Jags Announce Move to LA

OK, Jags Do Everything but Relocate to LA (but Stay Tuned)


So, the Jags overhauled their entire structure, personnel, system, staff, and philosophy in a matter of hours. The only thing they didn't change was the uniforms...but they did that a couple years ago. I had a sneaking suspicion that the jig was up in Jax. I don't care how much the old or new owner says the Jags will stay in Jax. The fact is, Shahid Khan is a hustler (not a 2-bit one, but in a good hard working way), and he is going to follow the money all the way to LA. I give him 3 years tops. So, California, a land of transplants will get yet another professional sports franchise transplant with a nickname that makes absolutely no sense.(Or maybe he'll do an Art Modell and change team appearance and nickname). 


Bengals Recap:

The Bengals performed poorly in trying to pick up their 3rd consecutive loss, especially late in the game. For starters, their attack was too balanced. When they recently dropped 2 straight they got a little pass-wacky and that is what they need to get back to if they want to fall in defeat to the Steelers this week. A side effect of a balanced attack was that they controlled the clock, which limits the time the secondary can see the field and give up big pass plays. Lastly, Andy Dalton was too efficient and played within himself. There was a bright spot for the Bengals in that they were inefficient in the Red Zone. If you drive the ball and get down into the Red Zone and take disadvantage of opportunities against a quality opponent like Pitt, they will certainly secure a loss. Hopefully Gruden will not practice or expand on the Red Zone playbook this week. Each win the Bengals suffer from here on out will continue to drop them in the draft.

Before Namath v Ryan, There Was Tiki v Coughlin

Tiki in a take a dump on Coughlin stance

If I can't get Joe Namath bashing Rex, the next best thing is Tiki firing a shot at Tom Coughlin and any other Giant player that comes within the crosshairs. Just a little background that I'm sure many NFL fans know is that in 2005, Tiki announced his retirement...MID SEASON!!!!! (Last week, I wrote about DeSean Jackson becoming a distraction by talking money in an interview. But had I written a blog at the time of Tiki's announcement, I would have dedicated the rest of the season to bashing Tiki and possibly written a book on the subject).

From that point forward, well, let's just say, Tiki was not a fan favorite at the old Meadowlands. He was and is so absorbed with himself that he thought that in the 2005 season he would get some huge retirement tour/farewell from Giants and their fans but instead he got a collective yawn. Then The Tiki thought that of course the Giants would fall apart without him in 2006, but instead the Giants tasted of the Holy Grail by defeating the then perfect Pats for a SB victory and the rest is history. (It's amazing what can happen when you take selfish me me me ME players out of the equation).

Who needs Namath v Ryan? (OK, I do)

It seems that ever since then, he has gone out of his way to criticize (and I would venture to say even try to sew discord on) his former team, especially Tommy C. Tiki has made a good living in his post-playing career as a commentator, but he seems to be the kinda guy that can't leave well enough alone, possibly harboring a deep-seated hatred for the former organization who won the Big Won (should be "ONE" I need proofreaders!) without him. I ran into the latest story on NFL.com where in his latest barrage Tiki asserts,"After the Giants put on a particularly poor performance against the Philadelphia Eagles two weekends ago, coach Coughlin came up to the press lectern and said, 'We had 29 yards rushing, which is about as pathetic as you can get,' clearly placing the arrow directly at Brandon Jacobs and the Giants' starting offensive line, as if they either aren't good enough or weren't trying hard enough," (excerpt from RotoExperts.com). Wow, I thought the "Wedge" was illegal these days, but I guess Barber didn't get the memo. The only way this can get better for me is if Coughlin fires back at Tiki Rex Ryan style.

You Signed Up for This

Welcome to New York

Jets Safety Jim Leonhard was "disappointed" that Jets fans mixed some Jeers with the Cheers for Mark Sanchez during player introductions. Mind you that the Jets were coming off a streak that brought their season close to the brink of disaster and Sanchez played no small role in that. Also keep in mind that in New York, fans will treat the players who show up like royalty, but those who don't perform are going to get lambasted on talk radio, the internet and the papers, and they get booed. Now, it isn't like Philly  booing Santa Claus, but it is close. New Yorkers like results. You signed up for this, Jim, and as an old friend once told me, "if you can't run with the foxes, then get out of the woods." 


Note: Sanchez, however, takes it all in stride acknowledging that there is nothing more to do with it (the boos) than to play better. 

In a somewhat related note, it reminded me of the time after living in New York for a while I went to a Cincinnati Reds game. I was sitting on the 3rd base side about 12 rows up from the field, right by the bag. I forget who the Reds were playing, but they blew a lead and gave up a run on an error by the third baseman. At that point fed up with the opposing rally, I booed a horrendous drunken boooo (solo). The entire section looked at me in amazement and shock, and that is when I realized, not every sports fan/town is as jaded/spoiled as New York sports fans...funny stuff indeed!

Sidenotes

I just have one thought on the Stevie Johnson TD celebration that cost him $10K: Was the fine because the dance was? a)convoluted b)in poor taste c)excessive d)all of the above

What season is it?

