THE WAY CHAMPIONS SHOULD GO OUT
Bryan Palmese, NFL Draft Bible
The strife that Brett Favre went through over the past two seasons led many to believe that his days in Green Bay or even in the league were numbered. Far too often legends end their respective careers donning the jersey and colors of a team other than the one that they shot to stardom in. It's sad to see such great players that led their team to championships and champagne celebrations hang up their cleats in a city other than the one that they shined in. Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks to grace a football field, almost didn't end his career on the historic Lambeau Field nor under the conditions should a superstar. After a mediocre 8-8 season in Green Bay last year, the fiery signal caller was torn between retiring before he was ready to. The Packers organization seemed ready to usher in their rebuilding youth movement and perhaps saw Favre as someone that was impeding progress. Favre, had he not come back with the Packers, would've moved on to a different team and finished a phenomenal career elsewhere.
The competitor in him didn't want to hang them up yet, but age and physical wear were starting to show last season. The Cal Ripken of the NFL, Favre has started 241 consecutive games, so injuries and the physical duress that football players endure is not an issue. However, at 36, Favre had to question whether or not his presence was a positive or a negative attribute for the Packers team. The ex-Southern Mississippi quarterback through as many touchdowns as interceptions--eighteen and an ineffective offensive line didn't lend a lot of support. 2006 was a year that Favre would like to have back which is why there was a lot of speculation as to his future in the league. Fortunately, the gunslinger didn't want the sour taste of 2006 to be his last year and stayed in Green Bay for another year. He made his career with the Packers and was determined to end it with the Packers.
For all of his 2006 troubles, 2007 has started off as well as anyone could've hoped in Wisconsin. The three-time MVP has the Packers off to a 4-0 start and seems to have found the fountain of youth. Favre has thrown for over 1000- yards and eight touchdowns during the '07 campaign with only two interceptions.
There are two paths that players can follow towards the end of their career. One would be to go out on top under your terms. John Elway, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders come to mind as players that did it there way. They came, they saw, they conquered. Some would say Sanders and Brown denied fans several more years of stellar play, but they saw a future beyond the game of football. Brown and Sanders left the NFL as leading rushers at their respective times. Brown was only 29 years old and Sanders 30 years old respectively. Elway enjoyed several outstanding seasons in Denver and led to the Broncos to three Super Bowls, but couldn't capture a ring in any of those games. Finally, in 1997, Elway out-dueled Brett Favre to win his first Super Bowl. The former Stanford Cardinal would win a second ring a few years later against Atlanta.
Then there are other players that held on too long and pained fans to see them in a helmet unfamiliar to that players' career. The 49ers duo of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice didn't ride off into the sunset of San Francisco. The former headed off to Kansas City to finish off some record breaking with the Chiefs. The latter jumped across the bay to Oakland for a few seasons before heading north on Interstate 5 to Seattle. Montana enjoyed two successful seasons in Kansas City, but seeing the former Golden Domer wearing number nineteen with the Chiefs always seemed out of place.
Emmitt Smith set all of the running back records he owns while with the Dallas Cowboys. However, after thirteen exciting seasons in Big D, the former Gator signed with the Arizona Cardinals. His last two years were disappointing and should not be the way one of the greatest running backs of all time is remembered. Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas are two other prime examples of overstaying your welcome in the league. Two Hall of Fame quarterbacks that are forever remembered in Super Bowl lore went to different teams at the end of their career and struggled. Broadway Joe left New York and spent his last year with the Los Angeles Rams, playing in only four games. Unitas also ended up in sunny Southern California with San Diego. A pitiful three touchdowns and seven interceptions were his stats for his final year in the league. None of these players should close the chapters to their career in this manner.
Brett Favre is a warrior and a competitor that has been through it all during his sixteen year career. His mind and athletic attributes come along once in a generation. The great start that he has enjoyed this season is so deserving for he and all of the fans of football. Green Bay is back in the hunt in the NFC and Favre is still the captain of the ship. This is the way a player of this calibre should finish a storied career -- on top of the mountain looking down at the glory left behind.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
THE RAMBLINGS OF ROSSTRADAMUS
Enter Rosstradamus-- The Newest Addition To Our Weekly All Pro Lineup Here At 4th & Goal. Check Back Every Tuesday As The Rosstradamous Brings To You Intrigue From Around The League.
