Washington Redskins Week 10 Mailbag: Jim Zorn, Ladell Betts, and the 2010 Draft

So after the Redskins’ most recent loss this Sunday, I was trying to decide what needed to be said. Quite frankly, I’m just happy I survived the first half of the game against the Falcons.

Sitting alone at a local bar watching our offense sputter along, I think I even had my waitress feeling sorry for me.

During the game I received a fair number of text messages from my friends. Some asked me how I felt, some asked me if Ladell Betts was worth picking up in fantasy football, and some just rubbed in the fact that my team scores less than Beavis and Butthead.

Later that night I asked all my friends, who are football fans, including a few Redskin fans, to email me questions they deemed pertinent about the current status of the Washington Redskins. Leaving out last names, for obvious reasons, this is what I wound up with.

 

Why does Jim Zorn always look so confused on the sideline? Do you think it’s because he still can’t believe he’s an NFL head coach?—Adam, Phoenix

I got a few emails that all basically asked this question. At this point I don’t really think there is a good answer. Zorn is so completely lost right now that he is unable to mask his sideline confusion.

There is no greater sitting duck in the league, and he is in the unique situation of guiding a sinking ship while auditioning for another job. The thing is, as an offensive mind, he’s not even able to do that now that his playcalling duties have been taken away from him. 

To me, Zorn has the same look on his face that a guy gets when he knows his girl is going to dump him: that paralyzing fear mixed with misguided and almost satirical optimism.

Oh the Jim Zorn Era…I will not remember you fondly.

 

Why is everyone so down on Jason Campbell? He put up a heroic performance today behind arguably the league’s worst offensive line. Does nobody understand how hard it is to play quarterback when you have no pass-protection?—Matt, Maryland

I don’t know the answer to this question. I think Campbell has proved time and again that he is a decent NFL quarterback and certainly one capable of leading a team to the playoffs.

The problem is he has no offensive line, no real threat of a running game, and no reliable weapons to throw to (especially now that Chris Cooley is out and Santana Moss is getting double-teamed and has no time to get open downfield). 

Our young receivers haven’t progressed like we would have hoped, and Clinton Portis is just mailing this season in, even before the concussion. You switch Campbell with Matt Ryan or even David Garrard right now, and we are still 2-6. Campbell isn’t the problem.

 

Do you think Ladell Betts is a viable fantasy option from here on out?—Brian, Tucson

I actually think Betts is a better option right now than Portis is. This makes me incredibly sad because I have Portis on my fantasy team.

This also isn’t just because of the obvious reason that Portis is hurt. Watching CP play recently, it just seems like he’s given up. Aside from the fact that he has about as much elusiveness as Zydrunas Ilgauskas, it just seems like Portis has lost his heart. When Betts plays, he still runs like he wants to get first downs and actually move the ball.

Don’t get me wrong—I love Portis for what he’s done in Washington, but he’s fading fast as a running back. Getting a younger, and faster, replacement should definitely be on the Redskins’ offseason checklist.

Even when Portis returns, I think that Betts will remain somewhat viable. He’s been playing on third downs the entire season, and I think the production that he has shown recently will earn him more playing time from here on out. Portis should regain the No. 1 job once healthy, but I expect Betts’ workload to increase.

 

Would you ask Fred Smoot if I can wear his No. 27 jersey? I’m really looking forward to playing in Washington!—Larry Johnson, Kansas City

You stay away! We don’t need Shaun Alexander 2.0!

 

At this point it’s a virtual lock that the ‘Skins are going to have a top-10 pick. Who do you think we’ll take in the first round?—Luke, Virginia

I’ve been saying for months now that we need offensive line help in the worst way. The best offensive line prospect right now is Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung. Unfortunately, I think that he’ll probably be off the board by the time the Redskins pick.

Also, let’s be serious…we’re taking a quarterback.

Unless by some freak chance we re-sign Jason Campbell, probably to a one-year deal, we’re going to take a signal caller in the first round. If I had to take a guess right now, I would say that that quarterback will be Sam Bradford. I love Jake Locker, and there’s no denying Jimmy Clausen’s talent, but I think Bradford will be the guy.

He’s got prototypical size and all the talent to make it at the NFL level. He would have been the No. 1 overall pick had he come out last year, and as long as Dr. James Andrews (the Redskins’ team doctor) gives his shoulder a vote of confidence, we could really be getting a steal in him.

