NFL Week 4: Quick Hits

Rashard Mendenhall topped all Week 4 rushers with his 165 yard performance in his first career start

Written by: MJK

Prima Donna or Pre-Madonna? 

Much like parity in the NFL being such a constant, the NFL wide receiver always finds a way to dominate headlines a few times per season. Wide Receivers are notorious for carrying on a persona that at times can be very cocky (not always a bad thing), selfish and immature.  Two receivers that have made waves so far this season are San Francisco 49er rookie Michael Crabtree and newly acquired New York Jet, Braylon Edwards. As of this morning, both players find themselves in new and potentially exciting scenarios. 

Crabtree began causing a ruckus earlier this season when he refused to sign a contract that he deemed unfair and not up to par with the type of talent he (and others) thinks he is.  After a heralded college career that was highlighted by a game winning catch versus a then #1 ranked Texas team, Crabtree headed into this years draft almost unanimously tabbed as the best wide receiver available.  The 49ers selected him as the 10^th overall pick after many teams passed on him amid questions regarding his attitude, speed (has never ran a timed 40-yard dash in front of NFL scouts) and health (had ankle surgery in March).  The 49ers eventually offered the receiver a contract of 5 years-$20 million with a healthy $16 million in guaranteed money.  Yes, $16 million in GUARANTEED money.   Due to the slotting of players picked in front of Crabtree, San Francisco viewed this deal as fair and just in comparison to the contracts that had been given to higher picks. The contract was not relative to the public perception that Crabtree should have been taken much higher due to his world-class skill set.

For months, Crabtree and his legal entourage (I refuse to deem it a ‘legal council’ because of the reported conglomeration of has-beens that Crabtree has been consulting with that includes non-other than the esteemed M.C Hammer and Deion Sanders) have laughed at San Francisco’s proposal and in turn have insisted that Crabtree not only refuse to show up for training camp but would also sit out the entire season and re-enter the draft in 2010 with the hopes of getting drafted higher and getting the big payday he thinks he deserves. This threat, coupled with a November 17^th eligibility deadline imposed by the NFL and it seemed like Crabtree’s debut would indeed have to wait until the 2010 season. What a shame that would have been.

It all became moot conversation this morning as the two sides agreed to a contract.  While the financial terms have not been completely disclosed, the new deal is for a reported 6-years, $32 million with $17 million guaranteed.  specific performance clauses in the contract could see Crabtree earn up to $40 million.

This is very good news for San Francisco.  The team finds itself atop the NFC West with a 3-1 start.  They have rallied behind head coach Mike Singletary and his hard working, no nonsense approach and they have done this without any sort of offensive cohesiveness. It is definitely going to take a good amount of time for Crabtree to come in and actually produce, but at least now it is a matter of when and not if.   It’s hard to determine exactly what Crabtree’s value to the team will be going forward.  If he is able to come in, work hard and learn the nuances of an NFL playbook with any sort of promptness than he could have an impact much sooner than I think anyone would have anticipated.  That being said, it is ALWAYS difficult for a rookie receiver to have success in the NFL and he has not done himself any favors by missing so much time.  One thing is for sure, now is the time for the receiver to prove to everyone that he was right in making a fuss about his self-worth.

As for Braylon Edwards, his season has been almost as unproductive but for reasons on the contrary. Edwards has played in all four games this season, but has produced at a level that is unwarranted for the natural game breaking abilities he does possess. Edwards broke out with the Browns in 2007 after posting a ridiculous 80-catch, 1289-yard, 16-touchdown season.  Everyone was ready to anoint him as the next elite wide receiver.  But in 2008 he regressed mightily. Not only did his numbers tumble a great deal (55-catches-873 yards-3 touchdowns) but he dropped almost one ball per four catches (14 drops, 55 catches), a horrible ratio.  The start to the 2009 season for Edwards has been anything but special and all of this culminated with an altercation at a Cleveland nightclub that saw Edwards allegedly assault a friend of NBA superstar Lebron James.  Cleveland (although they refuse to admit it had any bearing in the decision to trade him) had no choice and Edwards' ride with the Dog Pound had to come to an end.  Wednesday morning they shipped their troubled receiver east to the New York Jets.

For the Browns, the move is a bit head scratching. Edwards provided the team with the only sort of offensive spark any opposing defense had to game plan around.  Even so, I think they were justified in making the deal.  For the Jets, the move seems to be the final piece to the puzzle for an already stacked football team.  Think of the Jets like a fine art museum.  They house a number of works of art that are nice enough to draw a crowd but not necessarily sexy enough to keep people coming back. Take for example their top ranked defense, or their rookie quarterback or two-running back approach.  All good enough to win games but not in the most exciting of ways. Now throw in a game breaking wide receiver to accommodate and suddenly we have a Mona Lisa.  A Van Gogh. A Rembrandt. 

The Jets were winning without a great deal of balance before this trade.  The run would set up the pass, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez would bootleg to out routes down the sideline and they would take the occasional shot down field once defensive safety help started to crowd the box to stop the run. All of this just to watch the offense lean on the defense series after series in the hope that they would come up with enough big stops to win the game. 

