SB Nation Bay Area: All Posts by Tim Blank

Michael Wilbon says Sunday's game 'is the NFC Title game'

2013-01-03T17:29:15Z

On ESPN 980's 'The Tony Kornheiser Show' the host's former Washington Post co-worker and current 'Pardon the Interruption' co-host Michael Wilbon was asked about his opinions for Sunday's wild card game between the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. In that interview, Wilbon said that the winner of this game could very well represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in New Orleans:

"Tony, this is the NFC title game," Wilbon said. "These are the two best teams in the NFC. With all due respect to the 49ers and Atlanta, THESE are the two best teams in the NFC. They're the hottest teams, and I think they're the best teams. They're both having magical seasons...I could see the winner of this game winning the NFC, representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. I think the winner will beat Atlanta.

The facts show that Wilbon may have a point. Four of the last five NFC champions did not win more than 10 games in the regular season and did not get the first round bye, including the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants the last two seasons.

Despite that, Wilbon does think that the Seahawks have the advantage over the Redskins. Wilbon says that the main reasons is because the Seahawks are healthier than the Redskins:

"I think Seattle's a little better team, because they've been at this a little bit longer... So whatever advantage the Redskins have for playing at home I think is sort of negated by Seattle being a little bit stronger and healthier.

Right now both the Redskins and the Seahawks are the fourth and fifth most likely teams to win the Super Bowl according to Bovada. Sunday's game will be at FedEx Field and will kickoff at 4:30 p.m. with television coverage on Fox.

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Drafttek predicts OL Ricky Wagner of Wisconsin to Redskins in Round 2

2013-01-03T16:13:49Z

While the NFL Draft order is yet to be set in stone, mock drafts for 2013 are already springing up on the Internet. Drafttek.com, which does a mock draft to as far as the fifth round at this point, has predicted that the Washington Redskins will select Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Ricky Wagner with their first pick of the draft, currently No. 51 overall in the second round.

The writers on Drafttek believe that the selection of a player like Wagner can help provide an improvement to an offensive line that helped the Redskins lead the league in rushing this season:

Trent Williams finally lived up to his enormous potential in 2012 at LT. However, Tyler Polumbus would be better off as a back-up OT. Wagner has been a powerful force for the Badgers at RT and should step right in to continue the Redskins' reign as NFL team rushing champions.

The website also provides a pair of alternatives that the Redskins could consider. One of them is Baylor Bears' offensive lineman Cyril Richardson, who started every game of quarterback Robert Griffin III's Heisman Trophy-winning season. The other alternative listed is Texas Longhorns' linebacker Alex Okafor who recorded 12.5 sacks this past season as well as 16.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.

Andy Reid coaching rumors: Chiefs reportedly close to a deal

2013-01-03T15:51:58Z

Former Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Andy Reid is reportedly close to a deal that will make him the new head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. ESPN NFL analysts Adam Schefter and Chris Mortenson report that the biggest hurdles in making a new contract have been passed:

From @mortreport and me: Chiefs on verge of a deal with Andy Reid. One source said "the major issues have been discussed and agreed upon."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2013

Reid was supposedly close to a deal to coach the Arizona Cardinals but that apparently fell through. Reid had also been scheduled to interview for the coaching vacancy for the San Diego Chargers.

In addition to possibly becoming the Chiefs' coach, Reid would be attempting to hire former Cleveland Browns' head coach Pat Shurmur and offensive coordinator Brad Childress to his staff with the Chiefs, according to Mary Kay Cabot.

Update: All Brown everything!

Andy Reid is telling #Chiefs owner Clark Hunt that he will bring ex-#Browns GM Tom Heckert with him to KC. They worked together with #Eagles
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 3, 2013

In his tenure with the Eagles, Reid went 130-93-1 in 14 seasons. He helped coach the Eagles to the playoffs nine times, reaching the NFC Championship game on five occasions. He also coached the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX where they lost to the New England Patriots.

2013 college bowl schedule: 5 games remain in bowl season

2013-01-03T14:56:30Z

Only a handful of games remain in the 2012-13 college football bowl season culminating with the BCS National Championship Game on Monday night. While only one more BCS game proper remains before Monday's National Championship Game, there are still some good matchups starting Thursday night.

Fiesta Bowl, Oregon Ducks vs. Kansas St. Wildcats

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz., Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ESPN:

One night in November prevented this matchup from being the National Championship Game. This game could be the final as a college coach for the Ducks' Chip Kelley who is rumored to be the target of interest for several NFL teams. Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein will play his final college game on Thursday as well.

Cotton Bowl, Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, Friday, 8 p.m., Fox:

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and the Aggies face their former Big 12 rivals in the Sooners. While the attention may be focused on Manziel, don't count out Sooners quarterback Landry Jones who threw for almost 4,000 yards during the regular season.

BBVA Compass Bowl, Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Mississippi Rebels

Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, 1 p.m., ESPN:

The Panthers play in this game for the third straight season, splitting both games and having lost the 2012 edition of the game, 28-6, to the SMU Mustangs. The Rebels on the other hand enter this game having won their first Egg Bowl in four seasons over the Mississippi St. Bulldogs.

