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Week 8: Inside the Numbers

post from Stampede Blue on 03 November 2009 11:41:00 PM. © Stampede Blue

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

8 Games and Counting. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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What a game on Sunday. It's been a while since we all had to sweat 60 minutes of Colts Football. Here's some notes from this weekend:

From Elias: The last RB to throw a TD pass for the Colts was in 1984, when Curtis Dickey threw a 63 yard Touchdown pass to Tracy Porter. This was the 2nd game as the Indianapolis Colts. The last time a non-QB threw a TD pass? Ken Dilger in 2001, a 39 yarder to Marvin Harrison. I guess the Colts don't do this very often, huh?
Also from Elias: A record the Colts set in 2006 was broken last night by the Saints. The Saints have allowed 154 points this season, which is the most points allowed for a 7-0 team in NFL history. The previous record was 153, by your Super Bowl Champion Colts. Elam's late field goal did more than just cover the spread!
In the middle of the 4th quarter, Dwight Freeney recorded a sack of Alex Smith, setting the franchise record by getting a sack in 8 straight games. Only 2 more to tie the NFL record.
Manning threw his 2nd most passes in a game without throwing a TD pass, with 48. His record? 50 passes in this very forgettable game.
That's now 16 straight wins. Let's keep the train rolling!

Let's get to the numbers...

Here are the Colts' stats for Week 8:

Statistic Offense Rank Defense Rank Off/Def Above Off/Def Below Record DSR63.6%2164.3%8NN8-2ANPY/A7.09684.36111YN8-1Turnovers0127YN5-2Yds/Drive31.541024.587YN9-0ToP/Drive2:34.9142:12.27NN7-1Yds/Play5.616115.46315NN7-0First Downs/Drive1.54161.337NN7-23rd/4th Down45.0%920.0%3YN5-0Avg Start Pos29.51321.53NN5-43 and Outs41062NN6-1RZ Eff32.1%24100.0%20NY3-4Plays/Drive5.615104.5004YN7-1Penalty Yds / Play0.52190.9265YN3-4RB Success42.9%1735.3%3NN0-1Yds/Carry2.90256.2823NY2-2Net Punts Yds/Game41.001446.0024NN6-0Ranking - Week (26)10511Ranking - Season (232)1075964

Some thoughts:

This was by far the worst Drive Success Rate of the season for the Colts Offense, as the 49ers were even better than their season average. I think this is the main reason the Colts struggled, and I said on my game preview that this stat would be key. Turns out it was the reason the game was so close. The Colts defense was pretty good though.
The Colts have been Above Average on both sides of the ball in all 7 games so far this season in ANPY/A. But today, however, this stat was not all Peyton Manning.
The 49ers were only 2/10 on 3rd down. Yes, that is correct. 20% Third Down Conversion for the defense. This is great to see.
Colts defense were also 2nd in Three and Outs this week, forcing 6 of them. Spectacular.
Here's why YPC is not the greatest stat for rushing: The Colts were 4th worst in YPC, basically because of one 64 yard run. Take a look at RB Success Rate: 35.5%, 3rd best. The Colts did a very good job stopping the run, other than that one play.
You'll probably hear the media talking about how awful the Colts played, how they aren't really that good. Guess what? This game by the Colts was still in the top 1/4 of all games played this year. Just because the offense struggles doesn't mean the Colts automatically struggle any more. Scary thought, huh?

Here's how it looks for the season:

Statistic Offense Rank Best Defense Rank Best Record Win % DSR78.4%1Colts66.3%9Saints52-40.929ANPY/A8.7511Colts3.6854Saints62-40.939Turnovers0.862Packers1.7112Eagles53-120.815Yds/Drive40.361Colts27.6412Eagles56-70.889ToP/Drive2:57.74Patriots2:52.525Saints53-150.779Yds/Play6.5092Cowboys4.5654Broncos54-100.844First Downs/Drive2.113Patriots1.6521Cardinals45-100.8183rd/4th Down51.0%2Dolphins41.4%26Cardinals42-80.840Avg Start Pos28.321Bears26.43Texans56-120.8243 and Outs2.432Cowboys3.5722Texans39-120.765RZ Eff68.0%1249ers59.2%9Redskins35-190.648Plays/Drive6.2003Patriots6.05428Giants41-180.695Penalty Yds / Play0.6714Jaguars0.75019Seahawks60-410.594RB Success47.6%13Dolphins48.8%22Eagles40-160.714Yds/Carry3.7026Titans4.482349ers26-290.473Net Punts Yds/Game41.588Raiders42.2928Patriots27-240.529Overall2Patriots12Eagles

