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By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer
Southeast Region
December 7, 2011

Tennessee 23 Buffalo 17

One thing is for sure about this Titans team and that is you never know which team is going to show up. Sometimes they start slow, and that tends to bite them in the end. Other times, they get out quickly and get the win. This game was a must win for both teams. The Bills needed this one to avoid going 0-5 after a 5-2 start. The Titans had to have this one to keep pace with Houston in the division, as well as keep pace in the wild-card hunt. What we got was a good game that was not decided until the end.

Chris Johnson has been MIA most of the year. In recent weeks, he has shown some flashes. Last week he blew the gates open and ran for 190 yards against Tampa Bay. This day he would continue his resurgence with 153 yards on 23 carries with two scores. He found holes and got to the edge. He broke tackles and got plenty of yards after initial contact. On his 48-yard touchdown run it looked like he may not have that 4.24 speed he displayed at the combine. Now, after 12 games he has 852 yards with four games left. If he continues on the pace he has set the last four games, he could wind up with around 1500 yards rushing. That would be simply amazing for a guy that was having one of the worst years after signing a huge contract. He now trails rushing leader Maurice Jones-Drew by less than 300 yards. After the first eight games who would’ve thought that he would still have an outside shot at the rushing title. This all came during a week in which he was sick to the stomach and lost about 10 pounds.

The passing game was not as in sync as the running game. Matt Hasselbeck had only 140 yards passing with no touchdowns and no picks. The receiving corps did a good job when they had a chance. Nate Washington showed the heart of champion when he hurt his ankle and had to come out of the game. At one point he was said to be out for the game, but next thing you know there he was on the field. On that bum ankle he caught a big third down pass that would keep a drive alive. That drive would end up with a field goal. Damian Williams had a big catch for 18 yards to get a crucial first down. It was good performance all in all.

Defense was another story altogether. Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick showed why he got a big contract. He was 29-46 for 288 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He was able to get chunks of yardage, but the Titans were able to hold when they needed to. Rookie Chris Hawkins got more playing time when Jason McCourty suffered a concussion and looked good. Another rookie, LB Colin McCarthy continued to show why he was picked so high. He led the team with nine tackles and two fumble recoveries. He has played so well subbing for Barrett Ruud, some are asking if he should even go back to the bench.

Special teams were outstanding with P Brett Kern averaging almost 48 yards per punt and consistently putting the Bills inside their 20. Marc Mariani was his usual effective self in the return game.

With the victory the team moves to 7-5 and are right in the playoff hunt. This Sunday they play host to the Saints and it will take work to get a win in this one. Chris Johnson will have to have another day like he has had the last two weeks. He will have to chew up yards; help get first downs, and keep Drew Brees and the Saints offense off the field as much as they can. The defense will have to try to not give up the big play. Tennessee has to score and score often if they are to pull off this win. If they do their chances of making the post season rise dramatically.

Houston 17 Atlanta 10

T.J. Yates started his first NFL game and went 12-25 for 188 yards and a touchdown. Arian Foster did his thing with 111 yards on 31 carries. The defense held off Matt Ryan and the Falcons and the result was a big win that keeps this team two games up in the division.

The bad news is that WR Andre Johnson hurt his other hamstring in the game. The reports are saying that it is not as bad as the first injury. They had been playing well without him in the lineup but were relying on him down the stretch.

Now they will have to rely on Yates and their running game to get them to the finish line. Foster will have to stay healthy and Yates will need to manage the game. The fans in Houston have been used to being let down before, so they are not getting excited just yet.

New England 31 Indianapolis 24

The Colts have had a rough time of it this year and facing Tom Brady and the Pats would not make it any easier. Brady would torch them going 29-38 for 289 yards and two touchdown passes.

The Patriots receivers had a field day against the Indy defense. They were led by TE Rob Gronkowski’s three touchdowns. Two were by air, one was a lateral, and that continued his amazing year. Wes Welker was dominating once again with 11 grabs for 111 yards, Aaron Hernandez chipped in with seven catches for 43 yards and Dion Grant recovered the onside kick to end the game.

