Bleacher Report - Articles by Mike Blewitt

Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

Mike Blewitt — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:06:12 -0500

Injuries and upsets were big stories over the weekend and the worst game of the year was actually the best. The Colts and Saints moved to 10-0, making it only the third time in league history with two undefeated teams at this stage, the AFC West threw down with the AFC North and won(!), and the Browns found yet another way to lose. Let’s make our way all the way from No. 1 to No. 32…

1. New Orleans Saints (10-0)— Efficient and dominant in each phase of the game, the Saints were in control throughout it. By creating four turnovers and leading a perfectly balanced offensive attack, New Orleans put their stamp on this game. They are 10-0 for the first time in franchise history and will look to continue their unblemished run in a huge contest on Monday night, when they host the Patriots.

2. Indianapolis Colts (10-0) —Certainly not their prettiest win of the year, but as we like to say, “good teams win ugly.” The Ravens forced three turnovers and held the Colts to just 17 points, but Indy shut the door late with two late turnovers of their own to run their record to 10-0. Next up is a scrappy Houston Texans team who is looking to put a signature win up on the board.

3. Minnesota Vikings (9-1)— It doesn’t often go much easier than this in an NFL contest. QB Brett Favre was able to check out in the start of the fourth quarter, holding a 28-3 lead after completing 88 percent of his passes and four TDs against Seattle. The reeling Bears visit Minnesota on Sunday.

4. New England Patriots (7-3)— The Pats certainly dished out a measure of revenge, embarrassing the Jets by holding the ball for 40 minutes and creating five turnovers. WR Wes Welker ran free most of the day, racking up 15 catches for 192 yards and exposing a less-than-stellar game plan. The Pats play another “Game of the Year” when they travel to New Orleans to take on the undefeated Saints.

5. San Diego Chargers (7-3)— Right back where they belong, the Chargers withstood some early season trials and tribulations and find themselves in first place in the AFC West and playing commanding football. San Diego ran over the Broncos on Sunday, picking up 203 yards on the ground in a 32-3 shellacking. They now have their eyes focused on a No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and will host the Chiefs this Sunday.

6. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3)— This will be permanently filed under "One that we let get away." The Bengals of old would have even been shaking their heads after Cincy gave up 10 points to the Raiders in the last 41 seconds of the fourth quarter. A big special teams gaffe gave the Raiders the ball in field goal range, one play after the game-tying TD, which resulted in a 20-17 loss. They forfeited a huge chance to go up two games on Pittsburgh, but will attempt to bounce back against the cellar-dwelling Browns this Sunday.

7. Arizona Cardinals (7-3)— The Cardinals have inched their way up the power rankings in recent weeks and find themselves in complete control of the AFC West yet again. Kurt Warner’s injury is not deemed to be serious and he staked them to a commanding 21-3 lead before being forced out of the game against the Rams. The Cards take on the red-hot Titans in an effort to stay within a reasonable distance of the Vikings or Saints for the No. 2 spot in the NFC.

8. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)— This one was very ugly, so Big D should be thankful this holiday for the win on Sunday. They scored their points (a Romo-to-Crayton-TD) with less than three minutes to play and hung on to beat the Redskins 7-6. The Thanksgiving tradition continues when they host the Raiders on Thursday.

9. New York Giants (6-4)— As head coach Tom Coughlin succinctly put it, “it was miserable around here for a month,” and that ended with an overtime victory over the Falcons. Eli Manning threw for a season-high 384 yards along with three TDs to pace the offense to 34 points. They go to Denver on turkey night to try to make it two wins in a row.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)— Despite picking up over 500 yards of offense, three costly turnovers, ANOTHER kickoff return for a TD, and eight penalties doomed the Steelers in the OT loss to Kansas City. With S Troy Polamalu out for several more weeks and Ben Roethlisberger banged up after this loss, the defending champs are in a danger zone. This week’s showdown against the Ravens should result in the losing team being out of the playoffs at year’s end.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-4)— Was that balance we saw on Sunday night? Yes it was. Philly came out running the ball and throwing, which led to nearly 400 yards of offense, despite three turnovers. They sealed the win with a LeSean McCoy TD with five minutes to go and now will need to keep pace with a jumbled wild card group in the NFC. Next up: Redskins in Philly.

12. Denver Broncos (6-4)— After opening the season at 6-0, the Broncos are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. They managed exactly three points in four trips to the red zone and held the ball for less than 23 minutes. Their 25th-ranked offense will need to get back on track for a huge Thanksgiving night game in Denver.

13. Atlanta Falcons (5-5)— The Falcons battled the Giants into overtime in a game during which they trailed throughout, ultimately falling 34-31. They will need to find a way to get stops on defense if they are going to have a chance at a playoff run in 2009. The back end of their schedule is loaded with home games, so they can get started with a win over Tampa Bay this week.

14. Green Bay Packers (6-4)— The Pack completely dominated the 49ers, despite only winning by six points. They held the ball for over 41 minutes, including the last six to run out the clock and racked up nearly 500 yards of offense. The Pack takes on the Lions on turkey day and are back in the thick of the NFC playoff race.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) —The Jags came from behind to beat the Buffalo Bills by three and put themselves right into playoff contention. One of the hardest teams to figure out in the whole league, the Jags have a balanced offense and hard-hitting defense that creates problems for most of their opponents. A loooong road trip to San Fran is up this holiday weekend.

16. Baltimore Ravens (5-5) —The Ravens failed to score a TD in four red-zone trips , settling for five field goals on the day as their only points. Two late turnovers cost them in a game that was there for the taking against the unbeaten Colts. They are in serious jeopardy of missing the AFC playoff race and have a clash against the rival Steelers this Sunday night.

17. Miami Dolphins (5-5)— A big week from Ricky Williams with three TDs allowed the Dolphins to keep pace with the rest of the playoff pack in the AFC. His role will be significant down the stretch as QB Chad Henne continues to develop. They received a nice 10-day break before they head up to Buffalo to take on the last-place Bills.

18. Tennessee Titans (4-6)— While the hill may be a little too steep for the Titans to climb all the way back into the playoff picture, they are playing as well as many teams on that level. RB Chris Johnson, who ran for 151 yards against Houston, is following up his excellent rookie campaign with a breakout season that may make him the NFL’s next big star. The four-game winning streak will be heavily tested against the Cardinals and Colts the next two weeks.

19. Houston Texans (5-5)— Yet another loss in the books thanks to missing a field goal on the last play of the game…just inexcusable. From clock mismanagement to poor execution, the Texans show no signs of being able to get above the .500 mark for any length of time. Titans’ RB Chris Johnson tore them up and now they will need to set their sights on Colts QB Peyton Manning.

20. San Francisco 49ers (4-6)— The only positive thing the Niners showed on Sunday was their ability to fight until the end of the game. Their defense was beaten up all day and their offense only had 18 minutes with which to move the ball. The playoff window is just about closed on San Fran in what has shaped out to be a disappointing 2009 campaign; they host the Jags this Sunday.

21. Carolina Panthers (4-6)— Carolina has been fighting inconsistency all year and likely dropped out of the playoffs with that loss to Miami. The Dolphins dared QB Jake Delhomme to throw and he was unable to do so accurately or take advantage of red zone opportunities. They face the Jets this Sunday in a battle of two teams whose seasons have come off the rails earlier than anticipated.

22. New York Jets (4-6)— The seemingly limitless prospects of rookie QBs are often perfectly counterbalanced with the reality of the developmental process. Mark Sanchez offered up five turnovers against the superior Pats team, which combined pressure and good coverage to confuse the youngster making just his tenth NFL start. The playoff window has shut on the Jets as they wait ‘til next year yet again. Next up: hosting Carolina on Sunday.

23. Chicago Bears (4-6)— The Bears were unable to capitalize on three turnovers and ended the game with two punts, a blocked field goal, and an interception on offense. Unfortunately for the Bears, they appear to have personnel issues on both sides of the ball and will be retooling in the offseason after a third straight year of missing the playoffs. They travel to Minnesota this week in a must-win game for the Vikes...bad times…

24. Kansas City Chiefs (3-7)— A look at the box score will not tell you the story of the Chiefs’ huge upset over Pittsburgh in Week 11. Key turnovers and a few clutch plays in overtime allowed them to snap their 10-game home losing streak, their longest ever. Head coach Todd Haley has them playing inspired football and we’ll see if they can make it three straight against the Chargers this week.

25. Oakland Raiders (3-7)— Kudos to the Raiders for causing and then taking advantage of the Bengals mistakes in a shocking 20-17 win over Cincinnati. The league’s worst offense managed 10 points in the final 41 seconds of the upset and look better-suited having Bruce Gradkowski under center to run the show. Heading to Dallas on turkey day could be interesting, as neither offense has lit the world on fire over the last month.

26. Washington Redskins (3-7)— The Redskins battled for the entire contest, keeping Dallas QB Tony Romo off-balance and holding them to only seven points. But they were plagued with their own inability to do anything in the red zone in losing their fifth game out of their last six. The ‘Skins go on the road to Philly to try to play spoiler for the remainder of the season.

27. Buffalo Bills (3-7)— The Bills went 3-of-11 on third down, coughed up three turnovers, and came away with three field goals in three tips to the red zone—tough way to win a football game. They played more-inspired ball with interim head coach Perry Fewell and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick leading the way, but will need to be better to break the three-game skid against the Dolphins.

28. Seattle Seahawks (3-7)— The wheels have come off the wagon in Seattle. Injuries and abysmal play have them out of the playoffs and wondering where the future may lead them in 2010. Only four rushing yards on 12 carries put them in a position to hold the ball for less than 18 minutes. They visit the Rams this week to try and heal some of their war wounds.

29. Detroit Lions (2-8)— The Lions and Browns combined for over 900 yards in a very competitive contest that ended with Detroit victorious. Their defense has myriad issues, but Matt Stafford and the rest of the offense came back from being down 3-24 in the first quarter to take the game on the last play, 38-37. Lions host the Pack on turkey day in one of the oldest traditions in the NFL.

30. St. Louis Rams (1-9)— The Rams went 4-of-16 on third down and failed to capitalize on another great performance by RB Steven Jackson. Their inability to stop the Cardinals’ offense put them in too big of a hole to finish off their second-half comeback. They will take on the Seahawks in an NFC West battle (read: pillow fight).

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-9)— Mama said there’d be days like this…a 38-7 drubbing at the hands of the Saints. Considering how badly he was harassed in this game, the Bucs should be thankful that QB Josh Freeman is not injured. They travel to the Falcons looking for improvement in all three phases.

32. Cleveland Browns (1-9)— The Browns suffered a heart-breaker in finding a shockingly new way to lose an NFL game. A pass interference penalty on a “Hail Mary” pass was followed by an untimed down for a Detroit TD on the last play of the game; that really was a tough way to go out in Week 11. Bengals, Chargers, Steelers is a tough stretch for Cleveland as we head into December.

Boston College Eagles Have Them Right Where They Want Them

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:48:45 -0500

It's become a seemingly annual rite of passage for the Boston College Eagles to be counted out before the season has started. Each season, the preseason polls are taken and the (alleged) ACC cognoscenti pick them to finish anywhere from middle of the pack to dead last—as they did this year.

It has become so commonplace that much of the people surrounding the program have come to expect it and ignore it, though it would be accurate to say it's a thorn in the collective side of the Eagles' fanbase.

As far as those inside the program, one could expect the perennial slighting to be an oft-used motivational tool. Regardless of where they have been predicted to finish in their five years of ACC play, BC has never finished outside of the top two in their division.

In 2007, they were led all the way to No. 2 in the country by star QB Matt Ryan, only to drop two games, needing to win a huge game on the road at Clemson to advance. They did, which resulted in a first-place finish and the ACC Championship game.

Last season, BC needed to win out at Florida State, at Wake Forest, and against Maryland to make a repeat trip to the title game. Repeat, they did and with a starting QB who was gone for the season early in that Wake Forest contest.

This year, there were many reasons the media picked BC to finish sixth out of six teams in the Atlantic division, such as the following:

- Former coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired for interviewing with the New York Jets for their vacant head coaching position.

- Former starting quarterback Dominique Davis transferred due to academic issues.

- ACC Player of the Year linebacker Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with cancer.

- Team captain Linebacker Mike McLaughlin injured his Achilles and missed several games to start the year.

- Just a couple of weeks ago, backup quarterback Justin Tuggle and backup running back Josh Haden, one of the highest-rated recruits BC has ever landed, decided to transfer.

Even after disheartening blowout losses at Clemson and Virginia Tech this season, the Eagles never wavered in their belief that they would be fighting for that ACC title at year's end.

“I’m not stunned,” first-year coach Frank Spaziani said. “We understood going in what our problems were. We had a long way to go, and we knew we had to try and manage our way through. These players never cease to amaze me and they never surprise me, never stun me here at Boston College. That’s one of the reasons I’m still here. So no, we’re not stunned."

The Eagles sit in second-place needing some help from the lowly Virgina Cavaliers to beat Clemson in addition to having to win out against North Carolina and Maryland in order to advance to the title game for a third straight year. But this is standard operating procedure for the Eagles; always fighting until the last week of the season.

Predictions have become only a motivating tool and are bereft of accuracy when it comes to the team from Chestnut Hill. So there is no telling what will happen when the Tar Heels come to town and the Clemson Tigers kick off vs. Virginia on Saturday but one thing is certain...

Boston College will be in it until the end in the ACC. Every year, every game, every play.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 10

Mike Blewitt — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:12:14 -0500

***My apologies for the lateness on this article, simply forgot to post it earlier this week***

The slate is officially clean on win-less teams thank to Tampa Bay's upset of the Packers, which means maybe the creamsicle orange jerseys are a blessing and not the curse they were once thought to be. The Saints and Colts both dodged bullets to stay perfect, the Bengals continue to impress us, the Giants have us scratching our heads, and the Patriots are right near the top again which altogether make the NFL gloriously unpredictable. Let's make our way from No. 1 all the way down to No. 32...

1. New Orleans Saints (8-0)— It was not a signature performance for the Saints as they toughed out a win against Carolina at home, scoring 24 second-half points. Drew Brees was his usual self after a sluggish first half, but the defense will need to address getting gashed for 182 rushing yards before they visit Steven Jackson and the Rams this week.

2. Indianapolis Colts (8-0) —The Colts were the beneficiaries of a missed field goal and a coaching blunder that allowed them to hang on for a three-point victory over the Houston Texans. QB Peyton Manning threw 40 passes in the first half (!!!) but ultimately raised the Colts’ record to 14-1 versus their AFC South ‘rival’. Now it’s on to an actual real rival in the New England Patriots this Sunday night.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)— The Vikings’ only loss was a tight one at Pittsburgh that left us more impressed than we were when they were undefeated. The 7-1 start is no fluke, as Minnesota has been putting up points (2^nd in the NFL) and stuffed the run on defense (ranked 6^th in the NFL) for much of the year. Hosting Detroit and coming off a bye is a nice way to start the second half.

4. New England Patriots (6-2)— The Dolphins put up a solid fight but the Patriots made big plays to ensure the victory and run their record to 6-2. All the worries from earlier in the season have begun to fade as the offense appears to be clicking again. The Pats are 71-17 in games played after Nov. 1 since 2001, not a good sign for the Colts this week and everyone else for the rest of the year.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)— The Bengals controlled the ball for 40 minutes exactly as RB Cedric Benson churned out 117 yards on 34 carries. Cincy is now 4-0 versus the AFC North, and will look to run their record to 5-0 when they take on the Steelers this week. They are certainly the surprise team of the first half of 2009.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)— After a first half in which the Steelers could not get anything going offensively, they went no-huddle and shredded the Broncos for 173 yards on the ground, and three touchdowns by game’s end. Big Ben and Rashard Mendenhall shined on Monday night for the Steelers to get to 6-2 and will host a big AFC North match-up this Sunday.

7. Denver Broncos (6-2)— Following a field goal on their opening drive, every Broncos possession ended with an interception or a punt. Kyle Orton was forced into three picks and the Broncos’ previously vaunted D had no answers for the Steelers offense in the second half. Time to shake off two consecutive blowouts; the Redskins may be the cure for what ails them.

8. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)— The ‘Boys have ripped off four straight wins and find themselves atop the NFC East at the midway point of the season. Their offense’s ability to run out the last 4:27 of the game was an impressive exclamation point in their win at Philly, and should have them feeling good as they head to Lambeau this week.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)— The Eagles’ up-and-down season continues as they dropped a home game to Dallas, failing to hold a 4^th quarter lead with a series of miscues including some from the bench. Now Philly travels to San Diego to take on an energized Chargers team, who is surprisingly fighting for first in their division at the halfway mark.

10. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)— The Falcons sacked Campbell five times in the first half—a team record for sacks in a half. While they didn’t play their best game, they did manage to run the ball well and secure a victory over a reeling Redskins team. Next up is Carolina where they will try to continue to run their balanced offense and stay in control in the wild card race.

11. San Diego Chargers (5-3)— Sometimes one drive can turn around a whole season, and that may have happened in the Meadowlands this past week. QB Philip Rivers drove the Chargers to a go-ahead score with 21 seconds left on the clock for a dramatic comeback win against the Giants. That win, coupled with the Broncos loss, has them just one game out of the lead which seemed like it could be a runaway a few weeks ago. They get another chance to prove their worth this week when they host the Eagles.

12. Arizona Cardinals (5-3)— QB Kurt Warner shredded the Bears for five TDs in a game that was really never in doubt. At 5-3, they control the NFC West for now and could deliver an early knockout blow to the Seahawks this week.

13. New York Giants (5-4)— Four short weeks ago, the G-Men found themselves atop this hallowed list (shameless self-promotion) and now goes into a bye week out of playoff contention in Week 10. If one could point to one issue it would be easier to analyze their problems but, right now, several areas are failing them. They will fight back into the playoff picture this season, but injuries and age have made their once formidable defense look ordinary.

14. Baltimore Ravens (4-4) —The Ravens had not given up 100-yard rushing games to the same player in the same season since 1997 until Cedric Benson accomplished the feat this week. They also must have left the game a bit shell-shocked, having held the ball for only 20 minutes and scoring only seven points in garbage time. It’s regrouping time when they play the Browns on Monday night.

15. Houston Texans (5-4)— Gary Kubiak let time run out to the two-minute warning, and cost his team the ball (and crucial points), after a replay reversal. Kris Brown came up empty after coming up so big earlier in the game, which led to a tough loss at Indy. Frankly, turning the ball over three times will keep you out of the win column most times against anybody and almost always when it’s the Colts on the other side of the ball. The Texans will have a long two weeks to think about that loss, with the bye week preceding a Monday night match-up.

16. Green Bay Packers (4-4)— Three interceptions and six sacks allowed go a long way in explaining how the Pack blew a 4^th quarter lead and allowed 21 points in the final stanza. High hopes for Green Bay have faded fast for this season with the realizations that they cannot protect QB Aaron Rodgers, or come up with key stops on defense when they need them.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) —The Jags’ went into ball control mode from the start of the game and held the ball for over 36 minutes. They held off a valiant comeback effort by the Chiefs, and at 4-4, are at least in position to challenge for the playoffs in the second half of the year. Next up: New York Jets.

18. Chicago Bears (4-4)— QB Jay Cutler’s super fantasy stats should fool no one. The offense is not clicking in the way that anyone anticipated, and the defense finds themselves in the lower third of the league in points allowed.

19. San Francisco 49ers (3-5)— The Niners committed four turnovers which led to 24 points for the Titans. Getting run over for 152 yards is not something we would expect out of a Mike Singletary-coached squad.

20. Miami Dolphins (3-5)— There may not be a team fighting harder to get to .500 than the Dolphins. They are giving it all for Tony Sparano, but they just couldn’t get the key stops versus the Pats. They host Tampa coming off their first win and the Fish are unlikely to let them make it two in a row…

21. New York Jets (4-4)— The Jets’ embodied the trials and tribulations of a .500 team as they saw great highs (upsetting hated rival New England) and terrible lows (swept by hated rival Miami) through eight games. One can be sure that head coach Rex Ryan worked tirelessly during the bye week to get the team back on track for this week’s contest against Jacksonville.

22. Buffalo Bills (3-5)— Despite some significant injuries and, at times abysmal play, the Bills can potentially build on their first half. That building process better ramp up quickly as most players and coaches should consider themselves on the hot seat for the duration of the season. Out of their bye week, they go to Tennessee where they hope there is no Music City Miracle in sight.

23. Carolina Panthers (3-5)— The Panthers hung tough with the league’s top team at New Orleans, but three lost fumbles were too much to overcome. Their ability to run the ball so effectively is a sign that they may be one of the struggling teams that rights the ship in the second half of 2009. Hosting Atlanta this week will be a big test.

24. Seattle Seahawks (3-5)— Seattle capitalized on five INTs, turning them into 20 points as they battled back from a 17-point deficit. They travel to Arizona this week in a game that could have their season on the line.

25. Washington Redskins (2-6)— Looking at the box score would not tell the Redskins’ whole story since they matched up well with the Falcons’ stats. Their inability to protect QB Jason Campbell (5 sacks) and to get the ball in the end zone (they have yet to score over 17 points) have everyone, especially Jim Zorn, wishing the second half of the season simply is over quickly.

26. Oakland Raiders (2-6)— When your team can’t score points (30^th in the NFL) and can’t stop other teams from scoring (25^th in the NFL), it doesn’t need to be said that you’re in possession of a failure recipe. It starts at the top where exceedingly eccentric owner Al David hired a head coach, Tom Cable, who appears to be one of the inmates running the asylum. The Raiders may have more talent on defense than other teams, but there are just too many holes organization-wide for them to be able to overcome the obstacles. This will get worse before it gets better.

