Is 2013 a make or break year for Matthew Stafford?

We have seen the good Matthew Stafford (2011), and the less than good Matthew Stafford (2012), and the oft injured Matthew Stafford (any season before 2011). Now Mathew Stafford is stepping up to be the on and off the field leader for the Lions, and they are becoming his team. He enters 2013 having started 33 NFL games in a row, and one has to wonder will the 2013 season define the rest of his career?

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The Mount Rushmore of Detroit Lions

2009 St. Louis Rams NFL draft review: Three years later

When we see teams pick at the top of the draft in many successive years, we automatically know that they have not done a great job making draft picks. In 2009 the Rams picked second, in 2010 first, 2011 14th, and they will have the second overall selection in the coming 2012 draft. That seems to be a strong indicator that there are missing the boat on a lot of draft picks.

Their first pick in 2009 was OT Jason Smith. It looks like he will be a salary cap casualty this off-season as his salary far outweighs his production on the field. He seems to not have a strong passion for the game, and that is a big issue. The future of the Rams rests in keeping QB Sam Bradford on his feet and if Smith cannot do that (in justifiable terms to his salary) then it may simply be time to move on for this team.

Now in the second round the Rams hit a home run in 2009. With the 35th overall pick they got MLB James Laurinitis out of Ohio State. He is the captain of their defense, and has been very productive in his three seasons since being drafted. However, their third round pick Brandon Fletcher does not even appear on their depth chart right now. That may be due to an injury, but a team in the position hat the Rams are need to draft productive starters in the first three rounds. So far from the 2009 draft class they have just one legit, impactful starter.

The news gets worse for this team as none of their picks past round four remain on the roster. That is seven draft picks for one impactful starter, one guy with no passion and a backup DT taken in round four. The simple fact here is the St. Louis Rams must do better in finding talent in the NFL draft. The final grade for this draft comes in at a C+ since Laurinitis is such an impactful player.

Related Links:

• St. Louis Rams War Room
• Rams news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com

Detroit Lions 2009 NFL draft in review: three years out

The 2009 NFL draft will always hold a special place for me because it was the first draft I covered professionally, and it was were the rebirth of my team the Detroit Lions began. General Manager Martin Mayhew fleeced the Dallas Cowboys for a first round pick 20th overall and he began to rebuild a team that was not far removed from a 0-16 campaign. The Lions scored big in this draft and with that let us begin our final look at the NFL draft of 2009.

With the first pick overall the Lions selected QB Matthew Stafford out of Georgia. Over his first two years this looked like a waste of the first overall pick, but after Stafford threw for 5,000 yards in year three it looks like the Lions got the right guy to lead their team. Of course this was the first year in which Stafford played all 16 games and if he can stay healthy the future for this team looks very bright.

With the 20th overall pick picked up from the Cowboys in the Roy Williams trade. Mayhew took TE Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma State. Many were critical of that decision at the time, as TE is a luxury for a team that needed so much. However, since the team needed so much why not draft the very best at every position possible. Three years later Pettigrew is a big piece of the Lions offense and I can remember a pass to him on a seam route in almost every Lions' game I watched this year.

With the 33rd overall pick in the second round the Lions picked up Safety Louis Delmas and he has become a fixture in the Lions secondary. For the record that is three impact starters with their first three picks, and that will be the legacy of this draft for Mayhew and the Lions.

Of course there was a miss in here. In the third round they selected WR Derrick Williams. We understand the team needs to have more at wide out than Calvin Johnson but Williams was a clear miss. So far the only miss in this draft class for the Lions of any consequence. They also landed DT Sammie Lee Hill and RB Aaron Brown who also contributed some.

In the end this draft will be remembered as the birthplace of the Lions rebuild plan. After three season and securing three impact starters we have to give it a final grade of an A.

Related Links:

• Detroit Lions news and notes
• Lions War Room
• Joshua Lobdell.com

Week 13 NFL picks

So after getting my but kicked on Thanksgiving Day, I rebounded to go 12-4 in Week 12. Not to bad but I want more. I want to do better. I am looking for the perfect week. With that siad let us get started with the week 13 picks:

1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (4-7)

Must miss TV if I ever saw it. We think that the Eagles have hit bottom, but I am not convinced. I am a big fan of the Sea Chickens at home and I think they will put another nail in Andy Reid's coffin. The Eagles are going nowhere and have Vince Young at the helm. This is likely to be a really ugly game.

2. Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-6)

This is a tough one. The Bills have disintegrated, but most of that has been on the road. At home against a mediocre opponent they might look a lot better. The Titans are starting to get Chris Johnson back, but the pass game is terrible. I'll take the Bills at home even though the Titans are trying to steal a playoff spot.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) at Chicago Bears (7-4)

I would love to pick the Chiefs, because my Detroit Lions need the Bears to lose. These are two teams with issues at QB and I think Soldier Field gives the Bears an advantage. For now I gotta go with the Bears because they are a better team.

4. Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Houston Texans (8-3)

I really feel bad for the Texans, the AFC south is theirs for the taking but they have big issues at QB. The Falcons need another win to keep running strong at the NFL playoffs. The Falcons could win their division, but the Saints stand in the way. Of course the Texans need to make a big play for Donovan McNabb once he is released, but that will not help them this week. With all of that in mind I gotta go with the Falcons.

5. Oakland Raiders (7-4) at Miami Dolphins (3-8)

This is a tough one. The Dolphins need to lose, but Tony Sparano is trying to save his job. A win probably is not enough to do that, and it could mess up the Dolphins plans come the 2012 NFL draft. The Raiders are banged up, and due for a stumble but they find a way to win. Even with the Dolphins 2-3 at home this year I don't like them at home and will take the Raiders in this one.

6. Denver Broncos (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (2-9)

All Tim Tebow does is find ways to win football games, and I think he will do so once again in Minnesota.

7. Indianapolis Colts (0-11) at New England Patriots (8-3)

The Colts continue to sell out their fans and suck for Luck. The Patriots do what they do, and win another game in route to the playoffs.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

A great match up in the AFC North. While the Bengals have played the Steeelers and Baltimore Ravens tough, and they are due to win one of these games, the Steeelers have been outstanding at home and their new young crop of receivers makes the difference in this game versus a Bengals secondary that is banged up.

9. Carolina Panthers (4-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

Another stinkfest. However, The Panthers have a running attack hat could expose the Bucs' woeful defense. If Raheem Morris losses this one he will likely be fired sooner rather that later. As it stands I have no faith in the Bucs, and think the Panthers win a close one.

10. New York Jets (6-5) at Washington Redskins (4-7)

The Jets need this one badly, and they need QB Mark Sanchez to do well. Mike Shanahan may be on the hot seat. I have little faith in the Redskins (even though I thought they would be better than this in 2011). I'll take the Jets by a couple.

11. Baltimore Ravens (8-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-7)

The hated rat birds return to Cleveland. The Ravens need to keep on winning, and while the Browns are improving, they are not at the level to compete with the Ravens just yet. I expect a close game just because this is the ultimate rivalry game, but in the end I have little faith in the Browns offense. I got the Ravens by three.

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (4-7)

Even though the Cardinals have roughed up the Cowboys in the last two outings, this year's Cowboys consistently outpace mediocre to bad NFL clubs. I got the Cowboys in this on has they march to a NFC East title.

13. Green Bay Packers (11-0) at New York Giants (6-5)

My Lions need the Giants to lose another one, and thankfully the Packers are in town to do just that. The simple fact here is the Packers are playing on another level right now.

14. St. Louis Rams (2-9) at San Francisco 49ers (9-2)

This is the 49ers team I expected last year, and Jim Harbaugh has them playing very well. The Rams are a mess and a firing or tow are on the horizon. I got the 49ers by a lot.

15. Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-3)

How long ago were the Lions 5-0? They need a win, but the Saints are rolling and the Lions have not played well against good NFL teams so far in 2011. This one could get very ugly, and I got the Saints by at least 14.

16. San Diego Chargers (4-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)

The Jaguars are a mess, and the Chargers are struggling. The only difference I see is Maurice Jones-Drew and I think the Jaguars can ride him to a win.

The Rest of the Week 12 NFL picks

Ok, ok I got roughed up a bit on Turkey Day, going just 1-2 but I am looking to rebound a bit with the games on Sunday and Monday. With that let's have at it:

1. Minnesota Vikings (2-8) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

The Vikings are not very good, and they will be without Adrian Peterson this week. This makes this one an easy one. I got the Falcons all day.

2. Cleveland Browns (4-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

The Cleveland Offense cannot move the ball, and the defense is not good enough to stop the Andy Dalton attack for the entire game. The Bengals need a win to keep on marching towards the playoffs. I will take the Bengals in the battle of Ohio.

3. Carolina Panthers (2-8) at Indianapolis Colts (0-10)

What a stinker, the Colts continue to Suck for Luck, and the Panthers get their third win. This is the second time in the last three years that the Colts have sold out their fans. If I ere a Colts fans I would be super pissed.

4. Houston Texans (7-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)

This is a tough one. The Texans need a win to keep on track towards a divisional championship, but they have lost QB Matt Schaub for the year. The Jaguars defense has played tough, but looks to be cracking. I do not believe in Matt Leinart at all, but I think the Texans can pull this one out unless the Jaguars team that beat the Ravens shows up on Sunday. For now I will take the Texans.

5. Buffalo Bills (5-5) at New York Jets (5-5)

There are a lot of teams right around this mark in the AFC. That means the team that wins this game gets a leg up in the playoff race. I think the Bills have made all the noise they can already, and that Rex Ryan will get the Jets motivated to win this one. I have to go with Gang Green, but this week I think I have to.

