The Crystal Ball 2010 Week 6

Hey, we’re back from the bye! And guess what? We’re still not sure what needs to go, stay, change or arrive here at The Crystal Ball. But we have some new ideas! But enough about us what’s new in the world of the NFL…

Opening Kickoff

Ok, maybe I was wrong. The Favre/Moss combo can create magic just like everyone said. The Wrangler Dangler managed to throw 4 touchdown passes, all in the second half. Oh, wait, one of them was to the Jets. Perhaps Brett just got confused regarding for which team he played. That happens with age.

The Way It Was

Bears backup quarterback Todd Collins’ line for last week’s game. 6 for 16 for 32 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions. The Bears won going away over the Panthers.

Speaking of the Panthers, please welcome for the 2011 season CBS’ new studio analyst, former head coach John Fox.

The Patriots sent Randy Moss back from where he came, Minnesota. To solve their new receiver problem, New England brought Deion Branch home from Seattle. With Antwaan Randle El and Larry Foote returning to the Steelers, this season seems to be marked with homecomings. What’s next, Drew Brees once again a Charger?

It would appear that I am not the only one noticing that Bungles quarterback Carson Palmer is done. Well, when you’ve played uninspired football all season, and your latest low is 2 interceptions late in the fourth quarter, yeah that’s rather damning evidence.

Speaking of done, the Chargers placed Shawne Merriman on the injured reserve list, and will soon release him. Lights out, Shawne.

Apparently, John Madden didn’t think Mike Singletary did a very good coaching job by ripping Alex Smith a new one on the sidelines of San Francisco’s loss to Philadelphia. After that Smith was sensational leading two touchdown drives and getting the 49ers back in the game. It’s called tough love John. Maybe you need to give some to Brett.

49ers president Jed York feels the team will win their division. Now that is delusional. Wait, it is the NFC West. Sure, why not?

Hey, look at the Detroit Lions hanging 44 points on the once hot Rams. Yeah, it’s the Rams, but hey any game where Stephan Logan can shine is ok in my book.

Seriously, can anyone in the Green Bay organization teach their players to play without drawing a penalty?

Max Hall 1, Drew Brees, 0. I know I didn’t see that one coming.

Ok, I was wrong. Norv Turner could screw up a potential win against the Raiders.

The Steel Pit

No real news this week. The team rested, visited family, had a few practices, and got healthy for the remainder of the season. A rather low key off week with all things considered.

Oh, and apparently their getting some player back from suspension, but I haven’t heard more than a peep about it. If I find out more, I’ll let you know.

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

Ok, I understand players should know the rules, no matter how asinine, and adhere to them. But the penalty on the Cowboys for celebration was absurd. Hey, if you don’t see a sharpie, it’s just unbridled joy and let it go.

The developers of a new NFL stadium in Los Angeles are looking to design it to also allow World Cup Soccer. This is a great idea except for two problems. One, they still have no NFL team. And two, have you seen LA traffic? I cannot imagine how much worse it would get if the entire world showed up.

Well, first Patriots owner Robert Kraft seems to think that a new CBA is doable this year. Then I read that both sides are digging in for a protracted fight that could lead to a lockout and shut down. Guys, figure this out now. It’s a $9 billion a year industry. You really cannot figure out how to make each other richer? NFL players and owners, nominees for idiots of the year.

The emotions of Tom Brady:

Embarrassed – That now the world knows his wife dictates his hair cut and length and the mop he has now is her choice.

Chagrined – That he, and other Patriots, now have to deny that Randy Moss and Brady got into a locker room fight because Moss said that Brady looked like a girl with his haircut.

Mortified - That this hair flap has gone so far that Justin Bieber has now mocked him and called out him and his hair in a new song and music video.

By the way, why do I even know who Justin Bieber is? If I were Tom, I’d go step on that little twerp and tell him to leave the tough guy act to professional athletes while reminding him he’s a dorky white kid who can’t throw.

