"I'ma baller, I'ma 20-inch crawler
Blades on Impala, diamond rottweiller
Octane hauler, not a leader not follower...
Big ballin', smashin, makin my ends
Smokin big killa gettin high in the Benz..."
Thought I'd lead with a quote that could be attributed to any number of high-profile athletes in the big 4- Black OR White. Fact is, when you're young and makin' a ton, surrounded by beautiful women, the fancy things in life, and all your peers are rolling this way, it is very hard to be different. It takes a man of deep convictions to avoid, and even then it can be very difficult. Now there are extremes, such as making it rain with $40,ooo at a strip club, running over a guy on his way home from work, and beating your girl to within an inch of her life for example. But most professional athletes don't take it that far. But if that were you, at that age, with all of that in front of you, can you honestly say you'd behave any different? Sure, you say. It comes down to how you were raised, how you've been educated you say...your moral value system you say. Yes. Not condoning anything here, but there is a difference between guys who like to step out and have a good time, and numbnuts who are downright dangerous with that kind of power in their hands. Know the difference. Some of the guys that you're shaking your head at, like a disapproving parent, are getting a bad rap.
On the Cover:
On to business....
1. First things first. Last time I was here I guaranteed a Cowboys victory over the Texans. I received a lot of emails ranging from polite disagreement, to laughing me off the planet. Funny, didn't hear anything after the game. But perhaps y'all were waiting to see how they'd do against the Titans? Well it was pathetic indeed. Down 3-17, they showed a bit of resolve knotting things up at 17. But then went on to screw up several opportunities to take the lead and win the game. At 1-3, things are very bad in Dallas. Jerry Jones hasn't said it yet, but believe me, jobs are definitely on the line now.
By the way, can anybody tell me why the Boys haven't gone to the Patriots to try and make a deal for Pro-Bowl offensive lineman Logan Mankins? Perhaps a straight-up trade for Tashard Choice (+ a late round pick if necessary). The Pats could use some youth in their RB core, and it's obvious the Boys need help protecting Romo (Titans had 6 sacks) and keeping the running lanes open.
2. Randy Moss to the Vikings for a 3rd round pick: When you're 3-1, leading the division, and he's been part of one of the most explosive QB-WR combinations in history? The Patriots brass has, uh, brass balls.
On the surface this does not look like a wise move. If Moss is unhappy, pull him into the office and reinforce team values. If he's part of the future of your team, sit down with his agent and begin new contract negotiations. But the brass did neither of those things. Instead, they floated him out to a team that they knew to be desperate for a WR and cut the ties. WOW. Makes you think that rumours of separate blow-ups between Moss and Brady and Moss and Belichick are true. Otherwise you grin and bear it, tuck a few more wins under your belt and trade him before the deadline.
Monster value for the Vikings. So what if Moss takes plays off- they're probably running plays! This guy in his sleep is better WR than 90% of the league at his position. If Sidney Rice comes back healthy, the Vikes have to be considered instant Superbowl favourites. Could get ugly a la the Vikings of 98'. [But hold on now...Favre emotional in the locker room due to Dong-Gate being a distraction in the locker room? Hmmm...smells like guilt to me].
But what of the Patriots? Can they really make due with Welker, Tate, Edelmen, and Hernandez? Listen, I think they can still move the ball. But their offense, in the absence of a real running and deep vertical game, becomes really predictable. As good as Brady is, dinks and dunks won't take the Pats to another Superbowl.
As if on queue, word comes now that the Patriots have traded a 4th round pick to the Seahawks for Deion Branch. Should have known. Belichick is Bob Krafty, and nobody's fool. Wouldn't surprise me if they were successful in acquiring Vincent Jackson as well.
3. So Max Hall started for the Cardinals this week. You've gotta figure Leinhart is chuckling wherever he is. He shouldn't be though. He's still not starting. So what if Hall isn't that good yet? So what if Arizona won the ball game without scoring an offensive TD. Leinhart would have found a way for them to lose it for sure.
4. Key injuries for the Packers coming out of Week 5 include Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley, Clay Matthews, and Nick Barnett. This team is good, but hasn't been blowing people away as expected. This will further test their character and signal whether they're truly ready to take the next step.
5. The immediate next step for the Packers happens to be the Dolphins on Sunday. Here's a team that has showed the potential but hasn't closed the deal over their last 2 games. I consulted a friend of mine who's a die-hard Fin fan and he demanded the firing of the Special Teams coach after the Patriots debacle. Guess what? It happened the next day. He also called Henne something unspeakable and said he hasn't got what it takes. Guess we'll see. In TonyNFL I have him as my QB #2 along with Brandon Marshall as my WR#1.
I need them to deliver.
6. Fantasy Hindsight:
- Through 5 weeks Arian Foster is the #1 RB with 562 yds and 4 TDs...and I thought I was reaching when I grabbed him at the top of the 4th round. Not bad
- Hakeem Nicks has compiled 400+ yds and 6 TDs. I had both the intent and opportunity to grab him...but chickened out and took Steve Smith instead based his 2009 numbers. Now someone else is benefiting. Nice
- A lot of you stuck by Larry Fitz and drafted him in the 1st or 2nd round counting on both his ability, and the potential for a come-back year by Derek Anderson. The results? 300 yds and 2 TDs. In the company of such huge stars like Mark Clayton, Eddie Royal, Louis Murphy, Danny Amendola, Jabar Gaffney, and Roy Williams. You be the judge
- I took rookie Mike Williams as my 5th WR based on his performance in training camp, and projections to be the #1 WR, albeit on a bad team. So far the move has paid dividends as the kid has 238 yds and 3 Touches. Compare that to say a Wes Welker (217 yds and 3 Touches), or a Greg Jennings 183 yds and 3 Touches). Not bad
- Was thinking about taking Philip Rivers (1759 yds, 11 TDs, 4 pix) based on Strength of Schedule. But of course, I chickened out and took Matt Schaub (1233 yds, 7 TDs, 5 pix) based on his elite status and, of course, Andre Johnson. It may pan out. But right now Rivers is doing more with less.
- Speaking of doing more with less, take a look at Kyle Orton (1733 yds, 8 TDs, 3 pix).
7. Went out to run an errand for the wife, and of course, took longer than was required. Wife calls me and asks me where I am. Me being the smartass, I say
"I went out to see the Gooma, heading back now". Without missing a beat the wife says
"So soon? I knew you didn't last long but that's a new record". Nice.
8. Got around to seeing the movie 'Grown Ups' with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, and Steve Buscemi. This is a very poor movie. Half-way through, I was wondering 'What the hell am I doing here?' Do not see this movie.
9. See this one instead: Solitary Man. I caught it on a recommendation from ABT. Very good film. Michael Douglas has still got it.
OUT
