Week in Review: 11.28.2007
Rest In Peace Sean Taylor.
Quick Hits:
NY Jets @ Miami (Dolphins) They have to win one. Jets are easy to beat.
Green Bay @ Dallas (Cowboys) Tough at home.
San Diego @ Kansas City (Chargers) Road victory a must.
Houston @ Tennessee (Titans) Only if Haynesworth plays.
Jacksonville @ Indy (Jaguars) Tough division draw for banged-up Indy.
Buffalo @ Washington (Redskins) Emotions will run high.
San Fran @ Carolina (49ers) Frank Gore is back.
Detroit @ Minni (Vikings) Inspired Defense effort will continue at home.
Atlanta @ St. Louis (Rams) Playing slightly better.
Seattle @ Philly (Eagles) Home crowd will be behind Feeley.
Cleveland @ Arizona (Browns) Magical season will continue.
Denver @ Oakland (Broncos) Javon Walker returns.
Giants @ Chicago (Bears) Giants annual slump returns.
Tampa @ New Orleans (Bucs) New Orleans too inconsistent.
Cinci @ Pittsburgh (Steelers) At home, too tough for Cinci.
New England @ Baltimore (New England) If you don't know, where have you been?
Week in Review: 11.21.2007
I feel Jordan-esque.
I faked left, drove right, and pulled-up from 17-feet with an awkward fade shot. The crowd gasped in awe and mocked me as I attempted the extremely low-percentage play. I cringed after releasing the ball, but left my shooting hand in the release position. I had nothing to lose. As gravity pulled the high-arcing shot towards the rim, I realized it had a chance. The result - nothing but metaphorical net.
My shooting hand is still hanging.
None of the 'Football Gods' from ESPN or Fox Sports picked the Jets to beat the Steelers in week 11 of this glorious 2007 NFL season. I did, because I am a Jets fan.
This was obvious (to me):
The evidence was in. The Jury was meeting. The outcome was decided before the game began. The Jets would win this game. The Jets had nothing to lose against the Steelers, and it showed. Pittsburgh was just trying to get past the Jets, and move on to a more important game next week. This was not a fluky win. This was a game where the Jets outplayed a superior team, and pulled out the Victory. Despite the ridiculous statistical disparities between these two teams through the first 10 weeks of the NFL season, the Jets always seem to surprise their fans.
Unfortunately they have surprised their fans in a lost season where it doesn't really matter whether they win or lose. They are not going to the playoffs. They are going to have a high draft pick. They may still lose to the Patriots by triple digits.
Breakdown:
Jets @ Dallas (THANKSGIVING):
Earlier this week, my fade shot wasn't working so well. It was uglier than normal. I considered driving the lane and dunking over the 6'7 Center. I quickly remembered haven't dunked a basketball since my Freshman year in College. And remembered that I have never dunked in a game. Over anyone. And remembered that I have only dunked when I had the court to myself and allowed for a 20-foot clear runway to the rim. This week, the Cowboys are the right play. They should beat the Jets, but it should be closer than many think. The Jets defense seems to improve every year after the bye week, and this year doesn't seem to be any different. Their offense is re-energized with Clemens at the Helm, and Thomas Jones appears to be getting the hang of the offense. If the ball bounces in the Jets favor, an upset is possible. Too many things need to happen, and the Jets won't outplay the surging Cowboys.
Baltimore @ San Diego:
It appears that the season is over for the Ravens. They are 0-5 in the division, and they have tough remaining games against the Colts and Patriots (and the final game against the Steelers). Doesn't seem that the Ravens can run the table and make the playoffs at this point. I think that they will lose to the Chargers, but not convincingly. The Chargers are having some serious issues on offense that wouldn't have materialized if they had retained Shotty and company. The Ravens need to see more production for the remainder of the season to decide how Kyle "pro" Boller fits this system. It appears that he will be a career back-up, but the Ravens may decide they have more immediate concerns to address in free-agency and the draft.
