Week 6 Review/Week 7 Preview:

For the Week/Season:
v. W/L: (8-6)/(46-44)
v. ATS: (6-8)/(39-49-2)
v. Aggregate:(10-4)/(51-39)

ATS v. The Loyal Opposition:
FOXSports Peter Schrager 50-40
ESPN Bill Simmons 47-39-4
CBS-Brinson 46-41-3
CBS-Judge 45-42-3
Walter Football 44-43-3
USA Pete O’Brien 43-42-5
CSNNE Rich Levine 42-43-4
CHFF: 42-44-0
CBS-Katzowitz 42-45-3
CBS-Richard 40-47-3
Postcards From Nowhere: 39-49-2
CBS-Prisco 36-51-3

Weekly v. W/L v. PFT, ESPN NFL Experts & USA Today Analysts:
PFT-Rosenthal 59-31
Mortensen (ESPN) 57-33
PFT-Florio 56-34
Schlereth (ESPN) 55-35
Pete O'Brien (USAT) 55-35
Nate Davis (USAT) 55-35
Accuscore (ESPN) 54-36
Gary Mihoces (USAT) 54-36
CHFF: 54-33
Sean Leahy (USAT) 52-38
Jim Corbett (USAT) 52-38
Jon Saraceno (USAT) 51-39
Golic (ESPN) 52-38
Pick 'em (ESPN) 51-39
Schefter (ESPN) 50-40
Hoge (ESPN) 49-41
Jarrett Bell (USAT) 48-42
Tom Pedulla (USAT) 47-43
Wickersham (ESPN) 47-43
Postcards From Nowhere: 46-44
Allen (ESPN) 42-48

Week 5 Review:

Concussions:

The “big story” from Week 6 was the several deliberate head-shot instances that led to players suffering brain injuries. The stupid actions of three players (Brandon Meriweather, James Harrison and Dunta Robinson) launching themselves head-first into opponents have once more brought the issue of brain injuries in football to the fore. One need not be a dedicated follower of the NFL to know that they’ve literally got a big headache problem. There has already been an epidemic of concussions that have occurred this year. Distributing the blame pie is 50/50 between certain players and the League.

From the outset, to wear the uniform of a football team at any competitive level, but especially as a professional is both a great privilege and a responsibility. In fact, no one runs out on the field on game day without having established a commitment to themselves, teammates and coaches that they have withstood the rigors of training and discipline so as to positively contribute to a collective activity. Truth be told, it seems like there are more “playas” out there for the money and lifestyle than for the passion of playing the game. (And we heartily support the NFLPA’s efforts to maximize the earning power of its members because the window to obtain such great salaries for most players is so brief and contracts are not guaranteed). On one level, the League needs to address the problem of addressing physically gifted individuals who possess an appalling lack of social maturity. Players need to comprehend that their actions represent a team, a city, a league but ultimately themselves. They also need to accept the responsibility of being role models to young men. We’re Old School around here, so what about it?

“In my day we walked uphill barefoot for five miles through the snow to get to school- and we liked it”. (Put yer choppers back in, pops) OK, we’re not that old…But there was a time when shameless self-promotion and trash talking was frowned upon. This was the time when attending professional sporting events were reasonably affordable for ordinary working folks and athletes were not so obscenely compensated. Now, it’s not simply a matter of beating the opponent on the field but personally destroying the individual on the other side. In the big scheme of things in life for those of us who watch on Sundays, how much of that nonsense really matters? It is entertainment, not life and death. For those players and coaches who talk about “going to war” on Sundays, perhaps they should talk to a Veteran to get some perspective. For those players who seek fame by deliberately attempting to injure an opponent, they need to look deeply into their hearts to determine whether, at their essence, are they football players or thugs in it for the buck, who wear a football uniform?

The NFL can’t have it both ways, either, as ESPN’s Mark Schlereth pointed out earlier this week, the League markets videos which glorify knock-out hits yet now fines and threatens to suspend players for precisely that sort of behavior. The NFL was actually selling photos on line of Harrison’s hit on Josh Cribbs before taking it down on Tuesday after the hue and cry from the public. Schlereth said that the League should call itself the “National Hypocrite League”. If you don’t think kids are picking up on how to “show up” an opponent with a head shot, you’re living in dreamland. Kids emulate what they see on tv every Sunday.  And in this Twitter “sound-byte” culture in which we presently inhabit, ESPN also glorifies the “big hits” in the college and pro game, where the chest-thumping hitter looks down upon the victim. There is no glory in any of this stupidity and the national media and NFL has a responsibility to stop promoting it as an integral part of the game.

