The Crystal Ball Week 12

Boy seems this week’s offering is feeling a bit light and showing a lack of proper effort. Well, that’s what happens when you’re weighed down with approximately 10 tons of turkey and stuffing. It was worth it though, those leftovers are still delicious. And hey, it’s not like there’s nothing good in here this week. Come on in, make a turkey sandwich and enjoy.

Opening Kickoff

Did everyone watch the primetime game Thursday night at Denver? Josh McDaniels said a swear…..

The Way It Was

Overtime is the word is the word.

Well that and missed field goals. Was it just me or did it seem kickers were choking left and right? And not just ones named Brown.

Boy, it’s a bad time to be in Houston and named Kris Brown. Or Chris Brown for that matter either.

Was I surprised about Terrell Owens scoring a 98 yard touchdown? No. Was I surprised I haven’t heard about it all week? Yes.

Really Dallas? At home against a Washington team without Betts and Portis as offensive threats and the best you can muster is one touchdown?

I give Singletary credit; the 49ers were down big but fought back to within one score with 6 minutes left in Green Bay. They didn’t have enough to go over the top, but they’re still fighting.

And Green Bay had best find some fight, especially since they’ve lost Al Harris and Aaron Kampman for the season.

I don’t know if I should give Atlanta credit for fighting the Giants into overtime, or say New York stinks for needing overtime to finish the Falcons off.

Denver brings in Orton off the bench for a Willis Reed moment. Although it only worked for a moment as the Chargers proceeded to discect Denver.

Another Charger/Bronco game, another big red zone call. Where’s ed Hochuli when you need him?

I’m glad the Eagles kept Westbrook on the shelf and hope they continue to do so. The man’s long term health is at stake. Unfortunately, they should have done that sooner.

Ok, which is more fun? That the Colts defense won the game for them, instead of the offense, by limiting the Ravens to field goals, that a missed field goal by the Ravens doomed them or that the winning field goal points for the Colts were scored by Matt Stover, the long time Raven who was cut in the off season? I’m going with all three.

The best game of the season was played last week in Detroit, and no one saw it. 9 touchdown passes between Brady Quinn and Matt Stafford and a thrilling last second victory for Detroit. Just the highlights alone were worth the price of admission. Plus, Stafford coming back in after having his non throwing shoulder crushed to finish off the win, how great was that? I’m telling Detroit fans right now, with Stafford behind center you will win at least one more game this season. You’ve got a gamer there.

The Steel Pit

Steelers 24 – Kansas City 27 OT

Ok, this one is on me. I forgot to launder my jersey after the Bungles loss, and the stink of that one hung around for a second week. Please note I’ve laundered this week so…..

I’m not breaking this one down. If you saw it, you know who’s fault the loss hangs on, everyone. The team looked unprepared, played poorly, executed sloppily and in general just looked as though they felt showing up would be enough to garner victory. It was not.

The team played lackadaisical and took mindless, undisciplined penalties. And if looking terrible and losing the game weren’t enough, then the real indignity and damage occurred. First, Big Ben took a knee to the head and suffered a concussion. And while all week he passed the appropriate tests, he suffered headaches later on and now will be sitting out Sunday. No problem, right, we have Charlie Batch! No we don’t. Batch went into the game, his first regular season action in 2 seasons, and promptly breaks his wrist.

Now we go into Baltimore, where they’re still pissed over last season and in general, with 3^rd string Dennis Dixon starting and recently signed CFL player Tyler Palko as his back up. As the saying goes, you make hay while the sun shines. Well, the sun was shining against the Bears, Bungles and Chiefs and the barn remained empty. Now, the clouds are forming and what is the team going to do?

I want to know one thing; no one has Jeff Garcia’s number?

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

The venerable Pontiac Silverdome was sold at auction last week for $583,000. If I had known the price would be so low, I’d have broken into my change jar.

It’s safe to say I’m an Alyson Hannigan fan. I think she’s funny and quite the cutie. But I don’t want her stealing air time in my Peyton Manning commercials! There’s so few this season as it is, I want all the Peyton I can get!

And I’m glad we’re finally seeing some new commercials.

Bill Cowher turned down a request for interview from the Bills, but did express interest in coaching the Bears or Texans. Come on Bill, just get over it and head to Cleveland.

Mike Shanahan had a two day interview in Buffalo. I think Mike could do some good in Buffalo, but with the cold weather how would he maintain his year-round tan?

Why did Andy Reid spend the entire Bears game with a towel around his neck? Was he suffering from meat sweats or something? I suppose it’s better than his usual flop sweat.

In The Merry Old Land Of Oz

One, measly, stinking lousy point. I lost by one point. The winning streak and the comeback were abruptly halted by one point. All I needed was someone to generate one point and all would have been right with the world. Alas, that was not to be.

This week, I go up against the cat with Drew Brees who tore me a new one at the beginning of the season. What will I learn this week? History repeats itself, I fear.

Upon Further Review

With all the movement in the last two weeks, it would appear the NFL is finally taking the issue of concussions seriously. Goodell has been on a mission to get the word out and make necessary changes. He’s brought up having players evaluated by independent neurosurgeons and neurologists, mandating better helmets and getting new leadership on the medical counsel for the NFL that sets policies on concussions. Goodell spoke on the NFL Network saying he wants players to stand up and say when they do not feel right to keep them safe. Well Goodell should be ecstatic this week as he finally has his poster boy, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Big Ben’s situation is exactly what Goodell wanted, and what the league needs. Roethlisberger took a knee to the head in last week’s overtime loss to Kansas City, and showed signs of a concussion. Although after the game he seemed lucid and said he was fine. Early in the week, he passed all post concussion tests, maintained he felt fine and was expected to play. But after practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Roethlisberger developed headaches and became concerned. Although he passed the tests, he did not feel right.

So he stood up and said so. The Steelers coaching and medical staffs, to their credit, said if you don’t feel right, then we ride without you and you get yourself healthy. I for one am happy as all get out about it. I know, that sounds odd to say a person is happy their franchise quarterback will spend a vital division game in civilian clothes but it’s true.

Yes, it hurts Pittsburgh’s chances for victory this week. But a long term healthy Big Ben helps them immeasurably for years to come. And I’d rather have one loss in the short term than a permanent one in the long term. And in the macrocosm of the NFL, this move will lead the way for many other players. If guys who don’t feel right can look at Roethlisberger, a big name player, as a role model then they may not be so hesitant to stand up as well and say they do not feel right. They won’t be so afraid to talk candidly with their team about their condition or feel pressured to rush back before they’re healthy. This could lead to many great players extending their careers because they are properly healed, instead of seeing them either shorten their careers, or play too long and spend retirement in a punch drunk state.

Kudos to Goodell for finally addressing this issue properly and helping develop a culture in which players can come forward, kudos to Big Ben for standing up and being the first big name to say I don’t feel right and kudos to the Steelers for listening and taking appropriate action. Let’s hope this spark turns into a bonfire to light a healthier and safer future in the NFL. And I hope Kurt Warner would follow the same lead, but it would appear he is not. Change takes time, but at least finally the NFL is on the same track.

He Said He Said

"I take responsibility for that performance. I have to have this football team better prepared to play." – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

Then get cracking, because time is ticking. And nice job taking responsibility. It’s always refreshing having a coach who says the buck stops here. It’s a concept Cleveland fans are unfamiliar with.

“Lawrence Tynes had a nice long field goal” – Giants head coach Tom Coughlin after the loss at Denver.

Boy that's reaching for something positive.

“It's the NFL Network, it doesn't surprise me.” – Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels’ reaction to the NFLN broadcasting him swearing on the sidelines

It doesn't change the fact that you used a swear josh, and a really naughty one! For shame, FOR SHAME! Ok, I didn’t care, actually I found it hilarious. But you know someone had a hissy fit about it.

“Ed Hochuli’s got some guns on him” – Vikings defensive end Jared Allen

Duh!

"It takes a tremendous amount of energy, but there is a certain appeal there." – Mike Holmgren on the possibility of working in some capacity for the Browns

What, exactly, would that appeal be Mike?

"We are capable of much more than that. That is not us and it won't be us.” – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

Show me.

Idiot of the week

Easily the winner here has to be Eric Mangini. I guess the guy enjoyed winning so much he came back for more.

This one is too easy. With Detroit’s wunderkind quarterback sidelined on the last play of the game, Mangini called a time out to bitch to the referees about the obvious pass interference call on the previous play that put Detroit on Cleveland’s 1 yard line for an untimed end of the game play. Stafford before the time out had left with an injury, and Detroit faced trying to win the game with the cold Daunte Culpepper under center as no player can return to the game from injury for at least one play or unless either team calls a time out. Detroit was out of them, but Cleveland was not. Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, who I’m sure started drinking rat poison at this point, Mangini obliged, Stafford streaked back onto the field and threw the game tying touchdown.

Why exactly did Mangini call that time out? All it did was give the Lions a chance to put Stafford back on the field and win the game. He would have been better off saving his complaints for after the game and letting Detroit proceed with Culpepper who has not played at all. But there is only one reason why Mangini called that time out. Because Eric Mangini, you are an idiot.

On Tap This Week

Finally, FINALLY, I got back on track…

Last week: 13-3

This week: 2-1

Season to date: 117-49

That’s a sweet looking number! Now I stand but one game out of first place with just a scant 6 weeks to go. Thank you Mr. Cowboy I’ll take it under advisement. Hit it again.

Sunday

Miami (5-5) at Buffalo (3-7)

Yeah, I’m gonna go with Miami, although something tells me whomever I pick will be wrong.

Dolphins over Bills

Washington (3-7) at Philadelphia (6-4)

Perhaps Philadelphia can do better than Dallas against a crappy team at home.

Eagles over Redskins

Tampa Bay (1-9) at Atlanta (5-5)

Ok Atlanta, this is where you turn things around. And if you don’t, it’s all over.

Falcons over Buccaneers

Seattle (3-7) at St. Louis (1-9)

Ewww.

Rams over Seahawks

Carolina (4-6) at New York Jets (4-6)

These two teams are exactly the same. Whenever I pick them, they lose and when I don’t they win big. I give up.

Panthers over Jets

Cleveland (1-9) at Cincinnati (7-3)

I’d like to see the Bungles lose, but come on, it’s the Browns.

Bungles over Browns

Indianapolis (10-0) at Houston (5-5)

Sorry, I see good things in Houston, and I was going to give them a chance. But no, Peyton is on a roll and with new commercials out, fired up.

Colts over Texans

Kansas City (3-7) at San Diego (7-3)

Pittsburgh beat San Diego and Kansas City beat Pittsburgh, so KC should beat San Diego, right? Wrong.

Chargers over Chiefs

Jacksonville (6-4) at San Francisco (4-6)

I feel bad for Mike Singletary, but his team just doesn’t have the horses yet. Yet.

Jaguars over 49ers

Chicago (4-6) at Minnesota (9-1)

Hmmm, how many picks will Cutler throw in this one? If it’s over 4, can we finally stop the Cutler is a franchise quarterback talk, please?

Vikings over Bears

Arizona (7-3) at Tennessee (4-6)

I don’t think Warner should be playing, at all. The Tennessee freight train picks up more speed.

Titans over Cardinals

Pittsburgh (6-4) at Baltimore (5-5)

I still maintain the Baltimore defense is merely a shell of itself. Two losses in a row mean massive disrespect for the defending super bowl champions. And now both of Pittsburgh’s leaders are on the shelf with injuries. This is a game where the men are separated from the boys.

Steelers over Ravens

Monday

New England (7-3) at New Orleans (10-0)

Easily this is the game of the week. And no, I am not hopping off the Saints band wagon. It’s just getting good on here!

Saints over Patriots

The Crystal Ball Week 12 Thanksgiving Special

Welcome one and all to the 2009 season Thanksgiving feast! Yes, in modern times we should all be thankful that the NFL serves up three heaping helpings of NFL action for us to stare at as the tryptophan kicks in after a lovely meal with family and friends. Oh how delicious it is.

But before we get to dishing out the goodies, I must touch on a debate that has gained steam in recent years and reiterate my position once again. With their putrid record for, well, decades and awful performances in recent years, the debate has been raised that the Lions should not be featured on Thanksgiving, and instead be replaced by more competitive games and better teams. I say meh to this nonsense and never want to see the Lions lose their Thanksgiving game.

First off, do we really need or want a competitive game on Thanksgiving Day? Short answer, no we do not. Football on Thanksgiving is merely background anyway, a center point for men and boys to gather while they chew the fat and tell tall tales with the occasional glance at the game. It also serves as a focal point while the turkey digests and satiated diners drift off into afternoon naps. Football is not meant to be the focal point of the day, but merely another aspect, much like the parade or pumpkin pie. The focal point is giving thanks for the good things in your life while breaking bread with your family and friends. Football? Let’s just call it a delicious snack on which to graze.

Secondly, why hate on the Lions just because they stink, does tradition mean nothing? Many moons ago, when the NFL first conceived of the Thanksgiving Day game, the Lions stood tall and accepted the challenge. Yes it would mean the players, coaches and staff would be away from family and friends on this day. Yes it would mean having to play a short week every year. And yes, it would mean working while everyone else relaxed and ate. But their work and sacrifice gave the rest of us entertainment, no matter the quality, for years now establishing one of the best traditions in sports.

