After looking back in my archives, I noticed I haven't written about the NFL since my mega NFL preview. Two weeks into the season and I'm already hating and loving it at the same time. I have written about the Iowa Hawkeyes for a few weeks and since their game for lack of a better term is a cake walk, I figured I don't need to go into great detail. I do want to hit on what happened to them down in the desert last weekend.
Iowa went to the desert and found quicksand and just when it looked as if they escaped, Zona pulled them back down. I talked about it in my IA preview, no early turnovers. What the hell happened? A blocked punt, a pick 6, deja vu from last year's game, and the crowd went wild. The might mo shifted. Iowa made a great comeback, had a shot to take the lead and got their PAT blocked. Now the only National Championship talk about here is for Nebraska since they have played some stiff competition (sarcasm). At least, the Big 10 title is in reach but I'm not trusting Stanzi. The loss to Arizona hurt and the loss of Hampton may hurt worse long term. Jewel Hampton had just came back from missing last year with injuries. Now he's done for another season and I thought Iowa was relying to heavily on Robinson already. He's all they got now. Ball State and home cooking will solve some problems for now.
On to the NFL, where panic happens. My favorite early nomination for play of the year comes from Randy Moss. I can't stand him because of his lack of heart in Oakland, but I hate the Jets and Revis more. This play makes it all better as Revis holds his leg. I wonder what hurt more his leg or pride. Maybe in the rematch, Revis won't talk smack when all Moss has to say is go back and watch the first game. Revis holds out, gets what he wants and then gets hurt. Karma baby.
Speaking of beautiful karma, I'm not sure who will have it worse, the Chargers organization or Vincent Jackson. Who to back in the situation? I can relate to both. As an owner, you don't want pushed around. You also want to win. On the flip side, Vincent has performed and is an outstanding receiver. He probably deserves a new deal. His biggest mistake was coming out and complaining to the media. I don't want to hear you bitch about how many millions you deserve. Shut up be a good citizen and he might be on the field. Now he sounds like an ass-hat and on the verge of not playing a down in 2010. How much money are we talking anyway? You need paid but don't look for sympathy when my bank account says -($45.00). Hopefully Jackson didn't take any advice from former teammate Antonio Cromartie and kept it in his pants. That guy has more kids than that Kate who popped out 8.
I normally talk about the Cowboys since we are based out of Dallas so here goes: this is to easy. You missed your chance for Shanahan and he's the guy leading a surprisingly competitive team. In fact, my brother who saw them against the Texans thought Washington was good enough to win the East. Wade's going to be fired if he loses to Houston. Come on down Jason Garrett, the fans love you. Chin up Cowboy fans, you still got the Super Bowl. You won't play in it but it's coming to your city.
Finally let's dive into my Oakland Raiders. The Campbell era was about as good as the Russell era. I like Bruce Almighty since he reminds me of my favorite Oakland QB, Richie Gannon. Bruce is a vocal leader, fiery and a will to win. I can't see him a the man for Da Raiders future. I'm actually thankful Oakland doesn't have their 1st rounder in 2011. I'd be staring at the Jake Locker era. I saw enough of him against Nebraska to know he's overrated. I'm nervous though. Crazy Al hasn't had a spending spree for a few years and Vick the dog fighter is a free agent. That's what happens when you deal with the devil or a dead owner. The lockout will save me from the embarrassment of seeing Vick in black and silver. Then again, Philly fans don't mind. They love Vick as long as he produces. Maybe Philly will find comfort when McNabb is once again in the playoffs and they are sitting on the couch wondering what happened. Karma happened.
J Call
Showing posts with label Arizona Wildcats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona Wildcats. Show all posts
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Iowa Hawkeyes Road Test
I admit I was wrong. I thought Iowa State would travel to Iowa City and put up a fight against their in state rival. They didn't bother and should have stayed home. No need to go into much detail. A 35-7 butt kickin' where Ricky Stanzi and Adam Robinson were near perfect and Jewel Hampton was back helping out. The defense was solid holding ISU to 3 yards in the 1st quarter and ISU only got their touchdown because the scrubs were in. No need to say anymore. Let's move on to Arizona.
It's hard for me to break down the Wildcats. I live in the Midwest and frankly I don't see much Pac-10 unless they are playing a Big 10 or Big 12 team. The matter isn't helped when Arizona has played Toledo and Citadel. What television station covered those games? Fox Sports Tucson or was I suppose to fork over 30 bucks to watch those crappy games on pay-per-view. Seriously, I started looking up Arizona's stats from those two games and I have no idea how to judge them. They've given up only 8 points total in two games. One score was literally given to Toledo with a safety. So yeah, the numbers feel a bit magnified.
