Weekly Scout’s Take: December 2nd Edition

Well as we get back on schedule with our regularly scheduled article, we’ve got some updated news on pending suspensions (or lack thereof), other impending issues which could hold back some possible playoff contending teams, and some solid takes which you can take to the bank for the final weeks of the regular season. 

Let’s kick off the holiday season with our first December edition of the Weekly Scouts Take!

**In my last article, I touched on the Cortland Finnegan-Andre Johnson scrum during this past week’s Houston/Tennessee game.   For those that might have missed it, Finnegan had been antagonizing Johnson most all game.  His coverage had been questionable all day and there had been more than just initial bumps all day.  Finally on one route, Finnegan instigates by bumping Johnson at the line and putting hands to his face.  Johnson, who’s normally a very calm and collected guy, lost it and pushed Finnegan off him.  Cortland by this point rips Johnson’s helmet off and that set Johnson off to the point that he snatched Finnegan’s helmet off, muscled him down, and punched him a few times in the head.

Now don’t get me wrong, both parties were equally guilty.  I think the entire world agrees that Finnegan instigated it on the entire time and definitely caught a couple blows that some would agree he deserved.  However, it was the impending punishment that follows that struck everyone.

Instead of what you would expect is a hefty fine and a one or two game suspension, both players were fined 25,000 and no suspension.  I know in my last issue that I stated I didn’t think Johnson should be suspended because of his flawless record, but I wouldn’t have been the slightest bit surprised if he was to make an example.

Instead Commissioner Goodell sets the wrong example which I believe resonated to the rest of the NFL.  This is not the type of message that you want to send to the rest of the players.  Not only was the suspension not enforced on either player, but you charge them a piddly fine that isn’t even comparable to the hits that Pittsburgh LB James Harrison has received this season?

Think about this for a second.  Harrison, a hard hitting LB similar to guys like Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, is fined $75,000 for helmet to helmet hits against Cleveland receivers Massoquoi and Cribbs.  Then in the following weeks including this past one, he was fined another cumulative $50,000 for hits on QB’s for playing his position hard.

Some of those hits might have come later than liked, but do you really think he’s doing as much damage as two guys with their helmets off slugging each other in front of a live audience?  Last time I checked, they have boxing and UFC matches for that.  The sport is a violent one.  There is a lot of conflict, emotion, and adrenaline running through each player when they step on the field.  I understand that fights happen in practice and training camps a lot.  I’ve seen them at camp before so I can tell you it’s common for tempers to flare like that.

However, it’s wrong to set the precedent that it’s alright for opposing players to fight on the field.  I’m not condoning fighting in the sport altogether, but there needs to be a level of professionalism that comes with the territory. You can get emotional but channel it through your play, not through swinging on the defender.

Instead of Goodell having a good chance to prove a point and laying the law down, he just sent the rest of the NFL a clear message:  Fighting isn’t that bad on the field.

Two weeks prior, Raiders DE Richard Seymour punched Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in the face after some slick comments were made about how bad the Raiders were playing.  You’d figure a suspension would be in order, right?  Wrong.  Goodell issued the same $25,000 fine and no missed games.

Tighten up the league, Roger or you’ll start seeing this more often and it’s only going to make the sport look bad.  You’re trying to appeal to the family fanbase more and this is now how you attract parents and children to come to the games.

**After the Chicago Bears/Philadelphia Eagles game, Head Coach Andy Reid called out WR DeSean Jackson in front of the entire team for his selfish approach to the loss at Soldier Field.  Apparently, Jackson’s been unhappy with his contract status and with them approaching an unsure labor year, Jackson’s been fed all sorts of info by his agent, Drew Rosenhaus to make himself as marketable to the Eagles as possible in hopes of getting a contract early.

While I can understand Jackson’s gripe (he’s making 3.5 million over 4 years and playing like one of the top receivers in the league), contract issues that linger in the locker room can only do more harm than good on teams looking to make a push for the playoffs.

In practice earlier this week, Jackson refused to field punts on special team coverage and wouldn’t even look at Andy Reid in the eye when being addressed by him.

Philadelphia had some issues with a former diva receiver which ended up causing a lot more drama than good.  (anyone remember his name, or even just his initials?)  This is an issue that Jeff Lurie and Reid need to rectify immediately if they want to keep this team on track for the playoffs.  You can’t afford to have locker rooms being split or distracted by non football related issues and this is something that can ruin them from being a surprise division winner in 2010.

**Since we’re on the discussion of the playoffs and the final weeks of the regular season approaching, let’s take a look at some situations that are sure to unfold as the season draws to a close.

