Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview *|* November 9, 2008
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St. Louis Rams (7-1, Away)
New York Jets (1-7, Home)
Game Notes
The Rams are tied to the best record in all of football with Chicago. They lead the league in points per game. They’ve beaten: PHI, SEA, BUF, WSH, DAL, NE and AZ with the only losing coming to NYG in week 2.
The Rams have a high octane offense using the Colts Playbook. The Greatest show on turf present numerous mismatches due to speed and efficiency. Kurt Warner has elite intangibles and is pinpoint accurate. He lacks any mobility so pressure is key to stopping him. Marshall Faulk has yet to run for 100 yards or receive more than 20 carries in a game, but he is still an elite option at running back combining top end speed , intelligence, and great hands out of the backfield. STL has 2 elite WRs in Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. They are both fast, have great hands, but are precision route runners. Tavon Austin is a beast in open space and Jared Cook offers an athletic TE with a big frame to throw to. The O Line is led by HOFer Orlando Pace.
The Rams run a Cover 2 defense relying on pressure from their elite ends: Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Linval Joseph has thrived in the system giving STL 3 pro bowl level DLs. Ogeltree, Laurinaitis, and Witherspoon are great fits in the system with elite (for LBs) zone coverage ability. Finnegan and Bly are great in zone and pressing at CB. The weakness of the D are the safeties. Ryan Clark is a little miscast as a cover 2 fs and Iloka is a subpar starter with only 80 speed.
Defensively I am hoping the changes in scheme increase production. I have no real answers in how to stop the offense, but to get pressure on Warner.
On Offense we must attack their safeties. They are the weakest part of the D by far. I’ll run deep patterns to the seams and Skinny Posts to the TE and Slot WR to split the safeties. Jolly will move back and forth at TE and WR trying to exploit the best matchups.
Jets win toss elect to receive
I. Bruce, 5 yd pass from K. Warner.
Next play: Smith throws pick on swing pass. Bly tackled at NYJ 18.
T. Holt, 18 yd pass from K. Warner.
Next play: Smith throws pick on play action pass, Laurinaitis returns it to NYJ 9.
Our D makes a stand, G. Zurlein makes 29 yd FG.
3 and out, another blowout in the making.
Pressure on Warner forces INT by Nico Johnson.
Another 3 and out, Smith is 3/9 with 2 picks.
Folk misses 52 yd attempt with 1:38 left in 2nd quarter.
Faulk breaks 4 tackles on monster 34 yd run.
Smith is now 4-13, Austin returns to NYJ 50.
Cribbs fumbles punt in 3rd, recovered by STL at NYJ 14
T. Austin, 16 pass from K. Warner.
Smith throws yet another INT, still no defining moment to pull him
G. Zurlein 18 yd fg
Offense is miserable, Smith is 4/19.
Rams sub in scrubs.
Powell barrels in from 1, finally started moving the ball by just running out of Goalline. Maybe its my
strategy for next week.
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview *|* November 13, 2008
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New York Jets (1-8, Away)
New England Patriots (5-4, Home)
Game Notes
The Patriots are 5-4 with wins against KC, NYJ, DEN, IND, BUF and losses to MIA, SF, SD, STL.
They have the 3rd highest scoring offense in the league despite not having a skill player on pace for more than 1,000 yds. In our last meeting they blew us out 52-0.
I am making the move to Sanchez at QB. I’ll try to use a lot of big sets and be run heavy hoping to stay in the game.
C. Ivory was injured during the week and will miss the game.
K. Mawae is out for the season.
Pats win the toss
Brady passes to Branch over the middle, jukes defender breaks tackle. 22 yd td. 0-7.
12 yd drive including 11 runs ends in 44 yd FG. 3-7.
Driver catches pass from Brady, 15 yd pass.3-14.
N. Folk, 25 yd fg. 6-14.
We only attempted 5 passes in first half. If we can convert in the red zone this might actually be a game.
N. Folk hits 29 yd fg, run game is getting stuffed in the redzone, but I don’t trust Sanchez. Down 5 and in the game. 9-14.
