In the last couple of weeks, the opinion has been that the NFC South was catching up to, if not passing, the NFC East in strength. That all changed Sunday. The NFC East reclaimed its spot as the strongest division in the NFL and they did it by beating 2 NFC South teams and one AFC playoff team.
The suddenly-suspect Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Bucs. Big deal, you say, but they accomplished this feat without Tony Romo.
The Eagles beat the Falcons in what could have become a blowout, but the young Falcons made it interesting in the fourth quarter.
The Redskins got by the lowly Lions, right on the spread.
Finally, in what many thought might be a Super Bowl preview, the Giants beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Certainly, Carolina can play with any team in the NFC East and beat them, and the Bucs would be in every game as well, but the East is top to bottom the best division in Football. The NFC South is about one Falcons full year of maturity away from being an incredibly dominating division, but this is just not quite the year.
By the way, I exclude the AFC divisions in this argument because there is not one division in that conference as good as the NFC East, or South, top to bottom.
Good quarterback play is the mark of both the NFC East and South (with the exception of Romo last week, who was injured). Drew Brees is early MVP, Delhomme is back as a top tier QB, and Ryan is better than advertised. Donovan---nough said, Jason Campbell is managing his game, and Eli is a Manning. The seperation between the two comes in the teams' defenses. Atlanta's and New Orlean's are shaky at times, while Carolina and Tampa are perennial top 10 Defenses. Every team in the NFC has an above average defense, with New York and Philadelphia harboring the same blitz-happy philosiphies.
These divisions need to be closely monitored, because it is likely that each will bring two teams to the playoffs, and one might bring three.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The BCS Problem
Texas, Alabama, and Penn State all took care of business on Saturday, and all remain undefeated. Obviously, if all remain undefeated - with Texas and Penn State having the greatest chance at this - then someone is getting left out. Certainly Penn St. will be said to have the easiest schedule of the three and will not have that extra game to put them ahead of either Texas or Bama.
This year is a no win situation for the BCS and here are some reasons:
1) If Texas and Penn St. meet undefeated in the Championship, the question will be raised if a one loss SEC team or USC might not be better than Penn St.
2) There may be a list of one-loss teams including UGA/Florida, Bama, Oklahoma/Oklahoma St., and USC. If there are 4 one-loss teams, who goes?
3) What happens with three undefeated? Right now, Alabama and Texas meet, while Penn St. gets "Auburned"
This system is seriously flawed, and money is what keeps the NCAA from changing it. Even a plus-one would solve a number of the problems posed with the 2-team championship. The argument that the regular season is the postseason is bogus. There are 117 teams in the FCS, with some playing the top 10 and others playing the bottom 10 througout the year. With parity becoming a buzzword in college football, it is unfair to these kids to deny obviously good teams a shot. USC plays no one from the SEC this year. The Big 12 has an extremely weak non-conference schedule, and the SEC doesen't have much to brag about, either. Perhaps the NCAA should set up a rotating schedule featuring the top teams from the previous year, like the NFL. Who knows what the solution is, but there is a huge problem.
This year is a no win situation for the BCS and here are some reasons:
1) If Texas and Penn St. meet undefeated in the Championship, the question will be raised if a one loss SEC team or USC might not be better than Penn St.
2) There may be a list of one-loss teams including UGA/Florida, Bama, Oklahoma/Oklahoma St., and USC. If there are 4 one-loss teams, who goes?
3) What happens with three undefeated? Right now, Alabama and Texas meet, while Penn St. gets "Auburned"
This system is seriously flawed, and money is what keeps the NCAA from changing it. Even a plus-one would solve a number of the problems posed with the 2-team championship. The argument that the regular season is the postseason is bogus. There are 117 teams in the FCS, with some playing the top 10 and others playing the bottom 10 througout the year. With parity becoming a buzzword in college football, it is unfair to these kids to deny obviously good teams a shot. USC plays no one from the SEC this year. The Big 12 has an extremely weak non-conference schedule, and the SEC doesen't have much to brag about, either. Perhaps the NCAA should set up a rotating schedule featuring the top teams from the previous year, like the NFL. Who knows what the solution is, but there is a huge problem.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Week 9/8 Football Picks
This week is very intriguing in both college and pro football. Can USC avoid being upset at an upstart Arizona? Can the Bulldogs put a complete game together? Will the Falcons actually reach 5-2? Let's find out.
