In Response To Joi Samuels' "Independence Day... What Do You Think?"
M.D. Wright
12.18.08
I am going to be short with this.
1. I don't know how negative of a connotation as it has with everyone. But when I hear it, my head rolls.
2. There is no such thing as an independent PERSON. PERIOD.
That said, I'll address both those points.
Whenever I have heard women say this, I hear a tinge of resentment; as if it is a jab at the paternal world that we live in. More disturbing are the numbers of supposedly-Christian women who subscribe to this -- knowing that God placed specific importance of the roles of men and women in this world. For those who choose not to accept Christ as their Savior and later Lord -- nor God's Word/Principles, then OK; you believe what you want. However, this is is a spiritual law and there is no way around it, regardless of what you choose to believe or not believe.
We are seeing signs of the chaos that ensues when there is a concerted effort to intentionally insert women as the heads of organizations and other large institutions. Follow me. I am not a chauvinist. God placed man as covering for women. In EVERY arena of life. This can not be avoided. Or else you have a situation similar to what took place when King Ahab's notorious wife Jezebel sought to effectively usurp Ahab's control and do her own thing. I'm not going to preach. If you want the facts on that, go read the Bible.
2. No one is independent. No man. No woman. No person is an island. God did not create people to function on their own so that they could become glory-hogs. One thing that disturbs me (because I am fully secure and supremely confident -- therefore that nonsense about being "intimidated" does not apply to me) is the level of arrogance present in most of the women who utter this foolish phrase. Think about it. Everything is "I have such and such degree"... "I make X-amount of money"... "I am so and so Doctor this, Attorney that" (nothing wrong with titles, but when you use them to define you... and think that for some reason someone should genuflect before you...) and all the other diatribe with them.
Look. I am all for equality. I WANT an educated woman to marry. I can talk intelligibly about almost everything, so I don't want a dummy or someone who is caught up in her hair, nails and how much money I can spend on her. She needs to be able to carry her own weight for sure. But there is a difference between being able to do that and this "independent" foolishness.
Strength and determination aren't defined by how much money you have, how LATE you (intentionally, I might add) put off marriage for the sake of your career and education, instead of juggling both -- and not neglecting your God-given and NOBLE role as chief nurturer (WHEN did this become "insulting" to women, by the way???) solely to prove some sort of needless point. We have been created equal, but to serve distinct and DIFFERENT functions. Or else, why would God have needed to create woman? A homemaker, part-time business owner/homemaker possesses the same strength and determination that it takes to swim amongst the corporate sharks (by whatever motive).
Sadly, too many women equate those qualities with bullheadedness, radical feminism (the converse to male chauvinism -- reforms are still necessary, but radical feminism set women's causes BACK rather than further them).
Only a weakling of a man wants a woman he can dominate or feel needed by 24/7. Only a wuss of a man wants a doormat and a Yes-Woman. But NO self-respecting man wants a bullheaded woman who constantly has a chip on her shoulder about proving her equal weight in glory with men when God already says you are equal. Your job, education, income, etc. attained apart from the "support" of a man does not make you any more equal (or better, as some radicals think) than a man. We are not in competition. We're working together to achieve the same thing.
I saw an interview with a group of women who are in their late 30s and early 40s who have never been married and now all of a sudden want to marry. They're desperate. They realize their window for having children (without serious health risks) has narrowed much like the Phoenix Suns' chances of winning an NBA Championship (sorry, I always have to fit sports in somewhere. Indulge me.) Now they realize they can't just step out and get a man like they could when they were 25. And aside from a few sleazebag men, no one cares about these women's statuses and income, education, etc. But think about it. How many men did these women consciously pass up in their 20s? Being "independent" has its drawbacks. I heard this woman at my church stand up during a forum a few years ago -- bragging about how she has this and that and all this nonsense. She was about 33 or so at the time and she's probably still not married. I don't care who the man is. If he's self-respecting -- he could be a broke college student, a middling employee at a customer service office or a high-ranking man -- he does NOT want to hear all of that if he's looking at you romantically and for marriage. The Proverbs 31 woman is "intimidating" to some women, because it seems like it is "just asking too much" to be all those different things. Indeed, those are qualities that a woman should seek to attain. Just as men (those who are faithful to their families that is -- many aren't. We know that. No need to even bring that up at this point. We hear that ALOT more than we hear men talk about women and this hogwash about "independence") are called to do the same. The Proverbs 31 woman was not independent. Nor did she run around gloating about her exploits. She did her thing and her husband (King Lemuel was to look for a woman possessing those qualities -- it was not describing a real life woman who had done it) apperciates it. They work in tandem. Not in competition or INDEPENDENT of the other.
Regards,
mdw
As politically incorrect as I wanna be.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
2009 Pro Bowl Rosters - WITH ANALYSIS
2009 Pro Bowl Rosters - WITH ANALYSIS
M.D. Wright
12.16.08
* - Denotes STARTER in Pro Bowl Game
National Football Conference (NFC)
OFFENSE
QB - Kurt Warner (ARZ)*
QB - Drew Brees (NO)
QB - Eli Manning (NYG)
Comments: Kurt does not deserve this. Especially with the way they've played five out of their last six games. This is why fan voting should only count for 1/4 (if at all). Brees ONLY deserves a reserve role because of his numbers. He's on a .500 team. Eli is not a Pro Bowler. Without the running game and Burress (the past two games) you see what Eli is. I would actually put Tony Romo as the starting QB here. Look at how Dallas looked without him.
RB - Adrian Peterson (MIN)*
RB - Michael Turner (ATL)
RB - Clinton Portis (WARSH)
Comments: This cannot be argued. Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the NFL. Brandon Jacobs would have had an argument for a reserve spot had he been healthy the past two weeks. Turner has 15 rushing TDs and Portis has been a beast until injuries and poor overall play by the Redskins of late caught up with him.
FB - Mike Sellers (WARSH)*
Comments: Only other viable candidate is Madison Hedgecock.
WR - Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ)*
WR - Anquan Boldin (ARZ)*
WR - Steve Smith (CUR)
WR - Roddy White (ATL)
Comments: I would only put Steve Smith as the starter. This is always a highly argued position, because it is full of prima donnas and the fans argue loudest as well. However, the only other viable argument would have been (potentially) Santana Moss in a reserve role.
TE - Jason Witten (DAL)*
TE - Chris Cooley (WARSH)
Comments: Witten is the best TE in the NFC. Cooley is more of an HB than a true TE. No way he overrides Witten. None of the other TEs in the NFC are consistent or are involved in their teams' offenses as much.
T - Jordan Gross (CUR)*
T - Walter Jones (SEA)* (WILL NOT PLAY - INJURY)
T - Chris Samuels (WARSH)
Comments: I am one of the few football experts who watches offensive and defensive line play and knows what's going on. I can't say take Gross down, nor Jones, but they weren't the best tackles in the NFL. Kareem McKenzie should have gotten one of these. Gross should have been the reserve. Samuels has no business on this list (however it must be noted that Dan Snyder ran a campaign in the Washington, DC area where he had fans vote, vote, vote to increase the fan portion of the voting).
G - Steve Hutchinson (MIN)*
G - Chris Snee(NYG)*
G - Leonard Davis (DAL)
Comments: Look, Hutch is the best left guard in the NFC and Chris Snee is the best right guard in the NFL. Period. He's a road-grader with the running game and is great in pass protection. House Davis has NO BUSINESS on this list with how often he holds (but manages to get away with it -- at least a half dozen times vs. NYG on 12.14.08 by the way). However, there aren't many guys you can put here. Too many teams had revolving doors at guard.
C - Andre Gurode (DAL)*
C - Shaun O'Hara (NYG)
Comments: Reverse this. O'Hara is better than Gurode.
