Week 16 Preview

Baltimore at Pittsburgh

The last time Pittsburgh rookie Ben Roethlisberger walked off the field a loser was in Baltimore more than three months ago.

He'll have a chance to avenge that defeat, extend his record winning streak as a first-year starter to 13 games and clinch home-field advantage for the Steelers throughout the AFC playoffs when the Ravens visit Heinz Field.

And if that isn't motivation enough, Pittsburgh can also knock Baltimore out of serious contention for a playoff spot.

For Baltimore, a win is almost a must. The Ravens are one of four 8-6 teams fighting for the AFC's final wild-card spot.

This will be a huge defensive battle with Ray Lewis and company roughing of Big Ben and the Steelers. I feel like this will be a weekend of upsets starting off with Baltimore defeating Pittsburgh on the road.

San Diego at Indianapolis

Peyton Manning may get a record, but the team that wins the showdown in Indianapolis could end up having a bigger reason to celebrate.

If the Chargers have one weakness, its stopping the pass. I think Drew Brees and company will keep up with high powered Colts for my second upset of the week.



New England at N.Y. Jets

The New York Jets are to eager to prove they belong with the elite teams of the NFL. A victory over the defending Super Bowl champions would go a long way toward making believers out of themselves and the rest of the league.

The injuries for the Patriots are starting to have an impact and i don't see them recovering from there crushing defeat to the Dolphins last week.



Philadelphia at St. Louis

The Philadelphia Eagles have spent the past few days wondering if they'll have Terrell Owens back in time for the Super Bowl -- and if they can make it there without him. I think the Owens injury has become more of a distraction then anything and with Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson back the Rams might be able to pull off the upset.

Week 16 Paradise Pick’ em

This week is a tough one to call given the injuries and clinched playoff spots, but I’ll call em like I see em:

Vikings outduel the Packers
Chiefs arrow the Raiders
Broncos brawl with the Titans
Saints shock the Falcons
Lions den-t the Bears
Bengals take advantage of the Giants
Bills skin the 49ers
Seahawks survive the Cardinals
Redskins pound the Cowboys
Steelers redeem the Ravens
Jaguars escape the Texans
Colts light up the Bolts
Patriots turn around the Jets
Panthers stuck the Buccs
Dolphins splash the Browns
Rams TkO the Eagles

Fantasy Nightmare

Just when you figure you can do no wrong in Fantasy Football, the shocking reality of poor performances, injuries, ill advised manager decisions, and plain obscurities hit your lineup. No better example comes to mind than the one my team endured this past Sunday. My lineup features a starting roster of 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1RB/WR, 1K, 3IDP. At quarterback, I feature both Griese and Pennington; my running backs include Tomlinson, Dillon, McGahee, and D. Davis; my wide receivers include C. Johnson, D. Jackson, Muhammad, R. Smith, and Fitzgerald; my tight end is Shockey; my kicker is Stover; my defensemen include Trotter, Vilma, Harrison, and the injured Z. Thomas. From this lineup I decided to start the following players:
QB: Griese
RB: Tomlinson
RB: Dillon
WR: C. Johnson
WR: R. Smith
TE: Shockey
RB/WR: McGahee
K: Stover
D: Trotter
D: Vilma
D: Harrison

Thus, my first rant has to deal with poor performances, namely C. Johnson’s. With a stat line of 2 receptions for 10 yards, I don’t know what to think of this so called stud. Clearly unacceptable considering he plays his best games against the toughest match ups such as Champ Bailey and Chris McAllister who he burned this year.
Second, the injury by McGahee could not have been timed any worse, since it happened during the playoffs. He has played so well up till now that he is also a part of the reason most teams made it to the playoffs, but against the Bengals, one of the worst rush defenses just hurts so much more.
The ill advised manager decisions have to deal with me not consistently leaving Muhammad in the lineup, but R. Smith going against K.C. and knowing they are horrible against the pass while Atlanta being very stingy at home against the pass made so much sense. However, logic continues to mean nothing for the N.F.L. as we look at the last category of plain obscurities.
Someone explain to me how Griese, one of the hottest passers this year, puts up a stat line of 118 yards 1TD 1Int against the worst defense this century has seen? The Saints almost let you score at will, it was a match up made in heaven, but not when you have a fantasy nightmare week, it happens to all of us. To add insult to injury, most of my starters were outscored by their counterparts on the bench including Pennington, D. Davis, Muhammad, and Fitzgerald.

