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It’s Time To Keep The Faith New Orleans

Published: December 31, 2009

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If someone would have told you in August that the New Orleans Saints would have a record of 13-2 when we ring in 2010, you would have said what?

I’m sure you would have been singing the same old tired tune of how the Saints will never be able to do that. They’ll never be more than a last minute add for a wildcard spot this year especially with a new defensive coordinator.

Why not its been the usual way of thinking for the better part of 40 years.

But not this year, this year is different. For the first time in Saints history, we ring in a New Year as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. You would think everyone in the city, whether local or visitor, would be elated at such a feat and jubilant beyond belief.

And yet there are still those negative Nellies who have to find some way to throw water on the fire. Of course those same negative Nellies where/are the last to jump on the bandwagon andwill be the first to jump off.

Watch your step and good bye!

The rest of us are having too much fun. An undefeated season and a Superbowl win would have been fabulous for all of the years of suffering.

Now it’s time for us,the true BELIEVERS, to not lose the Faith!

Its gut check time for player and fan alike. Time to ask yourself if you have what it takes.

Time to make a statement.

As a fan, I say let’s show the boys just how much we believe in them and instead of waiting at the airport when they return be there as they fly off to their last battle of the regular season. They leave around 1pm on Saturday.

Thank them for the ride so far and wish them a safe return as they continue on their/our quest of the Lombardi Trophy.

Happy New Year!

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Does T.O. See Jimmy Clausen As His Next QB? 2010 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Published: December 31, 2009

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One weekend remains in the chase to the top…..arrr bottom of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Most of the chips are in place and we can get a fantastic handle going into the Senior Bowl, Blue vs Grey Classic and the Combine.

Again I’ll remind you that this could be the most unpredictable draft we’ve seen in years. The collective bargaining agreement that hinges the fate of over 200 would be unrestricted free agents and the possibility of a record underclassmen exoduses in search of what could be the last of the super pay days for rookies make this a once in a generation sensation.

#1. St Louis – Ndamukong Suh DT NEB

If the Rams don’t pull out a victory over San Fran this week the top pick is all theirs and leads to what I believe will be a prognosticators worst possible nightmare. You could easily make a case for 3-4 different players with as many holes as the Rams have.

As it stands Suh is the guy right now, St Louis has a history with Nebraska players over the last ten years and it makes sense to take the best player in the country. I wouldn’t rule out a trade, maybe to Cleveland for Brady Quinn and their pick

#2. Detroit – Russell Okung OT OKST

This pick is also up for grabs with the Lions already paying Matt Stafford a boat load of cash.

I wouldn’t be shocked if they trade down and save some money. If they stay put someone to protect their franchise QB will be tempting and Okung is a beast. Gerald McCoy will also be an option but I stand firm in my belief Shaun Rogers is on his way back to town.

#3 Kansas City – Derrick Morgan DE GT

Morgan is oozing skills; guys that attack the QB like he can don’t come along every year. While I think Eric Berry might be a better fight or Golden Tate might be a huge weapon I don’t think they should pass up making their line almost unstoppable by drafting Morgan

#4. Tampa Bay – Eric Berry S TEN

Raheem I hope that win against New Orleans felt good because it cost you Big Suh.

I like Berry here as the best player on the board and to a few teams the best player in the draft. If rumor holds true that Bill Cowher is their next head coach this guy can fly around and be their Rod Woodson type hard hitting safety.

#5 Washington – Sam Bradford QB OKA

They have options and Bruce Allen will talk shop with anyone interested in this pick. I like Bradford just because they are going to make a splash, although they could be stuck with Jason Campbell if they can’t find a taker as he’d be a restricted free agent in an uncapped year. Other options could include C.J. Spiller or Anthony Davis

#6 Cleveland – Gerald McCoy DT OKA

They have a ton of needs but keeping this defense steady with the possible loss of Shaun Rodgers is a must and McCoy fits that bill. Holmgren will turn one of those QB’s into a decent option and they have weapons with Cribbs, Massaquoi, and Harrison. If Mangini stays and has a say don’t count him out of talking Mike into trading down.