DEFENSE
DE - Julius Peppers (CUR)*
DE - Justin Tuck (NYG)*
DE - Jared Allen (MIN)
Comments: HELLO?!?! DeMarcus Ware has 19 sacks and WON THE GAME SINGLEHANDEDLY Sunday!!! Ware and Tuck are the best DEs in the NFC. WHERE THE HECK IS JOHN ABRAHAM? Allen should be the reserve, if anything at all. I would actually put Abraham there (mostly because he is STILL not stout against the run after 9 years). The other guys are. Peppers would admit this isn't his best season. Not even close. Although he is playing better than last year. He should not be up here.
DT - Kevin Williams (MIN)*
DT - Jay Ratliff (DAL)*
DT - Pat Williams
Comments: Fred Robbins should start over Ratliff (fan voting?) Kevin Williams deserves his spot. Pat Williams and Darnell Dockett (FROM?!?!?!) are the only guys who had arguments. Fat Pat is a reserve, Dockett could've been. Ratliff does not belong here.
OLB - DeMarcus Ware (DAL)*
OLB - Lance Briggs (CHI)*
OLB - Derrick Brooks (TB)
Comments: Brooks is looking long in the tooth. However, there aren't many guys with strong cases aside from him. Bradie James maybe? Danny Clark? Doubtful. Ware is a DE. Why are they listing him as an OLB? Briggs is probably playing better than Urlacher in CHI -- although Urlacher got his fair share of votes at Mike.
ILB - Patrick Willis (SF)*
ILB - Jon Beason (CUR)
Comments: I don't like how the voting is done for linebackers. It does not take into account the schemes that teams run. Barrett Ruud is pretty good. Jonathan Vilma, overshadowed in a PUTRID (suspended and injured, I should add) Saints defense, is playing well. Pierce is indeed overrated. However, no argument here. PAT WILLIS IS A BEAST.
CB - Charles Woodson (GB)*
CB - Antione Winfield (MIN)*
CB - Asante Samuel (PHI)
Comments: Woodson has the numbers, but he has very little impact. Same with his starting CB teammate Al Harris. They're good, not great, anymore. Winfield should have BEEN a Pro Bowler years ago. Corey Webster has had a great year. He deserves the reserve role over Asante Samuel, who has done next to NOTHING before Monday Night Football in Week 15.
FS - Nick Collins (GB)*
FS - Brian Dawkins (PHI)
Comments: Can't argue here. Kenny Phillips came on late. Sean Taylor would've won this spot going away if he were still with us. Actually LaRon Landry played better than Dawkins. This is a legacy pick for Dawkins who is obviously aging (although he does still make plays, don't get me wrong). Darren Sharper even deserved the "legacy" pick more than Dawk did.
SS - Adrian Wilson (ARZ)* -- FROM?!?!?! High Point, NC.
Comments: No reserve here, but there are a couple of guys who played the position at times. Landry (WASH) slid over to SS at times. The Bears have had a revolving door there. However, there are no strong arguments for anyone else.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P - Jeff Feagles (NYG)*
Comments: Feagles is the best punter in the history of the NFL. He invented the coffin corner kick and perfected it.
PK - John Carney (NYG)*
Comments: Nick Folk doesn't miss a kick. However -- JACKIE GLEASON, SHEILA MACRAE, AUDREY MEADOWS, JOHN CARNEY... GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KR - Clifton Smith (TB)*
Comments: Who? Is this the guy who finally ran back a kickoff for Tampa for the first time ever? Otherwise, why isn't DeSean Jackson here?
ST Ace - Sean Morey (ARZ)*
Comments: He only made it for that play at the end of the DAL game.
-----------
American Football Conference (AFC)
OFFENSE
QB - Peyton Manning (IND)*
QB - Brett Favre (NYJ)
QB - Jay Cutler (DEN)
Comments: There are many problems here. None of these guys deserve the spots they got. Manning should be a reserve. Cassel should be starting. Rivers should have the other reserve spot. There is NO WAY Favre belongs in the Pro Bowl with 17 INTs or however many he has -- many of which have led directly to Jet losses to BAD TEAMS. Cutler is still too spotty and inconsistent to be in the Pro Bowl over a guy who leads the NFL in Passer Rating (Rivers). This is one of the few times the rating number gives you an accurate idea of how well the QB has played. The Chargers' fall off has been more attributed to Tomlinson's toe injury and the defense being injured and totally out of synch with a new coordinator.
RB - Thomas Jones (NYJ)*
RB - Chris Johnson (TEN)
RB - Ronnie Brown(MIA)
Comments: Jones is a beast and deserves this. But if you are putting a rookie up here in Johnson (who earned it), Steve Slaton DEFINITELY deserves to be a Pro Bowler. Ronnie Brown does not.
FB - Le'Ron McClain (BAL)*
Comments: Which is he? Half the time, he's been lining up at RB for BAL. Tony Richardson, Lo Neal both deserve merit. Ask Thomas Jones about Richardson.
WR - Andre Johnson (HOU)*
WR - Brandon Marshall (DEN)*
WR - Reggie Wayne (IND)
WR - Wes Welker (NE)
Comments: Let's play "Which One Of These Does Not Belong". Forget the number of catches he has, but HOW do you put Welker on this list? LOL Look. Andre Johnson is the best WR in the NFL. Marshall is going to be unstoppable for the next 10 years. Reggie Wayne has the best hands after Johnson. But Welker is a slot receiver. If starting a team, with the aforementioned WRs, then yes, he's a good fit. But no, he does not belong here. Derrick Mason? Hines Ward. Santonio Holmes? Braylon Edwards? Laveranues Coles? Let's move on. Dear god fan voting.
TE - Tony Gonzalez (KC)*
TE - Antonio Gates (SD)
Comments: The lazy Let's-Go-With-The-Big-Name picks here. Gonzalez has been great, but Gates has been pedestrian at best. Daniels down in Houston has been pretty doggone good. Where is Dallas Clark???
T - Joe Thomas (CLE)*
T - Jason Peters (BUF)*
T - Michael Roos (TEN)
Comments: I can't argue with any of these. Jake Long MAYBE.
G - Alan Faneca (NYJ)*
G - Kris Dielman (SD)*
G - Brian Waters (KC)
Comments: Kudos to Chiefs fans stuffing the box, since Waters is probably going to retire. He definitely does not belong here. Faneca is most of the reason Jones is doing so well with the Jets. Dielman? I dunno...
C - Kevin Mawae (TEN)*
C - Nick Mangold (NYJ)
Comments: I would scream Legacy Pick with Mawae, but he hasn't fallen off. I remember when this guy was in Seattle! Mangold is also responsible for Jones' success in New York.
DEFENSE
DE - Mario Williams (HOU)*
DE - Dwight Freeney (IND)*
DE - Robert Mathis (IND)
Comments: No arguments here. Aaron Smith was a bit too nicked up for PIT. Shaun Ellis has played well for NYJ.
DT - Albert Haynesworth (TEN)*
DT - Kris Jenkins (NYJ)*
DT - Shaun Rogers (CLE)
Comments: No arguments. These guys have all been game changers all year. Where is Hanoti Ngata, though? I've seen that guy run back INTs, chase down WRs and RBs downfield and go downfield in coverage. At 345 lbs, that's impressive. He's making Ray Lewis look like he's still great (he's not). But you can't take any of these guys down. Haynesworth is the best DT in the NFL and it isn't close.
OLB - James Harrison (PIT)*
OLB - Joey Porter (MIA)*
OLB - Terrell Suggs
Comments: I have Suggs listed as a DE, but whatever. Bart Scott is good, too. LaMarr Woodley deserved a shot, but again, their 3-4 defense skews things.
ILB - Ray Lewis (BAL)*
ILB - James Farrior (PIT)
Comments: More legacy picks. Lewis has been better than last year. But I'm too tired to even argue. Where is Keith Bulluck?
