could be used dynamically. The problem I see with that theory is that the coaches who are there probably aren't building their team on the basis that they will always be bad. Take Cleveland, for example, and you can safely say that Mike Holmgren isn't looking for a gimmick to take the heat off Brady Quinn. He'll either believe in the QB or he'll go and find another one, but I don't see Tebow fitting that kind of team either way.
Someone will take him, I think that's the only given. Maybe Jacksonville in the second round. It's easier to place him there because of the recent rumours surrounding the team's future. It may be the team's only hope of galvanising support in the local area. I appreciate that it's the 'trendy pick', but I don't see any reason for a team to take him for footballing reasons. The Jags will likely get antsy for a QB if Bradford and Clausen are both gone at that point.
Which leads me to Sam Bradford himself. Durability is a slight concern after suffering a season ending shoulder injury. That's for medical staff to decide whether it has had an affect on his throwing ability, and for the purposes of analysing the guy at this point in time, let's assume it is not an issue. it's certainly something that coaches will want to see from him before risking a high pick. Of the four, he's the guy I would trust more. Bradford has a slightly lackadaisical attitude, but not to the point of being dumb or being unable to lead.
That would my big question though, if I was an interviewer: Is this guy going to inspire the players around him to play better football? That has to be the first and in some ways the only meaningful question you ask a QB prospect in the run up to the draft. I've said it before, but the physical gulf between QB's in the league is nowhere near as big as the mental one. You have guys who can make every throw, who have rocket arms, but it gets them nowhere in the league. Then you have smart guys like Chad Pennington who can compensate for any physical issues by being a true leader of men, a guy who has the intelligence to adapt his game to a situation.
There is no happy medium for a quarterback in this league. You have to believe if you're drafting a guy in the first few rounds, that he has the mental ability to lead his team to greatness. He needs confidence in his own ability, and the mental intelligence to diagnose plays as they happen. What sets apart 'great' QB's is that they naturally do this. They study the game until it is embedded in their brains, and the thought process about what is actually happening during any given play really is taking up a minimal amount of their decision-making process. That allows them to go through their progressions and concentrate on avoiding interceptions and mistakes.
The mentally fragile QB will take a sack because he has held onto the ball too long, and it's not in the Ben Roethlisberger way, it's in the panicked 'oh crap, what the hell is going on?' way. You see it quite often in guys who run backwards a lot. The true greats are feeling pressure, yeah, but they take the hits like anyone else - it's just after they've let go of the football. The point is not just avoiding pressure, but having the confidence and ability to know what is happening downfield and make a throw regardless of how close a defender is to a sack.
Anyway, I digress. None of the QB's in this year's draft particularly exhibit those qualities, but Bradford has the best all-round ability. I'd describe him as average-good on both mental and physical fronts. If I was a fan I'd take no issue with a team drafting him as a future starter, but I would be cautious about drafting him too high in the first round. if he's not the guy you really want, but you need a QB, you absolutely have to wait for a guy you have faith in. The NFL is littered with first round players who the coaching staff probably drafted more out of hope and need, than out of belief in the player. The killer is that if you're the Raiders and JaMarcus Russell is your pick, what happens in three years time? That's the cut off point for a first round QB in my eyes. That situation is repeated often by teams, purely because someone thought that 'any quarterback is better than no quarterback'.
There's a compelling argument for what Chicago have done with Jay Cuter, ie: trading away first round picks for a franchise QB who is proven in the league. The lottery of drafting in the first round means that if you have a chance to secure a player who you believe in and has shown that he can play, then you are far better off than gambling. Imagine if Chicago had played last year with Kyle Orton (who they don't believe in) and he had been average. The pressure would now be on to select one of these four, and yet none may be the guy they really want.
If I had to go out on a limb and predict where the top QB prospects will go in the draft, this is how it would go today:
Sam Bradford to go in the middle of the first, most likely to Buffalo, Seattle, or one of the teams with a new GM or coach that is looking for a guy to start afresh with. Jacksonville could be an option if they want to actually draft a player on ability. I don't think he'll last until the beginning of the second.
