Relevant and Irrelevant: Week 16 Edition

TallySaint · 12-27-2006, 10:02 AM

Relevant and irrelevant: the Week 16 edition

December 26, 2006

Paul Attner, The Sporting News

What's relevant -- and what's not -- about Week 16 of the NFL season:

# We've been trying for weeks to have the shoe fit: who is the fairest of NFC teams? We tried the Bears but they fumbled it away. We tried the Cowboys but they couldn't tackle it. We tried the Saints but they had their own fairy tale to tell. Now, maybe the Eagles? The Eagles?

# Sean Payton will be coach of the year, but Eric Mangini would have been if this was any other season. But Andy Reid deserves some special mention. When Donovan McNabb went down, we expected the Eagles to follow. Instead, Jeff Garcia has benefited from Reid's ability to keep a team on an even course -- and from Philly's about-time decision to start running more and throwing less. It has been a magnificent coaching job.

# Who is the comeback player of the year? Garcia? Drew Brees? Carson Palmer? Lots of worthy candidates.

# The Jaguars can't be happy with their quarterbacking future. They apparently aren't enamoured of Byron Leftwich, and David Garrard is far too careless with the football. I would require Leftwich to become physically fit and I would work on his fundamentals. I also would not prematurely give up on him.

# The 49ers have $41 million in free salary cap money. Considering how long they were in playoff contention this year, their future seems extremely bright. But if you were an NFC West team, why wouldn't you be optimistic?

# Hard to believe but the Giants -- the awful, uninspired Giants -- are in the best shape of any NFC team to clinch that second wild-card berth. There is even a plausible scenario where they could lose for the seventh time in eight weeks and still get into the playoffs -- with a 7-9 record. That would be so appropriate for the NFC. If there was ever a team in need of a coaching change, this is one.

# Jim Mora is a coach who can relate to his players. But maybe Michael Vick needs another personality either as his head coach or offensive coordinator, someone to demand on-field discipline. And that would take owner Arthur Blank backing off his protection of Vick.

# It was stunning to see how poorly the Cowboys responded to the challenge of the Eagles. Amid all this talk of Bill Parcells returning next season, I wonder if he doesn't wonder how one of his teams could be this flat in a game so meaningful? Could it be they aren't listening to him? With all the talk about Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense, how about a defense that was shredded by an Eagles running game not known for its prowess?

# Despite Daunte Culpepper's denials, the Dolphins have found out what the Vikings already knew -- he is not the hardest-working guy around. But the Dolphins desperately need Culpepper to return at full strength next season. What an awful offense they have right now without him.

# Carolina figured out how to win with Chris Weinke at quarterback. Hardly let him pass.

# The voting for rookie of the year between Vince Young and Reggie Bush is going to be close. Bush is finishing strong but it is hard not to pick Young. His effect on the Titans has been incredible. And yes, Jeff Fisher should be considered for coach of the year, too.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=162135

8)

12-27-2006, 10:02 AM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Relevant and Irrelevant: Week 16 Edition Relevant and irrelevant: the Week 16 edition December 26, 2006 Paul Attner, The Sporting News What's relevant -- and what's not -- about Week 16 of the NFL season: # We've been trying for weeks to have the shoe fit: who is the fairest of NFC teams? We tried the Bears but they fumbled it away. We tried the Cowboys but they couldn't tackle it. We tried the Saints but they had their own fairy tale to tell. Now, maybe the Eagles? The Eagles? # Sean Payton will be coach of the year, but Eric Mangini would have been if this was any other season. But Andy Reid deserves some special mention. When Donovan McNabb went down, we expected the Eagles to follow. Instead, Jeff Garcia has benefited from Reid's ability to keep a team on an even course -- and from Philly's about-time decision to start running more and throwing less. It has been a magnificent coaching job. # Who is the comeback player of the year? Garcia? Drew Brees? Carson Palmer? Lots of worthy candidates. # The Jaguars can't be happy with their quarterbacking future. They apparently aren't enamoured of Byron Leftwich, and David Garrard is far too careless with the football. I would require Leftwich to become physically fit and I would work on his fundamentals. I also would not prematurely give up on him. # The 49ers have $41 million in free salary cap money. Considering how long they were in playoff contention this year, their future seems extremely bright. But if you were an NFC West team, why wouldn't you be optimistic? # Hard to believe but the Giants -- the awful, uninspired Giants -- are in the best shape of any NFC team to clinch that second wild-card berth. There is even a plausible scenario where they could lose for the seventh time in eight weeks and still get into the playoffs -- with a 7-9 record. That would be so appropriate for the NFC. If there was ever a team in need of a coaching change, this is one. # Jim Mora is a coach who can relate to his players. But maybe Michael Vick needs another personality either as his head coach or offensive coordinator, someone to demand on-field discipline. And that would take owner Arthur Blank backing off his protection of Vick. # It was stunning to see how poorly the Cowboys responded to the challenge of the Eagles. Amid all this talk of Bill Parcells returning next season, I wonder if he doesn't wonder how one of his teams could be this flat in a game so meaningful? Could it be they aren't listening to him? With all the talk about Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense, how about a defense that was shredded by an Eagles running game not known for its prowess? # Despite Daunte Culpepper's denials, the Dolphins have found out what the Vikings already knew -- he is not the hardest-working guy around. But the Dolphins desperately need Culpepper to return at full strength next season. What an awful offense they have right now without him. # Carolina figured out how to win with Chris Weinke at quarterback. Hardly let him pass. # The voting for rookie of the year between Vince Young and Reggie Bush is going to be close. Bush is finishing strong but it is hard not to pick Young. His effect on the Titans has been incredible. And yes, Jeff Fisher should be considered for coach of the year, too. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=162135 8)
	My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.