Upon Further Review Week 12

Posted Dec 2, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Dec 2, 2010 at 02:59 PM

Upon Further Review…

...It is pretty funny, after all.  Just ask Derek Anderson.  He woke up to the reality that he’s a member of the Arizona Cardinals.  You’d laugh too.

...Cortland Finnegan is an idiot. And the NFL is getting rich off of these fines.  $25,000 each for Johnson and Finnegan’s throw-down, but I say it shouldn’t be as much about the players as the kids who are watching.  Sit those players for a week and you send a message that this kind of poor sportsmanship is not condoned.

...Maybe mid-season coaching changes aren’t such a bad idea.  The popular thinking is that they don’t work.  Don’t tell the Cowboys and the Vikings that. 

...Jon Gruden is not going to the University of Miami.  How many times does he have to say that he’s not leaving Monday Night Football?  Wait… the Cowboys are on line one?  He’ll take that call.

...Sabby Piscitelli is a Cleveland Brown?  Yep, we love you Sabby.  If we didn’t, we’d have traded you to Buffalo before the trade deadline passed.  America, get ready to meet another Bucs safety named Lynch!

...Deja-vu?  Brett says he’s going to retire.  No, really this time.  But his wife would rather have him practicing and playing football.  She’s noticed that when he’s laying around the house his texting bill goes through the roof.

...Spygate in Denver.  Pat Bowlen says that Coach McDaniels is safe.  What will the Commish do?  Broncos fans are hoping the league extinguishes Josh’s torch and puts him off the island.

And it’s time for this week’s picks.  Major upsets this week.  You ready?  Cavs over Heat. Eagles over Texans; Bengals over Saints; Bears over Lions; Packers over Niners; Titans over Jags; Chiefs over Broncos; Dolphins over Browns; Vikes over Bills; Giants over Redskins; Bucs over Falcons; Chargers over Raiders; Rams over Cardinals (in a laugher); Seahawks over Panthers; Colts over Cowboys; Ravens over Steelers; Patriots over Jets.

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Thankful

Posted Nov 26, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Nov 26, 2010 at 11:08 AM

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankfull for…

Rah. Coach of the year, me thinks. So much for his being a filler until Bill Cowher decided to un-retire. Give him a long extension, and lets enjoy the run.

Ronde.  A coach on the field, and a man of great character—every team needs a guy in this role. I’m thankful to have been along for the ride on this great man’s career. What happened to all that talk about his having lost a step?  I say he’s still got the fire.

Number 5.  Don’t look now, but the future is as bright as this kid’s smile. In all my years of Buc fandom, I’ve never been as excited about a QB in Tampa. 

Cadillac / Blount.  A mentor and a mentoree. A selfless vet and a right cross.  Loving the way the running game is picking up.  Toss back in another selfless vet, in Earnest Graham—I think we’re in fine shape for the stretch run.

Baltimore Ravens. Giving thanks for this weekend’s challenge. These guys are legit. Won’t be any mistaking our progress after this one’s over.

Atlanta and New Orleans.  We’re coming to get you.

Picks? Absolutely. Patriots all over Lions; Saints all over Cowboys; Jets all over Bengals; Packers over Falcons; Steelers over Bills; Eagles over Bears; Browns over Panthers; Giants over Jags; Vikings over Redskins; Bucs over Ravens; Texans over Titans; Seahwaks over Chiefs; Raiders over Dolphins; Broncos over Rams; Colts over Chargers; Cards over Niners

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Gold Rush

Posted Nov 20, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Nov 20, 2010 at 09:17 PM

Can the Bucs slow down Frank Gore? There hasn’t been a whole lot of success against running backs to hang your hopes on. Our Bucs are 30th in the NFL at stopping the rush. Fantasy league owners are making their fortune on starting whomever is in the backfield opposing Tampa Bay. It’s time to fill some holes. It’s time to make some tackles. And with Troy Smith starting at QB, I say put eight and nine in the box and make him beat us with his arm, for crying out loud!

It seems the last goal line hit on Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen concussed him. John Fox is sending tape to anyone and everyone who will watch it. Those dirty Buc defenders actually tackled his QB to keep him out of the endzone. The nerve. Even more curious news is that in Clausen’s absence, Fox is handing the keys to a guy who, last week, was holding a television remote… on his couch! Welcome back Brian St. Pierre. Who? What does that say about the teams hopes for Tony Pike? Yikes!