Kansas 42 Texas Tech 38: First ranked team of the season for Texas Tech, and they get them on the road.
Texas 49 OSU 21: Texas rolls again -- (If you want to crown 'em then crown their *ss!)
USC 35 Arizona 7: USC avoids the upset and the west-coast voters breath a sigh of relief.
Ohio St. 24 Penn St. 17: One of the few times I will say, "Thank you, Ohio State"
Georgia 34 LSU 21: UGA finally takes care of business against a good team, but it's real close early, and the Cocktail Party gets a big boost.
PRO:
Chargers 17 Saints 14: Takes a long time to get to England in a row boat, and even longer for these two offenses to wake up.
Carolina 24 Arizona 3: Shut-down D makes Panthers look real good at home.
Tampa Bay 31 Dallas 7: Brad Johnson still wishes he was one of Gruden's 9 quarterbacks.
Philadelphia 24 Atlanta 10: Anyone remember the Falcons have a shaky secondary? Philly is not the team you're going to fix that on.
Kansas 42 Texas Tech 38: First ranked team of the season for Texas Tech, and they get them on the road.
Texas 49 OSU 21: Texas rolls again -- (If you want to crown 'em then crown their *ss!)
USC 35 Arizona 7: USC avoids the upset and the west-coast voters breath a sigh of relief.
Ohio St. 24 Penn St. 17: One of the few times I will say, "Thank you, Ohio State"
Georgia 34 LSU 21: UGA finally takes care of business against a good team, but it's real close early, and the Cocktail Party gets a big boost.
PRO:
Chargers 17 Saints 14: Takes a long time to get to England in a row boat, and even longer for these two offenses to wake up.
Carolina 24 Arizona 3: Shut-down D makes Panthers look real good at home.
Tampa Bay 31 Dallas 7: Brad Johnson still wishes he was one of Gruden's 9 quarterbacks.
Philadelphia 24 Atlanta 10: Anyone remember the Falcons have a shaky secondary? Philly is not the team you're going to fix that on.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Best Running Back in SEC?
According to espn.com's Chris Low, Knowshon Moreno tops the list of the SEC's best running backs: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-689/Moreno-tops-list-of-talented-SEC-runners.html
Knowshon Moreno is a great running back, don't get me wrong, but the best in the SEC? I would argue that by default, he is. However, Low crowns Moreno based on his last performance against Vandy, a team that he demolished last year. With the balance UGA has on offense, almost any running back should be able to run effectively when his team-mates are playing their game. Credit does go out to Moreno for running well behind that patchwork O-line, and he will likely be a good NFL running back, but to be the best in the SEC, you need to at least lead your league in rushing.
Michael Smith of Arkansas -- yes Arkansas -- leads the SEC in rushing. Arkansas is horrible this year (and not regrettably so with Petrino at the helm), yet this guy Smith leads the SEC in rushing. Moreno is second in the league, granted, but only by two yards over Alabama's Glenn Coffee (like the drink, only spelled the same). Moreno should be better than this so far this year and he still has time to do so.
Prove it against LSU this week, Knowshon, and I'll crown you best. Until then, you can do better.
Knowshon Moreno is a great running back, don't get me wrong, but the best in the SEC? I would argue that by default, he is. However, Low crowns Moreno based on his last performance against Vandy, a team that he demolished last year. With the balance UGA has on offense, almost any running back should be able to run effectively when his team-mates are playing their game. Credit does go out to Moreno for running well behind that patchwork O-line, and he will likely be a good NFL running back, but to be the best in the SEC, you need to at least lead your league in rushing.
