Tom Moore’s departure could hurt Colts
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
No word from the Colts camp yet but, Paul Kuharksy of ESPN’s AFC South blog has reported that long time offensive coordinator Tom Moore has left the building…meaning for good. For Colts fan this can be good news, as Moore is Peyton Mannings right hand man. He is responsible for keeping the well oiled offensive machine moving along. Moore has been the Colts Offensive Coordinator or special assistant) since Manning entered the league in 1998. Moore’s departure could change the dynamic of the colts offense.
Under Moore’s guidance Manning won four league MVPs. The Colts offense went from averaging 19 points per game on offense the year before his arrival to averaging 26 points per game throughout his fourteen years as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Currently Tom Moore’s name has been removed from the team’s official website, and it looks like the vultures have already landed. Its been reported that the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans have spoke to Moore about joining both their staffs.
This is certainly not good news for Colts fans, as Tom Moore is the one man, that knows Peyton Mannings tendencies better than anyone else. Having Moore on your staff, especially if you happen to play the Colts twice a year, could benefit you greatly.
Tyjuan Hagler onside kick return vs Jaguars
Dallas Clark Amazing One-Hand Snag
Your Favorite Fantasy Football Tight End is going Hollywood
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
Your favorite fantasy Tight end isn’t just trying to score points in the world of fantasy football anymore. No, Dallas Clark is trying to score points in the world of Hollywood.
Besides working out and recovering from injury in the off season, Clark is keeping busy fulfilling a life long dream during the lockout. If you watch closely you will get a chance to see him on TV screen near you.
The Colts Pro Bowl tight end, plans to film a cameo appearance for the CBS show “Criminal Minds” next week. Clark’s episode is scheduled to air April 13.
“This has nothing to do with money,” he said during a phone interview Wednesday. “This is fulfilling a dream of mine of being an actor.”
Fantasy owners don’t you worry Clark doesn’t plan to pack up his bags for Hollywood or hand his job over to back up tight end Jacob Tamme that easily. Clark is still working out on his own and doing rehab in the meanwhile and hopefully preparing for a 2011 season.
Clark is hoping that this acting opportunity leads to more roles and he plans to use his 15 minutes of fame (make that 4 seconds of on screen fame) to impress someone.
“I’ve got two lines to impress somebody. That’s my goal. I’ve got to impress someone,” Clark said. “Maybe I could do an Allstate commercial, you know, like you’re in good hands.”
From Colt to Bolt, Sanders is now a San Diego Charger
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
From Colt to Bolt, Bob Sanders is now a San Diego Charger. The two time All Pro agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers.
The Chargers posted a story on its Web site saying it had signed the former colt, however Chargers spokesman Bill Johnston said that report was premature and no announcement was planned.
A source said its not clear when Sanders actually can sign a contract due to labor talks. The NFL and its players’ union have decided to keep the current CBA in place for an additional 24 hours so negotiations can be allowed to continue.
After winning the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, Sanders signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Colts but played in just nine regular-season games during the next three seasons. He tore his right biceps on the first defensive series in the 2010 season opener and didn’t play again.
The Chargers will most likely need some safety help if they happen to lose Eric Weddle, he received a first-round tender from the Chargers Wednesday.
Bob Sanders pays the Jets a visit
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
Ex-Colt safety Bob Sanders is in the big city of New York and talking with the New York Jets.
People tend to forget that good ol Bob was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, however the Colts released the often injured playmaker on Feb. 18. So far since his release Sanders has visited the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills.
Sanders still could return to the Colts…that’s if he wants to re-sign at a lower cost than what he was previously slated to earn. In 2007 Sanders signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract but since than he’s only played in just nine regular-season games in 3 years.
When Sanders is on his game, he has easily been one of the NFL’s best defensive players. In 2005 Sanders played in 14 games and earned the first of two Pro Bowl selections however a knee injury limited him to only four regular-season games in 2006.
In 2007 Sanders was healthy again and played in 5 games, not only earning another Pro Bowl trip he also became the first Colts player to win the league’s top defensive award. In 2008 again hit by the injury bug he lasted just six regular-season games in 2008. In 2009, more of the same as he missed the first five games of the season as he was coming back after knee surgery and in just his second game back, he tore his bicep in his left arm and his season was ended.
Last season Sanders tore his right biceps on the first defensive series of the season opener and didn’t play again.
So as you can see Sanders has owned the “injury prone” tag. If there is a next season look for Sanders to try and get his grove back. Skinnypost.com wishes him the best!
