Six-time Super Bowl Champion. Sixteen division titles. A 225 win record and 19 seasons in New England. Put it all together and you get Bill Belichick.
The facts don’t lie. Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in the NFL ever. Heading into his 20th season, the next best coach in the league has a tough task trying to match up.
So who falls number two behind BB in the standings? According to NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison, it belongs to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll’s head coaching career began in 1994 with the New York Jets, three years after Belichick took his first head coaching gig in Cleveland. His first shot was short-lived, however, and Carroll was off to San Francisco the following two seasons as a defensive coordinator.
In 1997, Carroll replaced Bill Parcells as the head coach of the New England Patriots. That first season resulted in an AFC Divisional Game appearance. In his next two season, the Patriots would finish fourth in the AFC East.
After the 1999 season, Patriots owner Robert Kraft had a decision to make. Should he stay with Carroll or take a chance on another guy? The decision was to fire Carroll and hire Belichick and, well, the rest has made history.
Next, Carroll took the head job at USC. He spent nine seasons with the Trojans. They won four of five Rose Bowl appearances, among other Bowl games.
So what separates Carroll from Belichick? Well, numbers don’t lie.
In six NFC Divisional Games, Carroll has lost four. He has only one Super Bowl ring. The Seahawks made two consecutive Super Bowls, losing in their second appearance in 2014 to, you guessed it, Bill Belichick.
On the positive end, what makes Carroll number two is his production each season.
Throughout his nine seasons in Seattle, Carroll’s Seahawks have finished first in the NFC West four times. They have only missed the playoffs twice in his tenure.
The “Legion of Boom” era made the Seahawks the team to beat at one point but, like any team, they’ve dealt with injuries to key players. Russell Wilson struggled with an ankle injury to start the 2016 season. To end that same season, Richard Sherman revealed he had been playing on an MCL injury. Carroll was still able to lead his team to first in the NFC West and make the Divisional Game for the sixth time.
The gap between Belichick and Carroll is large, but that is due to taking different paths. Belichick remained in the NFL throughout his entire coaching career, while Carroll spent some time in the college game.
By the time Carroll returned to the NFL in 2010, Belichick and Brady had been on a 10-year run. Carroll was starting from scratch, trying to build a dynasty that the Patriots had long-established by then.
It’s hard to say that if Carroll spent those nine years at USC in the NFL that the coaching gap would be closer. One can assume, however, that it would be the case.
As he closes in on a decade with the Seattle organization, many expect Carroll to only add accolades to his resume. Surely he will give Belichick a run for his money whenever he gets that next opportunity.
Patriots have really made it no secret that they are searching for a top of the line receiver. AJ Brown has made it no secret he wants to be a Patriot. AJ could be this year’s most complete receiver, and he would provide an interesting and exciting twist to the slot position. A bigger slot receiver makes a lot of sense after Belichick recently eluded to bigger receivers becoming more valuable in this league. Cornerbacks are starting to get smaller. Playing AJ Brown in the slot position would create some mismatches in man coverage. A receiving group of AJ Brown, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Philip Dorsett and Demaryius Thomas would be a very solid one.
31 (Cowboys) *Originally LAR
Johnathan Abram S Mississippi State
Trade details: Cowboys trade 58th, 165th and next year’s second round pick for Rams 31st
Rams want draft picks. They don’t have many. Cowboys do not have a first round pick and although rumors are not swirling that they want to trade up, it makes sense. Jerry Jones loves first round draft picks. In fact, tell me what sounds more Jerry Jones than making a huge splash by trading into the first round, to grab a player that could be the best at his position, in which the Cowboys have a need for. Abram would immediately start for the Cowboys, serving as a linebacker at the safety position. Abram’s coverage skills may have it’s questions but he can hit hard, make tackles real well, and use his ball skills to get Dak Prescott and the offense on the field as much as possible. Abram to Dallas makes perfect sense.
30 (Packers)
Noah Fant TE Iowa
Packers miss out on T.J Hockenson but they still land Noah Fant. This news will make Aaron Rodgers happy. Fant is probably the best receiver out of the trio of Hockenson, Smith, and himself. Fant could learn a few things from Jimmy Graham and pair up with him to make Rodger’s life a whole lot easier. If the Packers pick Fant, Rodger’s fantasy value gets a huge boost.
29 (Chiefs)
Amani Oruwariye CB Penn State
Amani Oruwariye. This guy will be hated by three groups of people. He will be hated by quarterbacks for his ability, offensive coordinators for the same reason, and commentators for being forced to pronounce that name of his. Chiefs will love him though. Chiefs need corners. Patriot fans know how bad the Chiefs secondary was last year. Amani Oruwariye will help change that. Amani has no problem helping in run support and can cover some of the bigger receivers in the NFL. Look for him to cover Josh Gordon or Demayrius Thomas in the AFC Championship.
28 (Patriots) *Originally LAC
T.J. Hockenson TE Iowa
Trade details: Patriots trade 56th, 73rd and next year’s 3rd round pick to Chargers for 28th
SPLASH! Hockenson will fall farther than most people think. Primarily due to the Packers decision to wait, he slides all the way to #28 where the Patriots leapfrog the Packers second pick to get him. Hockenson is a unique talent that does not come around to often at the tight end position. Forget Irv Smith, forget Noah Fant, forget everyone else. Do this thing right, go get the tight end of the future Bill! Go ahead and call me crazy, Hockenson will be a surprise faller in the draft, much like Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds last year.
27 (Raiders)
Joshua Jacobs RB Alabama
This remodeled Raiders team still misses a three-down runningback. This extremely weak runningback class might have just one great back in it. Joshua Jacobs might not be available come the Raiders second round pick. It might be safer to grab the guy now and sure up that backfield.
26 (Colts)
Christian Wilkins IDL Clemson
By disregarding the tight end position, Christian Wilkins is the best remaining player on the board. Wilkins can be the leader of this defensive line and defense all together. One year removed from landing both Quentin Nelson and Darius Leonard, these drafts would be considered back to back bangs for the Colts by now picking Christian Wilkins. Wilkins, a Massachusetts native would provide not just leadership but also versatility and a very high motor.
25 (Eagles)
Nasir Adderley S Delaware
Nasir or Abram could both easily go here. Adderley might be a better fit in the City of Love. Nasir gets knocked for playing in a small-school program. Small-school programs are not a problem in Philly. Just ask their part-time quarterback Carson Wentz. Jim Schwartz likes his defensive backs with cornerback experience, which Adderley has a lot. In fact, Philly makes the most sense for this talented, small-school prospect.
