In
light of "Da Man's" grading system I have to unfortunately change my
grades. Seeing how NO team can be graded higher than the World Champs
(its common sense) my updated grades are below
Now
that the NFL season has come to a close, I think it's only fair we
grade the teams that matter to the JRADM. Namely, the Giants, 49ers,
Packers, Jets, Falcons and Patriots (Ed's note: I realize no one here is a Patriots fan outright but we all share either a loving loathing feeling to the Brady Bunch).
Hopefully
you'll find the opinions on this post to be "fair and unbiased" but....
you won't. Let's go in order. And by order, I mean order of exit...
New York Jets
DM
- The Jets were the most inconsistently consistent team this season.
Win 2, lose 3. Win 3, lose 2. Win 3, lose 3. Preseason favorites to go
the Super Bowl, right? Yes, if you listened to the Rex Ryan and the
ENTIRE Jets team before the season started. Thankfully, Rex isn't the
only beat writer for the NFL and there are a few more people noting what
the Jets really are/were. A really good defensive team that's still
living in the 2009-10 season when teams "feared" that Jets D. And a
underachieving offense that is STILL waiting for Mark Sanchez to step up
(believe me, I know a thing or two about waiting on a QB to step up.
More on that later in the post). Mark can't do this, Mark, NO, don't do
that. By the end of the Jets season, the locker room imploded; calling
out guys, finger pointing and Mark was been seen as a babied QB. But
all this showboating (and lack of follow through) is facilitated by the
one man who just stay quiet, Rex. With that all said they STILL had a
chance to make the playoffs but ultimately couldn't, finishing 8-8. GRADE: D
J-Rod -
The Jets were a colossal failure this season. This is the team that Rex
Ryan named "the team to beat". They came in with what many believed to
be the best defense in the NFL.... KAMAN!!! Their defense finished being
ranked 17th in the league. Mark Sanchez is NOT an elite QB. He is now
and will always be a not ready for prime time player.The only thing the
Jets rank first in is bull shit hype. GRADE: F-
Atlanta Falcons
DM -
The Falcons are tough to peg to start. They were 10-6 and with the
exception of a Week 1 loss to the Bears (because who can gauge a team
after one loss) and a Tampa Bay team that started off hot, their losses
are to Green Bay, Houston and two to New Orleans. All teams that won
their respective divisions. So where did the Falcons struggle? Beating
"elite" teams but also beating them when it mattered the most, the
playoffs. The Falcs posted the best record in the NFL last season and
wound up losing right off the bat in the Divisional game to the Pack
(yes, the eventual Super Bowl champs). This season they matched up with
the Giants (yes, this years Super Bowl champ). But regardless of how
"hot" the Giants came into the game or if the matchups weren't there for
them, scoring only 2 points total at home is not becoming of a team
picked for a deep run into the playoffs. Matt Ryan continues to excel in
the regular season but can he get his team over the hump with playoffs
winsssss (plural). GRADE: C+
J-Rod -
Its fitting that the Falcons plays in Atlanta. The home of the MLB team
that plays great in the regular season but falls by the wayside in post
season. To use another baseball analogy, Matt Ryan is like the Barry
Bonds of the NFL except less roids and talent. I mean Ryan is a good QB.
He is an accurate passer and reads defenses extremely well. What he
lacks is that "umph" that separates "good" quarterbacks from "elite"
quarterback. The "elite" quarterback can carry your team. The "elite"
quarterback makes his entire team, not just the offense but the defense
and special team play on another level just by his leadership and drive.
The "elite" quarterback doesn't fold like the NY Mets in spring
training under pressure. Matt Ryan is a good QB but he will never be
"elite" and neither will his team. GRADE:D +
Green Bay Packers
J-Rod -
Discount Double Check! Yes, Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay team. The
favored sons of the NFL. The recently dethroned champs. The Packers have
always had a mystique about them. Arron Rodgers has continued that
Packers tradition of winning. I know I ridicule this team 24/7 but most
of that is to annoy a certain cheesehead. This is a really good team
with one major flaw.... defense. In all honesty this team was one or two
good defensive players from repeating this season. But alas they faced
the mighty big blue and were sent home packing. Still can't take
anything away from this team and I expect them to address the defense
situation this off season. GRADE:C+
DM -
Green Bay. Hmmmm. The defending Super Bowl champs. Started the season
13-0. Aaron Rodgers was running away with the MVP. The team was a
offensive juggernaut averaging over 28 points per game in that run.
Finished 15-1, home field throughout. Their defense had some holes in it
but only because they gambled. A lot. Lead the NFL in INTs. But they
could afford too with DDC (cmon, you can figure it out...) under center.
But alas, they got dismantled lost in the Divisional
game to the would-be new Super Bowl champ, Giants. I think if the Pack
had not won the Super Bowl last season and had the same record/result
the grade would have been higher, as they would have accomplished much
more. But defending the title by going 13-0, then 15-1 without one
playoff win and lose at Lambeau no less, ultimately seals their grade. GRADE: B
San Francisco 49ers
J-Rod -
Why is this irrelevant team here? Who dares sully this post with
falseness? The San Francisco numbers had a great run last year under
very odd circumstances. I mean how often do you see a team go 13-3 in
the regular season without a real quarterback? Alex Smith did just
enough to get by last season but the true reason for the 9ers success
was their defense. In this new offensive era a great defense will only
get you so far. This is the quarterback era and if that guy on your team
is not in the "elite" circle you aint gonna get that lombardy trophy
any time soon. A lot of NFL team took the 49ers for granted contributing
to their winning record. This upcoming season the league will be ready.
