Some random thoughts and musings from around the NFL amidst a busy Tuesday afternoon with news of a major shakeup in North Florida.

 

Canned in Jacksonville

 

            Jack Del Rio’s firing was long overdue but perfectly timed. With a change in ownership underway, it only makes sense the new regime will want to put its own stamp on a franchise seemingly in eternal transition. Mel Tucker will hold down the fort until new boss Shahid Khan and his minions can find somebod...

Continue reading ...

It's almost gotten to the point where I'm "playing out the string", to drudge up the dreading saying. 10 games under means I need almost every week to be a stellar one the rest of the way. That starts with a Thanksgiving weekend full of monster games, perhaps none bigger than Packers-Lions to open the Turkey Day slate. The Harbaugh Bowl and Super Bowl XXXIX Pats-Eagles rematch are big, but Sunday's gem could be Arizona-St. Louis. After all, their first meeting featured back-to-back safeties a...
Continue reading ...

Another Thursday loss means another uphill climb come Sunday for me. Bengals-Ravens highlights Week 11, as does Part 6 of the Jay Cutler-Philip Rivers saga. The Packers' chase for perfection collides with the reeling Bucs, while the Colts jaunt towards imperfection takes a hiatus with a much-needed bye.

Last week: 6-10
Season: 66-74-6
 

Buffalo at Miami (-1)

Analysis:            Does anybody want more redemption in this game than Dan Carpenter? The normally-reliable Dolphins kicker missed a career...

Continue reading ...

            It is simply painful to look at the New England Patriots’ remaining schedule when you consider the quarterbacks they are slated to face.

            That list just got a little uglier with Monday’s news.

            Former Patriot backup-turned-temporary-star Matt Cassel suffered a “significant” hand injury and could miss not only Monday’s tilt in Foxborough, but the entire season. That means Tyler Palko, journeyman from the University of...

Continue reading ...

Good thing there's Sunday. After bombing Thursday's pick, it's time to get back over .500 in a week featuring a number of key divisional and intraconference showdowns. Several divisions could see a changing of the guard, most notably the AFC East, where the Jets are looking to unseat the hated Patriots.

Last week: 6-8
Season: 60-64-6

Arizona at Philadelphia (-14)
Analysis: It appears as if Kevin Kolb's homecoming won't happen, meaning John Skelton gets to face the slumping, underachieving Eagles....
Continue reading ...

 It's always tricky to examine “overrated” and “underrated”, but I will give it a try. Here is a list of the five most underrated and overrated starting pitchers in baseball, as based on public perception vs. recent performance:

UNDERRATED
 

No. 5

Justin Masterson, RHP, Cleveland Indians

Masterson was somewhat of an afterthought by fans when the Victor Martinez trade went down in July 2009. But he had been a valuable starter and reliever for the Red Sox, and flourished as a starter i...

Continue reading ...

Safety first

The Rams did something historic in an otherwise-ugly third quarter in Arizona. With their only two scores being safeties, they became the first team to ever score exactly four points in a single quarter. They also became the first team since the 1999 Jaguars to record safeties on consecutive defensive plays. Perhaps not surprisingly, the two quarterbacks in these instances are Kordell Stewart and John Skelton.

 

Double whammy

            It’s not often we get to enjoy ...

Continue reading ...

Continue reading ...