NFL Week 3 Picks

NFL Week 3 Picks
M.D. Wright
9.24.09

Man the NFL season flies by. It's ALREADY WEEK 3. It seems like the season just began. But in a way, it helps fall and winter (even if fall is superb in NYC) go by quickly without it having a chance to depress those of us who have six months of chill ha.

WEEK 1: 11-5
WEEK 2: 11-5

Let's get to the picks.

Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets
Giants Stadium at the New Jersey Meadowlands
East Rutherford, New Jersey



Over/Under: 37
NYJ: -2.5
TEN: +120
NYJ: -140

The Titans are doing about what I expected. And they are heading for an 8-8 season behind shaky Collins and a defence that isn't exactly flexible (no blitzes, no shifting when obvious opponent advantages were being exploited), along with CB Courtland Finnegan seeming to lose his temper every week. What's he so angry about?

Sanchez should have a field day and Revis may take one to the house for the Jets. Oh, by the way, the Jets are going to ABSOLUTELY BURY Kerry Collins. If there is a lock to pick with regards to the lines, DEFINITELY take the Jets to cover. The UNDER looks good, but that would mean the Jets would have to score 30. Not sure they will.

Pick:
Tennessee 10
NY Jets 24

FINAL
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas



Over/Under: 47
HOU: -3.5
JAX: +160
HOU: -190

The Jaguwires are a mess. How Del Rio still has a job is beyond me. Old, aging WRs, a QB who has looked rattled since he became a full-time starter and a defence that doesn't exactly make plays outside of Rasean Mathis, and well, you have this slag heap.

The Texans should put up pinball numbers just as the Cardinals did last week on this team

Pick:
Jacksonville 13
Houston 37

FINAL
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Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland



Over/Under: 38.5
BAL: -13
CLE: +550
BAL: -750

You own a set of stones? I DARE you to take that debacle of a team in Cleveland to cover the 13 points they're getting and the +550 ha.
Nevertheless, Jamal Lewis is banged up, Brady Quinn has not been spectacular -- outside of Joe Thomas, their offensive line is a joke. The defence isn't terrible, but it isn't even consistently average.

The Ravens can score now, which influences the -13. However, they gave up 24 to an equally inept Chiefs squad, so yeah, I DARE YOU, like Black Rob.

Pick:
Cleveland 16
Baltimore 23

FINAL
-----------

New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida



Over/Under: 44.5
TB: +6.5
NYG: -290
TB: +240

I don't need to comment on this. Unless the Giants really show signs of missing so many players (Phillips for the year -- announced today, Tuck, Ross, Dockery, Nicks, etc.), this should be along the lines of the 2007 Wild Card Playoff game in terms of score and game trend.

Pick:
NY Giants 24
Tampa Bay 6

FINAL
------------

Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan



Over/Under: 38.5
DET: +6
WASH: -270
DET: +230

Upset alert. If you wanna call it that. The Redskins should've lost to the Rams for the second straight (poor) time. The Lions haven't been THAT BAD thus far, and they have a few pieces in place to offset the many glaring holes. They can't stop a decent offence, but for the Lions' sake they're not facing one this week, either. Who knows.

At least expect the Lions to cover those 6 points they're getting.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania



Over/Under: 41.5
PHI: -8.5
No Money Lines As Of 9.25.09

The Chiefs try so hard. But they're traveling east and the Philly crowd (minus the PETA bunch and self-righteous set) will be in full throat whenever Vick hits the field. The Iggles won't miss McNabb much in this game, but they aren't going to cover those 8 1/2 points they're giving KC.

Pick:
Kansas City 23
Philadelphia 28

FINAL
-------------

Pick:
Washington 13
Detroit 17

FINAL
------------

Green Bay Packers vs. St. Louis Rams
Edward Jones Dome
St. Louis, Missouri



Over/Under: 41
STL: +6.5
GB: -290
STL: +240

The only possible story line here is the Packers' inability to really stop anyone consistently on defence. Otherwise, this game doesn't merit a write up. Just take the Packers straight up.

Pick:
Green Bay 31
St. Louis 13

FINAL
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota



Over/Under: 39
MIN: -6.5
SF: +240
MIN: -290

I dunno why Minnesota is favored by so much, honestly. Yes, this is SF's truest test yet -- facing the Vikes' defence, but I would not touch that -6.5 for Minny. If I were a betting man, of course ha.

I don't know if I like Peterson's back ailment or not, but we will see how much of a role that will play. SF will cover.

Pick:
San Francisco 20
Minnesota 24

FINAL
------------

Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts



Over/Under: 47
NE: -4.5
ATL: +180
NE: -220

I actually like this game. A lot. For some reason. The Fulcons are traveling to "Matty Ice's" old college stomping grounds, and they are playing solid football.

The Patriots are not. They can't run the ball and John Abraham is going to be in THOMAS' face all game. I love it.

I like Atlanta covering and probably winning.

Pick:
Atlanta 28
New England 23

FINAL
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Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Seattle, Washington



Over/Under: 37
SEA: +2
CHI: -135
SEA: +115

YUCK. Who wants to even see this game? And then from a wagering standpoint, why would you care? This game has no value. Hasselbeck has busted ribs. The Bears stink and are putrid to watch. Somehow they beat PIT, though. I would still lean toward Chicago at the end of the day. That tells you how much this game stinks.

Pick:
Chicago 20
Seattle 15

FINAL
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New Orleans Saints vs. Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Orchard Park, New York



Over/Under: 52
BUF: +6
NO: -270
BUF: +230

I LOVE THIS. The Saints might get that 52 by THEMSELVES ha. My word for them this season: OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I don't even care about the spread (the Bills don't really miss Lynch because Jackson fills in admirably, Owens is insignificant in the so-called Buffalo no-huddle).

Pick:
New Orleans 41
Buffalo 24

FINAL
------------

Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, California



Over/Under: 44
SD: -6
MIA: +230
SD: -270

The Dolphins will fight. And the Chargers will sleepwalk 5/6 of the game. Will Tomlinson play Sunday? Will it matter either way? Rivers puts up pinball numbers and he will again against this defence for Miami.

Pick:
Miami 20
San Diego 31

FINAL
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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio



Over/Under: 37
CIN: +4
PIT: -200
CIN: +165

You know what? After last week, who knows ha? I can't pick Cincinnati despite the fact they have covered both games thus far. And they MAY again, but I don't have any confidence.

Of course Polamalu is still out for PIT and Slow Willie Parker (he's my dude, but he has lost a step) needs to get his game going. Roethlisberger is due to implode with his tendency of holding the ball too long and trying to make the TD pass each time.

Cursin' Palmer is finally healthy and Chad is making plays (even if his concentration is just as much on stunts with fans as it is with making plays and winning).

There has been a Cedric Benson sighting, also. WOW.

Pick:
Pittsburgh 20
Cincinnati 17

FINAL
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Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum/McAfee Coliseum
Oakland, California



Over/Under: 37
OAK: +1.5
Pick 'em

What an ugly game. I do see a 3 way tie for "first place" after this game if you get my drift. JaMarcus Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey seem to sleep well at night knowing they fleeced Al Davis ROYALLY. Russell has the accuracy of a drunk, fat guy trying to take a leak after 10 beers and 5 shots of Patron. But they can run the ball pretty well.

Orton? Agh. He hasn't been bad, but he has potential all-world Brandon Marshall and a poor man's poor man's Steve Smith in Eddie Royal (meaning a poor man's Giants' Steve Smith, who is still viewed [less accurate now, and won't be accurate after this season] as a poor man's Panthers' Steve(n) Smith) to throw to.

Seymour will get Orton. Dumervil will get Russell. But Denver can't run the ball with KNOWSHON banged up.

Pick:
Denver 17
Oakland (somehow) 23

FINAL
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Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
***SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***



Over/Under: 48.5
ARI: -2.5
IND: +125
ARI: -145

Vegas respects the Curds. The Road Warrior Colts are getting 2 1/2 in Glendale on Sunday Night Football. This should be a fun one. TAKE THE OVER. You know what Kurt can do. You know what LARRY can do. You know what Q can do. You know what PEYTON can do. Just watch, enjoy and again, TAKE THE OVER.

Pick:
Indianapolis 30
Arizona 34

FINAL
-------------

Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium
Arlington, Texas
***MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***





Over/Under: 47
DAL: -8.5
CAR: +320
DAL: -400

Vegas is playing on peoples' emotions to be jacked for Monday Night. And by "peoples" I mean those overzealous, illogical and (despite a 14 year playoff-win drought) bandwagon fans who will wager on their team. Carolina SHOULD be getting points, but not 8 1/2 dear GOD.

The Cowboys will win, and with the help of Jake, and the hype for the stadium (being compared to the Wonders of the World) and Romo will start again.

Pick:
Carolina 23
Dallas 28

FINAL
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NFL Powre Rankings: Week 3

NFL Powre Rankings: Week 3
M.D. Wright
9.24.09

Well, there was a big shakeup in the Top 10 this week, a few top teams lost or came very close to doing so to weaker opponents. This week's rankings will reflect such.

1. New York Football Giants. Yes, Kenny Phillips was just pronounced out for the rest of the season with Patellaosteoarthritis. Yes, Tuck is out. Yes, Ross and Dockery are out. But Eli is actually WINNING games for the Giants now instead of just avoiding killer mistakes. Still the best team in the NFL top to bottom after the Steelers' mind-boggling loss to the bumbling Bears.



2. New York Jets. The Jets are the best team in the AFC. With a ROOKIE QB. I will not allow for discussion on this one. Look at their defence. Revis is the best CB in football (at the very least, in a tie with Nnamdi Asomugha).



3. Baltimore Ravens. I have picked them since training camp to represent the AFC -- may have to come off it if the Jets are for real all season. But the Ravens are getting it in; even if they've given up more points in two games (50) than they used to in their hey day defensively in FIVE games. However, they can FINALLY SCORE ON OFFENCE.

4. Indianapolis Colts. Just another day at the office (once he actually had the BALL) for Peyton on Monday night. Much closer than the game should've been, but the Colts are getting it done, even with key players out.

5. New Orleans Saints. As I have to constantly remind people, this isn't a projection of where teams will END this season -- just where they are right now with the way they're playing. No one can stop the Saints' offence.