A couple thoughts here:

The Colts dropped to the #2 offense behind the idle Patriots. I think a big part of that is the DSR stat, which dropped 3%, but that's a big drop when you get to the top end of the distribution curve. I hope they can reclaim that next week.
They are still in the top 4 in the best 8 stats, leading in 3 different stats.
Red Zone offense really struggled this week, and it shows up here, dropping the Colts to 12th from 4th place just a week ago. Need to get that back up.
The Colts keep pulling themselves out of the hole created by the Miami game, creeping up to 12th in the league defensively. That's the highest they've been so far this season.
Colts opponents have to go the 3rd most yards to score a touchdown, which, I think, is helping the defense as well. They aren't getting put against the wall, so they are playing much looser.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/11/3/1113830/week-8-inside-the-numbers

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Holmes: Chase Coffman's long awaited pro debut
could be on the horizon

post from Cincy Jungle on 03 November 2009 11:39:00 PM. © Cincy Jungle

We have had as many posts about fullbacks on Tuesday as we have had all of last season. So that just means we need to update our Tight End position file for the 20th time since August. Here's the quick background version. Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht injured for season, Daniel Coats becomes starter, J.P. Foschi signed off the street. Coats disappoints and Foschi becomes the team's first team Tight End.

And of course, there's Chase Coffman.

Like the team's fullbacks, Coffman was a major storyline on Hard Knocks. And it wasn't very endearing. In fact, it was down right embarrassing for the rookie. Even though he made the 53-man roster, Coffman has yet to make his NFL debut; largely because he's still developing his blocking skills -- something that Coffman rarely did as a tight end with Missouri.

Dayton Daily News' (yes, they have a Bengals story) Carlos Holmes writes that Coffman's "long awaited pro debut could be on the horizon." Holmes believes that the Bengals could insert Coffman sooner rather than later because the position hasn't been very productive.

Coffman has used his time wisely working on becoming a better all-around player. The tight end hits the weight room religiously each day and continues to study hard in an effort to improve his overall game. The one area he is working the hardest to improve is his blocking skills.

Coffman struggled with blocking assignments throughout training camp and the learning experience has been humbling.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” he said. “I think it kind of surprised me because it’s not as easy as one may think. There’s nothing easy about playing at this level. There is a lot of technique involved along with everything else.”

Several weeks ago, Marvin Lewis said "I’ve got to make sure those guys who suit up on Sunday can fulfill covering those kicks and doing all those things Chase didn’t do a whole lot of at the University of Missouri." What Lewis, who likes Coffman's progress, is pointing out is that he still needs to work on things he didn't do with Missouri -- like everything other than running, catching, breathing and watching South Park reruns.

So we find it hard to believe Holmes is speaking with any authority; merely pointing out speculation based on disappointing play of the team's tight ends.

Once he gets his blocking technique down, there's still high hopes for Coffman, who could add a frighteningly new dimension to a Bengals passing offense that's only ranked 18th in the league.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2009/11/3/1113965/holmes-chase-coffmans-long-awaited

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Bengals use final practice squad spot on
offensive tackle Gerald Cadogan

post from Cincy Jungle on 03 November 2009 10:54:00 PM. © Cincy Jungle

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

2 months ago: Carolina Panthers' Gerald Cadogan, left, chases New York Giants Tommie Hill as Hill scores a touchdown as time runs out in an NFL football preseason game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Aug. 17, 2009. The Giants won 24-17. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed fullback Chris Pressley off the Bengals practice squad on October 28, it not only crushed our anticipation that the Bengals were grooming their next big-impact fullback to eventually replace Jeremi Johnson, but it also opened up a roster spot. There was some speculation that the Bengals could demote a player from the 53-man roster and sign him back to the practice squad. However, players that are generally eligible for the practice squad haven't put in their full four years of service, so they'd first have to go through waivers. And if any team during the waiver process ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals claimed that player, he'd be gone and couldn't sign on the practice squad. Since the Bengals didn't go that route, all of what I said is pretty much irrelevant.

However, with Pressley's departure last week, the team had an open practice squad spot.

During a day in which Fui Vakapuna, a rookie who hasn't played a regular season down in his young NFL career, took the headlines and generated the most discussion, the Bengals also filled their open spot on the practice squad signing Gerald Cadogan on Tuesday. Cadogan was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Carolina Panthers after the NFL draft. The Panthers waived him on August 31.

