The Art of Trash Talking

Trash talking is an art.  I have found that there are many different types of trash talkers.  For example, a person who can back up his words, is what I like to call a trash walker.  He talks the talk, but more importantly, he walks the walk.  A Kevin Garnett type.  Talks all the trash he can possibly spit out, but when it comes down to it, guess what?  He backs it up, and that's what really matters.  He's a future first ballot hall of fame inductee.  He has a ring.  And, he is/was a perennial All-Star.

Be as good as Kevin Garnett has over his illustrious career, and the trash talking can go unnoticed, because your play speaks louder than that. 

Another type of trash talker is the "Let me get my fifteen minutes by talking, because when it comes down to it, I don't really perform all that well" variety.  This is the Look At Me talker.  I'll give an example that jogs my memory, but might not yours.  Recently, a Detroit Lions cornerback named C.C. Brown, when playing the Giants in week 6 of the 2010 season, stated that the previous year, when he was a member of the Giants, that Eli Manning was erratic and you never knew what you could expect from him.  He went on to say that the Lions had the advantage over the Giants in that week's match up because of said erratic"ness".  Eli Manning went on to complete 66% of his passes and threw for two touchdowns, one a 33 yard toss to Mario Manningham, who was being covered by none other than C.C. Brown.  Oh, yea.  The Lions lost that game too.  These are the guys you won't remember in 10 years because they are fools.

Be as inconsequential as C.C. Brown is to an NFL franchise, and eventually, your trash talk will also go unnoticed, but for a very different reason.  It goes unnoticed, because so did you.

The last type of trash talker, and the reason I am writing this piece, is the talented, unproven, yet very much provoking type.  Or, what I will call, the Trash Rex, T-Rex if you will.  The T-Rex is quite the talker.  It seems like, the more he talks, the more nauseated you feel.  And I for one have no idea what he thinks he's accomplishing by some of the things he has said this week.  But, it looks as if the T-Rex has inspired some other trash talker to come out of the closet.  Antonio Cromartie, vis-a-vis Rex Ryan, has done some heavy hitting himself this week.  Even going as far as equating Tom Brady to the part of your body that defecates. 

Now, I think that Rex Ryan is a very gifted defensive coach. I even think that he is on his way to becoming an elite head coach, and with some clock management classes he can be.  He is the All-Time Jets franchise leader in (get ready to laugh) postseason wins.  With 3!  Wow.  Anyway, where was I?  Oh, right.  He even points out that Bill Belichick is an All-time great coach.  Thanks for that, by the way.  I know this doesn't sound like trash talking, but if you listen to his press conferences sometimes, there is no other way to describe it.  He stands there, states obvious things about how great a coach Belichick is, and how he has 3 Super Bowl rings as a head coach, and then, Wham!  He hits you with Tom Brady isn't as good as Peyton Manning because Brady has Belichick dialing up his plays for him.  Last time I looked, Tom Brady has 3 rings.  Peyton has 1.  Tom Brady holds the record for touchdowns thrown in a season. He holds the record for consecutive attempts without an interception. Tom Brady has Gisele Bundchen.  Last time I checked, Tom Brady torched the Jets heralded defense led by T-Rex to the tune of 326 yards, 4 touchdowns, no picks, and a near perfect QB rating of 148.9! Tom Brady led an offense with 2nd tier players other than himself to score 30+ points 12 times this season. He is football right now.  So, please!  Before you do any more trash talking, for the sake of not upsetting the best team in football before you're Divisional Playoff game, can you rethink what you are going to say?

Be a talented coach in the making and you're trash talking gets very much publicized, and it can be remembered for a very long time, especially in a city like New York.  Joe Namath will forever be remembered as the trash talker who made good.  And that's a great thing.  But Rex Ryan can be remembered as the trash talker who angered a more talented coach with an even more talented quarterback.  And that combination may not be the best thing for a sophomore coach.  But hey you know what they say.  Any given Sunday.  

Jets-Colts Wild Card Round

The Jets try to avenge their Conference Championship loss to the Colts in last year's postseason tonight.  It's not the same Jets team that took the field at the Oil Can last year.  And it sure isn't the same Colts squad that advanced to the Super Bowl last year.  The Jets have added Santonio Holmes, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Jason Taylor.  The Colts have lost to injury Dallas Clark, Austin Collie (both had TDs in last year's game), and Bob Sanders.  I heard this on the radio this week, and I actually buy this statement:  The Colts, being as ravaged by injuries as they are, can lose this game with no repercussions.  Being that there are no repercussions, then Manning can basically go out there, take all the chances he wants, without having to hear the criticism of him being a great regular season quarterback and not the postseason quarterback.  This makes the Colts very dangerous in the 2011 playoffs.  Here's a breakdown of how the Colts should play the game, and then how the Jets should play.

