I think whenever there is a change of ownership at a football club, it is fairly inevitable that the incumbent manager will be staring down the barrel from the off. Evidence in point being the dismissal of ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce by the magnificent Venky’s group (this is one sacking I have no problems with. Venky’s are not only a dodgy, Monty Python-esque purveyor of Indian poultry, they are also now the newest member of the group of owners who managed to get rid of Allardyce from Match of the Day, for a while at least; the man is like thrush).
NESV, the owners of Liverpool, have followed my hypothesis by recently sacking Uncle Roy Hodgson. On the face of it, he did probably have it coming a bit due to the sheer mediocrity of Liverpool’s play this year.
But I believe that if I was running a football team I would consider at least these two other key criteria before I dismissed my manager. Poor results are all well and bad, but a change of face in the dugout will make no difference unless the bigger picture is clear.
Firstly, I would want to establish whether the manager has failed his squad, by dragging them down or selling key players or simply not ‘managing’ them well enough. In many cases, and in particular the case of Liverpool, the inverse has been true. The Reds’ big names have failed utterly to show up to the party. Torres, Gerrard and even the normally impeccable Reina have been found wanting in nearly every match. I am pretty certain that there has not been a single game this season in which more than one of these three key men have been anywhere near the top of their game.
There is a fine balance to be had here between contributing factors. Are the players not performing for the manager? Whose fault is that; theirs, his or both? Have there been injuries? And so on and so forth.
Simply put, the players in the current Liverpool squad have demonstrated over the past few seasons that they have more than enough talent to finish higher than the bottom half of the table. And Roy Hodgson, in his previous job at Fulham, has demonstrated likewise. All these things do not change over the course of a few months; that is not how football works. Both parties must have let their standards slip.
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Hodgson has to front at least part of the blame for Liverpool’s abject showing thus far. It is, though, also reasonable to believe that partial, unspecific blame is hardly enough to warrant such a drastic move as a firing, and the inevitable culture shock that comes in its aftermath. Certainly, you couldn’t sack the line manager of a chronically underperforming paperclip factory because they stole the occasional box of paperclips; somewhere along the line two and two would not add up.
The second criteria I would apply would be ‘never trade down’. Simply put, there is no reason to get rid of somebody if you do not have a replacement of at least equal quality waiting in the wings. For the record, Kenny Dalgleish does not qualify (not that I think he’s a realistic candidate for the full time job in the slightest).
We can only wait and see if NESV and John W. Henry fulfil this second criteria in the weeks to come. But I am pretty certain they will not, certainly if talks of Owen Coyle being lined up are confirmed.
Liverpool were not going to be relegated this year, nor were they going into the Champions League. Surely, then, it makes better sense to keep Hodgson until the end of the season, allowing you more time to properly evaluate his performance and compare it to the performances of his players (who, incidentally, have received a ‘get out of jail free’ pass for their bad play in the current scenario, as is too often the case) and line up a suitable replacement?
GM
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Friday, 7 January 2011
GOING UP TOP! - The NFL Playoffs
The Postseason is here! For some of us, it means 11 meaningless games whereby those of us lucky enough to have played well this season (and Seattle) slog it out in the background on the hunt for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. For others, myself amongst them, it is potentially the beginning of the path to glory. My Birds (a meaning that has become ambiguous following my 21st birthday party) are in action as part of Wildcard Weekend - 4 games between seeds 3-6 in the NFC and AFC. Let's make like a rapper and break it down:
Game 1: New Orleans @ Seattle - NFC Seeds 4 & 5.
Key matchups:
Reggie Bush vs Lofa Tatupu - Reggie has a lot of work to do with leading rushers Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas placed on IR this week. Bush has missed a lot of game time this year and when he has hit the gridiron, has not looked as explosive as he can be. Perhaps his Heisman Trophy was like Samson's hair. Tackles machine Tatupu will lead the defense and if he is on best form, will probably stuff the Saints' rush game
Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer vs Mike Williams - make no mistake, the Saints will score points. The only way Seattle can win this game is if they too fire on offense. Williams has bounced back from being previously rubbish to comfortably lead Matt Hasslebeck's receiving corps this season. Porter and Greer are one of the league's premier CB pairings (although the Bengals' pair were voted No.1 at the start of the season - how'd that turn out?) and will need to deal with Williams' physicality and deep threat to prosper
Jon Stinchcomb vs Chris Clemons - the premier Saints O-Lineman faces off against the premier Seahawks D-Lineman. Why is this matchup so crucial? Because if Clemons can overcome Stinchcomb and disrupt Drew Brees, then the damage that the New Orleans offense can do will be severely limited. Do I think this is likely? No. Do I need to stop asking myself questions and then answering them? Yes.
Prediction: Saints at a canter - let's say 31-13.
