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Success doesn't guarantee a free pass
As camps open, Belichick, McNabb, Big Ben, Peyton Manning on hot seat
COMMENTARY
By Bill Williamson
NBCSports.com contributor
Updated: 5:02 p.m. ET July 24, 2005
With training camp on the horizon, the torches under hot seats are firing up in 32 NFL cities.
What would another season be without immense and unfair pressure on your local coach or quarterback?
It’s been six months since Mike Martz has been cursed under the Arch or Chad Pennington’s name has been used in vain in Manhattan.
Here are the NFL figures under the most scrutiny in their respective divisions:
AFC East
New England coach Bill Belichick: The theme of the 2005 season for the Patriots isn’t whether they can win their unprecedented third straight Super Bowl but if Belichick can win it without his two top assistants. Coordinators Romeo Crenel and Charlie Weis parlayed New England’s dominance into head coaching gigs of their own.
So, now, Belichick is basically by himself. His most trusted aides are all grown up and he is left alone. If the Patriots stumble, undoubtedly, the departures of Weis and Crenel will be mentioned liberally. If, however, the Patriots continue to dominate, Belichick’s legacy can’t be denied.
Also under pressure:
Miami running back Ricky Williams: He’ll be watched every step of the way.
New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington: New York’s biggest media whipping boy won’t get too many breaks this season.
NFC East
Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb: Some teammates questioned his well being in crunch time of the Super Bowl. Then his favorite target, Terrell Owens, took verbal shots at him during the offseason.
Thus, McNabb will be under the microscope all season. This is a talented quarterback who excels much more than he fails. But the recent talk about him will keep him in the pressure spotlight all season. If he begins to struggle, the heat will get even more intense.
Also under pressure:
Dallas coach Bill Parcells: Much of the pressure will likely be self-induced if the Cowboys struggle again.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning: Talent and expectation results in big-time pressure in New York.
AFC North
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: Success creates pressure. That’s what Big Ben will learn in his second season. He was simply just too good as a rookie.
After the most impressive rookie season ever, near perfection is what is expected from Roethlisberger from here on out.
Of course, that is unfair. Roethlisberger can actually improve as a player and the Steelers could go 11-5 this season instead of 15-1 last year. If that’s the case, the perception is that Roethlisberger would be regressing.
Again, that’s the flip side of instant success. That’s what awaits Roethlisberger.
Also under pressure:
Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer: The former No. 1 pick overall has the Bengals’ playoff hopes on his shoulders.
Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis: Can he shake off his offseason in prison and be productive?
NFC North
Minnesota coach Mike Tice:
Tice is entering the final year of his contract. New ownership has basically said he needs to win to keep his job. Despite the trade of Randy Moss, the team has upgraded, particularly on defense, and should be the class of the division.
If not, Tice (who was embarrassed by a ticket scalping scandal), will certainly be on the chopping block.
Also under pressure:
Green Bay coach Mike Sherman: Some think new leadership is just waiting for Sherman to slip.
Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington: With all that talent around him, Harrington has to develop quickly or his career could be over
AFC South
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning: No one ever said pressure is fair. Manning is clearly the best player in the league, but until the Colts can solve the Patriots, fingers will point at Manning.
His records, poise and intelligence will be overshadowed until he wins it all. Again, pressure isn’t always fair.
Also under pressure:
Tennessee cornerback Pac Man Jones: Thirty-one teams are happy this troubled rookie isn’t at their camp.
Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy: Can he ever get past being very good?
NFC South
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden: Super Bowl memories can fade fast. Gruden will learn that quickly if the Buccaneers have another poor season. This is an offense-first coach and he has to find a way to get the Buccaneers to score more points.
Gruden deserves time, especially with the memory of the Super Bowl win over Oakland still fresh. But he has to stop the bleeding now.
Also under pressure:
New Orleans coach Jim Haslett: Think he’s gotten used to this position by now?
Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick: Until he finds consistency, the most talented player in the NFL will feel the heat.
AFC West
Oakland quarterback Kerry Collins: No one in the league received a bigger gift this offseason than Collins. Randy Moss may be a hand full, but ask any quarterback in the league who’d they’d rather have catching their darts. You’d get few alternatives.
Now, Collins has to take advantage of having Moss on his side. Collins, who has plenty of other offensive options in addition to Moss, has to turn this into consistency. The strong-armed Collins can throw the long ball but he is also extremely inconsistent. With Moss on his side, that inconsistency has to become a thing of the past.
Also under pressure:
Denver quarterback Jake Plummer: The team is committed, but the city still has the Elway hangover.
San Diego quarterback Drew Brees: Philip Rivers is awaiting to see that 2004 was a fluke.
NFC West
The Mikes, Holmgren and Martz: The respective coaches of Seattle and St. Louis are equally on the hot seat. They both received a stay of execution last year after mediocre seasons turned into playoff berths. But that won’t fly this year. Marked improvement is a must in both cities or changes will occur in both NFC West stops.
Also under pressure:
Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck: He has to show he can become an elite quarterback.
Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner: His career hinges on success in Arizona, which is not exactly enviable position to be in.