CB - Nnamdi Asomugha (OAK)*
CB - Courtland Finnegan (TEN)*
CB - Derrelle Revis (NYJ)
Comments: I actually have no problems with these. Great picks. Nnamdi is the best CB (possibly) in the NFL. Could be the next Deion Sanders. Teams won't even THROW IN HIS DIRECTION anymore. Finnegan is very feisty -- although it gets him in trouble often, he's a beast in coverage. Revis is a playmaker; leading the Jets' secondary.
FS - Ed Reed (BAL)*
Comments: No one else even warrants mentioning. Ed Reed is THE prototypical free safety. If there is a loose ball, a tipped pass, or a big play being made and BAL is playing -- ED REED IS MAKING IT. It is ri-DICULOUS how this guy is OMNIPRESENT when it comes to the football. If you looked up "Raven" or "Ballhawk" in the dictionary, you'd see Ed Reed's profile.
SS - Troy Polamalu (PIT)*
SS - Chris Hope (TEN)
Comments: Polamalu is healthy, but I dunno, I just don't feel it. Chris Hope (FROM?!?!?!) leads that TEN secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P - Shane Lechler (OAK)*
Comments: Who cares?
PK - Stephen Gostkowski (NE)*
Comments: Ditto.
KR - Leon Washington (NYJ)*
Comments: FROM?!?!?!?!?!?! (FLORIDA STATE!!!)
ST - Brendon Ayanbadejo (BAL)*
Comments: Whatever.
M.D. Wright
12.16.08
* - Denotes STARTER in Pro Bowl Game
National Football Conference (NFC)
OFFENSE
QB - Kurt Warner (ARZ)*
QB - Drew Brees (NO)
QB - Eli Manning (NYG)
Comments: Kurt does not deserve this. Especially with the way they've played five out of their last six games. This is why fan voting should only count for 1/4 (if at all). Brees ONLY deserves a reserve role because of his numbers. He's on a .500 team. Eli is not a Pro Bowler. Without the running game and Burress (the past two games) you see what Eli is. I would actually put Tony Romo as the starting QB here. Look at how Dallas looked without him.
RB - Adrian Peterson (MIN)*
RB - Michael Turner (ATL)
RB - Clinton Portis (WARSH)
Comments: This cannot be argued. Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the NFL. Brandon Jacobs would have had an argument for a reserve spot had he been healthy the past two weeks. Turner has 15 rushing TDs and Portis has been a beast until injuries and poor overall play by the Redskins of late caught up with him.
FB - Mike Sellers (WARSH)*
Comments: Only other viable candidate is Madison Hedgecock.
WR - Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ)*
WR - Anquan Boldin (ARZ)*
WR - Steve Smith (CUR)
WR - Roddy White (ATL)
Comments: I would only put Steve Smith as the starter. This is always a highly argued position, because it is full of prima donnas and the fans argue loudest as well. However, the only other viable argument would have been (potentially) Santana Moss in a reserve role.
TE - Jason Witten (DAL)*
TE - Chris Cooley (WARSH)
Comments: Witten is the best TE in the NFC. Cooley is more of an HB than a true TE. No way he overrides Witten. None of the other TEs in the NFC are consistent or are involved in their teams' offenses as much.
T - Jordan Gross (CUR)*
T - Walter Jones (SEA)* (WILL NOT PLAY - INJURY)
T - Chris Samuels (WARSH)
Comments: I am one of the few football experts who watches offensive and defensive line play and knows what's going on. I can't say take Gross down, nor Jones, but they weren't the best tackles in the NFL. Kareem McKenzie should have gotten one of these. Gross should have been the reserve. Samuels has no business on this list (however it must be noted that Dan Snyder ran a campaign in the Washington, DC area where he had fans vote, vote, vote to increase the fan portion of the voting).
G - Steve Hutchinson (MIN)*
G - Chris Snee(NYG)*
G - Leonard Davis (DAL)
Comments: Look, Hutch is the best left guard in the NFC and Chris Snee is the best right guard in the NFL. Period. He's a road-grader with the running game and is great in pass protection. House Davis has NO BUSINESS on this list with how often he holds (but manages to get away with it -- at least a half dozen times vs. NYG on 12.14.08 by the way). However, there aren't many guys you can put here. Too many teams had revolving doors at guard.
C - Andre Gurode (DAL)*
C - Shaun O'Hara (NYG)
Comments: Reverse this. O'Hara is better than Gurode.
DEFENSE
DE - Julius Peppers (CUR)*
DE - Justin Tuck (NYG)*
DE - Jared Allen (MIN)
Comments: HELLO?!?! DeMarcus Ware has 19 sacks and WON THE GAME SINGLEHANDEDLY Sunday!!! Ware and Tuck are the best DEs in the NFC. WHERE THE HECK IS JOHN ABRAHAM? Allen should be the reserve, if anything at all. I would actually put Abraham there (mostly because he is STILL not stout against the run after 9 years). The other guys are. Peppers would admit this isn't his best season. Not even close. Although he is playing better than last year. He should not be up here.
DT - Kevin Williams (MIN)*
DT - Jay Ratliff (DAL)*
DT - Pat Williams
Comments: Fred Robbins should start over Ratliff (fan voting?) Kevin Williams deserves his spot. Pat Williams and Darnell Dockett (FROM?!?!?!) are the only guys who had arguments. Fat Pat is a reserve, Dockett could've been. Ratliff does not belong here.
OLB - DeMarcus Ware (DAL)*
OLB - Lance Briggs (CHI)*
OLB - Derrick Brooks (TB)
Comments: Brooks is looking long in the tooth. However, there aren't many guys with strong cases aside from him. Bradie James maybe? Danny Clark? Doubtful. Ware is a DE. Why are they listing him as an OLB? Briggs is probably playing better than Urlacher in CHI -- although Urlacher got his fair share of votes at Mike.
ILB - Patrick Willis (SF)*
ILB - Jon Beason (CUR)
Comments: I don't like how the voting is done for linebackers. It does not take into account the schemes that teams run. Barrett Ruud is pretty good. Jonathan Vilma, overshadowed in a PUTRID (suspended and injured, I should add) Saints defense, is playing well. Pierce is indeed overrated. However, no argument here. PAT WILLIS IS A BEAST.
CB - Charles Woodson (GB)*
CB - Antione Winfield (MIN)*
CB - Asante Samuel (PHI)
Comments: Woodson has the numbers, but he has very little impact. Same with his starting CB teammate Al Harris. They're good, not great, anymore. Winfield should have BEEN a Pro Bowler years ago. Corey Webster has had a great year. He deserves the reserve role over Asante Samuel, who has done next to NOTHING before Monday Night Football in Week 15.
FS - Nick Collins (GB)*
FS - Brian Dawkins (PHI)
Comments: Can't argue here. Kenny Phillips came on late. Sean Taylor would've won this spot going away if he were still with us. Actually LaRon Landry played better than Dawkins. This is a legacy pick for Dawkins who is obviously aging (although he does still make plays, don't get me wrong). Darren Sharper even deserved the "legacy" pick more than Dawk did.
SS - Adrian Wilson (ARZ)* -- FROM?!?!?! High Point, NC.
Comments: No reserve here, but there are a couple of guys who played the position at times. Landry (WASH) slid over to SS at times. The Bears have had a revolving door there. However, there are no strong arguments for anyone else.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P - Jeff Feagles (NYG)*
Comments: Feagles is the best punter in the history of the NFL. He invented the coffin corner kick and perfected it.
PK - John Carney (NYG)*
Comments: Nick Folk doesn't miss a kick. However -- JACKIE GLEASON, SHEILA MACRAE, AUDREY MEADOWS, JOHN CARNEY... GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KR - Clifton Smith (TB)*
Comments: Who? Is this the guy who finally ran back a kickoff for Tampa for the first time ever? Otherwise, why isn't DeSean Jackson here?
ST Ace - Sean Morey (ARZ)*
Comments: He only made it for that play at the end of the DAL game.