Branch returns kickoff for a TD 101 yds. I just can’t catch a break.9-21
3 and out including 2 dropped passes that would have been first downs.
Ridley catches pass over the middle breaks tackels turns it into 46 yd TD. 9-28.
Sanchez overthrows middle crossing route, Mayo catches it.
Sanchez was absolutely leveled by Wilfork and is injured, in comes Cousins.
Welker is killing Revis on jump balls which is driving me crazy.
Gostkowski hits 30 yd fg. 9-31
Gostkowski hits 41 yd fg. 9-34
Cousins is 2-10, passing game is sooooo abysmal
Revis Pick 6. 16-34
Cousins throws his 2nd pick in 14 attempts.
Brady hits Driver on 10 yd slant for TD. 16-42.
We actually complete a pass!!!!!! Jolly takes streak 66 yds for TD. 23-41
Force fumble at NYJ 4 Harris returns 96 yds for a TD, 2PT no good.. 29-41.
Onside attempt failed, I’ve never seen one recovered.
Ivory is out for the season with a bruised hip.
Sanchez broke his hand and is out for the Season, back to Geno I guess.
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview *|* November 13, 2008
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New York Jets (1-9, Away)
Tennessee Titans (7-3, Home)
Game Notes
The Titans are 7-3 and in first place in the AFC South and hold the #1 seed currently in all the AFC. They’ve beaten: CIN, MIN, BAL, KC, GB, CHI, JAX with 3 division losses: IND, JAX, HOU
Tennessee has a borderline pro bowl QB in Steve McNair. McNair moves well in the pocket and has a strong accurate arm. Chris Johnson is their current starting running back ahead of Eddie George. Johnson is extremely fast, but lacks the strength and vision to become an elite runner. George is a powerful back with great vision and will likely be the starter in years to come. The Titans lack an elite WR with Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, and Kenny Britt all seeing significant snaps. The offensive line is the strength of the team with no player rated below 91. Bruce Matthews is the steadying influence as a hall of fame Center.
The Titans run a physical defense that gets pressure from its front 4. Jevon Kearse is an athletic freak with the finesse moves to make even top tier lineman look silly. Albert Haynesworth and Jurrell Casey are great run stuffers with excellent pursuit and block shedding ratings. Tennessee is solid at linebacker with Keith Bullock in middle, Kamerion Wimbley as a rush OLB, and Akeem Ayers on the weak side. Their secondary has 5 solid players with Chris Dishman, Jason McCourty, and Eric Wright at corner, and Michael Griffin and Bernard Pollard at safety.
I am a little surprised this team is 7-3. Jeff Fisher always seems to get excellent production out of his teams though. On defense I am pretty confident we can slow down their passing game, it will be a challenge to keep George and Johnson in check though.
Their defense is going to be a problem for us. Haynesworth, Casey, and Kearse could eliminate our run game on their own. I think if we can get some time to pass we should see some increased production there. IFFFFFFFF things break right we could actually win this game.
Made some signings:
A. Vernaur – was just sitting as a FA all season.
C. Michael, R. Turbin – with Ivory out for the season needed some bodies.
Jets win the toss
An ok drive stalled at 33 of TEN. N. Folk kicks 50 yd FG. 3-0
Goalline stand and TEN kicks a FG. 3-3
Words just cant … Punt pinned them inside 2 yd line. A run for 3, a loss for 3. We blitz on 3rd up the
middle linebacker gets through untouched McNair makes spinning throw to crossing route who makes leaping catch for a first down by 1 inch. 3 plays later and McNair hits Nate Washington on hitch route who breaks a tackle and is streaks downfield for a 64 yd td.. 3-10
Geno throws into double coverage off play action, Eric Wright picks returns to NYJ 31., 33 yd FG. 3-13.
Another Geno pick on 3rd down, he throws an outside curl, wobbles, right to Keth Bulluck for a pick 6.. 3-20.
Another Pick!!!!!! Finally, I get the defining moment to pull Geno. WRs are getting open but Smith either makes the wrong decision or throws a duck.
Cousins leads a 2 minute drill that ends in a TD on a fade to Jolly. Jolly dropped 2 passes on the drive but also caught 3 for 51. Down 10 we’ll need a stop to open 2nd half.
