LeSean McCoy is one of the biggest 2011 Pro Bowl snubs

by Jared Smola

2011 NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday.  The Falcons and Patriots – leaders of their respective conferences – received the most selections. 

Atlanta will send 7 players to Hawaii, highlighted by Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez. 

Tom Brady will start at QB for the AFC and will be joined by 5 of his teammates, including rookie CB Devin McCourty.  The Rutgers product is the first rookie CB to be selected to the Pro Bowl since Charles Woodson back in 1999.

Starting opposite Brady will be Michael Vick, capping off an incredible comeback season.  The backup QBs in the NFC are Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.  Aaron Rodgers was left out, but it’s tough to argue with the Ryan and Brees selections.

Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning are the subs in the AFC.  Matt Cassel and his brilliant 27-to-5 TD:INT ratio was snubbed.

Draft Sharks homeboy Jamaal Charles was surprisingly – but deservingly – selected to his 1^st Pro Bowl.  Maurice Jones-Drew and Arian Foster were shoo-ins at RB in the AFC, but J-Chaz got the nod over Peyton Hillis and Darren McFadden.

At the RB position in the NFC, LeSean McCoy sticks out as a big-time snub.  He was much more productive than Steven Jackson, racking up more total yards and TDs through 16 weeks.  Michael Turner draws the start for the NFC, with Adrian Peterson joining Steve Jax on the bench.

The NFC nailed its WRs, with Roddy White and Calvin Johnson as the starters, and Greg Jennings and DeSean Jackson serving as backups.  That’s a pretty impressive foursome!

There’s not much to argue with at WR in the AFC either.  Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Lloyd, and Dwayne Bowe were the 4 best, although Lloyd is more deserving of a starting spot than Wayne.

Tony Gonzalez was selected on name-value alone.  There’s not a whole lot to choose from at TE in the NFC, but Chris Cooley and Vernon Davis were more deserving.  Gonzo will backup Jason Witten. 

The AFC TE selections were cut-and-dry: Antonio Gates and Marcedes Lewis.  Gates gets the nod as the starter despite missing 5 games.

The complete Pro Bowl rosters can be found here.

Lenny has an idea for how to handle Sal Alosi and "Trip Gate."

Monday Night LAP Dance
Leonard A. Pappano
December 20, 2010

The LAP Dance is for entertainment purposes only. It employs literary devices such sarcasm, satire, stereotypes, exaggeration, complete fabrications and slander (or is it libel?). The opinions and delusions expressed are purely those of the author. Any offense given is unintended. Please read at your own risk.

** The Vikings playing a home game outside in late-December. If only for a night, all is right in the NFL… so let’s ruin the moment and pick on some people around the league.

** Giants rookie punter was instructed by HC Tom Coughlin to punt the ball out of bounds… instead of putting a line drive directly into the hands of DeSean Jackson for a game-winning return with no time on the clock. To his credit, Coughlin manned up and took the heat. “I’ll take full responsibility for that last play,” Coughlin insisted after the game. When I contacted suspended Jets strength coach Sal Alosi about the play and Coughlin’s response, he snapped, “Take responsibility?!… Hey, I woulda run out and tackled that showboating son-of-a-bitch (DeSean Jackson) at the 1 yard-line.” Alosi 1 Coughlin 0.

** Speaking of Alosi and “Trip Gate,” here’s a take that I haven’t heard expressed in the mainstream media: In baseball, if a guy crowds the plate, the pitcher throws a brush-back pitch. Or if a batter gets beaned in the bottom of the 5th, an opposing batter gets beaned in the top of the 6th. It’s an unwritten rule that keeps everyone on “friendly” terms. If the Jets crowded the sideline to intimidate or impede a gunner, is it crazy to expect a gunner who gets blocked out of bounds to lay the lumber to someone standing too close? Maybe it’s just me, but if I were a gunner, I woulda fixed Sal Alosi’s scheme by knocking him flat on his ass. Hard.

