Faulk suggested that the Rams should be better than they are:
“Decisions have to be made. Do you blow it up, where do you go, what do you do? I mean, players that have had big time success, we’re talking Pro Bowl caliber players: Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Orlando Pace, Steven Jackson. They look like they don’t belong in the league. And it’s not because they can’t play. You’re not going to tell me that. I’m not believing that they all of a sudden can’t play in this league.”
Faulk contrasting the Bears’ upset of Indianapolis to the Rams’ poor play:
“You’re not going to tell me that the (Bears) offense that they put out there is more talented than the offense that the Rams put out. It’s preparation, it’s understanding what you have; it’s having guys that are reliable.”
Faulk, on the Rams’ decision to release WR Isaac Bruce to open a starting job for Drew Bennett:
“I’m sorry, I’m a little biased to Isaac Bruce. I love Isaac Bruce, and I’ll let facts be known that there’s no way — and I don’t dislike Drew Bennett — but there is no way that this guy is better than Isaac or belongs or should be on that team instead of Isaac. It’s things like that, it’s misjudgment of talent. The guy’s been hurt. He’s often hurt. No knock on him personally, but they needed (Bruce). They could have used him (Sunday).”
Faulk on Steven Jackson:
“I said this earlier in the year, and I think people took it wrong, because I heard a couple comments. I said the Rams shouldn’t pay Steven Jackson. I don’t understand why they’re going to pay him. And I think people took it, like, maybe Steven’s not good or not dynamic. When you can’t block, and when you can’t sack the quarterback and stop the run, there’s no need to have a running back like this. There’s no need to pay him what you’re going to pay him–you’re not going to get to use him. What was he, like, 11 (actually 14 carries) for 40 yards? That’s a lot of money sitting in the backfield, and not have it or be able to use it, or you fall behind by 20 points. Now he’s definitely out of the game. And his effectiveness and what you love about him and what you’re paying him for is no longer necessary. I only forecasted that the Rams would be playing from behind, and people thought I was taking a jab at Steven–it had nothing to do with Steven; it had more to do with the team.”
Faulk on Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett:
“I love Jim. I used to find his defenses to be the most complicated to play against. And now I look back and I say even at (age) 35 with a bum knee I might go for maybe a hundred yards rushing and another hundred receiving right now,” against the Rams defense.
Faulk continued talking about Haslett:
“I like Jim. I’ve always thought highly of him. And I don’t know, maybe he’s upset of the old Rams-Saints days and he’s throwing games or whatever. Some of the things I saw happening out there the other day, I wonder when he sat in his office yesterday morning, what was his mindset? Was he thinking, ‘I need to change it up.’ Was he thinking, ‘my players screwed it up.’ Or was he thinking that he messed it up. Because one of the three things happened, or needs to happen.”
(Note: I think Faulk was joking about Haslett throwing games).
Faulk said Rams coaches should avoid showing the players the game film from Philadelphia:
“I went through a rough patch like this with the Colts, and coaches often don’t even want to look at the film. You don’t want guys to look at the film because it can be so bad that when players notice that it’s that bad, it’s hard to recover from. So I’m hoping that he didn’t allow them to watch the film, the coaches watched it and they go out there and try to make corrections and try to get guys to move forward from the debacle that happened. Something like that can linger though out a whole season just like last year with the Dolphins. It’s tough to get over losses like that.”
If you’d like to listen to an audio of the entire Faulk interview, it is posted at Ben Boyd’s web site, www.STLsportsInsider.com
OK, a quick postscript from me on this:
* I know for a fact that Faulk wants to step in and do what he can to turn the Rams around … he is willing to come back as a personnel executive or possibly even as a head coach … but he will not do so as long as Scott Linehan is the coach. And he probably would stay away as long as Jay Zygmunt is the GM. Faulk has told me that he likes Zygmunt personally but isn’t sure how a working relationship would go.
* Faulk has a good rapport with Rams managing partner Chip Rosenbloom and Rams president John Shaw.
* I believe Marshall is being a little disingenuous about the Steven Jackson stuff. I don’t think he has a lot of love for Jackson. I don’t think Jackson has a lot of love for Marshall; let’s just be honest about this. And I know Faulk wants to see how Jackson competes after signing the big contract.
* Faulk has intense feelings about the Rams and is saddened and frustrated by their demise … after having the best and most successful years of his career in St. Louis, he is disgusted by the decline of the franchise, which he blames on many years of terrible mistakes made on personnel decisions. It kills him inside when he hears the Rams being the butt of jokes with analysts at the NFL Network, or elsewhere on TV. Some critics will say that Faulk should hold his comments instead of speaking up and possibly creating controversy … I disagree. He’s like anyone else who loves the Rams. He’s mad as Hell. And it’s hard to keep those feelings bottled up.
My TAKE: Marshall is absolutely correct. This is the same team that drafted Eric Crouch to play WR, not to mention the other 2 qbs they drafted that they wanted to convert to WR or DB(but didnt try to take Brad Smith, a local stud and do the same?). They brought in Drew Bennett (bust), never replaced the special teams that was in place during the Vermeil years (Az-Hakim and Tony Horne), and let go a number of great players and leaders (Dre Bly, London Fletcher, Isaac Bruce, Grant Wistrom, Kevin Carter, Kurt Warner, etc.). In return, they overpaid for Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Chris Long, and whoever they draft #1 overall next year.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Generation Y
The Silent Generation...
people born between 1925 and 1945.
The Baby Boomers...
people born between 1946 and 1964.
Generation X...
people born between 1965 and 1982.
Generation Y...
people born between 1983 and 1997.
Why do we call the last group of people Generation Y?
I had no idea until I saw this caricaturist's explanation!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Republican VP: 5 Things You Didn’t Know: Sarah Palin
Senator John McCain caught a nation off guard with his choice of presumptive vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. So, who is Sarah Palin?
Sarah Palin is a first-term Republican governor from Alaska. She is that state’s first-ever female governor and its youngest, sworn in at age 42 in 2006. Prior to becoming governor, she served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, city council and two terms as the town’s mayor.