The Wildcats traveled to Kinnick last year with close to the same squad on offense this year. Neither QB was good in their contest. Nick Foles ended up with 55 yards passing and a td while sharing time with the ineffective Scott. This year it's all on Foles and so far he's been impressive. Stanzi wasn't much better with 202 yards and a pick 6. The key last year is the same as this year, running backs.
Adam Robinson must duplicate the 100 yard performance to keep the ball away from the 2 Nicks, Grisby and Foles. Grisby averaged over 6 and a half yards a carry on this defense with Pat Angerer and if he gets double the load, only 11 against Iowa last year, he could control the entire game by himself. Even Ferentz said it was tough to control him last year. Now at home, Iowa will have to double the efforts. Meanwhile, Iowa will have to keep feeding it's two-headed monster of Robinson and Hampton. Iowa had 2 running backs last year with Robinson and Wegher gaining almost 150 yards on 35 carries. Now Hampton is seeing action that Wegher did before. The 3 running backs are important because these defenses are going to get tired.
If your looking for a shootout, forget it. Don't expect either team to come close to 40 points unless your talking total of both teams. Mike Stoops has helped put together a tough defense much like his days as Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma. Arizona was the 21st defense overall until Nebraska put a beat down on them in their bowl game. With their weak schedule and 4 point average, the Wildcats are easily a top ten defense, actually 2nd in points against. Iowa hasn't had much competition either, opponents are averaging one touchdown against them in their first two games and 8th overall in the country. I expect a low scoring game because both defenses should feel very confident in their play so far.
After what I thought would be a real test with ISU, Iowa may finally have a good game on their hands. In that same breath, so will Arizona. The Wildcat fans are planning a "red out" by wearing all red to the game. Tucson stadium will look like a blood bath than a football arena. Stanzi threw that pick 6 in the 1st quarter in the game against Arizona last year. If he does that again and that ruckus crowd gets into it, an upset could brew. Stanzi has relied on that pivotal ground game and I think we see more the same here. Iowa won't make an early mistake, take the crowd out of it early and momentum will carry them to a close victory. Last year 27-17, this year 24-20.
J Call
It's hard for me to break down the Wildcats. I live in the Midwest and frankly I don't see much Pac-10 unless they are playing a Big 10 or Big 12 team. The matter isn't helped when Arizona has played Toledo and Citadel. What television station covered those games? Fox Sports Tucson or was I suppose to fork over 30 bucks to watch those crappy games on pay-per-view. Seriously, I started looking up Arizona's stats from those two games and I have no idea how to judge them. They've given up only 8 points total in two games. One score was literally given to Toledo with a safety. So yeah, the numbers feel a bit magnified.
The Wildcats traveled to Kinnick last year with close to the same squad on offense this year. Neither QB was good in their contest. Nick Foles ended up with 55 yards passing and a td while sharing time with the ineffective Scott. This year it's all on Foles and so far he's been impressive. Stanzi wasn't much better with 202 yards and a pick 6. The key last year is the same as this year, running backs.
Adam Robinson must duplicate the 100 yard performance to keep the ball away from the 2 Nicks, Grisby and Foles. Grisby averaged over 6 and a half yards a carry on this defense with Pat Angerer and if he gets double the load, only 11 against Iowa last year, he could control the entire game by himself. Even Ferentz said it was tough to control him last year. Now at home, Iowa will have to double the efforts. Meanwhile, Iowa will have to keep feeding it's two-headed monster of Robinson and Hampton. Iowa had 2 running backs last year with Robinson and Wegher gaining almost 150 yards on 35 carries. Now Hampton is seeing action that Wegher did before. The 3 running backs are important because these defenses are going to get tired.
If your looking for a shootout, forget it. Don't expect either team to come close to 40 points unless your talking total of both teams. Mike Stoops has helped put together a tough defense much like his days as Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma. Arizona was the 21st defense overall until Nebraska put a beat down on them in their bowl game. With their weak schedule and 4 point average, the Wildcats are easily a top ten defense, actually 2nd in points against. Iowa hasn't had much competition either, opponents are averaging one touchdown against them in their first two games and 8th overall in the country. I expect a low scoring game because both defenses should feel very confident in their play so far.
After what I thought would be a real test with ISU, Iowa may finally have a good game on their hands. In that same breath, so will Arizona. The Wildcat fans are planning a "red out" by wearing all red to the game. Tucson stadium will look like a blood bath than a football arena. Stanzi threw that pick 6 in the 1st quarter in the game against Arizona last year. If he does that again and that ruckus crowd gets into it, an upset could brew. Stanzi has relied on that pivotal ground game and I think we see more the same here. Iowa won't make an early mistake, take the crowd out of it early and momentum will carry them to a close victory. Last year 27-17, this year 24-20.
J Call
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