** After yesterday’s Giant meltdown, the New York media began asking team co-owner John Mara about hiring Bill Cowher as the next head coach. “That’s ridiculous. That is ridiculous,” Mara said. “Are we down to that? We were writing Bill Cowher stories two months ago and now we are going to write them again. That’s ridiculous.” Maybe – but no more ridiculous than giving up 28 points in the game’s final 7 minutes against the hated Eagles.

** Eagles QB Michael Vick said last week that he “would love to get another dog in the future.” Hey — I got a lot of one-liners I could use here, but since I love a good steak, criticizing Vick for wanting a dog would only make me a hypocrite. Well, not that being a hypocrite should prevent anyone from ridiculing or lampooning a public figure, but ya know what I mean…

** In a recent radio interview, Tim Hasselbeck said that Rams rookie Sam Bradford is the best QB in the NFC West. He might have been slighting his older brother, Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, but Tim made sure to pile on by saying that WR Mike Williams was the best player on the Seahawks offense and that Matt “has never been good enough to carry an offense.” Maybe it’s coincidence, but Hasselbeck got pulled from yesterday’s shellacking against the Falcons and replaced by Charlie Whitehurst. I’m guessing Christmas dinner is going to be a little frosty at the Hasselbeck house.

**My Fantasy Co- MVPs for 2010 are Browns RB Peyton Hillis, whose ADP was 14.05 but stands as the second-best RB in fantasy, and Arian Foster, whose ADP was 3.12 but is currently the top fantasy RB. Either of those two picks got fantasy owners huge value.

** Back in the good old days, QBs called their own plays. Nowadays, well, players are encouraged not to think, but simply to act on what their told. A case in point occurred in the Jags/Colts game. On a crucial 4th-and-1 for the Jags, the coaches called for a pitch to Maurice Jones-Drew OR a QB sneak by David Garrard if the Colts’ defensive scheme allowed for it. Though the defensive scheme allowed for it, Garrard didn’t hear the call for the QB sneak due to a helmet malfunction. He ran the pitch play, MJD dropped the pitch and the rest is history. When asked after the game why he simply didn’t run a QB sneak in any event, Garrard replied, “The thing of it is, it’s not in my head to call it. I’m just thinking of calling the play that is called.” A mind is a terrible thing to waste – especially with a QB.

** Ravens QB Joe Flacco was visibly upset when he took a knee from Saints DE Alex Brown after Flacco was already on the ground. WR Derrick Mason ragged on the officials after the game. “I mean come on,” Mason said. “You have to protect our quarterback. I know his last name is not (Drew) Brees or (Peyton) Manning or (Tom) Brady. But our quarterback is very good.” Yeah, and if your QB’s name is Roethlisberger, they let Ravens defenders break his nose without any penalty. Derrick, give it a rest.

** Titans HC Jeff Fisher gave out only one game ball yesterday – to his OC Mike Heimerdinger, who has continued coaching despite being treated for cancer. Fisher said Heimerdinger was in a “battle for your life, so come on up.” Fisher gave Heimerdinger the ball and hugged his friend. The Titans gave Heimerdinger a loud round of applause, and he quietly said, “Thanks.” Amen.

** Congrats to Saints QB Drew Brees. He became only the third QB in NFL history to post 5 consecutive 4,000-yard seasons. The other two are Dan Marino and Peyton Manning… On the flip side, Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware has gotten double-digit sacks for 5 straight years. The last NFL player to do that was Simeon Rice from 2001-2005.

** How in the world did Patriots 313-pound offensive lineman turned kick returner, Dan Connolly, lumber for 71 yards yesterday? You could have timed the play on a sun dial – yet the Packers couldn’t seem to bring him down. Hey, next time, kick away from this guy.

** The Steelers have now lost games to the Ravens, Saints, Patriots and Jets – all likely playoff teams. As long as HC Mike Tomlin has to face a team with inferior talent, his team will have a chance. But expect him to be outcoached – as he was yesterday vs. Rex Ryan – once the playoffs begin.

** Ok, everyone thinks they can outcoach the guys calling the shots of their favorite team. It’s worse with me, since I think I can outcoach all of them (with the exception of Bill Belichick). My beef with most coaches is that they play-call waaaaay tooooo conservatively. So God bless Packers HC Mike McCarthy for starting last night’s game with a successful onside kick against the Patriots. It led to a FG for the 14-point underdog Packers, who almost pulled the upset.