Two words.  Fast.  Loose.  That's exactly how the Colts should play this game.  The Colts have had so many injuries this year, that if they lose the game, the season will be blamed on that.  So you should play with no fear.  Reggie Wayne is still playing, as is Pierre Garcon.  Those are two receivers who can torch a defense for big games.  With Joseph Addai back from injury, the Colts have a legitimate running game again.  And most importantly, the best quarterback I have ever seen play is still taking the snaps.  Peyton Manning didn't have his best season this year, but surprise, they're back in the playoffs.  The loss of a top 5 tight end in Dallas Clark was devastating, but Jacob Tamme playing fullback has filled in nicely for the passing game.  The Jets have a non existent pass rush when they rush 3-5, and the Colts were tied for 1st in quarterback protection.  They allowed only 16 sacks for the season.  So, Peyton Manning will have his normal all day time to pick apart the Jets. 

Defensively, the Colts can't stop the run, and are middle of the pack defending the pass.  But again, they have nothing to lose here.  So, blitzing all game will load the box against the run, and can rattle Mark Sanchez.  And when Mark Sanchez is rattled, he tends to turn the ball over.  With Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, the Colts have, arguably, the most feared defensive ends in the game.  Apart from getting to the quarterback, these two love to strip the ball.  Sanchez has only been stripped 5 times this year, but Freeney has forced 5 by himself.  Freeney and Mathis could give D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody fits all night.

Colts Secret Weapon:  It's not much of a secret.  The Colts have a kicker in Adam Vinatieri that has ice running through his veins.  If this comes down to a Colts field goal in the closing minutes, bank on the Colts.   

The Jets have a problem on their offense.  And it's the biggest problem an offense can have.  An inconsistent quarterback.  Out of all quarterbacks that started at least 14 games, he has the worst completion percentage, residing at 54.8%.  He also has the second worst quarterback rating, 75.3.  That being said, Sanchez has led his team in some great comebacks this season.  At times, he looked to be a Pro-Bowl QB.  Sanchez needs to just manage the game tonight.  He needs to rely on his stout running game that includes two backs that rushed for over 700 yards each.  Tomlinson is healthy and ready to go against a Colts defense that was ranked 25th in rushing defense this year.  If the Jets running game can control the time of possession, and Sanchez can be accurate in his short passing game, the Jets have a great shot at advancing.  Now, if Brian Schottenheimer decides that the only way to win this game is to play run and gun, the Jets can get into a little trouble.  Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards are two exceptional receivers, and they can both burn a defense not prepared for them.  Holmes is a possession plus receiver.  He catches a lot of balls, and any one those slants he runs can turn into a game changing play.  Braylon Edwards can stretch the field, and if he holds onto the ball, he can break one as well.  But for those things to go right, the Jets need Sanchez ready to make those plays.  It's exciting football, but it's not the way the Jets should try and win this game.  Be the smashmouth team that Rex Ryan claims he has. 

Defensively, the Jets give up big chinks of yards at times, but don't give up many points.  But for the most part, they are every bit of a staunch defense their numbers claim.  They have the 6th ranked pass defense, and the 3rd ranked rush defense.  Losing Jim Leonard was unfortunate, and to have him replaced by Eric Smith is not ideal.  Jason Taylor has only 5 sacks on the season, a sack behind Bryan Thomas for the team lead.  If they're going to disrupt the Colts offense, they need to pressure Peyton Manning into throwing bad passes.  Hurried passes means turnover opportunities, even for the great Peyton Manning.  Pressure Manning with Taylor, Pace, and Thomas and give Revis, Cromartie, and crew a chance to change the game with an interception. 

Jets Secret Weapon:  If the Jets can find it within their playbook to run the wildcat, then Brad Smith can be the player to watch.  Super special teamer/Wildcat QB Brad Smith is as dangerous as they come.  The jets have only run two passing plays off the Wildcat this year, so the Colts probably wouldn't be prepared for it.  That could tip the scales in favor of the Jets.

Prediction:  I find it hard to pick against the Colts and Peyton Manning.  So I predict that the Colts win 17-16.  Magic 8 Ball disagreed.  He said Jets by a field goal.

2010 NFL Regular Season Awards

So, the regular season is over.  My New York Giants finished a respectable 10-6, good for the 6th best record in the NFC, but miss the playoffs.  The season for the New York Jets, however, continues.  So there is much to write about.  Previews for the playoffs will be coming shortly, but first let's hand out some hardware.  Not in the literal sense. 

This season has shown some great stories, and some that you wish would just end (e.g. Brett Favre).  We've seen some great successes like LeGarrete Blount.  We've seen some great demises as well, like Wade Phillips.  Turnaround seasons from Tampa Bay and Kansas City show us that new talents and new playoff pictures are always around the corner.  Same old stories never give up either like Eric Mangini fired again, or Peyton Manning winning another division title.  Let's get down to business. 

AFC Rookie of the Year

Oddly enough, the two front runners for this award play the same position.  On the same team.  Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez put up some gaudy numbers as rookie tight ends.  They give Tom Brady more weapons, but I feel like Brady can do what he does with high schoolers on the field.  Gronkowski snagged 42 balls for 546 yards and 10 TDs.  Aaron Hernandez caught 45 balls for 563 yards and 6 TDs.  Being that yards and receptions are neck and neck, the AFC Rookie of the Year honor goes to Rob Gronkowski for hauling in more touchdowns.

