The Bengals

The Bengals...this team was awful. I am appalled by the fact that the 2010 Bengals could even call themselves an NFL team. This team reminds me of the 2004 Oakland Raiders.

Let us dissect this team and see where the problem lies:

Offense
Carson Palmer - 3970 Yards, 26 Touchdowns, 20 Interceptions and 7 Fumbles.
Cedric Benson - 1111 Yards, 7 Touchdowns, 7 Fumbles
Ocho Cinco - 831 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 1 Fumble
T. O. - 983 Yards, 9 Touchdowns

The Offensive line allowed for 26 sacks.

Defense
Really the only stand out player on the defense is Carlos Dunlap who recorded 10 sacks this year. The rest of the defensive squad was terrible.

Special Teams
Same...really poor.

Play Calling and General Coaching
Poor at best.


With this offense and with such an under average defense, this team should of been racking up the points. However, this team only scored 30+ points in 4 games. The rest of the time the team could barely get a first down. Why?

Poor coaching.

Here is my two cents and you can take it or leave it. Carson Palmer could definitely be a great quarterback again. His inconsistency in throwing interceptions is the biggest concern. This maybe because of the play calling or the average performance of the receivers. Keep these players. 1st player in the draft they need to recruit a great lineman. A Guard or Tackle that can apply consistently allow for Carson to make the plays. In the lower rounds, they need to draft a tight end, a receiver, and a two defensive players preferably both that could start immediately in LB and in the secondary. The entire defense needs to be reworked. They need to start at the draft and who ever they get they need to build around. Which mean making some great after draft choices at line men and secondary. The most pathetic part of the Bengals is that they don't even know what they have. They should of been a playoff contender.

This is all fine and dandy but the truth is that this team will continue to perform like this next year even if they take the steps that I just layed out for them. Why? Because the coaching is piss poor. They need to make sure that all of their players know that they are expendable. And that they can use a different guy in that position. They need to hold these players accountable for their actions. This is the greatest challenge for the Bengals. Unfortunately, we will have to wait and see if this coaching group will do just that.

Within the rumor mill is that Palmer won't come back. If the Bengals were smart...which is still up in the air...they need to make sure that Palmer comes back but knows that he could be second in the line up. Make sure when training camp starts that another younger QB is waiting in the locker room. He will change his tune once he sees that he can be replaced.

L.A.

Remember the L.A. Rams? How about the L.A. Raiders?

Now, L.A. is attempting to get a new Football team! Will they steal a team already in the league? Minnesota? Jacksonville? Oakland? Chargers?

All of these names have been thrown around. Some more, than others. Currently, the front runner is San Diego! Really? They have a solid fan base? Why should they move? Jacksonville seems like the clear choice to me. Jacksonville hasn't sold out a game...in some time.

But to be completely honest. The league is set up brilliantly the way it is. 4 teams in a 4 division conference with two conferences. Makes plenty of sense to steal a team rather than create a team. But I got a different spin on things. Hear me out:

Remember when the NFL joined with the AFL? Wasn't that a real spell bounding moment? What if, the CFL and the NFL joined forces? Some teams were moved to the United States, while other teams went even further south, and some teams were disassembled. Imagen an NFL where there were four conferences: North, South, East and West. Each conference would have 2 divisions made up of 5 teams. Each team would play their divisional rivals twice in a season. Then they would play their cross divisional rivals once a year. Then the final three games would be based off of the previous years schedule. If the Patriots were 15 -1 and the Packers were 15 - 1. Then they would play again the next year.

The Playoffs would take four conference champions, four divisional winners and four wild card teams. The Wild Card teams would play first against the divisional winners. The winners of those games would then play the Conference Champions.

Could you imagine an NFL where the Mexico City Aztecs played the Toronto Cannucks in the Super bowl? Might take some getting use to.

The End of an Era

In the past twenty years, we have seen some of the greatest football in the NFL. 6 teams come to mind:

Pittsburgh Steelers
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys
New England Patriots
San Fransisco 49er's
Indianapolis Colts

These teams have dominated the past twenty years. However, if you really break it down...Indianapolis and New England have never really had stand out teams until the last twenty years. The 49er's ruled the 80's and the 90's but before that they were not much to look at. The three stand out teams of all time have been the top three: Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Dallas. How fitting that this Superbowl is being held in Dallas and that the Steelers and the Packers will be battling to see who is best.

However, it brings into question what happened to all the other greats? Miami, Oakland, Minnesota, Buffalo. What happened?

