Week 7 Impressions

In a surprising week of football, some very interesting things occurred. This week, I was able to watch larger portions of the games. With the help of some statistics, here are my observations from Week 7:

• I'm changing my stance. The Panthers are the league's biggest disappointment, not the Saints. Everyone expected so much from Cam Newton, as they rightfully should have, but the reality is that Carolina has a pair of mediocre running backs, a dearth of good wideouts behind Steve Smith, and inconsistencies at many other positions.

• Quarterbacks aren't everything. While they are quite important, a team's performance does not depend on its quarterback's, as evidenced by the Redskins' loss to the Giants despite a big game from RG3.

• Who are the Texans? Which team are we going to see, the Houston team that obliterated Baltimore (a team that was missing two key defensive starters) or the Houston team that was handled easily by Green Bay (a team coming out of a slump)? I think they could go pretty far in a bizarre AFC filled with middling teams.

• The Patriots may have won, but their reign is likely coming to an end soon. They almost lost to the Jets, and the AFC East is a tight division. There's a chance they may not win it this year. This team needs some depth for the future at many positions. They could also use a top-flight running back to use on a regular basis. Their current strategy is alternating between Ridley, Bolden and Woodhead, and I'm sure that infuriates many fantasy football players.

• These Bengals aren't as good as last year. While Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are a great duo for the future, Cincinnati seems to have regressed after 2011's surprising playoff run.

• The Rams have come up close in many games against elite teams. This week, Green Bay beat them by ten. However, St. Louis hasn't made the playoffs in a few years. Their rebuilding process could finally be working out. They've already acquired some possible successors for Steven Jackson in Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson, and with the right pieces, this team could contend in a few years.

• Fantasy football is a strange world. I found myself dominating with non-big-name players like Randall Cobb and Fred Jackson, while Trent Richardson and Maurice Jones-Drew struggled, both due to injury. Drew Brees put up about 30 points, while Tony Romo scored about 14. I made the dumb decision to use the Titans defense against a Bills team that scored 34. For my opponents, Santana Moss had an unexpected breakout game in Washington's loss. Victor Cruz was a standout as well, but Calvin Johnson, of all people, underachieved. Jonathan Dwyer (!), a little known, one-time third-string running back scored 12 points, and Jordy Nelson also had a great game with Greg Jennings out. My teams are both in playoff contention at 4-3 each.

See you next week!

Week 6: Division-by-Division Review

For the blog this week, we’ll be doing something a little different. I unfortunately missed most of this weekend’s games, I’m going to go over the current state of each division. And trust me, there are some interesting ones, as you’ll see right away.

AFC East: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a division like this. Every team is 3-3 right now. I’m expecting the Patriots to pull away, but who knows? They don’t look so good this year. The beleaguered Jets are there too, along with the disappointing Bills and ever-changing Dolphins.

AFC North: Out with the old, in with the new? Well, maybe. The Steelers and Ravens have perennially led this division, and the Ravens are still in the lead right now. But after losing two key defensive starters in Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb, things might get harder for them. Also, they’re facing the Texans this week, and that’ll be a big test. The Bengals are second at 3-3, while the Steelers and Browns are struggling.

AFC South: The Texans are definitely dominating this division right now. Even though they just lost, they are tied for the best record in the AFC. Some of the other members of the division are rebuilding (2-3 Indy and 1-4 Jacksonville). But Tennessee is somewhere in between. They should be better than 2-4, but CJ2K just isn’t producing right now, and Jake Locker is still injured.

AFC West: Last year, the Raiders almost won the division. Before that, the Chiefs were victorious. This year, Peyton Manning and the Broncos are tied for the lead with an extremely inconsistent Chargers team. I’m surprised that Norv Turner is still coaching San Diego after all this time, but if he pulls off a playoff berth, his job is going to be safe. Denver and San Diego are currently sitting at 3-3.

NFC East: This division has a reputation for being tough. It lost some of its credibility in the past few years, but now the other teams are pushing the defending champion Giants. Turnover-prone Philadelphia is clinging to second place, tied with a Redskins team that has been energized by the emergence of RG3 and a surprisingly good running back in Alfred Morris. Who would have thought that the Cowboys would be in last after they defeated New York earlier in the season?

NFC North: The Packers in third place? Wow. This division has been flipped upside down since last year. Chicago is in first at 4-1, and they have a half-game lead over 4-2 Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Packers and Lions, playoff teams from last year, are sitting at 3-3 and 2-3, respectively. The NFL is very strange.

NFC South: With all the hype for Cam Newton, it’s surprising that the Panthers have one win this season, and that the quiet Falcons are the league’s only undefeated team. The Falcons just can’t seem to win in the playoffs, though. I think they may turn that around this year. The Buccaneers have shown some signs of improvement under Greg Schiano, whereas the Saints are the season’s most disappointing team. They aren’t winless any more, but they’re still only 1-4.

