Article: Cheap Shots (wk 6) by Jasbir Singh

[Louie]

WEEK 6 CHEAP SHOTS
by: Jasbir Singh

Tomorrow’s marquee NFL matchup between 5-0 powerhouses New England and Dallas carries a lot of significance beyond just the lure of watching the two hottest NFL teams do battle. It will be just the 4th time since 2000 that the NFL’s top two scoring teams met in Week 6 or later in the regular season. It will also be just the 5th time in NFL history that two teams with this record or better have met.

This matchup would have surely lost some of its appeal if it weren’t for some horrible Buffalo Bills’ luck and Nick Folk’s kicking leg. Dallas sure tried its best to upset paranoid NFL executives - who see an undefeated clash between two high profile teams being a cash cow for the league. Luckily for them, the Cowboys finally remembered who they were, albeit really late in the game, and beat the odds in a riveting Monday night spectacle in Orchard Park, NY.

Unfortunately for them, the oddsmakers in Las Vegas did not take kindly to the ‘Boys near disaster. Despite the undefeated records, despite the fact that the game is being played in Texas Stadium, despite the fact that Dallas averages 35.2 points per game (which ranks 2nd behind New England’s 36.4), the Pats are a 6 ½ to 7 ½ favorite to win in most casinos across this fine country. If the Monday night debacle went as expected (a Big D blowout), the ‘Boys would have likely been just a field goal or less underdog.

Vegas is also factoring in the ridiculously flawless play of NE quarterback Tom Brady, who is currently sporting an off-the-charts passer rating of 128.7 (a 158.3 is a perfect passer rating). The all-time passer rating record is held by Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning who in 2004 registered a ridiculous 121.1 mark. Brady’s 16 touchdown passes through five games also puts him on pace to break Manning’s NFL-record 49 touchdown passes also set in 2004.

Consider these additional NE advantages – wide receiver Randy Moss leads the league in receiving yardage (551) and touchdowns (seven), tight end Ben Watson is tied for second in the league with five touchdowns, backup Sammy Morris has been doing an awesome job (three touchdowns) replacing oft-injured Laurence Maroney, and the Pats D is ranked second overall in yardage allowed. Geez, after reading all of this info you might think 6 ½ to 7 ½ points isn’t enough of a spread.

If Dallas quarterback Tony Romo suffered a meltdown with five interceptions against Buffalo – how is he going to do against a much more talented defense?

Romo was playing near the same level as Brady prior to the Buffalo game but is still being supported by former Dallas triggermen and current Hall-of-Famers Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman as a quarterback who will lead the ‘Boys to an eventual Super Bowl to reclaim their previous glory.

And why shouldn’t they?

Through 15 starts (remember now, Romo only took over the starting QB job in the middle of last season), Romo has a 95.4 passer rating which is more than both Staubach and Aikman attained during the first 15 games of their respective careers. He better take a lesson from his predecessors and give his running game a chance to establish itself. There are no quarterbacks, save Manning, who can beat the Pats solely on the strength of his arm.

The ‘Boys and particularly the growing legend of Romo will take a huge step backward if this game isn’t at least really close.

Tidbits

Speaking of passer ratings – which one of the following quarterbacks has never recorded a 100+ passer rating over a full season?

A. Carson Palmer B. Ken Stabler C. Terry Bradshaw D. Steve McNair E. Vinny Testaverde

(answer below)

Think Adam “Pacman” Jones has learned anything from his banishment from the NFL? According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jones (who a few months ago signed a short-term deal with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) somehow had 500 $1 bills in his possession at a party being thrown to celebrate TNA’s weekly show – which airs on Spike TV – on its expansion to two hours from one. Even though there were no strippers present, Jones used his stash of bills to make it rain again – this time in the middle of shocked Spike and TNA officials (yes, really).

Detroit running back Tatum Bell has requested a trade out of Detroit after recently being demoted in favor of the now-healthy Kevin Jones. Bell came from Denver in the offseason as part of a trade which sent cornerback Dre Bly to Denver. Luckily for Detroit, they also got a decent offensive lineman – George Foster – as part of the trade. Bell will be a free agent after the season and wants more playing time to set his price high for potential suitors. It will be interesting to see if this little blip on the radar affects a team that is becoming a feel-good story for a lot of fans.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was recently appointed as the new chairman of the NFL Network Committee. This committee acts as the executive board of the league’s year-around television service. Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen was appointed treasurer and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was put in charge of audio visual affairs (not really).

Need a betting tip? How’s this - Philadelphia has not lost the game following a bye week in eight consecutive years! Head coach Andy Reid is 8-0 in post-bye games since becoming the head man in Philly. Watch out Jets.

How bad has it gotten in Carolina? Off the heels of Jake Delhomme’s season-ending elbow injury, Panthers’ fans are hoping 1st round bust David Carr is healthy enough to start tomorrow against Arizona.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will become the first player in 34 years to have his jersey number retired by Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Pittsburgh has a bye this weekend so Big Ben will be on hand to accept the honor before today’s game against Bowling Green.

When Miami travels to Cleveland tomorrow, Dolphins rookie wide receiver Ted Ginn will make his return to the state which saw him star as a member of its own Ohio State Buckeyes. Eyebrows were raised when Ginn recently explained that despite his local ties he will approach this game like any other Miami game. Is that a good thing considering Teddy has caught only two passes all year?

Do you think ESPN hopped on the popular Dallas Cowboys’ bandwagon last Monday in hopes of reversing a negative ratings trend when it comes to Monday Night Football telecasts this season? To move forward with its relentless and overwhelming hype, ESPN was issued 375 media credentials - the most the Bills have ever given a single media outlet. The Bills would have issued ESPN more passes if Dallas “insider” Ed Werder were kept home.

Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez is one touchdown reception shy from owning the NFL all-time record for tight ends. The 11-year veteran has 62 career touchdowns, tied with former Denver and Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe for the record. Unfortunately for Gonzalez, 5th-year San Diego tight end Antonio Gates – barring injury – will shatter every tight end scoring record as he already has 37 scores.

Let’s hear it for this week’s high school fantasy football prodigy – Senior Ryan Radcliff out of Fairview, OH – who’s thrown for 3,081 yards and 42 touchdown passes in SEVEN games. We are talking about an average of 440.1 passing yards and six touchdown passes per game. I can’t even do that in the beginner level of Madden Football anymore.

Answer: C. Terry Bradshaw.