Everyone knows the Lions play on Thanksgiving, always have and always should. For those of us who have always known this, it would be like removing a hallowed tradition. Imagine Thanksgiving without turkey, (yes I know my vegetarian friends, this is not difficult for you but you get my drift I hope) or without the Macy’s parade, cranberry sauce or afternoon naps. Sure I suppose you could, but why would you want to? You might as well nix Santa from Christmas, the ball dropping on New Years and trees from Arbor Day as well. I know some traditions become old, stale, outdated or just out of touch. But sometimes, even those still hold meaning and the day would be less without those traditions than with them. The Lions on Thanksgiving certainly fall into this category.

And lastly, Detroit has so little when it comes to football and in many other areas as well. Why take this away from them? Let them have their moment in the sun and enjoy their national exposure. Who knows when the team will be good enough again to grab a featured game on Sunday or Monday night? So to the NFL, I ask, nay beg, leave well enough alone. The world contains too much change. Leave this tradition in place and let the Lions have their day. If you do, I’ll save a place at our table for you. The turkey’s almost done and the game is on, come on over.

On The Menu Today

Green Bay (6-4) at Detroit (2-8)

Matt Stafford’s heroic return to the game to steal the win last week will go down in Lions’ lore and heaven knows they need some modern day lore. Stafford showed he’s at least a gamer, and hopefully the franchise quarterback the team needs to build around. But they’re still a long way away from being relevant, or even mediocre. And with Aaron Rodgers making faster decisions as of late, Green Bay moves back firmly into the wild card race.

Packers over Lions

Oakland (3-7) at Dallas (7-3)

Amazing what a quarterback who can lead and wants to play can do for a team. Can the Raiders steal one in Big D? Possibly, you never know, especially considering the offensive display Romo and company presented against the lowly Redskins last week. But, it’s Thanksgiving, Romo has shown a penchant for playing big on Turkey Day, and I’ll go home team here.

Cowboys over Raiders

New York Giants (6-4) at Denver (6-4)

Another wonderfully presented dish by the NFL Network. Honestly, I swear sometimes watching games on NFLN; they hired people who know nothing about production value. Honestly, are their games a training ground for production crews looking to get a job with a network? But I digress.

Denver is cratering fast, and the Giants are teetering on the precipice of joining them. I’d say Denver has a chance playing at home, but with a gimpy Orton and after their dismantling last week, I just cannot have confidence in them. Not that I have that much confidence in New York, but at least they squeezed out a win last week.

Giants over Broncos

The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 11

What happened in Indianapolis last week? I heard something about a bad call, but there’s been hardly any post game press I haven’t been able to get a clear understanding. Could someone let me know, I’m curious.

Opening Kickoff

If you want to be considered a top team, you must dominate week in and week out. You cannot take a week off nor have intermittent performances. Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, New England and Carolina all had opportunities in the last week to throw a definitive gauntlet down and state, come and get some. All failed miserably. If you cannot deliver against other prominent teams, you are not top tier, but mid round playoff cannon fodder.

We’re headed toward a final championship round of Indianapolis and either Minnesota or New Orleans as things stand. And unless one of the teasing teams from above step up and assert themselves, be prepared for more Favre/Brees/Manning hype than you ever thought possible.

The Way It Was

The Broncos are not so much falling back to earth as rocketing at break neck speed.

And I hate to say it, but no Neck Beard, big problem.

The same goes for Atlanta without Michael Turner.

Jets, you are officially dead to me. You cannot beat an opponent, at home, after a week of rest?

How about Maurice Jones-Drew taking a knee instead of scoring a touchdown? Brilliant football strategy move, extremely smart, the coaches get gold stars for being very aware of clock management, the Jets time out situation and dictating how the end game would play out. Color me impressed. Andy Reid, for the sake of Eagles fans everywhere please take notes.

And I’ll go one step further, anyone who argues differently, and there has been a few prominent people blathering on about it, either doesn’t know football strategy or is a cheesed off fantasy owner, period.

I might have to rethink my opinion on the Jaguars. It might be time to give them a chance.

How come Saints had so many fits from rams? I guess it is hard to win every week. Yet, here they are winning every week.

It has been decided. The official results are in, and the winner of the overrated coach underachieving with a good team bowl is Andy Reid. Andy, have a cheese steak and if it doesn’t give you a cardiac infarction, a victory lap.

Down by 14 on the road in the second quarter with 4^th and goal on the 1, Andy Reid of course girds his loins, let’s the ice water flow through his veins and…..kicks the field goal! At the very least, Reid is consistent. But once again Andy, in case you missed it, you do NOT win games settling for field goals.

A note the other team from Pennsylvania should take well to heart, me thinks.

Brian Westbrook came back last week and promptly suffered another concussion. Eagles, for his sake please sit him for the remainder of the season. He’s not healed and you’re piling damage on damage. Did no one read last week’s column?

Shockingly, the Chargers have overcome their annual early season swoon to charge into a tie for the division lead, which was once thought insurmountable. I cannot wait for their annual playoff collapse as well.

Boy, it just seems like the Cardinals want to screw the home fans, no?

Roy Williams, a few notes. Number one receivers do not drop first down catches, nor do they fumble balls on the way to the end zone. You want to be considered better than Austin, make the plays your position as “number one” dictates.

Yeah, the Cowboys losing Marc Columbo to a broken fibula hurts. But as saying goes, the standard is the standard, and the Cowboys seem allergic to that.

The Emperor, I mean Bill Belichick, has made a critical error and the time for our attack has come. You know what, I think if people hadn’t suffered for years from Belichick’s surly, superior attitude he would not have received near the flack for his 4^th and 2 call as he did. Actually I think there are still people complaining about it right now.

The best part of this play call has yet to come. We’ll see it the next time Belichick calls to go for it on fourth down and every Patriot fan tenses up and prepares to vomit and if the Pats should not convert, go into raving hysterics over it. Now that will be high comedy.

Brady Quinn knocked Terrell Suggs out of game with a low hit after an interception, drawing the ire of Ray Lewis. Quinn just cannot do anything right.

Ravens safety Haruki Nakamura broke ankle on opening kickoff and was lost for the game and season. Amazingly, this team that went to the AFC Championship game last year is looking even worse especially once you factor in they had a terrible first half and barely pulled it together for a 16-0 win. Hey Baltimore, this is Cleveland, not Cincinnati you dopes.

The Steel Pit

Didn’t I bust the Eagles chops last week for losing at home against a division opponent with the division lead on the line? Yes I did. Well, welcome to the personally painful sequel.

Steelers 12 – Bungles 18

Ok, so what happened? They had moments where they looked alright. Who should hang their head in shame? Let’s roll through the suspects.

1) The Defense – nope, sorry but they’re off the hook on this one. They held a very good offensive team to 12 total points, none of them touchdowns. And they did it without the services of Troy Polamalu while knocking Cedric Benson out of the game. The defense did fine. Although Timmons had best get some speed, I’m ready to see Keyaron Fox more often playing inside linebacker.

2) The offense – They did not look good, no doubt. But they did have some success moving the ball. Everything went out the window when they hit the red zone. I would not blame them for the loss, but they didn’t help.

3) Big Ben – Let’s face it, Roethlisberger had a bad day. His passes either sailed high or fell short, he looked uncomfortable in the pocket all day and never quite found a rhythm with his receivers. But every once in a while even the great ones put up a stinker and I’d rather have Roethlisberger and the occasional bad day than anyone else.

4) Bruce Arians – My biggest problems with Arians were giving up on the run too early, he only called 16 total running plays, and his bad management of the last drive. I understood time was of the essence on the final drive, but he didn't need to go for big home run plays on both 2nd and 3rd down. He had enough time to just keep the ball moving. Yes, 10 yard gains in the middle of the field will not work when ultimately the end zone is required, but if you chip away a bit and keep the chains moving, going for the home run ball is much easier from the opponents 25 than your own 33. Still the onus of defeat is not solely on Bruce.

5) Special Teams – Here you go. Sure, Jeff Reed made another pathetic tackle attempt, but if he has to keep trying to tackle the damage is already done. And yes, the Bungles seemed content to throw illegal blocks on every return, but still that is no excuse. The units allowed another return touchdown and constant good field position all day. Here’s your culprit.

This week Pittsburgh cut special teams stalwart Arnold Harrison who has been with the team through two Super Bowls. Will this fix the problem? No, but I believe it sends a message. No one is safe and everyone had best shape up fast. Let’s hope it works.

But I think this week is a good one for Steeler fans to sit back, relax, take a very deep breath and let it go. Look, so far the team is doing relatively well despite injuries and not having found a true identity offensively. And most likely will end up having a good season and still make the playoffs. At minimum, the Super Bowl title defense is going much better than it did in 2006, which goes a long way in my book. But just call us Steeler fans spoiled, because at this point we are accustomed to a certain lifestyle, and that lifestyle includes winning big and pounding on the Bungles. The latter has not happened this season.

The good news from the game is that Troy Polamalu had an MRI performed on his reinjured left knee, revealing a PCL strain and could be back in 2-3 weeks. Yeesh, I hope he doesn’t work his way around to the ACL. Good gravy why did I say that out loud? I will now tear mine with my bare hands to avoid a possible jinx.

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

Jon Gruden will be extending his stay on Monday Night Football, signing a new contract this week through 2011. I guess he found out what Bill Cowher did, it’s much more enjoyable to watch football and get paid for it, and far more enjoyable to make a mistake and not have an entire fan base give you a gypsy curse.

Opening the foray of coaching changes, and being in the first spot in the coaching carousel, the Bills fired head coach Dick Jauron. They promoted their defensive coordinator to interim head coach, I suppose because he was the only coach left.

In working hard to destroy what has been build, the Bungles signed ostracized running back Larry Johnson as a 4^th string insurance policy. Yeah right, like Johnson’s going to happily live with that status for long. I can’t wait for that cancer to destroy the locker room.

Mean Joe Greene and Tommy Okon received Clio awards for their famous 1979 Coca Cola commercial. Still is one of the greatest commercials ever.

Russell Crowe was in attendance of the Bungles/Steelers game Sunday, taking a break from the film he is working on in the Pittsburgh area. Unfortunately, he did not unleash hell on the Bungles. Maybe things would have gone better for the home team had he smacked Carson Palmer upside the head with a telephone.

Seminal rock band The Who was named the halftime act for Super Bowl 44. Ok, I get it commissioner Goodell you want to avoid the Jackson/Timberlake controversy. But come on, can we get anyone who has been relevant in the last 20 years at least?

Titans’ owner Bud Adams had a blast at the Monday night game against the Texans, happily flipping the bird to Buffalo fans in attendance. I don’t even have a joke. You stay classy there Tennessee.

Seahawks head coach Jim Mora Jr. submitted a list of complaints to the league’s officiating office about calls he felt were erroneous and the state of officiating during the Seahawks/Cardinals game. First complaint, the Seahawks coach sucks.

Message to Chiefs coach Todd Haley, quit being an ass. For yet another week, cameras caught Haley corn holing another player on the sidelines, this time Matt Cassel. And this was in a game Cassel played decently and the Chiefs won. Todd, just so you know eventually players tire of these shenanigans and quit on coaches who act like that, especially if they're not successful. We get it, you're in charge. Now move on butt bag.

Apparently, the NFL competition committee is big on expanding the schedule, and looks to be leaning on making the season 18 games long. Now, I want to know how this will work from an injury stand point. Right now during 16 game seasons, almost every team is reeling from serious season ending injuries, or multiple week injuries, of key players. Look at this short list I complied.

Troy Polamalu, Kyle Orton, Jordan Gross, Michael Turner , Cedric Benson, Brian Urlacher, Kris Jenkins, Chris Henry, Marc Columbo, Ronnie Brown, Brian Westbrook, Haruki Nakamura, Joshua Cribbs, Terrell Suggs.

That list was complied off the top of my head. It could be 4 times as long. Take a gander through each team’s injury report and get a real idea of hurt players. What will happen when players must go longer, harder and open themselves up for more risk? And do you honestly think players, even if they take on the added risk of injury, players will be satisfied with their current contracts? Oh no, they’ll want more money per season to cover the added risk, which will cheese the owners off to not only have to shell out more money per player, but also eventually more money overall to cover depth needed when players go down from injury, and count on it they will. All this perceived extra profit owners think they’ll make will be tied up in additional salary and potentially lose them money. If you ask me, all this has the potential to do is get players injured, shorten careers, and create a scenario when we see a bunch of practice squad guys playing vital roles in big games because the bench is littered with injured stars. The NFL wants to protect the shield, but how is that possible by further diluting the product?

The NFL popped Chad Ochocinco with a $20,000 fine for his faux bribe of an official. Ok, I get it; they do not want any kind of association with gambling. But does it not seem odd they would smack Chad with that large a fine and only hit up Tommie Harris $7,500 for punching a guy in the head?

