NFL FanHouse

Barry Switzer Thinks Tony Romo Might Be 'Overrated' and an Error Prone 'Gunslinger'

Will Brinson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors

Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson, according to the Dallas Morning News, got on a BCS related conference call recently, and given that their area of expertise rolls squarely over into Dallas Cowboys territory, reporters were, naturally, curious as to their thoughts re: Coach Cupcake's return to Big D.

Johnson's answer -- despite possibly wanting to get some payback at Jerry Jones for earier remarks -- was pretty stock in terms of the 'Boys owner just not wanting to make changes. Switzer though, was a little less reserved, and called Tony Romo out for a few things.

They stink right now. Romo might be an overrated quarterback and gunslinger, throws the ball, takes too many chances, gambles. I just know that Jerry doesn't want to do that and he's certainly going to give it another year. I think every coach in pro football gets four years.

First off, as Bacon said, how awesome is it that, suddenly, the term "gunslinger" is considered an insult? Just a year or so ago, people were swooning over Romo's similarities to Brett Favre. But after his apparent [over]exposure in New York, we can freely call people g-slingers again with the intent of calling them reckless.

And secondly, Switzer is right -- the Cowboys do stink and Romo is probably overrated; so much is made of his ability to have big games but look at the freaking offense that's around him and then check out his December splits (hint: not good) and it's not that hard to figure out he might be getting more credit than he's due a lot of the time.

Barry Switzer Thinks Tony Romo Might Be 'Overrated' and an Error Prone 'Gunslinger' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bruce Bowen Calls Out the Cowboys for Not Having a 'Team First Mentality'

Will Brinson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL Real Talk

The nice thing about being anyone on the San Antonio Spurs is that, well, you can generally sling criticism around; it's not a characteristic trait of any particular player on that team, but after so many years of solid team play and, well, just winning, they've got some sturdier walls than most glass houses.

Hence Bruce Bowen's recent comments to the San Antonio Express about the Dallas Cowboys, his favorite football team. See, it appears that Bruce, like every single person in the free world except Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips, doesn't think the Cowboys really have good chemistry.

"It's very disappointing," Bowen said of Sunday's painful showing by his favorites, "but character wins out over talent any day, at least in my book. You can see how infectious certain characters can be down the end of the road."

Bowen declined to name which of the Cowboys characters he considered "infectious," but he made it clear he believed the Cowboys were doomed by self-centered players.

Well, Bowen might have declined, but allow me: Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens and Roy Williams (the receiver). Of course, Pacman was probably more of a distraction than a totally destructive locker room presence, but still, anyone who thought bringing him to the Cowboys would result in anything positive is running a fool's errand.

And while Bowen is getting a bit aggressive in calling out another sport's players, what are the Cowboys going to do? Tell him he's wrong? Because, um, he's not.

Bruce Bowen Calls Out the Cowboys for Not Having a 'Team First Mentality' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Cutler Denies Chargers Are 'For Real,' Calls Out Broncos' Defense

Will Brinson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers, AFC West, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors

The Chargers and Broncos -- and to be more specific, Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers -- have a pretty heated rivalry that extends back a few years. And even if San Diego is dominating on the field, there's still puh-lenty of trash talk to go around.

So, given the frustration of having the Chargers make he and his team look like a total choker this year, it's not surprising that Cutler had some spicy words for his opponents after Sunday night's game. It's a little more surprising that he would call out his own team too, but, hey, he's got an arm that's better than Elway!

Cutler stopped to answer an unambiguous question: Was it fair to conclude that the team he just played is for real?

"These guys?" the Pro Bowl quarterback asked, gesturing to the players celebrating behind him. "San Diego? No, I don't think so. I think Indy'll handle 'em pretty good. We really can't stop anybody, and that's the bottom line."

Ro-wr. It might be an accurate assessment, given the not-so, um, competitive nature of the AFC West this year, but still, it doesn't really behoove Cutler to try and sling barbs at a team that just finished slapping him around in a division-clinching, prime-time game.

Additionally, the Chargers, as has been mentioned plenty of places, match up pretty well with the Colts, so should there be a repeat of last year's playoff matchup (Chargers beat Colts, obv), you better believe Rivers will have something to say back at old Jay.