AFC Comeback Player of the Year

I was tempted to handily give out this award to Terrell Owens, but I remembered that Dwayne Bowe had a horrendous season last year.  And this year?  Well let's take a look, shall we?  In 2009, Dwayne Bowe played in 11 games.  He caught 47 balls for 589 yards, and a dismal 4 touchdowns.  In 2010, Bowe flipped the switch.  He played in all 16 games.  In those 16 games, he caught 72 balls for 1,162 yards.  Oh yea, he also had 15 touchdowns.  No brainer here guys and gals.  The AFC Comeback player of the year is without question Dwayne Bowe. 

AFC Coach of the Year

This is always a tough category, because so many coaches do a great job.  Rex Ryan, for all his flaws got the Jets back to the playoffs without a good quarterback.  Tom Cable saw the Raiders through an unbeaten Divisional schedule.  Yes, the Radiers.  Bill Belichick is, well he's Bill Belichick.  But the most impressive jobs done in the AFC this year were by Jim Caldwell for holding his finger in the dike for so long, and Todd Haley for taking the Chiefs from 4-12 to 10-6, good for a divisional crown.  I'm a sucker for turn around stories, so the AFC Coach of the Year award goes to Todd Haley.
 

AFC Most Valuable Player

I save this award for last because it's the biggest one to dole out.  But everyone knows who I am going to give it to.  Doing more with less, Tom Brady had a remarkable season.  With old friend, Deion Branch back in the fold along with Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead (Kevin Faulk 2.0) and his two rookie tight ends aforementioned, Brady had one of his most accurate seasons ever.  He threw only 4 interceptions all year.  He passed for 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns, second best career mark.   Another no brainer.  AFC MVP, thy name is Tom Brady.

 

NFC Rookie of the Year

This is a lot tougher than the AFC was.  Lots of good rookies had seasons worthy of this award.  Sam Bradford had an admirable rookie campaign, and almost lead the Rams to a playoff home game.  He threw for 3,512 yards, completed 60% of his passes, and threw for 18 touchdowns along with 15 picks.  LeGarrette Blount rushed for 1,006 yards and 6 touchdowns in 201 attempts in only 13 games.  The most impressive NFC rookie, however, was on the defensive side of the ball.  Ndamukong Suh recorded 66 tackles (49 solo), 10 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and an interception for a touchdown.  He also attempted a PAT and missed.  Roll on big man.  Right towards NFC Rookie of the year honors.

NFC Comeback Player of the Year

This is another no brainer.  But let's discuss some of the contenders.  Osi Uymeniora had a great bounce back season.  He recorded 48 tackles (33 solo), 11.5 sacks, and forced an NFL tying-record 10 fumbles.  John Abraham also had a great bounce back year.  Abraham, coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign, came back with a vengeance, recording 40 tackle (35 solo), 13 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception.  No one can compare to the Comeback season Michael Vick has put together.  In 12 games, Vick has passed for 3,018 yards, thrown for 21 touchdowns against only 6 interceptions, and rushed for 676 yards with 9 touchdowns.  The only bad stat are his 11 fumbles.  But he takes the NFC Comeback Player of the Year Award hands down.

NFC Coach of the Year

More hard choices here.  Andy Reid is always a contender, especially this year, when no one expected the Eagles to make the playoffs.  Raheem Morris said early on that his team was the best in the NFC, and while they didn't make the playoffs, his team seemed to have bought into that statement and maybe in Morris too.  Steve Spagnuolo turned the Rams around from a one win team  a year ago, to 7-9 and nearly made the playoffs.  Lovie Smith, Mike Smith, and Pete Carroll are all deserving too.  But I will give it to Spagnuolo.  To turn a franchise around so quickly as he has done is remarkable, and he is most deserving of this crowded field.  Congratulations Spags, you're my NFC Coach of the Year.

NFC Most Valuable Player

While Roddy White and Matt Ryan made strong arguments in the beginning of the season for this award, Michael Vick just plowed right through their hopes of receiving the award in the middle of the season.  But while Michael Vick faded in the last couple weeks of the season, their was one player who actually fought his way into the playoffs, and frankly, I'm surprised no one is really talking about him for MVP.  Aaron Rodgers put up some great numbers this year, and while all of America has been on the fence of Michael Vick's success, Rodgers has quietly gone to work, and has done some fine quarterbacking for the Packers.  Vick played in 12 games this year, throwing for 3,018 yards, 21 TDs and 6 picks.  That's good for a 100.2 QB Rating.  Aaron Rodgers has played in 15 games, throwing for 3,922 yards, 28 TDs, and 11 interceptions.  His completion percentage was 65.7%, which is 5th in the league behind Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers, and Tom Brady respectively.  See Michael Vick 5 rungs down behind all of those guys plus Jon Kitna, David Garrard, Matt Schaub, and Eli Manning.  Rodgers QB rating was good for 101.2, good for 3rd in the league, also ahead of Vick.  Without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers would be without a doubt golfing right now.  My NFC MVP is Aaron Rodgers.