After losing the 2002 race for lieutenant governor, Sarah Palin was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, resigning the position 11 months later.
Married with five children, Sarah Palin was 3 years old when John McCain became a POW in Vietnam, yet if elected to the vice presidency, she would be roughly the same age as Al Gore when he took that office.
To further acquaint you with the Republican vice presidential nominee, here are five things you didn’t know about Sarah Palin.
1- Sarah Palin tried to sell a jet on eBay
Shortly after assuming the office of governor, Sarah Palin tried to keep a campaign promise, which was to sell the Westwind II jet that had been bought by the hugely unpopular incumbent, Frank Murkowski.
In 2005, Murkowski requested almost $3 million from the Alaska legislature to buy the jet for use by him, his administration and future administrations. His request was denied, so Murkowski asked the federal government, who also denied him. Unwilling to take no for an answer, Murkowski created a special account and bought it anyway. Voters weren’t impressed with his tenacity.
A year later, Sarah Palin, as governor, listed the jet for sale on eBay, doing so three times, each time bidders failed to meet the reserve. Finally, in August 2007, she succeeded in selling it through a broker for $2.1 million -- at a loss of around half a million dollars.
2- Sarah Palin posed in Vogue
Known for her furs and otherwise stylish outfits (among politicians at least), Sarah Palin is no stranger to chic fashion, which explains why she appeared in a spread for Vogue magazine in February 2008.
In this vein, she’s also a former beauty queen: In 1984, she was crowned Miss Wasilla and she was runner-up in the subsequent Miss Alaska pageant later that year. She didn’t go home empty-handed, however, having been named Miss Congeniality. One curious thing you didn’t know about Sarah Palin is that she lost to a woman named Marilyne Blackburn -- the state’s first black Miss Alaska.
3- Sarah Palin scored the championship point in a high school basketball game
John McCain’s young and attractive running mate has earned a few monikers in her time, including Mrs. Mayor, Madame Governor, Miss Congeniality, GILF, and two notably more feisty names: cougar and, in high school she was known as “Sarah Barracuda.”
This last one she earned as captain of Wasilla High’s girls basketball team, allegedly due to her fiercely competitive spirit. That level of gamesmanship served her and her team well: In the state championship game, Sarah Palin not only scored the winning basket, but she did it with a stress fracture in her ankle.
4- Sarah Palin eloped with her high school sweetheart
Soon after Sarah Heath met Todd Palin at a high school basketball game, the two became sweethearts, but another six years would pass before they decided to tie the knot in 1988. Had it been a better fishing year for the two of them (they operated a small commercial fishery), they might have had enough money to pay for a “real” wedding; instead, they eloped, enlisting some witnesses from a nearby nursing home and dropping $35 at a local courthouse.
Known in Alaska as the “first dude,” the blue-collar Todd Palin is a four-time Iron Dog 2,000-mile snowmobile race champion and, according to a piece in the Anchorage Daily News, he is very much a house-husband.
5- Sarah Palin inhaled
Alaskans are permitted by law to possess a single ounce of marijuana, thanks first to a 2003 ruling by the Alaska Court of Appeals that made it legal to possess no more than four ounces, and later, by a Supreme Court ruling that amended the amount to one. The reason it even reached the Supreme Court was because, in 2006, then-governor Murkowski rejected the Court of Appeals ruling.
Consequently, during the 2006 race for governor, marijuana became an issue among the candidates, albeit a minor issue. At this time, Sarah Palin seemingly decided to launch a preemptive strike against any of her old stoner friends who might have been planning to climb out of the woodwork; she announced that not only had she tried weed, but that she couldn’t “claim a Bill Clinton” and say she never inhaled.
Don’t load that celebratory bowl just yet. One last thing you didn’t know about Sarah Palin is that although she did inhale, she opposes legalization.
Sarah Palin is a first-term Republican governor from Alaska. She is that state’s first-ever female governor and its youngest, sworn in at age 42 in 2006. Prior to becoming governor, she served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, city council and two terms as the town’s mayor.
After losing the 2002 race for lieutenant governor, Sarah Palin was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, resigning the position 11 months later.
Married with five children, Sarah Palin was 3 years old when John McCain became a POW in Vietnam, yet if elected to the vice presidency, she would be roughly the same age as Al Gore when he took that office.
To further acquaint you with the Republican vice presidential nominee, here are five things you didn’t know about Sarah Palin.
1- Sarah Palin tried to sell a jet on eBay
Shortly after assuming the office of governor, Sarah Palin tried to keep a campaign promise, which was to sell the Westwind II jet that had been bought by the hugely unpopular incumbent, Frank Murkowski.
In 2005, Murkowski requested almost $3 million from the Alaska legislature to buy the jet for use by him, his administration and future administrations. His request was denied, so Murkowski asked the federal government, who also denied him. Unwilling to take no for an answer, Murkowski created a special account and bought it anyway. Voters weren’t impressed with his tenacity.
A year later, Sarah Palin, as governor, listed the jet for sale on eBay, doing so three times, each time bidders failed to meet the reserve. Finally, in August 2007, she succeeded in selling it through a broker for $2.1 million -- at a loss of around half a million dollars.
2- Sarah Palin posed in Vogue
Known for her furs and otherwise stylish outfits (among politicians at least), Sarah Palin is no stranger to chic fashion, which explains why she appeared in a spread for Vogue magazine in February 2008.
In this vein, she’s also a former beauty queen: In 1984, she was crowned Miss Wasilla and she was runner-up in the subsequent Miss Alaska pageant later that year. She didn’t go home empty-handed, however, having been named Miss Congeniality. One curious thing you didn’t know about Sarah Palin is that she lost to a woman named Marilyne Blackburn -- the state’s first black Miss Alaska.
3- Sarah Palin scored the championship point in a high school basketball game
John McCain’s young and attractive running mate has earned a few monikers in her time, including Mrs. Mayor, Madame Governor, Miss Congeniality, GILF, and two notably more feisty names: cougar and, in high school she was known as “Sarah Barracuda.”
