Thoughts From NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jan 17, 2012 11:00 AM CST in Notes

That was a fun weekend of games... And all things considered it's been a fun playoff run for Bears fans. First the braggadocios, cocky, and some say dirty Detroit Lions were dumped out of the playoffs by the Saints. Then this weekend the Green Bay Packers were pushed around by the Giants. To add a little shine to the loss, they were beat at Lambeau Field. And not to pile on on anything, but they are the only NFL team EVER to go 15-1 then lose their first playoff game.

1) The Broncos have already announced that Tim Tebow will be the starting QB entering camp next year. Would that be necessary if he were, you know, a good QB?

2) I've grown to really enjoy watching the Patriots during the Tom Brady years. It's just an efficient offense run by an exceptional game manager. And for the record I'd love to see the negative connotations removed from the term 'game manager'.

3) The whole rust argument being bandied about by some in regards to the Packers loss is off base. The Giants got after the quarterback and the Packers defense is below average.

4) How good is that Texans defense gonna be? A lot of young aggressive players on that D that can get after the QB. Maybe Peyton Manning will be OK with a trade...

5) I did not expect the 49ers to be able to score with the Saints. The finish to that game was sensational. I'm really starting to think the TE position in the NFL may evolve into more than just a blocker.

6) Staying with the 49ers for one more; How many coaches in the NFL would have called that 4th quarter 3 and 8 QB sweep. What a well executed play.

7) As an old school football soul, it's nice to see NFL defense's stepping up and putting their stamps on these playoff games. Defense may not win championships anymore, but a good one sure as hell can help.

8) The someone hacked my account or someone else used my screen name excuse is tired and lame. Those in the public eye that go that route should be publicly flogged. A New Jersey Assemblyman is the latest to use the excuse. Lame.

9) Detroit's Matthew Stafford is reported to have won the comeback player of the year award. It's well deserved, he's a talented player that will be doing damage in the NFC North for several more years...

10) Jamie Dukes of NFL.com has weighed in with his draft thoughts for the Bears. He mentions Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, but ultimately thinks the Bears need to draft either 2 WRs or a top DB. I'd be fine with a receiver and a corner in their first 3 picks.

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The Alex Smith TD run

Was a gutsy call and executed perfectly. I loved that play.

If its free, take two.

by T.J. Shouse on Jan 17, 2012 11:22 AM CST via Android app reply actions

It felt so delicious

and buttery to watch.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 17, 2012 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

Item number 3.

HOW CAN A DEFENSE THAT HAS CHARLES WOODSON, BJ RAJI AND CLAY MATTHEWS ON IT BE BELOW AVERAGE, IMPOSSIBLE WHARRGARLBE…

Seriously though, I remember when the Packers hired Dom Capers, I think someone on this site posted a statistic that all of his defenses had a quick uptick in performance the first two years, followed by a nosedive in the third

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to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)

by ThorCo on Jan 17, 2012 11:26 AM CST reply actions

What happens after the third year?

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 17, 2012 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

They all

leave and join the Bears?

---------
Very likely the next head coach for your Chicago Bears!

by emdub on Jan 17, 2012 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

after four seasons at Carolina, he got fired

and the same at Houston. At Jacksonville in two year the D went from 25th to 4th, but then 16th (I think)

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)

by ThorCo on Jan 17, 2012 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

1. I'm announcing that the Broncos won't be in the playoffs next year with such a bad passing QB.

2. I’d like to see Brady come screen saying he went to “Ball So Hard University” like Suggs does.

10. I’ve seen about 4 mocks now with the Bears taking Michael Floyd. I think the league has already started to game plan the Bears with Floyd.

"He took a shot in the most sensitive and painful area" - MIke Tirico

by boondock_saint812 on Jan 17, 2012 11:32 AM CST reply actions

1. Silly organizations are silly.

2. Brady is the only “game manager” I’ve ever seen that can win you any game purely by game managing. I’m too young to have seen and appreciated Joe Cool, but I’m assuming he was the same way.

3. Agreed.

4. Haven’t seen them play. But anything that knocks Peyton on his glory-hound behind is a good thing.

5. Best game of the postseason, by far and away. And I’m not sure the sarcasm content of the second part. I’m guessing fairly high.

6. John Fox. Cuz it’s just about the only play that Tebow can run effectively.

7. Agreed.

8. Agreed.

9. Fragile.

10. I’d prefer OL to WR in the draft, especially if we can land one of the dozen or so FAs better than what we’ve currently got. But I’m a trenches fanatic.

by Doshi on Jan 17, 2012 11:37 AM CST reply actions

Totally agree on #2.

