Well, in an uneventful Wednesday on the waiver wire, the Tennessee Titans were the only team to put in a claim for Randy Moss.
Moss brings an incredible talent to an otherwise mediocre Titans receiving corp. Kenny Britt has been inconsistent and injured even though he has shown signs of brilliance, and the rest consists of Nate Washington and Stefan Logan. This should open up huge holes for Chris Johnson because teams won't be able to put eight in the box anymore. Moss should be happy with this situation because he could have gone to a bad team and been forced to sit out the season.
On the other hand, it didn't matter how many teams put in a claim for LB Shawne Merriman because the team with the highest priority put in a claim. Merriman is now a member of the AFC East cellar-dweller Buffalo Bills.
While Buffalo is in shambles and just downright terrible, Merriman is still scary. The guy was one of the best when he played so we all know his potential. If he can get back to that, at least the Bills will have a formidable pass rush. Not looking forward to that.
LB Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman has been waived by the San Diego Chargers. Teams have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to claim him, or, like Moss, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Merriman passed his exit physical which allowed his release. This has been expected due to his injury and steroid issues with San Diego. I believe there was some sort of clause in his contract that due to all of the crap, they are obligated to release him.
Merriman's situation is much different from Moss'. Merriman is unbelievably talented and disrupts his team only in the form of injury (apparently the steroid suspension was b.s.). I would love for the Jets to claim Merriman, but since they have such a low priority on the waiver wire, the only real chance is if he clears and becomes a free agent. Gosh knows New York could use the pass rush help.
Don't be surprised if a middle-of-the-pack team with a struggling defense picks him up with the hopes that he provides a spark. St. Louis, for example, has a realistic chance to win their weak division, and I'm sure defensive-minded coach Steve Spagnuolo wouldn't mind having Merriman coming off the edge.
Former Minnesota Vikings WR Randy Moss has officially been waived by his twice former team and can be claimed as soon as Wednesday.
There are numerous reports as to reasons why he was waived, including but not limited to:
Insulting teams catering
Insulting random people around teammates
Alienating teammates
Showing praise to former coach and team that just beat him
Basically, Moss is back to his former ways. He was an outspoken jerk when he used to play for the Vikings, and has now reverted back to that. When with New England, he was winning, happy and quiet. He was not going to get resigned by the Pats after his contract was up after this season, so they unloaded him for a pick. Minnesota is going nowhere fast and Brad Childress should be fired.
I'll write more about this when Moss gets picked up; here are 10 teams who I think might be interested, in order of their chance (waiver order, team with worst record/best chance at top):
Dallas Cowboys - Why wouldn't they want to bring in a high profile receiver...haha
Denver Broncos - Coach Josh McDaniels had Moss when he was in NE
San Diego Chargers - With Vincent Jackson's future past this year up in the air...
Washington Redskins - They have no receivers over 5'10"
St. Louis Rams - Bradford is playing well, could use a big target...weak division
Oakland Raiders - Playing well and had Moss a few years back
Seattle Seahawks - Playing well and didn't have Moss a few years back
Chicago Bears* - Cutler could use Moss-like receiver
Tennessee Titans* - See above, insert Young for Cutler
Kansas City Chiefs - Surprising a lot of people, could use a big offensive weapon
*Coin flip to determine order
It will be interesting to see who takes him...he has a lot of issues but there is no doubt that he is a great receiver. I suspect that someone off this list will claim him, but wouldn't be surprised if a team that wasn't put in a claim. Moss is a guy that a lot of teams probably wouldn't mind having because he is a game-changer. Let's see what happens...
Week five has a ton of intriguing match ups and we're definitely in store for some upsets as no spread this week is double digits.
Game 1
Chiefs at Colts - Being the last undefeated team, the Chiefs have something to be proud of. However, they've only played three games. They have a tough match up this week against an Indy team who is beyond furious with the fact that they have two losses already. Look for Indy to come out firing on a weak KC defense. Don't count the Chiefs out though, Indy's defense is extremely weak and they could do some damage. Look for rookie Dexter McCluster to make some big plays for KC.