In any endeavor in life, leadership starts at the top of the food chain. The NFL, one of the world’s wealthiest and most successful professional sports conglomerates, has a duty and obligation not only to police these egregious acts, but also act as the torch bearer to counsel youth on the proper manner in which the sport can be made safer. When the game was in its infancy in the early 1900’s, genteel society sought to have it banned as being too dangerous and violent an activity. Over the years, the quality of equipment and talent has improved significantly, but at its root football is a collision sport.

In the NFL, players are stronger and faster than ever and have the best facilities and equipment available. When people possessing these attributes collide with each other at frightening speeds, the likelihood of certain injuries is inevitable. The NFL has legendary players who were intimidating, ferocious hitters but knew how to play the game without trying to deliberately hurt or injure an opponent. As is the case in any adversarial setting, intimidation and fear are essential elements but the game’s very best knew and rarely crossed that fine line between competing and deliberately injuring. Hall of Famers like Larry Wilson, Butkus, Lambert, Singletary, Bednarik, Huff, The Monsters of the Midway, The Purple Gang, The Steel Curtain, The Fearsome Foursome, Doomsday, and on and on are the defensive stalwarts who played hard and nasty but (reasonably) clean. Remember LT and Theismann? Horrific and ugly yes, but dirty, no.

Unavoidable concussions regularly occur in normal game action. For example, in Week 1, there was nothing sinister about the concussions suffered by the Eagles’ Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley, those injuries occurred as a result of hard and clean plays. Moreover, look at a guy like Ted Johnson and the innumerable concussions he suffered as part of making tackles. There were few players who played the game as fiercely as Johnson, yet there was never a hint of impropriety regarding the manner in which he played. Ted is now at the forefront of a movement of players who have agreed to donate their brains to science after death so that neurologists will have a better understanding of the long-term effects of brain injuries.

Nevertheless, certain injuries can be avoided. The most common example involves receivers going “over the middle” to catch a pass. Certain players (uh, like Randy Moss) wouldn’t get caught dead between the hash marks because they’re justifiably concerned over getting their head separated from the rest of their body. Believe it or not, it is within a corner or safety’s control to determine where to target a hit on a receiver. It’s simply unnecessary to aim for the head when a hard and clean hit directed below the shoulders can prevent the receiver from catching the ball. A very hard hit in the ribs will disincline a receiver from venturing into a particular area of the field. It’s unnecessary to crack an opponent’s head.

Where does the League now draw the line between what is legal and illegal? We’re not suggesting that the NFL evolve into a “touch” league. There’s a world of difference between hitting an opponent hard and clean as opposed to intending to cause injury. Did you hear what the Steelers’ James Harrison stated after he knocked two Cleveland players out of last week’s game? (paraphrasing) “I don’t want to injure another player but I want to hurt them…” What’s the difference? If that’s his intent, he’d be wise to shut his mouth because opponents will go out of their way to take his knees out. He was fined $75K; big deal, that’s chump change for an All-Pro.

What about London Fletcher’s launching a blind shoulder thump on Joseph Addai’s head on Sunday night? Addai is now out indefinitely on a cheap hit similar to the one that ruined Brian Westbrook’s career last year. Even though there was no flag or fine, it was totally unnecessary (and disturbing), as Fletcher’s back was turned away from the play. Players should not be permitted to blindly launch their shoulders into a pile. If a defender wants to make a tackle or a stop, his head should not be turned away from the ball carrier.

There’s nothing new about players who flouted the rules and had their brief moment of notoriety, from Ed Sprinkle in the ‘50’s to Conrad Dobler in the ‘70’s to Rodney Harrison and John Lynch in the ‘00’s. They come and they go. Those of us in New England who have followed the pro game since the golden days of the ‘60’s can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing on that August night in ’78 when Jack Tatum paralyzed Darryl Stingley with one shot to the head when Darryl reached up to grab a pass over the middle. In the blink of an eye, a wonderful young man’s life was permanently altered in a completely meaningless exhibition game. For what??? Tatum reveled in his role as an “assassin” and the NFL and the media went along for the ride. Both Darryl and Tatum are gone now, but every head shot instance dredges up really bad memories for long-time Patriots’ fans.

