The Seahawks are rubbish. That said, they could well be the least rubbish team in the NFC West. The 49ers continue to bury their reputation as a Superbowl powerhouse, by embarrassing themselves season after season; the Rams are still maturing and have been on the end of some unfortunate team performances, given the excellent play of second year pro Sam Bradford; and the Cardinals Superbowl hangover continues to render them ineffective, despite possessing some of the league’s most devastating offensive weapons.
The Hasselbeck era is over. It was, without a doubt, the most glorious of Seattle eras. For several seasons the Seahawks were genuine NFL powerhouses, even making it to Superbowl XL in Detroit, where they unfortunately fell to the Steelers.
And now, the Tavaris Jackson era, has begun. Tavaris Jackson, the Minnesota cast-off. Attaching the word ‘era’ to a player of Jackson’s pedigree is a tad uncomfortable, and I’d feel much better tagging current back-up, Charlie Whitehurst, with such a label. If I were the Seahawks GM, I would have labelled this season dead, and installed Whitehurst at the helm in order to give him a year to acclimatise to the rigours of being an NFL starter. But after assessing the weakness of the NFC West, you can’t blame Pete Carroll and co for having a crack… After all, they did defeat the world champions last year on the back of a 7-9 season. That’s sport, for you!
Verdict: absolute no-hopers, who will probably win the NFC West again! Their closest rivals, the Cardinals, figure to be hapless throughout the season and there’s every chance the Seahawks might be less rubbish by the end of it. An 8-8 record, the division title, the 4th seed and a first round exit for the Hawks, unless they come up against a pass-first team like they did in the Saints last year. Then that homefield advantage might come into play again.
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Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
San Francisco 49ers
I can barely bring myself to write about this team, so hopeless they are.
Alex Smith has to be considered a bust by now. Sure, the kid can play, but the kid isn’t a kid anymore and turning in four, maybe five good performances a season isn’t enough to convince any head coach that he’s got what it takes to be a successful NFL QB. A decent back-up, sure – the guy has first round talent but no consistency. But if you expect Smith to carry the hopes of your team, your team’s in for a bumpy season.
Frank Gore – one of the NFL’s better rushers – is doomed to a career in the vein of Barry Sanders, or the modern equivalent, Stephen Jackson of the Rams – great players on a terrible team. I feel for him and for the fans, which are now of an age that regards the glory days as prehistory. For a franchise with 5 world titles, a championship appearance, let alone win, seems a million miles away.
Verdict: good players will see this team get a few wins, but there is nothing in the way of on-field leadership to suggest the 49ers are able to eke out the win when their backs are to the wall. They should finish last in the NFC West and go 4-12 for the season, and I might be being a tad generous there.
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E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Alex Smith has to be considered a bust by now. Sure, the kid can play, but the kid isn’t a kid anymore and turning in four, maybe five good performances a season isn’t enough to convince any head coach that he’s got what it takes to be a successful NFL QB. A decent back-up, sure – the guy has first round talent but no consistency. But if you expect Smith to carry the hopes of your team, your team’s in for a bumpy season.
Frank Gore – one of the NFL’s better rushers – is doomed to a career in the vein of Barry Sanders, or the modern equivalent, Stephen Jackson of the Rams – great players on a terrible team. I feel for him and for the fans, which are now of an age that regards the glory days as prehistory. For a franchise with 5 world titles, a championship appearance, let alone win, seems a million miles away.
Verdict: good players will see this team get a few wins, but there is nothing in the way of on-field leadership to suggest the 49ers are able to eke out the win when their backs are to the wall. They should finish last in the NFC West and go 4-12 for the season, and I might be being a tad generous there.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Monday, 5 September 2011
San Diego Chargers
The perennial nearly-men are back and eyeballing the Division that should be theirs at a canter.
Last year’s AFC West Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, look to be going backwards as they attempt to deal with the sophomore slump that so often follows success too young.
