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A costly weekend around the NFL. Probably nowhere more costly than in Dallas, where the Cowboys lost Tony Romo for four weeks, their punter Mat McBrier for the season, and then learned today that they have lost Adam Jones for the foreseeable future due to suspension. This week, however, may go down as a turning point for the Cowboys for another reason. Today, just before the trade deadline, the Cowboys finalized a deal with the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. Williams’ production has declined over each of the last three seasons. But, stepping into an offense with the kind of weapons the Cowboys possess could revitalize his career, and add one more threat to the arsenal.
One more thought on Adam Jones. I have to confess that taking shots at NFL guys who should know better, yet still behave like juvenile delinquents, is sport for me. Some guys just need to get a clue, or at the very least, some re-parenting. The cornerback previously known as Pacman is a prime example. I applaud the Sherriff for taking the action he did today. It’s really not about punishing Adam, it’s about giving him another chance. Here’s hoping that he will take advantage of this latest wake-up call. My read is that he’s about one more blunder away from a final flush in the NFL. Or still worse, he may find himself in a Rae Carruth or Maurice Clarrett like fix.
Tony Gonzalez took a weekend off with his teammates. He thought about the potential of catching passes from Brody Croyle next week. Damon Huard the next. Maybe Tyler Thigpen the following week. He begged the team to trade him. Deadline passed. He’s still a member of the Chiefs. You have to feel bad for the guy, no? Here’s the worst part - now Tony needs to explain to his teammates why he begged out. Ouch. Hey, Tony! Try this: “Uh, have you looked at our depth chart?”
The Giants fell from the ranks of the unbeatens. The Titans are now alone atop Mt. Perfect.
In pewter, the Bucs are in need of a fullback. Byron Storer is done for the year. B.J. Askew is still not fully healthy. And this coming Sunday the Bucs plan to honor former Buc fullback Mike Alstott. Hmmm. Do you think? Let’s be honest, the A Train never really was a blocking fullback during his 12 year career. He was a ball-toter and pass catcher. His blocking skills were not what took him to six Pro-Bowls. Still, big body… knows the playbook lingo… STOP! Go get Jameel Cook. He’s sitting at home watching ESPN coverage of the Adam Jones suspension.
Okay, enough of my rambling, let me give you a Hero, Goat and Quote from weekend six.
Hero ~ The Bucs fan in me demands that I give the Hero award to Earnest Graham for this weekend. See the quote award below.
Goat ~ Rams O-Lineman Richie Incognito wins my Goat award. Even though his gaffe didn’t end up costing his team their first win of the year, it nearly did. How this guy allows himself to lose control with so much on the line baffles me. Goat!
Quote ~ Back to the Bucs Earnest Graham: “If you’re looking for a fullback, I’m your man.”
Hey, another double digit win week, 10-4. See you Thursday with my picks for week seven.
My heart thanks you. It was a very nice treat to have a win today that didn’t tax the ticker - no interceptions or self inflicted wounds to turn this win into a nail-biter. We did it! We brought an end to the five year run of falling down at home to the Panthers.
Kudos to the offensive line. That’s a very formidable pass rush held at bay today. Special kudos to Jeremy Zuttah. Right side, left side, wherever, Zuttah has been invaluable this year, and today was just the latest example.
Props also to the defense today. Jake Delhomme has been an Achilles to us in the past. Let’s be honest, we’ve never had an answer for Steve Smith. Our guys were flying around the ball all afternoon, and were opportunistic when the ball was bouncing around in the air. Elbert Mack played a nice game again.
Here’s what I took away today: we’ve got a lot to be excited about going forward. Our young guys and guys coming off the bench are all players. Sabby, Elbert, Jeremy, Quincy, Aquib, Geno - the future looks bright.
Lastly, I was struck today by the friendship and teamwork between Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn. With Storer’s injury, E. Graham had to move to fullback, and gave his all to that role. Warrick lit the Panthers up. Great to see.
We’re 4-2 and in the driver’s seat of the NFC South with our wins over the Falcons and Panthers. What did you see out there today?
When it rains it pours. Just ask Marvin Lewis. Carson Palmer won’t play this weekend. That just means that Lewis is one week closer to being unemployed. Cheer up, Marvin. Your team stands poised to make some ESPN highlight reels this week as you help Brett Favre add to his league-leading touchdown total.