WHY?!?! Lowery attempts a pick on 3rd and long to start the 2nd half, whiffs completely Kendall Wright walks in for 78 yd TD
Johnson side steps LB and dances into endzone for 7 yd score.
4th and goal from the 9 down 24 have no choice but to go for it and Cousins just holds the ball and gets sacked. Frustrating.
Cousins to Holmes on crossing route TD
Attempted an onside kick, Eddie Geroge took it all the way back .. yup…
Cousins got nicked up for a play, Powell and I accidently dismissd the play call .. Powell throws pick 6
Powell 2 yd run
We RECOVERED an onside kick. I think I’ve only seen this happen once before.
This has certainly been a season from hell. I’m calling the right plays but the execution is awful. Consistently our pass rush ends up just short of the opposing passer. My QBs continue to make poor decisions even on mastered plays and WRs have hands of stone. It looked like a blowout on paper, but we were actually close most of the game. Some bonehead mistakes and long plays blew it. My approval is down to 20 overall and 3 with the owner. I would guess I need to win 3/5 to keep the job.
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview *|* November 30, 2008
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Denver Broncos (5-6, Away)
New York Jets (1-10, Home)
Game Notes
against: SD, KC, TB, JAX, CLE with losses to: OAK (2X), NO, NE, MIA, ATL. 5 of 6 losses have come by less than 7 points and 4 of 5 less than 4 points.
Denver is led by John Elway. Elway is the model QB for the modern NFL. He is mobile, has a cannon arm, is accurate and an elite learner. Terrell Davis is an average athlete at RB, but is elite due to his consistency, vision, strength and intangibles. Denver has 3 great options at WR with Rod Smith, Eric Decker, and Demaryius Thomas. They are big and well balanced providing the Broncos with a myriad of options in the passing game. While Denver doesn’t need one, they have an elite TE in Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe has excellent hands, is fast, and comes go up and get it. The O Line is one of the strongest in the game with Clady, Schlereth, Nalen, Vasquez, and Lepsis.
Denver runs a 3-4 pressure defense relying on pressure from their linebackers. Pryce, Ayers, and Traylor are huge line that really can stuff the run. The Broncos have 2 elite edge rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dummervil. Miller has the elite pass rush moves, pursuit, and coverage skills making him one of the best outside linebackers in the game. On the inside Denver has 2 solid lbs in Williams and Romanowski. The secondary has 2 pro bowl level players in Champ Bailey and Steve Atwater. Bailey can succeed in any system and is a top 5 corner in the league.
On offense I’ll try to run the ball down their throats. The passing game improved when Cousins entered the game last week so I can lean on it more often on first downs.
Defensively … There is a pro bowl level player at every spot. Play conservatively and make Davis beat us.
Broncos won the toss
Denver drives down the field but is slowed down at goalline. Rayner misses gimmie 20 yard attempt.
Miller picks Cousins on first attempt of the game returned 23 yds for a td. (6:52)
(:54) Sharpe over the middle for 11 yd TD
(:42) Powell fumbles first play of the drive, Dumervil forces the fumbles, Williams picks it up and runs 30 yds for 6.
(8:50) Powel takes run up the middle 75, bowling over Romanowski in the process.
Revis steps in front of a slant pattern.
I subbed Geno in for a QB sweep, he fumbles (after gaining 10) at DEN 17. We were driving , a TD could have made it close.
We get the ball back with 40 ish seconds left on Denver 20. I plan to run out the clock but weird things happen. On a jet sweep attempt cousins runs backwards 8 yds doesn’t even hand it off. Then the FB doesn’t move on a dive. These plays are mastered and by the players making the mistake.
(:06) Rayner hits 50 yd attempt
I attempt a 4th and 2 from own 37 and fail. Game is over already.
(12:38) Verner takes pick 90 yds back for a TD. 14-24, back in the game
Folk has 47 yd fg hit post by an inch
Davis kills us on a draw on 3rd and 11 on NYJ 41 gaining 18 yds.
Rayner misses another gimmie from 27 yds out.
