NFL Week 11 - Yeah Yeah Yeah

I try to write a weekly NFL column. Work and the Texans funks I go into sometimes keep me from it. Sometimes I just flat out get lazy.

The Big Topic - Andre Johnson vs. Cortland Finnegan
By now it is obvious that Johnson and Finnegan don't like each other. All that came to a head last week when Johnson pretty much kicked Finnegan's ass. Evidently they had been jawing at each other all game. The play before the fight there was a little pushing and shoving between the two. The next play Finnegan shoved his hands under Johnson's face mask and Johnson ripped Finnegan's helmet off and proceeded to connect three times to the head.

Being a Texans fan, I'm biased. I'm not going to hide that fact.

However, I don't blame Johnson one bit for going after Finnegan. If he is getting some cheap shots, at some point enough is enough and you have to send a message. Finnegan has a reputation for being a dirty player. Is he? I don't really know. He is feisty, pesky and a runt. It was probably a combination of things that got Johnson angry. Finnegan probably began with head games, which I'm sure most defensive backs do, and started mixing in some borderline tactics.

I'll pretty much sum up the fight this way: it was like a hockey brawl. In the NHL, most teams employ an enforcer, goon or tough guy. This guys sole job is to be a pain in the ass and rough up the star players. At some point, the other team sends in their enforcer to either retaliate against the other teams star or the enforcer himself. The enforcers eventually square off, drop gloves and go at it. For some strange reason, it is ingrained in NHL culture. Despite what NHL powers say about cleaning up the game, fighting remains an integral part of the sport. It doesn't happen every game but the potential for a fight exists at every game.

Fortunately, fighting isn't part of NFL culture. No team has a goon to go head hunting on for the other teams stars. No goons face off to send a message. But every once in a while, tempers do fly and fights happen.

This thing between Johnson and Finnegan had been brewing for three years. It finally reached a point where they dropped gloves and went at it. Finnegan accomplished what he wanted by getting Johnson ejected. Johnson accomplished his goal of beating Finnegan's ass. A fair trade off. Finnegan was also ejected.

A corollary topic has been about commissioner Roger Goodell's meting out of punishment. The consensus among the shows I've listened to and the articles I read is that there is no rhyme or reason on how Goodell decides punishments. Fines, suspensions or a mixture, there is no hard rule. It seems arbitrary at times.

The other consensus is that if Goodell suspended Finnegan he would have also had to suspend Johnson. I honestly believe both should have been suspended. Johnson knocked Finnegan's helmet off and landed three hits to the head. That alone should warrant suspension. Finnegan had three prior fines. On the third one he should have been suspended and any further incidents increase fine and at least one game suspension.

Instead the Commish issued a slap on the wrist to both and let bygones be bygones. The fines send no message to other players about fighting. Game suspensions are the best way to get a player's attention. They don't get paid for those games. Plus he knows it hurts the team by his absence. Sometimes letting your teammates down and their anger is enough to keep one in line.

NFL Week 8 - Moss Gone

I'm back from vacation and ready to bring up the quality of this blog for the rest of the year. I've been writing subpar columns from what I used to write in my opinion.

Moss is Gone
Randy Moss literally talked his way off the Minnesota Vikings and probably the NFL (at least for the season). The Vikings placed Moss on waivers after his one catch for 8 yards performance against the Patriots.

Last week the NFL fined Moss $25,000 for not making himself available to weekly media interviews. There is an interview clause in the standard player contract. Players must make themselves available, usually teams arrange a specific day once a week, for interviews. The moody Moss sat his day away from media day.

After the Vikings vs. Patriots game, he claimed he will only conduct interviews with himself. He went on to say how much he missed the Pats and Bill Belichick. On Monday, head coach Brad Childress informed the players that Moss no longer played for the Vikings.

Moss actually talked his way off two teams this season. The Patriots were not to pleased with his performance or his rambling, long winded, self important press conference after opening week games.

The Vikings paid a big price for Moss. A third round may not seem steep on the surface but it is. The third round usually is where teams try to fill depth on the roster and occasionally an immediate contributor. Instead the Vikings received a three game rental for Moss.

The move was just the latest in a season gone awry for the Vikings. Brett Favre started the season with his usual drama queen act. Then came the off field allegations of Favre's behavior. His on field performance nose dived from last year. The defense hasn't played at the same level as last year either. Mix in the Moss fiasco and the Vikings place second after Dallas in the underachieving category.

McNabb Benched
The Redskins are one of more storied NFL programs. That is until Daniel Snyder took over. Since then the 'skins are now pretty much a joke.

I figured the hiring of Mike Shanahan might bring some stability to the organization. Instead it's more of the same. First, while not entirely Shanahan's doing, came the Fat Albert Haynesworth fiasco.

This week Shanahan added more fuel to the burning franchise. Late in the game, old rat face benched starter Donovan McNabb and inserted the Sex Cannon Rex Grossman. The move proved an utter failure. Sexy Rex fumbled the first snap and Detroit rookie Ndamukong Suh returned it for a game ensuring touchdown.

Shanahan's reasoning in the post game presser? McNabb didn't have the two minute offense down. Oh really? That speaks volumes about Shanahan's coaching. McNabb has been a Redskin since last Easter. He's had since the with OTAs, camping and preseason as well as in season practice to learn it. Either McNabb is stupid, which isn't the case. He ran a variation of the West Coast offense for Andy Reid in Philly. Or Shanahan isn't a very good instructor.

Yesterday Shanahan backtracked from his statements. He claimed that McNabb had leg injuries and "cardiovascular endurance" issues. What? So now McNabb isn't in shape? Again I find that hard to believe.

For whatever reason, Shanahan made the decision in game that Grossman gave him the best chance to win. Hard to believe but what other reason is there other than Shanahan's ineptitude? One thing Shanahan is not know for is his personnel evaluation. After he won a power struggle over his general manager in Denver, he assumed control of all personnel decisions. He ended up getting fired and leaving the Broncos a mess on defense.

Now it looks like Snyder may have made another bad coaching hire and the 'skins continue the downward spiral.

Dallas Karma
I think I'll leave the Dallas Karma bit its own entry.

Raheem Morris Not Over His Head
Last year there was much said and written about Raheem Morris in over his head as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many pundits thought Morris was one and done in Tampa. He fired his offensive coordinator before the season started. He fired the defensive coordinator midseason and took over the defense calls himself. Many saw that as signs of disarray and a sinking ship.

Fast forward to this year and the Bucs are sitting at 5-2 and in contention in the NFC South. It looks to me that Morris is anything but in over his head.

It's just another reason to not listen to the talking heads in the media. If they new what they were talking about they would be making money in football and not watching and making stuff up.

