Kaspers Korner

The Buffal  Bills suffered a heart breaking loss to the Cleveland Browns on Monday Nite Football.  Many people  today, especially the media, is putting the blame squarely on the shouldes on quarterback Trent Edwards, but when at second glance it fall squarely on the shoulders of the coaches.

Many people are looking to the Bills play calling on the last possession as the ultimate reason why the Bills lost the game.  However, it was play calling that caused the turnovers in the first place.

I must say first that I am not excusing the play of Trent Edwards.  The decision he made on the pass to James Hardy was bad.   Also, he played not to cause another mistake that would cost them the game.

However, the play calling early in the game on two particular plays was horrible. 

First, the opening play of the game was just terrible.  All week long everyone in the world of football knew that the Bills had to do one thing when the game started, and that was run the ball.

Instead, offensive coordinator Turk Schonert decided on a pass. That was just plain stupidity.  At that point in the game you have not run the ball well, and the opening play is a tone setter for the rest of the game.  They needed to come out and just punch the Browns right in the face with a run.

Secondly, the third interception was a horrible play call.  What people are forgeting is that the third interception was on the third down and one, which Schonert called a play out of a Shotgun formation, with no back in the back field.

That should get Schonert fired right there.  If Schonert did have not had his head up his rear, and try to be cute like always, the Bills would have ran the ball.  Thus, Edwards would have never thrown his third interception, and would have played differently.

That was one of the worst calls I have ever seen by a Bills coordinator.  Marshawn Lynch the previous two plays ran the ball for a total of nine yards. 

Good team on third down and one do not get cute.  However, this offensive coordinator has a tendacy to do that.

Even after the third interception the play calling was horrible.  Edwards was scared, and not throwing the ball down the field.  Then, it is a coaches job to adjust, and put Edwars in a better position to succeed.

What Schonert should have done after that is run three step drops to get the wide receivers involved.  Then, when they run five step drops take out the swing pass to force Edwards to throw it down the field, and play action passes usually do just that.

Many people will also say that the Patriots are one dimensional, and people know what they are doing as well. 

However they have three key weapons in wide recievers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and tight end Ben Watson.  Eventually, one will get open, and the Bills simply do not have the skill players to do this, which Schonert does as well.

Edwards will take the blame, which he deserves for the pass to Hardy.  However, Schonert deserves just as much for in incompetent calling on third down.

The Buffalo Bills are in the midst of a three game skid that has wound them up at the bottom of the AFC East.  At this point in the season a lose to the Cleveland Browns would pretty much put them out of playoff contention.

The Bills must win no doubt about it.  The question is can they get the job done considering how their offensive, and defensive lines are playing.

The key to the game for the offense will be to control Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers.  Rodgers is second on the team in tackles with 47, and leads the team in sacks, which is four.

What will happen if the Bills cannot control Rodgers? The same as the last two weeks, which is no running game, and Bills quarterback Trent Edwards being forced into turnovers.

Defensively, the Bills have to shut down the running game of the Browns.  Right now the running game is not going very well, but with quarterback Brady Quinn being the starter now they will surely rely on it to take the pressure off the kid.

In regards to the passing game they cannot let tight end Kellen Winslow get loose.  Winslow leads the team in receptions, with 36 for 362 yards receiving, and three touchdowns.

Also, the Bills must confuse Quinn, with complex schemes, and putting pressure on him.  Getting pressure on Quinn will not be easy with pro bowl guard Eric Steinbach, and tackle Joe Thomas leading the way, so defensive coordinator Perry Fewell will need to be creative.

The team that can execute its keys will win the game.

The Minnesota Vikings loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has most likely knocked them out of the playoffs.  The most disturbing news to come out of the game is that all four starting defensive lineman could be suspended.

The final act came in Sundays game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when defensive end Ray Edwards hit Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia way after he threw the ball.

The troubling thing is that defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams face suspension for violation of the substanc abuse policy.  Also, defensive end Jared Allen is facing suspension for a series of illegal hits on quarterbacks.

So, what does the latest hit show? It shows that Childress has no control over his lockeroom.

Any coach after hearing that their star defensive end is facing a possible suspension for illegal hits would rip a new one into his team.  Then tell them that anyone takes any undisciplined penalties for illegal hits will have to face serious consequences.

Also, if that is not enough Childress will be highly questioned for a fourth down call, which was a pass.  Especially, when you have a hot running back in Adrian Peterson, who was also had an average of over four yards a carry for the game.

In the end Vikings owner Zigy Wilf should give Childress his walking papers.

The NFC East is usually a tough division year in, and out.  This year it is that as all four teams are in the playoff hunt.

New York Giants:  The Giants are minus a lot of big name players this year due to retirement, injury, or trade.  However, that has not slowed them down at all.

The Giants face the Baltimore Ravens this week.  The way they have been performing this should be an easy win for the Giants.

