Friday, November 26, 2010

Brett Favre's End Has Arrived : Why The Minnesota Vikings Must Bench The Ineffective Quarterback




Things are so muddled in Minnesota right now, they can't even spell Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kevin Williams last name correctly on the back of his jersey. Making Leslie Frazier the head coach is about the only thing the Vikings have done right thus far, though it would behoove them to lift the interim tag off and extend his contract because Frazier is one of the first assistants in the league in line for a head coaching job.

The confusion started before the season began, with Brett Favre sitting in his house once again waffling between playing and retiring. It held the Vikings hostage to his whims, something Favre had done several times while employed with the Packers to the point he wore out his welcome.

After several Vikings went to his house to plead a return to an aging team with perhaps one last gasp left at Super Bowl aspirations, Favre agreed and had head coach Brad Childress chauffeur him from the airport to training camp when it was almost time to begin the regular season.

Since then, Farve has resembled many athletes before him washed up yet trying to extend their careers one season longer than he should have. After 17 interceptions and six fumbles in 10 games by the greatest turnover machine in NFL history, Childress was fired because of just three wins and constant bickering with his quarterback over not running the plays that were called.

While most all of Favre's media buddies have tried to feign surprise at his poor play, some have giving up on spit shining the faux alter they helped create by calling for the benching of the turnover king. Now Frazier, a defensive specialist and former Pro Bowl cornerback, has to fix the offense by removing the cause of his team illness.

While Tavaris Jackson, a second round pick by Childress in 2006, was asked to play too soon, he has won more starts than he has lost and has spent a lot of time on the bench learning since 2008. Now is the time to see if he will start next year and beyond, or if the Vikings should use a draft pick hoping to find a starting quarterback.

Favre is done. Before he would blame his errors on incompetency around him or injuries plaguing him. The excuses have worn out their welcome, and his presence will soon follow. In fact, he already has had a few media buddies write stories on how he may retire before the season ends. Minnesota is going nowhere this year, so Favre has to make it all about him, in an attempt to grab headlines, once more before the season is over.

Frazier's first act needs to be the promotion of Jackson, while demoting Favre to third string status the rest of the season and making him inactive in each of the final six games. This would allow the Vikings to get a better gauge on rookie Joe Webb. Webb is an extremely athletic player some viewed as a wide receiver prospect coming out of the 2010 draft, yet Minnesota decided to see what he could do at quarterback.


Benching Brett Favre is not sacrilegious, it is evolution. The game goes on, something he will not do in the NFL after this season. Deciding whether or not Jackson and Webb will be the guys handing the ball to Adrian Peterson 300 times a year is a much more important question to answer for the good of the franchise. Worrying about the feelings of a self-centered egomaniac is counter productive, and that is why Childress will sit at home until 2013 getting paid by the Vikings for nothing in return.





Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Giants

Both teams are 6-4 right now, but miles apart in certain areas. Jacksonville has an erratic passing game and porous defense, but they have the excellent Maurice Jones-Drew toting the rock for them.

The Giants Ahmad Bradshaw is having a very comparable season, but has a tendency to fumble. New York needs to hang onto the ball and get better quarterback play. If they do, they should control this game.

Giants 34 Jaguars 20





Carolina Panthers @ Cleveland Browns

Both teams are playing with third string quarterbacks and reserve running backs. It's just the Browns bench has been on the field longer and have played well. Carolina seems intent on getting the first pick of the 2011 draft.

Browns 23 Panthers 10





Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

Even if Ben Roethlisberger flops into a fetal position, they should win this in the fourth quarter. Buffalo has the ability to expose Pittsburgh's secondary, the weakness of the defense, but they have been so inconsistent this season.

Steelers 34 Bills 23




Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins

The Redskins long, strange trip in 2010 continues. They somehow pulled out a win last week over Tennessee in overtime despite losing a plethora of players to injuries. It was reminiscent of their win over Green Bay earlier in the season, as far as a bunch of players going down for a long time from injuries.

Washington will hope their third string running back holds up, because there isn't much behind Keiland Williams. Washington is so thin at running back, they are making undrafted rookie linebacker Darrel Young tote the ball at times.

Redskins leading receiver Santana Moss could miss the game, so Joey Galloway may play. He just turned 39-years old last week. Tight ends Chris Cooley and Fred Davis may have to carry the passing attack.

Minnesota has their own old man with 41-year old quarterback Brett Favre. Though he and Galloway never teamed up, their combined 80 years has to be the oldest duo to play on a NFL field this season.

Though the Vikings season is over as far as playoff dreams, they still can play for pride under their newly hired head coach Leslie Frazier. The Redskins really struggle at stopping the run at times, so expect Minnesota halfback Adrian Peterson to carry the ball often.

Washington allows four more points per game than they score, while Minnesota allows five more than they score. The difference here could be who holds onto the ball. The Vikings are dead last in the Takeaway/ Giveaway Differential category ant minus-13, while Washington's plus-six is eighth best in the NFL.

Redskins 30 Vikings 28







Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Houston has one of the worst defenses in the NFL this season, but the run defense is their strength. It is ranked 16th in the league, but it will have to play a lot better this Sunday.

The Titans are playing some rookie quarterback named Rusty Smith, so the plan will be to feed halfback Chris Johnson the ball as often as possible. Tennessee doesn't have a defense much better than Houston, so Arian Foster has the ability to run for as many yards as Johnson.

The offensive balance of the Texans should make the difference, but their defense is bad enough to make Smith a star.

Texans 31 Titans 16





Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Game of the Week


Both teams need to win here badly, and both have been on a roll lately. Atlanta needs to the win to maintain their division lead, and they have won their last four games. Green Bay, who has also won their last four, needs to win to stay on top of their division.

The Packers defense gives up the least amount of points in the NFL, and both teams score an average of 25 points per game. Featuring two young quarterbacks with similar statistics, the difference is that Atlanta has the better running attack.

Turnovers might be the key here, because both defenses are very opportunistic. Atlanta has the second best Giveaway/ Takeaway Differential in the NFL and plus-10, while Packers rank fifth at plus-8. Expect the Atlanta crowd to be louder than usual.

Falcons 27 Packers 24







Miami Dolphins @ Oakland Raiders

Both of these teams mirror each other. Their backup quarterbacks start, even though neither team possesses a very good passing attack. Neither defense can stop the run well, though the pass defense is excellent for both.

Oakland can run the ball, while the Miami veteran backfield has been average at best. If the Raiders halfback Darren McFadden goes off, especially since he did next to nothing last Sunday, Oakland should keep their playoff dreams alive.

Raiders 28 Dolphins 13






Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks

This is a battle of the two teams leading the Western Division in both conferences. They are also two teams very few predicted would lead their division at any time in 2010, let alone in the 11th games of their schedules.

Kansas City loves to run the ball and control the clock, while having the best attack in the league right now. Seattle has been winning despite having the 29th ranked offense and 28th ranked defense.

While both have made nice stories so far, all good things must come to an end eventually.

Chiefs 24 Seahawks 17





Saint Louis Rams @ Denver Broncos

While the Rams still dream of winning their division, Denver might want to start preparing for the 2011 draft. While Denver has the better quarterback, Saint Louis has the edge on defense and rushing attack.

Playing in the thin air of Mile High Stadium always takes a team out each year, and the young Rams are the next victims to fall in the fourth because they cant catch their breath.

Broncos 27 Rams 23




Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens

A battle of 7-3 teams with a lot riding on this game. While Baltimore needs to win to at least maintain a hold on first place in their division, Tampa Bay winning would place them in a tie that could be for first place if Atlanta loses.

While most every NFL fan expected the Ravens to be here right now in 2010, very few saw the Buccaneers winning more than a handful of games. Tampa Bay has a ball control offense that doesn't turn over the ball much, yet they have a good pass defense that has helped them have the sixth best Takeaway/ Giveaway Differential in the league now.

While the Ravens offense hasn't been consistent yet, the defense has been stellar. The return of free safety Ed Reed has helped them more than words can describe. In four games this year, he has four interceptions, four passes defended, and created a score by pitching one of his interceptions to Dawan Landry for the final 23 yards to the end zone.

If quarterback Joe Flacco can be consistent on third down, something he has not done much this season, Baltimore should win with halfback Ray Rice leading the way against a mediocre Buccaneers run defense.

Ravens 26 Buccaneers 17





Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers has quietly had a nice season where Chicago has asked him to wear many hats. Perhaps the hat he wears Sunday will have instructions to shadow Eagles quarterback Michael Vick at times.

Vick has been on a roll which has helped Philadelphia win their last three games, something Chicago has also accomplished. The Eagles rarely cough up the football, but often take it away from opponents with the top ranked Takeaway/ Giveaway Differential in the NFL at plus-15.

Though the Bears allow a league best 14.6 points per game average, they only score 19 a game. The Eagles put up over 28 per game, so the Bears defense has even more stress and responsibility. A loss, coupled by a Green Bay win, will drop them into second place.

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler needs to show why the team gave up so much to get him. The Eagles give up points, and their pass defense can be exploited. If he is on his game, the Bears can win.

Eagles 23 Bears 18



San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts

The NFL fan sees two quarterbacks, heading towards being nominated to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl, having great seasons that could bring a pile of points Sunday, though both teams are missing several parts on the attack because of injuries.

The Chargers are capable of throwing up a lot of points on a weak Colts defense, and the San Diego defense could allow the Colts to score just as many points. The Bolts rank first in total defense and passing defense, while ranking third in run defense. Their problem is they do not create enough turnovers and have given the ball away 22 times.

They both have scored and allowed almost exactly the same totals in points. The difference here could be the running game. Though neither team has impressed the league in that area this year, San Diego holds the edge.

