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Congratulations to Dave and Mike on reaching this season's Superbowl,
home field advantage really did prove a benefit in the end as the Oilers
came through over the Chargers and the Niners overcame Green Bay - views
from the losing coaches later..
Anyway onto the week's review and we start as always with the main post-season
competition.
Houston clinched their second straight Superbowl berth by defeating the
Chargers 45-16 in Texas. The usual Oiler offense display with McNair and
George paving the way and keeping the SDC defense off balance racking
up 527 yards when they had the ball. The Chargers were bogged down on
the ground making only 74 yards on 28 carries and that left their hopes
on the shoulders of Leaf who performed creditably with 297 yards and 2
scores, 2 interceptions blotted his stats though.
The NFC affair was closer but the home team again came out on top. A seventeen
pt second quarter really sealed victory for the niners as the Packers
had no answer to the power running gameplan employed by coach Harris.
The Packers had the home fans sweating at the end of the third as the
score was 23-17 SF, but a final TD for the red and gold sealed their first
ever Superbowl appearance.
Onto the Divisional Bowl, and both wildcard winning teams defeated the
New York teams to advance to the final. The Steelers with QB Wright nudged
past the Giants win a shootout 30-27. Both QB's had great games and combined
for 872 yards through the air, NG had a big edge on the ground but must
have conceded their turnovers in vital areas of the field. Kent Graham
made sure that the second semi was in no doubt as they ran in for half
time. Graham threw for 314 yards and 3 TD's as the Cards beat the Jets
27-7 in Arizona. O'Donnell (in his final game?) and Foley got the Jets
on the scoreboard in the 4th, but a sad end to the QB's nine year career
with the Jets.
In the Sliver Bowl both winners used smash mouthed defense and through
the air offense to win their way into the final. The Buccs caused 3 turnovers
and 4 sacks as they beat the Cowboys on the road 34-20. QB Dilfer threw
for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns despite been sacked 5 times and hurried
a further 8. Rookie Bear QB Krammer found himself battered and bruised
as the Skins won 38-12. The Skins' defense came off with 5 sacks and 11
hurries as well as 3 turnovers. The offense took advantage with Frerotte
tossing up 5 TD's and 359 yards in the air - Silver Bowl final will be
a cracker!
Finally the Bronze Bowl, both North's failed in their quest to reach
a Bowl game in their first post season in AZ. Matt's Bengals narrowly
lost to the Saints 21-24 on the road. Both teams come to run and ball
and neither disappointed with their yards or averages- both Qb's backed
up well with solid displays. In an AFC East clash the Bills dumped all
over the Dolphins in Buffalo. Despite been unable to create a running
game the Bills 'up top' passing offense posted good numbers in the face
of a hostile Dolphins pass rush. The Bills defense showed their teeth
as well, causing 6 sacks, 15 hurries, 6 turnovers and 2 safeties -GREAT
DEFENSE!
THE DRAFT
I jotted down some numbers from the draft… usually it is a good indicator
of how coaches think of the league, or maybe now with the inclusion of
step losses and numbers of retirements maybe not J. In round one of the
draft there were 16 offensive players taken and just 8 defensive with
one FA defensive player. In round two there were 14 offensive players
taken, 7 defensive, 2 offensive FA and 3 defensive FA and 3 special teamers.
In round three, 9 offensive players, 13 defensive players, 2 special teamers
and one defensive FA. In total 39 offensive players (54.2 %), 28 defensive
players (38.9 %) and 5 special team players (6.9 %) taken as rookies.
In free agency, 2 offensive players were taken (33.3%) and 4 defensive
players (66.7%)
SUPERBOWL REVIEW
Well no one can argue who is the finalists this season - both teams finished
as the top ranked team in their conference with 27 victories between then
and just 5 losses. On looking at the rosters…. On offense must go
to the Oilers, the Niners' gameplan is not to pass the ball on average
25 times compared to 31 in Houston's favour. Houston also has more depth
in WR, and a better QB in McNair. On the ground the 49ers come into their
own, second ranked only behind the Pats, they run the ball 63% of the
time they are on offense. In comparison the Oilers are no slouches either
ranking 4th. Eddie George carries the bulk of the load with Thomas chipping
in. Advantage on the ground to SF, but overall on offense the Oilers'
more balanced approach gives them the edge.
On defense there is a big advantage - and that is to the 49ers. The Oilers
this year can and have been giving up yards especially through the air
hence coach Sim's second round pick this season was a DB. If Dave wants
to bring in a pass offense this week seems a good time to do so, but also
remember the Oilers led the league in INT's this season (30). Neither
team boasts a top quality pass rush, and neither QB have been sacked a
great number of times this season; sacks may not decide this game. On
the ground again the 49ers defense ranks well while the Oilers rank in
the lower half of the table, but looking at the averages of rushing allowed
brings you the real picture. The 49ers are 0.1 yard better per rush, run
on the Oilers but don't expect to make big averages, also Houston's fumble
% is one of the best in the league -they are ball hawkers.
