A few quick thoughts around the league:
Selfish Stevie
Steve Johnson is the type of player who keeps me from getting back into coaching. His TD celebration was a selfish act that said this is all about "me" and not about "us." Johnson's celebration had to be predetermined, and if a player thinks his own recognition is bigger than a 15-yard penalty, then that is a problem.
The Bills need to have the leadership in the locker room to pull Johnson aside and say that is not what we are about. The problem is, I am not sure the Bills have anyone on the roster capable of doing that. Having not been to the playoffs in the past decade, the Bills don't have a veteran leader to mentor the young players on this team.
It really is too bad because Johnson's performance against Darrelle Revis was outstanding. But because of his selfishness, no one is talking about it.
The Tebow 'gimmick'
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is not only the top candidate for defensive rookie of the year, but his 10.5 sacks put him in the conversation for defensive player of the year. Tim Tebow's offense has averaged just 16 points over the past three weeks, which won't win very many games in the NFL unless there's a dominant defense on the other side of the ball.
Sure, Tebow is 5-1, but I guarantee you this offense will never win a championship. This type of gimmick offense is similar to the "run-and-shoot" fad that produced some exciting football but never led to a title.
Saints are for real
The Saints' dominating performance last Monday night over the Giants proved that New Orleans is capable of keeping pace with Green Bay if it came down to a shootout in the playoffs. Drew Brees hasn't been sacked in the past three games, and when you can't get to a QB like Brees, he is going to be impossible to beat. The Saints have an explosive differential of plus-13 (tied for third in the NFL) but have struggled with the turnover margin. They currently have a turnover differential of minus-3 with 14 turnovers to just 11 takeaways. Their 577 yards and 49 points against the Giants, all the while never turning the ball over, proved what they can do when they protect the ball and make sound decisions.
Don't underestimate Reid
The fans in Philly were chanting for the Eagles front office to fire Andy Reid on Sunday. But I will be sure to point out that you won't get any better than Andy Reid. You might get different, but the next coach won't be better.
Some like to point to the DeSean Jackson incident as evidence that Reid is losing control of the locker room, but I tend to believe it shows that he has absolute authority. He benched his star player for missing a team meeting, and then benched him again in the fourth quarter this week. Not many coaches are tough enough to do that.
Suh needs to dial it back
I believe that Ndamukong Suh's two-game suspension was completely justified and very easily could have been even more severe. I love his intensity on the field, but he must learn how to control it after the whistle. This is a young and very intelligent player, not an out-of-control thug, but he needs to be careful.
Suh's passion on the field reminds me a lot of Orlando Brown, who I coached with the Ravens. Before coming to Baltimore, Brown was infamous for throwing down a referee after being hit in the eye with a penalty flag. Brown was one of those players who, like Suh, was totally loveable in the locker room, but had a streak of intensity he had to harness between the white lines. There were times that, as a coach, you would have to pull him aside, look into his eyes and ask him to walk it back a little, or he was going to cost his team. That is the responsibility that Jim Schwartz needs to have with Suh.
Del Rio had no chance
Jack Del Rio was dealt a bad hand from the very beginning this season. First, the Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert in the first round, a quarterback that Del Rio knew wouldn't help the team win right away. In doing so, Jacksonville gave up its second-round pick to move up and select him. Then, the Jags released veteran quarterback David Garrard and entered the season with Luke McCown and Gabbert. How do you expect a coach to win when you set him up like that? He was a dead man walking from day one.
Follow Brian Billick on Twitter @coachbillick
