I hope y'all don't mind, this will be a temp thread till the Superbowl. Mainly for artie, me and couple of others. I can never find artie's picks when I have the sheet in front of me so there it is. No doubt it will drift to the bottom of the list by the end of the week anyway. It shouldn't get too argumentive. (unless there are some closet Green Bay fans. Grrrrrrrr.....)




Thanks.

First post. I saw that haynesworth's (sp?) apology, and it really looked sincere. It was an awful thing, but he was really hard on himself in public, and that isn't easy.

I'm happy to see a new nfl thread. The old one has slipped to the back somewhere.

He knows what could be in store for him.

I have little pity on the man. 30 stitches, took the center out of the game with blurred vision. He better hope there isn't much of a scar or permanent damage. He could be sued. And the guy would be justified in doing so.

Grossman nominated for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week!
QB Rex Grossman has been nominated for the FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week Award after completing 17 of 31 passes for 232 yards , two touchdowns and a 100.5 passer rating in the Bears' 37-6 win over the Seahawks. Voting ends Thursday at 5pm (CT)


He's #1 with 45% of the vote so far.






October 5, 2006

Grossman, Turner shift offense into overdrive
By Larry Mayer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – You don’t need to be a relationship expert like Dr. Phil to understand that the bond between Rex Grossman and Ron Turner has been a key factor in the resurgence of the Bears passing game.

With the quarterback and offensive coordinator in their second season together, the undefeated Bears are one of only three NFL teams to compile over 225 passing yards in each of their first four games. Grossman is tied for second in the league with a career-high 8 touchdown passes and ranks fifth with a 100.8 passer rating.


Quarterback Rex Grossman has led the Bears to their first 4-0 start since 1991.
“To have a relationship, my wife tells me you have to spend some time together,” coach Lovie Smith said with a smile.

“They’ve done that. In the offseason, you really get a chance to get to know each other and pick each other’s mind throughout. I think that’s helped a lot, them being around each other for a period of time and just going through all the different situations that they have.”

Grossman feels that Turner consistently puts him in the best possible situations to succeed.

“He just does a great job of scheming the opponent’s defense and calling plays to attack certain looks and giving me options,” Grossman said. “(He says), ‘If it’s not that look, you go here. If you get this look, go here.’ I feel like I’m just back there kind of stealing.

“If I see this look, I realize that he wants me to go there and then I throw the ball. It just seems like he’s making it very easy for me to understand what he wants.”

When asked about the quarterback’s comments, Turner deflected the credit to Grossman, who in September became the first Bears player to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Month since running back Neal Anderson was honored in 1989.

“I really think it’s the other way around,” Turner said. “It’s easy to put him in that position where he makes plays. He’s giving me credit, but he really shouldn’t. It’s him. It’s Rex going out there making the plays and doing a hell of a job with it.”

Grossman made two remarkable throws to wide receiver Berrian Berrian in last Sunday night’s 37-6 win over the Seattle Seahawks, resulting in a 40-yard touchdown and a 22-yard gain to Seattle's 1-yard line. But Turner was just as impressed with passes that the quarterback either didn’t throw or didn't complete.

“He’s making great decisions,” Turner said. “Rex wants to get the ball down the field. He’s aggressive and he’ll take shots, which is great. To me, that’s his biggest strength. But he’s learning when to do it and when not to do it.

“He had a couple plays (Sunday) where he just threw the ball away, threw it clearly out of bounds, which was great to see. We also had a couple run/pass checks at the line of scrimmage where there was kind of a gray area. He could have easily gone with the pass and he went with the run. You gave him that option a few weeks ago and it was going to be a throw every time. So I think he’s maturing. I think he’s getting a real good feel for the offense and he’s making great decisions.”

Grossman led the Bears to their fourth straight win against a complex Seahawks defense by completing 17 of 31 passes for 232 yards with 2 touchdowns, no interceptions and a 100.5 passer rating.

“Most teams run two or three coverages and they blitz off that and do some different stuff,” Grossman said. “But Seattle gave me so many different looks and coach Turner just did a great job of going through each coverage and understanding what works and where to go with the ball when you get that coverage.

“He just does a great job of allowing us to attack the defense no matter what they do. Somewhere in the play there’s a good pass route for a certain coverage.”

Grossman’s emergence has reminded some of the success that Erik Kramer enjoyed in 1995 when Turner was in his first stint as Bears offensive coordinator. Kramer established team passing records that still stand with 315 completions, 522 attempts, 3,838 yards and 29 TDs.

“Erik will get mad at me, but (Grossman) is more talented than Erik,” Turner said when asked to compare the two quarterbacks. “He gets rid of the ball quicker (and) just (has) better physical skills.