The Tom Cable (Who?) era begins this weekend when the Raiders travel to play the New Orleans Saints. New Skipper. Same S.S. Minnow. Al Davis will likely miss the fourth quarter of this one. He’s going to get a headstart on composing Cable’s resignation letter for him.
Better days are ahead for the Rams with Jim Haslett at the helm. It’s not going to be an ideal start for them, having to travel and meet a hot Redskin squad. Give him a few weeks. Haslett will make it respectable.
Hey, here’s some good news! News about Adam Jones’ altercation this week with his body guard came to light. No one got shot. No strippers. Just a few punches, a few police cars, and no arrests. In other words, sort of like a normal day at Carolina Panthers training camp.
Speaking of the Panthers, they’re coming to Tampa. You know what that means? Extra off-duty officers outside the Ladies Rooms of local bars? Seriously, it means that the Bucs have another chance to reverse the trend - “5 Straight” is all the bulletin board fodder the Bucs need. The Panthers have owned the Bucs at Ray-Jay just like the Panther’s Cheerleaders have… er… nevermind.
Perhaps a Texans win this weekend? Do you suppose Gary Kubiak has his team ready for the Dolphins ‘Friday Night Lights’ offense? Are they ready for the Wildcat formation? The Wishbone? The Winged-T? The good news is that Sage Rosenfumble will be back on the bench. Still, Matt Schaub is going to play. Schaub has managed to toss five picks while earning Oscar consideration for his role as a tackling dummy through his three starts.
Oh well, let’s see what we have. Here are my ‘no-need-to-convene-the-Grand-Jury, stand-in-line-for-the-ladies-room” picks for week six: Falcons over Bears; Texans over Dolphins; Colts over Ravens; Vikings over Lions; Saints over Raiders; Jets over Bengals; Bucs over Panthers (yes, that’s the call just for my friend James in WV); Skins over Rams; Broncos over Jags; Cowboys over Cardinals; Eagles over 49ers; Packers over Seahawks; Chargers over Patriots; Giants over Browns. Bye week: Titans ~ Win; Bills ~ Place; Steelers ~ Show; Chiefs ~ Glue Factory.
Yeesh! A single digit win total for week five. You expect more from me. Rightly so. What’s so distressing to me is that the couple of underdogs I went with (I told you I was taking a few risks) actually came through as winners. It was the unbelievable results that got me. The Dolphins over the Chargers? The Falcons winning on the road in Lambeau? This kind of stuff could drive a preacher to drink!
A couple of QB injuries to watch - the Bills lost Trent Edwards and you know what that means… J.P. Losman (pronounced LOSS-man) has the reigns. Of course the Bucs watched Jeff Garcia take over for Brian Griese after he was rag-dolled by a blitzing Champ Bailey. And if you think those QB prospects seem dim, consider that you could be a fan of the Seattle Seahawks who are watching both Matt Hasselback and back-up Seneca Wallace nurse injuries. You know what that means? Charlie Frye, baby! Yes!
A couple of QB insults to watch - the Chiefs appear poised to go with a ‘QB-of-the-week’ approach. Sit Damon Huard. Play Brody Croyle. Then next Sunday, we’ll go back to the Thigpen kid. Matters not - this is Kansas City we’re talking about. Then there’s God’s favorite team, the Detroit Lions. Orlovsky? Kitna? Please.
The Saints placed Martin Gramatica on Injured Reserve. After he missed two potential game winners in a row, Gramatica is lucky they let him on the team flight home this past weekend.
Oh, and this just in: The cornerback formerly known as Pacman was involved in an altercation last night. Cops are looking into it. No, really? Let’s go Hero, Goat and Quote before Pac assaults someone else:
Hero ~ Tony Sparano. Who would have expected the Dolphins to pull out a win over the Chargers? Rumor has it he’s working on adding the Wishbone to his Winged-T and Option offensive schemes.
Goat ~ Sage Rosenfumble, er, I mean Rosenfels. The Texans had a win square in the crosshairs when Sage put on his one man fumbling clinic.
Quote ~ Two weeks in a row, this one goes to Terrell Owens. Now he’s teaching theology at his post game presser: “When it happened, I knew it was going to happen. He told me the night before it was going to happen, so when I went to the sideline, the emotions hit me.” Owens added: “God was going to put me in a situation to make that statement. I knew it was going to happen.”
Back Thursday with next weekend’s picks for you. See you then.