What happened is the NFL has put road blocks into effect that causes the "Dynasties" to die out much quicker. If you watch any of the conferences each year their is usually a different team leading the ranks.

In my opinion, the dynasties will no longer occur within the NFL. We will start seeing a lot more even playing field within the next twenty years.

So, this beer is for the Superbowl. Two of the NFL's all time great football teams battling it out in the home of another great football team. However watch out. It may be a while before you see them again.

Where Shall Vince Go?

Where should Mr. Vince Young end up?

I've heard Arizona, Miami, Oakland, San Fransisco, etc...

Here is my pick...I bet Vince eventually gets released and then a team like the Texans will pick him up but only for a short time where he will be dealt and end up in Dallas, of all places.

Let me hear from you...where do you think he should go and why?

the Last Prediction

Here are my predictions from the beginning of the year. Lets see how I did?



AFC:
Ravens - 1st seed - Patriots - Close but no cigar!
Colts - 2nd seed - Steelers - Close but no cigar!
Patriots - 3rd seed - Indianapolis - Close but no cigar!
Raiders - 4th seed - Kansas City - Well, I don't know I think Al Davis rhetoric has completely fried my brain.

AFC Wild Cards:
Titans - Baltimore - Hmmm....
Jets - Jets - Cigar!!!

Truth to be told, I guessed 4 of the 6 teams in the playoffs! Not too bad.

NFC:
Packers - 1st seed - Atlanta - Never saw Atlanta coming!
Saints - 2nd seed - Chicago - This was possible.
Eagles - 3rd seed - Philly - Bingo!
Cardinals - 4th seed - Seattle - Way off here. But then again, who would of ever of guessed.

NFC Wild Cards:
Giants - New Orleans - I didn't think the Saints would slip this far.
Redskins - Green Bay - The Pack had alot of injuries and still made it to the dance.

3 of 6.

Total: 7 of 12

I stayed above .500

Prediction for the Superbowl:
Jets to play the Packers

Jets take the lead early. Jets lose a major player on offense. Packers make a big come back and then go into the lead. Jets kick a 45+ field goal in final seconds and miss the game winning kick.
Packers 28 - Jets 27

2 Minute Drill

Ok...Sorry work has kept me from being as active on here as I have been in the past. I promise to do a prediction this week.

2 Minute Drill a quick run down of all that I have been missing out on in the past two weeks.

Shannahans VS. McNabb

McNabb is within the top 5 quarterbacks in the league today. Only few can stand up and take control of a team like McNabb does. His performance this year has not been very effective. This is his first year within a new system and he wasn't traded early in the year. Mike Shannahan has a great record with the Denver Broncos. Throughout majority of his career, he had John Elway: who is a top ten quarterback of all time. Now, how much coaching did Mike have in that roll or was Elway just Elway. Mike has also had Brian Grease and Jake Plummer. Plummer was a good quarterback for the Cardinals. Why couldn't he cultivate that quarterback? As far as the Shannahan son...well...you got your job because your dad is who he is. McNabb has more control over that locker room than Mike does and that right there proves the fact that Mr. Shannahan needs to retire. Get out of the game cause you couldn't coach in Oakland, you couldn't coach in Denver and you are not coaching in Washington.

Randy Moss is now a Titan
Well...here is the long story short. Randy Moss is a man who needs discipline. If your team has discipline and is ran like a football team then well Randy Moss will succeed in your program. As a coach, you can not have your players walk on you. Moss has walked on the Vikings, Oakland and now the Vikings again. Moss is an extremely talented player. If I was the coach of a team, I wouldn't pick him up but teams like New England or teams like Steelers or the Colts would do very well with him.

The Return of Mike Vick
Kolb played great while Vick was away. However, now that he his back Kolb takes the bench. I am really torn between these two players. Both really do deserve a chance to start. Personally, I would take Vick.

Oakland Won Three Straight?
Yes...this is true. How? Who knows?

Falcons on a Roll
I would of taken the Falcons this week. Atlanta proved that they really are destine to be in the playoffs.

Cowboys already making Superbowl plans
Too bad they are making party plans rather than football schemes. What happened to this team? Phillips claimed that if he "knew what to do he would of done it." Guess what. That was the nail that sealed your coffin my friend. What kind of coach admits do being dumbfounded by this season, weather it be true or not. Never admit you don't know what you are doing. Jones said he wasn't releasing anyone until the end of the season. Bad call. Get rid of that bum and the one that throws the ball.

