SEATTLE, Wash. - The Seahawks got on the board courtesy of some trickeration from the home side in the third quarter.
Seattle's special-teams faked out Green Bay in the third quarter as holder Jon Ryan tossed to rookie tackle Garry Gilliam for a 19 yard touchdown play as the Packers lead the Seahawks 16-7.
Gilliam raced around from left end across the field and open into the end zone for the pass as Ryan rolled left and threw against his body over Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk for the Seahawks' first points.
After being sacked for a 15 yard loss by Clay Matthews, Russell Wilson found Doug Baldwin for a 29 yard gain on 3rd-and-19 to the Packers 19. A floater for Marshawn Lynch along the far sideline was knocked out by Sam Barrington on what would have been a goal-to-go play to set up the fake from inside the red zone.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Battle of picks as Packers lead Seattle at half
SEATTLE, Wash. - The theme of Sunday's NFC Championship Game is turnovers.
In what is becoming the Interception Bowl in Seattle, the Seahawks have more turnovers than first downs as they trail the Green Bay Packers 16-0 at the halftime break.
Russell Wilson has completed one pass to the Seahawks and three to the Packers as Seattle was outpassed 115-8 through thirty minutes. Wilson is 1-for-8, the one a 14 yard toss to Ricardo Lockette to convert a 3rd-and-7 that looked to be a promising charge for the home side.
His next pass was, as luck would have, intercepted. Sam Shields, against Jermaine Kearse in the front left corner of the end zone, turned and found the ball as both came down together.
That was Seattle's fourth turnover and Wilson's third interception on the afternoon, and ended a drive begun with an Aaron Rodgers interception, one of his two, to Byron Maxwell.
Both sides exchanged interceptions on their first possessions of the game as Richard Sherman picked Aaron Rodgers in the end zone to end the Packers' first drive. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would take a deflected pass from Russell Wilson intended, again, for Jermaine Kearse.
Dix intercepted Wilson for a second time for the Seahawks' third turnover on the day at 9:18 in the second quarter. The former Alabama DB secured the catch with one hand after deflecting the pass off his right arm. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was called for roughing Wilson on a block from his blind side, pushing Green Bay to their own 44-yard line.
Jordy Nelson would catch to the Seahawks 35 on a slant toss from Rodgers for a 23 yard gainer before the Seahawks' Byron Maxwell returned the favor on the next play.
Green Bay was held from the end zone on their first three chances, adding three field goals from Mason Crosby, before Randall Cobb hauled in an 18 yard scoring toss from Rodgers to produce a 13-point lead.
Doug Baldwin would fumble a kickoff return in the first quarter after a collision with Green Bay's Brad Jones.
In what is becoming the Interception Bowl in Seattle, the Seahawks have more turnovers than first downs as they trail the Green Bay Packers 16-0 at the halftime break.
Russell Wilson has completed one pass to the Seahawks and three to the Packers as Seattle was outpassed 115-8 through thirty minutes. Wilson is 1-for-8, the one a 14 yard toss to Ricardo Lockette to convert a 3rd-and-7 that looked to be a promising charge for the home side.
His next pass was, as luck would have, intercepted. Sam Shields, against Jermaine Kearse in the front left corner of the end zone, turned and found the ball as both came down together.
That was Seattle's fourth turnover and Wilson's third interception on the afternoon, and ended a drive begun with an Aaron Rodgers interception, one of his two, to Byron Maxwell.
Both sides exchanged interceptions on their first possessions of the game as Richard Sherman picked Aaron Rodgers in the end zone to end the Packers' first drive. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would take a deflected pass from Russell Wilson intended, again, for Jermaine Kearse.
Dix intercepted Wilson for a second time for the Seahawks' third turnover on the day at 9:18 in the second quarter. The former Alabama DB secured the catch with one hand after deflecting the pass off his right arm. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was called for roughing Wilson on a block from his blind side, pushing Green Bay to their own 44-yard line.
Jordy Nelson would catch to the Seahawks 35 on a slant toss from Rodgers for a 23 yard gainer before the Seahawks' Byron Maxwell returned the favor on the next play.
Green Bay was held from the end zone on their first three chances, adding three field goals from Mason Crosby, before Randall Cobb hauled in an 18 yard scoring toss from Rodgers to produce a 13-point lead.
Doug Baldwin would fumble a kickoff return in the first quarter after a collision with Green Bay's Brad Jones.
Packers lead Seahawks 13-0 after first
SEATTLE, Wash. - Randall Cobb caught an 18 yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers on the final play of the first quarter as the Green Bay Packers lead the Seattle Seahawks 13-0 in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Jordy Nelson caught for 15 yards, Eddie Lacy carried for 9, and John Kuhn converted the 3rd-and-1 through the middle. Rookie Richard Rodgers snagged a first down over the middle to the Seahawks 18 to set up the score.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin fumbled a kick return after a collision with Brad Jones, giving Green Bay possession on the Seahawks 23. Eddie Lacy carried for 8 yards and again over the left inside the 10-yard line.
But for the third time out of three chances, the Packers were held from the end zone and Mason Crosby kicked again from 19 yards for the 6-0 lead.