If the turnovers are held to a minimum, San Diego's resurgence in their quest to try to win the AFC West for the seventh time in eight years continues.

Chargers 38 Colts 30





San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Derek Anderson's time as a starting quarterback in the NFL appears to be winding down, while it is dubious that any 49er quarterback on the team this season will stay for next year.

Both teams defenses have underachieved most of this season, so the running game might decide this snooze-fest.

49ers 19 Cardinals 17




Power Rankings

1. Jets
2. Patriots
3. Falcons
4. Steelers
5. Eagles
6. Ravens
7. Packers
8. Saints
9. Giants
10. Bears
11. Colts
12. Buccaneers
13. Chargers
14. Redskins
15. Raiders
16. Chiefs
17. Jaguars
18. Rams
19. Dolphins
20. Seahawks
21. Titans
22. Browns
23. Texans
24. Vikings
25. Broncos
26. Cowboys
27. Lions
28. Bengals
29. Bills
30. 49ers
31. Cardinals
32. Panthers

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Washington Wizards JaVale McGee : NBA Player Of The Week With Little Fanfare



If you were to wonder who was leading the NBA this season in shots blocked per game and was third in offensive rebound percentage, as well as fourth in field goal percentage, you may turn on ESPN and get fed on a constant loop how great LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard are instead.

JaVale McGee quietly goes on his way to the basketball court, allowing his play speak volumes for him. In the Wizards 116-114 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers last night, McGee led all his teammates in minutes played with a career best 46 minutes. Minutes the Wizards desperately needed to extend the game into overtime, let alone win it.

The seven-foot first round draft pick, who has been on a roll this week, punctuated his magnificent performance with career high matching total of 24 points and a career best 18 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive end. He also found time to block four shots and steal two balls.

While Wizard fans are happy to see this type of explosion, none can deny pleasant surprise either the past several days. The past five games have seen him increase his rebound total each appearance, including three straight double-doubles.

After getting 20 points and 16 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons three nights ago, his exceeding those totals in a guard-oriented offense caught the 76ers by surprise to the point of frustration. Elton Brand saw McGee about to dunk home another rebound, so he shoved McGee hard into the ground and was promptly ejected. Brand, who had 19 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes, was sorely missed by Philadelphia the rest of the way.

McGee is putting Wizards owner Ted Leonsis in a precarious position in just his first full year as Wizards owner. Leonsis, who took over the team from the legendary Abe Pollin after Pollin passed away a year ago, is a big supporter of the team. He sits courtside at many games rooting the team on.

The two-year contract McGee signed as a rookie will expire at the end of the season. Though he weighed just 237 lbs as a rookie, a year he was known mostly for shot blocking skills, McGee is maturing and is up to 265 lbs this year. He won't turn 23-years old for almost two months, so he is just beginning to scratch the surface of all of his abilities.

He came out of college as a sophomore two years early, and would have been a lottery pick if he had stayed in school even one more season. His decision was a lucky stroke for Washington, providing the first legitimate center the team has not had in decades. He led the NBA last season in shots blocked percentage, a statistic he currently ranks second in this year.

McGee also set a legacy mark by making the Wizards. His mother, a two-time NCAA Champion and Olympic gold medal winner, was the second player chosen overall in the 1997 WNBA draft. Pamela McGee was 34-years old then, after years of starring overseas, showing just how highly she was thought of as a player. His dad was drafted in the second round of the 1985 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, ahead of such future stars like John "Hot Rod" Williams and Gerald Wilkins, but did not make the team.

While he can play both forward positions, Washington has no one on their roster able to play center but McGee. He spent his first years being brought along slowly, averaging under 15 minutes player per game in the 135 contests he appeared in. His previous career high of 45 minutes played saw him score 14 points and grab 12 rebounds before fouling out in a contest against the Chicago Bulls last season. He now is averaging over 28 minutes per game so far this season.

Even coming off a career best game, it went unnoticed by many of the media. They seemed more concerned with the return of rookie phenom John Wall from an injury that had him sit out a few games. ESPN triumphed Wall's return, as well as Gilbert Arenas chipping in 17 points and seven assists, rather than notice it was the dominance in the paint by McGee that allowed Washington erase a 14 point deficit.

While the Wizards play in a division where the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks get a bulk of the kudos from the press, they have to feel positive about their young nucleus of players like Wall, Nick Young, Andray Blatche, Al Thornton, and McGee. Savvy veterans like Arenas, Kirk Hinrich, and Josh Howard, expected to return from injury next month, add to the mix offering leadership and the wisdom of experience.

Yet there may be no more important player on the Wizards right now than JaVale McGee, and certainly none have had the week he has had. While it may be unreasonable to expect his continue his streak of improved rebound totals, he is showing an aggression and confidence the team truly needs. With him being their only true post player, his progression could make the difference as to whether or not the Wizards make the playoffs.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

NFL Thanksgiving Classic Predictions To Stuff Down Your Gullet




While the NFL has had some recent games on Thanksgiving make families eat while watching other programs on television, or choose to abstain from any viewing whatsoever, this year may be a year where one can happily fill themselves with tryptophan while watching a couple of games that could be competitive.

The Detroit Lions have hosted the Thanksgiving Classic since 1934. They have won just twice since 2000, one being a 34-9 pasting of the New England Patriots in 2000. That was the first year head coach Bill Belichick had the job with New England, and they went 5-11 that season. They won Super Bowl XXXVI the next year. The last Thanksgiving Classic they played was in 2002, where they defeated the Lions 20-12 with the help of three turnovers and 111 yards on 10 receptions by Troy Brown.

The Dallas Cowboys have played the Thanksgiving Classic 42 times, winning 27 games. Though their 2010 season is over, they will play for pride and try to spoil the dreams of others. They face a New Orleans Saints squad that has won their last three games and needs to keep going in order to stay within reach of the hot Atlanta Falcons in order to have a chance to win the NFC South.

The New York Jets have played the Thanksgiving Classic six times, winning three. They won the first game the American Football League played in 1960 while still named the Titans. They got stomped on in 2007 by the Dallas Cowboys 34-3, the last time they played on Thanksgiving. They will face a struggling Cincinnati Bengals team that has never played in a Thanksgiving Classic.




New England Patriots @ Detroit Lions

The Patriots have to be happy with their 31-28 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday for a few reasons. The victory keeps them tied for first place in the AFC East with the Jets as they are going to host New York next week in a game that could decide who gets the division crown. They also picked off Peyton Manning three times, including one that clinched the win late in the fourth quarter, with a young secondary much maligned all season.

Detroit is a young team that is beat up, but competes most weeks in spite of everything. Though they have won just two games all year, they have lost five games by five or less points. One loss came on a very dubious officiating call in the first week of the season.

Though their starting quarterback is hurt again, the back up has filled in superbly. If they could get half the performance of a reserve halfback in place of a starter battling a bad toe, the Lions may have a few more victories. Detroit has the sixth best passing attack in the league, but their anemic running game is the second worst in the NFL.

New England's offense is one of balance. The rushing and passing attack are both ranked 16th in the league. While Detroit's 13th ranked pass defense might have some successes, thanks to the seven sacks by Rookie of the Year candidate Ndamukong Suh and four more by veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch, the run defense has not been good.

Tom Brady will have to get rid of the pass quickly, relying heavily on slot receivers like Wes Welker. He also needs to hand the ball off over 20 times at least. The question is which Patriots back can be effective. Benjarvis Green-Ellis, the oft-injured Fred Taylor, and the diminutive Danny Woodhead should all touch the ball often.

Patriots 23 Lions 21







New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys

Dallas has won two of their three games this year the last two weeks by playing solid football in the second half of each game. Running the ball more than passing it was the key, something Jason Garrett ignored as offensive coordinator the first eight games the Cowboys played this year.

While the Saints have the second best pass defense in the NFL right now, the run defense is ranked 13th. The offense has gotten better each week, but that is because guys are getting healthy again. Though starting running back Pierre Thomas is expected to miss his his seventh game, rookie Chris Ivory has done a fantastic job replacing him and Reggie Bush is expected to return after missing the last two months with a bad leg.

Dallas has one of the worst defenses in football, ranked 22nd overall. They give up an average of 342 yards a game, including 117 yards on the ground. If Ivory and Bush are effective, Saints quarterback Drew Brees will have even more fun lighting up a thin and banged up Cowboys secondary with five receivers who have 23 or more receptions so far.

Saints 38 Cowboys 21








Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets

It is too bad for the Bengals that football games last 60 minutes, because they can be pretty good for 15 to 30 minutes. Whether it is throwing up 22 unanswered points in a quarter against Atlanta or going up by 21 points at halftime to Buffalo before losing by 18, the dysfunctional Bengals have little luck in 2010. Despite defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the second week of the season, the Bengals have lost six games by eight or less points.

The Jets are a team that has lived on the edge the last five weeks, thanks to four wins that required them to come back from deficits late in the game. Some has been the luck of bad defensive plays by opponents, but winning a game in the NFL is an accomplishment however it is garnered.

The vaunted Jets rushing attack has been sluggish the last five games. The 72 yards on 20 carries that Shonn Greene had in their overtime win against Cleveland has been the best performance. This is a far cry from when Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson both ran for over 100 yards six weeks ago against the Bills. Tomlinson has helped alleviate this by catching 43 balls so far.

New York needs to do well against the 23rd ranked Bengals run defense. This would go a long way in boosting confidence heading into a huge match up in New England next week, a game that could decide the winner of the AFC East. Though the Bengals have the 18th ranked pass defense, Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph are excellent cornerbacks that have seven interceptions and a score between them.

