Giants Tag Jacobs

The New York Giants place the franchise tag on Running Back Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs will be playing for the Giants next season making $6.6 million, unless a team thinks Jacobs is worth two first round draft selections. In other fantasy related news this means that Derrick Ward’s on his way out of New York. Ward could possibly cut into another runningback’s work load next season, while Jacobs will get the better half over teammate Ahmad Bradshaw. Both the Giants and Brandon Jacobs are both optimistic that a long term deal can be hammered out, although with Jacobs smashmouth running style he might not get the years he is looking for.

Top 10 Historic Super Bowls

David Lewis, Vice President of Operations

This top list is not a list of the top games in the Super Bowl. This list is about the top 10 Super Bowls in terms of importance to the NFL. These games had historic ramifications that are still felt today

10. (Tie) between XXX  Dallas over Pittsburgh 27-17 and XXXIX New England over Philadelphia 24-21. These two are tied since they are significant for the same reason. These Super Bowls marked two dynastys being crowned. These wins allowed Dallas and New England to win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. These are the only two franchises to accomplish this feet.

9. I Green Bay over Kansas City 35-10. This game was fairly boring and uninspiring. However, since it was the first Super Bowl ever and continued Green Bay’s dominance of the NFL it remains a historic Super Bowl.

8. XIV Pittsburgh over LA Rams 31-19. This marked the second time the Steelers went back to back. They are the only franchise to win back to back Super Bowls multiple times. They also won 4 times in 6 years, which is another accomplishment no other team has achieved.

7. XXIV San Francisco over Denver 55-10. This game was historic since it allowed Joe Montana to become the only 3 time Super Bowl MVP in NFL history. This game also marked the 3rd time the Broncos lost in four years.

6. XXXVI New England over St. Louis 20-17. This is the only Super Bowl where the winning team scored on the final play of the game. This was the second greatest upset in Super Bowl history according to the spread of the game at 14 points. This was the start of a dynasty and the end of the Greatest Show on Turf.

5. XXXII Denver over Green Bay 31-24. Winning this game allowed John Elway to finally raise the Lombardi trophy. This was one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history with Denver being an 11 point underdog against the defending Super Bowl Champion.

4. XLIII Pittsburgh over Arizona 27-23. This win gave Pittsburgh their 6th title which is the most among the NFL franchises. With 6 Super Bowl championships the Steelers become the best franchise in the NFL.

3. VII Miami over Washington 14-7. The win by Miami marked the only undefeated season in NFL history. The Dolphins finished 17-0, which seemed in jeopardy until our #2 historic Super Bowl.

2. XLII New York Giants over New England 17-14. The Giants ended the Patriots pursuit of perfection. The Patriots were trying to become the first ever 19-0 team and only the second undefeated team in NFL history. The Giants became only the second team ever to win 3 road playoffs game and then win the Super Bowl.

1. III New York Jets over Baltimore Colts 16-7. The Jets’ upset over the Colts will remain the most historical Super Bowl in NFL history. The AFL was inferior and had been slaughtered in the first two Super Bowls. The 13-1 Colts were favored by 18 and were expected to cover. Joe Namath guaranteed a Jets’ win and the AFL underdogs pulled the greatest upset in NFL history. If the Jets lose that game the AFL pulls out of the Super Bowl and the two leagues most likely never merge. The NFL would be a completely different sport today if the Colts won that game.

Team of the Decade

David Lewis, Vice President of Operations

Sunday night the Pittsburgh Steelers won their second Super Bowl title in four years. With their recent success many people are calling them the team of the decade. How quickly we forget how one year ago we were ready to call the New England Patriots the greatest team ever and now some aren’t even calling them the greatest team of the decade. Here is how their records since 2000 stack up against each other:

Team	Record	Playoff app.	Playoff record	Championships
Patriots	102-42	6	14-3	3 (‘01, ‘03, ‘04)
Steelers	94-49-1	6	10-4	2 (‘05, ‘08)

Not included in those stats is the fact that the Patriots defeated the Steelers in Heinz Field in two AFC Championship games. The Steelers have been fortunate that they have not faced the Patriots in the playoffs in their Championship seasons. The Patriots have played in 2 more Super Bowls this decade than the Steelers, have a better regular season record, have a better playoff record, and are 2-0 against the Steelers in the playoffs. The decade is soon ending and unless the Steelers go 19-0 next year I don’t even believe a Super Bowl Championship gives them that title over the New England Patriots.