6. Arizona Cardinals (3-7) at St. Louis Rams (2-8)

Steve Spagnuolo needs this game to keep his job. Actually he probably needs a lot more than this and Josh McDaniels should be the first Rams coach fired. However, the Cardinals are not very good. Even though the Rams have struggled though a soft spot in their schedule I don't see a way that the Cardinals can win this game.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) at Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Raheem Morris' seat has got to be heating up. The Titans are 5-5 because they beat up on bad teams. they are 4-0 against teams with a sub .500 record. This is a tough one. Two struggling teams that both need a win pretty bad. The Bucs offense is near the bottom in every key statistical category and I think that equals a Titans win.

8. Chicago Bears (7-3) at Oakland Raiders (6-4)

With a Detroit Loss the Bears could use a win to solidify their hold on a playoff spot. They are however without Jay Cutler. The Raiders are banged up but also need a win to keep their playoff chances alive. I never take a team with a new QB for the first time, and Oakland is not the nicest place to play. I'll take the Raiders in this one.

9. Washington Redskins (3-7) at Seattle Seahawks (4-6)

Another stink fest, but hey whatcha gonna do? The Seahawks are still tough at home, and the defense is growing into a difference making unit. The Redskins are still the Redskins and I almost always take the Sea Chickens at home.

10. New England Patriots (7-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-6)

The Eagles have an annoying tendency to blow fourth quarter leads. they have the WR corps to pick apart the Patriots mostly undrafted secondary, regardless of who starts at QB. That is not to say I have any faith in this Eagles team. I think the Patriots find a way to win this game, and cruise towards the playoffs.

11. Denver Broncos (5-5) at San Diego Chargers (4-6)

The Chargers look out of place, and there are rumors Phillip Rivers is hurt. After the last three weeks it is very hard to pick against Tebowmania. I would have to be John Elway right now knowing that there is little chance this Tebow kid will ever be a traditional NFL QB. Of course, winning is what Tebow does best. Regardless of how ugly it may appear.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-6)

This one is a no brainer. The Steelers crush the Chiefs, even though I often like the Chiefs at home.

13. New York Giants (6-4) at New Orleans Saints (7-3)

I am conflicted here, my Detroit Lions need the Giants to lose. The good news is the Saitns are coming off a bye and get an extra day to prepare for this game. The Saints have yet to lose at home and hopefully they help my Lions by beating the Giants.

Thanksgiving Day Picks

So we have the usual trio of games on Thanksgiving. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are at home, and the Baltimore Ravens get to host the one loss San Francisco 49ers. All three games are must watch TV, and my wife is super pissed that I will be spending the Holiday parked in my man cave watching all the great NFL action.

With that said, after going 10-4 last week let us get at it:

1. Green Bay Packers (10-0) at Detroit Lions (7-3)

This is a great match up between two divisional rivals. This game could go either way and I expect it to be a high scoring affair. The Lions played the Packers tough last year, and their defensive front should be able to get after Arron Rodgers. The Packers defense has let teams come back on them, and that is what the Lions do best. Sure, the Lions are my team and I got to go with my team on Turkey Day. I think the Lions squeak out a close win.

2. Miami Dolphins (3-7) at Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

Throw the records out in this one, because both team are playing better than them right now. Matt Moore has played very well at QB for the Dolphins the past few weeks, and the Cowboys have found their stride and currently sit first in the NFC East. The Cowboys need this game more, but it would not surprise me to see the Dolphins pull out a win. In the end though I got my money (not really because gambling is stupid) on the Cowboys at home.

3. San Francisco 49ers (9-1) at Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

The more I watch the Ravens play the less I believe in them. The 49rers are playing at a different level. This is a battle between two brothers and I think that Jim Harbaugh knows how to get the most out of his team. With that in mind I'll take the 49ers on the road.

Week eleven NFL picks

Allrighty then, last week your truly went 10-6. Not terribly bad, but not where I would like to be. By the way, Thursday Night football is one of the best things of the fall, and with that said let us get to it:

1. New York Jets (5-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5)

This is actually a pretty good match up. We have to wonder how long the Broncos can continue to win without the benefit of the forward pass. Th Broncos defense is also better than most realize. The jets have a defense that could shut down the Broncos, but are coming off a deflating loss. In the need I cannot see the Jets slipping again so I will take them on the road.

2. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

This is another great match up. The Bengals are for real, but the defense is slipping. The Ravens play poorly against bad team, but seem ready to take on another challenge. I will take the Ravens at home in this one.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-6)

What a stinker, but they can't all be good. This is a tough one to predict, but I will take the Jaguars on the road because the Browns offense is really that bad. This one could be a tie, and it has tie written all over it. I really don't like taking Blaine Gabbert on the road, but seriously the Cleveland offense sucks.

