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The Armchair Quarterback
Monday November 13, 2006
It's a weird world in the NFL. Crazy games. Crazy teams. It's sorta fun to speculate on who has a shot at the Super Bowl isn't it? And when I say fun, I mean I'd rather grab a hot coal from a bon-fire and shove it down my throat. Yep. I'm super excited about the league today. There is nothing like that week where you pull yourself out of your delusional fantasy world and face the ugly realization of A) knowing your team sucks, and B) knowing they won't be in the post-season. So anyway, back to teams that could be Super Bowl bound (i.e. not my Rams). Nobody looks like a lock do they? The Colts are a good bet on any Sunday but they can't stop the run (and sometimes the pass); the Patriots look strangely vulnerable; the Bears looked good again today but the Cardinal and Dolphin games are still fresh in our minds; and the Chargers were fantastic on offense this week but for supposedly having a great defense they have shown some cracks (even when Merriman was playing). I guess this means the post-season should be entertaining huh? And when I say entertaining I guess I mean it. I've got some abbreviated thoughts on today's action due to some work issues, so I'm not commenting on every game played. But I do have some senseless drivel that you ought to read anyway. I'm pretty sure I know what Brady wants for Christmas.
 -What's with the Patriot's home field? It's like a run-down high school field. I know the weather was bad today but that place looks crappy on a sunny day. So of course it's going to be a mud pit in wet weather (basically Oct-Dec in New England). What an embarrassment for an NFL team that is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Owner Bob Kraft ought to be ashamed of that atrocity. And oh yeah his team has shocked me and now lost two in a row. (jumping up and down wildly) Also is Belichick serious with those cut off hoody sleeves? I just whined about  some hypocrisy in college football the other day but then Pro Football's dress code double standard rears it's ugly (seriously, hideously ugly) head. So ......the league office will fine some player 5 grand for writing something on his shoes or not putting his socks on correctly but they'll go ahead and let Belichick wear this crap every week without a peep? He ought to be tarred and feathered. Actually that might inspire a new look for him. Never mind. ---Time for the NFL to institute the "Belichick rule" stating that their head coaches need to look better than a guy on the street looking for a 10 dollar hooker. Also are you with me yet that Belichick is a closet serial killer? Watch this guy for more than 5 minutes and tell me he's not chopping people into little bits. When they find his collection in his freezer someday, just remember I told you so. On again, off again
- Inconsistency is killing several teams. Michael Vick has just got to drive Jim Mora nuts as coach. He single handedly wins and loses games for you. But the Falcons are not alone. The Lions, Jaguars, Packers, Jets, Cowboys, Eagles, Vikings, ---aww hell, just about the whole league---are alternating between looking great one week and looking like...uh....the Cardinals the next next week.
(Big Sigh)
My Rams are done. Or dumb. Either one works. They have had a perfect opportunity the past couple of weeks to make up ground on Seattle and they blew it. When the Seahawks get Hasslebeck and Alexander back they will be in the driver's seat and ready for cruise control until the playoffs. I'm just going to go kill myself now. Don't bother getting up.