#7 Seattle – Anthony Davis OT Rutgers

Seattle is hurt the most by Jake locker staying in school as they are likely to go with Matt Hasselbeck again next year. Matt has to stay healthy and needs some protection to do it. Davis is a rung bellow Okung but is still a heck of a prospect at 6’6 325 and can help a team that has had a few injury issues up front since their Superbowl run.

#8 Buffalo – Jimmy Clausen QB ND

I’ve been saying since he was fired from the Fighting Irish Charlie Weiss is the next coach of the Bills and it make sense that Jimmy Clausen is their man, TO has a few years left and nothing would make him happier to have both those guys helping out a horrific offense.

#9 Oakland – Joe Haden CB FLA

The Raiders win totals since 2004- 5,4,2,4,5, and 5.

I think Al Davis falls in love with his speed flat out. Tim Tebow is an option and no one would put it past the Raiders to make a reach pick but at the end of the day putting someone who can ball hawk across from Nnamdi Asomugha is a must at this pick.

#10 Denver (from Chicago) – Rolando McClain LB ALA

Denver could go a few ways here, their secondary is old but LB outside of D.J. Williams is a bigger question mark for me. McClain provides none stop motor, not overly flashy but well rounded. Joe Haden and Taylor Mays would also be fantastic selections. I would not be surprised if Sam Bradford falls past Washington and Josh Mac jumped at the chance to get his QB of the future.

#11 San Francisco (from Carolina) – Taylor Mays S USC

San Fran’s Offense is on the up swing. Its Defense is on the verge of being very very good. Taylor Mays maybe is the guy to push them over the top, along with Dashon Goldson their stud rookie and an improving pass rush I think next year is the year they catch Arizona. Mays is someone who can spy Kurt Warner and make big plays against the likes of Boldin and Fitzgerald.

#12 Jacksonville – Carlos Dunlap DE FLA

We know they like Tim Tebow but I get the sense everyone believes he will slip into round two. Having seen Dunlap up close they know what their getting here, a QB heat seeking missile that they lack.

#13 Tennessee – Earl Thomas S TEX

Their secondary was exploited all year due to injuries so it makes sense to add depth. Thomas ranks above Mays on some draft boards and the savvy Titans get a big time play maker. I could see Dez Bryant or Golden Tate here to give them someone across from Kenny Britt.

#14 San Francisco – Trent Williams OT OKA

After helping the Defense with Taylor Mays they will look to help Alex Smith have time to develop their spread offense. Williams is well rounded and at 6’5 300+ he should be able to grow into a Pro Bowl tackle.

#15 Miami – Golden Tate WR ND

Chad Henne is now the man is south beach but he needs help, we all hear Bill Parcels hates first round WR’s and after Teddy Ginn who could blame him? Golden Tate is a Percy Harvin clone as far as what he can do on the football field. Add him to a potent wild cat spread and give Henne a deep threat and that offense becomes a force.

#16 Pittsburgh – Terrence Cody DT ALA

Sixburgh got run all over this year, and Mount Cody is the answer to stopping the bleeding and opening lanes back up for that vaunted pass rush. They do need help in the secondary and if any of the Mays/Thomas/Haden trio fall they would also be tempting.

#17 Atlanta – Dez Bryant WR OKST

Matty Ice had issues this year when teams double covered Roddy White; Michael Jenkins just isn’t the answer. Bryant is a huge talent and getting him at this value shouldn’t be passed up. They do have needs on defense so don’t rule out a Brandon Spikes either.

#18 Houston – C.J. Spiller RB Clemson

I have every faith Steve Slaton will be back to normal next year but Gary Kubiak can’t run that risk with the lack of depth they showed late in the season. Spiller is a do everything type and the one two punch will only open things up further for Andre Johnson.

#19 Baltimore – Bruce Carter LB UNC

Sometimes the right player lands with the right team and it’s a no brainer, Carter is a guy Ray Lewis can finally pass the torch to. A beast that came out during UNC’s bowl game, his stock is soaring.