The Jets defense has given up 20 or more points in six games this year, something they did just five times the whole 2009 season. Though injuries to the defensive line has hurt them this year, the back seven has only five interceptions so far and the pass rush has just 21 sacks. They had 32 sacks and 17 interceptions last year. They still hop on fumbles, getting 21 so far. They had 25 in 2009.

If Cincinnati can attack the secondary the whole game, they have a legitimate shot at winning. They have three wide receivers and a tight end with 35 receptions or more. Though running back Cedric Benson is not duplicating his 2009 performance that saw him ground out 1,251 yards, he still has 747 on 200 carries in 2010.

The Jets surely realize they can't look over the Bengals for the Patriots. They also must know they can't afford to keep hoping they can come back as the clock expires, though it has to make them feel good in knowing they have this ability. Expect a steady dose of Tomlinson and Greene to dictate pace.

Jets 23 Bengals 17

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Almost All-Time Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback : Ken Anderson


Anderson was drafted in the third round of the 1971 draft by the Bengals and ended up starting four games that year. Though he lost each start, Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown liked what he saw and named Anderson his full-time starter. He then proceeded to have six consecutive seasons with a winning record as a starter.

While showing a great ability to not turn over the ball often, Anderson began to excel. He led the NFL in completions, passing yards, completion percentage, passer rating, yards per game, and yards gained per attempt in 1974. He made his first Pro Bowl the next year after leading the league in passer rating, yards passing, yards gained per attempt, adjusted yards per attempt, and yards per game.

After making the Pro Bowl again in 1976, the team struggled between 1978 to 1980. They were the first losing seasons he had as a starter since his rookie year. This caused Anderson to rebound his team, which he did with a vengeance in 1981.

He became the first Bengals NFL MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and only Bert Bell Man of the Year Award winner in team history after a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro year that saw him toss a career best 29 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. He led the NFL in touchdown percentage, interception percentage, adjusted yards per attempt, and passer rating. The Bengals reached Super Bowl XVI, where he completed 73.5 percent of his passes, which was 25. Both were Super Bowl records at the time, and he also scored on a five-yard run as Cincinnati lost to San Francisco.

The 1982 season was his last as a Pro Bowler. In a game against the San Diego Chargers, the team the Bengals beat in the famous "Freezer Bowl" in the AFC Championship the year before, Anderson and Hall of Famer Dan Fouts became the first quarterbacks in NFL history to both throw for over 400 yards in the same game. Anderson led the NFL in completions, completion percentage, interception percentage, and passer rating. His 70.6 completion percentage is an NFL record though Drew Brees tied it in the quarterback friendly rules of 2009.

Though he led the NFL in completion percentage in 1983, his game began to falter over the next two years as he had losing records and threw more interceptions than touchdowns each season. The Bengals then inserted 1984 second round pick Boomer Esiason as the starter, relegating the 36-year old Anderson to backup duty before retiring after 1986. Esiason, coincidentally, would become the second NFL MVP in Bengals history during 1988 after leading the team to the Super Bowl before losing to San Francisco.

Ken Anderson has somehow yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, though he is certainly worthy. As well as holding the record for completion percentage in a season, as well as once holding the Super Bowl completion percentage record, he once completed 20 of 22 passes against the mighty Steel Curtain defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974. He also has the second best postseason quarterback rating in NFL history.

He still ranks in the top-30 in completions, attempts, and passing yards in NFL history despite the fact he was sacked the ninth most ever. He once led the NFL in 1979 by being sacked 46 times. He also holds a team record by tossing for 447 yards in 1975, along with several other team records. Not only is he the first Bengals quarterback to go to the Pro Bowl or be named First Team All-Pro, his four Pro Bowls are the most ever by any Bengals quarterback.

Not only is Ken Anderson the winningest quarterback in team history, but he is an NFL great. The Bengals never allowed anyone to wear his jersey number until he took a job with the rival Steelers and earned a Super Bowl ring mentoring Ben Roethlisberger. If the Bengals ever create a Ring of Honor, Anderson may be one of the very first inducted.


Boomer Esiason, Greg Cook, and Jeff Blake deserve mention.





Fullback : Pete Johnson


Drafted in the second round of the 1977 draft, Johnson was teamed up with Archie Griffin again. The pair were together in college, where Griffin became the only person to win multiple Heisman Trophies. By his second year, Johnson was the main ball carrier for Cincinnati and also was used often in the passing game.

In 1979, he scored 14 times on the ground and once in the air, which was the third most in the league. After a solid 1980 season, he had his best year in the NFL in 1981, which was the only time Johnson went to the Pro Bowl. He set career highs with 274 carries for 1,077 yards, 46 receptions for 320 yards, and 16 total scores. It helped the Bengals reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history, as Johnson scored once in each playoff victory.

The 1982 season was shortened to just nine games, but Johnson was still able to run for 626 yards, catch 31 balls, and score seven times. He then tied his career best mark of 14 rushing touchdowns the next year, his last with the Bengals. He was traded to the San Diego Chargers for James Brooks and scored three times in three games before being dealt to the Miami Dolphins. After scoring nine times in 13 games, he retired.

Not only is his 64 rushing touchdowns the most in team history, the 5,421 rushing yards Johnson had was a team record until Corey Dillon passed it in 2002. It still ranks third most in team history, and the most by any Bengals fullback. His 14 rushing touchdowns was a team record until Icky Woods passed it by one in 1988. The 420 points he score ranks fifth in team history, and is the most by any non-kicker.

Pete Johnson is not only the first Bengals fullback to go to the Pro Bowl, but he is their best ever. A bruising runner with soft hands, he was also a crushing blocker who was one of the more underrated players of his time. Playing in the shadow of division rival Franco Harris, a Hall of Fame fullback, he didn't always get the notoriety or accolades he deserved. Still, Bengals fans know how good he was for their team.

Ickey Woods, Lorenzo Neal, and Larry Kinnebrew deserve mention.




Halfback : Corey Dillon


Dillon was drafted in the second round of the 1997 draft by the Bengals. He started just six games as a rookie because Ki-Jana Carter, the first overall pick of the 1995 draft, was ahead of him on the depth chart. It didn't stop Dillon from gaining 1,129 yards and scoring ten times on the ground. He also set a rookie record by running for 246 yards in one game. He also scored four times in that game, a team record that still stands today.

His first Pro Bowl year was in 1999, after gaining 1,200 yards. It was the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl games. He set a team record by running for 1,435 yards in 2000, a season that saw him set an then-NFL record by running for 278 yards in a game. He scored 13 times the next year, including a career long 96-yard jaunt that led the NFL and set a Bengals for longest offensive play ever.

The 2003 season was his seventh in the league, as well as the first time he failed to run for over 1,000 yards in a season. He was mostly injured that year, so the Bengals decided to lean on Rudi Johnson. Johnson, who had only played nine games in two years previously, would end up with the second most rushing yards in Bengals history when he was done.

The New England Patriots traded a second round draft pick for Dillon's services. The move paid off big, as he ran for a career best 1,635 yards on a career high 345 carries while tying his career best mark of 13 scores. He was named to his final Pro Bowl as he helped carry the Patriots to a Super Bowl XXXIX win. It was the first 1,600-yard rushing year in Patriots history, a record that still stands.

After two more solid seasons that saw him match his career best mark of 13 scores, despite missing four games and nine starts because of injuries, he retired at the end of the 2006 season. He is a member of the Patriots 2000's All-Decade Team.

Of the 18 records Dillon set with the Bengals, 16 still stand. He is the only Bengals back to have six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and three of them were the top ranked in Bengal history at the time. Johnson now holds the top spot, thus making them second, third, and fourth. He has the most rushing yards and yards from scrimmage in Cincinnati history. He also holds two of the top nine single game rushing performances in league history, and his 11,241 rushing yards is the 17th most in NFL history.

The three Pro Bowls he went to as a Bengals are one less than James Brooks as the most in team history. Cincinnati may have drafted him as insurance for Carter, still recovering from a devastating injury incurred as a rookie, but they ended up acquiring the best running back in team history. When the Bengals create their Ring of Honor, Corey Dillon should be amongst the first to go in.

James Brooks, Paul Robinson, Harold Green, Rudi Johnson, Essex Johnson, Boobie Clark, and Archie Griffin deserve mention.







Wide Receiver : Isaac Curtis



Curtis almost never had a career in pro football. He spent his first three years in college running track and playing as a little used halfback at the University of California before transferring to San Diego State for his senior year. The legendary Don Coryell was the head coach there, and he quickly switched Curtis to wide receiver. A star was quickly born and the Bengals used their first round pick, 15th overall, in 1973 to grab him.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. Not only did he grab 32 touchdown passes over that time, he averaged over twenty yards at catch on 200 receptions. Curtis led the NFL with a career best 21.2 yards per catch average in 1975 after accumulating a 21.1 average the season before.

His streak of Pro Bowls ended in 1977 after missing six games due to injuries, but he spent the rest of his career as a very productive member of the Bengals. The 1978 season saw him catch a career best 47 balls as the team went through personnel changes. They reached Super Bowl XVI in 1981 with Curtis and Cris Collinsworth teaming as an effective deep threat duo.

He retired after the 1984 season with 416 receptions, which was a team record at the time. It still ranks as the fifth best in team history. His 7,101 receiving yards was a team record until it was surpassed by Chad Ochocinco in 2007, and the 17.1 yards per catch Curtis averaged in his career is easily the best in franchise history by any Bengal with more than 94 catches with the team. His 53 touchdown catches still ranks third best in team history, and his four Pro Bowls are the second most by a Bengals wide receiver.