It wasn’t our day. That’s not what’s eating me at the moment. I’m bummed that we made the Broncos defense look good. This is the unit the Kansas City Chiefs pushed all over the field. The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS! So, while I’m proud of our defense for stopping the Broncos league leading attack, I’m troubled that our offense couldn’t have been a little more effective.
Penalties hurt today. You can chock some of it up to Invesco Field crowd noise. Still, some were due to lack of focus. It’s tough to be starting our first and fifteen and first and twenty. It’s tougher still when we’re facing second or third and a cab-ride most of the afternoon.
I suppose we can be happy that Brian Griese didn’t throw any picks today. Of course, if could be argued that the Broncos kept him from miscues for us by taking him out of the game. Hope he’s alright.
This week’s Dexter whining… You know, I have been dogging Dexter Jackson all season long. Last week he actually looked like he might have been reading my blog, so I cut him some slack. Not this time. Please put Ike Hilliard or someone else… ANYONE else… back there to return punts for us. The man looks timid and afraid. I cannot believe we drafted him to be our return man. Get Michael Spurlock back.
Disappointing loss. But, the sky isn’t falling. A win next week over the Panthers and we’re right back on top of things. Just a mile-high might-have-been. Let’s move on. So, who will be under center next week?
What did you see out there?
New Ringleader, but it’s the same Circus. Tom Cable steps into the spotlight under the Big-Top. That’s essentially what ex-Raider DT Warren Sapp said this week from his new perch among the Inside The NFL crew. At least Raidernation gets a bye week to hope for something other than Al Davis’ dog and pony show grab headlines.
Injuries are mounting in many NFL cities. The Steelers are watching Big Ben closely. They need their quarterback in the backfield, because Lord knows they’re out of running backs. Packers are watching Aaron Rodgers closely. Those same Packers are looking for warm bodies to play secondary and now they’re dealing with the season-ending injury to DT Cullen Jenkins. The Redskins are looking at missing Jason Taylor and Shawn Springs this weekend. The Eagles are hopeful that Brian Westbrook will play, but the Carolina Panthers prepare for action this weekend without either starting tackle in the lineup. Homespun Handicappers beware: watch the injury wire when you’re picking this week’s winners.
Where the Bucs are concerned, Brian Griese gets his second “homecoming game” in three weeks, this time visiting Denver. Too bad we can’t get Miami next on the regular season schedule for him. It won’t matter where we’re playing if these miscues finally jump up to bite him in the behind. He says he’s going to turn it around. It was nice to read Michael Pittman’s positive comments in the press this week as he looked forward to meeting the Bucs.
A very impressive 10-3 outing last week, I’m going to take a few risks this time out. We’ll see. I’m going to follow James in WV’s advice and pick against my beloved Bucs this time, but hope to lose that one. Here are my ‘look-Ma-no-hands, watch-that-injury-report-my-friends’ picks for week five: Titans over Ravens; Panthers over Chiefs; Bears over Lions; Packers over Falcons; Colts over Texans; Chargers over Dolphins; Giants over Seahawks; Eagles over Redskins; Broncos over Bucs; Cardinals over Bills; Cowboys over Bengals; Patriots over 49ers; Jaguars over Steelers; Saints over Vikings. Bye: Browns ~ Anderson and Edwards making up; Jets ~ Favre and the bright lights of the Big Apple getting acquainted; Rams & Raiders ~ CPR and charging the paddles respectively.
Not bad for my first short-slate weekend. While six teams were on the couch Sunday, the Preaching went well - I’ll take the 10-3 and smile.
Not much smiling going on in Oakland. Yeesh! Did you see Al Davis’ press conference? Was he breathing? That paisty white old man is the power behind the Raiders? The feared-throughout-the-land Oakland Raiders? Give me a break. After you check his pulse, check his sanity. What an embarrassment this whole fiasco has been to the NFL. He’s on television calling his young head coach a liar? He’s planning not to pay him the balance of his contract? The drama continues. Tell me, who in their right mind will accept this Head Coaching job going forward?
Hey, Lane Kiffin… give Mike Shanahan a call. He’s the other young head coach that Davis tried to destroy (and without pay, at that). Take a job - any job - on Shanahan’s staff and stand across from the crazy old bird a couple times each season.
Oh, and the Rams fired Scott Linehan and re-inserted Marc Bulger in the starting lineup. Does anyone care? I mean, other than Marc Bulger? Jim Haslett takes over in the interim. Haslett might be there for the long haul. I’ve always felt he was a better coach than his five years in New Orleans showcased.