-----------
American Football Conference (AFC)
OFFENSE
QB - Peyton Manning (IND)*
QB - Brett Favre (NYJ)
QB - Jay Cutler (DEN)
Comments: There are many problems here. None of these guys deserve the spots they got. Manning should be a reserve. Cassel should be starting. Rivers should have the other reserve spot. There is NO WAY Favre belongs in the Pro Bowl with 17 INTs or however many he has -- many of which have led directly to Jet losses to BAD TEAMS. Cutler is still too spotty and inconsistent to be in the Pro Bowl over a guy who leads the NFL in Passer Rating (Rivers). This is one of the few times the rating number gives you an accurate idea of how well the QB has played. The Chargers' fall off has been more attributed to Tomlinson's toe injury and the defense being injured and totally out of synch with a new coordinator.
RB - Thomas Jones (NYJ)*
RB - Chris Johnson (TEN)
RB - Ronnie Brown(MIA)
Comments: Jones is a beast and deserves this. But if you are putting a rookie up here in Johnson (who earned it), Steve Slaton DEFINITELY deserves to be a Pro Bowler. Ronnie Brown does not.
FB - Le'Ron McClain (BAL)*
Comments: Which is he? Half the time, he's been lining up at RB for BAL. Tony Richardson, Lo Neal both deserve merit. Ask Thomas Jones about Richardson.
WR - Andre Johnson (HOU)*
WR - Brandon Marshall (DEN)*
WR - Reggie Wayne (IND)
WR - Wes Welker (NE)
Comments: Let's play "Which One Of These Does Not Belong". Forget the number of catches he has, but HOW do you put Welker on this list? LOL Look. Andre Johnson is the best WR in the NFL. Marshall is going to be unstoppable for the next 10 years. Reggie Wayne has the best hands after Johnson. But Welker is a slot receiver. If starting a team, with the aforementioned WRs, then yes, he's a good fit. But no, he does not belong here. Derrick Mason? Hines Ward. Santonio Holmes? Braylon Edwards? Laveranues Coles? Let's move on. Dear god fan voting.
TE - Tony Gonzalez (KC)*
TE - Antonio Gates (SD)
Comments: The lazy Let's-Go-With-The-Big-Name picks here. Gonzalez has been great, but Gates has been pedestrian at best. Daniels down in Houston has been pretty doggone good. Where is Dallas Clark???
T - Joe Thomas (CLE)*
T - Jason Peters (BUF)*
T - Michael Roos (TEN)
Comments: I can't argue with any of these. Jake Long MAYBE.
G - Alan Faneca (NYJ)*
G - Kris Dielman (SD)*
G - Brian Waters (KC)
Comments: Kudos to Chiefs fans stuffing the box, since Waters is probably going to retire. He definitely does not belong here. Faneca is most of the reason Jones is doing so well with the Jets. Dielman? I dunno...
C - Kevin Mawae (TEN)*
C - Nick Mangold (NYJ)
Comments: I would scream Legacy Pick with Mawae, but he hasn't fallen off. I remember when this guy was in Seattle! Mangold is also responsible for Jones' success in New York.
DEFENSE
DE - Mario Williams (HOU)*
DE - Dwight Freeney (IND)*
DE - Robert Mathis (IND)
Comments: No arguments here. Aaron Smith was a bit too nicked up for PIT. Shaun Ellis has played well for NYJ.
DT - Albert Haynesworth (TEN)*
DT - Kris Jenkins (NYJ)*
DT - Shaun Rogers (CLE)
Comments: No arguments. These guys have all been game changers all year. Where is Hanoti Ngata, though? I've seen that guy run back INTs, chase down WRs and RBs downfield and go downfield in coverage. At 345 lbs, that's impressive. He's making Ray Lewis look like he's still great (he's not). But you can't take any of these guys down. Haynesworth is the best DT in the NFL and it isn't close.
OLB - James Harrison (PIT)*
OLB - Joey Porter (MIA)*
OLB - Terrell Suggs
Comments: I have Suggs listed as a DE, but whatever. Bart Scott is good, too. LaMarr Woodley deserved a shot, but again, their 3-4 defense skews things.
ILB - Ray Lewis (BAL)*
ILB - James Farrior (PIT)
Comments: More legacy picks. Lewis has been better than last year. But I'm too tired to even argue. Where is Keith Bulluck?
CB - Nnamdi Asomugha (OAK)*
CB - Courtland Finnegan (TEN)*
CB - Derrelle Revis (NYJ)
Comments: I actually have no problems with these. Great picks. Nnamdi is the best CB (possibly) in the NFL. Could be the next Deion Sanders. Teams won't even THROW IN HIS DIRECTION anymore. Finnegan is very feisty -- although it gets him in trouble often, he's a beast in coverage. Revis is a playmaker; leading the Jets' secondary.
FS - Ed Reed (BAL)*
Comments: No one else even warrants mentioning. Ed Reed is THE prototypical free safety. If there is a loose ball, a tipped pass, or a big play being made and BAL is playing -- ED REED IS MAKING IT. It is ri-DICULOUS how this guy is OMNIPRESENT when it comes to the football. If you looked up "Raven" or "Ballhawk" in the dictionary, you'd see Ed Reed's profile.
SS - Troy Polamalu (PIT)*
SS - Chris Hope (TEN)
Comments: Polamalu is healthy, but I dunno, I just don't feel it. Chris Hope (FROM?!?!?!) leads that TEN secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P - Shane Lechler (OAK)*
Comments: Who cares?
PK - Stephen Gostkowski (NE)*
Comments: Ditto.
KR - Leon Washington (NYJ)*
Comments: FROM?!?!?!?!?!?! (FLORIDA STATE!!!)
ST - Brendon Ayanbadejo (BAL)*
Comments: Whatever.
My NFL Week 16 Power Rankings
My NFL Week 16 Power Rankings
12.16.08
I predicted there would be a great shakeup in the Top 10 this week in the rankings. Too many of the top 15 teams played each other and teams are injured/sliding here at the end of the season. This is why you must love the NFL. The magnitude of every game from here into and through the playoffs -- attention is palpable.
As they are as you await my rankings.
So I will keep you waiting no longer.
1. Indianapolis Colts. I refuse to put PIT any higher than 4, because 1. IND beat them head to head. 2. NYG beat them head to head. 3. BAL would've beaten them without that bogus TD call and 4. they still have to play TEN. If they pull that off, then PIT goes here next week. Until then? No. The Colts are the hottest team in the NFL and NO ONE wants to play them right now.
2. Tennessee Titans. They weren't really "upset" last week. The Texans finally broke out of their early-season malaise in the past few weeks. Too bad it's too little, too late. I had them winning 11 this year and that wasn't a stretch analyzing their roster. The early-season stretch of three straight road games and not having Reliant Stadium fully available due to the hurricane really set them back. They are near the top of the NFL in scoring, mind you. But this is the Titans' block here. I say they're reeling. Kerry Collins is their QB. Time has come today.
3. New York Football Giants. Yes, we missed Burress last week and missed him AND Jacobs vs. Dallas. They aren't the only reason the Giants have lost two straight. But let's not get too hasty here. Carolina is not better than the Giants. If they beat us Sunday, then they are. Pittsburgh lost to us. No way you can put them ahead of us either.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers. Sure, they find ways to win, and it's not about style points, but I GUARANTEE all those points they leave on the field will come back to haunt them in the playoffs. It won't in the regular season. They're one of those teams where the bye in the playoffs may backfire as the team that plays them will potentially have two weeks to (semi) prepare for them. They can be figured out, especially if you have a good slot receiver.