No Drama In Manning Negotiations
Bill Polian said negotiations between the Colts and Peyton Manning are progressing. Just don’t expect the two sides to cut a deal this weekend.
“I would say we are simply moving ahead at a steady pace, but nothing is imminent,” Polian told The Associated Press after meeting with the NFL’s competition committee Wednesday.
The competition committee is meeting in Indianapolis as part of the NFL scouting combine, which opens today.
The Colts’ list of potential free agents includes Adam Vinatieri, running back Joseph Addai, offensive lineman Charlie Johnson and safety Melvin Bullitt.
Polian also said the Colts would be willing to bring back safety Bob Sanders, who was released last week, if he does not sign with another team.
NFL Playoff Race Shaping up
By Jeremy Schloss
Follow Him on Twitter
What do the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, and the Kansas City Chiefs all have in common? If the playoffs started today, all of these teams would be part of them. If you can find an NFL expert who had all of these teams leading their respective divisions, they have definitely earned their money this year.
What makes the NFL so great is the parity from year to year. Let’s take a closer look at how the playoff picture looks, three quarters of the season down.
NFC:
Over the last decade or so, the National Football Conference has taken a back seat to the mighty AFC. Over the past 7 years, we’ve only had 2 teams from the NFC take home the championship trophy, the Giants in 2008 and the Saints just last year. Even in 2008 though, the AFC Pats were a heavy favorite going into the game. In 2010 it seems, the AFC reigns supreme again. Just look at any of the NFL analysts power rankings, it’s dominated by the AFC powers. Despite all of this, there are some great teams in the NFC and they should not be over looked come January.
If the playoffs started today, the 9 –2 Falcons and the 8-3 Bears would have first round byes, with Atlanta grabbing home field throughout. We would also see the 5-6 Rams and the 7-4 Eagles hosting 1st round playoff games. Green Bay and Tampa would grab the last playoff spots and with the wild cards. That is ‘if” the season ended today. The good news for the rest of the NFC is that there are five big weeks left in the season.
At 9-2, it seems the Falcons are the surest bet to stay a playoff team. With a surging New Orleans though, winners of their last 4 games, there is no guarantee the Falcons will even win their division, let alone keep home field advantage. The Saints next two games are at Cincinnati and then hosting the Rams, so both very winnable games for a team starting to resemble last years championship team. The schedule gets much tougher for them when they travel to Baltimore and host the upstart Bucs. The big date to circle is the Monday night match up in Atlanta in week 16. This game very well might decide who takes home the division. Currently undefeated at home, the Falcons will look to any advantage they can to take on the defending champs. Meanwhile, Atlanta has a much more manageable schedule going down the stretch, with two games still left with the 1-10 Panthers, making the game vs. the Saints, a must win for N.O.
Over in the NFC North, the Chicago Bears are the surprise leader of the pack after week 12. Even with a better record, and a win over the rival Packers in week 3, Green Bay still seems to be the talk of that division. The Bears have quietly won 4 straight with what looks to be a very winnable game in Detroit next weekend. The schedule takes an ugly turn after that though, with games against the Jets and the Pats, along with a road game against the newly energized Vikings. Week 17 sees them traveling to Green Bay which very well might not only decide who wins the division, but who is playoff bound. The Packers schedule isn’t much easier either, with games left against the Pats and Giants.
The NFC east sees two teams with identical 7-4 records, the Eagles and the Giants. The Skins’ are hanging around with a 5-6 record and have 2 games left against the Giants so it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see them playing in January, but they would most likely have to win out to have a legit chance. Besides the 2 games against the Skins’, the Giants have dates at home against the Eagles and at Green Bay and Minnesota. It would seem NY would have to go at least 3-2 in these games to have a shot at the post season. Meanwhile, Philly still has 2 games left against a suddenly competitive Dallas Cowboys, so there is no easy road for any NFC team headed into the stretch run. Sunday night, December 19th against the Giants, looms very large for both of these teams in establishing which will take the division, and possibly the only playoff spot coming out of the once mighty NFC east. Interesting side note, the Vikings play three possible playoff teams from week 14-16. Without anything else to play for, Brett Favre might be motivated to play role of spoiler to end his career. New interim coach, Leslie Frazier, also would like to win some games down the stretch to secure his coaching job next season, so it would seem this team is not one that will lay down for anyone in the upcoming weeks.