Another week, another series of discoveries in the NFL. As far as the locals are concerned, we discovered the Giants CAN play defense. They manhandled Donovan McNabb and the Eagles offense–sacking him an NFL record-tying 12 times. It’s unreal when you think about it–the Giants defense had shown zero signs of this, and Philly was coming off an incredible offensive performance against Detroit. So how does this happen? Three things: 1) The Eagles offensive line. Talk about a train wreck–they gave up 12 sacks and didn’t adjust ONCE the entire game! Left tackle Winston Justice, filling in for William Thomas, was beaten repeatedly by Osi Umenyiora…yet Eagles coach Reid did absolutely nothing to help him. He could have given Justice help with a tight end, but he didn’t. He could have done a million things…but once again, Reid proved to be useless during a game when things don’t go his way. Perhaps if Umenyiora had registered 7 sacks, that would have been enough for Reid. 2) No Westbrook. The biggest winner in Sunday’s game? Not the Giants, not the other teams in the NFC East…it was Westbrook’s agent! Without the underrated RB, the Eagles couldn’t do anything to counter the Giants pressure up the middle. No screens, no flat passes…nothing. Westbrook’s quickness out of the backfield in the passing game, and his ability to get loose in the running game are all the Eagles have–without it, Kevin Curtis is just an average receiver, not the downfield threat he was against Detroit. Without Westbrook, the Eagles HAVE no other threats! Which brings us to #3) Donovan McNabb. He looked slow, was inaccurate, made poor decisions…in a word–OLD. I know it takes time to come back from an ACL injury, but when you’re in your 9th season…there’s a lot of tread gone from that tire. What happens when the Eagles go 7-9 this season? Do you bring Reid and McNabb back? I would get rid of Reid for sure–he’s had his chances and come up wanting every time. He’s coached his worst games in his biggest games and that’s not what you want from a coach. As for McNabb–the question Philly needs to ask is, “Have we seen the best of him?” Is McNabb on the downward side of his career? He’s 30, he’s been in the league a long time…is it time to clean house and start over in Philadelphia if the Eagles continue to flounder? I think there are more people saying “YES” this week than there were last week. This was a worse loss for the Eagles than it was a win for the Giants. Another great thing about it: the Eagles’ next game is at the Meadowlands against the Jets. You’d best believe the Jets will be sending pressure up the middle when their 1-4 asses try to get back into the playoff chase.
Yeah, I said 1-4, they’re losing to the Giants this week. Can anyone keep a straight face when they say the Jets will beat anyone? I mean, if you can’t beat Buffalo with all of their injuries–what are you saying to your fans other than, “We suck. Hard. Thoroughly. Completely.” The watched the immortal Trent Edwards go 22-28 in leading his team to victory. Sure Chad Pennington was 32-39, but could statistics lie any more than that? Pennington was ineffective; the Jets had ZERO points with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Pathetic. Pennington completed passes short of the first down, NEVER stretched the field, and threw terrible interceptions. The last, with the game on the line, illustrated his lollipop arm strength–the ball was in the air forever, allowing the Buffalo defender to pretty much call a fair catch under it. Look, there’s plenty of blame to go around for coach “Mangenius’” team–9 penalties, Thomas Jones rushed for only 35 yards on 12 carries, Mike Nugent continued to be a waste of a draft pick, missing another makable FG…This team is not a playoff team. Never was. They believed their own hype, believed an unproven coach was a God because he’s young and came from good stock, and believed in a QB who clearly isn’t as good as Jets fans thought he was. Just wait–when the Eagles are destroying the 1-4 Jets, the chants of “Kell-en, Kell-en!” will be heard in the Jets’ rented home. I mean, come on–BUFFALO??
Around the league: It looks like San Francisco is this year’s Arizona. You know, the team all of the “experts” told us would break through and make the playoffs. PLAYOFFS? How about getting a first down!!! Alex Smith is out with a shoulder injury, which means Trent Dilfer is getting playing time. Dilfer looked absolutely incompetent. I feel bad for Frank Gore, who is going to be gang tackled every time he gets the ball because who in their right mind cares what Trent Dilfer does with single coverage and no WRs?! Sure, Seattle looked good…but I think they’re soft and I think Shaun Alexander is miles away from his MVP season of 2005.
