NFL.com Blogs » The Wisdom of Solomon

Bengals stumble in Oakland

Solomon Wilcots — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:05:27 +0000

After sweeping both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time in franchise history, the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday were looking for their first ever win in Oakland. They didn't get it.

Panthers played right into Dolphins’ hands

Solomon Wilcots — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:24:02 +0000

While standing on the Panthers' sideline for the entire game Thursday night, I saw several things that suggested their game plan was geared more toward passing than running the ball.

High production, low maintenance wideouts

Solomon Wilcots — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:39:57 +0000

So many wide receivers today need to conjure up a dance or a corny routine in order to garner media attention. Even after making a simple first down, the truly self-centered divas have become their own endorsement-seeking public relation firms. Gaudy numbers really don't tell the full story, or properly measure the true worth of just a few wide receivers who go about doing their work while putting the goals of the team before their own.

More to come from Colts-Texans rivalry

Solomon Wilcots — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:57:47 +0000

In preparing to call the Colts-Texans game for CBS, I expected a very good game Sunday and it lived up to the billing.

Colts make it look easy

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:45:33 +0000

What should I say that hasn't already been said about the Colts? I can't help but think Peyton Manning is the greatest QB to ever play the game, and this team might be on a collision course for a Super Bowl matchup against the Saints.

Talent pool at QB makes NFL a passing league

Solomon Wilcots — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:33:19 +0000

As a former NFL defensive back, even I have to admit that without a top-notch, steely-nerved quarterback, you cannot expect to win consistently in the league today. I can see the evolution in what it takes to win in today's NFL.

Don’t blame TV after officials miss a call

Solomon Wilcots — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:58:16 +0000

Almost every week, an NFL game is guaranteed to give you something you have never seen before. While calling the Pittsburgh-Cleveland game for CBS last Sunday, I witnessed the impossible.

Big Ben helping Steelers pass the test

Solomon Wilcots — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:09:26 +0000

The Steelers entered the season in search of a new identity. After Sunday's 27-14 victory over the Browns -- the Steelers' 12th in a row over their AFC North rivals -- the path has been clearly defined.

Hasselbeck’s heroic return

Solomon Wilcots — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:24:02 +0000

For three hours on Sunday, Matt Hasselbeck proved that toughness in quarterbacks is very underrated.

Around the League: T.O. struggling to get separation

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:44:16 +0000

In my Around the League segment today on NFL Total Access, I talked about last night's showdown between the Packers and Vikings, including the play of both quarterbacks and Jared Allen's performance. I also previewed this weekend's AFC East matchup between the Dolphins and the Bills, and why Terrell Owens has struggled early this season.

Dolphins, Bills heading in opposite directions

Solomon Wilcots — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:22 +0000

Even after losing starting quarterback Chad Pennington for the season, the stock arrow for the Dolphins is pointing up. Second-year QB Chad Henne showed well in his first NFL start as he led Miami to a 38-10 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Everyone’s to blame for the end of T.O.’s streak

Megan King — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:22:49 +0000

Who do you blame when one of the game's most prolific wide receivers goes without a catch for the first time in 185 consecutive games? As it turns out, everyone is to blame, including the New Orleans Saints defense.

Explaining the Wildcat

Solomon Wilcots — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:07:34 +0000

The Wildcat has left more than just NFL defenders confused and frustrated. In fact, just about everyone I talk to seems to have their own concept about what the Wildcat offense actually is. But here's a breakdown of the offense that has become an answer to the Zone Blitz.

Kolb stole the show in Philly

Solomon Wilcots — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:03:58 +0000

The pregame hype surrounding Michael Vick's comeback increased television ratings for the Eagles' Week 3 win over the Chiefs, but it was Kevin Kolb who moved the offense for more than 400 total yards.

Around the League: Eagles will utilize Vick

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:04:26 +0000

In my Around the League segment on Total Access today with Alex Flanagan, we looked at how Michael Vick will contribute to the Eagles' offense, Todd Haley's takeover of the Chiefs offense, and the surprising 2-0 start for the Denver Broncos.

