AFC East: Phil Simms
Morning take: Ryan Fitzpatrick will play
- Despite being limited the past two days, Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to play with a chest bruise.
- Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer says Santonio Holmes remains the No. 1 receiver.
- NFL.com reports former New England Patriots cornerback Leigh Bodden visited the Kansas City Chiefs.
- The Miami Dolphins aren't the only people talking about Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
Simms: Jets built to beat Colts ... Can they?
Nonetheless, CBS Sports analyst Phil Simms notes the Jets have prepared several months for the moment at hand. Simms provided his thoughts on Saturday night's first-round game in Lucas Oil Stadium.
"I believe that during the offseason the New York Jets built their football team to beat the Indianapolis Colts," Simms said. "Look at last season, when the Patriots lost to the Ravens in a horrendous game. Thoughts were that the Patriots could be on their way down. Everyone thinks the worst when you lose a playoff game, and the way the Jets lost to the Colts last year, they tried to correct things.
"They went out and got Antonio Cromartie and drafted Kyle Wilson to help them get better matchups against the Colts. Now, we will see. The Jets definitely have better matchups in the passing game this year than last when it comes to covering the Colts' receivers."
Simms still sees Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez as the pivotal figure.
"He is going to have to have a really, really good day for the Jets to win," Simms said. "The Colts are going to do whatever it takes to stop the Jets' running game. They will dare the Jets to throw it because in that building, with that noise, some of those defensive players dare you. And the big thing is, can you get the time to take advantage of it?"
Simms: 'Rough game' ahead for Sanchez
Phil Simms, who will be there to call the action with Jim Nantz for CBS Sports, shared his thoughts on Sanchez's delicate state.
"He's hit a rough spot," Simms said. "But you can only learn through time. It's much easier to shake off the rough spots when you're older. So as I look at him, my first thought is 'Let's make sure his confidence is high. Let's not go by what he says or how he acts in practice. Let's get him some confidence right away in the game.'
"I know the coaches think about that, but the problem is they are up against the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. It's not the Steelers' makeup to let quarterbacks get in rhythm or have great success against them, especially early.
"It's going to be a rough week, a rough game, and the quarterback has to manage it accordingly."
Simms: Brady-Manning rivalry personal
Simms shared his thoughts about the game. He noted he's not sure if either team is elite at this stage, but the quarterbacks are so transcendent they've remained atop the standings.
On the Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry:
"There is no doubt that it is personal between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I was never as successful as either one of them, but even with my limited success I made it personal with many guys I played against. I know others did against me. That is part of the fun."
On how the teams match up:
"There is no question the game this year is being looked at differently than it has in many, many years. I don't think we can say for sure that they are two of the elite teams in the league like they have been for so long. They are two teams dealing with many issues and trying to win a few games and correct those issues as time goes on. It hasn’t turned into a race yet, but it's getting close. The season is getting to the point now where it is time to start getting nervous.
"This might be the first time I have seen Peyton Manning play without a tremendous supporting cast. I was taught that you have to be able to drive the Cadillac and the rental car. He has proven he can drive them all."
On the Patriots' season:
"I don't think I will ever again say that a team is not good enough to turn it around the following year. The Patriots have turned it around with their offense, and a big part of their team, basically overnight. They are playing a little different style and, of course, have done a tremendous job with it. Because of that, they are 7-2.
"A player pointed out to me that it is all wonderful, said and done, but the big thing is they are doing it with Tom Brady. So don't think it's such a miracle. It's a good point. The owner, the general manager, the head coach and the quarterback still remain the same. So it is easy to make these transitions when you have that kind of stability at the top."
The AFC East is well represented, with three of their four experts backing up Sports Illustrated's declaration that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has had an MVP first half.
Phil Simms
MVP: Tom Brady
Offensive player: Tom Brady
Defensive player: Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson
Head coach: Steve Spagnuolo
Rookie: Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh
Team: Patriots and Giants
Dan Dierdorf
MVP: Peyton Manning and Tom Brady
Offensive player: Peyton Manning
Defensive player: James Harrison
Head coach: Bill Belichick
Rookie: Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh
Team: No choice, but says Patriots, Ravens, Steelers and Jets are best four teams in the NFL.