27. Tennessee Titans (2-6)— After committing 18 turnovers in their first six games, the Titans have none in their last two (both wins). RB Chris Johnson leads the NFL with 959 rushing yards and with play like this will lead the Titans to a few more wins before the season is over. QB Vince Young is playing his role well and will try to make it three in a row against Buffalo.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7)— The Bucs make a nice-sized leap out of the basement based on the level of competition that they beat relative to their peers in or near the basement. It may have taken a wild finish to ice the game but came up with six sacks and three INTs to put their newbie QB Josh Freeman (3 TDs) in a position to win. The creamsicle-colored jerseys appropriately had years and years of losing associated with them until Sunday. Maybe they can make it two in a row against Miami…

29. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7)— With the Larry Johnson scandal hanging over their heads, the Chiefs once again fought hard and came up short to the Jaguars. LJ is no longer with the team and head coach Todd Haley will need to figure a way for his 27^th ranked offense to get it going along with his 27^th ranked defense…it’s a marathon, not a sprint, right???

30. St. Louis Rams (1-7)— The NFL schedule-makers probably even feel guilty about setting the one-win Rams up with the Saints at this stage of the season. I suppose if there IS a week for St. Louis to play them, it might as well be with an extra week to prepare as they come off their bye week.

31. Detroit Lions (1-7)— “In youth we learn; in age we understand.” Matt Stafford threw five INTs and the Lions blew a 17-point first half lead against the Seahawks. These are tough lessons to learn for the young Detroit team and playing the Vikings in Minny coming off a bye may be another one of those lessons…

32. Cleveland Browns (1-7)— The Browns were given a much-needed bye week to collect themselves after a miserable first half of the season that ended with the firing of their GM George Kokinis. Now, head coach Eric Mangini will have to decide whether Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson will be the QB to make the second half of the season a little more productive and save his job in the process.

College Football Picks ATS: Week 10

Mike Blewitt — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:51:46 -0500

Navy at No. 22 Notre Dame (-12)— Navy brings their signature triple-option rushing attack to South Bend this week in a bid to upset the Irish for the second time in three years. The Midshipmen, currently the third-ranked rushing attack in the nation, are led by QB Ricky Dobbs who leads the nation with 16 touchdowns.

The Irish have a QB standout of their own in Jimmy Clausen who is second in the nation in pass efficiency having thrown 18 TDs to only two INTs. Clausen may very well lead the Heisman race at this point of the season and will continue the campaign with a comfortable win over Navy.

Notre Dame 34, Navy 17.

No. 9 LSU at No. 3 Alabama (-7 ½)— Undoubtedly the ‘Game of the Week’ in college football this weekend, the Tigers head to Tuscaloosa to try to pull off the upset over the Tide.

LSU has won four straight at Alabama but their offense has had some well-chronicled struggles finding the end zone this season. ‘Bama RB Mark Ingram will continue pacing the rushing attack which is averaging 217 yards per contest.

With two top 10 scoring defenses playing for keeps, this will be another low-scoring affair, I think LSU keeps it close but ‘Bama will prevail on their home turf.

Alabama 20, LSU 13.

No. 8 Oregon at Stanford (+7)— Everything about this game screams “letdown” as Oregon goes to The Farm to take on Stanford who are undefeated at home in 2009. The Ducks were so impressive last week against USC that they have launched themselves into talks regarding the BCS title game if they get a little help from some teams losing ahead of them.

Stanford QB Andrew Luck ranks first in the PAC-10 in passing efficiency and RB Toby Gerhart leads the conference in rushing but they will have their work cut out for them against Oregon’s defense which lets up only 17 points a game. Oregon’s eighth-ranked rushing attack will simply be tough for Stanford to handle.

Oregon 38, Stanford 27.

No. 16 Ohio State at No. 11 Penn State (-4)— The stakes are high in this Big Ten matchup and Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor will visit Beaver Stadium, a place the western Pennsylvania native spurned last year to end a highly publicized recruiting battle.

The Buckeyes still control their own destiny in the conference but have struggled to find an identity on offense this season even with the talented Pryor. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in offense and have the nation’s stingiest defense, yielding just 9.3 points per contest.

Expect a hard-hitting, low scoring affair (even with some possible defensive scores) and Penn State to shut down Pryor when it counts.

Penn State 16, Ohio State 10 .

No. 6 TCU at San Diego State (+24 ½)— At this point, TCU is focused on winning one game at a time...but some style point wouldn’t hurt in their quest for a BCS bowl. The Horned Frogs have the nation’s top-ranked total defense (yardage) and will look to grind it out with their rushing offense that averages over 233 yards per game.

San Diego State’s offense is almost exclusively an aerial attack which ranks in the top 20 in the FBS. There is not much debate as to who will win this game but can TCU provide another blowout to impress voters? I think they may be looking towards the big contest with Utah next week…

TCU 35, San Diego State 14.

Florida State at Clemson (-9)— The ACC has become an impossibility in regards to predictions but this game holds major importance in the divisional race for Clemson who controls their own destiny.

Seminoles’ QB Christian Ponder has become a leader of this team and a standout player in a tumultuous year for FSU; he is banged-up but ready to go against the Tigers in Death Valley.

Clemson will be missing pass-rushing monster Da’Quan Bowers for this contest and their inconsistent offense will need to be in check against the ‘Noles who always have enough talent to beat anyone. Clemson is so bad in these games that everyone is picking the upset but I say they squeak one out.

Clemson 30, FSU 28.

Connecticut at No. 5 Cincinnati (-17 ½)— The Cincinnati Bearcats will be showing off their squad in prime time when they host the UConn Huskies on Saturday night. UConn’s season has been heartbreaking both on and off the field but they have played extremely hard every step of the way.

Cincinnati boasts a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense and will look to go 9-0 for the first time since 1951, a school record. The Bearcats will be just too much for most teams in the Big East this season and the buzz saw continues.

Cincinnati 34, UConn 14.

No. 24 Oklahoma at Nebraska (+4)— This historic rivalry may not carry the weight it used to but the teams will be going at it just like the teams of the 60s and 70s used to in its heyday.

The Sooners are back on track with QB Landry Jones filling in well for Sam Bradford and still leading an explosive offense. Nebraska has a top 10 defense led by DT Ndamukong Suh and will look to slow down the Sooners by pressuring the quarterback.

I think Oklahoma has had some bumps in the road but is clearly the better team this season.

Oklahoma 27, Nebraska 17.

No. 15 Houston at Tulsa (+1)— Houston QB Case Keenum takes his Heisman dark-horse aerial show on the road to Tulsa who is looking to avoid a four-game losing streak. The Cougars score more points than anyone in the country not named Texas and will likely continue the onslaught this Saturday.

The Golden Hurricane has been inconsistent and will have a QB question with starter G.J. Kinne questionable with a concussion. This spread is the ultimate red flag since it should be a blowout but I am going against the home underdog this time.

Houston 45, Tulsa 31.

Fresno State at Idaho (+8)— Idaho has put themselves in position at 7-2 to receive their first bowl bid since 1998 and will try to continue the good feelings this week against Fresno who looks to gain bowl eligibility this weekend.

Both teams rank in the top 25 in yards and points on offense so expect a back-and-forth contest in Moscow. Idaho will have to avoid the trap of looking ahead to an even bigger game in Boise but the real question is whether or not they can slow down the nation’s leading rusher in RB Ryan Mathews.

I expect a fairly close one like most Idaho games this season but Fresno State may be too much for the Vandals, just as Nevada was two weeks ago.

Fresno State 40, Idaho 30.

Last Week: 8-2

Season: 40-31

NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:16:46 -0500

We have whittled our way down to two teams (Colts, Saints) on top of the mountain and they both appear to be poised to remain there for quite some time.

The Ravens sent a message that they are not to be forgotten about and the Cowboys followed suit.

The Rams scratched and clawed their way out of the cellar and we have a new team blazing its way toward a dubious distinction despite a week off. Here we go, from No. 1 to No. 32…

New Orleans Saints (7-0)— Just another day at the office for Drew Brees, who threw for 300 yards and two scores. You know they are playing at a high level when the offense picks up 437 yards and 28 points and you come away not as impressed as usual. The defense was the difference-maker again, picking off Atlanta QB Matt Ryan three times.
Indianapolis Colts (7-0) —Good teams win ugly, so the saying goes. Indy struggled at times and QB Peyton Manning failed to throw a TD pass despite racking up 347 yards through the air. But, they were able to control the clock enough to keep Niners’ RB Frank Gore in check most of the day and will face the Texans is a big divisional matchup this week that could be a shootout.
Minnesota Vikings (7-1)— Favre’s big return to Lambeau was a success for him and left Packers fans feeling betrayed. With the Vikings off to their best start since 2000, they have hit the halfway point of their season and bye week feeling great.
Denver Broncos (6-1)— The Broncos finally fell from the ranks of the unbeaten and decidedly so. The Ravens controlled the action all day allowing Denver to enter the red zone just one time on the day. This week, they host Pittsburgh in another key AFC contest.
New England Patriots (5-2)— The Pats have crept into the Top 5 during their week off which is probably where they have belonged all along as they are an elite team. This week’s tilt against the Dolphins will set the tone for them and the AFC East for the remainder of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)— The Bengals’ bye week appears to have been well-timed as they host Baltimore in a huge AFC North matchup. They will be out to prove that the first half of 2009 was no fluke.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)— Monday Night Football gets another great game as the Steelers travel to Mile High to take on the now once-defeated Broncos. The Steelers are another team that received a well-timed bye, we’ll see if they can take advantage of it.
Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)— The sheer 40-17 domination of their bitterest rival was enough to make Eagles fans happy for a long time. Hitting three huge plays of over 40 yards for touchdowns got the Eagles’ swagger back in a big way and they will need to show it again on a national stage this Sunday night vs. Dallas.
New York Giants (5-3)— The Giants are finding ways to plummet down this list every week. Between their inability to attack opposing defenses without turning it over and their linebacking corps getting torched a few weeks in a row (180 yards rushing for the Eagles this week), they look like a team in desperate need of a bye. Unfortunately, they need to play the Chargers before their week of rest.
Baltimore Ravens (4-3) —The Ravens got back on track after a three-game skid by playing their game. They ran the ball well (125 yards), threw the ball efficiently (20 of 25), and held Denver to only 200 yards of offense. Up next is Cincinnati in a game where the Ravens will seek payback for a loss earlier this season.
Dallas Cowboys (5-2)— The Cowboys played well in all three facets of the game which paced them to an easy 38-17 victory over Seattle. It was a necessary win as they head to Philly this week for a first-place battle in the NFC East.
Atlanta Falcons (4-3)— The Monday night game in New Orleans had to be a wakeup call for the Falcons. They will need to be much better than they were to compete with the Saints in that division because giving up over 400 yards and throwing three interceptions is not something that will win you many games.
Houston Texans (5-3)— Kudos to Houston who, at 5-3, is two games above .500 for the first time in franchise history. RB Ryan Moats filled in nicely for the benched Steve Slaton and the Texans’ defense held the Bills to only 207 yards of offense. Indianapolis will prove to be a much stiffer test and it will put the league on notice if an upset occurs.
San Diego Chargers (4-3)— The Chargers won their 13th consecutive game against the Raiders and did so by outgaining them 346-180. It was not a win that would earn them any style points but is just what they needed as they travel to NY to face the slumping Giants.
Arizona Cardinals (4-3)— Kurt Warner was forced into six turnovers in a brutal loss to Carolina on Sunday. His struggles are front and center as the Cardinals have failed to gain any momentum this season. Next up: a trip to Soldier Field to face the Bears.
Green Bay Packers (4-3)— The Packers are going to need to find a way to protect QB Aaron Rodgers or he won’t be around to finish the season suffering a league-high 31 sacks. Heading to Tampa this week should be a nice way to land safely and get back on track.
Chicago Bears (4-3)— Matt Forte paced the Bears with two rushing touchdowns as they controlled the clock for over 37 minutes versus the lowly Browns. They will try to keep things moving forward when they take on the Cardinals this Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers (3-4)— The Niners suffered yet another tough close defeat, this time courtesy of the Colts. Their inability to convert on third down (2 of 10) coupled with two turnovers kept them from holding their 14-6 halftime lead. Tennessee comes to San Fran this weekend trying to make it two in a row, not something the Niners can afford to let happen.
Miami Dolphins (3-4)— The Dolphins scored 21 third-quarter points without the benefit of having their offense on the field and outlasted the Jets 30-25. Ted Ginn's return heroics were a huge boost for a Miami team looking to get back to the .500 mark. Their trip to New England this weekend will likely set the agenda for the AFC East for the remainder of the season.
New York Jets (4-4)— Giving up two 100-yard plus touchdowns on kickoff returns is no way to win a football game as the Jets proved against Miami. They head into their bye week looking every bit the up-and-down team their record suggests.
Buffalo Bills (3-5)— The Bills held the ball for only 20 minutes and simply could not sustain any drives going 2-for-10 on 3rd-down conversions. Buffalo heads into their bye week with a ton of question marks but will be getting Trent Edwards back after the hiatus. Coach Dick Jauron and his young QB will both be on the hot seat in the second half.
Carolina Panthers (3-4)— The Panthers ran the ball for 270 yards and took advantage of six Cardinals' turnovers in their 34-21 win. They will look to establish the run yet again and get to .500 with a very big test at New Orleans.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) —Giving up 305 yards rushing and holding the ball for 20 minutes make it very difficult to win in the NFL. The Jags were gashed by the Titans and will look to rebound against the well-rested Chiefs this week.
Seattle Seahawks (2-5)— Seattle made it look easy for Dallas and with injuries that have piled up; they need to turn it around quick before the season is completely lost. Facing the Lions this week should help but a loss here will effectively end their season.
Washington Redskins (2-5)— The Redskins have created enough drama amongst their coaching staff and front office to last several seasons and we’re not even at their halfway point yet. Head coach Jim Zorn has his work cut out for him against the Falcons in Atlanta this week.
Oakland Raiders (2-6)— Another week, another struggle. The Raiders had a difficult time moving the ball against the Chargers and continue to look for answers on the offensive side of the ball as they head into bye week. Hint: JaMarcus Russell is not it.
Tennessee Titans (1-6)— The insertion of QB Vince Young into the lineup appeared to be just what the doctor ordered as the Titans exploded for 30 points. RB Chris Johnson paced Tennessee with a franchise-record 228 yards rushing as they held the ball for nearly 40 minutes. They head to San Fran to battle a tough Niners team this Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)— I would imagine that anytime you’re 1-6, an off week is a good thing. But, it’s back to business against the Jaguars this Sunday.
St. Louis Rams (1-7) —No one wants to see another team go 0-16 so good for the Rams for digging out of last place of the rankings. Steven Jackson was the big factor in their first win after 17 straight losses by ripping off 149 rushing yards and a score. Consider this a bye week well-deserved for St. Louis.
Detroit Lions (1-6)— That single win is starting to seem like a distant memory. One can appreciate QB Matt Stafford playing hurt but he will have to be better for them to have a chance at the end of games. They go to Seattle this week to try and steal win No. 2.
Cleveland Browns (1-7)— QBs Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn both saw time in a 30-6 debacle of a loss to the Bears. Five turnovers, less than 200 yards of offense, and a listless defense led to more controversy and the firing of their GM George Kokinis. The downward spiral may very well continue but the bye week gives the organization and their fans a one week respite.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7)— Hopefully, some of the Bucs players were able to take advantage of their off week and stayed in London because the vacation is over—and the reality that awaits them is ugly. Maybe their throwback jerseys can shake things up against the Pack this Sunday. Then again, it could remind us of the good old days.

NCAA Football Picks ATS: Week Eight

Mike Blewitt — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:58:05 -0400

Here's this week's quick breakdowns of some marquee matchups:

Connecticut at No. 23 West Virginia (-7 ½)

The entire story of this game being and ends with the loss of UConn Huskies’ cornerback Jasper Howard, who was senselessly killed last Saturday evening following the team’s victory over Louisville; the Huskies have decided playing the game is the best way to honor him this week.

The Huskies bring an opportunistic defense into Morgantown, one that has forced at least two turnovers in six straight games. West Virginia is back in the Top 25 and will lean on RB Noel Devine in case QB Jarrett Brown is not recovered after last week’s helmet-to-helmet hit that knocked him out of the game. It’s hard not to root for UConn this week and they will keep it close no matter what.

UConn 27, West Virginia 24.

Boston College at Notre Dame (-8)

The “Holy War” rages on in what will be the last meeting in South Bend for the foreseeable future as the series ends after next season. BC attempts to turn their road woes around where they have managed little to no offense in two losses by a combined score of 73-21.

Notre Dame has lost six straight to the Eagles and will bring in a potent pass offense led by Jimmy Clausen who ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency. This game has seen some shocking results over the past 15 years but I think Clausen is too much for the Eagles’ pedestrian pass rush.

Notre Dame 30, BC 20.

Tennessee at No. 2 Alabama (-14 ½)

The Tide continues to roll right along and the “third Saturday in October” is temporarily the fourth when the Vols travel to Tuscaloosa. Tennessee will jump on the back of Montario Hardesty who ranks 12th in the FBS in rushing yards and try to control the clock against the No. 1 ranked Tide.

Alabama is purely old school in 2009, which is to say, running (ranked ninth in team rushing) and defense (top of the heap in points allowed). Bama’s sophomore Heisman candidate RB Mark Ingram should pace the day and keep Tennessee off the field.

Alabama 27, Tennessee 14.

Clemson at No. 10 Miami (FL) (-4 ½)

Both teams find themselves in the thick of their respective divisional races yet again in the parity-laden ACC. Clemson comes off a dominant five-sack performance in which their 11th-ranked defense blew out Wake Forest 38-3.

Miami returns to conference play after a month away and will need to protect breakout QB Jacory Harris who ranks in the top 10 in passing efficiency. Clemson’s best performances have been special but they have yet to face an offense quite as versatile as the Hurricanes.

Miami 30, Clemson 24.

No. 11 Oregon at Washington (+10)

Oregon’s season has had quite the turnaround since “The Punch” was landed on opening night as they have ripped off five straight wins and amazingly climbed back into the BCS picture. The Ducks’ defense ranks in the Top 25 nationally in both scoring and total yardage and will need to contain Washington QB Jake Locker.

Washington has lost the five in this series and will need to tighten up on defense (ninth-worst in the PAC-10) in order to have any shot at slowing down Oregon. QB Jeremiah Masoli will likely come back for the Ducks so I think they make it six in a row in a closer-than-expected win.

Oregon 27, Washington 23.

No. 13 Penn State at Michigan (+4 ½)

The Nittany Lions have dominated their last three opponents by a combined score of 107-20 and will look to continue the hot streak in Ann Arbor, a place where they have not won since 1996. Michigan’s high-scoring offense ranks 10th in the nation and creates a challenging matchup for Penn State’s top-ranked scoring defense.

I think last week’s near off-week for Michigan against Delaware State came at a crucial time in the season and I like the upset here with the home underdog and a healthy Tate Forcier back in the mix.

Michigan 24, Penn State 20.

Oklahoma at No. 25 Kansas (+8)

Oklahoma looks to bounce back from the loss in the Red River Rivalry and will do so without QB Sam Bradford, who may be lost for the season. Kansas has lost five straight to the Sooners but enters this contest boasting the second-ranked offense in the FBS with over 503 yards per game. Oklahoma is a surprisingly big favorite and I think they get the win, but they will need to earn it in a close one in Lawrence.

Oklahoma 31, Kansas 27.

No. 6 Iowa at Michigan State (-1)

This game looms larger than it may first appear on paper as the winner of this game will control their own destiny in capturing the Big Ten title. The Hawkeyes are vying to go 8-0 for the first time in school history and have battled close calls all year long, pulling another one off last week at Wisconsin.

The Spartans have battled back and have not lost to Iowa in East Lansing since 1995. Iowa has impressed me all year with their ability to pull out these close games but I do not expect them to run the table and I think it ends this week.

Michigan State 23, Iowa 20.

No. 8 TCU at No. 16 Brigham Young (+2 ½)

The Mountain West Conference does not often get a showcase as big as this one on Saturday evening in Provo. The Horned Frogs from TCU look to run their unbeaten streak to nine games and are led by a stifling defense that ranks in the top 10 in every category.

BYU defends their home turf well as evidenced by their 13-game conference winning streak in Provo. They will also be looking for payback after last year’s 32-7 trouncing knocked them out of their top 10 status at the time. This game will be a dogfight, but I think TCU’s defense gives them the edge even in Provo.

TCU 20, BYU 16.

No. 3 Texas at Missouri (+13)

I would say that Texas is primed for a big letdown but they didn’t play well at all in the win over Oklahoma. The Longhorns likely are in control of their own destiny to reach the BCS title game if they win out and they currently outscore everyone in the country at 42 points a game.

Mizzou will have their work cut out for them as QB Blaine Gabbert has struggled in their two losses and they won’t be running the ball against the nation’s toughest rushing defense in Texas. Beware the late cover but the game in general should never be in doubt.

Texas 34, Mizzou 20.

Last Week: 7-3

Season: 28-23

Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week 7

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:03:04 -0400

One would think that you could not ask for a better game than matching up the top two teams in the power rankings. Only, a blowout left us…unfulfilled.

Tom Brady had Patriots fans thinking of the glorious days of yesteryear (it was 2007, relax), Favre-mania is running wild in Minny, and the QB passing numbers across the entire league had fantasy geeks awkwardly high-fiving each other on Monday morning at the water cooler.

Here we go from the NEW No. 1 New Orleans Saints all the way to ol’ reliable Rams at No. 32…

1. New Orleans Saints (5-0) —The marquee matchup was ALL New Orleans as Drew Brees & Co. played nearly flawless offensive football and torched the Giants for 48 points. The Saints topped the 40-point mark for the third time this season and did it this time against the league’s previously top-ranked defense. They have officially earned this No. 1 ranking on the field.