He’s a good leader, and maybe, just maybe, he can reconnect with Malcolm Kelly and turn him back into the productive receiver he was when they were teammates at Oklahoma.

This pick will probably change dozens of times between now and April, but as of now, this would be my guess.

 

Thanks to all my friends for their questions, and if any of you would like to send me a question for a future mailbag, please feel free to do so.

Until next time, let’s keep our heads up and an eye towards the future. These tough times will only make the good ones feel that much better.

HTTR!

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Washington Redskins Fans…Relax!

So…pretty rough season so far, huh?  Man, I can’t remember a time in my entire life I’ve enjoyed watching my favorite team play less. 

Quite frankly, the fact that the Redskins have a bye this week allows me a small respite from that dejected/bewildered feeling I’ve gotten the first three hours after each game this year.

However, despite the fact that our team is epically dysfunctional this season and we seem to have dug ourselves a sizable hole, I think it’s time that we all took a deep breath and just relaxed.

To start with, Jim Zorn is in over his head as a head coach.  He will be fired at the end of the season.  Let’s move on.

Aside from that, and in Zorn’s defense, I’m not sure how many coaches would be able to win with our current offensive line.

The fact that our lack of depth on the O-line was talked about fairly often during this preseason allows me to conclude that Vinny Cerrato was at least somewhat aware of some potential problems.

Now that those problems have occurred, we’re in bad shape and quite frankly there’s no quick and easy solution.

With all this knowledge, we still need to relax.  Think about it this way.  When everyone here watches Titanic , nobody is surprised when the ship sinks.  You knew this going into the movie.

The same attitude should be taken towards the rest of this season.

First of all, since the playoffs have essentially waved bye-bye to us; technically the “best” thing for us to do is to lose the rest of our games to receive higher draft picks.

Of course, I would never advocate “tanking,” because that destroys an organization’s confidence and overall talent, but it should be kept in mind as we continue to lose games.  Sort of like a consolation prize.

Also, we should remember that 20 teams don’t make the playoffs.  It doesn’t matter if you went 11-5 or 0-16 like the Patriots and Lions did respectively last year.

More importantly, we have some definite positives that we can focus on. 

First of all, the play of our defense has been fantastic.  Being forced to play after so many three-and-outs, and given such tough field position time after time, it really is quite amazing how well they’ve played.

Rookies Brian Orakpo and Jeremy Jarmon have both flashed incredible talent and the ability to get to the quarterback consistently.

The addition of Albert Haynesworth has absolutely helped our defense.  I can’t believe that some people don’t see this.  Andre Carter is having a monster year so far and it is in large part due to Haynesworth’s presence (see Kyle Vanden Bosch’s stats).

I’m not going to beat this into the ground, but Haynesworth is playing well and our defense is better with him.  Oh, and he’s not making $100M for sure. 

In the NFL, with a salary payout determined by so many accelerators and roster bonus’, the only number to really pay attention to when a player is signed is the “Guaranteed Money” amount.

Haynesworth is guaranteed $41M.  Has he earned it?  Not yet.  Are we better with him?  Definitely.

Even the offense has had a few glimmers of hope recently.  Seeing Devin Thomas score last week brought me great happiness and watching Fred Davis finally play like the athletic playmaker he was at USC was very pleasing.

The performances of those two, along with some of the plays Malcolm Kelly has made, shows that our bevy of 2008 second round picks may be starting to catch up to the speed of the NFL.

As stated, with our current offensive line situation and all the unrest from the owner’s box to the sideline, our team is going to lose…often.  I think 4-12 is pretty realistic right about now.

But we need to approach this, not with the outrage of a fading contender, but with the patience and wisdom of a wounded warrior. 

I’m not saying we should accept losing and not hold people accountable for the mistakes that have been made.  Rather, I’m saying that instead of continuing to treat each loss like the spark that needs to ignite change, we have to relax.

In our current position there’s virtually nothing that even can change until about February. 

We won’t fire Zorn until after the season, we can’t really prepare for the draft without knowing both who all is declaring and what spot we’ll have, and free agency is but a dot in the distance.

To quote the great Norman Dale from the movie Hoosiers , “This is your team.”

We need to understand that as much as losing hurts and as awful as our offense performs on Sundays, this is our team.  This is the 2009 Washington Redskins. 