6. Minnesota Vikings. It's all Peterson (who's somewhat "slowed" with a back) and the defence, BUT Favre isn't making mistakes... yet.

7. Atlanta Falcons. Can't ignore them. They play solid football and DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers. They may miss Polamalu more than they realize. The Bears are not exactly the Saints or Giants offensively dear god.

9. San Francisco 49ers. Imagine how good they will be when Crabtree gets his head out of his ass and joins the team?

10. Houston Texans. Finally played semi up-to-par vs. Tennessee. Still expecting 11 wins from them.

11. Arizona Cardinals. Ditto.

12. Philadelphia Eagles. Jeff Chadiha doesn't see a problem with an injured McNabb, an old Garcia, a still-unproven Kolb and pot-pourri Vick. This team could go from a 10 win team to 7 wins very quickly, especially since their defence can't stop the higher scoring teams (two of which are in their division) in the NFC.

13. Dallas Cowboys. They'll be here all season -- and that means (if you're good at math) barely missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

14. San Diego Chargers. The Baltimore game wasn't as disturbing as the Oakland one was.

15. New England Patriots. Stories of worry about the Giants' WR situation were overblown, stories of the Patriots unraveling (which they are, regardless if their bandwagon fans want to admit it or not) are UNDERBLOWN. They should be 0-2 except for a once-a-decade comeback fueled by a once-a-decade mistake by Buffalo.

16. Green Bay Packers. Their defence still has a long way to go. Rodgers will pass for 4,000 again but it won't do any good if they can't stop anyone when it matters. Cincinnati? Really?

17. Denver Broncos. Ugliest, most uninspiring 2-0 start I've ever seen. I still only see them winning 6 or 7.

18. Tennessee Titans. Told you so.

19. Chicago Bears. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

20. Cincinnati Bengals. They would be 2-0 if not for an all-time fluky play by Denver Week 1. Still don't know if Ocho Cinco cares more about winning versus stunts with fans.

21. Buffalo Bills. They are a solid, if unspectacular team.

22. Oakland Raiders. Just think, if they had a semi-competent QB... They can run the ball with the best of 'em and have arguably the best corner in the league (Asomugha -- tied with the aforementioned Revis; with the Giants' Webster a close 2nd behind them).

23. Miami Dolphins. Terrible clock management, poor playcalling + wildcat = .500 team.

24. Seattle Seahawks. If Hasselbeck can't go, not only will it kill their NFC West hopes, but my fantasy squad.

25. Washington Redskins. The Zorn Watch is in full swing.

26. Carolina Panthers. They're a mess, and it's not all Delhomme.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars. Do they even have a plan there?

28. Cleveland Browns. Then again, they AREN'T looking any better from last year, despite the inspiring finish.

29. Kansas City Chiefs. They're improving, even if they are 0-2. Too many turnovers at the absolute worst times have killed them in both losses.

30. Detroit Lions. They're making strides. Even if they're minute.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Leftwich's body language after mistakes (both by his teammates and his own part) is disturbing. He will be benched by Week 6 at this rate and Morris is looking at a one and done season because this team looks absolutely dreadful on both sides. They're like a rudderless ship in calm waters.

32. St. Louis Rams. WHAT A JOKE OF A TEAM.

NFL Week 2 Picks

NFL Week 2 Picks
M.D. Wright
9.18.09

Week 2 is here, let's hope for just as much (if not more) excitement and great games. We have a great SNF game on tap in the Football PALACE down in Dallas. Let's get right to it.

Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri
Over/Under: 38.5
KC: -3
OAK: +140
KC: -160

Take the Raiders and the easy +140 to cover. I just like what they can do on the ground and even if Arrowhead is still as loud and hostile as ever, I think the Raiders will pull it off. The game will go UNDER, unless something crazy happens and JaMarcus Russell learns how to make reads or just play the QB position in GENERAL.

Pick:
Oakland 17
Kansas City 14

FINAL
---------

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
LP Field
Nashville, Tennessee
Over/Under 40.5
TEN: -6.5
HOU: +240
TEN: -290

Tennesse -6.5??? What on earth. They're not even going to win the game, much less cover DEAR GOD. The Texans may struggle scoring again as they did last week, but I just don't believe in Kerry Collins.

Pick:
Houston 19
Tennessee 14

FINAL
----------

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Giants Stadium at The Meadowlands
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Over/Under: 45.5
NYJ: +3.5
NE: -190
NYJ: +160

Gonna take a set of stones to wager on any of these lines. Even the over, because the Jets will stifle the Patriots' offence. I don't know what to tell you on ANY of the lines, but I will be taking the Jets straight up.

Pick:
New England 21
New York Jets 24

FINAL - OT
----------

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Over/Under: 42
GB: -9
CIN: +350
GB: -450

Look at those lines. That's what you call a teaser. GB -9? Will be hard for them to cover that. Taking CIN straight up +350? As improved as the Packers' defence is, is that +350 that big of a stretch? Hey, just know that the Bengals still have Chad 85 and the Packers will have to contend with the Bengals' front seven in Rodgers' face all game. This game can actually go either way.

Pick:
Cincinnati 20
Green Bay 27

FINAL
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
Over/Under: 46.5
DET: +10
MIN: -500
DET: +400

I hate Brett Favre. I love AD. The end.

Nah, but this game should be high scoring and I will love to see Berman and Tom do the highlights. Just enjoy it and stay away from anything over than the OVER.

Pick:
Minnesota 35
Detroit 31

FINAL
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New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Over/Under: 46
PHI: Pick 'em

This should be fun. A chance to see a world class offence go to town exploiting an overrated defence. And that's New Orleans against the Iggles' D! HOWEVER, the Iggles will be doing their thing offensively also, so in short -- fireworks.

BTW, Reggie Bush is useless ha.

Pick:
New Orleans 41
Philadelphia 35

FINAL - OT
------------------

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
Over/Under: 42.5
ATL: -6
CAR: +220
ATL: -260

Atlanta -6? Call it the Jake Effect. I don't see them covering that at all. They're going to lose as the Panthers run all over the FULCONS' D and rebound from last week's (as Barkley would say it) "embarrassmunt".

Pick:
Carolina 26
Atlanta 21

FINAL
-----------

St. Louis Rams vs. Washington Redskins
FedEx Field
Landover, Maryland
Over/Under: 36.5
WAS: -9.5
STL: +400
WAS: -500

You wanna make some money? Remember the Rams have beaten the 'skins during this period of their suckitude. You have to think the Rams, as sad as they are will cover that +9.5 and may even win the game. +400? Hey, if you have it to wager, go for it ha.

Pick:
St. Louis 19
Washington 16

FINAL
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Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida
Over/Under: 42
JAX: -3
ARI: +145
JAX: -165

I hate this game. But the Curds should win handily. Point blank. The Jags are nothing special in any facet. And besides an overmatched Mathis, they have no one to cover Fitzgerald, Boldin AND Breaston (who should play) along with Urbane AND my boy Tim out of the backfield. Yes, yes, I know the Curds are coming east and ABYSMAL when they do so, but this ain't the Pats in the snow.

Pick:
Arizona 37
Jacksonville 17

FINAL
-----------

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Candlestick Park
San Francisco, California
Over/Under: 39.5
SF: -1.5
Pick 'em

As the lines indicate (and I agree) it will be close, and low-scoring as it usually is with these guys. Neither team is anything special though. But again, Pat Willis is a MAYNE.

Pick:
Seattle 17
San Francisco 20

FINAL - OT
-------------------

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Orchard Park, New York
Over/Under: 42.5
BUF: -5
TB: +190
BUF: -230

It's not cold yet, but it's chilly. You have a team leaving 85 degree weather coming to play in the upper 50s in Buffalo this weekend. Not for nothing, but the Bucs historically just do not travel north very well. And being the worst team in the NFL aside from the Rams, the Bills SHOULD rebound from an otherwise strong game in the loss to the Patriots Monday.

Pick:
Tampa Bay 14
Buffalo 27

FINAL
-----------

Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Denver, Colorado
Over/Under: 39.5
DEN: -3
CLE: +150
DEN: -170

Eh... who cares.

Pick:
Cleveland 17
Denver 21

FINAL
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Baltimore Ravens vs. San Diego Chargers
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, California
Over/Under: 40
SD: -3
BAL: +150
SD: -170

Tough call here. The Ravens give the Chargers nightmares recently. We will see about that. The Ravens gave up a ton of points (relative to their reputation) and the Chargers looked sluggish all night before finally putting the Raiders away. Don't really know how to call this one. Flacco shows no signs of a sophomore slump, however. Tomlinson? The jury's still out. Will be tough to get yards against Lewis and the boys.

Pick:
Baltimore 20
San Diego 24

FINAL
-----------

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears
Soldier Field
Chicago, Illinois
Over/Under: 37.5
CHI: +3
PIT: -145
CHI: +125

Bears fans, welcome to 0-2 on your way to 6-10 ha. Get ready for the beating of your LIFE, Jay Cutler.

Pick:
Pittsburgh 27
Chicago 6

FINAL
-----------

New York Football Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Stadium
Dallas, Texas
***SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***
Over/Under: 44.5
DAL: -3
NYG: +130
DAL: -150

So they're giving us 3 points? Hmmmm... I'm not insulted, but Dallas proved nothing while struggling with Tampa for a half. I still don't see it with their WR, even if they had a couple of (as Mike Francesa says on The FAN) "YUUUUUUUUUUUGE" plays. Is that really going to happen against the best defence in the NFC? We'll see. I like this game for all the lines. One of the Giants/Cowboys games usually turns out to be high-scoring. I'm not touching money lines nor the spread -- because that has PUSH written all over it. And I am looking at Vegas thinking they are hoping for a 24-21 game and people taking the UNDER ha.

Romo won't have his way when he's going to be on his back like he had Jessica Simpson for the last 2+ years before dumping her ha.

Pick:
New York Giants 30
Dallas 24

FINAL - OT
------------------

Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins
Land Shark Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
***MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***
Over/Under: 42
MIA: +3
IND: -175
MIA: +155

What on earth. I don't care to see this shit.

