Coming Off the Mount...

Another entertaining affair between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins tonight on NBC's Sunday Night Football. No surprise there, honestly.

Jets win 31-23. Believe me, it wasn't an easy victory.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

While the Jets walked away (despite the WORST EVER attempted shovel pass from the Sanchize) with a HUGE win on the road (more on that later); the big story surrounding this game, with just cause, was the week Braylon Edwards had.

From early Tuesday morning...

Credit: Media.NJ.com

NEW YORK -- New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested Tuesday on charges of driving while intoxicated after officers pulled him over because his SUV had excessive tinting on its windows, police said.

Officers on the lookout for vehicle violations like excessive tinting or missing registration stickers pulled over Edwards' Land Rover on Manhattan's West Side at about 5:15 a.m. ET and noticed a strong smell of alcohol, chief NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said.

Edwards was given a breath test at the scene and another at a police station. His blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit, officials said. There were four other people in the SUV at the time.

Note: It was announced, late in the week that Edwards would NOT be suspended for the game. There is precedent for this ruling, too. Instead, he was suspended for the first quarter. And yes, he was in the first play of the second quarter.

Credit: Media.NJ.com

From late Tuesday evening...

Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum said in a conversation with the Associated Press that Edwards would be active for Sunday night's game against the Dolphins, although he wouldn't start. It will be up to Rex Ryan when and if Edwards plays. Greg Aiello of the NFL points out that the CBA does not allow teams to suspend or deactivate players for DUI arrests per CBA rules.

As for Mr. Edwards' performance tonight? 2 receptions for 87 yards and 1 TD. One of them a 67 yard touchdown was on the first play of scrimmage the Jets had after trailing the Phins 17-14 mid-way into the 3rd quarter, giving them a 21-17 lead. Edwards' other catch was a key 3rd and 10 reception - inside Dolphins territory - for (do the math, Clement) 20 yards on what would be the Jets final drive of the game (a TD drive giving them an 8-point lead, their margin of victory). Edwards also was highlighted by Michaels/Collinsworth for a key seal-block on a 20+yard LT run (remember him?) and a costly tripping penalty inside the redzone (just lazy blocking on his part, if you ask me).

As for the situation at-hand; as I see it, there are three issues I'd like to address surrounding this Edwards-situation, aside from the game's result (which was very pleasing, but very tough to watch, for me personally).

Issue #1: What Edwards did was wrong. In fact, it was flat out dangerous.

SportsGrid.com

Not a genius statement. But one that needs to be stated.

Now, I'm not opposed to Edwards doing jail time for his DUI, no matter what the circumstances were when he was pulled over (tinted windows, not poor driving). DUI/DWI is a very serious crime. However, I don't want to compare what he did to what Donte Stallworth did, either. Two different outcomes, fair or not, and the two crimes can't be compared fairly. Nevertheless, I also don't believe it's okay for Edwards to "get off" because "other players often get off". However, I also don't think it's fair to demonize ONLY Edwards - even if it's in the news this week - as the only NFL athlete to be guilty of DUI. He deserves as much of a backlash as anyone else who has been found guilty of the crime.

Which leads me to...

Issue #2: Should Ronnie Brown have been sat out week 1 for his DUI this past March?

Credit: TerezOwens.com

Ronnie Brown had a DUI arrest of his own this past offseason (in March). Does that mean Miami should've "sent a message" by suspending him for the first game of the season? Is a DUI more of a crime, in the eyes of an NFL team, during the season than it is during the offseason? Does it show more or less or the same amount of recklessness? You tell me.

Many question whether Braylon Edwards would've been suspended if the Jets were playing the Bills - as opposed to the 2-0 Dolphins; which is a fair question. Nevertheless, why does Ronnie Brown not see any official team discipline - in terms of quarters/halves/game(s) missed? Is it due to the "timing" of his crime? I also don't want to demonize Brown, who hasn't had any trouble with the law since the arrest, mind you.

If you ask me, both should've been suspended for at least 1 game. Although you may clearly point out to me that I have the foresight of knowing Edwards played, scored a big TD (made a nice block, too), and the Jets won.

Which leads me to...

Issue #3: It's impossible to expect a fan to leave his loyalty, right or wrong.



Many of you may think this post is just a ploy for me to explain why it was "okay" for Edwards to play tonight. WRONG. Instead, it's me addressing an issue that a fan struggles to address. I have to step off the mount, and realize I'm completely conflicted over the situation/suspension (and ecstatic over a big win).

