Since this is probably going to be the biggest rated TUF we'd treat it a little special. In lieu of a regular recap. Me and Keith are going to chat it live...
CLICK HERE to read the Chat Transcript
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
What I learned from Week 3
Since I'm still feeling my way around how I want to format this weekly blog post, this week I'll break the teams into their 4 categories by records since this is the only time this will probably work.
3-0
NY Jets - Knowing the Jets history, you'd have to have assumed they would have lost to a desperate Tennessee team last week and then had the doors blown off them this week in New Orleans and been sitting at 2-2 after Week 4 with the bloom officially off the rose. I don't know what to think. If they get this game or even are in it at the end I'll start really believing this is really good team.
Baltimore - Offense appears to be caught up to their defense. That's pretty scary. Would be the class of the AFC if it wasn't for the guys on the next line.
Indianapolis - I know 3 games doesn't make a season but at this point they are probably the class of the AFC. Assuming Week 1 they beat the "good" Jacksonville team, they followed it up with two road wins.
Denver - The pretenders of the 3-0 teams. That might be harsh because their defense has been great and Kyle Orton for some reason just wins games. The win at Cincinnati all of a sudden doesn't look like meaningless.
NY Giants - Best bet here for 4-0 with Kansas City coming up. No matter who gets hurt they seem to be able to replace them easily.
Minnesota - Last weeks win is exactly why I picked them to win the NFC. The Brett Favre thing is going to be nauseating.
New Orleans - Like the Jets, this is the game is the one where New Orleans becomes real.
2-1
New England - So they lost to the Jets. They don't seem to have the swagger they did two years ago but unless you think the Jets are a 12 win team, you have to think it's their division to lose.
San Diego - I started to defend Denver before but I still feel San Diego will be in cruise control by week 10 or 11.
Cincinnati - I was wrong about this team. I assumed after the way they lost the 1st game that they'd be heading for a 4-12. Wins at Green Bay and against Pittsburgh had me rethinking them.
Philadelphia - Looks like they can score no matter who is the QB. 2nd best team in the division.
Dallas - They don't have enough receiving weapons. I think they'll be there with Philly for a wild card but I don't think they'll have enough early wins this year to overcome the December swoon.
Green Bay - I'll have something more to say about them after their game against Minny this week. Beating St. Louis does nothing for me.
Chicago - Good game/Bad game all year. I still feel that way.
Atlanta - Same as last week.
1-2
Buffalo - They'll beat the Tampas and Clevelands on their schedule but that's about it. After zero catches by T.O. we're going to see why it was such a bad signing.
Pittsburgh - Not too worried about them too much. Two losses were back to back road games. If they lose their next road game (Detroit) then it's time time re-evaluate things.
Jacksonville - Not overly impressed with the Houston win. Houston is inconsistant so it's possible they got them on a bad day. Taking the wait-and-see with them still.
Houston - Not there is not enough information to fully gauge a team yet, I think Houston and Chicago will have a similar season trajectory.
Oakland - I'll probably just copy and paste the same thing here every week. They're not any good.
Washington - Big time free-fall. Not even close to a contender for a playoff birth. Teams like Oakland and Washington should know when to say when on their QBs.
Detroit - Congratulations Detroit. It's a shame your fans couldn't see it on TV. Hopefully they sell out Week 8 so everyone can see the 2nd half of their wins this year.
Seattle - Completely regretting picking them to win the NFC West.
Arizona - Hit the reset button last week after they went cross country to beat Jacksonville. Same thing came up again...Super Bowl hangover.
0-3
Miami - The Chad injury hurts their chances for a few wins but after an 0-3 start, getting Henne some work this early is probably a blessing in disguise.
Cleveland - Eric Mangini really should have not getting a head coaching job right away. He would have been better served getting a coordinator job first. And from the looks of it he didn't learn anything from his time with the Jets. I wouldn't be surprised if he's one and done in Cleveland.
Tennessee - I still have a feeling they'll right the ship a little. 0-3 is tough to come back from and make the playoffs but they'll be competitive and/or win most of their games.
Kansas City - They just don't have the talent to be good.
