President-elect Obama seems dead set on getting a playoff in college football and ridding this country of the evils of the BCS. He's gone as far as proposing an 8 team playoff system, even gone to several national publications saying as much. Now college football not having a playoff system is one of the things holding it back from being declared as the nation's best sport, and even though bowls are fun and all it really needs a playoff system. I could even accept a plus 1 system, anything.
But I was thinking, what if Obama made it his biggest priority to get a playoff system, exerted his biggest resources and made this the main objective of the country to get a playoff system. Say he succeeded in an 8 team playoff system, but say the rest of the country was in shambles and the same as it was in 2012 as it was in 2008, do you think he could get re-elected? I think most people would give him another chance, if he can convince the greedy commissioners of the BCS conferences then I think he can convince people he could fix things (hell he just won an election saying as much) Just something I was pondering, it'd be hilarious if that happened.
1 more thing about the BCS, Fox pulled out of the bidding for televising BCS games from 2011-2014 and ESPN won the rights to televise the Orange, Sugar and Fiesta bowls, the 1st time they'll be televised on cable. Fox's coverage sucks so that's no big loss what struck me odd about this though was on ESPN's ticker at the bottom of the screen on the TV, it said something along the lines of, "Reports are surfacing that ESPN is close to buying the rights of the BCS, ESPN has no comment" Someone explain who the dumbass is who feels the need to deem this newsworthy and who exactly do they approach with to get the 'No comment' quote on? Just a complete waste of time reading and just makes your company look stupid (a feat that they've mastered over the years)
Donovan McNabb is not that smart, and frankly not many people throughout the league are either. Whodathunkit. Let's move on.
The New York Knicks today traded Zach Randolph to the LA Clippers and Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors. The pieces they got back are still serviceable players (Cuttino Mobley and Al Harrington among others) but they all lead to one direction, creating cap space for the summer of 2010, they join about 14 other NBA teams doing the same thing, along with USC 3 SEC teams and 8 teams in Europe all prying for one prize, Lebron James. Of course he's been rumored to headed to the Big Apple (whether it be NYC or New Jersey maybe about to be Brooklyn Nets) since he signed this extension. Other free agents will be Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh along with plenty of other big names. I'm going to guess that at least 2 of those 3 players stay in there current location, Lebron is the only one I can see leaving because he's money hungry (and isn't afraid to admit it).
It's a real shame, he's the best player in the league yet his teammates have hardly improved his entire career, in New Jersey things would be better with the likes of Devin Harris, Brooke Lopez and Yi Jianlin but the Knicks don't have much to offer. But it's pathetic that newly acquired Mo Williams might be his best shooter/#2 option he's had his entire career. But they have cap room coming next season so maybe they'll get him some real help, like they were supposed to the last time they had cap room.
And finally Roger Goodell reinstated Adam 'Pac Man' Jones and he will rejoin the team December 7th when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many people disagree with Goodell on this move, and just looking back on how he's gone fine happy and a quick trigger for suspensions I'm a little shocked that we're seeing Jones back this season, much less at all with Goodell running a dictatorship. But anyways at the risk of sounding like a homer (as if I've never done that before) I'm fine with Goodell giving Jones another chance, personally I thought it was a BS suspension to begin with, he got into a scuffle with his bodyguard and no police report was filed (though in all honesty I'm almost positive Jerry Jones paid off that cop) but legally there were no repurcussions, just a reputation suspension, sort of like how Rasheed Wallace or Ron Artest will get a reputation technical, and yes I know the Jones thing is a bigger deal. But I'm all for giving athletes 2nd chances, and then 3rd and 8th chances.
I think I would feel this way if he was on any team, I never really hold vendettas for players business in there personal life, if I form a hatred for a player it's simply for there actions in the game. Leonard Little maybe being the one exception because there is no reason he shouldn't be in jail.
Onto the games:
San Francisco 49ers @ Dallas Cowboys (-10)I love Mike Singeltary, there is nothing to hate about this guy, from his pants party to his press conference about his teams embarrassment to how he reacts with his players. Watching Inside the NFL this week, they had audio of him interacting with a coach pre game and he said Vernon Davis has responded the most to his criticism and he loves the guy. Then later in the game the camera picks him up chewing out a player for fumbling the ball and the guy starts walking away from him til he proclaims, "Coach I gotta get on the field" then he lets him go do his business. The man is hilarious. As for the game it could be a long day in Dallas for San Francisco if there running game stalls. I saw the Monday Night game vs. Arizona and I thought Shaun Hill looked awful, throws a bad ball and if pressured he will make plenty of dumb mistakes. I want Dallas to blitz relentlessly, do that and Hill throws at least 2 picks. Dallas will be rolling with there throwback uniforms (I love those uni's so much) and I think they'll be flying high from last weeks season saving victory in Washington. I'll pick take my 'Boys.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens (-1.5)Philadelphia may have cost themselves the season by failing to beat the lowly Bengals and having the 1st tie in 6 seasons, for all that talent (at least in my eyes) they have been constantly underachieving ever since there Superbowl appearance. The Ravens just got abused by the league's best running attack and are looking to rebound, since it's a home game I'll take them. Over/under 39 take the over.
New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans (-5.5)
Big time game, this is a statement game for the Titans, people think the Jets are for real and even though they're undefeated nobody is completely sure how good the Titans are, I also think if there running game struggles it will be interesting to see how they play with no running game. I realize that Kerry Collins played great passing the ball vs. the Bears but the Jets secondary is a little better and the Bears were putting no pressure on Collins who just sat back there all day, containing Kris Jenkins is going to be hard for the Titans, as will containing the front runner for DPOY Albert Haynesworth. I'll take the Titans at home.