Stat Line of the Week
The box score of the Green Bay versus NY Jets. The Packers won 9-0 on the strength of Mason Crosby's three field goals.
1st Quarter
FG 4:41 Mason Crosby 20 yd FG
Plays: 5 | Yards: 34 | Time: 1:51
4th Quarter
FG 6:36 Mason Crosby 41 yd FG
Plays: 8 | Yards: 34 | Time: 3:58
FG 0:27 Mason Crosby 40 yd FG
Plays: 4 | Yards: 1 | Time: 2:03

Player of the Week
David Garrard
I think this selection is more indicative of how far the Dallas Cowboys have fallen than how good a player Garrard is. Garrard has been down right awful and benched this season. Yet he was an efficient 17 of 21 passing for 260 yards and 4 TDs.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Matt Schaub
Schaub played a terrible game when the Texans had a chance to sweep the season series from the Colts and claim sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Instead he didn't show up and threw a costly pick six and fumbled on his last snap of the game.

Goat of the Week
Rex Grossman/Mike Shanahan
Grossman for fumbling the ball on the first snap and Shanahan for putting in a cold quarterback in the closing seconds of the game.

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.

NFL Week 2 - Clash of the Titans - Young vs. Fisher

I've been side tracked all week so a major delay in my weekly NFL blog.

First game that comes to mind is the Titans vs. Steelers game. With Fat Ben out for four games, many thought a 2-2 record was a major accomplishment. It is if you've seen the numbers the QBs put up this week you'd probably chalk this game up as a loss. Donna Dixon and C-Batch managed a grand total of 21 passing yards. This game was all Steeler defense and Vince Young/Carry Collins turnover suckage.

Vince Collins and Kerry Young accounted for five turnovers (3 Int and 2 fumbles lost).

I think at this point it is safe to assume that Troy Polamalu is more valuable to the Steelers win column that Fat Ben. A healthy Polamalu means a nasty defense. When he was out last year, the defense was suspect at best but on top with him. The offense is no where as strong without Fat Ben but the team is still winning. The Steelers aren't going to be able to out defend for 14 more games this year so getting Fatso back is important. It's just worth noting how much better the Steelers are with The Hair than without.

To me it's pretty evident that Jeff Fisher doesn't like Vince Young. Young was never Fisher's choice in the 2006 draft. That selection was purely Bud Adams doing. In the 2008 season opener, Vince Young was benched and later refused to return to the game. Collins helped topple the Colts from the AFC South top. Fisher kept Collins as the start through a miserable start of the 2009 campaign. Again, it was only after Bud Adams intervene did Young return as the starter after the open week. Against Pittsburgh last week, Fisher didn't hesitate to yank Young after three turnovers. Fisher did say Young will remain the starter. It's not like Fisher has any other options or Adams will let him start Collins.

The big question becomes who wins the Clash of the Titans? Fisher? Young? How about Bud Adams? He wins as the owner. Ultimately who will Adams choose? The moody inconsistent quarterback or the longest tenured coach in the NFL? I'm not sure I can make a strong argument for either side. If I'm the owner I go with the man who won most recently for me. Fisher took a Collins led team to the playoffs in 2008 while Young sulked on the bench. I think this is the make or break year for one or both. Adams could decide to jettison both and start from scratch. Not only have the Colts returned to the top but Houston passed up Tennessee along the way as top challenger.

NFL Line of the Week
Matt Schaub - QB Houston Texans
38-52 passing, 497 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Int
Seriously, I'm not a Texans homer. After all I did give this weekly award to Payton Manning. I can't help it though. 400+ yards in a game will get you Line of the Week and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub turned in the line of the week.

NFL Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez - QB NY Jets
Last week's JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week is this week's Player of the Week. Sanchez bounced back from last week's loss and criticism of the Jets to defeat AFC East division favorite New England Patriots. Sanchez threw 3 TDs in a 28-14 victory.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Joe Flacco - QB Baltimore Ravens
In a 10-15 defeat by the Bengals, Flacco threw a Jake Delhomme like 4 interceptions. In two games, despite one win, the supposedly improved Ravens offense has only mustered up 20 points.

Joe Pisarcik Players of the Week
New York Giants
Yes I picked the whole team. Eli was out played by Payton. Tom Coughlin was outcoached by Jim Caldwell. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown out rushed Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. It was just a nasty beat down of a supposed power team by a finesse team. Jacobs probably could have won this award on his own.

Houston Cougars Game Day 4 vs. Tulane

VS.

Houston vs. Tulane
Sept. 25, 2010
2:30 p.m.
Robertson Stadium
University of Houston Campus
TV: CBS-College Sports
Radio: 790 AM

Last Meeting
Houston 44 Tulane 16
in New Orleans, LA

The Cougars try to bounce back from season ending injuries to starter Case Keenum and back up Cotton Turner during a 31-13 drubbing at the hands of the UCLA Bruins. The loss knocked the Cougars out of the Top 25 polls. Starting in place of Keenum and Turner is true freshman Terrance Broadway.

Houston Cougar Notes
Game 4 Notes
Coach Sumlin's Weekly Press Conference
Loss of Keenum Deals Blow To Cougars
Evil Longhorn Steve Campbell's UH Blog

Terrance Broadway
QB Broadway Will Start vs. Tulane
Broadway UH Profile
Broadway Takes Center Stage at UH

NFL Week 1 Players of the Week

I usually include this with my weekly NFL thoughts. Since I wrote it before the two Monday night games were played I wanted to wait the games out.

NFL Line of the Week
Payton Manning QB Indianapolis Colts
40 completions on 57 passes for 433 yards and 3 TDs. A new record for attempts and surpassed 400 yards for the fourth time in his career. What made this the Line of the Week is that the Colts still lost. Which brings me to the next category.

NFL Player of the Week
Arian Foster RB Houston Texans
Foster carried 33 times for 231 of the Texans 256 yards enabling them to finally get the Colt monkey off the team's back. It is only the first game but if nothing else it gave the Colts and the league something to think about.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez QB NY Jets
The Jets went on Hard Knocks, built up the defense, settled the contract hold out of Darelle Revis and talked a big game. They forgot one thing in the process. NFL teams still need to move the ball and at the very least make teams respect the pass game. The Jets didn't really try to get down field with the Ravens. Sanchez posted a JaMarcus Russell like line of 10 completions on 21 attempt for 74 yards and no TDs.

Joe Pisarcik Player of the Week
Alex Barron OL Dallas Cowboys
A holding call on the play with the game winning touchdown ended the game for the Cowboys. Barron committed the infraction and there was no question that it was the right call. In a mistake filled game for the Cowboys, Barron merely finished off a lackluster night all around for Dallas.

NFL Week 1 vs. the Line, Week Two Picks

Week one is over and it's time to assess the damage.