 Carpe Diem?See the thing about the Kurt Warner story in 1999 is that when he had the opportunity to pull the rug out from Trent Green, he not only pulled it out but then wrapped Green up in it, tied some 50 pound weights on either end and then threw it in the lake. In other words he grabbed the opportunity and refused to give the coaching staff any other reason to not play him. On the other hand Damon Huard just opened up the Chiefs QB job again with less than inspired play against a scrappy but inferior Miami team. His overall play for the past month will buy some good will but if he does get to start again next week he needs to have a big game. This point also applies to the situation in Jacksonville. And you know, this isn't the only year people have been clamoring for David Garrard in Jaguar land. Late last year he had a shot to show he was the guy--and didn't do it. Now again Jacksonville fans (and probably some team members and coaching staff) are ready to hand the reins over to him but Garrard has laid another egg--this time against a team they should beat. Houston has played some teams tough this year but Jacksonville is still the better team. If you are going to "Wally Pipp" someone you can't suck. That's the rule. | | | |
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Friday November 10, 2006
 You know why I like the NFL better than College Football? Less Hypocrisy. Take the whole Louisville national championship debate for instance. And yes I'm aware they lost last night. But that only reinforces my point which I'll get to in a minute. Back to Louisville. Before they lost to a very good Rutgers team many people were up in arms with the thought of them playing someone like Michigan or Ohio St. for the title. As Mark Schlabach wrote in a good article on ESPN.com that detailed this hypocrisy , the West Virginia/Louisville game was lambasted for too much offense and not enough defense. Yet the high scoring title game between Texas and USC was an instant classic. Nobody talked about those teams as being less than worthy of being there. Also, a much praised Michigan team just allowed Ball St. to score 26 points on them. Ball St!. Last week, Florida barely beat Vanderbilt. Nobody wants to talk about how unimpressive these games were. Now if Louisville, West Virginia, or Rutgers had barely beat Ball St., then the cry would go out nationally, "they're not worthy"! It's complete crap and I'm sick of it. Even those that were willing to concede Louisville's right to the title game are less than kind about Rutger's right to play for the title. I ask why? If Louisville deserves to be there then if Rutgers beats W. Virginia and runs the table then why the hell shouldn't they get the same consideration? Perception that's why. No history. Not one of the big boys. The Big East doesn't have the same rep as the SEC, Big 12, Big 10, etc. It's all so maddening to me that I sometimes want to wash my hands of the whole thing. I always hear, "well if they were in the SEC there is no way they go undefeated", or "if Florida was in the Big East they wouldn't lose a game". Maybe. But there is no way to know for sure is there? Because college football allows computers and people's opinions to decide who plays for the championship there will never be a way to know! Which brings up another point. If the SEC claims they are penalized for being such a tough conference (meaning it's unlikely that a team will go undefeated), why do they not push for a playoff system? Even an Auburn team that went undefeated a couple of years ago got screwed. Until there is a playoff system that allows teams like Rutgers, Louisville, Boise St., etc. to show if they are worthy, and also lets teams in tough conferences like the SEC prove that they deserve a shot even with a loss , I will continue to treat College Football as an afterthought. Sure the NFL has it's problems. But at least the championship is decided on the field. | | | |
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Thursday November 9, 2006
With a decent first half finished, what's in store for the rest of the NFL season?  AFC DominanceThe Patriots will contend with the Colts for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I know the Pats already have two losses but take a look at their remaining schedule. It's cake. They might just go 7-1 or 8-0 the rest of the way. However, the Colts probably won't lose three and even if they do, they beat New England head to head. Bottom line is that these two teams are going to end up with the two best records in the AFC.  Best Division in Football?-It's going to be a dog-fight finish for the AFC West. The Chargers and Broncos are now dealing with the fact that the Chiefs are nipping at their heels. The Broncos probably have the edge in the schedule from here on out but they still have to play the Chargers twice. It's conceivable that the two that don't win the division could be the Wild Card teams.  On the Ropes-The Bengals have some serious work to do if they want to overtake the Ravens or even make a Wild Card spot. I think it will come down to the final game to see if that last playoff spot is saved for them or the Chiefs.  NFC--Besides the Bears who is going to step up?Although it seems the Saints, Giants, and Seahawks have the inside track their with their divisions, the Falcons, Eagles, Cowboys, Rams, and Panthers are not going to go quietly. I have no idea how this will all turn out, but 5 of those teams are going to the post-season. Chicago seems to have the only lock on their division but if I had to guess I'd say Seattle was the other best bet (even with their injuries...and it pains me to say that as a Ram fan). | | | |
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Tuesday November 7, 2006
So at the mid-point in this 2006 season what do we know? Well we know the NFL is hard to predict year to year. Take a few players away, add a few players, get some bad luck, have key players underperform, and next thing you know you've got a Super Bowl champ with as many wins as the Raiders. I love this game.
