Type/Last Week/Season
NCAA/1-2/3-3
NFL/2-1/3-1
Invest/-1.1*/-1.1*
INVEST
St. Louis 37 (-6 ½) Tennessee 20**. Tennessee played their Super Bowl last week. It was their home opener against rival Baltimore. The Titans and Ravens played several significant regular season games in recent seasons for playoff positioning and/or AFC playoff games. Ravens QB Anthony Wright doesn’t have the ability to be a full-time NFL starter; Rams QB Marc Bulger has a home winning percentage in the vicinity of .850. The Rams have offensive balance (if HC Mike Martz realizes that running plays are legal) with RB Stephen Jackson and WRs Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, and Kevin Curtis. The Titans’ defensive shortcomings will be exposed by “The Greatest Show on Turf”.
SATURDAY
If your team is playing as scheduled, tune in. There only game that figures to have BCS implications has been moved to Monday due to Hurricane Rita.
SUNDAY
1:00 ET CBS Philadelphia 31 (-8 ½) Oakland 20. Because it’s on TV! That’s what makes this game worth watching. It’s the most intriguing early Sunday game, which speaks volumes. It’s a battle of Prima Donna WR’s, Terrell Owens (PHI) and Randy Moss (OAK). I’ll take the team with the better defense in this one.
4:15 ET CBS HD New England 30 (+3) at Pittsburgh 24. The 2 meetings between these teams last season weren’t close. Early turnovers staked the Steelers to a 21-3 lead in October. In January the Patriots jumped at to a 24-3 lead. Pittsburgh has Fast Willie Parker at RB instead of powerful Jerome Bettis or Duce Staley. The New England defense has done better against backs like Bettis or Staley than Parker, so this could help the Steelers. New England will have to contain QB Roethlisburger (they didn’t in the first game but did in the 2nd) in order hand him his first regular season loss as a starter.
7:30 ET ESPN HD NFL PrimeTime 8:30 ET San Diego 30 (-5 ½) v. NY Giants 20. The Chargers are eventually going to show up this year, right? TE Antonio Gates was in the lineup last week and had a good game, but didn’t see much red zone activity. RB LaDamian Tomlinson had 2 TDs, but still hasn’t caught a pass yet this season. HC Marty Schottenheimer must know that I drafted QB Drew Brees in one of my virtual leagues this season! The Bolts had 14 points in the first 20 minutes last week, then didn’t do much of anything until late in the 4th quarter. They’ll be fired up for this one with QB Eli Manning making his first trip to the city he refused to play for.
MONDAY
7:30 ET ESPN2 HD? Tennessee 23 (+7) LSU 17. This game was originally in the Saturday 7:45 time slot but was moved due to Hurricane Rita. I figure that the Tigers will suffer from the affects of Katrina on the football field. Their 28-point 4th quarter in the road opener at Arizona State was incredible, but emotional energy can only last for a short period of time. Tennessee suffered a loss at Florida last weekend; they do need to improve on offense. There were too many 3-and outs by the Vols last week.
9:00 ET ABC HD Kansas City 27 (+3) at Denver 20. The Chiefs can make a huge statement with a victory in this game. It would be their second road divisional victory. RBs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson are both off to a good start this season. The defense followed up a near shutout of the Jets with a solid performance against the Raiders (17 points). Denver took awhile to get going versus the Chargers last week, but eked out a 20-17 win on a last-second Jason Elam field goal. The Broncos changed pace last week and got solid play from a 1st-round RB. Ron Dayne was the RB of choice in the 4th quarter… I think he gained more yards last week than he did in some seasons with the NY Giants! Quality depth is good news for the Broncos since RBs Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell are suffering from injuries. Their success with Dayne makes me really wonder why they spent a 3rd round draft choice on Maurice Clarett. That’s a move I expect from Rams HC Mike Martz, not Broncos HC Mike Shanahan.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Red Sox v. Yankees
So the Red Sox and the Yankees are now tied in the loss column… I wish I could be listening to WEEI 850 AM in Boston these days… And to think that the Yankees are this close despite losing the season series to the Devil Rays! Their series to close the season at Fenway could be for a playoff spot and not for playoff positioning.