2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0) —The Colts bring their well-rested and increasingly healthy team to St. Louis after the bye week, which almost seems unfair.

3. Minnesota Vikings (6-0) —Another fantastic finish in Minnesota as the Vikings and Ravens combined for 34 fourth-quarter points. While the Vikes defense does not seem as dominant as they were a year ago, the Adrian Peterson-Brett Favre combo is providing a well-balanced punch that can put away any team in the league. Next up: They go to Pittsburgh for another stern test of their undefeated record.

4. Denver Broncos (6-0) —The Broncos defense came up with five sacks and held San Diego to just 2-of-11 on third downs; they continue to impress the entire NFL-watching nation. Oh, by the way, Eddie Royal returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown, only the 11th player to do so in league history.

5. New York Giants (5-1) —When it rains, it pours. The Giants No. 1 pass defense looked anything but that on Sunday against the Saints as they allowed four touchdowns and 369 yards through the air. This is still a team that will be fighting for home-field advantage at season’s end, but they lost some leverage after this past week’s performance against New Orleans.

6. New England Patriots (4-2) —A little film study and an 0-5 opponent can go a long way to boosting a team’s confidence. Skewering that team for team records of 59 points, 651 yards, and five passing TDs in one quarter is like a Tony Robbins infomercial boost…in the snow.

7. Atlanta Falcons (4-1) —While Matt Ryan and the rest of the offense took advantage of their scoring opportunities, the real story for Atlanta was their defense, which created two Chicago turnovers in the red zone. The Falcons travel to Dallas needing every win they can get to keep pace with divisional rival and top-ranked New Orleans.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) —Their inability to run the ball effectively led to their second loss of the year as Houston also tore their defense apart all day. The loss of DE Antwan Odom is a big one for the Bengals, who will need to rally quickly as they take on a desperate Bears team this Sunday.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) —Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to over 500 yards of offense as they beat the Browns for the 12th consecutive time. Three lost fumbles prevented a blowout and showed signs that Pittsburgh is still having trouble putting teams away, but Troy Polamalu’s return from injury will be a big key for their success moving forward in 2009.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) —The Eagles were able to pick up 4.8 yards per carry on the ground, yet called only 14 rushing plays on the afternoon in Oakland. The one-dimensional offense provided the Raiders the opportunities for six sacks and led to QB Donovan McNabb having an inaccurate day under center (22-for-46). I would guess the Redskins are in for a heavy dose of an Eagles bounce-back win on Monday night.

11. Baltimore Ravens (3-3) —Heartbreak city again for the Ravens as kicker Steven Hauschka missed a 44-yard field goal with no time left. This was their third consecutive last minute loss, so they will use this bye week to get past the frustration and figure out how to slow down opposing offenses; they rank 22nd in the league in pass defense.

12. Arizona Cardinals (3-2) —Kurt Warner had a very efficient day as he passed the 30,000-yard mark for his career and put Arizona back on track as they head to New York to take on the Giants. The Cardinals pass defense, which ranked dead last before Sunday, held Seattle to just 112 yards through the air and 128 total—great sign for them moving forward this season.

13. San Francisco 49ers (3-2) —The Niners probably spent most of their bye week erasing the 45-10 shellacking from Atlanta out of their memories. They get RB Frank Gore back and will head to Houston to try to slow down their offensive attack.

14. Green Bay Packers (3-2) —It may be difficult to find negatives in a 26-0 win, but I am up for the challenge. The Packers have allowed a league-high 25 sacks and committed 13 penalties for 130 yards against the Lions. They were a favorite amongst many to be the dark horse this season, but look every bit the also-ran at this stage of the season.

15. Chicago Bears (3-2) —The Bears may be shaking their heads over this one for awhile, losing by seven points after coming up empty in the red zone three times. They will need to regroup quickly as the Bengals are up next. The 27th-ranked rushing attack needs a boost as well…

16. Dallas Cowboys (3-2) —The Cowboys have managed to make every game seem tough, but their opponent coming off the bye week, the Atlanta Falcons, will likely prove to be more than just a worthy adversary this week.

17. New York Jets (3-3) —For all the people who bought tickets to the Mark Sanchez bandwagon, they are non-refundable…five interceptions by the rookie killed a 300-yard rushing performance by Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. This was an inexcusable loss for the Jets, who have now dropped three straight and look every bit a .500 team.

18. Houston Texans (3-3) —The Texans are arguably the hardest team in the league to figure out, but their offense seems to be very straightforward right now. Matt Schaub threw for nearly 400 yards and four TDs in a key victory over the Bengals. They stuffed the run and dominated the clock with over 36 minutes of possession, providing them with great momentum as they take on the Niners this Sunday.

19. San Diego Chargers (2-3) —After this week’s loss to the undefeated Broncos, the division crown already looks lost, but there are plenty of games left and an immediate turnaround is necessary. The transformation needs to begin on defense, where they are near the bottom of the league in points allowed.

20. Seattle Seahawks (2-3) —Seattle’s offense looked inept just a week after posting 34 points on offense. They held the ball for only 17 minutes and roll into their bye week a very up-and-down team.

21. Miami Dolphins (2-3) —After the way the Saints looked on Sunday, the Dolphins should be happy to have had two weeks to prepare for them. They may need every last minute.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) —The squeaky wheel got the grease as Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 133 yards and three TDs against the lowly Rams. MJD said last week that he was upset with his “decoy” role, yet manned up and helped earn a victory for the Jags despite three crucial turnovers that forced this contest to overtime.

23. Carolina Panthers (2-3) —The Panthers got back to their strong suit by rushing for 267 yards in a victory over Tampa Bay. Despite continually shaky play by QB Jake Delhomme, their ability to pound opponents on the ground will win them some games going forward and this is not a team that should be counted out yet.

24. Washington Redskins (2-4) —The ‘Skins have yet to play a team that has a win entering the game in which they face off. Head coach Jim Zorn’s days are clearly numbered as he was relieved of his play-calling duties by the team’s management and QB Jason Campbell was benched. Maybe Sherm Lewis can get things on the right track…I’m not buying that either, but I had to try.

25. Buffalo Bills (2-4) —It doesn’t matter how you win, just if you win. Trent Edwards was added to the long list of injured Bills players and K Rian Lindell made up for his miss in regulation by nailing a 47-yarder in OT to win it. The Bills will have a long road to climb in the AFC East, but they can get some momentum going by taking out Carolina this Sunday.

26. Oakland Raiders (2-4) —The Raiders played their most complete game of the season and earned a shocking win over the Eagles. Oakland controlled to clock and put Philly in a position to throw the ball downfield, amazing considering they ranked 30th against the run going into the game. They host the Jets this weekend in what should be a very ugly contest.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) —This one was not pretty, but the Chiefs toughed it out by controlling the ball for over 37 minutes. They have been embroiled in close battles all season and will be in for a brawl this Sunday versus the Chargers.

28. Detroit Lions (1-5) —It’s a good thing the Lions grabbed that win when they had the chance a few weeks ago because they have been awful since. They managed only 149 yards of offense total and have run their winless streak in Green Bay to 19 games.

29. Cleveland Browns (1-5) —Less than 200 yards of offense and four turnovers led to a 12th consecutive loss to the Steelers. They rank 31st in the NFL in total offense and will probably not climb much further than that if this QB play continues.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6) —The Bucs are off to their first 0-6 start since 1985 and are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak. Five fumbles, four sacks allowed, and two turnovers really do not point to any signs of improvement on offense. This week, they get to take their show on the road to London, where the Pats will likely put on an offensive clinic for our international fans.

31. Tennessee Titans (0-6) —The wheels fell off the wagon a few weeks back, but who would have thought it would come to this? The 59-0 shutout at the hands of the Pats was the largest point margin in an NFL contest since 1976 and shockingly has the league’s longest tenured head coach, Jeff Fisher, on the hot seat.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-5) —It will be no consolation to Rams Nation (is there one?) that their 16th straight defeat was a hard-fought one that went into overtime. Yielding 500 yards of offense and scoring only one offensive touchdown is simply nowhere near getting it done on the field. Lastly, playing the Colts coming off a bye week is about as bad a way to try to build momentum as there could be in the NFL…good luck, Rams.

Mike Blewitt's NCAA Football Picks: Week Seven

Mike Blewitt — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:08:36 -0400

No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 21 South Florida (+2.5) — This game is about as high-profile as a game can get for the Big East Conference: A national TV contest with two undefeated and ranked teams vying for first place and increased recognition. Cincinnati boasts the nation’s third-ranked scoring offense, led by Heisman dark horse Tony Pike. South Florida is led by dual-threat QB BJ Daniels and a stout defense that allows fewer than 10 points per game. In a game that will go a long way to legitimizing both programs, I give the edge to the Bearcats.
Cincinnati 20, South Florida 17

No. 20 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Texas (-3.5, game is in Dallas) — It says a lot about the Longhorns that they lead the nation in scoring offense (47.20 points per game) and many pundits are left unimpressed mainly due to the caliber of their opponents to this point. Oklahoma has Sam Bradford back in the mix and ready to take on the fourth-stingiest defense in FBS. Despite OU’s rough start, this game will ultimately decide the Big 12 title as well as the BCS Championship game. I think the ‘Horns are still salty about last year’s decision to send OU to the Big 12 title game.
Texas 38, Oklahoma 27

No. 11 Iowa at Wisconsin (+2.5) — Amazingly, Iowa will be looking for its 11th straight win when they travel to Madison this weekend, its longest winning streak in 86 years. Their opportunistic defense is second in the FBS in takeaways with 19, which has been a huge factor if their wins coming by three or fewer points. Wisconsin looks to bounce back after a loss at Ohio State, where they failed to secure the ball—leading to two defensive TDs for the Buckeyes, something they can’t afford to do this weekend. I felt an upset brewing with all of Iowa’s close calls and a tough road game, but the Badgers’ turnover issues scared me away from it.
Iowa 24, Wisconsin 20

Arkansas at No. 1 Florida (-25) — The statistics would lead you believe that we may see a track meet this Saturday in Gainesville, with two of the top 11 scoring offenses in the nation matching up. Arkansas has gotten their season back on track after the upset win versus Auburn last week, and will look to knock off another top-ranked team like they did to LSU in November 2007. Florida expended every ounce of energy they had in shutting down LSU in Baton Rouge last weekend, and may have a bit of a letdown against the Razorbacks at home. Fortunately for the Gators, even their letdowns can be impressive.
Florida 34, Arkansas 17

No. 6 USC at No. 25 Notre Dame (+10) — The recent slate of games between these two teams has been anything but competitive, with USC in the midst of a seven-game winning streak. The Trojans’ sixth-ranked defense goes to South Bend having allowed just 256 yards and three points TOTAL in the last two meetings with the Irish. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen has been brilliant through five hard-fought games for the Irish and has actually eeked into the Heisman picture. USC Freshman QB Matt Barkley may find this even tougher than Columbus. If ever there was a time for a signature win for a player, coach, and a school—this is it. No guts, no glory…
Notre Dame 21, USC 20

Memphis at Southern Miss issippi (-14) — Southern Miss is in a tailspin, having lost three straight which puts them right in the middle of the C-USA race. RB Damion Fletcher is on pace for his fourth 1,000-yard season and will look to dominate this Saturday against Memphis. The Tigers caught UTEP sleeping after an upset of their own, but they're 1-4 against FBS schools on the season and have struggled offensively throughout.
Southern Miss 34, Memphis 13

No. 4 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Georgia Tech (+3) — In a conference that has become nearly impossible to predict, we have a pivotal game in the race for the ACC Coastal division crown. Virginia Tech is on a hot streak, having won five straight—including a couple of blowouts over alleged peers Miami and Boston College. Georgia Tech’s No. 1 ACC offense will pave quite the road to the conference title game with an upset in Atlanta this weekend. Frankly, there have not been too many teams as good and balanced in the ACC in recent memory as the Hokies are in 2009.
Virginia Tech 31, Georgia Tech 23

No. 22 South Carolina at No. 2 Alabama (-17) — Alabama is on a mission right now to avenge last year’s loss in the SEC Championship game to Florida, and South Carolina is just another team in their way. The second-ranked Tide has the nation’s second-ranked defense and will look to shut down the Gamecocks on Saturday night. South Carolina has but one close defeat at the hands of Georgia, and brings the 15th-ranked defense into Tuscaloosa. The bad news for South Carolina is Alabama is averaging over 220 yards per contest on the ground—not the strong suit of their defense, which means the Tide continues to roll.
Alabama 27, South Carolina 17.

Missouri at No. 16 Oklahoma State (-7) — Everything seemed to be going according to plan this season for Missouri until the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to Nebraska. Turnovers led to touchdowns, which led to a loss. The Tigers are led by the aerial attack of QB Blaine Gabbert, who will look to put them back in the rankings with an upset in Stillwater. The ENTIRE story for the Cowboys is the suspension of All-American WR Dez Bryant who will likely be out for this game as well. The OSU offense is still explosive (ninth in the nation in points scored), and will need to stay focused in order to fend off a feisty Missouri team. The distraction will be there, but the ‘Boys are simply the better team.
Oklahoma State 37, Missouri 27.

Washington at Arizona State (-6 ½) — Washington is having the most up-and-down of seasons, but everyone associated with the program will take it after last season’s winless debacle. While head coach Steve Sarkisian is working out the kinks on offense, it’s the 90th-ranked defense that needs some stops to produce more consistent wins. Arizona State has managed to solidify its defense, but the next four games after this one (Stanford, Cal, USC, Oregon) mean they need to earn their wins immediately to even think about bowl season.
Washington 24, Arizona State 23.

Last Week: 4-6

Season: 21-20

Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week Six

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:55:38 -0400

The ranks of the undefeated held strong in Week Six as the protégé toppled the mentor in Denver. The Bengals and Ravens clashed for the top spot in the AFC North, the Eagles and Falcons soared off of their bye week, and the Browns and Panthers saw a ray of sunshine in an otherwise cloudy season. Let's run through No. 1 to No. 32...

1. New York Giants (5-0)—Yet another cupcake opponent in the Raiders for the G-Men but they ended this one as early as possible. Banged-up QB Eli Manning was resting by the second quarter and the Giants are off to their first 5-0 start since 1990, one of their three Super Bowl Championship years.

2. New Orleans Saints (4-0)—The bye week may be just what the Saints needed to game plan for this week’s showdown with the Giants in a HUGE matchup for Week Six. QB Drew Brees looks to get back on track and will try to get the Superdome rocking in one of the biggest regular season games in the building’s history.

3. Indianapolis Colts (5-0)—Peyton Manning has five consecutive 300-yard games for the first time in his career and the Colts are looking as efficient as ever on offense. They earned their bye week rest and will see the Rams coming out of it which is almost unfair for St. Louis.

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)—The Vikings made pretty quick and easy work of the Rams as they remained unbeaten. Favre, Peterson, and even defensive end Jared Allen all got in the scoring mix; that flexibility should help when they host the Ravens this week.

5. Denver Broncos (5-0)—Head coach Josh McDaniels proved he was up to the task as he beat former boss Bill Belichick in an overtime battle in Denver. Despite wearing one of the ugliest uniforms of all-time, Kyle Orton made huge plays including the game-tying throw to Brandon Marshall in the fourth quarter. It’s off to rival San Diego this week to try to keep the streak alive.

6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1)—The emotional Bengals managed their third straight last-minute victory over the Ravens and shot up the power rankings board. Cedric Benson became the first rusher to pick up over 100 yards on the Ravens in 40 games and, as the NFL’s leading rusher, is pacing Cincy to this 4-1 start.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)—The Eagles came out firing on all cylinders against the Bucs this past Sunday. Donovan McNabb was efficient and the Philly defense forced three turnovers to go along with three sacks. Facing the Raiders in Week Six should continue the easy ramp-up period out of the bye week.

8. New England Patriots (3-2)—While there is no need to hit the panic button after a road loss in OT, the Pats simply aren’t as sharp as when Brady was under center in 2007. The timing should come back soon but they can’t afford too many more losses while trying to position themselves for a postseason run.

9. Atlanta Falcons (3-1)—QB Matt Ryan had a career-high 329 passing yards as the Falcons put a hurting on the 49ers in San Francisco. WR Roddy White put up huge numbers and Atlanta forced three turnovers to put them back on track after the bye week.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)—Ben Roethlisberger has upped his completion percentage to a league-high 73.8 percent and the Steelers have scored eight TDs in their last eight trips to the red zone. Safety Troy Polamalu should be returning in time for them to host the Browns this Sunday.

11. Chicago Bears (3-1)—The Bears will come out of their bye week right into a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons who torched the 49ers for 45 points in Week Five. Perhaps the rest is what they needed.

12. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)—The Ravens had a tough time moving the ball on the Bengals’ defense and managed only seven offensive points in yet another loss that was marred by crucial penalties. They will need to right the ship immediately as they head into the dome to face the Vikings this Sunday.

13. New York Jets (3-2)—The Jets have prided themselves on defense all season but after forcing no sacks or turnovers and letting up over 400 yards of offense, it’s time for a gut-check. The 31 points allowed is not acceptable in head coach Rex Ryan’s locker room.

14. San Francisco 49ers (3-2)—The 49ers go into the bye week on a bad note, suffering a 35-point defeat at home. But, this will allow star RB Frank Gore to get healthy and head coach Mike Singletary to fix the defensive issues that yielded nearly 500 yards of offense to the Falcons.

15. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)—Dallas seemed to go for Miles and Miles and Miles in that fourth quarter and OT in Kansas City. Miles Austin, that is. His record-breaking performance saved the ‘Boys from another blown lead but doesn’t keep me from scratching my head on the rest of the team’s effort headed into their bye week.

16. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)—The Cardinals blew a 21-0 lead but were saved by their defense who returned a pick for a TD and then held strong on a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. Kurt Warner battles Matt Hasselbeck next week in a big NFC West showdown.

17. San Diego Chargers (2-2)—The Chargers host divisional rival Denver in a Monday night matchup right out of their bye week. This may be the perfect storm to cause Denver’s unbeaten run to come to an end.

18. Green Bay Packers (2-2)—The Lions do not seems to be the pushover they were last season, so Green Bay cannot take them lightly after having Week Five off.

19. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)—Matt Hasselbeck was back in the lineup after missing two games and was exactly what was missing for the Seahawks; he completed 60 percent of his passes and threw four TDs. The defense picked it up too, limiting the Jags to less than 200 yards of offense.

20. Miami Dolphins (2-3)—Chad Henne, Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and the Wildcat offense were all heroes on Monday night. After a rough start to the season, the Dolphins have put up 69 points in the last two games and go into their bye week in a good frame of mind.

21. Houston Texans (2-3)—Matt Schaub put up fantasy football numbers that made all of his owners thrilled but his key interception with two minutes left cost the Texans the game. This team seems destined to continue its up-and-down season next week in Cincinnati.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)—David Garrard was sacked five times and lost two fumbles as the Jags were blanked by Seattle, 41-0. When you have almost as many penalties (nine) as you had first downs (ten), it will most assuredly be a long day for your team.

23. Carolina Panthers (1-3)—Jake Delhomme’s gutsy first-down run with less than two minutes left sealed the victory and embodied the grit that the Panther showed in their come-from-behind win. With Tampa and Buffalo up next, they may get back on the road to respectability and more…

24. Washington Redskins (2-3)—The Redskins picked up just 198 yards of offense and blew a 15-point second half lead. It’s safe to say Jim Zorn is not proving his offensive genius to anyone right now and has serious work to do to save his job for the remainder of this season.

25. Detroit Lions (1-4)—Playing with experienced backup Duante Culpepper, the Lions hung tough against the defending champs. They will need to protect the QBs better, no matter who plays, as the seven sacks allowed were indicative of their inability to sustain drives on offense.

26. Tennessee Titans (0-5)—Kicking three field goals is no way to fight a battle against the Colts. Injuries are mounting as quickly as losses are in Tennessee and Vince Young’s return to the starting lineup is a real possibility. This team has too much pride to completely pack it in but the playoff hopes are essentially extinguished already—amazing…

27. Cleveland Browns (1-4)—Derek Anderson went 2-17 for 23 yards and one INT for a 15.1 passer rating, the lowest such number for a winning QB in several decades. On a positive note, Jamal Lewis pounded the ball for 117 yards to help the Browns earn the 6-3 victory in Buffalo, their first of the season.

28. Buffalo Bills (1-4)—The Bills had the Browns at home in what should have been a golden opportunity to pick up their second victory of the year. Instead, they turned the ball over three times, scored three points and now their win over Tampa Bay now looks like a complete fluke. Everyone is on the hot seat in Buffalo which may not be such a bad thing considering the climate in upstate NY…

29. Oakland Raiders (1-4)—After their 44-7 drubbing at the hands of the New York Giants, the Raiders are 25-75 in their last 100 games, the worst 100-game stretch in NFL history. Tom Cable still may be charged with a felony assault, so…there’s that, too…

30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-5)—While the Chiefs hung in against the Cowboys and pushed them to overtime, key missed tackles resulted in big plays and yet another loss as they remain winless. Again, there are no moral victories in the NFL.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5)—Putting your newbie QB in a position to throw the ball 50 times in a game is never a good idea. Doing it against the blitz-happy Eagles is an even worse idea, which resulted in three picks and plenty of tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-5)—Another no-doubter of a loss for the Rams as they turned the ball over four more times. They are now in the midst of a 15-game losing streak, the longest active streak in the NFL, and are averaging less than seven points a game; they may be regressing in each phase of the game.

Virginia Tech Vs. Boston College: The Unheralded Rivalry

Mike Blewitt — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:19:38 -0400

This Saturday brings us the fifth matchup between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Boston College Eagles in the last three years—which leads the nation in that most unofficial of stats.

