I haven't started my post mortem on the Texans 2008 season yet. I've mostly been thinking about The Monkee Cage's 2008 Players, Coaches and Executives of the year. More on that later.
The Coaching Dismissals
I've been thinking about the playoffs and the coaching dismissals and other changes.
First off, how Eric Mangini gets fired but GM Mike Tannenbaum kept his job is a head scratcher. Mangini took the fall for the NY Jets fall. They lost 4 of 5 of their last games. Sure the coach formerly known as Mangenius bares responsibility for the collapse. He's the one calling the plays and approving the calls and game plan of his assistant coaches. Tannenbaum was the one that put the roster together. Owner Woody Johnson approved the high priced free agent acquisitions and the trade for Brett Farve. Mangini evidently had a contentious relationship with some of the veteran players. Farve was reportedly among the unhappy ones. If the locker room was divided then Mangini was rightfully fired. However, the man that put the team together should also be given a pink slip.
Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner wasted no time in making changes. He started at the top and sacked GM Phil Savage hours after the Browns 31-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next day he showed head coach Romeo Crennel the door too. Reportedly on Saturday Lerner met with Bill Cowher and he just flat out turned him down and stated he won't coach in 2009.
Everybody's favorite dysfunctional franchise flushed head coach Rod Marinelli. A dubious 0-16 will get you canned.
It's not Marinelli's fault completely. The whole organization is just putrid. Starting from owner William C. Ford on down. Ford had a chance to purge the Lions front office. Instead of a Joe Stalin type purge, he promotes from within the team. Then again this is the owner that hired Matt Millen and kept him on much longer than he should have. It took his son going public to get Millen fired. Detroit will remain a joke for the foreseeable future.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Some Bloggers Need to Stay Off the Computer
I haven't read a good hack writer in a long time. This writes an Sports Illustrated blog called Against the Grain. It's one of the worst attempts at blogging I've run across in a while. In some of his points he just states the obvious. When he isn't leading blind into a wall, he just flat out doesn't know what he's writing about.
The subtitle for his column is:
A weekly NFL breakdown that heads in the opposite direction of your average pro football analysis.(Italics his).
Yet in point one, he states the same thing just about anybody else with a microphone or keyboard is saying. No shit, Tony Romo hasn't finished a season strong. That's really in the opposite direction of your average pro football analysis. Thanks a lot Captain Obvious.
In point two, Captain Obvious strikes again. No shit, Brett Farve flirts with retirement the last few years. Where's the opposite direction in this point?
Number five is the real knee slapper. "College systems are getting very close to the pros, so some of these QBs should have success next year." He either doesn't read many scouting reports or doesn't know dick about college football. Graham Harrell, Chase Daniels and other spread offense quarterbacks are not closer to the pro game. As more college teams go to the spread offense, scouts are lamenting how unprepared they are for the pro game. In the case of Daniels, some don't even think he'll make a pro team. I will give him credit on one thing, the quarterbacks he named don't come from spread offenses. But the college game is actually breaking from the pro game with the spread offense.
I won't even comment on point six other than to say that he forgot to diminish anything LaDaian Thomplison has accomplished.
Point seven. Is he serious? Is he actually suggesting that the Eagles only get rid arguably the best quarterback they've ever had. Yes there are some issues going on in Philadelphia but to imply that it would have been better for them to lose than beat Dallas? As long as the team remains a contender there is no need to make such drastic changes. Kevin Kolb isn't ready to take over yet for Donovan McNabb.
Point eight he goes to the karma bag. Look man, they didn't ruthlessly cut Drew Bledsoe. Tom Brady supplanted him by winning a Super Bowl. Ty Law and Lawyer Malloy were long in the tooth and became expendable. Either that or the Pats didn't like players with "law" in their name.
Point nine, Bill Parcels isn't going anywhere near Detroit. The Fords are going after Scot Poili of the Patriots. Parcells just help resurrect the Dolphins. I don't think he wants another headache for another few years.
"Texans Syndrome?" Where the did you come up with that one? I looked high and low on the internet for the term and found zilch. Nada. Nothing. This was the first year they were expected to compete for a playoff spot. There were a few national media on the Texans bandwagon but it was far and few between. In fact most are just now eating crow for ripping the organization for taking Mario Williams. A better term would have been "Browns Syndrome" or "Cowboys Syndrome." The Browns were given five nationally televised games. More than anyone else. They laid a stinker of a season. The Cowboys were the anointed ones like Anakan Skywalker. They cratered after being proclaimed Super Bowl champs before the first regular season kick off.
I thought I found a new column to read just for some new insight. He's right about one thing. His writing and analysis is in the opposite direction of average pro football analysis; the downside of the average that is.
You know, I might actually read his previous posts just to see what kind of crap he writes and laugh my gut sore.
The subtitle for his column is:
A weekly NFL breakdown that heads in the opposite direction of your average pro football analysis.(Italics his).
Yet in point one, he states the same thing just about anybody else with a microphone or keyboard is saying. No shit, Tony Romo hasn't finished a season strong. That's really in the opposite direction of your average pro football analysis. Thanks a lot Captain Obvious.
In point two, Captain Obvious strikes again. No shit, Brett Farve flirts with retirement the last few years. Where's the opposite direction in this point?
Number five is the real knee slapper. "College systems are getting very close to the pros, so some of these QBs should have success next year." He either doesn't read many scouting reports or doesn't know dick about college football. Graham Harrell, Chase Daniels and other spread offense quarterbacks are not closer to the pro game. As more college teams go to the spread offense, scouts are lamenting how unprepared they are for the pro game. In the case of Daniels, some don't even think he'll make a pro team. I will give him credit on one thing, the quarterbacks he named don't come from spread offenses. But the college game is actually breaking from the pro game with the spread offense.
I won't even comment on point six other than to say that he forgot to diminish anything LaDaian Thomplison has accomplished.
Point seven. Is he serious? Is he actually suggesting that the Eagles only get rid arguably the best quarterback they've ever had. Yes there are some issues going on in Philadelphia but to imply that it would have been better for them to lose than beat Dallas? As long as the team remains a contender there is no need to make such drastic changes. Kevin Kolb isn't ready to take over yet for Donovan McNabb.
Point eight he goes to the karma bag. Look man, they didn't ruthlessly cut Drew Bledsoe. Tom Brady supplanted him by winning a Super Bowl. Ty Law and Lawyer Malloy were long in the tooth and became expendable. Either that or the Pats didn't like players with "law" in their name.
Point nine, Bill Parcels isn't going anywhere near Detroit. The Fords are going after Scot Poili of the Patriots. Parcells just help resurrect the Dolphins. I don't think he wants another headache for another few years.
"Texans Syndrome?" Where the did you come up with that one? I looked high and low on the internet for the term and found zilch. Nada. Nothing. This was the first year they were expected to compete for a playoff spot. There were a few national media on the Texans bandwagon but it was far and few between. In fact most are just now eating crow for ripping the organization for taking Mario Williams. A better term would have been "Browns Syndrome" or "Cowboys Syndrome." The Browns were given five nationally televised games. More than anyone else. They laid a stinker of a season. The Cowboys were the anointed ones like Anakan Skywalker. They cratered after being proclaimed Super Bowl champs before the first regular season kick off.
I thought I found a new column to read just for some new insight. He's right about one thing. His writing and analysis is in the opposite direction of average pro football analysis; the downside of the average that is.
You know, I might actually read his previous posts just to see what kind of crap he writes and laugh my gut sore.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
NFL Week 17 Picks vs. the Spread
The last week of the season. I haven't tallied my season totals yet but I'm guessing I'm well into the losing side. Not much chance at making up ground but I'll give out my week seventeen picks anyway.
Raiders(+12.5) @Buccaneers - Sucker bet at double digits. Raiders are a mess but the Bucs are also in disarray. Raiders
Lions(+10.5) @Packers - Another sucker bet. The Packers have nothing to play for. The Lions will try and fight to keep from being the first 0-16 team in NFL history. Lions
Cowboys(+1) @Eagles - Maybe the toughest pick to make. Both teams are playing for a post season berth. Cowboys are coming off a stunning loss to the Ravens in which they kept getting close only to be kicked in the teeth by two long TD runs. Eagles have been hot and cold all season. I have an rule: Never bet the Cowboys in December. Eagles
Giants(+7) @Vikings - The Giants have the number one NFC seed wrapped up. The Vikings need a win to get into the playoffs. Who plays harder? Will Giants coach Tom Coughlin rest starters? Tough call. Giants
Bears(+2.5) @Texans - The Texans have been kicking me in the chin all season. I pick against them and they win. I pick them and they lose. Guess what? I'm passing on this game. I can't. It's against my own rules. Texans
Panthers(-2.5) @Saints - Another disappointing season for the Saints and the Panthers have the bye week wrapped up. Time for the Panthers to rest some players. Saints
Rams(+14) @Falcons - Falcons need the win to wrap up a post season slot. Rams are a team that can't find their asses with both hands. Double digit line can be lethal though. Falcons
Chiefs(+3) @Bengals - This is one of the sick men of the NFL match ups. I don't like taking either team but I must. Bengals
Jaguars(+12.5) @Ravens - Are the Jags that bad? I expect no fight from them. Double digits is a to much though. Jaguars
Titans(-3) @Colts - Nothing on the line for either team. Colts
Browns(+11) @Steelers - Nothing on the line for either team. Is there an echo in the room? Steelers
Dolphins(+2.5) @Jets - Jets are sinking with Brett Farve's arm. Dolphins
Patriots(-6) @Bills - Have the Bills moved to Toronto yet? Patriots
Seahawks(+6.5) @Cardinals - Arizona is a really bad team all of a sudden. The line is a little to big for the way the Cards have been playing lately. Seahawks
Redskins(+3) @49ers - Really, who cares? 49ers
Broncos(+8) @Chargers - Are you kidding me? +8? No way. Broncos
Raiders(+12.5) @Buccaneers - Sucker bet at double digits. Raiders are a mess but the Bucs are also in disarray. Raiders
Lions(+10.5) @Packers - Another sucker bet. The Packers have nothing to play for. The Lions will try and fight to keep from being the first 0-16 team in NFL history. Lions
Cowboys(+1) @Eagles - Maybe the toughest pick to make. Both teams are playing for a post season berth. Cowboys are coming off a stunning loss to the Ravens in which they kept getting close only to be kicked in the teeth by two long TD runs. Eagles have been hot and cold all season. I have an rule: Never bet the Cowboys in December. Eagles
Giants(+7) @Vikings - The Giants have the number one NFC seed wrapped up. The Vikings need a win to get into the playoffs. Who plays harder? Will Giants coach Tom Coughlin rest starters? Tough call. Giants
Bears(+2.5) @Texans - The Texans have been kicking me in the chin all season. I pick against them and they win. I pick them and they lose. Guess what? I'm passing on this game. I can't. It's against my own rules. Texans
Panthers(-2.5) @Saints - Another disappointing season for the Saints and the Panthers have the bye week wrapped up. Time for the Panthers to rest some players. Saints
Rams(+14) @Falcons - Falcons need the win to wrap up a post season slot. Rams are a team that can't find their asses with both hands. Double digit line can be lethal though. Falcons
Chiefs(+3) @Bengals - This is one of the sick men of the NFL match ups. I don't like taking either team but I must. Bengals
Jaguars(+12.5) @Ravens - Are the Jags that bad? I expect no fight from them. Double digits is a to much though. Jaguars
Titans(-3) @Colts - Nothing on the line for either team. Colts
Browns(+11) @Steelers - Nothing on the line for either team. Is there an echo in the room? Steelers
Dolphins(+2.5) @Jets - Jets are sinking with Brett Farve's arm. Dolphins
Patriots(-6) @Bills - Have the Bills moved to Toronto yet? Patriots
Seahawks(+6.5) @Cardinals - Arizona is a really bad team all of a sudden. The line is a little to big for the way the Cards have been playing lately. Seahawks
Redskins(+3) @49ers - Really, who cares? 49ers
Broncos(+8) @Chargers - Are you kidding me? +8? No way. Broncos
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
NFL Week 16 - Texans Only
Well it had all the makings of a trap game and the Texans fell in it. They looked like total turds in losing to the Oakland Raiders for the first time in the team's brief history.
For God knows how many times, they opened the game with a beautiful drive for a touchdown. It was down hill from there.
I turned off the TV when head coach Gary Kubiak called for a pass play on a 4th and inches. Instead of going for the first down and three more shots at the endzone, they go for it all in one stupid play and effectively ending the game.
I think this loss is disturbing for a few reasons.
First, the team started to believe their own hype. The national media was starting to sing them a few praises. Kubiak and the other coaches were not able to keep them focused on the Raiders.
Secondly Kubiak is still making the same stupid mistakes at coaching. I don't understand how you throw a pass for the endzone when you only need inches for the first down. Last week against the Titans, Kubiak never abandoned the running game. He kept on pounding the rock and it paid off. Steve Slaton is the second best player on offense. The offensive line has been glowing with confidence. Give them a chance and show you can trust them to get a few inches for the first down.
Third, Richard Smith still needs to go. The defense regressed big time in this game. JeMarcus Russell has struggled all year long. The coaching changes in Oakland have him struggling to develop. Repeatedly the Texans gave up plays that he hadn't really been making Russell shouldn't have been making consistently.
I think the Texans have a long way to go before they are a playoff contender. Consistency on the defense and some help for Mario Williams is at the top of the list. Kubiak needs to show he can coach this team up. I think he's done it with offense but they need to be more consistent too. They need a short yardage back so maybe then Kubiak will have confidence in short yardage and inches to go situations.
One more game to go. The Bears come in playing for an outside shot at the playoffs. The Texans have no motivation to win this game what so ever. How they come out prepared and how they perform will definitely mark the starting point for next season. This one is over. Start plannig and playing for next season.
For God knows how many times, they opened the game with a beautiful drive for a touchdown. It was down hill from there.
I turned off the TV when head coach Gary Kubiak called for a pass play on a 4th and inches. Instead of going for the first down and three more shots at the endzone, they go for it all in one stupid play and effectively ending the game.
I think this loss is disturbing for a few reasons.
First, the team started to believe their own hype. The national media was starting to sing them a few praises. Kubiak and the other coaches were not able to keep them focused on the Raiders.
Secondly Kubiak is still making the same stupid mistakes at coaching. I don't understand how you throw a pass for the endzone when you only need inches for the first down. Last week against the Titans, Kubiak never abandoned the running game. He kept on pounding the rock and it paid off. Steve Slaton is the second best player on offense. The offensive line has been glowing with confidence. Give them a chance and show you can trust them to get a few inches for the first down.
Third, Richard Smith still needs to go. The defense regressed big time in this game. JeMarcus Russell has struggled all year long. The coaching changes in Oakland have him struggling to develop. Repeatedly the Texans gave up plays that he hadn't really been making Russell shouldn't have been making consistently.
I think the Texans have a long way to go before they are a playoff contender. Consistency on the defense and some help for Mario Williams is at the top of the list. Kubiak needs to show he can coach this team up. I think he's done it with offense but they need to be more consistent too. They need a short yardage back so maybe then Kubiak will have confidence in short yardage and inches to go situations.
One more game to go. The Bears come in playing for an outside shot at the playoffs. The Texans have no motivation to win this game what so ever. How they come out prepared and how they perform will definitely mark the starting point for next season. This one is over. Start plannig and playing for next season.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Things I Want to Disappear From the NFL
Dear Commish Roger Goodell,
Please eliminate the following from the NFL:
1. Thursday night games. I love football and I watch every game I can but enough with the Thursday night games. It creates an unfair disadvantage for the teams playing. Football is a violent enough game without cutting down the days to recover from one game to the next. It serves no real purpose other than to create another cash cow for the league.
2. Staggered bye-weeks through the middle of the season. Why give some teams a week three bye and others a week ten bye? If you must give bye weeks, do two weeks in the middle of the season. One week for half the teams and the following week the other half.
3. Overseas regular season games. Really what's the point? It takes away a home game for one team and forces two teams to do something no other teams have to do during the season. I'd be really upset if I only got seven regular season games to see the Texans. The season is short enough with only eight home games. Why rob a home team and its fans of a game?
4. Sudden death overtime. At the very least give both teams a possession with the ball. If after one possession each the game remains tied then let it go to sudden death.
5. End the exclusive agreement with DishTV or whoever you have the deal with for the NFL Sunday Pass or whatever the hell you call that monopoly. The NBA, NHL, MLB and even MLS allow both satellite and cable to carry their seasons for a premium price. Why not the NFL? Any revenue lost from the Thursday night games will probably be made up from opening up this market. Plus not everyone has a southwest exposure to point a dish satellite dish.
And a corollary to 5, quit your little pissing match with Time Warner and other cable companies about witch tier to carry the NFL Network. To state that it limits NFL viewership while the NFL maintains an exclusive satellite coverage with one company just isn't right. Open all the markets up or quit complaining about shoddy treatment from cable companies.
In summary, a theme develops here. I want the best competition on the field for as many viewers as possible. Eliminating the Thursday night games, the staggered bye weeks and overseas games keeps the playing field level. Altering the overtime rules gives a fair chance to both teams. And finally opening up coverage by ending an exclusive agreement with satellite and settling differences with cable companies widens the market of viewers.
Please eliminate the following from the NFL:
1. Thursday night games. I love football and I watch every game I can but enough with the Thursday night games. It creates an unfair disadvantage for the teams playing. Football is a violent enough game without cutting down the days to recover from one game to the next. It serves no real purpose other than to create another cash cow for the league.
2. Staggered bye-weeks through the middle of the season. Why give some teams a week three bye and others a week ten bye? If you must give bye weeks, do two weeks in the middle of the season. One week for half the teams and the following week the other half.
3. Overseas regular season games. Really what's the point? It takes away a home game for one team and forces two teams to do something no other teams have to do during the season. I'd be really upset if I only got seven regular season games to see the Texans. The season is short enough with only eight home games. Why rob a home team and its fans of a game?
4. Sudden death overtime. At the very least give both teams a possession with the ball. If after one possession each the game remains tied then let it go to sudden death.
5. End the exclusive agreement with DishTV or whoever you have the deal with for the NFL Sunday Pass or whatever the hell you call that monopoly. The NBA, NHL, MLB and even MLS allow both satellite and cable to carry their seasons for a premium price. Why not the NFL? Any revenue lost from the Thursday night games will probably be made up from opening up this market. Plus not everyone has a southwest exposure to point a dish satellite dish.
And a corollary to 5, quit your little pissing match with Time Warner and other cable companies about witch tier to carry the NFL Network. To state that it limits NFL viewership while the NFL maintains an exclusive satellite coverage with one company just isn't right. Open all the markets up or quit complaining about shoddy treatment from cable companies.
In summary, a theme develops here. I want the best competition on the field for as many viewers as possible. Eliminating the Thursday night games, the staggered bye weeks and overseas games keeps the playing field level. Altering the overtime rules gives a fair chance to both teams. And finally opening up coverage by ending an exclusive agreement with satellite and settling differences with cable companies widens the market of viewers.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Drayton McClane's Cheap Ass Strikes Again
Drayton McClane strikes again. I've been silent lately on the Astros. Mainly cause there isn't much to talk about. McClane opened up the bank for two retread players. Not wanting to tender an offer to Ty Wigginton. I'll be honest, I don't know what Wigginton would have cost the Astros. I'm assume quiet a bit since McClane let him walk. Looking at his numbers, they were not bad and he had a little pop in the bat with 23 homers and 58 RBIs with a .285 average over 111 games.
