By TJ Troup 
Last Sunday went to the local sports bar, and the bank of four TVs had all three of the AFC North games, and the 49ers game side by side.
Let's address the AFC North first, shall we?
When a team has a 100-yard rusher, and their opponent does not, the team with the 100-yard rusher wins 77% of the time. Thus, when Warren of the Black & Gold went over 100 thought Pittsburgh had a strong chance of winning. They are 6-3, are they going to make the playoffs? Similar situation in the Bengal game as Singletary gashed Cincy's defense for 150 on 30 time-consuming carries—and the victory.
The Bengals take on the Ravens on Thursday night. Is this a must-win for Cincinnati? Finally, when Hamilton of Baltimore scored early on the interception return against Cleveland the odds of victory rose to 80% based upon my historical research. Wait a minute? Very early in the game.....let's see what happens?
Ford of the Browns hammers out 107 yards rushing, and late in the game, Newsome dashes to paydirt on his 34-yard interception return. When a team has a 100-yard rusher, and returns an interception for a touchdown they win 91% of the time, and Cleveland came from behind to win in spite of Hamilton's return.
The Browns and Steelers have had many a memorable game in this long intense rivalry. Tthe winner of this game sure has a chance to earn a playoff berth with a record of 7-3. How many teams from the AFC North earn a playoff berth this year? Finally was intrigued by all the pundits stating emphatically how good Jacksonville is.
Watching the game Sunday and taking notes....am convinced that the Jaguar offensive line is either not near as adept at pass blocking or the Niner pass rush is powerful and relentless. Which is it? Honestly believe that San Francisco has the best d-line in football, and will be a catalyst for this team the second half of the season.
Am not stating that the Ravens will play the Niners in the Super Bowl, yet both teams made trades last year at mid-season, and watching one of my favorite players in Roqan Smith Sunday fill gaps, range far and wide to make 21 tackles! When is the last time a linebacker has had that many? McCaffrey is discussed often, and he sure has delivered for San Francisco since joining the team at mid-season last year.
The title of today's narrative is a quote from John Unitas from Murray Olderman's outstanding and must-have book "THE PRO QUARTERBACK". The Atlanta Falcons are home on November 12th, '67 to host Baltimore. The Colts are in a desperate fight with the Rams for the Coastal division title, and cannot afford to lose.
The Falcons with a record of 1-6-1 are about to get "bombed" by Johnny Hightops and his cadre of receivers. Unitas will gain 370 yards on just 20 passes (18.50)the second-best average per pass in league history at that time behind Sammy Baugh. Baltimore will win 49-7. Johnny Hightops in his two games against Atlanta shredded them to the tune of 39 of 52 for 771 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Lastly, on a personal note, this month marks the 25-year anniversary of my appearance on Steve Sabol's show. The Emmy Award-winning filmmaker sent his crew to the special education center in south central Los Angeles to film me with my special needs students, and interview. The segment on his show entitled "FATHER FIGURES" was an obvious high point for me. If in fact you watch the 8-minute segment on pass defense, and my all-time secondary you might learn a little. See ya next week.
From Brian wolf ...
ReplyDeleteThe Bills must have played good pass defense last night because other than a few passes, Wilson for Denver could hardly complete anything over four yards. Is time running out for HC McDermott?
Wide open AFC North because the Ravens cant seal the deal in games against the Steelers and Browns.
Bengals coming up now and angry about dropping a game winning TD against Houston. Can Watson keep playing for the Browns when they need him the most? It wont surprise me if he misses the Steeler game.
Levis is the Titans future but I would let Tannehill start this week. They are paying him anyway and need to try to salvage their season.
...hey Brian Wolf, coach tj here....have not forgotten about the question you asked a couple weeks back about Bowman of the Niners. At his peak he was a pro bowl type player, just could not maintain that level for his whole career. your thoughts on Unitas?
ReplyDeleteWatching the old films Unitas' touch on long passes really does stand out and his pocket toughness is special.
ReplyDeleteI forget who was on your all time secondary Coach Troup?
BW ...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Coach ...
His career was short but full of accolades similar to his teammate, Willis and also Kuechly.
We well see if Bowman gets Terrell Davis injury consideration in future voting.
TJ, I still feel Joe Montana is the best QB I ever saw but feel John Unitas was the best to ever call his own plays. A true field general that I would have loved to have seen in his prime. To this day, I feel all QBs should be calling their own plays but there was no one like him. The networks love QBs being weekly heroes but wouldnt tolerate them calling games from their own experience and preparation. They want coaches to blame when things get screwed up.
You and Jim know I am a huge Colts fan from the Ewbank and Shula eras'. Unfortunately, Shula messed up not starting Unitas in the second half of that SB, which gave Weeb his revenge on Rosenbloom.