This will be the 12th contest of this decade and the 17th consecutive season that the two have met albeit in two different conferences.

You can’t say you hear or read about it all that much nationally, but it’s a rivalry that has determined the last two ACC Champions and thus the BCS landscape.

No one, certainly not I, would suggest that it is among the most historic or elite of college football’s rivalries. After all, the 17-year history cannot compare to the 102-year battle that wages on with Michigan and Ohio State. It does not possess the vitriolic tone of the Alabama/Auburn Iron Bowl, the high stakes of the Red River shootout between Oklahoma and Texas, nor the poignancy of Army versus Navy.

But, I assure you, this game should be on your radar each season.

Virginia Tech has long been known as a team that defends its home turf well, with Lane Stadium rocking out to “Enter Sandman” at the onset of each home game. Throw in a little lunch pail defense along with the most consistently dominant special teams in the country and it is no surprise that they have not lost a game there since October 2007— even that one taking a miraculous comeback orchestrated by a BC-led Matt Ryan squad. Home losses are simply rare in Hokie Land.

Boston College is the program that earns its respect on the field, rarely ranked in the preseason, often surprising critics along the way each year. Picked by many to finish last in the ACC Atlantic Division last year, the Eagles fought their way to a first place finish and a second consecutive bout with the Hokies in the ACC Championship Game.

Unfortunately for Eagles fans, that resulted in a second consecutive gut-wrenching defeat and a continued gaze from the outside looking in at the BCS party.

This year’s battle possesses all the intrigue of the past few seasons with the winner taking the driver’s seat in its respective division, on its way to a third consecutive ACC title game appearance.

Virginia Tech comes in on a four-game winning streak behind the powerful running game of freshman Ryan Williams and the dynamic dual-threat QB Tyrod Taylor.

Williams ranks eighth in the FBS in rushing and leads the ground game that is averaging over 203 yards per game, second in the ACC. Virginia Tech’s biggest issue on offense has been trying to find the balance it needs to compete if the ground game happens to falter.

Tyrod Taylor had completed only 47 percent of his passes through four games, until he lit up the skies last week in a win at hapless Duke. Taylor went 17-for-22 for a career-high 327 yards and two TDs, allowing the Hokies to overcome 12 penalties in the 34-26 victory.

Uncharacteristically, the Hokies have not been as stout defensively and barely crack the top 50 in total defense. They have also been flagged 38 times in five games, making them one of the more penalized teams in the nation. The Hokies will need to be a more disciplined team on Saturday afternoon as the Eagles will take advantage of free yardage much more efficiently than the Blue Devils did.

Boston College is off to a surprising 4-1 start, including a two-game conference winning streak highlighted by last week’s upset of Florida State.

An embarrassing loss at Clemson on September 19 in which they gained only 54 yards of offense was the impetus for a change at quarterback. Dave Shinskie, the 25-year-old former baseball playing freshman, took the reins against Wake Forest and FSU and picked up 431 yards, five TDs and only one pick in those two contests.

By completing 60 percent of his passes, it has allowed BC to open up the running game by creating the balance that it lacked through the first three games. The rushing attack is led by sophomore Montel Harris, who is averaging 90 yards per game and had a breakout performance in last week’s win by picking up 179 yards and two TDs.

Despite losing two top NFL picks on the defensive line, and almost their entire starting linebacking corps, BC has managed to remain fierce on the defensive side of the ball.

Under the tutelage of longtime defensive coordinator, and now head coach Frank Spaziani, the Eagles rank in the top 25 in the country in total and rushing defense. Senior captain middle linebacker Mike McLaughlin has returned from injury and the outstanding play from younger players like Luke Keuchly had greatly improved the defensive performance.

Special teams always play a role in these contests and Virginia Tech will have the advantage again, regardless of what the stats may read at this stage of the season. It is worth noting, however, that BC standout senior wideout Rich Gunnell has the skills to return punts and went to the house on the Hokies last season.

Summary

Expect BC to load up on the Hokies’ formidable rushing attack and force Taylor to throw the ball. Taylor was able to gash them last season, with a better defense than this year, on the ground. So staying home on assignments will be paramount for BC to contain the big play. Combine that with Ryan Williams’ ability to churn out the yards and BC will have its hands full in Lane Stadium.

Offensively, BC continues to gain confidence and will have to continue to improve in pass-blocking situations. Clemson killed them several weeks ago with run blitzes and consistent pressure on the QB, resulting in an abysmal performance. Expect Virginia Tech to throw the kitchen sink at Shinskie, who despite his age, is still a freshman and is still a long way from polished under center.

Prediction—I think it would be asking too much for BC, who is improving by the week, to be able to stop this Hokie team at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech 30, BC 17.

So, we are primed for today’s tussle of the underdog Eagles and the formidable host Hokies, it may not be historic but it definitely needs to be on everyone’s radar.

NCAA Football Picks ATS: Week Six

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:18:06 -0400

No. 21 Nebraska at No. 24 Missouri (+4)

Both teams have proven they can move the ball, ranking in the Top 20 in the country in points scored and yards gained.

Interesting back-story: Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert, who has yet to throw an interception in four games, originally committed to the Huskers before backing out and committing to the Tigers.

This is a huge game in the battle for the Big 12 North; I like Mizzou as the home underdog playing in inclement weather. Missouri 24, Nebraska 20.

Boston College at No. 5 Virginia Tech (-13 ½)

This will be the fifth meeting in the last three seasons as these two rivals have matched up in the regular season and the ACC Championship for two years running…and possibly a third this December.

Boston College is the last team to win in Lane Stadium (October 2007) and is revitalized by the play of 25-year old freshman QB Dave Shinskie.

Virginia Tech is fighting for more than just an ACC title this season as their No. 5 overall ranking suggests.

BC will put up a good fight (and barely cover) but the Hokies are a bit too strong for them defensively and on special teams this time around. Virginia Tech 30, BC 17.

No. 17 Auburn at Arkansas (+2.5)

Auburn has raced off to a 5-0 start and go into this SEC battle ranked for the first time this season. Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has the Tigers in the Top 5 nationally in points scored and yardage.

Arkansas has been airing it out with talented QB Ryan Mallett with mixed results and will try to avoid a three-game conference losing streak.

Arkansas’ inability to stop their SEC foes has been their undoing so until they do, I can’t wager with them even as a home ‘dog. Auburn 35, Arkansas 27.

No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi (+4)

Many would argue that Alabama is the most impressive team in the country at this stage of the season, with dominant performances on both sides of the ball in each of their first five games.

Ole Miss stumbled against South Carolina early and looked to fold under the pressure of being a Top 5 team for the first time in decades.

Frankly, if they walked into this game undefeated it wouldn’t change my outlook: Bama takes care of business again in Oxford. Alabama 34, Ole Miss 14.

Connecticut at Pittsburgh (-6 ½)

Pitt’s offense has looked much improved this season with QB Bill Stull leading them to 37 points-per-game.

UConn will try to grind it out on the ground in their Big East opener and try to win a smash mouth contest but can their defense hold up? This one may not be easy to watch but Pitt covers very close. Pittsburgh 30, UConn 23.

Wisconsin at No. 9 Ohio State (-16) – The under-the-radar Badgers are 14^th in the country in rushing behind John Clay as they have sped off to a 5-0 start.

The Buckeyes have not let up a 100-yard rusher since September 2008 and will be looking to take command of the Big Ten Conference. I just don’t see that many points being scored in Columbus so take them and run. Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 16.

Stanford at Oregon State (Pick) – Stanford is making an argument for a ranking and will look to go 4-0 in the Pac-10 led by the 1-2 offensive punch of QB Andrew Luck and RB Toby Gerhart.

However, Corvallis is never a soft landing spot for opponents (see USC 2008) and sophomore RB Jacquizz Rodgers already has nine touchdowns on the season.

This truly is a coin flip but I think Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh secures another signature win. Stanford 24, Oregon State 23.

UTEP at Memphis (+2 ½)

UTEP managed 18 yards rushing two weeks ago against Texas only to come back and upset No. 12-ranked Houston by scoring 58 points and picking up 305 yards on the ground.

Memphis has struggled mightily to score points but I like them as the home underdog playing a team who will have a huge letdown after a major upset. Memphis 23, UTEP 20.

No. 1 Florida at No. 4 LSU (+7 ½)

There have been some very big matchups early on this season (USC-Ohio St., Bama-Virginia Tech) but none takes on the ultimate meaning quite like this game. The winner of this game is in charge of the national championship race, period.

While there is cause for concern with Tebow, there is no doubt he will be out there playing his heart out for the Gators. LSU has won 32 consecutive Saturday night games but has been far from impressive on offense during their 5-0 start.

The winner of this game has gone on to capture the last three BCS championships and this year will make it four for the Gators. Florida 33, LSU 20

Michigan at No. 12 Iowa (-8) – Iowa is 5-0 for the first time since 1995 and has won nine straight dating back to last season.

Michigan suffered an OT heartbreaker to in-state rival Michigan State last week and will look for redemption in another huge Big Ten matchup.

Michigan may be using a freshman QB in Tate Forcier, but they look incredibly dynamic at times, while Iowa has been inconsistent enough to keep the doubters filled with ammo. Michigan 33, Iowa 30.

Last Week: 8-2

Season: 17-14

Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week Five

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:29:38 -0400

A clash of the titans in New England and Favre-fueled media frenzy in Minnesota highlighted the NFL action over the weekend.

New Orleans delivered a football lesson to the Jets’ rookie QB, the Broncos continue to convert believers, and the Bengals (yes, the Bengals!) have some serious momentum as we head into week five. Let’s count them down from No. 1 to No. 32.

1. New York Giants (4-0)

There is a case to be made that the Giants early-season schedule has been too easy for them to remain in the top spot. But, the way they are easily dispatching of their opponents is reason enough to keep them here.

Plus, they hold a top five ranking in both offense and defense.

2. New Orleans Saints (4-0)

The Saints possess the league’s No. 1-ranked offense and also lead the NFL in turnover ratio, meaning they have finally figured out a way to play some solid defense. Now, they head into their bye week at a perfect 4-0.

3. Indianapolis Colts (4-0)

Peyton Manning is making things look very easy for the Colts right now as he heads up the league’s most prolific passing offense.

They will need to balance things out with the running game and tighten up on defense. But with the combined 0-8 Rams and Titans sandwiched around their bye week, 6-0 is a very realistic possibility.

4. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)

Brett Favre is looking increasingly comfortable in Vikings’ purple as he beat his old squad, becoming the first ever QB to defeat all 32 NFL teams. With that lethal pass rush delivering eight sacks against Green Bay, the Vikes look every bit of a contender in 2009.

5. Denver Broncos (4-0)

One can analyze the schedule all one wants but the Broncos have allowed only 26 points in four games—that’s a surefire recipe for success.

The next stretch of games against New England, San Diego, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh will give us an even better idea of how strong this team is.

6. New England Patriots (3-1)

This may not be the most impressive 3-1 start ever, but it is a good start nonetheless. Considering how banged up the Pats are on defense and that Brady is still trying to get his rhythm back with Moss, Welker, and Co. this first quarter of the season is a success.

7. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

The Ravens might be kicking themselves over the loss to New England that was low-lighted by a couple of controversial penalties and a terrible dropped pass at the end of the game. But, they need to have short memories as they will be playing Cincinnati this Sunday for control of the division.

8. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)

The Niners shook off the last-second loss in Minnesota and promptly went out to destroy the Rams. This weekend’s clash against the Falcons will provide another measuring stick for how far they have come over the last 12 months.

9. New York Jets (3-1)

By all accounts, this has been a good first month for rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the revitalized Jets defense. But, the aforementioned signal-caller will need to secure the football if they are to have any chance of earning a spot in the playoffs.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

A well-placed bye week and a lighter slate against Tampa Bay, Oakland, and Washington may help them get back to full strength without having to sacrifice anything in the win column.

11. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)

The Falcons have had a week to think about the loss at New England, but now they need to focus on another tough opponent as they travel to San Francisco to take on a stingy Niners defense.

12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

I will refrain from saying they are one miracle tipped-pass away from being 4-0…each Bengals contest has had its own last-second drama. But they are finding a way to win. They take on the Ravens to try to get to 3-0 in the division and assume the driver’s seat, which is an amazing turnaround.

13. Chicago Bears (3-1)

It seems that all the Favre drama has created a vacuum of media coverage regarding the NFC North. The Bears offense led by Jay Cutler is looking more and more comfortable by the week as they fly under the radar at 3-1.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

The Steelers ranking should be quickly on the rise the next couple of weeks as they see Detroit and Cleveland. But, they have to learn to stop opposing offenses in the fourth quarter and not wait for Polamalu to come back from injury to do so.

15. Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Not many people thought that Green Bay was going into Minny to spoil their Monday Night Favre party. Their defense getting shredded by Brett was a more disturbing result.

16. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

There was already a growing sentiment questioning Romo’s ability to lead this team to the promised land, but allowing him to get pounded by Denver is no way to get him out of his slump.

Perhaps this week’s matchup with the Chiefs will provide a soft landing for the Cowboys.

17. San Diego Chargers (2-2)

Don’t let the fourth quarter near-comeback and final score fool you. This team looked out of sync and overmatched versus the Steelers on Sunday night.

The next three weeks against divisional opponents provide San Diego every opportunity to seize control of their destiny in 2009.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)

A press-conference tongue-lashing by head coach Jack Del Rio two weeks ago appears to have worked. The Jags officially have me confused as to what their identity is this season.

19. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

Hopefully, the bye week provided some respite for a team who needs to turn it around this week to get back on the right track towards the playoffs.

20. Washington Redskins (2-2)

There are not too many teams out there that are harder to watch than the Redskins. They’ve played three of the worst teams in the league in Tampa, Detroit, and St. Louis and, unfortunately, they’ve looked like they belong among that group.

21. Houston Texans (2-2)

The offense appears to be clicking again in Houston but they need to prove they can stop teams when it counts—and, no, the Raiders don’t count…

22. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)

At some point, injuries cannot be an excuse. The Seahawks lone win was against the basement-dwelling Rams in Week One, and they have looked like a bad team since.

23. Miami Dolphins (1-3)

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams ran wild in Chad Henne’s first start (and win) against the Bills. Expect to see a lot more of that game plan over the brutal next month of opponents (NE, NO, and NYJ twice).

24. Tennessee Titans (0-4)

Perhaps they should be lower on this list but this ranking isn’t exactly a vote of confidence, either. It’s panic time in Nashville.

25. Buffalo Bills (1-3)

There appears to be just as many people jumping off the Trent Edwards bandwagon as there was jumping on it in preseason. Playing the Browns at home should help turn things around this week.

26. Detroit Lions (1-3)

The Dolphins turnaround last year was the exception, not the rule. This is about progress not a massive turnaround in one year, so don’t expect them to upset the Steelers this Sunday.

27. Oakland Raiders (1-3)

Head coach Tom Cable is under criminal investigation for assaulting one of his assistant coaches in the preseason. On the field? JaMarcus Russell completes less than 40 percent of his passes so it will probably get a bit uglier.

28. Carolina Panthers (0-3)

The offense needs to stop putting the defense in terrible positions in Carolina by turning the ball over. I don’t think they are actually this bad.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)

Playing the Ravens, Eagles, and Giants in the first month is not a way any team would want to start out, but there is very little sign of improvement in KC. They are near the bottom of the league in almost every major statistical category on both offense and defense.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)

New QB, same old lack of offense. Their schedule does not line up very nicely for them the rest of the way so buckle your seat belts in Tampa, this ride could get bumpy.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-4)

Derek Anderson has breathed some life into the lifeless Browns offense and will start under center for now. Their porous defense, however, will keep them from winning most games this season.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-4)

The Rams were shut out again leaving their season points scored total at 24 through four games. Scoring six points per game will not win you many, if any, games in the NFL.

College GameDay Fights the Good Fight at Boston College This Weekend

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:43:03 -0400

So, many of you are wondering how in the world ESPN’s College GameDay decided to set up shop at Boston College this weekend. Certainly those in Berkeley, California feel an extra sting after the loss to Oregon knocked them out of contention for hosting every college football fan’s favorite Saturday morning show. Ditto the Miami fans who thought they were at the precipice of regaining all of their past glory in just a few short weeks this September, only the ‘Canes forgot to run their plans by the Virginia Tech Hokies.

In fact, there may be a few other campuses that could stake their claim to Fowler, Corso, Herbstreit, and Des Howard but, I assure you, there is no more rightful place for them to be this weekend than Chestnut Hill.

Some of you may know by now why ESPN has decided to bring the party to BC and the reasoning starts with a player named Mark Herzlich. As last season’s ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, the 6’4”, 240-pound Herzlich was working all spring to get ready to destroy offenses in his senior season and repeat that honor (at least) on his way to being a first-round NFL draft pick.

But, wouldn’t you know it, a little thing called life decided to step in and set up a roadblock. Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, this past May and has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments for the past five months.

As an alumnus and long-time season-ticket holder, I have seen plenty of players come through ‘The Heights’ and Herzlich is building as good a career as any of them, including recent high-profile players Matt Ryan and B.J. Raji. As an alumnus I can also tell you that everyone refers to him as Herzy; he’s the player that everybody loves. He physically dominates opponents, he plays hard, AND he plays smart; he truly is on another level on the gridiron.

When the Jeff Jagodzinksi coaching regime ended last season in turmoil, it was Herzy’s phone call and vote of confidence for Frank Spaziani to Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo that helped cement that choice—you’ll notice Coach Spaz is the mustachioed head coach with the 3-1 record now patrolling BC’s sidelines in 2009. Not your average linebacker, he’s a leader who has made his promise to not only beat the disease he is fighting but to return to play football for the Eagles in 2010.

Herzy’s resolve has inspired BC as well as the other ACC member schools to join him in his fight against cancer. Proceeds from BC’s Beat Cancer T-shirts will be donated to the American Cancer Society in support of Ewing's Sarcoma research. Clemson presented him with a check for $5,000 two weeks ago when the Tigers hosted the Eagles. Members of the Virginia Tech scout team sold wrist bands for $1 at last week's game against Miami to benefit the cause and then announced this week that it had increased the total of its fund-raising campaign to $9,400 after they blew past their original goal of $5,094; a check will be presented to Herzlich when Boston College visits Lane Stadium on Oct. 10.

In all, more than $60,000 has been raised much of which has been donated to Uplifting Athletes, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for rare diseases.

All of this brings us to the heart of the matter, when deciding why or where we think College GameDay should arrive each Saturday morning. For all the hand-wringing about strength of schedule, Harris Interactive polls, BCS-busters, and marquee games the reason many of us watch college sports is a bit bigger than that.

There is a sense of community amongst the fans and players that blow away the atmosphere at any professional sporting event you can attend. It is truly different and anyone that has been to a game on a campus can tell you that. No one would deny that the NCAA is big business but there are stories all across college sports that inspire and encourage others across the country. This story just happens to be Herzy’s, arguably the best linebacker in the nation.

I applaud ESPN for producing a theme for this week’s show based on athletes overcoming adversity and featuring Mark Herzlich’s continued fight against cancer, it is a genuine way to keep the community informed and involved in these battles that require our collective efforts. Selfishly, I am happy to have GameDay back in Chestnut Hill for the first time since 2005 to see BC battle Florida State, a budding division rivalry that has seen zero home-field wins in the four years since the Eagles joined the Seminoles in the ACC.

So, to all those outside of the Boston College community who were perplexed by the choice, miffed at your snub, or bitter about the time you wasted on your new GameDay sign I encourage you to watch this weekend. Enjoy the banter, get hyped for the games, root for Mark Herzlich in his courageous fight, and by all means donate to a good cause.

Go Eagles.

Go Herzy.

Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week Four

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:01:22 -0400

Finally, Brett Favre makes some big news on the field as the Vikes snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The defending champion Steelers once again stumbled against their hated rival Bengals while the Broncos raised some eyebrows as they remained undefeated. Last but certainly not least, the lovable Lions exit the basement for the first time in a long time as we run down the list No. 1 to No. 32.

Here we go:

1. New York Giants (3-0)

The Giants have a depleted roster due to various injuries (Kenny Phillips and Justin Tuck) and promptly went down to Tampa to shut out the Bucs with a 28-5 first down advantage.

Eli Manning took a breather at the end of this game sending fantasy football nerds (just like me) into a tizzy across the nation.

2. New Orleans Saints (3-0)

The Bills held the Drew Brees to only 172 yards passing…but forgot about RBs Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush & Co., who combined for 222 yards on the ground.

Scary offense and the only TD they allowed was on a fake punt; perhaps the New Orleans defense is ready to match their offensive peers.

3. Baltimore Ravens (3-0)

The only criticism one could make of the Ravens thus far is the weakness of their schedule since they drew the Chiefs and Browns early.

Aside from that, they are clicking on both sides of the ball, with Joe Flacco proving last year was no beginner’s luck.

4. Minnesota Vikings (3-0)

The soft schedule ended abruptly with a tough test against the Niners and Favre decides to wait until the last two seconds to lock down the Vikings third win to start the season.

We knew he liked the drama, but this is getting ridiculous. Just to point out, nearly 400 yards of offense against the Niners is a very good sign for the Vikes.

5. New York Jets (3-0)

The Jets were forced to come from behind this week to beat the Tennessee Titans.

Mark Sanchez became the first quarterback, since the NFL-AFL mergerm, to start his career at 3-0, but has yet to convince the higher-ups to scrap the ugly, old-school New York Titan uniforms.

6. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)

Indy completely dominated the defending NFC champion, the Cardinals, in every facet of the contest.

The offense (over 500 yards total) appears to be in mid-season form and the defense hopes that Dwight Freeney’s injury is minor; he appeared to be on a mission this week.

