NFL News and Notes

NFL News and Notes

The AFC West could be decided in the final regular season game between the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. Denver currently is 4-4 and the Chargers are 3-5.

What is the big fuss over 49ers coach Mike Singletary’s halftime stunt where he took his pants off? The media made a big deal out of nothing once again. Coaches have different ways of motivating their players. If Singletary was white, would this be such a big deal? I wouldn’t put it pass the media to try to show Singletary as another angry black man.

The Charger made a great choice in promoting Ron Rivera to DC and firing Ted Cottrell. The Chargers D was just horrible under Cottrell. Part of the reason was the loss of Shawn Merriman but the Chargers defense appeared too passive under Cottrell. Teams were just passing all day on the Chargers D. QBs like Trent Edwards and Drew Brees were having their way too often with the secondary of the Chargers.

The so called “experts” were once again wrong as the Steelers defeated the Redskins last night. Everyone was picking the Redskins and ESPN’s Ron Jaworski was even touting Jason Campbell as a MVP candidate. The reason the Steelers won was because they CAN stop the run and held Clinton Portis to under 100 yards. Stop Portis and you can stop the Redskins. Portis was more of a MVP candidate to me than Campbell was.

The Raiders are pathetic. Truly pathetic. They need a coach the players respect and will play hard for. None of the players are scared of Tom Cable and they know he has no power. Cable looks to be way in over his head at this point but the jury is still out on him.

JaMarcus Russell is the worst starting QB in the NFL right now. Matt Ryan of the Falcons clearly outplayed him last Sunday in Oakland. Rusell was only 6-19 for 31 yards.

An AFC championship game between the Steelers and Titans would be a great defensive game. The Titans are great at running the ball and the Steelers are made to stop the run. These two teams play each other in Week 16 in Tennessee.

Denver’s defense was supposed to be better this year but that has not been the case. Teams are able to both run and pass against them. Losing Champ Bailey to an injury did not help.

What’s wrong with Jay Cutler? He was supposed to be the next big thing at QB but he has regressed of late. No one doubts his arm strength but he needs to cut down on his interceptions.

The Arizona Cardinals will easily win the NFC West. The Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers are making it too easy for the Cardinals. The 49ers have their next shot on Monday night in Arizona to try to stay in contention in the West.

The most complete team in the NFC right now is the New York Giants.

Lame duck coaches like Mike Holmgren don’t stand a chance because the players already know he will be gone after the season and don’t fear him as much. A lot of players tune out a coach if they are either interim or lame duck coaches. You can look at Purdue’s Joe Tiller as another example.

The Ravens have surprised me with their 5-3 record. I didn’t think they had a shot this year with QB Joe Flacco behind center. RB Ray Rice has played well too in the absence of Willis McGahee due to an injury.

What happened to the Jaguars? They lost to the previously winless Bengals and now face the winless Lions on Sunday. Losing two of their starting guards for the rest of the season early in the season has hampered their offense. Free agent acquisition Jerry Porter has been a non-factor the whole season at WR.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been competitive in their last two games but they face a tough road test in San Diego on Sunday. QB Taylor Thigpen has been a true revelation. Could he be the QB of the future for the Chiefs?

I would give the Coach of the Year award to Tony Sparano of the Dolphins right now. His team has a chance to win the AFC East. The Dolphins play Seattle and Oakland at home the next two weeks before their rematch with the Patriots. Three straight home games for the Dolphins and they have a chance to go at least 2-1 or 3-0.

I would not count out the Cowboys being out of the playoffs just yet. I think they still have a run left in them when Tony Romo returns. CB Mike Jenkins has played great. Jenkins is a rookie from South Florida.

The Lions might have their best chance at winning a game when the Vikings come to town in Week 14.

BREAKING NEWS: Redskins Safety Sean Taylor Shot At Home

Sean Taylor was shot twice at his home and is in critical condition according to reports from ESPN and The Associated Press this morning.

