The Crystal Ball 2007 Week 11

I know it seems weird, but it happened. The entire weekend of football went off without the Patriots playing. And you know what? People still enjoyed the games, still had fun supporting their teams. Fans managed to leave the house and not stay in the dark curled up in the fetal position.

The football world continued to revolve without them. And the entire world, for that matter, continued to turn. I guess they are not the center of the universe after all.

But the networks understood that while we did hold it together, things could unravel fast if everyone did not get their fix of the Pats. So thankfully they moved their tilt with Buffalo to Sunday night. My life is complete again with the Patriots in primetime. Hallelujah!


Recap

The Packers impressively shut out Minnesota and shut down Peterson.

Could Ryan Grant be something for the Pack? Are they developing a running game?

Adrian Peterson tore his LCL during the game. No surgery will be required but he will miss at least one and potentially four games.

The Rams ruined their season. Much like the Raiders last year, now they are not historic or noteworthy, just another crappy team. For shame, Rams.

Well, so much for that New Orleans winning streak.

Hopefully the Dolphins will pay attention to history.

How about the Bills coming from behind and coming through on the road? Amazing what they are doing with nothing. If it were not for the AFC south, the Bills could be in serious discussion as a wild card. As of now, they are considered a bubble team. The Buffalo Bills, the little team that could.

The Giants need to lose those red alternate jerseys. They look awful.

Explain to me how one gets two delays of game penalties playing at home? Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the show as the Giants begin their annual second half collapse. If they do, no one can blame this collapse on Tiki.

Was the Griese injury a blessing in disguise? Rex Grossman was able to play a different role, that of hero with the 59 yard bomb for a touchdown to take the lead late against the Raiders. It took me a few minutes to really absorb that it was Rex Grossman who did that.

The Bears still should be starting Orton. Do not deny the neck beard!

Josh McCown, on the other hand, was just awful. He had barely over 100 yards of passing on the day. Not to tell you your job, Kiffin, but perhaps it’s time to start Russell. Don’t give me that look Lane, respect your elders!

One thing I did notice, the Raiders receivers are lazy and uninspired. During one play late, McCown was scrambling and buying time, doing whatever he could to keep the play alive. During this, his receivers jogged around and none worked hard to get separation or get open. No wonder they lose.

The 2007 Oakland Raiders: new coach, new attitude, new year, new talent, still same old losing Raiders.

Cincy had 7 trips into the Baltimore red zone and came away with 7 field goals. The longest was 35 yards. Yeah, that’ll get it done against good teams.

Hey Ray Ray, you had your 1st division guest come to Baltimore, just as you requested. How did that work out for you? Not so good? Awww, that’s awful. Now Baltimore is 0-4 in division play. By the way, McNair looked as fabulous Sunday as he did the previous Monday. You must be so proud.

Cincinnati has a total of 3 wins this season. Two of them came against Baltimore.

Arizona had a three game skid and now sits at 4-5 and is only a game out of first in their division. The NFC West sucks.

For that matter, so does the AFC West. Denver and KC are both 4-5, tied for second and within striking distance of the uninspiring, and 5-4, Chargers.

Buffalo and KC both scored safeties last weekend.

-18 yards rushing will not make a Lion go far.


Pittsburgh 31 – Browns 28

Oh, it was hat I’ve always wanted, Pittsburgh to win a game from behind through the air.

Even though they were down 15 at one point, they came back and won it. Biggest come from behind victory all season, tied with Cleveland’s the week before versus Seahawks.

Now, did I not tell you about Ben? And hey, look, they won and he had over 31 attempts through the air. Who’d have thought? He displayed that internal drive to prove the naysayers wrong. Me likey big time!

The defense gave up a total of 163 yards of offense to the Browns, who had been averaging much more than that previously. If only they could have kept the return yardage the same. Boy the kickoff and punt coverage sucked.

Hmmm, 3 weeks, 3 division opponents, 3 monster games to determine the outcome of the AFC North. 3 wins.