I didn't see that coming: The Buccaneers, Steelers, Bengals, Redskins, Cowboys, and Rams are all doing much worse than I thought they would to start the season. On the other hand the Chiefs and Saints are better than expected.
Disappointing RB: Reggie Bush. His 2.6 yards per carry (207 total rushing yards) without a single rush over 18 yards is not exactly what I envisioned. I figured he'd make more people miss than he has. Sure he's been a good receiver but that's only part of why he was drafted.
Surprising RB(s): On the other hand rookies Joseph Addai (490 yards and 4.7 avg.) and Laurence Maroney 458 yards, 4.3 avg) have been the class of the rookie runners. Maurice Drew (320, 4.6) and even Wali Lundy (309, 4.2) and Mike Bell (305, 4.4) are running better than Bush . Granted they all have been given more carries than Reggie but even so they are still look more impressive.
Disappointing receivers: Chad Johnson and Randy Moss. In Johnson's case, Palmer's struggles are contributing to his lackluster numbers. ---And Moss is maybe the most talented receiver in the game but has lost interest in being a top wideout.
Surprising Receivers: New Orlean's Marques Colston. He keeps this up he will run away with offensive Rookie of the Year. Detroit's Mike Furrey also came out of nowhere.
Surprising Quarterbacks
Damon Huard, and Philip Rivers.
Disappointing Quarterbacks
Roethlisberger, Plummer, Leftwich, & Delhomme have all played much more poorly than I thought they would to this point. Palmer and Culpepper should be on this list as well but I kinda figured one of them, if not both, might end up with injury problems. They did make seemingly miraculous recoveries. And if Palmer's knee is healed, his head certainly isn't.
Disappointing Defensive player:
I thought Dwight Freeney would be more of a force this year. He just isn't getting to the QBs like he used to.
Surprising Defensive player:
Green Bay's Aaron Kampman has 9.5 sacks. Maybe it's because I don't follow Green Bay religiously but I have no idea who this guy is. And he's been in the league 5 years.
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Monday November 6, 2006
Another week in the NFL has baffled me. The Bears lose at home to a 1-win team. The Vikings allow less than 10 points to a 2-win team and still manage to lose the game. Umm...ok. Whatever. The motto for the league ought to be, "Don't bet on us"!
Thoughts for the week's action:
 Chiefs 31 /Rams 17
Bulger played great again. The defense stunk again. How long must Ram fans suffer these defensive collapses? Also, despite Ram fumbles helping the Chiefs dominate the first half, the refs helped give away the game for good in the second half. Isaac Bruce was flagged for a bogus offensive pass interference that negated a 3rd down conversion as the Rams were driving to tie the game up. Next Chief possession, they flag the Rams defensive back for a bogus defensive pass interference. Both replays showed they were blown calls. Game, set, match. The Chiefs go on to score again and the game is over. It's tough enough to win when you dig your own hole but when the refs go ahead and shovel dirt on top of you it's impossible.
 Redskins 22 /Cowboys 19
Bill Parcells said in a post-game interview (about their failed two point conversion attempt early in the game) that he goes by a chart to plan out his two point conversion attempts. Chart? I just want to know who this genius is that came up with this "chart". Probably the same guy that gave former Ram coach Mike Martz tips on calling time outs. Two point conversion chart? It's the most moronic thing I have ever heard of. Any sane person should know that you don't go for two points until the 4th quarter when you know you will need them. Still, the Cowboys lost partly because of this, so despite being bugged by the fact that a future hall of fame coach making millions of dollars should know better, I'm giddy with the thought that the Parcells might use the "chart" the rest of the season.
Dallas won't feel any better about it but it's a fluke win for the Skins. Terrell Owens, dropped a sure TD pass (keep em coming dorkwad) and Vanderjagt's blocked field goal at the end followed by a face mask penalty (another gift by the refs who should have awarded five yards for it but inexplicably gave them 15 yards---and the win) ensured another victory for a team that didn't deserve it. ---Somehow I'll fight through the injustice of this one.