In The Merry Old Land Of Oz

Once again, love watching my team go without a point for hours on end. Mercifully, I got to watch my opponent do exactly the same thing.

But hey, I cannot complain too much, I’m on a three week roll, have reached the wonderful .500 mark and climbing the rankings. And most importantly, I learned something new to impart this week.

The fantasy football experts who give advice on who to start and who to sit know jack squat. I know, big surprise, and I pretty much figured that one out already. But it came into sharp focus when I went to pick my kicker last week. I went with Jeff Reed, even though the experts were saying he’s no better than a spot fill in during bye weeks. What happened was 12 big points from the partying one. So the next week, the expert advice said Jeff should continue to be considered a number one fantasy option. Huh? Amazing how that status can change so rapidly.

I say ignore them and go with your own instincts. If you know football, you’ll be fine. If you’re playing because you’re in some goofy office pool, well then I suppose you can consult the experts and hope for the best. Hey, chances are everyone else in the pool will be too.

Upon Further Review

In case you missed it, and I suppose the only way that’s possible was if you were in a sensory deprivation chamber all week, Bill Belichick went for it on 4^th down and failed, leading to a painful loss at Indianapolis. The sports world was on fire this week, lambasting Belichick for making the call and losing the game. I’ve heard great argument for and against the call from Gregg Easterbrook and Bill Simmons, and feel they both have valid points. I loved the call, but not the play called itself. I think coaches should be gutsier when it comes to calling plays, but too many are too scared of getting raked over the coals if it doesn’t work. And considering how badly Belichick was, too many will be too afraid to do it again.

Not every call is going to work, whether it’s a first down run at the beginning of September or a 2 point conversion to tie the super bowl in the waning minutes. But it takes a bit of fortitude to not only take the risk, but to stand tall before the man if it does not. Was going for it right? Who knows? Maybe Manning would have marched right down the field for 80 yards and the game winner. Maybe the tired Patriot defense would have held. Maybe aliens would have come and took Peyton back to his home planet. Maybe Jim Caldwell would have moved a muscle. It’s easy to second guess, but hard to take a chance and then withstand the fury if you fail. That’s why I liked the call.

On top of liking the call for its gutsiness, I loved it more because it gave me the chance to watch Belichick twist in the wind. Just hilarious, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer jerk. I mean, if your loyal lieutenants (namely Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi) are more than happy to grab a torch and head to the windmill, what does that say about the man himself?

But one three things really bothered me in the multitude of hot air expended on this topic all week.

One, the same people that filled the world with self righteous babbling and empty column space deriding the call would have fallen all over themselves proclaiming Belichick a genius and anointing him the greatest coach who ever lived if it had worked. You don’t believe me, look at how they lauded him in 2007, the screw the league season.

Two speaking of which, I’ve heard far too many people state with shocked incredulity how this call smacked of ego, arrogance, hubris and showed that Belichick does think he’s smarter than everyone else. Well duh! Is this your first Patriots game in the last 10 years? The entire 2007 was nothing but arrogance and ego. You think Belichick corn holed Joe Gibbs’ Redskins because he thought they might come back, or did he do it because he wanted to stick it to the Hall of Famer to prove a point?

And three, the national media spent an inordinate amount of time vilifying Belichick for this play call and yet said almost nothing about Browns head coach Eric Mangini’s end of the game hook and ladder call.

Cleveland Brown Joshua Cribbs, the only indispensable player on that team, was hurt badly at the end of Monday’s game on this play. Cribbs was carried off the field on a back board, but mercifully was fine and will even play this week.

But I must ask why in an unwinnable situation was this play ever called? There was no need for it since even if Cleveland scored; there was no chance to win. Even if the unlikely would have occurred and the Browns scored, it would have only reduced the margin of defeat by 7 points. There was absolutely no need for such chicanery. The only reason for this play, which only resulted in your best, and only good, player getting potentially grievously hurt, was to avoid the shut out and not have that on Mangini’s resume for his end of the season review.

Everyone has been happy calling Belichick’s call as a blunder, boneheaded even the worst call ever, yet nary a peep has been made about Mangini’s call, one obviously made only to make the coach look marginally better, although at this point I strain to see how that is even possible. This is far worse than Belichick’s, as while Bill’s play call may have come from hubris and ego at least he did it in a fleeting attempt to try a strategy that would give his team the win. Eric’s play call came finding a way to save his own fat can, and a willingness to risk the safety and well being of his players for no other reason.

I say shame on the national sports media for focusing on Belichick’s call and not jumping up and down on Mangini for this completely unnecessary and dangerous call. If you can get worked up into lather about Belichick going for the throat, and not Mangini trying to avoid the unemployment line then for shame and perhaps you need to reexamine why you cover the NFL, what you know about football and how you live your life because if you spend that much time getting upset about a 4^th down call to win and not a meaningless play that put people in danger, you’re priorities are out of whack.

He Said He Said

“I don't want to give anybody bulletin board material, but I do believe it was [former NFL head coach Herman Edwards]: We play to win the game. Period. So, we're going on the road to play a football game, and we're gonna win. I don't care what you say. People can print in the paper, they can send it to the team's we're playing. But they know just like we know, we're going to win the game.” - Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson

That is mighty big talk from a man who did not have one single catch, nor did his team win. How come I didn’t know about this? If I did, I would have horribly avoided starting him in fantasy. Obviously, he jinxed his team.

"Offensively, we...we...I played bad." – Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

Well, yeah. Thanks for owning up to it big guy, just don’t do it again.

"All in all, I hated the call. It smacked of I'm-smarter-than-they-are hubris." SI.com’s Peter King on Belichick’s 4^th and 2 play call

You’re dead on balls accurate Peter. But one question for you, have you not seen a Belichick coached team before? Heck the entire 2007 season was I’m smarter than everyone hubris.

"She always took care of us. She was a second mom to a lot of guys.'' – Bengals cornerback Jonathan Joseph on Vikki Zimmer, wife of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer who passed away suddenly in October

Finding motivation for men who get highly paid is always difficult. But when a close knit group of guys lose someone close to them like Vikki, feel that pain and see how much it hurts Mike, they’ll move heaven and earth for their coach. And so far, they have.

"Cincinnati out-defensed Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh.'' – NBC’s Tony Dungy

And to think I thought I was finished throwing up for the week.

"I love the way Al [Davis] runs the team. People give Al a lot of grief, but Al is an old AFL guy. The NFL tried to bury the AFL for years, and finally when the AFL caught up and was about to pass these guys, a couple of owners took the league and tried to merge behind Al's back. So he has been an outlaw ever since. He is going to do it his way; he has won three championships his way, and I love how the Raiders are run.''- Rapper Ice Cube, who is making a film about the Raiders

Let me guess, the film’s called Tales from the Crypt: The Crypt Keeper takes a cruise on the Titanic.

"I thought we could get the 2 yards." – Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

And you were wrong.

“Bill Belichick is, maybe, the best coach ever in the NFL. In fact, currently, I'm not even sure there's a close second.” – ESPN’s David Fleming

Uhhh, really David? Let’s see, Belichick built a team that won three Super Bowls, the same as Bill Walsh (who’s handiwork also led to two more Super Bowls) and Joe Gibbs, only one more Super Bowl win than his mentor Bill Parcells, Jimmy Johnson, Vince Lombardi (who won multiple NFL championships on top of the Super Bowls, the same as Paul Brown) and Don Shula. But it’s still one less trophy than acquired by Chuck Noll. Perhaps any of those gentlemen would prefer to argue your point on the best coach ever.

Idiot of the week

Stupid abounded from all angles this week. But there is only one pure idiot, and after he raised his dumb guy flag, I knew this week’s battle for this coveted award was over.

Perhaps it’s just me, but lately it seems much discussion in this space is reserved for guys making dirty hits after the play. Much like I railed on Tommie Harris last week for punching a cat after the play, we now bestow the dishonor of idiot upon yet another player throwing a punch, Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison.

By the point in the Sunday’s game James lost his cool, the Bungles needed no additional help. While their offense was not exactly lighting the world on fire, they were moving the ball and converting third downs to keep their drive alive. And yet there was Harrison being the good division neighbor and giving the Bungles 15 yards and a fresh set of downs plus allowing Cincinnati to continue their final drive and wick yet more precious time off the clock. I know Harrison plays angry and you want a certain level of that from your defensive personnel. But more than anything you want your players to play smart, and punching a guy after the play in front of officials is far from smart.

"I didn't care nothing about that at the time" - Harrison on the punch and the possible consequences

Well James you should have. No man is above the team and James certainly acted like that. Yeah, it's frustrating to get beat physically as the Bungles did to the Steelers all the live long day. Yeah, that guy shouldn't have shoved Harrison after the play. But punching him in the head in retaliation never helps. If you want to stop that behavior from your opponent you gird up, man up, and whip his fanny on the next play. Get him back by making him look like a chump, instead of being suckered into being his fool. And like Harris last week, Harrison should have been booted from the game. Why he was not I do not know, but the crimes were the same and so should have been the punishment.

So, for committing a spectacularly dumb penalty at a critical moment, allowing the opposition’s offense to stay on the field and ultimately score again, which drastically changed the end game, not thinking of consequences of your actions and letting someone get the best of you whilst you focused on some personal affront instead of your team’s chances at victory by punching a dude in the head, an infantile reaction at best and criminal at worst, James Harrison you are an idiot.

Taking the Week Off

With the conclusion of bye weeks last week, this beloved feature shutters its doors for another season. But fear not faithful fan, very soon 24 teams will be taking every week off, and you can enjoy their off season antics until the humid days of summer are upon us once again. Until then, let’s play ball.

On Tap This Week

I pushed the envelope too far. Just call me Icarus. I’m still having trouble believing I backed Andy Reid on the road, but what was I to do? He was going against Norv Turner. I love that I took a chance on KC that paid off greatly, but every team that should have won, well, were real happy to just show me how well they poop.

Last week: 8-7

This week:

Season to date: 100-44

Whatever touch I had during the first half of the season has left me strung up and naked. And it’s getting cold. My 3 point lead from Thursday night is gone and has become a 2 point deficit. And now I’m fighting to reclaim my top spot.

The real shame was I felt good about my picks. At least it was not a losing record for the week. Whoops, there’s the jinx for this week! Oh well, nothing left to do but get up, dust myself off and go after it again.

Sunday

Pittsburgh (6-3) at Kansas City (2-7)

You think Big Ben will take his frustrating day last week out on KC? Yeah, me too.

Steelers over Chiefs

Indianapolis (9-0) at Baltimore (5-4)

Shame on me for doubting Peyton. I know, it looked like I might have made the right call for a while, but I forgot one tiny factoid. Indianapolis has won 6 of 7 against the Patriots including last Sunday. Dumb. But I will not make that mistake again.

Colts over Ravens

Atlanta (5-4) at New York Giants (5-4)

Atlanta on the road, reeling and without Michael Turner against a rested New York squad who has been working tirelessly to stop the bleeding and getting desperate. Yeah, not feeling comfortable with that scenario.

Giants over Falcons

New Orleans (9-0) at Tampa Bay (1-8)

I’m not getting off this train to the Big Easy, not once until we hit Mardi gras.

Saints over Buccaneers

Buffalo (3-6) at Jacksonville (5-4)

Ok, who’s left to steer the Buffalo ship? I say promote TO, or at least let him self promote, it’s all they have left.

Jaguars over Bills

Cleveland (1-8) at Detroit (1-8)

Ugh.

Lions over Browns

Washington (3-6) at Dallas (6-3)

Unless Washington can knock Romo out of this game, what hope do they have?

Cowboys over Redskins

Seattle (3-6) at Minnesota (8-1)

Please.

Vikings over Seahawks

San Francisco (4-5) at Green Bay (5-4)

Well, I suppose I should not give up entirely on the Pack just yet. But can Aaron Rodgers avoid the rush again this week long enough for some magic?

Packers over 49ers

Arizona (6-3) at St. Louis (1-8)

A good potential upset, since St. Louis did give the Saints a few fits last week. But I’ll take the Cardinals, for no other reason than they should win.

Cardinals over Rams

New York Jets (4-5) at New England (6-3)

The Jets are dead to me. I do not care what they do to this point. They could fall off a cliff and I shed not tear one for them. Perhaps that’s a bit harsh, but come now. There is talent all over that team. And if everyone from the head coach down loves to have their mouths write checks, their fannies had best be able to cash them.

Patriots over Jets

Cincinnati (7-2) at Oakland (2-7)

Well, the Raiders have benched JaMarcus Russell, potentially for the season. Not sure what good that will do now, or would have done in September. But hey, at least it gives the team a few paragraphs of press in a section other than the police blotter.

Bungles over Raiders

San Diego (6-3) at Denver (6-3)

Ok, another week, another big game for division supremacy. Yawn it's getting boring I mean, what are we starting a playoff push or something? Ok, fine enough horsing around. What to do with this game. I suppose I’m a glutton for punishment. I’ll take Norv Turner on the road to win.

Chargers over Broncos

Philadelphia (5-4) at Chicago (4-5)

What am I supposed to do? Philadelphia is killing me, yet I know if I go against them, they’ll win. I should pick them just to jinx their terrible selves and hopefully get Andy Reid his much deserved pink slip. But backing Cutler? Ugh that’s even worse. I hate myself.

