The BS Degnan Report : CBSSports.com Blogs

Weekly Recap Week 17

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:36:35 EST

By BRAD DEGNAN

Week 17 of the NFL regular season arrived with not as many questions about the playoffs as perhaps the Commish would have liked. It was the first time in the NFL that every game was a divisional game for the final week of the season. The only game that was ‘win and you’re in’ for either team was the dreadful matchup between the Rams and the Seahawks. A few other games had minute questions such as where the team would be seeded. So as you would expect there were some real crappy games. Many starters for playoff bound teams either didn’t play or played very little. It didn’t take long for another coach to get the ax and the league said goodbye to one of the most exciting players it has ever seen; again. So let’s see what happened in week 17 and take a look at what the playoffs have in store for us.

Week 16 Recap

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:18:31 EST

The Jets continued to struggle Sunday against the ‘Can’t Ignore Us Anymore’ Bears. Despite the loss, the Jets will still be in the playoffs thanks to Jacksonville’s loss. Be wary Jets fan, limping into the playoffs with a warm weather quarterback may not be the walk in the park it was last season.

The Patriots continue to impose their will on the rest of the league. They have gone seven straight games with no turnovers and have only nine on the season. Tom Terrific set the record for most pass attempts without a pick Sunday with his 1300th unpicked pass. There is no stopping this monster, hide your children hide your wife.

Kansas City went from worst to first in the AFC West. What is it with the West Divisions? Other than K.C. every team sucked this year. If a team with a losing record hosts a playoff game I hope it’s blacked out.

Week 14 Recap

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:11:25 EST

By BRAD DEGNAN

Weather and wacky finishes seemed to be the theme this week in the NFL. There’s just three games left in the regular season and only one team has clinched a playoff berth. The Jets are trippin’, the Raiders are flippin’ and the Patriots are showing no sign of slippin’. The Falcons have the best record in the NFC and the longest winning streak in the NFL and no one seems to notice. A complete collapse in Minnesota and a record streak comes to an end. Let’s peel back the layers from week 14 to see what happened and take a look at some huge games next week with lots of playoff implication.

We have to start off with the statement game of the season thus far; Patriots at a blustery and snowy Solider Field in Chicago. The game was supposed to be a test and a low scoring contest. It was neither. By the time the Bears left the field for the warmth of the locker room at halftime the scoreboard read 33-0. Both teams are cold weather clubs, but only the Patriots looked it. Tom Terrific was unfazed by the elements while Jay Cutler was bothered both by the weather and the Patriots defense. New England had its fifth straight game with no turnovers. This is how you win championships and with their eighth playoff appearance in the last ten years they are now the leader in the club house for Lombardi.

Weekly Recap Week 10

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:51:15 EST

What a weird weekend in the NFL. You had one game in which three quarterbacks went down, and another where the lights went down. There was a game that used every bit of overtime and sadly enough we found the return of the NFL Network’s coverage of Thursday night games. Seriously, as good as that game was the coverage was pitiful. On the flip side NBC continues to deliver even if it is handed a lopsided affair. Finally after that Monday night massacre of the Redskins, fans are exhausted. So let’s discuss week ten.

The Dolphins seemingly didn’t need a quarterback in their disposal of the Titans. After Chad Pennington went down early in the first, recently benched Chad Henne entered the game and led Miami to their highest point total of the season. After the final play of the first half Titan’s quarterback Kerry Collins conveniently hobbled off the field with an apparent calf injury. Henne lasted until he went down in the third quarter with a knee injury. So the Fish resorted to the wildcat for the remainder of the third quarter. Once the fourth quarter began the ever popular Tyler Thigpen took over the quarterbacking duties. Despite playing against a team with no quarterback the Titans could not overcome their three turnovers. Pennington is out for the year and Henne’s season is up in the air, so the Dolphins did what any team would; they signed Patrick Ramsey.

Weekly Recap Week 9

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:24:57 EST

For the first time in 50 years the Cowboys have fired their head coach mid season. Wade Phillips was put out to pasture just eight games into what was supposed to be a promising season. And a week after Jerry Jones said Phillips would remain head coach for the rest of the season. The thumping the Cowboys took for the third straight week must have changed his mind. The reigns will now be taken by Jason Garrett, the architect of the NFL’s 31st ranked rushing offense. While Phillips may be partly to blame, there is plenty of blame to share with the entire organization. Don’t expect a quick fix just because Philips is gone; this team is in disarray from top to bottom. Everyone knows the Cowboys need a no nonsense coach and the same names are being tossed around by all the talking heads. Nothing though, will matter much as long as Jerry and his giant ego remain in the way. The Cowboys will improve tremendously the day he realizes to step away and let a general manager and a head coach do their jobs.