So who does the Astros brain trust bring in? Aaron Boone. A 35 year old retread. It's just a sorry ass signing by cheap ass McClane. What the Astros get is an 11 year vet who batted .241 for 4 HRs and 28 RBIs. That's just a freaking terrible trade off in order to save a few bucks.
Ever since McClane's ego ran off Gerry Hunsicker, the Astros have wallowed in mediocrity. McClane's goal is remain marginally competitive. Just enough to tease and keep fans interested through out the season. Sprinkle in a few big name veterans like home grown Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt and an occasional big free agent splash like Carlos Lee and he can point and say look at all he's doing to get them to win.
I've harped on it before and I'll continue to harp on it. He's to cheap to give signing bonuses to drafted players. As a result the farm system is rated the worst in the league. There are virtually no prospects in the pipeline to make the major league club. How telling is it that the Astros signed aged Mike Hampton instead of bringing up a couple of young arms to compete for the starting job? I think it points to the complete breakdown of the minor league clubs.
Mike Hampton. That signing is just a complete joke. They are bringing a broken down player who more than likely won't last the season. He had 13 starts in 2008 and was out completely for 2006 AND 2007. I'd rather the Astros take a chance with a young arm who just might last the season. Oh that's right, there is no one coming up.
Once again I will vote by my wallet and not put any money directly into Drayton McClane's team by going to the games. I know I'm just one person but I've had it with the Astros and McClain's ego getting in the way of what has been and could be a premier franchise in the Major Leagues.
So who does the Astros brain trust bring in? Aaron Boone. A 35 year old retread. It's just a sorry ass signing by cheap ass McClane. What the Astros get is an 11 year vet who batted .241 for 4 HRs and 28 RBIs. That's just a freaking terrible trade off in order to save a few bucks.
Ever since McClane's ego ran off Gerry Hunsicker, the Astros have wallowed in mediocrity. McClane's goal is remain marginally competitive. Just enough to tease and keep fans interested through out the season. Sprinkle in a few big name veterans like home grown Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt and an occasional big free agent splash like Carlos Lee and he can point and say look at all he's doing to get them to win.
I've harped on it before and I'll continue to harp on it. He's to cheap to give signing bonuses to drafted players. As a result the farm system is rated the worst in the league. There are virtually no prospects in the pipeline to make the major league club. How telling is it that the Astros signed aged Mike Hampton instead of bringing up a couple of young arms to compete for the starting job? I think it points to the complete breakdown of the minor league clubs.
Mike Hampton. That signing is just a complete joke. They are bringing a broken down player who more than likely won't last the season. He had 13 starts in 2008 and was out completely for 2006 AND 2007. I'd rather the Astros take a chance with a young arm who just might last the season. Oh that's right, there is no one coming up.
Once again I will vote by my wallet and not put any money directly into Drayton McClane's team by going to the games. I know I'm just one person but I've had it with the Astros and McClain's ego getting in the way of what has been and could be a premier franchise in the Major Leagues.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
NFL Week 15 Results, Week 16 Picks
Holy Crap! What a horrible week. 5-9-1. I really stank it up and polluted the air this week.
A quick break down. Not much on the positive side. I called it right that the 49ers wouldn't win but the Dolphins would fail to cover. I also got the Seahawks, Panthers, Patriots and Eagles correct. All won and covered. The push was the Falcons beat the Bucs by three.
On the bad side there was plenty that went wrong. Evidently the Pack are worse than the Jags. I got burned by the 17 point line of the Colts over the Lions. The Jets beat the Bills but failed to cover the 7.5 spread. My hometown Texans have burned me the last three weeks. I picked the Titans to win easily. The Texans pulled off the upset. The home favorite Ravens let me down against the Steelers. The Cardinals laid a total egg against the Vikings and the Giants did the same against the Cowboys.
I'll never make a living at this.
Week 16 Picks
Colts(-6.5) @Jaguars - Colts are peaking and fighting for a home date for the wildcard. Jags have nothing to play for. Colts
Raves(+4) @Cowboys - This is a tough one. I expect a street fight, low scoring affair. Both defense have been playing well. I'll go with the road dogs. Ravens
Steelers(-2) @Titans - Still getting low lines, the Titans are underdogs at home. The Steelers are so unpredictable offensively. I think the Texans may have exposed the Titans a little. Steelers
Dolphins(-4) @Chiefs - GM and team president Carl Peterson resigned and Herm Edwards may be out the door to. What do the Chiefs really have to play for? Dolphins
Cardinals(+8) @Patriots - The Cards dropped a stinker at home against the Vikings. They don't play well on the East Coast. Patriots
Bengals(+3) @Browns - I don't understand this line. The Browns favored? I'll take the Bengals
Eagles(-5) @Redskins - The Redskins are circling the drain with the self proclaimed worst coach in America. Eagles
49ers(-5.5) @Rams - Rams a pretty pathetic bunch of players with nothing to lose or gain. Mike Singletary has probably earned the head coaching job. 49ers
Falcons(+3) @Vikings - Vikings exposed a weak Cardinal team. It won't be so easy against the Falcons but playing at home helps. Falcons
Saints(-7) @Lions - The Lions still showed some fight last week. Saints lost Reggie Bush for the year. I think the Lions keep it close. Lions
Panthers(+3) @Giants - Giants are really struggling to find themselves post Plaxico Burress. Panthers demolished the Bucs two weeks ago and will look repeat the performance against the Giants. Panthers
Jets(-4.5) @Seahawks - Jets are a riddle wrapped in an enigma. Jets
Texans(-7) @Raiders - Texans are undefeated lifetime against the Raiders. Granted it's a short lifetime and things don't look to change soon. Texans
Bills(+7) @Broncos - Broncos
Chargers(+3.5) @Buccaneers - Buccaneers
Packers(+4) @Bears - The Packers defense has been atrocious. The Bears don't excite me to much though. Bears
A quick break down. Not much on the positive side. I called it right that the 49ers wouldn't win but the Dolphins would fail to cover. I also got the Seahawks, Panthers, Patriots and Eagles correct. All won and covered. The push was the Falcons beat the Bucs by three.
On the bad side there was plenty that went wrong. Evidently the Pack are worse than the Jags. I got burned by the 17 point line of the Colts over the Lions. The Jets beat the Bills but failed to cover the 7.5 spread. My hometown Texans have burned me the last three weeks. I picked the Titans to win easily. The Texans pulled off the upset. The home favorite Ravens let me down against the Steelers. The Cardinals laid a total egg against the Vikings and the Giants did the same against the Cowboys.
I'll never make a living at this.
Week 16 Picks
Colts(-6.5) @Jaguars - Colts are peaking and fighting for a home date for the wildcard. Jags have nothing to play for. Colts
Raves(+4) @Cowboys - This is a tough one. I expect a street fight, low scoring affair. Both defense have been playing well. I'll go with the road dogs. Ravens
Steelers(-2) @Titans - Still getting low lines, the Titans are underdogs at home. The Steelers are so unpredictable offensively. I think the Texans may have exposed the Titans a little. Steelers
Dolphins(-4) @Chiefs - GM and team president Carl Peterson resigned and Herm Edwards may be out the door to. What do the Chiefs really have to play for? Dolphins
Cardinals(+8) @Patriots - The Cards dropped a stinker at home against the Vikings. They don't play well on the East Coast. Patriots
Bengals(+3) @Browns - I don't understand this line. The Browns favored? I'll take the Bengals
Eagles(-5) @Redskins - The Redskins are circling the drain with the self proclaimed worst coach in America. Eagles
49ers(-5.5) @Rams - Rams a pretty pathetic bunch of players with nothing to lose or gain. Mike Singletary has probably earned the head coaching job. 49ers
Falcons(+3) @Vikings - Vikings exposed a weak Cardinal team. It won't be so easy against the Falcons but playing at home helps. Falcons
Saints(-7) @Lions - The Lions still showed some fight last week. Saints lost Reggie Bush for the year. I think the Lions keep it close. Lions
Panthers(+3) @Giants - Giants are really struggling to find themselves post Plaxico Burress. Panthers demolished the Bucs two weeks ago and will look repeat the performance against the Giants. Panthers
Jets(-4.5) @Seahawks - Jets are a riddle wrapped in an enigma. Jets
Texans(-7) @Raiders - Texans are undefeated lifetime against the Raiders. Granted it's a short lifetime and things don't look to change soon. Texans
Bills(+7) @Broncos - Broncos
Chargers(+3.5) @Buccaneers - Buccaneers
Packers(+4) @Bears - The Packers defense has been atrocious. The Bears don't excite me to much though. Bears
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
NFL Week 15
Here I go. To much time on my hands at work again. Week 15 brings sadness as I watch another season end with the Texans out of contention and looking to next season.
Just a few things that stuck out this week.
Those damn Steelers keep pulling victories out of their asses. Last week it was the Dullass Crygirls and this week it was a favorable TD call against the Baltimore Ravens. I think it was a piss poor call by the ref to overturn the ruling on the field. The criteria for overturning a call is indisputable visual evidence that a call is wrong. Replays don't show where the ball is. It should have been stuck outside the goal line. Bad call but I still don't think replay should be banished or tinkered with.
The Giants are in some trouble. Looking like heavy favorites to repeat, they are now on a two game losing streak and looking lost. How much is it injuries and how much is it missing Plaxico Burress and any hangover affects from the whole fiasco? Probably all of the above.
Jim Zorn stated that he feels like the worst coach in the league. Don't sweat it, Jim. Herm Edwards and Jack Del Rio are still employed. You're at worst the third worse coach in the league. What you have to worry about is owner Daniel Snyder ousting you after one season. The Washington Redskins are Snyder's real life fantasy team and he treats it as such. When Jerry Jones turns into Al Davis, Snyder turns into Jerry Jones. Snyder is an idiot. There has been no stability to the organization since he took over. Until he puts his ego aside and hires real football management, a once proud Redskin organization will continue to be dysfunctional. Maybe I should start calling the Cowboys the Oakland Raiders Central and the Redskins Oakland Raiders East.
Last week there was word that Herm Edwards was probably getting another year in KC. With the resignation of Carl Peterson, Edwards may be out soon too. A new GM usually wants to bring in his own coach and considering Edwards' record, a new GM would be wise to bring in a new coach.
If Edwards is fired and Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith is let go, I'll have scored the hat trick this year. Matt Millen was the first....come one Edwards and Smith.
Player of the Week: Who else but Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson. He made the Tennessee Titans defensive backs his little bitches in going 207 yards on 11 catches and one TD. Honorable mention goes to Texans RB Steve Slaton. He's the only RB to rush for 100 or more yards against the Titans....and he's done it twice....
Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Players of the Week: The entire Tennessee Titans organization. 1.)Fat Albert Haynesworth. He talked smack all week about how quarterback Matt Schaub was weak and that they planned on knocking him out of the game in the first quarter. Further stating that they were going to hit Schaub so hard that he would be looking for the defense instead of looking downfield for his receivers. Paybacks a bitch, isn't it Fat Albert? Fat Albert was the one dragged off the field after a Texan lineman fell on his fat ass. He's out for the regular season. 2.) Jeff Fisher. Not so much as not going for the field goal near the end of the game but the play call for it. Kerry Collins channeled his inner Vince Young and looked like crap most of the game. The Titans have the second best running duo in football. So Fisher decides to trust Collins off target arm for the first down. At least let your best players try to make the play. 3.) Running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White. The two were kept in check by the Texans defense and never did any serious damage on the field. As one Texan defender put it,"Dash and smash turned into crushed and smushed." 4.) Vince Young. I watched the Son of Zeus the whole game. He isolates himself from the team. Whatever end of the field the action was going on, all the bench players were standing on that side and watching the action. Young would stand as far from them as possible and watch from there. When the action shifted he would move away from the bench players and stand alone as far away as possible. Only a couple of players would talk to him during the game and I think a waterboy or low level coach would talk to him a couple of times. 5.) Bud Adams. He drafted Vince Young. Enough said. 6.)Cortland Finnegan. He's just a little douchebag cheapshot artist. His helmet to helmet hit to Schaub was about as ugly as it gets. In the same series he speared TE Owen Daniels. That should have gotten him ejected from the game. 7.) All the dorks wearing Vince Young jerseys to the game. They looked like a bunch of idiots with the jersey of the back up quarterback. 8.) Richard Justice. Why Justice? For his column on Vince Young and the statement that Young is loved "unconditionally" in Houston. Major props to all those that wrote him and put comments that he isn't unconditionally loved. Justice, Rich Lord and Jerome Solomon usually have cat slap fights to see who gets to orally pleasure Vince Young first.
I gotta admit I liked what I saw from the Texans this week. The Titans came in with a street brawler's mentality and tried to beat up on the Texans. I don't blame them. In the past, the Texans would have folded up like a card house and curled into the fetal position. This time they fought back. The Titans tried to set the tone early and Texans linemen had no problem getting up and push, shove and hit back after a play was over. Like Lance Zeurlien of the Houston Chronicle said, the Titans are one of the five nastiest teams in the league and the Texans played them at their
own game and won. I'm damn proud of the Texans for playing like that. How many teams out of playoff contention would have bothered to get into a fist fight game like this? Not to many. Hopefully this is something they can build on and keep up next year.
I think that's about enough for this week!
Just a few things that stuck out this week.
Those damn Steelers keep pulling victories out of their asses. Last week it was the Dullass Crygirls and this week it was a favorable TD call against the Baltimore Ravens. I think it was a piss poor call by the ref to overturn the ruling on the field. The criteria for overturning a call is indisputable visual evidence that a call is wrong. Replays don't show where the ball is. It should have been stuck outside the goal line. Bad call but I still don't think replay should be banished or tinkered with.
The Giants are in some trouble. Looking like heavy favorites to repeat, they are now on a two game losing streak and looking lost. How much is it injuries and how much is it missing Plaxico Burress and any hangover affects from the whole fiasco? Probably all of the above.
Jim Zorn stated that he feels like the worst coach in the league. Don't sweat it, Jim. Herm Edwards and Jack Del Rio are still employed. You're at worst the third worse coach in the league. What you have to worry about is owner Daniel Snyder ousting you after one season. The Washington Redskins are Snyder's real life fantasy team and he treats it as such. When Jerry Jones turns into Al Davis, Snyder turns into Jerry Jones. Snyder is an idiot. There has been no stability to the organization since he took over. Until he puts his ego aside and hires real football management, a once proud Redskin organization will continue to be dysfunctional. Maybe I should start calling the Cowboys the Oakland Raiders Central and the Redskins Oakland Raiders East.
Last week there was word that Herm Edwards was probably getting another year in KC. With the resignation of Carl Peterson, Edwards may be out soon too. A new GM usually wants to bring in his own coach and considering Edwards' record, a new GM would be wise to bring in a new coach.
If Edwards is fired and Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith is let go, I'll have scored the hat trick this year. Matt Millen was the first....come one Edwards and Smith.
Player of the Week: Who else but Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson. He made the Tennessee Titans defensive backs his little bitches in going 207 yards on 11 catches and one TD. Honorable mention goes to Texans RB Steve Slaton. He's the only RB to rush for 100 or more yards against the Titans....and he's done it twice....
Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Players of the Week: The entire Tennessee Titans organization. 1.)Fat Albert Haynesworth. He talked smack all week about how quarterback Matt Schaub was weak and that they planned on knocking him out of the game in the first quarter. Further stating that they were going to hit Schaub so hard that he would be looking for the defense instead of looking downfield for his receivers. Paybacks a bitch, isn't it Fat Albert? Fat Albert was the one dragged off the field after a Texan lineman fell on his fat ass. He's out for the regular season. 2.) Jeff Fisher. Not so much as not going for the field goal near the end of the game but the play call for it. Kerry Collins channeled his inner Vince Young and looked like crap most of the game. The Titans have the second best running duo in football. So Fisher decides to trust Collins off target arm for the first down. At least let your best players try to make the play. 3.) Running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White. The two were kept in check by the Texans defense and never did any serious damage on the field. As one Texan defender put it,"Dash and smash turned into crushed and smushed." 4.) Vince Young. I watched the Son of Zeus the whole game. He isolates himself from the team. Whatever end of the field the action was going on, all the bench players were standing on that side and watching the action. Young would stand as far from them as possible and watch from there. When the action shifted he would move away from the bench players and stand alone as far away as possible. Only a couple of players would talk to him during the game and I think a waterboy or low level coach would talk to him a couple of times. 5.) Bud Adams. He drafted Vince Young. Enough said. 6.)Cortland Finnegan. He's just a little douchebag cheapshot artist. His helmet to helmet hit to Schaub was about as ugly as it gets. In the same series he speared TE Owen Daniels. That should have gotten him ejected from the game. 7.) All the dorks wearing Vince Young jerseys to the game. They looked like a bunch of idiots with the jersey of the back up quarterback. 8.) Richard Justice. Why Justice? For his column on Vince Young and the statement that Young is loved "unconditionally" in Houston. Major props to all those that wrote him and put comments that he isn't unconditionally loved. Justice, Rich Lord and Jerome Solomon usually have cat slap fights to see who gets to orally pleasure Vince Young first.
I gotta admit I liked what I saw from the Texans this week. The Titans came in with a street brawler's mentality and tried to beat up on the Texans. I don't blame them. In the past, the Texans would have folded up like a card house and curled into the fetal position. This time they fought back. The Titans tried to set the tone early and Texans linemen had no problem getting up and push, shove and hit back after a play was over. Like Lance Zeurlien of the Houston Chronicle said, the Titans are one of the five nastiest teams in the league and the Texans played them at their
own game and won. I'm damn proud of the Texans for playing like that. How many teams out of playoff contention would have bothered to get into a fist fight game like this? Not to many. Hopefully this is something they can build on and keep up next year.
I think that's about enough for this week!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
NFL Week #14, Week 15 picks, Week 13 results and an Answer to Richard Justice on Vince Young
All right. I'm running way behind on this blog. Quiet a bit of ground to cover. I'll start with my week 14 takes on the NFL.
NFL Week #14
I was a lazy phuk last week and didn't feel like coming up with my usual bull Shiite. And now the B.S.
I'll start with what I stated a few weeks ago.
I hate the Dallas Cowboys!
I hate the New Orleans Saints! The Saints fans are just the most annoying douchebags in the NFL. I get so sick of that stupid,"Whoddat, Whoddat, Whoddat gonna beat dem Saints???!!!" For heaven's sake, a lot of teams did and do. So shut the hell up. Nothing was sweeter last year than the Texans shutting up those idiot fans in beating the Saints at Reliant. What a bunch of douche nozzles. And John McClain from the Houston Chronicle thinks they deserve to win a Super Bowl cause all they've been through from Hurricane Katrina. That's a stupid, retarded line of thinking. Nobody deserves shit. Gotta earn it on the field. No one team deserves a Super Bowl just because of some tragedy and destruction. Screw the Saints and their inbred, webbed fingered, sister marrying fans. It's worth saying again. What a bunch of douchebags. One quick question: If a couple in Louisiana gets divorced are they still considered brother and sister?
Nice comeback win by the Steelers against the Cowboys. Mr. Jessica Simpson threw a beautiful INT that was returned for a TD. I was laughing so hard I think I coughed up blood. Just kidding about the blood. The Cowboys are the NFL's version of the Texas Longhorns. They think they deserve to finish at the top just because of who they are. Watching another Dallas December collapse warms my nuts in the cold of winter.
