Checkdown Chatter

Yes, the title is two years two old, and well past its humour expiration date… but give me a break, I haven’t written anything in 6 months and I’m easing my way back in with a well used line.

It took a little longer than usual this year, life has been busy, work sucks, the usual, but I’ve fully caught NFL fever just in time for fantasy draft season and the opener on Thursday night.

As always, the 2011 NFL season is bringing with it lots of intrigue, and there are lots of interesting storylines to keep up with. I’ve decided today to enlighten you with a list of those things I’m looking forward to most.

• Fantasy Football.
  This is an obvious for most true fans, but it seems to me like the fantasy football hype is higher than ever, and most leagues are trying interesting new things, PPR, IDP, I’m in my first keeper league (first season where we keep guys, that is) this year and there are some interesting rule tweaks in all my leagues to really get you thinking.
• The 2011 rookie class.
  There are lots of potential impact players at all positions, but I’m particularly interested in seeing how RBs Jahvid Best and Ryan Mathews fare, (sorry, Montario, your hype is on hold). Mathews has some big shoes to fill in San Diego, replacing inner circle Hall of Fame candidate LaDainian Tomlinson, but he’s been handed the starting job for a reason, and Norv has a way of producing successful running backs. Then there is Best, who, I admit I’ve only seen about 5 minutes of in preseason, but I loved every minute of it. This guy can run, and is part of a young nucleus of players in Detroit that has a real chance to make some noise. Make no mistake, I’m not calling for the Lions in the playoffs, but I’m predicting them to be in a lot more games than they are out this year.

How big of an impact Jahvid Best will have in Detroit is still unknown, but he's a definite upgrade over Kevin Smith.

• Division races.
  Of course, it’s every team’s goal to improve in the offseason, but it sure seems to me like a lot of the middle ground teams are making some big leaps heading into ‘11 while the top tier is sticking with status quo. I’m not ready to hand division titles to anyone at the outset of the season. Well… lets be honest, its hard to pick any of the lowly AFC West gang to upset the Chargers, but, all other titles are up for grabs. Of particular interest, the AFC East with both the Jets (assuming they can welcome back Revis, and even still if not) and Dolphins making big leaps. I love me some Patriots, but that is going to be a tough division to come out of this year. I’d be shocked if the Cardinals manage to hang on in the NFC West too, after losing Warner, and Boldin and many cogs on defense. And even in the NFC East, are the Redskins finally ready to make some noise? If so, and if the Giants defense makes some improvement, we’ve got a legitimate 4 team race.
• The Green Bay Packers.
  Lots to love here, a very exciting football team with skill at every spot. Lots of people picking them early for the SuperBowl, and I’d be inclined to agree – but we have to see some significant steps in QB protection, and overall defense if they are going to get there. Still, this team is ready and every game will be exciting. If nothing else, the Packers will be producing some very watchable football this season.

Packers: contenders or pretenders? Most would side with the former, but either way, there will be 16+ action packed football games featuring the Pack this year.

• My first live game.
  Things are different North of the border, ok? I finally caught my first CFL game this year, and even with its inferior players, inferior rules, and general crapiness by comparison I had an AWESOME time. With passport in hand and the border nearby, I have no excuse not to be in Buffalo on at least one Sunday. Its the Bills, I know, but its still live football.

I doubt I'll be cheering for the home team... but just to be at the game...

That’s not necessarily the top 5, just a random spewing of thoughts, but the point is… I’m excited, like all of you for 2011, and can’t wait to get the season underway!

The moments preceding the image above, and those to follow, set off a great chain of events that may redefine my country as I know it. A pride of patriotism sweeps across Canada like I've never felt, and among other things, last night this NFL fan had his Super Bowl moment. (Credit Getty Images)

Living in Canada, I’ve often watched the NFL’s biggest game, and lamented that I would never know the experience of having my home team win the Super Bowl and bring the trophy home. Alas, I’ll still have to live without the euphoria but I’ll continue to love the game.

As a resident of the great white north (or, more accurately Canada’s answer to New York, a city not-so-affectionately referred to as the big smoke rather than an ice-box community of igloos, I’ll have to settle for the Grey Cup – which no true NFL fan can tolerate, or, I’ll settle for hockey.