I'm not much of a fan of Mike and Mike, although - since Mike Greenberg is a noted, avid Jet fan - I did seek out their opinions this week on the Edwards situation. Surprisingly, Greenberg and Golics' words spoke to me quite a bit. (Listen to the video above.)

I started to realize that I've riddled plenty of Steeler fans for their QB's recent actions in a bar bathroom with an undergrad, reminded Laker fans about Kobe's night in Denver with a certain hotel employee, and been mocked endlessly (and justifiably) for Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi's "apology" over proven-steroid use.

Is it my fault, or anyone else's, as a fan, that players we openly root for are found guilty of crimes? No. But if I choose to support them, as I did Edwards during his long TD run (which admittedly had more to do with Jason Allen s-s-slipping on his butt), then I'll take some justly deserved criticism.

But a "fan" is still a fanatic. So you take the good with the bad...and move on.
Much like how you treat ego-maniacal, yet extremely talented wide receivers.

InClement Weather: Ranting and Raving

“You go out from the first quarter on, from the first play on, and try to embarrass them,” Rhodes said. “Not just go out there and try to win, try to embarrass them. Try to make them feel bad when they leave here. We don’t want to just beat them. We want to send a message to them, ‘We’re not backing down from you and we expect to win this game, and it’s not going to be luck, it’s not going to be a mistake.’ ”

Credit: NYDailyNews.com

Credit: Courier-Journal.com

As for the speculation surrounding Rhodes' comments and the insinutation that it'll only cause Tom Brady to get MAD and inflict pain on the Jets secondary, here is what I have to rant and rave about...

Why shouldn't Kerry Rhodes - or any defensive player in the NFL - feel confident about their chances, regardless of their opponent? When a microphone is put in their face, why shouldn't they honestly express their opinions? Why shouldn't they intend to target QBs, which is in the defensive gameplan for EVERY TEAM, and let their opponent know they aren't intimidated by them?

The Patriots don't need to worry about what Rhodes said, and to their credit largely, they haven't. Ironically, it's not Belichick/Moss/Brady firing back...it's Rodney Harrison and Laurence Maroney (more on those MORONS later).

While I don't believe it's necessarily wise to specifically call out a potent offense, I don't want ANY players on teams I root for worrying about "offending" their opponent. There may be nothing more overrated in sports than supposed "bulletin board" material. Why is "no comment" what is needed to be said, in order to not offend anyone. What happened to the concept of a rivalry? You tell me. Teams don't need to be reminded the importance of games, especially on the road and in your division. They're not infantile enough to need to psyche themselves up in order to try and win a game. Especially a Belichick-coached team.

What should the Jets do? Kiss the ring?
Sorry, Tony Kornheiser and Peter King are fighting over who gets to do it next.
Credit: StudentsoftheWorld.info

Now of course, the Anthony Smith (former Steeler safety) story of a couple of years ago comes up now whenever anybody says anything about getting after Tom Brady and the Patriot offense. Let me get one thing straight: Tom Brady and the Patriots didn't beat the Steelers JUST because of the safety's comments. Brady might've let Smith hear it after a big-time TD pass, but Smith's comments didn't suddenly give Brady, Belicheat, and the Patsies the "motivation" needed to take out their conference rival. If you think it did, your simpler and more of a frontrunning poser than Tony Kornheiser. (He's become nearly as insufferable as Jack Del Rio's wardrobe in recent years, by the way.)

And if you disagree and feel Tom Brady needs "extra" motivation to beat the Jets...then he's clearly NOT the Tom Brady nearly everyone in the media (hello Phil Simms!) pulls their panties down for weekly.

Tom Brady is a smart guy. Case and point (above). He clearly doesn't need to be told that throwing TDs against the Jets is his objective this weekend.
Credit: PantyLinePress.com

If you walk into a game feeling like you're going to be beaten, then you're going to get beaten. I don't knock Rhodes for being confident and don't buy hype over bulletin board material. This isn't a rivalry in which the teams are dead even. Far from it. But it's also one the Jets have enjoyed modest success in recently. Even more important, the Patriots and Jets clearly don't like each other, view each other as threats in their division and conference, and each expect to win this game. So if you think it's a mistake to predict victory, take a cue from Plaxico Burress. Why would you NOT predict a victory when that's the object of the game? TO WIN!

Kanye was clearly the moron of the week. Although the pro-Boston media would have you think differently. Am I bitter? YES. Am I sour grapes? YES. Is Taylor Swift slowly becoming quasi-attractive? Yes...
Credit: Blog.NJ.com

Media Update...