Well, now since I have vented and seen my fantasy championship game wash away, the fantasy nightmare well be left to haunt another team come next Sunday. Feel free to comment on this story or write on a similar story about your fantasy nightmare.

NFL highlight clips

If you're looking for some of the best NFL highlight clips check out this page.

NFL Highlights

Some of my favorites

Dante Hall doing his dance around the broncos

Roy Williams knocking out Shawn Alexander

T.J. Ducket running over John Lynch

T.O doing the Ray Lewis dance in Baltimore.

Week 15 Paradise Pick’ em

This week’s pick’ em has some teams who can clinch their division or a playoff spot, check it out:

Steelers rumble thru the Giants
Redskins devour the 49ers
Falcons a bit better than the Panthers
Bills take down the Bengals
Eagles too good for the Cowboys
Chiefs get by the Broncos
Texans shoot down some Bears
Vikings survive the Lions
Chargers light up the Browns
Jets fly by the Seahawks
Buccs burry the Saints
Rams stumble past the Cards
Packers ice the Jaguars
Titans sink the Raiders
Colts pluck the Ravens
Patriots show up the Dolphins

Thank You Eli Manning

Ouch, this was posted by huge Charger fan in the NFL forums....


Thank you Eli Manning, it was because of you that we traded you away and got Phillip Rivers. It was because you did not want to come to the Chargers, and you did not want to play.

Thank you Eli Manning, it was because when we traded you away and got Phillip, it was that Trade that lit a fire under Drew Bress, and its that Fire that has made Drew a MVP Candidate, and it has put the Chargers in the hunt for the playoffs

But then actually Eli Thank you, my Team has all ready suffered enough, Ryan Leaf was the biggest mistake a NFL Team could make.

That was until Yesterday your Quarterback Rating of 33.8 is right up there. I am sure you make your daddy proud. I am sure you are doing your best, I am sure you are really trying. BUT, your best is not good enough.

Thank you Eli for disrespecting the Chargers, and making us look like the ass while you got your way and went New York!

Thank you for not putting us through hell again!

Do you need any help Spending any of that 54 Million, I need to borrow some, I need to buy Playoff Tickets, and with Christmas and everything, I am strapped for Cash right now.

Monday Morning Notes - Week 14

Week 14 was an important week for teams looking to solidify there positions before the playoffs. I thought Seattle, Baltimore and Green Bay showed they belong.

Don’t give up on Eli Manning yet Giant fans. The kid has talent. Only a matter of time till he wins the big one.

Mike Tice contract is up at the end of the season and don't expect the Vikings to resign the retarded, I mean respected head coach. Having Randy Moss throw a pass with over 2 minutes to go was probably the worst call anyone could have made against the talented group of corners that Seattle possesses. The Seahawks are week at stopping the run yet for some reason Mike decided on a pass, an odd decision that will cost the Vikings the season.

When you look at some of the top performing football players week in week out, year in year out, one characteristic stand out, passion. Guys like Jerome Bettis, Ray Lewis and Curtis Martin have a passion for the game that is unmatched, you can’t teach it, but it separates the good from the best. When I own a football team it will be the first thing I look for in a player.

I’m tired of all the injuries this year. I can't think of one team that has had a star remain injury free throughout the year. I know its part of the game but it seems like it’s been more abundant this years.

The playoff picture looks like it's finalized through out the league. Let's start the playoffs already. Case Closed.

Week 14 Paradise Pick’ em

In this weeks pick’ em, we call it home sweet home except for one big upset:

Jaguars feast on the Bears
Patriots hunt down the Bengals
Bills blank the Browns
Colts in a shootout against the Texans
Cowboys lasso the Saints
Ravens stomp on the Giants
Falcons soar over the Raiders
Vikings spoil the Seahawks
Broncos freeze the Dolphins
Jets upset the Steelers
Packers tame the Lions
Cardinals trip up the 49ers
Panthers roar the Rams
Chargers bolt up the Buccaneers
Eagles control the Redskins
Chiefs dance around the Titans

NFL Playoffs Part II (NFC)

NFC East
The playoff hunt in the NFC has become musical chairs where only a non factor such as the music coming to an end and whoever is nearest to the chair determines who ends up with a spot. We will first dissect the NFC by taking a look at the NFC East. Within this division, only one thing is certain that the Eagles are in the playoffs. Another certainty perhaps is that the New York Football Giants will not make the playoffs and are content with allowing Eli face a rough schedule in order to only make him a better QB of the future. As for Dallas, you can pretty much write them off too, however, their star is shining brighter than most with the resurgence in the running game by J.J. Washington is out of contention, but poses to be a dangerous spoiler for their defense can keep them in the game.

