10 THINGS...

10 THINGS....

1. A word on Chris Collingsworth: I used to rif on this guy during his playing career. I found him to be an overrated receiver on the field (yes, even at 6’5”) and an annoying personality in real life (Don’t remember? Check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8HdOEStmrs)
i. Yet his career stats: 1981-1988, 417 receptions, 6,698 yards, 36 TDs, four 1000 yard seasons
ii. Are on par with Plaxico Burress’ first seven years: 2000-2006, 400 receptions, 6,366 yards, 39 TDs, three 1000 yard seasons. Not too shabby
iii. And he’s won five Sports Emmy Awards.

He sounds less of goof than when he first started and clearly knows what he’s talking about. Still don’t love the guy, but he’s grown on me a little.

2. I was laughing at the Titans after they went winless in their first 6 starts. I sarcastically predicted that they’d go on to win 10 in a row and make the playoffs. Well....five games later and the joke may end up being on me. But the magic carpet ride ends next week in Indy.

3. Speaking of the Colts...down 0-17 and then outscore the Texans 35-10? Wow...that is sick.

4. I commented weeks ago that it may be time to reopen those ‘best QB ever’ discussions. Are you sure it’s Tom Brady? Manning and Favre would like to say a few words about that.


5. Tell me again that next year you’d still take Adrian Peterson over Chris Johnson. Really, I want to hear you say it. But before you do please take a gander at Chris’ 100+ yard rushing games so far this season:
i. Week 2 - 197 yds, 2 TDs
ii. Week 6 – 128 yds
iii. Week 8 – 228 yds, 2 TDs
iv. Week 9 – 135 yds, 2 TDs
v. Week 10 – 132 yds, 2 TDs
vi. Week 11 – 151 yds
vii. Week 12 – 154 yds, 1 TD

6. Took the kids to see Planet 51. Really bad movie. It was everything I could do to keep my eyes open. Usually they make the character similar in appearance to the actor providing the voice. Not so in this case, the main character, voiced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, was blond haired and blue-eyed. Huh? And what was with the story? A planet of green people living in a white-picket fence; a 1950’s Americana type of world...scared of an alien invasion. Weak. What does this have to do with Football? Nothing. But had to tell someone. You guys win the prize.

7. Speaking of weak...this Thursday's NFL prime-time game featuring the Bills v. Jets is here in Toronto. Of course I’m going...but wishing the Bills were a lot better and a team like the Patriots or Saints were in town. Pay attention to the jersey count...they’ll be some Bills fans, some Jets fans, and whole lot of everything else. Toronto is a big NFL city with fans here supporting almost every team out there. I’m curious to know how the NFL feels about that. This is supposed to be the Bills’ market right?

8. This is was I stated in my last blog about the Patriots v. Saints match-up: “If the Patriots can run the ball on Monday night, they’ll beat the Saints. If not, it’ll be Drew Brees’ ascension ceremony” I think on Monday night we witnessed the inauguration of Drew Brees. A passing of the guard. You could see the resignation on the faces of the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as they stood on the sidelines- knowing they didn’t run well enough to open up the passing lanes. Then they waived the white flag with 5:26 remaining in the 4th quarter and sent in Brian Hoyer for Brady. Ok now listen to me carefully. Right now it doesn’t look like the Saints can be taken down. But the next 3 contests will be at Washington (a top pass defense), at Atlanta (a scrappy bunch but less so without Turner and possibly Ryan), and back home to face Dallas. Of the 3, the Cowboys have the best hope of upsetting the Saints. Don’t laugh. Here’s why:

i. They have a top run offense. Better than anyone the Saints have faced all year. The Saints have had issues against good running teams this year (see Miami and St. Louis). If you can run you can keep the ball out of Brees’ hands. Miami had 4 rushing TDs against the Saints and dominated the 1st half of that game. When they faced the Rams, Steven Jackson had 131 yards and a TD. If I’m the Cowboys, I mix up my play calling to try and be as unpredictable on offense as possible. Modify the 2 TE set have Barber, Felix, and Choice on the field at the same time. Incorporate quick screens, and utilize the wildcat. Bring in 4 & 5 wide formations (Austin, Williams, Crayton, Hurd, Witten/Ogletree) to really challenge that defense. The Cowboys have more weapons than the Patriots.

ii. The Cowboys have a staunch run defense. Take the Saints RBs out of the equation right away. Blitz the hell out of Brees with DeMarcus, Ratliff, and Spencer. The Saints WRs are big and strong so the Boys will have to play nickel most of the time...take out Colston and Henderson. But you can’t stop everything. I like Shockey and Meacham to have a big day. But it’ll be worth the sacrifice. I’m calling it right now- if the Cowboys can execute to perfection they will win the ballgame. As Coach Jimmy Johnson once said “Put it in 3-inch bold letters”.

9. TonyNFL: I think that Brees has justified being drafted #1 by Johnny’s Groupies. Anyone care to debate the logic of that now?

10. TonyNFL: I think the battle for 1st place is HOT right now. Can Goose/Nick hold off a hard charging Johnny? I also think there is an interesting battle for 3rd place between Rob/Nick, Da Rhino, Gabe/Rick, and Bean Town. Only 5 weeks remain and it could come down to the very last one.

OUT.