Pick:
Indianapolis 35
Miami 17

FINAL
-------------

NFL Week 2: Powre Rankings

NFL Week 2: Powre Rankings
M.D. Wright
9.17.09

Okay, so there were a couple of surprises, upsets and a couple of NEAR upsets (Leodis McKelvin, I suggest you move ha), but there isn't typically that much movement in the rankings. I will make some changes however, because there are some teams who were overhyped going into this season.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ugly "win" last week. They should've lost, but again, until they actually lose a game, I cannot put anyone above them, plain and simple. They will miss Polamalu; system or not. They better rectify that 1.7 YPG on the ground situation with Not-So-Fast-Anymore Willie Parker. He's my dude, but they aren't going to win with Big Ben passing for 300+ yards and holding the ball too long.

2. New York Football Giants.
Didn't prove much beating a Washington team in disarray and unable to get out of its own way, but the much ballyhooed WRs corps stepped up (as expected by those who actually WATCHED the team in preseason and in camp) and made plays all day. Smith, Manningham, Hixon, etc. And The Boss did his thing with big catches at TE. The defense was solid -- gave up a couple of big plays that they normally wouldn't have. However, Corey Webster is a Pro Bowler and Aaron Ross was out -- when he comes back, no one will pass on the Giants. Toughest team in the NFL, best offensive line, best running game top to bottom, best defense and again, you have the best team in the NFC.

3. Baltimore Ravens.
They aren't quite what I thought they were defensively thus far, but that could change. They CAN score, however. Not just overreacting to a rare 38 point output vs. a hapless Kansas City team, but they can do what they want to do on both sides of the ball. That's what you want, right?

4. Green Bay Packers.
They are for real. Rodgers shouldn't have surprised REAL football analysts last year and when he repeats (and improves upon) what he did last year this season, you shouldn't be, either. Their defense is better, too.

Then again, they were playing the overrated, overhyped, no-personnel Bears Monday.

5. Minnesota Vikings.
On the strength of the best RB in football and pretty much nothing else other than the opportunistic defence.

And yes, that was a swipe at Favre.

6. San Diego Chargers.
They looked sloppy against the Raiders, but this decade they (on the way to sweeping the Raiders the past 6 seasons) win one game by sleepwalking for 3 1/2 quarters and winning late and then blowing them out in the other game. So the blowout will come later. In short, that game was expected, but truthfully, no one in that division should present the Chargers with a serious problem.

7. Philadelphia Eagles.
Can't read too much into Sunday's game. Jake Delhomme proved why he never belonged in the NFL before the Panthers took a flyer on him. Will McNabb's injury open up the door to a QB "controversy"? You have to like what they have in the backfield and at WR, but that defence doesn't scare me.

8. Indianapolis Colts.
Under the radar this past week, but don't sleep on them. Even if young Gonzalez will be out for a month or so.

9. New England Patriots.
Should've lost to Buffalo, and they WILL lose to the Jets.

10. Atlanta Falcons.
Did what they had to do Sunday and they don't move in the rankings.

11. Tennessee Titans.
And so it begins, Collins doing what he did after having a very strong season the last time he started and led a team deep (2000 Giants).

12. Carolina Panthers.
Can't take too much from the loss, unless they refuse to do something about Delhomme.

13. New York Jets.
They're gonna jump 6 more spots when they beat the Patriots. BOTH New York teams played like monsters this past weekend but we didn't hear about it because of ESPN's obsession with Favre and the snoozefest between Green Bay and Chicago last week.

14. New Orleans Saints.
All world offence. But again, I have to see the defence every week or they're gonna be a middling team again.

15. San Francisco 49ers.
They're doing exactly what I thought they would -- starting out by winning the close game(s) they lost last year and having that extra gear on both sides of the ball. Pat Willis is a MAYNE.

16. Dallas Cowboys.
We will see what they are made of Sunday. They can't sleepwalk through an entire half like they did against the worst team in football last week.

17. Buffalo Bills.
They move up a slot for doing what they did for 57 minutes Monday night.

18. Houston Texans.
I call Sunday somewhat a fluke, plus they were playing the 2009 AFC East champions. I think they'll bounce back (and finally get Andre Johnson the ball).

19. Arizona Cardinals.
Kurt has looked rusty throughout preseason and Sunday. Couldn't get the ball to Fitzgerald NOR Boldin when it mattered in the closing minutes vs. SF.

20. Seattle Seahawks.
They won, but who cares?

21. Miami Dolphins.
They're going to be a .500 team so this spot will be familiar to them all year.

22. Kansas City Chiefs.
They're not that bad this year. They hung with the Ravens for most of the game.

23. Cincinnati Bengals.
They look somewhat improved, but a 7-9 team in the making. Season-killing ending on Sunday, potentially. We will see how they rebound.

24. Washington Redskins.
GOOD HEAVENS they are a mess.

25. Chicago Bears.
THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!!

26. Jacksonville Jaguars.
Del Rio better have his bags packed come New Year's Eve.

27. Denver Broncos.
They win, but does anyone really feel like they did?

28. Cleveland Browns.
No direction, awful coach. Trade Edwards already (to the Giants) and get it over with.

29. Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders were buried at 32 because of the nonsense going on with their coaches, not so much the team. The running game has been strong the past few years and the defence looked very good against one of the best offences in the NFL Monday night.

30. Detroit Lions.
Stafford did as expected (messy) but they moved the ball well against the Saints.

31. St. Louis Rams.
...

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Yuck. Morris will be one and done without a miracle.

The NFLPA/Owners Lockout Situation

The NFLPA/Owners Lockout Situation
M.D. Wright
9.13.09



Let me say this: I understand the owners' stance, but they've got to stay out of the way and stop being greedy. They're arguing over big amounts of money, even relative to them, but at the end of the day, everyone is eating VERY WELL in the NFL. There is no such thing as a struggling team. However, here are a couple of stinging points for me:

1. Shorten the preseason to two games DEAR GOD. Guys get hurt. The Week 1 starters are so rusty because they barely touch the ball in the last preseason game and rarely at all during the rest of the preseason that it makes the first OFFICIAL game sloppy.

2. I don't necessarily care about 18 game regular seasons. I think it's fine as is. The NFL Player's Association is torn on it because of the obvious potential for more injuries and shortened careers/ruined team seasons. From that standpoint, it doesn't benefit the players to play 17 or 18 games versus the standard 16 since 1978. The owners benefit at the gate, concessions and TV-wise obviously -- whereas they don't during preseason because people (*sigh* "in this economy") aren't going to pay $75 to watch a meaningless game featuring scrubs who will be serving my steaks at Benihana in December. No one really wants to pay that even when the economy is great. It is hard to get up for meaningless preseason and you just hope none of your guys get hurt. Which almost never happens. Someone's team always has someone go down every preseason without fail. And in my 25 years, I've had it happen to my guys a time or two. We all have and we hate it. Shorten the preseason and keep the regular season as is. PLEASE.

The owners are greedy. Most of them won't open up their books. The Green Bay Packers, a publicly owned team in Wisconsin, has their books on public record obviously. The Packers do not struggle at the gate; never have and never will. If they, in a so-called (in baseball terms) "small market" do well, then you know teams like Dallas, both New York teams, New England, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington and Pittsburgh DEFINITELY aren't. Nor are the Chiefs, Saints (even during Katrina they made out well -- playing a home game in East Rutherford, New Jersey vs. the Giants) and Titans. Enough already. Stop being greedy and continue to share the revenue 60/40 with the players. They generate the revenue by playing and they're not COMPLETELY expendable, disposable commodities for the team to exploit for strictly financial gain. The owners have a dozen revenue streams: starting with the lucrative TV contracts, the gate, concessions, PSLs, parking, jersey sales and many others that you would not know without checking into the books of each team. Players' salaries barely compose 50% of what the actual REVENUE GENERATED for the top 10 teams, so why are they haggling to the point of risking a salary cap-less 2010 season and a potential lockout in 2011? The NFL cannot afford a lockout. It nearly ruined baseball, and the NBA certainly didn't need it coming off of Jordan's second retirement in 1998. At the absolute apex of its popularity, there is no need for this. Not that it would sink the sport to its absolute nadir as it did with the NHL, but the main sticking point is the owners' contention that the players are getting the 61% share of revenue. They conceded in the last deal and exercised their option last May to void the deal currently in place a year early. They are tired of sharing that percentage of the revenue with the players. This is what Gene Upshaw (RIP) fought 25 years for. The players should be eternally grateful.



The owners would have it that they would get 50/50 share or even a MAJORITY of the revenue. How? Why? The players are what make the league. Even as the NFL itself is in the owners' pockets (listen to Commissioner Roger Goodell's statements whenever he speaks -- he represents the OWNERS' BEST INTERESTS, do not be deceived; he is not a mediator between the NFLPA and the Owners).

The NFL tries so hard to curtail celebration by players, to keep the players faceless so they don't become marketable like NFL and (to an extent) MLB players are. No removing helmets, (basically) no celebrating in the end zone, no taunting, and that means more revenue for the owners -- not the players. This also proves the esoteric point that the owners would have you believe; and that is the players come and go and therefore they should not get 60% of the revenue generated.

I wholeheartedly disagree with the owners and they need to come off the BS before we have a DISASTER in the fall of 2011.

Young Mike's 2009 NFL Predictions

Young Mike's 2009 NFL Predictions
M.D. Wright
9.11.09

These are the standings predictions conference-by-conference and division-by-division in the NFL. I'm not going to spend all day trying to match up records to make the numbers match, but I list records for approximate reasons, not be perfect with them.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC East

1. New England 12-4
2. New York Jets 10-6
3. Miami Dolphins 9-7
4. Buffalo Bills 8-8

AFC Central

1. Baltimore 12-4
2. Pittsburgh 11-5
3. Cincinnati 7-9
4. Cleveland 6-10

AFC South

1. Houston 11-5
2. Indianapolis 11-5
3. Tennessee 10-6
4. Jacksonville 7-9

AFC West

1. San Diego 13-3
2. Oakland 7-9
3. Denver 6-10
4. Kansas City 5-11

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
NFC East

1. New York Giants 12-4
2. Philadelphia 11-5
3. Dallas 9-7
4. Washington 8-8

NFC Central

1. Green Bay 11-5
2. Minnesota 10-6
3. Chicago 8-8
4. Detroit 6-10

NFC South

1. Carolina 11-5
2. Atlanta 11-5
3. New Orleans 10-6
4. Tampa Bay 4-12

NFC West

1. Arizona 11-5
2. San Francisco 9-7
3. Seattle 6-10
4. St. Louis 3-13

Playoff rankings coming in midseason.

