Week 2 Sunday NFL Action: Running Commentary...

Tweet tweet. InClement Speak on Rhodes' comments, too.
Check out how the predictions, NFL and fantasy, are progressing as well.

A few thoughts on the Sunday kickoffs in the NFL...

Meet the best player in the NFL whose name you likely don't know.
Read that carefully, so you realize what I'm saying.
Credit: ESPN.go.com

Washington outlasted St. Louis 9-7.
You take wins in the NFL, regardless of the opponent and the score. However, you have to analyze - if only a little - what is wrong with the Redskins. Their diehard fans might be divided 50/50, but it's Jason Campbell. It has a lot to do with the offense, his coaching, his wideouts, and his offensive line. Nevertheless, Campbell isn't the pocket passers and decision-maker necessary to take this team to the heights it anticipates yearly. I've seen plenty of evidence and doubt it's changing, while Campbell's in DC at least.

Atlanta held off Carolina 28-20.
God bless Sunday Ticket. After the euphoria of the Jet victory starts to wear off, I notice this is an 8-point game with 30 ticks to go...and tune in. I don't want to hear about Delhomme not throwing INTs and keeping his team in the game. The Panthers should NOT be 0-2, despite a brutal pair of opening games. Matt Ryan, blossoming more and more into "Matty Ice", tore up the fantasy sheets (is that a saying?) with a 3-TD performance (including targeteting big-time performers Gonzo and White). Homefield advantage in the NFC South remains crucial. Whomever can win 2 games on the road, in-division, will win the NFC South this season.

New York blitzed and blitzed and beat the Patriots 16-9.
Did you ever think the story of this game would be the fans? Rex Ryan left a friendly voicemail for season ticket holders, encouraging them to go bonkers all game long. They complied. Let me make a few observations, please.
1) Don't underestimate OR overestimate Welker's absence. It's too simple a cop-out, one the Patriots won't make.
2) Mark Sanchez isn't leading this team to the Super Bowl; however, he looks more like a franchise QB than any true Jet fan could've anticipated and/or hoped.
3) You can put pressure on a QB all game long and still NOT sack him. But you can also hold him without a TD pass and under 50 yards in the 2nd half passing.
4) Tennessee comes into New York next weekend. Beware of Chris Johnson. BEWARE!!!
5) Rodney Harrison? How does Kerry Rhodes' a** taste?
6) Buffalo lost due to poor coaching, poor execution, and poor defensive strategy...the Jets didn't.
7) Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL. Period. PERIOD!

Percy Harvin is being used brilliantly by the Viking offense.
Crap, I just called Brad Childress "brilliant".
Credit: ESPN.go.com

Minnesota downed Detroit 27-10.
You had to wonder if the Lions might have something special for their home opener. Truth be told, they did! At least until the second half and Adrian Peterson took over. Favre was extremely efficient (23-27, 155 yds, TD) and is showing evidence that he may be ready to feed off of what AD (All-Day) forces the defense into giving up to the passing game. It will be a long year for Stafford and I'm honestly rooting for he, CJ, and Kevin Smith to get a W sooner than later. Might be very later, though.

Cincinnati (!?!?!) went into Lambeau and defeated the Packers 31-24.
Imagine, the Bengals could be 2-0 if not for a bad-luck deflection last week by Leon Hall. Let's go to the 5 points, so I can more efficiently rant and rave.
1) The Packers are extremely overrated. Anyone who felt they played well against Chicago last weekend is nuts.
2) A Rod is talented QB, but lost a ton of these games last year. When does more of the blame land on him, exactly?
4) I told a good friend to sit Palmer (for Favre, not the end of the world). Whoops. Might Chris Henry be slowly becoming a legitimate threat to play and perform every weekend (even if only 1 catch, it was for a TD)?
5) Charles Woodson was involved in waaaaay too many big plays, for better or worse. Guy's still a beast, though.

Oakland outlasted Kansas City 13-10.
Unless you had a family member in the game or a major fantasy revelation, who the h*ll cares? I'm seriously not commenting any further. These teams suck. Badly.