Quick Hits:
Green Bay @ Detroit (Green Bay)
NY Jets @ Dallas (Dallas)
Indianapolis @ Atlanta (Colts)
Seattle @ St. Louis (Seattle)
Minnesota @ NY Giants (Minnesota)
Buffalo @ Jacksonville (Jacksonville)
New Orleans @ Carolina (New Orleans)
Washington @ Tampa Bay (Tampa Bay)
Houston @ Cleveland (Cleveland)
Tennessee @ Cincinnati (Tennessee)
Oakland @ Kansas City (Kansas City)
San Francisco @ Arizona (Arizona)
Denver @ Chicago (Denver)
Philadelphia @ New England (New England)
Miami @ Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
Week in Review: 11.14.2007
On the eve of the NFL week 11 matchups, there is a startling lack of intriguing or remotely interesting stories to enjoy (outside of Foxboro). I concede that the 2007 edition of the New York Jets may have created my sense of apathy towards the NFL. However, the following headlines from ESPN, NFL, and FOX sports seem like they may bore the writers as much as they bore the readers:
Welcome Back! Ricky Williams Rejoins the Dolphins!!!
Welcome back? How can any Miami Dolphin fan be excited about a Ricky Williams return? This player...
The Dolphins are 0-9 this season. Ricky's return means nothing.
Boring.
Feisty Dilfer to Replace Ailing QB Smith for Niners.
Feisty and Dilfer in the same sentence? The only significant accomplishment on Dilfer's 14-year resume is to be the only QB in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, and be released the following season. The Niners have lost 7 of 9 games this year. They forfeited their 2008 1st round draft pick to the Patriots in last year's draft. The real story behind this headline is that the 49ers are locking-in a top-five draft pick for the eventual 2007 SB champion Patriots.
Bad reporting.
With a Two-Game Losing Streak and Injuries Mounting, the Colts Appear to be Vulnerable. Michael Smith Explores What's Wrong in Indy.
Unless you haven't followed the last two weeks of the NFL season, the Colts have played the exceptional Patriots, and the tough Chargers in San Diego. As the headline states, the Colts have also been without a couple of their marquee players (Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark, Dwight Freeny... etc). Combining significant injuries and tough opponents, all NFL teams are 'vulnerable.'
If you have watched more than two romantic comedies in your lifetime, and still haven't figured out that that the guy will get the girl, go ahead and click on the link to this article.
Petrino Unsure of Who Will Start at QB.
This would be an interesting story if the Falcons were considering starting Michael Vick. I would read the whole article to understand the loopholes that would make this possible. The opening sentence in this article summarizes this inane topic:
"FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino still doesn't know if Byron Leftwich or Joey Harrington will start at quarterback against Tampa Bay."
Please email me if you find this article interesting - whocares@boring.org. (side note - outside of Wikipedia, I have yet to find a web site interesting that uses .org in the address. If you have one, please email to me at HarringtonvsLeftwich@Falcons.net).
Breakdown:
I am going against my gut this week - it can't hurt...
Steelers @ Jets:
Jets are coming off a bye week. Steelers are coming off an emotional and surprisingly tight game against the Browns. Jets are at home, but Steeler fans will fill between 20-30% of the stadium. The Jets have Curtis Martin on their side again on Sunday when the Jets honor him at half-time. For the first time this season, I pick the Jets to win in the biggest upset of the week. This is a 'trap game' for the Steelers. They have failed to beat any opponent of note this season.
Browns @ Ravens:
Derek Anderson is making his return to Baltimore in brown. After the Ravens tried to sneak Anderson onto the practice squad last year, Phil Savage suavely claimed the young stud off of waivers. Now that the Ravens are faced with serious QB issues, they are thoroughly regretting not retaining Anderson's services. However, if Billick had had an opportunity to develop Anderson, maybe he wouldn't be the same QB he is in Cleveland. Boller will start for the Ravens. He should control the offense better than McNair has this season, and will definitely reduce the quantity of turnovers. The Ravens will win this one at home.
