Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...ings/index.htmlIn many ways more accurate than ESPN's.1 -- Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)I want to apologize to Charlie Batch for my remark in the magazine, how my pick automatically would go to Miami because he was starting. He has a long history in the league and he showed considerable courage Thursday night. Sometimes our tongue gets ahead of our brain. ("Why are you saying 'our' instead of 'my'?" asks my wife with the head of red flames. "Nobody was in it with you.") Yes, that's right, true, a good point. Can we move on, please?2 -- Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens (1-0)Sleeper team for '06. Cinderella, and all that. Smartest thing I ever did was to place a late call to my editor at Sports Illustrated and substitute Baltimore for K.C. as a playoff team. Usually those calls have disastrous results.3 -- St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams (1-0)Yes, they beat the Broncos with defense. It works this way. You replace one of the league's worst defensive coaches with one of the best, Jim Haslett, and this is what happens. No, I won't mention the name of the former. I was on his case too much already last year.4 -- Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts (1-0)They beat the Giants, a nasty, rough, physical team, in the Meadows last weekend, and that was impressive. But this is a small defensive team, built to get after the passer after its offense has taken the lead. Teams that hang with them early will muscle them and give them trouble, I predict.5 -- Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0)I was listening to Pam Oliver's sideline report during the Dallas game and I heard her say, "Mike Tyson was brought in to help establish the offensive philosophy." I thought, "Wow, what a good idea! That'll give 'em some punch." Then I heard the rest of it. Seems that she really had said Tice, not Tyson. A shame. I liked my way better.6 -- Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)Was their pass rush really that great against the Chiefs or were they torturing a wounded animal? Maybe I was a bit too high-handed in forecasting them out of the playoffs because of all that police stuff. See, that's the great thing about being one game into the season -- you second-guess yourself no matter what happens.7 -- Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons (1-0)I hope you appreciate the fact that I'm giving the choice rankings to so many teams I've picked to have mediocre seasons. "That's because all the teams you like lost," says my wife, who's trying for some reason to get me really upset ... and succeeding. I just happen to like running teams (252 big ones against Carolina). I reward them perhaps a little more than I should. I know how hard it is to coach a great running game in the NFL these days. Just so much easier to set up a dink passing attack and run an occasional draw play.8 -- Chicago Bears Chicago Bears (1-0)A name to remember: Devin Hester, basically a return man who performs that function so well that he was drafted in round No. 2. Returned a punt 84 yards against Green Bay. Averaged 22.8 yards in six punt returns in the exhibition season. "Freakish ability," said one scout, which pretty well describes my first wife.9 -- San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers (1-0)Why not higher after the methodical way they destroyed Oakland? Because when you run the ball 48 times and throw 11 passes, you're telling the world that your quarterback is not yet fully ready to challenge the world of the big arena.10 -- Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)And this rounds out my top 10. So the Texans take a 7-0 lead on a nice, long drive, and I'm screaming to anyone who will listen, which consisted of my wife and Little Jake, the tabby, "You see that? It's the classic case for my trap theory of handicapping. So why didn't I pick Houston? Damn stupid ass!" And then, of course, I got a W because the Eagles won, but my Trap Theory took a hit, almost, but not the knockout punch it absorbed with the Raiders on Monday night. Is that man sleeping over there? Wake him up. This is important.11 -- New York Giants New York Giants (0-1)It's the Monday meeting. Tom Coughlin tells his team it's not important to look good. One must "play good." In the back a hand is raised. "Uh, Coach, it's play well. Adverb modifying the verb to play." Where did this happen? In my imagination. It's part of the screenplay for the movie I'm writing about football.12 -- Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings (1-0)They're heavy punchers, but they're lacking one thing: a game-breaker. Troy Williamson, you say? Catch one, drop one, until proven different.13 -- Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks (1-0)I know, the Super Bowl 'Hawks should be higher, and eventually they will be, but not after the Lions knocked them to their knees. Tell me, did the loss of LG Steve Hutchinson mean that Detroit DT Shaun Rogers had a career day? Is it that simple? If so, then there's trouble brewing.14 -- New England Patriots New England Patriots (1-0)So are they just scraping by, as they did in Belichick's first Super Bowl season, beating the Bills on a safety? We'll see. I have to mention, though, one of my favorite lines of the weekend. Corey Dillon was asked about his running style. "I'm downhill," he said. "Like San Francisco."15 -- New York Jets New York Jets (1-0)The New York papers, in their follow-up stories, pointed out that the Jets lack a big-league running game. Tough