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Brady, Patriots having special season
Jimmy Johnson
FOXSports.com, Updated 10 hours ago STORY TOOLS:
After the way the Pats have looked through five games, I think a lot of us are looking forward to next Sunday's game in Dallas when New England plays the Cowboys.
Now, even though the Cowboys' pass defense has been solid — and it's been that way because of pressure and getting interceptions — we'll find out if they can really cover against the Patriots. Because no team, including Indianapolis, will test anyone's secondary like New England's will.
The Patriots have so many weapons. Against Cleveland, Donte' Stallworth made the big catch and tight end Ben Watson caught two touchdowns. They played without Laurence Maroney and I'm sure he was questionable, but he probably could have played today if they needed him. They really wanted him to rest for next week's game. It's something when you have so many good players and so many weapons that you can sit one out and rest him and not miss a beat.
Someone was asking me this week if New England copied a lot of what Indianapolis does in the passing game. But really they are completely different offenses. New England might have stolen a few things because everybody borrows from teams that are successful. But the big difference is that New England can win a game 10-7 or win a game 34-31. They are so good right now, though, that most of their scores aren't going to be that close. Their win over Cleveland was the first time this year they didn't beat a team by 21 or more points.
What I am saying is that they can win a game so many different ways. They can play great defense and they can run the football. They did that a week ago. Sammy Morris, a castoff from the Dolphins, ran for over 100 yards against the Bills.
They have the kind of balance that we had in Dallas when I coached the Cowboys. We didn't need to throw with Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek in some games because we could run with Emmitt Smith and still win because we also played very good defense.
The big question next week is can the Dallas pass defense hold up against a couple great receivers and in my mind the top quarterback in the NFL right now, Tom Brady.
I am amazed at how good Brady is. He has the touch. He has the velocity and he knows where to go with the ball. He's never rattled, and he never seems to be pressured much these days. It's almost like he's toying with his opponents. I tell you, it's scary how good he looks.
Brady has got to be so happy right now because he has everything he's probably ever wanted as a quarterback. But you put Brady on any team in this league and that team is going to be good to really good.
I think Dallas will score some points, but what I am interested in seeing is if the Cowboys can move it consistently against that defense. I want to see if T.O. (Terrell Owens) can keep his cool? Is he going to be patient? Is he going to be a factor in the game? You know that Randy Moss is going to be a factor. Is T.O. going to come up big. And if he doesn't get the ball, is he going to blow up?
You know T.O. is going to be strutting his stuff and desperately wants to be a star in this matchup against Brady and Moss.
Saints are marching out
Now that the Saints are 0-4, I think they are finished for the simple reason that since 2004 they are 2-13 without Deuce McAllister. As good as the supporting cast is in New Orleans, losing McAllister is too much to overcome.
Now, I looked at the offense and last year they got a Pro Bowl year from Drew Brees at quarterback, but he was helped because they were able to pound the ball inside on teams. I'm not sure Brees and the Saints would have been as successful without McAllister. Right now, opponents are able to put pressure on Brees and they are exposing Reggie Bush as far as not being a powerful back.
And, finally, their defense is struggling. Last year, their defense really played well in some games. But that's what happens in this game — once you start struggling in one area it filters over into the rest of your team.
Now, I know that Sean Payton will make sure that this team hangs in there and I'm sure that they will win some games. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't come back and make this season respectable, but as far as being a factor at the end of the year and being a playoff team, I think they are done.
Campbell wins me over
I am a believer in the Washington Commanders. Two things strike me about the Commanders. I knew they would be fairly solid running the football. With the secondary being healthy, I figured they could be good. They have four first-round picks back there who are really talented. Being able to play coverage allows defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to do a lot of things with that front seven with all his schemes, blitzes and packages he likes so much. The Commanders are really playing the kind of defense we saw from them a couple years ago when they were healthy. And don't forget a couple years ago they were one of the best defenses in the league.
They are starting to look like that same defense again. When you can hold a high-powered Detroit offense to 144 yards like they did, that tells you a little something.
But for me the missing ingredient is Jason Campbell. He was the unknown coming into this season. Everybody was hollering for him to get into the lineup sooner last year, but I don't know if any of us expected this young quarterback to play as well as he's played. Against Detroit, Campbell threw for two touchdowns and 248 yards. He is displaying a lot of poise and he made all the throws. He's got mobility. I was really, really impressed with him. And the more experience he gets, the more he plays, the better he's going to be. Hey, and Washington has the playmakers in Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss, who didn't play in this game. Those are big-time playmakers and they can run the ball and they have a big-time defense.
The NFC East looks like it's coming back in a big way. I started talking about the Cowboys and the Giants won again. Sometimes the Giants slop around, but then all of sudden they wake up and win at the end. I think they are going to be a factor. Overall, Eli Manning is playing well. Philadelphia has all kinds of problems, but you know they are going to win some games. This is a tough division that should be competitive until the very end.
