Sean M. Hoffey/Union TribuneThere is something wrong with the NFL this week. In my corporate environment, one of the core beliefs is "Taking Accountability," and it is a belief that the NFL should inherit. The first and, perhaps, worst offender is the entire San Diego Chargers franchise; I am talking the owner, coaches, players, and even fans. Last year, the Chargers went 14-2 but its early exit out of the playoffs left a really bad taste in the mouths of the franchise.
Now, one year later most of the players are the same (the major names are still in place) but there is a completely new coaching staff. The strained relationship between Marty Schottenheimer, A.J. Smith, and the Spanos was widely reported mostly becuase Schottenheimer was notorious for not being able to win the big one when it counted the most. Now, Charger fans are screaming for Marty's return (literally). Norv Turner would not have been my number one pick to replace Schottenheimer, but can you give the guy a chance! Turner was destined to fail unless he went 15-1 and won the Super Bowl and that was not going to happen not matter who was calling the plays. Its just not likely that with a whole new coaching staff that things were just going to click for the Chargers. Coaching aside, they just are not playing very well. They do not have any drive, any desire to win a game. They are not playing like they want to win; they are playing cocky as if they expect to win the game without ever having to play it.
The second offender of decision making is the Chicago Bears. I believe that it was necessary for Rex Grossman to be benched; I never really thought he had a shot to make the Bears a top playoff team from the beginning. Grossman was playing as if he was confused and quite honestly, a bit desperate. When the Bears played the Cowboys last week, the differences between Grossman and Romo were clear. Romo did whatever he needed to do to get the first down and keep the drive moving. Grossman threw the ball in the general direction of his receivers and hoped that they would make a play. This is how they played last year; the only difference is that now they do not have the defense to cover Grossman's mistakes. Now it is rumored that if Brian Griese does not improve his performance that Kyle Orton could possibly start. This is ridiculous! Let's break this one down for the Bears, if you have 9 interceptions in 4 games, then most likely you are not going to have a great season no matter who is your quarterback. Stick with one guy, hold onto the ball, and tell your defense to hold guys in the 2nd half.
Another offender is actually a player in regards to a team: Daunte Culpepper's pontification towards the Miami Dolphins. Yes, yes Daunte, you had five touchdowns -- two running! I felt like his pointing to his knee exclaiming that the Dolphins should not have traded him was a bit too much. Really, he has not started a complete season since 2004 because of his injuries and if Culpepper really wanted to be honest with himself then all he needs to do is focus on JaMarcus Russell. The only reason that the Raiders took a chance with Culpepper is because they believe they have a long term solution from Russell. I am sure the Raiders said to themselves, who can we get that sort of plays like Russell, but for a heck of a lot cheaper. I am happy that Culpepper won the game, but really he did not play that great and I am sure those knees are killing him this morning.
Now, one year later most of the players are the same (the major names are still in place) but there is a completely new coaching staff. The strained relationship between Marty Schottenheimer, A.J. Smith, and the Spanos was widely reported mostly becuase Schottenheimer was notorious for not being able to win the big one when it counted the most. Now, Charger fans are screaming for Marty's return (literally). Norv Turner would not have been my number one pick to replace Schottenheimer, but can you give the guy a chance! Turner was destined to fail unless he went 15-1 and won the Super Bowl and that was not going to happen not matter who was calling the plays. Its just not likely that with a whole new coaching staff that things were just going to click for the Chargers. Coaching aside, they just are not playing very well. They do not have any drive, any desire to win a game. They are not playing like they want to win; they are playing cocky as if they expect to win the game without ever having to play it.
The second offender of decision making is the Chicago Bears. I believe that it was necessary for Rex Grossman to be benched; I never really thought he had a shot to make the Bears a top playoff team from the beginning. Grossman was playing as if he was confused and quite honestly, a bit desperate. When the Bears played the Cowboys last week, the differences between Grossman and Romo were clear. Romo did whatever he needed to do to get the first down and keep the drive moving. Grossman threw the ball in the general direction of his receivers and hoped that they would make a play. This is how they played last year; the only difference is that now they do not have the defense to cover Grossman's mistakes. Now it is rumored that if Brian Griese does not improve his performance that Kyle Orton could possibly start. This is ridiculous! Let's break this one down for the Bears, if you have 9 interceptions in 4 games, then most likely you are not going to have a great season no matter who is your quarterback. Stick with one guy, hold onto the ball, and tell your defense to hold guys in the 2nd half.
Another offender is actually a player in regards to a team: Daunte Culpepper's pontification towards the Miami Dolphins. Yes, yes Daunte, you had five touchdowns -- two running! I felt like his pointing to his knee exclaiming that the Dolphins should not have traded him was a bit too much. Really, he has not started a complete season since 2004 because of his injuries and if Culpepper really wanted to be honest with himself then all he needs to do is focus on JaMarcus Russell. The only reason that the Raiders took a chance with Culpepper is because they believe they have a long term solution from Russell. I am sure the Raiders said to themselves, who can we get that sort of plays like Russell, but for a heck of a lot cheaper. I am happy that Culpepper won the game, but really he did not play that great and I am sure those knees are killing him this morning.
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