Lions' Marinelli defends decision to punt
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, at his press conference today, defended his decision to punt the ball with 4:28 left in the game. The Lions, who trailed by nine points at the time, had a fourth-and-four situation at their own 26-yard line. Here are some excerpts from Marinelli's presser:
After having time to reflect on it, do you still think you made the right decision to punt late in the game?
"Yeah, I do. And my reason is that if you don't convert - I think it was fourth-and-four - and if you don't convert at that point in the game, you're basically out of it. That was my thinking. We had a chance to punt and only used one timeout on that series - we had two - and we had a chance to get the ball again. The more opportunity you give your team to stay in the fight and have a chance to finish the game, that's my feeling.''
You were aggressive in the first half, going for two fourth-down plays and a long field goal, but you weren't as aggressive in the second half.
"It was more when we crossed that 50(-yard line), that's when we were aggressive. That was my mindset going into the game. The thing I wanted to do was create time of possession and create our own turnovers. At the end of the game, on fourth-and-four, if you don't get it, the game is over.''
So, you believed you could stop them, score, recover an onside kick and score again -- all in 4 1/2 minutes?
"Oh yeah. And we had a timeout left, too. I think that gave us a chance. If you don't, you take the game to one play.''
At 0-9, don't you think you need to ask your players to make a play?
"No question - and we did that during the game. I just felt at that point, where we were on the field, I didn't want it to come down to one play when there were 4 1/2 minutes left in the game.''
Why did you pass on a possible 57-yard field goal by Jason Hanson in the second half?
"It was in the third quarter and it was a one-possession game at that point. There was a lot of football left. If you miss it there, they've got possession on the 50-yard line.''
(c) 2008 Michigan Live LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Now more female football fans know a blitz from a balk
Guys, has this ever happened to you?
A football game is on and the wife/girlfriend says something like this:
"So, what inning is it?"
Well, for some guys, that kind of ditzy talk may be dead.
As many as 45 million women watch NFL football on Sundays - and that's not because they're trying to bond with their men.
They're digging it, said Erica Boeke, a UC San Diego graduate who co-wrote the book "GameFace: The Kick-Ass Guide for Women Who Love Pro Sports."
Actually, today's female sports fans are capable of saying stuff like: "Why don't they put Sproles in the slot when it's third and long, and hit him in the flat, particularly when the outside linebackers are showing blitz????!!!"
A generation of women has grown up watching sports, and "they're knowledgeable of it and intelligent in following it," said Boeke, 39, who now lives in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley.
They can tell you what an RBI means.
They can tell you what a "cover two" means and not giggle and say it's some sort of new Revlon product.
"A lot of us are real fans," Boeke said. "We know what's going on. We love the drama."
Which means: Great.
Now we men have to make room on the couch for these estrogen-powered fans.
Jim Steeg, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the San Diego Chargers and a longtime NFL employee, said the female fan base "is definitely there."
"It used to be that they just came along (to games)," Steeg said. "Now they're there for the enjoyment and the excitement."
Talk about change. In the past, women mostly watched figure skating. Men watched everything else, including bowling.
While some women may have been big sports fans in years past, they weren't devoted or dopey enough to face paint.
But maybe not anymore. According to a 2007 Scarborough Sports Marketing survey, more than 10 percent of women in San Diego considered themselves avid NFL fans. That was 14th in the nation. Pittsburgh polled highest with 18 percent.
Big surprise: Boeke is from Pittsburgh. "It's in our DNA," she said of being a Steelers fan.
As she grew older, she realized something. She wasn't alone. Many women followed sports with passion, intelligence and fond memories of learning the finer points about football, baseball and basketball from their fathers and brothers.
While they didn't do what men normally do - memorize arcane stats, scratch themselves and balance beer cans on their bellies - they did enjoy the thrill of the competition, Boeke said.
Sports are a big part of our popular culture these days, she said. For example, it's now big news whom athletes are dating.
