NFL 2003 Season Week 12 Picks

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/18/2003 @ 03:13:45 PM
Jon, Matt, and I were talking the other day and we had some thoughts on football: In baseball many teams have their ace, like Pedro in Boston, and most of the time they deliver, but the once in a blue moon that they just don't have it that day they get taken out and no one really makes a big deal out of it. Why is it in football that there is such a stigma about, "he is the starter" and "he is the backup" and thats the way it is and if it is ever changed there is so much read into it and so many other negative things that follow? Obviously in baseball there is a bullpen and a major part of the game revolves around the fact that you can't have just one guy in your rotation, but this is just speaking in terms of the ace. No quarterback performs 100% of the time. Why should it be such a big thing to bring in the backup on days your QB isn't performing well? Or on days that the QB has shown he can't hold the ball? Or in games in which a QB is injured to the point where he literally couldn't throw the ball if he wanted to? You never hear a "pitching controversy" talked about but every week there is some quarterback controversy being discussed in terms likes it's almost scandalous to discuss.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - How do you use these things? 11/18/2003 @ 10:09:25 PM
How is it not his team?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/18/2003 @ 10:32:43 PM
How is it? p.s. Stop calling me chief.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - So's your face 11/18/2003 @ 10:46:46 PM
He's clearly the leader of the team, he has been there since '92, and the closest to that I believe is Henderson. Our running game is awesome, but we don't have our receivers bitching about not getting the ball often enough. Favre didn't have to throw 300 yds against Tampa to win, he did what he had to do, just like the rest of our team. He's also hurt right now, but as my man Butler put it, would you rather have a hurt Favre or a healthy Pederson out there? Who scares defenses more? It's clear. And no, I don't care what some Viking fans say because they don't want to concentrate on their own team. The Pack is a good team, with good teamwork. The only thing that matters to them is winning, not about stats. With that being said, go offensive line, we lead the league in rushing.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - I believe virtually everything I read. 11/18/2003 @ 10:49:18 PM
A hurt Favre and a Favre that literally can't throw a pass are two different things. No one is questioning whether or not he's a leader. He IS NOT the most important person out there anymore, thats a fact.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/18/2003 @ 11:19:17 PM
I have to admit, I'm starting to turn around my thoughts on who's team this is. Leadership wise, there probably is no better man to have in the huddle than Favre. He makes the people around him play better. You might be able to argue that, but that's my point. Favre plays because he wants to win, not because of a streak (that's not really the argument here though). Green has proven (although he has a tendency to fumble) that he can carry this team. Regardless of the injury to his thumb, Favre has not had to carry this team because Green has stepped up. (leads the league with 1500 total yards) Whether or not Favre is capable to still put his numbers like he did about 6 or 7 years ago doesn't really matter. Should Favre sit this week and rest his thumb? His thumb should not have gotten any worse from the hit at the end of the Bucs game. The Milwaukee Journal says that something like that shouldn't hamper the healing process, just add temporary pain. It's hard to say, though. I agree that there shouldn't be that much controversy about QB the way that nobody complains about the "ace" in baseball. When a guy has performed as well as Favre has for so long, however, if he says he can play and perform well, then I tend to say let him play. Favre plays to win, not for himself. If the Packers sit him and start Pederson (which I doubt will happen) things will be different. With Favre in there, no matter how hurt he is, defenses respect him (hence the running success) If Pederson plays, defenses won't play so much to defend the pass and the run may suffer, but who knows. What this season has proven, however, is that Favre is not as unexpendable as he has been in past years. That doesn't take away from his nestalgia, nor his ability to perform when he needs to. Oh yeah, one more thing. Sad news, Jon, I'm not going to that game after:(. No blaze orange,		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/18/2003 @ 11:36:51 PM
Check out the poll on the NFL section at espn.com. You didn't here it from me though.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - Pie Racist 11/18/2003 @ 11:41:19 PM
No question there, but don't try to convice Sarah of that.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/18/2003 @ 11:55:13 PM
Going back to the QB thing I brought up. Obviously you have to have a backup that has a chance to do fairly well. There would be too big a drop off from Favre to Pederson in both talent and respect to get away with putting Pederson in anytime Favre is in trouble, but if your QB literally can't throw, then what is he doing out there? The main situations I was talking about was ones like last week in the Viking-Oakland game. Daunte is the future of the Vikings and by a long shot the best QB on the roster, but he just was off Sunday (despite throwing for and ungodly amount of yards.) However bringing in Ferotte would have been a big scandle, it would have been the focus of every NFL broadcast of the day. Or how about in Cleveland? Why should they have to choose a QB? They obviously both have talent, so if one guy isn't getting it done, or if the other has played well against certain teams in the past then just pick a guy for each week. Why does it have to be a big thing? Shouldn't it be looked on as a good thing? I mean the Browns can withhold who's going to start as long as possible every week. You could rotate them in and out like pitchers, keeping them fresh. Teams rotate 3 running backs and an entire fleet of wide receivers, but make a change at QB and there's hell to pay...I don't get it.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/19/2003 @ 12:04:12 AM
I don't know if I'm the right person to answer that question, but I'm going to anyway, cuz we're all experts here, right? The QB spot to me seems like a feel game. If a QB gets in a rythmn things go good, if that tempo is broken, his touch may be thrown off. Rotating QB's in and out is probably different than rotating pitchers, for this reason. A RB or a WR doesn't have to deal with this as much because it isn't about touch to them. It isn't about them finding a comfort zone or a mechanical process that throwing demands. That being said, I have no idea why there is so much controversy in terms of QBs.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 3375 Posts 11/19/2003 @ 04:23:09 AM
