the Cheap Seats

Instant Credibility?

The ACC vs. The Big East Okay, let's get over the fact that while Virginia Tech, Boston College and Miami were in The Big East, they were constantly underrated. Writers and critics said that they shouldn't even have a BCS bid. Then the ACC comes in, like a thief in the night, and steals Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College. The Big East never got any crediblity in the polls, even when there teams were undefeated or playing great football. Now we are in the first year of the new ACC and I look at the polls to begin the season, and all former teams Big East teams are ranked in the Top 25. Instant credibility. Where did that come from. Why weren't these teams getting this respect when they were in the Big East? I understand why the schools left. Why not join a superconference it is the way you have to go. That is a column for another time. My big question is why do the former Big East teams all of a sudden have this instant credibility amongst the pollsters? What made Boston College a pre-season Top 25 team. I read articles and heard commentators state that Boston College had a chance to win the ACC in its inagural year. Boston College over Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech? Right now the ACC has 3 teams in the top 10. Miami already has a loss. They have two other teams in the Top 25. BC and Georgia Tech. Both will losses. Where is all this respect coming from? More importantly how come it wasn't there when these teams were in the Big East?

Sunday Killers Week 2

Sunday Killers: Week 2

At 12:59 I made my final roster adjustment and sat back for an exciting day of football. I positioned my chips, dips, drinks and other essentials close by and was ready to watch my team run wild. By the time I settled in I had already lost. Both Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson had already caught two long TDs and were on their way to big days. The cap was still on my first beer, the seven layer dip had not even been breached yet and my day was ruined. Thanks Terrell and Chad. It looks like it is going to be one of those years.

Daunte Culpepper QB Minnesota Vikings : Last year I proclaimed to the world on national radio that Daunte Culpepper was overrated and could hurt your fantasy team. So far this year, 8 INTs and 0 TDs. I think he is the first quarterback in the history of the NFL that has negative points after two weeks. If he were a pitcher he would have been pulled in the first inning.

Jamal Lewis RB Baltimore Ravens : I can tell that my partners’ patience is running thin with me and Jamal Lewis. We had the 5th overall pick of the draft with Holmes, LDT, McGahee and Alexander all gone before us. My partner wanted Domanick Davis, then later in the week wanted Julius Jones or Deuce McAlister. I wanted Jamal Lewis All along. I feel like I talked him into it. Right now he is fuming. I think Jamal will be okay, but he is certainly making me look bad right now. Another poor showing, 10 carries and 9 yards. Ouch.

Chris Brown and Travis Henry Tennessee Titans : I am glad I stayed away from this situation; it looks like it is going to be trouble all year long. Henry had 18 carries for 62 yards and Brown had 8 carries for 33 yards. The concept of two running backs looks good on paper, but so did Gigli and we all saw how that turned out. Much like rock groups, someone also emerges as the more talented one. Take ‘Nsync for example, it is Justin Timberlake’s band, not Joey Fatone’s. Uh oh, I have said too much.

Joey Harrington QB Detroit Lions : The good news for Harrington owners is that they probably won’t have to read about this much longer, because I can’t see Harrington having much slack left on his leash. If Jeff Garcia wasn’t hurt, he would be starting next week. As it stands I wouldn’t be surprised if Dan Orlovsky gets the start. 19 for 37, 196 yards, 1 TD and 5INTs is not getting it done. Letting Joey Harrington run this team is worse than giving Tara Reid her own TV show. However, it is still better than Culpepper.

Chad Pennington QB New Jersey Jets : I don’t care about the stats. Statistically he had a sound game; realistically he may be the worst QB in the NFL. I watched the entire first quarter of the game and watched Pennington fumble and then throw a ball that had more hang time than Mr. Cooper. Justin McCareins looked like he was fielding a punt and if he could have he would have called for a fair catch. He never had a strong arm, but this is ridiculous.

Ahman Green RB Green Bay : I can’t say that I am surprised at the lack of production from Ahman Green this year. His decline started last year and looks like it is going to continue. 16 carries for 54 yards and 5 catches for 45 yards with 0 TDs. It is like watching the decline of Anthony Michael Hall. He came out of the box fast with a few great years and now is struggling to stay on the A-List of Running Backs. The parallels are remarkable.

Michael Vick QB Atlanta Falcons : People still draft him early and still get upset when they get this type of game from him. This is a typical Michael Vick game, 11-19, 123 Yards and 1 TD, tack on 43 yards rushing and there you have it. This is typical game from Vick. I understand the desire to have Vick, because every once in a while he will break an 80 yard TD run and throw for 250 yards. Michael Vick has the lure of the siren’s song, don’t fall for it. If you own him, wait for a good game and then trade him.

