Severe ass kickings in the NFL this week.

[Red Baron 0]

Seahawks have the easiest schedule to man?

 

Do you see what division New England plays in? A subpar .500 team and two high school teams.

[Mike wanna be 0]

Seahawks have the easiest schedule to man?

 

Do you see what division New England plays in? A subpar .500 team and two high school teams.

They're also a Green Bay game away from playing the second, third, fourth AND fifth best teams in the league this year.

[Red Baron 0]

C'mon, New England has seven bye weeks total.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Still, as much as I hate to say it, New England has beaten those teams (Pittsburgh, Indy, and Dallas, I'm presuming) by an average margin of 15.3 points. This 2007 team is by far the most impressive football team I've ever seen, and it's pretty hard to argue that.

 

But yeah, the AFC East is pathetic. If it weren't for the Browns though, the Steelers would also be running away with their division, and who's to say anything about the awful West division. The only division worth a crap in the AFC is the South, with every single team within at least one game of .500.

 

Also, the Pats are only 53 points away from breaking the 98 Minnesota Vikings' single-season record for most points scored in a season. I think they might be able to do that this weekend. Especially at home against the Jets.

[NoCalMike 0]

Washington never seems to play well in NY, regardless of who they are playing(See game against the Jets earlier this season). The Giants pretty much have the #5 seed locked up, and Washington is in a fight with about five other teams for the final spot. Maybe Super-backup Todd Collins can get this team a couple of wins while Jason Campbell gets healthy!?!

[Boon 0]

Still, as much as I hate to say it, New England has beaten those teams (Pittsburgh, Indy, and Dallas, I'm presuming) by an average margin of 15.3 points. This 2007 team is by far the most impressive football team I've ever seen, and it's pretty hard to argue that.

 

But yeah, the AFC East is pathetic. If it weren't for the Browns though, the Steelers would also be running away with their division, and who's to say anything about the awful West division. The only division worth a crap in the AFC is the South, with every single team within at least one game of .500.

 

Also, the Pats are only 53 points away from breaking the 98 Minnesota Vikings' single-season record for most points scored in a season. I think they might be able to do that this weekend. Especially at home against the Jets.

This thread doesn't need to turn into another Patriots love/hate fest, but I'd suggest to any football fan to take a few minutes and look at some of the records they're on the verge of breaking. That shit is staggering.

[cabbageboy 0]

Here is some reality about the Patriots: Yes, their division blows. Buffalo though is at least managing to scrape to 7-6. But other than getting the jobber connection of NYJ and Miami twice they have also played Indy, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and also the Browns (8-5) and San Diego (8-5). Their SOS is listed as #14 at www.realtimerpi.com.

 

Seattle? They have one fucking win over a team with a winning record and that was over Tampa Bay in the opener. Their SOS is dead last at #32.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Thanks for that site, cabbageboy, I like their power rankings better than some subjective idiot "expert"'s.

 

Owch, the Niners may be even more pathetic than the Dolphins if you check that site out. When I see a team that's low on that list, but has a good strength of schedule (Miami had the 5th toughest, apparently) that's just shitty luck, I suppose. But the Niners have the 4th easiest schedule in the league, and they're freakin 3-10. St. Louis is right behind them, too, in terms of SOS.

 

Of course, the worst argument with SoS is also the fact that it counts the other team's losses against them. Meaning that, yeah New England plays in a shitty division, but they also directly control how shitty the rest of the division is by them romping over it.

 

Although, San Diego has been the most impressive team. Only 5 losses against the 3rd toughest schedule in the league? Not too shabby.

 

 

[Guest My Pal, the Tortoise]

I don't know if anybody's been following this Mike Ditka thing, but this shit should really upset you. The charity that Ditka established to aid retired players has turned out to be a giant fraud, as it took in about $1.6 million, had about $300,000 left over, and only distributed about $57,000. Celebrity players were charging appearance fees for golf outings, the charity was paying these fees, both of which should not be happening. On Monday, the whole thing was dissolved before it could be audited. Part of me--my inner meatball--wants to believe that Ditka meant well, but found out that he was in over his head, and let the wrong people ruin a noble cause. My realist says that this is anywhere as immoral, unethical, and illegal as essentially holding fundraisers to go golfing with his buddies, to actually pocketing the money himself.