Game 2: New York Jets @ Indianapolis - AFC Seeds 3 & 6
Key matchups:
Mark Sanchez vs Dwight Freeney - make no mistake, Freeney's ankle injury and subsequent lack of mobility was one of the prime reasons why the Colts were unable to overcome the Saints in last year's Superbowl. However, this year he is primed and ready and faces a much less potent opponent than Drew Brees. Sanchez continues to frustrate, looking every bit the Sanchise one minute and a bit shit the next. He clearly hasn't got the mental fortitude to lead a side to the Superbowl yet. But he might just get the edge over Freeney in this game.
LaDanian Tomlinson vs Joseph Addai - both of these sides are very centred on the pass, the Colts' love of the deep threat longstanding with Peyton Manning under centre, the Jets' dealings more recent in a hope that Sanchez will one day deliver consistently. Both will look to throw plenty tomorrow night. Where the game will be won and lost is how many extra yards each side can be gained on the ground, thus making the play action pass a more viable option for the respective QB. LT has enjoyed a much improved season since moving from San Diego, whilst Addai has spent a fair bit of time on the sidelines, although has found surprising success on occasion. I actually think the Colts may hold the edge here.
Darrelle Revis vs Reggie Wayne - Revis Island. A lonely place to be marooned on. We all know the Jets have talked a load of bullshit all season and haven't really been all they claimed to be but Revis is still a class act. Wayne has looked good in all circumstances this season, pretty much the only man that Peyton has been able to consistently rely on with such a banged up unit this season. He will once again provide options, provided he manages to stick to Antonio Cromartie for most of the evening.
Prediction: J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets. 24-16. Don't know why, just don't really feel the Colts deserve to be there given how they've played this season. Don't worry, the Jets will be put out by the Patriots next week, Sanchez still unable to push through to the very top!
Game 3: Baltimore @ Kansas City - AFC Seeds 4 & 5
Key matchups:
Joe Flacco vs Matt Cassel - much as I like to avoid Collinsworth-itis and picking both QB's as a matchup, there is no avoiding it with this game. We have Flacco, a man who typifies solidity, with a good arm, good accuracy and good decision-making skills. Nothing flashy, just a very very good player. Much like Cassel, who suddenly has broken out to show exactly what he can do, keeping the interceptions to a minimum and not overstretching his capabilities. Flacco leads the yards, but then has thrown more often. Cassel has 2 more TD's. The difference is that narrow that whoever has the better afternoon could seal the day.
Ray Lewis vs Jamaal Charles - Charles has had a monster year. With 6.4 yards per carry in the backfield, he has led the NFL and has had to share time with Thomas Jones, whilst still rushing for 1467 yards. The O-Line is excellent, and have protected Charles and Jones superbly. Only a top quality defense, led by an absolute maniac could shut them down. Which is exactly what Ray Lewis and the Ravens' D are. Despite having been around seemingly since the Cold War, Lewis has shown no signs of slowing down, still firing up his colleagues and making huge hits himself. Something has to give.
Anquan Boldin vs Dwayne Bowe - You look at the numbers and you go with Bowe. 15 TD's against Boldin's 7. 1162 yards against 837. But - you look at the two separate receiving units and you see that Bowe is really the only option that the Chiefs have. As well as Boldin, the Ravens have Derrick Mason and TJ Houshmanzadeh, more than capable at making plays. But Boldin is that cut above them and will lead Flacco's offense. You can't really call this one.
Prediction: 21-15 Ravens.
Game 4: Green Bay @ Philadelphia - NFC Seeds 3 & 6
Key matchups:
Nick Collins vs DeSean Jackson - D-Jax is the reason Philly are in the playoffs. Without him and THAT punt return against the Giants in the dying seconds, they would have lost and missed out on the NFC East title. He is a serious threat, both on the end-around run and the deep pass - fortunately he has a QB with a big enough arm to find him downfield. He will match up against Pro Bowl safety Collins, who has picked off 4 passes this year, and has a fantastic engine. He will need it against Jackson.
Clay Matthews III vs Michael Vick - the Eagles' O-Line is terrible. Jason Peters got selected to the Pro Bowl on reputation alone. Matthews WILL have opportunities to get to Michael Vick and he will want to hit him hard, just like he did to Kevin Kolb in Week 1 to hand Vick that opportunity which he took so well. His success is dependent upon how elusive Vick can be out of the pocket and whether he is given enough room by his line to fire some big guns to Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.
Chad Clifton vs Trent Cole - a proper scrap between two top linemen which will dictate the success of the Packers' offense. Aaron Rodgers is a great QB who must be protected to allow the Packers to keep up with the dynamic Philly offense. Points will need to be on the board and Clifton has to compete with one of the best pass rushers in the game in Cole. Green Bay has improved in protecting Rodgers, the better passer of the 2 QBs, this season - but Cole will be one of their tougher opponents
Prediction: Eagles in OT. Don't know how many points will be on the board but I reckon it'll be a good game!
RM
Game 1: New Orleans @ Seattle - NFC Seeds 4 & 5.