Dolphins 31/ Bears 13
So I guess Chicago was teasing us last week with another blowout win and a great game by Grossman. Now we know the Cardinal game wasn't just a fluke. 2 out of the last 3 weeks the Bears defense has looked pretty average and Rex G. has looked like Aaron Brooks. It's not time to panic but it is time to stop printing those Bear Super Bowl champion t-shirts. For now.
Giants 14 / Texans 10
How do the Giants keep winning ugly like this? If style points were required for victories, NY would have as many losses as wins.
 Colts 27 / Patriots 20
This was weird for me to watch. Pleasantly surprising-- but weird. I expected much more running from Dillon and Maroney. Oh sure they gashed the Colts for quite a few 5+yard runs but I kept expecting the 20 and 30 yard breakout runs. I also expected Brady to outplay Manning, but Payton showed that he is the reason Indy is 8-0. He is the MVP of the league. Nobody is more important to their team in my opinion. If he ever has a bad game they'll lose because their defense isn't good enough to bail him out. So considering that I'm a "glass is half empty" kind of guy when it comes to the Colts, I'm still skeptical that they can make it to the Super Bowl with that D. By the way how weird was that to see Vinatieri miss two field goals in a stadium where he made so many? What's up with that? Perhaps he is secretly still on Belichick's payroll. Or maybe Belichick did some Manchurian Candidate type brainwashing before he let him go. It's possible.
Saints 31 / Bucs 14
Drew Brees is perfect for a "west coast" attack. He excels in the short to mid-range throws and he manages a game really well. Sometimes that west coast style can bug me but when it works how can you knock it? No rushing attack? No problem if your passing game doubles as a running game as well.
Chargers 32 / Browns 25
Not as close as the score indicates but still not a banner game for the Bolts. Too many penalties and too many stalled drives. Still Tomlinson was awesome. Again. And Rivers was efficient enough for the win. Considering how several good teams lost when they shouldn't have over the last two weeks, I'm ready to cut San Diego some slack.
 Broncos 31 / Steelers 20
Did you hear that? That was the sound of a Super Bowl champion team crashing and burning. Also in the distant background you can make out the faint sounds of a QB controversy. Listen, it's kind of catchy. Charlie. Charlie. Charlie. When the call goes out for Charlie Batch to start for your team you know it's time to throw in the terrible towel. Pittsburgh might scrape back to .500 by the end of the year, they may even go on a bit of a winning streak for 4 or 5 games, but there is not a chance in hell they catch the breaks like they did last year and make the playoffs.
Lions 31 / Falcons 14
I recorded this one to see if Vick could keep up his all-world play on the ground and the air. He got half of it right. Still he didn't lose this game by himself. The Falcon defense got shredded by Kitna and Kevin Jones. Quit cackling Mike Martz. I mean it. Stop it. Anybody have a shotgun?
Bills 24 / Packers 10
When Green Bay turns the ball over a lot they always lose. End of story. Favre has to have mistake free games from himself and his teamates to win. Nice game though by Ahman Green and Donald Driver.
49ers 9 /Vikings 3
Yeah. Capture the magic.
 Jaguars 37 / Titans 7
Vince Young throwing the ball 36 times doesn't bode well for Tennessee. Meanwhile Jags QB, David Garrard played well enough that he should probably start the next game. And Byron Leftwich should keep his trap shut and realize that he's in a good spot. He's recovering from injury and the backup guy is always liked more. So as soon as Garrard struggles, he's sitting pretty. Unless Garrard doesn't struggle. Then he's screwed.
 Ravens 26 / Bengals 20
Second straight week Palmer is outplayed by an inferior passer. That's embarrassing. The Bengals are bad on defense, bad on offense and receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh did act like a little baby out there on that final 4th down play for Cincy. But to be fair it was absolutely a pass interference that should have been called and it did cost them the game. Another blown one by the refs. That's at least two games today possibly decided by a referee messing up calls on pass interference plays. Still, just like the Rams, the Bengals really should be playing better than this and if they really want to point the finger they better pull out a mirror. They've sucked. | | | |
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