Solomon Wilcots
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Offensive player: Philip Rivers
Defensive player: Clay Matthews
Head coach: Todd Haley
Rookie: Sam Bradford
Team: Patriots
Steve Tasker
MVP: Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers
Head coach: Todd Haley
Rookie: Ndamukong Suh
Team: Steelers
Jim Kelly joins 'Free Sanchez' campaign
Jim Kelly has seconded that notion.
Kelly expressed admiration for Sanchez in an interview with CBSSports.com columnist Mike Freeman. Kelly, one of the NFL's great gunslingers for the Buffalo Bills, declared the Jets should take off Sanchez's training wheels.
"I've watched him and I can say with certainty he has all the tools," Kelly told Freeman. "I think he's going to have a great career except hopefully when he plays the Bills. He's smart, good arm. There's a lot there.
"But you can see they're holding back with him. Unleash him. He has weapons. Use them."
Cowher calls Buffalo possible 2010 sleeper
He thinks the man they eventually hired will do just fine.
Cowher likes Buffalo's chances to be competitive in 2010 under new head coach Chan Gailey, who served as Cowher's offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"The AFC East, I think it's the best division in football," Cowher said on a CBS Sports conference call to preview the season. "I think the Buffalo Bills could be a surprise team, and you're already talking about the Dolphins, Jets and the New England Patriots. I don’t think there's an easy out in any one of those games.
"I think with the Buffalo Bills you're going to see a team that plays hard, a team that's going to reestablish an identity, and they're in the process of changing the culture."
Gailey was on Cowher's staff for four years, first as a receivers coach and then as offensive coordinator in 1996 and 1997. Gailey left the Steelers to become head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowher and CBS Sports colleague Phil Simms were impressed with how Gailey polished Trent Edwards over the summer.
"This is going to be a football team that's going to try to establish the running game," Cowher said, "but I'm going to tell you he's going to throw the football. ... He's trying to build an offensive line. The best thing you can do with a young offensive line and one that's not established is run the football.
"But I will say this about Chan Gailey: He's a master at being unpredictable. He will come up with a few wrinkles every week that will keep their team excited, and it's going to keep the defenses guessing with each team he plays each week.
"I think this guy is going to utilize what he does best, and he's going to let Trent Edwards develop some confidence early in this season and just take it from there. As Trent gets more comfortable he'll open it up a little bit more."
Simms explained why Gailey might be able to coax more out of Edwards where other head coaches and coordinators could not.
"I think [Gailey] has a unique ability to really communicate to the quarterback," Simms said. "I think he makes them feel comfortable, and history tells us he's done a good job with just about everybody he's worked with.
"I believe in Trent Edwards. He's big. He throws almost perfect spirals every time that he throws the football, which is very important in Buffalo. I think he's accurate. ... [Gailey's] a play caller that's always going to give his quarterbacks some easy throws to keep the confidence level high. whether it's the screens or this or that.
"Hey, I don't think Buffalo's going to make the playoffs. But I think we'll see that they're on the right track and getting themselves in position where they can make a playoff run in the near future."
They don't have any glaring holes that can be immediately addressed with their 22nd overall draft choice. They have a secure veteran in Tom Brady. They could use another quarterback because they have only two on their roster. Head coach Bill Belichick isn't afraid to take a chance on raw talent. The Patriots also have three second-round picks they could use to trade up to get Tebow if he is on the board a little later.
The Patriots continued their due diligence on Tebow with a visit Monday night and Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Tebow met with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, and Schefter reports visits have been scheduled next week with the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns.
Boston Herald reporter Karen Guregian reports Tebow, who dined with Bills legend Jim Kelly on Sunday night, had dinner Monday night with Belichick at Tresca, former hockey star Ray Bourque's restaurant in the North End.
Belichick is close friends with Gators coach Urban Meyer and probably has more inside info on Tebow than most NFL coaches.
At the NFL owners' meetings last week at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, where Belichick was spotted wearing a Gators visor and sweatshirt, he didn't sound deterred by Tebow's much-criticized throwing motion, a problem many evaluators point to when projecting him as a pro quarterback.
"Tiger Woods has rebuilt his golf swing twice," Belichick said. "Every quarterback I've ever had or coached has worked on his mechanics and improved them. Phil Simms, certainly [Jeff] Hostetler, Brady ... I can't think of too many that haven't.