Eagles over Bears

Monday

Tennessee (3-6) at Houston (5-3)

Good pick for Monday Night ESPN. No wonder you’re ratings stink. Who’s watching this other than Bud Adams’ fingers?

Titans over Texans

The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 11 Thursday Night Special

Wasn’t last weeks Cutler interception-fest just lovely? I suppose it was, if only for the schadenfreude angle regarding Cutler and the foolish Bears who love him. From a pure football standpoint, though, yuck. Obviously, the NFLN hand picks only the best games for their weekly showcase. How could they possibly top that? Oh right.

I suppose if Joey Porter decides to find a bank of reporters somewhere this week, there could be a certain level of excitement and entertainment heading into the match up. But other than that, who’s really excited about this game? I mean, it’s not even in South Florida where we might see Mark Anthony and J-Lo. Oooh the star studded Dolphins ownership!

Ok, I know at one point in his post football career, Matt Millen was considered a sharp mind when it came to football knowledge. He could accurately break down a game, point out blocks and strategies that most people would miss but are crucial to successful plays and his insider knowledge of the league helped spread the knowledge of football to the fans. And I’m willing to go so far as to say Millen probably is still retains much of that knowledge and observational talent that elevated him once before to be considered a general manager candidate.

But at this point, remembering the horrific job he did at deconstructing the Lions even further into the depths of awful, can you really take him with anything but a grain of salt? Even if he is correct in his analysis, I cannot take what he says seriously. Is his reputation from his time in Detroit so damaged that he cannot be taken seriously as a knowledgeable football mind? There’s something to gnaw on as tonight’s events unfold. Just listen to him, and tell me if you take him seriously or believe him at all, or find yourself arguing with him even though he may be right. I’m curious if he’s too far gone to last in the booth.

On Tap Tonight

Miami (4-5) at Carolina (4-5)

Miami has no downfield threat. Carolina does, but they also have Jake Delhomme. But, John Fox finally remembered he has a wicked good running game, one that does not rely on goofy stunts. Plus, Carolina handled a pretty good running team at home last week. Couple that with the Dolphins losing wildcat triggerman Ronnie Brown for the season with a foot injury and I like the Panthers tonight. 3 yards and a cloud of dust dominate all.

Now watch, Carolina will be unable to stop the run and make Ricky Williams look like he’s running in 2002.

Panthers over Dolphins

The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 10

I’ve determined if anything could trump my distaste for Favre vs. Packers hype it’s Patriots vs. Colts hype. So who’s playing this week? Oh crap.

Opening Kickoff

Now, how much joy did you get watching Jay Cutler melt down Thursday night? Admit it, it’s ok. You don’t have to be a Bronco fan to love it. I’m sorry, but the man may have a big arm, but he is no leader. You can tell by the way he carries himself onto the field and off of it. Would you follow a guy who carries himself like someone just took away his favorite blankie? Me either. And he just looks like no matter what happens, he doesn’t care. I’m not saying if you have a bad game to throw a tantrum like Tom Brady. But if Peyton Manning has a bad game and you see him on the sidelines, you can tell it bothers him. Jay looks like he’s only concerned if his extra chin gets pinched in his chin strap.

The Way It Was

You know I love Joey Porter. I mean, the man has no qualms about running his mouth at an opponent, and it’s always entertaining. However, if you trash talk an opponent, you best back it up. Joey had no issues ripping on the Patriots, but in the actual game he recorded no tackles, no assists, no sacks, no passes defended, and no fumbles forced or recovered. Joey, where’d ya go when the microphones went away?

Wow, big surprise Andy Reid got outcoached in a big game with big ramifications. Come on Andy, you have to try for the end zone once in a while, field goals alone do not win games. Fortune favors the bold, which probably explains your NFC championship game record.

Easily the most maddening teams must be the Eagles and Cardinals. I wonder each week who will show up, Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. One week they get pounded, the next they explode. Grrrr.

Wow, the Cardinals let Matt Leinart play for one down and he promptly threw an interception. And now, the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Locomotives, Matt Leinart!

The Cardinals deactivated Anquan Boldin for the Bears game due to an ankle injury, yet no one apparently told him until he found uniform removed from his locker. You think that might just happen one day except everything will be gone?

Hmmm, Chris Chambers looks pretty good as a Chief. Might have to tuck that knowledge away for future use, like this week.

Oh, so that's Vince Young. Right I forgot.

Hmmm, I guess the Ravens defense is only good after a week off now. What a shame they do not have anymore weeks off.

Wow, look, Tampa Bay found a quarterback. Now they only need…well everything else.

The Bungles lost Chris Henry for the season with a broken forearm. At least they’ll have something to use as an excuse when they collapse.

Why did the umpire in the Eagles/Cowboys game have little black pom poms on his hat?

I have a question. How can Asante Samuel get flagged for taunting after the play, when both he and Marion Barber, the alleged tauntee, were laughing afterwards? It doesn’t seem to make sense.

Steve Mariucci stated, in discussing the Bears loss to the 49ers, that eventually Jay Cutler will be a superstar quarterback. Is that not the argument that has been used since Cutler’s first game? This is now his 4^th season in the NFL. At some point, eventually must turn into now, and I just do not see it.

The Steel Pit

Steelers 28 – Broncos 10

I could not have been more impressed with not only the win on the road, but how the team came back from a lackluster first half.

While the defense got knocked around the entire first half, they clamped down the second half and after one score and never allowed Denver another offensive score.

The offense, after starting off sluggish and out of rhythm, exploded in the second half for three touchdowns. Easily my favorite had to have been after Big Ben was stripped on a sack and Denver returned it for a defensive touchdown. Ben drove the offense 80 yards in 4 plays for the go ahead touchdown. Spectacular and I request more of that this week.

I loved Brett Keisel giving the mile high salute after a sack of Orton. Although I bet Bronco fans didn't though.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is now 5-0 on Monday Night Football.

I have nothing particularly special to say this week. The team looks like it’s really starting to come together, and reach its potential. And if they do, the rest of the NFL should look out. Everyone seems to forget that no matter how great the Colts, Patriots, Bungles or anyone else is, Pittsburgh is still the defending champion. They have not, and look like they feel it’s their duty to remind everyone each week. You can color me excited about that prospect.

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

So in looking up some Jeff Reed stuff a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon one of my new favorite websites. Go ahead, check it out, its hilariously addictive and will cause you to ask, do I look that stupid when I go out and party? The answer is a drunken heck yeah! And try to tell me honestly you don’t bust out laughing at the picture of Reed with a bride to be sash on.

Ok, fine, we get it, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will have a show down this week in Indianapolis. I might actually be slightly more interested if A) we didn’t have this shoved down our throats for the past 7 years B) either team had one the championship in the past two (quick who’s the current defending champion and no they do not play on Sunday night this week) and C) if they actually took the field at the same time and really did have to compete head to head. This storyline is beginning to get as tiresome as Yankees vs. Red Sox. Shocking that two Boston teams are involved in two of the most over-hyped and annoying rivalries in sports.

Texans safety Bernard Pollard, yes that Pollard, had two picks last week in a losing cause against the Colts. But Pollard, who has helped the Texans secondary greatly, seems to be overcoming more than just a change of address from Kansas City. According to Jason Whitlock, Pollard told him Herm Edwards had to call teams, including the Texans, and assuage fears raised from information disseminated by Scott Pioli and Todd Haley after they cut Pollard. Do you just wonder if Pioli did it because of the Tom Brady injury?

Speaking of the Chiefs, they finally wised up and cut ties with underachieving and over insulting malcontent Larry Johnson. Now, this is a smart move just for the type of person Johnson has shown himself to be. But let’s be honest, if he were anything approaching the player he was in 2006, the Chiefs would have sent him to counseling and found a way to smooth everything over. But results trump all.

In weirder Johnson news, rumors have swirled that the erstwhile running back may sign with the Steelers. Yeah right. Why would a team with four good to great running backs pick up a lazy, foul mouthed, woman beating malcontent who doesn’t block and is long past is best years, despite his age? This is more detestable than the Michael Vick to Pittsburgh rumors. Yes, kids it is worse to beat on women than kill dogs. I just know ranking Johnson as more repugnant than Vick will get the Vick haters fired up.

Redskins’ cornerback DeAngelo Hall got into a scrum with Falcons head coach Mike Smith after Hall’s teammate LaRon Landry laid a late hit on Falcon’s quarterback Matt Ryan. Smith has been subsequently fined for the altercation and Hall still looks like a fool.

ESPN’s Rick Reilly has had a mission recently to bring to light the increasingly restricted and ever dwindling experience of tailgating. Rick is attempting to rally the troops to not let this tradition be shackled quietly. Rick, you’re fighting a losing battle here. Tailgating is being restricted for obvious reasons, to lessen liability. And come on, lawyers always trump fun.

Ben Roethlisberger had an interview on ESPN’s E:60, where he talked about his first few seasons in the league, the sexual assault case against him and why he’s fighting back to protect his name and life as a Steeler. I find it interesting he felt he was a bad teammate his first few years and has worked hard to change that. I also find it very interesting that at the point he started to change, his game became unbelievably good.

The previous week before the Bungles showdown with the Ravens, the wacky Chad Ochocinco send deodorant to the Ravens secondary, so they would not sweat going up against him. This week, Chad wanted to send a case of mustard to the Steelers defensive backs because they could not “ketch-up” to him. Marvin Smith talked him out of that one. Why Marvin? Mustard goes great on a “hot dog”.

In more Ochocinco news, jeez I may have to start a new section just for him; Chad attempted to “bribe” an official during the game. The call was going to be on Chad and he lingered around the officials with a dollar bill in his hand. Now, I’ve heard about this from almost every angle, how it’s fun, not fun, disrespectful, sends the wrong message, was it planned and if so why would he commit a penalty like that on purpose, blah blah blah. Why is no one asking the most pertinent question? Where exactly did he keep the dollar?

In The Merry Old Land Of Oz

Hold the phone, don’t keep the champagne on ice and let’s start the celebration early! Despite going up against an opponent with some stellar Steelers on his roster, and despite those same Steelers playing magnificently, I still managed to win my showdown! That marks two straight weeks of winning. Wow, I feel like a champion. I wonder what it will feel like if I ever should reach .500? Must be bliss.

Well, it’s helped that lately my big guns, the players I got assigned after missing the draft, finally started playing consistently huge as advertised. Even better, the ones not advertised are chipping in big time. Boy, winning sure is fun. Although this week, I’m sure I’ll get pasted.

I must admit at this point I’m not learning as much as I have at the beginning of the season. I saw two cats trade their entire wide receiving corps and still cannot figure out why. But hey, it’s an enjoyable sideline thus far, now that I’ve learned to take it with the grain of salt it deserves. The Lady K would agree.

Upon Further Review

One of the ever growing stories on the periphery of the NFL right now is the link between on field injuries and concussions and the long term impact multiple concussions causes in players post game lives. The NFL is playing duck and dodge with this issue, because if more attention was paid to this, and they needed to make serious changes as to how policy goes on teams and in the league in general, it could drastically change how the game is played, and how teams are built with players. Actually many of the ramifications I can think of without being an insider on this discussion are somewhat mind boggling. But that is a discussion for another day.

Also for another day are the specific numbers, studies and congressional hearings that have come forth in recent months and years. Others with more access and a better skill with a pen have properly captured this issue, and I shant attempt to rehash their work. But what I would like to address today is one key component to the argument about this issue. The largest obstacle those who work to lessen and eliminate the dangers of concussions face is the an attitude that either these things happen or only a wimp would let such a thing sideline them put forth from the NFL as a whole and players in particular. And overcoming this attitude may be the one thing that makes actual progress toward real change.

Proponents to change use studies and medical evidence to push for widespread usage of better helmets now available, mandatory bench time after a concussion, better diagnosis on the field and treatment afterward. But players know that they are one snap away from possibly being replaced. They want to get back on the field as soon as possible to show they are the man for that job and no one else. Leads to a dangerous situation where they make themselves more susceptible to further injury and a shortened career.

While this seems counterintuitive on the surface, why would you risk shortening your career in order to play today, it happens. And it’s justified by players looking at concussions as, they happen, it’s a violent game, what are you gonna do? Writing a guest column for Sports Illustrated this week, Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley touched upon the issue of concussions. Woodley stated amongst other items that,

“No matter how many rules or equipment changes you have, I just don't think you can eliminate concussions from the game.”

This very attitude, which displays ignorance, acceptance of status quo and resistance to change, is at the core of the hindrances facing the problem. If players just accept these things as a fact of life, and do not open themselves to new treatments, new equipment or new ideas, yes concussions will always be a part of the game. And most likely, part of many players post game lives.