Powell breaks Williams tackle up the middle bursts into the end zone from 14 away. (2:56)
Defining Moment comes up, we have all our timeouts and the 2 minute warning an onside kick would be idiotic. At least it boosted owners opinion of me no matter what.
This game is cruel, 2nd and 13, Davis is bottled up, slips Wilkerson, slips Harris, plows over Rhodes, finds daylight … 83 yd TD (2:37)
Jolly drops a 4th and 2 pass at midfield, it is his 4th drop of the day. 7 total drops for entire team.
We were so close, all year big plays and returns for TDs have killed us and it happened again. Our defense was great, except for when we really needed a stop. 4 games left and I might need to win 3 to keep my job. Things aren’t looking good. My approval is at 12. 0 for fans, media, and the owner.
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview | December 7, 2008
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New York Jets (1-11, Away)
San Francisco 49ers (9-3, Home)
Game Notes
San Francisco is 9-3 and hold a half game lead over St. Louis for first place in the NFC West. They are one game behind Chicago for the #1 seed in the NFC. SFO has wins againt: AZ (X2), DET, NE, PHI, NYG, SEA, STL, and DAL with losses to SEA, NO, and BUF.
The 49ers run the Buccaneers west coast offense to precision. Joe Montana Has 100 ratings for accuracy and awareness with a 99 rating in learning. He is just mobile enough to avoid pressure in the pocket and has a stronger than expect arm. Montana is currently 3rd in the MVP race with 3190 yds and 21 TDs through 12 games. Frank Gore is a great overall back. He has a nice blend of speed and power while having good enough hands to be a threat as a west coast back. The receiving core is the strength of the 49ers. Jerry Rice is perhaps the greatest WR of all time. He is quick, runs precision routes, and has elite hands. John Taylor is a smart player who makes excels in making catches in traffic and Michael Crabtree is a physical WR with great ball skills. At TE Vernon Davis is an elite blocker, has explosive speed and good hands. No player on the O Line has a rating lower than 90, but the strength is on the left side with Joe Staley and Mike Iupati.
San Fran uses a base 3-4 defense that can really get after the QB. Bryant Young, Justin Smith, and Dana Stublfield are powerful lineman with great play recognition skill and block shedding. It doesn’t get easier at LB with Brooks, Willis, Bowman, and Smith. 3 of the backers are pro bowl quality with the prize being Pattrick Willis. Willis has a 99 rating in tackle, block shed, pursuit and play recognition. The 49ers secondary could actually be its strongest defensive unit but this is really splitting hairs. Nate Clements and Eric Davis are physical corners who are great at pressing and run support while providing elite man coverage skills. The safety tandem of Gholston and Lott is one the best in the game. Lott has the cover skills and speed of a corner with the strength and tackling ability of a linebacker.
Defensively I’ve said it often, but we need to force them to beat us in the ground game. There is no way we’ll keep their talented receiving core in check for long.
On offense nothing has changed. Without a competent QB you will not succeed with this roster set.
Jets win the toss
(11:41)Bilal Powell takes a hb slam outside left, jukes past Davis, stiff arms Gholston, 49 yd TD.
(10:39) Jerry Rice slant, breaks CB tackle, SS tackle and takes it 76 for a TD. It was fun to have the lead while it lasted.
Goal line stand ending with a Richardson sack. SF settles for 25 yd FG (3:20)
(14:09) N. Folk ties game with 36 yd FG. Offense found a nice little rhythm completing 2 play action passes and a long run from Powell.
SF is moving at will. We can’t get to Montana to disrupt his timing.
(8:46) flag route to Crabtree for 32 yd TD
Coples hits Montana causing errant pass, tipped by Vernaur to Rhodes who returns it to Jets 40. Great play all around.
3 and out as we can’t capitalize on turnover
Montana floats a pass over Rice’s head, it hits Revis in the hands and bounce right into Rice’s for a 43 yd gain.
(1:03) Montana to Taylor on 18 yd out pattern.
(:20) in two minute drill Cousins throws a curl route that Clements jumps all over, pick 6.
Cousins overthrows Coles on a post route, luckily Ronnie Lot was there for a pick.