We need to start supporting that team more and understand that this team is just a vessel between current woes and future successes.  Complaining and crying only make us look weak and fickle.

We have more class as a fanbase than to complain endlessly when our team has one horrific season.

I know Lions fans don’t want to hear about it.  Neither do Chiefs fans, Raiders fans, Rams fans, Browns fans, etc.

Part of the reason the Redskins’ mediocrity has been so widely publicized this season is because the unrest has spread to the players and the fans.  Nobody cares about a losing team that sticks together and continues to fight.  That’s boring.

Despite their woes this season, you have read less negative stories about the Rams this year than stories involving Chiefs running back Larry Johnson and his gay slur towards his head coach this week.  Admit it.

Steve Spagnuolo is a tough, smart head coach and while the Rams are floundering, they are doing it the right way.

We need to adopt this style.  Clearly the Redskins players wanted Zorn to retain his job for the rest of the year.  And he will.  That was a good move by management.

Now we just need to enter each game with the optimism that we can beat our opponent, but the wisdom that in years such as this, wins will be scarce.

We all know the ship is going down.  In fact, the lower compartments have already started to flood. 

Let’s just relax…and not act so surprised.

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Washington Redskins: Where Do They Go From Here?

I’ve been a Washington Redskins fan my entire life.  I lived in DC for a few years in the early 90’s when I was between four and seven-years-old.  I have experienced the highs and the lows with this team ever since then.

Growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, I can specifically remember sitting up against my family’s inexplicably large radio/tape player sound system on Sunday’s when, for whatever reason, I was able to pick up a Redskins broadcast on an AM radio station.

I remember listening to games where Trent Green threw touchdowns to Michael Westbrook.  I remember Terry Allen dominating opposing defenses.  I remember riding Brad Johnson all the way to the playoffs, and then crying when we lost to the damn Buccaneers.

My point is, I’ve been there for this team.  I’ve spent an inordinate amount of my time thinking about this team, its players and its possibilities.

Now is no different.  I still spend time thinking about this team and its players and wondering what the future might hold.  Only now, my thoughts are predominately negative.

Watching the horrible Chiefs—and lets face it, they’re horrible—beat my favorite team I was struck with many conflicting thoughts.

First of all, I understand benching Jason Campbell and giving Todd Collins a shot.  Collins was brilliant down the stretch in 2007 and has patiently carried a clipboard throughout his career in Washington.  However, for all that watched the game, it became crystal clear that Collins was not going to get the job done.

Aside from his one good pass to Santana Moss, Collins looked rusty, flat-footed and just mediocre.  Campbell gives this team the best chance to win and if he doesn’t start next week it’s going to be a travesty.

Also, how in the world does Campbell not come back in on the final possession?  Backed against our own goal line, needing at least a 50-yard-through-the-air pass, how do we give the ball to our rusty, weak-armed quarterback?

I assumed Jim Zorn was just “sticking” with the quarterback change, that’s fine, but look what happened.  Behind a Redskins line that would have trouble blocking a pissed-off girlfriend, Campbell is the only quarterback that is able to allude the inevitable pressure.  If nothing else, Zorn should have realized this and called on Campbell in this specialty situation.

When the Lakers were winning titles in the early part of the decade, Phil Jackson would sit Shaquille O’Neal on the bench during crunch time due to his poor free throw shooting ability.  This had nothing to do with the caliber of player he was, but it was just about giving his team the best chance at victory.  Zorn does not understand this concept.

The fact that we have been “safetied” in consecutive weeks is amazing to me.  I can’t remember the last time, if ever, I saw this happen to an NFL team. 

It all keeps coming down to the fact that our offensive line is banged up and below average and our play calling is completely incompetent. 

The Redskins so rarely throw a pass that travels more than 10 yards in the air.  All the underneath routes allow the defense to play closer to the line of scrimmage which negatively impacts our running game.

On that note, I hate to say it, but Clinton Portis has completely lost his elusiveness.  When he was a Bronco, I remember telling one of my buddies that he was the quickest cutter I’ve ever seen.  The man could stop on a dime.  Now, he looks about as elusive as Yao Ming.

His 78-yard run was definitely a highlight, but even that revealed flaws.  First off, the run was not a product of skill.  Rather, the run was broken because of good blocking by the o-line and Sellers, and good vision and patience by Portis.  And not to be overly critical, but he should have scored. 