And Montana was. It’s kinda quirky how methodical Brady has gotten, much like Manning and Montana, there’s a lot to be said about how it’s clockworkesque that they set the table. Certainly Manning is a bit more of a

Game Manager isn’t a derogatory term. There’s a few terms that should be used other than just the Gunslinger Game Manager dynamic, such as Caretaker and Potentate (which are the level of responsibility to the offense, not just their particular mentality)… like Brees would be your classic Gunslinger Potentate (ala Brett Favre), power thrower, offense runs through him, likes to air it out, take high reward throws more often than a game manager, Aaron Rodgers and Phillip Rivers both fit into this quadrant as well… to Alex Smith who’s more of a Game Managing Caretaker, who doesn’t run the offense (Frank Gore does a mighty good job of that), but manages to take solid high percentage shots downfield, and plays very well to his role in the defense… Someone like Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan fit in well here… and then you have Cutler, who’s a Gunslinging Caretaker (a bit more caretakery than potentatey though), who is a high risk thrower with a lot of power, but plays (by design) to the defense and field position, knowing that the game can be won without a great day by his hand, but can produce explosive plays when necessary… Over the past few years, Ben Rothilesberger probably fit under this category pretty well, although, more and more it’s being handed to him to win games, and produce, someone like Eli Manning is another good example lately… and then lastly you have the Game Managing Potentate… Someone like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning… or to a lesser extent, Sam Bradford, Chad Pennington’s 2006 season with the Jets, most of Carson Palmer’s career… It’s defined by mostly unspectacular, high results, methodical passing that the team relies on without defaulting to big-play capability… Workman like production, chunking away 12-15 at a time in high percentages throughout their career so efficiently that it’s sickening. Matt Ryan also deserves some consideration here…

I don’t know why I wrote all that up. I could have been doing something else…

Also: 9) Alex Smith should have. Easily. I mean, not saying that Stafford was a bad choice, but Alex Smith was so efficient and solid this year. It makes more sense to me.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 17, 2012 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

This year it all depends on what the new GM does in FA, I would still take another OL in first, or the best D player available.

by transylvanian bear on Jan 17, 2012 11:54 AM CST reply actions

Imo Alex smith should be the comeback player of the year

Some thought that Staf infection would actually be kinda good…NO ONE though Alex would be any good. He was a freaking bust.

"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"

by T.Moore on Jan 17, 2012 12:03 PM CST reply actions

New street signs for the city of GB after their historic loss

Although the season did not end as Packer nation would have liked, this was still a historic season. Only five teams have gone 15-1 in the regular season. But of those five, only one was able to pull off the unimaginable feat of losing their first playoff game. That team? The 2011 Green Bay Packers.

In keeping with the tradition of honoring historic seasons with street signs, the city of Green Bay will be installing five new signs to commemorate the season. I visited the factory where the signs are being made and took some pictures.

Congratulations to the Packers on their historic season.

by obanddoug on Jan 17, 2012 12:03 PM CST reply actions 9 recs

These are very plausible :)

Rec’d

by C-Razzle on Jan 17, 2012 12:38 PM CST up reply actions

Hmm.....

1. I’m still not on the Tebow bandwagon because he proved this past Sunday that he can’t outduel a world-class QB in a shootout. It’s not his style and if the defense is taken apart early, it becomes that much harder for him to throw the football. I think he’ll improve but I’m not holding my breath.

2. I agree and I’m in the outside Boston minority of people that actually like the Pats. I think the Pats win it all this season but then again I’ve been wrong before.

3. Agreed! They did drop a lot of passes though but at the same time the refs were CLEARLY in favor of giving the game to the Pack.

4. Agreed

5. Good for the Niners, it’s been a long-time coming for them.

6. Gutsy call and even better execution.

7. Agreed! Goldson was punishing Saints ballcarriers all game and that Giants D was relentless in the 2nd half.

8. Haha

9. I agree with T.Moore. Alex Smith should’ve won it. The guy was considered an absolute bust and yet he was reborn under Harbaugh and when he needed to be hero he stepped up big-time and went toe to toe with Drew Brees.

10. I think the Bears need to draft 1 WR and sign another but I’m with you in that I would like to see a WR and CB in the first 3 rounds.

by frenchbears113 on Jan 17, 2012 12:24 PM CST reply actions

"Starting QB Entering Training Camp"

Means there’s still plenty of time for him to lose it during training camp.

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by Steven Schweickert on Jan 17, 2012 12:36 PM CST reply actions

If he can't complete AT LEAST 50% of his passes

He won’t make it THROUGH training camp with Elway watching.

