- First things first; my Panthers are underachieving. Ugh. The secondary "upgrades" have been nothing but disappointing to me, we haven't established a decent running game yet, and it takes the second half before we start doing anything, which allows our opponents to break out to an early lead. Playing from behind is not good.
Two years ago, if we kept the game close, we won. Period. Now our two losses have been by a margin of less than a field goal because of blunders. In the New Orleans game, Fox played for the tie, not the win, and the secondary got burned on the last drive of the game to set up the game-winning field goal and subsequent media masturbation of the Saints. In last Sunday's Miami game, Delhomme threw a pick - a pass very unlike him throw in such a situation - and that set up another game-winning field goal. At least Miami is a good team, however.
The Panthers, regardless, isn't a bad team. They can win 10 or so this season. The problem is that we're in the most competitive division in the NFL. Both Tampa Bay and Atlanta are at the top of the league, and while New Orleans isn't good, they'll still compete with most. It's times like this that you pray for miracles, and hope Tagliabue sends Carolina to the NFC North or the NFC West in the middle of the season. Carolina would win those two divisions in a walk. However, we're seeing the NFC East get stronger. I don't see three teams coming out of the NFC South for the playoffs, as I believe Dallas will get a wild card. But all three teams will probably deserve to go.
- Did anyone see that great Pittsburgh/New England game on Sunday afternoon? Now that's how football is supposed to be played. Well, except for that stupid lateral by Antwan Randle-El. What the hell was HE thinking? Take the hit next time and stop trying to be greedy. This isn't high school.
Regardless, I still think we saw the best two teams in football in that game last week. The more I see Ben Rothlisberger, the more I like him. Big, physical, fearless quarterback with a great arm and isn't afraid to take a hit (although he takes more shots from the Patriots, and they'll have to send his ass to the hospital). And Brady is, Brady. Although I'm not a wild eyed fan like Don Banks (who should have his MVP vote taken away from him for this column, as Brady hasn't done anything to deserve MVP talk this year.) he is a great player.
- Will someone tell the Saints to stop whining? Be content with the fact that you're actually playing football, or, something like football but we haven't figured out exactly what that is just yet.
I'm sure it's taken Losman and Horn a while to figure this out, but New Orleans is a mess. The Superdome is trashed. There's a few more things that's more important than you guys playing a home game. Be content with playing in the same town as the Spurs, because that's the closest to a world title you guys will ever get to.
- McNabb's hurt and needs surgery. Okay. Does anyone actually think Ty Detmer can carry that team if McNabb goes down? Riiiiight. I can hear TO's mouth now..."hey Ty, just lob it to me on the fade. I'll make everything else happen."
5 TD's against a rebuilding San Francisco isn't bad, and more than likely the O line won't have problems protecting him against Kansas City this week. But what's going to happen when they face both Dallas and San Diego in subsequent weeks? Not good. I'll be surprised if McNabb can walk after that Chargers game, despite having the bye in between.
- Speaking of the Chargers, if I were those guys, I'd yell conspiracy. This is their schedule for the next 5 weeks: this week at New England, next week home against Pittsburgh, then a tough division game at Oakland, travel TO Philly, then face Kansas City at home. There is NO let up in that stretch. It doesn't help their morale that they are 1-2, when they should be undefeated. G'luck with those playoff hopes.
- I'm betting Mike Tice doesn't finish the season. Who's got me?
Yes; it's the NFC North, where a 7-9 record might end up winning the division, but still; if you're the owner (or owners in this sense) and you're looking to make a switch, do it while the division is weak and you can stay competitive. Tice's contract is up at the end of the year anyway, and the Vikings would be fools to renew.
- Oakland's better than their 0-3 record suggests. Losing to the Pats by 10, the Chiefs by 6, and the Eagles by a fg isn't that bad. But they got to beat Dallas this week.
- Another coach on the hot seat? Brian Billick. Being 0-2, and being outscored by those two opponents 49-17 where your vaunted defense has suddenly become geriatric is not going to help things. Cincinnati's undefeated, and red hot. Pittsburgh's...well, Pittsburgh. The Ravens have no quarterback, and now that Jamal Lewis (NINE yards against the Titans? WTF???) isn't playing well at all, they have no offense at all. Their playoff hopes aren't looking too good.
Don't fret just yet though, because their schedule is pretty weak over the next month: Jets at home on Sunday, at Detroit next week, Cleveland at home, and then at Chicago. Then, it's that huge game at Pittsburgh. They need to go 3-1 before they face the Steelers.
- Michael Vick is learning how to pass the ball? What? Will he do it again? *looks at schedule* Not this week...they face the Vikings. They might as well turn that game into a track meet.
Let's see him use his feet against the Patriots next week, tho. Rodney Harrison is probably howling right now about not being able to play in THAT game.
More NFL thoughts later this weekend. Now on to college football...
- Vince Young for the Heisman. If anyone saw that Buckeyes/Longhorns game a few weeks ago, I shouldn't have to say anything else. The Buckeyes beat the hell out of him for four quarters and he still pulled off the victory. I'm surprised he could walk after that game.
- I was tempted to write the night after the polls came out three weeks ago that Notre Dame was vastly overrated, and didn't deserve to leap 10 spots in the polls after beating Michigan. Never mind tho, because Michigan State took care of that for me.
But check this out: Notre Dame next two opponents are Purdue, who's 22nd in the nation, and then the biggest dogs in the yard, USC. USC will have their hands full with Arizona State this weekend, a game I'm hoping will be broadcast on national television. If they somehow lose, expect them to slap around the Irish on the 15th.
- I was tempted to write the night after the polls came out three weeks ago that Notre Dame was vastly overrated, and didn't deserve to leap 10 spots in the polls after beating Michigan. Never mind tho, because Michigan State took care of that for me.
But check this out: Notre Dame next two opponents are Purdue, who's 22nd in the nation, and then the biggest dogs in the yard, USC. USC will have their hands full with Arizona State this weekend, a game I'm hoping will be broadcast on national television. If they somehow lose, expect them to slap around the Irish on the 15th.
Regardless, I think Weis is doing a good job. The media needs to stop hyping him as the next Bear Bryant.
- *chuckles* Poor Chuck Amato. He caught all kinds of hell after NC State fell victim to my Tarheels for a second straight year. Wolfpack fans have been calling for his head all week. Ever since they were considered a preseason national power last year, they haven't had the best of luck.
My prediction? Lose to the Tarheels again next year, and Amato will be booted out of the state by the end of next season.
- No; I was not able to watch Tennessee's comeback to beat LSU on Monday night. And I'm still pissed off about it.
- I like Marcus Vick much better than his brother. I say he's right under Vince Young in the Heisman race.
- I like Marcus Vick much better than his brother. I say he's right under Vince Young in the Heisman race.
- The Bayou Classic moves to Houston this year. Good. I only wish they wouldn't make it Thanksgiving Weekend. Then I'd actually be able to go rather than watching it on TV.
- Urban Meyer's for real. I wouldn't be surprised to hear him getting an NFL job in the next four years or so. I expect Miami to go undefeated until that big Virginia Tech game on Nov 5th. Georgia Tech might give them a run for their money too.
- Spurrier's got a lot of cleaning up to do. That Alabama game showed him that the next couple of seasons won't be pretty at times. And he still has Tennessee, Florida, and that big rivalry game with Clemson at the end of the year to contend with.
Picks and stuff will be up on Saturday night.
Picks and stuff will be up on Saturday night.
