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      Deion Sanders not happy with ranking in NFL Network’s Top 100

      October 18, 2010 /
      TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 29: NFL commentator Deion Sanders speaks during a broadcast at the Tampa Convention Center on January 29, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

      The network has him ranked #34 all time, and he’s upset about it.

      Deion is going to be partial to defense (and himself), but he brings up an interesting point that there’s a huge disparity between the number of offensive players that were selected compared to the number of defensive players. But is that surprising? Offensive players put up gaudy stats while you usually can’t fully appreciate how good a defender is unless you watch film. Nnamdi Asomugha’s interception totals are always low, but he’s widely regarded as the best corner in the league because quarterbacks don’t dare throw his way.

      That said, Sanders was the greatest cover corner to have played the game and maybe he does have right to complain about his No. 34 ranking. As he alludes to, quarterbacks used to stay away from his side of the field and he still found ways to make plays. He was also a highlight reel waiting to happen on special teams and even though he’s often criticized for not tackling, that doesn’t take away from how outstanding he was in coverage.

      Does he have a beef? Should he be in the top 10 or is his ranking justified?

      External Sports, Fantasy Football, Humor, NFL, Video

      The Rangers could have a huge advantage if they can win Game 3

      October 18, 2010 /
      Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cliff Lee pitches against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas July 10, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      The Yankees may have accomplished their goal of stealing a game in Texas, but their work has just begun.

      Game 3 is Monday night in the Bronx and the Rangers will throw Cliff Lee, who is 6-0 with a 1.52 ERA in the postseason. And if you think he gets freaked out pitching at Yankee Stadium – think again. His lone playoff start in New York came in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series when he threw a complete game, yielding just one run on six hits while striking out 10 and walking none.

      If the Rangers can win tonight, their opponent in Game 4 is A.J. Burnett, who gets the nod because manager Joe Girardi doesn’t want to use CC Sabathia and then pitch youngster Phil Hughes on short rest. To say that Burnett has struggled this season is like saying that Brett Favre struggled getting a date with Jenn Sterger in New York. (What? You mean you got my text-o-junk and you still don’t want to go out with me? Your loss, lady.)

      Girardi is sticking by the struggling Burnett and even went as far as to say, “We believe in A.J.” But the starter went 10-15 with a 5.26 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP over 33 outings during the regular season this year and has shown no signs of turning things around.

      With a win in Game 3, the Rangers could be setting themselves up to take the series. One day at a time, though – tonight is pivotal.

      External Sports, MLB

      Should the Eagles trade either Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb?

      October 18, 2010 /
      JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles talk on the sidelines during a time-out against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 28-3. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

      Short answer: No.

      Long answer…

      The Eagles currently have a luxury that most teams wish they had: They have two quarterbacks whom in the first six weeks have proven that they can start in the NFL. And play well.

      Kevin Kolb didn’t prove that until last week when he completed 21-of-31 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 win over the 49ers. He cemented the belief on Sunday when he went 23-of-29 for 326 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles dominated the hapless Falcons, 31-17.

      While he isn’t 100% yet, Michael Vick appears closer to returning from a rib injury that has sidelined him for three games (he played at the very beginning of the loss to the Redskins in Week 4 before suffering the injury). With Philly’s bye week coming in Week 8, Andy Reid would be smart to start a hot Kolb against the Titans this Sunday and then decide over the break whom he wants to go with in the second half.

      But let’s get back on topic. Should the Eagles trade Vick or Kolb (or hell, why not both? Fourth rounder Mike Kafka is probably ready) before Tuesday’s trade deadline? It should be noted that the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that neither will be dealt, but it’s an interesting topic regardless.

      If anything, Vick’s injury only further strengthens the Eagles’ need both quarterbacks. Vick opens himself up to injury all the time with his style of play, so it would make sense for the team to hang onto Kolb in case a) Vick’s rib injury doesn’t heal properly or b) he suffers another injury down the road.

      Let’s not forget that while Vick has looked phenomenal in the four games he’s played in thus far, the law of averages state that he’s due for a letdown. Even in his prime, the highest QB rating he’s compiled is 81.6 (which was in 2002 when he lead the Falcons to a playoff win over the Packers), but is a far cry from the current 108.8 mark that he’s sporting now. I don’t care if he says he’s a different quarterback, it stands to reason that he won’t keep performing at this clip.

