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Unsung Heroes Tampa Bay offense lived up to preseason hype SundayPosted: Wednesday December 26, 2001 6:56 PM
Every week during the NFL season, CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan will recognize the players and coaches who don't see much of the spotlight but get the job done. At the end of the season Pat will present his Unsung Coach of the Year award in the memory of former NFL player and coach Chip Myers. In January 1999, after having served as an NFL assistant for 15 years, Myers was named Vikings offensive coordinator. Just a month later Myers suffered a fatal heart attack. The Tampa Bay Bucs finally looked like the offense that was advertised last spring when they acquired Brad Johnson. It's amazing what adversity will do and how the offense had to get away from the conservative "just don't lose the game" mentality when the possibility of missing the playoffs was an issue. Offensive coordinator, Clyde Christensen got a chance to open it up and the end result was 42 offensive points against a tough Saints team. Twenty-three first downs, 364 yards, seven different receivers and 36 minutes of possession time made the Bucs look like a dangerous team to play during the next two weeks. Ravens looking like last year's versionI don't care which team you're playing in the NFL, a shutout is very difficult to earn and Marvin Lewis, the defensive coordinator of the Ravens, did it again. Lewis has his side of the ball always playing at a high level and sometimes that can be taken for granted. It never should be assumed the Ravens' defense will show up every week. Lewis is one of the brightest coaches in the NFL and why he's not a head coach is a mystery to me. Sure Corey Dillon rushed for more than 100 yards, the first time a back has done that to the Ravens in two years, but the scoreboard had a big fat zero next to the Bengals. Throwback PackDid the Packers look like the "Lombardi" Packers to you last week in the snow against the Cleveland Browns running the famous power sweep? They sure did to me and some credit must go to offensive line coach Larry Beightol. His linemen opened up the holes for 222 yards of rushing, averaged 6.7 yards per carry and they didn't give up a sack when it was time to throw. I coached with Beightol for years with the Jets and he is one terrific line coach. On Sunday his linemen got the job done the way he believes it should be done. Just have the special teams backfire and everyone gets a close-up look at the special teams coach with the TV camera. When things go well, hardly a person in the stadium knows who he is. The Patriots' special teams coach is Brad Seely. He's coached in the NFL for 12 years and he's one of the most respected in the league. In Saturday's big victory against division rival Miami, the Pats special teams played a big role. They held the Fish to 37 total return yards, and created the key turnover of the game with an onside kick that led to the Patriots final score of the day. Finally, a few players who deserve to be mentioned include second-year running back Jamal White of the Browns, who rushed for 131 yards and a score against the Packers. White was an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota two years ago. Leon Johnson, backup running back for the Bears whose career looked to be over after a serious leg injury while he was with the Jets a few years ago, came through with a 32-yard cutback run for a TD against the Redskins. Johnson is also an excellent special teams player. And finally, Bears punter Brad Maynard for his touchdown throw to Brian Urlacher for the winning score for Chicago.
Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated. Unsung Heroes appears every Tuesday at CNNSI.com.
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