My Prediction: Colts 28 Chiefs (+8) 23
Game 2
Giants at Texans - This is going to be an extremely good game between a defense that sacked the QB 10 times last week and the No. 1 ranked...rushing offense? That's right folks, Houston leads the NFL in rushing yards, primarily because of the fast start Arian Foster has gotten of to. The Giants will have to slow down an explosive Texans, that will get WR Andre Johnson back this week, and hope to get Matt Schaub out of his comfort zone. The Giants will be missing their starting Center, Defensive End and Linebacker. The Giants might have a chance if they can put up the points, but don't count on that with LB Brian Cushing hopefully returning to the field for Houston. The Texans should improve to 4-1.
My Prediction: Texans (-3) 34 Giants 17
Game 3
Vikes at Jets - This is the MNF game and it has no shortage of storylines, including but not limited to:
Brett Favre's return to New York
Moss to the Vikings, will play 17 games this year
Santonio Holmes returns from suspension
Revis and Pace return from injury
Jets 4-0 all-time at home against Vikings
As you can tell, tomorrow night will be a very exciting time in my life and football in general. I think this is a winnable game for the Jets. They are playing great football, while Minnesota struggled the first two weeks of the season. The Vikes haven't found their groove yet, and being in New York, I don't see how the Jets will lose. I like them to cover the spread handily in a revenge game for the Jets organization.
Of course, the Minnesota Vikings trade for a HOF receiver the week before they play my NY Jets. I am not worried though because the Jets could be as close to full strength on Monday night as they'll get all season. Darrelle Revis, Calvin Pace and Santonio Holmes all should return to the lineup against the Vikings.
Revis, an All-Pro CB, signed with the team late and then pulled his aggrivated a hamstring against the Pats. The Jets have faired well without him, going 3-0, but he is clearly their best defender and need him back ASAP. Pace is the best pass rusher on the team, and he is desperately needed back on a Jets team who only has eight sacks in four games.
Holmes, a former Super Bowl MVP, is said to potentially the best player on the Jets offense and without a doubt their best receiver. It will be hard to live up to those expectations with the way Sanchez, Keller, Edwards and LT are playing, but I certainly look forward to him trying. Holmes has electrifying speed and accelerates to the ball. He is a fantastic deep threat and should add to Sanchez's success.
Wow, a lot was said about the Jets in a post that I thought was going to be about Randy Moss and the Minnesota Vikings. Basically, if Brett Favre keeps sucking, it won't matter whether they have Moss or not. Maybe all Favre needs is another weapon since Sidney Rice is injured, but I doubt Moss alone will turn the Vikes around.
Moss is second in Vikings history in just about every statistical category possible for receivers. He was essentially stolen away from the Pats for only a third round pick, practically nothing compared to what he can bring to a squad.
I don't think Moss will be enough to get the Vikings past the Jets, in New Jersey nonethless. However, if they were going to make a push (I know it's only week five), having Moss certainly won't hurt.
Side note: Moss will be only the second player in NFL history to play in back-to-back Monday night games...can you name the other?
The second to last week of the season proved to be important as two teams now control their destiny with a win and in scenario.
NFL Week Sixteen
"The Down"
This was kind of tough because there were a couple of bad performances, but I chose Curtis Painter because all he had to do was nothing and he did less than that. He did negative with his interception, incomplete passes and fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Colts lost their undefeated season and gave the Jets playoff hopes.
Honorable Mentions:
QB Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) – 19 of 37 for 198 yards 1 TD and 4 INTs QB Charlie Frye (OAK) – 26 of 45 for 333 yards and 3 INTs QB Keith Null (STL) – 20 of 31 for 171 yards 1 TD and 3 INTs QB Drew Stanton (DET) – 11 of 21 for 130 yards and 3 INTs
"The Dirty"
Unfortunately, the player with the sickest game plays for a team with nothing to play for this season. Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers racked up 206 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown. Stewart torched a Giants team that was in a must-win situation to have a shot at the playoffs. So all Carolina did was embarrass to G-men and play spoiler with them. Both teams will be looking to next year in week 17.