Jay Cutler Denies Chargers Are 'For Real,' Calls Out Broncos' Defense originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cris Carter on T.O.: Jerry Jones' Best Move Would Be to Put a 'Bullet in Him'

Will Brinson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL Video

There are lots of things that shouldn't be said publicly about someone else. One basic genre of those things involves death or murder. And Cris Carter's recent statement -- on ESPN airwaves -- regarding Terrell Owens probably qualifies. See, Carter says that if he were in charge of the Cowboys, his first act would involve getting rid of the wideout with a "bullet." Carter says, "If it was me, I'd get rid of T.O. -- T.O. got to go from the beginning. Right from the giddy up. I take one bullet and put it right in him. Bam!" Listen for yourself.

It's all over the news, obviously, and that's because Carter is an idiot for saying this. Maybe it's a euphemism, and maybe our culture is far too PC these days, but still, you just don't say that you would do that to someone if you were in charge. Especially when you're paid to give a professional opinion about something. Ridiculous.

When Sports Announcers Say Dumb Things

"I'd Take One Bullet, and Put It Right in Him ... "
Sounding harsher than he probably meant to, Cris Carter states that Dallas should part ways with Terrell Owens, then compares the act to shooting the brash wide receiver.

Brian Ach, WireImage

"With All These Chinese People Around..."
Richard Boxall was one of two Sky Sports commentators that made racial remarks about golfer Anthony Kim during the HSBC Champions tournament. Click through to see more slip-ups from the broadcasting world.

Warren Little, Getty Images

"Ya know, Hitler was a great leader too."
ESPN College Gameday personality Lou Holtz somehow compared the leadership skills of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez to Adolf Hitler during a telecast this season.

Joe Raymond, AP

"Please Pick Up My Dry Cleaning Tomorrow"
ESPN personality and Monday Night Football commentator Tony Kornheiser responds to a play broadcast in Spanish with an attempt at a joke translation. He ends up apologizing for his comment.

Paul Sakuma, AP

"You Always Fag Out"
College hoops announcer Billy Packer has upset many with abrasive remarks over the years. For example, he went on the Charlie Rose Show in March 2007 and complained to the host, "you always fag out."

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Bernstein's Palestinian Connection
ESPN reporter Bonnie Bernstein issued a public apology after appearing on a radio broadcast and saying "People in Palestine are taught to think that dying in the name of God is a good thing ... They grow up wanting to be suicide bombers."

Brian Ach, WireImage.com

"... Looks Like the Guy Who Cleans Tiger's Swimming Pool"
NBC Sports golf analyst drew the ire of U.S. Open watchers in June when he said contender Rocco Mediate "looks like the guy who cleans Tiger's swimming pool." Miller apologized for his description, saying it had "absolutely nothing to do with his ethnicity."

John Shearer, WireImage.com

"We've Gotta Do This ----ing Thing Over"
The ever-salty Bert Blyleven, pictured here after winning the 1987 World Series, cursed up a storm on live television during a Minnesota Twins pregame show in September 2006.

Getty Images

"Lynch Him in a Back Alley"
Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman gained notoriety during a 2008 PGA Tour telecast when she suggested young golfers might want to take Tiger Woods and "lynch him in a back alley."

Getty Images

Finding Romo's Roots
ESPN analyst On an ESPN radio show in 2006, Michael Irvin said the athletic ability of Cowboys QB Tony Romo is due to his black ancestry, stating, "I don't know who saw what or where, his great-great-great-great-grandma ran over in the 'hood or something went down."

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Via AA

Cris Carter on T.O.: Jerry Jones' Best Move Would Be to Put a 'Bullet in Him' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dallas Cowboys Reportedly Laughed and Played Games on the Plane Ride From Philly

Will Brinson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors

The Dallas Cowboys, based on their 44-6 beatdown at the hands of the Eagles, should have boarded their plane from Philadelphia back to Big D, sat in silence for how many ever hours it took before they landed, and then, without speaking to one another, slowly walked away from the plane and climbed in their individual, expensive automobiles.