#20 NY Jets – Jermaine Gresham TE OKA

Gresham can be safety blanket for Mark Sanchez who desperately needs someone who can open up the outsides by exploiting the middle of the field. Gresham should not have any lingering issues from missing his senior season but he will feel it in the pocket book as he could have been a top 10 guy last year.

#21 Seattle (from Denver) – Colt McCoy QB TEX

They can’t simply keep ignoring Matt Hasselbeck’s injury issues. McCoy can sit and learn for most of next year and take over as soon as Hasselbeck shows once again he just cant stay on he field.

#22 NY Giants – Patrick Robinson CB FLST

The G-Men have to address their secondary and Robinson is the best value at this pick, they’d love to get one of those top safeties but a cover guy who can stay with the likes of DeSean Jackson isn’t so bad after all.

#23 Green Bay – Mike Iupati OL Idaho

This would be a great addition for the Packers attempt to get Aaron Rodgers uprite, his experience in cold weather at Idaho and his positive attitude will make him an instant fan favorite in the trenches for Green Bay

#24 Arizona – Cameron Heyward DL OSU

The 6’6 290lb second team all Big Ten selection can help a team that still gets gashed against the run. Arizona has developed a solid pass rush and ball hawk DB’s so finding guys who can be stout against the likes of Gore and Jackson is a must if they wish to return to the Superbowl.

#25 Cincinnati – Jason Pierre-Paul DC SFLA

Cincy lost some luster when Antwan Odom went down mid season. Finding a legit pass rusher is a priority. Brandon LeFell or Marty Gilyard could also be appealing but I doubt you replace Chris Henry with a first rounder and put that kind of pressure on a kid.

#26 Dallas – Sergio Krindle LB TEX

Jerry Jones has seen this beast grow up in his back yard and addressing an ageing LB core led by Keith Brooking is a necessity this offseason.

#27 New England – Ricky Sapp DE Clemson

Their line struggled without Richard Seymour, with all the picks Bill Belichick has horded this upcoming draft they can retool an aging dynasty. As always the Mad Genius will be moving up and down thru out the rounds.

#28 Minnasota – Brandon Spikes LB FLA

Spikes will be a good fit in case E.J. Henderson has issues recovering from his horrific leg injury late this season. A leader Minnesota is lacking without their play caller on the field. Getting younger on the defensive line is also something the Vikings will be looking to do, would Mount Cody be a perfect fit if he drops?

#29 Philadelphia – Navorro Bowman LB PNST

Nothing flashy this year, look for an emphasis of the D side as their offense is clicking. Bowman would be a fantastic leader and playmaker able to blitz and chase with that scary secondary behind him.

#30 San Diego – Brandon LeFell WR LSU

Phillip Rivers loves tall WR’s and LeFell is a monster at 6’3 210. D-line is an issue but health really effected them this year and I don’t think it’s going to be a problem next year.

#31 New Orleans – Jahvid Best RB CAL

Reggie Bush may cost them too much to keep around next year, so Best can give the offense a playmaker in Reggie’s mold.

#32 Indianapolis – Dan Williams DT TEN

The Colts close out round one with help on the D-line that has battled injuries closing out the last few years. I’d like to see them draft Tim Tebow and turn him into a TE that runs the Wild Cat, what do you think?

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When Winning Doesn’t Matter: How the Colts Defrauded The NFL.

Published: December 28, 2009

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Somehow when Chad Ochocinco dons a sombrero after a touchdown he is “damaging the integrity of the game.”

And yet when a team blatantly throws a game in a manner that leaves no doubt as to their intentions, this is deemed acceptable.

Let me say this again because it sounds so ridiculous.

Wearing a sombrero is more damaging to the game than intentionally losing.

Tweeting during halftime is more damaging to the game than intentionally losing.

Criticizing referees is more damaging to the game than intentionally losing.

In an era of NFL football that seems to be more and more concerned with the trivialities, apparently trying to win (the core value) is no longer important.