That's Mike Bell, not Reggis Bush or Pierre Thomas, who has revitilized the Saints' rushing attack. Boy was I wrong about him.
Credit: ESPN.go.com

New Orleans stomped Philadelphia 48-22.
You know what's stupid? Playing Drew Brees when you're up 41-20 in the 4th quarter. In fact, it's idiotic beyond belief. As for his performance, Brees is the MVP after 2 weeks (whatever that means). Kolb showed promise in the 1st half, but he wear and tear of the Saints offense on the Iggle D (there was a BRUTAL penalty call on a key drive admitedly) was just too much. Pierre Thomas might not get the starting job back from Mike Bell. Seriously. Don't read too much into the Eagles sans-McNabb. Do read into the lingering affects of that injury and potentially rushing back from it.

Houston "stunned" Tennessee 34-31.
Memo to the Titans: After 10 days off, don't blow 21-7 leads AT HOME. This game will make Jet fans do a double-take for countless reasons. Andre Johnson sure liked getting free from Darrelle Revis, didn't he? The Titans "D" looked putrid - after 10 days off - and both these teams were polar opposites from Week 1. As for the Texans, the rush defense MUST be shored up; however, this is the type of road win that Kubiak needs to deliver for a playoff push. I hope Indianapolis was watching the game closely, all three teams should contend for the AFC South title this season.

Yeah, Jack Del Rio still S-U-C-K-S. Crappy jacket, tool.
Credit: BostonHerald.com

Arizona Jack Del Rio'd the Jaguars 31-17.
Did I mention how much I loathe Del Rio, his wardrobe, and the future for this never-proud franchise? Time to kick them while they're down! The Cardinals simplified the gameplan, kept Kurt Warner upright, and fed off of a HUGE special teams TD to keep the Jaguars at bay. Garrard tossed two worthless TDs and MJD let down fantasy owners quite a bit. Meanwhile, Steve Beaston's return can't be overlooked for the Cardinal offense. Ditto for Fitz, who despite a TD catch, surprised more than a few with only 4 catches for 34 yards (meet Rasheen Mathis). In case you didn't see the box score, Warner was 24-26 and didn't turn over the ball. What does that equal? EPIC!

As for the late slate of games...

Chicago upset Pittsburgh 17-14.
1) This is why Bears fans should be happy Jay Cutler is their franchise QB.
2) Matt Forte is starting slow. I don't think he'll have any issues speeding back up, but I do wonder if last season was a bit overrated?
3) Pittsburgh had plenty of chances to put this away...and didn't.
4) Jeff Reed makes those kicks in Pittsburgh.

Patrick Willis is a bad, bad man. Was that a late, dirty hit though?
Credit: ESPN.go.com

San Francisco moved to 2-0 with a 23-10 victory over Seattle.
1) Whatever Mike Singletary is doing in San Francisco, is working.
2) Frank Gore would be runner-up to Drew Brees for 2-Week MVP.
3) Patrick Willis may be the best linebacker in the NFC. Seriously.
4) Hasselbeck may never stay healthy again. The guy had no reason to take that type of a hit when he did.

Baltimore held off San Diego 31-26.
1) Sproles getting STUFFED by Lewis was the individual play of the day on defense.
2) The Chargers always start this way and it will cost them down the stretch with road playoff games.
3) Baltimore appears balanced; especially in the backfield. That trio is lethal.
4) The Ravens are currently the team to beat in the AFC, even with Flacco at QB.

Denver, yes the Broncos, moved to 2-0 with an easy 27-6 victory over Cleveland.
1) Josh McDaniels has done his job: win two winable games.
2) Denver will be 3-0. Mark it down.
3) Cleveland is a disaster. Mangini may go 3-13 and lose his job after one season.
4) How long until Derek Anderson gets snaps at QB?

Yeah, he got his TD. His team one, too.

He dropped this pass, by the way.
Credit: ESPN.go.com

Buffalo didn't choke this weekend, defeating Tampa Bay 33-20.
1) Fred Jackson nearly blew this game at the end of the 1st half. Ball security!!!
2) Trent Edwards took some BRUTAL hits. Might want to protect yourself a little better, Stanford man.
3) Byron Leftwich isn't a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. In fact, he never has been.
4) Sabby Piscitelli is the best name in the NFL...bar none.