Talking, playing games and laughing -- after that whipping -- should be things reserved for a later date. But, according to second hand radio reports (so, yeah, grain of salt and what not) they were all smiles, giggles and games on the way back to Texas Sunday night.

[1310 The Ticket's Mike Friedo] described the scene as "like the last day of school", with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on. He said that he was reluctant to say anything, seeing as how the Cowboys are nice enough to allow media members on the charter, and that only leads me to believe that he may have muted the reality of what was actually going on. Friedo did not mention any specific names, nor did he say if alcohol was flowing, but he made it pretty clear that if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane.

Presuming this is true, it's a pretty awkward situation for the Cowboys, in that it firmly shows just how out of control the team is under ~~Captain Cupcake~~ Wade Phillips and goes a pretty good way towards explaining why Dallas hasn't wont a playoff game since saxophones and cigars ruled the world.

But hey, they barely make any money, and they did play really hard this year, so it's hard to begrudge them too much, even if this is true.

The Dallas Cowboys Reportedly Laughed and Played Games on the Plane Ride From Philly originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cowboys Conspiracy Theories Abound After Sunday's Rescheduling of Eagles Game

Will Brinson — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Vikings, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors

Had Philadelphia taken care of business last Sunday and beaten the Redskins, the Cowboys-Eagles game was set for primetime, Sunday night, must-see, WIN OR GO HOME football. Instead, the 'Guls ~~choked~~ lost and the game suddenly became "Cowboys win = in" as far as the playoffs go.

Naturally, the game would be bumped back to 1:00 EST because it's in Philadelphia. Only it wasn't -- now it kicks off at 4:15 EST ... which is what happened, and also which makes little sense. Or, if you're Tim Cowlishaw and/or freaking love conspiracy theories, a whole lot of sense.

Tampa Bay, Chicago and Minnesota all play noon games. If the Bucs win, or if the Bears and Vikings both win, the Eagles are eliminated from playoff contention.

[...] But the Eagles are going to prepare all week in hopes that a victory will get them into the playoffs. To learn after you have warmed up and just before kickoff that you have been eliminated can be devastating.

Fiction can be funny ... but seriously, this is kind of a stretch, no? Sure, that could potentially be an advantage for Dallas, but the Eagles hate the Cowboys, and people are still going to be screaming for Tony Romo's head. Additionally, as Cowlishaw notes, the 4:15 slot with an NFC rivalry game and the Cowboys' playoff hopes on the line begs for huge ratings.

Besides, why would Roger Goodell bother "pulling a Stern" and landing the Cowboys in the playoffs when they're only going to play one game anyway? Just seems like a little too much effort.

Cowboys Conspiracy Theories Abound After Sunday's Rescheduling of Eagles Game originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seahawks Fans Freak at First Snow Evah, Pelt Everyone at Game, Shaun Ellis Then Retaliates

Will Brinson — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Jets, Seahawks, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Video

There is always a ton of rain in Seattle. Not so much snow, though. However, in Mike Holmgren's final home game as Seahawks head coach, Mother Nature decided to get a little funky and pelt the 'Hawks homefield with a ton of the white powder. Seahawks fans responded accordingly, pelting everyone in site with snowballs. Including the Jets as they did the George Michael walk off the field. Shaun Ellis, Jets team captain, didn't take this so well, slinging snowballs back at the fans.(Gracias, TJB.)

Holmgren didn't seem to mind the snowballs nearly as much, but that's probably because he didn't take any "direct hits" like Ellis and the Jets. And because he didn't just lose to a three-win team, despite having to coach those unlucky losers all season.

Seahawks Fans Freak at First Snow Evah, Pelt Everyone at Game, Shaun Ellis Then Retaliates originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Packers Return Woodson to Correct Position

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, Packers, NFC North, NFL Eliminated Teams

In the midst of a four-game losing streak, with their defense in shambles, the Green Bay Packers have finally taken the band-aid off the bullet wound.

Someone in the organization had the brilliant idea to move Pro Bowl starting cornerback Charles Woodson to safety. Theory was apparently that Woodson could play safety, Tramon Williams could slide into Woodson's spot, and there wouldn't be any reason to adjust the Packers' aggressive man-to-man coverage scheme.

