Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm were two of Bill Cowher's top lieutenants when he was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both interviewed for Cowher's job when he retired after the 2006 season.
Neither got it, and now both are architects of the Arizona Cardinals' rise to NFC champions.
As you know the Steelers, and the man who was selected to replace Cowher, Mike Tomlin, will be their opponent in Super Bowl 43.
All of the above are pros, and it would be a shocker if any of them made a big deal out of this in the remaining 10 days leading up to the game (they do have more pressing work after all).
On a macro level, their success increases expectations on ALL NFL coaches. These are second-year coaches who followed tough acts - in Tomlin's case a revered leader, and in Whisenhunt's case a franchise that has done virtually nothing since the conclusion of World War II.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Super Bowl pits tradition vs. parity
The Arizona Cardinals are evidence that the NFL is getting what it wants - parity.
How many of you had the Redbirds going to the Super Bowl, much less winning the relatively weak NFC West? I didn't.
The Cardinals dis-spelled two popular notions about playoff teams.
First, teams that finish the regular season crawling to the finish line have no shot in the playoffs. Arizona didn't just lose, it was getting blown out, including a loss at Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night.
Second, teams that play wild-card weekend will be too worn out by the time the conference championship game arrives. This theory has been disproven in recent years by the Colts and Steelers, but it still exists in the minds of some. Of course the Eagles also played in the first three rounds of the playoffs as well, and they needed a near miraculous combination of events on Week 17 to reach the postseason.
So these desert upstarts have reached the Big Game, but how? Coaching and a veteran quarterback. The Cardinals were a step ahead of the Eagles most of Sunday's game, and Kurt Warner was unflappable.
The Steelers, on the other hand, reach the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. They were a fashionable pick to go this far, and with good reason. Their defense was outstanding, and they scored just enough to survive a brutal schedule. The AFC Championship game vs. Baltimore was one of the most physically punishing games I can remember seeing. One gets the impression that the playoffs started in Pittsburgh long before the postseason did.
One other thought on what this matchup means. In an offseason in which the coaching carousel turns faster and faster, the pressure on coaches will be higher than ever. Both Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin and Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt are in just their second seasons, giving more ammunition to fans, front offices and owners that win-now is a reality.
How many of you had the Redbirds going to the Super Bowl, much less winning the relatively weak NFC West? I didn't.
The Cardinals dis-spelled two popular notions about playoff teams.
First, teams that finish the regular season crawling to the finish line have no shot in the playoffs. Arizona didn't just lose, it was getting blown out, including a loss at Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night.
Second, teams that play wild-card weekend will be too worn out by the time the conference championship game arrives. This theory has been disproven in recent years by the Colts and Steelers, but it still exists in the minds of some. Of course the Eagles also played in the first three rounds of the playoffs as well, and they needed a near miraculous combination of events on Week 17 to reach the postseason.
So these desert upstarts have reached the Big Game, but how? Coaching and a veteran quarterback. The Cardinals were a step ahead of the Eagles most of Sunday's game, and Kurt Warner was unflappable.
The Steelers, on the other hand, reach the Super Bowl for the second time in four years. They were a fashionable pick to go this far, and with good reason. Their defense was outstanding, and they scored just enough to survive a brutal schedule. The AFC Championship game vs. Baltimore was one of the most physically punishing games I can remember seeing. One gets the impression that the playoffs started in Pittsburgh long before the postseason did.
One other thought on what this matchup means. In an offseason in which the coaching carousel turns faster and faster, the pressure on coaches will be higher than ever. Both Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin and Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt are in just their second seasons, giving more ammunition to fans, front offices and owners that win-now is a reality.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Catching up on the NFL Season
Yeah, I know. It's been a while. All I can say is hockey happens! Lots of stuff transpiring since hockey season started, but the NFL season is getting interesting so it's time to get back on this horse, too.
A few observations with six weeks to go in the regular season:
Defense wins.
Exhibit A - Titans, Tennessee.
Exhibit B - Giants, New York.
The reason these two teams appear to be the best in the league right now is they are equally adept at stopping the run and the pass.
Don't be fooled by these teams:
1. Baltimore - the Ravens face three more NFC East teams down the stretch plus Pittsburgh again. 9-7 would be a great finish for the Ravens.