Quick Hits:
San Diego @ Jacksonville (Jacksonville)
Miami @ Philadelphia (Miami)
Oakland @ Minnesota (Minnesota)
Kansas City @ Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
Carolina @Green Bay (Green Bay)
NY Giants @ Detroit (Gmen)
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (Tampa Bay)
New Orleans @ Houston (New Orleans)
Arizona @ Cincinnati (Cincinnati)
Chicago @ Seattle (Seattle)
St. Louis @ San Francisco (St. Louis)
Washington @ Dallas (Dallas)
New England @ Buffalo (New England)
Tennessee @ Denver (Denver)
Week in Review: 11.07.2007
Don Shula's recently commented that if the Patriots go 16-0 this season, the record will be marred.
The 1972 Dolphins team Shula coached is the only team in modern-day NFL history to go undefeated. They compiled a 14-0 regular season record, and swept the playoffs to post the one and only 17-0 perfect season.
Shula may be speaking out of spite because he doesn't want to see his record trumped. A reporter may have led Shula into these comments while trying to manufacture a story. I believe that Shula is on Belichick's payroll.
Throughout the Patriot's dynasty, Belichick has motivated his team by communicating an "Us against the World/underdog" message. Examination of their first Super Bowl (XXXVI) season enforces this statement. Everything went against them. Belichick still won:
Among all other things that went against the Patriot's improbable run that season, Belichick re-enforced the belief that no one expected them to win. He has used this motivational tactic with his team in subsequent seasons to work, study, and train harder to prove themselves.
Belichick didn't need Shula's comments to help them in 2007.
The NFL significantly penalized the Patriots after the "Spy-gate" scandal. Regardless of whether other teams in the league have committed the same offense, the Patriots got caught. Goodell made an example of them. You don't lose a first-round pick, and get fined $750,000 for abiding by the rules, despite Bill Belichick's self-supported belief that it was a big misinterpretation.
This 'misinterpretation' has fueled a full-scale massacre against the nine teams they have faced this season. They are not beating their opponents. They are destroying them. Despite leading teams by 21 points, Mr. Brady and Company remain in the game to put it further out of reach. They don't run the ball when up comfortably (preferred tactic for the 31 other teams in the league), they throw 30-yard bombs. In post-game interviews, the team appears apathetic about crushing their opponent. They don't even seem psyched to win. Instead they discuss the few instances where they didn't execute properly, and talk about fixing these 'issues' for next week.
Outside of the Steelers, there is likely no team on their remaining schedule that will be less than 10 point underdogs. There aren't many challenges remaining for this insane team. Yet again, the Patriots are being disrespected by the world. They are fighting against all odds. People are doubting and questioning their accomplishments.
Forget the 9-0 record. Forget the 23 point per game average margin of victory. Belichick's greatest accomplishment in his entire coaching career is making his 2007 edition of the New England Patriots believe that they are still the underdog.
Breakdown:
Dallas a@ Gmen:
GAME OF THE WEEK. The Giants have to win this game to have any shot at the division. They are at home. They are coming off a bye. Their pitiful display in London will be corrected. The Cowboys have played inspired football all season, but will fall to the Blue men group this week.
Cincinnati @ Baltimore:
Ravens are playing on a short week after a terrible display in Pittsburgh on Monday night. For the remainder of the season, the Ravens are essentially playing playoff games. They have three very difficult games remaining (Pats, Colts, and Steelers), and a win against Cincinnati is a must. However, the Bungles seem to match-up well with the Ravens. Although they don't have any kind of defense, the Ravens don't have an offense. The Bengals have a decent Offense, but may be without Chad Johnson. The Ravens will be victorious at home.
NY Jets @ Bye Week:
Bye week will win. Convincingly.
Quick Hits:
Minnesota @ Green Bay (Packers)
Jacksonville @ Tennessee (Tennessee)
Denver @ Kansas City (Kansas City)
Buffalo @ Miami (Buffalo)
St. Louis @ New Orleans (New Orleans)
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
Philadelphia @ Washington (Philadelphia)
Atlanta @ Carolina (Carolina)
Detroit @ Arizona (Detroit)
Chicago @ Oakland (Oakland)
Indianapolis @ San Diego (Indianapolis)
San Francisco @ Seattle (Seattle)
Week in Review: 10.24.2007
The statement below sums it up.
