AFC North On The Lite Side

Here we are on the doorstep of yet another week in the NFL.  For most teams it is the unofficial half-way point in the season.  For others, they wish it was the last game of the season.

Rams, Titans, Browns, Chiefs and Tampa Bay, to name a few, would like to be on vacation.  Oh wait a minute, they have been on vacation since August!  It’s hard to tell the difference sometimes.

There is a huge “marquee” game this weekend when the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings, with their new upstart quarterback with a weird last name, visit The Green Bay Packers in a showdown of two teams in the “black and blue” division called the NFC North.

There are some good second-level games to watch: Giants/Eagles, Jets/Dolphins, and maybe Houston/Buffalo. 

The rest are headlined by Lions/Rams.  Need I say more?

Coming off their bye week, the Baltimore Ravens (3-3) host the first place Denver Broncos (6-0) in Baltimore this Sunday.

Baltimore went into their bye week suffering from three very tough losses against the Patriots, Bengals and Vikings.  They lost those three games by a combined total of 11 points.

The defense was uncharacteristically undisciplined, and QB Joe Flacco seemed unnerved at times.  The offense ranks in the top ten in four major categories: points/game, yards/game, rushing yards/game, and passing yards/game.

The defense is only giving up 91 total rushing yards per game, good enough for seventh-best in the league, even though they have given up over 100 yards in each of the last two games.  There has been a lot of talk about the decline of Ray Lewis’ game in the middle of the linebackers as a reason for the rush defense going up.

But they are giving up almost 22 points/game (19th), giving up 333 total yards/game (19th), and 242 passing yards/game (23rd).  These defensive numbers are not the norm for this team. 

The Broncos will not be a walk in the park.  Their defense leads the league in average points scored against with only 11 points per game.  Mike Nolan has revamped the Broncos defense into one of the stingiest in the league.

The Broncos run a 3-4 defense.  In Week Two against the Chargers, quarterback Joe Flacco completed 17 of 26 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns.  He was sacked only once.

That will have to be the kind of day he will need again to get The Ravens back on the winning side.  My prediction:  TAKE BALTIMORE <3.5> OVER DENVER.

 

The other team from the AFC NORTH participating in a game this weekend is the 1-6 Cleveland Browns facing a Chicago Bears team that lost to Cincinnati last week.  Former Bear Cedric Benson, ran for 186 yards against his former team, so the Bears will be looking to bounce back at home.

The Browns are in such disarray, Coach Eric Mangini believes that QB Derek Anderson still gives them the best shot of winning this week.  Anderson threw for under 100 yards last week. 

Am I missing something here about Anderson?  He must have some dirt on Mangini.  

The Browns’ MVP this season is sure to be Punter Dave Zastudil.  This will be his biggest challenge yet as Chicago Bears punt returner is Devon Hester.  Cleveland’s opponents have averaged less than seven yards per punt return.  One shining stat for the Browns.

My prediction: TAKE  CHICAGO <13.5> OVER CLEVELAND

Both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have their bye week this week.

 

Check out THE SPORTS ZOO radio show on FOX SPORTS RADIO 920-KBAD, LAS VEGAS on Saturday mornings from 6-7AM PST

Or log on to www.lvsportsandentertainment.com and click on our mascot to be taken to the live stream site or archived shows.

 

Until Next Time……

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The Disassembling Of a Franchise: Your 2009-2010 Cleveland Browns

This article is in response to a question I got from a friend of mine who was wondering, “Are the 2009-10 Browns worse then the expansion Browns?” 

My dirty but not so quick response, “The Browns are actually in worse shape then they were coming off expansion and, in fact, are the worst franchise in the league at the moment.”  It’s amazing!

I said during the off-season when I saw Mangini taking the steps he did that they were going to start from scratch.

It’s debatable if that was necessary just one year removed from a 10-6 season but the bottom line is, he took what talent this franchise had, and let it go.

The real error in judgement here is that he let go for next to nothing. 

Whenever a franchise decides to take a “moral” stand or they look to “rid themselves of bad people” or they take the proverbial “high road”, rare if ever, does that mean their priorities are straight which means winning football games, attracting fans and keeping talent.

It usually means that some arrogant and self centered task master has assumed control and wants to incorporate a “my way or the highway” approach that seldom if ever is successful.  