2. N.Y. Jets - Much is made of the Jets' improved defense, but in reality, they've had an easy schedule and thus have been able to overcome numerous turnovers on offense.
3. New Orleans - the preseason NFC South pick, the Saints can't stop anyone and are inconsisent running the ball. Their division has improved but they've regressed. I don't think they'll win eight games.
4. San Diego - It's tough for me to think of a more disappointing team than the Chargers. Playing in one of the two worst divisions in football, they are 4-6. The talent is there, but they can't seem to sustain drives when they need to or get defensive stops at key junctures.
Watch out down the stretch for these teams:
1. Indianapolis - the Colts are getting healthy and have won three in a row. Their schedule down the stretch is easy. Unfortunately for them they're playing for a wild-card spot.
2. Green Bay - Yes, I'm a homer, but if the Packers play as they did Sunday when they wiped out the Bears, they will win the NFC North and maybe a playoff game.
3. Dallas - Yup, I'm still on their bandwagon. This is a team with too much talent not to be a factor. In fact, I would not be shocked if they face the Giants at some point in the playoffs.
4. Pittsburgh - Sure the Steelers are leading the AFC North, but the worst part of their schedule is over and they're still standing. If they are remotely healthy, they are the biggest threat to the Titans in the AFC.
A bad year to be from California:
Three coaching changes at mid-stream - Raiders, 49ers and Rams. Turn back the clock to not too long ago, and all three teams were Golden State residents. The fourth team? The Chargers, whose coach, Norv Turner, is not making many points to stay beyond this season.
More to come.
A few observations with six weeks to go in the regular season:
Defense wins.
Exhibit A - Titans, Tennessee.
Exhibit B - Giants, New York.
The reason these two teams appear to be the best in the league right now is they are equally adept at stopping the run and the pass.
Don't be fooled by these teams:
1. Baltimore - the Ravens face three more NFC East teams down the stretch plus Pittsburgh again. 9-7 would be a great finish for the Ravens.
2. N.Y. Jets - Much is made of the Jets' improved defense, but in reality, they've had an easy schedule and thus have been able to overcome numerous turnovers on offense.
3. New Orleans - the preseason NFC South pick, the Saints can't stop anyone and are inconsisent running the ball. Their division has improved but they've regressed. I don't think they'll win eight games.
4. San Diego - It's tough for me to think of a more disappointing team than the Chargers. Playing in one of the two worst divisions in football, they are 4-6. The talent is there, but they can't seem to sustain drives when they need to or get defensive stops at key junctures.
Watch out down the stretch for these teams:
1. Indianapolis - the Colts are getting healthy and have won three in a row. Their schedule down the stretch is easy. Unfortunately for them they're playing for a wild-card spot.
2. Green Bay - Yes, I'm a homer, but if the Packers play as they did Sunday when they wiped out the Bears, they will win the NFC North and maybe a playoff game.
3. Dallas - Yup, I'm still on their bandwagon. This is a team with too much talent not to be a factor. In fact, I would not be shocked if they face the Giants at some point in the playoffs.
4. Pittsburgh - Sure the Steelers are leading the AFC North, but the worst part of their schedule is over and they're still standing. If they are remotely healthy, they are the biggest threat to the Titans in the AFC.
A bad year to be from California:
Three coaching changes at mid-stream - Raiders, 49ers and Rams. Turn back the clock to not too long ago, and all three teams were Golden State residents. The fourth team? The Chargers, whose coach, Norv Turner, is not making many points to stay beyond this season.
More to come.
Friday, September 26, 2008
2008 NFL Week 4 preview
What does the firing of a general manager three weeks into a season really accomplish?
Yes, Matt Millen's record as Detroit Lions GM was terrible, both on and off the field. But at this point in the season the scouting process for the 2009 draft is just underway, free agency and contracts aren't really in the picture.
Sure it's a PR move by a team desperate for some positive press, but why wasn't this done in the offseason?
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Washington (2-1) at Dallas (3-0): The Cowboys ran the ball and pressured the quarterback impressively at Green Bay on Sunday night. If the Redskins can't stop the run and protect QB Jason Campbell, they're in for a long day. But if Washington can do both of those things, it has a chance in this rivalry game. DE Jason Taylor's injury comes at a bad time for the Redskins. The pick: Dallas
Green Bay (2-1) at Tampa Bay (2-1): How well will the Packers bounce back from their loss to Dallas? And can they pressure QB Brian Griese enough to compensate for their decimated secondary (three starters out). Griese threw for more than 400 yards against a much better secondary last week, so it's not hard to predict the route the Bucs will go. The Packers have to run the ball well to have a chance. The pick: Tampa in a high-scoring game.