to do it without big-league runners, you see. But hey, Chad Pennington got the weekend's top number with 319 yards, and if he's really all the way back, this is a team that will ... that will ... all together now ... surprise a lot of people.16 -- Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys (0-1)Glenn and Owens give the Cowboys one of the league's best deep receiving pairs. But to go deep the quarterback needs time, and he got it only sporadically on Sunday, which can throw the whole equation out of whack.17 -- Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals (1-0)First the good news: They scored four TDs on six trips to the red zone. Last year they converted on 13 of 46. Then the bad: The Niners made a big run at them at the end last week and gained more yards (393) than they'd gained since October 2004. And that was against ... right, the Cardinals, and they had to go into OT to get it.18 -- Denver Broncos Denver Broncos (0-1)I know, they're better than at least half the teams rated above them, but fair's fair and they'll have to wait a while. Last year they lost their opener and committed three turnovers, but only 13 in their next 15 regular-season games. In the loss to St. Louis last weekend they had five. And they'll have (fill in the blank) for the rest of the season.19 -- Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins (0-1)You want to know the story behind Nick Saban's hesitation play on that wimpy little flag toss? The guys in the booth were supposed to get the word to him immediately -- throw the flag! But Saban, you see, is one of those coaches who does not permit his assistants to talk to anybody. And after almost four days of silence, their vocal chords were not warmed up. After a number of tentative squeaks and squawks, it took a while for the words to finally come out.20 -- Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)Man, what a tough way for Herman Edwards and Trent Green to start out. O-line's turned into a disaster area, and Herman can only hope that it somehow firms itself up when Green comes back from that terrible concussion he suffered. Was the blow deliberate? Oh, hell yes, of course it was. More about that in Thursday's column.21 -- Washington Redskins Washington Redskins (0-1)I saw a very strange thing Monday night. Usually when the cameras tune in to the owner's booth during a crucial part of the game, they show a guy showing some measure of anxiety, especially when his team's losing. The picture of Danny Boy late in the fourth quarter, though, was of a guy relaxed, obviously enjoying himself, as he chatted with his new partner in the movie business, Tom Cruise. "You're doing it again. You're letting personal feeling take over," the Redhead warns. Yeah, I guess you're right, but don't worry. If the team shows real success during the season, I'll keep reiterating what a marvelous job he's done in stocking it.22 -- New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints (1-0)It's not right, I know. They won and they still can't get out of the botton third of the rankings. Tell you what: Beat Green Bay (see below) at Lambeau this weekend and I'll put you in the top half of the rankings, which would probably be for the first time since the days of Sam Mills and Rickey Jackson.23 -- Detroit Lions Detroit Lions (0-1)Well, the club seems to have done well with its top draft selection, LB Ernie Sims, the first defensive guy picked as the top choice after six years of offense. Here's what the previous four years of those picks look like.2005: Mike Williams, WR. The 10th player chosen. Not active Sunday. DeVale Ellis, promoted from the taxi squad Friday, took Williams' place because he can play special teams.2004: Roy Williams, WR. Seventh player chosen. Three catches for 36 yards against Seattle, none in the first half.2003: Charles Rogers, WR. Second man picked in the draft. Cut this season.2002: Joey Harrington, QB. Third overall. Traded.24 -- Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills (0-1)J.P. Losman is taking all the hits for the Patriots loss by getting sacked for a safety, but here's what I noticed: The defense collapsed, and it was supposed to be one of the Bills' strong points. The Patriots ran, and I do mean ran, the last 6:15 off the clock, advancing from their own 25 to Buffalo's 20. Seven of their eight plays, before the kneels started, were on the ground.25 -- San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers (0-1)They'll be in a lot of shootouts this year. Their offense shows life. Their defense gives up ground. I think they'll outscore St. Louis in San Francisco on Sunday, and that comes from the same intrepid handicapper who gave you Oakland's inspiratonal upset over San Diego on Monday night.26 -- Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers (0-1)This is really a blue period for my predicted Super Bowl winner. Left tackle Travelle Wharton is lost with a knee injury. Wideout Steve Smith, Mr. Everything last year, remains out with two, not one, pulled hamstrings. The offense against Atlanta gained 215 yards, the fewest in the Panthers' last 44 regular-season games. Defensively, Dan Morgan, their fine middle linebacker, went out against Atlanta early with still another concussion, and without him the Falcons rushed for 252 yards, the second most the Panthers have ever given up.27 -- Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans (0-1)It's not a quarterback controversy, it's a stunner. Kerry Collins, who flunked out of Oakland, and that's not easy to do, was a surprise starter (well, it was a surprise for me ... I'll