2012 Team Review: Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions 

What Went Right: Calvin Johnson

        I’m pretty sure everyone knows why Calvin got this honor. Breaking the single season record for receiving yards is a great accomplishment, especially when you’re playing on a 4-12 team with all other receiving options getting single coverage at best. With Titus Young doing his best to get cut, Ryan Broyles tearing up his knee and Nate Burleson missing most of the year, Johnson was the main offensive weapon, but he kept making plays. He’s put himself in the conversation as one of the greatest of all-time as long as he keeps playing.

What Went Wrong: Maturity

Ray Lewis' Retirement and the Top 10 Interior Linebackers of all Time

        Wednesday, the football world was treated to a rarity. We fans were informed that we have one last opportunity to watch one of the greatest to ever play the game. Ray Lewis announced to the world that he was going to retire following the end of the Ravens post-season. It’s rare that a fan base can really enjoy the final few games of a great players career because more often than not they don’t announce their intentions until after the season and the ones that do will do so on bad teams or too ineffective to really be enjoyed.  I plan on enjoying every second of Lewis’ play over these last few games (yes I think the Ravens win this week), and appreciating the legacy being left behind when he goes down that tunnel for the last time.

2012 Team Review: Philadelphia Eagles

What Went Right: Bryce Brown and Nick Foles

        Well a lot of things went wrong for the Eagles this year, two of their later rounds picks certainly didn’t. In the latter half of the season, the story of the Eagles was defined by the success of Bryce Brown and Nick Foles. Brown, who had bounced around in college football after being a top recruit from high school, was a revelation in the 7^th round. Expected to be a power back to compliment Lesean McCoy, Brown surprised a lot of people with his explosiveness through the hole and the ability to break a big run. He’ll be excellent paired with McCoy in the near future. Foles, a third-round pick, was expected to compete for the back-up

2012 Team Review: Oakland Raiders

What Went Right: The Receiving Corp.

        It seems odd to say, considering how few games the Raiders won this year, but when you break it down, the Raiders may have one of the deepest receiving corps. in the NFL right now. Brandon Meyers had a breakout season, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards (79 and 802 respectively). If the team can re-sign him, he could be a great security blanket for future Raiders quarterbacks for the foreseeable future. Darrius Heyward-Bey may not have justified his being drafted number seven overall yet, but he’s definitely improved. He became a more refined route runner and still has the breakaway speed to make an impact. Denarius Moore overcame early season injuries to lead the team in touchdown receptions with seven

2012 Team Review: Jacksonville Jaguars

What Went Right: Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon

        For once, the firs time since the days of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, the Jaguars had a dynamic receiving combination. While neither broke 1000 yards receiving, I blame that more on the quarterbacking than them. Both started relatively slow, but as the season went along, both came on as big time receivers and gave the Jaguars some hope going forward. Blackmon led the team in receptions, though he took about half the year to adjust to the pro game. With a full off-season and a better quarterback, I expect he’ll become the big-time playmaker he was expected to be coming out of college. Cecil Shorts proved to be much like another former Mount Union receiver, Pierre Garcon. He might not be incredibly consistent or the guy you expect to go over the middle, but whenever the ball is in his hands, he has a chance to score. Five of his seven touchdowns were over 30 yards, with three of those being over yards in length. He and Blackmon could make the transition for the next Jaguars quarterback much easier.

What Went Wrong: Everything Else

        While Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon were developing into a quality receiving tandem, the rest of the offense was stagnant and the defense was nowhere near as stout as it was in 2011. Perhaps it was because the offense spent so little time on the field, but the defense just allowed itself to get gashed. There are still

2012 Coaching and GM Carousel

 Eagles fire HC Andy Reid

                I can’t say this was unjustified. I want to. I want nothing more than to bash Eagles management for letting their best coach ever go. But this was an abysmal season and it is time for a change, on both sides. I’ll just let it stand at a sad time for the Eagles and wish them luck.

Bills fire HC Chan Gailey

                This was expected. The Bills splurged on free agents this year and failed to make the playoffs for a 13 consecutive year (longest playoff drought in the NFL).  While the general manager’s fate is still in doubt, the coach was most likely to go, especially seeing the progression (or rather lack thereof) of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills need stability, and really should press for Andy Reid or Lovie Smith.