Buffalo Bills (-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs
3 week ago if this game's played the Chiefs are double digit underdogs, my how things can change so quickly, Tyler Thigpen appears to be a legit QB for the Chiefs and the Bills lost 3 straight divisional games while proving to the city of Cleveland that nobody chokes harder then Buffalo. Buffalo should have won that game in the end, they had a 47 yard field goal opportunity with a minute left and instead of trying to improve field position they run it 3 times, stupid playing not to lose mentality cost them the game and maybe Dick Jauron's job (though he got a contract extension prior to all this losing). A 47 yarder is never a chip shot, especially in a cold environment with gusting winds like there were in Buffalo, in a dome I can partially understand but any cold climate is generally regarded as one of the harder places to kick field goals (Buffalo, Green Bay, Pittsburgh) Anyways I didn't like what I saw from Trent Edwards last week though Marshawn Lynch was beastly, I like the Chiefs to pull off the upset since there play has been better as of late.
Minnesota Vikings @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
The Jaguars certainly collapsed last week, they crapped there pants in the 2nd half vs. the Titans, this is not the same team as last year, they finally broke some ground in the playoffs and this was supposed to be there break out season. Well that dream's over and they're likely done for the year. The Vikings are in a 3 way tie for there division at 5-5 but techincally are 3rd because a 2-2 divisional record compared to Chicago and Green Bay's 3-1 record. They'll be hungry and I'll take the Vikings, expect big things from Adrian Peterson.
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins (-1)
Rarely do the same tricks work on Bill Belichick, I expect the Dolphins running attack and the wildcat formation to be slowed or stopped. I don't expect Matt Cassell to throw for 400 yards again but I expect him to make the plays to win (god that sounds so cliche) I just can't come around to the Dolphins, they're a good team but have caught some breaks, they may be a pick next year to be a break out team but in the end will be middle of the road next year just like this year. Still a great improvement from last year obviously.
Chicago Bears (-7.5) @ St. Louis Rams
When you see the Rams embarrass themselves like they did last week it makes you embarrassed that your team not just lost to them but lost handily. Da Bears.
Houston Texans @ Cleveland Browns (-3)
The Texans have been good enough to win all but 2 games, but as of now they're 3-7, they can still play spoiler ruining Cleveland's playoff hopes which are hanging by a thread. I like the Texans in this game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8) @ Detroit Lions
Tampa is bad on the road and the Lions slowly but surely are getting closer to a win (maybe) I'll pick the Lions to cover.
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos (-9)
Denver has a bad defense but a high powered offense, playing a crappy team with an anemic offense usually means big things for No-D teams like Denver. Denver and this game will likely be over in the 1st half, especially with Denver building off those 2 huge wins against Cleveland and Atlanta (1st team this year to beat Atlanta at home) I'll take the over at 43 too.
Washington Redskins (-3.5) @ Seattle Seahawks
As Matt Hasselbeck gets healthier the 'Hawks could play spoiler to the victor, and I'd love for that to happen to an ailing Redskins team, but I don't see it, 'Skins.
NY Giants (-3) @ Arizona Cardinals
We'll see how Kurt Warner fares when he'll be dealing with the likes of Justin Tuck in his face all day among others and how the 'Zona front 7 deals with the 3 headed attack of Brandon Jacobs/Derrick Ward/Ahmad Bradshaw. If the O-line can protect Warner this game will be much closer than I anticipate but an immobile QB spells trouble against this attacking Giants D. I'll take the Giants.
Carolina Panthers (-1) @ Atlanta Falcons
People love seeing that 8-2 record next to the Panthers and just automatically think potential Superbowl contender but they're like night and day when playing at home and on the road, and they've already played 6 of there 8 home games. They have a tough schedule the rest of the way all against play off contenders and/or divisional foes, they need this win to prove to people (like me) that they are for real. Atlanta needs to rebound from last weeks close loss to the Broncos, we'll find out what kind of club they are this week and if they're ready for this step towards the playoffs. I think it's a year or 2 to early for the Falcons and last weeks loss is a pre cursor for the rest of the season. Panthers. (Obligatory statement that I make every week then seemingly pick against it, NFC South is dominant at home but sucks on the road)
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers (-2.5)
The Colts have finally seem to have righted there ship while the Chargers lost a close one last week (though the refs screwed gamblers everywhere) Even though the Chargers defense sucks, this is the one team over the past 4 seasons that Peyton Manning has struggled against (mainly attacking 3-4 defenses but the Chargers moreso) throwing for 6 INT's in 1 game last year. And the Colts still should have won that game, the Chargers lose this game there season's done. Peyton would love to stick that dagger into there hearts. Colts
Monday Night
Green Bay Packers @ Nawlins Saints (-2.5)
Now this will be another great game for Monday Night Football, hopefully the Saints will be healthy and Reggie Bush can play. The Packers are getting better every week and Aaron Rodgers is looking great (no real surprise) They're riding high after the beatdown delivered to there rival Bears. But the Saints are hungry and tired of losing these tight games and will win in what should be a shootout. And the over/under is 51.5 you know I got the over.
3 games I'd bet on:
Denver at home vs. the Raiders
Giants on the road vs. the Cardinals
Redskins on the road vs. the Seahawks
over/under of the week, Monday night take the over Packers/Saints
Until next week, where I'll be writing for myself.
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