• Phil Rivers will make Dan Marino sweat about his passing records.  He’s already amassed over 3300 yards and is averaging over 300 yards a game.  With his final games going against KC, Oakland, SF, Denver, and Cincinnati with 3 of those final games at home, it’s very feasible to say that he could possibly break this record.  I believe its going to come down to the final game but with only one real decent pass defense in the last 5 games, Rivers could inscribe his name in the books by at least joining Brees and Marino in the 5,000 yard club or challenging Dan for the record.
• Peyton Manning will bounce back to win the AFC South.  I don’t think will come as much of a shocker to people but with Manning having such a poor showing over the past few games, a lot of people are wondering if hes finally starting to decline.  Remember, Manning’s playing with a patchwork bunch of receivers.  The team hasn’t lost 5 games in a verrrry long time, and I think that will fire Manning up even further to turn this streak around.  They face a resurging Dallas squad who’s looking to play spoiler to everyone, so here’s your chance to prove everyone wrong Peyton.
• Kansas City will make the playoffs and throw a wrench in the AFC seeding.  People always like to think that it’s a lock that Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New York Jets, and New England will all be playing in January.  Well, now with Kansas City in the mix and the favorable schedule they have, its much easier to think that they have an easier shot to make the playoffs than the other teams mentioned.  Odd man out?  I’d have to say Pittsburgh.  Injuries are taking their tolls, plus they have an absolute gauntlet this weekend in Baltimore which I don’t think they’ll come out of.  I think they hit a couple game skid which leads them back far enough that they miss the playoffs.
• Atlanta will be the first team in the NFC to lock up home field advantage.  I had initially picked New York to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and I’m not ready to abandon them yet…but if Atlanta locks up the #1 seed, its going to be hell for any team to go down and beat them in the Georgia Dome.  They are a great home team and have proved that inside those Atlanta doors, they can beat most anyone that steps in there.  Having dispensed a loss to both Baltimore and Green Bay in recent weeks proves they deserve to be in the top echelon of teams.  Although the Super Bowl isn’t played there, they could have a much more comfortable road to Dallas if they get to stay home through January.
• The road to the AFC Championship will run through the Meadowlands. This Monday night will have a lot to spell out involving seeding for the playoffs, who wins the AFC East, etc… and I believe that you will see the Rex Ryan gang pull out on top when its all said and done.  The Jets do many things right.  They throw well, they run even better, and play great defense.  While New England plays most everyone great and is a master at small ball, they are skeptical defensively and I think it will be exposed, especially come January.  The Jets and Pats are both at 9-2 and in prime position to be the #1 seed at the end of the season, but New York is built for playoff football better than New England.

Last week, we didn’t get a chance to go through our Screamers and Sleepers, so I wanted to make sure we got that in this week for our fans out there looking for the best games.  Here’s this week’s look on our upcoming games.

SCREAMERS!!!!

Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles

What makes this game so good, is the offensive showing that you’ll see on Thursday night.  I think that Philly’s defense was a little overrated, and Jay Cutler showed that last weekend.  With Asante Samuel out of the lineup, that pass defense looks rather average.  Samuel’s coming back most likely, but Schaub and company are one of the top offenses in the league and will be a pain to cover all areas.  Vick is drooling at the opportunity to play this porous pass defense that Houston brings to the table.  Look for this to be an offensive shootout, but Philly will win this one  38-28.

Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts

Peyton’s been in a down funk, throwing for 5 interceptions in the past 2 games and losing 5 games in a season for the first time in almost a decade.  In comes a Dallas team that is playing for pride (and Jason Garrett’s future) that would love to play spoiler to prove they still were a team that should have been in the post season.  Peyton at home will not let 2 people come into their house and beat them, so look for Manning to take advantage of this skeptical pass defense.  Indy pulls this one off in a hard fought fashion 31-27.

Sleepers…

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

I can tell you that this game is probably circled on the Chiefs calendar from their last meeting.  Denver absolutely crushed Kansas City at home by over 30 points.  Matt Cassel and company are not going to let that sit easy in front of a home crowd that hasn’t had a chance to be excited for December football in many years.  Dwayne Bowe and Thomas Jones should have a great day for your fantasy teams.  This won’t be close in any stretch 42-17.

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

The dumb leading the blind.  Or in this case, the bad playing the worse.  Seattle could possibly be the worst team to ever make the playoffs if they win their division.  Carolina isn’t even sure if it wants to play  because they might ruin their chances of getting Andrew Luck with the #1 pick.  A lot of mistakes, an ugly game, but someone’s gotta win, right?  Seattle will win just because Carolina has nothing left to play for.  The score will look better than it should just because there will be a decent amount of garbage time at the end of this one.  24-20.