Jets begin to show dysfunction as offseason heats up
By Michael Lombardi NFL Network
It did not take long for the offseason to start in the NFL. Less than 24 hours after the last regular-season game was played, three teams made huge changes: The Buccaneers and the Rams fired their head coaches, and the Colts cleaned house in the front office.
Not to be outdone, the Jets made noise as well, but not because of any firings. In his end-of-season news conference, coach Rex Ryan announced the team would do away with captains. This was in reaction to Santonio Holmes, a captain in the 2011 season, reportedly quitting on the team in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins.
The Jets look like they're imploding. Retaining Holmes next season is not going to help Rex Ryan win back his team. Holmes is not well-liked, and if the receiver stays on the roster, Ryan risks having another dysfunctional locker room in 2012.
In other Jets news, the team has told people that it can get out of paying Bart Scott the $4 million he's guaranteed for 2012, which would be news to the veteran linebacker. Scott seems to believe he is set for next season, whether he is with the team or not. That situation will be worth watching. One thing I know for certain -- Holmes is going to make $7.5 million next season, as his deal is completely guaranteed.
As for the rest of what I'm hearing:
» By removing Bill Polian as vice chairman, the Colts really are embarking in an entirely new direction in terms of how they procure talent and build a roster. Under Polian, the Colts favored quickness over size, having young players on defense and putting their salary-cap resources into offensive skill players. That likely will all change with a new GM, who will have to come in with a comprehensive organizational plan that includes finding players who fit the team's new philosophy. It also will take some time to turn over the roster.
Owner Jim Irsay seems to know what he wants in his next GM. That will speed up the process, and the new hire will be in a position to quickly make major decisions, including whether or not to retain coach Jim Caldwell. Time is of the essence for the Colts as they enter the most important offseason of their recent history.
» Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck might retire. Former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano would be the leading candidate to replace Houck if he does hang it up. Sparano will be a hot commodity this offseason for vacant offensive line jobs.
» The recent knee injury suffered by the Steelers' Rashard Mendenhall, who was chosen with Pittsburgh's first-round pick in the 2008 draft, is another reminder that taking a running back early is risky. None of this year's Pro Bowl running backs were first-round picks.
» Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd will sign an extension to remain in Philly ... as long as Andy Reid comes back as coach.
» Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman is high on Penn State's list of head-coaching candidates, but he also will receive a good look from several NFL teams.
» Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will talk with the Jaguars about their head-coaching position. O'Brien is still a strong candidate for the Penn State job.
» Raiders coach Hue Jackson wants to retain the same level of control he had in 2011, which will make finding the next Oakland GM a challenge.
» The Bucs need to bring in someone who can command respect and demand the most from their young team, and who also can develop quarterback Josh Freeman. Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski would be a good choice.
Can Tebow Succeed?