However, things did not start off so cheery. The Browns jumped on Pittsburgh with an 8:55 minute, 16 play opening drive spanning 71 yards and culminating in a touchdown. What the hell?

Funny how your perception over 6 days can change from overlooked to overrated.

On the first big Browns return, Alan Rossum should not have played slap fight but knocked dude out of bounds. It might have kept him from returning to the 4.

Defense overall did well, but I noticed a few bad things early in the game. Specifically, if you are going to big blitz, the defense must get to the quarterback before he makes the pass and converts 3rd down. That is the key to big blitzing. That’s a tip kids, write it down.

However, in the second half the defense stepped up and put clamps on Cleveland.

The Browns for their part wilted when it mattered most. 0 1st downs in the third quarter and a total of 2 in the second half.

Cleveland made tons of mental mistakes to implode. All through the second half they held more, made small errors more often, and missed catches, routes and holes up front. They played less in their own head and became more emotional, escalating their self destruction.

Big Ben was fabulous reading the defense on his 30 yard touchdown run. But t he real key to that score was the fantastic downfield block applied by Hines Ward. He misses that and Ben goes down at the 5.

The call for the two point conversion was a good one. Getting one point would have done nothing and not getting any points would have made little difference. This move gave the Steelers a 3 point lead and breathing room.

However, the special teams then shot themselves in the foot by allowing a 100 yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff. Is there no one who can shed a block and make a tackle?

The follow up drive was spectacular. Big Ben calmly led them down the field for the decisive score, even picking up a crucial first down by scrambling for yardage. Heath Miller surprised me by holding onto that bullet in the end zone with one hand. Surprised Crennel as well, as the Cleveland coach wasted two timeouts that would haunt him later in a failed effort to get the call overturned.

Despite the offensive heroics, the team almost did not hold on long enough to negate a Cleveland comeback. Cleveland ran the return back to past midfield, but continued their meltdown with a backbreaking blocking penalty. Derek Anderson still managed to get the team into field goal range. Mercifully, it was into the open end of the stadium, and from 54 yards, and the wind kept it from crossing the goal posts.

Unfortunately, the Browns showed they can be big babies by starting a fight on a kneel down on the last snap. Come on guys. You fought hard and came up a few yards short. Show some class, you earned respect today.

Tomlin said afterwards that they did not win on style. Agreed, but I’ll take the victory just the same.

Roethlisberger said after the game he was proud of the entire team for stepping it up when it mattered. Even kick off coverage?

Roethlisberger also jokingly thanked Willie Parker after the game for teaching him how to be fast. I don’t know if that was true (I didn’t see fast in his lumbering) but he could thank him for teaching him how to find the end zone and avoid the costly tackle.

Ben’s numbers on the day were 23/34 for 278, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Fast Willie had a big game too, quietly recording his 6th 100 yard game of the season.

Boomer Esiason called Pittsburgh afterwards a better overall team than Indianapolis. While that remains to be seen, I did enjoy the accolades.


Chargers 23 – Colts 21

You knew this would be a screwy night when viewers saw rain in San Diego.

The Chargers started the game with a kick return for a touchdown. This continued the trend of special team breakdowns noted previously.

Peyton Manning uncharacteristically started his night with 2 Interceptions on the first two Colt drives. Think he might be rattled without Clark and Harrison?

Manning had 6 Interceptions total for the game including 4 within the first 20 minutes. For a moment, I wondered if Eli snuck into the Colts locker room.

By Crom! The fast rising Antonio Cromartie had 3 interceptions, including a wicked one handed number.

Darren Sproles added a punt return for a touchdown to his already stellar evening.

The Chargers, despite their big point production, only managed to score 11 offensive points. 12 came off of returns thanks to the magnificent performance by Sproles. If the Colts coverage was merely half decent, then this would have been another Indy victory.

