HUT!!! Newsletter of Gameplan League NFLAZ

Welcome to HUT the newsletter for NFLAZ. Last week saw the NFC confirm their dominance of this league winning 9 out of a possible 12 games in the first inter conference week of the season. Only Miami, Houston & Pittsburgh can hold their heads up after their winning displays.

COACHES WRITINGS……

Ronnie Martin (New York Jets)
OK, lets get it over with. 27-60 !! I was humiliated (so were you since you had us as 7-point favourites!! Good call). That was a truly wild and crazy game 28 points scored from 4 turnovers (out of a total of 5 in the game) and an amazing 2nd Quarter with the scoreboard in danger of overload. That has certainly let me know where I stand because even without all the turnovers the game was beyond us, the "D" is not performing at all and I am struggling to turn it around, there will have to be a major rethink if I am to do anything this season.
I still think the Division can be won, but that is it, no way can we do anything in the play-offs, I will have to address the "D" in the draft as I have been exposed too many times now & it would be folly to ignore the signs (like 60 points against) that this "D" is not up to the job.
I am going away to cry some more, this really hurt,
have you any idea how it feels to give up 60 points?
Ohhh, I don't want to think about it anymore.

Ronnie. (Possible ex-coach with many more performances like that) New York Jets

Peter Swindells (New Orleans Saints) from last week

The game against the Falcons was a real must win game as without a win there I think we could of already kissed the play
offs bye bye. The Rams success was a big
surprise (all credit to Trevor) and now gives the rest of us hope, however slim.
On paper the 0-5 Bengals should be beatable, but Matt has had some narrow defeats & I honestly don't think they are
that bad. Besides its on the road, where my record is um well ****.

Chris Ward (San Diego Chargers)

Bugger. His punter did me in.

Annoying, really. My first rate punting of the past two years has slowly been destroyed by step-losses to Bennett, who's now habitually punting 21 yards a time setting up easy TDs. Bugger bugger bugger. Still, my D played out of their collective skins and the O is starting to come together - although perhaps puzzlingly pass O isn't up to scratch this year. I'm having fun this year, I must admit, feels like I'm learning from scratch again.

It's all looking quite interesting round the league, although the AFC is already down to just six teams for the five places available. I'd better do some catching up. Pittsburgh and Houston are the obvious class acts, as always, although I must admit I was more than a little peeved to lose to the Oilers this season. See how I match up to Pittsburgh this week to see whether this season could build into something for the Chargers or not. It's quite a decisive week for us two really, with the Jets and Dolphins looking for decisive wins we've got to try and prove ourselves against the establishment or else play a catch-up-straight-out-of-the-playoffs type of season.

Over in the NFC all I'll say for now is the Giants are extremely lucky to be 3-3.

Trevor Halcrow (St Louis Rams)

Week 5
A surprise victory, to the rest of the league at least, as Dave intimated in the last newsletter that we weren't quite ready to take on the 49ers. A dose of humble pie is in order I reckon; despite the fact we squeaked a close one. Coach Harris must be at least gnashing his teeth over this one, especially as the opportunities to win were there. Although the defence isn't quite there yet, they have to take the credit for keeping the last two 49er scoring opportunities to FGs.
All things considered, we must be in with a shout of reaching the post season and other coaches will have to take us a bit more seriously.
Week 6
On to Pittsburgh and another strong team to test our mettle against. On paper this looks like a walkover for coach Hall and his team but with a scrambling QB like ours they will have to make sure every option is covered. Having proved the offence can score against the best, even in defeat, the Defence will be getting a good look over the next few turns. I look forward to a good game hope I can pull off another surprise!!

WEEK 6 REVIEW (or in other words the twice yearly AFC massacre!!)