Look, I get it.  Mangini thinks he is Bill Belichick.  The difference is that Belichick EARNED the right to act like a smug jerk because he as won the big prize.  PLAYERS ONLY WILL RESPECT COACHES THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS.

What has Mangini achieved?  Nothing, nada, squash, zilch, zero.  And therefore he does not have the right to act like a pompous ass.  It just is construed as arrogance by players and they will not respond.

To get back on subject,  I understand the issue when guys like Edwards and Winslow put themselves before the team and are not good “character” guys but the bottom line is they have talent and ability which somebody will pay for.

Where is the business sense in this organization?  The team plays in the NFL, we aren’t running for local office.  

Instead of getting value for talent, to make a point it seems, they just dump the guys and get nothing in return. 

In fact, I can’t even name who they got for Winslow and if it was draft picks you can see how good they did with those.  

And the guys they got for Edwards are a joke.  I’ve watched Chansi Stucky and his bewildered, unsure routes followed by stone hands long enough to know that he isn’t even serviceable.

Preseason we brought in the leftover Jets that Rex Ryan didn’t want but probably guys who Mangini likes and are “high character” guys but they stink.

Eric Barton is a joke, he’s slow as erosion.  Ab Elam is a turd too, he couldn’t even start for the Jets.  And those other D-lineman can’t even get a sniff of the QB so what the heck is the purpose. 

At the end of the day, Mangini is going to run this franchise into the ground and then try to build it back up. 

The key point of this rant is that I think he and Brown’s management under-estimated the frustration of the fans and team and they’ve completely lost both. 

This is now the worst franchise in the league and I include Detroit, TB, Kansas City and the Rams in that.  At least those teams have youth and some talent.  The Browns have neither. 

And we are brilliantly stuck with two highly paid QB’s who both are completely inept!  D. Anderson is the worst QB I’ve seen take snaps in the NFL this year.  How in the world did he make the Pro Bowl?? 

Oh, that’s right.  He was throwing to Winslow and Edwards and those guys made plays.  Now he has neither.  But the good news is, the locker room is in much better shape and everyone generally likes each other.

That equates to what in the NFL? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?  It equates to nothing of substance that could lead to a win or at least an offensive touchdown. 

And Brady Quinn is a never will be and I’ve said that from day one.  He is timid, scared to let the ball go, and really doesn’t have any physical tools other then he’s lifted enough weights to appear in Mens Fitness magazines.

It is obvious that Mangini is smart enough to understand the current predicament he’s created and he’s trying to compensate by doing a little cheer leading on the sidelines, giving up a few good sound bits per interview and generally acting like a guy whose been exposed for what he is and that is a loser.

I apologize if this type of honesty is offensive to any true Browns fans out there and I’m sure everyone has reached a level of frustration but honestly this isn’t emotionally driven anymore.

It’s just reality and until somebody in the Browns organization wants to wake up and deal with reality then this franchise will continue to flounder.

This team and the decisions it’s made is a blue print for how to go from a team on the rise to a team with no hope and/or future.  They should offer this as a class at every major University and the Browns are the only case study.

Maybe I’ll throw in the Indianapolis Pacers as a case study as well because a few years back they expelled the city and franchise of “trouble makers” and “low character” guys.

You can see where that’s got them the past two years.  All the while, Steven Jackson and Al Harrington are laughing it up, knocking off the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks and show casing themselves as one of the most exciting teams in the NBA playing in front of sell out crowds.

The Pacers? Well they had the lowest attendance in the league last year.

My point is, the Browns took the moral “high road” so they should not be offended when fans chant, “Let’s go Packers” at a home game. 

They made their bed, so let them sleep in it.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bernie Madoff, and a Wacky Bye Week

Even when they don’t play, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are being “dogged.”

Seven straight losses will do that.

The latest came from WDAE radio talk show host Dan Sileo, who now looks like a total buffoon.

Sileo came on the air earlier this week during his morning talk show and threw out the incredible statement that through his “inside credible sources” he believed that the Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, had lost $400-$450 million in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme and that they were in desperate straits and would need to sell the Buccaneers.

The normally quiet Glazers were hot, real hot.

“100 percent false. We never invested one penny with Bernie Madoff,” came an official statement from Joel Glazer, fired off through the official Buccaneer pipeline.