Michael Smith of Arkansas -- yes Arkansas -- leads the SEC in rushing. Arkansas is horrible this year (and not regrettably so with Petrino at the helm), yet this guy Smith leads the SEC in rushing. Moreno is second in the league, granted, but only by two yards over Alabama's Glenn Coffee (like the drink, only spelled the same). Moreno should be better than this so far this year and he still has time to do so.
Prove it against LSU this week, Knowshon, and I'll crown you best. Until then, you can do better.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Half of a Yellow Sun'
Half of a Yellow Sun is a novel set in Nigeria in the 1960's. In the latter half of this decade, the Igbo people of Nigeria succeeded from the newly formed and post-British Nigerian union. The country they formed was named Biafra and the Biafran war that took place in the late 60's was a hard fought, brutal conflict.
This is not a "war novel" per se, however, as this is a character driven novel. Adichie drives home her much deeper convictions through her characters who are all flawed in at least one way. The war is vividly depicted in parts of this book, but it remains a background to the characters and the effects that the war has on their lifestyles and ideals.
Themes are abound in this novel and include:
-- The effect of Imperialism on Africa
-- The effect of war on the individual and society
-- Contrasts between western education and native education/tradition
-- Culture differences in Africa and constructed and misplaced boundaries
The list goes on, but it is suffice to say that this novel deals thoroughly with the themes that it presents. Metaphors abound in this novel and are essential to understanding the themes that Adichie presents to her readers. The characters themselves are metaphors for the larger events of the novel. Her imagery is brilliant, if at times too sexually charged. Overall, this is a great read for anyone, whether interested in the history of Biafra, or not. The character sketches and adventures are enough to carry you through the entire book, but don't lose sight of the war, because that is key to understanding the significance of this work.
This is not a "war novel" per se, however, as this is a character driven novel. Adichie drives home her much deeper convictions through her characters who are all flawed in at least one way. The war is vividly depicted in parts of this book, but it remains a background to the characters and the effects that the war has on their lifestyles and ideals.
Themes are abound in this novel and include:
-- The effect of Imperialism on Africa
-- The effect of war on the individual and society
-- Contrasts between western education and native education/tradition
-- Culture differences in Africa and constructed and misplaced boundaries
The list goes on, but it is suffice to say that this novel deals thoroughly with the themes that it presents. Metaphors abound in this novel and are essential to understanding the themes that Adichie presents to her readers. The characters themselves are metaphors for the larger events of the novel. Her imagery is brilliant, if at times too sexually charged. Overall, this is a great read for anyone, whether interested in the history of Biafra, or not. The character sketches and adventures are enough to carry you through the entire book, but don't lose sight of the war, because that is key to understanding the significance of this work.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Falcons Up One Spot in Latest Rankings
Well, it seems the Falcons have already shown improvement following their bye week. The latest espn.com power rankings have the Falcons up one notch to number 14 this week, in front of - and thanks to - the suddenly suspicious Cowboys: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=8
Curiously enough, of the 4 teams the Falcons have defeated this week, the Bears and the Packers are each ranked higher than the Falcons. Of course, this is the NFL and "Any Given Sunday" is the mantra in this league, which must be what has convinced the writers at espn that the Falcons are not at least as good as these teams. Ultimately, this ranking shows the opinion of most of the writers that the Falcons are still a middle-tier team and not a playoff contender. I can only assume that a win over Philly this weekend will change that stance.
Curiously enough, of the 4 teams the Falcons have defeated this week, the Bears and the Packers are each ranked higher than the Falcons. Of course, this is the NFL and "Any Given Sunday" is the mantra in this league, which must be what has convinced the writers at espn that the Falcons are not at least as good as these teams. Ultimately, this ranking shows the opinion of most of the writers that the Falcons are still a middle-tier team and not a playoff contender. I can only assume that a win over Philly this weekend will change that stance.