24 (Raiders)
DeAndre Baker CB Georgia
Raiders fill another position of need here, taking DeAndre Baker. A very solid player with a starting grade on him. Baker will fit in well and be an anchor at one of the corner spots in Oakland.
23 (Texans)
Andre Dillard OT Washington State
Texans have no compliments about this pick here. Some scouts like Dillard better than they like Ford or Williams, primarily because he will be a pure tackle in the NFL. Texans need to protect DeShaun Watson badly. Dillard can be plugged right in to the starting lineup and alleviate some of the issues with this offensive line.
22 (Ravens)
Marquise Brown WR Oklahoma
When making this pick, the Ravens have to be conscious of Lamar Jackson’s less than mediocre throwing ability. None the less, Marquise Brown has the potential to be a Pro Bowl receiver. He frequently draws comparisons to DeSean Jackson. A better comp might be someone who just left Baltimore, John Brown. Marquise Brown, Antonio Brown’s cousin (too many Browns here), will thrive in a role much like John Brown’s was. Pencil in Marquise Brown, Antonio Brown’s cousin, to fill the absence of John Brown and make teams like the Browns have headaches.
21 (Browns) *Originally SEA
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson S Florida
Trade details: Browns trade 49th, 119th and next year’s second round pick to Seattle for 21st and next year’s sixth round pick
Browns are rumored to be actively looking to trade back into the first round. The Seahawks are looking to trade down. Browns have both needs at cornerback and safety. Gardner-Johnson can play both. While he will probably play safety at the next level, the flexibility really helps his case to go to Cleveland. Gardner-Johnson will bode well in Cleveland’s secondary that has been famished for good safeties.
20 (Steelers)
Devin Bush Jr. LB Michigan
NO BRAINER. The Steelers and Devin Bush have been linked to each other ever since this whole evaluation process started. Devin Bush at 20 would be a steal for anyone but for a team so desperate for linebackers like the Steelers, it would be an act of god. The tackle machine would bring a big boost to a team that has been crippled by the unfortunate long term injury of Ryan Shazier.
19 (Titans)
D.K. Metcalf WR Mississippi
Oh boy! How can someone pass up a talent like DK Metcalf at 19? Even more, think of how happy Marcus Mariota would be to have Metcalf and Corey Davis paired together. For those who don’t know DK Metcalf, he is 6’3, 230 pounds. He has 34 7/8” arms and 9 7/8” hands. He ran a 4.33 40 yard dash, had 27 reps of 225 pounds, and had a 40.5″ vertical leap. He is an absolute freakish human who could probably even play tight end. He may not be the most complete, true receiver, but he will make good as the Titans’ number two receiver and make Marcus Mariota very happy.
18 (Vikings)
Garrett Bradbury IOL NC State
This pick makes a lot of sense. Bradbury stands as the clear top inside lineman prospect. He can play both center and guard in the NFL. With Pat Elflein struggling at center last year, all signs would point to shifting him to guard and moving Bradbury inside. This would bode well for Dalvin Cook and the Vikings zone run scheme. The Bradbury pick would give the Vikings a lot of options and flexibility on that terrible offensive line.
17 (Giants)
Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
Dwayne Haskins makes a lot of sense here at 17. He may not be the most talented in the group but he will hold down the fort in New York. The best comparison around for Haskins has to be Drew Bledsoe. In the right offense, Haskins will thrive and serve as a fabulous game-manager. The Giants’ offense would run through Saqoun Barkley. Haskins would manage the passing game with success and compliment Saqoun nicely.
So, it is true that the Jets could have picked Cody Ford, but the need at corner and the talent of Byron Murphy is a lot to pass up. Instead, the Panthers have an absolute no brainer pick here and take Cody Ford. Panthers desperately need some help on that line. Cam Newton and Christian McCaffery need some help here. Newton needs time to wait for Chris Hogan to get open. Cody Ford will be the guy in Carolina. Ford like Williams might slip inside to guard in the NFL but as of late, that theory has kind of been squashed. Pencil in Ford as a starting tackle for the Carolina Panthers.
15 (Jets) *Originally WAS
Byron Murphy CB Washington
So after trading down, the Jets hoped to draft an edge rusher or offensive tackle. The prospects that they would have hoped to land at this spot are gone however there is no reason to cry about it. Byron Murphy has a lot of scouts really excited. Put Byron Murphy in the same secondary as Jamal Adams and Tramaine Johnson, a hard defense to throw against there.
14 (Falcons)
Jerry Tillery IDL Notre Dame
Another more surprising pick, Jerry Tillery to Atlanta. The frequently underrated defensive line prospect out of Notre Dame continues to be overlooked in this draft process. A combo of Jerry Tillery and Grady Garrett will make opposing offensive coordinators wish their mother never had them. It will be the “Nightmare on Peachtree Street”. Clogging inside holes, stopping the run, and getting to the quarterback. Missing out on Ed Oliver will quickly become not so big of a deal for Atlanta.
13 (Dolphins)
Jonah Williams OT Alabama
The Dolphins have needs all over the offensive line. For a team headed for a rebuilding year, the smart move would be to build up the line and draft a quarterback next year. That class will be a whole lot stronger and the Dolphins draft choice will probably be a whole lot closer to number one. Pick Jonah Williams. This guy will be an absolute stud at the next level. His future will probably be at guard with his footwork and arms indicating so. However, don’t rule out Williams playing tackle. He played tackle in college and played really well. The Dolphins and Williams are perfect for each other because of the flexibility he possesses.
12 (Packers)
Clelin Ferrell EDGE Clemson
Well, this would raise a lot of eyebrows. There are always eyebrow-raisers in the draft. First round last year, Rashaad Penny, Baker Mayfield first overall, the Saints trading for Marcus Davenport, Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds falling. Point being, the draft is an unpredictable animal. A lot of people think the Packers will go tight end here. Well, they have two first round picks and literally no defensive ends. Defensive ends are now limited and the last remaining one with no big question marks is Clelin Ferrell. They will be able to pick from at least two of the top three tight ends in this draft at #30. They will have much less selection if they wait on pass rusher. The Packers are clamping down on defense this year, focusing on improving that side of the ball. Clelin Ferrell will be the pick here at #12.