Montana slant to Taylor for another TD. (6:48)
West Coast passing game just killing us. I want to see this team play again an elite cover 2.
Another TD, Montana throws jump ball to Crabtree for 23 yds. 1:16
SF subs in 2nd string
Rex Grossman throws a pick, Millner the recipient.
Cousins throws another pick this time over throwing Jolly in the end zone.
Cribbs fumbles punt return recovered by 49ers
Cousins throws an absolute duck on a fade attempt. Eric Davis takes it back all the yards. (3:49)
I inserted Jolly for a play at RB, he burst through for 49 yds on HB slam.
Just an awful loss. The team is progressing at a glacier pace, especially the passing game. The defense is actually a lot better than the points per game. Over the rest of the season I am going to make a change though. I am moving Gholston back to ROLB and Harris to MLB. This allows me to slide Richardson outside and Bryant in at DT. I wasn’t expecting to re-sign Red Bryant, but after seeing how poorly this team has progressed he is really needed. There aren’t any options in FA for d lineman and my draft will be an offensive on. In retrospect I should have made this move back in week 9. This makes Couples, at 283, my smallest d lineman.
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview | December 14, 2008
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Buffalo Bills (9-4, Away)
New York Jets (1-12, Home)
Game Notes
The Bills are tied atop the AFC East standings with the Patriots and are currently #5 in the AFC playoff race. They have won 4 in a row and 7 of the past 8 games. In our previous matchup they blew us out 40-3. A loss combined with a Browns win would clinch the 1st pick for the Jets.
Jets win the toss
3 and out
Revis picks Kelly on first attempt of the game
another 3 and out.
3rd and long for Buffalo, I call a learned dime play, Rhodes has it mastered but decided to play a flat
instead of a deep half. Andre Reed catches a wide open pass wand waltzes in for a 70 yd TD (11:21)
We pick up a first down and then Cousins over throws a pitch, recovered, is stripped on a pass attempt, recovered, throws into double covered … somehow not picked.
Goal Line stand. (4:12) Hopkins 18 yd FG.
(10:15) Hopkins 48 yd fg
Drive down the field and Cousins throws a pick on a flag route. There were open receivers but he ignored them and the flag wasn’t even the first progression.
Barnes forces a fumble on a run up the middle, recovered by Coples at BUF, 30
Coles jet sweep for 16 yd td. (4:41)
Our drive stalls at mid field with just under 2 minutes remaining, Buffalo drives (:07), Hopkins 27 yd fg
(11:25) Jackson 2 yd TD
Powell fumbles at our 26, immediately followed by a PA Fade to Andre Reed to a TD. (10:14)
I’ve seen enough of Powell, time to give Turbin an extended look.
Andre Reed beats Revis again on a jump ball, turns it into a 50 yd TD. (6:13)
Next play, Cousins throws a pick 6 returned by Stephen Gilmore. (6:06)
(13:15) a long drive capped with a Turbin 5 yd TD.
Buffalo subs in 2nd string
Revis picks of Blanchard.
Folk misses 45 yd attempt.
Cousins throws another INT his 3rd of the day.
Conley hits 37 yd FG.
I don’t know what to do with the offense. We can’t block, run, or pass which are usually 3 primary tenants of an offense. Back to Geno .
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview | December 21, 2008
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New York Jets (1-13, Away)
Seattle Seahawks (7-7, Home)
Game Notes
Seattle is 7-7 on the season and is on the outside looking in for the NFC playoff picture with 3 teams ahead of them for the final 2 spots. This is a big game for them. Seattle was wins against: SF, GB, TB, MIA, AZ, DAL, and STL with losses from BUF, STL, NYG, SF, PHI, WSH, NE. All 7 losses have come by 8 points or less.
Seattle runs a pistol attack with a focus on power running. They are led by QB Russell Wilson. Russell is an intangibles guy. He doesn’t have the arm strength or size of a typical NFL QB but he makes up for it in intelligence, mobility and accuracy. We will have to spy Wilson to limit his options. Marshawn Lynch is an old school workhorse running back. He is powerful, quick, and has great vision. The receiving core for Seattle is underrated. Steve Largent is a HOFer with elite hands. Sidney Rice combines size, speed, and leaping ability to be a down field threat, and Percy Harvin is a dangerous playmaker in the slot. At TE Zach Miller is a reliable big bodied target for Wilson. The OLine is led by 2 pro bowlers: Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson.