4. Carolina Panthers (2-7) at Detroit Lions (6-3)

Normally I would take my team, the Lions, hands down winners at home. However, this team plays worse at home and Matthew Stafford is coming off a terrible game. I think the Panthers running game will give the Lions defense trouble. However, the Panthers defense is terrible and the Lions should roll to an easy win, and right the ship.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-0)

This is an easy one, the Packers continue to march towards the perfect season.

6. Buffalo Bills (5-4) at Miami Dolphins (2-7)

This could be a good game. The Dolphins have finally figured some things out, and won a home game. The Bills need this game more, after losing two straight big. I am torn, as I think the Bills season rests on a win here, however I will take the Fish at home in this one.

7. Oakland Raiders (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-7)

I think he Raiders offense is coming around. They are soft in the secondary, but the Vikings cannot exploit that weakness. The Viking defense is terrible and the Raiders should be able to take full advantage.

8. Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Washington Redskins (3-6)

This promises to be a tough match up despite the records. These two teams do not like each other, and that means the tone of this game should be heavy. However, the Redskins are a mess and the Cowboys offense is starting to perk up. I'll take the Cowboys on the road.

9. Arizona Cardinals (3-6) at San Francisco 49ers (8-1)

Another pretty easy one. The Cardinals are struggling and the 49ers are playing inspired football. 49ers at home, no doubt.

10. Seattle Seahawks 3-6) at St. Louis Rams (2-7)

Another crap match up, and we will see it again in three weeks on Monday Night Football. This is a toss up, but Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo needs this game more to keep his job. I'll take the Rams by three or less.

11. Tennessee Titans (5-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-4)

It does not look like the Titans have the offensive weapons to take out a decent team on the road. The Falcons need to start making some noise, and I will take them at home.

12. San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Chicago Bears (6-3)

I think that the Chargers are not very good, and that the Bears are peaking at the right time. No matter what Devin Hester is able to do I think the Bears kick the crap out of the Chargers.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at New York Giants (6-3)

I think the so called dream team has turned into a nightmare. History tells us that one cannot buy a Super Bowl title. The Giants are a decent team who should beat the Eagles by 10 or more.

14. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3)

This game looked a lot better two weeks ago. The Chiefs offense has hit a wall, and the Patriots need a win. The Pats are coming off a great victory, while the Chiefs are barely treading water. I'll take the Patriots at home by a bunch.

Week Ten NFL Picks

Allrighty then, the first week of Thursday Night football and that means we get some football a little early. With that said let us get to my week ten NFL picks:

1. Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

This is a tough one. Both teams have issues and both are on losing streaks. It would seem that the Raiders would have the edge here, just because they have more talent on defense, but I am not ready to believe in Carson Palmer. I think Phillip Rivers found something at the end of the Green Bay Game and that will be the difference. I got he Chargers by less than seven.

2. New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

Another tough one. The Saints are coming off their most complete game of the year, and the Falcons have really found a grove. This one could have a shootout feel, and I think there the Saints have the edge. I got the Saints by three.

3. Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers

Chris Johnson is not the force that he once was, and this is an offense that the Panthers can stop. Carolina has a tough time closing out games, but I think they can soundly beat the Titans.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

The difference in this game has got to be the defense. Bengals QB Andy Dalton has not seen a defense this good since he played the San Francisco 49ers, and he only managed 8 points in that contest. While the Bengals D line will give the Steelers trouble, the Steelers D makes all the difference.

5. St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns

The first really terrible game of the week. The Browns cannot move the ball and the offense is terrible. However, their wins have come against terrible teams and St. Louis certainly qualifies. This one looks like a stinker and I got the Browns eking out a win.

6. Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys

The bet here is Rob Ryan learned from the New York Jets how to shut down the Bills offense. That should make this a long day for Buffalo. I got the Cowboys in this one.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Another stinker. The Colts should win a game somewhere, even if they don't seem to care too. The Jaguars are coming off a bye and heir head coach's job is at stake. I'll take the Jags as the Colts continue to suck for Luck.

8. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

I always like the Chiefs at home, and I think their defense will be ready for Tim Tebow and his new bag of tricks. The Chiefs need to get over the loss to Miami, and I think they will do it this week against the Broncos.

9. Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins suck out loud, and suck worse at home. They are on a 1-12 run in their own stadium. Of course the Redskins are not exactly awesome (or even good). This one looks like a stinker and I will take the Dolphins to win even though they need to lose.

10. Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles

I do not believe in the Eagles' dream team but it is not a great accomplishment to beat the awfully bad Cardinals. This is another stinker by two teams going nowhere. Must miss TV for sure. I got the Eagles with their backs against the wall to earn a win sort of.

11. Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Texans do a lot of things well, and are making a run at their first divisional championship. The Bucs are so desperate to save their season they claimed Albert Haynesworth or waivers. That is a loser move for a loser team, who is going to lose.