I saw today that the Bengals signed former Bear Cedric Benson. He will fit right in. He’s experienced in traffic stops and breathalizers.
Now, for my Hero, Goat and Quote awards of week four:
Hero ~ Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant. Enough said.
Goat ~ I was prepared to drop this honor on a couple of deserving players but watching the video of Al Davis again, how can I go anywhere else. This one is all his.
Quote ~ Hands down, this goes to the Cowboy’s receiver Terrell Owens, who after his team’s loss to the Redskins said, “It’s not on me. I’ve told them, when you don’t get the ball to me bad things happen.” Just for kicks, T.O., it appears that when they do get the ball to you bad things can happen too. Like in this game where they went to you, in some form or another, on 21 out of 58 offensive plays. Oops. You never claimed you were a mathematician though, did you?
Be back on Thursday to give you another slate of winners. Stop by.
Man, does Brian Griese feel the need to make every game this exciting? It’s as if he self destructs on cue, and then revives his team before the final gun. Yeesh! A couple of his picks were all on him today. Imagine how good this could be if he’d avoid the couple of bone-headed plays each game?
Matt Bryant - thank you for your courage in coming to work today.
You have to be encouraged by the play of the O-Line. They managed to keep Griese upright, and to open some nice holes. This, too, is exciting as I look ahead. Earnest and Warrick made the game in the second half. The Packer fatties were worn down.
Derrick Brooks too old? Lost a step? Not today! Brooks was a wrecking crew. I loved to see that for number 55. Old number 20 wasn’t so bad either, with the exception of the turf taking him out on Jennings first score.
One more thing… my friend James in WV - let me lovingly say, I told you so.
What did you see out there?
Today’s Text: Matthew 3:1-12
The Bucs will be going today without B.J. Askew in the starting lineup. Who? His name isn’t as household familiar as Graham or Dunn, but the role he plays is critical to the running game’s success. His job: to prepare the way. As the blocking back, B.J. has the task of removing obstacles for his ball-toting backfield mate.
Take a look at verses 2 and 3 in this Matthew passage. You see there that the role of the preacher (John the baptizer) was foretold by an Old Testament prophet - to “prepare the way” and to “make straight the paths” for the One to come after him - namely Jesus. That word ‘prepare’ from the original language is best rendered ‘removing obstacles’. In the next few verses you see that this ‘preparing the way’ involved having people consider again their need for a Savior. In verses 8 and 9 it becomes clear that John called hearers to reconsider their need for a Savior - whereas the religious leaders he confronted were claiming they were in good standing with God based on their heritage, or who they were. John said, think again! This was an obstacle. It needed to be removed.
What obstacles stand in the way of your realizing your need for a Savior? What old ways of thinking need to be tossed aside?
Well it is about time! Matt Millen is no more. But, I ask you, how does ridding themselves of a horrible Vice President and General Manager help the Lions win games on the field this season? At the end of the day the Lions have finally made the move the entire world has been calling for over the last several seasons, but made their football program no better heading into action this weekend. What next? Will they bench God’s favorite QB? Here’s hoping. Oh, and Bucs fans will be happy to hear Redskins and Buc alum Martin Mayhew is now steering that ship.
Lane Kiffin still twists in the breeze - employed, but barely. I suppose if I was Al Davis next Monday would be an attractive time to finally accept that resignation letter that he wrote to himself for his coach. With a certain loss against the division rival Chargers on Sunday and then a bye week following that, if you’re going to groom a new jester that would be a good window. Again, I will ask: What next? Or better, who next? Does anyone in their right mind take that head coaching position? Bueller? Ferris Bueller?
So the Kansas City Chiefs are turning back to Damon Huard for this coming week, one week of the Tyler Thigpen experience having been more than enough. In my annual preview I made the point that Herm Edwards seems to have taken the entire off-season off. It is absolute malpractice, for my thinking, that he wandered through that entire period of collegiate draft and free-agency and landed zero QBs worthy of playing a down in the NFL. Everyone knew that Croyle and Huard are nothing more than clipboard toters. Thigpen is a project at best. And the Chiefs - much more Herm Edwards - doesn’t have time for a project. Remember, he left the Jets… for this! Vote them most likely to get throttled this weekend. And next. And the weekend after that. Heck, when is their bye week?
