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A Word from The Writer: The Monday Analysis - 28 November 2005 Pies and Overtimes. What a wild Thanksgiving Weekend. Too bad there was just too much turkey to go around. BREAKING NEWS: Lions Fire Mariucci The first coaching casualty is in. The Detroit Lions fired head coach Steve Mariucci this morning coming off a 27-7 blow-out loss to Atlanta on Thanksgiving. Mariucci took over the Lions in 2003 after taking to the 49ers to a second round playoff loss, then being fired from San Francisco. The coach of the Lions at that time was Marty Mornhinweg, now an assistant head coach with Philadelphia. Mornhinweg was assured his job was secure until Mariucci, a friend of GM Matt Millan's, became available. Mariucci's Detroit dismissal comes after a 2005 season filled with high hopes and expectations, however riddled with injuries and quarterback controversy. The Lions never synced, even after a 3-0 start. Detroit has won only a single playoff game since 1957. Mariucci signed a five-year, $25 million contract in 2003, and compiled a 15-28 record in Detroit. Mariucci was 60-43 in six seasons with San Francisco, which included four playoff seasons (3-4 overall), the controlling of Terrell Owens, and coaching the 49ers in and out of an ugly and tragic salary cap hell situation, managing only two losing seasons during that time which many thought to last much longer. The Lions also fired offensive line coach Pat Morris and tight ends coach Andy Sugarman. Defensive coordinator and former Bears head coach Dick Jauron was named interim coach. There is no immediate speculation on any plans for Mariucci for the 2006 season. The Lions are currently 4-7. Pats Fall Over in the Rain of Kansas City Maybe two in a row is the best we'll get this year. Tom Brady gets the goat award this week with his four interceptions. For whatever reason, Kansas City had Brady's number, and the Patriots', knocking the world champs down with a score of 26-16. At the half, Dick Vermeil's Chiefs were up 19-3, managed another score coming into the second half before the Patriots attempted a very long comeback that came up short. Brady suffered three sacks and was pressured 11 times. To answer the question about the thin offensive, just how bad are the injuries, Brady told WEEI last week that him, Deion Branch and offensive lineman Stephen Neal remain from the opening day starters. Three out of eleven. And only two of those guys are eligible to score. Brady was 22 for 40 for 248 yards, 1 TD (to Christian Fauria) and 4 INTs. Three of those interceptions went to Greg Wesley. It seems Tom Brady always plays poorly in an AFC West stadium. He played poorly in Week 6 in Denver, where he also played poorly in 2001 throwing 4 INTs. In 2002 he played poorly in Oakland. I don't remember him ever winning in an AFC West stadium. But it doesn't stop there. The Chiefs held the ball nearly ten minutes longer. The penalties weren't an issue, but there was a fumble. The offense could only convert 42% on third down (same as the Chiefs, no less). And the running game? Patrick Pass led the rush with 26 yards. Yippee. Then the Defense gave up 119 yards to Larry Johnson on 31 carries and 1 TD. And another 323 yards to the passing game. Just a flat performance
from the Patriots. I know they are fighting, and I know they keep fighting,
but I am really glad four of the remaining five games are against the AFC
East.
Weekend Break Down Falcons (7-4) 27, LIONS (4-7) 7 – FINAL: Can the Lions get any worse? They start Joey Harrington, go to Jeff Garcia, then back to Harrington and don't even score until the fourth. COWBOYS (7-4) 21, Broncos (9-2) 24 – FINAL/OT: Bummer for Dallas, but this is one they blew. The Cowboys had every chance to win this one. And what was with taking so long at the end of the game? Panthers (8-3) 13, BILLS (4-7) 9 – FINAL: Hey, JP Losman? How does it feel to get popped in the mouth for the second straight week? VIKINGS (6-5) 24, Browns (4-7) 12 – FINAL: All of a sudden, the Vikes are showing massive signs of life. Bears (8-3) 13, BUCCANEERS (7-4) 10 – FINAL: Two red hot team go head to head, and it is the Lovie Smith Machine to pull out the win. Jon Gruden has to be pulling his hair out over this one. Chargers (7-4) 23, REDSKINS (5-6) 17 – FINAL/OT: I predicted that with all the trans-coastal trips San Diego had to make this year, there was no way they could be competitive. But it seems that it is all these trans-coastal trips that are getting the Chargers big wins. LT is the big play maker in this one with 184 yards rushing and 3 TDs. CHIEFS (7-4) 26, Patriots (6-5) 16 – FINAL: Bottom line: when Tom Brady tosses four interceptions, the Patriots lose. TITANS (3-8) 33, 49ers (2-9) 22 – FINAL: Even the Titans aren't so bad they can't beat San Francisco. BENGALS (8-3) 42, Ravens (3-8) 29 – FINAL: While you have to admire the Cinci's offense to chalk up 42 points, you have to also look at the Defense with a strange look for giving up 29 points to the Ravens. Rams (5-6) 33, TEXANS (1-10) 27 – FINAL/OT: The Texans are on the Dom Capers Farewell Tour. And