What I learned watching football this weekend:
1. USC is really good. Offensive stats in the 2nd quarter: 8 plays, 256 yards, 28 points.
2. GE has some changes to the Notre Dame Broadcasting Company this year. HD broadcasts this year and a variance in the kickoff time. I saw the 3:30 ET start for the Michigan State game and immediately thought it was an ABC game since the NBC starts have always been 2:30 ET. On the field, HC Charlie Weis has the offense off to a good start, will he be able to stay a step ahead of the defensive adjustments?
3. CBS is televising the SEC in HD, though they don’t seem to show higher profile games than ESPN, which has 3-4 games weekly in HD on its Thursday and Saturday schedules.
4. When a team trades Randy Moss (like the Vikings did), it might consider changing some of the plays in the playbook (especially if the offensive coordinator leaves too). The scary thing is, even at 0-2 with 1 offensive touchdown in 2 games, they’re not in bad shape (I left their bandwagon after last December's debacle). Detroit and Chicago are tied atop the division at 1-1. The Bears lost to the Redskins 9-7 in a game that ended before a typical Mark Buerhle start, then walloped the Lions 38-6 while Detroit QB Joey Harrington played down to his historical average (5 ints). Green Bay followed its opening day loss to Detroit with a home loss to the lowly Browns. 7-9 might win the NFC North this season.
5. What were the Cowboys thinking wearing blue jerseys at home Monday Night? Teams used to wear white at home for one reason: to force the Cowboys to wear blue jerseys wear their winning percentage is markedly lower. Owner Jerry Jones thought his Aikman-Smith-Irvin team could overcome the blue jersey handicap, but they fell victim to a Thanksgiving day upset at home in blue shirts, and those special edition jerseys weren’t worn again. The Cowboys manhandled the Redskins for 55 minutes Monday Night, but allowed WR Santana Moss to run two go routes for touchdowns in 3 plays late in the 4th quarter to enable the Redskins to steal a 14-13 victory! Serenity Now!
What I learned watching football this weekend:
1. USC is really good. Offensive stats in the 2nd quarter: 8 plays, 256 yards, 28 points.
2. GE has some changes to the Notre Dame Broadcasting Company this year. HD broadcasts this year and a variance in the kickoff time. I saw the 3:30 ET start for the Michigan State game and immediately thought it was an ABC game since the NBC starts have always been 2:30 ET. On the field, HC Charlie Weis has the offense off to a good start, will he be able to stay a step ahead of the defensive adjustments?
3. CBS is televising the SEC in HD, though they don’t seem to show higher profile games than ESPN, which has 3-4 games weekly in HD on its Thursday and Saturday schedules.
4. When a team trades Randy Moss (like the Vikings did), it might consider changing some of the plays in the playbook (especially if the offensive coordinator leaves too). The scary thing is, even at 0-2 with 1 offensive touchdown in 2 games, they’re not in bad shape (I left their bandwagon after last December's debacle). Detroit and Chicago are tied atop the division at 1-1. The Bears lost to the Redskins 9-7 in a game that ended before a typical Mark Buerhle start, then walloped the Lions 38-6 while Detroit QB Joey Harrington played down to his historical average (5 ints). Green Bay followed its opening day loss to Detroit with a home loss to the lowly Browns. 7-9 might win the NFC North this season.
5. What were the Cowboys thinking wearing blue jerseys at home Monday Night? Teams used to wear white at home for one reason: to force the Cowboys to wear blue jerseys wear their winning percentage is markedly lower. Owner Jerry Jones thought his Aikman-Smith-Irvin team could overcome the blue jersey handicap, but they fell victim to a Thanksgiving day upset at home in blue shirts, and those special edition jerseys weren’t worn again. The Cowboys manhandled the Redskins for 55 minutes Monday Night, but allowed WR Santana Moss to run two go routes for touchdowns in 3 plays late in the 4th quarter to enable the Redskins to steal a 14-13 victory! Serenity Now!