NFL Week 1 Picks

NFL Week 1 Picks
M.D. Wright
9.10.09

Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Lines: PIT (-6.5) Over/Under 34.5
TEN: +240
PIT: -290

Rematch of last year's regular season showdown. I had the Steelers winning in a rout, however, I was too late to get home to do my picks in time for the game. They won by a smidge. The Titans played very vanilla and you cannot do that against Roethlisberger. They paid for it with the loss.

(Original Pick)
Tennessee 13
Pittsburgh 27

(Actual Score)
Tennessee 10
Pittsburgh 13
FINAL
--------------------

Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
Lines: ATL (-4.5) Over/Under 43.5
MIA: +170
ATL: -210

I say the Dolphins fall back. They won't sneak up on anyone and teams are prepared for Wildcat Offence. Falcons are solid and Michael Turner will get his 145 yards. Ball control and consistency from Matthew Ice = Fulcons win.

Pick:
Miami 17
Atlanta 30
FINAL
---------------------

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland
Lines: BAL (-12.5) Over/Under 36
KC: +600
BAL: -800

CARNAGE.

Pick:
Kansas City 6
Baltimore 24
FINAL
---------------------

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, North Carolina
Lines: CAR (+2.5) Over/Under 43.5
PHI: -140
CAR: +120

Interesting set-up here. The Iggles have one of the best offences in the NFC now with McNabb healthy, Westbrook, McCoy, Maclin and Jackson. However, this is their weakest defence this decade. It will matter. All year.

The Panthers look to rebound from Delhomme's debacle in the playoffs last year. Jake does not want to relive those nightmares. The Panthers can run the ball better than almost anyone and they WILL against the Iggles.

Pick:
Philadelphia 27
Carolina 31
FINAL
---------------------

Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio
Lines: CIN (-2.5) Over/Under 42.5
DEN: +180
CIN: -220

The Broncos are a mess. Who even knows what to expect from them? They have Marshall and Royal, but *gulp* Kyle Orton? DEAR GOD.
The Bengals hope to have Cursin' (Carson) Palmer healthy to go with Chad Ocho Cinco and Laveranues Coles on the outside. They can't run the ball, though. Unless Cedric Benson all of a sudden learns how to. Still pick the Bengals to win against that E! True Hollywood Story of a team in Denver.

Pick:
Denver 20
Cincinnati 31
FINAL
----------------------

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Cleveland, Ohio
Lines: MIN (-4.5) Over/Under 40
MIN: -220
CLE: +180

I don't know what to make of this game. I think the Vikes will win, but overall, how can you call it? The Browns are pretty tough against the run, for all the circus going on out there. Peterson will get his, though. Will Favre do damage? I have no idea. The Browns have to prove they can both run the ball (Lewis) and get the ball to the outside (Edwards) since Winslow is not there to be Quinn's safety blanket. This could be a long season for the Browns.

Pick:
Minnesota 24
Cleveland 20
FINAL
----------------------

New York Jets vs. Houston Texans
Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas
Lines: HOU (-4.5) Over/Under 44
NYJ: +180
HOU: -220

The Texans can light up the scoreboard like a pinball machine. The Jets MAY be able to, but Sanchez is 100% rookie. He looked good in the preseason, but who knows how much of that will translate to the regular season? Schaub MUST stay healthy in order for the Texans to have any continuity on offense. Healthy, they are as good as they come with Schaub/A. Johnson/Daniels/Walter/Slaton.

However, the Jets are much better than the Texans defensively. The key will be to watch how the Jets attack Andre Johnson -- using Revis one on one or with help over the top? If they help over on Johnson, that will leave the aforemetioned receivers/tight end open. Will be a chess match.

Pick:
New York Jets 41
Houston 38
FINAL - OT
---------------------------

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
Lines: IND (-7.5) Over/Under 45
JAX: +260
IND: -320

The Jags have the Colts number -- somewhat. They don't own them, but they make the Colts work for it. This game will be no different. But the Jaguwires quit so badly on Del Rio last year -- they looked like trash on both sides of the ball in the preseason. Manning won't allow the Colts to do so offensively and I think they're just as good defensively as they ever have been. Should be a blowout.

Pick:
Jacksonville 13
Indianapolis 31
FINAL
---------------------------

Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints
The Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, Louuisiana
Lines: NO (-13.5) Over/Under 48.5
DET: +650
NO: -900

......................................................................

Pick at your own risk. If you want to make some big money and know something that the rest of us don't, lay money with the Lions at +650 ha. Drew Brees is gonna do to them what he did last year DEAR GOD.

Pick:
Detroit 17
New Orleans 45
FINAL
---------------------------

Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
Lines: DAL (-6.5) Over/Under 39
DAL: -275
TB: +235

Do the Bucs even have a plan?

Pick:
Dallas 34
Tampa Bay 9
------------------------

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
Lines: ARI (-6.5) Over/Under 46
SF: +220
ARI: -260

This one should be fun. The 49ers are better. And as I said in my Powre Rankings, Crabtree will HAVE to grasp the offence quickly, because they are gonna need him if they expect to be as good as they claim. The Curds will light up the scoreboard, but the Niners can score, too. The Curds are just a SMIDGE better on defence, however.

Pick:
San Francisco 33
Arizona 36
FINAL - OT
-----------------------------

Washington Redskins vs. New York Football Giants
Giants Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Lines: NYG (-6.5) Over/Under 37
WAS: +240
NYG: -290

Plain and simple, the Giants OWN Washington this decade. And especially at home. Campbell is finally entrenched in an offence for consecutive years for once, at least. Not that it will matter. They don't have enough weapons offensively and cannot block the best front seven nor pass against one of the best secondaries in the NFC.

The Giants' WR corps has been much ballyhooed this offseason. Partially with good reason. But it is all overblown. Hakeem Nicks WILL be making big plays and Steady Steve Smith, along with Mario Manningham will be the consistent possession/deep threats with Sinorice Moss and occasionally Hixon. The Giants' defence will sack Campbell a half dozen times and force him into a pick or two. This game could get ugly quickly.

Pick:
Washington 17
New York Giants 34
FINAL
------------------------------

St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Seattle, Washington
Lines: SEA (-8.5) Over/Under 40.5
STL: +320
SEA: -400

.................................................

Pick:

St. Louis 17
Seattle 20
FINAL - OT
---------------------------

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Lines: GB (-3.5) Over/Under 46.5
CHI: +165
GB: -200

(John Facenda Voice): "As they renewwwwwwwwwwww the old rivalrayyy... the newest incarnation of the Greeeeeeeeeeeeeen Baaaaaaaaay PACKUZ.... versus the Chicaaaaaago BUZZZZZZZZZZ".

The Oldest Rivalry in the NFL.

And the Packers will destroy the Bears. The end.

Pick:
Chicago 16
Green Bay 35
FINAL
-------------------------------

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Lines: NE (-10.5) Over/Under 47.5
BUF: +500
NE: -700

If there is a game to pick against the Patriots, it MAY be this one. They are lacking defensively and the Bills will be ready for the Patriots' offence. Terrell Owens will play and will be open all day like White Castle. It will be close, and high-scoring.

Pick:
Buffalo 34
New England 33
FINAL
--------------------------------

San Diego Super Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Alameda County Coliseum/McAfee Coliseum
Oakland, California
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Lines: SD (-9.5) Over/Under 43
SD: -475
OAK: +375

What on earth. The Raiders' COACHES are fighting each other.

However, they do have a good running game from last year as well as a solid defence (even if Richard Seymour has yet to report after the trade with New England for Oakland's 1st Round Pick in 2011).

It won't be enough to stop LaDainian Tomlinson (who owns them) and the rest of the Chargers (who own them).

Blowout city.
*CUE UP "San Diego Super Chargers Theme Song" From 1979"*

SAN DI-E-GOOOO... SUPER CHARGERS... SAN DI-E-GO... CHAAAAAHGAS!!! CHARGE!!! HA.


Pick:
San Diego 41
Oakland 24
FINAL
----------------

Recaps coming on Tuesday.
Enjoy your football. We've waited eight months for this!!!

M.D. Wright's Power Rankings: Week 1

M.D. Wright's Power Rankings: Week 1
M.D. Wright
9.10.09

Save all the BS, you know what it is. Let's get it poppin'. I don't care about names and stars, I care about teams that get it done on BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. As always, I'm objective with these.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers.
They're the champs and default #1 until they are beaten.

2. New York Football Giants.
The class of the NFC. And Eli will make people forget about the fact that Burress and Toomer took 90% of the WR's starts with them when they departed the team. Giants will score 27 PPG just the same with the best offensive line and rushing attack top to bottom in the NFC. Along with the best defence in the NFC, and well, you have the best team in the NFC.

3. Tennessee Titans.
The Titans have most of their same players. Will they miss Haynesworth? It doesn't appear thus far. But the bigger question is will Collins revert back to the old Collins? If not, the Titans will be RIGHT THERE this year.

4. San Diego Chargers.
They play in the weakest division in football. That's almost guaranteed 6 wins right there. Combined with a soft non-conference and mild intra-conference sked, and they SHOULD win 12 or 13 this year.

5. Minnesota Vikings.
They were going to be a 10 or 11 win team regardless of Favre's BS. The only question with Favre is will he lead them to the Promised Land. Yours Truly says NO because 1) he will falter late like last year and 2) Favre, even if he is healthy in the playoffs, is FAVRE. Their season will end with a Favre INT. But AD will have close to 2,000 yards rushing and make it look easy in the process.

6. New England Patriots.
Tons of points on offence, tons of points surrendered on defence. Good for 11 or 12 wins and a first round playoff exit. Yes, I'm saying that NOW.

7. Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts don't seem to be missing Harrison much. Truth is, Wayne surpassed him as the team's 1 WR two years ago. But they still need to prove they can hold up defensively. Bob Sanders' annual ritual of missing all or part of a third of the team's games has to stop. They are clearly better with him than when he's out.