Apparently throwing a game to a team ensconced in a playoff race is deemed acceptable, exactly the type of behavior that got Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe Jackson banned from professional baseball.

And they were just suspected of maybe altering a game by gambling or accepting money.

In this respect maybe there needs to be a serious investigation as to which of the various Colts higher ups had their money on the Jets.

If the Colts were really that concerned that the iron man himself, Peyton Manning, was going to be injured after nearly 200 consecutive starts, then he shouldn’t have even made the trip.

In fact, they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble simply by not showing up.

Why didn’t they try that?

Well for a number of reasons.

First of all, that’s against the rules.

In the NFL you can’t just not show up, but you can show up and intentionally blow the game, though I’m not exactly sure what the difference is.

More importantly, the Colts wanted to gouge their fans for their hard earned money in the middle of a horrific economy, even though they had no intention of winning.

So while some columnists are “sickened” by the way Colts fans booed the team in the second half after shelling out two weeks salary to take their family to a game, I would have condoned them had they rushed the field with pitch forks and demanded their money back.

And if the Colts organization has any integrity left they should consider doing just that.

This was perhaps the worst display I’ve ever seen on a football field (perhaps in any sport), and it will catch up with the Colts.

I’d rather see Dominic Riola flipping off the Detroit Lions fans or Lagarrette Blount popping Byron Hout in the face, because these are uncalculated crimes of passion, the type our legal system has devised lesser penalties for.

What Indy did was calculated and vile and completely destructive to the integrity of the NFL.

First of all, the Indy players themselves were devastated that their chance at history was taken from them.

After all their hard work, trying to accomplish something that no team since the 1972 Dolphins had done, their efforts were scuttled from within the organization itself.

Though they all said the right things (more or less) after the game, not one of them said it was the right decision, and you could tell by the way they hung their heads on the sideline and moped into the locker room that in many ways they felt betrayed.

Peyton Manning doesn’t give up, and the fact that he was forced to by his own coach is gnawing at him even now. What’s more, it’s gnawing at the whole team and if this season ends badly, I expect some of the players to break rank and point to this humiliation.

To make this episode worse, the Jets are in the midst of a playoff race and by handing them a game, the Colts have inexcusably created a laughingstock of the entire playoff system.

As a Lions fan, there have been many times that I really wanted a win, probably more than most.

But at no time would I have accepted a cheap win like this just to pad the stats or finally make the playoffs.

I’m a fan of the game first and foremost and I find this type of farce absurd.

Being given a win is not winning, and though I don’t blame the Jets one bit for scrapping out a victory, they’ve got to have rather mixed feelings about it themselves.

And in defense of this decision, too many columnists have reiterated the nonsensical verse, “The Superbowl is the only thing that matters,” as if there was any truth in that, or any proof that the Colts have somehow strengthened their Superbowl bid.

NFL history matters.

Sportsmanship matters.

Competition matters.

Integrity matters.

Winning matters.

Because if none of these things matter, then Sports don’t matter at all, and I should be saving my money for something more utilitarian and less disappointing.

The Colts defrauded the entire NFL, it’s fans, and even themselves in their loss to the Jets, and though I’m not a man of mysticism, I can’t help but feel that it’s going to catch up with them.

Too bad for the players and the fans because it’s not their fault.

But there’s a name for people who think that winning doesn’t matter.

They’re called losers.

And the Colts were losers in more ways than one during their disappointing give away to the Jets.

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Indianapolis Colts Answer Some Questions, Raise More in Loss to Jets

Published: December 28, 2009

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“Last night, while I lay thinking here, some Whatifs crawled inside my ear…”

–Shel Silverstein

One question for 2010 is finally answered.

Will there be a 19-0 (or even simply 16-0) team? The answer came in back to back weeks with the Saints falling to the Cowboys (then shockingly to the Buccaneers in the next game) in Week 15, followed by a Colts loss to the New York Jets in Week 16.