Rodney Harrison is a punk and thug hiding behind his sportscoat on NBC. He also has ZERO credibility.
Who cares what Laurence Maroney thinks about A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G? He's a terrible running back and has wasted a golden opportunity to become one of the NFL's elite players in an offense that could give him 150 rushing yards and 2 TDs for free most games.
Kerry Rhodes needs to wait to win a few more games before he compares himself to the NFL's elite at safety and behind the microphone. I am a fan though.


Now let's hear you react. Come on...do it!

NFL SWOT Analysis: AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Strengths – Leave it to T.O. to possibly be an Addition-by-Subtraction for one team, while also being a nice addition to another. Owens should be the best thing that could have happened to Lee Evans. While Evans has somewhat come into his own, he’s always lacked that running mate who can free him of the double-teams. Behind the line, Marshawn Lynch should have less pressure as he now has two backups that can step in at any time. Fred Jackson was there, but adding Dominic Rhodes could be a big win. The defensive line is underrated and goes deeper than most would realize. The fresh legs will be a huge help in the 4th Quarter.

Weaknesses – The offensive line has completely re-shuffled. Gone is All-Pro LT Jason Peters. Langston Walker moves from the right side to fill in. Brad Butler slides over from guard to RT. There will be battles at both guard spots. Finally, free agent Geoff Hangartner will be making the line calls from the middle. The defensive backfield has a lot of question marks. Donte Whitner is on the verge of losing his job. Bryan Scott has a ceiling, and it’s not high. Terrence McGee plays with heart, but isn’t built to take on #1’s like Moss, Fitz and Andre Johnson.

Opportunities – Langston Walker takes on some really big shoes, that may not be as big as they seem. If Walker stays away from giving up double-digit sacks, he’s already outdone Peters, because Walker is just as good (if not better) at run blocking. On the other side of the ball, after watching Dominique Rogers-Cromartie’s success in Arizona last year, it’s time for Leodis McKelvin to step into the starting role and show why he was drafted ahead of DRC.

Threats – For a team that made moves that a team makes to put themselves over the top (e.g. Terrell Owens), they have a lot of rookies vying for significant playing time. Aaron Maybin could be a mainstay on passing downs. Both guards, Eric Wood and Andy Levitre are challenging a couple of journeymen. Shawn Nelson has the most potential at TE. Jairus Byrd could push Whitner to start at FS.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Trent Edwards takes the reigns as the unquestioned QB of this team. He didn’t really receive the torch from anyone other than the shell of himself who was constantly looking over his shoulder.

Position Battle – Both OG spots where Eric Wood will battle Kirk Chambers on the left side and Andy Levitre will battle Seth McKinney on the right. There will also be a battle at FS where Whitner will fend off Ko Simpson and Jairus Byrd.

Rookie Contributor – Several, due to good drafting. Wood, Levitre, Nelson, Maybin and Byrd have been mentioned. However, keep an eye on LB Nic Harris, who will mostly be a special teamer. He has “Ian Gold” written all over him.



Miami Dolphins

Strengths – One of the strengths that I always stress is continuity. With the Dolphins returning 20 starters (one will switch positions), this is almost as good as it gets. With C and FS the two new faces, the Dolphins can build on last year’s success without having to re-invent the wheel. At QB, they have the comeback player of the year. Pennington is one of the highest football IQs and is a great game manager. The running game should once again be a strength, running behind a line that was built for smash mouth football.

Weaknesses – Why did they choose to ignore upgrading at WR again? Sure, Ted Ginn is a flyer and Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo are big targets, but are any of these guys turning into Go-To receivers? The DBs have a lot of question marks as well. Yeremiah Bell has been an asset, but how confident can you be in Gibril Wilson when the Raiders gave up on him? The Allen duo at CB isn’t awe inspiring either. Will Allen needs to scour Florida for the fountain of youth while Jason Allen needs to tap into some of that potential that made him a first round pick.

Opportunities – Back to the running game. A healthy Ronnie Brown, who claims that he is 100%, and a rejuvenated Ricky Williams, who claims that he feels younger than he’s ever felt, could do some major damage behind that offensive line. Before Brown went down to a season ending injury two years ago, he was the top performing back in the league at the time. Now that they have the running game, and the comeback QB in place together, this team could be a contender.

Threats – Here’s where the Dolphins should worry. They have one of the worst kinds of threats to have. They are not a very deep team. Holes created by injuries to starters won’t easily be patched up. If the team can stay healthy, they will do well. If the injury bug hits, it will be a long season.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – This is a team where many of the players are caught in the middle. Not many are ready to pass the torch. Not many are ready to receive it. Is that a good thing? Is it bad? Hard to tell this early.