Big Ben rolling rolling rolling
Steelers have continued to dominate with Ben under the wheel. This team is looking good.

Dolphins sinking
As Bill Parcels left the office, soon did the Wildcat offense and then quickly followed there wins. Who is making the decisions down there. Bring the Cat back and play football like you know it. B. Marshall is all you got for receivers. So you are going to rely on one player to start making all of your plays. Really?

KC Joke or No Joke
Well, with a lose to the Raiders it seems like a joke. But the truth is, they have a great rushing game. They have a fairly decent defense. Their Quarterback has been very inconsistent. They make a lot of mistakes. They continue to throw the ball when they know that they are a rushing team. Hmmm...maybe the offensive coordinator needs to go.

After MNF...I will put out my mid season playoff predictions.

Week 7 Preview

Week 7 Preview

As anticipated, my picks are in. I know that I intimidate all of you with my accurate prediction of these football games...so lets get started. Oh but before I do, lets see where I am at to date...

42-35...wow I am barely .500

Week 5 crushed me.



CINCINNATI BENGALS @ ATLANTA FALCONS
This is a good match up. I would look for the Atlanta Falcons to pull this one off. I feel when Matt Ryan uses all of his weapons he is an unstoppable force. However, the play calling often is one sided and when this occurs they lose the game. If Ryan spreads the ball around, I would look for a Falcons victory. The Bengals have a great team. Too bad Palmer isn't the QB he used to be. After this season is over, I would look for the Bengals to be searching for a new starter.

Cincinnati 20, Atlanta 23

Update:
This game turned out as expected. But, I have to admit Carson Palmer played a hell of a game. T.O. is hot and where is the Spanish 85. Bengals have some work to do but they are not looks too bad. The show stopper was Roddy White. That kid can play!

Cincinnati 32 Atlanta 39


WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ CHICAGO BEARS
The Redskins are a very good team and the Bears are a very strong team. Washington needs to go after Cutler and make him make mistakes. However, the Redskins defense is marginal. I would look for the Bears to change up their rhythm and start making plays that are unique to the Bears offense. Look for Cutler to come out of the pocket. I think Forte will become a much more utilized resource. McNabb should be used more as an offensive threat. The Redskins have been rushing too much and this has proved to be successful but in order to be a powerhouse McNabb needs the ball.

Washington 14, Chicago 22

Update:
Washington and Chicago met in what a lot of sport writers said was "the ugliest game of football!" No. The ugliest game of football was played earlier this year between the Cardinals and the Raiders. Both of these teams have work to do but it is clear that this really was a defensive game. Both teams have some really great players on defense and usually these teams are not associated with being a great defensive team. DeAngelo Hall and DJ Moore both had interceptions.

Washington 17 Chicago 14

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ TENNESSEE TITANS
This is a great game. Kolb vs. Collins. While Young and Vick are on the bench. This would be the game of the week if the starters were in. The Eagles are a little banged up. Titans as well. Collins is a great QB and should be starting maybe not over Young but he should still be a starter in this league. The Titans wins have been less than triumphant majority of there wins have been with small yardage and low scoring. Collins has a tenancy to move the ball a bit more than Young. Kolb is shaping up to be a good QB. This game has the Eagles all over it. Maclin will have a huge game. Chris Johnson should have a big game too. I think this game will be won with Defense.

Philadelphia 24, Tennessee 12

Update:
This game was nothing like I anticipated. Nothing really happened until the second quarter and then the QB started showing what they are worth. Kolb didn't look so hot while Collins proved that he still has it.

Philadelphia 19 Tennessee 37

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Hmmm....Jacksonville is awful. Defensively and offensively this team sucks. The only bright spot on the roster is Maurice Jones-Drew. However, without an effective passing game this team will remain losing games. Kansas City is a contender for the playoffs. Cassel has not been very effective at all this season. Sure he has thrown a few passes and made a few plays in the last few weeks but he is nothing to brag about. I would look for this to be a game of rushing, rushing and more rushing. Chiefs now have two games with rushing yards over 200 and between their two backs I would think that this trend would continue. I would look for Charles and Jones to have another big game.

Jacksonville 12, Kansas City 24

Update:
Jacksonville had no chance today. Kansas City out played them all 4 quarters.

