Four Downs with Dang & Doc
by Brian Davis and Paul Hopkins
24/12/2009
With the festive season now in full swing, Dang and Doc sign off for their Christmas break with a bumper-sized edition of Four Downs. The Cowboys dominated the Saints on Saturday, so are they a force to be reckoned with? In the AFC, the Chargers continue to march on – are the dominant side in the conference? The NFL has finally committed to the study into brain injuries and in the award season our boys dish out their accolades. Finally, they look ahead to 2010 and set out their Christmas wishes for their team and the league.
 After doing what thirteen other teams had failed to do and dominating the Saints, Dallas have proved they are capable of going all the way.
DANG – FICTION !. The Saints have been pushing their luck for weeks now and this will be exactly what they need to try re-energize them in their assault on the post season, a good team will take it in their stride and get stronger from it, a poor side will have been found out and lose the wave of momentum.
In the last 3 weeks, the Saints have let Chris Redman, Jason Campbell and Tony Romo put up over 300 yards on them; that for me is a worry. They have injuries on Defense, but they have to overcome them and not let it affect them.
The Offense appears to be slowing down as well, that for me is an even bigger worry, because we’ve seen in the past that if you score 30 on them, they’ll score more.
As for Dallas, I’m still not convinced and I haven’t been convinced all season, they seem to be on TV here every bloody week and am yet to sit up and think, “that was a nice performance, this team could go places”, in the same way that I have seen from the Colts, Saints, Chargers, Eagles who should now be locks for the Championship games in my eyes and until recent weeks, the Vikings and Bengals. You just know they’ll find a way of blowing it in a game that matters, be it through Romo, the coaching, Roy Williams’ dropsy’s or the secondary giving up big plays. Everyone is getting excited about them beating a team that had it coming, regardless of the previous 13-0 status.
DOC – FACT ! – They have, they proved it. Whether they can do it however, is a completely different matter. This has long been the problem with this team. Everyone could look at them and know that the offence can put points on anyone – they can run the ball, they have multiple weapons in the passing game. On defence they could be very special. Special teams – kicking aside – have improved immeasurably under Joe DeCamillas. So it’s all there. Wade can coach a defence better than anyone, and even my favourite ginge, Garrett can manage a few games without having a brain freeze. So, can they do it? Yes, they can. They can win out against the Skins and at home to the Eagles, having already won in Philly. Then they’d again have the Eagles at home in the wildcard. And should they proceed, they’ve already proven they can dominate the #1 seed – and the Vikings didn’t look like anything much at Carolina on Sunday. So why not? Ok, ok, I know why not, we all know why not. But I’m determined that everyone understands that the reason why not is NOT Tony Romo. And never has been. So, I’m optimistic there’ll be a playoff game for us. Not massively optimistic there’ll be a playoff win and I’m taking the Mick if I think they can go all the way. But why not? They’re as good as anyone else in the NFC – which is woeful compared to the AFC – so there really should be no reason why they can’t do it. Until you realise who’s in charge and the odds of some calamity occurring increase immeasurably.
 After another win over a dogged Bengals side, it is the Chargers, not the Colts who are the class of the AFC.
DANG – FICTION !. Ahh, one of my favourite subjects, the San Diego Chargers.
I was questioning the outcome of Sunday’s game to myself before kickoff. The last time the Bengals had to face such adversity, they pulled out a massive win for Coach Zimmer against the Ravens following the death of his wife, this time following the death of Wide Receiver Chris Henry they fell short as the Chargers dug deep to grind out a deserved win, which was a painful one for the Bengals to lose.
As for the question in hand, No they’re not quite the class of the AFC, that place still remains with the Colts who are clearly the team to beat here at 14-0.
If anybody beats the Colts this year then they have to bring their A+ game and how many teams have put together an A+ performance this season? Probably none in reality, Some A+ halves, quarters, but not the complete game.
Matching up across the teams:
QB – Favour – Colts
RB – Favour – Chargers
WR – Tie – two differing systems that work excellently.
TE – Tie – Gates v Clark, how can you really separate?
