Month: November 2007 (Page 3 of 29)

      Packers-Cowboys Preview

      November 28, 2007 /

      The marquee matchup in the NFC (probably the only marquee matchup in the NFC) plays out Thursday night on the NFL Network when the Packers take on the Cowboys in Dallas. So I figured – what the heck, I’ll do a preview.

      This isn’t a gambling site, but I felt compelled to mention that most sports books have the Cowboys as seven point favorites. Seven points? I could see home field advantage giving Dallas a three or maybe even a five-point edge, but seven? We’re not talking about a 7-3 team who has managed to get hot recently – Green Bay is 10-1 and Brett Favre is playing magnificently.

      Personally, I like Green Bay. I like them with the points, straight up and with a side of coleslaw. Statistically, Dallas is better on both sides of the ball. But in a game of this magnitude, stats go out the window. The Cowboys secondary can be had and I know a certain #4 is the right man to expose a weaknesses in a team’s defensive backfield. Dallas is good against the run (excellent, actually), but the Packers are one of the few teams that don’t need to set up the pass with the run – they usually don’t have to worry about being one-dimensional if a defense shuts down the ground game. The Pack certainly have the offensive weapons to take advantage of safety Roy Williams in space and as long as Favre doesn’t start forcing passes and turning the ball over, Green Bay should be able to pull out a victory.

      One thing Tony Romo does so well, however, is that he creates opportunities with his feet. Give this guy enough time and he’ll find Terrell Owens and Jason Witten streaking down the field. Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins can’t let Romo move the pocket or else he’s going to have a field day. Either way, call the NFL Network thieves because they stole a great game from their television counterparts.

      What’s a preview without a meaningless prediction, too? Packers 27, Cowboys 23. Thoughts?

      NFL

      Sleepers of the Week: Week 13

      November 28, 2007 /

      Last week’s sleeper, Kolby Smith, had a wonderful game, rushing for 150 yards and two scores. Let’s see if we can find a couple more diamonds in the rough…

      Derrick Ward, Giants (@ CHI)
      He’s banged up, but barring a setback this week, he should play on Sunday against the Bears, who have had a lot of trouble stopping the run. With Brandon Jacobs out, Ward is the favorite to get the lion’s share of the touches, but be warned, Reuben Droughns may steal some goal line carries. Ward should be especially good in PPR leagues.

      Fred Jackson, Bills (@ WAS)
      With Marshawn Lynch and Anthony Thomas both struggling with injuries, Jackson figures to get the start against the Redskins, who have been mediocre against the run. Jackson probably isn’t going to set the world on fire, but he should get most of the work in a starting capacity, and that’s worth something in fantasy football.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Week 13 Preview

      November 28, 2007 /

      Every week, I highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Carson Palmer or LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Ben Roethlisberger, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

      START ‘EM

      QB: Kurt Warner has a fantastic matchup against the Browns, who have yielded 267 yards and 2.3 TD through the air this season. Warner is on fire right now and the good times should continue against the Browns…Vince Young has averaged 269 yards passing, thrown for two TD and run for one more over the last three weeks. This week, he faces a Houston defense that has struggled lately against the pass…For the desperate, Daunte Culpepper (vs. DEN) and Tarvaris Jackson (vs. DET) have good matchups this week.

      RB: If Travis Henry is healthy and available, he should be a great start against the Raiders, who have been awful against the run this season. If he can’t go, Selvin Young or Andre Hall would be next in line, but they are both out with injuries, so Cecil Sapp looks to be the man if Henry can’t go…Jamal Lewis is a must-start this week against the Cardinals, who were shredded last week by an underachieving 49er rushing attack…After a great game on Sunday, Kolby Smith is worth a start against the Chargers, who are 21st against the run this season. Smith looks like a capable RB2 in most leagues.

      WR: Get Steve Smith back in your lineup. He faces the 49ers, who have been miserable against the pass of late…Sidney Rice is a sneaky good start against the Lions, who are 31st in the league against the pass…In the same game, Calvin Johnson is definitely worth a look against the Vikings, who have given up the most passing yards in the league…Lee Evans is worth a start against the Redskins, who have been pretty bad against the pass over the last few games.

      SIT ‘EM

      QB: Jay Cutler has a tough matchup this week against a Raiders defense that has yielded just 184 yards and 0.7 TD through the air this season. Oakland also has the second-best TD to INT ratio (8 to 13), so Cutler is probably in for a tough week…A.J. Feeley played well last week against the Pats, but he may have a difficult time repeating that feat against a Seahawks defense that has allowed just six pass TD all season…John Beck (vs. NYJ), Brodie Croyle (vs. SD) and Phillip Rivers (@ KC) should be avoided as well.

