Off Season Forecast

Posted in NFL with tags , , , on March 9, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

The NFL off season has been a turbulent one.  There is so much going on that there are some things that needed to be pointed out.  As the draft gets closer it’s only going to get crazier.  It seems every team is on the bubble and here are some issues I’d like to address:

Delhomme Is Not Done

The recession is still hurting a lot of people and one of the latest employment casualties is former Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme.  The rap on pride of Beaux Bridge, LA is that he is done.  That he’s going to have to settle for a backup role.  It maybe true if he plans to play for a contender, but there are a few clubs out there that could use his game-managing services as a starter.  Probably none more so than the Cleveland Browns.  They just signed a Scott Fujita for 3 years/$14 million so it’s safe to say that they could afford to add Delhomme to their payroll.  Secondly, their choices at quarterback are Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.  Delhomme’s resume makes him like Brett Favre when comparing him to the Brown’s two ineffective signal callers.  The Bills are in a good spot to land Tim Tebow in the draft therefore making the Browns Delhomme’s best option for 2010.  Now Mike Holmgren just needs to pick up the phone, make the call and get it done.

The NFC North Still Belongs to Minnesota

So the Bears added Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor.  So what?  As of right now, they just look like the Redskins of the NFC North and that’s not nearly good enough to dethrone the Minnesota Vikings The Vikes are still the most complete team in the division and the Bears don’t have enough weapons available for Jay Cutler to make a serious run.  The Bears can’t save coach Lovie Smith from certain death by having Cutler live off of screen passes to Matt Forte, check downs to Taylor and slant passes to Johnny Knox.  Until they get a big target for Cutler’s big arm then nothing will change, and the North crown will remain firmly on Favre’s cranium.

Bengals Need To Break Bad Habits

Brandon Marshall should be the runaway choice between he and T.O

The words troublesome and playmaker often go together in the NFL.  Never more so true when talking about wide receivers.  It’s a quarterback driven league so you can never have too many weapons at your franchise’s QB’s disposal.  Adding to his arsenal is always a popular route to take for today’s GM’s.  The Cincinnati Bengals are attempting to snatch a top notch WR for Carson Palmer but for some reason can’t decide between outlaw receiver Brandon Marshall, or the man who wrote the book “How To Act Like A NFL Diva” – Terrell Owens.  Under no circumstance, absolutely none, should this decision take longer than a Mike Tyson fight in the 80s.  Both guys are conflicted but there is no upside when adding T.O to your roster.  Marshall will cost you more, but he’s younger and there is still hope for an attitude makeover.  T.O is the equivalent to a black hole in the NFL.  Even if the Bengals signed him on for the league minimum, it would still not be worth the trouble.  It’s no surprise some of the thugs on their current roster are lobbying for T.O, and if it comes to fruition then the Bengals deserve everything they get.




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Pay The Man

Posted in Boxing, MMA with tags , , , , , , , on February 24, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

The UFC’s story is quite touching. Going from nearly extinct a few years ago to currently the world’s #1 combat sport brand. Still don’t think so? Well UFC’s pay-per-view numbers for 2009 are astonishing. Of the top ten pay-per-view events of 2009, the UFC claimed six to boxing’s three. The UFC accumulated 6.13 millions pay-per-view buys on that list versus 3.125 million for boxing. When comparing boxing’s top 3 event totals to those of the UFC, Dana White smiles emphatically thanks to a distinct 2-1 victory over the age old sport, and not to mention their biggest competition. That is quite the success story. It’s the stuff Hollywood scripts are made of. Now when exactly do they plan on finally passing along their good fortune to their fighters?

Brock Lesnar headlined UFC100, the top PPV event of ‘09, and received a $3 million payday once all was accounted for. It’s worthing nothing that a far less popular and disgraced boxer, Antonio Margarito, cashed in $2.3 million for fighting Shane Mosley on a regular broadcast of HBO’s Championship Boxing in January ‘09. Boxing’s top draws can bank on $20 million when negotiating to fight each other, but the UFC can’t afford more than $3 million to its biggest cash cow for the most important show in the company’s history? WTF?

The UFC is raking in money hand over fist. Need more proof? UFC 100 sold 1.6 million PPVs. The monetary totals are undisclosed, but we can only estimate $320 million in UFC 100 purchases. That estimate was drawn from conservatively figuring the breakdown at 80% were home buys at $50 each, and 20% bar/extended outpost at $800 a piece. That’s a massive total already even without figuring in gate receipts and merchandising. It far exceeds HBO’s single broadcast budget. Lesnar’s pay wouldn’t even account for 1% of the pay-per-view revenues.

Boxing also has more payout obstacles. Bloated sanctioning fees from their governing bodies like the WBA, WBC and IBF often cripple the boxer’s purse. The UFC is free of that burden. Both boxing and the UFC hold events where this is no state tax. Both are also very profitable thanks to sponsors and confidential licensing fees.

There is no excuse for the anemic salaries awarded to UFC fighters. It is highway robbery when you consider a punk like Floyd Mayweather is making eight figures for his pitter-patter glorified sparring sessions on PPV. The UFC is a rock solid promotion amassed from the blood spilled by its fighters. Safe from any Affliction-type meltdowns in their future. What’s right is right and if the UFC is surpassing boxing’s numbers, then the fighter’s pay should be too or at least come close to it.

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UFC Cards Are More Like IRS Returns

Posted in Boxing, MMA with tags , , , , , , on February 23, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

UFC 110 is now over and the countdown to UFC 111 begins.  UFC 111, unlike the more recent UFC pay-per-view telecasts, is one well worth the tag price.  That can’t be said out loud about cards like UFC 110 and UFC 109.  The fact is there are too many UFC cards on PPV.  Dana White was a boxer back in  his day and apparently he still has it in his system.  How else do you explain the UFC’s overabundance of PPV events?  Hosting too many PPVs seriously hurt boxing industry.  UFC head honcho Dana White has acknowledged this in the past and here he is committing the same crimes as boxing did.  The UFC is becoming more like the IRS where the more you put in the less you get out of it.

What kills me is Dana White’s outlook on the situation.  When questioned about this issue this is what he had to say:

“UFC fans are spoiled.  There’s gonna be the people that always bitch and I say what I always say, ‘don’t buy it!.’ If you don’t like the ______ card don’t buy it. I don’t give a _______…People who are real fight fans and want to sit home on a Saturday and watch fights, will watch it. Nobody’s _______ making you buy fights and watch the pay-per-view. Watch “American Idol,” I could care less.”