Key matchups:
Reggie Bush vs Lofa Tatupu - Reggie has a lot of work to do with leading rushers Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas placed on IR this week. Bush has missed a lot of game time this year and when he has hit the gridiron, has not looked as explosive as he can be. Perhaps his Heisman Trophy was like Samson's hair. Tackles machine Tatupu will lead the defense and if he is on best form, will probably stuff the Saints' rush game
Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer vs Mike Williams - make no mistake, the Saints will score points. The only way Seattle can win this game is if they too fire on offense. Williams has bounced back from being previously rubbish to comfortably lead Matt Hasslebeck's receiving corps this season. Porter and Greer are one of the league's premier CB pairings (although the Bengals' pair were voted No.1 at the start of the season - how'd that turn out?) and will need to deal with Williams' physicality and deep threat to prosper
Jon Stinchcomb vs Chris Clemons - the premier Saints O-Lineman faces off against the premier Seahawks D-Lineman. Why is this matchup so crucial? Because if Clemons can overcome Stinchcomb and disrupt Drew Brees, then the damage that the New Orleans offense can do will be severely limited. Do I think this is likely? No. Do I need to stop asking myself questions and then answering them? Yes.
Prediction: Saints at a canter - let's say 31-13.
Game 2: New York Jets @ Indianapolis - AFC Seeds 3 & 6
Key matchups:
Mark Sanchez vs Dwight Freeney - make no mistake, Freeney's ankle injury and subsequent lack of mobility was one of the prime reasons why the Colts were unable to overcome the Saints in last year's Superbowl. However, this year he is primed and ready and faces a much less potent opponent than Drew Brees. Sanchez continues to frustrate, looking every bit the Sanchise one minute and a bit shit the next. He clearly hasn't got the mental fortitude to lead a side to the Superbowl yet. But he might just get the edge over Freeney in this game.
LaDanian Tomlinson vs Joseph Addai - both of these sides are very centred on the pass, the Colts' love of the deep threat longstanding with Peyton Manning under centre, the Jets' dealings more recent in a hope that Sanchez will one day deliver consistently. Both will look to throw plenty tomorrow night. Where the game will be won and lost is how many extra yards each side can be gained on the ground, thus making the play action pass a more viable option for the respective QB. LT has enjoyed a much improved season since moving from San Diego, whilst Addai has spent a fair bit of time on the sidelines, although has found surprising success on occasion. I actually think the Colts may hold the edge here.
Darrelle Revis vs Reggie Wayne - Revis Island. A lonely place to be marooned on. We all know the Jets have talked a load of bullshit all season and haven't really been all they claimed to be but Revis is still a class act. Wayne has looked good in all circumstances this season, pretty much the only man that Peyton has been able to consistently rely on with such a banged up unit this season. He will once again provide options, provided he manages to stick to Antonio Cromartie for most of the evening.
Prediction: J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets. 24-16. Don't know why, just don't really feel the Colts deserve to be there given how they've played this season. Don't worry, the Jets will be put out by the Patriots next week, Sanchez still unable to push through to the very top!
Game 3: Baltimore @ Kansas City - AFC Seeds 4 & 5
Key matchups:
Joe Flacco vs Matt Cassel - much as I like to avoid Collinsworth-itis and picking both QB's as a matchup, there is no avoiding it with this game. We have Flacco, a man who typifies solidity, with a good arm, good accuracy and good decision-making skills. Nothing flashy, just a very very good player. Much like Cassel, who suddenly has broken out to show exactly what he can do, keeping the interceptions to a minimum and not overstretching his capabilities. Flacco leads the yards, but then has thrown more often. Cassel has 2 more TD's. The difference is that narrow that whoever has the better afternoon could seal the day.
Ray Lewis vs Jamaal Charles - Charles has had a monster year. With 6.4 yards per carry in the backfield, he has led the NFL and has had to share time with Thomas Jones, whilst still rushing for 1467 yards. The O-Line is excellent, and have protected Charles and Jones superbly. Only a top quality defense, led by an absolute maniac could shut them down. Which is exactly what Ray Lewis and the Ravens' D are. Despite having been around seemingly since the Cold War, Lewis has shown no signs of slowing down, still firing up his colleagues and making huge hits himself. Something has to give.
Anquan Boldin vs Dwayne Bowe - You look at the numbers and you go with Bowe. 15 TD's against Boldin's 7. 1162 yards against 837. But - you look at the two separate receiving units and you see that Bowe is really the only option that the Chiefs have. As well as Boldin, the Ravens have Derrick Mason and TJ Houshmanzadeh, more than capable at making plays. But Boldin is that cut above them and will lead Flacco's offense. You can't really call this one.
Prediction: 21-15 Ravens.
Game 4: Green Bay @ Philadelphia - NFC Seeds 3 & 6
Key matchups:
Nick Collins vs DeSean Jackson - D-Jax is the reason Philly are in the playoffs. Without him and THAT punt return against the Giants in the dying seconds, they would have lost and missed out on the NFC East title. He is a serious threat, both on the end-around run and the deep pass - fortunately he has a QB with a big enough arm to find him downfield. He will match up against Pro Bowl safety Collins, who has picked off 4 passes this year, and has a fantastic engine. He will need it against Jackson.