Weekly Recap Week 8

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:47:42 EDT

By BRAD DEGNAN

Week eight snuck up on us and with it came the much anticipated London Bowl. Back in the US the rest of the league played minus the six teams with a bye. Of those twelve games there were some great ones, an absolute crapfest and one game in which only one team played. Sunday Night Football drew a bigger audience than the World Series and a couple of former superstars were knocked down a peg by their coaches. Let’s dive into week eight and see what the NFL delivered.

We might as well start at the epicenter of all the mania in the NFL; Donovan getting benched and Randy Moss getting waived.

First off the Moss debacle: You kind of get the feeling that Moss didn’t want to leave New England after all; or is it he just didn’t want to go play for the Vikings again. Moss informed head coach Mr. Noodle that he was going to stay in New England for a couple of days following Sunday’s game; that in and of itself is not that unusual. Recently traded players returning to the town they used to play for and spending extra time there is quite common. It must have been the last straw. The next day it was announced that Moss was going to be waived. If Hoodie has the ability to smile I’m sure he is smiling and thanking Mr. Noodle for the third round draft choice. On the other side Percy Harvin may be weeping in a corner somewhere.

Weekly Recap Week 7

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:23:18 EDT

By BRAD DEGNAN

There was no shortage of tricks, picks, bad football by good players and exciting finishes in week seven. League records were tied, franchise records were made and ten teams scored more than 30 points. The Raiders led the scoring onslaught putting up 59 at Mile High against the lowly Broncos. Oakland ran for an astounding 328 yards behind Darren McFadden and his 165 rushing yards and four total touch downs. Coach Josh might want to start looking over his shoulder. The last two times that the Broncos were beaten by more than 3 touchdowns at home against the Raiders the head coach exited after the season. Wade Phillips and Mike Shanahan were patrolling the sidelines the last two times that happened. Jason Campbell took a lot of heat last week for his 10.something quarterback rating; well he improved that mark by 117 points this week.

Weekly Recap Week 5

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:45:18 EDT

Well, you could hear the champagne corks popping Sunday night as the old and tiresome ’72 Dolphins celebrated yet another season without an undefeated team. It is the first time since 1970 that the league didn’t have a team with a record of 4-0. What does that say about the current state of the NFL? Is it parity or is it mediocrity that is plaguing our most beloved sport?

Four teams are 4-1, two from each conference. It’s not a huge surprise who leads atop the standings; what is a bit of a surprise is who isn’t at the top. It seems the Saints and the Colts are both suffering from the Super Bowl hangover. You might have thought some other teams might also be right up there, for instance the Chargers, Cowboys and Vikings? The combined record for those three teams is a whopping 4-9. Some of the most concentrated talent in the league is found on those three teams. So what is the reason for their demise thus far in 2010? For one team it might be a 41-year-old gunslinger who’s taking too many risks. Another’s trouble stems from their coaching staff and the subsequent disciplinary problems. The last just doesn’t seem to have the talent that everyone thought they had. Can these teams turn it around? The Chargers have the best opportunity to make the post season since they are in the weakest of the three divisions. The Cowboys and the Vikings aren’t afforded the same luxury. And the loser of next week’s meeting between the two in Minnesota will certainly be in a lot of trouble.

Weekly Recap Week 4

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:10:56 EDT

With most teams at the quarter pole of the NFL season we can now begin to evaluate where teams stand. There are some teams that are doing surprisingly well, while others are doing surprisingly awful. It was the first bye week so we had teams taking advantage of much needed rest, albeit early I’m sure the week off was welcomed. There was a block party Monday night in Miami and it wasn’t Calle Ocho. The Giants had a slew of sacks Sunday while the Champs spent much of their game on the ropes. The Ravens earned their second huge road win of the year, the Bills still stink, there is only one undefeated team left and what is going on in San Francisco?

Let’s discuss week four and see where everybody stands a quarter of the way through the season.

How Week 3 Shaped up in the NFL

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 9:31:16 EDT

Week three of the NFL season ended Monday night with a nail biter in Chicago. The much touted Packers played their sloppiest game this season and the Bears again took advantage of horrible mistakes. The Bears are not who we thought they were. Another home dog straight up winner in the NFL, this is a trend that all of you kids should be paying attention to.

