Poor Field Conditions Giants vs. 49ers

 A game with less-than-ideal field conditions, the San Francisco 49ers had the right idea in their loss to the New York Giants.
The 49ers immediately tried to run the ball. It's the golden rule of mud-pit battles: pound the rock.

And Frank Gore had some success. He gained 74 yards on 16 carries. Kendall Hunter and Alex Smith added another 73 rushing yards, giving the team an impressive total.

The team also made a noticeable effort to feed Gore the ball on passing plays. The former Miami Hurricane caught six passes for 45 yards.

Of the other three players to catch passes, two were tight ends. These bigger-bodied players don't struggle as much on the slippery field and can still gain traction. Vernon Davis certainly did so, as he caught three passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

San Francisco's biggest advantage came when they were on defense. The 49ers have a fantastic defense in perfect offensive conditions, but in this weather, it was even better.

Sure, Eli Manning was fairly successful, as he threw for 316 yards. But, he passed the ball 58 times. Of course he was going to gain some yards.

Ahmad Bradshaw wasn't nearly as successful. The New York offensive line struggled to gain any traction on the slippery field, and the 49ers benefited from it. Bradshaw rushed for a meager 74 yards on 20 carries and did not score any touchdowns.

The team's other running back, Brandon Jacobs, was even worse: rushing for only 13 yards on five carries.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The 49ers recognized New York's offensive limitations and attacked Eli Manning. San Francisco sacked Manning six times, partially because of their aggressive defense.

Manning faced constant pressure. If his wide receivers had been able to move more quickly, maybe he would have been able to make the 49ers pay for their blitzes. But San Francisco knew he wouldn't be able to.

Overall, San Francisco tried their hardest to use the weather to their advantage. Sometimes, that just isn't enough, though, and the 49ers still lost.by wes stueve

New Jersey politician Calls Philadelphia Eagles "gaybirds"

A New Jersey politician apologized Monday for a Facebook posting in which he called the Philadelphia Eagles "gaybirds," The Jersey Journal reported.

State Assemblyman Charles Mainor, a Jersey City police detective, taunted the Eagles in a status update he posted Sunday night as the New York Giants played the Green Bay Packers.
In the update, he wrote, "We are not going to just lay down, we come to play. Who the hell do you think we are the Dallas Cowgirls or those gaybirds from Philly ... No we are the New York Giants."
According to The Jersey Journal, the wording of the update upset a few constituents. Steven Goldstein, chair and CEO of gay rights group Garden State Equality, called Mainor's comments "inadvisable."
For his part, Mainor told The Journal he did not compose the "gaybird" portion of the message.
"I have to take full responsibility because it was under my name," he said.

Japan's Hiromi Sakai DIES Car Crash

A Japanese female speedway rider whose glamorous presence in the pit lane revitalized the sport has been killed in a high-speed accident just months after her debut, Auto Race's official website said.

Hiromi Sakai, 27, only took part in her first full Auto Race in July, when she and her 19-year-old colleague Maya Sato became the first women to compete in the sport for more than 40 years.
Auto Race, or Oto Resu, is a Japanese version of speedway raced on tarmac rather than dirt, using powerful, stripped-down machines with no brakes and handlebars specially modified to make cornering easier.
Gambling is allowed and top riders can make millions.
Sakai was training with other racers Sunday at a circuit in Funabashi, east of Tokyo, when the accident happened. She was traveling at up to 93 mph, said Auto Race's organizing body JKA.
The exact cause was not clear, but Sakai flew off her bike and slammed into fencing. No other riders were involved.
"A medical team was brought in immediately, but despite the treatment she died due to a skull fracture," JKA said on its website.
JKA chairman Katsumi Ishiguro said in a statement, "I cannot express my sorrow enough that the accident occurred so soon after her debut, the first woman to take part in 44 years, and with a bright future ahead of her."
Auto Race recently re-opened its doors to women for the first time since the 1960s, and Sakai quit her job at a tourist agency to join a riders' boot camp, which takes only about one in every 50 applicants.
She won her first victory a month after her debut.source news core

Brian Shottenheimer Going to Rams

Brian Schottenheimer is set to accept an offer to become the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator, the NFL Network reported Sunday night, citing sources.

 

Can Alex Smith do the unthinkable and lead the Niners to the Super Bowl? Divisional round review.