Position Battle - QB2: Pat White vs. Chad Henne. With Pennington’s injury history, the backup QB is extra important in Miami.

Rookie Contributor – Pat White will probably take the Wildcat snaps. While there are three DBs that have potential, don’t expect to see them much this season. WR Patrick Turner could get a look or two as well.



New England Patriots

Strengths – When you have Tom Brady throwing passes to this veteran receiving corps, there isn’t much to worry about. Randy Moss and Wes Welker will catch the lion’s share of passes. Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis are the wild cards. Galloway, who plays younger than his age, could be a diamond in the rough for this team. This offensive line is completely intact and has Super Bowl experience. Oh…and…let’s not forget, they’re the Patriots. (Ok…that almost made me sick…but the truth does ring there)

Weaknesses – While the CBs are deep, they have a lot to prove. Two of the three potential top contributors had the Lions and the Redskins give up on them (Leigh Bodden & Shawn Springs respectively). Couple that with the fact that the OLB spot is a weakness outside of Audalius Thomas, and you have a formula for disaster. If there is a lack of pressure on the opposing QB, these CBs will be spending too much time in coverage, and will be exploited.

Opportunities – Fred Taylor could step up and be what Corey Dillon was to the Patriots a few years back. Taylor could be the workhorse that opens things up for Kevin Faulk to do his damage. This is a deep, versatile set of backs that the team can do a lot with. From a coaching standpoint, Belichick has taken full control of the offense once again. Can he prove that he is the reason this team dominates on offense, or will he prove that Weis and McDanials were the geniuses?

Threats – Will Tom Brady start to hear footsteps? An injury like that has changed some careers for the worse, regardless of what condition the player comes back in. If Brady goes down to another injury, there isn’t another Matt Cassel type to take over again. This offense also thrives on the play of its TEs in the red zone. If nobody steps up, things could clam up pretty quick on the red zone offense.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – Ty Warren from Richard Seymour as the dominant 3-4 DE on the team. Warren was an absolute beast last year (coming off a down year). Another will be Gary Guyton from Tedy Bruschi (unless Paris Lenon beats him out). Guyton was a great college free agent find last year.

Position Battle – LOLB: Pierre Woods vs. Tully Banta-Cain. Woods is penciled in to start, but Banta-Cain is in his second stint with the club, and could use that experience to help win the job. RT: Nick Kaczur vs. Sebastian Vollmer. Kaczur is in the dog house with his legal troubles. That is why they drafted Vollmer, who is a great pick.

Rookie Contributor – Minor contribution at best, unless Vollmer beats out Kaczur. Darius Butler could get some looks if the CB injury bug hits the Patriots for the umpteenth season in a row. Ron Brace should get some time, spelling Vince Wilfork.




New York Jets

Strengths – The defense is the major strength of this team, especially with Rex Ryan aboard. This is an underrated defense that could find themselves ranked highly by the end of the season. The defense is led by talented set of DBs. Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard will roam the center fields, while a foursome of CBs led by Darrelle Revis keeps receivers in check. An offensive line with a lot of potential returns this season completely intact (yet another team that will benefit from this “phenomena”).

Weaknesses – Any time you start a rookie QB (unless it’s Peyton Manning), it’s a weakness. Mark Sanchez will hit bumps in the road. The question is: Can the rest of the team step up when he needs them? If there is one spot on defense that I would focus on as a weakness, it’s the most important component of a 3-4 defense: The OLBs. Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace are serviceable, but not dominant, like a James Harrison, Shawne Merriman or DeMarcus Ware. Both OLBs combined for 11 sacks last year. A pitiful number when you consider this defense is designed for those players to rack up the sacks. Also, with Pace suspended for the first four games, the team turns to 2008 6th overall pick Vernon Gholston, who was non-existent last season.

Opportunities – Chansi Stuckey could pick up where Laveranues Coles left off. Stuckey is no stranger to making a big catch. Now all he has to do is build chemistry with Sanchez as the #2 receiver. Dustin Keller, on the other hand, needs to become the safety-valve that will be extremely valuable to Sanchez. On the other side, Bart Scott and David Harris have the opportunity to be the next Ray Lewis and Bart Scott. Scott steps into the limelight, in a position meant to make plays, as David Harris will play an equally important, yet less spectacular role of taking on the blockers.