Oh man, did I jinx you scott? Does page 3 have a jinx just like SI? Regardless, from now on, I should limit my page 3 material to stuff that cannot be rendered obsolete so quickly. I mean my comment was obsolete before it was even posted and now I got that just hanging out there for the rest of the week. And at this rate spring training will arrive before my twins playoff article disappears from the center of Page 3. that settles it, I'm dropping out of school and devoting the extra time to Page 3. Oh who am I kidding, I'd spend the extra time playing video games and eating pistachios. Stay in School kids.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 3375 Posts 11/19/2003 @ 04:23:37 AM
Oh man, did I jinx you scott? Does page 3 have a jinx just like SI? Regardless, from now on, I should limit my page 3 material to stuff that cannot be rendered obsolete so quickly. I mean my comment was obsolete before it was even posted and now I got that just hanging out there for the rest of the week. And at this rate spring training will arrive before my twins playoff article disappears from the center of Page 3. that settles it, I'm dropping out of school and devoting the extra time to Page 3. Oh who am I kidding, I'd spend the extra time playing video games and eating pistachios. Stay in School kids.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jon - 3375 Posts 11/19/2003 @ 04:27:49 AM
Ha. I entered it twice on purpose cause one time I did that and it recognized it and didn't let me do it and I wanted to try that again. But uh...it didn't do that this time so Jeremy you can delete the second one and this message too.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - On your mark...get set...Terrible! 11/20/2003 @ 01:20:31 PM
In response to Jon's "Owens" quote: "The kick is up. It is long enough, it is GOOD!!! HE WON IT!!!! HE MADE IT!!!! AND THE PACKERS HAVE WON IN OVERTIME!!!!! A 53 YARD FIELD GOAL!!!!!" Jim Irwin's call in November of 1996 on Monday Night in Green Bay against the 49ers. Chris Jacke's game winning fieldgoal, on a night when he hit 5. Not quite so memorable to those non-Packer fans out there(or possibly I'm the only person on this planet who knows that call), but it's always been one of my favorites.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - How do you use these things? 11/20/2003 @ 06:30:48 PM
I remember that game, my dad made me go to bed, as it was dragging on and of course I had school in the morning. But then, my dad came into my room and said I had to see something. It was the replay of Jacke's game winning field goal. It was sweet. It was such a long kick, who'd a thunk he'd hit it? That was just a great game. Owens sucks.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Andrew (Guest) 11/21/2003 @ 08:22:14 PM
I like football. C'mon where's the love for the Falcons?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - 3875 Posts 11/22/2003 @ 04:20:17 PM
The Falcons should re-sign Jamal Anderson and let him play QB.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/22/2003 @ 04:56:17 PM
Then Jamal can be the one to explain how they are a better team than an opponent immediatly following a blowout loss to said opponent.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/23/2003 @ 01:37:31 PM
What does Randy need to do to get a call to go his way? There's a lot of hatin going on.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/23/2003 @ 02:51:55 PM
Could the Refs make it anymore crystal clear that the Vikes aren't winning this game?		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/23/2003 @ 02:59:56 PM
So the Vikes finally won, although the score is a little deceptive. Ahman Green could make it to 2000 rushing yards if he can finish strong. If it weren't for the fumble problem he could be a serious MVP candidate.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - How do you use these things? 11/23/2003 @ 03:29:44 PM
The Viking game score was VERY deceptive. It was like 7-7 until way into the 4th? Yea. Packer's D is really hittin' their stride, very good game today. Green continues to run, I would give him MVP if I could vote. How bout that tackle by Antuan Edwards on TO? That was like wrestling style. Didn't like all the interceptions, but what can you do? I'm just worried our RBs are going to be tired for Thanksgiving.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 11/23/2003 @ 04:01:21 PM
You're right, it was deceptive. For one the 14 points don't reflect that the defense gave up nothing all day. Secondly it was only 7-7 because it was absolutly the most systematic raping of a team and a specific player I have ever seen. Everytime the Vikes did something well there was a flag on the play. Randy Moss was knocked to the ground on 2 or 3 bombs and only drew 2 flags...one was picked up and one was called against him. He was also called for unsportsmanlike conduct for "spiking" the ball IN THE VIKES BENCH, I've never seen anything like todays game. I don't want to sound like a whiner, but this is more than just sour grapes.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Sarah - How do you use these things? 11/23/2003 @ 04:09:06 PM
Wow, I wish I could've seen the Seahawks and Ravens game. It just got over with and my clock says 4:05. A four hour game? I was adding the scores, and I added the seahawks as a win because I thought it was as good as over, since the hawks were winning by 10. But wow, the Ravens came back and won the game and I was the only one who picked them. I was also the only one who picked the packers. Did I not tell you guys the Packers own the 49ers? I'm slowly catching up to Jeremy. watch out world!		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Matt - 3875 Posts 11/23/2003 @ 04:44:48 PM
Jon and I were just listening to the Vikings post game radio show on KFAN, and some guy called in and gave the exact same Baseball - Ace Pitcher/Football - Starting QB analogy that Jeremy posted earlier this week, practically word for word. I think the caller must have visited our site. Unless Jeremy had a relative or someone make the call.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Scott - 6225 Posts 11/23/2003 @ 06:52:20 PM
ESPN the magazine says that the World Series of Poker is the most underrated event in sports. I was just thinking that, but I don't remember telling anyone. How are they doing this? ESP...........N the magazine.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.