The games are no longer "a niche thing," Boeke said, followed by an exclusively male audience.
Take Boeke. Not only has she followed sports as a fan, but she also has worked in the industry, writing and editing for the San Francisco Giants team magazine.
And she runs a Web site called GoGameFace.com, which has the tagline, "Watch sports like a girl." One of its advertisers: Beauty.com, not Right Guard.
Women do watch sports differently, Boeke said. Women are more interested in the whole sports experience, from the travel to the different cities to the tailgating parties to the friendships one forms.
Men? They're more consumed by the details and strategy, she said. So there's nothing to worry about. There's no real competition between male and female fans, she said.
If Boeke's team wins, she's not about to do anything crazy, she said, like turn over cars and set them on fire.
Whew.
At least the gals are leaving that heavy lifting to us.
(c) Copyright 1995-2008 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. A Copley Newspaper Site
Titans' Unbeaten Status Is Up in the Air
Tennessee may need to buy a 30-minute ad in prime time to introduce itself to the country as the NFL's best team. After pulling away for a convincing win over the Colts on Monday, the Titans (7-0) have a two-game lead in the AFC and a four-game lead in their division. But they are on a short week, and the Packers (4-3), coming off a bye, have had two weeks to heal and prepare.
The Titans' hallmark has been their defensive line and run stoppers, but their pass defense is not a pushover; it is ranked fourth in the NFL and is leading the AFC with 12 interceptions. It does not give up big plays, it is tied for the league lead at 5.7 yards a pass.
But Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers is actually playing better since injuring his shoulder. Playing hurt for his past three games, he has completed 71 percent of his passes, with 6 touchdown passes, an interception and a 108.5 passer rating.
Line: Titans by 4 1/2
PATRIOTS (5-2) at COLTS (3-4)
Colts by 6
Perhaps the prime example of this season's reshuffling of the deck is the state of the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts heading into their game Sunday night. For the past few years, this game has been a highlight of the regular-season schedule.
But these rivals may have trouble recognizing each other. The Patriots' offense, after all, is led by Matt Cassel and Kevin Faulk. And this is the first time since October 2001 that one of the teams has had a losing record when they played.
The host Colts need a win, especially with a game in Pittsburgh next week. They could look like a different team because of the expected returns of safety Bob Sanders and running back Joseph Addai. Sanders's absence has been cited often for the struggles of the Colts' defense, but Sanders is not a one-man miracle machine. And just the Colts' luck: as soon as they got Sanders back, they lost cornerback Marlin Jackson for the season with an injured right knee.
The Patriots are also having trouble finding healthy defensive backs. New England, whose previous opponents are 19-32, is in the meat of its schedule. This game is followed by three American Football Conference East games, then a matchup with the Steelers.
Patriots-Colts may not be as glamorous as in years past, but it could still be a turning point for both teams.
Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
Sunday Bloody Sunday for Sports Bettors
Sunday was by far one of the best NFL weekends the online bookmakers have seen in quite some time while the public suffered a massacre of sorts.
Bookies big wins included a Green Bay victory, San Diego losing to the Bills, the Jets losing in overtime to the Oakland Raiders and the Cowboys losing outright to the St. Louis Rams.
"The losers were the most bet on teams of the weekend," explains Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of Gambling911.com. "It started with the Colts being the single most wagered on team of the weekend and they were 34-14 by Green Bay."
In fact, 93 percent of the betting action was going towards Indianapolis.
San Diego was also heavily bet on but lost against Buffalo.
As for Dallas losing their third straight to a team the likes of St. Louis, which incidentally won its second straight to supposedly two of the best teams in the league, it was a killer. 85 percent of the action was going towards Dallas.
Tennessee, Chicago and the New York Giants were really the only three teams that came through for the betting public on Sunday.
Gambling911.com
Favre getting comfortable being Brett the Jet
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Brett Favre slipped his jersey over his head, grabbed his helmet and said something to Laveranues Coles that elicited laughs that echoed through the New York Jets' locker room.