GODADDY.com Bowl, Kent St. Golden Flashes vs. Arkansas St. Red Wolves

Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama, Sunday, 9 p.m., ESPN:

After faltering in the MAC Championship game, the Golden Flashes still get rewarded with their first bowl game in 40 years. The Red Wolves will be coached in this game by defensive coordinator John Thompson as former head coach Gus Malzahn left to take the same job for the Auburn Tigers.

BCS National Championship Game, Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Fla., Monday, 8 p.m., ESPN:

The last time the Irish won a national championship was in 1988 while the Tide have won two of the last three BCS National Championship games. Both teams have won eight total national championships but the Irish have won five of the six games the two teams have played against each other.

Bills, Lovie Smith reportedly to meet this weekend

2013-01-03T14:35:29Z

Former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith will likely be interviewed for the vacant coaching position for the Buffalo Bills, according to a report by Buffalo Rumblings. Smith was fired from the Bears job on Monday after finishing 10-6 and missing the playoffs following a 7-1 start. The Bears lost five out of six games down the stretch.

Smith joins a list of future interviewees for the Bills job that include Oregon Ducks head coach Chip Kelly, who is expected to be interviewed on Friday, and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who will also be interviewed sometime this weekend, according to reports.

The Bills have already interviewed former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Wisenhunt and Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton for the job.

While with the Bears, Smith went 81-63 in nine seasons. He also recorded a 3-3 postseason record in three separate appearances and helped coach the Bears to Super Bowl XLI where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

Harry Douglas ready to step in as punt returner if needed

2013-01-02T21:00:04Z

Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver Harry Douglas initially played for the team as a punt returner as a rookie in 2008. After missing the 2009 season due to a knee injury, he was kept out of punt return duties when Eric Weems took over that spot. This past season it was Dominique Franks returning punts, but Douglas was on punt return detail in the team's final game of the regular season on Sunday.

This season, he has been practicing returning punts as backup to Franks, he is confident that if he is needed to replace Franks in the postseason, that he can jump in right away:

"I practice it every day so it's not like I've not been catching punts every day in practice," Douglas said on Sunday. "I'm here to do whatever (head coach Mike Smith) asks me to do. He's a great coach and I respect him 100 percent. If he calls on me to do it, I will do it."

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Douglas returned five punts and averaged 10.5 yards per return. Head coach Mike Smith seemed satisfied with those results:

"One thing we focus on is gaining one first down," Douglas said. "If you can do that, that's one less first down the offense has to work for. Me, I want to take them all back, but sometimes you've got to take what the punt team gives you."

The Falcons are waiting to see who they will play in the divisional playoffs and Douglas could be called on to try and make a big return.

Georgia Southern vs. UAB preview: Eagles travel to play Blazers

2013-01-02T20:23:28Z

The Georgia Southern Eagles travel to Birmingham, Ala. on Wednesday night to play the UAB Blazers. The Eagles are coming off a furious comeback win over the Georgia St. Panthers. After falling behind 17-0 in the first six minutes, the Panthers came back and won 68-64 in overtime over the Panthers. Forward Eric Ferguson scored 24 points in the victory while guard Tre Bussey added 17 points.

The two teams last faced each other on Nov. 17, 2007, Georgia State won that game 59-57 but the game has been vacated due to NCAA sanctions. The Eagles have never won at UAB's Bartow Arena either going 0-4 in school history. Last time these two faced each other at Bartow Arena, the Blazers won 94-73 on Nov. 24, 2003.

The game is set for tip off at 8 p.m. While there is no television coverage scheduled for the game subscription video streaming will be available on UABsports.com. Eagles fans will be able to listen to the game on 103.7 FM, 102.1 FM and 1370 AM.

Next Game

Georgia Southern Eagles
@ UAB Blazers

Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013, 8:00 PM EST
Bartow Arena

Complete Coverage >

Chattanooga vs. Georgia Tech: Jackets face Mocs to extend winning streak

2013-01-02T19:57:25Z

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are currently in the middle of their longest winning streak since the 2009-10 season, currently at five games. They can extend their winning streak on Wednesday night as they host the Chattanooga Mocs at McCamish Pavilion.

The Yellow Jackets won the last meeting between these two teams, 62-53 on Feb. 16, 2011. In fact, the Yellow Jackets have not lost a game to the Mocs since 1923.

The Jackets are coming off a 73-48 victory over the Fordham Rams on Saturday, in that game, guard Robert Carter Jr. and forward Daniel Miller each scored 14 points in the victory. While Marcus Georges-Hunt leads the team with 11.2 points and is the only player to average double figures, Carter averages 9.7 points per game while Kammeon Holsey averages 9.5 points and Mfon Udofia averages 9.3.

Wednesday's game will be streamed live on ESPN3.com. Radio coverage of the game will be provided by the Georgia Tech IMG Sports Network on 790 AM and 106.7 FM.