Had he not run out of gas towards the end and visibly given up on the run, we would have had a lead and a huge momentum boost.  As it was, we predictably couldn’t do anything and had to settle for a field goal.

Adrian Peterson would have scored.  Darren Sproles would have scored.  Reggie Bush would have scored.  Hell, Marcus Mason probably would have scored.  The downfall of Portis has been one of the under-appreciated subplots to this season.

So where do we go from here?

The answer lies off the field.  Snyder isn’t going anywhere so it is literally a waste of time to talk about that.  I’m convinced now that Cerrato needs to go.  Despite making some nice draft picks recently, his lack of attention to depth is astounding. 

On the sideline, Jim Zorn is unbearable.  He has no clue what’s going on and takes the mentality of playing not to lose to a whole new level.  Instead of even doing that, Zorn plays not to be embarrassed.

If the Redskins defense wasn’t so good, we would absolutely be the laughing stock of the league.

Don’t let the play of our defense get lost in the shuffle either.  When Haynesworth isn’t laying on the ground in pain, he is starting to disrupt everything in opposing backfields.  Andre Carter, Brian Orakpo, Jeremy Jarmon and Chris Wilson have given the Redskins the best (and only) pass rush we’ve had in years.  Our corners are vastly overrated, but they still get the job done most of the time.  Our linebackers and safeties are nothing to sneeze at either.

We have built a nice nucleus on defense.  All the attention in this next offseason needs to be on the offense.  Campbell is going to leave, I think that’s a pretty safe bet because if I was him, I doubt I’d even want to come back after the way I’d been treated.

Portis needs to take a pay cut, be traded, or cut.  There I said it.  The man is a shadow of his former self and is completely replaceable with about 50 other running backs in this league (including Betts). 

Our wide receivers need to continue to develop and it will be difficult to address that position again after all the attention paid to it in recent years. 

Lastly, we need new young talent on the offensive line.  Without this, we will never be competitive.

My optimal scenario as of now is to fire Zorn and hire Jon Gruden (my favorite) or Mike Shanahan, take a stud quarterback in the first round (either Bradford, Locker or Clausen) and address the offensive line in the second and fourth round.  And if we can acquire more picks by trading some of our veterans I’d be all for that.

For the first time in a while, the Redskins have kept a team together.  The nucleus of Campbell, Portis, Moss, Randle-El, Cooley etc. have been together for a number of years.  This is a variation from the virtual constant changeovers that took place early in the decade.

Unfortunately for us fans, that nucleus hit its peak in 2007.  It needs to be blown up.

I’ve said it before, but it’s not that I’ve lost faith.  I’m just practical.  This team is nowhere near playoff caliber.  This is not something to get angry about.

In fact, I’d rather go 3-13 and have a shot at Sam Bradford than go 8-8 again and reach on Tim Tebow. 

This is not to say we should accept the poor caliber of coaching and management we are seeing.  Instead, I think we should focus our attention there and by sheer group-speak, force Snyder to make some changes in the way things happen within the organization.

Snyder is a fan.  He wants to win.  This is why I have never turned on him.  The man spends to win.  It hasn’t worked, but you know this bothers him.  Having an owner that legitimately cares is priceless in an age when many teams are looked at as merely revenue streams.

However, as a fellow fan, things need to start changing so we can move forward.  Please, Mr. Snyder.  Hear our words.

The definition of insanity is “doing the same action repeatedly, but expecting a different result.”  By that logic one thing is for sure.  This Redskins team has lost its mind.

And I’m not far away myself.

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NFL Quarterback: Drafting an Idea?

What does it take to play quarterback in the NFL?  Aside from not being drafted by the Browns or Raiders, is there a certain formula for success? 

Is there reason why Peyton Manning and JaMarcus Russell, while both former No. 1 overall picks, are traveling down slightly different career paths? 

What about guys who were complete afterthoughts on draft day: Guys like Tom Brady (sixth round) and Tony Romo (undrafted)?  All of this varied success got me wondering if there is any kind of method to the madness.  Let’s explore.

Currently, of the 32 starting NFL quarterbacks (injured players like Chad Pennington and Matt Stafford are still counted as starters), 16 were drafted in the first round.  Half the league right there. 

Of those 16 quarterbacks, five were the No. 1 overall pick (Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, JaMarcus Russell and Matt Stafford).