11 (Bengals)
Jawaan Taylor OT Florida
Jawaan Taylor just met with the Bengals yesterday. This pick would make a lot of sense. Some of the players who the Bengals could have picked are off the board. This guy here might just be the best tackle in the draft. Bengals have a huge hole at the tackle spot, waiting to be filled. Taylor would at least help the running game. Not quite sure Andy Dalton can possibly be helped at this point. Andy Dalton needs a lot more than help to succeed. Expect Bengals to at least look at quarterback in round two.
10 (Broncos)
Ed Oliver IDL Houston
Half of this pick would be because of Ed Oliver and the other half would be that the Broncos do not appear sold on this quarterback class. This QB class truly is a bad one. The Broncos have Joe Flacco, who can still preform to an okay level. They wait a year, take a player at a position they have a need for, and put Ed Oliver on a line with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Very, very dangerous alignment there.
9 (Bills)
Montez Sweat EDGE Mississippi State
Bills draft an edge defender for the same reason the 49ers do. How do you attack quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Tom Brady, and … Ryan Fitzpatrick (eew gross)? You rush the passer. Montez Sweat can do that real quickly. Sweat set a record in Indianapolis for the fastest defense lineman in combine history. Running a 4.41 at 6’6, 260 pounds is insane. Sweat reminds many of Dee Ford. He would wreak havoc on the AFC East.
8 (Lions)
Greedy Williams CB LSU
A lot of people think the Lions will go tight end here. Cornerback makes the most sense. A combo of Darius Slay and Greedy Williams will be a hard one to throw against. Going tight end would not be smart for a team that for some reason appears to be shaping up for a championship instead of rebuilding. After spending big money on Jesse James, drafting a tight end would put their tight end spending near the top of the league. If they want any shot at a championship, draft a corner to help defend against a pass-happy league.
7 (Jaguars)
Brian Burns EDGE Florida State
Just like the Giants, former Giants coach and current GM of the Jaguars, Tom Coughlin values pass-rushers as well. Brian Burns will be a special talent at the next level. The speed, smarts, and effort are top notch. Burns is a dominant pass-rusher and tremendous athlete. The only drawback, his weight. A few fast food trips will help.
6 (Giants)
Rashan Gary EDGE Michigan
Gary undoubtedly presents some risk at six for the Giants, however, the talent might be too much to pass up. Gary is a talented, elite athlete and plays a position that the Giants have always valued. This move makes sense for New York.
5 (Buccaneers)
Devin White LB LSU
Undoubtedly the best linebacker in this draft provides the most value here at five for the Buccaneers. With Kwon Alexander leaving for San Fran and Kendell Beckwith’s health concerns, it makes sense to draft a linebacker. Not to mention, LaVonte David will be 30 years old soon and could use a very capable, young blood that can be his tackle machine buddy while his career does nothing but wind down. Plus, once White and Bush are gone in round one, the position sees a steep drop off. Better to address that issue now.
4 (Raiders)
Josh Allen EDGE Kentucky
This guy aspires to be Khalil Mack. The Raiders did not pay Khalil Mack top dollar. This guy would not need top dollar money until roughly his fourth year in the league. Raiders take a poor man’s Khalil Mack, or a Mack lite, and find a long-term solution to such a big problem last year. Maybe this guy can become a monster and they can trade him away too.
3 (Redskins) *Originally NYJ
Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma
Trade details: Jets trade 3rd overall, 68th overall, 196th overall, 217th overall and next year’s sixth round pick to Washington for 15th overall, 46th overall, 227th overall and next year’s first round pick.
Rumor on the block is that the Jets want desperately to trade back. Redskins desperately need a quarterback and to make a splash. Redskins give up a lot of capital to make this move, but get the guy who could be the best quarterback in the draft. A move like this would be eerily similar to the trade up to get Robert Griffin III a few years back, but would most likely be more successful. The Redskins could do some of the same things they did with RG3 with Kyler. A quarterback of Kyler’s ability would work out a lot better in this system than RG3 did.
2 (49ers)
Nick Bosa EDGE Ohio State
How do you shutdown quarterbacks like Jared Goff? Josh Rosen? And how do you disrupt Russell Wilson’s rhythm? You rush the passer. How better to attack your division rivals than add Dee Ford and Nick Bosa to your team? Those three teams also have spectacular run games. 49ers bulk up their defensive line to assemble one of the more deadly pass-rushing cores in the league.
1 (Cardinals)
Quinnen Williams IDL Alabama
So, a lot of thought went into this pick. Here is what it boils down to, Cardinals have a quarterback, his name is Josh Rosen. Cardinals pass on their absurd idea to put him up on the auction block for chump change and decide to build a stronger defense. Quinnen is a prospect teams cannot afford to pass up. Cardinals take a position they need to improve on and insert the best player in this draft class into that spot.
On July 24, 2018, Darrelle Revis officially retired as a Jet. He even posed in front of a real Revis Island at his farewell. So far, both Revis and star corner, Stephon Gilmore, played one full season for New England. So it bodes the question, with all due respect to both players, who played better for the Patriots?
Darrelle Revis stands in front of an island on his retirement day
REVIS’ 2014 STINT WITH NEW ENGLAND
On March 12, 2014, Darrelle Revis had signed one year contract worth 12 million dollars with the New England Patriots. The Pats had paired him with ex-Seahawk, Brandon Browner, in the secondary. Revis had amassed 2 interceptions, 16 passes defended, 47 tackles, and 1 forced fumble (Pro Football Reference). He allowed 532 yards through the air against him throughout the season (NESN).
His playoff performance was outstanding. After having 2 pass interference calls defending Steve Smith, he had only allowed 1 completion in the AFC Championship and Superbowl combined. Darrelle Revis greatly contributed to New England getting their fourth ring.
Photo Credit: Patriots Gab
GILMORE’S 2017 SEASON WITH THE PATRIOTS
On March 9, 2017, the New England Patriots signed Stephon Gilmore to a 5-year contract worth 65 million dollars. The Gilmore/Butler duo was supposed to be one of the best in the NFL, only it didn’t turn out that way. Butler had a down year, allowing a 103.3 passer rating in coverage and earned himself an 81.0 PFF grade.
Gilmore himself had a rough start to the season, a large part due to the lack of communication. He picked his game up and really shined in the second half of the season, clearly proving himself as the best cornerback on the roster. Gilmore finished 2017 with 2 interceptions, 50 combined tackles, and 9 passes defended.
His biggest play of the season was in the AFC Championship. We all know what I’m talking about. It’s fourth down, Blake Bortles steps up in the pocket and throws it deep. Stephon Gilmore in coverage leaps up and tips it away. He sealed the deal for the Patriots and allowed them to go to their third Superbowl in four years. Unfortunately, he was basically the only bright spot on a horrendous Superbowl defense without Malcolm Butler.
