T.O.BLAMES EVERYBODY, VIKINGS GO BACK TO COLLEGE, SKINS CUT HOLDER & HAWKEYES COULD HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM
It was pointed out this morning, the day after Brett Favre didn't play, that his consecutive start streak, listed as 297, should really be 321. The second number includes playoffs & Super Bowl games, 24 more in which he answered the bell. That's certainly fair. People point out his last four seasons ended in disappointment, which is true. But in time, I think his critics will take his entire body of work into consideration before dismissing a Hall of Fame career. Jerry Rice was pathetic in the last few years, going from team to team, trying to stay in the game which had passed him by long before. Rice is one of the three greatest players in NFL history, IMO, but he took quite a beating from the media when he was just hanging on. At least Favre played in the NFC Championship at age 40, which is amazing. I'm glad he's gone, but I will always respect what he's done.
Terrell Owens has a very lame TV show on Versus, where he's paired with fellow Bungle WR Chad 85. Chad plays it pretty cool, but T.O. can't help himself, he has to be the center of attention at all times. They were answering emails & Tweets during the latest taping & the question was asked "who's to blame for Cincinnati's 2-11 season?" Owens blurted out "To start with, blame the owner, blame the coaches." After Chad 85 piped up with "the owner & the coaches don't play." Then Owens apparently realized what he'd said & added "you should blame everybody connected with the team, blame me too." What a guy.
Speaking of Cincy, with the horrendous season just about over, speculation has already begun as to how to fix the franchise. Marvin Lewis is as good as gone. I think you'll see Carson Palmer traded as well. He could still bring some decent draft picks in trade & after Andrew Luck, any 1st round QB is going to be somewhat of a crapshoot. Miami, San Francisco, Minnesota & Arizona could all be in the market for a QB in trade. It's a foregone conclusion Luck will be the 1st player selected if he comes out & if the 1-12 Panthers don't win another game, he will be playing for Carolina. That improves Palmer's trade value a little.
Sunday brings us a monster slate of games very critical to playoff races in both conferences. Green Bay-New England, Jets-Steelers, Saints-Ravens, Eagles-Giants, Jags-Colts & K.C.-St Louis. Every game with huge playoff implications. Looking forward to kickoff.
The Minnesota Vikings are going to play their Monday Night game outdoors at TCF Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Work crews began readying the 1-year old facility for football. It had already been winterized with the water turned off. Now they have to pressure test every pipe in the place to insure it won't leak before the water flows again. All the snow that caused the collapse of the Metrodome's roof wil have to be removed from TCF Park. The 16" snowfall & blizzard conditions has left snow drifts as high as 6' at the facility. One more problem, TCF only seats 50,000 compared to the Metrodome's capacity of 64K, so some people are going to be left out. If it doesn't warm up, I doubt that will be a problem, the Vikings are hardly the hottest ticket in town. Anyone remember the last outdoor home game played by the Vikes?
Hunter Smith, punter & placement holder, was cut by the Washington Redskins on Tuesday. After the Skins scored with 9-seconds to play on Sunday, Smith had the center snap go right thru his hands & their attempt to tie the game, sending it to overtime, was kaput. Smith said after the game "don't blame the center, blame me, it's my fault." Mike Shanahan wanted to blame somebody, so Smith was cut. No replacement has been signed. Shanahan ought to take a significant amount of the blame for their 17-16 loss to Tampa Bay, his clock management right before half was incredibly bad, he made Herm Edwards look good.
The Oregon Ducks & their ever-changing uniform combination's are going to a new level of "eeewwwwww" in the BCS title game. Neon Green. I've seen it, it's not a pretty story. Neon green cleats, laces, socks, wristbands, jersey trim, number outline & a big neon green O on their white helmets. I'd like to point out Nike, who's responsible for this monstrosity, will create & produce all NFL gear starting in 2011. Yikes.
