In depth: Dallas Cowboys

by | Feb 6, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Few teams have been harder to figure out in recent years than the Dallas Cowboys. The team often has tons of talent on the field only to self-destruct in strange ways and the 2011 season was no different. After 11 games, Tony Romo was clicking and DeMarco Murray was running hard.

Then Dallas lost two heartbreakers to Arizona and the New York Giants late and the Cowboys were on their way to a 1-4 finish.
So what’s ahead for Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and crew? Steven Mullenax, editor and head writer at The Landry Hat blog, recently shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: Are Jason Garrett and his current coaching staff the right mix for the Cowboys? (more…)

Voters, fans frustrated with Hall of Fame announcement

by | Feb 6, 2012 | Hall of Fame, NFL Random Thoughts

Well, the 2012 season is over. By and large the Twittersphere would seem to indicate that people are reasonably satisfied with the Super Bowl they just finished watching. New York and New England put on quite a show again as Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning once again edged out Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in an exciting game that came down to the last play.

That result seemed more satisfying to people than the results of Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame voting. From the exclusion of Cris Carter, Andre Reed, Bill Parcells and Will Shields to the inclusion of Cortez Kennedy or Chris Doleman, most fans seemed to be upset about something – and with the immediacy of the Internet, many of them decided to let the voters know they were upset.

Some spewed epithets. Others called for entirely new voting panels. Most would benefit their arguments by at least spelling correctly the names of the candidates they support … but I digress.

At least a couple of voters invited discussions with the fans, acknowledging both the voters’ frustrations and, notably in some cases, even their own. Peter King from Sports Illustrated noted that all six players who were selected ultimately deserve to be inducted to the Hall – and on that I agree with him. There isn’t anyone going to Canton in 2012 who I would argue does not belong there. (more…)

In depth: Arizona Cardinals

by | Feb 4, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

You are what you are in the NFL and the Arizona Cardinals were an 8-8 team in 2011. But the Cardinals, more than most teams, have reason to saying “what if” right about now. Arizona started 1-6, but lost four of those games by four points or less. That dug a hole from which the team could not emerge.

But closing 7-2 on the strength of a mostly strong defensive performance has at least some Cardinals fans optimistic about the future. The quarterback situation is in flux, the running back position has some question marks, the team needs more consistent play from wide receivers not named Fitzgerald and the offensive line needs some upgrades.

Even with those issues, the blog Raising Zona’s Lead Writer Scott Allen says he thinks the Cardinals’ future is bright. Here’s what he had to say:

Zoneblitz: John Skelton won six of eight starts. Arizona gave up a lot for Kevin Kolb. Is the Cardinals quarterback of the future currently on the team’s roster? (more…)

In depth: Seattle Seahawks

by | Feb 2, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

When the 2011 season started, I expected to hear a lot of talk about Seattle competing for the rights to draft Andrew Luck. As the season wore on, the Seahawks did get more and more media attention, but it was for the strong play of Marshawn Lynch and a resurgent second half of the season, not for a push toward futility.

There are a number of areas where the Seahawks still have room for significant improvement. But if they can add a few pieces this team could be a threat as soon as 2012, says Keith Myers, editor and lead writer of the Seahawks’ fan blog called 12th Man Rising. Myers recently shared his thoughts on where Seattle should be headed from here with Zoneblitz. Here’s what he had to say:

Zoneblitz: Is Tarvaris Jackson a long-term answer at quarterback or will the team have to address that position again? (more…)

In depth: Kansas City Chiefs

by | Jan 31, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Kansas City Chiefs won 10 games in total between 2007 and 2009 before shocking the world with a 10-win, division championship season in 2010.

The Chiefs came back to Earth in 2011, however, as injuries combined with a tougher schedule to ruin expectations, ultimately costing Todd Haley his head coaching position.

It’s an important off-season, with several important players returning from injuries (Jamaal Charles, Matt Cassel, Tony Moeaki, Eric Berry to name a few) and more up for free agency (Dwayne Bowe). Lifelong Chiefs fan Patrick Allen is the senior editor of the Arrowhead Addict blog. He gave us some thoughts on how 2011 went and what’s in store for 2012.

Zoneblitz: What went wrong in 2011 after such a positive 2010 season? (more…)

NFL Picks: Super Bowl XLVI

by | Jan 30, 2012 | 2011 season, NFL Picks, NFL Random Thoughts

Well, here it is, folks. It’s Super Bowl week. Depending on how you look at it, this week is either the ultimate finale to the football season … or the beginning of a depressing several-month stretch during which there will be no football on television (though that actually started this weekend, unless you count the glorified touch football game that is the Pro Bowl).

Before we get to our Super Bowl predictions, here’s a quick recap of our picks for the season.

I won the regular season competition with my brother, hitting a fairly solid 172-84 mark, three games ahead of Tony.

Those results have flip-flopped in the playoffs. I have been terrible, missing both Championship Weekend games and dropping to 3-7. Tony hit both of those games, moving his mark to 7-3. This has been an ugly turn of events.

And I’m not sure I have a real good read on the Super Bowl either, but we’ll give it a go anyway.

(more…)