NFC North
The NFC North division is the only division that can still be won by any of the four teams. Rationally the favorite here are the Packers. A devastating loss to the Eagles will not keep the Pack from making the playoffs. A weak heart might keep the Vikings out of the playoffs. They better not leave the decision to the last game of the year again this year because I am certain they will not win at Washington, but a two game lead now is a good cushion for them getting in the playoffs. Detroit and Chicago will continue to be inconsistent and are promising future contenders.

NFC South
The NFC South should have three teams making the playoffs, but one team will end up just short. The Falcons will clinch the division this week when the Raiders come to town, and they should not play Vick again until the playoffs roll around. I have to see him play the Eagles if that match up ever materializes and he is too much of a risk to run around on the field until then. I really like the next two teams. If it wasn’t for their head to head match up in Week 16, they both would make the playoffs. The Buccaneers have a tougher schedule in that they play at San Diego this week, I really would like to see them win that game but they do not have good protection on the o-line and Griese will get sacked several times because the run game will be tough against the Chargers. For that reason, I see the Panthers coming out of nowhere and finishing strong to make the playoffs. It’s all about confidence and if the Buccs lose to the Chargers, they won’t be able to beat Carolina who has their number thanks in part to Gramatica, even though he’s been released. As for the Saints, the only thing they are good for is providing good fantasy numbers for their opponents.

NFC West
Wow, has this division taken a turn for the worst as the contenders continue to be pretenders. Nobody wants to win this division so they should just give up their right to a playoff spot. Since things don’t work that way in the NFL, the decision is really simple in saying that the Rams will win the division. They both might finish tied when all is said and done but that tiebreaker is with the Rams. Seattle never really did recover from the comeback of the year by the Rams, but the interesting thing is, neither did the Rams. Arizona is too young to make a move. Finally, the 49ers, I think everyone is happy to see them in last after all their glory years at the top.

Divisional Winners: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta, St. Louis
Wildcard: Minnesota, Carolina

My all-NFL team for the 2004 season

QB- Peyton Manning, Donavan Mcnabb
RB- Corey Dillon, Shawn Alexander
FB- Tony Richardson, William Henderson
WR- T.O., Randy Moss, Javon Walker, Andre Johnson
TE- Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap
LT- Walter Jones, Chad Clifton
LG- Steve Hutchinson, Brian Waters
C- Mike Flanagan, LeCharles Bentley
RG- Will Shields, Marco Rivera
RT- Willie Anderson, Mike Williams

RDE- John Abraham, Aaron Schobel
RDT- John Henderson, Shaun Rogers
LDT- Kevin Williams, Marcus Stroud
LDE- Julies Peppers, Patrick Kearny
ROLB- Derrick Brooks, Keith Bulluck
MLB/ILB- Ray Lewis, Donnie Edwards, Nick Barnett
LOLB- Julian Peterson, Boss Bailey
CB- Chris McAlister, Marcus Trufant, Sam Madison, Ken Lucas
FS- Brian Dawkins, Eugene Wilson
SS- Ed Reed, Adrian Wilson

K- David Akers
P- Shane Lechler

NFL Playoffs Part I (AFC)

AFC East
As the playoffs approach, two things are apparent. For one the AFC is further dividing between good and bad teams. Secondly, the NFC continues to clutter with just about any team having a chance to make the playoffs except for the 49ers. Let’s take a look at the AFC first by starting with the AFC East. This division features three tough teams who all have stout defenses. The division should belong to the Patriots barring any setbacks. The match up against the Jets in Week 16 will be crucial at the Meadowlands, but New England has no other challenges on their schedule. The Jets are a solid Wildcard contender. The Bills might have an outside chance for the last spot with both the Ravens and Broncos losing last week. The Dolphins, better luck next year.

AFC North
The AFC North has one contender worthy of noting, the Steelers. Listening to analysts and announcers every week about how finally Roethlisberger will lose that given week is getting annoying. They should just give it up; he is the real deal showing poise and patience that rookie QB’s generally lack. Hats off to Brian Billick for another contending season with no offense, however, that loss to the Bengals last week was ill afforded. The Bengals are too inconsistent themselves and the Browns, see the Dolphins note above.

