For better or worse
By Cris Carter, Yahoo! Sports
October 30, 2006
There were a number of individual stars on Sunday. Reggie Wayne of the Indianapolis Colts and LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers each scored three touchdowns. Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson scored four. But more impressive than the big numbers was the execution or changes in philosophies that I noticed.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair didn't throw for a ton of yards (159) against New Orleans, but his efficiency (17-of-23 passing, two touchdowns, no interceptions) played a huge role in the team's win. And even with the San Diego Chargers ahead of the Rams, we saw head coach Marty Schottenheimer be very aggressive in what he allowed quarterback Philip Rivers to do in the second half. I think Schottenheimer has made some changes in philosophy following past playoff disappointments and their struggles in close games last season.
So let's take a look at a few other teams that are making positive strides and then some franchises steadily going in the wrong direction.
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
ATLANTA FALCONS
They're really putting the game on Michael Vick's arm. It's a huge change from what we've seen but he's responding. Atlanta becomes a dangerous team if it can throw the football, and Vick followed last week's four-touchdown performance against Pittsburgh by throwing for three scores against Cincinnati.
It's common to see teams win games but not necessarily make improvements. When the Falcons were winning early on, and some of it was ugly, they disregarded their obvious flaw – needing to make improvements in the passing game. They could win 10 games by running the ball with Vick and playing sound defense. But if they're going to be an elite team and if Vick is going to be an elite quarterback, they're going to need production from him as a passer.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
There are going to be a certain amount of growing pains when you have a new coach. And while the Chiefs had to adjust to some changes Herm Edwards and his staff made, we're seeing them get back to their strength – running the football. Kansas City always has been a stronger football team when it can run the ball. But now the Chiefs seem to be even better on the ground because of Larry Johnson's durability (39 carries, 155 yards vs. Seattle).
NEW YORK GIANTS
After four games, I thought the Giants' front seven was one of the most disappointing units in the NFL. But since the Atlanta game, it has been a dominant group. The front seven is getting so much heat on the passer that it takes pressure off the secondary. The defense recorded only two sacks Sunday but limited Tampa Bay to 134 passing yards (174 overall).
TAKING A FEW STEPS BACK
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
I can't help but wonder if that 62-yard field goal by Tampa Bay last week didn't have a lingering effect on the Eagles against Jacksonville. This team certainly came into this season with some issues, but it has performed in spots like it could be one of the league's best. But ultimately the Eagles have too many issues, and that's why they're struggling right now.
Their problems on offense tend to come back to the rushing game. They only ran for 85 yards against Jacksonville, and that's not going to cut it.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Well, it looks like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (four interceptions against Oakland) has hit that slump we expected him to experience last year. In addition, I think we also are seeing Pittsburgh struggle as a result of continuing to lose players in free agency and the retirement of Jerome Bettis.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Just like discussing the Eagles and Steelers' woes, this is nothing new, but Cardinals coach Dennis Green is digging a deeper hole for himself. This team is in such disarray that you don't know if the Cardinals are a passing team or a running team. In fact, they're one of the worst running teams I've seen in years, and this is with future Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James.
The last two weeks, they have been beaten up by teams that certainly don't qualify as juggernauts in the Raiders and Packers. And that's just hard to fathom considering some of the players they have acquired through free agency and the draft.