Braylon Edwards changes all of this. His ability to stretch the field will now open up everything for this offense. He is the sort of deep threat that teams will now look to double team on a consistent basis. This does a multitude of things. Safeties will no longer be able to crowd the box. The Jets feature one of the games best offensive lines, a big reason why Sanchez has been able to keep his jersey clean for the most part and why the team has such success running the ball. The double teams of Edwards will allow even more holes in the defense as teams will look to stop the big play downfield. Running backs Leon Washington and Thomas Jones should be salivating. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will now be able to move to a more comfortable and natural #2 receiver spot that will allow him to flank Edwards and utilize his fantastic hands as a possession receiver. Tight end Dustin Keller will find himself with more room to work between the hashes to get open and continue his already growing rapport with Sanchez.  And of course, Sanchez now has what every quarterback in the NFL covets: A true game breaking wide receiver.

All of this adds up to the Jets now looking to give their cross-town rivals the Giants, the Vikings and to a lesser extent the Patriots and Ravens a run at being THE most complete team in the NFL.   I do not think the Jet’s will lose their identity and start forcing throws downfield right away but given the current maturation process of Sanchez, New York now finds themselves with plenty of weapons for the ball to go around. Of course much of Edwards and the teams success will fall on Sanchez’s ability to eliminate those dreaded rookie mistakes. Pair those concerns with Edwards potential discipline from the NFL for his scrap over the weekend and a faith that he will be able to shake the knack for all those dropped balls that have plagued him throughout his career and we will have to temper our expectations for the time being. Personally, I think those drops had more to do with his not wanting to be in Cleveland as well as the Browns inconsistent quarterback play in recent seasons. Only time will tell, but it looks like the Jets now have all the pieces in place to make a run at the super bowl this season and in future seasons.

Whew. That was a long one- how about a speed round for the duration of the post? Lets Go!

Speed Round: 40 words or less

Big Ups:

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh- This was a long time coming but Mendenhall finally got his chance and broke out in a big way. 29 carries-165 yards-2 touchdowns. Fast Willie Parker's days may be numbered.

“The Other” Steve Smith, WR, NYG- This train keeps on rollin as Smith hauled in another 11 catches for 134 and 2 touchdowns. He now leads the NFL in receptions (34) and yards (411).

Matt Forte, RB, Chi- After struggling to get going for most of the season Forte finally got over the hump. 12 carries-121 yards-2 touchdowns. Good for an impressive 10.1 yards per carry versus the hapless Lions.

Brett Favre, QB, Minn.- He is making the national love fest impossible to ignore. My predication of 0 TD’s and 2 INT’s now sounds worse than egg and mayonnaise pizza. Or not. Thanks Brett.

Low Downs:

Tennessee Titans- The Titans fell to 0-4 after a 37-17 beat down by Jacksonville.  The defense is struggling and quarterback Kerry Collins has already received the dreaded vote of confidence.  Let’s see some Vince Young action!

Green Bay Packer Offensive Line- The word offensive serves as a double entendre here. This unit has given up 20 sacks in 4 games. If Aaron Rodgers cant stay on his feet, the Cheeseheads wont be sniffing the postseason.

0-4 Teams- Dear the Chiefs, Bucs, Browns, Rams and aforementioned Titans.  See ya next season.

Signed,

Rational Thinking

Injury Hits:

Eli Manning, QB, NYG- Diagnosed with the artist formerly known as a bruised heel, plantar fasciitis.  Status for this week is uncertain. David Carr will get the start if Manning cant go.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit- "It just kind of slid out.”  That’s what Stafford had to say about his minor knee dislocation he suffered versus the Bears.  Not the best thing to hear. Daunte Culpepper will get the start if Stafford can’t go.

Roy Williams- WR, Dallas- Took a shot to the ribs after Tony Romo left him high and dry on a throw. Say’s he will play this weekend but something to keep an eye on.

Play of the Week:
Brandon Marshall's game winning 51-yard catch and run touchdown

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College Football-Week 5 Recap

A Michigan State victory over undefeated Michigan in East Lansing highlights an exciting Week 5

Written by: D. Wash.

#4 LSU holds off against #21 Georgia.

Through the third quarter, it looked like a traditional SEC matchup with defenses dominating the game. Then early in the fourth quarter, Joe Cox led the Bulldogs 60 yards down the field to score on a 1-yard TD pass and Georgia took the lead 7-6. The suspense built as LSU couldn’t score on two straight drives and the seconds peeled off the clock.

Finally, with 7 minutes left, the LSU Tigers momentarily changed their offensive philosophy to end their scoring drought. Instead of running the ball down Georgia’s throat, they decided to depend on their quarterback to win the game. Their faith in Jordan Jefferson would pay dividends. Jefferson completed 4 passes for 54 yards and also was able to reel off a 26 yard run to put the Tigers in Georgia’s red zone. A few Charles Scott runs later and LSU regained the lead with less than 3 minutes left in the game.

Georgia answered with their passing game, as their superstar wideout AJ Green caught one over an LSU defender for a touchdown. Down again, LSU needed a quick scoring drive to win the game and stay undefeated. After an impressive kick return put the Tigers up on the Georgia side of the 50, Jordan Jefferson made the kind of decision that separates winning quarterbacks from losing ones in games like this. Instead of going for the glory himself and passing the ball down the field, Jefferson convinced the coaches to allow him to hand it off to star tailback Charles Scott. On the second play of the drive, Scott made Jefferson look like a genius as he busted loose for 33 yards to score a touchdown and put the Tigers ahead once and for all.