7. San Diego Chargers (2-1)

Only a last-minute loss to the Ravens has kept them from being one of the cool kids who hang in the undefeated crowd.

This week’s test at Pittsburgh should reveal a few more secrets about both teams.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

Who are the geniuses who said Kevin Kolb wasn’t capable? He just lit up the Chiefs so that the Iggles can rest easy headed into their bye week and we’ll probably see McNabb and Westbrook back in the lineup in Week Five.

9. New England Patriots (2-1)

They are back on track after a nice win at home over the Falcons, but it was fun to watch Pats’ fans panic for a week, wasn’t it?

Injuries continue to mount, yet quarterback Tom Brady has them pointed in the right direction (including Fred Taylor). This week’s matchup against Baltimore will be a good old-fashioned throwdown.

10. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)

That rustling you hear in the distance is the sound of 53 San Francisco football players shaking their heads at the same time.

Very tough loss for the Niners but head coach Mike Singletary will have them focused for this week’s home tilt vs. the struggling Rams.

11. Denver Broncos (3-0)

I feel like I am the target of a used-car salesman right now and his name is Josh McDaniels. Not ready to buy just yet…Josh, could you throw in some floor mats?

12. Atlanta Falcons (2-1)

Those wins against Miami and Carolina have lost any luster that they once had, and the Pats handled them in Gillette Stadium.

They have the bye week to rest up for a big NFC matchup in San Francisco and will try to get Michael Turner back on track.

13. Green Bay Packers (2-1)

The Pack is flying a little bit under the radar after the loss to Cincy last week. But, that will change when the Internet nearly explodes this week as they go to Minnesota to face franchise legend and former Packer Brett Favre.

Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the offense appear to be in sync just in time.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)

The Bengals broke an eight-game home losing streak against the Steelers and are only one freaky, last-minute tipped pass for TD away from being undefeated.

I am sure head coach Marvin Lewis has them focusing on the positive as they head to Cleveland to take on the woeful Browns.

15. Chicago Bears (2-1)

Consecutive wins over the Steelers and Seahawks have the Bears feeling good and Jay Cutler appears to be gaining comfort with his new team.

They host the Lions this week but the burning question is whether they can get Matt Forte’s ground game going.

16. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)

Handing four turnovers to the Giants can essentially guarantee you a loss, and there are no moral victories for keeping it close despite said errors. The ‘Boys will need to play a lot better to sniff anywhere near the playoffs.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)

Shockingly, the defending champs find themselves out of playoff range in this week’s rankings.

Shoddy field-goal kicking and fourth quarter defensive breakdowns have them wondering how soon they can have havoc-wreaking safety Troy Polamalu back in the mix to stem the tide.

18. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)

If this were a power rankings based on Week Three uniforms, they might be dead last. They missed Matt Hasselbeck as well as two field goals in a tough loss to the Bears; Hass’ return will mean a lot.

19. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

Kurt Warner was on the run all night against Indy, not exactly the strongest part of his skill set.

Peyton Manning brutally sliced up the Cards' defense that need to find a way to stop someone quick or that run to the Super Bowl last year will seem a figment of their imagination.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)

Jack Del Rio’s message to his team last week appeared to have worked. The Jags pounded out 184 rushing yards in a gritty win in Houston.

21. Tennessee Titans (0-3)

This is probably the best team without a win we have seen in the NFL in quite some time, but they will have some work to do to pull them out of a very serious hole.

Since 1990 when the 12-team playoff format started, only three teams have made the playoffs after going 0-3.

22. Houston Texans (1-2)

Unless head coach Gary Kubiak can figure out a way for his team to get stops defensively, then the only reason to watch Houston is to watch some of their offensive players rack up fantasy points.

23. Miami Dolphins (0-3)

The Atlanta-Indy-San Diego trifecta to start the year was a tough obstacle course…but they failed at every hazard.

Now, a new Chad (Henne) steps in to take over for the previous Chad (Pennington) who is out for the year with a shoulder injury and everyone in Miami is left hanging (bad pun alert!).

24. Buffalo Bills (1-2)

The Bills sold out to stop Drew Brees and promptly let up 222 rushing yards. They coupled that with less than 250 total yards and failed to get Terrell Owens a reception for the first time in 185 games. I’d officially call that a plan that backfired.

25. Detroit Lions (1-2)

At long last, the Lions have vacated the final spot. Their ability to control the clock for more than 36 minutes against Washington and not turn the ball over were key factors in a win that should be a nice building block for the young core of this team.

26. Washington Redskins (1-2)

The ‘Skins allowed Detroit to dominate the clock but the real story is the inexcusable inability for this team to find the end zone over the last two seasons. Jim Zorn’s seat is officially hot.

27. Oakland Raiders (1-2)

JaMarcus Russell has a 41.3 completion percentage through three weeks. Darren McFadden had three fumbles, bringing his total to seven in 16 career games. Now there’s an offense they can build on!

28. Carolina Panthers (0-3)

Starting against Philly, Atlanta, and Dallas is tough, but this team was 12-4 last year; they need to right the ship in a hurry. Maybe the bye week will allow them to tighten up whatever it was that allowed three turnovers and 449 yards in Dallas.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)

The Chiefs were 0-for-11 on third-down conversions and gained less than 200 yards of offense against the Eagles. Next up is the New York Giants…bad times.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)

I’m not sure it matters that Byron Leftwich has been benched in favor of Josh Johnson. That is unless your name is Byron Leftwich. They can’t do any worse than the zero points they put up in Week 3.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-3)

Four turnovers, a quarterback controversy, and a third blowout loss only mean the Browns don’t have too far to fall. Head coach Eric Mangini shouldn’t expect to hear the “Mangenius” moniker anytime soon, even if all of their opponents have been undefeated teams.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-3)

If this were a fantasy football list, then I would lead by saying Steven Jackson has been very effective. Unfortunately for Rams fans, it is not and Kyle Boller will be leading the team as Marc Bulger heals from a shoulder injury.

Mike Blewitt's NCAA Football Picks ATS: Week Four

Mike Blewitt — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:10:03 -0400

No. 4 Mississippi at South Carolina (+4)—Ole Miss boasts their highest ranking in almost 40 years, while Heisman sleeper Jevan Snead looks to take on a South Carolina team that is putting up some offense of their own the last two weeks (79 points in their last two games). All signs point to a good old-fashioned shootout in Columbia but I’ll give the four points and think Snead keeps the Rebels on top of the rankings. Ole Miss 34-South Carolina 27.

Michigan State at Wisconsin (-3)—Michigan State may be reeling from two consecutive last-minute losses but there is no rest for the weary as they head to Madison to take on the 3-0 Badgers. This conference opener should be another down to the wire battle but until Sparty can come through in late-game situations, there is no reason to back them here. Wisconsin 27-Michigan State 20.

Southern Miss at No. 20 Kansas (-14)—Southern Miss is one of only four teams in FBS to post a winning record for 15 consecutive seasons and they find themselves off to a 3-0 start in 2009. We will see contrasting styles as Kansas has the nation’s third most prolific offense while Southern Miss can really shut down the run (6th best run defense in FBS). Kansas makes it 20 non-conference wins at home in a row this weekend but I like it close enough to take the points. Kansas 30-Southern Miss 21.

No. 22 North Carolina at Georgia Tech (-3 ½)—The Yellow Jackets rank 16th in the country in rushing utilizing their triple-option attack while the Tar Heels have yielded very little on the ground, good for 7th best run defense in the country. Five straight losses in Atlanta for Carolina means they need to exorcise whatever demons plague them in Bobby Dodd Stadium in a hurry. The Wreck has looked to inconsistent in ACC play thus far so I’ll take the Heels in an upset. North Carolina 23-Georgia Tech 20.

No. 6 California at Oregon (+5 ½)—The ultimate trap game for the Cal Bears who face USC next weekend in what may be their first shot at overthrowing the perennial Pac-10 Champ. The Ducks have rebounded since their embarrassing opening night performance against Boise and Autzen is always a tough place to play. Cal almost always comes up small in these spots even though Jahvid Best is a playmaker that can make a difference. I think this one will be tight enough to take the points. California 31-Oregon 30.

No. 9 Miami (FL) at No. 11 Virginia Tech (+2)—This is probably the highlight game of the weekend in college football, a rivalry that goes way back to some hard-hitting Big East affairs in the 1990s. Blacksburg is always a tough venue but Miami has played as well as any team in the country. Randy Shannon will force Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor to throw it and Miami QB Jacory Harris will continue to impress. Miami 31-Virginia Tech 20.

No. 15 TCU at Clemson (-2 ½)—TCU looks to continue a BCS-buster type of run in the first meeting between these two schools since 1965. TCU trounced fellow ACC member Virginia in their opener and have amassed nearly 500 yards on the ground in two games. Clemson looks to avoid another letdown like they had at Georgia Tech and will need to do so against a formidable out of conference opponent. Clemson needs this game to gain the national respect they seek and build a solid foundation for ACC play. Clemson 20-TCU 17.

No. 1 Florida at Kentucky (-21 ½)—You know things are going well when beating conference opponents by 10 points is considered a letdown as the Gators did to Tennessee last weekend. Going on the road will be just what the doctor ordered for Florida so they can get back to football and avoid the media hype/bulletin board material. Kentucky’s wins over Miami (OH) and Louisville will not prepare them for a team they have lost to 22 straight times. Florida 35-Kentucky 10.

Texas Tech at No. 17 Houston (Pick)—This game may resemble an arena league football game when all is said and done. Houston’s Case Keenum (3rd in NCAA passing yards) will look to outplay his adversary in Tech’s Taylor Potts (1st in NCAA passing yards). Expecting a record crowd, can Houston handle the pressure of their ranking and success thus far? If they can’t, it won’t be until later this season as right now they are the better team. Houston 42-Texas Tech 38.

No. 24 Washington at Stanford (-7)—No, I do not know why Stanford is 7-point favorites. Something is rotten in Denmark…but head coach Steve Sarkisian and his QB Jake Locker has spread great vibes all over the state of Washington. Stanford has taken three out of the last four in this series and has won seven of eight games at home. Huskies should continue their roll outright and won’t let down against the Cardinal. Washington 24-Stanford 16.

This article was originally published at Fantasy Football Maniaxs.

Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week Three

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:57:55 -0400

The champs suffer their first setback in 2009, the Jets back up the trash talk, and the bottom of our power rankings sadly stay very much the same. The Giants and Cowboys matched up for an epic battle to open up the new palace in Dallas and the much-hyped Eagles-Saints matchup was a dud as we run down the list from No. 1 to No. 32...

1. New York Giants (2-0)—With a banged-up roster, opening up the new state-of-the-art stadium in Dallas was a formidable task. Considering they were playing their second straight divisional opponent, the last-second win and harassment on Tony Romo is that much more impressive.

2. New Orleans Saints (2-0)—The Saints opened the season with more points (93 in two weeks) than any team since the 1968 Oakland Raiders. For them to drop 48 of those on Philadelphia’s defense was flat-out shocking. Even if the bubble bursts and their defense doesn’t hold up for the whole year, we have to give the Saints a ton of credit for this start.

3. New York Jets (2-0)—The Jets pulled off the signature win of 2009 so far but will it mean as much in the long run if the Pats continue to scuffle along? They are a re-energized organization with a talented rookie QB (Mark Sanchez), a confident rookie head coach (Rex Ryan), and a stifling defense that has yet to allow a TD this season.

4. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)—None of us expected to see the Ravens get burned for over 400 yards passing in San Diego but it’s still a big win. Their defense is likely to tighten up and their balanced offense is really playing well to start the year.

5. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)—Another week, another win for the ho-hum Colts who just never seem to lose their stride. Noteworthy stat: Peyton Manning did all of his damage in less than 15 minutes of offensive possession.

6. Atlanta Falcons (2-0)—Beware NFC, the Matt Ryan-Tony Gonzalez combo already appears to be lethal. They have beaten two of last year’s playoff teams to start the season, the only team in the NFL to do so.

7. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)—I will keep mentioning that they were my dark horse pick in the NFC until they start to lose games and that possibility vanishes. That’s fair, right? Frank Gore...wow...

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)—If kicker Jeff Reed hits just ONE of the two shanks they at least have a shot in OT; instead Cutler drives the Bears to victory in Chicago. The Steelers probably don’t deserve much of a downgrade for that loss but the fact is they are just not as powerful with Polamalu on the sidelines.

9. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)—Minnesota is just plugging along...and thanking the NFL for the Browns-Lions combo to open the season. They will have to start proving themselves next week against the Niners.

10. San Diego Chargers (1-1)—The Ravens dared Philip Rivers to beat them and he nearly did. It was a tight battle with the Ravens that came down to the last few seconds so expect the Chargers to remain in the top 10 for most of the year.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)—Things may very well change for the better in the weeks to come as McNabb heals and Vick is creatively worked into the offense. But, the defense got annihilated by the Saints who capitalized on four Philly turnovers.

12. New England Patriots (1-1)—The Pats are really one bone-headed fumble in week one away from being 0-2. They always seem to manage a rally, but the Jets exploited a not-yet 100 percent Tom Brady and an offensive line that looked shaky under the onslaught of blitzes.

13. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)—Matt Hasselbeck is injured again and the run defense in Seattle was apparently not on the plane to San Francisco as they let up 256 yards on the ground. They host the Bears next week in a battle for two teams looking to gain back some lost respect from their recent past.

14. Houston Texans (1-1)—Do I think the Texans are this good? Not at all, but it was impressive to go down to Tennessee and slice up that defense for over 400 yards of offense. Based on the quality of that win, they have seen a huge bump in their ranking this week.

15. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)—Kurt Warner set an NFL single-game record for completion percentage, at 92.3 percent (24-26 passes completed) as the Cardinals cruised past the listless Jaguars. He was even pulled to avoid injury as they had built up a 31-3 lead in Jacksonville.

16. Green Bay Packers (1-1)—Eleven penalties and six sacks allowed is not going to win you many football games so it’s back to basics for the Packers. Protecting Aaron Rodgers needs to be a bigger priority as they have a ton of potential with him under center.

17. Denver Broncos (2-0)—Another team that is thanking the scheduling gods for the Cincinnati/Cleveland combo to start the year. Oakland this week could have them looking at 3-0 and in control of the division. It’s shocking just to write that.

18. Tennessee Titans (0-2)—I just can’t see knocking last year’s 13-win team all the way down the ladder. They need to play better, they will play better but two three-point losses do not signify that all is lost.

19. Chicago Bears (1-1)—A big win for the Bears as Jay Cutler rallied them to victory after some key mistakes (namely missed field goals) by Pittsburgh. I will hold off a week from completely jumping on the bandwagon and see how they fare in Seattle.

20. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)—Handing four turnovers to the Giants can essentially guarantee you a loss, and there are no moral victories for keeping it close despite the errors. The ‘Boys will need to play a lot better to sniff anywhere near the playoffs.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)—The NFL is great because of the parity in this league and the relative unpredictability of its games. No one outside of the Bengals themselves saw an upset coming in Lambeau, yet here they are at 1-1 with a new outlook on the season.

22. Miami Dolphins (0-2)—The Fish went to Atlanta and dropped one at home to Indy, both are respectable losses. Unfortunately, you don’t want to rack those up right out of the gate. Next stop: San Diego.

23. Washington Redskins (1-1)—I’m pretty sure the six-point loss to the Giants was considerably more impressive than the two-point win over the Rams. It seems as if the Redskins’ collective allergy to the end zone is thriving just like all of last season.

24. Oakland Raiders (1-1)—By all accounts, it was a miracle that the Raiders were able to pull off a win after being outgained by nearly 250 yards (commitment to excellence!!). JaMarcus Russell looked abysmal until the final drive, which brought them to victory.

25. Buffalo Bills (1-1)—Something tells me even the Bills are thinking they should be 2-0 but they managed to shake off last week’s last minute debacle and took care of business versus Tampa, despite another dropped pass/potential TD by T.O.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)—Which is a more pertinent question: A. Are the Jaguars fans actually happy that the games are going to be blacked out? B. How many press conference meltdowns will we see out of Jack Del Rio this season?

27. Carolina Panthers (0-2)—Philly and Atlanta were not an easy way to get the season going but until they win a game or two, they will be flirting with the cellar dwellers. Going to Dallas next week will be a difficult way to end the skid.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)—Dallas and Buffalo don’t appear to be lighting the football world on fire yet the Bucs have yielded 67 points so far in two games. Playing the top team (New York Giants) in the rankings next week is probably not what the doctor ordered for rookie head coach Raheem Morris.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)—The offense started to click for the Chiefs, but it did not result in many points against Oakland. Now, they travel to Philly to see if they can sustain any offensive momentum.

30. Cleveland Browns (0-2)—The Browns were outgained 449-200 by the Broncos and lost the turnover battle three to one. That reads like a perfect recipe to losing football games.

31. St. Louis Rams (0-2)—The Rams’ are finally on the board for the season. Seven points in two games…even their statistician is bored to tears watching them play, there’s nothing to track.

32. Detroit Lions (0-2)—The Lions led 10-7 at the half, but the second half resulted in some terribly familiar results. Before Jason Hanson's field goal with 2:35 left, the Lions' previous drives ended with three punts, a fumble and an interception.

This article was originally published on FantasyPros911.

Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week 2

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:34:31 -0400

The NFL is back and did not disappoint in Week 1, as we saw some crazy endings (Brandon Stokley thanks the lovely people of Cincinnati) and some impressive performances (Drew Brees apologizes to the lovely people of Detroit).

Since this is our first legitimate look at the 2009 version of every team in the league, we won’t consider any of them to be on the rise or fall just yet. We start with the champs and make our way all the way down the ladder to a team that will surprise no one, even if you are starting to develop a soft spot for them (I know I am).

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) When a team wins the Super Bowl and follows it up by beating the team with the best record last season in Week 1, they deserve to stay on top. Regardless of what you think of the long-term prospects for the 'Burgh this season, they have earned the top spot until they show real signs of weakness.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) The Eagles went down to Carolina and beat up on a team that was 12-4 last season. The loss of McNabb could have a huge impact in the weeks to come, but as a whole they looked great on Sunday in a dominating 38-10 victory.

3. New York Giants (1-0) Playing a divisional opponent to open up the season, the Giants defense proved to be back to their old tricks by terrorizing quarterback Jason Campbell on Sunday. They have to work out a few kinks in the passing game, but a good performance overall as they start a season-long battle with the Eagles atop the NFC East.

4. New England Patriots (1-0) The Pats definitely got off to a bumpy start, but Brady managed to pull off the comeback thanks to a gift from the Bills with two minutes to go. There are some issues on defense and Brady will be pressured all season long, but the offense is a juggernaut that will take them very far in 2009.

5. New Orleans Saints (1-0) Frankly, they could be higher based on that explosive 45-point performance, but it was against the Lions, and they did surrender 27 points on defense. The Saints are my pick to win the NFC South, so they are up here until someone stops that offense.

6. Tennessee Titans (0-1) The smash-mouth Titans got the toughest assignment of any team in the league, kicking it off on the road against the defending champion Steelers. They pushed it to overtime and, if not for a couple of botched field goals, they probably find themselves at the top of this list.

7. Minnesota Vikings (1-0) Brett Favre on his new favorite running back: "I haven't played with a running back like that. The guy is pretty awesome. Everyone in the stadium knows Adrian Peterson is going to get it and he still gets 180 yards. That is remarkable." Well said, Brett.

8. San Diego Chargers (1-0) I think there may be a level of disappointment with the Chargers performance last night since they were not as dominant as some might have hoped. But, going on the road and beating one of your biggest rivals for the twelfth time in a row is a solid manner in which to open the season.

9. Green Bay Packers (1-0) Almost all of Green Bay’s issues in their 10-loss 2008 campaign were on the defensive side of the ball—they opened this season by picking off Jay Cutler four times. Aaron Rodgers & Co. will have easier, more fruitful days on offense, but it was enough to get the win in Lambeau.

10. Baltimore Ravens (1-0) The Ravens will be a serious contender again in 2009 and if Flacco continues to play like he did on Sunday, consider the rest of the league to be on notice. Unfortunately, I doubt the Chiefs are a good team against which to measure your performance. We’ll see in New England in two weeks...

11. Indianapolis Colts (1-0) After a very lackluster performance against the Jags at home and the loss of Anthony Gonzalez for possibly six weeks, the Colts still end up in playoff range. I expect them to play better, but in the weeks to come, the schedule looks tough: at Arizona, Seattle, at Tennessee.

12. Atlanta Falcons (1-0) Matt Ryan picked up where he left off and threw for 229 yards and two TDs. If their defense continues to stifle opponents like they did Miami this past Sunday, they will be quick-risers in the near future and on their way to another playoff berth.

13. Seattle Seahawks (1-0) In my estimation, this is the team that will have the biggest bounce-back year, thanks to the return of former Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck. Along with the powerful running of Julius Jones and some young defensive talent, they are my favorite to win the NFC West.

14. San Francisco 49ers (1-0) As my dark horse pick in the NFC, the Niners got off to a great start, pulling off the upset in Arizona against the defending conference champs. Shaun Hill is the sleeper quarterback that may pull his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

15. New York Jets (1-0) I can actually feel the booing at my laptop as I write this. Great way for the Jets to start the season but, then again, this writer didn’t drink one ounce of the Texans’ Kool-Aid.

16. Dallas Cowboys (1-0) Tony Romo is trying to prove all of his detractors wrong and built a solid foundation with a 353-yard outing. Let’s see them do it against an opponent that is not near the basement before we celebrate anything just yet. (And Tony, you don’t mind if I give Jessica a call, do you?)

17. Arizona Cardinals (0-1) The Cardinals are certainly not off to a great defense of their NFC crown, showing no ability to run the ball yet again (17 carries, 40 yards). With Indy coming up next week, they need to right the ship quickly or they will find themselves in a 0-2 hole.