This one really set things on fire.

You see, WDAE is the flagship station for Buccaneer game radio broadcasts and thus is a “partner” of the team.

Sileo, who played at the University of Miami then had a less-than-successful short career in the NFL, was suspended by the station.

The station then quickly issued a mea culpa, please forgive this buffoon apology to the Glazers:

“…Dan Sileo made some statements that were factually inaccurate. We sincerely apologize for these statements and hereby issue a full retraction.”

Zowie.

Could be the end of Danny boy’s gig with WDAE.

Another WDAE talk show host, Steve Duemig, spoke on his Friday show and declared that some players in the Buccaneer locker room are “a cancer.”

Duemig further said: “They need to get rid of those players.”

Duemig said there are players who are “breaking the rules and they’re still playing.”

Most curious.

Could this team be totally falling apart from within?

Has Raheem Morris lost control?

Has the front office lost control?

The players are off on a four-day weekend. Time for them to think about their performance or lack thereof and time for Raheem Morris to take a long hard look at himself and perhaps wonder that by taking this head coaching job with the Buccaneers, might he have bit off more than he can chew?

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Black & Gold Xs & Os: Defensive Game Plan Vs. The Falcons

When watching film of the Atlanta Falcons offense, a few things stand out to me. They are a very well organized offense from a schematic and personnel perspective. They are also extremely well coached. And perhaps most importantly, they have a lot of talent.

It all starts with their second-year QB Matt Ryan. Ryan takes as few sacks as Drew Brees normally does. In fact, this year Ryan has been even better about getting the ball out than Drew.

And make no mistake about it, Ryan is a very athletic player who has no problem getting outside to keep plays alive or to make a few yards for his offense. Additionally, when he has a chance to step into a throw, his arm is as strong as anyone’s in the entire league.

When he begins to struggle, it is against pressure, at which point he has a habit of throwing off his back foot. This causes him to be less accurate and lose distance on his throws.

Ryan excels in two-minute drills and in tight situations, hence the nickname “Matty Ice”. Hopefully, Monday night’s game won’t come down to such a situation.

It is important to note that the talent does not end with Ryan. Running backs Michael Turner and Jerrious Norwood provide a nice one-two punch, which has become a trio in recent weeks with Jason Snelling providing an even more bruising-type presence in the lineup.

Even though they’ve had less success on the ground this year than a year ago, they are still explosive running the football and remain committed to it, even when playing from behind.

Tight End Tony Gonzalez might as well be Jeremy Shockey as far as the New Orleans defense is concerned. Beyond the fact that both wear no. 88, they are used exactly the same way in offenses that are almost mirror images.

Gonzalez runs a lot of short crossing routes and seam routes up the middle against safeties and linebackers. They like to place him all over the formation, and motion him a lot to block backside on run plays. He is not used much in pass protection, mainly because he is such a dynamic receiving threat.

Additionally, Roddy White is used mainly as a big-play guy. He runs a lot of vertical routes and deep routes over the middle. Michael Jenkins is a bigger receiver who is more of a possession-type receiver. He will run a lot of intermediate routes, and might be one of the better receivers at catching the ball on a slant route and holding on.

On the offensive line, the Falcons are pretty much a one-man team as far as names go. But they work very well as a unit, and because of that open up a lot of holes in the running game, and do a good job keeping Matt Ryan clean in the pocket.

The Falcons like to go big-on-big with LT Sam Baker. This basically means they allow Baker to go one-on-one with either the defensive end lined up over him, or a blitzer lined up over him. Occasionally, though they will help him with the blitzer by checking a back, allowing Baker to stay inside when the end lines up inside shade of him, in a five-technique as opposed to outside which is a seven-tech.

Knowing how the Falcons like to protect is key since so much of what they do is predicated on giving Ryan time to throw. They run so many deep routes, or slower developing routes at least that they must protect Ryan. Pressure is key against this offense.

It is not unusual for Atlanta to get five out into the pattern, but they will generally keep at least one in if they see a blitz. They will often send five receivers vertical or four vertical and send one shallow as a clear out concept to hit that guy over the middle.

Because of this defenses must be ready to cover five guys man-to-man and pay attention to every eligible receiver on the field. They are all legitimate options for Ryan to utilize at any time.  