Cowboy fans just need to look over in Oakland and to see where the franchise will be in about ten to twenty years. Jerry Jones is like Al Davis in that he can't keep his nose out of on the field business. This week the Al Davis in waiting questioned Marion Barber's toughness and said he thought Barber should have played. Way to show your loyalty to the players. I'm sure the coaches and medical staff appreciate the comments too. As much as I hate the Cowboys, I respect the way Barber plays. He's one of the few running backs that will look to run through a defender. He's one tough SOB so I give him the benefit of the doubt.
Now for the Player of the Week: Brian Westbrook of the Eagles. He put up some obnoxious numbers: 6 catches for 72 yards and a TD plus 33 carries for 131 yards and a TD.
The Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: Hines Ward of the Steelers. He had an outstanding 1 reception for a mind numbing 2 yards. Congrats. That took a lot of effort to achieve.
Bad news or good news, I don't know how to take it. Word is Herm Edwards probably gets another year in Kansas City. Good cause I get to rag on his dumbass another season. Bad because I want to elevate Jack Del Rio to worst coach in the league. As long as Edwards in the league I can't take that distinction away from him.
As usual, the Texans are last. I don't care how far the Green Bay Packers have fallen. Going into 5 degree (I think that was temperature at kick off) and beating the Pack is a big deal. At least for this franchise it is. But damn Texans, try not coughing up the ball so much. I'm going to have ulcers if they keep this Shiite up next year. I also like that the players haven't quit on Gary Kubiak. The players could have started mailing it in a few weeks ago after losing to the Vikings and Colts. It says a lot about the character of the team and something about the respect they might have for Kubiak.
Oh screw it though, I don't want a good character team. I want a mean, nasty team. I want a team that defense punishes an offense. I want maulers on the offensive line. I want a back that's going to laugh as he plows over a linebacker.
I wonder how many Vince Young jerseys the natives will be wearing on Sunday at Reliant. I wonder if I'll see any Collins jerseys?
NFL Week 15 Picks
Obviously I'm excluding the Thursday night game. My selections are in bold.
Packers(-2.5) @Jaguars - I think Jack Del Rio's bunch have given up on him for the season. Packers
Lions(+17) @Colts - Wow. 17 point underdog is that double digit thing again. A few weeks ago I would have definitely gone with the Lions and the points. Not anymore. They truly are rudderless now. Colts
Redskins (-6.5) @Bengals - That's about the right line. Redskins
Buccaneers(+3) @Falcons - Same story with the 'skins-Bengals game, the line is just about right. Falcons
49ers(+6) @Dolphins - To high a line favoring the Dolphins. Mike Singeltary has the 49ers playing better ball lately. Just ask the Jets. I think Miami wins but fails to cover. 49ers
Seahawks(-2.5) @Rams - This is a game I wouldn't touch with anyone's money. Since I have to though, I'll go with the Seahawks.
Bills(+7.5) @Jets - Both teams are in a bad funk. Jets have a two game let down after beating the Titans. The Bills just flat on their faces after a hot start. Jets
Titans(-3) @Texans - My former hometown team vs. my current hometown team. And I'm not the one that moved. I'm surprised at how low the line is favoring the Titans. They repeatedly not been favored by much and still beat the odds. I loved the Oilers but don't like them as the Titans. Pick against them at your own peril.
Steelers(+2.5) @Ravens - Probably the game of the week. Ravens QB Joe Flacco did well in his first game against the Steelers at Heinz Field. I think he does better at home. Ravens
Broncos(+7.5) @Panthers - Panthers are on a roll. Broncos are hot and cold. No defense for the Broncos is the downfall though. Panthers
Chargers(-6) @Chiefs - Disappointing Chargers should take care of the Chiefs.
Vikings(+3) @Cardinals - I haven't even looked if Gus Frerotte is going to play. I don't think it matters much. Cardinals
Patriots(-6.5) @Raiders - I misjudged the Pats last week but I won't this week. Patriots
Giants(+3) @Cowboys - I like the road dogs in this one. Giants
Browns(+14) @Eagles - Browns are down to Ken Dorsey at quarterback. Eagles
NFL Week 13 Results
I'm a couple of weeks late. I got lazy and didn't tally my picks until this week and didn't make any picks in week 14. I went 8-6. Brief recap on what right and wrong.
First the winning side of the ledger. I'd been preaching against taking double digit spreads. In week 13 I went against my own sermon. Why? The Titans were playing the hapless Lions and the Cowboys against the ailing Seahawks. It paid off. It was just to rich to pass up. I went with two road dogs and won. I picked the 49ers(+7) against the Bills and the Falcons(+5) at the Chargers. I expected a better game from the Redskins but I took the Giants and won. Ravens(-7) on the road against the Bengals was a lay up. I took the Texans over the Jaguars in the Monday night game. Texans just have the Jags number most of the time.
Now the ugly side of the ledger. The road dog that I pick that lost was the Cardinals(+3) at the Eagles. I thought the Eagles were on the downward spiral. Evidently not. The Jets had the let down I feared. I didn't go with my instinct and lost the Jets game. I completely misjudged the
Patriots. I thought they would survive in Pittsburgh. The Buccaneers won but didn't cover as did the Colts. I picked both teams and they gave me a loss. I took the Packers by virtue of playing at home. Dumb idea. Panthers beat them and then they lose again to the Texans at home.
Not a bad week but not enough to probably make up for all the bad weeks I've had. I'm not making a living at this anytime soon.
Richard Justice's Column on Back up Titans QB Vince Young
Ah yes, the Old Rusty Tromboner (look up "rusty tromboner") Richard Justice is at it again. While he's not making excuses from Son of Zeus Vince Young, he still likes to stroke Vinnie's Weenie. I'm sure the Tromboner is creaming his panties in anticipation of the Fruit of Zeus's loin comes home to Houston. To quote the Tromboner:
"This weekend, Young will be returning to a place that loves him almost unconditionally. Welcome home, Vince."
Yeah right Justice. Everybody in Houston loves Vince Young unconditionally. The Texans loved him so much they drafted Mario Williams. The Texans loved him so much they kept David Carr. The Texans loved him so much they almost drafted Reggie Bush. The Texans loved him so much that they passed on him with the first overall pick in the draft. The Texans passed on what would have been an incredible marketing coup. Vince Young, Hometown Hero Returns. Reliant would have been rocking and rolling. That's unconditional love Texans style.
Then the lamest argument from Vinnie's ball washers: Bud Adams took Young to stick it to the Texans. How? Just how is it sticking it to the Texans? Texans had first shot and passed him up. He's Adams' problem now.
Those with blinders saw Vince for what he is. An incredible college athlete whose style of play would revolutionize the way quarterback was played. Kind of like Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, Randall Cunningham and Duante Culpepper. Oh wait, Vick, McNabb, Cunningham and Culpepper didn't revolutionize the game. They learned the professional game and turned their natural abilities to a higher level in the pros. According to Pro Football Weekly, Titans starting QB Kerry Collins even offered to teach him to watch film and learn the game. Young turned a would be mentor down.
Young sits on the bench and pouts. His vagina hurts when he's booed. He doesn't want to talk to reporters anymore cause part of his problems are due to the media. His mommy has to come out and defend him cause he's hurting. Grow up, Vince!
So go ahead Justice put on your Longhorn Vince Young jersey and wear it to the game Sunday. Your hero will be on the bench. But whatever you do Justice, don't break your chin on Vince's balls.
NFL Week #14
I was a lazy phuk last week and didn't feel like coming up with my usual bull Shiite. And now the B.S.
I'll start with what I stated a few weeks ago.
I hate the Dallas Cowboys!
I hate the New Orleans Saints! The Saints fans are just the most annoying douchebags in the NFL. I get so sick of that stupid,"Whoddat, Whoddat, Whoddat gonna beat dem Saints???!!!" For heaven's sake, a lot of teams did and do. So shut the hell up. Nothing was sweeter last year than the Texans shutting up those idiot fans in beating the Saints at Reliant. What a bunch of douche nozzles. And John McClain from the Houston Chronicle thinks they deserve to win a Super Bowl cause all they've been through from Hurricane Katrina. That's a stupid, retarded line of thinking. Nobody deserves shit. Gotta earn it on the field. No one team deserves a Super Bowl just because of some tragedy and destruction. Screw the Saints and their inbred, webbed fingered, sister marrying fans. It's worth saying again. What a bunch of douchebags. One quick question: If a couple in Louisiana gets divorced are they still considered brother and sister?
Nice comeback win by the Steelers against the Cowboys. Mr. Jessica Simpson threw a beautiful INT that was returned for a TD. I was laughing so hard I think I coughed up blood. Just kidding about the blood. The Cowboys are the NFL's version of the Texas Longhorns. They think they deserve to finish at the top just because of who they are. Watching another Dallas December collapse warms my nuts in the cold of winter.
Cowboy fans just need to look over in Oakland and to see where the franchise will be in about ten to twenty years. Jerry Jones is like Al Davis in that he can't keep his nose out of on the field business. This week the Al Davis in waiting questioned Marion Barber's toughness and said he thought Barber should have played. Way to show your loyalty to the players. I'm sure the coaches and medical staff appreciate the comments too. As much as I hate the Cowboys, I respect the way Barber plays. He's one of the few running backs that will look to run through a defender. He's one tough SOB so I give him the benefit of the doubt.
Now for the Player of the Week: Brian Westbrook of the Eagles. He put up some obnoxious numbers: 6 catches for 72 yards and a TD plus 33 carries for 131 yards and a TD.
The Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: Hines Ward of the Steelers. He had an outstanding 1 reception for a mind numbing 2 yards. Congrats. That took a lot of effort to achieve.
Bad news or good news, I don't know how to take it. Word is Herm Edwards probably gets another year in Kansas City. Good cause I get to rag on his dumbass another season. Bad because I want to elevate Jack Del Rio to worst coach in the league. As long as Edwards in the league I can't take that distinction away from him.
As usual, the Texans are last. I don't care how far the Green Bay Packers have fallen. Going into 5 degree (I think that was temperature at kick off) and beating the Pack is a big deal. At least for this franchise it is. But damn Texans, try not coughing up the ball so much. I'm going to have ulcers if they keep this Shiite up next year. I also like that the players haven't quit on Gary Kubiak. The players could have started mailing it in a few weeks ago after losing to the Vikings and Colts. It says a lot about the character of the team and something about the respect they might have for Kubiak.
Oh screw it though, I don't want a good character team. I want a mean, nasty team. I want a team that defense punishes an offense. I want maulers on the offensive line. I want a back that's going to laugh as he plows over a linebacker.
I wonder how many Vince Young jerseys the natives will be wearing on Sunday at Reliant. I wonder if I'll see any Collins jerseys?
NFL Week 15 Picks
Obviously I'm excluding the Thursday night game. My selections are in bold.
Packers(-2.5) @Jaguars - I think Jack Del Rio's bunch have given up on him for the season. Packers
Lions(+17) @Colts - Wow. 17 point underdog is that double digit thing again. A few weeks ago I would have definitely gone with the Lions and the points. Not anymore. They truly are rudderless now. Colts
Redskins (-6.5) @Bengals - That's about the right line. Redskins
Buccaneers(+3) @Falcons - Same story with the 'skins-Bengals game, the line is just about right. Falcons
49ers(+6) @Dolphins - To high a line favoring the Dolphins. Mike Singeltary has the 49ers playing better ball lately. Just ask the Jets. I think Miami wins but fails to cover. 49ers
Seahawks(-2.5) @Rams - This is a game I wouldn't touch with anyone's money. Since I have to though, I'll go with the Seahawks.
Bills(+7.5) @Jets - Both teams are in a bad funk. Jets have a two game let down after beating the Titans. The Bills just flat on their faces after a hot start. Jets
Titans(-3) @Texans - My former hometown team vs. my current hometown team. And I'm not the one that moved. I'm surprised at how low the line is favoring the Titans. They repeatedly not been favored by much and still beat the odds. I loved the Oilers but don't like them as the Titans. Pick against them at your own peril.
Steelers(+2.5) @Ravens - Probably the game of the week. Ravens QB Joe Flacco did well in his first game against the Steelers at Heinz Field. I think he does better at home. Ravens
Broncos(+7.5) @Panthers - Panthers are on a roll. Broncos are hot and cold. No defense for the Broncos is the downfall though. Panthers
Chargers(-6) @Chiefs - Disappointing Chargers should take care of the Chiefs.
Vikings(+3) @Cardinals - I haven't even looked if Gus Frerotte is going to play. I don't think it matters much. Cardinals
Patriots(-6.5) @Raiders - I misjudged the Pats last week but I won't this week. Patriots
Giants(+3) @Cowboys - I like the road dogs in this one. Giants
Browns(+14) @Eagles - Browns are down to Ken Dorsey at quarterback. Eagles
NFL Week 13 Results
I'm a couple of weeks late. I got lazy and didn't tally my picks until this week and didn't make any picks in week 14. I went 8-6. Brief recap on what right and wrong.
First the winning side of the ledger. I'd been preaching against taking double digit spreads. In week 13 I went against my own sermon. Why? The Titans were playing the hapless Lions and the Cowboys against the ailing Seahawks. It paid off. It was just to rich to pass up. I went with two road dogs and won. I picked the 49ers(+7) against the Bills and the Falcons(+5) at the Chargers. I expected a better game from the Redskins but I took the Giants and won. Ravens(-7) on the road against the Bengals was a lay up. I took the Texans over the Jaguars in the Monday night game. Texans just have the Jags number most of the time.
Now the ugly side of the ledger. The road dog that I pick that lost was the Cardinals(+3) at the Eagles. I thought the Eagles were on the downward spiral. Evidently not. The Jets had the let down I feared. I didn't go with my instinct and lost the Jets game. I completely misjudged the
Patriots. I thought they would survive in Pittsburgh. The Buccaneers won but didn't cover as did the Colts. I picked both teams and they gave me a loss. I took the Packers by virtue of playing at home. Dumb idea. Panthers beat them and then they lose again to the Texans at home.
Not a bad week but not enough to probably make up for all the bad weeks I've had. I'm not making a living at this anytime soon.
Richard Justice's Column on Back up Titans QB Vince Young
Ah yes, the Old Rusty Tromboner (look up "rusty tromboner") Richard Justice is at it again. While he's not making excuses from Son of Zeus Vince Young, he still likes to stroke Vinnie's Weenie. I'm sure the Tromboner is creaming his panties in anticipation of the Fruit of Zeus's loin comes home to Houston. To quote the Tromboner:
"This weekend, Young will be returning to a place that loves him almost unconditionally. Welcome home, Vince."
Yeah right Justice. Everybody in Houston loves Vince Young unconditionally. The Texans loved him so much they drafted Mario Williams. The Texans loved him so much they kept David Carr. The Texans loved him so much they almost drafted Reggie Bush. The Texans loved him so much that they passed on him with the first overall pick in the draft. The Texans passed on what would have been an incredible marketing coup. Vince Young, Hometown Hero Returns. Reliant would have been rocking and rolling. That's unconditional love Texans style.
Then the lamest argument from Vinnie's ball washers: Bud Adams took Young to stick it to the Texans. How? Just how is it sticking it to the Texans? Texans had first shot and passed him up. He's Adams' problem now.
Those with blinders saw Vince for what he is. An incredible college athlete whose style of play would revolutionize the way quarterback was played. Kind of like Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, Randall Cunningham and Duante Culpepper. Oh wait, Vick, McNabb, Cunningham and Culpepper didn't revolutionize the game. They learned the professional game and turned their natural abilities to a higher level in the pros. According to Pro Football Weekly, Titans starting QB Kerry Collins even offered to teach him to watch film and learn the game. Young turned a would be mentor down.
Young sits on the bench and pouts. His vagina hurts when he's booed. He doesn't want to talk to reporters anymore cause part of his problems are due to the media. His mommy has to come out and defend him cause he's hurting. Grow up, Vince!
So go ahead Justice put on your Longhorn Vince Young jersey and wear it to the game Sunday. Your hero will be on the bench. But whatever you do Justice, don't break your chin on Vince's balls.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Week 12 results vs. the Spread
Not a good week. I'll never make a leaving at this. I went 5-10 this week. I evidently over looked the Bucs-Lions game.
My sucker bet theory got blown out of the water last week. I had stated that just about any double digit spread was a sucker bet and to take the underdog. Ouch. The Bengals were routed by the Steelers(-11) and the 49ers got whipped by the Cowboys(-10). The game that was close enough to sucker bet territory was the Raiders(+9.5) at the Broncos. I went with the favored Broncos and of course they lose. Same thing happened with the Rams(+8.5) hosting the Bears. I thought that it was going to be a low scoring game. In which case it would favor the Rams. Dumb ass. Rams are back to Scott Linehan coaching form. The Browns had been a pretty healthy pick for me for most of the season. Not against the Texans(+3). I don't think the Browns will be a safe pick for the rest of the season. Of course the Titans had be another safe pick but the Jets(+5) put and end to the unbeaten streak. I still don't know why I picked the Packers over the Saints. It was a poor choice to say the least. I expected a much closer game.
On the plus side of the ledger, two fo the three road dogs paid off. I got the Patriots (+1.5) at the Dolphins right and the Vikings (+2.5) over the Jaguars right. The other three I picked right were Bills(-3) at KC, Ravens(-1) hosting the Eagles and Giants(-3) at the Cardinals.
With three games on Thursday, I could have an indication of how my week will go. At least I hope I start off on the right foot.
My sucker bet theory got blown out of the water last week. I had stated that just about any double digit spread was a sucker bet and to take the underdog. Ouch. The Bengals were routed by the Steelers(-11) and the 49ers got whipped by the Cowboys(-10). The game that was close enough to sucker bet territory was the Raiders(+9.5) at the Broncos. I went with the favored Broncos and of course they lose. Same thing happened with the Rams(+8.5) hosting the Bears. I thought that it was going to be a low scoring game. In which case it would favor the Rams. Dumb ass. Rams are back to Scott Linehan coaching form. The Browns had been a pretty healthy pick for me for most of the season. Not against the Texans(+3). I don't think the Browns will be a safe pick for the rest of the season. Of course the Titans had be another safe pick but the Jets(+5) put and end to the unbeaten streak. I still don't know why I picked the Packers over the Saints. It was a poor choice to say the least. I expected a much closer game.
On the plus side of the ledger, two fo the three road dogs paid off. I got the Patriots (+1.5) at the Dolphins right and the Vikings (+2.5) over the Jaguars right. The other three I picked right were Bills(-3) at KC, Ravens(-1) hosting the Eagles and Giants(-3) at the Cardinals.
With three games on Thursday, I could have an indication of how my week will go. At least I hope I start off on the right foot.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Week 13 Picks vs. the Spread
I haven't tallied last weeks picks but I should have them tonight.
Week 13 Picks against the Spread
Titans(-11) @ Lions - The Titans are coming off their first loss of the season and the Lions are trying to get their first win of the season. I've been staying away from picking double digit underdogs the last two weeks. I'm thinking this might be an exception. Titans
Seahawks(+13) @Cowboys - Another double digit spread and another quandary for me. I view them as sucker bets for the most part. Dallas though has been traditionally strong on Thanksgiving Day games and the Seahawks are going no where fast. Cowboys
Cardinals(+3) @Eagles - Donovan McNabb was pulled last week in favor of quarterback of the future Kevin Kolb. The Eagles are in disarray while the Cards are clicking along nicely. Take the road dog in this one. Cardinals
Broncos(+7.5) @Jets - Jets have the hot hand right now. Could they be in for a let down after inflicting the first loss on the Titans? Jets
49ers(+7) @Bills - This is one if I were actually betting money I would stay away from. Since no money is on the line I'll take 49ers
Saints(+3.5) @Buccaneers - Drew Brees went nuts on the Packers last week. The Bucs have a strong defense though. I think the Bucs prevails.