Atlanta has reached the top of everyone’s power rankings charts. Do you think? And to realize we were two yards away from, well… being the best team in the NFC. I wonder about their game this weekend against the Rams. Do you suppose this might be a surprise in the making?

Well let’s get to it. Here’s what you’re waiting for—my locks (with a smile): Bengals over Bills (does anyone care?), Cowboys over Lions, Steelers over Raiders, Jets over Texans, Ravens over Panthers, Browns over Jags, Titans over Redskins, Chiefs over Cards, Pack over Vikes (in Brett’s last start???), Rams over Falcons, Saints over Seahags, Bucs over Niners, Pats over Colts, Eagles over Giants, Chargers over Broncos.

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Upon Further Review Week 10

Posted Nov 17, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Nov 17, 2010 at 12:25 PM

Upon Further Review…

...Who is the best team in the NFL? The Patriots made a statement on Sunday.

...Hand the keys to Tyler Thigpen. The Chads went down and Tyler stepped up. Am I the only one who has thought that he was their best QB option all along?  I mean, Chief’s fans wish he was still in KC.  I say this cements the Dolphins in the playoff hunt.  Time will tell.

...Now that their season is really on the skids, how about handing the ball to Tavaris Jackson in Minnesota? I admit, I just want to see how Brett looks in ballcap and clipboard.  I also want to see Brad Childress drive the final nail in his coaching coffin. 

...Moss has landed in Tennessee.  How long until he throws another outburst?  One more game of one catch and get your microphones ready, I tell you.

...Ocho-Stinko.  Wow, what has happened to Carson Palmer?  I’m actually feeling bad for Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.  This is crazy!

...The Bucs are going to San Francisco.  Uh oh!  Can we break through another of those historical barriers?  I say give the ball to LeGarrette and let him hit them in the mouth.  Figuratively, of course.  This game is a should win if we’re a playoff contender. 

...Michael Vick may have been the right choice in Philly.  So now, do they sign him to a long-term lucrative deal?  What becomes of Kevin Kolb?

...And then there’s D-Mac’s new deal in Washington.  Rumored to have been a huge deal, and it turns out he’s getting little guaranteed cash.  I’ll bet he’s not a Redskin next season.  Any takers?

See you tomorrow to pick the weekend’s slate.  I’ll give you one in advance: Thigpen rising!  Dolphins over Bears.

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Upon Further Review Week 9

Posted Nov 11, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Nov 11, 2010 at 05:23 PM

Upon Further Review…

...I guess I will fire him. That conclusion came quickly after the Cowboys meltdown against the Packers. How quickly J.J. went from ‘not during the season’ to ‘pack your bags and get off the premises!’ Next in line? Not Jason Garrett. He’s a stop-gap. No one believes in him anymore. The bottom dropped out of his coaching stock. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen: I say it’s Jon Gruden’s job for the taking.

...Say it isn’t so! Shawne Merriman showed up in Buffalo. He left ten minutes later… limping. Yep, you’d pull up lame, too.

...Speaking of the Bills, the Seahawks signed former Bill great J.P. Losman (pronounced LOSS-man). Guess the Charlie Whitehurst experiment isn’t looking so hot to Pete Carroll.

...That loss in Atlanta last Sunday wasn’t the end of the world. We’re still in good shape. We’re still on track in the race to ten.  I’ll say it, we’re still among the best in the NFC.  So now let’s not go and lay an egg this weekend against the Panthers!

...Hanging Chads in Miami?  Sitting Henne for Pennington.  Isn’t that sort of like choosing a president between George Bush and Al Gore?  What, is Martha Stewart not on the ballot?  Where’s Parcells when they need him?  He’d have an opinion.

...So Wade Phillips was the first. Who is the next coach to fall? Has to be Chan Gailey, right?  Singletary? Fox?

Okay, so I’m a little out of sync this week with my posts. Virus took out the harddrive, as I said. I’m still not back up to speed.  But my picks are improving. Can’t go anywhere but up as bad as they’ve been going. Here’s how they’ll fall this week.  I promise!  Ravens over Falcons, Bills over Lions, Bears over Vikings, Jets over Browns, Colts over Bengals, Titans over Dolphins, Bucs over Panthers, Texans over Jags, Chiefs over Broncos, Giants over Cowboys, Cards over Seahags, Rams over Niners, Steelers over Pats, Eagles over Redskins.