There were some surprises this week, some shake ups, some redemption, some growing up and a nice come back story. Without further ado why don’t we discuss what was relevant in week three, maybe get a few things off my chest and hand out an award or two.

Dallas fans finally came off the ledge with their Cowboys winning in convincing fashion over the Texans. They played a lot more disciplined on both sides of the ball and the final result proved it. Let’s see how long it lasts?

Weekly Recap Week 2

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:37:55 EDT

By BRAD DEGNAN

Some surprises are starting to unfold just two weeks into 2010 season. A couple of so called Super Bowl contenders have already dug a monstrous hole that statistically is almost impossible to get out of. Some teams are on their way up from the proverbial basement; while others haven’t lost a step from last season. We have an entire coaching staff on the hot seat and players throwing helmets into the stands. And we have the pleasure of watching quite possibly the greatest quarterback to ever play. I’ll have some Suicide pick thoughts and did anyone realize that seven underdogs won straight up this week? So why don’t we sort through week two and see what we learned and hand out a few awards.

I hope everyone appreciates watching Peyton Manning. It may be cliché, but this guy without a doubt is a coach on the field. The Colts trounced the Giants in Manning Bowl II by gaining huge chunks on the ground, this I am fully aware of, but to watch Peyton pick apart the Giants secondary is astounding. Cris Collinsworth described his performance the best way possible by comparing him to a surgeon. I don’t even think it’s arguable that there has ever been a more football intelligent player to strap on a helmet. I feel fortunate to be able to watch this guy. He also has a brother named Cooper.

Week 1 Recap

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:15:17 EDT

By BRAD DEGNAN

For-redhottlocks.com

Week one finally brought meaningful games to our lives and we get our first chance to get a peek at what teams are really about. What stands out for me is the amount of injuries all over the NFL. Do players really not try at all during the pre season? Don’t crown a super bowl champ yet it’s just the first week, but some players and teams have been exposed. I’ll share some thoughts about this past week, hand out a few awards and take a look at some things to keep an eye on in week two.

Keeping with the injury topic; this off season Bob Sanders was voted Most Likely to Be Injured by his peers. Someone needs to tell Bob he’s just a little bit of a guy and not Ronnie Lott. Seven years in the league and he has never played 16 games and the last two seasons he’s played a grand total of eight games. Well a torn bicep has him out again indefinitely.

2010 Season Preview

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:31:13 EDT

By BRAD DEGNAN

Well kids, we’ve finally made it. The draft has passed, OTA’s and mini camps are done and even that silly pre season is finally over. Now we have real football to occupy our time until February. No games have yet been played and everyone has a clean slate and Super Bowl aspirations. Some fans have legitimate hopes while others simply have false hope. Let’s try to dredge through the muck that is each division and see who really has a legitimate shot at winning the Lombardi Trophy.

NFC East:

I have the Cowboys winning the East again. There has been a decline in this division and the Cowboys have the most talent. Washington is in a perpetual rebuilding year and Philadelphia is putting a lot of trust in a guy with no experience. New York has a good team, but I don’t see them contending for the East or a Wildcard, the NFC is too deep. So the Cowboys win the division their coach however, will prevent them from making the Super Bowl. This fact should scare the hell out of Wade Phillips because the Super Bowl is being played at Jerry World this year and you know he wants nothing more than to pad his already enormous ego with his team playing host in the Super Bowl. This is how the season plays out for Dallas: They roll off 10 to 12 wins and lose before the NFC Championship game in the playoffs, Wade Phillips never coaches again and Jerry begs Jimmy Johnson to stop playing Survivor and come back and coach for him.

Pre Season week 3

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:24:27 EDT

By BRAD DEGNAN

Three of the four agonizing pre season weeks are out of the way and this last week may actually be the worst. The coaches don’t even want to play this week, they already know what fat they’re going to trim to get to that magic 53 number. The only people who care about week 4 of pre season are those looking for a miracle to make the team and some bookmakers. So instead of looking forward to the final week of pre season let’s take a look ahead to the regular season. I’ll give you some things I’m looking forward to and some things I’m not, also I hope you didn’t have your fantasy draft yet, week three always has some pretty significant injuries.

Putting this column together something dawned on me; everything I am looking forward to is a negative. Take for instance me wanting nothing more than #4 to fail. I love when his last pass of the season is a pick. So it got me thinking “Should I not root against him in hopes that he will have an ok season and not throw a pick his last throw of the season and finally friggin retire?” This week though he threw two picks and had a fumble. I love it, retire.