The Steelers stubbed their toes in Arizona, losing to their former coordinator and the two-headed QB of the Cards. The Steelers didn’t play that badly; they’ll be fine. Santonio Holmes continued his fine play in Hines Ward’s absense…As for the Cardinals, it was a quality win, but at what long term cost? This QB carousel is quickly becoming a joke. I know Wisenhunt and his staff didn’t draft Leinart to be the QB of the future, but he’s there. Either play him, or bench him. You can’t yo-yo a young quarterback, it’s insane. Kurt Warner comes in for several series and Leinart is wondering what the hell is going on. When Leinart IS in the game, he’s wondering “If I throw a bad pass, am I out for 2 series?” Leinart can’t even assess his own play during the game when he’s constantly being taken out and put back in, seemingly in an arbitrary manner. I’m not sure what the Cards hope to accomplish by this, but it won’t help ANYONE in the long term. Already, Leinart is losing confidence in himself and the coaches. That’s not a problem if he’s not going to be “the guy,” but if he is in the future plans of the organization, it’s going to be a HUGE problem if it continues.
Just when fans were starting to get excited about the Houston Texans, they go out and lose to the Falcons. They made Joey Harrington look good! That fact alone is enough to make me watch the Texans bandwagon cruise by without getting on it. That and Ron Dayne getting quality playing time…How about those Cleveland Browns!? They beat the Ravens despite being outgained 418-303. Amazingly, the Browns didn’t allow a sack to the Ravens and forced Steve McNair to pass 53 times when they got out to a huge lead. This isn’t that much of a surprise–the Ravens need to start over at the QB position and until they do, they’ll be no more than a fringe player in the title chase. McNair is toast. Toast that gets hurt…if, um…toast could get hurt…In Miami, Ronnie Brown ran for 134 yards on just 15 carries, and the Dolphins lost. Daunte Culpepper ran for 3 scores and despite throwing only 12 passes, completed 2 of them for TDs as the Raiders, yes the Raiders, ended the day tied for first place in the supposedly tough AFC West. Think about it: The Chargers are a joke–Norv Turner is the main clown over there. All they do is rest on their past success–which isn’t even success–and get lapped in the final lap by the Chiefs. THE CHIEFS!! The SD defense yielded 390 yards of offense. At home to the Chiefs. They were outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter. At home by the Chiefs. Talk about a lack of intensity–all of a sudden, the Chargers are a great RB, and a great TE…with nothing else. The same could be said about the Chiefs, and we all know how awful they are. San Diego is headed for a long season…But they can still easily win that division, because Denver is no better. After dashing out to a 10-point lead in Indy, the Broncos were given a lesson in efficient offense as the Colts turned it on, beating the Broncos by 18. The Colts exposed the Denver defense, scored TDs instead of settling for FGs when it mattered, and put the Broncos away in the 4th quarter. THAT is what a Championship team does at home–pay attention San Diego. Even though they were missing Marvin Harrison, it hardly mattered. Indy has so many weapons it’s almost unfair to opposing defenses.
Now for the three surprises: First, Green Bay. What is in the water in Titletown?! The Packers look like world-beaters at 4-0, dispatching the punchless Vikings in Minnesota 23-16. Brett Favre had yet another great performance–32-45 for 344 and two TDs. He threw passes to 10 receivers and when you think about the fact that the Pack has virtually NO running game, Favre and the Pack’s accomplishments become all the more impressive. 4-0, 3 games ahead of the Bears….but only one game ahead of the Lions, who at 3-1 still have me thinking they’re not necessarily for real. That Eagles debacle still resonates. However, they ARE 3-1 and as the Tuna once said, “You are what your record says you are.” They beat the Bears by scoring 34 points in the 4th quarter. Yeah–let that sink in. That amazing Bears defense: 34 points in the 4th quarter. Add to that 14 penalties by the Bears and a mere 69 yards rushing…and you get a collapse in Chicago. And Brian Griese was the answer, huh? If by “answer” you mean “guy who throws three horrendous picks–one for a TD the other way and two inside the Lions’ 10 yard line,” then yeah, he’s the friggin’ Oracle at Delphi! The Bears are through, the Lions are starting to turn it around–is it really that surprising in the parity-friendly NFL? Finally, and perhaps most surprising are the Tampa Bay Bucs. They’re 3-1 and their win in Carolina sums up how they’ve done it: 1 penalty, 42 carries for 189 yards, 34+ minutes of possession. Just when we were all ready to write off John Gruden, Chucky resurfaces! With Atlanta and New Orleans already finished and the Panthers without Jake Delhomme…it’s not only possible, but probable that Tampa is going to win that division. We’ll see what the Bucs are really made of as they travel to Indy this week. I think this game will be closer than many people think.