8. Baltimore Ravens.
Sleepers. Depends on Flacco though. The defense is still as good as ever.

9. Philadelphia Eagles.
Please point out to me what all the fuss is about? They will score tons of points on offence if McNabb doesn't have another one of those seasons he had a few years ago when they were poised to repeat Super Bowl bids. But they will severely miss old man Jim Johnson (RIP) and their defence SUCKS. They lost Stewart Bradley for the year and their secondary can't cover anyone. What's this about them winning the NFC East?

10. Atlanta Falcons.
They have everything in place to be good. But their defence has to show up 16 games.

11. Carolina Panthers.
Defence is missing that punch it once had. Peppers doesn't care, Gamble, while effective, gets burned and trucked (Bradshaw) just as much as he covers. They only have Jon Beason as consistent playmakers go.

12. Green Bay Packers.
Ranked lower than Minnesota because they have to prove they can run the ball to counter Rodgers' guaranteed 4,200 yard/30+ TD repeat from last season. However, they will be right there for winning the division.

13. Arizona Cardinals.
Curds fans should be nervous. Preseason means nothing unless there are glaring holes that never seem to be rectified. Will they miss Haley? Did they shore up their holes for REAL on defence? We shall see. They will score 27 PPG like last year however. That's good for at least 9 wins in the NFC West.

14. Dallas Cowboys.
No real threats at WR. Serviceable guys. They (Witten) will miss T.O. and the double teams he had. Witten can kiss goodbye to those 90 catch seasons. With no real playmakers at WR, why are people so high on them? They have Ware (best DE/OLB in football) on defence, but what else?

15. Houston Texans.
I've predicted two straight years they'd win 11 or 12. They can score with the best of 'em, but can they DEFEND? Adrian Peterson scorched them for a 75 yard run on the VERY FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME last week. Typical Texans defence. Schaub MUST stay healthy, or they'll be .500 again.

16. New York Football Jets.
I can't go crazy about Sanchez yet. But they have All World Leon Washington FROM ____________?!?! and a stout defense. Will Thomas Jones lose a step, however?

17. New Orleans Saints.
All world offensively. Will their defense FINALLY stay healthy and catch up?

18. Buffalo Bills.
They will be better.

19. Washington Redskins.
You would think finally all of Snyder's efforts to be a Young Steinbrenner would pay off. Haynesworth?

20. Miami Dolphins.
Fall back, baby. Dick Barnett Style.

21. Chicago Bears.
I don't get the fuss. Cutler can throw the hell outta the ball. But he has no real WRs and their defense is old and creaky. .500 team. MAX.

22. Seattle Seahawks.
I just do not trust them. Their defense sucks. MATTHEW, as he prefers to be called, will be healthy, though.

23. San Francisco 49ers.
I actually have them winning 10 TENTATIVELY. Crabtree has to grasp the offense quickly and know something that none of us know or else they're going to be .500 again.

24. Cleveland Browns.
If they keep Quinn upright, they will be better. But not more than 7 wins for this bunch. They will trade Edwards to the Giants for Kiwanuka and a 2nd.

25. Cincinnati Bengals.
Chad OchoCinco needs to worry less about Twitter and more about staying healthy and WINNING GAMES.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

27. Kansas City Chiefs.
They will make strides, but how much can they do with a ton of unproven talent?

28. Denver Broncos.
WHAT A MESS.

29. Detroit Lions.
I have them winning 5 or 6 games. Stafford is a joke, but they are a punchy bunch.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This team is a train wreck.

31. St. Louis Rams.
Bulger is already hurt, sense a theme? Steven Jackson will want out by Week 5.

32. Oakland Raiders.
DEAR GOD.

ESPN's Power Rankings: Week 1

ESPN's Power Rankings
Week 1
9.10.09

2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 1
Week:
[+] Add Widget
ESPN.com

The 2009 NFL season does not kick off officially until Thursday, but we've already got a rising team -- that is, according to the latest poll of our experts.

If the Seattle Seahawks continue to skyrocket the ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings at the rate they've been climbing this year, expect them to be our No. 1 team by, say, Week 3.

The Seahawks, 4-12 during an injury-riddled 2008 campaign, are No. 15 in the Week 1 edition of our rankings. So what, you say? In May, the Seahawks ranked 22nd. In our Training Camp edition published in July, the birds in blue were 18th. They finished last season ranked 28th.

Instead of 12 experts weighing in weekly, we have four who will cast their votes. See the glossary below for details.

The first four spots remain unchanged from our Training Camp edition. The San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts flip-flopped the Nos. 5-6 spots.

• More: Voting | Blog takes | SportsNation: Rank 'em | SportsNation: Pick'em | Football Today Listen

(Editor's note: LW indicates each team's ranking last week -- in this case, in the Training Camp edition Power Rankings.)

2009 Power Rankings: Week 1
RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT
1 (1) Steelers 12-4-0 They're loaded with talent and their coach knows how to maximize it. Can you say "repeat"? (Chadiha)
2 (2) Patriots 11-5-0 QB Tom Brady's broad shoulders have to carry an aging defense. (Clayton)
3 (3) Giants 12-4-0 The Giants have concerns on defense, but they buy time with solid ground game. (Clayton)
4 (4) Eagles 9-6-1 QB Donovan McNabb isn't wild about Wildcat, but he's the Eagles wild card to success. (Clayton)
5 (6) Chargers 8-8-0 Even if the Chargers get caught up in the hype, they will win the division. (Kuharsky)
6 (5) Colts 12-4-0 Left tackle is the one big issue, but they'll work around it as much as possible. (Kuharsky)
7 (7) Titans 13-3-0 Life gets easier after difficult first six games, four of which are on the road. (Kuharsky)
8 (8) Falcons 11-5-0 A year of seasoning for Matt Ryan should put the Falcons in better position. Coach Mike Smith's even keel also seems helpful. (Sando)
9 (9) Vikings 10-6-0 Schism or not, Brett Favre makes this team a championship contender. (Chadiha)
10 (10) Ravens 11-5-0 They're lucky WR Derrick Mason decided to return from retirement. (Chadiha)
11 (13) Bears 9-7-0 I still don't see how Jay Cutler can play his best without proven wide receivers. (Chadiha)
12 (17) Packers 6-10-0 It all comes down to whether that defense can play better with a new 3-4 scheme. (Chadiha)
13 (12) Cardinals 9-7-0 QB Kurt Warner and key veterans sound a bit concerned after a lackluster preseason. The Cardinals still must prove they can be consistent. (Sando)
14 (11) Panthers 12-4-0 It's tough to set expectations for this group after so much staff turnover and the way Carolina faltered in the postseason. (Sando)
15 (18) Seahawks 4-12-0 The Seahawks are rising in the rankings after QB Matt Hasselbeck proved he could take a hit during the preseason. LT Walter Jones' health also key. (Sando)
16 (15) Dolphins 11-5-0 The Dolphins hope to avert the three-game drop that usually hits a team that goes from worst to first in a division. (Clayton)
17 (14) Cowboys 9-7-0 WR Roy Williams is catching everything in practice despite a sore shoulder, but he needs big season for the offense to thrive. (Clayton)
18 (19) Saints 8-8-0 Skepticism seems appropriate until the Saints prove they've finally upgraded their defense. Until then, it's fantasy football with Drew Brees. (Sando)
19 (16) Texans 8-8-0 LB Brian Cushing alone can't solve the defensive issues that lingered through preseason. (Kuharsky)
20 (20) Redskins 8-8-0 QB Jason Campbell appears improved now that coach Jim Zorn lets him throw more downfield. (Clayton)
21 (21) Bills 7-9-0 Firing offensive coordinator Turk Schonert nine days before the season opener is a sign of total panic in Buffalo. (Clayton)
22 (22) 49ers 7-9-0 Establishing a hard-nosed ground game was the first step for coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. Can the passing game catch up? (Sando)
23 (23) Jets 9-7-0 Mark Sanchez continues to appear confident as a starter. He's seemingly more advanced than most rookie QBs. (Clayton)
24 (24) Bengals 4-11-1 Love this year's version of "Hard Knocks." Unfortunately, the Bengals' playoff hopes can be summed up by Chad Ochocinco's trademark saying: "Child, please." (Chadiha)
25 (25) Jaguars 5-11-0 With three division games in first four, the Jags are likely to move down before moving up. (Kuharsky)
26 (26) Buccaneers 9-7-0 A defensive-minded rookie coach plus new starting QB minus the offensive coordinator: I'm not so sure that's a winning equation. (Sando)
27 (27) Broncos 8-8-0 It has to take a while for team to buy in after all the drama surrounding former QB Jay Cutler, and then WR Brandon Marshall. (Kuharsky)
28 (28) Browns 4-12-0 I just can't see new coach Eric Mangini turning this team around in one season. (Chadiha)
29 (29) Chiefs 2-14-0 The Chiefs have a chance to climb if they can separate themselves from the Broncos and Raiders. (Kurharsky)
30 (30) Raiders 5-11-0 Will QB JaMarcus Russell start to quiet critics or give us more fodder? (Kuharsky)
31 (31) Rams 2-14-0 The schedule makers did new coach Steve Spagnuolo no favors by sending the Rams on the road three times in their first four games. (Sando)
32 (32) Lions 0-16-0 New coach Jim Schwartz will make the Lions better. He just won't do it fast enough to make a difference this fall. (Chadiha)

College & Social Life: The Importance Of Networking

College & Social Life: The Importance Of Networking
M.D. Wright
8.30.09

I had it all laid out before me. I was a freshman at Long Island University out in Brooklyn. I had made quite a few new friends from all the boroughs, some from Jersey, a couple from Westchester and a few from Long Island. I had made in-rows with a couple of my professors and finally learned how to navigate the maze of BS at LIU's administrative office. What's more, after a tough first semester, I got a job at Kinney Shoes, which was to open the first four Champ's Shoes stores in New York City (this was 1998). I was excited and had assisted with set-up at the store at 23rd & 8th and the Dyckman St. store. I had my eyes set on breaking in with one of the sports teams, particularly the Knicks, who, at the time were STILL RELEVANT. I had the energy to put up with a lot more nonsense back then than I do now, so I would've persisted until I got my foot in the door; then worked up. Who knows where I would be now, 11+ years later?