5. Carolina Panthers. Until/IF they beat the Giants, how can you realistically put them any higher? Other than Eli Manning (of late) who has a shakier QB amongst the team with the best records in the NFL than Carolina? Steve Smith is arguably the best all-around WR in the NFL. The Black Cats have a two-headed rushing attack, but the Giants have proven that they can slow that down. Tony Romo (and Witten) effectively beat the Giants. Romo gets rid of the ball and (at least on Sunday Night) doesn't make mistakes. Jake does (7-27, 72 yards, 4 INT vs. OAKLAND???). Panther fans need to real in their enthusiasm and think on that for a while. The Panthers' defense, while solid, will struggle to get consistent pressure on Manning. They'd better hope that Jacobs misses the game. That's their real hope here.
6. Baltimore Ravens. ESPN had Dallas here??? How??? But anyway, this team might be better than their 9-5 record. They've had two games where the refs took the game from them (vs. TEN and Sunday vs. PIT). That would make them 11-3. Who, realistically, other than NYG, PIT and IND -- who all beat them -- can you say is better than them? Not Miami. Although they are not far behind in these rankings, as you will see.
7. Atlanta Falcons. They win pretty. They win ugly. With a rookie QB and a first-year starting RB putting up all-world numbers (Turner: 15 rushing TD) and Roddy White having the season of his life as well. I am looking good in fantasy due to these two guys.
8. Miami Dolphins. The Fish are going to win the AFC East.
9. Dallas Cowboys. Hard to put them any higher. Their backs are against the wall. They defeated a beat-up and DEAD Redskins team (which lost to CIN???) and caught the Giants missing their two top offensive weapons. Let's not get carried away. A TRUE barometer of the Cowboys will come Saturday night when (I am picking, anyway) they lose to BAL.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They're reeling. But I am not putting any of these other 9-5/8-6 teams ahead of them, either.
11. Minnesota Vikings. I can't justify putting them any higher. They have a shaky QB situation. Great backfield, and great defensive and offensive line. But if you are a bettor, would you take the Vikes on ANY spread right now?
12. New England Patriots. Yes, they beat the Raiders. But they are going to be the odd team out in the AFC East and the last wild card spot. The injuries have caught up to them.
13. New York Football Jets. Jets fans think the Jets are done. I think they have a way to get that last wild card spot. It's going to be tight. Gonna come down to Week 17 and the tiebreakers post-games. I think the Fish will win the division, but the Jets should beat Seattle and if they beat MIA (followed by the Patriots losing out) they will still get in.
14. Arizona Cardinals. That loss Sunday killed their chances to secure higher than a 3 spot in the playoffs. That is huge, because even though they'll be at home, their first game guarantees to be against a team they do not match up well against in Tampa Bay (most likely).
15. Philadelphia Eagles. They're still alive, somehow. No one would want to play them if they made the playoffs, either.
16. Chicago Bears. Yes, they're 8-6, but who fears these guys?
17. Denver Broncos. Ditto.
18. Houston Texans. They let me down, because I picked them to go far this year. Their last three games shows you why I had them winning 11. That win Sunday vs. TEN was NO "upset", either.
19. New Orleans Saints. They have slim hopes, still, but they basically need the Iggles, Cowboys, Tampa Bay and Fulcons to lose out. Is that really going to happen? That's what happens when you have an all-world QB, no running game and a perennially ABYSMAL defence.
20. Washington Redskins. You can call them the name that other NFC East teams' fans call them: DEADSKINS.
21. San Diego Chargers. Underachievers of the year. However, they can win out, have Denver lose out (including a loss to SD in Week 17) and still win their division. They'd have the 4 seed and likely land a rematch with the Colts. Honestly, with a clean slate, does anyone want to play this team in the playoffs when they're semi-healthy?
22. San Francisco 49ers. They will finish 7-9. They were dead in the water before they fired Nolan.
23. Buffalo Bills. JP Losman = YIKES.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars. They beat an equally dead team that has mailed it in (although they will check in to beat DET to finish the season).
25. Green Bay Packers. Yeah, what I said about JAX.
26. Cleveland Browns. Dear god. Romeo Crennel is a (word that rhymes with buckin') soldier like his injured starting tight end to stick in there with this menagerie.
27. Kansas City Chiefs. I keep telling myself they're not this bad. Maybe Carl Peterson's resignation (firing) will spark change.
28. Oakland Raiders. I was actually picking them to beat New England LOL
29. Seattle Seahawks. Just finish the season already, boys.
30. Cincinnati Bengals. Wow, they beat WARSHINGTON.
31. St. Louis Rams. Goodness gracious sakes alive they don't even have a pulse.
32. Detroit Lions. Good lord. They're going 0-16. No doubt about it. They have made their past couple of games interesting, but...
12.16.08
I predicted there would be a great shakeup in the Top 10 this week in the rankings. Too many of the top 15 teams played each other and teams are injured/sliding here at the end of the season. This is why you must love the NFL. The magnitude of every game from here into and through the playoffs -- attention is palpable.
As they are as you await my rankings.
So I will keep you waiting no longer.
1. Indianapolis Colts. I refuse to put PIT any higher than 4, because 1. IND beat them head to head. 2. NYG beat them head to head. 3. BAL would've beaten them without that bogus TD call and 4. they still have to play TEN. If they pull that off, then PIT goes here next week. Until then? No. The Colts are the hottest team in the NFL and NO ONE wants to play them right now.
2. Tennessee Titans. They weren't really "upset" last week. The Texans finally broke out of their early-season malaise in the past few weeks. Too bad it's too little, too late. I had them winning 11 this year and that wasn't a stretch analyzing their roster. The early-season stretch of three straight road games and not having Reliant Stadium fully available due to the hurricane really set them back. They are near the top of the NFL in scoring, mind you. But this is the Titans' block here. I say they're reeling. Kerry Collins is their QB. Time has come today.
3. New York Football Giants. Yes, we missed Burress last week and missed him AND Jacobs vs. Dallas. They aren't the only reason the Giants have lost two straight. But let's not get too hasty here. Carolina is not better than the Giants. If they beat us Sunday, then they are. Pittsburgh lost to us. No way you can put them ahead of us either.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers. Sure, they find ways to win, and it's not about style points, but I GUARANTEE all those points they leave on the field will come back to haunt them in the playoffs. It won't in the regular season. They're one of those teams where the bye in the playoffs may backfire as the team that plays them will potentially have two weeks to (semi) prepare for them. They can be figured out, especially if you have a good slot receiver.
5. Carolina Panthers. Until/IF they beat the Giants, how can you realistically put them any higher? Other than Eli Manning (of late) who has a shakier QB amongst the team with the best records in the NFL than Carolina? Steve Smith is arguably the best all-around WR in the NFL. The Black Cats have a two-headed rushing attack, but the Giants have proven that they can slow that down. Tony Romo (and Witten) effectively beat the Giants. Romo gets rid of the ball and (at least on Sunday Night) doesn't make mistakes. Jake does (7-27, 72 yards, 4 INT vs. OAKLAND???). Panther fans need to real in their enthusiasm and think on that for a while. The Panthers' defense, while solid, will struggle to get consistent pressure on Manning. They'd better hope that Jacobs misses the game. That's their real hope here.
6. Baltimore Ravens. ESPN had Dallas here??? How??? But anyway, this team might be better than their 9-5 record. They've had two games where the refs took the game from them (vs. TEN and Sunday vs. PIT). That would make them 11-3. Who, realistically, other than NYG, PIT and IND -- who all beat them -- can you say is better than them? Not Miami. Although they are not far behind in these rankings, as you will see.
7. Atlanta Falcons. They win pretty. They win ugly. With a rookie QB and a first-year starting RB putting up all-world numbers (Turner: 15 rushing TD) and Roddy White having the season of his life as well. I am looking good in fantasy due to these two guys.
8. Miami Dolphins. The Fish are going to win the AFC East.
9. Dallas Cowboys. Hard to put them any higher. Their backs are against the wall. They defeated a beat-up and DEAD Redskins team (which lost to CIN???) and caught the Giants missing their two top offensive weapons. Let's not get carried away. A TRUE barometer of the Cowboys will come Saturday night when (I am picking, anyway) they lose to BAL.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They're reeling. But I am not putting any of these other 9-5/8-6 teams ahead of them, either.