With the Chiefs shooting themselves in their feet and the Broncos being, well… the Broncos (the Josh McDaniels ravaged team that was a yearly contender deep in the playoffs till the young, jumped-up former Patriots coordinator turned-up with the revolutionary notion that getting rid of your best players will immediately make you better), the Chargers should make the playoffs without breaking a sweat.
Should… They should… But there’s something Silver and Black in the rear view mirror and it’s coming up fast…
The Oakland Raiders are this year’s team to beat in the division of the NFL that has overtaken the NFC South as the most topsy-turvy and unpredictable. The Chargers are always contenders, but their main rivals seem to change on a year-to-year basis. This is good for football and kind of bad for the Chargers, which, I suppose, is kind of bad for football.
You see, the Chargers have never established the rivalry of, say, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, New York and New England, Dallas and Washington, because no team has managed more than a season or two of matching them blow-for-blow to be considered a stalwart. For that reason, it becomes harder for the Chargers coaching staff to know what to prepare for.
When the Jets play the Pats, Ryan and Belichick dust off their game notes before sighing resolutely, and tossing them in the bin – you know what’s coming, so just do the thing you’ve got to do to win, and make sure you do it better than the other team.
If it’s bad for the Chargers, it’s bad for football. Why? I am not a Chargers fan, but I do have, as I think many people do, a huge soft spot for them, and am constantly frustrated when their flair, aerial panache and boyish optimism is crushed by an unfeeling machine like New England or Pittsburgh.
I love the legend of Dan Fouts, of Kellen Winslow. I love the way that Coach Coryell changed the game of football into what we know and love today. I love the Powder Blue jerseys, the breathtaking plays, the style of a team that desperately needs the substance of a championship to solidify their elite status.
Phillip Rivers is already the Dan Fouts of his generation. Had Drew Brees of the Saints not won a title, he might have claimed the role, but Rivers will be the unlucky Hall of Famer unless his team can finally get back to the big game and win it this time.
Verdict: on paper, they have the easiest task of all AFC teams. In reality, the Chargers’ inconsistency and the Raiders sudden burst in productivity, could mean a very different outcome to the one expected by all in San Diego. Two tough divisional losses to the Raiders will account for a third of their defeats all season but see them miss out on the playoffs via tiebreakers. 10-6 and second in the AFC West.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Last year’s AFC West Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, look to be going backwards as they attempt to deal with the sophomore slump that so often follows success too young.
With the Chiefs shooting themselves in their feet and the Broncos being, well… the Broncos (the Josh McDaniels ravaged team that was a yearly contender deep in the playoffs till the young, jumped-up former Patriots coordinator turned-up with the revolutionary notion that getting rid of your best players will immediately make you better), the Chargers should make the playoffs without breaking a sweat.
Should… They should… But there’s something Silver and Black in the rear view mirror and it’s coming up fast…
The Oakland Raiders are this year’s team to beat in the division of the NFL that has overtaken the NFC South as the most topsy-turvy and unpredictable. The Chargers are always contenders, but their main rivals seem to change on a year-to-year basis. This is good for football and kind of bad for the Chargers, which, I suppose, is kind of bad for football.
You see, the Chargers have never established the rivalry of, say, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, New York and New England, Dallas and Washington, because no team has managed more than a season or two of matching them blow-for-blow to be considered a stalwart. For that reason, it becomes harder for the Chargers coaching staff to know what to prepare for.
When the Jets play the Pats, Ryan and Belichick dust off their game notes before sighing resolutely, and tossing them in the bin – you know what’s coming, so just do the thing you’ve got to do to win, and make sure you do it better than the other team.
If it’s bad for the Chargers, it’s bad for football. Why? I am not a Chargers fan, but I do have, as I think many people do, a huge soft spot for them, and am constantly frustrated when their flair, aerial panache and boyish optimism is crushed by an unfeeling machine like New England or Pittsburgh.
I love the legend of Dan Fouts, of Kellen Winslow. I love the way that Coach Coryell changed the game of football into what we know and love today. I love the Powder Blue jerseys, the breathtaking plays, the style of a team that desperately needs the substance of a championship to solidify their elite status.