Um. Wrong.

While Woodson didn't play badly, Williams was a disaster. We tried to convince the Packers this was a bad idea, but they have just now figured it out.

It's too late to change Green Bay's dead-in-the-water playoff plans, but Woodson moves back to cornerback for Monday night's game in Chicago. Second-year pro Aaron Rouse starts at safety.

It's about time.

The reasoning behind the too-little-too-late move was not given, but it seems sound.

At 6-4, 223 pounds, Rouse gives the defense a bigger man near the line of scrimmage to play the run. Woodson will be free to cover a receiver or a tight end, which he did successfully in the Packers' victory over the Bears on Nov. 16.

In addition, this might be an audition for Rouse, whose spotty play has raised questions about whether he's capable of being a starter. Rouse has been slow to read plays and as a result has taken some bad angles to the ball. He has two interceptions, including one returned 99 yards for a touchdown against Indianapolis, but his good play has been offset by some of his bad ones.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has been careful to say that he's not just going to play young players for the sake of playing them, even though the team knows they won't be going to the playoffs.

This is likely not a move that will save the job of defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, but it's the right thing to do. While Woodson certainly didn't embarrass himself as a safety, my feeling is the dropoff between Woodson and Rouse at safety is not nearly as great as the dropoff between Woodson and Williams at cornerback. Williams can now go back to being the nickel corner, primarily responsible for covering slot receivers. It's a much better fit for him based on how he's played this season.

Packers Return Woodson to Correct Position originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Preview: Giants v. Panthers

Will Brinson — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Giants, Panthers, NFL Playoffs, NFL Eliminated Teams, FanHouse Previews

As Ryan has already pointed out, this game, despite the "Homefield Throughout" nature in which it will be played, isn't the most "important" of the season, since both teams are all but playoff locked (if the Panthers lose out and the Bucs, Falcons and Cowboys win out ... well, then I'm a jackass).

But there's still puh-lenty at stake here. Namely: home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the likelihood of being favored to rep the NFC in the Super Bowl. The last one of course, is really just a semantical bonus for those that like to gamble.

Make no mistake though -- HFA is a huge deal to both of these teams, considering that they're a combined 14-1 this season at home. So, yeah, it's kind of important.

And as such, this should be a great game, even if it's kind of odd to see the seasonal arc that each team is taking. The Giants were, just a few weeks ago, already being penciled in to rep the NFC in Tampa. However, in just the course of two losses to the Eagles and the Cowboys, people have started to wonder how they can perform when they're not a full strength.

But, as Giants early season roll has slowed, the Panthers have only picked up the pace, moving from a tough team that looked like a contender to a powerhouse that rumbled over Tampa Bay for 300+ rushing yards in a Monday night blowout. Of course, there's the whole matter of DeAngelo Williams being secretly hurt -- yeah, it's weird. It also seems unlikely; he was, after all, tutored by Vinny Testaverde and that goes a long way towards maintaining health. But still, a shoddy performance or an early exit from "Dash" would make this a pretty big deal going forward.

Three Key Questions:

Question 1: Do the Giants need Plaxico Burress, and is his future still in New York?

Question 2: Can Brandon Jacobs cover up the flaws of Eli and the WR corps?

Question 3: Is Jake Delhomme still capable of winning a game by himself?

Player in the Spotlight: Brandon Jacobs. Admit it -- even when Plax was out, the Giants looked great because they could cover up the obvious, yet somehow still denied flaws of Eli Manning by running the hell out of the football. Now, um, yeah. If Jacobs can wear down the Panthers' defense, and keep New York's D off the field, the Giants stand a much better chance of winning.

New York's Path to Triumph: Stuff the run. Much like ball bearings, it seems like a pretty simple answer. (Hey!) But just because the answer is out there in simple fashion doesn't mean that it's something easy to do. But if the Giants can come out with a strong defensive plan, put some points and the board and force Delhomme to win the game on his own, things will look pretty good for them.

