Of Peyton Manning and Cricket!

I love Peyton Manning as much as most Indians love their cricketers at this moment. In short, not much

But his show at the Saturday Night Live, where he was completely open to ridiculing himself was pretty good. Watch it as he pokes fun at himself and at football as well (his joke on his mom would have drawn widespread contempt India in politically correct India, but something tells me that she gave her blessings to him on this one!)



Oh, talking of cricket, i absolutely loved this piece from Mukul Kesavan from Cricinfo. His opening statement is very provocative:

The subcontinental cricket fan is a lazy, pampered know-nothing who thinks he owns the cricket teams that he supports

Read the rest and let me know if you agree.

And the worst thing is the overanalysis from the news channels. i flipped through NDTV, Headlines Today, CNN-IBN, Times-Now, Star News (Hindi), Zee News (Hindi) between 2230 and 2300 and all the channels were mouning India's exit from the world cup. Come on, gimme a break - we lost and life goes on. I want to pray God that we need to show these media people how stressful it is to be in the limelight for every moment of a waking day. Please grant this wish alone.

and please, spare me of linking money, advertisments and cricketers. Do you think that our cricketers are dumb enough not to realise that there is more money in sponsorship than match fees and that sponsorship is directly dependent on the number of wins and big sixes on the cricket ground. Talk of the sterotype Indian cricket fan!

I watched BBC as they showed an clipping of the streets of Dhaka after Bangladesh qualified for the Super-8. Only a heartless person wouldn't have felt happy for the B'deshi guys.

Relook at Divisional Playoff predictions and looking for conference games

Relook at what i wrote last time around!

Saints v/ Eagles: The most likely match to figure an upset. Do i trust Jim Johnson's blitzes or Payton's play-calling. Tough to decide. I think the key matchup is Brian Westbrook against the Saints defense? I think the playoff experience will help the Eagles and they might just edge out the saints. Prediction - Eagles

Wrong. There is too much karma for the Saints, not to speak of Brees, McAllister and Bush. I still think that the Eagles could have won if McNabb was around. But Eagles have had a good season.

Seahawks V/ Bears: Lovie, do you know that a football game has been previously won without a single pass attempt. Remember that to win this game. If bad-Rex appears, only a cards-like performance will save Bears. I am suspicious of that and think the Bears are gonna thump the Hawks - once more.

While the Bears did win, they did not thump the Seahawks but squeaked by,

Prediction - Bears Baltimore Colts V/ Cleavland Ravens: You read it right. These teams were based out of different cities in their original avatar (Ravens are the original Cleveland Browns!). Key matchup would be Peyton's ability to generate passing yards against a top pass-rush team. I am not too sure that McNair should be used more than a game manager to win the game. If Peyton lights it up in the first half, the ravens can say good-byes and clean locker room at half-time as i am not sure that the Ravens offense can put up 30 points. Prediction: Ravens (unless Manning pretends that these are the Denver Broncos!)

McNair was no more than a game manager but the running game stunk and i can't believe it is all the colts defense. One more strike

Patriots V/ Chargers: While i am less sure of the result of this game - i am sure of one thing: BB will use the previous away playoff 51-10 loss to motivate his team, especially my fav - Rodney Harrison. Did i mention this game was played in 1963! Jokes apart, i am unable to make up my mind on this one. I love LT (i started following him initially because of the uniqueness of his name. In Madden 2006, i traded Correy Dillon, Faulk and a first round pick for LT!), wish MS can win a play-off game (5-12 post-season record in comparison to BB's 12-2!) and adhore their powder blue game uniforms (used once/twice a season!). But my favorite team is the NE Patriots! Prediction: Depends on NE Defense front 7 to stop LT. Still need a team? Depends on ability of NE offensive line to innovate and keep Brady upright for an entire match. Still need a team? Man, my mind says the Chargers while i still wanna go with the Patriots.

The Pats won! The Pats won! Infact, i saw the game today on ESPN and cannot believe how stupid the chargers were. If the Chargers were intent on winning the game, they would have - instead, they wanted to annhilate the opposition and made too many mistakes.