** After yesterday’s 0-4 performance, every team in the NFC West has at least 8 losses, ensuring that the eventual division winner will finish no better than .500. Parity has turned to parody.

** Only 13 teams have had the same starting QB for the entire season this year. Seven starting QBs have been rookies, the most since 2004.

by Jared Smola

If you subscribe to the Draft Sharks way of doing things, you grab a defense with one of your last few picks and then work the waiver wire throughout the course of the season so that you’re always using a defense with a favorable matchup.  I’ve been highlighting low-end defenses with strings of juicy opponents all year.  Time for one more edition for the crucial weeks of the fantasy football playoffs:

Miami Dolphins

Here’s a defense that could play a pivotal role in a championship run. The Dolphins D has been solid all season, currently ranking 5th in total defense, 8th in points allowed, and 7th in sacks. OLB Cameron Wake has been a breakout sensation, tallying a league-leading 14 sacks. The Fins run D has been rock solid too, anchored by DT Randy Starks. You won’t find a more favorable Week 15-16 schedule, as Miami hosts the Bills and Lions in the final 2 rounds of most leagues’ fantasy playoffs. They’re a sure-fire top-10 play in both of those matchups.

Dallas Cowboys

From broken collarbones to fired coaches, it’s been a tumultuous season in big D.  And let’s be honest – the defense has been pitiful.  Heading into Week 15, the Cowboys rank 25^th in yards allowed and 31^st in scoring defense.  Brutal.  Their forte in past seasons has been getting to the QB, but they haven’t even been able to do that this year, ranking just 20^th in sacks.  All that being said, this unit has been making plays lately.  2 weeks ago, they picked off QB Peyton Manning 4 times, returning 2 of them for scores.  They added 2 more INTs against the Eagles last week.  Granted, they’ve still been giving up loads of points and yards, but those takeaways are big points in most fantasy leagues.  Expect more of that the next 2 weeks against the Redskins and Cardinals.

New England Patriots

The Patriots defense has taken a lot of flak this season, but it’s a young unit that is improving by the game.  They quietly rank 9^th among team defenses in standard-scoring leagues, thanks in large part to 4 TDs.  That’s a bit fluky, but their 20 INTs – 2^nd-most in the league – sure aren’t.  This is a ball-hawking secondary led by stud rookie CB Devin McCourty.  Look for New England to add to its takeaway totals in the next couple weeks against the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers and the Bills.

Lenny recently had the pleasure of speaking with former Head of Officials Mike Pereira.

Monday Night LAP Dance

Leonard A. Pappano

December 6, 2010

The LAP Dance is for entertainment purposes only. It employs literary devices such sarcasm, satire, stereotypes, exaggeration, complete fabrications and slander (or is it libel?). The opinions and delusions expressed are purely those of the author. Any offense given is unintended. Please read at your own risk.

** In the last LAP Dance, I identified Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone gunman in the assassination of President John Kennedy. Within minutes, FOX’s Rules Analyst Mike Pereira called me to say that after reviewing the Zapruder film, he had conclusive evidence that the assassin fired his shot from the grassy knoll… and so I stand corrected.

** For whatever it’s worth, with QB Brett Favre out of the game, the Vikings scored a season-high 38 points – including 3 TDs for RB Adrian Peterson and 2 TDs for WR Sidney Rice. It didn’t hurt that the Vikings were playing the Bills.

** Something to consider as a fantasy player: Six undrafted RBs are leading their respective NFL teams in rushing yards this year. Arian Foster, Mike Tolbert, Fred Jackson, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Chris Ivory, and LeGarrette Blount.

** Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno could be on the short list for Breakout Fantasy Player for 2011. He has averaged 142 yards from scrimmage the past 4 games, along with a 5.4 yards per rush average. Nice numbers.