The veteran quarterback then made his way to the practice field, a big grin marking the gray-stubbled face of the franchise.
"I enjoy being here," Favre said. "It's been fun."
His arrival came with lots of hope and hoopla, but Favre warned anyone who'd listen to temper their expectations. Four games into the newest chapter of his career, Favre is looking a lot like the player the Jets dreamed he would be.
"We knew the whole outlook was going to change once he became a Jet," right tackle Damien Woody said. "I think there were probably some guys in awe. How many guys get to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback or guy of that stature? There was an adjustment period, but everybody is settled in. Brett is another guy on the team that we really enjoy and enjoy playing with.
"Now it's time to roll."
The Jets head into their bye weekend 2-2 and on a huge positive note after Favre set a career high and tied Joe Namath's team record with six touchdown passes in a 56-35 victory last Sunday. The aerial assault earned Favre the AFC offensive player of the week award, and more importantly, showed he's settling in with his new team after 16 seasons in Green Bay.
"As sweet as it feels to do that, it would feel a lot better if we just continue to win," Favre said. "One of the things I said in the press conference the other day was, 'Don't expect this every week. Don't.' I mean, it would be great, but don't. I just hope we win football games. Whatever happens after that happens. That was a first, and I've played in a lot of games. Nothing ceases to amaze me."
Helped by his breakout game against the Cardinals, Favre leads the NFL with a 110.8 quarterback rating and 12 touchdowns. It's hardly been a seamless transition, though. He struggled to establish a rhythm with his receivers and get the offense down in the first few weeks. Favre insists he's still learning and might not have a complete grasp for several more weeks, but this is certainly a pretty good start.
"It's a dramatic jump because we do have a complex offense and just to call the play out was tough for him early on," tight end Chris Baker said. "Sometimes we got the play, but we didn't get a formation and protection back in camp. He has really evolved and he's obviously had to study a lot."
Even in a shortened bye week.
"In the past, when we had meetings during the bye, my eyes were open, but they were closed, if that makes any sense," Favre said, smiling. "'Oh, yeah, I heard you coach.' Yeah, right. Then, I needed to look over, 'What did he say?' ... This is obviously different because I'm still learning."
After an embarrassing performance against San Diego in front of a Monday night audience, the Jets' defense put the pressure on Arizona and forced seven turnovers. Favre took care of the rest, zipping the ball around the field as New York took advantage of all the mistakes.
"It's only one game," said Coles, who caught a career-high three TD passes. "You don't want to get too excited about it, but it is a positive stepping stone."
The defense has also shown flashes, ranking among the league leaders with 13 sacks. After holding the Cardinals scoreless in the first half last week, the Jets struggled and allowed them to get back into it. In coach Eric Mangini's previous two seasons, the defense has come out of the bye weeks a stingier bunch.
"We have to be better, especially when the offense turns the ball over," linebacker Calvin Pace said. "We need to hold them to three-and-out and force some more turnovers. Other than that, there's some good and there's some bad and that's what the bye week is for, to straighten things up."
The Jets hope to pile up a few wins quickly with a favorable schedule coming off their bye, including games against Cincinnati, Oakland, Kansas City and St. Louis.
"We'll get a better feel for each other," Woody said. "I feel good where we're at and where we're going."
It's been a hectic few months for the Jets after their $140 million offseason spending spree in which they brought in established players such as Pace, Woody, Alan Faneca, Kris Jenkins and Tony Richardson. Next came the stunning trade for Favre, and then the team moved from its longtime home in Long Island to New Jersey.
"I like the way that the guys coming from a lot of different places, whether it's the draft, free agency, whatever the case may be, the way that they have seemed to form a closeness," Mangini said. "We want to see that continue on. I think it's different when you play on a team, and then you play for a team with guys that you really like. I think it's a different level of performance that usually follows that."
And for the Jets, that all starts with Favre.