Fast forward a bit, I am forced to withdraw from LIU against my will -- because everyone who knows me KNOWS I neither wanted to leave school NOR New York. Little did I know that the decision that was made FOR me was going to still be affecting me to this day, and possibly for the rest of my life.

There was a huge mess with the paperwork pertaining to withdrawal and then the school then royally screwed up my financial aid package. This guaranteed I would not be going to school anywhere ANYTIME soon. I went from having no debt to owing $11,000 to LIU. What made matters worse was the fact that I had been in the hospital about 18 months prior after nearly losing my life due to a cyst near my brain and blood poisoning. Duke Hospital had sent the bill to the address where my parents lived when I was brought home from the hospital after birth. Talk about a colossal mess. Given that my residency was in New York State at the time, the balance owed to LIU, and not having anything but a high school diploma (with no refined skills to speak of, obviously), I was not going to be getting anything decent with regards to jobs. I was sunk.

To make matters worse, I was not around people my age. Thankfully, God did bless me with a job. Albeit at $8 an hour. Definitely can't rent an apartment, buy a car (which is definitely necessary in North Carolina) and MUCH LESS repay those student loans and a hospital bill which was over a year and a half past due. Add to the fact that I hate Greensboro and never wanted to leave New York, I was tight for a good year and a half. I managed to save enough money within a year to buy a car. I was elated, because not only had I bought a car, but my skin had cleared up from the near-fatal case of psoriasis/blood poisoning that I had endured my entire four years of high school and the two subsequent years following.

Two months later, the car was totally smashed, did 15 grand. Some girl in one of those old '87 big body Thunderbirds tries to accelerate from 0 to beat me across the street as I'm doing 55 mph. DEAR GOD. I spent the entire summer of 1999 driving a putty piece of crap Toyota Corolla instead of my Honda Accord. I couldn't catch a break. At the job, I was 20 years old, surrounded by people 32, 34, 35 years old. No young women my age (except this one whore, who I will come back to later) and overall, no one who I could hang with after work. Given that I was not in school to socialize with people my age, how WAS I going to get to know more people. What did I have in common with these people who had spouses/significant others, children, second jobs and who could go to bars and lounges, when I had none of those things and was underage? I had every intention to come back to New York and resume my life, because save for the first 7 years that I lived there, Greensboro was not home to me and never has been. I just lived there because my parents did. I have no connection there and I hated being there. Home is where your heart is, and by now it is clear that Greensboro wasn't where my heart was ha.

Still, I tried to make the most of it. This is when I began getting in trouble, though. I had been very materialistic after being put onto armaniexchange, Iceberg, Coogi, etc. when hanging with some of my friends from school in Brooklyn. I was always hanging out in Morningside, up on the Hill and on the strip on 2-5 where my aunt worked at the State Office Bldg. I had always been fashionable and a trendsetter, but after spending so much time in Harlem World I really OD'ed with the name brands. So my means of expression and let's face it, having FUN, was to go shopping every week. I literally bought a new pair of kicks every week. Whether they were Air 1's, Jordans in a different colorway, Air Maxes, Timbos, dress shoes, what have you, I shopped every week. I owned every bottle of designer cologne, and bought all the name brands that I mentioned, plus those overpriced $150 Ralph Lauren sweaters. I did this for two years. Ran up $12,000 in credit card debt and repaid it all by 2002. I was miserable, because it took me 5 years to even make a respectable wage at that job. I had no privacy. I couldn't really travel, acquire real estate, go to school or anything, because what money I could've used to do that, I spent shopping, since I couldn't do ANYTHING ELSE in Greensboro. I hated hanging around some of those people at the church, because I never really felt at home there, either. I much preferred my other church in New Jersey, which I've been attending off and on for 13 years now.

I'd gotten myself in some serious trouble with debt, but managed to repay it all. Then, in a blink of an eye things changed. They began hiring younger people at the office. I was about 23 or 24, but by then, I had designs on leaving the job and, after spending all or part of every summer going back to NY and NJ (I had briefly lived with my aunt out in Newark in the late 90s), I was ready to go back. But then my wisdom tooth came in, and another tooth had to be removed on top of it. Because my then-car (a 1999 Mazda 626 with 130,000 miles and two blown transmissions -- working on a third at that time) was about to break down and I had spent most of 2001 and 2002 repaying credit card debt, I was wiped out savings-wise. I had to borrow money to pay the $1,100 for dental surgery dear god. I bought my first laptop that summer and, while speculating for real estate, had contemplated buying a house. I never seriously thought about buying because I was planning to return to New York that year. My dad was right in one regard: buying that house, even if I never really lived in it, would've yielded me about $40,000 in equity, because there were two phases built behind it. But I had a major concern and a huge decision to make: I had been accepted to Seton Hall for a second time that year (2003) and St. John's University out in Queens had recruited me to come and study with a full scholarship. At the time, St. John's didn't have dorms nor apartments, and I didn't have relatives in Queens at the time. Commuting from Harlem or Newark daily was not a good look. Or so I thought. (Little did I know the things I wasn't willing to do back then I HAVE to do now just to get to where I want to go sheesh). I passed on St. John's for petty reasons (I was against formal education at that point). I had been making close to $40K with bonuses and stock options every quarter. I was looking to invest in real estate and had other business endeavors in the works. "Who needs school?" I mused. All I did was delay my future by taking so long to return. Plus, I was only around people 10 years older than me, as I said.

This is where things began to crumble for real.

I had been messing with the office whore, who had been messing with half the guys at the office (this was an office of about 800, 700+ women, about 100 men, half of whom were gay, the other half who were married -- and some of them were DL gay -- the others were single and she was messing with most of THEM). Of course, being taken by her looks, I spent three years wasting my time on her. She was a year younger than me and we had been "hooked up" by her witchy friend who whined when she talked but had a deep guttural laugh like Fred Flintstone dear god. When they finally hired people close to my age, I was sick of that place. And it was the same old thing: the ones who didn't scare you by looking at them were hoes. I even had a couple of them who were married or on their way to being married throwing themselves at me. I was about to have a mid-life crisis at 25 ha.

My 626 blew its transmission for the last time. My dad had talked me into getting that car, because it was cheaper and I could learn how to work on cars. He was right on both counts. The car was DEFINITELY CHEAP (sarcasm) and I learned how to fix almost anything on a car. I wasn't totally upset. I drove that car into the ground in the four years I had it. 135,000 miles, three transmissions, several trips to NY and NJ, FL, DC, GA. It was time. But this time, (at the same time I was deciding about buying a house and going to St. John's) the transmission blew and I said "screw it", and said I was going to get the car I really wanted. At the time, the new Nissan Z car -- the 350 -- had just come out. I bought the 2nd one that had been sold at this particular dealer. They had to drive 100 miles to pick it up and custom detail it, with a free tank of gas for the inconvenience for me. I loved that car. I had it for 4 years and had about 90K on it. Did the same things: drove it to death in the same places, but it handled better and of course chicks saw that. I became even more suspicious and cynical. I began hating everything by the end of 2004.

Earlier in the summer of 2004, my friend Angelica gave me a prophetic word. It involved me going back to school. GOOD GRIEF. Hearing that now wouldn't be a big deal, since I'm still pursuing three more degrees, but at the time, I hated the idea. I prayed about it and I knew she wasn't drunk or something. It was God reminding me of what I had lost sight of because I had been forced to make a decision between choosing band and a tech prep program. I had also been told all my life growing up that I was going to be an engineer, even though I have abhorred math since middle school good heavens. I flunked math throughout high school. Only made things worse dealing with that skin/blood disorder. I really wish I had been allowed to LaGuardia (Performing Arts) or Julliard (and yes, my sister and I both have multiple talents in musical instruments). But, because I didn't get to play in the band, I became rusty in everything from drums, to guitar, keys, etc. Bad move.

Add to the fact that my sights had always been set up on front office/ownership work -- NOT playing professional sports (although I definitely could have played cornerback in the NFL or all three outfield positions/3B/SS or 2B in baseball -- had a cannon for an arm and could hit for days -- except a great uncle Charlie; but who really hits THOSE great anyway?). I had to ditch that because of my illness. I ran track and ran it well, because it was the least taxing physically dealing with all the 24/7 pain due to Erythrodermic Psoriasis, boils, cysts, open sores all over my body, bleeding all day, hair falling out in clumps and having no energy most of the day. I am amazed I didn't die. God had a plan for me.

And so I was reminded of that plan with Angelica's prophetic word.

Of course I wanted to work in sports as an agent/financial and legal adviser. And so it began. I didn't waste time. I applied to UNC Greensboro the Monday after. And I got accepted.

After beginning a non-profit organization with my cousin that fall, I saw it fit to leave that job finally; after 7+ years. They weren't accomodating me with regards to my class schedule and obviously finishing what I had started in Brooklyn was my goal at this point. So I screw "take your job and shove it" and left in August 2005. The non-profit was in place and we were all ready to get our 501c3 and funding. We struggled throughout 2006 trying to do this and I began to lose everything I had. With no real networking system in place (because I had returned to college shortly before my 26th birthday, I was around people 7, 8 years younger than me now), I had nothing to fall back on. I was dwarfed socially, dating back to being forced to leave LIU back in '98. I couldn't relate to my roommates at UNCG much. My last roommate was a cool dude and we had been friends (still are to this day), but he was 21 and I was 29 -- and he was getting married, and I, BECAUSE I WAS NOT AROUND WOMEN MY AGE for the past 10 years, was a fish out of water. It is a very numbing feeling. Makes you not really care. Even though I have always been about commitment and marriage, I never had a shot. I never had a shot in high school because of my condition. And even after that, because I was always 10+ years younger (at the job) or 7-10 years older (at UNCG) than all the women I was around -- it was forced lone wolfdom. I wasn't even a loner. It was the antithesis of my personality. My family will tell you that. I was always outgoing. But going out and getting hammered, using coke and weed, waking up next to some oinker who you don't even remember speaking to isn't my idea of fun at age 29, 30 -- nor had it ever been, really. I had only gone to the Tunnel down in Chelsea 3 or 4 times and didn't enjoy it. And I never saw the big deal with weed or getting drunk 3 times a week. My parents had broken that generational curse, so I couldn't really enjoy it.