Photo Credit: Heavy.com
CONCLUSION
Both cornerbacks ended up being great signings for the Patriots. As of right now, Revis did play better for the Patriots. Although he had fewer tackles, he was more efficient in coverage and ended up getting a ring
Gilmore had an up-and-down year with little help from his teammates. However, he will continue his strong showings from the later part of the season, and I have a feeling this conclusion won’t remain the same next year.
In one of its craziest offseasons, the NFL has seen a flurry of free agent moves and trades. Which teams are likely to rise and improve? Which teams are likely to fall and decline?
Risers
Cleveland Browns – This was a gimme. The Browns looked like they belong playing in college football, with winning only one game in two years. What does new GM and resident savior in Cleveland do? John Dorsey reshaped this whole team by trading for Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor, and Damarious Randall, and signing seven free agents, most notably being Carlos Hyde, T.J Carrie, Chris Hubbard, and Darren Fells. They did take a hit with the retirement of Joe Thomas, though. With a transformed offense and still having two of the top five picks, the only way this team can go is up.
Photo Credit: theplayoffs.com
Chicago Bears – One of the most complete offseason so far, the Bears have acquired good players in all three aspects of the game. They signed two receivers and a tight end in Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey “Philly Special” Burton, which gives now second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky some much-needed weapons on offense. They also signed OLBs Aaron Lynch and Sam Acho, along with resigning Prince Amukamara to bolster the defensive side of the ball. The Bears also contain a high draft pick to address the defense too. Along with the signing of kicker Cody Parkey, these Bad News Bears have the chance to change their name.
Photo Credit: dynastyleaguefootball.com
Tennessee Titans – Am I upset that two of my favorite players are on different teams? Absolutely. Do I wish the best for them? Absolutely, they deserve it. The Titans now boast a two-headed monster with the shifty Dion Lewis and powerful Derrick Henry. Malcolm Butler is going to a secondary that already boasts the interceptions leader and a very promising rookie. There isn’t a lot of weakness on the team. Linebacker is the biggest need and will most likely be addressed in the first round of the draft. Face it, Titans are going to be a scary team this year.
Photo Credit: theplayoffs.com
Other risers: Rams, Texans, 49ers
Fallers
Seattle Seahawks – Russell Wilson might as well scramble every play with that offensive line that’s “protecting” him. Seattle also lacks a real run game although potential standout Chris Carson is returning from injury, and they lost pass catchers Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham. The breakup of the Legion of Boom and losses of Michael Bennett and Sheldon Richardson leaves this team with too many needs on both sides of the ball.
Photo Credit: worldstarhiphop.com
Detroit Lions – The Vikings got Cousins and Richardson, the Packers got Graham and Wilkerson, and the Bears got A-Rob and Taylor Gabriel (and more). All other teams in their division got better which leaves the Lions grasping for whatever leftovers they can get. They did sign LeGarrette Blount who will improve their otherwise nonexistent run game. However, the losses of Haloti Ngata, Tahir Whitehead, and Eric Ebron are drastic. Deshawn Shead and Devon Kennard can improve the team a little bit, but they are going to need a great draft, a couple more FA signings, and a bigger beard from a certain someone in their management.
Photo Credit: redandblack.com
Arizona Cardinals – The solution to losing an injury prone quarterback? Get another one. And better yet, pay him $20 million a year. Especially when your offensive line needs serious improvement. Why not cut one of your best defensive players while you are at it? This was a pretty easy one. Sam Bradford is a high-risk player and the loss of Tyrann Mathieu is devastating.
Photo Credit: onsizzle.com
Other fallers – It was hard to really say if a team was a faller because many teams lost notable free agents, but made signings that could make up for it. Those teams would be neutral or undecided until further notice.
The Super Bowl is just 3 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 3 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!
Glendale, Arizona hosted Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015. The game pitted the AFC champion New England Patriots against the defending World Champion Seattle Seahawks of the National Football Conference.
Seattle Seahawks 3 Years Ago
The Seahawks started their season with a bang by defeating the Packers on opening night easily 36-16. Two weeks later, they beat Denver 26-20 in overtime. They finished the season by winning nine of out 10 to claim the NFC’s top seed. Michael Bennett and Bobby Wagner emerged as superstars on defense.
In the Divisional round of the playoffs, Seattle humbled the Carolina Panthers 31-17. Safety Kam Chancellor was the player of the game. First of all, he made an all-world effort at blocking a Panthers’ field goal attempt right before the intermission. He followed that up with a pick six that put the game out of reach.
Epic in Seattle
There are no words to describe the 2014-15 NFC championship game. The Packers controlled the action to the tune of a 16-0 lead. Frankly, the score should have been much more lopsided. Russell Wilson was throwing just as many passes to the players in a white jersey as he was throwing passes to people wearing a dark one. Finally, Seattle showed a pulse when a fake field goal resulted in a TD cutting the lead to 16-7. With the score 19-7, Wilson threw another interception. On this one, Green Bay’s Morgan Burnett downed the ball when he could have returned the pick for several more yards.
The Seahawks received the ball back with about four minutes to go. They drove the length of the field for a TD that cut the lead to 19-14. Seattle’s season was on the line now. On the onside attempt, Brandon Bostic mishandled the Stephen Hauschka kick. Seattle recovered and there was life. It only took Seattle 30 seconds to find the end zone on an easy Lynch run. The 2-point conversion was absurd. Wilson under much duress lofted a rainbow toward Luke Willson. Haha Clinton-Dix misjudged the pass and Wilson caught it. It was 22-19 for the Seahawks.
Aaron Rodgers calmly guided the Packers back to field goal range. Mason Crosby nailed the game-tying kick and it was on to OT. Wilson threw two gorgeous passes in the overtime period. The second one to Jermain Kearse propelled the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl. If you have not watched the last 15 minutes of this game lately, this is required viewing for a real football fan. Simply put, this was unreal. However, the Seahawks would have one more drama-filled affair at Super Bowl XLIX.
New England Patriots 3 Years Ago
The Patriots limped out to a 2-2 start. In a week 4 Monday Night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tom Brady was flustered and off target. He played so poorly, Coach Belichick was even asked if he would consider benching him. Belichick scoffed at the notion.