To break that down even further, the NFC West is currently the only division in football that does not have a first-round pick starting at quarterback.  Although, there are plenty on the benches, including former top pick Alex Smith, Kyle Boller, and Matt Leinart.

Conversely, two divisions have three former first round picks starting; the NFC East and the AFC North.  In fact, if Eric Mangini’s leash had been just a tad bit longer (or I’d written this article a few weeks earlier), the AFC North would have been the only division in football to have all four teams starting a first-rounder (had Brady Quinn not been benched).

The rest of the teams are made up of quarterbacks from the later rounds or who were undrafted.  Here’s the complete breakdown.

 

First Round: 16

Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, Jay Cutler, Matt Ryan, Kerry Collins, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco, Phillip Rivers, JaMarcus Russell, Mark Sanchez, and Chad Pennington

 

Second Round: Two

Brett Favre and Drew Brees

 

Third Round: Two

Matt Schaub and Trent Edwards

 

Fourth Round: Two

Kyle Orton and David Garrard

 

Fifth Round: One

Josh Johnson

 

Sixth Round: Four

Marc Bulger, Matt Hasselbeck, Derek Anderson and Tom Brady

 

Seventh Round: One

Matt Cassel

 

Undrafted: Four

Tony Romo, Kurt Warner, Shaun Hill, and Jake Delhomme

Quite frankly, I found this information to be very surprising.  Not only does it appear that rounds three-five have been completely void of quarterback talent, but that round six is packed full of it.

In fact, every starting quarterback drafted in the sixth round has played in a Pro Bowl!

Surely, this doesn’t take into account coaching, supporting cast, college development, and overall personal skills, but it was interesting to compile the data.

Drafting a quarterback is always risky business, especially drafting one who is expected to come in and play right away.  Careers can be made by gaining confidence with a few rookie wins (Roethlisberger, Ryan, Sanchez, etc.) and destroyed by poor play and being jerked around by the coaching staff (Russell, Quinn, J.P. Losman, Kyle Boller, Alex Smith, etc).

I, like many, think that there is no tougher position in sports to succeed at than NFL quarterback.  I think it takes a combination of many factors in order to do this but following this trend…you’re better off being a first-round pick.

Or a sixth-round pick…

Or not drafted at all….

Yeah.

 

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NFL Predictions: Week Three

Tennessee Titans @ New York Jets (-3)

 

The Jets are riding an incredible wave of enthusiasm right now.  The combination of Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez has transformed them from Jersey boys, into national darlings.  The talk of the league has been how staunch their defense has been and how they’ve shut down two prolific offenses so far in Houston and New England.  I’m not convinced.

It’s not that I think the Jets are bad.  Far from it.  I’m just not ready to hand the AFC East to a team with a first year coach, a rookie quarterback and no visible receiving targets.

The Titans, on the other hand, are in fight or flight mode.  Dropping to 0-3 in a difficult division would all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.  Jeff Fisher is going to have to pull out all the stops for this one.

It seems impossible that a team who had a running back score three touchdowns from 50-plus yards in one game would lose…but that’s how things have gone for the Titans so far.

I’m going with the upset this week though because of the differences in mindsets.  The Jets are riding high on a euphoric opening run.  The Titans are the grizzled veteran that has been knocked down.  Think Rocky Balboa in Rocky III during the second Clubber Lang fight.  If the Titans are a decent football team they’ll beat the Jets this weekend.

Pick:  Titans, 24-17

 

 

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (-3.5)

 

This spread I don’t understand.  The Jaguars are awful.  Their offense has no direction and their usually tough defense is non-existent.  The Texans are going to score points like they always do and I’m not sure Jacksonville has any answer for that.

Another aspect of this game that is getting undervalued is the fact that the Houston Texans are a very good team at home.  Over the last three years only the Steelers and the Patriots have better home records than the Texans.

Combine that with the fact that Mario Williams is getting to go up against a pair of rookie offensive tackles and things don’t look good for the Jaguars this Sunday.

Pick:  Texans, 31-16

 

 

Kansas City Chiefs @ Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)

 

The Eagles are the better team here.  There’s no doubt about that.  Whether they have Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, Jeff Garcia or Michael Vick under center is going to make no difference in the outcome of tomorrow’s game.  Defensively the Eagles will just be too tough for the struggling Chiefs to score on.