This was a very strange week in that there were three pushes: Vikings vs Saints (-5), Cardinals (-4) @ Rams, Bucs(-3) vs. Browns.

For the remainder of the games my record was 7-6 against the spread.

The Highlights
One line upset I called were the Texans (+2) hosting the Colts. Texans took care of business and beat the Colts straight up.

The second upset I picked was the Redskins(+3.5) over the Cowboys. A last second hold to end the game saved bettors that picked the 'skins in this one.

Ravens(+3.5) also upset the Jets. I went Ravens more as a counter pick against the over hyped Jets. That isn't really a good way to pick teams.

The Lowlights
Two teams laid eggs and it hurt the bottom line.

First off the Bengals didn't even bother to show up against the Pats. It was no contest.

The Chargers also left a stinker on the field with the Chiefs pulling off the upset.

Week 2 Picks
Not really much to analyze from last week's picks so I'll just move on to week two picks. Picks are in bold.

The point of making picks is to make money not pick every game. For the last two years, I've picked every game and kept count. After week one, three pushes and other factors, I've decided to a rule change. I can take passes on games if I so choose. I imagine this will be a rarely invoked rule though.

Chiefs (+2) at Browns - pass. Two teams in disarray. No need to waste time or money on this game.

Eagles (-7) at Lions - Lions are improving but both teams starting quarterbacks are hurt. Eagles have a much better back up in Michael Vick. Take the Eagles as the road favorite.

Dolphins (+5.5) at Vikings - Neither team was impressive during the opening week. I'm thinking the spread might be a little to wide. Dolphins lose but take the points.

Cardinals (+6.5) at Falcons - Cardinals defense is better than you might think but Falcons running back is usually a beast at home. Falcons

Ravens (-3) at Bengals - Point spread ranges from Ravens -1.5 to -3 depending where you looked. Doesn't really matter though. The Ravens defense looked solid and the Bengals offense looked like garbage in week one. Ray Lewis looks like an ageless wonder. Ravens

Bears (+7) at Cowboys - Cowboys offense struggled in preseason and carried over into week one. Seven points is a wide spread for a struggling offense. The Bears might lose but they cover.

Bills (+13) at Packers - First double digit spread of the year and usually I warn that it's a sucker bit. The Bills are possibly the worst team in the league so throw your lot with the Packers.

Steelers (+5) at Titans - This is going to be a fist fight. Neither Vince Young or Donald Dixon inspires much confidence to break the game open. Look for Chris Johnson and Rashard Mendanhall to get plenty of runs. I think the the line should be more at Pittsburgh (+3). Take the Steelers and the points.

Buccaneers (+3) at Panthers - I thought about taking a pass on this game. However, I think Panthers will take care of the Bucs at home with the run game. Panthers

Seahawks (+3.5) at Broncos - The Seahawks need to prove last week was a fluke before I start picking them against a team not named the Raiders. Broncos

Rams (+3.5) at Raiders - Same old Raiders, at least Rams have a new quarter back. Rams

Patriots (-3) at Jets - Like the oddsmakers, I give the edge to the Patriots due to the fact that they can stretch the field.

Texans (-3) at Redskins - The gut is telling me to go with the Redskins. Coming off against a win against one Texas team at home, the Redskins welcome the "other" Texas team. These aren't the Cowboys though. Texans

Jaguars (+7) at Chargers - This is one of those iffy spreads. I think it's borderline to wide. Chargers are at home and there is no rain as of kickoff. Charger

Giants (+5) at Colts - Manning vs. Manning is the story line. The mangled Colts run defense is the story. Do the Giants run amok like Houston did last week? Giants

Saints (-6) at 49ers - Last week was a debacle for the niners and the Saints handled the Minnesota Brett Favres. Saints

Houston Cougar Game Day 3 - UCLA Bruins

@

#23 Houston @ UCLA
Sept. 18, 2010 9:35 P.M. CDT
Rose Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
TV: FoxSports
Radio: 790 AM KMBE

Last Meeting
UCLA 42 Houston 24
Sept. 19, 1998
Robertson Stadium
UH Campus

Game 3 Notes
NCAA Football Polls - Cougars Debut at #23
Evil Longhorn Steve Campbell's UH vs. UCLA Preview

Houston Cougar Notes
Bryce Beall C-USA Player of the Week
Coach Kevin Sumlin's Weekly Press Conference

Case Keenum Injury Watch
Update #1
UH's Mum on Keenum
Update #2
Keenum Day to Day
Update #3
Cotton Turner May Get Start At UCLA
Update #4
Keenum Game Day Decision

Last Year's Game 3 vs. Texas Tech Finish Part 1

Texas Tech Finish Part 2

2010 First Road Game vs #5 Okie St. Cowboys

NFL Week One - It's Almost in the Books

I'm still pumped up about my hometown Houston Texans manhandling of the Indianapolis Colts defense and pounding Payton Manning into the ground. That's another blog post though.

With two games to go, I decided to get a jump on the weekly NFL blog.

Comedy Central
I'm starting with the Dallas Cowboys 7 Washington Redskins 13. All I can say is what a joke it was for both teams. Jerry Jones self anointed the Cowboys Super Bowl Champs before the season. He wants them to be the first to win on home turf. Somebody for got to tell his team and the Redskins that.

The common saying is preseason doesn't mean anything. For the most part that is true but some things stand out so bad that they do count and should be cause for concern. In case of the Cowboys, failure to run or pass into the endzone continues as well as a subpar offensive line. The trend carried into the regular season with only one TD. The run game was decent with 103 yards. My issue with the run game was the near equal distribution of hand offs to Marion Barber (8), Felix Jones (8) and Tashard Choice (5). Why? Establish a lead back and let him get into a flow. I understand getting playmakers on the field but find a top back and use the others in he is ineffective or gets tired.

The Redskins receivers just cannot catch the ball. Donovan McNabb wasn't on target on a host of throws but the receivers dropped their fair share of catchable balls.

In the end it was the Cowboys lack of discipline and leadership that cost the game. Coach Wade Phillips never should have called a play to go down field to end the first half. Tony Romo never should have to get the ball out to Choice. Choice never should have tried to make a play. They did and Washington took a 10-0 lead into the half.

One last thing I've noticed about the Cowboys. They really don't have a player team leader. No one to step up and kick the team in the ass and tell them to focus. It appears the players go through the motions and play with no sense of urgency.

For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the start of the season only continued to raise more questions that started in the off season.

The Other Dullards
I didn't get to watch the game but by all indications it was snorefest like the Cowboys vs. Redskins game. I might be wrong and it might have been the defensive battle I adore. Whatever the case, the Steelers survived Fat Ben's suspension for one game on Rashard Mendenhall. With the game in overtime tied at 9, Mendenhall ran over right tackle for game winning 50 yard game winning TD.