Panthers(+3) @Packers - I don't know what to make of the Packers this year. They are off and on. The ass whipping they took in New Orleans is a big set back. I think they bounce back this week. Packers
Giants(-3.5) @Redskins - Another rumble in the NFC East. Giants
Dolphins @Rams - No line except for VegasInsider. No pick per my rules.
Ravens(-7) @Bengals - Ravens
Falcons(+5) @Chargers - Michael Turner returns to San Diego but as a starter for the other team. Falcons
Colts(-5) @Browns - Brady Quinn maybe done for the year. Romeo Crennel maybe done soon. I think it is now safe to pick against the Browns. Colts
Steelers(+1) @Patriots - Steelers are being held together by band aids and duct tape. Patriots
Chiefs(+3) @Raiders - Sick match up of the week. Another one I wouldn't touch if I had money on the line. I'm surprised that this one isn't a pick 'em. Raiders
Bears(+3.5) @Vikings - What's this? Three games in a week that I wouldn't touch? You bet I wouldn't touch this one. Vikings
Jaguars(+3) @Texans - Monday Night Football in front of a quarter full stadium with two teams going no where. Texans
Week 13 Picks against the Spread
Titans(-11) @ Lions - The Titans are coming off their first loss of the season and the Lions are trying to get their first win of the season. I've been staying away from picking double digit underdogs the last two weeks. I'm thinking this might be an exception. Titans
Seahawks(+13) @Cowboys - Another double digit spread and another quandary for me. I view them as sucker bets for the most part. Dallas though has been traditionally strong on Thanksgiving Day games and the Seahawks are going no where fast. Cowboys
Cardinals(+3) @Eagles - Donovan McNabb was pulled last week in favor of quarterback of the future Kevin Kolb. The Eagles are in disarray while the Cards are clicking along nicely. Take the road dog in this one. Cardinals
Broncos(+7.5) @Jets - Jets have the hot hand right now. Could they be in for a let down after inflicting the first loss on the Titans? Jets
49ers(+7) @Bills - This is one if I were actually betting money I would stay away from. Since no money is on the line I'll take 49ers
Saints(+3.5) @Buccaneers - Drew Brees went nuts on the Packers last week. The Bucs have a strong defense though. I think the Bucs prevails.
Panthers(+3) @Packers - I don't know what to make of the Packers this year. They are off and on. The ass whipping they took in New Orleans is a big set back. I think they bounce back this week. Packers
Giants(-3.5) @Redskins - Another rumble in the NFC East. Giants
Dolphins @Rams - No line except for VegasInsider. No pick per my rules.
Ravens(-7) @Bengals - Ravens
Falcons(+5) @Chargers - Michael Turner returns to San Diego but as a starter for the other team. Falcons
Colts(-5) @Browns - Brady Quinn maybe done for the year. Romeo Crennel maybe done soon. I think it is now safe to pick against the Browns. Colts
Steelers(+1) @Patriots - Steelers are being held together by band aids and duct tape. Patriots
Chiefs(+3) @Raiders - Sick match up of the week. Another one I wouldn't touch if I had money on the line. I'm surprised that this one isn't a pick 'em. Raiders
Bears(+3.5) @Vikings - What's this? Three games in a week that I wouldn't touch? You bet I wouldn't touch this one. Vikings
Jaguars(+3) @Texans - Monday Night Football in front of a quarter full stadium with two teams going no where. Texans
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
NFL Week #12 - Coach Death Watch Week!
No Shakespeare this week. I almost had a "O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou" turned into a "O playoffs, playoffs wherefore art thou" but didn't feel up to the task of being creative.
Anyway onto week 12. I hate the Dallas Cowboys. I hate the New Orleans Saints.
I'll start off with the losers and my usual Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. There was a four way tie. So I morphed the players to make two players. The first morphed player of the week is Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderquinn. Anderquinn was 13 of 32 passing for 145 yards and 3 INTs. The next one pains me. This player is a merging of one of my all time favorite players and a fellow Houston Cougar. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McKolb passed for an unremarkable 18 of 41 for120 yards and 4 INTs. And in grand Cougar style, one of McKolb's INTs was returned for a record 108 yard TD. I'd say both QBs had JaMarcus Russell like numbers but he's not allowed to throw the ball more than 15 times a game.
Like the JP/CP Player of the Week, the real Player of the Week it was a tie. Matt Cassel and Michael Turner both earn that honor. I picked them not only for their outstanding numbers this week but also because they are exceeding expectations for the season. Cassel only had to step into All-Universe quarterback Tom Brady's spot twelve minutes into the season. He's proven not to be just a caretaker but actually has kept the Patriots in playoff contention. I didn't believe in all the hype surrounding Turner. I definitely thought he was nuts in going to Atlanta when he pretty could have gone any place he wanted based on hype. Instead he's helped the Falcons forget the disaster that was Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.
Coach Death Watch Week!
It's kind of obvious who is out as head coaches. Some with merit and some without. At the top of the list of coaches that should get fired are Rod Marinelli, Herm Edwards and Jack Del Rio. Marinelli is just in a no win situation. Literally he is. Lions go 0-16. Edwards is just the worst coach in the NFL. Jack Del Rio is a close second to Edwards for worst coach. Del Rio couldn't coach his way out of a wet paper bag. Coaches that get fired but probably shouldn't are Marv Lewis, Romeo Crennel and Andy Reid. Lewis should get a mulligan for Carson Palmer being hurt for
most of the year. It's not his fault. Crennel had been building a winner until this season. Derek Anderson reverted to being David Anderson. Give Crennel one more year with Brady Quinn at the helm. Reid is just in a bad place. He's had a great quarterback in Donovan McNabb and a great running back in Brian Westbrook. What he hasn't had and management has given him is a great wide receiver. The one year they had Terrell Owens they got to the Super Bowl.
Of the three interim head coaches, none of them should keep their job. Mike Singletary isn't ready for prime time yet. He needs more time as an assistant but I think he will be okay in a few years. Jim Haslett got the Rams off to a hot start but they've cratered back to earth. Tom (I think that's his name) Cable in Oakland is gone too. Al Davis needs to fire someone in the off season.
As usual, the Texans for last. Great. Monday Night Football featuring two 4-7 teams. I bet it's a while before the Texans get a MNF game again. At least they won this week. Of course, who knew the Browns were more inept than the Texans....
Good night and Happy Thanksgiving.
Anyway onto week 12. I hate the Dallas Cowboys. I hate the New Orleans Saints.
I'll start off with the losers and my usual Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. There was a four way tie. So I morphed the players to make two players. The first morphed player of the week is Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderquinn. Anderquinn was 13 of 32 passing for 145 yards and 3 INTs. The next one pains me. This player is a merging of one of my all time favorite players and a fellow Houston Cougar. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McKolb passed for an unremarkable 18 of 41 for120 yards and 4 INTs. And in grand Cougar style, one of McKolb's INTs was returned for a record 108 yard TD. I'd say both QBs had JaMarcus Russell like numbers but he's not allowed to throw the ball more than 15 times a game.
Like the JP/CP Player of the Week, the real Player of the Week it was a tie. Matt Cassel and Michael Turner both earn that honor. I picked them not only for their outstanding numbers this week but also because they are exceeding expectations for the season. Cassel only had to step into All-Universe quarterback Tom Brady's spot twelve minutes into the season. He's proven not to be just a caretaker but actually has kept the Patriots in playoff contention. I didn't believe in all the hype surrounding Turner. I definitely thought he was nuts in going to Atlanta when he pretty could have gone any place he wanted based on hype. Instead he's helped the Falcons forget the disaster that was Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.
Coach Death Watch Week!
It's kind of obvious who is out as head coaches. Some with merit and some without. At the top of the list of coaches that should get fired are Rod Marinelli, Herm Edwards and Jack Del Rio. Marinelli is just in a no win situation. Literally he is. Lions go 0-16. Edwards is just the worst coach in the NFL. Jack Del Rio is a close second to Edwards for worst coach. Del Rio couldn't coach his way out of a wet paper bag. Coaches that get fired but probably shouldn't are Marv Lewis, Romeo Crennel and Andy Reid. Lewis should get a mulligan for Carson Palmer being hurt for
most of the year. It's not his fault. Crennel had been building a winner until this season. Derek Anderson reverted to being David Anderson. Give Crennel one more year with Brady Quinn at the helm. Reid is just in a bad place. He's had a great quarterback in Donovan McNabb and a great running back in Brian Westbrook. What he hasn't had and management has given him is a great wide receiver. The one year they had Terrell Owens they got to the Super Bowl.
Of the three interim head coaches, none of them should keep their job. Mike Singletary isn't ready for prime time yet. He needs more time as an assistant but I think he will be okay in a few years. Jim Haslett got the Rams off to a hot start but they've cratered back to earth. Tom (I think that's his name) Cable in Oakland is gone too. Al Davis needs to fire someone in the off season.
As usual, the Texans for last. Great. Monday Night Football featuring two 4-7 teams. I bet it's a while before the Texans get a MNF game again. At least they won this week. Of course, who knew the Browns were more inept than the Texans....
Good night and Happy Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
NFL Week 11, Results against the Spread, Week 12 Picks
NFL Week 11
Note: Yes I did write this. I didn't lift it from some other website. I had started writing a satirical State of the Franchise speech by Bob McNair. Then the "Friend, Romans, Countrymen" speech came to mind. This is the result.
"Hi, this is Mark Vandermeer, the voice of the Houston Texans! We are gathered here for a special news conference called by Texans owner Bob McNair. Speculation has been running wild that he has decided to fire coach Gary Kubiak now instead of waiting until the end of the season. There he is now. What the hell is he doing in a toga? Let's see what he has to say."
"Fans, Texans, Houstonians, lend me your ears
For I come to praise Kubiak, not fire him
The evil that coaches do lives after them
The good is often interred in their resumes
So let it be with Kubiak. The noble media
Hath told you Kubiak was clueless:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault
And grievously hath Kubiak answered it.
Here, under leave of the media-
For the media are all honorable;
So are they all, all honorable reporters-
Come I to speak in Kubiak’s defense.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But the media says he was clueless;
And the media are all honorable men.
He hath brought many fans home to Reliant,
Whose season tickets did my general coffers fill:
Did this in Kubiak seem clueless?
When the fans had cried, Kubiak hath wept.
Cluelessness should be made of weaker stuff;
Yet the media says he was clueless;
And the media are all honorable men.
You all did see that on Draft Day
I thrice presented him Vince Young,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this clueless?
Yet the media says he was clueless;
And, sure, the media are all honorable men.
I speak not to disprove what the media wrote.
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did cheer him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then to cheer for him now?
O fickle fans! Thou are fled to brutish beasts,
And fans have lost their reason! Bear with me;
My heart is in the contract there with Kubiak,
And I must pause till it expires with me."
"Uh, I think Bob McNair is competing with Al Davis for most insane
owner. Back to you guys in the studio."
My apologies to William Shakespeare.
Week 11 Results vs. the Spread
After a tremendous week ten against the spread, I fell back to earth with a 7-8 record. As per the guidelines I set up at the beginning of the season, I didn't make a pick between Bears vs. Packers since there was no line posted when I made my selections.
What did me in this week? I took a bunch of points in what turned out to be sucker bets. I bit on double digit spreads in taking the Panthers (-14) over the Lions and Dolphins (-10.5) over the Raiders. The bigger spreads hurt me too. The Texans(+8) over the Colts was tempting especially given their implosion against the Ravens the previous week. The call at the end of game of the Chargers @Pittsburgh was another game that hurt the bottom line. I really thought the Redskins would pound the Cowboys into submission but they didn't.
On the plus side of the ledger, my Browns streak continues. It's very dangerous to pick against the Browns. Even if they lose they manage to keep within the spread. I figured right about the Giants(-7) against the Ravens. Like I stated when I made the pick, the Giants are just that good. They seem to be getting stronger as the season rolls on. I still don't get why the line was so low in the Titans(-3) at the Jaguars. Picking against the Titans is a sucker bet like picking against the Browns. The Titans are 9-1 against the spread.
I didn't know how to rule on the tie between the Bengals and Eagles (-9) but then I realized that a tie in the game is a loss for me. I picked the Eagles to win by more than nine. It was a tie and I lose. Ouch.
Finally, a word on the outcome of the Steelers and Chargers ending. The blown call at the end didn't change the outcome of the game but it changed the outcome for those who gambled. People who thought they wonsuddenly found themselves in the short end of the stick. That's just tough luck in my opinion. First, I don't think anyone should be betting with money they can't afford to lose. If you're betting the mortgage money on a game you need help. Second, bad calls are a risk in every game. It's why it's called gambling. Granted that referees shouldn't be affecting the outcome of a game but sometimes they do and it's part of the inherent risk of gambling. Bottom line in all gambling is that the outcome is influenced by multiple factors. That's just the nature of the game.
Week 12 Picks
Bengals(+11) @ Steelers - I'm learning this on the fly and not consulting any source to make my picks. I've learned that most double digit lines are sucker bets. Bengals
Texans(+3) @Browns - One thing I've repeatedly stated, pick agains the Browns at your own peril. Browns
Bills(-3) @Chiefs - At season's beginning the line would have been much higher. Shows how far the Bills have fallen. Bills
Jet's(+5) @Titans - Finally Titans get some betting respect. Beating up on the Bears and Jags have made them more than a three point favorite for a change. Titans
Patriots(+1.5) @Dolphins - The Pats lost a close one last week and the Dolphins blew them out with the Wildcat formation early in the season. I don't think a Bill Belichick let's the Fish blow them out again. I'll take the road dog in this one. Patriots
49ers(+10) @Cowboys - Sucker bet? The 'niners have played better offense the last two weeks. Dallas will try to get it's groove back in Tony Romo's second game back. 49ers
Eagles(+1) @Ravens - Ravens offense is more than complimenting the defense as of late except agianst the Giants. Aside from that game, the offense has put up 27, 29, 37 and 41 points. I'm telling you the Giants are that good. Ravens
Bears(-8.5) @Rams - Bears are sputtering on both sides of the ball. Rams have reverted to the Rams that got coach Scott Linehan fired. This should be a pretty low scoring affair. Rams
Vikings(+2.5) @Jaguars - Adrian Peterson runs amok in Jacksonville. Vikings
Panthers(+1) @Falcons - Is this a case of the Panthers getting little respect or the Falcons getting too much respect? I think the former. Panthers
Raiders(+9.5) @Broncos - This is close to sucker bet territory. The Raiders are in such disarray it's hard not to take the Broncos. Then again the Bronco defense can fall apart or not even show up. If I were really betting money, I wouldn't touch this game. But I'm not so I'll take the Broncos
Redskins(-3.5) @Seahawks - I think the Redskins will take a little frustration out on the hapless 'hawks. Matt Hasselbeck isn't full strength. Redskins
Giants(-3) @Cardinals - I like the Giants straight up in this one but I'll take them against the spread too. Giants
Colts(+3) @Chargers - I think we are about to see what the Chargers have in them for this game. Chargers
Packers(+2.5) @Saints - I don't like the Saints in this one. Don't ask why. Packers
Note: Yes I did write this. I didn't lift it from some other website. I had started writing a satirical State of the Franchise speech by Bob McNair. Then the "Friend, Romans, Countrymen" speech came to mind. This is the result.
"Hi, this is Mark Vandermeer, the voice of the Houston Texans! We are gathered here for a special news conference called by Texans owner Bob McNair. Speculation has been running wild that he has decided to fire coach Gary Kubiak now instead of waiting until the end of the season. There he is now. What the hell is he doing in a toga? Let's see what he has to say."
"Fans, Texans, Houstonians, lend me your ears
For I come to praise Kubiak, not fire him
The evil that coaches do lives after them
The good is often interred in their resumes
So let it be with Kubiak. The noble media
Hath told you Kubiak was clueless:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault
And grievously hath Kubiak answered it.
Here, under leave of the media-
For the media are all honorable;
So are they all, all honorable reporters-
Come I to speak in Kubiak’s defense.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But the media says he was clueless;
And the media are all honorable men.
He hath brought many fans home to Reliant,
Whose season tickets did my general coffers fill:
Did this in Kubiak seem clueless?
When the fans had cried, Kubiak hath wept.
Cluelessness should be made of weaker stuff;
Yet the media says he was clueless;
And the media are all honorable men.
You all did see that on Draft Day
I thrice presented him Vince Young,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this clueless?
Yet the media says he was clueless;
And, sure, the media are all honorable men.
I speak not to disprove what the media wrote.
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did cheer him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then to cheer for him now?
O fickle fans! Thou are fled to brutish beasts,
And fans have lost their reason! Bear with me;
My heart is in the contract there with Kubiak,
And I must pause till it expires with me."
"Uh, I think Bob McNair is competing with Al Davis for most insane
owner. Back to you guys in the studio."
My apologies to William Shakespeare.
Week 11 Results vs. the Spread
After a tremendous week ten against the spread, I fell back to earth with a 7-8 record. As per the guidelines I set up at the beginning of the season, I didn't make a pick between Bears vs. Packers since there was no line posted when I made my selections.
What did me in this week? I took a bunch of points in what turned out to be sucker bets. I bit on double digit spreads in taking the Panthers (-14) over the Lions and Dolphins (-10.5) over the Raiders. The bigger spreads hurt me too. The Texans(+8) over the Colts was tempting especially given their implosion against the Ravens the previous week. The call at the end of game of the Chargers @Pittsburgh was another game that hurt the bottom line. I really thought the Redskins would pound the Cowboys into submission but they didn't.
On the plus side of the ledger, my Browns streak continues. It's very dangerous to pick against the Browns. Even if they lose they manage to keep within the spread. I figured right about the Giants(-7) against the Ravens. Like I stated when I made the pick, the Giants are just that good. They seem to be getting stronger as the season rolls on. I still don't get why the line was so low in the Titans(-3) at the Jaguars. Picking against the Titans is a sucker bet like picking against the Browns. The Titans are 9-1 against the spread.
I didn't know how to rule on the tie between the Bengals and Eagles (-9) but then I realized that a tie in the game is a loss for me. I picked the Eagles to win by more than nine. It was a tie and I lose. Ouch.
Finally, a word on the outcome of the Steelers and Chargers ending. The blown call at the end didn't change the outcome of the game but it changed the outcome for those who gambled. People who thought they wonsuddenly found themselves in the short end of the stick. That's just tough luck in my opinion. First, I don't think anyone should be betting with money they can't afford to lose. If you're betting the mortgage money on a game you need help. Second, bad calls are a risk in every game. It's why it's called gambling. Granted that referees shouldn't be affecting the outcome of a game but sometimes they do and it's part of the inherent risk of gambling. Bottom line in all gambling is that the outcome is influenced by multiple factors. That's just the nature of the game.