      RB: Rudi Johnson should ride the pine as he faces a Pittsburgh defense that is 2nd in the league against the run (and has only allowed two rushing TD all season)…I like the other Adrian Peterson (who plays for the Bears) as a pickup, but this week he faces a Giants defense that is 8th in the league against the run. You can start Peterson in PPR leagues, however…Laurence Maroney has been pretty spotty all season, but he should definitely be benched (if possible) against the Ravens, who have the 3rd best rush defense in all of football.

      WR: Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall face a tough test against the Oakland secondary, which has proven to be one of the best in the league. Marshall is still startable, but after Walker’s goose egg last week, I recommend waiting for him to put up some good numbers before putting him back in your lineup…Derrick Mason faces a tough Pats defense that will probably focus on limiting his opportunities.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Great Cause—Great Coach

      November 28, 2007 /

      This week started Jimmy V Week in college basketball. Appropriately named for the former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano. Having had the opportunity to hear him speak in person while he was still coaching I was mesmerized by his storytelling and motivational skills. It was easy to see why he was able to orchestrate the greatest upset in NCAA history. HIs run to the National Championship was something that every coach dreamed about. The little David pitted against the mighty Goliath (Houton “Phi Slamma Jamma” Cougars) is what Hollywood scripts are made of, however, I don’t know if anyone would have bought this one.

      After leaving NC State he became one of the best in the broadcasting business. But what if he had taken the UCLA job. That afterall was his dream job. Being a former English major he grew up watching John Wooden hanging banners. How many more banners would be hanging in Pauley Pavillion if he had become the coach? Alas, it was not to be. Too much bueraucracy. His legacy will live on forever and I ask you to be generous in giving to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

      Now back to basketball. The ACC – Big Ten Challenge is the highlight of Jimmy V Week and it looks like it will be a highlight for the ACC. After winning the conference showdown last year (8-3), the ACC is off to a 5-1 start this year. The first night winners were Wake Forest, Duke, Clemson,Florida State and Virginia. The lone victor for the Big Ten was Indiana…Speaking of Indiana, I will get a chance to see Indiana next week as part of the Big Ten Network. I am looking forward to seeing one of the best guards in the country, Eric Gordon. Forget about it, that he is only a freshman.

      Duke was absolutely unstoppable last night as they steamrolled Wisconsin. A pretty good Badger team was no match for a hot shooting Duke squad. It looks like Duke has put the pieces together early for Coach K. So much for the coaching hangover from the Olympic team preparations.

      One final note, if you get a chance tune into ESPN for the Jimmy V ESPY acceptance speech at 7:00est. Whether you are a sports fan or not you will not be disappointed.

      College Basketball

      It’s getting hot on this seat

      November 28, 2007 /

      I Miss Football Season took a stab at which NFL head coaches could be shown the door after the year.

      1. Brian Billick, Baltimore–They were 13-3 last year and looked like they might go all the way. But ever since the Colts knocked them out of the playoffs, they haven’t been the same. This year they are 4-7 and have lost a lot of games they should have won. The defense isn’t the same, probably because it’s tired from being on the field all the time. The offense is, as always, atrocious. And remember that Billick is an offensive coach. See ya.

      2. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati–This one is more of a longshot, because I think Marvin may have turned things around last week, and I think he deserves another year. But this season, the playoffs will be watched from the Bengals’ collective living room.

      3. Tom Coughlin, NY Giants–For a minute there, it looked like ol’ Tom had saved his job. But alas, the Giants have begun their annual collapse. Look, he can’t stop Eli Manning from throwing picks and he can’t tackle players on the other team, but he sure can find a way to stop a second half losing skid, and he hasn’t done that yet. Bill Cowher, please keep your cell phone turned on when Jerry Reese calls.

      4. John Fox, Carolina–This team has underachieved more than it has looked like world beaters, and though Fox can’t be blamed for injuries, this will be one of those change of scenery things.

      5. Scott Linehan, St. Louis–Yes, his Rams have won 2 of 3, but fans were calling for his dismissal after 4 games. It’s just not working out, and I think they miss Mike Martz more than anyone will admit.

      I agree about Billick – folks in Baltimore have been calling for his head for weeks now. He looks completely befuddled this year and out ofanswers after seemingly fixing the Ravens’ offensive woes last year. I think Fox is done too. Read the Carolina papers and you get the impression that he might not be the best fit for that team anymore. As far as Lewis and Coughlin, as IMFS suggested, they might be coaching for their jobs over the next five weeks. Linehan is probably safe for at least another year. The Rams definitely have underachieved this year, but you have to give a guy at least three seasons.

      The one guy I’d add to IMFS’s list is Mike Nolan in San Fran. Mike Singletary’s name has been in the head coaching mix for two seasons now and maybe the Niners promote from within after this disastrous season.

      NFL

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