Week 12 Coaching Comparisons

Everett - Bill Belicheck

The most dominant manager in the game today. Like Billy, Everett finds ways to get great performances out of everyone on his roster. He makes smart waiver wire moves, is strong and deep at every position, builds a structure for his guys to operate within, and lets them make plays. A master of playing the odds, as injuries or other circumstances arise, Everett simply inserts someone else into that spot and expects them to perform, and perform they do. (See Manning, Eli)

Ben - Raheem Morris

Consistently really good, but yet to have a "Wow-let's-take-notice-of-this-team-as-a-real-contender" week. Exceeding any expectations fans may have had for this team after a rocky beginning. Ben got out of the gates quick, when some thought it would fade, he continued to win.

Jason - Rex Ryan

Loveable, boisterous, and supremely confident in his team. Like Rex, Jason's team seems to feed off his belief in them, even when others might not. He finds a way to get production out of a group of wide receivers many of us placed as the worst in the league in the early season. He has gotten moderate, but consistent play out of his quarterback and has been able to win despite some low offensive numbers. Without the size of Rex, Jason still manages to be the most polarizing head coach in the league. Some love him, some hate him. But most consider it a compliment to his personality he is loved at all considering how much he wins.

Brandon - Mike McCarthy

Dangerous every week you play them, but seem to fade towards the end of the season, and especially the playoffs. Brandon's lack of success can't really be attributed to injuries or other circumstances, but more the improvement of other teams in the league. Brandon's teams seem to go from good to mediocre by seasons end by virtue of the top teams each year becoming better through trades and waiver wire transactions.

John - Tony Sparano

Constant criticism from fans over recent coaching decisions. Holes at quarterback and tight end, and a stagnant running game most weeks. John has left his best player on the bench more than once, forgotten to play kickers, and has cut productive tight ends in consecutive weeks. Has managed to stay in the playoff hunt, but his team is off the tracks and people question whether he has the fortitude to get it back.

Scott - Brad Childress

Should have been fired three weeks ago. After a tough stretch of losses, Scott hit the panic button, then pulled the panic cord, then ate some panic breakfast, and topped it all off by snorting some panic cocaine. Unlike Childress though, Scott seems perfectly willing to place the fate of his team in Peterson's hands, which for once seem to be holding on to the football. The problem is that Peterson doesn't get a chance to protect any leads by running the ball.

Tyler - Wade Phillips/Jason Garrett

Totally incompetent through the first nine weeks of the season, then turns it on in the past two weeks. Yes, Tyler is on a four game winning streak and still out of the playoffs, but he has strung together some nice games, and looks like he could be a force if he makes the playoffs. Like the cowboys, he relies too heavily on running back committees, but Tyler has seriously dangerous wide receivers and if Roethlisberger and Kitna continue to sling it, his quarterback and wide receivers may be enough to put him in the playoffs for the first time.

Jimmy - Marvin Lewis

Inept, unable to score, and unable to stop people from scoring. It's been a nightmare season for Jim, who many expected to ride his wide receivers to the playoffs. But his receivers have disappointed, and his running game is non existent. A nightmare season that looks to only get worse. Lot of questions to answer in the offseason.

Steve - Mike Singletary

Tons of talent that often produces, but never seems to be enough. In many ways Steve's tought season has been a victim of circumstance. Incredibly high scores each week were put up against him. He sacrificed depth early in the season to snag a top running back, but his team has suffered ever since. A recent injury to star player Hakeem Nicks is indicative of the negative karma surrounding Tehom. However, he has the pieces for the future, and simply has to urge his guys to finish this season strong and find something positive to build on for next year.

Players who won't be drafted as high next year

Matt Forte
Beanie Wells
Shonn Greene
DeAngelo Williams
Jonathan Stewart
Matt Schaub
Mike Sims-Walker
Aromashadu (I can't even remember his first name he's so far off the map)
Kevin Kolb
Miles Austin
Randy Moss
Steve Smith (both)
Donald Driver
Cedric Benson
Chad Ochocinco
Marques Colston
Pierre Thomas
CJ Spiller

Players who will be drafted much higher next year

Mike Vick
Josh Freeman
Sam Bradford
Kyle Orton
Phillip Rivers
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Hakeem Nicks
Dez Bryant
Brandon Lloyd
Steve Johnson
Kenny Britt
Terrell Owens
Mike Wallace
Mike Williams (both)
Austin Collie
Arian Foster
LaGarrette Blount
LeSean McCoy
Ahmad Bradshaw
Peyton Hillis
Marshawn Lynch
Darren McFadden
Brandon Pettigrew
Tony Moeaki

Stafford's Durability

Man he's a pussy.  Here's a quote from Schwartz:
"I don't question his durability at all," Schwartz said. "He hasn't been able to play as much as he'd like to play, but he hasn't been hampered by hangnails or, you know, headaches or anything like that. He's been hit by 290-pound guys going full speed."
Does this latest injury look like he was hit by a 280 pound guy going full speed: Stafford fall?
I have never seen any NFL player be lost for the rest of the season from such an innocuous play. The Peppers' play was legit, and he's a beast, but this?  Poor Megatron. Poor Pantywaists.  What have I done to spite thee Fantasy Football Gods?

The Tom Landry Hat Goes to.....