But perhaps worse than a lack of knowledge is the manly man attitude that just because you got your bell rung doesn’t mean you should sit out. In last week’s action, Redskins running back Clinton Portis suffered a concussion and did not return. During the NFL Network post game show, Deion Sanders, a man I already have issues with, set forth mocking Portis for sustaining the injury. This reckless behavior causes these testosterone fueled competitors to not only want to prove the idiot commenting wrong, thus rushing back too soon and risking further injury and debilitation, but also causes other players quietly suffering to keep their mouth shut in fear of being labeled weak. Yes, it’s juvenile, stupid and ridiculous but it happens. No one wants to show weakness in front of an opponent, and with attitudes like Sanders’ prevailing, many players look upon such things as showing weakness.

Look, you have to be a tough guy to play in the NFL. No argument there. But this isn’t some old school thing where you tape it up, rub dirt on it or walk it off. Long term consequences include dementia, early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, seizures and premature death. Just ask Mike Webster’s family how bad things can get.

I know NFL players feel they could lose their spot in the line up, and no one wants to be perceived as weak. But a smart coach will know who is the best on the field and will not forget it injury or no. I mean, Bob Sanders always seems to be wrecking a knee or pulling something, yet he still gets his spot back in the line up when healthy. And the true sign of a strong man is one willing to stand up and say no, I am not right, in the face of those too short sighted to see the big picture.

He Said He Said

"Let me start out by saying that I'm responsible for all of the decisions that are made with our football team. The [red] zone decisions are my responsibility. They are nobody else's. No one else made a mistake. The quarterback did not make a mistake. The decision was mine.'' - Giants head coach Tom Coughlin after the Giants 4^th consecutive loss

Very admirable falling on the sword Tom, I always dig a cat with a buck stops here mentality. However the question remains, just how do you turn into this wave and break through?

I officially declare Patriots-Colts Hype Week kicked off. – SI.com’s Peter King

I officially declare myself nauseous.

"Well, there's times when I think I'm open, and I wish I'd get the ball. But I'm not Tony. And I have no idea what he's going through back there. Usually he's got some 300-pound guy back there chasing him, trying to rip his head off. So no, I don't get too upset by that. Right now, we've got a good thing going. Guys are making plays when they're called.'' - Dallas receiver Miles Austin

Wait a minute, a humble receiver with common sense? Is that one of the seven signs of the apocalypse?

"I stay in Atlanta during the offseason, so if Mike Smith wants to see me, he can definitely find me." – Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall in response to his scrum with Falcons head coach Mike Smith

I guess Hall has gotten tired of getting beat by guys his own age and wants to try a new way to get humiliated.

"Not much I can do about it, and I'm pretty used to it by now. But it does piss me off. If I was a dirty player, would my coach [Mike Tomlin] tell me, 'Don't change a thing you do?'” – Steelers receiver Hines Ward on the subject of being voted the NFL’s dirtiest player.

Hmmm, I thought Hines took this with a grain of salt, but it seems to have cheesed him off. Wait, a cheesed off Hines scored two touchdowns last week…. Hey Hines, you smell and your mama dresses you funny too! That ought to be good for at least one touchdown.

"We didn't let 'em off the hook." - Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt wrapping up his postgame press conference with a slap to the microphone

Brilliant, no words are necessary.

"I just work here. If Jake's the guy, Jake's the guy. It's not my call." – Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith

Yeah, that makes me soooo want to believe in Carolina. Bad times are a coming.

"We're legit. The tape doesn't lie. That's our whole thing is to earn respect. We don't care if we're underdogs. At the end of the day, our job is to make you or whoever is out there a believer." – Bungles safety Chris Crocker

You tell ‘em Chris. LEAVE CARSON ALONE! (I cannot be the only one who made the Chris Crocker connection, can I? Or am I just that behind the times?)

Idiot of the week

Hmmm, who could possibly be the idiot this week….

Could it be DeAngelo Hall for picking a fight with Mike Smith? Could be, that is pretty dumb getting into a scuffle with the opposing teams head coach. But it’s not.

Could it be Deion Sanders for scoffing at Clinton Portis after he suffered a concussion? Could be, but Sanders seems to enjoy the taste of foot, so I’ll let him pass.

Oh I know, Bears defensive lineman Tommie Harris.

Harris, in all his brilliance, took out his early frustration last week against the Cardinals by punching Cardinal guard Deuce Lutui in the head. I argued the last few weeks that players can sometimes deliver hits or blows in the heat and speed of the moment they normally would not. But this does not fall in that category. It occurred after the play and Harris obviously was trying to make a point. I suppose the point was look at how dumb I am. Point duly noted. Now, this was bad enough, but what made it worse was it was 64 seconds into the game so how frustrated could he be.

Compounding his stupidity, Harris performed said moronic act right in front of Ed Hochuli, and we all know you just don’t mess with Ed. Even Chuck Norris has yet to mess with Big Guns Hochuli.

Ed of course tossed Harris, and the Bears defense had to play the remainder of the game short handed on the line. With less pressure coming at him, Kurt Warner eviscerated the Bears defense on the way to a rout.

So Tommie, for bone headedly punching a guy, and doing it in front of Ed Hochuli, getting tossed from the game and leaving your teammates to pick up the slack from your stupid move, you are an idiot.

Taking the Week Off

Giants – And boy do they need it. At the very least, it will take an extra week to pull the slings and arrows out of Coughlin that he absorbed taking responsibility.

Texans – There’s not enough salve in the world to dissipate the sting of losing a close one to the Colts. Although taping kicker Kris Brown to the goalposts for a few days may help.

On Tap This Week

Well, last week was not so great. But this week has started off on the right track.

Last week: 8-5

This week: 1-0

Season to date: 93-37

Thanks to last week turning out decent, despite me monkeying with my picks at the last minute, again, and a good start to this week I still hold the top spot. Now, let’s see if I can once again avoid screwing that up.

Sunday

Detroit (1-7) at Minnesota (7-1)

Yeah right. This might be AP’s big day, the one missing for a while now.

Vikings over Lions

Tampa Bay (1-7) at Miami (3-5)

If Tampa Bay does not win in regular uniforms, will they go back to the creamsicle specials? I hope so, because despite being in the minority on this I think they’re sweet.

Dolphins over Buccaneers

Buffalo (3-5) at Tennessee (2-6)

Hmmm, I wonder what the top running back in the league will do this time.

Titans over Bills

New Orleans (8-0) at St. Louis (1-7)

Drew Brees will be chowing on a po’ boy by halftime.

Saints over Rams

Jacksonville (4-4) at New York Jets (4-4)

Ok, the Jets have had a week to think about what they’ve done. But will it be enough to contain a burgeoning Jax team? I hope so.

Jets over Jaguars

Denver (6-2) at Washington (2-6)

Now this will be the salve that stops a two game losing streak.

Broncos over Redskins

Cincinnati (6-2) at Pittsburgh (6-2)

Despite what you may have heard, this is the real game of the week. A grudge match game between bitter rivals with the division on the line. Now one more time with feeling Joey, who dey say gonna beat dem Bengals?

Steelers over Bungles

Atlanta (5-3) at Carolina (3-5)

I’m sorry, I know Carolina has played better, but I just do not trust them when there’s a chance Delhomme could be called upon to save the day.

Falcons over Panthers

Kansas City (1-7) at Oakland (2-6)

And now, the game that no one watched. The Chiefs have now added a good wide receiver and jettisoned a locker room cancer. I’m going to go out on a limb here.

Chiefs over Raiders

Dallas (6-2) at Green Bay (4-4)

I want to pick Green Bay. I really do. I want to believe in them. I know they need this so badly. But after last week, how can I trust them?

Cowboys over Packers

Seattle (3-5) at Arizona (5-3)

Ok, I’m going to cautiously predict that the Arizona team that trampled the Bears will show up, and not the one that laid a turd against the Panthers. But your guess is as good as mine as to which team takes the field.

Cardinals over Seahawks

Philadelphia (5-3) at San Diego (5-3)

Speaking of bipolar teams, ladies and gentlemen your 2009 Philadelphia Eagles! Here’s how I picked this one. San Diego barely beat the Giants. Philadelphia dissected the Giants. Therefore the Eagles are better than the Chargers. If you have a better way of figuring out this team, go right ahead. Because the only other way I know, choose between head coaches, has me stymied. I mean, how do you pick the worse coach between Andy Reid and Norv Turner? It’ll be moronic challenges, ill advised timeouts and nimrod level play calling for three hours. NFL fever, catch it!

Eagles over Chargers

New England (6-2) at Indianapolis (8-0)

Remember way back at the beginning of the season when I said Tom Brady would not look good until the middle of the season when he was surer of his knee? And how does Tom look now? Yeah I thought so. And how will Tom look against a weak Colt secondary? Yeah, I thought so too. The real question is, will Peter King’s head explode on Football Night In America in joyous anticipation.

Patriots over Colts

Monday

Baltimore (4-4) at Cleveland (1-7)

The Browns will be starting Brady Quinn at quarterback. Yeah, that’ll help. Finally the Baltimore defense will have an opportunity to look good.

Ravens over Browns

The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 10 Thursday Night Special

We’ve reached the point in the season where the Thursday night game has been restored. Yes, some may say this is the beginning of Thursday night games, but come now. I remember one way back in the beginning of September. There was a big amount of hoopla surrounding it too, if I recall.

Regardless, I’m a might confused as to the start this year. Perhaps my memory fails me, but did they not begin again on Thanksgiving previously? I suppose Tuesday Morning Quarterback would just include this in his Universal Theory of Creep.

Nonetheless, we now have three scrumptious days of NFL action on which to indulge, and never more than two consecutive days without a game. My cup runneth over.

And with this game, a return of NFL game coverage on the NFL Network. This season, since Cris Collinsworth nabbed the sweet gig on Sunday Night Football, Bob Papa will be teamed with Matt Millen. Wouldn’t it be fun to have Bryant Gumbel and Millen in the same booth? Imagine that pairing.

So with a game scheduled before Sunday, I give this tasty early pick, a sort of appetizer before the main course. And who doesn’t love appetizers?

On Tap Tonight

Chicago (4-4) at San Francisco (3-5)

NFLN keeps pimping the Singletary facing his old team storyline. Sure there’s a compelling side to this angle, as Singletary had a Hall of Fame career as the Bears middle linebacker in a legendary defense. And that defense brought the Bears their only Super Bowl victory. But when was the last time Mike was intimately associated with Chicago? It’s not like they parted ways acrimoniously so there’s some revenge factor involved, nor are Chicago and San Francisco natural division rivals either. I suppose some ridiculous angle must be exploited to hype a game between two teams who do not have winning records.

San Francisco started off wild, with a 3-1 record and seemingly gunning for the division. After that, four straight losses although they did face some fierce competition. Regardless, if you want to be a team on the rise, you must deliver.

Chicago, well they have Jay Cutler, they must be 8-0 right? No? How is that even possible? He’s the greatest quarterback of all time right? By the items I read, you would think Jay has won the Super Bowl in every season he’s played. What, he hasn’t? I don’t understand. I thought by what people were saying of his greatness, that Denver made the dumbest move in the history of the universe in letting this charming, personable and intelligent young man find fame and fortune elsewhere. Yeah, I’m still not buying the Cutler hype.

Ok, I’m not a real big fan of either team. But I am a fan of Singletary and how he gets his boys ready. If he had just a few more key people, he might have something there. But even without, I think this is a good time for them to break their losing streak.

49ers over Bears

The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 9

Yeah, there was only one game last week. And yeah, you’ll hear about it here as well, but I promise to mix in some other interesting things, I swear. Just suck it up a little more, power through a little bit about the great Brett Favre, and then maybe we can all get on with our lives. Boy I hope so.


Opening Kickoff

In preparation for their game against the Patriots this week, Dolphin linebacker and all around great quote Joey Porter sounded off that Tom Brady has his own special rules, his natural hate for the Patriots and how he still feels their cheaters. Boy I love Joey.


The Way It Was

I think after all that has happened Brett Favre finally got how Packer fans felt. As he strode onto the field for the Vikings first offensive series, the boos cascaded down upon him. Now, Brett gave a little wink to the sidelines, but his face betrayed his true emotions. His face, at least to me, read yes, this hurts more than I imagined. It looked like at that moment, he got it. And that’s all I ever wanted. Now everyone can get some peace.

Brad Childress, are you a head coach or a drive thru worker? What was with that head set?

Wow, the 49ers gave the Colts a wild ride. A little too wild, since the Colts lost starting linebacker Tyjuan Hagler for the season with a ruptured biceps. That just sounds painful.

Neck beard, where did you go?

Ok, Derrick Mason, you had a point. You were absolutely held. But going off like a bomb at the referee, then continuing the nonsense on the sideline and walking back out onto the field and needing to be restrained by your coach? Get a grip. Bad calls happen, deal with them.

Rams safety James Butler made a crucial interception against the Lions in the end zone, proceeded to run out of the end zone, got bottled up, ran back into said end zone and was promptly sacked for a safety. Gee, I wonder why St. Louis stinks.

What goes up must go down. The Texans lost tight end Owen Daniels for the season. Unfortunately, Daniels was their second leading receiver. So much for that over .500 record dreams.

Obviously Miles Austin is taking this opportunity as a starting wide receiver seriously and focusing solely on the job at hand. Because that was the worst dunk over the crossbar I’ve ever seen. Come on Miles, even Spud Webb could get to the rim and dude was five foot nothing!