11. Minnesota Vikings. I can't justify putting them any higher. They have a shaky QB situation. Great backfield, and great defensive and offensive line. But if you are a bettor, would you take the Vikes on ANY spread right now?
12. New England Patriots. Yes, they beat the Raiders. But they are going to be the odd team out in the AFC East and the last wild card spot. The injuries have caught up to them.
13. New York Football Jets. Jets fans think the Jets are done. I think they have a way to get that last wild card spot. It's going to be tight. Gonna come down to Week 17 and the tiebreakers post-games. I think the Fish will win the division, but the Jets should beat Seattle and if they beat MIA (followed by the Patriots losing out) they will still get in.
14. Arizona Cardinals. That loss Sunday killed their chances to secure higher than a 3 spot in the playoffs. That is huge, because even though they'll be at home, their first game guarantees to be against a team they do not match up well against in Tampa Bay (most likely).
15. Philadelphia Eagles. They're still alive, somehow. No one would want to play them if they made the playoffs, either.
16. Chicago Bears. Yes, they're 8-6, but who fears these guys?
17. Denver Broncos. Ditto.
18. Houston Texans. They let me down, because I picked them to go far this year. Their last three games shows you why I had them winning 11. That win Sunday vs. TEN was NO "upset", either.
19. New Orleans Saints. They have slim hopes, still, but they basically need the Iggles, Cowboys, Tampa Bay and Fulcons to lose out. Is that really going to happen? That's what happens when you have an all-world QB, no running game and a perennially ABYSMAL defence.
20. Washington Redskins. You can call them the name that other NFC East teams' fans call them: DEADSKINS.
21. San Diego Chargers. Underachievers of the year. However, they can win out, have Denver lose out (including a loss to SD in Week 17) and still win their division. They'd have the 4 seed and likely land a rematch with the Colts. Honestly, with a clean slate, does anyone want to play this team in the playoffs when they're semi-healthy?
22. San Francisco 49ers. They will finish 7-9. They were dead in the water before they fired Nolan.
23. Buffalo Bills. JP Losman = YIKES.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars. They beat an equally dead team that has mailed it in (although they will check in to beat DET to finish the season).
25. Green Bay Packers. Yeah, what I said about JAX.
26. Cleveland Browns. Dear god. Romeo Crennel is a (word that rhymes with buckin') soldier like his injured starting tight end to stick in there with this menagerie.
27. Kansas City Chiefs. I keep telling myself they're not this bad. Maybe Carl Peterson's resignation (firing) will spark change.
28. Oakland Raiders. I was actually picking them to beat New England LOL
29. Seattle Seahawks. Just finish the season already, boys.
30. Cincinnati Bengals. Wow, they beat WARSHINGTON.
31. St. Louis Rams. Goodness gracious sakes alive they don't even have a pulse.
32. Detroit Lions. Good lord. They're going 0-16. No doubt about it. They have made their past couple of games interesting, but...
ESPN's Week 16 Power Rankings
ESPN's Week 16 Power Rankings
12.16.08
1 (3) Steelers 11-3-0 The five-star matchups continue. Next up for the Steelers is a date with the Titans for AFC supremacy. (JW)
2 (1) Titans 12-2-0 The Titans still control their fate but are without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch for the last two games. (PK)
3 (4) Panthers 11-3-0 The Panthers are getting hot at the right time. Everything is working, and a win against the Giants would give them the inside track on the No. 1 seed in the NFC. (PY)
4 (2) Giants 11-3-0 A three-game losing streak would create tremendous doubt. Beat the Panthers, though, and you're back to being the NFC favorite. (MM)
5 (5) Colts 10-4-0 If the Colts win their eighth in a row Thursday, they can enjoy some rest. (PK)
6 (8) Cowboys 9-5-0 Dallas scored a huge win over the Giants. Its defense has been superb and could be dangerous in the playoffs. (MM)
7 (7) Ravens 9-5-0 The Ravens missed out on a golden opportunity against Pittsburgh. Now they have to earn a postseason berth the hard way. (JW)
8 (11) Falcons 9-5-0 The victory over Tampa Bay assured the Falcons a winning season, but they want more than that. With games against Minnesota on the road and St. Louis at home, they might need the Bucs and Cowboys to stumble. (PY)
9 (10) Patriots 9-5-0 The Patriots refuse to go away and could jockey into a division title. (TG)
10 (6) Buccaneers 9-5-0 The Bucs remain very much in the playoff race with home games against the Chargers and Raiders. But those games can't be taken for granted, with injuries piling up and the Bucs on a two-game losing streak. (PY)
11 (12) Dolphins 9-5-0 The Dolphins keep winning and still control their destiny. (TG)
12 (15) Vikings 9-5-0 This is the best the Vikings have been in the Brad Childress era. (KS)
13 (14) Eagles 8-5-1 You can't bury this team because the Eagles always play well in December. They have a great opportunity, but they need a little help. (MM)
14 (13) Jets 9-5-0 Yes, they won. But they raised more questions about how legit they are. (MM)
15 (9) Cardinals 8-6-0 The Cardinals need to recapture urgency in a hurry. (MS)
16 (19) Bears 8-6-0 This is an odd stretch for the Bears. They can be knocked from realistic playoff contention before they get back on the field. (KS)
17 (16) Broncos 8-6-0 The Broncos need to bounce back from a poor outing in Carolina and close out the AFC West with a win over Buffalo. (BW)
18 (20) Texans 7-7-0 The Texans are playing as well as just about anyone right now. (PK)
19 (17) Saints 7-7-0 If two or three plays had gone differently, the Saints would be in the playoff hunt. Then again, that's not something they deserve after so many disappointments. (PY)
20 (18) Redskins 7-7-0 They are virtually out of the playoff race, but a win against the Eagles would restore some faith in Jim Zorn. Right now, I fear Danny Snyder has little. (MM)
21 (21) Chargers 6-8-0 If the Chargers end up winning the AFC West, Sunday's win at Kansas City will be a thing of legend. (BW)
22 (22) Bills 6-8-0 The Bills are on their way from landing a home playoff game to landing a top-10 draft pick. (TG)
23 (25) Jaguars 5-9-0 Finally Jack Del Rio finds a spark: A Saturday off did the trick. (PK)
24 (24) 49ers 5-9-0 Their finishing schedule should allow the 49ers to end on a high note. (MS)
25 (23) Packers 5-9-0 Books will be written about the Packers' collapse in their first year After Favre. (KS)
26 (26) Browns 4-10-0 Monday's loss cemented another double-digit losing season. (JW)
27 (28) Seahawks 3-11-0 Mike Holmgren might be emotional heading into his final home game in Seattle. (MS)
28 (27) Chiefs 2-12-0 The Chiefs might need a long time to recover from their second-half collapse in their loss to the Chargers.