Green Bay's defense took over against the Seahawks on their following possession as quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked by Julius Peppers, celebrating his 35th birthday, and a 3rd-and-10 pass that went high and wide.
Both sides traded interceptions in the first quarter as Richard Sherman picked Rodgers in the end zone to end the Packers first drive, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returned the favor on the end of a deflected pass from Russell Wilson.
Green Bay outgained Seattle 137-3 in the first frame.
Jordy Nelson caught for 15 yards, Eddie Lacy carried for 9, and John Kuhn converted the 3rd-and-1 through the middle. Rookie Richard Rodgers snagged a first down over the middle to the Seahawks 18 to set up the score.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin fumbled a kick return after a collision with Brad Jones, giving Green Bay possession on the Seahawks 23. Eddie Lacy carried for 8 yards and again over the left inside the 10-yard line.
But for the third time out of three chances, the Packers were held from the end zone and Mason Crosby kicked again from 19 yards for the 6-0 lead.
Green Bay's defense took over against the Seahawks on their following possession as quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked by Julius Peppers, celebrating his 35th birthday, and a 3rd-and-10 pass that went high and wide.
Both sides traded interceptions in the first quarter as Richard Sherman picked Rodgers in the end zone to end the Packers first drive, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returned the favor on the end of a deflected pass from Russell Wilson.
Green Bay outgained Seattle 137-3 in the first frame.
Packers score after turnover exchange
SEATTLE, Wash. - Earl Thomas stuffed Eddie Lacy from a half yard out of the end zone on a 3rd-and-Goal play and Mason Crosby kicked from 18 yards as Green Bay takes a 3-0 lead over the Seahawks in the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Fullback John Kuhn was originally awarded a touchdown from one yard that was taken away after a review.
Green Bay took possession after an exchange of interceptions from both quarterbacks.
Richard Sherman intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the end zone to end the Packers' first possession, a 51 yard drive, skirting past receiver Davante Adams and securing the pass along the back line in the first quarter.
But Green Bay's Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix was on the receiving end of a pass the bounced off the hands of Seattle's Jermaine Kearse, returning to inside the 5, though the visitors were pushed back to the 19-yard line when Packers lineman Mike Daniels was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Green Bay and Seattle last met to open the season, a 36-16 victory for the Seahawks behind two touchdowns from both Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.
Fullback John Kuhn was originally awarded a touchdown from one yard that was taken away after a review.
Green Bay took possession after an exchange of interceptions from both quarterbacks.
Richard Sherman intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the end zone to end the Packers' first possession, a 51 yard drive, skirting past receiver Davante Adams and securing the pass along the back line in the first quarter.
But Green Bay's Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix was on the receiving end of a pass the bounced off the hands of Seattle's Jermaine Kearse, returning to inside the 5, though the visitors were pushed back to the 19-yard line when Packers lineman Mike Daniels was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Green Bay and Seattle last met to open the season, a 36-16 victory for the Seahawks behind two touchdowns from both Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Colts: LB McNary put on exempt list
INDIANAPOLIS - Colts linebacker Josh McNary has been placed on the commissioner's exempt list by the team a day after being charged with rape.
Deadspin.com on Wednesday published court documents that found prosecutors of Marion County (Indiana) officially charged McNary with rape and criminal confinement, both of which are felonies. He was also charged with battery resulting in a bodily injury, a misdemeanor.
McNary recorded 54 tackles in 20 games for the Colts, who he joined in April 2013 as a free agent.
The commissioner's exempt list also featured the name of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson this season as he dealt with legal issues following his charge of child abuse in Texas.
Indianapolis visits the New England Patriots on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.
Deadspin.com on Wednesday published court documents that found prosecutors of Marion County (Indiana) officially charged McNary with rape and criminal confinement, both of which are felonies. He was also charged with battery resulting in a bodily injury, a misdemeanor.
McNary recorded 54 tackles in 20 games for the Colts, who he joined in April 2013 as a free agent.
The commissioner's exempt list also featured the name of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson this season as he dealt with legal issues following his charge of child abuse in Texas.
Indianapolis visits the New England Patriots on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Jets: Todd Bowles hired as head coach
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The New York Jets hired Todd Bowles as their head coach on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson, to whom Bowles confirmed the hiring via text message.
Bowles, for the last two seasons the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, was selected as the Jets' eighteenth coach in franchise history two days after former boss Rex Ryan was hired by the team's AFC East rival Buffalo Bills to the same position.
The announcement came four hours after the team hired Mike Maccagnan as their general manager. He and Bowles spent Tuesday together at a lunch with owner Woody Johnson and other team officials to discuss the offer.
The hire came as a surprise as in recent days reports and other speculation hinted the Jets were interested in Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, though league rules kept them from speaking with him until his postseason duties ended. Seattle hosts Green Bay in the NFC Championship this weekend.
New York fielded a a four-win team that found only one victory in their division.
Bowles, for the last two seasons the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, was selected as the Jets' eighteenth coach in franchise history two days after former boss Rex Ryan was hired by the team's AFC East rival Buffalo Bills to the same position.
