If the Giants can't put the Cowboys away, how are they going to beat playoff caliber teams?
I haven't seen Parcells smile that much since his last Super Bowl victory.
Where are all the improvements the G-Men supposedly made on their special teams? Oh, they're special alright, but not the way they were planning.
Are the Mets still playing ball?
I can't wait until the Jets trade for the rights to Charlie Ward.
For every catch he drops, Jeremy Shockey should have to go a week without running his mouth. That way he'll go the rest of the season without saying a word.
You can smile all you want Jeremy, but a Division III tight end catches those balls.
Trader Jack just might get these Marlins into the playoffs. It's amazing to me how much passion he still has for the game at his age. Just imagine where that team would be if he would have been the manager from day one.
This Rasheed Wallace to the Nets rumor better be just that, a rumor. Rod Thorn is one of the best executives in the game but even he can't make the headache that is Rasheed work in New Jersey. Not with all the Byron Scott contract questions that will be swirling around all year. If they want to get rid of Dikembe that badly, work out a buyout and cut your loses. Don't pull a Scott Layden and trade a player just for the sake of trading him.
Speaking of which, where has Scott Layden been lately? Not that I need to hear another bumbling interview from him, but Knicks fans better hope this isn't the calm before the storm. Because Layden's storms usually include trading away big men for overpaid guards with long contracts.
Maybe the Dolan's will hire me to work in the front office. Hey, I have just as much right to be there as Layden does.
While I'm at it, I'll get Sather to let me run the Rangers.
This Kobe trial better get done quickly. I don't want to sit through 15 minute segments on Sportscenter every time Kobe walks into the courthouse with Shelly Smith analyzing what the color of "Mr. Bryant's" suit means.
Ruben Patterson has requested a trade from the Blazers. This is the same guy that has four years at an average of 6 million a year left on his contract. He's also a registered sex offender because of a guilty plea in a sexual assualt case involving his children's nanny. Oh, he was also brought up on charges of domestic voilence. What team wouldn't want that baggage -- and his whopping 8.3 PPG -- on their squad?
The Mosley/De La Hoya decision was bad, but it could have been much worse. Christina Aguilera offered to perform the National Anthem before the fight in exchange for six ringside seats. Luckily officials at the MGM Grand shot her down and concentrated their efforts on fixing the fight.
Tennessee at Indianapolis (-3) - Tennessee getting 3
Detroit at Green Bay (-7) - Green Bay giving 7
Washington at Atlanta (-3) - Atlanta giving 3
Buffalo (-3) at Jacksonville - Buffalo giving 3
Houston at New Orleans (-8) - New Orleans giving 8
San Francisco at St. Louis (-3) - San Francisco getting 3
Pittsburgh at Kansas City (-3.5) - Kansas City giving 3.5
Carolina at Tampa Bay (-9.5) - Tampa Bay giving 9.5
Seattle (-4.5) at Arizona - Seattle giving 4.5
New England at Philadelphia (-5) - Philadelphia giving 5
Denver (-3.5) at San Diego - San Diego getting 3.5
Cincinnati at Oakland (-12.5) - Oakland giving 12.5
Chicago at Minnesota (-8.5) - Chicago getting 8.5
Dallas at NY Giants (-7.5) - Dallas getting 7.5
:: Ryan 7:00 PM [+] ::
Sunday, September 07, 2003
Every week you can find my NFL picks right here. Pick the exact opposite if you have any hopes of winning some money.
NFL Week 1
St. Louis at NY Giants (PK) - New York
New England at Buffalo (PK) - Buffalo
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-5) - Baltimore getting 5
Jacksonville at Carolina (-4) - Carolina giving 4
Houston at Miami (-13.5) - Miami giving 13.5
Indianapolis at Cleveland (PK) - Indianapolis
Denver (-6) at Cincinnati - Denver giving 6
Arizona at Detroit (-4) - Detroit giving 4
Minnesota at Green Bay (-5) - Green Bay giving 5
San Diego at Kansas City (-5.5) - Kansas City giving 5.5
Atlanta at Dallas (-2) - Atlanta getting 2
New Orleans at Seattle (-3) - New Orleans getting 3
Chicago at San Francisco (-6.5) - San Francisco giving 6.5
Oakland at Tennessee (-3) - Tennessee giving 3
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia (-3) - Tampa Bay getting 3
:: Ryan 3:36 AM [+] ::
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
NFL Preview
A quick look at the teams with hopes of getting to the big game in January and full predictions. Read, Enjoy, Comment.
Eye on the Prize
Denver Broncos There must be something in the air that helps produce top backs, because they found themselves another top flight runner in Clinton Portis who will carry the Broncos. Jake Plummer isn't an upgrade from Brian Griese, but if the offensive line can block for him, he'll have a lot of weapons to throw to, specifically second year burner Ashlie Lelie. The defense is solid but far from being a great unit. It doesn't help they play in the toughest division in football, but if they make their way into the playoff then they could surprise a lot of people.