** Jimmy Johnson said yesterday that Auburn QB Cam Newton would be a top-10 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Could be. But for some reason, the kid doesn’t impress me as an NFL prospect. He seems to have trouble throwing spirals, and his delivery reminds me of Vince Young’s. I guess we’ll know how it pans out in a few years.

** I’m generally sympathetic to the players in the upcoming CBA negotiations. But the folks they have representing them are flat out goofy. After the good news a couple weeks ago that the NFLPA representatives and the league made some headway in discussing an 18-game schedule, NFLPA executive director, DeMaurice Smith, issued a statement saying that an “internal deadline” had passed to get a new deal done. Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean, both sides will continue to negotiate this winter, and it’s a good bet they’ll reach a new agreement in the next 3-6 months.

** Referee Ed Hochuli yesterday flagged rookie Lions DT Ndamukong Suh for 15 yards for “an unnecessary non-football act” after he sacked QB Jay Cutler. An unnecessary non-football act. Sounds like a phrase the commish should use in disciplining players.

** Turn out the lights, the party’s over… For those of us who grew up as kids watching Monday Night Football in the 1970s, today brings a tinge of sadness with the news that former Cowboys QB Don Meredith has passed. He added some levity to balance out Howard Cosell, and was just plain enjoyable to listen to.

** Three weeks ago, after the Broncos thrashed the Chiefs 49-29, KC head coach Todd Haley refused to shake hands with Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. After the Chiefs avenged their defeat yesterday 10-6, Haley gave McDaniels a hug after the game. It turns out to have been a good-bye hug.

** After watching last night’s Steelers/Ravens game, it makes you wonder if the officials don’t have it in for the Steelers when it comes to personal fouls. LB James Harrison has been nailed for a handful of questionable personal fouls over the past few weeks. Meanwhile the referees ignored a blow the head which broke Ben Roethlisberger’s nose, and a hit on a defenseless Heath Miller that I thought literally broke his neck. The essence of officiating is to be consistent. Can’t say that for crews handling the Steelers’ games.

** 49ers President, Jed York, keeps insisting that his 4-8 Niners can still make the playoffs. The sad truth is that he’s right. The NFC West is being headed up right now by a pair of 6-6 teams, and the Niners play 3 of its remaining 4 games against division rivals.

** Colts QB Peyton Manning has 4 INTs and 2 pick sixes in each of his last two games. Who woulda thunk it?

** TOP 5 POWER RANKINGS

1. Patriots: They should beat the Jets tonight… pretty handily at that. They are starting to play their bestball at the right time.

2. Falcons: Hey, 10-2 says it all. QB Matt Ryan has engineered a pair of 4th quarter game-winning drives the last two weeks.

3. Saints: The defending Super Bowl Champs have won 5 straight. Gotta give them some love.

4. Jets: Unfortunately the Patriots play in their division. They’ll vault to the top spot if they pull off the upset tonight.

5. Steelers: At least for this week, they deserve a top 5 spot. Their defense is scary good. And Ben did pretty well wearing a Herman Munster boot.

** In case you missed it, the University of Cincinnati mascot was arrested this weekend for throwing snowballs at a football game. It seems a bit over the top on the part of the cops – until you actually watch the video and realize he was likely arrested for simply throwing them like a girl.

** One of my favorite NFL beat writers, Jennifer Floyd Engel of the Star Telegram, has this observation about why Jerry Jones might not be falling over himself to announce the interim head coach Jason Garret for the 2011 season: “[Jones’] hesitancy is, in part, because the NFL takes the ‘Rooney Rule’ very seriously. It is a well-intentioned rule, misapplied in situations like Dallas when an interim candidate has clearly won the job. Why force a promising minority coach to go through the motions with Jerry when another candidate so obviously has the job? Not the best use of anybody’s time. ”

** The Giants spent the 15th pick in the draft on DE Jason Pierre-Paul, whose stock sky rocketed up some NFL team draft boards because of a YouTube video showing the athleticism of huge dude who could do a series of backflips. After a slow start to the season, Pierre-Paul has two sacks in each of his past two games – which has some Giants fans starting to do back flips.

** If you celebrate Hanukkah, blessings to you and your family!