The defense held the game in check. The Falcons also have playoff aspirations. RB Michael Turner was held to 42 and quarterback Matt Ryan tossed one INT, no TDs and 252 yards.

ATL needed the game to try and take care of an opponent with a suspended key player. They failed. They also need the game because they believe they can take the divisional crown from New Orleans. Not a good start.

The Trendy Obvious Pick...uh maybe
Kurt Warner left, Matt Leinhart cut and Derek Anderson starts. St. Louis is so devoid of talent that many top picks, including rookie QB Sam Bradford. Seattle is in rebuild mode with a new coaching staff. Seattle his been a constant decline since their 2006 Super Bowl appearance. That all adds up for the 49ers as an obvious choice rather than a trendy pick.

And the 49ers laid an egg in the opener. Seattle blasted the 49ers 31-6. A very auspicious start the season for team that could almost win its division by default. I love the fire and hard nose Mike Singletary brings to the sidelines but something apparently didn't get through in the first week. Maybe he needs to drop his pants or put his foot in someone's ass like he did Vern Davis. Players will eventually tune him out if they don't results on the field.

Dumb and Dumbest
In the past I've never held my disdain for Jack Del Rio. I anointed him with the Herm Edward Lifetime UnAchievement Award. It's the title that goes to the reigning worst coach in the NFL. The criteria is pretty low. Basically you must look clueless on the side line, make questionable personnel and game day mistakes and coach a team with decent talent and still utterly fail. The award is named after the constant recipient of it. On the other sideline facing Del Rio is second year Denver coach Josh McClown. He really is a clown. Nothing he had done on the field warrants the title. McClown earns his status based on three issues: ran off a whiny egotistical quarterback (who bares as much fault), traded away a pouting productive receiver (who learned how to act from the quarterback and teams reaction) and traded a draft bounty to draft Tim Teabow. Add to the fact that McClown started the Broncos off fast and then lead them right of playoff contention.

Add all the Del Rio/McClown ingredients together in a football game and you have a battle between the reigning Herm Edwards Coach and the top contender. After a season of discontent, running off players and a midseason melt down, we only needed to see a game between the idiots. Del Rio's players tried to defend the coach but the Broncos were up to the task and lost the game 24-17 and usurping the Crown of Worst Coach in the NFL for Josh McClown....congrats you idiot.

With two games to go, I won't name my offensive, defensive and lines of the week until tomorrow.

Houston 54 UTEP 24

54

24

The Houston Cougars avenged last year's 58-41 upset at the hands of the UTEP Miners. The Coogs defeated the Miners 54-24 with the out come never really in doubt.

For the second consecutive game, the Cougar faithful sold out a game. For many outsiders that may not seem a big deal but given Cougar attendance history it is a big deal.

The Miners used the opening drive to take their only lead of the game 7-0.

From there on it was the Houston Cougar ground show. Yes, that's right, the Cougars ground the Miners into the turf with a rushing attack. In addition to the usual 300 plus passing yards, the Cougars added 308 yards running the ball. Bryce "Brick" Beall lead the way with 195 yards and 3 TDs rushing. JUCO transfer Michael Hayes added 77 yards on 17 carries and matched Beall's 3 TDs.

For the first time in 31 games, Cougar quarterback and Heisman hopeful Case Keenum failed to pass for a touchdown. Keenum also failed to reach the 300 yard mark in passing yards. More important remains the status of Keenum's health. Keenum left the game in the 3rd quarter after trying to make a play after he threw an interception.

At the end of the game, all that matters is a Cougar victory. Pass records, Heisman trophies, streaks and attendance records don't mean anything if the Coogs lose when the clock reads 00:00.

Houston Chronicle Recap
Houston vs. UTEP Stats
El Paso Times Recap

Case Keenum Injury Watch
UH Mum on Keenum Status

Game Day Pictures
Houston Chronicle Pictures
Stephen Pinchback Game Day Photos
My Game Day Photos

Houston Cougars vs. UTEP - Game Day 2010

vs.
9:15 p.m.
Sept. 10, 2010
John O'quinn Field at Robertson Stadium

University of Houston

2009 Result
#12 Houston 41
UTEP 58

ESPN.com Recap

2010 Preview Houston vs. UTEP

Official Houston Cougar Game 2 Release

Houston Chronicle Steve Campbell's Cougar-Miner Preview

2009 Houston vs. UTEP Lowlights

Unkle Monkee vs. the NFL Spread Week 1

Here goes the first week. I don't think I was able to do weekly numbers last year. The times and years that I've tried I haven't been very good. So first of all, this is for my pleasure and not gambling purposed. If you decide to use my selections, God help you and reread the last sentence. If you go ahead, I bare no liability or responsibility for you mistakes.

My grounds for the game:

1. I use FoxSports.com's odds. Mainly because it was only odds I could get at work where I used to write this column. They've since blocked my access but I kept the tradition going.
2. Which brings up other rules. Since they list four books odds, I go with majority wins for my spread.
3. No choice is made if there is no line.
4. If for whatever reason all four books are different, I have to look for fifth source.

Without further ado, my selections with brief commentary for this week. Picks are in bold

Minnesota at New Orleans (-5). Three of the four have Saints (-5) and one has (-5.5). The opening line I saw early in the week was Saints (-4.5). At home to open the season and a rousing Super Bowl reception should have the players and fans amped. Saints

Miami (-3) at Buffalo. Bookies and bettors not showing the Dolphins much respect. I actually find the spread to low. I think the Dolphins win handily.

Indy (-2) at Houston. The spread ranges from -1.5 to -2.5 on this game. Two books had the -2 spread. I know this game intimately as I've spent many seasons on my season ticket seat angry after watching the Colts beat the Texans. I'd almost say it's a sucker bet with the Texans taking it to the wire last few meetings only to blow it. They could keep it close and upset the spread and still lose. Given recent history my logic wants me to say Colts but I'm going with Texans

Cincinnati at New England (-4). No enough love for a Bengals team that won the Black and Blue division. Bengals might lose but they beat the spread.