Friday, September 16, 2005
Weekend Football Forecast
Type/ Last Week/ Season
NCAA /0-0/ 2-1
NFL /1-0/ 1-0
Invest/ 0-0-1/ 0-0-1
INVEST
St. Louis 30 Arizona 27 (over 44 ½)*. I think I’d pick the Rams to win this one, but would rather go to the roulette wheel. Both teams have offensive minded coaches that love the passing game, and even if Kurt Warner doesn’t play well, he’ll help the Rams put points on the board. Then the Cardinals will turn to Josh McCown, who should play like he did in 2003 rather than last year when he didn’t have any competition pushing him. Arizona was a “sleeper” pick by some, but they had better get RB J.J. Arrington going or it will be another long season in the desert, and for my virtual football teams!
SATURDAY
3:30 ET ABC Regional Michigan St. 24 (+7) Notre Dame 27. HC Charlie Weis has the Irish winning as often as the Patriots. Now the investors will be jumping on the Irish bandwagon, which is why I’m picking the Spartans to cover.
7:45 ET ESPN HD Boston College 16 (+1) Florida State 10. The Seminoles outwilled the Hurricanes 2 weeks ago 10-7 in a very sloppy game, even for an opener. The offensive problems for Florida State look pretty basic; poor blocking at the point of attack. Miami has great defensive players, but even great defensive players are sometimes blocked. I didn’t see much blocking occurring in Tallahassee on Labor Day. Florida State couldn’t establish a running rhythm or give its quarterback time to throw. The only consistent positive plays on the offensive side of the ball were screen passes… plays where the linemen are supposed to let the defenders through. That won’t be successful for long in the ACC.
8:00 ET CBS HD Tennessee 20 (+6) Florida 23. The Gators get a real test after two warm up games against some directional schools. Tennessee has won its last 2 trips to Gainesville. This one should be fun to watch, Tennessee’s power running offense against the offense many I-A teams are switching to, the spread.
SUNDAY
Note that there is only 1 NFC game on this slate. That isn’t an accident. I wonder if FOX took the NFC’s poor quality into account when they bid for the NFC portion of the NFL regular season last winter.
1:00 ET CBS Jacksonville 20 (+9) Indianapolis 27. It took the Colts a half to break through the Ravens’ defense last week, but QB Peyton Manning found the end zone twice in the 3rd quarter to pace the Colts to a 24-7 victory. The Jaguars beat the Seachickens, who wisely decided to abandon the Blue Man Group look in the humidity last weekend. Indy's defense hasn't proved it's tough; until that happens I can't give more than 7 points to a quality opponent.
4:15 ET CBS HD San Diego 24 (+2 ½) Denver 21. Both of these favorites lost outright last weekend, and neither one can afford to fall 2 games behind the Chiefs this quickly. The Chargers get All-Pro TE Antonio Gates back from a holdout related suspension. No doubt he or RB Ladamian Tomlinson would have been good options inside the Cowboys’ 10 last week on the final drive. Broncos RB Mike Anderson is supposed to be available, but who will see the bulk of the carries, Anderson or 2nd-year RB Tatum Bell?
ESPN 7:30 ET HD NFL PrimeTime… Bring back the old music. 8:30 ET Kansas City 34 (-1) Oakland 27. RBs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson combined for 195 yards and 3 TDs in the Chiefs’ impressive 27-7 victory against the Jets. The Chiefs’ defense will get a tougher test from the Raiders’ offense than they did from the Jets. ABC’s John Madden questioned why any team would trade Randy Moss (or any other player with similar talent). The answer was shown during the failed 2-pointer against the Patriots. Moss ran towards the DB, then grabbed him and threw him down when QB Kerry Collins’ pass was closer to the DB than to Moss. Announcers Al Michaels and Madden thought the obvious call was defensive pass interference, but they must have been munching on a turkey leg during the play. It was very clear that Moss initiated the contact. Additionally, there were numerous plays where Moss jogged his route… just track the replays where Moss isn’t the receiver… chances are he’s just out for a jog through the park… and watch how that affects how long Raider QB Kerry Collins has to hold the football while Moss Terry Glenn’s it.