Brief Defensive Game Plan

Against the running game, I would run blitz and shoot gaps against what is primarily an inside zone, cutback type team. Shoot the gaps that are empty since that is where they want to hit the run ultimately. This clogs up lanes, and then all you must do is tackle.

I would do this mostly with an outside linebacker, but from time-to-time would bring Roman Harper or Darren Sharper to perform this role.

In third down situations, and other obvious passing downs, I would big blitz, or send one more to a certain side than the Falcons have to protect. Use some stunts, and twists on the inside against a double-team blocking scheme. On the outside against Baker, bring a DE and OLB and twist them, forcing Baker to take the OLB, and leaving the DE on a RB or TE.

Otherwise, I would really blitz the “A gap” hard, trying to get to Ryan early. If you do this it is important to play contain on the outside in order to keep Ryan in the pocket. If he gets outside he becomes even more dangerous. He has yet to prove he can consistently step up into the pocket. Make him do this.

In coverage, ideally a Two-Man look with two deep safeties and man coverage should work well. Of course, the more you blitz the fewer people you have to play in coverage. I would play some cover four as a result to keep the ball in front with man coverage on Tight Ends and backs to watch the over-the-middle throws.

It is important to give Matt Ryan a lot of different looks. I think Gregg Williams will do that. This will cause pressure, which will cause turnovers. And in honor of Halloween, the Saints will scare the Falcons and make them pay for being too loose with the football.

Monday I will post my offensive game plan. Until then, Geaux Saints!

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Arizona Cardinals Need Their A-Game to Ward off a Carolina Panthers Attack

This game for the Cardinals is down right scary. It has classic let-down game written all over it.

Arizona has had a long, painful past of underachieving once expectations have risen. Remember, this team became media darlings when they bolted out to an impressive 7-3 record last season, only to go 2-4 the rest of the way once they were expected to win.

Now they are high from the afterglow of having beaten the Giants on their turf when hardly anyone gave them a chance—well of course I pegged them to win —but they were seven point underdogs coming in. The Cardinals sit atop their pedestal in first place in the NFC West, primed to have their smirks slapped off of their faces.

To make matters worse, the Cardinals have reversed their field location fortunes from last year. Now they can only seem to muster away-field advantage and are only 1-2 at home.

The Panthers are not playing good ball. Their $42.5 million investment in Jake Delhomme has proved to be a horrendous decision to date, and now the consensus is coach John Fox is on one of the hottest seats in the game.

The Carolina defense is not what it once was. Although they are an impressive first against the pass, this stat is slightly misleading. They have been thrown against the least amount of times in the league.

Their rush defense is where they have really slid downhill, ranking 26th currently. Not to mention starters FS Charles Godfrey and LB Thomas Davis are banged up.

Sure, on paper this looks to be a lopsided victory for the Cardinals, and it very well may be. I am expecting, and hoping for complete Arizona domination.

However there is an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed.

January 10th, 2009. The Cardinals embarrassed the Panthers in their house, where Carolina had been undefeated en route to their 12-4 2008 regular season record. They were heavy favorites, yet Arizona hammered them so badly it sent Delhomme into a tailspin he has still not recovered from nine months later.

I believe this year’s Cardinals have turned the corner, and they are on their way to becoming not only a playoff team for this season, but also a mainstay as one of the best teams in the NFL for the foreseeable future. I think Ken Whisenhunt is building something really special in the desert.

Even then, no opponent should be taken lightly. These Cardinals need to be warned repeatedly: it is exactly this kind of situation, a team playing poorly with an agonizing memory fresh in their minds, that can propel a bad team to suddenly play well.

The Panthers are out for redemption, and Arizona needs every bit of their A-game to ward off the surprise attack.

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NFL Predictions: Week Eight

Week Eight will be coming up this week with a lot of good match-ups this Sunday.

A re-match of the student vs. teacher matchup will be the featured contest of this week.

The Colts, Broncos and Saints all remain undefeated after Week Seven. The Vikings finally took their first loss of the season after a tough game with the Steelers.

The Titans, Rams and Buccaneers are all still win-less at 0-6 and 0-7 and are desperate for wins.

Tampa Bay is on a bye week, so they will have to wait for that day to come, but the Titans are making a change at quarterback, benching Kerry Collins and starting Vince Young.

As for St. Louis, they’re bad, there is no other way around it.