The announcement came four hours after the team hired Mike Maccagnan as their general manager. He and Bowles spent Tuesday together at a lunch with owner Woody Johnson and other team officials to discuss the offer.
The hire came as a surprise as in recent days reports and other speculation hinted the Jets were interested in Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, though league rules kept them from speaking with him until his postseason duties ended. Seattle hosts Green Bay in the NFC Championship this weekend.
New York fielded a a four-win team that found only one victory in their division.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Cowboys lead Packers 21-20 after 3rd
GREEN BAY, Wis. - DeMarco Murray and Davante Adams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Green Bay Packers 21-20 in an NFC Divisional game at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Murray capped off an efficient 80 yard drive begun with Dez Bryant's 20 yard reception. Joseph Randle carried for 13 across midfield and Jason Witten's 15 yard catch brought Dallas to the Packers 27.
Murray's 26 yard rush over right end brought Dallas to the Packers 1 to set up his rushing score.
Green Bay would respond on their ensuing drive, a 90 yard charge that ended in Davante Adams' 46 yard touchdown strike, a catch-and-run play that evaded the Cowboys secondary traffic and into a Lambeau leap that brought the Pack an inch closer.
Murray was stripped of the football by Julius Peppers on the Cowboys 44 near the open of the third quarter. Peppers stripped quarterback Tony Romo on the Cowboys' first possession, though Dallas would recover. The fumble was Murray's 6th this season, the most among pro backs.
Eddie Lacy powered over left end for a 29 yard gash to the Cowboys 16 and John Kuhn carried for 4 more over the middle. Davante Adams caught to the Dallas 4, after which a fight ensued that drew a dead-ball flag against Packers lineman T.J. Lang that pushed Green Bay back to a 3rd-and-16 at the Cowboys 22.
Lacy caught for 10 yards to set up Mason Crosby's 30 yard field goal to bring the Packers within 1.
Murray capped off an efficient 80 yard drive begun with Dez Bryant's 20 yard reception. Joseph Randle carried for 13 across midfield and Jason Witten's 15 yard catch brought Dallas to the Packers 27.
Murray's 26 yard rush over right end brought Dallas to the Packers 1 to set up his rushing score.
Green Bay would respond on their ensuing drive, a 90 yard charge that ended in Davante Adams' 46 yard touchdown strike, a catch-and-run play that evaded the Cowboys secondary traffic and into a Lambeau leap that brought the Pack an inch closer.
Murray was stripped of the football by Julius Peppers on the Cowboys 44 near the open of the third quarter. Peppers stripped quarterback Tony Romo on the Cowboys' first possession, though Dallas would recover. The fumble was Murray's 6th this season, the most among pro backs.
Eddie Lacy powered over left end for a 29 yard gash to the Cowboys 16 and John Kuhn carried for 4 more over the middle. Davante Adams caught to the Dallas 4, after which a fight ensued that drew a dead-ball flag against Packers lineman T.J. Lang that pushed Green Bay back to a 3rd-and-16 at the Cowboys 22.
Lacy caught for 10 yards to set up Mason Crosby's 30 yard field goal to bring the Packers within 1.
Cowboys lead Packers 14-10 at halftime
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Tony Romo threw two touchdowns and Mason Crosby kicked clean from 40 yards as time expired in the first half as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Green Bay Packers 14-10 in an NFC Divisional round playoff game at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Randall Cobb caught for 12 yards and brought in a 31 yard reception along the near sideline to the Cowboys 27 with 9 seconds left in the second quarter to set up Crosby's boot.
Tony Romo is 9-of-12 for 114 yards. Jason Witten has 38 yards on 4 receptions and his 22nd third-down conversion, leading all tight ends this season. His 4th-and-6 catch that went for 21 yards came on the Cowboys' game-winning drive last Sunday in their Wild Card meeting with Detroit.
Romo flung a 38 yard touchdown to Terrance Williams after Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble to take the seven-point lead in the second quarter, handing the Packers their first trailing scoreline at Lambeau since their season opener.
Jason Witten took a late 2nd-and-5 play to the Packers 36 and Murray powered through a would-be tackle from Clay Matthews. Romo's 3rd-and-5 pass was botched by a high snap and near fumble and Dan Bailey would miss a penalty-influenced 50 yard field goal try with 29 seconds left in the opening half.
Aaron Rodgers drove the Packers over 60 yards in 10 plays on their first possession, capped off by his 4 yard touchdown to Andrew Quarless. He was sacked and stripped of the football by Jeremy Mincey when Packers center Corey Linsley surprised his quarterback with an early snap near midfield.
Rodgers is 9-of-15 for 90 yards and a score. Randall Cobb leads the Packers with 58 yards on 4 catches.
Randall Cobb caught for 12 yards and brought in a 31 yard reception along the near sideline to the Cowboys 27 with 9 seconds left in the second quarter to set up Crosby's boot.
Tony Romo is 9-of-12 for 114 yards. Jason Witten has 38 yards on 4 receptions and his 22nd third-down conversion, leading all tight ends this season. His 4th-and-6 catch that went for 21 yards came on the Cowboys' game-winning drive last Sunday in their Wild Card meeting with Detroit.