With only seconds left in the game, Georgia was in desperation mode. Despite the stellar game that he was having, Joe Cox won’t be happy with his performance because of the interception he threw on this last drive of the game that sealed the victory for LSU. This win sets up a great game next week between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators. Though previous poor performances had given people reason to doubt LSU, this win on the road over a good Georgia team should fill people with confidence. LSU has the potential to beat the Florida Gators.

#8 Oklahoma loses to #17 Miami.

In what was essentially an elimination game as far as national titles are concerned, The U showed that their wins over Florida State and Georgia Tech weren’t just flukes. The Hurricanes were able to hold an Oklahoma offense that had gained 1093 yards in the past 2 games to only 341 yards.

Landry Jones, who threw for an Oklahoma record 6 touchdowns two weeks ago, only threw for 188 and 1 score against Miami’s speedy defense. While Miami’s offense wasn’t overly productive, it was efficient enough. Javarris James ran for 150 yards, embarrassing the OU front seven. Jacory Harris executed a 200 yard performance, and his 3 touchdowns were the scores that sealed the game for ‘canes. Oklahoma now has only one role to play the rest of the season, spoiler. They can still ruin the Texas Longhorns season with a win on October 17^th and Kansas’s season on the 24^th.

Two losses will be insurmountable and will keep them out of any BCS bowl game. Miami on the other hand still has a chance to make a BCS bowl, most likely the Orange Bowl, if they are able to go undefeated throughout the rest of their schedule.

#7 USC at #24 Cal (It Was Over at The Half…)

This was supposed to be the year that Cal beat the Trojans. They were playing them at home, where their defense has excelled. They have the best running back in all of college football.  Their receivers are skilled and experienced and should’ve been able to clear up the box for the dominant Cal running game. Well… there’s always next year.

Though they marched the ball down the field on their first possession of the game, USC stud safety Taylor Mays was able to intercept the ball in the back of the end zone.  This killed Cal’s rhythm. When the Trojans got the ball, they executed their offense almost to perfection. Joe McKnight ran for 119 yards, including a highlight reel score early in the first quarter. Matt Barkley threw for almost 300 yards, with 100 of them going to star receiver Damian Williams. This game was already a snoozer at the half. 

It has to make you wonder what would have been if Kevin Riley hadn’t thrown that interception on the first possession of the game. How would the game have ended up? Would Cal’s offense gain confidence and continue to execute? Would the Trojan defensive swagger been crushed by the ease of which Cal scored? Unfortunately, no one knows. All we know is how it did end up, and that was a dominant 30-3 USC victory.

#22 Michigan at Michigan State University (Spartans! Prepare for Glory!)

Michigan looked good this year with an exciting dual threat quarterback and plenty of speed on offense. Michigan State looked bad with three losses in their first four games. It didn’t matter. Michigan State redeemed themselves with a big win at home against their biggest rival, Michigan. They took control early in the game and had an impressive 20-6 lead early in the fourth quarter. Michigan looked to mount a late game comeback as they had the past few weeks against Notre Dame and Indiana, and it looked like they could pull it off once again.

First, UM quarterback Tate Forcier completed a 60 yarder for a score to Darryl Stonum. Then, after holding MSU to a 3 and out, Forcier led the team down the field and threw another touchdown pass with 2 seconds left in the game to send it into overtime. It looked like all the momentum was on Michigan’s side and the Maiz and Blue looked as if they could get another win over their rivals. But then, Forcier threw an interception on Michigan’s forst possession of the overtime. Three plays later, Michigan State running back Larry Caper ripped off a 23 yard run for a touchdown to get the Spartans the win. East Lansing went crazy and the Wolverines trotted off the field, deflated and disappointed.

Michigan is still a solid team, but their tendency to allow subpar teams (like this squad from MSU) to get ahead early finally cost them their undefeated record and top 25 ranking. They better put this loss behind them quick and fix their mistakes if they expect to have any chance against #12 ranked Iowa next week.

#6 Virginia Tech at Duke (The Hokies Get Back in it)

With a win at Duke, The Hokies of Virginia Tech have quietly snuck back into the national title picture. Tyrod Taylor pulled off his very first 300 yard passing performance on Saturday and threw two touchdown passes. Taylors most important stat isn’t the amount of yards he threw for or the two scores. His most important stat was the big zero in the interception column. He’s looked very mobile in the pocket, not surprise considering his athleticism, and seems to have overcome his old interception habits. The Hokies were also able to hold Duke’s rushing offense to a measly 38 yards on 31 carries. The Blue Devils were able to throw for 359 yards, exposing some weaknesses in the VT defense. If they can limit any mistakes in the passing defense and stay flawless throughout their schedule, they should be able to get to a BCS bowl later this year.

Washington at Notre Dame (Jimmy Clausen: The Dark Horse of the Heisman Race)

With 422 passing yards on the day, Notre Dame needed Jimmy Clausen to play like a Heisman candidate and wide receiver Golden Tate also had to play out of his shoes with his 244 receiving yards to lock up this victory. I'll recognize that it should never have been that close of a game, but that was the fault of the Notre Dame defense, not the offense.

And did someone mention Heisman? With Bradford’s injury and Jahvid Best’s poor performances the past two weeks, there is an opening as the number three Heisman candidate. A number of people are vying for this spot, including Jimmy Clausen. Clausen has already thrown for over 1500 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, despite being out for much of the Purdue game. He leads college football in passer rating, and has the potential to break 4000 yards on the season if the Notre Dame running game continues to struggle. Does that make him a Heisman candidate? Possibly. Heisman voters must at the very least consider the kid in South Bend for the prestigious award. If Tebow or Mccoy slip up then Clausen may be able to sneak into one of the top two spots and be considered a front-runner for the most esteemed trophy in all of college football.

