Review: Mike Lombardi, Chad Millman, J-Bug.
Wow, that was erratic. Did it feel like each analyst was on to talk about one set of next weeks games? Lombardi couldn't get enough Jets-Steelers chat, but Millman kept bringing it back to the Pack. Let's break it down:
Lombardi kicks it off with some consoling and Pats-Jets talk and has effusive praise for the Rex Ryan scheme on Sunday. "No one was open!" he concedes, saying the Pats would have been well served sticking with one formation pre-snap and worries that Brady confused some of his young receivers.
When Bill asks him for a 2011-2012 "Wish List", Mike sees two main areas they could improve: pass rush and a true #1 receiver. On the D-Line, in particular, he'd like to see New England go after a James Harrison-type disrupter, someone who can get to the quarterback. On offense, he feels like the Jets took advantage of the fact they lack deep threats, and while it's not necessarily Brady's game, he needs that dimension in this offense. He mentions Dez Bryant, who TSG points out was available in the previous draft. Lombardi counters with two words: Devin McCourty. Point goes to The Decade of Lombardi.
Even though he thinks Rodgers is "Houdini in the pocket with a rocket for an arm", Lombardi likes the Bears in this game, noting they matched up well in the regular season and Cutler is having a sneaky good year. He also notes that a slow field helps nullify some of the speed that Green Bay displays on offense.
Most of the remainder is spent cutting down the Steelers' chances. He thinks that the Ravens beat themselves with their own stale offense and the Jets should man-handle their decimated O-Line. Lombardi's rule of thumb is that if you've lost your left tackle, you've lost your season (see Michael Oher in the previous round). He's also concerned that Pittsburgh's young receivers have to come up big, not always the best situation in the playoffs. Finally, Mike says you can't look at Sanchize's percentages to determine his success; look for his ability to make the big play.
Millman bored me half to death this week. I'm not sure how they can get 30 minutes on lines every week and I don't care about great moments in gambling history. The meat of this weeks pod: the Pack is now the public team still standing. Who does Millman like? Green Bay, of course! The sharps are too. So why is the AFC still favored to win? He'll get back to us on that one.
A special surprise by J-Bug finishes off the week as Bill can't resist some commiseration with a fellow New Englander. Bug says that the stadium died after Brady's first pick and never quite got back in it. The vibe stayed "weird." What we missed on T.V.? The O-Line was getting destroyed. Their D played like it was pissed off. Who to root for from here on out? A death cloud to hit the Steelers game or Green Bay. Take your pick.
The J-Bug tirade at the end saves this as an average B.S. Report. Thanks for the bleeps! Three Gold Simmons.
Podcast available here.