Austadiums Forum

The Aussies didn't last long in the play-offs -

Benny's New York Jets out
09 January 2007 Herald-Sun

BEN Graham joined Mat McBriar on the sidelines yesterday after the Australian duo both tasted defeat on their first trips to the NFL playoffs.

Former Geelong footballer Graham bid farewell to his second season of punting for New York after the Jets lost 37-16 to division rivals New England Patriots in their AFC wildcard playoff at Foxboro, Massachusetts. Graham punted just three times, all in the first half, for an average of 34.3 yards (31.4m).

Those numbers belied another solid outing from the 33-year-old, who improved significantly in his second season. All his kicks were from midfield, including two from inside Patriots territory, with Graham landing two punts inside New England's 20-yard zone and not allowing any to be returned. Placement and hang time have been Graham's strengths this season with his ratio of allowing only 28 returns on 72 punts among the best three percentages in the league. Graham averaged 44.2 yards a kick in 2006 with a career-best 26 inside-20s.

The loss came less than 24 hours after McBriar endured a heartbreaking defeat in his playoff debut for Dallas. The Cowboys lost 21-20 to Seattle despite another impressive performance from the league's leading punter, who will represent the NFC next month in the NFL's Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

While both suffered quick playoff exits, McBriar and Graham have combined to set a new standard for Australians in the NFL this season. It is the first time two Australians have figured in the playoffs, with both following in the footsteps of former San Diego and Minnesota Pro Bowl punter Darren Bennett. - AAP

Well. We just turn our attention to McBriar in the ProBowl in a few weeks.

Saints
Seahawks
Patriots
Ravens



Take that to the bank.

Colts v Bears in the Super Bowl

the herald sun wrote wrote:Benny

Simmo79 wrote:Colts v Bears in the Super Bowl

Bears will win it, thats my tip. Payton Manning will crumble under the pressure.

Like he did today?

If Manning will struggle with the pressure i'd love to see how Grossman will go.

The headline twas just another excuse for a 'Benny and the Jets' (Elton John) reference.

Noticed Benny at RLA. He was also interviewed on SEN but as always, had nothing interesting to say. Meanwhile -

Colts, Bears in Super Bowl
January 22, 2007 12:00am

THE Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears will meet in the NFL Super Bowl on February 4 after winning their conference championships today.

The Colts upset the fancied New England Patriots 38-34 in ther AFC after trailiing for most of the match in Indianapolis. The Patriots led 21-6 at half-time before the Colts came back with two big quarters and snatched the lead with less than two minutes left on the clock when running back Joseph Addai crossed the line.

Earlier, the Bears claimed the NFC title with a 39-14 win over the New Orleans Saints in Chicago. It will be the Bears' first Super Bowl since 1985.

Which teams have never made the Superbowl?

Never been:
New Orleans Saints, 1967 expansion team
Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995 expansion team
Houston Texans, 2002 expansion team

In addition, the Cardinals, Lions and Browns have not appeared at the SB but have won pre-merger championships.

Similarly, the Titans (1), Seahawks (1), Chargers (1), Panthers (1), Falcons (1), Eagles (2), Bengals (2), Vikings (4) and Bills (4) have made the SB the indicated number of times but not won it yet.

Which leads to the most number of wins:

Cowboys 5 wins from 8 appearances
Steelers 5 from 6
49ers 5 from 5
Raiders 3 from 5
Redskins 3 from 5
Patriots 3 from 5
Packers 3 from 4
Broncos 2 from 6
Dolphins 2 from 5
Giants 2 from 3
Rams 1 from 3
Colts 1 from 2*
Chiefs 1 from 2
Bears 1 from 1*
Ravens 1 from 1
Jets 1 from 1
Buccaneers 1 from 1

Dang I guess it would have been nice for the New Orleans Saints to make it this year. If they did and won it you could imagine the screenplay being written the moment the match ended.

I don't like the week break.

I'm bloody back at school the week after a have to watch it on replay. Heh, it will be the last time though.

until you're a wage slave

watched most the Bears-Saints match last night. Reggie Bush has some great engines but it's his agility that makes him a superstar rookie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw0XwP1ETu0

Simmo79 wrote:until you're a wage slave

watched most the Bears-Saints match last night. Reggie Bush has some great engines but it's his agility that makes him a superstar rookie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw0XwP1ETu0

Heh well umm, i'll make sure I take the SuperBowl day off.

Bush is a gun. And how he didn't go number 1 I'll never know.

It's the old draft conundrum - do you draft according to what's available or what you really need? The Texans believed they needed a defensive end more than they needed a running back so they passed on bush and went for Dario Williams.