And finally, the two best teams BY FAR up to this point: the Pats and the Cowboys. New England and Dallas have essentially named their score in each game they’ve played. No Maroney for New England? Plug in Sammy Morris, who has a terrific game Monday night. Terrell Owens only catches 3 passes for 33 yards? Enter Patrick Crayton who goes for 189 and two TDs. These two teams are head and shoulders above the rest of the NFL and they’re doing it with OFFENSE. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. I love it. Funny how guys go from being cancers to being All-Pros so quickly, isn’t it? With these Championship level teams, we shall see the mantra of “good defense beats good offense” proved INCORRECT. You must have an offense that can score. Period. If you don’t, your margin for error is too small. Ask the Bears, who rely of defensive scores and kick returns to win games for them. When they don’t get them, they lose and are ordinary. How far did the Ravens get last season with their defense? They almost beat the Colts, but couldn’t because they can’t score. At all. Next case. Until I see someone stop the Pats or Cowboys, I have no reason to think I’ll see anyone but them in the Super Bowl. Sure, the Colts have a terrific offense, but I don’t trust it outside, and lately, their defense looks like it did all of last season until the playoffs–very vulnerable. When I look at New England, I see no weakness. Plus, the Pats are getting Seymour and Harrison back! Only an injury to Brady can stop the Pats from winning a Super Bowl.
Got Beef? Take It Up With The Rosstradamous Himself: ross@nfldraftbible.com
Another week, another series of discoveries in the NFL. As far as the locals are concerned, we discovered the Giants CAN play defense. They manhandled Donovan McNabb and the Eagles offense–sacking him an NFL record-tying 12 times. It’s unreal when you think about it–the Giants defense had shown zero signs of this, and Philly was coming off an incredible offensive performance against Detroit. So how does this happen? Three things: 1) The Eagles offensive line. Talk about a train wreck–they gave up 12 sacks and didn’t adjust ONCE the entire game! Left tackle Winston Justice, filling in for William Thomas, was beaten repeatedly by Osi Umenyiora…yet Eagles coach Reid did absolutely nothing to help him. He could have given Justice help with a tight end, but he didn’t. He could have done a million things…but once again, Reid proved to be useless during a game when things don’t go his way. Perhaps if Umenyiora had registered 7 sacks, that would have been enough for Reid. 2) No Westbrook. The biggest winner in Sunday’s game? Not the Giants, not the other teams in the NFC East…it was Westbrook’s agent! Without the underrated RB, the Eagles couldn’t do anything to counter the Giants pressure up the middle. No screens, no flat passes…nothing. Westbrook’s quickness out of the backfield in the passing game, and his ability to get loose in the running game are all the Eagles have–without it, Kevin Curtis is just an average receiver, not the downfield threat he was against Detroit. Without Westbrook, the Eagles HAVE no other threats! Which brings us to #3) Donovan McNabb. He looked slow, was inaccurate, made poor decisions…in a word–OLD. I know it takes time to come back from an ACL injury, but when you’re in your 9th season…there’s a lot of tread gone from that tire. What happens when the Eagles go 7-9 this season? Do you bring Reid and McNabb back? I would get rid of Reid for sure–he’s had his chances and come up wanting every time. He’s coached his worst games in his biggest games and that’s not what you want from a coach. As for McNabb–the question Philly needs to ask is, “Have we seen the best of him?” Is McNabb on the downward side of his career? He’s 30, he’s been in the league a long time…is it time to clean house and start over in Philadelphia if the Eagles continue to flounder? I think there are more people saying “YES” this week than there were last week. This was a worse loss for the Eagles than it was a win for the Giants. Another great thing about it: the Eagles’ next game is at the Meadowlands against the Jets. You’d best believe the Jets will be sending pressure up the middle when their 1-4 asses try to get back into the playoff chase.