For the Colts, QB Dan Orlovsky replaced Curtis Painter and almost brought the Colts back from a 31-3 deficit. He was almost perfect going 30-37 for 353 yards and two late touchdowns to Pierre Garcon to make the game close.

No matter how they play the Colts are now locked in to the top pick in the draft next year. The questions will start with what happens with that pick. Will they take Luck with it, or will they trade it if Manning is ready to go? One thing is for sure, the Colts once again have a pick in the draft that just may turn out to be Manning part two.

San Diego 38 Jacksonville 14

Leave it up to the Jags to make Chargers QB Phillip Rivers look like he should have all year. He threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns to keep San Diego’s slim playoffs hopes alive. Ryan Matthews ran for 112 yards on just 13 carries.

The receivers all had a hand in beating the Indy secondary consistently. TE Antonio Gates is back to form and had six catches for 70 yards, Malcolm Floyd had four for 108 yards and Vincent Jackson had four of his own for 72 yards.

Jacksonville’s only weapon was none other than Maurice Jones-Drew. He had 20 carries for 97 yards and added six catches for 91 more. They scored just 14 points and that did not help their average one bit. The Jags have now scored 152 points in 12 games.

The season is not over just yet, but Jacksonville must be wishing it was by now. They will have so much to do in the off season. Who will the coach be and what players will stay or go? There are many questions with no answers to be found. I am starting to ask myself if there will even be a team in Jacksonville in the near future. We will see what happens as the drama down there continues to unfold.

By Rafael Garcia

Sr. Contributing Writer Southeast Region

Football Reporters Online

Image by Tennessee Journalist via Flickr

Tennessee 42 Montana 16

It is now a year later and the question was not would they win. The questions surrounding the Volunteers were about how far had they come. They have another year under their belts as a unit and it showed. The team played faster and smarter and got an overall passing grade after the first week. The play of quarterback Tyler Bray, the wide receivers and the offensive line have greatly improved. The defense still needs some work as it lacks a real playmaker. By the end of the game the Vols and their fans felt good about what they saw.

It was against Montana, but Tyler Bray showed that he can be something special in the future. He showed very good game management and poise for a young man. He finished 17-24 for 293 yards and three touchdowns. The first of those was a trick play that ended up in the hands of Da’Rick Rogers for a score. The play started with Bray taking the snap and handing it off to Tauren Poole. Poole was supposed to keep the ball, but he pitched it to Bray. Bray evaded the defender coming at him and hit Rogers for a 47-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. Bray struck again on the next possession. On third-and-7 from their own 19 Bray dropped back and threw a strike to Justin Hunter around the 50 and Hunter was gone from there. The play was good for 81-yards and Hunter out ran his defenders on his way to the house. Hunter had six catches for 146 yards and Rogers finished with five grabs for 100 yards of his own. Each of these players is special and may be the best receiving tandem in Knoxville in recent years.

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Poor showing against Titans Leaves sour taste in Giants’ fans mouths

By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner/Executive Editor-Football Reporters Online

It was reminiscent of many trips back from the Meadowlands I remembered as a Teenager in the late 1970’s when my father was still with us. Back then we would wait for the busses outside of Gate D. Now we stand, however painfully, and wait for the train.  We had all just watched the Titans throttle the NY Giants, if only on the scoreboard.  I wanted to get some fan reaction. Two ladies behind me were in their jerseys and had polish under their eyes. It, and their make-up, was already running.

“Nooo…it was not a very good game” one told profootballnyc.com’s John Fennelly and I.” On seeing our press passes around our necks, another said. “No, this isn’t what I paid for, but I understand that anybody can have a bad day. At least they had more emotion then last week, but maybe too much,” said another. Two young men in front of me recognized my Military lapel pins and told me “we’re in the U.S. Air Force sir. I’m a Medic and He’s a Fireman. We are home on leave, and our Girlfriends’ got us the tickets for today. This was supposed to be the highlight of our trip home from our duty station in Japan.”