29 (31) Bengals 2-11-1 With games against the Browns and Chiefs, the Bengals actually have a chance to finish strong. (JW)
30 (29) Raiders 3-11-0 Good news, Raiders fans: The season is over soon. (BW)
31 (30) Rams 2-12-0 The Rams are angling toward the second overall draft choice -- again. (MS)
32 (32) Lions 0-14-0 No NFL team has ever gone 0-15. The drama continues Sunday against New Orleans. (KS)
12.16.08
1 (3) Steelers 11-3-0 The five-star matchups continue. Next up for the Steelers is a date with the Titans for AFC supremacy. (JW)
2 (1) Titans 12-2-0 The Titans still control their fate but are without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch for the last two games. (PK)
3 (4) Panthers 11-3-0 The Panthers are getting hot at the right time. Everything is working, and a win against the Giants would give them the inside track on the No. 1 seed in the NFC. (PY)
4 (2) Giants 11-3-0 A three-game losing streak would create tremendous doubt. Beat the Panthers, though, and you're back to being the NFC favorite. (MM)
5 (5) Colts 10-4-0 If the Colts win their eighth in a row Thursday, they can enjoy some rest. (PK)
6 (8) Cowboys 9-5-0 Dallas scored a huge win over the Giants. Its defense has been superb and could be dangerous in the playoffs. (MM)
7 (7) Ravens 9-5-0 The Ravens missed out on a golden opportunity against Pittsburgh. Now they have to earn a postseason berth the hard way. (JW)
8 (11) Falcons 9-5-0 The victory over Tampa Bay assured the Falcons a winning season, but they want more than that. With games against Minnesota on the road and St. Louis at home, they might need the Bucs and Cowboys to stumble. (PY)
9 (10) Patriots 9-5-0 The Patriots refuse to go away and could jockey into a division title. (TG)
10 (6) Buccaneers 9-5-0 The Bucs remain very much in the playoff race with home games against the Chargers and Raiders. But those games can't be taken for granted, with injuries piling up and the Bucs on a two-game losing streak. (PY)
11 (12) Dolphins 9-5-0 The Dolphins keep winning and still control their destiny. (TG)
12 (15) Vikings 9-5-0 This is the best the Vikings have been in the Brad Childress era. (KS)
13 (14) Eagles 8-5-1 You can't bury this team because the Eagles always play well in December. They have a great opportunity, but they need a little help. (MM)
14 (13) Jets 9-5-0 Yes, they won. But they raised more questions about how legit they are. (MM)
15 (9) Cardinals 8-6-0 The Cardinals need to recapture urgency in a hurry. (MS)
16 (19) Bears 8-6-0 This is an odd stretch for the Bears. They can be knocked from realistic playoff contention before they get back on the field. (KS)
17 (16) Broncos 8-6-0 The Broncos need to bounce back from a poor outing in Carolina and close out the AFC West with a win over Buffalo. (BW)
18 (20) Texans 7-7-0 The Texans are playing as well as just about anyone right now. (PK)
19 (17) Saints 7-7-0 If two or three plays had gone differently, the Saints would be in the playoff hunt. Then again, that's not something they deserve after so many disappointments. (PY)
20 (18) Redskins 7-7-0 They are virtually out of the playoff race, but a win against the Eagles would restore some faith in Jim Zorn. Right now, I fear Danny Snyder has little. (MM)
21 (21) Chargers 6-8-0 If the Chargers end up winning the AFC West, Sunday's win at Kansas City will be a thing of legend. (BW)
22 (22) Bills 6-8-0 The Bills are on their way from landing a home playoff game to landing a top-10 draft pick. (TG)
23 (25) Jaguars 5-9-0 Finally Jack Del Rio finds a spark: A Saturday off did the trick. (PK)
24 (24) 49ers 5-9-0 Their finishing schedule should allow the 49ers to end on a high note. (MS)
25 (23) Packers 5-9-0 Books will be written about the Packers' collapse in their first year After Favre. (KS)
26 (26) Browns 4-10-0 Monday's loss cemented another double-digit losing season. (JW)
27 (28) Seahawks 3-11-0 Mike Holmgren might be emotional heading into his final home game in Seattle. (MS)
28 (27) Chiefs 2-12-0 The Chiefs might need a long time to recover from their second-half collapse in their loss to the Chargers.
29 (31) Bengals 2-11-1 With games against the Browns and Chiefs, the Bengals actually have a chance to finish strong. (JW)
30 (29) Raiders 3-11-0 Good news, Raiders fans: The season is over soon. (BW)
31 (30) Rams 2-12-0 The Rams are angling toward the second overall draft choice -- again. (MS)
32 (32) Lions 0-14-0 No NFL team has ever gone 0-15. The drama continues Sunday against New Orleans. (KS)
9 Lies Men Tell Themselves About Women
9 Lies Men Tell Themselves About Women
Julie Ferwerda
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
So you’re wondering … what does a woman know about what guys think? I just so happen to have some great male perspective for this article, namely from my insightful husband, Steve. But also, I used to be the woman in some of these points, so I also know how women play on men’s weaknesses.
Christian men and women in the dating world are met with so much wrong thinking in their relationships. It’s my hope to help you identify certain destructive lies in your thinking before it is too late.
LIE #1: She’s flirting with me because she thinks I’m great.
Truth: While it seems innocent and fun, flirting is not a behavior that women who are trying to attract the right kind of man indulge in. Most women who flirt are looking for attention, not just from one certain great guy, but from any who will give them the attention they crave. Why? Likely she either has a poor self-image and she’s searching for ego strokes, or she is desperately looking for approval that she didn’t receive from her father. The trouble is, flirtatious women often have a hard time leaving that trait behind when they get married, and they inappropriately (and dangerously) continue to search for the approval of men long after “I do.” Also, women who need this type of attention can tend to be high maintenance in relationships, always craving more attention.
LIE #2: She doesn’t realize what her revealing clothes are doing to me.
Truth: More likely than not, when she bought those clothes she was thinking about how you (and every other man) would drop his jaw when she walked by. While many women don’t realize the extent of men’s visual stimulation (since it’s quite different than women), most know exactly what they are doing to you. It’s called putting you under a spell to get what they want from you. Proverbs calls this a “seductress” with clear warning: “a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men.” Proverbs 23:27-28
LIE #3: Her lack of faith won’t pull me down.
Truth: Solomon, the wisest man and king who ever lived, fell for this lie. Believing he was smarter than God gave him credit for, he stubbornly ignored God’s warning not to marry the pagan women of other nations because they would turn his heart after their false gods. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened—and it cost him greatly. In the end, he walked away from his faith. So if the wisest man who ever lived, the one who had been visited by God himself on two different occasions and who even built God’s temple, wasn’t strong enough to stay devoted to God while going after unbelieving women, how could you be any different?
LIE #4: She’s clingy, but I like to be needed. She’ll settle down once we’re married.
Truth: According to studies, men thrive on being needed, but this can backfire because many women out there are desperate to get married for the wrong reasons. A woman with “emotional gaps” will put expectations on you that you’ll never live up to, no matter how much time, love, or words of encouragement you give her, because she has mistaken you as the answer to her longings. After the wedding, you’ll disappoint her because you can’t do or be enough, and she may turn to other things for comfort—food, other men, alcohol, or shopping, to name a few. Depending on you occasionally for emotional support, or to help with certain things (like changing her oil or mowing her lawn) are great, but when it comes to emotional neediness, it’s a red flag and it’s not going to get better until she gets help.
LIE #5: If she knew who I really am, she wouldn’t want me.
Truth: This fear motivates men to tell women what they want to hear instead of being open and honest about who they really are. When this happens, the relationship is built on a lie, increasing the chance of relationship failure later on. It also increases a man’s anxiety over exposure and rejection, creating a cycle of deceit. The woman you’re dating deserves to know exactly who you are and what kind of person she’s agreeing to love. It’s not fair to give her false hope. As an example, going to church with her before you are married or pretending to be a spiritual leader, with no intention of continuing later, is not an honest representation of yourself. If she is a good match for you and she’s operating under grace, she’ll love and accept you, warts and all.
LIE #6: She wouldn’t just date me for financial reasons.
Truth: Think again. A woman’s greatest need is for security, according to studies. That doesn’t mean that all women are gold diggers, but you have to search out motives. There’s many a financially distraught woman thinking that getting married to someone financially stable will solve all of her problems, whether or not the man is right for her. Watch for a few factors. Does she manage her own money well? Is she stable financially on her own? Does she display expensive tastes out of her budget? Does she focus on her lack of finances or on your comfortable lifestyle? If you are concerned, be sure to approach this matter privately with a qualified pre-marriage counselor (her pastor?) for some objective help in discerning her motives. This may sound harsh, but you don’t want to risk marrying a woman who only loves your money.