Romo flung a 38 yard touchdown to Terrance Williams after Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble to take the seven-point lead in the second quarter, handing the Packers their first trailing scoreline at Lambeau since their season opener.
Jason Witten took a late 2nd-and-5 play to the Packers 36 and Murray powered through a would-be tackle from Clay Matthews. Romo's 3rd-and-5 pass was botched by a high snap and near fumble and Dan Bailey would miss a penalty-influenced 50 yard field goal try with 29 seconds left in the opening half.
Aaron Rodgers drove the Packers over 60 yards in 10 plays on their first possession, capped off by his 4 yard touchdown to Andrew Quarless. He was sacked and stripped of the football by Jeremy Mincey when Packers center Corey Linsley surprised his quarterback with an early snap near midfield.
Rodgers is 9-of-15 for 90 yards and a score. Randall Cobb leads the Packers with 58 yards on 4 catches.
Cowboys take 14-7 lead over Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Terrance Williams hauled in a 38 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo as the Dallas Cowboys take a second quarter 14-7 lead over the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Divisional playoff game.
Williams caught near the sideline and outskirted Packers corner Tramon Williams, taking off down center field untouched into the end zone for his third touchdown this postseason.
Dallas took possession after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball on an early snap from center Corey Linsley. Rodgers caught the high snap but was easily overpowered from his blind side on a strip-sack-fumble from Jeremy Mincey.
The score marks the first time since their season opener the Packers have trailed at home.
Romo found fullback Tyler Clutts for a 1 yard touchdown with 1:05 left in the first quarter to conclude a 61 yard drive. Aaron Rodgers opened the game with a 4 yard scoring toss to Andrew Quarless.
Williams caught near the sideline and outskirted Packers corner Tramon Williams, taking off down center field untouched into the end zone for his third touchdown this postseason.
Dallas took possession after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball on an early snap from center Corey Linsley. Rodgers caught the high snap but was easily overpowered from his blind side on a strip-sack-fumble from Jeremy Mincey.
The score marks the first time since their season opener the Packers have trailed at home.
Romo found fullback Tyler Clutts for a 1 yard touchdown with 1:05 left in the first quarter to conclude a 61 yard drive. Aaron Rodgers opened the game with a 4 yard scoring toss to Andrew Quarless.
Packers take early lead on Cowboys
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless as the Green Bay Packers take a 7-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC Divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
The 3rd-and-Goal play found Rodgers attempt a rush through the middle before releasing to Quarless along the back of the end zone.
Rodgers found Jordy Nelson to start the drive for a quick first-down conversion and Eddie Lacy gashed over right end for a 19 yard gainer and then again into the red zone.
Lacy carried left for 8 yards to the Cowboys 8 and again for the 1st-and-Goal to the Dallas 4. He took a pitch that was stuffed at the line before Rodgers flung the scoring toss.
Dallas stumbled on their first possession, as quarterback Tony Romo was stripped of the football from behind by Julius Peppers on a 3rd-and-5 play. The Cowboys would recover and punt following a 5 yard drive.
Dallas is yet to lose on the road this season and Green Bay is undefeated at home as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not thrown an interception at Lambeau Field for more than two calendar years.
The 3rd-and-Goal play found Rodgers attempt a rush through the middle before releasing to Quarless along the back of the end zone.
Rodgers found Jordy Nelson to start the drive for a quick first-down conversion and Eddie Lacy gashed over right end for a 19 yard gainer and then again into the red zone.
Lacy carried left for 8 yards to the Cowboys 8 and again for the 1st-and-Goal to the Dallas 4. He took a pitch that was stuffed at the line before Rodgers flung the scoring toss.
Dallas stumbled on their first possession, as quarterback Tony Romo was stripped of the football from behind by Julius Peppers on a 3rd-and-5 play. The Cowboys would recover and punt following a 5 yard drive.
Dallas is yet to lose on the road this season and Green Bay is undefeated at home as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not thrown an interception at Lambeau Field for more than two calendar years.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Steelers: DC Dick LeBeau resigns
PITTSBURGH - Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is resigning from his position after 11 years with the team, according to the Urbana (Ohio) Daily Citizen.
LeBeau, the 77-year-old architect of the zone blitz, announced on Saturday that he and the Steelers are mutually parting ways.
The announcement came after he was asked to resign by head coach Mike Tomlin following several days of meetings between the two.
"I'm resigning, I'm not retiring," LeBeau said to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It was a lot of great days, a lot of great years. It's time to go in a different direction."
LeBeau's defense was ranked No. 1 in football five times and in the top five in ten seasons as the Steelers won two Super Bowl championships and featured in six playoff appearances.
The Post-Gazette reported linebackers coach Keith Butler to be the likely replacement, blocking opportunities for Butler to interview for other positions and increasing his pay on a three-year contract.
LeBeau was first hired by Pittsburgh as their secondary coach in 1992 and was elevated to the defensive coordinating job for the 1995-96 season. He was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2000-02.
"It happens," he said. "It's like I'm starting brand new. In this business, you can end up in that position."
LeBeau, the 77-year-old architect of the zone blitz, announced on Saturday that he and the Steelers are mutually parting ways.