A young father with his two boys aged 5 and 8 had brought his children to their first Giants game. “I had hoped they would see a win today, that it would be something they’d carry with them for life. Maybe next time.”

More spoke up as we boarded the train, but no one spoke of 1978 and the plane with the banner that said 15 Years…., or of burning tickets in protest. A day I remember well. As well as the Giants 1986 NFC title game victory over the Washington Redskins by the score of 17-0. Most fans that remember that success, or the 1990 NFC title game against the Vikings, might feel very far away and detached from those teams and times.  My Dad would simply say “Peaks and Valley’s, just like life kid, so get used to it.”

I felt for them all today, each and every one of them on line with us at the railhead, at the transfer in Secaucus, and getting off the train in Penn Station. I lived it from 1965 in Yankee Stadium as a 5 year old going to my first game by taking the third avenue “El” from Gun Hill Road , as a young teen going to the Yale Bowl and Shea Stadium, and in the early days of Giants Stadium. I knew the feeling of discomfort and dread these fans were feeling after a loss. I also knew the Emotional “high” of winning. From 1984 through 1990 the NY Giants were the team with the highest winning percentage in professional football. I sat in section 311 for most of those years with my Dad, until his passing in 1987, and with other friends and family after that until I went to the “professional’ side of all things football. I know exactly how he would have described this game’s outcome, in his no nonsense way akin to many professional veteran law enforcers/ex-soldiers like himself. “Plenty of emotion all right, but no focus for it to go to. On the football field it just gets you a loss, but on the battlefield it gets you shot up dead.” I remember going to California with Him for Super Bowl 21. I remember him telling me on the flight home afterwards” now I can Die in peace. Eleven months later we would bury him in His Army Dress Uniform with two tickets to the next game in his pocket, and his cherished 1962 NFL eastern division title football with it’s 12 autographs.

My Dad was also our local Housing development’s “official-unofficial football coach and expert all things Pigskin.” He would have spoken very little on this ride home if he where still with us today. But he would have quickly penned another of his famous letters to Mr. George Young, NY Giants General Manager at that time. Letters that always seemed to gain a hand-written reply by mail, because that was Mr. Young’s style.

He would calmly begin “Mr. Young, Penalties, turnovers, sloppy play, this doesn’t win ball games. I don’t teach it to my son and his teammates and your coaches shouldn’t either” I’m also sure Mr. Young, Mr. Accorsi, or Mr. Reese would all reply in a very similar manner: “ It was a bad day, but it was one bad day.” So tomorrow we move on.

AFC South Week 13 Wrap Up

By Rafael Garcia

Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online

Southeast Region

Indianapolis 27 Tennessee 17

You have to give it to these Titans when it comes to effort. They turned the ball over at critical times and did not score when they needed to but stayed with the Colts nonetheless. First off, the Colts tied the regular season record for consecutive wins, and stayed undefeated in the process. Peyton Manning was not his usual dominating self but was able to move the football like always and give Joseph Addai time to shine. He gave his team a season-high 79 hard fought yards on 21 carries and was able to get into the end zone twice. Pierre Garcon had a good game with six catches for a career-high 136 yards to help his team. The real story was the Titans penchant for mistakes. There was the Nate Washington drop of a Young pass that was a sure touchdown. There was Ahmard Hall’s fumble that killed a promising drive. An interception by Young did not help and then there was the fumble near the goal line that cost the Titans a touchdown. On the next play LenDale White ran it to the one but the play was called back for holding. The drive ended with a failed fourth-down try and the next drive ended the same way. Later others would say that they should have kicked field goals in those situations but it is too easy to look back. They out gained the Colts and held the ball five minutes more than Indy. Chris Johnson was held in relative check but got 113 yards to go over 100 yards rushing for the seventh straight game.  He now has 1,509 yards and needs to average 149 yards over the last four games to tie the record with 2,105. So now they go back to the drawing board and that starts with St. Louis next week. It is a game they should win and a game that can pad Johnson’s stats. Most of all, it is the first game of four they must win and help will be needed. The Colts will now look at hosting the Broncos next week with a chance to match their best start ever at 13-0.