Atlanta (-2.5) at Pittsburgh - The Steelers offense is in disarray with Big Ben's suspension and Byron Leftwich's possibly missing with injury. Going to take the road favorite Falcons

Oakland at Tennessee (-6.5). That's about right with Chris Johnson having a field day. Titans

Detroit at Chicago (-6). I had a tie with my FoxSport odds with a two with -6 and two with -6.5 Bears. I used oddsmaker.com for the tiebreaker. Bears

Denver at Jacksonville (-2.5) - Ineptitude of Jack Del Rio vs. the clown Josh McDaniels. I'm going to side with Del Rio here. Jaguars

Carolina at NY Giants (-7). This is kind of a gut call. I think the Giants are a bit in disarray. Panther

Cleveland at Tampa Bay (-3) - More ineptitude on both sides of the ball. For some reason I like Eric Mangini's ineptitude slightly more. Browns

Green Bay (-3) at Philadelphia. I think Green Bay makes enough stops of Kevin Kolb's debut and it's a bigger margin. Packers

Arizona (-4) at St. Louis. Sounds about right. Cards are night and day with Kurt Warner gone. Cardinals

San Francisco (-3) at Seattle - I think -3 is a bit low. 49ers

Dallas (-3.5) at Washington. Not to sure about the Cowboys offense until they show something in the real season. Redskins

Baltimore at NY Jets (-3.5). This is going to be a very interesting game for the opener. Ravens pull off the upset.

San Diego (-4.5) at Kansas City. Bad news for KC's defense. Chargers

Apology

I'd like to offer up an apology to someone who asked to remain anonymous. I fully respect the reasons why he/she wanted anonymity.

I used some strong language in a post a while back. I didn't read the email in response to the post until recently. I totally understand why I was called out and replied to about the language I used.

I don't apologize for my editorial or opinion but I do apologize for the offending language. I didn't so much offend the person who replied to my post but I did reach an unintended audience and my response was very inappropriate when viewed through the eyes of that audience....that was never my intention.

In life there are people we view with unquestionable and unconditional admiration and love. So when someone speaks or writes in a bad way about that person, the admirer is upset and disturbed that someone could say such things. There are very few lines I won't cross. However given the email that was sent to me and the person that held this emailer in high esteem, I feel I did cross a line I never should have crossed. For that I'm truly sorry.

I wish I could do or say more but the person requested anonymity and I respect that but at the same time I hope this person accepts my sincerest apology. I think this episode makes me a better person by reminding that I write for an audience and sometimes that audience doesn't need to see my worst side.

The Touchy Feely All-Star Game

Major League Baseball probably has the worst criteria for selecting All-Stars.

First, let managers, players and bench coaches make the selections. Either take the vote away from the fans or weigh the fan voting to keep ballot stuffing to a minimum. Weigh the fan voting to 25-30%. Let the remainder go to people that watch baseball on a daily basis. It's a manager and coach's job to know the opponent. Let them have a bigger say in the All-Star line ups than the fans that vote for either a local favorite or a name will nothing else to go by. Taking the decision on reserves away from each All-Star manager also avoids appearance of favoritism by selecting a player on his team.

The worst rule, by far, stipulates that each team must have a player on the squad. The local Houston Astros serve as a prime example. It's a terrible club playing terrible ball from top to bottom. No one on the Astros deserves an All-Star spot. However due the little league rule, Michael Bourn will carry the banner. Without looking at stats, cause I really don't care right now, it's a safe bet that someone more deserving was left off. I want to see the best players and not a player from every team.

Finally, do away with the winning league hosts the World Series. The rule doesn't add any intrigue. Instead it robs the team with the best record from hosting if their All-Star team loses the game.

USA Comes Up Short in World Cup

First and foremost, Congrats to Team USA in the 2010 World Cup. They managed to win their group which was no small feat since it included England, Algeria and Slovenia. The USA drew against England and Slovenia and had to fight to get the draw against Slovenia. They had to beat Algeria to advance to the final 16. In dramatic fashion, the USA pulled it off in added time on a Landon Donovan goal.

In the knock out round, the USA gave up the quick goal again. Ghana scored very early in the game on an inexcusable turnover to dig an early goal deficit. A Ghana foul on Clint Dempsey in the penalty area earned penalty kick. Donovan converted the kick to tie up the game 1-1. It went into extra time, where Ghana scored on defensive melt down to make it 2-1. This time the United States made no comeback. They fell short and a magical Cup show ended.

And I'm all right with it. They overcame adversity and probably earned a ton of respect from world wide. The United States competes hard and is no fluke. The run up to the Confederation Cup saw them defeat top ranked Spain and had Brazil fighting from behind. No small accomplishments in this game. Powers Italy and France went home earlier than the US. Both nations were finalists in the last Cup.

What does the future hold? Probably continued success. The USA are no longer the backwater push overs they were in the 1980s and even in the hosted 1994 games. The US has now advance out of the group stage three times in last five cups. The program needs to keep building and not lay stinkers like they did in 1998 and 2006. They need to develop a solid defensive back third. To many mistakes on the defense lead to many early goals. They also need to continue to develop players like Donovan and Dempsey. Both will be four years older in the next Cup and are not guarantees to make the squad next time. The next generation needs be groomed and set up for qualifications, Gold Cup and whatever competitions the future hold.

In the end, thanks Team USA to a good run as well as igniting the passions of the country.

World Cup, Astros Moves

World Cup
The World Cup is winding down to the knock out rounds. I can't really say it's been the most exciting World Cup. In opening games, teams played tentative and appeared happy with a draw.

The second games provided a little more entertainment as teams started to think about points and goal differentials for advancement. Today is the first day of third games. FIFA mandates that the last games are played concurrently to avoid game day shenanigans.

South Africa earned the distinction of first host country not to advance. It's a shame to say the least. They acted as great hosts and there hasn't been much negative said about the venues. The worst thing that can be said is the sound of vuvuzelas making the stadia sound like beehives. I have no problem with it but some "traditionalists" have complained about it. Deal with it. If the fans didn't like it they wouldn't keep bringing them into games. It appears the foreign travelers to South Africa are enjoying making the noise as much as the natives.

The traditional European powers have played less than impressive. France ends the tournament in disarray. England hasn't managed to win in playing two lackluster games against the United States and Algeria. Spain lost a mild upset to Switzerland. Germany lost a stunner to Serbia after an opening 4-0 rout of Australia. Portugal managed a 0-0 tie versus Ivory Coast but embarrassed North Korea 7-0. France goes home with no wins and one scored goal. England is on the bubble to advance. Right now the name of the game is just to get the next round and start anew.

Team USA faces Algeria and with a win USA goes through. Conceding early goes has been USA's flaw. Algeria pressed impressively against England. USA needs to assert themselves early and not play from behind. The defense must play strong in the back third. Landon Donovan needs to impose his will on the game. They cannot come out flat and worry about getting help. They just need to go in and handle business.

Astros Call Ups
The Astros made five roster moves calling up three players and designating two players for assignment.

Astros 2008 top pick Jason Castro, 3rd baseman Chris Johnson and outfielder Jason Bourgeois join the Big Show from AAA Round Rock. Catcher Kevin Cash and outfielder Corey Sullivan received the designation for assignment tag.