Tampa Bay - Moving on from Byron Leftwich was the right move. Going with Johnson will improve the team by zero wins though. I'm not saying they won't win a game but they won't win many. Still potentially the worst team in football.
Carolina - It's a shame Carolina has no QB project to work in. They almost have to keep Jake Delhomme in there.
St. Louis - See Kansas City
3-0
NY Jets - Knowing the Jets history, you'd have to have assumed they would have lost to a desperate Tennessee team last week and then had the doors blown off them this week in New Orleans and been sitting at 2-2 after Week 4 with the bloom officially off the rose. I don't know what to think. If they get this game or even are in it at the end I'll start really believing this is really good team.
Baltimore - Offense appears to be caught up to their defense. That's pretty scary. Would be the class of the AFC if it wasn't for the guys on the next line.
Indianapolis - I know 3 games doesn't make a season but at this point they are probably the class of the AFC. Assuming Week 1 they beat the "good" Jacksonville team, they followed it up with two road wins.
Denver - The pretenders of the 3-0 teams. That might be harsh because their defense has been great and Kyle Orton for some reason just wins games. The win at Cincinnati all of a sudden doesn't look like meaningless.
NY Giants - Best bet here for 4-0 with Kansas City coming up. No matter who gets hurt they seem to be able to replace them easily.
Minnesota - Last weeks win is exactly why I picked them to win the NFC. The Brett Favre thing is going to be nauseating.
New Orleans - Like the Jets, this is the game is the one where New Orleans becomes real.
2-1
New England - So they lost to the Jets. They don't seem to have the swagger they did two years ago but unless you think the Jets are a 12 win team, you have to think it's their division to lose.
San Diego - I started to defend Denver before but I still feel San Diego will be in cruise control by week 10 or 11.
Cincinnati - I was wrong about this team. I assumed after the way they lost the 1st game that they'd be heading for a 4-12. Wins at Green Bay and against Pittsburgh had me rethinking them.
Philadelphia - Looks like they can score no matter who is the QB. 2nd best team in the division.
Dallas - They don't have enough receiving weapons. I think they'll be there with Philly for a wild card but I don't think they'll have enough early wins this year to overcome the December swoon.
Green Bay - I'll have something more to say about them after their game against Minny this week. Beating St. Louis does nothing for me.
Chicago - Good game/Bad game all year. I still feel that way.
Atlanta - Same as last week.
1-2
Buffalo - They'll beat the Tampas and Clevelands on their schedule but that's about it. After zero catches by T.O. we're going to see why it was such a bad signing.
Pittsburgh - Not too worried about them too much. Two losses were back to back road games. If they lose their next road game (Detroit) then it's time time re-evaluate things.
Jacksonville - Not overly impressed with the Houston win. Houston is inconsistant so it's possible they got them on a bad day. Taking the wait-and-see with them still.
Houston - Not there is not enough information to fully gauge a team yet, I think Houston and Chicago will have a similar season trajectory.
Oakland - I'll probably just copy and paste the same thing here every week. They're not any good.
Washington - Big time free-fall. Not even close to a contender for a playoff birth. Teams like Oakland and Washington should know when to say when on their QBs.
Detroit - Congratulations Detroit. It's a shame your fans couldn't see it on TV. Hopefully they sell out Week 8 so everyone can see the 2nd half of their wins this year.
Seattle - Completely regretting picking them to win the NFC West.
Arizona - Hit the reset button last week after they went cross country to beat Jacksonville. Same thing came up again...Super Bowl hangover.
0-3
Miami - The Chad injury hurts their chances for a few wins but after an 0-3 start, getting Henne some work this early is probably a blessing in disguise.
Cleveland - Eric Mangini really should have not getting a head coaching job right away. He would have been better served getting a coordinator job first. And from the looks of it he didn't learn anything from his time with the Jets. I wouldn't be surprised if he's one and done in Cleveland.
Tennessee - I still have a feeling they'll right the ship a little. 0-3 is tough to come back from and make the playoffs but they'll be competitive and/or win most of their games.
Kansas City - They just don't have the talent to be good.
