Some Trivial Thoughts

     Below are some random notes after taking a post Super Bowl hiatus from this web-site.  As many know, this site takes quite a bit of work during the season and toss in four playoff games and the Lombardi and you can get burned out.  It was also good to relax and soak in this victory, something I�ve been waiting for since the �79 season.

Mill�s Final Grades.  In general, I agree with Mill�s assessments.  I think Porter played a little better than the average grade he was given but I think we can all agree that his play is on the decline when you consider some of his injuries, age and a hole in his ass.  I will question Mill�s grade of incomplete for Heath Miller during the playoffs.  In order to grade a tight end, you have to define what productivity is.  It could be blocking, # of receptions, receiving yards ect.  The table below shows what each team�s TE (Conference Championship teams) did during the playoffs.  The numbers represent receptions/yards.

     There isn�t a statistic for good or bad blocking but taking a look at Miller in receptions/yards, I think he was fairly productive, around a �B.�  His breakout game was against Indy. It is also difficult for a Stiller TE to get a great deal of looks in the passing scheme at any time.  I�ve said before, had the Stiller�s employed (thrown to) Miller a few more times a game, we would have had the Rookie of the Year for the second consecutive season.  To Cowher�s credit, he did utilize Miller a great deal more than I thought he would when Heath was drafted.  Miller is capable of five or so passes every game regardless of the defense.  He�ll be a great one.

Antwaan Randle-EL.  A personal favorite of mine and his release was not a big surprise.  What is surprising, at least to me, was the money he received from the Redskins (7 years, $31 million and $11.5 million in guaranteed money).  ARE is not a top tier WR or punt returner.  He is versatile and produces on the field but I can�t understand a franchise would pay so much for a player with relatively average numbers.  I�m sure I�m missing something, but what did ARE do to command such a salary?  Or is Dan Synder completely nuts?

ARE�s career stats:

New Rules.  The 32 owners got together at the end of March for their annual meeting and came up with some rule changes that are to be put in effect this season.

• Celebrations.  End Zone celebrations will be limited.  I love gray language in rules books.  TO�s sharpie incident or doing sit-ups after a score would not be allowed; however, Chad Johnson�s �Riverdance� performance is suitable as are spiking dunking and spinning the pigskin.  Bottom Line, score a TD and run to the sideline because when something is vague, such as this rule, any celebration can draw the flag.  One officiating crew may allow a running back to chest smash his lineman after a score; another crew may toss the yellow flag.  I really could care less about celebrations.  My point is, allow all of them or ban all of them.
• Down by Contact calls are now reviewable.  We will see how this works out.  I�d rather the NFL change the rules for what constitutes being downed by contact.
• Prohibiting pass rushers from hitting a passer below the knee.  In five more years the NFL QB will be wearing the red shirt during games.  I don�t wish injury on any player but this is football and football requires contact and a lot of times the contact is violent.  The plays that the owners looked at were the hits on Palmer, Big Ben and Griese.  In these three cases, the defensive player was blocked into the player and an injury occurred.  According to the NFL, these three plays would not have resulted in a penalty under this rule.  They want to ban an action but watched tape of three legal hits.
• Toughen the Horse-Collar Rule.  In 2005, two horse-collar violations were called.  After review, one was deemed legal.  How do you toughen up on something that was called only twice in well over 500 games? Now, grabbing an offensive player from the inside rear of the jersey appears enough to draw the flag.
• Defenders are no longer allowed to line up directly over a long snapper for FGs and extra points.  I didn�t realize this was a problem.  Is the punt or shotgun formation next?

2006-07 Schedule.   http://www.stillers.com/articles/1714.aspx  For the record, I hate prime time games.  I used to like them when I was younger because it was another excuse for a party.  When you have to get up for work the next morning, especially living on the east cost, prime time games are rough.  Once again the Stillers get an early bye week, Week # 4.  Is an early bye week bad?  Since 1990, when the bye was inserted, the Stillers have a 62% (regular season) win average when they draw the bye week on week 5 or earlier.  Week 6 or later the Stillers drop to 50%.  I�ve spent the equivalent of Ethiopia�s GDP on my high-def package and I�m looking forward to a better season with Direct-TV than I suffered through last season.  The December 7^th game is on the NFL Network.  I�m wondering how many readers won�t get to see that game, yet it is considered a prime time game.

A Tough Place to Coach.

     University of Iowa�s Wrestling Team.  I post this because it reminded me of Pittsburgh fans and the never being satisfied without winning the Lombardi mentality.  It also reminded me of the tough shoes coaches often have to fill, Noll to Cowher and you'll see Gable and Zalesky below.  The latter coaches had to replace legendary coaches that made winning contagious and the younger coaches have been fairly successful.  Both teams have rough fan bases and winning is expected.

     The Black and Gold in the mid-west has been known as a perennial powerhouse in NCAA Division 1 wrestling.  Winning is expected dating back to the days of legendary coach, Dan Gable.  Gable won 15 NCAA team tiles, nine of them in a row.  He retired in 1997 and long time assistant coach, Jim Zalesky took over the program.  Two weeks ago, Zalesky�s contract was not renewed (fired) by the UNIV of Iowa�s Athletic Director, Bob Bowlsby. "Unfortunately, at this point in time it is not arguable that we are making the kind of progress that will once again place our program among the elite in the sport." said Bowlsby in a press conference.  By Iowa standards that means not winning a team title in six years or producing an individual champion in two years is a disaster.  The table below shows a coach that has never been out of the top 10, a coach that had five or more All-Americans in six out of nine years and won three team titles.  Not a shabby resume but not good enough to stay employed with the Hawkeyes.

     Imagine what Cowher would have to deal with if the Stillers were owned by Bowlsby.  (I�m sure this will generate some debate).  Iowa fans are as rabid as Stiller fans when it comes to winning titles.  Top 2-5 finishes aren�t good enough for Iowa fans; sound familiar?