probably get a lot of e-mails from people who said they knew about it all along), and he responded with a 41.9 rating against the Jets. How did Billy Volek fall from grace so far? Will Vince Young be rushed into the fray much too early? Coming up are roadies against San Diego and Miami, a homer with Dallas, and then two more roadies against Indy and Washington. They could be 0-6 or 1-5 by their Oct. 22 bye week, and everybody could be screaming for Young, if he hasn't already been given the start.28 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)Oh, they'll dig themselves out of this hole, for sure. But right now they're coming off a 27-0 home loss, and everyone is asking Chris Simms why so many of his passes keep getting deflected. And do you like them at Atlanta this Sunday? No, me neither, but these are the kinds of games they have a habit of winning.29 -- Houston Texans Houston Texans (0-1)Get ready, Houston fans. I know it's unfair, but these numbers will follow you from week to week all season. Reggie Bush on Sunday, 119 yards from scrimmage. Mario Williams, two tackles, one assist.30 -- Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns (0-1)Why are they below the Texans? Because Houston drove to a 7-0 lead against Philly, while Cleveland opened with two yards in the first quarter (one rushing, one passing), and their first three drives went for minus-19, minus-3 and minus-1 yard. That's why. "Wait a minute," says the Flaming Redhead. "That should be minus-23. How do you get two yards for them?" Twenty-five penalty yards, that's how.31 -- Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers (0-1)This will be a spirited battle all season, Pack vs. Raiders for the cellar. Green Bay lost 26-0, Oakland got dumped 27-0, so Week 1 goes to the Raiders. There's another reason, too, and I'll get to it presently.32 -- Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders (0-1)Here it is. When I pick a team for my upset of the week, based on my self-perfected Trap Theory of handicapping, I want it to at least show some sign of a discernable pulse. Hey, I've got it: Combine the Raiders' and Packers' front fives and take turns protecting the QB with 10. Now I sound like Tony Kornheiser.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 13 2006, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1 -- Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers (1-0)I want to apologize to Charlie Batch for my remark in the magazine, how my pick automatically would go to Miami because he was starting. He has a long history in the league and he showed considerable courage Thursday night. Sometimes our tongue gets ahead of our brain. ("Why are you saying 'our' instead of 'my'?" asks my wife with the head of red flames. "Nobody was in it with you.") Yes, that's right, true, a good point. Can we move on, please?2 -- Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens (1-0)Sleeper team for '06. Cinderella, and all that. Smartest thing I ever did was to place a late call to my editor at Sports Illustrated and substitute Baltimore for K.C. as a playoff team. Usually those calls have disastrous results.7 -- Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons (1-0)I hope you appreciate the fact that I'm giving the choice rankings to so many teams I've picked to have mediocre seasons. "That's because all the teams you like lost," says my wife, who's trying for some reason to get me really upset ... and succeeding. I just happen to like running teams (252 big ones against Carolina). I reward them perhaps a little more than I should. I know how hard it is to coach a great running game in the NFL these days. Just so much easier to set up a dink passing attack and run an occasional draw play.21 -- Washington Redskins Washington Redskins (0-1)I saw a very strange thing Monday night. Usually when the cameras tune in to the owner's booth during a crucial part of the game, they show a guy showing some measure of anxiety, especially when his team's losing. The picture of Danny Boy late in the fourth quarter, though, was of a guy relaxed, obviously enjoying himself, as he chatted with his new partner in the movie business, Tom Cruise. "You're doing it again. You're letting personal feeling take over," the Redhead warns. Yeah, I guess you're right, but don't worry. If the team shows real success during the season, I'll keep reiterating what a marvelous job he's done in stocking it.</div>:1st: :applaudit: :woot: :funny_smilie:
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings rams at 3.. i love it. dont think they will stay there long tho. Oh, and Corey Dillons comment.. "Priceless".
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 13 2006, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>27 -- Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans (0-1)It's not a quarterback controversy, it's a stunner. Kerry Collins, who flunked out of Oakland, and that's not easy to do, was a surprise starter (well, it was a surprise for me ... I'll probably get a lot of e-mails from people who said they knew about it all along), and he responded with a 41.9 rating against the Jets. How did Billy Volek fall from grace so far? Will Vince Young be rushed into the fray much too early? Coming up are roadies against San Diego and Miami, a homer with Dallas, and then two more roadies against Indy and Washington. They could be 0-6 or 1-5 by their Oct. 22 bye week, and everybody could be screaming for Young, if he hasn't already been given the start.</div>Speaking of which, why DID the Titans turn down multiple offers of a 2nd round pick for Volek?