Naturally, I grew up playing and following our national pastime, among other pursuits, and there is little doubt that hockey is the nation’s game much like football and/or baseball, depending on which side of the argument you are on, is America’s game. I’m an avid hockey fan, I don’t watch all 82 regular season games, but I follow along and earn my Canadian stripes in the playoffs, but truly, there is nothing like watching your national team compete on hockey’s highest stage.

That’s why, last night, as the story book hero, the kid who was once a polarizing figure on the ice, and now is without a doubt the sports hero of the nation, I felt it. Due to a number of circumstances I watched the game in humble surroundings – my apartment, with my girlfriend, and the cats. I still felt the heartbeat of the nation stop, and resume again at 7:40 of the extra frame.

That’s all well and good, it was a fitting end to an Olympic Games that I feel Canada did an excellent job in – both as organizers, and competitors. In fact, it was (although not the prettiest) the greatest goal I have witnessed in my 20ish years as a hockey fan. I’m a young man, so I don’t have summit series, and ‘87 Canada Cup memories, but I’ve now got a great memory of a 22 year old kid, with the weight of the nation on his shoulders, cementing his legacy as one of this country’s greatest- with 15 good years left in his skates.

But, that isn’t the moment. My Super Bowl moment came afterwards. At 7:30 pm (Eastern) right around 2 hours after the fateful goal, I found myself on the world’s largest street – Yonge Street, in Toronto – some 3000-4000 kilometers (I’ve earned the right today, as a Canadian not to put the mileage reference in parentheses) and well out of the downtown core, and the scene was memorable. The sidewalks, the middle of the street, passing cars with bodies flung out of them, were awash in Red and White. I have never known a prouder moment as a patriot, and I doubt I ever will. The scene was nuts, horns honking wildly, and in rhythm, passerby high fiving strangers – from one car window to another. Traffic was stalled, but no one cared, it was a sea of good will, of shared experience, of pride in ones country, and I’ll never experience anything like it again. Last night, I had my Canadian Super Bowl – and then some!

After 9 seasons LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers will part ways, it was announced Feb 22.

Well, that’s it, LT is electric glide-in’ out of San Diego.

We knew it was coming, but today its official, the Chargers have released one of the greatest backs in NFL history. Tomlinson leaves the Chargers in possession of the single season touchdown record, an MVP trophy (‘06), two rushing crowns, career #2 in rushing TDs, #3 in total touchdowns and a slew of other accolades. What he doesn’t have is a SuperBowl title.

As San Diego gears up for next years’ SuperBowl run without their top rusher, they also realize Darren Sproles can’t carry the load as a number one back either, so their left without a true lead rusher, and are apparently willing to part with Antonio Cromartie to find one.

Things aren’t clear for Tomlinson either, who thinks (though his YPC average last season may suggest otherwise) he’s got a few years left in the tank at 30. Someone will likely give him a shot to prove so, but its doubtful he’ll be the #1 back anywhere next year.

Either way – a great career, and great success in bringing San Diego football to prominence. Now, there can be no arguments – this is Phillip Rivers’ team, and its up to him to lead the Chargers to post season success.

While football fans are no doubt feeling a void this weekend, its time to take back your Sunday's. Seize the day.

That’s right folks, there are about 6.5 months  until next NFL season kicks off. Like most fans, I’m disappointed to not have my Sunday plans laid out ahead of time this week (we’re celebrating Valentines today, my girlfriend works tomorrow… I didn’t forget), but, I’m realizing that I now have 30 Sunday’s with which to accomplish many things between now and next Sunday.

No longer will I have to rush to get all the shopping done Saturday afternoon so that I am free by 1pm Sunday, no longer will I decline social engagements to stay home on the couch, no longer… you get the idea. My Sunday’s are mine again, not Roger Goodell’s.

Not that I plan to accomplish anything significant… I’m looking at starting a flag football league on Sunday’s this summer, so thus, I will again be occupied by football, and otherwise, I’ll probably follow the same ole routine, but the point is, although I’m disappointed to be football-less this weekend, at least I’m free.

Carpe Diem football fans, make the most of your new 30 days of freedom.

A lot of things had to go right for the Saints to win last night, and a lot did. They all started with coach Sean Payton and his determined playcalling. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Drew Brees played a great – if not flawless – game on Sunday, completing his final 10 passes, and throwing only a handful of incompletions while completing a (tied for) Super Bowl record 32 passes. There is little doubt that he was integral to New Orleans’ victory and he definitely deserves his Super Bowl MVP trophy.

