The Crystal Ball 2010 Week 7

I heard a rumor there would be a change in keyboard layouts, possibly moving away from the current QWERTY standard. I had to take a day off to re-evaluate my life and ponder retirement. Aren’t you lucky I didn’t?

Opening Kickoff

After watching their scintillating performances last weekend, I cannot wait for the Cowboys/Chargers Super Bowl to be hosted in Dallas in February. What do you mean they’ve only won 3 games between them? I thought these two were power houses? That’s what everyone said before the season no? Oh right, that’s why you play the actual games!

The Way It Was

Boy, did the Patriots drag it out before they managed to finish off the Ravens. Perhaps they were looking for another opportunity for Brandon Merriweather to lay another dirty hit.

I don't care if they win the next 10 straight games; I’m no longer giving the benefit of the doubt for any AFC or NFC West team, unless they're playing each other. Then I’m flipping a coin.

Ok, maybe I’ll give some leeway for Kansas City, stout in a last minute loss, and Seattle, surprisingly efficient in a big road win.

Does Houston have an issue with dealing with success?

Why do I always get amnesia when it comes to San Diego? Norv Turner stinks and I should never forget it. I should have it tattooed on my forehead.

Detroit linebacker Zack Follett had a frightening moment after a helmet to helmet collision and was immobilized and taken to a local hospital. All tests were negative and he had feeling in all extremities. Here’s hoping for a full recovery and no more scary moments Zack!

Speaking of Lions, backup quarterback Shaun Hill, filling in admirably for injured starter Matthew Stafford, left the game after fracturing his non throwing forearm. Yeesh, I think Detroit quarterbacks should get extra combat pay.

I love the moxie in Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman; going after a defender he thought hit him late out of bounds. Don’t take any guff Josh!

Did you see Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell at the end of the Redskins/Colts game? He looked absolutely terrified. Its' because he realized he was being thoroughly outcoached. Guess what, if Manning had not been there, Caldwell would have lost that game. And did you see Manning? He seemed disgusted by his play options. I give it week 10 before Manning stops listening to Caldwell altogether.

People, when will you learn? If Mike Vrabel is in the game on offense and reports eligible, THE PASS IS GOING TO HIM! The man now has 12 career receptions and they're all touchdowns.

The Steel Pit

Steelers 28 – Browns 10

In the third-quarter, Big Douche moved the offense 96 yards in five plays. He completed passes to Mike Wallace for 50 yards, Heath Miller for 36 yards and Hines ward for 8 tough yards and the touchdown. In a nutshell, that kids is why you rehabilitate your troubled franchise quarterback and trade your troubled Super Bowl MVP wide receiver.

The Steelers offense didn’t really wake up until the second half, with Big Douche looking a bit rusty from having so much time off. But when they did come awake, they looked potent and balanced. More than one talking head remarked that when this offense gets going, coupled with the defense, Pittsburgh could be the most dangerous team in the NFL. I will not argue with them.

Of course, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First off, it was the Browns. And secondly, Cleveland played most of the game without two of their best offensive players who both left the game with concussions after fierce collisions with James Harrison. But I’m sure everyone knows about that by now.

But keep your head up Browns fans. Colt McCoy never looked overmatched, often keeping plays alive. And easily the player of the game for Cleveland was punter Reggie Hodges, who expertly pinned the Steelers deep 4 times with pinpoint accurate punting. Anyone who questions the importance of special teams should look to Hodges and how his kicking at least gave the Cleveland defense a fighting chance.

One fun fact about the game, all 4 active quarterbacks for both teams, Roethlisberger, Leftwich, McCoy and Brett Ratliff, had yet to throw a pass this season before Sunday's game. Two are still waiting the opportunity.

A good return for the Steelers starting quarterback, but the real challenges for the team and the newly balanced offense are yet to come.

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

Is Pat McAfee auditioning to become a future Oakland Raider? Hey I don’t blame him; sometimes you just want to go for a swim.