MONDAY
ABC 9:00 ET Washington 16 (+6) Dallas 20. They could have shown Despearate Housewives as a lead-in to this one in recent years. But Dallas posted an impressive victory at San Diego last week. (I’m curious what Vegas would set the over-under on NFC road wins vs. AFC teams at this season) The Cowboys could challenge the Eagles in the NFC East if QB Drew Bledsoe doesn’t revert to his old habits. Bledsoe’s 134.4 QB rating was the best in the league in week 1. The Redskins defeated the Bears 9-7 and have reinstated QB Mark Brunell as the starter. Brunell didn’t have much arm strength last season, and RB Clinton Portis hasn’t found holes like he did in Denver.
NCAA /0-0/ 2-1
NFL /1-0/ 1-0
Invest/ 0-0-1/ 0-0-1
INVEST
St. Louis 30 Arizona 27 (over 44 ½)*. I think I’d pick the Rams to win this one, but would rather go to the roulette wheel. Both teams have offensive minded coaches that love the passing game, and even if Kurt Warner doesn’t play well, he’ll help the Rams put points on the board. Then the Cardinals will turn to Josh McCown, who should play like he did in 2003 rather than last year when he didn’t have any competition pushing him. Arizona was a “sleeper” pick by some, but they had better get RB J.J. Arrington going or it will be another long season in the desert, and for my virtual football teams!
SATURDAY
3:30 ET ABC Regional Michigan St. 24 (+7) Notre Dame 27. HC Charlie Weis has the Irish winning as often as the Patriots. Now the investors will be jumping on the Irish bandwagon, which is why I’m picking the Spartans to cover.
7:45 ET ESPN HD Boston College 16 (+1) Florida State 10. The Seminoles outwilled the Hurricanes 2 weeks ago 10-7 in a very sloppy game, even for an opener. The offensive problems for Florida State look pretty basic; poor blocking at the point of attack. Miami has great defensive players, but even great defensive players are sometimes blocked. I didn’t see much blocking occurring in Tallahassee on Labor Day. Florida State couldn’t establish a running rhythm or give its quarterback time to throw. The only consistent positive plays on the offensive side of the ball were screen passes… plays where the linemen are supposed to let the defenders through. That won’t be successful for long in the ACC.
8:00 ET CBS HD Tennessee 20 (+6) Florida 23. The Gators get a real test after two warm up games against some directional schools. Tennessee has won its last 2 trips to Gainesville. This one should be fun to watch, Tennessee’s power running offense against the offense many I-A teams are switching to, the spread.
SUNDAY
Note that there is only 1 NFC game on this slate. That isn’t an accident. I wonder if FOX took the NFC’s poor quality into account when they bid for the NFC portion of the NFL regular season last winter.
1:00 ET CBS Jacksonville 20 (+9) Indianapolis 27. It took the Colts a half to break through the Ravens’ defense last week, but QB Peyton Manning found the end zone twice in the 3rd quarter to pace the Colts to a 24-7 victory. The Jaguars beat the Seachickens, who wisely decided to abandon the Blue Man Group look in the humidity last weekend. Indy's defense hasn't proved it's tough; until that happens I can't give more than 7 points to a quality opponent.
4:15 ET CBS HD San Diego 24 (+2 ½) Denver 21. Both of these favorites lost outright last weekend, and neither one can afford to fall 2 games behind the Chiefs this quickly. The Chargers get All-Pro TE Antonio Gates back from a holdout related suspension. No doubt he or RB Ladamian Tomlinson would have been good options inside the Cowboys’ 10 last week on the final drive. Broncos RB Mike Anderson is supposed to be available, but who will see the bulk of the carries, Anderson or 2nd-year RB Tatum Bell?
ESPN 7:30 ET HD NFL PrimeTime… Bring back the old music. 8:30 ET Kansas City 34 (-1) Oakland 27. RBs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson combined for 195 yards and 3 TDs in the Chiefs’ impressive 27-7 victory against the Jets. The Chiefs’ defense will get a tougher test from the Raiders’ offense than they did from the Jets. ABC’s John Madden questioned why any team would trade Randy Moss (or any other player with similar talent). The answer was shown during the failed 2-pointer against the Patriots. Moss ran towards the DB, then grabbed him and threw him down when QB Kerry Collins’ pass was closer to the DB than to Moss. Announcers Al Michaels and Madden thought the obvious call was defensive pass interference, but they must have been munching on a turkey leg during the play. It was very clear that Moss initiated the contact. Additionally, there were numerous plays where Moss jogged his route… just track the replays where Moss isn’t the receiver… chances are he’s just out for a jog through the park… and watch how that affects how long Raider QB Kerry Collins has to hold the football while Moss Terry Glenn’s it.
