Pro Football 101

Dallas Cowboys’ CB, Adam (Pacman) Jones, found himself in new controversy this Thursday after an alleged altercation took place at a swank hotel in Dallas the evening before. At some point, Pacman got into an argument with his bodyguard and it led to blows being thrown. Cops were called, and the story became headline news, rather than just news among those who witnessed the incident.

Should we even be surprised? Nope. This is the same guy, who after being summoned to the Commissioner’s office in NY after the strip club shooting incident in early ‘07, decided to stop into another one the night before the meeting, the same meeting where he found out he’d be suspended for the season. When asked why he chose to go to a strip club, he said that he got hungry. An interesting response considering he was in Manhattan, a place that must have over 25,000 places to eat alone.

After his year long suspension in 2007, for the latest of his numerous run-ins with the law over his 1st two seasons, the Titans decided to part ways. The NFL is extremely tough on players who commit offenses, and with the new rules in place, teams can now be held liable for its players’ actions, so most wise teams would choose to steer clear of a player like Pacman Jones. But not the Dallas Rehab Center, otherwise known as the Cowboys; they welcome everyone to Valley Ranch. In the past few years, they’ve brought in other trouble makers such as Tank Johnson and TO (although Owens’ troubles are never for breaking the law), and they’ve developed an idea that they’re the proper rehab center for talented NFL misfits. I know Deion Sanders thinks that his years on this earth have certified him as a licensed psychologist, and I know he spent a good deal of time with Pacman this off-season, but sorry, telling Jones to advise people not to call him “Pacman” anymore won’t resolve the issues that lie beneath the surface.

If Pacman’s already getting into altercations, and with of all people, the man who’s been sent to make sure he doesn’t get in trouble, I’m afraid there’s nothing else that can be done. At one point, he was on the verge of becoming a star in this league, and perhaps I’m being a little harsh because he’s probably rusty after sitting out for an entire season, but he’s looked everything but a good NFL corner in his 1st five games back and I can’t see why the Cowboys would want to deal with this headache as it tries to remain focused in a division that won’t be as easy to win as they initially thought.

I think we all knew Pacman would find himself back in controversy – the old saying that a leopard can’t change its spots rings true here – but I don’t think we thought he’d find his name associated with trouble so soon into his reinstatement year. This shows me just how foolish this guy really is and if the Cowboys keep him, how foolish they are. Although the 4th rounder he cost them will sting a bit, it’s far less painful than what they’ll feel by keeping him around, and dealing with this issue, and the others that are waiting just around the corner. NFL teams are here to win football games, not rehabilitate players who have the ability to fracture a team, and if Dallas forgets where its allegiance lies, Wade Phillips will be looking for a new job in 2009, Romo will be 0-3 in the playoffs and Jerry Jones will be forced to put a sly smile on his face when he asks Cowboys’ fans to dole out thousands of extra dollars to pay the increases for their new seats in the 1.3 billion dollar stadium they’re opening up in ‘09.

In our 2nd week, we went 1-1-1: The Panthers (-9) rolled the Chiefs 34-0; The Seahaws (+7) were rolled 44-6 and the Titans (-3), won 13-10. For the money line, which we always try and choose an underdog, we had Tampa (+$150), and they lost 16-13 at Denver. This week we look to get back to our winning ways.

Best Bet:

1. PHILADELPHIA (-4.5) vs San Francisco. The Eagles are coming off two hard fought losses and are embarrassed. They thought they’d be at 4-1 at this point, not 2-3. The 49ers are 2-3 and the ship is sinking fast for Mike Nolan and Co. I see Philly playing this game with a sense of urgency as they can ill afford to fall another game back in the best division in football (NFC East), and I see them putting a hurting on the Niners by the bay. Look for the Eagles to control both lines of scrimmage, for McNabb to have consistent success through the air while on defense, taking Frank Gore out of the plan and forcing O’Sullivan to beat them. I see Philly taking a commanding lead early in the 3rd quarter and never looking back.

Next in Line:

2. NY GIANTS (-7) vs. Cleveland. The Giants are hot right now. In fact, the Giants have been hot since week 16 of last season. Eli has come into his own and the team is hitting on all cylinders. The Browns, who got their 1st win two weeks ago vs. Cincy, in a game they probably would’ve lost had Carson Palmer started for the Bengals, are coming off a bye week and ready to take on New York at home in a Monday night showdown. Unfortunately for the Browns, New York is bringing in its 12 game road winning streak (if you count all three NFC playoff games and the Super Bowl) to the Dawg Pound, and it’s not going to stop here. Look for the Giants to establish their running game early and often and then hit some big plays through the air as the offense welcomes Plaxico back. On defense, I see the Giants controlling the line of scrimmage and once NY gets up big, releasing the hounds and Tuck and Co. notching at least 4 to 5 sacks in this one. Giants score big to move to 5-0.

3. CAROLINA (+1.5) vs. Tampa Bay. The Panthers usually bring their A game when they face their division rival Bucs, and I see that trend continuing here. In what should be a hard fought, low scoring affair, look for Carolina to pull out a close victory with some big plays from the passing game and in particular Steve Smith. If they do get a lead, I think you’ll see a heavy dose of Williams and Stewart out of the back field as they go on to win 17-13 or 20-17.