Upon Further Review

Well, Brett Favre’s stepped in it now. He came back for another season after much cajoling by his teammates to an underperforming team with a crappy record. His body has betrayed him fiercely for probably the first time in his career. He’s actually talking about sitting out a game or two, something that would break an NFL ironman record. Plus, now he has an NFL investigation to deal with regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. Oh Brett, has the clock struck midnight?

This season, I wonder if Brett should have just stayed home and mowed the grass. Did he need another 16 games of physical punishment at 41? Certainly not. And his offensive line seems to be allowing more punishment than last year, something an increasingly immobile quarterback cannot withstand without incurring serious injury. The rest of the team has yet to really step up to meet their potential and his favorite receiver will not be back for another few weeks. The magic carpet ride of 2009 is without a doubt over.

Now he has to face media and NFL questions regarding his telephone and text messages to Jenn Sterger, a former Jets in house reporter he attempted to woo during his one season in New York. The NFL has started a second investigation, and commissioner Goodell will speak with Favre on Tuesday, with a potential suspension looming if serious misconduct is found.

Do I think Brett will be suspended? No. Goodell has shown he typically does not suspend players for first time violations, and up until now Favre has been publically a model NFL citizen. Plus, the NFL seemed to attempt to brush this under the rug when they did their first investigation and came up with no evidence. Yet a few months later, Deadspin.com is showing pictures and messages to Sterger from Favre. Unfortunately for the NFL, it hasn’t gone away and mushroomed into a much larger, and far more serious, issue.

I know Brett wanted to drink from the chalice of an NFL champion just one more time. It has obviously been driving him for the last 5+ years. But perhaps that was never meant to be, and his wonderful season last year should have been his fitting swan song. I know many Favre fans would disagree, and say he should play as long as he can or wants. But think of this, which would you rather have as Brett’s ride into the sunset: a magical season where he sets records and comes oh so tantalizingly close to reaching the pinnacle one more time, or one marred with poor play, a body breaking down and accusations of impropriety that only serve to tarnish a once pristine reputation.

Favre’s shown throughout his career that he’s been able to turn chicken scratch into chicken salad under the most improbable of circumstances. And while I’ve never been a huge fan, I hope he has at least a bit of that left again to turn things around just one more time. Because for someone as lauded, storied and interesting as Favre, it just cannot end this way. And far more than any previous season, it feels like the end will come when the 2010 season finally closes.

He Said He Said

“It's terrible. It's 0-5. The laughing stock of the National Football League. I think we are losing fans by the minute.''- Bills safety Donte Whitner

Donte, you would need to have fans to lose fans.

"I can't wait to taste his power.''- Jets linebacker Bart Scott on facing Adrian Peterson

Ewwww.

“First in offense, second in defense, 2-3. You tell me.” – ESPN.com’s Gregg Easterbrook, attempting to determine San Diego’s poor start

Two words: Norv Turner.

"That has not been an issue like some thought it would be in the preseason.” – Falcons president and NFL competition committee co-chair Rich McKay on the new rule to move the umpire to the offensive backfield

Ummm considering how the Colts offense has seemed rather pedestrian, I'd beg to differ.

“The Packers won the coin toss in overtime and didn’t win the game! Washington had to play a little defense first! And yet we are going to have different overtime rules in the playoffs because of a foolish overreaction in the offseason. That’s asinine.” - Foxsports.com’s Adam Schein

Don't tell me, Adam, I couldn't agree more. Tell peter king. This is his pet project.

“I’m excited. But I’m not to the peak of my excitement yet, that will probably come later.” - Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on his season debut

Is it ok to make fun of quotes like this yet?

“If you watched Todd Collins quarterback the Bears last week, you now understand why I believe Jeff George should still be playing.” - Foxsports.com’s Jason Whitlock

Heck after watching Brett Favre play this season I’d say you have a valid argument Jason.

Idiot of the week

This week, I anoint the Vikings organization as the winner.

