EARLY WEDNESDAY THIS & THAT
I would be remiss if I didn't say a little about the thrilling Monday night game won by Miami 31-27. This was the first time in NFL history there were 5 lead changes in the 4th quarter. What made it so great was there were no punts & no field goals. The game also saw no turnovers, unexpected for a game that featured 2 quarterbacks with only 5 NFL starts between them. The Jets new acquisition, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, made a huge impact for New York. He caught their 1st touchdown, set up their 2nd touchdown with a circus catch at the 1-yardline & set up their 3rd score by receiving a pass interference call that was really bogus, but Miami was flagged nevertheless. On the other side, the Dolphins executed their "Wildcat" offense to perfection. The Jets defense hadn't a clue where the ball was going or who it was going to get it. Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams combined for 226 yards running & receiving. They are a formidable one-two punch. Besides the stats, 3 things stood out for me in this game. Chad Henne & Mark Sanchez threw some of the most accurate passes, especially for 2 guys with such little experience at this level. Henne was 20 of 26 for 241 yards & 2 touchdowns. His throw to Greg Camarillo on a 3rd & 5 in the final drive to win the game was sensational. Later he threw a laser beam to Camarillo on the 4-yard line. Even rookie QB Pat White played a couple of snaps in the Wildcat, getting a key 1st down with a quarterback draw. Secondly, the offensive line play by the Dolphins was something special to watch, I'll bet it's a fun offense to play in as a blocker, you keep your opponent so off balance. And 3rd, the Jets defense, which had been so good, especially playing so well in New Orleans, was awful. They put zero pressure on Chad Henne, something they have done all season, he wasn't sacked, he wasn't even hit. The Dolphins were 9 of 14 on 3rd down. LB Bart Scott made 10 tackles but many of them were 5-6 yards down the field. Head Coach Rex Ryan took full responsibility for the defense being blown off the ball over & over. Very, very entertaining game.
The NFL trading deadline comes early next week, the Braylon Edwards deal shows that trades can be made, but how probable is it to see another one? First you have to identify the players who can be had & is there a realistic market for them? Here's a few names who could be traded for the right draft pick(s).
Terrell Owens-The Bills aren't going anywhere, T.O. is on a 1-year contract, so after the season he can go to whom ever will have him. Maybe a 4th round pick from Chicago or Minnesota could pry him loose.
Shawne Merriman-The oft-injured linebacker has worn out his welcome in San Diego, I doubt seriously they will resign him at season's end. The 27-year old former NFL defensive player of the year has some value, but it depends if you are looking to 'rent' him for only the '09 season or you're inclined to sign him long term.
Brady Quinn-The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported yesterday Quinn's Cleveland house was just listed for sale. Eric Mangini has moved on to Derrick Anderson, so Quinn could be had tho the rumored tab would be a 1st round pick, which is flat ridiculous.
Josh Cribbs-The Browns super return man & wide receiver barely made it into camp he was so dissatisfied with his contract, which expires at year's end. He would be a luxury, but a good one.
Justin Fargas-The Raiders are pathetic & being 3-deep at running back is overkill. Fargas could be good insurance for a team like the Bears, Packers or Saints.
Derrick Johnson-The Chiefs linebacker is so far into Todd Haley's doghouse, there's no way he'll be back next season with a new contract. He could be had for a reasonable pick.
The Dolphins continue to sell off tiny pieces of ownership to celebrities, yesterday at the owners meeting in Boston, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas was confirmed as a minority owner. Fergie joins Serena & Venus Williams, Marc Anthony, Jimmy Buffet & Gloria Estefan.
The latest injury report for the "Red River Shootout" between Oklahoma & Texas Saturday morning isn't extensive, but there are some important names. Texas has both of their top 2 running backs nicked up, Tre Newton had a concussion Saturday night against Colorado & Vondrell McGee suffered a bruised shoulder. Both are day-to-day. OU's starting right guard, Brian Simmons is out with a knee injury. Starting wide receiver Ryan Broyles hasn't been ruled out of the game yet. His broken shoulder blade sidelined him the past 2 games.
ESPN has three decent college games the next three nights. Number 6 Boise State travels to Tulsa tonight. Eighth rated Cincinnati goes to South Florida Thursday night & Pitt travels to Rutgers Friday night. Other games of interest this weekend include:
Oklahoma vs. Texas at Dallas 11AM
Iowa at Wisconsin ESPN 11AM
Arkansas at Florida CBS 2:30
USC at Notre Dame NBC 2:30
Texas Tech at Nebraska ABC 2:30
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech ESPN2 5PM
Kansas at Colorado FOXSports 6PM
Missouri at Oklahoma State ESPN2 8:15
The NFL trading deadline comes early next week, the Braylon Edwards deal shows that trades can be made, but how probable is it to see another one? First you have to identify the players who can be had & is there a realistic market for them? Here's a few names who could be traded for the right draft pick(s).
Terrell Owens-The Bills aren't going anywhere, T.O. is on a 1-year contract, so after the season he can go to whom ever will have him. Maybe a 4th round pick from Chicago or Minnesota could pry him loose.
Shawne Merriman-The oft-injured linebacker has worn out his welcome in San Diego, I doubt seriously they will resign him at season's end. The 27-year old former NFL defensive player of the year has some value, but it depends if you are looking to 'rent' him for only the '09 season or you're inclined to sign him long term.
Brady Quinn-The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported yesterday Quinn's Cleveland house was just listed for sale. Eric Mangini has moved on to Derrick Anderson, so Quinn could be had tho the rumored tab would be a 1st round pick, which is flat ridiculous.
Josh Cribbs-The Browns super return man & wide receiver barely made it into camp he was so dissatisfied with his contract, which expires at year's end. He would be a luxury, but a good one.
Justin Fargas-The Raiders are pathetic & being 3-deep at running back is overkill. Fargas could be good insurance for a team like the Bears, Packers or Saints.
Derrick Johnson-The Chiefs linebacker is so far into Todd Haley's doghouse, there's no way he'll be back next season with a new contract. He could be had for a reasonable pick.
The Dolphins continue to sell off tiny pieces of ownership to celebrities, yesterday at the owners meeting in Boston, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas was confirmed as a minority owner. Fergie joins Serena & Venus Williams, Marc Anthony, Jimmy Buffet & Gloria Estefan.
The latest injury report for the "Red River Shootout" between Oklahoma & Texas Saturday morning isn't extensive, but there are some important names. Texas has both of their top 2 running backs nicked up, Tre Newton had a concussion Saturday night against Colorado & Vondrell McGee suffered a bruised shoulder. Both are day-to-day. OU's starting right guard, Brian Simmons is out with a knee injury. Starting wide receiver Ryan Broyles hasn't been ruled out of the game yet. His broken shoulder blade sidelined him the past 2 games.
ESPN has three decent college games the next three nights. Number 6 Boise State travels to Tulsa tonight. Eighth rated Cincinnati goes to South Florida Thursday night & Pitt travels to Rutgers Friday night. Other games of interest this weekend include:
Oklahoma vs. Texas at Dallas 11AM
Iowa at Wisconsin ESPN 11AM
Arkansas at Florida CBS 2:30
USC at Notre Dame NBC 2:30
Texas Tech at Nebraska ABC 2:30
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech ESPN2 5PM
Kansas at Colorado FOXSports 6PM
Missouri at Oklahoma State ESPN2 8:15
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