Money Line:

Initially we had the Bengals over the Jets, but word just came in that Carson Palmer will miss the game with an elbow injury.

So instead will go with the ARIZONA CARDINALS (+210) vs. Dallas. The Cowboys are a better team than the Cards, no question, but Arizona is a completely different football team at home than they are on the road and opposing teams seem to have trouble playing in the desert air. I don’t see the Cards doing too much on the ground besides controlling the clock so they’ll have to get it done through the air, which is what I see happening. Look for Warner to have a big day and Fitzgerald (and Boldin if back) to get open consistently vs. Dallas’ secondary. The Cowboys are in a bit of a funk right now offensively (have been in a funk defensively in all games except vs. GB) and are ripe for a let down after beginning the season 4-1. We’ll see if the Pacman situation from Thur morning carries over but look for Arz to win a high scoring affair in the 27-24 range or 30-27.

After receiving so many e-mails asking to move our suicide section pick up to Friday, so people can meet deadlines, it has been moved. Going forward, we’ll provide our suicide pick selection on Friday to get you ready for the upcoming weekend.

Last week’s pick was the Carolina Panthers. As mentioned in the post, we thought Carolina would run all over KC and end up winning this game rather easily. The final score was 34-0 so things pretty much went as expected. That puts us at 2 for 2 this year.

For this week’s pick, we’re selecting the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, cellar dwellers in the NFC East, are still probably among the top 10 to 12 best teams in the league, and this week they get to face the San Francisco 49ers, led by soon to be fired head coach Mike Nolan. I see Philadelphia bouncing back big in this one, with or without star RB Westbrook, and dominating both lines of scrimmage. On defense, they’ll take RB Frank Gore out of the game plan and put J.T. O’Sullivan in predictable throwing situations, and if recent history is any indicator, that should lead to a few picks, while on offense, look for the Eagles to pass the ball at will on this 49er’ pass defense. I see a minimum 10 point victory by Philly as they head out to the bay area. Play the Eagles and feel confident that you’ll be alive for week 7 in your pool.

Season: 2-0

Week 4: Buffalo Bills

Week 5: Carolina Panthers

Must Starts:

1. Plaxico Burress vs. Cleveland. Plax’s comments, for better or worse, really pinned him as the bad guy this week and he’s taken a lot of heat in both the New York, and National media. However, inside the Giants’ locker room, it’s really been a non-issue and both the team and receiver are ready to move on. In a game that the Giants should begin by pounding the ball and establishing the ground game with Jacobs and Co., I see the Browns being forced to bring a safety up to help out leaving their corners alone on an island. Once this happens, if the Giants can control the line of scrimmage, which they should be able to do, look for Manning and Plax to become reacquainted early and often and I see #17 reeling in 8 or 9 catches for a 100 and a TD.

2. Greg Jennings vs. Seattle. If there’s one thing Seattle’s done well thus far, it’s give up a lot of points. GB comes in reeling a bit after three consecutive losses, but Jennings has produced in spite of those results. He and Rodgers have really developed a strong rapport and I see them putting up solid numbers through the air in this one. GB’s inability to run this year has hurt the play action, but has helped the overall passing numbers because they’re constantly being put into situations where they need to throw. In what should be a high scoring affair, look for Jennings to abuse CB Trufant or Kelly Jennings and put the ball in the end zone with at least 100 yards through the air.

3. DeSean Jackson vs. San Fransisco. If you’ve seen the back of #22 Nate Clements a lot this year, raise your hand? Me too. Mike Nolan’s “bend don’t break” defense isn’t having its desired effect as guys are getting deep on this secondary and SF currently leads the league in allowing plays of 40 yards or more. The confident rookie should do very nicely in this game as he’s coming back to his hometown by the bay, the Eagles are very mad about losing their last two games and are looking to make a statement, and McNabb usually has good games against lesser opponents, so all this leads up to some long plays for the rookie and more than likely a deep ball into the end zone.

Sleepers:

1. Steve Smith vs. Tampa Bay. The Bucs have one of the league’s best defenses, and in particular, pass defenses, but Smith historically puts on his best performance when facing his hated division rival. In a season where Carolina has seen its running game revived with Williams and rookie Stewart, the Panthers have had much success through the air and that’ll continue for Smith in this lower scoring affair. Look for him to put up 70 yards and a TD.

2. Vincent Jackson vs. New England. Although the Bolts are playing poorly right now, their problem has primarily been on the ground, and creating holes for Tomlinson, but I think this week, even if it’s just for a week, it all comes together. The hated rival Patriots come to town in a game with much less significance than the past two playoff losses, and with a much different look now that Brady is out for the year. I think the Chargers will show no mercy in this one if they get a lead and into a groove and with the Patriots focusing on containing Ladainian, I think Rivers will have a lot of success through the air. New England’s also without the services of Asante Samuel who left for Philly and have been vulnerable to the pass (58-year old Isaac Bruce score two TDs on them), so look for a strong day out of Jackson.