Threats – Age comes into question here. How old are Thomas Jones’s wheels? While he is in great condition, and Leon Washington’s presence eases the load, Jones is getting up there in years and in RB years, he’s ancient. Will contract woes for Jones and Washington cause drama? For a relatively elderly defensive line, there are too few backups to speak highly of. Maybe the Kareem Brown to TE project won’t last that long. When Kris Jenkins went down last year, it was nearly as devastating as losing Favre.

Passing/Receiving the Torch – This one is obvious. This went from Chad Pennington’s team, to Brett Favre’s team, and now it’s Mark Sanchez’s team. Maybe Sanchez can prove that just being a USC QB gives you the credentials to be an NFL starter.

Position Battle – WR: While Stuckey should win the WR2 spot, he’ll get pushed by Brad Smith and David Clowney. If you could take the strengths of each player and put them into one player, you would have your ideal WR. The two that lose out on the WR2 battle will end up entrenched in a battle for WR3. Not too shabby, considering this team will probably put more Three WR Sets out there.

Rookie Contributor – Obviously Sanchez, but don’t be surprised if Shonn Greene steals some goal line carries from Jones and Washington.

So it's come to this...AFC-style

Yesterday, the NFC got its due. Today, it's AFC time.

Let's get a few things straight (again)...

The identity of the Ravens begins and ends with Ray Lewis. If you're looking for the emotional leader to watch during Wild Card weekend...look no further.
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

AFC

..."The Guys You DREAM about Being"...
#1. (13-3) Tennessee Titans
Comment: Ever since the run for undefeated ended (not that anyone took it too seriously), the Titans did just enough - including a highly impressive home victory over the Steelers - to secure homefield throughout the AFC. Their reward? Potentially the suffocating defense of Baltimore OR the winner of the Colts/Bolts. Awesome, right?
Guy to Watch: Albert Haynesworth is the heart and soul of this defense. We get it. Nevertheless, if this team can't score enough points on offense, the Titans may be one-and-done. I'm looking at an aging Kerry Collins and wondering if his last playoff go-round will be his most memorable or not.

#2. (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers
Comment: Big Ben should be fine and the Steelers will make the very most of their week off. Problem is, this team can be beat in Pittsburgh. How do I know this? David Garrard and a very different Jaguars team took some of the luster away from Heinz field last year. Nobody is walking into Pittsburgh intimidated anymore.
Guy to Watch: Santonio Holmes was a collosal fantasy dissapointment. Duh. Nevertheless, he has downfield ability and can open up lanes for both the rush game and for slot wideout/cheap-shot artist Hines Ward.

..The Guys Everyone Out of the Playoffs Wants to Be Next Year"...
#3. (11-5) Miami Dolphins
Comment: Just because the team beat teams it was "supposed to beat" doesn't mean it will lie down - at home - against the Ravens. Take care of the ball, slip Ted Ginn downfield a play or two, and bust open an unexpected special teams play or two and the game may be theirs. Playing with house money makes you very dangerous.
Guy to Watch: Ronnie Brown is the lone Dolphin Pro Bowler for a reason. His ability in the Wildcat Formation allows the Dolphins 4-5 chances a game to open up a big play. He'll need to be ready for a brutal pounding from the Raven defense. If he survives though, Miami might too.

...Yes, YOU can make the playoffs after starting 4-8...
#4. (8-8) San Diego Chargers
Comment: 4-8 and suddenly everything seems to go right. While LT's groin is an obvious issue, Phillip Rivers isn't the NFL's top-rated QB for no reason. As dangerous as the Colts are, you gotta know the Chargers have no fear about them coming into their house.
Guy to Watch: Antonio Cromartie has to be the elite shutdown cornerback many pegged him as after last year's sensational effort. While that's easier said then done against the likes of Manning/Wayne/Harrison, it's time for AC to go Prime Time.

..The Teams NOBODY Wants to See Right Now"...
#5. (12-4) Indianapolis Colts
Comment: The media loves this team and Peyton Manning likely has a third NFL MVP secured (although he did share one with McNair). Blah blah blah. Wake me up when something new is said.
Guy to Watch: Addai and Rhodes are behind the likes of Manning and Bob Sanders in acclaim; nevertheless, I want to see if these two backs can work the same chemistry they did two seasons ago en route to a championship.

#6. (11-5) Baltimore Ravens
Comment: The coordinators (Cameron & Ryan) have been the perfect duo behind their rookie head coach. Meanwhile, Ed Reed (9 INTs) is playing as well as any defender in football, the RB duo of McClain & McGahee (in that order) look terrific, and it's another rookie QB leading his team to 11 wins. How sweet.
Guy to Watch: Haloti Ngata was given a real tough time in Baltimore after being drafted, until he showed up on the field. Nowadays, he's perhaps the most athletic man - at his size - the NFL has seen in quite some time. He clogs the middle and allows those playmakers behind him to dominate. Not bad for a collegiate underachiever who "took plays off".

