The Comeback Kid

V for Vendetta

- Words cannot properly articulate Michael Vick's performance Monday night against the Redskins. So we won't even try. But what a statement this makes against the NFL and how only 1 team wanted to give him a chance. Andy Reid took a gamble, and now it's paying dividends. Let's look ahead to what could be the biggest game in Week 11: New Giants at Philadelphia.

- In the two full games before he was injured, Vick was 38/65 for 575 yds, and 5 PaTDs. The opponents? Detroit and Jacksonville- 17th and 29th against the pass respectively. Against the Colts it was a different story. Vick was 17/29 for 218 yards and 1 PaTD (with 74 yds rushing, 1 RuTD). Good by any standard, but the Colts could not run the football. Washington is also 31st against the pass with a 286 yd/avg/gm and 18 PaTDs allowed. To put it in perspective, it's like soft flesh vs. a Katana blade.

- The Giants will not be so easy. They come ready to run and pass (5th ranked rushing offense and 6th ranked passing offense), while the Eagles are 12th against the run and 16th against the pass respectively. After just receiving a wake-up call courtesy of the Cowboys, the G-Men can nigh afford to lose another division game. So they will be ready for war.

- Eagles will keep a slight advantage due to Vick's hot hand, and the fact that they're playing at home. But make no mistake, on Sunday we'll find how good the Eagles really are. Personally, I don't think they're an elite team yet. Don't be surprised if the Giants steal this one on the road with the help of some untimely turnovers.

Dead Man Walking

Marvin Lewis. His Bengals are dysfunctional and constantly appear pissed at each other. Did you notice that Palmer, Ocho, and Terrell weren't speaking to each other by the end of Sunday's game against the Colts? This team won their division last year, and was only supposed to get better. Instead, they won't even make the playoffs. Expect a new coach at the helm in 2011.

He's got legs...and he knows how to use them

Felix Jones takes a dump pass from Jon Kitna and takes it 71 yards for a House Call. But did you notice the convoy of Cowboys running with him? Did you notice who was in the lead and appeared every bit as fast as Felix? Yup, Roy Williams. He could have jogged it out and let Felix fend for himself , but instead he ran the length of the field and blocked all the way. Credit where it's due.

Interesting point...

....and I can't remember who raised it (Armando perhaps?). What the hell is going on with this Brett Favre and Jenn Sterger thing? Brett has admitted to the harassment, and Jenn has met with the NFL and provided 'materials'. Yet no one is talking about it. At all. Now if it had been say Terrell Owens, Commissioner Goodell would have already suspended him for 6-8 games. Maybe more. Do we have a double-standard in the NFL? Are they trying to protect a future hall of famer in his last season? Both?

"Why don't you give a little?" ('to the tune of 'The Glory of Love'- Casino Soundtrack)

Confusing wasn't it? How could Shanahan bench McNabb one week, and then the next he's getting an $88M contract with $40M guaranteed? Was there a war going on behind the scenes between Coach Shanahan and the Redskin's owner Daniel Snyder? Was this Snyder's way of putting his stake in the ground in support of McNabb? After all, what did they bring him over for? Was Shanahan a shell of his former self, now bowing down to an overbearing owner (see Wade Philips and Jerry Jones).

But alas, like me, you thought something was rotten in Denmark. This couldn't be...not the Shanahan we knew. No way Jose. Well, the real details of McNabb's contract have come out, courtesy of Adam Schefter (is he not the most connected guy you know?), and the Redskins have made it virtually impossible for McNabb to earn all of that cash. Read the article here http://nfl-facts-rumours.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/25881543 .

No wonder Shanahan wasn't panicking. No wonder when asked, all he said to the media was "that's football...the highest highs, and the lowest lows. It [giving McNabb a new deal] makes a big statement about what we think we can do in the second part of the season". Smart guy. Cause all that's really happened is he's shut up the media, at least for now, and given McNabb a meager carrot to chase for the last 8 weeks. The 'Skins will determine in the off-season whether McNabb returns depending on the available QBs, and what they can find in the draft.

The Brady 'Punch'

- Boy was Tom Brady ticked Sunday night when his team failed to convert a 3rd down. That guy went up a notch in my book. He went OFF on his team. Everyone. No holds barred. I was wincing at home. Man, what a verbal beat-down! Would you have seen that from my man Romo? I hate to say it, but no way. There's a lot of QBs that could learn from that.

TROY

Anyone paying attention to Troy Smith's reemergence in San Francisco? In two games he's thrown for 500+ yds with 2 Touches, no pics, and one RuTD. Not bad...and I think he'll only get better. Watch him in the pocket, he's got a quick 7 step drop, and is very mobile. He takes maybe a second too long to go through his progressions, but I think he'll only get better in that area. He throws a tight spiral, is not afraid to go downfield, and spreads the ball around. I like what I see.

The Niners have 7 games left with 4 of them against division opponents (Arizona x2, St. Louis, and Seattle). So believe it or not, they still have a chance to win that division. Could be enough to save Singletary's job if they do. Nah, even Troy Smith isn't that good.


Touch Football update:

- The Bear Obsessions showed character in a win last night against the Gunners. Down 0-13, they roared back and won 29-15. The revenge the Gunners were seeking will have to wait. Nice win.

- The Canes came out hard and fast against the Mudrunners and never looked back. Up 34-8 to start the 3rd quarter, they cruised to a 50-30 final. Next up, a showdown with BRICK. The two teams were responsible for each other's lone loss on the season. So it should be a classic. Buckle up!

Da Rhino Recommends:


- Parenthood (NBC, Tuesdays 10pm) follows the trials and tribulations of the very large, very colorful and imperfect Braverman family. Warm, engaging, and something you can watch with the wife. Get her hooked and get a break when it comes time to catching the game.

- FORD. Yeah, I said it. In October, the company announced that overall vehicle sales were up 64% from September of 2009. The 3 top vehicles were the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and the Lincoln MKT. The quality of these vehicles is reputed to be on par with the top Japanese Automakers. Have you seen the new Ford Edge Sport? A beautiful SUV. Nice job. Never thought I'd say it after owning a Ford back in the day (1988 Ford Escort GT...horrible, but my first car).