OL – Favour – Colts
DL – Favour - Colts
LB – Favour – Chargers
DB – Chargers.
ST – Chargers edge it
On paper, in terms of areas of the field, I call it level. The Chargers really are a good team as we’ve seen the last nine games, but they can be susceptible to not getting it done til the end which has shown in recent trips to the playoffs where they’ve suffered brain farts, whereas the Colts are the finely tuned, well oiled, calm, no nonsense juggernaut who will do their homework, hunt down its opponent, sap out the momentum by reeling them in, then man handle them, pummel them into the ground and then rip their spleen out as the words “Finish him” hover above them, in a lethal Chuck Norris, Mr T, Mortal Kombat style! Relentless and merciless.
If this is the AFC Championship game then book the next day off, because you may want to sit down and watch it again and again.
DOC – FACT ! – They’re going to win it unless Norv has one of his funny turns in the post-season. There you go; I will put it out there. The Chargers are not only the best team in the AFC; they’re the best team in the NFL right now. And I think this charge (pardon the pun) will continue all the way to Miami. They have the player who, as I said a few weeks ago is going to challenge Manning et al for being in that top bracket shortly. They have LT who is looking more like his old self. They can finally be the team to expose and exploit that weak secondary, with their big physical receivers and also with Antonio Gates. They have a 3-4 defence who is playing as well as any right now, and we know that it is these types of defence that most cause Peyton Manning trouble. So yes, I take the Chargers to go all the way. Look around the AFC, the Colts are good but the Chargers across the board are better. Finally it looks like it is all in place for them.
 The NFL’s donation and encouragement for its players to contribute to the University of Boston’s study into brain injuries is a positive move for football.
DANG – FACT ! Absolutely. As a blood donor myself, I positively encourage any help towards the prolonging of life, be that through donation for future/immediate use or future use in medical science.
Finding new ways to learn how to overcome injuries and illnesses sustained from playing has now finally, rightly found its way to the top of the NFL’s priority list.
It’s no coincidence that an unusually high number of ex-players are suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The new law of an independent specialist has to medically clear a player following a concussion is also a step in the right direction, as opposed to a team doctor, who may be under pressure from a Coach to pass fit a player despite him not being 100% and the player saying that “he is and feels 100%” which despite what some people reading may say doesn’t happen, a survey of 160 players showed that 30, say they have done this.
Also, another step in the right direction is that any player who is showing any signs of a concussion from a knock is not to be allowed back into the game or practice that day.
Current players Sean Morey, Lofa Tatupu and Matt Birk have already signed up to donate after their deaths, I would hope that in the near future, we will see many more signed up.
DOC – FACT ! – It can’t be anything else. The issue of concussions and the long-term damaging impact that they have on players has become – finally – a big issue this year. And I, for one have been really pleased at the precaution shown by a lot of franchises and even players which suggests that finally the message is getting through to them. It suggests that behind the scenes they have finally been getting information which is going to help them make informed decisions about their future health and well-being. And this can only, only ever be a good thing. You could maybe argue it’s too late, and it probably is – sadly for a lot of former players, but with NFL players getting bigger, stronger and faster the potential for injuries to the head and brain are only likely to increase, so this has to be welcomed.
 As we’re now into the time of the year when the awards are handed out, who’s your MVP, as well as your offensive and defensive rookies of the year.
DANG :
MVP – Peyton Manning. We’ve both crowed all season and I don’t think there’s much left that we haven’t already said about him. He’s the best in the business and a perfect season and a Super Bowl this year will crown him the best of all time.
Offensive Rookie - Michael Oher. The boy had it all at Ole Miss, that boy is now a man and he has it all in Baltimore. He’s proved comfortable at both Left and Right tackle position this season and looks like a seasoned vet out there at times. One bad game on the year as he faced up against Jared Allen and the Vikings defense but every rookie has an eye opener every so often. I’ve been a big fan of Oher for a long time and when I watch Baltimore, I tend to watch Oher closely, and he has been a real pleasure to watch this season. If he can cut down on the penalties, who knows how far Oher really could go. The sky is the limit.