Wow.  Dana White is a smart and cunning business man, but no one accused him of having any class or common sense for that matter.  These are hard times and the recession is still affecting millions of people around the country.  Even so, UFC fans are still hunkering down $50 a pop every time Dana White decides to put together a fight card.  In 2009, the UFC had 6 out of the top 10 PPV purchased events thus totalling 6.13 million buys.  That’s a lot of people making Dana White rich.  So I ask, who is the spoiled one here:  Dana White or the devoted fan who keeps White employed?

The upside to the UFC cards is that there is more depth in their events.  Whereas boxing cards tend to focus on one fight that being the main event.  All I’m saying is stop with the tricks like bringing guys back from the dead for cheap nostalgia pops.  The Tito Ortiz’s and Mark Coleman’s of the world.  Randy Couture and The Senior Tour are OK, but not as a PPV headliners.

Injuries to stars happen all the time and it causes headaches for the promoters, but the fans are the ones who suffer the most.  Although there is no reason that the UFC couldn’t reschedule its events in the case of an injury or a setback.  If the UFC scraps or reschedules an event it loses money, but would they rather lose their fan base altogether like boxing almost did?  Not to mention having stars on the program actually justify the high cost of a PPV event.  If the fight is delayed then it only adds to the anticipation.

The bottom line is Dana White and the UFC’s round table should be grateful for their growing success.  The people paying for their cushioned lifestyle are saying something so maybe they should listen. Throw the customer a bone and give them what they want:  more star power for the money.  Not every card can be like UFC 100 but there’s no reason to force feed the consumer Couture-Coleman.  The bottom line is that the fans keep investing in the UFC, it’s time they give something of true value back.


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Hardy is Serra-ously Mistaken

Posted in MMA with tags , , , on February 19, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

There are three things I am looking forward to most this Spring:

3)  saying goodbye to a brutally cold winter

2) my upcoming family vacation

1) the Octagon return of Georges “Rush” St. Pierre at UFC 111

There are few things in my life that stir my grits like a GSP fight does.  What makes his 2010 debut even more enticing is GSP’s recent focus on becoming more explosive and finishing fights instead of grinding out shut out decision victories.  As MMA becomes more evolved, so does the world’s best fighter.  The moment a fighter stops adding more to his game is the moment the sport passes him by.  Georges St. Pierre knows this and never takes anything for granted.  He has been scary good since his entire career.  The thought of a more destructive GSP was enough for me to schedule my vacation around UFC 111.

His latest challenger, Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy, still thinks he’s going to pull a Matt Serra on the champ.  Is he serious?  Has he been following St. Pierre at all on his way to the front of the pecking order?  GSP learns from all his wins, and most of all, his losses.  He’s 3 years removed from the first Serra fight and since then has emerged an even more dominant fighter.  Much to the distress of the welterweight division.  Yet, since first making the bold prediction a few months ago and until now, the brash Brit is still day dreaming of a career-defining KO victory.

It’s OK to dream, but everyone has to wake up sooner or later.  Sooner rather than later would be best for Hardy. There have been many fighters, far better than Dan Hardy, who have shared the same KO aspirations. Yet in return all they received was a humbling lesson:  if you’re going into the fight looking to knockout the pound-for-pound king, then you’re in for a long night.  Thwarting bruisers like Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck is second nature to St. Pierre.  In the end GSP’s foes often look foolish for approaching the fight with a strategy like Hardy’s.  Hardy’s trainers should be telling him this but apparently they must be as clueless as he is.

Maybe the whole Dan Hardy camp forgot that 3 of Hardy’s 4 UFC wins have come by decision.  I’d like to understand the reasoning on how stopping Rory Markham 3 fights ago would suddenly make Hardy a knockout artist now…but I can’t.  Going for the knockout is going to make this fight more like GSP-Serra II than GSP-Serra I.  Apparently Hardy is not only outspoken, but dumb as well.  Otherwise he would have learned this ages ago like the rest of the world.

Hardy’s KO prediction didn’t send the fight world abuzz. He’s neither the first to be so arrogant about his chances against GSP, nor will he be the last.  I’m actually glad he’s not backing off of his claim.  I love watching Georges St. Pierre crush people.  Especially big mouth, over inflated jerks like Dan Hardy.  Of course it’s going to be well worth $50 unless you’re related to Dan Hardy.



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Cyborg’s Next Test

Posted in MMA with tags , , , on February 18, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

Women’s MMA is Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos’ oyster.  Since conquering Gina Carano last August, the Strikeforce Featherweight Champion continues to improve at an alarming rate.  Cyborg’s recent destruction over submission veteran Marloes Coenen, makes the contender’s list look more like a grocery list for Cyborg to gobble up.  Women’s MMA is still in its infancy stage and the biggest obstacle is the incredibly shallow talent pool.  Coenen was Cyborg’s stiffest challenge to date, but Cyborg still stalked her down and finished her in 3 rounds. Cyborg is a beast and the only question surrounding her is who can challenge her?

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker is hoping his latest acquisition and named next-in-line challenger, Erin Toughill, is the one who can actually threaten Cyborg’s title.  Coker would have preferred building Toughill for the American audience but Cyborg’s dominance has forced his hand.  Toughill is a big, strong and experienced fighter in both MMA (10-2-1) as well as boxing (8-2-1).  She is a worthy adversary for the champion and for the 1st time in her career, Cyborg will find her natural advantages taken away from her.  That in itself makes the match up more interesting.

Under normal circumstances, Cyborg is the larger woman in the cage.  Cyborg’s size has often overwhelmed her opponents.  That’s not going to be the case against the former American Gladiator.  The 5′8″ fighting phenom will not have that luxury with the 5′10″ Toughill as her dancing partner.  Cyborg has had weight issues in the past.  She has fought a couple of pounds over the 145 lbs limit but never in a contest contracted over the featherweight limit.  Toughill has consistently competed between 160-170lbs and has successfully made the transition to 145lbs.  Cyborg’s bullying tactics will most likely not work on a woman on Toughill’s size.