Tim Tebow is the most talked about player in the NFL today. Even with historic performances by Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and even Eli Manning. Yet it seems like when you turn on the television, all you see is Tebow. Many people love it, they love seeing him succeed, and they eat up every bit of Tebowmania they can get. Then you have the other crowd. The crowd that loves to Hate Tim Tebow. I think I fall somewhere in the middle of that bunch. The hate, contrary to popular opinion does not have anything to do with the religious views of Tim Tebow. It is not because he is a bad person. The Tim Tebow hate, in my opinion, more stems from the fact that we are all sick and tired of hearing about Tim Tebow. Now that it is not Tebow's fault that the media has taken him by storm. Although, I do believe he brought the criticism onto himself. Many players are open regarding their faith, many players openly pray in the end zone before each game. Although the polarizing manner in which Tebow goes about his business sets him a part from the rest of the league. Anyways, back to what matters, his play on the field. That is where you have to be objective. Tim Tebow at one point last Sunday was 7 for 25 passing. Through almost 55 minutes of football, Tim Tebow was simply bad. His team was down to a Bears team who was missing it's starting Quarterback, missing it's best player and star running back Matt Forte, and playing on the road in a very hostile stadium full of rowdy mountain folk. Now Cutler and Forte being out has no direct result on the play of Tebow. Although the Bears inept offense gave Tebow plenty of chances with the ball in very good field position. Again and Again Tebow failed to move the offense. His passes were wide, high, he looked flustered under pressure, he seemed to lack awareness of pressure. Then, with the game on the line down 10-0 late in the 4th the entire NFL sat back and held their breath. It was Tebow Time. All of a sudden the seemingly inept Tebow found his stride. He was elusive in the pocket. Accurate with his passes. Smart with the ball. Yes the Denver defense forced Marion Barber out of bounds late in the game, a huge play which stopped the clock that Chicago other wise would have been able to run out. Sure the Denver defense again made a big play forcing Marion Barber to fumble near midfield, setting Tebow up in great field position. Yes, Matt Prater made 2 long field goals, 1 from 59 yards at the end of regulation to force overtime. And another long field goal in overtime to win the game. But all of this was set up by the late resurgence of Tim Tebow. Although, I don't think we should get too far ahead of ourselves. The reason the Broncos were down 10-0 in the first place was due to the ineptitude of Tebow as a passer. He was again and again set up in great field position and was able to do nothing with it. The end verdict on Tim Tebow is simple. It is too early to tell. This season it would be wrong to write off what he has done. It would also be wrong to not give credit where credit is due. The credit largely belongs to the Denver defense, Matt Prater, and Marion Barber on two occasions. While in the end success and failure ultimately falls on the starting Quarterback. This year, yes the Broncos have won with Tebow as the starting Quarterback. He deserves credit for that. In the future, is Tim Tebow the franchise Quarterback their fan base so badly wants him to be? All signs point to No. John Elway and John Fox even after a 6 game winning streak still don't seem set. Avoiding the question or giving very shallow answers when asked about Tebow's future. This writers opinion? Wait and see. In the end it will unfold as it should. Tebow will either play his way into the franchise QB role, or he will play his way out. At this point, it seem as though the latter is the case.
-Tim Hooper
AFC West: Who Wants It?
Heading into week 15 of the NFL, there are 3 teams in contention. Yes, even the San Diego Chargers still have a feasible shot at winning the west. The Broncos are surging, winning 7 of their last 8 games since Tim Tebow took over at Quarterback. The Oakland Raiders sit alone in 2nd place at 7-6. Each team has 3 games remaining, and no team has any easy path. It is not unlikely that 9 wins will win the division. The Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots this Sunday, the Oakland Raiders host the fading Detroit Lions minus their best defender, and the San Diego Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. That game will be Live on The Football Lounge.
No team has an easy path to the AFC West crown. It will become increasingly difficult for whichever team does qualify for the Playoffs. Although as of now, all that matters to these 3 teams is winning the West. The Chargers have the most difficult route, being 2 games behind the division leading Broncos with only 3 games to play. The Oakland Raiders play 2 of their final 3 games at home; but two of those games are against division rivals, never an easy task. The Broncos face the Patriots this weekend, although it gets a little easier after that with games against the Bills and the Chiefs. This division is Denver's to lose.
A deciding factor in who wins the west, who can get healthy? The Oakland Raiders should get back Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, and Danarius Moore against the Lions. That is huge, as outside of Michael Bush those three players have accounted for most of Oakland's total offense. The Raiders play 2 of 3 against division opponents, but as of late Oakland has not had a problem winning within the division. If Oakland gets healthy against Detroit and sneaks away with a victory, it could very well be looking at a 10-6 finish. I find it hard to believe the Broncos can beat the Patriots, even if they have the second coming of Christ at Quarterback. The Chargers, with a very tough game this weekend against the Ravens, are just too far out. Norv Turner might be out as well, depending on how his team plays this Sunday. All signs point to the Oakland Raiders getting healthy, and winning a division that was theirs for most of the season.
-Tim Hooper