So, for this week's matches:

Colts V/s Patriots: Seriously, if Peyton cannot win this one - the albatross around his next will be secured as the Dan Marino of this generation. Even worse, he would be labelled the choke-master of all times. I dont think the colts defense is legit but i think they will do enough to stop the pats this week.
Prediction: Colts (though i cannot discount the Pats if Belichick has some magic potion for his team)

Saints V/s Bears: I wish the Saints can win this one but their only chance is if Bad Rex appears. Else, it is going to be the Bears representing the NFC in Superbowl.
Prediction: Bears

Superbowl match: Bears V/s Colts

Divisional Round Predictions

Sankranthi holidays is to be spent in Vijayawada - my native town. With no live telecast in ESPN India of any of the four matches, suspect internet connectivity and to avoid raised eyebrows in my family, i would not have the opportunity to blog or follow the scores live.

However, i am making a few predictions:

Saints v/ Eagles: The most likely match to figure an upset. Do i trust Jim Johnson's blitzes or Payton's play-calling. Tough to decide. I think the key matchup is Brian Westbrook against the Saints defense? I think the playoff experience will help the Eagles and they might just edge out the saints.
Prediction - Eagles

Seahawks V/ Bears: Lovie, do you know that a football game has been previously won without a single pass attempt. Remember that to win this game. If bad-Rex appears, only a cards-like performance will save Bears. I am suspicious of that and think the Bears are gonna thump the Hawks - once more.
Prediction - Bears

Baltimore Colts V/ Cleavland Ravens: You read it right. These teams were based out of different cities in their original avatar (Ravens are the original Cleveland Browns!). Key matchup would be Peyton's ability to generate passing yards against a top pass-rush team. I am not too sure that McNair should be used more than a game manager to win the game. If Peyton lights it up in the first half, the ravens can say good-byes and clean locker room at half-time as i am not sure that the Ravens offense can put up 30 points.
Prediction: Ravens (unless Manning pretends that these are the Denver Broncos!)

Patriots V/ Chargers: While i am less sure of the result of this game - i am sure of one thing: BB will use the previous away playoff 51-10 loss to motivate his team, especially my fav - Rodney Harrison. Did i mention this game was played in 1963!
Jokes apart, i am unable to make up my mind on this one. I love LT (i started following him initially because of the uniqueness of his name. In Madden 2006, i traded Correy Dillon, Faulk and a first round pick for LT!), wish MS can win a play-off game (5-12 post-season record in comparison to BB's 12-2!) and adhore their powder blue game uniforms (used once/twice a season!). But my favorite team is the NE Patriots!
Prediction: Depends on NE Defense front 7 to stop LT. Still need a team? Depends on ability of NE offensive line to innovate and keep Brady upright for an entire match. Still need a team? Man, my mind says the Chargers while i still wanna go with the Patriots.

PS: I am definitely planning on a follow-up blog note to see how stupid i have been made to look with my predictions!

NE Pats V/s NY Jets - Wild Card Playoff Game

Musings from the NE Pats - NY Jets game:

• What did we realize in the DAL-SEA game? Romo is not the second coming of Brady circa 2001. The ghosts of ‘iron leg’ Drew Dledsoe are exhorted forever …
• Did i read right in NFL gamecenter - the Pats went “NO HUDDLE” for the second play of the game?
• I hope mangini has some master plan as it looks like the “Empire Strikes back” is the show for the afternoon. Disclaimer: They just played ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ on TV!
• And the Jets go "no huddle" .. looks like the defenses might have a long day ... BTW, has there been any game with a significant "no huddle" strategy adopted
  across both teams
• thats probably the difference between the jets and the pats. Both went "no huddle" - Pats went 4/6 for 50 yds on passing; 4 and 15 yds on the ground with a TD to boot. The jets had a sack, a scramble and an incomplete. but what scares me is, mangini is gonna put together a great team within a couple of seasons and AFC East might turn out like a AFC West (strong teams!)
• Oh no! Not the 15 yd penalties again!!!
• Great! Ramsey is in! Atleast Chad knew which direction to throw to ...
• Purds/93: In this universe, everything that Tom Brady does is right and everything that Peyton does is wrong. I thought you figured that out by now!
• In my books, Mangini missed a trick ... I dont think punting from your opponent's 36 yd line will win you games in playoffs. maybe i am wrong, but he did not take a right decision
• 105/Purds: I said it in humor., since mine is bad - maybe you did not see it. BTW, i am upset that the Pats get a lot of 15 yd penalties but i also think that they are naive to draw attention from the ref (this is the 8th or 9th game where i have noticed a 15 yd penalty and the pats have not been able to adjust to it)
• Was that a QB sneak from TB on 3 & 1? Since the Pats use it a lot, why are the opponents falling for it, for so long?
• another 3&7 ... will the pats pass defense raise upto the situation?
• The Pats are grinding the clock ... current drive started with 7:05 in second quarter and we are already down to 2 min warning .. i guess they will take another minute off the clock
• The Pats take 6:54 off the clock for a 15 play drive killing any chances of Jets reply to the Pats score (unless there is a kickoff TD return!)
• NE 12-Brady 10th straight playoff game with a TD pass, tying Ken Stabler & Joe Montana for 3rd longest streak in NFL history (Favre 16 and Marino 12). Some of
  the stats that don't add much value to any measure
• There we go again ... another 15 yd penalty... as much as the pats fans can moan that they are BS calls., the fact that the pats players are being careless means that they are not learning anything ...
• Is Asante Samuel in the game? I dont see him on the stats sheet.
• C.Pennington to NYJ 46 for -6 yards. Wouldn’t that be a sack?
• Wilfork chased down by Mangold .. man, that is two huge people rolling down the field ...
• Is there anyone here who agrees with the Jets strategy of going for FGs rather than taking chances when in the redzone? I didnt like the last one and i didnt like this one as well.
• Chad Jackson sighting in the game ... alas, only an incomplete
• Pennington: 20/31 for 256 & 1 TD; Brady: 20/31 for 202 & 1 TD; pretty remarkable!
• How did Asante NOT get picked for Pro-bowl? Qn2: Will NE pats give Asante a huge contract or will they leave him to go as a free-agent?
• 320/James: Couldn't have said it better. Pats win because they have been before and they have a good running game. The Jets will be here (if they dont disgress in mangini's sophomore year!) with a good running game. Maybe they should move up the draft and grab AP
• One final word: The Jets can be proud with the way they were able to stick for three and half quarters with the Patriots - a much superior team. With a few additions - pass rush and running game, they can stay as a force to recokon in the AFC East.

Week 16: 1 PM NFL Sunday Games - Second Half

I usually stay up every sunday night to follow the New England Patriots games. I usually log on Football Outsiders' game day discussion forum and record my minute-to-minute musings. Summarizing them below:

• Man, the IND Run defense has to be bad when you realize that RON DAYNE has 20 carries for 113 yds and 2 TDs.
• Did the Pats find out something against the Jags? They seem to be in shotgun on most of the passing situations.
• Wow! i complain about Pats lack of 20yd+ plays and they give us 2 in one drive. Both with rookie TE - D. Thomas. Is this the end of the road to Graham?
• The pats with a good field position (courtsey the missed FG!). Can we have some points that would take us one step closer to another post-season? (Note: They advanced to 26 yds, got a false start and missed the ensuing 49 yd FG attempt)
• looks like a shoot-out in St. Loius. I guess not a lot of people saw that coming? BTW, a question to the WAS mgmt? What will you do with Druckett at the end of the season?
• If there is anyone following the cover-your-eyes Tampa-CLE game, Derrick Brooks with a INT returned for TD. Guess he realized that it was the only way to score a TD in this game. A question. Will Brooks get any consideration for HoF? (Note: I was wrong on the offensive TD part. They had one a few plays before!)
• Did someone see D Thomas coming? I thought i saw his reference in a couple of games, but today looks like his break-out party
• Bush for a punt return TD. Boy, we are gonna see Peter King raving about RB in MMQB tomorrow (Note: TD called back)
• Texans still have 3mins to go down 30+ yds for atleast a FG and burn the COLTS. Go TEXANS. Go
• Request to FO staff: Can we have an analysis on Pats Defense on 3rd down situations. My perception is that on 3rd & short and/or when the opposition tries a run - they are succesful. I feel they have been burned on 3rd & long/opposition passing on 3rd down situation. Any quick responses
• TEXANS WIN. That will mean that the Colts will have to play the wildcard round as well. Doesn't bode well for their defense.
• Seems that this week is Bush's coming out party as a running back.
• As things stands as of now, i think TB is going to have a good DPAR for the week. Lots of run DPAR points on third downs.
• Can someone remember a deeper RB class than the class of 2006? Reggie Bush, LM, Addai, Drew, Deangelo (to a lesser extent), Norwood, Washington(?-Jets), Lundy (?-Texans). All seem to have made a mark in atleast one game.
• Pats leaving it a little too close for comfort. With LM & CD, i am hoping that the Pats can run out the clock.
• The Jags need 25 - 30 yds to take to FG range. Pats defense need one good play
• NE WINS. They have none to blame for leaving it close. In the end, the defense has to make one close play and they made it, with their first sack & turnover of the day.
• I think you should attribute the Bills loss to the coach or bad decision by QB. They were on the 25 yd line & within FG range. They should have tried to get as many risk-free yards and kicked a FG. Instead a christmas present to the red hot Titans, who have a realistic chance of post-season.