18. Miami Dolphins (0-1) The Dolphins had a tough assignment in Atlanta, but one garbage time touchdown is an essential no-show on offense. This team is well-coached, but expecting them to duplicate the 11-5 record from 2008 will be a stretch.

19. Oakland Raiders (0-1) The Raiders actually impressed last night. No one is putting them into the playoffs based on the close loss to the Chargers, but they looked far sounder than they did throughout much of last season. Good start, but they need to take care of the rock to win more games.

20. Washington Redskins (0-1) The ‘Skins also were dealt a tough game in New York, but this ranking is more a function of them being headed for last place in a very tough division. We’ll see how they fare outside of the division, but this looks like another uphill battle in Washington.

21. Chicago Bears (0-1) Four interceptions by the new QB and their defensive leader out for the year. Bad times. Everyone will be on the hot seat in Chicago if things go south.

22. Buffalo Bills (0-1) There are no moral victories in the NFL. They played well enough to win in New England for about 57 minutes, which is far from good enough. I think T.O. is already angry.

23. Denver Broncos (1-0) As the old adage goes, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Terrible game, unbelievably fortuitous bounce, and one win for the Broncos. Don’t expect many more.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) On the upside, Maurice Jones-Drew may break a record for number of touches in a season. On the downside, I have a bad feeling about this team getting it done in 2009.

25. Carolina Panthers (0-1) Raise your hand if you thought Jake Delhomme needed a contract extension with $25.5 million guaranteed. Just you, Panthers’ front office? Nice call...

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) The days of the stout Bucs’ defense are long gone and this season may feel quite a bit longer. At least they can bounce back against the Giants...or not.

27. Houston Texans (0-1) It feels like I was being sold the Schaub-Kubiak package as Brady-Belichick. Good thing I didn’t buy. Truly awful against the Jets.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) They were without their starting QB (Matt Cassel) and hung in there against the Ravens, but there are still plenty of holes on this roster. This will be a work in progress and we could see some significant strides, but not until the back half of the season.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) Well, the Broncos aren’t very good and it took the Bengals 59 minutes to score. Then less than a minute to blow the lead and lose the game. Bungles 2009!

30. Cleveland Browns (0-1) Going into this season, I thought they would end up as the worst team and headed for the No. 1 overall pick. So, this is an upgrade. Yikes.

31. St. Louis Rams (0-1) Zero points against a fired-up Seahawks team. Barely out of the cellar.

32. Detroit Lions (0-1) There are 33 players on the Lions’ 2009 roster that were not on the 2008 team. So, there’s that. Unfortunately, they can probably get comfortable in the cellar for a while—they play the Rams November 1st.

This article was originally published on FantasyPros911.

Pick 'Em If You Got 'Em: College Football Week 1

Mike Blewitt — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:29:31 -0400

Well, Thursday night certainly got the season started off with a bang, the bang being a straight right delivered by Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount. After the punch heard round the country sparked various debates about suspensions, sportsmanship and second (or third) chances I think we can all agree one thing: the pre-game handshake is a hypocritical, fabricated farce of an idea.

We have all watched or heard college legends giving inspired speeches about how this is the time to "go out there and demolish your opponent"…but now you’re supposed to shake his hand first. Knute Rockne is scratching his head or spinning in his grave. Maybe both. Hopefully, if anything positive comes out of this incident it will be that the NCAA backs off this stance and lets the legislation of sportsmanship fall on the shoulders of the individual players, coaches and schools.

Now, enough of that, let’s talk football.

Each week, I will be picking some games (with scores, Vegas fans) for you to look over, scoff at or heed my advice. For the inaugural column, I am going to run through some major predictions so that we are on the record.

Heisman Trophy: Colt McCoy. I truly think by year’s end that Tim Tebow will have earned himself the chance to snare a second Heisman. But after last year’s voting issues in the Southwest that left Tebow conspicuously absent of many votes. I have no confidence that those voters will be on the level. McCoy will have a great season anyway and the big three of McCoy, Tebow, and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford depart with one each. Jevan Snead will find himself in the mix as a dark horse as well and I think will end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

BCS Championship Game: Florida over Texas. Nothing original here, I know. But, with Florida being as good as they were last year and returning that many players (all 22 of the 2-deep on defense) then it’s a fool’s errand if you were to predict otherwise…or maybe you’re just being cute.

Games for Week 1 – 9/5

No. 13 Georgia at No. 9 Oklahoma State: This is Georgia’s first foray on the road versus a ranked non-conference opponent in over 40 years, so it’s about time but credit to them for not ducking anyone this season. OSU’s defense struggled mightily even during last season’s successful run and will look to get it tightened up immediately against a talented UGA squad that is dealing with plenty of turnover on the offensive side of the ball. Georgia has been consistently overrated this decade but I think they will pull it off this week. Georgia 28, OSU 24.

No. 20 Brigham Young vs. No. 3 Oklahoma: Interesting how teams manage to claim neutral site games in an effort to make themselves seem like they want to level the playing field. For the record, Dallas is not neutral for OU, especially when the Cougars and their fans have to travel a long way to get there. I think OU will falter later on this season but I don’t think the BYU has the horses for this one. Oklahoma 34, BYU 17.

No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 7 Virginia Tech*: This is the game I am most looking forward to this week, and it could give an interesting indication of just how good both teams are. Virginia Tech is 0-20 all-time against AP Top 5 opponents. That’s right…winless. This is a gut-check game for VT and the ACC in general considering how badly ‘Bama whooped up on Clemson in this very same Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game last year. Not to mention the terrible conference record in BCS games. ‘Bama is the more talented team but the discipline and experience of VT, particularly on special teams, edges them out this week. Virginia Tech 17, ‘Bama 14.

Maryland at No. 12 California: It was a very interesting game last year and the result stunned some when the Terps upended the Bears. But you see this often when pundits underrate the ACC’s smash mouth approach. I honestly believe that while Cal has some talented players that they are the most perennially overrated program in the country and here we are again as they are preseason No. 12. That being stated, there is no way they should lose this game to Maryland at home. Beware the upset but the score ends up California 23, Maryland 14.

Miami (FL) at No. 18 Florida State: I will spare you the talk of how the mighty have fallen and illuminate the QB battle in this Labor Day contest. Christian Ponder (‘Noles) and Jacory Harris (‘Canes) are back to try to lead their respective teams to the top of the ACC and do so with experience. FSU is historically very tough in these types of home games and will lean on their tough O-line to get it done. FSU 20, Miami 13.

UPSET SPECIAL: Wake dominated this contest 41-13 last year but Baylor QB Robert Griffin is one of college football’s rising stars and he will be a shocking difference maker in many of their games this year. The Demon Deacons have fallen prey to these slipups in the past (see Navy last September) and Week 1 is the perfect time for Baylor to unleash their weapon. Baylor 28, Wake Forest 24.

This article was originally pulished at Fantasy Football Maniaxs.

Depth Perceptions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterbacks

Mike Blewitt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:19:27 -0400

What a difference a game makes, huh?

If only the 2008 Tampa Bay Bucs had won one game in the month of December, they would have finished 10-6, made the NFL playoffs again, and likely would not have cleaned house this offseason.

However, that four-loss December collapse spelled doom for many people connected to it.

The most notable change came when the team fired head coach Jon Gruden, who gave way to little known defensive assistant Raheem Morris this offseason. At only 33 years of age, Morris will have his hands full, as he attempts to improve a team that has exactly zero playoff wins since their Super Bowl XXXVII victory and has jettisoned some veterans heading into his rookie season at the helm.

At the top of Morris’ to do list is finding a starting quarterback, and the battle has received a ton of hype all throughout the offseason. Veterans Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown have battled it out all during OTAs and summer camp. When first-round draft pick Josh Freeman and long-term project Josh Johnson are added to the mix, some might see the Bucs’ QB situation as an embarrassment of riches.

Unfortunately, when you have four quarterbacks that can play that often means you have no one you can count on. Let’s take a closer look…

Byron Leftwich—Leftwich is the guy with far and away the most experience and the most proven ability. He stepped into the NFL six years ago and played almost immediately, with his size, overall athletic ability, and toughness being his strong suits.

Unfortunately, the devastating knee injury he suffered in 2005 allowed backup David Garrard to move past him the following season as the starting QB in Jacksonville. Since then, he has been trying to find his place, but filled in ably as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup in Pittsburgh last season.

The question is whether or not a team which is in at least a form of rebuilding mode should be tied to a QB with a major injury history and a career 58.6 percent completion rate (and less than 50 percent this preseason).

Luke McCown—One thing so many of us as fans love about the NFL is how hard some players have to work to earn their keep. When you’re a player in that scenario, then there is no rest for the wear, and the strong armed Luke McCown is one of those players.

Having spent parts of various seasons with Tampa, New Orleans, and Cleveland; he has seen action in only 12 games over six NFL campaigns. McCown now has some experience to work with, even if it is not Sunday experience. His performance in last Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Jaguars with his job on the line was excellent. Anytime a QB can step in with pressure on him to play well and go 6-for-9 with two TD passes, it is the best of signs.

Josh Freeman – The Buccaneers’ so-called quarterback of the future is Josh Freeman. He was picked 17^th overall in this year’s draft, which was considered a reach by some, but no one denies his athleticism is something that is at a premium in today’s NFL.

The 6’6” Freeman is raw on his recognition skills, and that could make for a bumpy road with any rookie QB plus now he may have the added pressure of absurd comparisons to Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco from 2008. There is a ton of varying speculation on Freeman but, make no mistake; he has some chance to start for a considerable portion of this season.

Josh Johnson—The second year project out of San Diego was deemed a long term project with major upside when he was drafted in the fifth round in 2008. But, after the Bucs faltered and a new coaching regime came into place, Freeman was touted as the next franchise guy and it left Johnson in an unenviable position.

While Johnson may still have that untapped potential, it is unlikely he will see the field before Freeman. Injuries and abysmal play from those in front of him are the only two things that can get Johnson there.

SUMMARY

Adding to all of the speculation about who will start opening day for Tampa Bay is the rumor mill that suggests at least one of the aforementioned quarterbacks will be traded.

Head Coach Raheem Morris stated this week: "Everybody in this league, all 32 teams around this time, are calling other front offices," Morris said.

"I can't control who calls us. We can control who we call. Everybody is interested in everybody's roster. Everybody is looking to nitpick off everybody's roster. Everybody has talent, and you're trying to accumulate the best talent for your football team.”

So we have several questions to ask in order to approach this battle which will be decided quickly after this Thursday’s preseason game versus Miami:

1. Does the coaching staff think that Josh Freeman will be ready to play this season, even if it’s not on opening day?
As mentioned previously, Freeman has received a good amount of work and here’s a little verbal evidence of Morris’ infatuation with Freeman: “Absolute specimen to look at. Physical. Tall, big. Big arm. Deceptively quick, even though the 40 time says 4.8, he’s got that Ben Roethlisberger effect where he’s hard to tackle once you get back there, so you’d better send somebody blitzing big enough to get him on the ground.” Very high praise and the reason why he took him so early in the draft; Morris is motivated to play this kid in year one.

2. If the trade rumors are correct, who will garner the most value that the Bucs can afford to part with for this season?

Leftwich, without a doubt. He has proven himself to be able to lead a winning team at the NFL level and can add some real value to a struggling team or a team with no discernible backup. They will not take any kind of real salary cap hit on his new contract so his trade value regarding the Bucs is maximized right now – the chance that he will start for another team is a sunk cost when they show a vote of confidence for the actual starter in McCown or Freeman.

3. If the Bucs are in rebuilding mode anyway, why not just put Freeman in and let him learn on the job?

Historically, this can be argued both ways. Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning came into very poor teams, struggled mightily, yet built themselves into champions. Most others like David Carr and Joey Harrington (not to mention Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, etc.) could never really get going with their less talented rosters – certainly the front offices should share the praise/blame in most situations.

The issue here is that the Bucs may not be a cellar dweller just yet and if Freeman has some typical rookie struggles from Week 1, then they will be out of the playoff race before they started.

My call would be to move Leftwich as he has the most value and would put them in a situation where they have McCown (playing the best of the four) starting the season and Freeman (future franchise) as a backup. The Bucs can talk up Josh Johnson in trade rumors all they want, but no one will offer much to get him. So he can stick around as third-string and they can move him next offseason.

But, I think the Bucs are going to stick with Leftwich, whom they just signed to a decent sized-contract and try to move McCown for a later round draft pick. At the first sign of real distress for whoever starts this season, Freeman will be warming up on the sidelines instead of holding a clipboard. With the way I expect their season to go, this will happen before their bye week (Week 8) at the latest.

Depth Perceptions is a weekly look at depth chart and positional battles all over the NFL.

This article was originally published on FantasyPros911.com.

Depth Perceptions: Pittsburgh Steelers' Offensive Line

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:54:57 -0400

There is no ingenious way to express how well last season went for the Pittsburgh Steelers. When you win it all, it went just fine thank you very much. With a dominant defense and a capable offense, the Steelers find themselves on the top of the leader board for Super Bowl Championships yet again and remain virtually intact for another run at the title in 2009.

However, one unit that needed to be addressed on that title team was the oft-criticized offensive line.

The Steelers uncharacteristically had problems rushing the ball effectively (23rd in the league in rushing), particularly in goal-line situations, and saw QB Ben Roethlisberger take an inordinate number of sacks (49 in all at the position, fourth most in the league).

While they were able to overcome impact injuries on the line to a few players, it was still in need of some changes heading into this season.

The Steelers decided not to make a play for left tackle Marvel Smith, who was with the team for nine seasons and earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2004; he is now a San Francisco 49er.

Additionally, they did not make an offer to free agent guard Kendall Simmons; a 2002 first-round draft pick that missed 12 games due to injury during last season’s run. The Steelers did, however, retain several players on the O-Line that they feel will be an improved unit as they log more time together this season.

Let’s take a closer look at the expected lineup in 2009.

Max Starks—Starks filled in at left tackle for the injured Marvel Smith for the final 11 games of the regular season and into the playoffs. His progression throughout his six years in Pittsburgh has been good enough that the Steelers decided to re-sign him to a four-year deal totaling $26 million.

While Starks is not considered an elite left tackle, his massive size (6’8”, 345 lbs.) and experience all over the offensive line give the coaching staff confidence that he is the man who will protect Big Ben’s blind side.

Chris Kemoeatu—"Kemo” had bigger shoes to fill than anyone on the team in 2008 when he replaced the departed perennial All-Pro Alan Faneca in the lineup. He did so ably and earned himself a $20 million contract from the Steelers over the next five years.

While he will likely never reach the standard that Faneca set, he has shown the improvement in his first three seasons to become a staple at left guard alongside Starks.

Justin Hartwig—The most experienced player returning on the O-Line acquitted himself quite well in 2008, his first with the team. His intelligence and gritty play at center make him a perfect fit as this line continues to search for continuity.

Hartwig entered camp with a toe injury but all signs are that he should be ready for Week One versus the Titans. If that toe injury lingers, that could be a significant blow to the cohesion up front.

Darnell Stapleton—Amazingly, Stapleton took over at right guard in his rookie season for the injured Kendall Simmons and started the last 12 games and each playoff contest in 2008.

It seems his best bet long-term is center due to a lack of imposing size, but his flexibility is a great asset for Pittsburgh to have in the years to come. Unfortunately, Stapleton underwent a knee scope recently and will be sidelined two to four weeks. He will likely be ready to go for Week 1 but his conditioning will take a hit as he recovers.

Willie Colon—Colon has started every game at right tackle for the past two years and will continue that streak in 2009. While he does not possess ideal size or skill for a tackle, his mean streak and aggressive play earn him respect amongst teammates and coaching staff, though the latter could do without the penalties that arise from such play.

Trai Essex—Essex is the versatile sixth man that teams love to have on their O-line. The Steelers are comfortable that Essex provides great depth from week-to-week and can fill in on the line if someone goes down during the season. For now, he is taking Stapleton’s spot as he is on the mend.

Tony Hills—Hills’ first season in the league in 2008 was primarily spent bulking up and learning NFL schemes. He is viewed as having a potentially big upside at tackle in the next couple of years, although he will just be providing depth to start off the 2009 season. Jason Capizzi and Ramon Foster will be fighting Hills for second-team snaps at tackle during camp.

Kraig Urbik—The Steelers’ second pick in this year’s draft, Urbik has excellent size for a guard and a nasty attitude to match. He will likely be counted on to contribute right away on some basis, especially if injuries pile up during the year.

A.Q. Shipley—A decorated center at Penn State, Shipley was taken in the seventh round of this year’s draft. He is likely as a long-term solution at center, though he could get pressed into action sooner if other injuries pile up at any point this year. Five-year veteran Alex Stepanovich and Doug Legursky will also be battling for that backup center spot.

OUTLOOK

While it is accurate that some of the blame for the absurdly high sack total in 2008 is Big Ben’s penchant for holding the ball and making plays, it is certainly not the entire reason. The O-line looked over-matched in certain games last year (Eagles, Giants) but came together enough down the stretch to help the team to a SB XLIII win.

The amount of time this unit has spent playing together already, which could continue for all of this season, is a huge positive. Also, each starter is under 30 with the exception of Hartwig and is established going into Week One of the 2009 season which bodes well for the future.

However, the Steelers’ offensive line does not yet have the look of an elite unit and with injuries mounting in the preseason, they may face some tough times again in 2009. I expect an improvement to their play overall this season but against some of the better defenses in the league, they will struggle.

The real question is if it will be just enough, again, to earn them a seventh Super Bowl title.

This article was originally published on FantasyPros911.com.

Depth Perceptions: New England Patriots' Cornerbacks

Mike Blewitt — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:04:03 -0400

Depth Perceptions is a weekly look at the depth chart and positional battles all over the NFL.

One common thread in the New England Patriots' near decade-long run of success has been their ability to adapt to personnel changes.

The Pats have shown a remarkable capacity to utilize every player on the roster to help improve the team (see, QB Tom Brady filling in for the injured Drew Bledsoe and leading them to SB XXXVI title). Plus, they have displayed an uncanny dexterity to fill holes in desperate scenarios (see, WR Troy Brown pressed into defensive duty in 2004 due to myriad injuries in the backfield).

Each offseason, they retool and enter the regular season as one of the odds-on favorites to reach the Super Bowl—2009 should be no different.

Coming off a dominant 2007 campaign that ended in Super Bowl XLII heartbreak, the Patriots had high hopes for the 2008 season. However there were some glaring positional concerns entering last season, particularly at cornerback.

First team All-Pro CB Asante Samuel signed a six-year, $57 million with the Philadelphia Eagles and his ability to track down the ball was sorely missed. Samuel was replaced by capable veteran Deltha O’Neal to complement second-year starter Ellis Hobbs at corner, but the big play was alive and well against the Pats' defense last season, resulting in the following stats:

New England allowed 27 passing TDs on defense in 2008, the second-highest total in the NFL.
New England allowed 12 pass plays of 40 yards or more, the second-highest total in the NF.

So, the Patriots shook things up again by dealing Hobbs on draft day to the aforementioned Eagles for draft picks. In addition, they brought in veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden via free agency and took UConn product Darius Butler early in the second round of the draft.

Let’s take a look at the state of the cornerbacks in New England for 2009.

Shawn Springs

The 13-year veteran will give this defensive backfield some much needed experience that left with the retirement of former Strong Safety Rodney Harrison.

Springs’ best days are certainly behind him, producing only one INT in 2008 along with a pedestrian 36 tackles. But, he will likely fill one of the starting corner roles if he is able to stay healthy, something he could not do two of the last three seasons.

Leigh Bodden

Bodden had developed into a solid corner for the Cleveland Browns, turning in his best season in 2007 (88 TKL, 6 INT) before being shipped off to "Football Siberia," a.k.a. Detroit, in 2008. The defense in Detroit was historically bad so it's fairly easy to write off Bodden’s drop in numbers.

The Patriots are hoping he returns to 2007 form and uses his six years in the league to complement Springs for a nicely-rebuilt starting duo at CB.

Terrence Wheatley

The second-round draft pick in 2008 out of Colorado saw very limited action in six games, logging just two tackles. Corner is one of the most difficult positions on the field for rookies to contribute immediately, so his struggles should be seen as part of the growing process.

New England has high hopes for him to have a much bigger impact this season and you can expect him to see a lot more action in 2009.

Darius Butler

Butler received first-round consideration and was coveted by many teams on draft day. New England snatched him with the 41st pick, getting a player with excellent ball skills who can contribute immediately as a returner on special teams—something he did very well at UConn.

Again, rookies will struggle at CB, but expect Butler to be used often this season, especially in nickel and dime packages, as the Patriots don’t have the luxury of great depth at this position.

Jonathan Wilhite

A fourth-round pick in the 2008 draft, the Auburn rookie played in every game in 2008, chipping in with 28 tackles and an interception.

The Patriots were pleased with his progress as he got up to speed quickly, even starting the last four games at corner opposite Hobbs.

By exceeding expectations in his rookie season, Wilhite will likely start the season on the "two-deep" at corner, but will battle Wheatley and Butler consistently for playing time in all defensive packages.

Mike Richardson

In his first year on New England's roster, Richardson contributed 17 tackles during 10 games of limited action.

He will provide depth in specialty packages and may have to fight to keep himself on the roster as opposed to being placed on the practice squad once again. His special teams contributions could save him a spot on the roster in 2009.

While everyone connected to the Patriots was dejected after the loss of Samuel before the 2008 season, it was justified by knowing it would be too difficult to pay top dollar to keep him.

You won’t see too many people in the same mood over Hobbs’ departure.

Hobbs played tough through injuries over the last two seasons, but was regularly picked on by bigger wideouts (see Plaxico Burress’ SB XLII-winning catch) and his ceiling had been determined to be limited by the Patriots.

By bringing in two veterans with a combined 19 years of experience and drafting three corners in the last two years, New England acknowledged the need for an overhaul at the position.

With Brady back from injury, coach Bill Belichick is aware than the margin for error in winning the Super Bowl is razor-thin and they cannot afford a weakness at any position.

Bodden will pleasantly surprise fans and Butler will open eyes, at least in the return game.

If Springs stays healthy—a sizable if—the Patriots have upgraded both corner spots with three talented youngsters backing them up and supporting in special packages. That is as good an overhaul as can be done in just over a year’s time and the position now has a very good makeup for a team trying to return to the Super Bowl after a one-year hiatus.

This article originally appeared on FantasyPros911.

Depth Perceptions: San Francisco 49ers' Quarterbacks

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:13:25 -0400

Depth Perceptions is a weekly look at the depth chart and positional battles all over the NFL.

The 2008 season was supposed to be one of promise for the San Francisco 49ers but quickly spiraled out of control, resulting in a midseason coaching change and personnel change to come with it.

Former coach Mike Nolan’s 2-5 start led to his dismissal and NFL legend Mike Singletary was charged with turning around a franchise whose quarterback of the present and/or future, Alex Smith, was on injured reserve for the year.

In his first game as head coach, Singletary put his stamp on the team by replacing starter J.T. O’Sullivan with journeyman Shaun Hill.

The real question entering 2009 is whether or not Hill can be the starter for the long-term. Alex Smith, after all, is the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft, a player who showed promise a few years ago.

Hill restructured his six-year, $49.5 million contract so it does not impact the team negatively and showed that he wanted to be a part of the 49er family going forward. Hill has earned the respect of his teammates but Singletary has declared the job an open competition when camp opens next week.

"I believe...at the right time, one of those guys will be the guy that will take us where we need to go," Singletary said recently. "I feel very strongly that one of those guys is going to take us where we need to go. I have two quarterbacks I feel very confident about. I don't have one great guy. I have two good guys, and somebody is going to step up."

Let’s take a look at this important battle and the pros and cons of each player…

Shaun Hill

Prior to December 2007, very few fans even knew who Shaun Hill was, let alone did they have an idea of how well he would play in NFL action. Having spent time in the now-defunct NFL Europe, as well as four years as a backup with the Vikings, he had yet to even throw a pass until pressed into action due to injury and abhorrent play by his QB peers in San Francisco.

Even after posting a 2-0 record as a starter in 2007, the job was J.T. O’Sullivan’s in 2008 before Hill received another chance to take the snaps as the No. 1 man for the Niners.

Singletary’s move to Hill appeared to work as it energized a struggling squad and led them to a 5-3 record in the second half of the season.

While quarterback was only one of many issues to be solved in San Francisco, the Niners at least found someone on the roster that could potentially lead this team into the following season.

Hill’s statistics were also impressive: 62.8 completion percentage, 13 to 8 TD/INT ratio, 2046 yards in just over 8 games, and a 84 QB rating that placed him 12th in the league by season’s end.

While not known for overpowering arm strength, Hill has impressed with his overall athleticism and his ability to put the ball on the money for his receivers to catch in tight spaces. His size and experience are assets as he enters the season as the 49ers potential starter in 2009.

Alex Smith

Well, it’s safe to say the bloom is off the rose. No longer is Alex Smith the lone savior of the franchise. His big-time contract has been mostly paid out and ultimately restructured but here he remains in San Francisco, fighting for another chance at the starting job.

If nothing else, you have to admire that tenacity, his desire to lead the team that he was asked to lead over four years ago.

No one doubts Smith’s ability to read a playbook; he is by all accounts a quick learner. This will clearly help during all of the off-season workouts dealing with new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s system. But he is coming off another major injury, one that sidelined him for all of 2008.

One can understand the hesitance of a Niners fan to trust the fate of the franchise to Smith again but if he earns it and outplays Hill, then so be it – Singletary will hand him the job.

Smith’s size, ability to thread the needle, and cerebral approach are all coveted by NFL teams, but his penchant for over analyzing, taking sacks, and throwing interceptions are equally unattractive. It should also not be underestimated that the only 25-year old QB may be fighting for his career and trying to make believers of us all.

SUMMARY

Very often in the NFL, we see the media try to drum up interest by fabricating ‘legitimate’ positional battles, particularly at quarterback, when it’s essentially been decided before training camp starts.

This...is not one of those cases. This QB battle will be wide open because Singletary knows that it will help both players to raise their level of play and will create a competitive environment in training camp that he hopes will become contagious at every position.

Singletary knows changes have been made (hello, Michael Crabtree) that can lift his team to another level especially in a division where the title that has changed hands quite a few times this decade.

He was as intense a player as there ever was and you can see he is not in coaching to plod along and improve slowly—he is there to win now.

Unlike the Browns, the Niners’ QB battle could have a big impact on their team’s overall success and affect the playoff picture in the NFC. I think it is fair to say that Hill has the slight edge over Smith going into camp but I genuinely think this is as compelling battle going into next week as will see all summer.

This article orginally appeared on Fantasy Pros 911.

Depth Perceptions: Cleveland Browns' Quarterbacks

Mike Blewitt — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:36:56 -0400

Depth Perceptions is a weekly look at the depth chart and positional battles all over the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns followed up a promising 2007 season by reverting back to the tougher times we saw throughout the decade, stumbling to a 4-12 record in 2008.

After missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, including all four in their respective tenures, head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage were fired during the late December house cleaning.

New head honchos, high profile trades, and even higher profile court cases dotted the Browns’ landscape and will make for a very (hopefully) different 2009 season.

New GM George Kokinis comes from the Baltimore staff and head coach Eric Mangini gets his second opportunity to prove he can have success at the helm of an NFL team after being let go by the New York Jets. Both men got to work quickly as they dealt talented but injury-plagued tight end Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay in February.

Mangini has been installing his philosophy since January and has had to deal with rumblings that some veteran players’ feathers (Shaun Rogers) were ruffled by the new regime.

Donte Stallworth’s tragic off-field incident and false trade rumors involving star WR Braylon Edwards added to a very difficult beginning for the new regime as they try to set the tone for better results this year.

Above and beyond all the other questions, the most important one remains:

Who will be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this season, Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn?

Let’s find out…

Derek Anderson

Now that New England’s QB Tom Brady has made it en vogue for late round picks to become successful stars, several players have followed in his footsteps and Anderson is one of them.

A sixth-round pick by Baltimore out of Oregon State in 2005, Anderson did not see his first action until 2006 after earning a spot with the Browns and then won the starting job away from Charlie Frye during Week One of the 2007 season.

Anderson shocked everyone as he led the Browns to a 10-5 record in 15 starts and went on to throw for 3,787 yards and 29 TDs to earn himself a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Blessed with prototypical size at 6’6”, Anderson looks the part but could not replicate the performance last year that we saw two years ago.

Signing a three-year, $24 million contract extension should have put him at ease but poor play, myriad drops by Browns wideouts, and nagging injuries led to a lackluster season that resulted in a 50% completion rate and a 66.5 QB rating. Yikes.

Brady Quinn’s arrival seemed to light a fire under him in 2007, yet now it seems he may be affected by the process that left him wondering whether or not he would be a full-time starter—and that uncertainty continues throughout this offseason.

Brady Quinn

The Browns’ brass rejoiced in 2007 when they wheeled n’ dealed draft picks to trade back into the first round in order to take Brady Quinn with the No. 22 pick overall. They finally "had their franchise guy" again after the failure with Tim Couch several years earlier.

Little did they know that Derek Anderson was on the precipice of a great season that would create a quarterback controversy for the next couple of seasons…and possibly beyond.

Quinn also has ideal size at 6’4” with a very good arm and a great pedigree having excelled at Notre Dame under the tutelage of alleged offensive guru Charlie Weis. Quinn got his first chance to start last November and played very well in a close loss to Denver (23 for 35, 239 yds, 2 TDs).

Unfortunately for Quinn, his season would be cut short by a broken index finger that he suffered the following week versus Buffalo and ultimately played with for two games.

Quinn is also the recipient of a fairly large contract that could reach $30 million with incentive bonuses over the five-year term and his confidence is an asset that has been conspicuous throughout his career, stretching back to college.

SUMMARY

For a team that finished near the bottom of the league in almost every significant offensive category, the fortunes will not change on the arm of one man alone.

Near the top of the league in drops, struggling to get any ground game going in 2008 and now instituting a new system in 2009, it will be an uphill climb for either player to have a very productive season. Both are capable and both may very well see time this season as the Browns attempt to turn the page from the previous regime’s failure.

This job is absolutely up for grabs going into training camp later this month and this could be the most compelling positional battle we see all summer. It seems that Mangini favors Quinn at this stage and will choose him in a dead heat in training camp.

I think Quinn wins the job and struggles to keep it at times during the year, unless of course Anderson gets traded. Don’t count on it, even with Mangini favorite Brett Ratliff at third string they will wait another year to deal someone and make sure they have the right players in place. It is the Browns after all, what’s the rush?

This article originally appeared on FantasyPros911.

Depth Perceptions: Dallas Cowboys' Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Mike Blewitt — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:11:42 -0400

Depth Perceptions is a weekly look at the depth chart and positional battles all over the NFL.

All the hype, the pomp and circumstance, the camera lights that shine so bright on the Dallas Cowboys were a detriment in 2008. It seemingly accentuated the festering problems of a very talented team that had yet to win anything significant.

The disappointment of the 2007 playoffs led to increased pressure and resulted in a 1-3 December that left them scratching their collective heads.

So, owner Jerry Jones decided changes were to be made for the 2009 season not the least of which was the release of pro-bowler/future hall of famer/irritant Terrell Owens from his contract.

The Cowboys decided to free themselves of the drama king who had accused offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, quarterback Tony Romo, and tight end Jason Witten of conspiring against him in an effort to reduce his stake in the offensive game plan. How very high school of them all to do such a thing…

With that single transaction came the shifting of roles for every player in the Cowboys’ offense. Head coach Wade Phillips and Garrett will be tasked with replacing an experienced player who accounted for 38 TDs the last three seasons, more than any other receiver in the NFL in that span.

We will see some of the returning stars continue to shine but it remains to be seen if what is left is a championship caliber football team, a standard that is the only one Jerry Jones will deem acceptable.

Jason Witten – Witten enjoyed his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl invitation last season while leading the team with 81 catches. His ability to stretch the middle of the field and dominate linebackers in space is coveted by every team in the league and very few have a player that can match his talents at tight end.

Witten’s close relationship with Romo was at the center of the T.O. controversy but the reality is that their on-field chemistry results in big plays season after season. Witten has become the No. 1 target in Dallas (the real sore spot for T.O.) and his experience will be leaned on heavily by Romo and the offensive staff in 2009.

Roy Williams - The seemingly nonsensical, overpriced midseason trade for Williams in 2008 turns out to be just what the doctor ordered to replace the departed Owens. It makes one wonder if the Cowboys had set their plan in motion long before last season ever ended.

Williams could never really get in sync with QB Tony Romo last year and has now had plenty of time to get on the same page and assume the No. 1 WR role in Dallas in 2009.

His career numbers on horrendous football teams in Detroit are more than respectable and Dallas threw for 29 TDs last season, fourth most in the NFL. Expect them to consistently utilize his size in the red zone.

Patrick Crayton - Crayton has worked to gradually increase his role in Dallas but saw it take a hit with the arrival of Roy Williams last year. Now that Owens is gone, Crayton should get more looks again and return to 2007 form or better but he will still be a fourth option behind Williams, Witten, and RB Marion Barber.

Crayton will be a big key for this unit as he tries to prove he is not just an adequate second option on the outside but can make plays and alleviate double-coverage for his teammates.

Martellus Bennett – Those of us who watched the HBO documentary Hard Knocks last summer got a little bit of an inside look as to what the organization thinks of second- year tight end Martellus Bennett. He is a major physical talent and if they can harness his potential, then the sky is the limit for him.

His ability would be an asset backing up Witten as well as allow the ‘Boys to use all that size to pound teams, particularly in the red zone where he caught 4 TDs in 2008. Expect Bennett to be used even more often this season in goal line sets and as a regular part of their offense.

Miles Austin - Austin was looking to have a breakout season in Dallas in 2008 but was caught in a logjam of options and suffered some injury problems. His ability as a kick returner is a key for Dallas and he should see a decent increase of last year’s 13 catches and 3 TDs. Austin will be looked upon as a solid piece of the puzzle to help fill out this unit with physically talented players

Sam Hurd - Hurd should earn the fourth wide receiver spot in training camp but the way Dallas uses their tight ends and running backs, that doesn’t lead to many balls being thrown his way.

His 19 receptions two years ago were a building block but injuries last season stunted his NFL progress. He is a home-run hitter option and will be counted on to pick up where he left off in 2007.

Isaiah Stanback – The former college QB is still developing as a WR and has shown enough potential to warrant the Cowboys trusting him with kickoffs. His pure athletic ability will be an asset going forward as the Cowboys continue to evaluate his long-term value for the team.

SUMMARY

Dallas’ passing offense fared quite well last season, finishing ninth in the league in passing yardage, all while missing starting QB Tony Romo for three games. With their No. 1 receiver now a Buffalo Bill, it is time for players they have invested a lot of time and money in to step up and earn their keep.

The overall athleticism displayed in this pass-catching unit is fantastic and with the supposed elimination of distractions from the locker room, it will be in Romo’s hands to bring this team back to the playoffs.

I think Witten and Williams are very bankable in 2009 and the use of RBs Marion Barber and Felix Jones out of the backfield in will have the aerial attack back at the very top of the league once again, just like in 2007.

This article originally appeared on FantasyPros911.

Depth Perceptions: Minnesota Vikings' Quarterbacks

Mike Blewitt — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:56:45 -0400

Depth Perceptions is a weekly look at the depth chart and positional battles all over the NFL.

Regarding the starting quarterback situation with the Minnesota Vikings, this much is clear: they are still searching for one. The 2008 season was somewhat disappointing for the Vikings as they managed to make the playoffs by winning the NFC North only to lose their first postseason contest at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Led by the NFL’s No. 1 rushing defense and league-leading rusher Adrian Peterson, the Vikes had some of the significant attributes of successful NFL teams.

But, despite their 10-6 regular season record, their QB play was an Achilles heel in important spots. Journeyman Gus Frerotte threw 15 INTs to just 12TDs in 11 games before succumbing to an injury while Tarvaris Jackson bookended the season, being benched in September and out of sync in the playoff loss to Philly.

This offseason has been dedicated to trying to remedy their QB ills and has seen a trade for experienced Texans’ backup Sage Rosenfels, the release of Frerotte, and copious amounts of drama concerning the NFL’s all time-leading passer, Brett Favre…

(Interview excerpts from this week’s Joe Buck Live on HBO)

Joe Buck: “Do you plan on playing in the NFL next season?”

Brett Favre: “Maybe. I am considering it.”

Joe Buck: “Is Minnesota the only team on your radar?”

Brett Favre: “That’s all I’ve talked to. It makes perfect sense as far as coming back because it’s an offense that I ran for 16 years. I could teach the offense.”

Joe Buck: “What needs to happen for you to sign with the Vikings?”

Brett Favre: “I think first and foremost, I don’t think you can go past anything more than the arm. If that’s not up to par, and it’s not up to par when the time comes, then I can’t play...as I rehab and continue to throw and things, if it ever gets to the point where it feels like it did before it started hurting, then that…the biggest question mark is out of the way.”

And there we have it, my gridiron friends…an answer. It may not be the definitive reply we been waiting for, but it’s safe to say that Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings may very well be a match this time around.

His one-year stop-gap failure (league-leading 22 INTs) in New York has not deterred him from forging ahead with his NFL career, 18 seasons strong and counting.

Favre’s play was erratic last year, particularly in the last five games where he threw 9 INTs during a 1-4 team collapse that saw the Jets blow a golden opportunity to win the division or at least qualify for a wildcard spot.

Can it be blamed on the new system he was working with in New York? Or can it be blamed on his injured bicep? Has the game simply passed him by at age 39?

The Vikings are willing to wait and see how that surgically-repaired arm feels and we should expect to see Favre in purple in 2009, with everyone in Minnesota hoping he catches fire again like he did for Green Bay in 2007 when he threw for over 4,000 yards and 28TDs.

Sage Rosenfels

The Vikings took a significant leap of faith when they acquired Rosenfels to challenge for the starting QB position. While a fourth-round pick in the draft was not a heavy price to pay, Minnesota gave him a new two-year, $9 million contract ensuring a commitment to a career backup that has started only 12 games in his eight-year career.

Rosenfels is a well-respected player due to his athleticism and strong arm but his weaknesses of poor-decision making and locking in on receivers are similar to those of the player he is expected to challenge in Tarvaris Jackson. According to head coach Brad Childress, the two QBs are entering June camp in a dead heat and it will probably remain that way through much if the summer.

This could all be academic when Favre is signed but if that does fall through, then my hunch is we are likely to see Rosenfels win the job and try to remain in the starting lineup for a full season for the first time in his career.

Tarvaris Jackson

“Tarvaris Jackson is one of hardest working guys you are going to find in this 85-man roster right now. Just in terms of the time he spends here, the time he spends in the books, with the wide receivers, in the weight room, strength and conditioning. There are very few people that work as hard as he does in the offseason.”

- Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress

That’s high praise from the head coach on his young, developing quarterback. One factor that should not be underestimated in this battle is the fact that Jackson has been a Viking since 2006.

He knows the system, he knows the team, and many of the players might have his back over a newcomer like Rosenfels. I’m not suggesting mutiny would occur if he lost this battle but it can give an edge to a player when he senses that the locker room is rooting for him.

However, the veteran players know they have some major pieces in place for a playoff run and they are looking for the best QB to lead them there, regardless of his background. This is a wide-open race but my guess is Jackson will have a hard time winning the job over a veteran who has substantial money committed to him.

SUMMARY

If Favre’s arm is in decent enough shape after surgery to allow him to get into camp by July and throw effectively, then he’s the man. The smart money would say he’s a Viking within the next couple of weeks.

If Favre is not healed and does decide to call it quits, or temporarily suspend his career, then it is a wide-open race through August. I’m giving Rosenfels the nod over Jackson for his experience and the decent-sized contract that no one wants to see on the bench.

This article was originally published on Fantasy Pros 911, read more right here.

Depth Perceptions: New York Giants' Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Mike Blewitt — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:55:10 -0400

Patrolling the Depths is a weekly look at the depth chart battles all over the NFL.

With NFL preseason camps just over a month away, this time of year is crucial for coaches around the league to implement changes to the playbooks and tweaks to the roster. Each team will go into summer camp with high hopes for some players to step up and increase their role in helping their team win games.

Every week, we will take a look at key players, the positional battles being waged this offseason, and how this will affect the squads on their respective quests toward the playoffs.

New York Giants – Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Considering the level of talent on the New York Giants’ roster, this may the single most important positional question in all of the NFL—they are that close to being a complete team. The Plaxico Burress incident has been covered ad nauseum, but the hole left by his departure is significant as evidenced by the Giants late-season collapse and quick playoff ouster in 2008.

The veteran leadership lost by Burress’ absence along with Amani Toomer not being offered an extension is also something to consider as the G-Men look to right the ship for a run at Super Bowl XLIV.

Third-year offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride recently stated that every position at wideout is up for grabs, which will create a very competitive atmosphere through summer camp and beyond. Wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Kevin Boss are the only players guaranteed touches, as Boss will be starting again and Smith will be the slot receiver, a role he successfully grew into last season.

Steve Smith - Smith led the Giants with 57 receptions in ’08 and will look to build on his second-year success. It is possible that he earns the coveted No. 1 receiver position and play outside which would leave the Giants looking for someone else to step into the slot role. Either way, he will be quarterback Eli Manning’s number one option this season.

Kevin Boss – He has proven his ability to be a go-to player and we are likely to see an increase in his role in the Giants’ offense. As the wide receivers try to fit into their new roles, Boss will open up the middle of the field for the Giants dominant ground attack, which was first in the league last season.

Dominik Hixon – Hixon stepped up in his first full season with the Giants becoming not only the regular punt returner but also grabbing 43 passes, third most on the team. He showed the coaches exactly what they needed to see, that he can be a reliable option for Manning. Hixon will be a valuable starter again this season and will have to prove himself all over again so as not to lose playing time to the big-time rookies the Giants acquired on draft day.

Hakeem Nicks – The North Carolina product became the Giants’ No. 1 draft pick in 2009 and will be expected to produce early and often. While he certainly projects to be Manning’s number one option at some point, it is rare that a rookie can step into that role seamlessly. Expect to see him on the field from Week 1and to see the size of his role increase through the season.

Ramses Barden – The third round draft pick out of Cal Poly has generated a fair amount of buzz simply due to his physical attributes at 6’6” and 227 pounds. He reeled in 18 touchdown passes last year alone so the hope is that some of that big-play ability can translate to the much higher level of competition. Barden will have the opportunity to crack the regular lineup but, at the very least, Manning will have another big target to utilize in the red zone.

Travis Beckum – The Wisconsin rookie is probably going to be used as a hybrid tight end and H-Back with the Giants so he will be catching passes out of the backfield. Derrick Ward had 41 receptions out of the backfield last season but his departure to Tampa Bay will ensure that the Giants need someone to fill that need immediately, expect Beckum to be that player.

Sinorice Moss – The 2006 second-round pick has been a disappointment thus far in his Giants’ career with only 38 catches to date, but the expectation will be that he can play a role providing reliable depth and flash his ability to break a big play on occasion.

