Sunday, November 25, 2007

NFL Thoughts: Week 12

---The Rams/Seahawks game just perfectly captures the theme for St. Louis the past couple of years. Down on the goal line they fumbled a perfectly winnable game away just like they've squandered an opportunity to dominate a weak division the past two years. It's pathetic.

----I've got to agree with Don Banks for Si.com about Eli Manning. He's mediocre and likely will never rise above that label. This a guy who every once in a while can put together a great game and make people think, "oh yeah that's why we drafted him....that and because his last name is Manning". The Vikings ought to send Eli a busload of roses for handing them this week's game.

----I'm pretty sure the Broncos Mike Shannahan should never have the word genius attached to his name again. Devin Hester's two TDs prove that. Didn't you get the memo Mike that nobody is kicking to this guy anymore?

---In the past Brett Favre passing too much has led to disaster. Not this year. His running game isn't as atrocious as rumored but it's still up to him to win games and this year it's happening. I like it.

---I like the three games on Thanksgiving. My wife is like, "what ? football again? You've been watching it all day" . I'm like, "yeah, so? It's Thanksgiving". End of discussion.


--damn the Patriots. Eagles almost had them.
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Sunday, November 18, 2007

NFL Thoughts: Week 11

This being Thanksgiving week and all, I should be thankful for a few things.

---I'm thankful for the Patriots. Seriously. I mean I hate them and all but at least they have helped me define true evil.

---I'm thankful the Rams beat the 49ers. We still get to count it as victory right?

---I'm thankful for the Packers. At least there is one team in the NFC I can be happy about.

---This isn't NFL related, but I'm thankful for the season Alabama is having. Looked good in the beginning but now the wheels are falling off. Couldn't happen to a bigger dork---unless it was Belichick---Congrats on really bringing your pizazz to the SEC this year Nick Saban. Here's hoping you destroy that program like you destroyed the Dolphins.

---I'm thankful for Tony Romo. Being the hater I am, usually the Cowboys rate pretty high on my "wishing for all bad things to happen to them" scale. Romo actually has me watching him play sometimes and currently the Cowboys are only at "slightly dislike".

---I'm thankful for Willie Parker. Draft picks can be overrated.

--I'm thankful for pie. Whoever invented pie should automatically make it to Heaven no questions asked. Oh and whoever made pie a Thanksgiving staple should also be given serious consideration at the pearly gates. I love Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 12, 2007

NFL Thoughts: Week 10

---I'm not even going to try to make sense of the Colt's debacle. I will say that I agree with Charger running backLadainian Tomlinson's assessment of his team from a couple of weeks back. He said, "we're not an elite team". Uh ..no kidding. The Colts miss two field goals (one a gimmee) and Manning throws 5 meaningful picks (6 total) and you barely escape with a win after Vinatieri misses the above mentioned gimme 26 yarder? You are anything but elite San Diego. But stay classy anyway.

---The Rams won. And holy crap-- they actually looked like the team I thought they were. They are who I thought they were! .....sorry about that Dennis Green moment there. But seriously, Bulger looked somewhat decent. Now if he would get serious and start earning his money maybe the Rams could hope for a light at the end of the tunnel.

---Anyone read the Bill Simmons article where he whines about the Colts-Pats game. I usually like his stuff but I'm so sick of Patriot fans and their sense of "injustice". Shut up you freaking cheaters!

---I hope Adrian Peterson's injury heals fast. I like him.

---I'm not buying the Steelers yet.

---I like the Packers and considering how weak the NFC is I definitely think they have at a shot at going to the Superbowl. But does anyone see the NFC pulling an upset of the Patriots (or if there is any justice in this world, the Colts)? I don't.

---There were so many unwatchable games this past week that I am seriously considering not renewing my NFL DirectTV ticket next year. With the quality of games (or lack of) lately in the NFL, it's just not worth the money. I mean really, I could be spending this money on therapy bills, Anne of Green Gables Box DVD sets, Star Wars action figures, or other meaningful pursuits.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

NFL Thoughts: Week 9

---Mercifully, the Rams were off this week. This season is killing me. The NFC West division was ripe for the picking and yet Scott Linehan can't get this team on track. I'm ready for a new coach.

---This isn't exactly news but guess what? Randy Moss is the biggest reason the Patriots are dominating this year. Brady never used to heave balls up the way he does now. He knows his big receiver is going to come down with it. I think maybe he thought Stallworth was Moss on that bomb play he was intercepted on against the Colts. Moss changes everything. Also, did you see Dungy get dissed by Belichick ...I mean Belidick....at the end of the game? What an ass this guy is. I seriously want to see this guy go down. The level of hate is reaching epic proportions.

---Adrian Peterson is blowing my mind. Think about the hype of Reggie Bush and what he has accomplished as a runner and then think about Adrian Peterson. Peterson certainly had many admirers and going 7th in the draft does not really qualify as coming out of nowhere, but my goodness he has turned out to be awesome and exceeded all expectations. Bush seemed to take every other carry to the endzone in college and yet in the pros his longest run is 22 yards. Peterson now has multiple TD runs over 50 yards. I like Reggie Bush so I'm really not ripping on him as much as I am in awe of what Peterson is doing as a rookie. Almost 300 yards rushing against the Chargers, a defense that a year ago was being discussed as one of the best in the NFL. That incredible.


---It's time to start John Beck in Miami. Let's see what the BYU product can do.

---I'm having trouble believing that was the Baltimore defense last night. I guess having no offense year in and year out can wear on you.


---The Packers continue to surprise. I think 3 things are responsible. They have drafted well in terms of defensive players. Their defense is solid. Second, their offensive line is playing better. Favre has more time than he has had in the past few years. Third, Favre is playing better. It all equals a team that is surprising a few people, including Favre himself.

---Speaking of surprises, how about Derek Anderson of the Browns? Nice job of keeping Brady Quinn on the bench.

--The Chargers Philip Rivers is regressing instead of progressing. Even though Drew Brees had early season troubles I am still of the opinion that San Diego bet on the wrong guy. I know Rivers is young and still learning but when I watch him I just don't get the feeling that he will ever be an elite QB. And if the Colts and Pats have taught us anything the last few years it is that you need an elite QB to compete for the championship year in and year out. You might be able to squeeze into a Super Bowl on an occasional year (like the Bears, Ravens, Seahawks, etc., etc.) but if you want to be a threat consistently you have got to have a star QB. It's that simple. Ladainian Tomlinson is learning that the hard way.