Very Early 2009 Predictions

David Lewis, Vice President of Operations

After taking a brief look at the NFL opponents next year I am making a very early prediction on the seeding of the playoffs next year. I am also basing factors such as expected losses in FA to my decision making. Obviously these predictions will most likely change once Free Agency and the Draft is over.

AFC
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Very easy schedule where the Champs remain atop the AFC entering the playoffs
2. New England Patriots: The hopeful return of Tom Brady gives this team a bye in the first round.
3. Indianapolis Colts: The Dungy-less Colts will find a way to regain the division crown.
4. San Diego Chargers: The most talented team in their division will be healthier next year with the return of Merriman.
5. Baltimore Ravens: If the Ravens lose their 3 LBs to FA then I think this team misses the playoffs.
6. Houston Texans: My surprise team of the year came on late in the 08 season.

NFC
1. Philadelphia Eagles: I think the late run in the playoffs brought this team back to their winning ways.
2. New Orleans Saints: Brees will win many games for them, but they need the defense to step up.
3. Green Bay Packers: If the Vikings get a new starting QB they win the divison, but I see GB’s defense playing better in 09.
4. San Francisco 49ers: This team came on late and I believe the SB curse keeps the Cardinals out of the playoffs.
5. New York Giants: Arguably the best team in the NFC and will be better with the return of Osi.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan will emerge as a NFL star in his second year. He is a winner

Wild-Card Weekend:
Saturday
#6 Atlanta Falcons over #3 Green Bay Packers 27-21
#4 San Diego Chargers over #5 Baltimore Ravens 23-10
Sunday
#3 Indianapolis Colts over #6 Houston Texans 34-17
#5 New York Giants over #4 San Francisco 49ers 28-13

Divisional Round:
Saturday
#1 Philadelphia Eagles over #6 Atlanta Falcons 35-17
#2 New England Patriots over #3 Indianapolis Colts 28-20
Sunday
#1 Pittsburgh Steelers over #4 San Diego Chargers 27-13
#5 New York Giants over #2 New Orleans Saints 31-24

Conference Championships:
#2 New England Patriots over #1 Pittsburgh Steelers 34-21
#1 Philadelphia Eagles over #5 New York Giants 23-13

Super Bowl XLIV:
#2 New England Patriots over #1 Philadelphia Eagles 28-24

Updated Top 10 Super Bowls

David Lewis, Vice President of Operations

After Super Bowl 43 I have updated my top ten list. I got rid of my #9 game instead of my #10 game because I believe that Super Bowl 3 had too much of a historical impact on the NFL for it not be included in the top 10. Oddly enough Foxsports.net has the same ten games as me in the list but in a different order. Here is my updated list