Cadogan, Penn State's offensive tackle who was named first team All-Big Ten in 2008, was projected as a third-round pick by NFL Draft Scout, NFL Draft Bible, and Sports Illustrated. ESPN ranked him as the 11th best offensive tackle (Insider) coming into the league during the 2009 NFL Draft. Cadogan, who stands six-foot-five and weighs approximately 315 pounds, started all 26 games as the Nittany Lions' left tackle. His academic achievements are just as impressive, winning Academic All-Big Ten three straight seasons and Academic All-American twice.

What's even more impressive is that we were able to write so much about a practice squad addition.

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http://www.cincyjungle.com/2009/11/3/1113915/bengals-use-final-practice-squad

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Second Thing to Be Settled After GM Fiasco

post from Dawgs By Nature on 03 November 2009 10:19:00 PM. © Dawgs By Nature

Put some damn stripes on those brown pants.

Let me tell you a little bit about my uniform ideals. Our home jerseys are great. They honestly can't get better. Congratulations Browns, it's the only consistency we really ever had in the last 10 years.

Now as for the away, I was an all white man. I saw the orange pants of the 90s. Atrocious. Yes, they were our identity but they were pretty bad. When we went all white I thought it was a great transition and also the only transition that seemed to work. Then I saw the brown pants in the preseason last year and I prayed they were never made mandatory.

Then this year happened. We made brown pants mandatory for away. I was disappointed and they really didn't seem to work. But they grew on me amazingly. Then I started liking them and disagreed with Kwoog; they needed stripes and they'd be perfect, as shown in this artist's rendition: (Thank you Paint.)

I hope you all agree. Here is living proof that stripes would complete this now great away jersey. Please Lerner, get mad about plain pants also.

Poll

Should the Browns put stripes on the brown pants?

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http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2009/11/3/1113879/second-thing-to-be-settled-after

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Van Heusen Hall of Fame Interview Part 3: Bart
Starr

post from Daily Norseman on 03 November 2009 10:03:00 PM. © Daily Norseman

Go to www.fanschoice.com to vote for the 2010 Hall of Fame class today!

[Ed. note: As I ~~bragged about~~ informed you yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview three NFL Hall of Famers before Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. The interview group consisted of about 10-12 media members. Of course in my case, I use the term "media member" in the loosest sense possible--I'll be the first to admit that I was just a lucky blogger with a new digital voice recorder. We split up into smaller groups on stage before the public event and had a chance to rotate around to each Hall of Famer to ask some questions. Not all of the questions below were asked by me, but I did ask most of them listed for each interview. Here's the final interview with Packer legend Bart Starr:]

This event marks the first time the fans have a say in Hall of Fame voting. Is this a good thing in your opinion?

I think it's great that the fans get a chance to vote and show up on occasions like this. Obviously they're not the selection committee, but I don't know if there's a sport out there right now that brings in the fans like this. It's good to give the fans a way to make a contribution and have at least a bit of a say in it.

The big news of the day is obviously the Brett Favre thing--what do you think is going through his mind getting ready to run out there?

Well I don't know, and I'm not trying to avoid your question, but I'm purposely not going to get into that today. One, I think it's too late--this has been going on for well before this week around here! (Laughs) I'm just happy to be here today and I hope it's a good game and we can have a lot of fun.

So a quick follow up then, do you think that's what's going through Brett's head today--just ignore it?

I have no idea. He has to focus on the game and what he's been trained to do all week and what he's supposed to do for this Packer game, so that's his focal point.

How have you seen the Green Bay/Minnesota rivalry evolve since your playing days? Obviously the Favre situation has escalated things this year, but has the intensity always been there?

It's been a big rivalry. I think it's great because being in the same division and having something that is that strong is good for the league, it's good for that division obviously, it's just great for everybody. And in this latitude of the country, I just think it's wonderful. My wife and I of course have been living in Green Bay for 31 years, so this will always be our adopted home. When you can be a part of something like that well after you've retired, it's just a great experience.

How do you think Packers fans should welcome Brett back when he comes out of the tunnel? Should they boo him? Should they cheer?

(Laughs) I think that's up to the individual. As I said to the question before, it's not my place to say. It's for him, it's for the fans here to do their thing, and that's exactly what everybody should be doing.

How unique of an experience is this with someone that played here so long coming back playing for a rival?