But, I think it has to be said that if coaches could be considered, Payton with an A would be in the running. Earlier this season I dropped a ‘play the game for real’ tag on Bill Belichick for his brazen, like he’s just playing Madden where punting/kicking/play calling is unnecesseary, I’ve got to commend Payton for doing the same – and for getting away with it.

Look at the end of the first half where Payton showed guts and belief in his team by going for a (failed) 4th down try for a touchdown to tie the game. The playcall was gutsy, and didn’t work out, but the clock management that followed – waiting for the 1st timeout which ensured the Colts didn’t have time to march down the field and would necessarily just try to run out the clock, which caused their 3 and out, and the resulting pre-half field goal was a thing of beauty. A lot of that was defensive execution and precision passing/clutch kicking, but give Payton and the staff credit for managing the sitaution – at least after the failed 4th down plunge – admirably… even the playcall after spending the last timeout to ensure the clock would run out on the 4th down field goal try was impressive – and it took Stones.

(Take note, there would later be a converted 4th and 2 around midfield that evoked the comment: Somewhere Bill Belichick is rolling in his 2009 football grave).

Then, following the momentum built on the last play of the half the Saints came out at halftime and converted a successful onside kick. Frankly, as much as Porter’s pick 6 or the impressive passing run Brees went on to close this game out, this is the play that won the game. We’re looking at an entirely different ball game if New Orleans throws it deep and Indianapolis marches the field and even knocks in a field goal (an all but foregone conclusion the way they were moving the ball early in this one). The gang at PFT and the players involved agree.

If that kick fails, there is probably public outcry… but, it didn’t. It took guts, and with guts come glory.

For those that know me my love of the Jiggaman is not exactly a hidden fact… so, this is a bit biased, but the video to start this game ranks right up there as one of the best (definitely best non-athletic) memories I have of football’s big game.

Jay, and his music have been featured a lot in the NFL this year, and he’s no stranger to the Super Bowl either.

Loved it!

Very weak, brief article about his appearance here.

… in other news, its almost game time and Freeney is prowling (sort of) the sidelines for the Colts.

Kurt Warner called it quits today after 12 NFL seasons and a great career. With many asking whether he'll make it to Canton, I've got to ask the question: Why Not?

I’m not the first such person to write this article today, and maybe its because its an easy one to write. Making the argument for Kurt Warner in the hall of fame is a pretty easy task.

His detractors will point out that he had a fairly short career, and there were seasons of mediocrity sprinkled in between the truly great ones. Those are the only real arguments against enshrining the grey-bearded God buddy and I don’t think they’re good enough. In fact, I think they are to Warner’s credit.

To even get into the NFL Warner had to overcome great adversity (we’ve all heard the stockin’-shelves and Arena Football story), only to become one of the most accurate QBs of the last decade. In his first season as starter, coming out of this background, Warner posted a 109.2 QB rating (his highest ever), through for 4300 yards and tossed 41 touchdowns (also a career high). He would then lead the Rams to their only SuperBowl victory, and take home season (his first of two) and Super Bowl MVP honours, leading the greatest show on turf. How’s that for a debut?

And the finale was almost as good. Over the last two seasons, Warner reappeared as a top caliber starting NFL QB posting a combined 8300 yards and 56 touchdowns, after a few forgettable seasons in between. Perhaps most importantly, just as he did in St. Louis, Warner turned a team that had been miserable for as long as memory serves, into a true contender, leading last year’s impressive SuperBowl run, and taking home the NFC West crown and winning one of the most memorable NFL playoff games you’ll ever see in the Cardinals wild card victory over Green Bay.

There are few that could argue that he’s not going out at (or at least near) his peak. At 38, you have to feel like Warner has a few good years left (though we will all hope he doesn’t pull a Favre, of course). Warner overcame a late start, an early departure, significant injury, and a few inexplicable years as the #2 guy on the depth chart to leave a lasting mark on the NFL, and that’s why he deserves to have a spot in Canton.

Lets part with a few of his notable accomplishments:

• Just this season he set the single game high for completion percentage (92.3% on 24/26 passing)
• He has the three highest yardage totals (414, 377 and 365) in Super Bowl history.
• Highest percentage (45.2%) of games with 300+ yards passing.
• One of only two QBs in NFL history to throw 100 touchdowns for two different teams.
• T w/ Marino – fastest player to reach 30,000 yards.