..."The 11-5 Team NOT in the NFL Playoffs"...
#7. (11-5) New England Patriots
Comment: I'm a bitter Jet fan, so I'm clinging to a pathetic notion that as long as the Pats are out...all is good. It's all I have...
Guy to Watch: Matt Cassell, of course.

..."The Same Old Jets"...
#8. (9-7) New York Jets
Comment: There's nothing left to say except, "same old Jets".
Guy to Watch: Vernon Gholston has an offseason to get ready for next year. 12 total tackles again may run him out of New York for good.

..."The Others"...
#9. (8-8) Houston Texans
Comment: Another season where they end well in Houston. Question is: when do they start well and put two-and-two together?
Guy to Watch: Steve Slaton has dynamic talent. Better get him a legit compliment in the first 3 rounds of the draft next season. Ahman Green can't be that guy.

#10. (8-8) Denver Broncos
Comment: One win in the final four weeks and we're all treated to yet another Colts/Broncos game. Thank god this team lost out.
Guy to Watch: The RB-position needs stability and some luck with injuries. Peyton Hillis ain't the answer, either.

#11. (7-9) Buffalo Bills
Comment: Dick Jauron should save his job; however, real answers are needed when you go from 5-1 to 7-9. Especially when you're winless (0-6) in the AFC East amidst those final 10 games.
Guy to Watch: Trent Edwards. Up-and-coming superstar my a**.

..."The Other Others"...
#12. (5-11) Oakland Raiders
Comment: Whether or not they hire a new coach is irrelevant. The team can't draft well and there's nothing stable in the locker room. 5-11 might be the best this team sees for the next few seasons.
Guy to Watch: JaMarcus Russell has shown glimpses. But are only glimpses what you expect from the #1 overall pick?

..."How the 'Mighty' Have Fallen..."
#13. (5-11) Jacksonville Jaguars
Comment: As dissapointing a team as the Green Bay Packers, the Jags are lucky their media market stinks and they aren't getting any play as total underachievers.
Guy to Watch: David Garrard sucked this year. That's being nice, too. Another ECU QB flameout? Probably.

...And then there's "THEM"...
#14. (4-11-1) Cincinnati Bengals
Comment: I love that people were stupid enough to believe in this organization.
Guy to Watch: Chad Ocho Cinco is a pariah. Ride his big mouth out of town if you want any chance of locker room continuity and self-respect.

#15. (4-12) Cleveland Browns
Comment: I called this record EXACTLY. Anyone who believed that this organization - behind Savage & Crenel - were playoff bound was an idiot. 4 QBs or not.
Guy to Watch: Brady Quinn is gonna need a lot of Myoplex to pull this organization out of the toilet. 10-6 was a fluke. A total fluke.

#16. (2-14) Kansas City Chiefs
Comment: It's gonna be a series of double-digit loss seasons for years to come...
Guy to Watch: Giving all that money to someone with the character of Larry Johnson will bury Carl Peterson's legacy in Kansas City. Probably serves him right, too.

PHSports Playoff previews and predictions start TOMORROW!!!

Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Week 11

...sans intro...

NFL Picks: 28-16 [Of all the games to get wrong, I'm happiest it was a 47-3 victory for the Jets.]
Upset Specials: 7-7 [It's the return of the...oh wait...no way...he didn't just say, what I think he did, did he?]

While you won't find any New England/NY Jets talk...I will mention one key name you'd never expect. Jet LB David Bowens has mighty shoes to fill behind Kris Jenkins with David Harris still injured and out of the lineup. This is an unknown X-factor to the "press".

Credit: Flckr.com

Arizona @ Seattle (+3)
If Arizona had lost Monday night, this game would've taken on a whole new level of interest. Instead, greedy fantasy owners feast off of the Cardinals while Matt Hasselbeck returns as the starting QB...but for how long? Cards win, by much more than 3 in not-so-tough Seattle.

Tennessee @ Jacksonville (+3)
Jacksonville is 4-5 and definitely can't afford 6 losses after 10 decisions. Meanwhile, Tennessee aired it out last week and won in Chicago. With another tough road test, I have to wonder if 10-0 is in their future? Yes. Why? Titans can stop the run. Jags can't win without it.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh (-4 1/2)
Rivers' stats are overinflated this season. This game is in Pittsburgh and the Stillers aren't losing back-to-back there. Their O-Line better beat up on a banged up Charger D. The real key in Pittsburgh is the health of "Fast Willie" and whether or not Santonio Holmes can be at least mildly productive this weekend. The Steelers - as well as a few fantasy owners - need that desperately.