Clay Matthews III vs Michael Vick - the Eagles' O-Line is terrible. Jason Peters got selected to the Pro Bowl on reputation alone. Matthews WILL have opportunities to get to Michael Vick and he will want to hit him hard, just like he did to Kevin Kolb in Week 1 to hand Vick that opportunity which he took so well. His success is dependent upon how elusive Vick can be out of the pocket and whether he is given enough room by his line to fire some big guns to Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.
Chad Clifton vs Trent Cole - a proper scrap between two top linemen which will dictate the success of the Packers' offense. Aaron Rodgers is a great QB who must be protected to allow the Packers to keep up with the dynamic Philly offense. Points will need to be on the board and Clifton has to compete with one of the best pass rushers in the game in Cole. Green Bay has improved in protecting Rodgers, the better passer of the 2 QBs, this season - but Cole will be one of their tougher opponents
Prediction: Eagles in OT. Don't know how many points will be on the board but I reckon it'll be a good game!
RM
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
The Back Page: January 2011
Happy New Year! Owing to a combination of the Hogmanay and 21st birthday festivities, this feature has been delayed for a few days, but we're ready to go now!
Twitter faux pas of the month (i): Andrew Flintoff. Fresh from a new series of A League of Their Own (it's shit) and commentating on the PDC Darts (which are also shit), Flintoff surpassed himself in December by "inadvertedly" giving out his entire mobile phone number on Twitter. The fact that he was surprised at receiving hundreds of calls and messages from strangers is the most amazing part of this story
Twitter faux pas of the month (ii): Roddy White. The Atlanta Falcons WR wound up the New Orleans Saints and by extension the entire city of New Orleans (most of the city list the Superdome as one of their prior addresses) by making an ill-judged but sadly little publicised comment about Hurricane Katrina. The Saints promptly turned in a bone-crunching defensive display to win 17-14.
Learned lesson of the month: Say what you like about Davids Gold and Sullivan. I, like Simon Jordan, would happily impale them on one of their own dildos. But in granting Avram Grant a stay of execution, in which they spelled out exactly what he needed to do to keep his club, did the man a much better service than was done by the owners of Newcastle and Blackburn in dismissing Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce respectively. 3 games, 1 win required. Big Av led West Ham unbeaten through Christmas.
Unsung hero of the month: Tim Southee. It's been a brilliant year for New Zealand in sport, not disgracing themselves at the World Cup and sweeping all-comers in the world of rugby union. The cricketers have let the side down badly, losing 4-0 in Bangladesh. They bounced back on Boxing Day in a T20 against Pakistan, with the wildly inconsistent young buck Southee the leading light, with an excellent hat-trick (only the 3rd in the international game) and figures of 5-18 (the 2nd best of all-time). He spent the rest of the series being average. Such is the frustrating nature of the lad.
Comeback of the month: John Higgins. The Wizard of Wishaw was 9-5 down in a best of 19 UK Championship final against Mark Williams. Higgins came back to win 10-9 and in doing so dragged his name back out of the dirt created by the News of the World scam (sound familiar) that saw him and his agent accused of match-fixing after meeting a shady man in the back of a Ukraine bar. OK so it wasn't in a bar but grant me some poetic license!
Duck of the month: Wladimir Klitschko. I really don't like the Klitschko brothers for a number of reasons. 1) They refuse to batter seven colours of shit out of each other, which we all want to see. 2) Vitali is a big hulking moron. 3) Wladimir is a big hulking moron who is shagging Hayden Pannettiere. Which just isn't fair. With all that in mind I will find any excuse to drive them down, because we all know David Haye will knock them both out in 2011. So the mysterious injury suffered by Wlad before his fight with Derek Chisora says to me that the guy is not as great as he'd have us all believe.
Quote of the month: 2nd Ashes Test at Adelaide on Sky Sports. Xavier Doherty bowls a full toss which Kevin Pietersen swats away for four on his way to a career high score. Michael Holding: "I saw something like that this morning at breakfast. Buffet. Help yourself." Just say it in a thick Jamaican accent.
Sporting hero of the year: I cannot really do January without reflecting on the year as a whole. The best sporting event of the year was the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. The hero of the hour was Graeme McDowall, sinking the winning putt for Europe as well as bagging the US Open at Pebble Beach
Sportsman I hated most in 2010: Fernando Alonso. Simply because he's a knob.
Sliding scale of the month: The Messiah Meter featuring Alan Pardew. A tough first three games in charge (Liverpool, Man City, Spurs) yielded just 3 points, but really there was nothing to be blamed on Pardew at this stage, no matter how ridiculous his appointment was.
