JAGeExtant4Now
11-09-2005, 04:26 PM
November 7, 2005 - Take the Panther cheerleaders, stick them on a boat with the Vikings, let Ricky Williams provide the "refreshments", maybe even let T.O. and the "badassador" Hugh Douglas box a few rounds and you have the makings of more than just the Party of the Year, sounds like the makings of Blitz: The League 2.
But there was more to the week than lesbian sex and brawls (although I wouldn't mind watching the replays of either one). We had the greatest one-handed catch that didn't count, a team going for the win instead of the tie from the one, and Eli winning a game on the road.
Here are my thoughts, reactions, overreactions, and power rankings after watching the wild week that was, a week we like to call Nine.
1. When are the Panther players overshadowed by their cheerleaders?
When two of their cheerleaders are caught in a Tampa nightclub allegedly having sex in the bathroom. That's right, two Panther cheerleaders go into the bathroom stall to show off their pom-poms, then get caught when the other women in the bar complain that there was nowhere to pop a squat. I wonder if they'll play the Humpty Dance at the next home game ("I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom!") And I thought the team rules to separate the players from the cheerleaders were to protect the women, who knew it was to protect the players.
2. Even lesbian sex can't overshadow one thing, though…
Steve Smith is putting together one of the most amazing years I've seen from a receiver. Think about it, the defense knows the Panthers are going to pass to him, hell, everyone in the stadium knows where the ball is going, and he still outruns the D and makes some of the toughest grabs in traffic that you will ever see (especially from someone 5-9, 185). This guy is nails across the middle and is easily one of the five most exciting players in the entire league. Here's a little known fact about Smith: He loves to cook, and when I say loves to cook, he told me that at one point he was considering going to culinary school.
3. And what's his favorite recipe?
Dirty South Apple Pie. Although if it's up to me, I try not to eat any food with the word "dirty" in the title.
4. What's the greatest catch you've ever seen in person?
Yesterday at the 49ers game, I watched Brandon Lloyd make one of the most unbelievable, seemingly impossible one-handed grabs I've ever seen. And just like a microcosm of the 49ers season, it was called back for holding. Inside the stadium, the crowd was so loud after the catch, I didn't even hear the holding penalty. If you want to see the catch yourself, check out 49ers.com and look under the Niners Multimedia section for the title "Brandon Lloyd on his one-arm snag". Words really don't do this catch justice.
5. How does someone make catches like that?
When I asked B-Lloyd about making plays like this, he said it's part of his imagination. "Seriously, I see myself making those catches, and I think that helps me to go out and do it. It's visualization," he told me. "I've visualized some crazy catches, and if I can see it in my mind, I think it allows me to do it out on the field. If you ask the guys, I've made behind-the-back catches in practice. I visualize myself doing it all the time. In a game, don't be surprised if you see me catch one behind my back or between my legs. It's all been done in practice. I've visualized it all before. So don't be surprised if you see it in a game really soon."
6. What was the best play call of the day?
Whether or not the Chiefs made the touchdown at the end of the Raiders game, going for it in a win or lose situation where you can just as easily go for the tie is the gutsiest thing the Chiefs or any other team has done all year. It's one of those plays where you say "We're better than you, we know it, and you can't stop us going one yard for the touchdown." It's a gut check, a character test, a make or break moment for a team on the Wild Card bubble, and in the end they made the play that could be a catalyst for great things to come.
7. Was it me, or did Larry Johnson look a little like Marcus Allen going over the pile?
Some players just have a nose for the end zone, and Larry Johnson is one of them. It seems like the new trend in the NFL is the running back 1-2 punch. With the size of the defenders hitting the backs and the abuse they take, you need two quality backs to make it through the season. Every back I've talked to, though, talks about a rhythm they need to get into, and the only way they can get into that great rhythm for the game is by getting a lot of carries. Maybe some backs are selfish and just want all the looks, or maybe there is something to the rhythm, but in terms of the modern day NFL and what it takes to be successful, for every Rudi Johnson, you need a Chris Perry for that change of pace and to have that fresh back for the fourth quarter.
8. Speaking of the Bengals, how many teams regret passing on Marvin Lewis?
After the Ravens won the Super Bowl, much of the media acclaim went to head coach Brian Billick (they were calling him "the genius"), but behind the scenes, it was Marvin Lewis who made that team tick. Lewis built the defense up to a point where even Trent Dilfer couldn't screw their championship run up, and when team after team passed on Lewis for their head coaching vacancies, all I could do was scratch my head. Lewis finally landed in Cincinnati, where he has turned the Bengals of all teams into contenders. Check the standings after Week 9: Bengals 7-2, Ravens 2-6. Who is the genius now?