      That said, he needs to start if he keeps producing wins and I think Reid owes it to Vick to stick with him once he’s healthy. If it weren’t for Vick, Kolb may have put Philly in a huge hole to start the season. If Vick struggles upon his return, then maybe Reid needs to make a switch back to Kolb, although he doesn’t want to get into a situation where he’s playing the matchups. This isn’t college football – inconsistency at the quarterback position can doom teams. Just ask the 49ers.

      External Sports, NFL

      Eric LeGrand’s injury a painful reminder of how violent football can be

      October 18, 2010 /
      NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Rutgers Stadium is seen during a Rutgers Scarlet Knights football game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on September 25, 2010 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

      Football is a thrilling sport. The harder the hits, the more fans enjoy the game. The faster the action, the more exciting the sport becomes.

      But when you see Rutgers’ defensive tackle Eric LeGrand carried off the field on a stretcher after sustaining a neck injury, you’re reminded of how violent the game of football can be. How unforgiving the sport is sometimes.

      Replays showed that LeGrand ran full speed into Army’s Malcolm Brown following a 22-yard kick return with five minutes remaining in Rutgers’ 23-20 overtime win on Saturday. Both players hit the ground, but only one got up.

      The 6-foot-2, 275-pound LeGrand laid motionless on the turf for nearly seven minutes before being lifted onto a backboard with his head and body immobilized. He was then carted off the field to an ambulance, which transported him to the medical center.

      LeGrand fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae and was he arrived at the medical center he underwent emergency surgery in order to stabilize his spine. There’s concern that he will never walk again.

      My heart goes out to LeGrand, his family and friends, as well as Rutgers University. I’m sure everyone will support Eric and give him the hope he needs moving forward. There have been many positive stories about people walking again after neck surgery and while I don’t know LeGrand personally, I’ll be rooting for him in his recovery.

      Get better, Eric.

      College Football, External Sports

      Fantasy Fallout, Week 6: Where Dwayne Bowe says, “Look at me!”

      October 18, 2010 /
      ATLANTA - AUGUST 13: Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 13, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      Heading into Week 6, it took a lot of balls (or desperation) to plug Dwayne Bowe into your lineup. On the season, he was only averaging 2.3 catches for 38 yards and 0.3 TD, but there was a sense that he’d have a chance for a nice game against the Texans, who have been bad against the pass this season. Well, Bowe (6-108-2) did have a nice game, and owners that were ballsy (or desperate) enough to plug him in were well rewarded. Looking at the KC backfield, Thomas Jones (20 touches, 110 yards, TD) and Jamaal Charles (20 touches, 117 yards) split the duties evenly, though Jones got both carries inside the Texans’ five yard line. Meanwhile, it looks like Matt Cassel (201 yards, 3 TD) is coming on after a poor start to the season. He now has six pass TDs in his last three games, and should have had another last week if not for a Bowe drop in the endzone. For the Texans, Andre Johnson (8-138-1) looks fine, and Owen Daniels (5-79) seems to be getting back to his old self. He was the second most targeted (7) Houston receiver. Kevin Walter was shut out. (He wasn’t even targeted.)

      It looks like Seattle plans to use Marshawn Lynch (20 touches, 53 yards, TD) quite a bit. Justin Forsett (11 touches, 56 yards, TD) also got a lot of work. I’m starting to see him hit the waiver wire in a few leagues and he’s definitely worth rostering. Mike Williams 1.0 (10-123, 15 targets) was the big winner with Deion Branch gone, but Deon Butler (4-47-1) made the most of his four targets. Johnny Knox (5-120) was the only standout fantasy player for the Bears, who struggled offensively.

      Speaking of Deion Branch (9-98-1), Tom Brady (292 yards, TD, 2 INT) certainly made him feel welcome, targeting his new/old receiver 12 times, which was the most of any Patriot player. I think it’s safe to cut Brandon Tate (0-0, 4 targets) whose potential value was torpedoed by the Branch trade. I actually had to start Danny Woodhead (16 touches, 115 yards) in two PPR leagues and was rewarded with a nice day thanks to his five catches. He actually got one more carry (11) than BenJarvus Green-Ellis (10 carries, 20 yards, TD).

      I’m a Packer fan, and it was tough to watch Green Bay’s fairly impotent performance against the Dolphins. The Packers said this week that they wanted to get Greg Jennings (6-133-1) involved, and they succeeded. Unfortunately, that was their only success of the afternoon. Davone Bess (5-37-1) scored again for the Dolphins, but Brandon Marshall (10-127) was the big story for Miami in the passing game.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, Fantasy Football, NFL

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