In a somewhat related sidenote, Bucs QB Josh Freeman said, "In hindsight it wasn't the smartest decision, Gotta learn from it. No more shooting guns in season." (Unless of course it's wabbit season...seriously, lest it be said that Rashied misquotes guys, this is in reference to Josh firing a weapon at the shooting range, which is perfectly legal and American!)

Exit stage left, Herm

On a completely unrelated note, it's time for Herm Cain to bow out of the race. The guy is resilient, but the accusations pipeline is now open and will never stop. I commented on fb on his woes a couple weeks ago (before the alleged affair) that I wonder what rapper would use his name in a rhyme first (or if they would use his name at all being that he is a conservative). Now I wonder what they would rhyme it with...I have some ideas, but this is a family blog with family values (sorta)!

Powerless Rankings

Things are heating up as teams are continuing to jockey for position for the stretch run. Now, we all know Indy has a Fort Knox lock on the #1 spot, but now I will say that St. Louis has really settled in and fossilized in that #2 slot. The 3-5 spots are really still wide open especially with teams like Bills, the Bolts, and the Browns coming on weak. Anyway, here are your bottom 5 Powerless squads:

1. Indy (They still face a couple of hurdles to finishing Imperfect but they just cleared a big one losing soundly to the Carolina Cams)
2. St. Louis (It is getting to the point where the Rams will not relinquish this spot unless somebody steps down in a flaming and glorious spiral of defeat and takes it from them)
3. Minnesota (After not being ranked for a while due to their competitiveness early in the season, even with a poor record, Minnesota is starting to show that they belonged here all along)
4. KC (KC drops a spot after a valiant effort v Pitt on Monday night, but trust me on this, they belong in this top 5)
5. Tampa Bay (Cracks our bottom 5 for the first time this season losing 5 straight as they continue their meteoric fall to the bottom. In what may be considered a battle for the 5 spot this week they take on Carolina and will have a chance to solidify their bottom 5 ranking)

Dishonorable Mention: Jax (I suspect we haven't heard the last from Jax this season, well with the entire organization in upheaval and all); Cleveland (In a year they were supposed to progress, they end up going Cleveland); Carolina (The Cams stay in the bottom 5 was brief with the help of facing the buzz saw of defeat, Indy, I wonder if they will be able to make it back in); San Diego (No answers for the Bolts, losers of 6 straight, even if they manage to win 5 straight they probably don't make the playoffs, they are going to have to blow that thing up eventually and start over)

Orlovsky to Start for Colts

Does it really matter?

This is a great move by the Colts because Orlovsky has experience playing under the telescope of going Defeated. His 7 career starts came with guess who? Yep, the 2008 Lions, so Orlovsky should be able to really show the young guys what it takes to achieve Imperfection. Orlovsky is actually a downgrade from Painter, slightly decreasing the Colts chances of finishing Imperfect. But with their most winnable game remaining (Carolina) behind them, the Colts still look to be in good shape to finish the season weak and go Defeated. Over the next 5 weeks, they face @NE, @B-More, Tennessee, Houston, @Jax. The last 3 games are scary because in division games, you just don't know sometimes how unpredictable those things are especially against a Schaub-less Texans squad and a Gabbert-led Jax team. Wow, what a New Year's Day spectacle Indy @ Jax could be...

Colts Keys to Defeat

This is one of those times where it is like, "Should I even do Keys?" Barring the return of Christ, this game is as close to a sure thing in the NFL as you can get (which kinda scares me). Anyway, here are your keys:

1. The Pats must come to the stadium, dress, and take the field
2. Keep Peyton off the field (because I think he gives the Colts a worse chance at defeat right now than Painter or Orvlosky)
3. Make sure hell doesn't freeze over or pigs start flying

As long as these things happen, the Colts should cruise in a very easy defeat.

Who's Flexed?

OK, we should get a pretty good Sunday night match up with Detroit @ NO, but who in their right mind wants to witness the Chargers face the leaderless Jaguars? Seriously, can their be a worse match up for the national TV audience. I predict that this may be the worse Monday night Nielsen rated game in many years. Also on the NFL docket for Sunday, you've got Cincy @ Pitt at 1pm and GB @ NYG at 4:15pm. What the League should do:

1. Move the SD @ Jax to Sunday 1pm
2. Move Cincy @ Pitt or GB @ NYG to Monday night
3. If GB @ NYG is moved to Monday night, Move Cincy @ Pitt to a 4:15pm start

It's not difficult, Mr. Goodell, and I'm sure ESPN would not mind the switch. It's just common sense, Man!

Parting Shots

I said Palko, not Planko!

Wait a minute, you picked up Kyle Orton, a former starter and serviceable QB. You give him some reps and you are playing against his old team, which is always motivation for a player, the Chicago Bears. You know, Orton just may give the Chiefs a chance to win, right?...what what what!!!??!!!, you are starting Tyler Palko?????? This season Tyler has a 47.5 QB rating has thrown 0 TD's but 6 picks (I wonder how many were pick 6's). He completes a decent amount but is mistake prone, and oh yeah, he hasn't thrown a TD yet in close to 80 pass attempts. This will be disastrous for KC...eventually they will have to bring Orton into the game, so why not just start him so he can get in the flow earlier and give you at least a puncher's chance? Coach Haley, are you trying to get fired?

As usual Thanks for reading the

God Bless Us!