BREES BREAKS THE RECORD, A DISTURBING POLL & I THINK SOME BIG COACHING NAMES MAY BE BACK VERY SOON
We all knew for a few weeks Saints quarterback Drew Brees would eclipse Dan Marino's 27-year old record for passing yards in a season. Tonight, on an 9-yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles, Brees broke the record. With another game next Sunday, he could reset the record by 250-400 yards. Brees threw 4-touchdown passes in New Orleans' 45-16 win over division rival Atlanta. The win clinched the NFC South for the Saints. They can still get a 1st round playoff bye, but the Rams will have to beat San Francisco, which I don't think is very likely. The Falcons were held to 35-yards rushing while the Saints pounded out 164 on the ground. Pierre Thomas rushed for a 1st quarter touchdown, whipped a Christmas bow out of his pants, stuck it on the ball & handed it to an elderly Saints fan. Of course his action cost the Saints 15-yards on the kickoff. When are these guys gonna learn?
The Associated Press conducted a poll among 44 current NFL players. They were asked if they hide concussion symptoms so they could continue to play. Twenty-three of the forty-four said they would hide any symptoms. Very disturbing but not all that surprising.
The Cincinnati Bengals played before more than 20,000 empty seats in their last two home games. This Sunday they play Baltimore & if they win, they're in the playoffs. But that hasn't stimulated the local Bengal fans, they remain far from a sellout.
Reading The Charlotte Observer this evening after Mizzou's big win over UNC, I stumbled upon an item Chiefs' fans will be interested in for next season. Cam Newton is coming to Arrowhead with the Carolina Panthers. Kansas City will also play New Orleans, Atlanta & Tampa Bay as their NFC opponents in 2012. Pretty tough division. Also on our schedule next season, the dreaded AFC North, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & Cleveland. The 2012 schedule could very well be as tough as the 2011 version.
The NFL coaches in the most in danger of being fired are Tampa's Raheem Morris, St. Louis' Steve Spagnuolo, San Diego's Norv Turner, Indy's Jim Caldwell & then there's the three interim coaches that have to be addressed. So, maybe 7 openings, some as early as next Monday. Of these, I think St. Louis & San Diego are the most desirable & could see familiar names filing the vacancies. I could see Jeff Fisher landing in St. Louis, he's a 4-3 guy & the Rams have that scheme. They have an excellent QB prospect in Sam Bradford. It's probable they'll have the 1st or 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft this April, plus they'll have the most available salary cap money to work with next year. I could see Jon Gruden going to San Diego. He loves Phillip Rivers, he likes warm weather & is not looking for total control. I doubt we'll see Bill Cowher back on an NFL sideline any time soon, but these other big names could very well be back for next season.
The Associated Press conducted a poll among 44 current NFL players. They were asked if they hide concussion symptoms so they could continue to play. Twenty-three of the forty-four said they would hide any symptoms. Very disturbing but not all that surprising.
The Cincinnati Bengals played before more than 20,000 empty seats in their last two home games. This Sunday they play Baltimore & if they win, they're in the playoffs. But that hasn't stimulated the local Bengal fans, they remain far from a sellout.
Reading The Charlotte Observer this evening after Mizzou's big win over UNC, I stumbled upon an item Chiefs' fans will be interested in for next season. Cam Newton is coming to Arrowhead with the Carolina Panthers. Kansas City will also play New Orleans, Atlanta & Tampa Bay as their NFC opponents in 2012. Pretty tough division. Also on our schedule next season, the dreaded AFC North, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & Cleveland. The 2012 schedule could very well be as tough as the 2011 version.
The NFL coaches in the most in danger of being fired are Tampa's Raheem Morris, St. Louis' Steve Spagnuolo, San Diego's Norv Turner, Indy's Jim Caldwell & then there's the three interim coaches that have to be addressed. So, maybe 7 openings, some as early as next Monday. Of these, I think St. Louis & San Diego are the most desirable & could see familiar names filing the vacancies. I could see Jeff Fisher landing in St. Louis, he's a 4-3 guy & the Rams have that scheme. They have an excellent QB prospect in Sam Bradford. It's probable they'll have the 1st or 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft this April, plus they'll have the most available salary cap money to work with next year. I could see Jon Gruden going to San Diego. He loves Phillip Rivers, he likes warm weather & is not looking for total control. I doubt we'll see Bill Cowher back on an NFL sideline any time soon, but these other big names could very well be back for next season.
Rich,
My boys, son and husband, love the WII. Thanks to you it's paid for painlessly. Your 12-4 mark kept me ahead by 5 with 1 week to go.
I thunk I screwed up tho, by telling everyone at work last week where I getting my picks, I may have lost my edge for next year. But you got more readers and I know that makes you happy.
Thanks for everything and Happy New Year!
Patti
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Patti,
Still have one week to go with some tough games to handicap. If you recall I singled out five games I had concerns about & I lost the first two, Houston & Kansas City. There will be more this Sunday, but hopefully things don't go haywire enough to blow a 5-game lead.
Keep spreading the word, I like new readers.
Happy New Year!
Rich
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