Credit the AP for all photos included in this and previous posts

The Rundown- Week 4

Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens head into Foxboro for an exciting early season matchup.


Written by: MJK


Parity Rules

Its kind of a trip thinking about how fast the season has flown by. We are already in week 4. However, with every season there are a few constants that remain from year to year.   Of course, parity in the NFL is commonplace and this season has been far from the exception.  Here are a few facts to prove this. 

-Here’s some simple math.  You take last seasons division winners from the AFC South, AFC East and NFC South. This equals 3 teams. You take the number 3 and multiply by 2. This gives us 6. Last season these teams had 6 wins combined after week 3. Divide 6 by 3. This gives us 2 again. These teams also combined for an average of 2 wins per after week 3 last season. You take 2 and multiply it by the $180 million I currently have stashed away in Swiss bank accounts. And you get ZERO. Partly, because those millions don’t exist and partly because, well…those millions don’t exist. Now, take zero and apply it to the win totals of the aforementioned 2008 division winners: Tennesee, Miami and Carolina. Here is the only math that needs to make any sense to you. Week 4 + 0 combined wins = No playoffs for all of the above. Bank on it. In fact, Swiss bank on it. 

- We have already seen running back depth charts turn over at a very frequent pace due to injury, position battle or league injunction (Marshawn Lynch).  If the current week 4 injury reports hold up, then 9 teams will have started running backs that were not atop their respective depth charts heading into week 1. Of course, in Lynch’s case he wasn’t #1 on Buffalos depth chart because the team already knew his suspension would take place, but prior to week 1 I think it WAS safe to say Lynch was the #1 back in Buffalo when available.  Fred Jackson’s emergence in his absence seems to have faded that notion just a bit. Glen Coffee (SF) and Rashard Mendenhall (Pitt) look to take advantage of their first career starts this week while Jerome Harrison (Cle.) will (as of press time) make his second career start and try to rejuvenate a bland Cleveland offense.

- The dreaded Super Bowl hangover seems to have hit once again. Both of last seasons participants find themselves with losing records headed into week 4.  However, Pittsburgh and Arizona (both 1-2) are not in as dubious of positions as the Winless Division Winner group from above.  Arizona has a (dare I say) MUCH needed bye week. This should give the team time to regroup and formulate a way to capture the offensive magic that propelled them to average over 26 points a game last season. So far in 2009 they are scoring nearly a touchdown less.  Pittsburgh on the other hand has been cursed with a pretty brutal early season schedule.  They beat Tennesee in week 1 and followed that with a loss to an inspired Bears team and the suddenly (ok…each team gets a “dare I say” moment) FOR REAL Cincinnati Bengals. I still have a hard time believing in the latter.  Regardless, Pittsburgh finds themselves with another tough matchup in week 4 as they face off against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday Night Football.  A loss here could start paving a path towards 2009 season uncertainty.

- Finally, 6 out of the 8 NFL divisions are currently being led by teams who did NOT win the division last season. That is a huge percentage.  I know it is still early but one would think that teams would want to build off of last season’s success.  This is obviously not the case. Blame it on what you will but the fact remains that the NFL is the most popular and exciting professional sport to watch for simply this reason.  Parity Rules.

Match Play: A look at the weeks most important matchups

Saints offense vs. Jets defense

Anytime the Saints offense matches up with a formidable defense it presents an intriguing matchup.  This week is no different.  The Jets present a number of problems for this Drew Brees led offense that finds themselves ranked as the #1 overall offense in the NFL.  The Jets will bring the heat.  Rex Ryan’s defense stymied Tom Brady and Company two weeks ago and will resort to a similar game plan to confuse and fluster Drew Brees.  The left tackle position for the Saints has been decimated by injuries.  I expect this Jet’s D to attack and exploit this weakness.  On the flip side, I think we all know this much by now…Drew Brees is no joke. Sure, he was held to a very pedestrian 172 yards and no touchdowns last week in Buffalo but this is the exception for Brees, not the rule.  Additionally, if anyone can formulate an offensive game plan to slow down the Jets blitz heavy scheme it is Saints head coach Sean Payton. He will spread out the defense and force Brees to hit a multitude of targets all day long. 

The Verdict: Payton and Brees will utilize every weapon the Saints have in their arsenal and when it is all said and done I would expect no less then 7 Saints players to have a catch. This swiss cheese philosophy will be enough to send New Orleans to their first 4-0 start since 1993. Final line: New Orleans-24 NYJ- 17

Andre Johnson, WR, Hou vs. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oak

Its all about picking your spots. The Raiders are dreadful once again and should be in for another long day against this potent Texans offense.   The lone bright spot for this Oakland team week in and week out is All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.  Asomugha is a ballhawk who is the rare breed of corner that can shut down one half of the football field.  He reminds me of Charles Woodson when he was a Raider.  Asomugha doesn’t quite possess the speed, but teams would constantly shy away from throwing to Woodson’s side of the field knowing full well that he would make a play on almost any ball throw his way.  Asomugha fits this mold perfectly.  Still, Andre Johnson is one of the games elite wide receivers.  His combination of size, speed and athletic ability are trouble for any defense.  He is the one player on this Texans team that a game plan is to be centered around.  Johnson’s last two games versus the Raiders have had him scratching his head in dismay, going for a combined 3 catches for a paltry 18 yards and no scores.