Just for the heck of it, tell me why again was Rivers picked over Eli, Ben and Drew Brees? Well, of course it must be his stellar instincts. What else could it be? It has to be that. You need a quarterback who is dumb enough to throw a jump ball into triple coverage in the end zone with no concern for the consequences. You need a quarterback with that kind of guts. Yes, sarcasm lives.

Peyton had no one to throw to, barely knew anyone blocking for him and screwed up royally. Yet the Colts still almost won. They lost two o-linemen and Dwight Freeney during the game. Injury wise things are getting a might tough down Indy way.

The Colts kept chipping away and chipping away. First a touchdown, then a touchdown and a two point conversion, then the defense chipped in with another touchdown. Indianapolis showed their resiliency despite numerous setbacks and injuries. They had the Chargers on their heels all through the second half.

Because it needs said again, Norv Turner sucks.

The false start call on the Colts on 4th and 1 total BS. Too much of the last two minutes of the game were played through the officials. First they took forever with spotting the ball, even though that was a good call. The initial spot was bad, and correcting it was proper. However, it did not need to take that long to figure out where is should go. All this did was give the Charger defense, which at that point were ready to cave, a chance to regroup.

Dungy for his part added to the screwed up situation, and his call to try to get the Chargers to jump offside with a hard count was stupid. Even more so was wasting a time out to argue the false start penalty. Watching a Rare Dungy miscue just added to the overall screwiness of the affair, which turned out to be quite screwy.

The bottom line is the Chargers got lucky. Peyton had a rare horrible game, and dug himself into a deep hole, but he managed to climb out of it. The Chargers did little to nothing to either stop Manning and the Colts or capitalize on their stunning first half. Manning did everything he needed to overcome his own mistakes, and almost accomplished it, only to watch Mr. Clutch screw it up at the end.

By the way, great Vanderjagt impression you had Vinatieri.


Seahawks 24 – 49ers 0

Yeah, I actually finished a Harry Potter book during the game. The book provided far more entertainment and left me disappointed when I realized I finished the book before the game ended. This forced me to actually have to watch some of this, I guess you could call it, contest. It ended, there you go.

One note though, condolences go out to coach Mike Nolan and his family, who lost their patriarch last week. Dick Nolan was a long time staple in the NFL, both as a player and later as a coach and head coach. Nolan the senior was once the head coach of the 49ers, much like his son now. Mike, upon entering the NFL, petitioned the league to allow him to wear a suit on the sidelines. Nolan did this to honor his father.

“My father always projected an image of authority, and I wanted to honor him – the way he lived his life and his whole career as a coach.”

Keep working to turn around those Niners, and being the man you already are, and you’ll do just fine in honoring him, Mike.


NFL, the alternative Universe

The NFL instituted policy that calls for ejection of a player to delivers helmet to helmet hits. Good call, but merely a start. How about better head protection in the first place?

NFL Players Union is working hard to get Commissioner Goodell to reduce Pacman Jones’ suspension to 10 games. They feel it is quite severe, especially compared to other suspensions along a similar vein. Hey guys, Jones has been arrested 6 times since he was drafted in April of 2005. And some of those cases are still open and pending. Have you ever heard of the axiom; the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few? Instead of concentrating so much effort on lessening the punishment of one bad apple, a punishment he needs to serve, how about working to help the majority of the players in the union, the ones who do not get into fights at strip clubs. How about using that union muscle to force the NFL to make the use of anti-concussion helmets mandatory? Or perhaps you could make it easier for retired players to get the health care funds they need, and possibly more funds than before? Think maybe these would be efforts better suited of your time and resources than getting one troublemaker who obviously does not appreciate his good fortune of playing football for a living back on the field? Possibly?

In more Pacman news, Jones submitted a plea deal in his Las Vegas case that was accepted. Jones will plead no contest and provide testimony in the ongoing case, and his felony charges will be reduced to a gross misdemeanor. Gross indeed.

The Juice is stacked up at the line, I don’t know how he’s gonna break out of this one folks.