Week 12 Picks
Bengals(+11) @ Steelers - I'm learning this on the fly and not consulting any source to make my picks. I've learned that most double digit lines are sucker bets. Bengals
Texans(+3) @Browns - One thing I've repeatedly stated, pick agains the Browns at your own peril. Browns
Bills(-3) @Chiefs - At season's beginning the line would have been much higher. Shows how far the Bills have fallen. Bills
Jet's(+5) @Titans - Finally Titans get some betting respect. Beating up on the Bears and Jags have made them more than a three point favorite for a change. Titans
Patriots(+1.5) @Dolphins - The Pats lost a close one last week and the Dolphins blew them out with the Wildcat formation early in the season. I don't think a Bill Belichick let's the Fish blow them out again. I'll take the road dog in this one. Patriots
49ers(+10) @Cowboys - Sucker bet? The 'niners have played better offense the last two weeks. Dallas will try to get it's groove back in Tony Romo's second game back. 49ers
Eagles(+1) @Ravens - Ravens offense is more than complimenting the defense as of late except agianst the Giants. Aside from that game, the offense has put up 27, 29, 37 and 41 points. I'm telling you the Giants are that good. Ravens
Bears(-8.5) @Rams - Bears are sputtering on both sides of the ball. Rams have reverted to the Rams that got coach Scott Linehan fired. This should be a pretty low scoring affair. Rams
Vikings(+2.5) @Jaguars - Adrian Peterson runs amok in Jacksonville. Vikings
Panthers(+1) @Falcons - Is this a case of the Panthers getting little respect or the Falcons getting too much respect? I think the former. Panthers
Raiders(+9.5) @Broncos - This is close to sucker bet territory. The Raiders are in such disarray it's hard not to take the Broncos. Then again the Bronco defense can fall apart or not even show up. If I were really betting money, I wouldn't touch this game. But I'm not so I'll take the Broncos
Redskins(-3.5) @Seahawks - I think the Redskins will take a little frustration out on the hapless 'hawks. Matt Hasselbeck isn't full strength. Redskins
Giants(-3) @Cardinals - I like the Giants straight up in this one but I'll take them against the spread too. Giants
Colts(+3) @Chargers - I think we are about to see what the Chargers have in them for this game. Chargers
Packers(+2.5) @Saints - I don't like the Saints in this one. Don't ask why. Packers
Thursday, November 13, 2008
NFL Week #10, Week 10 results agains the Spread, Week 11 picks
Only seven regular season games left for most teams. It's what makes the football season so intense is that only sixteen game are played. Each game carries such importance and ramifications for the season. A bad first half, barring miracles, usually dooms a team and gets the front office thinking about changes and the draft instead of looking forward to the playoffs. Just look at the hometown Texans. More on those bozos later.
New feature this week. I'm calling it the Vince Young Man-vagina Player of the Week not to be confused with the Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. This week's winner in none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. His man-vagina was hurting after losing to the Indianapolis Colts. Rumor has it that Big Ben told Peyton Manning that he had a bigger schlong. Much to Big Ben's dismay, Manning whipped it out and proved Big Ben wrong. No, not really. Big Ben was crying in the locker room after the game, allegedly. According to SI.com:
For showing that his mangina hurt, Roethlisberger joins Vince Young in the formation of the very exclusive Society of Effeminate NFL Quarterbacks Club. Dick Vermeil has petitioned to join as an honorary member. Nancy Kerrigan has been invited to speak at the next meeting. The topic: How to Cry on National TV and Gain Sympathy.
Al Davis is showing once again that he is more than a few sandwiches short of a picnic basket. Angry Al wanted players cut since evidently he was done firing coaches for now. DeAngelo Hall fell victim to Palpatine's aggression. According to Pro Football Weekly, instead of the cut sending a message to the players to shape up or ship out, the players are demoralized and feel like management has already given up on the season.
The circus in Dallas continues. Now receiver Roy Williams is starting to bitch and moan that the Cowboys aren't getting him the ball. Come on, Roy! At least wait until Mr. Jessica Simpson gets back to start the crying. You've had old man Brad Johnson at quarterback. He can't get the ball past the offensive line. Maybe this is proving my theory wrong that you can't have to many Roy Williams on your team.
Now for players of the week.
First is the Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. Every week I see what JaMarcus Russell's line looks like but he's injured this week. My next candidate was the Texan's quarterback Sage Rosenpenis. Then I saw Jake Delhomme's line. An incredible 7 for 27 passing with one TD and FOUR INTs. Goes to show how bad the Raiders are though. Delhomme lead the Panthers to victory over the Raiders despite his crappy output.
Player of the Week: Denver Broncos WR Eddie Royal. He went off for 164 yards on six receptions for a sick average of 27.3 yards including his 93 yard TD reception. Factoring out the 93 yarder he still averaged 14.2 yards per catch.
And now for the Texans. What an inept club they are. I was pretty pissed off after that game against the Ravens. Sage Seinfeld channeled his inner David Carr and was just pathetic. He threw for a career high 294 yards and a beautiful four interceptions. Two right into the waiting arms of Ray Lewis.
The first INT went into the lap of a defensive lineman. Owen Daniels was wide open at the back of the endzone and Rosenbomb just needed to lob the ball. Instead he throws a dart right to a defensive lineman. That was just a sign of things to come. Next I looked up to see if Ray Lewis looks anything like Andre Johnson. Despite the the two looking nothing alike, especially given the bright purple uniforms of the Ravens, Rosiepalms thought so and gave two passes to Lewis.
Once again, despite Seinfeld bringing his comedy act to the Texans QB spot, I have to put the loss smack dab on head coach Gary Kubiak. Rossenbomb has already shown that he has the David Schaub/Matt Carr turnover bug. His helicopter imitation at the end of the Colts game along with his turnovers in the Vikings game should have put the warning lights off in Kubiak's thick skull. Ball on the one yard line and he calls a pass. Rosencopter throws the INT.
I know the Ravens have the second toughest run defense but you still have to challenge them. The Texans have a reputation of being some what of a wimpy, soft team. It's why players like Jared Allen take cheap shots at Schaub. They know no retaliation is coming. WIth the ball on the one yard line, the Texans need at least attempt once or twice to show the Ravens some toughness and try and blow them off the line and score. Man up and show some gut and balls.
I'll gripe more about the defense some other time. Suffice it to say it's composed of Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and nine other guys. Zack Diles was doing fine until he broke his leg on a NON-contact special teams drill. What phuking genius has a starting linebacker doing special team drills?
NFL Week 10 vs. the Spread results
This is my best week. EVAR. An incredible 10-1. The only blemish was the Dolphins not scoring enough to beat the spread (+8) against the Seahawks. Everything else broke my way. The Packers lost to the Vikings but they covered so I escaped that one with a with a win. Two notes to this week's results. First, I didn't get my picks in time to make a selection on the Browns-Broncos game. Second, I made no pick in the Steelers-Colts game. There was no line in the majority of the books. My policy is to use the line in the majority books are posting on FoxSports.com NFL odds.
NFL Week 11 vs. the Spread
Finally, I get started in time to pick a Thursday night game. All my picks are in bold.
Jets(+3.5) @ Patriots - This one is real tough. I'm going with the line and the Pats.
Broncos(-6.5) @Falcons - The Denver defense has been horrendous all season long. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner have been fueling the Falcons renaissance.
Raiders(+10.5) @Dolphins - I think the wheels are coming off the Oakland franchise. The Dolphins really aren't that potent though. I think the Raider players just don't care anymore. Dolphins
Ravens(+7) @Giants - I think the Giants win by more than seven given to the Ravens. Not that I don't think the Ravens are that bad. I think the Giants are that good.
Texans(+8) @Colts - I think the Texans are on the verge of mailing it in. Colts
Titans(-3) @ Jaguars - Only a -3 for the Titans? Haven't the bookmakers been watching this season? Didn't they notice Jake Delhomme's game last week? The Titan defense will be to much for the Jags. Titans
Bears @Packers - no line as of today. It opened at -4 Packers but Kyle Orton seems to have thrown a monkey wrench. The majority of books have no line and per Monkee Cage policy there is no selection.
Eagles(-9) @Bengals - The Bungles are back. Eagles
Saints(-5.5) @ Chiefs - I hate the Saints. I'm willing to take a hit on the record if it means the Saints lose. Saints
Lions(+14) @Panthers - Quarterback problems for an already rudderless team. Panthers
Vikings(+4) @Buccaneers - Snoozer of the week. Buccaneers
Rams(+6.5) @49ers - I take back calling the Vikes-Bucs game a snoozer. This is Snoozer of the Week. Who really cares? I still gotta make a pic. Uh 49ers
Cardinals(-3) @Seahawks - Cards have too much firepower for the 'hawks. Cardinals
Chargers(-5.5) @Steelers - Eh, that line is about right. Steelers
Cowboys(-1.5) @Redskins - Getting dangerously close to December when it almost becomes mandatory to pick against the Cowboys. I start early. Redskins
Browns(+5) @Bills - It's dangerous to pick against the Browns. Bills are in a free fall. Browns
New feature this week. I'm calling it the Vince Young Man-vagina Player of the Week not to be confused with the Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. This week's winner in none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. His man-vagina was hurting after losing to the Indianapolis Colts. Rumor has it that Big Ben told Peyton Manning that he had a bigger schlong. Much to Big Ben's dismay, Manning whipped it out and proved Big Ben wrong. No, not really. Big Ben was crying in the locker room after the game, allegedly. According to SI.com:
'You'll never hear me say 'I' anything, but I lost this game,'' said Roethlisberger, who appeared to be crying into a towel when reporters entered the locker room. ''I take it on myself. I let the guys down on offense and defense. It hurts, but we'll learn from it.''
For showing that his mangina hurt, Roethlisberger joins Vince Young in the formation of the very exclusive Society of Effeminate NFL Quarterbacks Club. Dick Vermeil has petitioned to join as an honorary member. Nancy Kerrigan has been invited to speak at the next meeting. The topic: How to Cry on National TV and Gain Sympathy.
Al Davis is showing once again that he is more than a few sandwiches short of a picnic basket. Angry Al wanted players cut since evidently he was done firing coaches for now. DeAngelo Hall fell victim to Palpatine's aggression. According to Pro Football Weekly, instead of the cut sending a message to the players to shape up or ship out, the players are demoralized and feel like management has already given up on the season.
The circus in Dallas continues. Now receiver Roy Williams is starting to bitch and moan that the Cowboys aren't getting him the ball. Come on, Roy! At least wait until Mr. Jessica Simpson gets back to start the crying. You've had old man Brad Johnson at quarterback. He can't get the ball past the offensive line. Maybe this is proving my theory wrong that you can't have to many Roy Williams on your team.
Now for players of the week.
First is the Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. Every week I see what JaMarcus Russell's line looks like but he's injured this week. My next candidate was the Texan's quarterback Sage Rosenpenis. Then I saw Jake Delhomme's line. An incredible 7 for 27 passing with one TD and FOUR INTs. Goes to show how bad the Raiders are though. Delhomme lead the Panthers to victory over the Raiders despite his crappy output.
Player of the Week: Denver Broncos WR Eddie Royal. He went off for 164 yards on six receptions for a sick average of 27.3 yards including his 93 yard TD reception. Factoring out the 93 yarder he still averaged 14.2 yards per catch.
And now for the Texans. What an inept club they are. I was pretty pissed off after that game against the Ravens. Sage Seinfeld channeled his inner David Carr and was just pathetic. He threw for a career high 294 yards and a beautiful four interceptions. Two right into the waiting arms of Ray Lewis.
The first INT went into the lap of a defensive lineman. Owen Daniels was wide open at the back of the endzone and Rosenbomb just needed to lob the ball. Instead he throws a dart right to a defensive lineman. That was just a sign of things to come. Next I looked up to see if Ray Lewis looks anything like Andre Johnson. Despite the the two looking nothing alike, especially given the bright purple uniforms of the Ravens, Rosiepalms thought so and gave two passes to Lewis.
Once again, despite Seinfeld bringing his comedy act to the Texans QB spot, I have to put the loss smack dab on head coach Gary Kubiak. Rossenbomb has already shown that he has the David Schaub/Matt Carr turnover bug. His helicopter imitation at the end of the Colts game along with his turnovers in the Vikings game should have put the warning lights off in Kubiak's thick skull. Ball on the one yard line and he calls a pass. Rosencopter throws the INT.
I know the Ravens have the second toughest run defense but you still have to challenge them. The Texans have a reputation of being some what of a wimpy, soft team. It's why players like Jared Allen take cheap shots at Schaub. They know no retaliation is coming. WIth the ball on the one yard line, the Texans need at least attempt once or twice to show the Ravens some toughness and try and blow them off the line and score. Man up and show some gut and balls.
I'll gripe more about the defense some other time. Suffice it to say it's composed of Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and nine other guys. Zack Diles was doing fine until he broke his leg on a NON-contact special teams drill. What phuking genius has a starting linebacker doing special team drills?
NFL Week 10 vs. the Spread results
This is my best week. EVAR. An incredible 10-1. The only blemish was the Dolphins not scoring enough to beat the spread (+8) against the Seahawks. Everything else broke my way. The Packers lost to the Vikings but they covered so I escaped that one with a with a win. Two notes to this week's results. First, I didn't get my picks in time to make a selection on the Browns-Broncos game. Second, I made no pick in the Steelers-Colts game. There was no line in the majority of the books. My policy is to use the line in the majority books are posting on FoxSports.com NFL odds.
NFL Week 11 vs. the Spread
Finally, I get started in time to pick a Thursday night game. All my picks are in bold.
Jets(+3.5) @ Patriots - This one is real tough. I'm going with the line and the Pats.
Broncos(-6.5) @Falcons - The Denver defense has been horrendous all season long. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner have been fueling the Falcons renaissance.
Raiders(+10.5) @Dolphins - I think the wheels are coming off the Oakland franchise. The Dolphins really aren't that potent though. I think the Raider players just don't care anymore. Dolphins
Ravens(+7) @Giants - I think the Giants win by more than seven given to the Ravens. Not that I don't think the Ravens are that bad. I think the Giants are that good.
Texans(+8) @Colts - I think the Texans are on the verge of mailing it in. Colts
Titans(-3) @ Jaguars - Only a -3 for the Titans? Haven't the bookmakers been watching this season? Didn't they notice Jake Delhomme's game last week? The Titan defense will be to much for the Jags. Titans
Bears @Packers - no line as of today. It opened at -4 Packers but Kyle Orton seems to have thrown a monkey wrench. The majority of books have no line and per Monkee Cage policy there is no selection.
Eagles(-9) @Bengals - The Bungles are back. Eagles
Saints(-5.5) @ Chiefs - I hate the Saints. I'm willing to take a hit on the record if it means the Saints lose. Saints
Lions(+14) @Panthers - Quarterback problems for an already rudderless team. Panthers
Vikings(+4) @Buccaneers - Snoozer of the week. Buccaneers
Rams(+6.5) @49ers - I take back calling the Vikes-Bucs game a snoozer. This is Snoozer of the Week. Who really cares? I still gotta make a pic. Uh 49ers
Cardinals(-3) @Seahawks - Cards have too much firepower for the 'hawks. Cardinals
Chargers(-5.5) @Steelers - Eh, that line is about right. Steelers
Cowboys(-1.5) @Redskins - Getting dangerously close to December when it almost becomes mandatory to pick against the Cowboys. I start early. Redskins
Browns(+5) @Bills - It's dangerous to pick against the Browns. Bills are in a free fall. Browns
Friday, November 7, 2008
Week 10 picks vs. the Spread, Week 8 results
Week 8 Results
I was on vacation last week so there were no week nine picks. I know it's late but here are the results of week eight.
It was an awful week. I hope no one is taking my advise. In fact I beg you not to go with my picks. I you do you do so at your own peril. If you do, then you deserve what you got coming.
That said, my record this week is 5-8-1. The five I picked correctly were Giants over Steelers, Titans over Colts, Browns over Jags, Redskins over Lions and Ravens over Raiders. Keep in mind that this is against the spread.
All season long, picking the Browns to at least cover has paid off. First one that I picked them was against the Giants in which they pulled off the upset. I picked them to cover against the 'skins and they lost but still covered. I went with them again against the Jags and it paid off.
I don't look for or read publications for trends. I'm just going on my scant knowledge of the game. The only trend I've spotted has been the Browns at least cover.
One game that I thought was a lock was the 49ers over the Hawks. The 49ers are in more disarray than I thought. Another game that shocked me was the Texans holding the Bengals to six points. The Chargers didn't cover against the Saints and the Dolphins shocked the Bills. Picking against the Dolphins is becoming a high risk move.
On to the week ten picks.
Week 10 Picks vs. the Spread
For reference purposes, I use Fox Sports odds page at Fox Sports NFL Odds.
Jaguars(-6.5) @Lions - Lions are hapless and Jags are a big disappointment this season. Lions though help an ailing Jaguars get back in the win column.
Titans (-3) @Bears - Rex Grossman still gets the Titans only a three point favorite? I think the Titans win by more.
Bills(+3.5) @Patriots - The Bills were an early surprise but lately they haven't been living up to suddenly high expectations. The Pats are plodding along in the Tom Bradyless season. Patriots
Saints(+1) @Falcons - Reggie Bush is still out but Drew Brees can put up high numbers despite who is out. Falcons are definitely a much improved team. I'm going with the home cooking in this probable slugfest. Falcons
Rams(+9) @Jets - Bruce Haslett's team has come back to earth after the Rams fired Scott Linehan. Brett Farve hasn't been a world beater lately but he doesn't have to be against the Rams. Jets
Seahawks(+8) @Dolphins - Pick against the Dolphins at your own peril. Seahawks are imploding despite a week eight blowout of the niners. Dolphins
Packers(+2.5) @Vikings - The Vikings are coming off a win against the Texans. It was the Texans. Brad Childress is 0-5 as head coach of the Vikings against the Packers. Packers
Panthers(-9.5) @Raiders - Al Davis is very unhappy and is now looking to cut players instead of coaches. Panthers are proving to be a strong team and emerging as a contender in the NFC. Panthers
Chiefs(+15.5) @Chargers - No QB. No RB. No win for the Chiefs. The question is the line to high? No. The Chiefs are a complete mess right now. While the Chargers are struggling, they have enough to blow out the Chiefs. Chiefs
Colts @Steelrs - No line. Only VegasInsider is offering a line (+3) Colts. My policy here is to go with the majority in event of discrepancies. No selection here. The no line is due the injury status of Ben Roethlisberger still up in the air.
Giants(+3) @Eagles - The best team in the NFL an underdog? The Giants should win. Philly has struggled against good defenses. Giants
Ravens(+) @Texans - No line with the Texans expected to win straight up. The game opened with Texans (-2). Texans have struggled mightily against teams that blitz frequently. Ravens
I was on vacation last week so there were no week nine picks. I know it's late but here are the results of week eight.
It was an awful week. I hope no one is taking my advise. In fact I beg you not to go with my picks. I you do you do so at your own peril. If you do, then you deserve what you got coming.
That said, my record this week is 5-8-1. The five I picked correctly were Giants over Steelers, Titans over Colts, Browns over Jags, Redskins over Lions and Ravens over Raiders. Keep in mind that this is against the spread.
All season long, picking the Browns to at least cover has paid off. First one that I picked them was against the Giants in which they pulled off the upset. I picked them to cover against the 'skins and they lost but still covered. I went with them again against the Jags and it paid off.
I don't look for or read publications for trends. I'm just going on my scant knowledge of the game. The only trend I've spotted has been the Browns at least cover.
One game that I thought was a lock was the 49ers over the Hawks. The 49ers are in more disarray than I thought. Another game that shocked me was the Texans holding the Bengals to six points. The Chargers didn't cover against the Saints and the Dolphins shocked the Bills. Picking against the Dolphins is becoming a high risk move.
