Tuesday Morning Running Back Week 12: Things I'm Thankful For, Like Matt Cassel

Last year, when I was doing this column for Blogger, I complied a list of things I'm thankful for in regards to football.

This year, I'd like to continue the tradition, in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.

So without any further ado, I now present to you ten things I'm thankful for in regards to the NFL.

1. I'm thankful for Matt Cassel. A man who patiently waited for his opportunity to shine and has made the most of it. His pinpoint passing ability has kept the Patriots in the thick of the AFC East.

2. I'm thankful for fantasy football. For it has allowed to take a vested interest in every team in the NFL, not just my hometown team.

3. I'm thankful for media idiots who think they know everything like Chris Collinsworth and Tiki Barber. They make my job easier sometimes.

. I'm thankful for surprise teams like the Titans and Falcons that make the NFL more interesting then anticipated.

5. I'm thankful for Randy Moss, nobody makes catches the way he does.

6. I'm thankful for Michael Turner, he's fun to watch, and he's carrying my fantasy team.

7. I'm thankful for scumbags like Terrell Owens and Joey Porter who run their mouthand motivate teams to humiliate them.

8. I'm thankful for Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday, they're the only two days of the year where it's okay to watch football and stuff for face.

9. I'm thankful for Robert Kraft, if it wasn't for him, the Patriots would be no more in New England

10. Most of all, I'm thankful for my fans, especially people Ryan Droege who takes the time to edit and critique me week after week. You folks are the reason I keep doing this column. Your opinions and suggestions are always valued and appreciated.

If you like offensive football, this week was for you, as the bullet points will now show.

• How do you say thank you for 50 years of great coaching? The Steelers did by limiting the Bengals to 6 first downs and under 100 yards passing, making it a very happy anniversary for Dick LeBeau.
• How ironic. Brady Quinn stinks it up and Derek Anderson gets another chance to play because Romeo Crennel is getting desperate to save his job.
• On Sunday afternoon, Trent Edwards became the first Bills QB to rush for 2 touchdowns since Jack Kemp in 1966. Does this mean he'll go into politics when his career ends?
• You know it's been a long year for the Chiefs when the fans start asking when the Royals start playing.
• You can't blame Jack Del Rio for getting angry after the Jaguars lost on Sunday. If you're team was 1-5 at home and as talented as they are, you'd be upset too.
• There's no truth to the rumor that the Lions will play the local peewee Lions instead of the Titans on Thursday afternoon.
• Devin Hester finally made an impact on offense, of course it was against the Rams whose defense can make any Joe six pack a star for a day.
• Say what you want about Terrell Owens, but he certainly knows how to catch a football and gain yardage.
• And now, a bold prediction from a Patriots fan, I will guarantee you if the Patriots can spread the offense out like they've been doing, they will run the table for the remainder of the season.
• It's now common knowledge around New England that Matt Cassel will get big bucks next season to play somewhere else.
• How dysfunctional are the Eagles right now? Andy Reid doesn't even tell Donovan McNabb he's benched for the second half, and Kevin Kolb throws an interception from the one because they lack a short running game. The seeds have been sown for a ugly finish to the year.
• Well I guess the 72 Dolphins can pop a champagne cork once again, as the Jets soared into Nashville and dominated a Titans team that looked over-matched.
• If there's a brightside for the Titans it's that they won't have to listen to Mercury Morris and his stupid poems.
• JaMarcus Russel leading the Raiders into Denver to knock off the first place Broncos was the biggest letdown in Denver since the Rockies World Series run.
• Harry Douglas is not your typical football player name, it would be more suited for a school principal. But Harry Douglas of the Falcons made a statement by scoring twice and returning a punt back for a touchdown in a much needed win against the Panthers.
• Thank God for Shawn Springs! If he doesn't pick off that pass with under 2 minutes left, the Redskins suffer an even uglier loss than the Eagles.
• The Giants are sparking! The offense is scoring, the defense is dominant, and five of their drives started in Cardinal territory.
• If you didn't Adam Vinatieri was going to make a game winning kick on Sunday, you haven't been watching football long enough.
• If Drew Brees were hunting for turkey last night, PETA would be all over him, you can't get more accurate than that.
• Have a happy Thanksgiving filled with food and football. See you next week.