Atlanta Dan
08-14-2007, 02:27 PM
His columns are often too long (a hazard when you write only for a web site) but the Tuesday Morning Quarterback column by Gregg Easterbrook (his day job is at the Brookings Institution) on ESPN.com usually has some good points every week.
These nuggets are from his AFC preview column:
Baltimore Ravens
At tailback, fading Jamal Lewis has yielded to boasting Willis McGahee. Ravens coaches are saying McGahee will give them a new dimension in the passing game, but bear in mind that McGahee has never caught a touchdown pass. For Ravens supporters, it is nerve-grating to think that 2007 might be yet another remake of the past several seasons: fantastic defense, sputtering offense.
Followed by an observation on last year that I share
Pittsburgh Steelers
Not only was there a cloud over the Pittsburgh defense in 2006 but there was a cloud over the coach, too. After Bill Cowher's charges beat Mike Holmgren's players in the Super Bowl, Holmgren got a huge raise and Cowher got no raise. One can sympathize with Cowher's being steamed -- but one cannot sympathize with Cowher phoning in his 2006 year of coaching, as he did. Cowher spent more time last season crying woe-is-me than Tiki Barber; it's just that Barber complained in front of cameras while Cowher complained in private. Cowher's coaching was reflected both in the Steelers' 8-8 record and in the team's swings in performance
And last but not least, this entertaining rip job of the Bungles
Cincinnati Bengals
This year, ushers at Paul Brown Stadium will tell the crowd, "You have the right to remain silent." Is there no discipline or character associated with this franchise? For two years, Marvin Lewis has spent more time apologizing to fans for the arrests and legal entanglements of Cincinnati players than he has watching film. Leadership starts at the top -- if Lewis is unable to make his charges respect the law, maybe it's time for a coach with higher standards. If I were a Cincinnati Bengal, I'd be embarrassed to wear my tiger stripes in public. ...
Hey, kids! This summer's "Meet the Bengals" party will be held at the Hamilton County Public Defenders' Office. You can greet lots of Cincinnati players -- more every day -- and ask them to autograph authentic replicas of arrest records, indictments and bail bond documentation. Just don't expect them to answer any questions! As a special treat, kids under 12 can have their fingerprints taken with a Bengals player. :sofunny:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrookpreview/070814&sportCat=nfl&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1
These nuggets are from his AFC preview column:
Baltimore Ravens
At tailback, fading Jamal Lewis has yielded to boasting Willis McGahee. Ravens coaches are saying McGahee will give them a new dimension in the passing game, but bear in mind that McGahee has never caught a touchdown pass. For Ravens supporters, it is nerve-grating to think that 2007 might be yet another remake of the past several seasons: fantastic defense, sputtering offense.
Followed by an observation on last year that I share
Pittsburgh Steelers
Not only was there a cloud over the Pittsburgh defense in 2006 but there was a cloud over the coach, too. After Bill Cowher's charges beat Mike Holmgren's players in the Super Bowl, Holmgren got a huge raise and Cowher got no raise. One can sympathize with Cowher's being steamed -- but one cannot sympathize with Cowher phoning in his 2006 year of coaching, as he did. Cowher spent more time last season crying woe-is-me than Tiki Barber; it's just that Barber complained in front of cameras while Cowher complained in private. Cowher's coaching was reflected both in the Steelers' 8-8 record and in the team's swings in performance
And last but not least, this entertaining rip job of the Bungles
Cincinnati Bengals
This year, ushers at Paul Brown Stadium will tell the crowd, "You have the right to remain silent." Is there no discipline or character associated with this franchise? For two years, Marvin Lewis has spent more time apologizing to fans for the arrests and legal entanglements of Cincinnati players than he has watching film. Leadership starts at the top -- if Lewis is unable to make his charges respect the law, maybe it's time for a coach with higher standards. If I were a Cincinnati Bengal, I'd be embarrassed to wear my tiger stripes in public. ...
Hey, kids! This summer's "Meet the Bengals" party will be held at the Hamilton County Public Defenders' Office. You can greet lots of Cincinnati players -- more every day -- and ask them to autograph authentic replicas of arrest records, indictments and bail bond documentation. Just don't expect them to answer any questions! As a special treat, kids under 12 can have their fingerprints taken with a Bengals player. :sofunny:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrookpreview/070814&sportCat=nfl&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1