"It's part of every player's development. I mean, show me a player who comes into this league at 21 and is a finished product at any position. Show me one guy. They all need work. They all have things they need to work on. Some guys are more coachable than others. Some guys have different things they need to correct, whatever the technique or physical development happens to be. I don't think that's unusual."
Peyton Manning a Jet? Could've happened
The decision not only changed the Volunteers' fortunes, but altered the trajectories of two teams.
Had he turned pro in 1997, he might've been a New York Jet and certainly wouldn't have been an Indianapolis Colt.
New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro looked back on the turn of events:
Manning would stay for one more somewhat disappointing season at Tennessee, and he would actually see his stock drop ever so slightly, going from a clear-cut No. 1 to a hard-to-believe-it-now coin-flip debate involving Ryan Leaf. The Colts have a Super Bowl already in tow and are favorites for another, thanks solely to Manning growing into perhaps the greatest quarterback the game has ever known.
There are no guarantees Jets general manager Bill Parcells would have selected Manning ahead of Ohio State tackle Orlando Pace. When given a choice between Jake Long and Matt Ryan for the Miami Dolphins in 2008, Parcells went with the franchise left tackle. Vaccaro also points out the Jets had Neil O'Donnell, who was a year removed from the Super Bowl.But Phil Simms was enamored with the idea.
"That would have been a match made in heaven because you're talking about two guys who see the game exactly the same way," Simms said of a Parcells-Manning partnership.
It's a fanciful thought to picture Manning in green.
How many Super Bowls would the Jets have won?
Would there be such a thing as a New England Patriots dynasty if Manning was in the AFC East?
Simms, Dierdorf discuss Jets-Chargers
Phil Simms will be the color commentator for the game broadcast. He's most eager to watch Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson try to beat Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.
"I can't wait to see Vincent Jackson against Darrelle Revis," Simms said. "If Revis has a great game, I don't know what it ensures because there are too many other guys who can catch and win the football game for the San Diego Chargers."
Simms on the Jets and Ravens: "We always say [Mark] Sanchez and [Joe] Flacco need their running games, and if that doesn't work they can't win. Let's think of Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning. If their passing game isn't working, how big of a chance do they have to win the game? You have to look at it both ways. We're going from arguably the two best passing teams in the NFL and comparing them to two different teams that do it an entirely different way. So can the Jets win if they don't have a great running day? Sure, they can. They can still make plays on defense. There can still be a few big pass plays in the passing game from Sanchez. And the same goes with the Baltimore Ravens. I expect the Jets and the Ravens both to try and sneak a few more passes in their game plan to keep it a little balanced because the competitive level is going up and so is the environment they're playing in."
Dan Dierdorf will be working Saturday's game between the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts in Lucas Oil Stadium, but he weighed in on Sunday's game. Dierdorf is a huge fan of Jets coach Rex Ryan.
"He is a breath of fresh air," Dierdorf said. "You ask him a question, and he's got a direct answer to your question. So many coaches are concerned about speaking in coachspeak. They don't want to give away anything that they think may help the other team. They're very guarded in what they say. When he thinks it, he says it. And, quite frankly, his production meetings are a lot of fun.
"A personality is great, but it's an incomplete package if there's not discipline involved as well. Rex demonstrated over the course of this season that he's not afraid to call out a player who's not playing well, to sit somebody down. He has shown that he is the complete package in terms of he's got a nice personality, but he's not afraid to crack the whip either."
Dierdorf on the matchup: "If the Jets can't run the football effectively against San Diego, they can't win the game. I just don't think their passing game is capable of stirring them to a playoff win. So how aggressive will the Chargers be in trying to stop the Jets' running attack? The Jets are so one-dimensional offensively that that's where the whole game turns. Can the Jets run the football against San Diego? Because if they can't, I don’t see any way they can win."
