ZB Notebook 10-8-13

by Andy | Oct 8, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

When it rains it pours this season in Atlanta.

The day after a brutal performance on Monday night against the Jets, word has begun leaking that star wide receiver Julio Jones may be out for the season with a foot injury.

Jones appeared hobbled briefly late in the contest last night but returned to put on a heroic performance that almost brought the Falcons a win. Apparently the injury was worse than it originally looked.

Add that to the list, which also includes several offensive linemen, running back Steven Jackson and wide receiver Roddy White. Heading into the season, the Falcons looked to me to be the easy favorite for a repeat as AFC South champs. That has been quickly eclipsed by their 1-4 record and the fast start of the New Orleans Saints.

And it would likely get progressively worse if Jones does, in fact, miss significant time. Pretty soon Tony Gonzalez could be the only relatively healthy offensive weapon Matt Ryan has left. I wonder if he is rethinking his comeback?

Coaching hot seats? (more…)

Freeman picks Vikings as destination for his reclamation

by Andy | Oct 7, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

The Minnesota Vikings appeared to further cut the cord with third-year QB Christian Ponder Sunday night when it was announced that they signed Tampa Bay castoff Josh Freeman.

Reports suggest that Freeman signed a one-year deal for around $3 million.

Ponder’s future already seemed in question when the 0-3 Vikings turned to Matt Cassel and emerged from London with a win that kept the season at least on life support.

While coach Leslie Frazier announced that Ponder would still be his starter when he returned to health, it’s been widely speculated that the coach would stick with Cassel until he faltered, using the rib injury as an excuse to keep Ponder on the bench. Honestly I thought the Vikings would pass on Freeman in deference to Ponder’s feelings and his confidence – they’ve not exactly taken to the “tough love” approach with their 2011 top pick before now.

In signing Freeman, they get a guy who has not been good in 2013, but who also has a tremendous amount of upside, as illustrated during a two-and-a-half month stretch of the 2012 season during which I was convinced he was developing into a solid QB.

This signing is low-risk for Minnesota. Ponder has already proven to most of the public that he’s not the guy. And Cassel is what he is – a stopgap who’s likely to spend the bulk of his career bouncing around from team to team as a top backup teams aren’t afraid to use when their starters get hurt.

And Freeman gets half a season to show the Vikes that he still can be more stud than dud – that his free fall had as much or more to do with shortcomings of coach Greg Schiano and less to do with his own alleged immaturity and poor study habits. He gets a chance to show Minnesota that they don’t have to pick a QB in the early rounds of the 2014 draft (though I personally think they should regardless of how Freeman plays). (more…)

Returning QB job to Ponder would put Frazier’s own at risk

by Andy | Oct 1, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

It’s been a tough week for the Minnesota sports fan, or at least the ones who believe in accountability and the possibility that someone should have to produce some results in order to hang onto their jobs.

On Monday, Ron Gardenhire paid the price for three 90-plus loss seasons by being rewarded … well, when you have to manage this mismanaged roster of fringe AAA talent I’m not sure it’s a reward, but nonetheless, was rewarded with a two-year contract extension.

I’m not sure the 270-plus loss trio of seasons is all on Gardenhire. He can only manage the guys management gets him. Terry Ryan and the Pohlad family have to shoulder much of the blame, which Ryan acknowledged in extending Gardenhire’s position. But there also hasn’t been a lot of on-field improvement over the last couple years and many – myself included – think it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to simply see a new voice heading up the organization.

Then on Tuesday Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier announced against all odds that Christian Ponder remains the Vikings quarterback as long as he is healthy. This mind-blowing revelation follows postgame press comments where team leaders like Adrian Peterson eluded none-to-subtly who that they would like to see Matt Cassel retain the job. (more…)

ZB Notebook 10-01-2013

by Andy | Oct 1, 2013 | 2013 season, NFL Random Thoughts

The New Orleans Saints are for real. They’re better than Atlanta. They’re clearly better than Miami. It was easy to see through the first month of the season that they were going to be better than in 2012. But the ease with which the Saints dismantled the Dolphins last night made it crystal clear: The Saints are for real.

Drew Brees took the offense up and down the field at will. And the defense teed off on Ryan Tannehill, sacking him four times and not giving him any chance to get comfortable at all.

I think this game is more indicative of the strength of the Saints than an indictment of Miami. The Dolphins have plenty of issues to solve – particularly its need to better protect Tannehill. But Miami also is an improved team on the upswing. This was a good, dominant win for New Orleans on a national stage.

(more…)