Minnesota @ Tampa Bay (-3 1/2)
The 1/2 scares me; however, this game means way too much in both the NFC South, NFC North, and NFC Wild-Card. While APete is my #2 in the MVP-race (behind Warner), the Bucs D is rested and their offense should have a healthy Joey Galloway, Warrick Dunn, and even word of Cadillac Williams getting carries. I'm taking the home team to frustrated Frerotte into a pick-six (or two) and a vastly important home victory...somehow.

Upset Special #1
Dallas @ Washington (+2)
Most books won't take bets because of injury concerns to Romo (returning) and Portis (50/50) so early in the week. Not me. The Cowboys have too many new faces returning (Romo, Newman, & Jones) for me to pick them on the road. However, a win equals 6-4 and makes the NFC more wide open than ever. Interesting, if nothing else.

Upset Special #2
Denver @ Atlanta (-6)
Who would've ever imagined this number in Week 10 at the beginning of the season? NOBODY. While Jay Cutler may break down carrying this team, I don't want to give the Falcons too easy a road to 7-3. I imagine this being a FG type game. Extra interesting with new-kid Prater battling Bronco-vet Jason Elam. While I like the Falcons, I don't by 6.

Top Ten Fantasy Insights of the Week...You Didn't Expect
1) Depending on wideouts - even your Andre Johnson and Brandon Marshall types - isn't safe come fantasy playoff stretch run.
2) Larry Johnson...avoid starting him this or any week.
3) Thomas Jones isn't going to have another 40-point week, but he's a weekly start now.
4) There's still enough upside to start guys like Steve Breaston.
5) Tony Gonzalez may quietly be this season's highest scoring tight end.
6) Defenses can win fantasy championships. Seriously.
7) Marvin Harrison just might be done.

Oh yeah, three NFL Thoughts to finish out the top 10.

8) Atlanta is going to make the playoffs.
9) So is Baltimore.
10) One of the above teams won't...obviously.

Until next time!

Tuesday FourCast: Week 8

1) No Need to Apologize
Titan fans can tell the NFL two words this week. While I won’t say em, DX made em quite popular. While Vince Young sits quietly on the sidelines, Tennessee is 7-0 and Kerry Collins is responsible for 6 of those wins. He isn’t Trent Dilfer of the 2000 Ravens. He helps win games. Disagree? Check the tape last night and be extra sure you check who his receivers are (or aren’t). Bo Scaife may make the Pro Bowl because the Titans don’t need Pro Bowl wideouts apparently. While the Titans will never get any respect, they may end up being the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays of the NFL this season. Of course when they do lose in the playoffs, every “expert” will say they saw it coming long ago. Then again, where were those “experts” who picked the Titans to be 7-0? Here's what matters:
A) They’ve beaten everyone in front of them, including AFC South stalwarts Indianapolis and Jacksonville.
B) Jeff Fisher is the best coach in the NFL. Imagine what he'd do with Peyton or Brady.
C) This is the best team in football right now. Deal with it.

2) Sometimes it isn’t the Coach
Marvin Lewis is stale in Cincy. Move on.
Mike Singletary was the right move on San Francisco. Praise on.
Rod Marinelli never had a chance in Detroit. Fire on.
Wade Phillips doesn’t do any damage being in Dallas right now. Stay on.
As for Norv Turner in San Diego. …
I use the “…” because I don’t know. It’s too easy to blame Norv for San Diego’s problems. Merriman’s injury has been catastrophic and a few other realities have come to play:
A) The Antonio Cromartie of last season wasn’t his true self.
B) Phillip Rivers and LT are great players, but they aren’t winners. Yeah, I said it.
C) Ted Cottrell is the most stagnant coordinator in football. The game has passed him by.

3) M-V-P for CP?
Each and every week we seem to have a “new” MVP to celebrate. Aaron Rogers, Trent Edwards, Eli Manning, Jay Cutler, and Steve Smith (of Carolina) have all gotten some pub in recent weeks. While I believe Andre Johnson of Houston is currently playing the best of anyone in football, Clinton “insert your favorite alter-ego” Portis would get my MVP vote. His rushing numbers are amazing and his team is an impressive 6-2. Don’t give me pining for 7-1 Skins fans, take your medicine and love it. CP has been shockingly durable, a redzone magnet, and has done all of this without a rush of over 35-yards. How? Confidence in his coach, his offensive line (Samuels is FINALLY playing Pro Bowl-caliber tackle), and a QB who doesn’t throw interceptions. While the Skins still don’t have the explosive offense their fans dream of, they’re a top NFC team because of three reasons:
A) Their QB doesn’t turn over the ball often.
B) Their defense holds opponents all over the field.
C) Their RB is the NFL MVP…thus far.