Honorable Mentions:
WR Roddy White (ATL) – 8 for 139 yards and 2 TDs WR Randy Moss (NE) – 4 for 45 yards and 3 TDs WR Devin Aromashodu (CHI) – 7 for 150 yards and 1 TD RB Chris Johnson (TEN) – 18 for 166 yards and 2 TDs
If anyone thinks I missed a player that deserves to be recognized on either list please let me know.
My sincerest apologies for this delayed post.However, it is going to published before the start of the Thursday game coming up: Miami @ Carolina
NFL Week Ten
“The Down”
Most football fans saw something this past Thursday night that we might not see ever again.Jay Cutler threw five interceptions. You might be asking why this is special? The reason it is special is because his five interceptions made it three consecutive weeks that a quarterback has thrown five picks. He did throw for just over 300 yards and the Bears actually did have an opportunity to win the game at the end. But, what do you know, that was when Cutler threw his fifth, final and game-ending interception.
Honorable Mentions:
QB Brady Quinn (CLE) – 13 of 31 for 99 yards and 2 INTs
This week’s “The Dirty” might be a little controversial if you look at the honorable mentions; however, it seems to me that the situation was enough to help the stats. Reggie Wayne had 10 receptions for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. The reason he is the winner ahead of Moss is because Wayne’s second touchdown came with thirteen seconds left in the game.He dove to make the catch and there was a ton of contact between him and the defensive back.The game winning touchdown combined with stellar enough stats was enough for propel Wayne ahead of the players you see below.
Honorable Mentions:
RB Chris Johnson (TEN) – 26 for 132 yards and 2 TDs
QB Kurt Warner (ARI) – 29 of 38 for 340 yards and 2 TDs
I am aware that I just wrote back-to-back pieces about the MLB Gold Gloves Awards, but this is my weekly piece and I want it to be down every Wednesday.Well, at least when I started it was still Wednesday.
NFL Week Nine
"The Down"
This award was tough to hand out to one player in the beginning. After analyzing the stats and looking a bit deeper into everything it became clear that Matthew Stafford came out on top (or bottom depending how you look at it). Even though he threw two touchdowns and Orton didn’t throw a single one.Stafford threw for 22 of 42 for 203 and 2 TDs. Oh, not his five, yeah count ‘em FIVE interceptions. Stafford took after last week’s biggest loser, Kurt Warner.The main reason why Stafford had to be chosen over Orton is because at least Orton faced a respectable team in the Steelers.Also, Stafford faced the Seahawks, and jumped out to 17 point lead.Why did he even throw a pass the rest of the game? Oy, who knows…
Honorable Mentions:
QB Kyle Orton (DEN) – 23 of 38 for 221 yards and 3 INTs
QB Joe Flacco (BAL) – 18 of 32 for 195 yards and 2 INTs
RB Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) – 14 for 39 yards
WR Ted Ginn, Jr. (MIA) – 1 for 7 yards
"The Dirty"
Kurt Warner, last weeks biggest loser, completely dominated the Chicago Bears supposedly respectable defense.Warner only completed 22 of 32 passes for a measly 261 yards. So you might be asking how he won the award this week? Well, his five touchdown passes certainly sealed the deal for me. That’s right, a week after his five interceptions, Warner showed that at 37 years-old he still has some juice left in the tank. I don’t think there is any discrepancy to be had over Warner. I mean Fitz had a crazy good game, but of course that was because of Warner.Randy Moss and Mike Sims-Walker put up impressive stats but they were identical so just one of them couldn’t win it.Lastly, Michael Turner put up over 150 yards for the second consecutive week but was slightly over showed in my book.
Honorable Mentions:
WR Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) – 9 for 123 yards and 2 TDs
WR Randy Moss (NE) – 6 for 147 yards and 1 TD
WR Mike Sims-Walker (JAX) – 6 for 147 yards and 1 TD
RB Michael Turner (ATL) – 18 for 166 yards and 2 TDs
If anyone thinks I missed a player that deserves to be recognized on either list please let me know.