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Best In The NFC South

Posted Nov 6, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Nov 6, 2010 at 10:34 PM

Hey Rah, time to put up. The ‘Best in the NFC’ distinction really is on the line tomorrow. At least in the NASCAR division.  Just to prove the point, Rah is resting three of our offensive starters.  Don’t need ‘em.  In fact, we’re going to start a D-Lineman at Fullback, a Center at Guard and a Guard at Center.  Why not?  Donald Penn is going back to return punts.  We’re fixin’ to show ‘em all.

Zigy Wilf—doesn’t that sound like the name of a cartoon character?  He’s the owner of the Minnesota Vikings.  They’re a cartoon football team.  Brett Favre is back from having his chin stitched.  Percy Harvin is hobbling, but that provided him with extra time to chew out Brad Childress.  Oh, and Zigy revealed that he was tossed between waiving Randy Moss or firing Brad Childress.  Let’s see… I say you go with both, Zigy.

Jerry Jones stated that Wade Phillips’ job is safe until the end of the season.  What’s the over/under on how many minutes after the final game Wade is sent packing?  I’m thinking before sun-up the next day.  Any takers?

So Randy Moss is in Tennessee now.  They’re on a bye week.  That worked out well.  The Titans are looking for a new caterer. 

Shawne Merriman landed in Buffalo.  He won’t be playing this weekend.  I believe that.  It would take me a week of stiff drinking to come to grips with the fact that I was a Buffalo Bill too.  Welcome to the CFL Shawne.

Logan Mankins is back with the Patriots.  Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.  Hey, if you help keep Tom Brady’s uniform clean, there’s no shortage of forgiveness.

And me?  No forgiveness here for PCs.  I spent the better part of this past week reformatting my harddrive due to a virus.  I’m done.  First chance I get, I’m buying a MAC.  Bet on it.

Speaking of bets, let’s get to the picks.  But don’t bet. Gambling is a sin.  Plus, if you’ve been going with my picks this season, you’re losing some serious money.  Lost my MOJO.  I’m like last year’s Bucs, I tell you.  But this year’s version—best in the NFC!  Here’s a go: Bucs over Falcons (going with my heart), Bears over Argonauts, Patriots over Browns, Jets over Lions, Saints over Panthers, Ravens over Dolphins, Texans over Chargers, Vikings over Cardinals, Giants over Seahawks, Eagles over Colts, Raiders over Chiefs, Pack over Cowboys (Phillips start packing), Steelers over Bengals.

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Upon Further Review Week 8

Posted Nov 2, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Nov 2, 2010 at 07:57 PM

Upon Further Review…

...this has to be one of the strangest football seasons ever. Cowboys can’t win. Chiefs can’t lose. Bucs the best team in the NFC. Bills—well, at least some things never change.

...all the Vikings needed was a big time receiver, so enter Randy Moss (Oct. 3). Now all the Vikings need to do is get rid of one big mouth malcontent, so exit Randy Moss (Nov. 1). Here’s food for thought—what the Vikings really need to do is replace Brad Childress.  Brad, give Chan a call.  He knows a good realtor.

...Jerry Jones said this week that he’s contemplating a coaching change. Do you think?

...Raheem Morris’ ‘best in the NFC’ boast isn’t playing well with the Falcons. It’s put up or shut up time. Good thing the game is on the road. There might actually be some Bucs fans in the stands.

...Michael Vick is the starter. Kevin Kolb is the starter. Michael Vick is the starter. Kevin Kolb… Anyone else get the feeling Andy Reid is playing Rock, Paper, Scissors?

...at least both of Andy Reid’s choices are winners. How about Eric Mangini and John Fox’s choices? Their version of Rock, Paper, Scissors is more like Russian Roulette.

...then there’s Mike Shanahan’s choices. For him it’s not as much about who plays, but rather how to explain it. He doesn’t know the two-minute drill? He’s not in cardio shape to run the two-minute drill? And then there’s this: Rex Grossman?  Really?  Oh but it gets better: The Redskins worked out DeMarcus Russell and J.P. Losman (pronounced LOSS-man) today.  No, I’m not kidding. I’m going to become a Redskins fan for the sheer comedic value.

Back later this week to tell you who wil win and who will lose.  Since I did so great last week, eh?  Oh my!  If my prognosticating this season was a horse, they’d have to put me down. But I don’t give up. I’m like Wade Phillips. Er…

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Road Warriors

Posted Oct 30, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Oct 30, 2010 at 09:27 PM

No one will come watch the Bucs play at Ray-Jay, so they’re taking the show to the desert.  Careful Bucs fans—I’ll start the rumor mill: Magic Johnson wants to speerhead the effort to bring an NFL franchise back to L.A.  The Glazers selling to Magic Johnson et al?  Well at least in L.A. they’d have a crowd on hand.  I’m just sayin’

I have to be honest: I’m totally sick of the Brett Favre coverage.  Watch the game tomorrow.  Brett will start.  Tavaris may finish.  And that might be the end of Brett’s starting streak.  Anyone want to wager?