The announcement came after he was asked to resign by head coach Mike Tomlin following several days of meetings between the two.
"I'm resigning, I'm not retiring," LeBeau said to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It was a lot of great days, a lot of great years. It's time to go in a different direction."
LeBeau's defense was ranked No. 1 in football five times and in the top five in ten seasons as the Steelers won two Super Bowl championships and featured in six playoff appearances.
The Post-Gazette reported linebackers coach Keith Butler to be the likely replacement, blocking opportunities for Butler to interview for other positions and increasing his pay on a three-year contract.
LeBeau was first hired by Pittsburgh as their secondary coach in 1992 and was elevated to the defensive coordinating job for the 1995-96 season. He was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2000-02.
"It happens," he said. "It's like I'm starting brand new. In this business, you can end up in that position."
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Bears: Ryan Pace hired as GM
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears hired Ryan Pace on Thursday to be their general manager, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Pace was formerly the director of player personnel with the Saints for two seasons after six years with that franchise as their head of pro scouting.
He will succeed Phil Emery, who was fired on Dec. 29 following a 25-29 mark through his three seasons with Chicago in that position.
His first task will be to find a head coach for the five-win Bears, who relieved Marc Trestman of his duty following the regular season, which found the team miss the playoffs for their fourth-straight and seventh out of eight seasons.
He will assist team chairman George McCaskey, president Ted Phillips, and Ernie Accorsi, who was brought on recently as a special adviser to help with the search.
Pace was formerly the director of player personnel with the Saints for two seasons after six years with that franchise as their head of pro scouting.
He will succeed Phil Emery, who was fired on Dec. 29 following a 25-29 mark through his three seasons with Chicago in that position.
His first task will be to find a head coach for the five-win Bears, who relieved Marc Trestman of his duty following the regular season, which found the team miss the playoffs for their fourth-straight and seventh out of eight seasons.
He will assist team chairman George McCaskey, president Ted Phillips, and Ernie Accorsi, who was brought on recently as a special adviser to help with the search.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Giants: DC Fewell fired
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin says the team needs to revive their defense, and to that end Wednesday fired defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.
Defensive backs coach Peter Giunta was also relieved of his duty.
New York fielded an improved offensive eleven under new offensive boss Ben McAdoo, though the Giants' stoppers ranked 29th in football, allowing 25 points per game this season, the league's ninth-most, and the fourth-most yards every Sunday (375.8). They also permitted a league-worst 4.9 yards per rush from opposing backs.
"No one person is responsible for what happened in this year," head coach Tom Coughlin said in a team statement. "That has to be loud and clear. If there is any one person responsible, it is me. It is not Perry Fewell. It is not Peter Giunta. Both of them are outstanding football coaches in their own way."
Coughlin was given the authority to restructure the team's coaching staff by general manager Jerry Reese and owner John Mara, who okayed Coughlin's job status soon after season's end.
"These are two outstanding men and outstanding football coaches," the coach added of Fewell and Giunta. "It is very hard in this business to find people that are not only good football coaches but outstanding human beings who are trustworthy, loyal, and honest. Perry and Peter are all that."
According to ESPN, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith and former Oakland Raiders boss Dennis Allen are considered possible replacements for Fewell, who spent five years with the Giants, including their Super Bowl run of 2011-12. He previously served four years in the same position with the Buffalo Bills, and was their interim head coach for one season.
"The simple fact of the matter is in the circumstance that we find ourselves, change is necessary," Coughlin said. "That may not be the most eloquent way of saying it, but that is what I am confronted with. The hope always is invigoration. You are going to stimulate. It is with great deliberation over a lengthy period of time throughout a thorough investigation and evaluation of what went on that I came to the conclusion that change was necessary. There are no hard feelings on my part about anything that anybody has done.
"The hard feelings are the six wins. That is the reality. It is unfortunate, but it is true."
Defensive backs coach Peter Giunta was also relieved of his duty.
New York fielded an improved offensive eleven under new offensive boss Ben McAdoo, though the Giants' stoppers ranked 29th in football, allowing 25 points per game this season, the league's ninth-most, and the fourth-most yards every Sunday (375.8). They also permitted a league-worst 4.9 yards per rush from opposing backs.
"No one person is responsible for what happened in this year," head coach Tom Coughlin said in a team statement. "That has to be loud and clear. If there is any one person responsible, it is me. It is not Perry Fewell. It is not Peter Giunta. Both of them are outstanding football coaches in their own way."
Coughlin was given the authority to restructure the team's coaching staff by general manager Jerry Reese and owner John Mara, who okayed Coughlin's job status soon after season's end.
"These are two outstanding men and outstanding football coaches," the coach added of Fewell and Giunta. "It is very hard in this business to find people that are not only good football coaches but outstanding human beings who are trustworthy, loyal, and honest. Perry and Peter are all that."
According to ESPN, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith and former Oakland Raiders boss Dennis Allen are considered possible replacements for Fewell, who spent five years with the Giants, including their Super Bowl run of 2011-12. He previously served four years in the same position with the Buffalo Bills, and was their interim head coach for one season.