Four Mizzou Tigers will test the NFL waters by submitting their names for draft consideration. They will get feedback from the league as to what round they are expected to be drafted. I expect all four will be playing at Mizzou next year. Gabbert needs another year of seasoning & with 10 offensive starters returning, the chances of improving his 2010 stats should be very realistic. Better stats, better draft position in 2012. Aldon & Marquies Smith, defensive ends, have already said they will return, but are "draft curious" as to where they stand right now. Tight end Michael Egnew is the fourth Tiger to look at his NFL future, where he is now & how far he can realistically move up for '12.
Speaking of Michael Egnew, I'm so confused by all the post-season awards & All-American teams. The facts: Egnew led all Division 1 tight ends with 83 receptions. He was 1st team All-American on the Walter Camp, Associated Press & USA Today teams. Egnew was not a finalist for the John Mackey Award, the top award for tight ends. it went instead to D.J. Williams of Arkansas. He had 49 catches & the same number of touchdowns. Sport's Illustrated's All-American team omitted Egnew on both the 1st & 2nd team. First team was Lance Kendricks of Wisconsin, who caught 39 passes. What am I missing about Egnew? He's bigger, faster, more athletic & way more productive. Yes, I am a Mizzou homer, but just because Chase Coffman won the Mackey 24-months ago doesn't disqualify other Tigers from winning, or does it?
Bo Pelini tried to sell the media on the concept that the Cornhuskers are thrilled to be playing Washington in the Holiday Bowl. The same bowl they played in last December. Playing the same team they beat knots on last September 18th, 56-21 in Seattle. His phony enthusiasm was apparent, he cut off every question regarding this matchup. He needs to sharpen his P.R. skills if he wants to be the coolest coach in the Big Ten's new Legends Division.
I told you yesterday of the problems in the Iowa football program. At their press conference this morning, head coach Kirk Ferentz & Athletic Director Gary Barta conveyed a disturbing message; Iowa athletes are beating drug tests. Barta said "there's pretty strong evidence we have flaws & inconsistencies in our testing." He later added "I don't know if it's one or twenty-one, but someone has gotten around this process & it might be that we will have to revamp the entire system." Farentz said there would be no more suspensions before the Insight Bowl after reviewing the recent troubles within the Hawkeye program. Iowa has had more than their share of alcohol & drug related incidents recently, even Ferentz's son was nabbed for underage possession & consumption. I like Ferentz & his program, but all this lawlessness has to stop now.
The Vikings last home game to be played outdoors was on December 20, 1981 when they were beaten 10-6 by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Office Pool Picks went 12-4 this weeks & I'll have my selections for week 15 ready for you late tonight.
Terrell Owens has a very lame TV show on Versus, where he's paired with fellow Bungle WR Chad 85. Chad plays it pretty cool, but T.O. can't help himself, he has to be the center of attention at all times. They were answering emails & Tweets during the latest taping & the question was asked "who's to blame for Cincinnati's 2-11 season?" Owens blurted out "To start with, blame the owner, blame the coaches." After Chad 85 piped up with "the owner & the coaches don't play." Then Owens apparently realized what he'd said & added "you should blame everybody connected with the team, blame me too." What a guy.
Speaking of Cincy, with the horrendous season just about over, speculation has already begun as to how to fix the franchise. Marvin Lewis is as good as gone. I think you'll see Carson Palmer traded as well. He could still bring some decent draft picks in trade & after Andrew Luck, any 1st round QB is going to be somewhat of a crapshoot. Miami, San Francisco, Minnesota & Arizona could all be in the market for a QB in trade. It's a foregone conclusion Luck will be the 1st player selected if he comes out & if the 1-12 Panthers don't win another game, he will be playing for Carolina. That improves Palmer's trade value a little.
Sunday brings us a monster slate of games very critical to playoff races in both conferences. Green Bay-New England, Jets-Steelers, Saints-Ravens, Eagles-Giants, Jags-Colts & K.C.-St Louis. Every game with huge playoff implications. Looking forward to kickoff.