Forgive me, but I forgot where I read this and cannot give proper credit but it’s too good to pass up. The Raiders defense, on average, gives up 100 more yards rushing, per game, than the Steelers defense. Bwha ha ha ha ha ha!

Jay Cutler got into a jawing match during Sunday’s game with Cleveland defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. What, you can only talk smack to older, fat guys now Jay? What a d-bag.


The Steel Pit

With no game last week, the Steeler front has been rather quiet. Actually except for the calf injury Travis Kirschke is working through, and most likely will miss Monday night’s game because of, there really has been only one pertinent topic of discussion. That, of course, is the status of Ryan Clark for Monday night’s game in Denver.

In case you did not know, two years ago Clark and the Steelers played in Denver. The overexertion at high altitude combined the sickle cell trait and another ailment, caused Clark to become alarmingly sick and at points close to dying. Doctors were able to figure out what was wrong, but only after Clark lost over 30 pounds and had to have is spleen and gall bladder removed. Clark missed the remainder of the season, but has come back strong ever since.

Now, with no official word late into the week, by practice reports it was obvious the Steelers would not be playing Clark Monday night. To this I say great, but why was Clark’s participation even being debated?

Look, Ryan Clark is a fierce hitter and a tough competitor. His presence on the field makes the Steelers defense so much better. But no game is worth risking your life over. From the very beginning when focus shifted to this game, the team should have just said, we love Ryan and love having him on the field. But we love having him around even more so he’s going to get an extra week off.

Tyrone Carter, the Steelers backup safety, I hope has gone up to Ryan at some point and just said, Ryan don’t worry about this we got this. You relax and prepare for next week.

Most players that have been interviewed on the subject have said Clark should sit out, so they do understand. But the organization itself should have stated as much too, ended all goofy debate and whatever competitive edge they got from shrouding the situation from the media and the Broncos. Who cares in a situation like this? It’s not like he has turf toe, it’s far more serious than that.

I mean, if you look at this from just a football perspective, which would you rather have, Ryan Clark missing for one week or the remainder of the season, or perhaps longer?

But look at it in a human perspective, this man is a friend, teammate, husband and father. Are not those things more important? I understand the competitive nature of pro athletes does not allow them to want to take a day off, no matter the reason. But at some point common sense must come into play. And now is a good time for some common sense.


Only In Faux NFL Reality…

The Bears paid tribute to late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton at halftime of their game against Cleveland on Sunday. Ahhh, Sweetness.

Fox, in their infinite wisdom, provided fans with Favre Cam during Sunday’s game. If you logged onto the Fox Sports website, you could watch a camera trained on Brett for the entire game. Just how many times can you watch a man blow snot rockets and still find it entertaining?

From the thanks but what have you done for me lately file, the Seahawks released running back Edgerrin James while the Chargers waived wide receiver Chris Chambers. If NFL teams are cutting players, so much for that economic turnaround,

From the nature abhors a vacuum department, since TO has been quiet, other receivers have been spotted acting poorly, me first and prone to sideline histrionics. Last week, the Seahawks T.J. Houshmandzadeh and, believe it or not, Dallas’ Roy Williams have been pouting lately. Williams should shut up and be glad he’s on a winning team for once and as for T.J.? Who would have ever thought someone would longingly look back at their time with the Bungles?

In a Sports Illustrated poll of 296 NFL players, Hines Ward was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL. Apparently, making your blocks and hitting defenders is now considered dirty. Perhaps the Packer offensive line should start playing dirtier too.

The NFL concluded their investigation regarding Browns running back James Davis, and found no wrongdoing on the part of the Browns. Perhaps the NFL should turn that investigative eye toward the crime being perpetrated on Browns fans for the past 10 years.

Speaking of which, in an attempt to shake things up, the Browns fired general manager George Kokinis. So, to fix things, Cleveland fired a well respected team executive with a long track record of success after less than a year on the job. Yet Eric Mangini remains employed. I think the Miz was right; the Browns are the new Lions.

Now, reports say Mangini may have a word in picking the next general manager of the Browns. Seriously? How much worse can the Browns make this situation?

Cleveland fans, at their wits end, are trying to put together a protest where fans stay out of their seats for the opening of their next home game. Sorry guys, but this will not work, mainly because most people will think this typical for a Browns game.

Not to keep beating a dead horse, but Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson’s passer rating for the season is. 36.2. Once again, that’s for the season, not last week.

I vaguely remember stating previously, perhaps near the end of last season, that I liked how Tom Cable had the Raiders playing tough, even if they were still losing. Apparently, he plays tough off the field too. And yes, in this mea culpa I will state I feel like an ass for previously saying that. But hey, I didn’t know the guy or investigate his past. What’s the Raiders’ excuse? But seriously, how is this guy still employed, and violence is a pattern, how is there insufficient evidence that he broke his assistant’s jaw?

In further Raider pathetic news, former tight end Jeremy Brigham is accused of beating on the father, and ironically his former assistant, of one of the players on the pee wee league football team he coaches. I’m sure I’m not the only one that as soon as I saw Raiders in the article, I went, yeah that makes sense. At this point, if you heard that Al Davis had practice squad players killed and bathed in their blood, would you be shocked? Me either.


In The Merry Old Land Of Oz

Dang, I won, and big! Could this be a turnaround? Could it? Could I become kid comeback? Win the last 8 games, sneak into the playoffs, reek havoc and walk away as champion? Dare I dream? Dare I hope?

Who am I up against this week? Who’s my first victim on the comeback tour? Let’s see my opponent has Tom Brady, Hines Ward and the Steelers defense….

Hmmmm. Ok, postpone the celebration. The comeback starts NEXT week.


Upon Further Review

Bad teams always seem to have a glimmer of hope, no matter how faint it may be. That maybe one thing will turn it all around, a new coach, a new player, some new mojo, something. Fans grab that one thing, hold it dear and care for it as their hopes and dreams of watching their team hoist a championship trophy rest with that one thing. Now, some fans are realistic and know their team may never be great, but that one thing can always provide hope and at least a wonderful dream.

But I wonder at this point, what hook of hope do Redskins fans have to hang their hat on? I believe the Redskins may be the worst team, with Dan Snyder the worst owner, in sports.

I know you could have an argument for other owners, including Al Davis of the Raiders. But at least there was a point when Davis was aware, alive and built a winner. Dan Snyder has never done that, and in my humble opinion never will. And at least Raider fans can hope for the day the grim reaper comes for Al, although it’s looking more and more that Davis may never die. But hope still abounds. What hope do Redskin fans have?

Fans at this point are using new ownership as their only beacon of light. But Snyder is a relatively young man in seemingly good health. Time has nothing on him right now. And why would he sell the team? While the product has become increasingly worse, the value of the franchise has only gone up. How does that even happen?

On the field, fans have close to no hope. Snyder and his deep pockets run the team like a fantasy football GM on speed, throwing money around for middling talent and never learning a lesson from past mistakes. Sure, they have some incredible talent, but none of it seems to make a difference in the outcome of games.

Now, this hurts, but the most perplexing and maddening is how Snyder keeps heaping insult on top of all of this. Here is a very brief list of some of the insults slung by Snyder

- The constant revolving door at head coach, which will soon claim another victim. This one will be ousted after hiring a bingo calling consultant to help out. Just saying that still boggles the mind.

- In the arguably worst move, Snyder felt justified in suing fans who could not pay for his absurdly priced season tickets for a sub par product. Way to garner fan support in a tough economy Dan.

- Snyder banned fan signs from FedEx Field, presumably to stop seeing himself trashed on national television.

- He also banned brown paper bags. Really?

- The team’s tailgating policy and permissions were revised, without warning to fans. Yes, brilliant move there Dan. Don’t allow fans to find enjoyment, rally together and hopefully get drunk enough to forget about the crappy team before the game. Keep them sober and surly.

- Snyder isn’t completely dumb. He at least does understand a drunken fan is a forgetful fan. He just wants to control how they consume, even if it’s in the bathroom.

- Tired of bad press, Snyder has taken criticism of his team to an infantile level, establishing a war against the Washington Post. Yup, it’s their fault you suck.

- Snyder enjoys palling around with Tom Cruise. Not that such a thing directly affects the fortunes of a team, but does it make you feel good that your owner enjoys the company of a nut?

- Even former players are blasting the team.

In what may be the most bizarre move yet, Snyder stated recently that the team has let everyone down. The team has let people down? Really Dan?

I wish I had an answer for Redskin fans, something that could be said to help them and give them hope. All I can say is, you know there are some other pretty good teams out there who are always happy to have a few good fans.


He Said He Said

''What I've done here speaks for itself,'' Favre said. ''What I was part of was awesome. That will never change.'' – Vikings quarterback Brett Favre

Now was that so hard to say something nice to Packer fans Brett?

"The NFL sort of has this blanket denial or minimizing of the fact that there may be this link [between playing football and brain injuries later in life]. And it sort of reminds me of the tobacco companies pre-nineties when they kept saying, 'Oh, there's no link between smoking and damage to your health.’ " - Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California.), to Commissioner Roger Goodell Wednesday during his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington.

I find it a shame that this issue has dragged on so long that a House Judiciary Committee has become involved. If Goodell does not make some serious changes, and soon, this will get much worse before it gets better. If it ever does.

"This one will hurt for a couple of days, physically and mentally.'' Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Aaron, just head out to the parking lot, down a brat and a beer with the Packer faithful and commiserate together. Heck I bet you could find at least 5 people that would give you better protection on the line, and 10 that could put together a better game plan.

"Just noticed this on my Packers credential: It's Green Bay home game No. 4. Of course it is.'' – Los Angeles Times’ Sam Farmer Twitting from Lambeau Field Sunday.

Sam, no, it’s not game number 4. It’s game number Favre. Get it right.

"I feel bad for the fans. I feel sorry for the fans, and we're very, very appreciative of our loyal fan base. We just feel terrible. We're disappointed. We're embarrassed, and we hope to get it going soon." – Redskins owner Dan Snyder

Is this the same fans you treat worse than serfs? Oddly enough, this was not said with any hint of irony or acknowledgement that his actions alone are what prompted said quote. Dan you say self deluded? I knew you could!

“I don’t know why people want so many details about someone else’s life. I’m not sharing.” Bills linebacker Keith Ellison talking about Twitter.

Welcome Keith, to my pantheon of favorite players.

“How can I be the dirtiest player on the field, a little old wideout with no speed? I don’t know whether to be happy or mad about it?” – Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward on being voted the NFL’s dirtiest player in a Sports Illustrated poll.

Since Hines was smiling when he said this, I think the answer is happy.

“Other guys are such pansies now. When I play a guy like (Ward), I vote for that guy to go to the Pro Bowl.” Steelers’ safety Ryan Clark in response to the Sports Illustrated poll.

Hear hear, Ryan, hear hear.

"They're a great team. They'll probably contend for the Super Bowl. They have a tremendous offense, great running backs, a great quarterback, a great tight end. They are stacked across the board. I'm serious. They are great." - New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott on the Miami Dolphins

"I'm serious." – Scott, when asked if being sarcastic regarding his previous comment.

"My job is to report on what happens in the NFL. On Sunday, the story of the day in the NFL was the all-time passing leader's return to the place where he parted so bitterly in 2008. Favre played well for the second time this year against the Packers under pressurized circumstances. I wrote about it. I'm not kneeling at his feet. I'm reporting the story of the day in the NFL, interviewing the player, like him or not, who is a polarizing figure.” – SI.com’s Peter King on criticism of his Favre-centric column on Monday.

Excellent justification and I agree he was the story of the day. But come on, there’s reporting, and then there’s constant fawning and hero worship. And Peter, please lodge this somewhere in your frontal lobes, most people while recognizing how special a player Favre is, are tired of him.

“I respectfully disagree that rushing, and I mean, Fox sprinted off the Favre game, to the last two minutes of a game that was already decided (it was a 13-point game) that was being shown to about 6 percent of the country was the right idea.” – SI.com’s Peter King, responding to a readers comments that Fox was right to leave the Vikings/Packers game.

Come on Peter, we all know you were just upset you weren’t able to gaze longer at Favre. As if 3 hours glued to Favre Cam wasn’t enough for you.


Idiot of the week

Did everyone see this week’s winner on display in Green Bay this week? The camera had some great shots of him, ensconced in his own personal hell sweating, staring and fretting over defensive shifts and offensive flops. You guessed it; this week’s winner is Packers general Ted Thompson.

Oh I’ve said often blame for the Packer/Favre divorce should be spread equally, and Thompson very much deserves a heaping portion of the blame. Favre has been not so subtle with his dislike of Thompson, and how he feels Ted drove him out of town. I’m not going to debate about who’s right or wrong. To paraphrase an old saying, there are three sides to every story, one side, the other and the truth.

But Ted’s actions to shed Favre, no matter the reasoning, created an uncomfortable situation for the team and an unbearable situation for fans. What will Ted do if the Vikings do indeed win a Super Bowl with Brett under center? Obviously Favre still has the talent; if only Ted had surrounded him with some then this would be the Packers sitting at a sweet 7-1 and in control of the division. Many people have minimized Favre’s contributions by saying if you switched Favre and Aaron Rodgers, the game would have turned out the same. Ok, what does that mean? It means the Packer offense is terrible except for Rodgers.