Cincinnati has had many great wide receivers in the history of their team, yet few have been the constant deep threat that Isaac Curtis was. He struck fear in opponents because it was common to see Curtis blow by defenders to catch a long pass. He was also excellent once grabbing the ball, showing off his skills that had him play running back in college.

Picking the greatest wide receiver in Bengals history is not easy because of Ochocinco, Collinsworth, Carl Pickens, Eddie Brown, and others, but Isaac Curtis is always in the discussion and amongst the first names mentioned always. He quite likely is the greatest receiver the team has ever had. It should be noted how he succeeded in the ten-yard chuck rule era while facing great cornerbacks who excelled in man-to-man defense like Hall of Famer Mel Blount, Zeke Moore, Clarence Scott, and Ron Bolton twice a year.








Wide Receiver : Cris Collinsworth


The Bengals drafted Collinsworth in the second round of the 1981 draft, and he became an immediate star. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, grabbing a career best 67 balls while gaining 1,009 yards and scoring eight times. Cincinnati reached Super Bowl XVI, where Collinsworth led all players with 107 yards off five receptions in their loss t the San Francisco 49ers.

He went back to the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons. He has 49 receptions for 700 yards in just nine games during the strike shortened 1982 season, then followed that up with a career best 1,130 yards off 66 receptions the next season. After a solid 1984 season, Collinsworth tried to jump to the United States Football League, but failed a physical with the Tampa Bay Bandits because of a bad ankle.

Returning to the Bengals he caught a career high 10 touchdown passes in 1986, year that saw him exceed 60 receptions for the fifth straight year and sixth time out of seven seasons. It would be the last time he accomplished this feat. After a 1987 season season shortened by a players strike, Collinsworth became a little used reserve in 1988. The Bengals reached Super Bowl , where his three catches for 40 yards were second on the team in the Bengals loss to the 49ers. He retired after the game, and has become an award-winning sports journalist on several television networks since.

At the time, his 417 receptions were the most in team history and are still the fourth most. His 6,698 yards rank fourth best, and his 36 scores, ranked second most at the time of his retirement, rank seventh best. The three Pro Bowls he had still rank the third most ever by a Bengals wide receiver.

Though his spot may be taken after Chad Ochocinco retires, it may not as well. At 6'5", Collinsworth was a tall player who used his height to out jump defenders for the ball. Yet he also had excellent speed to get down field as a deep threat, finishing with a 16.1 yards per catch average. Despite having two seasons basically stolen from him due to players strikes, Collinsworth was reliable, productive, spectacular, and consistent for Cincinnati. Many Bengals fans would tell you he is the best wide receiver the team ever had.

Eddie Brown, Carl Pickens, Chip Meyers, and Darnay Scott deserve mention.








Tight End : Bob Trumpy


Trumpy was drafted in the 12th round of the 1968 draft, the 301st player overall, by the expansion Bengals. Cincinnati was a new member of the American Football League at the time, and the AFL would fully merge with the NFL in two seasons. He impressed his Hall of Fame head coach Paul Brown with his work ethic, so Brown named him the starter as a rookie.

Cincinnati was rewarded with 37 receptions at a 17.3 yards per catch clip, which got him named to the Pro Bowl. Trumpy returned the next year by setting a still standing team record of a whopping 22.6 yards per catch average off another 37 receptions. He also scored a career high nine times and was named First Team All-Pro for his efforts.

In his first year in the post-merger NFL in 1970, Trumpy went back to the Pro Bowl. He went back for the final time in 1973 before seeing a decline in receiving opportunities. Though he caught seven touchdowns off of 21 catches in 1976, he retired at the end of the 1977 season. At the time of his retirement, almost ever Bengals receiving record was owned by him. His last touchdown came off a rare reverse flea flicker, where three other Bengals touched the ball before it reached him.

What makes Bob Trumpy's career special is not just the fact he helped an expansion team grow up fast with his help, as they had only three losing seasons in his ten years, but how he accumulated his excellent statistics. Cincinnati has eight different quarterbacks throwing him the ball during his career, yet he remained a viable threat regardless.

Besides still owning the team record for yards per catch in a season, the 35 touchdowns Trumpy scored are the most ever by any Bengal tight end in team history. He still ranks tenth is total receptions for a career, and his career average of 15.4 yards per catch show how good he was with the ball after getting it.

Not only is he the first Pro Bowl player in Bengals history, an honor he shares with halfback Paul Robinson and center Bob Johnson, he is the second Bengal ever to be named First Team All-Pro. He is also the only Bengals tight end to be named First Team All-Pro. Bob Trumpy is the greatest tight end the team has ever had.

Dan Ross, Rodney Holman, and Tony McGee deserve mention.







Offensive Tackle : Willie Anderson


Cincinnati used their first round draft selection, tenth overall, to tab Anderson. He was soon starting, and was a mainstay of their offensive line for 11 years. After missing two games in 1999, he would not miss a game nor start again until 2007.

Though he had long been considered an upper echelon left tackle for years, Anderson was finally recognized in 2003 with the first of four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. He was named First Team All-Pro for the final three seasons he achieved this honor. After being hurt in 2007, forcing him to miss the first nine games of his career, Cincinnati released him after he refused to take a reduction in salary.

The Baltimore Ravens were having injury issues along their offensive line in 2008, so they signed Anderson. He started in 11 of the 14 games he played in, then retired for good having only missed 11 out of a possible 204 games over 13 seasons.

Cincinnati has only had two offensive tackles go to the Pro Bowl, Anderson and the legendary Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz. Munoz is considered the greatest left tackle in NFL history by many, but Willie Anderson was special in his own right and very underrated. There were several years he probably should have gone to the Pro Bowl, but future Hall of Famers Walter Jones and Jonathan Ogden were in his way of attaining the honor. So strong that he once reportedly lifted 675 lbs, Anderson was also very athletic and was solid in every aspect. After Munoz, he may be the best blocker in Bengals history.








Offensive Tackle : Joe Walter


Walter was drafted in the seventh round of the 1985 draft by Cincinnati. He began to earn a starters job in his second season, starting in eight games. He would then start in 156 of a possible 172 games over the next nine years. He missed 12 games because of injury.

After a 1997 season where he was only able to suit up for five games because of injuries, Walter retired. Though he never made the Pro Bowl, he was an excellent player. Three different halfbacks and a fullback ran for over 1,000 yards and two made the Pro Bowl over his career. He was also part of an explosive offense that reached a Super Bowl and had the quarterback named NFL MVP.

Many offensive linemen go through a career without being noticed much unless they make an error. Joe Walter was rock solid for over a decade for the Bengals, helping lead them to some of the biggest successes in franchise history. He may be the finest right tackle they ever had.

Ernie Wright, Kevin Sargent, and Levi Jones deserve mention.







Guard : Max Montoya


Montaya was a seventh round draft pick of the Bengals in 1979. Though he played just 11 games as a rookie, he quickly earned the starting job and started in nine games.He would remain a starter the rest of his time in Cincinnati.He missed ten starts and six games over the next 10 years because of injury, but there was perhaps no more underrated right guard in the NFL than him.

Though he was an elite guard in the NFL, it took until 1986 for him to be recognized with a Pro Bowl nod. He would repeat the honor in both 1987 and 1988 before leaving the Bengals for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1990. The Raiders made it to the AFC Championship that year, after defeating the Bengals in the Division Playoff Game, only to be destroyed by the Buffalo Bills 51-3.

After missing 13 games the next two years because of injuries, Montoya made his last Pro Bowl in 1994. He retired the next year after being a reserve all season, having started in 203 games in his 16 seasons. He paved the way for running backs like Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, James Brooks, Pete Johnson, Roger Craig, Napoleon Kaufman, Icky Woods, and several others. He also helped quarterbacks Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason win NFL MVP as the team reached the Super Bowl twice.

Max Montoya is the only Bengals guard to ever get named to the Pro Bowl. He is probably the greatest guard in the franchises history.





Guard : Bruce Reimers


Reimers was an eighth round draft pick of the Bengals in 1985. He began to break into the starting lineup by his third season. Besides starting at left guard, Reimers was a versatile player who often filled in at the tackle positions as well. He was an integral member of an offensive line that saw the Bengals become the highest scoring team in 1988, where they appeared in Super Bowl XXIII.

Cincinnati stumbled to a three win season in 1991, and Reimers was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. He lasted two years there, starting in 26 of the 27 games he played, before retiring at the end of the 1993 season. Though he never made the Pro Bowl, Reimers was a valuable player who was versatile and technically sound. He is one of the better blockers in team history.

Dave Lapham, Howard Fest, Pat Matson, Eric Steinbach, Bobbie Williams, and Glenn Bujnoch deserve mention.







Center : Bob Johnson


The first player ever drafted by the Bengals, the second overall selection in 1968, Johnson started right away and excelled. He became the first Bengals blocker to make a Pro Bowl in his rookie year, and still remains the only Bengals center to have ever achieved this honor.

After starting and playing in ever Bengals game his first six years, Johnson missed four games in 1974 because of injury. He did manage to have a reception for three yards that year as well. He remained the leader of the unit until 1977, never missing a game.

In 1978, Cincinnati used their first round pick on center Blair Bush and inserted him into the lineup. Johnson did appear in 13 games, but the main job of the 32-year old was to mentor Bush. After five games played in 1979, he became the last original Bengal to retire. The Bengals soon retired his number, and it still remains the only number the franchise has ever awarded this honor to.

Though the team has had several excellent centers in their history, none are better than the first one who ever played the position for them. Bob Johnson may be the first Bengal inducted into their Ring of Honor if the team ever creates one.