Twitter faux pas of the month (i): Andrew Flintoff. Fresh from a new series of A League of Their Own (it's shit) and commentating on the PDC Darts (which are also shit), Flintoff surpassed himself in December by "inadvertedly" giving out his entire mobile phone number on Twitter. The fact that he was surprised at receiving hundreds of calls and messages from strangers is the most amazing part of this story
Twitter faux pas of the month (ii): Roddy White. The Atlanta Falcons WR wound up the New Orleans Saints and by extension the entire city of New Orleans (most of the city list the Superdome as one of their prior addresses) by making an ill-judged but sadly little publicised comment about Hurricane Katrina. The Saints promptly turned in a bone-crunching defensive display to win 17-14.
Learned lesson of the month: Say what you like about Davids Gold and Sullivan. I, like Simon Jordan, would happily impale them on one of their own dildos. But in granting Avram Grant a stay of execution, in which they spelled out exactly what he needed to do to keep his club, did the man a much better service than was done by the owners of Newcastle and Blackburn in dismissing Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce respectively. 3 games, 1 win required. Big Av led West Ham unbeaten through Christmas.
Unsung hero of the month: Tim Southee. It's been a brilliant year for New Zealand in sport, not disgracing themselves at the World Cup and sweeping all-comers in the world of rugby union. The cricketers have let the side down badly, losing 4-0 in Bangladesh. They bounced back on Boxing Day in a T20 against Pakistan, with the wildly inconsistent young buck Southee the leading light, with an excellent hat-trick (only the 3rd in the international game) and figures of 5-18 (the 2nd best of all-time). He spent the rest of the series being average. Such is the frustrating nature of the lad.
Comeback of the month: John Higgins. The Wizard of Wishaw was 9-5 down in a best of 19 UK Championship final against Mark Williams. Higgins came back to win 10-9 and in doing so dragged his name back out of the dirt created by the News of the World scam (sound familiar) that saw him and his agent accused of match-fixing after meeting a shady man in the back of a Ukraine bar. OK so it wasn't in a bar but grant me some poetic license!
Duck of the month: Wladimir Klitschko. I really don't like the Klitschko brothers for a number of reasons. 1) They refuse to batter seven colours of shit out of each other, which we all want to see. 2) Vitali is a big hulking moron. 3) Wladimir is a big hulking moron who is shagging Hayden Pannettiere. Which just isn't fair. With all that in mind I will find any excuse to drive them down, because we all know David Haye will knock them both out in 2011. So the mysterious injury suffered by Wlad before his fight with Derek Chisora says to me that the guy is not as great as he'd have us all believe.
Quote of the month: 2nd Ashes Test at Adelaide on Sky Sports. Xavier Doherty bowls a full toss which Kevin Pietersen swats away for four on his way to a career high score. Michael Holding: "I saw something like that this morning at breakfast. Buffet. Help yourself." Just say it in a thick Jamaican accent.
Sporting hero of the year: I cannot really do January without reflecting on the year as a whole. The best sporting event of the year was the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. The hero of the hour was Graeme McDowall, sinking the winning putt for Europe as well as bagging the US Open at Pebble Beach
Sportsman I hated most in 2010: Fernando Alonso. Simply because he's a knob.
Sliding scale of the month: The Messiah Meter featuring Alan Pardew. A tough first three games in charge (Liverpool, Man City, Spurs) yielded just 3 points, but really there was nothing to be blamed on Pardew at this stage, no matter how ridiculous his appointment was.
RM
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
The RedZone: Regular Season Review
Week 17 featured a lot of dead rubbers, so I decided that rather than highlighting the specific individual performances from one game, I would compile a Top 5, featuring rookies who failed to make the playoffs with their teams. Here goes:
5. Joe Haden (Browns) - 64 combined tackles, 1 sack, 6 INT's, 1 FF - A first-round selection who lived up to the hype in the Browns secondary. In all honesty, Cleveland were not as bad as their 5-11 record suggests and have plenty of young players to suggest that there will be a brighter future without fired coach Eric Mangini. When Peyton Hillis is your leading rusher and receiver, you need your defense to make big plays to paper over the cracks on offense (a WR or O-Lineman high in the draft is a must). Thankfully, Haden was able to do that to an extent.
4. Jacoby Ford (Raiders) - 1280 KR yards, 3 TD's; 470 receiving yards, 2 TD's; 155 rushing yards, 2 TD's. How you go 6-0 in the division and miss the playoffs is beyond me, but then this is the Raiders we're talking about. However, an 8-8 record is an improvement and the lightning-quick Ford has developed into a big weapon on special teams - handy when you face San Diego twice a year! He also proved a deep threat for Jason Campbell, who eventually beat out Bruce Gradkowski and looks like he'll lead the franchise for the next few years.