Finally we get to the Wild Wild NFC West. With the Rams and Seahawks currently sitting at 5-6, there is a more than legit chance we can see a .500 team in the playoff mix. With a convincing win Monday night against the Cardinals, the 49’ers find themselves only 1 game out of the race. The news of Frank Gore being done for the season with a hip injury is a major blow to the suddenly relevant 49’ers though, as you would be pressed to find a guy a team relies on more on the offensive side of the field. The Rams, Seahawks and Niners all play each other in the last 5 weeks so this race is far from over. Seattle seems to be sliding with losing 4 out of their last 5 games, their lone win coming against lowly Arizona. Week 17 has the Niners hosting #1 pick Sam Bradford and the Rams, which very well might decide who plays another week. Given the Rams ability to get the job done in St. Louis this season, and San Francisco’s inability to win on the road, seems the Rams have an edge to give their fans their first post-season birth in quite a number of years.
Predictions:
NFC South 1st round bye: Atlanta Falcons (home field)
NFC North 1st round bye: Green Bay Packers
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC West: St. Louis Rams
Wild Card: N.O. Saints
Wild Card: Chicago Bears
AFC:
We seem to have a bit clearer picture over in AFC as four teams have a fairly solid hold on playoff spots. At 9-2, the Jets and Patriots seem to only have the division and a 1st round bye to play for. Baltimore and Pittsburgh also look like a lock heading into the post season with 8-3 records. The race for both divisions and even home field advantage should be a good one, highlighted by the huge Monday night game next week with the Jets traveling to Foxboro. The Pats end the season with a tough stretch of games starting at Chicago, hosting G.B., at Buffalo, which is no longer a gimmie, and hosting Miami. It doesn’t get much easier for the Jets as they have to play at both Pittsburgh and Chicago in week 15 and 16. With only 1 other AFC team with 7 wins, both teams look safe to play past week 17. Baltimore ends the year with games against Houston, Cincinnati, and Cleveland so 11 wins is a strong possibility. Next Sunday night sees them squaring off against the Steelers in what will most likely lock one of them up for a playoff spot. The Steelers won the first meeting by a field goal back in early October in Pittsburgh, so the Ravens will look to even the score at home where they have yet to loose this season.
The AFC South is where things get really interesting. All four teams are separated by only 1 game. The surprising Jags lead the division but the Colts are right there with them at 6-5. Jacksonville has a very favorable schedule down the stretch with games against Tennessee, Oakland, Washington, and Houston. The Week 15 match up against the Colts in Indy, will most likely play a huge factor on which of these teams we see in the postseason. The Colts have a manageable schedule down the stretch as well and at this point can only get healthier, so one would think the pressure is all on them, as anything but a trip to the playoffs spot would be a disappointment for Peyton Manning and company. Tennessee and Houston are both still in the mix for a playoff spot in this division at 5-6. Both seem to be heading in the wrong direction however, with the Titans losing 4 straight and are reduced to starting a rookie 6th rounder at QB, all the while dealing w/ the Vince Young controversy. Meanwhile Houston has lost 4 out of their last 5 and has Philly and Baltimore the next two weeks. Indianapolis and Jacksonville should have destiny in their own hands it would seem.
The AFC west should be one of the more interesting playoff races down the stretch. The surprising Chiefs are holding on to a 1 game lead with a 7-4 record, but the surging Chargers seem poised to make one of their late season runs. San Diego has won four straight and with Phil Rivers playing as good as anyone in football right now, combined with a team getting healthier and Rivers phenomenal December track record, San Diego seems to be on the fast track for another playoff run. Home games left against Oakland and San Fran and ending the season against the struggling Bengals and Broncos only further the Chargers chances. KC does have a fairly manageable schedule as well down the stretch including home games against Denver, Tennessee, and Oakland. The Week 14 showdown in San Diego, could very well decide this division. Oakland currently sits at 5-6 but after losing 2 straight and a sudden inability to run the ball, makes this team a long shot to get back to the playoffs after a long absence.
Predictions:
AFC East: 1st round bye: N.E. Patriots (home field)
AFC North: 1st round bye: Baltimore Ravens
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
Wild Card: NY Jets
Wild Card: Pittsburgh Steelers
The last five weeks of football promises to be an exciting one with so many teams still in the playoff hunt. No team currently leads their division by more than a single game so all bets are off as to how the playoff picture will shape up.
The Patriots go for it on 4 and 2 against the Colts 11/15/2009
Pierre Garcon Makes Amazing One-Handed Catch
Loading ...