LINK
Jimmy Johnson
FOXSports.com, Updated 10 hours ago STORY TOOLS:
After the way the Pats have looked through five games, I think a lot of us are looking forward to next Sunday's game in Dallas when New England plays the Cowboys.
Now, even though the Cowboys' pass defense has been solid — and it's been that way because of pressure and getting interceptions — we'll find out if they can really cover against the Patriots. Because no team, including Indianapolis, will test anyone's secondary like New England's will.
The Patriots have so many weapons. Against Cleveland, Donte' Stallworth made the big catch and tight end Ben Watson caught two touchdowns. They played without Laurence Maroney and I'm sure he was questionable, but he probably could have played today if they needed him. They really wanted him to rest for next week's game. It's something when you have so many good players and so many weapons that you can sit one out and rest him and not miss a beat.
Someone was asking me this week if New England copied a lot of what Indianapolis does in the passing game. But really they are completely different offenses. New England might have stolen a few things because everybody borrows from teams that are successful. But the big difference is that New England can win a game 10-7 or win a game 34-31. They are so good right now, though, that most of their scores aren't going to be that close. Their win over Cleveland was the first time this year they didn't beat a team by 21 or more points.
What I am saying is that they can win a game so many different ways. They can play great defense and they can run the football. They did that a week ago. Sammy Morris, a castoff from the Dolphins, ran for over 100 yards against the Bills.
They have the kind of balance that we had in Dallas when I coached the Cowboys. We didn't need to throw with Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek in some games because we could run with Emmitt Smith and still win because we also played very good defense.
The big question next week is can the Dallas pass defense hold up against a couple great receivers and in my mind the top quarterback in the NFL right now, Tom Brady.
I am amazed at how good Brady is. He has the touch. He has the velocity and he knows where to go with the ball. He's never rattled, and he never seems to be pressured much these days. It's almost like he's toying with his opponents. I tell you, it's scary how good he looks.
Brady has got to be so happy right now because he has everything he's probably ever wanted as a quarterback. But you put Brady on any team in this league and that team is going to be good to really good.
I think Dallas will score some points, but what I am interested in seeing is if the Cowboys can move it consistently against that defense. I want to see if T.O. (Terrell Owens) can keep his cool? Is he going to be patient? Is he going to be a factor in the game? You know that Randy Moss is going to be a factor. Is T.O. going to come up big. And if he doesn't get the ball, is he going to blow up?
You know T.O. is going to be strutting his stuff and desperately wants to be a star in this matchup against Brady and Moss.
Saints are marching out
Now that the Saints are 0-4, I think they are finished for the simple reason that since 2004 they are 2-13 without Deuce McAllister. As good as the supporting cast is in New Orleans, losing McAllister is too much to overcome.
Now, I looked at the offense and last year they got a Pro Bowl year from Drew Brees at quarterback, but he was helped because they were able to pound the ball inside on teams. I'm not sure Brees and the Saints would have been as successful without McAllister. Right now, opponents are able to put pressure on Brees and they are exposing Reggie Bush as far as not being a powerful back.
And, finally, their defense is struggling. Last year, their defense really played well in some games. But that's what happens in this game — once you start struggling in one area it filters over into the rest of your team.
Now, I know that Sean Payton will make sure that this team hangs in there and I'm sure that they will win some games. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't come back and make this season respectable, but as far as being a factor at the end of the year and being a playoff team, I think they are done.
Campbell wins me over
I am a believer in the Washington Commanders. Two things strike me about the Commanders. I knew they would be fairly solid running the football. With the secondary being healthy, I figured they could be good. They have four first-round picks back there who are really talented. Being able to play coverage allows defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to do a lot of things with that front seven with all his schemes, blitzes and packages he likes so much. The Commanders are really playing the kind of defense we saw from them a couple years ago when they were healthy. And don't forget a couple years ago they were one of the best defenses in the league.
They are starting to look like that same defense again. When you can hold a high-powered Detroit offense to 144 yards like they did, that tells you a little something.
But for me the missing ingredient is Jason Campbell. He was the unknown coming into this season. Everybody was hollering for him to get into the lineup sooner last year, but I don't know if any of us expected this young quarterback to play as well as he's played. Against Detroit, Campbell threw for two touchdowns and 248 yards. He is displaying a lot of poise and he made all the throws. He's got mobility. I was really, really impressed with him. And the more experience he gets, the more he plays, the better he's going to be. Hey, and Washington has the playmakers in Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss, who didn't play in this game. Those are big-time playmakers and they can run the ball and they have a big-time defense.
The NFC East looks like it's coming back in a big way. I started talking about the Cowboys and the Giants won again. Sometimes the Giants slop around, but then all of sudden they wake up and win at the end. I think they are going to be a factor. Overall, Eli Manning is playing well. Philadelphia has all kinds of problems, but you know they are going to win some games. This is a tough division that should be competitive until the very end.
LINK
