Football

NFL Roundtable: Super Bowl XLVII recap

2013-02-05T14:01:31Z

]]> ]]> In their final installment of the season, the guys break down Super Bowl XLVII, the bizarre power outage, Joe Flacco's next contract and Jim Harbaugh's beef with the officials.

The Baltimore Ravens captured Super Bowl XLVII with a thrilling victory over the 49ers. How impressed were you by this win?

Tony Care: Joe Flacco was a given, but if the defence doesn't come up big at certain points in the game we're not discussing his amazing playoff performance today. What this defence has done this post-season against top-flight offences has been remarkable. You look at the Super Bowl and it limited San Francisco to field goals on three of its trips inside the red zone. Of course, the stand that will define this game was the Ravens denying the 49ers the go-head touchdown with under two minutes to go, when San Francisco had four chances from the seven-yard line.

Jesse Campigotto: A few things stood out on Sunday (besides Beyonce's thighs). Joe Flacco's ability to avoid the 49ers' pass rush to complete deep passes was very impressive, especially considering his reputation as a drop-back thrower, not a runner. I also liked John Harbaugh's decision to intentionally allow a safety near the end of the game (more on that later). I didn't like CBS's coverage. Phil Simms seemed confused a lot, particularly on the aforementioned safety call, and the power outage resulted in more Shannon Sharpe than anyone should ever be exposed to.

Jason Davidson: Pretty impressed. More impressed, though, with how they got there considering the wins along the way, especially in Denver and New England. I admittedly did not give them much of a chance after they clinched the AFC North, given the many injury concerns. But it didn't matter in the end. They jumped out to an early lead and just barely held the fort in New Orleans. Joe Flacco was great but so was Jacoby Jones, who could have been Super Bowl MVP with his two touchdowns, both of which were pretty spectacular. A 108-yard record-setting kick return for a TD? Incredible stuff.

Joe Flacco was named MVP for his performance. What kind of contract can he expect now that he's finally won the big one?

Tony Care: Flacco wants Peyton Manning money, which is $20 million US a season. Funny, had Broncos safety Rahim Moore ran the correct line toward Jacoby Jones three weeks ago, we wouldn't be throwing around that kind of figure. But Flacco had one of the great playoff performances -- 11 TDs, 0 INTs -- that led to his MVP honour. Make no mistake: Flacco isn't going anywhere. If for some ridiculous reason contract talks stall with the Ravens, the team will franchise its pivot at a one-year exclusive-rights tag of $20.464 million. Either way, Flacco is going to get paid. In my humble opinion, he will get at least a five-year, $100-million deal.

Jesse Campigotto: It's all about timing, and Joe Flacco's timing for producing the best run of his career could not have been better. I still don't think Flacco is on par with the Big 4 of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, but he's going to get paid like them. Before this season, Brees signed a five-year, $100-million contract with New Orleans, and Manning got five years, $96 million from Denver. Brady is still playing through a four-year, $72-million deal, while Rodgers is "underpaid" in the six-year, $65-million contract he signed in 2008, before he became the superstar he is today. Using the Brees and Peyton Manning deals as markers -- if only because they're the most recent -- and given his relatively young age (he just turned 28) you've got to figure Flacco commands a five- or six-year deal that pays him, on average, in the neighbourhood of $18-20 million per year. If the Ravens don't give it to him, eventually someone will.

Jason Davidson: The big money is on its way to Flacco. He can put himself in the elite category now and it's not just because of his Super Bowl performance, it's his play throughout these entire playoffs. Eleven TD passes, zero interceptions, and he only got sacked six times. It took Flacco five seasons to earn respect as a legit pivot in this league, but now he has just that. He'll get locked in for 5-6 years at least now, although I'm not going to guess on the financial terms.

The Ravens had a 28-6 lead after Jacoby Jones's record 108-yard kickoff return for a TD to start the second half. Then the 34-minute power outage began shortly after that and the 49ers stormed back to nearly pull out an improbable win. What happened to the Ravens?

Tony Care: I think the argument that the Ravens suffered a letdown is overblown. Now, what the delay did do was calm the 49ers down, allow all the players to collect themselves and play loose, even with a 22-point deficit. That mentality paid immediate dividends as the 49ers drove 80 yards on their second possession of the third quarter to score a touchdown. The defence also tightened up in the second half. Like the NFC title game, the 49ers didn't allow a touchdown in the second half after getting scorched by Flacco and the Ravens' receivers in the first 30 minutes.

Jesse Campigotto: It's fun to blame the power outage for "taking the momentum away" from Baltimore and swinging it towards the 49ers (if you believe in momentum) but San Francisco was likely to narrow its deficit anyway over the course of the second half. These were two pretty evenly matched teams (and actually San Francisco was a four-point favourite), so the longer the game went on the better chance the Niners would balance the score out. I really think that's the simplest, and best, explanation.

Jason Davidson: Their near-collapse started with Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh, the more mild-mannered of the two brothers, berating an off-field official during the stoppage. As it turns out, he was incensed at the suggestion that he may have to continue the game momentarily without his headset. Not a good thing when your coordinators are upstairs. The Ravens were caught off guard as it hurt their momentum, whereas the 49ers clearly got a spark from the delay as it gave them another chance to regroup, seeing as how the extended halftime did not help them at all.

On San Francisco's final offensive play, Colin Kaepernick attempted a fade pass to receiver Michael Crabtree that fell incomplete. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was irate that a holding penalty wasn't called on Ravens CB Jimmy Smith. Does Harbaugh have a legitimate beef?

Tony Care: I understand Harbaugh's frustration but he got a similar non-call against the Falcons that allowed his team to reach Super Bowl XLVII. Having said that, I believe there was holding on that play and it drives me nuts when refs don't want to "affect" the outcome of the game by throwing a flag that may have repercussions. Well guess what? You are "affecting" the game the other way by not throwing the flag. Remember, two teams are on the field. Still, I question the play-calling on the four downs. Running back Frank Gore, who rushed for 110 yards and a TD, got the Niners down to the seven but didn't touch the ball again. Baffling!

Jesse Campigotto: Harbaugh probably had a point, but it became clear early in this game that the officials were taking the old NHL Game 7 approach and "letting 'em play." A lot of penalties that could have been called were not. Let's talk about some different holds: the obvious ones that members of the Ravens' line committed on the intentional-safety play near the end of the game. Nothing was called, but it seemed like the Baltimore players were instructed to hold, and why not? There's no downside. If you're called for offensive holding when your team has the ball in its own end zone, an automatic safety is awarded, which is what the Ravens wanted anyway. The key for Baltimore here is that, holding call or not, precious seconds come off the clock. The NFL needs to adjust the rule to allow for the defensive team (in this case San Francisco) to get the wasted time put back on if it desires.

Jason Davidson: Really hard to say because I'm not even sure if Crabtree is able to make that catch without the hold. Kaepernick had a couple of tries to run it in or hand off to Frank Gore, but instead he opted to pass the ball on second and third down. I know they needed the touchdown, but with the ball on the seven-yard line you can take another shot at running it in. Officiating will always come under added scrutiny in big games and there will always be missed calls, especially when they are borderline. The younger Harbaugh has an argument but not a big enough one to say his team was ripped off.

NFL Roundtable: Super Bowl XLVII preview

2013-01-29T20:01:33Z

]]> In this week's pre-Super Bowl chatter, the guys break down the key matchups to watch between the 49ers and Ravens, and deliver their predictions for the NFL title game. In this week's pre-Super Bowl chatter, the guys break down the key matchups to watch between the 49ers and Ravens, and deliver their predictions for the NFL title game.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

What matchup are you most interested in?

Tony Care: Can the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line protect Joe Flacco from the San Francisco 49ers' physical front? Flacco has been terrific, throwing for eight touchdowns against zero INTs in the post-season. He's systematically taken apart Indy, Denver, and New England, and much of the credit should go to the O-Line, which has been magnificent in protecting the Ravens' QB. Falcons pivot Matt Ryan killed the 49ers in the first half of the NFC championship game with a clean pocket. The same fate awaits San Fran if its defensive front can't get to Flacco.

Jesse Campigotto: I love the matchup of two of the best coaches in the league. Both guys are known for putting together strong, sometimes imaginative game plans and making smart, aggressive in-game decisions. This is a rare game where neither John nor Jim Harbaugh should be able to give his team an edge by outwitting his counterpart on the opposing sidelines. Still, I bet that doesn't stop the brothers from dreaming up a few wrinkles. With two weeks to prepare, and the dual motivations of the Super Bowl stage and the sibling rivalry, I bet we see a few surprises.

Jason Davidson: Obviously, the Harbaugh factor is huge here but I think the linebackers on both sides have a great chance at dictating what happens in this game. The 49ers have NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith, and Patrick Willis. Talk about a three-headed monster at the position. Expect each of them to factor in. Of course, you have Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs leading the way for the Ravens, along with Ed Reed in the secondary. Those six names right there are keys on the defensive side of things.

At 25, 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will be the sixth youngest quarterback in Super Bowl history. Will the moment be too big for him?

Tony: No way. He passed that test against the Packers in the divisional round. On the 49ers' opening drive, Kaepernick made an awful throw for a Pick-6. If there was ever a point where the kid would've crumbled, it should have been then. But he regrouped and had one of the best-ever playoff performances by a quarterback. In the NFC championship game against Atlanta, Kaepernick got off to a slow start and the 49ers found themselves down 17-0 early. Yet he didn't fold. Like I said last week, there's a reason why coach Jim Harbaugh made the switch from Alex Smith to Kaepernick. And now this young man exudes tremendous confidence after two huge playoff wins. The Super Bowl won't shake Kaepernick.

Jesse: Guys like Colin Kaepernick have been playing in big games their entire lives, from the time they were competing in Pop Warner and Little League to the pros. Yes, the Super Bowl is a different (and more highly watched) beast, but did Kaepernick looked overwhelmed in his first NFL start in Week 11 against the vaunted Bears defence? He completed 70 per cent of his passes and threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. How 'bout his first playoff start, against a hot Green Bay team many were picking to win the Super Bowl? A QB-record 181 yards rushing and four TDs (two through the air). First road playoff start, in Atlanta, where the Falcons almost never lose? 76 per cent completion rate and 233 passing yards. Kaepernick may not win the Super Bowl. He may not even play particularly well. But he's not a guy who folds under pressure.