Green Bay Packers How many more years can Brett Favre stay healthy? The Pack better hope their Iron Man can avoid the injury bug this year if they intend on making a run at the Super Bowl. The defense should be a solid unit once again, so the offense will be under the microscope. Other than the Favre health question, there are still major doubts about their receiving corps and Ahman Green's durability.
Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy has the people in Indy thinking big and unlike other fans (read Oakland), Colt die hards have reason to believe. Despite not being able to win a big game to this point, Peyton Manning still has all the tools to put up huge numbers. If Edge is back to full strength then this team could have the most potent attacks in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs Dick Vermeil came to Kansas City with a three year plan. Well, it's year three. The offense has gotten better each of the first two years and Chief Dick says it will be even better this year. Better than the 30 ppg they averaged last year? I'll believe it when I see it, but duplicating the output shouldn't be difficult with every starter returning. Priest Holmes' hip is a question but they can put up points even if his carries are limited. The problem last season -- the defense -- is the question mark this year. FAs Shawn Barber, Vonnie Holliday and Dexter McCleon have to improve this defense a ton if they are going to compete in the AFC West.
Miami Dolphins This is the last chance for this fish team. Another first round exit and there will be major changes, starting with the coach and rippling through the rest of the team. Jay Fiedler is an average quarterback at best, but that matters little here because I could be the quarterback a system that consists of: Ricky off left tackle, Ricky off right tackle, Ricky up the middle, Ricky sweep. You get the point. As long as Ricky stays healthy, this team will compete deep into the season.
New England Patriots Releasing Lawyer Milloy makes very little sense even with him coming off a down year. However, all the Milloy attention is taking away from other questions this team has. Mainly, can Tom Brady be efficient? If the running game doesn't hold up then he'll have trouble keeping the INTs down. The defense is a real solid unit but even the best will get worn down if their offense puts them on the field too much. If Brady can keep the turnovers down then this team will be dangerous.
New York Giants With that horrible performance against the 49ers still fresh in their mouth, this team should come out guns blazing this year. They have to take advantage of being in a weak division to off set having to play a difficult non conference schedule. Strahan is the anchor of a solid D and will get help from a good coverage unit led by the two young Wills at the cornerback position. Kerry Collins and Amani Toomer have turned into one of the better combos in the NFC and with the threat of a healthy (and hopefully quiet) Jeremy Shockey, the Giants should have the chance to make up for their playoff trip.
Oakland Raiders Can this team defy father time one more year? No, but that isn't stopping Raider nation from thinking big after falling short last season. It will be nearly impossible to keep that many 35+ year olds on the field without losing at least one of them. If Jerry Porter can turn into the playmaker he's being touted to be, then this geriatric offense will get some breathing room.
Philadelphia Eagles Like the Pack, this could be the Eagles last chance to win it all. With McNabb at the helm, this team will always compete but how much longer will they be able to afford all of the other skill players? Shawn Barber and Hugh Douglas were already casualties of the cap. That list could be 5 times longer next year if this team doesn't produce a championship.
San Francisco 49ers Despite thinking they were a year away, I picked them to win the Super Bowl last season. After seeing Jeff Garcia's struggles with his back, the lack of another go to receiver and the loss of their coach has me thinking they will struggle to pick up a wild card in the NFC. The Niners need more things to fall in place for them then most teams: IF Garcia's back stays, IF they find a solid No. 2 receiver, IF Kevan Barlow can blossom, IF their coach can not be a moron.
St. Louis Rams The potential fire power this team has is the only reason they are in this group and not bunched with the teams who don't have Super Bowl aspirations. A healthy Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk make this team the best in the conference. If one or both still have lingering effects of their past injuries then they don't make the playoffs. The defense is a much better unit than they usually get credit, but again it makes no difference if Warner and Faulk aren't healthy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers How can you doubt a team that returns the majority of its team after a Super Bowl win? I can't. The offense will never amaze anyone, but as long as they can move the ball somewhat efficiently they will win games with their defense. There are no major questions hanging over this team. The biggest is the running game, but as long as Mike Alstott can finish the season without getting hurt then they will get enough from the ground.
Tennessee Titans The Titans did amazing things last season without a healthy Eddie George. It looks as iff George has the spring back in his step and should be a huge help to this offense that leaned on Steve McNair too much by season's end. McNair was able to rest his body this off season and you can worry about him getting hurt if you like, but don't worry about an injury keeping him from playing because he played through virtually every injury possible last season. Getting Jevon Kearse back will give an immediate boost to a defense that faltered at times last season. Watch out for this team.
AFC Champion: Titans
NFC Champion: Bucs
NFL Champion: Bucs
Coach of the Year: Dick Vermeil
Offensive Player of the Year: LaDainian Tomlinson
Defensive Player of the Year: Ray Lewis
Offensive ROY: Kyle Boller
Defensive ROY: Terence Newman
League MVP: Ray Lewis