"The simple fact of the matter is in the circumstance that we find ourselves, change is necessary," Coughlin said. "That may not be the most eloquent way of saying it, but that is what I am confronted with. The hope always is invigoration. You are going to stimulate. It is with great deliberation over a lengthy period of time throughout a thorough investigation and evaluation of what went on that I came to the conclusion that change was necessary. There are no hard feelings on my part about anything that anybody has done.
"The hard feelings are the six wins. That is the reality. It is unfortunate, but it is true."
Obama: I'd be aggravated if I were a Lions fan
WASHINGTON - Add the leader of the free world to those bewildered by the call-then-no-call in the Lions-Cowboys NFC Wild Card game on Sunday.
President Obama was in Michigan this week on an official visit to a manufacturing plant of the Ford Motor Company when he remarked to the Detroit Free Press that he would be "pretty aggravated" if he were a Lions fan after the circumstances surrounding their defeat to Dallas.
A flag was initially thrown and then picked up without explanation on Sunday when Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens appeared to interfere with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew on a 3rd-and-1 play in the third quarter when Detroit held a three-point lead.
The President said he could not "remember a circumstance in which a good call by one of the refs is argued by an opposing player of the other team with his helmet off on the field, which in and of itself is supposed to be a penalty. The call is announced and then reversed without explanation. I haven't seen that before. So I will leave it up to the experts to make the judgment as to why that happened, but I can tell you if I was a Lions fan I'd be pretty aggravated."
Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant charged onto the field without his helmet to protest the call to the nearby back judge, an act which constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct.
Obama, a former senator from Illinois and long-time Chicago Bears fan, wouldn't let himself feel too badly for his team's NFC North rivals. Chicago finished a five-win campaign and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
"Given the performance of my Bears, I can't have too much sympathy for the Lions," the President quipped. "You guys were in a lot better position than we were. I'd love to have your defense right now."
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was wearing a microphone for NFL Films during the game, went to two officials following the call, seeking an explanation.
"You have no contact before the ball arrived," one official said, according to Pro Football Talk.
"There was no contact," another said.
That, despite Pettigrew falling to the turf with Hitchens on top of him during the play.
Detroit would attempt a subsequent 4th-and-1 play to draw Dallas offsides that failed, then shank a 10 yard punt that led to the Cowboys' game-winning drive.
Dallas will travel to Green Bay to face the Packers in an NFC Divisional game on Sunday.
President Obama was in Michigan this week on an official visit to a manufacturing plant of the Ford Motor Company when he remarked to the Detroit Free Press that he would be "pretty aggravated" if he were a Lions fan after the circumstances surrounding their defeat to Dallas.
A flag was initially thrown and then picked up without explanation on Sunday when Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens appeared to interfere with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew on a 3rd-and-1 play in the third quarter when Detroit held a three-point lead.
The President said he could not "remember a circumstance in which a good call by one of the refs is argued by an opposing player of the other team with his helmet off on the field, which in and of itself is supposed to be a penalty. The call is announced and then reversed without explanation. I haven't seen that before. So I will leave it up to the experts to make the judgment as to why that happened, but I can tell you if I was a Lions fan I'd be pretty aggravated."
Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant charged onto the field without his helmet to protest the call to the nearby back judge, an act which constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct.
Obama, a former senator from Illinois and long-time Chicago Bears fan, wouldn't let himself feel too badly for his team's NFC North rivals. Chicago finished a five-win campaign and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
"Given the performance of my Bears, I can't have too much sympathy for the Lions," the President quipped. "You guys were in a lot better position than we were. I'd love to have your defense right now."
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was wearing a microphone for NFL Films during the game, went to two officials following the call, seeking an explanation.
"You have no contact before the ball arrived," one official said, according to Pro Football Talk.
"There was no contact," another said.
That, despite Pettigrew falling to the turf with Hitchens on top of him during the play.
Detroit would attempt a subsequent 4th-and-1 play to draw Dallas offsides that failed, then shank a 10 yard punt that led to the Cowboys' game-winning drive.
Dallas will travel to Green Bay to face the Packers in an NFC Divisional game on Sunday.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Cowboys-Packers NFC Divisional preview
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Thanks to one particularly bad call (or was it three?) and Tony Romo's late heroics, the Dallas Cowboys earned a meeting with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday.
The contest will be the first time the Cowboys and Packers will meet in Curly Lambeau's Cathedral of Football in postseason play since the famed and frozen "Ice Bowl" of 1967 between Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry that decided the NFL Championship.
Romo would lead Dallas over their final 59 yards on Sunday, culminated in an 8 yard go-ahead touchdown strike to Terrance Williams in the Cowboys' eventual 24-20 Wild Card victory over the Detroit Lions.
With that possession, Romo secured his 28th-career game-winning drive, tied for the most since 2006, his first year in the league, and a trip to his native Wisconsin.
Romo went 19-of-31 passing on 293 yards, rallying from a 20-7 deficit, flinging a 76 yard catch-and-run score to Williams to close out the first half. DeMarco Murray added a rushing score, bringing Dallas within 20-14, finishing the night with 76 yards.
