Horse Tracks 1/20/10 - Pees still frontrunner, Broncos considering Martindale

"Pees would provide McDaniels a New England version of the 3-4 scheme that can adapt week to week to whatever opponent it faces. Because he worked with the multitasking Belichick, Pees is used to co-existing with a head coach who is heavily involved in all facets of the game planning...Under Pees, the Patriots did not finish lower than eighth in the NFL in scoring defense in his four seasons as defensive coordinator and never allowed opponents to average more than 19.3 points a game. The 14.8 points allowed per game in 2006 set a franchise best for New England."

"Nolan preferred to take risks in the pass rush, blitzing players from unexpected places — 10 of the team's 39 sacks came from inside linebackers or defensive backs. Pees likely will play something closer to Belichick's style. When Belichick springs a surprise on opposing quarterbacks he does it with coverages — moving players into passing lanes from unexpected angles, trying to disrupt a quarterback's timing as he goes through his reads — rather than adding to the rush."

"And now, those defensive players who are returning have to start over with a new coach and a new scheme. It doesn’t matter what type of front Pees runs, because the terminology will be different, as will the meetings, the techniques and the way this team practices and prepares for Sundays."

"Pees, 60, battled his share of health problems last year. During the summer, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery. Soon thereafter, he had a blood clot in his leg."

Read at your own peril...

"The Giants co-owner John Mara said Tuesday he was resigned to an uncapped season in 2010 and thought the union and owners might be moving further apart in talks toward a new labor agreement."

"Trust me, it's a good job," Nix said of the Bills' coaching gig at news conference to announce the man who now holds that job, Chan Gailey. "Don't ever think you can't fill coaching jobs, even if they're bad. Oakland gets a lot of calls. Don't say I said that." WOW. Who doesn't love Buddy Nix?

Sweet. I was getting some strange looks at work yesterday for defending Norv (yes, the only time I've ever done that) for his decision...

"Denver's Knowshon Moreno led all rookies with 947 rushing yards, adding 213 yards receiving and scoring nine times despite sharing the workload."

Ugh. This has been on my mind this week...

"11. Broncos - Rolando McClain - LB Alabama - A rugged interior defender in the center of the Broncos' 3-4 would allow D.J. Williams to act as a playmaker."