The source said all that was left to make the move official was the completion of the contract.
Schottenheimer told the New York Jets on Tuesday that he would not be returning as offensive coordinator next season after six years in the position, and the team quickly moved to replace him with former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.
Schottenheimer, 38, had spoken with the University of Alabama about its vacant offensive coordinator position on Friday, and reportedly began his interview with the Rams on Sunday morning.
According to the NFL Network, Schottenheimer and new coach Jeff Fisher spent Sunday night discussing the role.
Fisher, 53, parted ways with the Titans last January after more than 16 seasons, during which he established Tennessee as a regular playoff contender and took the 1999 team to the Super Bowl, losing 23-16 to the Rams.
He had been a top candidate for the vacant jobs in both St. Louis and Miami, before it emerged Friday that he would be joining the Rams.

San Francisco 3/1 Odds On Superbowl

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers jumped out to a 17-0 lead and ultimately came away with a thrilling 36-32 win over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.
Winning the turnover battle has allowed this team to reach the NFC championship, which could end up being the difference next weekend.
The 49ers came away with a plus-one turnover margin in the first meeting with the Giants, but it's important to note that the Giants dominated the time-of-possession and total yards battle.
Should be a great game and my handicapper line fell right on the Las Vegas number.by jeff grant
Super Bowl Odds: 3/1

Packers Loss Miami Gain?

Rumors linking Mike Zimmer to the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job are heating up, but two more candidates will immediately jump into the fray following the Green Bay Packers' upset loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.

Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and assistant head coach/linebackers coach Winston Moss should both garner serious consideration from Miami's brass.

The Dolphins interviewed Philbin back on Jan. 7, and it sounds as though he is one of the frontrunners for the job.

Philbin has been on Green Bay's staff since 2004, and his familiarity with the Packers' aerial assault and quarterback development makes him a very appealing candidate.

If Stephen Ross still desires a pass-happy offense, then we can assume he would prefer an offensive-minded head coach. This would give Philbin a distinct advantage over Mike Zimmer, who is a defensive specialist.

Meanwhile, Winston Moss is an intriguing candidate who has been oddly secluded from Miami's coaching search.

Moss is a former University of Miami standout who has been on Green Bay's staff since 2006. He has served as their linebackers coach since that time and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2007.

Even though Moss is a defensive-minded coach, he is only 43 years old and fits the "next Don Shula" criteria that Ross desires.

Despite all of this, the Dolphins haven't expressed any public interest in Moss. While Miami was tied up in the Jeff Fisher fiasco, Moss was wooed by the Oakland Raiders, who might offer him their head coaching job in the next few days.

Regardless, Green Bay's loss frees up Philbin and Moss for interviews much sooner than anticipated. The Packers figured to remain alive in the playoffs for at least a week or two, but their elimination should help catalyze the Dolphins' head coaching search.

Also, don't forget that if Miami were to hire one of these two coaches, their chances of landing Packers quarterback Matt Flynn will skyrocket. Their odds would increase even further if the 'Fins hire Philbin, who has been Flynn's offensive coordinator since the Packers drafted him in 2007.

Although Moss seems like a long shot to get interviewed—let alone hired—Philbin should be headed down to Miami for a second interview in the next few days.by scott altman

Joe Paterno In Hospital

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno is back in the hospital.Family says he was admitted Friday for observation due to minor complications from cancer treatments.
His family said in a statement released to The Associated Press that the 85-year-old Paterno continues to undergo a "regimen of treatments" after being diagnosed two months ago with what they call a treatable form of lung cancer.
The family hoped his latest stay would be brief. He most recently was in the hospital last month after breaking his pelvis.
The family said Paterno had "total confidence" in his doctors and was determined to make a full recovery.
School trustees fired Paterno on Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Michigan Denard Robinson Returning

university of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson and cornerback J.T. Floyd were curious about their NFL draft potential, both have decided they're not projected high enough to pass up their senior seasons.

The players confirmed they will be back at U-M next fall during a series of Twitter messages posted Friday afternoon by the football program.

"It's been a dream to play in the NFL and hopefully after next year that becomes a reality, but I wouldn't pass up being here with my teammates and coaches for anything," Robinson said. "It's my second family. I love my teammates. I love Michigan.

"Seeing how the seniors led our team this year, I want to be that type of leader for Team 133 (133rd year of Michigan football). We made steps and had a good season, but we didn't accomplish our No. 1 goal. We're still hungry."

That goal, of course, is a Big Ten championship. The Wolverines fell short, losing the Legends Division title to Michigan State, but they still finished with an 11-2 record after winning the Sugar Bowl.

Robinson rushed for 1,176 yards and 16 touchdowns, and completed 55 percent of his passes for 2,173 yards and 20 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.

He will be among the top preseason Heisman Trophy candidates, but he'll need to cut down on his interceptions and other miscues to make a serious run at the award.