Jimmy Clausen to go at the beginning of the second round. St.Louis would probably take him out of need at that position. Again, a team with a recent coaching overhaul might throw a surprise in there and take him at the back of the first round by trading ahead of St. Louis. I wouldn't trade anything to draft him personally.
Tim Tebow to go to the Jaguars in round two. I think they would bite if there was nobody else they were sold on. Hell, they're probably right to do so. You can blow a second round pick like Miami did on Pat White, and he won't give you any extra sell-outs, whereas Tebow will do that for the Jags. There's a case to be made that even if he's a bust, they haven't really lost as long as they don't select him instead of a guy they really want - hey, if anything, you could say it's less of a gamble than drafting a guy to actually play football for you. The Jags don't currently have a second round pick, but they may well trade up to get him if they have neglected to take a QB earlier.
Colt McCoy I believe could be a 4th, perhaps 5th round pick. He'd be a project for a team with a veteran starter. Seattle would be a good fit in that respect, but a lot depends on what teams do earlier on.
Finally, this is an inexact science that will never be pinned down. Sam Bradford may be a complete bust and Colt McCoy may get a shot and be the next Tom Brady. My mindset is that you can coach physical issues to a certain extent, but character and mental ability is something that the guy has to have within him. You're looking for a winner, not a guy who has won.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Broncos the most likely team to play 49ers at Wembley
Well, it's good news for San Francisco fans in britain - the team looks well set to play in one of the Wembley games this year. Who will be their opponent? Well since Philadelphia are on the schedule, they are less likely than Dallas to go to Wembley on the basis of their lack of a Jerry Jones-style egocentric character, so my money is firmly on Denver.
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Denver
Oakland
Arizona
St. Louis
Seattle
Philadelphia
As New Orleans and Tampa have already played in Europe, and the Raiders are a rival team. the only logical choices are the Eagles and Broncos. Of course, this is assuming the 49ers are the home team, as I believe they will be...
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Denver
Oakland
Arizona
St. Louis
Seattle
Philadelphia
As New Orleans and Tampa have already played in Europe, and the Raiders are a rival team. the only logical choices are the Eagles and Broncos. Of course, this is assuming the 49ers are the home team, as I believe they will be...
Monday, 4 January 2010
The Offensive Line NFL dictionary
Here are the unofficial additions to the NFL dictionary 2009. If you have any suggestions, you can send them on twitter
JaMarcus (Jah-mar-cuss)
To expend more energy by not trying, than you would by simply being competent at a great job.
"He's spent the last 3 hours JaMarcussing around rather than helping us moisturise these damn playboy bunnies - Be a dear and hold still could you?"
Cribbs (Kribs)
Army slang for a long range missile capable of destroying your much better equipped opponents, and which therefore must be used in every way but the manner intended.
"See, we were going to use the Cribbs to win our next war, but we decided that if we used it as ballast in a submarine, then sold it to Iran, we could buy more of these here zeppelins!"
Polian (Pole-ee-ann)
To refuse an attempt at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in favour of trying to accomplish something you have already done once.
"He only needed to win one more hand for a shot at $1m, but he Polianed it and went to play bingo again"
Welkered (Well-ker-d)
To vindicate a Polian.
"Turns out he had a pair of twos, he'd have been Welkered if he carried on. Still, looks like he's doing ok in the bingo..."
McDaniels (Mac-dan-ee-ells)
High pitched screech that eventually wears down all in earshot.
"Protestors have complained that the new runway will leave many local residents unable to sleep because of intolerable McDaniels emitting from aircraft taking off"
Zorn (Zorn)
To become disinterested in one's grisly demise.
"I think after we cut off his toes he just kind of Zorned out"
Cutler (Cut-ler)
Talented employee of organisation who is given poor tools to work with, but is expected to perform better than the previous incumbent.