Yeah, I said 1-4, they’re losing to the Giants this week. Can anyone keep a straight face when they say the Jets will beat anyone? I mean, if you can’t beat Buffalo with all of their injuries–what are you saying to your fans other than, “We suck. Hard. Thoroughly. Completely.” The watched the immortal Trent Edwards go 22-28 in leading his team to victory. Sure Chad Pennington was 32-39, but could statistics lie any more than that? Pennington was ineffective; the Jets had ZERO points with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Pathetic. Pennington completed passes short of the first down, NEVER stretched the field, and threw terrible interceptions. The last, with the game on the line, illustrated his lollipop arm strength–the ball was in the air forever, allowing the Buffalo defender to pretty much call a fair catch under it. Look, there’s plenty of blame to go around for coach “Mangenius’” team–9 penalties, Thomas Jones rushed for only 35 yards on 12 carries, Mike Nugent continued to be a waste of a draft pick, missing another makable FG…This team is not a playoff team. Never was. They believed their own hype, believed an unproven coach was a God because he’s young and came from good stock, and believed in a QB who clearly isn’t as good as Jets fans thought he was. Just wait–when the Eagles are destroying the 1-4 Jets, the chants of “Kell-en, Kell-en!” will be heard in the Jets’ rented home. I mean, come on–BUFFALO??
Around the league: It looks like San Francisco is this year’s Arizona. You know, the team all of the “experts” told us would break through and make the playoffs. PLAYOFFS? How about getting a first down!!! Alex Smith is out with a shoulder injury, which means Trent Dilfer is getting playing time. Dilfer looked absolutely incompetent. I feel bad for Frank Gore, who is going to be gang tackled every time he gets the ball because who in their right mind cares what Trent Dilfer does with single coverage and no WRs?! Sure, Seattle looked good…but I think they’re soft and I think Shaun Alexander is miles away from his MVP season of 2005.
The Steelers stubbed their toes in Arizona, losing to their former coordinator and the two-headed QB of the Cards. The Steelers didn’t play that badly; they’ll be fine. Santonio Holmes continued his fine play in Hines Ward’s absense…As for the Cardinals, it was a quality win, but at what long term cost? This QB carousel is quickly becoming a joke. I know Wisenhunt and his staff didn’t draft Leinart to be the QB of the future, but he’s there. Either play him, or bench him. You can’t yo-yo a young quarterback, it’s insane. Kurt Warner comes in for several series and Leinart is wondering what the hell is going on. When Leinart IS in the game, he’s wondering “If I throw a bad pass, am I out for 2 series?” Leinart can’t even assess his own play during the game when he’s constantly being taken out and put back in, seemingly in an arbitrary manner. I’m not sure what the Cards hope to accomplish by this, but it won’t help ANYONE in the long term. Already, Leinart is losing confidence in himself and the coaches. That’s not a problem if he’s not going to be “the guy,” but if he is in the future plans of the organization, it’s going to be a HUGE problem if it continues.