Brady had a tremendous game the following Sunday night against the Bengals. In fact, New England would only lose one more meaningful game over the course of the 2014-15 season. The Patriots’ offense was at full-strength with receivers Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola. Rob Gronkowski, maybe the greatest tight end in NFL history, had a marvelous season. At running back, Shane Vereen was the pass catcher. The Patriots also acquired LeGarrette Blount during the season to add a power running dimension.
Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner were signed to bolster the defense. Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower and Vince Wilfork keyed a one-year rise in defensive rank from 26th to 13th overall. The Pats cruised to the top seed in the AFC and played Baltimore in the Division round. The Ravens were ready.
Patriots Back to the Super Bowl
They pounced to a 14-0 lead. New England tied it. Early in the third, Baltimore reestablished their 14-point lead. Again, New England nodded things up as they went to their bag of tricks. They used an unusual formation where they would line up a running back or tight end outside and then announce him as ineligible while using just four offensive linemen. It worked as the Patriots drove the field easily. Then, they allowed Edelman to throw a pass. He found Amendola streaking down the far sideline wide open and tossed a perfect throw. Gillette Stadium went off its gord. In the 4th quarter, Brady hit LaFell to put the Patriots ahead 35-31. They prevented Baltimore from scoring on their last drive and advanced despite another tough home playoff game verses the Ravens.
The AFC championship game was a smash down. The Pats humiliated Andrew Luck and the Colts in a driving rainstorm. The Pats won 45-7. However, the real story from this game was the accusation that the Patriots purposely deflated footballs below the legal weight limit. Brady, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft were inundated with press reports that they were cheating. For normal teams, this would have been a distraction. For these Patriots, it was merely noise on the outside. Belichick was distracted in the sense that he endeavored to figure out why the balls may have been underinflated. But, the Patriots look fully prepared to battle the defending champions tooth and nail.
Seahawk Power vs. Patriot Skill
In the first half of Super Bowl XLIX, the Patriots moved the ball handily against the might Seahawks. On their first scoring opportunity, though, Jeremy Lane picked Brady off in the end zone. Sadly, Lane broke his wrist on the play. Right away, Brady went after his replacement Tharold Simon. Lafell scored on a slant-in while covered by Simon giving the Pats the 7-0 lead. Seattle tied it on the strength of a tall receiver by the name of Chris Matthews of all people.
The Patriots regained the lead on a beautiful pass and catch from Brady to Gronk. The Seahawks used a linebacker in man to man on Gronkowski and got burned. Seattle, though, marched down the field on a remarkable drive in response. With 6 seconds left, the Seahawks decided to throw once to the end zone. Matthews could not be covered by Kyle Arrington. Hence, the Seahawks scored tying the game at the half 14-14.
The Seahawks owned the third quarter as Brady threw another interception. Doug Baldwin scored to put Seattle up 24-14. Things looked dire for New England. But, Rob Ninkovich got a clutch sack and Julian Edelman picked up a crucial third down. Thus, the Patriots had life.
Seattle switched to a zone defense and Brady like a great maestro went to work. Even Seattle’s top-ranked defense was not capable of stopping him when he reached this level of play. His two touchdown passes went to Amendola and Edelman on perfect short tosses. Gronkowski and Vereen were super-clutch as well. But, Seattle never goes away.
Butler to the Rescue
Thanks to a miraculous pitch and catch from Wilson to Kearse in which the ball bounced off of most of his body before he caught it, Seattle had a first and goal from the five-yard line with less than a minute to go. On first down, the ‘Hawks ran Lynch to the one. The clock kept ticking…40 seconds left…35, 30…no time out taken. Finally, the Seahawks lined up in shotgun. The Patriots brought in all their big bodies and three cornerbacks. Revis lined up on the right side. Browner coached Arrington’s replacement, rookie Malcolm Butler as the teams got set for the play. Wilson took the snap and fired inside. Butler jumped the route and made possibly the most significant interception in NFL history.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick captured their fourth Super Bowl championship in one of the most dramatic Super Bowls ever. Tons of controversy ensued following this game for both sides. However, watching these two teams with so many all-stars in their prime was a treat. The 2014 Patriots and Seahawks both deserved to win the Super Bowl.
We’ll discuss tomorrow how a superstar from the Denver Broncos’ defense stole the show at Super Bowl 50!
The Super Bowl is just 4 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 4 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosted Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014. The game pitted the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks and their top-ranked defense against the Denver Broncos and their #1-ranked offense of the American Football Conference. It was the immovable object against the irresistible force! But, as we will read, the matchup turned one-sided early and the rout was on.
Seattle Seahawks 4 Years Ago
The Seahawks came off a dramatic loss in Atlanta to end the 2012 season. Their rookie quarterback Russell Wilson led a desperate comeback as they actually took the lead with less than a minute remaining only to see the Falcons kick a long field goal to eliminate them. The Seahawks and the 49ers were the two favorites in the NFC in 2013 and they battled all season for that all-important NFC west title. In week 2, the Seahawks made a statement by clobbering San Francisco in a nationally televised game. On offense, the Seahawks rode the powerful legs of Marshawn “Beast mode” Lynch.
On defense, the Seahawks fielded a great squad with Pro Bowlers all over the place. Their “Legion of Boom” defense featured three phenomenal players on the back end in Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. Sherman was as brash a player the NFL had seen in quite some time, but he really could back it with superb corner play. In the week 2 win over the Niners, Sherman celebrated with the cheerleaders to the roar of the Seahawks’ crowd known as the “12th man.”
Seattle finished the 2013 regular season at 13-3 just ahead of the 49ers. That meant the Niners had to start on the road in the Wild Card round at Green Bay. In five-degree temps, Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore led the Niners back to a thrilling win over the Pack. In the divisional round, San Fran won at Carolina and Seattle held off New Orleans setting up the NFC championship game everybody wanted. It did not disappoint.
Seahawks vs. 49ers
Wilson fumbled on the very first play of the game setting up a San Francisco field goal. Early in the second quarter, Kaepernick ran one for 58 yards setting up a touchdown. Seattle responded with a field goal drive and a third quarter touchdown by Marshawn Lynch. Lynch’s 40-yard scamper set the home crowd into a frenzy. To their credit, the 49ers came right back with Kaepernick hitting Anquan Boldin for a 26-yard score and a 17-10 lead. Again, the Seahawks answered with a field goal.