NFC West: This division is really good! Two years ago, Seattle won this division with a LOSING RECORD. Now, the NFC West is the strongest division in football, at least according to records. The Cardinals are in the lead, but they’ve been in a slump. They’re tied with the Seahawks, who are doing surprisingly well under inexperienced Russell Wilson, and the 49ers, who just got demolished by New York. Don’t sleep on the Rams, though; they have been surprisingly good and have Greg Zuerlein, who may be the best kicker in the league in a year or two.

Overall, I didn’t realize until writing this how convoluted the NFL standings are this year. Anything can happen! See you next week.

Week 5

We're back on schedule with this week's blog!

I'd like to get your comments on a certain subspecies of quarterback: The Cam Newton / Robert Griffin / Michael Vick. Streaky and exciting, yet mistake- and injury-prone. Can this sort of QB make a career of it in the NFL, or do they merely light up the scoreboard for a fraction of a season and then burn out?

I think that Cam Newton and RG3 have qualities that Vick lacks: good decision-making and ball security. I think that they will be able to have long careers, and one should keep in mind that Newton hasn't even been injured once. However, mobile quarterbacks take a lot of wear and tear. Some make it, and some don't.

The Falcons' move to 5-0 was cause for much celebration in our household. Could this be the year the Birds finally make a legit Super Bowl run?

I think so, yes. The NFC seems unusually weak, especially the Falcons' division. I could see them beating virtually any team in their conference.

Falcons, Texans. Which undefeated team is better and why?

I just finished praising Atlanta, but I have to go with the Texans. They're an all-around team. They have a great group of linebackers. They also have a great running back, plus a quarterback in Matt Schaub who won't give any games away. He also has Andre Johnson lining up on the outside during most plays.

Both your fantasy teams won this week, each moving to 3-2. Any strategy tips for your readers who are fantasy owners?

Be active on the waiver wire. Other teams tend to drop big-name players who are injured or going through a cold streak. Pick those players up; they'll rebound soon enough.

Los Angeles took yet another step toward getting an NFL franchise this week. Would you like to see a team in L.A.? Would you go to the games, or do you prefer watching at home?

I would certainly go to some games, although I do like watching at home. I will still keep my allegiance to the Raiders, but I would support a theoretical LA team.

Every year your birthday party is a Super Bowl party, and every year you ask for NFL Sunday Ticket as a birthday present. What first got you interested in football, and what is it that sustains your interest?

I started watching in 2004, and I've been a big fan ever since. I feel like football has many possible outcomes, and every game features a few exciting plays. New wrinkles emerge in every game, every week, and every season, along with new players. Overall, I am a diehard fan. I also follow college football to a lesser extent.

Which players' jersey would you most like to wear (past or present)?

I think some Raiders player's jersey would be nice, maybe Bo Jackson or Ken Stabler or Jack Tatum or someone like that. 

Colin Kaepernick gets almost no attention for his peculiar and fascinating role in the 49ers' offense. Talk about how the Niners use this guy, and whether you think it will continue to work.

Kaepernick, a scrambling quarterback from Nevada, acts as a Wildcat-ish player in the 49ers' offense. He makes their offense more exciting and less predictable. When every play is not just a handoff to Frank Gore or a throw to Vernon Davis, the defense has to be on their toes.

What three football books would you recommend to your readers?

300 Pounds of Attitude; Badasses (don't remember the rest of the title); A Few Seconds of Panic.

Doesn't it seem like every year there's a Ravens game with a final score of 9-6? Do you find defensive struggles boring, or exciting?

I find them exciting only if the defensive struggle is caused by fumbles and interceptions, not 10 punts from each team or something to that effect.

Talk about the Seahawks' deliberate safety late in their victory over the Panthers. Did you agree with the strategy?

I didn't actually hear about this play originally, but after reading some articles, I have to say that I agree. At first I thought that while Pete Carroll didn't want to risk a blocked punt, he should have had faith in his punter, Jon Ryan. But then, I realized that in a six-point game, two points don't really make a difference. It was a smart move for field position.

Oh, those lowly Buffalo Bills. Is this another team in need of a reboot, or are there a few key moves they need to make to become competitive?

This team is so mercurial! They really should be better. I think they need a franchise quarterback and wideout.

There was some controversy this week as classless Chiefs fans cheered Matt Cassel's injury. Did you agree with teammate Eric Winston's rant at the post-game press conference?

I have to agree. As a teammate, you don't want to see your so-called fans cheering for your close friend's injury. It was a reasonable reaction.

Finally: We're five weeks into the Peyton Manning experiment. How is he doing overall? Do you think the Colts were right to release him? How would you evaluate Andrew Luck's performance in Indy?

Well, the Broncos don't seem too much better than they were last year with Tebow and a similar team. However, they definitely have improved a little bit more, and I expect them to win the division. I honestly think the Colts were right to move on. They needed a fresh start after their awful year with Painter and Orlovsky at QB. As for the Colts, I don't expect too much this year, but Luck is starting to settle in and look like the prospect everyone thought he was.