On to the week ten picks.
Week 10 Picks vs. the Spread
For reference purposes, I use Fox Sports odds page at Fox Sports NFL Odds.
Jaguars(-6.5) @Lions - Lions are hapless and Jags are a big disappointment this season. Lions though help an ailing Jaguars get back in the win column.
Titans (-3) @Bears - Rex Grossman still gets the Titans only a three point favorite? I think the Titans win by more.
Bills(+3.5) @Patriots - The Bills were an early surprise but lately they haven't been living up to suddenly high expectations. The Pats are plodding along in the Tom Bradyless season. Patriots
Saints(+1) @Falcons - Reggie Bush is still out but Drew Brees can put up high numbers despite who is out. Falcons are definitely a much improved team. I'm going with the home cooking in this probable slugfest. Falcons
Rams(+9) @Jets - Bruce Haslett's team has come back to earth after the Rams fired Scott Linehan. Brett Farve hasn't been a world beater lately but he doesn't have to be against the Rams. Jets
Seahawks(+8) @Dolphins - Pick against the Dolphins at your own peril. Seahawks are imploding despite a week eight blowout of the niners. Dolphins
Packers(+2.5) @Vikings - The Vikings are coming off a win against the Texans. It was the Texans. Brad Childress is 0-5 as head coach of the Vikings against the Packers. Packers
Panthers(-9.5) @Raiders - Al Davis is very unhappy and is now looking to cut players instead of coaches. Panthers are proving to be a strong team and emerging as a contender in the NFC. Panthers
Chiefs(+15.5) @Chargers - No QB. No RB. No win for the Chiefs. The question is the line to high? No. The Chiefs are a complete mess right now. While the Chargers are struggling, they have enough to blow out the Chiefs. Chiefs
Colts @Steelrs - No line. Only VegasInsider is offering a line (+3) Colts. My policy here is to go with the majority in event of discrepancies. No selection here. The no line is due the injury status of Ben Roethlisberger still up in the air.
Giants(+3) @Eagles - The best team in the NFL an underdog? The Giants should win. Philly has struggled against good defenses. Giants
Ravens(+) @Texans - No line with the Texans expected to win straight up. The game opened with Texans (-2). Texans have struggled mightily against teams that blitz frequently. Ravens
Thursday, November 6, 2008
NFL Week #9
Better late than never. I turned this week into three day work week and next week into a two day work week by turning my four day weekend into a six day one. That's why this one is being written from home. On to week nine in the NFL.
Now taking the lead for my NFL Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Year is this week's player of the week award that bears the same name: Jamarcus Russell. Just check out his box score line for the game: 6 pass completions on 19 attempts for 31 years and one interception. That's just outstanding. Yes, he played the whole game. Sadly that's not his first score line that bad. It's not a reflection of Russell's talent but more a product of the dysfunctional of the circus called the Oakland Raiders. Russell has one of the strongest arms in the NFL. He can easily sling the ball downfield 70 yards. Yes Joe Namath fans, Russell can aim his cannon of an arm. If Russell turns into a Andre Ware/Akili Smith/David Klinger bust it will be a result of the environment in Oakland. With the coaching change and battles between Lane Kiffin and Grandma Palpatine, it's no wonder Russell's development has been stunted.
My hat is off to the Steelers for recovering from the knock out punch the Giants threw them last week and going into Washington and handling the Redskins. One wonders though if Ben Roethlisberger will make it through the season up right. He's taking a beating behind that horrible Steeler line. As it stands, his status is up in the air for this week's game. Even as injury depleted as they are, the Steelers still might be able to sneak out of the AFC that is suddenly weak. Outside of the Titans, the AFC contenders fall off considerably.
Speaking of the Titans, there was a rumor that the Titans were thinking of running some Miami Dolphins Wildcat plays in order to get Son of Zeus Vince Young involved in the game. They thought the better of it since Son of Zeus Vince Young's man-vagina is still hurting.
The Curse of the Funky Spunk Monkeys strikes again this season. The Monkeys are my fantasy league football team. So far my starting quarterbacks have been Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna and Kyle Orton. Palmer is most likely done for the season, Kitna is done for the season and now Orton is probably out until week 13. Watch out Joe Flacco, my new starter.
My Player of the Week is Green Bay WR Donald Driver. He put up 136 yards on 7 receiptions for one TD in an overtime losing effort against the Titans.
And finally, as usual, the Texans. Oy Vey. They go into Minnesota on a three game streak and lose. The offensive line was pushed around all day long. Matt Schaub got hurt on what some call a dirty play by Jared Allen. Schaub is out for two to four weeks with a surgically repaired MCL. Sage Rosenfels came in at halftime in relief duty. He looked very Schaub like when under pressure and maked some Schaub like interceptions. All the Sage fans get their chance to see the hero of the Colts game take the reins for the next few weeks.
The Ravens and their nasty defense comes to town this weekend for the only November home game. It's a must win for the Texans for no the reason is that it may be their only win of the month given their road record.
Goodnight and don't forget to wash after you wipe.
Now taking the lead for my NFL Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Year is this week's player of the week award that bears the same name: Jamarcus Russell. Just check out his box score line for the game: 6 pass completions on 19 attempts for 31 years and one interception. That's just outstanding. Yes, he played the whole game. Sadly that's not his first score line that bad. It's not a reflection of Russell's talent but more a product of the dysfunctional of the circus called the Oakland Raiders. Russell has one of the strongest arms in the NFL. He can easily sling the ball downfield 70 yards. Yes Joe Namath fans, Russell can aim his cannon of an arm. If Russell turns into a Andre Ware/Akili Smith/David Klinger bust it will be a result of the environment in Oakland. With the coaching change and battles between Lane Kiffin and Grandma Palpatine, it's no wonder Russell's development has been stunted.
My hat is off to the Steelers for recovering from the knock out punch the Giants threw them last week and going into Washington and handling the Redskins. One wonders though if Ben Roethlisberger will make it through the season up right. He's taking a beating behind that horrible Steeler line. As it stands, his status is up in the air for this week's game. Even as injury depleted as they are, the Steelers still might be able to sneak out of the AFC that is suddenly weak. Outside of the Titans, the AFC contenders fall off considerably.
Speaking of the Titans, there was a rumor that the Titans were thinking of running some Miami Dolphins Wildcat plays in order to get Son of Zeus Vince Young involved in the game. They thought the better of it since Son of Zeus Vince Young's man-vagina is still hurting.
The Curse of the Funky Spunk Monkeys strikes again this season. The Monkeys are my fantasy league football team. So far my starting quarterbacks have been Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna and Kyle Orton. Palmer is most likely done for the season, Kitna is done for the season and now Orton is probably out until week 13. Watch out Joe Flacco, my new starter.
My Player of the Week is Green Bay WR Donald Driver. He put up 136 yards on 7 receiptions for one TD in an overtime losing effort against the Titans.
And finally, as usual, the Texans. Oy Vey. They go into Minnesota on a three game streak and lose. The offensive line was pushed around all day long. Matt Schaub got hurt on what some call a dirty play by Jared Allen. Schaub is out for two to four weeks with a surgically repaired MCL. Sage Rosenfels came in at halftime in relief duty. He looked very Schaub like when under pressure and maked some Schaub like interceptions. All the Sage fans get their chance to see the hero of the Colts game take the reins for the next few weeks.
The Ravens and their nasty defense comes to town this weekend for the only November home game. It's a must win for the Texans for no the reason is that it may be their only win of the month given their road record.
Goodnight and don't forget to wash after you wipe.
Friday, October 24, 2008
NFL Week 7, Results vs. the Spread and Week 8 Picks
Ha, I bet you thought you escaped my weekly NFL email. Since I'm off from work for this week and next, I haven't had the ungodly amount of time I normally have to think up mindless NFL ravings. Fear not, for I have made time this afternoon. Next week is my bye week. I'll be out of town.
Everyday I wake up and run to check the internet for one or both of the following headlines:
"Chiefs Fire Worst Head Coach in the NFL! Herm Edwards to be buried underneath 'I' in north endzone!"
"Texans Fire Worst Defensive Coordinator in the History of Man!"
Unfortunately I wake up and don't see those headlines. Oh well, at least I woke up one day to see that Matt Millen was fired. I'll have to wait to the offseason for the other two stories.
To quote Jimmy Johnson,"How 'bout dem Cowgirls?" To quote Nelson from the Simpsons,"Ha Ha!"
The preordained, annointed Super Bowl Champ Cowgirls are falling apart at the seems. Terrell Owens is being shut down. Mr. Jessica Simpson's wee wee is hurting (or pinky). Roy Williams is out for the season. So they traded half next year's draft for Detriot's Roy Williams (you can never have to many Roy Williams. I hear that if you keep an open box of Arm and Hammer near a Roy Williams it will keep him fresh for a few years). Losers of the last three of four games puts the hurting girls in a big hole look up at the Giants and Redskins.....Ha Ha!
It's time to once again revisit the 2006 draft. Mario Williams, Reggie Bush and Son of Zeus Vince Young. Once again, who drafted the best player? Hands down the Texans. Williams is just tooling along with his six sacks despite the double teams and no help from the rest of the defense. He'll be good for a few more multi-sack games and will be among the league leaders. Bush is out for 3-5 weeks, once again proving he can't survive the game to game rigors fo the NFL. The Titans are right where they thought they would be after they drafted Son of Zeus Vince Young. I'm sure though that they didn't envision Son of Zeus Vince Young would be such a basketcase, crybaby. Who would have thought it would be Kerry Collins leading the last undefeated team of season Titans?
Once again I'll state for the record that Son of Zeus Vince Young will prove to be one of the most overrated draft picks. Ugly throwing motion, low completion percentage and the intelligence of a tomato won't cut it in the NFL. It still amazes me that there are VY apologists out there. Rich Lard, Richard Justice and Jerome Solomon continue to sing praises to Son of Zeus Vince Young and any negative but truthful comments on the Houston Chronicle message boards will draw the ire of people who would line up to be VY's fluffer. Even more amazing is that there are folks that still berate the Texans for not taking Young.
My Player of the Week: St. Louis Ram RB Steven Jackson. Jackson had 160 yards on 25 carries for 3 TDs and an average of 6.4 yards per carry in the Rams 34-14 rout of the Cowgirls. Ha ha!
The Joe Piscarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: KC Chief's RB Larry Johnson. Johnson had 0 yards on 0 carries for 0 TDs. Johnson was suspended for last week's game against the Titans for undisclosed reasons. The undisclosed reasons are that he allegedly pushed a woman at a night club. The incident has the cops involved on some level. It's not Johnson's first clob shoving incident.
My favorite special team player of the week is the Texans punter Matt Turk. During the game I turned to my buddy and said the coffin corner kick was a lost art. Turk didn't nail the coffin corner but he placed three beautiful punts inside the five in the last quarter to help the Texans defeat the Detroit Lions 28-21.
Sunday is the last of four home games in a row for the Texans. It's been fun going to games every Sunday. Unfortnately the price for it is only one home game in November.
Have a good week and I'll have my ramblings back after my bye week next week.
NFL Week 7 results vs. the Spread
Not a good week against the spread. I lost 6-7.
Highlights on the ledger, on the losing side I thought the Dolphins were going to put up enough points to beat the Ravens by more than three. Didn't happen and it hurt the bottom line. Another game I whiffed big on was taking the Cowboys over the Rams. The wheels are falling off the bandwagon faster than I thought. I thought they were hold out until December. The Saints and Colts get blown out to make it no contest and put another two marks on the losing side. I picked the Texans to beat the spread but they almost imploded and won by seven. The half point in the Bucs-Hawks game made a difference. Bucs won by ten and they were a 10.5 favorite.
On the winning side, I went with obvious picks like Titans over the Chiefs and Steelers over the Bengals. The only dog I went with was the Browns over the Redskins. Skins won but didn't cover so it put up a win for me.
Week 8 Picks vs. the Spread
Raiders(+7) @Ravens - It's feast or famine with the Ravens offense. JeMarcus Russell has been a major disappointment so far. Ravens
Chargers(-3) @Saints - Reggie Bush is out but Drew Brees is playing like an MVP. The Saints defense is suspect though. Chargers
Chiefs(+13) @Jets - Larry Johnson is out again due to team suspension. Jets
Bills(-1.5) @Dolphins - Bills should put up plenty against the Fish. Bills
Buccaneers(+1.5) @Cowboys - Former Bucs QB goes against the team he won a Super Bowl against. Cowboys are the walking wounded and the Romper Room of the NFL. Bucs
Falcos(+9) @Eagles - Eagles are trying to put it together for a run in the tough NFC East. +9 is to generous to the once hapless Falcons. Take the points and the Falcons
Rams(+7) @Patriots - The Pats put up some points on the Broncos last week. The Rams are resurgent under new interim coach Jim Hasslet. Ram RB Steve Jackson is hurt. I'm taking the Pats to win but the Rams will keep it close.
Cardinals(+4) @Panthers - Kurt Warner is having a pretty good year. I think they win. Cardinals
Redskins(-7.5) @Lions - Lions pulled it close to the Texans to beat the spread. I don't think they will against the Redskins.
Browns(+7 @Jaguars - I'm not a trend player but I have gone with the underdog Browns the last two weeks and it's paid off. Why not make it three for the Browns.
Giants(-2.5) @Steelers - Steelers are very tough at home but the Giants are playing with the same us against the world mentality that they took the Super Bowl. It will come down to the Giants d-line vs. Steelers o-line. I think the Giants win the line battle.
Seahawks(+5) @49ers - The Seahawks are the walking wounded of the NFL. 49ers
Bengals(+9.5) @Texans - Texans can't stop anyone all game long. Bengals
Colts(+4) @Titans - I thought the Colts were back but Green Bay exposed them. Titans have the defense and the running game that will prevail against the Colts. Titans
Everyday I wake up and run to check the internet for one or both of the following headlines:
"Chiefs Fire Worst Head Coach in the NFL! Herm Edwards to be buried underneath 'I' in north endzone!"
"Texans Fire Worst Defensive Coordinator in the History of Man!"
Unfortunately I wake up and don't see those headlines. Oh well, at least I woke up one day to see that Matt Millen was fired. I'll have to wait to the offseason for the other two stories.
To quote Jimmy Johnson,"How 'bout dem Cowgirls?" To quote Nelson from the Simpsons,"Ha Ha!"
The preordained, annointed Super Bowl Champ Cowgirls are falling apart at the seems. Terrell Owens is being shut down. Mr. Jessica Simpson's wee wee is hurting (or pinky). Roy Williams is out for the season. So they traded half next year's draft for Detriot's Roy Williams (you can never have to many Roy Williams. I hear that if you keep an open box of Arm and Hammer near a Roy Williams it will keep him fresh for a few years). Losers of the last three of four games puts the hurting girls in a big hole look up at the Giants and Redskins.....Ha Ha!
It's time to once again revisit the 2006 draft. Mario Williams, Reggie Bush and Son of Zeus Vince Young. Once again, who drafted the best player? Hands down the Texans. Williams is just tooling along with his six sacks despite the double teams and no help from the rest of the defense. He'll be good for a few more multi-sack games and will be among the league leaders. Bush is out for 3-5 weeks, once again proving he can't survive the game to game rigors fo the NFL. The Titans are right where they thought they would be after they drafted Son of Zeus Vince Young. I'm sure though that they didn't envision Son of Zeus Vince Young would be such a basketcase, crybaby. Who would have thought it would be Kerry Collins leading the last undefeated team of season Titans?
Once again I'll state for the record that Son of Zeus Vince Young will prove to be one of the most overrated draft picks. Ugly throwing motion, low completion percentage and the intelligence of a tomato won't cut it in the NFL. It still amazes me that there are VY apologists out there. Rich Lard, Richard Justice and Jerome Solomon continue to sing praises to Son of Zeus Vince Young and any negative but truthful comments on the Houston Chronicle message boards will draw the ire of people who would line up to be VY's fluffer. Even more amazing is that there are folks that still berate the Texans for not taking Young.
My Player of the Week: St. Louis Ram RB Steven Jackson. Jackson had 160 yards on 25 carries for 3 TDs and an average of 6.4 yards per carry in the Rams 34-14 rout of the Cowgirls. Ha ha!
The Joe Piscarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: KC Chief's RB Larry Johnson. Johnson had 0 yards on 0 carries for 0 TDs. Johnson was suspended for last week's game against the Titans for undisclosed reasons. The undisclosed reasons are that he allegedly pushed a woman at a night club. The incident has the cops involved on some level. It's not Johnson's first clob shoving incident.
My favorite special team player of the week is the Texans punter Matt Turk. During the game I turned to my buddy and said the coffin corner kick was a lost art. Turk didn't nail the coffin corner but he placed three beautiful punts inside the five in the last quarter to help the Texans defeat the Detroit Lions 28-21.
Sunday is the last of four home games in a row for the Texans. It's been fun going to games every Sunday. Unfortnately the price for it is only one home game in November.
Have a good week and I'll have my ramblings back after my bye week next week.
NFL Week 7 results vs. the Spread
Not a good week against the spread. I lost 6-7.
Highlights on the ledger, on the losing side I thought the Dolphins were going to put up enough points to beat the Ravens by more than three. Didn't happen and it hurt the bottom line. Another game I whiffed big on was taking the Cowboys over the Rams. The wheels are falling off the bandwagon faster than I thought. I thought they were hold out until December. The Saints and Colts get blown out to make it no contest and put another two marks on the losing side. I picked the Texans to beat the spread but they almost imploded and won by seven. The half point in the Bucs-Hawks game made a difference. Bucs won by ten and they were a 10.5 favorite.
On the winning side, I went with obvious picks like Titans over the Chiefs and Steelers over the Bengals. The only dog I went with was the Browns over the Redskins. Skins won but didn't cover so it put up a win for me.
Week 8 Picks vs. the Spread
Raiders(+7) @Ravens - It's feast or famine with the Ravens offense. JeMarcus Russell has been a major disappointment so far. Ravens
Chargers(-3) @Saints - Reggie Bush is out but Drew Brees is playing like an MVP. The Saints defense is suspect though. Chargers
Chiefs(+13) @Jets - Larry Johnson is out again due to team suspension. Jets
Bills(-1.5) @Dolphins - Bills should put up plenty against the Fish. Bills
Buccaneers(+1.5) @Cowboys - Former Bucs QB goes against the team he won a Super Bowl against. Cowboys are the walking wounded and the Romper Room of the NFL. Bucs
Falcos(+9) @Eagles - Eagles are trying to put it together for a run in the tough NFC East. +9 is to generous to the once hapless Falcons. Take the points and the Falcons
Rams(+7) @Patriots - The Pats put up some points on the Broncos last week. The Rams are resurgent under new interim coach Jim Hasslet. Ram RB Steve Jackson is hurt. I'm taking the Pats to win but the Rams will keep it close.
Cardinals(+4) @Panthers - Kurt Warner is having a pretty good year. I think they win. Cardinals
Redskins(-7.5) @Lions - Lions pulled it close to the Texans to beat the spread. I don't think they will against the Redskins.
Browns(+7 @Jaguars - I'm not a trend player but I have gone with the underdog Browns the last two weeks and it's paid off. Why not make it three for the Browns.
Giants(-2.5) @Steelers - Steelers are very tough at home but the Giants are playing with the same us against the world mentality that they took the Super Bowl. It will come down to the Giants d-line vs. Steelers o-line. I think the Giants win the line battle.
Seahawks(+5) @49ers - The Seahawks are the walking wounded of the NFL. 49ers
Bengals(+9.5) @Texans - Texans can't stop anyone all game long. Bengals
Colts(+4) @Titans - I thought the Colts were back but Green Bay exposed them. Titans have the defense and the running game that will prevail against the Colts. Titans
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Week 6 vs. the Spread results, Week 7 picks
Week six results were decent. Let's just say I'm not going to make a living moving out to Vegas and gambling football. This week's total was 8 wins and six losses.
On the upset side of the ledger, it paid off taking the Falcons and the Browns. I didn't really expect the Browns to win and I was kind of counting on some kind of Giants let down. I figured the Giants would fail to cover but still win. That's mainly why I went with the Browns. The other dog that paid off for me was the Packers (+1.5). With the Seahawks ailing I couldn't figure out why the Packers were underdogs. I know there is some concern about Aaron Rodger's shoulder but last week he proved he could still play well.
On the opposite side, which dogs got up and bit me when I picked the favorites? The Vikings, Redskins, Broncos and Cowboys were all favorites that I went with and they lost. The stunner was the Vikings and Redskins. I thought the Vikings would just blow out the Lions and the same with the 'skin against the Rams. Taking the Broncos is always a risk given that the defense is so shaky. The Cowboys are becoming a risk now that the circus is in town. Romo's status seems uncertain after initially being reported out for four weeks. Add in Pacman Jones' suspension, T.O. being shut down and the unknown factor of how Roy Williams will pan out and the Cowboys are a big question mark.
The only game that I picked a winner but failed to cover was the Texans over the Dolphins. The Texans won 29-28 but failed to cover the 3 point spread. Even if they had converted the 2-point try at the end of the game it would be a push at best.
Now a day late with the week seven picks vs. the spread.
Titans(-9) @Chiefs - The line opened at +7.5 Chiefs and has moved to +9. I didn't watch when the line moved but I guess it was on the announcement of Larry Johnson's suspension. Titans
Chargers @Bills - It's a pick 'em with no spread. Usually the home team will get -3 just on the fact of home field advantage. There is some concern about the after effects of a concussion to Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. I think the Bills will be good enough for the home win.
Steelers(-9.5) @Bengals - It looks like Carson Palmer will be out again this week. Regardless I don't think it made a difference on the line. The Bengals are a mess and Marv Lewis is more than likely gone after the season. Steelers
Ravens(+3) @Dolphins - The Ravens were pummelled by a resurgent Colts offense. Miami's Wildcat accounted for one of their touchdowns against the Texans and nothing else. The Ravens don't have an effective offense to help out the defense. Going with the home team Dolphins.
Cowboys(-7) @Rams - The line dropped from an open of -10.5 for the Cowboys. Like the KC-Titans match up, I don't watch the lines day to day so I'm guessing the line moved on the news of Tony Romo's broken pinkie. The Cowboys are a mess right now and the Rams won their first game of the season last week at the Redskins. Even though the 'boys are much more talented than the Rams there are to many questions surrounding them right now. This is the toughest game for me to pick this week. Brad Johnson? Give me a break but I'm going with the talent here. Cowboys
Vikings(+3) @Bears - The Vikings have been a major disappointment this season. I don't see any reason to select them. Bears
Saints(+3) @Panthers - Panthers didn't look potent against the Bucs last week. I don't think they'll look any better against the Saints even if they are playing at home. I hate the Saints and it pains me to take them since I want them to lose but never bet with your heart. Saints
49ers(+10.5) @ Giants - I selected the Browns to make it close to where the Giants wouldn't cover but didn't think they'd pull off the win. This week I don't think the Giants will struggle against the 'niners. Giants
Lions(+9.5) @Texans - The Texans offense is actually pretty scary sometimes and I mean that in both a good and bad way. When they are clicking they seem unstoppable. When they are getting brain farts they look awful. I think the Texans will look scary good more often than scary bad against the listless Lions. Texans
Browns(+7.5) @Redskins - This was the second toughest match up for me to make a pick. After the upset the Browns pulled off and the Redskins loss to the previously winless Rams, I thought about putting the names in a hat and drawing a name. Once again I'm going with the theory the Browns will make a game of it but still lose and the Redskins failing to cover. Browns
Colts(-1.5) @Packers - The Pack have been playing well some games and flat other games. The Colts seem to have found their stride after coming back on the Texans two weeks ago. If Packer RB Ryan Grant were running better I'd go with the Pack. Instead I see the Colts putting up another good effort and beating the Packers. Colts
Seahawks(+10.5) @Buccaneers - Oh boy, this one is a sicky. I don't know what to make of the Bucs with coach John Gruden and his quarterback carousel. Seahawks are just a bad team with injuries right now. Buccaneers
Broncos(+3) @Patriots - I think the odds makers are being generous in this match up. No way I take the Pats and their aging defense and listless offense against the Jay Cutler's arm and the Broncos. Broncos
On the upset side of the ledger, it paid off taking the Falcons and the Browns. I didn't really expect the Browns to win and I was kind of counting on some kind of Giants let down. I figured the Giants would fail to cover but still win. That's mainly why I went with the Browns. The other dog that paid off for me was the Packers (+1.5). With the Seahawks ailing I couldn't figure out why the Packers were underdogs. I know there is some concern about Aaron Rodger's shoulder but last week he proved he could still play well.
On the opposite side, which dogs got up and bit me when I picked the favorites? The Vikings, Redskins, Broncos and Cowboys were all favorites that I went with and they lost. The stunner was the Vikings and Redskins. I thought the Vikings would just blow out the Lions and the same with the 'skin against the Rams. Taking the Broncos is always a risk given that the defense is so shaky. The Cowboys are becoming a risk now that the circus is in town. Romo's status seems uncertain after initially being reported out for four weeks. Add in Pacman Jones' suspension, T.O. being shut down and the unknown factor of how Roy Williams will pan out and the Cowboys are a big question mark.
The only game that I picked a winner but failed to cover was the Texans over the Dolphins. The Texans won 29-28 but failed to cover the 3 point spread. Even if they had converted the 2-point try at the end of the game it would be a push at best.
Now a day late with the week seven picks vs. the spread.
Titans(-9) @Chiefs - The line opened at +7.5 Chiefs and has moved to +9. I didn't watch when the line moved but I guess it was on the announcement of Larry Johnson's suspension. Titans
Chargers @Bills - It's a pick 'em with no spread. Usually the home team will get -3 just on the fact of home field advantage. There is some concern about the after effects of a concussion to Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. I think the Bills will be good enough for the home win.
Steelers(-9.5) @Bengals - It looks like Carson Palmer will be out again this week. Regardless I don't think it made a difference on the line. The Bengals are a mess and Marv Lewis is more than likely gone after the season. Steelers
Ravens(+3) @Dolphins - The Ravens were pummelled by a resurgent Colts offense. Miami's Wildcat accounted for one of their touchdowns against the Texans and nothing else. The Ravens don't have an effective offense to help out the defense. Going with the home team Dolphins.
Cowboys(-7) @Rams - The line dropped from an open of -10.5 for the Cowboys. Like the KC-Titans match up, I don't watch the lines day to day so I'm guessing the line moved on the news of Tony Romo's broken pinkie. The Cowboys are a mess right now and the Rams won their first game of the season last week at the Redskins. Even though the 'boys are much more talented than the Rams there are to many questions surrounding them right now. This is the toughest game for me to pick this week. Brad Johnson? Give me a break but I'm going with the talent here. Cowboys
Vikings(+3) @Bears - The Vikings have been a major disappointment this season. I don't see any reason to select them. Bears
Saints(+3) @Panthers - Panthers didn't look potent against the Bucs last week. I don't think they'll look any better against the Saints even if they are playing at home. I hate the Saints and it pains me to take them since I want them to lose but never bet with your heart. Saints
49ers(+10.5) @ Giants - I selected the Browns to make it close to where the Giants wouldn't cover but didn't think they'd pull off the win. This week I don't think the Giants will struggle against the 'niners. Giants
Lions(+9.5) @Texans - The Texans offense is actually pretty scary sometimes and I mean that in both a good and bad way. When they are clicking they seem unstoppable. When they are getting brain farts they look awful. I think the Texans will look scary good more often than scary bad against the listless Lions. Texans
Browns(+7.5) @Redskins - This was the second toughest match up for me to make a pick. After the upset the Browns pulled off and the Redskins loss to the previously winless Rams, I thought about putting the names in a hat and drawing a name. Once again I'm going with the theory the Browns will make a game of it but still lose and the Redskins failing to cover. Browns
Colts(-1.5) @Packers - The Pack have been playing well some games and flat other games. The Colts seem to have found their stride after coming back on the Texans two weeks ago. If Packer RB Ryan Grant were running better I'd go with the Pack. Instead I see the Colts putting up another good effort and beating the Packers. Colts
Seahawks(+10.5) @Buccaneers - Oh boy, this one is a sicky. I don't know what to make of the Bucs with coach John Gruden and his quarterback carousel. Seahawks are just a bad team with injuries right now. Buccaneers
Broncos(+3) @Patriots - I think the odds makers are being generous in this match up. No way I take the Pats and their aging defense and listless offense against the Jay Cutler's arm and the Broncos. Broncos
Thursday, October 16, 2008
NFL Week #6
What a difference a week can make in my moods during football season. After last week's embarrassing loss, the Texans bounced back to win this week.
Holy crap, it pains me to admit this but the freaking Steelers and Titans are the best two teams in the AFC. The big question for the Steelers is how the offensive line will hold up the rest of the season.
The Titans defense might be the best in the league. What's funny is that the Titans are doing it with out the Son of Zeus Vince Young, the most overrated player to come out of the draft in a long time. The Titans are marching through the season with out Young. Quick note on a theory circling the message boards: Many say Bud Adams made the Titans stick it to the Texans by drafting Young. That theory makes no sense. How can they stick it to the Texans when the Texans had the first pick and took Mario Williams? The Titans had the third pick and took Young. The Texans could
take anyone they want and nobody could have stuck it to them.
This week's middle finger goes to Adam Pacman Jones. He of season long suspension for six arrests and twelve police incidents. He did it again this month. NFL Commish Roger Gdodell lifted the suspension before the season but laid out conditions to his return. Jones had to be on his best behavior or Goodell promised he would punish him. Goodell reminded Jones that playing in the NFL is a privilege not a right. Well, Goodell kept true to his word and suspended Jones four games starting this week. Goodell also reserved the right to add to the suspension if Jones doesn't complete certain conditions by November 16th.
Chris Henry, the league's other problem child, made me laugh with his quote: "I guess the commissioner really ain't putting up with anything, especially being in his (Jones) situation and my situation." Over the same period of time, Henry was suspended two games in 2006 and eight in 2007 for his five arrests. Henry's quote about his conversation with Jones also is a bit of a peak in to Jones' mind: "When I did talk to him, he just told me he didn't think it would be anything, really." To me it's revealing that Jones thought he could get away with more even though Goodell stressed to him how serious any violation of his return conditions were.
My Player of the Week is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. He's coming along nicely and leading the resurgent Falcons back from the dark days of Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and cowardly Bobby Petrino's sudden resignation. Having Michael Turner as a running back isn't hurting matters but the fact remains Ryan is a rookie fresh off the Boston College campus. I think this week was his best with 22/30 passing with 301 yards with a TD against a very good Bears defense. To top it off, with six seconds remaining he delivered a perfect pass to put the Falcons in field goal range with one second left on the clock.
And this week's Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week is Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky. In the first quarter with his team backed up against their own endzone, he lost complete track of where he was. He stepped back deep for a pass and stepped out the back of the endzone for a safety. Costly too. The Lions lost 12-10.
As usual, I save my Texans take for last. Man what a roller coaster of emotions Sunday's game put me through. Two early long TD plays, one out of the Wildcat formation, and Matt Schaub's two interceptions had me thinking it was going to be a long and embarrassing afternoon. The boo birds were out early for Schaub and the "We want Sage" chants started after the second INT. The Texans pulled it together and put together drives that at least netted field goals. It was Jacoby Jones' electrifying punt return for a TD that turned things around. The game was a back and forth affair after that. It was Texan's miscues that actually kept the game from being a blowout. The Texans simply cannot continue to turn the ball over and
expect to win. This week it was two fumbles lost and two interceptions.
I still take issue with Gary Kubiak's game day play calling. The Texans were knocking the Dolphins around by pounding the ball with Steve Slaton and Ahman Green. Instead of keeping at it and wearing the 'phins down, they went to the air and didn't use much clock. Kubiak's clock management again comes into question. At the end of the half, instead of running down the clock or forcing Miami to burn a timeout, the Texans punt with 22 seconds left on the play clock and 40+ seconds left on the game clock. They could have run it down to under 20 seconds and left Miami no time to do any damage. After being burned twice by long plays, you'd think the Texans would want to keep Miami's offense off the field as much as possible.
Tomorrow I'll post my week seven picks vs. the spread and my results from week 6.
Holy crap, it pains me to admit this but the freaking Steelers and Titans are the best two teams in the AFC. The big question for the Steelers is how the offensive line will hold up the rest of the season.
The Titans defense might be the best in the league. What's funny is that the Titans are doing it with out the Son of Zeus Vince Young, the most overrated player to come out of the draft in a long time. The Titans are marching through the season with out Young. Quick note on a theory circling the message boards: Many say Bud Adams made the Titans stick it to the Texans by drafting Young. That theory makes no sense. How can they stick it to the Texans when the Texans had the first pick and took Mario Williams? The Titans had the third pick and took Young. The Texans could
take anyone they want and nobody could have stuck it to them.
This week's middle finger goes to Adam Pacman Jones. He of season long suspension for six arrests and twelve police incidents. He did it again this month. NFL Commish Roger Gdodell lifted the suspension before the season but laid out conditions to his return. Jones had to be on his best behavior or Goodell promised he would punish him. Goodell reminded Jones that playing in the NFL is a privilege not a right. Well, Goodell kept true to his word and suspended Jones four games starting this week. Goodell also reserved the right to add to the suspension if Jones doesn't complete certain conditions by November 16th.
Chris Henry, the league's other problem child, made me laugh with his quote: "I guess the commissioner really ain't putting up with anything, especially being in his (Jones) situation and my situation." Over the same period of time, Henry was suspended two games in 2006 and eight in 2007 for his five arrests. Henry's quote about his conversation with Jones also is a bit of a peak in to Jones' mind: "When I did talk to him, he just told me he didn't think it would be anything, really." To me it's revealing that Jones thought he could get away with more even though Goodell stressed to him how serious any violation of his return conditions were.
My Player of the Week is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. He's coming along nicely and leading the resurgent Falcons back from the dark days of Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and cowardly Bobby Petrino's sudden resignation. Having Michael Turner as a running back isn't hurting matters but the fact remains Ryan is a rookie fresh off the Boston College campus. I think this week was his best with 22/30 passing with 301 yards with a TD against a very good Bears defense. To top it off, with six seconds remaining he delivered a perfect pass to put the Falcons in field goal range with one second left on the clock.
And this week's Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week is Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky. In the first quarter with his team backed up against their own endzone, he lost complete track of where he was. He stepped back deep for a pass and stepped out the back of the endzone for a safety. Costly too. The Lions lost 12-10.
As usual, I save my Texans take for last. Man what a roller coaster of emotions Sunday's game put me through. Two early long TD plays, one out of the Wildcat formation, and Matt Schaub's two interceptions had me thinking it was going to be a long and embarrassing afternoon. The boo birds were out early for Schaub and the "We want Sage" chants started after the second INT. The Texans pulled it together and put together drives that at least netted field goals. It was Jacoby Jones' electrifying punt return for a TD that turned things around. The game was a back and forth affair after that. It was Texan's miscues that actually kept the game from being a blowout. The Texans simply cannot continue to turn the ball over and
expect to win. This week it was two fumbles lost and two interceptions.
I still take issue with Gary Kubiak's game day play calling. The Texans were knocking the Dolphins around by pounding the ball with Steve Slaton and Ahman Green. Instead of keeping at it and wearing the 'phins down, they went to the air and didn't use much clock. Kubiak's clock management again comes into question. At the end of the half, instead of running down the clock or forcing Miami to burn a timeout, the Texans punt with 22 seconds left on the play clock and 40+ seconds left on the game clock. They could have run it down to under 20 seconds and left Miami no time to do any damage. After being burned twice by long plays, you'd think the Texans would want to keep Miami's offense off the field as much as possible.
Tomorrow I'll post my week seven picks vs. the spread and my results from week 6.
Friday, October 10, 2008
NFL Week #5, Week #6 fo Unkle Monkee vs. the Spread
NFL Week #5
After Sunday's melt down by the Texans, I'm not in my usual mood to write about the NFL. So this is a very abbreviated version of my weekly NFL idiocy.
Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: Sage Rosenfel. Three turnovers in the final minutes of what looked to be a Texans victory allowed the biggest collapse of a football game I've witnessed in person. Congrats to the Texans. That took some real creativity to blow a lead like this one. A big middle finger to the Texans last week.
Regardless, I'll be there again this Sunday. I plan on being there every year even if I have to pay someone to wheel me in there when I'm old and drool is running out of my mouth.
Week #5 vs. the Spread Results
This week I did much better than the previous two weeks with a 7-3-2 record. The Titans and Broncos tied the line so those two games were a push. I don't see any really big shockers other than the Chargers losing to the Dolphins. I had a hard time in taking the Cowboys to cover at -17 but the Bengals have been terrible. Should have gone with my gut. The only other game that I lost was the pick 'em between the Bills and Cardinals. I went with the Bills.
In the Redskins vs. Eagles, I figured the 'skins would at least cover if
they didn't win and that worked out for me. I knew -3.5 for the Bears at
Lions was to small a line.
Week #6 Picks
Last week I some what reversed a downward trend. Hopefully I can continue the upward trend.
Raiders(+7) @Saints - Very few things make me happier than a Saints loss. Believe me if you've ever been around their fans you'd understand. Unfortunately I think the Raiders will be trampled by the Saints.
Raven(+4) @Colts - This was a tough choice. The opening line was -6 Colts but since tightened up. I think the Colts just might have enough to overcome the Ravens defense. Colts
Bengals(+5.5) @Jets - I'm surprised the line is this low. I'd expected a higher spread given that Brett Farve is liable to go off against a shaky Bengals defense. Jets
Panthers(+1) @Buccaneers - To me this comes down to how the Bucs defense holds up against the Panthers running game and Steve Smith. Panthers
Lions(+13) @Vikings - Lions are in complete disarray. Getting your ass kicked by Kyle Orton is embarrassing. Take the Vikings.
Bears(-3) @Falcons - This might be my upset special. I'm going with the Falcons
Dolphins(+3) @Texans - The Dolphins bring Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat formation to Houston. The Texans still have to be spinning from the major collapse against the Colts. It will be interesting on how they respond. Texans
Rams(+13.5) @Redskins - Why is there even a spread on this game? Redskins
Jaguars(+3.5) @ Broncos - Another slugfest for the Broncos and opponent. I figure like the other shoot outs that the Broncos win.
Eagles(-5) @49ers - I think the spread is to low. I think the Eagles win by a healthy margin.