Taking in account Cyborg’s trademark wild attacking style, it could be thwarted by a larger and patient counter puncher (see Dan Henderson vs. Wanderlei Silva).  Herein lies another obstacle for Cyborg.  Toughill has had her share of encounters with savage females.  She knows how to tackle that situation.  Toughill has also brought her power down with the weight cut.  All of that, along with her boxing background, made it possible to knock out the very same Marloes Coenen in only 1 round.  Toughill should be the crisper and cleaner puncher in the fight.  If she can weather the storm of punches thrown by Cyborg, she maybe be able to find an opening to make the champion pay for being overzealous.  Cyborg has shown a great chin in her fights by walking through her opponents shots, but Toughill does not punch like anyone from Cyborg’s past.  The flip side to that is Toughill has been chin checked and stopped before, but by better and bigger strikers.  Toughill gave Laila Ali a good fight at 168 lbs in one of boxing’s most brutal female matches, but ultimately succumbed to the quicker Ali whose straight right hands have been too much for any female to bear.  Even those with a zero fight IQ know that Ali is a far better puncher than Cyborg.  One of Toughill’s 2 MMA loses came against a 300 lbs+ Russian (the other loss was a disqualification), therefore she has been hit with more than what Cyborg is physically capable of.  It goes without saying that she will be ready for everything in Cyborg’s kitchen sink.

Women’s MMA might not carry the same weight it does when Gina Carano isn’t the headliner, but Cyborg-Toughill should peak any fight fan’s interest.  Knowing that Cyborg will be pushed should be enough reason to tune in, but the main reason you should be excited about this match up is because both these women come to fight.  MMA audiences love striking affairs and both women will be content on keeping the fight standing until one of them goes down.  Both are comfortable on the ground and have notched some impressive wins there, but their strengths and passions are in the striking game.  There is plenty to celebrate when you have two straight ahead warriors like Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and Erin Toughill.  MMA is full of dominant champions and the winner will have the goods to join the likes of BJ Penn, GSP and Anderson Silva as dominant division kingpins.  That is something to be appreciated.  The book is already out on Cyborg and now that you know more about Erin Toughill, I hope you pay these two great women the ultimate respect by watching their championship contest.  This one will be a classic for as long as it lasts.

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Barry Sanders: The Ringless Champion

Posted in NFL with tags , , on February 11, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

The talk surrounding Super Bowl XLIV is beginning to simmer down.  The storybook ending for the New Orleans Saints culminated in the most watched Super Bowl of all-time.  Somewhere between the Saints saving New Orleans and the Mardi Gras style Super Bowl victory parade, I began to reflect on great players who lost the Super Bowl thus never reaching the sport’s pinnacle.  Worse than that are the men who never even had an opportunity to compete for a NFL championship.  No one’s trophy denied career makes my heart sink more than Barry Sanders.

Sanders was the most phenomenal physical specimen ever, I mean ever, to grace the gridiron.  Sanders is without a doubt the best running back ever to play the game.  It doesn’t matter who comes up in the conversation.  Whether it’s Jim Brown, Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson because they are beneath the mighty Barry Sanders.  Sanders was a perfect storm of  Brown’s power running, Payton’s elusiveness and Dickerson’s speed.  Also further separating him from the rest of the pack were his Michael Jackson moves that humiliated would-be tacklers.  No play was ever dead with Sanders.  His stops, spins and slides were video game-esque and a thing of beauty.  With such awe-inspiring talent it’s no wonder he was appreciated by all, including his opponents.  Many players have said that the one player they would pay to watch would be Barry Sanders.  He was the Michael Jordan of NFL running backs.

Every running back in history can attribute some percentage of his stats to his teams.  Whether it the benefit of a great offensive line or playing with a pass potent offense that opposing defenses had to account for, every back had someone to help them along the way.  There was no bigger crime in the NFL’s history than Barry Sanders tenure in Detroit. There he earned every inch he gained all by himself in his storied 10 year career. When the sorry Lions came up on a team’s schedule the game plan was simple:  throw all 11 members of the defense at Sanders.  The Lions couldn’t and wouldn’t throw the ball.  There was no offensive line to create holes and it left Sanders to make his own openings.  The coaching staff was poignant and the GM was Matt Millen.  ’Nuff said with the latter.  Had Sanders landed in Dallas, with that O-Line, then Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin would have been expendable.

He never showboated and never talked trash.  He respected the game, the officials and his opponents.  There were no taunts or end zone celebrations.  Sanders simply played the game the way it was meant to be played.  Sanders was a fierce competitor but you never witnessed him as a sour sport.

More grand than his physical gifts was his character.  Sanders’ humility made him special.  Unlike many of today’s athletes, Sanders never lost sight of himself.  By millionaire standards, Sanders lived like a poor man.  In his prime, he lived in a median $180K home and did all of his own yard work.  Remaining true to his common man roots, despite earning several million dollars a year, was more electrifying as his on field performances.

There is nothing to feel but anguish when swine like T.O had the opportunity to showcase his skills on Super Sunday and Sanders didn’t.  It’s something I cannot abide.  It doesn’t sit well with me.  Good things don’t always happen to good people.  If that were true this post would cease to exist.  Barry deserved better, no wait; he deserved the best.  Nothing can ever change the past, but remembering his brilliance and never forgetting his cruel misfortune is the greatest respect I can pay the champion without a ring…Barry Sanders.

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Super Saints Indeed

Posted in NFL with tags , , , , on February 8, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

The NFL’s feel good story of the year had a sweet ending tonight with the Saints winning the 1st Lombardi Trophy in team history.  This has been a special team all season long who fought hard till the very end even when many, including myself, began to lose faith.  The Saints never lost faith in themselves and their special bond, one that can only exist when a team is made up of written off and undrafted players like the Saints, is what kept this team focused instead of falling apart.  Leading the way was head coach Sean Payton and his brass set that set a tone never seen before in the Superbowl.  Then there’s the magnificent Drew Brees.  Brees was simply brilliant on the game’s biggest stage and joined the Elite QB Club with a MVP performance.  Football though is a team sport and the defense was explosive all postseason long.  The defense lambasted three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks this postseason:  Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and regular season MVP Peyton Manning.  The Saints had some pretty nasty labels over the years but Superbowls have a way of changing perception.  Now there is only one way to see the New Orleans Saints and that is as World Champions.  Who Dat say gonna beat ‘dem Saints?  Nobody;  their destiny is now fulfilled.  Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints and the Who Dat Nation.  Party up and party hard.  You deserve it.