The Verdict: Johnson. I really think the Raiders will load up and try to over compensate for their dismal run defense, opening up gaps all over the field for Johnson to work. Houston will put Johnson in motion in an attempt to free him from Asomugha’s grasp and I think this will be more than enough for him to get loose for a big day. Final line:  Johnson- 6 Catches- 85 yards- 1 TD

Brett Favre vs. Green Bay Defense

Anytime a player has an entire team head hunting, it cant mean good things.  Unfortunately for Brett Favre this is the situation he will find himself in come Monday night.  I’m sure Favre would love more than anything to prove a point to his former employers that they made a mistake but Green Bay is not just a team in Wisconsin.  They are a cult.  Comfort with tendencies coupled with a defensive backfield that features big play ball hawks and Favre will find himself forcing one too many throws. 

Verdict: Green Bay Defense.  I am not saying the Packers will win this game. The Viking boast one of the leagues best defenses themselves and top to bottom are very impressive.  But when it comes to Favre versus his former team I will be taking the latter.  Final line: Favre- 215 yards-0 TD’s- 2 picks.

The Nostrodamus Effect

Lets makes some irrational and clearly irresponsible predications:

1.5: Joe Flacco Interceptions- Over

16: Giants margin of victory- Over

30: Larry Johnson rushing yards- Under

13: Times my eyes roll due to Raider inadequacies- Over: Lock of the week

3: Starting running backs that will not start for their next week- Push

5.5: 100 yard rushing performances this week- Under

3.5: 300 yard  passing performances- Under

6.5: 100 yard receiving performances- Over

 .5: Lions victories- Don’t push your luck Motown- Under

9: Jemarcus Russell completions- Under (roll my eyes moment #1)

Picks:

Bears, Browns, Colts, Giants, Pats, Redskins, Titans, Texans, Dolphins, Saints, Broncos, 49ers, Chargers, Minnesota.


Lastly...anyone reading this blog with any regularity (and thank you very much if you are) should also check out Laz's Blackboard.  His blog showcases insights on NFL picks, life and most importantly...sports. Check it out. 

College Football-Week 5 Preview

Interstate rivals and ranked conference matchups highlight this weeks slate of games. 

WEEK 5


Written by: D. Wash.


This week features quite a few notable games, including three ranked vs. ranked matchups. LSU is gonna try to remain unbeaten as they travel to Athens, Georgia.  USC travels to Berkeley in a big game that could decide the Pac 10 title and revive Jahvid Best’s Heisman hopes. Last, but certainly not least, Oklahoma makes the journey to Landshark Stadium to play The U in a big game that will end the national title hopes of one of the two teams.

Saturday also features two in-state rivalries, The USC-Cal game as well as the Michigan-Michigan State game. For those of you that have never been on a college campus at a big football school, you have to realize something. A game against an instate rival isn’t the same thing as a game against any other team. The energy builds all week, and then on Saturday it explodes into four quarters of action. Fans scream louder than at anytime during the season. Teams work harder than at any time during the season. It’s a game to impress the voters or disappoint them. It’s a chance to redeem an imperfect season or continue an unbeaten one. So you gotta realize, there’s more at stake on Saturday for those four teams than simply wins and losses. There are high school recruits on the line. There are national title hopes. Perhaps most importantly of all, there’s pride. And nothing could be more important to a school than their pride.  

#22 Michigan at Michigan State

It wouldn’t matter if MSU was winless and the U of M was a top 10 team nationally, this game is always an important one to watch. Almost every year, this game is closer than it is supposed to be. It is more exciting than people expect it to be. It isn’t simply a game, it’s a war. Forcier and company look very good on offense, but this Michigan defense has underachieved considering the talent of it. Expect Kirk Cousins (QB, MSU) and this very talented Spartans receiving corps, led by Blair White and Bj Cunningham, to try and turn this game into a shootout. That is Michigan State’s best chance to win, and they could very well do it. The Michigan pass rush has underperformed and lacks consistency. If neither team pulls away by the fourth quarter, then Michigan may still be able to pull out a victory. Forcier has shown the composure to come back and win it in the fourth quarter, but a shoulder injury that he suffered last week could limit his physical ability to drive a comeback. Michigan needs to pull ahead early and silence the MSU crowd if they are going to win this game.

#4 LSU at #18 Georgia

Both of these teams barely won over unranked opponents last week, but they’re still two of the best teams in the country. Georgia’s young defense really showed up against Arizona State and proved that youth doesn’t always equal poor play. If it hadn’t been for two interceptions by Joe Cox, the Bulldogs would’ve held Arizona State to just 3 points last week. That’s a great accomplishment for a defense that has been together for 4 years, let alone just a few months. They’ll be attempting to stop a LSU offense, which has tons of skill in the backfield and a quarterback that throws conservatively and doesn’t make mistakes. Jordan Jefferson has thrown seven touchdown passes this year and a single interception. Combined with a potent rushing attack, Georgia’s defense will really have to work to stop LSU’s multi faceted offense. On offense, Georgia features one of the top 3 wideouts in the nation in AJ Green. His game last week was very impressive (8 catches, 153 yards, and one touchdown). Can you say Biletnikoff? Unless the Tigers can find a solution for him the Bulldogs may be able to put that first taint on LSU’s spotless record, possibly killing LSU’s national title hopes. 