Enjoy the primetime matchups. Fantasy galore for many many of us.
Any chance Kevin Boss wants to outscore Jason Witten? Any at all???

Andre Johnson sure can catch...right Courtland Finnegan?

InClement Weather: Fantasy Football Speak [Part III of III]

Preseason musings can be found HERE.
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Most of us, who write for or read this blog, are fantasy football "players". In fact, many of us have been at it for over a decade now (some even longer). On top of that, many of us have multiple leagues we interact with yearly.

With that in mind, I'm going to continue - after a week long (wedding-related) delay - serving up my final post, in series of 3 fantasy football-related posts.

1) First up, we looked at the first 3 rounds of our draft HERE.
2) Previously HERE, we checked out 10 "Make or Break" Selections found in our draft, which include players VERY likely to impact yours as well.
3) NOW, I'm targeting 10 guys I was surprised to see drop on our overall draft board. Perhaps you can let us know if you've seen anything similar in your own draft(s).

As for the league parameters, in case you still don't know...here they is.

Basics
A) 10-teams.
B) 18-round ladder draft. [Ex: 1 to 10, 10 to 1, 1 to 10, 10 to 1, and so on.]
C) Starters include 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, & 1 DEF. 8 reserve sports.

Draft
D) Max of 1 1/2 mins/pick for the first 5 rounds, max of 1 min/pick for rounds 6 through 11, and max of 45 seconds (that's right!) for rounds 12 through 18.
Note: No keepers or holdovers either. Not in this league, at least. 2-Starting QB Rules
E) If a backup becomes a starter and you have 4 starting QBs, you must drop/trade one w/i 24 hours.
F) If you have 3 starters on your roster, you may NOT pick up a 4th starter with the intention of working a trade. Picking up a starting QB when you already have 3 can only be done if you are dropping one of your 3 current starters.
G) This also works for defenses and kickers. Yes, we once had an owner with 3 kickers, potentially tabbing another. Lowball, but savvy.

Draft Lottery Bonuses
H) Separate pick'em and survivor leagues give each winner an extra ping pong ball (which I literally draw 5 minutes before the draft).

Note: Remember there are NO keepers in this league.

Andre Johnson at #29

Nearly a consensus #2 wideout, the position dropped and AJ lasted almost into the 4th round. [Wide Receivers taken prior: Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, & Greg Jennings]
Credit: StylePL.us

Pierre Thomas at #45

The Kool-Aid on Thomas wasn't be sipped by this league. In fact, the autodraft helped Thomas potentially avoid the 50s or lower.
Credit: BallStJournal.com

Braylon Edwards at #56

The guy netted early 2nd round talk last year; however, this season was a completely different story. In fact, Edwards was passed up by nearly 20 other wideouts.
Credit: SMH.com

Willie Parker at #72

He slipped last season and ended up missing 5 games. As for this season, Parker wasn't valued as a starter for most teams in need of a reliable #2 RB.
Credit: 5GoldenRings.com

Ryan Grant at #90

Perhaps the biggest fall. I wanted no part of him personally, although netting a top 35 prospect isn't bad for the end of the 9th round.
Credit: IGN.com

Julius Jones at #108

With Maurice Morris out in Detroit now (good luck Mo), Jones seems the only option outside of the 20s. TJ Duckett has never appeared to be an every down back. Should this guy improve with a healthier Hasselbeck and rejuvinated Seahawk team? Well???
Credit: OregonLove.com

Owen Daniels at #140

Potential top 5 talent and now a backup tight end (already drafted Witten) is pretty surprising for this up-and-comer.
Credit: IndyStar.com

Jamal Lewis at #150

How the once-mighty have continued to fall.
Credit: CNNSI.com

Willis McGahee at #169

Even more shocking might be:
A) Ray Rice going #54 overall, in the 9th round.
B) Le'Ron MClain going undrafted. Wow.
Credit: Inquisitr.com

