2013’s new coaches fare pretty well in first years

by | Dec 30, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

It’s Black Monday. Early indications are that Mike Shanahan, Leslie Frazier and, surprisingly, first year Browns coach Rob Chudzinski are among those packing their bags and moving on.

Overall, however, the crop of new coaches in 2013 did quite well in their first seasons. Three led their teams to the playoffs and two more led near misses. And those who were leading the worst of the 2012 squads almost all gave their players and fans reason for hope.

Here’s a synopsis:

Team New coach 2013 record Old coach 2012 record
Arizona Bruce Arians 10-6 Ken Whisenhunt 5-11
Buffalo Doug Marrone 6-10 Chan Gailey 6-10
Chicago Marc Trestman 8-8 Lovie Smith 10-6
Cleveland Rob Chudzinski 4-12 Pat Shurmur 5-11
Jacksonville Gus Bradley 4-12 Mike Mularkey 2-14
Kansas City Andy Reid 11-5 Romeo Crennel 2-14
Philadelphia Chip Kelly 10-6 Andy Reid 4-12
San Diego Mike McCoy 9-7 Norv Turner 7-9

(more…)

Metrodome memories – Vikes prepare to close the building for good

by | Dec 29, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

I’m semi-glued this afternoon to the Minnesota-Detroit game. It’s a pretty

Photo credit: Bobak Ha'Eri via Wikipedia

Photo credit: Bobak Ha’Eri via Wikipedia

meaningless game being played by two teams who, for the most part, look like they’d just like to get on with their off-seasons.

Today’s versions of the Vikings and the Lions are pretty much playing out the string. Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson are sitting while Matt Asiata and … Kris Durham? … attempt to replicate their results while playing for coaches who are likely to be fired tomorrow.

This is a pretty dull affair, bringing with it a similar amount of emotion that seems to be felt among the citizenry, who don’t seem terribly broken up that this domed stadium will soon be a part of the state’s ancient history.

I’ve been a Vikings fan since 1981, though at six-years-old, my understanding back in the early days was at a bit of a lower level. Still, as I prepare to see the Vikings close down a second stadium in my lifetime, I’m surprised at how little emotion I feel about this. I actually vaguely remember being more bummed that old Metropolitan Stadium, where my Dad took me at least a couple times, was closing than I am that the Metrodome’s days are coming to an end. I have vague recollections of a Vikings/Bucs game at the Met in 1981 and even more vague memories of a Packers game that I think was a year earlier. And I remember watching the last game – a 10-6 loss to Kansas City that sent the team and the stadium out on a whimper – on television in our living room.

That said, I have been present for a number of memorable moments at the Dome. This list is not meant to be a top five all-time list – it’s just a few of my own personal favorites. (more…)

NFL Picks 2013: Week 17

by | Dec 26, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Picks

If week 15 was a head scratcher, week 16 wasn’t much better.weekly-picks

Several more upsets dropped three of us to 9-7 and one to 8-8 heading into the regular season’s final weekend. So, like most NFL teams, we hope to be hitting our stride as the playoffs hit, but like many, we are sort of limping to the finish line.

Regardless, it’s overall been a solid season for our straight-up picks. Here are the standings heading into week 17.

Week 16 Season
Andy 9-7 153-86-1
Tony 9-7 153-86-1
Maggio 8-8 144-95-1
Rich 9-7 142-97-1

There are still playoff positions up for grabs and several head-to-head games with win-or-go-home ramifications. Some, such as the Packers/Bears and Eagles/Cowboys tilts, feel as though they’re mostly determining who gets to lose to the wild card participants in the first round of the playoffs, but others will determine division champions and bye weeks.

And here is who we think will win: (more…)

Maggio fantasy advice abounds on Championship weekend

by | Dec 21, 2013 | 2013 season, Fantasy Football

Fantasy  Editor Anthony Maggio has been offering fantasy football players advice since July when his first pre-season 1500ESPN_logo_stackedrankings hit. He’s continued right on through this Week 16 Championship Weekend.

Congratulations to those who are still fighting for league titles. He’ll be available for last minute lineup advice throughout this weekend. You can find him in a number of places.

First and foremost, he’s got his rankings on this site. You can find those here.

He’s also doing a one-hour fantasy show at 1500 ESPN on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. You can stream that audio here. Following the show, he’ll be conducting a live chat at the website 1500espn.com.

And he’s a regular on Twitter. You can follow him at @MplsMaggio or tweet questions to #1500blitz.

NFL Picks 2013: Week 16

by | Dec 17, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Picks

Week 15 was a head scratcher.weekly-picks

Minnesota dominating against Philadelphia? Dallas blowing a 147 point halftime lead against Green Bay? Cincinnati laying an egg in its opportunity to claim the AFC’s second seed after New England laid an egg in its opportunity to claim the number one seed from Denver after the Broncos laid an egg against San Diego?

A lot of teams had chances to provide some clarity to the playoff situation in week 15 and a lot of teams dropped the ball. And it showed in our picks for the week. Rich capitalized. The rest of us put up pretty bad weeks.

Here are the standings heading into week 16:

  Week 15 Season
Andy 7-9 144-79-1
Tony 8-8 144-79-1
Maggio 7-9 136-87-1
Rich 10-6 133-90-1

Well, there aren’t a ton of great games on the schedule for the second to last week of the season, but there are a couple solid tilts. And there are a lot of match-ups that, once again, could shed some light on who we will be watching as the calendar turns.

Here’s who we think wins: (more…)