Manning and Pennington: Both brains and talent

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:24:15 +0000

Vince Lombardi once said that the game is played from the neck up. If it is true, then Monday night's meeting between the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins gave us two of the best and brightest quarterbacks in the game.

Raiders, Chiefs were desperate for win

Solomon Wilcots — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:26:20 +0000

The way I saw it, first-year head coaches Tom Cable and Todd Haley were each in desperate need of a win in Week 2 following tough losses the previous week. Turnovers proved to be the difference in the Raiders' win.

Something new from Jaguars, Colts

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:28:51 +0000

A blue collar slug fest has become the norm whenever the Jaguars and Colts hook up for an AFC South tussle. However, a closer look at the Colts' 14-12 win that I called on Sunday revealed some new wrinkles in the make up of both teams.

A telling preseason for Saints

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:22:14 +0000

If the preseason told us anything, it told us that the New Orleans Saints are for real. They went out and started to prove it in Week 1.

Big Ben is for real

Solomon Wilcots — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:38:51 +0000

Even after a slow start in the season opener, Ben Roethlisberger did what he always does. He found a way to win.

Front office moves make little economic cents

Solomon Wilcots — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:32:07 +0000

Each year the Labor Day weekend serves as D-Day in the NFL. It is a time when NFL players participate in their own game of "Survivor" and believe me, no one wants to leave the Island.

Saints are better behind running game, defense

Solomon Wilcots — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:06:01 +0000

The New Orleans Saints may not have finished the preseason undefeated (3-1), but they accomplished just about every goal on their list.

A few observations after Saints down Texans

Solomon Wilcots — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:14:44 +0000

A few observations from the game between the Saints and Texans, including how Drew Brees is a bonafide candidate for league MVP and Mario Williams is ready to launch his career to a higher level.

Favre’s revenge could help old team

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:51:10 +0000

Irony, a twist of fate or just poetic justice? Call it what you want, but while Bret Favre's return is dripping with revenge and the lust to beat his former team, the questions remain: How much does Favre improve the Vikings, and how will the Green Bay Packers compete against their former savior?

Observations from Saints-Bengals preseason game

Solomon Wilcots — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:51:24 +0000

In calling my first preseason game of the summer I noticed that it takes a little time reacclimating to the booth, the crew and all the elements required to help the broadcast go smoothly. It reminded me of how the coaches and players were using the preseason to iron out wrinkles in their game.

Eagles are the perfect remedy for Vick’s rehab

Solomon Wilcots — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:11:40 +0000

Even while The City of Brotherly Love requires its athletes to weather the storm of criticism, the Eagles organization is the perfect place for Michael Vick to rehabilitate his life and resurrect his career.

Campbell trying to seize opportunity

Solomon Wilcots — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:59:31 +0000

After several changes in offensive coordinators and schemes, along with the offseason flirtation with Pro Bowl QB Jay Cutler, many are left wondering if Jason Campbell can grow through the adversity to become the playmaking quarterback the Redskins are looking for.

Bush defining own role for Saints

Solomon Wilcots — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:25:06 +0000

For everyone who wants Reggie Bush to be their kind of runner, try allowing him to be his own kind of runner. Just as we watched Gale Sayers and Barry Sanders create a new artistic form of running, we should allow Bush to freely find his own road to the endzone.

Three keys for Manning’s success in 2009

Solomon Wilcots — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:11:55 +0000

My Sirius Radio co-host Jim Miller put it best when he stated that at this time last year, the Colts hid Peyton Manning from the media so well that he may as well have been in a witness protection program.

Cape Coders willing to give Vick a second chance

Solomon Wilcots — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:45:43 +0000

While resting on my final vacation before the start of the 2009 season, my stay in North Falmouth on Cape Cod was an interesting one. I couldn't help but polling the locals at Gourmet Brunch in Hyannis and the members of Otis Model Aircraft Club at the Crane Wildlife Airfields on the possibility of Michael Vick joining their beloved Patriots.