Baltimore (2-0) at Pittsburgh (2-1): The AFC Central is there for the taking for these two teams, both of which have some serious holes. The Ravens have no passing game and the Steelers can't pass block. Pittsburgh will be without RB Willie Parker, which really hurts, and it was dominated by a physical Philadelphia team last week. This week it plays a team coached by a former Eagles assistant. The pick: Baltimore keeps it going in a very low-scoring game.
GAMES OF THE WEAK (and there are plenty):
Cleveland (0-3) at Cincinnati (0-3): Someone has to win. It's mind-boggling that two teams with so much talent on offense are doing so little with it.
Houston (0-2) at Jacksonville (1-2): Expect the Jaguars to start rolling after last week's win at Indianapolis.
Buffalo (3-0) at St. Louis (0-3): A trap game for the Bills? I don't think they can take anything for granted after needing last-minute rallies to win the past few weeks. Rams' lack of offense also surprises me.
Denver (3-0) at Kansas City (0-3): Unless Larry Johnson runs for 300 yards for the Chiefs, this could get ugly in a hurry.
San Diego (1-2) at Oakland (1-2): A sloppy team meets one with that regularly experiences brain lock. Neither has played near its talent level yet.
2008 record: 6-0
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
NFL 2008: Week 3 Rewind
How much stock should we put into fast and slow starts by certain teams after just three weeks? There certainly are no lack of suprises thus far.
The Elite (or at least the leaders)
There is no question in my mind now that the NFC East is by far the best division in football. Overall record: 10-2. Dallas, Philadelphia and the Giants are the three best teams in the NFC, and Washington isn't too far behind. ... The AFC has what could mildly be termed as surprise teams leading each Division (Denver, Tennessee, Baltimore and Buffalo). Keep in mind, however, Tennessee was a playoff team in 2007 and Buffalo was the team they beat out. Denver apparently has returned to its AFL roots and decided to try to outscore each opponent, while Baltimore is riding its defense to its strong start.
Home curse
I wonder if losses to Chicago and Jacksonville in the first two games there have dampened the enthusiasm for the Colts' new stadium.
O no
Can there be a more disappointed state of NFL fans than those in Ohio, where Cleveland and Cincinnati are both 0-3? The offenses of both clubs have inexplicably gone MIA. The good news is one of them should get a victory Sunday. They meet in Cincinnati.
State of Misery
It's tough to say they're more disappointed in Missouri, where expectations couldn't have been real high for Kansas City and St. Louis ... but this is bordering on ridiculous. The Chiefs and Rams might be the two worst teams in the NFL. The Rams have the NFL's worst defense and second-worst offense (how does that happen with RB Steven Jackson, QB Marc Bulger and WR Torry Holt?) and have been blown out three weeks in a row. And the rebuilding Chiefs have the third-worst offense. At least their young defense is keeping them in some games.
Good byes
Bye weeks start this week with six teams taking a break. The update on each follows.
Indianapolis - The Colts need a week off to heal an early season rash of injuries, particularly on the offensive line. A 1-2 start definitely was not part of the plan, and it could easily be 0-3.
Miami - The Dolphins are coming off a thrashing of the Patriots and have to feel better about themselves after starting with two duds. Still, there is a ways to go in Miami.
New England - The Patriots aren't going to be the offensive juggernaut they were last season, but who knew the defense would be such a problem? Still, I expect them to iron things out during their down time.
Seattle - I don't think Coach Mike Holmgren had planned on a 1-2 start, but then when you have six receivers injured, it's tough to win. More alarming should be the defense's disappearing act.
NY Giants - I can't wait until they play the Eagles and the Cowboys. The champs are playing like it.
Detroit - Good thing the Rams are in the NFC or I would write the Lions are the worst team in the conference. They have overpaid for older free agents so their defense isn't any better, and their offense - particularly QB Jon Kitna - continues to make mistake after mistake to take them out of games.
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