Jacksonville 23 Houston 18

A season gone bad just keeps getting worse for the Texans. With the hope of a playoff run gone, Houston was now looking to at least get back in the win column. What they managed to do was seal their postseason fate in a game full of mistakes. They threw three interceptions from three different players. The call on one of them was in question as Houston faced first and goal from the five. For some reason head coach Gary Kubiak gave the okay for a trick play down 23-12. The play called for running back Chris Brown to take the handoff and pass it to TE Joel Dreessen.  The problem was Brown took the handoff and was pressured by CB Tyron Brackenridge. He got hit and threw the ball into the hands of Gerald Alexander and the drive was dead. Rex Grossman threw another one of the interceptions when he came in place of injured starter Matt Schaub and Schaub threw the other. The Jags put the game away in the second quarter when they scored 17 points against a sluggish Texans defense. They too came into the season with the coach’s job on the line and hopes of a playoff appearance. After this win they are still in the hunt but have a huge game against Miami. The Fins are one game behind the Jags so Jacksonville now finds itself in must-win mode for the rest of the year. Houston will look to at least win out in hopes of getting to 9-7. A place they have never been before in their first eight years.

NFC South Week 11 Wrap Up

By Rafael Garcia

Sr. Contributing Writer

Southeast Region-Football Reporters Online

(Photo: Lawrence Tynes booted the Winning Field Goal in OT over the Falcons-Photo by A.F. Chachkes)

Miami 24 Carolina 17

The Dolphins came in to this game without injured star running back Ronnie Brown so they had to make adjustments. One of them was to put Ricky Williams in and see if the vet could produce for a whole game. What they got was a flashback of the old Ricky as he ran 22 times for 119 yards with two rushing scores and one receiving. It was the fifth win in seven games for the Fins after a 0-3 start and they find themselves right back in the playoff picture. Chad Henne continues to shine as well going 17-29 for 172 yards and one touchdown with no picks. He has made the most of his opportunity after Chad Pennington went down a few weeks ago.  He was able to get the win despite losing his starting and backup centers. The Panthers continued they’re disappointing season with Jake Delhomme throwing yet another pick and being unable to finish the deal. After starting 0-3 themselves the Panthers were trying to get in the playoff picture but are probably now out of it. Delhomme was a pedestrian 19-42 for 227 yards and a touchdown pass to Steve Smith. DeAngelo Williams had another good game with 122 on just 13 carries with a long run of 50 yards. Smith had seven receptions for 87 yards and a score but the Panthers will find themselves out of the playoffs again and more than likely with a new head coach next year.

New York Giants 34 Atlanta 31

When the Falcons took the field they were aware they were playing a Giants team desperate for a win. They came out flat and were down 17-7 at the half on the strength two touchdown catches from Kevin Boss. The second half would begin with the Falcons going downfield and scoring when Jason Snelling ran it in from one-yard to make it 17-14 for his second touchdown of the game. Snelling was in for the inured Michael Turner and had 25 carries for 76 effective yards. Matt Ryan has had his struggles in his second year but was ready to make a late charge. With his team down 31-17 he went to work as he converted third down after third down on a 12-play drive that ended with his 4-yard scoring pass to Eric Weems to make it 31-24. Then it was down to the last minutes of the game and the Gmen could not stop Ryan again. He converted a few more third downs and with time running out he hit Tony Gonzalez from 11 yards to tie the game with 28 seconds left. Now the Falcons felt confident since they were able to drive on New York late and wanted to end things in the overtime. Things did not work out as New York drove the ball and won it on a Lawrence Tynes 36-yard field goal. Atlanta saw itself at 4-1 after five games and have gone 1-4 since to have their playoff hopes dimmed at best. Turner is hurt, Ryan is struggling, and that combination will not help this team one bit. Next week is a divisional game against the winless Bucs and if they are not careful they will find themselves as the second win in a season gone bad for Tampa Bay.