Speaking of the Chiefs…have any of you ever seen a team and a fan base waffle on a new free agent “franchise quarterback” faster than the Chiefs have with Matt Cassel?  Is there something I’m missing here?  Cassel has played in one game Kansas City.  One game.  And he’s still recovering from an injury.  It would make more sense if the backup they were calling for was an established starter or a youthful fan favorite.  But Brodie Croyle?

Croyle has never won a game as a starter in the NFL.  Cassel won 11 last year.  I think Kansas City should give him a chance to lose nine in a row before calling for Croyle again.  Never mind the afterthought that is Tyler Thigpen right now.  A man who single-handedly won hundreds of fantasy leagues for appreciative owners (myself among them) last season.

KC is a mess.  Philly is going to be riding an electric crowd who will be feeding off the enthusiasm of seeing Michael Vick’s first action since 2006.  They are going to roll in this one.

Pick:  Eagles, 34-13

 

 

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens (-13.5)

 

This game is always fun.  The new Browns vs. the old Browns.  Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, this game is going to feel like seeing an ex-girlfriend a few years down the road; only she’s gotten about three times hotter and is dating a guy who is better looking and makes more money than you.  In other words…agony.

The media has been having a field day talking about all the irony in Baltimore.  They’ve giggled and joked about what a powerhouse offense the Ravens have in contrast to a mediocre defense.  This does two things:

1)  It shows just how short the memory span of the national media is.

2)  It has to have infuriated Ray Lewis to the point that he might eat one of the Browns on Sunday.

As far as the game goes, the Ravens should make quick work of the directionless Browns.  Brady Quinn is so lost as a quarterback. Virtually through no fault of his own (Mangini is turning out to be a colossal flop as a head coach).  The rest of the Browns offense just seems to be going through the motions.

The Ravens, on the otherhand, look like they are building towards something special.  I’m always hesitant to jump on the Baltimore bandwagon though.  As anyone who has lived in DC or Maryland and has spent time in Baltimore (like I have) you know just what a terrible city it is.  Inner harbor is the only redeeming quality of that dirty and downtrodden town. 

But they have a good football team this year.  Ravens win.

Pick:  Ravens, 31-12

 

 

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6.5)

 

This line seems a little strange to me.  The Giants are a fantastic team that makes every team it plays conform to it’s style. 

The Bucs have been frisky so far this season and it’s nice to see Cadillac Williams running strong again…but you’ve got to like the G-Men in this one.

There’s not really much else to say here, the Giants should have no trouble with the Bucs on Sunday.  I’d be shocked if this one was close.

Pick:  Giants 27-14

 

 

Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions (+6.5)

 

As a Redskins fan this game terrifies me.  The ‘Skins have nothing to gain.  If they win…great.  They were supposed to.  If they lose…well…I don’t even want to go there.

Some good news for the Redskins is that Clinton Portis is listed as questionable for the game.  You read that right.  Portis always seems to do well when he shows up on the injury report.  Don’t ask me why.

Pick:  Redskins, 31-17

 

 

Green Bay Packers @ St. Louis Rams (+6.5)

 

The Packers should cover the spread in this game easily.  Just because the Rams only lost to the Redskins by two points last week (and they could have won) doesn’t mean that this team is ready to hang with the big boys yet. 

First of all, the Redskins should have won that game by over ten points (if they’d been able to get anything going in the redzone) and the Packers are not nearly as bad as they played last week.

Green Bay is looking to bounce back after a poor showing that saw Cedric Benson run all over them and Greg Jennings be held without a catch.  The Packers defense creates a lot of pressure and should force at least two errant Bulger interceptions.

I like the Packers to cover in this one…a lot.

Pick:  Packers, 28-17

 

 

San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings (-7)

 

Brett Favre’s first “home game” at the Metrodome.  Should be very interesting to watch.  After putting on his best Trent Dilfer impression through two weeks, Favre might actually be forced to make some plays this weekend against a hungry 49ers defense.

San Francisco comes into this game looking to build on the success they’ve had so far.  Frank Gore has been great as of yet and Shaun Hill continues to refuse to lose.

This game should be hard fought until late in the fourth quarter where I think the team with the ball last will win.  I expect the 49ers to cover the spread but I think Minnesota gets the game amass a sea of Purple No. 4 jerseys.

