By John Sarianides The Indianapolis Colts surprised the football world on Saturday when they unexpectedly fired general manager Ryan Grigson. In a press conference, Colts owner Robert Irsay cited several reasons why he decided to part ways with the embattled general manager. Here’s why I think he fired him. 1. He Was a Jerk: Ryan Grigson is considered one of the biggest jerks in the NFL. People around the league…
NFL: Championship Weekend Dime Package
Championship Sunday featured two blowouts as the Falcons and Patriots punched their tickets to Super Bowl 51 in Houston. Here are ten thoughts on Championship Weekend in the NFL. 1.The Atlanta Falcons are the real deal folks. We can stop talking about whether or not Matt Ryan can win a big game anymore. He can and he did it in convincing fashion. 2. The Falcons offense is getting all of…
Patriots Pulse Recap: Patriots 36 Steelers 17
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) By John Sarianides Game Rewind: Tom Brady and the Patriots took control early and never looked back on route to a 36-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots will be going to their record ninth Super Bowl when they battle Matt Ryan and Atlanta Falcons on February 5th in Houston. Here are five thoughts from the game. 1. Brady the Magnificent: Tom Brady was once again…
AFC Championship Game Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-2)
By John Sarianides The Patriots and Steelers are meeting for the third time in an AFC Championship game. The winner of this game will be playing in a record ninth Super Bowl two weeks from today. The Lead: The Pittsburgh Steelers will face off against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. This is the third time the two teams are meeting in the AFC Championship game. The Patriots…
NFC Championship Game Preview: Green Bay Packers (12-6) at Atlanta Falcons (12-5)
By John Sarianides The Green Bay Packers will look to extend their winning streak to nine games as they battle the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game. The Lead: The Packers enter this NFC Championship game winners of eight straight. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing about as well as any quarterback has over an eight game stretch in league history. Rodgers has thrown 21 touchdown passes and 1…
Scouting Report: Counter Trap Plays Are the Foundation of the Steelers Running Game
By John Sarianides The Pittsburgh Steelers run a variety of counter trap plays designed to take advantage of LeVeon Bell patient running style. Here are four examples of how the Steelers use counter plays out of compressed formations as staples of their running game. Tackle Wrap With a Built in RPO: The Steelers are big, strong and athletic along the offensive line. The tackle wrap play is a staple spread…
NFL Draft: 20 Players to Watch For In the East West Shrine Game
By John Sarianides The pre-draft process starts today with the East West Shrine game. There are several quality prospects playing in today’s game and a handful of them could be among the first one hundred players taken in April’s draft. Here are my top twenty prospects to keep an eye on in this game. 1. Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan (East): Rush has terrific size at 6-3 230. He is…
NFL: Five Key Match-Ups to Watch in the AFC Championship Game
Photo courtesy of Jared Wickerham/AP The Patriots and Steelers will be facing off for a second time this season. The Patriots won the first match up in Week 7, 27-16. Pittsburgh was without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger so needless to say, this should be a different game. Pittsburgh’s defense has vastly improved since that first match-up as well and they could pose problems for the Patriots come Sunday. Here are five…
NFL: Five Key Match Ups To Watch In The NFC Championship Game
The Packers and Falcons will be meeting for the second time this season in the NFC Championship game. The Falcons won the first match up 33-32. Here are five key match up to watch for in this game. Matt Ryan Vs. The Packers Secondary: Matt Ryan threw for 288 yards and 3 touchdown passes in the first meeting between these two teams. Ryan should put up similar numbers in this…
Vallee’s View: Patriots Stumble into the AFC Championship Game
Feature image courtesy of Jim Rogash/ Getty Images By Michael Vallee -Send In the Clowns: It was supposed to be easy. A laugher. A joke. Another gift from the AFC South. The NFL equivalent of the proverbial walk in the park. A mere tuneup before the real playoffs begin next Sunday. In a week when most of the talk centered around such questions as, “How much will New England win…