Michael Vick at #170

It had to happen eventually. This was mere days after him signing with the Iggles. This was the last pick in the 2nd to last round (17th).
Question is: how many owners planned on making him their final pick? I know of at least 3 others (of the other 9).
Credit: BleedingGreenNation.com

You'll see it in your draft too. Question is: which 10 might surprise or shock you the most? So help ME out and react and share!!!!
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5 NFL Questions - Week 12

The real "turkey" next week might be the 11-0 Titans traveling to the 0-11 Lions.
Lucky us.
Credit: DistantOcean

1) Will the Titans walk away 11-0 after their matchup hosting the Jets?
2) Will Daunte Culpepper and the Lions move to 0-11 after their matchup in Ford Field (Silverdome) against the Bucs?
3) Will Kevin Walter continue to "steal" Andre Johnson's touchdown receptions?
4) Is Tyler Thigpen getting closer to securing the Chiefs starting QB job in 2009?
5) Which of the 5-5s is closest to making a legitimate playoff push: Buffalo, New Orleans, Green Bay, Minnesota, or Chicago?

***Fantasy Question***
6) Who will be more unpleased after Sunday: TO or TO's fantasy owners? Or neither?

Clement’s Weekly Picks and Prognostications…Week 9

After taking a week off to “pout” about fantasy, I saw two very different performances:
1) In one of my leagues, I upset a loaded top-dog team behind super efforts from Kurt Warner, Donnie Avery, and Andre Johnson. 5-3 and a game out of first in a middle-of-the-pack type of competitive league.
2) In another, I overcame a piss-poor draft (hello LJ!) and an injury to Reggie Bush to still put up solid numbers behind Lav Coles, the aforementioned AJ, and even Joe Flacco. However, I lost by a point thanks to a fumble from Edge and no depth at the RB position (see above).

With that in mind, I’m going to make some quick picks – a few quicker fantasy hits – and hope that I can get things rolling on the positive side.

NFL Picks: 18-14 [I’m giving myself a “W” for the push. Why? Because I can.]
Upset Specials: 6-7 [I’m also being very liberal by affording myself calling the Titan game. Which way too many experts foolishly wouldn’t. Take that!]
…BETUS.com gets the honors this week…

Baltimore @ Cleveland (-1 ½)
Simply put, Baltimore has confidence in a rookie QB and Cleveland is no better at home than they are away.

Green Bay @ Tennessee (-5)
If this game were in Lambeau, the spread may be under a FG. 8-0 Titans. How bout that?

Miami @ Denver (-3 ½)
If it was 3, I’d scream push. With Denver’s D, I’m screaming a potential Phins upset…even on the road.

Dallas @ NY Giants (-8 ½)
I don’t know how Dallas escaped Texas Stadium against a good Bucs team. They will NOT leave the Meadowlands victors. However, the Giants play teams close. I’m wondering whose gonna lay double-digits down on this one.

Atlanta @ Oakland (+3)
Atlanta isn’t a “buy” team yet. However, outside of the Jets, you gotta love a team traveling to Oakland and getting this low a number to cover.

New England @ Indianapolis (-5 ½)
I won’t bury the Patriots yet. Not close. As for the Colts. I might. I just might.

Top Ten Fantasy Insights of the Week…You Didn’t Expect
1) If you picked up Donnie Avery, start him. You don’t know how long this type of thing lasts…so go down swinging.
2) Trade Ocho Cinco and Housamazilli for anything you can get. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a wideout’s worst nightmare.
3) If you drafted LJ, you’re up a creek without a paddle. You know what type of creek I mean.
4) Santonio Holmes is an enigma. Can you figure this guy out? I can’t.
5) Marion Barber III’s durability is an ever-looming issue. Go get Felix Jones while he’s injured and CHEAP.
6) Brandon Jacobs will be just fine with Derrick Ward having his back. By the way, Ward is an incredibly sneaky flex-play this week.
7) Owen Daniels is a weekly start at TE. Yes, it’s come to that for the position.
8) Vincent Jackson is as hot/cold any fantasy wideout you’ll see.
9) Kurt Warner has made a lot of mid-round draft selections feel very good these days.
10)Anybody seen Matt Leinart this season? Me neither.