The key for the Giants defensively is stop the run, while confusing the rookie quarterback of the Ravens in Joe Flacco. 

Offensively, will be to crack the run defense of the Ravens, which is first in the league, and take advantage of their banged up secondary.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles like always are a team that relies on the passing game.  The key weapon of that is running back Brian Westbrook.

Westbrook is banged up, and if he is not able to play, then it will be up to quarterback Donovan McNabb to get the passing game going.  That is the key to the offense of the Eagles. 

Defensively they need to keep in check the Bengal wide receiving tandem Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh.

Dallas Cowboys:  The Cowboys have a key divisional matchup against the Washington Redskins.

The key to the Cowboys will be to get the running game going, along with getting wide receiver Terrell Owens the ball for the offense. 

Defensively, they need to stop the run, and keep the passing game in check.

Washington Redskins:  As awlays the Redskins are in the thick of things, especially now that they have a quarterback in Jason Campbell.

The key for the Redskins will be to establish the running game for the offense, thus keeping the Cowboys offense off the field. 

Then for the defense they need to stop the running game, and need to shut down Owens, along with getting pressure on quarterback Tony Romo in his first game back.

There is always one unpredicatable division in the National Football League.  That honor as for the last several years goes to the AFC West.

The division for the last several years is a two team race.  Them being the Denver Broncos and the San Deigo Chargers.

The other two teams in the Kansas City Cheifs, and the Oakland Raiders, are nothing short of being a clear mess.

San Deigo Chargers: The Chargers are having a down year.  That due to the difficulty of their schedule, and the loss of Sean Merriman on defense.

The Chargers have a tough task in facing the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The key for them is for the defense to pressure Roethlisberger into mistakes.  Then on offense to crack the first ranked pass defense in the league.

Denver Broncos: Broncos get to go up against the fast rising Atlanta Falcons.  With the way Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, and running back Michael Turner, is playing they will be a tought team to beat.

The key for the Broncos will be defensively, as both teams are very simlar.  Both teams have good offenses, with not so good defenses.  The Broncos will win the game if they can keep Ryan, and Turner, in check.

Kansas City Cheifs:  The Cheifs have not been a good team this year, but have seemingly found a franchise quarterback in Tyler Thigpen.    This week they have the task of going against the New Orleans Saints.

The key for the Cheifs will be to offensively get the running game going to keep the offense of the Saints off the field, and limit the number of chances they get.  Then defensively keep the passing game of the Saints in check as much as possible.

Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders are simply a mess, and it looks that there is no end in sight as long as owner Al Davis is at the helm. 

The Raiders face the Miami Dolphins this week.  The key to the Raiders will be the running game.  The dolphins defense is weak against it, and at the same time will keep the Dolphins offense off the field.  The key for the defense is to keep in check Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington. 

The National Football League is far removed from the days where teams would rule a division for almost a decade.  Every year now there is one team that takes a league by storm, and unseats the last division champion.  This year it is the AFC South.

The AFC South for several years now has been ruled by the Indianapolis Colts.  That has changed this year as the Tennessee Titans are 9-0.

It is divisional games this week for the South as the Titans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Colts will face the Houston Texans.

Tennessee Titans:  The Titans defense has been causing havoc, especially the defensive tackle tandem of Albert Haynesworth, and Tony Brown.  Also, quarterback Kerry Collins had an outstanding performance as their running game was shut down last week.

The key to beating the Jaguars will be their defensive tackle tandem causing havoc as the starting interior offensive line is in shambles as all their regular starters were lost for the season already.

Jaguars:  The Jaguars are in disarray, and after a dismal performance against the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago head coach Jack Del Rio came down hard on his team.  The result was the Jaguars handling the Detroit Lions last week.

Key to the game for the Jaguars is control the Titans defensive tackles, and stop the running attack of the Titans.

Indianapolis Colts:  The Colts are look for their third straight game.  They are winning despite the fact that Marvin Harrison is in decline, and they are banged up.

Key for the Colts stop the running game of the Texans, and be on top of thier gameplan offensively.

Houston Texans: The Texans are looking to rebound after getting handled easily by the Baltimore Ravens.

The key to beating the Colts will be to keep Peyton Manning and the Colts offense off the field with the running game.  Also, not to turn the ball over like last time.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a banged up team that everyone that pays attention to football knows about.  However, that has not prevented them from messing around with the injury report.

It has been widely known that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a bad shoulder, and so does running back Willie Parker.  According to Pro Football Talk.com neither of the two are on the injury report.

Even the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Parker will wear a brace on his shoulder, becasue he dislocated his shoulder in a game on November 3rd against the Washington Redskins. When Parker’s shoulder dislocated it also tore his labrum, which Parker has denied.

It is getting to be a problem everywhere.  Even to the point of ridiculousness.  A lot of coaches are being confronted with reports from sources within a team, but still they deny the report.

People are not stupid.  If a player does not practice all week people know that player is not going to play. 

