No predictions from me, just a bit of news.

The Curse of the Colts?

Now I love Vinatieri. He's an amazing kicker and a fine looking fella, but there is something kind of poetic/"karmic" about this.

Reckon Vinateri got Vanderjjagt's old locker, and whichever germs he left in there? The poetic charm, if there is any, is that Vanderjagt is also suffering from a hammie in Dallas, and that's pissing off Parcels plenty.

Since you won't make a prediction, I will. This division is so easy to pick, my seven year old nephew could get it right:

1. Indiannapolis Colts-an unstoppable scoring machine. Manning, Harrison, Clark, Stokely, Wayne, Rhodes, and Addai will be too much for everybody in the AFC South, and, the AFC period. With the kind of leads these guys put up, the Colts won't need much defense, even though statistically, they are pretty good at it. Their problem this season is the same as it's been for several season now, Peyton Manning. I've watched him play since high school, so I must agree with his critics on this point: he has yet to win the big one. Wish I knew the reason(s), but I don't. Perhaps this will be the year he gets it right?

2. Jacksonville Jaguars. I still don't how this team continues year after year to play so well without any superstars, but they do. They always seem to put together such healthy differentials: avraging 24 ppg, while giving up only 16 ppg. Those kind of numbers will always keep them in playoff contention.

3. Tennessee Titans. With McNair gone, Vince Young a rookie, Kerry Collins unfamilair with the offense, and the athletically challenged Billy Volek at the helm, this team is in deep trouble. They play defense pretty well, but not Chicago Bears well. The Titans need to score points to win, and I don't see where those points will come from.

4. Houton Texans. Finished last season at or near the bottom of every meaningful category: total yards; total points scored; and total points allowed. Worse, they finished dead last in the AFC in passing, with an anemic 138 ypg. As if that's not enough, their defense gave up an average of 27 ppg last season while the offense scored an averaged of 16 ppg. Those numbers are the exact opposite of what they should be. And if its true that Domanic Davis is unable to play, about to be traded, or cut, then the 2006 offense won't even average 16 ppg. Davis was the one bright spot in that pitiful Texan offense. This is a very bad team. They have so many weaknesses, even Super Mario won't be able to make much of an impact. They will probably be picking before the Saints next year. That's a reflection of just how much this team is over-matched in this division.

[ August 31, 2006, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: Thomas ]

So you think th Texans are second guessing taking Mario Williams over Reggie Bush? looks like Domanick Davis is done for the year after being placed on IR with a knee injury.

I don't think the Texans believe that; at least, that's what they say, but most everyone else believes they, more than anything or anyone else, were responsible for the all the topsy turvy backroom deal-making we saw in the 2006 NFL draft.

As for Domanic Davis, I think he's a terrific back, so I'm glad the Texans placed him on Injured Reserve. I also think Ron Dayne is a terrific RB, so I don't think Ron Dayne will hurt the Texans at that position. It's just that the Texans have so many problems on offense and defense, it will take several good drafts to fix them all. Lucky for them, I suspect they will be picking at or near the top for a couple more years.

[ September 04, 2006, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: Thomas ]

I think the Jags receivers are trying to get a new nickname: the Teens. Their top 3 WR's and corresponding jersey #'s

Reggie Williams - #11
Matt Jones - #18
Ernest Wilford - #19

[ September 20, 2006, 07:14 AM: Message edited by: Boltergeist ]

Ehhhh.....I give it a 7 out of 10.

If they aren't, they're insane. Reggie Bush should have been their top pick and that was apparent even back then.

He's been an adequate NFL RB at best -- so you're right that he won't "hurt" the Texans.

I'll have my eye on Sunday's game -- a new (well, now old) favorite Packer -- Samkon Gado -- is now also a Texan RB. He was the one bright spot in last year's annus horribilis.

Plus rookie Owen Daniels (a former Badger) is playing TE and caught his first TD pass last week. Hope they all do well.

Added benefit: if they win, they knock the 'skins down to 0-3 ... but who's counting? wink

[ September 22, 2006, 07:08 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]

DCBucky: You're right. Ron Dayne's numbers haven't been good since his rookie season, but his true value is not in the numbers. Dayne is not a feature back, nor an every down back; never has been. But given the right situtaion, he can be the "thunder" to some one else's "lightening". That's what he is; where he's at his best. I had assumed Domanick Davis would still be around to provide the "lightening" in the Texans running game this season. He's not. Domanick's absence will probably cause Kubiak to elevate Dayne's reps in Texas. And I don't know if that will work. Dayne is a side kick; the silent partner who does his best work away from the spotlight; not in it. Unless Gado or Lundy can at some point provide the "lightening", Dayne won't be able to produce the "thunder".

In case you're wondering where all this mumbo jumbo is leading, I'm talking about famous and productive NFL RB tandems. The "lightening" RB is quick and elusive, and does his work on pitches and sweeps to the outside, while the "thunder" RB is a power back who does his best work off-tackle on short yardage or goal line plays. Ron Dayne is a perfect "thunder" back.

I don't know how old you are, so you might not know some of these old RB tandems, but can you remember Kick and Czonka of the Miami Dolphins? If not them, I'll bet you're familiar with Fast Willie and the Bus? Warrick Dunn and TJ Duckett? Can you remember when Dayne played with Tiki Barber for the Giants? He was very productive in that system; he was a perfect balance for Tiki's speed and elusiveness. Not to be a homer, but I expect Deuce McCallister will have to adjust his role to balance Reggie Bush's speed and elusiveness in New Orleans.

That's why I think so much of Ron Dayne. I do agree that with the loss of Domanick Davis, the pieces are not in place in Texas to take advantage of Ron's talent, but when and if Dominick's gets healthy, or, Lundy or Gado is able to improve, Ron will become a perfect compliment to the Texans' running game. Thunder is his destiny.

In DC, and a Texan fan? Watch your back, bro.

[ September 22, 2006, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: Thomas ]

Even though they lost, there was one very silver lining for the Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew had a "Welcome to the NFL" type game, especially on the two draw plays where he singlehandedly kept a Jax drive going and got out of that 2nd and 25 hole from Williams personal foul. It was flabbergasting to see them with a 24-4 advantage in possession, but still only tied 7-7.

Vince Young will get the start today form the Titans against the Cowboys. Why not? The Titans are going nowhere and Kerry Collins isn't going to help them so let's see what Young can do.

Bad news for Colts fans (on the defensive side of the ball)

Simon out for year with "undisclosed illness"

Texans try out sprinter Gatlin