9. Anyone still not understand the value of Ben Roethlisberger?
They say he doesn't throw the ball enough. That he's overrated. But watching the Steelers without their leader and you wonder if this is even a playoff caliber team. Besides, how could someone who has won almost every game he's ever started be overrated? If anything, Big Ben is underrated for the way he calls the game. For the way he instills confidence in his team. And for the way, with him under center, the Steelers know they are going to win. And last I looked, winning was the only stat that really mattered.
10. If you were the Eagles, would you suspend Terrell Owens for the remainder of the season?
If Andy Reid wanted to play Mr. High and Mighty, he should've just cut him in preseason. That would've sent a clear message about what is and isn't tolerated on his team. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think what T.O. said in the ESPN interview was all that bad. It's not like T.O. pulled a Bret Hart and started writing Favre's name in the air as he walked off the field, then ran into the locker room and sucker punched Reid. There was no screwjob, no Earl Hebner in stripes looking at instant replay. T.O. was asked point blank, would the Eagles be better with Favre as their quarterback. Sure his answer wasn't very PC, but here's the problem I have with the suspension: There have been players arrested for assault, domestic battery, discharging handguns, drug possession, and no one has a problem with these guys getting a second chance. T.O. mouthed off and got into a fight with Hugh Douglas and there are people who want his career to be over. I talked about Steve Smith earlier in this column. Does anyone remember the fact that Smith beat down a teammate during film session a few years ago? That's right, one of his teammates. He beat up Anthony Bright so bad, kid spent two days in the hospital and all Smith got was a one-game suspension.
11. What's your point?
All I'm saying is there is a big difference between T.O. and Ray Caruth, and I would rather have a cocky receiver who likes to shoot his mouth off than shoot his firearm any day. And you know what, T.O. is right, he isn't the one who got tired during the Super Bowl. Didn't anyone else watch the end of that game!?! So back to my original question: If you were the Eagles, would you suspend T.O.? Like I said, they should've handled this in the preseason, traded him when they had the chance. But they knew what they were getting when they signed T.O. in the first place. They knew the risks they were taking to win at any cost. His behavior shouldn't come as a surprise. This suspension might really be a case of buyer's remorse, but T.O. isn't acting any different now than when he was in San Francisco. Why did the Eagles think they could change him? They might look alike, but Andy Reid is no Dr. Phil (I'm telling you, put a hat on Phil or wait until Reid loses his hair, and they are the same guy).
12. So in the end, who should you feel sorry for in this whole T.O. debacle?
Forget the Eagles, their fans, T.O., and Reid, the people you should really feel sorry for is anyone who drafted T.O. on their fantasy team. But just like the Eagles, you should've known better…suckers.
13. What was the best move of the offseason?
Washington's trade for Santana Moss. I've been hollering Moss' name for the last couple of years, but even I didn't expect this type of instant impact. He's a threat to score any play he touches the ball. Deep routes, screen passes, reverses, doesn't matter. The more you give this guy the ball, the better chances you have to win. Laveranues Coles is a great receiver in his own right, but he's not the constant threat Moss is. You don't gameplan for Coles to beat you. Moss can take games over almost single-handedly, and if you don't believe me, ask the Cowboys.
14. But Moss can't catch unless someone throws him the ball…
Mark Brunell is Comeback Player of the Year, no doubt. No question in my mind. He's playing at one of the highest points in his career right now, looking off defenders, threading safeties with perfect spirals, and maintaining the ability to scramble and make plays out of the pocket. I don't know why I ever questioned Gibbs about replacing Ramsey. I really thought the old man had sucked too many exhaust fumes in his time away from the sport. And while I still don't agree with the extended time off for LaVar (good to see the playmaker back in action), Gibbs really has his team poised for a playoff push.
15. Why the Packers are screwed, part 86…
It's one thing if Ahman Green was your only free agent back. But Najeh Davenport is a free agent at the end of this year, and so is Tony Fisher. Yikes. Fantasy owners, meet Samkon Gado. If the Packers end up with the number one pick, could we see them take Reggie Bush?
16. L.T. is great and all, but do you trust the Chargers to close out big games in the playoffs?
The Chargers have four losses, and while they have playmakers like Gates and L.T. to make a run, they scare me every week when making my picks. To be honest, I don't trust them at all. They blew big games against the Eagles, Steelers, Cowboys, and Broncos, and barely held on to beat the Jets and Chiefs. With their last three games against the Colts, Chiefs and Broncos, this is a team that can close the season as a major force in the AFC or a team that finds itself sitting at home come January.
17. The Dolphins are driving, do you put the ball in the hands of Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown, or a quarterback that once ran head first into a brick wall?
The Dolphins have Ricky and Ronnie in their Bell Biv DeVoe backfield (where's Mike?), then put the ball in the hands of a guy named Gus to win the game. Talk about poison.