New Orleans 38 Tampa Bay 7

Fantasy football owners have not been too happy with Drew Brees these past few games, as he has failed to put his projected points. Against a weak Tampa defense he got some of his fantasy moxie back on as he finished with three touchdown passes but had only 187 yards passing. Mike Bell bounced back after several quiet games and had 75 yards on 13 carries to go with two scores. His running mate Pierre Thomas chipped in with 92 on 11 carries. The defense did not have to work too hard as Tampa QB Josh Freeman was picked off three times and sacked just as many times. The rookie continues his growing pains in a season of lows with hope of only getting any win he can get. After their first possession the Bucs could muster no offense. They had 219 total yards and 95 were on that drive alone. The defense gave up nearly 400 yards to the Saints top-ranked offense. Now New Orleans faces their biggest test of the year when they host the New England Patriots next Monday night. They have ridden the wave to 10-0 but have shown flaws along the way. Brees has been explosive at times but has been inconsistent far too often to beat the Pats unless he has the near perfect game. They Saints defense will have to come up big also because even if Brees has a big day they still have to stop Tom Brady. We all know that will not be done without the utmost effort next week. So let’s enjoy the game and see whom the real heavyweight is when this one is over.

OVC Week 7 Wrap Up

By Rafael Garcia

Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online

Southeast Region

Murray St. 9 TSU 6

TSU entered LP Field in first place in the OVC on Saturday. They came in with a plan to run the ball and control the clock. Things didn’t work out as planned when starting quarterback Calvin McNairl hurt his back and backup Jeremy Perry could not move the offense. McNairl later returned but was not effective. Some may have been wondering how the injury figured into the loss, but head coach James Webster felt different. He said he would not use it as an excuse because he still expected the rest of his team to do their part. He thought his team could run better even though they got 169 yards on the ground. The passing game was not much better with McNairl going 6-13 for 62 yards and a pick. He did add a late touchdown pass to Joseph Hills to make it 9-6. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Murray St. to seal the win.  This was the second straight year that Murray upset the Tigers. Perry could do nothing right and finished 2-6 for six yards and an interception. Murray St. cornerback Nathan Brinkley had a good game with the interception of McNairl and the recovery of the onside kick at the end of the game. Next up for TSU (3-4, 2-1) is an idle week where they will heal up. As for the Racers (2-4, 1-2), they go to UT Martin (2-5, 1-3) to try and win back-to-back games and get even in the conference.

Eastern Illinois 23 Tennessee Tech 15

It was Tony Romo day for the host crowd as his jersey was retired. Still the Panthers had to hold off a late rally by Tech and stop them at the Panther 14 with 12 seconds left. It was 20-0 late in the third when Tech got started with a safety. They came out on the next possession and scored when quarterback Lee Sweeney hit Alden Olverson from 29 to make it 20-9. Sweeney then threw his second touchdown pass of the quarter to Colin Allen and all of a sudden it was 20-15 going into the fourth. After a field goal by E. Illinois made it 233-15 Tech had one more chance. Mauricio Wallace returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards to set up the possible tie but the Panther defense held on and the game was over. Tech hurt themselves with six fumbles, three that they lost, as well as two interceptions by Sweeney. Eastern held the ball for 43:10 and had 23 first downs to Tech’s 14. Next up for Tech (3-3, 2-2) is one of those games they are supposed to win when the host SEMO (1-5, 0-4). Eastern (5-2, 3-1) goes to Jacksonville St. (4-2, 2-0) next week. J State is ineligible for the league title this year.

Eastern Kentucky 31 UT Martin 25

This was the last of three pretty decent games on the slate this weekend. It was homecoming in Richmond and the Colonels did not disappoint their fans as they intercepted four passes in a win that keeps them in first place in the OVC. Even though they had the picks it was just a 21-13 after a Cade Thompson scoring run. It got to 24-19 and then Eastern had to punt to Martin. They had their chance and then muffed the punt away to give the Colonels a first down at the four. C.J. Walker’s two-yard run made it 31-19 and a touchdown as time expired accounted for the final points of the game for Martin. Eastern QB T.J. Pryor finished 19-33 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. His counterpart Thompson was 30-44 for 334 yards, three touchdowns and the four picks. Next up for Eastern (4-2, 4-1) is a trip to Austin Peay (2-4, 1-2) and for UTM (2-5, 1-3) it’s a home game against Murray State (2-4, 1-2).

