9 Observations after Week 11 in the NFL

1.  The “Cardiac Cats” are Back

They aren’t making it look easy, but the Carolina Panthers are winning games, al be it in ugly fashion.  For the second straight week the Panthers struggled against a bad team, but still ended on the right side of the scoreboard, knocking off the winless Detroit Lions 31-22.  RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for a team record 264 yards rushing against the Lions.  However, Jake Delhomme was held under 100 yards passing for the second straight week, a stat that can become troubling come playoff time.  Delhomme is a veteran, and more than likely he’ll get back on track.  Then again, if the dynamic duo at running back continues at this pace, Delhomme may not need to pass for 100+ to win.  Carolina is 7-3 and travels to Atlanta next week to play the gritty Falcons.

 

2.  Despite a still-injured pinkie and a Lame Coach, the Cowboys are Still Alive

As much of a cheeseball coach as Wade Phillips is, he still seems to manage to win ballgames.  Despite Tony Romo’s performance that showed some lingering affects of his pinkie injury, Dallas managed a 14-10 win over the rival Redskins Sunday night.  Hey, as long as Marion Barber can be a “Brandon Webb/Brad Lidge” kind of running back, the Cowboys will be in every game the rest of the way.  Barber scrapped for 66 4th quarter rushing yards, and basically put the game on ice by himself in the last 6 minutes.  The ‘Boys are 6-4, tied with the ‘Skins for second in the NFC East.

 

3.  The San Diego Chargers are the Most Underachieving Team in the NFL

If you had told me before the season started that the Chargers would have a healthy offense for the entire first half of the season and ony be 4-6 after week 11, I would’ve told you that your prediction was crazier than Al Davis being GM of the year.  But alas, here we are, playing Monday morning QB with the Chargers and wondering how they could lose this many games already?  The loss of Shawne Merriman early in the year ws big, but it wasn’t enough to implode BOTH sides of the ball.  And even with Ladanian Tomlinson running the ball, the Chargers still rank 26th in the league in rushing yards per game.  Ouch.  Not that losing to the Steelers by one point is embarassing, but we expected better.  The sad thing is in the absoultely awful AFC West, the Chargers are still alive.  The leader is the Denver Broncos at 6-4.  SD sits just 2 games back.

 

4.  The Texans are the best “bad” team I’ve seen in a while.

God bless the Houston Texans.  The not even a decade old franchise is ranked in the upper half of the league in points per game, yards per game, passing yards per game (they’re 5th), and rushing yards per game.  Still, they manage to lose games like Sunday’s 33-27 loss to the Colts because they have no idea how to close out games.  Sage Rosenfels has done well in place of the injured Matt Schaub, and Steve Slaton rolled up 156 yards rushing yesterday, tops in the league.  Still the Texans got outscored 24-14 in the second half, marking the fourth loss this year for the club that was determined by 7 points or less.  Still, the 3-7 Texans are playing well, and as soon as they figure how to NOT turn the ball over and close out games, they’ll be a team to keep an eye on in the future.

 

5.  The Tennessee Titans….really?

It boggles my mind that this team is still undefeated.  I’m not saying they’re not good, they’re just not a team predicated on perfection.  They’re relying on vagabond QB Kerry Collins to lead the charge, and so far he’s stepped up to the challenge.  However, the offense isn’t what wins games for this team, it’s the defense.  Giving up only 13 points a game (best in the league) will help any team win ball games.  I’m not convinced they’re the best in the NFL, but the Titans sure know how to win games so far. 

 

6.  In Terms of Immediate Impact, This May Be the Best Rookie Class Ever

The impact this rookie class is having on the league is proving to be one of the best we’ve seen in a while.  Two teams that struggled bad enough to have departing coaches last year have turned things around thanks to rookie QBs.  Of course I’m talking about Joe Flacco for the Ravens and Matt Ryan for the Falcons.  As for running backs, there are 5 rookies that are already over 500 yards rushing on the year, none with the last name McFadden.  Chris Johnson (Titans), Matt Forte (Bears), Steve Slaton (Texans), Kevin Smith (Lions), and Jonathan Stewart (Panthers) are all over 500 yards on the year running the ball, and none of them have less than 4 TDs.  And lastly, while rookie WRs aren’t always known for making a big splash in their first year, a few have.  Eddie Royal (Broncos) and DeSean Jackson (Eagles) are already over 600 yards receiving.  Throw in a couple of nice TEs (Dustin Keller, Jets, and John Carlson, Seahawks) that have over 27 receptions and 300 yards each, then you’ve got an impressive rookie class.

