NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Last week, you voted Pierre Thomas over Jabari Greer and Bobby McCray as the X factors for last Saturday’s game against the Cardinals. While Thomas played a good game, churning out yards and moving the sticks, Greer and McCray deserved some recognition too. Greer had the unenviable task of defending Cardinals All-Pro WR Larry Fitzgerald and shut him down. McCray and the D-line wreaked havoc all over Kurt Warner and the Cardinals offense. His big hit on Kurt Warner on the Will Smith interception hurt to watch.

Who will step up to the plate this week- A talented runner? A shutdown corner? The O line? Or a rookie kicker?

OT Jermon Bushrod

Bushrod has the unenviable task this week of facing Vikings DE ace Jared Allen. Allen and the D-line controled the game all day Sunday and held Cowboys QB Tony Romo in check. Romo finished with 198 yards passing and no TDs against a suspect Vikings secondary, but could not consistently find his receivers due to the Vikings pass rush. Expect Bushrod to get help in protecting Brees with TEsDave Thomas and Jeremy Shockey.

Jermon has done an admirable job defending QB Drew Brees’ blind side all season in place of All Pro OT Jamal Brown. Now, he’s asked to step up in the most important game of the year. But, Brees and the boys have faith in him.

Says Jahri Evans of his linemate, ” He's done a tremendous job this year at the left tackle spot, he continues to do a great job, and it just shows the hard work that he put in, mentally, physically going throughout the week. I see him in here every week taking care of his body, every week in the film room watching extra film, extra homework for his opponent ahead.”

RB Reggie Bush

Chants of RE-GGIE! RE-GGIE! filled the Superdome last week as Bush dazzled the crowd with the best game of his career. Reggie set the tone early by being a more physical runner, lowering his shoulders and hitting defender after defender after contact. He displayed his moves that made him a Heisman Trophy winner at USC. That TD run is the stuff of legends. Overall, he finished the game with 217 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

Can Reggie duplicate his performance?

Maybe..but his value will not necessarily be how many touchdowns he scores or how many yards he rushes. The Vikings have one more weapon to worry about. Who do you send to defend Bush? A LB? A corner or safety? Either way, somebody is going to have a favorable matchup because of Bush’s presence. And once he gets the ball, is he going to run around you or through you now?
Bush dazzled and awed the Superdome crowd with the best game of his career.

CB Jabari Greer

Jabari and the Saints secondary played a great game, shutting down some talented Cardinals receivers and forcing turnovers. Greer had the toughest assignment in Larry Fitzgerald and did a solid job of holding his own Fitzgerald did not have a catch until after the two minute warning and a completion from Kurt Warner until the third quarter.

This week it’s Vikings WR Sidney Rice who plays the premier shut down corner in the NFC South. Rice caught three TDs last week and has become Farve’s favorite target. Can Greer contain the young receiver? If so, this could go a long way towards the Saint hoisting the George S. Halas Trophy at the end of the night.

K Garrett Hartley

In a game between two evenly matched teams that may go down to the wire, every point matters. Can Garrett Hartley handle the playoff pressure and kick a late field goal if called upon? Payton and the boys do.

Our friends at TMZ sent us the following about the t-shirts that WON’T be worn after the AFC Title game Sunday:

The New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts are both on the hot seat for selling AFC Championship clothing BEFORE this weekend’s AFC Championship game — but there’s good news … the losing team’s gear will go directly to the people of Haiti.

The shirts became available earlier this week on each team’s website — both teams took serious heat for jinxing themselves by producing the gear.

But there is a silver lining — TMZ spoke to a rep from the NFL Consumer Products Department who told us, “The shirts will be donated to World Vision and sent to Haiti.”

Hope the Haitians like the Colts …

Yup, pack the bags, put the kids in the car, and forget about the playoffs. We’re screwed.

And here is why:

Thanks, Prince… Thanks.

Way to jynx us with a super crappy song. Heck, having KDWB drag out the old “We’re Goin’ to Miami” (originally by Will Smith) from the ‘98 season would’ve jynxed us just fine and we wouldn’t have had to listen to this shite!

Not sure what I’m talking about? Then you don’t remember this:

The battlecry from GM Buddy Nix and company was they wanted an offensive minded coach with previous head coaching experience on his resume. The Bills believe they got the right guy for the job and Chan Gailey has Nix's full confidence.

Is Gailey the right fit and the right man? Well, that question could be answered as early as next season if the Bills end their decade long playoff drought, or it may take a few years to get a definitive answer. But, there's only two answers to the question: yes or no. The clock is offically ticking.

To his credit, Gailey's resume seemed to match what the Bills were looking for. His body of work spoke loudly to Nix and owner Ralph Wilson. In 15 seasons in the NFL, as either a coordinator or a head coach, Gailey has been to the playoffs 11 times. Ironically, the Bills will be facing the prospect of missing the playoffs for the 11th straight time next season.

If you take away two Hall of Fame quarterbacks that Gailey has worked with, John Elway with Denver in 1989 & 1990 and Troy Aikman with Dallas in '98 & '99, Gailey has done a lot with very little when it comes to quarterbacks. The names aren't flattering by any means. In Pittsburgh, Gailey worked with the likes of Mike Tomczak, Neil O'Donnell and Kordell Stewart.

In 2000 and 2001 during his time with the Miami Dolphins, he had Jay Fiedler, who as the helm in both seasons in which Gailey was in Miami. The Dolphins went 11-5 in both seasons and reached the playoffs in both years. In his most recent NFL gig, Gailey worked with the Kansas City Chiefs and turned Tyler Thigpen into a capable, serviceable quarterback in 2008.