It put a finality to questions over not only whether to rest starters, but how soon to shelve them and whether rest took priority over a chance at history.

The decision was made during the third quarter with the Colts leading 15-10, that the time had come to rest Indianapolis’ starters. The question over whether to ‘go for it’ addressed, now the team faces a fresh array to answer.

Should the team take home anything but a Superbowl trophy, some blame will likely be affixed to the idea of ending the year with preventative measures. The deeper the team can go, the quieter those cries will be. But any loss will bring any array of criticism covering a plethora of angles.

If they lose in either AFC matchup, that angle will look heavily towards questioning the method of trying to ‘turn it back on’ after so much down time.

A Superbowl win will erase all of that… for a week or two. The excitement of a win will ultimately override concerns over resting starters and taking that champagne glass from Mercury Morris’ hand.

After that, however, they still have those whatifs that will bounce around. This was a team capable of winning the Superbowl, so what would have happened had they played their starters through to the end of the regular season? Was 19-0 thwarted by a management decision and not by the players on the field?

It doesn’t outweigh the elation of hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy, but it does give some pause.

It is the technicality that will asterisk the win to a lot of fans. Not an asterisk to the win’s legitimacy, but rather the potential for history. What keeps athletes, teams, and fan bases fueled is that hunger for more. A Super Bowl is great, now go repeat. 18-1 is fantastic, but what about 19-0?

It would be easier to approach the decision without much question were there more history supporting the decision.

The Colts are 7-8 in the playoffs during the Peyton Manning era. A key statistic in their Super Bowl winning, 2006 campaign: 4-0 in the playoffs.

That was one of the few years the team was unable to give time to backup Jim Sorgi because the Colts were fighting for position to the end.

Despite a solid 12-4 record, Indianapolis could not secure a bye, and fought through the entire playoffs. The ultimate result was Peyton Manning’s lone NFL championship.

More telling for the Colts; in years where Jim Sorgi has closed the regular season for Indianapolis, the Colts are 1-4 in the playoffs. The team’s historical tendency to rest starters when the final games were irrelevant to playoff positioning has not once paid dividends.

In every one of those four losses, the Colts were the favored team, one or even two years can be considered isolated incidents. Four Years without deviation constitutes a trend.

Granted the Colts were in a situation where either choice would have been scrutinized ad infinitum . Had the Colts played their starters deeper into the game and one been injured, the choice would have been lambasted by all involved. Even if the team had gone into the playoffs with no new injuries, a loss would be examined under a microscope.

Without the stress of “perfection” would the team played a little less tight, forced things a less and won? Was the team tired from the constant comebacks and tight play? Would the rest have done them well and gave them fresher legs for the playoffs?

When you play your starters in a situation where they could have been rested, anything but complete victory brings about a barrage of questions about the decision to play them. Should a team elect to rest its starters (as they did), then a whole new set of questions are raised.

The reality is that there is only one result that would have negated any chance for questioning the decision.

Whether it be by leaving Manning in or by Curtis Painter maintaining the team’s lead, 19-0 is the only way the team avoids criticism. Should they take home the Superbowl, the worst of that criticism will be mitigated, but even then, the team will still always have to wonder “what if…”

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Another Opportunity For Jim Kelly to Bring Buffalo Bills a Lombardi

Published: December 27, 2009

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Remember when Head Coach Dick Jauron was fired and Bills owner Ralph Wilson pledged to spend $10 million per year to get an A-List coach and GM? Remember when Mr. Wilson interviewed Mike Shanahan and contacted Bill Cowher? It appeared he was determined to do whatever it took to get good football minds in the top positions of the franchise.

Do you remember, even barely? It was only a month ago, but seems like an eternity. Since word of the snub from Bill Cowher, nothing else has happened; unless it has been so far under the radar that even press rumor hounds haven’t got the scent.

Meanwhile, Mike Holmgren has signed with Cleveland, and all the rumors point to Shanahan going to Washington. Today ESPN’s pundits have Cowher playing Carolina and Tampa Bay against each other, with Ron Wolf (the brains behind the Favre era success at Green Bay) likely to reunite with Holmgren in Cleveland.

