NFL Week 16 - Jockeying for Position
Published December 20, 2007
When there's a lack of drama, all there is to write about is the lack drama. The biggest issue of the year, spygate, was put to rest by a brief handshake and a "Good game, Eric!" He could have at least given us, "It was you, Fredo. You broke my heart." We're still scraping around for some action.
Already begun is the annual coaching carousel. Bobby Petrino left the Falcons shamefully. Cam Cameron, Mike Nolan, Herm Edwards, John Fox and Marvin Lewis have all been rumored to be getting the boot (figure on a couple of them actually going down). Andy Reid and Joe Gibbs are thought to be looking at retirement. Candidates include Rex Ryan, who has to feel like John Nash stuck in a remedial math class; Jason Garrett, who'd probably suck on Tony Romo's thumb if it would help; and Bill Cowher who's playing coy and counting the zeros on all his offers. (By the way: Bobby Petrino, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier — can we finally bury the idea that a stellar college career is not a qualification to coach in the NFL?)
At some point in the near future the Reggie Bush/USC Booster scandal is going to hit, not that the NFL needs to do anything about it. As a matter a fact, if Reggie continues to follow his current career trajectory, no one will much care. So scratch that one.
With the off season a couple weeks away for most teams, it's nearly busy season for pole dancers and traffic cops with breathalyzers.
That's about it; not much to get worked up about, unless a serious steroids scandal comes along. If it does, I nominate Bill Clinton to head the NFL's commission for two reasons: 1) It one-ups the MLB who could only get an ex-senator and, 2) I see no reason why cheerleaders should be immune to a thorough investigation.
On the field, the only big open question is whether the Browns can catch the Steelers for 4th seed in the AFC (leaving the other as the 6th seed). You could make an argument for the Browns and you might be right, but both these teams should win out. Here's the thing though, it might just be better to be 6th seed. As it stands right now, 4th seed hosts the Jaguars, 6th seed visits the Chargers. Last week the Chargers demolished the Lions in San Diego. No big deal. Meanwhile the Jags went up into Pittsburgh and put a beating on the Steelers. Big deal. The Jags team I saw looked masterful. They have even passed the Colts to be the second best team in the AFC by weighted DVOA.
- NFL Week 16 - Jockeying for Position
- Published: December 20, 2007
- Type: News
- Section: Sports
- Filed Under: Sports: Football (American)
- Part of a feature: NFL Picks of a Thoughtful Fool
- Writer: David Mazzotta
- David Mazzotta's BC Writer page
- David Mazzotta's personal site
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Comments
Shit. You and I wrote about the same Bengals "rumor" ...
This is like wearing the same "Fire Millen" t-shirt as the guy next to you at Ford Field. :-/
"Fins win! Fins win! Fins win!"
Oh, fuck:
DOLPHINS WIN! DOLPHINS WIN!
The only thing I can say is that great minds think alike. Because your article was published before mine, and I only steal ideas from Kissing Suzy Kolber. :-/
"the 'Skins have had to fight tooth and nail for everything they've got this year"
How soon we forget their game against the Lions... :-/
It's a sad state of affairs, RJ. The season has become so predictable we're writing the same things.
It's ashame it was after Thursday when Parcells signed with Miami, Tory Holt went off on Scott Linehan, and T.O. went off on Jessica Simpson "just kidding."






Naturally, as soon as I figure Parcells to be a motivation for the Falcons, he up and jumps ship for Miami. Helluva year for Atlanta.