Jason: Kaepernick will be able to handle all of this. He's been on a pretty big stage already with the two playoff wins over the Packers and Falcons. He works well with his receivers and knows when to either dish the ball to Frank Gore or go for a run himself. He might not shock the world with his numbers, but he'll prove himself to be capable nonetheless. Backup QB Alex Smith has been pretty good about this entire situation as well, and Kaepernick will be happy to have him on his side come Sunday.

The Ravens have been on quite an emotional ride throughout the playoffs. But is the Ray Lewis farewell story really having as big of an impact as many media types are suggesting?

Tony: It's overblown, that's for sure. I'm not going to totally discount Lewis's ability to lead the Ravens on an emotional level, but let's look at some facts. Since the playoffs began, the Ravens are the healthiest they've been on defence since early in the season -- a time when they were a top team. In the last two games, Baltimore has only allowed four TDs against the high-powered Broncos and Patriots. On offence, Flacco has come alive under new co-ordinator Jim Caldwell's more aggressive play calling. Now, the Ravens finally have an offence that can compete against any team in the league. Those are the factors I point to as the reasons for Baltimore's late-season success.

Jesse: Say it ain't so! A player's importance being inflated for narrative purposes during Super Bowl week! Ray Lewis is a sure Hall of Famer and one of the great motivational speakers in football history (which is saying something), but he's not the player he used to be. The Ravens' Super Bowl run owes more to a hot streak by Flacco and one of the worst pass-defence plays in recent memory by the Denver Broncos. But so what? Storylines are fun. Watching Ray Lewis play football is fun. And Lewis's last stand (whatever you think of him) is a pretty good hook.

Jason: One of the greatest ever to play the linebacker position, Lewis has provided some entertaining moments on the football field, and to see his career come full circle since the Super Bowl win against the New York Giants a dozen years ago provides a good storyline. At the same time we have to remember that Lewis is a polarizing figure. That said, he doesn't have that same impact as a player that he did at the beginning of the millennium, although he can still be effective and he will lay it all on the line against the 49ers. After all, what does he have to lose?

Finally, which team will win Super Bowl XLVII?

Tony: First off, the betting line is crazy. Even with it dropping to 3.5 in most books, there is no way the 49ers should be favoured by more than a field goal. All my instincts tell me to take the Ravens. They have a rejuvenated defence and a balanced offensive. But I think Kaepernick is the wild card in this game. He kills teams with his legs and arm. If you try and take away his ability to move outside, like Atlanta tried, he can stay in the pocket and pick apart the secondary. As much as I've given credit to Baltimore's offensive line, the 49ers have the best unit in the NFL, and Harbaugh never gives up on the run. In the end, I'm going with the 49ers.

Jesse: Any credible measure of overall team quality over the course of the season (point differential, yards gained per play vs. yards allowed per play, DVOA, Sagarin ratings) will tell you that San Francisco is better. As I write this on Monday around noon ET, the Ravens have attracted 3 bets against the spread for every 2 on the Niners, causing the line to fall from the opening number of 5 all the down to 3.5 at most books. So I have a chance to bet against public opinion while backing the better team on a neutral field, and get the best of the number? I'll take San Francisco to win and cover, though (and this is for the gamblers) that 3.5 line still scares me enough that I think the best bet is laying minus-165 (which is available) on the moneyline.

Jason: The 49ers win and cover (if the line stays at 3.5) but just barely. This team has impressed me immensely throughout the course of the year. With all due respect to the Ravens, who have accomplished many things this season, they will fall just short. They have more injury concerns than the 49ers, who are relatively healthy. Not having Lardarius Webb in the Ravens' secondary is a big loss that could leave them vulnerable in that area. Don't expect an offensive explosion on Sunday, but a close enough result should keep viewers locked in the whole way through. Final score: 49ers 24, Ravens 20.

NFL Roundtable: What happened to the Patriots?

2013-01-22T16:14:04Z

]]> Our back-and-forth on the NFL conference championship games covers San Francisco's stunning comeback win over Atlanta, and New England's error-filled loss to Baltimore. Our back-and-forth on the conference championship games covers San Francisco's stunning comeback win over Atlanta, and New England's error-filled loss to Baltimore.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

The San Francisco 49ers rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons and reach the Super Bowl. What was most impressive about their NFC championship win?

Jesse Campigotto: I love coach Jim Harbaugh's ability to change on the fly. Coming into the NFC title game, everybody was talking about Colin Kaepernick's devastating rushing performance in the previous week's win over Green Bay. Harbaugh knew Atlanta would centre its game plan around stopping the second-year QB's dangerous ground game, and he wisely didn't force Kaepernick into carrying the load against a defence stacked up to stop him. Instead, Harbaugh leaned on running backs Frank Gore and LaMichael James (combined 124 yards on 26 runs) as well as a forgotten man in the receiving game (see my answer to the next question) to propel the offence.

Jason Davidson: I think credit has to go to a few players. Gore was a beast in the backfield in the second half. He ran in two touchdowns, which really helped turn the tide for the 49ers. Vernon Davis also deserves some credit here. Late in the regular season, the tight end mentioned that he and Kaepernick had yet to develop a chemistry with each other, which is understandable as he was used to working with Alex Smith under centre. Well, there certainly isn't an issue now. Davis had five catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Kaepernick for his part did not throw the ball a ton (only 21 attempts) but he still managed more than 200 yards. Those three on offence and the entire defence's second-half performance is what impressed me most.

Tony Care: This scenario that I had questioned for the entire season played out Sunday, and it's the reason Harbaugh made the switch to Kaepernick. With Smith at quarterback, there was no way the 49ers would've rallied against the Falcons. But Kaepernick displayed consistent and accurate downfield passing to go along with Harbaugh's patience for sticking with the running game. Kaepernick only rushed the ball two times, so his passing stat line -- 16/21, 231 yards, 1TD -- played a more important role.

The Falcons looked like they were going to blow away the 49ers in the first quarter. How did they let things fall apart?

Jesse Campigotto: It was just a matter of regression to the mean. Atlanta's defence is not good. It wasn't going to keep the 49ers at bay all game. So after San Fran was shut out in the first quarter, you knew the points would roll in over the final 45 minutes. The Falcons did a good job of neutralizing Kaepernick's rushing ability (he tried only two runs in this game after carrying the rock 16 times for a QB-playoff-record 181 yards the week before) but that may have come at the expense of opening up other options for the 49ers. Vernon Davis was the biggest beneficiary, making five catches for 106 yards and a TD. In the previous seven games combined, Davis produced only 7 catches and 105 yards.

Jason Davidson: Atlanta lacked the killer instinct. I think the fact that they barely recovered from blowing a huge lead to the Seattle Seahawks a week before got into their heads. They played a horrible second half in two consecutive games. Atlanta had numerous chances to put this game away and they simply couldn't get it done. Quarterback Matt Ryan's unfortunate fumble was key, and they had two good chances to score in the second half and came away with nothing. When that happens, you can't expect to win. You really do have to feel for Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones, who both set franchise post-season records in the loss. Then there's Tony Gonzalez, who has more than likely played his last game in the NFL. One of the best to ever play the tight end position.

Tony Care: Matt Ryan deserves a lot of blame for the second-half swoon. With the Falcons at the San Francisco 47, Ryan threw an interception on second down that killed a potential scoring drive, one that could've salted the game away. Then on the next drive ,with the Falcons at the 49ers' 29, Ryan fumbled a snap from the shotgun, which San Francisco recovered. Turnovers kill you every time.

The Baltimore Ravens exacted revenge on the New England Patriots after pulling away in the second half en route to a victory in the AFC title game. How were they able to make New England look so pedestrian after the Patriots' initial surge?

Jesse Campigotto: Baltimore won the turnover battle 3-0, and when you enjoy that kind of margin in a pro football game, you'll almost never lose. The Patriots outgained Baltimore on both a total-yards and per-play basis for the game, and found themselves within a touchdown (and two-point conversion) of tying the game when they got the ball at the start of the fourth quarter. But two turnovers in the final period killed New England (the third one, an interception with about a minute left, came when the game was already decided). First, Stevan Ridley fumbled on a concussive hit by serial Patriot killer Bernard Pollard, then, after Baltimore extended its lead to two touchdowns, Tom Brady was picked off on a tipped pass deep in Baltimore territory midway through the final quarter, all but sealing the Ravens' victory.

Jason Davidson: Credit the Ravens defence for forcing those three turnovers, which went a long way in keeping the league's most potent offence off the scoreboard in the entire second half. Joe Flacco picked up where he left off against the Broncos in Denver, as he continues to silence his critics. Three passing touchdowns in the second half, not to mention an excellent job of spreading the ball around. The Patriots, who don't exactly have the best defence, had no answer in the third and fourth quarters.

Tony Care: The Ravens have a bend-but-don't-break mentality on defence.They allowed the Patriots to consistently move the ball, but when the time came to make a play and stop Brady, they did. I also have to give credit to offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell. When he saw Pats CB Aqib Talib and safety Patrick Chung go down to injuries, he attacked with Flacco from the shotgun to burn the Pats with big plays down the field. Anybody still think it was a bad idea for coach John Harbaugh to fire play-caller Cam Cameron? Didn't think so.

What was the most surprising aspect the Patriots' lacklustre performance on their home field?

Jesse Campigotto: That was not the Bill Belichick I know and love. On consecutive drives in the opening quarter, the Pats coach made a couple of strange (for him) decisions to punt. The first came on a 4th-and-9 from Baltimore's 35, the second on a 4th-and-2 from the Baltimore 45. Those are the kind of conservative moves I expect (and loathe) from shaky coaches like Ron Rivera and Chan Gailey, but not Belichick, who's a master of in-game strategy. Maybe the wind played a factor in his decisions, but Belichick's out-of-character "coaching not to lose" moves were pretty surprising.

Jason Davidson: New England's lack of offensive production surprised me immensely. Yes, Baltimore has a solid defence, but we're talking about Tom Brady here. Rob Gronkowski was clearly missed. Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd and Aaron Hernandez combined for 24 catches, but you can't help but think that Brady could have used that extra option at the tight end position. And then there's the questionable clock management from Belichick at the end of the first half. The Pats could have taken a 17-7 lead into halftime but instead they settle for a field goal that very much kept the Ravens in the game.