 

As people more astute than I have already pointed out, if the Coach was really serious about the plight of unpensioned veteran players, he would do what Paul Newman does with his salad dressing and other products: take some--not even all!--of the proceeds from Mike Ditka's Restaurant, Mike Ditka's Salsa, Mike Ditka's Frozen Burgers, Mike Ditka's Vineyards, Mike Ditka's Cigars, Mike Ditka's Telander-ghostwritten autobiography, and his myriad other endorsements and testimonials, and contribute that, instead of just yelling at other people to give charitably. He's been at this game, slapping his name and likeness everywhere he can, since the Bears won the Super Bowl. You can't tell me that he's not living comfortably enough at this juncture that he can spare some income from the "Kick Ass Red Wine" or his ads for boner pills and set an example himself. I think we're going to discover some serious graft and corruption here, if there's anything left for the auditors to track. I'm sure all traces of this fund have been erased, shredded, and burned. In a way, you can't expect anything less from Chicago.

 

Here's a good column by a guy that nobody likes.

For the right price, Mike Ditka will put his name on anything. You can book a room at Mike Ditka Resorts. You can buy a bottle of Mike Ditka wine, including the Kick Ass Red. You can devour Mike Ditka's pork chops and smoke Mike Ditka's cigars with gold-chained Ditkaphiles at Mike Ditka's Restaurants. Back in the day, you could take Mike Ditka's advice and try Levitra, which cures Limp Ditka.

 

You can join Mike Ditka at Majestic Star Casinos, where he is a spokesman despite the NFL's anti-gambling stance. You can see Mike Ditka playing Mike Ditka in a Will Ferrell movie. You can buy music at Mike Ditka Records Inc. Or you can try the Mike Ditka Kick Ass Salsa, a spicy complement to watching Mike Ditka on TV, listening to Mike Ditka on radio and reading Mike Ditka's book, which, of course, is titled, ``In Life, First You Kick Ass.''

 

Hey, gang. It's a great country.

 

Except when Mike Ditka puts his name on two related charities, launches a high-profile fundraising campaign to assist former NFL players in dire need -- only to drop the ball when it comes to distributing money for one of the charities.

 

Then, it becomes a suspicious country.

 

Ditka's tireless crusade, which has taken him to Capitol Hill and included relentless shots at the NFL and its players union, has spun into a potentially scandalous issue: Where is -- and isn't -- the money going? In a front-page story Friday that naturally is being underplayed in Chicago, adoring home of Da Coach, USA Today reported that the Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund has paid only $57,000 to needy ex-players despite collecting $1.3 million since 2004, according to federal and state tax records. It's important to note that the Ditka HOF Trust is separate from the more visible Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, which has existed less than a year and also includes Ditka's involvement as a board member. Gridiron Greats has been front and center in recent months and is promoting an epic gesture by Kansas City offensive lineman Kyle Turley, who will join other NFL players in donating their single-week game checks later this month to the cause.

 

But we've yet to hear Ditka sufficiently explain how a self-named trust fund could produce so much money and donate so little. Worse, the same trust fund reportedly invested a staggering $715,000 to stage three charity golf tournaments -- with some of that money earmarked as appearance fees for athletes and other celebrities. How in the name of hypocrisy does any human being, particularly any former NFL player, require a fee to attend a charity event helping needy former NFL players? And how does Ditka, the all-time tough guy, not demand anything but free appearances from celebrities and cronies?

 

I mean, $715,000 for golf and $57,000 for the needy? Isn't this a discrepancy that, at the very least, defeats the purpose of fundraising? Imagine how many players could be helped by those impressive sums. Remember, Ditka has spent much of the year slinging arrows at the league and the union for not funneling enough money to down-and-out retirees. He appeared in Washington one summer day, in what I hailed as a proud moment in his life, and told Congress that the league and union are ``delaying or denying'' payouts.

 

And what exactly have you been doing, Mike? Jennifer Smith, executive director of Gridiron Greats, said the Ditka HOF trust has provided $153,000 this year ``to players referred to it'' by Gridiron Greats. If so, it's a start ... but only a small one.