This last one she earned as captain of Wasilla High’s girls basketball team, allegedly due to her fiercely competitive spirit. That level of gamesmanship served her and her team well: In the state championship game, Sarah Palin not only scored the winning basket, but she did it with a stress fracture in her ankle.
4- Sarah Palin eloped with her high school sweetheart
Soon after Sarah Heath met Todd Palin at a high school basketball game, the two became sweethearts, but another six years would pass before they decided to tie the knot in 1988. Had it been a better fishing year for the two of them (they operated a small commercial fishery), they might have had enough money to pay for a “real” wedding; instead, they eloped, enlisting some witnesses from a nearby nursing home and dropping $35 at a local courthouse.
Known in Alaska as the “first dude,” the blue-collar Todd Palin is a four-time Iron Dog 2,000-mile snowmobile race champion and, according to a piece in the Anchorage Daily News, he is very much a house-husband.
5- Sarah Palin inhaled
Alaskans are permitted by law to possess a single ounce of marijuana, thanks first to a 2003 ruling by the Alaska Court of Appeals that made it legal to possess no more than four ounces, and later, by a Supreme Court ruling that amended the amount to one. The reason it even reached the Supreme Court was because, in 2006, then-governor Murkowski rejected the Court of Appeals ruling.
Consequently, during the 2006 race for governor, marijuana became an issue among the candidates, albeit a minor issue. At this time, Sarah Palin seemingly decided to launch a preemptive strike against any of her old stoner friends who might have been planning to climb out of the woodwork; she announced that not only had she tried weed, but that she couldn’t “claim a Bill Clinton” and say she never inhaled.
Don’t load that celebratory bowl just yet. One last thing you didn’t know about Sarah Palin is that although she did inhale, she opposes legalization.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Democratic VP - Joe Biden - 5 Things You Didn't Know
Joseph Biden Jr. is Delaware’s longest serving Senator. Biden was elected to office in 1972, just weeks before his 30th birthday, making him among the youngest Senators in history. Since then he’s won re-reelection five times, generally by a wide margin. His 35 years of congressional tenure include service on the powerful Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (which he currently chairs) and the Committee on the Judiciary, two of the oldest in the Senate.
Put another way; Joe Biden has been in Washington since Barack Obama was 11 years old.
To further acquaint you with this vice presidential hopeful, here are five things you didn’t know about Joe Biden.
1- Joe Biden survived a brain aneurysm
In the winter of 1988 Joe Biden was chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearings on Supreme Court nominee Anthony Kennedy when he began to experience neck pain. The pain worsened and was joined by other problems, including nausea. Eventually, Joe Biden went to the hospital.
Turns out Biden had what’s called a berry aneurysm at the base of his brain that was leaking blood into the space between his brain and the brain’s protective lining. An emergency, six-hour surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center took care of the problem and in this regard Joe Biden lucked out, since most people with a brain aneurysm get no advanced warning -- it simply bursts, resulting in paralysis, mental impairment, coma or death.
2- Joe Biden's son is going to Iraq
Joe Biden’s oldest son, 39-year-old Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III, is not only Delaware’s Attorney General but he is also a Captain in the Delaware Army National Guard's Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, assigned to the 261st Signal Brigade in Smyrna, Delaware. Beau Biden and the 261st are being deployed to Iraq on October 3, the day after his father participates in the first vice presidential debate.
According to the Wilmington News Journal, Beau Biden’s job with the 261st is as a military lawyer who offers “legal advice on disciplining soldiers” and who advises “commanders and soldiers on issues such as wills and powers of attorney.” Their deployment is expected to last a year.
As for Joe Biden, he isn’t thrilled about his son’s deployment. Ever since he voted to authorize the use of force in 2002, Joe Biden has been one of the war’s more vocal critics.
3- Joe Biden is a member of the Alfalfa Club
Another thing you didn’t know about Joe Biden is his affiliation with one of Washington’s most secretive and elite clubs, the Alfalfa Club.
In 1913, a group of Southerners founded the Alfalfa Club in Washington D.C., allegedly for no other reason than to have an annual dinner on the birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in late January.
Today, the secretive Alfalfa Club (journalists are barred from attending the dinner) has around 200 members. Most of them are part of Washington’s wealthy and elite. Along with Joe Biden, they include President Bush, his brothers and his father; Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts; a number of both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, state Governors and mayors; and some not directly involved in politics, such as Michael Dell.
4- Joe Biden was a below-average college student
Joe Biden completed his undergraduate work at the University of Delaware, but he didn’t do so in any exceptional manner. In his first three semesters he scored mostly Cs and Ds, and even an F in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). For about 100 years, starting in 1862, an ROTC class, which taught mechanics, military tactics, etc. was compulsory for most male U.S. college students. Only in physical education classes did Biden receive As.
His academic record didn’t improve much while at Syracuse College of Law either, where he graduated 76th in a class of 85.
5- Joe Biden drives a 1967 Corvette
The last thing you didn’t know about Joe Biden is what kind of wheels the man has.
Joe Biden’s current wife is his second; his first wife, Neilia, passed away, along with the couple’s daughter, in a car accident shortly after his initial election to the Senate in 1972. Joe and Neilia Biden were married on August 27, 1966, in Skaneateles, New York, and his father -- a car salesman -- gave his son a sweet wedding gift: a brand new 1967 Chevy Corvette, a car he still owns today.
Put another way; Joe Biden has been in Washington since Barack Obama was 11 years old.
To further acquaint you with this vice presidential hopeful, here are five things you didn’t know about Joe Biden.
1- Joe Biden survived a brain aneurysm
In the winter of 1988 Joe Biden was chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearings on Supreme Court nominee Anthony Kennedy when he began to experience neck pain. The pain worsened and was joined by other problems, including nausea. Eventually, Joe Biden went to the hospital.
Turns out Biden had what’s called a berry aneurysm at the base of his brain that was leaking blood into the space between his brain and the brain’s protective lining. An emergency, six-hour surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center took care of the problem and in this regard Joe Biden lucked out, since most people with a brain aneurysm get no advanced warning -- it simply bursts, resulting in paralysis, mental impairment, coma or death.
