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NFL Rumor Mill: Gilbride, Parcells, Mike Smith

By Greg Trippiedi | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

EaglesChick.com/Flickr.com

The Oakland Raiders have contacted Giants Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride regarding the teams' coaching opening. Former Raider coach Tom Cable could not save his job by winning two games at the end of the season over an 8 win and a 9 win team respectively. Four of the five Raider wins came over non-losing teams, which certainly did not go unnoticed by Al Davis. My question is this: is the Raiders firing their head coach no longer news worthy? Tom Cable's dismissal was basically unreported by the national media. Gilbride has done a good job, and makes a lot of sense for the team that the Raiders want to be. Bill Parcells will be staying with the Miami Dolphins, according to Wayne Huizenga. Reports from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, among others, referred to a clause in Parcells' deal with the Dolphins that he could opt out of his contract and receive...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

Goodbye 2008, Long Live the Falcons!

By James A. Smith | January 5, 2009 | Flying High

As I watched the clock tick down from the final two minute warning, still reeling from the 17 yard pass Warner made on 3rd and 16, thus crushing any hope we would have in yet another Matt Ryan Miracle, my wife said to me, "Are you sad?"I had to think about it. Basically, yes, I was sad to see such an untimely end to such an unlikely season. But as I dug deeper, I still found I felt a great deal of pride about my team.They didn't play a great game, far from their best, at a time when their best game should be coming to the forefront. Matt Ryan looked like a rookie at times, but that only makes sense. The Cardinals were all over our offensive line (not to nitpick, but how many times can the Cards jump offside before the refs flag 'em....just saying...) and Michael Turner...

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Mike Smith, NFC, NFL, playoff

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Knowing the outcome of Saturday's games makes this a bit tougher to do, because I have to act like I don't know the outcomes of those games to rank the 12 teams pre playoffs. It would be easy to put Atlanta or Indy on bottom, but I had both teams reaching the round of eight. So, with that in mind, here's how MVN saw the Playoff Power Poll as of yesterday.1. Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers never led the MVN Power Rankings in any week but they are the most battle-tested, injury resistant team in the post season. Ben Roethlisberger had his best month in December, and figures to play in the AFC Divisional round coming off a concussion, but even if backup Byron Leftwich has to play, the Steelers might be in even better hands.2. Tennessee TitansHard to say how effective DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will be...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Wildcard Weekend Predictions

By Pete1020 | January 3, 2009 | Community

NFL's Wildcard Weekend begins today as the well-awaited playoffs are guaranteed to entertain us as usual. We have superstars, familiar faces, rookies, and underdogs, all with their names in the hat. But the question is what team is ready...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers

Preview: Falcons (11-5) at Cardinals (9-7)

By James A. Smith | January 3, 2009 | Flying High

Kickoff: 4:35 EST Location: University of Phoenix Stadium The upstart Atlanta Falcons, led by the legs of Michael Turner and the arm of rookie of sensation Matt Ryan, are already in Arizona preparing for their playoff battle against the Cardinals, powered by Kurt Warner's timeless arm and deadly trio of receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and the oft-forgotten Steve Breaston, all of whom have topped 1,000 yards receiving this season. General consensus seems to favor the Falcons, but, as I'm sure they are all aware, nothing is a given. So just what will it take for the Falcons to pull off this win and extend this already unlikely post-season? First of all, the have to run the ball, run the ball, and then to change things up, run the ball. Michael Turner is one of the toughest running backs in the league, and Jerious Norwood has demonstrated time and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta, Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFC, NFL, playoff

Preview: Falcons (11-5) at Cardinals (9-7)

By James A. Smith | January 3, 2009 | Community

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cardinals, Falcons, Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFL, playoffs

MVN Previews the NFL's Wild Card Round

By Anthony Hall | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

To preview the four games slated for this weekend's Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, MVN asked a variety of bloggers who cover the teams involved to chime in with a few quick thoughts on their game and a prediction...Atlanta at Arizona:Saturday's late game marks the return to the playoffs for two teams that have been suffering from postseason drought. The 11-5 Atlanta Falcons have not seen a week 18 game since 2004 and the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals haven't been past the regular season since 1998. While the Cards come in as NFC West Division Champs, don't think for a second that they are the stronger team. Limping past Seattle this past Sunday after being slaughtered by the Patriots the prior week, the Cards aren't the team to be reckoned with this Wild Card weekend. That distinction goes to the NFC's hottest team, the Falcons. Riding a three game...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Playoff Preview: Can the NFL's Best Hold Off the Up-and-Comers?