Pick:  Vikings, 23-20

 

 

Atlanta Falcons @ New England Patriots (-4.5)

 

No game has caused me more pause this week in contemplating the victor.  On one hand, the Falcons are everything we all thought they could be with Tony Gonzalez…and more.  On the other hand, the once dominant Patriots look shockingly mortal.  Like Captain Barbosa’s crew in Pirates of the Caribbean once all the gold is returned to the chest.  They look just as surprised too.

This could be a defining game for Matt Ryan.  If he is able to lead his team into New England and beat Tom Brady and the Patriots that would mark a new step in his career.

For Brady and the injury plagued Patriots, they have never needed a double-digit victory more than they do now.  NFL teams are like sharks…they can smell blood.  If the Pats fall to Mark Sanchez and Matt Ryan in consecutive weeks, after being a mental error away from losing to Trent Edwards…the wheels might come off.

Word is that Wes Welker AND Randy Moss are questionable for this game but I would be amazed if both didn’t play.  The Pats need this one bad.  Much like the Minnesota game, I expect the Falcons to cover but the Pats to pull out a win in dramatic fashion.

Pick:  Patriots, 27-23

 

 

Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks (+2.5)

 

If I was a gambling man, which, of course I’m not (because, you know, gambling is illegal…most places), I would be betting the Bears hard this weekend.  Once again, is there something I’m missing here?

The Seattle Seahawks looked totally lost last week once Matt Hasselbeck went down, and nothing against Seneca Wallace but playing the Bears is hard for any QB.  Julius Jones, Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett aren’t exactly a three-headed monster and have been shut down for the most part this season too.  It’s gonna be tough for Seattle to find ways to score against the Bears even without Urlacher patrolling the middle.

Phewwwwwwwwww. Phewwwwwwwwww.  The Windy City was straight blustery this week from the exhaling of Bears fans.  They finally got to see the quarterback they practically mortgaged their franchise to trade for.  He showed that he is going to win them some games with his arm which no one has been able to do there for a long time.

I also think that this is the game that Matt Forte remembers how to play football.  If you took him in the first round of your fantasy draft you must be harboring a pretty intense grudge to this point.  But fear not.  Forte is too talented to be stymied all year long.  I expect a big game from the Bears against a Seattle team that just can’t seem to catch any breaks (aside from the ones in their quarterbacks ribs).

Pick:  Bears, 27-17

 

 

New Orleans Saints @ Buffalo Bills (+6)

 

I’m not even going to write about this game.  How the Saints are only favored by six sends up all kinds of red flags to me.  Vegas must know something about this game.  On paper, Brees and co. should murder the Bills.  And yet the line is less than a touchdown.  Amazing.  I got nothing guys…I think the Saints are gonna smash ’em.

Pick:  Saints, 34-23

 

 

Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers (-6)

 

I like the Chargers in this one.  The Dolphins were devastated last Monday night and now have to fly across the country and play a tough San Diego team on a short week.  That’s enough to scare me away.

Pick:  Chargers, 24-13

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5)

 

I’m starting to drink the Bengals Kool-Aid just a little bit.  Cedric Benson is a completely different running back than he was last year and Ochocinco found his mojo.  Cincy has an offense that can move the ball and is building confidence by the drive.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, seems a little lost.  The entire identity of their team seems to have changed since last year and it’s not working out so well for them.

I’m having a tough time deciding which side of the fence I’m going to be on for this game but in the end I think I would kick myself for not taking the Steelers.  Gotta go with the champs.

Pick:  Steelers, 23-17

 

 

Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders (+1.5)

 

Are enough people really betting on Oakland to keep the spread at less than a field goal?  How is this possible?  JaMarcus Russell is easily the worst starting quarterback in the league and the Raiders are the most inept franchise, maybe in professional sports.

The Broncos defense is better than expected and Orton is doing what he does…be completely average.  If Knowshon Moreno can get something going on the ground and Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal can turn back the clock to last year they should smash the Raiders.

Pick:  Broncos, 24-16

 

 

Indianapolis Colts @ Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)

 

I’m surprised the Cardinals are favored in this one.  Not that I don’t think it’s merited, it’s just still a little surprising to see that Arizona is favored over Indy.

That being said the game should be very close.  Arizona has more weapons and they’re healthier whereas Indy has the experience and “The General.”  Seriously though, how ridiculous is that nickname?  Can you even give a player a nickname 10-plus years into their career?  Is that allowed?  Let’s just stick with Peyton or “that guy from the Sony commercials” for now okay America?