Special mentions:
Percy Harvin, I hope he can overcome his migraine issues that are troubling him, but looks like the exact same player we saw at Florida.
Sebastian Vollmer, like Oher has come in and thrown straight into starting role, after an injury to Matt Light and looks like a seasoned vet out there, his figures are second to none since he’s been starting, good to see another European doing so well in the NFL, he looks like a First Round talent starting, had he started the year, he’d be in the running for this.
If Crabtree had signed back in the spring/summer, he could have walked this award.
Defensive Rookie - Clay Matthews. He’s been simply lighting it up for Green Bay: 8 sacks, 6 QB Hits, 18 QB pressures, outstanding production and the pick of USC’s 2009 crop of linebackers.
The highlight of Matthews’ season for me, was chasing down the Vikings Adrian Peterson, stripping him of the ball and returning it 42 yards for a score in week 4. Matthews is a big part of why Green Bay has the 2nd best defense in the NFL right now.
Special Mentions:
Brian Orakpo – living up to the high expectation as a pass rusher that he came out of Texas with.
Brian Cushing – another USC Linebacker from 2009’s crop of rookies performing at a high level at the next level.
Jarius Byrd. 7 picks in 7 games gets you noticed!
DOC :
MVP – It will be PEYTON MANNING – We get so used to how good this guy is that we almost take it for granted. But he doesn’t miss a beat. Simply brilliant. I said last week that I thought Chris Johnson had been the best player in the league this year and I stand by that, but Manning will win the MVP award again. And it is hard to question that.
Offensive Rookie – PERCY HARVIN – Even though I’ve not done my defensive rookie yet, it took me a lot longer to come up with a few names for consideration. But Harvin has been a game changer for the Vikings. He came with a bit of baggage and these niggling injuries and migraines have to be a concern but in him, the Vikes know they have someone who can change a game when he has the ball in his hands. I still don’t think he’s finished this year – I sense another big moment from him in the post-season.
Defensive Rookie – BRIAN ORAKPO – Eleven sacks (at the time of writing) for a rookie who has gone from a defensive end in college to playing linebacker in the pros. It’s simply sensational. Particularly on a team as bad as the Skins. Well, actually their front seven aren’t all that bad, but the franchise is (again) in a state of disarray. I have to admit, even as a Longhorns fan, I had my doubts about him entering the NFL. But it does appear he is proving he very wrong indeed.
OVERTIME!
The one thing I want for Christmas for my team is…
DANG – Does it have to be only 1? Ok then…an offensive line that can both pass block and run block affectively, to allow us to have one of our average quarterbacks put up some near Pro Bowl numbers and give us a playoff appearance.
We can then relegate said Quarterback to backup after the playoffs and draft somebody who can be the face of this franchise for the following 10 years, taking us to Super Bowl glory.
DOC – A PLAYOFF WIN – It’s been too long without one. It needs to be done to lift the monkey off the back of the franchise that finds ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and succeeds in fulfilling every negative aspect you can throw at them. But this year – again – there needs to be some optimism it might happen. I just hope if it comes that it doesn’t delay the axe falling on Phillips and Garrett.
OVERTIME!
In 2010 the NFL needs …
DANG – TO GET A NEW CBA AGREED – The CBA sorted out so we don’t have a strike and potential lockout on our hands in 2011.
The bad teams to draft really well (with the exception of the Rams and Seahawks, because we don’t like to see them do well) and start competing, the disparity between the bad teams and the good teams has never been bigger.
DOC – TO GET A NEW CBA AGREED – There can be no other objective for the NFL in 2010. If the cap goes, then it goes for good. And I’m sorry I think it will start to kill off this sport and we’ll be left with a situation like we see in many other sports around the world, where the rich move away from the rest and we get staleness. I think it could also mean that we’ll see more franchise moves, which is never a good thing as far as I am concerned. But as owners seek ways to make more money to be able to compete with the megalomaniac billionaires throwing money at their teams, they’ll be left with little to no choice but to strongly consider it. The game will, in my opinion, and this comes from a fan of a team expected to benefit considerably from the lack of a cap, be ruined without a new CBA. Get it done Random Roger…for the sake of the future of the game.
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