 

7.  Ties Suck, but so do the Bengals and Eagles

It blows my mind how Donovan McNabb throws 3 picks for the first time since 2006, and yet the Bengals can’t win.  It also blows my mind how the Bengals are 23rd in the league in run defense, yet the Eagles only hand Brian Westbrook the ball 14 times.  Bottom line from Sunday’s 13-13 tie at Paul Brown Stadium is that the Bengals desperately need a running game, and the Eagles desperately need a big-name wide receiver.  Simple as that.

 

8.  The Greed of the NFL Pisses Me Off Sometimes

Look, I want to make money as much as the next guy.  Believe me, I do.  I work in sales.  I understand the continual drive to obtain wealth.  However, when I miss two of the most exciting games in the NFL this season because I don’t subscribe to the NFL Channel, I get a little upset.  It’s not enough to force me into 2, maybe 3 games viewable on Sunday afternoon, now I must pay X amount of Benjamins just to see an occasional Thursday night game?  Why?  And furthermore, who are these morons paying for the NFL Network?  Is it really worth seeing preseason games and constant replays of last week’s games?  I don’t think so. 

 

9.  How Underrated is the NFC South?

The preseason favorite by many prognosticators to win the division was the Saints, who sit dead last.  However, they hold a record of 5-5, one that would make them tied for first in the NFC North.  The hapless Falcons who just a year ago began life without Michael Vick sit at a comfy 6-4 thanks to brilliant acquisitions of Michael Turner and Matt Ryan via the draft.  The Bucs, who won the division last year, are 7-3, and still not good enough to be first.  That spot belongs to Carolina at 8-2.  Yet the media love affair with Romo and the Cowboys and the Brady-less Patriots has caused great disillusion amongst NFL fans, distracting them from what will be the best divisional race in the NFL, if for no other reason than the fact that all the teams are actually good.

ACC Basketball Preview

The official start to the ACC basketball season is less than 24 hours away, tipping off at 7:00 pm tomorrow with a game pitting Delaware against Duke.  While that game may not entice you to watch ACC basketball this year, there are many other reasons to keep tuned to the best basketball conference in the nation.

 

Let’s run down the predicted order of finish, starting top to bottom…

 

1.  North Carolina

Winning the ACC this year won’t be that much of a feat for the Heels.  Their eyes are on a much bigger prize, one that they missed out on last year in the Final Four against eventual champion Kansas.  THe question after last season was how many of the Heels’ players would declare for the NBA draft?  The answer?  None.  UNC brings back all five starters on top of 92% of their scoring from last year.  Tyler Hansbrough, last year’s National Player of the Year winner, will be joined by future NBAers Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington.  Throw in junior forward Deon Thompson and the Heels look to beat nearly unbeatable.  The only question for this team will be if Hansbrough and company can stay healthy all year.  If so, there’s no reason this team can’t repeat what they did in 2005 and win the whole enchilada.

2.  Duke

The talent in Duke is always there, just not always in abundance.  Such has been the case in recent years, where the starting 5 has been stellar for Coach K, but lack of depth has hurt tremendously.  Thus is the situation for this year’s Blue Devil squad, citing depth again as a potential barrier between a solid team and a good team.  4 of the 5 leading scorers from last year return, and that will be key in senior leadership for a team that bowed out in the second round of the NCAA tournament last year.  Greg Paulus, Gerald Henderson, and Jon Scheyer comprise a very talented back court, and Kyle Singler (last year’s ACC rookie of the year) should continue making his presence felt in the front court.  Look for 6-10 freshman Miles Plumlee to turn some heads during the year, as Duke doesn’t have a true standout center.

3.  Miami

Someone has forgotten to tell Miami they’re a football school.  The basketball team is experiencing tremendous success, and you can contribute much of it to Coach Frank Haith.  He’s turned a program that would just be happy to be in the NIT several years ago to a team competing for an ACC crown and seeding in the NCAA tournament.  Senior guard Jack McClinton will be the backbone for this team, coming off a strong season where he averaged nearly 18 PPG.  Miami easily could be changed out with Duke for the #2 spot.

4.  Clemson

For the first time in a long time, Tiger fans are facing the reality that perhaps it will be their hoops squad, not football, that will bring Clemson to national prominence.  Clemson won 10 ACC games for the first time since 1990.  The Tigers had an impressive run in the ACC tourney, knocking off Duke before losing to UNC in the title game.  Despite an opening round upset by Villanova, Clemson is certainly on the right path of progression.  Gone are playmakers James Mays and Cliff Hammonds, but the talented K.C. Rivers should help guide this team back into another NCAA tourney bid.