Well it is definitely unique and I can't comment on it because I've never been there, but it's going to be an interesting day.

What was it like to be a member of the Green Bay Packers so long and be such a big part of this franchise as a player then a coach?

It was a great experience. In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have coached right away because I wasn't quite in the position I wanted to be. We had a some talented players on those teams and it was a great learning experience, and from that perspective I don't regret it. But more important to me was to always cherish the great years we had here with the wonderful people of Green Bay, and all the wonderful people around here that enabled us to win five championships in seven years.

How important is it to you to be a part of the Hall of Fame event and the game today?

It's really special. I really love all the Hall of Fame people. If you haven't looked closely at it in a number of years, you'll see some remarkable stages of improvement. I think when they can have something like this available to the fans it can only help. Now the fans here may not necessarily get to bring anyone in, but to hear their opinions, I think it's great for everybody. And I like coming to every game here, it's very special. By the time this season's over, my wife and I will have been to at least five of the ball games here in Green Bay and we're very proud of that.

Thanks Bart.

Have a great day gentlemen.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dailynorseman.com/2009/11/3/1113815/van-heusen-hall-of-fame-interview

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Van Heusen Hall of Fame Interview Part 2: Paul
Krause

post from Daily Norseman on 03 November 2009 09:01:00 PM. © Daily Norseman

Go to www.fanschoice.com to vote for the 2010 Hall of Fame class today!

What do you think about the fans getting involved in the Hall of Fame vote?

Well first of all, they've never been involved. And I think Van Heusen is doing something that's very good for our sport of football. You have to keep the fans involved in this stuff because they're the ones that are paying the salaries, they're the ones that are supporting everything. So I think it's very important that the fan has a say in who goes into the Hall of Fame. I also think it's about time that the players who are in the Hall of Fame have a say about who's going to go in. It's a program that has just started but I think it's very important for the NFL.

Do you think including the fans in the voting will improve the accuracy of voting to reflect who truly deserves to get in?

That's hard to tell; I really don't know. I'm not saying that anybody in the Hall of Fame right now doesn't deserve to be in there, and I don't know how many should go in every year. In my case, I was out of football for twelve years before I got in. Being the all-time interceptions leader for a career and the record is not even close to being broken, what in the world does it take for some of those sports writers to vote somebody in? You never know what they're thinking.

This is obviously a big game on a lot of levels. With all the emotions on both sides of the ball, how do you see things playing out today?

Well it's definitely a big game for both teams. On one side, you have Aaron Rodgers, who I think is doing a great job at quarterback. I think a big factor will be how well his offensive line can protect against the big pass rush of the Vikings. On the other side of the ball, you have Brett Favre, and I mean, the guy is living the dream right now! He's still playing, and he's getting a lot of criticism for coming back, but he's doing something that every other 40 year old would love to do. So I don't criticize him, I think it's great.

What do you think will be going through Brett's mind as he comes out of the tunnel today?

I think he's going to have fun with it. Every 40 year old ex-football player wishes he was in Favre's position. If he can do it, why not do it? He can still play. He's a great quarterback. I was traded from the Redskins to the Vikings, and when I played the Redskins for the first time, it was fun. I had a great time. I think he's just gonna let it hang out and go with it. I don't think there are going to be any ill feelings one way or the other.

Do you think the debate going on here in the Lambeau parking lot about whether or not Favre's return was a good thing is healthy?

Sure it is! That's what football's all about. That's what sports are all about. You get the fans talking...this is a good thing. This is a great thing for the game of football today. You've got a great day out here, you've got two great football teams. Both of them can win today, and both of them can get beat. The team that probably plays with the least mistakes is gonna win. They both played a great game on Monday night [in Week 4], but I don't know if both teams can do that today. It could be a blowout either way.

Do you think the Green Bay fans will boo Brett? Do you think they should if they do?

I don't think they should boo him. I mean my goodness, he made Green Bay what they are today, along with Bart Starr and everybody else. Why boo a guy? It's not going to affect the guy's way of playing. He's going to come out and do his very best for the Vikings just like he did for the Packers. So what if he's here now for the Vikings. He spent a lot of time here. He won a lot of hearts, broke a lot of hearts, both with the Vikings and Packers fans. So I don't think they should boo him.

You spent a lot of years dominating the defensive backfield in the NFL. Is there anyone currently in the NFL that plays in the defensive backfield that catches your eye as Hall of Fame worthy?