Tony Care: You don't often see the Patriots play such a sloppy game, and I'm including players and coaches. Why Belichick decided to let the clock wind down at the end of the first half and settle for a field goal instead of going for a TD is still a mystery. Then you have Welker -- he of the infamous Super Bowl drop -- failing to corral a key first-down catch in the third quarter well inside Baltimore territory. Instead, the Ravens march for a TD to grab a one-point lead. And when was the last time Brady and the Patriots were shut out in the second half of any game, much less the AFC title game? It was simply an uncharacteristic New England performance.

49ers' Jim Harbaugh latest coach to 'freak out'

2013-01-21T19:30:28Z

]]> ]]> 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh's tantrum on Sunday wasn't just entertaining, it ushered him into a prestigious club of fellow bench bosses that have lost their cool.

Here's a shortlist of some of the most memorable coaching meltdowns separated by sport. If you've got any suggestions for candidates we've overlooked, feel free to add them in the comment section. I promise, I won't be mad. Maybe a little upset.

But not anywhere near as upset as then-Abbotsford Heat coach Jim Playfair is here:

Next up, the man with one of the shortest tempers in the world, former college basketball coach, Bobby Knight:

While he's considered a minor-leaguer, Asheville Tourists manager Joe Mikulik produces a major league freak-out:

When you start chucking knuckles at opposing players, it's grounds for an unsportsmanlike flag. But when you're a coach, it's grounds for dismissal.

Around the 0:30 second mark of this video below, you'll see irate Ohio State coach Woody Hayes show his frustration at an interception, and at the opposing player that picked it off:

Bonus: It may not be recognized as a sport, (more along the lines of "sports entertainment") and he may not be a coach, but something would be amiss if I didn't include the undisputed king of freak-outs: the Macho Man, Randy Savage:

Marc Trestman could be precisely what Jay Cutler needs

2013-01-16T19:22:39Z

]]> Marc Trestman will give as honest an answer as he can to his players, and leave no doubt as to what is being said, something that just should serve his new team, the Chicago Bears, very well.

]]> A couple of Grey Cups back, in the cold of Edmonton, your correspondent asked Marc Trestman a question about the balancing act his Montreal defence performed that had them always on the edge of taking too many penalties.

"That question was asked yesterday," said the Alouettes' head coach, and for many in that situation it would have put an end to things. Not for him.

"But it's a good question," he added, and then launched into a reasoned, intelligent discussion on winning defensive football delivered while staring right into the eyes of the interrogator as though the discussion were taking place in a Timmy's on Sunday morning before the church crowd rushed in.

This is the type of guy the Chicago Bears have hired as their new on-field boss. He will give as honest an answer as he can to each of his players, and leave no doubt as to what is being said.

Put another way, this could be Jay Cutler's lucky day.

Cutler, he of the immense natural talent, has been the whipping boy in Chicago since coming over from Denver as the quarterback-saviour (2009), and much of that has been of his own making.

Though the Bears have won their share of games, most of the credit has gone to the defence while the offensive attack often left fans at venerable old Soldier Field diving for the safety of the trenches because they couldn't bear to look.

Stats don't always tell the tale for a pivot, but in Cutler's case they are more than revealing.

His interception totals, for example, are darn near frightening - 95 of them in six years as a starter. His passer rating, a number derived from completion percentage, passing yardage, touchdowns and interceptions, has ranged from a so-so 88.1 down to a thoroughly putrid 76.8.

When Cutler looks downfield he seems to have no idea what's happening in front of him or why, can't read his progressions ("'A' didn't work, so let's look at 'B ...") and tends to have far more guts than brains.

Former NFL pupils

Now, it's fair to say the Bears have hardly given him a brilliant receiving corps (other than Brandon Marshall) to work with, but they have been competent most of the time.

Enter Trestman, a man whose resume reeks of success tutoring quarterbacks, starting with Bernie Kosar at the University of Miami in the early 1980s, through Kosar again with the Browns later in the decade.

There was his work with Scott Mitchell in Detroit (his bounce-back season of just under 3,500 yards), with Jake Plummer in Arizona (3,737 yards), and then Rich Gannon as the offensive coordinator in Oakland.

Gannon was merely the NFL's best player in that 2002 campaign.

When Trestman came north five seasons ago to take over the Als (two Grey Cups), he took an aging Anthony Calvillo under his wing and taught the already old dog enough new tricks that it made him a cinch first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Calvillo's QB rating jumped from 95.8 to 107.2 in just a season, and his penchant for interceptions disappeared - in the middle three years AC threw just six, seven and eight picks for a total of just 21.

Cutler has already worked with Trestman a bit as the latter worked off-seasons as a consultant, but he's going to get the full-on Marc from here on.

Bears fans might want to know a few other things about what they're getting:

Someone who treats his players like grown men. If you act like one, you keep your job. When he hits players with that disappointed stare, they tend to step back into line.
A coach who believes in meticulous preparation, planning each and every step of the way to ensure the team is ready to give everything it has. Watch the way the Bears line up for the national anthem in 2013.
Someone who is never intimidated. Lambeau Field in December? Please. Just another hard-working, full-effort day at the office.
A coach who never rests on his laurels. After each successful season in Montreal, he would remind the players in training camp that this year's team is not last year's team. Therefore, this year's team has accomplished nothing so get to work.
Someone the players will run through hell for, despite working, studying and thinking harder than they ever have.

A Chicago columnist said on Wednesday hiring Marc Trestman was a leap of faith.

No, it wasn't. It was a big, smart step in the right direction.

NFL Roundtable: Divisional playoff recap

2013-01-15T14:19:08Z

]]> This edition of CBCSports.ca's NFL chatter covers the rise of Colin Kaepernick, the fall of the Broncos, and a look ahead to the conference title games. This edition of CBCSports.ca's NFL chatter covers the rise of Colin Kaepernick, the fall of the Broncos, and a look ahead to the conference title games.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

The Ravens and Broncos played one of the most thrilling games in the last 20 years. Was this a matter of Baltimore stealing one or Denver blowing it?

Jesse Campigotto: Both. The Ravens' offence stole it from the Broncos' defence, who blew it. The game was all but over with Baltimore trailing by seven with less than a minute left in regulation and facing 3rd-and-3 at its own 30. Then Joe Flacco somehow completes a de facto Hail Mary to Jacoby Jones to send it to overtime, with the Broncos' secondary somehow letting Jones get behind them and somehow failing to bat the ball down in almost comical fashion. Run that play 100 times and I bet Baltimore scores a TD on maybe one or two of them.

Tony Care: Broncos coach John Fox and safety Rahim Moore have a lot of explaining to do this week, but I'm going to give most of the credit to the Ravens' defence. Remember, this unit only allowed 21 points -- the other two touchdowns were due to special teams meltdowns. The key was the amount of pressure the Ravens put on Peyton Manning, specifically up the middle. It was similar pressure that flushed Manning outside the pocket before he attempted the ill-advised, cross-body interception in overtime. The Broncos also had three possessions in the two OT periods, but they never crossed midfield once. Baltimore defensive co-ordinator Dean Pees certainly earned his pay in this one.

Jason Davidson: I'm leaning towards a steal here. Talk about a tough day for Champ Bailey in the secondary. One of the league's best at the cornerback position and he struggled immensely on Saturday. The Broncos had the chance to put this game away but they kept allowing Baltimore to stick around. But the shortcomings for Denver weren't all on defence. Late in the first overtime, Manning made the huge mistake of throwing across his body and his intended pass for Brandon Stokley up the middle ended up in the arms of corner back Corey Graham. That essentially sealed the deal right there.

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was simply too good for the Green Bay Packers to handle. How far can the 49ers go with Kaepernick playing this dominant?

Jesse Campigotto: Kaepernick is getting all the press (deservedly so after that brilliant performance) but the 49ers were a Super Bowl contender before their win over Green Bay, so I don't think this should change their status that much. The public seems to disagree: San Francisco is a 4.5-point favourite (already bet up from the opening line of 3) for the NFC title game at Atlanta. That's quite the swing from the divisional weekend, where Seattle (a team I consider roughly equal in quality to San Fran) was a 2.5-point underdog at Atlanta. I wonder if the public is crowning Kaepernick and the Niners a little too quickly.

Tony Care: I agree, Jesse. The 49ers were Super Bowl contenders before Kaepernick even took the job from poor Alex Smith, mostly due to that suffocating defence. What Kaepernick adds is a duel threat that takes the burden off a receiving unit which relies too heavily on Michael Crabtree. It seems every week Crabtree catches at least six more balls than Randy Moss or Vernon Davis. If Kaepernick can continue to strike the right balance of passing and running, the 49ers should beat the Falcons on Sunday. Heck, if they play like they did against the Packers, they'll win it all.

Jason Davidson: Sky's the limit I suppose. Kaepernick can run and now there is no doubt that he is the No. 1 guy under centre in San Francisco. Dom Capers and his Green Bay defence had no answer on Saturday night. None. Kaepernick can run the ball and throw it, especially to Crabtree, who had nine receptions, including a pair of touchdown catches. That said, he can still be erratic in the passing department and for that reason, I'm not ready to give the 49ers the NFC crown just yet.

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It wasn't easy, but the Atlanta Falcons finally won a playoff game by holding off the stubborn Seattle Seahawks. Does this win get the Falcons over the hump?

Jesse Campigotto: That's the narrative, but if Matt Bryant misses his go-ahead field goal try with seconds left (which he initially did, only to get another chance because Seattle's Pete Carroll did that annoying coaching move of calling a timeout just before the snap in a futile attempt to "ice" Bryant), then we're talking about the Falcons as playoff "chokers" who "can't win the big one." Just shows you how thin a line NFL teams walk , especially in the playoffs.

Tony Care: Well, Atlanta got over the hump with the help of Carroll. Wow, when will coaches learn? I'm still not sold on this team. I see a lot of soft coverage over the middle, an area the 49ers should exploit. This game will come down to how well QB Matt Ryan can handle the extra passing load because I don't anticipate Michael Turner or Jacquizz Rodgers doing anything significant on the ground.