Blair Bush, Dave Rimington, Rich Braham, Dan Brilz, and Bruce Kozerski deserve mention.











Defensive Tackle : Mike Reid


Reid was the Bengals first round pick in 1970, the same season Cincinnati won their division and made the playoffs in just their third year of existence. Reid had quickly established himself as a top defensive force in the NFL by racking up 12 sacks in his second season.

In 1972, he became the first Bengals defensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl and be named First Team All-Pro after collecting another 12 sacks. He topped that mark with 13 the next year, making the Pro Bowl again. After a 1974 season that saw him battle through hand and knee injuries, yet missing no games, Reid unexpectedly retired.

He had a passion for composing and playing music, and has since written 12 songs that reached number one, won a Grammy, and has been inducted unto the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The NFL Alumni Association honored him with a Career Achievement Award in 1996.

Though Mike Reid played just five seasons for Cincinnati, he collected 49 sacks and became the first Bengals defensive player to go to the Pro Bowl and be named First Team All-Pro. His two Pro Bowls is tied with Coy Bacon and Tim Krumrie as the most by a Bengals defensive lineman in team history. Though his 49 sacks were not an official statistic in his era, the team recorded them and it is still the most in team history by a defensive tackle. He is most likely the best defensive player the team ever had.






Defensive Tackle : Tim Krumrie



Krumrie was drafted in the tenth round of the 1983 draft by Cincinnati. He started the year on the bench, but was starting before the end of the year. He would go on to start every game up until 1994 at the demanding nose tackle position, and he never missed a game his entire career.

He had a career best five sacks his second season, but his specialty was stuffing the run. After piling up a whopping 113 tackles in 1986, he had an amazing 88 tackles in just 12 games during the strike shortened 1987 season. Not to be outdone, the 1988 season saw him get an astonishing 152 tackles and career best three fumble recoveries. He was named to the Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro.

That effort helped propel the Bengals into Super Bowl XXIII, where Krumrie broke both his tibia and fibula during the game. He had to have a steel rod inserted into his leg, but he missed no time and still had 73 tackles and three sacks the following year. He continued to be a force in the middle, never having a season with less than 68 tackles.

In 1994, the Bengals switched to a 4-3 defense to accommodate Dan Wilkinson. Wilkinson had just been drafted first overall in the draft, so Cincinnati thought the 4-3 would best suit his skills. Krumrie was relegated to a reserve role at 34-years old and entering his 12th season, yet he did start four games. He retired at the end of the year.

The 1,017 tackles Krumrie had are far and away the most in team history. His 188 games played are the third most in team history, and the most by a defensive lineman. His two Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro are tied as the most ever by a Bengals defensive lineman, and he is the only nose tackle in team history to have accomplished either feat.

Tim Krumrie is an underrated nose tackle who is definitely one of the best to have ever played the position. He averaged almost six tackles a game for his career, a stellar statistic for any nose tackle. Comparing him to four time Pro Bowler Ted Washington Jr., a 15-year veteran, Krumrie had 261 more tackles than a man considered one of the best ever at the position in 48 less games.

He is easily the best nose tackle in Bengals history.

Steve Chomyszak, Wilson Whitley, Ron Carpenter, Dan Wilkinson, and Kimo von Oelhoffen deserves mention.







Defensive End : Coy Bacon


Bacon was an undrafted rookie signed by the Los Angeles Rams right before the 1968 season. Bacon had just come from playing in the Continental Football League. He had signed with the Charleston Rockets in 1966, after leaving Jackson State University upon completion of his sophomore year. While playing with the Rockets, Bacon was named an All-Star as a defensive end in 1966. Other NFL luminaries like Bill Walsh, Ken Stabler, and Garo Yepremian also were in the Continental Football League.

The 1968 Rams team that had one of the best defensive lines in football, featuring Hall of Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen. They were called "The Fearsome Foursome", and Bacon played just seven games as a reserve in his rookie year. He cracked the starting lineup the next year, and started 13 games at defensive tackle. He was moved to defensive end in 1970, recording 20 sacks,and took a fumble 14 yards for a touchdown. Bacon then had 21 sacks and intercepted a pass the next year. He made his first Pro Bowl in 1972, and then was traded to the San Diego Chargers after that season as part of a blockbuster deal.

He picked off a pass that year, and took it 80 yards for a touchdown. Bacon also led the Chargers in sacks in two of his three seasons with them. Right after the 1975 season, the Chargers traded Bacon to the Bengals for Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner. He responded with a team record 21.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries returned for 48 yards and a safety. He was named to the Pro Bowl.

He made his last Pro Bowl the next year for the Bengals, despite missing two games. The Bengals then traded Bacon to the Washington Redskins right before 1978. Being the pass rusher the Redskins desperately needed, he recorded double digits in sacks in each of his first three seasons with them. The Redskins released him after a injury filled 1981 that saw him play three games, but Bacon was not done playing. He joined the Washington Federals of the USFL in 1983, and had seven sacks at 41-years old before retiring permanently.

Bacon played in an era where sacks were not a recorded statistic. Some researchers have credited him with over 130 sacks in his career. If you discount the three games he played in 1981, you can easily see he averaged 10 sacks every year of his career. That includes his first two seasons as a defensive tackle. Bacon was one of the best pass rushers to ever play the game.

He was noted as a character who would not like to practice during the week of a game, reserving his energies for Sunday. He wasn't always stout against the run in the latter part of his career, but he made several spectacular plays when his team needed it most.

Coy Bacon is worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Though he played just two years for the Bengals, he made two of his three career Pro Bowl appearances with them. He is also the only defensive end the Bengals ever had go to the Pro Bowl, and his two games ties Mike Reid and Tim Krumrie as the most ever by a Cincinnati defensive lineman. Bacon could be the best defensive end the team ever employed.







Defensive End : Eddie Edwards


Edwards was the Bengals first round draft pick, third overall, in 1977. He started right away, and would remain entrenched at the starting left defensive end position until his last season in 1988. Besides intercepting a pass his second year, Edwards scored his only touchdown in 1986 off a fumble recovery.

Edwards was a versatile player who started at every position on the defensive line in his career. He was one of the most underrated players of his era, yet he was well known by opposing quarterbacks. Though the NFL credits him with 47.5 sacks, a statistic they did not recognize until 1982, Edwards actually had 83.5 in his 12 seasons. He is the all-time leader in Bengals history for career sacks both officially and unofficially. His 17 fumble recoveries are the most ever by any Bengals defensive lineman.

Though Cincinnati has had quite a few good defensive ends in their history thus far, none are better than Eddie Edwards.

John Copeland, Royce Berry, Sherman White, Gary Burley, Justin Smith, Harry Gunner, and Ross Browner deserves mention.







Outside Linebacker : Reggie Williams


Williams was drafted in the third round of the 1976 draft by the Bengals after an outstanding career at Dartmouth University that saw him inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, where he frequently tackled future teammate Pat McInally while McInally starred at Harvard University.

Starting right away at right outside linebacker, he would hold that job his 14 seasons and missed just seven games total despite playing on an injured knee virtually his entire career that required 14 surgeries so far after his retirement. His rookie season saw him named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

He scored the first touchdown of his career in his second season off of a 54-yard interception return, but he was also excellent off the blitz, He recorded safeties in 1980 and 1982, and led the NFL with four fumble recoveries in 1982. He matched that total the next year, taking one for a score.

The last five years of his career saw Cincinnati ask him to cover less on the pass and focus on rushing the passer more. When he retired after 1989, his 41 sacks were the most ever by a Bengals linebacker and are the third most in team history by any player. Since the NFL did not start recording sacks as an official statistic until 1982, Williams has six seasons with countless sacks not counted by the league.

His 16 interceptions are the most ever by a Bengals linebacker, and it is the eighth most by any Bengal. His two safeties is the most by a Bengals linebacker, and it is tied with Alfred Williams as the most in team history. His 23 fumbles recovered are the most by any Bengals defensive player, and second best in franchise history.

Reggie Williams is certainly the best outside linebacker in Bengals history, but his greatness extends beyond the gridiron. Well noted for his charitable work with kids, Williams has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the NFLPA Bryon "Whizzer" White Award for Humanitarian Services, Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, and the Walter Camp Man of the Year Award. He is truly a Cincinnati legend.







Middle Linebacker : Jim LeClair


LeClair was a third round draft pick in 1972 by the Bengals. He spent his first two years on special teams because Bill Bergey was the starter. When Bergey signed a contract with the World Football League after 1973, Cincinnati traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles for two first round drafts picks and a second round draft choice. It also paved the way for LeClair to start.

His first year as starter was met by injury, and he suited up for just eight games. He would not miss another game again until the 1981 season, as he would become a reliable run stuffer on the Bengals defense. Though he was good in pass coverage, LeClair was most noted for his aggressive run stopping and ability to blitz well.

He made his lone Pro Bowl in 1976, but continued to impress opponents with his strength at the point of attack. He was so strong, that he once wrestled a bear to a draw as a promotional stunt for the Army Reserve that he was a member of. When he left the team after the 1983 season to join the USFL New Jersey Generals for two seasons before retiring, his ten interceptions were the most ever by a Bengals middle linebacker. That record still stands. He is also tied with Bergey as the only linebackers in team history to have appeared in a Pro Bowl once.

Though it has been nearly 30 years since Jim LeClair has retired, he is still probably the best middle linebacker the team has ever had. He was very underrated in his era, playing in the shadow of conference rivals Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier, a pair of Hall of Famers. Still, Bengals fans who saw him play know truly how good he was.

Bill Bergey, Carl Zander, Genn Cameron, Brian Simmons, and Steve Tovar deserves mention.