I had said the last three years I was at UNCG that I was heading back to NY for good and not looking back. I had tried to transfer to NYU in 2006 but could not due to the non-profit not gaining funding. My cousin and I became even more engulfed in our studies and couldn't devote any extra time to the organization. We both nearly lost it all. I, in fact, LITERALLY DID. My credit, credit score, all my savings, my car, everything -- except my sanity. I was rock bottom. At age 27. All because of what happened when I had been forced to leave LIU.

2007 came and went. No job. I managed to get half the money UNCG owed me and when I came out to Staten Island for the summer, I had been working to transfer yet again. No dice. I had too many credits at UNCG by this point. It was senseless to give back 15 credits to get into NYU at $55K per. I came right back in 2008 and spent half the summer trying to get into City College in Harlem. Walked hundreds of blocks between Hunter, City and Baruch to get it done. I was accepted, all accept CUNY's LONG-STANDING TRADITION of screwing peoples' financial aid. To compound things, I had yet ANOTHER chance to get back on my track of sports. I had landed an internship with CBS Sports to work the football pre/post game show with Greg Gumbel, Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer; but I couldn't take it because I couldn't sign up for classes at City college BECAUSE of my financial aid situation DEAR. GOD.

I had to go back to Greensboro and finish at UNCG. I had hurt my back in September 2007 and spent the rest of that year and 2008 incapacitated. I had surgery on my back in September 2008 and am just getting back to where I had been physically in 2004 here in August 2009. I feel as though I have come full circle. I had struggled 100 times more in Greensboro than I ever would've if I had been consistently been in NY instead of here and there over the years and all the moving back and forth. It hurt me socially, it hurt me business-wise/networking and it hurt me academically. I am where I would've been in 1999 right now. TEN YEARS LATER. The little bit of struggle, going with eating one meal a day the last couple of weeks at LIU could not compare to not knowing if I would eat at ALL for three straight years. I had a good job with Champ's Shoes, would've had excellent camaraderie with my co-workers (many of whom were LIU students and other students from other universities) and would've been able to network with some really influential people. I don't blame EVERYTHING on the decision that was made without my input and against my will -- as I did run up debt, but none of that would have happened if I had not been usurped. I spent a decade trying to undo something that I had nothing to do with in the first place.

I feel as though I'm playing catch-up in every facet that I have mentioned. Some people remark, "Mike, you don't look 30. You look 21, 22". Maybe that's just God giving me a mulligan and a chance to do what I never had a chance to do when I really was that age.

Who knows, but God?

Daily Comedy On The MTA

Daily Comedy On The MTA
M.D. Wright
8.26.09

Okay, since I left SIDC, I've been hanging out in the city more often like I used to. So of course what comes with this is more run-ins with hobos, bad attitudes, WACKY TOURISTS who can't get out of the way and late-late night craziness on MTA buses.

As is the case every summer in Harlem, I see some cracked-out dude walking down the street, seemingly minding his business -- only to have him let out a primal scream and then babble to himself while startled outta towners look on in amazement and fear.

I can still remember a few summers ago when I had young Mike and young AJ with me and we were heading to Brooklyn. We were on the boat coming from Staten Island and this family of tourists are enjoying the sights from the Ferry. It was a mother, father and a son, and the son asks his mother: "mom, where are we heading?". Mom: "Brooklyn, son". Son: "really? So how do we get there from here?" (mind you they are standing on the rail while the three of us sit and watch the landmarks seemingly not move) Mother: "the subway". Son: "(GASPS LOUDLY) MOM!!! DO YOU KNOW WHO RIDES THE SUBWAY?!?!" (we all look at ourselves, knowing he has watched a bit too much TV and DIE laughing).

Later that same summer, we were down by MSG walking and this hobo sticks his legs out as we walk by. I never make eye contact or talk to these guys, but the youngest of my cousins did. So he begs for money. I still say nothing, and instructed them all to do the same. So we walk off, and the guy mutters "yall ain't nothin' but some GHETTO TRASH..." (but he's begging US for money ha). We laugh.

Just in the past couple of weeks I've seen some hilarious things.

I come back from Sunset Park out in Bklyn Thursday night and hung out in the city over at my chill spot (Bryant Park -- 42nd side facing 5th), after sweating my calories away from the previous WEEK, I finally make it back to Staten and once I'm on this side, I get on the bus. I'm minding my business, listening to my tunes. Three young ladies get on and sit in the back of the bus with me. Then this homeless guy gets on. I assume he was homeless because the B.O. on this guy reminded me other homeless dudes. The thing was, I didn't notice it immediately. Once we got up Victory Blvd. a bit more, I began to smell death. I looked up and the girls were laughing. They knew who it was, but I was slow because I was engulfed in my tunes. He nearly suffocated us and brought my eyes to bloodshot tears. He finally got up and moved when he realized the girls laughing. That smell is STILL stuck in my nostrils. It smelled like someone took a diarrhea dump, didn't wipe and chose to get on the bus naked after sweating all day. I never want to smell that again. NEVER. But I know I will tomorrow when I'm down in the East Village at Webster Hall (if I have the nerve to go over there HA).

I was with young Mike and young D'Ann on the boat a few weeks ago, along with young Jasmyn. We were heading back to SI after I had shown Jasmyn the city for the first time. This oinker, who appeared to have tied on a few before getting on board with her friends stands on the rail. There was a good breeze that night, and as she's yakkin' it up, her skirt flies up. I see nothing but paste and cottage cheese. I nearly threw up in my throat and got up making noises as if I was actually doing it. Mike and D'Ann DIE. The lady goes "stop laughing at me, you know you enjoyed it!". I go ................................... Asking her, "what are you doing, giving us a show here? We have underage kids here, dear god". She's like "yeah, you can say I was!". I die along with them ha.

I swear I hear the funniest things while standing on line at stores. Hearing gay guys break up with their lovers extremely loudly on the phone, or old dudes barking at their wives over the phone because they hadn't "taken the fish out" yet ha. I was standing on line waiting on the 1 down on Houston St. I was heading up to Christopher to meet Tara and her friends. I am exhausted after having been in midtown, Top of the Rock, CPK (both sides from Grand Army and 60 up to 72 and CPW), then went up to Harlem to see my family, came back down to Varick, walked 30 blocks and came to this station at Houston. This kid was on my left eating Chinese and I see a hobo digging in the ash can for food. He scores a leftover meal and sits down next to me. I don't even think anything of it. Alls I know at this point is I got two cats next to me who are eating and I hadn't eaten a THING at this point (7 pm -- had a cup of coffee and nothing more -- I have bad eating habits ha). So I was glad to get up to NYU and figure out where we would grab something to eat. We finally get some Halal and head back, after she gets terrified by this weird guy with spaced out eyes talking trash to the Halal guy as she ordered her gyro ha. I just looked at the guy and shook my head because he was just joshing around, but the Halal guy was ready to throw hot food at him ha.

Just yesterday, young Tara and I were coming back from walking around in the Village. I was on the prowl for my dirty hot dog stands after showing her a couple of my spots in the East Village (Buono Sera for one, over on University and 12th). So we avoid the subway and walk from 12th and 3rd all the way over to Canal to catch the 6. Not a walk you want to make after you had walked 150 blocks prior to that already. Anyway, we get to the ferry terminal on the Manhattan side and I'm wolfing down my dogs. I throw the paper away left-handed Michael Redd style, and this guy with 26 teeth missing goes "GOOD SHOT", but where's your rings? I roll my eyes. HERE WE GO. Mind you, this guy is from Brooklyn. You know me, I'll yak about sports with anyone in any borough if they're up to it. Young Tara's sitting there with an eyebrow raised at this guy. He looked like Delroy Lindo, just with 6 teeth ha. He's like, let me guess, you one of them Knick fans. I says YEAH I SUFFERED THIS ENTIRE DECADE LIKE THE TRUE KNICK FANS HAVE. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Meanwhile, his boy is beside him agreeing with me (fellow Knick fan). This guy is a BULLS fan and trying to give us the business because the Knicks haven't won in 36 years ha. Big deal. Tara knows her stuff and she calls him out (he was butchering the names of guys in the NBA worse than Dick Stockton does on TNT ha). He said the Celtics never won anything, and that noone (no one) could beat the Lakers in the 80s (Boston and Detroit did). The guy was a frontrunner. He claims he liked the Lakers in the 80s,t he Bulls in the 90s and the Lakers this decade. Along with these chicks I know who like Ray Allen and Boston, I do NOT understand why so many fellow New Yorkers love these teams (other than frontrunning ha). He yaks and yaks and yaks -- thinking I'm probably 21 or so, since I don't exactly look 30, and therefore thinking he could try to tell me stuff that I know better than HE does, having watched pro sports since 1985. The boat comes and we nearly miss it. I walked off, thinking Tara is with me and she's still entertaining this buster. I'm like "dios mio, COME ON before we miss the boat and have to sit here another half hour". That guy was weird, because he starts talking basketball just because I threw paper away ha. What on earth.

On that ride back on the boat, this guy from down south sits next to us. Tara asks me where I think they're from. I'm like "what am I, an etymologist? I dunno." But they have a 3 year old crying LOUDLY. She was piercing ears out there. I didn't mind her, though. I've been around that all my life. So after about 10 minutes, the father taps her on the arm and says "CALM DOWN HONEY, YOU'RE EMBARRASSING US HERE!!! LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE LOOKING AT YOU!!! (noone was paying her any mind, Tara and I were debating about Kobe Bryant ha -- she hates him BTW and that doesn't fly with me ha) I look up at the guy and he's red in the face. One thing he should know by now is that no one really cares about that stuff. Calm your kid down because she gets on your nerves, not because of what someone who will probably NEVER see you again may think ha.

August 13, 2009

August 13, 2009

The Love Of Rules

READ: Romans 13:1-10

Love is the fulfillment of the law. —Romans 13:10

When I teach writing, I explain that it’s generally better to use short words or phrases first in a series, as in “arts and letters” and “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Early in my career, I explained to authors that it just sounds better this way, but then I discovered a “rule” about this. And I learned that authors are more likely to accept editorial changes when I can point them to a rule than when I just say, “Trust me.”