Last week, I was 11-2 in Week Seven’s games, losing the Giants game to the Cardinals and losing the Panthers game to the Bills. Overall for the 2009 Season, I am 75-28 and having a good season so far.

Lets take a look at the schedule for Week Eight of the NFL.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants are on a two-game losing streak and looking for a win to stay on top of the NFC East division.

They are a little banged up this week, but Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to play with the foot injury, as is Mario Manningham, who has a shoulder injury.

The Eagles are also coming in with some key injuries. During the Monday Night Football game, Brian Westbrook took a shot to the head from a knee and suffered a concussion. His status for the game is listed as questionable. Kevin Curtis has been held out of Eagles practice and is out for the game.

Some say the Giants are riped for the picking going into Philadelphia for this game. But they actually have won their last couple meetings in Lincoln Financial Field and because the Giants will be a desperate team looking to avoid a three game losing streak, I look for Big Blue to get the win here in a very physical game.

Final Score: Giants 35, Eagles 28

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

What’s the best medicine for losing a home overtime game? Beating up on the Raiders 38-0 on the road. That’s exactly what the Jets needed to get some confidence back after losing three straight.

Unfortunately for the Jets, they lost running back Leon Washington for the season with a foot injury that was hard to watch on TV. The injury means Thomas Jones’ bulk load increases and Shonn Greene’s playing time increases.

The last time these two met was a couple weeks ago on Monday Night Football, and the Wildcat Offense featuring Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown ran all over the Jets defense, while Chad Henne had a breakout game.

The Jets should be looking more for the Wildcat, but can they stop Brown and Williams? Rex Ryan prepares his defenses a lot, so expect the Jets to rebound.

The last time Miami came into the Meadowlands, they ended the Jets 2008 season. Don’t expect that same type of Cinderella magic to happen again.

Final Score: Jets 27, Dolphins 21

San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts

The 49ers have lost two games in a row and are reeling after taking an early lead in the NFC West.

They are now starting Alex Smith over Shaun Hill because Smith has a stronger arm to get the ball downfield to newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree, who looked good in his first game.

However, the 49ers are going into the house of the best team in the NFL and are up against the best quarterback in the NFL in Peyton Manning.

Manning and company are 6-0, they are scoring tons of touchdowns (179 points scored) while the Colts defense has been very good so far (77 points allowed).

Until someone can beat the Colts, it’s hard to pick against them. I don’t see the 49ers having a chance in stopping Manning and that offense.

Final Score: Colts 38, 49ers 21

Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys

For a while, it looked like the Seahawks were getting back on track with Matt Hasselbeck back at quarterback. At 2-4, Seattle isn’t exactly exploding in the NFC scene like they used to.

Their running game at times has been shut down with Julius Jones and Edgerrin James, and the passing game has had a tough time getting going, which is why they are in 3rd place in the NFC West.

After two straight wins, the Cowboys look rejuvenated. Tony Romo has found a new target in Miles Austin, who has had two breakout games and over 400 yards receiving in those games. Austin is picking up the slack of Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton, who haven’t produced for Dallas.

The Cowboys have played well at home in their new stadium (2-1). Seattle is not a good team on the road and I don’t expect them to play any better in Cowboys Stadium.

Final Score: Cowboys 31, Seahawks 17

St. Louis Rams @ Detroit Lions

There is no other way to say this nicely, so I’ll just say it. The Rams suck.

They are 0-7. They’ve only scored 66 points on offense and given up 211 on defense, which is nothing short of dreadful.

I know Steve Spagnuolo deserved to be an NFL head coach, but this is just an awful situation to be put in.

Their opponents know a few things about win-less seasons, and they don’t have to worry about that in 2009.

Matthew Stafford should be back for this game, which is needed for this team, because Daunte Culpepper hasn’t been very good starting in his place.

The Lions are still far away from being good. But they’re at least good enough to beat the Rams on Sunday.

Final Score: Lions 24, Rams 6

Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens

This is an interesting match-up on the schedule and could turn into a very physical, defensive game.

The Broncos are 6-0 and have been shocking the world each week with every win. I picked Denver to be no better than 6-10, and they’ve already won six games and are almost a lock for the AFC West division.

They’ve only given up 66 points on defense, which is unbelievable under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. This week, they will be up to the test.

After starting out 3-0 and very good early on, the Ravens have lost three in a row and are falling in the AFC North, so the Ravens will be desperate for a win.

They had last week to rest and collect their wind and get an undefeated team at home. It’s so hard to pick against Denver, while the Ravens look like they can beat them. I can see this coming down to a last minute field goal.

Final Score: Broncos 23, Ravens 20

Houston Texans @ Buffalo Bills

The Texans are getting better as the schedule goes on after having a rough start to the season.

At 4-3, Matt Schaub is throwing the football better and leading Houston on their two-game winning streak.

The only thing Houston needs to improve on is their defense. They give up as many points as they score.

The Bills have been a major disappointment. They sign Terrell Owens to spark-jump the offense and he’s been bad. In games where they expected him to break out, he barely even caught the ball. So far, the T.O. in Buffalo experiment has been a bust.

The Bills haven’t been a good team this year and they’re playing a team who can air out the football on them. This might be a long day for the Buffalo fans.

Final Score: Texans 35, Bills 14

Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears

How the Browns have a win this season is beyond me, because Eric Mangini has become a horrible head coach, their offense is awful, and their defense can’t stop anybody.

Yet, they have a win.

That offense I referred to. Yeah, Brady Quinn was benched and probably will find a way to get out. Derek Anderson isn’t playing any better and he’d probably love to leave as well. There is no fun on this team, just ask Mangini. He doesn’t allow fun.

The Bears lost a rough one to the Bengals last week, so they would love nothing more than to come home and pound the hell out of the Browns.

This could be a game where Jay Cutler slashes the Cleveland defense up through the air. He threw three interceptions last week, so Cutler is looking for a rebound game.

If Chicago can’t win this game, they have no hope in 2009.

Final Score: Bears 28, Browns 10

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

The Jaguars haven’t been that good in 2009. Yet, they are 3-3. They have in fact given up more points on defense than they have scored, and yet, they are a .500 team.

Maurice Jones-Drew has been the only real positive on this team. It’s really not been that good in Jacksonville after being a Super Bowl contender two seasons ago.

After weeks of speculation, the Titans will finally put Kerry Collins on the bench and start Vince Young this week. Jeff Fisher is desperate for a win and also had a lot of heat coming from the Tennessee management.

Nobody expected the Titans to be 0-6 after finishing 13-3 and having the best record in the league.

With Young in the offense, I expect Tennessee to be rejuvenated and play harder. I’m going with an upset this week.

Final Score: Titans 24, Jaguars 20

Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers

The Raiders are another awful team. Yet, they have two wins. They give up 38 points and got shutout on offense at home, yet they have two wins. How?

JaMarcus Russell is horrible and needs to be cut. Tom Cable is not the answer at head coach and needs to be let go, or at least be put back as offensive line coach. Al Davis needs to sell the team or die, because he can’t run an NFL team anymore. His drafting of Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey is reason enough why.

The Chargers haven’t been a great team in 2009 after being dubbed a contender in the preseason. Yet, because the AFC is wide open, the Chargers are in the mix.

This game is the perfect time for Philip Rivers to air the ball all over the field on the Raiders, who can’t cover anyone and stop anyone.

I’d say LaDanian Tomlinson could even have a good game because the Raiders can’t stop the run, but I can’t remember the last time LT had a decent game.

Final Score: Chargers 35, Raiders 10

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

The Panthers looked like they were on the verge of getting back on track. But then they pull a stinker of a game against the Bills.

The Panthers have been a tremendous disappointment in 2009 after being the second best team in the NFC last year, and John Fox is still on the verge of losing his job and taking Jake Delhomme with him.

The Cardinals won an important game last week against the Giants and it was because of their defense.

If they can get the same type of production from their defense every week, they will be a scary team to stop in the NFC, especially if their offense plays like expected.

Last year, the Cardinals shocked the Panthers in the playoffs. This week, it won’t be a shock when the Cardinals win.

Final Score: Cardinals 34, Panthers 17

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

THE RETURN OF BRETT FAVRE TO LAMBEAU FIELD!

Favre will be returning to the place he called home for 15 years. He’s played well so far in 2009, leading the Vikings to a 6-1 start. They suffered their first defeat to the Steelers on the road last week and are looking for a rebound week.