On the loss of Patriots slot receiver Wes Welker:
The big thing is that New England can't reinvent itself. They have two receivers they've thrown to all year, Wes Welker and Randy Moss. I don't see how they can change in one week. So, Julian Edelman is going to have to take the place of Wes Welker, and he's going to have to be relied on just like they would on Wes Welker. They'll put the same plays in. They'll expect him to step in and get it done. I think he's up to it. If Baltimore thinks he is not, they're making a big mistake. You can see their offense is creative. They have a lot of ways to get that position open. Regardless of who's playing it, you have to focus on it. I can't wait to see that.
On Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco reaching the playoffs in each of his first two NFL seasons:Joe Flacco has not had the second-year sophomore slump -- none of that. Overall, he's played very well. He's the hitter who might be hitting .250, but you never know when he's going to hit one out of the park. So, that's what scares you, and you have to always be alert. He has a big arm and can make the big throws down the field that wins games. And you always have to be conscious of that and protect against it. He's had a very, very good second year. Baltimore hit the jackpot when they drafted him.
On Patriots quarterback Tom Brady:I heard a famous morning show guy saying that Tom Brady doesn't look the same. The Tom Brady I watch is sharp, takes advantage of opportunities when they're there and is playing very well. So if he's hurt, I don't know. Does it matter? I only judge what I see on the field and Tom Brady is holding his end up.
Simms: One more loss and Miami is done
On the Patriots:
"I think anytime you play on a Monday night in an emotional game as big as the one in New Orleans, there's always a concern. But the good thing for New England is they are playing Miami. They're in their division. It is a rival, and they know for Miami one more loss and their season is over. All that really adds to the game and makes it more compelling."
On the Dolphins:"For Miami, the question always is how will they generate enough offense to win? They're going to get some ideas from watching tape of the New Orleans Saints. But can they execute them? Can they duplicate it? I have to see it to believe it. Now that Ronnie Brown is out, it's going to be a struggle to get yards, make plays and score enough points to beat a team like New England. Even if Miami has a great day defensively, New England is still going to score their share of points because of Tom Brady, Randy Moss and all their other offensive playmakers."
Simms: Patriots must avoid Indy hangover
Simms shared his thoughts on Bill Belichick's infamous decision to go for it on fourth down against the Indianapolis Colts and how a victory on Sunday can soothe them.
On Belichick’s fourth-down call:
It’s been documented that this was a premeditated thought. The whole week leading up to the game, he decided he was going to do this. I always tell people this about coaches: If it's fourth-and-1 from the 1, the last play of the game, coaches already know what play they're going to call. They determine those kinds of things during the week.
So do I agree? It's not about agreeing. Would I have done it? No, I would not have done it. What gets overlooked is not having timeouts. If he would have had one, I believe he would have won the challenge because in my mind Kevin Faulk was past the 30-yard line and clearly had possession of the football. It's a general rule in the NFL to use your timeouts, no matter what, in the first half. In the second half, save them regardless of almost any situation, unless it's a scoring opportunity. Save those timeouts for the end of the game.
On how Patriots will respond against the Jets:Emotionally, there’s a little bit of a hangover from it because you put so much into the game. It was such an emotionally charged game. Then it's talked about by the media, your family, your friends, your teammates. Sometimes it's hard to put that behind you. If I was the coach, I would hope we do something good early to get the emotions and everything going our way in the game against the Jets.
On the Jets coming off five losses in six games:The Jets have played a lot of close games. It's how you play the last couple minutes of the game that many times determines if you're a playoff team. They have not reacted well when the pressure is on -- on either side of the ball -- when it comes to those moments late in the game. Overall, the Jets have done a lot of good things. I've watched all of their games and Mark Sanchez has had a good rookie year. Has it been great? No, but it's very good.
On this being the rematch of a Jets victory in Week 2:When the Patriots played in Week 2 they did not block the New York Jets very well. But now there’s a lot of film out there. There have been a lot of things to look at as the NFL season has settled in. Can the Jets get guys free and running at Tom Brady consistently like they did in Week 2? My first thought is, "I have to see it to believe it." Because they're experienced and had more time to prepare, I think the Patriots will handle the Jets' blitz much better this time around.
Simms: Fins 'close to desperation game time'
CBS Sports analysts Phil Simms and Bill Cowher shared their thoughts on Week 8 matchups within the AFC.
Here are their takes on various games that pertain to the AFC East.
