Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Random Rumblings - NFL 2011

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-Digger's Daily-

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011 NFL regular season concluded Sunday night in MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants (9-7) won the NFC East by romping over arch division rival Dallas Cowboys (8-8) 31-14. The Giants performed as if this game was their Super Bowl. They were simply quicker, stronger and better than Dallas in every positive aspect of this contest completing a season sweep and wrapping up the league's final playoff berth. It was over by halftime as New York built a commanding 21-0 lead. Another December collapse by Dallas ruined the Cowboys new year.

What is it with Dallas and end of season swoons? Their record stood at 7-4 after a November 24 one point victory against Miami, 20-19. Cowboys then lost 4 of 5 to fall from division leaders to end of season choke artists. Getting swept by New York and Philadelphia in the same season will not sit well with Jerry Jones. They barely beat Washington twice (18-16 & 27-24). Offensive line exposed. Defense exposed. Special teams late game chokes. Ineffective play calling. Lack of leadership. It's the same old song in Dallas. 1996 - the last season Dallas posted a winning record within the final month of regular season action. Cowboys fans are sick to their stomachs.

Dallas needs one major change - in their front office. It's not likely team owner Jerry Jones will fire team GM Jerry Jones anytime soon. When will owner JJ realize GM JJ isn't any good at piecing together a championship caliber squad? Stubbornness comes in many destructive forms.

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A handful of football vets were handed walking papers immediately following the conclusion of regular season games.
-Indianapolis stunned the football world - or perhaps just franchise star Peyton Manning - by cutting loose team vice chairman Bill Polian and his GM son, Chris.
-Chicago Bears sent GM Jerry Angelos and offensive coordinator Mike Martz packing after another disappointing season.
-The Bucs fired coach Raheem Morris on Monday after 10 consecutive losses to close out the season.
-St. Louis Rams cut ties with Steve Spagnuolo after three lackluster seasons.
-Miami Dolphins aren't wasting any time in their search for a new head coach after Tony Sporano was fired after going 4-9. Dolphins certainly have fallen a long way into the depths of mediocrity after Coach Shula.
-Jacksonville Jaguars new ownership group wants a new direction and new coaching staff in place a.s.a.p.
2012 off-season will feature plenty of shake-ups, coaching announcements and free agent frenzy leading up to draft day.

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Drew Brees re-wrote a few major passing records in 2011. He shattered Dan Marino's single season passing yards mark. Brees finished the season with 5,476. Brees also bested Peyton Manning's single season completion record with 468. Brees then beat his own regular season completion percentage record, finishing 2011 with an incredible 71.2%.

Who will be named NFL MVP? Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers. Let's not take anything away from Brees sensational record breaking season. However, the league MVP has been Rodgers.

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My NFL week by week game by game regular season prediction record concluded with 164 correct picks (64.1%). 70% correct was my goal in 2011 and would have come to fruition had it not been for two bad weeks (lately due to upsets).

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Time to get ready for NFL Playoffs. Stay tuned for game by game breakdowns and what to look for in coming days.

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