Watson is done for the year in Cleveland. Though he seemed to throw well against the Ravens, the medical staff has shut him down due to a right shoulder injury. Could Watson had played through the pain? Is this the same Browns team that was accused by Hue Jackson of rewarding failure? Seems that way to me because now they have announced PJ Walker wont be starting against the Steelers but rookie Thompson-Robinson will. Please Nick Chubb, when you get healthy for next season, please go to another team ...
Watson....wow....Mr. Haslan has coughed up a LOT of (he can afford it, all those fat-cat zillionaire owners can) money (40% of 230 mil) for not a particularly good ROI....that glenoid thing reminds me of the kind of injuries that derailed Bert Jones and Greg Cook's careers......one can forever debate careers of guys from different eras....I'm not going to dispute Brian's admiration and placement of Joe Montana, clearly an all-timer....appreciate his perspective on "best ever field general" being Johnny U.....absence of a Verlon Biggs-type comparison noted!!
DeleteBW ...
DeleteWow, apologies to the Cleveland Browns. Starting the rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, I couldnt believe oddsmakers made them a two point favorite over the Steelers but despite struggling throughout the game, Tee Rob wearing Brian Sipe's #17 jersey, led a final drive that reminded me of the Cardiac Kids as the Browns won with a FG. This defense is having a season so far ...
...hey Alen Bailey, this is coach tj, long time since a response, always enjoy your comments. When I did the show in '98 my starting corners were Rod Woodson (by an eyelash over Blount), and the best ever Night Train Lane. My safeties were Tunnell & Lott. The only change now would be Ed Reed over Lott. As a former coach who took pride in having secondaries play physical football and tackle, is painful for me to remove Lott, but Reed has the greatest instincts and range ever. In regards to Unitas and Montana. Two different era's and they remain my top two. There have been a handful of strong deep ball passers, yet Johnny Hightops is by far the best. Before I was banned from the PFRA....did a story called the Magnificent Seven, and detailed how statistics can detail a passer's true worth.
ReplyDeleteBW ...
DeleteWow, Coach ...
The PFRA can ban someone? How? Being political on the Forum? Not to be nosey but how could fans, writers and historians not benefit from your facts, opinions and research on any site, much less the PFRA? Can you get reinstated, or is their bad blood between you and the elected echelon?
I know, you may not be able to comment on that ... glad youre here anyway.
I like Ed Reed's game, range and ability to force turnovers but he wasnt the physical, tackling, hitting presense Lott was. Lott could have been Pro-Bowl level linebacker and has the slight edge for me ...
Brady was the greatest winner at QB, over Graham, Montana, Bradshaw, Luckman, Unitas or Layne but he had a better offensive line than Montana and greatly benefitted from the handcuffing of defenses by rules changes from 2014 onward ...
Bradshaw had alot of turnovers and bad throws, yet was underrated, clutch and probably the last great QB to call his own plays, unless Jim Kelly called his own plays as well. I just dont know how much of his career, Marv Levy allowed him to do that?
...hey BW, if somehow we ever meet face to face and have a cup of coffee or a beer will share what happened with PFRA. There are elements to the saga that read like a bad hollywood script. Lott would be my nickel back and would use him as a hybrid linebacker/safety underneath. Let's say a qb throws to a back out of the backfield.....and Lott has him in man coverage, well don't need to say anything more. When I was suppose to be hired by the NFL Network did four shows, and on one of those explained the history of the K-gun, and Kelly's role. In closing have you ever seen the game film between the 'skins and colts from '57? If not, Johnny Hightops remarkable game winning drive tells us that he was ready for December of '58 in just his second season as qb. The qb's that know how to use both the "weapons" at their disposal and how to exploit defenses by formation, and play calling is an art form. Now days, of course comes from sideline, upstairs, etc....still prefer watching the old field generals march their boys downfield.
ReplyDeleteBW ...
DeleteHeck, Coach ... I would love to see any of Johnny U's games but cant buy full games-copies from NFL Films ... a policy that really needs to change, even if the films/videos/dvds, were from endzone levels, that Ed Sabol believed the networks should have shown more from, during telecasts. Unitas beating the Redskins with a bomb to Mutschellar at the very end of the very last regular season game of 1956, put he and Weeb Ewbank on the map and I would love to see that highlight. I collect selected, broadcasted games but only have about four or five showing Unitas and even unlike QBs today, John was still throwing deep ...
Could NFL Films allow full games rentals? I need to inquire about that.
Interesting posts from you guys here. Brian Wolf has Lott over Reed and I could understand that on some level. Lott seemed slower than Reed I will say.
ReplyDeleteTop 3 qbs might be Unitas, Montana, Brady. I havent seen enough of Graham to form a solid opinion. What I saw of Van Brocklin highlights is impressive. A guy who looked great but is never mentioned is Jurgensen.
Also agree with Brian on not being able to purchase full length games from the older days of NFL. Apparently the old networks destroyed some of the broadcasts of the game.
Thinking about a dream team defensive backs and I will line up Mike Haynes at one corner and Albert Lewis at the other. Strong safety is Kenny Houston and free safety is Ronnie Lott.