Week 16: 1 PM Games - First Half

I usually stay up every sunday night to follow the New England Patriots games. I usually log onto to Football Outsiders' game day discussion forum and record my minute-to-minute musings. Summarizing them below:

• Texans score first ... i guess not a lot of us saw that coming!
• I know that not a lot of you would be in India, but they are playing some christmas carols with a 10 year kid singing great ... 15 mins to Dec 25 ... merry x'mas to FO, staff and readers
• Wow! Texans are up 14 against the colts. I wonder if there is a upset in the works
• 3 Scrambles/runs for Brady in the first quarter itself. Calm down, big fella - we want you to win the game with your hand not your legs.
• Three 20+yd TDs at the same time - IND, BAL and DET
• Will the Pats go for it on 4th down and 1?(Note: They draw a false start and that was good because Brady was not going anywhere. They need a 48 yd FG!)
• Gostkowski with a 48 yd FG. I think he has come a long way from the beginning of the season when the team was avoiding putting him out for 35+ yd FG attempt.
• I was checking the score on the 2 current hot teams - TEN v/ BUF. Scores tied at 10. Seems that these teams have joined MIA as second half beauties. During my school days (academic years are btw june to apr in india), we had a score of kids who flunked quarterly, half yearly exams but buckled up for the annual exams and these kids were termed MARCH BEAUTIES. Guess, the same applies to TEN, BUF, MIA now!
• The empire strikes back! Colts have wiped off the 14 point deficit. Wish Manning was in control of the US national deficit control rather than fight deficit against the texans!
• 3-4-JAC 45 (8:50) (Shotgun) D.Garrard pass incomplete short middle to R.Williams. Pass hit the umpire. That read very funny!
• A theory on why the NE Offense is ranked #8 as per DVOA. Disclaimer: I consider that the Pats defense has been pretty ordinary over the season and wrote to Aaron last week on the same. I think DVOA rewards 'success' and most of Brady's pass are for 6-8 yds, thus having a high success rate. the same can be said about their running as well (as i type, Faulk gets 4 yds on a 2-2 situation). Pats might have had the lowest 20+ yd plays in the game, both passing and rushing and that is why the perception that the offense is anaemic! RANT OVER!
• TMQ Pleased! Texans ran 11 times in a 14 play, 75 yard TD drive. The drive ate 8 mins in the second half and kept the colts offense a.k.a THE EMPIRE on the sidelines
• Raise your hands if you predicted Tom Brady will have the longest rush for the Pats Offense in the first half ..McDaniel, your vote doesn't count!
• I even read on some article earlier in the season that all things need to go perfect for Pats to score on any drive. With them, you cannot have a slam dunk 4 plays, 80 yd drive that has happened to some other teams. When you want to clash with teams like san diego in post-season, that is as much a factor as a good defense. (Note: This post was in response to RichConley's comment on my earlier posting on NE offense)