 

Ditka's public reaction thus far has been to lash out at his adversaries at the NFL Players Association, whose spokesman, Carl Francis, told USA Today: ``At some point it's got to be about more than (Ditka) holding yet another press conference and blasting people. You ought to be announcing, `We just gave away a half a million.' Unless, of course, you don't.'' Even Ditka's staunchest loyalists might have trouble arguing that point, which means his legacy as a football legend might be in jeopardy if he doesn't explain himself better in the near future. He says it's hard finding former players who will fill out forms to receive the money, saying the trust fund originally was intended for Hall of Famers. That's a poor excuse when he has no problem finding needy ex-players to appear at news conferences.

 

It's real simple. When you're in the public eye collecting money for charity, you must be responsible and devote all energies to dispensing donations to the needy. If Ditka contacted the ex-players personally, I have difficulty believing anyone would reject his financial offer. His only public response to the USA Today story, predictably, was to criticize the media and tout the good work done by Gridiron Greats. In his statement, he does not address the discrepancy involving the trust fund.

 

``It is unfortunate that the media has to attack something that is good. My only goal is helping people. We are doing that and will continue to do so,'' Ditka said. ``What the Gridiron Greats is doing is what the NFLPA, NFL and the owners have not done -- which is showing compassion and responsiveness to the needs of those in need that have played this game.

 

``The disability system is at best dysfunctional, so much so it is being investigated by the United States Senate. There is over a billion dollars in their disability fund and only a very small amount of players are receiving disability and many of those are not at adequate levels. Hundreds of players are denied, turned away, or ignored. We are doing the right thing and will continue to do the right thing. I sleep well at night. I wonder how those people at the NFLPA sleep? We will continue with our work providing services and being a support system for the many that have been shunned and turned away by their own union.''

 

Great. But what about the $1.3 million versus the $57,000?

 

It doesn't require much spywork to realize who leaked the story. Just last month, Ditka described NFLPA boss Gene Upshaw as a liar. ``These people got in front of Congress and lied, actually lied and said, `We're going to try to fix this system,' '' Ditka said. Play smashmouth with an S.O.B., as Ditka knows, and you'll get your bell rung. Still, it doesn't answer the question of where the money went. Still, it doesn't answer the big question. Will we ever know?

 

Not that Ditkaphiles care to know. People love the guy, especially those who hold onto 1985 like their first backseat dates. That's why many will ignore this story and excuse his stance, including his intention to keep issuing appearance payments from his trust fund. ``You're asking guys to play golf in August in a tournament that's got my name on it," Ditka said.

 

He obviously doesn't get it. When a man of his stature puts his name on a charity, it isn't to be treated like wine, salsa and pork chops.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

[Colbert] He did give away some of that money. Former football players who needed the money, played golf at Ditka's tournaments. [/Colbert]

[Jaxxson Mayhem 0]

According to a source with knowledge of the Baltimore Ravens' decision-making, team owner Steve Bisciotti has told coach Brian Billick he will return next season, The Baltimore Sun reported.

 

The Ravens (4-9) have lost seven straight games, plummeting out of playoff contention and raising questions about Billick's job security. But the source said Billick was told he will return in a meeting with Bisciotti, team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome, the source said, according to the report.

 

What's more, Bisciotti does not blame Billick for the team's poor play, according to the report.

 

"The Ravens are not naive," the source said, according to The Sun. "Everyone has seen the injuries and the quarterback play."

 

On Tuesday, Billick said he expected to return as coach in 2008.

 

Bisciotti has not publicly stated that Billick will return, as he has a policy of not speaking to the media until the season ends.

 

Billick, who is under contract through 2010, has a 84-65 record as the Ravens' head coach. He agreed to a four-year contract extension after Baltimore's 13-3 season in 2006. He also led the Ravens to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV over the New York Giants.

 

Baltimore visits the winless Miami Dolphins this Sunday.

 

 

Alas, you will be able to watch Billick continue to fuck up for another year!

[King Kamala 0]

Marvin must be THRILLED with that news.

[Broward83 0]

Early on, Houston 7, Denver 0.

 

Houston is wearing their Battle Red jerseys with matching Battle Red pants. (First time in that color combo, usually its just the red top and white pants)

 

Initially thought I'd have to listen to the game on the radio, but our old UPN station (now, My20 or somethin) is showing the game.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Marvin must be THRILLED with that news.