#7 USC at #24 California

Despite Cal’s complete embarrassment at the hand of Oregon last week, this game should still worry Trojan fans. Cal is a spectacular home team, and USC has shown some weaknesses on the road (notably: they are a one dimensional offense disguised as a balanced offense). Taylor Mays and the rest of the Trojan secondary will have some trouble shutting down Cal’s wide receivers, and Best is still the top running back in the nation. Jahvid will be looking for a huge game to redeem himself from the 55 yard performance that he had in Oregon last week, so expect him to be going 110% on Saturday. Barkley, McKnight, and the rest of that USC offense better be ready to put up some big points. The absence of Staphon Johnson may be a factor as Johnson was definitely a part of the Trojan running game, but USC never runs out of talented running backs so don’t expect the Trojan running game to be nonexistent just because of Johnson’s injury. This game should be very entertaining, and is a must see for any fans of Pac 10 football.

#8 Oklahoma at #17 Miami

It was unrealistic to expect Miami to go undefeated through the gauntlet of ranked teams that they had lined up to start the season. They got beat by the Hokies last week, but still have the looks of a very solid team. Harris may no longer be a Heisman contender, but he is still one of the most consistently efficient passers in college football. He won’t torch Oklahoma’s defense for 300+ yards, but he will be able to have a 200-yard game and won’t make many mistakes. Everyone knows what Oklahoma has to offer already. But their biggest story line of this game isn’t who is gonna be playing this weekend, its who wont be. Heisman winner Sam Bradford will sit out this game and rehab his shoulder for yet another week before Oklahoma begins their Big 12 schedule. Is sitting Bradford for the best? Yes. Hell yes. I understand that this is a big game for the Sooners, but Landry Jones is a very capable backup with plenty of knowledge of how to run the OU offense. He has yet to play against a defense as fast as Miami’s group, but he won’t fall apart against them on Saturday. Also, putting Bradford into a game before he is 100% would be doing a disservice to a former Heisman winner and the top quarterback prospect in college football. If he were to get injured again or play poorly because his injury is hampering his gameplay, then his draft stock would drop significantly and the kid that was supposed to get drafted #1 overall last year could drop further than Brady Quinn did in the 2007 draft.  

NFL Week 3: Recap

Written by: D.Wash.

Lions End Losing Streak (AKA: ‘Bout Damn Time)

For the past 21 months, the Detroit Lions have been the laughing stock of the league. They hadn’t tasted victory since December of 2007 and became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16 in 2008. After Sunday though, Detroit fans can wear their Silver and Honolulu Blue with pride once again as the Lions finally got a win. Sure, they beat a Washington Redskin team that has vastly underperformed and it doesn’t look like that will change any time soon. A win is a win though, and this team really needed it to gain some confidence. Props to the Lions. The Redskins on the other hand need to get on track if they plan on going even .500 this year, which is looking increasingly unlikely with each passing week.

Maurice Jones Drew Proves size Doesn’t Matter

MJD may only be 5-7, but I’d be afraid of anyone who could pull off a performance like he did on Sunday. He led the Jags to victory over the Houston Texans with a spectacular performance of 113 yards and 3 TDs. He’s one of those guys who refuses to go down on first contact.  Watching him carry the Jags to victory over quality teams like the Texans show why the Jags decided to make him the main feature of the backfield (and offense) this year. The Texans, a talented team, could use an easy win to right the ship. The Raiders at home next week is just what the doctor ordered.

New Pats Offense, Old Pats Results

After losing to the Jets, people in New England went crazy. Did it mean that the Patriots dominance over the NFL was over? Was the Patriots offense really as bad as it looked against the Jets? Was Tom Brady never going to be 100% because of his injury?  The Pats answered every question with a resounding “No” on Sunday. In the Patriots 25-10 win on Sunday, the offense rededicated itself to the rushing attack and it worked very effectively. Fred Taylor ran for 105 yards, a great performance against a solid Falcons defense. The running game set up the passing game, allowing Brady to complete 60% of his passes for a total of 277 yards.  The Pats defense also looked good, limiting Michael Turner to 56 yards and Matt Ryan to just under 200 yards.  If the Patriots can keep playing like this, with a solid running game and stone wall defense, then it could help Tom Brady better ease into the game and become the player that we all know and love. At the very least, it will win games… and that’s what matters in New England.

Sanchez Produces Against Titans Defense

As the weeks pass by, people (myself included) keep expecting Mark Sanchez to start making rookie mistakes and look bad. Yet as the weeks pass by, Sanchez continues to look more and more impressive. Though you could argue that the Jets running game or defense won the first two games, you can’t deny that Week 3 was all Sanchez. The star rookie threw for 171 yards and two scores (and ran for one rush TD) on Sunday, making a very experienced and skilled Tennessee secondary look below average. The Jets defense was also key in their victory as they not only kept Chris Johnson out of the endzone (Johnson did run for 97 yards but no TDs), but they also held Kerry Collins to a dismal 40% completion percentage. All of that equaled a big win for the Jets, solidifying their spot among the best teams in the NFL.