As the Giants and Dolphins get ready to face each other for the first regular season game played on European soil, some interesting comments are sure to surface. Maybe he was joking around. Maybe he was being serious. Maybe he was being sarcastic (good trait to have if appealing to Brits - I can say this because I am one).
I am not sure that this is the image the NFL wanted to project when they decided to take the game international. Without further clarification, the comments below are left to interpretation. Not a good idea. Even when the people in England speak English:
Dolphins Linebacker Channing Crowder, who appears likely to start in the middle Sunday against the Giants with Zach Thomas ailing, says he didn't know until Tuesday that people in London speak English. "I couldn't find London on a map if they didn't have the names of the countries," he said. "I swear to God. I don't know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I know London Fletcher (Washington Redskins Linebacker). We did a football camp together. So I know him. That's the closest thing I know to London. He's black, so I'm sure he's not from London. I'm sure that's a coincidental name."
Make your own decision. I laughed for a while, but I am still not sure what I laughed about.
Breakdown:
(Picks went 9-5 last week. 18-9 on the season).
Bills @ Jets:
Mangini is sticking with Pennington. The Jets will lose again. Buffalo has played inspired football over the last two weeks barely losing to Dallas, and eeking out a win against the Ravens. Trent Edwards will prove that he can move the ball on the Jets defense, and his backfield rookie counterpart is almost guaranteed to post 100+ yards rushing. Opposing offenses have tormented the Jets' defense all year. Yawn.
NY Giants @ Miami:
This is the first regular season game played on European soil (Wembley, England). The Fins don't have any offensive threat now sans Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers. Jacobs, Eli, and Plax will win this in a laugher. Hopefully the teams will get a chance to do to the local chippy and pick-up a fried saveloy. Delicious.
Washington @ New England:
No team has been able to run with the Pats this season, and I don't expect the Redskins to pull off an upset here. It's in New England. New England continues to put up huge points. Gibbs mentioned that they 'handcuffed' Campbell last weekend because they felt the defense could win the game for them. Hmmmmmmmm... Can you picture Bellichick 2k7 saying that he 'handcuffed' Brady because he could rely on the defense? Neither can I.
Quick Hits:
Colts @ Panthers (Colts)
Browns @ St. Louis (Browns)
Gmen @ Dolphins (Gmen)
Eagles @ Vikings (Vikings)
Steelers @ Bengals (Steelers)
Lions @ Bears (Bears)
Raiders @ Titans (Titans)
Jags @ Bucs (Jags)
Texas @ Chargers (Chargers)
Saints @ 49ers (49ers)
Pack @ Broncos (Broncos)
Week in Review: 10.17.2007
In May, ESPN SportsCenter made a significant change to their daily broadcast and rewarded their audience with "The Rundown Graphic."
A short description of the current topic being covered is highlighted in a small box on top-right of the screen. The next dozen (or so) stories are arranged vertically down the right hand of the screen. When the current story is finished, "The Rundown Graphic," moves that topic out of viewer sight, and highlights the next topic. This continues throughout the entire show.
This innovation allows the viewer to know which stories will broadcast in the next ten to fifteen minutes. Results:
Gone - The ensuing bitterness from watching ESPN for 55 minutes, realizing that your team's highlights were covered in the first 5 minutes you missed.
Gone - Feigning interest in Women's Soccer World Cup highlights so your better-half can't seize the remote and permanently tune to "Dancing with the Stars."
Gone - The agony of watching 'filler' programming. No more reason exists to sit through shameless promotion of "Chuck and Larry" as Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and Jessica Biel debate Scott Van Pelt over which athlete is more "now."
Like a whack-a-mole game - one problem squashed, another pops-up. In August, my grandiose visions of efficiently catching Mets and Jets highlights in September and October quickly evolved into a cesspool of despair. The smelly, filthy, putrid, horrid, stinking, fetid, rotten, squalid, foul, dirty, grimy, mucky, rancid, stale play of these two "teams" has managed to annihilate my daily intake of SportsCenter.