2- Joe Biden's son is going to Iraq
Joe Biden’s oldest son, 39-year-old Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III, is not only Delaware’s Attorney General but he is also a Captain in the Delaware Army National Guard's Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, assigned to the 261st Signal Brigade in Smyrna, Delaware. Beau Biden and the 261st are being deployed to Iraq on October 3, the day after his father participates in the first vice presidential debate.
According to the Wilmington News Journal, Beau Biden’s job with the 261st is as a military lawyer who offers “legal advice on disciplining soldiers” and who advises “commanders and soldiers on issues such as wills and powers of attorney.” Their deployment is expected to last a year.
As for Joe Biden, he isn’t thrilled about his son’s deployment. Ever since he voted to authorize the use of force in 2002, Joe Biden has been one of the war’s more vocal critics.
3- Joe Biden is a member of the Alfalfa Club
Another thing you didn’t know about Joe Biden is his affiliation with one of Washington’s most secretive and elite clubs, the Alfalfa Club.
In 1913, a group of Southerners founded the Alfalfa Club in Washington D.C., allegedly for no other reason than to have an annual dinner on the birthday of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in late January.
Today, the secretive Alfalfa Club (journalists are barred from attending the dinner) has around 200 members. Most of them are part of Washington’s wealthy and elite. Along with Joe Biden, they include President Bush, his brothers and his father; Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts; a number of both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, state Governors and mayors; and some not directly involved in politics, such as Michael Dell.
4- Joe Biden was a below-average college student
Joe Biden completed his undergraduate work at the University of Delaware, but he didn’t do so in any exceptional manner. In his first three semesters he scored mostly Cs and Ds, and even an F in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). For about 100 years, starting in 1862, an ROTC class, which taught mechanics, military tactics, etc. was compulsory for most male U.S. college students. Only in physical education classes did Biden receive As.
His academic record didn’t improve much while at Syracuse College of Law either, where he graduated 76th in a class of 85.
5- Joe Biden drives a 1967 Corvette
The last thing you didn’t know about Joe Biden is what kind of wheels the man has.
Joe Biden’s current wife is his second; his first wife, Neilia, passed away, along with the couple’s daughter, in a car accident shortly after his initial election to the Senate in 1972. Joe and Neilia Biden were married on August 27, 1966, in Skaneateles, New York, and his father -- a car salesman -- gave his son a sweet wedding gift: a brand new 1967 Chevy Corvette, a car he still owns today.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
NFL 2008 Projections - AFC Edition
The AFC is supposed to be the Varsity team versus the NFC which is JV. Since 1998, the NFC wins the Super Bowl once every five years. The Giants ushered in what should be the once in this set of five years, but I think it is time for a new streak to form. In the same manner that most NFC teams beat up on each other all year and lose the big game, it is time for the AFC to hit the wall. The teams are getting better and all of the 'cupcake' games are out of the window. Here is how I see the AFC shaking out this year, underperforming.
AFC East
1. New England - How is it that the team that nearly went undefeated last year gets the easiest schedule in the world out of the gate? Granted, most of the opponents are division foes, but then to get the NFC West? The Pats however will be shot down to reality this year amassing at best 11 wins. The defense is not only getting old, but getting worse. The only bright spot is Mayo, the rookie from Tennessee. Brady's foot "injury" wont be a problem.
2. Buffalo - The Bills take the next step. No, not the playoffs. They will compete in the East and miss out with a winning record. There are a lot of key components that are one year away for the Bills. Young receivers Hardy, Evans, Parrish, and Reid are still learning. Hardy will be a TD machine with his 6-6 frame and Evans showed he can stretch the field when healthy. QB Edwards has been banged up but will be fine as long as Lynch is in the backfield. Bills peak at 9 wins.
3. New York Jets - J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets are better. Sure they have Brett Favre. Sure the Offensive line is better. Sure they can win some games. They play 2 different style teams their first 5 games - Air it out in Seattle and Cardinals versus Smashmouth - Oakland, Jax, and Rams. They are in fight with Bills for 2nd place in the division. My nod goes to Bills, not the Mangenius.
4. Miami - Can you smell upset potential? I can. The Fins have two pro-bowl caliber backs once Ronnie Brown returns to form. That probably wont be until October and by then Ricky Williams will be hurt. Ted Ginn Jr takes the sophmore leap to becoming a potential deep threat and Chad Pennington guides this team to 6-10. Not bad after losing Jason Taylor.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis - Tricked ya. Still got the Colts on top. Peyton Manning's knee will be the focal point on this team for the first 3 weeks or so until he hits his stride. Marvin Harrison is back, Anthony Gonzalez is the new Brandon Stokely, and Reggis Wayne is Reggie Wayne. Don't expect the Colts to cruise as this is probably the 2nd best division in football with the NFC East. Bob Sanders makes an impact when he is on the field, but he wont make it more than 3 more years in the league with his style of play.
2. Jacksonville - Still second fiddle in the South, Jacksonville is no slouch but at the same time, no surprise. Jacksonville was one tragedy away from overtaking the Colts this year. With Peyton Manning nursing a gimpy leg, the Jags could capitalize off their pass rush and ball control offense were set to overtake the division crown that lives in Indy. Jaguars still need a big play WR to keep the defenses guessing.
3. Houston - The Texans are coming. The Texans are coming. They are this year's Titans. They could possibly sneak into the playoff mix with a healthy Schaub to Johnson combo. Super Mario Williams is a sack artist and is getting help on defense with Okoye and Ryans. The problem with this team despite no running back, is the health of Schaub and Johnson, more importantly Johnson.
4. Tennessee - Titans fall into the same trap as the New York Giants this year. You can have a solid team and still fall to last in your division at 8-8 or 7-9. The only problem that Tennessee has is an inability to put anyone outside the hash marks at WR. They drafted a trailblazer in Chris Johnson, but unless he is going to line up at flanker on 3rd down, its going to be hard to keep the defense off of Vince Young.