Favre = A Vikings Victory

By all means, the 49ers should’ve won this game. They limited the Vikes to 94 rushing yards in the game. Vernon Davis caught 7 balls, including 2 for touchdowns. They even returned a blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown. Last year that would’ve ended in a big 49er victory over the Vikings. The Brett Favre pickup in the offseason changed everything though. The Vikings didn’t need a 100 yard rushing game out of Peterson on Sunday. They didn’t need to shut down the Niners offense. When it comes down to the last play of a game, there are few men living or dead that you would rather depend on than Brett Favre. On that spectacular last play, Favre dodged defenders and finally threw 32 yards into the end zone only to have it caught by Greg Lewis for the game winning score. It was a play that Tavaris Jackson and Gus Ferrotte wouldn’t even dream of making, but Farve isn’t Jackson or Ferrotte. Favre doesn’t just dream of making those plays, he believes he can do it all the time. That’s why the Vikes picked him up, and that’s why the Vikes are superbowl contenders.

The Bengals Beat the Steelers!?!?!?

I don’t know exactly what to make of this. The Bengals trailed by 11 points going into the 4^th quarter and instead of merely flopping and collapsing as the Bengals of years past have, they buckled down and executed two touchdown drives in the final quarter while holding the Steelers scoreless. Their last TD came with 14 seconds left on the clock when Carson Palmer threw 4 yards to Andre Caldwell for a score. All the numbers should’ve equaled a Steeler victory, as they out gained the Bengals by 100 yards in the game. Still, it’s Cincinnati who walks away with the win. Was it because Troy Polamalu was out due to injury? Possibly. Carson Palmer was able to sneak in a couple tight throws that would’ve been difficult with Troy’s presence in the secondary. But what ifs aren’t important right now. What’s important are Ws and the Bengals earned it this week over the Steelers… That still sounds weird.

Rivers Off to Surprisingly Good Start, Chargers Offense Off to Surprisingly Bad Start

Most people figured that Drew Brees would be leading the league in passing at this point. If not Brees, than Manning, Brady, or Warner were all popular household names. Few people would’ve expected that it would be Phillip Rivers. Including his 300 yard performance on Saturday, Rivers has thrown for 991 yards this season. He’s hit a number of receivers and has looked very efficient. Despite that, the Chargers were forced to attempt 4 field goals in their win over the Dolphins. They were unable to perform in the red zone and had the Dolphins offense been able to play well, they would’ve beat the Chargers rather handily. Darren Sproles didn’t look electric against the Dolphins defense and Phillip Rivers couldn’t throw the ball into the end zone. If they don’t shape up soon, they could be in some trouble against the harder teams on their schedule (Pittsburgh, New York Giants, and Philly to name a few).

Indy Shuts Down Cards Offense

The Cardinals appear to be suffering from a superbowl hangover, lets all act surprised. The Pass rush from Indy was effective, and because of it Kurt Warner was forced into two interceptions and Larry Fitzgerald was kept out of the endzone. The running game couldn’t get started (no surprises there) and a team that averaged just short of 27 points per game last season, could only manage 10 on Sunday night. Peyton Manning was impressive yet again as he threw for 379 yards and 4 TDs. Donald brown was perhaps the biggest surprise of the night, as the rookie ran for 40 yards and took a catch and run 72 yards down the field and almost into the end zone. Donald Brown split carries evenly with Joseph Addai, a promising strategy so far that has kept both backs fresh and effective. It works, and the Colts will get W’s because of it.

Quick Hits: Week 3

Desean Jackson lit it up and Matthew Stafford celebrated the first Lions victory since 2007 in Week 3

Written by:MJK

Life on Mute:

For Terrell Owens this should all come as no surprise. None of it.  He chose Buffalo after being released from Dallas this past off-season. He should have known right away what he was about to get himself into. Even though it may have been the ONLY fit, it was FAR from a perfect one. T.O needed a rebranding and what better place to do it than upstate New York! The city? I could imagine. But Buffalo? This was a mistake.

Over the years, the oft outspoken Owens has given the sports world countless amounts of video and soundbytes. He has provided us with a weeping display of affection for former quarterback Tony Romo, implied that Jeff Garcia was gay, feuded with teammates, performed a public ab workout that would put Tony Horton to shame and cried wolf on a failed “suicide” attempt in 2006. What a ride it has been. 

So now after T.O was held without a catch this past weekend for the first time since his rookie season, and failing to live up to POST-game expectations here-he has the audacity to chime in with this blurb on a popular radio show.

“I'm just trying to do the best job I can do as far as answering the questions and trying to be a better teammate and not try to throw people under the bus.”

Huh? Come again? Well at least some sort of accountability is visible here. But this just isn’t right.  It’s like Thanksgiving dinner without turkey or Christmas without a tree. One always comes with the other, and his week 3 performance errr lack thereof had meltdown written all over it. Much to my dismay it never came.

T.O humbled? Its irony redefined.  T.O silenced? An oxymoron of epic proportions. This is not his…well, his bag baby and I can’t say that I like it. Of course with every negative T.O backdrop that he has bestowed upon himself, the contrary always makes it difficult for me to shake the image of a young Terrell Owens making one of the greatest plays that I have been able to witness in my lifetime. It’s just a shame that the memory seems so jaded now.

This façade that T.O is now trying to convince us of is garbage.  We should all know how this story will end.  We are three games into the 2009 season and I can’t really say I blame him for taking the high road.  But what if it happens again next week? What if he only has 40 catches by week 10? This is a ticking time bomb that is bound to explode at any point. I wish I could say I am exaggerating but there is a track record here that never seems to fail. And the thing is, I think that is exactly what Buffalo wants. Hell, its what I want. Whatever gets people in the seats right?