Watch the Jackets
As if Georgia's schedule was not hard enough, Georgia Tech has suddenly emerged as a formidable opponent. Paul Johnson has them nationally ranked and playing solid, disciplined football. Johnson also has a reputation for preparing his teams for their major rivals, which is bad news for Georgia.
The ninth straight win in this series is no longer a guarantee for Georgia. Tech will be fun to follow this year.
The ninth straight win in this series is no longer a guarantee for Georgia. Tech will be fun to follow this year.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
BCS Standings Debut
BCS standings were released today for the first time: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3652334 . Texas is 1 followed by Bama.
Georgia is 7th in the standings and in great shape. They are ranked above undefeated Texas Tech and just behind undefeated Oklahoma State. Texas Tech gets into the meat of their schedule soon facing Kansas, Oklahoma, OSU, and Texas in the next five weeks...ouch. OSU does not face Texas but does play the Sooners. The Big 12 will be fun to watch.
Florida, Bama, Penn St., and USC are just a few teams that stand in UGA's way to a shot at the title. Georgia can control its own destiny in two of these cases, which is very fortunate, but that USC bothers me. I doubt they will lose again in that Placid-10 conference of theirs. Oklahoma, you would think, wouldn't be the favorite pick to play Texas should the Horns go undefeated and OU be the first one-loss team available (Remember last year when LSU, a 2 loss team was picked over UGA, a 2 loss team AND USC because of the weight given to conference championships, which OU cannot win unless Texas folds). It will be interesting and frustrating to see how this shakes out.
BCS Championship game prediction, week 8: Penn St. vs. Texas.
Georgia is 7th in the standings and in great shape. They are ranked above undefeated Texas Tech and just behind undefeated Oklahoma State. Texas Tech gets into the meat of their schedule soon facing Kansas, Oklahoma, OSU, and Texas in the next five weeks...ouch. OSU does not face Texas but does play the Sooners. The Big 12 will be fun to watch.
Florida, Bama, Penn St., and USC are just a few teams that stand in UGA's way to a shot at the title. Georgia can control its own destiny in two of these cases, which is very fortunate, but that USC bothers me. I doubt they will lose again in that Placid-10 conference of theirs. Oklahoma, you would think, wouldn't be the favorite pick to play Texas should the Horns go undefeated and OU be the first one-loss team available (Remember last year when LSU, a 2 loss team was picked over UGA, a 2 loss team AND USC because of the weight given to conference championships, which OU cannot win unless Texas folds). It will be interesting and frustrating to see how this shakes out.
BCS Championship game prediction, week 8: Penn St. vs. Texas.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Georgia 24 Vanderbilt 14
Another win for the Dawgs. Another week with more questions than answers. Again this week, Georgia racked up 400+ yards of offense and only scored three touchdowns.
All due respect to Vandy, this game should not have been as close as it was. Georgia failed to capitalize on several opportunities to put this team away in both halves. Execution was shaky again this week on a number of plays, and Stafford threw two picks. The Freshman Walsh missed two field goals and the D missed several interception opportunities.
The bright spot came from Moreno again this year against Vandy. 172 yards rushing with gaping holes off of both right and left tackle. AJ Green was huge in the first half again and minimized in the second.
The Dawgs look to gain no ground in the polls this week and they may even get jumped by Ohio State after their pounding of the Spartans. Here's to hoping we aren't this inefficient next week against LSU, especially in their house in prime time.
All due respect to Vandy, this game should not have been as close as it was. Georgia failed to capitalize on several opportunities to put this team away in both halves. Execution was shaky again this week on a number of plays, and Stafford threw two picks. The Freshman Walsh missed two field goals and the D missed several interception opportunities.
The bright spot came from Moreno again this year against Vandy. 172 yards rushing with gaping holes off of both right and left tackle. AJ Green was huge in the first half again and minimized in the second.