"I knew when I came here that there would be some questions: 'OK, we have a guy with a lot of experience, but is he going to want to do it his way or our way?" Favre said. "I think they all would tell you, 'He's here as a Jet. He's willing to do whatever it takes to win.' That's true.
"Am I going to make mistakes? Sure. I hope with each week there's less and less, and more production. We'll see what happens."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Vikings, Titans turn offenses over to veteran QBs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans find themselves on the edge of new territory.
Winning their first three games gives them the chance Sunday at the first 4-0 start in the franchise's 49-year history, dating all the way back to their AFL start in Houston. It would be a very strong start for a team that finds itself atop the AFC South, and that is why the Titans are uttering all the right cliches about thinking only of the Minnesota Vikings (1-2).
"I mean we're experienced, but we're not experienced in this situation," Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "I think this team has had a worklike attitude. We've been able to keep our focus despite the distractions. It's just another distraction. The best thing we can do is just focus on our next opponent."
The Vikings can understand what the Titans have been dealing with this season.
Both teams are starting veterans at quarterback after benching third-year players, with 37-year-old Gus Frerotte replacing Tarvaris Jackson in Minnesota in an attempt to boost the offense. In Tennessee, 35-year-old Kerry Collins took over when Vince Young sprained his left knee and a police search gave a glimpse at his bruised psyche.
"They've weathered the test of time," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said.
Frerotte led the Vikings to their first win in his first start last week, a 20-10 victory over Carolina in which Minnesota scored the final 20 points.
"I don't really have anything to lose. I'm just having a lot of fun," Frerotte said.
Collins joked that this is the battle of the blue hairs. But he now is 2-0 as a starter himself after a 31-12 win over Houston. He has had some great games against Minnesota, throwing for 375 yards while with the Giants in 2003 to snap the Vikings' 6-0 start, and 381 yards and five touchdowns in the 2000 NFC championship game.
"That is ancient history now," Collins said.
Absolutely, because neither the Vikings nor the Titans are pass-happy teams. These franchises couldn't be more similar right now, with run-oriented offenses featuring fast running backs and punishing defenses that love to hit quarterbacks and force turnovers.
Minnesota has had the NFL's stingiest run defense the past two seasons, a nice counter to Adrian Peterson, who helps the Vikings hold onto the ball and run the clock. The 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year is second in the NFL with 350 yards rushing, and he has hurt the four AFC teams he has played with 594 yards on the ground.
He even gave some advice during the offseason to Titans rookie Chris Johnson, who leads the AFC with 276 yards rushing, words he doesn't regret now that the teams are about to meet.
"No, not at all. Honestly, I'm the type of player that wants to compete against the best. A younger guy, I'm always willing to step in there and give the younger guys advice and see those guys succeed, too. That's what it's all about when it comes down to it. As long as I have myself together and I'm prepared, that shouldn't affect anything at all," Peterson said.
Tennessee is on a six-game winning streak in the regular season, and the Titans have allowed an average of 10.3 points and a league-low 252.8 yards per game in that stretch. Minnesota has managed only one TD inside an opponent's 20.
The Titans know the first challenge is keeping Peterson in check.
"What we kind of hang our hat on is stopping the run, and there's no better challenge," Vanden Bosch said. "In my opinion, maybe other than the rookie we have in this locker room, he's one of the best young backs in the league, and he's going to be a good player for a long time."
These teams have met only 10 times since the 1974 season and not since 2004. Minnesota hasn't visited Tennessee since the end of the 1998 season, not that it's mattered where the games were played for Titans coach Jeff Fisher. He has yet to beat the Vikings in four matchups.
The home field might help: Tennessee is 22-7 against teams making their first visit to LP Field, which opened in 1999.
"Well, it's a tough place to play," Fisher said. "We have great support and get noise when we need it. Hopefully it will be nice and warm, and we like to play at home."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Steelers don't expect much love in Philly
PHILADELPHIA -- Willie Parker expects fans in the City of Brotherly Love to be even tougher on the Pittsburgh Steelers than the Dawg Pound.