Well, let me get to the stuff you’ve been waiting for. Did you take my picks to the water cooler last week? Eh? Shame on you if you didn’t. I handed you a marvelous 14-2 slate. Don’t look now but that English gentleman landed at 14-2 too. No, I’m not kidding. I had to check it a couple of times, but the chap snuck into the limelight. Must have downed a pint in celebration. Let’s see what this week’s tallies look like. Here are my “anyone-have-Barry-Sander’s-number, fish-and-chips-on-Paul-come-Monday” locks for week four: Panthers over Falcons; Bengals over Browns; Jaguars over Texans; Broncos over Chiefs (whether the team shows up or the cheerleaders take the field); Saints over 49ers; Jets over Cardinals; Bucs over Packers; Titans over Vikings; Chargers over Raiders; Bills over Rams; Cowboys over Redskins; Eagles over Bears; Steelers over Ravens. Bye: Giants ~ World Champions at Rest; Lions ~ Rest In Peace; Patriots ~ In disbelief that they lost to Miami; Dolphins ~ In disbelief that they beat New England; Colts and Seahawks ~ Looking for answers.
He made it through week three (with two unused timeouts to spare) and still has a job… for the moment. Reports this week were that “Raiders officials” had informed Lane Kiffin that he was no longer the coach of the Raiders. Lane, for his part, called a press conference and stated “until I hear from Mr. Davis that I am no longer the coach of this team” nothing will change. When asked when he had last spoken to the team owner recently, Kiffin’s answer conjured up painted a picture of a school boy playing hookie trying to dodge the truant officer. How is it that Raiders fans can stand this circus?
This in from Detroit, Michigan: the Lions may be God’s favorite team, but they suck. Now the team owner’s son is calling for Matt Millen to be fired. “If I had the authority”, Bill Ford Jr. offered, “I’d fire Matt Millen.” Really? Have that conversation with Daddy. PLEASE!
A handful of QB changes on the horizon: Rams going to Trent Green over Bulger. Chiefs going to ANYONE over Tyler Thigpen. If I’m Herm Edwards, I’m calling Len Dawson out of retirement before I hand the ball back to that kid. In Cleveland, Romeo isn’t loving on Derek Anderson anymore. Fans want his head on a platter. There sits Brady Quinn. It’s a matter of when, now.
Hey, last Saturday in a battle of NFL dropouts, Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide rolled over Bobby Petrino’s Razor-pigs 49-14. Pig-Suey!
How about a little Hero, Goat and Quote action?
Hero ~ Aaron Rodgers. Even in defeat he looked Favre-like. Fans in Green Bay are now three weeks worth of convinced. Brett Who?
Goat ~ A tie again, this week between Steelers coach Mike Tomlin who went for it on 4th and 10 - should have kicked the FG - and the aforementioned Kiffin for allowing the clock to be drained on his team while he had two timeouts in his hip pocket.
Quote ~ Warren Sapp on dancing with the stars: “The Fat Man can dance!” Yes, Warren. You can dance! I bet he’s in it ‘til the end.
Your thoughts?
So what do you make of that? The Bucs play themselves into a hole. The Bucs stay after it. The Bucs dig themselves out. It wasn’t a win in the way we would have preferred, but it says a lot about our Bucs, a lot about our coach, and a lot about our starting QB. Like it or not, the same Brian Griese that overthrew a couple of wide open receivers and tossed a triad of picks also played brilliant on the last couple of drives in regulation, and on the winning drive in the overtime period. Don’t forget that we got the ball with a chance to do this in week one and that was when Jeff Garcia threw his pick.
We got to see something else today. We got to see what the day can look like when an opponent takes our running game away. Make no mistake, that was the real difficulty we faced today. The Bears took us out of the running game from the get-go, and dared Brian Griese to beat them. And he did. Be assured that we won’t be needing Brian to throw 70 passes every week. And be relieved about that too.
Rick in Clearwater chimed in during the game with an observation that Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks looked old today. I agree - to a point. One could argue that Marcus Hamilton, playing in his first NFL game and that because of Aqib Talib’s injury and Elbert Mack’s suspension, looked better against Brandon Lloyd today than did the venerable Ronde. I say that I almost agree because I will give a little grace to the old men. Any defense asked to be on the field as often and long as the Bucs D was today is going to look old and slow at some point.