The Dawgs look to gain no ground in the polls this week and they may even get jumped by Ohio State after their pounding of the Spartans. Here's to hoping we aren't this inefficient next week against LSU, especially in their house in prime time.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
College and Pro picks for week 8/7
College:
UGA 35 Vandy 10: Look, Vandy's offense is pretty bad and UGA plays the option relatively well. The Dawgs have the nation's 4th ranked run D and Knowshon lit Vandy up last year in a breakout game. Dawgs win and get little respect for it.
Texas 52 Mizzouri 31: Mizzou's D was a little exposed last week and Texas looks much better than OSU so far, though we find out for sure next week. Home game for the 'Horns and a big win to boot.
Oklahoma 49 Kansas 17: OU is pissed, and Kansas is paying a visit at the wrong time.
Upset Special: Gamecocks 21 LSU 20: Close game shows that LSU is as vulnerable as they looked against Florida and puts Spurrier on the fast track back to the top 25.
Pro:
Saints 31 Panthers 17: Saints make division real interesting with an aerial assault on the vaunted Panthers D
Tampa Bay 24 Seattle 13: Tampa Bay doesen't seem to lose much at home.
Dallas 35 St. Louis 14: St. Louis starts to look like St. Louis again, and not the 1999 Rams.
Upset Special: Green Bay 28 Colts 24: The Pack looks good at home and do just enough to slow the surging Colts.
UGA 35 Vandy 10: Look, Vandy's offense is pretty bad and UGA plays the option relatively well. The Dawgs have the nation's 4th ranked run D and Knowshon lit Vandy up last year in a breakout game. Dawgs win and get little respect for it.
Texas 52 Mizzouri 31: Mizzou's D was a little exposed last week and Texas looks much better than OSU so far, though we find out for sure next week. Home game for the 'Horns and a big win to boot.
Oklahoma 49 Kansas 17: OU is pissed, and Kansas is paying a visit at the wrong time.
Upset Special: Gamecocks 21 LSU 20: Close game shows that LSU is as vulnerable as they looked against Florida and puts Spurrier on the fast track back to the top 25.
Pro:
Saints 31 Panthers 17: Saints make division real interesting with an aerial assault on the vaunted Panthers D
Tampa Bay 24 Seattle 13: Tampa Bay doesen't seem to lose much at home.
Dallas 35 St. Louis 14: St. Louis starts to look like St. Louis again, and not the 1999 Rams.
Upset Special: Green Bay 28 Colts 24: The Pack looks good at home and do just enough to slow the surging Colts.
Top Five NFL Running Backs
"The Burner" Turner gets some love from espn.com's experts here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?page=hotread5/RBs
He is said to be one of the top five backs in the league. This is impressive in his first full season of duties and considering that he has had three games over 100 yds rushing and three under. He is still getting respect. His potential skyrockets if the Falcons continue their success through the air the rest of the season. Look for Turner to become more consistent as the year progresses.
At this rate, he may end up with 1500 yards!
He is said to be one of the top five backs in the league. This is impressive in his first full season of duties and considering that he has had three games over 100 yds rushing and three under. He is still getting respect. His potential skyrockets if the Falcons continue their success through the air the rest of the season. Look for Turner to become more consistent as the year progresses.
At this rate, he may end up with 1500 yards!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The State of the Dawgs
Losses always sting in College Football. They hurt because they mean death. One loss can end a season and all of the hope and vainglory that comes with the budding of a season in the South.
Georgia lost its fifth game of the season, when we were the number 3 team in the land, we got dragged around the football field, our own field, like a JV team. Sure, we fought back in the second half, but we came up short. Many say that if Georgia wins out they will be in the national championship game, but I beg to differ. The polls are against us now, as is the BCS system as a whole. Voters have a long-running love affair with Southern Cal, and that team ain't losin' another game, get my drift? Texas will likely lose at least one this year because that Big 12 is so deep, but if they don't, there's your championship game. Why am I counting out Alabama? Because for UGA to run the table, we have to beat them in the SEC championship game. Bama will be there, I guarantee it.
