Idle Thoughts: Glazing Through A Football Haze
I'm not one to share my opinion, but since you asked...
- With all the media storm that surrounded James Harrison and his punishing hits that he dished on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, I still stand by the notion that both were legal and that Harrison was not trying to hurt anyone or had intent to injury. Football is a physical sport and when you add knee-jerk reactions from front office NFL types to the mix, you get what unfolded this week in unjust fines and threats of suspension.
It didn't help that there were several plays in multiple games where hits to the head occurred. Then you throw in ESPN showing the plays in question over and over on TV, (along with the super slow-motion replay to add that dramatic effect) and the end result is a cry to clean up the game. Guess what people, these hits will still occur. That what happens when you play football in the NFL. Players get hurt.
- Pitt looked great last week against Syracuse, a team they have dominated the past few years in Big East play. Now let's see how Dave Wannstedt has prepared his team for a Rutgers club that has had his number. I'm not sold on Pitt just yet. A win over the Scarlet Knights would help to bring me closer to a sip of Kool-Aid regarding the Panthers and winning a Big East title.
- After giving up a goal on his 1st shot faced last night, Marc Andre Fleury rebounded quite nicely to help his team get a 4-3 overtime road win in Nashville on Thursday. For the Flower, it marks his 1st win of the regular season. I hope there are 40 more after this one, but let's not get that far ahead of ourselves just yet.
- Both the AL & NLCS series have been very entertaining. I still think Texas and San Francisco will represent their respected leagues in the World Series. I would gladly park my carcass in front of a TV for several Cliff Lee vs. Tim Lincecum matchups. I'm willing to bet America would as well. I'm tired of seeing the Yankees on TV.
- Are you like me when I wonder who in this town is going to pay $140 for a good seat to watch Arena Football at the Consol? Yeah, I thought zero was the answer to that question too.
- A shoving match between two members of the Pittsburgh media took place after Mike Tomlin's post-game press conference on Sunday. I know things can get competitive in the wretched media, but do we really need to act like teenagers? Seriously, grow up people. You don't like each other. We get it. There is no reason to act like that in a working environment. If you push somebody like that in public, in a working environment, shouldn't there be some sort of, I don't know, repercussion for the act? There are plenty of people who can do your job without behaving like six-year olds.
- If anybody thought James Harrison was really going to retire this week, you would be in the minority. There is no way Harrison could have possibly walked away from the $20+ million he is due to make over the next four years of his contract.
- With the WPIAL football playoffs on our doorstep, I'm changing my picks for who will win it all to Central Catholic in Quad A, West Allegheny in AAA, South Fayette in AA and Rochester in A. Check back in a few weeks to see me switch these again!
- I thought that the most exciting team to watch in college football was Boise State, however I must admit that after viewing Oregon's 60-13 dismantling of UCLA on Thursday, that the Ducks now hold this honor. They move the ball with such fluid grace, it keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next big play to happen. Oregon may very well play for the BCS title, but the Ducks have several major hurdles ahead, including USC next Saturday in Los Angeles. If you don't think Lane Kiffin has this one circled, guess again. The Trojans will use this as their 'Bowl Game' and expect an upset here.
- If the Steelers expect to win on the road this week, they will need another big effort from Big Ben. He holds the key to defeating the Dolphins. Their run defense ranks 16th, but I expect them to look for Rashard Mendenhall to try to run early. They will be prepared for this. What they won't be prepared for is Heath Miller over the middle and Mike Wallace deep down field. Ben picking a defense apart will allow this team to move to 5-1 before attacking the meat of their schedule over the next three weeks.
- Do you think Joe Paterno knows what day it is without being reminded? Why does this 83 year-old man continue to think he can run a successful major college football program?
- How long before the end of the NFL season do you see John Fox keeping his job in Carolina and Bill Cowher taking over? I'd say two weeks from firing to hiring tops.
- After a 3-2 record two weeks ago, I took last week off from my ever-growing popular segment 'Late Night Locks.' My record may be 7-12 YTD, but I don't think I'm fade material this week. My selections are as follows. ATL -3 vs. Cincinnati. PHI +3 at Tennessee. TB -3 vs. St. Louis. SD -3 vs. New England and SEA/AZ OVER 40.
- If Pitt can somehow overcome the wildcat offense Rutgers employees, they should move to 2-0 in conference play. The Knights may not have the services of talented WR Mohamad Sanu, who is suffering from a foot injury that has kept him out of practice for most of the week. Even if he plays, he most likely won't be 100%. Pitt needs all the help it can get right now and a win against a school that has had their number could serve as the motivation needed to keep the hope of winning the Big East title alive.
John Phillips is the author of this article and is also a talk-show host for 93.7 The Fan. JP also is a food fanatic and avid sports junkie. His love of both comes together at his website at www.foodandgamestv.ning.com