"He might have been good in the kitchen, but lets see how he manages if we cut his arms off! I bet he's a Cutler, you can see it in his chin"
Favre (Far-v-re)
To cuckold your boss in public.
"You wouldn't think he could still Favre like that at his age. I don't think she's complaining though. Hey Brad, isn't that your wif... oh. Why are you sobbing?"
Houshing (Hoosh-ing)
The act of talking up your ability whilst simultaneously proving yourself incorrect.
"He reckons he's going to kick our ass at pool, but I think he's just houshing - look, he's just racked them up on the foosball table..."
Offensive Tackle (Off-en-sive Tack-el)
Speciality of the Oakland Raiders
"And that's now 4 offensive tackles for Zach Miller, all coming off JaMarcus Russell interceptions..."
JaMarcus (Jah-mar-cuss)
To expend more energy by not trying, than you would by simply being competent at a great job.
"He's spent the last 3 hours JaMarcussing around rather than helping us moisturise these damn playboy bunnies - Be a dear and hold still could you?"
Cribbs (Kribs)
Army slang for a long range missile capable of destroying your much better equipped opponents, and which therefore must be used in every way but the manner intended.
"See, we were going to use the Cribbs to win our next war, but we decided that if we used it as ballast in a submarine, then sold it to Iran, we could buy more of these here zeppelins!"
Polian (Pole-ee-ann)
To refuse an attempt at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in favour of trying to accomplish something you have already done once.
"He only needed to win one more hand for a shot at $1m, but he Polianed it and went to play bingo again"
Welkered (Well-ker-d)
To vindicate a Polian.
"Turns out he had a pair of twos, he'd have been Welkered if he carried on. Still, looks like he's doing ok in the bingo..."
McDaniels (Mac-dan-ee-ells)
High pitched screech that eventually wears down all in earshot.
"Protestors have complained that the new runway will leave many local residents unable to sleep because of intolerable McDaniels emitting from aircraft taking off"
Zorn (Zorn)
To become disinterested in one's grisly demise.
"I think after we cut off his toes he just kind of Zorned out"
Cutler (Cut-ler)
Talented employee of organisation who is given poor tools to work with, but is expected to perform better than the previous incumbent.
"He might have been good in the kitchen, but lets see how he manages if we cut his arms off! I bet he's a Cutler, you can see it in his chin"
Favre (Far-v-re)
To cuckold your boss in public.
"You wouldn't think he could still Favre like that at his age. I don't think she's complaining though. Hey Brad, isn't that your wif... oh. Why are you sobbing?"
Houshing (Hoosh-ing)
The act of talking up your ability whilst simultaneously proving yourself incorrect.
"He reckons he's going to kick our ass at pool, but I think he's just houshing - look, he's just racked them up on the foosball table..."
Offensive Tackle (Off-en-sive Tack-el)
Speciality of the Oakland Raiders
"And that's now 4 offensive tackles for Zach Miller, all coming off JaMarcus Russell interceptions..."
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Texans secure a winning season at last
Anyone who knows me will be aware of my deep-rooted love for the Chicago Bears, which began way back in what Alan Partridge's friend Bono would describe as 'the nineteen-eightieees'. My favourite player was actually Kevin Butler for many many years, which is slightly embarrassing, as it was only when I got to the age of 12 that I realised that having a kicker as your hero was not something you admitted.
Fast-forward 15 years and I'm still a Bears nut (as many a baffled girlfriend will testify, usually at 5am on a tuesday morning), but I have had a soft spot for the NFL's newest franchise, the Houston Texans, since their induction into the league. After seven seasons, it has finally become acceptable to admit this further bizarre affiliation to my inglorious NFL resumé.
The Houston Texans have a winning season.
The most important part of the whole equation will not be decided until the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos finish their games (the Texans best hopes are probably that the Broncos and Jets lose, although I have a strange feeling about Oakland today, maybe they can get an upset), but the likelihood is that the team will keep coach Gary Kubiak around for 2010, which will be good for continuity. It isn't good for the media commentators who aren't fans of his, but Kubiak has quietly overseen some solid drafts in Houston, and deserves more credit than he is getting.