On special teams, well nothing really to separate them, maybe a edge to
SF in kick off returns, in field goals to Houston, Del Greco missing only
one this season from 25 tries.
So advantage to Oilers on offense, to the 49ers on defense, nothing to
separate them on ST, what about the coaches?
Both coaches have excellent pedigrees, Mike of course holder of the
Superbowl at the moment, he has been there and got the rings. Dave is
in his first SB in AZ but is a seasoned campaigner of Gameplan, personally
I think it is to close to call, but if pushed I would have to take my
AFC counterpart and Madden opponent Mike - Oilers to win 28-24
Will Smith writes…
Disappointed in the end but on the whole pleased to have reached the Championship
Game. The defense hasn't been bad this year, particularly the run defense,
but in my two games against the 49ers they seem to treat my front seven
like they didn't exist and have just walked all over them. It all started
so well after stopping the 49ers quickly and then mounting a 15-play touchdown
drive for a 7 nothing lead, and then the 49ers took over, particularly
with their offence, which scored on 6 of its next 8 possessions. All the
best to Dave in Super Bowl game, hopefully he can bring the Championship
back to the NFC. Should be a cracking game and I'd probably tip the 49ers.
Looking at it they match up quite well against the Champions. The Oilers
main strength is their offence, but the 49ers have an equally strong defense,
which should provide a good battle. On the other side, the 49ers offence
boasts a very strong ground game, and the big question is: can the Oilers
defense stop it? My guess is not enough
SDC writes…
Bugger.
I'm meant to have the offence that could break out at any moment, right?
Well, the Oilers well and truly broke out all day. It was my fault it
looks so bleak - no attention paid to D (I reckon I should try and recruit
Mr. Gaddas in as my D coach, we'd be unstoppable). Plus I tried to play
it safe on o - having been killed by turnovers last time I played the
Oilers. Unfortunately they still got the turnovers, and I took away our
breakout capability.
Things were kept close until we took a lead in the second. Then it was
carnage. Simple as that.
Ah well, always next year...
The squad looks very healthy. I'm gonna do a little research, do a little
revising on 'how to play defense'. It all depends on how your squad is
set up of course. My O's got all the options; it can play any way it pleases.
My D is a big 4-3, the linebacking corps is now sorted (before Pete says
anything), and the backs have a huge amount of DPL and DPS. What way should
I be playing it? Attacking or a little more staid? How do you get turnovers?
I'd really like to learn. I think the first thing to do is take down the
number of plays that are being called by me, keep it to the specific few
that we play well. Hmm. I've really got to make sure I never consign defending
to the black arts or the Superbowl will remain beyond me.
NEXT SEASON IS ALL OR NOTHING.
Good luck to Mike, more luck to coach Harris.
Trevor Halcrow writes…
Heading into the draft, the obvious choice was defense. However three
retirements on offence left me with a dilemma. Took the Dl with my first
pick and then looked at offensive requirements through the lower rounds
and free agency. Up to now I have bombed out in both areas picking up
a 3*QB (as a back-up) and a third down back with picks 2 and 3 and zero
in the free agent pool. I now have a depleted offence, but have the luxury
of LP's should the right FA come along. For the upcoming season I have
decided to go with the younger of my QB's, allowing some cap room for
investments in the free agency pool. On defense a change to a base 4-3
should help against the run and take some pressure of the DB's. Special
teams have been improved and should provide better field position via
the return game.
Graham North writes...
Coach North was delighted with the news that all his playing staff would
be returning next term, with the addition of a few rookies the coach has
high hopes for the coming season. Saying that though, a few heads could
well be for the chop (maybe even one of the new lads could be shown the
door before his professional career has even started). One of the main
changes at Miami during the off season has been the appointment of a new
Offensive coach, everybody is understandably jealous of the Phins Defense,
but what was obviously lacking on Offence will hopefully be rectified
with this exciting move by coach North. One player who has shown a marked
improvement during the past few weeks has been Dan Marino,
Coach North was quoted as saying about his star QB
"Dan is firing on all cylinders now, if he can sustain the level
of performance he has shown during training throughout the year, and what
with our improved Defense, who knows what can happen, I mean we never
thought the world was round or that man would walk on the moon! "
MESSAGES
Trevor Halcrow: -
To all those still in "Bowl" contention - Good Luck
(especially those from the NFC).
To Paul D - thanks for picking up the newsletter for
the next few weeks
Graham North: -
To AFC East: Lets get it on!
To AFC: Come on boys we want to whip the NFC this year!
To Matt: what happened about our Bronze Bowl Final, Chicken!!
To Denny: remind me, did we play earlier this season?
Thanks to William, Chris, Matt, Graham, Pete and Trevor for getting in
touch this week. Good luck to all in Bowl games this week.
Regards
Paul Denyer (Denny)
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