Jason Davidson: It's a definite possibility. Once the Seahawks went ahead, we all had the "playoff choker" label painted all over the Georgia Dome. However, Ryan showed some poise on that final drive after making a couple of very questionable passes earlier in the fourth quarter. Yes, they blew a 20-0 lead at halftime, but they recovered and got the win. That momentum will carry into this Sunday when the 49ers come into town. Atlanta's pass defence has to be better, though. They gave up way too many yards in that department. Seattle's Zach Miller and Golden Tate combined for 14 catches and 245 yards. The probable return of John Abraham should help the Falcons' pass rush.

The Patriots easily disposed of the Texans but lost TE Rob Gronkowski, who re-injured the left forearm he broke on Nov. 18, for the remainder of the playoffs. How big of a loss is this for the Patriots?

Jesse Campigotto: I want to say it's big, but the Patriots just waxed the Texans with Gronk out for most of the game, and I think they can take care of Baltimore without him. Much was made heading into this season about New England's unique two-tight-end offence, with the super-athletic Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez creating all kinds of matchup problems for opponents. That lasted about a week, with Hernandez going down with an injury and not returning until Gronk was out of the lineup (save for a two-game stretch in October where Hernandez tried to play but did not seem healthy). Still, the Patriots once again figured out a way to field one of the league's best offences, with an improved running game compensating for the injuries to the tight ends. As if we needed another reason to praise Bill Belichick, the NFL's best head coach showed us once again how good he is at adjusting on the fly.

Tony Care: On any other team I'd say it's huge. However, New England has so many weapons that it's the one club which can recover from a devastating injury to one of the NFL's premier offensive talents. Don't get me wrong, losing a guy who's amassed 39 touchdowns in three years is big, especially in the red zone. But with pass catchers Hernandez, Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd -- and throw in running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen while your at it -- in the fold, there are no shortage of targets for Tom Brady play with. That's the beauty of Belichick: he doesn't rely on one guy to carry the burden. As long as No. 12 is under centre, the Patriots can win in any fashion.

Jason Davidson: With all due respect to Gronk, it's not an enormous loss. Hernandez is fully capable of stepping up. He caught six of Brady's passes for 85 yards on Sunday. Hernandez filled the void in the regular season and he'll be able to do it again. New England can more than compensate as far as receiving targets go with Welker, Lloyd and Vereen, who has become more versatile in the backfield. He had five catches and two receiving touchdowns to go along with a rushing TD on Sunday. It's been an impressive ride for Ray Lewis and the Ravens given their injuries, but their season will likely end at Foxborough in the AFC championship game for a second straight year.

NFL Roundtable: Week 15 recap

2012-12-18T15:51:02Z

]]> In CBCSports.ca's weekly chatter, the guys discuss their comeback player of the year, the tight battle in the NFC East, the sliding Chicago Bears, and the impressive victory by the 49ers in New England. In CBCSports.ca's weekly chatter, the guys discuss their comeback player of the year, the tight battle in the NFC East, the sliding Chicago Bears, and the impressive victory by the 49ers in New England.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

After coming off serious injuries, Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson are both having remarkable seasons. Which one of these two greats would you give the comeback player of the year to?

Jesse Campigotto: Hats off to Manning, but what Peterson is doing is out of this world. When he tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee last December, we heard the usual "it takes two years to recover fully from this kind of injury" and "he may never be the same." Instead, Peterson and his freaky "newborn baby" knee are within striking distance of Eric Dickerson's 28-year-old single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. Incredible.

Jason Davidson: There really isn't a wrong answer to this one as both have been fantastic, but Peterson gets my vote. It's mind-boggling that someone who suffered such a tough knee injury could come back like this. He's averaging just under 130 yards rushing per game. He already does hold the NFL record for an eight-game stretch in a single season with 1,313 yards so you have to think Eric Dickerson's 1984 benchmark is at risk. Peterson does have his work cut out for him, he needs 294 yards in two games. That's going to be a challenge against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, games the Minnesota Vikings need to win to have a shot at an NFC wildcard berth.

Tony Care: Peyton Manning has had an incredible year and can lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl. But, like my colleagues, I have to go with Peterson. Considering the devastating knee injury he suffered in Washington last year, it's remarkable he's only 293 yards away from Dickerson. What's been impressive, and a good sign you've recovered from knee surgery, is Peterson's ability to run away from defenders. In the last two weeks, against Green Bay and St. Louis, Peterson has reeled off consecutive 80-plus-yard TD runs. Folks, you're not supposed to do that less than a year removed from surgery.

The battle for the NFC East title couldn't be tighter. N.Y. Giants, Washington and Dallas are all 8-6 with two games remaining. So which team will win with the division?

Jesse Campigotto: You can make an argument for all three. Washington has won five in a row, currently owns the tiebreaker and has home-field advantage against Dallas in their Week 17 showdown, but will RG3 be able to play the final two games after sitting this week with a knee injury? New York has easily the best point differential, but the Giants just got whacked by Atlanta and are only 2-3 in the division, which could hurt them in a tiebreaker situation. Dallas has the momentum of three straight wins, but has been outscored on the season and has a pair of tough games remaining (home to New Orleans, at Washington). In contrast, the Redskins and Giants both still get to play Philly, which should be an easy win.

Jason Davidson: Tough one, but I am going to say the Cowboys win the division. It's been an emotional couple of weeks for this team and they've been able to eke out a pair of crucial wins. They have the New Orleans Saints at home this weekend then they head to Washington to take on the Redskins in a game that could very well decide the division. Dallas will have revenge on their minds after the Redskins took it to them on Thanksgiving Day. The Giants are in pretty tough with a visit to Baltimore to face the Ravens on Sunday, and after what happened to the G-Men against the Falcons in Atlanta, I'm not convinced this team is playoff bound. The NFC East likely comes down to the Cowboys-Redskins tilt in Week 17.

Tony Care: I really would love to take the Cowboys here, but they have to prove to me they can emerge from a winner-take-all game victorious before I can make that kind of prediction. I'll pick the Redskins to win out, including Week 17 against the Cowboys, and win the division. Remember, too, that the Giants, who were embarrassed by the Falcons 34-0, still have a chance to make the playoffs. Wins over the reeling Ravens and lowly Eagles will secure a wildcard spot for the defending Super Bowl champs.

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The Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens, two teams cruising a month ago, have both lost three straight games. What has been the more surprising meltdown?

Jesse Campigotto: I think Chicago's. After crushing Tennessee 51-20 on Nov. 4, the Bears had parlayed their ball-hawking defence and relatively easy slate of opponents to a 7-1 record. But the D has regressed, the schedule has gotten tougher, and suddenly Chicago has lost five of six, including Sunday's home loss to Green Bay that dropped the Bears to 8-6 and clinched the NFC North for the Packers. Sure, Chicago's defence wasn't likely to maintain its breakneck pace of turnovers all season, but I don't think anyone saw this coming. Still, don't count out the Bears. They finish the season with road games at Arizona and Detroit, who are a combined 9-19.

Jason Davidson: The Bears. After a 7-1 start, this team has stalled. Jay Cutler has been mediocre at best and it just confirms my belief that he is not a bona fide No. 1 quarterback in this league. The fans at Soldier Field made their feelings known, booing their team during Sunday's loss to the Packers, who subsequently clinched first place in the NFC North. Brian Urlacher's hamstring injury has clearly hampered the defence which seems a lot more vulnerable. Perhaps getting away from the windy city will help these guys as they wrap up the season with a pair on the road against the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions. Sneaking into the playoffs is still a possibility.

Tony Care: Chicago. The Ravens' slide is more predictable. The Bears were on quite a tear because their defence was creating turnovers, and scoring at an incredible pace. Sure enough, when died down, other parts of the club were exposed. The offensive line, a sore spot for the last couple of years, remains a weakness and QB Jay Cutler continues to get pounded. Defensively the Bears aren't bad, having giving up 23, 21 and 21 points in the last three games, but are allowing big plays at the wrong time.

The San Francisco 49ers nearly let a 28-point advantage get away in New England but held on for the victory. Regardless, how impressed were you with this win?

Jesse Campigotto: Very impressed. Sure, San Francisco was probably lucky to recover seven of the eight fumbles in the game, but the 49ers really showed something by taking a 31-3 lead on the Patriots, then having the strength to finish off the Pats after blowing the lead. The thing I like best about the Niners (besides coach Jim Harbaugh) is their balance. They're among the best teams in football on both offence and defence, and you've got to figure their special teams (excellent last year) will improve after a slow start. The other most balanced teams are Denver, Seattle and, to a lesser extent, Green Bay and the Giants. They'll all be dangerous come playoff time.

Jason Davidson: It's nice that they recovered and got the win, but you can't forget the fact that they blew a 31-3 lead. To me those are clear signs of cracks in the foundation, but at the same time it's a credit to the Patriots' explosive offence. Tom Brady threw the ball 65 times for well over 400 yards. Colin Kaepernick did show some tremendous composure after the Pats tied it up, hooking up with Michael Crabtree for what turned out to be a game-winning 38-yard catch and run touchdown. I'll reserve judgment on the 49ers' potential until Sunday night when they head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. If they can win there, that's a huge statement.

Tony Care: I was impressed with the defence, especially when it rebounded from four consecutive scoring drives allowed. This unit could've easily packed it in. Tom Brady was ripping it apart, and fatigue was setting in. But after receiver Michael Crabtree gave the 49ers a seven-point advantage with just over six minutes left, the defence forced a punt and a turnover on downs deep inside the Pats' zone. This allowed the 49ers to close out the game. Another reason this victory was so noteworthy is the Patriots hadn't lost a December game at home since 2002 prior to Sunday's defeat.

Bills still only NFL option for Toronto

2012-12-17T13:46:30Z

]]> NFL expansion to Toronto? Beyond cameos by the Buffalo Bills, not a chance. At least, not without a commitment from the city to build and pay for a massive new playpen to cavort in.

]]> As the rain pelted down outside the Bandbox off Bremner Avenue a few hours before game time on Sunday, an old song was blasting out of the stadium speakers claiming the dream is still alive. Inside, the Buffalo Bills were preparing to stink the joint out against the Seattle Seahawks, another down note on yet another lost year.