By Greg Trippiedi | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

When we look at the 12 team NFL playoff field, I think we can separate the teams into three categories: The Elite, The Sideshow, and the Atlanta Falcons.The Elite Teams (in no specific order)Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina PanthersThe SideshowIndianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami DolphinsAnd,Atlanta FalconsThis will probably be the most competitive playoff bracket the NFL has seen in years. There are six teams to beat, not the one elite team that we have seen lose in years past. I'll tell you right up front that I have no dog in this fight, as all of the teams I cover have been eliminated through regular season battles.After two rounds of playoff games, you can expect to see two or more of the elite teams in play, one or fewer of the sideshow teams, and maybe or...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Rumor Mill: Gilbride, Parcells, Mike Smith

By Greg Trippiedi | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

EaglesChick.com/Flickr.com

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MVN Previews the NFL's Wild Card Round

By Anthony Hall | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers

NFL Playoff Preview: Can the NFL's Best Hold Off the Up-and-Comers?

By Greg Trippiedi | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Some of the League's Best Will be Left Out of Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | December 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The final rendition of the MVN NFL Power Rankings will (attempt at least) try to credit teams for a season well done, even if we expect their season to come to an end this week. The disparity of talent on the teams in the playoff may have never been as strong as it will be this year. Denver and Arizona might both host home playoff games, and neither of those teams are worthy of being ranked in the top 20. Meanwhile, let's give it up to teams like the Eagles, Buccaneers, Bears, Patriots, Saints, and Redskins. While all those teams will need help to make the tournament, all of those teams could have been Super Bowl contenders in years' past. This year just happens to be the year of the very good teams, which should make for an exciting tournament with no clear cut favorite.1. Tennessee TitansThe Titans are the...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, Tennessee Titans

NFL Top Ten: Best Games from the 2008 Season

By Greg Trippiedi | December 27, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The regular season may not be over just yet, but it has already produced plenty of classic games. I had the pleasure of picking ten games that might show up again on NFL Classics in the future. All games had to be heavily competitive to be considered, but bonuses were given to games with great storylines, great endings, and really critical results. Here are the top ten games from the first 16 weeks of the regular season:Number 10 (October 26)Giants defeat Steelers 21-14At the time of this game, whether or not the NFC had overtaken the AFC was very much in the air. The Eagles had taken care of the Steelers at home earlier this season, but the Steelers were hosting the Giants in this one. The Giants controlled much of the action in the first half, but the Steelers came out and scored in the second half, and led...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Top Ten

Anatomy of an Upset: How the (NFC) South will be won

By Greg Trippiedi | December 26, 2008 | MVN Outsider

At about ten o clock on the east coast Sunday night, it looked like the Panthers were well on their way to homefield advantage in the NFC. Just one collapse of the run defense later, and I'm going to tell you why the Panthers will not win the NFC South.The Atlanta Falcons are a stone cold lock to beat the St. Louis Rams this Sunday, and finish 11-5. They might as well not even play the game. If the Rams' charter gets lost on the way to Atlanta, no one will notice. Not the least of which, the Carolina Panthers themselves. They know they are playing for the division title against the New Orleans Saints, but they are also playing against multiple historical trends. And one of those opponents figures to overwhelm the Panthers.No visitor in the NFC South has won a divisional gameThe Panthers will travel to New Orleans...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Upsets

Fantasy Football: Breakout Stars of 2008

By Brad Berreman | December 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Since many fantasy football leagues will end for this season with tonight's game, I will give you my top ten breakout players for 2008. These players were probably a bargain on draft day in most leagues, whether traditional draft or auction style, or could have been had early in the season on the waiver wire and ultimately paid nice dividends. Note: All stats are through Week 16, except for Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to play his Week 16 game. 1. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons- Turner got a chance to start for the Falcons this year after spending his first few NFL seasons in San Diego behind LaDainian Tomlinson, and became a star. He has 1,491 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, both good for second in the NFL. Turner has been an important player in the Falcons' turnaround this season, and was probably a key catalyst to at least a few...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Aaron Rodgers, Antonio Bryant, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, DeAngelo Williams, Fantasy, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Outsider, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel, Michael Tuurner, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philip Rivers, Roddy White, San Diego Chargers, Steve Slaton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thomas Jones

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