Extra Points

Sign-makers: : Every week we turn on College football and the NFL and you see the signs throughout the stands. You see things like: ABC Another Beating by Colorado or something clever like that. Some of these signs look pretty expensive. I have been to tradeshows in which the vendors’ signage can’t compare to some of the things I see in stadiums. What really makes me wonder about the authors and creators of these masterpieces are two things; 1)when do these people have time to make these things and how long does it take to make one of these signs and 2) can’t they come up with something a little more clever than they usually do. I mean I am guessing these people are wasting a solid five or six hours of work time, using company supplies and resources and spending hours thinking of just the perfect thing to say. I don’t know, maybe I am being too hard, but maybe we need a contest or something. I just feel that if you are going to take the time to make the sign or banner then you should really get your money’s worth. Please submit your favorite or worst signs to dchriscarlson@hotmail.com. If you are a sign maker and need help with a clever slogan or witty line, drop us a line and we can help you out.

Fantasy Sports Network : We are still pitching the idea of the Fantasy Sports Network to anyone that will listen. To sum up, we are looking to broadcast live events, such as football and host shows in a sportscenter manner with the focus specifically on fantasy sports. Imagine listening to an announcer yell at a player when he fumbles, “You just cost me two points Jerk Ass!” Of course, gambling would be worked into this. Imagine a team up by 14 points with a 14.5 point spread, 1minute 30 seconds left and the ball on the other teams’ one inch line. The coach tells the QB to run out the clock and kneel on the ball. Would you rather watch a broadcast with announcers that can empathize with you or listen to Phil Simms critique a 15 yard out pattern from a back up QB? Let’s make it happen people.

Monday Morning Quarterback: NFL Week One

Mack10's NFL Round Up Week One 9-11-05

The NFL regular season is unlike any other in professional sports. NFL games mean something from the opening day kickoff. There are only 16 games, and as each one comes and goes, the stakes get a little higher. There is no room for error. Slow starts equal lost seasons. Teams must come ready to play week 1, as these games are as important as late August inter-division baseball games. Week 1 is where teams create their identity, and starting the season with an L, especially in New York, usually causes panic and overreaction

When teams kicked off this past Sunday fans were already in midseason rooting form, cause they know, after week 1, over 6% of the season is over…and 1-0 looks a lot better than 0-1.

For a look back at Week 1 of the NFL season, games will be grouped into classes of importance.

Level 1 Importance: Games that were out of conference, division, or that were really nothing more than the 1st game of the season

49ERS 28 ST. LOUIS 25: In a weekly pool I’m in, 24 out of 25 people took the Rams. That is always a surefire sign to bet the other way. The 49ers came out ready to play for new coach Mike Nolan, while The Rams laid an egg in their road opener. Coming in to Sunday, the Rams were 7-19 on the road in their last 26 games. When are people going to realize Mike Martz is not a good coach? The Rams will bounce back, and the 49ers will come back to Earth. A nice win start to the Mike Nolan era for the 49ers, but no reason to start to selling playoff tickets yet.

WASHINGTON 9 CHICAGO 7: : In a predictably awful game the Redskins did just enough to beat the Bears and rookie QB Kyle Orton. The Bears are my sleeper pick for the 2005 season. Don’t be shocked to see them win a few a games they have no business being in. The Redskins are already playing musical QB’s. Mark Brunell will get the start Monday night against The Cowboys. It’s going to be long season for Joe Gibbs and the Redskins.

JACKSONVILLE 26 SEATTLE 14: An AFC team beats an NFC team. A trend you will see continue this year. Jacksonville looks ready to play with the Colts. They play this Sunday at the RCA Dome.

Sunday Killers Week One

Sunday Killers

Opening weekend. This is the only weekend in the NFL when all teams are equal. It is the only weekend in Fantasy Football when teams are all equal. Every owner thinks they did the best job at the draft. They snickered at some long shot picks other owners made in the 6^th round. They gambled on the next big receiver with their own picks. They have spent the past few days analyzing starting defenses against their running backs. I swear some of us could game plan an entire offensive scheme for NFL teams; that is how far we go.

And then the games begin. Everything starts to come into focus. Your friends are calling you with, “I told you Brandon Stokeley was a 4^th rounder,” and “I can’t believe you benched Willie Parker this week, what were you thinking?”  As if the knew he would have a monster opening game. Then you slowly realize that maybe you did make some mistakes, then the first injury hits, then the second. You are scrounging the waiver wire for help, your season is already ruined and Monday Night Football is still 24 hours away. Welcome back to Sunday Killers and welcome back to my world. Jump right in, the water is warm.

Jamal Lewis RB Baltimore Ravens: There is a theory floating around about Jamal Lewis. There was a prison guard interviewed recently by an ESPN host on ESPN radio. The man said that the prison that Jamal Lewis went to was extremely hardcore. This was not a country club. He went on to say that he believes there is no way that Jamal Lewis could begin the season in football shape, because of the food he had to eat during his stay in prison. He said the food is loaded with carbs and designed to keep the inmates energy levels low. He said there wasn’t much to do workout wise either. The belief here is that Lewis came into camp extremely out of shape and not ready to play. The Ravens, instead of bringing the whole prison thing back into light opted to make up little injuries to cover Jamal Lewis’ condition. It is just a theory, but I think it might be right on. Don’t expect Lewis to not run in the first few games, but he may wear down early and he may not but truly in game shape for another few weeks. Last night wasn’t his fault though; someone bought Peyton Manning a defense for Christmas.