Simms on the Dolphins-Jets rematch:
The thing about the Jets and the Dolphins, there's always been a rivalry, but it's really stepping up. Rex Ryan is making sure to step it up at a faster pace than these rivalries are used to. It makes for good preparation during the week. It's getting close to desperation game time for the Miami Dolphins. One, because of the number of losses and two, because it's a division game. This time of year it's getting to that stage of the season where if you lose, it's hard to make it back up with the season almost half over.
Simms on Miami quarterback Chad Henne:The big thing with Chad Henne is that many people don't even recognize his name. I have been impressed with him. He's played very well. He's very talented, and he absolutely has a chance to be in the same class as Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. But you can't tell anybody that because he's just not a big enough name. He wasn't ballyhooed on draft day. He probably deserved to be a first-round draft pick, but was not.
Simms on Jets' rookie running back Shonn Greene:I liked Shonn Greene a lot coming out of college, and I thought that when the Jets moved up in the draft to get him it was a great move on their part. I think there were quite a few NFL teams that were sitting back and shaking their heads because they were mad they didn't make the move to go up and get Shonn Greene.
Cowher on the Jets and Texans, who will visit Buffalo on Sunday:When you look at the 4-3 teams that are hovering, in particular the Jets and Houston, this is a pivotal week. For the Jets, it's a divisional game being played at home and is a game that they have to win.
Houston is a team that needs to make the next step. To get a win on the road against a Buffalo team that has won ugly the past couple of weeks would be a big statement game. Houston is a team that has the best receiver in football. They may have the best tight end in football in Owen Daniels with the start he's off to, one of the top returners in Jacoby Jones, and they have a quarterback right now who's playing as well as anybody in the league. They have offensive firepower, and Mario Williams and group of linebackers give them playmakers on defense. But they have to be able to win and put together streaks of games. Houston is a team that has flashed, but they have to show an ability to be more consistent week in and week out.
Simms: Bucs outmatched against surging Pats
CBS Sports color commentator Phil Simms will be in London to call Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Wembley Stadium.
Simms shared his thoughts on Tom Brady's six-touchdown performance in the snow against the winless Tennessee Titans on Sunday and took a look ahead to how the Patriots matchup against another winless and struggling club.
On Brady throwing six touchdowns against the Titans:
The evaluation of him every week is going overboard. Everybody's trying to evaluate every single one of his throws, the status of his knee. It's endless. It's ridiculous, but that's what we all do. And last week in those conditions, it's not the six touchdown throws. It's not the numbers. It's the physical performance that was impressive.
The fact that he controlled the football, throwing it with touch, power, accuracy and everything you want in a perfect day against a bad defense. But he also did it on one of the worst days he's probably played in and on one of the worst fields he's ever played on. And he still did all those things. So that's what's impressive, no matter if you're Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dan Marino or anyone else.
Confidence can never hurt an athlete's performance. So to have such an outstanding statistical game has to build his confidence.
On winless Tampa Bay's chances this weekend versus New England:The big thing this weekend is that it's an extremely tough matchup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I don't just mean that because they're 0-6. I mean that just from the scheme and skill of their players. It's not a great match for them against the New England Patriots. The style that each team plays doesn't serve Tampa well.
In games like this, if you're undermanned you have to find ways to make it even. I'm not saying trick plays, but changing things a little bit to hopefully catch the Patriots by surprise. Then you hope to make plays. When you're a team like Tampa, you're 0-6, you're just trying to get into the fourth quarter with the game still in doubt, and then you try to win it or steal it or whatever phrase you want to use. To me, that's going to be Tampa's game plan for this weekend.
On the NFL in London:It is good for the game. I was there last year for CBS's game in London. The excitement is real, not only with the Americans that live over there, but also all the British people that I met. Most of them were very excited and, by and large, the No. 1 comment I got from them was 'How come there's not more?' I thought 'Wow, that's interesting.' When the game was over we went out to eat and almost every single person in the place was coming up to us and asking questions. They wish there were more games, and one of the guys asked us 'Why can't they just send one game over here a week?' I laughed, 'That might be a little much right now.'
It shows you a lot about American football. You don't have to know all the rules. No matter who you are, as you watch it, it's easy to see and sense the excitement. It's easy to understand the skill of the players and what's happening. That is why it has such a tremendous attraction.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