18. Who are the top five teams through Week 9?
1. Colts
2. Broncos
3. Steelers
4. Panthers
5. Seahawks
19. Who are the bottom five?
28. Ravens
29. Titans
30. Saints
31. Packers
32. Texans
20. What is your Monday Night Prediction?
Manning gets over the hump:
But there was more to the week than lesbian sex and brawls (although I wouldn't mind watching the replays of either one). We had the greatest one-handed catch that didn't count, a team going for the win instead of the tie from the one, and Eli winning a game on the road.
Here are my thoughts, reactions, overreactions, and power rankings after watching the wild week that was, a week we like to call Nine.
1. When are the Panther players overshadowed by their cheerleaders?
When two of their cheerleaders are caught in a Tampa nightclub allegedly having sex in the bathroom. That's right, two Panther cheerleaders go into the bathroom stall to show off their pom-poms, then get caught when the other women in the bar complain that there was nowhere to pop a squat. I wonder if they'll play the Humpty Dance at the next home game ("I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom!") And I thought the team rules to separate the players from the cheerleaders were to protect the women, who knew it was to protect the players.
2. Even lesbian sex can't overshadow one thing, though…
Steve Smith is putting together one of the most amazing years I've seen from a receiver. Think about it, the defense knows the Panthers are going to pass to him, hell, everyone in the stadium knows where the ball is going, and he still outruns the D and makes some of the toughest grabs in traffic that you will ever see (especially from someone 5-9, 185). This guy is nails across the middle and is easily one of the five most exciting players in the entire league. Here's a little known fact about Smith: He loves to cook, and when I say loves to cook, he told me that at one point he was considering going to culinary school.
3. And what's his favorite recipe?
Dirty South Apple Pie. Although if it's up to me, I try not to eat any food with the word "dirty" in the title.
4. What's the greatest catch you've ever seen in person?
Yesterday at the 49ers game, I watched Brandon Lloyd make one of the most unbelievable, seemingly impossible one-handed grabs I've ever seen. And just like a microcosm of the 49ers season, it was called back for holding. Inside the stadium, the crowd was so loud after the catch, I didn't even hear the holding penalty. If you want to see the catch yourself, check out 49ers.com and look under the Niners Multimedia section for the title "Brandon Lloyd on his one-arm snag". Words really don't do this catch justice.
5. How does someone make catches like that?
When I asked B-Lloyd about making plays like this, he said it's part of his imagination. "Seriously, I see myself making those catches, and I think that helps me to go out and do it. It's visualization," he told me. "I've visualized some crazy catches, and if I can see it in my mind, I think it allows me to do it out on the field. If you ask the guys, I've made behind-the-back catches in practice. I visualize myself doing it all the time. In a game, don't be surprised if you see me catch one behind my back or between my legs. It's all been done in practice. I've visualized it all before. So don't be surprised if you see it in a game really soon."
6. What was the best play call of the day?
Whether or not the Chiefs made the touchdown at the end of the Raiders game, going for it in a win or lose situation where you can just as easily go for the tie is the gutsiest thing the Chiefs or any other team has done all year. It's one of those plays where you say "We're better than you, we know it, and you can't stop us going one yard for the touchdown." It's a gut check, a character test, a make or break moment for a team on the Wild Card bubble, and in the end they made the play that could be a catalyst for great things to come.
7. Was it me, or did Larry Johnson look a little like Marcus Allen going over the pile?
Some players just have a nose for the end zone, and Larry Johnson is one of them. It seems like the new trend in the NFL is the running back 1-2 punch. With the size of the defenders hitting the backs and the abuse they take, you need two quality backs to make it through the season. Every back I've talked to, though, talks about a rhythm they need to get into, and the only way they can get into that great rhythm for the game is by getting a lot of carries. Maybe some backs are selfish and just want all the looks, or maybe there is something to the rhythm, but in terms of the modern day NFL and what it takes to be successful, for every Rudi Johnson, you need a Chris Perry for that change of pace and to have that fresh back for the fourth quarter.
8. Speaking of the Bengals, how many teams regret passing on Marvin Lewis?
After the Ravens won the Super Bowl, much of the media acclaim went to head coach Brian Billick (they were calling him "the genius"), but behind the scenes, it was Marvin Lewis who made that team tick. Lewis built the defense up to a point where even Trent Dilfer couldn't screw their championship run up, and when team after team passed on Lewis for their head coaching vacancies, all I could do was scratch my head. Lewis finally landed in Cincinnati, where he has turned the Bengals of all teams into contenders. Check the standings after Week 9: Bengals 7-2, Ravens 2-6. Who is the genius now?
9. Anyone still not understand the value of Ben Roethlisberger?
They say he doesn't throw the ball enough. That he's overrated. But watching the Steelers without their leader and you wonder if this is even a playoff caliber team. Besides, how could someone who has won almost every game he's ever started be overrated? If anything, Big Ben is underrated for the way he calls the game. For the way he instills confidence in his team. And for the way, with him under center, the Steelers know they are going to win. And last I looked, winning was the only stat that really mattered.