The Packers lost the last game they played on Monday Night Football and would love nothing more than to beat Minnesota and Favre in their building.

The only problem is, Favre and the offense has been good. While the Packers have had trouble blocking for Aaron Rodgers. In the last game, Jared Allen had 4 1/2 sacks on Rodgers.

Most will probably root for the Packers to beat Favre. But Minnesota is still an elite team in the NFC and they should play like it in enemy territory.

Final Score: Vikings 30, Packers 24

Monday Night Football: Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

This is a must-win game for the Falcons if they want to keep up in the NFC South division.

They have been up and down in 2009 and are 4-2. They have the making of a playoff team, but they also give up a lot of points and lost a tough game to the Cowboys last week.

Now, they will be on national TV again against a divisional rival.

The Saints are 6-0 and had to fight to stay at 6-0 against the Dolphins. They showed guts and the capability of a comeback on the road when down.

The Saints are showing they are a force to be dealt with in the NFC and if they can beat the Falcons at home, the NFC South is practically theirs to have already to 7-0.

The Saints are not only good on offense, but are even good on defense, which is where they stop Atlanta on the big stage.

Final Score: Saints 41, Falcons 24

Bye Week: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots

That covers the picks for Week Eight of the NFL schedule. With the World Series going on, there is no Sunday Night Football game, just a Monday night game.

Because of the World Series being played in Philadelphia Sunday night, the Giants-Eagles game was originally a 4:15 p.m. game, but got moved to 1 p.m.

Some have also wondered if the World Series has taken away some of the luster of the Favre vs Packers game, because it hasn’t been as talked about like the Fall Classic has been.

In Green Bay, the town will be shut down and in anticipation, like the rest of the fans who love good football games. Happy Halloween to everyone, hope everyone has a good weekend and enjoys their football weekend of Week Eight.

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Thoughts on Browns Quarterbacks, Brian Robiskie, and the Secondary

At least Derek Anderson is as disgusted about his statistics as the fans are.

 

Anderson told the Cleveland Plain Dealer this week that his stats are “garbage.” He says he believes he’s “improving,” but that is arbitrary at this point.

 

He has a 40.6 quarterback rating and 43.8 completion percentage, both dead last in the NFL. He has averaged 4.42 yards per completion, which also ranks last in the league.

 

However, he probably doesn’t have to worry about losing his job anytime soon. Head coach Eric Mangini appears adamant about sticking with Anderson over Brady Quinn.

 

Speaking of Quinn, if he takes 70 percent of the snaps this season, he is due an $11 million bonus. Mangini and the Browns’ front office don’t think it’s wise to pay that to a guy who they aren’t sold on as a franchise quarterback.

 

This is understandable, and if they want to keep his trade value at a respectable level, not playing him on this pathetic offense is the smart move. Teams that are looking for a quarterback in the offseason will still view Quinn as an unknown and may be willing to surrender a mid-round draft pick.

 

So, unless Anderson gets hurt, expect Quinn to stay on the bench. The offense isn’t going to all of a sudden start putting up 30 points a game if he starts. They’re starting two rookie wide receivers, a rookie center, and no reliable receiving tight end.

 

Which leads me to one of those rookie wide receivers, Brian Robiskie. The Chagrin Falls native has one catch for 23 yards and doesn’t seem to warrant the attention that fellow rookie Mohamed Massaquoi is getting from Anderson. It could be that Anderson knows that Massaquoi has big-play potential, or it could be that Robiskie just isn’t getting open.

 

Mangini will continue to play both rookies and allow them to grow together. It just makes me wonder if Robiskie would be where Massaquoi is right now had he arrived to training camp on time.

 

Finally, the second weakest position on this team next to the quarterbacks has to be the secondary. The cornerbacks and safeties looked lost on long touchdown passes to Green Bay’s fullback and wide receiver Donald Driver.

 

I understand Eric Wright could have lost his life last weekend in a car accident, but he cannot give up those types of plays to opposing wide receivers. He and Brandon McDonald are not physical, they cannot tackle on a consistent basis, and you hardly ever see them play bump-and-run to disrupt the receivers’ routes.

 

The coaches need to find out if Coye Francies is any better than McDonald, who is better suited for a nickel role.

 

Safeties Abram Elam and Brodney Pool were also nowhere to be found on those touchdowns until Green Bay’s fullback and wideout were arriving at the end zone.