3. LeGarrette Blount (Buccaneers) - 1007 rushing yards, 6 TD's. The new Brandon Jacobs and one of the many young Bucs (see what I did there) who have turned around the franchise's fortunes in 2010. Credit must also go to DT Gerald McCoy, WR's Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams and of course star QB Josh Freeman. But Blount gets my vote - undrafted and cut by the Titans in pre-season, he was picked up by Tampa Bay in Week 4 and showed pace and power on his way to leading all rookies in rushing yards. A potent weapon for a burgeoning offense
2. Sam Bradford (Rams) - 354/590, 3512 yards, 18 TD's, 15 INT's. Make no mistake, these are superb numbers for a rookie QB. But what impressed me most about Bradford was his leadership for such a young guy - cool in a crisis and able to pick up a team at their lowest ebb after 2009. He may not possess a rocket arm, and may not have the best mobility in the pocket but he has so much potential to develop as well as those oft-cited intangibles. He was asked to throw the ball an awful lot by Steve Spagnuolo and has come up trumps. He IS the St Louis Rams and was only denied a divisional title at the very last.
1. Ndamukong Suh (Lions) - 66 combined tackles, 10 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR for a TD. Graeme and I identified the second overall draft pick as an absolute beast from the outset. Jake Delhomme was the first to feel the force as he was slammed into the turf in preseason, with many others suffering a similar fate later in the year. Along with Kyle VandenBosch, he really revitalised the defensive line in Motown (although the secondary could still use a little help) and the franchise is FINALLY moving in the right direction, if only Matthew Stafford could stay healthy.
You may remember a while back, I compiled a list of predicted records for all the teams - well here are the results. I'll add a point for every win I was over, and take one away for every win I went under and see how close to 0 I get - was I too generous or too mean in 2010?
AFC East
New England Patriots - predicted 11-5, actually 14-2. -3
New York Jets - predicted 10-6, actually 11-5. -1
Miami Dolphins - predicted 8-8, actually 7-9. +1
Buffalo Bills - predicted 4-12. Spot on!
Total score = -3 but positions correct!
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers - predicted 7-9, actually 12-4. -5 (ouch!)
Baltimore Ravens - predicted 12-4. Spot on!
Cleveland Browns - predicted 3-13, actually 5-11. -2
Cincinnati Bengals - predicted 10-6, actually 4-12. +6
Total score = -1 but generally miles out on this one!
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts - predicted 12-4, actually 10-6. +2
Jacksonville Jaguars - predicted 6-10, actually 8-8. -2
Houston Texans - predicted 10-6, actually 6-10. +4
Tennessee Titans - predicted 9-7, actually 6-10. +3
Total score = +7. Whoops!
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs - predicted 5-11, actually 10-6. -5
San Diego Chargers - predicted 10-6, actually 9-7. +1
Oakland Raiders - predicted 9-7, actually 8-8. +1
Denver Broncos - predicted 8-8, actually 4-12. +4
Total score = +1. Denver surprisingly bad, KC surprisingly excellent = Ryan looking a fool
NFC East
Philadeplhia Eagles - predicted 9-7, actually 10-6. -1
New York Giants - predicted 10-6. Spot on!
Dallas Cowboys - predicted 13-3, actually 6-10. A whopping +7
Washington Redskins - predicted 8-8, actually 6-10 (Graeme got it spot on). +2
Total score = +8. Not as good a division as we thought!
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - predicted 10-6, actually 13-3. -3
New Orleans Saints - predicted 11-5. Spot on!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - predicted 8-8, actually 10-6. -2
Carolina Panthers - predicted 6-10, actually 2-14. +4
Total score = -1.
NFC North
Chicago Bears - predicted 7-9, actually 11-5. -4
Green Bay Packers - predicted 12-4, actually 10-6. +2
Detroit Lions - predicted 5-11, actually 6-10. -1
Minnesota Vikings - predicted 10-6, actually 6-10. +4
Total score = +1
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks - predicted 5-11, actually 7-9. -2
St Louis Rams - predicted 3-13, actually 7-9. -4
San Francisco 49ers - predicted 10-6, actually 6-10. +4
Arizona Cardinals - predicted 7-9, actually 5-11. +2
Total score = 0. At last!
Overall prediction index = +12. Way too generous. And only 4 correct records and 7/12 playoff teams. The NFL shall feel my wrath in 2011. I will do a playoffs preview on Friday
RM
5. Joe Haden (Browns) - 64 combined tackles, 1 sack, 6 INT's, 1 FF - A first-round selection who lived up to the hype in the Browns secondary. In all honesty, Cleveland were not as bad as their 5-11 record suggests and have plenty of young players to suggest that there will be a brighter future without fired coach Eric Mangini. When Peyton Hillis is your leading rusher and receiver, you need your defense to make big plays to paper over the cracks on offense (a WR or O-Lineman high in the draft is a must). Thankfully, Haden was able to do that to an extent.
4. Jacoby Ford (Raiders) - 1280 KR yards, 3 TD's; 470 receiving yards, 2 TD's; 155 rushing yards, 2 TD's. How you go 6-0 in the division and miss the playoffs is beyond me, but then this is the Raiders we're talking about. However, an 8-8 record is an improvement and the lightning-quick Ford has developed into a big weapon on special teams - handy when you face San Diego twice a year! He also proved a deep threat for Jason Campbell, who eventually beat out Bruce Gradkowski and looks like he'll lead the franchise for the next few years.