Carolina's Path to Triumph: Smash. And. Dash. Defense will be important too, of course, but as long as the Panthers can get the running game going again on Sunday night -- and considering they've plowed over some hefty rush D's lately, there's no reason to think they can't -- they're gonna be tough to stop. And while it's obvious that run + defend the run = FTW in the NFL, each component is so key for each team tonight that winning the trench battles will bear out a winner.

Prediction: Panthers 24, Giants 21

FanHouse Preview: Giants v. Panthers originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T.J. Houshmandzadeh Is Unsure Whether or Not He Would Appreciate Being Franchised

Will Brinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Rumors

The NFL did a smart thing (or rather, the owners did) by naming "Franchise Tag" what they did. It implies an importance to the franchise and denotes some sort of upper echelon status for certain players. There's only one problem -- the franchise tag essentially hurts the player because, while he gets a nice one year payday, there's little in the way of long term guaranteed money.

Which explains why T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn't really know if he's cool with the Bengals franchising him.

"I don't know how I can put this," Houshmandzadeh said. "Would I be happy with it? Yeah, because it's a lot of money. But would I be happy with it? No, I wouldn't. I don't know if that makes sense.

"It's going to be my ninth year (in 2009). I didn't play (much) my first three, so I look at it as being my sixth year. You just want to know what's going to happen. If you get a franchise, they want to keep you for one year and that's it. It'd be cool, but it wouldn't be cool."

That's a pretty solid attitude to take -- other players have been vastly less amicable towards the notion of being locked down for a season, particularly since any sort of long term injury would essentially wipe out a big signing bonus that would come with a new contract.

Housh will still probably pull, as PFT notes, somewhere between $9 and $10 million next year, which is still a pretty freaking nice payday when everything sorts itself out. But at the same time, being designated the "Franchise of the Bengals" is like being called "FanHouse's Sexiest Bachelor". Believe me, it's not that exciting.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh Is Unsure Whether or Not He Would Appreciate Being Franchised originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lions Season Summed Up in 18 Seconds With Fumble and Two Sacks to Seal Loss to Vikings

Will Brinson — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:17:00 EST

Filed under: Lions, Vikings, NFC North, Pressing Issues, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Real Talk

The 0-11 Lions have many believing that a winless season is not only possible, but probable. This is 0for08, FanHouse's eye on the Detroit Lions and their quest for a winless season.

Cheesy network slogans are always fun (like "Season on a Brink"). So are microcosmic - macrocosmic examples in life. For instance, to end the Detroit Lions' 13th loss of the season on Sunday, here's how the final two plays (following a Minnesota field goal which created a four-point lead) unfolded:

Daunte Culpepper drops back, gets ready to unleash a 60-yard hail mary, gets sacked, fumbles, Lions recover, Daunte's arm hangs by a string. Immediately after that, Drew Henson (I wish I was joking) comes in to take a hail mary snap himself with two seconds left, drops back, gets ready to unleash that cannon of an arm he has and ... summarily gets sacked to end the game.

In other words, it was the perfect ending for the Detroit Lions, if the purpose of said ending was to summarize their 2008 season in a span of 18 seconds or less. And that's what it did -- even though, as Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan pointed out, the Lions have legitimately looked like they care about winning recently.

Sure, they're still 0-13 now, and sure, the odds continue to look better and better that they will go completely winless this season, and sure, at this point, we're all really pulling for it, even if it means having to watch three weeks of Henson wasting precious snaps of Calvin Johnson's career, but goshdarnit, they're trying.

But that, as you know if you watched the final 18 seconds of that Minnesota debacle, is the beauty of the trainwreck that Matt Millen assembled in Detroit: no matter how hard they want to win, or hard they try to win, they can't help but fail. And that, while sad and pathetic in it's own right, is also kind of beautiful in a tragic and sickening way.

Lions Season Summed Up in 18 Seconds With Fumble and Two Sacks to Seal Loss to Vikings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eliminated: Chicago Bears

Michael David Smith — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Eliminated NFL Teams

Each week we've thrown one team under the bus after it demonstrated it was already out of Super Bowl contention. Now every team has been eliminated -- except the Indianapolis Colts, holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Looking back at the 2006 season, is there any bigger story than Lovie Smith's stubborn refusal to even consider benching Rex Grossman? Remember how great the Bears were for the first six weeks or so, when Grossman was playing like a competent quarterback? That's all they needed to be a great team -- competence at quarterback.