The fourth quarter got off to an awesome start for the Seahawks when Wilson connected with Jermaine Kearse for a go-ahead touchdown. You could cut the tension in the fourth quarter with a knife. Seattle forced a Kaepernick fumble and had a golden opportunity to put the game out of reach. They reached the 1-yard line when NaVorro Bowman forced a Kearse fumble. Seattle was given the recovery, but Bowman was lost for the game with a terrible ACL injury. On the very next play, Wilson fumbled, and the 49ers were still alive.
Seattle added one more field goal for a 23-17. Kaepernick drove the Niners into Seattle’s territory with less than one minute to play. However, Kaepernick threw to Michael Crabtree in double coverage. Sherman made a great defensive play knocking the ball back to Malcolm Smith for a game-clinching interception. Sherman spouted off to Fox’s Erin Andrews about the way the 49ers and particularly Crabtree disrespected him. Whatever the case was, Seattle qualified for their second Super Bowl.
Denver Broncos 4 Years Ago
The Denver Broncos made an early season statement as well. They annihilated the World Champion Ravens on opening night. Peyton Manning threw for a ridiculous 7 touchdowns. The offensive record book was about to be revised courtesy of Manning, offensive coordinator Adam Gase and a group of receivers including Wes Welker, Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. When it was all said and done, the Broncos broke league records for points scored, yards, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
They followed their 49-27 win over Baltimore with a 41-23 victory for Peyton over Eli in New York. In week 4, they scored 52 against the Eagles, then 51 in a comeback win over the Cowboys. However, the Broncos were not perfect. They had a lackluster season on defense. That was on display in their 39-33 loss in Peyton’s return to Indianapolis. The Patriots stunned the Broncos in the game of the season 34-31 in overtime. The Broncos blew a 24-0 halftime lead that night. Late in the season, Denver lost at home to San Diego on a Thursday night.
Nevertheless, Denver earned the top seed. In the playoffs, they survived a gutty effort by the Chargers in a rematch. In the AFC championship game, the Broncos were never threatened in a 26-16 win over the Patriots. Peyton passed for 400 yards in one of the least compelling Brady-Manning matchups. John Fox’s Broncos qualified for the franchise’s seventh Super Bowl.
Seahawk Shellacking
Like many of their previous appearances, this was a nightmare for Denver. They were out of their usual extraordinary rhythm from the outset causing their own safety on the game’s first play. Seattle poured it on to the tune of a 15-0 lead late in the second quarter. The game got completely out of hand when Smith picked off Manning and ran it back for a touchdown. Then, Percy Harvin ran back the second half kickoff. It was 29-0 with 29 minutes to go. The rest of the game was a coronation.
Pete Carroll’s Seahawks won the Super Bowl almost effortlessly. It is hard to put this defensive performance into perspective. Denver averaged 38 points per game during the regular season. They finished on the tail end of a 43-8 score in the Super Bowl. Therefore, Seattle’s defense does not have to take a back seat to anybody in league history.
Tomorrow, we’ll discuss their shocking loss in Super Bowl XLIX.
The Super Bowl is just 12 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 12 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion!
Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006. The game pitted the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks against the Pittsburgh Steelers of the American Football Conference.
Seattle Seahawks 12 Years Ago
Rob Tringali
The Seahawks had reached a crossroads under head coach Mike Holmgren. Holmgren won the Super Bowl with Green Bay in 1996, but struggled to duplicate that success with the Hawks. In 2005, he put it altogether for one of the best seasons in franchise history. There were led on offense by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander. Seattle finished #1 in points scored. Alexander had one of the best seasons at the running back position in the history of football rushing for 1880 yards and scoring 28 total touchdowns.
After a week 4 overtime loss at Washington left the Seahawks at 2-2, they put together an 11-game winning streak. The defense featured an exciting young linebacker named Lofa Tatupu. Tatupu made the Pro Bowl, then played great in two playoff victories over the Redskins and Panthers respectively. Seattle overwhelmed Carolina limiting them to 18 minutes TOP, causing four turnovers and allowing only one third down conversion. The Seahawks qualified for their first ever Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers 12 Years Ago
Their opponent was no stranger to the Super Bowl. The Steelers won four World Championships in the 1970’s under Chuck Noll. They made another Super Bowl appearance in 1995 with Bill Cowher calling the shots.
The 2004 Steelers finished with a phenomenal 15-1 record but were defeated at home in the AFC championship game by the eventual Super Bowl winning Patriots. They came back in ’05 with high expectations but slumped during the midseason and fell behind the Bengals in the AFC North division. Pittsburgh’s strength was defense. Their most exciting player in ’05 was safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu combined tremendous range on the back end with excellent run stopping ability.
On offense, Pittsburgh featured #39 Willie Parker. Parker rushed for over 1200 yards and was supplemented by the power running game of veteran Jerome Bettis, otherwise known as “The Bus.” At wide receiver, the Steelers utilized possession men Antwaan Randle El and Hines Ward.
Six Seed to Super Bowl
In the playoffs, Pittsburgh had to take the long route to the Super Bowl. As the #6 seed, they started by traveling to Cincinnati. The Bengals jumped out to a 17-7 lead. However, Carson Palmer got knocked out of the game with a knee injury. Consequently, the Steelers made the most of the opportunity knocking out their division rivals.
One week later, Pittsburgh was a big underdog against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. However, the Steelers dominated the first three quarters. The Colts woke up in the fourth and cut the lead to 21-18 with time running out. The Steelers were about to put the ball game away when Jerome Bettis fumbled at the Colts’ one. Nick Harper picked it up for Indy and had a great opportunity to return it all the way…until QB Ben Roethlisberger saved the day with a shoestring tackle. The Colts missed a game-tying field goal attempt and Pittsburgh dodged a huge bullet.
In the AFC championship game, the Steelers played a very good road playoff game at Denver. Roethlisberger threw for 275 yards and the Steelers were +4 in turnover differential. The almost perfect performance propelled Pittsburgh to their first Super Bowl in ten years.
Bad Night for Seahawks and Refs
The biggest news story heading into this game was: Jerome Bettis announced his retirement and would be playing his last game in his home town of Detroit.This was one Super Bowl game that lacked rhythm and overall excellence. Roethlisberger, for example, played terribly. But, he was saved by two long scoring plays. Parker dashed for a 75-yard run and Randle El hit Ward on a 43-yard touchdown pass.
Seattle was sloppy. Likewise, they committed a number of controversial penalties. Their only highlights came late in third quarter with a thrilling interception by Kelly Herndon followed by a touchdown reception by tight end Jerramy Stevens. Ironically, the lone touchdown-scorer Stevens dropped a bunch of passes on the evening.
