Coaching has been the topic of the week.
It started with Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 on New England’s own 29-yard line. The result: a failed attempt that gave Peyton Manning a short field and a game winning touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne.
Belichick’s decision has been questioned by everyone. From former coaches and college coaches to former players and current players. It’s been non-stop,annoying fodder.
Was it a bad decision on his part? In my opinion, yes. But can we please stop talking about it. Belichick is one of, if not the best, coach of his era. Had they converted it, he would have been lauded as an even bigger genius.
One thing’s for sure, a decision like that would never haunt Belichick or get him fired. He could do that every game for three straight years, and his job would still be safe.
Speaking of firing, the Buffalo Bills fired head coach Dick Jauron and replaced him with Perry Fewell on an interim basis. Fewell could post a winning record the rest of the way, but owner Ralph Wilson said they will rebuild the team from top to bottom.
That must be why Mike Shanahan has been contacted for an interview. Other guys expected to be on Wilson’s short list, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, include Bill Cowher, Jim Haslett, and Marc Trestman, coach of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes.
While Shanahan and Cowher would be great additions to Buffalo, I agree with many experts that neither are heading to upstate New York in 2010. They, along with Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden, and Brian Billick, seem like they want to be in high profile places to attract high profile names.
So, where are those coaches going to be next year? That has sparked some conversation about who is on the hot seat.
Names that many feel are on the hot seat include Jim Zorn (he’s been on one since the season started), Tom Cable, Eric Mangini, Raheem Morris, Todd Haley, John Fox, and Lovie Smith.
In my opinion, not based off of any insider knowledge, Zorn, Mangini, and Cable are probably gone.
Haley seems to be walking a thin line because some of the locker room has lost him but no one expected a winning season. Morris also might not get the axe because, despite the 1-8 record, he seems to have a grip on his locker room.
Fox and Smith are interesting cases. Carolina was expected to return to playoff form, yet they are stuggling to stay in the post season race at 4-6. Since the 2003 Super Bowl season, Fox has made the post season twice.
Smith is in a similar situation. Following Chicago’s Super Bowl appearance in the 2006 season, Smith has missed the post season and posted a 20-21 record. Also, Jay Cutler has struggled and heads will roll as a result. The biggest roadblock preventing Smith’s dismissal is an $11 million buyout of his contract.
Speaking of firings, I’m still here despite not posting awards last week.
Winners
Most Valuable Player: Reggie Wayne
Wayne was giving the New England Patriots trouble all night, catching 10 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. But, it was reception number 10 that turned out to be a game winning, 1-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left.
Best Quarterback: Peyton Manning
Manning was his typical self in the clutch despite some early struggles, which included two rough interceptions. He torched New England on 29-of-44 passing for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Best Running Back: Adrian Peterson
Yeah it was the Detroit Lions, but you can’t argue with 133 yards rushing, two touchdowns on only 18 carries.
Best Defense: Green Bay Packers
Last Sunday was a good outing for Green Bay’s defense. They did a good job keeping Dallas’ offense at bay, holding them to just 61 yards rushing and forcing Tony Romo to throw the ball 39 times.
Best Rookie: Matthew Stafford
It was a rough one against the Minnesota Vikings, but Stafford put up some respectable numbers, going 29-of-51 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown.
Best Game of the Week: New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts
That was a thrilling game against the two best teams of this decade. Manning and Brady showed why good quarterback play is important in today’s NFL.
Losers
Least Valuable Player: Jay Cutler
Anytime you throw five interceptions, the dubious honor of least valuable is headed your way. Cutler has looked uncomfortable all season long, but last Thursday’s disaster against the San Francisco 49ers was like water torture.
Worst Running Back: Marshawn Lynch
Had Matt Forte not caught 8 passes for 120 yards, this awards would have been his. Instead, Lynch gets the nod for week 10. It’s been a rough season for him and last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans wasn’t any better, getting only nine carries for 37 yards. Lynch’s longest run was for only seven yards.
Worst Receiver: Marques Colston
Colston’s absense in New Orleans’ offense might have been the reason St. Louis kept it close. He only had two catches for 17 yards.
Worst Defense: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay kept it close, but their defense struggled. In all, they gave up 374 total yards. About 200 of those yards were given up on the ground.
Worst Rookie: Darrius Heyward-Bey
I’m starting to feel sorry for him. Heyward-Bey has great athletic ability and needs good coaching. But he’s an AWFUL NFL receiver. One catch for 22 yards? That’s all Oakland’s number one pick could give them?
Worst Game of the Week: Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
A 16-0 win for Baltimore showcased all of the Cleveland Brown’s problems. Brady Quinn’s stat line tells the story of this game: 13-of-31, 99 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions, one which was returned for a touchdown.
