Call me cynical but it's official, the 2006 NFL Draft Watch has begun! If you bothered to watch the final 1:37 of the Saints/Jets ESPN finale Sunday night, you know exactly what I mean. Far be it for me to insinuate that any NFL team would be simply playing out the string rather than trying to win but it was never more painfully obvious than it was last Sunday at the Meadowlands. In early November, there was considerable buzz around the league that Jet HC Herm Edwards was on his way to Kansas City to succeed Dick Vermiel at the helm of the Chiefs. Jet owner Woody Johnson somehow convinced Edwards that his future was with Gang Green and was given a pardon for a horrific injury-riddled 2005. Armed with that vote of confidence, lets take a look at Edwards "Clock Management" on his teams final drive keeping in mind the Jets had lost five straight and had not won since October 9. (1:37) First and ten, Jets 46, no timeouts. Brooks Bollinger completes improbable pass, threading the needle to Doug Jolley who bulls his way to Saints 33. At this point Jets have used 14 seconds and have a 50-yard FG for the win with a kicker (Mike Nugent) who was already four-for four on the night. (1:24) First and ten, Saints 33. Curtis Martin, who had 93 yards on 23 carries to this point, off right tackle for one yard loss. No spike, clock running. (1:01) Second and 11. Out of the shotgun, Bollinger fumbles a poor snap and gets dropped for three yard loss. Again, no spike and clock continues to run. (0:38) Third and 14. Out of shotgun, Bollinger finds jerricho Cottechery for three big yards in the middle of the field. At this point Edwards can't stop clock and out trots Mike Nugent. Haslett not inclined to freeze the rookie out of Ohio State with his final time out. (0:14) Fourth and 14. Nugent's kick is dead center but falls inches short of the crossbar. Tough loss Herm. Jets fall to 2-9 to join Texans, Packers, 49ers, and possibly Arizona in the race for that first pick. Real conspiracy theorists could question any of the other's four losses this week. Texans blow 21 point halftime lead to Rams and then allow 10 points in final 26 seconds before succumbing in OT. Did I mention that Rams were led back by rookie form Harvard who threw for 310 yards and 3 TDs in less than three quarters work. Packers lead entire second half before allowing Eagles 12 play 60 yard drive resulting in FG with 4:31 left. Eagles lead 16-14. No problem, Favre leads Pack into FG range for the winner right '? Wrong! Andrae Thurman fumbles KO return and Eagles get to run another 2:34 off the clock and tack on coup-de-grace FG sending all Packer ticket holders (+4.5) looking for Jack daniels and Draino. 49ers lead 14-9 at half but give up 24 unanswered to the Titans who eventually go on to 33-22 win. The week before saw Ken Dorsey throw final play 2-point conversion into the ground against Rams. Cards drove 56 yards in less than a minute only to see their comback dowsed by Kurt Warner fumble. Saturday, USC's Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush will line up vs. their cross-town rival UCLA Bruins in a game that will likely ensure the Trojans their long awaited Rose Bowl showdown with Texas, possibly decide the Heisman Trophy and depending on performance, influence the coveted first overall pick in next year's NFL draft. Sunday, Houston, the Jets, Packers, 49ers, and the Cardinals will strap it up in games that will in many ways determine their short and long term futures. Probably a good idea to keep that in the back of your mind as you're doing your handicalling this week. |
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