Tampa Bay - Moving on from Byron Leftwich was the right move. Going with Johnson will improve the team by zero wins though. I'm not saying they won't win a game but they won't win many. Still potentially the worst team in football.
Carolina - It's a shame Carolina has no QB project to work in. They almost have to keep Jake Delhomme in there.
St. Louis - See Kansas City
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Elicash's Week 3 Picks
Since Im under a time crunch here, this is going to be the no-frills edition of the NFL picks.
No witty comments, no facts about why Im doing what Im doing...Im just winging it.
SO here goes, for a Week 3 in the NFL...The league where they play for pay.
1) Houston (-4) vs. Jacksonville
Im doing my best to avoid picking Jacksonville the rest of the year.
2) Philly (-7.5) vs Kansas City
I dont care if McNabb is gone. I cant see KC scoring many points here.
3) Bills (+5) vs. New Orleans
Little bit of a letdown game for the Saints. No one wants to go to Buffalo...for many reasons.
Last Week: 2-1 Season To Date: 4-2
No witty comments, no facts about why Im doing what Im doing...Im just winging it.
SO here goes, for a Week 3 in the NFL...The league where they play for pay.
1) Houston (-4) vs. Jacksonville
Im doing my best to avoid picking Jacksonville the rest of the year.
2) Philly (-7.5) vs Kansas City
I dont care if McNabb is gone. I cant see KC scoring many points here.
3) Bills (+5) vs. New Orleans
Little bit of a letdown game for the Saints. No one wants to go to Buffalo...for many reasons.
Last Week: 2-1 Season To Date: 4-2
Raleigh's Best Bets - NFL Week 3
Have to do these quick because I'm running out the door
Redskins @ Lions (+6.5) - It's almost time for a win for Detroit
Jaguars @ Texans (-4) - Last weeks win impressed me enough and even though they lost to the Jets at home in Week 1, they have a great home record over the last two years
49ers @ Vikings (-7) - I don't think much of San Fran. Let's see how they do outside the awful NFC West
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 4-2
Redskins @ Lions (+6.5) - It's almost time for a win for Detroit
Jaguars @ Texans (-4) - Last weeks win impressed me enough and even though they lost to the Jets at home in Week 1, they have a great home record over the last two years
49ers @ Vikings (-7) - I don't think much of San Fran. Let's see how they do outside the awful NFC West
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 4-2
Bobs NFL Picks Week 3
Not as crazy about the lines this week as I was last week, but heres what I got.
Chicago -2.5 @ Seattle: Solid defense vs Seneca Wallace. Nuff said.
Indy +2.5 @ Arizona: Indy has barely squeeked out their 2 W's but I do not believe in Arizona this year, at all. Probably a close game, but I think the Colts will be in a position to win at the end of the game so I'll take the points.
Eagles -7.5 vs. Chiefs: No McNabb but Kolb looked decent last week and KC is a mess. Could be a blowout, especially since the Eagles are coming off one themselves.
Last Week: 2-1
Season Total: 2-1
Chicago -2.5 @ Seattle: Solid defense vs Seneca Wallace. Nuff said.
Indy +2.5 @ Arizona: Indy has barely squeeked out their 2 W's but I do not believe in Arizona this year, at all. Probably a close game, but I think the Colts will be in a position to win at the end of the game so I'll take the points.
Eagles -7.5 vs. Chiefs: No McNabb but Kolb looked decent last week and KC is a mess. Could be a blowout, especially since the Eagles are coming off one themselves.
Last Week: 2-1
Season Total: 2-1
The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights: Episode 2
Although this has to be the most anticipated season of TUF yet, after two episodes, the show is making me want to tap out with boredom. Im very tired of the 30 second Kimbo Slice promo scenes and redundant trash talking between Rashad and Rampage. I'll take a good fight, please.
With Rampage Jackson as the coach, strategy and matchups go out the window so despite trying to avoid going down 2 fights, Jackson opts once again to send one his inexperienced fighters into the octagon against Rashad’s first pick. Wes Shivers of team Rampage is an ex-nfl’er who might just be the tallest person ever to step inside the octagon. The guy looks like Thomas Haden Church on stilts and he'll face off against first overall pick, James McSweeney.