Pete Carrol’s group runs a physical defense. Michael Bennet and Cliff Avril can get after the QB while Cortez Kennedy and Brandon Mebane offer a good mix of run stuff and inside pressure. K.J. Wright, Lofa Totupa, and Bobby Wagner are great combo backers with good coverage and play recognition skills. Seattle’s best unit is their secondary. Richard Sherman is an elite CB. He is physical and an excellent ball hawk. Brandon Browner is even more physical than Sherman but not quite as skilled. At FS Earl Thomas has the coverage skills of a corner but hits like an in the box safety. He has a 70 catch rating so QBs beware.
Jets Win … the toss … it is the only time I get to type those first two words together.
3 and out
3rd and 17 Seattle throws swing pass to Lynch for 18, come on!
Eventually they march down the field and Lynch scores a 6 yd TD. Wilson looked great was 4-4 on the drive (3:27) 0-7
Gholston was injured on TD play and is out for the game.
Powell takes pitch 4 yds for TD. (12:15) Run heavy drive. 7-7
This time 3rd and 14 and Wilson drills a post to Harvin for 29. I’ve only been rushing 3 and spy Wilson on
3rd and long maybe its time to blitz.
(:46) another long drive pound them with the run. Geno has been excellent with the QB sweep. 2nd and
3 from the 4 turned into 3rd and 8 on a pitch play to powell that resulted in a 5 yd loss. We have the lead! 10-7.
Cruel, just plain cruel … Largent returns kick 102 yds for a td. We lost the lead. (:32) 10-14
Smith scrambles for 20, completes a pass to Hill for about 15. We attempt a 49 yd FG, wide right.
Seattle jammed it down our throats the whole drive. Lynch scores on 15 yd run up the middle. (11:16) 10-21.
Geno throws a Sluggo as a slant, right into the waiting arms of Brandon Browner who takes it to the house 70 yds. (10:06). 10-28.
In less than 5 minutes of gameplay we’ve gone from 2nd and 3 on the 4 with an opportunity to go up 7 to down 18.
Brad Smith jukes around 3 defenders and breaks a tackle for a 103 yd TD. 17-28. (9:47)
Apparently Wilson was nicked up because Tavaris has entered the game. I checked injury report and saw nothing.
Smith has been awesome on the ground. We drove to the 12 and then got boxed in. (2:27) N. Folk makes 30 yd FG. 20-28
Wilson re-enters game
Our D is so much better with Bryant in. Wilkerson gets a key sack of Wilson on 3rd and 6 to end the 3rd quarter.
Folk just misses 53 yd fg inches left, the football gods conspire against us.
3rd and 9 from their 44 and Seattle runs a draw left. We are blitzing the nickel back right at the play and he whiffs, Lynch cuts back right breaks 2 tackles and scores a 56 yd TD. (11:07) 20-34.
Geno throws another pick from Seattle 44.
Wilson Scrambles up the middle to avoid outside pressure, Harris forces fumble, recovered by Wilkerson.
Geno nails a post pattern to Stephen Hill for a 24 yd TD. (3:33) Hill has been a monster today with 7 catches and 128 yds. I go for 1, if I get the ball back and can score a TD I’ll worry about the 2 pointer then. 27-35.
We stop Seattle on 3 straight runs. I use 2 TOs early to have max clock left. We receive the punt at 2:25.
Cribbs gets a good return and we have the ball at our own 40.
Geno tries to scramble on the first play and loses one, is sacked on the second losing 4 more. On the third play he attempted a deep crossing pass to Holmes which was picked by Earl Thomas at SEA 46.
Defining Moment comes to bench Geno, I have to in order to bump my approval.
Seahawks run 3 straight plays and leaves me with 44 seconds left from our own 20.
