December 12, 2007
Once the shock of Bobby Petrino's midnight run to Arkansas wears off, Arthur Blank will realize that Petrino did him a favor. Blank was stuck with the worst coaching contract in the NFL: Five years and $24 million for a coach who was in over his head.
Petrino wasn't dealt a great hand when Michael Vick was suspended, but all reports from Atlanta indicate that his problems went far beyond one player. His offensive system showed some signs of life, but the personnel didn't fit. GM Rich McKay and Petrino didn't appear to be on the same page. Petrino reportedly ignored the defense.
Continue reading "Petrino does Falcons a favor" »
December 11, 2007
Tony Kornheiser asked Ron Jaworski during Monday Night's telecast why the Saints didn't play that well all year.
Jaws replied, "They didn't play Atlanta enough."
The Falcons have a dangerous lack of motivation and talent on defense, especially in their secondary. They can be exposed by creative passing attacks. And wouldn't you know, they face Jon Gruden and Ken Whisenhunt the next two weeks.
I love Joey Galloway and Jeff Garcia (assuming he plays) to go off this week, and wouldn't be surprised to see Ike Hilliard have a big day. If you are still playing in Week 16, your Cardinals receivers should explode.
Continue reading "Atlanta, Arizona defense can be picked on" »
There is something inherently cheesy about picking up a team defense for a playoff matchup, but that doesn't mean it's a bad idea.
Plenty of owners rolled with the Bengals versus Brock Berlin, and they were a Rams defensive score away from holding St. Louis to three points. I picked up Bengals with an eye on this week's matchup against San Francisco. The news that Shaun Hill will make his first NFL start doesn't disappoint me. Here's a look at the three best possible defensive pickups this week. I'm only including teams not ranked in the top-15 fantasy scorers this year.
1. Baltimore (vs. Miami)
2. Tampa (vs. Atlanta)
3. Cincinnati (vs. San Francisco)
Some other choice matchups include Green Bay (vs. Rams), Colts (vs. Raiders), Titans (vs. Chiefs), and Seahawks (vs. Panthers).
Mike Nolan should have nipped this Alex Smith issue in the bud a long time ago. All the drama from a few weeks back was bad enough, but the situation keeps getting worse. Nolan has taken the feud to the team, and Smith isn't happy about it. Some of Nolan's effusive praise of Trent Dilfer in recent weeks were clear shots at Smith.
The spat reflects poorly on them both, but more on the head coach. He needs to control the situation; it's the most important relationship he has in the organization other than with the owner. The more it devolves, the more I think that either Smith or Nolan won't be back with the team next year.
December 10, 2007
What's that saying? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 349 times, shame on Mike Shanahan.
The Mastermind did it again Sunday, surprising everyone by starting Selvin Young and benching Travis Henry. I tried to warn about the situation last week, but it wasn't strong enough in retrospect. At least Henry owners lucked out again with a touchdown (this time when Young was winded), but most of his carries came in garbage time. Young was a monster with 156 yards rushing on 17 carries, and should be a force for patient owners who waited this long.
Shanahan obliquely said Monday that Henry is going through a tough time right now. It will probably get tougher this offseason if the Broncos ask Henry to renegotiate his deal as the the Denver Post suggested Monday.
Continue reading "Henry and Walker on way out of Denver?" »
I squeezed most of my bite-sized thoughts into the Morning After, but I wanted to do a quick look at the living busts last week. Let's see how they did ...
Rudi Johnson - He topped four yards-per-carry in a game! Rudi isn't wowing anyone, but he's safe to play again.
Shaun Alexander - Back to Bustville. Yikes.
Travis Henry - This deserves it's own post. Once again, the touchdown saves his fantasy day. But Henry could be one and done in Denver after this season.
Vince Young - I watched this game on Sunday, and Young isn't playing like a difference maker. LenDale White and the Titans defensive line played very well, and Youn just couldn't move the chains.
Continue reading "So did the Busts bounce back?" »
December 08, 2007
The rankings update is up.
The Brock Berlin effect is felt for all the Rams, although ultimately I'm sticking with Torry Holt and Steven Jackson. Joseph Addai is down a bit. Travis Henry got a small boost from the news he's starting. Santonio Holmes and Larry Fitzgerald are down for injury concerns, though Holmes took a much bigger hit. Reggie Bush and Jerricho Cotchery are off the board. Aaron Stecker is right below Fred Taylor. Patrick Crayton is up slightly, Jeremy Shockey is down. Todd Heap is down. Frank Gore has moved up and down quite a bit, but ended up where he starts.
I expect Laveranues Coles to play, although you never know. See you tomorrow morning.
December 07, 2007
First things first. The Rankings updates will be written Saturday morning. I am making all changes, as of 3:30 news, in the rankings that are available on Season Pass. Because of our company having a meeting, then holiday party, the rest will be added in the morning. The updated rankings will be posted for free then.
Second, wanted to say thanks to everyone for stopping by all season and tell you that Pancake Blocks will be headed to the Super Bowl in Arizona! Now the Patriots better make it.
I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing all week, but the blog will be active. I can't wait and keep expecting my bosses to pull the plug when they realize I'm not a "real" journalist. Until tomorrow...
For those who have inquired, I did wind up sitting Jason Campbell for Marc Bulger, so that worked out pretty well. Unfortunately I also played Santana Moss in one league over Derrick Mason. One final stomach punch from him.
I did have a classically enjoyable and meaningless fantasy moment in the final minute when one of my IDP linebackers, Rocky McIntosh, recorded a tackle and forced a fumble on Garrett Wolfe. Four points, baby! Overall, I want to thank Todd Collins and Brian Griese for turning a deeply depressing game into an entertaining final 35 minutes. Bernard Berrian made himself some (more) money with that performance.
The Redskins are the best 6-7 team in football and I think they could have made a run, even with Todd Collins, if not for a brutal schedule. As a Jason Campbell believer, I hope the coaching staff maintains continuity for his sake. He's not that far away.
Continue reading "Campbell needs continuity" »
December 06, 2007
The Busts are rising. All over the fantasy football landscape, some of this season's biggest disappointments have quietly got off the mat, stood up, and showed some life just in time for the fantasy playoffs. The list includes, but isn't limited to:
Rudi Johnson
Shaun Alexander
Travis Henry
Vince Young
Santana Moss
Frank Gore
Thomas Jones (he scores!)
Continue reading "Week of the Living Bust" »
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