3. LeGarrette Blount (Buccaneers) - 1007 rushing yards, 6 TD's. The new Brandon Jacobs and one of the many young Bucs (see what I did there) who have turned around the franchise's fortunes in 2010. Credit must also go to DT Gerald McCoy, WR's Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams and of course star QB Josh Freeman. But Blount gets my vote - undrafted and cut by the Titans in pre-season, he was picked up by Tampa Bay in Week 4 and showed pace and power on his way to leading all rookies in rushing yards. A potent weapon for a burgeoning offense
2. Sam Bradford (Rams) - 354/590, 3512 yards, 18 TD's, 15 INT's. Make no mistake, these are superb numbers for a rookie QB. But what impressed me most about Bradford was his leadership for such a young guy - cool in a crisis and able to pick up a team at their lowest ebb after 2009. He may not possess a rocket arm, and may not have the best mobility in the pocket but he has so much potential to develop as well as those oft-cited intangibles. He was asked to throw the ball an awful lot by Steve Spagnuolo and has come up trumps. He IS the St Louis Rams and was only denied a divisional title at the very last.
1. Ndamukong Suh (Lions) - 66 combined tackles, 10 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR for a TD. Graeme and I identified the second overall draft pick as an absolute beast from the outset. Jake Delhomme was the first to feel the force as he was slammed into the turf in preseason, with many others suffering a similar fate later in the year. Along with Kyle VandenBosch, he really revitalised the defensive line in Motown (although the secondary could still use a little help) and the franchise is FINALLY moving in the right direction, if only Matthew Stafford could stay healthy.
You may remember a while back, I compiled a list of predicted records for all the teams - well here are the results. I'll add a point for every win I was over, and take one away for every win I went under and see how close to 0 I get - was I too generous or too mean in 2010?
AFC East
New England Patriots - predicted 11-5, actually 14-2. -3
New York Jets - predicted 10-6, actually 11-5. -1
Miami Dolphins - predicted 8-8, actually 7-9. +1
Buffalo Bills - predicted 4-12. Spot on!
Total score = -3 but positions correct!
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers - predicted 7-9, actually 12-4. -5 (ouch!)
Baltimore Ravens - predicted 12-4. Spot on!
Cleveland Browns - predicted 3-13, actually 5-11. -2
Cincinnati Bengals - predicted 10-6, actually 4-12. +6
Total score = -1 but generally miles out on this one!
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts - predicted 12-4, actually 10-6. +2
Jacksonville Jaguars - predicted 6-10, actually 8-8. -2
Houston Texans - predicted 10-6, actually 6-10. +4
Tennessee Titans - predicted 9-7, actually 6-10. +3
Total score = +7. Whoops!
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs - predicted 5-11, actually 10-6. -5
San Diego Chargers - predicted 10-6, actually 9-7. +1
Oakland Raiders - predicted 9-7, actually 8-8. +1
Denver Broncos - predicted 8-8, actually 4-12. +4
Total score = +1. Denver surprisingly bad, KC surprisingly excellent = Ryan looking a fool
NFC East
Philadeplhia Eagles - predicted 9-7, actually 10-6. -1
New York Giants - predicted 10-6. Spot on!
Dallas Cowboys - predicted 13-3, actually 6-10. A whopping +7
Washington Redskins - predicted 8-8, actually 6-10 (Graeme got it spot on). +2
Total score = +8. Not as good a division as we thought!
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - predicted 10-6, actually 13-3. -3
New Orleans Saints - predicted 11-5. Spot on!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - predicted 8-8, actually 10-6. -2
Carolina Panthers - predicted 6-10, actually 2-14. +4
Total score = -1.
NFC North
Chicago Bears - predicted 7-9, actually 11-5. -4
Green Bay Packers - predicted 12-4, actually 10-6. +2
Detroit Lions - predicted 5-11, actually 6-10. -1
Minnesota Vikings - predicted 10-6, actually 6-10. +4
Total score = +1
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks - predicted 5-11, actually 7-9. -2
St Louis Rams - predicted 3-13, actually 7-9. -4
San Francisco 49ers - predicted 10-6, actually 6-10. +4
Arizona Cardinals - predicted 7-9, actually 5-11. +2
Total score = 0. At last!
Overall prediction index = +12. Way too generous. And only 4 correct records and 7/12 playoff teams. The NFL shall feel my wrath in 2011. I will do a playoffs preview on Friday
RM
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Jonny Rotten Signs Off
I appreciate I'm a little bit late with this story, but then it has been Christmas and New Year and one must spend a bit of time with one's family. But the whole issue did interest me a fair bit and so I thought I'd go for it anyway!On the face of it, a star player signing a new cotract without any of the fuss of Wayne Rooney seems a bit of a non-starter. Jonny Wilkinson has signed a contract extension with Top 14 side Toulon until 2013. Fair enough, they pay very well without the salary cap that afflicts the Aviva Premiership (so much less cooler since the sponsorship with Guinness ended). And Wilko has been in very decent form since joining them, particularly excelling in this season's Heineken Cup pool against Munster, Ospreys and London Irish. His career was beginning to stagnate at Newcastle and with England, where his unerring service both on the pitch and in rehabilitation was beginning to be cruelly underappreciated by the public, eventually forcing the hand of Martin Johnson, who dropped him from the national side. But, at Toulon, he has led the side beyond their previous capabilities whilst discovering some of his best form. He needs them as much as they need him, so an extension seemed the logical thing.