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Superbowl Points of Impact

Posted in NFL with tags , , , on February 3, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

Superbowl XLIV is only a half week away and there are no shortage of storylines to feast on. Some stories are media bliss and others are web page fillers. Here are some things I’d like to point out about this year’s championship game:

Hartley X

To borrow a phrase from “The Situation” (yes I was hooked on “The Jersey Shore” and I’m man enough to admit it), Garrett Hartley flipped his own script. He went from a zero to a hero in about 3 seconds or how ever long it takes for a perfect 40 yard field goal to go through the uprights. Hartley was the most hated man in New Orleans in week 15, now a 23 year old who kicked himself in the history books past the great Morten Anderson and Tom Dempsey. Hartley gained much needed confidence with the most important kick in Saints history. Hartley is the x-factor for the Saints in the Superbowl. With all the talk of the offenses of both teams it’s quite possible the game can come down to a final kick. Hartley exorcised the demons of missed field goals past, and the Saints can rest easy knowing Hartley is ready should they call his number again.

Freeney Will Play

The media has blown this issue way out of proportion. Anyone who thinks a sprained ankle that will have had 2 weeks to heal, will keep Dwight Freeney out of the Superbowl must have rode the short bus to school. The entire sage of Freeney’s ankle was manifested to create the drama the media felt the game needed. It’s stupid and nothing short of a gun shot wound is going to keep him out of this game. Even with a banged up ankle he could still give Jerome Bushrod a world of trouble. Knowing this Freeney will suit up and lock in on a certain #9.

Difference Between Brees & Manning

What separates Drew Brees from Peyton Manning is the way they conduct themselves. Not in the terms of class or preparation but their body language and attitudes. Peyton Manning believes the Lombardi Trophy is rightfully his and Drew Brees is just prolonging the inevitable. His swagger epitomizes it. Since trumping the Patriots in ‘07 playoffs, Manning has developed a killer instinct unseen before in him. Give him the gun and he will shoot Old Yeller without hesitation or remorse. It’s what elevated his game to yet another level. When it’s time to go for the jugular Manning does, and it has become his calling card in 2009.

When you look back at the great clutch quarterbacks like John Elway and Tom Brady, when the moment arrives that every athlete dreams of…they seized the moment. Since the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Drew Brees has looked almost apathetic in the game’s waning moments. You can bet the farm that Manning noticed Brees’ conduct and body language in the pivotal 2nd half of the NFC Championship. He looked like Rocky Balboa trying to survive the 1st round with Ivan Drago. With the exception of the divisional round against the Cardinals, Brees has not put away opponents like all great quarterbacks do. If given the opportunity Brees needs to punch Manning on the chin or it will be his ultimate mistake.


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Fans Own “Who Dat”

Posted in NFL with tags , , , on January 28, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

Roger Goodell is one greedy son-of-a-bitch.  He thinks he’s slick too.  Goodell was in New Orleans for the NFC Conference Championship game last Sunday.  There he witnessed thousands of “Who Dat” t-shirts and apparel.  Now that the Saints are Superbowl bound Goodell realizes  his chance to cash in on an old New Orleans local catchphrase.  Now Goodell’s brainchild is to copyright the term “Who Dat” and prevent anyone from using it without written consent from the NFL.  The NFL claims they own the term.  What a fucking joke.  Do they own the term “cheesehead” or “black hole” too?  It’s crazy ridiculous that the NFL is trying to stop t-shirts or other items that you have created in New Orleans that reads “Who Dat”. It isn’t owned by the NFL. It is owned by the fans. Created by the fans, owned by the fans. It’s a creole term and I didn’t realize they had any creoles on the NFL marketing board.  When the phrase first became popular, it was New Orleans native Aaron Neville who performed the song for a music video; not Pete Rozelle who was the NFL Commissioner at the time.  The NFL never gave two shits about “Who Dat” until they realized the potential for Superbowl memorabilia bearing the unique term.  The NFL is already a rich enough company and Goodell is trying to take “Who Dat” away from the fans that supported it long before he even heard of it.  Goodell can’t take away something he had nothing to do with in the first place.  The NFL will make their money regardless so they don’t need “Who Dat”.  Goodell should make things right and leave the issue alone.  If not then I’ll sell shirts that read “Who Dat” and take the proceeds to pay someone to pimp slap Goodell for even trying pull this shit.

Defending the Who Dat Nation,

Dallas O’Malley – The Rebel Ref

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Favre Is More Than Numbers

Posted in NFL with tags , , , , on January 27, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

It’s been a few days but nothing new is being said about Favre’s 2009 finale.  All that is being said is he threw away his team’s chances with another late game interception.  The media is quick to point out 2 INTs as useless stats to fill in the blanks regarding their favorite story – Brett Favre being the reason the Vikings lost.  Favre’s 2 interceptions are not the stats that really mattered.  It was the 3 fumbles by his teammates that denied the team the opportunity to face Peyton Manning in South Beach.  Yes, the interception was not Favre’s brightest moment from Sunday’s modern day thriller, and his last 2 conference championship late game interceptions will not be his lasting legacy as some are proclaiming it will be.  Keeping the Rebel Ref tradition alive of recalling the action and not just the result, the Vikings’ loss was not Favre’s fault.  The game should not have come down to that final Vikings drive.  The Saints should have been put away long before that.

The Vikings could have punched their ticket to Miami, but the Saints defense was completely focused on tomahawking the ball out of their grasp.  A scouting report made the Saints’ priority to force fumbles even if it meant missing tackles.  It worked and of the 5 Vikings turnovers but the 3 fumbles is what hurt them the most.  None of which were Favre’s fault. He was indeed credited with a fumble to Adrian Peterson in the red zone but it was Peterson who muffled that exchange. Of the 3 lost fumbles the most damaging one of them all was Percy Harvin’s fumble deep within their own territory.  That particular turnover allowed the stalled Saints offense to score the go ahead touchdown after several 3 and out series.

Two important numbers the media conveniently leave out are 0 and 56.  0 & 56 being that even if Favre would have thrown the ball away on that last possession, the sad reality Ryan Longwell had about a zero chance to hitting a 56 yard field goal at this stage of his career even giving or taking a few yards.  It just makes interesting conversation with the “what if” scenarios but even if Favre would have run he wouldn’t have gotten very far.  He’s good at slipping defenders and making adjustments to make throws in the pocket, but running for yardage after getting abused for 60 minutes…at age 40…how far do you think he would have gotten before he was swarmed by a pack of black & gold defenders?  Seriously, maybe 2 or 4 yards.  So instead of a 56 yard field goal, Longwell might have had a few yards less but no guarantee by far.  Also consider the horrendous kicking we’ve seen lately even from the game’s greats like Nate Kaeding and Neil Rackers.   The possibility was there but it was no lock no matter how much the media implies it.