The NFL, in their infinite wisdom, decided to reinstate hemp aficionado and part time running back Ricky Williams to the league. The Dolphins have not decided what to do with their new offensive windfall, but a combination of Williams and Beck would be unstoppable! Everyone, raise your bong in celebration!

Williams’ first potential game could come on November 26th, the Dolphins Monday Night game in Pittsburgh. And I thought Joey Porter’s return would be the big story!


Upon Further Review

There is a dangerous trend occurring in the NFL. Too many running backs, receivers and return men are getting too cute with the ball. Specifically, they slow up or change direction while running up the field. Obviously, this is done in attempts to gain additional yardage or shake the incoming defender and sail to the end zone and a Sportscenter highlight.

The problem however is that all this really does is benefit the defenders. By slowing down or pausing momentarily to change direction, the ball carrier loses momentum. Without this momentum, they have no force on the moment of impact. This allows the defender to more easily tackle said ball carrier without having to absorb force of contact from the ball carrier. And by losing momentum, the ball carrier also gives the defenders, also running at full speed, a better chance at catching them and making a successful tackle. Also by being able to close the distance faster, the defender can make an attempt at knocking the ball away and recovering a fumble.

All ball carriers would be better served by turning straight up the field, lowering their heads and allowing their momentum and force to help them plow through oncoming defenders who have not had a chance to square up and make a solid tackle. On the run, most defenders are only able to get a hand or arm in the path of a ball carrier running at full speed. The faster, and harder, the ball carrier is running, the less chance defenders have at making a successful tackle.

Coaches, I implore upon your professional experience and skills as instructors. Start teaching these men to pay attention to their fundamentals. Square their shoulders aim themselves toward the end zone and learn to not just take, but deliver a hit. They would be better served in the long run, their teams better off in the long run, and they would have a better chance at capturing that singular Sportscenter glory they so desperately crave.


Steelers Around the World

This week, our caravan stops for a game in the capital of Egypt, Cairo. Founded in 969, Cairo is nestled on the banks of the Nile River. As the hub of education for Egypt and the Arab world, the city houses many institutions of higher learning and is often a destination for research and study.

The ancient beauty of Cairo currently suffers the typical growing pains of an expanding city. In recent years, the city has suffered from housing shortages to increased pollution and lowered air quality. However, as the jewel it is, many are working to improve these problems and allow Cairo to expand further, reclaiming additional desert land and turning it into inhabitable splendor.

When visiting this land, one of course would be drawn to the pyramids. In search of these wonders of the ancient world, one need only travel west of the suburb of Giza. There an interested traveler would find three large pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. If said traveler ventured south of modern Cairo, more wonders would find the location of the ancient city of Memphis and the adjoining necropolis of Saqqara. For the historians, these were both predecessors of Cairo.

Cairo sports fans find their pleasure in the game of soccer. Cairo houses several national and regional teams that compete throughout the country and region.

For our purposes, we will find the teams take the field at Cairo International Stadium. This complex, built in 1960, boasts itself as the largest stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Africa and the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, and it backs up that boast. Cairo International Stadium has a capacity seating of 74,100, but those numbers climb the larger the event with a rumor it once held over 120,000 for soccer. This could be one of the last events for Cairo International Stadium, as it makes way for the new Borg El Arab Stadium that opened this year.

To bring the NFL to Egypt, and send Cairo International Stadium out in style, the Steelers will face off against the Dallas Cowboys. The Boys play in warmer temperatures already in Texas, and a match up of two teams that have faced each other in the Super Bowl three times would bring out all the casual fans as well as bring a piece of NFL history to Cairo. A marquee match up helps sell tickets around the world.


Super Bust Watch

With the season past the halfway mark, the time has come to check the progress of our entrants into the Super bust.

The Patriots have done everything possible to avoid the embarrassment of the Super Bust. They come out of their bye week at 9-0 to face the 5-4 Bills this week in a march toward perfection and a championship. While their Herculean efforts thus far have been stellar, and their record impeccable, they only need to slip up once when the playoffs begin to find themselves in Vegas the weekend before the Super Bowl. So far, though, they look to sidestep that particular road trip.