“Erik did a great job obviously and had a great year. They’re similar in some regards. I think Rex is a little more aggressive—he’ll take the shots a little bit more where we kind of have to pull back and make sure he’s doing them at the right time. The similarities I think are accuracy and Erik made great decisions that year as well.”

After four impressive starts, Grossman is currently on pace to finish the season with 312 completions, 500 attempts, 4,244 yards and 32 TDs. But shattering Kramer’s records is obviously not the team's primary objective.

“We haven’t talked about that,” Turner said. “I don’t even know anything about the stats, I really don’t, and hopefully Rex doesn’t. What we’re focusing on is winning and making the right decisions, and if we get caught up in (stats), then we’re doing things for the wrong reasons.

“But if Rex keeps throwing the ball the way he’s throwing—with great accuracy, throwing it down the field well, making the decisions he’s making—and the guys around him continue to step up, I think we’ll be able to continue to move the ball and score some points.”

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2504

I hope Rex is on and healthy when McNabb is on bye. I'm #1 in my MSN league and hope to stay that way.

picks?


Bills have a great website. Check out the depth chart.


http://www.buffalobills.com/depth_chart/index.html

I always make my picks last thing on Sunday, using the best live betting site I can find. One that updates as the bets come in and uses a money line. That gives the smart money time to factor in all the variables. I've tried a couple different ones this year, but this one seems to be the fastest to update.

http://www.pinnaclesports.com/vwGuestLines...L&descr=NFL

Bad link.

Probably because of the redirect. From the main site you can go to all their sports.

http://www.pinnaclesports.com/

Bears big favorites.


Sun 10/8 221 Buffalo Bills +10 -106 +470 OVER 34.5 -105
10:00 AM 222 Chicago Bears -10 -102 -520 UNDER 34.5 -105

Now you're talking. thanks.

The point spreads I think are set by oddsmakers, but the moneyline changes as people bet. That way you're betting WITH the smart money as locals and pros who know everything are constantly adding their well considered opinions by betting their hard earned money.

The bigger the minus, the better the chances a team wins.

cool

Using it has won me good money the last three years. All thanks to DARPA.

I agree. Then again, he might find himself in greener pastures yet.

Today's NFL winners. and one for davis.

Suicide Pick: Bears

BUF @ CHI: Bears
CLE @ CAR: Panthers
DET @ MIN: Vikings
MIA @ NE: Patriots
STL @ GB: Rams
TB @ NO: Saints
TEN @ IND: Colts
WAS @ NYG: Giants
KC @ ARI: Chiefs
NYJ @ JAX: Jaguars
OAK @ SF: 49ers
DAL @ PHI: Eagles
PIT @ SD: Chargers
BAL @ DEN: Broncos
MNF Score: 21-14

lol. I saw Peerless Price on espn last night. There was fear in his eyes when they mentioned the young quarterback and our 4 man rush. lol.

Bears better win. I missed out on the suicide pool by one game last year, and I want to save the colts. When you can win with Arizona early on it gives you a leg up.

What killed me overeall was the first couple weeks when nobody knew exactly how good every team was. Things get more consistent as the season goes on.

At last, the 49ers can get a win.

Anybody else sick to death of stories about Terrell Owens?

T.O. needs a TO. McNabb was way too soft on him.

Yes.....

He needs a spanking.

I wonder if Woody Hayes is still available.

TO has great talent, but WRs always want the ball more, and even a star like TO isn't happy with what he gets. If he'd grow up a little he could be up there with Jerry Rice, but I don't see it happening.

TO is a cancer. Football is the ultimate team sport, and he's just too much the star diva. Still, I wanted the ball more too, and admit to being a little pouty now and then when I didn't get it. Some of being a competitor works against you in team sports.

Bear 40 Bills 7.

Perfect picks so far.

Cool.

The Bears' D was impressive, even without Ogunleye.

I'm rooting for the Saints this year. That city needs all the cheer it can get. Go Saints!!

Plus the Giants look like retards.

I listened to some of the Bears game. If you sign up with the Field Pass from Realplayer they give you a free week trial. SO I cancel the trial and next week sign up again with a new email address. As bad as the Raiders are this year it isn't worth going to a sports bar. But listening on radio is free.

The Raiders were awful. No blocking, Moss dropped a TD, bad passing, defense was marginal. It was a good test for the kid, Alex Smith. He's going to be good, and this gave him some confidence.

The Bills have a young Q.

He is deeply traumatized.

In my fantasy league I had the 9er defense and Smith. Got me big points. Chad Pennington actually got me negative 1.6. Should win if Tomlinson outpoints Gates for SD.


