It took a four month investigation to find out what we already knew: nothing. The NFL finally waved the white flag, in the last week of the season, and declared they couldn't prove Brett Favre texted pictures of "his junk" to Jenn Sterger. In order to prove they were trying to find something, they fined Favre $50 grand for "not cooperating with the investigation."
This whole story stinks and it has ever since Deadspin, the hacks they are, decided they would essentially help Sterger exhort Favre over pictures that couldn't be linked to him. I don't mind the voice mails that were released. Each person can decide if that was Favre on the phone. But to release pictures of someone's dick and claim they're Favre's is stupid, salacious and disgusting. It's also bad reporting and journalism. And that's what Deadspin does.
Sterger was after money, that much is clear. When she couldn't get any from Favre, or not enough, she sold these pictures to Deadspin, who bought them hook, line and sinker. The seedy situation was talked about all season long and it provided an opportunity to bury Favre off the field.
Deadspin simply wanted to make a fool of Favre and destroy what was left of a shattered reputation. They pretty much succeeded because of the "judge first, find out facts maybe later, maybe never" attitude prevalent in today's society. I'm not here to defend Favre; I want him to go away as much as the next guy. But I also had to sit through months of "coverage" on this "story" only to have the NFL say they couldn't prove or find anything wrong.
The investigation dragged on much longer than necessary to find nothing. The $50,000 fine seems to be an effort to blame Favre for something, anything. Two months ago, Goodell said Favre was cooperating. Now he says Favre wasn't "candid enough in his responses." Does that mean he was fined for not admitting it? It was a he-said-she-said situation from the beginning. Goodell handled this about as poorly as Deadspin.
Hopefully this story, which allegedly took place two years ago, will go away forever. It's wasted too much of our time already. Unfortunately, I'm sure Deadspin will have a similar and less credible story soon.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Don't Bet On It
The NFL is great at making you think you know something only to be proven 100% wrong hours later. Picking games makes you question your sanity at times. You try and spot trends and break down the matchups but sometimes it just doesn't make sense.
"You never know," Bill Belichick said after beating Pittsburgh on the road last month, a game few thought New England would win at the time. "If you know what's going to happen in this league you can make a lot of money."
It's an old line but it's never been more accurate. Vegas must be cleaning up this year. The Bears and Chiefs are division champs? That's a situation I didn't believe until I saw it, and I still scratch my head. The Vikings really didn't beat the Eagles last night, did they? It's been a crazy year, to say the least.
Let's just talk about picking winners because I don't have the disposable income to put money down on a line, and don't want to throw it down the drain. If you bet on the favorite (based on the Vegas line) last week, you would have lost seven games. I would say that's a little above average for each week. In Week 15 there were five "upsets."
While it may be futile to try and put a finger on one particular aspect of a team on whether they win or lose, I've done just that: Look at the coach. Sure, the players win the game but there are too many players to take into consideration. The quarterback is a major factor, as well as injuries and home or away. But when I'm desperate for a winner, I look at who is leading that team and how have the been going lately.
If I was smart, I could have cashed in big time at the start of the year on the Cowboys and Vikings. That was the coach. How about the 49ers? Don't you wish you would have know Singletary had absolutely no clue what he was doing at the beginning of the year? Coaching has certainly played significant roles in the Bears (Martz) and Chiefs (coordinators, plus Haley getting players to buy in) success. And in the demise of the Cowboys, Vikings and Broncos.
Of all the qualities a successful NFL head coach must have, none is more important than the ability to MOTIVATE. That's number 1. The second and nearly as important is scheme. It's based on communication and knowledge. Can you get these guys to play with their hair on fire within a scheme that will outsmart your opponent?
Andy Reid couldn't last night. There's not one thing that pointed to the Vikings winning that game. Philadelphia was hot, Vikings were starting a rookie and had nothing to play for, on the road. It must have been the messed up schedule. I blame Reid (and Vick, of course) for not having them focused on beating a lowly Minnesota team. Teams have feasted on that defense. Philly leads the league in offense. It just doesn't make sense.
I'll go back to Singletary. He's a "motivator" and that's it. As far as I can tell he has no ability to scheme, judge talent or make decisions. When that's the case, you must have coordinators surrounding you with the knowledge the head coach lacks. That wasn't the case in San Fran this year. Then, when things start to go south, you can't continue to berate your players publicly and privately, while not being able to make a decision on who to play at quarterback. Players will tire of your "motivating" style and begin to shut down. That's what happened in Dallas, Minnesota, and Denver. The team tires of the head coach's crap and whether it's sub-consciously or not, the won't play hard or well.