“FRO’s Favorite Five”

Frankie’s Favorite Fantasy Picks

Week 6

By Frankie Underwood, Senior Fantasy Writer at www.footballreportersonline.com Email questions and comments to Frankie@footballreportersonline.com

While it may seem like an over reaction to his sensational game last weekend, Seattle Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck should be up for another good game. Hasselbeck plays at home against an Arizona Cardinals defense that has stopped the run well but given up high yardage numbers to QBs. This fits perfectly into a Seattle offense that can not find a running game but has really good receivers. Other than the first game, Arizona has given up nearly 300 yards to each opposing passer either in garbage time or just throughout the course of a competitive game. So as long as Hasselbeck’s ribs hold up he should be a nice fill in play this weekend. This could also be one of your few opportunities to start Carolina QB Jake Delhomme.

Let’s pick on Oakland, everybody else seems to.  The Philadelphia Eagles face the Oakland Raiders this weekend and since it should be a blowout back up running back LeSean McCoy could be a nice play this weekend.  The Oakland Raiders held up fairly well against bruising Giants RB Brandon Jacobs. Then the speedy back up Ahmad Bradshaw racked up 110 rush yards and two touchdowns.  Both McCoy and starter Brian Westbrook are in a more similar vein to Bradshaw, so at least split that production between these two. Oakland has a lot of problems on their hands and facing the Eagles may be the least of them. If you need a last resort, one of the Tampa Bay running backs could also play well this weekend against Carolina.

Remember the week everyone expected from Mike Sims-Walker last week?  I say we just carry that over. Oakland isn’t the only team we enjoy picking on, how bout those St. Louis Rams! I really have no stats to back this up, only gut feelings. St. Louis has been beaten by TEs and RBs, but still I feel that Sims-Walker will attempt to redeem himself after last weeks embarrassing deactivation.  If you want to go more with the stats Rams receiver Donnie Avery and the Original Steve Smith (Carolina) are both poised for break out performances.

The Green Bay Packer’s TE Jermichael Finley has a great match up this weekend. Fresh of their bye week, the Packers get to face the lowly Detroit Lions. The Lions have given up a touchdown to a TE every week except for their win against the Redskins, and multiple TE TDs twice. Even the Lions have to notice this trend, but I’m sure they’d rather be beaten by the TE than on a deep Bomb by the WRs. While Packers left tackle Chad Clifton should be back this weekend, starting TE Donald Lee should be kept in a lot to pass protect. This will leave Finley to go out in pass routes. As I said above the Rams are consistently beaten by TEs so look at Mercedes Lewis of the Jaguars.

The New England Patriots started out as a top 5 fantasy defense, but have fallen off recently. This weekend against a reeling Tennessee Titans team they should be able to regain their start worthy status. Everyone blames the Titans problems on their defense but Sunday night against the Colts that defense held early.  Unfortunately the Titans offense could not take advantages of the turnovers and field position the defense produced, only managing three field goals. That offense also could not manage to sustain a drive but did manage to turn the ball over, leaving the defense on the field way too often. Vince Young could see significant action in this game, hopefully the Patriots don’t make him cry, (or quit). Since I’ve recommended most of their other positions, why not start the Jaguar’s defense against the Rams also.

Last Weeks Favorite Five

David Garrard – 188 yards and 2 lost fumbles, sorry (but the MSW deactivation, so not my fault? Kidding).

Ahmad Bradshaw – 110 yards and 2 TDs, 1 reception 55 yards, you’re welcome.

Dwayne Bowe – 74 yards and a TD, that will have to work.

Brandon Pettigrew – 3 for 27 yards, sorry.

Dallas Cowboys – 4 sacks, still no turnovers sorry.