I was tempted not to award the Tom Landry Hat to anyone this week. I think the fact that Kenny Britt wasn't even sitting on any of our benches makes all of us somewhat culpable on poor management fronts this week. Others simply mailed/vomited it in (John). But then last night happened, and Bilbo pushed all his Baggins to the middle of the table. I felt pretty good about a 38 point lead and Everett only having Green Bay's D and Eli left. I mean the Giants and Packers faced the two pre-eminent "Backs Against the Wall" teams, so you knew those matchups would be tough. Nay, nay, gentlemen. Everett got a dynamite performance from Eli, leading him to a 114-113 win. Yes, he Milton Berled my Milton Berles. He also reanimated the corpse of Dwayne Bowe, getting a solid 20 out of him. Everett played the slow roll to perfection, essentially giving Chris Johnson a bye (a mere 6 points from CJ...18 below his projection). I was all excited about Michael Turner starting a new era, but I was a fool. The Tom Landry Hat is yours, Everett. Wear it well.

In lesser news, I got a great performance from the Washington Defense. Some of you may think that it was just another example of my tremendous foresight. I must admit to you, however, that I was excited when I awoke last Wednesday, and scurried down the stairs to pick up Denver's D to play against the hapless Raiders. I was all upset when I saw that Steve beat me to the punch, so I settled on Washington, hoping that maybe Cutler could keep sucking a little bit longer. Steve got negative points from Denver and I got 26 from the Skins. Even former champions like myself know that it's always better to be lucky than good.

Booms and Busts

Although the season is barely half over, I think it would be interesting to take a look at some excellent value obtained in the draft and on the waiver wire.  The busts have really not had a super large effect, and all, save Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley, still have a chance of redemption.  I can't classify anyone a bust that was drafted later than the first 50 picks. Without further ado:

The Busts (in draft order):

Ryan Mathews (31 pts)
Maurice Jones-Drew (58 pts)
DeAngelo Williams (39 pts) 'bye'
Ryant Grant (4 pts) 
Shonn Greene (35 pts)
Randy Moss (48 pts)
Michael Turner (58 pts)
Marques Colston (31 pts)
Beanie Wells (11 pts) 'bye'
Pierre Thomas (32 pts)
Larry Fitzgerald (40 pts) 'bye'
Ronnie Brown (36 pts) 'bye'
Jonathan Stewart (27 pts) 'bye'
Knowshon Moreno (31 pts)
Jermichael Finley (38 pts)
Steve Smith/CAR (28 pts) 'bye'
Clinton Portis (33 pts)
Steve Smith/NYG (43 pts)
C.J. Spiller (21 pts) 'bye'


Keep in mind that some of these guys have played one less game than others as indicated by 'bye'. I have factored this in for both lists seen here.


Amazing Value (by points scored):
Philip Rivers (139 pts/5th rd)
Peyton Manning (139 pts/3rd rd)
Arian Foster (130 pts/4th rd)
Kyle Orton (126 pts/undrafted)
Tony Romo (112 pts/4th rd) 'bye'
Matt Forte (97 pts/5th rd)
LeSean McCoy (94 pts/5th rd)
Antonio Gates (92 pts/5th rd)
Brandon Lloyd (92 pts/undrafted)
Austin Collie (91 pts/undrafted)
LaDanian Tomlinson (87 pts/8th rd)
Rashard Mendenhall (83 pts/3rd rd) 'bye'
Peyton Hillis (82 pts/undrafted)
Jeremy Maclin (80 pts/6th rd)
Hakeem Nicks (79 pts/8th rd)
Ahmad Bradshaw (78 pts/8th rd)
Pittsburgh D (75 pts/15th rd) 'bye'
Terrell Owens (70 pts/9th rd)
Darren McFadden (67 pts/8th rd)

As reference, I will list the player projected pre-draft to be the number one player at that position:
RB: Chris Johnson (108 pts/1st rd)
WR: Andre Johnson (65 pts/1st rd)
QB: Aaron Rodgers (124 pts/2nd rd)
TE: Antonio Gates (92 pts/5th rd)
DEF: NY Jets (57/8th rd) [Note: 49ers were project #1 by Yahoo (38 pts\11th rd) 

Aha! Now I see my problem. I have one player on the good list and three on the bad one.  At least Jason has to answer for Turner from now on.  I'm sure he'll be the highest scoring RB over the last half of the season now.

Premier of the Tom Landry Hat Award

If I have time, I’ll endeavor to make this a weekly post whether you guys like it or not. I thought it would be fun to recognize a manager of the week by awarding him the ceremonial Tom Landry Hat. The award system is completely subjective and susceptible to political pressure, just like the Oscars. Without further ado, our first winner is Ben.

Sure the old rule of thumb is to start anyone you have who is going against the Lions, but Ben had to trust that Brandon Jacobs could avoid being a buffoon, not get hurt, and actually touch the ball enough to make an impact. He went to Bradshaw and Jacobs as a tandem against Detroit, and those two delivered a combined 31 points.

Ben also had to sit Larry Fitzgerald, something he surely wasn’t excited about doing, and started Mike Wallace, who delivered another solid performance with 15 points. Taylor gets a tip of the cap for finalizing a trade that let him keep Ray Rice for one more week and he made a great choice by starting Tennessee’s Defense, which netted 17 points. Nonetheless, this week’s Tom Landry hat goes to Ben. Enjoy.