Tony Sparano is another great "motivating" head coach. He is fiery and seems to communicate well with players and media (another thing Singletary lacked.) But his teams are impossible to read. I've struggled the most trying to figure out the Dolphins this year. I'm 5-10 picking Miami games. Of course you could say, "Well look at the quarterback situation." Sparano needs to work the run game and defense, to compensate for a quarterback who should be further along. He also shouldn't have Chad Pennington as a back-up, a guy who is so fragile at this point he was injured falling down after two snaps. The Dolphins are 1-7 at home this season, for goodness sake. That's a head coaching problem but Sparano still isn't in the same category as Singletary.
Another coach to look at is Tom Coughlin. He's a guy who tends to rub players the wrong way at times. After the Eagles-game debacle, the team clearly wasn't up to the task in Green Bay Sunday. They were steam-rolled and Eli Manning looked awful. The defense was just as bad.
The NFL is so hard to read it's almost better if you don't use any logic. Norval Turner is another shining example of how to lose games that should easily be won. Especially at the start of the year. It's just doesn't make any sense some times. And that's what's great about the NFL. There's no rhyme or reason for some games, and like they say, "that's why you play the games." Because "you never know."
My 2010 record picking games: 147-93
2009 record: 171-85
2008 record: 170-86
Just goes to show the more I think I know, the less I actually do. I can't wait to try and pick playoff games.
"You never know," Bill Belichick said after beating Pittsburgh on the road last month, a game few thought New England would win at the time. "If you know what's going to happen in this league you can make a lot of money."
It's an old line but it's never been more accurate. Vegas must be cleaning up this year. The Bears and Chiefs are division champs? That's a situation I didn't believe until I saw it, and I still scratch my head. The Vikings really didn't beat the Eagles last night, did they? It's been a crazy year, to say the least.
Let's just talk about picking winners because I don't have the disposable income to put money down on a line, and don't want to throw it down the drain. If you bet on the favorite (based on the Vegas line) last week, you would have lost seven games. I would say that's a little above average for each week. In Week 15 there were five "upsets."
If I was smart, I could have cashed in big time at the start of the year on the Cowboys and Vikings. That was the coach. How about the 49ers? Don't you wish you would have know Singletary had absolutely no clue what he was doing at the beginning of the year? Coaching has certainly played significant roles in the Bears (Martz) and Chiefs (coordinators, plus Haley getting players to buy in) success. And in the demise of the Cowboys, Vikings and Broncos.
Of all the qualities a successful NFL head coach must have, none is more important than the ability to MOTIVATE. That's number 1. The second and nearly as important is scheme. It's based on communication and knowledge. Can you get these guys to play with their hair on fire within a scheme that will outsmart your opponent?
Andy Reid couldn't last night. There's not one thing that pointed to the Vikings winning that game. Philadelphia was hot, Vikings were starting a rookie and had nothing to play for, on the road. It must have been the messed up schedule. I blame Reid (and Vick, of course) for not having them focused on beating a lowly Minnesota team. Teams have feasted on that defense. Philly leads the league in offense. It just doesn't make sense.
I'll go back to Singletary. He's a "motivator" and that's it. As far as I can tell he has no ability to scheme, judge talent or make decisions. When that's the case, you must have coordinators surrounding you with the knowledge the head coach lacks. That wasn't the case in San Fran this year. Then, when things start to go south, you can't continue to berate your players publicly and privately, while not being able to make a decision on who to play at quarterback. Players will tire of your "motivating" style and begin to shut down. That's what happened in Dallas, Minnesota, and Denver. The team tires of the head coach's crap and whether it's sub-consciously or not, the won't play hard or well.
Another coach to look at is Tom Coughlin. He's a guy who tends to rub players the wrong way at times. After the Eagles-game debacle, the team clearly wasn't up to the task in Green Bay Sunday. They were steam-rolled and Eli Manning looked awful. The defense was just as bad.
My 2010 record picking games: 147-93
2009 record: 171-85
2008 record: 170-86
Just goes to show the more I think I know, the less I actually do. I can't wait to try and pick playoff games.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
NFC Power Rankings
Figuring out the NFC hasn't been easy this year. There are some legit contenders, some decent teams that have no real shot, teams that have disappointed and surprised, and some straight-up dumpster fires. Here's a look at Week 13 NFC Power Rankings.
CONTENDERS
1) Atlanta (10-2) - Matt Ryan is earning the "Matty Ice" nickname time and time again. The balanced attack and three-headed offensive monster in Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner is a force to be reckoned with. The aren't winning with flash but winning nonetheless. Best chance to represent the NFC in Super Bowl today.
2) Philadelphia (8-4) - Mike Vick is in the MVP discussion and is leading one of the top offenses in the league (1st in yards, 2nd in scoring). The defense isn't quite where it's been in the past when Jim Johnson was running things but can still get pressure. They're leading the league in interceptions (20).