One thing is certain: The Philadelphia Eagles are a more difficult opponent for Pittsburgh than the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers (2-0) extended their winning streak to 10 over their closest rival, beating the Browns 10-6 last week. Now they'll try to win in Philadelphia for the first time in 43 years.
"It's going to be crazy in Philly," said Parker, who has 243 yards rushing and three touchdowns in two games. "It's probably worse than Cleveland. I think they don't like us more than Cleveland doesn't like us. It's going to be a hostile environment and a physical game."
Parker and the Steelers shouldn't take it personal. The rowdies in feisty Philly don't like anybody who isn't wearing midnight green and silver.
This interstate matchup really isn't much of a rivalry, though, because the teams play each other once every four years. Still, bragging rights are at stake.
The last time they met, the Eagles were 7-0 and on their way to the Super Bowl. But the Steelers thoroughly dominated Philadelphia in a 27-3 victory at Heinz Field on Nov. 7, 2004.
That was the game where Terrell Owens stalked Donovan McNabb along the sideline, shouting words of "encouragement" at his quarterback. It also was the only loss for the Eagles in a game that mattered. They finished 13-3, losing the final two regular-season games with mostly backups.
The Eagles are coming off a 41-37 Monday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys, their fiercest rival. Coincidentally, T.O. took center stage in that game, too. He caught two touchdown passes to help the Cowboys win the wildly entertaining, back-and-forth shootout at Texas Stadium.
With a short turnaround, the Eagles (1-1) didn't have much time to dwell on missed opportunities against Dallas. They quickly had to shift their focus to stopping the Steelers.
"It definitely puts that desire to get back out on the field in you," McNabb said. "You look forward to that opportunity to step back out and erase what happened last week."
Two games in, McNabb looks like he's finally back to his old form. He's completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 642 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. However, McNabb made a costly mistake that directly led to the Cowboys' winning touchdown. He fumbled a handoff to Brian Westbrook with the Eagles driving in Dallas territory. He also took a pair of sacks in the final minutes after Philadelphia was near midfield.
The Steelers' defense saw enough of McNabb making plays to be concerned about the five-time Pro Bowl pick.
"His mobility and how strong he is, even if you get your hands on him, he's hard to tackle," Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith said. "And when he gets out, he still knows where all his guys are and he can throw to them, too. He looks like the same (he was in his prime). I've got a lot of respect for him. He's a great quarterback. He looks just like he did in the past."
The QB on the other side isn't too bad, either. Ben Roethlisberger, despite a sprained throwing shoulder, is the highest-rated passer in the NFL at 136.3. He's thrown for 323 yards, three TDs and no interceptions while completing 75.8 percent of his passes.
Roethlisberger has been pressured often because teams are blitzing him more and he's gotten sacked five times. The Eagles certainly will come after him with exotic blitzes and complicated schemes.
"I think what they're trying to do is exploit what they think is a weak offensive line," Roethlisberger said of facing the blitz so much. "We gave up a lot of sacks last year, so I think teams are trying to really exploit that and I think my guys up front are doing a good job of shutting people down."
At 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds, Big Ben isn't so easy to bring down no matter how much pressure he faces.
"Obviously, you have a quarterback of that stature, you know that when you come in on a blitz, when you get to him, you have to make sure that you bring him down," Eagles safety Brian Dawkins said. "You can't just shoot at him as a smaller quarterback. You have to make sure that you go in with some thump in there to get him down because if you don't, he'll just spin and get out of it or he'll throw the ball with you hanging on his waist."
The Steelers haven't played in Philadelphia since Eagles quarterback Bobby Hoying beat them in his first career start in 1997. They've lost seven straight in Philly since a 20-14 win at Franklin Field on Oct. 24, 1965.
"I know the fans are going to get behind their team and the crowd is going to be into it," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "It's a big game for both of us, us and them."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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