"You just have to stay in the moment and understand the game," Romo said afterwards. "It doesn't end after the first quarter, second quarter. You just have to keep calm. I've played in enough games to understand that. Maybe I didn't do that as well when I was younger."
Dallas was handed a fistful of 8-8 seasons and only one postseason victory when Romo was younger, though on Sunday a matured passer went 8-of-12 for 195 yards and both his touchdowns on third-down plays, and despite being sacked by Ndamukong Suh on consecutive snaps on their game-winning drive, converted a 4th-and-6 to Jason Witten for 21 yards before finding Williams on the back line.
Those days of postseason choking for which he became known seem long gone.
"If you are mentally tough enough, and you've been through it, and I think experience helps you, you just get rid of those thoughts and understand that this game is going to go all the way to the end," Romo said, who is 0-2 in divisional contests. "Just don't give them anything to let this game get out of reach and it will find a way to get back at the end."
Dallas (13-4) opened their season with a defeat to the 49ers before winning their next six outings. They suffered a 2-3 mid-season slump, including a 33-10 defeat to the Eagles on Thanksgiving that briefly decided the NFC East before a four-game winning streak ended their regular season.
Their revenge-match with the Eagles on a Sunday night, a 38-27 Cowboys decision, and Philadelphia's subsequent three-game losing skid, gave the division definitively to Dallas.
Green Bay enjoyed a first-round bye over Wild Card weekend thanks to their fourth-straight NFC North title, secured two Sundays ago with a 30-20 victory over Detroit. Though one could hardly call the time off restful.
Life in the Frozen Tundra has been touchy over the last week as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been left out of practice, nursing a calf injury from their game against Detroit. He had to be helped from the field that day after falling to the turf in pain as he threw a touchdown to Randall Cobb.
Rodgers was taken to the locker room on a cart, and after missing two series would return to action, finishing with 226 yards and two touchdowns, including his second to Cobb that gave the Packers their first lead, and even a 1 yard rushing score that came in the fourth quarter to produce a two-touchdown advantage.
He underwent treatment on his injured left calf this week and will be examined by team doctor Patrick McKenzie on Wednesday. Head coach Mike McCarthy was optimistic his quarterback would return on Thursday, saying he had "hip in his hop."
"I'm not concerned," McCarthy said on Monday. "Look at the way he played in the second half of the Detroit game. He's learned to play through different situations. He has continuity with his teammates. So I think you've got to be in-tune with that. But, hey, the way he progresses, he's a quick healer. He jumped out there last week and was playing normal football there until the injury. So I think he'll be in pretty good shape come Sunday."
Though his absence is still a concern in the coach's eyes.
"It's a big challenge for Aaron," he said. "I think Aaron was brought up in the right way. He likes to practice. He enjoys the competition of practice. Brett [Favre] was the same way. As a coach, your quarterback has a responsibility to practice because to me the head coach and the quarterback control the tempo and the energy of practice."
Rodgers is yet to be intercepted in more than two calendar years at Lambeau Field, and has thrown the third-most touchdowns in football this season (38) and the sixth-most yards (4,381). Jordy Nelson is second in receiving scores (13) and Cobb's 12 are the third-most.
Green Bay fields the 23rd-best rush defense (119.9 ypg), though are allowing 3.6 yards per rush in the second half of this season, compared to 4.78 in their first eight outings. Their yardage per game in that time has drastically improved, as well. After permitting 153.5 yards on average in their first eight, their second half found them giving up only 86.4 every Sunday.
That improvement will face a hearty test against the Cowboys' 2nd-best backfield and the game's best rusher in DeMarco Murray, whose 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns are tops the professional ranks.
"The Dallas Cowboys' run game is excellent," Mike McCarthy said this week simply. "Murray is a big-time back. He's definitely a difference-maker."
Murray carried 18 times for 134 yards and a touchdown, with a 7.4 yard average per rush, against the Packers in Dallas late last season, a one-point win for Green Bay.
"Any time you see a player for the first time live, they leave an impression on you, and I was very, very impressed with him," McCarthy said of that meeting.
Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be tasked with stopping him.
"This will be the best test that we've had," Capers said. "I think this [Cowboys] offensive line is as good as there is in the league. Obviously by this running back's statistics, he can run and does a nice job receiving the ball out of the backfield. So this will be a challenge."
Murray, who rushed for over 100 yards in 12 games this season, added 416 yards on 57 receptions and has 1,200 yards through the air in his career.
"We just have to make sure we do our best," Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels said. "Make sure we prepare the right way this week, make sure we come out and, it sounds really rhetorical, but just get after it. It's just plain and simple. That'll solve a lot of problems if we just buckle down and play our best fundamentally sound game and play it as hard as we possible can. That'll take care of a lot of things."
The contest will be the first time the Cowboys and Packers will meet in Curly Lambeau's Cathedral of Football in postseason play since the famed and frozen "Ice Bowl" of 1967 between Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry that decided the NFL Championship.
Romo would lead Dallas over their final 59 yards on Sunday, culminated in an 8 yard go-ahead touchdown strike to Terrance Williams in the Cowboys' eventual 24-20 Wild Card victory over the Detroit Lions.
