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.

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Jones Calls Cowboys the Liberace of the NFL?

by | Oct 2, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

Pretty much any fan of the NFL (with the possibly exception of some homers in the Dallas area) realize that Jerry Jones isn’t the greatest when it comes to keeping his mouth shut.  His fine from criticizing Ed Hochuli earlier this season re-affirmed that.

But today, we noticed on ProFootballTalk.com that Jones has found a new target (or re-discovered an old target): The Houston Texans.  But at first glance, we didn’t take Jones’ verbal jab in the way he probably intended.

“The Cowboys have never been about checkered tablecloths and boots and hats,” Jones said. “They’ve been about glitz and glitter.  Leave the other stuff to the Houston Texans.”

Our first thought (as shown in the headline) was: “Jerry Jones thinks his Cowboys are the Liberace of the NFL?  While the Texans are the John Wayne?”

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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.

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Buffalo Bills Playing the Game Right

by | Sep 27, 2008 | NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

The Buffalo Bills were one team that, had we published pre-season picks, would have been on my team to watch list.  I’ve been a fan of Trent Edwards dating back to last season, Marshawn Lynch proved last year he was solid, and their offensive line was solid.  Add a young, improving defense, and a stable of receivers that will benefit from red zone target James Hardy, and I figured they should push for a wild card berth.

Now, with Tom Brady out, and the Bills 3-0, they might be looking for even more.

Granted, they haven’t played the cream of the crop in the NFL yet, but nothing like beating up on some bad teams and winning late to build some confidence for a young team.

And, like the headline says, they’re playing the game right.  How so?

Well, last week, in their comeback win against Oakland, Raiders receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins showboated his way into the end zone on a long touchdown.  So, Bills second year safety Donte Whitner exacted revenge, tackling him eight yards into the end zone.  The play resulted in a penalty for Whitner, but earned the respect of his teammates. And former Bills. And the fans.

And most importantly, random Web site operators.

Rams Worse Than Self-Imploding?

by | Sep 27, 2008 | NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts, NFL Rumors

I think when people look back at the 2008 season for the St. Louis Rams, the one thing that will jump out is how the lack of clarity around the ownership of the team doomed their season.  And possibly their next few seasons.

There were rumors dating back to last season that coach Scott Linehan was going to get fired. Those rumors proved to be false, and then in January, team owner Georgia Frontiere passed away, and her son Chip Rosenbloom assumed control–but promised not to make any changes until he could “evaluate the team.”

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Unpredictability of the NFL shines again

by | Sep 21, 2008 | Business of Football, NFL Random Thoughts

I never did get around to posting season-ending predictions for the 2008 season which might be good because if things hold up I’d be about 75 percent wrong.

Never would I have suspected that Indianapolis and Jacksonville would both be 1-2, staring up by two games at Tennessee, which has been brought alive by Chris Johnson’s running, Kerry Collins’ steady passing presence and a fun, solid defense.

Nor would I have guessed that Baltimore would be undefeated (albeit with one of their games canceled) or that San Francisco would be tied for first place.

The Miami blowout this afternoon of New England, even sans Tom Brady, was the season’s biggest shocker of the season so far for me. It’s the great thing about the NFL – and the reason I cringe when I see the owners opting out of their labor agreement, bringing the potential of one or more seasons without a salary cap.

Anyone can compete in any given year – many teams don’t, but it’s generally bad signings, bad coaching or bad ownership that keeps teams in the doldrums for any long period of time. The NFL is the best professional sports league out there and it isn’t close.