Let’s give some kudos to Jeremy Zuttah. You didn’t hear Tommy Harris’ name mentioned all day. Let’s also give the O-Line’s pass protection a slap on the back. It was really only on blitzes that they got any pressure on Brian. Their front four weren’t able to get there on their own.
Now let offer some strong criticism of young Dexter Jackson. If he’s going to make it in this league as a return man, he has to learn to run straight ahead and be prepared to take a hit. I’ve watched him closely in all three of our games thus far. More often than not the turf has tackled him. Look back at the film. Phantom’s bring him to the ground. Not to mention, this tendency he has to run the wrong way with the ball is ridiculous. His coaches need to cure him of this - he will not outrun the NFL the way he did Division II college cover units. I have to tell you, putting Ike Hilliard back there is a better move until we convince the speed racer to run north and south.
Give the Bucs credit, and lots of it. Going into Chicago and coming out with a win is a great win. Give Brian Griese credit, and lots of it. Going back to the town where he was never given a real shot, and doing so by putting up 400 yards - priceless!
What did you see out there?
Today’s text: Ecclesiastes chapter 1 & 2
I’ve been thinking about the way injuries can change a team’s fortunes in an instant. Last year the Rams entered the seasons with high hopes. Within the first few moments of their season Orlando Pace went down and the Rams never recovered. Think of the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars this season. Will the loss of TomBrady spell disaster for the Patriots? Will the devastating wave of injuries that have rocked their offensive line (4 starters are out, three of them for the entire year) be something that they can overcome? Time will tell. Observing teams in the past suggest that they have a tough uphill battle ahead of them.
Take a look through the first couple of chapters of Ecclesiastes today. This book contain the observations and eventual conclusions of a teacher - or philosopher, if you will. He’s taken a look at all that he could accomplish, all that he could amass for himself, all that he could experience - and he comes to the conclusion that it’s all fleeting. It will all come to an end, and nothing will be remembered of it a couple of generations down the road. So, what’s the point? Who is behind all this? Is there a bigger meaning? Something (or Someone) other?
His conclusion, both here at the end of chapter 2, and then more clearly at the end of Ecclesiastes is that without God in our lives, it’s all pretty pointless. It’s futile. It’s doomed.
Wow! I hope for the Patriots and Jaguars sake that this isn’t true of their 2008 seasons. But, I invite you to join the exploration of the philosopher of Ecclesiastes. What’s to be said of this life?
Hey, it’s Thursday and Lane Kiffin is still employed. Imagine that. Al Davis, aka the crazy uncle, must be out shopping for hair gel.
Keep an eye on the situation in Cincinnati these next few weeks. All signs say that Marvin Lewis has lost his team, or as I’ve punned before, the inmates are running the asylum. Opponents have seemingly figured out the Bengals offense. The play calling appears now to be almost totally reactionary. I expect that unless something miraculous happens, Lewis is on a fast track to the unemployment line. Not quite as fast a track as Lane Kiffin, but he’s in the running for second coach to be fired, running neck-and-neck with the Rams Scott Linehan.
Speaking of Linehan, things don’t get any easier for his team now that they’ve been put on notice by the owner. They get their division rival Seahawks who come into this game very literally like an injured wild animal. The Seahawks realize their backs are against the wall this week - they’re circling the drain. They see the Rams as strong medicine for their resuscitation.
The Ed Hochuli apologies keep rolling forth - word now that he has emailed Chargers’ fans with an official apology to them for his mistake. I tell you, it is refreshing to see such authenticity in and around this game. Hochuli is said to be devastated by the supervisor of officials. It’s time to move on. He’s done all he can do. I’m hoping he’s out there in Baltimore on Sunday as assigned, to head up his crew for the Ravens/Browns game.
I intend to catch the Cowboys/Packers contest this weekend to see how Aaron Rodgers fairs. He’s making the Packer faithful ask ‘Brett who?’ after two games. Something tells me this one will be a good indicator of the moxie this young man brings to the position.
It’s also a reunion weekend around the NFL. Adding intrigue: Brian Griese returns to face a Chicago pass rush that is salivating over his lack of mobility; the Lions (formerly known as God’s favorite team, before He appears to have wrought plagues upon them) will come-a-calling on their former Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz; the new Cleveland Browns will make a trip to visit the old Cleveland Browns; oh, and former Seahawks PK Josh Brown will return to Qwest Field with his new team the Rams.