And working the backrooms at the fifth regular-season iteration of this Bills in Toronto series, you quickly discover the viability of the National Football League dream here depends entirely on what images you choose to believe are real.

Expansion to Toronto? Not a chance.

At least, not without a commitment from the city to build -- and pay for -- a massive new playpen for our American cousins to cavort in.

Rogers Centre seats 55,000 but is a tiny place by NFL standards, not even in the same neighbourhood of venerable Soldier Field in Chicago, where the 61,500 capacity is the smallest among the league's current establishments -- the largest being 85,000 in Landover, Md., for the Washington Redskins.

Even with a new field in Toronto, three other cities have more NFL cachet -- Los Angeles, London, where the one regular-season contest per year there has never drawn less than 76,000, and Mexico City, where a dangerous crime situation is balanced by a huge, new potential audience.

England has done so well that there will be two games there in 2013 -- one with Jacksonville Jaguars as "host" and the other, the Minnesota Vikings.

Failed NFL audition

On top of all this, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said repeatedly the league won't expand for some years and that means L.A., finally building a new stadium, would more likely get a transferred team (Jacksonville, Minnesota, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams). It's been assumed by certain dreamers that expansion into L.A. would mean Toronto almost automatically jumps into play because the NFL won't go past 34 teams. But the centre of the Canadian Universe has failed its big audition, at least for the coming generation.

The NFL has noticed Buffalo's five regular-season games in Toronto against the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Redskins and Seahawks have neither sold out (without papering) nor captured the imagination of the local populace.

And don't believe the fans' complaints about ticket prices being too high didn't prick up any ears, either. A willingness to pay whatever it takes for the privilege of hosting the Church of the National Football League is a tenet the owners there have built all of their most recent stadium and expansion decisions on.

One more problem: the NFL does not allow corporate ownership, so Rogers, Bell Media, etc., are out of the running. Who in the Big Smoke has the big cojones to pony up more than a billion loonies to get into this game?

Still, while the Bills in Toronto Series has been widely panned as a failure by critics, it certainly hasn't been from the perspective of team management. The Bills have improved their Southern Ontario season-ticket base, opened up new promotional markets and begun the process of convincing the good people around Buffalo that keeping the team in Western New York means having to accept they are a regional entity now and that region extends up to rival Toronto.

Bills fans hate the idea of giving up a home game, especially to a place that seems filled with far more fans of other teams than the prancing Bison. And for the love of Mary and Joseph, it's indoors, where the late-season advantage of freezing your toes off by Lake Erie has traditionally been a key.

Hinges on Wilson's health

Much of Toronto's NFL dream is wrapped up in what happens to the Bills when Ralph Wilson, the 94-year-old owner, dies, something that people are assured will happen eventually, even if those who know him are convinced he could live to 110. The family has already said it won't keep the team after that, putting in play a process that one long-time Bills writer believes may be up to 18 months of working out who will own the team. It could be someone who wants to move the team elsewhere in the United States, but there are limits to where that could be.

L.A. would certainly be in line.

However, Goodell happens to be from Jamestown, N.Y., hard by your Buffalo, and he's not going to want to see his childhood team move. Plus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is thinking of a presidential run in 2016 and he's not about to wear a lost Bills franchise.

Word abounds a new stadium -- or a massively rebuilt old one -- are in the cards for the Queen City and that would help keep the club around (the Gov is apparently helping things along).

Which brings us back to Toronto, where Rogers seems willing to provide its NFL neighbour with home-game revenues larger than what a gate brings in at the Ralph, while expanding the reach of the team. A new deal is expected by March.

So get used to the Buffalo/Toronto Bills, folks. This is your NFL.

NFL Roundtable: Week 14 recap

2012-12-11T15:53:52Z

]]> In CBCSports.ca's weekly chatter, the guys discuss Houston's humbling loss the Patriots, the risk of starting RG3, the firing of Ravens' OC Cam Cameron, and Bills GM Buddy Nix's major off-season to-do list.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

The Houston Texans were crushed 42-14 by the New England Patriots on Monday night. What happened to the team with the best record in the AFC?

Jason Davidson: They got beat by the best team in the AFC that's what happened. Yes, the Texans still have the best record in the conference at 11-2 but the Patriots are deadly at Foxborough, although it still boggles my mind that they lost to the Arizona Cardinals at home this year. In their two losses, Houston has been lit up for 84 points, thanks in large part to Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. The Texans had an off-night, not too much to worry about, although I don't even consider them a lock to be in the AFC championship anymore. Not with teams like the Pats and Denver Broncos in the mix. I see Brady taking on Peyton Manning with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Tony Care: I saw a team that just wasn't ready to play. They were embarrassed in every way. It's not that I was surprised Tom Brady torched the Texans' secondary - that was predictable considering the passing yards and points the defence has allowed in three of its last four games. But I was stunned at how easy the Pats were able to handle a Houston offence featuring one of the best passing games in the NFL. QB Matt Schaub never looked comfortable and WR Andre Johnson was taken away by an aggressive Pats' secondary. This was a benchmark game for the Patriots, who just climbed to the top of the AFC hill with that clinic against Houston. Another point worth mentioning: The 2012 Patriots (37.0 points per game) are on pace to surpass their 2007 edition (36.8), which set an NFL record of 589 points for one season.

Jesse Campigotto: I wouldn't write off Houston in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Yeah, they got shredded by the Patriots, but how much shame is there in that? New England has scored 97 more points than anyone in the league and is averaging 36 points a game. They're shredding everyone. The Texans still hold a one-game lead on the Pats and Broncos for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, and their remaining schedule is not daunting: a pair of games against overvalued Indy sandwiched around a home game against Minnesota, which is 7-6 but only 1-5 on the road.

The Redskins held their breathe after QB Robert Griffin III suffered a scary knee injury that turned out to be a mild sprain of a ligament in his right knee. He is now is listed as day-to-day. Even if he's healthy enough to go against Cleveland, should the Skins consider resting him this week?

Jason Davidson: Yes, you start RG3 if he's good to go. The Redskins are in a dogfight for a playoff spot and they need to go with their best guy under centre. If things get comfortable enough in the second half against the Browns, then you let rookie pivot Kirk Cousins take some snaps. Cleveland has shown they are taking steps in the positive direction as of late with three straight wins, and they will definitely want to play the spoiler role in this one.

Tony Care: I know this won't be a popular answer, but I would rest RG3 this week if there is a serious question with his mobility. Look, rookie QB Kirk Cousins showed he can handle the pressure by throwing a TD pass and game-tying two-point conversion against the Ravens. I think the Redskins will beat Cleveland with Cousins under centre. Griffin's mobility, a big part of his game, could be significantly limited if he plays. Let his knee get the week off and have Griffin ready for the Eagles and Cowboys in the last two weeks.

Jesse Campigotto: No. If RG3 can play, he's got to play. The Skins have a real shot at a wild card. At 7-6, they're only one game back of fading Chicago, and tied with Dallas (not exactly known for coming up big down the stretch) and aforementioned Minnesota (can't win on the road). Yes, Washington is better than this week's opponent, but it's still a road game against a semi-competent Cleveland team that has quietly won three in a row (albeit against probably the league's two worst teams in Oakland and K.C., plus a Charlie Batch-led Steelers squad). The Redskins have to realize that 7-6 teams can't afford to take this kind of game for granted.

After a tough loss in Washington, the Baltimore Ravens fired offensive co-coordinator Cam Cameron. Are the Ravens overreacting?

Jason Davidson: Surprising move as the Ravens are poised to win the AFC North. But they have been slipping a little as of late. Nonetheless, you'd think they'd stick with Cameron until at least season's end. On the other side of the coin, there are reasons to support this decision. The obvious one: Joe Flacco is not good enough on a week to week basis. At times he looks like a legit NFL starter, whereas at other times he looks lost. Running back Ray Rice has been greatly underused as well. He's averaging just under 17 carries per game and with the team which should be emphasizing the run, that's not enough. Jim Caldwell is now in charge of the team's offence and it remains to be seen whether the change will bear any fruition, but it's a bold move and I think it's the right one.

Tony Care: I didn't understand why they brought him back to start the season. I've been saying for two years now that Cameron has been too cautious with this offence, and he was burned the last two weeks by taking that approach. The Ravens had a 10-point lead against Pittsburgh, and an eight-point fourth-quarter advantage in Washington wiped out because Cameron was too conservative with his play-calling, in addition to the defence's inability to close the door. This is a new era, folks. Offensive co-coordinators need to be aggressive enough to step on an opponent's throat when the opportunity is there to close out the game. This relying on the defence mentality has got to stop.

Jesse Campigtto: Can't remember an OC getting fired after his unit scored four TDs, and it's not like the Ravens' offence is terrible. They fall in the middle of the pack in yards per play and Football Outsiders' offence rankings. The real issue in Baltimore is that the defence ain't what it used to be. With Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs missing significant time, and Lewis and Ed Reed much closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, the once-feared Ravens D has been reduced to a middling unit this season.

The Buffalo Bills are near the end of another lost season. On the assumption GM Buddy Nix keeps his job, what does he need to do to turn things around for the Bills next season?

Jason Davidson: I know starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick takes a lot of heat in Buffalo but he's been decent. A 21 to 13 TD/INT ratio isn't great, but not horrible either. His completion percentage is above 60%, too. Nix will most likely stay in place because the Bills' big off-season signing, defensive end Mario Williams, has been playing very well since undergoing wrist surgery during the team's bye in Week 8. He's finally earning that $100 million US after a rough start. I don't think that many adjustments need to be made in Western New York. The team has potential but the offence needs improvement. That should be the focus for them on draft day. And yes, I think Chan Gailey is back next season.

Tony Care: They need to find a quarterback; it's that simple. Nothing else works if Nix can't find a QB to come in and replace Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is clearly not the answer. The best place to find a franchise pivot is through the draft. The problem is this class is not as talented or as deep as the 2012 group. Still, there are three QBs that are leading the way - depending on which draft guru you talk to - Geno Smith of West Virginia, Matt Barkley from USC and Mike Glennon of N.C. State. Now, it's debatable whether any of these guys are top-15 material, but Nix needs to do his homework and find the franchise's next quarterback. Otherwise, this same sorry scene will continue to play out.

