End Zone (Off Season)

1. Rams have hired Jeff Fisher, who has coached Albert Haynesworth and Randy Moss, see them coming to St. Louis?

KDC: That's a great question, because what eventually occurs will either confirm or change a trend. It appears almost every high maintenance skills player (Terrell Owens, Tiki Barber, etc) that is available is not being pursued because of their past behavior. As if the NFL sent out a memo warning teams away - or maybe everyone finally got smart & realized no talent is above their team. All that said, I can see Moss getting passed over (he barely tried in TN & had nothing to show for it), but if Fisher felt like he could get back into Haynesworth's head correctly, I could see that as a go.
Momo: Fisher said some nice things about Moss, BUT he also saw Moss just tank those last few games in Tennessee. I don't think he will give him a look even though the Rams have a glaring need at receiver. Haynesworth has more of a chance just because Fisher drafted him and also has seen Albert at his best. The biggest problem with Haynesworth is keeping him motivated and I don't know if you want that type of attitude around a young team. Haynesworth is more likely than Moss but if you ask me, the better risk is Randy Moss because he is easily replaceable.

2. Who would you rather have Eli Manning or Aaron Rodgers if you are starting you are starting your franchise?
KDC: Great question. You can't go wrong with either guy, as they're both team-oriented leaders who know how to win. That said, I'd go w/Rodgers for a couple reasons - 1) He's 2 years younger than Eli, so he should have more opportunities; 2) Rodgers, at least in the last 2 years, doesn't have the huge ups and downs that Manning always seems to have. Eli always seems to have a couple games each season where he's absolutely awful. But really, I'm ready to start my team with either....
Momo: These two young guns are at the top of their games right now. You can't go wrong with either guy but I may lean a little more toward Eli because of his toughness. That's not saying the Rodgers isn't tough but Eli stands in the pocket and takes a lickin and keeps getting up. When other players on the Giants see his resilience, it inspires them to play harder. Rodgers is clearly more mobile than Eli by a long shot. The other thing I like about Eli is in the 4th quarter he is money. Manning led the league in 4th efficiency and Touchdown passes. Eli stepped up win it mattered most. Again, you can't go wrong with either guy but Eli to make just beats Rodgers.

3. Is Linsanity bigger/better/more deserved than Tebowmania?
KDC: A lot of people have taken late shots at Tim Tebow because Jeremy Lin is a more accomplished point guard than Tebow was a QB. Maybe so, but QB is the hardest position to learn in any sport, the NFL is the largest sporting stage in North America, and no one --no one!-- had Denver winning a home playoff game this season. So let's not diminish Tebowmania because its reception was waaaaay over the top, because there was a reason for the way it started and continued. If the Knicks make a run through the playoffs, then we can talk comparisons. That said, why can't we enjoy both? They're both outspoken Christians who pursue excellence in their position & somehow their stories have stayed major news.
Momo: This Jeremy Lin story is getting out hand. Here's the deal with both guys: the sample of games is too small to actually determine how good they can or will be. In Lin's case, if you actually analyze the teams the Knicks have played one or two may have been over .500. What Lin has done is historic but I want to see him against tougher competition over the long haul, and the same can be said with Tebow. Tebow has never had an offseason of NFL workouts, camps, or instruction. Each guy has been thrown into their teams system without fulling having an offseason to get integrated on what to do an improve in areas where they are weak. The stories are great but I think we are quick to rush to judgement, instead of letting these guys grow into what they could be.

The End Zone

1. More devastating loss on Sunday was it the Saints losing to the Browns or the Raiders over the Broncos?

kdc: Raiders over the Broncos. The Saints are still in the hunt, albeit shaky & unfocused. The Broncos are dead. I’d give the Cowboys a better chance of getting into the playoffs than Denver. Look at it this way, they won their first 6 games last year, then totally imploded (despite Kyle Orton’s great efforts). They’ve never really recovered. They have an unproven coach in a football mad town that had realistic playoff hopes this year. Yes, AFC West is so weak, so they still might. Yes, they’ve had key injuries on defense. But still, this has “suicide watch” written all over it.


Momo: Its easily the Saints losing to Cleveland. This year’s version of the Saints are experiencing a serious Super Bowl hangover. They have lost games to two rookie qb’s one drafted in McCoy and another undrafted in Max Hall of the Cardinals. They are without one their key weapons in Reggie Bush and now their offense is desperately looking for any type of a running game. Their division is a lot tougher with the Falcons and Bucs playing extremely well. Just like Pittsburgh last year, it will be hard for the Saints to make the playoffs.

2. Who is more likely to make it back from London, Josh McDaniels or Mike Singletary?

kdc: Mike Singletary. I think ownership & the city aren’t single-handedly blaming Singletary because he started mid-season in a bad situation & righted a sinking ship. Everyone seems to be blaming McDaniels. If the 49ers win, it’s huge. If the Broncos win, they were supposed to.


Momo: Can both stay in London and sight see together, maybe take pictures by Big Ben. McDaniels is the one who shouldn't’t come back. He is 4-13 over his last 17 games after starting 6-0 last year. Getting rid of all the Broncos talent will be the downfall. Maybe that Belichek coaching tree isn’t so great.


3. In the SI poll of most overrated players, did you agree with the top 5 (Terrell Owens / Romo/ Mark Sanchez / Haynesworth/ Eli Manning)?

Yes for:

kdc: TO laid a big goose egg in Buffalo, when he had a chance to hog the limelight in a small market.

Momo: Ok old man, don’t hate on TO because he had one bad year in Buffalo! His entire body of work shows for the majority of the time he produces for his team. I tend to believe he is rated so high because he is always in the news whether for contract or attitude. The only place he didn’t produce was Buffalo and that is because they don’t have a quarterback.


kdc: Romo is captaining the Cowboys to the bottom of the ocean & has never won anything except flashy girlfriends. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

Momo: I would have put Romo first because he is so overrated. Just because you are the Cowboys quarterback it does not make you good.


kdc: Haynesworth made himself the posterboy for greed & out-of-shapeness, then hasn’t played worth $10 (until last week).

Momo: To me not overrated, he’s just with the wrong team. Staying in Tennessee would have suited him better.

No for:

kdc: I don’t like NY teams, but…calling a 2nd year player “overrated” is a bit absurd. I don’t read anywhere that Sanchez is the reason for the Jets success – he’s just Trent Dilfer not losing games (most of the time). How can that be “overrated”?

Momo: Again I think the NY media machine causes people to think he is overrated. Sanchez is solid and still growing.

Hmmm…

kdc: Is Eli overrated because he’s not Peyton? Is he the only reason the Giants have languished in mediocrity since the Super Bowl win? Hmmm. I don’t think he’s been amazing, but I’m not sure he’s seen as so important (as his brother is in Indianapolis) that the team can’t win without him.

Momo: Eli is not overrated. I believe he is a top ten qb. He isn’t a world beater all the time but he does get the ball to his receivers and manages the game very well. The majority of the teams in the NFL would love to have in as a starter for their squad.