Phillip Rivers is already the Dan Fouts of his generation. Had Drew Brees of the Saints not won a title, he might have claimed the role, but Rivers will be the unlucky Hall of Famer unless his team can finally get back to the big game and win it this time.
Verdict: on paper, they have the easiest task of all AFC teams. In reality, the Chargers’ inconsistency and the Raiders sudden burst in productivity, could mean a very different outcome to the one expected by all in San Diego. Two tough divisional losses to the Raiders will account for a third of their defeats all season but see them miss out on the playoffs via tiebreakers. 10-6 and second in the AFC West.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last year’s runners-up are hungry to avenge what was only their second loss in the big game. They are 6-2 all time in Superbowls with the most wins and appearances (tied with Dallas on 8) to date. Their team is superbly well coached by Mike Tomlin, who inherited a ready-made contender from long-time coach Bill Cowher when he retired a year after finally winning the title his tenure deserved in Superbowl XL.
The Steelers draft well and are a tight-knit bunch, who always get ready for the season regardless of any off-season issues that have plagued some of their top players.
Despite their undeniable pedigree, the Steelers often float under the radar until the end of the season. I think this has something to do with their ever-presence. It’s almost a given they will get to the playoffs somehow, but focus tends to rest with their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, who have been for the past few seasons, the team in waiting. Their ascension has made duking it out for the top of the AFC North a tight and absorbing affair year after year.
The Steelers find themselves in a conference that is much changed since last season. The Colts will not win the AFC South and are unlikely to feature in the playoffs for the first time in what seems like eternity, and the Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, last year will also fade under pressure from a resurgent San Diego and an optimistic Oakland.
I believe the Wild Cards in the AFC are easier to secure than in the NFC and for that reason I think the Steelers will ensure their late-season presence at a jog, be they in fifth or sixth position or runaway division champs.
Verdict: 11-5 and tied with the Ravens, who I think will take the division on the basis of head-to-head encounters. The Steelers will be playing in January, though, and they will be dangerous. Look for them to fall at the divisional round of the playoffs to either the Patriots or Texans.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
The Steelers draft well and are a tight-knit bunch, who always get ready for the season regardless of any off-season issues that have plagued some of their top players.
Despite their undeniable pedigree, the Steelers often float under the radar until the end of the season. I think this has something to do with their ever-presence. It’s almost a given they will get to the playoffs somehow, but focus tends to rest with their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, who have been for the past few seasons, the team in waiting. Their ascension has made duking it out for the top of the AFC North a tight and absorbing affair year after year.
The Steelers find themselves in a conference that is much changed since last season. The Colts will not win the AFC South and are unlikely to feature in the playoffs for the first time in what seems like eternity, and the Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, last year will also fade under pressure from a resurgent San Diego and an optimistic Oakland.
I believe the Wild Cards in the AFC are easier to secure than in the NFC and for that reason I think the Steelers will ensure their late-season presence at a jog, be they in fifth or sixth position or runaway division champs.
Verdict: 11-5 and tied with the Ravens, who I think will take the division on the basis of head-to-head encounters. The Steelers will be playing in January, though, and they will be dangerous. Look for them to fall at the divisional round of the playoffs to either the Patriots or Texans.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Philadelphia Eagles
Watching the Eagles assemble their roster over the shortened off-season was a thing of absolute beauty.
Andy Reid was incisive, aggressive and publicly passionate about the construction of a championship calibre team.
And boy, what a result! This team is loaded with fantasy super stars; stacked with talent and fuelled by a desire born of frustration and the knowledge that they are, as they have been for many years, perhaps the most deserving of a title that has, thus far, eluded them.
There are no weak spots throughout the Eagles starters. The only areas I would like to see more depth at, though, are Running Backs and Quarterbacks. If Michael Vick goes down, this team doesn’t just lose their starting passer, but also one of the major reasons why defences refuse to over-commit to the pass rush – there is no QB in the history of the game more dangerous with his legs than Michael Vick.