When you have a great defense and a special teams led by a guy who's having maybe the best season any kick returner ever had, you can't let your quarterback lose the game for you. As much as I think Lovie Smith is a great coach, he should have at least tried Brian Griese.

Given that Smith wasn't even there when the Bears drafted Grossman, I don't really get why he's so loyal to him, but he is, and it hurt the team. It will hurt even more if he makes the same mistake next year.

Eliminated: Chicago Bears originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eliminated: New England Patriots

Michael David Smith — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, AFC East, Eliminated NFL Teams

Each week we've thrown one team under the bus after it demonstrated it was already out of Super Bowl contention. For the end of the season and through the playoffs we'll accelerate the pace until every team has been eliminated -- except the one holding the Lombardi Trophy.

The New England Patriots weren't just a win away from the Vince Lombardi Trophy. They were a win away from a place among the greatest teams in the history of the game of football.

These Patriots fell just short of the Super Bowl, but it's remarkable that they even got close to matching the 1970s Steelers' mark of four titles in six years. The Patriots have to deal with free agency and the salary cap, and that's why they're not the star-studded team those Steelers were. Nine players who won four Super Bowl rings with those 1970s Steelers are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of the Patriots who had a chance to earn a fourth ring, it's likely that only two - quarterback Tom Brady and defensive lineman Richard Seymour - will make it to Canton.

But that's exactly why the Patriots can expect to be back next year. Although they could lose Asante Samuel, the majority of the top contributors on the 2006 version of the Patriots will be on the 2007 version because the Patriots wisely use their salary cap resources and don't have to have any mass salary cap purges. That means a year from now, we might be talking about four Super Bowls in seven years.

Eliminated: New England Patriots originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eliminated: New Orleans Saints

Michael David Smith — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Saints, NFC South, Eliminated NFL Teams

Each week we've thrown one team under the bus after it demonstrated it was already out of Super Bowl contention. For the end of the season and through the playoffs we'll accelerate the pace until every team has been eliminated -- except the one holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Not even fans in Chicago or Indianapolis can be as pleased with the way their teams played this year as the fans in New Orleans are. We shouldn't make the mistake of acting like the Saints winning their division can heal New Orleans, but we shouldn't trivialize it either: This season was a big deal.

So now that it's over, what are the lessons? The main lesson is that this team has all the right people in place in the most important areas: The front office, the head coach, the quarterback. No one could have known that Sean Payton would be such a good coach or that Drew Brees would be fully healed from last season's shoulder injury, but now that we know those things, the Saints have lots of reasons for long-term optimism.

In the off-season, the Saints need to work on the defense. An offense with Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Deuce McAllister and others coming back won't be a problem, but the Saints' defense is less than stellar. Improve there, and next season the Saints might be more than just the NFL's best story: They could be the NFL's best team.

Eliminated: New Orleans Saints originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contrary to Popular Belief There Still Are 32 Teams in the NFL

Patti LaRue — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:49:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, NFC West, Eliminated NFL Teams

As the final two are left standing, the Colts and Bears, believe it or not, there still are 30 other teams left in the NFL. And as these two teams rest up and prepare during the upcoming two weeks, believe it or not, there still are 30 teams left waiting for the new season to begin. And the Rams still happen to be one of those teams.

As Colts and Bears fans get ready for the big show, there are far more fans out there not nearly as excited as they (the winning teams fans) would like for us to be, while their two teams get ready for that big show. And that includes Rams fans who will half heartily watch the commercial rich, fireworks filled Super Bowl just because it's football.

Just because 30 other teams fans may be watching the event, doesn't mean that they're supporting either team and some may not even care what the outcome is unless they've got a few bucks on the game. In fact some of us go through the motions and look more forward to the commercials come Super Bowl Sunday, than the game itself.

Believe it or not, we will continue to support our team, write about our team, and look forward to the upcoming season all the while during the Super Bowl hype, and deluge of cocky fans supporting the Bears and Colts. Although congrats are in order for both teams and their fans, that won't stop any of us from continuing to support our teams.