LIE #7: When I marry her, my lust problem will be solved.
Truth: This is a frequent misconception for men who are waiting to have sex until marriage. They think, “When I’m able to have sex with my wife, I won’t be tempted by pornography or dwell on lustful thoughts anymore because I’ll have an outlet for my sexual energy.” I think honest men will tell you that marriage did not solve their lust problem. In some cases, it aggravated it. This is due primarily to the fact that lust isn’t a sex problem. It’s a heart problem. And just like a fire, when you begin to feed it, it gets hotter and hungrier, not satisfied. When a man gets married, he may be even more focused on sex and can still feed his lustful thoughts with images and fantasies. The only answer is to starve the fire of lust to make it eventually die down. Flee, as the Bible says, from sexual temptation.
Many men also go into marriage expecting their wife to be a sex goddess—ready for a romp 24/7. Relationship problems, low sex-drive, busy schedules, interruptions from kids, and physical problems can all contribute to marital sex not being as plentiful as you hoped.
LIE #8: She nags, but what woman doesn’t.
Truth: Frequent nagging is a control problem. If you want to be mothered for the rest of your life, then go ahead and accept the challenge. If not, either make sure she deals with her control problem before marriage, or move on until you meet up with a more relaxed woman who doesn’t need to micro-manage your life.
LIE #9: Her past is her past—I don’t need to know.
Truth: Wrong! Her past becomes your past. You need to dig during the dating relationship to see if there are any big issues lurking in the deep waters beneath the surface. What was her relationship like with her dad? Has she ever been sexually molested or abused? How have men treated her in past relationships? How has she treated men in the past? All of this you need to know now, or you could be shocked and deeply affected later when huge roadblocks and past skeletons emerge in her sexual or emotional intimacy.
Julie Ferwerda is the author of The Perfect Fit: piecing together true love, and has written for publications such as Marriage Partnership, Focus on the Family, and Discipleship Journal. Find out more: www.JulieFerwerda.com.
Julie Ferwerda
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
So you’re wondering … what does a woman know about what guys think? I just so happen to have some great male perspective for this article, namely from my insightful husband, Steve. But also, I used to be the woman in some of these points, so I also know how women play on men’s weaknesses.
Christian men and women in the dating world are met with so much wrong thinking in their relationships. It’s my hope to help you identify certain destructive lies in your thinking before it is too late.
LIE #1: She’s flirting with me because she thinks I’m great.
Truth: While it seems innocent and fun, flirting is not a behavior that women who are trying to attract the right kind of man indulge in. Most women who flirt are looking for attention, not just from one certain great guy, but from any who will give them the attention they crave. Why? Likely she either has a poor self-image and she’s searching for ego strokes, or she is desperately looking for approval that she didn’t receive from her father. The trouble is, flirtatious women often have a hard time leaving that trait behind when they get married, and they inappropriately (and dangerously) continue to search for the approval of men long after “I do.” Also, women who need this type of attention can tend to be high maintenance in relationships, always craving more attention.
LIE #2: She doesn’t realize what her revealing clothes are doing to me.
Truth: More likely than not, when she bought those clothes she was thinking about how you (and every other man) would drop his jaw when she walked by. While many women don’t realize the extent of men’s visual stimulation (since it’s quite different than women), most know exactly what they are doing to you. It’s called putting you under a spell to get what they want from you. Proverbs calls this a “seductress” with clear warning: “a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men.” Proverbs 23:27-28
LIE #3: Her lack of faith won’t pull me down.
Truth: Solomon, the wisest man and king who ever lived, fell for this lie. Believing he was smarter than God gave him credit for, he stubbornly ignored God’s warning not to marry the pagan women of other nations because they would turn his heart after their false gods. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened—and it cost him greatly. In the end, he walked away from his faith. So if the wisest man who ever lived, the one who had been visited by God himself on two different occasions and who even built God’s temple, wasn’t strong enough to stay devoted to God while going after unbelieving women, how could you be any different?
LIE #4: She’s clingy, but I like to be needed. She’ll settle down once we’re married.
Truth: According to studies, men thrive on being needed, but this can backfire because many women out there are desperate to get married for the wrong reasons. A woman with “emotional gaps” will put expectations on you that you’ll never live up to, no matter how much time, love, or words of encouragement you give her, because she has mistaken you as the answer to her longings. After the wedding, you’ll disappoint her because you can’t do or be enough, and she may turn to other things for comfort—food, other men, alcohol, or shopping, to name a few. Depending on you occasionally for emotional support, or to help with certain things (like changing her oil or mowing her lawn) are great, but when it comes to emotional neediness, it’s a red flag and it’s not going to get better until she gets help.
LIE #5: If she knew who I really am, she wouldn’t want me.
Truth: This fear motivates men to tell women what they want to hear instead of being open and honest about who they really are. When this happens, the relationship is built on a lie, increasing the chance of relationship failure later on. It also increases a man’s anxiety over exposure and rejection, creating a cycle of deceit. The woman you’re dating deserves to know exactly who you are and what kind of person she’s agreeing to love. It’s not fair to give her false hope. As an example, going to church with her before you are married or pretending to be a spiritual leader, with no intention of continuing later, is not an honest representation of yourself. If she is a good match for you and she’s operating under grace, she’ll love and accept you, warts and all.
LIE #6: She wouldn’t just date me for financial reasons.
Truth: Think again. A woman’s greatest need is for security, according to studies. That doesn’t mean that all women are gold diggers, but you have to search out motives. There’s many a financially distraught woman thinking that getting married to someone financially stable will solve all of her problems, whether or not the man is right for her. Watch for a few factors. Does she manage her own money well? Is she stable financially on her own? Does she display expensive tastes out of her budget? Does she focus on her lack of finances or on your comfortable lifestyle? If you are concerned, be sure to approach this matter privately with a qualified pre-marriage counselor (her pastor?) for some objective help in discerning her motives. This may sound harsh, but you don’t want to risk marrying a woman who only loves your money.
LIE #7: When I marry her, my lust problem will be solved.
Truth: This is a frequent misconception for men who are waiting to have sex until marriage. They think, “When I’m able to have sex with my wife, I won’t be tempted by pornography or dwell on lustful thoughts anymore because I’ll have an outlet for my sexual energy.” I think honest men will tell you that marriage did not solve their lust problem. In some cases, it aggravated it. This is due primarily to the fact that lust isn’t a sex problem. It’s a heart problem. And just like a fire, when you begin to feed it, it gets hotter and hungrier, not satisfied. When a man gets married, he may be even more focused on sex and can still feed his lustful thoughts with images and fantasies. The only answer is to starve the fire of lust to make it eventually die down. Flee, as the Bible says, from sexual temptation.
Many men also go into marriage expecting their wife to be a sex goddess—ready for a romp 24/7. Relationship problems, low sex-drive, busy schedules, interruptions from kids, and physical problems can all contribute to marital sex not being as plentiful as you hoped.
LIE #8: She nags, but what woman doesn’t.
Truth: Frequent nagging is a control problem. If you want to be mothered for the rest of your life, then go ahead and accept the challenge. If not, either make sure she deals with her control problem before marriage, or move on until you meet up with a more relaxed woman who doesn’t need to micro-manage your life.
LIE #9: Her past is her past—I don’t need to know.
Truth: Wrong! Her past becomes your past. You need to dig during the dating relationship to see if there are any big issues lurking in the deep waters beneath the surface. What was her relationship like with her dad? Has she ever been sexually molested or abused? How have men treated her in past relationships? How has she treated men in the past? All of this you need to know now, or you could be shocked and deeply affected later when huge roadblocks and past skeletons emerge in her sexual or emotional intimacy.
Julie Ferwerda is the author of The Perfect Fit: piecing together true love, and has written for publications such as Marriage Partnership, Focus on the Family, and Discipleship Journal. Find out more: www.JulieFerwerda.com.
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