Whatever the case, if UGA were to somehow get their act together and start playing disciplined, smart, efficient football like they are supposed to be capable of, then their talent should be enough to get through that brutal schedule. I realize that we have to play the recently exposed Tigers and the all-of-a-sudden-great Gators, but these games are supposed to be winable when you are the caliber that UGA is said to be. Play like you're supposed to be there boys and you will be there in the end.
Until then, Georgia loses 3 more games.
Georgia lost its fifth game of the season, when we were the number 3 team in the land, we got dragged around the football field, our own field, like a JV team. Sure, we fought back in the second half, but we came up short. Many say that if Georgia wins out they will be in the national championship game, but I beg to differ. The polls are against us now, as is the BCS system as a whole. Voters have a long-running love affair with Southern Cal, and that team ain't losin' another game, get my drift? Texas will likely lose at least one this year because that Big 12 is so deep, but if they don't, there's your championship game. Why am I counting out Alabama? Because for UGA to run the table, we have to beat them in the SEC championship game. Bama will be there, I guarantee it.
Whatever the case, if UGA were to somehow get their act together and start playing disciplined, smart, efficient football like they are supposed to be capable of, then their talent should be enough to get through that brutal schedule. I realize that we have to play the recently exposed Tigers and the all-of-a-sudden-great Gators, but these games are supposed to be winable when you are the caliber that UGA is said to be. Play like you're supposed to be there boys and you will be there in the end.
Until then, Georgia loses 3 more games.
The State of the Falcons
Well, it is week 7 in the 2008 NFL season and the Falcons are 4-2. Wait! What? 4-2?!?! Surely I mean 2-4?!?! No, it is a fact, the Atlanta Falcons are again approaching Dirty Bird status in Atlanta. The defense is better overall this year....but there are 2 rookies starting on D...The offensive line is better, but we have a rookie tackle. The quarterback play is better, but we have a rookie there. Our third receiver is fast and smart, but he is a rookie. Our coaching staff must be the reason, surely our veteran head coach is the reason this whole thing is up, but wait...Mike Smith is a rookie too! It must be the GM then, but wait.....you get my point.
It truly is amazing how far these birds have flown this year through six weeks. Respect is coming in all shapes and forms across the web and on tv. Heck, we even broke the top 15 of espn's latest power rankings: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=7 . Not only does this concede that the Falcons are not the worst team in the league, they aren't even in the bottom third according to the experts. Of course, this could all change by the end of the year, but how? You don't go into Lambeau Field and beat the Packers or come home and beat the Bears' D by throwing the football with your rookie.
I will not be so bold to predict that the Falcons make the playoffs, I am not even going to call for a win in Philly in week 8, although that would surely validate the hype. I am just going to sit back and watch this young team grow, for better or for worse. I will be content win or lose because I know that this franchise is headed in the correct direction. I know that next year we will be better, I know that eventually the Falcons will have back to back winning seasons and I know that we will finally make up for the Brett Favre debacle in the early 90's because we have talent at our most important positions and coaches to guide them.
So, I say, GO FALCONS!
It truly is amazing how far these birds have flown this year through six weeks. Respect is coming in all shapes and forms across the web and on tv. Heck, we even broke the top 15 of espn's latest power rankings: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=7 . Not only does this concede that the Falcons are not the worst team in the league, they aren't even in the bottom third according to the experts. Of course, this could all change by the end of the year, but how? You don't go into Lambeau Field and beat the Packers or come home and beat the Bears' D by throwing the football with your rookie.
I will not be so bold to predict that the Falcons make the playoffs, I am not even going to call for a win in Philly in week 8, although that would surely validate the hype. I am just going to sit back and watch this young team grow, for better or for worse. I will be content win or lose because I know that this franchise is headed in the correct direction. I know that next year we will be better, I know that eventually the Falcons will have back to back winning seasons and I know that we will finally make up for the Brett Favre debacle in the early 90's because we have talent at our most important positions and coaches to guide them.
So, I say, GO FALCONS!
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