 

After they lose to the Dolphins, and the Seahawks, and the steelers and finish 4-12 after starting 4-2...Im thinking things might change.

 

The "quarterback play" isn't going to get any better unless they sign a FA QB and a look at the FA QBs (Grossman, Cullpepper, McCown) makes me think it would probably end up WORSE than this year with them. Drafting a QB will only make things worse.

 

The "injuries" are a sign of an aging team and thats not going to miraculously cure itself in one offseason.

[Broward83 0]

Texans win 31-13.

 

Somehow, being 7-7...we're still in the hunt for the wild card.

[Richard 0]

Magic number's down to 1.

 

Of course the Padres were in the same situation, so who the fuck knows.

[2GOLD 0]

Texans win 31-13.

 

Somehow, being 7-7...we're still in the hunt for the wild card.

 

Noticed that a lot of those "YOU DRAFTED MARIO OVER REGGIE ROFL!" comments are going away quicker and quicker. That guy is becoming damn near unblockable. 13 sacks on the season now, 3 1/2 in the game last night and he almost had two more. Guy is a beast.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Once again, Denver continues to baffle me.

[Perfxion 0]

Still, I would have picked Vince Young over BOTH men. And the Texans did look good last night, but too little too late.

[snuffbox 0]

Texans win 31-13.

 

Somehow, being 7-7...we're still in the hunt for the wild card.

 

Noticed that a lot of those "YOU DRAFTED MARIO OVER REGGIE ROFL!" comments are going away quicker and quicker. That guy is becoming damn near unblockable. 13 sacks on the season now, 3 1/2 in the game last night and he almost had two more. Guy is a beast.

 

I've definitly changed my mind on Mario.

 

[fazzle 0]

So what's the over/under on turnovers in the Baltimore/Miami game? 7.5?

[Danville_Wrestling 0]

Yea I'll admit that I was wrong about Mario Williams as well. Usually I don't rush to judgment on draft picks but I did in Mario's case and I was dead wrong.

 

The sad thing for the Texans is that if they hadn't seen Andre Johnson go down for several games earlier this year they could potentially be 9-5 right now and in prime position for a playoff berth. However, the Texans close out the season at Indy and then host Jacksonville so their playoff hopes may not be alive for long depending on how many starters both teams decide to play down the stretch.

[cabbageboy 0]

Yeah the Texans are a much improved team and it's a shame they had some injury problems. They also get a tough break in getting the Colts in the 2nd to last game where they will still be trying to secure the #2 seed.

 

My thoughts on Mario Williams were a bit more complicated than thinking the Texans flat out blew it. I figured he would be a really solid pro, maybe a Pro Bowler. But to use a #1 pick on him? I don't know about that.

[Ripper 0]

Back to this discounting Seattle.

 

Would you want YOUR favorite team to play them in the playoffs?

[Danville_Wrestling 0]

Back to this discounting Seattle.

 

Would you want YOUR favorite team to play them in the playoffs?

 

Well even though my favorite team is Cincinnati and is in the AFC, I think the Seahawks are a very dangerous team in the NFC playoffs. I know that its difficult to go from the wild card round to the Super Bowl out of the NFC, but I think if we get a playoff rematch between Dallas and Seattle we could be in for another shocker. I only discount them against Green Bay because Brett Favre and company have shown that they can outmanuever Holmgren.

 

Last year I though that Seattle would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year but they lost in OT to the Bears.

[CanadianChris 0]

Back to this discounting Seattle.

 

Would you want YOUR favorite team to play them in the playoffs?

If Seattle was the visiting team, absolutely.

[MFer 0]

A letter from Mr. Vick

[The Robfather 0]

I really hate the lineup of games this weekend.

[Red Baron 0]

Week 15 is pretty shitty.

 

 

Anyways, if Seattle and Mike Holmgren get their head in place at crutial moments, they can be a threat. Most of the receiving core are coming off injuries, and if Alexander and Morris share duties, they can make it to the NFC Title game.

[snuffbox 0]

I'd much rather see Green Bay play Seattle in the playoffs than Minnesota.