Actually, on that point, the Texans have done pretty well in recent years even before Kubiak. The Mario Williams pick is a feather in the cap of former G.M. Charlie Casserly, and with starters DeMeco Ryans, Owen Daniels, Zac Diles, Steve Slaton, Jacoby Jones all coming in recent years, the team has done well. This year LB Brian Cushing and DE Connor Barwin have also shown they will be starters in the league.
Perhaps the only disappointments have been in the linemen and in the secondary. The team lacks a bruising DT to compliment Amobi Akoye, and some of the OT's drafted have looked slightly out of their depth at times. Patience may be the best virtue, but it will again be a draft where the team invests in defensive backs.
For now though, the Texans will be hoping they can cap the team's first winning season with their first trip to the postseason.
Fast-forward 15 years and I'm still a Bears nut (as many a baffled girlfriend will testify, usually at 5am on a tuesday morning), but I have had a soft spot for the NFL's newest franchise, the Houston Texans, since their induction into the league. After seven seasons, it has finally become acceptable to admit this further bizarre affiliation to my inglorious NFL resumé.
The Houston Texans have a winning season.
The most important part of the whole equation will not be decided until the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos finish their games (the Texans best hopes are probably that the Broncos and Jets lose, although I have a strange feeling about Oakland today, maybe they can get an upset), but the likelihood is that the team will keep coach Gary Kubiak around for 2010, which will be good for continuity. It isn't good for the media commentators who aren't fans of his, but Kubiak has quietly overseen some solid drafts in Houston, and deserves more credit than he is getting.
Actually, on that point, the Texans have done pretty well in recent years even before Kubiak. The Mario Williams pick is a feather in the cap of former G.M. Charlie Casserly, and with starters DeMeco Ryans, Owen Daniels, Zac Diles, Steve Slaton, Jacoby Jones all coming in recent years, the team has done well. This year LB Brian Cushing and DE Connor Barwin have also shown they will be starters in the league.
Perhaps the only disappointments have been in the linemen and in the secondary. The team lacks a bruising DT to compliment Amobi Akoye, and some of the OT's drafted have looked slightly out of their depth at times. Patience may be the best virtue, but it will again be a draft where the team invests in defensive backs.
For now though, the Texans will be hoping they can cap the team's first winning season with their first trip to the postseason.
Wide-Right
Wide-Right is being renamed as 'The Offensive Line'.
As you may or may not be aware, the domain was essentially car-jacked from under my nose (well, it was 'virtually' car-jacked, but you get the idea) and is currently being used as an advert for penis enlargement, or possibly for unspecified 'meds'. Either way, it's impractical for me to continue with the wide-right banner and website. so the only alternative is a complete re-brand, which fits quite well with my ideas for the future.
I'm going to develop this site for the next six months or so, and get a good groundwork in place for September, when I intend to commit a lot of time to it. I'm also headed to the U.S in June for four months, which will be an experience if nothing else.
So keep an eye on things. I'm hooking this up to twitter, where you can follow me, and I'll be trying to make the whole thing as easy to read as possible. Any suggestions, just drop me a tweet at www.twitter.com/ShaunLowrie
Shaun
As you may or may not be aware, the domain was essentially car-jacked from under my nose (well, it was 'virtually' car-jacked, but you get the idea) and is currently being used as an advert for penis enlargement, or possibly for unspecified 'meds'. Either way, it's impractical for me to continue with the wide-right banner and website. so the only alternative is a complete re-brand, which fits quite well with my ideas for the future.
I'm going to develop this site for the next six months or so, and get a good groundwork in place for September, when I intend to commit a lot of time to it. I'm also headed to the U.S in June for four months, which will be an experience if nothing else.
So keep an eye on things. I'm hooking this up to twitter, where you can follow me, and I'll be trying to make the whole thing as easy to read as possible. Any suggestions, just drop me a tweet at www.twitter.com/ShaunLowrie
Shaun
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