We complete a 20 yd pass to Hill and then the awful change formation to run the fake spike play it kills 15 seconds. Cousins then completes a 36 YD pass to Hill. Clock is winding and we are in range for a hail mary attempt. Cousins drops back, Hill is 1:1 with a linebacker, he heaves it towards the end zone … short, Bobby Wagner comes down with the ball and the Jets lose again.27-35.
This reminds me of earlier Madden games where the CPU would go into god mode towards the end of the game to make it close. It seems every time I gain a little momentum it is slammed right back in my face. If I can keep the job this is going to be blast with more talent on my team. Geno looked great in small stretches and Stephen Hill is really starting to turn some heads. The D dominated most of the game. Long plays, 3rd and long, and turnovers have been the story the entire season. Seattle scored 2 TDs on returns and had a ridiculous 56 yd run. We left 6 points on the board with missed field goals. Nothing is breaking our way. On the bright side, the New York Jets, have secured the #1 overall picked and 1 week away from being done with this hellish season.
Re: Path to the Hall of Fame: Guts, Glory and Gangrene
Matchup Preview | December 28, 2008
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Miami Dolphins (5-10, Away)
New York Jets (1-14, Home)
Game Notes
We won our only game of the season against Miami in the season opener. It would be nice to have a bit of symmetry and earn the 2nd win of my career.
Miami is not in the playoff race. The have wins against: NE, HOU, BAL, DEN, and SF with losses to NYJ, AZ, SD, BAL, BUF(2X), SEA, OAK, NE, STL, and KC. Their 10 losses are by an average of 7.3 points per game. With this roster set this is common. Most teams are very close and it can create some pretty random results if luck swings hard in one direction. Miami’s issue seems to be splitting carries between Williams and Lamar Miller with Williams only receiving 62% of the carries. Miami is last in the league in first downs. This is my fault as I assigned them the Browns PB hoping it would be a good mix of vertical passing and power running.
Gholston was hurt in last week’s game and is out. Coples will slide to OLB, Bryant to DE, and Jesse Williams will start at DT.
Jets win the toss
Coles took jet sweep 44 yds to MIA 12.
Geno takes QB sweep 5 yds for TD. (10:18) 7-0.
Revis picks first play for Miami offense, we must capitalize.
I run on 1st and 2nd down but gain nothing. I don’t trust Geno’s arm so I run a 3rd time to secure a FG attempt.
Folk makes 45 yd fg. (7:37) 10-0.
Stop MIA at midfield then drive down to 18. Folk makes 35 yd fg. 13-0.
D stops MIA at our 29, C. Sturgis makes 46 yd fg (4.17)
(1:39) Smith hits Holmes on medium curl takes it 29 for TD. WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL SEASON? 20-3.
Marino looked great in 2 minute drill. Hit Fryar on 14 yd slant for TD. (:30) 20-10.
Dolphins caught fire, Marion hits Berrian on 13 yd in. (10:24). 20-17.
(5:43)Smith sneaks in from 1 yd out. 27-17.
Defense is looking awesome. Marino getting a lot of pressure and struggling to complete passes.
We drive down to MIA 16. If I limit Smith to 2 passes a drive and mix up the run plays the offense
almost works. (15:00) Folk makes 33 yd fg. 30-17.
Marino is out for the game with an injury after get hit by Wilkerson. Matt Moore comes in and throws pick. Harris takes it back to 21.
3rd and inches, qb sweep, smith fumbles returned to NYJ 23.
Moore throws another pick his 2nd in 3 attempts. Rhodes takes it all the way for a TD! 37-17.
Coles finds a hole on Jet Sweep again this time for 58 yds. (4:56) 44-17.
Smith breaks long run right for 33 yds and a TD. (1:54) 51-17.
Moore throws yet another pick!
What a way to end the season! We had been so terrible for 14 straight games and then complete domination. During the season I tried to cling to a conventional offense and it just wasn’t feasible. I threw only 9 times, but Smith didn’t make any mistakes. My defense looked pretty good, but the Marino injury bailed us out. My approval more than tripled and I’m a lock to stay next season. I’ll have the first pick at my disposal and can’t wait to play these HOF teams with some actual talent.
02-05-2014, 12:28 AM