We have to wonder, did Wilson at least attempt to contact Holmgren or Wolf? Has he been doing anything to lure anyone of merit to Buffalo?

There was no mention whatsoever of Buffalo in any of the head coach or general manager speculation on the NFL pre-game shows this morning. Not even baseless rumors.

Does this mean there is no activity on the part of ownership to fill these vacancies? Has Ralph Wilson decided to play musical chairs with the available top tier candidates and make an offer to the last one standing when all the other slots have been filled, hoping at least one of the big boys is still out in the cold?

Or is it something more ominous? Is all the talk about top money for top talent a bone to the fans; the overtures to Shanahan and Cowher, just bones to the fans? So that Wilson can say he made an effort but Buffalo just can’t command that kind of talent, even with competitive money on the table?

Whether it’s what Ralph is saying or not, that seems to be the general impression he is giving to the media and most Bills fans.

I reject that assumption. Cleveland is no garden spot. Buffalo is Cleveland on a slightly smaller scale. If Cleveland can catch Holmgren, then Buffalo could have had him. With the right price and the right amount of control, Holmgren could be sitting in a corner office at One Bills Drive right now.

As could Ron Wolf. And Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, or Brian Billick. Or any number of other former head coaches who have not only seen the promised land from the mountaintop but have been there and back. Any one of them could already be at work in Buffalo with the right combination of money, control, and compatible personnel.

In fact, most of the Super Bowl champions have come from less than A-list cities. Sure, Buffalo is no Boston; but Boston is no New York or Miami either. And other than the Patriots and the Giants, most of the recent Superbowl winners have hailed from the likes of Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Indianapolis.

Call me naive, but I highly doubt any NFL coach worth having consults his glamour meter before he rules a particular city in or out of his career search. What decent coaches do consider is tradition, fan support, compensation, control, and what resources they will inherit when they arrive. Some have more of a stomach for rebuilding than others; but in a league where last-to-first transformations are more of a norm than an aberration, there are few teams that, with the right coaching and management, wouldn’t have a shot at the Lombardi trophy in any given year.

So when the media ignores Buffalo as a potential destination for the big names, are they assuming that Ralph Wilson may be willing to part with the money but not with the reigns? Or are they simply dismissing the city in the way that Buffalo is so often treated in the minds and headlines of all places beyond its borders? I suspect it is the latter.

But what is even more frustrating for die-hard Buffalo fans is that many of our own people dismiss Buffalo in a similar way. There is the conscious or unconscous, spoken or unspoken assumption on the part of many that if Buffalo has a good run, it will be more by accident than design.

So how do we fight this perception? I call upon Jim Kelly to do for his former team what he was unable to do as a quarterback. Fill the leadership void, even if unofficially.

It was reported that only after Kelly and former teammate Thurman Thomas appealed to Wilson did Wilson proclaim his intention to seek top football talent for the front office and the sidelines. Whether or not that is true, it seems that Kelly could offer himself to Wilson as an emissary for potential general manager and head coach candidates.

We know Kelly is committed both to Buffalo and the Bills. He has made his home in Buffalo since retiring, and has been active in civic and community life, as well as a recent fixture on the Bills sidelines. He writes a column for the Bills website. He is considered a potential future owner (heading up a cartel of pooled resources). He has the respect and the ear of Ralph Wilson, and as a Hall of Famer, he has the respect of all in the football world.

Jim Kelly could approach a Bill Cowher, Brian Billick, or Ron Wolf and sell them on Buffalo. Kelly could sell Wilson on the terms needed to enlist one or more of these proven champions. If successful, Buffalo could finally, next year or the following, win its first Superbowl. I have no doubt Jim Kelly feels the weight of unfinished business of his efforts in uniform. I have no doubt he would jump at the opportunity to heal that wound for himself and a million plus Buffalo fans who still hope, more than they believe, that anything is still possible.

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Now That the Saints are Marching In, Can the Rest of New Orleans Follow?

