2014 Season Review and Playoffs Preview

This NFL season was one of the most interesting I can remember as football fan.  It had more to do with issues that took place off the field than on it.  When the Ray Rice inside the elevator video went viral and NFL’s Commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of the matter became under more scrutiny domestic violence turned into a national conversation.   It was the same with the photos of the bruises on Adrian Peterson’s son regarding child discipline.

I have been on record of not being too keen on Roger Goodell.  He was handed the keys to a Ferrari and told don’t crash it.  He technically works for the owners and my observations of these recent developments are that the NFL owners are saving him from himself.  The announcement of more checks and balances in reference to player discipline and investigation is long overdue.  It took these embarrassments for them to get to this point.  It lends more credibility to the process and decisions after they are rendered.  In the meantime he’ll be the face and voice and be managed and protected in the background.  It doesn’t look good for the league and owners to run him out.

It was  another season inept play on the field for my beloved Washington Redskins and RG3 drama…again!  This franchise has been mediocre during the free agency era of the NFL, almost 20 years.  The sad part is I don’t see things improving anytime soon.  I wasn’t as hard on Jay Gruden as other fans.  He seemed a bit overwhelmed at times and I wouldn’t be surprised if the organization was more dysfunctional than he realized as a major contributor.

Griffin’s ability to evolve into the effective quarterback is a major concern.  I hope he takes the offseason to work on his craft and return to the team.  It will be the last year of his contract.  I am rooting for him to do well.  The more I watch him play it appears he doesn’t have the nuances of the position down that are usually innate.  Everything is not coachable, and “feel’ for the game is one of them.  The team has plenty of other issues besides the quarterback position.  The roster doesn’t appear to be talented, point blank!  We’ll just have to buckle up for another eventful offseason in Washington, they don’t know how to do it any other way.

The regular season did not have too many surprises.   San Francisco was due for a let down after three straight NFC Title Game appearances and key injuries and suspensions on defense.  As long as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Andrew Luck are playing quarterback for their respective teams they are a lock for the playoffs.  In my preseason blog I predicted five (Bal, Cincy, Den, Indy, & NE) out of the six AFC playoff participants and three (AZ, GB, & Sea)  in the NFC. 

I stated then that I would have to see games before I could talk Super Bowl.  I am going with The New England Patriots vs.  Seattle Seahawks with New England winning Super Bowl XLIX.  Those two teams having home field advantage are difference makers for me.  I am a big Peyton Manning fan, I just don’t have the confidence of him beating New England on the road in a playoff game.  Seattle is in a nice groove and should hold serve.  Dallas and Green Bay have the best chance to upend them.  Dallas beat them earlier in the season and Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers, enough said.