1. 38 New England Patriots over Carolina Panthers 32-29

2. 34 St. Louis Rams over Tennessee Titans 23-16

3. 32 Denver Broncos over Green Bay Packers 31-24

4. 13 Pittsburgh Steelers over Dallas Cowboys 35-31

5. 43 Pittsburgh Steelers over Arizona Cardinals 27-23

6. 23 San Francisco 49ers over Cincinnati Bengals 20-16

7. 36 New England Patriots over St. Louis Rams 20-17

8. 42 New York Giants over New England Patriots 17-14

9. 25 New York Giants over Buffalo Bills 20-19

10. 3 New York Jets over Baltimore Colts 16-7

Top 10 Plays in Super Bowl History

David Lewis, Vice President of Operations

After the Super Bowl last night Sportscenter had their top 10 plays in Super Bowl history. Here is there Top 10:
1. SB 43: Holmes Game Winning TD Catch
2. 42: Tyree 32 yard grab against his helmet
3. 43: Harrison’s 100 yard INT return
4. 23: Montana to Taylor for game winning TD
5. 34: Dyson one yard short
6. 36: Vinatieri’s game winning FG with time expiring
7. 10: Lynn Swann’s catch as he is falling
8. 17: John Riggins’ TD run
9. 18: Marcus Allen’s TD run
10. 43: Fitzgerald 65 yard TD reception

I have a big problem with this list. To me ESPN is making a knee jerk reaction to Super Bowl 43 by having 3 of those plays in the top 10. Now I admit 2 of those plays are in my top 10, but I do not believe Fitzgerald’s catch is a top 10 play. It is a top 20 play and deserves honorable mention. Here is my Top 10 plays in the 43 Super Bowls

1. 42: Tyree’s helment catch
2. 34: Dyson tackled 1 yard short
3. 43: Harrison’s 100 yard INT return for a TD
4. 43: Holmes’ game winning TD reception
5. 23: Montant to Taylor for the game winning TD
6. 36: Vinatieri’s game winning FG as time expired
7. 40: Randle El’s TD pass to Hines Ward off of a reverse
8. 10: Lynn Swann’s catch as he is falling
9. 32: Elway’s helicopter dive to gain a first down
10. 18: Marcus Allen’s TD run

The writers speak: Superbowl Predictions

-C

If you are like me, you’ve waited around for 2 weeks for the Superbowl to finally start. And other than a pretty impressive skills competition yesterday, which are my favorites to watch because it is the future of the NFL (anyone remember Joe Flacco before that competition last year?), the media coverage is overdone. By the start of second week, I feel that every backup special teams / practice squad has been interviewed already. Enough is enough.

Regardless, I came across two interesting facts about this year’s Superbowl. First, all advertising slots have been sold, which generated 206 million dollars in revenue (recession what?).  If the Miller High Life guy is correct- and most of the time he is-  the amount of time it takes to open your mouth costs 100 grand. That means for most of you, the amount of money your house is worth is probably equal to a few words in an Superbowl commercial (if you speak fast).

Second point – Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio mentioned that during the year that the Steelers win the Superbowl, the stock market generates a 25 percent return, on average. That’s pretty impressive. Looks like our 401k’s will be carrying terrible towels tonight.

But enough of my fluff. Let’s get down to business tonight.

C’s PREDICTION – PITTSBURGH 31, ARIZONA 24

Thoughts: I know Pittsburgh’s defense is stifling, but this will not be a defensive struggle. Offensively, I think Kurt Warner will have a career day, throwing for 400 yards and 2-3 TDs. Fitzgerald will have a good game, but Pittsburgh’s got his number. This makes Boldin the star, where he is known to turn short drag routes into big 40-50 yard plays. Look for Breaston to also have a big day with less coverage on him. On Pittsburgh’s side, they will do what they also do – control the game clock and pound the ball down Arizona’s throat. Arizona’s defense hasn’t really faced an offense like this all season, and they eventually will get tired from staying on the field. This will lead to some big plays for Roethlisberger, Parker, and Holmes.

Where I think Arizona loses the game is in the situational plays- 3rd downs, 4th downs, and red zone plays.  This is the make-or-break for them. Like I mentioned before, Pittsburgh’s success relies on their offense staying on the field. If Arizona can’t convert these big plays, or commits turnovers, it will spell their demise.

To conclude, enjoy the Superbowl. I’m looking foward to Bruce’s halftime show, personally (as a disgruntled Pats fan).

And please be safe tonight – don’t drink and drive. There’s no point to going to a Superbowl party if you end up in jail after.

One more thing…

ITS COMBINE SEASON! WAAAAAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!