Larry Johnson to Green Bay makes the most sense. Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Houston Texans, who made more sense than anyone else for Larry Johnson, have stated they will not sign him. On Dan Patrick's show yesterday, Larry said he doesn't get to choose where he goes, but someone with at least a .500 record makes sense. After all, Larry's team problems had a lot to do with the Chiefs losing every week, much like Randy Moss with past teams. And only a strong organization can take in Larry considering his actions towards women and his homophobic slurs.

Then again, if your team is doing well, why bring in a distraction like Larry Johnson? It only makes sense if you're in serious need of a running back. That's why the Texans made the most sense, since they seem to have little confidence in Slaton and Moats. (Man I'm glad Slaton slipped through my fingers in my fantasy draft this past August.)

That's why I'm wondering why the Steelers' name has been thrown around. They have quality running backs. Even if Parker stinks, they're not going to cut him midseason and Mendenhall and Moore are running and blocking with the best of them. I wonder why the Packers or Giants haven't been mentioned. Both teams are contending but are a little desperate right now, and, in my opinion, either one could use another back. I suppose you could put the Giants in the "quality organization" category that might not be seen signing a character like Johnson. (Besides, I doubt he could maneuver the media there.)

So why not Green Bay? Grant is good but has no one with credibility behind them, and the Packers could certainly use a spark. The Giants could use a spark too, and are on a bye week.

Giants vs Patriots Friday, September 4, 2009

The Giants actually played their first team offense and defense for a good portion of the game last night, though Eli only played one series. David Carr came in relief of him and played with the first team for a while. In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised. Coughlin played all his starters in a "meaningless" game week 17 in 2007 against the Patriots.

The Giants first team is a lot better than the Patriots 2nd string. When Carr and the first stringers came out at the end of the first, it was 21-0 Giants. The Patriots second stringers are better then the Giants, and the Patriots rallied to win 38-27. As always, the Giants were pretty well represented in New England. I don't know if the New Jersians...I mean Yorkers drive up or if its carry over from before the Patriots existed. I'm told New England was Giant country back then, and just thinking about it makes me want to throw up a little bit. At any rate, the Giants are probably the team that travels best to Foxboro... with the obligatory nod to the Steelers who also travel pretty well.

So, given that there were a lot of Giants fans, I was shocked and surprised at two things. The first was I saw more Patriot fans wearing Jerseys with the Super Bowl XLII patch on it. In fact, surprisingly I saw not a single Super Bowl XLII champion hat or tee shirt or blanket or anything.

Even more surprising, especially considering the 21-0 pounding the Giants were given the Patriots at one point, was I heard no "18-1" chants until one guy said it as he was leaving the stadium with less than a minute left. In his defense, his friend (wearing a Randy Moss Jersey) screamed "Hey, hey, hey, Goodbye" as they were leaving the section, so he was provoked. I figured that would be the new "1918." Dare I say it... are New Yorkers becoming classy? Probably not. I'm thinking the fact that there was no 18-1 chants and the Giant fans in attendance were all classy proves that they are probably from New England and never switched allegiances when the Patriots were founded.

Moving along, in CAA news, Villanova upset FBS Temple. Watch out Kansas State. You're next.

2009 NFC East Predictions Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I'm gonna post, along with some comments, my predicted finishes for all eight NFL divisions over the next couple weeks. Today: The NFC East.

The NFC East is arguably the best division in pro football, and unquestionably the division that gets the most media coverage. With Vick added to the fold in Philadelphia, the media coverage will only increase (but at least Jessica Simpson is out of the picture). Everyone in the division is playing the NFC South and the AFC West.

1. Philadelphia Eagles - The Vick acquisition may make a small positive difference, although it's the aggregate number of skill position players that compounds to make this offense very exciting. The death of D-Coor Jim Johnson won't help, although I'm assuming whoever has been promoted will be able to keep Johnson's train running for at least one season. Reid is a great coach and the Eagles are always in it at the end of the season.
2. Washington Redskins - Haynesworth was certainly overpaid but a great defensive tackle is as much a sure thing in free agency as any. He's sure to make a difference. I do think head coach Jim Zorn is underrated (as long as he stays on Clinton Portis' good side) and Jason Campbell at least can steer the ship competently.
3. New York Giants - The conventional wisdom is that Eli crumbled last season without premiere wide-out Plaxico to throw to, and the conventional wisdom was 100% correct. Eli will regress back to the mediocre QB his was. I'm expecting the Giants to fall to 6-8 wins. (Although Brandon Jacobs is still a beast.)
4. Dallas Cowboys - I know this looks like standard Cowboy-hate coming from a Steeler fan, but it's year three of the Wade Phillips Hang-On-For-Dear-Life-Rickety-Roller-Coaster-That-Will-Inevitably-Crash ride. Owens' presence was an excuse, and a mature locker room with actual leaders would simply ignore him (or threaten him). The Cowboys will not be better without him, and will finish last in what could still be the NFL's top divison.