Just when fans were starting to get excited about the Houston Texans, they go out and lose to the Falcons. They made Joey Harrington look good! That fact alone is enough to make me watch the Texans bandwagon cruise by without getting on it. That and Ron Dayne getting quality playing time…How about those Cleveland Browns!? They beat the Ravens despite being outgained 418-303. Amazingly, the Browns didn’t allow a sack to the Ravens and forced Steve McNair to pass 53 times when they got out to a huge lead. This isn’t that much of a surprise–the Ravens need to start over at the QB position and until they do, they’ll be no more than a fringe player in the title chase. McNair is toast. Toast that gets hurt…if, um…toast could get hurt…In Miami, Ronnie Brown ran for 134 yards on just 15 carries, and the Dolphins lost. Daunte Culpepper ran for 3 scores and despite throwing only 12 passes, completed 2 of them for TDs as the Raiders, yes the Raiders, ended the day tied for first place in the supposedly tough AFC West. Think about it: The Chargers are a joke–Norv Turner is the main clown over there. All they do is rest on their past success–which isn’t even success–and get lapped in the final lap by the Chiefs. THE CHIEFS!! The SD defense yielded 390 yards of offense. At home to the Chiefs. They were outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter. At home by the Chiefs. Talk about a lack of intensity–all of a sudden, the Chargers are a great RB, and a great TE…with nothing else. The same could be said about the Chiefs, and we all know how awful they are. San Diego is headed for a long season…But they can still easily win that division, because Denver is no better. After dashing out to a 10-point lead in Indy, the Broncos were given a lesson in efficient offense as the Colts turned it on, beating the Broncos by 18. The Colts exposed the Denver defense, scored TDs instead of settling for FGs when it mattered, and put the Broncos away in the 4th quarter. THAT is what a Championship team does at home–pay attention San Diego. Even though they were missing Marvin Harrison, it hardly mattered. Indy has so many weapons it’s almost unfair to opposing defenses.
Now for the three surprises: First, Green Bay. What is in the water in Titletown?! The Packers look like world-beaters at 4-0, dispatching the punchless Vikings in Minnesota 23-16. Brett Favre had yet another great performance–32-45 for 344 and two TDs. He threw passes to 10 receivers and when you think about the fact that the Pack has virtually NO running game, Favre and the Pack’s accomplishments become all the more impressive. 4-0, 3 games ahead of the Bears….but only one game ahead of the Lions, who at 3-1 still have me thinking they’re not necessarily for real. That Eagles debacle still resonates. However, they ARE 3-1 and as the Tuna once said, “You are what your record says you are.” They beat the Bears by scoring 34 points in the 4th quarter. Yeah–let that sink in. That amazing Bears defense: 34 points in the 4th quarter. Add to that 14 penalties by the Bears and a mere 69 yards rushing…and you get a collapse in Chicago. And Brian Griese was the answer, huh? If by “answer” you mean “guy who throws three horrendous picks–one for a TD the other way and two inside the Lions’ 10 yard line,” then yeah, he’s the friggin’ Oracle at Delphi! The Bears are through, the Lions are starting to turn it around–is it really that surprising in the parity-friendly NFL? Finally, and perhaps most surprising are the Tampa Bay Bucs. They’re 3-1 and their win in Carolina sums up how they’ve done it: 1 penalty, 42 carries for 189 yards, 34+ minutes of possession. Just when we were all ready to write off John Gruden, Chucky resurfaces! With Atlanta and New Orleans already finished and the Panthers without Jake Delhomme…it’s not only possible, but probable that Tampa is going to win that division. We’ll see what the Bucs are really made of as they travel to Indy this week. I think this game will be closer than many people think.
And finally, the two best teams BY FAR up to this point: the Pats and the Cowboys. New England and Dallas have essentially named their score in each game they’ve played. No Maroney for New England? Plug in Sammy Morris, who has a terrific game Monday night. Terrell Owens only catches 3 passes for 33 yards? Enter Patrick Crayton who goes for 189 and two TDs. These two teams are head and shoulders above the rest of the NFL and they’re doing it with OFFENSE. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. I love it. Funny how guys go from being cancers to being All-Pros so quickly, isn’t it? With these Championship level teams, we shall see the mantra of “good defense beats good offense” proved INCORRECT. You must have an offense that can score. Period. If you don’t, your margin for error is too small. Ask the Bears, who rely of defensive scores and kick returns to win games for them. When they don’t get them, they lose and are ordinary. How far did the Ravens get last season with their defense? They almost beat the Colts, but couldn’t because they can’t score. At all. Next case. Until I see someone stop the Pats or Cowboys, I have no reason to think I’ll see anyone but them in the Super Bowl. Sure, the Colts have a terrific offense, but I don’t trust it outside, and lately, their defense looks like it did all of last season until the playoffs–very vulnerable. When I look at New England, I see no weakness. Plus, the Pats are getting Seymour and Harrison back! Only an injury to Brady can stop the Pats from winning a Super Bowl.