AFC South
The AFC South is starting to get decided with Peyton Manning’s arm, embarrassing opposing secondaries while making defensive coordinators’ lives hell. I still believe in Jacksonville, but they have to turn it around starting next week. Their window of opportunity is limited. Houston was a disappointment this year, much like the Bengals they seem like they are still a year away from being contenders. The Titans and the McNair era seem to be coming to an end, the Volek era seems bleak.

AFC West
Gotta love this division, no matter how horrible a team does in this division, they always step it up when they play a divisional game. San Diego is supercharging their way to a divisional title. The Broncos are doing exactly what I predicted, blowing it again with Plummer at QB. How many more years are they going to fool themselves with him at the helm, he just doesn’t have what it takes. The Chiefs and the Raiders are the underachievers this year, so much talent so little heart. Stepping it up once every few games will not cut it in the NFL.

Divisional Winners: New England, Pittsburg, Indianapolis, San Diego
Wildcard: New York Jets, Jacksonville
Stay tuned for Part II (NFC)

Top 5 worst coaches in the NFL?

I know it's a tough job but a little critism never hurt anybody ;)

1. Norv Turner - Horrible year for the Raiders. I said all along it was a mistake signing him. They should have waited for Romeo Crennel to add some discipline and organization to this group.

2. Mike Martz – Great offensive coordinator, horrible head coach. Makes bad decisions at crucial times during the games that are costly. Weak on defense and special teams.

3. Butch Davis – I know he’s gone now but horror stories coming out of the Cleveland camp are just scary.

4. Dennis Erickson – Go back to college football. Case closed.

5. Jim Haslett – Seems like a nice guy but just can’t seem to put it all together with a talented group in New Orleans. It’s time for a change down there.

Top Underrated players from each team

I put together a quick list of young, underrated players that would make an impact next year. Let me know what you think.

Arizona cardinals: Adrian Wilson - up and coming SS, maybe the best in the NFC

Atlanta Falcons: T.J Ducket - watch that clip of him running over John Lynch

Baltimore Ravens: Chris McAlister - best cornerback in the game, bar none

Buffalo Bills: Aaron Schobel - underrated DE along a talented buffalo d-line

Carolina - Deshan Foster: Future star in this league if he can stay healthy.

Chicago Bears: Charles Tillman - anyone who wrestles a pick from randy moss has my respect

Cincinnati Bengalis: Willie Anderson - best RT in the game

Cleveland browns: André Davis - playmaker, very underrated MLB

Dallas cowboys: Julius Jones - the only glimmer of hope in the cowboys running game.

Denver broncos: Kenoy Kennedy - more entertaining than Lynch and Bailey.

Detroit lions: Shaun Rogers - one of the best run stuffers in the NFL, best DT in the NFC

Green Bay Packers: Javan Walker - talk about fun to watch...

Houston Texans: Jabar Gaffney - huge skills, plus he’s Lito Sheppard’s cousin

Indy Colts: Bob Sanders - little guy can lay the wood

Jacksonville Jaguars: Byron Leftwich - will be the best be in the NFL... soon

Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Green – Puts up numbers year after year.

Miami dolphins: Sam Madison - better all-around corner than Surtain, top-5 NFL corner

Minnesota Vikings: Ontario Smith - well-rounded back, deserves a chance to be a franchise back

New England patriots: Matt Light - underrated LT

New Orleans saints: Donte’ Stallworth - insane skills, future #1

New York Giants: Tim carter - exciting slot receiver

New York jets: John Abraham - top-5 defensive player in the NFL

Oakland raiders: Napoleon Harris - good young ILB, needs to stay healthy

Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Westbrook – The real eagles MVP.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Hines ward - My prototypical wide receiver, love him and the way he plays the game

San Diego chargers: Quentin Jammer - top-5 cb skills, just now coming around to potential

San Francisco 49ers: Shawntia Spencer - wanted him to be a Ram, has a future as a starter

Seattle Seahawks: Maurice Morris - Mo is overshadowed by the best red-zone runner in the game, but he has a real future as a franchise back.

St. Louis rams: Hawaii 5-0 (Pisa Tinoisamoa) - just about the only entertaining player to watch on the Rams defense.

Tampa Bay: Michael Clayton - future top-10 receiver, absolute stud.

Tennessee Titans: Tyrone Calico - will be better than mason some day.

Washington redskins: Sean Taylor - the poster-boy for the new breed of NFL safeties... total playmaker, hate to have to see him twice a year.

