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The Bears Figure Out Devin Hester’s Speed is Useful

So it turns out the Bears were using Devin Hester all wrong. They were trying to get him the ball on a lot of short passes, screens, and end-arounds in order to get him into open space. Today the Bears discovered the best way to use Hester is to have him run down the field as fast as he can, have Brian Griese throw the ball as far as he can, and wait for Hester to run under it. It’s unstoppable. He’s too fast. No safety can play deep enough. I think he’ll have a few more 60 yard-touchdown catches before teams figure out how to defend him.

Somebody Tell Joe Gibbs and Al Saunders They’re Allowed to Make In-Game Adjustments

I’m really not trying to pick on the Redskins coaching staff every week, but I just can’t ignore their constant blundering. All game Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman was wreaking havoc in the Redskins backfield. Neither Todd Wade nor undrafted rookie Stephon Heyer could handle him, but the Redskins never gave them help. Not even a running back to chip them on their way out of the backfield. The Redskins unwillingness to give Kampman the attention he deserved would cost them the game.

With less than four minutes left in the game the Redskins had 2nd and 15. Kampman beat Heyer for a sack and the Redskins would end up punting. The Skins soon got the ball back and Gibbs had another chance to correct his pass protection. He didn’t. With 1:08 left in the game and the Redskins facing 2nd and 10 Kampman beat another single team to sack Campbell. The yardage and time lost on the play effectively put an end to the Redskins chances.

Don’t Miss…

–I can’t find video of this anywhere, but during the Browns-Dolphins game CBS showed outstanding footage of Cam Cameron facing the wrath of Bobby Knight after turning the ball over in a Hoosier basketball game. If anybody can find the video, let me know.

–Herm Edwards revelation that he asked the officials to eject one of his players.

–This Atlanta Journal-Constitution story about Joey Harrington’s anger over being benched last week and the support he has from his teammates.

–Jacksonville’s work-of-art onside kick. (1:40 mark)

–This analysis of how poor execution of an unconventional kick coverage paved the way for Adrian Peterson’s 4th quarter kickoff return.

Best Usage of Wisdom Gleaned From a ShakedownSports Post

Bruce Childress

Do you think it would be a good idea to put the ball in the hands of your most dangerous player? Doesn’t that seem like it could work out? Childress’ decision to let Adrian Peterson return the game’s final kickoff won the game for his team (that and Ryan Longwell’s 55-yard kick).

Shrewd Moves of the Week

LaDainian Tomlinson

The goal-line leap is an extremely underused tactic, especially from the 2, 3, or 4-yard line. Outside the 1-yard line teams never expect it, and so it’s often the easiest way to get those last 3 or 4 yards. On his first touchdown run Tomlinson caught the Raiders defense by surprise, and his 3-yard leap into the endzone was a thing of beauty.

Jack Del Rio

It’s remarkable how often an onside kick works when it’s unexpected. The success rate has to be over 60%-70%, and it doesn’t make sense that teams don’t try it more often. On every single kickoff the return team starts at the 45 and begins retreating before the ball is kicked. It’s just too easy for the kicking team. The Jaguars’ took advantage of this and their perfectly executed onside kick was one of the best I’ve ever seen.

Bonehead Moves of the Week

Wade Phillips

The Cowboys faced 4th and goal from the New England 5-yard line early in the 4th quarter. They trailed by 14 and hadn’t stopped New England all game. Going for it was a no-brainer, but Phillips went the ultra-conservative route and kicked a field goal. This was almost a carbon copy of the situation the Steelers faced in the 2005 AFC Championship game. After falling behind early the Steelers trailed just 31-17 early in 4th quarter and had 4th and goal from the Patriots 3-yard line. As a Steelers fan, I remember my heart sinking as Jeff Reed split the uprights because at that moment I knew they had no chance to come back. I assume Cowboys fans felt the same way today.

Eric Mangini-Brian Schottenheimer

The Jets trailed by 7 late in the fourth quarter and had 4th and 1 from inside the Eagles five yard line. In this situation there are two, and only two options. Run the ball or play-action pass. Instead, the Jets lined up in the shotgun and threw a fade. It was pure idiocy. In any situation a fade has about a 40% chance of being caught. That makes it a good call on 3rd and goal from the 10-yard line, but not on 4th and 1. Did the Jets coaching staff really think their chances running for a first down were worse than Laveranues Coles coming down with a jump ball? There is just no excuse for that play call.

There is One Thing the Patriots Do That’s Easy to Copy

Have you noticed how the Patriots frequently have two guys back on punt returns so that one of them can block the first gunner who breaks free down the field. The first time I actually saw that was in college football, but Belichick is has been smart to start doing it as well. Unless there’s a fake punt or you’re trying to block a kick, the guys at the line of scrimmage are basically a waste. Moving one of them back deep completely transforms the return game, and pretty soon everybody will be emulating the Patriots.

Best Impersonation of the 2005 Brett Favre

Brett Favre

Twice in the second half Favre had wide open receivers streaking down the sideline for easy touchdowns. Twice he badly underthrew the ball and had the passes picked off by Sean Taylor. Favre did everything he could to lose this game, and the Packers are very lucky didn’t blow it. The team is now 5-1, but the Packers offense might be really, really overrated.

Tom Brady’s Secret to Perfect Health

On two separate occasion against the Cowboys Tom Brady curled up into the fetal position and went down from minimal contact. Neither time did a defensive player have him wrapped up—Brady just decided it was better to go down and not risk a big hit. I assume this is one way Brady has avoided serious injuries. Over the course of a season he’ll end up taking a few more sacks , but in the long run he’ll stay healthier from avoiding big hits and dangerous pile ups. And that pretty face stays unharmed as well.

Stat O’ the Week

104.7  David Garrad’s QB rating—4th best in the league.  Watch out for those Jags.

European Football Goal of the Week

Angelos Chariseas of Greece vs. Bosnia in a Euro 2008 qualifier

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