Lohsman. He'll get over it. Gotta learn the hard way.

As long as he has flashbacks when he plays in Soldier Field.

As an AFC guy you won't see him for long time. Bears D looks awesome. I have Grossman in my other league, I'm rooting for him since he's had it tough the last couple years.

PERFECT

Ought to win me $50.

My chargers should be 4-0 after beating the steelers. They got to conservative in the second half against Baltimore and it cost them.

Rivers is starting to look........

Right now the bears look real tough in the NFC, The colts barely won, the AFC is open.

Turner looked good. Not using LT might have cost me a win in my main fantasy league. Rivers is improving fast.

GO BRONCOS!

For looney Logan..........


GO CHARGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Broncos D did a good job tonight. Another field goal would have done me in. Normally I'd hate the Broncos, but the Raiders aren't going anywhere so what the heck. Plummer is a real competitor. I hope he can get out from under Elway's shadow.

BOY DID THEY PLAY THAT UP TONIGHT?

with all the bronco history stuff.

I believe the chargers and broncos are slated to play in acouple weeks, should be a good matchup with rivers surging and a solid charger defense to matchup against the bronco D

Chargers pissed me off by pulling LT for Turner last night. Almost cost me my fantasy matchup.

Until Mike S is gone or the Broncs win another Super Bowl - the sports-Talking heads are gonna drag that tired line out. John's gone, leaving at the top of his game, unlike others I could name who have stayed too long at the dance. Bronco fans know he's no Elway - we just want him to relax and play the way he is capable of playing consistently. After all this time in Denver, I truly think Jake has yet to fully trust his line and the system. Too much bad experience with the Cards.

We know he can - but he's the one who has to know it.

I watched him play at ASU versus the UA and the guy NEVER gives up. Probably the one thing I respect and try to emulate most about good athletes. He had the ability to win games almost alone, but that's a little harder in the pros. At least Denver gives him some supporting players. Phoenix never did. Too cheap.

We play da birds next Monday.






WR Fitzgerald out two to five weeks


TEMPE, Ariz. (Oct. 9, 2006) -- The struggling Arizona Cardinals lost Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald for perhaps a month or more with a hamstring injury.

"I'd say it will be at least two weeks, two-to-five maybe, two-to-four, it's hard to say," coach Dennis Green said at his Oct. 9 news conference. "It's a real strong pull, maybe even a slight tear in there also."

Two other starters -- guard Milford Brown and nose tackle Kendrick Clancy -- injured ankles in the team's 23-20 home loss to Kansas City and might not play when the Cardinals, losers of four in a row, host the unbeaten Chicago Bears Oct. 16.

Fitzgerald was hurt late in the first quarter, shortly after catching a 5-yard touchdown pass from Matt Leinart.

"I was trying to crack back on a guy, and he just kind of moved out of the way at the last minute," Fitzgerald said after the game. "When I was lunging, he wasn't there. I felt it pop on me."

Fitzgerald has 25 catches for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, his second in the NFL, he caught 103 passes, tied with Steve Smith for most in the NFL. He and Anquan Boldin combined for 205 catches, most for any teammates in league history.

Green said Carlyle Holiday, a quarterback-turned-receiver at Notre Dame, would move up from the practice squad.

"He's been with us two years and had a good training camp," Green said. "I think he's ready to play and help us. We'll decide who the starter is and who the third and fourth receivers are over the next couple of days."

The injury also means more playing time for Troy Walters, the seven-year NFL veteran who was the team's No. 4 receiver behind Boldin, Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson.

Walters' 26-yard pass from Leinart set up Neil Rackers' 51-yard field goal attempt with 2 seconds to go. The kick was wide right.

Brown's injury to his right ankle could mean the first NFL start for Deuce Lutui, a teammate of Leinart at USC and the Cardinals' second-round draft pick. The 6-foot-4, 338-pound rookie, who grew up in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, saw considerable playing time in place of Brown against Kansas City.

Clancy hurt his left ankle, an injury that Green said probably isn't as serious as Brown's but still could keep him out against the Bears. Green was pleased with the play of rookie Gabe Watson, a fourth-round pick out of Michigan, in place of Clancy.

Although he didn't have a tackle, the 6-3, 340-pound Watson was credited by the coach for helping clog the middle of the line and help hold Larry Johnson to 36 yards rushing, his lowest total in 16 games. However, Johnson broke free on a 78-yard screen pass to set up Lawrence Tynes' winning 19-yard field goal with 1:36 to play.

Linebacker James Darling, out with a calf injury since the second week of the season, is expected to miss the Bears game after a setback last week.

Green praised the play of Leinart in his first NFL start, specifically at the end of the game when, with no timeouts, he directed the team from its 10-yard line to the Chiefs 33 to set up the tying field goal try.