This is typical of human nature. We have a love/hate relationship with rules. We don’t like rules, but we’re unsure how to determine right from wrong without them.

God had a relationship with Adam and Eve that was based on loving trust. The only rule necessary was one that protected them from knowledge that would end in death. But when disobedience broke the trusting relationship, God added more rules to protect the wayward couple and their offspring.

In Christ, God proclaimed once more that the good life He wants for us is not about rules but a relationship. As Paul wrote, all the commandments can be summarized in one word: love. Because we are “in Christ,” we can enjoy peace with God and others—not because there’s a rule, but because there is love. — Julie Ackerman Link

Though freed from the law with its stern commands—
No longer ruled by its harsh demands—
I’m bound by Christ’s love and am only free
To live and to act responsibly. —D. De Haan

The greatest force on earth is not the compulsion of law but the compassion of love.

Horror Show In The Big Apple

November 18, 1985
Horror Show In The Big Apple

Bad management and bad luck have made for a miserable start to the Knicks' ballyhooed Ewing Era
By Jack McCallum

Only six months ago the sun over Manhattan seemed to be shining a brilliant Knickerbocker orange. The Knicks had won the NBA lottery and the right to draft Patrick Ewing, and on that day executive vice-president Dave DeBusschere had pounded the table before him in delight. Five thousand Knick season-ticket holders suddenly possessed the keys to heaven, and 6,000 others would race out to join them. Longtime Knick fans began slipping photos of Willis Reed and Walt Frazier and Bill Bradley and DeBusschere out of their frames and replacing them with brand-new Ewings. You could hear that word "dynasty" being whispered in the spring air.

Other words are being shouted now, like "disgrace," "joke" and "you must be kidding." Through Sunday, the Knicks have been the Nix, winless in their first eight games of the season. They are 0-20 since last March 23 and only four losses away from tying the Cleveland Cavaliers' alltime NBA losing streak. The David Letterman joke is still alive. Did you hear about the new diet in New York? You can't eat until the Knicks win.

The Nix are an amalgam of bad luck and bad management, and unfortunately for Ewing, who has performed heroically, averaging 22 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, and their fans, there's no relief in sight. In retrospect, it's a wonder that DeBusschere didn't chip a bone in his hand when he hammered that table—one of his few decisive actions, incidentally, over the last six months. Consider the state of the Nix at present:

•High-scoring forward Bernard King is home in Franklin Lakes, N.J. trying to rehabilitate the right knee that he severely injured March 23.


He never comes to the Garden, either to look in on practice or watch a game. His disinclination to do the latter is understandable. King's last complete game coincided, not coincidentally, with New York's last win—he had 45 points as the Knicks beat the Pacers 118-113. That was so long ago.

•Sweet-shooting 7'1" center Bill Cartwright, who missed all of last season with a broken foot, is sidelined until at least mid-December after having fractured—for the third time—the fifth metatarsal bone of his left foot in an exhibition game. But five years and $6 million are guaranteed in the six-year, $7 million contract the Knicks gave him just before the injury occurred. The Knicks gambled—and lost—that the surgery performed last December by team physician Norman Scott would turn Cartwright back into the 17.0 scorer, .561 shooter he was in '83-84. The word is they signed him only after Scott had told them that Cartwright's foot would be able to withstand the rigors of regular NBA play.

•Steady Louis Orr, a veteran free agent forward who could make Ewing's life easier on offense, is sitting in his Cincinnati home waiting for the Nix to pay him what he's worth. Though DeBusschere offered millions to a medical risk like Cartwright, he has been battling Orr over what amounts to small change. Says Orr's agent, Ron Grinker, "A lot of general managers in the league are chess players, guys who are always three or four moves ahead. The Knicks do not act, they react. They are checker players."

•Instead of signing Orr, the Knicks took the absurd step of tendering New Jersey Nets free-agent forward Albert King, Bernard's brother, a five-year, $3 million offer sheet two weeks ago. King himself motored over to the office of Nets chief operating officer Lewis Schaffel to hand deliver it, his best drive in many seasons. The Nets matched the offer, and though the clubs were still talking about a deal late Sunday, New Jersey isn't about to send Albert across the river for nothing. It's a moot point whether King is more valuable than Orr at any price.

•Frontcourtmen Pat Cummings (pinstriped suit) and James Bailey (leather pants) have joined Cartwright (designer jeans) in an impressive bench fashion show. Cummings has recurring tendinitis in his right ankle and admits he's worried about his future. Bailey has partially torn ligaments in his left knee and will be out at least another two weeks.

•The poor play of the Knick backcourt has nothing to do with bad luck and a lot to do with being plain bad. DeBusschere stands behind the rotation of Rory Sparrow, Darrell Walker and Trent Tucker, which is shooting a collective 38%. The Knicks knew Ewing would need help from a guard who could both shoot from the outside and penetrate, but DeBusschere has not acquired one. Free agent Norm Nixon was practically begging to come to New York; his wife, actress Debbie Allen, is scheduled to open in the Broadway play Sweet Charity next March. But as of Sunday the Knicks hadn't rung Nixon's number, and he was reportedly close to signing with Houston.

Ewing could use some sweet charity. His knees are padded, and his left elbow—hyperextended in an exhibition skirmish with Indiana's Steve Stipanovich—obviously pains him. Tugging constantly at his elbow pad, getting ice in his spare moments, the sweat of defeat racing from every hardworking pore, Ewing sometimes looks more like a 10-year veteran than a rich kid of 23.



Where would the Nix be without him? Well, they're nowhere with him.

At least Ewing is getting well paid for his agony. DeBusschere claims that most of his time and energy over the summer were spent in the negotiations that turned Ewing into one of the richest athletes in pro sports, but those long hours will hardly go down as management's finest. Ewing has a 10-year contract valued at $31.2 million; six years and $17 million are guaranteed. But he could make as much as $22 million in six years under certain conditions, such as a career-ending injury. In addition, Gulf & Western, the $4.1 billion conglomerate that owns the Knicks, gave Ewing a $5 million interest-free loan. The way the rest of the NBA saw it, the Nix got their pockets picked on the Ewing deal, and then got taken again on the Cartwright deal.

For his part, DeBusschere contends that Ewing "held the cards." DeBusschere felt that Ewing's representatives were prepared to keep him out if they didn't get what they wanted, and DeBusschere could only imagine the horrific spectacle of 11,000 season-ticket holders, having watched Ken Bannister in the pivot instead of Ewing, storming his office at Four Pennsylvania Plaza. In light of the Ewing contract, what is Bernard King worth if he comes back healthy? And couldn't an extra million or so have been found and given to a sharp-shooting guard and a Louis Orr? DeBusschere must make a trade. It was a pivotal moment in Knick history when DeBusschere the player came from Detroit to New York in exchange for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives in December of 1968. One season later the Knicks won the NBA title. But being a good deal and making one are two different things.

At present, the Nix and a legitimate NBA franchise are two different things. But they have been good for a few laughs.

New York is starting two rookies in the frontcourt—Bob Thornton, who last year played for Caja of Madrid in the Spanish National League, and Gerald Wilkins, who will be a good pro someday but as an off guard, not as a forward. Then there is Bannister, (the Animal) whose rebounding and defense have often been likened to that of a kitten. The Animal is threatening the unofficial record for air balls on short jump shots—he had four in a 97-94 loss to the Bulls on Saturday night. During a 92-88 loss to the Bucks two nights earlier, the Animal, a career 47% foul shooter, banked in a free throw, then vigorously nodded his head to indicate that—yes—it was all planned. Over on the bench, even coach Hubie Brown, who doesn't show a lot of teeth in the best of times, had to smile.

The continued absence of Orr caused some confusion at the Garden during the Chicago game when a few fans shouted "We want Louis!" It was unclear whether they meant Orr or Emmanuel Lewis, the 42-inch television superstar who had tossed up an honorary jump ball before the game. Ewing and his college coach, John Thompson, did cameos on Webster a while back. As for Lewis, the Nix need some quick guards.

On Nov. 3 in Portland, the Trail Blazers got a chuckle or two during their 110-96 victory when the Knicks played a stretch with an alltime all-bad lineup of Bannister at center, Thornton and aging Ernie Grunfeld at forward, and non-penetrating, slumping Tucker (37% from the floor, only five free throw attempts in eight games) and fourth-round draft pick Fred Cofield at guard. Ghosts of bad teams past positively whooshed through Memorial Coliseum, teams like the 9-73 Philadelphia 76ers of 1972-73, possibly the worst team in NBA history. Certainly the Nix aren't that bad.

Or are they?

They just might be if the backcourt continues its poor play at crunch time. Against the Bucks, Sparrow missed two consecutive wide-open jumpers late in the game (one of them was an air ball, henceforth to be known as a Bannister). Against the Bulls, the Knicks led 83-77 with 8:15 remaining but failed to run any semblance of an offense down the stretch, leaving it to Wilkins (who, like his talented brother, Atlanta's Dominique, does not have to be urged to shoot) to free-lance. Understandably, in tight situations the guards look for Bernard. But he's in New Jersey.



Somehow, the Knicks have hung together throughout these depressing days. This is a team that hustles from first buzzer to last.

One gets the feeling that the volatile Brown is due to go off at any moment, but so far he has kept his frustrations reasonably in check. During one postgame press conference he even apologized for being "feisty" in one of his answers. Sooner or later, though, the inscription on the coffee cup that he carries around at practice is bound to hit home: I COULD USE A LITTLE MORAL SUPPORT. A LITTLE IMMORAL SUPPORT WOULD BE FINE, TOO.

For Ewing, the eight defeats are two more than he endured in his final two seasons at Georgetown. And there are many more to come. He was asked how he's making the mental adjustment. "What can I do?" he answered. "There's nothing to do." With customary reticence he deflected questions about his elbow injury. "But thanks for asking," he added. Thanks for asking?



Meanwhile, players like Bannister and Thornton are getting more than their share of media attention, but wisely have not let it go to their heads. "I never thought I'd get this far in basketball," says Thornton, UC-Irvine's third-leading scorer (12.7) in his senior season. "I know one thing," says Bannister, "I could be gone at any time when people start getting healthy."

Grunfeld tried to put the mess that is the Knicks into perspective. "Honestly," he said, "we are trying our best."

Sadly, he's absolutely right.