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NFC south.(NFL)
ATLANTA FALCONS
OFFSEASON GAME PLAN: At safety, only Ronnie Heard is worth bringing back, and he should be a backup; the spot needs a complete makeover. CB Jason Webster's days are numbered, too. RE Brady Smith is too brittle even for a backup role. Jonathan Babineaux took Smith's place, but he lost the job to Chauncey Davis. Both need to add bulk and improve their technique. The team will not re-sign LT Kevin Shaffer, and Frank Omiyale could take his job. Omiyale has a nasty streak that should serve the team well. The team must use a high pick and spend free-agent money on a tackle. FINAL GRADES: Offense: C-. Predictable game plans allowed opponents to stuff the box and seal off cutback lanes. Defense: D. It was woeful against the run in the final two months. Special teams: C. Youth and inexperience hurt the blocking. Coaching: D. Finishing 2-6 was bad; the grade drops a letter because DBs Kelon Carpenter and Bryan Scott weren't benched at midseason.--George Henry
PLAYOFF READINESS
***
CAROLINA PANTHERS
PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS: The team faces the arduous task of winning three games--likely all on the road--to reach the Super Bowl. On offense, RB DeShaun Foster has breakaway speed but needs solid blocking to get into the open field. Opponents likely will double-team WR Steve Smith and force the rest of the offense to beat them. On defense, the pass rush can pressure anyone, the secondary is playing well and the run defense is solid. The team could win a game or two, but consistency has been ah issue all year and there's no reason to believe that will change. FINAL GRADES: Offense: C. Smith needs some help after carrying the offense all year. Defense: B+. This unit held the team together. Special Teams: C+. K John Kasay struggled at times, and the kick return unit was ordinary. Coaching: B. Even without a consistent running game, John Fox found a way to win.--Pat Yasinskas
NEW ...
- The Record, Stockton, Calif., Lori Gilbert column: This is the year the A's go...
- Newspaper article from: Record (Stockton, CA) October 1, 2006 700+ words
...that would have Johnny motioning him over to the couch. Most of the baseball-watching world will dismiss Oakland's playoff prognosis because of their reputation alone. This year, weak lineup and all, they're destined to stick around for a while...
- Eagles can't score when it counts, lose to 49ers.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Sheridan, Phil December 22, 2001 700+ words
...the defense take over? "I thought we could score," Reid said. This was a game the Eagles saw as a barometer of their playoff readiness. For more than three quarters, it looked as if they could beat an elite team the same way they have won many of their...
- Twins snap losing streak with 3-2 win.
- Newspaper article from: Saint Paul Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) September 4, 2002 700+ words
...beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 to snap a season-long five-game losing streak and perhaps offer a glimpse at their playoff readiness. The Twins finished a winning season (5-4) against Seattle for the first time since 1992. "That was a huge win for...
- Bears see a trend developing.
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) January 1, 2007 700+ words
...Bay the way Favre did to the Bears' in the final game of the season. The questions that followed about the Seahawks' playoff readiness were answered with two straight double-digit wins in the playoffs on their way to the Super Bowl. Neither the Eagles...
- Ducks silenced by Sharks.
- Newspaper article from: Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA) April 15, 2006 700+ words
...The Ducks (42-27-12) are not only less certain of their upcoming itinerary, they also must wonder about their playoff readiness after losing three consecutive games for the first time since November. "It really is going to come down to preparation...
- Mavericks tip Clips.
- Newspaper article from: Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX) April 10, 2006 700+ words
...17-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night (and seven losses in the last 12 games) has called the Clippers playoff readiness into question. "It's disappointing,'' Dunleavy said. "What I told our guys is it confirms it more to me that we...
- GAMES OF THE WEEK.(Sports)
- Newspaper article from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA) November 15, 2002 700+ words
...Kentwood and hasn't looked back. The Chargers seemed to coast toward the end of the regular season, but demonstrated their playoff readiness with a 35-7 spanking of Redmond on Tuesday. South Kitsap dominated the Bridge Division of the Narrows League, playing...
- T'birds soar through exam: THORNWOOD 69, BLOOM 51.
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) January 27, 2007 700+ words
...step focus on the postseason, and No. 16 Thornwood is no different, considering each game a preliminary test of its playoff readiness. If a SICA East matchup with Bloom on Friday night was a test, it was of the open-book variety, with students permitted...