Well, I don't know...I think Darren Sharper is probably the closest player that's playing today to my record, and I think he's about 20 [interceptions] behind me. I don't know if he's going to play long enough to break the record or anything, but I know Darren and I've talked to him several times. He's a good football player. So we'll just wait and see. Some of the younger guys are having good years, but you have to have good years 10, 12, 13, 14 years in a row to get in the Hall of Fame. It takes a while to get in the Hall of Fame.

Thank you very much Mr. Krause.

No problem.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dailynorseman.com/2009/11/3/1113732/van-heusen-hall-of-fame-interview

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Atletico Madrid 2-2 Chelsea

1-0 Aguero 66′1-1 Drogba 82′1-2 Drogba 88′2-2 Aguero 90′Match Report

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http://www.footballohighlights.com/champions-league/atletico-madrid-2-2-chelsea/

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AC Milan 1-1 Real Madrid

<0-1 Benzema 29′1-1 Ronaldinho (Penalty) 35′Match Report

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http://www.footballohighlights.com/champions-league/ac-milan-1-1-real-madrid/

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Man Utd 3-3 CSKA Moscow

0-1 Dzagoev 25′1-1 Owen 29′1-2 Krasic 31′1-3 Berezutsky 47′2-3 Scholes 84′3-3 Valencia 90′Match Report

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http://www.footballohighlights.com/champions-league/man-utd-3-3-cska-moscow/

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Van Heusen Hall of Fame Interview Part 1: Jan
Stenerud

Go to www.fanschoice.com to vote for the 2010 Hall of Fame class today!

How have you seen the effect of Brett Favre's return in Green Bay this week? Do you think it's good for football?

JS: I think it is. I live in Colorado so I don't see all the local press, but I did see the articles like in the USA Today. I thought it was pretty neat except for a couple things. I think people can go a little too far at times, but overall I think it's great for the game. But you know once the ball is kicked off all of that stuff is forgotten. Brett Favre is surrounded by his teammates and he can handle it.

Now you went through this too, going from the Packers to the Vikings right? What was the experience like the first time you ran out of the visitors' tunnel?

JS: Well yes but on a lot lower level. (Laughs) I spent three and a half seasons in Green Bay and then went to Minnesota. Of course we came back and there were some mixed feelings, but nothing on this level. It was strange not to be in a Packer uniform obviously. Actually the first time I came back the game was in Milwaukee, which was very different than playing here. But still, you are a hired gun when you play pro football and you do the best for the employee you have at the time. It wasn't that big of a deal then, but hardly anything is as big as [Favre's return] when it comes to a player going from one team to another.

Can you talk a little bit as to why you're here today?

JS: Certainly. For the first time, the fans have a chance to vote for the 2010 Hall of Fame class. It's to get the fans more involved and more interested about the Hall of Fame vote, and it'll go on from now on obviously. I know there are several Packers on the list such as Sterling Sharpe and Jerry Kramer, so it's kind of fun to get the fans involved, and Van Heusen and JCPenney have made this possible.

How important do you think the fan's opinion is for the Hall of Fame? Do you think it will influence how the usual Hall of Fame voters cast their ballot?

JS: I don't know how important it's going to be, but if you're a selector and you see the fans make a really great case for a player, you can make the selectors take a real close look at them. If you look at all the players on the list, I think there are 130 or so, they're all really great players. So I guess what you're looking for is making the selectors really dig in as much as possible to make the best choices. I think it's good to get the fans involved.

You're one of only three kickers in the Hall of Fame, and you're the only one that solely kicked throughout your career. George Blanda and Lou Groza played other positions in their career. Do you see any current NFL kickers that have a shot at the Hall of Fame?

JS: Well I was the only one that only kicked because I couldn't do anything else! (Laughs) There will always be a lot less kickers in the Hall of Fame than other positions, I do know that. Twenty years from know do I know how many kickers there will be? I couldn't tell you. But there will be a few, I'm sure of that. Morten Andersen and Gary Anderson were great kickers. I think Gary is eligible this year--I don't know what's going to happen, but he has some great stats. Vinatieri has made two game-winning kicks on the biggest stage of all of pro football. He's off to a great start and he'd be a strong candidate. Ray Guy is probably the best punter of all time. He was drafted in the first round. Oakland, with their championship teams, thought the punter was that important to draft him in the first round. And he lived up to all the expectations, and you know that field position is very important in football. You would think he would get consideration but he's never really made it to the final round of voting. Maybe this year.

Thanks for your time Jan.

JS: My pleasure.