Monday Morning Notes

Forget about Terrell Owens and Donovan Mcnabb for a second. Michael Westbrook is the MVP of the Philadelphia Eagles.

San Diego Chargers are a good football team. Love their defense. Love their passion all around.

Rookie running backs Steven Jackson and Kevin Jones are for real. Case Closed.

Michael Vick and the Falcons will be back next week. Fear the Falcons in the playoffs.

The Stealers and Jaguars hit hard. Love watching these 2 teams play. That was one of the best games of the year.

Four out of the top five teams in the league are in the AFC. It’s not even close.

Does anyone care about the Seahawk/Cowboy game Monday night? I didn’t think so.

Week 13 Paradise Pick' em

In the weekly pick' em, I see some potential money makers for you parlay fans out there, check it out:

Lions over Cards in an ugly game
Buccs upset the Falcons
Bills run thru the Dolphins
Saints wake up at home against the Panthers
Ravens too much D for Cincy
Jets hold off the Texans
Vikings a possession better than the Bears
New England babysits the Browns
Rams annihilate the 49ers
Colts pass by the Titans
San Diego supercharges the Broncos
Raiders a blocked extra point better than the Chiefs
Packers a 4th and 26 better than the Eagles
Redskins sleep past the Giants
Jaguars harass the Steelers
Seahawks buck the Cowboys

The St Louis Rams have problems.

As I watched their 165 pound free safety Little Richard Coady get steam rolled play after play by Green Bay running back Najeh Davenport I came to the realization that their season is officially over. The greatest show on earth has become the greatest joke on earth. And no it is not all Little Richard Coady’s fault. It’s the guy that plays him week after week that is responsible, Mike Martz. Now I have always been a fan of Martz and I appreciate a great offensive mind. But as a head coach he sucks donkey dick. That’s right, donkey dick. You wont here that on ESPN. But it’s the truth. Let’s take a moment and list some of his glaring faults as a coach.

He knows nothing about defense. Losing Lovie Smith and replacing him with the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator is like the Beatles replacing John Lennon with Jessica Simpson.

For the love of god he will not run the ball. When you have a 245 pound running back with desire and speed on your team you pound the defense with a consistent running attack. You don’t throw the ball 13 straight times. You don’t do that to your offensive line. You don’t let the other defense off the hook like that. You pound it up the middle beat them up a bit and then throw. Thank you!

Special teams is horrible.

Clock management is horrible.

Makes stupid decisions during the game like the pooch kick against the Saints with less then a minute on the clock giving them the opportunity to kick the game tying field goal and eventually winning in over time to the fake field goal in Green Bay that my 85 year old grandma saw coming from a mile away.

Playing Marshal Faulk over Steven Jackson. I love Faulk but his time is done


The Rams are lucky to be 5-6 and will not make the playoff this year. I guarantee it. Unless someone sends this article to Martz and he hires me as a special consultant. For some reason I don’t think that will happen. Oh well. There is always next year Rams fans.

McGahee’s Homecoming

As if it wasn’t enough that LB Zach Thomas will be injured this week, Buffalo Bills RB Willis McGahee will make his homecoming in Miami to face the Dolphins in a divisional match up. McGahee bought over a hundred tickets for family and friends so they can see the stud he has become in the NFL. Coming into the game McGahee already has five 100-yard games in six career starts; the only non 100-yarder was in Foxboro against the nasty defense of the Patriots.

Miami, on the other hand just won their second game of the year to perhaps the worst team in the league (the forty whiners). Things can not be going any worse for the Dolphins since they might have given up the number one pick overall in the draft by winning when they are not supposed to win. Playing at home will be the only reason to possibly conceive of a close game in this one, but there won’t be any home field advantage for the Dolphins as the real homecoming belongs to the new kid on the block, Willis McGahee.

The Bills have resurrected their season thanks in part to the resurgence of the running game and have won 4 out of their last 5 games. Bledsoe should be indebted to McGahee considering he has calmed the critics about his potential benching. Gotta love the call last week as Bledsoe faked the QB sneak on 4th and 1 to toss the football outside to McGahee and let him scamper in on his third out of his career high forth touchdown on the day. With that kind of play calling on offense and the stingy hard hitting defense, Buffalo poses tough match up problems and will play spoilers for some teams trying to make it to the playoffs. Now with Travis Henry out indefinitely with a leg injury, McGahee stands tall as the lone RB in Buffalo. Is it just me, or has there been a stud sighting in Buffalo? Run McGahee run!