The Associated Press also wrote the following - "Taylor has been in trouble numerous times since he was drafted as the No. 5 overall pick in 2004. He has been fined at least seven times during his professional career for late hits and other infractions, including a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January 2006. He also was fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium shortly after he was drafted.

In 2005, Taylor was accused of brandishing a gun at a man and repeatedly hitting him during a fight that broke out after Taylor and some friends went looking for the people who had allegedly stolen his all-terrain vehicles.

Taylor reached a deal with prosecutors last year after they agreed to drop felony charges against him. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in the assault case and was sentenced to 18 months probation. The pleas prompted another fine from the NFL but kept his football career intact."

This man is in a hospital and in critical condition fighting for his life and the writer had to write all these negative statements about Taylor. No wonder Taylor does not talk to the media much or trusts them. While the writer was just stating the facts of Taylor's past, it has nothing at all to do with him being shot and fighting for his life.

Taylor is one of the most feared players in the NFL and one of the top free safeties in the league. Taylor is one of the hardest hitters in the league. He reminds many of former 49er Ronnie Lott. D Wizzle wishes Taylor the best and prays for him and his family.

Poor Michael Vick

Unlike a lot of the so called NFL experts, I do see Michael Vick playing in the NFL again. I am a big Vick supporter and love watching him play. He is one of the most exciting players in the league. I don't want him to be wasting his prime playing years rotting in a prison cell. Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, would like to make the public believe that all their players are outstanding citizens, but that is far from the truth. Goodell suspends the "bad apples" of the league such as Tank Johnson and Adam "Pac Man" Jones and wants to show everyone who the new sheriff in town is. A lot of NFL players are all about sex, strip clubs, drugs, alcohol, and orgies. Goodell wants fans to think there are only a few bad seeds but that is far from the truth. Is dogfighting worst than killing a human being or raping a woman? It sure seems so based on the backlash Vick has been getting. Do we as a society really value animals more than human life? I know of one NFL player who killed someone a few years ago and is still playing in the league. Can we talk about hypocrisy? There are numerous other cases and incidents where players have been charged with murder and other heinous crimes. I watch the NFL for its entertainment value and do not care what the players do in their personal time.

Vick will play in the NFL again if he is able to retain his skills. PETA can boycott all they want but once Vick serves his time and pays his debt to society, I see no reason why he shouldn't get a second chance. People kill animals such as deer with no repercussions. The media is getting out of hand and making Vick out to be public enemy number one. It seems like they want to give him the death sentence. Is it because he is black? Is it because he is a high profile quarterback? Is it because PETA is such a strong group? Many would answer "all of the above" to those questions.

I've been watching Vick play since he was at Virginia Tech. He led the team to many victories and electified the crowd in all of his games. His speed was amazing and he was the Steve Young of NCAA football. Vick was the quarterback but ran like a running back every time a play broke down, and no one could catch up to him. He continued to show off his speed and also passing strength in the NFL. I feel sorry for Vick, I really do. The man had it all and now he is going from the top to the bottom. It is a waste of talent and I hate to see such a good player being stuck in jail when he should be thrilling fans with his athleticism every Sunday.

The code on the streets is to never snitch. You hear it on rap songs and lyrics all the time. You see the "Stop Snitching" t-shirts on rap videos and in the streets. Unfortunately for Vick, his homies snitched. With friends like these, who needs enemies? Now Vick has pleaded guilty to the dogfighting charges along with his homies. I believe a NFL team will sign him once he gets out. NFL teams want to win first and foremost and Vick can help a team win. I will be rooting for him and hopes he makes it back and establishes himself as a top player in the NFL again. I also know I am not the only one who is a Michael Vick supporter. Many of his teammates and other players around the league support him too. The black community supports him as well as NBA stars like Stephon Marbury. Some people are afraid to take a stand against PETA and their boycotts. I am not one of them and I don't give a damn about PETA's boycotts against Vick. The fans in Atlanta still love Vick as well. The Falcons season is lost, but let's hope and pray that Vick's career is not.