12. Baltimore Ravens at Seattle Seahawks

I usually like the Seahawks at home, but the Ravens have taken a few shots to the head and need to get their season back on track. They have struggled against bad teams, but this looks like an easy win. Hopefully they go out west and take care of business.

13. Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

While the Lions are my team, the Bears are very motivated right now. They also have the weapons that can do a ton of damage to the Lions defense. I want the Lions to win, and they have been pretty good on the road however, I think the Bears pull this one out in a close one.

14. New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

This is likely a playoff preview in the NFC. Both team are pretty good, but I cannot bet agasint the Niners right now. I think they win a close one and continue a great season.

15. New England Patriots and New York Jets

The Jets have a chance to take complete control of the AFC East with a win. The Patriots have lost two straight. I don't think that streak reaches three. Give me the Patriots in a great game.

16. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

This is a slam dunk. The Vikings suck, and the Packers are playing football at a different level. They seem poised to make a run at 16-0.

Is is time for the Cleveland Browns to move on from Peyton Hillis?

This is a very perplexing question. The Cleveland Browns have taken a big step back from what they were a year ago, especially given their offensive struggles so far in 2012. A large part of the blame rest on Head Coach Pat Shurmur and his decision to take on the role of offensive coordinator. A large piece of blames rests with QB Colt McCoy and his struggles and with the WR corps and their struggles. However, a large part of the blame is the diva like behavior of RB Peyton Hillis.

Peyton had a break out year in 2010, rushing from 1,177 yards. It earned him a spot the 2012 Madden cover. What has followed is a pretty poor showing for a professional athlete. He is in a contract year, and took some bad advice from his agent and sat out a game against the Miami Dolphins when many feel he should have played. He has a nagging injury and skipped some treatment to go get married. He took time to throw footballs off the crossbar in San Francisco when he did not play due to his injury. He is starting to lose his locker room on top of creating a large distraction for his team. There are several reports that his teammates are growing tired of this act.

Profootballtalk.com cites Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the team is prepared to let Hillis go after the year and test free agency. There, his one great season, added to his diva act of 2012 is not going to get him the big contract he apparently wants.

It seems pretty clear that the Browns will have to move on from him. A young team, in the midst of a rebuild plan, cannot allow one player to so disrupt things. A message has to be sent that this type of behavior will not be accepted by this organization. Since there does not seem to be a veteran in the locker room that can send that message, General Manger Mike Holmgren will have to do it by sending Hillis on his way. To their credit, some Browns' veterans did have an intervention with the RB, and we will have to wait and see what effect that has.

The defense is pretty good, but their young QB is struggling, and the best friend of a struggling QB is a great running game. That is something fellow RB Montario Hardesty cannot do alone. This team needs Hillis to be the guy he was, and if he cannot be that, they need to move for the good of the team.

Related Links:

• Cleveland Browns news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com

Week Nine NFL Picks

So my record for the year (at least on this site) is 8-5. We are certainly looking to do better than that in week nine. With that said let's have at it.

1. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

I hate the Jets and all the smack Rex Ryan uses to talk. they have beaten The Dolphins and Chargers in recent weeks and that has them feeling like they are a lot better than they actually are. The Bills are for real and I will take them in a close one. Bills win by less than seven points.

2. Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys

Two teams I have little or no faith in. This is a terrible match up. However, the Cowboys are not very good against good teams, but know how to really step on bad ones. I got the Cowboys by ten or more in this one.

3. Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans

Nothing is going right for the Cleveland Browns. the defense is pretty good, but the offense cannot do anything. The Texans are looking at their first divisional championship and there is no way they let the Browns derail that train.

4. Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts

The Falcons play pretty well in domes, and the Colts suck out loud. the Falcons need to win, and the Colts need to lose to get a shot at Andrew Luck. I think both teams do what they need to do.

5. Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs

I like the Chiefs at home against good team, I like them at home even more against teams that are as bad as Miami seems to be. Miami needs to lose to keep pace in the Suck for Luck contest and they have no motivation to win. On top of the fact that they have a head coach who is keeping his job because of the losing. He cannot screw that up and go out and win one.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

These are two teams that are very up and down. The Bucs have won two straight in New Orleans, and they could do so again. I am leaning towards them winning as I am not a big believer in the Saints right now. The Saints played poorly against an inferior team last week, and I think they will do so again this week. losing is infectious.

7. San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins

Jim Harbaugh just learned that anything can happen. The Rams can beat the Saints, and coming off the bye he will have his 6-1 49ers ready to take down the Redskins. Washington gives up to many big plays, and their O line will not be bale to handle the front seven of the 49ers.

8. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

The Denver Broncos are going nowhere with Tim Tebow at the helm. The Oakland Raiders have had a bye week to help teach Carson Palmer the offense. I do not believe in either of these teams, but the Raiders win by a bunch.

9. Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans

I am starting to believe in the Bengals. They do a lot of things well. The Titans are in the middle of a rebuild and Chris Johnson has yet to show up. I like the Bengals in this one by three or so.

10. St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

This is probably the worst game of week nine. The Rams did beat the Saints but have issues. The Cardinals have returned to the lowly team they have been. I think St. Louis gets its second win, since they do not have to suck for Luck.

11. New York Giants at New England Patriots

This one is simple I always take the Patriots after a loss. This is not a team that losses games in bunches and they will be ready to avenge last week's loss.

12. Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers

Is there any reason to think that the Packers, after a bye, will slow down. They are playing this game at a different level. The Chargers do not have the defensive weapons to slow down this attack.

13. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a great match up and the winner takes a big step towards winning the AFC north. The Steelers have won four in a row, but LB injury concerns. However, in the NFL anything can happen. This one smells like an upset, but I will take the safe road and stick with the Steelers.

14. Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles

Me thinks the dream team is back. Chicago is a pretty good team and can do some things well, but they look over matched in this one. Andy Reid coaches best with his back against the wall, and at 3-4 this is a team that cannot afford to lose right now. This may be a close one, but I think the Eagles will prevail in the end.

For Week Eight 8-5

So for the 13 games of the NFL in week eight I went 8-5. Not really great but not very terrible either.

For the record, I got the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs as winners.

Where I went wrong was The Minnesota Vikings beating the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton in Carolina. The St. Louis Rams nutting up and knocking off the suddenly struggling New Orleans Saints. The Pittsburgh Steelers playing better without WR Hines Ward and owning the New England Patriots. The Cincinnati Bengals going to Seattle and getting it done. I am starting to believe in the Bengals. The Philadelphia Eagles beating down the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe the Eagles can rebound from a terrible start and but the front office v the Head Coach troubles off to the side.

All in all 8-5 is not where I want to be in any week. 62% winning percentage is pretty good, even if I were a gambling degenerate and was getting down on all of these games. However, I always strive to do a little better, hopefully week nine brings my average way up.

Week Eight NFL picks

So I get to move another one of my regular NFL columns to a new site. Since I am no longer working for that other site we will be starting fresh with the games on week number eight. Here is what I think about the week eight NFL games.

1. Arizona Cardinals at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Monday night, and they will be looking to make a statement. They play very well at home. The best cure for a passing game that hasn't performed all that well is a game against the Cardinals. I got the Ravens winning this one convincingly.

2. Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers

At this point, I would not pick the Vikings to beat a squad of girls or a flag football contest. They suck out loud and have never one a game in Charlotte. I do not see them winning this week Go Cam Newton.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

Yes, the Jaguars won on Monday night. However, they are still a bad team. The Texans need this game more and are the home team. Not to mention they have RB Arian Foster. I got the Texans in this one in a loss that will put Jack Del Rio's but on the hot seat.

4. Miami Dolphins at New York Giants

The Dolphins are a bad football team and the suck for luck controversy is sure to continue. They have no reason to win this game and if they were at home, I would be picking them to lose big. As it stands, I cannot see the Dolphins scoring more than 10 points and that will not get it done against the Giants.

5. New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams

The Rams are terrible defensively and the Saints have a high-powered offense. For me that means the Saints blow out the Rams at home.

6. Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

Two very bad offenses, but the Colts have a bigger reason to lose this game so the can continue to “suck for Luck”. I will not be watching this game and it could be another crappy 6-3 game. I got the Titans in this one but a little bit.

7. Washington Redskins at Buffalo Bills (In Toronto)

Normally when the Bills play in Toronto, I pick against them, as they have never won a regular season game there. On top of that, they are beaten up with injuries. However, I think this game may turn into a shoot out and the Bills are far better equipped to deal with that. I got the Bills by less than a touchdown in this one.

8. Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos

This is a tough one. The Lions are 3-0 on the road, but have lost two straight. The Broncos have Tim Tebow who is really good for one drive a game. Tebow's mobility is a problem for the Lions but I think the y get their season back on track with a fourth road win.

9. New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a simple one Tom Brady owns the Pittsburgh Steelers even when they have a legit dominating defense. I got the Pats by a bunch in this one.

10. Cincinnati Bengals at Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle offense has played like crap, but their home field advantage is a little too much for the Bengals to overcome. I am not yet a believer in Cincy's 4-2 start.

11. Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers

I am not a believer in the Browns, and think they have large problems. The 49ers are coming off a bye and will not play down to them. It will be on the Cleveland defense to keep them in this game but that will not happen for a full 60 minutes.

12. Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

This is a tough one. I am not a big believer in either of these teams. The Eagles can gain a lot of yards, but they turn the ball over a lot. Dallas has a great defense, but can choke away a lead late. I got to go with the Cowboys by three as the dream team continues to implode.

13. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

If this game were anywhere else, I would stick with the Chargers. However, the Chiefs run the ball well even without Jamal Charles. The Chargers have issues in run defense and added to the noise of Arrowhead Stadium I think the Chiefs win a close one.

Can the UFL survive once again?

Over the pat year, I have written a number of posts declaring the UFL either dead or on its deathbed. Some how this little league that could finds a way to come back, despite reports all over the web that they have failed to pay their bills and even some of their employees. Now I find in posts on profootballtalk.com and the UFL league site that the UFL owners remain committed and will return in 2012.

That seems pretty unreasonable since all this league has done since its inception is lose money, and blunder there way through three seasons. When the pulled the plug on the 2011 season halfway through that looked to be the final deathblow. Now it appears the UFL is willing not only to come back, but also to switch to a spring schedule where they could actually make some head way.

The thing they have going for them is the on the field product is good. It is good football and people will flock to good football especially in the spring. They have identified several good markets for themselves and if they keep on working that, they could very well survive and even thrive.

Of course, the other side of this coin is NFL Commish Roger Goodell told the press in London this week that his league would like to have a springtime developmental league. A place for teams to develop players coming out of college who might not be ready for the NFL. A place for teams to develop young talent. Of course, the NFL has been down this road before, all NFL Europa did was lose money, however Goodell wants to grow his league, and the best way to do that would be a developmental spring league. The current best option for something like that would be a spring scheduled UFL.

Of course, the NFL would have to learn the mistakes of NFL Europa. First and foremost, they would have to make a rule that every member of a team’s practice squad must play in this league. It will not work having each team send one player. NFL Europe helped the NFL develop a number of quality players and a spring based UFL developmental league could very well do the same.

Of course, to accommodate all those practice squad players, and all of the not quite ready for the NFL players coming out of college the UFL would have to field more than four teams. It seems that eight teams would be the minimum number needed to make something like this viable. That of course would mean the UFL would have to find at least four more markets where their teams could thrive. They seem very interested in Jackson, Mississippi, and there are other markets where UFL teams could do very well especially if they were connected to the NFL.

The thing to remember here is Goodell wants a player development league that is not commercial, that is in one location ala the NFL Scouting Combine and annual Senior Bowl in Alabama. However, given the option to save the UFL and expand his league that might be a better propostion.

Related Links:

• The Business of the UFL
• Joshua Lobdell

What is wrong with the Cleveland Browns?

The Cleveland Browns are probably the worst 3-3 team I have ever seen in twenty plus years of watching NFL football and now six writing about it. They are one of the few teams I have seen play live in their own building this year (thanks to my membership in a Browns Backer club). The question has got to be what is wrong with this team, if anything?

I think the Browns have a number of problems. The offense is not very good, and is adapting to a new offense. New Head Coach Pat Shurmur has changed a lot of things and I am not a big believer in the Head Coach taking on the offensive coordinator job as well. It seems evident that Shurmur is overmatched as an offensive play caller. They rank 27th in points scored averaging just 16.2 points per game. They are averaging over 300 yards of total offense a game, but that has them ranked just 23rd. They rank 22nd in passing yards per game and just 29th in rushing yards.

Of course the bigger problem here may be the attitude of RB Peyton Hillis. I truly believe, despite what many of my Browns Backer friend think (granted they have rooted for this team far longer than I have), that Hillis has let his 2010 success and his presence on the Madden Cover to go to his head. I also happen to think his agent is not doing him nay favors, and that this situation has severely distracted a pretty young locker room. That is all bad.

Beyond the questions about Colt McCoy who is having a pretty forgettable sophomore campaign. He has 14 passing TD's but has also thrown 13 picks. I really think that this team has a wide receiver problem. Greg Little and Joshua Cribbs have talent, but they do not have a wide out who can stretch the field. Little is averaging less than 10 yards a completion and looks to be an ok piece, but this is an offense that still needs a legit deep threat. Cribbs feels like more of a game changer than a legit wide out talent and is only averaging 12.8 yards per catch. Mohamed Massaquuoi drops a lot of passes put is averaging 13.3 yards per catch. However it does not feel like enough.

Sure, some of those numbers may be due to McCoy's arm. At this point this team and its fans have to question everything. However, it does not look like they go down the field enough, and the problems with Hillis are disturbing the flow of the running attack. I truly believe that the offense is the problem here.

The defense, under Dick Jauron, is fifth in total average yards allowed at 291 per game. They are second in passing yard allowed where they give up just 172 yards through the air on average. However they are 19th in rush defense and that speaks to a weaker LB corps or problems along the Defensive Line. That could be explained away by the switch to the 4-3 scheme and the fact that two rookies are starting on the D line.

We see this a lot, teams that look pretty good one year taking a big step back the next. We have also seen new Head Coaches come to teams, and those rosters take a little bit of time to get use to new systems and new expectations. In the end that is what I see when I look at the 2011 Cleveland Browns.