4) The Not-so-Golden Boy
It doesn’t take a Jim Rome – who only blasts people he can’t get on his show – or even an angry New Yorker to tell you what Peter King, Tony Kornheiser, and Mike Jaworski won’t tell you…Brett Favre has been very average this season. Jet fans booed the future Hall of Famer last Sunday. And for good reason. Favre makes 5-6 throws each and every week that are just waiting to be a pick-six. Sure he makes 5-6 throws only a handful of QBs ever could make; yet, is it beneficial in the end? The answer is still YES. The team still believes in his talent, his vision is still unparalleled, and you can’t forget that he is a proven winner. Just ask a few of the teams mentioned above how important that characteristic is. Nevertheless, let me get three points across:
A) The Jets may be the fourth best team in the AFC East.
B) Brett Favre didn’t win the game last week. Lav Coles making that impressive TD catch combined with a missed illegal contact penalty on Drew Coleman in the closing seconds did.
C) The Jets are technically tied, at 4-3, for the final wild-card spot.
Anything else is trivial at this point.

Answers to Week 9 NFL Questions

...Clement filling in for Pay answering questions this week...

1. In his disdain towards humanity, will Bill Belichick employ a 'vanilla' offensive gameplan to save plays for a possible rematch in January?
Belicheat and the Patriots obviously didn't hold back in their playcalling. However, you can't accuse the Patriots or Colts of throwing up everything in their potential arsenals. I wonder if CBS was foolish not to fully consider the success Marvin Harrison has had against the Patriots since Ty Law left. Joseph Addai was a man yesterday; nevertheless, the Colts 4th quarter execution, or lack thereof, did them in against the NFL's best team.

2. Can the hot Drew Brees penetrate the stout Jacksonville defense that has given up only five passing TDs all season?
Pay, and myself (in predictions), both wisely sensed that Drew Brees, Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints were ready to return to 2006’s winning ways. Brees had a banner day (35-49, 445 yards, 3 TDs) in the air and was only sacked once by a typically suffocating Jags interior front line. New Orleans’ reward? First-place (almost) in the NFC South.

3. Will 'Dre Bly pick up right where he left off in overtime on Monday night and get smoked in his return to Detroit?
It didn’t matter what name was on the back of your jersey on Sunday, the Denver Broncos left Detroit 44-7 losers. What’s most stunning is that even with such a lopsided number, the Lions didn’t have a 100-yard receiver or running back. Ironically enough though, Packers wideout Greg Jennings burned the KC secondary for another game-sealing touchdown toss from Brett Favre.

4. This week includes many litmus tests. Which team(s) amongst KC, Denver, Arizona, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Seattle, Baltimore and Cleveland passes that test?
Let’s be brutally honest. Tampa won in ugly fashion beating Arizona. Carolina looked awful against the Titans without any semblance of a legit QB. Seattle blew leads the entire game agains a resurgent Cleveland team, and Baltimore was pathetic on Monday Night. As for Denver, well….they lost 44-7 at Detroit. Enough said.

5. Can LT break the century mark against the Vikings run defense?
In a word…NO. The motto the Chargers seem to live by (except “We never win playoff games at home”) has been: “we run the ball effectively and we effectively stop the run”. Outside of a 1-yard LT score, the reigning MVP only managed 40 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Rookie of the Year phenom (and viable MVP candidate) Adrian Peterson rushed for an NFL-record 296 yards on 31 carries with 3 TDs. Quite the flip-flop in some fantasy owners expectations this weekend.

Declaring the Rest of the AFC East Winless

The AFC East, excluding the Patriots, has been a major disappointment. The Jets (1-4) were expected to compete for the playoffs. Miami (0-5) was expected to be competitive given their strong defense. Shockingly, the return of Dom Capers at defensive coordinator has resulted in a bottom-tier defense. As for Buffalo (1-4), they are who we thought they were. Okay, maybe slightly worse given Lee Evans's current bust status.

So, I'm taking the next step. I'm declaring the Jets, Bills and Dolphins winless. Why? They have only beaten each other. Also, they are all terrible.