NFL football

[Zhuanyong]

I heard he was going to be traded to the Rams, but he refused. You see, as a devout Christian, Tebow did not want to go to hell.

He went to a bad team anyway. He'll find all kinds of trouble waiting to pounce, across the water from his new stadium. He may have turned down 'The Bachelor' but, New York he'll live it.

I think he'll be alright honestly, hopefully.

[Separation Anxiety]

In the defense of all who were part of the Flynn negotiation, I don't believe they thought Flynn was worth the money he was requesting. I think they might have asked Philbin if he would put his coaching tenure in the hands of Flynn and the answer was probably no or unsure. That and he was looking for a contract that was actually higher than what the 49ers initially offered Alex Smith, who at least proved himself for a full season. I still hope that the Flynn decision doesn't mirror the Brees decision. Great for Seattle, hell for Miami.

Honestly, I would give Tebow one year of a chance if they picked him up. I'll stomach it for one year, I think....

Alex Smith hasnt proven himself quite yet in my eyes. One serviceable season doesnt erase the terrible seasons he has put together. It takes a special QB to get fans chanting for David Carr. He could surprise me and do well the next few seasons, but i would bet on smith never cracking the top ten and struggle to be the 3rd best qb in the division.

At least with Tebow you have the possibility of him winning a lot... too bad Sparano and the Wild Cat wasnt around for him.

In other news, the rule committee is looking at a couple rule changes. Instead of describing the rule changes i will link the article and say i agree with each and every proposed change

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d827c3ea6/article/nfl-owners-to-decide-on-possible-changes-to-replay-ot-ir?module=HP11_headline_stack

[Zhuanyong]

I'm wondering if you would have said that had he been playing for Seattle and played that way through to the NFC Championship.

Well either way, one season in most circumstances shows more than two games over two different seasons. The Dolphins weren't willing to pay franchise QB money to either.

EDIT: I agree with those rule changes.

[Separation Anxiety]

He didnt really play that well in the Championship game at all... their first converted 3rd down was in the fourth quarter. And you take away Vernon Davis and you literally destroy the entire team in the playoffs. Look at all the big plays... Vernon Davis catches a 5 yard pass.... 50+ yard TD. Vernon Davis made Alex Smith. He gets injured Smith will do terribly. Davis is among the best TEs in the league and i would argue that the guy is more of a WR than TE.

[Zhuanyong]

Davis didn't make Smith. In fact, Davis had a fairly average season by standards up to mid-season. Granted, Davis didn't become a primary part of the teams offense scheme until about halfway through the season (minus one explosive game) and didn't make much of a difference scoring-wise. Smith had consistent numbers throughout the season even when Davis was not producing, shutdown, or part of the scheme for the week. I'd say looking at his numbers, he did worst when Davis was a primary target. Crabtree was also his lead receiver in both targets and catches, I believe.

Note, I stated 'through to' the NFC Championship. In regards to the NFC Championship, I recall the Giants doing the same thing pretty much to the guy who some call 1B (not I of course) when it comes to the best QB in the league right now during the Super Bowl. Brady's pass percentage is skewed by the fact that he completed most of his passes in the 5-10 yard range (not too much trouble in being accurate at that distance). Aaron Rodgers didn't necessarily fare too well either and most people, including myself, would say he's a top-4 QB (I have and will still say #3, ahead of Brady).

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Looking at film, I'm fairly big on Kendall Wright but I don't think Miami can land him and Tannehill. The Browns apparently are starting to really consider picking him up with that #4 pick from what I've read. I also like Wake Forest WR Chris Givens. His size and speed (4.4 40 yard dash) match the system that Philin brought over from Green Bay and is trying to implement. He's being projected a 2nd round pick. I think Miami needs to decide if QB or WR is their higher priority (I say both are equal granted RGIII and Luck are off the board, unless one demands to be traded ala Eli Manning).