And yet. Just as Wilko may be looking a viable stand-off for England again, the RFU have come in with this ridiculous home-based rule from the 2011 World Cup onwards, meaning that those that ply their club trade outside of the UK will not be considered for national selection. So essentially, if we assume that this stance will not be relaxed, Wilkinson's international career is over. He will be 34 when his contract with Toulon runs out, and with his injury record, there is no way his body will be able to compete with the likes of the Tri-Nations sides. 2013 will probably be the end of his rugby career full stop.
However, if Jonny is enjoying a golden autumn, would it not be in England's best interests to keep him involved in the national setup, perhaps not to start every game, but to help them out with his cool head (or lack of personality depending on which side of the border you're from!) in times of crisis and mentor the younger players at the No.10 position, leading up to and after the World Cup. People forget that Toby Flood is still only 25 and needs his game to develop further to be a truly viable option in a World Cup winning side (which England aren't by the way, we'll knock them out in the group). Essentially, he lacks the poise, consistency and occasional brilliance that Wilkinson showed back in 2003 and before. Of course, he's been around Wilkinson at Newcastle for a long time, but needs to continue his apprenticeship with the man himself.
There will be other young fly-halfs emerging in the next three years as well. If the RFU cast him adrift purely for showing a bit of ambition to further himself in a challenging environment, then English rugby will suffer for it.
Happy New Year to all our Scottish rugby fans!
RM
PS The "Jonny Rotten" mentioned in the title is not suggestive of Wilko's personal greed, just a blogger who stil hasn't got over 2003!
Home and Away - The Ashes Tour: The Boxing Day Test
It's the greatest Christmas present a fan of English cricket could ever wish for. Not only did England retain the Ashes at Melbourne, they did it by obliterating the Australians out of sight, effectively ending the career of Ricky Ponting, who will now miss the final test at Sydney with that nagging broken finger sustained in Perth. The first successful campaign Down Under for 24 years and the boys celebrated in style with a little Sprinkler and apparently a few dozen Jagerbombs. It turns out that all cricket teams at all levels celebrate any success in exactly the same way! Here's how the test panned out:
4th Test (Melbourne) - England 513 (Trott 168*, Prior 85, Cook 82, Strauss 69, Pietersen 51, Siddle 6-75) beat Australia 98 (Tremlett 4-26, Anderson 4-44) and 258 (Haddin 55*, Watson 54, Bresnan 4-50) by an innings and 157 runs. Lead the series 2-1 and retain the Ashes
So we all settled down on Christmas night for the most anticipated Boxing Day Ashes Test for a generation. Australia had gambled in preparing a green-tinged wicket to suit their bowling attack early on. And then lost the toss. England made their own gamble in leaving out Steven Finn, the leading wicket-taker in the series up to this point, for Tim Bresnan, who would be more likely to keep things tight and swing the ball. My opinion on Bresnan is that he is perfectly suited to cricket, what with his wide arse-base, but he lacks consistent penetration to be considered a serious threat at Test level. However, I believe he proved me wrong in this game. He did indeed find a nice rhythm and a touch of away movement, but then also managed to reverse swing the ball along with Jimmy Anderson to keep the batsmen, who played several stupid shots against him, honest. Which when you're facing such a fragile lineup is all you need to do.
There's nothing more really to add to the Australian batting performance. In the first innings, all of the wickets were taken behind the stumps, including six for the increasingly useful Matt Prior. This is a combination of decent English bowling in a good channel, but really the Aussies chased so many wide ones to get themselves out, particularly Brad Haddin who looked so frenetic in trying to hit his side out of trouble. So let us instead focus upon the magnificence that is Jonathan Trott. And by magnificent, I don't mean the spectacle of his batting - it is his sheer resolve, determination and desire not to get out that sets him apart from his teammates. He is the best batsman in the side just now. Any questions posed last winter in South Africa about his mental fortitude have been blown out of the water. And I defy anyone who claim he hasn't really got a shot in him. He may lack the elegance of Strauss or the flamboyance of Pietersen, but his cover drive and flick off the pads are both a pleasure to watch when he gets going. And he generally allows others to play around him, which means the viewer can still enjoy the cricket, if not necessarily his innings!
Despite Paul Collingwood's horror run continuing, England are unlikely to make a change for the final test. Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer should both make their debuts, for Ponting and Ben Hilfenhaus, the latter change owing to the need for a spinner on the SCG track. England will want to win the series, so expect so let up and probably another victory - who would you back on a spinning pitch? Graeme Swann or Michael Beer? Exactly!
RM
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