One of the worst incidents also occurred in the ‘70’s when Cleveland’s “Turkey” Joe Jones sacked Terry Bradshaw and then proceeded to plant him head first into the turf. Bradshaw (obviously) suffered a serious concussion and there was a fine and some smoke and a stink over it for a few weeks but it fizzled out.

What separates these players and isolated incidents from the past and the current crisis (and, yes, any brain injury is a crisis) is the sheer increase in the volume of incidents. If James Harrison is stating that he was taught to lead with his head “from the age of 10”, something is seriously wrong with the instruction he received as a child and any adult who coaches children to tackle opponents in that manner should never, ever be allowed to teach children how to play football. Period.

It was reported on Wednesday that Harrison was given the day off as he “seriously contemplated retirement.” Seriously? Grow up, ACT LIKE A MAN and learn how to adjust your game to play like a responsible adult professional instead of whining over the fact that the League has taken away your dirty hammer from the toolbox. Knocking out two guys and then playing the victim, now that’s really rich…

Football is a violent, collision activity at any organized level. Participants invariably get injured to one extent or the other. If you want to play, part of the bargain at any level is that you’re going to suffer and get hurt. To learn how to play this game correctly, there are endless hours of preparation: lifting weights, running laps and wind sprints, grueling calisthenics, blocking and tackling drills, pushing sleds and literally pushing the body to greater and greater heights of fitness. Whether it’s Pop Warner, high school, college or the pros, your body pays a price.  All of that preparation is a prelude to learning the fundamentals of the game and various techniques.

In my limited experience of playing this game at a competitive level many years ago, I suffered cracked ribs, broken noses and broken, hyperextended fingers and thumbs, sprains to the ankle, a dislocated elbow and, yes, concussions. Yet, I was fortunate as I witnessed far more serious injuries to teammates and opponents in practice and on the field. I would not have traded that experience for a million dollars because I discovered that the rewards in friendships, a sense of belonging and personal/team accomplishment was directly proportional to the sacrifice.

From the earliest stages of competitive activity, kids are (supposedly) taught how to tackle an opponent appropriately so as to minimize the likelihood of injury to themselves and the ball carrier. One of the most instructive helmet safety films we watched in high school featured actual high schoolers who were killed as a result of using their heads to tackle. Seeing someone actually die while participating in a common activity should leave an indelible mark on a teenager’s psyche. I was blessed to learn how to play the game properly by coaches who respected the student-athlete and the game. The lessons were simple: play smart, hit hard and clean, play to the whistle and protect yourself. Most of all, we were instructed that our heads were used for thinking, not whacking.

If the NFL is “serious” about limiting brain injuries what the Commissioner must (not should) do is to have the League sponsor national coaching seminars to teach the teachers the appropriate way of playing the sport. Unfortunately, many coaches at all levels don’t have much of a moral compass and are not involved for the best interests of the kids. The NFL already sponsors a “Play for 60” campaign to encourage kids to stay active and limit childhood obesity. But coaches at all levels would be thrilled to participate in a program that is NFL-affiliated. If the Commissioner and the NFL fails to take the lead in this matter, then kids will be emboldened to emulate the pros and it will be just a matter of time before somebody gets killed out there. For the Love of God, it’s only a game, not a matter of life and death.

Let’s get back to the toy department, shall we?

Week 7 Preview:

Pittsburgh -3 At Miami 41

This ought to be one terrific matchup. The Dolphins are coming off a dramatic OT win in Green Bay and are looking to keep pace with the Jets and Pats atop the AFC East. But the Dolphins are winless at home so far and a lot of the preseason hype has started to fade. The Steelers demolished Cleveland last week and will have a lot of swagger rolling into South Florida. They’d be smart to come in on the low and prepare to face a very good football team. Henne will need Brandon Marshall to step up this week because the Steelers have the best run D in the NFL and the Dolphins will have a tough time moving the chains via the ground. The Steelers’ O-Line isn’t the greatest and Big Ben may find himself getting chased out of the pocket by Wake & Co. all afternoon. The Dolphins and Coach Sparano won’t be intimidated in the least.

Projected Final Score: Miami 23, Pittsburgh 21

At Atlanta -3.5 Cincinnati 43.5

The Falcons were stung mightily last week in Philly and need to screw on their helmets straight to atone. Coach Smith ought to have his troops sufficiently prepared after last week’s terrible loss and the Falcons are a significantly better team at home. The Bungles prepare a unique challenge for two reasons: (a) you never know which team will show up on Sunday, and (b) the loss of Dunta Robinson from the Falcons’ secondary will open up opportunities for Palmer’s talented group of receivers, provided he can efficiently throw the ball. Seeing that we’ve already included two variables into the equation, it’d be wise to stick with Atlanta.