However, coaches treat the media, and the people that way for the simply trying to get an advantage on their opponent that week.

Get real coaches you are not fooling anyone.  Everyone has a training staff that can asses the situation from their office.  Also, teams are just going to find out some way anyways. 

In the end the only people that it is affecting is the fans at home.

The AFC North has the most brutal schedule of all the divisions of the AFC.  The reason is that they face the NFC East.

Baltimore Ravens: They simply by far have the most brutal schedule left between them and the Steelers.  In thier last seven games they play each team of the AFC East, and each of their division opponents.

The key for the Ravens will be two things.  First, the defense has to stay healthy.  Second, quarterback Joe Flacco needs to be consistently good down the stretch.

Pittsburgh Steelers:  Tied for the division lead they have an easier schedule. 

Key for them is to stay healthy as possible, while key players return to the lineup.  Also, quarteback Ben Roethlisberger needs to better than what he was.

Cleveland Browns:  A team on the verge of implosion, and had players accuse other teammates of quiting.  They face this week on Monday nite a desperate Buffalo Bills team.

Key for them winning is simply control the trenches.  The Bills have been unable to run the ball, or pass block well.  Also, have not been able to stop the run.

Cincinnati Bengals:  A team that is a mess, and will be until owner Paul Brown changes his ways.

Key to their game against the Philadelphia Eagles is to run the ball well, and keep Donovan McNabb, and running back Brian Westbrook off the field as much as possible.

Both the Steelers and the Ravens need tough wins this week to remain at the top.

The performance by New England Patriot quarterback Matt Cassel has the National Football League a buzz.  To the point that every fan whose team needs a quarterback is talking today.

Cassel in a loss to the New York Jets last nite was 30 of 51 for 400 yards and three touchdowns.  That proved that Cassel was no fluke, and was the mere victim of circumstance at the University of Southern California.

So, what does the performance mean for the short term, and long term for the Patriots?

In the short term it means the Patriots have just a good of a chance at winning the division again.  The Patriots may be 6-4, but with Cassel now in his prime the Patriots can still win the division.

Both teams face the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins,  and the Buffalo Bills.  The Patriots have an easier time with the other teams being the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  While the Jets have the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals.

Cassel’s performance also helps out tremendously for the long term future of the team.  His contract is up after this year, but that means the Patriots will simply use the franchise tag on him, and then trade him to another team.

So, what would the demand be for Cassel?  That will depend on his performance in the remaining part of the schedule.  If he keeps performing like this the Patriots are most likely going to receive two first round draft.

Lets say Cassel takes the Patriots to the Superbowl.  Then the Patriots may just trade Tom Brady.

Yes, that does sound absurd at this point, but the same was true with the Patriots earlier this decade with quarterback Drew Bledsoe, until he got hurt, and Brady took the Patriots to the Superbowl.

People need to remember that Brady is coming off an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament, and there is the possibility that he may never be the same as he was before. 

Also, Cassel is five years younger than Brady.  That means the Patriots would have a longer window at a Superbowl contender than with sticking with Tom Brady.

In any which way the Patriots have a nice problem on their hands, and will result in another top prospect that will once again just bolster their team even more.

The NFC South for many years now has been one of the weakest divisions in the conference.  That has changed with three of the four teams within one game of each other. 

The winner of the division is going to be the team that can go 2-1 or 3-0 with the rest of their remaining divisional games.  Right now the division leader is the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers should easily roll in this game.  Running back DeAngelo Williams is coming off two 100 yard performances.  Also, defensive end Julius Peppers had three sacks against the Oakland Raiders last week. 

Look for both me to have good performances, along with maybe even a big day from Jake Delhomme, and Steve Smith.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have a huge game this week in the Minnesota Vikings.  The game will have wild card ramifications.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia is coming off three straight sold performances, with 227 yards being the least amount of the three games.  Also, wide reciever Antonio Bryant is coming of three solid games.

On top of that the running game is going to get a huge pick up in the return of starting running back Cadillac Williams, who will be playing for the first time this year.

The Key will be for the Bucs to stop runnig back Adrian Peterson, and get their own offense going like usual.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are winning at the hands of their offense.  Both starting running back Michael Turner, and quarterback Matt Ryan, have been studs for the Falcons this season.  Both are coming into this game with several solid performances.

The key for the Falcons is to devise a game plan to stop Bronco quarteback Jay Cutler.  Cutler has been on fire with passing performances of 307 yards and 447 yards.

New Orleans Saints:  The Saints should have an easier game at first glance.  The Kansas City Cheifs are walking wounded, and not that good. 

The only wild card is going to be the performance of Cheif Tyler Thigpen.  Thigpen has had two solid performances out of the past three weeks.

In the end the Saints should be too much for the Cheifs.

The Panthers could create a comfortable lead after this week. For other teams to have a chance at the division they are going to have to win this week.