That’s all I got.

See ya next week!

Saturday Night Live: 5 College Football & 5 Non-College Football Thoughts

Okay, so technically I'm staring at my computer's clock and it's 12:52am. I know that makes it Sunday morning and SNL (which I haven't watched since Kevin Nealon was doing the Weekend Update) is over anyways.

Nevertheless, I like to set up barriers just so I can knock them down!

I missed out on tonight's USC/OSU (live, at least) to play tennis with a bitter rival. A terrible start put me in a 6-3, 6-3 hole and throwing my racket two more times than anyone else at the 16-court park. My bad! However, I dug deep down after trailing 5-3 and ended up taking the next three sets successively 7-5, 6-4, and 7-5. Two words sum up my night: boo ya.

Boo no was watching USC/OSU on fast forward (x2) with my DVR.

One word there: OUCH!

Let's get into the meat and potatoes (boy would that be good now) of my late-night rambling...

...5 College Football "Quick Hit" Thoughts...

1) USC is good. Real good. Scary good. Insanely good. While OSU was down Beanie Wells and lacked a true offensive identity, the Trojans went up and down the field at will. Honestly, this team is so talented it deserves the #1 and #2 spot in the rankings next week.

2) Georgia won on the road in South Carolina...who cares if it wasn't pretty. Moreno's TD was still a work of art and Stafford made enough NFL-quality throws. It's good to have a defense that can hold a competent team to 7 points (on the road, no less) and anytime you win at an SEC opponent, you take it.

3) 3-2? Seriously? That was the score between Auburn and Mississippi State. I remember a spectacular NFC Title game that might've ended 6-5 if it wasn't for Bert Emanuel's "non-catch" and a guy named Ricky Proehl. What a score. Who cares about analyzing the game? That's National League baseball at its best!

4) Wisconsin has Fresno State 13-7 right now, but there is a TON of time left. If they can return to Camp Randall without an L, they may be in the driver's seat (for now) in the Big Ten. Especially when considering long-term health issues for the aformentioned Beanie Wells.

5) My Red Raiders and my Tigers (of Missouri) keep beating down opponents they should. While WVU choked on me early (good win btw for ECU @ Tulane), I'm sticking with my guns on two of the "shakiest" of Big XII title contenders. Watch out haters!

...and now for the rest...

...5 College Football "Quick Hit" Thoughts...

1) K-Rod breaks Bobby Thigpen's mark. Good for him. He's uber-talented and soon to become even richer this offseason. Will his arm be tired in October, does this mark really equal some of the greats, is he better than Rivera/Papelbon...that can all wait. Let him enjoy a record-smashing season.

2) UFC and MMA has dwarfed boxing. Please, don't be afraid of this high-octane, amazing sport. Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock actually has cache. More important, I'm on the lookout for two HUGE fights (Rashad Evans v. Forrest Griffin & BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre). Come on Dana White...DO IT!

3) Ike delays Houston/Baltimore. How many fantasy owners will be reeling late tonight or early tomorrow? Biggest losers have to be AJ owners. Right behind them, McGahee owners. While there are others who COULD start (Schaub, Clayton, Heap, etc.) it's those two who might hurt the most. Bye weeks later will be softened, but I could see a loss or two (by me!) because of this cancellation.

4) Charlie Weis hurt on the sideline. I am not a huge fan of Weis, but I feel for his pain. As a coach, I'll have to protect my knees (already each has been surgically repaired) from plays that extend beyond the field. I don't want to be mean, but Weis's weight is a turnoff to the point where I won't watch "entertaining" Notre Dame games (when are those again?). As a bigger guy myself, even I realize that Weis needs to quit the quick-fix surgery route and get on a routine that is much more proven and less taxing on one's heart. He's a moment away by the looks of it.

5) Wild-Card race. Wake me up in two weeks. Maybe it's my Yankee-moaning or the fact that I can't get behind some of these teams. I just am not interested one bit right now. Sorry.

That's that. Two more words: Good Night!

Until tomorrow morning...