With Rampage Jackson as the coach, strategy and matchups go out the window so despite trying to avoid going down 2 fights, Jackson opts once again to send one his inexperienced fighters into the octagon against Rashad’s first pick. Wes Shivers of team Rampage is an ex-nfl’er who might just be the tallest person ever to step inside the octagon. The guy looks like Thomas Haden Church on stilts and he'll face off against first overall pick, James McSweeney.
Round 1 starts and after the guys trade jabs and kicks, Shivers attacks and is able to take down McSweeney. He attempts a kimura, but its too sloppy and doesnt work. Eventually McSweeney is able to get up, land a few leg kicks and take a shot in the nuts. After the round resumes, McSweeney gets hit with a flurry of punches and then has a hard time countering because of his major reach disadvantage. Very little damage inflicted to either fighter in this round.
Round 2 starts and immediately you can see both fighters are exhausted. They trade leg kicks and eventually Shivers catches one and is able to take McSweeney down. He attempts another Kimura followed by a rear naked, but neither are succesful. McSweeney is somehow able to reverse position and mount Shivers, but then lets him get up. He passes on several different attempts to trounce (despite the screams of a frustrated Rashad Evans) and circles the octagon while Shivers struggles to stay standing. Eventually Shivers gets caught with a nasty leg kick and McSweeney takes him down and almost gets a choke in. Shivers can barely get up he is so tired and the bell rings. After watching this a 2nd time, I could actually make a case that Shivers won but the final minute was very very bad for him. Judges score it 19-19, 20-18, 20-18 and declare McSweeney the victor.
Despite not choosing either of the first two fights, Team Rashad remains in the driver seat having won both of them. And unlike Rampage, Rashad plays the next selection pretty smart. He taps former IFL champion and the owner of the largest man tits in the universe Roy Nelson to fight the cornerstone of the show, Kimbo Slice. It should be an interesting fight, regardless of outcome. One guy lacks experience and the other is the most experienced guy on the show. One guy is jacked, one guy is obese. Should be interesting.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Raleigh's Best Bets - NCAAFB Week 4
Off to my typical college start.
Buffalo (+3.5) @ Temple
Buffalo's is 1-1 on the road and both of those games (UTEP & Central Florida) were pretty long trips. Going to Philadelphia is going to seem like next door. Temple on the other hand did cover the 29.5 by 5 points against Penn State but they also lost an FCS (Villanova) team at home. Temple is like 1-12 against UB all time. Buffalo should win this game.
Wake Forest @ Boston College (-1.5)
If memory serves, these games are generally pretty close. The visiting team is 1-4 in the last 5 meetings with the 1 win coming last year when BC won with a TD drive in the last 2 minutes. That kind of history makes me comfortable enough taking the home team here.
I'm between two games here for my 3rd choice.........
Illinois @ Ohio State (-14)
Illinois is 0-2 against the spread this year...I'm kidding. I'm not using that as a relevant sample size. I'll probably regret this decision but I'm really basing on my first impression of them against Missouri.
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 2-4
BTW - Rutgers (PK) @ Maryland was the other game.
Buffalo (+3.5) @ Temple
Buffalo's is 1-1 on the road and both of those games (UTEP & Central Florida) were pretty long trips. Going to Philadelphia is going to seem like next door. Temple on the other hand did cover the 29.5 by 5 points against Penn State but they also lost an FCS (Villanova) team at home. Temple is like 1-12 against UB all time. Buffalo should win this game.
Wake Forest @ Boston College (-1.5)
If memory serves, these games are generally pretty close. The visiting team is 1-4 in the last 5 meetings with the 1 win coming last year when BC won with a TD drive in the last 2 minutes. That kind of history makes me comfortable enough taking the home team here.
I'm between two games here for my 3rd choice.........
Illinois @ Ohio State (-14)
Illinois is 0-2 against the spread this year...I'm kidding. I'm not using that as a relevant sample size. I'll probably regret this decision but I'm really basing on my first impression of them against Missouri.
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 2-4
BTW - Rutgers (PK) @ Maryland was the other game.
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