It's really kind of a wild card. Seeing Tom Brady and Matt Cassell both do so well makes you wonder a bit if it's the system or the QBs.

LN's Formula Rankings

1 Tennessee -
2 NY Giants -
3 Carolina -
4 Indianapolis ^
5 Pittsburgh v
6 New England ^
7 Baltimore -
8 Atlanta ^
9 NY Jets v
10 Minnesota v
11 Tampa Bay -
12 Dallas -


LN's Power Rankings

1. Tennessee
Beat the Steelers for Home Field Advantage in the playoffs.

2. NY Giants
Edged out a game against Carolina for Home Field Advantage with Home Field Advantage. Swirling Meadowlands winds...

3. Carolina
Very good team and could pose a huge danger to a lot of teams in the playoffs.

4. Indianapolis
Locked up their playoff spot in a close game against Jacksonville, will be resting players next week but maybe Sorgi can keep the momentum going?

5. Pittsburgh
A good team but they have lost to both Tennessee and Indianapolis and if they met either of those teams in the playoffs I don't see a different result happening.

6. Baltimore
Gutted out a win with their running game making big plays at the end of the game to spoil the last game in Texas Stadium.

7. Atlanta
In the past 2 weeks they have knocked off Tampa Bay and Minnesota. Two teams playing to get into the playoffs.

8. Miami
They have a chance to win 10 more games than they did last year while sticking it to their divisional rivals with Pennington getting his shot to beat his former team in a very meaningful game.

9. New England
I am rooting for Miami to win if only to keep New England out of the playoffs.

10. San Diego
They were 4-8 and almost knocked out of the playoffs but they've won 3 straight and have a chance to get into the playoffs riding a streak and playing the underdog card.

11. Dallas
They can be good but too many mistakes at critical times.

12. Chicago
Need some help to get into the playoffs but they have won 3 straight and if Arizona has to play at Soldier Field who do you think wins?

The NFL coaching purge has begun. No surprises with the firing of Crennel and Marinelli. I was surprised that Mangini was axed.

Cowher has already told Browns owner Randy Lerner that he is not interested in coming to Cleveland. The way Lerner has operated this franchise, I do not blame Cowher one bit. According to the local media reports, Cowher was Plan A. Scott Pioli as GM is the Plan B, but who the coach is remains to be seen.

I was surprised about Mangini being fired too, but I don't think he'll be jobless for long.

Marinelli might make a good D coordinator for a team like Indy. I'm not a big fan of Ron Meeks.

Crennel might be one of those coaches that's a better coordinator than a head coach.

Marvin Lewis and the Bengals need to part ways.

LN's Formula Season Ending Rankings
1 Tennessee -
2 NY Giants -
3 Carolina -
4 Indianapolis -
5 Pittsburgh -
6 Baltimore ^
7 New England v
8 Atlanta -
9 Miami ^
10 Philadelphia ^
11 Minnesota v
12 NY Jets v


I'll do some playoff rankings in the playoff thread.

Crennel is a good coordinator, but he's not a leader of an entire team. He never learned from his mistakes and continually repeated them. There was a reason that he never landed his first head job until age 58 and it was evident the past four seasons.

How on earth could Cincy keep Lewis? His forte was defense, but that appears to be inflated by the great Baltimore players he has as their coordinator. Cincy's defense has not improved under Lewis. He's only had one winning season there.

I agree that Marvin Lewis hasn't worked out in Cincy. The Bengal winning streak at the end of the season may have saved his job, but I don't expect a winning team next year.

I think he could be a successful head coach somewhere else. Cincy needs more of a disciplinarian, like a Parcells-type guy because of the constant distractions that seemed to have snowballed with this team. Lewisdidn't have this problem with the unit he had in Baltimore where the defense was professionally focused.

I agree with the Crennel firing even though I think teams frequently err when they fire coaches. Romeo always seemed to me to be too complacent and passive. Of course, my perspective is limited to what is broadcast, but it seemed he was silent and noncommunicative during the games. As a Steeler fan, I'm sorry to see him go.

Marinelli is a nice guy, but was in way over his head as a head coach. I'm surprised he lasted the season.