Jesse Campigotto: Tough to win these days without a good quarterback and/or head coach. The Bills have Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chan Gailey. As a Bills fan, I can't take another year of that duo. Fitzpatrick seems incapable of throwing anything resembling a downfield pass, and Gailey seems to think punting from your opponent's 35-yard line is sound strategy. The problem with Buffalo is, how do you attract anyone who's any good at these jobs? I have a soft spot for the city, but it's no one's idea of a prime location. The only way to lure talented people is by severely overpaying them, a la the signing of Mario Williams (who's been pretty good this year, by the way). But if you were going to give Williams $50 million guaranteed, why not put $75 million on the table in front of Peyton Manning and dare him to turn it down? Why not throw a big coaching contract at a real offensive innovator like Chip Kelly or Mike Leach? Hell, bring in that high school who never punts. But try something legitimately new. What have you got to lose? You haven't made the playoffs in 13 straight seasons now. The definition of insanity, someone said, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. By that standard, One Bills Drive is Shutter Island.

NFL Roundtable: Week 13 recap

2012-12-04T15:48:42Z

]]> In CBCSports.ca's weekly chatter, the guys discuss the risk-reward of Andrew Luck, the 49ers' tough loss in St. Louis, overtime under the new rules, and Monday night's big AFC clash between the visiting Houston Texans and high-powered New England Patriots.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

Andrew Luck led the Colts (8-4) to another come-from-behind victory after throwing a TD pass with no time left against the Detroit Lions. But Luck has now thrown for 16 interceptions and has lost eight fumbles. Should there be concern in Indy?

Jesse Campigotto: Rookie QBs are going to make mistakes, but as long as they show they're capable of making big plays, I think that bodes well for their future. The classic example is Peyton Manning, who threw 26 TDs and 28 interceptions as a rookie. Luck ranks fourth in the league in raw passing yards and a respectable 17th in yards per attempt. He's certainly showing something.

Tony Care: There should be none. It's been well documented how great I think this rookie is going to be. One of his best and underrated qualities is that he has a short memory. He doesn't stew about a pick for long. Look at what happened against Detroit. He throws a fourth-quarter INT, yet rallies his team with two TDs in the last game's final 2:39. He also threw for 152 yards in the final 15 minutes. His teammates will tell you that with Luck under centre, the Colts are never out of a game.

Jason Davidson: Not yet. Rookie mistakes, they will happen. Although he only completed 24 of 54 passes, Luck still threw for 391 yards in Indianapolis' dramatic win. That's five game-winning drives he's led this year. Overall, his TD to INT ratio thus far in 2012 is 17/16, but nine of those picks have come in just three games, including Sunday at Ford Field. He's averaging 42 attempted throws per game. When you put the ball in the air that often, there will be turnovers. He'll improve in that category. All that matters for the Colts right now is that they're 8-4 and looking pretty good to finish 10-6 and pick up one of the two AFC wild-card spots.

The San Francisco 49ers let a golden opportunity get away in St. Louis, falling to the Rams in OT. Who should get the blame for this loss?

Jesse Campigotto: Let's give some credit to St. Louis, which seems to have San Fran's number. Three weeks ago, the Rams tied the Niners at Candlestick while outgaining them in both raw yardage and yards per play, suggesting the result was no fluke. This week, San Francisco won the yardage battle but lost the turnover one, with a bad Colin Kaepernick pitchout resulting in a defensive touchdown by St. Louis on the game's only giveaway. I don't really blame Kaepernick, though. Skill sets aside, there's not much difference between him and Alex Smith, so there's no sense faulting Jim Harbaugh for either choice at QB.

Tony Care: I know many will point to the controversial intentional grounded call that cost the 49ers a safety, or the careless pitchout from QB Colin Kaepernick that resulted in the Rams tying the game late. But I think coach Jim Harbaugh plays too conservative at times because he relies heavily on his defence. Take the OT as an example. With the 49ers in Rams' territory, Harbaugh calls two running plays in two of the three downs. This forced David Akers to kick a 51-yard field goal that he hooked. Yes, Akers regularly makes those kicks, but come on, Jim. Give your kicker the easier range. He's not as automatic as he was last year.

Jason Davidson: I find it hard to pin the blame on anyone here. If David Akers makes that 51-yard field goal in overtime instead of barely missing wide right, we're not even having this conversation. The Rams got some clutch kicking on their end, with rookie Greg Zeurlein making a 54-yarder to tie it late in the fourth quarter, then he wins it with a 53-yarder in OT. Overall, Colin Kaepernick didn't have a bad game, but he did make a few mistakes, which had consequences. One resulted in a safety, the other a game-tying touchdown.

After 12 games we've seen numerous overtimes under the new rule where both teams get a possession unless there is an opening TD or defensive score. Do you like the OT rule?

Jesse Campigotto: It's much better than the old system, where all you needed to do if you won the coin flip was gain a few first downs and boot a long field goal. I like how the current system rewards a team for scoring a touchdown on the first possession of OT. And I look forward to the day when a smart/ballsy coach decides to exploit this loophole of sorts: the rules don't actually guaranteed both teams a possession in overtime, but only the opportunity to possess the ball in OT. Therefore, if the team that loses the toss attempts an onside kick and recovers the ball, they need only kick a field goal to end the game on the spot. Sounds like a Sean Payton move, no?

Tony Care: I'm enjoying watch these OT games. It forces coaches into a more aggressive approach. They know that a field goal won't necessary cut it and must plan accordingly. Remember Lions coaches Jim Schwartz forgoing the easy field goal and going for it on 4th-and-1 attempt? He went for it because his defence couldn't stop Tennessee throughout the game. The strategy backfired and the Lions lost. I know coaches hate the rule because it adds to the second guessing, but as a fan you have to love the new wrinkle.

Jason Davidson: I don't mind it. Before the rule change, more often than not it seemed that if you won the toss, you're going to simply make your way into field goal range and end the game right there. This certainly changes the strategy for whoever receives the ball. A field goal is fine, but you're not entirely off the hook. That all depends on if your defence can hold the fort. Now, if there is one rule change that I don't like, it's kickoffs from the 35-yard line rather than the 30. We see less returns and more stoppages.

Let's look ahead to Monday night's big AFC clash between the visiting Houston Texans (11-1) and the New England Patriots (9-3). Which team do you like and why?

Jesse Campigotto: These teams are close to dead even to me. Houston is 11-1 and New England is 9-3, but the Patriots have the superior point differential (plus-170 to plus-130). Both teams have won six in a row, and both have played schedules that rank among the easiest in the league (the Texans' being a bit easier because their division is softer and they've yet to play either of their two games against the Colts, who are the second-best team in the AFC South). So I'd give the Patriots between a half-point and a one-point edge. Factor in home field, which I'd peg a notch below the standard three points because of New England's relatively sedate stadium and Houston's 6-0 road record, and I'd say the Pats ought to be at most a 3.5-point favourite. I see the spread opened at 4.5 (understandable given all the press New England has received of late) and is down to 4, so if I had to bet it right now I'd lean toward Houston.

Tony Care: Three weeks ago, I would've said the Texans but the way the defence has played lately, I'm switching to the Patriots. Prior to Sunday's easy victory in Tennessee, the Texans were gashed for 66 points and 819 passing yards against the Jaguars and Lions. Granted Houston won both games, but the team was fortunate that Jacksonville and Detroit couldn't close the deal. New England won't be so kind. The Patriots rank No. 1 in scoring offence (430 points) by a mile, and average 7.7 yards per pass attempt, which ranks seventh. The Patriots by three.

Jason Davidson: I'm going with the Patriots because it's at Foxborough. Their offence is explosive and I just don't know how the Texans' defence will be able to keep up, despite the presence of J.J. Watt. Brian Cushing's absence will be felt. Remember Week 6? Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers lit up Watt and company with six touchdowns. Tom Brady, as we all know, has the ability to do just that. Pats increase their winning streak to seven, while Houston's unbeaten streak ends at six.

10 things we learned this CFL season

2012-12-03T17:51:24Z

]]> ]]>
1. Jim Barker is an elite GM

Had a nice chat with this year's best GM last week, a couple of days after he won the Grey Cup.

This was, you may not realize, Barker's fourth big ring, one as an offensive coordinator with Montreal, and the others as an administrator and finder of talent in Calgary and Toronto, the latter skill easily his best.

No question 2012 was the USC grad's best outing, as he brought in Scott Milanovich to head coach and Chris Jones to coordinate the defence, traded for QB Ricky Ray and then completely rebuilt a roster that was more than two-thirds new by playoff time.

Barker also put up with a stupid campaign by some internal idiot to downplay his skills and set up a possible firing. Good luck with that, whoever you are.

After all this, the GM refuses to buy he's elite. Sorry Jim, you are up there with Wally Buono in B.C., and Jim Popp in Montreal, a step ahead of John Hufnagel in Calgary among the big four

And that sets him up in the way the other two are. Now, anything less than making the division final will be a big disappointment.

Not to worry, though, because Barker has created something Argo fans haven't seen since the post-war years -- a chance at a consistent winner. That's what elite administrators do.

2. Yes, big boys almost cry

Scott Milanovich is not given to standing in front of the media and exposing his emotions for all to see, so it was quite something to see tears beginning to form as he spoke to a handful of media about 30 minutes after winning a Grey Cup.

When he started to chat about what it meant to the players and the coaching staff as a whole, about how they will always have a bond in victory, about how much they worked and sacrificed to earn that ring, and how all of that was why he became a coach in the first place, Milanovich let himself go.

Not a lot, but enough to tell us more about who he is inside than any arm waving or screaming by a much more demonstrative coach.

3. Quebec City is back in play

At the Grey Cup in Edmonton two years back, your correspondent grasped the microphone and asked commissioner Mark Cohon about the possibility of putting a future expansion team in Quebec City, given the massive explosion of football in the province from the minor level through high school and college.

Not a chance, in so many words, said Cohon. They already have their football (Laval Rouge et Or) and besides, Montreal has the regional rights (to the whole province?).

That set off speculation the university and its heavy hitting corporate supporters had warned the CFL off the capital of La Belle Province.