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 24, Cincinnati 20

At Kansas City -4.5* Jacksonville 43.5*

Why on earth did we pick Jacksonville on Monday Night anyhow? It must’ve been a moment of weakness, who knows…that’ll be the last time we predict them to win until the cow jumps over the moon (that means they’ll probably win this week). The game proved to be even more dull than expected and that’ll be the last time the Jags draw an MNF home date until the next millennium. If the offense couldn’t get in gear after the defense knocked VY out of the game, how on earth can anyone expect this team to successfully compete for a playoff spot in the über-competitive AFC South? The Jags rank 27th in total defense and allow close to 120 yd/gm on the ground, so look for Jamaal Charles to get his fair share of carries. Besides, who will be at quarterback this week as Garrard suffered a concussion and Edwards is dealing with a thumb injury. Could this mean the return of Todd Bouman, who hasn’t started a game since 1932? Stay tuned…The Chiefs’ run D has been pretty stout through five games, so Jones-Drew is going to have to have to step up if the Jags want to move the chains. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offense put up 31 points against the brutally-horrid Texans’ defense yet still lost. Maybe it’s time to temper that early-season exuberance that was coming out of Arrowhead in September. They are what they are: a young team with two superb coordinators but one that will go through a ton of growing pains before eventually emerging as serious contenders.

Projected Final Score: Kansas City 24, Jacksonville 17

At Tennessee -3* Philadelphia 44*

MNF Week 6 was a joke. The Titans’ defense toyed with the Jags, knocked Garrard out of the game and made Edwards question why he ended up in Jacksonville to begin with. This week presents a much tougher test of Coach Fisher and his troops as the Eagles come to Nashville fresh off a dominant home win against Atlanta. Both Young (knee) and Collins (thumb) are banged up and, whichever starts, won’t be operating at 100%. The Eagles believe they can compete with the big dogs. Kevin Kolb took control of the offense last week and had a good game. Whether he remains the starter after Vick returns to full health is another question that Reid will have to face in the next few weeks. DeSean Jackson is definitely out with a concussion and LeSean McCoy is banged up (ribs) and his status for Sunday’s game is up in the air. Both defenses are really close to each other in terms of performance, but it’s the quarterback question that tips the scales for the Eagles.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 21, Tennessee 20

At Chicago -3 Washington 40

The Bears pulled a real stinkeroo last week, losing to Seattle at home. News flash: Seattle’s not that good, then again neither are the Bears. Cutler is on pace to being sacked about 1,000 times this year. The ‘Skins played a competitive game with Indy last week, when they lost by only a field goal. This is a homecoming game for McNabb and he’ll always be prepared to play well in Chicago.

Projected Final Score: Washington 24, Chicago 20


At New Orleans -13 Cleveland 43

So the Saints finally had a dominant win in Tampa last week. It’s about freakin’ time. They’re still without Bush and Thomas and have brought in rookie Chris Ivory as well as retreads Ladell Betts and Julius Jones, and all have helped to maintain a balanced attack for Brees. The Browns stink, though Colt McCoy may find more success throwing against the Saints’ defense than he did against the impenetrable Steelers’. Still, McCoy hung in there last week and survived that baptism under fire. James Harrison expressed pleasure at knocking out two of the Browns’ offensive starters last week (Cribbs and Massaquoi) and that is to his shame. So McCoy is faced the dilemma of trying to generate yardage without two of his more productive weapons. It won’t work. The only way the Browns keep it close is if Hillis can move the chains. Can’t do the 13.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 27, Cleveland 17

At Ravens -13 Buffalo 38

Following last week’s OT loss in New England, Ray Lewis portended doom for the Bills this week. Maybe the Ravens came in a touch cocky after having blown out the Patriots in Foxboro in the opening round of the playoffs. They had a 20-10 lead after three quarters and perhaps considered the outcome in the bag. But they let a sure victory slip through their grasp and will be steaming mad coming into this game. Pity the Bills, seriously. They’re probably cringing at the thought of going to M&T and it’ll be a very long day for Ryan Fitzpatrick and the offense.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 24, Buffalo 13