The Minnesota Vikings are going to play their Monday Night game outdoors at TCF Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Work crews began readying the 1-year old facility for football. It had already been winterized with the water turned off. Now they have to pressure test every pipe in the place to insure it won't leak before the water flows again. All the snow that caused the collapse of the Metrodome's roof wil have to be removed from TCF Park. The 16" snowfall & blizzard conditions has left snow drifts as high as 6' at the facility. One more problem, TCF only seats 50,000 compared to the Metrodome's capacity of 64K, so some people are going to be left out. If it doesn't warm up, I doubt that will be a problem, the Vikings are hardly the hottest ticket in town. Anyone remember the last outdoor home game played by the Vikes?
Hunter Smith, punter & placement holder, was cut by the Washington Redskins on Tuesday. After the Skins scored with 9-seconds to play on Sunday, Smith had the center snap go right thru his hands & their attempt to tie the game, sending it to overtime, was kaput. Smith said after the game "don't blame the center, blame me, it's my fault." Mike Shanahan wanted to blame somebody, so Smith was cut. No replacement has been signed. Shanahan ought to take a significant amount of the blame for their 17-16 loss to Tampa Bay, his clock management right before half was incredibly bad, he made Herm Edwards look good.
The Oregon Ducks & their ever-changing uniform combination's are going to a new level of "eeewwwwww" in the BCS title game. Neon Green. I've seen it, it's not a pretty story. Neon green cleats, laces, socks, wristbands, jersey trim, number outline & a big neon green O on their white helmets. I'd like to point out Nike, who's responsible for this monstrosity, will create & produce all NFL gear starting in 2011. Yikes.
Four Mizzou Tigers will test the NFL waters by submitting their names for draft consideration. They will get feedback from the league as to what round they are expected to be drafted. I expect all four will be playing at Mizzou next year. Gabbert needs another year of seasoning & with 10 offensive starters returning, the chances of improving his 2010 stats should be very realistic. Better stats, better draft position in 2012. Aldon & Marquies Smith, defensive ends, have already said they will return, but are "draft curious" as to where they stand right now. Tight end Michael Egnew is the fourth Tiger to look at his NFL future, where he is now & how far he can realistically move up for '12.
Speaking of Michael Egnew, I'm so confused by all the post-season awards & All-American teams. The facts: Egnew led all Division 1 tight ends with 83 receptions. He was 1st team All-American on the Walter Camp, Associated Press & USA Today teams. Egnew was not a finalist for the John Mackey Award, the top award for tight ends. it went instead to D.J. Williams of Arkansas. He had 49 catches & the same number of touchdowns. Sport's Illustrated's All-American team omitted Egnew on both the 1st & 2nd team. First team was Lance Kendricks of Wisconsin, who caught 39 passes. What am I missing about Egnew? He's bigger, faster, more athletic & way more productive. Yes, I am a Mizzou homer, but just because Chase Coffman won the Mackey 24-months ago doesn't disqualify other Tigers from winning, or does it?
Bo Pelini tried to sell the media on the concept that the Cornhuskers are thrilled to be playing Washington in the Holiday Bowl. The same bowl they played in last December. Playing the same team they beat knots on last September 18th, 56-21 in Seattle. His phony enthusiasm was apparent, he cut off every question regarding this matchup. He needs to sharpen his P.R. skills if he wants to be the coolest coach in the Big Ten's new Legends Division.
I told you yesterday of the problems in the Iowa football program. At their press conference this morning, head coach Kirk Ferentz & Athletic Director Gary Barta conveyed a disturbing message; Iowa athletes are beating drug tests. Barta said "there's pretty strong evidence we have flaws & inconsistencies in our testing." He later added "I don't know if it's one or twenty-one, but someone has gotten around this process & it might be that we will have to revamp the entire system." Farentz said there would be no more suspensions before the Insight Bowl after reviewing the recent troubles within the Hawkeye program. Iowa has had more than their share of alcohol & drug related incidents recently, even Ferentz's son was nabbed for underage possession & consumption. I like Ferentz & his program, but all this lawlessness has to stop now.
The Vikings last home game to be played outdoors was on December 20, 1981 when they were beaten 10-6 by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Office Pool Picks went 12-4 this weeks & I'll have my selections for week 15 ready for you late tonight.
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