If that was the case then, it's not any more. Cohon suggested, without being asked, at his 2012 chat at the Royal York that Quebec City might make a fine place to put a team in future.

Hmmm. Something has changed, and that something may, it says here, be a quiet inquiry by someone in Quebec with a lot of money who isn't tied in with Laval.

4. If you build it, they will come. Even to Guelph?

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be playing some, most, or all of their 2013 home schedule at the University of Guelph, where the 4,000-seat Alumni Stadium awaits a temporary upgrade to around 15,000, plus whoever can be put into end zone entertainment tents or invited to stand hither and yon.

This while the new Ivor Wynne (or whatever they will call it) rises on the rubble of the old site, to be ready (cross your fingers) for 2014.

A neat little number in the press release was the suggestion that a drive from the "outskirts of Hamilton" to Guelph could be done in 17 minutes. Problem: no one lives on the outskirts of Hamilton except some farmers.

For everyone else it's 45 minutes up Highway 6, or more than an hour if coming from the Niagara area, from where many fans commute.

Better hope somebody at the league office with a sense of humour doesn't book the Cats for a Friday night game with a 7 p.m. kickoff, causing an already massive traffic headache to escalate to a debacle.

Expect to see the Labour Day Classic played at Toronto's Rogers Centre, where a quick switch from Sunday afternoon baseball to Monday night football can be done for a price.

And perhaps one in Moncton, if that city will pony up the appropriate funds.

This is going to show how dedicated Cats fans really are.

5. Maybe John Hufnagel knows more about QBs than we do

When Drew Tate was anointed, with almost no pro resume to speak of, the starting pivot for the Calgary Stampeders this season, the head coach/GM of the club brought in Kevin Glenn from Hamilton as an experienced backup.

Good move, we said.

When Tate went down in Week 2 vs. Toronto with a bad shoulder injury and was thought to be out for the season, Glenn was ready to step in.

Good move, we said.

When Tate surprised everyone by coming back with a few games to go, Hufnagel gave him a chance to regain his job and named him the starter for the West semifinal.

Bad move, we said. Glenn had earned the spot and should be given the chance.

When Tate won that game, and then mysteriously came down with a badly concussed right wrist (that he used to throw the winning TD), Glenn came back for the West final, beat B.C., and marched to the Grey Cup.

See, we said. Told you so. Except we were wrong. He was not very good in the Grey Cup, and shouldn't be Calgary's starter moving forward. Still the same old inconsistent guy.

Only fair to say Hufnagel was right.

6. Concussion-like symptoms lead to a loss of intelligence

Doctors are straight-forward about this -- there is no such thing as concussion-like symptoms. You either have a concussion, or you don't.

Did Drew Tate have a concussion or not? Was Arland Bruce III really ready to come back from his concussion, coincidentally just as the B.C. Lions needed him most for the West final? Was Shea Emry really ready to return to the Alouettes this season after missing almost all of 2011 with a concussion?

Don't know. Not in their heads.

This I do know. Perception is everything, and the perception is the CFL is soft on concussions. What happened with Tate in the West semifinal was a perfect case in point.

He took a big hit. He was dizzy. He stayed in the game. He told an interviewer he couldn't remember the first half. He repeated that in the dressing room afterwards. Calgary denied it was a concussion and said he would start the next week.

And suddenly he had a broken bone in his right wrist. All could be perfectly legit. But it smelled bad.

Kevin Glenn played for the Stamps earlier despite saying he was suffering headaches.

Commissioner Cohon has to step in and set a specific, legitimate, unbreakable protocol for dealing with hits to the head. Handing out a card, as the CFL did, to teams explaining what to look for and what to do doesn't help if everyone ignores it.

Don't wait for a tragedy.

7. Time to end Groundhog Day in Montreal

Note to Jim Popp: You must anoint a replacement for quarterback Anthony Calvillo, give him lots of playing time while backing up your star, who turns 41 next year, and thus avoid the trouble Toronto fell into with Damon Allen.

Les Argos, you recall, stuck with the ageless Allen until he was 44 and then had no one ready to replace him for four seasons.

Find a QB. Adrian McPherson. Josh Neiswander. Stephen Garcia. Someone from around the league.

Now's the time.

8. Losing, schmoozing.

Whoever was responsible for Hamilton's terrible defence this season, the one that gave up 576 points, it apparently wasn't coordinator Casey Creehan.

We know this because Tim Burke, now officially the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the interim tag removed, brought Creehan back to DC the lousy defence in Manitoba (531 points given up).

Burke says the trouble in The Hammer was injuries. No one can coach a defence with too many injuries.

But they can keep a defence from quitting on its coach, the way the Cats did in Toronto in Week 18 when the team had to win while facing the third- and fourth-string Argo quarterbacks.

Happiest guy in the room when the phone rang and Burke asked for permission to talk to Creehan must have been Hamilton head coach George Cortez. Saves him the "we're going another direction" chat.

9. Elizabeth, Regina

Two things that struck me as cool during Grey Cup week.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, sent greetings from Buckingham Palace on the occasion of the 100th Grey Cup, pointing out that both the trophies fought for that weekend (Grey and Vanier) were named for her Governors General.

So is the Stanley Cup, by the way.

Bringing us to the site of the 101st Grey Cup, named by Princess Louise for her mother, Queen Victoria, when the former was here as the wife of the, you guessed it, Governor General -- the Marquess of Lorne.

With all of this Royal blood, how could next year's party in Regina be anything but fabulous?.

Note: Princess Louise, historical notes say, despised Ottawa when she was there. More than enough to make her popular on the prairie.

10. There are always questions for the off-season

Try to answer these:

Will Ottawa and Hamilton's new stadia be ready for 2014?

Who will be Ottawa's first general manager?

Will Anthony Calvillo retire? (Says here, no).

Does Jim Barker get an extension as Toronto GM? If not, what lucky team scoops him up?

Can Hamilton and Winnipeg learn to love defence again?

Who quarterbacks the Bombers?

Where does Edmonton find a GM?

Can Drew Tate stay healthy enough to be a star CFL pivot?

Do the Lions rebound?

Is the return of the Canadian running back a coincidence, or are they here to stay?

Age, injuries catching up with once potent Steelers

2012-11-29T15:12:28Z

]]> Don't be fooled by the certain defensive statistics, all is not well with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who continue to battle age and injuries. It's just not the same as it used to be in Pittsburgh.

The once revered Steelers' defence had the innate ability to change the momentum in any given game with one smashing hit. They'd blitz with unrelenting pressure and uncanny success. Force turnovers, create chances and invoke fear in opposing quarterbacks - and this was as recently as the last few seasons.

This year it's been a different story. Those big plays haven't been coming with regularity these days. Injuries aside, this defensive group is in need of a major facelift.

At first glance, nothing seems to have gone awry. The team ranks No. 1 in total yards per game allowed and first in passing yards against.

But don't be fooled. All is not well in Steelerland.

They're tied for 21st in forced fumbles with a paltry nine and rank in the bottom five in total tackles this year.

Their biggest Achilles' heel has been all season is the inability to create turnovers. The Black & Gold are tied for 28th in the NFL in interceptions with six, and tied for 24th in sacks (22.0).

Imagine that: A Dick LeBeau defence that's struggling to pressure and get to the quarterback.

He's still the same LeBeau, who's credited with inventing the zone blitz - now a league-wide staple in many defences. He's the same defensive co-ordinator who loves to push the blitz button with regularity, and was named Co-ordinator of the Year by Sporting News in 2008.

His schemes haven't changed much. What's different is the personnel he's working with and their inability to stay healthy.

Age, injuries catch up with defence

Pick the Steelers' defence apart player-by-player, position-by-position, and you'll find two common themes: Age and injuries.

As gifted an athlete as perennial Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu is, wear and tear has caught up with the former USC Trojans standout. The 31-year-old safety, who was named Associated Press Defensive player of the Year just two seasons ago, isn't the same player he once was.

He's suffered various injuries throughout his career, in part due to his hard-nosed playing style.

Some may say injuries are just part of the game and not his fault. But I would argue that staying healthy is in large part a skill, and unfortunately for Pittsburgh fans, it's one of the few skill sets Polamalu doesn't possess. Going forward nagging injuries will continue to take their toll, too (he's only suited up for two games so far this year).

There are reasons why some players are dubbed "injury-prone," while others manage to stay away from the infirmary.

Look across the team's secondary and you'll find veteran safety Ryan Clark. Known as one of the better tacklers in the NFL, he's been unable to avoid the concussion bug - even having to wear a special helmet to play - and at age 33 with 11 years of NFL service under his belt, don't expect too much prime production out of him for much longer.

Then take a look at the Steelers' linebacking unit, and the alarm bells start ringing again. Thirty-four-year-old James Harrison has only suited up for eight games this year and has registered three sacks - well off his pace from last season's injury-plagued campaign of nine in 11 games.

Yet another player getting past his prime.

Linebacker Larry Foote is the team's top tackler with 78 combined stops (only 34th in the league), and at age 32 he's not exactly a spry rookie, either.

Remember when LaMarr Woodley could pretty much coast past offensive linemen and punish opposing pivots? Well, that was in 2009 when he amassed 13.5 sacks in 16 games. The injury ward came calling for him in 2011 when he was only able to play in 10 games. He's the younger statesman in Steelerville - which is not necessarily a good thing.

So what's the solution?

A defensive rebuild. It's the only way LeBeau will be able to implement his schematic wizardry to the utmost effectiveness.

And they'll have to start by parting with some of their big-name players

Behind the scenes at 100th Grey Cup

2012-11-28T02:19:26Z

]]> Listen in as 3rd And Long hosts Andy McNamara and Carlan Gay recap the 100th Grey Cup game, and get a visit from CFL legend Damon Allen to help them break down the contest. Listen in on 3rd and Long as hosts Andy and Carlan take you through their behind-the-scenes Grey Cup experience at Rogers Centre as well as discuss the big game itself.

Former CFL cheerleader, Shannon Kelly, also jumps in on the conversation to share her 100th Grey Cup stories.

CFL Hall of Fame quarterback Damon Allen drops by to give his thoughts on all of the Grey Cup festivities. The former Argos pivot also tells the guys why Toronto took down Calgary, his thoughts on the 2012 season, and who is the best active quarterback in the CFL today.