Before I made a final decision on Colt McCoy I would like to see this team get him some legit talent in the WR corps and see if that makes the difference. Of course the Browns have not had a ton of luck in developing young QB's recently.

Related Links:

• Cleveland Browns news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com

The Oakland Raiders trade for Carson Palmer

So The Oakland Raiders, motivated by an injury to QB Jason Campbell, traded a 2012 first round pick and a 2013 second round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for QB Carson Palmer. That 2013 pick could become a first round pick if the Raiders win a divisional round playoff game. For those keeping score at home that means the Raiders now have a 2012 first round, 2012 third round, 2012 fourth round, and a 2013 second round pick tied up in the three QB's on their roster.

Normally I would not be so harsh on them, but that seems like an incredible investment in QB's with no real proof that any of these decisions are going to work out. They gave up a fourth round pick in next year's draft for Jason Campbell. He has performed pretty well, and an injury is hard to avoid. However, with Palmer and Pryor on the roster he will not be back in Oakland next year. That by itself would be easy to understand. They got some juice out of him and an injury ended his tenure prematurely.

However, they have already used a 2012 third round pick for Terrell Pryor. Now with Palmer on the roster Pryor becomes the backup. A fourth round pick by itself is not a terrible price to pay for a good backup, but we do not know if he will be a good backup yet. Having Palmer on the roster would seem to limit the amount of snaps he can take, as Palmer will have to be rushed through his learning of the Raider offense. Granted Kyle Boller is not the answer and some sort of move had to be made.

We could even excuse the trading of a first round pick for Palmer if he can come in and be effective, but that is hardly a guarantee. The point here is none of these moves by themselves should be cause to waive a red flag, but with all the Raiders trades, they now have no picks in the 2012 NFL draft until round five. For a relatively good team that looks to be close to doing something special that could severely set this team back in the future. Of course, it could also put them over the top.

Let us not forget that the Raiders did not trade for the Palmer we saw in 2005 and 2006. No, they traded for a 31-year-old guy who has not looked all that great over the last two years. Over the past two seasons, he has thrown 47 TD's and 33 picks. Those are not great numbers. His QB rating has not been above 85.0 in those years, and there are very real questions about his arm strength.

The better news here is in both of those years he threw for more than 3,000 yards and completed more than 60% of his passes. If he can do that for the Raiders than they may end looking all right. However, while the Raiders are certainly a good team I do not know if going all in (in terms of draft picks) on a trio of QB's for team that is as far away as this team feels is a great policy.

Of course, I could be wrong and Palmer and Pryor could ignite the Raiders to a strong post-season run, which of course would cost the team a first round pick in 2013. We will have to wait and see on this one.

Related Links:

• Oakland Raiders news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com

What is going on with the Chicago Bears?

It has been a pretty embarrassing year for the Chicago Bears. It started last April when the Bears front office staff brought the entire NFL draft to a grinding halt. It continued after the lockout ended when the front office made several questionable personnel decisions. Then of course, there was the embarrassment of the Solider Field turf, and I haven't even gotten to the Chester Tailor incident. Someone is obviously asleep at the wheel, and the Bears reputation not only with its fans and players has being affected, but its standing with the 31 other NFL teams is certainly being affected.

Let us start with the incident at the NFL draft. The Baltimore Ravens believe, and have said publicly, that the Bears duped them on purpose. They claim that the Bears purposely misled them and the rest of the NFL by not turning in a trade request within the allotted time. If that is true, the Bears are guilty of fraud and there is no other way to say that. NFL clubs should not conduct themselves in this way (if it is true of course).

That of course brings me to the handling of longtime Center Olin Kreutz. This was a very popular player in the locker room, and teams always have to treat those kinds of players a tad differently. It looks like the Bears gave him a take it or leave it offer, with an hour deadline no less. Granted some of that is rumor, but Kreutz did what we expected him too, and the Bears told him not to let the door hit him in he ass on the way out. This has upset many within that locker room.

We can sort of but the turf problem aside, but I find it curios that no one at the Bears of Solider Field looked out their office windows and saw a potential problem, nor took action to deal with it. Then again, if he team cannot even decide who is cut and who isn't, then maybe we have the why to behind how something like this could happen.

The Bears have all the problems other NFL teams have. They have made some mistakes in the draft, taken flyers on guys that were utterly worthless, and sure, other NFL teams alienate their players and fans too. However, it is the Bears turn to look a little foolish and foolish is what they appear to be right now.

Related Links:

• Chicago Bears news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com

Washington Redskins news and notes

Washington Redskins Links:

• 2011 Redskins season in review
• 2011 Redskins preview
• Rex Grossman runs off at the mouth
• 2011 Redskins to do list
• 2011 Redskins schedule

Related Links:

• Washington Redskins War Room


• MTR Football


• Joshua Lobdell.com