Mangini's firing didn't shock me as the Jets needed a scape goat. They felt that with some big off season signings, they belonged in the playoffs, and losing four of the last five with the only win being a gift from the Bills, soured them. Losing to Chad Pennington burned the Jets even more.

I think that it may be time for some team to bring back Jim Fassel.

Storybook ending is the Colts win it all and Dungy announces his retirement.

What about Shanahan? Why did that happen?

I was very surprised about Shanahan's ouster too, Olivant. Perhaps ownership felt that the team underachieved and needed a new voice after 14 seasons. If he wants to pick right up and continue coaching, he will not be out of work long. He may want to take a year off and re-energize and then come back to an AFC West team and rub it in Denver's face twice per year (read: coach San Diego).

I too didn't expect Shanahan's firing. He won two Super Bowls and always had a competitive offensive team. At the beginning of the year I thought Denver had below average talent, particularly on defense. I also think that Cutler, despite posting some big stats, is a proven winning QB.

Shsnahan was treated unfairly in Oakland by Al Davis, and has had the better of Oakland since coaching the Broncos. He'll land somewhere.

Also, I heard where Cowher is no longer interested in the Jets' job. I wonder if Tannenbaum wouldn't relinquish full control of the team to Cowher. If that was the deal breaker (and I'm only speculating), then I think the Jets made a mistake. Wherever Cowher goes, whether it's this year or next, he will have full authority over all personnel and coaching decisions.

From what I have heard on talk radio, it sounds as if Shanahan was fired more for his poor decisions as the GM rather (remember the 3rd rounder wasted on Maurice Clarrett?) than as the actual coach. His 1997-98 Elway teams were well balanced in all three phases of the game, whereas his defenses in particular have been poor the last several years. And 2008 was the first in a long time in which the patented running attack of the Broncos was not there, albeit much of that due to continous injuries.

I think NY could be a good fit for Shanahan, but he needs a young QB to mentor. Then again, he might opt to sit out a year and wait for a better organization to surface than the choice among the Jets, Browns, and Lions.

Dungy will probably leave after the Colts win the Super Bowl on February 1st, but it's not a good fit and Jim Caldwell is next in line. Bill Polian has a system and I'd rather have him as GM than any coach out there. Also, I hope his son Chris stays with the organization rather than taking a job elsewhere so he can be the GM after his father retires.

Shannahan would be an improvement for most teams. The Browns might fit with Quinn.

What I'm concerned about is with the Colts constantly making the playoffs is that their seasons are always longer than everyone else's and they play more games and maybe that leads to more injuries over the years. I think the Pats missing the playoffs could actually help them rest up and be better for next year.

But that all sounds a little crazy too.

Jets are interviewing Ron Meeks, Indy's D coordinator. Please take him, Jets. Please.

You should see what's happening to the Raiders. They are losing all the coaches. Assistant Offensive Line coach already left during the season to join Lane Kiffin in Tennessee, and today I heard defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is going to the Browns with Mangini and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is headed to Seattle to rejoin Mora.

I just have to laugh at my own team. There's nothing else to do!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Pacman out as 2007 shooting surfaces
ESPN.com news services

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys have released Adam "Pacman" Jones and a team source told ESPN's Ed Werder that the move was made after the team learned of new allegations against the troubled cornerback from his time with the Titans.

Jones' release came after "Outside the Lines" reporter John Barr contacted the NFL, the Cowboys and Jones' attorneys about a piece scheduled to air Sunday in which three Atlanta-area men allege that Jones arranged for someone to shoot at them two months after the football player was suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in 2007.

The June 2007 shooting occurred outside a suburban Atlanta strip club. One of the shooting victims told "Outside the Lines" that he had a dispute with Jones inside the strip club and that not long after he and the two others left the club, a hail of bullets struck their car. The NFL knew about that incident, but charges were never brought against anyone because the victims did not see the shooter.

"Outside the Lines" obtained information that police, investigating a separate Atlanta-area case, had been told by an informant that Jones ordered the June 2007 shooting following his dispute with one of the men. Police have said while the case remains open they are not actively investigating.

Jones denied the report and told the Dallas Morning News: "It will be a lawsuit in a week against ESPN. That's stupid. It's so stupid I have no more comments."