NFL Week 15 1 PM Game - 2nd Half

• If Taylor does not win the Defensive Player of the year award., we might as well as scrap it!
• Taylor has 12.5 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recoverd for 19 yards, 2 interceptions for 71 yards and 2 TDs.
• Yikees! Harrington gives it away with an INT!
• In comparison to Taylor, Urlacher has 0 Sacks, 3 INTs for 39 Yards, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovered for 1 yard. He is in with as much a chance as Taylor and that is why these awards should be renamed as popularity awards.
• Do we have a R Doyle fumble in the end zone in the script? Sadly., nope
• Pacman Jones has a Kickoff return for 70 yds (85 incl. 15 yd face mask!), 1 punt return for 8 yds, 1 INT for TD and 0.5 sack. Some more maturity off the field, he
  could be the next champ bailey
• Hobbs for 93 yd kickoff TD return! Special teams and Defense winning it for the Patriots
• Hester has one more big punt return. Great! he is stamping his ticket to next season's pro-bowl as well
• TEN could be the giant playoff hopes killer team in the AFC. give it some thought! NE Pats are there next and i dont think i am confident enough to say that they can beat the TEN hands-down. Also, come next season - TEN can be the Miami of 2005 season
• Can the Offense give me a TD atleast now? For crying out loud, you have all of 29 yds to go (Note: NE Pats get a sack and punt. Yikees!)
• Garrad with one more defense TD with a INT to Hope. All he used to do was win games. What happened to him?Memo to all Football analysts: Please, please - dont tell "All V Young does is win games". Atleast show some knowledge of the game by acknowledging that the defense does win games (like this match!)
• T Brady: Why pass for 3 yards when you need 10? Pls understand., you are better than Carr.
• If you remove the 43 yd pass by Brady, he has a stat of 15/21 for 66 yds. Thats 4 yds per catch made. Yee Gods!
• Kitna: How bad! You throw a INT and follow it up with a face mask.
• Will the NE Pats offense give me a TD! It's all of 5 yards i am asking for!!!!! (Note: NE goes 3 and out and get a FG)
• What in the world has happened to the NE Offense? Tom Brady - what is going on
• R.Parrish to BUF 2 for -15 yards (D.Pope). How on earth can you lose 15 yds on a punt return!
• With an offense like NE Pats, i wonder if they will have success against the likes of the BAL, SD in the playoffs. Atleast for fun, the Pats should try and throw the ball downfield or else Brady might just forgot that such a thing exists
• Favre having more fun! (Note: 3 INTs, 1 Fumble lost for the game!)
• Saints should acquire A Thomas in the free agency.
• DET - How can you not convert from the 12 yd line? I dont think you deserve to win even though BF is handing it to you on a platter. BTW., i think all BF does is 'win games'
• how can one have illegal formation on a QB kneel down?
• Morency should be cut by the GB Packers with immediate effect. How can he score a TD when he has to step out of bounds at the 1 for BF to do: (a) One more meaningless TD (b) INT in the End zone for increasing the amount of fun he is having.

NFL Sunday 1 PM Match - First Half

I usually stay up every sunday night to follow the New England Patriots games. I usually log onto to Football Outsiders' game day discussion forum and record my minute-to-minute musings. Summarizing them below:

• Pac-Man Jones is on fire.
• New England has a good running game going while the passing game seems anameic.
• Is there anything new?Reality Check: At 4/7 for 21 yds - Tom Brady, your numbers are as good as David Carr. Short passes on checks
• Favre sacked, fumbles. Yawn! Anything new around?
• Kitna might be the worst game manager in NFL! Sorry, i forgot about Brad Johnson!
• I wish the Pats offense shows up one more time before the season ends.
• My money says that Favre will be given a chance for passing TD
• Carr., Intercepted. Thank the NE Defense
• wow! it 10-0 in the superdome? Did the saints leave a lot in their Sunday night match against the dallas last week?
• The sad part is that inspite of a great year, Colvin won't make the Probowl. Shawm Merriman, Phillips (Both SD), A THomas (BAL) are right up there in terms of
  recall. And they do deserve to be above Colvin
• I wish to volunteer myself for the Jaguars. I can be completed trusted to hand-off the ball to the running backs and all i do is win games for you doing it!. PS: Atleast i dont throw interceptions when you ask me to check for wind movements
• wow! the pats starting on the 31 yd line. i need a TD on this one. Not a FG
• i didnt realize that the JAX-TEN match pitted 2 QBs who 'just win games'.
• Brady. DONT RUN! This is the Texans and you are too valuable to risk any injury in this game
• NO Saint defense had an intensive training session with the Colts defense. Thank you very much! Now we cant tackle a dummy!
• TB starts on CHI 26. Something tells me it is either a missed FG from here or a CHI INT returned for TD (Note: I was wrong. TB did connect on a 45 yd FG!)
• 3-20 against the NE Pats. Something tell me that they will convert. Isnt it surprising NE pats would rather have 3-1 rather than 3-20 (Note: wrong again. Texans didnt convert., but this is the Texans. Anomoly to every rile)
• Wow! That epitomizes how ugly the Texans are. You need 20 yds and you try a short pass!
• NE Offense: One advice. MOVE TOWARDS opponent's endzone., not yours
• i got a great idea! how about swapping NE & PHI playbooks. That means more short passes in the PHI book and more long passes in the NE book. Round of applause for the genius.i can see someone patting on my back. Nope that is a spider!
• 1:43 and the ball on NO 2. If Drew Brees gets a TD, i guess the debate for the MVP will be over
• i think the def pass interference rule should be modified. DPI should mean that the offense gets 5 yds and automatic first down. Also, you could think of penalizing the defense one member (10 players instead of 11) on the next play.