I expect the niners will do ok but nothing like this season thus once
and for all solidifying the falseness that their season was.
GRADE:C+
DM - Flashback
to the previous season. Da Man stated on this very show (before we went
national) that the "sexy pick" 49ers would win the NFC West. J-Rod
laughed in my face but I would not wavier from my bold prediction.
So what did the 9ers do, they started 0-5. Great. Still hope. Finished
6-10. Crud. So to start this season I was a bit hesitant to say the
least but still optimistic. What's your point, the grade is for this season! The
point is it's the same exact team as the previous season yet under new
head coach Jim Harbaugh, the team flourished. Beating some of the top
teams in the league and finishing 2nd best in the NFC at 13-3.
The defense obliterated teams and did not allow a 100-yard rusher or a
single rushing touchdown until week 16. Both The 9ers were one special
teams play* away from capping off an incredible run to the Super Bowl.
However, destiny resided with another team. This teamed proved itself worthy of their grade. GRADE: A
New England Patriots
J-Rod -
The Patriots did what they always do. Win and Win and Win. This team
year after year just dominates. Tom Brady is a living legend and always
finds a way to succeed regardless of the personnel he is surrounded
with. I really can't say anything bad about this team. Whenever this
team doesn't win the championship their season is deemed a failure. Not
many teams can say that. They're EXPECTED to win time and time again.
Unfortunately this time they faced a team that was destined to win it
all at the Super Bowl. I mean you can't beat destiny can you? GRADE:B-
DM -
Every year the Pats are expected to be right in the hunt come playoff
time (they are like the Yankees of New England...). But for the last few
years the Pats have had some considerable playoff busts. Even midway
through this season questions about would this Pats team, led by Brady
but surrounded by an average offensive core, would arise. Could they
win it all with just Belichik and Brady? Can they stop teams from
scoring, enough to give Brady a chance to win it late? Their D was
atrocious. Last in the league. Their O, top 3 in the league. Ultimately
finishing at 13-3, home field throughout. But this was expected right?
Nothing new here, right? AFC East, check. AFC champs, check. Super Bowl
champs? Not so fast, they had the unfortunate task of beating
playing the Giants. Clearly a team, NE just. Can't. Seem. To beat. I
don't care which Giants team played in the Super Bowl. The 7-7 or the
winners of the last 5, they had the advantage mentally. And the Pats
knew it. Blame Welker's drop (Gizze does). Blame not executing in the
4th (Riley does). Blame Brady's throws (Da Man does). In the end they
were play(s) short in a game they usually win. Just not when they're
playing the Giants. GRADE: A-
New York Giants
J-Rod -
What can I say about the champs that hasn't been already said? This
team was left for dead after losing to the Redskins (I was holding the
shovel). But WOW what a ride! They took that loss as a wake up call and
started ripping out the wins. Sure the bulk of their games were
"interesting" and they probably made me age many more years to my life
but the end result was perfection. Eli Manning morphed into what he said
he was all season, ELITE. His poise, leadership, and self confidence
just bloomed at the right time. He not only solidified his place in NY
Giants history but in the process made a case for 2 Mannings to be
enshrined in the Hall of Fame when their careers are over. The Giants
defensive line was dominant all season and the secondary fell into place
at the right time. Most seem to forget that the Giants secondary was
banged up most of the season. In the final regular season games and into
the playoffs the Giants secondary showed what they can do when all
their key players are healthy. The wide receiving core is young and
talented. Brandon Jacobs got his groove back. Coughlin is one of the
premier head coaches in the game. He never loses his cool and knows how
to lead. This is a team that underachieved most of the regular season
and played on the level they're capable of at the end of the season
straight into the Super Bowl. The odds makers have 5 other teams above
the Giants as Super Bowl favorites for next season. Does that surprise
anyone? Underdogs....that's exactly the way this team likes it. GRADE: A+
DM -
This was the easiest grade of all the teams by far. The Giants won the
Super Bowl. Had you heard? You'd never know on this show (keep your
sarcasm meters on people). They had a great epic run at the veeeeery end of the season and through the playoffs (Ed's note: see GB last year).
It's easy (for New Yorkers at least) to get caught up in the hysteria.
Don't believe me, google LINSANITY. SMH. However. Since the grade
reflects the WHOLE season and not the last 3 games or so, the total body
of work is taken into account. As you just read, J-Rod was ready to
bury his team after the Skins lost (Ed's note: we might post the IM convo on the Monday after that game, LOL).
By this point, they were 7-7. But I'd like to go back one week earlier,
to the Cowboys game. The JPP Tip Drill game. The GMen had lost 4
straight prior to that win in DAL after starting 6-2. This team was the
epitome of underachieving mediocre. The secondary, abysmal. The
so-called "pass rush", non-existant. Injuries? Every team has injuries,
go out and play. But they wouldn't do it. That JPP block doesn't happen
and it would have been 6 straight and no playoffs. But.... they turned
it around. Won the NFC East thanks to Romo doin what he do baby.
And were dubbed the hottest team going in. Please note they won 3 of the
last 4 games, thats hot baby (sarcasm meter going off?). But so did the
9ers, with 3 straight coming in, (no, it's ok you guys were hot. Giants
all the way baby...). The point is you can't be a C or D student for most of the year if not all, ace a few tests at end and expect an A. You're a C+, B- at best. Easy. GRADE: B-