The media is ignorant too.  Let’s forget the numbers for a minute because the sad notion that this game further illustrated Favre’s legacy as a QB who cripples his team with late game interceptions is injudicious.  Watching this game you were reminded of Favre’s legacy.  He is one tough S.O.B who absorbed a beating that no other quarterback in the league could have endured.  He got the crap kicked out of him all night long.  Peyton Manning never gets touched and his pansy ass would have been out the 1st time after being crunched in a Saints sandwich.  They don’t make ‘em like #4 anymore.  He kept coming back and deflating the Saints with big time clutch throws.  He played the game with passion, power and precision just like he has done every Sunday for 19 seasons.  Even at an age where lots of retired pro’s are broadcasting, he continued to dazzle us with a paralyzing array of skill.  That is the lasting image I got from watching him against the Saints.

Favre didn’t lose the game for the Vikings as the media’s love affair with numbers suggests.  He played well and the people look into the numbers too much.  Numbers are for baseball guys.

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The Saints and Destiny As I See it

Posted in NFL with tags , , , , on January 21, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

Jets what?  Peyton Who?  The Jets are without a doubt the dullest team left in the playoffs.  The Colts aren’t exactly exhilarating either.  It was hard to stay awake for the 1st encounter between the Jets & Colts this season.  The rematch will undoubtedly be a dreary repeat.  Forget the AFC Championship. The only contest that truly matters this week is the Vikings-Saints game.  The dream match up between Brett Favre and Drew Brees will be the best shoot out since “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly”.  You’re not a football fan if you’re not super-jacked about this one. There is a lot being said about this game.  With everyone taking their shots, I will take mine.

This was my wish all along for these two teams to play each other in the conference championship.  I’m as big a Favre fan as anyone not related to him, but this is the one time where I will not be pulling for The Messiah.  My faith in the Saints has been restored and going into the biggest game in franchise history I just have to believe this team is one of destiny.  With the championship and history well within their grasp, here are my reasons for looking forward to these 3 Saints possibly and hopefully fulfilling their destinies:

Reggie Bush Shreds The “Bust” Label

Reggie Bush brought the wood in a emotionally charged game against the Cardinals.

The nation is now realizing that Reggie Bush is in fact an impact player. Bush is not the guy to carry the rock 20-25 times for 100 yards but he is a game changer of another sort.  Thanks to Bush’s newly discovered physical style of running and Sean Payton’s brilliant play calling, Bush can break the game wide open at any time.  His 84 yards rushing, 24 yards receiving and 2 TD performance (1 rushing & 1 punt return) against the Cardinals in the Division Round changed the way people reflect on his legacy.  He’s not the bust as some were predicting.  He is simply a different and special kind of running back.  It’s a special thing when a player can extinguish the flames cast on his name and I’m happy Bush is doing it in the playoffs.

Jeremy Shockey 2.0

Once viewed as team cancer, Jeremy Shockey is one of the most beloved and respected members of the New Orleans Saints.

I’ve been a huge Jeremy Shockey fan since he 1st exploded into the league in 2002.  I love his amped up attitude and his nasty style of play.  He’s a  tough bastard and when he’s on the field the Saints are a different team.  They feed of his energy and he makes the tough catches that you need from a tight end to cripple a tough defense like the Vikings’.  Despite being a intricate part of the 2007 Superbowl Champion Giants for many years leading up to their improbable run, they left him for dead and treated him like a disease.  Somehow the Giants gave him T.O status.  Shockey was thrown out like nobody’s business but he found a new home in New Orleans.  There was surrounded by other outcasts, has-beens and never will-be players.  His renegade demeanor was embraced and he was reunited with Sean Payton.  Payton was the offensive coordinator for Shockey’s best days in New York.  Shockey found his game again and is a cornerstone of the NFL’s most explosive offense.  The newest and baddest version of Jeremy Shockey needs a big ring and a new Superbowl tattoo to be complete.

Drew Is Due

Drew Brees is locked and loaded as he hunts down his 1st Lombardi Trophy.

The bible said that the Lord would return someday to save us all once again.  For the people of New Orleans, Drew Brees is the savior they were looking for.  At the center of the city’s rebirth is Drew Brees who has done some rebuilding of his own.  Since arriving in the hurricane ravaged Crescent City, Drew Brees has emerged as one the league’s elite quarterbacks.  Throughout his career, he was numb to the setbacks and doubts surrounding him and went from being pretty good with the Chargers to absolutely brilliant as a Saint.  He has become such a force in the league that his good days in San Diego are almost distant memory.  Since arriving in 2006, he’s collectively outperformed both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.  That’s a long way for a guy thought of as too short and not possessing enough arm strength to be a quality QB in the NFL.  He’s a class act and an outstanding citizen.  He’s resurrected his career and the Big Easy from the ashes.  There are million reasons to like Brees and none to dislike him unless you’re facing him.  I feel for him like I did when John Elway was still chasing his 1st Superbowl victory.  It would be a crime if Drew Brees, after all he’s done, join the likes of Dan Marino.  If anyone wearing the black & gold deserves a ring, it’s Drew Brees.  Simply put, Favre and Manning had their turn. Let this be Drew’s year to realize his dream.

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The Time is Now for Mike Tyson

Posted in Boxing with tags , , , on January 12, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley

Enough already.  Why is one of boxing’s biggest stars of all-time, “Iron” Mike Tyson, still visibly absent in boxing on all fronts? He stays secluded these days, but Tyson would certainly accept an invitation to return “home”.  He sure could use the gig, and he’s getting by with cameo appearances in movies like “The Hangover”, guest host on “Monday Night Raw” and as apresenter on award shows.  It just doesn’t compare to being where he truly belongs.  It’s not justice though for a man who we adored when he was beheading people in the latter part of the 20th century.  He is a man who left such an impression, not only the hardcore boxing fans but casual ones as well, that we still hopelessly search for the arrival of the next “Kid Dynamite”.  Amazingly enough, after all these years the networks still believe Tyson to be a delicate subject with too much risk on a potential investment.  Tyson is no longer a troubled man.  He’s made peace in his advanced age and Tyson has given us so much over the years that quite frankly, we should give back to Mike Tyson.