The Cowboys traded for Jones before the season even though he had been suspended in 2007 because of a series of off-field incidents. Jones, expected to give the Cowboys a boost on defense and special teams, had no interceptions and averaged just 4.6 yards per punt return.

"He was surprised, and I think he was obviously somewhat hurt," said Worrick Robinson, Jones' agent. "At the same time, he understands the business behind what is happening here."

Jones missed six games this season for violating the league's player conduct policy after an Oct. 7 scuffle with a team bodyguard at a Dallas hotel. He missed a seventh game with an injury.

The 25-year-old Jones spent part of his time away from football taking part in an alcohol rehabilitation program.

Robinson said he did not think Jones' suspension was a factor in the Cowboys' decision to release the cornerback.

"We don't have any reason to believe at this point that that off-the-field incident had anything to do with the team's decision today," Robinson said. "I know there was certainly a lot of bad that came out of that situation, but there was some good that came out of that situation as well."

Jones' attorney added he expects the cornerback will be back with some team in 2009.

"He is young. He has a lot of ability and he is eager to get back on the field," Robinson said.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple declined to comment on the team's decision and said owner Jerry Jones was unavailable. Coach Wade Phillips and linebacker Greg Ellis, who is the team's representative to the players' union, did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.

The Cowboys traded for Jones despite the cornerback's suspension for the 2007 season after multiple off-field incidents while with the Titans. He was given another chance and cleared to play in 2008 by commissioner Roger Goodell.

When Jones was traded to Dallas in April, Tennessee received a fourth-round draft pick. The Titans were also supposed to get a sixth-rounder next year, but because Jones was suspended again, Dallas will instead receive a fifth-round pick in 2009.

Before coming to Dallas, Jones was arrested six times and involved in 12 instances requiring police intervention after Tennessee drafted him in the first round in 2005.

For Pacman it's Game Over.

His signing was a blunder for Jerry Jones. So was the Roy Williams trade.

I'm curious what the Jets fans here thought of Mangini. I am not that excited that the Browns hired him, particularly so fast. No other teams were beating down the door for him. I don't think he's a bad coach, but he has relatively little experience. I have also heard criticism of his gametime decisions, but that can always be improved upon.

Additionally, Browns ownership (again) bungled the process by hiring a coach before a GM. Then again, ownership has no regard for money, so I could see them still making an offer to Cowher next year and eating the remaining 3 yrs on Mangini's contract.

Maybe that's good, now if they could just get rid of the owner...

They don't like Archie in San Diego? Gee, I wonder why.

ESPN reports that Tony Dungy will retire as coach of the Colts. A press conference is scheduled later this afternoon to announce that Jim Caldwell will be named head coach.

Big shoes to fill for the Colts. One of the classiest head coaches to ever grace the sideline.

Yeah...I don't know much about Caldwell but he's been with Dungy since 2001.

Jim Caldwell took over more coaching duties this season so he's better prepared than a lot of first time NFL head coaches.

Here's some of his Bio from Colts.com

Irsay sounds like he wants to cry at this press conference.

Holy shit, Polian about to cry? He's such a hard ass most of the time.

Tony Dungy is a Genius Facebook group I've had for a few years.

The NFL loses a great coach but he'll be able to get more involved in charities and ministering.

I must admit being surprised that Tampa fired "Chucky" Gruden. I did not see this coming. If he still wants to coach next season, and since he's only 39, I assume he will get snatched up quickly. I think he still has plenty of room for improvement as a coach and I always felt his Super Bowl win was tainted based on taking over Dungy's team (much like Switzer taking over for Jimmy Johnson in Dallas).

Okay, predictions time: Steelers 30; Baltimore 10

Philly 21; Arizona 18.

Broncos, Lions, and Browns positions are taken. Jets? or maybe Oakland?

It's hard to believe but Raiders fans were actually calling the local sports talk radio station and suggesting he comes back to Oakland. Most Raider fans embarrass me!

I was shocked to hear he got fired as well. I wonder if he'll take a college coaching job?

Yes, and no. He's the one who built the Oakland juggernaut which he and the Bucs then dismantled in the Super Bowl. Whether he stayed in Oakland or left for Tampa, I think he would have ended up with a ring in either place.