So, for ticking off the face of the franchise to the point he became obsessed with revenge, shipping out said face of the franchise for a handful of magic beans, ill equipping his replacement to do proper battle and lead the franchise back to glory, and confusing, alienating and tearing apart the fan base that so loyally supports the team, Ted Thompson you are an idiot.


Taking the Week Off

Bills – In addition to having their training room double as a set for Trauma, Buffalo will also search for TO, and who has been missing since training camp.

Browns – Unfortunately, Browns players will be shocked to discover that this is not the merciful end of the season, and they will have to report back next week for additional games. Although, not as shocked as Browns fans will be when they learn there’s more torture, I mean games, to come.

Vikings –Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre.

Jets – Who feels like a Coney Island frank?

Raiders – See Browns bye week.

Rams – See Raiders bye week.


On Tap This Week

Ok, I didn’t go 0-13. However….

You know those weeks where you feel ok about your picks, and then the first play you watch sets the tone for the remainder of the day? Yeah, that’s what happened. As soon as I watched Kyle Orton get pounded on the Broncos first play, I knew it was going to be a long day. I was not wrong.

Last week: 7-6
Season to date: 84-32

I went against my first instincts and changed picks at the last minute. Suffice to say, I lost all those I changed. Dumb dumb dumb. Somehow, I let Sherman Lewis call my picks. Not this week, no way.

Sunday

Baltimore (4-3) at Cincinnati (5-2)

You think Ray Lewis doesn’t remember last time these two teams played? I do. I also know Marvin Lewis is 1-4-1 coming out of a bye week as the Bungles head coach.

Ravens over Bungles

Houston (5-3) at Indianapolis (7-0)

Wow, look Houston is two games above .500 for the first time in their history. Wow, look, Indianapolis is starting two rookies at corner. Could Houston go three games above?

Texans over Colts

Green Bay (4-3) at Tampa Bay (0-7)

Well, Aaron Rodgers and Cheese heads can take solace this week in the fact that no only does Tampa Bay not have Brett Favre, they also have no pass rush.

Packers over Buccaneers

Arizona (4-3) at Chicago (4-3)

Ugh. I hate the Cardinals. Really guys, pick a side, are you good and explosive or terrible and mistake prone? Just pick one, that’s all.

Bears over Cardinals

Miami (3-4) at New England (5-2)

Oooh, look out for the potent Wildcat! Yeah, if not for Ted Ginn’s theatrics on kick returns, Miami would have had bumpkis last week. You think with an extra week to prepare Bill Belichick won’t find a way to get better kickoff coverage? Sorry Joey.

Patriots over Dolphins

Kansas City (1-6) at Jacksonville (3-4)

I suppose someone must win.

Jaguars over Chiefs

Washington (2-5) at Atlanta (4-3)

Yeah right. I wouldn’t take Washington now if it was a falling down contest.

Falcons over Redskins

Carolina (3-4) at New Orleans (7-0)

Now, as soon as Carolina gets behind they’ll revert to the pass. Once that happens, Darren Sharper will have a lovely day.

Saints over Panthers

Detroit (1-6) at Seattle (2-5)

Hmmm, poo sandwich or poo casserole? I’ll take the sandwich; I can finish that one faster.

Seahawks over Lions

Tennessee (1-6) at San Francisco (3-4)

Eh, I’ll take a chance and go Titans two weeks in a row. After all, Chris Johnson is a man possessed.

Titans over 49ers

San Diego (4-3) at New York Giants (5-3)

The Giants have a horrible secondary and Eli Manning is reverting to Peyton’s little brother. Their bye week is one week too late. Heaven help me I’m backing Norv Turner on the road…

Chargers over Giants

Dallas (5-2) at Philadelphia (5-2)

Oh we have a good one here. A revitalized Cowboys team against an explosive Eagles team with the division lead on the line. I like both teams, but who have the Cowboys played? I gotta go with the Birds.

Eagles over Cowboys

Monday

Pittsburgh (5-2) at Denver (6-1)

“and most of all, beware of the Neck Beard.” – Bill Simmons. Whoa wait a minute there Bill. No one has touted the wonders of the Neck Beard more than I, so I know when to truly be aware of it. And this week, it will be trimmed.

Steelers over Broncos

The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 8

It is Halloween weekend in the NFL. I heard to scare fans Brett Favre was going to dress up as Viking. Wait, that’s not a costume but his real uniform? Oh my.

Opening Kickoff

Hey, did you hear prodigal son Brett Favre is returning to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to face his old team in enemy colors? No? Wow, you really would think the NFL would advertise such an event more than once every 30 seconds.


The Way It Was

In the Texans victory over the 49ers, Andre Johnson left the game and was sent to the hospital with a lung contusion. Johnson was spitting up blood on the field. Mercifully, Johnson has recovered and looks set to play again this week. Although that’s a scary sight.

The New Orleans Saints staged a memorable second half comeback from down 24-3 at one point. And this occurred on Drew Brees’ statistically worst day this season. Honestly, what can stop this team at this at this point? The Steeler defense looked great last Sunday, but I have my doubts that even the Black and Gold could stop Brees and company.

Now that’s the Reggie Bush the saints drafted. Bush scored a touchdown after launching himself from the 6 yard line and my jaw dropped about six yards at the same time. Scintillating.

Seriously John Fox, your job is on the line. Jeff Garcia is doing nothing. What would it hurt at this point? It couldn’t possibly be worse than the weekly Jake Delhomme turnover fest.

I cannot stand the Bills. Make up your mind guys; are you good or do you suck?

Hmmm I completely forgot about the Cedric Benson revenge game last week. Boy he stuck it to Chicago big time.

So did Carson Palmer, for that matter.

That big money for Cutler sure seems worth it this week, no? Kudos to Chicago for investing in a “leader”.

Wow JaMarcus Russell was so bad the Raiders gave up and went Bruce Gradkowski. Sadly for Oakland fans, head coach Tom “you mess with the bull you get the horn” Cable announced after the game Russell will remain the starter. Like it makes a difference either way, the team still sucks.

Jets running back Leon Washington broke his leg on an awful play and is now gone for the season. See, nothing good ever happens in the Black Hole.

How good is Miles Austin? I hope Romo is picking up the tab every time Austin goes out to dinner, because Miles is saving his bacon and the team’s season almost singlehandedly at this stage.

Will the real Cowboys please stand up? Is this the real team that whacked a good Falcons team or is the real team the other one who barely put away a crappy KC team? I’m just curious regarding how I should rank you for the remainder of the season.

Wow, good for you Phillip Rivers. You kicked the crap out of the Chiefs. Guess your team is Super Bowl ready now!


The Steel Pit

Last week on As The Favre Turns, an evil presence invades the town of Kiln, and Favre faces his first major setback in his Packer payback tour.

Wow, what an exciting game between two very good teams. And I got my wish. On the last play of the game, Mr. James Harrison introduced Mr. Brett Favre to the Heinz Field turf! Maybe James is a regular reader. If you are Debo, thanks for that one, I loved it!

Obviously I am thrilled with the outcome, especially the defensive performance, but let’s get a bit of controversy out of the way.

I agree and will not start an argument with anyone. The tripping penalty against Jeff Dugan was ticky tack, but if the Vikings were a better team they would have scored on the very next play. And they didn’t. Their defense did well shutting down Pittsburgh’s attack, more than well enough to win the game. But bad play calling by Brad Childress and two turnovers by Brett Favre that lead to 14 defensive points were the true difference. Get over it.

Speaking of said defensive points, outstanding performances by LaMarr Woodley and Keyaron Fox, making heads up plays and scoring decisive touchdowns. Even better was the defense on both plays setting up a convoy down the field to allow these gentlemen to score. It reminded me fondly of Super Bowl 43.

Not so great, the Vikings breaking a kick return for a touchdown after one defensive touchdown. Nice tackle Jeff Reed. Quit thinking about the post game party and focus on your job.

Like I said, I dug the defensive performance. Yes, they did give up a ton of yardage, which is always sub-optimal. But what they did won the game. They sacked Favre 4 times and kept him from scoring, took two turnovers in for scores and displayed tremendous grit on a decisive third quarter goal line stand that kept Minnesota out of the end zone. This series alone turned momentum toward Pittsburgh and kept the defense amped up on a day the offense did not show its best stuff. On top of that, they held Adrian Peterson to under 100 yards.

And speaking of which, how good is Peterson? That play near the end of the game where he ran over William Gay was fabulous. I think they’re still digging Willie out of the turf.

Ok, the offense did not have its best game, but that doesn’t mean it did awful. They made plays when they had to, overcame some stifling coverage to score one touchdown and the offensive line was increasingly superb. That unit opened wide running lanes and gave Big Ben tremendous protection against a top notch defense. If the offense had been able to find their rhythm, this game would not have been as close.

The only real bad things that came from this game were Mendenhall’s dumb fumble inside the five yard line, another head scratcher, and of course Lawrence Timmons and Travis Kirschke leaving the game with injuries. With a week off, they could be set for the second half of the season, but we shall see. In the meantime, Steeler fans can savor over the bye week a big win over a good opponent.


Only In Faux NFL Reality…

Another week, yet another questionable call in a football game. People lost their minds complaining about the very questionable tripping call that cost Minnesota a touchdown in their loss to Pittsburgh. But what bugged me is that no one mentioned Benny Sapp's illegal hit on Ben Roethlisberger. Last week on a similar hit between Dante Wesley and Clifton Smith, people fell all over themselves to decry the hit, vilify Wesley and once again complain about the violence in the NFL. This week, with a similar situation except the intent was obvious since Ben was out of bounds when he was hit and Sapp seemingly launched himself after Ben left the field of play, not only was Sapp not tossed from the game, but people are ignoring the subject altogether.

Last week I argued that perhaps in the speed of the game, Wesley operated on instinct instead of thinking the situation through. I will argue the same for Sapp as well. He’s starting for an injured player, trying to make an impression and stop a vital element of his opponent. Perhaps Sapp got caught up in the moment. Yeah, I hated the play, but I’m willing to be consistent here and give a benefit of the doubt. However, why am I the only one? Talking heads that spewed from their soap boxes regarding the evil of Wesley said not one word about Sapp. And officials who rightfully tossed Wesley last week were nowhere to be found in Pittsburgh, as Sapp continued to play the remainder of the game. If the NFL wants it’s officiating to be taken seriously, it needs to be consistent in these situations. If one guy gets tossed for a vicious hit, then you need to toss every guy who does a similar act. But disappointingly, everyone ignored yet another terrible call and example for the argument for full time referees. It was more vogue to focus on how poor old Brett Favre got jobbed.

And yes, even though I am an unabashed Steeler fan, even I have to vehemently agree that the tripping penalty was terrible at best. But, I’m not going to complain about it too hard. Every team gets jobbed by a bad call every season. I could rattle off terrible calls against the Steelers just from this year alone. I still maintain the same argument whether the call goes for or against Pittsburgh. The better team will overcome such hurdles and emerge victorious. Well, at least until the NFL gets a clue and hires full time referees to establish some semblance of consistency and professionalism.

Apparently, Joe Gibbs will not be coming back to Redskins. I figured that man had enough common sense to not even be considered in the running.

The NFL stated this week they would like to have one team to play in London annually. I cannot imagine a team willingly giving up home date revenue each season to make this pipe dream a reality, but I can think of several fan bases more than happy to ship their team overseas for multiple games.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford chose to have shoulder surgery, ending his collegiate career and setting himself up for next year’s draft. Now, NFL talking heads have been blabbering how Bradford, by not declaring for the draft last year, has lost millions of dollars. This is one of the dumbest statements I’ve ever heard. How can a man lose millions of dollars he never had in the first place? All he lost was potential at millions, and considering his reputation, something tells me come contract time Bradford will not have to buy generic brands to pinch a penny.

Titans’ owner has decreed that head coach Jeff Fisher start Vince Young over Kerry Collins. If the owner is telling you how to coach and who to play, that’s not a good sign for job security, right?

In light of his incredibly stupid and insulting remarks this week, the Chiefs have suspended running back Larry Johnson and barred him from team activities. It still amazes me how dumb Johnson is, and how big of a jerk he continues to become. What’s the over/under before this guy gets wrapped up in another criminal investigation? I’m taking the under on 1 year.

Because of ongoing punting problems, the Broncos signed Mitch Berger this week. Yeah, that’ll turn the whole thing around. Actually, it might. The Steelers did win a Super Bowl with Berger. Hmmm, Mitch Berger good luck charm.

Ray Lewis spent his bye week watching the University of Miami play from a private suite and doing tequila shots. Gee, I wonder why the Ravens defense has slipped this year.


In The Merry Old Land Of Oz

What did I learn this week? Well, I learned that when you have a great week, and your opponent yet again has a monster week, you take your loss graciously. Luckily, I’ve had much practice.