Jacksonville 20 Kansas City 42


PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS
This is a great matchup. Pittsburgh played well without Roethlisberger now with him back he is breathing a whole 'nother life into this offense. The Dolphins have proven that their system will work and I am a believer. With the changing between Henne and the wildcat offense this team is a work of art. However, Henne has little to work with. Brandon Marshal is his only option but a very good option.

Pittsburgh 20, Miami 21

Update:
I thought Miami did a good job but with the deminishing of there Wildcat offense is starting to hamper productivity. Go back to the wildcat and win some more games.

Pittsburgh 23 Miami 22


CLEVELAND BROWNS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Browns are bad. The Saints are great. Enough said.

Cleveland 12, New Orleans 28

Update:
I don't really have an answer for this.

Cleveland 30 New Orleans 17

ST. LOUIS RAMS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
This should be a decent match up. St. Louis has continued to make big gains this season with Bradford leading the way I believe this team may end up .500 or better. The Buccaneers are a solid team. They have their strengths with Ernest Graham and Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow. Josh Freeman remains the question mark to me on this offense. He has won over majority of the professional writers and professional sports casters but not me. He seems shaky and I am not certain that he has what it takes to be the NFL QB that a team needs.

St. Louis 22, Tampa Bay 24

Update:
St. Louis is looking good.

St. Louis 17 Tampa Bay 18

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS
49ers finally won one. However, it was against the Raiders. They continue to play some weak teams for the next few weeks they should win a few. The Panthers have some major concerns with health and continue to play lousy because of this. I wouldn't expect Alex Smith to have a good game. I wouldn't expect this to be a good game at all. I would think that this maybe uglier than the 49er Vs. the Raiders last week.

San Francisco 14, Carolina 12

Update:
Haha.

San Francisco 20, Carolina 23

BUFFALO BILLS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS
This is an easy game to predict. Buffalo is awful. Plain and simple they should go for the first round draft pick next year. Ravens should crush them.

Buffalo 22, Baltimore 34

Update:
Buffalo is scoring some points. They just need to get everything going for them. Baltimore is like an average student...just doing enough to get the job done.

Buffalo 34, Baltimore 37

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Seattle is the clear favorite. Seattle has a strong winning percentage at home. Seattle has been aggressive against QB driven teams. Seattle has been very smooth in the delivery of a polished offense. However, Max Hall and the Cardinals has surprised us many times and that is why I am going with the Cardinals. Matt Hasselbeck has not done very well passing this year and I would bet to say that this will continue. Look for Marshawn Lynch to have a big game but only out matched and out played by Larry Fitzgerald.

Cardinals 22, Seattle 21

Update:
Cardinals are a team with out a QB like many in the league but this is just disgusting. I am not quite sure why they trade Lionart or why they wouldn't offer Warner a big bag of cash to come back.

Cardinals 10, Seattle 22

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Chargers are not a very good team. The Chargers let go some of the best players in this league for marginal players. To keep Phillip Rivers over L.T. was a bad decision. Rivers is a good QB but his mouth makes him loss creditability. Norv Turner claimed that Ryan Mathews was to be the starting running back. We will see how that works out. New England is strong with or without Moss. I don't think doping moss was a great idea but Branch will fill in just fine.

New England 22, San Diego 14

Update:
Chargers just look bad this year. So much for a Superbowl team.

New England 23 San Diego 20

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Oakland! My new nemisis. I would typically predict that Oakland would beat the Broncos in this game but because of the Tuesday Hangover and the Broncos performance last Sunday and because this game is held at Mile High and the fact that Kyle Boller is starting...I am going with the Broncos. I really don't expect anyone to have a great game or even a good game. The only bright spot I see is Micheal Bush, who may actually rush for over 70 yards.

Oakland 12, Denver 21

Update:
Damn you Oakland!!!

Oakland 59, Denver 14

MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
Wow. This game is exciting. Favre returning to Green Bay. Moss back in Minnesota. Packers on a losing trend. I would expect big things all the way around. Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss, Greg Jennings and Arron Rogers to have big games.

Minnesota 33, Packers 32

Update:
Favre is throwing more interceptions now than he ever did. Time to go, bro.

Minnesota 24, Packers 28

NEW YORK GIANTS @ DALLAS COWBOYS
I feel bad for Jerry Jones. Jones is a hands on owner who works hard at making a great team each and every year. Unfortunately this team is far from great. Too many inconsistencies and on field drama that this team doesn't belong is the NFL. The Cowboys need to shake it up next season and that means getting rid of majority of the problems. Drop Romo and Phillips with should be the start to a beautiful thing.

New York 22, Dallas 20