Sunday Night Football - Random Musings

Monday morning & Tuesday Morning in my life has become quite an event. With 2 games of american football shown in India, i make sure that all work on these mornings can be postponed beyond 10 AM starts in office.

Yesterday was a game between Cowboys and Saints and i added comments to FO Webpage during the first hald and since i had to switch off the laptop and get going to office, did not put this on the FO website.

• Reggie Bush has improved his prospects of a long career in the NFL. Why? I am not going to go ga-ga, that is being done by the football analysts. What captured my attention during the 62 yd screen pass TD is how he used his blockers effectively. He did not try and accelarate through the hole to show-off his speed and get knocked down by the defenders. Instead, he followed his blockers and made a killer move to leave the last 2 defenders gaping at the 10 yd line. Welcome to NFL, you are late by about 12 weeks while others like Maroney, Noriwood and Maurice Jones-Drew figured that out earlier.
  
• After getting rid of the browns curse (to LBC), jeff faine has been pretty good this season. pro-bowl center? nope. Back-up pro-bowl guy? sure, why not.
• While discounting Peyton Manning (who, i grudgingly admit is good! - there i said it), there is none in the NFL who can dictate terms to the opposition as much as Drew Brees is doing now. I wish LT & DB both share the NFL MVP
• Terell Owens is showing commitment on the field, just like Keyshawn Johnson last year - however he has avoided the middle of the field completely. Is there something wrong with him?
• After the cowboys score, there are butterflies in my stomach. Even with a 11 point lead, i think there might be an upset in the air - gosh! look at that pass. Now it is a 18 point lead and the clouds have cleared (literally!, out here). [Post note: after 5 minutes, Drew Brees hooked with Henderson for a 50 yd TD pass and the match was sealed!]
  
• Wow! how many 4th downs with penalties traded all-round? Is this a record?
• I wish John Madden & Al Michaels avoid giggling. They are not bumbling teenegers on their first date, for all that is holy on earth.
• Whoa, whoa! onside kick when up by 25 points. completely unexpected and great
• Bill Parcells is trying to ape Art Shell's sideline poses but doing as bad a job with it as the team's performance today
• Sean Payton for Coach of the Year; Drew Brees, the joint MVP and Colston is the Rookie of the year
• Letting T.O score a touchdown was not the biggest of the issue with Fred Thomas. It is 4th down and even an interception would leave with a worse-off field position than you would have by simply knocking the ball. Coupled with the fact that you have a thumb injuiry, it is a disaster to try and come down with a INT and his little selfishness costed the TD. But i think he is sufficiently mad at himself that others can back-off.
• Maybe Peter King got it right. Bill Parcells will make it to the superbowl sideline. Only in spirit - through his former OC - Sean Payton. That said, i am still worried about the saints. They are very raw on defense and unless they inprove there, it is going to be short of SB41!!

NFL Sunday 1 PM Games - Week 14 First Half Musings

My First half NFL - Season 14 musings. Right now, they are playing skating on ESPN India and it is as interesting as waiting in a airport!

• NE-Mia Game: After the NE fumble there was Roughing the passer, 2 yd run, offensive holding and defensive pass interference. Yikees! We are all professionals here.
• Slumberfest games: OAK at CIN
• Like Good Rex and Bad Rex, we have the short brady and the 'original' brady. The short brady refuses to pass for anything above 10 yards. just check his current
  stats for today.
• How Auspicious? NE starts second quarter with a false start.
• Yee Gods., that is some cover-your eyes football in MiamiCan MIN please trade the run defense for Joseph Addai. That is required for the post-season
• NE is coming up with some bad starting field positions. Last time it was from the 4 yd and this time i think it is the 5 yd line.
• J.Garcia scrambles up the middle to WAS 6 for 10 yards (C.Griffin). When i read this on gamecenter, only one thing came to mind - BACK TO THE PAST. Remember Jeff Garcia turned 62!
• JAX gained 74 yards on 4 runs against the IND defense. Boy., this looks like a Madden game to me. IND pass TDs and JAX run TDs.
• Wonder if Asomugha will make it to the Pro-bowl this year. There seems to be a huge rush right behind Champ Bailey. R Mathais & A Samuels are equally good.This is as close to madness as we know (real madness is watching the CLE offense or IND rush defense 24/7!).
• Why take a Time-out at 2:06 when the 2-min warning is coming up. And follow it with a incomplete pass. This is gonna be a long day for the patriots