With that possession, Romo secured his 28th-career game-winning drive, tied for the most since 2006, his first year in the league, and a trip to his native Wisconsin.
Romo went 19-of-31 passing on 293 yards, rallying from a 20-7 deficit, flinging a 76 yard catch-and-run score to Williams to close out the first half. DeMarco Murray added a rushing score, bringing Dallas within 20-14, finishing the night with 76 yards.
"You just have to stay in the moment and understand the game," Romo said afterwards. "It doesn't end after the first quarter, second quarter. You just have to keep calm. I've played in enough games to understand that. Maybe I didn't do that as well when I was younger."
Dallas was handed a fistful of 8-8 seasons and only one postseason victory when Romo was younger, though on Sunday a matured passer went 8-of-12 for 195 yards and both his touchdowns on third-down plays, and despite being sacked by Ndamukong Suh on consecutive snaps on their game-winning drive, converted a 4th-and-6 to Jason Witten for 21 yards before finding Williams on the back line.
Those days of postseason choking for which he became known seem long gone.
"If you are mentally tough enough, and you've been through it, and I think experience helps you, you just get rid of those thoughts and understand that this game is going to go all the way to the end," Romo said, who is 0-2 in divisional contests. "Just don't give them anything to let this game get out of reach and it will find a way to get back at the end."
Dallas (13-4) opened their season with a defeat to the 49ers before winning their next six outings. They suffered a 2-3 mid-season slump, including a 33-10 defeat to the Eagles on Thanksgiving that briefly decided the NFC East before a four-game winning streak ended their regular season.
Their revenge-match with the Eagles on a Sunday night, a 38-27 Cowboys decision, and Philadelphia's subsequent three-game losing skid, gave the division definitively to Dallas.
Green Bay enjoyed a first-round bye over Wild Card weekend thanks to their fourth-straight NFC North title, secured two Sundays ago with a 30-20 victory over Detroit. Though one could hardly call the time off restful.
Life in the Frozen Tundra has been touchy over the last week as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been left out of practice, nursing a calf injury from their game against Detroit. He had to be helped from the field that day after falling to the turf in pain as he threw a touchdown to Randall Cobb.
Rodgers was taken to the locker room on a cart, and after missing two series would return to action, finishing with 226 yards and two touchdowns, including his second to Cobb that gave the Packers their first lead, and even a 1 yard rushing score that came in the fourth quarter to produce a two-touchdown advantage.
He underwent treatment on his injured left calf this week and will be examined by team doctor Patrick McKenzie on Wednesday. Head coach Mike McCarthy was optimistic his quarterback would return on Thursday, saying he had "hip in his hop."
"I'm not concerned," McCarthy said on Monday. "Look at the way he played in the second half of the Detroit game. He's learned to play through different situations. He has continuity with his teammates. So I think you've got to be in-tune with that. But, hey, the way he progresses, he's a quick healer. He jumped out there last week and was playing normal football there until the injury. So I think he'll be in pretty good shape come Sunday."
Though his absence is still a concern in the coach's eyes.
"It's a big challenge for Aaron," he said. "I think Aaron was brought up in the right way. He likes to practice. He enjoys the competition of practice. Brett [Favre] was the same way. As a coach, your quarterback has a responsibility to practice because to me the head coach and the quarterback control the tempo and the energy of practice."
Rodgers is yet to be intercepted in more than two calendar years at Lambeau Field, and has thrown the third-most touchdowns in football this season (38) and the sixth-most yards (4,381). Jordy Nelson is second in receiving scores (13) and Cobb's 12 are the third-most.
Green Bay fields the 23rd-best rush defense (119.9 ypg), though are allowing 3.6 yards per rush in the second half of this season, compared to 4.78 in their first eight outings. Their yardage per game in that time has drastically improved, as well. After permitting 153.5 yards on average in their first eight, their second half found them giving up only 86.4 every Sunday.
That improvement will face a hearty test against the Cowboys' 2nd-best backfield and the game's best rusher in DeMarco Murray, whose 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns are tops the professional ranks.
"The Dallas Cowboys' run game is excellent," Mike McCarthy said this week simply. "Murray is a big-time back. He's definitely a difference-maker."
Murray carried 18 times for 134 yards and a touchdown, with a 7.4 yard average per rush, against the Packers in Dallas late last season, a one-point win for Green Bay.
"Any time you see a player for the first time live, they leave an impression on you, and I was very, very impressed with him," McCarthy said of that meeting.
Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be tasked with stopping him.
"This will be the best test that we've had," Capers said. "I think this [Cowboys] offensive line is as good as there is in the league. Obviously by this running back's statistics, he can run and does a nice job receiving the ball out of the backfield. So this will be a challenge."
Murray, who rushed for over 100 yards in 12 games this season, added 416 yards on 57 receptions and has 1,200 yards through the air in his career.
"We just have to make sure we do our best," Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels said. "Make sure we prepare the right way this week, make sure we come out and, it sounds really rhetorical, but just get after it. It's just plain and simple. That'll solve a lot of problems if we just buckle down and play our best fundamentally sound game and play it as hard as we possible can. That'll take care of a lot of things."
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