Strangely, I did have a great week, and once again my opponent had a career week. I’m not sure what cosmic forces are causing this, but I worry not now. Why you asked? Because I have a secret weapon for next week, but his presence this week will turn the tide. I now have Jeff Reed on my team. So even if we lose, it’ll be one heck of a party!


Upon Further Review

Favre and the Vikings versus the Packers. It’s THE story and game to watch. I think no matter which team you side with or where your allegiances lie you have to agree with this.

Now, I think after watching him this season, we can also agree that Favre is still a top tier quarterback. His game is still there, as well as that special magic that pulls out at least one or two games a season. I’m sure at least half the teams in this league would drool to have his talent and pedigree suiting up for them each week.

In the same vein, I think we can also all agree he’s turned into a major league egomaniacal ass as well. Yeah, I know he felt he was forced out of Green Bay and that Ted Thompson should pay for such a mistake. Great, if that’s your motivation, drive and belief Brett, run with it. And I’m sure Brett has more than a leg to stand on in his beliefs. I have mentioned often there is plenty of blame between both Thompson and Favre to spread evenly around. They both contributed in creating this uncomfortable and embarrassing situation for the Packers team, Favre and the fans. However, my issue is not between those two, but how Favre continually insults Packer fans in the process of his Thompson revenge tour. Packer fans really are like the child caught in the middle of a bitter divorce.

This really bothers me because Packer fans are some of the best fans in all of sports. They are knowledgeable, devoted, invested in the team no matter how good or bad they are and always gracious to their opponents no matter which team wins.

But how Favre has handled his side of the situation has fashioned a brother versus brother state of affairs in Green Bay leaving fans conflicted about how they came to this crossroads with one of their greatest stars.

Reports are fans are going to boo Favre when he takes the field. Fans already in preparation for the game have conducted a mock funeral for Favre. These are serious fans who feel as though they are being punished for just loving a team and one of its all time greatest stars and are now trying to move past this incredibly awkward situation.

I’ve read a bunch of articles this week regarding this game, and most of them told Packer fans it’s time to let it go, get over it and move on. I ask why they should do that. It's not like they brought this situation about. Favre has stated multiple times for the fans to get over it. Why? He is one of the key components that brought this awkward state to fruition. Sure, hey may be nothing but a me-first mercenary at heart, but that doesn’t mean his former fans are. It’s easy for him to let it go. He toyed with their emotions with his annual retirement because it suited him, not them. He started breaking his allegiances and emotions years ago, but they never did. He's the one who wanted out. He's the one who finagled his way into Minnesota purple. If Packer fans want they should be allowed to be as angry, upset or insane as they want or need to be. (Keep in mind this is still a fantasyland of pro sports so it's all absurd if you think about it)

Yes, in truth Packer fans should move on. It’s not like keeping such negative feelings burning for a long time is good for anyone. Plus, it creates bad mojo overall and there are more important things in life to concern oneself with than for what team some overgrown child plays. But like Forrest Gump once said, you have to put the past behind you. And Packer fans letting Favre have it for three hours will go a long way toward Green Bay putting that past behind them.

I hope they boo him, from the moment he steps on the field until the game is over. Let him know his ego and selfishness have hurt other people. That he has taken all the love and support those fans gave him for so many years and threw it away like a used Kleenex. Show him that type of behavior, that selfishness, that cold hearted attitude has consequences, it is not acceptable. Show him he’s not as great or universally beloved as he thinks he is. Not like he'll care, or even presume to care, but I think such great football fans should use this moment to make a point to the rest of the sporting world as well. Show Favre and all other mega star athletes that bottom line is Favre is nothing more than a very good football player and not the cultural icon his ego reflects in his mirrors. Once they do that, then I say they’ll be in a position to move on, and I hope getting it out of their system on a crisp Wisconsin Sunday helps achieve that goal. Packer fans are too good to start morphing into Eagle fans, and good gravy we certainly do not need more fans ready to boo at the drop of a cheese steak.


He Said He Said

“This game should have gone to OT after a Vikings field goal knotted it at 20, or the Vikings should have had a touchdown with less than a minute to go, leading to a narrow victory. But that's football." – SI.com’s Peter King

Awww, sounds like someone is all sad Favre lost.

“He can't be human. Dude's made of steel." Steeler cornerback William Gay on Adrian Peterson

You would know better than anybody Willie. Just curious, have you found your lunch yet?

"Are you kidding me! That is unacceptable." - Fox announcer Daryl Johnston on Jeff Reed's pathetic tackle attempt during the Steelers-Vikings game.

Don’t forget pathetic Daryl.

“I like the call by Brad Childress, down 13-6 after three failures at fourth-and-goal from the Steelers' one. With Casey Hampton over the first-year starter at center, John Sullivan, Childress went for the field goal. I'd have taken the three points instead of going for the seven.” – SI.com’s Peter King

And like Childress you'd have lost too. Fortune favors the bold, Peter.

"I want to apologize for that. I wasn't feeling very good and didn't eat much before the game, so I was feeling a little queasy. Toward the end of the game, I probably should have eaten one of those bars or something, but someone offered [a hot dog], so I grabbed it and tried to be discreet about it, but obviously not discreet enough. So I shouldn't have done that, and it won't happen again." - Mark Sanchez, on eating a hot dog on the bench in the fourth quarter

Seriously? He has to apologize for eating a hot dog? What is the world coming to when a man needs to apologize for sneaking a hot dog? Come on people, loosen up. I thought it was funny as all get out.

"My father played for the coach from 'rememeber [sic] the titans.' Our coach played golf. My father played for the redskins beiefley [sic]. Our coach. Nuthn [sic]." -- Running back Larry Johnson twittering after yet another Chiefs loss

Hey, Larry, try this for a change it might work. Run your legs and not your mouth.

"We know the N-word is unacceptable, that's not disputable -- but f*g? I'm learning that there's a segment of our society that finds it offensive and that it should not be used. I didn't realize that, but I do know now..." – Peter Schafer, agent and lawyer for Larry Johnson, claiming he did not realize the f-word was a gay slur

Really? And this guy is a lawyer? Is there any reasonably educated person in this world, and by reasonably I mean watched more than 5 minutes of news in their lifetime, that could possibly buy this lame explanation?

"…start with ownership." - Washington cornerback Carlos Rogers telling the media where the team's problems are originating

Wow. This is going to end so spectacularly bad.

"There's no sentiments, really, one way or the other." – Vikings quarterback Brett Favre

Honestly Brett? You cannot even fake it and lie and say yes, it means something? I hope Packer fans egg his restaurant after the game.

"I want to smack Eric Mangini so hard he poops himself. The Browns are the new Lions. It's horrific." -- WWE wrestler The Miz

You and half of Ohio and a good portion of New York as well. And yes, I included this one because who doesn’t love a quote with the word poop in it?


Idiot of the week

Yum, Halloween filled my idiot bag with tons of goodies. From Larry Johnson proving again what an ass he is with his ridiculous twittering insult of his coach and then showing his ignorance once again by dropping a gay slur and being promptly suspended to his lawyer claiming he did not know said slur was offensive. Then you have Bud Adams decreeing from on high, Dan Snyder destroying from same perch, more on this next week, and Brett Favre trying once again to get his restaurant next to Lambeau Field to go bankrupt. How does one choose with so many delicious choices?

I’ll tell you how; you go with the biggest idiot. And this week, the biggest idiot is Brad Childress.

Now, his game plan against the Steelers would be plenty to garner the award. You have the best running back in the league going against a run defense weakened by the loss of a key starter and said running back only carries the ball 18 times? You have first and goal at the one and said running back only gets 2 cracks, yet you had more than four chances to pound the ball across the goal line? And you have a 40 year old quarterback playing in chilly weather against a defense known for its propensity toward sacking the quarterback and you have him throw 55 times, resulting in no touchdowns, two turnovers returned for scores and 4 sacks? Yeah, that’s dumb.

But what really was the icing on the cake was a tidbit I read in Don Banks’ column this week, where apparently on the plane ride from Minnesota to Pittsburgh, Childress made the flight, dolled up in a dress, wig, lipstick and blue nylons. Now, what people do in their own lives is their own thing, I have no problem there. Hey, sometimes stepping out of your norm can be fun. Nor do I have a problem with practical jokes and hazing. The history of the NFL is littered with such stories and they are always funny. Under different circumstances, this story would be hilarious.

But as head coach, do you really think it’s a good idea to submit to such a prank as you travel for your biggest game of the season thus far, with your undefeated record on the line and a real test for your team going against the defending Super Bowl champions? Is it really more important to be one of the guys in this situation, or would it be better to cut a figure of the man in charge with the plan to topple the champs and seat your team as the one to beat? I’d lean toward the latter, but hey, that’s just me. Like I said, I dig such jokes, but I think they’d be a better fit for road trips to say Cleveland.

So for a terrible game plan underutilizing your best assets, over utilizing a potential weakness, once again not cutting an image of the man in charge and starting Halloween a week early, Brad Childress you are an idiot.


Taking the Week Off

Bengals – I hope they’re finding a way to get back to being the Bungles, but they’ll probably just tuck into advanced copies of Ochocinco’s new book. I smell Pulitzer!

Chiefs – Oh, you know, the usual stuff a team does on its bye week. Suspending its running back for insulting the coach and dropping gay slurs, coming up with substandard game plans, looking terrible in general and giving zero hope to Kansas City fans everywhere.

Patriots – Belichick will spend the week practicing his grumpy guy routine while Tom Brady stares at a mirror making smug self satisfied faces and muttering, yeah, that looks good.

Steelers – Besides teaching Matt Spaeth about indoor plumbing and Jeff Reed about moderation, the team has to stock up on silver cleaner. Amazing how fast that stuff runs out when you have so much hardware to clean each week.

Buccaneers – Who cares what the players are doing, fans are sitting in their homes, arms wrapped around their legs rocking back and forth muttering, this is not happening, this is not happening.

Redskins – I imagine Dan Snyder will find some way overpay another mediocre player and further emasculate Jim Zorn, but I just cannot figure out how.

Sunday Night Football – Why are operations shut down this week? Is it to avoid a conflict with the World Series? No. It’s so Peter King can be in Green Bay to salivate over Brett Favre in person.


On Tap This Week

Did I win the week last week? No. Did I remain consistent and in the overall lead? Yes.

Last week: 10-3
Season to date: 77 - 26

I also noticed that through the first seven weeks, I am the only one who has had double digit wins each week. And now that I noticed that factoid, I shall proceed to go 0-13 this week. But there’s always hope otherwise, right?

Sunday

Denver (6-0) at Baltimore (3-3)

Ok, I said before do not go against a team that has come off a bye week. But what if both of them had the week off? You go with the Neck Beard.

Broncos over Ravens

Houston (4-3) at Buffalo (3-4)

You know what? Buffalo’s defense is pretty good. Their offense, on the other hand….

Texans over Bills

Cleveland (1-6) at Chicago (3-3)

There is always a chance Cribbs could run back a kick return or punt for a touchdown and Cutler could throw 3 or 4 picks and Cleveland could pull of an upset. But there’s also a chance a meteor could land in my backyard containing a small baby wrapped in a red cape.

Bears over Browns

Seattle (2-4) at Dallas (4-2)

Since I can never guess which Seattle team will show up, and Dallas is at least more consistently mediocre….

Cowboys over Seahawks

St. Louis (0-7) at Detroit (1-5)

Ewww.

Lions over Rams

San Francisco (3-3) at Indianapolis (6-0)

Good for Alex Smith, pulling himself off the bust scrap pile and back into a starting job. But, bad for Alex Smith pulling this game as his first start in 2 years.

Colts over 49ers

Miami (2-4) at New York Jets (4-3)

Yeah, call me a glutton for punishment, but I think Rex Ryan will have something in store this time for Miami. Plus I cannot get behind a team that blows such a huge lead at home as Miami did last week.

Jets over Dolphins

New York Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia (4-2)

How exciting, the Yankees and Phillies for a key World Series game while the Eagles and Giants face off for the division lead in the city of Brotherly Love. I hate to say it, but Philadelphia fans will be disappointed at least once today. I can’t see New York losing three in a row, can you?

Giants over Eagles

Oakland (2-5) at San Diego (3-3)

Even Norv Turner cannot screw this one up, right?

Chargers over Raiders

Jacksonville (3-3) at Tennessee (0-6)

I think the Titans have made proper amends for their desecration of a powerful talisman last year. Well, I think so; let’s see what the Terrible Towel thinks.

Titans over Jaguars

Carolina (2-4) at Arizona (4-2)

I think Larry Fitzgerald should play in the Cardinals secondary this week. He’ll double his receptions easily.

Cardinals over Panthers

Minnesota (6-1) at Green Bay (4-2)

Is Minnesota the better team? Yes. Will they win? Probably. But you know what? Sometimes the power of will can make amazing things happen. And the will of Packer fans will be for a Green Bay victory.

Packers over Vikings

Monday

Atlanta (4-2) at New Orleans (6-0)

Why get off that train now, especially after such a scintillating win last week? What does it say about New Orleans that they can cream an opponent on Drew Brees’ worst day of the season?

Saints over Falcons