Published: December 27, 2009

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The city that care forgot.

The city that the nation seemingly forgot.

The Baghdad in the Swamp.

New Orleans.

While media outlets nationwide are making sure to crank out headlines profiling the rejuvenating effects that the Saints are providing to the “Crescent City,” it’s all really just a circus fun-house full of smoke and mirrors. The very reality is this: nothing has changed other than the need to get a bigger axle for everyone that’s piling on the black and gold bandwagon.

Before and during the NFL Network’s coverage of the Saturday night game versus the Dallas Cowboys, the same humbling images of an ocean full of flooded rooftops and people literally on the verge of complete ruin flashed across the screen that have been recycled over and over again for the past four years.

Why, after such a large amount of time, are we not showing images of progress, change, and hope that everyone from the local papers all the way to ESPN want you to believe are happening across the area?

Because progress, change, and hope aren’t happening. Because this city is stuck in a very literal time-warp. Because the people in charge both locally and federally are content to let the house of cards fall much in the same way the house came crashing down at the end of August, 2005.

Every time Drew Brees throws another touchdown to his litany of receivers , surely the whole city gets right off of it’s FEMA enhanced rear-ends to rebuild another house, right? When the Saints defense picks off another ill-advised pass, there is some big corporate suit who donates a fixed amount of money to a local charity that is dedicated to making a difference, correct?

The entire region uses the momentum gained on Sundays to stay focused and steer the city back to prominence, doesn’t it?

Keep dreaming.

There’s every opportunity in this city to foster a sense of change during the work week, yet the rest of the world would have you foolishly believe that it all starts on Sunday afternoons at 12:00 in the Louisiana Superdome.

Admittedly, the spotlight will be briefly placed on New Orleans until the Saints are either eliminated from the playoffs or hoist the Lombardi Trophy into the air in Miami come February.

Shortly thereafter, the bulb will burn out and the city will again slowly implode upon itself through continual acts of senseless violence, corrupt politicians that make even the worst of the worst in Detroit cringe, and general acceptance by the populace of the status quo being the only answer.

Until all the feel good stories end and the whole country is genuinely outraged by what is really happening here in New Orleans, we will never truly recover. Not even a Superbowl victory can change that.

So jump on the bandwagon America, seats are filling up fast for the first time in a while! Just remember, we don’t care enough to fix our own city. We promise to put the ‘Aints paper bags back over our heads once the first signs of spring come.

At this rate, the only thing that looks to be standing in the way of both the Saints and the city of New Orleans are the same thing…

Themselves.

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NFL Receivers: Top 10

Published: December 24, 2009

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1. Andre Johnson

A big, strong, and fast reciever. He’s had at least 1,500 yards and eight touchdowns each of the last two years. He is, right now, the best receiver in football.

2. Larry Fitzgerald

The best in the league in jump ball situations. His production is down a little this year, but he is still up there with Johnson as one of the best.

3. Desean Jackson

The most explosive player in the NFL. He is lightning fast and almost uncoverable. Its just his second year and he is already one of the best.

4. Reggie Wayne

He has put up great numbers over the last few years. A great reciever but Peyton Manning can make anyone look good.

5. Brandon Marshall

Denvers go-to guy. He has some of the best hands in the league and when he gets the ball he runs like a mad man.

6. Santonio Holmes

He has posted good numbers since being drafted in 2006. He looks to be developing into a very good number one reciever, and he made one of the greatest catches in superbowl history.

7. Wes Welker

He has had over 100 catches every year since joining the Patriots, and is clearly one of the best recievers in the NFL.

8. Randy Moss

One of the greatest recievers to ever play the game. He’s not as good as he used to be but still close to the top.

9. Vincent Jackson

A huge reciever with good speed. With over 1,000 yards the last two seasons, he has turned into a big play reciever.