San Francisco -3 At Carolina 35

That was one sorry-ass excuse of a football game between the ‘Niners and Raiders last week (“Bay of Pigs” v 1.0). This week is Version 2.0. Coach Singletary’s crew “earned” their first win of the season 17-9 but, safe to say, that one won’t make any highlight reels (unless it’s “Football Follies” v.5.0). But at 0-5, they were happy to grab a “W” any way they could and move on. In Carolina, Coach Fox has elected to go back to Matt Moore and relegate the Golden Boy to the sidelines. Steve Smith is also expected back and he’ll certainly help Moore generate some offense. The Coach has one foot out the door and it really doesn’t matter much who the quarterback is this year. No one should fault Clausen for failing to generate a dead offense. When the coach is a lame duck, don’t you think it has some effect on the players?

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 23, Carolina 21

At Tampa Bay -3 St. Louis 38.5

There’s a question why a young team that was routed at home last week would be slight favorites over another young team coming off a big upset win. And, please, don’t say “home field advantage”. Josh Freeman and Sam Bradford are beginning to emerge as the “young guns” in the NFL and hopefully will lead their teams out of the wilderness of losing. The Bucs have issues running the ball and that’ll put a heavy load on Freeman’s shoulders, perhaps too much to ask for a kid going up against an improving defense. The Bucs also have question marks in the secondary and that may be the difference in what should be a closely-contested game.

Projected Final Score: St. Louis 21, Tampa Bay 20

At Seattle -5.5 Arizona 41

The Seahawks return to Qwest and the cacophony of The 12th Man fresh off a big road upset of the Bears. The Cardinals, like most visitors to Seattle, dread coming to this venue and the incredibly vocal support of the Seahawks’ supporters. Both teams are 3-2 and the winner here gets an edge in a division where all the winner may need is to go .500. The Cards have vested the quarterback’s responsibility in Max Hall’s hands, but it is their porous defense that is the primary concern.

Projected Final Score: Seattle 24, Arizona 16

At San Diego -3 New England 47

How motivated will the Chargers be on Sunday? The offense under Philip Rivers has gone up and down the field seemingly at will all year yet they’re in a three-way tie for “second” in the AFC West at 2-4. Their defense is currently rated #1 in total defense. Their special teams’ inadequacies have been well-documented, but there’s simply no reason why a team with this much talent historically struggles in the first third of the year. They were supposed to have awoken from their slumber against a cupcake like the Rams last week but kept snoozing along. This week they should welcome the Patriots’ defense with open arms, ripe for the picking. The problem is that Antonio Gates is less than 100% and Rivers’ best target, Malcolm Floyd, is out.

The Patriots had a very good OT win at home against the Ravens, but their defense (while seemingly improving each week) is still not playoff-caliber. Brandon Meriweather is a punk who deserves NOT to wear an NFL uniform after his despicable head-hunting actions last week. Unfortunately, he backed into a Pro Bowl slot last year and thinks he’s legit. He’s a legitimate chump who has some serious maturity problems. We’ve become too tired of dealing with chest-thumping numbskulls like Meriweather. Guys like this seemingly never get it. How he landed with the Patriots after the “U Incident” is troubling. Brady rediscovered his long-lost buddy Deion Branch in a big way last week and it appears as if the offense moved on from Randy Moss without skipping a beat. Still, relying on Woodhead and BJGE to spear the running attack has drawbacks. This is a game in which the Chargers positively have to win, and Rivers will find a way going up against a young and inexperienced secondary.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 28, New England 24

At Denver -7 Oakland 42

The Broncos gave the Jets a pretty good test last week, losing 24-20 (Horn Tooting Alert: in a projection we nailed exactly). Meanwhile, it looks like Coach Cable Guy may turn to third-stringer Kyle Boller to move the Raiders’ offense. Maybe in the spirit of the Old AFL Wild West the Raiders can give the Donkeys a game, or some reasonable facsimile thereof.

Projected Final Score: Denver 24, Oakland 16

At Green Bay -2.5 Minnesota 44.5

The stage is set for the Old Gunslinger’s annual return to Lambeau as the Vikes look to continue rolling after their big home win against the Cowboys last week. The Pack lost in OT last week to Miami and that was probably more a case of injuries having caught up with the team than anything else. This week, they get some of those bodies back on defense, especially Matthews, who will chase down Favre like a hound dog. But the OG is undefeated against his old team and will somehow find a way to win.

Projected Final Score: Minnesota 27, Green Bay 24