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 14 2006, 02:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Speaking of which, why DID the Titans turn down multiple offers of a 2nd round pick for Volek?</div>From who? I haven't heard about any offers. Volek has mentioned that he'd like to go to Oakland or San Diego, and he's told the press that the Chargers have contacted the Titans, but I haven't seen it confirmed or heard of any offers.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rex Grossman 8 @ Sep 14 2006, 09:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Who the hell is Dr. Z? :LMAO:</div> :LMAO: :LMAO: :LMAO: :LMAO: :LMAO: :LMAO: :LMAO:
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jeefunk @ Sep 14 2006, 07:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 14 2006, 02:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Speaking of which, why DID the Titans turn down multiple offers of a 2nd round pick for Volek?</div>From who? I haven't heard about any offers. Volek has mentioned that he'd like to go to Oakland or San Diego, and he's told the press that the Chargers have contacted the Titans, but I haven't seen it confirmed or heard of any offers.</div>During the week of the draft, it was told that both the Jets and the Raiders had offered their 2nd round picks for Volek but that the Titans felt he was worth a 1st round pick.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rex Grossman 8 @ Sep 14 2006, 07:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Who the hell is Dr. Z? :LMAO:</div>The Football Head for Sports Illustrated.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Sep 13 2006, 10:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 13 2006, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1 -- Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers (1-0)I want to apologize to Charlie Batch for my remark in the magazine, how my pick automatically would go to Miami because he was starting. He has a long history in the league and he showed considerable courage Thursday night. Sometimes our tongue gets ahead of our brain. ("Why are you saying 'our' instead of 'my'?" asks my wife with the head of red flames. "Nobody was in it with you.") Yes, that's right, true, a good point. Can we move on, please?2 -- Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens (1-0)Sleeper team for '06. Cinderella, and all that. Smartest thing I ever did was to place a late call to my editor at Sports Illustrated and substitute Baltimore for K.C. as a playoff team. Usually those calls have disastrous results.7 -- Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons (1-0)I hope you appreciate the fact that I'm giving the choice rankings to so many teams I've picked to have mediocre seasons. "That's because all the teams you like lost," says my wife, who's trying for some reason to get me really upset ... and succeeding. I just happen to like running teams (252 big ones against Carolina). I reward them perhaps a little more than I should. I know how hard it is to coach a great running game in the NFL these days. Just so much easier to set up a dink passing attack and run an occasional draw play.21 -- Washington Redskins Washington Redskins (0-1)I saw a very strange thing Monday night. Usually when the cameras tune in to the owner's booth during a crucial part of the game, they show a guy showing some measure of anxiety, especially when his team's losing. The picture of Danny Boy late in the fourth quarter, though, was of a guy relaxed, obviously enjoying himself, as he chatted with his new partner in the movie business, Tom Cruise. "You're doing it again. You're letting personal feeling take over," the Redhead warns. Yeah, I guess you're right, but don't worry. If the team shows real success during the season, I'll keep reiterating what a marvelous job he's done in stocking it.</div>:1st: :applaudit: :woot: :funny_smilie:</div>Whats so funny? The Redskins sucked ass vs the Vikings. All Redskins fan said it was a lock and they looked terrible. Brunell looked like shit and Taylor was acting like he could do whatever the fuck he wanted to do on the field. And by the way, Duckett did not even play. What a waste of a draft pick.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 14 2006, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>During the week of the draft, it was told that both the Jets and the Raiders had offered their 2nd round picks for Volek but that the Titans felt he was worth a 1st round pick.</div>I thought you meant recently.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nebkreb @ Sep 14 2006, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>altogether now...JETSJETS JETS JETS</div>SUCK SUCK SUCK
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jeefunk @ Sep 14 2006, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 14 2006, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>During the week of the draft, it was told that both the Jets and the Raiders had offered their 2nd round picks for Volek but that the Titans felt he was worth a 1st round pick.</div>I thought you meant recently.</div>No, but it's funny that now he's riding the pine and if they find a buyer for him, it won't be a 2nd round pick.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Sep 15 2006, 12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No, but it's funny that now he's riding the pine and if they find a buyer for him, it won't be a 2nd round pick.</div>meh, hindsight is always 20/20
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Street @ Sep 14 2006, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Whats so funny? The Redskins sucked ass vs the Vikings. All Redskins fan said it was a lock and they looked terrible. Brunell looked like shit and Taylor was acting like he could do whatever the fuck he wanted to do on the field. And by the way, Duckett did not even play. What a waste of a draft pick.</div>Taylor did what the fuck he wanted, and as for Duckett, you don't trade away a draft pick for one year use out of a guy, so don't be too quick to judge.
Re: Dr. Z's power Rankings <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Capt. Comeback @ Sep 15 2006, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Street @ Sep 14 2006, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Whats so funny? The Redskins sucked ass vs the Vikings. All Redskins fan said it was a lock and they looked terrible. Brunell looked like shit and Taylor was acting like he could do whatever the fuck he wanted to do on the field. And by the way, Duckett did not even play. What a waste of a draft pick.</div>Taylor did what the fuck he wanted, and as for Duckett, you don't trade away a draft pick for one year use out of a guy, so don't be too quick to judge.</div>Thats why that bitch should be living your dream, being ass raped in prison for years. That bitch needs to learn his place and get it in his damn head that he cant do what the fuck he wants in the NFL, he aint above any other player in this league.