10. If you were the Eagles, would you suspend Terrell Owens for the remainder of the season?
If Andy Reid wanted to play Mr. High and Mighty, he should've just cut him in preseason. That would've sent a clear message about what is and isn't tolerated on his team. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think what T.O. said in the ESPN interview was all that bad. It's not like T.O. pulled a Bret Hart and started writing Favre's name in the air as he walked off the field, then ran into the locker room and sucker punched Reid. There was no screwjob, no Earl Hebner in stripes looking at instant replay. T.O. was asked point blank, would the Eagles be better with Favre as their quarterback. Sure his answer wasn't very PC, but here's the problem I have with the suspension: There have been players arrested for assault, domestic battery, discharging handguns, drug possession, and no one has a problem with these guys getting a second chance. T.O. mouthed off and got into a fight with Hugh Douglas and there are people who want his career to be over. I talked about Steve Smith earlier in this column. Does anyone remember the fact that Smith beat down a teammate during film session a few years ago? That's right, one of his teammates. He beat up Anthony Bright so bad, kid spent two days in the hospital and all Smith got was a one-game suspension.
11. What's your point?
All I'm saying is there is a big difference between T.O. and Ray Caruth, and I would rather have a cocky receiver who likes to shoot his mouth off than shoot his firearm any day. And you know what, T.O. is right, he isn't the one who got tired during the Super Bowl. Didn't anyone else watch the end of that game!?! So back to my original question: If you were the Eagles, would you suspend T.O.? Like I said, they should've handled this in the preseason, traded him when they had the chance. But they knew what they were getting when they signed T.O. in the first place. They knew the risks they were taking to win at any cost. His behavior shouldn't come as a surprise. This suspension might really be a case of buyer's remorse, but T.O. isn't acting any different now than when he was in San Francisco. Why did the Eagles think they could change him? They might look alike, but Andy Reid is no Dr. Phil (I'm telling you, put a hat on Phil or wait until Reid loses his hair, and they are the same guy).
12. So in the end, who should you feel sorry for in this whole T.O. debacle?
Forget the Eagles, their fans, T.O., and Reid, the people you should really feel sorry for is anyone who drafted T.O. on their fantasy team. But just like the Eagles, you should've known better…suckers.
13. What was the best move of the offseason?
Washington's trade for Santana Moss. I've been hollering Moss' name for the last couple of years, but even I didn't expect this type of instant impact. He's a threat to score any play he touches the ball. Deep routes, screen passes, reverses, doesn't matter. The more you give this guy the ball, the better chances you have to win. Laveranues Coles is a great receiver in his own right, but he's not the constant threat Moss is. You don't gameplan for Coles to beat you. Moss can take games over almost single-handedly, and if you don't believe me, ask the Cowboys.
14. But Moss can't catch unless someone throws him the ball…
Mark Brunell is Comeback Player of the Year, no doubt. No question in my mind. He's playing at one of the highest points in his career right now, looking off defenders, threading safeties with perfect spirals, and maintaining the ability to scramble and make plays out of the pocket. I don't know why I ever questioned Gibbs about replacing Ramsey. I really thought the old man had sucked too many exhaust fumes in his time away from the sport. And while I still don't agree with the extended time off for LaVar (good to see the playmaker back in action), Gibbs really has his team poised for a playoff push.
15. Why the Packers are screwed, part 86…
It's one thing if Ahman Green was your only free agent back. But Najeh Davenport is a free agent at the end of this year, and so is Tony Fisher. Yikes. Fantasy owners, meet Samkon Gado. If the Packers end up with the number one pick, could we see them take Reggie Bush?
16. L.T. is great and all, but do you trust the Chargers to close out big games in the playoffs?
The Chargers have four losses, and while they have playmakers like Gates and L.T. to make a run, they scare me every week when making my picks. To be honest, I don't trust them at all. They blew big games against the Eagles, Steelers, Cowboys, and Broncos, and barely held on to beat the Jets and Chiefs. With their last three games against the Colts, Chiefs and Broncos, this is a team that can close the season as a major force in the AFC or a team that finds itself sitting at home come January.
17. The Dolphins are driving, do you put the ball in the hands of Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown, or a quarterback that once ran head first into a brick wall?
The Dolphins have Ricky and Ronnie in their Bell Biv DeVoe backfield (where's Mike?), then put the ball in the hands of a guy named Gus to win the game. Talk about poison.
18. Who are the top five teams through Week 9?
1. Colts
2. Broncos
3. Steelers
4. Panthers
5. Seahawks
19. Who are the bottom five?
28. Ravens
29. Titans
30. Saints
31. Packers
32. Texans
20. What is your Monday Night Prediction?
Manning gets over the hump: