NFL Week 6 - Quarterback Roulette

This year, so far, has been a revolving door for starting quarterbacks. I'm talking about the lack of performance benchings and not the injury changes.

Carolina, Oakland, Arizona, Philadelphia, Tennessee and Jacksonville are a few teams that benched the opening day starter for performance. Vince Young and David Garrard returned as starters the next week but Matt Moore, Jason Campbell and Derek Anderson didn't.

Carolina opted to start second round pick Jimmy Clausen and now will return to Moore. Switching out one quarterback for another though shouldn't make a difference on the misery of the Panthers. Clausen's 47% completion rate along with 5 turnovers is slightly better than Moore's 42% and 8 turnovers. Why the change then? Beats me. Probably wants to keep both quarterback's brains from turning to complete mush. The only way to do that is to not one all 16 games.

The Hex of JaMarcus Russell?
Detroit has the Curse of Bobby Layne. Does Oakland have the opposite effect in a jinx or hex? Did the franchise snake bit the quarterback position forever with the selection of JaMarcus Russell?

It's to early to tell if the Raiders quarterbacks are snake bitten. A hex, jinx or curse develops over time.

Despite the lack of evidence for a hex, something is going on at the quarterback spot. Jason Campbell went directly to the bench after a Russell like performance opening day. Campbell received another shot at the starting job due to injury. Campbell did his best JaMarcus Russell impersonation. He posted a line of 8 of 21 for 83 yards passing along with a 10.7 passer rating. Campbell is so bad that the Raiders are thinking of starting third stringer Kyle Boller against Denver.

As For the Eagles
Kevin Kolb went to the bench after an injury. Michael Vick stepped in as the starter. The unwritten rule is a player doesn't lose a starting job to injury. Kolb was expected back when he recovered. Head coach Andy Reid even named Kolb the starter. Then a day later Reid decided to go with Vick. And it paid off. Then Vick got hurt and now Kolb is starting again. Reid stated though that if Vick were healthy Vick would start.

The interesting thing about the Eagles quarterback shuffle is there is no animosity between the two nor in the locker room. Controversies usually divide a locker room as players back their favorite guy. By all accounts that's not the case at all in Philly.

According to SI.com's Peter King, the two quarterbacks respect and like each other. According to Kings account:

When Vick hugged Kolb after the game, he said to him, "I'm proud of you.'

I think both players realize that they will succeed somewhere in the NFL so there is no point undermining each other. Vick has lost it all once before due to off the field behavior. He's getting a second chance. If he gains a reputation in the locker room with an attitude or as a subversive player, he career is effectively over. No one will want to deal with him anymore. Kolb probably also realizes that he has many years ahead of him to play barring injury. He waited behind Donovan McNabb for his chance patiently. I think he's willing to wait it out a little bit more if he has to.

The Brett Favre Saga
I normally don't give any air time to Brett Favre and his off the field antics. He thrives on being a drama queen and hacks like Peter King eat it up.

So I'm limiting my words here. All I have to say about the latest reports and allegations concerning Favre is the whole affair is curious.

Why did Jenn Sterger wait a about two years to release the information about the photos and Favre? More odd is that she released the allegations but has been quiet since. She has made no public allegations of harassment nor filed a law suit. It appears that she just threw it out there to give someone a story. I have no clue to her motivation.

Box Score Line of the Week
Chris Ivory RB Saints
158 yards on 17 carries for a 10.5 average.
Considering this was only his fourth NFL game....outstanding

Player of the Week
E.J. Henderson MLB Vikings
Two interceptions that lead to ten points in the Vikings 24-21 victory against the Cowboys.

Joe Pisarcik Player/Coach of the Week
Todd Haley and Charlie Weis
In the closing minutes of the Texans vs. Chiefs game, on a 3rd & 2 the Chiefs passed. Matt Cassell overthrew the tight end. The incomplete pass stopped the clock, allowed the Texans to preserve a time out and eventually score the game winning touchdown with 28 seconds left.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
As mentioned earlier, Jason Campbell did his best to out do Russell posting a 10.7 passer rating.

Houston Cougar Game Day 6 vs. Rice

Houston Cougars vs. rice owls
October 16, 2010 2:30 p.m.
Rice Stadium

Last Meeting:
Houston 73 Rice 14
Houston leads series 26-10

Official UH Weekly Press Release
Evil Longhorn Steve Campbell's Notes
On The Job Training for Piland
Houston Chronicle's UH Notebook

Case Keenum Injury Watch
Keenum To Apply For Medical Redshirt

Last year's beat down of rice.

Houston 42 Tulane 23

42

23

The Houston Cougars played the first post Case Keenum game. Under center was true freshman Terrance Broadway. The announced crowd 32,007 was technically a sell out but I figured about 22K was in actual attendance. The 2:30 p.m. kick off on an absolutely hot and humid day mixed with Keenum out for the year affected the attendance.

Regardless of the attendance, QB situation, heat and uncertainty of the rest of the season, the Cougars prevailed over the Tulane Green Wave 42-23. Broadway and the offense managed a 28-14 lead at halftime.

The hero of the game for the Coogs came on defense though. Cornerback Loyce Means intercepted two passes in the final six minutes to seal the game for the Coogs. The last pick he took to the endzone for a touchdown and put the Green Wave down for good. Means heroics earned him C-USA Defensive Player of the Week.

In Keenum's absence, Broadway went lead the Cougars to a 21-0 lead. However Broadway also fumbled twice and threw one interception. Junior running back Bryce Beall powered the Cougar offense with 123 yards on 24 carries with 4 going for TDs.

Houston 42 Tulane 23 Highlights

Houston Chronicle Recap
Houston vs. Tulane Box Score

Game Day Pictures
Houston Chronicle Pictures
Stephen Pinchback Photos
My Game Day Photos - coming soon

Case Keenum Injury Watch
Keenum Has Successful Surgery

Keenum's Surgeon Explains Injury

NFL Week 2 vs the Spread, Week 4 Picks

I'm really late with the week two results and obviously I didn't post any week three picks. Sometimes that happens when you have a real job.

For the week I went 8-6-1 to bring my overall record to 15-12-4. So far I'm in the money if I'm betting equal amounts in all games. Not by much but the point is to win money not lose or tie.

Week Two Highlights
I don't review all my picks but I highlight some of the good and bad guesses I made.

This week's only push was the Texans (-3) vs Redskins. The Texans met the spread in overtime.

I expected the Vikings (-5.5) to beat the Dolphins but not cover. The Dolphins won outright and gave me the win.

I figured the Ravens (-3) offense would bounce back from the bad week against the Jets. I underestimated the Bengals based on their performance against the Patriots. This game went in the loss column.

The bookies gave Tennessee to much respect with a (-5.5) so I went with the Steelers. They delivered a win for me.

The Bucs (+3) I underestimated and overestimated the Panthers. The Bucs are slowly improving and the Panthers quarterback situation is chaos. Something to keep in mind with both teams when making selections for week four.

Patriots (-3) were humbled by the Jets. The Jets offense played at a higher level than against the Ravens. Put this one in the loss side of the ledger.

I thought the Giants (+5) would put up a better fight against the Colts. I should have known the Older Manning would be angry after losing the previous week in Houston. Giants are in a free fall.

Week 4 Picks
Jets (-6.5) @ Bills - A no brainer with the Jets.

Lions (+14.5) @ Packers - I noticed a couple of years ago that most double digit spreads are sucker bets. With really no numbers to back my theory up, I also see more double digit spread wins early in the season and less in later on. I'm very hesitant to take the Packers and two touchdowns. The only thing that swings this pick to the Packs is that Matthew Stafford is out. Packers

Ravens (+2.5) @ Steelers - Steelers defense is playing lights out with a healthy Troy Palomalu. The Ravens offense has only one good outing in three games. Take the Steelers.

Broncos (+6.5) at Titans - This is a tough pick and the type of selection that can make or break your week. I think this spread is a result of the lack of respect for Denver's defense. I think the score is closer in favor of the Broncos.

49ers (+7) @ Falcons - Atlanta is on a roll. A rout of the Cardinals in week two and a OT victory over the Saints. The 49ers are in a free fall. Falcons take this plus the points at home.

Bengals (-3) @ Browns - Wow, that low. I'm thinking more of -4 or -4.5 for the Bengals but -3 it is.

Panthers (+14) @ Saints - No comment. Saint

Seahawks (-2) @ Cardinals - I think Seattle is playing a better than the Cards so gut tells me Seahawks.

Texans (-3) @ Raiders - Texans need a rebound game after last week's very disappointing loss to the Cowboys. Raiders might put up a fight but Texans cover.

Colts (-7) @ Jaguars - Colts

Redskins (+5.5) @ Eagles - It's possibly going to be an unpredictable emotional game. Donovan McNabb has a chip on his shoulder after being traded to a divisional rival. The spread for this game ranges from 4.5 to 6 points. The majority was 5.5 so that is what I use. I'm going to take the Redskins in this one.

Cardinals (+9) at Chargers - I'd like to take a pass on this one but it's not sick enough to. I don't think the Chargers cover so take the Cardinals to keep it closer than 9.

Patriots (-1) @ Dolphins - I like the Dolphins at home.

NFL Week 3 - Singletary & 49ers Done?

A firey head coach, Mike Singletary brought spirit and spunk to a listless 49ers team that continued its downward spiral under Mike Nolan. A midseason promotion from assistant head coach gave Singletary the remainder of the season as an audition. After the season he won the job outright.

The years under Nolan were finally were the ones the 49ers would make the playoffs. Singletary then brought the supposed fire and brimstone needed to jump start the niners to the next level. It didn't happen in 2009. It doesn't look like it's going to happen in 2010.

Three games into the season, the 49ers fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. So the downward spiral continues.

Singletary is an inner your face, yelling kind of coach. He's old school tough. The players love him. The played inspire football for him early on. Singletary put his foot in talented but volatile TE Vernon Davis. Davis straightened out his attitude and now is one of the best and highest paid TEs. Michael Crabtree had a productive rookie year despite a lengthy hold out. Former #1 overall pick Alex Smith choose to take a pay cut and continue with the team. The defense absolutely loved Singletary.

Losing changes things. Singletary is still the same fire and brimstone coach. The problem becomes when do the players start tuning him out? Yelling and screaming can only get you so far. The bottom line in sports is winning. Players will put up with a lot if winning. Not so much if losing.

Albeit for different reasons, three players abruptly have left the team. Second year running back Glenn Coffee retire in August citing spiritual reasons. Kentwan Balmer took a leave an absence during training camp. Michael Lewis lost appears to have lost his starting job and now wants his outright release.

These only the cracks we see in the foundation. Who really knows what happens behind the scenes. Don't forget GM Scott McCloughan left suddenly with no real explanation in March.

A perfect storm might be brewing in San Francisco conspiring to the Singletary regime soon. The 49ers play in one of the weaker divisions and many already crowned them champs. The team has fallen short of expectations for years now. A few more losses and Singletary might get the boot. The schedule does no favors as they play at Atlanta and host Philadelphia. The 49ers might be 0-5 after that stretch with the Raiders coming across the Bay for a game. A loss or poor showing might just finish off Singletary.

Midseason coaching changes are rare but the 49ers have done it recently. Usually if a midseason change is coming, teams wait until the open date. Singletary might not make it that far.

Animal House Strikes, Again
Just when you think the NY Jets had things under control on and off the field, Braylon Edwards drags the team back into the spotlight again for the wrong reasons.

Police pulled Edwards over for having to dark a tint on his windows. The police ended up arresting Edwards on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The Jets decided to "punish" Edwards by benching him for a quarter in last week's game. GM Mike Tannenbaum stated the punishment wasn't for the DUI but for being out late. I think the one quarter time out made the Jets look foolish. I would have much more understood had the Jets said they will wait for the case to work through the legal system before deciding what to do with Edwards. The quarter sit down and the excuse it was for being out late make a mockery of the seriousness of the situation.

NFL Stat Line of the Week
Leon Washington - RB/KR Seattle
4 Kick off returns for a total of 253 yards, 2 TDs (101 and 99 yards) for an average of 63.3 yards per return.

NFL Player of the Week
After scoring only 10 points in each of the first two games, the Ravens finally found their offense. Anquin Bolden earns this week's award for 142 yards on 8 catches for 3 TDs to ignite a stagnated Ravens offense.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
David Garrard - QB Jacksonville
A week after getting bench, Garrard responded with an anemic 13-30 passing for 105 yards. Behind Garrard's leadership, the Jags only managed a field goal.

Joe Pisarcik Player/Coach of the Week
Mike Singletary - Head Coach 49ers
I'm changing the award to make just about everybody eligible for this one...from GMs, coaches and players. Singletary wins this week due to the flat out awful performance against the Chiefs. The 49ers are a few more blow out loses away from an interim head coach.