When considering a Tyson comeback the 1st person who comes to mind is Dana White. It’s not everyday I agree with Dana White but he got it right when he criticized Showtime in regards to boxing.  It’s always been thought and understood but no one ever actually came out and said it.  Showtime has always been second banana in boxing.  They have always had a 2nd rate roster and a deplorable commentators.  Knowing this, Showtime made some changes to better compete with boxing’s broadcasting champ HBO.  First came  adjustments to the people calling the fight.  Then came the Super 6 Super Middleweight Round Robin tournament.  It was all a step in the right direction but HBO’s boxing outlet still easily outclasses Showtime. Showtime needs something else that will undoubtedly launch their profile to new heights and make their share of the boxing market pop to the masses.  As 2009 came to a close, boxing’s resurgence was reaching its apex and for the sake of striking while the iron is hot, it’s time to bring back Mike Tyson and Showtime is just the company to do it.

There is nothing more Showtime can possibly do other than add Mike Tyson to their brand. Showtime needs Mike Tyson.  He’s a big steak to add to their sizzle.  Tyson is an unlikely historian of the sport.  He has loads of charisma and is quite articulate.  It’s a no-brainer that Showtime should add him as the retired pro on their panel. Showtime is never going to have the talent pool to compare to HBO.  The only way they can make up for it would be through an x-factor in their broadcasting team which as it stands now is very vanilla.  Imagine what a Mike Tyson can do to their line up of commentators.  Tyson equals ratings and size up the panels for both rivals and landing Tyson would only benefit Showtime.

Showtime          HBO

Gus Johnson          Jim Lampley

Al Bernstein           Larry Merchant

Steve Farhood       Max Kellerman

Jim Gray                  Harold Lederman

Karyn Bryant         Emmanuel Steward

Antonio Tarver     Lennox Lewis

It’s an insult to Jim Lampley to mention Gus Johnson in the same sentence. Unless when saying Lampley is in the upper echelon of commentator talent and Johnson can only dream of it.  Al Bernstein has the most credibility under the Showtime banner but lacks the decorated tongue of Larry Merchant.  Max Kellerman, Harold Lederman, Emmanuel Steward and Lennox Lewis are television gold and round out the sweep for HBO.  Showtime keeps trying bold new things, like forming Strikeforce to compete with the UFC, so having Mike Tyson join the team only makes sense.  It’s the one move HBO will never be able to counter while Showtime’s viewership will multiply ten fold.  People are intrigued with Tyson and he will give them a reason to tune into Showtime.

Would be backlash is no longer a factor.  Tyson has done his time.  Both in the legal system and in the eyes of the public.  In the ultimate forum of public acceptance, Oprah aired a special episode of her daily talk show featuring Mike Tyson.  Tyson reflected and broke down in front of Oprah’s legions.  He also came to terms with ear bitten victim Evander Holyfield. He’s fallen from great heights and no longer poses a threat to anyone.  He’s a humble man and has repented for his sins.  If Oprah and Evander can accept and see this, then what’s the hold up?  Tyson received Oprah’s seal of approval.  Once Oprah says you’re OK then the rest is butter.  Mike Tyson should be no exception.

Maybe the biggest obstacle in Tyson’s comeback would be himself. He would not want to be billed as “Iron” Mike Tyson.  He knows all too well how people remember him and he is not fond of it.  Tyson is quick to knockout the lofty image of “Iron” Mike much like Rob Van Winkle looks to rid the ghosts of Vanilla Ice’s past.  Luckily for Tyson, he’s not in Van Winkle’s shoes.  Imagine trying to make people forget about that.  . We love “Ice Ice Baby” bu we honestly still mock that version of Vanilla Ice.  There was no mocking “Iron” Mike.  ”Iron” Mike remains timeless.  ”Iron” Mike was the last champion to make boxing front page news.  Even though the man he looks back on in those days brought him years of pain, in the end we as a resilient culture only remember the true importance of “Iron” Mike.  Looking back only his boxing greatness is what matters from  that period.  The controversy that surrounded those times is a dead issue.  Tyson is still celebrated and the transition to the booth would be a smooth one.

Boxing is in Mike Tyson’s DNA.  He should be rewarded by the sport and networks that gained so much from him.  Exiling Mike Tyson from boxing would be like taking away Michael Angelo’s paint brushes.  No good can possibly come of it.  Tyson is good for the sport.  Though some would dismiss that notion I would like to point out to take note how often his name still comes up.  Whether its his documentaries, or using his name to describe a ferocious punch, Mike Tyson is still very much in boxing’s conscience.  We still have not moved on from the Tyson Era.  Countless articles covering heavyweight boxing plead for the next exciting American heavyweight to reveal himself right here and now.  Just like Tyson did when people were have Muhammad Ali withdrawals.  Even without mentioning his name, it’s understood whom they are speaking of.  Even his video game was voted the best sports game of all-time. That’s true power and something that significant should never be denied.

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NFL Throwdown Week 17

Posted in NFL with tags , , , on January 5, 2010 by Dallas O'Malley
  • Living by the phrase, “it’s not how you start the season but how you end your season is what counts”, Jay Cutler flashed the awesomeness that labeled him the next big thing.  It was a small glimpse of the great things to come from next year’s Bears offense.
  • Mike Singletary’s overhaul of a once great franchise is one of the best stories of this NFL season.  Under the tutelage of “Samurai” Mike, the 49ers are no longer a game other teams look past anymore.
  • Matt Ryan led the Falcons to back-to-back winning seasons for the 1st time in franchise history.  That has to count for something.
  • Just when the Patriots begin to look like they are going to get their roll on, Wes Welker tears both his ACL & his MCL.  Without his security blanket gone, an unstable Randy Moss to throw to, Tom Brady needs either Sam Aiken or Ben Watson to step up.  Talk about being screwed.
  • Chris Johnson became just the 6th man to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark in a season.  Congratulations CJ.
  • The Cowboys, Jets & Packers all destroyed their upcoming playoff opponents this week.  Now they have the arduous task of repeating the feat for Wildcard Weekend.
  • Did the Giants just give up?  How else do you explain being outscored 85-14 in their last 2 games?
  • The two most potent rushers to finish the season were not named CJ or AP but a couple of guys named Jerome Harrison and Jamaal Charles.  Yeah, that’s what I said.
  • Both #1 seeds ended the season a combined 0-5 and we’ll see if Jim Caldwell and Sean Payton’s decision to rest their starters was the right one.  Wes Welker would concur that’s for sure.
  • The Vikings rediscovered their game at season’s end and just in the nick of time.  Another interesting note is Brett Favre, at age 40 mind you, compiled the best statistical season of his 19 year career.  Wrangler is sure to see a 42% improvement in their jeans sales.  All joking aside, Favre’s feat is truly remarkable and unequaled.