 Robinson isn't being viewed as a true quarterback at the NFL level. But his speed and athleticism make a pro career down the road possible in a role that could include some combination of receiver/running back/return specialist/wildcat quarterback.

Like Robinson, Floyd requested an evaluation of his current draft potential from NFL officials. After receiving those results, he also wisely decided it was in his best interests to return to school.

"Being around all of the great people here, I just couldn't see myself not being here for my senior year," Floyd said in his Twitter message. "Our team still has work to do and places to go, and I want to be a part of it."

Floyd finished sixth on the team in tackles with 48. He also made two interceptions, was credited with breaking up eight passes and forced one fumble.

The Wolverines open the 2012 season Sept. 1 in Arlington, Texas, against the defending national-champion Alabama Crimson Tide.by dave dye

Rex Ryan Lost The Team

In the end, it was all done by plan. Rex Ryan’s plan. Rex Ryan’s goal. Rex Ryan’s dream. He built this, and it worked perfectly: New York is now a Jets town. Sure, the Giants are in the playoffs, but what is everyone talking about?

Ryan admitting he lost control as coach. Santonio Holmes melting down. Bart Scott being fined $10,000 for a raised middle finger. What else happened this week with the Jets?
Oh yeah: Rookie quarterback Greg McElroy observed that the team had a “corrupt mindset.’’
“It’s the first time I’ve ever been around extremely selfish individuals . . .’’ he said on 97.3 The Zone. “There were people within our locker room that didn’t care whether we won or lost as long as they ... had good games individually.’’
In the end, all the football talk in New York is about the Jets. And I say “in the end’’ because this is the end for Ryan.
No, he’s not going to be fired. But it’s the end, anyway. Ryan is never going to get this team to win the Super Bowl, never going to regain control.
The Jets finally have found a way to take over the town, but it was by becoming the Bronx Zoo.
How perfect that the analysis came from McElroy, a fourth-string QB. He once was a candidate to be a Rhodes scholar, and you can just imagine him standing there watching his team like a scientist watching mice. He is no dumb jock, which is exactly what Ryan is. McElroy’s words have a deeper truth. He is a bright bulb in a room of dim ones, led by the head coach

And he just so calmly and accurately described the chaos that Ryan put in place by design. The thing is, every game toward the end of the season, there was talk about Giants coach Tom Coughlin. One more loss and he’s fired. One more loss, no playoffs, and he’s gone.
Instead, Coughlin managed to get them into the playoffs while Ryan’s team imploded.
Being honest: I had preferred Ryan’s approach. It seemed to me that part of the reason some of the less-disciplined, super-talented athletes such as Plaxico Burress and Holmes have trouble is that heavy-handed coaches don’t know how to let them have their freedom. When you squish the personality of a person with special talent, you squish the talent, too.
It’s a freedom that lets talent be talent. That still makes sense to me. But that also was the whole Ryan experiment, and it’s over now.
Coughlin wanted discipline; Ryan was going to let free spirits be free. It turned out that Coughlin — because of the discipline he had insisted on while running things in the more uniform and traditional way — was able to get out of the spot his team was in. Ryan could not because there was no base to build from.
He created a mentality at the Jets, and it failed, and there is no way out of it now. You create the bad boys and the renegade image, and once it all goes wrong there is no way in the world to tell people to get their shoes spit-shined, uniforms pressed, hair cut.
It’s over for Ryan. It doesn’t take a Rhodes scholar to see.


“Quite frankly, if you go down the roster this year, there’s no reason we shouldn’t have made a Super Bowl run,’’ said McElroy, the former Alabama QB who spent the year on injured reserve. “The talent, top to bottom, is pretty remarkable.
“The disappointing thing is . . . it doesn’t matter how much talent you have. If you don’t come together as a group and just figure things out and kind of withstand difficulties of the season, you’re never going to amount to anything.’’
Bronx Zoo-types of teams have won before in all different sports. Raiders. Yankees. Oklahoma Sooners. Plenty more. So maybe it still can work. Maybe the Jets’ problem is centered around a quarterback, Mark Sanchez, who simply isn’t very good.
But I think the whole approach is in question, now more than ever. The incredible access of the modern media adds too much pressure to the mix. When cameras watch everything you do, even from people’s phones in public places, and you tweet every thought, the lack of discipline becomes too public, too big, too noticeable. Nothing is hidden.
As a result, the Jets have become characters and entertainers more than athletes. The Giants are a football team.
So tuck in your shirt, go get a haircut, chalk one up for discipline.
The Giants are in the playoffs Sunday. Or, just keep watching and laughing at the spectacle of New York’s team/circus.greg couch