Bill Williamson writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Broncos and the NFL for the Denver Post.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8689867/
As camps open, Belichick, McNabb, Big Ben, Peyton Manning on hot seat
COMMENTARY
By Bill Williamson
NBCSports.com contributor
Updated: 5:02 p.m. ET July 24, 2005
With training camp on the horizon, the torches under hot seats are firing up in 32 NFL cities.
What would another season be without immense and unfair pressure on your local coach or quarterback?
It’s been six months since Mike Martz has been cursed under the Arch or Chad Pennington’s name has been used in vain in Manhattan.
Here are the NFL figures under the most scrutiny in their respective divisions:
AFC East
New England coach Bill Belichick: The theme of the 2005 season for the Patriots isn’t whether they can win their unprecedented third straight Super Bowl but if Belichick can win it without his two top assistants. Coordinators Romeo Crenel and Charlie Weis parlayed New England’s dominance into head coaching gigs of their own.
So, now, Belichick is basically by himself. His most trusted aides are all grown up and he is left alone. If the Patriots stumble, undoubtedly, the departures of Weis and Crenel will be mentioned liberally. If, however, the Patriots continue to dominate, Belichick’s legacy can’t be denied.
Also under pressure:
Miami running back Ricky Williams: He’ll be watched every step of the way.
New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington: New York’s biggest media whipping boy won’t get too many breaks this season.
NFC East
Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb: Some teammates questioned his well being in crunch time of the Super Bowl. Then his favorite target, Terrell Owens, took verbal shots at him during the offseason.
Thus, McNabb will be under the microscope all season. This is a talented quarterback who excels much more than he fails. But the recent talk about him will keep him in the pressure spotlight all season. If he begins to struggle, the heat will get even more intense.
Also under pressure:
Dallas coach Bill Parcells: Much of the pressure will likely be self-induced if the Cowboys struggle again.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning: Talent and expectation results in big-time pressure in New York.
AFC North
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: Success creates pressure. That’s what Big Ben will learn in his second season. He was simply just too good as a rookie.
After the most impressive rookie season ever, near perfection is what is expected from Roethlisberger from here on out.
Of course, that is unfair. Roethlisberger can actually improve as a player and the Steelers could go 11-5 this season instead of 15-1 last year. If that’s the case, the perception is that Roethlisberger would be regressing.
Again, that’s the flip side of instant success. That’s what awaits Roethlisberger.
Also under pressure:
Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer: The former No. 1 pick overall has the Bengals’ playoff hopes on his shoulders.
Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis: Can he shake off his offseason in prison and be productive?
NFC North
Minnesota coach Mike Tice:
Tice is entering the final year of his contract. New ownership has basically said he needs to win to keep his job. Despite the trade of Randy Moss, the team has upgraded, particularly on defense, and should be the class of the division.
If not, Tice (who was embarrassed by a ticket scalping scandal), will certainly be on the chopping block.
Also under pressure:
Green Bay coach Mike Sherman: Some think new leadership is just waiting for Sherman to slip.
Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington: With all that talent around him, Harrington has to develop quickly or his career could be over
AFC South
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning: No one ever said pressure is fair. Manning is clearly the best player in the league, but until the Colts can solve the Patriots, fingers will point at Manning.
His records, poise and intelligence will be overshadowed until he wins it all. Again, pressure isn’t always fair.
Also under pressure:
Tennessee cornerback Pac Man Jones: Thirty-one teams are happy this troubled rookie isn’t at their camp.
Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy: Can he ever get past being very good?
NFC South
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden: Super Bowl memories can fade fast. Gruden will learn that quickly if the Buccaneers have another poor season. This is an offense-first coach and he has to find a way to get the Buccaneers to score more points.
Gruden deserves time, especially with the memory of the Super Bowl win over Oakland still fresh. But he has to stop the bleeding now.
Also under pressure:
New Orleans coach Jim Haslett: Think he’s gotten used to this position by now?
Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick: Until he finds consistency, the most talented player in the NFL will feel the heat.
AFC West
Oakland quarterback Kerry Collins: No one in the league received a bigger gift this offseason than Collins. Randy Moss may be a hand full, but ask any quarterback in the league who’d they’d rather have catching their darts. You’d get few alternatives.
Now, Collins has to take advantage of having Moss on his side. Collins, who has plenty of other offensive options in addition to Moss, has to turn this into consistency. The strong-armed Collins can throw the long ball but he is also extremely inconsistent. With Moss on his side, that inconsistency has to become a thing of the past.
Also under pressure:
Denver quarterback Jake Plummer: The team is committed, but the city still has the Elway hangover.
San Diego quarterback Drew Brees: Philip Rivers is awaiting to see that 2004 was a fluke.
NFC West
The Mikes, Holmgren and Martz: The respective coaches of Seattle and St. Louis are equally on the hot seat. They both received a stay of execution last year after mediocre seasons turned into playoff berths. But that won’t fly this year. Marked improvement is a must in both cities or changes will occur in both NFC West stops.
Also under pressure:
Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck: He has to show he can become an elite quarterback.
Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner: His career hinges on success in Arizona, which is not exactly enviable position to be in.
Bill Williamson writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Broncos and the NFL for the Denver Post.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8689867/