Got Beef? Take It Up With The Rosstradamous Himself: ross@nfldraftbible.com
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
THE KICKING TEE
By The Grazianimal
Last week the only thing I got right was the fact that Samkon Gado is alive and well in Houston. The Colts did not cover, the Skins folded like a stack of cards and Philly went old school on Detroit for 10,000 points. They should be wearing those stupid unis until the cows came home at that rate, but the old outfits brought the flightless birds right back down to earth in week 4. This week a different take. A Wednesday column.
A month of Football buried all conventional wisdom from week one and draft days gone bye. The Lions are 3 and 1 along with Tampa Bay. The Saints are 0 and 3 and the Rams managed to lose their first 4 and the consensus #2 pick in Steve Jackson. That situation is a nightmare for Jackson owners as he is already been ruled out for week 5 and if he is healthy week 6 he gets the Raven defense to welcome him back. The Rams will go slow with him so expect a week or two of mixed duty after he hits the field and a bye in week 9. That means best case scenario he loses half a fantasy season of production and Steven was not lighting up the world before the groin tear with a suspect line and a slumping Marc Bulger.
Still there is opportunity in another man’s grief. If you have the depth SJ owners will be selling short or they will be out of the picture before their big gun gets his wheels back. You could make a move and have a really nice option down the stretch for your playoff run. It is a gamble and the teams with enough RB depth will be few and far between. Fate favors the Bold. See how desperate the poor schlub with Jackson on his roster is getting. In one of my leagues he is 0 and 4 and begging for help.
Let’s talk of the Buccaneers. They have surprised quite a few winning 3 of their first 4, taking two division opponents (N.O. and Carolina) and sitting atop the NFC south as October dawns. Things will get a lot tougher as Cadillac Williams and Luke Petitgout will be out for the rest of the year. Mike Pittman and Earnest Graham are now the hottest boys on the wire. Graham might get the goal line looks, but I like Pittman better as the trusted veteran who will see more time. The Buc turnaround can be attributed to one guy and that is Jeff Garcia. How they let that guy get out of Philly after the year he had, I don’t know. Last year QB play hurt Tampa all year with a rookie taking most of the snaps and Simms damaged, maybe forever. Garcia settles things and has Joey Galloway threatening DB’s again. This division will be a dog fight all season.
How about Green Bay undefeated with question marks all over the field! All over the field accept at QB where Brett Farve continues to wow crowds and bust records. No one has thrown more TD’s. And he never misses a Sunday. Hats off to the Gunslinger. He will beat Chicago at Lambeau this week.
Week 5 sees The Battle of the Swamp with Jets meet the Giants at 1pm Sunday. Always a good game, the Jets must win to avoid a 1 and 4 start and the Giants are looking to keep the good times rolling after waking up against the Skins and spanking the Eagles. I like Mangini to toss a few wrinkles in and be the better play caller for this one. I worry that rookie DB Revis will get picked on by Plax and Amani all day. It is going to be a big test for the Jet offensive line facing the record tying sack machine of Big Blue. Pennington has not done a good job of stretching the field and looks scared to toss a deep ball. He has a damn good receiver corps, it is a shame. Questions about his arm and shoulder are about to explode on the scene with calls for Kellen, if he can’t exploit a crap Giant defensive backfield. I could easily see this Giant team gettng arrogant after last week. The Giants will be favored in front of their crowd. Jets shock NY 32-19.
The Skins come back from their early off week with a real test, 3 and 1 Detroit. Detroit’s only slip up so far was the aforementioned Eagle explosion. The Redskins need this game to show they have what it takes to contend. They have had better then could be expected play from Portis and the Defense. If they are going to compete in the wildcard and division then they must avoid home losses to out of division opponents. The Lions are not going to let another team jump all over them again so soon after Team Sweden showed them what was up. Joe Gibbs can’t allow Jason Campbell to look lost for quarters at a time and, damn it, they need some innovative play calling out of Al Saunders. He should be ashamed of himself after that goal line debacle in the Giant game. Associate Head Coach Offense my [butt]. It has been a year and a half of crap out of that guy. Joe Gibbs Skins are some of the best offensive teams in the History of the Game. 3 Super Bowls with 3 different QB’s. This game is a big time gut check. Now Buddy, right NOW!