A special thanks to all our fans who supported us all year. Season two of 3rd and Long is in the books, we look forward to 2013!

Email them at 3rd.longpodcast@gmail.com.

Find & rate us on iTunes.

NFL Roundtable: Week 12 recap

2012-11-27T15:34:20Z

]]> In CBCSports.ca's weekly chatter, Jason Davidson and Tony Care debate Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz's understanding of the rule book, Ndamukong Suh's groin kick, the prospects of Alex Smith getting his job back, and the Baltimore Ravens' incredible 4th-and-29 conversion.

Follow our panelists on Twitter: @tcare66 @JesseCampigotto @JasonD79.

On Thanksgiving, Detroit coach Jim Schwartz challenged a Houston touchdown. But since all touchdowns are reviewed, Schwartz received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and wiped out the review, which would've clearly been overturned. Schwartz said that he knew the rule but simply overreacted in tossing the challenge flag. Do you believe him?

Tony Care: I'll buy that but it makes his blunder more egregious. He's supposed to be the composed one. He's the one that needs to have his emotions in check, considering he coaches one of the most undisciplined teams in the NFL. What Schwartz did was cost his team seven points. Who knows, maybe Houston marches 81 yards for a TD anyway, but Schwartz didn't allow his defence the chance to stop the Texans. Dumb decisions like this one are a recipe for getting fired when your team is going nowhere fast.

Jason Davidson: I do believe him. He's an NFL head coach, he should know the rules. Once again, Schwartz got sidetracked by his own emotions, and as a result, the Texans end up with a TD that shouldn't have counted and the Lions go on to lose the game. Remember Week 3? Schwartz has a 'miscommunication' with his offence on a fourth-and-1 deep in Tennessee territory. End result? Titans go on to win in overtime. Detroit is 4-7, they could just as easily be 6-5 and in contention for a wildcard. Not only are the fans in Motown frustrated, so is defensive co-ordinator Gunther Cunningham.

In that same game, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh kicked Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin while he was falling down to the turf. Given Suh's penchant for dirty play, did he really mean to kick his Schaub?

Tony Care: I realize Suh gets a lot of flack because of his numerous personal fouls, highlighted by his ejection and suspension for a stomp on Green Bay offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith last Thanksgiving. But in this case, I can't see how anyone can flat out say that was intentional. I agree with the NFL by not suspending Suh on this one. Still, the Lions defensive tackles isn't gaining any popularity points with officials.

Jason Davidson: Yes, he meant to do it. Suh is a dirty player, plain and simple. This is the second straight year where Suh has pulled a stunt like this on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. Last year, he stomped on Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith and got tossed from the game. A costly penalty at the time as it occurred in the Lions' red zone. I'm sure even his teammates are getting tired of his act now. Suh avoided a suspension although he may get fined. Next time Suh goes off the handle, don't expect NFL disciplinarians to be as forgiving.

With a healthy Alex Smith ready to go, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh opted to remain with QB Colin Kaepernick, who led San Francisco's victory against the Saints. Does this spell the end for Smith?

Tony Care: I doubt it. I think the reason Harbaugh went with Kaepernick is that he always knows what he has in Smith - a game manager who can't rally his team from a significant deficit. Kaepernick offers big plays, a big arm and is a threat to reel off a huge run. Besides, Smith is the type of QB that won't be affected if Harbaugh has to go back to him should Kaepernick struggle. He's definitely been benched enough times over the years.

Jason Davidson: Not necessarily. Kaepernick was good, not great against the New Orleans (16/25, 1TD/1INT). The defence won the game for San Fran with pick-sixes from Ahmad Brooks and Donte Whitner. Jim Harbaugh will likely stick with Kapernick this weekend against the Rams in St. Louis (hopefully no tie this time around) but I just don't think Smith has taken his last snap this season. Having two capable quarterbacks at your disposal is a good problem for the 49ers. You ride the hot hand.

The Baltimore Ravens converted on an incredible 4th-and-29 to extend a last-minute, fourth-quarter drive en route to a victory over the listless San Diego Chargers in overtime. Was this a great run by Ravens RB Ray Rice or some bad defence on the part of the Chargers?

Tony Care: This was one of the most embarrassing things I've ever seen on a football field. Ravens QB Joe Flacco all but conceded the game when he dumped the ball off to Rice, who then broke at least four tackles to get the first down. How coach Norv Turner can actually be allowed to continue on after this debacle is beyond me. I can't imagine president Dean Spanos tolerating this mess much longer, and that includes the employment of GM A.J. Smith.

Jason Davidson: You have to give Rice credit here, it was a fantastic play. One of the season's best. He caught Joe Flacco's short pass at the line of scrimmage and he made his way around the Bolts' defence, which for most of the game, played pretty well. San Diego let this game get away from them in the fourth quarter. They blew a 13-3 lead with eight minutes to go in the game. Huge win for the Ravens to as they are on the verge of clinching the AFC North. They can do that this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As for San Diego, Norv Turner will ride out the rest of the season and hope for a miraculous five-game winning streak to end the season respectably and keep his job. Not happening folks.

Toronto Argonauts: Evolution of a champion

2012-11-26T16:47:44Z

]]> The Argos have just created a case study that proves it only takes one season to rebuild a CFL team. So how long does it take to build a championship team?

One season, if you're the Toronto Argonauts.

The Argos have just created a case study that proves this statement. I for one have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Argo's evolve into a championship team right before my eyes.

And, I hate to say I told you so...no I don't, I love it.

Back in June I wrote an article title "10 things to watch in CFL in 2012."

We had just come off a season when the B.C. Lions, after a horrible start to the 2011 season, regrouped, made some slight adjustments and finished as champions. We were once again reminded that it is not how you start the season, but rather how you finish that counts.

"The team that I believe will evolve the most this season and the team that I am most interested in watching is the Toronto Argonauts," I wrote in June.

"General manager Jim Barker has done a fantastic job of bringing together very talented coaches and players to round out his team for this season. It will be interesting to see if these individuals come together as a good football team by November to make a push for the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto"

Dream season

Not only was it entertaining to watch the Argo's grow and eventually win the Grey Cup, it was the best thing that could have possibly happened for the CFL.

Commissioner Mark Cohon was all smiles Sunday night as he watched the Argos control the game from start to finish. Oh sure, he made politically correct statements heading into the game, but he knows that the success of the league falls largely on the back of football in Southern Ontario.

That being said, Toronto and Hamilton were the only two teams this season that lost money.

Without hockey competing in the sports market, Cohon had the perfect storm to thrust the CFL onto centre stage, rather than the usual last page of the sports page.

If this year can't get the football fans in Ontario excited about the CFL, then I don't know what will.

This victory will secure the CFL for the next five years.

Milanovich deserves credit

Head coach Scott Milanovich has to be given a ton of credit for understanding exactly what he needed to duplicate from his offensive success in Montreal.

Obviously, the key to everything that the Argos were able to accomplish this year is easily traced to "The Trade" that brought Ricky Ray to Toronto in the off-season. Whether it was a back-room conspiracy or not, Ray coming to the Argos gave them a legitimate shot at winning the Grey Cup. This depended on how fast he could grasp the offence, and how quickly his supporting cast could be assembled.

The fact that Ray was able to get this done inside of a year places him as one of the all-time great quarterbacks ever to play in the CFL. He also is a sure bet for entrance into the CFL Hall of Fame.

Chad Kackert comes through

Milanovich's first big in-season decision was highly criticized after he cut CFL leading rusher Cory Boyd during the team's bye-week in the summer. Many shook their heads at the idea of kicking one of the most productive offensive weapons out the door.

"After evaluating our entire football team through the first third of the season, we felt this was one of the changes necessary to move our team forwards," Milanovich

stated."

Milanovich knew that if the Argos were going to make a push to be a championship team, they needed to embrace the idea of being a pass-first offence. Unfortunately, Boyd had a difficult time grasping the protection schemes, and if he figured out who to block, he was brutal at it.

Ray had to have time in the pocket.

But Chad Kackert, really?

His response: 195 yards of offence and Most Valuable Player of the Grey Cup.

This was the gutsiest move of the season.

Milanovich was clear that cutting Boyd was only one of the changes necessary to move forward. If the Argos were to forge ahead, their offensive line had to improve. I believe that moving Wayne Smith to guard and bringing in Tony Washington to play left tackle was just as significant as getting rid of Boyd.

The fact that Barker was able to claim Washington from the Calgary Stampders as a late training-camp casualty only adds to the irony.

I believe that these two moves were what started the Argos moving in the right direction. It eventually produced one of the strongest offensive lines in the league at the end of the season.

Argos more than Chad Owens

I would first like to say congratulations to Chad Owens for an amazing year. The ability for one player to accumulate over 3,800 yards of offence is mind blowing. However, if the Argos were to turn into an offence that could score majors rather than constantly settling for field goals, other offensive threats needed to step forward.

Dontrelle Inman, Jason Barnes, Andre Durie and Maurice Mann emerged as a dangerous group of receivers. The fact that Calgary was able to hold Owens to only two catches for 14 yards speaks to how far the other receivers have come.

I hope that we get to see more of Inman next season. The catch and near touchdown catch by Inman at the goal-line required a ridiculous amount of talent.

It was a smart move by Milanovich to challenge the ruling on the field of down by contact at the one-yard line, even though it wasn't overturned. It looked like he broke the plane of the goal-line with the football but there wasn't a camera angle that could provide conclusive evidence to change the ruling on the field. From what I saw, it sure looked like a touchdown.

Speed kills

Defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones assembled a young, athletic group of players that competed with a tremendous amount of speed. In order to create some space on the field, Calgary utilized nine different receivers. At the end of the day, Toronto had too many interchangeable parts and too much speed for the Stampeders to handle.

Calgary QB Kevin Glenn never felt comfortable in the pocket and a large part of it had to do with the Argonauts' defence, which completely erased Jon Cornish from the football game. Without the threat of a running game, Glenn was forced to distribute the ball, something he didn't do particularly well.

The Stampeders' offence had no answer for the defensive speed of the Argos. I guess Calgary offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson has some work in the off-season.

How long does it take to build a championship team? The Argos did it in one year.

It will be now be interesting to see if Southern Ontario finally embraces this team once again.