Uh oh, Jerry Jones just gave Wade Phillips a vote of confidence. Well Wade, I’d start updating your resume right now.

I’d say Joe Paterno’s recommendations are just another sign that he’s slipping, but when Mike Ditka says the same things I’m flummoxed. It must be something in the air.

The NFL is still investigating the allegations against Brett Favre, having completed an interview with Brett and still hoping to have Jenn Sterger cooperate with their investigation. Can I have week where we don’t talk about Brett? Just one week please, no gunslinger references, no lurid tales, no mention of how he has fun out there, no talk of how he’s a legendary player. None. And can we have that one week be guaranteed each season by having it written into the new collective bargaining agreement?

Upon Further Review

The NFL world exploded this week over the topic of helmet to helmet collisions.

The league, in a classic reaction to a bevy of helmet to helmet shots that left players concussed and analysts blanching at and commenting on the violence, announced there would be stricter enforcement of the current rules including stiffer fines and potential suspensions.

The sports media jumped on the issue almost before the concussed were walked off the field, bemoaning the ultra violence and how today’s players increased size and speed increases danger whilst bringing to the forefront more information on concussions and long term brain damage in athletes.

Player reaction ranged from confusion of what this would mean to the game, and how it would change things going forward, to openly wondering what is happening with the game they’ve played all their lives. Almost to a man players spoke of how violence, hard hits and sometimes helmet to helmet contact is part of the sport, part of how the game is played and how everyone who signed up to play was well aware of this fact going into this profession.

Pittsburgh’s James Harrison became so upset and angry about potential changes and being villified as a dirty player, he took a day off from practice to contemplate retirement.

ESPN’s Mark Schlereth called out the NFL as hypocrites for making a big public, and public relations, stand using last weekend as an example of how they are concerned with player safety while at the same time profiting from such hits by selling photos of the hits and DVD compilations of past violent hits and still pushing for an 18 game season. Schlereth passionately made very pertinent points.

And fans blasted onto sports talk shows, angry and infuriated at potential changes to the game they love, making points that players get paid a ton of money to play this dangerous sport and they should just deal with it as many people with dangerous jobs do not make NFL money, and using this issue it would seem to start expressing their overall disgust at the impending labor battle.

The only winner this week seemed to be Brett Favre, whose wrangler dangling nonsense was moved to the back of the sports section as the verbal battle over suspensions, fines and changes to the game played out over the week.

Mind you, all of this happened without one down yet to be played under the new stricter rule enforcement edict. Everyone has thus far overreacted. So where do we go from here?

First, let’s all just relax. Nothing major is going to change other than a few players who make hits like Brandon Merriweather’s blatant and illegal hit on Todd Heap will be heavily fined and suspended.

Second, to everyone complaining about this changing the NFL, get a clue. Guess what, the NFL has been in a constant state of change as to how the game is played since its inception. Remember, there was a time when the forward pass was looked upon as merely a fad.

Third, let’s all just be honest and admit we love the violence of football. Yes, the strategy, the game play, the creativity and ingenuity are all draws. But we love watching someone get slobber knocked and hard. However that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy the brute force without the potential paralysis or death.

There are three things the NFL, players, coaches and teams can do to minimize risk and lower helmet to helmet hits. No, you will never be able to fully eliminate such hits. The game moves too fast and decisions and movements are made in split seconds that a helmet to helmet hit is bound to happen. But working to minimize such hits with little impact on the game would go a long way toward long term player safety, longer careers and continued popularity.

Equipment – Teams need to mandate the use of better helmet models that have come out in recent years that have shown to reduce concussions. And more importantly, players need to be wearing properly fitted gear. Helmets shouldn't just fly off on contact. If you see a helmet flying off, know that the player who wore it is wearing the wrong size helmet.