So to T.O, “Too” or simply Terrell Owens: Please quit trying to convince us that at 36 years old, in what seems to be the twilight of your career, you are suddenly changing your ways.  Then again a few more doughnuts in the stat sheet and you may not have a choice.  I have a feeling the best is still to come. “Getcha popcorn ready.” 

Not only is it ready T.O, its buttered up and salted to perfection…lets sit back and enjoy the uncertainty of your volatility one delicious kernel at a time.

Big Ups:

Brett Favre, QB, Minn- It really pains me to lead off with The Immortal.  His retirement/comeback sideshow every offseason has become tiresome and annoying. But the game-winning throw he made versus the 49ers was Vintage. That’s right, with a capital V.  Greg Lewis’ toe tapping catch in the endzone was equally impressive as the Vikings improved to 3-0. This is the electricity that Minnesota was hoping Favre would bring to the table and through three weeks he has yet to disappoint.

Detroit Lions- Talk about getting off the proverbial schneid. After 19 consecutive losses the Lions finally got the monkey off of their back and put one on the Washington Redskins.  The scene would have been confused for a Super Bowl victory for any other team after Detroit came back onto the field to show of support for all of their fans who have stuck with them. Very classy indeed. Still, head coach Jim Schwartz seems to have this team in the right mindset after trying his very hardest to downplay the significance of a week 3 victory.  The Lions now have more wins on the season than Tennesee, Carolina and Miami combined. All three were 2008 playoff teams.

Desean Jackson, WR, Philly- The super quick Jackson is showing why he presents matchup problems for many defenses around the league.  His speed allows him to get separation from opposing players so fast, it is almost impossible to catch up to him once in the open field.  Last season, I compared Jackson to the build and skill set of a young Steve Smith (Car.) And I am not backing down from this now. He may not possess the strength of Smith but his size, speed and flamboyance matches up almost perfectly.  He scored for the third straight week against Chiefs while piling on a career high 149 receiving yards. The somersault into the endzone was my personal favorite.  Whats more impressive is that he is putting up hefty numbers without Donovan McNabb throwing him the ball. Expect big things from Jackson this season.

Low Downs:

Washington Redskins: Well this must be an all time low.  The Redskins were barely able to squeek out a victory against the lowly Rams in week 2 and proceeded to follow that up by losing to a team that had not won a game since 2007.   It is simply inexcusable and now the fingers are being pointed everywhere. Clinton Portis has been virtually non-existent and Jason Campbell has been far from consistent (although he had a good day versus the Lions, it didn’t equal a victory). Head coach Jim Zorn is now officially on the hottest seat in the NFL.  I think he will be fired before week 10.

Byron Leftwich, QB, TB: This sure got ugly fast.  After a week 1 performance that showed promise, Leftwich finds himself benched and out of a starting job once again.  He has never been able to find his groove as a starting quarterback in the NFL and his 7-for-16, 22 yard and a pick performance versus the Giants didn’t do him any favors.  He has already been declared an inactive 3^rd quarterback for week 4’s game.

Larry Johnson, RB, KC: Compounded by a Chiefs team that is arguably the worst in the NFL, “Grandmama” has yet to get his wheels turning in what seems to be final chapter of his days as a running threat.  Sure, we have seen signs of this since the 2007 season when he missed 8 games due to injury, but this season Johnson has taken it to another level.  He is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry and looking very pedestrian between the tackles. The calls for second year back Jamaal Charles are getting louder and I think he will have the more productive season when it is all said and done.

Injury Hits:

Frank Gore, RB, SF- What a difference one week makes. After ripping off over 200 yards in week 2, Gore tested a tender ankle that forced him to leave the game versus the Vikings after just 1 carry for 4 yards. This makes you wonder if he was even healthy enough to try and go in the first place.  Regardless, initial reports say that he should be out for at least 3 weeks.  This makes rookie Glen Coffee the man in the bay and if his pre season was any indication, he should be able to pick up where Gore left off.

Chad Pennington, QB, Mia-  Pennington was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, ending his season with another shoulder problem.  Look for Chad Henne and NOT Pat White to take over under center.  The Dolphins also went out and traded for Tyler Thigpen (formerly of the Chiefs) and he should assume the backup role immediately with the potential to be starting very soon.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC- Just when I thought things would get rolling for the 3^rd year receiver, his hamstring tightens up on him.  This is clearly concerning considering hamstrings are the most fickle of injuries, and tend to linger longer than other injuries.  Hopefully, Kansas City gives Bowe the rest he needs to heal so he can come back strong.  Look for Mark Bradley to continue to see more targets as a result.

Felix Jones, RB, Dal-  This guy has the injury blues.  Last year he missed 10 games with a bum hamstring and toe and now he will miss a chunk of time with what is being reported as a sprained PCL in the knee.  He has shown flashes of brilliance when given the opportunity, but to be labeled as “injury prone” after only a year in the league is disheartening.  Tashard Choice should now take over as the feature back and may have a bit of success if he can pick up where he left off last season. Marion Barber’s status still remains up in the air.

Dwight Freeney, DE, Ind- The Colt’s defense takes hits like this every season, which is why it shouldn’t be surprising that they struggle on that side of the ball so often.  Freeney is widely regarded as one of the most feared pass rushers in the game, but has been hit with the injury bug the past few seasons.  This will create opportunities for offenses to further exploit an already average defense.  Look for teams to be able to gash this run defense a little easier in the next few weeks. 


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