So, the good news about this game was: Coach Cowher and future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis each earned their only Super Bowl ring. Cowher coached one more year before giving way to Mike Tomlin. The Seahawks achieved their Super Bowl championship eight years later under Pete Carrol.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about the great Peyton Manning’s first Super Bowl championship!
Week 17 has finally arrived. Certainly every football fan’s favorite week of the regular season. Although by the end of the day, many of those fans are less-than happy with their team’s result. This year, there will certainly be some broken hearts as there are six teams fighting for the final three playoff spots. In the AFC we have Baltimore, Tennessee, Buffalo and the Chargers fighting for the two wild card spots. In the NFC, just one spot remains, which will be battled for by the Falcons and Seahawks. Below are the week 17 games which hold the strongest playoff implications.
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
This clash of NFC South powerhouses is probably the biggest game of the week. For Carolina, it is an opportunity to win the division. However, this will be a tall task. Carolina has lost both games to New Orleans this year, so they will have to win in Atlanta and the Saints would have to lose in Tampa. Pretty unlikely but hey, we have seen crazier things. Carolina has already clinched a playoff spot and will likely be playing either the Rams or the Saints in the first round.
There is even more on the line for the Falcons in this game. At 9-6, a win or a Seahawks loss will give the last remaining seed in the NFC to Atlanta. It is impossible to know what to expect from this game as the Panthers tend to play like either a Super Bowl team or a division 3 high school team. It is difficult to know what to expect from them heading into this week. However, I do like Atlanta’s chances because they are at home. I also think Matty Ice and Julio Jones may be able to pick apart the Panthers secondary, which ranks 19th in the league in pass yards allowed per game.
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
lockedonbengals.com
Cincinnati is playing for nothing but pride this weekend as their dreadful season has them eliminated from the playoffs. However, I do expect Cincinnati to give it a valiant effort this week as they would love to help eliminate their division rival from the playoffs. For Baltimore, all they have to do is win to make the playoffs, as they have a one game advantage on the rest of the teams fighting to get in. The Ravens could lose and still make the playoffs as they have own the tie breaker with the Chargers. If the Ravens, Bills, and Titans all finish 9-7 then they would be eliminated because Tennessee and Buffalo both own the tie breaker over Baltimore.
BUFFALO BILLS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Bills have probably the slimmest chances to snag an AFC wild card spot. They do hold a tie breaker over the Ravens if both teams finish 9-7. This will be pretty unlikely as the Baltimore has a very winnable home game vs Cincy. If the Ravens win then Buffalo will need both Tennessee and the Chargers to lose. On paper, this looks like a pretty winnable game. However, much like the Panthers, both of these teams are rather inconsistent. It is hard to know what to expect in this match-up. I do believe that Buffalo is the superior team and that they will be able to win this game.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
atozsportsnashville.com
Jacksonville does not have much to worry about in this game as they will likely be AFC’s three seed. However, this is a huge game for the Titans. Luckily they own a tie breaker over all three of the other teams fighting to get in. A win would guarantee a playoff spot. If they lose, the Ravens win AND Buffalo or the Chargers win then the Titans would be eliminated. So they really need to win in order to avoid any risks. A win will be a tall task despite being the home team. Jacksonville’s defense is probably the best in the league. I expect starting corners AJ Bouye and Jalen Ramsey to completely shut down the passing game. It will be up to Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry to lead the Titans to this week 17 win
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
raiderswire.usatoday.com
The Raiders will be playing to spoil this weekend. As arguably the league’s biggest disappointment, Oakland has to be itching for next season. If it makes them feel better, they can drastically decrease their division rival’s chances of making the playoffs with a win. A win will not guarantee a spot in the playoffs for the Chargers. They will need a loss from the Titans as well because Tennessee own the tie breaker. However, if they end up with the same record as the Bills then they will have the tie breaker and earn the 6th seed. LA should win this game rather easily as Oakland has struggled on both sides of the ball this year. I do not think Oakland has the ability to stop Rivers, Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen on the road. Advantage LA.
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Weird to imagine the Seahawks not in the playoffs. For Seattle to make it in, they will need to win and need Atlanta to lose against Carolina. Both things could happen of course, but the chances are not that high. Seattle cannot control what happens down in Atlanta this week, but they can help themselves by earning a win. At home I do expect Russell Wilson and company to get the win. But Arizona has quietly been playing some pretty solid football as of late. Even though I expect them to win, I also expect Atlanta to win which would eliminate Seattle due to a head to head tie breaker in Atlanta’s favor.
*Questions or comments? Find me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*
‘Twas quite the holiday weekend in the NFL. The Chiefs and Rams behaved well enough to find a playoff berth under their tree this year. However, others must have been not-so-well behaved. The Raiders, Dolphins, Lions and Cowboys found nothing but a way ticket to their couch during playoff time. In other news, Jimmy G and the Niners keep rolling, and the Browns did that thing they do once again. Below are Week 16’s biggest winners and losers.
WEEK 16 WINNERS
KANSAS CITY: 29-13 W vs MIAMI
chiefswire.usatoday.com
The Chiefs earn a well deserved spot under the winners column this week. The reason is not for pulling off an impressive win over a tough opponent. The reason is because many counted them out after falling to 6-6 following a hot 5-0 start. A very underwhelming seven game stretch for Kansas City had their playoff hopes looking slim. However, thanks the regression of other AFC West teams, they remained in the race. It appears the Chiefs have learned from their rough stretch and are back to their normal selves again.
Their dominant Week 16 win over Miami extended their win streak to three games and brought their record to 9-6. During the streak they scored at least 26 points and have not allowed more than 15, outscoring opponents 85-41. The fact that the Chiefs have rebounded so strong after dropping six of seven games says a lot about the toughness of this team.
SEATTLE: 21-12 W @ DALLAS
Tough opponent + road game + win = spot earned under the winners column. Further, it was a game that had serious playoff implications on the line. Both teams entered the contest at 8-6 and needed a win to remain in the playoff race. This Sunday it was the Seahawks who prevailed. I can not give enough credit to this team. I did not expect them to pull off this win on the road, especially with Ezekiel Elliott coming back from suspension. However, the pesky Seahawks will simply not give in. They have reigned in the NFC for about half a decade now and have preserved their playoff hopes with this big win. Another impressive aspect of this team’s season is that they are doing it without two of their defensive superstars, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman. I don’t know what others think but I would not want my team facing this experienced group in the playoffs.