Vick is a lynchpin in this team – keeping him upright and healthy is essential to their success. Should the line protect the main man, this team will romp their way through the NFC, which is softer than it has been of late.
Verdict: the most improved team by a country mile. There is every reason to believe the Eagles could go all the way, but I’m a fan of trending in football and I reckon they’ll make the playoffs as number two or three seeds and stumble against either the Saints of Packers before the NFC Championship game. Record around 11-5 and a pitiful fade-out of the playoffs as per usual.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Andy Reid was incisive, aggressive and publicly passionate about the construction of a championship calibre team.
And boy, what a result! This team is loaded with fantasy super stars; stacked with talent and fuelled by a desire born of frustration and the knowledge that they are, as they have been for many years, perhaps the most deserving of a title that has, thus far, eluded them.
There are no weak spots throughout the Eagles starters. The only areas I would like to see more depth at, though, are Running Backs and Quarterbacks. If Michael Vick goes down, this team doesn’t just lose their starting passer, but also one of the major reasons why defences refuse to over-commit to the pass rush – there is no QB in the history of the game more dangerous with his legs than Michael Vick.
Vick is a lynchpin in this team – keeping him upright and healthy is essential to their success. Should the line protect the main man, this team will romp their way through the NFC, which is softer than it has been of late.
Verdict: the most improved team by a country mile. There is every reason to believe the Eagles could go all the way, but I’m a fan of trending in football and I reckon they’ll make the playoffs as number two or three seeds and stumble against either the Saints of Packers before the NFC Championship game. Record around 11-5 and a pitiful fade-out of the playoffs as per usual.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Oakland Raiders
Last year saw a bizarre occasion: the Oakland Raiders went 6-0 in their division, but managed a meagre 8-8 finish, missing the playoffs yet again. They’ve been knocking on the door for years, but having shipped their best player, Nnamdi Asomugha to the Philadelphia Eagles over the summer, you could be forgiven for thinking the Silver and Black might be going backwards, but I don’t think that’s the case.
Playing in the softest division in the AFC doesn’t hurt. The Chargers are perennial favourites to win the AFC West, but a year after the Chiefs ran-out surprise winners, you have to be prepared for surprises.
The Raiders have a real shot of making the playoffs this year, and they could be joined by some unfamiliar faces. 2011 could finally see the turnaround of several maligned franchises: the Lions, Browns, Bills, Rams, Texans, Buccaneers and Raiders are all looking like teams on the up and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see three of those seven in the mix come January. The Raiders are one of the three.
Basically, all they’ve got to do is match the Chargers game for game and beat them in their head to head contests – a feat of which I believe them to be capable. On the back of solid quarterbacking from Jason Campbell, electrifying running from Darren McFadden and field-stretching moves from a pair of burners at receiver, the Raiders are ready to take the next step.
Verdict: 10-6, tied with the Chargers on record but winning both head-to-head encounters and getting into the playoffs at the expense of Phillip Rivers team and possibly Norv Turner’s job.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Playing in the softest division in the AFC doesn’t hurt. The Chargers are perennial favourites to win the AFC West, but a year after the Chiefs ran-out surprise winners, you have to be prepared for surprises.
The Raiders have a real shot of making the playoffs this year, and they could be joined by some unfamiliar faces. 2011 could finally see the turnaround of several maligned franchises: the Lions, Browns, Bills, Rams, Texans, Buccaneers and Raiders are all looking like teams on the up and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see three of those seven in the mix come January. The Raiders are one of the three.
Basically, all they’ve got to do is match the Chargers game for game and beat them in their head to head contests – a feat of which I believe them to be capable. On the back of solid quarterbacking from Jason Campbell, electrifying running from Darren McFadden and field-stretching moves from a pair of burners at receiver, the Raiders are ready to take the next step.
Verdict: 10-6, tied with the Chargers on record but winning both head-to-head encounters and getting into the playoffs at the expense of Phillip Rivers team and possibly Norv Turner’s job.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
New York Giants
Big Blue are in for a rough ride with their ‘elite’ QB, Eli Manning.