Pick:  Cardinals, 27-20

 

 

Carolina Panthers @ Dallas Cowboys (-8.5)

 

Haha.  Man it brings me joy that the Cowboys blew the opener in their new billion dollar stadium.  That must have left a terrible taste in Jerry Jones’ mouth.  Luckily for them they get lowly Carolina this week.

The Panthers rebounded from their week one catastrophe last week but I think everyone knows that their potential this year is no greater than 8-8.

The Cowboys usually take care of over-matched opponents and I expect that big scoreboard to be buzzing next Monday night with Cowboy highlights.  ‘Boys win.

Pick:  Cowboys, 34-20

 

-Brad Vipperman

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Will the Washington Redskins Crumble Under the Eyes Of Observation?

I am terrified of 2:00pm PT Sunday afternoon.  I am terrified for so many reasons that thinking about them causes my body physical angst.  Allow me to explain.

I have been a Washington Redskins fan for as long as I can remember.  Unfortunately, rather than Super Bowl championships and playoff runs, that usually means overpaying free agents and wallowing in mediocrity. 

Every year when I buy the new “Madden” video game, there is always some new Redskin(s) that I am excited to play with for the first time.  This year was Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo.  Last year was Jason Taylor, Devin Thomas, and Malcolm Kelly.  The year before that was LaRon Landry.  Before that…Adam Archuleta.  The list goes as far back as Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield.  Bruce Smith and Mark Carrier.  Deion Sanders and (gulp) Jeff George.

The Redskins have made so many questionable decisions in the last decade.  Some decisions have worked beautifully (Sean Taylor, Chris Cooley, London Fletcher, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, etc.), whereas others have not (Archuleta, Wilkinson, Stubblefield, Sanders, Smith, Jason Taylor, etc.).  All of the choices, good and bad, have led them to this point…and I have been on board the whole way. 

Something inside me is starting to change though.  I’m starting to become less of a fan and more of a critic.  When you’re younger it’s hard to criticize personnel moves because you don’t totally understand.  As you grow up, you’re afraid that dissenting will jinx the incoming arrival and the bad karma of your negative thoughts will condemn them to fail.  Now, as a 23 year old college graduate, I’m starting to get fed up.

I’m fed up that my team’s coach has to be literally mugged by our special teams coach to avoid calling an idiotic timeout.  I’m fed up that with an offensive line currently thinner than the thread Jim Zorn’s job is hanging by, he would still try, and fail, to pound the ball in the redzone.  And as a change of pace…Why not a little halfback pass on third-and-goal from the five?  Seems like Jim Zorn has been playing too much Madden.

These are all new feelings for me.  Even when Marty Schottenheimer was clashing with everyone, I was on board.  When Steve Spurrier turned us into the ’96 Gators, I was on board.  And when Joe Gibbs came back I was definitely on board.  Jim Zorn, however, is one bad move away from losing me completely…and that’s saying something.

I’ve never liked fans who openly bashed members of their favorite organization.  In a way, players and coaches (at least in-season) are sort of like family.  Love them or hate them, you’re stuck together for the next 17 weeks.

This leads me to Sunday’s game.  I live in Arizona and will be watching the 10:00am kickoff as the Lions try and avoid losing an amazing 20th game in a row.  National media and bloggers alike seem to have pegged this as the perfect chance for the Lions to end the streak and finally put one in the win column.  All this because the Redskins failed to score a touchdown against the hapless Rams last week, and, at times, looked completely inept in the process. 

The reason this game terrifies me is because the Redskins have absolutely nothing to gain.  If they win, who cares?  They were supposed to.  If they lose, they will literally make history and become the answer to the trivia question, “What team did the Lions beat to end their 19 game losing streak?”

All this being said, the Redskins are the superior team right?  I mean, their quarterback is experienced, their running back is better and their defense has some legit stars on it.  At the same time their receiving corps leaves much to be desired and their offensive line is banged up to the point that Chad Rinehart is starting at RG.  And he’s never even dressed for an NFL game before!

If the Redskins lose, all hell is going to break loose in the Nation’s capital and I don’t think Jim Zorn makes it to October as head coach.  If they win like they did last week, it will just delay the inevitable.  The only way to save face in this situation is to beat the Lions by a touchdown or more.  That, plus the reality of being 2-1 with a few winnable games coming up, should be enough to settle the storm. 

Needless to say, I’m terrified of 2:00pm PT Sunday afternoon.

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