Gailey has worked with all types of quarterbacks, but maybe his biggest impact on offense is in the running game. He's run first to set up the pass guy, who wants to pound the rock and pound it successfully. Anyone remember Bobby Humphrey? He rushed for over 1,000 yards in the 2 years Gailey spent in Denver.

Jerome Bettis had his best years as a pro during Gailey's tenure in the Steel City; in '96, Bettis rushed for 1,431 and in '97, Bettis enjoyed his best season in the NFL, rushing for 1,665 yards. Bettis combined for 18 touchdowns in '96 & '97. Emmitt Smith rushed for 1,332 yards in 1998 and 1,397 yards in '99, combining for 24 touchdowns in Gailey's two seasons as head coach in Dallas.

His success in the running game presumably bodes well for Fred Jackson, who is coming off his first career 1,000 yard rushing season, and Marshawn Lynch, assuming he's in Buffalo and not traded or released. But if Gailey is to replicate his successful rushing attack in Buffalo, his biggest challenge will be upgrading the offensive line.

As far as what he can expect at the quarterback position, well it's probably a good thing Gailey has experience doing more with less because the Bills have a trio of quarterbacks who aren't franchise material. Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm don't scream starting quarterback, let alone the franchise.

It's like what former Notre Dame and South Carolina head coach Lou Holtz used to say: "If you have two quarterbacks, you have none". There won't be a honeymoon period for Gailey in Buffalo. Here's here, he's the guy and he, along with Nix, better have their lunch pails backed and their boots tied tight because now the real work begins.

BIGGEST NEEDS

Upgrades: The team needs upgrades at the wide receiver, tight end, defensive line and cornerback/secondary  positions. The team also needs to sign a fullback so we can see McClain get some carries too in short yardage and in relief of Rice. The ideal would be picking up a wide receiver via the free agency and drafting one in the first or second rounds.  The pass rush was anemic and the secondary has been a nagging issue.

Reducing Penalties: One of the biggest needs on this team is reducing penalties.  There were too many games where miscues and penalties were a big part in losing games. In fairness this is Harbaugh's only second year, but it is time now to start laying down the law and holding himself and his players accountable. The NFL and there is little room for mistakes, the competition is too tough to allow it.

Offseason Development: We witnessed Ray Rice come into training camp physically primed for the season. Rice worked out and bulked up–he was durable, reliable and a playmaker. Joe Flacco needs to do the same as Rice, as he will need to work out and put on some weight in the offseason, it will help him get through the arduous NFL season.  Paul Kruger will need to bulk up as well in order to compete against the huge lineman in the NFL.

DRAFT NEEDS:
1. Wide receiver. A speedy tall receiver for the deep threat and/or a big bodied receiver that can get physical at the line, a big target.  A lot will depend on attaining a WR in free agency.

2. Cornerback.Not a developmental cornerback, a corner that can start immediately.

3. Defensive End.A bona fide Pass rusher to compliment Suggs. The NFL is all about passing, a good pass rush is a must. The need for a pass rusher depends on Paul Kruger. If the coaches feel Kruger will be a good pass rusher then the need may drop. But, Kruger will have to work out and bulk up in the offseason.

4. Tight End. How long can Heap play for? And who is on the depth chart?

5. Defensive Tackle. A big tackle to play along side Ngata. How long does Gregg, Bannan, Pryce have left?

Offense: C-

In franchise terms this is the best offense we have seen.  However, Joe Flacco was pushed too fast in his development. More focus should have been given to the running game earlier in the year and then infuse Flacco's skills as the season progress. Rice carried this team.  The team should have signed a fullback, the LeRon "McCalin tailback package" is too tempting to pass up on and it would have helped the team out in goaline, as well as short yardage situations.

Defense: C

Coach Mattison deserves credit, the defense played well as the season progressed. It is easy to pass judgment early in the season, but the coordinator has to be given a chance, and the defense improved even after losing CB Washington and Webb. The team also lost Ayenbadejo as he was becoming a good linebacker. You have to take into account that the team also improved as Suggs had an off year and there was virtually no pass rush.

Special Teams: B

Jalen Parmale is perfect for returns and if McGahee ends up leaving he would take his place. The team ranked high in return yardage. Coverage was good.  P Koch is excellent and consistent.

Personnel utilization:The coaching staff has to do a better job of utilizing the personnel. Where was L.J. Smith when healthy?  Where were the blitz packages with Antwan Barnes and Jameal McClain? Why didn't we see Demetrius Williams, at least with Williams on the field we would have ha a deep threat.  Where the heck was Kruger?

Positive Notes:

Michael Oher was an upgrade for the line—he should be competing for left tackle.

Darnell Ellerbe has solidified the spot left by Bart Scott

Lardarius Webb was a steal and will be a cornerback.

It was a tough season for the Bears on offense and for running back Matt Forte, who rushed for just 929 and four touchdowns, this after a much better rookie season where he was one of the best young backs in the game.

Now the running back had knee surgery according to this ESPN story, which says that he underwent the surgery at some point over the past two weeks:

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee within the past two weeks, a source close to the player confirmed Thursday.

Forte admitted to suffering a medial collateral ligament sprain after the Bears’ 25-19 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 27. It was an injury former offensive coordinator Ron Turner cited as a reason for the Bears’ mediocre running attack.

“I think there was a drop-off [after the MCL injury], definitely,” Turner said after the Bears season-ending victory in Detroit. “I don’t think he had the acceleration or the burst we normally see from him. Yeah, it definitely had an affect.”

After rushing for 1,238 yards as a rookie in 2008, Forte slumped to 929 yards this season. He averaged 3.6 yards a carry, down from 3.9 in 2008.

The story was first reported by the Chicago Tribune.