Outside Linebacker : James Francis


Francis was the Bengals first round draft pick in 1990, and they had him start at right outside linebacker immediately. He responded by getting a career high eight sacks, a safety, and returned his lone interception 17 yards for a touchdown. Cincinnati then moved him to the left side in 1991 because their first round pick that year, Alfred Williams, was put in the starting lineup on the right side.

He was solid on the left side, having perhaps one of his best seasons there in 1992. He had six sacks, while setting career best marks of three interceptions for 108 yards. He took one pick back 66 yards for a score. In 1995, he had a career best 104 tackles along with 4.5 sacks, then scored for the last time off of one of his three interceptions in 1996. Cincinnati released him after the 1998 season, so Francis signed with the Washington Redskins and appeared in 10 games as a reserve before retiring.

Though he wasn't always asked to rush the passer, the 33 sacks James Francis had with the Bengals ranks fifth best in team history and is the second most ever by a linebacker. His 11 interceptions is tied with Brian Simmons as the third most by a Bengals linebacker, and his 508 tackles are just two less than Simmons and are the third most in team history.

He was tall, athletic, and versatile. At 6'5" 253, Francis was a load to handle for opponents. He surely is one of the best outside linebackers in team history.

Al Beauchamp, Leon White, Alfred Williams, Takeo Spikes, Bo Harris, and Ricardo McDonald deserves mention








Strong Safety : David Fulcher


Fulcher was third round draft pick by the Bengals in 1986. He started right away, grabbing four interceptions and getting two sacks. He had a career best three sacks in just 11 games the next year, while gaining a reputation as a hard hitting player. The 1988 season was his first as a Pro Bowler, scoring once off of five interceptions. Cincinnati made it to Super Bowl XXIII that year before losing, though Fulcher had a sack and forced a fumble in the game.

His best season may have been in 1989, when he made the Pro Bowl and was named First Team All-Pro after grabbing a career best eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He tied a team record by collecting three interceptions in a single game that year, and would duplicate the feat later on that season.

The 1990 season would be his last as a Pro Bowler, as he became the first Bengals defensive back ever to record a safety. After missing four games in 1992 because of injury, he joined the Los Angeles Raiders as a free agent in 1993 but played just three games from injuries that forced him to retire at seasons end.

The 31 interceptions David Fulcher had with the Bengals are the third most in team history, and the most ever by a Cincinnati safety. At 6'3" 236, he was a big safety who was a tremendous force in the gridiron. His combination of size and speed often led to huge hits levied by him, as his 10 forced fumbles show. He three Pro Bowls is the most by a Bengals strong safety, and his one First Team All-Pro nod is tied with Tommy Casanova. He is may be the best strong safety in team history.

Bobby Kemp deserves mention.








Free Safety : Tommy Casanova


The Bengals selected Casanova in the second round of the 1972 draft. He was asked to return punts as well as start at free safety right away. He picked off five passes for 108 yards, while returning a career high 30 punts for 289 yards while scoring once. He made his first Pro Bowl in 1974, then was moved to strong safety and had the best year of his career in 1976.

Besides matching his career high of five picks, returned for a career best 109 yards, he scored twice off of interceptions and once more on a fumble recovery return. He was named First Team All-Pro, as well as to the Pro Bowl. He went back to the Pro Bowl again the next year, then suddenly retired to complete his studies in attaining a medical degree.

Tommy Casanova is still the only free safety in Bengals history to go to the Pro Bowl, and he was first strong safety to do it and be named First Team All-Pro. His 17 career interceptions still ranks seventh best in team history, and it is the second best by a Bengals safety. Though his career ended early, Casanova was a fast player who hit hard and had the propensity for making the big play. He is probably the best safety in team history.

Darryl Williams, Bernard Jackson, and Marvin Cobb deserve mention.







Cornerback : Lemar Parrish


Parrish was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He was the 163rd player picked overall that year. In his 1970 rookie season, Parrish had five interceptions, and scored a touchdown on both a punt return and kickoff return. He averaged 30.1 yards per kick return and recovered a fumble. He also scored on a blocked field goal return.

He followed that up next season with seven interceptions. He took one interception 65 yards for a touchdown, and one fumble for a touchdown. In 1972, Parrish picked off five passes and took two for touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown. In 1973, he has two interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown. In 1974, he recovered a fumble and took it 47 yards for a touchdown. In 1977, Parrish had three interceptions and took one in for the last touchdown of his career.

After the 1977 season, Parrish was traded to the Redskins after a contract dispute. Parrish was traded with defensive end Coy Bacon by the Bengals to Washington for the Redskins’ first-round pick in the 1979 draft. That first-round pick ended up being the 12th overall selection, which Cincinnati used to pick running back Charles Alexander out of Louisiana State.

Though he was not asked to return kicks on the Redskins, Parrish made a immediate impact on the Redskins defense his first year with four interceptions. He had nine interceptions the next year and was named First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. He followed that up with seven interceptions in 1980, making his eighth and final Pro Bowl. Parrish left the Redskins after 1981, and joined the Buffalo Bills in 1982. He retired after that year.

Parrish is the Bengals all-time leader in touchdowns scored by "return or recovery" with 13. This is still tied third all-time in NFL history with two others. Parrish’s two interceptions returned for scores is still tied for the most in a single game, with many others in NFL history. He was also the only player in franchise history ever to score two "return or recovery" touchdowns in a single game, which he did separate three times.

When he retired, his three fumble returns for touchdowns tied an NFL record. He still fourth all-time in Bengals history for interceptions in a career with 25 of his career total of 47. He is second in touchdowns scored by interception. His four punt returns for touchdowns ranks first in Bengals history, and he is also first in Bengals history with interceptions made in one game, touchdowns returned via interceptions in a season and a single game. He ranks third in franchise history in interception return yardage in a career.

He did not win the 1970 Rookie of the Year Award probably because the Bengals had two players win the award the two previous seasons, even though he had a superior season to the winner, 49ers CB Bruce Taylor. Parrish is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals 40th Anniversary Team. His six Pro Bowls with Cincinnati are the most by any defensive back in team history, and it is tied as the second most overall by any Bengals player.

Lemar Parrish epitomized the definition of "play maker" in his career. He was a shut down cornerback who teams tried to avoid whether he was playing defense or special teams. He teamed with Ken Riley to form, perhaps, the best cornerback duo in the NFL throughout much of the 1970's. Parrish was noted for his ability to stop the run, which is something he had to supply often due to the Bengals porous front seven.

The Bengals often challenged the great Steelers teams of the 1970's, but would come up short. The pass defense was never the reason. While with the Redskins, he also made fellow cornerback Joe Lavender a better player. Lavender made the Pro Bowl twice in his career, the same years that Parrish did.

Lemar Parrish was a complete player. He could do it all. His penchant for taking the ball to the end zone was prodigious. He made his teams better, his teammates better, and now is teaching kids to be better. I find it amazing to see he yet to be inducted into Canton. Recent inductees Emmitt Thomas and Roger Wehrli went in with finally, so hopefully the voters are going to right some long standing wrongs. It would be fitting to see Parrish and Riley inducted together.








Cornerback : Ken Riley


Riley was a sixth round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969. He was the 135th player picked overall. Cincinnati head coach Paul Brown converted Riley, a quarterback in college, to the cornerback in training camp. He responded with four interceptions his rookie year, and returned 14 kickoffs at an average of 23.9 yards per return. Riley also caught the only two passes of his career that year.

Riley recorded 65 interceptions in his career, which was the fourth most in Pro Football history at the time of his retirement. The first three are all in Canton. At present time, he is fifth all-time. Riley languished on some mediocre teams in his era and was never given his due, despite his solid and spectacular efforts.

In his 15 seasons, Riley recorded three or more interceptions in all but three years. In 1976, he snared nine picks, a team record that stood for 30 years, for 141 yards and a touchdown. He also set a team record by intercepting three passes in one game that season. Riley matched that feat again in 1982. In 1983, Riley recorded eight interceptions for two touchdowns. He retired after that season.

His 65 interceptions for 596 yards and five touchdowns are all still Bengals records. He also recovered 18 fumbles in his career, the third most in team history and the most by a Bengals defensive back. He was also as the Bengals’ defensive captain for eight seasons from 1976-83. Not only was he a team leader and shut down defender who rarely missed a game, but Ken Riley is the best cornerback in team history. He should also be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is long, long overdue.

Deltha O'Neal, Louis Breeden, Ashley Ambrose, Torey James, Eric Thomas, Artrell Hawkins, and Lewis Billups deserve mention.









Kicker : Jim Breech


Breech was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the eighth round of the 1978 draft. He did not make the team and sat out the season. He tried out for the Oakland Raiders in 1979, and made the squad. After a year where he scored 95 points, the Raiders cut Breech to sign Chris Bahr, a kicker just released by the Bengals.

As the 1980 season went on, he got two offers to sign with the Bengals and Cleveland Browns. He chose the Bengals because the Browns job was temporary while Browns great Don Cockroft recovered from injury and the Bengals were having issues. The man they drafted to replace Bahr, Sandro Vitiello, did not pan out and Ian Sunter had missed nine field goals so far, despite making two game winning kicks against the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers so far. Breech took over for the final four games of the season.

He held the job for 13 seasons and Cincinnati, and was well know to be automatic from 40-yards and in. Out of 216 career attempts from 40-yards in, he missed just 28 attempts. He scored more than 87 points every season with the Bengals 10 times, with a high of 120 points. In the Bengals Super Bowl season of 1988, Breech led the NFL with a career high 56 extra point conversions out of 59 attempts.