There’s plenty more. And there’s also this quote via Bob Baum of the AP: “In a comparison with the 14 quarterbacks to make the Hall of Fame in the last 25 years, Warner has a better career completion percentage, yards per pass attempt and yards per game. Only Dan Marino had more career 300-yard passing games.”

And, via sporting news he’s got a lot of solid names backing his case for Canton.

More than what he’s done to make it into the hall, you’ve really got to ponder what he has done to keep him out. He’s been an outstanding player, a great leader, stayed out of trouble/exhibited strength of character, and posted some of the most memorable seasons in NFL history, all after making his debut at age 28, and he’s going out on top. I don’t see any legitimate reason that he isn’t a first balloter.

Will the NFL's stars come out to shine next week? Or are we in for a bunch of empty benches?

It’s Tuesday of Pro-Bowl week – the new and improved pre-SuperBowl version – and people are pulling out of the game like they just found out it was off the pill.

The change in the date of the game naturally means that the players from the two ‘best’ teams won’t be included, I get that, as do fan voters and I think it was a necessary sacrifice, but it would be nice if this years game included at least most of the remaining stars.

The NFL knew it was going to take away some of the draw for players to participate by taking the game away from Hawaii, but the benefits, at least on paper were enough to outweigh that.

Most importantly from my perspective, a game this week means I still care about football while its taking place. That’s a plus, from a viewer-ship perspective. It’s not that I suddenly forget about football the Monday after the SuperBowl but its fair to say that anything that comes after the culmination of a season’s worth of efforts is a bit of a denouement. So, in my opinion, if we had everyone involved in the all star game, this new system would work great. Also, in theory, if the game was interesting enough to talk about it would take away from 2 weeks worth of Favre watch and who is Archie Manning rooting for discussion… instead, we’re all blogging about who is not playing in the game, not who is.

I guess the moral of the story here is that the NFL knows there is a problem with the Pro Bowl, and they’re trying to fix it. The problem of keeping us all interested remains, though… at least Goodell and the gang know there’s a problem, but this solution isn’t going to cut it.

Some of the replacements are good stories/deserving participants. Vincent Jackson had a breakout year in the AFC, Matt Schaub earned his spot, and OchoCinco’s resurgence was noteworthy enough, but looking at the AFC offense there are 8 replacement players, and 15 original players, that’s a 33% replacement rate. In the NFC there are 11 offensive replacement players.

Neither roster, in its entirety, resembles anything like what the stakeholders decided was the cream of the crop this year, which is a shame for the fans. But, lets let the game play out, and see how it goes. I think the new format has promise, and as I said – at least the NFL acknowledges the flaws in its showcase of stars.

I didn’t get a response to this tweet, didn’t expect one… but I did make myself laugh

The coaching staff (and talent pool) keeps getting leaner in Denver under Josh McDaniels' Napaleonic regime.

Reggie Wayne is at the forefront of the receivers lost on Revis Island this year, but he'll get his chance to break out in a big way for the Colts this weekend.

It was a pretty sweet gimmick to begin with, but Revis Island has gone to a new level.

With New York City, as it always seems to do, rallying behind its team as it strives for playoff glory Mayor Mike Bloomberg renamed Manhattan Revis Island. As far as lame playoff gimmicks go, this one is pretty good, at least its fun.

As they point out at PFT, its nice that a cornerback is getting this kind of recognition – its been hard to ignore Revis’ contributions all year, and with the Jets making playoff waves thanks in no small part to their defensive prominence, he’s making headlines.

The great season won’t be forgotten any time soon, as Revis has emerged into (if not a no doubter) one of the top cover corner’s in the league, and he’ll be around playing the role of shutdown corner for years to come, but all will be for naught, at least as far as the outcome of the 2009 season is concerned if he can’t continue his dominance against Reggie Wayne and the Colts this weekend.

He was able to shut Wayne down in their Week 16 contest, but of course, that game marked the beginning of the end for the Colts’ perfect season and the now infamous Paintergate of 2009 which is a big reason the Jets even got this far. It will all be on the table in the Conference Championship and if anyone can break out of Revis Island it will be Wayne. (Although, Kurt Russell/Snake Plissken did a great job 30 years ago in Revis Islands’ more traditional namesake).

Update: The coverage of the Jets’ conference game appearance just keeps getting better.