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08 Oct 2010

NY Times: Week 5 Matchups

This week in Mike Tanier's NFL matchups preview: Laurence Maroney vs. Your Computer Monitor, Buffalo fans vs. Trent Edwards, and Peyton Manning vs. the cast of Modern Family.

Posted by: Mike Tanier on 08 Oct 2010

16 comments, Last at 10 Oct 2010, 12:59am by your friend fricka

Comments

1
by peterplaysbass :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 11:41am

The continental drift bit about Denver's RBs was pretty funny.

2
by andrew :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 11:55am

The NY Times picks are against the line, not straight up, right?

Thought it odd the info bits on Denver-Baltimore told us how bad the Broncos running game was, and how good the Ravens pass defense was.... then picked the Broncos.

3
by devo (not verified) :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 12:09pm

I'm pretty sure they're straight up. This is the disclaimer that's usually placed at the end of the article.

"Mike Tanier is a contributing editor at FootballOutsiders.com. His picks do not reflect the betting line."

7
by Jonadan :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 1:57pm

I think I liked this best: "An early prediction: Antonio Cromartie intercepts two passes, but no one even mentions him."

8
by The Hypno-Toad :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 2:26pm

I read this comment before I read the article. I had expected a joke favorably comparing the speed of continental drift to the speed of the Broncos RBs... Which also would be reasonable. Of course, if the continental plates spent as much time shaking side to side before moving forward as our RBs do, our society would be destroyed by never-ending earthquakes.

9
by The Hypno-Toad :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 2:26pm

I read this comment before I read the article. I had expected a joke favorably comparing the speed of continental drift to the speed of the Broncos RBs... Which also would be reasonable. Of course, if the continental plates spent as much time shaking side to side before moving forward as our RBs do, our society would be destroyed by never-ending earthquakes.

10
by stephenmcf :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 5:15pm

The Niners don’t need an offensive coordinator; they need an arbiter

Another brilliant Starcraft analogy from Tanier. Gotta love it. I would have to say though that they need more like 6 carriers to go with that arbiter. Need some firepower to go along with that cloaking ability...

4
by Jimmy :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 12:10pm

Tanier says the Panthers might break out the T Formation against the Bears. That is actually reasonably frightening when you think that it would be Williams and Stewart doing the running with fewer pointless passing downs.

5
by wr (not verified) :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 1:02pm

Agree with your assessment, unfortunately Herr Tanier does
not coach the Panthers...

6
by Karl Cuba :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 1:43pm

Didn't the Panthers go to the wishbone at the end of the season a few years ago when they were down to Weinke at quarterback?

11
by nat :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 5:25pm

Maroney is working his way out of the league; the statistics show it will take him a while.
That's just cruel.

12
by MB (not verified) :: Fri, 10/08/2010 - 6:22pm

Generally like you're work, Tanier, but clicking on that link wasted two minutes of my time. Keep writing like that and the Times isn't in your future.

13
by JonC :: Sat, 10/09/2010 - 11:48am

You're own writing leaves something to be desired...

14
by Hurt Bones :: Sat, 10/09/2010 - 3:15pm

"Generally" your criticism lacks specifics. Was there something in particular that Mike needs to work at in his writing, because I can't find anything. If there is, I'm sure he would be open to constructive criticism.

15
by chemical burn :: Sat, 10/09/2010 - 8:06pm

Probaby because that column is intended for more casual, hoity-toity NY Times readings fans to get the up to date on the week's games and give them a little primer on what's what at the moment in the NFL. If your (ha, ha, get it?!!!) reading an advanced statistical analysis website, you probably don't need a brief, humor-laden reminder that team "x is playing playing team y and favored for such and such general reasons." Just enjoy the one-liners and a smattering of stat-based tidbits. Or don't click on the link. Either way, I have a feeling that maybe NY Time reading shouldn't be in you're future.

16
by your friend fricka (not verified) :: Sun, 10/10/2010 - 12:59am

"Kevin Kolb’s swan-dive from heir apparent to last resort was so swift that the g-forces made his cheeks ripple."

Yeah, lines like that will just waste my time WHILE I LAUGH OUT LOUD. Priceless.