 

It’s almost impossible to think what they are looking at before and when the ball is snapped. There is absolutely no help over the top for the corners, and you hardly ever see either safety deliver a hit over the middle like an Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu.

 

The Packers probably have the best cornerback tandem in the league with Charles Woodson and Al Harris. They also have an underrated safety in Nick Collins, who is always around the ball.

 

When Mangini was with the Jets, he helped turn safety Kerry Rhodes into a Pro Bowl ballhawk and drafted cornerback Darrelle Revis out of Pittsburgh, who has transformed into a shutdown corner. It’s hard to think that Mangini believes he has either of those right now on the Cleveland Browns.

 

Unless these defensive backs start playing like they care about football, expect a complete personnel makeover this offseason.

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With Titans Starting Young, Significance Goes Beyond The Win/Loss Column

It’s funny how things can come full circle.  

A little over a year ago Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans were faring somewhat poorly in a season-opening matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.  

Of course, we all know the end result:  

The interceptions.

The boos. 

The benching.  

To be fair, he was injured in the game, but one gets the feeling that he probably would have been pulled anyhow, given his and the team’s sluggish performance.  Kerry Collins then came in to lead the team to a stellar regular season record and the playoffs.

Nowadays, with the team having gone 2-10 since their improbable 10-0 start last year, the Titans coaching staff has named Young the starter for their upcoming game with…Jacksonville.  

In essence, the first day of the rest of Young’s career begins now.  There are many questions about not only his affect on the team’s success, but also as to just how the rest of his playing days will pan out.  

At this juncture, he’s delicately treading the fine line between being a success and being a bust.  Not only is he aiming to save a franchise in turmoil, but also his flailing career.  

Owner Bud Adams has emphatically stated that he feels Young to be the quarterback of the future.  Having the man who signs the checks on your side is not necessarily a bad thing.  

However, his underperforming career makes it hard to justify giving him his hefty salary as his contract nears its end.  It’d almost be easier to trade him.  For what, specifically, depends on how well he plays the rest of this year. 

Then again, if he does, in fact, resuscitate the Titans to respectability, Adams could view it as validation.  Afterwards, Young goes on to a glorious—or, at least some semblance of respectable—career with the franchise.  

The storylines are endless; the plot ever-thickening in this latest installment in the Vince Young saga.  

How well he does or doesn’t play will speak volumes.  If he consistently shows lack of effort or sloppiness out there, then that says that he pouted, loafed, and didn’t make the most of his time with the clipboard.  

If he does well, then perhaps he does have the heart of a champion.  To face the adversity and embarrassment that he’s been through, only to come back stronger and a better person, would give hope not only to the Titans, but his career as well.  

All things considered, this is, without question, sink-or-swim time for Young.  Throw in the fact that Tennessee is winless, and next year’s draft looks to be quarterback-rich, and, well, the proverbial writing is on the wall.  

If he plays his cards right, he’ll ensure that his play will merit him a spot on someone’s team next year.  

It’s almost fitting that the team he began his tailspin against is the same team that he can begin to script his resurgence.

Mr. Young, time to complete the circle.   

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Jim Zorn Should Resign

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Week Eight: NFL Picks & Predictions

As most of you know, I pick em’ every week and have for years, I’ve been doing most of my picks right here on bleacherreport.com and also over at my site at www.sports-uncut.com.

Going into last Week (7) I was a solid, if unspectacular 63-27, good for a 70.0 percent accuracy rate. Last season was my personal best of 80 percent. This year, I’m looking to improve that! Over the last 2 Weeks, the consecutive 9-5 picks have lowered my average a little, alas, it’ll come back, I know it will!

I finished Week 7 with an average 9-5 record, not great….but, not bad either. Hind sight being 20/20, I would have picked the Cards, but, who realistically thought that was going to happen? I guess a saints pick would have helped too….Oh well, it’s a new week, and I gotta get better!

As always, I’m not picking the spread here folks, I’m picking the straight up winner.

Byes this week: Bengals, Chiefs, Patriots, Steelers, Buccaneers & Redskins

Record:

Record from 2 Weeks Previous (6): 9-5

Record from last Week (7): 9-5

Record coming into Week (8): 72-32 (67.2 percent)

Now that the records are out of the way, let’s get right to it!

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