So, I wiggled my way to a pedestrian 8-7 last week. Well, at least I didn’t lose to the British guy. But, I’m capable of so much more. It was an underachieving week for me, for sure. I’ve done some extra studying this week - I’ve also taken a few risks. Let’s see if it helps. Here are my “watch-the-preacher-rebound-and-put-your-money-on-Monday-for-Lane-Kiffin” picks for week three: Falcons over Chiefs; Bills over Ravens; Bucs over Bears, Vikings over Panthers; Patriots over Dolphins; Giants over Bengals; Titans over Texans; Redskins over Cardinals; Broncos over Saints; 49ers over Lions; Seahawks over Rams; Browns over Ravens; Jaguars over Colts; Eagles over Steelers; Cowboys over Packers; Chargers over Jets
Let’s talk AFC West, shall we? The Chargers are the best team in the NFL for fifty-nine minutes each game. It’s the last sixty seconds that they get norved. First it was by Jake Delhomme and the Panthers simply beating them. But this past week (after the officials gave the Broncos a mulligan) it was Mike Shannahan norving with the Chargers, successfully going for two points and the win. In so doing, the Broncos have as many wins as the Chargers have losses - two, after two weeks of the season. How about the Raiders? .500 baby! But in Vegas the oddsmakers are more interested in handicapping which week will be Lane Kiffin last rather than whether the Raiders win or lose. Oh, and the Chiefs are in this division too. They don’t count. If the Chiefs were a horse they’d be euthanized.
Back to Lane Kiffin. I just feel bad for the guy. He coaches in Oakland. It’s like the dude is in purgatory (and a good Protestant like me doesn’t even believe in purgatory). I remember when Al Davis was truly one of the NFL’s innovators. Now he’s like the crazy uncle that no one in the family talks about. He shows up at family gatherings, talking to himself and smelling of robitussin. Everyone diverts their eyes. Oh, and did you see that the Raiders new $50 million dollar D-Lineman Tommy Kelly was picked up for suspicion of DUI yesterday? Suspicion? No, officer. He was drinking! He works for the Circus by the bay.
And of the aforementioned official gaffe in the Chargers/Broncos contest, word is that everyone’s favorite ref Ed Hochuli will be graded down for the mistaken incomplete pass call. You know what, I’m on Ed’s side in this one. Everyone makes mistakes. Not everyone admits it. Ed visited both coaches and apologized, and has offered acknowledgement of the mistake to the media. I’m proud of the guy! He could have pulled a Ray Lewis or a Pacman, you know. “Whistle? What whistle? I think it came from the stands. Yeah, that’s it. See if you can find some witnesses who will put me in the vicinity of that whistle!”
Oh, and this just in: The Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom has announced that he’s not satisfied with the team’s play and that “changes will be made if things don’t improve”. Note to Coach Linehan: have your wife look for a Realtor.
How about a Hero, Goat and Quote for week two?
Hero ~ Donovan McNabb. That’s right. While the rest of the world was watching Dallas beat the Eagles on Monday Night Football, I saw a very gutsy performance by the Eagles’ QB - and believe-you-me, that’s a different outcome when they play in the last week of the season in Philadelphia. I tell you, it was the Eagles that showed the world something in that losing effort.
Goat A ~ Yep, A & B. I got two of them. Goat A goes to Redskins TE Chris Cooley for ‘accidentally’ displaying his schmeckle on the internet. By the time we all read about it, thankfully, the picture had been removed from his personal blog. The comments remained however. One person wrote, “Dude, is that your...?” Another person chimed in, “It must have been cold when you took the picture.” Uh huh.
Goat B ~ This one goes to Eagles WR DeSean Jackson for well… premature celebration (sorry for the pun… couldn’t resist). Seriously, tossing the football before he crossed the goal line on a huge TD pass completion on Monday night was just the kind of boneheaded behavior that personnel people around the NFL worried about with DeSean, and is exactly why he fell into the second round of the draft. I hope that Andy Reid and a flock of the veterans on the team let the kid have it.
Quote ~ This week, not a quote but a film clip. Kudos to the ESPN guys for digging up video tape from DeSean Jackson’s high school days, and another premature… er… celebration before he broke the goal line. That’s awesome work from the archives guys! Give somebody a raise. Here’s that footage on You Tube if you want to see it.
Back on Thursday to tell you who wins and loses next weekend. In the meantime, be sure to check out my Preacher’s Annual NFL Preview.
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