Chicago fans are now drooling with anticipation for 2010 now that they see what Cutler can really do.

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2009 Female Fighter of the Year: Gina Carano

Posted in MMA with tags , , , on December 31, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley

Gina Carano was the cornerstone for women's MMA in 2009.

The 1st thing that comes to mind when reading this is how can I say Gina Carano is the Female Fighter of the Year when she lost her only fight in 2009 to Cris “Cyborg” Santos?  The answer is simple.  I chose Carano as the best 2009 had to offer is because she was women’s MMA in 2009. Also for the victory that it was for the women, to headline a major MMA event, could have never been realized without Carano.   As one of the biggest MMA success stories in ‘09, Strikeforce:  Carano vs. Cyborg, it was easily one of  the most historical events in history as well .  She didn’t have the best year in the cage but her contributions outweigh anything else her peers accomplished this year.

Gina Carano made women fighters marketable to corporate America with her Pepsi endorsement which aired on Superbowl Sunday.

Thanks to Gina Carano, women’s MMA reached the pinnacle of the sport and it came at a heavy price.  Facing a beast of an opponent,  Carano willingly sacrificed valuable training time by enduring the smothering exposure that came from a heavy promotion built almost exclusively on her own star power.  No athlete in the world meant as much to their gender’s success in sport like Gina Carano. She dealt with unforeseen and astronomical pressure in making her title fight with Cyborg a success.  Until her Elite XC debut in 2007, no one cared or fully accepted women’s MMA until she broke into the spotlight.  The stark contrast in the two women was media bliss but it was Carano who sold the fight with a perfect blend of uncanny skill, tons of charisma and of course her movie star looks.  Had she had nothing to offer as an athlete it would have been declared a desperate novelty act, but Carano was as good as her billing and when it mattered most Carano delivered on all fronts.

Carano had the championship within her grasp against Cyborg.

Carano had the championship within her grasp against Cyborg.

A back-and-forth battle derived that had a packed house at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA standing on their feet for the bout’s entirety.  It was an all-action fight thatprovided more action than most of the guys did in their own encounters. Had a quick knockout occurred then the sport would have died right there and then, but now women like Erin Toughill, Marloes Coenen and champion Cyborg Santos now have the opportunity to showcase their skills to grander audiences without fear of repercussion. Carano put up a good fight and could have beaten her stellar opponent proving that she was not the next Anna Kournikova.  She is championship material and the world fully accepted women’s MMA due to her brave performance.  Paving the path for future stars is the greatest courtesy one can execute for their sport.  When considered what has transpired for women’s MMA it’s hard not to mention Carano’s name.  It’s an superlative achievement and justifying her as the best of 2009.

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2009 Fighter of the Year: Georges St. Pierre

Posted in MMA with tags , , , on December 31, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley

No one had a resume in 2009 like Georges "Rush" St. Pierre

As we enter the last year of the decade, it’s time to look back at the best of 2009.  In combat sports, fighters only compete about twice a year.  For those few times a year where we are fortunate enough to witness the best at their craft, it becomes the rare opportunity to evaluate who is truly the very best.  In 2009, Georges “Rush” St. Pierre emerged as the man on top of the MMA mountain.

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St. Pierre pummeled Penn to end a 3 year debate of who is better.

Naturally there will be a few detractors claiming Anderson Silva was the year’s best or even “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko.  It could not be further from the truth as neither man engaged in two mega matches like GSP did in 2009.  At UFC94, GSP faced an old and dangerous foe in “The Prodigy” BJ Penn.  Their 1st encounter in 2006 resulted in a split decision in favor of GSP and the rematch was as highly anticipated as any rematch in recent memory.  GSP and Penn are MMA’s two most well rounded athletes who neutralize each other in many ways to make for a very compelling match up.  Unlike Anderson & Fedor’s foes in ’09, BJ Penn can be found on virtually every Pound for Pound list.  Georges St. Pierre smashed Penn from the opening frame until Penn’s corner mercifully stopped the beating at the end of Round 4. The victory further distanced GSP from the rest of his peers.

GSP bullied "The Pitbull" and established himself the best of 2009.

Not to rest on his laurels, at UFC’s centennial event St. Pierre would face #1 contender Thiago Alves.  The larger and hard-hitting Alves had many believing it would be the end of the GSP era in the welterweight division.  Georges St. Pierre would prove his doubters wrong again through five brutal rounds. He punished Alves with a perfect mixture of boxing, wrestling and a nice dose of ground and pound.  Alves was a bigger threat to GSP than any of Anderson or Fedor’s challengers were to their respective reigns.  Even the pulled groin muscle GSP suffered in the 3rd round wasn’t enough to prevent him from steamrolling through Alves.  He took Alves’ best shots that lay to rest any concerns regarding his chin.  Immediately following the final bell, a bloodied and battered Alves raised St. Pierre’s hand paying homage to 2009’s king of MMA.

By trouncing a future Hall of Famer and the baddest welterweight other than himself, St. Pierre’s brilliance in 2009 has made him virtually peerless in MMA’s most talented division in the sport’s most competitive organization.  He continues to be a great ambassador for the sport and a model for MMA’s future.  It cannot be denied that he is, without doubt, the runaway choice for Best Fighter of 2009.

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2009 KO of the Year: Dan Henderson KO of Michael Bisping

Posted in MMA with tags , on December 31, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley

Dan Henderson's massive right to Michael Bisping's jaw left a powerful impact to all who saw it.

If you saw it then you’ll never forget it.  If you missed it, you checked it out afterwards either online or on Sportscenter.  Wherever you were when you saw Dan Henderson’s highlight reel knockout of Michael Bisping, surely it made you jump out of your seat.  Henderson’s overhand right from hell on Bisping not only was the KO of the year but one of the absolute best of all-time.  Henderson also added a little “Hollywood” flare to the KO went he into Mortal Kombat mode and finished Bisping with a flying right hook.  Knockouts are the most exhilarating moments in sports and Henderson took our breath away with this one.