SAN FRANCISCO: 44-33 W vs JACKSONVILLE
mercurynews.com
What difference one player can make; just ask Green Bay. Unlike the Packers, the Niners are benefiting from a one-player-difference scenario. San Fran was just 1-10 without Jimmy G and are 4-0 with him. This team became a lot more impressive with their most recent win. The Jaguars came into town at 10-4, riding the league’s premier defense and an improved Blake Bortles. Well, Garopollo and company put up 44 points on a defense that has allowed just over 15 points a game on the season. Thinking back, if Jimmy was quarterbacking the Niners all season they would certainly be at least in the playoff race. From Weeks two through six, SF lost five straight games by a total of just 13 points. It is reasonable to say that if they had Jimmy at that point in time then he could have been the difference and won those games. I know this is a stretch, but had they won those games their record would be 10-5, pretty interesting and says something about their potential for next year. To all other members of the NFC, keep an eye on this team.
WEEK 16 LOSERS
TENNESSEE: 27-23 L vs LA RAMS
Tennessee pretended that they were going to win this game just like they pretended to be a good team all year. I had high hopes for this team entering the year. I thought Mariota would continue to improve and possibly emerge into a top 12 quarterback, instead, he regressed. Tennessee’s third year QB has just 12 TD passes and 15 interceptions on the season, less than impressive. Also, the defense is currently ranked 20th in the league in points allowed per game at 23.1. Not necessarily terrible but with the offensive troubles, not gonna cut it.
Tennessee mostly beat up on the worst teams in the league this year in order to maintain a winning record. five of their wins have come against awful teams such as the Texans, Browns, Bengals and Colts twice. Now, with two straight losses, their playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy and Jacksonville rolls into town. They must win to advance to the playoffs.
DETROIT: 26-17 LOSS @ CINCINNATI
gnews24.world
Last week I said, “Wouldn’t that be the most Lions-y thing to do?”, referring to them potentially losing to the Bengals this week thus being eliminated from playoff contention. Well, they did in fact do the Lions-y thing, which was lose a big game to an inferior opponent. This has to hurt Detroit fans. Stafford and company fought so hard all season long. For much of the season they played playoff caliber football. Unfortunately, once again, they folded when everything was on the line. Road games are rarely easy, but they really should have had this one. The Bengals entered the day with a record of 5-9, and were playing terrible football pretty much all year. They also were playing for nothing but pride as they had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Well, rather than take advantage of their opportunity, they decided to stick to their roots and collapse. Overall, a pretty solid year for the Lions but this one bad loss did them in, onto next year.
DALLAS: 21-12 LOSS vs SEATTLE
Shoulda woulda coulda for Dallas, disappointing season. It started out rough, at 2-3 through their first five games. Then getting hot and winning three straight to improve to 5-3. Then Ezekiel Elliott was suspended and they went just 3-3 without him. So here they were, at 8-6, fighting for their playoff lives. Luckily, Ezekiel Elliott returned but he was not enough as they only managed 12 points in the loss that removed them from the playoff race. They finish at Philadelphia and it appears that this group may surprisingly be just a 8-8 team. Alike their Thanksgiving mates, its on to next year.
*Questions or Comments? find me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*
If you have been an NFL fan for a number of years, you likely have witnessed some great team defenses. Going back a few years, there was the Steel Curtain of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 70’s and more recently the Ravens with Ray Lewis and Co. In more recent times, one of the most feared defensive units has been the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom.
This once feared unit has taken quite a hit this season and could be nearing it’s end. With season-ending injuries to Richard Sherman (achilles) and more recently Kam Chancellor (neck, back, spine), they have been greatly depleted. These two perennial All-Pro players might just be a portion of this unit, but they are a vital part. Personally, I feel like these injuries will be the beginning of the end.
Once a Blueprint for Any Defense
For the better part of the last five or six seasons, the Seattle Seahawks’ defense has been very formidable. Over this time they have developed the nickname of the Legion of Boom, and for good reason. This unit has been near the top in fewest yards allowed, points allowed, and punishing hits given out for quite some time. With great players like Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril, and Michael Bennett, this unit was deep and dangerous. This same unit added Sheldon Richardson from the Jets this season and looked like they might be invincible. As it turns out, this is definitely not the case. As a matter of fact, not even this great unit is immune to the injury bug.
Injuries That Really Hurt
The Seattle Seahawks’ defense had been pretty good this season but not really up to their standards of the past. Things changed drastically recently with the season ending achilles injury to CB Richard Sherman. Taking away any team’s shut down corner can hurt a defense, but an All-Pro is an even bigger hit. This injury suffered by Sherman will keep him out till at least training camp of next season. That is a big blow for the Seahawks’ defense but a bigger blow was to come soon after.
Within the last week it turns out that SS Kam Chancellor will likely miss the rest of the season as well with a severe neck injury. Chancellor, the heart and soul of the Legion of Boom, had been reporting “neck stingers” initially. Stingers are just that a stinging, burning, throbbing sensation felt when there has been pressure applied to the nerves in the injured area. Normally this sensation goes away after anywhere from a few minutes to a few days at the most. This injury turns out that it is much more then just a “stinger” as formerly reported. The closest injury to this in recent times is the injury that was suffered by Peyton Manning. Peyton required neck surgery which kept him out for an entire season with the Colts.
The way that Chancellor plays is probably the biggest reason that he sustained this kind of injury. This Legion member played the position like a linebacker because he was bigger then most safeties. When Chancellor hit you, you were the bug and Chancellor was the windshield. He hit you with the intention of making sure you remember. An opposing player might think twice before coming his way again. This thunderous wear and tear is the thing that likely caused his injury he is suffering with now. In my opinion, he is going to require surgery to repair this issue he is having. If things go well he should fully recover. An injury like the one that Chancellor has suffered could easily be career threatening, and in this case I think it may just be.
Can They Come Back the Same as They Were?
Both of these players are phenomenal athletes, but they have sustained some serious injuries. Can they possibly come back the same as they always were as players? I would never say never, but I don’t think I would bet on it happening in this case. Both of these players are going to be 30 years old next season, and that is not young in the NFL. Playing the positions that they do, and facing the long stretches of rehab ahead of them it will be very tough to come back the same.
Do not be surprised if one or both of these players seriously considers retirement from the NFL. Sherman is a very smart, Stanford educated man and could easily end up in another safer career. Chancellor would have to give retirement a serious thought as well. His injury is quite scary for him to try and resume playing the position that he does. I really do think this is the beginning of the end of the Legion of Boom. I guess only time will tell for certain if this is true.