Education – After years of dragging their feet, the NFL has gotten much better with head trauma and concussion education. Now the league and coaches need to receive a high school football education. Proper form tackling means you keep your head up. Youth players of all ages are always told to keep their heads up because then you can see what you're hitting. If you put it down, you can’t see where you’re heading, what you’re hitting and can be seriously injured. Every hit I saw from last weekend that came under scrutiny showed both players with their heads down. In almost every case, if the tackler had his head up, there would have been no contact and no story.

Enforcement – The NFL is not adding new rules, just stricter enforcement of current rules. But let’s go further. Forget the fines, to many players this money is pocket change and impacts nothing. Levy ejections and suspensions on players. Have referees give warnings to players with improperly fitted equipment. If you want to levy fines, then start hitting coaches and teams for improperly training players in how to properly tackle. When players start leading with their head and not their shoulder, put the onus of this education on the coaches and hit their wallets. Hold them as responsible for player safety as the players themselves. Coaches make good money, but not superstar money. They get a fine or two, and then suddenly they’ll perk up and take this seriously as well instead of just eating a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Yes, helmet to helmet contact is going to happen. There is no way to change that without changing the game completely. But, if you add these few tweaks, none of which are drastic when it comes to actual game play, then the NFL can go a long way toward player safety with an impact on the on field product that most fans would never notice. And it will create an impact on players they will be able to remember when they reach their 60s.

He Said He Said

“We are what are record is, we're 2-4.” – Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers

Very good Phillip! Can you say last place in a terrible division? I knew you could!

"They talk a lot for only beating us once in nine years.'' – Patriots quarterback Tom Brady referring to the Baltimore Ravens

You want to hear talk Tom, try sharing a division with them. Yeesh.

"How can you tell me with a straight face that 33 other players had a greater impact?'' – Former player and current blowhard Deion Sanders on being voted 34th in NFL Films Top 100 NFL’s greatest players

Wow, way to be gracious there Deion. How about saying something like, it's just an honor to be mentioned? Personally, I think he's ranked way too high. The show rated him above former Steeler Mel Blount, whose disruption in the secondary prompted the NFL to change the rules as to how defensive backs can and hit receivers and when. Its nickname is the Mel Blount rule. I do not remember a Deion Sanders rule, unless it’s the unwritten rule where defensive backs avoid any tackling contact and just ball hawk to get on highlight shows.

"When you're sitting here as a chubby head coach in the National Football League and you have two good quarterbacks, you're a happy guy.'' – Eagles head coach Andy Reid

Chubby?

"We're paying him enough every game. He's going to get hit." – Vikings head coach Brad Childress on Brett Favre and his 41 year old quarterback taking hits

Sounds like Brad could use a week sans Brett talk himself.

“Man I get paid to deal with distractions.” – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin when asked if James Harrison’s day off and reaction to being fined could become a distraction for the team

Yes he does, and methinks Mr. Tomlin deserves a raise after this season.

“A lot cause I am drunk.” – Colts punter Pat McAfee when asked how much he had to drink by Indianapolis police

At least he was honest about it.

“That's it. It's not 'Make the field bigger.' It's not, 'Put leather helmets on their heads.' It's not, 'Bad quarterback play' - which is embarrassing. It's not these excuses. It’s not a witch hunt, but 'Play football fundamentally sound.'" - former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Merril Hoge stating that using proper form tackling could reduce concussions

Considering Hoge’s career was cut short due to post concussion syndrome, and that he serves on the NFL's Head Neck and Spine committee, the man may know of what he speaks.

Idiot of the week

This week I deem the honor of idiot on San Diego head coach Norv Turner.

Now, Norv’s career record as a head coach has allowed many opportunities to claim this prestigious award. Considering the current state of the team and the personnel problems they’ve had last off season, I’d be hard pressed not to bestow this honor on general manager A.J. Smith. But all coaches know you go with the guys you have. So the 2-4 record is all on Norv.

So how did Norv claim this prize for his mantle? Simple, he has a potent offense, even without Vincent Jackson, and played ultra conservative football that cost the Chargers a win.