AFC West
1. San Diego - When your best players on both sides of the ball are playing with bum knees, its hard to pick them as the division winner right? Fortunately for the Chargers, it seems like they caught the entire division retooling. LT will be back to form, he has 2-3 more years of dominance before he pulls a Barry Sanders and walks away. Merriman is going to attempt to play on one leg in a position where he plays on pure speed. That is like Usain Bolt trying to run the 100m with a walking boot on his foot. Good luck Lights Out, but you are making a big gamble.
2a. Oakland - I like the running game. Not too many people talk about Justin Fargas, but it will be his running that will be why McFadden wins Rookie of the Year if he does. Fargas is actually listed as the pseudo starter, somewhat like Julius Jones in Dallas the last few years over Marion Barber. Fargas was actually the leading act at USC before the Reggie Bush show arrived. This running game will be aided greatly by a great defense and also anything Jamarcus Russell can do in play action.
2b. Denver - This team is tricky to figure out. They have two of the best corners in the game, a good young QB, a great young WR, and a running scheme that has caught on like the Plague. Two questions still remain: Why can't they stop the run? Who is going to run through those zone blocks? The Broncos play in the wrong division to not be good against the run.
4. Kansas City - The Chiefs are rebuilding. But they are on the fast track. Brodie Croyle to Bowe is going to be a hot connection. Larry Johnson is going to show he is not a one trick pony. A midseason trade to dump Tony Gonzalez to a contender will prove good since Gonzalez will probably only play 2-3 more years.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh - Omar Epps really has this team turning the corner, but not moving to far away from Pittsburgh Steelers brand of football. Running game - check, big play WR - check, possession WR - check, great defense - check. Throw in Big Ben and the Steelers appear to be a lock in this position for years to come. This will hold especially true if Polumalu returns to form and Mendenhall shows he was no one year wonder.
2. Cleveland - Speaking of going in the wrong direction, the Browns will be shocked back to reality. A lot of exposure and even more games on television than the Pats, the Browns will almost live up to the hype after a brutal first couple of weeks. It is still to early to hand over the keys to Brady Quinn even though he beat up on the JV team of Wisconsin Wesleyan College in the preseason.
3. Baltimore - The Ravens might be getting older faster than we think. Ed Reed is questionable and Ray Lewis is coming off his worse season as a pro. The Ravens still are scary. Willis McGahee is the focal point with two young QB's handing off to him, and soon handing off to Ray Rice once Willis is hurt again. Still nothing special at WR, and the special teams is coming back around to championship form in Figurs. Will compete, but 7-9 is on its way.
4. Cincinnati - Barring any massive reconstructions, this Bengals team will struggle. Carson Palmer was beat up by the Saints in preseason. Chad ***** (Since he might have changed his name again by now like the WR formerly known as Chad or something stupid) has a bum shoulder and even bigger mouth. They cut there "franchise" running back and even more importantly, their best known offensive lineman. I hope Marvin Lewis is working on his resume to take over Notre Dame after Charlie Weis is fired for losing to Applachian State.
Playoffs
San Diego, New England, Indy, Pittsburgh, WC - Jacksonville, Buffalo
AFC East
1. New England - How is it that the team that nearly went undefeated last year gets the easiest schedule in the world out of the gate? Granted, most of the opponents are division foes, but then to get the NFC West? The Pats however will be shot down to reality this year amassing at best 11 wins. The defense is not only getting old, but getting worse. The only bright spot is Mayo, the rookie from Tennessee. Brady's foot "injury" wont be a problem.
2. Buffalo - The Bills take the next step. No, not the playoffs. They will compete in the East and miss out with a winning record. There are a lot of key components that are one year away for the Bills. Young receivers Hardy, Evans, Parrish, and Reid are still learning. Hardy will be a TD machine with his 6-6 frame and Evans showed he can stretch the field when healthy. QB Edwards has been banged up but will be fine as long as Lynch is in the backfield. Bills peak at 9 wins.
3. New York Jets - J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets are better. Sure they have Brett Favre. Sure the Offensive line is better. Sure they can win some games. They play 2 different style teams their first 5 games - Air it out in Seattle and Cardinals versus Smashmouth - Oakland, Jax, and Rams. They are in fight with Bills for 2nd place in the division. My nod goes to Bills, not the Mangenius.
4. Miami - Can you smell upset potential? I can. The Fins have two pro-bowl caliber backs once Ronnie Brown returns to form. That probably wont be until October and by then Ricky Williams will be hurt. Ted Ginn Jr takes the sophmore leap to becoming a potential deep threat and Chad Pennington guides this team to 6-10. Not bad after losing Jason Taylor.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis - Tricked ya. Still got the Colts on top. Peyton Manning's knee will be the focal point on this team for the first 3 weeks or so until he hits his stride. Marvin Harrison is back, Anthony Gonzalez is the new Brandon Stokely, and Reggis Wayne is Reggie Wayne. Don't expect the Colts to cruise as this is probably the 2nd best division in football with the NFC East. Bob Sanders makes an impact when he is on the field, but he wont make it more than 3 more years in the league with his style of play.
2. Jacksonville - Still second fiddle in the South, Jacksonville is no slouch but at the same time, no surprise. Jacksonville was one tragedy away from overtaking the Colts this year. With Peyton Manning nursing a gimpy leg, the Jags could capitalize off their pass rush and ball control offense were set to overtake the division crown that lives in Indy. Jaguars still need a big play WR to keep the defenses guessing.
3. Houston - The Texans are coming. The Texans are coming. They are this year's Titans. They could possibly sneak into the playoff mix with a healthy Schaub to Johnson combo. Super Mario Williams is a sack artist and is getting help on defense with Okoye and Ryans. The problem with this team despite no running back, is the health of Schaub and Johnson, more importantly Johnson.
4. Tennessee - Titans fall into the same trap as the New York Giants this year. You can have a solid team and still fall to last in your division at 8-8 or 7-9. The only problem that Tennessee has is an inability to put anyone outside the hash marks at WR. They drafted a trailblazer in Chris Johnson, but unless he is going to line up at flanker on 3rd down, its going to be hard to keep the defense off of Vince Young.