Now comes the part where Hen gets to type whatever he wants.

My predictions have not been great so far, so I'll take a bye this week. 

Anyway, I think that Brady Quinn has a chance to finally prove himself this week. He's getting the start, if I'm not mistaken. He could create a quarterback controversy in Kansas City.

Week 4

Week 4

October 2, 2012

Welcome back! Read this Week 4 recap as you prepare for Week 5!

The big topic lighting up sports talk radio was the Tony Romo five-interception bloodbath in Chicago. Is this yet another vaunted QB on the downslope? Do the Cowboys need to accelerate their search for a quarterback of the future?

They need an heir apparent. Romo has never been great. The Cowboys just can’t seem to perform in the playoffs, when they make it there at all. I don’t even remember Romo ever being considered a “vaunted” quarterback.

There was also much talk of Jay Cutler dismissively walking away from offensive coordinator Mike Tice -- when the team had a lead! This guy's sourpuss is becoming the stuff of legend. Do you think a quarterback has to be lovable to lead a team?

Well, it certainly plays a role. A leader has to be well-liked by his or her subjects. Because a quarterback leads the offense, they shouldn’t be disdained by their teammates.

Many pundits claim the Houston Texans are the league's best team. What do you think? Has Matt Schaub joined the ranks of elite quarterbacks?

The Texans are a good team all-around. With a solid defense that has stayed strong despite losing Mario Williams and an offense that is far from one-dimensional, they have a chance to go far this season. Matt Schaub is very underrated.

We saw the ups and downs of the irritating ice-the-kicker timeout yet again this week. What do you think of this tactic? Does it work? Should it be outlawed?

I think it could work, but kickers have probably gotten used to it right now. I don’t think it should be outlawed; there’s no real rule that could be made that would prevent icing the kicker. Coaches would find another way.

Four weeks in, what offensive and defensive trends do you see emerging?

Rookie quarterbacks are quite mercurial. That’s something that I’ve noticed. As far as defense is concerned, a lot of teams are lacking. We’ve had some very high-scoring games.

What can be done about the epic disaster that is the New York Jets? This is a team that can't seem to do anything right. If you were to take over as their head coach or GM tomorrow (and you might), what are the first three things you'd do to rebuild this team?

1) New quarterback. 2) New running back. 3) New wide receiver. There are a lot of things wrong with the way this team is built. I think they could use a full overhaul. A lot of players have stuck around from past regimes.

What the heck happened to the Lions? This was a team that opened last season 5-0. Do you think they can pull it together?

It’ll be hard for them, but they still have a chance at a wild card. I think they need a running game free from injuries, suspensions, and random people like Joique Bell.

Would you agree that the season's biggest surprise is the Minnesota Vikings? Name three things this team is doing right. Do you think their good fortunes can continue?

I’m not sure they’re the biggest surprise, but they’re certainly doing well. I don’t think they’ll continue this, though. Remember that they barely beat the Jaguars, and they’re in one of the top divisions. They do have a great running back, great defensive end and a surprisingly good receiver in Percy Harvin.

I meant to ask this last week: Who are your favorite NFL broadcasters? Who does the best job with play-by-play and who's the best color man? Talk about their strengths. If you were to go into broadcasting, who would you like to emulate?

I really like Jim Nantz and Joe Buck as far as play-by-play is concerned. I don’t know any specific ones, but I like color commentators who are actually knowledgeable. If I were to be a broadcaster, I would be a calm, composed kind of guy, more like Jim Nantz than someone like Gus Johnson or Marv Albert.

Suddenly some questionable prospects like Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden are playing pretty well. Who are the other notable rookies (on both offense and defense) at this point in the season?

RG3 is a big standout. The RG3 vs. Luck debate is something that I think will be going on for the entire duration of their careers. Trent Richardson looks like an elite running back in the making. I’m glad to have him on my fantasy team.

I am well pleased with the performance of the Atlanta Falcons thus far, particularly last week's gutsy comeback against the Panthers. Does this team have what it takes to go the distance?

I think they’ll win the division. They have little competition besides Carolina (the disorganized Saints and mediocre Buccaneers), and they just showed that they can beat the Panthers.

On the other hand, a week ago we were talking about a Russell Wilson coming-out party, and now the cries have gone up in Seattle for Matt Flynn. Who's the better choice to lead this team?

Russell Wilson deserves to start, but I think he should be on a short leash. Matt Flynn is much more experienced. Both have different skill sets.

A final wild-card question: How long do you think it will be before we see a female coach -- even an assistant coach -- in the NFL?

That could take a while, but I believe that a woman with a lot of expertise could be hired sometime in the next decade. It’ll be hard to overcome the prejudices, but we’ve already seen a female referee on the replacement crew.

Now comes the part where Hen gets to type whatever he wants.

So much for Javon Ringer. He had two carries for 14 yards.

This week’s prediction: Tim Tebow will throw an interception.