Now I am steaming. Cool the Grazianimal down at grazianimal@columnist.com
Last week the only thing I got right was the fact that Samkon Gado is alive and well in Houston. The Colts did not cover, the Skins folded like a stack of cards and Philly went old school on Detroit for 10,000 points. They should be wearing those stupid unis until the cows came home at that rate, but the old outfits brought the flightless birds right back down to earth in week 4. This week a different take. A Wednesday column.
A month of Football buried all conventional wisdom from week one and draft days gone bye. The Lions are 3 and 1 along with Tampa Bay. The Saints are 0 and 3 and the Rams managed to lose their first 4 and the consensus #2 pick in Steve Jackson. That situation is a nightmare for Jackson owners as he is already been ruled out for week 5 and if he is healthy week 6 he gets the Raven defense to welcome him back. The Rams will go slow with him so expect a week or two of mixed duty after he hits the field and a bye in week 9. That means best case scenario he loses half a fantasy season of production and Steven was not lighting up the world before the groin tear with a suspect line and a slumping Marc Bulger.
Still there is opportunity in another man’s grief. If you have the depth SJ owners will be selling short or they will be out of the picture before their big gun gets his wheels back. You could make a move and have a really nice option down the stretch for your playoff run. It is a gamble and the teams with enough RB depth will be few and far between. Fate favors the Bold. See how desperate the poor schlub with Jackson on his roster is getting. In one of my leagues he is 0 and 4 and begging for help.
Let’s talk of the Buccaneers. They have surprised quite a few winning 3 of their first 4, taking two division opponents (N.O. and Carolina) and sitting atop the NFC south as October dawns. Things will get a lot tougher as Cadillac Williams and Luke Petitgout will be out for the rest of the year. Mike Pittman and Earnest Graham are now the hottest boys on the wire. Graham might get the goal line looks, but I like Pittman better as the trusted veteran who will see more time. The Buc turnaround can be attributed to one guy and that is Jeff Garcia. How they let that guy get out of Philly after the year he had, I don’t know. Last year QB play hurt Tampa all year with a rookie taking most of the snaps and Simms damaged, maybe forever. Garcia settles things and has Joey Galloway threatening DB’s again. This division will be a dog fight all season.
How about Green Bay undefeated with question marks all over the field! All over the field accept at QB where Brett Farve continues to wow crowds and bust records. No one has thrown more TD’s. And he never misses a Sunday. Hats off to the Gunslinger. He will beat Chicago at Lambeau this week.
Week 5 sees The Battle of the Swamp with Jets meet the Giants at 1pm Sunday. Always a good game, the Jets must win to avoid a 1 and 4 start and the Giants are looking to keep the good times rolling after waking up against the Skins and spanking the Eagles. I like Mangini to toss a few wrinkles in and be the better play caller for this one. I worry that rookie DB Revis will get picked on by Plax and Amani all day. It is going to be a big test for the Jet offensive line facing the record tying sack machine of Big Blue. Pennington has not done a good job of stretching the field and looks scared to toss a deep ball. He has a damn good receiver corps, it is a shame. Questions about his arm and shoulder are about to explode on the scene with calls for Kellen, if he can’t exploit a crap Giant defensive backfield. I could easily see this Giant team gettng arrogant after last week. The Giants will be favored in front of their crowd. Jets shock NY 32-19.
The Skins come back from their early off week with a real test, 3 and 1 Detroit. Detroit’s only slip up so far was the aforementioned Eagle explosion. The Redskins need this game to show they have what it takes to contend. They have had better then could be expected play from Portis and the Defense. If they are going to compete in the wildcard and division then they must avoid home losses to out of division opponents. The Lions are not going to let another team jump all over them again so soon after Team Sweden showed them what was up. Joe Gibbs can’t allow Jason Campbell to look lost for quarters at a time and, damn it, they need some innovative play calling out of Al Saunders. He should be ashamed of himself after that goal line debacle in the Giant game. Associate Head Coach Offense my [butt]. It has been a year and a half of crap out of that guy. Joe Gibbs Skins are some of the best offensive teams in the History of the Game. 3 Super Bowls with 3 different QB’s. This game is a big time gut check. Now Buddy, right NOW!
Now I am steaming. Cool the Grazianimal down at grazianimal@columnist.com
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