AFC West
1. San Diego - When your best players on both sides of the ball are playing with bum knees, its hard to pick them as the division winner right? Fortunately for the Chargers, it seems like they caught the entire division retooling. LT will be back to form, he has 2-3 more years of dominance before he pulls a Barry Sanders and walks away. Merriman is going to attempt to play on one leg in a position where he plays on pure speed. That is like Usain Bolt trying to run the 100m with a walking boot on his foot. Good luck Lights Out, but you are making a big gamble.
2a. Oakland - I like the running game. Not too many people talk about Justin Fargas, but it will be his running that will be why McFadden wins Rookie of the Year if he does. Fargas is actually listed as the pseudo starter, somewhat like Julius Jones in Dallas the last few years over Marion Barber. Fargas was actually the leading act at USC before the Reggie Bush show arrived. This running game will be aided greatly by a great defense and also anything Jamarcus Russell can do in play action.
2b. Denver - This team is tricky to figure out. They have two of the best corners in the game, a good young QB, a great young WR, and a running scheme that has caught on like the Plague. Two questions still remain: Why can't they stop the run? Who is going to run through those zone blocks? The Broncos play in the wrong division to not be good against the run.
4. Kansas City - The Chiefs are rebuilding. But they are on the fast track. Brodie Croyle to Bowe is going to be a hot connection. Larry Johnson is going to show he is not a one trick pony. A midseason trade to dump Tony Gonzalez to a contender will prove good since Gonzalez will probably only play 2-3 more years.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh - Omar Epps really has this team turning the corner, but not moving to far away from Pittsburgh Steelers brand of football. Running game - check, big play WR - check, possession WR - check, great defense - check. Throw in Big Ben and the Steelers appear to be a lock in this position for years to come. This will hold especially true if Polumalu returns to form and Mendenhall shows he was no one year wonder.
2. Cleveland - Speaking of going in the wrong direction, the Browns will be shocked back to reality. A lot of exposure and even more games on television than the Pats, the Browns will almost live up to the hype after a brutal first couple of weeks. It is still to early to hand over the keys to Brady Quinn even though he beat up on the JV team of Wisconsin Wesleyan College in the preseason.
3. Baltimore - The Ravens might be getting older faster than we think. Ed Reed is questionable and Ray Lewis is coming off his worse season as a pro. The Ravens still are scary. Willis McGahee is the focal point with two young QB's handing off to him, and soon handing off to Ray Rice once Willis is hurt again. Still nothing special at WR, and the special teams is coming back around to championship form in Figurs. Will compete, but 7-9 is on its way.
4. Cincinnati - Barring any massive reconstructions, this Bengals team will struggle. Carson Palmer was beat up by the Saints in preseason. Chad ***** (Since he might have changed his name again by now like the WR formerly known as Chad or something stupid) has a bum shoulder and even bigger mouth. They cut there "franchise" running back and even more importantly, their best known offensive lineman. I hope Marvin Lewis is working on his resume to take over Notre Dame after Charlie Weis is fired for losing to Applachian State.
Playoffs
San Diego, New England, Indy, Pittsburgh, WC - Jacksonville, Buffalo
Monday, August 25, 2008
NFL 2008 Projections - NFC Edition
Hate it or love it, the Boys are on top. No - this is not a 50 Cent remix with the former members of G-Unit, these are my predictions for the upcoming football season. I usually do pretty good in my head, so now it is time to put these projections on digital paper to revisit in the "I Told You" post sure to come in January after my dreams come true.
NFC East
1. Dallas - The Boys are truly the best team in the NFC on paper. They have had some let downs in the past 2 postseasons but don't let that fool you. This team is the real deal. They have sured up their pass coverage woes (yes I am talking about Roy Horse Collar Williams) by drafting Jenkins and getting Adam Jones. Throw in Zach Thomas and the defense should be able to repeat its performance from last year. On offense, Marion will be unleashed and Felix the Great will flash some of that 8ypc he showed at Arkansas. TO, is TO and Patrick Crayton has the best job as 3rd fiddle since Steve Kerr.
2. Philadelphia - McNabb despite not having anyone to throw to of Pro-Bowl status will have a great year. Letting Westbrook pace the team as usual, the Eagle are my surprise pick to win the Wild Card. The defense should be able to defend the spread better than any other with 3 Pro Bowl caliber CBs. Desean Jackson is the difference maker this team has yurned for.
3. Washington - Let's face it, this is an over achieving team. After Sean Taylor's murder, they really banned together and rode their emotions to the playoffs. This year, they will be right in the thick of things with a heavy dose of Portis and defense. Jason Taylor will be ready for the upcoming season, ready to prove he is more than just a dancer with great looks.
4. New York Giants - From 1st to worst is usually a horrible thing for a franchise. But when you play in the toughest division in football, worst could mean you are 8-8 or 7-9. The lost of Strahan (currently on Brett Favre's retirement plan) and now Osi have left a vital hole to fill in what essentially won the championship: dominating pass rush.
NFC South
1. New Orleans - New defense, healthy (somewhat) backfield and did I mention new defense? The Saints should return to the form that got them deep into the playoffs two years ago despite a banged up running game. Duece McCallister is coming back again from knee surgery and Reggie Bush is not an every down back just yet. Look out for Pierre Thomas to fill the main carries role if Duece can't get loose. On the defensive side of the ball, the additions of Jon Vilma, Randall Gay, Sedrick Ellis and a few others should give the Saints enough defense to get at least to the 2nd round of the playoffs.
2. Carolina - Despite losing Steve Smith for 2 games for going Tyson on his teammate, the Panthers are in a good position. For once, they wont have to worry about losing Smith to injury early. Add despite all of the woes they faced last year with QBs, the defense played lights out and the team finished 7-9.
3. Atlanta - Rebuilding is in full swing and so is the Matt Ryan era. He has been named the starter which equates to him trying not to mess up more than win games. This should be a clinic of Big Ben in Pitt his first year with a massive ground game. Michael Turner will try to prove he is worthy of starter money and Jerious Norwood will try to prove he is still relevant as a change of pace back.