First up the Jets, did anyone expect this result? William did you expect to score that many? The Packers' had put 44 points in 30 minutes sending the Green Bay fans wild, easing off with a mere 16 in the second stanza to coast to a 60-27 win over the then AFC East leaders New York Jets. Favre passed Tampa's season best for passing yards registering 403 yards on 24 completions and throwing five touchdowns. The Jets bravely fought with Foley throwing a tiring 56 passes for his 344 yards and 2 touchdowns marred by 3 interceptions.
A little closer in Buffalo as the travelling Buccs win 16-10 over the fading Bills. Hard nosed defence which allowed just 227 yards offensively paved the way to Tampa's third win of the season and dropped Buffalo to 2-4.
Chicago march on crushing any team in it's way, this time it was the Patriots turn to feel what it is like to be beat by the 2003 Bears. New England's historically strong run game was stopped in its track and they relied on Blesdoe to lead the way to a 34-7 reversal. Roll on week 9, Bears @ Cardinals.
The AFC post their first win of the week as the fast improving Dolphins beat Minnesota 34-8 in Miami. After losing the opening day game Miami haven't lost and now after the NYJ loss to Green Bay head the AFC East. Marino seems to be leading the team well, while the Vikings are still finding their feet again after the re-introduction of Dave - have a feeling about their week 7 game vs. Cowboys.
Rematch of last years Superbowl gives the Oilers victory and Mike a little consolation on losing out in last season's finale. After scoring first the 49ers then leaked in 23 unanswered points to trail at the half, even with a fabulous comeback they never led again as a 3 touchdown 4th quarter gave the Oilers the victory over the champs. Houston move to 5-1, but more worrying for Dave is the champs are now 3-3.
Strike 3 for the AFC, San Fran's loss was an excellent opportunity for the Rams to stretch their lead in the West, but they come undone against an excellent Pittsburgh team who have bounced back with 2 great wins after losing to Denver in week 4. A highly offensive game with defences on the back foot all day, the Steelers' first half performance and points tally gave them the lead that the Rams couldn't claw back as Pitt wins 34-27. Doesn't get any easier for Mark this week - San Diego away.
If you want to read about anymore AFC successes that's your lot for this week! The Browns did come close against the Falcons on their travels but Atlanta pipped the Cleveland club in overtime after the Browns had had the better of the ball and yardage, but didn't take their opportunities.
A 21 point first quarter paved the way to the Saints third win of the season after visiting Cincinnati in a 26-10 win for the New Orleans side. If it hadn't been for that first QTR spree the Saints could have struggled badly against the Bengals and the outcome could have been a lot different.
How do you manage just 9 first downs, 119 yards but still win 24-13? Well the Giants done it and well done to them (from all in the Bronco camp J), how the Chargers dominated and lost is one of the great mysteries of GAMEPLAN -keeps NYG in the hunt early for post season play - a loss could have ended their season, even this early in the campaign.
Well got them mad by scoring first, then the Cards showed us why they are the main threat to the Bears in the NFC. The league round up stats don't show Arizona fumbling 5 times and recovering all the them (if I had hair I would have tore it out!) and while the wound was open they rubbed a big handful of salt into it by you guessed it running back a fumble recovery for a touchdown - still if that had not happened it would have finished 41-7. Broncos well beaten, and who we got this week, oh yes a small matter of the Oilers!!
Dallas keeps hanging on to the leading packs shirttails with a shutout win over the Seahawks in Dallas. The Cowboys decided to go QB hunting and with a series of blitzes they allowed just 199 yards and forced 20 hurries and made 6 sacks - great defensive gameplan. With the ball they didn't set the world alight but the unit kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Washington is the surprise package fighting it out early for a playoff spot. @ 4-2 they easily disposed of the Raiders in Oakland with their defence recovering 3 turnovers and making 6 sacks, while Frerotte threw for 2 touchdowns and 202 yards.

So there you have it - NFC win 9 of the 12 games, can't wait till week 12!!

WEEK 7 PREDCITIONS
From Chris Ward and myself

Games of the week, in the AFC they have to be the games at Denver and San Diego, both have big effects on the top of the central and western division. All four teams made the play offs last season and will be looking to do the same this.
In the NFC, Packers @ Rams is the stand out game, pressure on the Rams to stay ahead of the wounded 49ers but I feel come the end of week 7 they will be three teams on 4-2 in the NFC West.

Many thanks to Peter Swindells, Trevor Halcrow, Chris Ward and Ronnie Martin for contributing to HUT this and last week. As always all letters/emails to the below addresses.