Are you ready for some Football?!? (NFL)

[DaveMage]

Don't forget Arizona.

Oops.

Make that 5....

 

[kenobi65]

Make that 5....

With, from what I've read, a possibility of a 6th, in the Giants, especially if they can't beat the Eagles this weekend.

 

[DaveMage]

With, from what I've read, a possibility of a 6th, in the Giants, especially if they can't beat the Eagles this weekend.

Indeed.

That will be an interesting one to watch....

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Looks like Art Shell is out as head coach in Oakland....

Again.

Wasn't he coach there a few years back when the Raiders were the most penalized team? Or am I thinking of another "Shell"?

 

[kenobi65]

Again.

Wasn't he coach there a few years back when the Raiders were the most penalized team? Or am I thinking of another "Shell"?

He was, indeed, Raiders coach back in the late 80s/early 90s.

The Raiders are perennially among the most-penalized teams, regardless of coach. Seems to be a management philosophy (and I think it reflects the kind of players they tend to sign). It's been that way for as long as I can remember (i.e., the early 70s).

 

[John Crichton]

With, from what I've read, a possibility of a 6th, in the Giants, especially if they can't beat the Eagles this weekend.

If you all would allow me another Giants rant...

There are some that are calling for his head in NY, but Giants head coaches aren't usually handled that way. He's made the playoffs two straight years and considering the amount of injuries on the team he's in more hot water than he should be. I blame the players more than the coach at this point. These same guys (minus Plax) ran their mouths and underachieved under Fassel, too. They are the same group that blew a huge lead to the 49ers in the playoffs a few years back. I don't love Coughlin as a coach but I'd like to see him get a few more years under his belt to build the team. It's only his third year, they have made the playoffs twice and have a young, developing QB. He was brought in to rebuild the team and I think it's still a work in progress.

He's got a team of aging (one retiring) superstars that just won't shut up. It's like having 3-4 mini-TOs on the team. I love Shockey's fire and effort, but he shows up the QB too much and really just needs to shut up. Same with Plaxico. When Eli makes an overthrow just go back the the huddle and slap him on the butt, don't throw your hands in the air and stare. Strahan and Tiki have always been too outspoken for guys who have no rings. This is a hard team to like even though they are my team.

That said, I reserve my right to change my opinion on Coughlin if they lay an egg on Sunday, like with the Panthers last year. The Giants need to come out fired up and play a solid game.

The bottom line is that no one knows who the GM will be next year and until that is ironed out, we won't know which way management is leaning as far as the head coach is concerned. And sure, if the Giants win a few playoff games, they probably won't get rid of Coughlin.

 

[DaveMage]

Eli Manning is what's going to hurt Coughlin the most.

And to think, they gave up Shawne Merriman and Phillip Rivers for him....

Ouch.

 

[John Crichton]

Eli Manning is what's going to hurt Coughlin the most.

I'm not ready to give up on Eli just yet. He could take 5 years to finally mature into a quality QB. Passing judgement on any young QB after just 2.5 seasons is silly. He has regressed this season but it's not Eli's fault that his teammates won't shut up and that the team is undisciplined. It is his fault that he floats passes and misses open receivers. I do think he needs to take more of a leadership role on the team, but that is very hard to do with the established loudmouths there. I think when Tiki and Strahan retire we'll start to see Manning take more ownership of the team.

And to think, they gave up Shawne Merriman and Phillip Rivers for him....

The jury is still out on Rivers, just as it is on Manning. As for Merriman, that pick may not have been made by the G-men, but that trade for the moment doesn't look good for NY. There was a 3rd pick in there, too that turned out well for SD. Can't recall the player at the moment. Another point on Rivers - he is on one of the most complete and healthy teams in the league. He has LDT to run it and we all know how important a great running back is to a QB. Elway needed TD to finally win a SB. Rivers has Gates to throw to as well and a solid defense. Rivers hasn't had to win many games for the Chargers but he will in the playoffs. That will be interesting to see, especially if they play the Pats who will likely limit LDT.

Gosh, I love the playoffs.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I not ready to give up on Eli just yet. He could take 5 years to finally mature into a quality QB.

I agree there- his bro took some time to develop.

Down here in D/FW, Troy Aikman pointed out that Quincy Carter's numbers over his first 10 starts were better than his were.

Farve had to go through a LOT of bad before winning lots of games, much less his Super Bowl. Heck- he got traded from Atlanta and shared time with Don Majkowski in GB before winning the starter's job.

 

[DaveMage]

I'm not ready to give up on Eli just yet. He could take 5 years to finally mature into a quality QB. Passing judgement on any young QB after just 2.5 seasons is silly. He has regressed this season but it's not Eli's fault that his teammates won't shut up and that the team is undisciplined. It is his fault that he floats passes and misses open receivers. I do think he needs to take more of a leadership role on the team, but that is very hard to do with the established loudmouths there. I think when Tiki and Strahan retire we'll start to see Manning take more ownership of the team.

The thing about Eli that annoys me is his toughness (or lack thereof). He seems to bail out most of the time whenever the rush is coming rather than deliver the pass and take the hit. Now granted, I understand not wanting to get smashed by a defensive player when throwing a pass, but he's been paid quite a bit of money to do exactly that....

If he can change that, then I think he can be a decent QB in the NFL. I don't see him ever being a superstar, though.