The Saints, on the other hand, started off the season looking to lock up their position in the Super Bust before Thanksgiving. Blasting out of the gate at 0-4, New Orleans then damaged their position by going on a four game winning streak and pulled near the top of the weakened NFC South. While a loss to the Rams helped inch them closer to Vegas, they still have seven games to go and could qualify for the playoffs, putting their goal to reach the Super Bust in jeopardy.

More importantly, there has been no news from NFL headquarters regarding the game itself. Considering the marketing opportunities, income, fan interest, untapped market for professional sports Vegas offers and the chance to fill a non-football weekend with a contest this game would generate, I am stunned the league has not jumped on this like a hungry dog on a soup bone. Commissioner Goodell, you got Ricky Williams off your plate this week that should free up some time. Come on, make this happen. It could not be any worse than the London game!


Idiot of the week

This week we bestow the honor if idiot on the one and only Norv Turner. For all of his offensive brilliance, Turner’s turns as a head coach are close your eyes cringe worthy.

On Sunday, Turner’s special team play and defensive proclivity toward intercepting Peyton Manning gave the Chargers a much needed early lead. Norv Turner had to work hard to find a way to lose the game. He almost succeeded, but he even failed at that.

He wasted a challenge on an obvious call and lost a time out that might have mattered later, and almost did.

His poor coaching and terrible play calling caused a 23-0 lead to dwindle to 23-21, and would have completely disappeared if not for a rare mistake by Adam Vinatieri.

Despite his supposed offensive acumen and a team full of weapons, the Chargers managed to score only 11 points on offense, and that includes extra points.

He has turned, in less than a year, a 14-2 team into a 5-4 crap fest that should be 4-5 right now.

For these indignities on the people of San Diego, Norv Turner is our idiot of the week.


Taking The Week Off

No one. Not one single soul will take this week off. Everybody will be in action this coming Sunday and Monday. This week marks the official end of bye weeks, and sadly also of Taking The Week Off. While it has been fun, it will be much more exciting to have a full slate of games for the remainder of the season. Seems like a fair trade to me. See you next season.


On Tap This Week

Well, I had nothing resembling last week. I picked the wrong week to stop conjuring winners out of thin air. It seemed I went the wrong way with almost every away team.

Last week 6-8
Season to date 91-53

Fortunately, no one else did very well either. I’m now only 3 points out of first place. It’s difficult to complain of such things, especially after watching Pittsburgh win a thriller at home. So, perhaps this week will also provide something special. Shall we?


Tampa Bay (5-4) at Atlanta (3-6)

Yeah, it’s a division game, and could be important as the NFC South sucks. But who really cares? Falcon fans are trying to create a time machine to 2006 when their team was relevant.

Buccaneers over Falcons


Arizona (4-5) at Cincinnati (3-6)

I know Cincinnati is home, but how can you pick a team that settles for seven field goals? The Bungles should have the edge, what with being at home, but the Cardinals have something to play for, namely a division crown. And something tells me they don’t. And that something is Ken Whisenhunt, who has crafted game plans against them for the past three years.

Cardinals over Bengals


Washington (5-4) at Dallas (8-1)

Washington can win this game. They have plenty of talent both on and off the field to devise a game plan to stop the stampeding Cowboys. However, they do not seem to know how to utilize it in order to win. I see big smiles from Tony Romo again.

Cowboys over Redskins


Carolina (4-5) at Green Bay (8-1)

Vinnie Testaverde gets the call for the Panthers. Combined with the 38 year old Favre, this will mark the oldest combined age of a pair of opposing quarterbacks in NFL history. Together Brett and Favre will be over 82 years old, or almost as old as Morten Anderson. I think youth will be served.