Leinart was 22 of 35 for 253 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He completed his first six passes, two for scores.

His only big mistakes, the coach said, were the interception by Ty Law that set up the tying field goal in the fourth quarter, and the failure to throw the ball away on a costly sack late in the game.

"That's not bad," Green said, "for as much as we counted on him during the course of the game."

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/ARI/9716734



















No criminal charges, but Titans may punish Haynesworth more
By Teresa M. Walker
The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, TN, Oct. 6, 2006 -- The Tennessee Titans want back some of Albert Haynesworth's bonus money. And that might be just the start of the paybacks.

Coach Jeff Fisher told a national radio show Thursday that Haynesworth -- the defensive tackle suspended five games by the NFL for stomping on Dallas center Andre Gurode's face -- may never be back in the building again. Team spokesman Robbie Bohren also said the Titans are investigating their options.

"We've moved on," Fisher said after practice Friday. "I have no intention of addressing the Haynesworth issue now or at anytime between now and the time he comes back. I'm done with Albert, and this team is moving on. As far as specifics on his future, I'm not going to comment any further on that," Fisher said.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, punishment from the commissioner overrides any team sanctions.

But Haynesworth's stomp of a player while defenseless on the ground without his helmet left Gurode with 30 stitches and cost Haynesworth $190,000 in lost salary. It also has resulted in unanimous condemnation and calls for the Titans to fire the tackle.

Fisher's comments make it appear the Titans may be thinking of doing just that, or he's trying to sound as if he's cracking down to send a message to his winless, struggling team.

Seven games will remain when Haynesworth is eligible to return on Nov. 13 and play against Philadelphia. The Titans could deactivate Haynesworth each week, which the Philadelphia Eagles did to Terrell Owens last December after he served a team suspension.

In 2004, Dallas released quarterback Quincy Carter on Aug. 4 after reports of a failed drug test. Tampa Bay deactivated receiver Keyshawn Johnson for the final six games in 2003 and told him not to show up at the stadium.

The Titans could release Haynesworth, even though he's under contract for 2007 for $5.5 million. Considering he started the first four games, that could be fought by Haynesworth and the players' union.

General manager Floyd Reese referred reporters to Fisher to clarify his comments that Haynesworth might not be back. Reese said he didn't think any decision would be made on Haynesworth until his suspension ends. Asked if a team could release a player after a suspension, he said a team could do what it wants.

"Ultimately that is Mr. Adams' decision," Reese said of team owner Bud Adams. "I think it has been pretty well documented on what this has done not only to Albert but us and the league. It has been a tremendous embarrassment to everyone involved."

That is why Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, and the NFL Players Association received notification Friday that the Titans want back a percentage of his bonus equivalent to the five games he will miss starting Sunday.

"We received written notification that he was in default of his contract," Speck said.

The agent said he is waiting for another letter from the Titans detailing what they want back.

Haynesworth has apologized for scraping his cleat across Gurode's face last weekend in a 45-14 loss to Dallas. Haynesworth apologized again at a news conference Thursday where he promised he will be counseled for his on-field anger.

Speck has heard Fisher's comments on Haynesworth possibly not returning.

"Those are decisions the Titans will have to make. That's out of our control. All Albert can do is again moving forward with the things he discussed (Thursday) at the press conference ... and make sure he's in the best shape of his life when he returns," Speck
said.

Haynesworth can help himself if he returns in the best shape of his life.

"There's a lot of issues to go through," Reese said. "I'm not sure that we can make a decision five weeks ahead of time."

http://www.titansonline.com/news/titans_ne....php?PRKey=4193

The Cardinals suck. They had bad ownership from the start, and bad management until "dollar Bill" Bidwell started letting the son take over. It's going to take them a while to get their act together, but they are trying. Top QB prospect, proven coach, good WRs, new stadium. They need to get rid of their stupid name and logo. There are only about 5 cardinals in Arizona and at least one is the Catholic kind.

They should be rattlers, scorpions, gila monsters or wildfires. Hell, mosquitoes are more terrifying than cardinals anymore.

Arizona FireANTS!!!!!!

Even pissants would beat cardinals.


Enjoy your Bears victory.

Believe me, after 40 years in the wilderness some victory feels great. But even I know if you lose 2 or 3 key guys it can make the difference.

The Cards always tried to win some on the cheap. No margin for error as they wouldn't pay for that one extra guy. Get one good guy in, let one go. Now they can afford to lose a Fitzgerald, but that's about it. With a rookie QB it is going to be a rebuilding year anyway.

The Bears on the other hand, look like SuperBowl participants at this point.