Don’t write the Cowboys off yet.  Jon Kitna to Roy Williams.  Look it up. 

Vincent Jackson is back in San Diego.  Sort of.  Maybe he will be in three weeks after serving his suspension—for stupidity.  My question: Do his teammates want him in the line-up?  Or, better still, with Norv Turner at the helm, does it matter?

Oh and we’re dropping another love-in on England.  The 49ers and the Broncos?  They’ll be asking us to send UFL teams next year.  Hey, is that team that Maurice Clarrett plays for available?

I know, get to the picks!  I’m a day late and a dollar short, but these picks and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee at McDonalds.  Bengals over Dolphins, Cowboys over Jaguars (Kitna to Williams, I tell you!), Lions over Redskins, Chiefs over Bills, Rams over Panthers, Jets over Packers, Broncos over Niners (Cheerio!), Chargers over Titans, Bucs over Cardinals, Pats over Vikings, Seahawks over Raiders, Steelers over Saints, Colts over Texans

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Upon Further Review Week 7

Posted Oct 27, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Oct 27, 2010 at 05:57 PM

Upon Further Review…

...the Bucs are the best team in the NFC.  Well, at least Rah thinks so.  Let’s see what the Arizona Cardinals have to say on Sunday.

...Favre will play.

...Favre may not.

...Favre has a broken ankle.

...Favre will play anyhow.

...Here’s a thought for you: What if Brad Childress benches Brett Favre?  Don’t bet against it.  How many of you had Minnesota to go to the Super Bowl this year?

...Wade Phillips called Chan Gailey earlier this week.  He asked Chan for the name of his realtor.  Tony Romo is out.  Jon Kitna is in.  Jerry Jones has smoke coming out of his ears.  You do the math.

...What’s wrong with the Saints?  If memory serves correctly, all they need is another game against the best team in the NFC and they’ll be fine.

...Big Ben scored!  Big Ben fumbled.  Then the officials fumbled.  Oh, and this just in: Big Ben has asked that people quit calling him Big Ben.  Okay.  Thinking… How about Battleship Ben? Boxcar Ben? Burly Ben? Blind-date Ben? 

Be back on Thursday with this weekend’s locks.

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Best Team In The NFC

Posted Oct 25, 2010 by Darin Shaw

Updated Oct 25, 2010 at 09:15 AM

Rah said that the Bucs are the best team in the NFC. Sure, he had a smile on his face when he said it. And the actual numbers suggest that Atlanta holds that distinction by the slightest of margins. Still, the Bucs are 4-2. Hear me—your Bucs are 4-2!

How about that first half? First and goal at the six served up by our defense. In the blink of an eye, our offense had turned that into first and goal from Dale Mabry. Penalties? We may just have been the best in the NFC at stacking up the penalty yards in the first half yesterday.

The first half wasn’t all bad. At least we learned the new punter is consistent.

Then the second half—kudos to the coaching staff for adjustments at halftime. Kudos to LeGarrette Blount for giving the team some spark. Kudos to the defense for plugging some holes, and slowing down that pack mule Stephen Jackson.

Good, Bad and Ugly? You betcha. GOOD: Number 5. Josh Freeman is on his way to a very bright future. Buc lovers and haters alike have to see that. I’m thrilled that as a Bucs fan, I get to see this story unfold. Most telling to me was that he didn’t play well in the first half, and he turned it around. That’s something for the young man’s tank. BAD: Our defending the run. No surprise. We’re padding the stats of a lot of runningbacks this season. It reminds me of the days of Barry Saunders. Just about every Saunders highlight reel of him breaking tackles and running wild—you saw orange and white defenders. End of this year, how many other teams highlight reels will our guys have large supporting roles?  UGLY: 36K. That’s the crowd that showed up to see the best team in the NFC at home? Pitiful. I’m telling you, there IS more support for the Bucs on the road than at home. Good that we’re going to Arizona next weekend—probably more Bucs fans out there. A personal note from the preacher to those laying around the house in Tampa and St. Pete on Sunday afternoons—you’re missing the advent of one of the NFL’s next QB greats. And he’s in pewter, red and white. See ya tomorrow.

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