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Jan 18, 2012 6:26 PM CST up reply actions

"Tebow has earned the right to be the starter at camp"

Meaning: “Please God, I hope some QB we pick up via draft or FA can beat this guy before we have to build around him.”

by C-Razzle on Jan 17, 2012 12:40 PM CST reply actions

I have a personal favor to ask of Tebow.

I’d just like him to get in touch with the guy upstairs and thank him profusely for sparing me another offseason full of Packer commercials. Praise the Lord!

by oripunk3485 on Jan 17, 2012 1:09 PM CST reply actions

Tebow called Vinny that lives above you

Vinny said you’re welcome and asked if you could turn down the loud Yanni music and stop cooking cabbage and chitlins for a while. And you owe him $10 and a six pack of zima from the bet on the bears/ chiefs game.

by dicksingletary on Jan 17, 2012 4:40 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

That Zima is long gone.

And no one stops the Yanni, cabbage, or chitlins.

by oripunk3485 on Jan 17, 2012 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

Wow, the season's done and I show up more...

I just realized what a football funk I’ve been in this season. Thank god it’s over and I hope next year is better.

Also, watching Green Bay lose helped.

Now, onto the topic at hand:

1) I don’t like Tebow. It has nothing to do with his beliefs, but the type of QB he is. Michael Vick, Him, Daunte Culpepper, Joe Webb: They’re fantastic, FANTASTIC to watch and make some excellent highlight reels. But I like a high completion percentage, and a QB who I don’t have to worry about getting knocked out a game or two, or a season-ending injury. When the QB likes to run, that’s a risk that comes up.

2) Game managers are, frequently, boring. Which is why a lot of people don’t like them. Which is also why a lot of people don’t like low-scoring, defensive slugfests.

I disagree with these people.

10) Before a WR can make a difference for the team, Cutler needs to have time to throw the ball. OL all the way.

When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.

Corollary: When people are visiting your house and behaving themselves, them being a fan of a different team is NOT a reason for you to piss in their beer.

Come add to my future suffering at http://www.skullsfortots.com

by Robert Rence on Jan 17, 2012 1:28 PM CST reply actions

So do you want me to go ahead and have your Bears jersey

shipped to your current address, or do you have a preferred location for its delivery?

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG

by Kev H on Jan 17, 2012 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

Deliver it here:

1500 North Hooker Street
Chicago

When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.

Corollary: When people are visiting your house and behaving themselves, them being a fan of a different team is NOT a reason for you to piss in their beer.

Come add to my future suffering at http://www.skullsfortots.com

by Robert Rence on Jan 18, 2012 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

Urlacher likes it when the QB comes to him.

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Jan 18, 2012 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

1) He’s a gimmick player, one of the many “unstoppable” QBs that popped up in the past years (see: Vick, Young, Russell). He now has plenty of time to work on his short passing ability, although that won’t stop the Broncos signing a “backup” on the top two rounds of the draft.

3) The Packers D did what they used to do fpr the past months. Suck, suck, suck, and then capitalize on the occasional turnover, while Rodgers leads the team for 10 points every 3 drives. What happened Sunday was the offense doing half the things they’re used to, and without the bailouts, it could have been even worse.

4) With the Colts in rebuild mode, they have a shot at the divisional title for years to come.

5) Alex Smith got the Rodgers monkey off his back..

6) Love Harbaugh.

9) Maybe next year Jay wins it.

10) Draft one WR, but also get another from FA. We need weapons, and it will allow the draft guy to develop as the season goes instead of being forced to be a #1 from week one, and watch him fail and then move to another team once his contract expires.

by lmfsilva on Jan 17, 2012 5:29 PM CST reply actions

cough Russel? Really?

You just made me spill coffee on my keyboard. NO ONE except Al Davis expected ol’Lunchbox to be a run and gun QB.

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Jan 18, 2012 6:29 PM CST up reply actions

Calling the Packers D below average is an insult to all the below average defenses in the NFL

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 18, 2012 4:56 PM CST reply actions

Such as the Saints, Colts, Rams, and most of the NFL

There’s only maybe 5 REALLY strong defenses left…Patriots, Giants, Houston, 49ers, and Bears/Steelers/Ravens.

We’re down there simply due to age concerns, same with the Steelers and Ravens. Giants and Houston have main defenders in their prime, and Giants have been peeking as well.

Belicheck is hit or miss every year with how he tinkers with his defense.

Cacti are prickly.

by crackedcactus on Jan 18, 2012 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

This years Patriots defense might actually be worse than the Packers.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jan 18, 2012 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

I miss watching tons of really good defenses just being allowed to tee off and take over games week after week

The Ty Law rule and all of these other recent changes have messed things up so much though that it has become so much tougher to really have a dominate defense.

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 19, 2012 1:02 AM CST up reply actions