When he retired after the 1992 season, Breech had scored 1,151 points with the Bengals. It is the most in franchise history, and his team record of 186 consecutive games of scoring a point is the second longest in NFL history. He also holds the NFL record by making all nine of the field goals he attempted in overtime. He even attempted the only pass of his career, which went for 12 yards.

The Bengals have had quite a few excellent kickers in their short history. Shayne Graham, now kicking for the Patriots, is the only Bengals kicker to go to the Pro Bowl. Still, there are no kickers in franchise history better than Jim Breech.

Shayne Graham, Horst Muhlmann, the first of just four kickers ever to make a 50-yard field goal in three consecutive games, and Doug Pelfrey deserve mention.







Punter : Pat McInally


McInally was drafted in the fifth round of the 1975 draft by the Bengals. His draft status was effected because he broke his leg in the College All-Star Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which was one of the reasons the event was cancelled for good after 1976. McInally also became the only person ever to record a perfect score on the Wonderlic Test, an intelligence test given to rookies just before the draft.

He had to sit out the entire 1975 season because of the broken leg, but he made the team the next year. The 1978 season was one of his best, where he led the NFL with a 43.1 yards per punt average on a career high 91 attempts. What made his achievement even more special was due to the fact Cincinnati liked to use him as an extra wide receiver on obvious passing plays, and he often lined up as a tight end as well.

In the five seasons he was used this way, McInally grabbed 57 passes for 808 yards and five scores. That, coupled by the fact he was an outstanding punter, made him the last of a special breed of player who could excel at such contrasting positions.

His best season was his only Pro Bowl season in 1981, and he was named First Team All-Pro as well. Though only asked to catch six balls that year, he led the NFL with a career best 45.4 average that year. He was never asked to catch another pass after that year, but he continued to excel as a punter until he retired after the strike shortened 1982 season. Later he created the "Starting Lineup" action figures, that are now noted collectible items.

The 700 punts in his Bengals career are still the second most in team history, as is his 29,307 yards. Though his nine blocked punts also rank as the most ever in team history, McInally's career average of 41.9 yards per punt still ranks fifth best and is even more impressive if you factor in his wide receiver duties. Pat McInally may be the best punter in Bengals history.

Dave Lewis, Lee Johnson, Dave Green, Kyle Larson, and Dale Livingston deserve mention.








Kick Returner : Tremain Mack


Mack was drafted in the fourth round of the 1997 draft by Cincinnati. He played just four games as a rookie because of injury, but he started at cornerback. They are the only starts of his career at the position, and he intercepted his only pass that was returned for 29 yards.

When he came back the next season, the Bengals asked him to return kickoffs. He responded by averaging 25.9 on 45 attempts while scoring once. He then followed that up by having his best season in 1999, where he became the only Bengal ever to be named to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner.

Averaging a career high 27.1 yards on a career best 51 returns, he also scored off a 99-yard jaunt. After returning 50 kicks the next season for 1,036 yards, he retired with several team records. He is the only Bengal to score twice off kick returns, his 27.1 return average is a single-season record by anyone with 17 or more attempts, and he still has the most kickoff return attempts and yards in team history.

In his short time, "T-Mack" proved himself to be maybe the best kickoff return specialist in team history.

Stanford Jennings, Tab Perry, Glenn Holt, Brandon Bennett, Eric Ball, Bernard Jackson, David Dunn, Eric Bieniemy, Willie Shelby, and Lemar Parrish deserve mention.







Punt Returner : Lemar Parrish


Lemar Parrish was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Draft. He was the 163rd player picked overall that year. In his rookie season, Parrish was incredible. He averaged 30.1 yards per kick return and scored once off of 23 punt returns. He was named to the Pro Bowl that season and the next. He scored again off another punt return in 1972. In 1974, Parrish set a still standing Bengals record with an NFL-leading 18.8 yards per punt return average. He also scored two touchdowns on punt returns while making his third Pro Bowl. One went for 90 yards and is presently the second longest in Bengals history.

He would go to the Pro Bowl three more times with the Bengals, but had his return duties greatly reduced. After the 1977 season, Parrish was traded, after a contract dispute, with defensive end Coy Bacon to Washington for the Redskins’ first-round pick in the 1979 draft. Parrish made a immediate impact on the Redskins defense his first year with four interceptions. The next year, he had 9 interceptions. He followed that up with seven swipes in 1980. Parrish left the Redskins after 1981, and joined the Buffalo Bills in 1982. He retired after that year.

The four touchdowns Parrish had with the Bengals is still a team record, and the 1,201 yards he gained still ranks as the second most. He also averaged a franchise best 24.7 yards off of 61 kickoff returns, including a score, for any Bengal with more than 50 returns. He ranks second in team history with 130 punt returns.

Lemar Parrish is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals 40th Anniversary Team and epitomized the definition of "play maker" in his career. He was the type who would make the opponents cringe when he was asked to return kicks.

Peter Warrick, Mike Martin, Corey Sawyer, Craig Yeast, Keiwan Ratliff, Carl Pickens, Tommy Casanova, and Mitchell Price deserve mention.

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Redskins Murky Quarterback Future And Week 10 Picks



For more than a decade, the media has a tendency to overly promote and overrate the most overrated position in the NFL. The quarterback of today is more robotic than legendary, relying on a coach to tell him exactly what to do every play through means of telecommunications.

With rules pandering to them at every action possible, a quarterback no longer has to use his brains and show hid football IQ.No longer do they call their own plays, for the most part. Few are allowed to actually play football anymore, relying on what they were taught and have leaned.

Still, the media pushes them on the public with hopes of adoration so the public will buy the accessories sold at concession stands to keep the dream alive. This has led to banner headlines for a few who have failed to deliver the promise yet. This list of underachievers include Brett Favre, Matt Schaub, Matthew Stafford, Alex Smith, Jay Cutler, Jake Delhomme, and more.

Donovan McNabb may head the list of some who expected more from him so far. Expecting a backlash of an embarrassing trade from a team he carried over a decade to a long time divisional rival, McNabb has been let down more than he has disappointed.

From below mediocre play from his offensive line, to battered offensive tackles and running backs, to deceitful and dishonest coaches, it appears likely McNabb will be looking for another team next season after the impending players lock out is resolved. Though he says he plans to be a Redskin next year, McNabb still is without a contract or even an offer to play in Washington beyond 2010.

But no one knows what the back up plan is for the Redskins if McNabb leaves even with a contract offer due to the disrespect he has incurred by coaches who supposedly wanted him as the signal caller just a few months ago.

Rex Grossman is listed as the second stringer, but he is not an NFL caliber quarterback. Grossman needs a great defense and running game to look almost decent, like he did in Chicago for just one season in 2006. A year that saw him benched at one point due to sub par play.

In his first play of 2010, Grossman stayed true to his previous form by promptly fumbling the ball and watching it returned for a touchdown. The third stringer is journeyman John Beck, who is on his third team since 2007. Neither of these quarterbacks are building blocks of the future for even a UFL, CFL, or Arena team.

Added to the fact Washington has no quarterbacks on the practice squad developing, the future at this position is as bright as a mud puddle and it is very foreseeable none of the 2010 quarterbacks will be on the team next year.

Washington should consider getting one young quarterback to develop in case this happens, and there is one buried on a taxi squad right now. Nate Davis, of the San Francisco 49ers, was drafted last season and has had a few promising moments in preseason.

He came out after his junior season, but fell to the fifth round because teams were concerned about his dyslexia. Standing six foot two inches and weighing 225 lbs, Davis has had a few moments that showed why he was considered a second round prospect by some by displaying good arm strength and intangibles conducive to winning.

Taking a player off another teams practice squad would not cost the Redskins a player nor draft pick. Since Beck serves no real purpose rotting on the bench, taking a flier on a young quarterback to see if he can have a future to develop the last eight weeks of the season is a situation where no one loses.

If he shows promise, then Washington can at least have a little more reason to relax if none of the quarterbacks on this years roster returns. The Redskins will not be in a good enough draft position to draft a top college quarterback next year, unless they gamble by trading away too much in order to move up.

If Davis shows no promise, then they basically have the same dead weight that Grossman and Beck currently carry. Risking no future to develop while spitting in the face of the starter who becomes a free agent in a few months is a crazy gamble that no one in their right mind would plan out. Washington may now end up trying to overpay McNabb even more to bring him back, and there are no guarantees he will.

There are also no guarantees the Redskins will draft or sign a free agent next year capable of starting with success. They already have hinted at their desperation to this situation by asking JaMarcus Russell to work out for them last week. Russell is a lazy, uninterested flop the Oakland Raiders unfortunately wasted the first pick of the 2007 draft on before finally parting ways with him a couple of months back.

Redskins fans nervously await to see what their team has planned for 2011 at quarterback, because the team has shown no indication of a thought towards the matter yet. Confusion has taken over with head coach Mike Shanahan lying to the media, while his son continues to call poor plays that offer McNabb no real help.

When the Shanahan's tried to claim McNabb didn't know the playbook, that spoke more on them than him. It showed poor coaching, because no respectable coach would allow a player to start at any position unprepared. It also shows a lack of work ethic by the coaches. Last years head coach, Jim Zorn, may have been overmatched, but he had his players knowing what plays were being called.

Now is the time to act, instead of meander like the present pace. Either get a quarterback to develop or throw some trust in McNabb. If things stay the way they are now until seasons end, Mike Shanahan will have shown little improvement over Zorn whatever the teams record ends up as.. Something owner Dan Snyder did not pay $15 million for.




Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Two of the many erratic NFL teams this season. Both are capable of blowing each other out. While both teams run the ball well, neither is especially impressive on defense.