5.  Wake Forest

Barely 18 months after Skip Prosser’s tragic death, the Demon Deacons have scrapped their way back to ACC relevance under 2nd year coach Dino Gaudio.  Sophomore forward James Johnson returns to a team packed with young talent, namely guys like Al-Farouq Aminu and Tony Woods.  Wake will be back in the NCAA tourney again this year, and meanwhile be hoping their young talent sticks around for a while and not be lured away by the NBA.

6.  Virginia Tech

Seth Greenberg, 2007 ACC Coach of the Year, had to be disappointed with not receiving a bid for the NCAA tourney last year.  A resume that boasted a 9-7 ACC record also had some ugly losses, and the Hokies look to turn taht around this year.  Senior A.D. Vassallo is back, along with sophomore star Jeff Allen.  VT will likely be back on that often ill-fated bubble again this year.  Their chance at a ticket to the Big Dance may depend more on the conference as a whole.

7.  Boston College

After finishing dead last in the ACC last year, the Golden Eagles have nowhere to look but up.  Gone is inside block master Tyrelle Blair.  However, the Eagles do bring back a wealth of talent in Tyrese Rice, Rakim Sanders, and Corey Raji.  Many see this still as a young team not much beyond NIT level if that, but they’re the darkhorse this year, and with a great coach like Al Skinner, anything is possible.

8.  Florida State

It’s the Toney Douglas show in Tallahassee this year, mainly because he’s the only one of the Noles 4 leading scorers from last year returning.  Douglas lead the ACC in steals last year, and with talented freshmen around him, he could help lead this team back to the NCAA tourney. 

9.  Georgia Tech

Paul Hewitt has had minimal success since his NCAA Finals appearance in 2004.  Last year’s team finished 9th in the ACC and failed to even make the NIT.  This year things will be just as difficult without last year’s 2 leading scorers.  Hewitt is a man who can develop talent, but he’ll need to do it quickly for thsi team to succeed this year.

10.  Maryland

It’s difficult to rank a Gary Williams coached team this low, especially with all-ACC talent like Greivis Vasquez returning to lead the Terps.  However, losing frontcourt mates Bambale Osby and James Gist will absolutely kill this team inside.  Without front court talent, Maryland will be relegated to a NIT berth, and force Terps’ fans to continue questioning if a coaching change should be made.

11.  Virginia

No team will be effected with the loss of a player than Virginia with the loss of Sean Singletary.  The Cavs will miss his leadership, not to mention his near 20 PPG average last year.  The real problem is there’s no one to really step up in his absence.  Jeff Jones is the most capable, but this will certainly be a rebuilding year in Charlottesville.

12.  North Carolina State

Almost as much as Singletary will be missed at Virginia, J.J. Hickson will be missed in Raleigh.  The Wolfpack’s leadering scorer and rebounder is gone, thus making this year’s team Brandon Costner’s team.  If he steps up like he’s capable of doing, then the Pack are possible Big Dance contendors.  If not, it’s another abysmal year for Sidney Lowe and company.

 

Pre-Season Awards

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tyler Hansbrough, UNC

ONly man in the league to average a double-double, he’s got a real shot to go out on top with his team and on an individual level.

 

COACH OF THE YEAR: Dino Gaudio, Wake Forest

Great young talent proves this guy can recruit.  If he gets a NCAA bid, this award is his for the taking.

ROOKE OF THE YEAR: Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest

 

ALL-ACC Team

Tyler Hansbrough, UNC

Greivis Vasquez, Maryland

Jack McClinton, Miami

James Johnson, Wake Forest

Ty Lawson, UNC

GAMES TO WATCH

Wisconsin at Va. Tech/ UNC at Michigan St (12/1, 12/3)

-the ACC/Big 10 challenge will prove if the Hokies and Heels are real

Duke vs. Xaver (12/20)

-big early test for Duke back court

Clemson at Miami (12/21)

-preview of runner-up spot in the ACC?

Pittsburgh at Florida St. (12/21)

-Pitt is a national title contender, FSU wants to prove themselves

Boston College at UNC (1/4)

-What a way to start the new year for the Eagles; a trip to Chapel HIll

Davidson at Duke (1/7)

-When’s the last time Duke player a non-ACC team from North Carolina at home, and the best player on the court wasn’t a Blue Devil?

UNC at Wake Forest (1/11)

-Wake has a shot to realign themselves with Tobacco Road glory

Duke at UNC (3/8)

-The Devils won in Chapel Hill last year.  Think those Tarheel seniors wanna go out like that this year?