Late in first half with his team down 17 points on road facing a 4th and 6, Norv sent in the field goal unit. I know, any points are good and just getting on the board is important to boost morale and cut the deficit. But to that point the Chargers looked horrible and Turner should know he needed to challenge his players to win and do something to change the tempo and momentum of the game. He did not, and his team lost a close game on the road to inferior competition for the second consecutive week. Norv Turner you are an idiot.

The runners up this week are Patriots defensive back Brandon Merriweather, who should have been tossed from the game for his hit on Todd Heap, everyone who overreacted about the crackdown on helmet to helmet hits, so just about anyone associated with professional football, and Deion Sanders for being a raging egomaniac.

On Tap This Week

After the last two weeks, if I had another bad week, I figured I had better start recommending picking the opposite of my choices. This week?

Last week: 9-5
Season to date: 50-40

Not too bad, back on the winning side of the ledger. Not dominant, but solid and I’ll take that. If only Denver could have held on. Oh well, another week and another opportunity before us. Let’s dive right in.

Sitting at home doing the New York Times crossword: Houston, Indianapolis, Detroit, New York Jets

Sunday

Cincinnati (2-3) at Atlanta (4-2)

Ok, Atlanta looked horrible last week against Philadelphia. But Cincinnati looks worse each passing week. Wait, considering Palmer’s performance as of late, maybe I shouldn’t mention passing.

Falcons over Bungles

Buffalo (0-5) at Baltimore (4-2)

Why does the phrase lambs to the slaughter keep running through my mind?

Ravens over Bills

San Francisco (1-5) at Carolina (0-5)

The Jimmy Clausen experiment in Carolina is over and Matt Moore has been reinstalled as the starting quarterback. That’ll help.

49ers over Panthers

Washington (3-3) at Chicago (4-2)

Yeah, it’s at home, but I like how Washington plays scrappy and tough and down to the wire. Plus, come on, Chicago’s on borrowed time, we saw that last week.

Redskins over Bears

Jacksonville (3-3) at Kansas City (3-2)

Ok Kansas City, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. Don’t let me down.

Chiefs over Jaguars

Pittsburgh (4-1) at Miami (3-2)

With Miami opting to wear their white jerseys and relegating visiting Pittsburgh to wearing their home black jerseys, Pittsburgh has yet to wear their road white jerseys this season. Fine by me, I find the black jerseys a very sharp look.

Steelers over Dolphins

Cleveland (1-5) at New Orleans (4-2)

See game comments for Buffalo at Baltimore.

Saints over Browns

St. Louis (3-3) at Tampa Bay (3-2)

Speaking of scrappy, the 2010 St. Louis Rams! I do like how the team is learning to win, but they have been horrendous on the road. Tampa Bay has the edge here.

Buccaneers over Rams

Philadelphia (4-2) at Tennessee (4-2)

Whoever starts at quarterback for Philadelphia is going to get a face full of Titan defense. And maybe we’ll get lucky and see another Kerry Collins sighting! Go Kerry!

Titans over Eagles

Arizona (3-2) at Seattle (3-2)

Yeah, I’ll go with Seattle at home. Max Hall is about to learn the meaning of loud home crowd.

Seahawks over Cardinals

Oakland (2-4) at Denver (2-4)

If Denver just had a bit better defense they might really have something. As for Oakland, well, which quarterback do they take off the carousel to start this week?

Broncos over Raiders

New England (4-1) at San Diego (2-4)

I don’t care that New England has to travel across the country. San Diego stinks.

Patriots over Chargers

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

Here we go, Favre back in Green Bay, Favre under fire, Favre in front of the Lambeau faithful in Minnesota Purple, Favre Favre Favre Favre Favre! Ugh. I’m not impressed with either team, but Green Bay has to beat Brett sometime, why not now.

Packers over Vikings

Monday

New York Giants (4-2) at Dallas (1-4)

How far into the game will we start hearing statistics about how many 1-5 teams have ever made the playoffs? I’d say mid second quarter.

Giants over Cowboys