3) Green Bay (8-4) - The offense and Aaron Rodgers get much of the credit, but the defense is pulling major weight. Dom Capers, Clay Mathews and Charles Woodson have the Pack leading the league in scoring (15.3 points per game), tied for third in sacks and fifth in interceptions. The trendy Super Bowl pick at the start of the year, the Pack are still in good position to get there.
4) New Orleans (9-3) - No Super Bowl hangover here. Sure, they've had some scraps along the way (still wondering how they lost to Arizona) and have been in a dogfight nearly every week but they are coming out on top. The offense is always ready to strike and the defense is still very opportunistic.
GOOD BUT NOT LEGIT
5) New York Giants (8-4) - You never know what Coughlin is going to bring to the table each week. Started slow, picked up aggressively, now back in the middle. Eli and the defense have been inconsistent at times. Most likely a playoff team but not a noise-maker.
6) Chicago (9-3) - The Bears continue to surprise me but as I've pointed out earlier, they haven't played the toughest schedule. They still won the games and beating Philadelphia gave them more credibility. The tough part of the schedule remains: New England, at Vikings, Jets and Packers to close out the year. Solid team who should make the playoffs but not a legit contender.
7) Tampa Bay (7-5) - Quietly, and shockingly, the Bucs have emerged as a good NFL team. QB Josh Freeman and head coach Raheem Morris are making names for themselves this season. The Bucs are beating the teams they should and playing the better teams tough and to the wire. Things are looking up in Tampa Bay.
THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
This group could all interchange. Two are complete disappointments and two are complete shockers.
8) St. Louis (6-6) - One of the biggest, if not the biggest, surprise of the year. Rookie Sam Bradford is winning more and more people every week and the defense is keeping them in most games. Leading the division with a chance to claim the division is one thing I never thought I'd see after Week 13 this year.
9) Dallas (4-8) - Playing much better under Jason Garrett beating the Giants, Colts and almost pulling out a game vs. New Orleans. The Cowboys are actually trying now and Jon Kitna has settled into his role. The Dez Bryant injury will hurt even though Kitna, it seemed, purposely wouldn't throw him the ball in the New Orleans game.
10) Minnesota (5-7) - The dark, smelly cloud of incompetence left with Chilly. Unfortunately the haze of Favre, his streak and continued poor play haunts the Vikings as the desperately await the end of the season. Competitiveness is improved with Leslie Frazier but nothing to get to excited about.
11) Seattle (6-6) - They could actually win the division. This team looks great one week, then god awful the next. You used to be able to count on them winning at home but even that's in question this year. Kudos to them if they can pull out the NFC West and host another playoff game.
AT LEAST THEY'RE COMPETING
12) Detroit (2-10) - Competing hard and nasty every week. If the NFL wasn't out to get them they would have beat the Bears twice and got some other ones along the way. They're in every game (only a half vs New England) and if they weren't using 2nd- and 3rd-string QBs all year they might have pulled out a couple more wins. I like this team and its style of play. Don't like Stafford's durability and that could screw them royally in the future.
IS THE SEASON OVER YET?
13) San Fransisco (4-8) - Total dud this year. Singletary is on his way out the door, or at least he should be. They change quarterbacks more than the Raiders and lost Frank Gore two weeks ago. A couple questions were answered this year: Singletary and Alex Smith aren't the guys for the job.
14) Washington (5-7) - They've completely quit. Shanahan destroyed this team from the start with the handling of Haynesworth, not that Big Al doesn't deserve some blame. I put most of it on Shanahan and his under-qualified son. Not only did they try to make a point with the best defensive player but also with the new QB, Donovan. It's been ugly since the get-go. They've gotten some wins but have been embarrassed in all seven losses. Get over yourself, Shanahan. Terrell Davis and John Elway got you those rings. Back off the smugness, please.
15) Carolina (1-11) - A season to forget in Charlotte. You can point to numerous things but they just haven't got it done. John Fox will most likely be relieved of his duties but he'll catch on with someone else shortly.
16) Arizona (3-9) - Super Bowl two years ago. Beat the Packers in the playoffs last year. So much has changed for the Cards in the last year they are now the worst team in the conference and league. What was it? Players leaving/retiring, lack of a stable QB, a defense that doesn't know how to make a play or tackle, and many more things. It's so bad Ken Whisenhunt is jealous of Wade Phillips. Just wave the white flag and cash it in. It's over for 2010, Arizona. "Maybe next year."
CONTENDERS
1) Atlanta (10-2) - Matt Ryan is earning the "Matty Ice" nickname time and time again. The balanced attack and three-headed offensive monster in Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner is a force to be reckoned with. The aren't winning with flash but winning nonetheless. Best chance to represent the NFC in Super Bowl today.