MONDAY
ABC 9:00 ET Washington 16 (+6) Dallas 20. They could have shown Despearate Housewives as a lead-in to this one in recent years. But Dallas posted an impressive victory at San Diego last week. (I’m curious what Vegas would set the over-under on NFC road wins vs. AFC teams at this season) The Cowboys could challenge the Eagles in the NFC East if QB Drew Bledsoe doesn’t revert to his old habits. Bledsoe’s 134.4 QB rating was the best in the league in week 1. The Redskins defeated the Bears 9-7 and have reinstated QB Mark Brunell as the starter. Brunell didn’t have much arm strength last season, and RB Clinton Portis hasn’t found holes like he did in Denver.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Tuesday Morning Quarterback
It was a great sight to view the scene at Carolina for the opener between the Saints and Panthers. The Saints earned a 23-20 opening win in the first of 16 potential road games.
Barry Bonds finally made his debut in 2005 (was it a coincidence that the Giants’ uniforms spelled GIGANTES last night?), and doubled off the wall (and a fan’s outstretched hand) in his first plate appearance. He did have complications after a knee surgery, but why were the Giants as in the dark on Barry’s rehabilitation progress as ESPN’s Barry Bonds reporter, Pedro Gomez?
Last night’s game between the Falcons and Eagles… I guess the NHL is back, with some player ejections before the opening kickoff. Speaking of other leagues, Falcons QB Mike Vick has an NBA style license. In the 2nd quarter, Vick made it look like he was going out of bounds; then stepped out just before receiving a tap in the shoulder from an Eagle defender. Vick was still on the white sideline boundary, and was less than a step from the defender when he stepped out of bounds. The officials flagged the Eagles for an unnecessary roughness personal foul for hitting Vick “late”. I’d love to show that official a highlight from the Steelers and Patriots in the 97-98 playoffs. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart got out of the pocket, and hustled towards the sideline ahead of the first down marker. As Patriot LB Ted Johnson chased a coasting Stewart towards the sideline, Johnson let up. Stewart cut hard upfield after passing a slowing defender, and scored on a 30-yard scramble for the deciding points in a 7-6 Pittsburgh victory. Back to the Monday Night game, the possession before the flagged tap of Vick, Eagles kindergartener Terrell Owens took a second hit from Falcons LB Keith Brooking after popping up too quickly after being tackled. If Vick gets protected, then all players should be protected.
Black uniforms… at least ravens are black. Lions? Guess that they shouldn’t be wearing blue either… but we know from watching the Browns and Bungals that orange isn’t the best option for football uniforms.
The Raiders’ blocked extra point against the Patriots cost me a victory on the opening week’s investment recommendation. The Raiders later went for 2 and didn’t convert, leaving the final total at 50 instead of 52.
Barry Bonds finally made his debut in 2005 (was it a coincidence that the Giants’ uniforms spelled GIGANTES last night?), and doubled off the wall (and a fan’s outstretched hand) in his first plate appearance. He did have complications after a knee surgery, but why were the Giants as in the dark on Barry’s rehabilitation progress as ESPN’s Barry Bonds reporter, Pedro Gomez?
Last night’s game between the Falcons and Eagles… I guess the NHL is back, with some player ejections before the opening kickoff. Speaking of other leagues, Falcons QB Mike Vick has an NBA style license. In the 2nd quarter, Vick made it look like he was going out of bounds; then stepped out just before receiving a tap in the shoulder from an Eagle defender. Vick was still on the white sideline boundary, and was less than a step from the defender when he stepped out of bounds. The officials flagged the Eagles for an unnecessary roughness personal foul for hitting Vick “late”. I’d love to show that official a highlight from the Steelers and Patriots in the 97-98 playoffs. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart got out of the pocket, and hustled towards the sideline ahead of the first down marker. As Patriot LB Ted Johnson chased a coasting Stewart towards the sideline, Johnson let up. Stewart cut hard upfield after passing a slowing defender, and scored on a 30-yard scramble for the deciding points in a 7-6 Pittsburgh victory. Back to the Monday Night game, the possession before the flagged tap of Vick, Eagles kindergartener Terrell Owens took a second hit from Falcons LB Keith Brooking after popping up too quickly after being tackled. If Vick gets protected, then all players should be protected.