I refuse to watch Mets and Jets "low lights." Watching replays of Pennington's four game interception streak is disturbing. In addition, I don't need Clayton or Pasquerlli confirm that the Jets need a true Nose Tackle to improve a natural 4-3 defense being forced to play a 3-4. I don't need Kruk or Phillips telling me the Mets need more pitching. I know these things. I now regularly avoid SportsCenter at all costs.
At Happy Hour last week, every TV in the bar was tuned to SportsCenter (without audio). What glee!! I turned away from all televisions for the first fifteen minutes and enjoyed my half-price pint of Heineken Light in peace. I successfully dodged a blind side hit from the upcoming Jets' "low lights,"due to sufficient notification from "The Rundown Graphic."
Thank-you ESPN. You have greatly improved your show.
Breakdown:
(Picks went 9-4 last week. 9-4 on the season.)
Jets @ Bengals:
Only watch this game if you have Rudi, Chad, Housh, or Palmer on your fantasy team. If you are a die-hard fan of either team, make sure you have done your laundry, emptied the dishwasher, cut your toenails, washed your car, and pressed your work clothes before you tune-in. All these things are more important things than the game. (Disclaimer to my girlfriend - I NEED to watch this game. I will cut my toenails on Monday night).
The scoreboard should be en fuego in Cincinnati this weekend. Neither team has anything that resembles a defense. Due to Mangini's refusal to bench Pennington, the Jets don't have anything that resembles an offense. The Jets will throw-up the obligatory 20+ against the Cinci "defense," but the Bungles will throw-up the obligatory 30+ against the Jets "defense."
Ravens @ Bills:
Willis returns to Buffalo to visit his children and give Marshawn some pointers on the fast and crazy Buffalo nightlife. McGahee will get the ball 20+ times in this game and make the Bills regret the off-season trade. The Bills' offense with Trent Edwards can't move the ball on any defense not named the Jets. Ravens will win in a blowout (by their standards), 10-6.
Patriots @ Miami:
The Patriots are outscoring their opponents by an average score of 23 points a game. This represents a 138 point differential between the Patriots and their competition. Only nine teams have scored more than 138 through the first 6 weeks of the season. They travel to Miami to face the 0-6 Dolphins. Although Miami has sporadically played tough against New England in recent years, it won't happen on Sunday. The Pats will keep rolling. They will clinch the AFC East title by week 10. I am not kidding. The only reason they can't mathematically clinch in week 9 is because the Jets and Bills have to play each other in week 8, and one of these teams has to take a win and 'keep the division open.'
Quick Hits:
Titans @ Texans (Texans)
Bucs @ Lions (Bucs)
Falcons @ Saints (Saints)
49ers @ Gmen (Gmen)
Cardinals @ Skins (Skins)
Chiefs @ Raiders (Chiefs)
Vikings @ Cowboys (Cowboys)
Bears @ Eagles (Eagles)
Rams @ Hawks (Hawks)
Steelers @ Broncos (Broncos)
Colts @ Jags (Jags)
Week in Review: 10.09.2007
On Tuesday night, I missed two phone calls. One from Mike at 7:06. The other from John at 7:08. Two missed calls. Two voicemails. Before checking the messages, or returning their calls without checking their messages, I hypothesized why both called me within two minutes of each other.
Mike and I haven't had a meaningful conversation since our favorite baseball team, the Mets, self-asphyxiated a week-and-a-half ago. We didn't want to talk about it. Mathematically, a seven-game lead with seventeen to pl.... let me move on.
John is a Yankees fan, and wasn't calling to woe the loss on Monday night and discuss the Billion dollars Steinbrenner has spent since buying his last championship (sorry John). He knows better than to discuss the Yankees with a hater. During the 2004 MLB playoffs, we watched game 4 of the ALCS (Yankees-Red Sox) at a local tavern. When Mariano Rivera came to the mound with a one-run lead to open the ninth inning, I mockingly sang Rivera's entrance song "Enter Sandman" to get under his skin. Sure enough, it worked. After Kevin Millar was issued the no-out walk, and the Pinch Runner stole second base, John wanted me out of the bar. The rest is history. The Yankees lost game 4. They also lost games 5 and 6. And finally they lost game 7. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series. John has never forgiven. (sorry John).