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NFL Throwdown Week 16

Posted in NFL with tags , , , on December 29, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley
  • Thanks to Ryan Longwell’s blocked kick and Adrian Peterson’s ongoing fumbling issues, the road to Miami for the NFC goes through New Orleans.
  • Everyone can jump off the Vince Young bandwagon now.  He’s been average at best when facing the conference powerhouses.  Furthermore it was disgusting to watch the Chargers’ secondary let Chris Johnson run by them for a 30 yard score in garbage time.  When chasing a record those numbers should be earned and it slightly waters down the terrific season compiled by Johnson.
  • The Bengals clinch their 2nd playoff berth in 20 years by claiming the AFC North title in their victory over the Chiefs.  And I thought the wait at the DMV was bad.
  • The Cowboys finally put an end to their December woes.  Now not only do they find themselves fighting for the NFC East title against the Eagles in the season finale, but also the possibility of being the #2 seed.  Somebody up there hates me.
  • The Eagles squeezed out a win over the Broncos in a back & forth battle to remain the hottest team in the NFC.
  • Not far behind the Eagles are the Green Bay Packers who may have closed the book on Matt Hasselbeck’s career.
  • The Steelers suddenly have woken up and gained that sense of urgency to save their season.  Apparently they only want to beat the good teams in the league.
  • If only Randy Moss had not pissed and moaned all season, the Patriots could have finished with a much better record.  With Brady and Moss on the same page again they once again look like the team no one wants to face again.
  • The Saints put on a pathetic display for a team trying to lock up home field advantage.  They do not deserve home field advantage and the Superdome will be the best place for any visiting NFC team in the playoffs.  Who dat say gonna git dem Saints back to their winning ways?
  • Jim Caldwell pulled the Colts’ starters with a 15-10 lead to rest them for the playoffs.  Although the 2nd string couldn’t sustain the lead and the Colts lost the pursuit for perfection.  Whether it was a bad decision or not is questionable, but the Colts earned the right to do what they felt was the higher priority.

    Manning all but locked up a record 4th MVP award by honorably coaching 3rd string QB Curtis Painter in the latter part of Sunday's game.

  • Garrett Hartley is the loneliest guy in New Orleans after missing what could have been the game-winning kick.

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Indy Fans Should Stick It

Posted in NFL with tags , , , , on December 28, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley

Curtis Painter did what he could and it was perfectly fine even if the cretins in the stands failed to realize it.

The ill-bred fans of the Indianapolis Colts missed the memo.  It read that there are 31 other cities who wish their teams were in the position their Colts were in earlier today.  Not since the infamous Cleveland bottle throwing incident in 2001, have I witnessed such idiocy from a home crowd.  The decision to boo the team for passing on the perfect season shows how blind they really are.  Curtis Painter is a 3rd string quarterback on a team who is the favorite to win the Superbowl.  He is a man trying to make a living in a game where he has had less action than the ball boys at Lucas Oil Stadium.  He is a 3rd string quarterback that played with a 2nd string offense simply because winning the Superbowl is more important than chasing perfection.  Just ask Tom Brady.  A perfect season is a tough task to accomplish and the Colts learned from the 2007 Patriots team.  A perfect season loses its luster if doesn’t end with a Lombardi Trophy.  Resting starters now gives the team a much better chance of being showered in confetti on February 7th.  Furthermore, Painter didn’t deserve it.  Having the opportunity to play quarterback in the NFL at any given time is a privelage.  It is an honor that should be celebrated.  What does anyone expect given his situation?  Facing a the best pass defense in the league with a 2nd string O, the odds were immensly stacked against him.  The bottom line is that he tried his best and it was good enough for his team.  Therefore it should be ok by anyone else as well.

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NFL Throwdown Week 15

Posted in NFL with tags , , on December 22, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley

Jerome Harrison ran past the great Jim Brown with his record breaking performance against the Chiefs.

  • Unlike in seasons past, the Colts’ success this season seems different this year.  With another exceptional game in the books, the Colts reached another level and no one is even close at this point.
  • The Saints suck.  Their luck finally ran out against the Cowboys.  Time to panic in the bayou with the injuries piling up, the secondary getting lit up every week, the abandonment of the running game….
  • Randy Moss must have been listening because he came to play in the Patriots win against the Bills.
  • If you didn’t know the Cleveland Browns’ Jerome Harrison was before this week, you sure know him know after his 286 yard/3 touchdown performance in a game for the ages against the Chiefs.
  • Brett Favre refuses to get benched, loses the game to the Panthers (2 of their last 3 altogether), blurs the hierarchy of the team, possibly gift wrapped home field advantage to the Saints and now will force his 40 year body to play the season through as this Vikings’ #2 seed, once a lock, is now in serious jeopardy.
  • The AFC playoff picture is as tight as a duck’s asshole and that’s watertight.
  • In an aerial assault that saw almost 900 yards of combined passing, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers put on a passing clinic in a game no one will ever forget.  Too bad there had to be a winner.  It may have been the win the Steelers needed to get back in the hunt thanks to Mike Wallace’s ridiculous game-winning catch.

The mad bomber, Ben Roethlisberger, let it air out for 503 yards to keep the Steeler’s playoff aspirations on life support.

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NFL Throwdown Week 14

Posted in NFL with tags , , , on December 16, 2009 by Dallas O'Malley

Santonio Holmes: "What the hell is going on here?"

  • Can it get any worse for the defending champion Steelers after losing to the Browns?
  • The Saints are making barely escaping with wins a bad habit.
  • Just when you started to doubt the Vikings they prove the loss against the Cardinals was a fluke.  Beating the Bengals was a strong statement heading into the playoffs
  • The cancer known as Randy Moss is infecting the Patriots once potent offense. In fact, 8 of Tom Brady’s 11 interceptions have come when targeting Randy Moss.  It’s only a matter of time before this situation gets really ugly.
  • The Dolphins are the most resilient team in football right now.  They refuse to go away.  By trouncing the Jaguars, the Dolphins are rewriting the playoff picture.
  • The race to 2,000 yards continues as Chris Johnson has tallied up 1,626 yards in 13 games.  Johnson needs 480 yards in the next 3 games (160 average) to break Erick Dickerson’s 25 year old record.  Hopefully he falls short.
  • Nothing new from Decembers past as the Cowboys got stampeded again.
  • Chargers and Eagles are looking like the teams no one wants to play in January.
  • Peyton Manning is unstoppable this season and the Colts are looking like they have no peer in the AFC.
  • The West is far from won as long as the 49ers have anything to say about it.

Fresh back from a concussion suffered 2 weeks ago, DeSean Jackson is emerging as the most explosive receiver in the game right now.

Alex Smith has everyone talking about the 49ers once again.

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