Black uniforms… at least ravens are black. Lions? Guess that they shouldn’t be wearing blue either… but we know from watching the Browns and Bungals that orange isn’t the best option for football uniforms.
The Raiders’ blocked extra point against the Patriots cost me a victory on the opening week’s investment recommendation. The Raiders later went for 2 and didn’t convert, leaving the final total at 50 instead of 52.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
NFL OPENER!
9:00 ET ABC-HD New England 34 (-7.5) Oakland 24 (over 50)*. The Patriots open the season aiming to go 1-0 (towards a Super Bowl 3-peat). Coordinators Weis and Crennel are now head coaches someplace else, and ILB's Bruschi and Johnson (head injuries). HC Belichick, QB Brady, and S Rodney Harrison are still there though. And the men replacing the departed coaches and players are similar in manner and skills. The Raiders have great offensive talent, RB Lamont Jordan and WR Randy Moss are the big offseason acquistions. Jordan is more important than Moss; last year's leading rusher was RB Amos Zeroeue with 425 yards. When the Patriots have been vulnerable, it has been to the ground game. I don't think Oakland will be the team that breaks New England's 20-game home winning streak.
Key: # of stars = # of units for a recommended investment.
Key: # of stars = # of units for a recommended investment.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
College Football 2005
It's already underway... Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team was great for about 20 minutes, then lethargic the next 40 in a 24-15 victory over U Can't Finish, er, Central Florida.
The picks (Games to Watch)
SAT 5:30 ET ESPN Georgia (-7) 41 Boise State 31. Boise State starts the season ranked from a mid major conference (the Mountain West?) for the first time in school history.
SAT 8:00 ET ABC Notre Dame (+3) 22 Pittsburgh 17. Charlie Weis won more games with New England than Dave Wannstedt did with Miami. The Panthers were the first team to effectively fire their head coach during a BCS Bowl season... somehow they emerged from a 4-way 4-2 tie atop the Big lEast last season and qualified for the Fiesta Bowl, where they were mauled by Utah, 35-0.
MON 5:00 ET ABC Miami 16 (-3) Florida State 10 They now play to open the season instead of early October. Thus, one of these teams will need help right from the get-go. The Seminoles successfully petitioned the PC-minded NCAA to retain their nickname. On the field, they have suffered 4 losses several consecutive seasons as some of Bobby Bowden's assistants have taken head coaching positions. I'll wait until I see the Seminoles beat the Hurricanes before I pick them, even though Miami hasn't had consistency from the QB position since Ken Dorsey left after the 2002 season.
The picks (Games to Watch)
SAT 5:30 ET ESPN Georgia (-7) 41 Boise State 31. Boise State starts the season ranked from a mid major conference (the Mountain West?) for the first time in school history.
SAT 8:00 ET ABC Notre Dame (+3) 22 Pittsburgh 17. Charlie Weis won more games with New England than Dave Wannstedt did with Miami. The Panthers were the first team to effectively fire their head coach during a BCS Bowl season... somehow they emerged from a 4-way 4-2 tie atop the Big lEast last season and qualified for the Fiesta Bowl, where they were mauled by Utah, 35-0.
MON 5:00 ET ABC Miami 16 (-3) Florida State 10 They now play to open the season instead of early October. Thus, one of these teams will need help right from the get-go. The Seminoles successfully petitioned the PC-minded NCAA to retain their nickname. On the field, they have suffered 4 losses several consecutive seasons as some of Bobby Bowden's assistants have taken head coaching positions. I'll wait until I see the Seminoles beat the Hurricanes before I pick them, even though Miami hasn't had consistency from the QB position since Ken Dorsey left after the 2002 season.
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