And with that said....Go Rams!

Contrary to Popular Belief There Still Are 32 Teams in the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Help Wanted - Rams Desperately Seeking Help in Areas of Defense

Patti LaRue — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:52:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, NFC West, Eliminated NFL Teams, NFL Coaching

The Rams have been struggling immensely for three years now on defense in way of not being able to stop the run. Linehan had his first off season try in 2006 and he made as many moves as he possibly could with what he had available. After bringing in Haslett there was just so much that could be done.

After finishing a dismal 31st in the league out of 32, the Rams once again find themselves in dire need of doing something to find a way to stuff the run.

'We've certainly got an area that we have prioritized and that's to improve our run defense.' Linehan said to reporters. 'Whether it's in our front or our linebackers. Whatever it is that's going to help us, we're going to scour the league and see if there is somebody there that fits what we lack. I think it would be too early to say that it is a certain position, but we will address that, if we can, right away in free agency.'

The Rams did make key improvements by replacing Chris Claiborne and Adam Archuletta with Will Witherspoon and Corey Chavous. Unfortunately though, the rest of the defense didn't make that much improvement and Witherspoon, the secondary, and linebackers found their jobs extremely difficult against the run.

Finding a big body and one that knows his job in free agency will be a tough task for the Rams to take care of. And as for the draft, they've not had much luck in the past three years, leaving only Jimmy Kennedy out of those drafted to cover the line.

'That's the biggest disappointment,' Haslett said to the Post Dispatch. 'We did well the last three weeks, but in order to play really well in this league you have to stop the run. We have two issues here on that. We didn't play well and when the offense cranks it up like they did at the end of the season, teams want to run the ball to keep the offense off the field and run the ball because it can be effective. That's one issue we are going to have to address. We have to do a better job on the run next year.'

Last year they brought in Glover mainly for leadership and rotation, but due to a lack of depth at the position, Glover had to play more downs than the Rams wanted to have to ask of him.

The possibility exists that the Rams may start looking at some of these linebackers in free agency in the coming months. Chicagos' Lance Briggs, Baltimores' Adalius Thomas, and Buffalos' London Fletcher-Baker just a few of the best of the bunch. Haslett has also said he would like to try and keep Witherspoon in the middle, but that depends on whether or not they add a big tackle up front.

No matter how you look at it, the 'Help Wanted' sign is posted and applications are being taken now.

Help Wanted - Rams Desperately Seeking Help in Areas of Defense originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scott Linehan - Next Stop the Senior Bowl

Patti LaRue — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, NFC West, Eliminated NFL Teams, NFL Coaching

Last year about this time, Scott Linehan's head was spinning. Coming into the Rams organization as first time head coach, he not only had to try and evaluate the team, but he also had to try and put together a coaching staff that would work well with his plans and ideas. And so when it came down to checking out the players during the 2006 Senior Bowl, there wasn't much time for him to really pay much attention to what was going on.

That has all changed this year. With just one coaching spot to fill with the loss of defensive quality control coach, Joe Baker heading off to Denver, he has far less on his plate this time around.

Last year at the Senior Bowl, Linehan admitted that everything was just a blur and most of the time he spent locked up in his hotel room ordering room service, just to be able to try and figure out exactly what he was going to do with this Rams team, let a lone check out 50 or more anxious senior players waiting for him down in the hotel lobby.

This year will be different though. This time he will be able to devote all his time for the Senior Bowl, going to their practices, meeting with the players, doing the whole deal, to see what these players have to offer and just where they might fit into the Rams draft plans for 2007.

Linehan and his staff will leave Sunday for Mobile and will be joined there by the scouting crew along with president of football operations Jay Zygmunt.

'The Senior Bowl's the best evaluation we've got other than the NFL scouting combine,' Linehan told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. 'The campus workouts are fine, but they rank No. 3 in my book. At the Senior Bowl, you get to watch them practice football. And doing what we do. It's a pretty good measuring stick.'