I decided to check my voicemail. I came to a sad realization.
The pain, suffering and ensuing depression caused by the 2007 New York Football Jets has granted me selective amnesia. I forgot that myself, Mike, and John have tickets to this weekends game against the also-disappointing Eagles. Mike was looking to unload his ticket. John was looking to unload his ticket. Before I returned their calls to ridicule their bandwagon-esque proposals, I took a couple of minutes to reflect. And then I realized that subconsciously, I have been looking to unload my ticket.
Before the season I laughed at Solomon Wilcots and his 'bold' prediction for a 3-13 season for the Jets. Five weeks in to the season, it is not so bold. It is ridiculously accurate. To know that there is very little the Jets can do to reach the now absurd prediction I made - 10-6, first round playoff exit is - sad. That wasn't even a lofty expectation.
Nonetheless, I have partially reconciled my disbelief in realizing that the Jets are that bad, and I look forward to my travel to the Meadowlands this weekend. However, when the Jets lose this week, and Kellen Clemens isn't the starter against Cincinnati in week 7, I will find something else to look forward to each Sunday for the remainder of this season.
The 2008 season is too far away.
Breakdown:
Eagles @ Jets:
When the Jets don their blue 'Titans of New York' throwback Jerseys this weekend, they will look to extend the small glimmer of hope that remains for posting a mediocre record this season. I can see the Jets pulling out a victory if Kellen Clemens sees extensive action and the Defense decides to tackle the ball-carrier before he gets 8 yards past the line of scrimmage. This wont happen. Westbrook (if healthy) will have a career day, and McNabb will have plenty of time to throw all over the field. Under Andy Reid, the Eagles have never lost a game after a bye week. I pick the team wearing Green on Sunday.
Patriots @ Cowboys:
In the headliner of the week, Dallas and New England both look to stay undefeated. Terrell Owens post-game comments from Monday night are cute... "no ones talking about us winning all 16 games." Its true that the 'Boys are 5-0, but they have not blown-out teams by double digits each week. If Dallas wins the turnover battle, score some points on defense and special teams, they have a chance. The Patriots are the team to beat in the NFL, and I will continue to pick them while Tom Brady is the QB.
Redskins @ Packers:
Last season, I actively rooted against the Redskins. The Jets held the Skins 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft, and their train-wreck of a season provided the Jets with enough ammunition to acquire Thomas Jones (seemed like a good deal at the time). This season is different for Redskins fans. They have hope. Jason Campbell appears to be settling in to Al Saunders 700 page playbook. Greg Williams D is looking like a Greg Williams D. The Packers will prevail at Lambeau this weekend. Brett Favre is back. Enough said.
Rams @ Ravens:
The Ravens must win this game to maintain pace with the Steelers in the AFC North. Despite a pedestrian showing against the 49ers last week, they should rebound nicely at home to defeat the winless Rams. Gus Frerotte and Brian Leonard will fill-in for Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. Gus Frerotte and Brian Leonard will fill-in for Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. Gus Frerotte and Brian Leonard will fill-in for Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. Ravens win.
Bengals @ Chiefs:
On offense, the Bengals have injury concerns with the Johnsons at WR and RB, and are conceding over 32 points a game. Arrowhead is one of the most difficult places to win as a visiting team. I take the Bengals. In an attempt to 'win the game' Edwards will lose. He will find a way to handcuff young Brodie Croyle. Larry Johnson will get his carries, but coming off a bye, the Bengals should effectively challenge Croyle to beat them.
Quick Hits:
Vikings @ Bears (Bears)
Miami @ Cleveland (Browns)
Titans @ Buccaneers (Bucs)
Texans @ Jaguars (Texans)
Panthers @ Cardinals (Cardinals)
Raiders @ Chargers (Chargers)
Saints @ Seahawks (Seahawks)
Gmen @ Falcons (Giants)