Ed Wade probably convinced owner Drayton McLane that the season is in the tank. McLane is a stubborn blind old man. I think the scores of empty seats helped convince McLane to approve the moves. McLane always believes the Astros are one or two players away from contention. I believe he also thinks fans love the team so much they will show up on game day no matter what. Fortunately Astros fans are smarter than Cubs fans. Cubs fans show up no matter what and for years gave ownership no incentive to improve the team. Astros fans won't show up to watch a lousy team. McLane build up a lot of goodwill over the years with winning teams. His mismanagement of the team has driven it into the ground. Fans finally see McLane for the snake oil salesman that he is.

If McLane has finally given Wade full run of the team then that is a major step in the right direction. The call ups aren't meant to salvage a season but to give the players major league experience in a lost season. Castro needs the experience calling games from behind the plate and the sooner the better. Pedro Feliz has been a disaster at 3rd. Johnson is expected to split time with Feliz. I think if Johnson outplays Feliz, not a difficult task, then Feliz will be given his outright release.

Of the call ups, I think Bourgeois is the most interesting and might be a signal to a future move. Or not. With an outfield of Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, Bourgeois will languish on the bench. I think the Astros will look to move Lee's bat in return for a prospect or two and try to get as much of his salary off payroll. They probably won't be able to trade Lee without agreeing to absorb part of his salary. Pitcher Roy Oswalt and first basemen Lance Berkman may also end up in other uniforms before the trade deadline.

Cold Weather Super Bowl Revisited

Tomorrow the NFL owners are expected to announce the host city for the 2014 Super Bowl. Some writers lament the fact that New York might get to host it. Reasons vary from it's to cold, other northern cities will want it and on and on.

I wrote up a piece on SI's Peter King's crying about a cold weather site. Evidently King has changed his mind. Maybe one of his phone buddies called him and told him no more interviews if he didn't change his mind.

Anyway, the latest to chime in is from Sports Illustrated again. This time it is Jeff Pearlman and his touching story of when he was a boy and his father took him to a Giants playoff game. And it was cold. And he was numb. And they left early. And they swore they will never go back.

I'm gonna be pretty blunt about Pearlman. You are just a flat out pussy. I don't use that lightly either. A direct quote from his blog:

Bringing the Super Bowl to New York would be dumb on steroids. First off, in January and February it is cold here. Secondly, in January and February it is freezing here. Thirdly, in January and February it is arctic here. Absolutely, positively arctic.

There you go. In his own words....waaaaahhhh, it's cold.

To take his argument further, he states:

But, well, the weather. From start-to-finish, Super Bowl weeks are meant to take place in warm environments. Miami. San Diego. Arizona. The parties should involve fountains and beach motifs and Kardashian sisters in embarrassingly skimpy outfits. The media days are required to occur beneath a bright sun...

Then we get to the heart of the matter. Pearlman doesn't like the cold because not only is he a pussy but he doesn't want the cold weather interrupting his paid vacation. He doesn't want to work in the cold. He doesn't want to work in the sun. He just wants to tool around and party on the beach.

Of all the lame excuses for not holding a New York Super Bowl, Pearlman's in the lamest. If he keeps writing like this, he'll join my Hack Wall of Shame.

The Rise of Football Sabermetrics?

The Rise of Football Sabermetrics?

I don’t hate sabermetrics like some purists do. I think numerical analysis gives scouts, general managers and coaches another tool to evaluate a players potential. Several baseball teams live and die by it. The Boston Red Sox won World Series based on a sabermetrics philosophy. The Oakland Athletics continuously try to build and it they have been moderately successful.

In football, especially the pros, there is a rise in sabermetric stats but mostly it is the province of website weekend warriors. I’ve read various stats on different blogs that try to put a numerical value on a player or team’s production. The writers then try to use the numbers to project a player or team’s future production.

Unlike baseball, I’ve yet to read where scouts and personnel evaluators use the numbers. Scouts and coaches will admit nothing tells more about a player than game day film. So many aspects of football can’t be measured and boiled down to a number.

Combine stats are usually overrated but are gobbled up by fans and the media. Teams are more interested in letting doctors, shrinks and other people interview and examine a player at the Combine. A team already has a pretty good idea of a player’s time and strength numbers. At the Combine, they just want to verify what they already know or start looking at the player’s mental make up. They’ve had a whole college career of game film to study.

College pro days are also vastly overrated. Teams show up not to see the star players trying out but to take a look at other players that didn’t get a combine invite. Media and fans fawned over Colt McCoy’s perfect or near perfect completion rate at the Longhorn’s pro day. Coaches and scouts could have cared less. He was throwing in a controlled environment to his own receivers and not chased by a certain Nebraska defensive tackle. The game film of McCoy’s years as the Texas start will weigh more than all the stats of pro days and combines one can imagine.

The same was said of Tim Tebow’s throwing transformation after he changed his mechanics. Other than Josh McDaniels, no one was buying it. I read a quote in Pro Football Weekly from Mike Holmgren in which basically he said it is one thing to change mechanics but he feared Tebow would revert to old habits during game pressure in the NFL. He played one style his career at Florida and he can’t change easily in on off season. Yet McDaniels is banking on it. I’m guessing McDaniels will be unemployed in two seasons.

I just don’t see a switch to a numbers based scouting system in the NFL. There are just to many variables that go into evaluating a player. No one system will be able to capture what coaches are looking for. I’m not saying it can’t be done. Somebody might come up with a few stats that teams can use to filter out players and make the process more efficient. However, I don’t think football scouting will ever be replaced by a numbers game. Sometimes there is just as much art as science to evaluating a player.

LT's Off the Field Problems Continue

Lawrence Taylor, one of the fiercest linebackers in the NFL who, along with Mike Singletary, revolutionized the position. He played a remarkable career.

Unfortunately, LT (sorry younger fans but there is only one LT and it's Lawrence Taylor) also leaves a trail of off the field issues. Included in his off field incidences are drug and tax evasion charges. Taylor had a well documented drug problem.

Sadly, Taylor is facing more off field allegations. The latest alleges that Taylor solicited a prostitute a middle man. The prostitute supposedly is a 16 year old runaway. Taylor paid $300 for the girls. When she refused, her alleged pimp Rasheed Davis beat her and gave her over to Taylor. He allegedly proceeded to sexually assault the girl.

According the ESPN.com story, Taylor was quoted as saying "I'm not that important" to the reporters gathered around after his release. I find may problems with that statement. In typical ego fashion, Taylor believes all the media reporters are around cause of him. They are but the story isn't all about him. There is a young girl who may have caused physical and mental damage. His apparent attempt at self deprecation falls short. While not out right joking, it's very obvious the severity hasn't set in. His comments can almost be taken as "It's no big deal." Yes, Taylor, it is a big deal.