Linehan will meet with the scouting department Monday and Tuesday in Mobile, to review both rosters in the Senior Bowl. Then they plan to meet with players Monday and Tuesday nights. This is a common practice generally done during the combine, which is next month, but Linehan simply wants a head start on the rest of the NFL this year. Linehan knows you only get about 60 reviews at the combine and by getting a head start on it at the Senior Bowl, he'll be giving his staff an extra 30-40 reviews.

The staff will return to St. Louis on Thursday with their findings and start preparing themselves for the combine next month and start building that draft board for April.

Scott Linehan - Next Stop the Senior Bowl originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Was it a Mistake to Release Ryan Pickett?

Patti LaRue — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, NFC West, Eliminated NFL Teams

A lot of fans may say that Pickett should have been gotten rid of without a doubt, and a lot did say it before the 2006 season started, and well, they got their wish. The Rams failed to re-sign Picket at the beginning of the season, where he went off to Green Bay for a very modest price tag.

With the departure of Pickett, this led way for an opportunity for Jimmy Kennedy to start at nose tackle. Once thought to be a player that would be a benefit for the Rams in a big way because of his bulk, turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments on the defense. Instead of being an improvement over Pickett he was a downgrade. Contributing to some of the worst rushing defense in the NFL.

Meanwhile, back in Green Bay, Pickett may not have been one of the best but he was active and was above the average standards at stuffing the run, far more than Kennedy ever exhibited. Even with an average effort to stop the run, the Rams may have been able to win one or two more games, enabling them to get into the playoffs, or even win the NFC West.

Instead, the Rams decision to let Pickett go, replace him with Kennedy was a failure. Instead of fixing their problem, they worsened it and fell to next to last in the NFL against the run, and once again find themselves scratching their heads and wondering where they can find someone, anyone, from anywhere to help patch up the gaping wounds rushers created all during the 2006 season.

Was it a Mistake to Release Ryan Pickett? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eliminated: Baltimore Ravens

Michael David Smith — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:18:00 EST

Filed under: Ravens, AFC North, Eliminated NFL Teams

Each week we've thrown one team under the bus after it demonstrated it was already out of Super Bowl contention. For the end of the season and through the playoffs we'll accelerate the pace until every team has been eliminated -- except the one holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Steve McNair is never going to win a Super Bowl. I don't like the fact that quarterbacks are\e judged by whether or not they have a Super Bowl ring, but it's reality, and McNair's best chance of getting that ring was this year. The Ravens are an old team, and although coach Brian Billick said yesterday that he thinks every one of his 30-and-over players are going to be just as good next year as they were this year, that's just not how the human body works. The window has closed on the Ravens.

Even the "young" guys on this roster are getting old. Adalius Thomas will be 30 at the start of next season. Ed Reed will be 29. Bart Scott will be 27. They did what they could to make one more Super Bowl run, came up short, and now they've got a lot of work to do. So now it's time for them to start the youth movement. No general manager has a better track record of drafting young talent than Baltimore's Ozzie Newsome, so there's reason for optimism in Baltimore, but that optimism will have to wait a couple years. The Ravens are heading in the wrong direction.

Eliminated: Baltimore Ravens originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eliminated: Philadelphia Eagles

Michael David Smith — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:54:00 EST

Filed under: Eagles, NFC East, Eliminated NFL Teams

Each week we've thrown one team under the bus after it demonstrated it was already out of Super Bowl contention. For the end of the season and through the playoffs we'll accelerate the pace until every team has been eliminated -- except the one holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Give Andy Reid credit. When Donovan McNabb got hurt, it would have been easy for the Eagles to pack in their season, just as they did last year. And although it looked like they were going to do just that when they dropped that Sunday night game to the Colts, the Eagles were one of the NFL's best teams down the stretch before falling to the Saints on Sunday.

So what's next for Philly? Three things: First, don't allow any silly quarterback controversies to take hold. Donovan McNabb is the Eagles' quarterback. Second, don't give into the temptation of adding one superstar player in free agency. The Eagles have been the second-best team in football this decade by doing the same things the best team has done: Namely, building the team around a solid group of team players, not stars. And third, in the Eagles' next big game, someone needs to remind Reid to give Brian Westbrook more carries.

Eliminated: Philadelphia Eagles originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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