Manning is of great stock, has a Superbowl ring and beat the most successful Quarterback of our generation to get it, but elite he is not. He is not the worst QB to ever win the big one (Trent Dilfer we love you), but he is little more than an effective game manager who plays his role well.
Some may say that’s enough to warrant the label, but the way Manning differs from the Bradys, Rogers, Rivers and Brees of this league is that he doesn’t change the game. He might put his team in the position to do something special, but he won’t make the spectacular happen with his arm or legs.
The Catch. So legendary it’s capitalised. David Tyree pinning a high, ropey throw from ‘elite’ QB Eli Manning against his lid as he was mauled by Rodney Harrison. Tyree held on, the Giants won the Superbowl for perhaps the biggest upset in our sport’s history. It was spectacular, but it should never have been. It was spectacular because Tyree caught a ball that he should not have been able to catch while under intense pressure from one of the most aggressive safeties the NFL has ever known. Manning should have been benched for that throw, not applauded. Sure, he did well to slip through the rush as his pocket collapsed, and perhaps you could laud him for getting the ball away at all, but it was still a shockingly risky bit of play. Brady wouldn’t have done it. Rivers wouldn’t have done it. Rogers wouldn’t have got himself into that kind of mess and Brees probably would have done it but gotten the throw on target.
The offense is weak. It lacks pro-bowl talent all over the field. Quarterback play is mediocre. The defence is riddled with injuries. Tom Coughlin doesn’t care all that much anymore. This team is trash right now. Bring back Tiki. Bring back Strahan. Without those characters there’s nothing much to like about this team of pretenders.
Verdict: they will win a few games, because when everything goes right, this team is, at worst, effective. The Eagles should run away with the division and the Redskins and Cowboys, although neither the powerhouse they have been, both know how to play and could cause the Giants problems. Despite my slating of Manning’s self-perception, this team should manage to split the series with each of the division rivals, even Philly. So I will stick with that pattern and predict an 8-8 finish.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
Manning is of great stock, has a Superbowl ring and beat the most successful Quarterback of our generation to get it, but elite he is not. He is not the worst QB to ever win the big one (Trent Dilfer we love you), but he is little more than an effective game manager who plays his role well.
Some may say that’s enough to warrant the label, but the way Manning differs from the Bradys, Rogers, Rivers and Brees of this league is that he doesn’t change the game. He might put his team in the position to do something special, but he won’t make the spectacular happen with his arm or legs.
The Catch. So legendary it’s capitalised. David Tyree pinning a high, ropey throw from ‘elite’ QB Eli Manning against his lid as he was mauled by Rodney Harrison. Tyree held on, the Giants won the Superbowl for perhaps the biggest upset in our sport’s history. It was spectacular, but it should never have been. It was spectacular because Tyree caught a ball that he should not have been able to catch while under intense pressure from one of the most aggressive safeties the NFL has ever known. Manning should have been benched for that throw, not applauded. Sure, he did well to slip through the rush as his pocket collapsed, and perhaps you could laud him for getting the ball away at all, but it was still a shockingly risky bit of play. Brady wouldn’t have done it. Rivers wouldn’t have done it. Rogers wouldn’t have got himself into that kind of mess and Brees probably would have done it but gotten the throw on target.
The offense is weak. It lacks pro-bowl talent all over the field. Quarterback play is mediocre. The defence is riddled with injuries. Tom Coughlin doesn’t care all that much anymore. This team is trash right now. Bring back Tiki. Bring back Strahan. Without those characters there’s nothing much to like about this team of pretenders.
Verdict: they will win a few games, because when everything goes right, this team is, at worst, effective. The Eagles should run away with the division and the Redskins and Cowboys, although neither the powerhouse they have been, both know how to play and could cause the Giants problems. Despite my slating of Manning’s self-perception, this team should manage to split the series with each of the division rivals, even Philly. So I will stick with that pattern and predict an 8-8 finish.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
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