KDC: First, I doubt an of these teams will have a "0" on one side of their records, but . . . I think it's most likely the Dolphins will go winless because: 1) they're easily the worst team in a strong division (6 losses right there, while the Rams have a decent shot to beat any team in their division; the Colts have a shot at beating Tennessee on pride alone); 2) no one seems to be in synch w/each other from coaches on down; 3) ownership seems disinclined to move before year's end. Low motivation, disunity, shallow talent pool... yeah, they could hit 0-16 this year. (Also, how come Bill Parcells isn't getting any heat for setting up this debacle several years ago? Then he bailed as it went bad... He's the GM version of Nick Saban. Hissss! )
Momo: This is good because recently we had the Pats go undefeated and Lions winless in the same season. I can see the Pack going undefeated but a lot of teams like to rest their starters instead of chasing history. The Colts have a real chance to be winless but I doubt it happens because Manning will come back and play. For argument sake I think the Rams could go winless and it could be because of their defense. Although they do play in the NFC West and they have games against Seattle and Arizona, they haven't shown any type of consistency on the offense or defensive side of the ball. The Rams lack playmakers o both side of the ball and that could spell danger for the rest of the season.
2. Fair that Jim Caldwell is on the hotseat for the Colts struggle?
KDC: I’m afraid so. Honestly, how could the loss of one player –even one as great as Peyton Manning—turn a Super Bowl team two years ago into 0-7? Caldwell mismanaged that Super Bowl, they struggled last year, & now we see the entire organization in flames. Everyone saw this lackluster play in the preseason but their only major move was to bring Kerry Collins in..? (Really?) I don’t think the Polians have any reason to keep their jobs either, as they don’t seem to have planned for any type of future. And where are the locker room leaders? This is like case study#1 in obliviousness at all levels.
Momo:What a difference two years makes. Think about this if the Colts win the Super Bowl two years ago then Caldwell has some extra time even with the loss of Manning this year to turn it around. Injuries have decimated this team but you can't use that as an excuse. The Colts have made some bad personnel choices that have put Caldwell in this position. I think maybe a change in defensive strategy might be warranted than at the head coaching spot. Although, Caldwell had a losing record as a coach at Wake Forest and that could get him out of Indy by next year if they keep this up.
3. My one big thought for this week:
KDC: Nothing said more to me about the dominance of football in our sports culture than last Saturday night, when Albert Pujols had a legendary night in the World Series. It was literally unequaled by anyone in the history of post-season baseball (& maybe in all of baseball’s 16,000+ game history). Still, most of the Saturday night sports coverage superceded Pujols to highlight the exciting end of a college football game between two programs nowhere close to the all-time greats. Yes, most major media and web sites decided Michigan State beating Wisconsin was more exciting than the best single performance in World Series baseball. The NFL is the reason why football reigns in North America today no matter what other sports achieve.
Momo: How well rookie quarterbacks are fairing so far in the league. Not sure if the lockout has anything to do with it or the college programs are preparing these guys better, but this rookie class of quarterbacks are holding their own so far. Cam Newton has been spectacular for Carolina. Andy Dalton has the Bengals contending for a playoff spot. Blaine Gabbert just knocked off the Ravens on Monday night, while Christian Ponder has shown flashes for the Vikings. The future looks bright for all these guys.
4. I’m struck by . . .
KDC: … how Denver’s Tim Tebow is being treated by the media as if the game is in a Tebow-only vacuum. Yeah his numbers weren’t pretty & he didn’t blossom until the last 3 minutes, but the Broncos traded away their best receiver to the Rams just last week. The Broncos staff created the lame game plan he followed. (& wasn’t John Fox fired for helping run the Carolina franchise into the ground?) The team is a joke. Tebow’s basically a rookie QB learning the position. His teammates obviously stuck with him. He won the game. But he’s still not the answer. What? He may not be the ultimate answer, but they’ve got to stop asking the wrong questions.
Momo: The fact that if the 49ers win two more games they will have clinched the NFC West. This is special because of where this team was last year and the years prior. The once proud franchise has seen some lean years with Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary. Jim Harbaugh has lead aa resurgence and this is with small hands Alex Smith at quarterback. Harbaugh has turned the former first rounder into a efficient passer. The other part of this is how sad the NFC West is. None of the team besdes the Niners are any good.
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