NFL pondering late start times for coast-to-coast travelers

by | Oct 7, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

The Seattle Seahawks traveled to New York in week four only to take home to Washington a 44-6 beating.
It was the Hawks’ second visit to the east coast in 2008 and the second time they went home licking their wounds.

The same day the Seahawks suffered their beating, San Diego traveled to Miami and lost an early game. While the Dolphins are improving under Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells few would argue that the Dolphins are currently a better team than the Chargers.

KFAN-AM Radio Monday in Minnesota Monday indicated that the NFL might be considering the idea of requiring late start times – 4 p.m. on the east, 1 p.m. on the west – for games played by west coast teams that travel across the country to play.

(more…)

Giants keep overcoming injuries, other absences

by | Oct 5, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

David Tyree was one of the most visible heroes of the Super Bowl upset over New England in February. But the wide receiver has yet to see the field this season.

More vitally for the Giants, Michael Strahan retired and Osi Umenyiora tore up his knee before the season, leaving them to begin their championship defense short-handed.

Today Plaxico Burress served a one-game suspension for repeated transgressions. Yet despite these absences and others throughout the young season, the Giants annihalated Seattle today 44-6 to go to 4-0.

(more…)

Bengals sign Benson – what a shock

by | Oct 1, 2008 | NFL News

During his three years with the Chicago Bears, Cedric Benson was reportedly disliked. He supposedly had poor work habits and he proved himself this past summer prone to getting arrested.

He was arrested twice in a couple months, once for boating while intoxicated and the other time for drunken driving in Austin, Texas.

A grand jury acquitted him of both drinking-related offenses, but he reportedly in the past had guys on his own team rooting against him and for Thomas Jones when the two were battling for a starting position. Despite being a first round pick, Benson rushed for just 10 touchdowns and 1,593 yards – in three seasons.

So how fitting is it, then, that the team willing to take a chance on letting Benson resurrect his career is the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that has collected lawbreakers and violent-but-underachieving personalities over the years.

Still, a poll at www.cincyjungle.com indicates that 60 percent of 165 voters as of 10:30 central time this morning approve of the move. Bengals fans must have become numb.

Gutless Ravens coaches get what they deserve

by | Sep 29, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

When Ray Lewis was firing up his teammates before the game he told them the only thing that mattered tonight was “ending up three-and-oh.”

Unfortunately for Lewis and his teammates, the coaching staff did not give Baltimore their best chance to achieve that undefeated record. I know there’s a saying about playing for the win at home and overtime on the road, or vice versa. But in this game, the coaching staff really didn’t play for the win at any point late in the game.

(more…)

Millen down, two to go

by | Sep 24, 2008 | NFL News

One of the league’s most dysfunctional teams last night took a step toward change. Will two others follow?

Matt Millen was an adequate announcer and a solid football player but in seven seasons and change he never came close to bringing the Detroit Lions to respectability. The long-embattled president and general manager lost his job to either resignation or firing last night after an ugly 0-3 start capped off a 31-84 mark since he took the helm.

Lions fans have been waiting for this for years. All it appears to have taken was for the son of the owner to say after Sunday’s debacle that fans deserve better and he’d have made a change if he had any power. Maybe he does – a mere three days later, Millen was packing boxes.

Now there are two other foundering franchises who need to either cut bait or … well, in both cases it would seem like cutting bait is the answer, at this point.

(more…)