Fisher apologizes for wearing Manning jersey

by | Oct 21, 2009 | NFL Random Thoughts

When I heard Jeff Fisher wore a Peyton Manning jersey while introducing former Colts coach Tony Dungy at a fundraiser Tuesday I laughed, thinking it was a funny gesture – but also shook my head knowing that inevitably some overly-sensitive fans would be offended.

Sure enough, later that day he was questioned about the move on his weekly radio show.

“It was for a very, very worthwhile cause, charity,” Fisher said. “I was introducing Tony, just having fun with it and I really apologize if I offended anybody, but if you’re offended over the nature of that type of thing, then I think you need to rethink things … This is a very worthwhile and needy benefit and I was honored to be there. … I’m sorry if I offended anybody but if I had to do it again, I would do it again.”

Perhaps the comment he made at the event – “I just wanted to feel like a winner” – is more what was found objectionable. Okay, I can see why Titans fans might be a little uptight about that. But come on – he’s an intelligent guy and a fantastic coach who found a way to poke fun at himself and his team during what has been a surprisingly disappointing season.

So what? I know fans take the game seriously. I’m one of them. But what’s he supposed to do? Take the gaspipe?

I thought it was great that he showed he has a sense of humor. And at the end of the day winning and losing a National Football Game pales in importance compared with many, many other things.

So give the guy a break. He’s letting loose during a tough season. He’s coming off a 13-3 campaign in 2008 and he’s earned the right to have a bad year mixed in once in awhile – and if the Titans and their fans no longer want him there will be 20 or so teams out there canning their own coaches at the end of the season to bring Fisher on board.

Eagles find way to lose to Raiders

by | Oct 18, 2009 | NFL Random Thoughts

When week six kicked off this morning the Oakland Raiders were 31st in the league at defending the run, giving up 161 yards per game and allowing seven touchdowns on the ground during the first third of the season.

Not that the Raiders are a great pass defending team either – despite the presence of stud cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha they are just middle of the pack. But the silver and black had given up six passing touchdowns, or one fewer than they had allowed on the ground.

So how does Eagles coach Andy Reid attack the struggling Raiders? Despite the presence of aging-but-still-great Brian Westbrook and rookie LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb threw 46 passes while the entire team managed just 14 runs.

Somehow this imbalance happened despite the fact that Westbrook got 50 yards on his meager six carries. It continued despite the Eagles never trailing by more than a single score – yes, that’s right – one solid drive and the Eagles still had a chance to win that game today. But they didn’t. The Raiders scored the upset of the day, 13-9.

But they failed to ever even challenge what to this point had been a nearly nonexistent run defense all season.

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Best Bets, Week 6

by | Oct 18, 2009 | NFL Gambling

One of these days I’ll tabulate the previous weeks. Right now the numbers aren’t in my favor. But I’ll take another stab anyway:

1. Washington vs Kansas City: Under 37
Washington’s defense isn’t that bad. Kansas City’s is, but Washington’s offense is equally as bad. 16-10? 20-13 maybe? Under 37 seems the best bet.

2. Cincinnati vs Houston: Over 46
Cincinnati’s defense has been surprisingly good this season, but Houston will get some points. Cedric Benson has been a surprise and Houston’s run defense is terrible. Points will be scored in this game.

3. Green Bay (-14) over Detroit
Calvin Johnson is missing the game. I don’t think they score much. Green Bay should finally be able to exploit a defense downfield with Rodgers to Driver and Jennings.

4. Philadelphia (-14) over Oakland
Until the Raiders actually show up for a game looking like they care it’s pretty safe to bet against them.

Good luck.

Charchian offers mid-season fantasy football advice

by | Oct 14, 2009 | Fantasy Football

In a couple weeks we’ll hit the midpoint of fantasy football seasons. Those of you whose teams are struggling, it’s too early to give up hope. And for those of you that have gotten out of the gates strong – don’t start resting just yet.

Paul Charchian, who is founder of LeagueSafe.com, president of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and a renowned fantasy football expert, has returned to Zoneblitz.com to offer some advice on who to keep, who to shop, and how to turn that fast start into a fantasy championship.

Thanks again for the time, Charch.

Zoneblitz: Five weeks into the season who are the biggest fantasy football surprises for the good so far?

Charchian: Each year only one or two receivers rise from relative obscurity to make an impact. This year it’s Steve Smith’s turn. I’m not ready to call him a great receiver. But he’s in a great position for sustained fantasy impact. He’s earned the trust of Eli Manning and defenses are forced to play to stop the Giants’ running attack. His production is not a fluke.

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Crabtree signing, Edwards deal don’t immediately affect fantasy

by | Oct 11, 2009 | Fantasy Football

Early this week Michael Crabtree finally ended his moronic holdout in San Francisco. And the New York Jets, in an effort to provide their rookie quarterback with another weapon, acquired potential stud Braylon Edwards for spare parts and draft picks.

While these were higher-profile roster moves than you usually read about at this stage of the season, neither move will have a dramatic impact on fantasy football, at least in the short term.

Lets start with the Jets. In “real” football, Edwards will give Mark Sanchez another target. And Edwards will have a better team around him. A change of scenery could help him, so he’s got the potential to improve his situation as a fantasy player more than anyone else involved in the deal. But that’s only if he can A) keep himself from getting suspended for off the field actions and B) start catching the ball. If he continues leading the league in drops the fans in New York will tear this guy apart.

And Sanchez, while impressive as a rookie starter thus far, was and still is certainly only a backup and bye week plug-in at this point, even with Edwards.

For Jerricho Cotchery, the Edwards acquisition will likely take some coverage off of him. At the same time, as the better player, Edwards also will likely take some targets away from Cotchery. At best, this is a lateral situation for him.

Thomas Jones and Leon Washington may benefit from having more coverage dedicated to the pass game. But in splitting carries, neither are putting up particularly fantasy-worthy numbers as it is and I would expect that, for the most part, that will continue.

Now the Browns. I’ve heard a few people talk about Mohamed Massaquoi as a free agent target.

Sure, he’s now the number one wide receiver for the Browns. But he’s still a rookie playing for a bad team with a horrible offense and with inept quarterbacks. If it were me I’d leave Massaquoi for others. See if they drop someone worthwhile onto the free agent heap instead.

Really, there weren’t any Browns I would have targeted before and there still aren’t. That’s a bad, bad team, both in real football and fantasy football.

Michael Crabtree could be a bit of a different story – if you have a roster spot and a month to wait.

Crabtree isn’t going to make an immediate impact. The team is 3-1 and they don’t need him to step up immediately.

But Crabtree’s skillset is one of the few things the team is truly missing. And say it takes him four weeks to get enough of the offense down to be a truly impactful player. Look at the schedule San Francisco plays late in the season.

Weeks nine through 16 include games against Tennessee (31st against the pass), Green Bay (tied for 30th), Jacksonville (tied for 27th), Seattle, Arizona (tied for 27th), Philadelphia and Detroit (32nd). That’s six pretty good matchups. And a guy like Crabtree doesn’t need a lot of touches to add a lot of potential firepower to your lineup.

So, in the short term, if you have strong receivers I’d probably let someone else grab Crabtree and see if they toss something better on to the waiver wire.

But if you are running a team that looks to have playoff aspirations, you are looking for a wide receiver with some high upside and you have a roster spot available, he might be worth rolling the dice on.