4. Tampa Bay - Although they did not have any relevant personnel changes, I just think last year was a fluke. The Bucs played great defense, made plays when they had to, but mostly capitalized from a weak division and injuries. It seems like you just keep waiting on father time to finally catch up with this team (Garcia, Galloway, Brooks, Barber, etc.) and it seems it is this year. Everyone else in the division made significant moves, the Bucs dropped the buck.
NFC West
1. Seattle - It's not that the Seahawks are that good, but more of saying that this could be the weakest division in football. Despite the star power (Hasselbeck, Holt, Jackson, Warner/Leinart, Gore, Fitz/Bolden), this division has some of the weaker teams around. Seattle may struggle early with a number of receivers out, but it should be better after the return of Branch and Engram that should lead them to their 6th consecutive conference title.
2. St. Louis - Not that the Rams have made any key improvements, but again this division is lacking the key ingredients to knock them any lower. The Rams drafted a speed rush energy guy in Chris Long but didnt sure up the gaping holes they had at WR, DT, CB, S, or depth anywhere else. Long will be able to help get pressure on the pass happy West but these teams have superior talent at WR compared to the Rams Db's.
3. Arizona - Matt Leinart is about to lose his job to a busboy. Well not really, this busboy is Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner. Leinart, overhyped but decent qb, has never really lived up to the hype. His lack of cannon arm has not been helped by his poor judgement or glaring accuracy problems. I liked Leinart coming into this year, he should have been able to hit a lot of quick hitters to his star combo of Fitzgerald/Bolden. However, after Kurt Warner gets hurt (its inevitable), the shine will be on Leinart, and if the light is too bright, he may become the next David Carr.
4. San Francisco - Mike Martz is a genius. He found a way to blow the biggest game and point spread in Super Bowl history (before the 18-1 Pats). What has that gotten him? Two more offensive coordinator positions. Will Martz finally run the ball in a WR deprived offense of the 49ers? Frank Gore will try to stay healthy, Ike Bruce will be a good role model and creep towards more HOF credentials, and the defense will be tough. But a team that is debating between JT O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill as the starting qb can not be serious about a playoff push, can they?
NFC North
1. Green Bay - Yes. Brett Favre is gone. Yes Aaron Rodgers is inexperienced and wide-eyed. But the Packers are going to prove the critics wrong and prosper post Favre. The defense is turning the corner, but needs some young blood in the secondary to help Woodson and Al Harris as they start to wind down. Otherwise, the defense is stout, Ryan Grant will see if he was a one-year wonder and the boo birds will be out early if Rodgers doesnt deliver. No fret, he will.
2. Minnesota - Despite all the hype surrounding the defense and running game, this team just doesn't seem to impress you. Of course, their is the traditional talk that Peterson and Taylor are enough to walk through the division, but your team can not be built solely on the ground. Tavaris Jackson will be good enough to lead them down the stretch, especially since they have one of the easiest schedules after week 9.
3. Detroit - Post Mike Martz Detroit will fair better on offense that with Martz. The arrogance that comes with Martz has rubbed off and the team is better for that, but even the genius needs a reality check sometimes. A more balanced attack will help this retooled defense keep a number of games close, but they still will fall under .500.
4. Chicago - The Bears are starting Kyle Orton at qb, Devin Hester at WR, and a rookie RB, Matt Forte. Yes they are rebuilding. A few years removed from a Super Bowl lost, the Bears seem to be getting long in the tooth on their staple, defense. Mike Brown doesn't look the same, Urlacher has chronic back pain, and the corners look very suspect.
Playoffs
Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle, New Orleans, WC - Philadelphia, Minnesota
NFC East
1. Dallas - The Boys are truly the best team in the NFC on paper. They have had some let downs in the past 2 postseasons but don't let that fool you. This team is the real deal. They have sured up their pass coverage woes (yes I am talking about Roy Horse Collar Williams) by drafting Jenkins and getting Adam Jones. Throw in Zach Thomas and the defense should be able to repeat its performance from last year. On offense, Marion will be unleashed and Felix the Great will flash some of that 8ypc he showed at Arkansas. TO, is TO and Patrick Crayton has the best job as 3rd fiddle since Steve Kerr.
2. Philadelphia - McNabb despite not having anyone to throw to of Pro-Bowl status will have a great year. Letting Westbrook pace the team as usual, the Eagle are my surprise pick to win the Wild Card. The defense should be able to defend the spread better than any other with 3 Pro Bowl caliber CBs. Desean Jackson is the difference maker this team has yurned for.
3. Washington - Let's face it, this is an over achieving team. After Sean Taylor's murder, they really banned together and rode their emotions to the playoffs. This year, they will be right in the thick of things with a heavy dose of Portis and defense. Jason Taylor will be ready for the upcoming season, ready to prove he is more than just a dancer with great looks.
4. New York Giants - From 1st to worst is usually a horrible thing for a franchise. But when you play in the toughest division in football, worst could mean you are 8-8 or 7-9. The lost of Strahan (currently on Brett Favre's retirement plan) and now Osi have left a vital hole to fill in what essentially won the championship: dominating pass rush.
NFC South
1. New Orleans - New defense, healthy (somewhat) backfield and did I mention new defense? The Saints should return to the form that got them deep into the playoffs two years ago despite a banged up running game. Duece McCallister is coming back again from knee surgery and Reggie Bush is not an every down back just yet. Look out for Pierre Thomas to fill the main carries role if Duece can't get loose. On the defensive side of the ball, the additions of Jon Vilma, Randall Gay, Sedrick Ellis and a few others should give the Saints enough defense to get at least to the 2nd round of the playoffs.
2. Carolina - Despite losing Steve Smith for 2 games for going Tyson on his teammate, the Panthers are in a good position. For once, they wont have to worry about losing Smith to injury early. Add despite all of the woes they faced last year with QBs, the defense played lights out and the team finished 7-9.
3. Atlanta - Rebuilding is in full swing and so is the Matt Ryan era. He has been named the starter which equates to him trying not to mess up more than win games. This should be a clinic of Big Ben in Pitt his first year with a massive ground game. Michael Turner will try to prove he is worthy of starter money and Jerious Norwood will try to prove he is still relevant as a change of pace back.