Cowboys(-5) @Cardinals - Cowboys cover but lose. That's what I hope and never bet on hope. Cowboys
Packers(+1.5) @Seahawks - Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to be bothered by his injury and the Hawks are still short of quality receivers. Packers
Patriots(+5) @Chargers - Pats are mediocre at best without Tom Brady and Chargers' LT is hobbled. Chargers though have enough other firepower to overcome a shaky and aging Pat's defense. Chargers
Giants-(9) @Browns - Giants are due to stumble soon but not this week. Browns
After Sunday's melt down by the Texans, I'm not in my usual mood to write about the NFL. So this is a very abbreviated version of my weekly NFL idiocy.
Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: Sage Rosenfel. Three turnovers in the final minutes of what looked to be a Texans victory allowed the biggest collapse of a football game I've witnessed in person. Congrats to the Texans. That took some real creativity to blow a lead like this one. A big middle finger to the Texans last week.
Regardless, I'll be there again this Sunday. I plan on being there every year even if I have to pay someone to wheel me in there when I'm old and drool is running out of my mouth.
Week #5 vs. the Spread Results
This week I did much better than the previous two weeks with a 7-3-2 record. The Titans and Broncos tied the line so those two games were a push. I don't see any really big shockers other than the Chargers losing to the Dolphins. I had a hard time in taking the Cowboys to cover at -17 but the Bengals have been terrible. Should have gone with my gut. The only other game that I lost was the pick 'em between the Bills and Cardinals. I went with the Bills.
In the Redskins vs. Eagles, I figured the 'skins would at least cover if
they didn't win and that worked out for me. I knew -3.5 for the Bears at
Lions was to small a line.
Week #6 Picks
Last week I some what reversed a downward trend. Hopefully I can continue the upward trend.
Raiders(+7) @Saints - Very few things make me happier than a Saints loss. Believe me if you've ever been around their fans you'd understand. Unfortunately I think the Raiders will be trampled by the Saints.
Raven(+4) @Colts - This was a tough choice. The opening line was -6 Colts but since tightened up. I think the Colts just might have enough to overcome the Ravens defense. Colts
Bengals(+5.5) @Jets - I'm surprised the line is this low. I'd expected a higher spread given that Brett Farve is liable to go off against a shaky Bengals defense. Jets
Panthers(+1) @Buccaneers - To me this comes down to how the Bucs defense holds up against the Panthers running game and Steve Smith. Panthers
Lions(+13) @Vikings - Lions are in complete disarray. Getting your ass kicked by Kyle Orton is embarrassing. Take the Vikings.
Bears(-3) @Falcons - This might be my upset special. I'm going with the Falcons
Dolphins(+3) @Texans - The Dolphins bring Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat formation to Houston. The Texans still have to be spinning from the major collapse against the Colts. It will be interesting on how they respond. Texans
Rams(+13.5) @Redskins - Why is there even a spread on this game? Redskins
Jaguars(+3.5) @ Broncos - Another slugfest for the Broncos and opponent. I figure like the other shoot outs that the Broncos win.
Eagles(-5) @49ers - I think the spread is to low. I think the Eagles win by a healthy margin.
Cowboys(-5) @Cardinals - Cowboys cover but lose. That's what I hope and never bet on hope. Cowboys
Packers(+1.5) @Seahawks - Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to be bothered by his injury and the Hawks are still short of quality receivers. Packers
Patriots(+5) @Chargers - Pats are mediocre at best without Tom Brady and Chargers' LT is hobbled. Chargers though have enough other firepower to overcome a shaky and aging Pat's defense. Chargers
Giants-(9) @Browns - Giants are due to stumble soon but not this week. Browns
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Hey Cubs and Cub fans!
The Curse of the Billy Goat Lives! All is well in the World by the latest Chicago Cub choke job. So once again I say
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Unkle Monkee vs. the Spread Week #4, Week #5 picks
Not unlike my grades in my first years in college, my score against the spread is sinking quick. This week I went a pathetic 4-9 against the spread.
The only games I managed to win were the Panthers, Saints, Redskins and Bills. I whiffed big time on every other game. The Broncos had a big let down against the Chiefs. The Cards took an unexpected woodshed beating by the Jets. The Vikings continue to tailspin out while the Titans continue to improve. The Bears defense is going to make picks involving the Bears tough.
I'll try better this week and see if I can reverse my downward trend. There would be nothing more embarrassing that a goose egg.
On to the games!
Colts (-3) @ Texans - My heart is telling to go with my hometown Texans. My head tells my heart to shut the f*** up. I listen to my head, Colts
Titans(-3) @ Ravens - QB Joe Flacco looked great in that first half. This will be the toughest defense the Titans face to date. I originally circled the Ravens on my cheat sheet but am having second thoughts. Flacco was rattled in the second half by the Steelers defense for a bit. He did recover but enough damage was done. I expect the same from the Titans. This is a tough choice but I'm going sticking to my pick of the Ravens.
Chargers(-6.5) @ Dolphins - The Chargers defense is no Patriots defense. Ronnie Brown doesn't go off on the Bolts. Taking the Chargers easily.
Chiefs(+9.5) @ Panthers - The Chiefs played well for one week and upset the Broncos. The Broncos defense is made of pappier mache. Panthers are tougher. Panthers
Redskins(+6) @ Eagles - This hinges on if Michael Westbrook is fully healthy. My guess is that he plays in a big divisional matchup. Jason Campbell has improved light years since the opening loss debacle to the Giants. The Eagles defense is more physical than the Cowboys. I see the Eagles winning this one straight up but not covering. I take the road dog Redskins again.
Bears(-3.5) @ Lions - I think -3.5 is to low even for the inept Bears offense against a hapless Lions. Matt Forte leads the charge as the Bears win handily.
Falcons @ Packers - no line on this one so far. I don't know if one will be set or why one isn't set yet. I can't pick if there is no line to pick against.
Seahawks (+9.5) @ Giants - Giants a playing some mean football and the Seahawks are barely getting their receivers back. Giants
Buc(+3) @ Broncos - The Broncos offense was only held in check by Jay Cutler miscues. That doesn't happen this week. The offense is scary good but the defense is scary bad. Regardless I'm taking the home favorites. Broncos
Bills (PK) @ Cardinals - It's a pick 'em with a slight favorite to the home team. Bills have been more impressive as of late than the Cards. Taking the Bills to win straight up.
Bengals (+17) @ Cowboys - Whew that's a nasty spread. Cowboys are that good early on and the Bengals are that bad. Don't even know if Carson Palmer will play. Take the Cowboys and the large spread.
Steelers(+4) @ Jaguars - Jags had a difficult time against the Texans offense. The Steelers though are with out Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall is out for the year. This is another tough one but I'm going with the Jags.
Vikings(+3) @ Saints - Vikings have been a massive disappointment and the Saints are hurting. The Saints don't have much of an defense in my opinion. Look for Adrian Peterson to put up some big numbers. Vikings
The only games I managed to win were the Panthers, Saints, Redskins and Bills. I whiffed big time on every other game. The Broncos had a big let down against the Chiefs. The Cards took an unexpected woodshed beating by the Jets. The Vikings continue to tailspin out while the Titans continue to improve. The Bears defense is going to make picks involving the Bears tough.
I'll try better this week and see if I can reverse my downward trend. There would be nothing more embarrassing that a goose egg.
On to the games!
Colts (-3) @ Texans - My heart is telling to go with my hometown Texans. My head tells my heart to shut the f*** up. I listen to my head, Colts
Titans(-3) @ Ravens - QB Joe Flacco looked great in that first half. This will be the toughest defense the Titans face to date. I originally circled the Ravens on my cheat sheet but am having second thoughts. Flacco was rattled in the second half by the Steelers defense for a bit. He did recover but enough damage was done. I expect the same from the Titans. This is a tough choice but I'm going sticking to my pick of the Ravens.
Chargers(-6.5) @ Dolphins - The Chargers defense is no Patriots defense. Ronnie Brown doesn't go off on the Bolts. Taking the Chargers easily.
Chiefs(+9.5) @ Panthers - The Chiefs played well for one week and upset the Broncos. The Broncos defense is made of pappier mache. Panthers are tougher. Panthers
Redskins(+6) @ Eagles - This hinges on if Michael Westbrook is fully healthy. My guess is that he plays in a big divisional matchup. Jason Campbell has improved light years since the opening loss debacle to the Giants. The Eagles defense is more physical than the Cowboys. I see the Eagles winning this one straight up but not covering. I take the road dog Redskins again.
Bears(-3.5) @ Lions - I think -3.5 is to low even for the inept Bears offense against a hapless Lions. Matt Forte leads the charge as the Bears win handily.
Falcons @ Packers - no line on this one so far. I don't know if one will be set or why one isn't set yet. I can't pick if there is no line to pick against.
Seahawks (+9.5) @ Giants - Giants a playing some mean football and the Seahawks are barely getting their receivers back. Giants
Buc(+3) @ Broncos - The Broncos offense was only held in check by Jay Cutler miscues. That doesn't happen this week. The offense is scary good but the defense is scary bad. Regardless I'm taking the home favorites. Broncos
Bills (PK) @ Cardinals - It's a pick 'em with a slight favorite to the home team. Bills have been more impressive as of late than the Cards. Taking the Bills to win straight up.
Bengals (+17) @ Cowboys - Whew that's a nasty spread. Cowboys are that good early on and the Bengals are that bad. Don't even know if Carson Palmer will play. Take the Cowboys and the large spread.
Steelers(+4) @ Jaguars - Jags had a difficult time against the Texans offense. The Steelers though are with out Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall is out for the year. This is another tough one but I'm going with the Jags.
Vikings(+3) @ Saints - Vikings have been a massive disappointment and the Saints are hurting. The Saints don't have much of an defense in my opinion. Look for Adrian Peterson to put up some big numbers. Vikings
NFL Week #4
What was that in week four that seemed so different than previous weeks or seasons? It's the first week in the NFL with out the stench and smell of Matt Millen polluting the NFL. Unfortunately his taint is still all over the Detroit franchise and will be for a few more years. But here's a big middle finger to Millen and a bigger middle finger to Old Man Ford for taking so long to fire Millen.
Another big middle finger goes out to, who else, but Worst Coach in the NFL Herm Edwards. To quote Edward from Sport Illustrated's Peter King,"I told Mike Shanahan,'You've got a hell of a football team. But we were better today..." The last person in the league that should be talking any smack is Edwards. This the Chiefs first win since October of last season. Edwards instead should be looking over his shoulder for Owner Hunt sneaking around Arrowhead Stadium with a gun looking to pop one through Edward's eye. It happened down the road to Scott Linehan in St. Louis. Edwards should be next.
While I'm passing out middle fingers, I'll throw one at Terrell Owens. The Owens Waahmbulance is in full force. After the Cowboys were upset by the Redskins, TO cried that not enough plays were called for him. Here's an interesting stat: Tony Romo threw the ball towards TO 17 times and he had one end around. Now a baffling stat: the Cowboys only rushed 11 carries with 8 going to Marion Barber. Even more baffling was not getting Felix Jones more involved. He was limited to kick returns only.
Sadly, the George Costanza vs. Emperor Palpatine sitcom has been cancelled. Palpatine finally used force lightening on Costanza. Lane Kiffin joins the ranks of Art Shell, Norv Turner and Mike Callahan as a short term head coach in Oakland. Ever since Chucky left and Callahan accidentally took the Raiduhs to the Super Bowl, it's been down hill. It is my opinion that Al Davis is just growing senile by the day. Of course he has a colossal ego. The best thing, short of selling the franchise, Palpatine can do is hire a GM and let him run the show. It won't happen.
The Toilet Bowl game between Cincy and Cleveland gets Carson Palmer another middle finger from me. So far Palmer leads the league in middle fingers from me this season. Despite a win, Marv Lewis remains on the hot seat in Cincy. I figure though that Lewis resigns before he gets fired. I think he gets fed up with GM Mike Brown and quits. The beginning of the end was probably when Brown overruled Lewis in bringing back problem child Chris Henry.
Things are no better for Romeo Crennell in Cleveland. I'm guessing that we see Brady Quinn pretty soon. Starting QB Dave Anderson isn't producing and Quinn is a first rounder sitting on the bench. At this point he's got nothing to lose.
Player of the week: Brett Farve? Larry Johnson? No, it's Matt Bryant the kicker from Tampa Bay. His three month old son died last week and buried him on Saturday. Everyone mourns differently and it would have been perfectly understandable if he chose not to play. Instead he does play, saving a player from getting cut for one week to replace Bryant on the roster and had three field goals including the game winner with 2:56 left to play. After the kick he wiped his eyes and looked to the sky.
FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki makes an interesting point in his column. He asks why doesn't the NFL grant a one game exemption to allow a team sign a player in extraordinary situations. Like in Bryant's case, a player would have to be cut in order for the Bucs to sign a kicker. Why not allow him time off and not have to cut a player to sign a one game replacement?
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8619724
Now this week's Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. There's a reason Palmer shares the title with Pisarcik on this dubious distinction and that's because Palmer has just been a dud this year. Palmer earns the award this week for not playing. He's hurt but it wasn't announced until game time. Thanks @$$h0le. Cost me my fantasy game this week. Just a step below Palmer as a dud has been Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller. All I needed from him was four more lousy points I'd have won despite Palmer's goose egg. I dangle my genitals in their general direction.
Speaking of the Steelers, that was a hell of a game Monday night. They were just flat out beat in the first half and they looked deflated. Quarterback Brent Musburger rallied the troops after convincing coach Mike Tomlin to let him call the plays. It was a costly game though with rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall and starting right guard Kendall Simmons are out for the season. Watch out if there are anymore Steellers with two "Ls" in their name. It might be a season ender.
And finally the Texans. Please owner Bob McNair, GM Rich Smith or coach Gary Kubiak, please fire defensive coordinator Richard Smith. The defensive effort was pathetic Sunday. With the game on the line, David Garrard was able to scramble for a crucial first down and then for the go ahead touchdown. On the TD run, no one was spying the QB. He could have crawled into the endzone. After that first down run, someone should have stayed home to watch Garrard.
The special teams were equally inept. How the hell does no one call timeout when it's obvious the Jaguars are going for it on fourth? Instead the Texans scrambled around like a Chinese fire drill. Hell I was screaming timeout at the TV. A really good clue is when the Jaguars lined up in punt formation with no punter. It was pretty disgusting.
I don't think Kubiak's job is on the line yet but inept plays that cost games if not corrected will add up. Kubiak is in his third year. Plays like those, especially the special teams debacles, shouldn't be happening. If things continue like that for the season, I will have to question Kubiak's already shaky game time decisions. I'm not calling for his head by any means but I am starting to really question his game day choices. Some of them are bothersome and a troubling trend is starting to show. Some things a third year coach shouldn't be doing anymore.
Regardless I'll be a season ticket holder until the day I'm called to the great football stadium in the beyond.
Fuck Baseball.
Another big middle finger goes out to, who else, but Worst Coach in the NFL Herm Edwards. To quote Edward from Sport Illustrated's Peter King,"I told Mike Shanahan,'You've got a hell of a football team. But we were better today..." The last person in the league that should be talking any smack is Edwards. This the Chiefs first win since October of last season. Edwards instead should be looking over his shoulder for Owner Hunt sneaking around Arrowhead Stadium with a gun looking to pop one through Edward's eye. It happened down the road to Scott Linehan in St. Louis. Edwards should be next.
While I'm passing out middle fingers, I'll throw one at Terrell Owens. The Owens Waahmbulance is in full force. After the Cowboys were upset by the Redskins, TO cried that not enough plays were called for him. Here's an interesting stat: Tony Romo threw the ball towards TO 17 times and he had one end around. Now a baffling stat: the Cowboys only rushed 11 carries with 8 going to Marion Barber. Even more baffling was not getting Felix Jones more involved. He was limited to kick returns only.
Sadly, the George Costanza vs. Emperor Palpatine sitcom has been cancelled. Palpatine finally used force lightening on Costanza. Lane Kiffin joins the ranks of Art Shell, Norv Turner and Mike Callahan as a short term head coach in Oakland. Ever since Chucky left and Callahan accidentally took the Raiduhs to the Super Bowl, it's been down hill. It is my opinion that Al Davis is just growing senile by the day. Of course he has a colossal ego. The best thing, short of selling the franchise, Palpatine can do is hire a GM and let him run the show. It won't happen.
The Toilet Bowl game between Cincy and Cleveland gets Carson Palmer another middle finger from me. So far Palmer leads the league in middle fingers from me this season. Despite a win, Marv Lewis remains on the hot seat in Cincy. I figure though that Lewis resigns before he gets fired. I think he gets fed up with GM Mike Brown and quits. The beginning of the end was probably when Brown overruled Lewis in bringing back problem child Chris Henry.
Things are no better for Romeo Crennell in Cleveland. I'm guessing that we see Brady Quinn pretty soon. Starting QB Dave Anderson isn't producing and Quinn is a first rounder sitting on the bench. At this point he's got nothing to lose.
Player of the week: Brett Farve? Larry Johnson? No, it's Matt Bryant the kicker from Tampa Bay. His three month old son died last week and buried him on Saturday. Everyone mourns differently and it would have been perfectly understandable if he chose not to play. Instead he does play, saving a player from getting cut for one week to replace Bryant on the roster and had three field goals including the game winner with 2:56 left to play. After the kick he wiped his eyes and looked to the sky.
FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki makes an interesting point in his column. He asks why doesn't the NFL grant a one game exemption to allow a team sign a player in extraordinary situations. Like in Bryant's case, a player would have to be cut in order for the Bucs to sign a kicker. Why not allow him time off and not have to cut a player to sign a one game replacement?
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8619724
Now this week's Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. There's a reason Palmer shares the title with Pisarcik on this dubious distinction and that's because Palmer has just been a dud this year. Palmer earns the award this week for not playing. He's hurt but it wasn't announced until game time. Thanks @$$h0le. Cost me my fantasy game this week. Just a step below Palmer as a dud has been Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller. All I needed from him was four more lousy points I'd have won despite Palmer's goose egg. I dangle my genitals in their general direction.
Speaking of the Steelers, that was a hell of a game Monday night. They were just flat out beat in the first half and they looked deflated. Quarterback Brent Musburger rallied the troops after convincing coach Mike Tomlin to let him call the plays. It was a costly game though with rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall and starting right guard Kendall Simmons are out for the season. Watch out if there are anymore Steellers with two "Ls" in their name. It might be a season ender.
And finally the Texans. Please owner Bob McNair, GM Rich Smith or coach Gary Kubiak, please fire defensive coordinator Richard Smith. The defensive effort was pathetic Sunday. With the game on the line, David Garrard was able to scramble for a crucial first down and then for the go ahead touchdown. On the TD run, no one was spying the QB. He could have crawled into the endzone. After that first down run, someone should have stayed home to watch Garrard.
The special teams were equally inept. How the hell does no one call timeout when it's obvious the Jaguars are going for it on fourth? Instead the Texans scrambled around like a Chinese fire drill. Hell I was screaming timeout at the TV. A really good clue is when the Jaguars lined up in punt formation with no punter. It was pretty disgusting.
I don't think Kubiak's job is on the line yet but inept plays that cost games if not corrected will add up. Kubiak is in his third year. Plays like those, especially the special teams debacles, shouldn't be happening. If things continue like that for the season, I will have to question Kubiak's already shaky game time decisions. I'm not calling for his head by any means but I am starting to really question his game day choices. Some of them are bothersome and a troubling trend is starting to show. Some things a third year coach shouldn't be doing anymore.
Regardless I'll be a season ticket holder until the day I'm called to the great football stadium in the beyond.
Fuck Baseball.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)