10. Sidney Rice

This year was his breakout season. A young reciever with lots of potential. He could move his way up the list over the next couple of years

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Christmas Carols 2009: Spreading Football Cheer

Published: December 24, 2009

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Another holiday season is upon us, which means family, friends, and the spirit of giving. My gift to you, as it has been these last few years, are everyone’s favorite Christmas carols with an NFL (and now college) spin.

Be sure to load up on eggnog, put on your ugly sweater, and sing these carols loudly this Christmas. Maybe Santa will be so wowed he’ll give you the gift of your team in the playoffs. Unless you’re a Jets fan.

Here comes Tom Cable
(to the tune of “Here Comes Santa Claus”)

Here comes Tom Cable,
Here comes Tom Cable,
Coming to punch us out.
Bad on defense,
And worse on offense,
And a great big gout.
Bells are ringing, women screaming,
Oh what a terrible sight.
So hang your stocking but lock the door
‘Cause Tom Cable comes tonight.

Here comes Tom Cable,
Here comes Tom Cable,
In his mid forties.
Al Davis has got his seat
At 800 degrees!
See his Raiders trip and bumble
Future’s sort of bright,
So jump in bed, leave the team for dead
‘Cause Tom Cable comes tonight.

An Ochocinco Christmas
(to the tune of “Deck the Halls”)

Did you hear ‘bout Ochocinco,
Fined fined fined fined fined, fined fined fined fined!
Tried to bribe the refs a dollar,
Fined fined fined fined fined, 20 grand.
Don he now a big sombrero,
Fined fined fined, fined fined fined, 30 grand,
Wore a wrongly colored chinstrap
Fined fined fined fined fined, fined ten thousand.

Wanted to wear Henry’s 15,
Fa la la la la, would have been cool.
But the NFL said no,
Fa la la la la, la just chill out.
We just wish Goodell would relax,
Fa la la, la la la, you’ve been fined
Maybe he should kiss the baby,
Fa la la la la, oh Child Please.

Home Field Isn’t Comin’ to Town
(to the tune of Santa Claus is ‘Comin to Town)

You better play well,
You better go fight,
Even though Favre has played all right,
Home field isn’t comin’, to town.

Drew Brees is a stud,
His numbers are nice
And under pressure he’s as cool as ice,
Home field isn’t comin’, to town

They score when you are sleeping,
They score when you’re awake,
And they’ll play the big game in the Superdome
With the Superbowl at stake

Oh, AP better run,
And Percy take flight,
Though Minny will play with all their might,
Home field isn’t comin’, to town.

Silent Night
(to the tune of…uh…”Silent Night”)

Silent night…
Quiet night…
Just another…..Jaguars home game
Game’s been blacked out, once again.
Cannot sell out, can’t explain.
Off to LA we go-o…
Off to LA we go.

Silent night…
Quiet night…
David Garrard, gets no breaks.
MJD, took a knee.
Searching for playoffs, but it’s not to be.
We should just draft Tim Te-bow…
We should just draft Tim Tebow

On the 12th day of Christmas, the NFL gave to me…
(to the tune of “12 Days of Christmas”)

Twelve on the field
Eleven Drew Brees touchdowns
Ten failed fake field goals
Nine Packers O-lines
Eight Cribbs kickoff TD’s
Seven wild card hopefuls
Six new kickers
FIIIIVE CUTLER PICKS!!
Four Oakland QB’s
Three canned OC’s
Two Tampa wins
And a brand new Brett Favre team!

“We Wish We Were In the Title Game”
(to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”)

We wish we were in the title game,
We wish we were in the title game,
We wish we were in the title game,
But we’re from TCU.

The BCS stinks,
It hates us Horned Frogs.
It’s just scared we’ll throttle ‘Bama
Someone pass the eggnog.

No love for the WAC,
Or the Mountain West
So we’ll have a fiesta
Mauling Idaho’s best.

We wish we were in the title game,
We wish we were in the title game,
We wish we were in the title game,
But we need a playoff!!

This is an original article by Pigskin Heaven Writer, Whit Prowdy, you can read it, more of Whit Prowdy’s articles and more from the Pigskin Heaven staff, here.