2) Philadelphia (8-4) - Mike Vick is in the MVP discussion and is leading one of the top offenses in the league (1st in yards, 2nd in scoring). The defense isn't quite where it's been in the past when Jim Johnson was running things but can still get pressure. They're leading the league in interceptions (20).
3) Green Bay (8-4) - The offense and Aaron Rodgers get much of the credit, but the defense is pulling major weight. Dom Capers, Clay Mathews and Charles Woodson have the Pack leading the league in scoring (15.3 points per game), tied for third in sacks and fifth in interceptions. The trendy Super Bowl pick at the start of the year, the Pack are still in good position to get there.
4) New Orleans (9-3) - No Super Bowl hangover here. Sure, they've had some scraps along the way (still wondering how they lost to Arizona) and have been in a dogfight nearly every week but they are coming out on top. The offense is always ready to strike and the defense is still very opportunistic.
GOOD BUT NOT LEGIT
5) New York Giants (8-4) - You never know what Coughlin is going to bring to the table each week. Started slow, picked up aggressively, now back in the middle. Eli and the defense have been inconsistent at times. Most likely a playoff team but not a noise-maker.
6) Chicago (9-3) - The Bears continue to surprise me but as I've pointed out earlier, they haven't played the toughest schedule. They still won the games and beating Philadelphia gave them more credibility. The tough part of the schedule remains: New England, at Vikings, Jets and Packers to close out the year. Solid team who should make the playoffs but not a legit contender.
7) Tampa Bay (7-5) - Quietly, and shockingly, the Bucs have emerged as a good NFL team. QB Josh Freeman and head coach Raheem Morris are making names for themselves this season. The Bucs are beating the teams they should and playing the better teams tough and to the wire. Things are looking up in Tampa Bay.
THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
This group could all interchange. Two are complete disappointments and two are complete shockers.
8) St. Louis (6-6) - One of the biggest, if not the biggest, surprise of the year. Rookie Sam Bradford is winning more and more people every week and the defense is keeping them in most games. Leading the division with a chance to claim the division is one thing I never thought I'd see after Week 13 this year.
9) Dallas (4-8) - Playing much better under Jason Garrett beating the Giants, Colts and almost pulling out a game vs. New Orleans. The Cowboys are actually trying now and Jon Kitna has settled into his role. The Dez Bryant injury will hurt even though Kitna, it seemed, purposely wouldn't throw him the ball in the New Orleans game.
10) Minnesota (5-7) - The dark, smelly cloud of incompetence left with Chilly. Unfortunately the haze of Favre, his streak and continued poor play haunts the Vikings as the desperately await the end of the season. Competitiveness is improved with Leslie Frazier but nothing to get to excited about.
11) Seattle (6-6) - They could actually win the division. This team looks great one week, then god awful the next. You used to be able to count on them winning at home but even that's in question this year. Kudos to them if they can pull out the NFC West and host another playoff game.
AT LEAST THEY'RE COMPETING
12) Detroit (2-10) - Competing hard and nasty every week. If the NFL wasn't out to get them they would have beat the Bears twice and got some other ones along the way. They're in every game (only a half vs New England) and if they weren't using 2nd- and 3rd-string QBs all year they might have pulled out a couple more wins. I like this team and its style of play. Don't like Stafford's durability and that could screw them royally in the future.
IS THE SEASON OVER YET?
13) San Fransisco (4-8) - Total dud this year. Singletary is on his way out the door, or at least he should be. They change quarterbacks more than the Raiders and lost Frank Gore two weeks ago. A couple questions were answered this year: Singletary and Alex Smith aren't the guys for the job.
14) Washington (5-7) - They've completely quit. Shanahan destroyed this team from the start with the handling of Haynesworth, not that Big Al doesn't deserve some blame. I put most of it on Shanahan and his under-qualified son. Not only did they try to make a point with the best defensive player but also with the new QB, Donovan. It's been ugly since the get-go. They've gotten some wins but have been embarrassed in all seven losses. Get over yourself, Shanahan. Terrell Davis and John Elway got you those rings. Back off the smugness, please.
15) Carolina (1-11) - A season to forget in Charlotte. You can point to numerous things but they just haven't got it done. John Fox will most likely be relieved of his duties but he'll catch on with someone else shortly.
16) Arizona (3-9) - Super Bowl two years ago. Beat the Packers in the playoffs last year. So much has changed for the Cards in the last year they are now the worst team in the conference and league. What was it? Players leaving/retiring, lack of a stable QB, a defense that doesn't know how to make a play or tackle, and many more things. It's so bad Ken Whisenhunt is jealous of Wade Phillips. Just wave the white flag and cash it in. It's over for 2010, Arizona. "Maybe next year."
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