4. Tampa Bay - Although they did not have any relevant personnel changes, I just think last year was a fluke. The Bucs played great defense, made plays when they had to, but mostly capitalized from a weak division and injuries. It seems like you just keep waiting on father time to finally catch up with this team (Garcia, Galloway, Brooks, Barber, etc.) and it seems it is this year. Everyone else in the division made significant moves, the Bucs dropped the buck.
NFC West
1. Seattle - It's not that the Seahawks are that good, but more of saying that this could be the weakest division in football. Despite the star power (Hasselbeck, Holt, Jackson, Warner/Leinart, Gore, Fitz/Bolden), this division has some of the weaker teams around. Seattle may struggle early with a number of receivers out, but it should be better after the return of Branch and Engram that should lead them to their 6th consecutive conference title.
2. St. Louis - Not that the Rams have made any key improvements, but again this division is lacking the key ingredients to knock them any lower. The Rams drafted a speed rush energy guy in Chris Long but didnt sure up the gaping holes they had at WR, DT, CB, S, or depth anywhere else. Long will be able to help get pressure on the pass happy West but these teams have superior talent at WR compared to the Rams Db's.
3. Arizona - Matt Leinart is about to lose his job to a busboy. Well not really, this busboy is Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner. Leinart, overhyped but decent qb, has never really lived up to the hype. His lack of cannon arm has not been helped by his poor judgement or glaring accuracy problems. I liked Leinart coming into this year, he should have been able to hit a lot of quick hitters to his star combo of Fitzgerald/Bolden. However, after Kurt Warner gets hurt (its inevitable), the shine will be on Leinart, and if the light is too bright, he may become the next David Carr.
4. San Francisco - Mike Martz is a genius. He found a way to blow the biggest game and point spread in Super Bowl history (before the 18-1 Pats). What has that gotten him? Two more offensive coordinator positions. Will Martz finally run the ball in a WR deprived offense of the 49ers? Frank Gore will try to stay healthy, Ike Bruce will be a good role model and creep towards more HOF credentials, and the defense will be tough. But a team that is debating between JT O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill as the starting qb can not be serious about a playoff push, can they?
NFC North
1. Green Bay - Yes. Brett Favre is gone. Yes Aaron Rodgers is inexperienced and wide-eyed. But the Packers are going to prove the critics wrong and prosper post Favre. The defense is turning the corner, but needs some young blood in the secondary to help Woodson and Al Harris as they start to wind down. Otherwise, the defense is stout, Ryan Grant will see if he was a one-year wonder and the boo birds will be out early if Rodgers doesnt deliver. No fret, he will.
2. Minnesota - Despite all the hype surrounding the defense and running game, this team just doesn't seem to impress you. Of course, their is the traditional talk that Peterson and Taylor are enough to walk through the division, but your team can not be built solely on the ground. Tavaris Jackson will be good enough to lead them down the stretch, especially since they have one of the easiest schedules after week 9.
3. Detroit - Post Mike Martz Detroit will fair better on offense that with Martz. The arrogance that comes with Martz has rubbed off and the team is better for that, but even the genius needs a reality check sometimes. A more balanced attack will help this retooled defense keep a number of games close, but they still will fall under .500.
4. Chicago - The Bears are starting Kyle Orton at qb, Devin Hester at WR, and a rookie RB, Matt Forte. Yes they are rebuilding. A few years removed from a Super Bowl lost, the Bears seem to be getting long in the tooth on their staple, defense. Mike Brown doesn't look the same, Urlacher has chronic back pain, and the corners look very suspect.
Playoffs
Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle, New Orleans, WC - Philadelphia, Minnesota
Friday, August 22, 2008
Dead Man Standing
The body of deceased Angel Pantoja Medina stands erect and leans against a wall by his coffin during his own wake in his mother's home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008. The last wish of Medina , 24, who was found dead on Aug. 15, 2008 underneath a bridge in the capital, was to be standing at his own wake, and was embalmed for the occasion. (AP Photo/Juan Alicea Marcado, El Nuevo Dia)
This is utterly ridiculous. Sure we have seen people in the casket that looks like a car, or with their favorite team decoration, or even with the full ensemble of trickets inside the casket with them. But to be standing over the casket that you should be in? What if you didn't know that he was in the corner when you walk in the room? That would be the scariest and weirdest thing in the world. Or what if you looked in the casket and thought that he was missing?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
(Untitled) Technology
If the word (untitled) offends you, I am sorry. But this is some of the most important technological advice you will hear.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Redeem Team: Statement Time
Have you seen this photo? No, it is not an invitation to get your eyes checked, nor a photoshop. This is the Spanish National Team's version of talking smack. Throw all the "yo momma" jokes out the window, this is a slap in the face to the host nation China. The teams response, "What's the big deal?" If they don't see a problem, I guess they never will.
My problem is the perception that the NBA has an image problem. Say what you want about tattoes and saggy shorts, nobody is posing with the New Black Panther Party with "Kill Whitey" shirts on with a black fist. Will the Spanish team get a pass? Of course. Because they are European? Nope. They will get a pass the same way that their other acts have come to pass.
Spanish sports is no stranger to racial controversy.
- Luis Aragones, the head coach of Spain’s men’s soccer team, was overheard telling his player Jose Antonio Reyes to “tell that black (expletive) you are better than him” at a training session in 2004. Aragones was referring to Thierry Henry, a black player from France who was then a teammate of Reyes at English Premier League club Arsenal.
- At a Formula One motor racing testing session this year, a group of Spanish fans believed to be supporting home driver Fernando Alonso were pictured with their faces covered with black paint. They wore T-shirts with the slogan “Hamilton’s Family,” a reference to Alonso’s world title rival Lewis Hamilton, a black Englishman.
- Moreover, at an exhibition match in Madrid in 2004, several black members of the England men’s soccer team were subjected to monkey chants and whistles whenever they touched the ball.
Spain recently beat China in overtime after overcoming a 19point deficit. All I can say is that the Redeem Team is set to play Spain on Aug 16th at 10:15 am est and should hold no mercy....they could be on the next photo shoot. We don't even want to imagine that one....do we?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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