1) OK, I give up; the Broncos are legit...: ...and I'm finally ready to say that with confidence. I've been skeptical of this team and their success early on this season, and for good reason. Until the Pats came to town on Sunday, the Broncos hadn't really been tested (the Cowboys included) and were one fluke play away from losing their first game. But, Josh McDaniels and his semi-slapped together crew of other team's castaways is for real. Kyle Orton is having an absolute renaissance under center in Denver, Brandon Marshall has ceased acting like a child and decided to play to his potential, Knowshon Moreno is looking like one of the smartest picks from this year's draft, Champ Bailey is playing like Champ Bailey again, and the diminutive Elvis Dumervil is a total freak coming off the edge. The Broncos are 1-0 to start their murderers row part of their schedule, if they can make it through the other 3 games unscathed, they may jump into the conversation as the best team in the NFL. Although I'm sold on this team as being how I think they are, don't hold your breath on that one.
2) Remember what I said about the Jaguars?: Yeah, they're still really bad. I may have to chalk the 41-0 beating they took up in Seattle up to Owen Schmidt make himself bleed his own blood in pregame. Maybe, but probably not. More than likely I'll chalk their loss up to the fact that they are just godawful all around (with the exception of MoJo).
3) Toss up: Who's worse? JaMarcus Russell, or Derek Anderson?: Sorry, the PTI voice in my head doesn't really translate well to type. Anyway...seriously, who is the worse QB of these two? Russell finally completed over 50 percent of his passes (8-13 for 100 yards. Hall of Fame, here he comes) but fumbled the ball away 3 times while being routed by the Giants. Anderson on the other hand, was the anti-star of the biggest pillow fight game of the week (season?) against the Bills, completing at an 11.8 percent clip (2-17 for 23 yards). Just for some perspective, Anderson's completion percentage is the second lowest in the history of the NFL.
I'm really having a hard time deciding which of these QB's is more terrible than the other. The inclination would be to go with Russell simply because he was the number 1 overall pick for the Raiders. But I think I'm going to go with Anderson as of right now. Sure, part of it has to do with my undying man-crush on Brady Quinn, but the other part has to do with the fact that he has been complete garbage this season. I've said it since Russell was playing at LSU; he's got a big arm, and that's about it. He's clearly too immature to play in the NFL (300 pounds at training camp? Really?) and the team around him was incredible during his college year. But Anderson, the man was a Pro Bowler not so long ago. Where did that guy go?
Since replacing Quinn two weeks ago, Anderson has racked up a staggering 1 passing TD, and 5 wonderful interceptions. So much for that shot in the arm the offense needed, right coach Mangini? I'm really starting to believe that Brady Quinn must have slept with Mangini's wife (look at the man and tell me it isn't possible). What other logical reason could he have for leaving him on the bench while watching Anderson excel in futility since being named starter? There is absolutely no possible way that Quinn could do worse than the disgrace to football we watched Sunday.
The really sad part; the Browns still won the game. Toronto's calling, Bills fans!
4) Someone better stop Iowa, and quickly: O-H...I-O! Get used to cheering that because the Buckeyes may be our only chance from having to witness Iowa get slaughtered in the National Title game. Before the lynch mobs show up at the door, let me explain this real quick. This statement is completely contingent on one, or all, of the major powers (Florida, Texas, Alabama) losing a game before the end of the season. If any two of these teams remain unbeaten, this becomes a total moot point. However, if any of these teams end up with a loss, can anyone make a case explaining why an unbeaten Big 10 team should be snubbed in favor of a 1-loss Texas, Florida, USC, Virginia Tech, etc?
Boise State? Stop, just stop. One win over a decent team does not a National Title team make. Cincinnati? The Big 10>>> the Big East, end of story. The fact of the matter is, if something happens to the elite of the elite in college football and the Hawkeyes go unbeaten, they will be playing for the BCS title. Wins over Michigan, Penn State (on the road), and possible wins over Ohio State (at the 'Shoe) and Wisconsin (on the road) make for a pretty impressive resume. If only because the bulk of their quality wins would be road wins, Kirk Ferentz's team deserves the nod over the 1-loss teams Big 10 bashing nerds will be clamoring for.
5) It will be a sad day for college football when Tim Tebow leaves: Please note that this has very little to do with Tebow's performance against LSU on Saturday. Sure, he had some flashes of brilliance and it's somewhat undeniable what he means to that Gators team, but this is more a comment on his overall body of work. Even in a sport that has seen an influx of running QB's in the last 10-15 years, Tebow truly revolutionized the position. While Michael Vick and others attempted to make people miss and move the pocket around, Tebow simply goes wild bull on opposing defenses and tries to run them over if they're in his way. Can anyone recall a time when he slid down instead of taking tacklers head on? And for a QB with a less than incredible passing game, he has made some of the most clutch and incredible throws I've ever seen. Whether it be the unorthodox jump pass that usually accompanies a National Title, or simply his bullet pass hitting his tight end on a quick slant, he seems to make any throw his team needs him to make.
Realistically, the intangibles don't even need to be discussed because we all know about them. He's a great leader and motivator for his team, and a coach's dream. Look no further than his speech after the Ole Miss loss engraved on the entrance to "The Swamp" for proof of how much he means to Florida. Tebow is a once in a generation player and it's an honor to watch him do what he does every weekend. Here's hoping he can continue his play on the next level. (anywhere but Jacksonville please!)
6) The K-Zone Curse lives! (or is born, whatever): Yeah, I just made that up and I know it's pretty weak, but apparently it's real. No less than a week after I proclaim that Auburn and Wisconsin need to be recognized in the Top 25 polls, they immediately go out and get shellacked by Arkansas and Ohio State respectively. This comes on the heels of Cal laying an egg against USC after I declare that it will Game of the Year and Jahvid Best becoming a non-factor for the Heisman after I throw my support behind him. Oops, sorry guys. This just makes me wonder, what is the extent to which I can take this? Let's find out...
- Everything I said about Iowa will come true.
- USC will completely truck Notre Dame this weekend. (wow, that one really hurt)
- Alabama will play Florida for the SEC title and straight up dominate.
Can't really think of any others that would be considered a "curse" if they actually happened. I was going to throw in "Greg Paulus will be benched for Ryan Nassib before the end of the season" but it looks like he's doing a good enough job cursing himself.
7) Finally, justice for the Crimson Tide: Sure, they only moved up to #2 in the polls, but it's progress. Obviously they weren't going to leapfrog Florida after they beat LSU, but at least the voters finally realized that Alabama beating a decent, yet highly overrated, Ole Miss team is far more important than Texas destroying Colorado and their nepotism driven offense. If Texas beat Oklahoma this weekend, more than likely they'll retake the number 2 spot, but they probably shouldn't. That would be their first "good" win of the season, and it's really not all that impressive now that the Sooners have 2 losses.
In reality, the polls will mean absolutely nothing until the SEC title game happens. If Florida and Alabama meet up in that game, it's not really going to matter who is #1 at that point. The winner of that game will be the number 1 team, the loser will drop to around 4th or 5th, and Texas will be number 2, barring a loss at some point. So Longhorns fans, relax about being dropped in the polls. It's really not that big a deal right now, especially with Oklahoma and their conquering hero Sam Bradford coming to town this week.
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