NFL News

There are many topics to discuss in the NFL. There have been many firings so teams are trying to line up candidates for interviews. Players' futures with teams will need to be decided.

Lets start with Rex Ryan and his desires to be a head coach. After the Ravens defense pummeled an average offense, Ryan felt the need to announce to the world that he is ready to become coach. Here is what he had to say:

"The numbers say I've done a decent job," Ryan said. "If a team wants to stop somebody, all you have to do is look at my track record. If we don't get them stopped in the first year, it will probably be the first time we don't get them stopped in my career, going back through college, whatever. . . . I'll get my time, and whoever gets me will get a guy who is a real football coach and not a pretender."

Wow! Ryan is feeling a little frisky. Yes, we get it. You are a good defensive coordinator as is Leslie Frazier but you don't hear him running his mouth. Even though the Vikings were bounced out of the playoffs by the Eagles, you still haven't heard him talking about his desires to coach. Rex Ryan is a really good defensive coordinator. Lets give him props for that. However, why talk about your coaching during your team's playoff run? You can sell yourself as much as you want after the season is over. I guess he couldn't wait that long. If he does leave for the Broncos, Jets, or Browns, the Ravens will probably promote from within, or maybe John Harbaugh has someone in mind as his replacement. Hey Rex, focus on Tennessee!

Bob Stoops can be ruled as a possible head coach for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have many candidates at their list such as Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, Josh McDaniels, Jason Garrett, Rick Dennison, Leslie Frazier, and Jim Schwartz. Out of that list, I like Steve Spagnuolo, Leslie Frazier, and Jim Schwartz as candidates. Maybe Josh McDaniels. As for the rest, I don't think they're ready. It looks as though the Broncos want a defensive minded individual as their head coach.

The New England Patriots are planning to franchise tag Matt Cassell. I can understand the sense of security that Matt Cassell brings given the injury of Tom Brady. I can understand idea of franchising Cassell will keep him away from the Jets and possibly the 49ers and Vikings. They'll probably trade him after franchising him. The Vikings seem like a good match, I think. The Patriots probably won't make a trade the Jets for obvious reasons. Things are clouded for the 49ers at the QB position with Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, and JT O'Sullivan. I think the Vikings and Patriots can come up with a match.

Marvin Harrison is mum on his future with the Colts. He didn't have a good season. The future Hall of Famer hasn't been the same since injury his knee a few years ago. When the reporters asked him about his future, he chose not to comment. I think he'll return, but retirement isn't out of the question. The Colts need to get another receiver to compliment Reggie Wayne. Wayne isn't getting any younger either. Hakeem Nicks would be a nice fit for the Colts.

Looks like Bill Parcells is returning to Miami next year. Well, H. Wayne Huizenga thinks Parcells is returning after having a conversation with him.

Brad Childress has been noncommittal about Tavaris Jackson's future. Tavaris Jackson has the support of two of his teammates:

"I think he had [a] resilient season," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "I feel like that's our man."

Said wide receiver Bernard Berrian: "You start where you left off. You can't just throw a guy out. He finished very strong. He took the benching well, showed a lot of character, came back and had some really great games. That just shows the coaching staff and the rest of the players that we have faith in Tarvaris."

Matt Birk and Gus Ferrotte are pondering their futures.

Yuck, the Jets have contacted Brian Billick. Why in the world would you want Brian Billick to be your head coach? Do you want to hear him give one of his famous post game speeches to the media? The Jets should pass on this candidate. Avoid him like the plague.

Ravens Dominates Dolphins in their Win

The Ravens and Dolphins have met once before a couple of years ago. The outcome was the same and at the same location which is Dolphin Stadium. That outcome happened when the Ravens were defending their Super Bowl crown. Elvis "bleeping" Grbac! Thank God I forgot else happened in the rest of those plays. Anyway, the Ravens defeated the Dolphins again, 27-9.

This game was all about the Ravens defense. They kept establishing a new line scrimmage with their front seven. The defensive linemen and linebackers kept meeting each other in the Dolphins backfield. Terrell Suggs had his way with Jake Long with bull rushes or speed rushes. It didn't matter. The defense snuffed out the Wildcat offense. They didn't have more than 6 yards gained in that formation. The Ravens were caught off guard on the first drive of the Dolphins. The Dolphins came out with Patrick Cobbs making many plays. The Dolphins got down inside the Ravens 10 yard line. The Ravens held them to a field goal. That stand set the tone for the rest of the game. From that point on, the Ravens forced five turnovers, including a highlight plays made by Ed Reed. Shocking! Ed Reed return an interception 64 yards for a touchdown. Once the interception was caught, the Ravens defense turned into an offensive team setting up a convoy for Ed Reed on the right side of the field. His other interception halted another Dolphins drive in Ravens territory. Reed saw something in the routes ran by the tight end and wide receiver and jumped the route for an interception. The performance was dominant and they just overwhemed the Dolphins from start to finish.

Offensively, the Ravens had one turnover which was a Le'Ron McClain fumble. Otherwise, the Ravens had a rather underwhelming game. Joe Flacco was 9/23 for 135 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions. He did have a rushing TD late to put some icing on the game. The great thing about Flacco in this game is that he took his chances. He threw the football down the field where only his receiver had a chance to catch it. Flacco didn't turn the football over either which is always a good thing. He manage the game really well. The running game of the Ravens was hit and miss. It missed for most of the game until McGahee had a 48 yard scamper, which set up Flacco for 5 yard QB sneak for the touchdown. The Ravens did what they had to do on offense which was win the field position battle and give their defense a rest. Against Tennessee, the Ravens offense will need to step up their game and score touchdowns.

The only bright spot for the Dolphins was their defense. Their defense did their job, making the Ravens go three and out on numerous occassions. The Dolphins offense could not take advantage of their good field position. The pass blocking was terrible. Anytime Chad Pennington dropped back to pass, he ended up on the turf. Defenses can make any QB look pathetic out there. See Tom Brady in last year's Super Bowl. The Wildcat offense wasn't running wild in this game. The Dolphins only used it twice. They did use a wishbone formation a couple of times but that formation wasn't productive either. The Dolphins have a bright future. They just need a franchise QB, at least for the future, another good wide receiver, and a good corner back.

The Ravens will take on the Tennessee Titans in the next round. This game will be tough for the Ravens. The defense will bring it, but will the offense have better execution? The offense needs to have better execution against the Titans.