David Tyree – The Super Bowl XLII hero will have his work cut out for him after missing the entire 2008 season due to injury. Despite roles being up for grabs, quite a few players are battling for them and someone will have to be a casualty.

Mario Manningham – After only four catches as a rookie, the Giants sent a message by taking two more rookies at his position. He will have to prove that he is worthy of a roster spot this August.

SUMMARY

Overall, the Giants have good depth at these positions but may lack the big play receiver that they had in Burress for three-and-a-half seasons. It is imperative that the rookies contribute and other veterans raise their game because the Giants have the type of roster that can win a ring if they get a little more from their pass catchers. I think this will be a struggle for at least the first half of the season but the focus for this team is January—only time will tell us how these players develop.

This article was originally published on www.fantasypros911.com

Tom Coughlin, You Had Me At Hello...

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:42:59 -0400

Tom Coughlin has often been labeled as a hard-nosed guy, a strict disciplinarian, and a tough guy who can’t relate to his players. His now-famous rule of five minutes early being considered ‘on time’ seems an archaic one that has no place in today’s NFL. After all, we are dealing with grown men that take their jobs seriously, aren’t we?

But, I confess…I am a Tom Coughlin fan. I was long before most NFL devotees, including some Giants fans, knew who he was. You see, we go back, Tom and I…

As a matter of full disclosure, I will divulge that I am a proud alumnus of Boston College—the very same place where TC resumed his head-coaching career in 1991 (he was Rochester’s HC in the early 1970s). He had previously served as quarterback coach at BC from 1981-1983, mentoring some guy named Doug Flutie, who would win the Heisman Trophy in 1984.

While head coach at BC from 1991-1993, all he did was take a then-struggling program to a 21-12-1 record, a New Year’s day bowl win, and an epic 41-39 defeat of an undefeated, No. 1-ranked Notre Dame squad on November 20th, 1993. That last one would be considered the greatest day of this writer’s sports fandom – a tremendous college road trip, but I digress.

Coughlin’s NFL career started in 1984 with a two-year stint as WR coach of the Philadelphia Eagles followed by a similar one with Green Bay in 86-87. It was his next stop however, that would lay the groundwork for his greatest successes.

Coughlin accepted the job as New York Giants receivers’ coach under Bill Parcells and earned the nickname “Colonel Coughlin”, a nod to the militaristic approach he takes towards practices, drills, and meetings.

Feet on the floor and no hats in meetings as well as no sunglasses for coaches on the field, this isn’t lunch at the Ivy in Hollywood after all. His guidance of receivers Mark Ingram, Lionel Manuel and Stephen Baker were a key to the Giants second Super Bowl victory in the 1990 season.

This is also where we see the influences in Coughlin’s present day team makeup: punishing ground game, limiting turnovers, and a tenacious attacking defense that made life miserable for opposing QBs.

After the three-year stop at BC, Tom jumped at the opportunity to head up an NFL team with the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars for the 1995 season. Eight seasons, two divisional titles, and two AFC Championship game appearances were impressive accomplishments but ultimately it was not enough and Coughlin was left out of football for the first time in his life in 2003.

That all changed after being hired as head coach of the Giants for the 2004 NFL season. A frustrating first season led to a breakthrough in year two when Coughlin and young QB Eli Manning led the Giants to a divisional title.

However, the bloom soon came off the rose as they Giants were shellacked 23-0 at home by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the playoffs.

The following 2006 season was a crossroads for the G-Men and Tom Coughlin as they struggled to an 8-8 3rd place finish and once again fell in a first round playoff game, this time to the hated rival Philadelphia Eagles.

It was widely speculated that his tenure was over in New York but owners John Mara and Steve Tisch showed a sign of faith and kept him on board to prove he could win another title for the New York Giants.

So, we come to 2007. It was a classic season and the one that immortalized Coughlin as a Giant hero. During a fearless three game sweep, they moved from Tampa, then to Dallas, and then to frigid Green Bay in a storied playoff push to Super Bowl XLII.

Super Bowl XLII needs no recap but Tom Brady running for his life, Eli Manning playing mistake free football, and Brandon Jacobs picking up a huge fourth-and-1 all stand out. Upset city and the Giants were once again champs.

Tom Coughlin had come full circle simply by sticking to what he knows: limiting turnovers, pounding the ball on the ground, attacking opposing QBS. It’s what he knows; it’s what his teams do, it’s how they win. Expect more of the same in 2009.

Colonel Coughlin. TC. He and I go way back…

Throwing It Back: Inside the NY Giants' 2009 Playbook

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:50:55 -0400

One begins to learn the basic philosophies of football in their formative years. They may or may not play a little Pop Warner, may or may not play high school ball, but for those who truly love to learn the game, they pick up a lot simply by watching their hometown team.

For this writer, that meant a full serving of Bill Parcells’ New York Giants every single weekend of the fall. It was throwback football, even for the 1980s: heavy ground attack, stifling defense, limiting turnovers and controlling the clock.

That was how it was done, that’s how teams won championships (or at least challenged the 49ers for them). To this day, I still view those characteristics as essential to winning teams and interestingly enough, we are seeing the Giants throw it back again under Parcells' disciple Tom Coughlin.

It’s old school football for the new school G-Men.

Taking into account the offseason moves this far, here’s what to expect from the guys wearing the headsets in 2009:

OFFENSE

In 2008, the Giants became the first team with two running backs (Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward) to rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season since the 1985 Cleveland Browns (Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack).

The Giants’ 2,518 total rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry average, and 13 turnovers were ranked No. 1 in the NFL- a clear emphasis on controlling the ball as well as the clock. The bottom line is this; the G-Men pound the ball down opponents’ throats—it’s what they do.

The 2008 formula led to 12 wins and a playoff appearance so I would expect more of the same in 2009, as they are stout up front with Pro Bowl offensive linemen Shaun O’Hara and Chris Snee opening holes.

While RB Derrick Ward is a significant loss in free agency, the combination of Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware, and potentially rookie Andre Brown will be excellent compliments to bruising starter Brandon Jacobs.

The sky officially fell when WR Plaxico Burress was lost for the season and the Giants faded down the stretch but that trash has officially been taken out this offseason. Burress is gone forever as is long-time Giant Amani Toomer leaving holes where QB Eli Manning should be completing passes.

Third-year Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride recently stated in an interview that every position at wideout is up for grabs which will create a competitive atmosphere this July, August, and beyond.

Steve Smith is the only WR assured touches when he lines up in the slot but the rest of the cast including Domenik Hixon, David Tyree, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham and talented rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden will all be battling for throws courtesy of Eli.

Another nugget from Gilbride was that the draft addition of TE Travis Beckum was done in hopes of creating mismatches on the opposing defenses. He feels that Beckum can be a dynamic component opposite fellow TE Kevin Boss because his size/speed combination will give linebackers fits in coverage.

Gilbride also stressed the ability to specifically create personnel changes on the other side of the field and exploit them by changing play calls when the match-ups are to the Giants’ advantage.

This is obviously what coaches do each game but Gilbride put an emphasis on having those versatile players in the lineup and Beckum appears to be one of them with his ability to play TE or H-Back.

DEFENSE

Last season, the Giants stayed true to the philosophy that won them Super Bowl XLII—pressure the quarterback. Easier said than done with DE Michael Strahan retiring and his counterpart Osi Umenyiora suffering a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

The rest of the cast filled in well, with Justin Tuck having a breakout season by contributing with 13 of the team’s 43 sacks placing them sixth in the league in that category.

They were not as opportunistic as they would have liked forcing 22 turnovers (20th in the league) and only one in the last month of the regular season, a sign of the late season swoon suffered by the entire team.

This season brings with it a change at the top as former LB coach Bill Sheridan takes over the defensive coordinator reins from the departed Steve Spagnuolo.

In a recent interview, Sheridan mentioned that he would be calling the plays from the coaches’ box as opposed to the sidelines like his predecessor. He mentions his business-like, organized approach as being the catalysts for this preference of game locale but we can expect schemes and philosophy to remain very much the same

As I have written before, a team can never have enough defensive linemen. The Giants’ additions of free agents Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard and more importantly the return of Umenyiora from injury will provide more depth at that position than any team in the NFL.

The mad dash to the opposing quarterback will continue as Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Fred Robbins round out the most talented defensive line in the NFL.

Free agent addition linebacker Michael Boley provides the Giants with a pass-coverage option better than anyone on last year’s roster and his athleticism should increase the number of plays being made by the Giants’ weakest unit.

Sheridan also spoke about rookie Clint Sintim’s size and ability to rush the passer on third downs being an asset to the team right from the start of his career.

In the defensive backfield, uber-talented Kenny Phillips steps in for free-agent loss James Butler that should be considered an upgrade despite the relative lack of experience. Michael Johnson, Aaron Ross, and Corey Webster all fill the same roles in what is shaping up to be a potentially special unit.

SUMMARY

The Giants will not be rocking the boat this season as the tweaks and additions that were made this offseason will be enough to get them back to the playoffs. The defense improves markedly with the return of Osi but the defining, potential title-winning change with this team will be how the wide receiver and tight end roles play out.

Regardless of who steps up into the top role, Eli will need to find a favorite target that can become a legitimate threat particularly deep in opponents’ territory in what Giants' coaches like to call the ‘Green Zone’.

Who Will Be The Beast of the NFC East?

Mike Blewitt — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:51:06 -0400

Last season opened up all the hype one could hope for in a particular division. Sure, the New York Giants had won Super Bowl XLII in dramatic fashion over the heavily-favored New England Patriots, but they were not the only big men on campus.

It was, after all, the Dallas Cowboys, America’s Team, that had won the division with a 13-3 record in 2007 only to fall to the Giants during their tremendous run in the playoffs. Throw in a little of the Philadelphia Eagles’ perpetual optimism, add a dash of Washington Redskins spending spree, and the gauntlet had been thrown down. But, the expected clash of the New York and Dallas titans that was to settle the NFC Championship was not to be.

Despite barreling out to an 11-1 start, the Giants flailed following the loss of star receiver Plaxico Burress to a self-inflicted gunshot wound and lost 4 of their last 5 including a playoff loss at home to Philly.

The Cowboys’ season was a roller coaster ride, one that came crashing to a halt with a miserable December and an unforgettable, unforgivable, embarrassing 38-point drubbing in Philadelphia, 44-6.

Washington showed a flat-out inability to score and those pesky Eagles found their way to the NFC championship game only to lose to the Arizona Cardinals in a heart-breaker.

But, what’s past is prologue. Organized Team Activities (OTAs) have begun, within the next 60 days the teams will enter training camps, and the 2009 regular season will be underway soon thereafter.

So, the hype machine is cranked up extra early and we will breakdown each team’s offseason reshuffling, their relative strengths, and how this will impact the Giants in 2009.

GIANTS

2008 Quick Hits: No team in the league looked as solid as the Giants did through Week 12. But the off-field incident involving Burress resulted in an injury/suspension for the remainder of the season. It truly did impact the on-field play as the Giants and QB Eli Manning lost their number one receiver and biggest go-to playmaker as well as watching their scoring average plummet 11 points (29 per game to 18 per game) over those last six games.

The formidable defensive line also swooned late as their depth was ultimately impacted from the loss of Osi Umenyiora all season to a left knee injury.

2009 Outlook: Arguably the biggest defensive addition to any roster in the league, the G-Men will get Osi back, and his ability and leadership are more important than ever. Free agents DE Chris Canty, LB Michael Boley, and DT Rocky Bernard plus No. 1 draft pick WR Hakeem Nicks add some serious talent and depth to what is already a stacked roster.

However, with the release of Burress and departure of veteran Amani Toomer the chasm remains at the number one receiver spot. Even the tremendous potential of Nicks in addition to the capable play of current WR Steve Smith and TE Kevin Boss are not enough to fill that role. Expect an even bigger emphasis on the ground attack along with increased opportunities for Boss and rookie TE/H-Back Travis Beckum.

The RB duo of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward were the first teammates to rush for 1,000 yards each since Cleveland Browns RBs Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack did so in 1985. Despite Ward’s departure in free agency, the Giants will pound the ball with Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware, and rookie Andre Brown—a little return to the days of yore and the Bill Parcells era.

EAGLES

2008 Quick Hits: On November 23, 2008 the Eagles suffered a demoralizing 23-7 loss at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. Star QB Donovan McNabb was benched after a dismal first half performance in favor of Kevin Kolb and the sky of the football world in Philadelphia was officially falling.

However, this act lit a spark under McNabb and the team as they won six of their next seven games including two huge playoff wins on the road. Head Coach Andy Reid was hailed as a great motivator by many and they advanced to the NFC Championship for the fifth time this decade.

2009 Outlook: After logging 13 years at the safety position with the Eagles, team leader and captain Brian Dawkins moved on in free agency; an influence that could be missed. Outside of that there were no other significant departures.

Sporting the 2008 NFL’s third-ranked defense and the ninth-ranked offense, the Eagles have great building blocks for this season. Add to that a steal of a trade with the Bills to obtain OT Jason Peters, playmaker additions like WR Jeremy Maclin and RB LeSean “Shady” McCoy through the draft and the team that we saw in December and January might very well be the one to beat in 2009.

REDSKINS

2008 Quick Hits: First-year Head Coach Jim Zorn guided the ‘Skins into possible playoff contention with a 7-4 start to the season courtesy of the league’s fourth-ranked defense. However, consistent problems getting the ball into the end zone—they finished ranked 28^th in scoring offense—led to a late season collapse that saw them lose four of their last five including contests to the lowly Bengals and struggling 49ers.

QB Jason Campbell showed marked improvement and Clinton Portis’ elite running easily made him the team’s most valuable asset.

2009 Outlook: By every measure, "Big Al" Haynesworth was the biggest offseason acquisition in the entire NFL. His dominance at defensive tackle was a big reason why the Tennessee Titans finished the regular season with a league-best 13-3 record, but the $100 million dollar price tag is the big reason they let him go. "Big" is a theme with Albert, you see.

Haynesworth’s addition coupled with drafting DE Brian Orakpo, an athletic marvel, will make waves in the division this year. Then again, Washington has spent a lot of money in the offseason before with very mixed results—and that’s being kind…

Zorn is known as an offensive guru but his reputation needs to start producing points or all the improvement from Campbell and the punishing ground game of Portis will be viewed as window dressing for a team that can’t find a way to score and win games.

I do not expect to see much of a philosophy change in Washington at all, but a little ‘wildcat’ from Randle-El may be used in the red zone to get them over that scoring hump.

COWBOYS

2008 Quick Hits: After getting off to a rocky start, Dallas found themselves at 8-4 and ready for a return trip to the playoffs in 2008. But, a December NOT to remember unfolded and they proceeded to lose three of their last four, all of them to eventual playoff teams. Injuries to QB Tony Romo and RB Marion Barber were keys as the Dallas offense fell out of sync both on and off the field.

It would be easy to sit here and blame the now-former Cowboy Terrell Owens, but this debacle started at the top. Owner/GM Jerry Jones created an environment where the players have a direct pipeline to him which usurped what Head Coach Wade Phillips was trying to do on the field.

In-fighting and snipes surrounding Romo, Owens, and TE Jason Witten became public fodder and the inmates were running the asylum. A seemingly unnecessary and overpriced trade for WR Roy Williams put more pressure for the offense to get in sync when it is rare that a mid-season addition can ever have much of an impact at all in NFL.

Plus, the defense just gave up too many points, too many times. Finishing 30^th in turnover margin is an easy recipe for a marginal football team.

2009 Outlook: Still in possession of a talented roster, there is some reason for optimism in 2009, since Murphy’s Law seemed to come into effect last season. Romo has had an entire off-season to work with Roy Williams, his new number one target, and Marion Barber should be healthy again.

Obviously, Owens was jettisoned in order to create some cohesion in the clubhouse, but when your top off-season acquisitions are DE Igor Olshansky (to replace Chris Canty) and solid 12-year vet LB Keith Brooking, then how much have you really improved your nine-win team?

SUMMARY

Obviously, we are a long way from deciding anything, but this is a matter of taking a look at the off-season acquisitions and how they may impact the team as they performed last year.

I sincerely think the Giants need to make a move for a big-time wide receiver via trade. They flirted with Arizona for Anquan Boldin, more seriously with Cleveland for Braylon Edwards and while both of those teams seemed to declare those deals dead, I’ll believe it when the season starts in September.

Philly and Washington both went out this off-season and made big-time moves, the Giants acquired some solid pieces, and the Cowboys, well, didn’t do much. But, if you were to rank how much each team improved, the G-Men would be second at best and that’s no way to try to win a Super Bowl.

Can they win without a new number one? Sure. Should they take a chance at it not working out when they have the draft picks to make a deal? I say no.

Unless Osi changed positions this offseason…

Brick by Brick: 2009 Giants Back for Another Run

Mike Blewitt — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:26:45 -0400

The draft has taken place, the free agency frenzy has dissipated, the proverbial dust has settled. The NFL offseason is no longer the time when coaches, players, and GMs can exhale but rather when the tweaks are made to the haves and the leaps are made by the have-nots.

After coming together for an epic run through the 2007 postseason that culminated in the Super Bowl XLII Championship, 2008 saw the New York Giants get off to a blazing 11-1 start before the season unexpectedly derailed.

Highly publicized off-field issues led to on-field problems that saw the Giants bounced from the playoffs at home against the hated Philadelphia Eagles. One and done. That’s no way to go out.

Possessing one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, General Manager Jerry Reese and Head Coach Tom Coughlin know that shots at the title are rare, and they are prepared to make another run at it in 2009.

Let’s take a look at the additions, the subtractions, and how they may shape the fortune of this year’s squad.

KEY LOSSES

Steve Spagnuolo, Defensive Coordinator

Spagnuolo’s scheme came together in the last two seasons and was a major determining factor in the team’s success, particularly creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. As a "hot" coordinator for the last two years, it was no shock to see him leave for a head job and rebuild in St. Louis.

Plaxico Burress, WR

Call him a buffoon, say he ruined the season, tell him good riddance…the fact remains that the Giants needed Plaxico down the stretch and their offense suffered as a result of him being injured, and ultimately, suspended.

His ability to convert big plays with QB Eli Manning was sorely missed and saw the offense’s scoring average drop from 29 points through the first 11 games to 18 points over the last six.

His release was the most significant event of the offseason and finding a replacement is the Giants’ No. 1 priority.

Amani Toomer, WR

A 14-year veteran of the team and a class act, his presence and professionalism will be an influence that cannot be easily duplicated. His 48 catches provided solid production but the Giants decided that they will be able to insert a younger, cheaper option at the wide-out position.

James Butler, S

Butler gained valuable experience in his five years with Big Blue and moved on in free agency to help Spagnuolo strengthen his defense in St. Louis. Butler’s aggressive play resulted in 68 tackles and three interceptions so it will be up to some of the younger players to step into his role.

Derrick Ward, RB

Ward filled in perfectly in the three games that starter Brandon Jacobs missed and was regularly a part of an excellent one-two punch when both running backs were active. A 1,000-yard rusher who led the team with a 5.6 yard-per-carry average in 2008, Ward will be missed.

KEY ADDITIONS (FREE AGENCY)

Chris Canty, DE

As old the adage goes, you can never have enough defensive linemen. After losing Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to an injury in 2008, the burden fell on the likes of Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Fred Robbins to put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.

They also experienced a late season swoon so the addition of Canty provides them with excellent depth and an experienced player who may be entering his prime years.

Michael Boley, LB

Boley is an excellent addition to the linebacking corps which is likely the weakest unit on a very strong roster.

His quickness allows him to make some plays from sideline to sideline and his skills in pass coverage were badly needed so expect him to lock up on a lot of opposing tight ends on passing downs.

KEY ADDITIONS (DRAFT)

Hakeem Nicks, WR

The North Carolina product addresses the spot vacated by Plaxico Burress’ departure. Even though Nicks may not have explosive speed, he possesses tremendous hands and overall athleticism which will make him an immediate option for Manning opposite Steve Smith.

The caveat is that Smith is really a No. 2 option, so asking a rookie to come in and claim the No. 1 spot on a potential championship team is asking way too much.

Clint Sintim, LB

Adding a linebacker early in the draft illustrates the Giants' concern with overall depth and talent at the position and addresses the need immediately. Sintim will be adjusting to a new system but, with his excellent size, he can take on would-be blockers in space.

Ramses Barden, WR

At 6’ 6”, 229 lbs, it’s safe to say he has rare size for a wideout. The jury is out on how well he will match up with elite talent but he should make an impact this season even if only in a limited role.

Travis Beckum, TE

Despite having some injury problems at Wisconsin, Beckum showed a lot of ability as a pass-catching tight end, which adds another weapon in addition to starter Kevin Boss.

Andre Brown, RB

A solid talent, Brown steps right into the fray with Ahmad Bradshaw to attempt to fill the hole that Derrick Ward left.

SUMMARY

For an offense that averaged five yards-per-carry in 2008, you can expect a heavy dose of the ground game with Brandon Jacobs, while Ahmad Bradshaw and rookie Andre Brown pick up the extra carries.

Also, expect the TEs to be an integral part of the passing offense this season, with Kevin Boss seeing more of Eli’s throws sent his way and rookie Travis Beckum in the mix.

Those two factors will allow wide receivers like Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith to function better as a unit until some of the younger players, including Nicks, develop.

Defensively, 28-year coaching veteran Bill Sheridan steps into a coordinator’s role for the first time. Much of the personnel will be the same but the additions of Canty, Boley, and the likely insertion of Kenny Phillips and/or Michael Johnson into starting safety roles, will require some reps for everyone to feel completely comfortable.

Expectations are high and the Giants have the components for a truly great team this season, so to let one deficiency at wide receiver derail them again would be the height of frustration.

Jerry Reese has purchased the groceries—it’s time for Coughlin and company to cook the gourmet meal.