If Cleveland goes Tannehill, Miami should draft Wright (or Blackmon if he's available, unlikely as it is) and Givens with their first two picks. This should solve the WR problem. They can release most of those weak WR's and keep Bess at the slot. They should use their first 3rd round pick on Cousins or whoever is the best QB available. That's only if Tannehill is off the board at #8. Otherwise, draft Tannehill and hope to get Givens in the 2nd round then start drafting OL and DL/LB.

(Sad to say, Ireland is too stupid to address the real needs and will draft a pass rusher in the 1st round and OL in the 2nd round. I should be the GM for Miami.)

[Separation Anxiety]

I watched quite a few 49ers games and i can say without a doubt, Davis was a huge factor. He is just ridiculously athletic. Crabtree caught more passes and all that, but thats pretty much a given for a WR. But Davis had over 1/3 of alex smiths TD passes. Now you look at the seahawks for instance. I'm not saying Jackson is better, far from it, but he spread the ball around. He had 14 TDs and the most anyone had was Doug Baldwin... with 4. I'm looking around at stats... Crabtree had 4 TDs, Davis had 7, Delanie Walker had 3. That leaves 3 TDs to spread across the rest of the team. Take Davis out of the picture and Smith looks pretty pedestrian... especially in the playoffs. That miracle game winning drive against the saints never would have happened.

[Zhuanyong]

That's to be expected when it comes down to the fact that most of those TD's were in or around the redzone. Davis like Gates, Gronk, and Graham is a hard defend in that area. The 49ers don't really have anyone else who can take that area. They don't have the Jennings, Welker, Megatron, or other types who can get you separation other than him. 1/3 of his TD's isn't as big a ratio as it may seem when the number is below 20. It's hard to not throw to someone like that. Especially when he is the only person who can get leverage near the endzone.

I believe his numbers wouldn't have taken the hit you may think, though. The Saints are a bad team to gauge on defending anyone. Their team didn't and don't have the players to guard a player like Davis. I agree that the Saints would have probably won, and I'll say possibly been in the Super Bowl if it weren't for Davis. He'll have Moss and Manningham to throw to now presumably, so we'll see if he can be a 25 TD pass guy now.

I look at it as being mostly playcalling based and circumstantial. That is unless he throws about 25 TD's this year and Davis has about 9. But that in itself isn't as rare as it may seem. Look at Brady-Moss several years ago. Romo-T.O., Culpepper-Moss, etc. It does happen.

[Separation Anxiety]

I've just seen way too many instances of pass to davis on third and long and see him get HUGE gains. He has been doing it for years. You cant deny that hes not the big play threat on the 9ers. A lot of his TDs were long gains.

As for the saints pass d... yes its pretty bad. That final nail in the coffin TD in the division round is perfect proof. Guy goes 3 yards deep in the end zone to defend against a tight end. Of course hes getting in.

[Zhuanyong]

You had me thinking and I had to check because I recall seeing him catch quite a few of those 6 TD's in the redzone.

Only 2 out of his 6 TD's were outside of the redzone, and one of those were for 23 yards (basically, around the redzone). Half of those redzone TD's were inside 10 yards (1 from the 1 yard line). I agree with you on the fact that Davis is that much of an intergral part of their offense. He is their best receiver. When he came out of Maryland, I wished the Dolphins would have drafted him. I remember being a bit upset the Phins didn't get a TE like Davis, and still haven't.

The guy is definitely a top-5 tight end in my opinion. Gronk, Graham, Gates (the guy was still getting doubled and bracketed with Jackson there), Davis, & Witten are the guys I see being the best right now (with Witten & Gates declining). Others like Fred Davis, Finley, Hernandez, & Gonzalez are in the top-10 argument.

[Separation Anxiety]

The problem with judging tight ends is that their ability to catch passes is directly involved in how good the oline is. If they are forced to be blocking all the time they cant go out and catch passes. Case in point, Zach Miller going from 60+ catches with the raiders to 20ish with the hawks. Look around at the teams with less than stellar o lines and you see less than stellar TE receiving.