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Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004 by Dan Pompei

Moderator: Good evening and welcome to the 2004 NFL campaign. At the midway point, we examine the critical issues and determining factors that will shape the future of this campaign, and we present our endorsements. Are the Patriots the right team in the right place at the right time? The Eagles are the NFC front-runners, but can they withstand the vicious attacks of their opponents?

We kick things off with a debate between stumpers Paul Attner and Dan Pompei. By coin toss, the first question goes to Mr. Attner.

What is wrong with Joe Gibbs' offense in Washington, and can Gibbs fix it?

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ATTNER: Joe Gibbs can fix the Redskins' problems with a new quarterback. Since Gibbs is not playing Patrick Ramsey despite Mark Brunell's struggles, it appears the Redskins will | look for a new quarterback in the offseason. The pieces are in place for offensive success; it's the quarterback who is failing.

POMPEI: I'm afraid Mr. Attner is failing to see the big picture. It goes way beyond the quarterback. Gibbs does not have the type of players he needs to run his offense the way he likes it run. Running back Clinton Portis, in particular, is a poor fit. It's up to Gibbs to adjust his offense to the players he has, and I believe Gibbs will find a way to do that. Remember, this is the coach who won three Super Bowls with three quarter backs with drastically different skills.

Moderator: Quentin Griffin, Reuben Droughns ... could the Broncos win with anyone playing running back, Mr. Pompei?

POMPEI: Absolutely not. Mr. Attner and others have perpetuated the myth to the point that much of the American public believes the Broncos could hand the ball to Martin Gramatica 25 times and he'd gain 150 yards. The truth of the matter is it requires a very specific type of back to succeed in the Broncos' system. It doesn't have to be a top 10 pick in the draft, but the player must have one-cut ability. Griffin has it. Droughns has it. If Tatum Bell gets a chance to play, the American public may see Bell does not have it.

ATTNER: There he goes again. Mr. Pompei is trying to cover this game with mystique. My goodness, make him 20 years younger, faster and stronger, and he could be a successful running back with the Broncos. I jest, of course. But it's almost that automatic. It's the blocking scheme that is the hero here, not the running back.

Moderator: Mr. Pompei, any response?

POMPEI: If the blocking scheme is the hero, why isn't it working to the same degree in Atlanta, where former Broncos offensive line coach Alex Gibbs is now operating the same system? Warrick Dunn is averaging 3.7 yards per carry and Droughns is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. And I believe even Mr. Attner would not question that Dunn is a superior talent.

Moderator: Mr. Attner, do you have a rebuttal?

ATTNER: Since he is referring to statistics, I am sure he realizes the Falcons are the NFL's No. 2 rushing team, right behind Kansas City. And I would start T.J. Duckett, not Dunn.

Moderator: New subject. Which team that was left for dead early do you believe will make a late run, and why?

ATTNER: I'm taking my shovel and removing the dirt from the Packers. Yes, the same Packers who once were 1-4 and had lost their way at Lambeau. Now, with fewer Ahman Green fumbles, a lot more Brett Favre completions and a bit of Mike Sherman play selection, the Pack is back. Maybe we were premature with those Favre retirement vibes.

POMPEI: Mr. Attner makes a valid point, but he also should consider the Chiefs. If they can overcome their 1-4 start and make it to the play-offs, we'll all be saying "Hail to the Chiefs" in January. Don't look now, but their defense is starting to show real improvement under Gunther Cunningham, and the offense is hitting its stride as everyone knew it would.

Moderator: Mr. Pompei, which team will have the first pick in the draft?

POMPEI: That will be the 49ers. But they probably won't have it for long because they won't want to sign the contract it will take to secure the first overall selection. So look for the 49ers to earn the pick but trade it for a collection of picks, which they sure can use.

ATTNER: Mr. Pompei is doing the 49ers a gross injustice, labeling them the worst team in the league. One win does not make a season--Shakespeare wrote that, I believe--so the Dolphins will limp in last and then overcome their Ricky miseries by using the first overall pick to find a running back, hopefully one who keeps his motivation.

Moderator: Speaking of the Dolphins, Mr. Attner, should they fire coach Dave Wannstedt before the end of the season and begin the rebuilding process as soon as possible?

ATTNER: And make it seem Wannstedt is responsible for the mess? Not in a Miami minute. He was not responsible for Williams leaving and David Boston getting hurt. He is a loyal soldier and should be treated accordingly.

POMPEI: The only advantage of firing Wannstedt now is it would give the Dolphins a jump on the other teams searching for a head coach. But I agree with Mr. Attner that Wannstedt doesn't deserve to be hung out to dry. He should be given a chance to salvage the season. And one hallmark of Dave Wannstedt teams is they always play hard, so anything is possible.

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Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004 by Dan Pompei

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