I think it’s pretty obvious why their idiots. They went all in on a 41 year old quarterback who wasn’t sure if he wanted to play or not. And now the biggest headlines he’s making is for his juvenile attempts to hook up with a reporter instead of his touchdown to interception ratio. And that’s pretty poor overall. Then they compounded their mistake by trading for a malcontent receiver who only runs deep routes, is 33 years old and who once they sent packing for a bag of lima beans. On top of that, they kept their head coach who still has no idea how to manage a clock, call the right plays, and is regularly emasculated in the locker room and on the field by their quarterback. Now one of their starting cornerbacks is out for the season, weakening a defense that’s been underperforming to expectations. And the icing on the cake is this preseason Super Bowl contender is now 1-3 and poised to watch it all wash away.

Vikings organization, you are all idiots.

On Tap This Week

Last week started off so great, looked like I was headed for 7-2 after the 1pm games. Then Green Bay and Cincinnati blew it and I didn’t win again until Monday night.

Last week: 6-8
Season to date: 41-35

Whatever magic I had last season seems to have gone to the same place as Brett’s on field heroics.


Sitting at home playing tiddlywinks: Cardinals, Bills, Panthers, Bengals


Sunday

Atlanta (4-1) at Philadelphia (3-2)

It’s the battle of the birds. I’m sorry to say it, but after the Flyers lost to the Penguins and the Phillies lost game one of the NLCS, it’s gonna be a tough weekend to be a Philadelphia fan.

Falcons over Eagles

Kansas City (3-1) at Houston (3-2)

Ok, this one is quite difficult. I’m not sure what to make of either team at this point. Is KC as good as advertised? Is Houston overrated? I guess home field will have to be the tie breaker in this one.

Texans over Chiefs

New Orleans (3-2) at Tampa Bay (3-1)

This is where champions show their mettle. What have you got deep down, Drew Brees?

Saints over Buccaneers

Miami (2-2) at Green Bay (3-2)

Mike McCarthy, if you want your team taken seriously, now’s the time. I’m taking Lambeau magic over anything else.

Packers over Dolphins

San Diego (2-3) at St. Louis (2-3)

I’ve said this before and was burned badly, but I’ll say it again. Even Norv Turner cannot screw this up, can he?

Chargers over Rams

Baltimore (4-1) at New England (4-1)

Here’s the game of the week. I’m thinking the revamped Patriots offense finally exposes that Ravens secondary. If not their special teams will do something spectacular. I’m still in shock from their performance against Miami. Plus, New England was embarrassed by Baltimore in last year’s playoffs. Bill Belichick does not forget things like that.

Patriots over Ravens

Detroit (1-4) at New York Giants (3-2)

What a performance by Detroit last week. They should have saved some of those extra points for this week.

Giants over Lions

Cleveland (1-4) at Pittsburgh (3-1)

Cleveland will trot out third string quarterback, and rookie, Colt McCoy to start against the Steelers defense on the road. I almost feel bad for the kid. Almost.

Steelers over Browns

Seattle (2-2) at Chicago (4-1)

Do I trust Chicago? Not in the least. But I’ve seen how Seattle plays on the road. And I trust that less.

Bears over Seahawks

New York Jets (4-1) at Denver (2-3)

Yeah, New York is due for a letdown. And I think Kyle Orton is just the man to do it.

Broncos over Jets

Oakland (2-3) at San Francisco (0-5)

Oh jeez. Ok, one last time and only if Alex Smith gets another fire lit under his fanny.

49ers over Raiders

Dallas (1-3) at Minnesota (1-3)

The Dallas loss last week left owner Jerry Jones speechless. I struggle to imagine what a loss this week will render the usually talkative Jones.

Vikings over Cowboys

Indianapolis (3-2) at Washington (3-2)

Like I said before, I’m not ready to bet against Peyton Manning just yet. Although I do like how Washington has won games by hook or by crook. But Peyton is still Peyton.

Colts over Redskins


Monday

Tennessee (3-2) at Jacksonville (3-2)

Two words: Chris Johnson.

Titans over Jaguars