I'm not passing judgment yet but it doesn't look good for LT. Sexual assault is abhorrent on anyone. No person or child should ever be subjected to it. If reports are true, Taylor was hell bent on having sex and he didn't care with who. He allegedly paid someone $300 to buy him a girl. The pimp allegedly beat her when she refused. Taylor still took her after she refuse and was then beaten. You're right LT, your not that important. The young girl you allegedly assaulted is important though. Check your ego please.

NFL Overtime Rule, Clarification of Networks Paying NFL in Work Stoppage

The NFL Overtime Rule Change
I wrote in a previous post that I somewhat like the playoff overtime rule change that it didn’t go far enough.

My biggest problem with the change is that teams are playing under a different set of rules in the post season. In the regular season, a coin toss, field position and a kick can win a game. In the post season it won’t. Why different criteria for overtime playoff wins?

I do think the change is a step in the right direction but it needs to extend to regular season and tweaked some more.

At the very least, both teams should be given one possession and a chance to win the game. Regardless of a first possession touchdown, let the other team get a shot at winning the game.

I find one possible change interesting. I would allow a sudden death one possession victory under one circumstance. The current playoff rule will allow a one possession win if a team scores a TD. I say take the one possession rule one step further. A TD alone doesn’t warrant a victory. I propose changing the rule to allowing a sudden death victory only if a TD and successful two point conversion are scored.

A missed two point attempt leaves a six point lead and allows the second team a shot at winning with a TD and one point conversion. I think it is a simple tweak that would make for more interesting finishes. A coach could gamble to seal the deal on a two pointer or play it safe and go for one. It’s a high risk but high reward scenario. If after one possession for each team then the game reverts to sudden death on any score. Even if a team fails to score the two points, they still maintain the advantage and can win the game with a defensive stop.

The downside is given the conservative nature of most coaches the two point conversion may never come into play.

I’m just throwing out some food for thought.

NFL Network Money and Work Stoppage
In Pro Football Weekly’s April 2010 issue, Barry Jackson quotes a network source about television money paid to the NFL in the even of a work stoppage. The source confirmed that the networks will pay the league but the amount of payments will be deducted from any money due once play starts up again.

Basically the networks will advance money to the NFL during a strike/lockout situation to help clubs keep in operations. Despite the stoppage, bills continue to accrue like stadium maintenance, staff payroll and other organizational needs. The money just comes out of the next year’s network payments.

Good to hear that cleared up. I know the networks pay out megabucks to the NFL for broadcast rights. However the payments for no product just didn’t make any sense on any level.

An Exciting Sports Weekend

The NFL draft. NBA playoffs. NHL playoffs. The only negative? The Astros winning.

I worked all weekend so I didn't get to enjoy the Draft Party at Texans headquarters this year. Plus I would have missed a Penguins vs. Senators match up. Turned out to be an amazing game despite the Pens losing. Ottawa scored the game winner in the third overtime.

I'm a huge fans of the Penguins going back to the Mario Lemieux days. Everybody I knew that followed hockey and wasn't from up north was bandwagonning the Edmonton Oilers and Wayne Gretzky. I looked down the stat sheets and saw Lemieux's stats and decided front that day forth I would be a Pens fan. I'm still here all those years later.

Football and hockey are the only sports I can watch no matter who is playing. NBA basketball is pretty painful to watch these days. I grew up in San Antonio watching the Spurs. If it wasn't for them I doubt I'd watch an NBA game ever again. I'm from Texas, football is in my DNA.

The Spurs disappointed me during the regular season and falling to the 7th seed in the Western Conference. Now that it's playoff time, I'm impressed with the job they've done thus far with the Dallas Mavericks. They lost the first game in Dallas but took game two there and held serve in SA with two wins for a 3-1 series lead. The game swing back tonight to Dallas for a possible Spurs clincher.

Game 4 was brutal and harsh. The Mavericks came unglued when the game turned rough. Tempers flared on sided but the Spurs maintained their composure. The Mavs turned over the ball, missed shots and their offensive timing went haywire. The Spurs turned a deficit into a lead they would never relinquish.

I think a series loss should lead to the demolition of the Mavs current make up and start from scratch. Owner Mark Cuban probably won't do it because past actions show he considers the Mavs one piece away from winning it all.

Everything around Dallas has changed but one key player: Dirk Nowitski. Dallas has changed coaches, made major in season trades and tried to toughen up defensively. Yet here we are again on the brink of another major playoff meltdown. Nothing will ever beat the 2006 Finals choke of being up 2-0 on the edge of 3-0 and losing the series 4-2. The 2007 playoffs exit with the 1st seed against the 8th seed Golden State Warriors ranks a close second. 2010 we are looking at possibly the 3rd worst choke job in Mavs history.

That's all I have time for today. Work, errands and other things are calling.

Dez Bryant - Draft Risk or Over Blown Media Reports?

All week I've been reading articles and hearing sports reports that Dez Bryant is the next Randy Moss. Reports state teams will be leery of drafting Bryant because of questionable character issues.

After reading Don Bank's article at SI.com, I agree and think it's a bunch of crap.

Many are questioning Bryant's character, commitment and attitude. The first thing they point to is Bryant lying to NCAA about hanging out with Deion Sanders. He made a mistake by lying about it and I agree there needed to be some kind of consequences. However a ten game suspension was to harsh. Like Keyshawn Johnson pointed out, why is Bryant questioned for hanging out with Sanders but Colt McCoy can pal around the Mannings and no one questions him.

Then there are rumors circulating that Bryant didn't attend classes, was late for practice and games while at Oklahoma State. Bryant denies the rumors and no one from the school substantiates the rumors.

In the same article, Cris Carter says there is a big difference between Bryant and Moss:

I look for a background of violence and drugs. I look for breaking the law, and Dez doesn't have those things...remember when Randy came into the league, he had the Notre Dame stuff, the Florida State stuff, and that's a lot right there

Then some made a big deal that Bryant showed up for his OSU pro day without his cleats. Like no one has ever been nervous on a job interview?

I understand why NFL teams want to turn a player inside out. They need to know as much as possible about a player they are going to invest money and coaching. Off the field behavior can be a major detriment to a product on the field. Just ask the NY Giants and Plaxico Burress. It's another thing when the media makes a stretch and uses flimsy logic to draw up conclusions to either another player or a future career.

I'm sure there is some caution surrounding Bryant by some teams. I'm also sure there are few teams that won't draft him despite a need for a receiver.

What has happened is part of the 24-hour news cycle and everybody trying to out scoop or out duel everybody else for information. News stories need publishing. Talking heads need topics. Bloggers need to blog. And facts be damned. Never let facts get in the way of a good story.