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has been playing better as of late, and both of these .500 teams need to win to have realistic playoff dreams. Indianapolis sits with Tennessee over them in the division, so a loss here can quell aspirations.

It may come down to the passing game, but Houston's best receiver and tight end are hobbled. With both starting quarterbacks having tossed seven interceptions already, that may make a difference.

Jaguars 27 Texans 17







Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins 2010 season took quite a bad blow with a loss last week. Another loss may well be considered the final nail to the coffin holding post season aspirations, now barely on life support.

Tennessee's 26th ranked passing offense gets a much needed boost from the addition of wide receiver Randy Moss, especially after the promising Kenny Britt went down with a bad hamstring injury.

The starting quarterbacks will be in the spotlight here. The running games on both sides are well known and respected, but the passing games are not been consistent. Miami's Chad Pennington will need to be especially sharp attacking the Titans 23rd ranked passing defense, after surprisingly being named the starter this week.

Act of desperation by Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano?

Dolphins 23 Titans 17







Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts

The Bengals season is over, as most said it was the day the paired perennial jackasses Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco together. Though the dynamic duds have decent stats, it comes at the expense of the offense and quarterback Carson Palmer showed he was more submissive to the malcontents than a leader. It still isn't enough, because Ochocinco was last heard whining about being double teamed a few days ago.

Indianapolis should not be winning, yet they are. With seemingly half the roster injured, they are seemingly scooping guys off the unemployment line for quarterback Peyton Manning to throw to and succeeding. This may be the best season he has ever had.

Cincinnati has an excellent pair of young cornerbacks, yet both have had an off year. Though their defense isn't great at stopping the run, the Colts are playing with not much depth because of injuries. Manning will have to carry his team again.

Colts 34 Bengals 23







Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears

The Vikings went from contenders to crybaby losers in eight weeks. They now got idiots crying to the media about how much they hate their head coach instead of keeping it in-house and resolving it. Call this attention whore act the "Brett Favre Effect".

Yet they are sitting in a fork in the road that can easily lead them to a revival. A win Sunday has them a step closer to revival, though their future schedule will not be an easy task. This game will pretty much rest on the erratic arm of Favre, coming off his best game in this season.

For as much trouble as Chicago has had offensively, a win here vaults them into first place. They don't run the ball much, so the Vikings secondary has to be ready. Though they are the tenth best pass defense in the NFL in yards allowed, there is also a lack of interceptions and sacks so far.

Minnesota can get well real fast against a suspect Bears offensive line, but Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was brought in, for a load of draft picks, to win these type of games. Yet it will have to be their defense that wins it as usual, as the 29th ranked offense may have issues against the Vikings fifth ranked defense.

Vikings 27 Bears 13






Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills

Too bad the late great author George Plimpton can't sue Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford for plagiarizing his "Paper Lion" shtick. He could give all that unearned money Stafford is pocketing, and give it back to the team while forcing a drop in ticket prices.

Stafford is probably gone for the year again, just like last year, because of injuries. Detroit has given him $50 million of guaranteed money for 13 games, 19 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions over two years. Move over JaMarcus Russell, we have the poster boy for a needed salary cap on rookies about to become the biggest bust in the past decade.

Buffalo is where the Lions were two years ago, as far as being without a win. Yet their future does not appear as rosy yet like the Lions did in 2008. Shaun Hill replaces Stafford, and has been mostly excellent. The best backup quarterback in the NFL has led Detroit to the eighth rank passing attack, but he is dealing with an injured forearm himself.

Buffalo is excellent against the pass, so the Lions need to run well to win. Their running attack has been poor all year, so it is quite a task. I have picked the Bills to win their first game the past two weeks to no avail. I will pick Detroit so Buffalo can finally win one.

Lions 17 Bills 13






New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns

Legendary defensive guru Buddy Ryan has pretty much stayed on his farm since leaving the NFL in 1995. Maybe he will make the trip to Ohio, because his twin sons will oppose each other. It is also Browns head coach Eric Mangini's time to face the team that fired him two years ago, and Jets wide receiver Braylon Edward's should expect to be lustily booed by the "Dawg Pound" upon his return to Cleveland.

The eldest Ryan won his first Super Bowl ring with the Jets in 1969, something Rex Ryan has long been claiming New York would do again this year. Rob Ryan has a Browns defense that has played poorly most of this season, but the unit appears to be turning the corner. After giving up just 17 points to the high powered New Orleans Saints two weeks ago, they held the New England Patriots to just 14 last week.

Both teams need to run to win, something that does not escape either Ryan. The young starting quarterbacks on both teams need to excel, and the Jets youngster has a lot more game experience under his belt than Cleveland's young signal caller.

This may be a game where Browns Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs makes the difference, and he is due to break out because his 2010 season has been pretty mediocre so far.

Browns 16 Jets 9






Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carolina has been devastated by injuries this year, and they played three quarterbacks last week. Tampa Bay needs to win this to keep pace in their division, while the one win Panthers seem destined to battle for the top draft pick in 2011.

Buccaneers 17 Panthers 14








Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

Kansas City got dealt some reality in a tough loss last week. Their defense gives up a ton of yards, especially against the run. For as awful as Denver has been, they have the seventh ranked defense in yards allowed.

The Chiefs need to pound the ball against a suspect Broncos run defense., while Denver needs to find theirs for the first time this year. Denver's rushing attack is so erratic, they should consider putting reserve quarterback Tim Tebow at fullback.

Expect Denver to air it out when they need it most. Kyle Orton is second in the NFL in yards passing per game with 313.6, yet his 12 touchdown passes has been matched by the Chiefs Matt Cassell.

Chiefs 20 Broncos 17







Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals

Both teams are pretty lousy, yet they are both very much in contention for the NFC West title. Expect wacky plays to decide this snooze-fest.

Seahawks 21 Cardinals 17







Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

Promoting offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to head coach over Wade Phillips is subtraction by subtraction. Though Phillips had to go, Garrett is probably one of the biggest reasons Dallas has only one win this year.

He has forgotten the running game, so the Giants pass rushers can pin their ears back. Though the Cowboys are telling reporters how pumped they were in practice this week, New York has a veteran squad who fully understands they will probably get the best shot that Dallas has to offer.


Giants 27 Cowboys 24







Saint Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers

Defense leads the way for the Rams as they look to continue their surprising 2010 season in this divisional battle against a disappointing 49ers. San Francisco has a good defense themselves, led by Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis and his 70 tackles and a sack. The Rams have linebacker James Laurinaitis with 61 tackles and two sacks.

The Niners expect to start 2006 Heisman winner Troy Smith at quarterback, while the Rams counter with 2008 winner Sam Bradford as their starter. Smith appears to be a journeyman type, while Bradford has shown some promise at times.

The halfbacks are the stars of the offenses. How effective Steven Jackson and Frank Gore are against very good run defenses will hold the key to the outcome.

Rams 24 49ers 16







New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This is an intriguing battle of a pair of 6-2 teams.

The Patriots are fresh off being stomped by a Cleveland Browns team that ran the ball down their throats while playing good defense. This is a formula Pittsburgh has practiced since 1970 for the most part.

While the Steelers do not have the smash mouth running back Cleveland has, they are effective on the ground despite having backs attempting to return from concussions. Losing left tackle Max Starks for the season is a tremendous blow.

While quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has not been horrible upon his return from suspension, Pittsburgh needs more from him if they are to improve their 27th ranked aerial attack. New England has the 29th ranked defense, and they struggle especially against the thrown ball.

New England will rely on quarterback Tom Brady, because trying to run against the Steelers top ranked run defense it near impossible this season. The pass defense is ranked 24th, so the Patriots will need to block well against the Steelers blitzes. New England, on the other hand, needs to beat the depleted Steelers offensive line to win.

Steelers 28 Patriots 24






Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins
Game of the Week

Donovan McNabb seems to be at his best when the chips are down and against him. The Redskins veteran quarterback was embarrassed two weeks ago by being benched late in the game, then having his coaches, the Shanahan's, lie about the reasons as to why it occurred.

He has been benched before, in 2008 by Philadelphia. He responded to that by throwing 14 touchdowns against five interceptions over eight games, winning six. His ego bruised, his reputation besmirched by lies, and facing the team that dumped him a few months ago, McNabb knows his future in Washington is tenuous and a strong outing will shut up the Shanahan's and other critics.

Philadelphia has had their own quarterback stories themselves this season. Michael Vick stepped in for an injured Kevin Kolb and excelled until he was injured in the Eagles first meeting with the Redskins. He has now returned to health, and was sharp last week in a victory over a Indianapolis team that defeated Washington three weeks ago.

The Redskins need this win desperately, sitting at .500 now. Philadelphia needs it just as bad to stay within reach of the division leading Giants. They both face a tough schedule ahead, so this game can set a tone of how the rest of the season will go because so much emotion is riding high.

With the Redskins rushing attack in question, as Clinton Portis' return is questionable and Ryan Torain is coming off a knee injury, McNabb will have to be nearly perfect for Washington to sweep the series between the two rivals this year.

Redskins 31 Eagles 27






Power Rankings

1. Steelers
2. Giants
3. Jets
4. Patriots
5. Falcons
6. Colts
7. Titans
8. Ravens
9. Saints
10. Eagles
11. Packers
12. Buccaneers
13. Chargers
14. Raiders
15. Chiefs
16. Texans
17. Dolphins
18. Redskins
19. Rams
20. Bears
21. Vikings
22. Jaguars
23. Seahawks
24. Bengals
25. Broncos
26. Browns
27. Lions
28. Cardinals
29. Cowboys
30. 49ers
31. Bills
32. Panthers

Last Week : 11-2
Overall Record : 66-48