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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.
Dennis Macklin is a documented member of The
Professional Handicappers League.
Read more of his articles and get his premium
plays here.
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