I'm the first person to jump on a player for off the field issues, dogging it on the field or being a diva. In this case, I just haven't seen it in Bryant. The only strike I see is lying about his contact with Sanders. To me that's not a major concern. Bryant has no criminal history or any major misconduct issues on or off the field. Give the young man a break and let him prove on the field whether or not he is a professional football player. There will be plenty of time later for judgment.

I'm Back Astros

Like a jilted lover, I'm back with the Houston Astros. For the last two years I've not only been boycotting the Astros but praying for a complete collapse. I prayed for disaster so people would stop going to games and force Drayton McLane to either sell the team or reexamine the business model.

I've been very critical of McLane and how he's run the Astros lately.

For starters, while many view him as cheap, I think that's a misconception. This years payroll of approximately $92 million ranks 13th in the Major Leagues. In 2009, the Astros ranked 8th with a $102 million payroll. Call it anything you want but don't call it cheap.

What McLane has done has spent his money unwisely. An examination of the 2010 payroll explains what I mean.

• Lance Berkman = $14.5 million
• Carlos Lee = $19 million
• Kazuo Matsui = $5.5 million
• Roy Oswalt = $15 million
• Wandy Rodriguez = $5 million
• Total = $59 million

Damn, I had to double and triple check my math but it's right. $59 million on five players on a twenty five player roster. That's about 64% of salary tied to 20% of the roster. I understand why Berkman, Lee and Oswalt are highly paid. Berkman and Oswalt are icons and McLane knows they are who fans want to see. Lee was a high priced free agent signing that probably hurt the team in the long term. Matsui is a bust and Rodriguez is overpaid for what he's done so far.

That is not good use of team resources. Couple that with the fact that McLane didn't believe in paying signing bonuses to rookies and it further explains the damage. McLane failed to realize the long term savings of locking up a player at a lower cost on the rookie contract. As a result the farm system is in shambles.

So to get back to the point on why I'm back. McLane says he finally gets it and understands drafting and player development. So I'm willing to take the Astros back on a trial basis.

Deep down I'm a sports guy. I like baseball. I don't love baseball. The Astros will never break the pecking order of the Texans, Houston Cougars, San Antonio Spurs or Pittsburgh Penguins. Texans and Cougars will always be my first loves. Spurs are my hometown team and are the only reason I watch any NBA basketball. The Pens I've been in love with since the Super Mario days.

Then come the Astros. I want to enjoy baseball and the fun involved with being in a Major League city. I want to see players develop and blossom into solid major league players. I want to savor the World Series again...this time on the winning side. Baseball is a beautiful game. So with these hopes and dreams, I once again reclaim my rights as a Houston Astros fan.

James Dickey, Peter King's Worthlessness

Houston Cougars Hire James Dickey
I'm a Houston Cougar. I'm an alumni and fan. I go to as many football games as my work schedule allows. I went to 2 of the last 3 bowl games (one was local). In summary I love my Cougars.

I wanted Tom Penders gone. His act got old. My personal belief is he was cashing one last paycheck before retirement. As long as the University allowed him, he would go through the motions of coaching and recruiting.

The vast majority of Houston fans, despite the late C-USA surge and NCAA Tournament appearance, wanted a change at the helm of Cougar basketball.

Be careful of what you wish for. Cougar fans got the change we wanted. Unfortunately the hiring of former Texas Tech coach James Dickey isn't what most wanted.

Most wanted a splashy headline grabbing coach like Billy Gillespie. I wanted Gillespie too. It didn't happen. Dickey is it.

Now I ask Cougar fans to step away from the ledge and live with the decision. Quit threatening to boycott games and renewing season tickets. First of all, there isn't enough of you to make a difference. Second, while I don't blindly follow the program, give it a chance. The decision was made by AD Mack Rhoades. For better or worse, we have to live with it.

We Cougars can be an insecure group. Many fans use that behemoth in Austin and that ass backward school in Collie Station as benchmarks. Screw them. We don't have the resources those places have. We don't have the fan support they have. UH has screwed the pooch in so many ways it's not even funny.

Instead we must build up the current programs, sustain that growth and position ourselves for future success. Art Briles resuscitated a football program on life support. Kevin Sumlin reaped the benefits and propelled the Cougars to wins over three BCS schools and attained a national ranking. Cougar football is building up and it doesn't appear the school is aiming for quick hitting solutions but sustained success and strength.

Basketball must follow a similar path. Penders did a decent job with basketball. He did nothing great and really didn't appear to put any effort into it. Dickey must now take the program the next step. A C-USA surge and an NCAA tournament are something to build on.

For my part, I'm willing to give Dickey a chance. I think if he puts in the effort and does a decent job recruiting local talent and venture out of state occasionally, he can build a sustainably successful program.

Cougar fans, back away from the ledge and give Dickey a chance.

Peter King's Nonsense
In general I don't like Peter King. He constantly rides Brett Favre's jock. He can't count to ten. I think Tim Tebow will be his new Favre. He also likes to constantly remind us who he texts with and who he talks to on their cell phone. Grow up.

I know it's the off season but write about something relevant or don't write anything. Just because SI.com gives you a column doesn't mean you have to fill it up. Write a line or two if that's all you can find to say.

I read King because occasionally he drops a good piece of info.

This week though it's the usual nonsense.

In his more than "Ten Things I Think I Think" bit, he bitches about cold weather Super Bowls. Talk about "Waaaahh!" Give me one reason why Super Bowls should be played exclusively indoors or in mild climate locations?

A direct quote from his column:

I think the thing about a Super Bowl in New Jersey in February 2014 -- which seems more and more likely with the vote due as early as May --is that too few people are thinking about the precedent it sets for future games in outdoor, cold-weather venues.

Really? Why is this a bad thing? He offers no reason why it would be ill advised to schedule Super Bowls in "bad weather" locations. All he goes on to state is if the it is awarded to New Jersey then Daniel Snyder, Pat Bowlen and Paul Allen will want Super Bowls too. And why shouldn't they want them? Why is Miami, San Diego or New Orleans any better than Washington, Denver or Seattle?

Just because people like the weather? Washington, Denver and Seattle have home field advantage in the elements. So why not give outdoor teams a chance to have an advantage in the Super Bowl. Why let the Colts, Saints or any indoor team have equal footing just because they play away from the elements? These teams and owners made their choices in playing indoors. Why penalize cities from hosting a Super Bowl just because other hosts are in potentially better weather places?

Football isn't a game for pansies. Playing outdoors is a big part of the game. I'd for once like to see teams battle it out in the weather for a title.

What if a Super Bowl is played in a torrential downpour in San Diego? Will King cry for games only in domed stadiums? Get a grip King and quit spewing your typical nonsense.