Packers over Panthers


Kansas City (4-5) at Indianapolis (7-2)

Herm Edwards, in his finite wisdom, named Brodie Croyle as the starter this week. That’ll help, sending an unproven first timer against the defending Super Bowl champions. Now, Chief fans may feel a sliver of hope with Dwight Freeney joining the long list of injured/inactive Colts when he was placed on injured reserve this week. No matter how much Indianapolis looks like a walking MASH unit, I still like them over the Larry Johnson-less Chiefs.

Colts over Chiefs


Oakland (2-7) at Minnesota (3-6)

No Peterson means no offense. The Vikings are a one trick pony, and that pony has a torn LCL. If he’s out too long, Willie Parker will overtake him as the #1 rusher in the league. But they do have Jackson back at quarterback; maybe that will mean something. More importantly, they face an Oakland team stubbornly clinging to Josh McCown. Even Santa does not leave gifts that nice.

Vikings over Raiders


Pittsburgh (7-2) at New York Jets (1-8)

Did anyone else notice at the moment Pittsburgh is slated for the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs? I know, there is a ton of season left, and some tough games upcoming, but it’s nice to think last year is far behind. Now, as long as no one gets complacent and overlooks a desperate Jets team itching to do something worthwhile. Games against terrible teams can be the most dangerous of all. Focus everyone!

Steelers over Jets


Miami (0-9) at Philadelphia (4-5)

If Philly wants to turn a corner on their season, now is the time. They will never get a better opportunity than this week. Especially since now Miami has decided that they do want John Beck to start. Surprising, since I too thought Cleo Lemon’s middle name was Marino. Plus, if Westbrook does not play, now is your best chance to win without him.

Eagles over Dolphins


San Diego (5-4) at Jacksonville (6-3)

177 yards of total offense is all San Diego could muster last week. Think they’ll do better on the road? I think Britney Spears has a better chance at mother of the year than the Chargers anemic offense does against a Jacksonville defense that shut down Tennessee last week. Enough said.

Jaguars over Chargers


Cleveland (5-4) at Baltimore (4-5)

Watch as Baltimore falls rapidly into the never pick category with the Raiders. Hey Ray Ray, here’s your second division foe, they’re coming to Baltimore as you requested. What do you think is gonna happen? Think Boller will make a difference?

Browns over Ravens


New Orleans (4-5) at Houston (4-5)

I wonder what the story line of this game is going to be. Hmmmm, I bet it has something to do with Mario Williams and Reggie Bush.

Saints over Texans


St. Louis (1-8) at San Francisco (2-7)

Exactly who will be watching this game? I thought so. As it turned out, Alex Smith has been playing with an injured shoulder, and relented the starting job to Trent Dilfer. So attempting to move past the division this caused between Smith and Nolan, the coach then found his new starter in a fight in practice with rookie defensive back. Tarell Brown. It’s a shame the most compelling aspects of the 49ers come off the field.

Rams over 49ers


New York Giants (6-3) at Detroit (6-3)

Neither team can afford to fall further back in their divisions. And both were embarrassed last week. So who has a better chance this week? You got me. Perhaps home team means something. Perhaps the Giants are preparing for their annual second half collapse. Who would have thought this would have been a tough decision?

Lions over Giants


Chicago (4-5) at Seattle (5-4)

Bad news for Hawks fans, Shawn Alexander is out. Good news for Hawks fans, Rex Grossman is starting. Ladies and gentlemen, the mediocre bowl!

Seahawks over Bears


New England (9-0) at Buffalo (5-4)

I like the scrappy Bills. They work harder with less than almost every team. Unfortunately, they face New England this week, which has had an extra week to prepare. I doubt they will fall into the same complacent trap Dallas did. Keep your heads up Buffalo; there is always a chance on any given Sunday. I doubt it, though, without Marshawn Lynch.

Patriots over Bills


Monday

Tennessee (6-3) at Denver (4-5)

I found this much tougher call than previously thought trying to ascertain this game. Sure, Vince Young wins games, but he looks rather pedestrian thus far this season. And Denver confounds me. One week they look stellar, and then they get blown out by the Lions and Chargers. I hope Vince does not make me pay for going with the home team.

Broncos over Titans