maybe even the David Carr Farewell Tour. Dolphins (4-7) 33, RAIDERS (4-7) 21 – FINAL: Ok, it is bad when your team is lousy like the Raiders are this year, but even worse when you lose to the Dolphins, who are as bad as they come. Jaguars (8-3) 24, CARDINALS (3-8) 17 – FINAL: If it wasn't for the Colts, the Jags would own the AFC South. Maybe someday. SEAHAWKS (9-2) 24, Giants (7-4) 21 – FINAL/OT: Jay Feely missed four field goals to give Seattle a nice win in this overtime thriller, or heart ache, depending on your view. These two might meet again in January. you just never know. But I doubt Feely will be there. EAGLES (5-6) 19, Packers (2-9) 14 – FINAL: Poor Brett Favre. He can't even get a win against Philly. Saints (3-8) 21, JETS (2-9) 19 – FINAL: As bad as the Saints are, the Jets are worse. Pittsburgh (7-3) at Indianapolis (10-0) Tonight 9 PM ABC Oddities of Week 13's Matchups Atlanta (7-4) at Carolina (8-3) 1 PM. NFC Southern show-down. He who shows up, gets shown the top of the pile. Buffalo (4-7) at Miami (4-7) 1 PM. AFC East match up. The Bills are in second place in the division, but I bet Miami gives them a spanking. What will you do then, JP Losman? Cincinnati (8-3) at Pittsburgh (7-3) 1 PM. AFC Northern match up for the top spot. Dallas (7-4) at N.Y. Giants (7-4) 1 PM. NFC Eastern classic. Parcells returns to the Meadowlands. Winner gets the top of the division. Green Bay (2-9) at Chicago (8-3) 1 PM. NFC Northerner. I'd like to be optimistic for the Pack, but Mike Sherman really should just start Aaron Rodgers. Minnesota (6-5) at Detroit (4-7) 1 PM. Another NFC Northerner. Now, who should Dick Jauron start, Harrington or Garcia, cause they both suck. Tampa Bay (7-4) at New Orleans (3-8) (Baton Rouge, LA) 1 PM. NFC Southerner. The Saints are just playing for milk money these days. Tennessee (3-8) at Indianapolis (10-0) 1 PM. AFC Southern match up. Imagine if the Titans could beat Indy? Wow, what a nice dream. Arizona (3-8) at San Francisco (2-9) 4:05 PM. NFC Western round up. Or, another meaningless game that might be blacked out in the local areas. Denver (9-2) at Kansas City (7-4) 4:15 PM. AFC Westerner. A win could get the Chiefs some serious ground. N.Y. Jets (2-9) at New England (6-5) 4:15 PM. AFC Eastern rivals. Just remember, Herm Edwards, you play the game to win. Oakland (4-7) at San Diego (7-4) 8:30 PM. Another AFC
Western round up. The Chargers need to ground on Denver. Oakland just needs
to win, baby. Patriots News Corey Dillon remained inactive with a calf injury... League Notes Oakland Defensive End Yapp Warren Sapp was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury...Philly also placed tackle Tra Thomas on IR with back problems he has suffered all season...Jets RB Curtis Martin became the fourth player to rush for 14,000 yards in a career...The NFL and Sprint agreed to a five-year deal in August giving Sprint wireless customers exclusive NFL content, such as live score updates, live video from NFL Network, Video on Demand, Ring Tones and Screen Savers and Wallpaper, and polls and contests...The Chargers placed TE Ryan Krause on IR with a foot injury...Jacksonville placed safety Nick Sorensen on IR with a right ankle injury. Rookie cornerback Chris Roberson was activated from the practice squad...An arbitrator assigned to the complaint Terrell Owens filed against Philadelphia ruled in favor of the Eagles on all counts, stating the four-game suspension stands...Dallas lineman Dat Nguyen was placed on IR with neck and knee injuries... Top Ten List of the Week 1. Hey, look at it this way. The Patriots are playing to the season - like a bunch of turkeys. Gobble gobble. 2. If Steve Mariucci is fired before December, there is no reason why the Packers and the Texans should wait to fire Mike Sherman and Dom Capers. There will be other come Black Monday, but teams can and should dismiss now, rather than later. 3. Speaking of fired, Tom Coughlin: Jay Feely must go. New England (6-5). If it wasn't for a lousy AFC East, New England would be in a deeper hole.
4. LaDanainian Tomlinson: 184 yards on the ground for 3 TDs, and a big run to win
it in OT. Marty Schottenheimer should buy him dinner. 5. It would be nice to get a few of the injured
Patriots back in the roster, but how productive are these guys going to be
coming off injuries and having missed lots of time? 6. If I were the GM in Green Bay, I'd can Mike
Sherman and sit Brett Favre and see what happens. It couldn't be any worse
than it is now. 7. I like the Bears. They aren't the 1985 Bears, but
there is no reason to not like them. Ok, well, I like the Defense. Good thing
the Offense isn't trying to win anything. 8. When will Tom Donahue give up on JP Losman? When
will he give up on Mike Mularkey? 9. The pundits say Herm Edwards goes to KC next
season. My question is why? Is that the best the Chiefs can do to replace Dick
Vermiel? 10. Traditionally, Tom Brady has a career game after a pitiful one. That being said, the Jets might be in for a heck of a terror ride from the New England offense in Week 13. 28 November 2005 | ||
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